Chapter 11: Anger
Halloween night Harry, Dean and Seamus met Hermione at a restaurant in Dublin. Connor Harrigan also joined them. He and Hermione hit off immediately, Harry had a feeling this was the beginning of something new for his best friend. They enjoyed a lovely dinner and making comments about all the different Halloween costumes that people came in wearing. When the restaurant had started to get a little too crowded and too noisy they apparated back to the house, enjoyed some FireWhiskey and teaching Connor how to play exploding snap and Wizards Chess.
Severus returned to Hogwarts after leaving Harry and for the first time in months he actually went home. He wanted the house spotless for when Harry came to visit him. They had talked about dividing their time between Ireland and Hogwarts, Severus knew that Harry was reluctant to come back, but he knew that it was important and there were ways of concealing themselves so nobody knew that Harry was even there. He stepped inside and began to tidy, making sure that there were flowers placed on the tables; the bed was made with Harry's favourite linen. He would go into Hogsmeade and buy some of Harry's favourite sweets and Butterbeer. He slept in his and Harry's bed for the first time since before he went to Paris.
Severus stepped into his classroom the next morning and found it had been completely destroyed. There were desks upturned, chairs scattered all over the room, cauldrons were upside down on the floor. Glass cabinets had been forced open; glass vials were shattered all over the floor, potions books had pages ripped out. Written on the back wall was Death Eater Scum Severus sent off his patronus to alert Minerva. 10 mins later she was standing the potions classroom surveying the damage.
"I'm sorry Severus, this is the last thing I wanted you to have to come back to," she said stiffly. "Can't be help Minerva, someone took advantage of the fact that I wasn't here last evening" he said "I will inform the Minister, although I think I have a fair notion as to who caused this damage" she commented. "Yes I quite agree, it will be hard to prove all the same," said Severus. "I was going to invite Harry here to spend sometime, now I don't think it will be safe for him to do so."
" I'm afraid you might be right Severus." Minerva remarked. Later that morning Severus was gathered in Minerva's office with Kingsley Shacklebolt. "An announcement should be made tonight at dinner about the damage to Severus' rooms, we need to see the students reactions, one student in particular" he said. " I have asked the Ghosts to keep an eye on him, watch where he goes. I've also got Harrys map of the castle, so I can see where in the castle he is going.
All the teachers have been informed and they too will be watching closely." " This needs to end, Harry will never be completely safe until its all over. We cannot move on with our lives, if there is the constant threat that someone is out to hurt him." Severus sounded exasperated and worried. "I'm still waiting for the results from Germany, you have my word Severus that I will do everything I can to make sure that I put a stop to all this." I'll stay for dinner Minerva; I am interested to see Mr Weasleys reaction to the news about Severus' office. That night in the Great hall Minerva made the announcement, she left no doubt in the students minds that if anyone was caught vandalising and Hogwarts property they would be facing expulsion. Anyone who knew anything was invited to come forward and talk to someone. The two Professors and the Minister all took note of the smug look on Ron's face.
Over the next few weeks Ron's attempts to cause havoc were thwarted at every turn, he was watched constantly, often finding one of the teachers appearing out of thin air, when he was wondering the castle. The Prophet, all the letters and howlers he had sent to Harry had come back to him, was ignoring even his owls. Try as he might he couldn't get a rise out of anyone, even in Potions class he wasn't was being ignored and most of the time he was left to sit on his own, as every one had had enough of his constant rambling. He struck it lucky when one of his letters made it through unchecked, the article stating that Hogwarts had resorted to bullying its students, giving them unjust punishments. When it was investigated it turned out the regular wizard was away and had been replaced with someone from another department.
Severus was spending as much time as he could with Harry in Ireland. They had taken long walks around the village, Harry had taken Severus to the Celtic Village and shown him the shops, and he really enjoyed the Apothecary, as Harry knew he would. He even took him to the school, introduced him to Beth and gave him a tour.
Severus could see the light and excitement in Harry's eyes as he talked about his job and the school. Severus had no doubt in his mind that he and Harry would make their life here. They spent a lovely weekend in a bed and breakfast near the Hill of Tara. It was while they were exploring it one such weekend that Severus decided it was the perfect place to propose to Harry, nothing felt more right in the world. Coming to the top of their favourite hill, Severus took Harrys hand in his and gazed into those beautiful green eyes. Severus got down on one knee and produced a box from his pocket.
"Harry my darling my universe, I love you more than words can ever say, you have given me a life I never thought I would have. Harry James Potter will you do me the divine honour of marrying me?" "Yes Severus I will marry you a thousand times over yes" Harry was crying with absolute joy. Severus removed the ring from the box, "It's a Celtic lovers knot," he said Harry took it from him; in between each Celtic knot was a small green emerald stone.
On the inside of the ring were the words My Darling My Universe. "Its beautiful Sev" Severus took the ring from Harry and slid it onto his finger. " I have another ring identical to this one, if you would place it on my finger" Severus asked "I would be honoured" Harry took the ring, he noted that there was no inscription on the inside of this ring, with a wave of his wand My love My life appeared around the rim. Harry slipped the ring onto Severus' finger then pulled him close. He kissed him with so much love and passion; he thought he might explode from the utter sensation alone. He used wandless magic to cast charms around the hill they were standing on, and there on the hill of Tara Harry made love to his Fiancé.
Severus and Harry decided to wait until the problems with Ron and everything else were finished before they got married. They also discussed having a small wedding as neither wanted to be the centre of attention or end up on the front page of the Daily Prophet. It was amazing how alike they were, they both wanted the same things and neither wanted to be famous for anything. After all was said and done Harry and Severus wanted to travel and see the world, to relax and enjoy things properly for the first time in their lives.
Harry could not keep the smile from his face when he returned to work after the Halloween break. Beth was over the moon when Harry told her about being engaged, he showed her the ring that he had cast a charm over, and so no one else would see it. It was a busy time in the infirmary after Halloween, students had over indulged with treats, some had cast spells to try and awaken the dead and naturally they had gone catastrophically wrong.
One student had tried to transfigure their friend into a pumpkin, this resulted in said student becoming stuck between boy and pumpkin, Harry couldn't help but laugh at these antics and wondered how he had ever made it through his first year without something like this happening to him. Had it not been for a dark wizard trying to kill him he would have had time to test a few of those things out, he mused.
It was in early November that Harry, Hermione, Dean, Seamus and Connor went out for a night of fun. It was the first time they had gotten the chance to do so as exams were beginning in Ireland and the infirmary had been near full to the brim with students who had unsuccessfully tried to cast calming spells on themselves, or needed something for the nerves. Connor was regaling them with tales of his student's attempts at making a calming draught without proper instruction, therefore ending up in the infirmary when the result had the opposite effect. Through all the laughter and chatting the 5 friends had not noticed that someone lurked in the shadows and was watching their every move.
Ron Weasley was sitting in a dark corner of the club; he had followed the group of 5 to. He had placed an extendable ear into Hermione's bag before she left Hogwarts, so he was able to hear everything that was going on. A charm had been place on it, so he knew where they were going to be. He seethed as he watched Hermione dancing with Connor out in the middle of the club. She was smiling and laughing at something the git had said. Obviously the Mudblood thinks she's too good for anyone at Hogwarts he thought furiously. He could see that Harry seemed to be enjoying himself; this was the opposite of what Ron had wanted to see. After all the letters and howlers and exploding mail I have sent him, the git still doesn't care, acting like nothing has happened still the centre of attention as usual. This would not do. Downing a bit more liquid courage Ron waited for the right moment to strike.
Catching their breath at the table, the group of 5 were discussing the Christmas break that was getting closer. Severus and Harry were planning a quiet Christmas together, having dinner afterwards with Dean and Seamus who had also invited Hermione and Connor to eat with them on Boxing Day. "Where's my invite?" said a slurred voice. Harry turned his head and came face to face with Ron, who was visibly drunk and wobbling all the over the place. "You weren't getting one," said Dean through gritted teeth. "Get out of here Weasley we have nothing to say to you so your wasting your time."
This time Seamus spoke. "Couldn't handle a real man, Harry so you went running back to the slimy dungeon bat" Ron slurred. "He's more man than you'll be ever be Ron, now fuck off" Harry seethed. The group stood up to leave and Ron blocked Hermione's path "You too good for everyone else Hermione, have to come running to Ireland to spread your legs for some potions git, you're as bad as Harry" Connor stepped in front of Hermione and glared at the drunken mess before him. "You need to close your mouth before I close it for you" Connors voice was low and menacing. Ron took a swing at Connor ad he moved to get around him, missed and fell into a heap on the ground. Every one walked around him and left the club. Leaving Ron to lie on the floor. By the time he had gotten to his feet and outside they were gone. Fuming he apparated to the burrow, splinching himself in the process. Stumbling inside the door holding his arm, Ron slumped down onto one of the kitchen chairs. Molly came in from the potions and saw the mess that was her son. "What happened?" she stated coming over to examine Ron's arm. "Got splinched," he growled. He recounted to his mother what had transpired in the club. "We will have to move forward with our plan and force that stupid boy to come back to Hogwarts we have no other choice, time is running out" she fumed.
Back in Ireland the group had gathered in the kitchen, steaming hot mugs of Irish coffee in front of them, they went over the events of the night. "I can't understand how he knew we were there," said Hermione. " I don't know either, we are always careful, no one but you and Sev know where we are and the places we are going to be," said Harry. Hermione was shivering, she reached into her bag to pull her jacket out, with it came a rubber ear shaped item, picking it up Hermione sat it down on the table. "Now we know how he knew where we were," she said.
Raising his wand Harry yelled 'Reducto' and watched the ear shatter into a million pieces. Hermione concluded that Ron must have slipped the ear into her bag before she left Hogwarts, exactly when she couldn't be sure. She searched her bag for any sign of another listening device, when she came up empty, decided it must have just been the one.
Severus had just let down the wards of his and Harrys home when he heard the words "Petrificus Totalus" he landed on the ground with a sickening thud.
Kingsley Shaklebolt couldn't quite believe what he was reading; the results from the photos had arrived from Germany 10 minutes earlier. It had take near that long for the shock to wear off. In his hands he held the report on the findings.
Evidence of the following spells and charms have been found
Polyjuice potion Residue
Imperius curse performed on a muggle
Developing solution (Photo movement)
Magical fingerprints of Ronald Bilius Weasley & Molly Ginerva Weasley evident
Magical fingerprint of Professor Severus Tobias Snape not evident
Report in hand Kingsley apparated to Hogwarts. "We need to inform Severus immediately" said Minerva in a strained voice. She sent off her patronus with a message for the potions master to come to her office immediately. "I know we suspected that Ronald Weasley was somehow involved in this, but Molly?" Minerva sat down afraid her legs would fail her. "We always knew that he would have help, he certainly wasn't clever enough to do this on his own" replied Kingsley. It had been almost 5 minute since Minerva had sent her patronus to Severus and still there had been no reply." We had better go down to the dungeons and find him," remarked Minerva, she had the feeling that something wasn't right. The headmistress and Minster reached the door of the dungeons, it was wide open and after glancing inside they could see no sign of Severus. Kingsley bent down and retrieved a folded piece of parchment he had trodden on. 'His body will be left to rot, if I am not given what I seek' Minerva stifled a gasp. "We need to tell Harry" she said her voice barely audible. Harry was reading a book in the lounge room near the fire, when Dean and Seamus came in with grave looks on their faces. "What's wrong?" He asked with a sinking feeling. Dean handed Harry a letter, 'Harry you need to come to Hogwarts urgently' "Severus" Harry gasped