The Curse of Swan Lake

The next morning was Christmas Day. Which felt weird because to me, it didn't actually feel like Christmas.
At least it seemed that my cold was slowly getting better. I had dragged myself back to my room early in the morning and slept until noon, and now I felt better than I had in days.
Granted, my nose was still stuffy and I still had an itch in my throat, but at least the pounding in my head had stopped. I found my bed surrounded with gifts from my friends and opened them with a bright smile on my face. I got books, chocolates and even a little can of pepper spray from Ginny, although I doubted I would need it.

"You know, Crooks", I said to my cat as I got dressed, "I had the strangest dream yesterday. I dreamt that Professor Snape came to apologize."
I laughed lightly and shook my head.
"I really must have been out of it."

I tied my hair hack in a thick Dutch braid and jumped over Crookshanks, who was lingering at the door.
"Don't get into a fight with Mrs. Norris", I said and closed the door as I headed for the Great Hall. Through the windows I saw the snow glistening silver. The staircases were decorated with mistletoe and small ornaments and I felt my mood being lifted when I smelled the typical scent of gingerbread wafting towards me from the hall.

I had bought a few gifts for my professors, which were things such as a book on Australian Transfiguration (for Professor McGonagall) or a pot of herbs (for Professor Sprout). Even Professor Snape got something from me, but that was only because I had put quite a lot of thought (and money) into his gift before the feather incident. Instead of buying him a Potions book, which I had thought about at first but then decided against because he probably had everything already, I got him a wooden box filled with twenty rare ingredients. Even a gryphon's tooth was in there, and those were hard to find.

Inside the Great Hall, twelve magnificent Christmas trees lined the walls. They were decorated with silver and golden ornaments, enough to make it look festive, but not like a Christmas explosion had occurred. I felt a twinge of sadness as I remembered how Professor Dumbledore used to decorate.
There was only one table in the center, at which the professors sat. I scanned the table and instantly noticed Professor Snape's absence, which was a relief. I needed a good brunch before I could deal with him.

"Ah, Miss Granger", said Professor McGonagall as I took a seat beside her. "Feeling better, I see."

I nodded with a smile and grabbed myself a cup of hot chocolate.
"Yes, Professor. Merry Christmas."
I took a croissant out of the bread basket.
"How was your Christmas morning?"

"Quite normal", the older witch replied and pursed her lips slightly. "I expect yours was not the one you had hoped for."

Nope. Waking up at the shore of the black lake, covered in snow was definitely not my idea of a fun Christmas.
"Not really", I said honestly and added a cookie to my plate. Then a second one. It was Christmas, after all.

I chatted a bit with my professors, enjoying the food and even pulling a cracker with Professor Flitwick. Professor Wernin sat beside me on my other side, but I wasn't sure how I felt about him. He wasn't the greatest teacher, to be honest. Every time I tried to suggest a different way of performing magic, he would look at me as if I were just a stupid, small bug. Granted, I knew I was only a student, but a good teacher should also learn from his pupils, in my opinion.

Professor McGonagall nodded at me and stood up to leave.
"Enjoy the rest of your holidays, Miss Granger."

"Thank you."
I gave Professor McGonagall a tense smile.
Oh, I bet I would have a great holiday. Especially since I had snapped at Professor Snape the other day and still didn't know how he would react when he saw me.

I was halfway done with eating my lunch/breakfast, when a black owl swooped down from the ceiling. Professor Filius squeaked in surprise when it almost hit him with its wings.
The black owl dropped a letter into my lap, then disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

I wonder whose owl it is, I thought and picked up the letter with my free hand, while holding my fork (a piece of bacon stuck on its spikes) in the other. When I couldn't open the letter one-handed, I stuck my fork with the bacon between my teeth and quickly pulled the envelope open.
There was a small note inside with one sentence.

Come to my office once you have eaten.
S.S.

I stared blankly at the words. Seriously? He had told me not to come back until after Christmas. And what was he planning on doing? Roast me for my rudeness?
Surely he wouldn't ask me to brew. I did feel better, but I did not trust my hand-and-eye-coordination at the moment.

A horrible thought occurred to me.
Would he cancel my apprenticeship?

I nervously chewed on the bacon and pulled my fork out of my mouth to set it down on my plate. I swallowed, but it felt like trying to swallow a rock. My appetite had disappeared completely. A tight knot was forming in my stomach and I knew I would not be able to take my mind off Professor Snape (which was already hard enough) until I had gone to his office.

Better get it over with.

I said goodbye to the other professors who were still seated and left the Great Hall. On my way to Professor Snape's office, I thought of ways to convince him not to fire me. On the one hand, this apprenticeship was too important to me to lose it over an argument. Yet at the same time, I did have some pride.

If you don't want to lose your apprenticeship, then you should not have yelled at him in the first place, a tiny voice said in the back of my head.

Why couldn't my inner subconscious shut up? In my defense, I wasn't feeling that well when I let my temper go through me.
But I doubted Professor Snape would accept that as an excuse.

Feeling extremely gloomy, I knocked on the black wooden door of Professor Snape's office. It swung open to the inside on its own without a sound. I sighed and squared my shoulders.

Then I stepped inside.

The door slammed shut behind me, causing me to flinch. Professor Snape was sitting at his desk, grading something. He looked up and his eyes narrowed.

"Sit."

Shit. This won't go well.

I complied quietly and sat down in the chair facing his desk. My fingers twitched nervously and I folded my hands to avoid twiddling my thumbs.

Professor Snape straightened up in his chair and leaned back, crossing his arms in front of his black-robed chest.
"Do you know why you are here, Miss Granger?", he asked, his eyes boring into mine.

"Uh- "

Okay. He's getting straight to the point.

"It's because I yelled at you the other day, isn't it?", I said quietly.

Arching an eyebrow, Professor Snape reached into a drawer of his desk. He pulled out a small leather bag and set it down in front of me. Through the opening at the top, I could see many white feathers, dotted with golden spots.

"Explain this", Professor Snape demanded. "I know you said you got them from the swan on the black lake-"

I swallowed. That was kind of true.

"-yet I have never heard of a Cygnus Cantare granting someone more than a single feather."
The air seemed to thicken and I felt my hands getting sweaty.

"Explain, Miss Granger", said Professor Snape again in a hard voice.

Bollocks. Of course he'd want to know how I'd gotten those.

"I- er, found them a few weeks ago in her nest", I said, sticking to the truth as much as possible. "And she didn't seem to mind that I took them."

"I thought you said you got the feathers from a friend", said Professor Snape immediately, narrowing his eyes at me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Well, I was kind of- referring to the swan as my friend", I said hastily, hoping that would suffice.

"And you want me to believe that you found the nest of the swan?", said Professor Snape mockingly. "Something only three people managed to do in the last three hundred years?"

I shot him a confused look.
"Er- yeah. I sort of landed on it."

Professor Snape uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"Do you know how unrealistic that sounds?", he said sharply. "You stumbling into the nest of a Singing Swan and finding a dozen of its rare feathers."

"That's what happened, sir", I said insistingly.
Not really knowing what else to say, I averted my eyes and stared at the bag filled to the brink with feathers. Stupid feathers. I should have sold the rest at Diagon Alley instead of throwing them into Professor Snape's face.
Then I gritted my teeth when I remembered what he said to me.

Professor Snape leaned back again. I could feel him surveying me, studying me, to see if I was lying. When several minutes had passed in a thick silence, I raised my eyes and stared defiantly into his face.

I wasn't going to tell him anymore. The least he could do is apologize.

"I apologize for my accusations", said Professor Snape suddenly.

What?, I thought shocked. Can he read my mind?
I lowered my eyes, just in case.

"My words were spoken in the heat of the moment and I take them back."

Wow, that was the first apology I've ever heard from him. Besides the one in my dream. But he sounded like he actually meant it.

"Thank you, sir", I said sincerely and looked up again. "Just so you know, I truly had no intention of bargaining for your book."

Professor Snape nodded. His face was as blank, as it always was.
"You should know that I will not tolerate such behavior in the future", he said warningly. "If you want to keep your apprenticeship, I suggest you reign in your temper."

So should you, I thought, but bit my tongue. Instead, I nodded mutely. I'd gotten my apology. Now I would just make sure this never happened again. Any future feathers I shed would land in my room and then maybe in Diagon Alley.

"It is also a first for me to apologize for something twice", I heard Professor Snape say.

Now I had lost him. Twice?
"I believe today was the first time", I said slowly, racking my brain for any memory that included an apology.

Professor Snape's lips twitched.
"I have heard several students muttering utter nonsense while experiencing fever dreams, but me wearing a pink tutu in one of them was- an interesting alternation from the usual."

I gaped at him. My eyes went wide and I felt my face turn pink.

So that dream- was NOT a dream? Ohhhh shit... I'm so screwed.

I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment.

"I apologize", I mumbled, wishing the floor would open and swallow me.
"I must have been completely out of it."

"Indeed."

Was I hearing amusement in his voice?

I peeked up and lowered my hands when he set something down in front of me. It was a square-shaped object wrapped in black paper.

"I was- surprised by your gift, Miss Granger", he said softly, "but know that it is greatly appreciated. Just as the feathers are too."
He gestured to the object.
"To make it even, for both the feathers and the ingredients, you may have this."

I shot him a confused look and carefully reached out to open the wrapping paper. When I pulled the black paper away, I saw a thick, old manuscript bound in leather. Bits of pieces of paper with notes were stuck in between the pages and I could see several pressed leaves and plants poking out on the side.

The title said: The True Art of Potions by Severus Snape.

I gasped involuntarily.
"You're giving me the manuscript of your book?", I whispered hoarsely.

Professor Snape inclined his head slightly, but remained silent.

I stared at the old book and gently lifted it off the table to lay it in my lap.
That was almost invaluable. This manuscript was basically the very first copy of his book, containing all of his notes and thoughts. Why would he give that to me?

I looked up and found Professor Snape watching me.
"I can't accept this", I said quietly and slowly placed the book back on the table.

Professor Snape quirked an eyebrow.
"If I remember correctly, you seemed very determined to read it."

"Yes, but I meant a published copy, not your original manuscript! Shouldn't you keep it for-"
My voice faltered as my mind drew a blank.

"I have my own copy, so I am no longer in need of this one", explained Professor Snape smoothly.

I opened my mouth to protest.

"Miss Granger, just accept it", he cut me off. "It is a gift."

I closed my mouth again and swallowed.
"Thank you, sir", I said again and bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. This Christmas had just become the best one ever.

"I shall see you in two days in my lab", Professor Snape said and eyed me closely. His eyes drifted to the dark shadows beneath my own. "We will be brewing a modification of the Draught of Living Death and I expect you to be in a good condition."

I nodded again, this time more seriously. If I couldn't get enough rest during the night, I'd have to start taking afternoon naps. Which would be impossible to fit into my schedule.

Then MAKE time, Hermione. You're brewing a NEWT level potion in two days!

My stomach fluttered as if I'd eaten butterflies earlier.

Professor Snape flicked his hand at the door and it opened behind me. I took that as my cue to leave and stood up, clutching the old book to my chest and a smile creeping onto my face.
"Thank you, sir", I said again and motioned to the book in my arms. "And Merry Christmas."

Professor Snape nodded at me.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Granger."

I turned around and left the room, my stuffy nose and shivering almost forgotten. I had a book to read, after all.

Severus' P.O.V.:
Throughout the day, I finished my documentary of my Cruciatus curse modification. By the time I laid my quill aside, it was already six in the evening.

It was time to put my work aside.

Time to feed.

The thought of blood made my heart rate speed up, yet it remained slower than any human's, My mouth started watering and I felt my teeth elongate.

Breathe.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Not yet.

I suppressed the thought of fresh blood, which I would soon be getting out in the forbidden forest, and focused on my breathing. Years of practicing allowed me to easily regain control and I opened my eyes again.

Summoning my black cloak, I stood up, draped it around my shoulders and strode out of the door to my private quarters.
Albus had known. He had ever since I had been turned on my thirtieth birthday. That was why I had a door in my quarters leading straight to the forbidden forest, without having to go through the entire castle.

The door opened on its own, granting me passage into the cold night, and swung shut behind me. My black cloak billowed around my legs as I strode into the depths of the woods. At once, the sounds of the night surrounded me, from the rustling of the branches to the growls of the nearby creatures. I heard them all. Every heartbeat, every breath.

I stopped and looked up. The dark canopy covered the sky, keeping me in the shadows. I cracked the muscles in my neck as I allowed the rest of my control to slip. My eyes closed and I breathed in deeply, dissecting the different scents that I could taste in the air.

A cold smile curved my lips and the tips of my elongated teeth touched my bottom lip. A rush went through my body, heat spread through me from head to toe.

Since I was what I was, I never felt the cold nor any heat. But this heat was different. It came from inside me, filling me with the urge and the...desire to quench my thirst.

I opened my eyes again and licked my lips when the scent of an old bobcat wafted my way. Warm and earthy. The creature had a lame hind leg, but its blood still pumped strongly through its heart.
It would do.

My agreement with the centaurs allowed me to only hunt the creatures which were old, injured or sick. I preferred the fresh and spicy blood of young creatures, but I was no fool to risk war with the centaurs. I was strong, but I needed their cooperation if I wanted to keep my true nature a secret.

I slowly bent my legs and parted my lips, tasting the air. Then I jumped, my black robes swirling around me as I flew through the moonless night.

Yes, I could fly.

All vampires could.

****

Hermione's P.O.V.:
I trilled softly, parting my golden beak to practice using my voice. I was a Cygnus Cantare, so I had to sing like one. As a human, I wasn't blessed with a beautiful voice. I could bellow loudly if I had to, as Harry and Ron knew well enough, but sing?

Stretching my neck, I gazed at the sparkling sky and hummed a tune which I thought was simple enough to start with.

Oh holy night,
I thought in my head, mentally singing the words along.
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

The new moon shone high above me, surrounded by a carpet of stars. My voice sounded a little thin and shaky, so I closed my eyes and focused on the words in my head. I could feel the ice beneath my webbed feet, cold and thick.

Long lay the world,
In sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.

My voice got stronger. I felt a warm glow in my chest, filling me with confidence from the inside.

A thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices.
For yonder breaks,
A new and glorious morn.

I opened my eyes in surprise. My voice sounded...full. Full of warmth and love and- light. I continued humming, focusing on the meaning of the words and my eyes on the sky. Unbeknownst to me, the golden flecks on my plumage started glowing softly, basking me in a warm light.

Fall on your knees,
Oh hear the angel voices.
Oh night divine.
Oh night, when Christ was born.

****

The wind carried the swan's voice through the air, through the sky and the trees, up until it reached the Headmistress' tower of Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall stood at the window, listening intently. She gazed out into the black darkness, her eyes fixed towards the black lake. The dark trees shielded the water from her view, but she thought she could make out a golden glow behind the canopy.

"Do you hear that, Albus?", she said quietly, as if she were worried her voice would disturb the beautiful music.

The wizard hummed softly in his portrait.
"A Cygnus Cantare returned to Hogwarts", he said softly. "The last one living on the black lake was...four hundred years ago, I believe."

Minerva turned to look at him.
"Why?", she asked. "Why now?"

Albus smiled happily into his beard.
"Who knows? I'm just a portrait."

****
Severus' P.O.V.:

Oh night divine,
Oh night.
Oh night divine.

I looked up and licked the rest of the warm blood from my lips. A soft music filled my ears, coming from all around me. It echoed in the trees and whispered in the crannies.
I straightened back up from my kneeling position, the dead and bloodless bobcat laying at my feet. The meal had filled my stomach and would keep my sated for a few weeks.

Cocking my head slightly, I listened. I was sure I heard words whispering along with the melody, but I was not sure. Whoever was singing, that voice...surprisingly touched me and pulled me out of my bloodthirsty haze. My teeth shrunk back to their human size and I felt my vampiric side getting lulled into a daze.

So led by light,
Of the stars sweetly gleaming.
Here came the wise men from orient land.

I felt a pull towards a certain direction, the need to get closer to the music. My rational thinking snapped me out of it and I narrowed my eyes.

This is the Cygnus Cantare singing, I realized and focused my eyes to the left.

That way.

Hermione's P.O.V.:

The king of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.

I stretched out my wings to the side, closing my eyes in happiness. Who knew that singing as a swan would make me feel so- peaceful?

Fall on your knees,
Oh hear the angel voices.
Oh night divine.
Oh night, when Christ was born.

I could finally begin to understand what the purpose of a Cygnus Cantare was. To bring back the light to people by opening their hearts with music. Many drove the Singing swans away with their greed for the swans' powers, but our true purpose was not to hide from the humans. We were supposed to heal them from their grief and sorrow.

I didn't really know yet why the curse of Swan Lake had continued for so long in my bloodline. There had to be more to it.
But I knew one thing. If I embraced this form, I would find out.

Oh night,
Oh holy night.
Oh, night divine.

The last few notes of the song lingered in the air, brushing around me until- it was over. I folded my wings again and leaned back into the water. That was when I realized how quiet it had become. As if the entire world had fallen silent, just to listen to me.

I lowered my head and stared at my reflection in the water. My feathers looked the same as before, but in my eyes was a warm glow that hadn't been there before.
And that was when I noticed that I was swimming. In water. The black lake, with its diameter of five hundred meters, had lost its thick sheen of ice.

I shook my head disbelievingly.
Did I just melt the entire lake? With my singing?

I felt a presence nearby. Dark, yet familiar. My head whipped to the side and I narrowed my eyes to peer through the darkness. There was someone standing at the shore of the lake.

I had to smile slightly, even though I still wasn't sure if swans could smile. My webbed feet pushed me through the cold water, towards Professor Snape.

Severus' P.O.V.:
The swan was glowing. In a golden light. As far as I knew, that happened whenever it used its true voice.

I just heard a Singing Swan, I realized, partly in shock.

I felt my resolve slipping as I watched it swim towards me. Here I was, a vampire in the darkness that had just given in to his blood-thirst... and the swan was swimming my way?

A few meters away from the shore, she stopped and slightly cocked her head to look at me with her dark, brown eyes. There was a warm glint in them, a glow that seemed to see straight into my heart.

I inclined my head and slowly lowered myself onto one knee until I was on eye-level with the swan.

I knew it was her voice I had heard earlier. And I knew I would never forget it.

A movement snapped me out of my thoughts. The swan swam closer, until she was able to stand on the ground and lift herself out of the water. The golden glow surrounding her now shone onto my face.

She stood right in front of me and lightly spread her wings. I felt as if she were embracing me with her light. The shadows around me seemed to pull back, releasing me from their hold.

Gracefully lowering her elegant neck, the swan touched her beak to her right wing and slowly pulled out a pure white feather dotted with golden spots. She turned her head back to look at me and stretched her neck into my direction, the feather in her beak.

My eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Miss Granger had given me feathers, but this- this was different. The swan thought I had to actually be worthy of getting one.

I slowly lifted my hand and touched the end of the feather with my fingertips. The Cygnus Cantare parted her golden beak to release the feather and withdrew her head. The feather was light and still slightly warm, like the others I had received from Miss Granger. With one last look into my eyes, the swan turned around and waded back into the lake.

It took me awhile until I returned to my quarters. My mind was occupied with what had transpired that evening and I realized, I had not felt this peaceful since- well, for along time at least.

I did not even question why the black lake hadn't been frozen.