The Good Slytherin Chapter 12
This is a short epilogue chapter set two years later during the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Following the Death Eater coup which topples the Ministry of Magic, Albert Lau joins the underground Dumbledore's Army resistance at Hogwarts. Albert's recollections of the Battle of Hogwarts Castle are recounted here. Please note, J.K. Rowling's characters, locations, and concepts rightfully belong to her and Warner Brothers. Snape and Potter's comments are borrowed from The Death Hallows Movie, Part 2. Readers of The Goblet of Fire will recognise Malcolm Baddock, a Slytherin student who got booed by the Weasley brothers during the sorting ceremony. I decided to give him a redemptive arc.
I liked the movie's version of Minerva McGonagall fighting Severus Snape very much; it was a very moving and powerful scene. Harry Potter gets to confront Snape in person before the entire school. Albert, along with everyone else, assumes that Snape is a Death Eater. He doesn't know about Dumbledore and Snape's "secret agreement." The name "Salt Force" is taken from the Biblical passage Matthew 5:13 (You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot).Finally, we have a guest appearance by Kreacher, the House-Elf.
The Spark of Rebellion
It was the second of May. Albert Lau had endured two weeks of solitary confinement and torture in the deepest dungeons of Hogwarts. The Carrow siblings, Alecto and Amycus, along with their protégés Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, had taken turns interrogating and torturing him each day. Albert had been punished for helping a group of Muggle-borns including his Malaysian friend Noraina Othman, the Hallenstein sisters, and several forcibly-recruited students escape Hogwarts through the underground harbour which led to the Black Lake. The Carrows had demanded that Albert disclose their whereabouts but he refused to do so.
First, they had ripped off his finger and toe nails one by one. Next, they had burnt his back with cigarette butts. Then, they had whipped him with a wet bamboo rod called a rotan, specially imported from Malaysia for that purpose. When that failed to produce any results, they then tortured him with the Cruciatus curse. For Albert, that last torture reminded him of the scene in Return of the Jedi where Luke Skywalker was being tortured with Force lightning. But, still Albert had refused to divulge any information on his friends' whereabouts even when faced with the prospect of death Fortunately, Albert had been saved at the eleventh hour by the arrival of his Slytherin best friend Jakub Kowalski, Draco Malfoy, and the Potion Master Horace Slughorn, who were all disturbed and disgusted by the brutal sadism of the Carrow siblings. Malfoy was horrified that his buddies, Crabbe and Goyle, had grown into sadistic and violent young men.
Jakub was a member of Albert's Salt Force, a secret cell-group of Slytherin students who supported Dumbledore's Army and opposed the new Death Eater-dominated regime. Meanwhile, Draco had grown deeply disillusioned with the Death Eaters. In private, Malfoy had confessed to attempting to murder Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but found that he himself could not out the act. In the end, Severus Snape, the new Principal of Hogwarts, had carried out the vile deed. The death of Dumbledore had left a deep, hole in the collective psyche of Hogwarts School. An age of darkness had descended on the school. Muggle-borns were being rounded up by Madam Umbridge's Muggleborn-Registration Commission for imprisonment and certain death in Azkaban.
Now it was late evening when Albert finally emerged from the Hogwarts dungeons. He was dishevelled and his hair was unkempt. Jakub and Draco had hosed him down in the Slytherin Common Room toilet and given him a fresh set of clothes. However, these could not hide all of the numerous scars and lacerations on his body. Albert sported a black eye and several missing teeth. He would bear these scars with the pride of knowing that he had saved several Muggleborns from death. Professor Snape had summoned the entire school body to the Great Hall to discuss a serious matter. All students were expected to come. Having being starved for a fortnight, Albert had to be propped up by Jakub and Malcolm Baddock, a fourth year student. Baddock had come to Hogwarts in 1994 and was completely unaware of Slytherin's obsession with the dark arts and blood purity. He was horrified by the Death Eater-controlled Ministry's new policies and had joined Albert's Salt Force.
The entire school body had gathered like a flock of frightened sheep in the Great Hall. At the end of the hall stood a solemn and foreboding Professor Snape, in his charcoal black robes. The hall was the same dark hue as the grey, foggy skies outside.
"Many of you are wondering why I have summoned you at this hour," began Snape in a grim voice. "It has come to my attention that this evening Harry Potter was sighted at Hogsmeade."
There were gasps from the student body, a mixture of shock and elation. Albert smiled, hoping that Harry would come and rescue them from the depredation of the Death Eaters.
"Now should anyone, student or staff attempt to aid Mr Potter, they will be punished in a manner consistent with the severity of their transgression," continued Snape "Furthermore, any person found to have knowledge of these events who fails to come forward will be treated as equally guilty."
Snape paused for a moment. Albert could feel his anger and hatred towards Snape rising. Albert had respected Snape as the Head of Slytherin House and for saving him from being beaten to a pulp in the Slytherin Boys' Common Room toilet two years ago. Now, in the light of Draco's revelations, Snape was nothing more than a lackey of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord.
"Now then," said Snape grimly "If anyone here has any knowledge of Mr Potter's movements this evening. I invite them to step forward, now."
For one long, agonizing minute, the entire school body remained silent. Albert could see some students looking at each other, assuming that the person standing next to them had some knowledge of the whereabouts of the Boy Who Lived.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors of the Great Hall swung open. To everyone's surprise, Harry Potter strode into the room and marched directly towards Professor Snape. Gasps of shock and delight rang throughout the entire school body.
"It seems that despite your exhaustive defensive strategies you still have a bit of a security problem," said Harry Potter in a defiant voice "I'm afraid it is quite extensive."
Potter was then followed by several members of Dumbledore's Army including the Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"How dare you stand where he stood," shouted Potter furiously. "Tell them how it happened that night. Tell them how you looked him in the eye, a man who trusted you, and killed him! Tell them!"
Challenged verbally in front of the entire school body, Headmaster Snape rushed at Potter with his wand. However, Miss McGonagall pushed Potter aside. Now, it was a match between Snape and Miss McGonagall alone. After exchanging a series of curses that shattered a few windows, Miss McGonagall gained the upper hand and edged Snape closer towards the window. Defeated, Snape was forced to apparate through the window, leaving in a gaping hole in the stained glass window. With Snape overthrown, the school erupted into a loud cry of triumph. Albert heard Miss McGonagall calling Snape a coward.
Albert, Jakub, and Malcolm found themselves cheering for Harry and Miss McGonagall. However, the rest of Slytherin House remained silent. Albert saw several of them cast angry, hateful eyes at Potter.
Suddenly, Albert and everyone felt a demonic presence sweep through the room like a gale force wind. Albert saw Harry drop the ground and Miss McGonagall reach out to help him. A young girl gave a loud, piercing cry that rang throughout the room. Everyone in the Great Hall than heard a dark, deathly voice speaking through their heads.
"I know that many of you want to fight," taunted Lord Voldemort "Some of you may even think that the fight is right. But this is folly. Give me Harry Potter. Do this and none shall be harmed. Give me Harry Potter and I shall leave Hogwarts untouched. Give me Harry Potter and you will be rewarded. You have one hour."
For a moment, there was a deathly silence within the entire school body. Suddenly, Albert heard Pansy Parkinson, a seventh year student shout, "What are you waiting for? Someone grab him."
Immediately, Harry Potter was surrounded by several Dumbledore's Army members including Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Cho Chang. Pansy's comments outraged Albert. He felt like slapping her but he decided not to, knowing that was very wrong to strike a lady. Instead, gathering every ounce of energy remaining in his battered body, Albert walked to the front of the Slytherin crowd and turned to address them all.
"Now, the great battle of our time is upon us," shouted Albert in a voice as clear as a clarion. "So, my fellow Slytherins, you have two choices. Either you join Mr Potter and stand up to the Dark Lord. Or you can do nothing and let Voldemort take over the world. The choice is yours. Either we can join forces with Mr Potter and fight on the right side of history. Or you can live with the shame of having done nothing in the greatest battle of our time."
Albert's comments generated a cacophony of claps and applause from the other houses. By contrast, several of his fellow Slytherins booed and even spat at him. Albert was quickly surrounded by Jakub and several other Salt Force members including the fourth-year boy Malcolm Baddock, the Chinese girl Mei Lee, the Indian girl Sathya Patel, an Irish boy named Finn O'Toole, an Egyptian boy named Abdullah Hassan, a Nigerian boy named Marvelous Bamgbose, a Filipino boy Renaldo Constantino, and Jamaican girl named Pamela Olfonse. Most of the Salt Force members were first and second year students. Albert had found it easier to win the support of the younger Slytherins than the seniors who were too steeped in their ways. They then rushed to join forces with the other houses. Shortly later, the school caretaker Argus Filch and Mrs Norris arrived. Professor McGonagall ordered Mr. Filch to take Miss Parkinson and the other Slytherins down to the dungeons.
Albert then walked up to Harry Potter and saluted him.
"Albert, reporting for duty," said Albert "And good to see you're alive and well."
"It's always a pleasure to have a few Slytherins fighting alongside us," replied Potter, who patted Albert on the back "I see you have raised a small army."
"We may be a small force," said Albert "But, better to die fighting on right side than living with the shame of fighting on the wrong side."
"Great speech," added Hermione "I liked how you upstaged Pansy."
"Now, let's get down to business," said Ron "Albert, I believe that you and your Salt Force can play an invaluable role in the defence of this castle."
Saved by Kreacher
It had been a long and fierce battle even though it had just been one day. Earlier, a triumphant Lord Voldemort and his host had come bearing news that Harry Potter was dead. Albert and the rest of the Hogwarts defenders' hearts had sunk for a moment. However, their morale was quickly restored when Potter was shown to have survived the Killing Curse. Now, Potter and Lord Voldemort were locked in a final, death duel. There could only be one winner. The fate of both the wizarding and muggle worlds hang in the balance.
Meanwhie, Albert was in another tight situation. He had encountered his old nemesis Julius Masgard, the seventh-year student who had almost beaten him to a pulp two years ago. Masgard was now a full-fledged Death Eater. After an exchange of spells and incantations, Masgard had succeeded in throwing Albert against a brick wall with his magical powers. Albert could feel the blood pouring out of his head.
"You destroyed my future by landing me in trouble years ago," said Masgard, who had a cruel grin on his face "Now, let me end you miserable life once and for all."
Julius raised his wand and Albert knew that he was going to unleash the Killing Curse. Albert saw Masgard wink a wicked grin.
"So here lies Albert Lau, traitor to Slytherin House and a lover of Mudbloods."
Before Julius could utter the Killing Curse, he let out a great cry of agony. Julius fell to his knees, gripping his right ankle, which had been cut by a blade. Albert looked up and saw a horde of house-elves led by Potter's house elf Kreacher charging across the battlefield, hacking and slashing at the ankles and shins of numerous Death Eaters. Albert quickly recognized Kreacher as Harry Potter's new house-elf. Fierce loyal to the Black family, Kreacher had initially been unwilling to enter Potter's service, whom he had despised as a blood-traitor. However, through love, compassion, and kindness, Hermione had been able to help Harry win the trust and loyalty of Kreacher.
In a fierce, shrill voice, the house elf shouted, "Fight! Fight! Fight for my master, defender of the house-elves! Fight the Dark Lord in the name of brave Regulas! Fight!"
Albert saluted Kreacher and then grabbed the incapacitated Julius' wand. Holding Julius' wand over his defeated enemy who was still nursing his bleeding ankle, Albert shouted, "The game is over Mr Masgard. Surrender now and your life will be spared."
Reluctantly, Julius Masgard capitulated. Sighing and scowling, Julius uttered "I yield" in an agonized voice. Albert then grabbed a handkerchief and fastened it tightly around Julius' ankle.
"Why are you helping me even though I tried to kill you?," asked Julius
"Simple," said Albert "It's better to love and forgive your enemy than to hate them."
The End
Endnotes
Dear readers,
I hope that all of you have enjoyed my Harry Potter fan fiction. Back in 2012, I registered at Pottermore website and did the sorting house quiz. I got placed in Slytherin House. So, I wrote this story to show that not all Slytherins are bad. I didn't get round to writing it until January 2015. Thank you all for supporting me along this journey. Please feel free to comment on my story. I like constructive criticism but please keep it respectful. In the first version of this story, my character Albert slaps Pansy Parkinson across the face. After thinking this through, I decided that this is something morally wrong even though Miss Parkinson is not a very pleasant person. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Best regards,
Andrew Lim
