The Great Hall
Snape walked into the Great Hall, and levitated himself into the ceiling. The blue sky of a summer's day enveloped him as he perched among the candles, banishing all draperies and furniture, and leaving the Hall empty so that Filch would be able to clean it, making ready for the preparations for the Sorting of a Headmaster.
He'd never seen it - Albus had always been Headmaster here as far as he knew. Of course Dippet had preceded him. Approximately even numbers of the four houses were represented in the roll.
In the library the honours boards had been updated. There were many there - from the Great Persecutions onwards there were the names of the fallen, the Masters of the school, rather than simply professors. And the Headmasters.
Shimmering in Gold at the bottom - Albus Dumbledore 1845 - 1997 Professor 1870 - 1970 Master of Alchemy 1901 Master of Transfiguration 1919 Headmaster 1970 - 1997.
Snape ran his wand over the board, and the details of individual achievements appeared. Most Professors hadn't been continually at the school, and with lives so long it was necessary simply to out line the bare bones of illustrious careers. His own entry was on the Masters board. The youngest ever.
Severus Snape 1961 - still alive. Master of Potions 1982.
That he had attained a Mastery of Languages was never acknowledged. No one wanted to know. So much for knowledge alone being untainted by evil.
Dumbledore had simply done other things before becoming a master. He could have got it as early as Severus had.
Severus passed onto the other Honours boards. 'In life we miss them, In Death we honour them' - the newest board. At the top, Cedric Diggory, then Rubeus Hagrid, Professor, and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds. More names. Ricardo Zabini, killed by his own side. Then Avril Nott - killed by Aurors in front of her younger sister, at a Death Eater raid. A couple of other names, then Albus Dumbledore, with the dates that he was a student.
Unlike the ministry memorials, they mentioned all students of the school, no matter which side they fell to. Even Tom Riddle would be mentioned here, if they actually managed to kill him. Not that many people would associate him with Voldemort. And if he actually appeared, then they knew he was dead.
He walked to the next memorial. He read the names of the class of '78, his own. And realised that Peter Pettigrew wasn't there. He'd assumed that this was an oversight, because he was mentioned on other memorials, complete with his Order of Merlin, but then noticed that others bought in after the fall were there. He hadn't looked for years. Not until after the night in the shrieking shack.
Flicking his wand over the board, it showed a moving portrait of each individual, as they were when they were last seen as a student. Lily Potter (nee Evans). James Potter. Going back 3 years, Serena Llewellyn (nee Snape). Then 2 more years Christopher Black, Sirius's father. Further up still, 5 of the Weasley brothers, Arthur's siblings.
Snape stood for some minutes, tall and proud, before moving to the next board, the beginnings of the great persecutions: here the names of the old families stood out - Slytherin himself lost his sisters, Malfoy, Fawcette, Goyle, Snape, Weasley, McGonagall, McBoon, Potter, Beruna, Dumbledore, Wolfsbane, de Paravel. None of the great families had survived unscathed. He returned to the study.
"Miss Lestrange. I was under the impression that you had returned on the school train. Would you care to enlighten me as to your purpose in being here?"
"My parents met me and Apparated me back to Hogsmeade." They were standing outside the Headmaster's study, where she had been waiting for him.
"Ah, Severus. We were looking forward to seeing you again. I think there is a minor debt to settle." Two invisibility cloaks cast aside, two grey dangerous faces meeting his own, sallow one.
"I did warn him he wasn't very popular in Azkaban. Expelliarmus." Three wands came to the hand of the speaker, who was somewhat breathless. "These will be returned at the apparition barrier. I think all business has been concluded for the time being. Unless you wished to speak to Miss Lestrange, Severus?" Sirius Black's pale eyes glittered in the dark corridor.
"I think that might be a good idea. Miss Lestrange?" The Ravenclaw nodded, and walked to the Headmaster's study beside her Potions Master. Giving the password, they took the staircase, and stood in silence in the story.
"Finite Incantatem in toto" He ran his wand over her quickly, watching as her hair came undone, and the make-up left her face. She looked furious. "A necessary precaution, I'm sure you'll agree. Take a seat."
"You lied to me. You knew, and you lied." She remained standing as she spoke, quite still.
"You never thought to ask me for the truth? Dear me. For a Ravenclaw you aren't very bright sometimes. After your little show of temper the other day, I thought you might have calmed down."
"How much else do you know?"
"A great many things, most of which I have neither time nor inclination to show you. Some of which, even if I had the inclination, I am not allowed to show you. But the arcana of Potions and Alchemy I think is not the subject of this discussion. You have choices to make. The truth hurts, but it can also heal. Your parents were in Azkaban for a reason. Do not follow blindly, but make your choices accordingly."
"Can I be known by my name, my real name next term?"
"What is your 'real' name? what makes your name real? The name of your parents, or the name you are known by? Or is it your secret name for yourself? There is no such thing as an ordinary, everyday name, Miss Lestrange."
"Then why do you call me Miss Lestrange."
"To let you grow accustomed to hearing it. You know the associations with that name. You may bear it, and make it a worthy name. You may bear it to redeem it, or to besmirch it, or simply to use it to make a name for yourself through someone else's notoriety."
"Better that, than a borrowed shapeless cover-all."
"Indeed, Miss Lestrange. I think you should consider that you might not be the only one in this school that does not have the name of their birthright. That someone else saw fit to deny them their name."
"What about Potter - him only known for his parents. And for killing Cedric, and hurting Cho."
"That is enough. This is not about Potter. Nor is it about Longbottom, Bones or any other member of this school."
"No. It's about Truth. And it's about Justice." She left, pausing only for the staircase. "And you will face both, you bastard."
Snape recoiled. Twenty minutes later he was joined by Sirius Black.
"What are you doing here, Black?" They had composed themselves after their earlier shocks, although Sirius was a little breathless after his exercise.
"I smelt them at King's Cross - they reek of Azkaban, even after a bath and under invisibility cloaks. I heard them Apparate, and followed. I guessed they'd come here."
"So now, not only do I owe Potter my life, I owe it to you as well. And Lupin. Shall I add Pettigrew to complete the set?" Sirius snarled at Snape's flippancy. "Yes - I know he's still alive to do it."
"And I'd rather you stayed alive. I may not like you, but Dumbledore had his reasons for trusting you. And I can remember you saying the same words where we were 16. About Truth and Justice. And I owe you my life. I think we're quits." Snape's face closed off. "Can I use your Floo?" Snape nodded, barely able to speak.
"Arabella Figg's"
Back in the Great Hall, Snape levitated to the ceiling again, checking for gaps in the enchantments around the castle.
When Filch and McGonagall found him the next morning, he was unconscious, curled up on the floor of the Great hall, blood seeping from an open head wound, his flesh marked.
"Your God-father was here."
"Where is he?"
"He said he smelt trouble. And went through the barrier to the apparition point over there.
"I was just talking to Cho and Cynthia. Sorry."
"It's no bother, love, you're only young once, and it's only a shame you don't get to be properly young."
"Normally the Dursleys rush me off as quickly as possible. Where are they?"
"Somewhere cheap tacky and ridiculously hot."
"So where am I supposed to be staying?"
"With me, Remus, and Sirius. And the rest of the old crowd."
"Oh Excellent! All Summer?"
"I think last summer proved the pointlessness of staying with the Dursleys."
"Yes. The fact that those that wanted to could find me, and be used to get me out..."
"Better that you're with people you want to be with in the first place. Now dear. Hold on, and we'll apparate."
They were just round the corner from the Great Northern Hotel, and well out of sight when they popped off. They re-appeared in the middle of Professor Figg's kitchen.
"Now, I think you've got some explaining to do, if I'm going to make it through Hogwarts next year. Yes - I'm teaching again. Along with Sirius and Remus. They're doing Duelling. There'll be a few new faces next year. Bill and Charlie Weasley are teaching. Bill's doing stuff on curses, Charlie care of Magical Creatures. I'll be doing DADA again. Fleur Delacour is teaching Junior Potions. I think the centaurs are teaching as well - Firenze has offered to teach some prophecy and strategy to certain sixth and seventh years. And I need you to tell us exactly what happened 3 days ago."
"I don't entirely know. Neither does Snape, and we were the only two that were there, besides Dumbledore."
"We'll wait for Remus and Sirius."
Remus walked into the kitchen 10 minutes later, and gave Harry a hug. Sirius bounded out of the floo half an hour after that, and enveloped his beloved Godson in a hug, before ruffling his hair.
"Sorry. I smelt trouble."
"Trouble?"
"I could smell fresh Azkaban. Lestrange Azkaban in fact. Particularly pungent, and I hadn't had a whiff of it in four years. So I followed them. They met their daughter, then apparated back to Hogwarts. Nice girl. Ravenclaw called Ella."
"She must have been with Cho's friends. I don't know all of them."
"So that's who you were saying goodbye too."
"And Ginny." Sirius smiled.
"It took you long enough to find her, don't go losing her."
"It took Ron and Hermione even longer. And that was even more obvious."
Remus coughed politely and mentioned something about elbows in butter dishes. Harry went red.
"So what's going on. We need to know. Ministry Black-out."
"Dark Mark is being seen about once a week. Snape is still going out to some gatherings. Aurors getting heavy handed. Fudge is going for a quick win. Snape is now Headmaster."
"That greasy git?"
"Sirius!"
"I think he'll do well. There'll be a Sorting of the Headmaster of course." Arabella continued. "You've none of you seen one of those before.
"What does that involve?"
"You'll see. So what's going on?"
Harry produced his letter from Dumbledore, and then started to relate the events of the last few days. How Voldemort had killed Dumbledore, in exchange for the traitor's life. How Pettigrew had been seen by enough people, with the Dark Lord, in order to put paid some lingering rumours.
"Strategy - we don't know. Mostly isolated individuals that don't impact much on general wizarding life. Much as it has for the last two years."
"The Lestranges would have killed Snape today, if it hadn't been for the fact I smelt them." Sirius was looking quite pleased with himself. "I don't know why I saved the greasy git, he's not exactly my brother, and he's certainly not my friend. Although I'd miss jousting with him at meetings."
"Sirius. Be serious rather than dog-like for a moment. He's Headmaster. Chosen. to be sorted. He's Dumbledore's chosen. As is Harry. Some bonds run deeper than blood."
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Snape walked into the Great Hall, and levitated himself into the ceiling. The blue sky of a summer's day enveloped him as he perched among the candles, banishing all draperies and furniture, and leaving the Hall empty so that Filch would be able to clean it, making ready for the preparations for the Sorting of a Headmaster.
He'd never seen it - Albus had always been Headmaster here as far as he knew. Of course Dippet had preceded him. Approximately even numbers of the four houses were represented in the roll.
In the library the honours boards had been updated. There were many there - from the Great Persecutions onwards there were the names of the fallen, the Masters of the school, rather than simply professors. And the Headmasters.
Shimmering in Gold at the bottom - Albus Dumbledore 1845 - 1997 Professor 1870 - 1970 Master of Alchemy 1901 Master of Transfiguration 1919 Headmaster 1970 - 1997.
Snape ran his wand over the board, and the details of individual achievements appeared. Most Professors hadn't been continually at the school, and with lives so long it was necessary simply to out line the bare bones of illustrious careers. His own entry was on the Masters board. The youngest ever.
Severus Snape 1961 - still alive. Master of Potions 1982.
That he had attained a Mastery of Languages was never acknowledged. No one wanted to know. So much for knowledge alone being untainted by evil.
Dumbledore had simply done other things before becoming a master. He could have got it as early as Severus had.
Severus passed onto the other Honours boards. 'In life we miss them, In Death we honour them' - the newest board. At the top, Cedric Diggory, then Rubeus Hagrid, Professor, and Keeper of the Keys and Grounds. More names. Ricardo Zabini, killed by his own side. Then Avril Nott - killed by Aurors in front of her younger sister, at a Death Eater raid. A couple of other names, then Albus Dumbledore, with the dates that he was a student.
Unlike the ministry memorials, they mentioned all students of the school, no matter which side they fell to. Even Tom Riddle would be mentioned here, if they actually managed to kill him. Not that many people would associate him with Voldemort. And if he actually appeared, then they knew he was dead.
He walked to the next memorial. He read the names of the class of '78, his own. And realised that Peter Pettigrew wasn't there. He'd assumed that this was an oversight, because he was mentioned on other memorials, complete with his Order of Merlin, but then noticed that others bought in after the fall were there. He hadn't looked for years. Not until after the night in the shrieking shack.
Flicking his wand over the board, it showed a moving portrait of each individual, as they were when they were last seen as a student. Lily Potter (nee Evans). James Potter. Going back 3 years, Serena Llewellyn (nee Snape). Then 2 more years Christopher Black, Sirius's father. Further up still, 5 of the Weasley brothers, Arthur's siblings.
Snape stood for some minutes, tall and proud, before moving to the next board, the beginnings of the great persecutions: here the names of the old families stood out - Slytherin himself lost his sisters, Malfoy, Fawcette, Goyle, Snape, Weasley, McGonagall, McBoon, Potter, Beruna, Dumbledore, Wolfsbane, de Paravel. None of the great families had survived unscathed. He returned to the study.
"Miss Lestrange. I was under the impression that you had returned on the school train. Would you care to enlighten me as to your purpose in being here?"
"My parents met me and Apparated me back to Hogsmeade." They were standing outside the Headmaster's study, where she had been waiting for him.
"Ah, Severus. We were looking forward to seeing you again. I think there is a minor debt to settle." Two invisibility cloaks cast aside, two grey dangerous faces meeting his own, sallow one.
"I did warn him he wasn't very popular in Azkaban. Expelliarmus." Three wands came to the hand of the speaker, who was somewhat breathless. "These will be returned at the apparition barrier. I think all business has been concluded for the time being. Unless you wished to speak to Miss Lestrange, Severus?" Sirius Black's pale eyes glittered in the dark corridor.
"I think that might be a good idea. Miss Lestrange?" The Ravenclaw nodded, and walked to the Headmaster's study beside her Potions Master. Giving the password, they took the staircase, and stood in silence in the story.
"Finite Incantatem in toto" He ran his wand over her quickly, watching as her hair came undone, and the make-up left her face. She looked furious. "A necessary precaution, I'm sure you'll agree. Take a seat."
"You lied to me. You knew, and you lied." She remained standing as she spoke, quite still.
"You never thought to ask me for the truth? Dear me. For a Ravenclaw you aren't very bright sometimes. After your little show of temper the other day, I thought you might have calmed down."
"How much else do you know?"
"A great many things, most of which I have neither time nor inclination to show you. Some of which, even if I had the inclination, I am not allowed to show you. But the arcana of Potions and Alchemy I think is not the subject of this discussion. You have choices to make. The truth hurts, but it can also heal. Your parents were in Azkaban for a reason. Do not follow blindly, but make your choices accordingly."
"Can I be known by my name, my real name next term?"
"What is your 'real' name? what makes your name real? The name of your parents, or the name you are known by? Or is it your secret name for yourself? There is no such thing as an ordinary, everyday name, Miss Lestrange."
"Then why do you call me Miss Lestrange."
"To let you grow accustomed to hearing it. You know the associations with that name. You may bear it, and make it a worthy name. You may bear it to redeem it, or to besmirch it, or simply to use it to make a name for yourself through someone else's notoriety."
"Better that, than a borrowed shapeless cover-all."
"Indeed, Miss Lestrange. I think you should consider that you might not be the only one in this school that does not have the name of their birthright. That someone else saw fit to deny them their name."
"What about Potter - him only known for his parents. And for killing Cedric, and hurting Cho."
"That is enough. This is not about Potter. Nor is it about Longbottom, Bones or any other member of this school."
"No. It's about Truth. And it's about Justice." She left, pausing only for the staircase. "And you will face both, you bastard."
Snape recoiled. Twenty minutes later he was joined by Sirius Black.
"What are you doing here, Black?" They had composed themselves after their earlier shocks, although Sirius was a little breathless after his exercise.
"I smelt them at King's Cross - they reek of Azkaban, even after a bath and under invisibility cloaks. I heard them Apparate, and followed. I guessed they'd come here."
"So now, not only do I owe Potter my life, I owe it to you as well. And Lupin. Shall I add Pettigrew to complete the set?" Sirius snarled at Snape's flippancy. "Yes - I know he's still alive to do it."
"And I'd rather you stayed alive. I may not like you, but Dumbledore had his reasons for trusting you. And I can remember you saying the same words where we were 16. About Truth and Justice. And I owe you my life. I think we're quits." Snape's face closed off. "Can I use your Floo?" Snape nodded, barely able to speak.
"Arabella Figg's"
Back in the Great Hall, Snape levitated to the ceiling again, checking for gaps in the enchantments around the castle.
When Filch and McGonagall found him the next morning, he was unconscious, curled up on the floor of the Great hall, blood seeping from an open head wound, his flesh marked.
"Your God-father was here."
"Where is he?"
"He said he smelt trouble. And went through the barrier to the apparition point over there.
"I was just talking to Cho and Cynthia. Sorry."
"It's no bother, love, you're only young once, and it's only a shame you don't get to be properly young."
"Normally the Dursleys rush me off as quickly as possible. Where are they?"
"Somewhere cheap tacky and ridiculously hot."
"So where am I supposed to be staying?"
"With me, Remus, and Sirius. And the rest of the old crowd."
"Oh Excellent! All Summer?"
"I think last summer proved the pointlessness of staying with the Dursleys."
"Yes. The fact that those that wanted to could find me, and be used to get me out..."
"Better that you're with people you want to be with in the first place. Now dear. Hold on, and we'll apparate."
They were just round the corner from the Great Northern Hotel, and well out of sight when they popped off. They re-appeared in the middle of Professor Figg's kitchen.
"Now, I think you've got some explaining to do, if I'm going to make it through Hogwarts next year. Yes - I'm teaching again. Along with Sirius and Remus. They're doing Duelling. There'll be a few new faces next year. Bill and Charlie Weasley are teaching. Bill's doing stuff on curses, Charlie care of Magical Creatures. I'll be doing DADA again. Fleur Delacour is teaching Junior Potions. I think the centaurs are teaching as well - Firenze has offered to teach some prophecy and strategy to certain sixth and seventh years. And I need you to tell us exactly what happened 3 days ago."
"I don't entirely know. Neither does Snape, and we were the only two that were there, besides Dumbledore."
"We'll wait for Remus and Sirius."
Remus walked into the kitchen 10 minutes later, and gave Harry a hug. Sirius bounded out of the floo half an hour after that, and enveloped his beloved Godson in a hug, before ruffling his hair.
"Sorry. I smelt trouble."
"Trouble?"
"I could smell fresh Azkaban. Lestrange Azkaban in fact. Particularly pungent, and I hadn't had a whiff of it in four years. So I followed them. They met their daughter, then apparated back to Hogwarts. Nice girl. Ravenclaw called Ella."
"She must have been with Cho's friends. I don't know all of them."
"So that's who you were saying goodbye too."
"And Ginny." Sirius smiled.
"It took you long enough to find her, don't go losing her."
"It took Ron and Hermione even longer. And that was even more obvious."
Remus coughed politely and mentioned something about elbows in butter dishes. Harry went red.
"So what's going on. We need to know. Ministry Black-out."
"Dark Mark is being seen about once a week. Snape is still going out to some gatherings. Aurors getting heavy handed. Fudge is going for a quick win. Snape is now Headmaster."
"That greasy git?"
"Sirius!"
"I think he'll do well. There'll be a Sorting of the Headmaster of course." Arabella continued. "You've none of you seen one of those before.
"What does that involve?"
"You'll see. So what's going on?"
Harry produced his letter from Dumbledore, and then started to relate the events of the last few days. How Voldemort had killed Dumbledore, in exchange for the traitor's life. How Pettigrew had been seen by enough people, with the Dark Lord, in order to put paid some lingering rumours.
"Strategy - we don't know. Mostly isolated individuals that don't impact much on general wizarding life. Much as it has for the last two years."
"The Lestranges would have killed Snape today, if it hadn't been for the fact I smelt them." Sirius was looking quite pleased with himself. "I don't know why I saved the greasy git, he's not exactly my brother, and he's certainly not my friend. Although I'd miss jousting with him at meetings."
"Sirius. Be serious rather than dog-like for a moment. He's Headmaster. Chosen. to be sorted. He's Dumbledore's chosen. As is Harry. Some bonds run deeper than blood."
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