Making the future history
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and many of the places mentioned in this story. The plot is the only thing created by me.
Hi again. Hope everyone is enjoying the story now. The plot is developing now, which means after quite a bit mnore angst, there may soon be some action! I just wanted to take some time to reply to a couple of reviews from the last chapter that I thought needed answering. :)
Cucumber-Monger:- I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the story so much and I will try extra hard to get it finished before you go to Uni but I am expecting the cookies! Haha. :) As for the cliffhanger, there may be a few more coming up...just to warn you!
Paon:- I'm glad that I'm writing the dream sequences ok, as I was nervous about them and it's good practice for the scenes later on. I am very much looking forward to writing them but it's going to be a while before it happens yet...but don't let that put you off!
Chapter 14: Voldemort's Power
The next morning, Harry noticed that Severus was still just as bitter as he had been the night before. At first, he put this down to the distress of whatever the meeting with Voldemort had entailed. However, he soon noticed that Severus was not taking any of this out on Minerva but only on himself. This irritated Harry slightly, as all he wanted to do was make sure that Severus was ok and all that was being returned were snide remarks- the kind that he would have received from the old Severus not the man that he had fallen in love with. As the day progressed, Harry was relieved when the Order showed up in drips and drabs, as he no longer had to suffer the pain of having Severus angry at him.
As soon as Ron and Hermione had arrived, he explained to them what he knew to be true and accidentally let it slip that Severus appeared angry at him. Hermione passed Harry a knowing look and just wished that he would admit her true feelings to her so that she could help him. Ron's response was as expected, informing Harry that it was obvious that Snape was still a 'git' as Ron put it. After an angry look from his girlfriend, Ron went quiet and left his ears to go slightly pink in embarrassment of upsetting Hermione and by the looks of things, Harry as well.
The Order meeting was due to start at 8, after everyone had had dinner at 7. With food in mind, Ron was eager to get down to the kitchen earlier than this, worrying that all the good stuff would have been taken. However, to his dismay, they were not the first to make their way down to the kitchen. At the set table, sat Ginny and the twins at one end, who were clearly laughing at some joke that Fred had told. Sitting near them but not next to them were Severus and Minerva, who were in deep conversation but both looking very solemn. Mrs Weasley stopped her cooking to fuss over Harry and try to flatten his hair, all to no avail. After she returned to her cooking, Harry turned to his friends that had now sat with the others at the table. Hermione had motioned for Harry to sit next to her, which conveniently was the seat opposite Severus.
Knowing how serious the meeting would be, no one spoke very much throughout the meal, with the exception of Fred and George, who in their own words wanted to 'lighten things up a bit'. The end of dinner came much too slowly for Harry, who was desperate to hear what Severus had experienced the night before. At dinner, the boy hadn't even tried to hide the fact that he was staring hopelessly at the man in front of him, wishing that he would steal him a glance that wasn't a harsh, cold stare.
Albus Dumbledore was the first to speak once all of the plates had been cleared from the table.
'I would like to thank you all for turning up at such short notice for this meeting but Severus has revealed Lord Voldemort's plans to me and I believe that you all should hear them. Firstly, I must say that all of you will react to these in many different ways and I must ask you all to control your thoughts until Severus has finished.' After everyone had nodded their agreement, Severus began to tell them of what had happened. While he spoke, he looked at no one in particular but made sure that he did not look into Harry's eyes, for he knew that he would fall into their power.
'The Dark Lord has infiltrated the ministry. He has not killed within it yet but has many followers there and has tortured many others that would not comply with his rules. He now has complete power and of course having complete power over the ministry allows him to take over Hogwarts.'
At this statement, almost everyone at the table gasped in horror but true to their word to Albus, none of them spoke or expressed their feelings.
'For some odd reason, the Dark Lord has chosen to appoint Lucius Malfoy as headmaster of Hogwarts…'
'WHAT?' shouted several people all at once. Severus ignored them and continued.
'His reason for this appears more that he wants Lucius somewhere that he can keep an eye on him, due to his unreliability. The Dark Lord will also be appointing other teachers at the school: Avery to play deputy under Malfoy and he will be in charge of punishment, Goyle to teach Muggle Studies, which now consists of proving muggles and muggleborns to be inferior to purebloods and unfortunately, the Dark Lord has also changed the curriculum for Defence Against the Dark Arts. It is no longer going to be a lesson in defence and will consist mainly of converting all students to The Dark Lord's side and torturing those who refuse.'
Harry stared at the man in front of him with sorrow and anger in his eyes. So now Voldemort was invading Hogwarts: Harry's home and even worse, he was using the man he loved to do this. Severus noticed the look on Harry's face and unnoticed to everyone (apart from Hermione) gave the boy an apologetic look. He scolded himself for this and looked away from Harry; he had to remember that he was shutting him out and not letting him in. Severus remained quiet, as everyone angrily discussed these plans with outrage for what the world that they knew and loved had become.
Albus went on to explain that the protection of the students lay mainly with Minerva, who would have the support of the other members of staff. Also, Severus was to in any way he could, protect the students from Lucius Malfoy, which would prove very difficult considering he could not be found out by the other Deatheaters. Not wanting to hear the rest of the conversation, Severus slipped out of the room, knowing that no one would stop him. Harry hesitantly watched him leave, wondering whether or not he should go after him, especially considering how cold he had been to him lately. He clearly wanted to be left alone but Harry wanted nothing more than to be with the man when he was feeling this vulnerable.
'Go on then' Hermione whispered to him. Harry gave her a questioning look.
'Quick. Go after him!' she stressed. Harry nodded and left the room quickly. By the time he reached the other man, he was already outside their rooms with his hand on the doorknob.
'Severus' Harry called out to him. Severus took his hand away from the doorknob and turned around.