DISCLAIMER: It's only a fanfic, not an original story (sob)
Zeynel: I'm Polish. The Slitherins: well more in this chap (but you guess my plans, you! Can you read minds? You're also right about Ron and Hermione)
Moonlight: They will, they will… The traitor: well, I won't tell you (mad cackle) but it could be him or somebody he trusted enough to reveal this or somebody who used the Enslaving Potion/Imperius Curse/Veritaserum against him earlier. Ron didn't go to Hogsmeade. Why should anyone kill his own siblings/friends? Well, Voldie and Crouch Jr. finished their fathers off so I think a real Dark wizard/witch could do that. Who and why – later but I've already left some hints. The Dark Star –yeah, it will make much trouble… More soon. Dark Star (rather sun) is a really existing symbol but you'll have to guess what it is… I think it would fit Voldie.
Lavondyss21: Sure, she won't!
WARNING: some language
PLZ READ: My beloved readers, I'm afraid you'll have to wait quite long for the next chap. I'm leaving for a conference (well, I have to do something for a living!) and will be back on 23 of March. No idea whether I'll have a PC and/or time to write there, my timetable is rather full and writing is time consuming like hell. Bt when I come back, full of new ideas I promise you another "lovely" (cackle) chappie! Forgive me!!! (hides behind the desk)
Chapter 11
DECISIONS
Finally, Snape regains self-control. It's stupid, isn't it, to give way to senseless emotions in their situation. Life of the spy depends on how well he can hide his real feelings, after all. He decides to take a shower. He's standing under the stream of cold water, as if it could wash the emotions away. Well, it can but only for a moment but later they'll come back, doubled. Come on, why is he thinking about that rubbish?! "You're cracking, Severus." – he says to himself. "Watch out, spy, watch out." He puts his black, silk pajamas on and binds his long hair into a ponytail. Yeah, now he looks much better. Somebody knocks the door. Can't they leave him ALONE?!
"Enter." Potter is standing in the doorway, tears running his pale cheeks. Oh, no. Again? Can't he find another person to comfort him? Well, honestly speaking, whom? Hagrid's dead, the Weasleys need help themselves, the Healers are working round the clock, Remus, Lea, Falco and Dumbledore are busy, helping, calming down, explaining… New and new families are coming, some taking their kids from school, MOM is raging, paparazzi are prying, people are coming, seeking help and the guards have been doubled. No wonder, Potter doesn't want to disturb them. Snape wordlessly beckons him inside. Harry enters and flings himself on Snape's bed, bursting into tears. Snape sighs. He shares many secrets of his students and also of Dumbledore but this time it's going to be really hard, so he silently sits down by Harry, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. Good, the boy doesn't flinch this time. When he calms down a bit, Snape asks:
"What's wrong, Harry?" Emerald eyes, full of pain, look into his black ones, pleading for help.
"He… He said it was my fault."
"Who? What?"
"Ron… That they went to Hogsmeade because of me…" God. One can't blame Weasley for these words, he was in deep shock, but on the other hand his younger sister deals with the situation much more wisely… "I know it hurts him but I didn't want that. It wasn't my fault, Professor, was it? Or maybe it was." Snape's hands clench on Harry's arms so tight that the boy shouts out. He stares into the two pools of black eyes with mixed fear and hope.
"Are you mental? Your fault? What are you raving about? Did YOU send them? Did YOU plan that?" Strange indeed, these harsh words help more than any gentle speech. Harry wipes his eyes with his sleeve.
"I know, Professor, and I believe Ron didn't really mean that but it still hurts." Sure, it does. Snape keeps staring at his student with a pensive look. This boy was on the brink. He could do something stupid… Despair and fear are the worst counselors possible. "Professor?"
"Yes?"
"Could you… Could you hug me?" Oh, Luck, Ruler of the World, turning life upside-down… The Boy Who Lived seeking warmth in the arms of the Death Eater and his most disliked teacher. Wordlessly, Snape embraces him. He can't help an ironical smile, wondering what McGonagall or Black would say, seeing this but who the hell cares? Harry spends the whole night in Snape's chambers, also not caring what people would say. After all, Snape doesn't seem to be about to cast Imperius Curse on him, nor to use any potion against him. Before Harry falls asleep, he catches the glimpse of his teacher, hidden behind the pile of ancient volumes, making notes.
When Falco enters Severus' private rooms, he can't help a gasp, seeing Harry curled on Snape's huge bed, covered with animal hides.
"Don't wake him up." – whispers Severus. Falco nods.
"I just remind myself of the nights I spent here when I was wounded."
"I assure you all wounded finally get here." It's true – all Slitherin students, looking for help and advice always sit on it, not on the chair, god alone knows why they prefer it.
"Bad news, Sev."
"Oh, again?" – he grins sarcastically. "What this time?"
"Some families are taking their kids away from the school."
"Do they really think they would be safer at home?" – mocks Snape.
"Many are leaving Britain."
"Great" – snaps Snape – "Leave for France, then Germany, then Russia, then Japan, then America and where then?"
"Sev, understand them. Most are neither Aurors, nor Hit Wizards. They can't fight." Immensifer materializes in Snape's hand and Falco winces, seeing the lethal blade.
"I had a fencing teacher, Falco" – hisses Snape through clenched teeth. "The best sword lady of this century. You know what she always repeated?" Fletcher shakes his head. "These, who cannot wield swords may still die upon them."
"You mean they should rather learn to fight than escape?" Snape nods.
"If we don't stop him, he'll get us, no matter where we'll hide. The difference will be not if but when he does it. By the way, did Professor Dumbledore contact the other countries?"
"He did but it isn't so easy. MOM still doesn't admit Voldemort is back." Snape uses such a word that Fletcher smiles "Language, Sev, language. So, he can't officially ask for help, Moreover, situation is pretty complicated. The whole Western Europe can't help us – they are preparing their own defense system, just in case." Snape nods. OK, they have to protect their own nations first, if Voldemort attacks them. "There are also other wizarding wars going on, engaging the forces of many countries, so we can't ask them – they are themselves in trouble. And many Ministers suspect rebellions are about to break in their countries, so, you know, they have to care about their own people first." Sure, Voldemort isn't the only one madman in this world. OK, they have to deal with their own problems first but many MOMs have nothing to do. There are still many who could lend a hand.
"And the rest told us to piss off." – murmurs Snape.
"They didn't use such an expression" – smiles Falco wryly – "but they did indeed."
"So we are alone."
"It seems so. Sev, language!"
When Harry wakes up, Snape's already gone but he left a card:
Call Blacky to bring you breakfast. The bathroom is behind the portrait of the Unicorn. Don't tell anyone where you spent last night. S. S.
For the first time in his life Harry is calm enough to look around Snape's private chambers. Even for Hogwarts' standards they're strange. The main room is simple, with few decorations but you can't call it ugly, just the opposite – it's full of severe beauty. It's roughly hewn in the single block of obsidian. Candlelights are reflecting on the countless, smooth surfaces of the hard, black, shining stone. The ceiling is so high that Harry can't see it, what makes the room look even more like a cave. (the room is 50 feet high). There's no carpet on the stone floor but black animal hides, soft and pleasant for feet. The chamber is located deep in the dungeons, so it possesses no windows (that's why it's always been a favorite room of vampire staff). Harry can't know that but there are tunnels running from the ceiling to the different parts of the castle (another convenience for vamps – of course, they are useless for Snape but he keeps them) and a few secret doors. Alongside the wall opposite to the entrance there's a huge furnace also made of obsidian. Strange indeed but the roaring fire makes this chamber look friendly and warm. Of course, alongside another walls there're shelves, full of books, some brand-new, some ancient, most of them written in languages Harry doesn't understand. The bathroom is behind the picture of a magnificent Unicorn, while the entrance to the chamber is behind the portrait of Merlin and his wife, Viviane. Snape's wardrobe is located behind the movable slab of stone, so the only furniture is his big, heavy, mahogany desk, three chairs, a bed and a black leather sofa. The desk decorated with silver plant motives, incrusted in wood, and the legs are carved in the shape of lion's paws. The (in)famous bed is enormous, made of black oak, and also decorated with silver. The sheets are silk (Snape's years of experience show that nothing soothes your tormented and bruised body better than soft and cool silk). Instead of the blankets there are another animal hides. Harry spent the night under the huge, black and soft fur. The bathroom looks the same: with few decorations but huge and impressive. As Harry notices, the main colors are black and silver and the third one can be changed, according to your wish. It can be green (as you may expect of the Head of Slitherin House), or dark blue, or deep, rich purple (which seems to be Snape's favorite).
As many people before Harry discovered with a shock, even after the greatest tragedies, life keeps going on. Dumbledore insists that their life should be as normal as possible and he has the point. The busier they are the less time they spend brooding and despairing. The wise, old wizard knows it would ruin his students completely, that's why he tries to make them as active as possible. Even the Quidditch matches will take place this year. Dumbledore paces down the corridors, watching his children working. It looks the same as always, just the kids aren't laughing so much and their eyes are sad and the guardians sweep soundlessly, day and night. The Great Hall isn't so noisy as usual and the owls bringing the letters aren't met with joy but anxiety. Everybody fears the black envelope… and another red title in the "Daily Prophet". The name of Viper isn't pronounced aloud but whispered with eyes full of extreme terror. Only Harry knows his raid means salvation, not death but he can't tell anyone.
(Sunday night)
It's ten p.m. and Snape is sitting at his desk, grading homework. He makes his students work harder than ever, just to keep them busy. Hermione Granger… He doesn't even have to check that, it deserves 10, no doubt. This girl is brilliant and talented. What career will she choose? If she survives, his lips curl into a sarcastic grimace, if she survives. Harry Potter… OK, 9. Poor kid. Snape knows what he feels – emptiness and pain, eating him slowly away. Even Weasley has abandoned him. Sure, he suffers terribly, too, but why he punishes his friend for that? The Golden Trio is broken. Only Hermione keeps helping Harry. This girl is tough like hell. She, being Muggle-born must be afraid but she stays calm, supporting and comforting the others. She does the hell of good work, bringing new hope and courage. He's known from the very beginning she would be one of the most talented and powerful witches in this school and now he sees his predictions coming true. Miss Granger will soon join the guardians of this castle, no doubt. Draco Malfoy… Snape sighs. At first he didn't like this bossy, arrogant and bigheaded brat he had to favor (again his cover) but being an experienced teacher and spy he discovered the truth. These (LANGUAGE, SEVERUS!) Lucius and Narcissa should have NEVER been allowed to bring up children. Somebody knocks the door. It's Draco, hiding his face under his hood.
"Professor…"
"Need make-up again?" Sure, he spent last weekend with his parents.
"If you could, sir." God, he's shaking all over!
"They didn't?.." Just a nod.
"She kept me the whole minute under the curse, sir. She said she'd make me tough." Narcissa deserves a Dementor's Kiss! Snape wordlessly hands Draco is Endurance Potion. "When I become a Death Eater, I'll kill them both." – hisses Draco, when Snape gently masks the bruise on his cheek.
"Want to turn into the same beast as they?" Draco blinks. "Well?" – Snape raises his eyebrows.
"The Lord will give me power to rip them to pieces."
"Or do the same to you what he did to Nott." Draco shudders. Nott was his uncle and Snape knows that.
"He won't. I'll be faithful."
"Even when he tells you to keep somebody under Cruciatus for a minute?" It hits Draco, he's silent for a minute, or two and finally he sneers.
"I'll imagine it's Lucius and I will." Another bruise to mask… No wonder this boy is so aggressive. Strange indeed, but abused kids turn bullies themselves, redirecting their anger on the others.
When Draco's gone, Snape sinks in his chair, worried. This boy is stepping into the Darkness, gosh, he is, and no one can help it. Unless he casts the Darkness away himself, he is lost. Snape can't force him – everyone must decide themselves what they make of their life. He's always been the one most prone to evil because the Malfoys have been Dark since centuries and cruelty of Draco's parents only pushes the boy to the Dark side. He'll be taken to a Death Eaters' meeting soon, probably and this would be the critical point. Either he will understand or he will sink.
Knock again. This time it's Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bullstrode and Bjorn Bole. Another Slitherins he's worried about. Many wizards say the Sorting Hat chooses Dark ones to Slitherin. How can they think like that? Kids are just eleven, when sorted! Well, some come from Dark houses so no wonder there are cunning: they learn from their parents how to lie and deceive but many don't. Often they are ones whose homes aren't happy – they have to hide their feelings even from their parents so they are the sliest of them all. Pansy's parents died years ago. She's brought up by her aunt who is a new Voldemort's recruit. This house isn't maybe as cruel as Malfoy's but only because there's only one person to bully Pansy, not two. No wonder she's the meanest girl in the whole Slitherin House and no wonder she and Draco, her cousin, hang together. Snape's wanted to help them but both Pansy's aunt and the Malfoys keep the whole MOM in their pocket. Millicent's parents died in Azkaban (they were thrown there by Crouch without a trial and Snape wouldn't bet a Galleon they were really guilty). She may crave for revenge, what makes her an easy victim for the Dark Lord… She lives in a wizarding orphanage, which isn't probably the best place to grow up, especially when you are branded with a "Death Eaters' bastard" name. Nothing strange she quickly learnt to use force. Being the "Dark Witch", (if not "Dark Bitch") detested by other kids one quickly learns only violence makes them shut up and respect you. Bjorn has another problem. His family seems to be perfectly normal: a Gryffindor mother, an Auror and Ravenclaw father, a Potions' Master. He's the youngest of the five siblings and all of them were Ravenclaws or Gryffindors. When Bjorn was sorted to Slitherin, his parents were so furious that they sent him a Howler, calling him a "Dark wizard" and "shame for the family". Snape can't forget the small boy, terrified and shocked when the whole Great Hall burst out with laughter. It was the moment Snape lost his temper and slung a bottle of a Fire Potion into the middle of the Hall. Everybody went quiet at once, when the blue flames shot up into the air. (of course the dose was very small – Snape didn't mean to harm anyone). Since then Bjorn loves Snape from all his heart. OK, his parents aren't abusive and they give him money for school stuff but Bjorn always stays at school during Christmas and Easter. Everybody wonders why he always gets Christmas presents (much cheaper than Malfoy but always very well chosen) and Dumbledore always smiles, watching Snape packing and sending them in great secrecy. So now all three of them are standing in front of him, looking worried but determined. Pansy must have been crying, though she managed to hide it pretty well with her make-up, Millicent's face, always thin, now looks skeletal and Bjorn is pale as chalk. What brings them here so late? Wordlessly, Snape beckons them to sit down. They all sit down on his bed, as always (call McGonagall, quick!) and stare at him without speaking. Finally, Snape breaks the silence:
"What's wrong?" Silence. Bjorn is twiddling his thumbs, as if he didn't know how to begin and finally he bursts out:
"'We know you're a Death Eater." No wonder, Pansy's aunt does. Was she stupid enough to share that with the girl?
"My aunt told me when she was drunken." – adds Pansy hastily. Idiot cow! (Aunt, not Pansy, of course.)
"So we want you to tell us" – Bjorn's voice is trembling slightly but he keeps staring Snape boldly in the eyes – "whether you're helping that bandits."
"Are you a murderer like these fucking bastards?" – Millicent's blue eyes are full of rage. They all stand up, watching him menacingly.
"Well?" – Pansy steps towards him with her wand raised. Snape's intuition tells him they aren't staging it, they are really shocked and furious, learning the man they trusted belongs to a criminal group. Slowly, he rolls up his left sleeve, showing them the ugly brand.
"It was stupid of you to ambush me like that" – he says in a low voice – "I could finish all of you off."
"Do this and Professor Dumbledore will learn who you are. We've prepared a little surprise for him in such a case." – growls Bjorn. "And we trusted you!" – he shouts out, with his eyes full of pain. "How could you?"
"Bjorn" – says Snape gently – "let me explain. Pansy, please fetch the Veritaserum from my office." – he gives her a password – "I'll give you the real story."
"You… You aren't going to drink this." – gasps Millicent.
"I am, to give you the proof." – he answers.
"No" – Bjorn stops Pansy. He steps towards Snape, talking abruptly. "You've never betrayed us. You've been better than anyone else to us. Just tell us and we'll believe you and keep it secret, we swear."
"Isn't it naive to trust me?" – grins Snape.
"Maybe it is. But you're the only one who's never betrayed us. Your word is enough for us, Professor."
"A minute or so ago you sounded different." They blush.
"Sorry" – they murmur. So Snape explains to them the whole story. Maybe it's risky but on the other hand he doesn't want to lose their trust.
"We want to help you." – says Millicent, when he finished. "We have eyes, ears and brains for your service."
"It's dangerous."
"We won't watch this idly. If you don't help us, we're going to the Headmaster." Snape smiles. Tom Riddle, you've just lost three bloody good wizards… No more grading today. The experienced spy and his new helpers all sit in circle on the bed, discussing their plan and dealing the tasks.
Dumbledore's helpers have gathered round the table. Snape came back from the meeting last night and has some news to share.
"Situation is serious" – he says in a low voice, looking worried and tired (Effect of Voldemort's courtesy. This time no one of the punished Death Eaters had any idea why they were cursed, so probably just for fun…) – "The Dark Lord army keeps growing and I can't frame in all the recruits. Moreover, he happened to slip he is planning to use a new kind of power. I don't know what it is but his knowledge about the Dark Arts is very deep and he may try something really dangerous. I even fear that he, in his madness, may use something uncontrollable."
"Uncontrollable?" – Falco interrupts him. "What do you mean?"
"Voldemort claims himself the Dark Lord" – explains Dumbledore – "but neither Darkness nor Light can be controlled by a wizard, no matter how educated, cunning and powerful. There are some magical objects that may run out of control of their master. The effect can be… terrible. Such a thing happened in Russia 500 years ago when a witch unleashed the Deanimator." The murmur runs round the table and fear appears in many eyes. The Deanimator? It would be their end!
"Severus, he isn't thinking about this." – Rose Sprout is pale as chalk.
"He can be." The silence is ringing in the ears. "But I don't think so. According to the books he's studying lately, he's trying to make a kind of Enslaver, so something enabling him to control many people at once. Still, I can't tell you what it is, he keeps that in great secrecy." They keep discussing that for a quarter or so but the only thing they can do now is strengthening the castle defenses and sending more spies (a role of vampires, Naya, Marcus and many more others). The problem is, Voldemort's fortress is protected by such powerful Dark Arts that the Palantir can't penetrate it. The Riddle House can be entered only by a Death Eater, so Snape's information is priceless but he can't simply enter Voldemort's private rooms! Most information he obtains from Dark Lord's personal servant, Pettigrew, but also from his other "fellows" who are a bit too talkative than they should be.
"Me and Falco" – decides Dumbledore – "will work on defense system. Severus, please, try to break or slip through it." Snape nods. If he can't find a hole in it, only an extreme Dark power would. "Though we can't count on any official help" – continues Dumbledore – "many of our former students are helping us. We've already organizes secret training camps for them, mainly thanks to Amos" – he bows to Mr. Diggory. "However, about 20 of them, the youngest will be trained in this castle. Their training program must be prepared. Responsible persons: Lea, Remus, Falco and Severus." They all nod.
"I'd like to discuss another problem" – Lea wipes her auburn hair out of her face, standing up. "What about our students? I think we should learn them to fight, too."
"We're teaching them lots of DADA and Charms this year." – interrupts Rose Sprout. "You don't want to send them to the battlefield, Lea, do you?"
"These who cannot wield swords may still die upon them." They all stare at Snape who's growled these menacing words. He stands up, putting his hands on the table. "Sure it's good we do that but that's not enough. We should teach them the real art of war – martial arts, real hexes and curses, not kids' stuff, powerful Protecting Charms, Healing Potions and so on. Sure, we don't want them to fight but maybe one day they'll be forced to. Maybe we won't be able to protect them but we can teach them how to defend themselves."
"But it's impossible, Severus." – Remus replies him. "There are a few hundred students here and advanced magic often requires individual training. We won't manage that! There are too few of us, not to mention some of our students may pass the information to the other side!"
"You both have the point." – answers Dumbledore. "I think we should select a group of young witches and wizards and give them a special training." They make a vote and as all agree, they start making a list "Harry, of course" – murmurs Dumbledore. "He'll need it most. Severus, your decision?"
"All my spies. Naya, Marcus, Pansy, Millicent and Bjorn. I'd also add Hermione Granger, she's very talented and tough." All agree, then the next give their candidates: Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alice Spinnet, Charlie and Bill Weasley, Ginny…
"Isn't she too young?" – asks Falco.
"She's brave and determined." – answers Remus slowly. "I think we should give her a chance" So, Tom Lovegood as well, a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, Ron…
"NO!" Nadia leaps to her feet. "The Broken Sun of Darrkness, fearr of Muggles and vizards alike has seen him, masterr of the crovds. If he loves deeply, there's still hope, if he doesn't sacrrivice all is lost." – she says with an unnatural, low, harsh voice. The chamber goes quiet. Her father gives her a cup of water.
"Another prediction" – he whispers – "I think we should trust her, her words have never lied before."
"WHAT?!" – Arthur Weasley grasps his robes. "My son, a traitor! NEVER!"
"Please, calm down" – says Dumbledore quietly. "She hasn't said he would turn traitor but that he's endangered by something. Nadia, what's the Sun?"
"I don't knov. My predictions are alvays riddles."
"So we have another one to solve" – sighs Dumbledore. "If he loves deeply… Fear of Muggles and wizards alike?"
