AN: Ahh I must correct myself now. This scene is going to be split into three chapters now, this being the second one. Just turned out too long, and the end of this chapter felt like a good place to stop for now :) This is where some of the real angst starts, and both Snape and Harry are jostled out of the haze they have both been in, and must really face eachother and realize what situation they are both in. Although I must admit that I think the next chapter will be the most intense part. Reminder, I have left Wormtail's presence in this part of Half-Blood Prince out, as it didn't fit with the story; otherwise Harry would have never been able to stay at Snape's. Hope you enjoy ;) Reviews always appreciated! :D
Disclaimer: I do not take any credit for any of the dialogue taken from the Half-Blood Prince chapter "Spinner's End". It all belongs to J.K. Rowling. I simply used parts of dialogue from the book because I wanted to play out the same scene from Harry's point of view, and I wanted to write my own interpretation of it as well, so you will find some same, some similar, and some different things in this chapter :)
Chapter 7: Misunderstood
Harry's eyes widened as he watched the two witches walk into the room, coats wet from the rain that had been pouring outside, unnoticed from the inside of the house.
"What a pleasant surprise." Snape said gestured towards the sofa, and Narcissa went over and sat down. However, Bellatrix remained standing, searching the room skeptically, and Snape dismissed it as he went and sat down in his favourite chair.
"So, what can I do for you?" Snape directed the question towards Narcissa.
"We...we are alone, aren't we?" Harry heard Narcissa say nervously.
"Yes, of course," Snape said, and as if reacting to that comment, Harry shrunk back against the door, but still kept his view on the sitting room. He saw Snape wave his wand, conjuring three glasses of elf-made wine on a tray, and picked up one, handing it to Narcissa. He looked at Bellatrix and smirked.
"Ahh, Bella, please have some wine."
Bellatrix scowled at Snape, but took the glass, as she watched Snape take his own glass in his hand.
"The Dark Lord," he said, raising his glass and draining it. Harry stepped back, surprised, as he watched the other two witches do the same, draining their glasses as well. Did he just toast the Dark Lord?
As Snape refilled their glasses, Narcissa spoke up. "Severus, I'm sorry to come here like this, but I had to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me." Her voice shook at the end, and she took a breath, trying to make her voice even.
Severus slowly nodded, waiting for her to continue. Her voice trembled, as the glass in her hands slightly shook.
"Severus, I know I ought not to be here. I have been told to say nothing to anyone, but-"
"Then you ought to hold your tongue!" Harry almost jumped as he heard Bellatrix's harsh voice spit out venomously. "Particularly in present company!"
"Present company?" Harry heard Snape repeat sardonically. "And what am I to understand by that, Bellatrix?"
"That I don't trust you Snape, as you very well know!" Harry saw Bellatrix turn on Snape, her face conveying the emotions he heard in her voice. Disloyalty. Hatred. And Harry could see why. Snape had allied with one of Voldemort's greatest enemies, Dumbledore, and had protected Harry on numerous ocassions, as much as Harry hated to admit. There was ample reason for Bellatrix not to trust Snape.
Snape chuckled softly, to Bellatrix's bewilderment. He was afraid Bellatrix would lose her composure and start firing hexes at Snape, which she was not uncapable of, as that was what she had done to Sirius before he died...Harry shook the memory from his head in an instant, leaning a little closer to hear their conversation.
"My apologies, Narcissa, but I believe we should let your dear sister speak what's on her mind, she seems very anxious to. Go on Bella..." he said in a soft voice. "Why is it that you do not trust me?"
Snape's voice seemed like a soft hiss, like a slithering snake, and Harry felt a touch of anxiety.
"A hundred reasons!" Bellatrix threw her hands up in the air, her wine sloshing in her glass. "Where were you when the Dark Lord fell? Why did you never try to find him, like many of us did? What have you been doing all these years, snuggled in Dumbledore's cozy home? Why did you not return automatically when the Dark Lord was reborn? ((Where were you when we were fighting against a hoard of Order members a month ago at the ministry?)) And why, Snape, is Harry Potter still alive, when you have had him at your mercy for five year?"
Harry felt an immeasurable amount of disgust toward Bellatrix. It took him all his strength not to take out his wand and curse her into oblivion, the payback she deserved for murdering his godfather. There was a moment of silence, as Snape processed the accusations that had been thrust towards him.
"Before I answer you Bella – and don't think I do not know how you speak of me behind my back, how you spread treacherous rumours about me, to the other people that doubt my loyalty so!" Harry held his breath as Snape spoke. "But, let me ask you this: Do you really think I would be sitting here, speaking to you at this moment, if the Dark Lord had thought that I had truly turned away from him?"
Bellatrix hesitated for a moment. "I know he might believe you...but..."
"Why, Bella, to be honest, I'm quite honoured that you would believe that I would be skilled enough to fool the greatest wizard of all the time, the most accomplished Legilimens that has ever grazed this planet," Snape smirked as he watched Bellatrix scramble for a retort.
Harry, in the meanwhile, was scrambling his thoughts himself. Snape was speaking as if he...cherished Voldemort. Thought of him as the greatest wizard of all time...
Snape settled back into his seat, taking a sip of his drink. "Where was I when the Dark Lord fell? I was where he had ordered me, taking up a post at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which, as I'm sure you would know, he had wanted to me take up, as it was my job to spy on Albus Dumbledore."
Spy...? Harry was bewildered.
Bellatrix just nodded, her mouth drawn in a thin line, seeming determined to see her way through Snape's explanation without interrupting.
"Why did I not go search for him? Sadly, as this was my greatest downfall for the past 13 years...I believed he was dead, like many other Death Eaters. I regret it deeply, yet if the Dark Lord had not forgiven all those who had thought him finished, he would not have many followers left."
"He'd have me!" Bella shouted, forgetting not to interrupt. "I searched for him, I never gave up on him, I went to Azkaban for him, for pete's sake!"
"I admire you for that gesture, dear Bella, though I'm not sure how much use you were to him in prison..."
"How dare you!" Bellatrix took a step towards Snape. "As I sat rotting in that hell of a prison for years, you enjoyed all the luxury that Dumbledore could offer you! And if you really thought him dead, Severus, than why did you stay all these years? Trying to play out the stakes in your favour, aren't you?"
"Why I stayed, Bellatrix, is because I much preferred the home given to me at Hogwarts than a musty cell in Azkaban. And because of this, I have now sixteen years of information to provide to the worthy Dark Lord. As for you... I'm sure he is very interested to know how horrible Azkaban is..."
Harry saw Bellatrix draw her wand, seeming to reach her breaking point, but Narcissa hissed, "Bella!" and put her hand in front of her sister, leaving it there until she slowly drew back her wand, but did not put it back in her robes.
"I do apologize Bella, that was inappropriate of me to say," Snape said in a sincere tone, but Bellatrix didn't seem to accept his apology.
"So what is this useful information that you have provided for the Dark Lord?" Bellatrix said sarcastically.
"What I have discovered is between me and the Dark Lord. If the Dark Lord does not wish to share it with you..."
"He shares everything with me!" Bellatrix said incredulously. "We have just been at a sort of...disagreement after the Ministry incident..."
"Exactly my point. It would be a betrayal to the Dark Lord if I revealed the information I have shared with him to you." Bellatrix made a disgusted noise, but did not pursue the subject further.
"So Dumbledore has not suspected you at all? Are you seriously telling me that Dumbledore has bought your pathetic story about turning away from the Dark Lord and wanting to play teacher so welcomingly?"
"I have played my part well," said Snape. "And you overlook Dumbledore's greatest weakness: he has to believe the best of people. I spun him a tale of deepest remorse when I joined his staff, fresh from my Death Eater days, and he embraced me with open arms-though, as I say, never allowing me nearer the Dark Arts than he could help. Dumbledore has been a great wizard-oh yes, he has," (for Bellatrix had made a scathing noise), "the Dark Lord acknowledges it. I am pleased to say, however, that Dumbledore is growing old. The duel with the Dark Lord last month shook him. He has since sustained a serious injury because his reactions are slower than they once were. But through all these years, he has never stopped trusting Severus Snape, and therein lies my great value to the Dark Lord."
"And Harry?" Harry had been so transfixed in the conversation that he was surprised by the use of his name, in Bellatrix's scathing tone. "Explain to me this...if you had been faithful to the Dark Lord this whole time through...why is Harry still alive? Why have you not killed him?"
Snape stood up, slowly walking towards Bellatrix, and Harry seemed to see a different sort of Snape. He had always thought Snape was a horrible, devious, insufferable teacher who liked to torment Harry on every occasion he got. But this time, as he caught a glimpse of his face, he saw a deep, black darkness sparking through his eyes. He circled around Bellatrix, slowly, mysteriously... and Bellatrix seemed honestly anxious, her eyes darting as Snape walked. For the first time, Harry saw something deeper than hatred in Snape's eyes...death.
"Now you see Bella..." he said in a low hiss. "It was only Albus Dumbledore's protection that bought me a ticket out of Azkaban. You don't really think that murdering his favourite boy would have made him and me on good terms?" Snape turned away from Bellatrix then...walking towards the fireplace. "I could not simply murder the boy where there was so much protection, so much danger. There would have been no way to complete the job. I have tried my very best to get him kicked out of the school, as he has no immeasurable talent at all, but kill him...I would have been a fool to risk it while Dumbledore was so close by."
Harry listened to Snape drawl, in a creepy, malicious tone. The way Snape spoke of murder, of Harry's murder, was in an undenying ambitious tone. Harry's heart started to feel cold. He felt the hatred seep in slowly, growing in fervour, as he glanced upon the man that was unraveling his dear faith in the wizard that had murdered his parents, who had turned his life in turmoil.
"Now, I am so sorry Narcissa, but I do believe you wanted to ask me for help?"
Narcissa glanced up in surprise, not having spoken a word for fifteen minutes, listening to the tense conversation.
"Yes, Severus, well, I think you are the only person who can help...Lucius is in jail and Draco...well...the Dark Lord forbade me to speak of it..."
"If the Dark Lord forbade you, you should not speak," Snape said simply, and Harry heard Narcissa gasp.
"See, Cissy, even Snape says so! You should keep quiet!" Bellatrix said, pleased with Snape for once.
"However..." Snape continued and both Bellatrix and Narcissa turned to the looming man. "I happen to know the circumstance of which you are in."
"He told...the Dark Lord told you?" Bellatrix whispered in surprise.
"Your sister doubts me," Snape smirked.
"I knew he would Severus..." Narcissa whispered gratefully. "He always trusted you so..." Bellatrix made a sound of disgust, but both Narcissa and Snape ignored it.
"But what help do you require, Narcissa? If you believe I have the ability to change the Dark Lord's mind, I am deeply sorry to say that there is no way," Snape said softly. Harry watched as Narcissa put her hands over her face. When she removed, her face was tear-stricken.
"But my son..." Narcissa cried softly.
"He should be honoured!" Bellatrix exclaimed.
"He doesn't know what he's getting into! He's only sixteen! He is so young..." Narcissa's voice shook. "If the Dark Lord is trying to punish our family for Lucius' mistake...please Severus, the Dark Lord has much faith in you, you are Lucius' old friend...if there is any way..."
"There isn't." Snape said automatically, a little coldly. "You know as well as I do that he would not let even his most faithful servant try to persuade him of something he has his mind set on. There is nothing that I am able to do which will not get me murdered, and it would not change his mind anyway."
Narcissa started to sob into her hands. Harry felt disgusted. He could not feel an ounce of sympathy for the Slytherin boy, after all he had done to Harry through his years. He was, however, very curious as to what task Draco had been put up to.
Narcissa dropped down to her knees, grabbing Snape's robes, making Snape jump back in surprise. "What if you did it, Severus? You would succeed, I know you would! And he would reward you so highly!"
Snape froze for a second. Then he grabbed her arms, pulled her up, and sat her back on the sofa. He grabbed the glass of wine and forced it into her hands.
"Narcissa, that's enough. Drink this. Listen to me."
Narcissa nodded shakily, and took a sip of the wine.
"I might...be able to keep Draco safe," Snape said slowly.
Narcissa stood up in surprise. "Really? Would you do that Severus? I would be ever so grateful."
She started to walk over to Snape, when suddenly Bellatrix voice hissed, "Swear to it."
Snape turned to look around at her, keeping his face composed, but Harry could see the confusion in his eye. "I'm sorry?"
"Swear to it." Bellatrix walked over to Snape, facing him directly. "Make the Unbreakable Vow," she whispered.
Harry could see Snape frozen in his spot, facing Bellatrix, not saying a word. Bellatrix took this chance. She smiled an evil smile. "See, Cissy, he doesn't really care. He'll try his best, but once it gets too dangerous, he'll just slither back...coward." Bellatrix circled Snape, every word sounding like a sting.
However, instead of being fazed, Snape just raised an eyebrow. "Really now, Bella," Snape mimicked her slithering tone perfectly. "I wish you had more confidence in me." He went over to Narcissa. He took her right arm in his, and clasped them together. "I will make the Unbreakable Vow, certainly."
Bellatrix froze for a second, not believing her ears, but quickly recovered and took out her wand, as she walked over to the pair with their hands clasped together. She twisted her wand, and suddenly a thin, golden line circle itself around Snape's and Narcissa's hands.
Harry drew closer to the three, entranced and afraid of what was happening in front of him, not completely understanding. He unconsciously started to walk towards the living room, until he saw a dark stare from Snape right in his direction. Harry stopped in his tracks. Bellatrix started to speak, in a soft whisper.
"Will you, Severus Snape, watch over Draco Malfoy, as he attempts to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes?"
Snape's face was blank. "I will." "And will you, Severus Snape, protect him from mark?"
"I will." "And, will you, Severus Snape, if Draco fails...fulfill the task that the Dark Lord has been set for Draco to perform?"
Snape's hand twitched in Narcissa's. He did not respond right away. Narcissa and Bellatrix were watching Snape, silently, waiting him to say the two words.
"I will," Snape said quietly.
A bright orange light lit up the room, glowing in Harry's eyes. Harry turned away for a second, not able to look at either of them. When he turned back, he saw Bellatrix and Narcissa grabbing their coats, and Snape following them to the door to bid them farewell.
Harry sank down the wall onto the floor. What had just happened? He turned the events around in his head, trying to make sense of them all. What was Draco supposed to do for Voldemort that made Narcissa so worried that she came to Snape, of all people? What kind of "vow" did Snape make?
However, there was something more important, more deep than any of those simpler questions. He knew he had just seen something that wasn't for his eyes. Neither Bellatrix or Narcissa had known he was there; this meeting was supposed to be secret. He could not get out of his mind how...easily Snape had defied everything that the Order of the Pheonix stood for, how he spoke against Dumbledore, against Harry.
Harry had always doubted. He could not deny that. He had always wondered if Snape had really turned away from his Death Eater ways. But Dumbledore had always expressed his full confidence in him, always believed that he was on their side now. Since when had he become a double agent? He was certainly working with the Death Eaters from one point, as they seemed to fraternize with him so easily about these subjects.
He tried to think reasonably. He tried to tell himself it was a ploy to get information for Dumbledore and the Order. He tried to convince himself, if he was just playing double agent for Dumbledore, he had to lie to Narcissa and Bellatrix. And Snape KNEW that Harry was there. He wouldn't have revealed so much in front of him.
But something got in the way. He remembered how Snape had shooed Dumbledore away so quickly when Snape had known Narcissa and Bellatrix were coming. He remembered how he had spoken...as if he cherished the Dark Lord. He saw the sheer look of death in his eyes as he spoke of Harry's murder. Snape had always hated Harry's dad, James, and Harry in extension. As he remembered how Snape had spoken of him, the hatred in his heart grew until he couldn't stand to stay where he was anymore. Maybe he didn't expect Harry to be there when they visited, but Snape has spoken with such confidence, such loyalty. He was in a traitor's house.
Snape was still at the door, so Harry stood up, energy now coursing through his veins. He walked to the room he had been staying in for the past couple days. He muttered a spell, and all his belongings, even the new clothes Snape had bought for him, piled themselves into his suitcase, and the case snapped shut. He felt a small pang as he looked at the new clothes that he had...that Snape had bought for him...it seemed all like such a trick now.
He hastily grabbed his suitcase, and was trying to shut it when he heard a knock at the window. He turned and saw a bright, snow white owl perched on the window sill.
"Hedwig!" Harry cried and ran over to her. He had sent her out to hunt the day before Dumbledore had collected him from Privet Drive, and in his confusion, he had temporarily forgotten about her. But Hedwig was very smart. She always knew how to find Harry.
He patted her head as she gave him a playful nip on the finger. "Sorry Hedwig, I don't have anything to feed you now, but I promise, when we get out of here, I'll find you something." He stretched out his hand, and Hedwig gave a little hoot and perched herself on his arm.
He took out his wand, meaning to use a spell to open it, but then remembered the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, and he put his wand back in his back pocket. He found a wooden stick sitting on the side of the room, and he took it, took a few steps back, and smashed the stick against the window, breaking the glass.
Snape had just closed the door on Narcissa and Bellatrix when he heard a smash. He turned around quickly, and ran towards the hallway, looking around for where Harry should be. He didn't feel a prescence. He ran into his room, where, to his surprise, he found broken glass all over the floor. He had to jump to avoid stepping on a particularly large shard. He saw that the window was broken. He shuffled quickly to the window, and peered outside, only to make out Harry Potter running out into the darkness, running away from the safety of the house on Spinner's End.
Harry kept running, wanting to get away, could not bear to stay in the same house as that traitor. In his opinion, he was not at all safe in there. He could not know what he would find out in the streets, or whether he would find safety. All he knew is that anywhere was better than where he was; anyone was better than Severus Snape.
