Snape stared at the scene in front of him with only one emotion slightly showing on his face. Shock. That was all he could portray. He didn't know how Potter would know such a spell when there was only one source to find such a curse. Running up to Miss Edgecombe, he began whispering in a singing murmur.
"Vulnera Sanentur," again and again was repeated until her wounds began slowly healing and closing up. Snape rose to Nott placing two fingers on the side of his throat to determine whether he had a pulse, but all was still. Not knowing what had transpired here, he knew he would have to wait and get answers from Miss Edgecombe later on.
Taking in the controversy, he knew he would have to call for more staff but didn't want to send his Patronus to make Potter, who was still gawking at him, to witness his form or to get any new ideas. Deciding, as they were close to the infirmary, he dashed over and brought a blood replenishing potion to Miss Edgecombe and fed her it. Going back to the infirmary, he asked to use Poppy's floo network, calling for Dumbledore.
"Albus, you need to come to the infirmary promptly. It seems that two classes down the two culprits have been found. Mr Nott and Miss Edgecombe are incapacitated and one may no longer reside in our world. Potter was also witnessed at the scene."
"I'll be there shortly. Minerva will be there too," Dumbledore said in a concerned voice. Snape took his head out of the fire walking back to the classroom. Marietta was still on the ground though now she had much more colour to her face. Tears were running down her eyes, though she made no sound. Nott was still in the same position as he'd been when Snape entered, however, now Snape looked around, noticing that there were two vials placed on the floor near him. Glimpsing towards Potter, he still saw that Potter hadn't moved since last time - his face blank. No emotion showed what he truly felt at that time but Snape was certain that Potter had regret sewn onto his face when Snape came into the room.
"Mr Potter, it seems you have finally won your ticket out of Hogwarts and a cell to Azkaban. Achieving to kill both your accused party who were trying to get to you. Let me tell you this: you have accomplished in murdering one student and almost killing the other like you seem to be killing everyone in your life, slowly. Was vengeance sweet then?" Potter's eyes widened hearing what Snape was asserting. This wasn't something he expected Snape to say.
"N-no," he stuttered. "I didn't try to kill anyone; it's not what it seems,"
"Really Potter," he sneered "That's not what it seems. One student dead surrounded by blood, while the other is scarcely breathing also surrounded in blood. Tell me Potter, the spell you used, did you create it yourself or did you meet certain... acquaintances who taught you the spell,"
"I- I don't know what you mean, sir," he said emphasising the last part. "I didn't kill anyone. I happened to be at-" he began saying with confidence until Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walked in. Dumbledore headed towards Marietta's direction who's eyes were open watching everything with anticipation.
"How is she Severus?"
"Miss Edgecombe will be unstable for the rest of the day as there was a huge amount of blood drained from her however, I've given her a blood replenisher so she should be fine by the end of the day,"
"Brilliant, that means she can still give her version of the account as to the activities of these couple of days,"
"Indeed headmaster," Snape hissed. Dumbledore got up towards Nott, staring over the body. His body was a deathly pale and no motion came from him. Waving his wand around he looked down at him with grief plaguing his face. He produced two stretchers for the two who were in their undesirable state, floating Miss Edgecombe who could barely stand on her own two feet. He dispelled the blood around her, allowing her to rest. Going up Mr Nott again, he called Severus over.
"Severus?"
"Yes, headmaster,"
"Could you identify what these two potions are, please?" Snape walked up to the two bottles, casting a few spells upon the bottles. Once done with this, he rose the bottles up, levitating them and smelled them.
"It seems that someone has mixed a healing potion with the potion Potter was poisoned with and this is the undiluted version of that poison," Snape stood back starting at the Albus.
"I will inform Mr Nott's parents of their casualty but will send them to you after as you are their head of house. Minerva, I want you to take Miss Edgecombe to the hospital and have Poppy check over her. Make sure she is available to come to me after she has been checked up." Waving his wand, he placed Nott into a casket with a white sheet enclosing his body.
"Severus, I want you to recognize if the boy's fatality is due to the poisoning of that certain venom or what other cause it is and then meet me as soon as possible in my office. Mr Potter," Everyone turned to Harry who had remained silent, the whole duration of the assessment from the headmaster. "Mr Potter I want you to wait for me, outside my office until I call you in," Dumbledore's eyes had long lost the twinkle in his eyes that normally resided there, replaced with shadows of sorrow and guilt. Getting up, he allowed Snape to take a blood sample, while Minerva floated Miss Edgecombe to the hospital. Dumbledore placed Nott's body aside, placing a spell over him as Snape headed out with the samples he required. "Harry, follow me out," Dumbledore ordered. He walked out with Dumbledore behind him, who seemed to have aged a thousand years. Closing the door, Dumbledore began chanting, placing wards around the rooms so that no one could enter or see what prevailed in the room. He strode quickly towards his office, not wasting any time. Standing towards his office, Harry quickly followed behind, staring outside at the gargoyles just before Dumbledore would enter.
"When the gargoyles give you access, I'd like you to come inside, please." the headmaster said. Harry gave a nod and Dumbledore went inside to his office. Harry sat down, waiting to be gained entrance. Looking back now, he knew what Snape had said was true. He had almost physically killed Marietta and if Nott was dead then it would have also been his fault as Voldemort wanted him dead, whilst trying to use his minions to attempt such a task. So if it wasn't for him being such a target, who was difficult to follow the structure, then maybe Nott wouldn't have ended in the middle of all this, who was just trying to survive. Making sure his occlumency were the strongest he could make them, he began looking back at the meeting he had witnessed last night.
Nott senior had lost enough with his hand being amputated and him suffering under the cruciatus curse for what felt like hours. Now knowing his son had also died during the attempts of following Voldemort's instructions, he knew Nott would only last for so long and could only handle so much.
The gargoyles finally moved apart, allowing Harry to gain entrance. Going up to the stairs, he took a breath opening the door.
"Harry have a seat. Would you like a lemon drop?"
"No thank you," he kindly refused. They both sat there for a few moments, sinking into the silence. Harry began looking down at his shoes, fiddling with his fingers, not knowing what to say. Finally, Dumbledore spoke shattering the awkwardness.
"Harry, what landed you to be in the circumstance that you are in?" Did Dumbledore think that has had killed Nott or was he just merely curious? He knew he couldn't tell Dumbledore that he knew they were the reason for landing him into the hospital, he didn't trust him entirely in the perspective of sharing information. It wasn't as though he attempted to show the prophecy until it was detrimental; he wouldn't tell him until it was necessary.
"I just had come out of the infirmary when I heard someone weeping. I went towards the direction, into the classroom and Nott was on the ground, surrounded by blood and Marietta was next to him crying. Once she saw me she got up and attacked me so we started duelling." again they both ended up in uncomfortable silence, with Harry looking back at his feet.
"Very well, is there anything else you would like to tell me? Any other information that may be knowledgeable as to what and why everything occurred?" Still, Harry remained silent with a passive face not wanting to show any emotion he was truly feeling at the time. "How Miss Edgecombe resulted in such a state?" Harry could tell, he was fishing for more answers but he didn't know how much he could really trust Dumbledore with his information. Knowing he would have to be careful with what he said he replied back.
"When we were duelling, Marietta sent me a curse that was indefensible which resulted in me using a... cutting curse to stop her movements, but I didn't expect it to be as bad as the damage was."
"What type of cutting curse did you use? The way Professor Snape said she'd lost a lot of blood seemed distressing,"
"It was just a basic cutting curse you find in your regular advanced books. I think I must have put too much power behind it, that's all," Dumbledore looked at him closely not saying anything to the comment.
A knock came from the door pulling Dumbledore back from his internal debate and responding.
"Enter," he said louder so the other person could hear. Snape walked in with a piece of parchment his face scrunched together as usual. "Ah Severus, right on time,"
"Miss Edgecombe will be here shortly as well," Snape said. Snape occupied the other chair, next to Harry glancing at Potter. Potter seemed reserved, showing no sign of fear or regret. 'He probably thinks he can get away with anything being the golden boy,' Snape thought. 'It isn't as though he gets spoiled enough,' Dumbledore seemed to want to speak first, breaking the sereneness.
"Severus, I would like you to explain your version of the event," Snape glared Dumbledore, knowing he already knew his side of the invents. Raising an eyebrow, he kept his gaze at both of them and began.
"I happened to be doing the objective you assigned me to commend when I heard screaming below the corridor. It seemed to be a commotion as there are no classes in that area as I am aware of, so I headed towards the disturbance. Whilst going to the classroom a loud bang was heard, which was assumedly Potters doing," he sneered looking at Potter. "so I ran towards the room where I saw Mr Nott on the floor, breathless laying in a pile of blood, while Miss Edgecombe was also on the floor, with gashes on her body
and blood violently pouring out."
"Did you identify what the spell left Miss Edgecombe in such a state?" questioned Dumbledore. Snape was not expecting a question like this. Hadn't Potter already given his account as to what happened? He would have expected for Dumbledore to know by now that he had used his despicable spell to harm Miss Edgecombe and to know what he was capable of creating.
"Did Potter not tell what spell he used to gain such a result.
"Harry here said that he used a cutting curse, that's all," Snape looked at Potter who still had his composure together. Not much was written on his apart from waiting on an answer from Snape. Snape was confused at what he was playing at. Why hadn't he told the headmaster what spell it was? It was only a matter of time before the headmaster would find out how dark the spells were that he created.
"Well Potter was right then," Snape said without his voice wavering. "It was a cutting curse," Harry raised his head a little making eye contact with Snape. Even though the boy's face didn't portray surprise Snape could tell he was mildly shocked that the Professor had covered up for him; he was sure that Snape knew what the spell was. Dumbledore fixed his gaze onto Snape looking at him thoroughly. It seemed he knew there was more to this than either of them were letting but were choosing to remain silent.
Snape began speaking again of the occurrence from where he left off.
"I healed the cuts and headed off to the infirmary where I told you of the circumstance and took blood replenished for Miss Edgecombe. After she was stable, we waited for you headmaster to attend the current predicament."
"Can you confirm the venom running through Mr Nott's body?"
"Yes, headmaster, it seems that poison has been coursing through his body since early morning, which is why we were unable to extricate him in time," Snape looked to Potter who was presently looking down playing with his fingers. Snape wondered why the boy looked as though death had come over him when it wasn't as though he had put the other boy in such a state. "He had blood seeping out of him as that is one of the final stages of the poison taking its course." Dumbledore looked grim now, his face ageing another ten decades as though he'd lived a life of someone who had seen only pain throughout his existence.
"What else did you discover Severus?" Severus looked up to the headmaster, knowing he would want to divulge to Potter as to who had attacked him.
"It seems the poison which had been mixed with the healing potion must have been for Mr Potter however by their own means, the plans have been thwarted," Dumbledore slightly nodded towards Snape looking towards Harry.
"Harry, my boy. As you may have deciphered by now the person or people who attempted to poison you were Miss Edgecombe and Mr Nott, under the orders of Voldemort, of course," Harry pretended to look shocked as though he was unaware of Voldemort's currents plans as to not make anyone suspicious of his ongoings. "That's why I taught you the spell to identify if something is poisoned and to be wary of your surroundings," Harry knew he would have to answer to the 'new' development, but knew he would have to be wary of what he would say.
"I didn't expect him to take it this far," Harry said in his most concerned voice.
"Yes well not everyone fawns over the golden boy, Potter; we don't all stick to just your expectations," Snape hissed. Harry looked up to slightly smirking at him. It wasn't as though he knew what Harry had to witness every night.
"Of course you would know what Voldemort is up to," Harry said bemusedly.
"Listen closely Potter," Snape hissed ignoring the fact that Dumbledore was in the same room as them. "It may have escaped your notice but not all of us have the luxury of sitting back and letting the war play. Being arrogant just like-" the door knocked and Dumbledore replied to it.
"Come in," Marietta and Madam Pomfrey walked in together. Dumbledore conjured another chair next to Harry. "Thank you, Poppy," Madam Pomfrey nodded at him, heading out. "Miss Edgecombe, please have a seat," she sat down in the new chair, trembling. She looked down with guilt on her face as though a child who had been caught after stealing a cookie.
"You've been called here today to explain why you weren't in your dormitory last night and how you got into the situation that you were in earlier," Straight to the point then Harry thought. It must be really serious then. "Just to warn you accordingly, there should be no lying otherwise the use of varetiserum will be required and I'm sure u know what that is," if Marietta was trembling before, now she was quaking. Slightly looking up she took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Umm...I saw Theodore who was just in the classroom just before curfew. I went up to him to see what he was doing and we both ended up sleeping, which is why weren't in our dormitories and then I woke up this morning and I looked over at Theodore who had a pile of blood surrounded him. I guess I was too shocked to really do anything about it and began crying about it until Potter came into the room and attacked me," Marietta not once did look up at any of them or try to make eye contact with any of them. Her eyes remained drifting around to various places, while she spoke as though a lion was chasing her. Snape could sense her lying the minute she began speaking and knew this girl would need a bit of persuading to get all the facts out of her.
"Miss Edgecombe. Let me remind you that I know of all doings within this school and am sure you have missed out vital parts to this story while also altering it. Severus, have you got the varetiserum n hand?" Snape pulled out a green vial from his robes bringing it forward.
"Here it is, headmaster," he echoed I'm his deep voice.
"Now I will let you explain your story once more but I want the full truth and the truth only. Let's remind ourself now of the scene I ended up in. What were a healing potion doing there and a bottle of poison?" Dumbledore said I his calm voice but you could sense there was no room for messing around. Marietta looked up to Dumbledores eyes for the first time, fear leached into her eyes.
"It was to poison Harry again," she barely whispered. Tears started running down face wetting her clothes. "I had to help, otherwise I wouldn't know what would happen to my mum." She stopped speaking. Snape raised his eyebrows at Dumbledore and crossed his arms together. It seemed the two were having a silent conversation with each other without talking. Harry began feeling in despair think about all the things people had to do for this crazy war just to keep their families safe. He knew it was primarily his fault for allowing everyone to commence in the actions they chose to just to survive and for being so selfish. How long would it be until the Weasleys cast him out and Ron would go against him to keep his family safe? How many more lives would have to be lost until Harry would stop being so insensitive to see how long he could live? It would only be a matter of time until he would have to die anyway.
"He said I would have to help Nott to make sure that you know who wouldn't think we were disobeying him; after I said no he threatened to harm mum if I was unable to follow instructions as it would lead me into more harm than good. Nott had seemingly got a letter from his parents expecting me to help so when he approached me there wasn't much I could say or refuse. He'd been trying many different ways to get to Potter but they were all pretty stupid so I gave him a few ideas until it started to get intense; that's why it was decided to poison him in the least expected way he would suspect. When everyone had gone to Hogsmede we used one of Nott's personal elves to mix Harry's toothpaste with some of the poison without moving anything. Once that happened Nott sent him back to their home, waiting for the final result." Harry looked at this with surprise, thinking about the tactics used to keep this all subtle. It all seemed too good to be true.
Snape sat back listening to the scheme with a lot of interest. If Miss Edgecombe wasn't working alongside with a Slytherin he would have thought she was more suited for a Slytherin with the cunning subtle approach that didn't lead to her looking at her she continued speaking.
"When we heard nothing about the chosen one perishing, we knew something must have gone wrong. We were nerved, to say the least, because you know who wanted him poisoned as soon as possible at his feet and Nott had said that venom would be the perfect thing as it was quick reacting even though I didn't know what the actual venom was. When news came around a couple of days later that Potter was in the hospital we tried checking to see if it was true but he wasn't there." By now Marietta's voice was flat no longer showing the tear in which she was talking through before but just the feeling of wanting to let it all go. No-one stopped her or tried to interrupt allowing her side of the plan to flow through and for everyone to understand.
"When Hermione and Ron we're coming back to visit Potter I saw them walk past Madam Pomfrey's office into the room which the door was always usually locked used as a storage room. I knew then that he must have been kept in a separate room," Harry was mortified at the least. Using his best friends to find ways around to kill him; It was perilous and Harry was again being careless wanting them to come more often.
"I checked the door but it was warded too heavily for someone to break in so I knew I would have to discuss with Theodore to find a way to get Potter again. We ended up on deciding to mix one of the healing potions we knew Madam Pomfrey would use on him with the poison but he still hadn't shown me what it was. Last night we planned to meet up here after curfew when everyone would be in their dormitories and to start our next plan. He brought the poison and I brought the potion. We were mixing the liquids when I noticed the label and colour. I'd never seen the poison before but I had read about it and knew that it was virtually instantaneous death after a mass of suffering. We started arguing and some of the poison spilt out, a bit on his clothes, some on the floor and some on a blister on his hands which he put instantly in his mouth because it stung." Dumbledore sighed for the first time placing his hands on his face, the black dead hand contrasting to his pale sickly skin. He seemed to have visited hell and back.
"umm... As soon as he put his finger in his mouth I knew he had made a big mistake. I know there is a rare antidote as it is such a rare venom but even the most successful of potioneerers have difficulty brewing it. I couldn't call any of the teachers because I knew I wouldn't be able to explain to any of the teachers what was going on and what we were doing. I wasn't even able to go down to the Slytherin dorms to call any of the other people who knew about this and all them were probably sleeping. It was light outside and I knew people were starting to get up; Theodore was starting to scream and too much of the foamy stuff was coming out. I put up a silence spell, put locking charms on the door and just kept getting rid of all the excess that was coming out of him. It just got really worse, like worse than what Dad would say would happen when he joined the death eaters and the things they would get involved in. He kept revulsing and acting as though he was under multiple cruciatus curses and then blood started coming out of his nose and his mouth." All Harry could do whilst listen to this was shiver, thinking how this may have happened to him if he wasn't saved in time. It was difficult to know someone had to endure this.
"I know I should have gone for help but I didn't know who could help me without getting me in trouble. I just stood there frozen uncomprehending what to do. I left him drowning in his own blood, suffering until he could no longer breath," she whispered. Only someone who would have to be listening attentively could hear what she whimpered in the last part. Harry looked away understanding what she felt. It was no better than murdering them if there wasn't much that you could do expect watch die.
"I took the silencings spells off now, knowing there was no point in keeping them on. Looking at the time most people would have headed to breakfast and not many people would have needed to pass this corridor anyways. I just broke down lost at what I had brought upon my self. When everyone had gone off to lesson again and it was all quite I began crying again forfeited and broken. Harry must have come in some time later because when I finally saw him after, he was stood with the door closed, looking thunderstruck at what he was seeing. We exchanged a few words until we began duelling until he won." By the end of this, she was back in tears, water leaking out of her eyes like pools.
Everyone and everything was silent by what they had heard stunned not expecting it as disastrous as this. A layer of remorse hung within the room, shadowing them with darkness and drowning them all. Finally, Dumbledore who seemed to have seen death early and looked as though his age had caught up to him spoke up.
"I hope you always understand there is always the decision of choosing between what is right and what is easy. You could have always come to ask for help without any repercussions and we would have been able to protect your mother and you. I am sorry for you having to witness the death of one of your acquaintances but I hope we all can learn that speaking up to someone can usually be detrimental in keeping those around us safe." Harry was reminded of Sirius again and wanted to escape from the room.
"Nonetheless you have been involved in an attempted murder and I have to report this to the proper authorities otherwise we could all be in guiltier circumstances. Now I would like you to head back to your dormitory I shall know whether you take any detours or talk to any people." Dumbeldore was about to continue giving his instructions when Snape spoke.
"Headmaster, I'd like to have a private word with Miss Edgecombe," Dumbledore slightly nodded at Snape
"Of course, Severus," he said, "Come along Harry." The two of them headed out of the room leaving Snape and Marietta alone. Dumbledore and Harry stood in a distressing silence, thinking over their thoughts and what they had heard. They didn't know what to say to each other and additionally, it would have seemed to make things worse.
As for Snape, he sat there for a few moments analysing Miss Edgecombe. She seemed genuinely distraught and regretful but seemed to have recognised defeat.
"Miss Edgecombe, as I am aware, you must have heard the rumours of me being a death eater," She didn't reply but Snape knew she had understood. "When you were all given the objective to poison Potter, what were the dark lord's instructions about obtaining the poison?" he looked at her as though they were in a potion classroom and he just asked her about one of the ingredients to a potion.
"To come to you," she murmured.
"Then why did you fail to approach me?" Snape hissed.
"I wasn't even gonna get involved in the first place until I got forced,"
"And yet you have landed your self into this facade and most likely a cell in Azkaban," Marietta flinched hearing what Snape has to say knowing what he spoke was the truth. "You have defied the dark lord's orders almost killing the Potter boy and because of this incomprehension, a student has died. Next time if you fail to follow orders you know it won't only be your life inline but also those of your parents," she looked down again, tears rolling down her eyes.
Severus got up opening the door where the headmaster was, allowing the two to come in. Snape gave a slight nod to Dumbledore who sat back down on his seat.
"Miss Edgecombe, we best get straight to the point; you are convicted of attempted murder to a student in your year which will most likely result in twenty years or more in Azkaban. The correct people will be shortly called and I shall be informing your parents also. Furthermore, your association with death eaters and acting upon their words will also now put you in further jeopardy. Head to your dormitory where a meal will be brought to you and you will be able to clean yourself up." Keeping her eyes down she nodded, exiting the headmaster's office. Both eyes now landed on Harry who remained silent for most of the time. He bowed his eyes down looking at a piece of string from his sleeve and began fiddling with it.
"How are you dealing with this all my boy?" Harry wanted to laugh at Dumbledore's face telling this was nothing new for him and it didn't make much difference how he as long as he could defeat Voldemort.
"I'm fine sir," he said remotely.
"There has been a lot what you had to witness. Having to find out who tried poisoning you and then having to see death as well. You know you always talk about anything with me if you want. How ever you're comfortable"
"I know sir," He remained silent for a moment letting everything sink in for a moment. "Actually sir, I was wondering if you could make Marietta's punishment than it is. She doesn't deserve Azkaban; she didn't have too much of a choice if she wanted... " he didn't finish the sentence off losing himself back into the visions he almost saw daily of people suffering. There was always someone in pain.
"And what retribution would you give her if you had the power?" Dumbledore spoke after a bit of time.
"Pardon her," was all he said. He knew it wasn't her fault and would just make things worse towards her.
"You know I can't do that. Attempted murder is a serious offence; especially who she did it too. She'll be lucky to not spend her whole life in Azkaban."
"Well, my opinion should be voiced and have significance considering who I am and who she was trying to attack!" Harry demanded. He would have Marietta waste her life aways for something she felt forced to do. It just brought back memories of how Sirius was thrown in without reason.
"I'll see what I can do and bring up your point," Dumbledore said. Snape kept eyeing Harry, looking at the was he had dealt with this all. He seemed to be taking it the same way Dumbledore had said he'd reacted last year when the had been caught with their mini-army or so how Dumbledore described it; Snape knew there was more to Potter than he was letting on. He knew he was hiding something about already who had tried to attack him; the voice in surprise was very convincing but Snape could tell it was forced and his body didn't tense up as it should have when he heard the news. "Is there anything else to discuss then?" Dumbledore questioned. Both boys shook their heads, knowing there was nothing else they would want to discuss. Harry eyed the headmaster's hand for a moment wanted to ask what had happened but didn't think it wise to ask in front of Snape.
"I will let Professor Snape deal with your punishment for duelling then before he heads off to meet Nott's parents before they arrive. I'll be hearing off then to male the necessary calls then," Dumbledore rose going out of the office, leaving the two rivals to solve out their next plans together.
Snape wanted to slap Dumbledore in the face for leaving the two of them by themselves. He thought maybe Dumbledore could sort of the Potter brat.
"Mr Potter fifty points will be removed for your house and you will be assigned detention with me every Sunday until the Christmas holidays where I will review your punishment. You will also be writing me a seven-foot essay as to why you are not supposed to duel especially using spells which you have no ideas of the side. effects. It should also have the reasons why you are hiding and lying about multiple aspects from your teachers and why it is destructive of you to act like the arrogant fool you are," there were certain moments when Harry wanted to interrupt, arguing about what he was set but when he saw the face Snape had put on there was no point in trying to back up why he shouldn't be doing all this. He had come close to maybe killing a student. Harry reluctantly nodded not catching the gaze from Snape's eyes.
"Thank you, sir, for keeping it between us two and not for telling Professor Dumbledore." Harry knew he would have to pick up om the act Snape had some to cover for him as it wasn't a common occurrence. Snape was at awe for such sentimentality and sincerity, coming from Potter as he had not told Dumbledore for purely selfish reasons because he didn't want anyone to know the type of spells he had created. He was now almost certain that Potter had his sixth-year potions book and would be seeing to that during their detentions. He just started at Potter who was now back starting into the distance consumed by his reflections.
"You may head back to where ever you're supposed to be," Snape replied to Potter's sentimentality by looking toward the door.
Harry walked once more to the door, heading out to leave when he turned back to look at Snape once more before fleeing the room. Just as he turned his head he felt something prickly running down his face and knew something was wrong. Not knowing whether the professor had seen something or not he quickly turned around, running out just as the door snapped shut. The calls from Snape we're totally ignored by Harry who seemed to not have heard anything.
Snape was sure he had seen a disillusionment charm beginning to wear off just as Potter glimpsed around. It was getting at Snape's highest point to not slip varetiserum in Potters drink to decipher what he was up to and knew he would very soon be finding out the easy way or the hard way.
Harry felt the change and immediately bailed out of the room, reapplying his glamour. In record time he was in the Gryffindor common room while everyone still in lessons. Lunch would have just ended now and he wasn't hungry. Knowing he was exempt from lessons for the day, he knew it was best to stay put rather than attracting unnecessary attention or maybe bumping into Snape again.
Snape put his head back to his seat, bending it while sighing. There was too much going on. He got up deciding to go to the entrance to wait for Nott's parents as they would be here any minute. This was another student he had failed. Another life lost in front of him. Another time he had messed up.
Harry decided to head to his dormitory to lay down for a bit but when images of pain, blood and torture kept running through his mind, he knew it was no use in resting so got up to finish the work he hadn't completed in the infirmary.
A whole hour must have passed when Harry jumped out of his skin after hearing a pop sound. Opening his curtains he scanned the room looking for the source of the sound when he saw Dobby the house old bobbing up and down with Kreacher next to him sulking.
"Dobby is happy to see Harry Potter. Harry Potter has been sick,"
"Dobby, how are you?"
"Dobby is fine. Dobby and Kreacher wanted to talk to the great Harry Potter but Dobby couldn't find the great Harry Potter by himself and then Dobby saw Harry Potter poisoned and was very scared,"
"Dobby I'm fine now. What is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"On Harry Potter's orders did Kreacher and Dobby follow the Malfoy boy around and the Malfoy boy be very quiet and not talk to his friends much. He sends a parcel to Hogsmede to Hogsmede and Dobby wanted to tell the great Harry Potter but he is not be by himself and then he got sent to the hospital wing," Harry knew what Dobby was talking about but wanted to confirm on how he had done it.
"Dobby how did Malfoy end the parcel and to who in Hogsmede did he send it to?"
"Malfoy sent it by owl but it had no name on it. He was also in detention the day when the girl was cursed," This confused Harry even more; he may have had additional help from outside or have another Slytherin do his dirty work, but Harry was sure it revolved around Malfoy.
"Dobby doesn't think Malfoy Junior will do anything before Christmas because Dobby thinks that Malfoy is scared and doesn't know what to do next."
"Thank you, Dobby. Please keep me updated if you find anything else,"
"Anything for the amazing Harry Potter. Kreacher and I will be in the kitchens but if you need us you can call us any time."
"Thank you, Dobby, Kreacher," Two pop sounds erupted and the both of them disappeared. Harry wasn't surprised by what he had heard but it was more disconcerting that Harry didn't know how Malfoy still managed to give Katie such an artefact.
Deciding to give his friends a surprise of announcing he had finally been allowed out of the infirmary, Harry left his homework to the side and his impossible essay set from Snape, walking down to the hall, knowing every day should have been there by now. Ron and Hermione, we're sat with Ginny all three of them piling food up and talking with each other. He crept up behind Hermione and Ron who were sat together; Ginny saw him and was about to call his name when Harry put a finger up to his lips, silencing her. She hushed her self, smirking at Harry, continuing to talk to Ron and Hermione as though she'd seen nothing.
"Boo!" Harry screamed placing a hand around Ron and Hermione's shoulders. The two of them jumped, screeching and Ron dropped the spoon he was about to put into his mouth.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed "You're out of the hospital. You didn't have to scare us like that though," Ginny was laughing so hard, her soft freckled checks began turning rosier than ever.
"Yeah, mate almost killed me with that scare. I don't know where I've dropped my spoon," Ron said as he began looking beneath the seats.
"Actually I've been out since earlier. There's so much that has been happening which you need to catch up on," Harry said looking up to the head table. He noticed Snape wasn't there yet probably consoling the parents of Nott and the headmaster seat still remained empty. He hoped the headmaster would be able to sort it all out the way Harry wanted it but wasn't keeping his hopes too high.
"Umm... I know who poisoned me and there was a casualty," Harry said his face losing its self to sorrow. "I'll tell you three later on though," Harry came around sitting next to Ginny who moved down for him. "You all seemed to be busy in the morning. I thought you would keep me a bit of company in the morning,"
"Actually, we weren't allowed to go anywhere apart from lessons today. We were going to come to the hospital to see you but Professor Dumbledore told everyone to head straight to lesson and we were being escorted by the teachers each period. I don't know what happened but some of the teachers were really tense."
"I can tell you why they were like that but it will have to happen later," Harry said quietly. They all focused on eating their food when Snape came into the hall with a thin, black-haired woman who had red-rimmed eyes which were puffed. She sat at the seat which Snape had conjured next to him and he sat down briskly too. Dumbledore came in after, his face also lost in anguish however rather than sitting in his seat he stood in front of the hall.
"Good evening children," he solemnly said.
"I'd like to obtain your attention for a moment, please," Those that were whispering amongst themselves instantly became silent looking up to the headmaster. "Rather than allowing yourselves to divulge in rumours and to permit shadows to plague your mind, I am going to give you a highlight If what jas been happening especially today as you may have noticed that a few of our teachers have been tenser than usual. A student of ours was found dead today because of activities he chose to participate in intending to hurt others in this school. Theodore Nott was seen in an empty classroom this morning drowned in a puddle of blood. While he may have been partaking in illicit activities, we have lost one of our members today in the way of this war, who was just a boy figuring out where everything lay. I'd like to dedicate a moment of silence in the memory of Theodore before I continue," Everyone was pin-drop silent no one moving. The Slytherin table seemed most grief-stricken, some of the people crying while others lost in shock. It was most unexpected. Harry looked at Hermione who was on the verge of tears while Ron had am arm around her shoulders. Looking at Ginny, Harry saw the rose cheeks now pale with a hint of green with a mixture of grief written on her face. Harry squeezed her hand, which was laid on the table. She leaned into him a tear dripping our of her eye.
Mrs Nott was weeping again her face soaking wet and Harry could sense a whiff of grief coming from Snape who was sat next to her even though not much was was written on his face. Similarly, the rest of the teachers faces showed remorse, all their heads down onto the table. Harry looked over to the Ravenclaw table to see if Marietta was still here or not but he couldn't see her. He wondered where she was hoping nothing had happened to her. Harry looked up to the ceiling for time noticing the Hogwarts hangings of the four houses replaced with black banners with Hogwarts crest embodied onto them. After a few minutes of silence, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Let us all learn from Mr Nott's death that we should consider our choices before we act upon them because they may end up leading to consequences we may have never expected. We all have a choice. It's just a matter of choosing the right one. Let us not leave Theodore's death in vain of him making the wrong choice of accepting orders of hose who don't see in the light but make sure we stand as one to be able to defeat him, even if everyone around us is making the wrong choice." Dumbledore let the words sink in before speaking again. When Dumbledore had mentioned Thai Harry noticed how many looked down except those maybe from Dumbledore's army from last year.
"I want you all to dwell on these words carefully, reflecting on the actions you will have to choose in the present and future. Even accompanying those with bad intentions is no better for you. In the end, it is your choice and no matter the position you feel to be in. Now enjoy the rest of your dinner," Dumbledore ended sitting in his seat. The hall went back to its intense chatter but it was harsh and depressing.
"So that was the casualty you were talking about," Hermione first spoke in her croaky voice.
"Yes," Harry replied placing some food into his mouth. "It's just the tip of the ice burg though," They all began eating quicker so they could head up and Harry could catch them up with all the news. They were almost done when Professor Dumbledore walked up to Harry, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Harry my boy, when you're done with dinner I'd like you to come to visit me in my office," Dumbledore requested. Harry nodded and Dumbledore walked out of the hall. Ron looked at Harry with confusion and Harry just shrugged at him taking a sip of water.
"I'll meet up with your lot in the seventh floor," They all understood he meant the room of requirement and he got up wiping his face. Taking one last look at Ginny, he smiled at them heading out of the hall.
Outside the gargoyles once again, he gave the password, allowing him entrance.
"Good evening sir," Harry said as he entered.
"Evening Harry, have a seat. Would you like a lemon drop?" he asked, though the usual twinkle in his eyes was missing.
"No thank you," Harry denied politely.
"Are you sure you are really okay with all this? It has been chaotic and deplorable."
"I'm fine sir," Harry said with a straight face. Dumbledore sat for a moment examining the boy in front of him until he spoke again.
"Miss Edgecombe's sentence has been given," this interested Harry, making his sit up and listen closely. "The best I could give her with mentioning your name was a three-year sentence in Azkaban and house arrest after that for a minimum of ten years when they will review her discipline." Harry sunk back in his chair growing visibly paler. No one deserved Azkaban. Anything to do with Azkaban just made him go back to the memories of Sirius and how everyone said it had changed him drastically for the worst, even though he was the only one there for him at the time no one else was.
"Can it not even be two years?" Harry whispered
"I'm sorry, I tried my best," Harry slightly nodded his head but still wanted to scream.
"It's ok, you did your best otherwise she would have got much longer than three years and house arrest would have been out of the window," Harry replied back, looking out of the window.
"Now that matter is settled I would like to discuss our lessons." Harry looked back at Dumbledore who had noted his fingers together. "You have done immensely well in your lessons but I'm afraid I will not be able to carry on these lessons until most likely after the Christmas holidays. I'm going to be in and out the place, preoccupied due to the current situation we are in but I still will want you to contemplate what you have seen so far about Riddle and see if you can come up with anything new."
"Okay, sir,"
"That's all I wanted to tell you unless you want to talk about anything else?"
"Can you tell me now why your hand is in such a state sir?" he questioned eyeing the black lifeless hand.
"Not yet but soon enough," Harry sadly nodded waiting to be dismissed. "You can go now if you want. I'm sure you and your friends will want to catch up as you've been in the hospital mostly." Harry got up heading for the door.
"Good night sir,"
"Good night Harry," Harry walked out of the room heading towards the seventh-floor corridor. Imagining a comfy room to talk, Harry opened the newly appeared doors, going inside to see Ron, Hermione and Ginny this time as well sitting around a fire on the sofas.
"I told Ginny not to come but she insisted," Ron said, staring daggers at Ginny, just as Harry waked in.
"It's fine, she can listen in on this." Harry sat down next to Ginny looking at her hot curves and rose lips that were smiling at him.
"I'll make this quick so we can head off to the common room before curfew but get comfy." They all sat in closer together, getting ready to listen. "I basically was dismissed from the infirmary before the afternoon but then I heard someone crying so I went up to see who. It was Marietta; remember her from our defence room," they all nodded.
"Yeah her. She as crying next to the body of Nott who was surrounded in blood. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there She saw me and said some things and then she started throwing spells at me so we had a duel. It kinda lead to a loud bang which caught Snape's attention who came running in and by then I accidentally sent a cutting spell at her so she was bleeding. He stabilised her and checked on Nott who was dead by now, calling for Dumbledore and McGonagall. McGonagall took Marietta to the hospital wing and then Dumbledore told Snape to take a sample to see if he had died from poison because there was a bottle of poison near him and we found out he was. We ended up going to the headmaster's office and I had to give my account of the story and then Snape came in shortly before Marietta came. When she came in they forced the truth out of her when we found out that that it was Nott who kept attempting to poison me," Harry decided not to tell the truth as to how he had originally obtained that piece of information sticking to what everyone including the had master believed.
"Marietta was forced to help Nott even though she didn't want to which was why she was there. They were trying a new way to position me but it backfired and Nott spilt some making himself consume the poison which is how it happened. Dumbledore called me now because he wanted to tell me that because Marietta would have had to been convicted of attempted murder she would have most likely had to spend a lot of her life in Azkaban so I requested to lessen punishment as much as Dumbledore could which is now three years in Azkaban and house arrest for a minimum of five years until they review it again."
By now Hermione and Ginny were crying, their faces red and Ron looked sick. Harry put an arm around Ginny comforting her while Hermione put her face in Ron's shoulder. "That's basically the summary of what happened today," Harry ended.
"How are you still okay with all this?" Hermione said through her tears.
"It's all sorted out now anyways. There's nothing to dwell over," Harry replied.
"No, it's not. This is all sick!" Ginny exclaimed. Ron nodded at what she said looking at Harry.
"Well, there's not much I can do. We've just got to move on but you all better not tell anyone or let it leave the room." All three of them nodded grievously, keeping their eyes down. They remained silent for a while later all lost in their own thoughts until Hermione told them to get going before it got too late and they got caught.
Harry was happy, he was finally in his own bed, when they all had headed off to bed. It had been a good week since he was able to get a proper bed rest in the comfort of his own bed, flopping into bed as soon as he could. His eyes shut before his head had even hit the pillow, losing himself to the darkness.
Snape knew there would be server consequences if he hadn't reported the events today even if the dark lord had heard it from other sources. Knowing everyone would be in bed by now, Snape decided to head out, placing his death eater robes on and sending a Patronus to Albus once he was outside the gates. Laying his occlumency shields as thoroughly as he could he apparate in the snake's lair preparing to meet the dark lord once again.
Asking where the dark lord was repetitive. It seemed he always knew when someone wanted to see him, setting himself up in the main room. Snape strolled towards the entrance of the door knocking on its dark oak patterns, waiting to be gained entrance.
"Come in," A silky dissenting voice said. Snape opened the door revealing the dimly lit room with a single empty sofa next to the fire while the dark lord sat on the other. "Ah, Ssseverus," Snape walked up the dark lord kissing the hem of his robes. "Have a seat," Snape sat in the empty sofa, gathering thoughts before he spoke.
"My lord, I don't know if you've been informed but there has been a fatality in the school today," Voldemort sat up slightly prompting Severus to carry on. "Nott junior seemed to have been attempting to poison Potter with the same substance as he had last time however his plan rebounded when he accidentally happened to spill some of the poison which landed him a victim of the venom. Because it all transpired during the night, the parcel which you requested to him sent to him went unreceived."
"So I have lost a future follower," The dark lord hissed.
"Because of the fatality, Miss Edgecombe was also apprehended for attempted murder so is expelled. Her full sentence I am unaware of in the present time, however, I am confident she will be spending some time in Azkaban, however, Potter seemed to have wanted to reduce her sentence so it won't be conventional stay in Azkaban rather something uch lighter."
"That will be sorted out soon enough," Voldemort said briskly, smiling at himself. Snape, in his mind, made a mental note of this slightly perplexed at what he had said.
"Dumbledore was not aware of the full extent of his plans but has pieces of it, however, he's understood that the pair of them had something to do with Potter's poisoning though has not made the connection of it relating to you. Most of these plans seem to have come from Mr Nott but once his plans were ceasing to function he seemed to have needed assistance which was the reason for involvement from Miss Edgecombe from that aspect."
"I want you to stay for a little longer," Voldemort demanded.
"As you wish, my lord," Snape replied keeping his gaze down. Five minutes later a knock was heard from the door again, making Severus lookup.
"Come in," Voldemort sounded. Two figures walked in both cowered down. They both came over to the dark lord bowing down to their master's feet kissing the rim of his robes.
"Nott, Edgecombe. I've heard some interesting things here from Severus who was just reporting back from his spy duties regarding your children."
"Now is there anything you would like to catch me up with?" The two of them quivered, keeping their eyes down.
"My son," Nott croaked. "He died in trying to accomplish the task you set for them," There was a tone of accusation but still a fear silked into it.
"Really Nott?" Voldemort tooted. "And who decided to use show a deadly posion to accomplish my orders?" When no sound came from his lips, Voldemoert sent a cruciatus curse towards Nott. His body began convulsing, feeling as though his muscles were being sperated from his bones, while he curled into a ball screaming and howling like a wolf.
At least fifteen minutes had passed just watching the dark lord keep the spell on Nott before it was removed. By now he was unable to form incoherent words, staring up at them from the floor like a toddler. "Edgecombe what of you?" Edgecombe had no idea what had happened at Hogwarts but was regretting what it would have been considering the state of both Notts.
"I'm unsure my lord," He spoke. "I have no idea what has been occurring at Hogwarts." Voldemort looked at Snape giving him a questioning look.
"Your wife was called as you were uncontactable and so we expected the news to be passed on as you happened to be unavailable at the time," Snape replied without his voice wavering, making sure it wouldn't get him into trouble.
"It seems you need to keep closer contacts around you to be successful," Voldemort sibilated. "Severus, tell us what occurred at the school today regarding his daughter."
"It seems that your daughter was caught in the act of attempting to poison Potter which has resulted in her being sentenced to an attempted murder."
"Do you know what that means?" Voldemort echoed Edgecombe looked up terror-stricken, shaking his head vigorously. "It means that she would have most likely have had to spend the rest of her life in Azkaban," Edgecombe began mumbling to himself, working himself up.
"But it seems you will be in debt to our famous Mr Potter as he has reduced your daughter's sentence and her punishment won't solely be staying in Azkaban." Edgecombe seemed slightly calmed by these words but still the shadows in his eyes understood that his little girl would stay in Azkaban even if it was for a little while.
"Thank you my lord!" he wept not knowing what else to say. It was himself that had brought this upon him and his family. He would have rather gone to Azkaban than send his only princess. He knew there was no way out. Once you joined his ranks you were bound to him for the rest of your life.
"Next time I won't have you and your family making silly mistakes that land you in these places. Crucio," Voldemort pointed his wand at Edgecombe who began withering in pain, screaming scrunched into a ball.
Voldemort momentarily took the spell off, looking back at him. "You may finish any business with Nott as I am merciful but I want you to remember your lesson," Edgecombe pointed his wand at Nott hissing,
"Incednio," Nott's body erupted in flames and he began rolling around in the floor, though not much sound came out of his mouth. After five minutes of watching Nott do this, he stopped moving, letting the body to burn into nothingness. Edgecombe kissed the hem of the dark lord's robe and fled out of the door. Voldemort looked back at Snape who still had no emotion disseminating on his face. He looked a bit paler than before but apart from the Voldemort knew he was still his puppy. "Severus, a clear message will be sent out to all those to tell their children to continue with the plan as the old fool still hasn't caught on. Even though I shall remind them I want you to take extra care of the poison they use, otherwise it will ruin my plans with Potter in the future,"
"of course, my lord," he bowed his head at him.
"You may go back to the old fool now and give him my regards," Voldemort said with a smirk.
"Yes my lord," he replied, kissing the frame of his robe and heading out. As soon as he hit the apparation line he fled back to the school.
In Dumbledores office now he was sat down giving his report, trying to remember everything that had happened including what had happened to Nott. He felt a pang of sympathy for Mrs Nott knowing she wasn't able to cope with the death of her son and now her husband.
Snape quickly finished his business with Dumbledore, his bed graciously waiting for him. As soon as Snape collapsed onto his bed, his eyes were shut before the flicker of light.
Harry was fooled in thinking that he would be able to get a good nights sleep for once. Just when he had lost himself to the world of fantasy did he begin to see through the eyes of Voldemort again who was playing statistically with the few followers he had. He woke up screaming so loudly it made all his other screams seem like whispers. Harry couldn't stop the shaking and pain this time even after he had had the anti cruciatus potion. Nothing would stop the shivers that kept convulsing down his body, sending pain through every bone and nerve in him.
He got up to wash his face but he could still see the pain and worries in Nott's and Edgecombe's face. He was probably like this because of how long Nott had to endure the curse and it was all his fault. Harry threw up again not being able to handle what he had just seen. The pain. The death. It was all too much for him. All he knew now though was that he would still have to watch out in being poisoned again otherwise he may not be lucky this time. Taking a swing of dreamless sleep potion, he let his face hit the pillow and his eyes to shut.