Chapter Eleven Snape's Mother
Harry and Neville had a long conversation as Snape slipped out to find necessary ingredients for the potion Lupin needed. The Longbottom house was large and well furnished for a home that was perhaps a hundred years behind the times. Harry had had a glimpse of Neville's grandmother on several occasions; once with her son and daughter-in-law at St. Mungo's. He could understand to some degree why Neville had been afraid of her. Now as Neville showed him from room to room, Harry felt sad for the young man who now had no relative left in the world. His parents were living but beyond providing comfort and consolation. The house also had scorch marks where spells and curses had been used. Neville seemed oblivious to them and passed them to show Harry to a library, and then kitchens and finally a bedroom and bath.
They talked as they walked.
"How can you be sure he's alright, Harry?" Neville was asking referring to the topic of their conversation; Snape. "What are you doing with him? If the Ministry wizard's find him, they'll take him or kill him on sight. You could get hurt."
Harry considered his friend and then patted him on the arm. "Neville. I have a very long story to tell you. First I need a bath, some food, and then I need to sleep. You look like you could use the same. Let's do that and then this evening we'll talk."
Neville nodded. "I'll go down to the kitchen and see if I can find something to eat. Gran didn't believe in using house elves as servants. If you wanna take a bath then I'll call you when it's ready."
"That'll be good Neville," Harry answered and understood something just then. Neville was more than the old woman's grandson; he had been a servant, and companion. Harry knew what that was like and realized they weren't very different from one another. They had grown up alone and lonely.
Harry looked longingly at the four poster bed and the shiny tub with the eagle's claw spigot and handles. The feet that supported the tub were also claws clasping round eggs. Harry glanced at that, frowned, and then turned back to him "Neville?" The boy stopped on his way out. "I read in the Daily Prophet that Hermione and Ron and Ginny had gone missing. Has anyone heard from them yet?"
Neville dropped his eyes. Harry knew the look. How many times had he seen it in the years that they had lived in the same dorm room at Hogwarts?
Neville?" Harry asked.
"It was in the papers that Ginny was taken to St, Mungo's. I don't know what happened or how she is. I don't know anything about Hermione and Ron, Harry. There were so many listed in the paper that were missing or found dead. Sorry." He looked at Harry sympathetically.
"I'm sorry about your grandmother, too," Harry replied.
"She put up a good fight," Neville said and then left the room.
Harry sat on the edge of the bed staring at the worn Chinese carpet and finally managed to rise and go into the bathroom and start the water in the tub.
He was almost asleep when there was a gentle tap on the door and Neville announced supper.
At half past eight he joined the other boy in a dining room off from the kitchen and they ate alone.
"Where's Snape?" Harry asked.
"He said to go on without him and that he wanted to finish the potion. He said you should get your rest because you and he had work to do tomorrow." Neville laid a plate in front of him and Harry was astonished to see a very well laid out meal before him. He was suddenly ravenous.
"What are you going to do?" Harry asked.
"I'm to go to St. Mungo's and deliver the potion to Mr. Lupin," Neville said, sitting down across from him. He waited while Harry took a bite before taking one of his own.
"Oh!" Harry chewed and was amazed at the flavor of the food and the texture. He had never eaten anything as good as what he was currently chewing on. "Neville this is really good!" He stopped momentarily to taste something else and shake his head in amazement. "Did you do this as well?" Neville nodded and Harry noticed his faint blush. He diverted the conversation by saying, " I was hoping to go with you. Maybe just a short trip. I've got to find out how Ginny is."
Neville blinked and played around his food. "Snape says that I have to go alone. He says you are to leave with him early. It's your birthday tomorrow Harry and he says it's important. Did you know today is my birthday?"
Harry stopped chewing and looked up. "Is it? Oh, well, sorry Neville. I didn't know."
"It's alright," Neville nodded. "No one pays much attention when it's in the middle of summer."
Harry felt awkward. He didn't want to wish him a happy birthday when he had just lost the only family he had left and his home.
Neville smiled shyly and said, "I've got a cake if you'd like to share it."
"Yes, I would," Harry said and dove back into his food when the other boy smiled brightly and dug into his. He was grateful that he had at least the evening ahead to try and to tell the tale that Dumbledore had told him. He didn't want Neville to be left the way he had been, to hear it piece by piece.
----------------------------
The news of the fire in Knockturn Alley spread very quickly. It was the forerunner for most wizards and witches of an oncoming apocalypse, or what they thought was going to be the end of the world. It seemed that they might be right. The Daily Prophet, still in operation, was printing two additions a day with banner headlines and pictures.
Seers were coming out of the woodwork to give voice to all the horrific portents of the future. And in fact, the streets were fairly empty of all but a number of nefarious characters taking advantage of the turn of events. Dementors were to be seen frequently and the Dark Lord's mark was prominent throughout the little villages and across the countryside.
Minister Scrimgeour, only just appointed, was caught up in Ministry work and directing Aurors to different locations. Resources were spread thin and he was angry about the current state of affairs. He sat eating a quick meal in the office while wizards and witches moved in an out with dispatches. He had just assigned himself the Office of War Minister and had delegated the lesser position of Minister to Fudge who was told to sit in his office and handle mundane matters.
"What is it, Weasley?" he asked harshly as he chewed and swallowed the whole thing down with cold tea. He was talking to young Weasley who had been much reduced in rank from his former position of Fudge's assistant.
"You asked to be told when Nymphadora Tonks returned. She is here and waiting in the outer office."
"Send her in. Don't disturb me for five minutes," Scrimgeour snarled. He touched his wand over his cup and steam rose from it.
Tonks entered just at Percy Weasley was leaving. She was dressed in long dark robes and her hair was black. Everything about her told of a witch who was trying to remain inconspicuous to compliment the seriousness of her job. "Hello, Minister."
"Nymphadora..." Scrimgoer began.
"Most folks call me Tonks, sir. Feel free," Tonks remained standing even though the Minister had gestured to a chair.
"I understand that you know where we can find Remus Lupin?"
Tonks eyes darkened and she nodded slowly. "He's been injured, perhaps fatally. He's at St. Mungo's.
Scrimgeour frowned too and shook his shaggy head. "That's too bad. I was rather hoping that we could enlist his help with that infernal animal Fenrir Greyback. It's going to take a special operation to take that wizard out." He took a bite of something and chewed thoughtfully. "After this is all over we're going to have a epidemic of werewolves sprouting up all over the place. He's a beast of evil magnitude, Nymphadora. Of evil magnitude, I say."
Tonks remained silent studying the man. Her lips were pressed into a thin line. She was determined to not show that her heart was breaking.
"What about Moody, have you seen him?" Scrimgeour asked munching away at his steak. His rather sharpened canine teeth shone between his lips.
Tonks shook her head. She was well aware that Moody was working for the Order and had stepped in to take Remus' place when they had discovered the he was in the hospital.
"Merlin's Beard! Where is everyone?" Scrimgeour growled. He pointed a fork at her and squinted one eye. "I want you to make it your primary task to locate Arthur Weasley and Moody. I'm surprised as all get out that Weasley isn't here pounding on my desk. He's got one child in the hospital and the other missing. He's close to the Potter boy and I want to know where Harry Potter is. Alright, off with you. Report back within twenty-four hours."
Without appearing too brash, Tonks turned quickly, her robe swirling out behind her and left the room. Percy Weasley was in the outer office standing with rolls of parchment in his hands.
"Tonks," Percy asked starting forward. "Have you any news?"
Tonks stopped and shot him a fierce look. "News of what Mr. Weasley? That your brother might very well be dead, that your sister might as well be. All of your brothers and your new sister-in-law are out there tracking down Death Eaters and trying to save lives? Why don't you take a moment to write a note to your mother and ease her mind that at least one of her children is out of harms way." She smirked and turned again and left the room.
Percy looked after and carefully set the rolls of parchment on a desk.
"Weasley!" Scrimgeour shouted.
Percy looked at the closed door, stepped over to the fireplace and took a handful of floo powder in his hand. He glanced at the door one more time, threw the powder in the fireplace and said very clearly, "The Borrow."
--------------------
The Order of the Phoenix stood in the sitting room at # 12 Grimmauld Place. They were also spread thin. McGonagall sat in a chair beside Mad-eye Moody. She looked wan and worn out but gripped the handles of her chair and waited patiently. Both were in front of a group of wizards and witches.
Arthur Weasley spoke and the room quieted. "We have to have a plan Moody. We can't just keep going out and searching allover for them."
Moody shifted and his eye rolled down towards McGonagall who stood and addressed them. "I want to tell you what it is that we face and how I came by the information. Remus is in the hospital. He's been tortured and may not survive. He and I discovered this information and it is for this reason that we have gathered here. We cannot storm Hogwarts and hope to have victory." She moved to the fireplace and stood as if seeking warmth. It was, however, July and the fireplace was cold.
She studied the faces in front of her and told the tale of the Horcruxes and the Prophecy.
-------------------------------
Harry was awake and sitting in the library when Snape entered. Neville had been dispatched to the hospital with the potion. Harry looked up at his old school master and waited. He had not been happy about not being able to go with Neville.
"We must travel some distance today, Potter," Snape said. "We will return and perform the ritual and spells necessary to destroy the Horcrux tonight at midnight."
Harry stood and strolled to the window to look out. Neville's grandmother's house had a nicely done garden and Harry thought that among his friend's many skills horticulture was a specialty. He would not have been surprised to know that Neville had been the one to manicure the whole garden.
"What happens if we don't get to Dumbledore soon?" he asked and turned around.
Snape glanced at him once. "I have answered that question before, Potter. However, as time goes by the options become fewer and fewer. The longer the Dark Lord resides at Hogwarts the more he will seek to surround himself with his supporters and followers. He is, even now, waging an all out war. it will be difficult to get on the grounds undetected."
Harry remained silent thinking over what he was hearing.
Snape spoke again as if he had overheard his thought, "Potter, you need my help. You cannot hope to destroy the Horcrux on your own. You cannot rescue Dumbledore by yourself."
"I have to kill Voldemort," Harry said simply.
Snape stared at him, dropped his leather bag on the polished table and almost, but not quite; laughed. It came out more as a choking sort of cough. "Kill him?" he said softly. And then loudly, "Kill Him! Are you mad! You really have inherited your father's arrogance."
Harry closed his eyes, clenched his fists and recited the prophecy.
Snape stood perfectly still. Harry thought that he could have used the Petrificus Totalus spell and Snape would not have looked any less stiff or immobile. "When you entered the room Trelawney had not spoken the whole prophecy within your hearing. You were thrown out before you heard it all." Harry walked slowly to the table and leaned over it with his palms pressed on its mirrored surface. "It means that either he kills me or..."
"I know what it means," Snape said quietly. "When did you learn of this?"
"Last year just after Sirius died," Harry replied. "Dumbledore told me."
"What else do you know?" Snape asked.
"Nothing," Harry concluded after thinking it over for a moment. "All I know is that my mother sacrificed herself to save me. I lived with my aunt and through her I was protected; some kind of agreement she had with Dumbledore. As long as I spent a month with her I was protected; some sort of blood protection. That will end tonight." He said it offhandedly and Snape visibly grew pale. Harry hurried on. "I didn't know anything else, even about Sirius being my godfather until he came to the school to find Peter Pettigrew." Harry rushed on to get the worst out of the way. "We used a time-turner; the one Hermione had to help Sirius escape on Buckbeak after we learned he was innocent."
Snape slowly sat down in a chair and placed his folded hands on the table and frowned at him.
"That's when I learned that it was Pettigrew who was my parent's secret-keeper. I thought he had betrayed them." Harry stared at his reflection in the table. "Then Dumbledore told me about the prophecy. Voldemort chose me because I was most like him- a half-blood." Harry looked up into the black eyes, " I thought the prophecy might have been Neville, but Dumbledore was sure it wasn't. I think that's why Neville was kidnapped. He wanted to make sure he caught both of us."
"Why are you telling me now?" Snape asked slowly.
"I have to try and kill him," Harry said. "I am probably the only one who can." He walked around to the same end of the table and looked down into Snape's face. "I need your help to destroy the Horcrux, and maybe even to find the other one. I also want to help release Dumbledore. He may be able to tell me how to kill Voldemort. There was a lot he didn't tell me before he...died." Harry swallowed hard. His distaste for the man before him made it difficult to ask for his help.
Snape turned his face away and stared straight ahead.
Harry waited and became angry with the waiting. "I need an answer."
Snape stood and began gathering his belongings again. "An answer Potter? I think I have already given you an answer. I am doing something today that I never thought I could be forced to do." He stood up straight and faced him, saying, "It for certain that we would both have been destroyed if you had not told me this information. The blood protection spell placed on you is a ancient and a potent spell. It will be broken when you turn seventeen and that is midnight tonight. You are then very vulnerable. If the Dark Lord has heard the entire prophecy he will seek with all of his skills to find you; possibly to enter your mind to do so. You present a threat to him if he believes the prophecy. And it appears that he does."
Harry was shaking his head. "He tried that in the Department of Ministry and he couldn't possess me. That's why I tried to find him when I was in the forest. Dumbledore says it hurts him to enter my mind."
"Perhaps. But the Dark Lord is no stranger to pain," Snape said, " to inflicting it and suffering it. He has split his soul into seven parts and that was something I did not think possible. But it is no matter. Right now we must go. If my mother cannot help us or will not help us then all is lost. The Horcrux will remain whole. He can't be destroyed if it is whole."
"I ready to go then," Harry said resignedly. Snape looked at him and began to speak. Harry interrupted. They'd had an earlier conversation about apparating and not needing an 'address', something Snape called a muggle concept.. "I know, I know. I just have to think of where I want to go and I apparate there," Harry groaned.
Snape shook his head slightly. "No that is not it. When we arrive you will do exactly as I say. You won't speak even if spoken to. You will not move or touch anything."
"Why go with you then?" Harry snapped.
Snape rolled his eyes and grabbed his bag. "In our world Potter, potions or spells- magic- is linked to our personalities- our talents or lack thereof. Blood is taken from our veins, saliva from our mouths, hair from our heads. Other things are also used; your ability to concentrate and bring about the energy to perform an incantation. Since I do not know what may be needed I take you with me." Snape leaned in and snarled like and animal, "Beware. This witch is evil beyond all measure and will beguile and use you for her own ends. Do not trust what you see or hear."
It was Harry's turn to almost burst out in laughter. However the feeling passed when he looked into Snape's eyes. "Right then," Harry said. "Back in time for supper."
"She would have you for her supper if she chose," Snape said and stepped away. "Follow me."
-------------------------------------
Hermione stood in front of Dumbledore's desk and stared up at the sleeping ex-headmaster. She felt herself shake and chided herself. Don't show fear, Hermione Granger. Don't give him the satisfaction.
"Lucius, I am very pleased," Voldemort said. "I will manage this. Go to Dolohov and make sure that everything is prepared. I want no mistakes."
Lucius Malfoy stood with his head bent and immediately bowed and walked backwards from the room.
"Lucius tells me that you are a very close friend of Harry Potter. Therefore, I shall not kill you immediately." The wizard swept the room in his long green robe and stopped in front of her. She did what she had done when confronted by Malfoy and stared straight ahead. "I will make sure that word goes out that I have you and perhaps it will bring him to me."
Hermione shivered again and groaned inwardly. She had been impulsive and had gotten herself caught. She knew Harry well enough to know that when he heard, he would come after her.
"Until then, I think I shall enjoy myself."
The lizard-like face was very close and a long red- forked tongue flicked out and touched her cheek.
Moments later a cry escaped the room and resounded down the hallway. Headless Nick swept through a wall and away from the sound shaking his already wobbly head, moaning to himself, "I really did like the child. Very kind person, she was."
---------------------------------
They apparated in a forest, not unlike the Forbidden Forest. The trees formed an overhead canopy that blocked most of the sun and the undergrowth was mainly mosses and thick bushes. They stood before a house that was hidden in the thicket of undergrowth. It's wood was dark and dense so that light was not reflected off of it but absorbed. Air condensed into a chilly rain and dampened the overall atmosphere.
Harry squinted to make out the details.
Snape walked slowly to the door and touched a jewel that sat like a red sentinel eye glaring at them from the center of the door. It swung open without any further ado. Snape stood on the threshold and Harry wondered if he was deciding whether to withdraw or continue. At the last moment, Snape stepped into the dark and Harry followed.
The hallway was very dim but had enough light to illuminate the stairway that led to an upper floor on their left. It was narrow and made even more narrow by the walls that seemed to inhale and squeeze them. Cobwebs from no ordinary spiders draped every surface and hung from the stair rails. Creatures that were much like rats but a little larger and faster scurried just out of ones line of sight. Harry could hear their scratchings and perhaps, he thought, crunching?, as if they were caught in the middle of a meal. He felt the goose flesh rise on his neck and arms and he glanced back briefly to check their exit.
The hallway opened into a larger room. Age old wallpaper peeled down into curls from the walls and exposed the wooden slates behind it. Parchments, bottles and a plethora of unidentifiable objects were piled throughout the room. Harry decided it was very like the a combination of the Room of Requirement and Snape's personal offices.
Harry was startled when a squawk erupted near his face and a black beak clicked against his glasses. Sitting on a twisted vine perch was a large black raven. Its' black eyes stared back at him. You look like Snape, Harry thought when his heart had calmed. Member of the family, are you?
They ventured further into the room, pushing aside cobwebs and stepping sideways through tables filled with potion ingredients and vials. Harry rubbed at his nose to keep from sneezing as dust flew up into his face.
"Hello, Severus,"' a voice spoke from the dimness.
Harry was behind the man and slightly shorter and could not see what was ahead. Snape stopped and forced Harry to stop, too.
"Hello, mother," Snape said coldly.
"What brings my son to see me after so many years?" the voice asked.
"I want you to tell me how to destroy a Horcrux," Snape said.
So much for preliminaries, Harry thought. He tried to look around the side of the man standing before him and couldn't manage to see past.
There was laughter and then a deep throaty growl.
"You are the only one that would know how to make a Horcrux that I know," Snape said. "Therefore you are the only one that knows how to destroy one."
"One, Severus? Or many?" the voice asked.
Harry was now more then every wanting to see what he could not see. She knows, he thought. She knows that Voldemort made more than one. He stepped forward and stumbled into Snape's back enough to give him a little push forward.
"And who is the lovely behind you m'dear?" the voice asked.
Snape's hand came back around his back and seemed to push Harry back. Instead, he moved forward and leaned around the taller man's shoulder. There was a moment when his eyes could not believe what he was seeing. There was a woman before him, a hag, he thought and then blinked and changed his mind. Before him was a very beautiful woman. She had dark black flowing hair and beautiful Spanish eyes. She sat in a chair of green velvet next to a roaring fire. Harry could see the long black lashes that swept down on her cheek when she dropped her eyes. He didn't think he had seen anyone as beautiful and he wanted to get closer.
Her robes were the color of a deep ruby and the bodice was cut to show the top of her firm, round breasts. She stood and stepped closer, reaching out with a pale hand with long sensuous fingers to clasp his and pull him forward.
"Please Severus, let us see who you have brought to us."
For a moment Harry felt a slight twinge of fear as if he had been caught in on of the spider webs. Then he looked into her midnight black eyes and saw the faint rose color in her pale cheek. He felt his spirits rise along with the color in his own cheeks. I love you, he thought. No one else. I love you. You are beautiful.
Her fingers caressed his cheek and then ran lovingly across his brow and touched the scar. He felt a moment of excitement and closed his eyes. Her scent flowed over him; the heavy aromas of spices from some exotic ancient eastern country. Even the sound of tiny tinkling bells that hung from a bracelet at her wrist were like miniature lightening strikes to his heart. He leaned in and felt her sweep him up in a hug. The wonderful silkiness of her hair swept over his face and her body heat made his head swim.
Suddenly a hand pulled him away and he felt chilled as if pulled from the heat of a furnace into the freezing cold. He was immediately angry. What?! he thought. His vision was blurred and he shook his head to clear it and saw her move to her chair and sit.
"You will either do this or you won't. What shall it be?" Snape asked. "I will not let you play games."
"Oh no?" she asked and closed her eyes in a sultry manner and pouted.
Harry licked his lips and moved to step forward. He was held back by a hand that held his collar.
"Very well, darling. What do I get in exchange?" she asked. "Did you bring me this child?"
Harry struggled against the hold on him . He wanted to explain that he really was not a child, that he would be turning seventeen and considered an adult. That it was his birthday that very day and he would be a good suitor. But he couldn't find the words. His mouth was dry. He felt dry all over as if the very core of moisture in his body was drying up. He felt tired and his energy seemed to seep away. He was suddenly happy that the hand held fast and that it was holding him up on his feet. He felt like sinking to the floor and taking a nap.
Harry saw Snape's hand come forward holding the Advanced Potion's book. The woman's eyes widened and her lips curled into a greedy, hungry smile. She immediately returned to her feet and walked towards him. Harry leaned forward again and the woman pushed him aside and wrapped her arms around the taller man. Snape immediately pulled away with a look of disgust on his face.
"The incantation first, mother," Snape hissed.
She snarled and pushed away and moved to a table. There were a pile of books that she shoved aside, picked up a spider the size of a dinner plate and flipped it away. A minute later she produced a book and returned.
"So who has made a Horcrux, Severus?" she held the book against her and Harry's eyes followed a droplet of perspiration race down her neck into the very smooth crevice between her breasts. He licked his dry lips thinking that a drop of that liquid going down his throat would quench both his desires and his terrible thirst.
"Tom Riddle," Snape answered sourly. "He has split his soul into seven parts."
The dark eyes once again widened and she inhaled deeply. "Seven."
Harry rolled his eyes towards Snape who was nodding glumly; he felt his own head bob up and down.
"Oh that is very wicked of him. Such a beautiful boy he was too," she gasped greedily. She looked at the book in her hands and opened it. The pages sounded like dry leaves rustling as she turned them. "That has never been done before. However, it causes a vulnerability, a weakness, to the wizard who does it."
"What weakness is that?" Snape asked. His eyes glittered as he watched her. Harry was nodding as if asking the same question.
She smiled teasingly and looked at Harry again. "Who is this boy you bring with you Severus?"
Snape snarled and pulled Harry behind him and turned on her. "Stop you filthy bitch. He is bewitched by Riddle who now calls himself, Voldemort. Would you touch him?"
Harry stumbled drunkenly and leaned weakly against a pile of books. Staring back at him was the Raven.
"Very well, Severus," she said venomously. "Take the book. I shall not tell you anything else." A moment later as Snape turned and almost physically picked Harry up, he could hear her say as they retreated, "Don't be a stranger darling. Come see mother at anytime."
They left the house and stepped out into the less gloomy woods. Harry inhaled deeply and smelled the earthy odor of moss and decayed vegetation.
"Do you have the strength to apparate?" Snape asked, shaking him physically.
"What...what happened?"
"She sucks the energy from you so that she can sustain her beauty," Snape said gruffly.
"You brought me on purpose!" Harry thought as his mind cleared and he stood on his own.
"Youthfulness is the elixir that she craves," was all that he would say. He stood calmly and watched him.
"I was bait!"
"We got what we needed and more," Snape responded calmly.
Harry gritted his teeth, made a half turn and disapparated.