The Unknown Hero
This is going to be part of the Severus Snape series that I am doing. I originally meant for it to be a trilogy, but the ideas have grown and I'm thinking of expanding to more stories instead of it just being a trilogy. My plans for 'The Infiltrator' have changed and is now being redeveloped until a new working title and a new story-idea that I have in mind.
Anyway, this story is of an idea that I've been wanting to do for some time. Similar to Redemption and also The Mysterious Traveler, this does indeed have a story-arc involving Severus Snape leaving Hogwarts to pursue a new life, but this one is going to be a little different. For one, it will literally start after Severus has already left Hogwarts. I don't want to reveal too much, but it's an idea I've been wanting to do for quite a while now.
I should mention that this story will have some similarities to another, recently-new story called 'Rogue' (written by: Snape-Doe-Patronus). I'm in no way stealing from that story. It just so happens to have a few similar plot-devices that I've been planning to use for this story. I totally recommend checking that story out when you get the chance, because it's really good. I guess you can say that it got my inspiration and motivation going.
In speaking of inspiration, another story that is helping me in writing this is a fan-fic called 'The Fourth Champion' (written by: James Spookie). And I also recommending giving both this and his other stories a try.
Anyway, I welcome those who are familiar work and those who are new.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter! This is just for fun!
Please enjoy my newest Harry Potter fanfic (though technically it's a Severus Snape fanfic) and 3rd official installment to my Severus Snape series, 'The Unknown Hero'!
Chapter One:
The Fourth Champion
The Great Hall filled with students and school staff as the announcement of the Champions were about to begin. The whole castle had been anticipating this day since the beginning of the school year. Bets had been placed on who would become the Champions for the Grand Hogwarts Wizard Tournament. Gossip and excitement filled the two months after Headmaster Albus Dumbledore first announced it to a very surprised audience of students.
As everyone took their seats on stands, Dumbledore immediately took his position by the Goblet of Fire that stood at the center of the Great Hall, which was covered by a golden cloak. The Goblet wasn't the original one that used for the Triwizard Tournament, but rather a new one that was personally made for Hogwarts's new proclaimed contest.
"Attention!" Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, silencing the chattering of the students and the staff. "As I've stated at the beginning of this new school year, this is a very special time for us all. A time that promises peace and prosperity for all of the Wizarding World and other wizard cultures beyond our borders. It was not so long ago that we were faced with a dark reality."
Low whispering could be heard from different directions.
"Our world was on the verge of war. A war that threatened to take everything and everyone we held dear to us. I, myself, feared for our future."
He paused, letting the moment sink in for them all.
"But in our darkest moment, something unexpected happened, one that can only be described as a miracle. The very enemy, who threatened to destroy us, was defeated by an unknown hero."
The whole Great Hall erupted with cheers and cries of victory, even with a round of applause.
"And with the Dark Lord's fall by this hero, the Ministry was able to fight back and destroy the Death Eaters."
The clapping and loud roar of cheers grew louder.
Smiling, Dumbledore raised his hand to silence them, "Yes, it is indeed a time of celebration. A time of happiness and optimism. Which brings us as to why we are here."
Grabbing ahold of the golden cloak, he pulled it off the newly made Goblet of Fire, which immediately began to burn red and orange, with fire igniting from the top.
Everyone stared at it in awe.
"For the very first time, Hogwarts will be hosting its own Wizarding Tournament, the first ever in the history of Hogwarts. Like the Triwizard Tournament, the contest will have three tasks, each one more difficult than the last. However, instead of there being three Champions, there will be four to represent each House of our great school. And like the Triwizard Tournament, the winner of this contest will not only win Eternal Glory, but the Hogwarts Cup and a massive fortune."
The excitement from the students was radiating off of them as two staff members brought in the rainbow-like, glowing Hogwarts cup from the doorway, setting down in between the Headmaster and the Goblet.
"Let this be both a memorial and celebration of this new era for our world, to mark this special time for all of history to remember." He clapped his hands together. "Now, without further due, let's begin the selection process."
The Hall filled with excited cheers as everyone struggled to control themselves.
Approaching the Goblet, Dumbledore reached into the fire of the cup and pulled out a parchment, reading the name on it.
"Representing Ravenclaw, as the first chosen Champion, Kingsley Shacklebolt!"
From the Ravenclaw stands, Shacklebolt made his way towards Dumbledore, smiling as his housemates patted him on the back and cheered for him. Receiving the parchment, he shook the Headmaster's hand and was ledto a separate room outside of the Great Hall.
Pulling out a second parchment, Dumbledore announced, "Representing Hufflepuff, Amelia Bones!"
As the young Hufflepuff girl accepted her parchment and left, Dumbledore selected a third Champion that the Goblet had chosen and smiled as he read the results.
"Representing Gryffindor, none other than this year's Head Boy, James Potter!"
The entire Gryffindor suddenly stand came to life as the cheering and screams echoed throughout the Great Hall and beyond. Students began to surround the Head Boy and cheer his name. Three other boys patted him on the back and congratulated him. As he got up, a redhead girl with green eyes pulled him into a hug and whispered something into his ear.
Approaching the Headmaster, he shook his hand and accepted the paper.
"Congratulations, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore smiled with pride. "Make us proud!"
"Yes, sir!" the dark-haired teen replied with a smirk.
Before leaving the Hall, he turned towards the entire school and shouted, "FOR GRYFFINDOR!"
Everyone cheered once more, making the walls and stands shake.
Once calming everyone down, he reached into the Goblet for the final time and pulled out the parchment for the final Champion. The moment he read the name, his eyes widened and blinked, unable to believe his own eyes. He blinked again, hoping to Merlin that he was seeing things. But upon reading it for a third time, he found that his prayer went unfulfilled.
Not in a long time had something like this shocked the old Headmaster to his very core as he read the parchment one last time.
In his shocked state, realization slowly dawned on him that all of the student's attention was on him, waiting impatiently for the announcement of the final Champion for the Tournament. But even as he raised his eyes towards the students, he couldn't find the courage to speak. The very silence itself was growing too heavy, even for him.
Already the students were whispering amongst themselves, confused and/or worried about the expression that was on the Headmaster's face.
Clutching the paper in his hands, he signaled for the House Heads to follow him out of the Great Hall, leaving a very confused and slightly upset audience behind him. Even the Perfects were unsure of what was happening as they began to prepare for the wave of chaos that would follow.
Traveling down the hallway from the Great Hall, he entered the room where the other Champions were in and closed the door once all of the Heads of the Houses were inside.
"Albus, what's wrong? Why didn't you announce the final Champion?" demanded Minerva.
Dumbledore sighed and turned towards them, holding the parchment in his hands.
"Send the Champions back to the Great Hall," he announced. "We need to discuss this matter alone."
Though hesitant, the Heads nodded and motioned the Champions out of the room, ordering them to return to the Great Hall and wait there.
James Potter approached the Headmaster, "Sir, is there something I can do?"
Dumbledore offered a low smile, "No, my boy. There's no need. The Heads and I must address an unforeseen... issue. You can do me the favor of helping the Head Girl keep order in the Great Hall."
Nodding, the Gryffindor left the room as the doors closed behind him.
As the Heads of the Hogwarts Houses approached him, Dumbledore sighed and turned to look at them.
"Dumbledore, you're making us concerned," said Professor Sprout. "What is it that has you worried and pale?"
"Whose name came out of the Goblet?" Minerva asked.
"Surely one name can't be that concerning," Slughorn forced a smile on his face. "Unless of course, someone under the age of sixteen managed to get their name in."
Dumbledore shook his head as he began to pace around, "No, that's not the case, Horace."
Slughorn sighed with relief, "Well, that's a relief."
"Dumbledore, just tell us who the fourth Champion is!" Filius Flitwick demanded.
Taking a deep breath, he announced them, "The fourth Champion that the Goblet has chosen was... Severus Snape."
They all gasped.
Handing the parchment over to them, each of the professors read the name before ending up back in Dumbledore's hand. Looking at the paper himself again, he read it once more.
Champion for House Slytherin: Severus Snape!
"How is that possible, Dumbledore?" Minerva asked. "Severus Snape is dead."
"It has to be a prank," said Flitwick. "The Goblet can't choose anyone who is already dead. The binding magical contract would have been aware of his passing."
"Then the Goblet wouldn't have chosen him," Sprout argued. "And I highly doubt that this could have been a simple prank. It's one thing for someone to be strong enough to use the Confundus Charm to get someone underage to be picked, but it's impossible for someone who is already dead to be chosen. No one can accomplish such a thing."
"So, what are you saying then, Mrs. Sprout?" Filius approached her, despite his size as he stared up into her eyes. "You can't possible mean that Severus Snape is still alive."
"That's preciously what I'm saying."
Meanwhile, Professor Slughorn was completely oblivious to the conversation that was going on in front of him. The voices sounded like distant echoes that barely reached him. His mind was lost in his own world, trying to comprehend that the name of his former student had come out of the Goblet and was possibly still alive.
"But we saw his body," countered Minerva.
"Very true, Minerva, we did indeed see his body," Dumbledore continued to pace around. "But we never officially saw his death."
"If he is truly still alive, then why haven't the Ministry found any evidence of his survival? The boy had no money or resources to survive on his own."
"Well, he was in the good graces of Lucius Malfoy. Maybe he helped him fake his death and go into hiding," Filius offered.
"If that were true, then we would have found him alongside the Death Eaters or at Lucius's manor when the Dark Lord fell. Malfoy is dead and any surviving members are locked away in Azkaban. Mr. Snape would never have left them if his death was indeed fake."
"Then maybe he wanted to get out of the Death Eaters and faked his death to do so."
"By what means? Mr. Malfoy would have never supported him in doing that. He would have needed other forms of help in accomplishing that."
Slughorn almost found himself crying as he listened to them, wanting to make them stop saying such accusations about his favorite student.
"I don't know how Mr. Snape did it, but this is proof that he is not dead," Dumbledore announced. "We need to tell the school and the Wizarding World about Severus Snape and send out a message for him to return to Hogwarts so that he may participate in the tournament. If he doesn't, his magical core will be affected by the binding magical contract and will never be able to perform magic again. He may even lose his very life."
"Is there no way for the boy to be left alone?" Slughorn asked. "Can't he be released from the binding contract?"
Dumbledore offered him a small smile before replying, "No, I'm sorry, Horace. But there is no other way. Severus Snape must return and participate. If he doesn't arrive by the time of the first task, then his magic and possibly his life are forfeit."
Slughorn sadly nodded.
"What about the students?" Minerva asked. "What should we tell them?"
Dumbledore sighed, "As mush as it pains me to say it, especially when this was supposed to be our way of celebrating Lord Voldemort's defeat-" Everyone flinched at the mention of the Dark Lord's name. "-I believe it is best we send them back to their dormitories and announce the fourth Champion tomorrow morning at breakfast. For right now, I need to make the necessary arrangements of telling the Wizarding World that one of our own is still alive and send a message that hopefully reaches him."
"And if he doesn't come?" Slughorn asked.
"Then he loses his magic and Slytherin forfeits the Tournament."
"Can't you just select another Champion for Slytherin?" Sprout asked.
The Headmaster shook his head, "Once the Goblet has chosen its Champions, there's no other way to select new ones."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, "Maybe next time we should place new security measures and rules to make sure we can get around such circumstances."
"Next time," Dumbledore nodded in agreement.
"One question bugs me," Filius rubbed his beard. "If Mr. Snape went through all the trouble in faking his death, then why was his name entered into the tournament?"
"I agree, it is backwards if his death was faked," Sprout nodded.
"I do not have the answers," Dumbledore sighed. "Maybe if and when he comes back, we can get them ourselves. But for now, let's focus on finding him and planning ahead for the Tournament this year."
Everyone nodded as they began to exit the room, with Slughorn following behind as he lost himself in his own thoughts. Never had he felt such joy and sadness at the same time.
As Dumbledore addressed the students and sent them to their Common Rooms early, the excitement that once filled the castle had reduced to confusion and disappointment. Once all the students were gone, Dumbledore went to his office and paced around his room, deep in thought. He had so many questions that ran through his mind, trying to make sense of everything.
Ever since the death of Voldemort, aka Tom Riddle, he got to experience an unusual amount of peace. He even looked forward to the new coming school year with optimism.
But with this revelation of Severus Snape still alive, he couldn't help but worry.
What would the boy's return mean and do? Where had he been this whole time? What has he been doing since his 'supposed' death? Why did he fake his death? What was the purpose of making everyone believe he was dead?
So many questions and there were more that were lining up.
Sitting down at his desk, he began to prepare for the news he was about to deliver to the Wizarding World, including the one he would have to address to the school as well.
In the Common Room of House Gryffindor, James Potter sat on the couch next to the fireplace with his three best friends, deep in conversation.
"So, Dumbledore didn't tell you what was going on, Prongs?" Sirius asked.
James shook his head, "All he said was that he needed to talk to the staff and that was it. But whatever it was that freaked him out, it definitely had to be serious."
Remus folded his hands together, "Could it be about who was named the Champion of Slytherin?"
Sirius smiled, "Bet it was my brother. The very thought that he was representing Slytherin was too much to bare."
"Oh, stop it, Padfoot," Remus rolled his eyes. "I'm sure your brother's name wasn't worth that much trouble."
"Good point. He definitely isn't worth anything."
"But it has to be something... right?" James stared into the fireplace.
Lily Evans appeared, smiling down at them, "Hey, you ready to go?"
James smiled back and stood up, "Sure."
"See you guys in the morning," Lily waved as they walked to the exit of the Common Room.
Sirius, Remus and Peter waved back, smiling at the two of them.
"I give them a month before they start dating," Sirius announced.
"Don't play matchmaking, Padfoot! Lily isn't just some other conquest that you and James have been doing since fifth year."
"Oh, come on, Moony. You know it's going to happen between them. Just too bad I never got the chance to date her."
"Prongs would have killed you if you did."
"Very true. Which makes me a smart man."
"More like lucky, if ask me."
After doing their official duties for the evening, both Lily and James made their way back to the Head Boy and Head Girl Common Room, ready to retire for the night. Though James was doing most of the talking, Lily took the advantage to ask him about what happened with Dumbledore earlier.
"So, you have no idea why the Headmaster was so worked up?" she asked.
"Nope. All he said was that he needed to speak to the staff and had us leave."
"Do you think it has something to do with the fourth Champion?"
"I do. And to be honest, I'm hoping the Goblet decided to choose no one to compete for House Slytherin."
Lily gasped, "James Potter! How could you say such a thing?!"
James raised his arms, "I'm just saying. It would seem like poetic justice if that's the case. Everyone knows they did nothing to stop You-Know-Who. I even bet all of them couldn't wait to join him when he was causing trouble."
As she opened her mouth to protest, she immediately closed it, unable to disagree.
"Do you think they'll find out who killed him?"
"Who?"
"He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named."
James remained silent as he thought about the question, debating with himself.
"I don't know. What surprises me is that the person hasn't revealed himself yet. Some are saying whoever did it was killed in revenge by the Death Eaters."
"I hope not. I would like to thank the person who saved us from You-Know-Who. It's because of he or she that allowed for me and my friends to be able to look forward to a better future."
James smiled, "Okay, let's pretend that you did meet this person and it turned out to be a he... would you kiss him?"
Lily raised an eyebrow and laughed, "Oh, you are really desperate, aren't you?"
"Come on, you can tell me."
Lily's face turned red as her hair, "If this person was male, then yes. I would kiss him for saving us."
"Then would you believe me if I said I was that person?" he asked, sheepishly.
Lily laughed, "I would sooner slap you on the face and call you a liar."
"Oh, come on, you know you want to."
"Nope!"
"Ah!"
It amazed Lily how she was able to tolerate the Marauder more than she used to. Or rather her lack of tolerance she once had before their final year started. But ever since he had become Head Boy, there was a slight change in the Gryffindor, one that caught her attention as she noticed the humility he was taking from this job.
Probably the first job he's ever had, she thought.
They walked in silence for a little while longer before James spoke again.
"Okay, so... I've been meaning to ask you something?"
"Hmm?" she looked at him.
"Please don't get mad at me, I'm just curious..." He took a deep breath. "Do you... miss him?"
Lily's heart skipped a beat as she slowed down, trying hard not to think.
"Potter... I'm... I'm not ready to talk about... him..."
James nodded, sadly.
As they continued in awkward silence, they entered the Common Room for Head Boy and Girl, the two got their stuff sorted out for the next following day before preparing heading to bed.
"Well, I'll see you in the morning," James yawned.
"See you..." she stopped mid-way through the door before turning slightly. "James?"
"Yeah," he turned towards her, a look of hope on his face.
"Congrats on being chosen as Champion," she quickly shut her door and got into her pajamas as she climbed into her bed. Tears fell from her eyes, soaking the pillow sheet, as she struggled to keep her mind focused on anything else except the boy that kept haunting her. Even in her dreams she couldn't escape him. A fate worse than when he was alive.
What did you guys think? I'm hoping it was a nice start to a new story. This is an idea I've been wanting to do for quite a while. Just been a little lazy and tried to get it going. I bet the idea has been done before, with the Wizard Tournament taking place during the Marauders era, but it's one that hasn't been done to death yet.
The next few chapters will reveal more about where this story is going to go, but I won't give anything away. I have plans and I'm hoping they work out.
Just a fair warning, this will not be a big, developed story like Redemption or The Mysterious Traveler. So, there won't be really big twists or turns, or any big-time developments. It probably won't even really be that long (though that could change). I just plan for it to be straight-forward.
For those who don't know, this is part of a Severus Snape series I am doing. It was originally just supposed to be a trilogy, but I'm making it bigger now. The other two stories that are up are: Redemption and The Mysterious Traveler. Give them a try if you're interested.
One last thing to address, this is going to be a full-on AU story (as in, alternate universe). With Redemption, I wanted to do a as-close-to-canon-as-possible story, but it ended up not working out because of the restrictions, and I've long since left it behind for a more AU approach. While in canon it is never started what House Kingsley Shacklebolt or Amelia Bones were in, or what year they were born, I'm making them sixth years and sixteen years old in this story. Also, Sprout and Filius Flitwick are Head of their Houses from the Harry Potter canon in this. It was never specifically said who were the Head of Houses in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff during the Marauders era, so I went them again.
For those wondering what year this story/first chapter takes place in, it's October 31, 1976.
Please leave a review and I'll see you guys in Chapter 2!