2. Man of two faces
Malfoy gasped and looked at Snape as if he saw him for the first time in his life. Wormatil fixed his small eyes in the locket, both scared and full of superstitious esteem. Voldemort started to walk up and down the hall, giving Snape thoughtful glances.
'Aranus...sign of Grindelwald' he was speaking softly as only for himself 'I didn't expect I would see it any more. The say it has been destroyed...someone wanted us to believe that. But Aranus survived, hidden by heirs of Grindelwald' red eyes rested quickly on Snape 'Hidden by his grandson. So that is why? That is why you wanted to kill Dumbledore.'
Snape smiled grimly and nodded.
'Yes' he hissed 'I have been dreaming about the revenge since the day when my mother told me a story of her father glory and downfall. Downfall caused by nobody else but Albus Dumbledore' black eyes boiled with hatred 'I am a heir of Grindelwald and I have one aim in my live: destroy the one who dared stand in his path.'
Voldemort stopped abruptly and cast him a very keen glance. Something horrible twinkled in his eyes.
'So why Dumbledore is still alive' he asked sharply 'Why haven't you use that poison for all those years? You had more than good possibilities staying at Hogwart.'
This time Snape was the one who get astounded.
'Master, I believe I explained that before the potion was ready...' he hesitated 'Almost two months before, on Halloween...'
'I guess you mean the night of my downfall' Voldemort interrupted sharply, his voice cold and sneering 'I could expect this. Heir of Grindelwald!' he spat 'How dare you use his sign?! You were brave as long as Lord Voldemort was the most powerful wizard in the world and you could have hidden behind his back. But Lord had disappeared and so Grindelwald's grandson forgot about his revenge. Now it would cost him too much...'
Snape blushed, his thin lips twisted in a horrible grimace, baring clenched teeth. Black eyes were burning with rage.
'I must have forgotten to mention' he drawled, his voice shaking madly 'about a component of the Morsanguis Potion which lack makes it useless. A component that should be added to the decoction last night before it's completed. I'm talking about three blood drops of the most powerful enemy of a wizard one is going to kill' he looked at his Master 'And who could have been more powerful than Lord Voldemort...' he finished with a grim smile.
Dark Lord looked surprised.
'Are you going to say that you needed my blood to kill Dumbledore?' he asked with disbelief.
Snape nodded. Voldemort stared at him thoughtfully.
'So after that accident with Potter you didn't have the most important component of the poison...' he said slowly.
Snape was silent and he looked offended. Voldemort smiled.
'I confess, I have judged you wrong' he said 'Forgive me.'
Red eyes glittered strangely. Snape, though still resentful, seemed to be slightly astonished. Voldemort has never asked anybody to forgive him.
'When I was young' Dark Lord said 'Grindelwald was the most powerful Dark Wizard. His fame reached even the most remote places in the world. People trembled at the very sound of his name... as they do today when they hear mine.' he smiled savagely 'Alas, Grindelwald made one very grievous mistake. He underestimated Dumbledore. And he lost.'
Severus nodded mournfully.
'Yes' he said sinisterly 'That is why Albus Dumbledore will die!' Dead silence fell. Voldemort was watching Snape attentively. 'That means...' he said slowly.
Snape understood immediately.
'I'll start preparations tonight' he declared 'Morsangius will be ready in 340 days.'
A devilish, triumphant smile appeared on the Voldemort pale face. Red eyes glittered with venomous satisfaction.
'It's going to be a nasty surprise for old, dear Albus' he sneered 'Betrayed by the man he trusts. But I've always known' he said scornfully 'That he will be lost by his own foolish faith in people. And when he dies...'
The wind howled fiercely, candle flames flickered.
'No one will stop you, Master' whispered Pettriegiew with deep veneration. Voldemort gave him a quick glance and darkened unexpectedly.
'No, Wormtail' he said severely, frowning 'There is somebody else, as powerful as Albus Dumbledore and much more dangerous. If he is not on my side he will be a very difficult enemy.'
Snape and Malfoy exchanged astonished glances. But that was Petrrigiew who asked the question which bothered them all.
'Who is he, Master?' he asked with curiosity 'Who, besides you, can equal Dumbledore?'
Voldemort was staring at the candle flame.
'Another heir of Salazar Slytherin' he said.
Dead silence fell. Nobody spoke. Dark Lord words sounded very mysteriously. Suddenly the iron door creaked. Frightened Wormtail jumped, Snape took out his wand. On the doorstep a tall figure stood, wearing a long cloak with a hood covering all the face.
Voldemort seemed to have been expecting new guest.
'So, you've come' he said with satisfaction, smiling mysteriously 'I've been waiting for you.'
Hooded man bowed. Lord turned to Snape.
'I rely on you, Severus' he said significantly 'And I'm expecting your reports from Hogwart. I want to know what Dumbledore intends...and Potter' his red eyes glittered sinisterly.
'I will not disappoint you, Master' answered Snape.
Voldemort gave him a last glance and beckoned to the masked figure. He entered the hall and marched towards Dark Lord. When he was passing Snape, he turned his head to him and from beneath the hood eyes flashed, full of hatred.
* * *
Severus Apparated at the outskirts of Hogsmead, he drew his broom out of the
bushes and flew towards Hogwart. Huge walls of the castle loomed in the
distance, dark against a background of the stars. There was dim light in one of
the windows on a top of the highest tower. Headmaster was still on his guard.
Snape was flying silently, lost in distressing thoughts. He has just begun a very risky game and he knew that from now he would be often in danger. He was also bothered by two questions and he felt that the answers can be of great importance. Who is an unknown heir of Slytherin? Even Malfoy didn't know anything about him. And that mysterious guest? Snape shuddered when he remembered an icy gaze of the hooded man.
'Do I know him?' he thought.
He reached the castle. He sharply turned his broom, dived and flew into his office though the open window. He waved his wand and the room has been lit by warm, yellow light of the candle. Severus turned to the fireplace and winced. Albus Dumbledore was sitting in Snape's favourite armchair, looking relieved.
'Finally, Severus' he said standing up 'I've already started to suspect that the worst had happened. Fortunately, you came back. And that means...' he clenched his fingers on the armchair back 'Did you succeed? Did he believe you?'
Snape nodded with a grim smile.
'Yes. I was surprised myself it went so easy. Of course, I told him I was going to spy for you once more.'
Dumbledore shook his head.
'So everything goes according to the plan' he said 'But now I can confess that I was almost sure you would convince Voldemort about your loyalty.'
He looked at Snape. For one brief moment Severus had the impression that irony glittered in the light-blue eyes of the old wizard. Dumbledore sighed and sat down again.
'I guess you will inform Voldemort about all my actions' he stated rather than asked.
Snape nodded. There was a silence. Headmaster was watching thoughtfully the trembling flame of the candle. Severus raised his hand to the hidden locket and clenched his palm over the metal spider. He looked gloomily at Dumbledore, hesitated.
'Headmaster, you should know about one thing' he said.
Dumbledore turned his eyes from the flame and looked at Snape inquiringly.
'I heard something interesting tonight' Snape started walking slowly across the room 'Did you know that, beside Voldemort, there is one more heir of Salazar Slytherin?'
Dumbledore looked astounded. He stood up impetuously.
'Another?' he asked with disbelief 'Who...?'
'This is a puzzle' said Snape 'But one thing is clear: whoever he is, he hasn't joined Dark Lord yet.'
Now, for a change, Dumbledore was walking nervously along the office, pulling his long beard.
'I studied thoroughly genealogy of this house and I was sure Slytherin's line ended with Tom Marvolo Riddle. But if he claims there is somebody else...Voldemort knows everything about this stuff' he sighed 'I must have missed something... a collateral line. And what if...' he stopped abruptly and Snape could swear that old wizard turned pale.
Dumbledore was standing for a moment without saying a word, lost in thoughts. Finally, he turned to Potion Master.
'Severus, it was extremely useful information' he said gravely 'And we have to do everything to find out, who Voldemort was talking about. It's VERY IMPORTANT' he added emphatically.
* * *
(September 1st, 1995)
The Hogwart Express stopped at the final station. Harry, Ron and Hermione pushed themselves towards the exit in the crowd of students, which evidently had decided to leave the train in the same moment. He breathed freely when he finally reached the door. But he had hardly put his feet on the platform when a giant hand seized him by his arm and turned him around.
'Hagrid !' exclaimed Harry joyfully and next second he nearly screamed when the Keeper of Keys almost batter his bones in an iron hug.
"Harry !' Hagrid snuffled 'It's good yer here. Now I can be easy abou' yeh. At Hogwart even You-Know-Who not touch yeh...'
He ceased talking suddenly and looked carefully at Harry. After the events of last June and Lord Voldemort return everybody tried not to mention about him when Harry was by. Though, it was quite difficult in the situation, when the old terror began slowly creeping into the magic world.
'It's O.K.' said Harry trying to sound lightly.
Memory of the last encounter with Voldemort was still just as dreadful as two months ago. However, during the summer holidays nothing happened that could indicate that the Dark Lord is going to attack right now. Contrary, there were no news of him and Harry finally stopped to falling asleep with a terrible thought that he would wake up hearing a cruel, cold laugher, blinded by the greenish flash of Avada Kedavra.
Moreover, he was aware that he was guarded very well. Even during holidays at the Dursleys he had stayed under a watchful care of Arabella Figg. It turned out that the old neighbour of his aunt and uncle is a witch, and no mean one. To Harry great surprised Dumbledore had informed him that Arabella Figg was a retired Auror.
He also received a letter from Sirius every several days. At the moment Black has been hiding himself at his friend, Remus Lupin. However, he was keeping in touch with Harry and the boy slowly began to forget about the nightmare of the past June.
It didn't mean, however, that everything was O.K. Voldemort had hidden himself and no one heard about him anymore. Many wizards started to believe that the news about his returns was simply invented. But some people, including the Weasleys, thought that it was only calm before the storm and they've been worrying more and more.
'Harry !' he was brought back to reality by Ron 'Let's go, carriages are waiting.'
They left the station accompanied by Hagrid and Harry even didn't have to ask why. The Keeper of Keys seemed to have decided to keep a sharp eye on him and Harry was sure that it was Dumbledore's order. Something, however, interested him and only they got into the carriage he asked:
'Hagrid, who is going to transport the first-years across the lake?'
Hagrid's black eyes glittered and he chortled gruffly.
'Professor McGonagall herself' he answered trying to keep a straight face.
He didn't succeed, however, and soon all four were laughing, trying to imagine themselves a grave and strict witch, sailing through the lake on a shaky boat.
'Hagrid, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year ?' asked Ron suddenly.
It became almost a strange tradition at Hogwart that every year this subject was thought by a different teacher. And, as usual, students didn't know who will he be this time. Hagrid smiled mysteriously.
'Yer lucky. This yea' it's really somebody. A famous...Ups!' he quickly put a hand on his mouth 'Almost blur' out. It's surprise.'
And though they begged him to tell the name of a new teacher, he didn't want to say anymore. They reached the castle. They went up the stone stairs, passed the door and stopped in the Entrance Hall. Harry felt as if he had come back home. He breathed deeply and smiled. Students entered the illuminated Great Hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table and soon also Fred and George Weasley joined them.
In the main seat at the stuff table Albus Dumbledore was sitting, smiling heartily to the students. When he sow Harry he nodded and gave him a warm glance. Other teachers were also present and only one seat, on Headmaster's left-hand side, remained empty.
'It seems that the Dark Arts bloke will be late again' said Ron, a bit disappointed.
As most of the people in the Hall, he was dying to know who the new teacher was. Meanwhile, professor McGonagall led the frightened first-years into the room. It was quite clear that the night sailing wasn't her liking. She looked frozen and very irritated. She put an old, shabby Sorting Hat on a four-legged stool and the Sorting Ceremony started.
When the last one from the pupils had been sorted to the new house, Dumbledore got up and made a customary speech. Harry expected to hear something in connection with Voldemort's return. He was sure that additional rules about moving around the school grounds would be initiated. However, it didn't happened. Dumbledore wished them good appetite and on the tables plates appeared, full of the heavenly smelling dishes.
Ten minutes had passed when Dumbledore interrupted his conversation with Minerwa McGonagall and he looked attentively at the window.
'Well, I see that our new teacher has just arrived !' he exclaimed joyfully, rising and pointing his wand at the window.
Malfoy gasped and looked at Snape as if he saw him for the first time in his life. Wormatil fixed his small eyes in the locket, both scared and full of superstitious esteem. Voldemort started to walk up and down the hall, giving Snape thoughtful glances.
'Aranus...sign of Grindelwald' he was speaking softly as only for himself 'I didn't expect I would see it any more. The say it has been destroyed...someone wanted us to believe that. But Aranus survived, hidden by heirs of Grindelwald' red eyes rested quickly on Snape 'Hidden by his grandson. So that is why? That is why you wanted to kill Dumbledore.'
Snape smiled grimly and nodded.
'Yes' he hissed 'I have been dreaming about the revenge since the day when my mother told me a story of her father glory and downfall. Downfall caused by nobody else but Albus Dumbledore' black eyes boiled with hatred 'I am a heir of Grindelwald and I have one aim in my live: destroy the one who dared stand in his path.'
Voldemort stopped abruptly and cast him a very keen glance. Something horrible twinkled in his eyes.
'So why Dumbledore is still alive' he asked sharply 'Why haven't you use that poison for all those years? You had more than good possibilities staying at Hogwart.'
This time Snape was the one who get astounded.
'Master, I believe I explained that before the potion was ready...' he hesitated 'Almost two months before, on Halloween...'
'I guess you mean the night of my downfall' Voldemort interrupted sharply, his voice cold and sneering 'I could expect this. Heir of Grindelwald!' he spat 'How dare you use his sign?! You were brave as long as Lord Voldemort was the most powerful wizard in the world and you could have hidden behind his back. But Lord had disappeared and so Grindelwald's grandson forgot about his revenge. Now it would cost him too much...'
Snape blushed, his thin lips twisted in a horrible grimace, baring clenched teeth. Black eyes were burning with rage.
'I must have forgotten to mention' he drawled, his voice shaking madly 'about a component of the Morsanguis Potion which lack makes it useless. A component that should be added to the decoction last night before it's completed. I'm talking about three blood drops of the most powerful enemy of a wizard one is going to kill' he looked at his Master 'And who could have been more powerful than Lord Voldemort...' he finished with a grim smile.
Dark Lord looked surprised.
'Are you going to say that you needed my blood to kill Dumbledore?' he asked with disbelief.
Snape nodded. Voldemort stared at him thoughtfully.
'So after that accident with Potter you didn't have the most important component of the poison...' he said slowly.
Snape was silent and he looked offended. Voldemort smiled.
'I confess, I have judged you wrong' he said 'Forgive me.'
Red eyes glittered strangely. Snape, though still resentful, seemed to be slightly astonished. Voldemort has never asked anybody to forgive him.
'When I was young' Dark Lord said 'Grindelwald was the most powerful Dark Wizard. His fame reached even the most remote places in the world. People trembled at the very sound of his name... as they do today when they hear mine.' he smiled savagely 'Alas, Grindelwald made one very grievous mistake. He underestimated Dumbledore. And he lost.'
Severus nodded mournfully.
'Yes' he said sinisterly 'That is why Albus Dumbledore will die!' Dead silence fell. Voldemort was watching Snape attentively. 'That means...' he said slowly.
Snape understood immediately.
'I'll start preparations tonight' he declared 'Morsangius will be ready in 340 days.'
A devilish, triumphant smile appeared on the Voldemort pale face. Red eyes glittered with venomous satisfaction.
'It's going to be a nasty surprise for old, dear Albus' he sneered 'Betrayed by the man he trusts. But I've always known' he said scornfully 'That he will be lost by his own foolish faith in people. And when he dies...'
The wind howled fiercely, candle flames flickered.
'No one will stop you, Master' whispered Pettriegiew with deep veneration. Voldemort gave him a quick glance and darkened unexpectedly.
'No, Wormtail' he said severely, frowning 'There is somebody else, as powerful as Albus Dumbledore and much more dangerous. If he is not on my side he will be a very difficult enemy.'
Snape and Malfoy exchanged astonished glances. But that was Petrrigiew who asked the question which bothered them all.
'Who is he, Master?' he asked with curiosity 'Who, besides you, can equal Dumbledore?'
Voldemort was staring at the candle flame.
'Another heir of Salazar Slytherin' he said.
Dead silence fell. Nobody spoke. Dark Lord words sounded very mysteriously. Suddenly the iron door creaked. Frightened Wormtail jumped, Snape took out his wand. On the doorstep a tall figure stood, wearing a long cloak with a hood covering all the face.
Voldemort seemed to have been expecting new guest.
'So, you've come' he said with satisfaction, smiling mysteriously 'I've been waiting for you.'
Hooded man bowed. Lord turned to Snape.
'I rely on you, Severus' he said significantly 'And I'm expecting your reports from Hogwart. I want to know what Dumbledore intends...and Potter' his red eyes glittered sinisterly.
'I will not disappoint you, Master' answered Snape.
Voldemort gave him a last glance and beckoned to the masked figure. He entered the hall and marched towards Dark Lord. When he was passing Snape, he turned his head to him and from beneath the hood eyes flashed, full of hatred.
Snape was flying silently, lost in distressing thoughts. He has just begun a very risky game and he knew that from now he would be often in danger. He was also bothered by two questions and he felt that the answers can be of great importance. Who is an unknown heir of Slytherin? Even Malfoy didn't know anything about him. And that mysterious guest? Snape shuddered when he remembered an icy gaze of the hooded man.
'Do I know him?' he thought.
He reached the castle. He sharply turned his broom, dived and flew into his office though the open window. He waved his wand and the room has been lit by warm, yellow light of the candle. Severus turned to the fireplace and winced. Albus Dumbledore was sitting in Snape's favourite armchair, looking relieved.
'Finally, Severus' he said standing up 'I've already started to suspect that the worst had happened. Fortunately, you came back. And that means...' he clenched his fingers on the armchair back 'Did you succeed? Did he believe you?'
Snape nodded with a grim smile.
'Yes. I was surprised myself it went so easy. Of course, I told him I was going to spy for you once more.'
Dumbledore shook his head.
'So everything goes according to the plan' he said 'But now I can confess that I was almost sure you would convince Voldemort about your loyalty.'
He looked at Snape. For one brief moment Severus had the impression that irony glittered in the light-blue eyes of the old wizard. Dumbledore sighed and sat down again.
'I guess you will inform Voldemort about all my actions' he stated rather than asked.
Snape nodded. There was a silence. Headmaster was watching thoughtfully the trembling flame of the candle. Severus raised his hand to the hidden locket and clenched his palm over the metal spider. He looked gloomily at Dumbledore, hesitated.
'Headmaster, you should know about one thing' he said.
Dumbledore turned his eyes from the flame and looked at Snape inquiringly.
'I heard something interesting tonight' Snape started walking slowly across the room 'Did you know that, beside Voldemort, there is one more heir of Salazar Slytherin?'
Dumbledore looked astounded. He stood up impetuously.
'Another?' he asked with disbelief 'Who...?'
'This is a puzzle' said Snape 'But one thing is clear: whoever he is, he hasn't joined Dark Lord yet.'
Now, for a change, Dumbledore was walking nervously along the office, pulling his long beard.
'I studied thoroughly genealogy of this house and I was sure Slytherin's line ended with Tom Marvolo Riddle. But if he claims there is somebody else...Voldemort knows everything about this stuff' he sighed 'I must have missed something... a collateral line. And what if...' he stopped abruptly and Snape could swear that old wizard turned pale.
Dumbledore was standing for a moment without saying a word, lost in thoughts. Finally, he turned to Potion Master.
'Severus, it was extremely useful information' he said gravely 'And we have to do everything to find out, who Voldemort was talking about. It's VERY IMPORTANT' he added emphatically.
The Hogwart Express stopped at the final station. Harry, Ron and Hermione pushed themselves towards the exit in the crowd of students, which evidently had decided to leave the train in the same moment. He breathed freely when he finally reached the door. But he had hardly put his feet on the platform when a giant hand seized him by his arm and turned him around.
'Hagrid !' exclaimed Harry joyfully and next second he nearly screamed when the Keeper of Keys almost batter his bones in an iron hug.
"Harry !' Hagrid snuffled 'It's good yer here. Now I can be easy abou' yeh. At Hogwart even You-Know-Who not touch yeh...'
He ceased talking suddenly and looked carefully at Harry. After the events of last June and Lord Voldemort return everybody tried not to mention about him when Harry was by. Though, it was quite difficult in the situation, when the old terror began slowly creeping into the magic world.
'It's O.K.' said Harry trying to sound lightly.
Memory of the last encounter with Voldemort was still just as dreadful as two months ago. However, during the summer holidays nothing happened that could indicate that the Dark Lord is going to attack right now. Contrary, there were no news of him and Harry finally stopped to falling asleep with a terrible thought that he would wake up hearing a cruel, cold laugher, blinded by the greenish flash of Avada Kedavra.
Moreover, he was aware that he was guarded very well. Even during holidays at the Dursleys he had stayed under a watchful care of Arabella Figg. It turned out that the old neighbour of his aunt and uncle is a witch, and no mean one. To Harry great surprised Dumbledore had informed him that Arabella Figg was a retired Auror.
He also received a letter from Sirius every several days. At the moment Black has been hiding himself at his friend, Remus Lupin. However, he was keeping in touch with Harry and the boy slowly began to forget about the nightmare of the past June.
It didn't mean, however, that everything was O.K. Voldemort had hidden himself and no one heard about him anymore. Many wizards started to believe that the news about his returns was simply invented. But some people, including the Weasleys, thought that it was only calm before the storm and they've been worrying more and more.
'Harry !' he was brought back to reality by Ron 'Let's go, carriages are waiting.'
They left the station accompanied by Hagrid and Harry even didn't have to ask why. The Keeper of Keys seemed to have decided to keep a sharp eye on him and Harry was sure that it was Dumbledore's order. Something, however, interested him and only they got into the carriage he asked:
'Hagrid, who is going to transport the first-years across the lake?'
Hagrid's black eyes glittered and he chortled gruffly.
'Professor McGonagall herself' he answered trying to keep a straight face.
He didn't succeed, however, and soon all four were laughing, trying to imagine themselves a grave and strict witch, sailing through the lake on a shaky boat.
'Hagrid, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts this year ?' asked Ron suddenly.
It became almost a strange tradition at Hogwart that every year this subject was thought by a different teacher. And, as usual, students didn't know who will he be this time. Hagrid smiled mysteriously.
'Yer lucky. This yea' it's really somebody. A famous...Ups!' he quickly put a hand on his mouth 'Almost blur' out. It's surprise.'
And though they begged him to tell the name of a new teacher, he didn't want to say anymore. They reached the castle. They went up the stone stairs, passed the door and stopped in the Entrance Hall. Harry felt as if he had come back home. He breathed deeply and smiled. Students entered the illuminated Great Hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table and soon also Fred and George Weasley joined them.
In the main seat at the stuff table Albus Dumbledore was sitting, smiling heartily to the students. When he sow Harry he nodded and gave him a warm glance. Other teachers were also present and only one seat, on Headmaster's left-hand side, remained empty.
'It seems that the Dark Arts bloke will be late again' said Ron, a bit disappointed.
As most of the people in the Hall, he was dying to know who the new teacher was. Meanwhile, professor McGonagall led the frightened first-years into the room. It was quite clear that the night sailing wasn't her liking. She looked frozen and very irritated. She put an old, shabby Sorting Hat on a four-legged stool and the Sorting Ceremony started.
When the last one from the pupils had been sorted to the new house, Dumbledore got up and made a customary speech. Harry expected to hear something in connection with Voldemort's return. He was sure that additional rules about moving around the school grounds would be initiated. However, it didn't happened. Dumbledore wished them good appetite and on the tables plates appeared, full of the heavenly smelling dishes.
Ten minutes had passed when Dumbledore interrupted his conversation with Minerwa McGonagall and he looked attentively at the window.
'Well, I see that our new teacher has just arrived !' he exclaimed joyfully, rising and pointing his wand at the window.
