I'd probably work faster if I just translated the damn chapter instead of writing a new story. Had to translate a chapter, ended up writing two new ones. So three instead of one! Yay! I hate myself -.-
Please, enjoy the chapter and don't mind my ramblings! ^^
Chapter 29. The Marauder's Pact
The sun had yet to rise upon what Severus knew was going to be the worst day in a life of bad days. He had spent the night awake pondering the words of the Dark Lord. He had given him twenty-four hours to decide whether he valued more his life or Lily's son. Lily's life.
The answer to that question was so obvious it made him laugh.
What really Severus was pondering was how to make his sacrifice meaningful. He couldn't just go to the Dark Lord and hope he would keep his word: he had to find the way to get Harry. The Dark Lord had said the boy was with him… that didn't make any sense. He had tried to kill the Potter boy once, he wanted him dead. Something prevented him to put an end to that story. And somehow he needed Severus to get around the obstacle, but what was it?
He thought about it. Again and again, but couldn't find any logical answer.
Why didn't he just kill the child?
What did he want from him?
How could he help Lily?
Without her knowing.
She was too angry and disillusioned with him that the only way he had to help her was by not helping her at all. Lily had been very clear about that. She wanted to be left alone. But he didn't have time to wait for her to cool down.
After a sleepless night, Severus had come up with a plan. An awful plan. Terrible. But it was the only one he had. Only it involved asking the help of people he would have never thought he would turn to… hence the very bad day ahead of him. Was it for Voldemort, it would only be bad, but with them…
He got up from the floor where he was sitting and exited his bedroom.
The corridor was flooded by the biting morning air. He hated the smell of the morning, much better was the warmth and silence of twilight. He silently closed the door behind him. Lily's room was just in front of his, across the corridor. For an instant he was tempted of knocking, he even took some step forward but then stopped right in front of the closed door. Lily was sleeping on the other side. Maybe, if he listened closely he could he could hear her breath, deep and calm. He could figure her sleeping soundly in her bed, the hair the colour of fire, spilled over the pillow. After that horrible night, he wished her dreams not be populated by monsters and prophecies… not to be hinabitated by him. He leaned his forehead against the cold wood.
He wanted to wake her.
He wanted to talk to her.
He needed to talk to her.
He craved for the sound of her voice, to hear it for what it could be the last time.
He couldn't.
He had to go.
Lily was going to hate him even more when she found out, but she already hated him so… no more damage there. He sighed and straightened up. With greater effort than he would imagine, he forced himself to turn his back on that door. Turn his back on Lily.
Severus moved quickly through the barely lit corridor, the grey light seeping silently through secrets passages known only to the sun Brix was sleeping in the attic, if he was quiet he wouldn't wake the elf. Silently, he reached the living room where he knew the first part of his plan awaited him. And in fact there they was, camping near the extinguished fireplace.
Remus Lupin. And Sirius Black.
Everyone else had left, Dumbledore was back to Hogwarts, but Severus knew they would never have left Lily alone and they were there sleeping soundly and noisily. So predictable.
Lupin was sprawled on the couch, feet dangling from the edge. In spite of the fact of his extremities being exposed he had the blanket pushed up to cover almost all of his head. Black had found a very fitting accommodation: he was rolled up on the floor on what looked like the collection of all the pillows he could find in the house and he was snoring. Loudly. More like a pig than a dog. Severus grimaced.
Was he still in time to reconsider his plan? Did he really needed to do this? The Dark Lord he could handle… but this? He clicked with his tongue. Yes. He did. And he was disgusted by the very thought. He took courage and walked down the stairs. He decided to approach Lupin. He certainly was the most reasonable of the pair, and probably wouldn't hex him on sight.
"Lupin?", he whispered, "Lupin?".
The other man didn't stir, if possible he slept even more deeply. Annoyed, Severus grabbed his shoulder and shook him vigorously. That led to the expected results… too much. Lupin jumped up yelping, bringing his knees to his chest so quickly he almost took Severus' nose with them. It took Remus a few seconds to realize the figure crouching on him was in fact Severus Snape and not some sort of wandering Dementor.
"Strewth!" he exclaimed, then casted a quick glance at Sirius' sleeping figure and lowered his voice, "Are you mad? You scared the hell out of me!"
"You nearly took my nose off!" Severus retorted.
"What the hell, Snape? What time is it?" said Remus sitting more comfortably on the couch.
"Not an usual hour for a friendly chat", said Severus. "Wake up the watch dog", he added next, "I need to talk to both of you".
A few moments later the three of them were sitting at the table in the silent kitchen, like three conspirators planning mischief. Sirius hadn't been pleased to be woken up so early in the morning and was now scowling at Severus from across the table, arms crossed on his chest. If something could have added to the sincere sentiment of hate Sirius felt for him, that certainly did. Lupin sat at the end of the table, like a referee midway between the two contestants and was barely holding back a yawn, hair disheveled. Again, Severus questioned the goodness of his idea, but it was too late now to turn back.
"So? Are you gonna tell us why you woke us up before dawn or what?" Black asked.
"It's that the only thing you're worried about, Black? I'm sorry I've spoiled You're Highness' sweet dreams!" Severus teased him. Black glared at him and was about to answer back, but Remus was faster: "Please don't", he said exasperated taking his head in his hands, "Severus, answer the question, please".
Severus frowned, then said: "You are, in fact, the reason why, Black".
Sirius' eyes widened in confusion. "Me?" he said.
"I considered your words".
Sirius' face looked, if possible, even more puzzled. "My… my words?" he stammered.
Severus hardly contained his annoyance. "Yes, Black. What you've said yesterday. You said that I could be the only way to find Harry", he said quickly. "You remember or your fleas outnumber your brain cells?"
Remus leaned forward to take a better look at Severus. "You're not actually thinking of giving yourself up, do you?" he asked.
Severus shrugged. "Since when do you care?", he said, "And Black's right. I might be the only hope Lily has to find her child. I am to blame, I'm going to make up for it".
Sirius made a face. "You're actually going to do something noble, Snivelly?" he said, "It is all my fault. I'm the reason a man's dead and a child's missing, but I'm gonna sacrifice myself so I can be redeemed!" he mocked him imitating his voice in the whiniest way.
"I swear Black, one of these days you'll find yourself agonizing in a puddle of your own blood and I will be there laughing." Severus' voice was so low and so cold that Black, this time, didn't dare to answer back. Remus actually could feel the temperature in the room lower a few degrees, his wolf eyes caught the light flicker for an instant. He diverted his eyes from Severus and stared at the smooth desktop. That was a threat a Death Eater would make, and he knew Severus enough to know he meant it. Fortunately, Sirius did too.
"Ah…" Lupin cleared his throat, "what… what do you plan to do?"
Severus took a deep breath and looked at him.
"I plan to go there and find out everything I can about Harry's whereabouts", Severus answered.
"You don't believe Voldemort has him?" Remus asked.
"I believe there is a very valid reason if he hasn't killed him yet", said Severus, "You know what the prophecy said. You know why the Dark Lord went to Godric's Hollow".
"Voldemort wants Harry dead more than everything", Sirius said, "Now he has him, but uses him as a bargaining chip" he said thoughtfully. Severus didn't say anything, he waited for the two Gryffindors to figure out the dilemma on their own.
"Yes", said Remus, "It is odd".
"Maybe Mad-Eye's right", ventured Sirius, "Maybe he doesn't have Harry".
But Severus shook his head. "No", he said, "he has something in mind".
"Any idea what it could be?" Remus asked him.
"No", said Severus, "But he has the upper hand, and he wants to play. Because he knows he's winning".
Sirius raised his eyebrows, as if suddenly struck by a very interesting thought.
"You're saying he's overacting?", he said.
"He might", said Severus. "It certainly is in character".
Sirius looked at Remus. "If so", he said, "we might have a chance". Remus nodded silently.
"A chance we're going to exploit", Severus said.
"Excuse me, but", said Remus before Severus could explain his plan to them, "how do you know he's not gonna kill you right away?"
"For the same reason he didn't kill the child. He wants to play with me", Severus explained.
"If so", said Sirius, "that's even more problematic".
Yes, it was. Severus had pondered it carefully. The Dark Lord could do anything to him. Torture him – he didn't mind. Use him as a bait – he did mind that, and that's was the reason why…
… "That's why I don't want Lily to know", he said.
"What?"
"Excuse me?"
The flabbergasted expression on both Lupin and Black's faces would have been comical had the circumstances be different.
"I don't want Lily to know I went to him", Severus repeated.
"You're mental!", Black exclaimed. "How in Merlin's name do you intend to keep that from her?"
Severus nonchalantly pointed a finger at him and then at Remus. "That's why I need you to cover me up", he said. Sirius was horrified.
"Wait, wait", said Sirius, "You want us to lie to Lily?"
"A-ah", Severus nodded, "And to keep secrets from her".
"She's gonna kill us!" Black exclaimed. He looked terrified and he turned to Remus as if looking for a safe haven.
"If she finds out", said Remus, "we won't have any blood left to lie in a puddle of".
"Oh, come on!" Severus teased them, "Aren't you the Marauders? Filch's bane? Greatest mischief-makers ever to walk Hogwarts grounds?"
"Ah ah ah" Sirius feigned a laugh. "We're not at Hogwarts", he said gravely.
"No", Remus agreed, "and you're asking us to lie to a friend and send another to his doom. That's not how the Marauders do things".
Severus rolled his eyes. Why did Gryffindors have to be so damn noble and just? It got on his nerves. He needed accomplices in a crime not knights in shining armours! But of course that reaction was to be expected by the most gryffindors of Gryffindors. He still needed them, though.
"It's for her own good!" he said, trying to pull on their virtuous character, "What do you think she would do if she knew?"
Remus and Sirius looked at each other. They knew exactly the answer to that question.
"She would come after you", said Remus.
"And?"
"Get herself in trouble. I still don't think it's the right course of action, though" said Remus all in one sentence.
"Can't you just talk to her?" said Sirius.
"No. She would try to stop me", answered Severus.
"Rightly so", Remus muttered. Sirius was drumming his fingers on the desk as he pondered the situation. Quite irritatingly actually.
"Lets say we agree", said Sirius, "How do you plan to find Harry?"
"I don't know yet", answered Severus.
"You should keep in contact. What about that? Have you thought about that?" Remus asked.
Severus was taken aback by that question. Keep in contact? No, he didn't think about that. Actually, he didn't think anyone would want to keep contact with him except Dumbledore, whom, of course, hadn't thought about either yet. And of course Lupin was right to the point with the next question.
"Does Dumbledore know about your plan?"
"No".
"Bloody hell, Snape!" Sirius exclaimed, "Do you actually have a plan?"
"My plan", Severus snarled, "is to find Harry by whatever means necessary".
"You really should tell Dumbledore, though", said Remus.
"No. There's no need. He knows. I mean…", Severus stopped to consider. Dumbledore knew he was going to give himself up, he would do nothing about it because he trusted Severus to do the right thing even if he didn't agree.
"Yes yes, your minds are linked, he trusts you blah blah" Sirius quickly dismissed the issue. "Just how on earth do we keep Lily from knowing?"
"Just come up with something!" said Severus, "You're good with excuses!"
"Ah! Excuses? We need to come up with a novel!" said Sirius, laughing at his own joke.
Remus shook his head disconsolate, "Why do I have the feeling this is going to end badly? Really, really badly".
"I don't need your foreshadowing Lupin", Severus snapped at him, "Next time consider a career as a weather man!"
"A what?" Sirius asked.
Remus waved at him as if saying "never mind". "You can't just go there and hope the circumstances to be favorable. You need help. We need to work together", he then said to Severus.
"How?" Severus asked.
"We might have a way to keep in contact with you", said Lupin. Then he turned to Black, "Padfoot?".
"No way!" exclaimed Sirius jumping up from his chair and moving swiftly to the other end of the table, "No bloody way! I'm not gonna give a mirror to him!"
"Sirius…"
"I said no!"
Severus was looking at them alternatively trying to understand what they were talking about. "What are we talking about?" he asked.
Despite the murderous glances his friend was casting him, Remus answered: "Sirius and James used to have these mirrors they used to communicate when they were in detention". Oh! That explained a lot. Two-ways mirrors. Interesting. And of course they could keep that kind of artifact in Hogwarts when common mortals could not, but that now could work in his favour.
"No. Nonononono", Sirius was chanting, his hands gripping firmly on the chair as if he was about to use it as a shield against Remus like a lion tamer.
"Come on, Sir. I know you have it on you", said Remus, "Take it out".
"No, Remus. No. It's everything I've left of James. I'm not giving it to him!" he pointed at Severus as he spat out those words like venom.
"Give him yours!" Remus said, "Consider this: it could be vital to find Harry. Your godson, Sirius".
That probably was some kind of magic word for Black, because his face softened at it and he slowly abandoned his defensive stance. After a few seconds, slowly reached inside his robes and took out a small, very plain mirror. He looked at it, almost caressing it with his eyes.
Severus looked closely at the artifact. It was a mirror not bigger than a postcard in a small, black frame. It was nothing extraordinary at first sight, but Severus knew there was more there to meet the eye. He stood up and reached for it, more out of curiosity then need and Sirius swiftly moved his hand to take it out of his reach.
"Make the Marauder's Pact", he said solemnly.
Severus looked at him confused. "The what?" he asked. He caught Lupin getting up with corner of his eye.
"The Marauder's Pact", Black repeated, "do it and I might consider giving you the mirror. Might consider trusting you". Severus looked at Remus, silently asking for an explanation.
"It's our contract", Lupin said, "Once you make it, you're bound to your word".
"Or you won't live much longer", added Sirius smiling devilishly. He then reached out to Severus with his left hand. "Well?" he said, "Scared, Snape?"
Severus grabbed his hand more quickly than he intended. He felt the Dark Mark pulsing on his left arm under the strong grip of one of his school nightmares.
"Moony's our witness", Black nodded to his friend who had quietly approached them.
Lupin placed his hands on both of their interlinked arms. "Parties", he said somberly, "the pact bounds you to your word, fail to keep it and consequences will be dire. The pact bounds Marauder Padfoot to-
"- the Half-Blood Prince", said Severus, he intended to play their game. He had never revealed his old school nickname to anyone, it was time the Marauders knew he was playing on their same ground. He dared them now to play against a peer, he forced them to consider him such. Remus looked at him, but he didn't commented he just nodded and then said: "-to the Half-Blood Prince. I, Marauder Moony, I'm your witness. Now, Severus, I will recite the formula and you will repeat it".
Severus nodded.
"I, the Half-Blood Prince, solemnly swear", Remus said.
"I, the Half-Blood Prince, solemnly swear".
Then Sirius talked: "That I will do whatever is necessary to find Harry Potter".
" That I will do whatever is necessary to find Harry Potter".
"That I will do everything in my power to keep Harry Potter safe".
"That I will do everything in my power to keep Harry Potter safe".
"That I will do everything in my power to keep Lily Evans Potter safe".
"That I will do everything in my power to keep Lily Evans Potter safe".
"That I will return Padfoot's mirror to its owner".
Severus rolled his eyes. "That I will return Padfoot's mirror to its owner", he repeated. He then made a move neither Black nor Remus anticipated, given the surprised expression on their faces.
"And you, Padfoot, solemnly swear", he said to Sirius, "that you will do everything in your power to keep Lily Evans Potter safe".
Sirius hesitated for a moment, then smiled and repeated "I, Padfoot, solemnly swear that I will do everything in my power to keep Lily Evans Potter safe".
"That I will keep the Half-Blood Prince's true intentions from her as long as possible".
"That I will keep the Half-Blood Prince's true intentions from her as long as possible".
The two parties nodded and Sirius turned to Remus expectantly.
"I, Marauder Moony", he said, "hereby enshrine the pact between Marauder Padfoot and the Half-Blood Prince. May each of you keep the word you've given to the other". He then released their arms. "It's done", he said.
Severus looked at him, then Black, confused. "It's that it?" he asked. No magic? Nothing? What kind of binding agreement was that?
Sirius was smiling unpleasantly at him, quite enjoying his confusion. "Yes", he said, "that's it. We don't need magic. This works on trust. That's why it's stronger than an Unbreakable Vow. Because if you ever fail to keep your word, Half-Blood Prince, the Marauders will hunt you down to the farthest reaches of the world". He winked at Severus and then handed him the mirror. "And remember one of us is a werewolf whom you've already encountered in his full-moon shape. I guess you remember?", he added maliciously.
Severus looked at the mirror, then glanced quickly at Lupin: the werewolf's face was dark and serious, and Severus was reminded for a brief moment of the dark passage under the Whomping Willow, the cold in the Shrieking Shack... the madness of the beast at the end of the tunnel.
"I do remember", he said as he furiously took the mirror from Black's hand and hid it into his robes, "and you do well to remember, Padfoot, were you to fail to keep your promise, it is a Death Eater you bound yourself with", he raised his left arm in front of Black's face, "and it is the mark of Voldemort you clutched in your hand" he added ominously.
And here there should have been Lily's part, but I decided to split the chapter in two 'cause it was already very long, so you'll read that next time, but don't worry: hopefully you won't have to wait too long 'cause it's already half written ;)