Summary: This is what I think happens over summer vacation between the teachers at Hogwarts. They have to amuse themselves in some way, right. Severus, Minerva, Flitwick, Albus, and Madam Hooch. Hagrid
Escape
By WittchWay
Snapes POV
I hate the tension that builds prior to this day, the sideways glances, the small hints. People stumbling over themselves to be kind to me, slipping me small notes, and lists. I hate them all and as time draws near it just keeps increasing. I try to plan it all out in advance. Over the years I've almost perfected my escape, I've tried numerous methods. Some wizard and some muggle, ironically it's the muggle way that seems to work the best.
It's hard to escape from here, someone's always awake at this cursed school, Hagrid rises early because of the beast and creatures of his. Sprout because of her plants and Albus simply because he's old and that's what old people do. The middle of the night isn't any better than the day, afternoon or evening; again Hagrid returning from the pub, or Flitwick is a real night owl, Twelney because of the night's sky.
I've tried everything mind you, just casually walking the grounds and attempting to slip out of the gates. Or going to the pub in Hogsmeade but for some reason they follow me, or just 'happen' to show up or be where I'll be in town. You would think for all the effort they put into following me and watching me they would just go themselves, but I suppose now it's just a form of entertainment for them. I see that twinkle in their eyes, that sly smile that plays upon their lips. I hate them all.
***
This year I've decided to try my escape early in the morning, the last few years I've done the afternoon and evening. I suspect that they may still be still expecting that, I've tried throwing them off course when I did a few trial runs earlier this summer I did them in early evening. I let them see me out on the grounds sniffing around the gates, though they could be onto me as well. This is no time for self-doubt, I can not let my defenses down, that will only hinder my escape. I'm pretty confident that this year will be a total success. I've forced myself to think about it everyday since last years failed attempt. If I succeed it will be the first time in the 15years I've taught here that I would be successful.
The first few years I had been to naive to say no to them, even after I got comfortable with my fellow colleagues some how I always got tricked into doing their bidding. I'd lose a bet with Hagrid, or Albus would do the talking for the group and you really can't refuse the Headmaster. This will be the year, I Will Succeed. I hate them all.
I pulled on my black jeans and a black long sleeve T-shirt, unfortunately muggle clothes are the best for this situation. One year my cloak got caught on a suit of armor and had clanged loudly on the floor. Another year Flitwick had grabbed the end of the cloak slowing me down giving Hagrid the opportunity to tackled me. I still get teased about both.
The sun is just about to break the horizon so my room is still dark, I can't risk lighting the candles or even the fireplace. Even lighting my wand is off limits but I've practiced all year for this moment. The supplies are laid out the night before. I touch them on my dresser: black ash for my face, dark glasses to hide the whites of my eyes, black running shoes, and black gloves. I pull my hair back into a ponytail, I have to keep it off my face so I'm not blinded by a stray strand. I would shave myself bald it I thought it would help.
I do a final check before I leave my room, my money pouch, my face black with ash, shoe laces securely tied, my wand ready, the full body charm on my lips, I set the sunglasses in place and open my door. I stick my head out, no one appears to be there but there are too many shadows, that's the only problem with the dungeons. I had the paintings removed a long time ago, they had betrayed me one year running to Dumbledore when I had made my move. That had truly been a move I hadn't anticipated. I then had the hall cleared of everything, paintings, suites of armor, even the random piece of furniture.
I walked silently down the darken dungeon hall, 42steps, I look behind me on occasion to make sure there was no movement. When I was sure all was secure, I started slowly up the step leading to the main hallway. 25steps, I took each one in total silence, I stayed close to the wall, not touching it, but close enough that I hoped I blended into it.
I made it up the steps in silence, this hallway was dark and was my main challenge. No matter how much I tried I couldn't get the old man to remove the paintings from this hall, I had complained and curse and threw fit after fit but he wouldn't do it. I had even dragged him up here to show him how dirty some of the paintings were, he had just said he would get them cleaned sometime this summer. Which meant after you make your attempt to escape I'll get them cleaned. The only good thing is that many of the people in the paintings go visiting in the summer to other parts of the castle. They also stay up late sometimes and have parties and I know for a fact they had one to celebrate the fat ladies 300th birthday last night, which was really my decision to escape tonight. The paintings will be hung over or still in the fat ladies painting so now was my best chance of escape.
I seemed to be right, many of the images from the paintings were missing others were grouped together sleeping with their heads upon each other's shoulders. This would make my job so much easier. I slide past empty painting after empty painting. I slumped to the floor and crawled on my knees past the only two that posed a real threat. I hated this move but really nothing was beyond me at this moment.
I made it to the main entranceway, I breathed a sigh of relief, I had been holding my breath since my own chambers. This was probably the next hardest, while there was no one to rat me out it was out in the open and the main castle doors squeaked when opened. Sure there were other entrances that would probably be easier to get out but they all had silent alarms on them that woke the headmaster when the door was opened. I had made that mistake in the past also.
I tip toed to the door and opened it the smallest I could and slide out. It had squeaked but not as bad as I had imagined in my head. This was getting too easy and it was unnerving. I half hoped it wasn't some elaborate set up and they were secretly watching me go through the motions of this. I had that happen one year also. I looked every which way. I saw no one. The light in Hagrids hut that was always burning were out. That almost sent me back to my room to give this up, I was convinced they knew I making another attempt tonight.
My plan this year was a little different and I believe was something that they didn't expect. I was going to run to the whopping willow, hit the knob to freeze it and lean against the trunk of the tree for a moment to catch my breath and to look again over the grounds. As I made my dash to the tree I threw myself to the ground in one graceful movement, I had the stick in my hand poked the freezing knob and rolled to the tree trunk. I wanted to shout with joy, it had worked, I would have my chance to survey the grounds, to breathe. I had to remain calm, I couldn't get overly confident, that had been a fatal mistake a couple of years.
As I surveyed I noticed that madam Hooch was up, she was currently flying over the Quidditch pitch. She circled the grounds, I know she liked to fly early in the morning it helped wake her up and she liked to stay in shape this way. Also she had practice with the Hogsmeade kids in the morning most days so I was anticipating this as well, though I was still disappointed to see her. I had hoped she would sleep in one day.
The next part was something I had a lot of problems with early on. See I could cross the lake or run around it. I had thought that crossing the lake in the boat was the right choice for years, but the squid could grab me on Hagrids or Dumbledore's command, they had even tipped my boat on two occasions. I had found the best way was to run around the lake as fast as possible and dash threw the gates and apparate to my destination. This I had made this attempt for the last 3 years only. So it was my weakest point, and still something they were glad for. But this year I was ready. I had been running nearly every morning, so I was physically fit in that sense.
I did one last survey. No one was around, shoes still securely tied, wand ready. And I ran. That's all I could do, I ran the fastest my body could go, nothing holding me back. The thing was I was instantly lead into a false sense of security. I ran the path to the gates. I knew if I could just cross the threshold of the gates then I could safely apparate to my destination. I did small breathing exercises, my legs were loose and nimble prepared for this run. I took long swift strides as to shorten my time.
I saw the gates as I came around the bend, I kept my eyes focuses on them, I didn't want to be lead into a false sense of security. But this is the furthest I had ever made it and I wanted to shout to the gods in heaven thank you. I knew this was the year, this was the year I would escape.
That's when I heard it a whistle in the distance. Short blast of the whistle and I could hear her coming for me. The swish of the broom as it cut through the air, I hit full speed I had less than 100 feet to go. Good god in heaven please, I beg you let me make it through the gates. She circled me, nearly clipping me around the head I was forced to duck so as not to get knocked out. I stumbled in my running regained myself and started again. But it was too late I could hear the others coming, the pounding of there foot steps behind me.
I looked over my shoulder they were still coming from the castle and Hagrid from his hut, I still had time, I could still make it. As I turned back around Madam Hooch had landed and was standing before me and the gates, "move out of my way women" I poised with my wand. I was prepared, she smiled "A duel, Severus" and bowed toward me.
I would be merciless, I did not bow "Madam Hooch, I warn you" she did nothing but smile "and I you Severus".
"Expelliarmus" we cried in unison. I jabbed my fist in the air. I won, her wand flew through the air to me.
"Really Severus this behavior is most unbecoming a Hogwarts teacher." McGonagall snapped.
I turned and there they all were Flitwick, Dumbledore, Trelawney, Sinistar, Pomfrey and Hagrid. I nearly pissed myself, Hooch had simply done this to delay me and give them time to arrive. I had about five feet to go, if I could just inch my way past them, pretend like I was listening and lure myself past the gates then I would be safe, I could apparate.
"Now Severus I want to talk to you about Lemon drops, last year you got raspberry and while they were quite good, I really would prefer lemon." Dumbledore held a parchment listing roughly 10 different candies on them. Each teacher held similar lists, Severus hung his head, these list were the only reason this went on each year. They asked for ridiculous stuff, child's toys and candies, teas and cakes, socks and muggle items that had a wizard cousin, so why they need the muggle version was beyond him.
I irrupted "I'm…not…going" I shouted years of rage boiled in my blood, "I'm not fulfilling any of these stupid list needs. I hate muggle London just as much as you all do, go yourselves and leave me alone. I'll blast who ever comes near me" I held my wand prepared again to duel.
They all looked at me…shocked, "I liked last years speech better" Flitwick was the first to gather his senses. They all chuckled and nodded their heads, Flitwick handed me his list, the others followed suit and soon my hands were filled with their stupid requests. The headmaster babbling on about lemon drops and such silly things. I shoved them roughly into my pockets and walked through the gates, I turned back to glare at them one final time, and prepared to apparate.
Dumbledore waved at me with a twinkle in his eye, I snarled at him, as I apparated I heard Dumbledore say, "What's say next year we let him get through the gates".
The End