After a short, militaristic speech from Lucius, the Death Eaters
transfigured stones and twigs into their trademark masks and robes and they
apparated as one to a home in Surrey. The home belonged to a Muggle couple
who had the misfortune of producing a wizard child currently being educated
at Hogwarts. Once Snape regained his balance and his bearings, he took hold
of Draco's arm and pulled him back into the shadows along the alley.
"I've never taken part in bloodsport and if you are with me, you won't either," hissed Snape. "Even when I was an enthusiastic new member, murder always repulsed me. I've always pretended that I just preferred the sophistication of potions. It also kept me a fair distance from the actual mayhem, and there was less chance that I would be forced into the beatings, violent hexings or rapes. Stay with me, they know I find this both disdainful and distasteful. If you are my protégé and you are bringing me back into the fold, you may thus avoid the same - fun."
Draco sighed with relief and stepped a bit closer to Snape, who laid a steadying hand on his shoulder. They stood in silence and watched the Death Eaters open the back door and enter the small house.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Draco."
"Have you killed anyone? Besides Voldemort, I mean."
A pause. "Yes, Draco."
"Did you -" the student paused, unsure if he should continue.
"Go ahead, Draco. Ask."
"Did you ever rape anyone, Professor?"
Draco saw Snape start as though slapped out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head slightly and visibly gathered his thoughts.
"No, Draco. Voldemort asked it of me only once. When I refused, he -- he turned the rest of the Death Eaters on me when they finished with her," Snape said, listening to the yelled curses and screaming coming from the house with a practiced aloofness only betrayed by the slight tremor in his voice. "After that, there is no way I could or would ever rape anyone."
A cold sneer appeared on his face as he continued: "In fact, since then, when one of the men would attempt to enjoy that particular act of violence - they would frequently find their prey had already died. I believe that most of the deaths on my conscience are those women. The women would have been murdered eventually, but I decided to take their deaths upon myself and save them from any additional suffering or abuse."
"I'm sorry, Professor. Both for what they did to you and for making you remember it now. And thank you for telling me this," Draco said, softly. He reached out tentatively to squeeze Snape's arm in support. Snape jumped and wrenched his arm away from the touch.
"Being responsible for their deaths was a small price to pay, Draco, in order to spare them from the monsters your father associates with," Snape snapped under his breath.
A woman's voice suddenly was heard screaming frantically from inside the small cottage. Snape pulled out his wand and nodded briskly to Draco. A muttered charm later and he was invisible - only the rustle of his cloak against Draco's leg let him know that the potions master was once again on a mission of mercy. Moments later, the screaming stopped and colorful language erupted from among the Death Eaters. Quickly and stealthily, Snape resumed his position with Draco. Then, Snape pulled a parchment from his robes and softly murmured the names of those present, watching as the list appeared written in Snape's distinctive handwriting.
Soon, flashes of green light burst from the home and the Death Eaters began exiting. Lucius stopped to mutter a charm that sent the Dark Mark high into the air over the roof. And Snape and Draco stepped out of the shadows to rejoin the group.
"Severus, old man!" called Lucius, jovially. "I see Draco convinced you to join us tonight."
Lucius hugged Draco and slapped Snape on the back, leaving bloody smears on both men.
"I thought you left the dirty work to the minions, Lucius," said Snape, shooting the grinning blonde a trademark sneer. He pulled his wand from his sleeve and promptly cleaned his and Draco's robes.
"Occasionally, one must let their hair down and play, Severus," said Lucius. "Some day you will understand that and relax. Draco, my son, you must not let Professor Snape and his inability to have fun influence you."
Draco put his nose in the air in a fair imitation of his father and replied: "I find that I prefer the subtlety of potions and poisons, Father. Brute force is for the ill-educated, don't you think?"
In a flash, Lucius pulled his wand and pointed it at Draco's heart, hand trembling. After a moment, his angry face composed itself and he eased up to his son menacingly and pocketed his wand.
"You may be right, Draco. Perhaps potions are more - elegant," he hissed. "I see you have a protégé here, Severus. Make sure you train him well."
"I will," said Snape. "You have my word on that, Lucius."
The Death Eaters were apparating away from the scene of the crime. Snape grabbed Draco's arm and apparated them both back to Hogwarts. As soon as he opened his eyes and saw the gates of his home, Draco stumbled away from Snape and to the nearest bush, emptying the contents of his stomach on the muddy ground. Snape stood quietly watching his student's retching turn to muffled sobs. When Draco calmed, Snape handed him a crisp, white handkerchief and conjured a glass of water.
"You did well tonight, Draco," said Snape softly. "However, you must learn to control your emotions better. We will not always be able to escape quickly or easily. Field trips can frequently stop in more than one location and have been known to last all night."
"I know. I'm sorry, Professor," said Draco, spitting out a mouthful of water. "That monster is my father. I can't seem to get the taste of that out of my mouth. My father had blood on his hands -"
Draco broke off, unable to speak. As he slowly stopped shaking quite so violently, he flicked his wand and the empty glass vanished and the handkerchief was cleaned, folded and pressed. Handing the white linen square to Snape, he pushed open the gates and began the trek up the hill to the school. He did not notice the admiring gaze of his professor, as he walked and held his head high while fighting valiantly to control the trembling of his hands. And neither of them noticed six pairs of worried eyes watching their approach from the Astronomy Tower.
Snape sent Draco to the classroom to report to their motley resistance cell - with stern orders to go to bed as soon as possible and attempt to get some rest. Snape, however, fought the urge to find solace in Hermione's arms and their bed just yet. He trudged up the stairs to the Headmaster's office and quietly spoke the password. Snape entered the office and wordlessly threw the list of Death Eaters onto Dumbledore's desk. When the old wizard opened his mouth to speak, Snape merely shook his head and stormed out of the room.
On his way to the dungeons, Harry stopped him.
"Hermione is fine," he said in answer to the unspoken question. "She waited for you and only went to your quarters when Draco let us know you were safe and reporting to Dumbledore. I asked Ginny to go with her, they're waiting for us there."
"Thank you, Harry," said Snape as he began moving towards his dungeons, his wife and his sanity.
"Wait."
Snape turned in a billowing of robes and ill-concealed irritation.
"Harry. I realize we are more than evil git professor and stupid, rule- breaking teen at this point in this particular battle. If I were being honest, we were probably more than that when we defeated Voldemort together, as well. I am tempted, at the moment, to forget my new-improved 'nice Professor Snape' image and hex you into the middle of next week - anything, so that I can get to Hermione," said Snape, venom bubbling under the surface. "I *need* to see her. Now."
Snape glared at the teenager, who simply cocked his head and waited for the storm to pass.
"Gods!" Snape spat in frustration. "I have lost my touch completely. *What,* Harry?"
"I'm coming with you next time," said Harry. "I've thought about it and I do not want to start a family in a world that still has the Dark Mark. I don't ever want to come home and see the Dark Mark over my house. I don't want Ginny to be forced to sacrifice herself to protect our daughter someday."
Snape sat on the nearest stairs and motioned for Harry to sit with him.
"I know you are worried about Hermione, especially since she is Muggle- born," continued Harry. "You would die to protect her and the baby, wouldn't you?"
"Yes," came the immediate, firm answer.
"I feel the same way about Ginny and our baby," said Harry. "That is why I must do this, Snape. I know I'm young, don't even start that speech. I know I have a life ahead of me and I probably shouldn't risk it. But, I also know it would add to your credibility and to your standing with the Death Eaters if you manage to 'recruit' me. It could help you get the Dark Mark information we need. And I can't live with myself if I don't try - and something happens to someone I care about."
"But, Harry, you are 'The Boy Who -'" started Snape.
"Yes, I'm the bloody 'Boy Who Lived,' all goodness and saintliness - all of that is tabloid bullshit. I'm human, not a saint," snapped Harry. "And now, I'm getting ready to take my NEWTS, get married and before Halloween I'm going to be a father. I think that those things alone would lend authenticity to my defection to the Dark, don't you? Men have joined for less valid reasons. Lucius promises money and power - I'm a desperate teenaged dad who wants both. Toss in the fact that a Death Eater's wife is my best friend and you have a new convert. I'm not going to argue with you about this, Snape."
"I'm in. Like it or not," Harry finished, green eyes shooting sparks.
Snape sighed and buried his face in his hands for a long moment.
"Promise me one thing, Harry, and I'll make the same vow to you," said Snape. "If one of us is killed, the other leaves immediately. No heroics, no attempts to 'save' the fallen one. If I am killed, you leave at once and come back to the girls and take care of them - all four of them. I'll do the same for you."
Harry attempted to protest and Snape ignored his words, simply raising a hand to silence him.
"I want your word on this, Harry, and I will give you mine. Otherwise, you are not coming with us," he said. "One of us has to come home to Ginny and Hermione and the children, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Then we are in agreement?"
"Yes."
"Good, let's go talk to the girls."
At that, Harry and Snape stood, shook hands, and began the reluctant walk to the potions master's quarters where a fury to rival Voldemort at his most powerful awaited them once they announced their news.
"I've never taken part in bloodsport and if you are with me, you won't either," hissed Snape. "Even when I was an enthusiastic new member, murder always repulsed me. I've always pretended that I just preferred the sophistication of potions. It also kept me a fair distance from the actual mayhem, and there was less chance that I would be forced into the beatings, violent hexings or rapes. Stay with me, they know I find this both disdainful and distasteful. If you are my protégé and you are bringing me back into the fold, you may thus avoid the same - fun."
Draco sighed with relief and stepped a bit closer to Snape, who laid a steadying hand on his shoulder. They stood in silence and watched the Death Eaters open the back door and enter the small house.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Draco."
"Have you killed anyone? Besides Voldemort, I mean."
A pause. "Yes, Draco."
"Did you -" the student paused, unsure if he should continue.
"Go ahead, Draco. Ask."
"Did you ever rape anyone, Professor?"
Draco saw Snape start as though slapped out of the corner of his eye. He shook his head slightly and visibly gathered his thoughts.
"No, Draco. Voldemort asked it of me only once. When I refused, he -- he turned the rest of the Death Eaters on me when they finished with her," Snape said, listening to the yelled curses and screaming coming from the house with a practiced aloofness only betrayed by the slight tremor in his voice. "After that, there is no way I could or would ever rape anyone."
A cold sneer appeared on his face as he continued: "In fact, since then, when one of the men would attempt to enjoy that particular act of violence - they would frequently find their prey had already died. I believe that most of the deaths on my conscience are those women. The women would have been murdered eventually, but I decided to take their deaths upon myself and save them from any additional suffering or abuse."
"I'm sorry, Professor. Both for what they did to you and for making you remember it now. And thank you for telling me this," Draco said, softly. He reached out tentatively to squeeze Snape's arm in support. Snape jumped and wrenched his arm away from the touch.
"Being responsible for their deaths was a small price to pay, Draco, in order to spare them from the monsters your father associates with," Snape snapped under his breath.
A woman's voice suddenly was heard screaming frantically from inside the small cottage. Snape pulled out his wand and nodded briskly to Draco. A muttered charm later and he was invisible - only the rustle of his cloak against Draco's leg let him know that the potions master was once again on a mission of mercy. Moments later, the screaming stopped and colorful language erupted from among the Death Eaters. Quickly and stealthily, Snape resumed his position with Draco. Then, Snape pulled a parchment from his robes and softly murmured the names of those present, watching as the list appeared written in Snape's distinctive handwriting.
Soon, flashes of green light burst from the home and the Death Eaters began exiting. Lucius stopped to mutter a charm that sent the Dark Mark high into the air over the roof. And Snape and Draco stepped out of the shadows to rejoin the group.
"Severus, old man!" called Lucius, jovially. "I see Draco convinced you to join us tonight."
Lucius hugged Draco and slapped Snape on the back, leaving bloody smears on both men.
"I thought you left the dirty work to the minions, Lucius," said Snape, shooting the grinning blonde a trademark sneer. He pulled his wand from his sleeve and promptly cleaned his and Draco's robes.
"Occasionally, one must let their hair down and play, Severus," said Lucius. "Some day you will understand that and relax. Draco, my son, you must not let Professor Snape and his inability to have fun influence you."
Draco put his nose in the air in a fair imitation of his father and replied: "I find that I prefer the subtlety of potions and poisons, Father. Brute force is for the ill-educated, don't you think?"
In a flash, Lucius pulled his wand and pointed it at Draco's heart, hand trembling. After a moment, his angry face composed itself and he eased up to his son menacingly and pocketed his wand.
"You may be right, Draco. Perhaps potions are more - elegant," he hissed. "I see you have a protégé here, Severus. Make sure you train him well."
"I will," said Snape. "You have my word on that, Lucius."
The Death Eaters were apparating away from the scene of the crime. Snape grabbed Draco's arm and apparated them both back to Hogwarts. As soon as he opened his eyes and saw the gates of his home, Draco stumbled away from Snape and to the nearest bush, emptying the contents of his stomach on the muddy ground. Snape stood quietly watching his student's retching turn to muffled sobs. When Draco calmed, Snape handed him a crisp, white handkerchief and conjured a glass of water.
"You did well tonight, Draco," said Snape softly. "However, you must learn to control your emotions better. We will not always be able to escape quickly or easily. Field trips can frequently stop in more than one location and have been known to last all night."
"I know. I'm sorry, Professor," said Draco, spitting out a mouthful of water. "That monster is my father. I can't seem to get the taste of that out of my mouth. My father had blood on his hands -"
Draco broke off, unable to speak. As he slowly stopped shaking quite so violently, he flicked his wand and the empty glass vanished and the handkerchief was cleaned, folded and pressed. Handing the white linen square to Snape, he pushed open the gates and began the trek up the hill to the school. He did not notice the admiring gaze of his professor, as he walked and held his head high while fighting valiantly to control the trembling of his hands. And neither of them noticed six pairs of worried eyes watching their approach from the Astronomy Tower.
Snape sent Draco to the classroom to report to their motley resistance cell - with stern orders to go to bed as soon as possible and attempt to get some rest. Snape, however, fought the urge to find solace in Hermione's arms and their bed just yet. He trudged up the stairs to the Headmaster's office and quietly spoke the password. Snape entered the office and wordlessly threw the list of Death Eaters onto Dumbledore's desk. When the old wizard opened his mouth to speak, Snape merely shook his head and stormed out of the room.
On his way to the dungeons, Harry stopped him.
"Hermione is fine," he said in answer to the unspoken question. "She waited for you and only went to your quarters when Draco let us know you were safe and reporting to Dumbledore. I asked Ginny to go with her, they're waiting for us there."
"Thank you, Harry," said Snape as he began moving towards his dungeons, his wife and his sanity.
"Wait."
Snape turned in a billowing of robes and ill-concealed irritation.
"Harry. I realize we are more than evil git professor and stupid, rule- breaking teen at this point in this particular battle. If I were being honest, we were probably more than that when we defeated Voldemort together, as well. I am tempted, at the moment, to forget my new-improved 'nice Professor Snape' image and hex you into the middle of next week - anything, so that I can get to Hermione," said Snape, venom bubbling under the surface. "I *need* to see her. Now."
Snape glared at the teenager, who simply cocked his head and waited for the storm to pass.
"Gods!" Snape spat in frustration. "I have lost my touch completely. *What,* Harry?"
"I'm coming with you next time," said Harry. "I've thought about it and I do not want to start a family in a world that still has the Dark Mark. I don't ever want to come home and see the Dark Mark over my house. I don't want Ginny to be forced to sacrifice herself to protect our daughter someday."
Snape sat on the nearest stairs and motioned for Harry to sit with him.
"I know you are worried about Hermione, especially since she is Muggle- born," continued Harry. "You would die to protect her and the baby, wouldn't you?"
"Yes," came the immediate, firm answer.
"I feel the same way about Ginny and our baby," said Harry. "That is why I must do this, Snape. I know I'm young, don't even start that speech. I know I have a life ahead of me and I probably shouldn't risk it. But, I also know it would add to your credibility and to your standing with the Death Eaters if you manage to 'recruit' me. It could help you get the Dark Mark information we need. And I can't live with myself if I don't try - and something happens to someone I care about."
"But, Harry, you are 'The Boy Who -'" started Snape.
"Yes, I'm the bloody 'Boy Who Lived,' all goodness and saintliness - all of that is tabloid bullshit. I'm human, not a saint," snapped Harry. "And now, I'm getting ready to take my NEWTS, get married and before Halloween I'm going to be a father. I think that those things alone would lend authenticity to my defection to the Dark, don't you? Men have joined for less valid reasons. Lucius promises money and power - I'm a desperate teenaged dad who wants both. Toss in the fact that a Death Eater's wife is my best friend and you have a new convert. I'm not going to argue with you about this, Snape."
"I'm in. Like it or not," Harry finished, green eyes shooting sparks.
Snape sighed and buried his face in his hands for a long moment.
"Promise me one thing, Harry, and I'll make the same vow to you," said Snape. "If one of us is killed, the other leaves immediately. No heroics, no attempts to 'save' the fallen one. If I am killed, you leave at once and come back to the girls and take care of them - all four of them. I'll do the same for you."
Harry attempted to protest and Snape ignored his words, simply raising a hand to silence him.
"I want your word on this, Harry, and I will give you mine. Otherwise, you are not coming with us," he said. "One of us has to come home to Ginny and Hermione and the children, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Then we are in agreement?"
"Yes."
"Good, let's go talk to the girls."
At that, Harry and Snape stood, shook hands, and began the reluctant walk to the potions master's quarters where a fury to rival Voldemort at his most powerful awaited them once they announced their news.