The Disgraced of the House of Black - A Multi-Character Fanfiction - Part One

64. Imperceptible Ire

May 1977

Amara was still awake when night fell. She had spent several hours staring up at the ceiling above her, trying to think of what to do. If she told the truth, told the world that her own brother had tried to kill her, she knew it would only drive Severus deeper into the arms of Voldemort. Then again, if she said nothing...if she did nothing...what was to stop him from trying again?

She had yet to come to a conclusion on this matter when suddenly, she heard the door to the Hospital Wing open. Glancing over, she saw nothing except the bare walls, floors, and beds of the Hospital Wing. Deciding, although without much certainty, that it was nothing, Amara reverted her gaze back to the ceiling. Then, there was a small clatter.

Instantly, Amara sprang to her feet, scrambling for her wand as she tried to ignore the searing pain covering her entire body. She quickly took hold of the bedframe for support as she shifted her wand around her, searching for the source of the noise.

"Jumpy, aren't we?" a cold voice said from behind her.

Amara jumped, almost letting out a scream before a hand clapped over her mouth as the other grabbed hold of her wrist, forcing her wand to face upwards. There was a silent struggle as she fought against her brother, but in her weakened state, she had no way to overpower him. Finally, the pain grew too great and she stopped fighting him.

Severus waited a moment before he said in a low, cold voice, "If you ever tell a soul what happened in Hogsmeade, I will come back. I will finish what I started, and this time, there won't be Sirius Black to save you."

Amara was shaking, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Do you understand me?" Severus hissed. "I will kill him and you without a moment's hesitation." Raising his voice slightly, he snapped, "Do you understand?"

Amara nodded, the sound of her tears slightly muffled by his hand over her mouth. Letting go, Severus stepped back, giving her a look of such venom, she nearly stumbled back.

Before he had taken more than two steps, she whispered through her tears, "What did I do, Severus?"

He met her glazed gaze, his face a mask of nothingness.

A tear fell down her cheek as she desperately cried, "Why do you hate me so? I have done nothing but try to help you. I've-"

"Oh, enough about what you've done!" Severus spat venomously. "If I have to hear one more word about what perfect Amara has done, I'll-" He broke off, overcome with his rage. Storming toward her, he snarled, "You have done nothing compared to him. He is the one who will make me matter. He will make me great. You never wanted anything more than to keep me in the shadows of your greatness!"

"And what do you think he's going to do?" Amara snapped, her voice suddenly much harsher and colder than before. "Ask you to be his partner? You think he'll share his glory?"

"I will make my own glory, apart from you and your-"

He broke off, unable to find his words.

Clenching her jaw, Amara met his gaze with her own, allowing Severus to see for the first time that she was not just afraid of him. There was something more, something greater, something he had never before seen in those eyes, so often alight with joy and warmth. There was sorrow in them, the same sorrow he had seen when she had pleaded with him in Hogsmeade, but more than the fear, more than the sorrow, there was a burning, searing ire, greater and more terrible than he could have ever dreamed his sister capable of. Before he could feel the fullness of her ire, he turned on his heel and disappeared out the door.

Amara did not sleep the rest of the night.

The moment morning came, she got to her feet, getting dressed in something other than her sleeping clothes before she began the long, difficult walk to Dumbledore's office.

Her body ached and she had nearly given up before a distressed voice demanded, "What are you doing?"

Turning, Amara was unsurprised to see Sirius, his eyes wide and scared.

Instantly wrapping an arm around her waist, he said, "Here, let me help you back to the Hospital Wing-"

"No," Amara said in a voice of broken resolve. "Sirius, I need to see Dumbledore."

"Then I'll go get him once you're back in-"

"Sirius," Amara pleaded, her eyes flooding with tears. "Please."

With a long sigh, he said, "Fine, but this isn't going to work."

Before she had a moment to wonder what he meant, he stooped down, catching hold of her so he could carry her. Once he had her in a secure grip, he began to walk. Amara had wrapped her arms around his neck to keep herself from falling, but even so, she still felt mildly terrified she was going to fall.

"Relax," Sirius said with a small laugh.

"Oh, you've done this a lot, have you?" Amara retorted, tightening her hold on him.

"Well, no, but...I won't drop you," Sirius said. Suddenly smirking, he added, "At least, if I do, I'll be sure to fall for you."

Amara scoffed, giving him an incredulous look. Catching sight of Sirius' smile, however, she began to laugh. Sirius' smile widened as he glanced at her. Amara couldn't help but admire his smile. It was warm and bright. It was hard to remember there was a war going on while on the receiving end of that smile. She quickly averted her eyes.

When they reached Dumbledore's office, Sirius frowned, asking, "Do you know the password?"

"No," Amara admitted as he gently lowered her back to the ground, keeping an arm around her waist in case she needed additional support.

They approached slowly, Amara leaning on Sirius. Before they had reached the gargoyle, however, it sprang open, revealing the winding staircase within. Dumbledore appeared, revolving with the stairs as they lowered.

Frowning, he said, "I should have thought you ought to be in the Hospital Wing, Miss Snape."

"I should," she admitted softly. "But, Professor, I need to speak with you...where no one can overhear us."

Dumbledore hesitated only a moment before he gestured her inside. When Sirius had helped her into a chair, he hesitated, unsure whether he was meant to stay or go.

Finally deciding it was right for him to go, Sirius turned, but before he had taken a step, Amara caught his wrist, pleading, "Please don't go..." Her voice lowered nearly to a whisper as she breathed, "Stay."

Sirius hesitated only a moment before taking the other seat in front of Dumbledore's office. Amara did not let go of his hand.

Taking his seat, Dumbledore remarked, "So, I assume this means you've remembered something?"

Amara hesitated a moment before she admitted, "I never...well, I didn't forget, sir."