The Blood Compact – Chapter 24 – Conversation with a Headmaster

Severus went downstairs to have breakfast. Amelia was in the kitchen. She greeted him with a smile, obviously glad to see he could stand on his two feet. He still looked terrible but otherwise he was fine. He ate with gusto – he was hungry. Besides, he needed his strength to recover.

They both ate in silence. But Amelia could read on his face that something was bugging him. He looked preoccupied. She did not dare interrupt him in his train of thoughts. Once he was done, he left the kitchen in silence. He did not go far : he was in his sitting-room, searching something in his library.

Amelia could hear him take books from the shelves. She wondered what he was looking for actually. Once she was done with the washing-up, she joined him there. Several books were scattered here and there, open. She remembered the library layout – he was reading books from the shelf that contained works about the Dark Arts.

"May I help you, Master ?" she asked with a soft voice, though unsure as to his reaction.

Severus glanced at her. He seemed to think about his answer. "No, not for the time being, thank you."

Amelia had to admit she was a bit disappointed. She would have loved to search his library with him. They shared the same interest in books and reading. She went upstairs to make the bed. At the same time, she remembered the conversation with Dumbledore's portrait in the lab. She wanted to go back down there but with Severus in a good enough condition to walk around, that would be difficult, if nearly impossible to do without drawing his attention. She had to postpone this project and find another opportunity to continue her little chat with the Headmaster.

Severus went on with his search. He knew what he was looking for. Horcruxes. He had already read something about that topic but that had been long ago and he could not remember where. He was sure of one thing : it had not been in Hogwarts. The access to this kind of very Dark magic would have been prohibited. He had not read about it at Malfoy Manor – Lucius had also an impressive library with some rare and even prohibited works. No, he must have read about it right here in his Spinner's End home – therefore he surely had a book about it around.

Maybe the young witch could prove useful in helping him. Yet, he was not very keen on revealing an information that may prove fatal to the both of them. He had a duty to her, to her protection. He trusted her Occlumency but this information was way too much crucial to be shared. Not now. He needed extra confirmation before making the decision to tell her or not.

He opened several other books. When he was done with one, he piled the book with others. The books thus discarded had begun to form a tower. He sighed. Maybe the information he was after was in that heap of books and he had missed it. Maybe another eye would be helpful after all. Another sigh. He took another book from the shelf and opened it.

He sat down in the sofa, careful not to lean his sore back against it. He searched the table of content and this time, he let out a sigh of relief. He had found it. There was a chapter about Horcruxes. He went to the page and began to read.

What he read did not reassure him. On the contrary.

Severus glanced at the stairwell leading upstairs. Amelia was still in the bedroom. He went on reading the whole chapter. As he was reading, he knew he would need to have a little chat soon with a certain Headmaster.

Amelia went downstairs later. She found Severus still sitting, his dark gaze staring at the void in front of him, obviously lost in deep thoughts. She did not dare interrupt him. He had a book on his lap. Apparently, he had found what he had been looking for about an hour or so already.

Severus felt her presence and came back to reality. He looked at her and rose from the sofa. "I'm in my lab, Amelia," he said only, while directing his steps towards the corridor. She nodded. He would talk to her in due time, she was sure of that.

Severus closed the door behind him. Not that he did not want Amelia to hear him. He knew she would not spy on him. Yet, her safety was one of his primary concerns. He needed advice first. Maybe I could use the old man after all. Now's the time or never, he thought sourly.

The book still in hand, he tapped the portrait frame with his wand. The old Headmaster seemed to be dozing off. "Dumbledore !" he called him to wake him up while tapping the frame again with his wand.

The old wizard opened his eyes and glanced at Severus with a benevolent gaze. "Oh, Severus ! My boy, I'm so glad to see you."

The Potions Master had a sneer, despite the genuine tone of his former mentor. "Not as much as me."

"I'm happy to hear that you still find my presence a joy for you, my boy," the old wizard said with a twinkle in his blue eyes.

Severus wondered if that was really true. "Since when have you become ironical ?" he quipped.

"Since a certain Potions Master has entered my service."

Severus shot him a dark glare – which elicited a small laugh from the portrait. "Seriously, what can I do for you, Severus ? You look... concerned."

"I am." He sighed. He did not know how to start the matter. He chose a direct approach. "What do you know about Horcruxes ?"

The question froze Dumbledore's smile on his lips. The twinkle in his eyes had gone all of a sudden. "Why do you want to know ?"

"Reply to my question, Dumbledore."

The old man sighed. "I thought you knew all about it already. You're the Dark Arts expert after all."

"I want to hear your version." The young wizard was staring at him with a determined look in his dark eyes. Nothing would deter him from getting the answer.

Dumbledore realized that when Severus had this tone, he knew he could not elude the answer.

"As you know already, Horcruxes are very Dark magic, Severus." He sighed. "So you found out, then ?"

Found out what ? Severus knew the old man still tried to keep the topic a secret and reveal the least possible about it. The young wizard was well aware he would need all his Slytherin cunning to get the truth out. "I just want a confirmation of my findings."

"I suppose you know their purpose."

"Insuring immortality ? Yes, I figured that out after finding more information about them, in a book I have here." Saying so, he held out the book for Dumbledore to see it. "What I don't know are the details in relation with the Dark Lord." And Potter. But that I don't need to ask now. Not yet.

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. Tom created Horcruxes in the past. Several of them. I suppose you know how he did that."

"Yes, I do. Murder. How many ? Because a strong hunch of mine tells me he didn't split his soul into two parts only."

"You're right. Five of them, I'm almost sure. There might be others."

"Almost sure ?" Severus began to find his former mentor to be rather cryptic. He peered at the old wizard. He's hiding something, but what ? "Care to explain ?" He was determined to go to the heart of the matter.

Dumbledore took a sweet out of his pocket, as if to give himself a bit of time before replying. "Tom has encased his bits of soul into objects that mean something to him. Two of them have already been made ineffective. His diary was the first one to be destroyed."

"In the Chamber of Secrets. By Potter. Almost five years ago. What about the other ?"

Dumbledore remained silent. He just played with his once crippled hand. Severus' eyes were diverted to his hand that had returned to a healthy condition. "The ring... that cursed ring you put on... and that you destroyed with the Gryffindor Sword !"

Dumbledore smiled at him. "I can see that your mind is still so quick to grasp things, Severus, despite what had befallen you a few hours ago."

"That's part of my survival kit," Severus quipped coldly. "You never told me why you had put that ring on. Were you aware by then it was a Horcrux ?"

Dumbledore nodded. There was more than that concerning that ring but really, Severus did not need to know that part. "Yes, my boy. I was. But I had told you then, I had been tempted..."

The Potions Master remembered that moment – he had been furious after the Headmaster's foolishness. He had also done his best to contain the curse and alleviate the damage it inflicted. There was no need to kindle that argument again. The old man was dead. "And what about the other Horcruxes ? Two have been destroyed, that still leaves, if my computation is correct, three out there."

"Yes, you're right, Severus. I suspect they are objects in relation with Hogwarts."

"I confirm your suspicions, Dumbledore. One of them is the Slytherin Locket." A pause. Now was the time to address the topic that really bothered Severus. Once again, he decided for a direct approach. "And I suppose you rely on Potter to find the others ? That's why you used to have all these private conversations with him back at Hogwarts last year." Before I killed you.

Dumbledore watched the Potions Master with interest. "The sharpness of your mind will never cease to amaze me, Severus."

"Flattery will lead you nowhere with me, Dumbledore. After all these years, you should know me better. So ?"

"So ? Yes. I entrusted Harry and his two friends to find the other Horcruxes. And to destroy them."

"Why ? Why entrusting such an essential task to a bunch of three kids ? Why didn't you give that task to..."

"To you, Severus ?"

"To me or to someone else in the Order. To Minerva. Or to Kingsley. Or even to Lupin. To put it in one word : to competent adults, skilled in magic. Not to kids !"

"I think your own duties with the Dark Lord are already time-consuming, Severus. Besides..."

"Besides, you don't trust me enough, I know !" Severus ended, anger in his growling voice.

"That's not what I intended to say," Dumbledore retorted, without admitting the interruption. "I do trust you, Severus. We already had this conversation last year. What you're doing is a task I would not entrust to anyone else but you. It's just that for certain reasons, Harry is the one to do this."

"But what if the boy and his sidekicks fail ? Have you thought about a back-up plan ?"

"Harry shall not fail."

"You don't know that !" Severus said petulantly.

"I know he will succeed because he has to. The search for Tom's Horcruxes is not just a search for magical objects, however potent they are. It's a fight between Good and Evil !" A pause. "To tell you the truth, Severus, I didn't think you'd come across that Horcrux thing all on your own. After all, I had left you no clues about the matter."

Severus had to concede the Headmaster had a point there. "No, I didn't." A pause. "I... read it in the Dark Lord's mind. I saw him yesterday at Malfoy Manor. He punished me and let Bellatrix torture me afterwards. He punished me because I would have done nothing to prevent Potter from escaping the Ministry two days ago."

Dumbledore frowned. "What were you doing at the Ministry ?"

"The question should be what Potter was doing there, don't you think ?" Severus countered harshly. "I was there... for Amelia. She had been summoned to appear in front of that nutcase Umbridge and her Muggle-born Registration Committee. But while Amelia was auditioned, Potter and his two friends entered the court room and they stole a jewel Umbridge had around her neck. I didn't know what it was first. But when the Dark Lord heard about the event, he saw the incident in my mind and that of Yaxley, another Death-Eater that had been present too at the same time."

"And I suppose you perceived Tom's anxiety about this object." The issue of Amelia would be dealt with later.

"That's an understatement. He was literally furious about it ! Furious and... scared. That's why me and Yaxley had been thoroughly punished."

Dumbledore had a look of compassion for the Potions Master. "I'm sorry to hear about that, Severus. Really."

"I think the information was worth the trouble. At least for me, as I discovered the truth. But I suppose you knew it already. And so did Potter, as he had been obviously present at the Ministry, despite the risks, to get a hold of that locket. Do I need to remind you there's a price on his head ? Ten thousand galleons, by the way."

"Indeed. The stakes are going higher and higher," Dumbledore said casually as if he were discussing about the last lottery prize.

Severus was puzzled by this remark. He did not know whether it was ironical or just a statement. Yes, the old wizard was right – the stakes had become higher and higher in this war. For everyone, including himself.

"Dumbledore, why did Potter take such a risk, I mean, going to the Ministry, while he's been labelled as the 'Undesirable No. 1' for months ?" Stupid Gryffindors... "You didn't tell me everything. What about the other Horcruxes ? You mentioned two had already been destroyed. Now the Slytherin Locket. What are the two others ?"

Dumbledore sighed. He knew Severus was determined and would not let it go. "I had collected a memory I had shown Harry last year. A memory about what Tom had been up to after leaving Hogwarts and before disappearing. He had worked for Borgin and Burke's. He was in charge of finding rare magical artefacts. He was pretty good at this actually. He used his charm to meet people and persuade them to sell him these objects. For example, he had been in contact with a certain Mrs Hepzibah Smith, a very rich and old witch who claimed to be a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff herself. One day, she showed him the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff. No need to say that Tom's interest had been roused to its maximum." He sighed. "Ah, he knew how to play of his charm. But this time, the old lady would not let go of the artefact. Poor Hepzibah... She was found dead a few days later. Poisoned. Her house-elf had been accused. I had managed to get the poor creature's memories before it died."

"So Hufflepuff's Cup is another Horcrux ? Makes sense."

"Yes, indeed."

"What about the last one ?"

"Things are more difficult there. I don't know. It may be an object in connection with Ravenclaw, if I follow Tom's logic. But I have no idea of what it may be. Filius probably knows about it."

Severus snorted. "I don't think the Head of Ravenclaw House would be very happy to see me, and even less help me with that question !" A smirk punctuated his remark. "What about the Sword of Gryffindor ? How come the Dark Lord had not managed to turn it into a Horcrux ?"

"Good question, Severus. However, the answer is simple : the Sword is located in the office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Out of Tom's reach."

"Not any more. Lucius is the Headmaster now."

Dumbledore had a small laugh. "That's what everybody thinks." In front of Severus' puzzled look, he went on : "The Sword displayed in my former office is a fake, Severus. Besides, it is no longer there. It has been put into a vault at Gringotts."

"Where's the real one then ?"

"Still at Hogwarts." Dumbledore took a conspiratorial tone, even if they were on their own. "It's safely stored in a niche hidden behind my portrait there." The twinkle in his eye had come back. "You and me are now the only ones to know that detail. Not even Minerva is aware of it. Now, you can no longer say I don't trust you, Severus."

The Potions Master smirked. Very funny. "I appreciate that, Dumbledore," he replied ironically.

"I'm delighted to know you hold no grudge against me for these little secrets I have kept from you temporarily, Severus."

"Temporarily ? What do you mean ?"

"Oh, I mean I intended to tell you the whole story in due course. When I needed you to know it."

"Because you need me to know it now !" Severus retorted with a frankly mocking tone. "What's the next task ? Steal the real Gryffindor Sword before the Dark Lord lays his hands on it and create another Horcrux with it ?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Something like that, Severus."

The young wizard glared at him. "You must be joking."

"No, I'm not. Severus, I want you to steal the Sword and give it to Harry."

This time, the Potions Master became livid. "I need to sit down." He took a chair nearby and let himself plop down into it literally. The old coot had really lost his marbles now. Even beyond death. Severus had not imagined that a dead man could lose his mind or worse – make his life a living hell with a such a foolish project.

"I want you to take the Sword, Severus, and give it to Harry. That's very important !"

"Why is it so important ?" Maybe there would be a way to defuse the joke or whatever. And avoid a suicide mission.

"You remember that Harry killed the basilisk back in his Second Year with it. It's imbibed with basilisk venom. The Sword has kept the qualities of the venom. That substance can destroy Horcruxes. That's why it's crucial that Harry is given the Sword, Severus. Think of that : the Sword can destroy Horcruxes. You know this, you noticed I had destroyed the ring with it last year."

The Potions Master had to reckon the old Headmaster was right. He sighed. "I can't, Dumbledore. Not this time. Find somebody else to do the job. What about asking Minerva ? Or Filius ? Or Pomona ? They already are in Hogwarts."

"That's not possible. They have no access to the Headmaster's office any longer. Lucius Malfoy has forbidden them to enter the place. The Carrows have received orders not to let them in. But you... as a fellow Death-Eater, a friend of Lucius, you're in a far better position than them to do so." He had a compassionate gaze for the young wizard. "Severus. Once again, I realize I ask too much of you. But if we want to bring down the Dark Lord, there's no other way. Destroy the Horcruxes and we destroy Tom."

Severus sighed. "I cannot guarantee the outcome this time. Hogwarts is heavily guarded. More than ever." He had a frank look at the old man in his portrait. "I'm sorry, Dumbledore, but this time, no, I can't do it. I just simply can't."

"You promised to do anything for me, Severus." Dumbledore's voice had become cold. Even icy. His eyes had lost their usual benevolence. They had suddenly become as hard as steel. His blue gaze was that of a man who wanted to further his agenda whatever the cost.

Severus closed his eyes, as if he were about to be sentenced for life. He felt the magic of the Vow he had made with the old Headmaster back then engulfing him again. I have already been sentenced to life. When I made that Unbreakable Vow with him. He had even pledged the magical oath with his very life. When he opened them again, his face was again unreadable.

"You promised me anything in return, Severus. Do I need to remind you ?" The portrait's voice was still cold and almost harsh.

"No, you don't." Will I pay till the end of my life ? With my very life ?

"So you know what you have to do, Severus. Go and take the Sword of Gryffindor from the Headmaster's office in Hogwarts, from where it is concealed there, behind my portrait. Once in possession of it, find a way to forward it to Harry. These are my orders, to bring Tom down."

Severus nodded quickly. He did not wish to hear the next verse : the couplet about Lily, Lily he had loved. Had loved ? The young wizard was surprised. Had loved, as if he did not love her any more ? No, he still loved her. Or did he ? He did not know any longer. He realized he was devoted to a dead woman, a woman he had loved and cherished for most of his life, in an unrequited way – but now ?

"Severus, are you with me ?" Dumbledore asked, unsure as to what his Potions Master was thinking about.

"Yes, I am, Dumbledore, I am. Was just thinking."

"Thinking about how you're going to proceed ? Good. I trust your skills and cunning, Severus. I know you'll succeed."

The only difference between Dumbledore and Voldemort, in Severus' opinion, was in the way both wizards encouraged their troops. Dumbledore was all in encouragements and trust. While the Dark Lord used threats and punishments. Two opposite management styles. But the outcome may be the same : Severus knew that one day, he may pay the whole thing with his very life.

"By the way, Severus, ask Amelia about the Ravenclaw object that Tom may have turned into a Horcrux. She must know about Ravenclaw lore. She gave me the impression to be a very knowledgeable person."

These last words rang an alarm in Severus' mind. "What do you mean, by 'she gave you the impression' ?"

"We met yesterday actually," Dumbledore replied casually. "She was looking for your potions in your lab and to save her time, I told her where they were. That's how she was made aware of my... presence in your house." This time, the benevolent look had come back on the old wizard's face. "I do care for you, Severus. I mean it."

"That means... she knows about you... here. Your portrait."

"You taught her Occlumency, Severus." He smiled. "She may be a great help for your plans, you know."

"My... plans ? You mean I should... use her like you use me ?"

"If you see it that way, yes, why not. Severus, you cannot win that war on your own. Neither can Harry. Why do you think I associated his two closest friends to his quest ? Why am I here with you now ? For the same reason. This is team work, Severus. Something Tom never understood and never practised."

"I would have appreciated if you had played my mercy killing of you the same way," Severus replied harshly. "That would have avoided me to be cast away by the rest of the Order. And my own status with the Dark Lord wouldn't have suffered the least bit. I'm an Occlumens."

"Oh yes, I must reckon I should have, considering everything you went through afterwards. But sometimes, some experiments can go out of hand and bring an unexpected outcome. As a Potions Master, you're aware of that. I'm sorry, Severus, deeply sorry about all this. But promise me, promise me you'll let Amelia help you. I think she proved herself to you already. She proved she would not turn back against you."

"How can you be so sure ?" Severus quipped.

"Because you gave her your mother's wand. Had you had the least doubt about her, you wouldn't have."

Damn old coot ! Nothing goes by him. Severus nodded. "But I don't want to throw her into harm's way. She's already suffered a lot."

"And she will even more if we don't stop Tom. You know it and I know it too," Dumbledore countered with a serious tone. As Severus did not reply, he went on : "Work together. You have my blessing. You have no other support than her, Severus. Think of that. Oh ! I must go. I can hear someone's just entered the Headmaster's office. Goodbye, Severus, and good luck."

In a second, he was gone. Severus sighed. He felt suddenly tired. He had wanted to send Amelia to safety, to his grandparents' manor but now, with Dumbledore's scheming mind in full swing, that would be nearly impossible. Besides, he had to admit that the old man was right. He needed support and the only person to give it to him unconditionally was indeed Amelia.

I'm posting this from my work place, at lunch break, as I have a problem with my internet supplier, an issue that should be sorted out tonight but I don't want to take any risk leaving you hanging like this at the edge of the cliff... Aren't I a nice writer, eh ? So in return, be nice to me and send me as many reviews as possible. Of course, I will reply to the ones you already left as soon as my internet is back at home, as I could do so obviously. But I don't forget you, so don't forget me, ok ?

Now to the story : another twist in the story, which will trigger off other events in the future and a change of pace too. I can't help thinking that Dumbledore has always charming ideas to keep Severus' life busy. I also got heavily inspired by The Deathly Hallows and part of The Half-Blood Prince books and movies regarding some events pertaining to Voldemort. You must have recognized which ones I'm alluding to in this chapter. Except that in my story, Severus is made aware of the existence of Horcruxes.

Hope you like the chapter, hope I kept Severus and Dumbledore in character, hope you'll leave as many reviews as possible.