AN How is Snape involved? We learn moreā¦..
Chapter 3 Decisions
Hermione could not wait for the end of class for the day and the two hour break before dinner. It took all of her will power not pull the book out and read it while waiting for others to finish.
Hermione pulled away from Harry and Ron leaving them when the final bell sounded and ran shouting out. "Sorry boys but I have to go to the library."
They watched her run through the crowded corridor pushing fellow students to the side and shook their head.
"You figure she would grow out of that. It's just mental." Ron spoke in disgust.
"That's our Hermione Ron." Harry laughed out and clapped his friend's back. "Let's grab our brooms and fly around the pitch. I've got some things I want to run by you before our first Quidditch practice."
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Kingsley put down the last bit of parchment and shook his head. He knew that the official count was wrong. At the battle there were far more than that count and he was privy to Ex-Minister Fudge and remembered his worry that the Dementors were openly breeding because of the unexplained fog.
He felt that the Department of Mystery was hiding something as they revealed the same numbers as Azkaban. No information provided on his question of how Dementors came to be. Maybe they did not know but they could have sent a parchment that told him so.
Moving to the door he opened it and called for Percy and motioned the young wizard to come in. "I've a task for you Percy but this must be pursued with the utmost discretion. I need the articles of formation of the Ministry of Magic and the departments created."
Percy looked to his friend. "I'm sure this will be straightforward Minister as that is readily available."
"I'm looking specifically for the Department of Mysteries Percy. That's why I stress discretion."
"Of course Minister. Let me see what I can find for you."
Kingsley watched Percy leave and went to his desk to attend to the memos that he ignored.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione walked down to the dungeons and stood in front of the closed door of the Potion's classroom gathering her thoughts together. She was disturbed of what his memories hinted at. She knocked on the door and watched it open. "Come in Miss Granger. Punctual as ever I'll add."
Hermione walked in and watched Professor Snape stand up from his desk. "Let's take a walk Miss Granger. We can discuss your make up assignments as I walk my patrol."
She fell in step and walked beside him until they were clear of the castle and walked towards the pitch. "My patrol is the Quidditch field tonight and the reason I asked you to meet with me tonight. There are too many gossiping portraits in my classroom and if I took you into my study the Headmistress would be questioning me on it in the morning."
She said nothing and stopped at the entrance to the pitch when he turned to her. "Let me roust the ones that I will find here. Once that is done we can talk. Disillusion yourself and keep the identities of those running from here a secret."
Hermione nodded and pulled out her wand and did as he commanded and stood to the side watching him go in.
Soon couples ran out, some witches sobbing then the last couple walked out slowly.
"Ginny!" Harry growled out as he passed a Disillusioned Hermione. "Thank God's we were only talking of our Marriage Ceremony and clothed. I'm amazed that Snape did not deduct points! Why did you even suggest coming here?"
Hermione heard Ginny laugh. "Well we know where he is now Harry. How about go to the deserted classroom near Hufflepuff. I've missed you."
Hermione heard Harry's laugh as they walked away and found Snape in front of her. "Reveal yourself Granger. We do not have much time."
He watched her appear in front of him.
"Do you believe my memories?" Snape asked.
"I do Professor Snape but this is so unreal. It hints of a conspiracy. Do you really turn into a Dementor once a month?"
"I do though I have never remembered it until after Voldemort's defeat. It may be that I never did until he was defeated. I do not know."
Hermione moved and sat in the stand and watched Professor Snape sit next to her.
She closed her eyes thinking of his memories in the book reflecting on the entries and opened her eyes. "You have been Confounded Professor Snape!" She exclaimed excitedly and then turned serious. "But how can you Confound someone and have it follow through as you die on your one hundredth birthday every time?"
"I've thought about that and I do not have an answer. I hope that as I remember more I will garner the answer."
She looked to him in worry. "You know what you have to do next Professor Snape. You'll have to go to Azkaban."
He looked to the witch inwardly amazed at her perception. No wonder she was a Know It All, not missing any detail. Perhaps Albus was correct in his urging to involve her.
"I realize that Granger and plan to do so. You saw the words of Albus hinting that the treaty was hidden in the library of Hogwarts. I want you to go through the books and focus your magic and tap the words "Reveal your Secrets." and see what you come up with."
"That could take years Professor Snape and unlike you I am not immortal. If your memories are correct you're almost eight hundred years old!" She exclaimed.
He scowled at her. "I know and remember nothing but bits and pieces. I plan on going to Azkaban this weekend to visit an old friend if Kingsley will allow it. He owes me!" He snarled out.
Hermione stood up. "I'll do as you request Professor Snape."
He watched her walk down the stand and called out. "Why did you save me Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked back to him. "A good man deserved to be saved."
Severus watched her walk away. She needed to be free of the restrictions of a student if she was to be of assistance to him. He owed her anyway even if she did fail in the task he gave her.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
The next evening he sat through the daily staff meeting suffering through it until Minerva dismissed them.
"Minerva may I have a moment of your time?"
Minerva looked to Severus in surprise for the man never hung around and the first to leave. "Of course Severus."
Severus watched the older witch sit down and waited for him to speak.
"Minerva, Miss Granger is at the level to pass her N.E. and I am sure our colleagues will agree." He began. "We are holding her back by forcing her to complete her Seventh year. She should test out."
"What are you saying Severus?" Minerva asked.
"She saved my life as you well know and I have an obligation. I wish to offer her an apprenticeship in Potions but I cannot do that until she graduates."
Minerva studied him. "And why do you bring this up now?"
"I played a part Minerva, a part that you know of that after the trials. I've never been able to have an Apprentice like most of you. She has already caught up despite her time in the Infirmary and she would make a fine Potion's Mistress if so inclined. There are very few witches in my craft and I know that she would exceed. I would like to pass my knowledge on to at least one before I die."
He growled out on the look of surprise from Minerva. "Don't look surprised Minerva for we all know that she is the brightest witch of her age. Talk to the other professors. We could all offer an apprenticeship and she can choose whatever she wants to pursue. If she denies my offer and takes up another, my obligation will be satisfied as she is given an opportunity to move forth in her life."
"I'll talk to our colleagues for that is a wonderful idea Severus."
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione leaned against the gates Friday evening waiting for him to arrive and saw a figure in dark robes approaching quickly and stood up.
"Professor Snape you are off to Azkaban?" She stuttered out when he was in front of her.
"I am Miss Granger. Hopefully I will be able to talk to them."
She grabbed his arm. "Be careful Professor Snape." She whispered out realizing she held his arm and immediately dropped it and ran back towards the castle.
He watched he retreating form for a moment for leaving through the gates and turned his heel and Apparatted away with a loud crack echoing out.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Kingsley met him at the boat ramp and held out an envelope with a wax seal bearing the sig of his office. "Be careful in there Severus. Azkaban is a dangerous place for visitors as the Dementors draw to them immediately. In that parchment I directed that you are not to be searched and you can keep your wand."
Severus looked up to the tall black wizard in surprise and though his eyes revealed nothing, the tone of his voice and stance indicated worry and fear. "What's going on in there?" He demanded taking the envelope offered and placed it in his heavy cloak.
His words were not heard as Kingsley already Apparated away.
Aurours Wright and Stoddard stood waiting at the boat overhearing the conversation amazed that the wizard could keep his wand.
Severus walked to the boat. "Well Aurour Stoddard let's get to it"
"Of course Professor Snape!" Stoddard stuttered out feeling like a student again.
The boat moved out and Wright whispered to his friend. "At least he doesn't remember me."
"Aurour Wright your voice irritated me when I was your professor and it still does." He snapped out.
He spent the hour of silence thinking of his brief meeting with Kingsley at the dock.
The Aurours moved the boat to the dock at Azkaban and ropes shot forth securing the boat and alighted from it and walked to the wizard that was waiting.
Severus moved to the wizard surprised to see one so young be given reign of the prison.
The Warden told the two Aurours to go back to their duties and watched them leave before extending his hand to Severus. "Welcome to Azkaban Professor Snape. If I were you I would jump back into that boat and hightail it out of here."
Severus arched an eyebrow and handed the Warden his parchment and watched the wizard read it before tucking it into a pocket and motioned for him to follow him.
"The Dementors always try to attack the rare visitors that come here. The only thing that keeps them in line is Patronus. Caste it if you need to as you keep your wand."
They walked up the long stone steps with Severus pulling his thick travelling cloak tightly against him as they entered and breathed in the smell of decay.
After ten minutes the Warden stopped at a cell. "The one you wish to visit is in there. He has not handled his time here very well." Placing a key into the lock and opening the door. "Prisoner 52551 you have a visitor and you will behave or there will be consequences. Do you understand?"
Lucius Malfoy rose up from his cot, legs shaking as he rasped out. "Yes Warden I promise that I will be nice."
The warden turned to Severus. "The Minister said you needed no guard so I'll leave the door unlocked. Just call out in the hall and a guard will retrieve you."
Severus watched him leave and found Lucius sitting on the bed. Gods what two and a half years in this place did to the wizard! He took in the appearance of his friend noticing large patches of hair missing and pronounced ribs showing through large holes of his prison garb. He removed his thick travelling cloak and wrapped it around Lucius and watched the man pull it close to him.
He pulled a small box and enlarged it and handed him a small flask. "No demands of escape now that the watchers are away?"
Lucius grabbed the flask and drank down the contents feeling the whiskey burn his throat and coughed. "I'm going to die in this place Severus and go to whatever hell that I deserve. Anything is better than being here. I think that Hell will actually be a relief."
Severus said nothing handing Lucius a thick beef sandwich and watched him gobble it up.
Lucius watched him. "What brings you here to visit the enemy?"
Severus sighed. "You were never an enemy to me Lucius. We were misguided. I happened to turn because Voldemort killed Lily and realized what he was. Things might have been different if that did not happen. I am Draco's Godfather and I wanted to update you and pulled some strings to do so."
Lucius sat down suddenly. "Tell me of my son! Is he here as well or was he executed?"
Severus pulled up the single rickety chair and spoke of Draco watching a small smile appear on his friend's face as he continued.
"So he is Lord Malfoy and can continue our line. That's fine by me as I never wanted him to take the Mark. He did it to save his mother. Thank Potter for that if you can."
Severus jumped up and pointed his wand to the door when he heard the door swing open with a loud creak. "Dementor I am not one of those under your guard. If you come closer I will attack." Voice low and dangerous.
The Dementor stood in the doorway not moving.
"Representative we have not sensed you in over two centuries. We thought you turned your back on us."
Severus kept his wand pointed not reacting to the words that filled his head. "You will not attack this prisoner again."
We do not need to even with your words. He is broken and will die in two weeks time. Come to the cave of the Covenants and we will talk."
His wand did not waver watching the Dementor turn to leave.
"It is good to sense and see you again Son."
The Dementor left closing the door behind it.
Severus put his wand away and found Lucius on his cot pulled tightly in a ball and shook him. "Lucius it is away now."
"You don't understand Severus." He moaned out. "The daily attacks stopped when that young Warden was assigned here. I think that they have overstepped the rules binding them but can't be sure. They would come here every day and feed on me and I had no happy memories that I was thinking of."
He turned and pulled on the robes of his friend and whispered. "They feed on us Severus and have been doing so happy thoughts or no. It is a lie what they teach you about them!"
Severus pulled the hand grabbing his robe forcing it away. "I'll tell the Minister Lucius. I'm leaving the box as there are a few sandwiches and water in there and you can keep the cloak as well. I'll not be able to come again."
"Don't bother Severus. I wish you well my friend for you are the lucky one." Lucius whispered suddenly feeling tired as the fear took a toll on his malnourished body. "I don't know what agenda you have by coming here but hope I helped you."
He watched Lucius fall asleep and waited to make sure that it was indeed sleep that took he friend over before opening the door and shouted out that he was ready to be away.
Aurours Stoddard and Wright took their old professor back to the mainland not saying a word at the disturbed look on his face. Everyone that visited Azkaban left with that same exact look.
