17. Danger Revealed

Determined to discharge his duty as soon as possible, Snape climbed up through the castle heading for Dumbledore's office.  When he came to the head of the main staircase, he ran into Remus Lupin.

"Severus!  When did you get back?" exclaimed Lupin in surprise.  The startled werewolf could feel his face flushing as he spoke.  Thank god that Severus can't read minds!  Still Lupin felt really nervous at this unexpected meeting, and he found himself trying to "act normally". 

Snape nodded to Lupin.  "Just a short time ago.  I stopped to see Evangeline first.  Thank you for helping to take care of her.  You saved her life again."

This expression of gratitude made Lupin feel even worse, his thoughts ran on morosely.  The one time Snape ever thanks me for anything, and I can't enjoy it!   God, a guilty conscience is a horrible thing!

Lupin shook his head.  "No, Severus.  It was all your doing.  If you hadn't sent us that message, Evangeline would probably be dead by now.  We were looking in completely the wrong area for information.  She owes her life to you…not to us.  We were just following your lead."

Snape felt a shiver run through him as he realized once more how close he'd come to losing her.  He frowned at Lupin trying to cover his discomfort at the way the conversation was going.   "It's not really important who claims credit, as long as she's well.  Come with me if you have some time.  I need to speak to Albus about something important.  I'd like your input as well."

Despite his uneasiness at being in Snape's company at the moment, Lupin couldn't see any way out of it, and he had to admit, he was intensely curious about what had kept Snape away from Evangeline for such a long time when she obviously needed his help so desperately.  So the two of them continued on together to Dumbledore's office.  They knocked on his door and were bidden to enter.  Dumbledore stood up and smiled when he saw Snape.

"Severus, my boy, I'm so glad to see you safely back.  Have you seen, Evangeline, yet?"

Snape nodded.  "Yes, Albus, thank you for helping to care for her.  I would've stayed longer with her, but I have some very serious information for you.  I felt it was important that I tell you about it immediately."

Dumbledore sat back down behind his desk and waved the two of them to chairs.  "I was afraid it was more than a search for Evangeline and the dragon chest that was keeping you busy.  Tell me…what's Voldemort up to?"

When they were all comfortably seated, Snape looked Dumbledore in the eye.  "Voldemort has decided that destroying the everyday underpinnings of society is the best way for him to sow dissension and terror among the populace.  He's planning a massive attack on Gringotts in two days.  He hopes to totally destroy it and plunge the finances of the wizarding world into chaos.  He's promised his followers that they can enrich themselves on the contents of the plundered vaults, once the building has been ransacked and destroyed."

Dumbledore slumped back in his chair.  "How?"

"He was hoping to use dragons to help him.  We managed to foil him there.  He was livid with rage over the loss of that chest.  He killed Victor Clendenning and his entire staff.  In his fury, he leveled the castle, as well as, Evangeline's cottage.  We could not have beaten him if he'd gotten the use of that scroll.  It won't be easy even without it.  He's amassed a large army of trolls and werewolves."  He glanced at Lupin.  "He plans on their help with his attack, two nights from now, at the rising of the full moon."

Horrified, Lupin sat up straight.  "How could he hope to control them all during a full moon?"

Snape frowned impatiently.  "Really, Lupin, I thought you of all people would know the answer to that."

Lupin felt a stab of embarrassment as he realized that Snape was right.  "The Wolfsbane Potion, of course."

Snape nodded and spoke in a very bitter tone, "It allows you to keep your faculties, it doesn't lessen your powers or danger.  You go into seclusion because you don't wish to do harm.  They most especially do wish to do harm, and now, thanks to me, they can direct how that harm can be caused."

He sighed deeply with frustration and continued, "Apparently, Voldemort has replaced Connar Whitestaff, the Minister of Finance, and two junior security ministers, Abegail Eggleson and Joshua Limpet, with Polyjuice enhanced thugs.  They've been paving the way for easy access to the bank.  No doubt he would have replaced some goblins, as well, if Polyjuice worked better with them, but the effect isn't always reliable.  As far as I know, none of the staff at Gringotts has joined his side.  The ministers are being held prisoner in Malfoy's dungeon."

Dumbledore removed his glasses, leaned back, and rubbed his eyes.  "This will take some thought.  Severus, what's your role to be in this plot?"

"I'm to provide the Wolfsbane Potion."  The Potions Master rather thought that that would be obvious, but he refrained from commenting to that effect.

Dumbledore nodded.  "Can the Wolfsbane Potion be made more temporary in nature?"

Snape nodded.  "It's my intention to provide a potion that will last for no more than two hours."

Lupin glanced at him in concern.  "You'll be discovered as a traitor if you do that."

Snape shook his head impatiently and looked Lupin in the eye.  "There's no help for that now.  If we're to do anything to stop this, I must give myself away.  I see no other alternative."  Snape paused and looked resolutely back at Dumbledore.    "I had decided to, anyway."

Dumbledore replaced his glasses and regarded him seriously.  "Why do you say that, Severus?"

Snape looked down at the floor for a moment to gather his thoughts.  Then he took a deep breath and looked up to meet Dumbledore's eyes.  "I can no longer live the half life of a spy, Albus.  Evangeline almost died because I couldn't be here to help her.  Voldemort wants her at all costs.  He was absolutely enraged that his Death Eaters didn't capture her at the cottage.  He tortured to death the one who threw the knife that hit her in the back.  Only because he was afraid the result would be that she'd die before he could get his hands on her!  He's almost obsessed with possessing her and using her in his own twisted schemes.  Especially now that he has clear proof of her abilities."  Snape felt terror at the very thought of Voldemort getting his hands on Evangeline, knowing what she'd suffer if he did.

"I can't let her face that kind of danger alone.  My duty as a spy prevented me from being here to help her when she desperately needed me.  I can't allow myself to be put in that position again.  Her life is too important to me to be put at risk that way!  I won't fail her again."

His eyes pleaded with Dumbledore for understanding.  "I realize that you can force me to continue, Albus, but I beg you not to.  If almost twenty years of living this charade isn't enough to prove my loyalty to you, then there is no way I can ever offer enough proof.  If all I've done at your behest is still not enough to atone, at least in part, for the sins of my youth, then they will never be atoned for.  I'm sorry if this is not to your liking, Albus, because I owe you so much, and I don't want to let you down.  However, my mind is made up.  I won't continue to pretend to be something I'm not.  I will no longer spy on Voldemort for you."  Snape straightened up and stared somewhat defiantly at Dumbledore, clearly not sure what his reaction would be.

Lupin looked from one to the other of them, wondering what Dumbledore would do…how he'd react to this declaration.  This was the longest, most heartfelt speech he'd ever heard from Snape.  The Potions Master was never one to open up about his feelings, at least not while Lupin was around.  Obviously, he loved Evangeline very deeply if he was willing to risk Dumbledore's ire and the consequences of being revealed as a spy in order to be with her.  Lupin actually found this rather comforting.  Proof of the depth of Snape's feelings for Evangeline made Lupin more determined to let go of his own feelings for her, as difficult as that was turning out to be.

Dumbledore stared thoughtfully at Snape for a moment then he got up and walked around the desk.  He pulled the startled Snape up out of his chair and into an embrace.  When he released him, he looked into his eyes and said, "My dear boy, did you really think I'd force you to continue as a spy?  Do you truly believe that I haven't feared for your safety every time you've answered the summons to attend that creature?  I know how much this life has cost you and that you couldn't keep it up forever.  No one should have to.  I can think of no better reason for you to give it up than to protect Evangeline from harm, Severus.  You both deserve a good life, as do we all.  So, let's see what we can do to provide that, shall we, and foil this plot of Voldemort's as well as we did the last one."  He smiled warmly at Snape who smiled back in relief.

After more discussion, it was decided that Dumbledore would assemble as many fighters as he could to protect Gringotts.  He'd also go to London, in the morning, to alert the goblins and to help them take measures for a stand against the Dark Lord and his troops.

Snape would provide the faulty potion for the army of werewolves, then he'd lead a small team to rescue the prisoners at Malfoy's manor, since he knew the layout and how to get inside without question.  For his own safety, Snape suggested that Lupin come with him, rather than join the general defense force.  Picking out one friendly werewolf among a hungry pack wouldn't be easy.  Lupin agreed to help although the thought of being out under the full moon was unsettling to say the least.  He always felt much safer being confined at that time.  That way he couldn't possibly hurt anyone other than himself.

Snape, in addition to providing the faulty Wolfsbane Potion, and a correct Wolfsbane Potion for Lupin, would also concoct a modified version that would provide Dumbledore's troops with some protection from werewolf bites.  He was to be provided with three house elves to help with all his preparations, and the students were to get the next few days off from Potions classes, so he could work undisturbed in his classroom.  A treat they'd no doubt greatly appreciate.

As they left Dumbledore's office, Snape asked Lupin if he'd do him a favor.  Lupin nodded.  "Of course, Severus.  I'll do anything you need, except actually brew potions.  You know how good I am at that."

Snape snorted.  "No, this doesn't involve potion making.  Before I go to get a few hours of rest, I need to do one more thing.  I need to send a little present to Lucius Malfoy.  Would you go to the kitchens and ask the house elves for an elegant box containing 6 of their best, most decadent, chocolate truffles?  Once you get it, bring it to me in my classroom.  I'll explain when I receive it."

Lupin was mystified.  "Okay.  You want that now?"

Snape nodded.  "Please.  Have them make them as visually attractive as possible."

Snape was smiling in a most unpleasant manner and Lupin found himself almost feeling sorry for Lucius Malfoy.