Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Hemalurgy wasn't something I'd used very often; in fact, I practically never used it, simply because I didn't want to warp my Spiritweb, my body, and my soul. Besides, most of it was useless to me. A large part of Hemalurgy was about stealing powers from the metallic arts, which no one else possessed, and I didn't have the precise knowledge to steal other powers. I could do it, but it would be trial and error, and killing dozens of people for a minimal advantage wasn't exactly ideal.
But that had changed enormously now. With Six Eyes and Clairvoyance, I could see the spirit web with such ease and in such detail that I knew exactly what to look for. I could identify everything I needed on the spirit web and its connection points in the body, then use the spikes to steal it with precision. That had practically transformed hemalurgy from something useless to me into something truly useful and functional.
And not only stealing, in fact, I had also discovered that I could do more than just tear off pieces of spiritual netting to steal attributes.
My clairvoyance and my metals allowed me to see, or even interact with, the Spiritweb to a certain extent, mostly to identify, observe, and gather information. Manipulating the Spiritweb was not something I could do easily, but with the Hemalurgic Spikes, that was really different.
Thanks to Six Eyes and Clairvoyance, I could see the Spiritweb in such detail that I could see even the darkest corner. I could control the hemalurgy with such precision that it did not tear out the Spiritweb, but simply manipulated it, moving it and inserting it in another place; I was practically performing a surgical operation on the Spiritweb, cutting and reconnecting different parts to their proper places.
I really had to thank the Six Eyes and the absurd control they gave me over my magic. Hemalurgy was in tune with Ruin; it was designed to have a negative result when tearing away parts of a Spiritweb. It was its first instinct and what was expected. Only thanks to the Six Eyes' control was I able to simply manipulate the Spiritweb without tearing pieces off left and right.
And I was genuinely glad I could do it. It was my first time trying, but this… it had so much potential. After all, manipulating the spirit web had so many useful applications. The first things that came to mind were Sacred Gears or Evil Pieces; I should be able to easily remove both from a person's soul.
But I put that aside and focused on Lupin. The werewolf curse was truly insidious, but thanks to the potion I'd given Lupin, it was so calm that I could manipulate it with ease.
My hands blurred over Lupin's body. In one hand, I held a Nicrosil spike, which I used to manipulate the Investiture—magic, in this case, Lupin's dark magic. In the other, I held a Duralumin spike, which allowed me to manipulate the Connections. I used both to sever the curse and easily reposition it.
Then I had between my fingers, switching between the others, Atium and Lerasium Spikes, both of which allowed me to interact with practically anything that the previous two did not cover, and finally, a gold one. However, that was more of a medallion with large amounts of health that activated when I stuck it in Lupin; that way, I could immediately heal any damage to Lupin's Spiritweb as if I had never severed the connections.
The whole process was truly fascinating. I was so glad I'd agreed to do this, even if it was Lupin I was operating on. I could feel GLaDOS above my mind as I operated; she was watching everything with such intensity.
And I didn't blame her; being able to manipulate the spiritual connections and web was beneficial when placing implants. Even when a hand is cut off, the spiritual connections remain in the severed limb, but being able to manipulate them to place them on the new prosthesis would make the person feel it was completely their own.
Or even more, manipulating a spirit web and placing it on a robot or something; much could be done with hemalurgy now that it can manipulate the spirit web rather than just tear pieces off.
"I really don't understand anything I'm seeing." Dumbledore sighed, almost in awe. I finally blinked, slowing my fingers slightly.
I'd been so focused on the surgery that I'd lost all sense of my surroundings. I was surrounded by a curtain on one of the infirmary beds. The only others in here were Dumbledore and Enid. Dumbledore was staring intently at my hands with bright eyes, and Enid… well, she was practically asleep in a chair, drooling. I smiled slightly.
I left the spiked spikes on Lupin's body, reached inside my clothes, pulled an empty medallion from my inventory, transfigured it into a pair of glasses, and quickly stored a portion of my Clairvoyance.
"Put them on." I told Dumbledore, handing him the glasses. I saw Dumbledore looking at me in red before carefully taking them, removing his own, and then placing the new ones over his eyes. Dumbledore froze immediately as his eyes opened wide, taking in everything he was looking at.
"What am I looking at?" Dumbledore asked in amazement as he approached Lupin.
"The Spiritweb is the web of connections and magic of a person; you can see everything that makes up Lupin in a much more abstract way. These are the relationships that Lupin has with other people, objects, places, or even with time itself, locations, languages, and magic itself," I began to explain before grabbing a small connection and lifting it.
"It's... wonderful, so... is this what you've been looking at?" Dumbledore asked, almost incredulous. I hummed.
"When I concentrate, yes, it takes a great effort to achieve it. You've seen my nose bleed. This... this is in a higher realm, let's say. My brain isn't capable of filtering or understanding everything I see. The glasses aren't either. I was able to enchant them, but they'll barely last a couple of hours," I said easily. Dumbledore nodded; he wasn't even blinking as he watched.
"Is that... a werewolf?" asked Dumbledore, pointing to a specific part of his Spiritweb.
"Cunning, yes, it is." I said as I prodded the curse, I could see how it ran the connections, how it clung to his magic, and how it changed Lupin's soul to suit what it wanted.
The Connections appeared as luminous, bright, and colorful cords, while Lupin's magic was a clear and bright sky blue. Everything came together and stayed around Lupin; the Connections stretched and tangled around him, and some drifted away into the rest of the world and disappeared.
It was truly fascinating to watch. But the werewolf curse seemed like some kind of glowing, toxic, violet parasite, clinging to connections, replacing them with its own, infecting their magic and everything else.
"As you can see, it's... insidious. It's intrinsically linked to Lupin, but in a disgusting way," I said with a grimace as I continued to cut through the curse and rearrange it. "Look at Enid, and tell me what you see." I said easily and pointed at Enid with my chin. Dumbledore seemed reluctant to stop looking at Lupin, but he looked at Enid with determination. With Enid asleep and having practically given me authority over her, I could alter the defenses of The Company that surrounded her. So I concealed her demonic nature and let Dumbledore see only her shapeshifting side.
"Oh... it's... easy to see on her body, no... It's not a curse, it's attached to her so naturally, almost beautiful to see." Dumbledore said in amazement.
"It is," I said easily. "And that's what I'm trying to do. I tried to cure the werewolf curse with potions, but the more I searched, the more impossible it became. The curse was so deeply rooted, so intertwined with Lupin's soul, that it was impossible to break with just a potion. That's why I'm trying to do this. I'm rearranging, changing, and transforming Lupin's curse to resemble Enid's," I said finally.
"You're truly amazing," Dumbledore said, sighing with excitement. "How... how did you discover something like this?" Dumbledore finally asked. I remained silent for a few moments.
"Isidora Morganach." I finally said, "I could see him tense up," and I hummed. Then I lifted a small connection to Lupin. "This... is Lupin's connection to Sirius Black." I told Dumbledore. "Do you want to know what happens if it's severed?" I asked again, Dumbledore stiffening.
"Tell me," said Dumbledore with a sigh.
" Cutting the connection won't erase your shared history, the memories you have together won't disappear, it won't be amnesia, no, but... it eliminates the sense of belonging, all emotional bonds, and everything becomes less meaningful with respect to who the connection belongs to. I would leave Lupin, completely indifferent to Black." I said gently before disconnecting.
"That's it... Isidora." Dumbledore finally murmured, reaching the conclusion he wanted. I nodded.
"Exactly. I searched and looked to the past to see, since I wasn't going to have your help, I had to find other ways to learn. I found Isidora, her ability to... eliminate pain, was practically stealing the connections or certain parts of the connections that caused the pain."
"But... Isidora's magic was... very inelegant; she took more than necessary, and the more she took, the less remained in the person, to the point that the person became completely indifferent and insensitive."
"I... let's just say I didn't like how imprecise Isidora's magic was, so I simply improved it." I shrugged. "I need help with these things. I got some goblin-forged silver to enchant with ancient magic, but it'll do." I said, holding up the Hemalurgic spikes.
"You... could manipulate and do whatever you want to a person's Spiritweb," Dumbledore finally said, and I nodded.
"I could, but I'm here, curing Lupin's curse while I tell you everything," I said dryly. "Believe me when I say, I have absolutely no intention of twisting anyone's soul; it's annoying," I said easily.
"You wouldn't... because it's annoying." Dumbledore said, looking at me incredulously. I shrugged.
"It is, at most I'd use it to torture someone who angered me enough, and no, the Marauders don't fall into that category, they're barely a minor nuisance, but let's say, against someone like Voldemort, I wouldn't hesitate in the slightest." I said honestly, Dumbledore just stared at me before sighing.
"You're too honest, for better or for worse," said Dumbledore, almost bitterly. I smiled mockingly at him.
"You know, I had planned to leave without saying anything to you. After all, it would be fun to leave you in the dark and go, to imagine you imagining what I might be doing. It's immensely fun for me, but it's even more fun when you know what I'm really capable of, and you know you can't stop me or even what I'll use it for."
"I can be very petty when I want to be." I mocked Dumbledore, and Dumbledore scoffed almost contemptuously.
"Oh, I know," said Dumbledore before smiling almost mockingly and looking at Enid. "On the other hand, you mentioned that someone asked you to consider curing Lupin, and seeing Miss Sinclair, I really have no doubt about your true motive." Dumbledore sneered, and I blushed slightly.
"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." I said dryly. Dumbledore chuckled slightly.
"Oh, really, how blind I have been. Love has ruined better men and women, and you, my dear, have fallen into the same pit." Dumbledore said, amusedly. I blushed even more and concentrated on Lupin.
"Go jump off the Astronomy Tower and die." I snarled irritably. Honestly, teasing and annoying Dumbledore was fun, but the damned old man was 100 years old; of course, he'd be more perceptive than I expected. Dumbledore had the nerve to laugh.
"Thank you for the confirmation, Miss Snape. I'll really be keeping an eye out for all the 'terrible' things you were planning in the coming years," said Dumbledore. I snorted and finally rolled my eyes.
"Yes, yes, yes, I'm terribly whipped by them, I'd do anything they asked." I said, dryly and totally honestly, then sighed slightly and continued manipulating Lupin for hours more.
Finally, I grabbed one last spike I hadn't yet used, a copper spike, to steal the mental strength of the wolf, the werewolf. This would practically render the curse useless. Then I bound the curse to Lupin's mind. Now, every time he transformed, Lupin would still have his consciousness. One last push of gold, and Lupin's entire Spiritweb began to heal.
"Very well, everything is ready." I said as I finally separated from Lupin. The werewolf curse was still inside his body, but now it was almost impossible to recognize; I had completely restructured it. It was time to see if it worked.
I grabbed my wand and a nearby potion, quickly controlled it, and forced it into Lupin's mouth. The reaction was almost immediate: Lupin woke up, coughed, leaned to one side, and started vomiting the rest of both potions.
"W-what, what happened?!" Enid woke, startled, and blinked sleepily. "Are you done, Sera?" Enid asked, yawning, and I just nodded.
"I did it." I said simply as I let Lupin continue vomiting.
"Mr. Lupin, how are you feeling?" asked Dumbledore beside Lupin.
"Headmaster—where—" Lupin stopped, his eyes clouding over before he fixed them on me, then they cleared. "The cure." Lupin exhaled, looking more alert than before. "Did it work?" he asked shakily. I snorted.
"I'm insulted that you doubt my ability, Lupin," I said curtly. Then I moved my hand and opened the curtains separating us from the infirmary. I saw the Marauders and Lily asleep in various chairs; even McGonagall and Pomfrey were asleep. I simply raised my wand, and a loud explosion jolted everyone awake. I smiled sadistically as Black collapsed to the floor.
"Was that necessary?" Albus sighed wearily. I smiled broadly at him.
"It was." I said playfully.
"Albus?" McGonagall asked, more alert.
""Remus?!"" Potter and Black shouted at the same time as they approached, I just hummed, grabbed the metal spikes, and put them inside my clothes, sending them to the inventory.
"If that's all, I'll leave." I said simply, offering my arm to Enid, who immediately took it.
"Wait!" Remus shouted, and I looked over my shoulder at him. I saw him quickly standing up, though he was a little unsteady. "D-did it work?" he asked again. I raised an eyebrow.
"I swear, Snape, that if-"
"Silence, Black." I rolled my eyes as I turned away.
"Yes, it works. You can try it if you want," I said dully. "Just... find the wolf. You know where it is, you know how it feels, and just push it out." I said simply. Remus looked almost horrified.
"Go ahead, Mr. Lupin. We'll be here if anything goes wrong," Dumbledore said encouragingly. Lupin still seemed cautious, but finally nodded. He closed his eyes before he began to transform. I could see the panic in Lupin's eyes as he changed shape, but quickly, in his place, there was a wolf.
A complete wolf, not a werewolf as in his previous form; he was now a wolf, barely larger than a normal wolf and somewhat emaciated from the lack of food provided by Lupin himself, but a wolf nonetheless.
Lupin looked around cautiously before slowly moving in amazement.
"Remus?" Potter asked as he cautiously approached. Lupin turned to look at him before nodding his head; that was enough to send the Marauders swarming towards him.
"""Remus!""" they shouted at the same time, Lupin simply reciprocating the energy as they pushed and hugged each other.
"If that's all, I'll go," I said simply, though I stopped when Lupin barked at me. I raised an eyebrow in his direction. Lupin wrinkled his wolfish face before slowly shifting back into his human form, and yes, he appeared completely naked. Dumbledore waved his wand—like, his original wand—and dressed Remus, who smiled gratefully at him before turning to me with a bright grin.
"Snape, yo-"
"Keep it." I said dryly, Lupin's smile didn't diminish.
"Thank you," Lupin said, with such sincerity that he seemed about to cry—no, I take that back, he was crying. I sighed.
"Yes, yes, yes, all good. I'll send you a message with everything you need to know about your new form. Check with Pomfrey if necessary. Most importantly, don't bite anyone on a full moon. You're still capable of spreading the curse to others, and I have no idea whether the curse will take its original form or not," I said seriously. Lupin's expression hardened, and he nodded.
"I won't do it," Lupin said firmly. I waved my hand listlessly.
"Yeah, whatever you say." I said simply before turning around. "Now, yes, I have much more important things to do." I said.
"And that's it? Are you just going to leave like that and nothing more? " Black asked, almost defiantly. I wanted to groan loudly.
"Yeah, right? Why would I stay? I've done my work, taken my exams, and my departure from Hogwarts is official. I have potions to brew, things to do, a wedding to attend, and a future wife waiting for me at home. I have no reason to stay here," I said, shrugging.
"I still don't believe you, you don't do anything that doesn't benefit you, Snape," Black said with a growl, and I smiled mockingly at him.
"Oh, but I got a lot of things, for example, Dumbledore has already paid me handsomely, I was able to use Lupin as a guinea pig, but most importantly, for the rest of your lives, you will know that I, Serena Prince, was the one who cured Remus Lupin's curse, while you could do nothing, and that will bother you for the rest of your lives, and you will have to live with it and swallow your annoyance."
"Me, on the other hand, I'll be with my wife, peacefully enjoying my life," I told them with an arrogant smile. Both Potter and Black looked like they were about to explode.
"Damn bitch-"
"Mr. Black!" McGonagall snapped before Black had finished speaking, then she looked at me in disappointment. I just raised my chin in her direction, as if I didn't care what she thought of me.
"Very well, Minerva." Dumbledore intervened amiably, taking a step forward. "Regardless of the situation, the outcome is key. You have helped a fellow student, Miss Snape, and we are grateful." Dumbledore said, nodding slightly. "Hogwarts will always be open to you, even if you hate the idea of returning or even looking at me. If you need anything, Hogwarts will provide it." Dumbledore said.
"What?! You can't-"
"Can't I?" Dumbledore interjected emotionlessly. "I didn't know I had to consult you on the headmaster's decisions, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said, raising an eyebrow in his direction. Potter blushed before turning pale.
"If that's the case, then I'll take the opportunity to go for a walk with Enid; she was very keen to see the castle." I said easily, and Enid smiled beside me.
" Yay! Let's explore! " Enid exclaimed happily, bouncing with excitement. We both turned around and headed for the door.
"Wait!" I stopped when I heard Lily's voice, and sighed wearily.
"What, Evans?" I asked curtly, glancing at her over my shoulder.
"C-can we—can we talk?" she stammered, squirming in place. I narrowed my eyes at her and turned away.
"Speak." I said simply. Lily jumped and looked around at everyone.
"Could it be... in private?" Lily asked, slightly embarrassed.
"I don't have time, Evans. Speak now or just forget it." I said without any emotion. Lily shuddered and bit her lip. After several seconds of silence, I sighed and massaged my temple. "Evans—Lily, what the hell do you want from me?" I asked Lily. She shuddered and looked at me in surprise, perhaps more because I used her name.
"I-I-" Lily tried to stammer, confused. "You... you've changed," Lily said, almost as if it were a revelation.
"Yes, Lily, I did. I had to, don't you think?" I asked dryly, without any malice, but even so, Lily shuddered. "I really don't understand you, Lily. I begged you to forgive me for months, but you ignored me. So yes, I changed. I had to change, and in doing so, I had to move on, without you, far away from you."
"Now I'm making progress, but it seems like you're the one who's still stuck. My problem with the Marauders has nothing to do with you anymore, but still, you're always with them when something involves me, so I'll ask one more time, what the hell do you want?" I asked Lily
"I-" Lily couldn't seem to find the words, too stunned to even utter a single word. I sighed.
"Lily... no, Evans, I recommend you move on, I did, and in fact, I'm doing well, soon I'll be giving my NEWTs in the ministry, I'll marry a woman I love, and then, I'll go on a honeymoon trip around the world."
"You know, I have a conference in Japan in two days, and after I get married, I'll travel to the United States to visit Enid's house. I also made some friends who are in California, so we'll stop there too. Our next stop is Warsaw, Poland, and then Wallachia, Romania. We'll even go to Iceland, and then... other places. I have a whole world to discover."
"I won't be in Britain for years, I'm over it, Evans, I recommend you do the same, goodbye," I finally said, turning away as I dragged Enid out of the infirmary with quick steps. I could feel Enid squeeze my arm comfortingly, and I breathed a deep breath.
"That... felt good," I murmured. Enid just nodded warmly.
"It was closure," Enid said, understanding what I meant. I nodded. I didn't even know I needed that closure. I... I hadn't interacted with Lily Evans in the slightest; I didn't even think about her in the slightest, but I have memories of two lifetimes that practically revolved around her. Saying goodbye to Lily... it just closed something I didn't know was open.
"Let's explore the castle; it's still a bit early, so there shouldn't be anyone to bother us." I said to Enid with a warm smile, and she smiled back.
"Let's go!" Enid said happily as she began to jump joyfully.
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