The Witch Weekly Contest

Chapter 14: Love in Azkaban

Five Hours Later…

So Severus Snape had been taken into Azkaban just in case. In all the disturbance of the last few days and with many Death Eaters running lose, they had decided to lean towards the side of caution and take him in anyway. Dumbledore would be there soon. It would not be for long. And as he walked away with the guards out of the pub, Lockhart's owl flew into the pub.

All he had had to do was wordlessly think the spell that would signal the owl that Charon knew to stop chatting up Lockhart's bird in the Hogwarts owlery so it could return to its master, Lockhart, at the pub.

Severus Snape was many things, but he had never mistreated an animal, though he did not particularly care for all of them like Hagrid.

But sticking it to Lockhart for going on a date with Septima and letting him think his owl was missing was not an opportunity for Snape to pass up.

All he could think of was her…the cold and fear of the dementors did not impress him much. He knew how to deal with them effortlessly.

Occlumency would help with that…among other magic in his repertoire.

It was well worth being taken into Azakaban temporarily; a very small price to pay for what he had witnessed. She had pleaded with the aurors not to take him as he coolly left with the guards. She also told Lockhart off when the owl flew in, reminding him that perhaps not everyone in the wizarding world was a fan of his.

He smirked devilishly. It had been brilliant after all.

"Be careful with him…a highly intelligent, very talented wizard…" remarked one dolt of an auror. Snape believed it to be the one that couldn't stop Dumbledore when he was cornered in his own office."Snape was amused that apparently he was on expert on him. The dolt went on: "Highly masterful with potions…we checked him…he had nothing on him. And, we hear, highly proficient in curse design…"

He didn't seem the bit concerned; merely inconvenienced. Actually he seemed a trifle bored with it all.

He was just happy that she hadn't heard all of the details that went on in the back room.

Earlier…the interrogation…

"So, Professor Snape, before we delve into your, er, later acitivites let us review your education."

Snape nodded in a bored fashion.

"English public school until Hogwarts?"

"Yes."

"Now how about after you completed your seventh year at Hogwarts?"

"I apprenticed at an Apothecary in Knockturn Alley and lived above it as well. No, well, before I lived there I stayed at the Leaky Cauldron until the previous occupant moved out and the room was available above the shop."

"And you had a good recommendation from your former employer, but considering where the place was located, I'm not exactly sure how credible that is," replied the officer incredulously. "Also, I see that before graduation, you were an excellent student, didn't really cause much trouble. Bookish, from what I gather. Hardly any detentions….until…"

Snape did not like his tone or insinuations, but he wanted to avoid going where he thought they planned to take him if he could help it.

"I see that you spent a few days in Azakaban…at age 18….twice at age 19…then again at age 20…how is it that Dumbledore hired and vouched for you again? I remember that trial with that Headmaster from Durmstrang…that was a big one. What do you think, Professor Snape?" He asked haughtily.

"The seat of Potions Master had to be filled and I was highly qualified.

"Really? And that is more important than…charges of using unforgiveable curses…disturbing the peace…aggravated assault…using a wand in an illegal manner…unlawful magical entry…and consorting with known Death Eaters…and, of course, the mark…"

The officer eyed his sleeve. "If you don't mind, we would like to have a look."

"Very well," said Snape in an unimpressed tone.

Azkaban…

And the delight of the evening…what made it all the more worth it. She had come to brave Azkaban, just to visit him.

She came…even though he wasn't entirely convinced that she still didn't think he was an owl napper.

She still had her dress on from earlier. He saw two aurors give her a double take as they let her in to see him.

He would deal with them later.

"Are you crying, Vector – don't… the place is unsettling enough," he grimaced. And then he rearranged his expression so as not to distress her further. Inside, his soul was doing somersaults of outwardly restrained glee.

He didn't want to see her cry. It made him feel guilty for thinking how attractive she was. How very physically appealing she was to him and more. That bold determination, courage, and bountiful kindness that simply flowed from her. Developing a conscience so late in life…it would never do for all he had ahead of him. How he could balance his work with Dumbledore, yet still be with her if she would have him?

His expression smoothed. Are you worried about me? Don't take the trouble. I've been here before," Snape replied lazily.

"Yes, I know, Dumbldore has told me, but honestly, Severus, I knew. Er, everyone sort of knows who are older because of that time."

"I would have been here longer but he vouched for me," added Snape. Trying to remind her that the Headmaster would never do so if he thought Snape was merely a troublesome rake.

"Are you alright?" she asked tearfully.

"Splendid…dementors food is abhorable. I refused to touch it. I wouldn't feed it even to one of Hagrid's creatures. The warden is delusional. They have my wand and are examining it as we speak to be sure," he replied languidly.

Fools… He had already erased any spells he wouldn't want anyone to see or that could cause trouble for him and Dumbledore. It was powerful magic. Not everyone knew that due to wandlore you could not erase or undo magic that a wand had performed.

But it didn't mean that you couldn't conceal it for a time.

"Did you encounter any dementors?" he asked with concern.

"Two. They scared me and I felt terrible." She admitted hesitantly.

He looked really angry and annoyed, and his eyes narrowed. I will take this up with them. You're not to…there is no reason for you to see them except for in passing, and perhaps not even then. There is a separate entrance for visitors."

There was a slight pause.

"Silly girl, don't be a fool, why did you come? This is no place for you…better yet, how is your date going?" He tried to lighten the mood.

"Are you jesting at a time like this?" she quipped.

" I have nothing better to occupy my time at the moment anyway. Miss me?"

"No…er, but I am concerned." She looked down.

She hesitated…and she won't look at me

"They…what is wrapped around your hand?" Her blue eyes widened.

"Steel restraint, charmed, not that I couldn't work out how to release myself but I would rather just sit out my time and leave," he replied confidently.

"Your wrist it…it has a mark on it, the least they could do would be to put some material as a cushion…"she clucked in annoyance.

"Vector, you do realize where we are…without the comforts of Hogwarts," he shook his head slightly, touched.

She touched it.

Merlin her hand was soft…she had small, graceful, white hands. As if I hadn't noticed before…

He looked down at her. "I'll live. It's just sore."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, more annoying, inconvenient if anything…I have salve in my office. When I return it will heal within minutes…really…There is hope yet."

Oh, no, I had said it out loud!

"For what?" She looked at him thoroughly perplexed.

"I meant nothing by it. I was distracted for a moment, Vector, forgive me."

"Why are you here?"

"Precautionary measure on their part, I believe. My…mark has burned… they can tell."

"Hush, what if they hear you?" she whispered frantically.

"No they cannot, not with the dementors. It is muffled. I know it, but surely they do not. I,er, know a lot more about dark creatures than they think they do."

"What about the mark?"

"They can tell that it is fresh and has burned most recently. Regrettably they are not ignorant in all matters, I suppose." Snape still did not appear impressed.

Septima was silent.

"I am unconcerned. The Headmaster is coming and will insist that the ruling at the Wizengamot is binding and that I've not been in any type of trouble for years. I was released with…conditions… and I cannot help if I am summoned through the mark. It is, regrettably, permanent."

"Er, no further contact with known Death Eaters," she slowly tried the words out.

"Precisely."

"Are you sure the headmaster is coming soon?"

"Yes. Absolutely. We have an understanding…"

"I could come back?"

"NO!" he said forcefully. "Even if I stay awhile longer don't bother."

"You mean you have been in trouble, er, a lot before this?"

"Before I was employed at Hogwarts? If that is what you are asking, well than, yes. Time is up. It was nice of you to visit me. It will help you know. They surmise that you most likely wouldn't visit me if I was still one of them."

"Oh, stop…please…"

"No one else would."

"Wait, Aurora is here."

"Where?"

"In the waiting room."

"Don't let her come in. I don't think she would handle it well."

"I know there is a dementor at the door now I think."

"When you walk out, clear your thoughts, do not get upset, and look down and follow the guard out quickly and you'll be fine. They are a nuisance, however."

"People go mad in here, Snape."

"Weak people do, Vector. Those that can't control themselves or let their emotions get the best of them. I, however, will be fine." He gave her an encouraging gaze.

She nodded and thought how very perceptive he was. He was right about Aurora. She had shook the whole way over as they apparated, but willed herself so Septima didn't have to go alone.

"I can't just leave you here. It's ghastly. The dementors are…Oh, It's all because of that blasted contest. Lockhart is a bloody moron!"

And this thrilled him to the core. Somebody else was a bloody moron and not him.

"Silly girl…you must, and don't make a fuss," he said softly and with a bit of concern. "If they cart you off for disturbing the peace you will be in the women's ward and remember what that did to my old acquaintance Bellatrix Black Lestrange, might I remind you. I won't be able to assist you."

Vector cringed as she pictured the haggard lunatic and her crazed eyes.

"Promise?"

"Ok."

"Promise me, Vector." He looked at her sternly, daring her to object.

"I'll behave." She smiled weakly.

"Good girl." He stared at her intently and his eyes followed her as the guards escorted her out.

"How is your stay?" asked a guard eyeing him suspiciously.

"Superb," he deadpanned in a soft voice. But the look he gave was cold and empty.

The guard harrumphed and left without saying another word.

He didn't particularly care. He would stay even one more night if he had to. He was sure that Dumbledore had to talk to a few people first to smooth things over. The night had been a success anyway. The date was over. It had worked. The plans were foiled and he would just stay in here awhile longer and savor his victory over Sinistra and Lockhart, of course.

But her heart…Vector's heart…could he claim it as his own…could he claim a victory on that?

The End…