My Office

Feeling the dark mark still stinging under her sleeve. she shook her head.

"That doesn't make sense, Hogwarts is on complete defensive mode and has no way to counter strike against him. I am sorry that doesn't add up, he wants something more, much more then Hogwarts remaining neutral"

The mark that burned on her arm proved hogwarts wouldn't stay safe for long.

"I do not try to understand the minds of resurrected dark lords." Eglantine quipped, nervous about having to say more. She noted that something seemed wrong with the Headmistress's arm and wished she had examined it more carefully.
With agility that shocked her as much as it caused her pain, Eglantine reached across the desk and seized Kiara's arm, pulling back the robe sleeve that covered it.
"The dark mark." She said her voice sounded rather dead, as if all traces of emotion had drained from her. "This can be removed if you did not accept it willingly."

Kiara pulled her sleeve back down.

"Maybe....I hope so anyway, but this was not given by the normal means. The snake injected it into my blood. It wasn't burned on with a wand. He must have made a Potion version of the curse. This might react differently to the counter curse" she sighed.

Looking at Eglantine again she allowed a small smile.

"You have cat like reflexes in human form to"

"Of course. Do you really believe everything Miss Viper says about me?' She chuckled and pulled her wand out. "Allow me to try anyway. It may work."

She did not feel the need to inform the Headmistress that it was an incantation of her own design and had been used to remove the dark mark from her father and mother's arms.

Viper knocked on the door rapidly, breathless from her dash from the grounds, hoping the Headmistress was in, or anyone for that matter, for the news she carried was incredibly important.

Not wanting anyone to see her, Eglantine morphed back into her animagus form and slipped under the Headmistress's desk.

"We will do it later" She said as she waved her wand.

"Come on in Viper"

((Viper will not be able to sense "Lenty" will she? I really do not want her to... so can we assume she can't?))

"Kiara!" Viper heaved. "Viper Manor....."

(No Viper won't know Lenty's a cat ^_^)

Concerned by Vipers panicked look.

Kiara rushed over to her "What happened?"

"I-I can't control it anymore..." She said shakily, unaware of the fact that the vein on her rest was cut open and bleeding profusely.

Kiara's eyes widened.

Not only because of Vipers lack of control over her manor, but because of the blood coming from her wrist.

Waving her wand at a cabinet on the far side of the office and summoned 1 Vial of healing potion which contained Tears from Saturn.

" You can explain that after I heal your wrist, you look like you are about to pass out"

Viper glared. "I do not. I'm fine." she said pulling away. "Kiara, I can't control Viper Manor anymore. It no longer recognizes me as Lady of the House."

Kiara growled.

" I don't classify bleeding all over my office "fine" Why don't you believe anyone when they say you are hurt?"

Sighing Kiara stepped closer to Viper

"Fine explain as I heal your wrist then, but if you pass out in the middle of your explanation don't blame me"

Eglantine laid down on the cool floor and rested her weary head on her forepaws. She could not see what was happening due to the desk being in the way...but what she heard was enough to keep her hidden.

Mistress of Viper Manor she thought mulling it over in her mind. Perhaps this was yet another sign of the Dark Lord's return.

((I am back))

Viper sighed in resignation as she handed her wrist to the Headmistress. "I no longer have any control ofver the manor. Getting in is more of a challenge now. More blood is required to enter. An ungodly amount.." she said, eying her bleeding wrist which now soaked the carpet.

Kiara listened as she poured the Phoenix tear potion over the wound, only a few drops were needed and the cut healed in seconds. The potion was her own personal creation and much stronger then normal healing potions. She may not have been a genius at potions like Viper, but she was decent at them.

"There now was that so hard?..as for your manor could any of your relatives still be alive? now that Voldemort is back?

Viper hesitated. "In a way, you could say that..." she paused for a moment, "They're all ghosts, Kiara. My mother, father, uncle..."

At the word ghosts, Eglantine lifted her head, peering out from behind the desk to see Professor Viper. She was well hidden by the desk's leg and Kiara's chair, but still remained at the very edge of the wood.

Kiara's eyes widened.

"Did they all support Voldemort?...."

Viper scoffed. "Our home was his weekend getaway and his lower level servants were like my nannies." she paused, conjuring her wine. "They've strengthened the blood barriers. Normally it takes a few drops of pure wizard's blood but this time it was a few quarts needed before I could even get passed the gate."

((Yay your back))


"Perhaps they know somehow that Voldemort is back...."

she paused not sure if she should say it or not.

in a softer tone she said

"and that you don't follow him?"

Viper stiffened. "They spoke to me. My Uncle and Father.. Said that he expects my service, more than any other witch or wizard. He promises great things..." she said as her eyes darkened with an undeteactable emotion,