Chapter Thirteen: Snape's Choice

Peter Pettigrew had cut off his finger, then later had severed his own right hand in the service of the Dark Lord. It was rather nice to see someone else suffering for a change. He held onto Veronica Stanley's wrist effortlessly with his powerful magical silver hand as Voldemort sawed slowly through her right forefinger. Wormtail was quite happy that Veronica was doing everything in her power not to scream, for if she had done so, it would have gone right into his ear. She had bit into her bottom lip so hard it was bleeding, tears were rolling down her cheeks in a veritable torrent, but still not a sound.

Apparently, Voldemort found her silence somewhat bothersome. He paused and said ominously, "Veronica, half the fun of torture is hearing the victim's screams. I suggest you start directly or I will cut out your tongue—then you'll wish that you could scream. Have I made myself quite clear?"

Wormtail cringed at the ear-splitting shriek she emitted in response.

Voldemort grinned a snaky grin. "That's more like it."

Wormtail couldn't help but notice the looks Balin was giving Veronica as well. He seemed torn between delight at being able to watch the spectacle and frustration over not being able to participate. There was also an expression of unfathomable lust in his eyes. Balin never looked at Isela that way. Wormtail couldn't understand it. Veronica was modestly pretty, but a rather small and insignificant woman, particularly in comparison to the voluptuous Spanish vixen.

Voldemort finally completed his gruesome task, then seared the end of the jagged wound to staunch the bleeding. ("Wouldn't want her to bleed to death."). Voldemort gazed at his bloodied hands with some annoyance and ordered Wormtail to get a basin of water and some towels.

When Wormtail returned, Voldemort wrapped the finger in one of the towels and handed it to Balin. Then he washed and dried his own pale hands and turned back to Wormtail. "Wrap her hand up in something and then lock her up with our other two guests."

Not having proper bandages, Wormtail ripped a piece of fabric from the hem of her blue robe and wrapped it roughly around her hand causing Veronica to whimper pitifully. Wormtail looked to Voldemort for approval, but the Dark Lord had lost interest and was now talking to Balin. With a long-suffering sigh, Wormtail pulled Veronica to her feet and half dragged her out of the audience chamber.

Balin called after him. "Pettigrew, make it clear they are to guard her only. No kissing!"

Veronica seemed a little confused, but was still a bit dazed from her ordeal. In fact, as Wormtail was taking her away, she said something rather odd about him being "the vomit-flavored bean boy."

*

Severus sat on the sofa in Veronica's room gripping the battered Nimbus Two Thousand Two that had been recovered by the Auror who had stunned her before she Disapparated in mid air. "He would never have known she was teaching at Hogwarts if it weren't for me."

Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder in a fatherly manner. "He might have called her no matter what. You can't blame yourself."

Severus thought, I don't blame myself, I blame you, but remained silent.

"I've asked Remus Lupin to take over her classes—" Dumbledore held up his hand when Severus started to protest. "Temporarily, until we get her back. He was the only qualified teacher available on such short notice."

Severus laughed mirthlessly. "Get her back? I'm never going to see her again and you know it."

"No, I don't know it and neither do you." Dumbledore's eyes traveled to the floor, underneath her desk. "What's this?" He winked an eye and a crumpled piece of parchment flew into his hands. He unfolded it, smiled sadly and handed it to Severus.

Severus gazed at Veronica's childish drawings of hearts, stick-figure lovers and the practice signatures of her name followed by his own (it's just like her to want to hyphenate it). He felt his throat tighten. "I resign," he said in barely a whisper.

"What was that, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, straining to hear.

"I said, I resign," he declared more loudly. "You can bloody well get someone else to do your dirty work for you, because I'm done spying for you."

"I suspect this decision has been coming for some time."

Severus jumped to his feet and pointed an accusing finger at Dumbledore. "None of this would have happened if you had protected her twenty years ago like you were supposed to! Why didn't you kill him when you had the chance?"

"I've already explained that to you," Dumbledore replied, obviously trying to keep his tone calm. "I had to do what I thought was best."

Severus started to pace the room in agitation, looking about, trying to find something of hers to hold onto that would provide some solace. He glanced at her bed and swallowed hard. "We never even…"

"She still alive," Dumbledore said with mixed enthusiasm. "You know that."

Severus had tried not to ponder what perversions Balin was even now subjecting her to. He was supposed to protect her, but instead he had downplayed Balin's interest in Veronica because of his own jealousy. Why had he let her out of his sight?

"Do you think Voldemort or Balin knows the nature of your relationship with her?"

"No, I don't believe so," Severus replied.

"Well, then you may have a chance to rescue her," Dumbledore said with a little hope in his voice. "When Voldemort calls you again—I'll understand."

Severus nodded grimly. If he tried to save Veronica, it could very well mean both their deaths. And he would have to do it alone.

Just then, Minerva popped her head and half of her body out of the fireplace, startling both men. "Mr. Stanley's just arrived. He's waiting in your office, Albus."

Dumbledore took off his half-moon glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Thank you, Minerva."

"Severus," she said gently, "don't give up hope."

He grunted brusquely, then left Veronica's room followed by Dumbledore. The Headmaster's office was one of the few rooms in the castle that could not be accessed through the fireplace, so the pair made their way to the gargoyle guarding the secret entrance, then up the spiral staircase and through the polished oak door.

Mr. Stanley bolted out of his chair as they entered the room. "Have you heard anything?"

"Not yet, Gilbert," Dumbledore said. "I'm so sorry."

"But you do have Aurors out looking for her, right?"

Severus folded his arms across his chest and almost glared at the Headmaster.

"We're almost certain she's being held at Voldemort's lair," Dumbledore answered carefully. "Unfortunately, we have no idea where that is—yet. Right now, all we can do is wait."

"I don't understand," Mr. Stanley cried fretfully. "How could this have happened?"

"Veronica was lured away from Hogwarts by the most powerful sort of Dark Magic," Severus explained. "There was little she could do to fight it." If he had foreseen Balin's eventual use of Veronica's Dark Mark, he could have trained her to fight the call as he had done on many occasions. It was the fact that she was unprepared for it that forced her into answering. As much as he wanted to lay the blame at Dumbledore's feet, he knew that he was ultimately responsible. Apparently, he wasn't the only one.

Mr. Stanley's kind eyes flashed with anger. "You swore you would protect her!"

"Sir," Severus said to Dumbledore, "might I have a word alone with Mr. Stanley?"

"Of course." Dumbledore immediately left the two men alone.

Severus met Mr. Stanley's eyes. "I will get her back." He surprised himself with the sudden fierce determination in his voice.

"And how do you figure you'll do that, Professor? Dumbledore just told me no one knows where Voldemort is."

After a moment's hesitation, Severus rolled up his left sleeve. Mr. Stanley gasped at the sight of the black Dark Mark emblazoned on his forearm and took a few steps back.

"You're one of them," Stanley breathed, eyes wide.

"I used to be—Voldemort still thinks I am. I work as a spy for Dumbledore. No Auror will be able to get to Voldemort, but I can."

Mr. Stanley's eyes narrowed. "Tell me, Professor, does Vee's kidnapping have anything to do with her association with you?"

Severus lowered his eyes. "Quite possibly."

"Well then," Stanley replied angrily, "you just get her back and then you stay the hell away from my little girl! Haven't you people done enough to her?" He stormed from Dumbledore's office leaving Severus alone with Fawkes the phoenix.

Severus sat down wearily as Fawkes hopped from his perch and onto the desk next to him. The bird gently rubbed his head against his cheek in sympathy. Severus allowed himself a small smile and scratched the bird's head. "Thanks."

*

Veronica had a number of problems to deal with as she sat on the floor of the cold, dank cell, but surely the most pressing were the two dementors guarding her. Every ounce of happiness, and more importantly, her will to fight, was quickly being sucked out of her and she had no wand to cast a Patronus Charm. That, in and of itself, wouldn't necessarily be a problem; she had developed a technique to cast even difficult spells without a wand, and though the Patronus Charm would be the most complex she had ever attempted, her intense need and her own fear should be enough to power the spell.

Unfortunately, her wand hand, the place where the magical energy had to flow out of her, was damaged. Veronica hugged her injured right hand tightly to her body and tried to ignore the agonizing throbbing that shot through her entire arm. It wasn't as if she could use her left hand instead. It would be as effective as trying to read backwards and she probably would only have one shot at the charm. After mulling over her very limited options for a few minutes, she decided to trust her body to know where to let the magic out and wracked her brain for her happiest thought. She couldn't drive the dementors away as there was nowhere for them to go in the locked cell, but she could hopefully keep them at bay for a while.

She struggled to her feet. Naturally, Veronica's thoughts immediately turned to Severus, but all she could think of was, I'll never see him again. She cursed herself angrily. HAPPY thoughts, Vee! Er, let's see…doing his hair…Christmas morning…the broom and his note…our first kiss…HE LOVES ME! Not one, but the whole jumble of happy thoughts swirled around in her mind until they amassed into palpable energy. She pushed the pain in her hand away and became aware of the ambient energy around her. She absorbed it through her skin and added it to the whirlwind of happiness she was building to a crescendo—

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" The energy that would normally have come out though her right hand, took a different path. She felt her mouth being forced open, then a silver mist came out of it with a loud belch.

For many people, a Patronus remained the same no matter how many times one cast it; for others like her, the Patronus changed shape depending on the happy thought one used. In the past, she had conjured a large sow, a small dragon, and—her favorite—a baby wooly mammoth. This time, the silver mist coalesced into a huge serpent, even bigger than Voldemort's Nagini. The most extraordinary and wonderful thing about it was that this serpent had sly black eyes, just like Severus. For a moment, Veronica forgot about the pain in her hand and cried with joy at this most comforting sight.

The dementors inched away from her and her Patronus, into a far corner of the cell. The silver serpent hissed at the cowering, rotting creatures, then curled around Veronica protectively. To her considerable relief, the Patronus did not dissipate, most likely because the dementors still posed a threat. Physically and emotionally spent, she doubted she could conjure another if this one faded. She sunk back down to the cold floor and leaned her back against the wall. She tried to stay awake, but finally slipped into a fitful slumber from pure exhaustion.

*

The next morning at breakfast, Harry and his friends spoke in subdued tones while they waited for Dumbledore to arrive and make the official announcement of what all of them already knew. The most personal incident since the death of Cedric Diggory had occurred with Professor Stanley's kidnapping. Harry couldn't help but notice that Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuff table looked particularly disheartened—a couple of the younger girls were even crying. The only two people who looked more miserable were Snape and Neville Longbottom. Even Ginny Weasley's sympathetic attentions did nothing to buoy Neville's spirits. The Slytherins, on the other hand—particularly Draco Malfoy and his cronies—appeared delighted.

Professor Sinistra was back in her old spot at the staff table next to Snape, leaving the seat next to Sprout unoccupied. The man who followed Dumbledore through the teachers' entrance to the Great Hall explained the reason for the change in seating arrangements. A very grave Remus Lupin took his place next to Sprout. He caught Harry's eye and gave him a half-hearted smile.

Normally, seeing Dumbledore standing at his place at the staff table was enough to quiet the Great Hall immediately, but this morning he was forced to silence the suddenly amplified chatter by tapping his glass of pumpkin juice. "As most of you have already heard," he began with a compassionate glance at the Hufflepuff table, "Professor Stanley was lured away from Hogwarts last night by Lord Voldemort and his followers. We have reason to believe that she is still alive and we are doing everything in our power to get her back."

Harry noticed with surprise that Snape glowered at Dumbledore for just a second. Snape was openly unpleasant to just about everyone, but even Harry knew that he had the utmost respect for Dumbledore. Perhaps Snape didn't feel the Headmaster was doing enough to rescue Stanley.      

"In the meantime," Dumbledore continued, "Professor Lupin will be taking over Professor Stanley's classes. Events have quickly made Defense Against the Dark Arts more important than ever, so I felt that a lapse in the study of the subject would not serve the best interests of the student body. In other words, keep your complaints to yourself." With that, he took his seat. Even Dumbledore's nerves seemed to be on edge with that abrupt end to his announcement and the almost sour look on his usually serene face

After breakfast, Harry, Ron and Hermione left the Great Hall, but instead of heading for the Transfiguration classroom, Harry left his two friends and ran to catch up with Professor Lupin.

"Professor Lupin," Harry said breathlessly. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Of course, Harry," Lupin replied. "But just for a few minutes, I don't want you to be late for class." When Lupin let them into Professor Stanley's office, Harry looked at him questioningly.

"I feel a bit funny about using this office," Lupin told him, "but I do need her lesson plans and there's a stack of papers that need to be graded. Hopefully, I won't be here long enough to need my own office." He motioned for Harry to sit down. "Now, what can I do for you?"

Harry hesitated slightly. He was about to break his promise to Stanley, but he reminded himself that he was doing it for the right reasons. "I think I know how Balin got to Professor Stanley."

Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"He burned the Dark Mark into her when she was a student." Harry waited for the look of shock on Lupin's face that didn't materialize. I guess he already knows. "Balin must have used that to call her away," Harry continued. "She would never have left on her own. Is there some way to reverse it? Maybe we can use it to call her back—"

"Harry, I think it's admirable that you want to help Professor Stanley, but I'm going to ask you to please let Professor Dumbledore and Snape handle this. There's really nothing you can do to help right now. Besides, we can ill afford to lose you too." Lupin glanced at Stanley's family photos and smiled sadly. "I don't know Veronica very well, but I do know that she would never want you to put yourself at risk for her sake—under any circumstances. Understood?"

Harry nodded and rose with a sigh. For some strange reason, he suddenly thought about his father and what he'd be willing to do—what he had done—to save him and his mother. "Professor Snape really loves her, doesn't he?"

"Very much." Lupin grinned wryly. "And we both know how much Snape hates to lose. If anyone can get her back, he can."

*

The Gryffindors let it slip during Potions that they had not used the Anti-Bully Charm before class as they usually did. It seemed cruel to not let Snape have some outlet for his misery during the current crisis, but Snape didn't take them up on their offer. When Neville melted yet another cauldron, the boy still looked so dejected over Stanley's kidnapping, that Snape didn't have the heart to yell at him.

After class, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors waited for the Slytherins to leave before they exited the classroom. None of them wanted to hear the Slytherins gloat over the loss of one of their favorite teachers. Unfortunately, Malfoy and his nasty group lagged behind the others, so the Gryffindors were forced to listen to pug-faced Pansy Parkinson's spiteful chatter.

"Draco, did you see Neville Longbottom's face? I thought that sniveling little fool would burst out into tears at any moment. All because his ugly little girlfriend got kidnapped—boo hoo," Pansy cackled maliciously. "I'm ever so glad she's gone, but now we have the werewolf again. Who does Dumbledore think he is anyway?"

"The Headmaster, Pansy, but not for long if Father has anything to say about it," Draco said with a smirk.

Crabbe snickered. "You're going to get your dad to 'take care' of him like he did Stanley, eh?"

Draco spun on him. "Shut up you idiot!"

Unfortunately, for Malfoy, the damage was done. "Do you know what happened to her, Malfoy?" Harry demanded.

"Why would I know anything, Potter?" he replied with a nervous sneer.

"Maybe your father knows," Ron burst out angrily. "We know what he is!"

"Ron!" cried Hermione.

"Shut your mouth, Weasley," Draco ordered.

Ron brought himself up to his full height. "Make me."

Malfoy jerked his head towards his thugs, Crabbe and Goyle, who immediately came forward. Then someone yelled, "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" Both Crabbe and Goyle stiffened and crashed to the ground.

They all spun around in surprise. Neville Longbottom still had his wand pointed at the two fallen thugs with the most determined look on his face that any of them had ever seen. Without lowering his wand, he met Ron's eyes. "Get him."

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Ron grabbed Draco by the front of his robes, just as the Slytherin boy tried to flee. Before Draco could reach for his wand, Ron punched him hard in the face. Draco fell backward, and Ron was on him like a shot.

"Where is she, Malfoy?" But Ron wouldn't let him answer, he just kept punching him over and over again. Harry knew his friend's anger wasn't just about Stanley. He attempted to pull Ron off Malfoy before he killed him.

"You best be careful, Weasley," Malfoy croaked in a malevolent whisper. "Wouldn't want anything to happen to your mummy and daddy."

Ron immediately got off Malfoy and stood there in terrified shock as Professors Snape and McGonagall appeared on the scene.

"Harry," Ron breathed, "he just threatened my mum and dad."

*

Severus revived Crabbe and Goyle, then with McGonagall's help, marched the guilty parties into the empty Transfiguration classroom. A bruised and bloodied Draco Malfoy related his version of events, followed by Weasley and Potter. When Snape heard of Longbottom's unbelievable casting of a double Body-Bind Curse, he couldn't help thinking how very proud Veronica would be of him.

Even though Severus secretly rejoiced over Weasley's pummeling of Malfoy, he didn't dare show him preferential treatment over his own students. Apparently, this didn't sit too well with Mr. Weasley.

"Didn't you hear me?" Weasley yelled at Severus. "Malfoy's father is responsible for Professor Stanley's disappearance! Don't you even care?"

"Mr. Weasley!" McGonagall cried.

"How dare you raise your voice to me!" Severus replied in a low, deadly tone.

"First Cedric, then Christmas Night, all those Muggles in the train station, now Voldemort's taking teachers off Hogwarts grounds! That…" Weasley pointed at Malfoy, his hand shaking with fury. "…threatened my parents! Who's next?"

Malfoy snorted, then winced in pain. "You're hallucinating Weasley."

"I heard it too," Potter declared.

"Quiet, all of you!" McGonagall boomed. She turned to Severus. "I suggest we show leniency given the situation. Considering recent events, it's a wonder more students haven't broken under the strain."

"Very well, Professor McGonagall," Severus said as he gave Malfoy an evil stare. "I'll leave the punishment to you, while I escort Mr. Malfoy to the hospital wing."

McGonagall eyed the injured boy unsympathetically. "I think that's an excellent idea, Professor Snape."

Draco backed away from him. "I-I think I can manage on my own, sir."

"It's no trouble." Severus grabbed the boy's arm tightly enough to make Draco grimace. "I wouldn't want you to suddenly lose consciousness on your way there. Come along."

Severus dragged the boy into an empty corridor and threw him roughly against the stone wall. "If anything happens to her and I find that you or your father had anything to do with it, I will kill you so completely that there won't be anything left to bury." Severus was gratified to see more fear than defiance in the boy's gray eyes, but it didn't bring him any closer to finding Veronica. And now Malfoy had threatened the Weasleys—at least he could do something about that.

After Snape literally dropped off Malfoy in the hospital wing, he made his way to Veronica's office. He felt his face twist into a vindictive sneer when he saw Lupin sitting at her desk, but attempted a more even expression when he reminded himself that Lupin would most likely be Veronica's first choice as a temporary replacement for her.

Lupin self-consciously jumped out of the chair. "Severus, I was just grading papers—"

"Sit down, Lupin," Severus growled. "I just came in here for a file." He could feel Lupin watching him as he rifled through Veronica's filing cabinet for the Ward Spell. He found it and magically copied the spell onto a blank piece of parchment. At the bottom of the copy, he wrote a brief explanation to Arthur and Molly Weasley, folded it up and stuck it in an envelope. Without a word to Lupin, he shoved the file back in its place and made his way to the door.

"Severus, if there's anything I can do…"

Severus spun around and replied resolutely, "I will get her back."

Lupin smiled broadly. "I know you will."

Severus snorted and made his way to the Owlery. He climbed the stone steps to the top of the West Tower and entered the cold and drafty, circular stone room filled with hundreds of owls nestled on wooden perches. He motioned to a tawny owl who flew over to a low perch and stuck out its foot so Severus could tie the letter to it. The owl immediately took flight and was passed by a large brown barn owl carrying a letter and a small package, which it dropped in Severus' hands, then flew away. Severus put the package in his pocket and opened the letter. It was from Voldemort. His pulse quickened and his stomach instantly tied itself into a painful knot.

Dear Severus,

I'm certain you've already figured out that I am holding your beloved Veronica, but you may not have figured out why. You see, despite your most excellent potion-making skills, I'm afraid your services are no longer required, save for one trifling little favor I need you to do for me. Bring me Harry Potter and you may have the woman back. In two days time, I will call for you. If you do not deliver the boy within three hours of my call, I will kill her. No, on second thought, I'll give her over to Rupert for a few weeks and after she's begged for death for a while, then I'll kill her.

In order to further convince you of my veracity, I have enclosed one of Veronica's fingers. She is very lucky it wasn't her tongue. Impertinent little creature. I'm afraid I don't quite understand the attraction. She is a rather mousy little thing, though Rupert is quite anxious to get reacquainted with her for some reason.

Yours very truly,

LV

Hands suddenly trembling, Severus pulled the small package from his pocket and opened it gingerly. Hundreds of owls were startled from their perches by his thunderous cry of rage. He then stumbled to the stone wall of the Owlery and retched for several minutes. When he recovered, he hurried from the West Tower and made his way to his private lab to create a Dead or Alive Charm.

Severus quickly mixed together the necessary ingredients in a small cauldron, then lit a fire underneath it. As he waited for the cauldron's contents to come to a boil, he clipped the nail of Veronica's severed finger to the quick while angry tears stung his eyes, and then threw the fingernail into the mixture. Almost instantly, all the colors of the spectrum played over the surface of the liquid. He doused the fire and dropped in a clear, round crystal about the size of a Golden Snitch. After a few moments, the liquid evaporated leaving the crystal—glowing a rosy pink—at the bottom of the cauldron. As long as it glowed pink, she was still alive; as soon as it clouded over black…

Severus put the crystal in his pocket, grateful for this tie to Veronica. He took her severed finger, put it in a jar of Freezing Fluid and locked it up in a cabinet. Then, with forced calm, he sat down behind his desk and considered how he would go about kidnapping Harry Potter.

***