:o)
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Snape had the type of reflexes one can only get from being caught far too often with both hands in the cookie jar. As soon as he saw some of the wizards break rank and run towards them, he hissed to Sophie over his shoulder, "Lie down at once! When we've gone, get back to your brother, and both of you hide and keep still no matter what happens."
He shoved Gabrielle roughly in front of him, hissed "Expelliarmus!", and kicked her wand aside. Small cords shot from his wand to tie her hands behind her back. I ought to tell her to play along, he worried, but they're too close now - they'd hear me. Well, he would just have to trust the woman to figure things out.
Four masked wizards rushed up to them, wands drawn. Breathing heavily, Snape explained, "I came here to find your meeting, but when I arrived, I found this woman spying in the woods..."
"No," a cold voice interrupted rudely, "we found this woman spying in the woods - just like we found you! You'll both die for this." The wizard who had spoken began to wave his wand threateningly.
Gambling everything on the man's American accent, Snape stood up straighter and took on a commanding tone. "Davis, is it not? I've heard of you," he sneered. "You, as I recall, are not the one who voices the wishes of the Dark Circle. I want to see your leader. Now."
As he'd expected, the pretense of authority swayed them all. Davis stopped his blustering as he and the others surrounded their two prisoners and marched them into camp. "Put that wand away, Severus," came a voice Snape recognized as Avery's. "You can't approach the Black Center armed." Snape and Gabrielle were prodded to the center of the circle and pushed to their knees. Both rose instantly, indignantly, and fixed Harry with defiant glares.
Harry was nearly in a panic. Dimly, he heard Davis announce, "We found these spies, Center, but he says-"
"I heard," Harry grated. He took a deep breath. Thank heavens for the wit-enhancing potion, he thought gratefully as he began to figure out what to do. First of all, his two objectives were to avoid killing the prisoners, and to keep the respect of the circle.
If I were Voldemort, what would I do? he wondered. The answer came back instantly, Whatever I wanted. Act strong and nobody will question. He remembered how Voldemort, all those years ago, had greeted his disloyal Death Eaters when he rose back into the living: He'd terrorized them, tortured them, and then given them back their old places. That sounded like a fine plan of action for now.
"Explain yourself," Harry addressed Snape finally, and listened as the Professor rapidly invented a plausible story about Apparating into the woods to meet the Circle, and then finding this woman spying upon them.
When he was finished, Snape waited to hear what Potter would do. To his horror, the idiot nodded his shrouded head in a manner which distinctly suggested that he was satisfied with the prisoner's explanation. No, no, no! Snape thought desperately. They will expect to see me humiliated and punished! You are going to make them suspicious!
He needn't have worried, though, because Harry's next comments showed that he was far from accepting Snape back without reservation. "Your words conveyed the impression that you wished to join our number," he rasped. "But your behavior indicates otherwise. Now, these may no longer be the days of kissing the hems of your Master's robes, but there is still respect due to myself and to all of us. For your own sake, Snape, you had better show some immediately."
That's better, Potter. "M- Center, I apologize for my attitude. I did not know what you would expect of me..." It was definitely strange, he reflected, that he had almost called the boy "Master". It was probably just the old Death Eater instincts kicking in. Snape was sure his old associates remembered how well he'd fawned and groveled when his own life was at stake... well, he wouldn't disappoint them now! It shouldn't be too hard, really, only a grotesque little encore of sorts.
He sank to his knees, suddenly feeling overly conscious of every gesture. Self-abasement is so much easier when you're wearing a mask, he thought wryly. "I won't dissatisfy you again," he promised silkily.
At this point, several wizards stepped forward to voice their concerns that the prisoner might not be worthy - or trustworthy - enough to join the Dark Circle. With his usual slipperiness, Snape addressed the complainers directly. "I assume you refer to the time, many years ago, when I was obliged to trade information to the Ministry in exchange for my own life?" he asked scornfully. "I assure you, that 'betrayal' was forced from me under torture and entirely against my will. I will be more careful to avoid capture this time, and it will not happen again. Let me join you, and see what a model member I will become... In a few weeks, no one will dare accuse me of disloyalty again." He waited for the Center's answer, silently willing, Come on, Potter, scare them! Scare me! Make it look real...
"Crucio!" Potter's voice cut suddenly into Snape's thoughts. Under other circumstances, Snape might have complained to himself, This is a little TOO authentic for my liking... the brat will pay for this later. The agony was so total and all-consuming, though, that it removed any possibility of reaction or even thought.
Harry smiled to himself. It was a difficult spell, and he'd gotten it perfectly correct for the second time in a week now. Good for him! Besides, the victim being Snape, it was kind of fun this time. Still, after a minute he flicked his wand with an exaggerated sort of carelessness to halt the curse.
"There," he grated. "That was for your betrayal of the Dark Order. You once deserted your brothers when they needed you most... Go to them now and ask forgiveness."
Harry was flying blind, here, but he caught an infinitesimal nod from Snape as he rose and turned to face the Circle. Does that mean I'm doing this properly? he wondered. He hoped so.
He only half-listened as the prisoner began spewing unctuous apologies. It was more important right now that he decide how to get Gabrielle out of this mess. Where had she been all day, and what was she doing here? Could he convince his henchmen to let her go again? Probably not. What about letting her escape by herself...could she manage that? But how? And where were the children - why weren't they with either their mother or their teacher? What was going on?
Unfortunately, Harry had to cut his thinking short. Snape had come back, and dropped to a kneel again in front of him. "Center, I humbly apologize again for my underestimation of you. I beg to be allowed to take my place in the Dark Circle, and offer my skills to you to use as you see fit. I am your servant," he finished silkily. Then, from his knees he somehow sank into a low bow that illustrated a complete subservience and submission.
Perfect, thought Harry. No one will question it now. "Rise," he commanded. "We are close to believing your good intentions. There may still be some kind of test in order, but for now... take your place on the Circle." Snape nodded gratefully and made his way to the space that had suddenly opened for him between two wizards. When he drew a Death Eater mask from his robes and put it on, Harry barely managed to smother a wry smile, thinking: At least he came prepared.
Now it was time to deal with Gabrielle.
The Potter children were watching everything, eyes wide and mouths open. Sophie had reached her brother's hideout just as their mother was dragged into the clearing as a captive. At first, she'd tried to explain that this must be some kind of plan, and at first, Julien had believed her.
Now, though, watching this new turn of events, they were getting more and more uneasy. They saw a bright flash of green light from the clearing, which illuminated the eager faces of the Dark Circle, and Sophie whispered, "What is that curse? It can't be legal..."
"I don't know, but whatever it was," Julien answered, "it seems to have really hurt Snape. Dad better not even think about pointing it at Mom, because I'll be out there in one second flat, do you hear me?"
"No, Julien, you can't! It's a plan, I told you!"
He set his jaw resolutely. "Plan or no plan, I'm not letting Mom get hurt," he argued. Sophie hoped their father wouldn't turn the creepy green light on his wife. Because if he did, Sophie knew she'd have little or no chance of stopping Julien from interfering. She and her brother watched, holding their breath, as Harry turned to Gabrielle and beckoned her forward....
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Can I please get some feedback from all you wonderful people out there? I know I'm amusing myself writing this... am I amusing anybody else? Tell me. Tellmetellmetellme. Or I'll sic the Circle on you.
Thanks for reading.