Hello dear readers! Once again it took longer for this chapter than I anticipated.
Right now I am in the US because of a delegation programme. Unfortunately, the wonderful
Computer they gave me didn't grant me access to the FFN login, therefore the chapter had
To wait a week until I was able to fix that problem.
However, you will be glad to hear that the next chapter is already at the Betas, so hopefully
It doesn't take so long to bring it online.
Sooooo, as always I hope you have fun with my little story. And of course, I would be rather
pleased to hear what you think of it. That means, reviews are greatly appreciated.
And now I proudly present:
THE CHAOS BEGINS
From: Caius Julius
Chapter 13: Into Azkaban – Complications
Taking a deep breath, Harry looked at himself. Everything seemed to have worked as it should.
His – or rather Bransom's –clothes fitted perfectly again.
Dumbledore's Polyjuice Potion really was faultless.
"Now," Remus broke the silence. "I bet you wish to know what happened during your… absence,
Severus, don't you?"
Snape snorted.
"Well, as a matter of fact, I already know a lot of these things, Lupin. The real Bransom took care of that.
Although it might be interesting to hear it from your point of view. I guess it might prove to be less… subjective."
Remus grinned slightly at that comment.
"Probably. The Headmaster really tried to keep the whole affair hidden, like he had promised to Fudge but,
ehm, he didn't - reckon with Harry."
Harry flinched as Snape rolled his eyes. However, the professor remained silent.
Lupin winked at Harry before he continued.
"Of course, Harry kept it to himself. He only told Albus that he knew when he had another of his dreams.
This is were I came in. Harry kindly reminded Albus of the usefulness of Polyjuice and thus it was decided
that I should go to Azkaban under disguise."
At this Snape raised an eyebrow.
"Really, Potter. And there I was, thinking you didn't pay any attention to my classes."
Harry smiled shyly, unsure what to say. He might have been wrong, but for a moment he thought he saw
something remotely like appreciation in the Potions Master's eyes. Was this the second half-compliment
he got from Snape?
His condition must be worse than Harry had presumed…
"As I was saying," Lupin continued with the hint of a smile on his lips.
"I was to visit you. Unfortunately, the events didn't turn out too well for us. Someone in the school blew the secret to
pieces. Dumbledore was away at the time so the rumour flew around Hogwarts faster than a Nimbus.
When Albus finally returned, he had to do something to prevent an uproar.
By then it was to be expected that the parents had learned about your arrest – it would have been
a catastrophe for Hogwarts."
Snape nodded gravely.
"Yes, so I heard. The Headmaster made an announcement, dissociating himself from me.
My 'friends' from the Ministry told me that quite clearly."
His voice was full of bitterness while he was staring at the wall, his eyes unfocused at the wall.
Harry suddenly felt more than only faint sympathy for Snape, who was obviously reliving just how Bransom and Conald
had told him of the Headmaster's speech.
He looked at Lupin but the former professor only watched Snape sadly.
Then, Snape briefly shook his head as if to chase away his thoughts and turned his attention back to Lupin.
"So, what happened then?" he asked, sounding almost normal again.
"Well," Remus continued. "After that we had to quicken our pace, so to speak. It was clear that the enemy – whoever
they are – tried to get to you as fast as possible. Through an informant we learned that Bransom was no longer alone
when he visited you. Hence the need of another person to accompany me. Since Albus was occupied elsewhere
and nobody else knew of the entire affair, we had to take Harry.
Not without his consent, of course. The rest is easily told: We took care of Bransom and Conald and after a dose of
Polyjuice we came here to ensure you learn the truth about the recent events."
Again, Snape nodded. "I see. As it happens this is similar to what I was hoping to be the truth."
He paused and his expression darkened.
"Tell me, Lupin. Bransom is not really working for the Ministry, is he? He has far darker masters."
Lupin nodded gravely. "Yes, he's one of Voldemort's spies.
I am relieved to hear that you saw through his charade, though."
Snape looked at the floor and briefly closed his eyes.
"I wasn't sure about it. Fudge is certainly paranoid enough to jump at shadows.
I half expected him to arrest me, you know. But this… cruelty of Bransom was far too much like the Death Eaters' style
than the Ministry's. I have experience with it, trust me."
He gave Lupin a smile full of bitterness.
"Well," he continued. "Then I probably don't have to ask about the identity of who spread the word of my arrest.
It was someone of my house, wasn't it? Draco Malfoy."
Harry nodded.
Again, Snape smiled dejectedly, but this time Harry got the impression it wasn't because of himself.
"Draco Malfoy," Snape repeated sadly. "He would do everything his father told him, just to prove himself worthy
of being his son. It is a shame, really. With a family and 'friends' like his he will turn out just like Lucius one day."
Harry frowned.
Draco Malfoy had told everyone of Snape's arrest and thus added to the Potions Master's torment – and Snape
felt sorry for him? Harry mentally shook his head. That was just weird.
To him, Draco was right on his way towards becoming a Death Eater, he probably would do anything to be accepted
into the fold. With burning anger, Harry remembered the smug look on Malfoy's face after Dumbledore's
announcement and the smirk with which he had made Harry understand that he knew Snape was in Azkaban.
And Snape still felt compassion for him. Hah!
Then, however, another image came to his mind. Draco Malfoy telling his friends how unfair it was of the Headmaster
not to help Snape. Now that Harry thought about it, maybe Malfoy had been so angry at Dumbledore because he thought
Snape was being let down? Maybe Draco thought he would help Snape that way?
After all, Draco certainly believed Snape to be on 'their' – that meant Voldemort's – side.
Harry closed his eyes. That was a tad too confusing for him right now.
He certainly had more important things to think of than a Slytherin's complex motives.
Maybe when he was back at Hogwarts he could ask Hermione about it.
Hogwarts… it had only been a little more than an hour since he and Lupin had left the Headmaster's office
and yet it seemed ages ago. Even worse, although everything had gone fine so far
and he could hope that they would be finished soon, their return now seemed even further away.
He wondered what Ron and Hermione were doing right now?
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden pain in his forehead. He flinched and touched his scar.
But as soon as it had pain was gone. Now that was strange.
He reopened his eyes and waited – he didn't know what for, but something was wrong, that was for sure.
"So, Severus, we need to plan our next moves." Lupin was saying.
"As for me, Lupin, it is rather easy:" Snape replied. "I have to stay here and play the stubborn prisoner once more.
Your next move, however, is far more… shall we say delicate. Surely you are aware of the possible consequences
unless you're sufficiently careful, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Lupin smiled wryly.
"They might find out you're our spy, not theirs and thus they might decide to, ehm, get rid of you."
Snape snorted.
"That was a most delicate way of putting it, Lupin." The sarcasm almost dripped from his voice.
Lupin held up his hands.
"Ok, I admit, perhaps it wasn't that tactful, but-"
"Quiet!" Harry suddenly hissed.
Both men immediately turned their attention to him.
"I think someone's coming." Harry said.
"Did you expect visitors, Severus?" Lupin whispered.
"Of course not!" Snape answered. "Now listen, whoever that is, you are Ministry interrogators, don't forget that!"
Lupin was about to reply, but the door was opened before he had a chance to say anything.
Harry desperately tried to calm down. This was certainly not what they had planned, but since they
couldn't change it they had to play their roles as convincingly as possible. Maybe it was only Peer…
He was partly right. It was indeed Peer, the guard, who entered the cell, but he was followed closely
by a man Harry didn't recognise.
What if this man was someone the real Bransom should know? What if they had agreed to meet here?
Every second now, he expected his heartbeat to stop.
Their surprise must have been obvious because when Peer spoke, it was in an almost apologetic tone of voice.
"I am sorry to interrupt the interrogation Mr. Bransom, Mr. Conald. This," he turned to his companion.
"is Mr. Garth Ludwick from the Department for Dark Activity. He wishes to ask the prisoner a few questions."
"Ah, yes, of course." Harry said, trying to sound 'normal'. He didn't know were he found the courage,
but he was the first to react nonetheless.
He stepped towards Ludwick and they shook hands.
"My name is Gregory Bransom. This is my colleague Derek Conald. Pleased to meet you."
Ludwick nodded. "I am sorry for not notifying my intentions to you sooner, but I decided to pay a visit only today.
hope you don't mind?"
"Certainly not." Harry answered and forced a smile.
"Sir," Peer addressed him. "Is there anything else?"
"No, Peer. Thank you." Harry answered. Peer only nodded and left them alone with their 'guest'.
What were they supposed to do now? Was this man really carrying out the Ministry's orders?
Or was he another of Voldemort's spies? Harry decided to ask him a few questions for a start.
"So," he turned to Ludwick once more. "You're from Dark Activities, aren't you?"
Ludwick nodded. Harry cursed himself. Never ask a question that can be answered with 'yes' or 'no' alone.
That way he'd never be able to learn anything about their visitor.
"And, if I may be so bold as to inquire, what do you want from Mr. Snape here?
I am asking because we were right in the middle of our own interrogation."
Ludwick held up a hand.
"Of course you may ask, Mr. Bransom. It is just that I found something during my research.
Some evidence that might lead to your prisoner and help you convict him. I heard that you have been encountering
some problems with him so far, so maybe I can be of help."
Harry snorted.
"Problems? We didn't get anywhere, stubborn as he is. And you cannot say we didn't try."
Ludwick smiled – Harry definitely didn't like that sort of smile. It was far too… evil.
"And from what I heard you tried really hard, but maybe not hard enough?"
Without waiting for a response he turned away from Harry and went to Snape, staring coldly at him.
"Stubborn, are you? Even pretending that you are innocent, hm?"
Snape did not respond. He seemed to stare right through Ludwick.
"Well, I for one know that you are not as innocent as you pretend to be, Mr. Snape.
Let me give you a few examples: July 13th, Aberdeen, August 5th,Durham, September 04th, Warwick."
Snape remained silent.
"15 Muggles, Snape. All tortured and killed. Seven of them children. Doesn't that ring a bell?"
Snape glared at him.
"I don't know what you are talking about."
Ludwick gave a hollow laugh.
"No? Well, maybe I am wrong and you really don't know."
He gave Snape a most evil sneer that sent shivers down Harry's spine.
His doubts as to whether this man was acting on behalf of the Ministry were increasing every second.
Ludwick drew his wand.
"You see, if you don't know what happened, then maybe I should tell you what those bastards did to their victims."
He paused.
"No, wait. I think it would be more suitable if I showed you, don't you agree?"
Again that evil grin.
"Crucio!"
Harry watched in horror as Snape threw his head back in agony, hands gripping the chair so hard that his
knuckles turned white. He screamed and in the small stone cell his pain-filled voice sounded even more terrifying.
Desperately, Harry looked at Lupin, but his former professor just shook his head.
There was nothing they could do. Only watch.
Well, at least one question seemed clarified now. Mr. Ludwick most certainly was not carrying out any orders of the Ministry.
Harry strongly doubted that anyone working against Voldemort would use an Unforgivable on defenceless prisoner
in cold blood – at least in the presence of witnesses.
Ludwick lowered his wand and Snape's screams died away.
He breathed heavily and with difficulty, since he was bound tightly to the chair.
"Well?" Ludwick asked in a false friendly voice,
"Do you feel like telling me now? No? Hmm, maybe I didn't make my point clear, yet."
Harry closed his eyes and braced himself for the next curse. And indeed, only moments later,
Snape cried out in pain again.
This time, Ludwick maintained the curse even longer.
"Really," he called, raising his voice to be heard over Snape's screams.
"You were right, Bransom. He certainly is stubborn."
"Yes, that he is." For once, it was Lupin who answered.
"Although I must admit that you are stealing all the fun, Mr. Ludwick. Besides, considering how we treated him
already you won't be able to enjoy this show for long."
He indicated Snape. Harry followed his movement and saw to his horror that a small trickle of blood had started
to flow from Snape's nose.
Ludwick raised his eyebrows and took off the curse.
"Indeed, Conald. You are right." He cupped Snape's chin in his hand and scrutinized him closely.
"I misjudged his condition. Seemed quite healthy when I entered. Well, obviously I was wrong."
He sighed as if he were disappointed at having to stop the torture.
However, he seemed to reconsider and turned back to Snape.
"I wonder, my friend, do you really not know what this is about? Too shocked to answer, Snape, are you?
Perhaps you didn't expect us to use the same curses as you Death Eater scum, hm?"
He paused but as Snape gave no answer, he continued.
"You seem a little too obstinate to understand my point. Or maybe I really didn't explain myself clearly enough?
Another try, then."
Again, he lifted his wand. Before he pronounced the dreaded words, though, Harry noticed something
in Ludwick's eyes. They were twinkling, but not good-naturedly like the Headmaster's. Instead,
it was a malicious glint, a sadistic smile of the eyes.
That man enjoyed inflicting torture – no decent person would feel that way, Harry thought.
No, there was no doubt left: Ludwick was a Death Eater if there ever was one.
Who else would take delight in another creature's sufferings?
Meanwhile, Ludwick had put Snape under the Cruciatus once more, keeping it up until his victim seemed to be
near losing consciousness. The Potions Master's eyes started to roll in his head.
Suddenly, Harry drew his wand and directed it at Snape.
"Finite Incantanem!" he shouted.
The moment the curse was cancelled, Snape's head dropped onto his chest, his breath came in irregular gasps
and had an almost tinny sound.
Harry briefly closed his eyes. This time he simply had not been able to just stand there and watch any longer.
This man certainly had no scruples at all.
Ludwick himself only stood there motionless for a few seconds.
Then, he slowly turned to Harry.
"Mr. Bransom," he hissed. "What was that? How dare you-" but Harry broke him off.
"I appreciate your efforts, Mr. Ludwick, but he is no use to us when he's dead."
This time he didn't need to feign a cold voice. "If you continue he'll die."
Ludwick looked at him with an unreadable expression on his face before finally shrugging his shoulders.
"You're probably right, Mr. Bransom. I seem to have lost control over my actions. Very well."
With an obvious effort, he calmed himself and once again turned to Snape.
Harry almost sighed with relief. That had been close.
Ludwick waited a few seconds before taking Snape's chin into his hands once more.
"Still with us, I see," he said with a smirk. "Did I make myself clear this time, Snape,
or do you still need more convincing?"
Snape closed his lids shortly before looking Ludwick directly into the eyes.
"Try as you might, Ludwick," he snarled dangerously (or as dangerously as possible).
"I am just one of many. Send me off to the Dementors if you like, but there are far too many of us.
With every day, the number of the Lord's followers increases. Kill me – there are enough others to replace me
and I will die as a martyr to my Master."
And he grinned wickedly at Ludwick.
Harry felt his – or rather Bransom's – face go white. What had Snape just said - his Master?
No, he couldn't possibly be with Voldemort… Quickly, he tried to catch Lupin's eye.
The former professor seemed to notice Harry's fear and stepped closer to him inconspicuously.
Ludwick didn't seem to notice, he was far too busy observing Snape.
"Don't worry," Lupin whispered. "It's an act. Only an act, remember that!"
Harry forced himself to nod. An act? Could it be? He would have to trust Lupin on this.
Besides, there wasn't anything he could do right now. Except for hoping that Snape truly wasn't on
Voldemort's side and wouldn't betray them.
Ludwick let go of Snape's chin suddenly.
"Is that so?" he said dangerously low. "So you finally admit it? You admit being a Death Eater?"
Snape gave a sharp laugh, which merged into a coughing fit.
"Admit? Yes, I do! There's only so little that you know, though. Funny that you should convict me only because
of your stupid Minister's paranoia. Did you know I was under Dumbledore's nose for years?
Certainly not as a faithful colleague, I assure you. And you don't even know the best, yet!
He trusted me all the time – me who had played him a fool from the moment he hired me.
All the while I was supporting my Slytherins, conditioning them to follow my Master's lead.
My work is done, they are now fully prepared. So whatever you do to me – it will be too late"
He had to stop because another coughing fit overtook him.
Harry closed is eyes and tried to calm down. Gods, he hoped, prayed, that Lupin was right.
Snape sounded so damn convincing.
Ludwick nodded slowly.
"So you have been waiting, using the time to prepare children for him?"
Somehow, his voice lacked the appropriate disgust. Odd.
Then, he shook his head and smiled to himself.
"Maybe I was wrong about you, Snape. I always thought you were hiding at Hogwarts. Favouring Slytherin, yes,
but still too afraid to leave your precious dungeons, glad to have Dumbledore's protection."
He put his wand away and nestled in his pockets until he found a small bottle, filled with a light blue liquid.
"I suggest I drink this before we continue our chat, Snape. You'll understand."
He turned to Harry and Lupin.
"Thanks for letting me handle this." He said in an awfully snobbish voice.
"I almost expected you to complain that you didn't get more fun, but as you can see, your work is done.
Our Master will be pleased."
Harry tried his best to nod respectfully.
"We are glad about that, Sir," he said and decided to play it all on one card.
"He was really tough, I began to think he was one of them ,"
Harry pronounced the last word with as much disgust as he could muster.
After all, 'them' meant Dumbledore, Lupin, himself and every other brave wizard fighting the Dark.
Ludwick nodded approvingly.
"Yes, Severus is a master when it comes to hiding one's feelings."
He grinned at Snape who was eyeing the whole scene with scepticism.
"Oh, don't look so suspicious, old friend." he said and opened the bottle.
"Like I said, you will see soon." With that he drank the potion.
Curious as to what was going to happen next, Harry observed Ludwick with as much interest as could still pass
as inconspicuous.
At first there was nothing, but then the man began to… change. It was almost as if he had used Polyjuice,
but the Potion had the wrong colour. When the change was finally complete,
Harry didn't trust his eyes, but of course, everything made sense now.
This man was not just any Death Eater.
It was none other than Lucius Malfoy.
TBC…
Isn't that a nice cliffhanger?
Actually, come to think of it, has any of my chapters not ended with a cliffie? Ehem...
Now for my most faithful readers, that means reviewers.
Guys, I can't tell you how happy you made me with your opinions.
Nyarth Kyukon: Thank you very much, I am pleased to hear this. Hope you like the rest as well
Milo: Here you go!
Sarah Black: You see, I wrote more. Snape was probably just too weak to actually realise Harry saw him in this condition.
Taracollowen: Snape is my favourite character. This is no dark-fic, so I simply couldn't let him crack. Another time perhaps.
Elwn: Wow, thanks for all those encouraging reviews. As to Mr. Malfoy, I find him interesting as well,
but I need some "bad guys" here; but maybe there's hope for Draco...
Miche: I am afraid, this is another forever-waiting. Sorry for that!
Leila C. Snape: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope Severus stays in character.
Ostia: Not so soon, unfortunately, but I hope it was worth the wait.
Demeter: I would never let Severus break in this story! Trust me on this.
Ayla's lullaby: Oh no! Now I am responsible for your sleepless night! (Although I feel a sting of pride... *winks*)
Ms. Neptune Holmes: As you see: The saga continues!
Barmybeth: Hey, I'd never leave the story.
The only problem with me is that I don't have the time to write as much as I want, but here you go.
Huzerchik: ehem... another reader who says he's waited so long... I am feeling terribly guilty! Sorry for the delay!
Only Me: Well, what can I say? Have fun with this chapter(and the next ones, of course.)
AngelOnFire: I hope you haven't died, yet. I'd be sad to lose a faithful reader...
Next to come (yes, I give a preview!):
the return to Hogwarts talk with Dumbledore explanations to Ron and HermioneOk, that was obvious, wasn't it? You didn't really think I'd give anything too detailed away, did you?
*evil grin*
CJ