A/N: Much to my dismay, there have been complications with this chapter (Ch. 12)- which was ready to upload a week or so ago, and then… well, I don't really know what happened… I'm really not good with computers. The file got lost or something odd like that, and I could only recover the second half of it. Needless to say, I am leaving for a 3-week trip in a few days, and to tell the truth, I really don't think I'm up to rewriting the whole half-a-chapter.
Luckily, the part that I still have is the interesting part of the chapter. The first half is boring, if I must say so myself, and is easily summarized in a few sentences. And, I *really* don't want to make y'all wait till August 8th to read the bulk of chapter 12. So…
In a nutshell, the first half of the chapter deals with what's been happening to Snape all this time. Basically, he runs off to Brevland's house. He's in contact w/ Dumbledore… Need I say that Snape feels horrible when he hears what's been happening to Harry?
There is always the ever-present threat of the Ministry finding Snape and questioning him furthur about the "Ministry Massacre."
Voldemort hasn't called Snape to a Death Eater meeting yet…
About this, Snape feels unnerved (has Voldie found out that he was a spy?), and dissappointed that he can't update Dumbledore on Voldemort's actions. Until one day… *dun, dun, dun!*
Now, on with the story…!
Chapter 12: Dangerous Encounters
"Brevvie," Snape said one day, "You-Know-Who is calling me…"
Brevland looked at Snape with concern. "Are you still spying?"
"I don't know, since he hasn't called me since a fortnight before I had to- to leave Hogwarts."
"Maybe you should ask Dumbledore."
Snape suddenly grimaced, shaking his arm. "I- I don't want to know what he'll do if I don't show up. I need to go."
"Sev!" Brevland exclaimed. "Are you alright? Maybe you shouldn't go- You-Know-Who could have found out…"
Snape shook his head. "It'll be worse if I don't go. If he hasn't found out yet, then he will if I stay here. Plus, I don't want to put you in danger."
Brevland sighed. "Well then, I suppose you should…"
Snape stood up and took his dusty gray cloak from the closet.
"Please be careful," Brevland said. "I really don't want anything to happen to you."
"Don't worry about me. But if I don't come back… well…" Snape paused. "Tell Harry that I am very proud of him, and that he is a wonderful son… Even though he's in Gryffindor-" Snape scowled a bit at that, then winced and grabbed his arm. "Bye," he said, rushing out the door.
"Bye Severus-" Brevland started, but he had gone already.
"Severus," Voldemort said, staring down at Snape. He reached a spindly finger into a pocket in his robes, and brought out a torn-out piece of parchment from the Daily Prophet. Snape's eyes widened as he saw which article it was.
"I see… you were identified," Voldemort continued, "During our attack. Was this what your were afraid of?" Snape didn't answer, and bit his tongue in fear. "Answer me! Was that what you were afraid of?"
"Y-yes, Master," Snape whispered. He could feel every Death Eater's eyes fixed on him.
"Ah… as I suspected. I had not told you to spy on them yet, so what was there to be afraid of? They're just all foolish muggle-lovers."
Snape started breathing a bit easier… Was it possible that Voldemort was not accusing him of anything?
"Unless…" Voldemort's lips curled up into a smirk as he straightened out the Daily Prophet article… "Unless what they say about you in here is true." And to Snape's horrror, Voldemort began to read some lines of the article. " 'However, since then he has spied religiously for Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts…' Is this true, Severus?"
Once again, Snape was too afraid to answer. He could feel his blood pressure rising, his heart beating rapidly as if everyone could hear it.
Voldemort took out his wand and pointed it at Snape. "I take that as a yes. Either say it, and I will kill you, or still refuse to speak and I will kill you all the more painfully."
Snape now shook horridly. There wasn't much choice… and luckily, Snape could keep his cool very well when he spoke.
"Yes, I have been informing Dumbledore of our actions, Master. Forgive me," he said in barely a whisper.
Voldemort brandished his wand. "Forgive you? You want me to forgive you? Ha…" Voldemort's eyes scanned the circle of Death Eaters. "I know that at least one of you are also leeking into my ranks, to spy… Know that I will not, will never forgive you, as I will never forgive Severus here. See what fate befalls traitors to Lord Voldemort. Avada-"
Snape's heart raced louder than it had ever before. He was about to die, to leave this horrid life… but to also leave Harry as an orphan for a second time…
But Voldemort never said the second word. His wand still trained on Snape, Voldemort smiled maliciously and said (almost as if he was reading Snape's mind), "You are very close to your- son- are you not?"
Snape shakily looked up, a hint of anger coursing through him. How dare he mention Harry, after all he had done to him… Snape managed a tense nod.
To Snape's surprise, Voldemort conjured one of those Chocolate Frog candies, and gave it to Snape. Snape didn't have anytime at all to register what was going on, or how long it had been since he had seen (let alone tasted) a Chocolate Frog…
"Imperio."
Go to the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
Voldemort's voice rang through Snape's head as he mechanically walked through Hogwarts under the dimly lit ceiling.
Say the password to Dumbledore's office.
"Canary creams," Snape's mouth said.
Go up the stairs to Dumbledore's office.
Knock on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore said when he heard three knocks on the door.
Open the door and go in.
Snape opened the door and went in. Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk, and Sirius was there too- he didn't look happy at all to see Snape.
Dumbledore, however, lit up at the sight of Snape. "Ah, Severus, welcome, and I am glad to see you looking so well."
Snape said nothing in return.
Greet the people in the office. Be happy to see them. Act like what you think is a normal person. Be happy.
Now Snape, too, lit up with joy. "Ah, hello to you too, Professor! Isn't it such a beautiful day outside? I thought it was a wonderful time to drop by and see how you were doing! And, you too, Sirius! Glad too see you, mate. Hope you're doing well!"
Dumbledore smiled, although his eyes had a deep, searching look about them. Sirius stared at Snape in disgust.,
Ask if you could talk to Harry Potter. Still be happy. Be very eager to see Harry.
"Headmaster, may I talk to Harry? I haven't seen him in so long! I must see how he is doing-"
"Of course, Severus. Sirius and I were also just arranging a possible meeting-"
Want to see him now. Do not give up until Dumbledore lets you see him tonight. Be enthusiastic.
"Wonderful, then! Can I see him tonight?"
"I don't see why not. Is that alright with you, Sirius?"
"As long as I don't have to follow him around," Sirius growled, motioning to Snape.
Dumbledore sighed. "I would love it if you would be more accepting, Sirius, of those who do not a similar background as you…"
Sirius shot a look of loathing at Snape, who had nonchanlantly lounged down in a chair. "No."
"Very well, then." Dumbledore threw a pinch of powder into the fire. "Minerva?"
Professor McGonagall's face appeared in the fireplace. "Yes, Albus?"
"See if you can find Mr. Potter for me, and have him come up here."
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "Of course, Professor, however…"
"No, no, he's not in trouble," Dumbledore said, smiling. "Just ask him to come if you find him."
"Alright," McGonagall sighed, and dissappeared with a pop.
About half an hour later, Dumbledore's office door opened to a disgruntled and very annoyed-looking Harry.
Dumbledore smiled and said, "Hello Harry. It is fortunate that-"
Now be happy to see Harry. Be exuberant. Ask to talk him right now.
"Can I talk to my dear, darling son now, pleeeeeaaaaassssse, Albus?" Snape said to Dumbledore, still smiling and wearing a pleasant and hopeful expression. Sirius just scowled in a mixture of contempt and horror.
Dumbledore lifted his eyebrows in amusement and said, "Certainly, Severus, but first I must-"
Take Harry outside to talk to him.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Albus! I haven't seen you in so long, Harry! We must go have a chat- come on, now!" Snape sprung up and bounced merrily to the door, pulling Harry along with him.
Say good-bye to everyone in the room.
Wait…
A different voice had popped up in the back of his head that disrupted the thoughtless bliss that Snape was now unconsciencsely enjoying.
What am I doing?
Say goodbye to everyone in the room, right now!
But why, though… I shouldn't be taking Harry somewhere on You-Know-Who's orders… Snape noticed that he was about to grasp the door handle, and tried to stop himself.
SAY GOODBYE TO EVERYONE IN THE ROOM! Shrieked Voldemort's voice in Snape's head. AND BE HAPPY! Snape's conscious thoughts shattered, and he buckled under the orders once again.
"Bye, Albus! Bye, Sirius!" He called, and joyfully flung the door open. He hugged Harry and pulled him down the stairs.
Ask Harry how he's been.
"So, how have you been, Harry? It has been so long since I've seen you!"
"Well, er… okay, I guess… But listen. Almost all the students think that you are some kind of horrible axe murderer or something, so… just be quieter, okay?"
Think of a solution to that.
"Alright! How about going in a room or something? Here, this looks good…"
Open the door.
Snape flung open the door, only to find the 7th year History of Magic class learning about house elves.
Apologize and find another room.
"Whoops! Sorry, that won't do!" Snape shut the door again.
"Er, Professor, where are we going?" Said Harry as Snape beckoned him down the corridor.
Answer him.
"To find a room, of course! This one looks good."
Open the door.
Snape opened the door.
Close the door when Harry comes in.
Snape closed the door when Harry came in.
Start conversation.
"So, how have you been doing lately?"
"Er… good-"
Offer Harry the Chocolate Frog that is in your pocket.
"Do you want a chocolate frog?" Snape enthusiastically pulled out the sweet and offered it to Harry.
Make sure he gets it.
Wait! Why am I giving a portkey to Harry?
The voice was back again, struggling for freedom…
GIVE THE CHOCOLATE TO HARRY.
I won't! It will take him to danger!
GIVE IT TO HIM!!!!!!!!!!
I won't! Harry, don't take it-
"Harry!" Snape managed to say.
"Did you say something?" Harry asked.
Be friendly and MAKE SURE HE GETS THE CHOCOLATE!
"No, did you? Have a chocolate frog! They're good!" Snape thrust the chocolate to Harry's hand, and felt the expected tug around the navel that meant a portkey had activated.
Snape and Harry tumbled out on the floor of the Riddle House's biggest room, where Voldemort paced the hearth in a menacing manner. The Death Eaters were scattered around in a sort of circle, some snickering softly. Harry registered what had just happened and backed up fearfully while Snape stood, unmoving and silent.
Voldemort glanced up, an evil smile creeping about his face. "Yes, Severus," he hissed, "I knew you would come in handy."
Snape still didn't say anything, since he was still under the Imperius curse.
Harry looked behind him, and, not really thinking straight, reached for the door. However, before he could get out, Voldemort locked it with a flick of his wand.
"Now, shall I let Potter watch me kill Snape first, or let Snape watch me kill Potter first?" Voldemort said mockingly. "Hmmm… What do you think?" Voldemort glanced at the Death Eaters.
Harry frantically looked around him for a way out. "This isn't a wild goose chase, Harry," Voldemort said, laughing evilly. "Petrificus Totalis." Harry, stiff as a board, toppled to the ground. One of the Death Eaters- he was hooded, so Harry didn't know who it was- picked him up and stood him like a statue.
Although he couldn't move, Harry's eyes darted around fearfully as even more adrenaline rushed through his veins. Snape just stood there, not doing anything at all, and Voldemort extended his wand hand toward Harry. "Now, Potter, who do you think is more powerful now? Luck may have saved you the last time, and you and that fool Dumbledore might preach about how love conquers all, but look how even your dear father is willing to bring you to your death."
Harry glanced at Snape, who, to Harry's horror, was smirking evilly… (little did he know that Voldemort was making him do that.)
"Avada-"
Suddenly, Snape lunged forward at Voldemort, his eyes unfocused and his movements uncoordinated. Both fell to the ground, since Voldemort was taken by great surprise.
"Get them! Kill them!" Voldemort screeched, pointing to Snape and Harry. Death Eaters rushed up to help Voldemort to his feet, but were not quick enough to stop Snape from throwing himself at Harry in protection.
Making sure he was touching Harry, Snape frantically took out his wand.
Moments later, three figures disappeared from the room in a puff of disapparition.
And a moment after that, three figures appeared on the Hogwarts lawn in a puff of apparition.
Extra tidbit of the day: Names that Sound Harry Potterish, round three!
Mathilda Maluna
Nathaniel Neprowskitch
Oswald Ontop
Priscilla Poodol
