"Normal speech"

Thoughts

"Mental speech"

"Non-English speech"

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Brothers own Harry Potter.

Chapter 26

Gellert and his companions apparated into a large metal crate. A small cot sat in one corner. Across from it were a mid-sized cauldron and small workstation. The only other contents were two small wooden boxes.

"Lovely," Gellert said drily. "Another prison cell."

"If Dumbledore does not have my house under surveillance yet, he will shortly. I apologize, Lord Grindelwald, if my safe house does not meet your usual standards," Severus Snape retorted. Although the voice was Albus's, the tone certainly was not. "Now sit on the bed. I need to run some diagnostics."

Gellert raised an eyebrow, but complied. Loki – No, his name is Hellspawn now – flew to him, and he absently stroked the phoenix's head. "I think that, under the circumstances, you can call me Gellert. We have, after all, been corresponding for quite some time now. Although, I must say, it is rather bizarre to meet you at last while you wear Albus's face."

Severus blinked. "Finite supremum," he said, waving his wand. Albus's features – and those dreadfully garish clothes – vanished, replaced by stark black robes and younger, harsher lines. Gellert could admit, if only to himself, that he had dreamt of his distant friend being a dashing, handsome young man, perhaps a bit like a young Albus before they had their falling out. Such was not the case. Greasy black hair hung like limp curtains to frame a sallow, gaunt face. His lips too thin, his nose far too large for his face . . . no, Severus Snape was certainly not handsome.

Yet for all that the man lacked in aesthetics, he had presence. Gellert could feel his aura as an almost tangible thing. It radiated power and menace. It was cold, and yet it blazed, a fury that could see the world burn.

Gellert decided that he liked the young man.

Severus ran his wand over him and murmured a few spells. "You are severely malnourished, and are suffering some liver and kidney damage. I can repair those easily enough. I can either regrow your missing teeth or supply you with false ones, as you prefer."

"Regrow them, please," Gellert replied. "I don't suppose you can do anything for my hair?" He watched, amused, as the young man frowned as his vanity. Or is it simply the challenge?

"Yes," Severus said at last. "Once your other ailments have been addressed, I can supply a topical to regrow your hair."

Gellert smiled. "Many thanks, my friend." Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

"You have to admit he's your friend now," Hellspawn said. "Since you've finally met him in person. No more excuses." Severus ignored the phoenix, who added as an aside to Gellert, "He's always like this." Gellert chucked.

Severus handed him three bottles. "You will need to drink the nutrient potion three times a day for at least a week. Take one dose of Liver Elixir now and again in four days. Drink the skelegrow tonight to repair your teeth." He pointed his wand at Gellert. "Medeor Ren." Gellert felt something shift inside him. Severus ran another diagnostic. "Your kidneys should be fine now."

"Thank you again. Now, tell me what has happened, and what you plan for us to do about it."

-DVDVDV-

An hour later, and with a tentative plan worked out with Gellert, Severus pressed his wand to the Dark Mark on his left arm, signifying that he had news for the Dark Lord's attention. He felt the answering burn, and apparated to his erstwhile master.

"Back so soon, Severussss," Voldemort hissed. "It hasss been only a day."

"Apologies, master," Severus said, kneeling, "but I have uncovered information that I believe you will find valuable."

"You presume much, my servant," Voldemort said, voice dangerous. "But speak."

"My Lord, since my last summons, two events of note have occurred. For the first, the Order reports that Potter was attacked by dementors outside his relatives' home."

"You are certain of this, Severusss?" Voldemort interrupted.

"Yes, my Lord. The ex-auror Moody was present and prevented the Kiss. Potter is now safely ensconced at the Order's headquarters."

"Who could have ordered thissss?" Voldemort rose from his throne and began to pace angrily. So it wasn't the Dark Lord at all. Not that the Order would ever believe me if I told them as much. "You said there were two itemsss. What is the second?"

"My Lord, Gellert Grindelwald has escaped from Nurmengard Prison."

"No!" And Severus's nerves were on fire. He fought to prevent a scream as he fell, twitching, to the floor. An eternity later, Voldemort released the spell. Severus crawled back into a kneeling position.

"My Lord," Severus continued, his breathing ragged, "Dumbledore has been linked to the escape. I was with him when it supposedly took place, but the initial reports place him in Nurmengard at the time." It is highly unlikely that Dumbledore would have left Grimmauld Place immediately after my interrogation, so I doubt anyone outside the Order will be able to contradict this chain of events.

"Someone framed him?" Voldemort seemed delighted. "Do you know anything more?"

"No, my Lord. Dumbledore dismissed me to deal with the crisis, and I immediately came to report to you."

"Your arm." Severus presented it, and Voldemort pressed his wand to the Dark Mark. A minute later, four masked and cloaked Death Eater apparated into the room. They knelt.

"Severusss here bearsss some most interesting tidingssss. Grindelwald has escaped from Nurmengard, and someone impersonating Dumbledore was likely involved." Even hidden behind their masks and cloaks, their shock was apparent. "Luciusss and McNair, you will discover all that you can from your Ministry sources. Insinuate that Dumbledore was truly responsible.

"It is time to accelerate our plansss. We shall use this confusion as an opportunity to free my loyal followersss from Azkaban. Nott and Avery, tomorrow night, you will lead the rescue partiessss."

"As you will," Lucius said. The others murmured agreement. "My Lord, forgive me for asking, but how should we proceed if we encounter Grindelwald or his supporters?"

"If he choosesss to ally himself with us, then he may live. If not, he shall be destroyed, as are all who oppose Lord Voldemort. You are dismissed."

-DVDVDV-

There was a brief flash of flame in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place. A short note written in Severus's hand remained in its wake. Death Eaters, led by Nott and Avery, to assault Azkaban tomorrow night. In the chaos from Arthur Weasley's patronus, only Sirius noticed it appear. He read it and scoffed. As if we should trust anything Snivellus says. Bloody traitor. He pocketed the note and forgot about it.

Two days later, The Daily Prophet headline read:

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN

GRINDELWALD RECRUITING YOU-KNOW-WHO'S FORMER FOLLOWERS?

COULD DUMBLEDORE BE INVOLVED?

A/N:

For those concerned that Grindelwald is too willing to help Severus, keep in mind that they have been corresponding (through Hellspawn) for a very long time now. For Grindelwald, Severus is a longstanding penpal and, more importantly, Severus and Hellspawn were pretty much his only outside contacts while he was in prison.

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