Chapter 34 - Mixed In
Jan. 10th, 2008 03:43 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
The ideas are just a-flowing... I can't seem to stop them, and I really don't want to! :D
Title: The Mary Sue Virus
Chapter Title: Mixed In
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: 18+
Warnings: Graphic Sexual situations, Oral, Angst
Disclaimer: The recognizable characters in this work of fiction and the world it is set in are the property of J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Pictures. The original characters are the property of Dazzledfirestar, Nanaea, Madapple and Polywolly, and are not to be used without the permission of those individuals. I am not making any money from this and it is purely a flight of fancy for the purpose of entertainment.
Title: The Mary Sue Virus
Chapter Title: Mixed In
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: 18+
Warnings: Graphic Sexual situations, Oral, Angst
Disclaimer: The recognizable characters in this work of fiction and the world it is set in are the property of J.K Rowling and Warner Bros. Pictures. The original characters are the property of Dazzledfirestar, Nanaea, Madapple and Polywolly, and are not to be used without the permission of those individuals. I am not making any money from this and it is purely a flight of fancy for the purpose of entertainment.
Issobell stretched lazily as she watched Severus get dressed. The last few days had been mind blowing. With the exception of meals and the occasional shower together, they hadn’t left the bedroom. “It is time to go, my dear.” He turned and handed her uniform to her. “You must get back before anyone notices that you’re gone.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve been gone for nearly three days. I’m sure my roommates have noticed.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Alright, you must get back before anyone other than your annoyingly perceptive friends notices.” She sighed, rolled her eyes and began pulling up one of her socks. As she finished dressing, a soft sound drifted up the stairs from the sitting room.
Snape pressed his fingers to his lips, silently telling her to keep quiet as he slipped down the stairs. When he was out of sight, she ventured a few steps down; just far enough to hear what was happening. It seemed that he was talking to someone, probably in the fire. She strained to hear the voice.
“…change of plans. She will be very helpful.”
“Absolutely not.” Snape snapped back at the voice. “Wood doesn’t know what he’s exposing her to.”
“But she knows what she is exposing herself to.” No doubt, the voice was Dumbledore’s. “You know her family, Severus. And you have said yourself that Miss Haverty is extremely resourceful.” Issobell’s jaw dropped. What had Azalea gotten herself into?
“That may be true, but I still say she’s a liability.” Issobell could practically hear Snape scowl.
“She’s better placed than her brother ever will be.” Dumbledore’s voice seemed very calm and casual. “In my mind, she’s only a liability if we allow her to become one.” There was a heavy sigh, and Issobell couldn’t tell if it came from Severus or Dumbledore. “She can handle herself, Severus.” That seemed to be the end of the conversation and Issobell scrambled to get back to the room before Severus realized she’d been eavesdropping.
She heard him grumble as he came back into the room, something about ‘irresponsible children’. “What’s going on?”
He raised an eyebrow again. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know that you think one of my friends is in trouble.” She squared her shoulders, preparing for a battle. “I don’t want to go back to Hogwarts. I want to help.”
“You will help me by going back to Hogwarts.” There was little emotion in his voice. It seemed that the wall he protected himself with had gone back up. “The last thing I need is another giggling school girl getting mixed up in things that are far too much for her to deal with.”
It was Issobell’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Giggling school girl? Well, thank you very much, Professor. I think you give me far too little credit.”
Those words seem to strike a cord with Severus. “While Mr. Wood might be able to retain the tiny bit of emotional control he possesses with Miss Haverty thrown into all of this, if you get involved…” He frowned. “I do not trust myself.”
Issobell sighed heavily. He had obviously thought through every argument she could use. “Fine, I’ll go back.” Her voice was low and a little sulky. She couldn’t help herself. His expression softened slightly and he pulled her to him, kissing the top of her head and leading her down the stairs. “Are you coming with me?”
He shook his head. “I have some things I have to deal with.” She nodded and took the floo powder from the small urn he handed her. With one more kiss, she stepped into the green flames and disappeared from his view.
She found herself stepping out of the hearth in the Slytherin common room, which was, thankfully empty. She slipped into her dorm room, finding that empty too, and changed into some clean clothes before going out into the school. She headed toward the library, figuring that was where Rowena would most likely be. She was right. Issobell sat down at the table that Rowena had chosen as her own for the day. It took the Ravenclaw a moment to realize someone had joined her. “Where have you been?”
“Spinner’s end.” She smiled slightly as Rowena’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “What the hell has been going on here? Snape was talking to Dumbledore about Azalea. He said she’d gotten herself involved in whatever they’re up to.” Rowena’s surprised look intensified.
“She went to Puddlemere a few days ago. Rita Skeeter struck again.” Rowena dug through some old copies of the Prophet and found the offending issue. “I got an owl from her this morning, telling me she wouldn’t be back until Sunday. I just thought that she’d made up with Oliver and they were… well.” Her Ravenclaw brain started to work. “Draco left that same day and said he wouldn’t be back until Sunday either. You don’t think she’s…”
Issobell shrugged. “I wouldn’t put it past her to get an early invite to join the Order, or to get herself invited to some sort of death eater meeting. Have you heard from Hyacinth?”
“Still at the Weasleys, as far as I know.” Rowena opened another book. “I think we need to talk to Dumbledore.”
In fact, Hyacinth was doing exactly what Issobell had been doing earlier, but she had company. She and Ginny Weasley were huddled on the stairs just above the hearth in the Burrow, while most of the family was crowded around it, listening to Dumbledore.
Fred let out a small laugh. “Wood’s got a girl? I always thought he’d marry his broom.”
“Despite that Fred, she has volunteered to help him with his current situation. I think,” Dumbledore’s voice slowed a bit, “George, you would do well to take this under consideration.”
“What?” George’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “You think I should ask Hyacinth to get involved in all this? That’s mad!”
“No, it’s not.” Hyacinth stood and came down the stairs. “Besides, you don’t have to ask.”
“Dear, do you know what…?” Molly put an arm around her shoulder.
“I know exactly what I’m getting into. Azalea’s not the only one who was groomed to be part of that society.” She took a deep breath before looking down at the face in the fire. “I want to help, sir.”
The face in the fire smiled. “I knew you would, Miss Ironmonger. George can fill you in on the details. The meeting is set for later this week, so you will have time to prepare.” George just stared at her from across the kitchen, seemingly dumbfounded until Fred smacked his arm and brought him back. “Alright then, I think that covers everything I wanted to inform you of. Have a lovely afternoon.” With a chorus of goodbyes, the face disappeared.
Wordlessly, George took her arm and dragged her bodily out into the garden. He viciously kicked a stray gnome before he began to speak. “Why?”
“Because,” she searched her mind for the answer to that simple little question. “I… I really do want to help. And if there is something I can do to keep you safer…” She sighed and took his hand. “George… please, look at me.” He lifted his eyes to hers. “It’s the same thing Azalea’s doing. If my family connections and my breeding can make your mission easier, then I’ll use them.” She reached up and put a hand on his cheek. “I may not be bold and brave, but cunning can get your pretty far with this crowd. We all play to our strengths.”
He took her hand and kissed her palm lightly. “Alright. I just wanted to keep you out of this, to keep you safe.”
“I know. I want to do the same for you. That’s why I’m doing this.” She smiled, lifting her lips to his. “Now, what do I need to know?”
Someone's on a roll...
Date: 2008-01-10 11:57 pm (UTC)This isn't turning into some kind of race is it?
Good stuff and the plot is starting to roll along.
Found a typo: “In my mind, she’s only a liability is we allow her to become one.” I think that should be "she's only a liability if..."
Re: Someone's on a roll...
Date: 2008-01-11 12:01 am (UTC)Thanks for the headsup on the typo... I'm on it! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 12:24 am (UTC)oh wait. i'm officially the Tolstoy of the group. so.... if i can get a chapter done before the new century, its a good thing.
good chapter, Daz. i liked it.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 01:11 am (UTC)And I'm happy you liked it! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 03:30 am (UTC)I think I suffer from Tolstoy syndrome too. *sigh*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 07:09 am (UTC)I keep trying though, so I suppose I am optimistic.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 03:33 am (UTC)Gin is right, the plot is really starting to roll.
I thought you were setting Rowena up to finally view the memory in the pensive - but now I'm thinking that she and Issobell may get sucked into the thick of things before that can happen. Hmmm....
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 04:58 am (UTC)The plot seems to have gone for a cxrazy run, and it's dragging me along with it. We'll see how things go.
And I know I'm spoiling you. :P Enjoy it while it lasts! lol
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 05:49 am (UTC)You realize the problem with spoiling is that it becomes an expectation after a while.
loved this chapter. . .
yadda, yadda. . . more, more. . . .please. . . .yadda, yadda.
~Mad
(no subject)
Date: 2008-01-11 06:05 am (UTC)I'm going to tell you exactly what I told Nan about being spoiled... enjoy it while it lasts! LOL I can't keep this up forever, but I'll ride the wave as long as possible!