Chapter 8
Choosing Sides
"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality."
― John F. Kennedy
A name.
It's what you are really. When you think of a person as a whole, you don't just think of their deeds, or their personality traits. You don't even think of their associates. You think "so and so is this" or "so and so did this".
That 'so and so' is the name.
There is power with a name. Your name is who you are. That's why every mask needs a different one.
"Julian. Julian LaFaye." His rich voice sounded through the whole room and everyone watched as he gave a graceful bow, his eyes bright and an honest smile on his face.
The picture of innocence. Just what he needed to be.
Yes, this was one of his most useful facades. No one expected that angelic face to smile with just the hint of white teeth while ripping your heart out and biting into it like an apple. All the while smiling.
He straightened out again and whispered as if it were some sort of special secret, "I give you my true name in the strictest confidence, not many know of it." Only because I kill them before they have a chance to tell.
"I trust none of you will scream it out in the streets of London then, yes?" A few nods were given and Julian gave another blinding smile.
Not a hint of the inner feelings of this monster, for there was no other word for him, were shown in those seemingly clear, honest green eyes. For within, there was nothing. Nothing but darkness and love for death. But maybe, just maybe, it would all change.
For the better or worse, that remains unclear.
Snape couldn't believe the young boy they had spoken too.
He reminded Snape of someone. He just didn't know who. For a minute he had thought it was the Dark Lord. But then he realized that if anything, this boy was even more dangerous than Voldemort.
The boy was intelligent and observant, but also acted like a 16 year old boy. However, at the same time he was very mature and you couldn't help but sympathize with his situation, even though Snape had seen what types of murders the boy committed. There was no remorse in those killings. Either they were enjoyed, or there wasn't any feeling given during.
No, this boy was crafty. Snape couldn't read him at all and that, dare he say it, scared him. His "Lord" had always been straightforward about what he did. That's what made him so formidable. You went to him knowing exactly what he would do to you, but you still did because you craved the power, confidence, and intelligence he possessed. Julian was a mixture of the old coot and Voldemort in a way. He was dark, dangerous, and charming like the Dark Lord, yet was manipulative and put on an innocent and oblivious mask like Dumbledore. It was an awful combination, for anyone against him at least, but the worst thing was that he didn't even know if his speculations were correct or not. It was infuriating.
This boy though... he was one that Snape didn't understand. Why would someone with such obviously dark magic want to join Dumbledore? It just didn't make sense. His musings were interrupted by said boy coming up behind him and tapping him on the arm lightly. Everything but his extremely familiar green eyes disappearing into the shadows.
"Excuse me, Mr. Snape. I don't wish to disturb you, but I have a few questions I need to ask you. Would you mind following me to a more private area?" Even though the words themselves sounded suspicious, the boy's face just looked so innocent…. Snape couldn't believe his own thoughts.
This boy was not some sort of devil incarnate hidden behind a well-crafted mask! No one, let alone a teenager, was that collected! No, this boy was just like any other of the many snot-nosed dunderheads at Hogwarts, just a bit more mature and respectful.
Snape nodded in agreement and followed the boy, having to walk a bit faster to catch up with his long strides. Once they were in one of the many empty rooms of headquarters, Julian, unknowingly to Snape, locked the door and set up many wards and charms. One of those being that any word spoken within the room while they were both inside could not be repeated or legitimized out of Snape's head. It was a very useful piece of parselmagic.
Julian decided to shred his mask down to the one closest to his real face. He didn't like to pretend so much, but he also didn't enjoy showing himself. This mask was the closest one to his actual personality, not that he really had one, so it didn't stress him out. Julian turned around and transfigured a piece of paper and some book on Potions into two comfortable armchairs. He motioned his arm for Snape to sit down and he did while shoving his amazement at the boy's transfiguration skills behind thick Occlumency walls.
"Sir, I truly don't wish to 'beat around the bush' as the muggles say, and I just don't have the time and patience to manipulate the answers out of you about this. I'd rather not pull it out of that carefully blocked head of yours either, for I would surely destroy your mind in the process, but I will if I must. Do your loyalties lie with the Dark Lord or the Light Lord?"
Snape just stared for a moment. Bright, innocent eyes had abruptly turned hard and cold. He wasn't sure which were more attractive. Everything about the face was purely blank. Not one emotion shone through. It was...unnerving to say the least. The boy was leaning forward on his knees and a lock of hair fell in front of his eyes, like it did earlier, but this time it did not look endearing at all.
Snape put up his usual sneer, but this time it wasn't out of actual annoyance. It was out of fear.
"Why should I tell you anything? It's none of your business which side I am on, little boy." Julian acted as if he had just been given his answer and he was pleased. Snape likened his face to a cat finally getting the cream. He leaned back into his seat, arms crossed behind his head, those eyes filled with amusement and the small pink lips curled into a smirk.
"Just as I had suspected. You are walking a fine line in between- intelligent move. One I would have taken myself if I hadn't been such a determining player in this war. At the moment, as I'm sure you can tell, both sides are at a relatively equal point. However, the second the Dark Lord takes over the Ministry Dumbledore will be at a huge disadvantage, as I'm sure you know. Malfoy can easily manipulate Fudge, he is an idiot after all, however, his term is coming to an end soon, and Fudge isn't in many people's good graces right now. I also highly doubt he's about to do anything worthwhile to get back into them, even if he had the mental capacity to do anything about it. It all depends on who is elected, or on how many believe the Dark Lord is back. These are determining points in the war, do you agree?"
Snape nodded his head, a bit wowed at this boy's knowledge on politics when most his age were busy with Quidditch and girls. He didn't show any of it though; he had dealt with much more surprising situations.
"Well, with my help, not only can I assassinate Rufus if he gets too many votes, I can also plant evidence. If Rufus were to suddenly kill a wizard or two because they had slept with his wife; for you know how easy it is to incite a man in love's paranoia and wrath, but not give this 'information' to the public, I can't imagine many wanting him as their leader. Would you?"
Julian head was now cocked to the side and he was leaning forward in his seat again. His calm voice, now a deeper, more rich sound than the one from before, which was still high as if puberty had not yet set in, betrayed no doubts.
"No, I think not."
"Of course you don't. You're an intelligent man. You know your way around a cauldron better than anyone I've ever met. I read your paper, Wolfsbane, Is There a Better Cure? and I have to say it was brilliant. I like to think I'm pretty good with potions, but you're on a whole different level sir. Why you work as a professor I'll never know. Probably some deal with Dumbledore on how he kept you out of Azkaban for all that Death Eater nonsense... However, that isn't the point of this conversation. I'm giving you a chance sir. A chance to not be killed. A chance to be where you belong. I respect you for your abilities, your Occlumency skills, and your cunning mind and ruthlessness when it comes to getting what you want. Your death would be an utter waste and even though I take it for a living, I don't enjoy causing unnecessary bloodshed. You are a powerful ally, and that is why I've told you all this. I'm not saying for you to abandon your post. You're doing a fantastic job spying. However, I am saying to quit spying for yourself. Spy for the right side. Spy for my side."
Snape was entranced. He wasn't stupid- he knew most of LaFaye's speech was purely manipulative. However, he could also tell it was all true, and all the best manipulations were. He leaned forward; a position similar to LaFaye's, and licked his lips, black eyes bright for the first time in over a decade.
"And which side would that be Julian?" His smirk transformed into a dark grin and those bright green eyes darkened with malice. All of a sudden the angelic appearance from before completely disappeared; not that there had been much left of it. What was left in it's place was what Snape could only think of as the Devil himself. And I thought I was being absurd earlier.
"I think we both know which side that is, Mr. Snape. I'll see you at dinner."
And the boy left, leaving Snape with a happy grin of his own.
