The world of Harry Potter does not belong to me. There are some parts of this story that are taken directly from the source. If you recognize it, it's not mine.
Many, many thanks to my beta YellowAsphodel.
If you have any negative comments, keep them to yourself. Or as my grandma used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, keep your mouth shut!"
Broken
Chapter 11
August 25, 1996
Hermione staggered into the staff room, where dinner was being served. She flopped down into her accustomed chair next to Poppy and set two huge books on the table near her elbow. The young witch's problem hair looked like one of Pomona's prickly persimmons, and her clothes were stained and disheveled. But her blood-shot honey brown eyes, gleamed with delight.
Snape, frowning darkly, followed her. Sitting down next to Minerva, he poured himself some tea and filled his plate with food.
"We haven't seen the two of you in a while," Minerva said carefully. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "It's good to see you eating. No, don't stop, Severus. We're all a bit worried about you is all. And don't frown at me like that!" She added with a hiss.
"Great stars!" Poppy exclaimed, pinching her nose with her fingers. "What have the two of you been doing?"
"Working non-stop," Hermione replied grinned and piled her plate with food. "I think we've covered the sixth year syllabus, maybe even part of seventh year." She paused to swallow several forkfuls of food. "Oh, but the best part is we're working on a new version of a strengthening potion," she answered happily, "and a way to improve the flavor and make it twice as strong."
Dumbledore's shaggy white eyebrows shot upward on his face. "Severus? Is this true?"
Snape smiled slightly and nodded.
August 26, 1996
Outside, the humidity and temperatures were sweltering. The merciless sun burned across a white sky, playing hide and seek behind blackened, rain filled clouds. But the cruel clouds refused to release the rain, and people and creatures alike were miserable. Even now at nearly sunset, just past dinner, the temperatures were abnormally high.
Dumbledore drank down yet another pain potion and sighed. He knew he looked every minute of his one hundred and fifteen years, and he felt twice that old. He was tired, oh, so tired. Thanks to the combined efforts of Severus and Poppy, the curse still held at bay, but they knew that his time was limited. This was why he'd recalled the staff two weeks early. He drank a half portion of pain potion, shuddered at the taste, and handed it back to a worried Minerva.
"No more, Minerva," he said with a shake of his head. He managed to smile at her worried face.
"There have been a few changes in staff as you can see." He pointed towards the end of the table where Remus Lupin and Sirius Black sat. Remus is back with us, and he'll be teaching the divination classes while Sybil in on Sabbatical. The gentleman sitting next to him is Sirius Black, and he'll be teaching history of magic."
Several of the staff members drew back in fear and shock, and Black's shoulders slumped. Septima Vector, who was sitting beside him, reached out and squeezed his hand.
Dumbledore frowned. "There's no need for worry," he assured them. "Sirius has been exonerated of all charges and is completely innocent -"
Severus snorted loudly, and Black shot him a dark look.
"-of all charges," Dumbledore continued. "Peter Pettigrew was captured earlier this summer. It seems that he was the one who betrayed the Potters and faked his own death, framing Mr. Black." He watched his staff closely, and although none save Vector seemed ready to embrace their newest colleague, they didn't seem ready to stone him either.
The Headmaster took a deep breath. "I've persuaded Horace Slughorn - some of you may remember him - to return out of retirement to fill the potions position." He nodded towards Slughorn.
"Well, hello, everyone," Horace Slughorn said with good cheer. "I do believe I know everyone here. In fact," he added, his belly shaking with good humor, "I believe I've taught everyone here. Good heavens, Albus! And there is little Aurora Sinistra! She was always one of my favorite little snakes."
Dumbledore continued. "Severus will be taking the Defense position and will remain Head of Slytherin House, but Aurora has just agreed to be co-head of house for Slytherin for this year. Severus is going to be very busy this year with an apprentice."
Severus gave them a tight, fake smile. "Yes," he drawled sarcastically, "won't I just?"
Ignoring Severus' comment, Dumbledore continued, "And that's our other big change for this year. Although Severus will be teaching Defense, he has graciously agreed to take on an apprentice in potions."
A tight frown on his face, Severus replied, "I truly appreciate your informing me of my acceptance of him. How thrilling it is to know one's life is being arranged for one." Delivered in flat sarcastic tone, Snape made his feelings known.
Dumbledore smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, my boy, but we need the help, and he's agreed to teach for a year if I could get you to accept his apprenticeship." He paused to watch Snape's face. "So I agreed for you. I'm placing him in the muggle studies position when he arrives; however-"
"Muggle studies?" Pomona Sprout questioned. "What about Charity?"
Dumbledore tried to side-step Pomona's question. "I'm afraid we don't know where Charity is, my dear," he told her gently.
Minerva asked in a business-like manner, "Should I have the house elves place the American near Severus' quarters in the dungeon, or closer to Horace's rooms?"
"Put him near the potions' lab," the Headmaster replied with a yawn. "Oh!" he covered his mouth with his hand. "I must apologize, the pain potion -"
"Is doing what it's designed to do," Madam Pomfrey snipped. "Really, Albus, you need to rest if you want to have any hope of recovery."
"Headmaster," Lupin asked softly, "if you're expecting war to break out this year, we need to make plans for the students. You remember what happened to the Granger's this summer?"
"Oh, yes," Pomona said sadly. She patted Filius' arm. "Our portkey sent us to Madrid instead of Paris. We were stuck at the travel agency when we heard the horrible news."
The Headmaster looked at each person at the staff table, holding their eyes long enough to instill the seriousness of his next words. "In sending his people to kill the Grangers, Tom has already declared war, and you are right, Remus. We've got to be prepared. I need to know-"
"Albus?" Flitwick interrupted him. "Your hand, how bad is it?"
He inhaled deeply. "Oh, I'm quite done for, I'm sure," he said cheerfully, "which means, we must make plans. Now! I need to know that I can count on all of you, which is why I'm asking for an Unbreakable Vow." Bleak stunned silence reigned for a long, long moment, a moment seemingly suspended in time.
Dumbledore continued. "Understand that in doing this, you'll be putting your life in danger. If you aren't absolutely sure you can do this, I'll release you from your teaching contract with no stain on your record. I'll even supply you with a stellar recommendation as well as assist you in finding another position."
"Would you like to take our vows now?" Septima Vector asked. "I'm sure we're all quiet ready."
Minerva smiled at the younger Gryffindor. "Whenever each of you makes your decision, just come find me. I'll make all arrangements - no matter what you choose."
"Excuse me," Pomona Sprout asked in a quiet voice, "I'm still rather concerned. What do you mean 'we don't know where Charity is'?"
Minerva replied gently, "Just what we said, Pomona. We don't know where she is." Minerva blushed and bowed her head over the parchment; she hated having to stretch the truth.
Flitwick asked suddenly, "Does Charity's disappearance have to do with the murder of the Grangers? Are the Aurors investigating?"
"Yes," Pomona cried, "shouldn't there be a search for a missing witch? Surely the Aurors are trying to find her!"
Seeing Minerva wavering on the edge of being unable to stick to the story they'd concocted, Severus stepped in. "I'll be happy to answer that," he said quickly. "In June, there was a great row. Minerva, Poppy, and the Charity were all involved. Accusations were flung around and wands were drawn." He paused to grin smugly at the Head of Gryffindor as shocked voices rang out around the staff room.
Filius Flitwick's mouth dropped open, and Pomona Sprout gasped. "Minerva!" she shouted. "Poppy!" She jerked her head back and forth from one witch to the other. "Is this true? Did you, Poppy, and Charity really -"
"Oh, yes," Severus drawled. "It woke me from a sound sleep, and I was absolutely shocked."
"Yes, well," Dumbledore said rather loudly, "no more talk of that then." He frowned at Severus, but there was still a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Let's move on, shall we?"
"Headmaster, I'm a bit concerned about this American fellow, Snape's apprenctice. How can we be sure he's on our side? What do we know about the fellow?" Madam Pince asked.
"Well," Lupin supplied, "I know that he's been thoroughly vetted by Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks." That seemed to settle the question about the mysterious American's loyalties.
"Headmaster, can you tell us anything about him?" Rolanda Hooch asked. "What part of America is he from?"
"Is he rich?" quipped Aurora Sinistra. "Single?"
Dumbledore smiled as the staff laughed. He paused to fumble in his pocket for his spectacles. "Let me see," Dumbledore said, settling his half-moon glasses on the tip of his long, crooked nose and unfurling a parchment. "I believe the lad is not quite twenty years old and from Texas. He holds degrees in herbology as well as potions and has studied 'root-doctoring' whatever that is." He cocked an amused eyebrow. "I'm afraid there is no mention of his marital or financial status."
"A double degree? Potions and herbology? And at only twenty years old? That is most impressive," Flitwick exclaimed enthusiastically. "I'd wager he'd be a Ravenclaw if we sorted him."
"Herbology?" Pomona Sprout quizzed. "Oh, that's brilliant! Perhaps, I'll be able to pick his brain about American magical flora."
"I've never met a root-doctor, though I've heard of them," Poppy cried. She looked around the table to explain. "Root-doctoring is a form of healing with herbals and homeopathic medicines." She cocked her head and nodded to herself. "Albus, this young man may be able to help your hand."
"Perhaps he may, but I received a missive from him just prior to our meeting," Dumbledore stated. "The lad's had a personal tragedy, it seems, and will not be arriving until after the first of the year."
Snape frowned. "What's happened?"
"Apparently, his father recently passed away. It seems that he is now without any familial ties at all."