Chapter 3: Revelations and Operations
Rising to his full heighth after sucessfully emptying his stomach and waiting for the pain of the Unforgivable to wear
off, Severus Snape started off in the direction of the looming castle. The familiar sneer returned to his face as he
met the front doors and entered. His hopes of an eventless return to his rooms was dashed with the impressive figure of
Albus Dumbledore.
Clad in light blue robes and the ever-present half-moon spectacles, the elder wizard looked down at Snape with a set
visage of curosity and grave concern. He was frowning and there was none of the familiar sparkle in his eyes.
"Severus," he said solemnly. "Come into my office."
He turned to the gargoyle and spoke the password (gummy bears) and the younger wizard followed him up the twisting staircase to the
warm, welcoming office with it's preening pheonix and dishes of candy. They both seated themselves without words and
Snape waited for Dumbledore to open the conversation.
"It is my belief that you have been to see Voldemort," he said simply.
Snape nodded. He really wasn't in the mood for discussion.
"And is it true? He's been restored?"
He sighed. "Yes, it's true. He was at Malfoy's home."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "This is a sad revelation indeed. Several of our students will need to be protected with utmost care."
'Potter,' Snape thought with venom. 'Who care's if I get cursed to hell and back as long as that brat's safe?' He only
nodded at Dumbledore's statement, however.
"Was young Mr. Malfoy present when you arrived?," the Headmaster continued, not without surprising Snape. He was worried
about Draco?
"Er, no, sir, I didn't see him."
Dumbledore nodded. "I have a proposition for you. I do not deny that it will be dangerous, but it is important."
Snape's silence urged him to go on.
"It has long been my suspicion that Draco wasn't exactly treated well at home," he told Snape. "Surely, he was given anything
he ever wanted or needed - except *love* -"
Snape snorted.
"Now, I know how you feel about affection but it is a necessity for a child to develop into a well-adjusted adult. You
have noted, surely, as I have that Draco has been hiding behind anger and sarcasm in the past few years...not unlike
someone else I know."
The Headmaster's words made Snape's disbelieving smirk dissolve. 'Someone else' was of course Snape himself. Snape's
childhood had been...well, less than pleasant. To think that one of his students was subject to the same treatment he
had recieved at home was nearly enough to make him shudder.
"What do you want me to do?," Snape croaked out.
"I need you to go to the Malfoy home, and take Draco. He shouldn't be too hard to convince, if what I believe is true."
Snape just nodded again. It was going to be a long night.
"Where should I take the boy?"
Dumbledore paused for thought on this. "Bring him back for the night, but I have a feeling that we're going to need to move
him again...do you have anywhere you could think of to take him; a safehouse of sorts?"
Dumbledore knew that Snape rarely left the school, even during the summer breaks. He was right in figuring, however, that
Snape had some place of residence outside of Hogwart's.
"My father's house should suffice," Snape replied, spitting the word 'father' out as if it was venomous.
"Good. I'd like you to do this as soon as possible."
Snape rose to head out, but turned back to Dumbledore.
"Sir, I'll point out that this may clue Voldemort of my real loyalties..." he left an unanswered question.
"I had thought of that, Severus. I believe you have done more than enough in your work as a spy for us, just try to make
this a discreet operation."
Snape left with a curt nod. 'Excellent,' he thought sarcastically. 'I've done enough as a spy, so he sets me up for certain
death. Why, thanks Albus, you're so kind.'
Severus Snape retreated to his dungeons and sparked a fire in his underused fireplace. It was going to be a long night,
indeed.
-----------
Flooing into the large livingroom, Severus Snape snuck out of the fireplace to find that the room was empty. He sighed inwardly and
wished he would have had more time to think out this task. Dumbledore was right, of course, Draco Malfoy would need to be
protected from his father. The boy may be loathe to admit anything was wrong, and Snape didn't want a scene. He thought over
possible solutions...knocking the boy out seemed to be most likely, but then he would be even more grudging to Snape whenever he
was revived.
'Sticky situation,' he related to himself as he crept stealthily up the stairs. He had been in the manor enough times to know it
fairly well and proceeded with extra caution as he snuck past the bedroom of Lucius and Narcissa. The stairs turned to the right
and he followed their path to an abrupt halt with a door. He figured there would be plenty of locking charms, so he was suprised
when it clicked open after a simple 'Alohamora' muttered under his breath.
The room was breathtaking, dark and expansive. There was a large four-poster bed which was, oddly enough, empty. In addition the
room was furnished with a huge oak desk on which lay an assortment of quills, parchment and books. There was a matching bookshelf
and an assortment of paintings, as well as a large chest of drawers and a door to a private bathroom. All in all, more comforting
than Snape's dungeons. Snape's eyes searched the room and came to rest on a figure staring out a large window at the night
sky. He looked anything but comfortable.
Draco Malfoy had shot up like a weed in his fourth year at Hogwarts. He was no longer the scrawny brat he had been when he first
arrived. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest and a scowl was imprinted on the chiseled features of his face. The figure
had not yet changed out of his robes, though it was well past midnight. Snape took this, and the room, into account before
Draco noticed he wasn't alone. The click of the door shutting clued him in.
Draco turned and spotted the shadowy figure. He muttered 'Lumos', pointing his wand and Severus Snape came into view.
"Professor," he stated, not without a slight tone of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Snape stepped closer and tried to find the least personal way of describing his 'mission'.
"Events have led your Headmaster to believe that is no longer safe for you to remain at home. He's sent me to take you somewhere...
safer, in light of these events."
Draco snorted derisively. "Maybe the old fool isn't as blind as I thought."
Snape was surprised at Draco's unsurprise. He didn't seem put off by the idea in the least. As Draco turned from the window
and moved closer, Snape was slightly confused.
"So, where are we to go?" the younger man questioned.
"I would, erm, prefer not to relay that information until we reach our destination."
Draco only nodded.
"I suppose we better get on then, before Father wakes up. He sometimes likes to visit the prisoners at night."
'Prisoners?,' Snape thought. He had never been aware of Lucius keeping any prisoners in his home, unless you count his own son and
that poor woman Narcissa. He was not aware, either, that Lucius was already awake.
"Yes," he said to Draco. "I suspect we could floo to a safe destination, somewhere neutral and then continue from there."
He waited as Draco packed a few things into a small bag and threw it over his shoulder. He also picked up his broom. Despite the
fact that he had started playing Quidditch to piss off the Potter brat even more, he had grown rather fond of the game and found
some sort of sanctuary in flying. The two headed for the door.
Sneaking down the stairs, the pair was as quiet as possible. Their ears were open for any hint of noise from the elder Malfoy's
bedroom but they still failed to hear a certain elder Malfoy lurking. They reached the fireplace before said Malfoy made his
presence known.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Severus," the familiar oily voice drawled.
Snape cringed and turned to face Lucius. But he was surprised to find another face there waiting for him. A face he thought
never lay eyes upon again, save for his memories and a single photograph.
Lucius' grin widened. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Draco faltered and fell silent looking back and forth between his father and his professor. He hadn't a clue in the world why
Snape looked suddenly so pale, nor why Lucius was holding a certain prisoner with his wand to her neck like a switchblade.
Snape blanched, he couldn't hide it. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind that led to his enivitable decision. Vibrant
eyes stared back from the corpse-like face of the girl Lucius was holding. Lucius grinned sickeningly. His wand pointed
at her throat. Her eyes pleading. His mind reeling. It happened in a flash. A flash of green light.
"Avada Kedarva!," Snape said, summoning power he didn't even know he had. Lucius Malfoy flew back against the wall as the curse
hit him, then slumped to the ground. Draco showed no sign of emotion as his father took a last breath. Snape didn't even look
at Lucius. His eyes were transfixed to the girl before him.
"Lye..." he murmured.
----------
*A/N* Well this was supposed to be two chapters but since I've already written both I didn't see any reason not to post them
both. I'm really new to this "plot" stuff but hopefully I can find some sort of conclusion eventually. Thanks to Coraline
for reading this and convincing me to post it. Check out her works under Festacia. That is All.
Rising to his full heighth after sucessfully emptying his stomach and waiting for the pain of the Unforgivable to wear
off, Severus Snape started off in the direction of the looming castle. The familiar sneer returned to his face as he
met the front doors and entered. His hopes of an eventless return to his rooms was dashed with the impressive figure of
Albus Dumbledore.
Clad in light blue robes and the ever-present half-moon spectacles, the elder wizard looked down at Snape with a set
visage of curosity and grave concern. He was frowning and there was none of the familiar sparkle in his eyes.
"Severus," he said solemnly. "Come into my office."
He turned to the gargoyle and spoke the password (gummy bears) and the younger wizard followed him up the twisting staircase to the
warm, welcoming office with it's preening pheonix and dishes of candy. They both seated themselves without words and
Snape waited for Dumbledore to open the conversation.
"It is my belief that you have been to see Voldemort," he said simply.
Snape nodded. He really wasn't in the mood for discussion.
"And is it true? He's been restored?"
He sighed. "Yes, it's true. He was at Malfoy's home."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "This is a sad revelation indeed. Several of our students will need to be protected with utmost care."
'Potter,' Snape thought with venom. 'Who care's if I get cursed to hell and back as long as that brat's safe?' He only
nodded at Dumbledore's statement, however.
"Was young Mr. Malfoy present when you arrived?," the Headmaster continued, not without surprising Snape. He was worried
about Draco?
"Er, no, sir, I didn't see him."
Dumbledore nodded. "I have a proposition for you. I do not deny that it will be dangerous, but it is important."
Snape's silence urged him to go on.
"It has long been my suspicion that Draco wasn't exactly treated well at home," he told Snape. "Surely, he was given anything
he ever wanted or needed - except *love* -"
Snape snorted.
"Now, I know how you feel about affection but it is a necessity for a child to develop into a well-adjusted adult. You
have noted, surely, as I have that Draco has been hiding behind anger and sarcasm in the past few years...not unlike
someone else I know."
The Headmaster's words made Snape's disbelieving smirk dissolve. 'Someone else' was of course Snape himself. Snape's
childhood had been...well, less than pleasant. To think that one of his students was subject to the same treatment he
had recieved at home was nearly enough to make him shudder.
"What do you want me to do?," Snape croaked out.
"I need you to go to the Malfoy home, and take Draco. He shouldn't be too hard to convince, if what I believe is true."
Snape just nodded again. It was going to be a long night.
"Where should I take the boy?"
Dumbledore paused for thought on this. "Bring him back for the night, but I have a feeling that we're going to need to move
him again...do you have anywhere you could think of to take him; a safehouse of sorts?"
Dumbledore knew that Snape rarely left the school, even during the summer breaks. He was right in figuring, however, that
Snape had some place of residence outside of Hogwart's.
"My father's house should suffice," Snape replied, spitting the word 'father' out as if it was venomous.
"Good. I'd like you to do this as soon as possible."
Snape rose to head out, but turned back to Dumbledore.
"Sir, I'll point out that this may clue Voldemort of my real loyalties..." he left an unanswered question.
"I had thought of that, Severus. I believe you have done more than enough in your work as a spy for us, just try to make
this a discreet operation."
Snape left with a curt nod. 'Excellent,' he thought sarcastically. 'I've done enough as a spy, so he sets me up for certain
death. Why, thanks Albus, you're so kind.'
Severus Snape retreated to his dungeons and sparked a fire in his underused fireplace. It was going to be a long night,
indeed.
-----------
Flooing into the large livingroom, Severus Snape snuck out of the fireplace to find that the room was empty. He sighed inwardly and
wished he would have had more time to think out this task. Dumbledore was right, of course, Draco Malfoy would need to be
protected from his father. The boy may be loathe to admit anything was wrong, and Snape didn't want a scene. He thought over
possible solutions...knocking the boy out seemed to be most likely, but then he would be even more grudging to Snape whenever he
was revived.
'Sticky situation,' he related to himself as he crept stealthily up the stairs. He had been in the manor enough times to know it
fairly well and proceeded with extra caution as he snuck past the bedroom of Lucius and Narcissa. The stairs turned to the right
and he followed their path to an abrupt halt with a door. He figured there would be plenty of locking charms, so he was suprised
when it clicked open after a simple 'Alohamora' muttered under his breath.
The room was breathtaking, dark and expansive. There was a large four-poster bed which was, oddly enough, empty. In addition the
room was furnished with a huge oak desk on which lay an assortment of quills, parchment and books. There was a matching bookshelf
and an assortment of paintings, as well as a large chest of drawers and a door to a private bathroom. All in all, more comforting
than Snape's dungeons. Snape's eyes searched the room and came to rest on a figure staring out a large window at the night
sky. He looked anything but comfortable.
Draco Malfoy had shot up like a weed in his fourth year at Hogwarts. He was no longer the scrawny brat he had been when he first
arrived. His muscular arms were crossed over his chest and a scowl was imprinted on the chiseled features of his face. The figure
had not yet changed out of his robes, though it was well past midnight. Snape took this, and the room, into account before
Draco noticed he wasn't alone. The click of the door shutting clued him in.
Draco turned and spotted the shadowy figure. He muttered 'Lumos', pointing his wand and Severus Snape came into view.
"Professor," he stated, not without a slight tone of confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Snape stepped closer and tried to find the least personal way of describing his 'mission'.
"Events have led your Headmaster to believe that is no longer safe for you to remain at home. He's sent me to take you somewhere...
safer, in light of these events."
Draco snorted derisively. "Maybe the old fool isn't as blind as I thought."
Snape was surprised at Draco's unsurprise. He didn't seem put off by the idea in the least. As Draco turned from the window
and moved closer, Snape was slightly confused.
"So, where are we to go?" the younger man questioned.
"I would, erm, prefer not to relay that information until we reach our destination."
Draco only nodded.
"I suppose we better get on then, before Father wakes up. He sometimes likes to visit the prisoners at night."
'Prisoners?,' Snape thought. He had never been aware of Lucius keeping any prisoners in his home, unless you count his own son and
that poor woman Narcissa. He was not aware, either, that Lucius was already awake.
"Yes," he said to Draco. "I suspect we could floo to a safe destination, somewhere neutral and then continue from there."
He waited as Draco packed a few things into a small bag and threw it over his shoulder. He also picked up his broom. Despite the
fact that he had started playing Quidditch to piss off the Potter brat even more, he had grown rather fond of the game and found
some sort of sanctuary in flying. The two headed for the door.
Sneaking down the stairs, the pair was as quiet as possible. Their ears were open for any hint of noise from the elder Malfoy's
bedroom but they still failed to hear a certain elder Malfoy lurking. They reached the fireplace before said Malfoy made his
presence known.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Severus," the familiar oily voice drawled.
Snape cringed and turned to face Lucius. But he was surprised to find another face there waiting for him. A face he thought
never lay eyes upon again, save for his memories and a single photograph.
Lucius' grin widened. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Draco faltered and fell silent looking back and forth between his father and his professor. He hadn't a clue in the world why
Snape looked suddenly so pale, nor why Lucius was holding a certain prisoner with his wand to her neck like a switchblade.
Snape blanched, he couldn't hide it. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind that led to his enivitable decision. Vibrant
eyes stared back from the corpse-like face of the girl Lucius was holding. Lucius grinned sickeningly. His wand pointed
at her throat. Her eyes pleading. His mind reeling. It happened in a flash. A flash of green light.
"Avada Kedarva!," Snape said, summoning power he didn't even know he had. Lucius Malfoy flew back against the wall as the curse
hit him, then slumped to the ground. Draco showed no sign of emotion as his father took a last breath. Snape didn't even look
at Lucius. His eyes were transfixed to the girl before him.
"Lye..." he murmured.
----------
*A/N* Well this was supposed to be two chapters but since I've already written both I didn't see any reason not to post them
both. I'm really new to this "plot" stuff but hopefully I can find some sort of conclusion eventually. Thanks to Coraline
for reading this and convincing me to post it. Check out her works under Festacia. That is All.