"Ah Severus, such interesting attire you are wearing. I do hope I did not interrupt anything important. I was beginning to miss my most loyal servants."
"Nothing more important than you my Lord." Severus replied as he lowered himself to a knee before Voldemort.
Voldemort snapped his long bony claw like fingers and once again Severus' garment was transformed into its original state. "As you are well aware Severus, I have heard some interesting news about you lately. I am quite disappointed that you were not the one to inform me of it yourself."
"The situation has made it more difficult to do so my Lord. I do not have the privacy I once had."
"So you do not deny the accusations?"
"My Lord, I cannot claim or deny what I am unsure of being accused of."
"Step forward my dear and enlighten Severus of what information your contact has supplied us with."
The hooded woman quickly glided up to the front of the group of Death-eaters and stood between the man and creature. "So good to see you again Severus."
"You!" he snarled.
As Remus kept the kids calm in the living room, Sirius ran upstairs to the balcony and helped Dannie bring Harry back into the house and back into his own room. Everyone knew that the time would come sooner or later when Voldemort decided Severus needed to answer to his actions but nobody really knew what would take place or how their friend would walk away from this one. Draco seemed to be the only one there who knew what would be taking place since meeting such as these had taken place at his father's home over the summer holidays but no matter how much he tried to tell the others about it they were all preoccupied.
When Sirius joined the rest of the group Draco went up to Harry's room. "You know that little stunt you pulled isn't going to help his case any."
"I know it isn't. You've been around these meetings before, can you fill me in on what is going on?" Harry asked.
"Well since neither you nor your cousins seem to be having attacks right about now I can only guess that someone has decided to bring charges against him for treason."
"What do you mean charges for treason? What is this some sort of court session?"
"You could say that but it doesn't happen all too often. Usually nobody wants to be proven wrong so nobody ever says anything against one another like this. Either way someone will be punished whether it's the your dad or the person who has filed the complaint."
"Has your dad ever had to go through this?"
"I should say not. My dad has been nothing but loyal so that he hasn't had to. Besides, dad enjoys torturing people too much so nobody would dare even challenge my dad since he would most likely win which would put the other person's life in his hands. " Draco paused. "So do you know yet who called this trial?"
"It's the same one that captured him a few weeks ago."
"No wonder, she's still new but from what dad says, she can be quite persuasive." Draco smirked.
"Thanks for the reassurance." Harry said as he glared at the boy.
"No problem. Just thought I'd tell you not to worry about it so much. He'll either survive or he won't. Guess I'd better get going before they decide to discover I'm missing."
"Too late." Remus said from the doorway. "What are you doing up here?"
"Came by to try and cheer him up."
"As usual it seems as if you have done just as good of a job as ever. Run along with the rest of the group." Remus watched Draco leave then "Well now, looks as if there isn't any trouble as of yet, at least for your dad that is."
"Wait a second, you can't punish me for what I did to my dad. That was payback for him scaring me the way he did yesterday."
"This has nothing to do with your dad although I should say he may want a few words with you when he gets back. I believe its Jamie who would like to talk to you right now though."
"About what?
"Changing his clothes back and letting him out of that costume you put him in. Come along now."
"How do you know it wasn't any of the others. Ann could have miss-aimed again."
"Oh I don't think that was the case we have already had them try to break the charm. And I suppose next your going to try to say it was your dad pulled that stunt."
"Well it could have been."
"Well come along, we are going to try anyway." Remus stated as Harry followed him down stairs. Meanwhile Bria was listening from just inside her doorway and smiling.
~ Meanwhile ~
"I have informed Lord Voldemort of your conspiring with his enemies in the secrecy of your child's existence. You have also recently proved yourself a traitor by assisting in the capture of some fellow Death-eaters." She stated.
"Severus you have served me well for 16 years as did your parents before you. I find this news quite disturbing."
"My Lord if I may stand to answer to these charges?" Voldemort nodded and Severus rose to his feet with his knees cracking as they straightened then he continued. "I have to state that I too find this disturbing. My assignment for you was to keep an eye on Dumbledore. In order for me to be able to perform my duties then I must be able to keep complete secrecy."
"Then where is this information you are to supply him with?" She asked as Voldemort gave her a warning glare. "I have been most patient with you my dear. You have made your claims against him and he has been brought here to answer to them." Voldemort then turned his attention back to Severus, "Proceed."
"My Lord, you well know of my sister's children transferring to Hogwarts but, what they obviously haven't informed you of is that the children's father and the werewolf have returned to Dumbledore's side.
Last week when she led that pathetic attack on Hogsmeade I was partially responsible for the assistance in capturing some of your obviously lower ranking and much less experienced followers. The attack it's self was clearly a reckless, unorganized, and an obviously unsuccessful attempt for power. If I hadn't known any better I'd believe it was nothing but a gang of drunken children demonstrating newly acquired powers."
"Drunken children? I will let you know that we accomplished our plan which was to capture you."
"But at what cost? Not only were many followers and supporters severely injured or arrested but your actions nearly cost the lives of the children of many of the people here tonight including those of my sister." The woman gasped as everyone turned his or her attention to her while Severus continued. "My Lord, am I mistaken or are these children whose lives she foolishly risked, destined to stand in this very room one day?" Voldemort nodded "I know it was a great loss when my sister turned her back on the cause and ran off with the incompetent fool. I have been given the opportunity to gain their confidence so that I can train them so that one day they too will join the others here. Together they will without doubt be a great asset as your allies for they are each more creative and cunning than she was at their age."
"Severus you have made a valid point. My supporters that were there that day also have informed me of the recklessness of the attack on Hogsmeade. Are you positive you can persuade your sister's children to serve me? What of their father's views?"
:"Their father is a bumbling oaf who would rather be their playful friend than to show them the support and guidance they crave and are in need of. They have learned practically nothing of you until their arrival and then what they have heard is minimal. They were raised in a pacifist society and the only battles they know of are those that the Muggles brought upon themselves. I am certain that with the correct guidance I can provide, you will be quite pleased with them."
"My Lord, this may all be so but, what about the boy? Why did he keep his existence from you for so long?" the woman asked.
"The boy and I have had no relationship other than that of student and teacher. His existence was the mistake of a foolish child with a Mudblood tramp and as far as I was concerned she should have terminated his life immediately." Severus said with complete regret. "Up until recently I and so many others believed him to be the offspring of my Muggle loving fool-hearted cousin."
"Severus, as everyone here will agree, there is always some sort of pleasure to be found with a Muggle and a Mudblood female can be quite interesting. That is all either of them are good for. As for the child's identity, I have found the boy to be quite the advisary. He will make quite a powerful wizard one day. Because of your commitment to me, along with his bloodline and powers it would be a great loss if he were terminated. I want you to gain his trust." Voldemort stated
"My Lord?" Severus questioned.
"Severus he is your child, gain his trust and respect and then train him with the others. For in a few short years he shall take his rightful place at my side."
"My Lord, his child will not join you willingly. He sees you as the one who has destroyed his family and continuously tried to eliminate him."
"I will admit that I have acted in haste in the past but this new information that has been brought forward has made me rethink my plans. With proper persuasion and guidance I am quite sure that the boy shall take his rightful place in time just as his father did. Remember Mistress, there was once a day where you yourself refused your position until recently when you came to me for forgiveness of your past misjudgments. Although your work with the children should be commended, you do continue to act in haste not only in battle but also against your allies. You have done nothing but waste my time with these proceedings. I warned you when you first brought the charges up that you must have undeniable proof that he is in fact a traitor. You have not provided me with such information. Severus, her life is yours, do what you choose to it."
Severus though long and hard about the Mistress as everyone called her and finally came to a decision. "My Lord, although I am grateful for this honor but, since she so recklessly handed me over to be tortured by her trainees I feel it is only right that I repay the favor and place her back into your hands to do what you see fit to her." He said as the woman shook in fear and disbelief.
Voldemort looked upon Severus realizing that her identity was still unknown to him. "Wise choice to keep the stench of her fear and blood from you. Pucey! Baddock! Take her to the dungeon and take care of her but do not let her die or you will be next."
The two men stepped forward and escorted the woman out by her arms as she shouted for help and tried struggling against them. Although Severus hated what was going to happen to her, he turned to watch the woman be dragged out of the room knowing to do otherwise would have shown weakness. Voldemort then dismissed the others and said, "As for you Severus, I am adding onto your assignment. You mentioned that you have been working with your sister's children and preparing them to take their places when they become of age. Along with this you are to also work with your own son for he will take Lucius' position one day."
"My Lord, is that position not held for young Malfoy?"
"That it was but Lucius has become careless lately using his powers for reasons outside my services. He is currently being detained but will soon be released and then he will have to pay for his actions. If I feel you are unsuccessful in the children's training they will be removed from that school and placed with the Mistress for further education. You are dismissed."
Back at Snape Estates
"See I told you I wasn't the one who did that to him." Harry stated.
"I'm sorry but we had to make sure since you were responsible for transfiguring your father's clothes. Looks like we'll just have to wait until he gets back." Remus said.
"If he comes back." Harry mumbled
"You need to stop thinking like that, he will be back. No matter how many times we have tried to get rid of him through the years he keeps returning." Sirius stated as Severus came down the stairs with Bria. "See what did I tell you, we just can't get rid of him."
Severus looked over at Jamie "Why is he still wearing that foolish thing?" he asked Harry and Bria.
"Because none of the kids seem to have been the ones to have put him in it to begin with so we had to wait for you." Remus stated.
"None of the kids? Are you sure you tried everyone of them?" He asked as Bria tried hiding behind Harry. "I wouldn't try that, he's in enough trouble as it is and you are suppose to be using your powers to heal yourself not to be pulling pranks on the others."
"Gabriella, change him back now." Remus ordered. "And you, why didn't you tell us who was responsible for this when you knew all along."
Bria quickly mumbled the counter spell while Harry replied "You never asked me who was responsible. Besides it was more fun watching you walk around blaming him."
"I suggest the two of you get up to your rooms now. As for the rest of you, you might as well get your stuff and find rooms on the second floor." Severus said.
"You mean we actually get to sleep in regular rooms now?" Ann asked.
"After that sudden realization of how cold it actually is outside? Yes. Harry I said to get to your room I want to have a talk with you."
The kids all ran down into the cavern as quickly as possible so that they could retrieve their things before sunset while Harry glared at his father as he climbed the staircase.
When all the children were out of sight Sirius sat down on the couch and said, "I suppose it's good that you made it back in one piece but by the way he just looked at you I need to know how you did it."
Severus let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes replying, "All you need to know is that I only said what I had to in order for everyone to remain safe for the time being."
"For how long are they going to remain safe?" Remus asked.
"That I'm not sure of, it will depend..." Severus replied as he watched the two as they reached the top of the stairs then escorted to their rooms by Dannie.
"What do you mean it will depend?"
"Just what I said. I have been ordered to gain my son's trust and respect and train him and the twins for when they turn of age and receive their marks."
"Severus, either you are experimenting with you potions again or something is wrong with my hearing. I could swear you just said that you are to train the children so that they will serve Voldemort." Remus stated.
"You heard correctly and no I have not been experimenting again. Voldemort feels that the three of them would be a great asset as his allies and if there isn't an improvement then they will be placed in the training camp that I was fortunate enough to be a guest of."
"Well then, do you mind telling us what you said to convince him of that?" Remus asked as Severus started heading towards the stairs.
The man turned around and replied "I only said what he needed to hear and it is something that I will never repeat again. Now if you will excuse me." He turned and started up the staircase once again. When he finally reached his son's open door he stood and watched as Harry stared out the window at the mountains. After a few moments that felt like hours he knocked on the doorframe. "May I come in?"
"It's your house." The boy replied not even bothering to turn around.
Severus walked over to the chair and sat down. "I would like to thank you for that little prank you pulled earlier, although I do believe it was quite uncomfortable appearing before Voldemort like that." Severus watched his son looking for some sort of response but there was none. "I do suppose it may raise a few questions in his mind about me now." Still no response. "Is there something wrong?"
Harry shook his head "Nothing is wrong." He lied.
"Then why are you acting like someone pissed in your cereal?"
Harry started to say something as he glared at his father but he then bit his lip and paused as he turned back towards the window. "You know you don't have to be here. Better yet, you don't have to have me here. You can go ahead and let me go back to school and forget everything about mum like you wanted. I will move back into Gryffindor tower and you'll only have to deal with me in class."
"First you are not allowed to change houses again, that was a one time occurrence under special circumstances. Severus sighed "Now before I agree to take you back to school, I need to know why you are so angry all of a sudden."
"I heard what you said." Harry spat
"I don't understand. If you heard everything then you should know.."
"I didn't hear everything but, I did hear enough to know that we would all be better off if I were just the bastard orphan child of Lily Potter and you would just rot in hell."
"I never believed in parents spanking their children but right now with this attitude of yours I am very tempted to turn you over my knee."
"Why? Isn't that how you truly feel? Afterall isn't my existence the result of a foolish child and a Mudblood whore? Weren't those your words?"
"Yes they were but let me explain."
"I don't want to hear anymore explanations. I heard all that I need to hear, I just want to go back to school where I belong. I may have to stay in the Slytherin house but don't worry, I'll keep well hidden from you, I won't blow anything up in class, and come summer I'll go back to the Dursley's."
"Harry, you can't go back there. Not with the way they treated you. I won't allow it."
"The way they treated me? I may have been disciplined there but at least from the day I was abandoned there they made it quite clear about their hatred for me. I lived without a father for 15 years I certainly don't need you pretending that you want to be one now." Harry said as he used the last of his strength to fight back the tears.
"Are you positive that this is what you want?"
"I have never been more positive about anything. I want to go back."
"Fine I will let Albus know that you will be returning after dinner tonight." Severus said as he left the room closing the door behind him.
Just as Harry heard the door click shut he collapsed onto the floor and leaned against the side of the bed and before he knew it he couldn't stop, he started crying harder than he had ever had before in his life.
TBC - - - - - Please Review