Nightbirds
And when the wind draws strongAcross the cypress tress
The Nightbirds cease their songs
So gathers memories.
-Loreena McKennitt, "Courtyard Lullaby"
Ten days after the term has ended
It was uncommon for a teacher from Hogwarts to be contacted
during the summer holidays, unless there was a bloody good reason for it. After nearly a year of living in the bizarre
manse amongst their pupils and fellow teachers, the professors usually needed
the weeks to recuperate and prepare for the next year. It was uncommon for one to be contacted by Dumbledore,
but not unheard of. So there was a
reason.
Which is why Severus Snape, the Potions Master, found himself storming into the
castle ten days after the term had ended.
He changed residence nearly every summer (his large dungeon-esque home
no longer in use, nor did he care to return there), but somehow, the eccentric
old wizard had found him. This
shouldn't have surprised Snape, given Dumbledore's abilities and the present
situation, but it did, nonetheless.
Hagrid was waiting for him in the lobby, Fang sitting beside him, the latter
growling at the Potions Master.
"Dumbledore's waitin' fer yer in his office," he said, not bothering to
give him a second glance. Snape was not
amongst his favorite in the Hogwarts staff, nor was Hagrid in any higher esteem
with him. Snape nodded curtly and went
up the stairs, but turned back.
"Hagrid, do you know what this is about?" he asked.
Hagrid raised one bushy eyebrow. "Not
supposed ter tell yer," he said dodgily.
"Dumbledore's orders."
Snape did not reply, but continued his trek up the pendulous staircase. He
walked slowly, unsure of whether he actually wanted to hear what was going on. After the last month, Snape had begun to
live in a constant state of apprehension.
Voldemort was back in power and, from what Potter had said, was
thirsting for Snape's blood. In truth,
he had given much thought to leaving the Death Eaters before the Potters were
killed, but found that it was more difficult than he realized. Dumbledore had
told the Ministry that Snape had left the Death Eaters before that night, but
was acting as a spy. But that had not been the case. It was after Voldemort disappeared that Snape had changed
sides. He had had a very good reason (in his mind at any rate) for his change
of heart. Only one person could inspire
him to give up that much power.
But she was dead now.
He remembered that night years ago, when Dumbledore had sent an owl to him during his years amongst the Death Eaters as a spy.
Severus-Three Death Eaters attacked young Harry Potter last night. His godmother was there, keeping watch over him. There is no easy way for me to say this. Tinuvial is gone from us.
Albus Dumbledore
The next day, Snape had arrived at Hogwarts. He had stopped being a spy amongst the remaining Death Eaters. It had taken all of his self-control to not kill the lot he was with. There, Dumbledore had made him Potions Master and he had been there since. But when Harry Potter had arrived, with his scar and face so much like that of his school year enemy, completely unaware that the best life had been laid down for his own, Snape developed a deep hatred for the boy. Every time he looked at the popular Potter- so much like his father- Snape could only see that Tinuvial – the one person he could truly call a friend- died for him.
But now he had arrived at Dumbledore's office. He stood outside it for a moment, until he heard Dumbledore call him in. Somehow, the old wizard knew that he had been outside. Snape pushed the door open. Merlin knew what was about to happen.
