Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 9 ~ Evil Plans in the Making
Venoma sat in the window seat staring out in the expanse of blue sullenly. There was no news of the ring, or the person Severus chose to travel to the tomb of the ancestors. Her black eyes drifted up to the thin clouds, then down to the mists. She hoped there would be word soon.
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Ketri strode to the base of the mountain and eyed the spiral path. He had never attempted the journey, and it was well he didn’t. He wouldn’t have made it. He stared at the expanse of sky for a moment, then let out a sharp cry. He listened a moment, his one good eye searching the skyline again, before he let out another call. This time it was answered. A large shadow swooped past him, and he shuddered. Then he heard the great wings flapping as the great bird landed in front of him. The bird had copper feathers, a white crest, a wicked hooked beak, sharp curved talons and cold, golden eyes. Its wingspan was at least nine meters. The bird squawked at him. Ketri bowed to the creature.
“Tell Mistress a stranger has arrived. A woman, a witch from another place. She travels without magic and her name is Hermione. She is staying at Petra’s inn,” the wizard said as the bird twisted its head, absorbing the message. Ketri bowed again.
“Shall I wait?” Ketri asked the bird. It squawked sharply.
“Very well,” Ketri said, walking over to a stone and settling down as the bird took off in a spiral, soaring towards the top of the mountain.
“I hope he doesn’t take as long as last time,” Ketri said, looking about him sharply, and starting when a small stone rolled down the mountain trail. “I hate this place.”
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Venoma was just about to leave her window seat when she spotted a small speck zooming toward her. She sat up straighter and opened the window, the cool mountain air rushing in. The speck grew larger and larger. She could see the great wings flapping.
“Ozmadias!” she exclaimed as her familiar landed on the windowsill, his great size filling it. The bird lowered its head, and Venoma reached out a thin pale hand and caressed the bird’s white crest.
“I haven’t seen you for weeks, my pet. I trust the hunting has been good?” she asked the bird, who clipped his vicious beak in a satisfactory manner and sent her an image of a fleeing unicorn foal, that screamed in terror as it was taken.
“Ah, very good hunting. I imagine Sewall is furious,” she said a nasty grin flitting across her face. “He will be patrolling the mountain searching for intruders with his herd. This is good. None shall get past him.”
The bird gave a small nod, his expressionless golden eyes glinting. It looked at Venoma and sent another image.
“Ketri!” Venoma exclaimed pleased. She received the one-eyed spy’s message with glee.
“Yes. Yes,” she said rising and walking to a wall and making a pass over it. A small vault appeared. She pulled it open and took out a small bag of coins. She brought it over to Ozmadias, who took it gently from her hand in his beak. She caressed him again.
“Take this to Ketri for his service, Ozmadias, and tell him to look to see if the stranger wears the family ring. If this is the one my cousin has sent, his ring will be on her finger,” Venoma said. She sent her familiar an image of the ring to pass on to Ketri. “Tell him if she wears it, and he can get it from her, he will be greatly rewarded. I am not particular how he gets it,” she added, her black eyes glittering with malice. “He can bring it with the finger for all I care.”
Ozmadias made a sound that was reminiscent of laughter, hunching his feathered shoulders.
“Now go, my sweet pet, and deliver this to Ketri. Come back and I will give you a goat,” Venoma said to the great bird, who squawked appreciatively, then fell back out the window, righted himself and spiraled downward toward the waiting Ketri.
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Ketri sat on the stone, looking around uneasily and jumping at every sound. He heard Ozmadias’ cry and breathed a sigh of relief. The bird had been quick this time. The great shadow passed over him, then the bird dropped to the ground heavily behind him, startling the wizard. Ketri saw the pouch, and his one eye glittered. Ozmadias placed it on the ground, then looked at the wizard with his cold eyes. Ketri stared back, receiving Venoma’s message. He bowed to the bird and picked up the pouch. He opened it, poured the coins into his hands and smiled. He replaced them in the bag and tied it to his trousers securely.
“I will see if she wears the ring. If she does, I will take it, even if I have to strip it from her dead hand,” the wizard said.
Ozmadias nodded his approval, then leapt into the air, flying strongly back to the top of the mountain and his waiting meal. Ketri patted the bag on his waist. It clinked and he smiled evilly. Venoma was generous. If he delivered that ring, most likely she would make him a very wealthy man.
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Vivaldi walked into the setting room and saw Venoma sitting in the window seat, her silky black hair cascading down her back and pooling around her hips. His black eyes raked over her and he swallowed. His half-sister was so beautiful. Venoma was ten years his senior, their father, Adolfo Snape, taking a long break between producing children. Venoma had been a disappointment to him, he had wanted a son, an heir, and her mother disappeared mysteriously three years after Venoma’s birth. The witch’s womb had closed and she could produce no more children.
After several years alone, Adolfo procured a young cousin for marriage, who gave birth to Vivaldi. He had been a difficult birth, and when his father was given a choice whether to save the mother or the child, he chose the child. But Aldofo did not get to see his son reach adulthood. He was killed by a unicorn while hunting, the long horn driven through his heart and his body tossed from the mountainside. Vivaldi had been six years old.
Venoma had taken over the household, although everything went to Vivaldi, who adored her. She made sure the boy did, using her beauty and sexuality to keep him close. He was of marrying age now, but exhibited no interest in finding a wife. He lusted after Venoma greatly. And when she mentioned he must look for a wife, he would state plainly, “I love no one but you, Venoma” and she would kiss him on the lips, and caress his hair and tell him he was silly as she pressed her slim body against him, thus always giving him hope. It was a cruel game she played with the randy young wizard, but she had to keep her position secure. Yet, if she could get the ring, Vivaldi would be dispensable.
Venoma felt Vivaldi’s eyes on her and smiled. She turned to him and beckoned him over. The wizard almost ran to her side. She embraced him close and kissed his mouth, her dark eyes meeting his before she released him. Vivaldi dropped to the window seat and took her hand, his eyes burning.
“Oh, my sister,” he breathed, kissing it ardently.
“Dear brother,” she replied, lifting her hand to his cheek and caressing it, “There is news. The wearer of the ring may be in the village. I have sent Ketri to acquire it, if it is so.”
Vivaldi’s eyes went wide.
“The ring!” he said excitedly, “Then the power will be mine, and I shall be recognized as the head of our family,” the young wizard said. Venoma’s eyes clouded at this statement, but she kept a frozen smile on her face.
“Yes, dear brother,” she responded, “and you will not let the ring’s power lie fallow like that fool Severus. He never used it. He had no desire for power.”
Vivaldi looked at Venoma, his eyes liquid with longing.
“I will use the ring, sister. For you,” he declared.
She caressed his face again.
“You are sweet, Vivaldi,” she purred, “Now, go get your lyre and play me something beautiful.”
“Yes, sister,” Vivaldi replied, rising and exiting the room quickly.
Venoma watched him go, her eyes dark. She loved her half-brother, but she loved herself more.
The ring would be hers.
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A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SEVERUS! Well, Hermione’s targeted, Ketri wants to be a rich man. That Venoma is a piece of work. Her own brother isn’t safe. How about her familiar? Ozmadias. Raucous better be careful on that mountain. Please review.
Denise: Congratulations on your expected bundle of joy!!
The Burning Pen
The Ring
by Ruth Solomon
The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.