Disclaimer: Never was mine / Never will be mine I am making no money from this story. Everything belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out but it is a very busy time at the moment. I am in the process of buying a house and hopefully moving soon and my beta's also incredibly busy with real life. I am sorry and I will try not to let it happen again. Thanks for your patience :)
Beta read by the marvellous JediCandy.
Chapter Four – Who Gets The Last Laugh, Fudge?
It had taken nearly a week for Draco's little trick to wear off, much to Severus' delight. He thought it was hilarious having Gryffindor's golden boy sporting Slytherin hair. Harry had huffed a little about it at first but soon got over it, realising that it was funny and a good prank to pull. He had already sent off his letters to the twins, Hermione, and Ron. He thought it was about time he called back a favour from the twins, even though each quarter they sent him a receipt for what had been paid into his Gringotts account; he didn't expect it but they claimed it was only fair, after all he was their silent partner. Not so silent these days though, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had found out back in his fifth year, as did Molly and Arthur. But he wanted to get Malfoy back good and he knew the twins were the men for the job!
***
Severus had gotten everything ready for he knew he would be summoned tonight. It was the night of Fudge's party and the Dark Lord had his ambush planned. He was on his way to finalize the details with Albus. Severus could not afford not to know where everyone was because tonight he truly believed the shit was going to hit the fan. Tonight would make the wizarding world at large sit up and take this war seriously. Still, a lot of the wizarding communities around the world refused to have anything to do with the war claiming it was a small internal power struggle and the Dark Lord would not try for global domination again like he had in the seventies. Severus was not so sure; the Dark Lord was not as sane as he one was, and that was saying something considering the man had always been leaning towards the mad side of life.
On his way up to Albus' office he could hear a scuffle happening between students, he did not have the time for this but he still had his duties to attend to. He wondered what his chances were of grabbing Harry and crawling under a rock with the young man and shutting out the world were? Not very high, he reasoned. He rounded the corner and came face to face with a third year Gryffindor, Morton he believed, and Tidus Dolor in a muggle style fist fight, he held in a groan, he really did not need this right now. "Mister Morton and Mister Dolor, what is going on here?" He managed to keep his tone cold and even. The fighting boys sprang apart instantly.
"Nothing, Professor." Tidus muttered looking down at the floor. The other boy stayed silent.
"It did not look like nothing to me." Severus continued in his icy voice especially reserved for troublesome students and Potter in his day! "Mister Morton, care to enlighten me?"
"Dolor just attacked me sir, he's an animal!"
"Shut up you idiot, I'm going to kick your ass." Tidus shouted back and launched himself forward towards the other boy again.
Severus was quicker then he was and grabbed Tidus by the back of his collar. "Dolor, stop it this instant!" Severus raised his voice and it was not a pleasant sound, Tidus held still in an instant. "Morton, twenty points from Gryffindor for fighting. Dolor with me." Severus started to head off with Tidus still in his grip when the protests of Morton stopped him.
"That's unfair, that animal didn't lose any points!"
Severus turned around and silenced the boy with a deadly cold glare, when he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper but everyone heard him clearly. "A further twenty points for your insolence, boy. I don't owe you an explanation for my actions, but I will give you one. You are a third year and this boy is a first year, you should know better."
"He attacked me!"
"And three nights detention with Filch for answering back. Do you want to go for another points loss and round it up to fifty?"
"No sir." The boy mumbled and accepted defeat.
"Then leave." Severus spat at the boy and he did. He pulled Tidus into the nearest classroom and pushed him down onto the nearest seat and stood in front of him with his arms crossed across his chest. "Explain."
"It was nothing." It was said very quietly but Severus heard it. This was not the answer he was looking for, he slammed both hands down on the student desk the boy was sat behind and leaned over it to close the gap between them.
"Answer me, boy!"
Tidus looked a little teary but Severus knew he had to be a little harsh if this boy was going to survive Hogwarts in one piece. "I heard him being mean about..."
"Yes?"
"About you, and I lost my temper."
Severus sighed; he did not need an eleven-year-old running around trying to protect his honour and reputation, he had a hard enough time with Harry doing that. "Mister Dolor, Tidus, you must control that temper of yours."
"They were being horrible about you and they don't even know anything about you, about what you do!" The tears now started to flow.
Severus held in a growl. "Tidus, you are in a very privileged position because you know a lot more about me than any other student and you must keep that information secret. It is very important that you do, do you understand?"
"I didn't say anything, honest! They just made me so mad!"
Severus handed Tidus a handkerchief, "Tidus, you may have noticed that I am not the most popular professor in this school. This fact does not worry me and it should not worry you." He held up a hand to silence the protest he could feel coming from the boy. "Sometimes we all have to act a little differently to how we really are. A very wise muggle once said, the world is a stage and we all have our parts to play. Unfortunately my role is that of the evil professor, it helps to keep me well-positioned elsewhere. Do you understand?"
Tidus gave him a teary smile. "I guess, sucks though!"
"Very eloquently put, Mister Dolor. Now return to your common room and stay out of trouble. Next time I catch you fighting I will not be so lenient."
"Thank you, sir." Tidus wiped his eyes one last time and went to hand back the handkerchief.
"Keep it."
"Thank you sir. Good bye." Tidus left the classroom and Severus let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, he could feel a headache coming on. He was going to have to do something about the young Mister Dolor because his temper was very volatile and he had already been exposed to the Dark Arts, which were not a good combination. He resumed his trip back up to Albus' office.
***
"So everything and everyone is in position, Albus?" Severus asked.
"Yes, my dear boy. Are you sure you won't have a cup of tea with me before the big fight?"
"Albus, now is not the time for me to be drinking calming potion."
"Calming potion, Severus? I offered you tea not calming potion."
"Albus, I may be many things but I am not a fool so please don't treat me as one."
"I would do no such thing, Severus."
"Albus, I know you lace your tea with calming potion. I worked it out after my first visit up here, when I was twelve."
"Ah yes, I remember, you won an award for excellence. Highest grades ever for a second year in the whole history of Hogwarts."
Severus rolled his eyes; the old man was getting barmier by the second. "The calming potion, Albus, don't try and deny it."
Albus frowned playfully at him. "It always was difficult to put one past you wasn't it?"
"I like to keep my wits about me."
"If you promise not to tell anyone, I will bring in a stash of tea that has not been laced just for you." Albus winked at him and Severus let out a snort of laughter.
"Has anyone told you lately, Albus, just how incredibly insane you are?"
"No one except you would dare, my dear boy. Now let me get you that non-spiked tea." Albus flicked his wand and a new pot appeared and he poured Severus a cup from it. "Something else seems to be troubling you Severus, what ever is the matter?"
"Tidus Dolor."
"Oh, has young Tidus been causing you problems?" Severus told Albus about his concerns for the young boy and that he had caught him fighting like a common muggle in the corridors. Albus sighed at hearing what Severus had to say. "Severus, has he made any friends that you know of?"
"Not really, but it still is very early in the new school year. I was thinking of asking one of the older Slytherins to take him under their wing as such, show him the way a little."
"Not a bad idea, any one in mind?"
"Arimus Jenkins."
"A good choice, Severus."
"I think so, he is only one year above Tidus and his family are very well known for being neutral. So there will be no influence being enforced about being either for or against the Dark Lord. Arimus Jenkins is a good student and a good child, also his family is old and respected so he will get no backlash for befriending a first year."
"Do you think he would do it?"
"I can but ask. I have always gotten on well with him and his family and if necessary I will ask Harry to talk to him."
"Harry?"
"Yes, Harry and Arimus became friends last year, around Christmas I believe, they were both in the castle for the holidays. He offered to help Harry out with his search for Slytherin's book by asking his family to check their personal library for it."
"Ah yes I remember," Albus said with a giggle. "It was fun seeing Arimus telling the older Slytherins to, and I quote, 'to bugger off' because he would talk to who he pleased, whether they liked it or not."
"Indeed, his family is old and powerful; not many Slytherins would cross him for fear of being left off of his families invite list."
"Yes the Jenkins do throw some amazing parties and charity benefits."
"Many of the families would hate to be left off the invitation list. I believe Narcissa offended them once and was left of the social calendar for a whole year until she apologised, apparently she was mortified." Severus rolled his eyes and Albus chuckled again.
"Yes, I believe you are right. Arimus Jenkins would be a good influence on Tidus. He comes from a good loving family; his mother, Nikita, is a lovely and charming woman. I have had the pleasure of attending a few of her benefits and parties, always good fun."
"If that is your idea of fun." Severus quipped.
"I take it you have been to a few yourself?"
"Of course. You know full well, Albus, one never turns down an invitation sent from Nikita Jenkins. Especially not if you are of a Slytherin family."
"Some might even say it is a sin to turn one down."
"Indeed." The light-hearted banter continued between the friends until Severus got the call through his dark mark to attend to his former Master.
***
For a Hufflepuff, Cornelius Fudge was very power hungry and stubborn. He would not take the advice of others; he liked to forget the fact that when he first became Minister of Magic he had owled Albus Dumbledore for advice on a daily basis. But that was then and this is now! He had just starting to get ready to leave another successful party at the Ministry. He was of the philosophy that even in a time of trouble it was best to show a smiling face to the public to prove that you were not worried, and if you weren't worried then they should not be. It was all a matter of perception.
The party had been a roaring success; he believed he had even rivalled Nikita Jenkins' parties. The butterbeer and fire whisky had flowed as freely as the wine; he was in a good mood. It just went to prove that that sneak Snape whom Dumbledore put so much faith in was wrong. Once a traitor always a traitor was another one of Fudges philosophies. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was not stupid enough to attack him! No, he would be fine and when the petty power struggle was over between Dumbledore and You-Know-Who and Potter had expended his use, and proved once and for all that he was nothing but an overrated child, he, Cornelius Fudge would be there to sweep up the mess and be seen as the conquering hero. He could see his re-election headlines now. He would get that annoying woman Skeeter to write the article, she could always make things seem so much more dramatic. He would make sure the dramatic part would look good for him. Yes things were going well.
Feeling good about himself he got into his carriage without a second thought, and started the journey home.
***
"Remember, I want the killing shot. I want to see the fear in that idiotic fool's eyes just before I kill him. I want him to know it was me, Lord Voldemort that bested the so-called Minister of Magic." There were murmurs of 'yes master' though out the room. Nobody was foolish enough to question his orders; they would do as they were told. "Now, everyone, apparate to your positions, I will not tolerate mistakes tonight. Do I make myself clear?" Again there were murmurs of 'yes master' through out the room. "Now go!" The area was filled with several pops from wizards and witches apparating and others using portkeys. Namely the man child-army were using portkeys because they were unable to apparate.
"Severus, we will join them in a few minutes, I do not hang around and wait for anyone. We will wait until the fight has already started."
Severus inclined his head ever so slightly, "Yes my Lord." He took a few deep breaths and sent a silent plea to Merlin for his help in getting through tonight.
***
"I want to go."
"No Harry, it is not safe."
"Safe! When will it ever be safe for me to face Voldemort?"
"I just don't feel the time is right."
"Albus, I have to face him sometime."
"I know Harry, but humour an old man once more and stay within the castle."
"If I am to survive the battle with Voldemort, than I am going to need some battle experience."
"I know Harry, and it will come soon. Tonight is not a good night for it though."
"Tell me why not, the truth otherwise I am coming along!"
Albus sighed. "Fine, you know what Severus must do, and tonight he is going to be in a very precarious position. He will be fighting for Voldemort and against him at the same time."
"I know all this already."
"Harry, are you prepared to watch him kill someone if he has to? Someone on our side?"
"Severus wouldn't kill someone on our side!" Harry was sure of that.
"Not by choice he wouldn't, but tonight could be a fierce battle and he may have to take a life to seemingly protect Voldemort. He is walking a very fine line and I do not need or want him distracted by your presence on the battlefield. He cares for you and if he saw you threatened he would jump to your defence immediately. How do you think that would look to Voldemort?"
Harry had to give him that. "It will happen one day though."
"Yes it will, but let Severus be aware of it first if at all possible. He would never forgive me if you turned up unexpectedly and witnessed him having to perform for Voldemort."
"Alright, but this is the last time that I will stay behind."
"Thank you Harry, you have made an old man very happy."
Harry gave him a small smile and a nod before he turned and left the office to return to his quarters. He was not looking forward to the night ahead. Though he did not suffer the visions as he used to, he still experienced pain and feeling from Voldemort when he was in a big battle. The last time a battle of this magnitude had taken place he had had Ron and Hermione with him to help him through the worst of it. Tonight he was alone and he was scared.
"Potter?"
Harry looked up to see Malfoy looking at him. "What Draco?"
"You look odd."
"Thanks." Harry continued along the corridor.
"I was only trying to be friendly, Potter." Harry could hear the sneer in his voice.
He sighed and turned around. "Sorry, Draco, I was a million miles away. I apologise if I was rude. I hope you have a pleasant night."
"Whatever, Potter." And Draco walked away Harry shook his head. He just couldn't work out what Draco was up to. He continued back to his quarters and noticed someone waiting for him by his guardian portrait.
"I thought you could use some company tonight." He was waving an expensive bottle of brandy in front of him.
"Severus put you up to this didn't he?" Harry said with a smile.
"Not in so many words."
"Really?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"He just happened to mention he was a little worried about you and what you might feel tonight because of Voldemort."
"And people claim he is a hard git with no emotion."
"Ah, but we know the truth Harry."
"That we do, Nikolai, that we do. I hope you were not waiting long?"
"Please! A few minutes to me is nothing, and your portrait guardian has been keeping me entertained."
"Yes, Sir Cadogan will do that. Please come in." Harry let them in and Nikolai conjured up two brandy glasses as Harry lit the fire. When he was handed a glass, he sat on the sofa next to his guest and waited for the horror to begin.
***
The battle had started the moment Fudge's carriage had come into view along the quiet street. Remus, who was partnered up with Bill, had already managed to capture three Death Eaters; they hoped were from the man-child army. They had been tied up and unceremoniously shoved to the side of the road out of the way. The horses pulling the carriage had run away in fright and the three Aurors of the personal guard and Fudge had erected a shield around the carriage that for the moment was holding. Unfortunately, five of the Death Eaters had thrown up an anti-apparation ward around the carriage so there was no hope for escape.
Neither Bill nor Remus expected the shield to hold; they were vastly outnumbered. As they feared there would be, there was at least four Death Eaters to each member of the Order. They had no chance in hell of winning, and this was all before the Big Evil turned up. It was looking like a case of damage control and trying to get as many of the kids away as possible.
Remus could hear someone coming up from behind Bill, he turned and saw a Death Eater running towards his friend and raising his wand. "Bill, get down!" He yelled and Bill dropped to the ground. Remus pulled a vial from his robes and threw it into the face of the attacking Death Eater, freezing him instantly.
"What the hell was that stuff?" Bill asked impressed, he was glad to see the majority of the fighting was going on away from them, for they needed a respite to catch their breaths.
"A little something Severus was working on, remind me to tell him it works well in the field." Remus caught a peculiar look flash across Bill's face. "What is it? I though you cared about Severus?"
"I do, but he is otherwise engaged these days." The tone was not overly bitter but was a little hurt.
"Severus has a boyfriend?" Remus whispered in surprise to Bill.
"You could say that, apparently they are very much in love."
"Oh, who? You have got to tell me!"
"I don't know." Bill sounded genuinely worried.
"Go on, I won't tell."
Bill sighed, "Harry Potter." He whispered to his friend. He didn't have time to catch the look of shock cross Remus' face because another Death Eater started to run towards them.
***
Dedalus Diggle was not in a good mood, during the fight his violet top hat had been dropped and trampled on, he loved that hat and was not looking forward to having to buy another one. He was currently covering the back of Hestia Jones, who he was trying desperately to impress. He had been trying to impress the black haired, pink-cheeked witch for three years and every time he seemed to be making headway they were called into battle. Dedalus just knew he had to be patient; his time would come with the lovely Hestia.
"Dedalus, get your head out of the clouds and back on the battlefield." Hestia yelled.
"Marry me?"
"What!"
"Marry me, Hestia, I love you."
Hestia stopped still and looked at him. "I tell you what, we survive this and I'll allow you to court me."
"Deal." Dedalus grinned, he turned serious when Hestia gave out a small cry of fear, and he looked up when his own fear started to ring in his ears. Three Dementors were approaching them. He held up his wand and brought forward in his mind the sentence Hestia had just said to him about allowing him to court her and yelled out, "Expecto Patronum." A fine silver seagull flew out of the end of his wand and dived straight towards the first Dementor causing it to stumble and fall.
Hestia gathered her wits and followed suit. Her patroness was a rabbit, and it ran at full speed towards the second closest Dementor, while the seagull dealt with the final one. "Sod courting, Dedalus, we make it out of here, we get married."
"You wish is my command M'lady."
***
"It is time, Severus, lets us join the battle and claim victory."
"Yes, my Lord." Severus held his breath and nerves in check as he apparated to the usually quiet street where he knew the battle was taking place. They appeared at the top of the street and Severus surveyed the ongoing battle. He could see Remus and Bill engaged in a fight at the other end of the street, he had a momentary pang of fear for Bill. Just because he had not taken the news of Harry and him well did not mean he no longer cared for Bill. Bill would always be his first love and he still deeply respected and cared for the other man. Remus, well they had a bad history but they were civil to each other and he wished no harm to the werewolf, Harry was far too fond of him.
He could also see Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Charlie Weasley involved in a fierce battle not far away from the carriage. They seemed to be handling things well, by the looks of it they had even taken a few prisoners. Severus couldn't spot Albus and wondered what could have detained the older man and hoped it was nothing serious; there was not much that would stop him from being here, except if something had happened to Harry. Sudden fear struck his heart, was Harry here? Was Harry all right? Had something happened? Questions and fear were running through his brain.
"Severus, is everything alright?" Voldemort looked at him curiously.
Severus pulled all is fears back in on themselves and looked at the Dark Lord. "Perfectly my Lord, I am just savouring the taste of imminent victory, we have the enemy out numbered."
"You are right, Severus, lets go and cast the final shot." He said gleefully. Severus keep pace beside his master with his wand drawn out ready for attack, he didn't want to use it but he may have no choice, even Albus had told him as much.
***
Harry dropped his glass in sudden fear; Nikolai was at his side in an instant. "Voldemort has arrived at the battle, and he is happy things are going his way. We have to warn the others!" Harry tried to get up and run towards the door but the vampire was too quick for him.
"No, Harry, you must stay here."
"No, I have to go. Severus could be in danger."
"There is nothing you can do for him. Severus is smart, he will be alright."
"No please, let me go." Harry had no chance of escaping the vampire's hold on him, his superior strength made sure of that. He sagged back into the hold and tried his hardest to hold back the tears. "I can't do this anymore." He said in despair.
"I know, Harry, it is hard but you are stronger than him. Do not let Voldemort become aware of your fear, he will feed off it to weaken you." Harry had no answer and succumbed to the quiet tears he had been trying to hold back.
***
Albus raced across the entrance of Hogwarts hoping that he was not too late. Harry's insistence to come along to the battle had held him up, and a few students looking for advice had cornered him. He was unable to turn his back on his Hogwarts duties and he just hoped that his devotion to the school had not come at to a heavy price. If the worst had happened and they had lost Cornelius to Voldemort he had set in motion a series of events that would only leave wizarding Britain without a Minister for forty-eight hours. Only two people knew who would be the next Minister, himself and the person he had chosen. His choice was a good one and would make an excellent Minister, one that would see this war for what it was and not bury their head in the sand as Cornelius had. Albus would have rather had Cornelius' resignation then death, force him from the position.
***
Severus and the Dark Lord were next to the carriage and Voldemort looked positively gleeful at seeing Fudge screaming in terror inside of his forced prison. The three Aurors were doing an admirable job of holding the shield they had erected to try and protect him. Severus knew there was no hope for the idiot Fudge, but he did not want to see the death of the Aurors, they were just doing their job, he had to risk saying something to protect them. "My Lord, allow me the pleasure of dealing with the Aurors and you can concentrate on Fudge himself."
"It has been a while hasn't it Severus, since you have been in a battle? Wanting to wet your hands again? I am pleased, go my child have fun."
Severus wanted to vomit at hearing how pleased the Dark Lord was with him for wanting to kill, if he had his way none of them would be killed, they would just need a few days in St. Mungos to recover.
He pulled from his pocket two-potion vials and threw the first one towards what he guessed to be the weakest of the three Aurors. The young man was sweating heavily and looking very tired as the potion landed at his feet; it stripped him of the shield he had had in place. He looked around in panic and Severus threw the second of his vials at the young man who now stood frozen in place. Severus closed the gap between them in a few strides and slammed his fist into the young man's jaw; he fell to the floor instantly. Severus had heard a crunch on impact from the young man's jaw, that was going to hurt in the morning but at least he would live to fight another day.
The second Auror he took down caused him no problems also; a quick Finite Incantatum to rob him of his shield followed by a fast Stupefy to send him flying away form the carriage. He stepped over to the last Auror, who had a look of total fear about him, he was also shaking from head to foot. His fear was making his shield unstable, Severus could see it flickering and punched through it with his fist and grabbed the man by his throat and pulled him away from the carriage, leaving Fudge with no more protection. Severus knew the Dark Lord was watching and would be aware that Severus had not actually killed anyone yet, so he had to make this one look good and convincing.
He punched the Auror in the face with his free hand and watched as his nose smashed, he brought his knee up to the man's stomach and slammed it in. He could hear the man was badly winded and threw him to the ground. He pulled out a handgun from seemingly nowhere and knelt down next to the Auror, who was writhing in pain on his front on the ground. He lent in closely to his ear, "If you want to live, play dead." And he fired the handgun into just below the man's shoulder, missing all major organs. Severus also whispered a silencing charm on the man so his whimpers could not be heard. The bullets were specially charmed to miss all major organs and arteries; they were also treated with a pain-numbing potion so they would not hurt so much on impact. It seemed as if the man was playing along, Severus could see no other movement except shallow breathing. Severus went to rejoin the Dark Lord, who was waiting by the carriage door with a look of enjoyment on his face.
"Bravo Severus, I do so enjoy your displays of violence. I have said it before and I will say it again you do have a wonderful imagination. Come join me inside, for this will be a glorious moment." The Dark Lord opened the carriage door and almost immediately more Death Eaters stood around the carriage and threw up shields over the anti-apparation field.
Voldemort entered the carriage and sat opposite the quivering Cornelius Fudge, Severus took his seat next to the Dark Lord. "Well, well, Fudge. A personal audience at last."
"Please, I will do anything!" Terror was evident in his voice.
"I have no use for you, I have come here to kill you and I will no matter how much you plead. Though it is always nice to hear the final pleas of a condemned man, don't you think Severus?"
Severus just wished the Dark Lord with get it over and done with. "Of course, my Lord."
"Snape! I knew it! You are nothing but a traitor! Dumbledore was a fool for trusting you!"
"A fan of yours I see, Severus. Pull back your hood and allow him to see the face of the man who helped bring about his downfall."
Severus followed the order and removed his mask and pulled back his hood, he had plastered a smirk on his face. "Fudge," was all he could bring himself to say. He looked out the window to see members of the order trying to bring down the shield, where was Albus when you needed him?
"I knew you were bad news, evil..."
Severus waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and glared hard at Fudge. "Please, it is nothing I haven't heard before. Are you unable to be more creative with your words? Then again I wouldn't expect it from a Hufflepuff!"
"You'll get yours, Snape!"
"Not before you get yours it would seem."
The Dark Lord laughed at Severus' words. "Intelligent, isn't he?" He said to Fudge as he indicated Severus. "You can see why I am so fond of him. Now to business." The Dark Lord raised his wand and smiled a smile of pure evil at Fudge. "Good buy, Minister, Avada Kedavra."
Severus shielded his eyes from the bright green light that shot from the Dark Lord's wand, and flinched a little at the laughter emanating from the evil wizard next to him. As the green light faded he saw the dead body of Cornelius Fudge slump over in his seat and fall to the ground. He could hear in the background outside a distant cry of no, from Albus. The Dark Lord also heard this and opened the door of the carriage and stepped out. "You were to late, old man, you really are getting slow in your old age."
"Tom, you will pay for this." Albus bellowed at him.
"Not before you do, old man." He turned to Severus who was still in the carriage. "Get ready to leave, I will order the anti-apparation shield down." Severus nodded back. "Death Eaters, fall back and drop the shield."
Severus could feel the shift in magic as the shield was dropped and saw the Dark Lord disappear from sight, he followed him back to Riddle Manor a second later.
***
"Congratulations, my Lord, your plan worked well."
"Yes, it did work well didn't it? Though we did lose a few of my new army. That does annoy me a little." The Dark Lord replied to Severus.
"They are replaceable, my Lord."
"That is true, and we did not lose many. Lucius is doing a count for me now." Severus was finishing up the glass of red wine the Dark Lord had given him, it tasted bitter but he drank it not wanting to seem ungrateful. "You should return to Hogwarts, Severus, before Albus bloody Dumbledore becomes suspicious."
"As you wish, my Lord."
"I will call you when I need you again. Take same time off, Severus; enjoy the fanfare that will follow Fudge's death."
"Thank you, my Lord." Severus bowed deeply and left to apparate back to Hogwarts.
***
The castle was very quiet; all had gone to sleep except Harry Potter who was sitting nervously on the stairs waiting for Severus' return. He was virtually unaware of Nikolai who was waiting in the shadows watching over him, Harry knew he was around but did not know where exactly, he didn't care either. All he wanted was Severus back home safely with him. He looked up as the main door creaked open and a dark shadow walked in, Harry held himself and his breath still.
"Harry?" The voice was quiet and sounded rough.
"Sev." His voice came out cracked. Severus walked quickly over to him and knelt in front of him on the stairs. He lifted a hand and stroked his cheek; Harry leaned into the touch.
"You should not have waited up." It was said gently and with no scorn.
"I had to know you were safe, Sev." He whispered back. Severus smiled a little at him and lent in for a quick kiss. He pulled back when he could hear soft steps coming down the stairs.
"Please do not allow me to interrupt you." Albus said softly.
"Sorry, Albus, I was on my way to see you."
"No need to apologise, Severus. There is no need to see me tonight; it will change nothing. Go to bed and get some rest."
"Thank you, Albus." Albus smiled at the pair on the stairs and walked back up to his office. "So, your place or mine, Potter?" Severus asked him with a little sarcasm.
Harry grinned at him. "Yours, I think." Severus took his hand and led him down to the dungeons. In the shadows, Nikolai smiled to himself, he was glad his old friend Severus had found happiness with someone Nikolai considered to be worthy.
Next Chapter: Work begins on the house and Remus returns to Hogwarts.
Thank you very much to those of you that have taken the time to review it really does mean a lot to me.
Kateri1 – Thank you, and yes I am but it will take time before Tidus will trust Harry.
Athenakitty – Thank you as always. The first on your hit list was dealt with in this chapter and I promise more will soon!
AriadneElda – Thank you, I also love the twins they are amongst my favourite characters in the books.
Pam Briggs – Thank you, I thought it was time I brought Tidus back and complete his story. There will be lots more of him to come.
Lunakatrina – Thank you, Tidus will be confused for a long time but I promise it will be a happy-ish ending for him. As for Nikolai, I haven't made him gay or straight, I see him more as bi-sexual really – choosing mates on their strengths rather then sex.
Elmindrea-al'Thor – Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed the prequel and are enjoying this story also.
Elizabeth Patil – Thank you very much for your lovely review. You are right about Nikolai about mid-story he will have a major story line. At present I don't know how long this story will be but it should be about the same length as SGA. Tidus will start to settle down soon and I am glad you liked it that he liked Dumbledore but wasn't so keen on Harry. Far too many OC worship Harry! And yes I did appreciate your review :)
Katie Lupin Black / Nation El-Diablo / Charmed88 / Immortal Memories / pameruh qui aime Malfoy / Orlando's Gurl / SASSYGIRL / JoJo / snapes-bit / QueenSpunky / Kat Davi / zimagesto / Eccentric75885 / Ruth / Sakura Snape / Red-Chan / / sumli.
Thanks also to –- aria-fic / ataraxis / Juxtaposed / janinemary / _inzilbeth_ -- who posted reviews at my Live Journal.