(Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
The Lightening Struck Tower
PART I
Dumbledore staggered against Harry. For a moment Harry thought that his inexpert Apparition had thrown Dumbledore off balance; then he saw his face, paler and damper than ever in the distant light of the street lamp.
"Sir, are you all right?"
"I've been better," said Dumbledore weakly, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "That potion…was no health drink…"
And to Harry's horror, Dumbledore sank to the ground. "Sir – it's okay, sir, you're going to be alright, don't worry –"
He looked around desperately for help, but there was nobody to be seen and all he could think was that he must somehow get Dumbledore quickly to the hospital wing.
"We need to get you up to the school, sir… Madam Pomfrey…"
"No," said Dumbledore. "It is…Professor Snape whom I need…But I do not think…I can walk very far just yet…"
"Right – sir, listen – I'm going to knock on a door, find a place you can stay – then I can run and get Madam –"
"Severus," said Dumbledore clearly. "I need Severus…"
8888888888SNAPE
Professor Severus Snape could sense something strange. Someone, who was far away, was trying to reach into his mind and summon him. It felt strangely like Albus Dumbledore's magic, but Professor Snape knew better than to be tricked by such a simple spell. Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry was a powerful wizard. Whoever this was was just outside the Hogwarts grounds, an easy distance for Dumbledore's occlumency to travel, if it had been the headmaster.
"Diffindo!" shouted Professor Snape as he focused on the world around him once again. An antique vase broke in mid air as Severus Snape's spell hit it. Now was not a time to be going off into his own thoughts. Death Eaters had penetrated Hogwarts grounds and Dumbledore was no where to be found. This did not trouble Professor Snape too deeply. Someone had conjured the Dark Mark. Snape could feel it burning on his forearm and he knew that the safety of Dumbledore's students always came first. Dumbledore would be there soon. For now the Order of the Phoenix could hold them off. Not to mention that Snape could sense a very miniscule amount of fear in his former fellow Death Eaters. Mixed in with their immense hatred was anticipation and cold, hard, fear. The Order of the Phoenix was winning and the Death Eaters knew it.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione shouted from across the room. Expelliarmus, Snape thought, a rather common spell. Hermione usually had more tricks up her sleeve. These Death Eaters were well matched against the Phoenix's supporters and it was not an easy fight. These witches and wizards knew occlumency well and could keep Snape out of where he was not wanted.
"Petrificus Totalus!" said Snape as his opponent dodged a chair that Tonks had accidentally tossed in the wrong direction. The Death Eater was about to defend himself when Hermione sent a flurry of birds into the air.
"Oppugno!" she shouted. That's the Hermione I know, thought Snape. Total show off.
"Protego!" Ron said. He must have let a Death Eater read his mind, thought Snape. A huge spider was crawling towards Ron. "Protego! Protego!"
"Reducio," yelled Snape. The spider shrank immediately but Ron's facial expression did not change. Protego, thought Snape, the idiot. That never would have worked.
Professor Snape glanced around the room. He had done this a couple of times now, sure he was looking too fast and missing somebody. Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna. No Harry.
"Severus, so we meet again," said one of the Death Eaters. "Won't my Lord be delighted to hear about your true feelings. So, who are you fighting for after all?" Snape did not turn to face the speaker. It meant turning his back on the room. "I heard about your unbreakable vow. Why try so hard to prove you're one of us?"
"Tarantallegra! Stupefy!" Snape watched the Death Eater fall to his left hand side out of the corner of his eye. "You should not distract yourself by talking," said Snape as he walked away.
Snape had to find Harry. Dumbledore had trusted him with the 'fours' safety as the headmaster referred to them. As long as Ron didn't meet any more spiders and Hermione used more than a simple expelliarmus they would be safe. Not to say that Severus Snape was putting a very strong vote of confidence towards the two young Gryffindors. Professor Snape made his way over to Remus Lupin. "I'll be right back, cover for me," said Snape. Remus gave him a suspicious stare. He hated that nobody trusted him, except Dumbledore. Maybe more people will trust me when they see which side I am fighting for, he thought with a sigh to himself. He turned onto a spiral staircase leading to the tower. He needed some way of finding out where Harry had gone. The 'fourth' student was most likely safe. It was not in Malfoy's character to go into harm's way.
8888888888HARRY
"All right then, Snape – but I'm going to have to leave you for a moment so I can –"
Before Harry could make a move, however, he heard running footsteps. His heart leapt: Somebody had seen, somebody knew they needed help – and looking around he saw Rosmerta scurrying down the dark street toward them on high-heeled, fluffy slippers, wearing a silk dressing gown embroidered with dragons.
"I saw you Apparate as I was pulling my bedroom curtains! Thank goodness, thank goodness, I couldn't think what to – but what's wrong with Albus?"
She came to a halt, panting, and stared down, wide – eyed, at Dumbledore.
"He's hurt," said Harry. "Madam Rosmerta, can he come into the Three Broomsticks while I go up to the school and get help for him?"
8888888888SNAPE
Snape had given himself a headache. He had tried mentally searching the Gryffindor common room for a sign of Harry's presence. It was hard to send his magic down the hall where the Order was battling the Death eaters and not have anyone notice what he was doing.
Professor Snape stepped back around the corner and into the room. He walked past Remus with a nod. The look of uncertainty still on Lupin's face. He would have to try and get out one of the doors unnoticed and search for Harry personally.
Severus turned, sensing a Death Eaters approach.
"Aguamenti," he said in a dull voice. The Death Eater blocked the jet of water. "Wingardium Leviosa," said Snape as he pointed his wand at the pieces of the broken vase on the floor and directed them at the Death Eaters face. Once again the spell was blocked. Finally, some real competition, Snape thought. Just when I need to get out of here I get a good fight!
8888888888 FLASHBACK (Beginning of Harry's sixth year)
Professor Snape entered Dumbledore's office unannounced as usual. Somehow this never got Dumbledore angry; no matter how many times Snape did it. Dumbledore was not the screaming type. At times Snape just wanted Dumbledore to mess up and give him a reason to hate the headmaster.
"Hello Severus," said Dumbledore in a calm voice. "Will you not come in?" asked Dumbledore as if Snape had waited for permission.
"Why thank you, headmaster." Snape proceeded to stand due to the lack of chairs. Dumbledore stood up from his sitting position.
"No, thank you, Severus for taking the time to meet with me today."
"You said it was important, sir."
"Yes, I did, didn't I?"
Oh stop smiling already, Snape thought. He couldn't stand this agony.
"Do you remember the sorting hat's song from last year?"
"Not particularly, sir."
"Well then let's look at it a moment. Shall we? I have it in my pensieve…"
"Oh! I remember now," said Snape. The last thing he needed was Dumbledore's smiling face and a song.
"That's wonderful. Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir."
"The Sorting hat is not usually so forward, I was rather surprised actually. You'll remember how it said that we must unite or crumble from within?"
"A rather confusing statement. I agree," said Severus in his best attempt at shortening the meeting.
"Yes, it would be to those who do not know what it means."
A loud silence filled the room as Severus, to his dismay, realized this was not a short meeting.
"I have thought about this for a while now, and I have concluded that you need to know the true meaning behind that statement. It goes back to the founders actually."
Professor Snape froze. Dumbledore was going to trust him with a secret he had not told anyone else – or so it seemed. Why did the headmaster trust him so blindly? Dumbledore began to pace as he stepped out from behind his desk.
"Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. They were very good friends, but that was short lived." Dumbledore turned to face Snape. "As you know, a conflict arose about who should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. Salazar ended up leaving the school. He refused to teach in a place where 'mud bloods' were taught along side 'pure bloods'." Dumbledore resumed his pacing. "But Salazar could not just respect the decision of the other three, so he created the Chamber of Secrets. He betrayed them and started a line of corruption." A grunt came from one of the pictures on the wall. Salazar was muttering to himself, arms crossed. Dumbledore faced Snape again, completely ignoring Salazar. "Am I clear?" asked the headmaster.
"Yes, sir, mostly."
"What is it that confuses you?"
"You said, sir, that it started a line of corruption."
"Ah, yes, allow me to explain. Each generation after the founders had a … pattern. A group of four close friends, each from a different house, or at least possessing qualities of different houses. Oh I'm confusing matters now, aren't I?"
"Sir?"
"For example, can you think of a group of four friends that were inseparable? Any group of four?" asked Dumbledore.
Immediately Potter and his friends came to mind. Snape did not want to think about them and he searched his brain for another group. He looked over at Dumbledore briefly to see if he was taking too long in coming up with an answer.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and peered over his half-moon spectacles. "It is okay to say the first one that comes to mind, Professor Snape." Dumbledore spoke as calmly as ever. Snape felt an anger rise in him. He felt like he was being treated like a child. "Perhaps James comes to mind, as do Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and we can not forget Peter now, can we?"
"They're all Gryffindors, sir," said Snape who was trying to come with some excuse as to why he did not state their names. He hated the idea of the headmaster knowing how much of a weak spot Potter and his friends were.
"Not when you think it over," said Dumbledore with an all knowing smile that gave Snape the distinct impression that he had been unsuccessful at hiding his weakness. Dumbledore continued unperturbed by Snape obvious disinterest "Sirius, who's very animagus is a dog, the symbol of loyalty, could fit in Hufflepuff House couldn't he?"
"It's possible," admitted Snape.
"Where do you suppose Remus could have been placed?" Dumbledore sat down and with a wave of his hand made a red, cushioned chair for Snape to sit in.
"He has the brains for Ravenclaw." Snape had to grind his teeth as he said it. Remus was the best of the four but he was still their friend; a serious error on Remus's part as far as Snape was concerned.
"Leaving us with James, the true Gryffindor, and Peter Pettigrew the Slytherin." Dumbledore allowed for a slight pause before continuing, "Then, of course, you know who betrayed them in the end?"
"Yes, all of London knows. The entire wizard community knows."
Dumbledore appeared to loose himself in thought as he spoke. "James murdered along with his wife, Sirius dead, Remus' being a werewolf. They fell apart, or rather, were forced apart by tragedies in their lives."
Dumbledore brought his hands together, placing fingertip against fingertip. His eyes concentrated on where the tips met. "There were other groups of four friends in other generations, but none of them were this drastically devastated."
"I see. And what am I supposed to do about this?" Snape saw no point in Dumbledore's story at all. There wasn't a potion or spell in existence that could change the past.
"I am not sure if anything can be done," said Dumbledore, confirming Snape's thoughts. "This generation is slightly different from the others. It might be good, it might be bad." The head master sighed before continuing. "There are only three close friends and we need four to 'unite from within'."
Not Potter again, thought Snape.
"Harry, like his father is a true Gryffindor. Mr. Weasley has shown nothing but loyalty to his famed friend – in the long run – and Miss Granger never ceases to impress. This leaves an opening for a Slytherin." Dumbledore sighed, "I was thinking that young Mr.Malfoy might be the key." It almost sounded like Dumbledore was asking if this was plausible.
"Potter and Draco have never been –"
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy if you would not mind, Professor."
"Mr. Potter," Snape repeated, "and Mr. Malfoy have been enemies since they met. If I may say so, sir."
"That is what I was afraid of." Snape had an urge to roll his eyes. They didn't exactly try and hide their hatred, Snape thought. "Although I feel that Mr. Malfoy is not his father," sighed the head master hopefully. "In his heart he does not feel the same degree of loyalty to Lord Voldemort. I believe that if he was given the chance to change, the chance to be backed up by the Order and protected, he would take it."
"Draco – Mr. Malfoy was not sorted into Slytherin for nothing."
"No, and neither were you. But when given the chance you too knew what was right and what was wrong."
Snape felt a sudden stiffness towards Dumbledore, yet at the same time he felt truly and completely trusted. It almost frightened him.
"I have to make sure that Mr. Malfoy does not betray the other three students. They are the last generation. There is nobody after them to reunite the houses and bring Voldemort down. After them there is no more Hogwarts if we continue to stand divided."
"And why me, sir?"
"Because you are someone who Mr. Malfoy trusts." Snape looked at the edge of Dumbledore's desk. "And you are someone who I trust as well."
Their eyes met. Snape felt strange. He heard a voice in his head. 'No one else knows', Dumbledore said. What was he doing? He was letting someone else inside his head, in his thoughts. Dumbledore had not taken advantage of it either.
'I understand,' Snape replied in Dumbledore's head before standing and walking out of the room. He had to be alone for a while.
Author's Note: Anyone who reviews any of my stories should please note that in return I will review at least one of theirs as long as I know the characters in their stories.
Additional Stories:
Behind the Veil: The Choice to Die (my favorite) – Sirius fic, oneshot, complete
The Circles End - RLNT, DH Spoiler, oneshot, complete
The Jingel in Her Step - Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, oneshot, complete