Love and Power

{10} Brutally Exposed

The next morning I was in a rush to get to breakfast. I think I dressed in record time. Then raced down to the Great Hall and scanned the Slytherin table for blonde hair.

I found him.

But what I saw... broke me.

He was seated next to Pansy. Who had her head laid on his shoulder. And her arm linked into his.

She looked up at me, and started laughing.

"Look at her face! Hurts doesn't it, Crow?!"

I met eyes with Draco and that's when he saw it. The pure hurt in my eyes. Like I had lost everything good in my life. Everything that's ever been happy.

Gone. In seconds.

I shook my head and took a few wobbly steps backwards, then turned away and started running. Suddenly I was snatched from the hallway and tossed against a shut classroom door.

"Why do you do that?!" I yelled in his face. "Stop yanking me into classrooms!! You can speak fine!!"

"I couldn't call attention to us."

Us?

I looked behind Snape and saw my father. Crossed arms. And none other than Lucius Malfoy. Who had a cold stare.

"Miss Crow," Lucius scowled. "We received note that Dumbledor is suspicious of your current place in our community. He has ordered all staff to keep an eye on you or any suspicious activity you may take part in."

"Okay?! Is that such a bad thing?! Why does it require a posse?!" I scoffed, tears stinging my eyes. I turned to Lucius. "By the way, your son's a sick, selfish, betraying, and cold snake! But I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree now, does it?!"

"Lucius," My father grabbed his arm when it looked as if he was going to lunge at me. "She's The Dark Lord's precious property. We can't harm her too much."

"What do you want from me?" I growled.

"We're here to escort you to Malfoy Manor, where you will be staying. And training."

"It also seems as if The Dark Lord has found a new way you could help him," My father smirked. "Maybe your mother's death wasn't such a bad thing."

Hurt filled my being. "Excuse me?!"

"Silence!" Snape snarled. "You're going to the Manor and you are going silently. With no contact to anyone to lessen the chances of being caught."

"Answer me something, Snape," I growled, finding a newfound confidence to get in his face again. "Why the hell would you care about me?"

"You haven't told her, Severus?" My father smirked. "Oh, I'm offended! You really think she wouldn't be able to find out?"

"Find out what?! I'm tired of all the secrets!! Everyone come clean with everything concerning me!" I scoffed. "I deserve to know what's going on!!"

"Very well, Miss Snape," My father grinned maliciously. Snape stepped back from me a bit. "I'm not your blood father. Severus is."

"What?!" I turned to him. "Is- are you serious?! You've taught me all this time and never thought to tell me that we're family?! You left me with him?! He's abused me since I was a child!! How could you?!"

"Anastasia, this is no time for emotions. Your life is in danger."

"That's why you care then," I stood back. The anger simmering to hurt. "Because you're my father and you don't want me getting hurt. Even though you dumped me onto that other man and I was raised being hurt."

"You don't know the whole story," Snape's voice softened. "I wish I had time to explain it to you. But I don't. Lucius."

"No! I demand an explanation!" I yelped when Lucius grabbed my arm. Along with Anthony. The man who- up until now- used to be my father. "You don't care about me!! You let him hurt me and I'll never forgive you!!"

I was apparated to the familiar deep green and black hallways of the Malfoys' Manor home. Though it doesn't look like much of a home now. Considering the Dark Lord has taken it over as his headquarters.

"Unhand me," I wiggled out of the mens' grips. "I can walk on my own thank you."

My head was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. How could Snape be my blood father? Why did he give me up and why to Anthony? Was my mother really my mother? Then why was Draco now with Pansy? Why did he go back to her knowing how she treats me and him.

We approached the same room as last time. The room I was recruited in. The door opened but I wasn't as nervous as before. I knew who and what to expect. Voldemort sat at a large throne-like chair. Bellatrix stood next to the chair.

The drapes were open this time, letting in some midday sun. Which I despised. Meaning I had to look upon Voldemort's ugly face in perfect lighting.

"Miss Crow," He grinned. "Your return is pleasing."

"I don't go by that name anymore," I growled.

"Ah, do you now? What shall I call you then?"

"Snape. Anastasia Snape."

"Severus told you?" Bellatrix gasped. "Oh, my lord, it's all going to unfold now!"

"Silence, Bella!" Voldemort snapped, but seemed to settle again and look at me with a softer expression. "I assume he has told you of your mother? Or shall I?"

"Really?" I surprisingly perked up. "You'll tell me about my mother?"

"Yes, if you so wish," He answered. It's suspicious how polite he's being. But I'd do anything to learn more about my mother. I was a baby when she was killed. He turned to Bellatrix and told her to leave.

"Your mother was not fully human," Voldemort began. "Therefore, neither are you. You and your mother are nymphs."

"A nymph," I whispered to myself. "So- so that's why I have healing tears and immortalizing blood..."

"Very good," He nodded. "You are only half nymph. Considering Severus. But your mother was a pureblood nymph."

"My lord, why was she killed?" I asked. I'm too vulnerable right now. Learning about my mother and who she was has- emotionally immobilized me. I'm stuck in a softer state. "Who killed her and why?"

"Severus killed her," Voldemort growled. "To protect her from what I needed her for."

"He- he what?"

"Has this come as a shock to you? Severus sent you into hiding with someone he trusted. Who betrayed him. When I learned about you- is when I decided to make moves towards my immortality. Which is why I needed your mother's help. Severus is not much of a father."

I felt my breath speed up. A panic attack bubbling up in my system. It's all falling on me at the same time. My death eater occupation, Draco and Pansy, Snape being my father, Snape killing my mother, my mother was a mythical creature, and I'm a half blood between her and Snape.

"Yes, this emotion," Voldemort stood and circled behind me, he spoke softly while leaning closer to me. "The anger. Your mother was killed by your father. The man he gave you to abused you," He turned to in front of me and evilly grinned and slipped my wand out of my pocket, then handed it to me. He stepped back and uncovered an unlit fireplace. "Channel your anger. Welcome it. Use it, Anastasia."

I growled. I tried so hard to be angry. I tried. All that came out were tears. Lots and lots of tears. Until I remembered Draco and Pansy. He went to Pansy after I left him.

I angrily shot a spell at the fireplace, yelling in frustration as I cast it. The fireplace exploded in green flame. A roaring fire settling where there once was a barren gap.

"Yes!! Aha!!" Voldemort laughed. "You're perfect!! Bellatrix!! Summon the others!!"

I was panting when he grabbed my arm tightly. "Come, Anastasia. You will now know what your father killed your mother to save her from."