Chapter 21 – The Interview
Severus glared into the direction of Lucius and Narcissa, even his little prank with Nevilles help wasn't enough for his sombre mood. He hated to give interviews. It was the same as he gained his Potions Mastery after two years of excessive studying. As he has created the three new potions and passed the written exam, he was exhausted and only wanted to sleep.
But of course, it couldn't be so simple. He had been dragged from event to event. He was the youngest Potions Master in the last centuries and this was never willing to forget easily. After the disaster with the failed bonding ritual and his capture by the rabid DE, Severus only wanted to sleep and never return into public.
It wasn't accepted. Dumbledore discovered his secret hiding place and persuaded him to became Head of Slytherin House and the new Potions Master on 1st September 1980. Horace Slughorn was tired and want to enjoy the rest of his life without further responsibilities to young students.
Severus wasn't pleased with the arrangement, but Dumbledore blackmailed him, when he wanted that Lucius and Narcissa wouldn't be arrested for any DE-activities, Severus have to take the position. Dumbledore still carried too much political influence and could harm his friends. Therefore Severus accepted the position grudgingly.
After Nobby has brought the sippy-cup for Neville, Severus helped him to drink it carefully. His whole attention focused on the small boy, he never even noticed as Skeeter took a camera out of her handbag and photographed them at least a dozen times. Those sort of pictures are priceless and could be sold to a huge varieties of magazines and newspapers.
"Professor Snape, I am very pleased to get this unique opportunity of an interview with you.", began Skeeter. "You're not only one of the youngest British Potions Master in the last centuries, but have gained this title worldwide. How old was you, when you gained your Potions Mastery?"
"I gained my Potions Mastery in the July of 1980, Ms. Skeeter. I worked two years as an apprentice for Master Tidwell. He was a good Master who motivated us everyday to do our best for the Potions Community."
"Isn't it highly unusual to take the exams after two years, normally you need between four to six years?", asked Skeeter.
"Indeed, Ms. Skeeter. As I started in Hogwarts I got an opportunity to get tested about my Potions knowledge in the first week of classes. Professor Slughorn was so pleased with my efforts, that he got a special permission from Headmaster Dumbledore, so that I could take lessons with the fourth years. I had still to brew every potion, draught and salves from the first three years curricula and pass the exams about it, but that wasn't too hard."
"You got a sponsor in Abraxas Malfoy, how did that happen?", inquired Rita Skeeter intrigued.
"I have met Abraxas Malfoy the first time at the end of leaving feast 1971. Lucius had always looked out for me, after my sorting into Slytherin and he used the opportunity to arrange a meeting between his father and me. He was a good friend of my mother and able to help us with ease. He treated me like a second son. I couldn't have asked for a better role model.", answered Severus, unconsciously stroking Nevilles hair to calm himself.
"Interesting, Professor. Have you ever met your grandfather Augustus Prince?", fired Rita the next question.
"No, I have no contact with my paternal relatives. And I do not have any reason to change it, Ms. Skeeter.", growled Severus. Even after all this years he didn't like anyone to mention his grandfather. His mother had fled from him into the Muggleworld. After his birth she has used an old charm to make sure, he won't be able to find Severus. She knew it would have weaken her magic and her lifeforce, but she wanted to ensure Severus' safety.
"Stay away from him, Severus. Your grandfather is not a nice man. He can harm you in many ways. Promise me, that you will never contact him.", had she urged him before he went to Hogwarts in September 1971. "I promise Mother. I won't look for him."
"You're the only Potions Master in the last years, who have never lost a student to a fatal Potions accident, since you have started in September 1980. How did you manage it?"
Severus only raised one eyebrow for the stupidity of the question. He breathed once in and out to calm himself before replying: "By keeping an eye on my students and be all time on my feet, Ms. Skeeter. Potions is a subtle science and I would never be silent about the dangers it can entail to mastering it."
"Can you elaborate it, Professor Snape?"
"It would be easier to teach as an elective, instead of a core-class, Ms. Skeeter. An elective is chosen because the students wants to learn and have had time to weigh up the risks and the benefits. A deeper knowledge of Potions is required for a variety of jobs and therefore we need students, who knows about the importance to study for their lessons. Unfortunately only a very small minority is willing to study hard for their classes."
"It is dangerous?"
"Ms Skeeter, you'll have to deal in Potions with open fires, sharp knives and sometimes even with poisonous ingredients. A little mistake can lead to a disaster. Why do you think, I spend the first hour of my double Potions lesson to lecture the first years about the safety measures? We do provide the necessary information for all our students in an additional information package that is always placed besides their beds. But we do have no influence, if they actually read it or will they disregard our efforts and therefore be more prone for accidents in the lessons."
"I'll deal harshly with any miscreant I caught to mess with another students potions. It can be fatal to miss it."
"Even with Slytherins, Professor? You have a special relationship with them, as their Head of House."
"Ms Skeeter, I can assure you, that I inform my Snakes exactly what I require from them and what kind of punishment they have to expect, when the mess with Potions. I have chosen those textbooks for my lessons very carefully. This is not a game. Therefore it is important to install the right work ethics into them."
At the same morning Rodolphus used a portkey to travel with toddler Fudge to the lair of his Master. He couldn't be sure why his Master wanted to see this wimp of a wizard, but he obeyed nevertheless. He was not so suicidal that he would cross his Master, and he has never shied back in the past to crucio his wayward followers.
He stepped into the Manor, greeted Barty and Yaxley and was ushered into a nearby antechamber. Rodolphus placed Fudge on the ground, murmured "Incarcerous" to bound the Minister after he had re-aged. A second spell clothed the Minister in a simple black robe. Smirking levitated Rodolphus the Minister into the audience chamber of Lord Voldemort. After their entrance he cancelled the spell and watched with glee, as Fudge hit the floor hard.
"My lord, I'll bring you the Minister, as you has wished it.", said Rodolphus calmly.
Voldemort glanced into his direction and ordered his instructor, Radu, to leave them alone for the next hour. Radu left smilingly. He had a report to write at his Prince about Voldemorts development in bloodtracking. Luckily Voldemort didn't know that he is already in London and waiting on the right opportunity to woo the reluctant Potions Master.
As one of the closest advisers of Vladimir Baserab, better known as Dracula, he know the basics of their first encounter. Vladimir wanted to ensure that nobody of his people would ever harm Severus.
It was in October 1980 on a Potioneer Conference in Bucharest. His prince was very intrigued as he learned about the existence of the youngest Potions Master and he wanted to meet him. He used his charisma to gather a seat at the same table. A little cut into the left hand of Severus Snape, gave him the perfect opportunity to taste his blood.
Severus looked surprised in his eyes, this opportunity used Dracula to enthral him. He stopped him from leaving the little alcove in which they have hidden from the annoying reporters. His blood was so sweet, that nothing hold Dracula back any longer and he kissed the young man roughly on his lips. A soft moan left Severus' lips, but he bend over in pains within seconds. The geas has flared up and Severus hissed through gritted teeth.
Surprised recoiled Vladimir and could observe how the pain subsided after minutes. However the young man would avoid his worried look and tried to hide behind his hair. It hurt him, but Vladimir got no other choice, when he wanted to help Severus. Therefore he obliviated him, so that he wouldn't remember their encounter.
Nevertheless he swore on that day, that Severus will be his one day. He only have to got rid of the vexatious Dark Mark and the bothersome geas before he could claim Severus as his mate. Soon he will win him over. Severus wouldn't be able to overcome his thrall.
Radu got the special permission to taught Voldemort bloodtracking, but only as it gave his Prince more time to win Severus over. He should only teach the insane Dark Lord as slowly as possible. The result would be a longer stay in Bucharest, while Dracula will used his chances in England to gain the Potions Master. After a decade of tedious studying he has finally found a way to get rid of the Dark Mark and of the geas, too. A little ritual would be enough to clean Severus from this unwanted taint. Afterwards nobody would be able to stop Dracula from claiming the young Potions Master as his mate.
Should they consummate the bond, the dormant gene in Severus blood would be activated and grant him immortality. Some years later he would be even capable of bearing their children. Dracula would have only found a way to hide his reluctant prey on one of his hidden British properties, after ensuring that he wasn't willing to leave him. The thrall would ease his endeavour, but Severus could be pretty stubborn. He would probably need a potion to ensure his compliance. Or he have to find something which will make it impossible for Severus to refuse his orders.
Fudge looked scared and totally shocked at Voldemort. "It couldn't be true. Harry Potter had killed him years ago. How could he be still alive?"
"Good Morning, Minister. You will get a special honour, for your sake you should appreciate it."
"What honour", croaked Fudge hoarsely.
"You will get the unique opportunity to return my property to me. My precious is much too long separated from me. That won't do any longer."
"I d- do- don't understand", stammered Fudge.
"Hm, I will try to explain it in a way that even you minuscule brain can process it. You will do your best that Severus Snape will be handed over to me within the next month. Should you fail, then one of my followers will gladly kill you.", smirked Voldemort evilly.
"What do you want with Professor Snape?", inquired Fudge baffled. "It doesn't make any sense at all. Harry Potter would be understandable, after all he was responsible for the Death of Lord Voldemort at Halloween 1981. But Severus Snape?"
"And if I refuse, what will you do?", challenged him Fudge bravely. He was once an auror, he wouldn't cave in because of this lunatic.
"You do not have the guts, Fudge." A quick spell petrified Fudge, another spell directly fired after disappeared his clothes. Smirking Voldemort went to Fudge, twirling his wand lazily in his hands.
He crouched down in front of the helpless man and branded the Dark Mark into his left forearm. "You're one of mine now, Fudge. And you will obey me, I'm your Lord and Master. Imperio – bring me my precious – bring me Severus Snape within a month or you'll die."
Without success tried Fudge to fight against Voldemorts spell, but it shouldn't be. His mind became muddled, only one thought came through. "I have to bring him the Potions Master."
Two spells later Fudge was clothed and stand still with a glazed look. "Rodolphus you'll return with our latest recruit at once to Britain. Follow the plan. Secure my mate as soon as possible and hand him over to me. Should it be necessary you will make new portkeys to assist you in this endeavour. The Ministry is now ours, as we control his Minister.", ordered Voldemort laughing deviously.
"Yes Master. We will not fail.", replied Rodolphus. He grabbed Fudge roughly, activated a new portkey which he has gotten handed over by Yaxley during his long watch.
John had met with Augustus and both were on the way to Malfoy Manor. Augustus had the latest prototype of Wizarding Technology in his pockets. It will render house elves powerless and enables them to break with ease through wards without the opportunity that the inhabitants of the Manor can be warned beforehand.
"How will we do it, John?", asked Augustus eagerly.
"You'll use this nice gadget to get us inside. At this time they'll be probably in the green salon. We will accio the Longbottom brat as well as Severus' wand and force him to come to us, when he didn't want anything happen to the boy. I'll cuff him, so that he isn't able to use his magic against us and we will leave to our safe house. Once when we arrived there and have they locked into one of the bedrooms, without disposing the cuffs, I'll inform our Master about our success."
"I'll like it.", grinned Augustus, they had reached the end of the wards and the Unspeakable activated the tiny gadget. The effects were immediately visible. Nobby was serving fresh tea, as he suddenly lie flat on the floor, not reacting to any actions of Lucius and Narcissa. They tried to call another elf, without success.
During that riot the two men enter the house and locate their prey.
"Accio Toddler."
"Accio Severus' Wand"
Severus tried to hold Neville without any success. The boy flew in the open arms of John Dawlish, while Severus' wand ended up in Augustus left hand. John pressed the tip of his wand at Nevilles neck.
"Hello Severus. If you do not want anything bad happen to that brat, you will come over to us at once. And the rest of you, won't even move one inch from your seats. Do you understand me."
"Daddy", cried Neville scared.
"You wretch, let him alone.", screamed Severus angrily.
"No. Time is ticking, Severus. Come to us, or watch him die. Avad.."
"Stop, leave him alone. I'll come. Just don't hurt him or any of the others, please.", pleaded Severus. Slowly he stood up and walked over to the kidnappers.
Augustus never even looked once at the other persons in the salon, he only watched Severus as he cuffed him roughly the hands behind his back. They wouldn't risk anything Severus was a very dangerous opponent when he was despaired.
"You two will accompany us to a safe location of our choice. Do not bother to say goodbye. You'll never see them ever again. He awaits you eagerly. Did you really believe that he won't be able to find you again, Severus?", commented John laughing.
"Where do you want to bring us?"
"You do not need to know. It doesn't matter then you will not be able to leave without his consent. Ah yes, Lucius try anything and we will crucio both. It's so sad that small children will die from it. Don't you agree?", sneered Augustus as he shoved Severus roughly through the door.
Before the Malfoys could do anything both DE and their hostages were vanished from the premise. Fast as a rattlesnake injected Augustus a sedative into Severus bloodstream. He fainted and landed in Augustus arms. At the other side of the wards, they activated the portkey which brought them back to the safe house.
John and Augustus locked their hostages into a bedroom after restraining Severus to the bed and sitting the toddler on the covers. "I'll inform Bella about our successful mission. Have you seen Lucius' face as we snatched Severus under his nose.", inquired John.
"Indeed, I wouldn't have thought, that it could be so easily. Is the room warded?"
"Of course, neither of them will be able to use magic as long as they are in it. Not even when the cuffs will be removed, would he be capable. They will weaken him, so that he can't fight against our Lord.
A/N: A really bad development for Neville and Severus. Abducted by DE. Will Lucius and Narcissa with the help of Minerva, Sneaky & Poppy be able to find them, before they can be handed over to Voldemort? Or will Vladimir find them before the Malfoys and bring Severus & Neville to another secret location?