The Shadows of Blood

Chapter Two: The Bloody History he could not tell

'After all this time?'

'Always.'

Albus Dumbledore and Severus snape. (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) 

01

'You can't keep it.' His voice was quiet.

Alina stared at him, willing him to meet her eyes. 'Why? What's wrong?'

His voice came out as a whisper barely audible 'Everything.' 

'This is not like you, Saffi.' She said.

'I know.' He admitted. 'But you have to get rid of that crystal pendant.'

She could still feel its cool surface against her skin. Her grip tightened, securing it in her fist, so that her nails sank painfully into her flesh. 'I'm not giving it away.'

'You have to.' He insisted. 'The history behind that pendant is a bloody one, Lissy.'

'I'm not giving it away.' She repeated.

'Lissy, please.' His eyes were pleading now. 'You don't have to give it away, just get rid of it!'

'No!' She was practically screaming now. Clutching the pendant to her chest, she backed away.

'Lissy.' He was advancing on her, like an animal of prey. 

'No!' Her voice was shrill and petrified, her mismatched eyes flashing amber and amethyst. 'Saffi, please, what's wrong?'

'I'm warning you.' He stretched out his hand as though hoping Alina would give it to him. 'That pendant hides terrible powers.'

'I'm not giving it away!' Her scream was like glass piercing flesh, echoeing around the corridor. They could hear footsteps approaching, no doubt the servants wanted to find out what was going on.

'Then you leave me with no choice.'

He lunged at her.

Alina stumbled backwards, arms outstretched in a ludicrous attempt to keep her balance. 'NO!'

The footsteps outside were growing nearer, but Saffi was already on top of her, pinning her to the wall, clawing at her fist where she held the pendant fast in her grasp.

For a split moment, Alina raised her eyes and their gazes locked. She was surprised by not the anger, but misery and woe which shone in his eyes.

And then, her grip slackened, and it was all over.

Saffi wrenched it out of her fingers and stood up. With one swift movement, he tossed it out of the window.

Alina saw it fall as though in slow motion. She jerked upright, sprinking across the room, she skidded to a stop just in front of the windowsill. But as she gazed down at the grassy lawns surrounding the castle, she knew with a pang of furry, that it had shattered to pieces, never to be found again.

She felt her tears welling up, and then a hand on her shoulder.

Alina shook it off, not turning to look at her brother. 'Saffi, why?'

He did not speak for a long long time, but continued to gaze out the window. His lips formed soundless words. 'I'm sorry.' He said finally, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' He was crying, his hand shook slightly. 'You'll understand someday.'

'Understand what?' She asked.

'It's so terrible. I can't tell you about that pendant's history.'

'You can.' She insisted, searching his face. 'Tell me.'

He smiled, but there was something forced, something unnatural. It seemed more like a grimace than any kind of joy. 'Maybe someday.'

He reached out his arms and hugged her. Then, he without another word, he left the room.

Was she imagining it, or did he take a last glance out of the window?