AN JK hinted that the Ministry created Dementors. The story progresses. I thought that this would be an interesting story but not too many follow it. Thank you to those that do and please leave thoughtful reviews. Sorry for the time between updates as work is busy. I do have a day job after all.
Chapter 9 Plans With Those He Trust
Hermione closed the book and placed it in her lap, closing her eyes thinking of what the book revealed. The remnant of the Wizard's council was true to its word that he would never be remembered. It seemed that Severus could be killed at will and forced to come back time and time again with no memory of what he was before. She was disturbed as he was murdered mostly, with a few references of taking the Dementor's kiss.
Severus sat across from her watching her and wondered what she was thinking. Before he had time to dwell further he noticed her eyes snap open and was looking to him in sadness.
"Severus, you sacrificed in the present as well as in the past with your village by taking the role of the Representative. And they did you no favors when they betrayed you. I think that whatever curse they used instilled Darkness within your soul and dictated what you were to be in the centuries that followed. There are no details of the lives you've led but I think you were an evil, nasty wizard in all of them up until this re-incarnation."
She stood up and paced as he called out to her that most still thought of him in that way.
Hermione thought of his words and knew they were true. Despite his sacrifices being acknowledged all remembered how Severus Snape treated the Wizarding citizens when they attended Hogwarts. But something changed in the man. Something that he was forced to hide and controlled his actions breaking the curse that was upon him. And maybe it was time that lessened the hold of the curse, allowing it to come forward. She thought of the memories that Harry revealed to her and Ron.
Severus watched her stop, a small smile appearing on her face.
"I think I have an answer but you need to find the history of your past lives to see what is revealed and confirm what I suspect."
He started to protest but the wizards and witches arrived out of the Penseive forcing him to still his words.
"Professor Snape your memories are far- fetched! What proof do you have that you are indeed the Representative and a Covenant broken at the beginning of our esteemed government." Madame Marchbanks out, her feeling of disbelief registering on her face. "Memories can be falsified."
Severus picked up his book Hermione laid on the table and held it to them. "This is the evidence of my past lives."
He placed it on his desk and opened it to the first page, allowing the group to read it as he stood back thankful that his mother insisted that he take it with him.
Minerva, Kingsley, Arthur, and Gresilda flicked through it before closing the book.
Kingsley rumbled out. "This book confirms the memories but what to do now? If the memories are true the next time that I meet with the Head of the Department of Mysteries my knowledge will be revealed as he is watching me. I need the Covenant to make changes and free the Dementors."
I know that Kingsley!" Severus snarled out before pausing and spoke in a neutral voice. "Obliviate. I will have to perform it on all of you save Arthur to secure our future."
Severus moved to the red-headed man that he knew for years, knowing the reputation he held with the Wizarding world of a being an honest wizard. "Arthur it will be up to you to remember as the Head will not consider you a threat. Apprentice Granger will be able to confirm it when the time arrives."
Arthur spoke up. "I can do that Severus if all agree but what of the Dementors? Can they wait longer than five months before releasing their revenge? The task seems impossible enough."
Minerva spoke up. "Severus, it is unfair to place such a task on Hermione alone. Perhaps we can gather more to help her?"
Hermione spoke up. "Professor Snape can take me to the Dementors and I can reveal the dynamics of our situation. His parents seemed willing to trust me and perhaps we can get them to allow more time."
"Let's worry about that later." Severus spoke moving to the Headmistress. " Look into my eyes Minerva and relax so that the Obliviate will be stronger as you are willing." Speaking in a soft, smooth silky voice.
Minerva looked into her Potion's Master black obsidian eyes and let herself be drawn in hearing him whisper "Obliviate"
He finished and reached out to the Headmistress as she fell, moving to hold her in his arms.
"Hermione, conjure up settees because it will take time for them to recover after I am finished."
Hermione complied and watched him place the old witch on the settee and turned back to the rest. "When you awake you will be as you arrived her to find out about the boy the Sorting hat refused. You will find a grown wizard's body and take him back and have the wand examined at the Ministry. The examination will reveal it as normal, allowing the Head of the Department of Mysteries it fall into a false sense of security while Hermione and I strive to recover the Covenants."
Soon all were sleeping on the settees.
Arthur looked to Severus. "I hope your plan works Severus. There is nowhere on earth that one can hide from the Dementors if they decide to release their wrath upon the world."
Severus looked to the man. "I know Arthur. You must research my past lives and tell me what record the Ministry has. I think the knowledge will help me." Pulling out the list of names and handed it to him.
Arthur tucked the list into his robes. "Hermione you must go because we would not involve you in this matter."
Hermione nodded. "Since Severus is involved with school business I have the pleasure of teaching the older Years after lunch. I'll see you at dinner Severus."
The wizards watched her leave and turned their attention to the forms on the settee beginning to stir from their sleep.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Severus slipped in the chair beside her at dinner mid way through it not saying a word as he thought for a moment and Sheppard's pie appeared in front of him.
"How did your classes go today Apprentice Granger? You taught my full class load for the first time."
"Well Master Snape." Falling back into formalities. "I followed your syllabus and left the homework you assigned previously on your desk in your classroom to be graded."
He finished his meal, wiping his lip with a napkin and placed it down. "We will forgo lessons tonight and discuss your full day of teaching. Meet me in the classroom and we will grade the homework together."
She watched him leave and turned to observe Minerva. Nothing was announced concerning the Sorting and what was found.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Earlier…..
Minerva led the group up to her office and found a grown wizard slumped in a chair of her office.
Kingsley marked her surprised look hearing her stutter. "I don't understand, I left a student here."
Severus glided to stand beside the Minister. "We have his wand." Pulling it out of his robes and handed it to the Minster.
Kingsley handed the wand to Madame Marchbanks. "Griselda find out who this belongs to and get back to me. We need to take this man to St. Mungo's and found out how he died."
Minerva motioned the witch over to her Floo and all watched as she disappeared. Looking to the portraits she found Headmistress Dilys Derwent observing her in interest. "Dilys be a dear and send a team from St. Mungo's here to retrieve the body. Make it discrete and tell them they can Floo into my office."
Dilys nodded to her and left her portrait.
Kingsley looked to Severus. "What do you think?"
Severus waited a moment before he replied back. "I'm not sure what to think Kingsley. Minerva and Hagrid confirmed that they left a student here and not a grown wizard. I do not recognize him."
Kingsley turned to his assistant. "Go back to the office and wait for the owls from parents. I'm sure that I will be receiving a few inquiries."
Arthur nodded and walked to the Floo, gathering a bit of Floo powder in his hand before tossing it in and watched a green flair. "The Minister's Office!" Stepping inside and disappeared.
Minerva moved to a shelf and took the Sorting Hat from its place and set it on her desk. "Sorting Hat of Hogwart's who has Sorted all that have come through our gates, who is this wizard that you refused?"
All watched the hat move as if it was deep in thought. "What does it matter as I Sort them all? I am a Sorting Hat after all. This one needed Sorting not all."
Minerva growled out. "Is the wizard a threat to the school? Is that why you refused to Sort?"
"I tell you again Headmistress that I am a Sorting Hat and Sort them all. If it is the future you wish to see perhaps you should seek out a crystal ball." Stilling and not answering any questions.
Minerva growled out in disgust. "The Hat can be fickle at times. It was worth a try."
Just then the Floo flared out in green smoke and two wizards dressed in the garb of a healer spun in.
The older one brushed off his robes and approached them, seeing the body slumped in the chair. "Dear, dear, dear what have we here?" Motioning the second Healer to accompany him to the body.
All watched as the two performed checks and the assistant exclaimed. "The Dark Mark!"
The older Healer quickly pulled down the sleeve of the body's robes. "You will not speak of anything that is revealed here do you understand?"
The younger Healer nodded and watched his fellow healer caste spells confirming death by a heart attack. "You are here as a witness Healer Bryton and this wizard's death is by heart attack as revealed by my charms. Remember your vows concerning the patient and go back to St. Mungo's. I will be back shortly."
The young man stuttered out in fear for he knew what that Mark meant. "Of course Healer Thywaite."
They watched the young Healer go to the Floo and disappeared in a green flare.
Healer Thywaite addressed the Minister. "I was told to be discrete Minister and though my assistant is young he can be trusted. This wizard died of natural causes. No poison was used and no Majiks inflected to indicate foul play as my charms indicate he died of a heart attack. What do you wish of me?"
Kingsley was disturbed at the Mark being revealed. "Take him back to St. Mugo's and place him in an isolated ward while we identify him. You saw the Mark Thywaite and we do not need to incite fear into our citizens at this time."
"Of course Minister but I am concerned. A Deatheater found dead at Hogwart's is disturbing. I thought that we captured them all and given the Kiss. No offense to you Professor Snape of course for you helped save us."
A growled out "No offense taken." Was heard and Thywaite was away with the body.
Kingsley Addressed the Headmistress. "I will investigate this and any owls you receive concerning the Sorting can be forwarded to me."
She watched the Minister leave and turned to Severus. "Classes have ended for the day. Get with Apprentice Granger after dinner and find out how her day went. I believe she was only teaching the younger Years til now."
Severus murmured. "As you wish Headmistress." Exiting the office.
He strode down the empty halls thankful that his Obliviate held so far. He wondered what would happen when Kingsley addressed the Head of the Department of Mysteries for the dead wizard indicated that they were in league with Voldemort until the Final Battle.
