Disclaimer – All JKR's, nothing mine! Except for a few characters I added.
Disclaimer 2 - Draco drawing dragons belongs to PikaCheeka. Sorry I forgot to mention that in the first chapter of MNS. I sort of adopted the idea subconsciously.
Disclaimer 3 - Severus' raven belongs to J. L. Matthews. I just borrowed him because he's such a perfect pet for Sevi and promise to return him unharmed.
The catar however are all mine and I love them so please don't use without asking me first.
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A/N – This might come as a surprise to some of you, but this is the last chapter. Now I'm taking a poll: Do you want me to write an epilogue or not? Many readers disliked the epilogue of My Name's Severus and this one would be set in the same time with the same characters. Just tell me whether I should write it or not in your review. If I don't write the epilogue, I'll take a two week break before starting to write the Runaway Dragon mini sequel.
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Chapter 21: The Traitor
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With a scream of rage Ron launched himself at Draco from the door.
"What the?" Harry started confused then caught himself. "Ron!"
Ron however didn't seem to hear him. He'd grabbed Draco's throat and squeezed. Dean and Seamus stood open-mouthed while Draco was fighting for air struggling and kicking.
Juliana shrieked. Severus pulled his wand, but hesitated to use it. He didn't want to hurt the boys.
After the first moment of shock Harry and Neville grabbed a hold of Ron and tried to pull him off, but Draco's desperate unaimed kicks hindered them more than they helped.
"Stupefy!" Severus shouted aiming at Ron and hoping he didn't hit anyone else in the tight fast moving pile.
The spell wouldn't do any actual harm to any of them, though. If he did hit the wrong target he'd just have to try again and apologise later.
The result however was unexpected. All four boys dropped motionless to the ground.
Severus blinked. How had his spell become so powerful? The gummy bear in his mouth suddenly didn't taste all that sweet and innocent anymore.
Dean and Seamus had overcome their first surprise and pried Ron's hands off Draco's throat. They apparently didn't realise that Severus had never expected his spell to be that powerful.
All four boys were still breathing. Severus too breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wow, I had no idea you can do that with a single stupefy." Seamus commented. "They're still not showing any signs of waking up."
"One can't do that with a single stupefy." Severus admitted. "I put too much magic into the spell and completely forgot I was eating a gummy bear. I only meant to hit Ron so Neville and Harry could pull him off."
Dean eyed the bag of gummy bears with new respect. "These things should come with a warning, if that's what they do to a simple stupefy."
"Neville's accio with gummy bear wasn't that enhanced." Seamus remembered.
Severus wondered just how much he should admit. It was clear to him what had happened. The gummy bears were apparently much stronger conduits than most wands.
"Maybe it's like with wand cores." Juliana suggested. "Severus just has a higher affinity with gummy bears than Neville so they work better for him."
"Not necessarily." Severus decided there was no use hiding this after all. People would experiment more on gummy bears in the future and sooner or later figure it out. "Neville is an averagely talented wizard, maybe even a bit below average. I have much stronger magic. I suspect that the gummy bears' effect grows exponentially with the amount of magic a wizard possesses. We should probably warn Dumbledore against using them."
Seamus swallowed hard. "Just how much more powerful than you is Dumbledore?"
"More." Severus declared. He wasn't supposed to know the exact strength of the headmaster's power as a student, was he? And he just couldn't let it get out just how powerful he himself actually was. There were people who had a very clear idea of the headmaster's strength, after all.
"Don't you think we should revive them?" Dean suggested with a nod towards the four boys on the floor. "Who knows how long they will stay knocked out."
That was in fact a good idea. If they didn't find out how long the spell would last, they wouldn't be able to estimate its exact strength later and couldn't deduct how much power Severus had used once somebody developed a formula for the use of gummy bears in magic.
"You're right." Severus confirmed. "Lets see if we can. Ennervate."
Draco blinked, then massaged his throat with one hand. "Okay, I knew the Weasel was hot headed, but that was a little extreme. Whatever is in that letter?"
Severus shrugged and bent down towards Neville. "Ennervate."
Dean meanwhile did the same for Harry.
"No Carlson, don't." Seamus held back Juliana who had bent down to revive Ron. "I think we'd better wait with that until you're gone. Just in case he's still in such a bad temper when he wakes up."
"It's because of the game." Harry explained running his hands through his messy white hair in a hopeless attempt to restore it to some kind of order. He's in a really bad mood, because we were so hopelessly outclassed by Hufflepuff. I guess he really needed something to hit and you just were the first target that he came across. What are you doing in here anyway?"
"I wanted to show them the photos my Gran sent with her last owl, so I asked them into the common room. When I saw how surprised they were at its looks, I decided to give them a little tour of the tower and show them where I sleep." Neville was a surprisingly good liar. "I thought we'd be long gone by the time you got back, so there wouldn't be any trouble."
"Ah, you're sweet on Carlson, eh?" Seamus laughed.
Neville blushed. "Er . . . I . . . actually . . ."
"Actually, he has his eye on Alice." Juliana grinned. "But we missed her at breakfast today, so he had to make due with us."
Neville blushed even more.
"I think you'd better give me Mrs Weasley's letter." Harry suggested. "I'll give it back to Ron and confirm that you didn't actually read it. That ought to calm him down."
"It isn't really from his Mum after all." Draco said picking up the parchment once again. "It's from his brother Percy."
"Percy?" Harry repeated surprised. "Why would Percy write him again? He just owled two days ago."
"Maybe this is that letter." Draco suggested and held it out to Harry.
"But Ginny said she wanted to keep it. She took it to her dorm with her. Why would Ron burn a letter that's so precious to Ginny?" Harry turned the parchment over to read it and paled. He sank back onto his bed dropping the letter. "No."
The others exchanged some confused glances.
"Harry?" Neville asked worriedly when the boy didn't say anything more.
Harry just stared at him.
Severus picked up the letter. It was a little scorched but still mostly legible. With a little conjecture it was easy to reconstruct the entire text.
Dear Ron,
I trust this owl finds you well, despite the rather unfortunate latest drawback. I know that you are aware of the critical importance of your mission and will do everything in your power to succeed. Remember also the rewards that await both of us once the mission is successfully completed. Do not waver in your loyalty no matter how much our Lord may test you. We are only his humble servants and tools in his laudable efforts to cleanse our world. Bear in mind how our family's entire future hinges on your success. Only you and I can redeem them and even, if they would not condone our actions now, they will thank us later. Indeed think of our sister and the prestigious marriage she might have a good chance to make, if it wins our Lord's approval. Do not let old sentimentalities stand in your way. The Potter boy has only ever used you and taken all the glory for your actions. His death will free you of a burden and give you the chance to finally realise your potential. His pretence to friendship can bring you nothing, but a painful death when you get between the fronts of the coming war. We must stand firm on the winning side, if we wish to redeem our misguided family. Concerning the mudblood girl I would not bother our Lord with that now. I am aware of her potential and should she survive the war I might agree to support your petition to our Lord once our position and Ginny's marriage have been secured. Remember however that mixing our pure blood with such muggle filth will not please our friends and Lord. Her talent and your record of excellent service might help to convince our Lord to make an exception, though. Therefore it is most crucial that you continue to serve loyally and fulfil your duties to perfection. You should also seek to gain the trust and friendship of others valued by our Lord. They might prove to be valuable allies later. Your chance to work with Mr. Malfoy is an excellent opportunity, I wish had been granted to me. Do not waste it. Most of all, however, in the interest of your wishes as well as all our family, Harry Potter has to die as soon as possible. I trust that you have already taken the necessary steps to assure this.
Your loving brother
Percy of the old and noble house of Weasley
"Ron is the traitor." Severus looked up, then over to where Ron was just beginning to stir on the floor. "We've got him."
"Ron?" Draco asked incredulously.
Severus quietly handed him the letter.
Neville, Seamus and Dean pushed and shoved each other trying to read over Draco's shoulder.
"We need to tie him up." Juliana reminded them. "Don't let him get away."
Ron apparently was more conscious than he'd seemed. At Juliana's words he jumped up and ran for the door.
"Petrificus totalus!" Severus still had a rest of the gummy bear in his mouth and Ron dropped like a stone once again.
"I'll alert the headmaster." Draco decided. "You guys make sure he doesn't get away."
"You can't go through there alone." Severus stopped him. "The Gryffindors will mistake you for an intruder."
"I'll go." Neville decided. "What's the password?"
"Still gummy bear as far as I know." Severus answered. "Hurry. The headmaster will want to know as soon as possible."
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"Teachers please come to the staff room in ten minutes." Albus Dumbledore's voice rang through the castle. "Important staff meeting in ten minutes."
Lucius looked up from the letter he was writing. Important staff meeting? Whatever could it be this time?
"Cockroach?"
"No, you can not have a cockroach." Lucius thought he'd finally figured out why that idiotic raven kept saying that particular word. Apparently Snape had used the annoying bugs as raven and hedgehog treats.
"Letter?"
"Unfortunately for both of us I will not have the time to finish this right now." Lucius informed the bird. "I have to attend another of those stupid staff meetings."
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Lucius was beginning to wish he hadn't insulted that bird so often. "No, that's not what you really mean to say. You mean to say: Can I have a cockroach, please."
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Well, the sentence was definitely too difficult for a bird. What had he been thinking? But what would Snape think, if he returned and heard the raven say 'stupid cockroach'?
"I hate you, bird." Lucius decided.
"Corvus! Stupid Cockroach!"
"What?"
"Always add the water first or your potion ingredients may burn." Corvus advised.
"That's basics. I'm a Potions teacher. Don't you think I'd know that?"
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Lucius suddenly realised that he was trying to reason with a bird. He groaned, buried his face in his hands and hoped that those weren't the first steps towards madness.
"Meeting?" Corvus enquired.
Oh, right! Lucius caught himself just in time before he actually thanked the bird for the reminder and just walked out of the room grabbing his latest class lists on the way. Not that there could have been an attack, but he'd better look as if he thought this could concern the assassin.
"Stupid Cockroach!"
When no answer came to that last insult Corvus just shook out his feathers and hopped onto the desk to tear up the started letter. He'd get to see Cockroach look for it. That should be fun.
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"What's going on?" Lucius asked sounding suitably concerned as he entered the staff room.
"I think there must have been another attack. At least that's what the students thought." Professor Sprout was still wearing her Hufflepuff scarf and there were crumbs of cake on it. Apparently she'd come straight from the Hufflepuff victory party.
"The students weren't told to return to their common rooms this time, though." remarked the werewolf who had once again managed to get the best chair right by the fireplace.
From the other end of the room Flitwick nodded his agreement. "Perhaps this is only an issue of discipline. Some of the Gryffmdors did get a little out of hand after their defeat. I had to magically restrain a group of fist years that were throwing stones at a Hufflepuff girl and I doubt that was the only such incident."
"That would be little Missy." Sprout nodded. "Thankfully she only suffered a bruise on her arm, but Phelan almost was pushed down the stairs by two older boys and Kenny showed up at the party with a split lip and refused to say how he got it."
Pince nodded. "We will have to take actions to prevent such abuse in future. The children seem to get more violent with each year."
Remus shook his head. "It's the war. Everybody is scared and more aggressive. The children just don't know how to deal with that."
"You don't see my Ravenclaws behaving like that, do you?" Flitwick countered. "Or the Hufflepuffs. In fact I don't remember the current Slytherins doing anything like it either. Insults and lack of respect, yes, and the occasional fight, but not this forming of violent mobs. The Gryffindors are out of bounds."
"They are a temperamental house." Remus conceded. "And have less self control than the Slytherins, but I wouldn't call them out of bounds. Most returned to their common room quite quietly. It is the first years that are becoming a problem."
"The two that attacked Kenny weren't first years. " Sprout insisted. "We have been far too lenient with the Gryffindors for years, but only Severus ever saw that. He was the only one that kept them in line. Now see what happens without him. Gryffindors are attacking innocent students in the corridors, selling themselves to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, trying to murder one of their own without as much as a thought about the additional lives they put at stake."
"There's nothing to indicate that more than one Gryffindor has joined the death eaters." Remus pointed out, but the atmosphere in the staff room was turning more and more against Gryffindor.
"They are a bunch of no good brats." Filch growled from the corner behind Lucius. "No other house gets that many detentions."
"They are rude and respectless." Trelawney agreed.
"Now, now. They're not that bad." Hagrid said, but then he said the same thing about dragons, three headed dogs and blast ended skrewts. "They're just misunderstood."
"They endanger the other students." stated Sprout.
"They need more discipline." declared Vector.
Lucius was beginning to get seriously worried, but before the situation could escalate any further the headmaster, McGonagall and Snape entered. A very adult Snape, even though he was still carrying that green hedgehog.
That discovery distracted Lucius from the much more dangerous fact that Dumbledore was not twinkling and he almost betrayed himself when the headmaster made a completely unexpected announcement.
"We have caught the traitor."
Cheers went up all around.
"So who is it?" the Muggle Studies teacher asked. "Finnigan? Rash?"
"No and no, Julian. Nobody we would ever have suspected." Dumbledore shook his head. "It is Ronald Weasley."
"A Weasley?" Sprout asked.
"But he's Harry's best friend!" protested Hagrid.
"I suppose you have proof for that." Lucius stated outwardly calm while his mind raced through possible scenarios. The assassin was lost, but there had to be a way to maintain his cover.
"Of course." Dumbledore pulled out a slightly scorched piece of parchment. "Severus, if you could please get Mr. Weasley for me? I have this letter: Dear Ron, . . ."
While the headmaster began to read Snape calmly walked to the door, opened it and pulled Ron Weasley inside by the back of his robes. "Thank you. Baron."
Ron looked white as a sheet. His hands were bound behind his back, but his feet were free. Lucius didn't want to know what exactly the Bloody Baron had done to keep him from running away.
Dumbledore simply read on until he got to 'Mr. Malfoy'. "I wonder why Percy Weasley would think you could sway Voldemort's opinion, Lucius."
"Me?" Lucius put on his best look of righteous indignation. "That can't be. . . . Perhaps he meant it in the context of his sister's hopes for marriage. He must be aware that Draco would never marry against my wishes and meant to warn the boy against giving me a bad impression of his family. Yes, that must be it."
"I see." Dumbledore nodded and continued to read. "He does indeed mention the topic of Ginny's marriage a lot, though he was apparently speaking of Ronald's marriage plans just before."
"Quite obsessed with marriage, isn't he." quipped Julian. "You'd think he was an elderly witch."
McGonagall glared at him, which Julian overlooked with his usual lack of insight.
Dumbledore ignored the comment and finished the letter. Then he looked deep into Ron's eyes. "Do you understand what you've done, Mr. Weasley?"
"My duty towards my family and the wizarding world. You will lose, Dumbledore and all who stand beside you will die. I will not allow my family to be among them."
"Those traps weren't your idea." Dumbledore stated seemingly calm. "Who did you get your instructions from?"
Ron glanced towards Lucius for help.
"Well, boy? Answer him." Lucius hissed. "Or are you afraid of incriminating your brother? He has already provided sufficient proof against himself."
Ron nodded. "Yes, it was Percy. I got my instructions from Percy."
"Very well." Dumbledore sighed. "Mr. Ronald Weasley you have just admitted to repeated attempted murder of a fellow student. You are hereby expelled from Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Minerva?"
Lips pressed tightly together McGonagall handed a slightly shabby looking wand to the headmaster who cut it with a quick severing charm. The wand sparked one last time as if in protest. Ron Weasley couldn't entirely suppress a sob as its pieces clattered to the floor.
"I will now inform the ministry and your parents. The aurors will no doubt send somebody over to get you within the next few hours." the headmaster announced.
"The aurors?" Ron paled. "I'm not old enough to go to Azkaban. You can't do that!"
"No, but there are institutions for dangerous under age criminals like you on the continent." Remus informed him. "The Wizengamot has made such arrangements in similar cases before. I believe the last case was a boy that murdered his father about forty years ago. He went to a detention center in Siberia after his trial, I think."
Ron whimpered. "No, please! You can't do that to me. Think of my family. My father is your friend."
"I am quite sure that your father understands the necessity no matter how much your misdeeds will hurt him or your mother." Professor Sprout declared tears glistening in her eyes. "How could you do that to a loving family like yours?"
"I guess we were wrong to assume that our traitor had to be an abused or neglected child from a broken home." Dumbledore sighed once again. "We just automatically expected the traitor to be a Slytherin when in the end it was the Slytherins' efforts that led to his discovery and capture."
"Looks like we owe Slytherin an apology then." Remus stated. "And perhaps some house points."
"You also owe Neville Longbottom and perhaps Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor." Snape added. "And it might be a good idea to officially state the innocence of Seamus Finnigan who did help with the capture after all."
Dumbledore finally smiled again, though it was a rather weak smile. "I think your house might have a chance of winning the house cup this year after all, Severus."
Lucius kept quiet and outwardly calm during this entire discussion. Inside his head however his thoughts were racing. If Ron went on trial he might end up telling the truth about Lucius' involvement there. In fact he could blurt it out at any time. Lucius had an emergency portkey that he constantly carried in his pocket. He could use that to escape and go into hiding, if the boy betrayed him, but it would mean to give up everything. His influence, his good name, his home and family. He'd probably even lose standing with the dark lord, if his fortune was confiscated and thanks to his extortion trial that wasn't all that high at the moment in the first place.
Of course, if he prevented the boy from giving away anything now, he wouldn't need to escape at all. He could serve off the rest of his punishment, which shouldn't be that much longer since Snape was obviously restored to normal, and walk out as if nothing had happened.
There was a way to pull it off, though it involved great risk. Should he be caught in this he would have no route of escape. Still sometimes you had to take a risk.
Just as Trelawney was getting up to head out the door Lucius jumped up as well. "Please excuse me." he stated hastily. "I just remembered I've got a cauldron on the fire. I'd better check up on it."
In his hurry to get out he ran right past Trelawney which forced him to push though between her and Weasley who still stood with his back to the door staring a the pieces of his wand.
Ron's eyes widened for just a second as he felt Lucius bump into him and push a tiny glass object into his tied hands. He fingered it carefully. A vial?
Why would Lucius give him some potion? Was it poison to kill him before he could betray their Lord at his trial?
But how was he expected to bring it to his mouth with his hands still tied to his back? Wouldn't whoever finally untied him notice that he was holding something and take it away from him?
He wasn't given much time to contemplate his problem. Snape took charge of him again and led him to a small room filled with empty shelves. The door closed behind him and he heard the key turn in the lock. So now the best he could hope for was to get locked up for life in some more comfortable place than Siberia? He'd once heard there was a detention center for juvenile delinquent wizards somewhere in France, but would anyone there even speak English? Ron didn't know any French.
A sudden pull behind his navel drew him out of his thoughts and dropped him right into an expensively furnished bedroom. Wide-eyed Ron turned around and found a skinny house elf in a ratty pillowcase staring at him open mouthed with a feather duster in her hand.
"What is you doings here, Sir?"
"Um ... I don't know." Ron stuttered. "Where is here?"
"This ises Mr Malfoy Sir's bedroom, Sir."
Ron blinked. "I'm at Malfoy Manor?" It only took him a moment to recover, though. "Then inform your Lady of my presence and untie me, elf!"
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"Letter?" Corvus demanded, but Cockroach didn't seem to be in the mood to look for the destroyed parchment.
Lucius had cast the spell that remote activated the emergency portkey the moment he had closed the door to his quarters behind him. Now he was in the middle of enspelling a new emergency portkey. He wouldn't feel safe until it was completed and he wouldn't let some idiot raven keep him from that. The report of the disaster to Lord Voldemort could wait that long no matter how urgent it was.
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When they arrived at dinner that evening the students found the tables empty and all teachers, including both Professor Malfoy and Professor Snape waiting at the head table. Even Professor Trelawney was there which caused some confusion among the first years who'd never seen her before.
Whispers spread from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. The traitor had been caught? It had been Seamus Finnigan, no Ginny Weasley, no Neville Longbottom. No, no, no all wrong. Seamus, Ginny and Neville had been the ones to catch him. It had been Ron Weasley.
The Ravenclaws snorted at that information the Hufflepuffs shook their heads in disbelief. Nicodemus Hanson was heard muttering that he was fine with anything, if only the traitor stopped bothering them from now on.
Luisa Hunter-Moor dashed into the great hall almost five minutes late and blushed as everybody's attention turned to her. She looked relieved when the headmaster stood up the moment she had sat down.
"I have very good news, and some not quite that good news for you." he announced. "The good news is that the traitor has been found. It was Mr. Ronald Weasley. He was expelled from this school and his wand has been broken. The pieces are now in my possession and will be handed over to his family as soon as they arrive. The bad news are that the traitor himself has managed to escape with a port key that he somehow managed to sneak past us. He is currently no longer on school grounds and should not pose a danger without his wand. Should you see him, however, please do not try to apprehend him yourself. Report the sighting to me or the ministry right away and leave it to the aurors to capture him. Do not trust him in case he should approach you and under no circumstances let him back onto school grounds."
There was a renewed round of whispering. It was hard to believe that Ron Weasley of all people was indeed the traitor. The Weasleys had always stood firmly against the dark arts and Voldemort, and Ron had been Harry's best friend for six years.
Harry, easy to find thanks to his bright white mob of hair, was sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table head bent in misery. Next to him Hermione Granger, Ron's other former best friend didn't look much better, but she had a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder anyway. The pair was flanked by Harrys dorm mates Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan who did their best to fend off all the curious questions directed towards Harry. Dean Thomas was talking to the two other Gryffindor sixth year girls, probably trying to explain the events as well.
"Now I want to apologise in the name of the whole school to everybody else that was under suspicion from us or their fellow students."
Remus Lupin cleared his throat and Severus Snape gave the headmaster a pointed look.
"A special apology to Slytherin house, who were our main suspects only on grounds of Voldemort being a former Slytherin himself." Dumbledore stopped to look over the crowd of students. Many were still whispering and not paying him any attention at all. "That leaves only the matter of the house points I have to award the students that finally discovered and captured the traitor."
Ah, that got their attention. At least most of them were looking towards him expectantly now.
"Fifty points each to Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom for their gathering of evidence and capturing the traitor. Thirty points each to Juliana Carlson, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas and Harry Potter for their assistance in the actual capture. Twenty points each to Theodore Nott, Ginny Weasley and Alice Mortimer for their investigations and gathering of important information. Ten points each to Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, Estella Rashton, Millicent Bullstrode, Mike Marst, Sandy Mortimer, Susan Hendringer and Hannah Hayhall for their help in the investigations. Additional points will be awarded as soon as I have received a complete list of all participants from Mr. Nott."
Lucius Malfoy wasn't listening anymore, though. He was staring at his son in utter disbelief. Draco had investigated and captured the traitor? His own son? Voldemort would kill him for this!
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In the end Voldemort did not resort to such extreme measures, though Lucius' standing among his fellow death eaters was still at an all time low five months later.
Ron and Percy Weasley weren't caught by the aurors, but the search for them was so thorough that they were forced to flee out of the country. As they couldn't afford to flee to America, Lucius suspected they chose to hide under a new identity somewhere in France where they could help to mobilise the former followers of Grindelwald for Voldemort. Of course that task might also have taken them to Germany.
After a lengthy time of 'recovery', which he had spent mostly sneering about Lucius' efforts at teaching, Severus Snape had finally returned towork after the end of the Easter holidays and Lucius had finally been able to return home.
Aside from occasional fits of rage about his son's disloyalty, which he took out on his house elves, Lucius felt he was finally over the consequences of the ordeal and indignity of having to be a Hogwarts teacher.
Life was beginning to look up again, he thought as he made himself comfortable on his favourite couch in his private sitting room and unfolded his paper. Perhaps he could arrange a little informal dinner with some of the higher ups in Voldemort's ranks. That should be a first step towards regaining his former position and it would be fun as well.
A slight breeze wafted in through the open window carrying the warm smell of summer. Lucius smiled. The distinct sound of wings flapping.
"Cockroach!"
Lucius shot up from his seat just as a large bird with gleaming black feathers landed on the couch next to him.
"Letter." he declared and held out his leg.
Lucius glared at the intruder and grabbed the letter as quickly as possible. "Thanks. Now, get lost!"
"Stupid Cockroach!" the bird declared and with an elegant jump returned to the air and sailed out the window.
"Stupid bird." muttered Lucius and opened the unwelcome letter.
My dear old friend Lucius,
I trust this letter finds you well. I myself have been the unfortunate victim of a Potions accident, curtsey of a first year Gryffindor, in which I broke my wrist. Madame Pomfrey of course had no problems fixing the damage right away, but informed me that my wrist will remain slightly stiff for several weeks. This will of course severely hinder my brewing rendering me unfit to teach Potions for the rest of the school year. I am sure that you are aware that another change of teacher, especially since we are only one week away from the finals, would be extremely difficult for the class. I have therefore convinced Albus to ask you back to finish the rest of the year. You are after all already familiar with the students and will have no problem taking them through their exams. I am looking forward to seeing you at breakfast on Monday where I will give you all the necessary papers and time tables for the exams.
Yours,
Severus Snape
Lucius had to read the letter a second time before he could believe his misfortune.
"Nooooo! " he yelled and threw his paper to the floor.
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Ginny tried to stop her knees from shaking as she sat outside the great hall waiting to take her Potions practical. It was her first oral OWLs exam and the knowledge that Severus Snape was not going to be the one asking the questions did not help her nerves in the slightest.
It seemed like the other candidates had taken hours in there.
Finally the door opened and a still very pale and exhausted looking Bibiana Morris stepped out.
"Ms Weasley Virginia!" a voice called from inside.
Ginny took one last deep breath and walked in.
"Weasley?" the chairwoman of the commission was asking the headmaster. "Related to those two criminals the ministry has been searching for for months?"
Ginny stared at the floor. Would she get that wherever she went from now on?
"Their sister." Dumbledore confirmed. "I assure you that Ginny is nothing like those two, though. We have taught four more of her brothers who all turned out fine upstanding members of wizarding society. Percy always was the odd one out in the family. We can only assume that he mislead Ron. Ginny was always closer to her brothers Fred and George who run a successful business in Diagon Alley."
"So you never had any contact with your criminal brothers at all, Ms Weasley?" the chairwoman asked clearly doubtful.
Ginny had to fight down tears. She hoped they weren't audible in her voice as she answered.
"Of course I had contact with them sometime. They're my brothers. But I was only their baby sister, not their confident. They knew the family would never help them after what they did. Mum was devastated when she heard. Harry and Ron always seemed so close. He was almost a member of the family." she sniffed. "I don't know why they did that."
"It's alright, Ginny." Professor Malfoy said a little awkwardly. "None of us blame you." Then he turned towards the chairwoman. "The students need to concentrate on their exams. You are not helping the poor girl by bringing up such emotionally disturbing problems. I hope you realise that this is going to have consequences for her performance."
The chairwoman actually blushed.
Lucius smiled. Maybe this part of the job wasn't so bad after all.
"Now Ginny, if I asked you to brew a sleeping potion using the ingredients on that worktable?"
Ginni glanced at the table and almost could have laughed again. Could Malfoy make this any easier. "You want me to brew the drought of living death?"
Lucius nodded gravely. "Indeed. Do you feel up to that?"
"Of course. We learned that one in first year."
"You brewed a potion of that strength in first year?" the chairwoman asked slightly surprised.
"No Madame, Professor Snape only went over it theoretically. After all it has only two ingredients. He never made us brew something that simple."
"He did potions with more than two ingredients in first year?" the chairwoman asked.
"As you noted yourself the drought of living death is a rather powerful potion to entrust a first year to brew. Severus usually makes them brew more harmless potions that require more skill. This gives the students the chance to learn all the basic techniques early on and leaves them free to concentrate on the more dangerous advanced potions later on." Dumbledore remarked. "If you looked up the records you may have noticed that our students have a higher average in Potions than other schools'."
Ginny decided to get to work. If she could concentrate on her potion that would distract her from the chairwoman. She understood that the ministry assigned a stranger for that job to assure that the exams were indeed fair, but did they have to pick that witch this year? Or would any witch have reacted to her like this?
The potion was finished in a matter of minutes and Ginny set it aside to cool. Professor Malfoy had several more questions, which she answered easily. Was he ever going to move beyond the first year curriculum?
Apparently not.
"Excellent, Ms Weasley. I believe that concludes the Gryffindor exams." he said. "Our next candidate is a Hufflepuff, right?"
"Mr. Anderews, Norbert." the chairwoman's assistant read out as Ginny walked out still hardly able to believe that it had been this easy.
That should earn her an E at the very least. If only the rest of her exams went that well too.
As it turned out E was the worst grade anyone got on their Potions OWL that year. Lucius Malfoy had indeed ended up grading the finals as he did homework.
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kateydidnt – Oh yes, and those gummy bears just proved their heroism once again and saved Draco from the evil traitor. (Well, with a little help from Sevi.)
Kalieris – That's the thing. That last epilogue got a lot of negative reviews, but also seems to have its fans. Hence the poll ...
Thistle – Um ... Still feeling sorry for Ron? ... And the answer to all of your questions is yes! (Sorry, I owed Ron some abuse for the way he treated poor Ginny in Slytherin Rising and I never did like him much.)
holly – (silver fox tail rises into the air proudly) Yep, I did that on purpose. Too many of you kept guessing Ron so I had to accuse Seamus more.
Pam Briggs – Sorry, I owed Ron some revenge for mistreating Ginny in Slytherin Rising. ... They got through a lot of trunks, because there were three of them and they hadn't expected the Gryffindor trunks to be so much easier to open than the Slytherin ones. In Slytherin only first and second year trunks open to a simple alohomora.
JerseyPike – (silver fox snout peeks shyly around corner) Sorry? ... Gee, I knew that wouldn't go over well with all the Ron fans ... Friends?
lil-teddy-bear – Should have bet all of it. Ah well, I'm not giving out prizes anyway. (I don't have that much money.)
Marauder3Moony – Done. ... This chapter is when you should eat gummy bears. That way you can realistically taste the chapter.
EriEka127 –Thanks.
elsa – Thanks.
Andrew-Squee – Not by Sevi and Draco, but by a lot of readers. (Now that he's revealed I'm answering traitor questions. You asked at exactly the right time.)
kalariah – Nope, you're actually spot on. Good going!
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A/N: Please participate in the poll: Review and tell me whether I should write an epilogue similar to the one in MNS or not.
Disclaimer 2 - Draco drawing dragons belongs to PikaCheeka. Sorry I forgot to mention that in the first chapter of MNS. I sort of adopted the idea subconsciously.
Disclaimer 3 - Severus' raven belongs to J. L. Matthews. I just borrowed him because he's such a perfect pet for Sevi and promise to return him unharmed.
The catar however are all mine and I love them so please don't use without asking me first.
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A/N – This might come as a surprise to some of you, but this is the last chapter. Now I'm taking a poll: Do you want me to write an epilogue or not? Many readers disliked the epilogue of My Name's Severus and this one would be set in the same time with the same characters. Just tell me whether I should write it or not in your review. If I don't write the epilogue, I'll take a two week break before starting to write the Runaway Dragon mini sequel.
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Chapter 21: The Traitor
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With a scream of rage Ron launched himself at Draco from the door.
"What the?" Harry started confused then caught himself. "Ron!"
Ron however didn't seem to hear him. He'd grabbed Draco's throat and squeezed. Dean and Seamus stood open-mouthed while Draco was fighting for air struggling and kicking.
Juliana shrieked. Severus pulled his wand, but hesitated to use it. He didn't want to hurt the boys.
After the first moment of shock Harry and Neville grabbed a hold of Ron and tried to pull him off, but Draco's desperate unaimed kicks hindered them more than they helped.
"Stupefy!" Severus shouted aiming at Ron and hoping he didn't hit anyone else in the tight fast moving pile.
The spell wouldn't do any actual harm to any of them, though. If he did hit the wrong target he'd just have to try again and apologise later.
The result however was unexpected. All four boys dropped motionless to the ground.
Severus blinked. How had his spell become so powerful? The gummy bear in his mouth suddenly didn't taste all that sweet and innocent anymore.
Dean and Seamus had overcome their first surprise and pried Ron's hands off Draco's throat. They apparently didn't realise that Severus had never expected his spell to be that powerful.
All four boys were still breathing. Severus too breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wow, I had no idea you can do that with a single stupefy." Seamus commented. "They're still not showing any signs of waking up."
"One can't do that with a single stupefy." Severus admitted. "I put too much magic into the spell and completely forgot I was eating a gummy bear. I only meant to hit Ron so Neville and Harry could pull him off."
Dean eyed the bag of gummy bears with new respect. "These things should come with a warning, if that's what they do to a simple stupefy."
"Neville's accio with gummy bear wasn't that enhanced." Seamus remembered.
Severus wondered just how much he should admit. It was clear to him what had happened. The gummy bears were apparently much stronger conduits than most wands.
"Maybe it's like with wand cores." Juliana suggested. "Severus just has a higher affinity with gummy bears than Neville so they work better for him."
"Not necessarily." Severus decided there was no use hiding this after all. People would experiment more on gummy bears in the future and sooner or later figure it out. "Neville is an averagely talented wizard, maybe even a bit below average. I have much stronger magic. I suspect that the gummy bears' effect grows exponentially with the amount of magic a wizard possesses. We should probably warn Dumbledore against using them."
Seamus swallowed hard. "Just how much more powerful than you is Dumbledore?"
"More." Severus declared. He wasn't supposed to know the exact strength of the headmaster's power as a student, was he? And he just couldn't let it get out just how powerful he himself actually was. There were people who had a very clear idea of the headmaster's strength, after all.
"Don't you think we should revive them?" Dean suggested with a nod towards the four boys on the floor. "Who knows how long they will stay knocked out."
That was in fact a good idea. If they didn't find out how long the spell would last, they wouldn't be able to estimate its exact strength later and couldn't deduct how much power Severus had used once somebody developed a formula for the use of gummy bears in magic.
"You're right." Severus confirmed. "Lets see if we can. Ennervate."
Draco blinked, then massaged his throat with one hand. "Okay, I knew the Weasel was hot headed, but that was a little extreme. Whatever is in that letter?"
Severus shrugged and bent down towards Neville. "Ennervate."
Dean meanwhile did the same for Harry.
"No Carlson, don't." Seamus held back Juliana who had bent down to revive Ron. "I think we'd better wait with that until you're gone. Just in case he's still in such a bad temper when he wakes up."
"It's because of the game." Harry explained running his hands through his messy white hair in a hopeless attempt to restore it to some kind of order. He's in a really bad mood, because we were so hopelessly outclassed by Hufflepuff. I guess he really needed something to hit and you just were the first target that he came across. What are you doing in here anyway?"
"I wanted to show them the photos my Gran sent with her last owl, so I asked them into the common room. When I saw how surprised they were at its looks, I decided to give them a little tour of the tower and show them where I sleep." Neville was a surprisingly good liar. "I thought we'd be long gone by the time you got back, so there wouldn't be any trouble."
"Ah, you're sweet on Carlson, eh?" Seamus laughed.
Neville blushed. "Er . . . I . . . actually . . ."
"Actually, he has his eye on Alice." Juliana grinned. "But we missed her at breakfast today, so he had to make due with us."
Neville blushed even more.
"I think you'd better give me Mrs Weasley's letter." Harry suggested. "I'll give it back to Ron and confirm that you didn't actually read it. That ought to calm him down."
"It isn't really from his Mum after all." Draco said picking up the parchment once again. "It's from his brother Percy."
"Percy?" Harry repeated surprised. "Why would Percy write him again? He just owled two days ago."
"Maybe this is that letter." Draco suggested and held it out to Harry.
"But Ginny said she wanted to keep it. She took it to her dorm with her. Why would Ron burn a letter that's so precious to Ginny?" Harry turned the parchment over to read it and paled. He sank back onto his bed dropping the letter. "No."
The others exchanged some confused glances.
"Harry?" Neville asked worriedly when the boy didn't say anything more.
Harry just stared at him.
Severus picked up the letter. It was a little scorched but still mostly legible. With a little conjecture it was easy to reconstruct the entire text.
Dear Ron,
I trust this owl finds you well, despite the rather unfortunate latest drawback. I know that you are aware of the critical importance of your mission and will do everything in your power to succeed. Remember also the rewards that await both of us once the mission is successfully completed. Do not waver in your loyalty no matter how much our Lord may test you. We are only his humble servants and tools in his laudable efforts to cleanse our world. Bear in mind how our family's entire future hinges on your success. Only you and I can redeem them and even, if they would not condone our actions now, they will thank us later. Indeed think of our sister and the prestigious marriage she might have a good chance to make, if it wins our Lord's approval. Do not let old sentimentalities stand in your way. The Potter boy has only ever used you and taken all the glory for your actions. His death will free you of a burden and give you the chance to finally realise your potential. His pretence to friendship can bring you nothing, but a painful death when you get between the fronts of the coming war. We must stand firm on the winning side, if we wish to redeem our misguided family. Concerning the mudblood girl I would not bother our Lord with that now. I am aware of her potential and should she survive the war I might agree to support your petition to our Lord once our position and Ginny's marriage have been secured. Remember however that mixing our pure blood with such muggle filth will not please our friends and Lord. Her talent and your record of excellent service might help to convince our Lord to make an exception, though. Therefore it is most crucial that you continue to serve loyally and fulfil your duties to perfection. You should also seek to gain the trust and friendship of others valued by our Lord. They might prove to be valuable allies later. Your chance to work with Mr. Malfoy is an excellent opportunity, I wish had been granted to me. Do not waste it. Most of all, however, in the interest of your wishes as well as all our family, Harry Potter has to die as soon as possible. I trust that you have already taken the necessary steps to assure this.
Your loving brother
Percy of the old and noble house of Weasley
"Ron is the traitor." Severus looked up, then over to where Ron was just beginning to stir on the floor. "We've got him."
"Ron?" Draco asked incredulously.
Severus quietly handed him the letter.
Neville, Seamus and Dean pushed and shoved each other trying to read over Draco's shoulder.
"We need to tie him up." Juliana reminded them. "Don't let him get away."
Ron apparently was more conscious than he'd seemed. At Juliana's words he jumped up and ran for the door.
"Petrificus totalus!" Severus still had a rest of the gummy bear in his mouth and Ron dropped like a stone once again.
"I'll alert the headmaster." Draco decided. "You guys make sure he doesn't get away."
"You can't go through there alone." Severus stopped him. "The Gryffindors will mistake you for an intruder."
"I'll go." Neville decided. "What's the password?"
"Still gummy bear as far as I know." Severus answered. "Hurry. The headmaster will want to know as soon as possible."
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"Teachers please come to the staff room in ten minutes." Albus Dumbledore's voice rang through the castle. "Important staff meeting in ten minutes."
Lucius looked up from the letter he was writing. Important staff meeting? Whatever could it be this time?
"Cockroach?"
"No, you can not have a cockroach." Lucius thought he'd finally figured out why that idiotic raven kept saying that particular word. Apparently Snape had used the annoying bugs as raven and hedgehog treats.
"Letter?"
"Unfortunately for both of us I will not have the time to finish this right now." Lucius informed the bird. "I have to attend another of those stupid staff meetings."
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Lucius was beginning to wish he hadn't insulted that bird so often. "No, that's not what you really mean to say. You mean to say: Can I have a cockroach, please."
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Well, the sentence was definitely too difficult for a bird. What had he been thinking? But what would Snape think, if he returned and heard the raven say 'stupid cockroach'?
"I hate you, bird." Lucius decided.
"Corvus! Stupid Cockroach!"
"What?"
"Always add the water first or your potion ingredients may burn." Corvus advised.
"That's basics. I'm a Potions teacher. Don't you think I'd know that?"
"Stupid Cockroach!"
Lucius suddenly realised that he was trying to reason with a bird. He groaned, buried his face in his hands and hoped that those weren't the first steps towards madness.
"Meeting?" Corvus enquired.
Oh, right! Lucius caught himself just in time before he actually thanked the bird for the reminder and just walked out of the room grabbing his latest class lists on the way. Not that there could have been an attack, but he'd better look as if he thought this could concern the assassin.
"Stupid Cockroach!"
When no answer came to that last insult Corvus just shook out his feathers and hopped onto the desk to tear up the started letter. He'd get to see Cockroach look for it. That should be fun.
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"What's going on?" Lucius asked sounding suitably concerned as he entered the staff room.
"I think there must have been another attack. At least that's what the students thought." Professor Sprout was still wearing her Hufflepuff scarf and there were crumbs of cake on it. Apparently she'd come straight from the Hufflepuff victory party.
"The students weren't told to return to their common rooms this time, though." remarked the werewolf who had once again managed to get the best chair right by the fireplace.
From the other end of the room Flitwick nodded his agreement. "Perhaps this is only an issue of discipline. Some of the Gryffmdors did get a little out of hand after their defeat. I had to magically restrain a group of fist years that were throwing stones at a Hufflepuff girl and I doubt that was the only such incident."
"That would be little Missy." Sprout nodded. "Thankfully she only suffered a bruise on her arm, but Phelan almost was pushed down the stairs by two older boys and Kenny showed up at the party with a split lip and refused to say how he got it."
Pince nodded. "We will have to take actions to prevent such abuse in future. The children seem to get more violent with each year."
Remus shook his head. "It's the war. Everybody is scared and more aggressive. The children just don't know how to deal with that."
"You don't see my Ravenclaws behaving like that, do you?" Flitwick countered. "Or the Hufflepuffs. In fact I don't remember the current Slytherins doing anything like it either. Insults and lack of respect, yes, and the occasional fight, but not this forming of violent mobs. The Gryffindors are out of bounds."
"They are a temperamental house." Remus conceded. "And have less self control than the Slytherins, but I wouldn't call them out of bounds. Most returned to their common room quite quietly. It is the first years that are becoming a problem."
"The two that attacked Kenny weren't first years. " Sprout insisted. "We have been far too lenient with the Gryffindors for years, but only Severus ever saw that. He was the only one that kept them in line. Now see what happens without him. Gryffindors are attacking innocent students in the corridors, selling themselves to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, trying to murder one of their own without as much as a thought about the additional lives they put at stake."
"There's nothing to indicate that more than one Gryffindor has joined the death eaters." Remus pointed out, but the atmosphere in the staff room was turning more and more against Gryffindor.
"They are a bunch of no good brats." Filch growled from the corner behind Lucius. "No other house gets that many detentions."
"They are rude and respectless." Trelawney agreed.
"Now, now. They're not that bad." Hagrid said, but then he said the same thing about dragons, three headed dogs and blast ended skrewts. "They're just misunderstood."
"They endanger the other students." stated Sprout.
"They need more discipline." declared Vector.
Lucius was beginning to get seriously worried, but before the situation could escalate any further the headmaster, McGonagall and Snape entered. A very adult Snape, even though he was still carrying that green hedgehog.
That discovery distracted Lucius from the much more dangerous fact that Dumbledore was not twinkling and he almost betrayed himself when the headmaster made a completely unexpected announcement.
"We have caught the traitor."
Cheers went up all around.
"So who is it?" the Muggle Studies teacher asked. "Finnigan? Rash?"
"No and no, Julian. Nobody we would ever have suspected." Dumbledore shook his head. "It is Ronald Weasley."
"A Weasley?" Sprout asked.
"But he's Harry's best friend!" protested Hagrid.
"I suppose you have proof for that." Lucius stated outwardly calm while his mind raced through possible scenarios. The assassin was lost, but there had to be a way to maintain his cover.
"Of course." Dumbledore pulled out a slightly scorched piece of parchment. "Severus, if you could please get Mr. Weasley for me? I have this letter: Dear Ron, . . ."
While the headmaster began to read Snape calmly walked to the door, opened it and pulled Ron Weasley inside by the back of his robes. "Thank you. Baron."
Ron looked white as a sheet. His hands were bound behind his back, but his feet were free. Lucius didn't want to know what exactly the Bloody Baron had done to keep him from running away.
Dumbledore simply read on until he got to 'Mr. Malfoy'. "I wonder why Percy Weasley would think you could sway Voldemort's opinion, Lucius."
"Me?" Lucius put on his best look of righteous indignation. "That can't be. . . . Perhaps he meant it in the context of his sister's hopes for marriage. He must be aware that Draco would never marry against my wishes and meant to warn the boy against giving me a bad impression of his family. Yes, that must be it."
"I see." Dumbledore nodded and continued to read. "He does indeed mention the topic of Ginny's marriage a lot, though he was apparently speaking of Ronald's marriage plans just before."
"Quite obsessed with marriage, isn't he." quipped Julian. "You'd think he was an elderly witch."
McGonagall glared at him, which Julian overlooked with his usual lack of insight.
Dumbledore ignored the comment and finished the letter. Then he looked deep into Ron's eyes. "Do you understand what you've done, Mr. Weasley?"
"My duty towards my family and the wizarding world. You will lose, Dumbledore and all who stand beside you will die. I will not allow my family to be among them."
"Those traps weren't your idea." Dumbledore stated seemingly calm. "Who did you get your instructions from?"
Ron glanced towards Lucius for help.
"Well, boy? Answer him." Lucius hissed. "Or are you afraid of incriminating your brother? He has already provided sufficient proof against himself."
Ron nodded. "Yes, it was Percy. I got my instructions from Percy."
"Very well." Dumbledore sighed. "Mr. Ronald Weasley you have just admitted to repeated attempted murder of a fellow student. You are hereby expelled from Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Minerva?"
Lips pressed tightly together McGonagall handed a slightly shabby looking wand to the headmaster who cut it with a quick severing charm. The wand sparked one last time as if in protest. Ron Weasley couldn't entirely suppress a sob as its pieces clattered to the floor.
"I will now inform the ministry and your parents. The aurors will no doubt send somebody over to get you within the next few hours." the headmaster announced.
"The aurors?" Ron paled. "I'm not old enough to go to Azkaban. You can't do that!"
"No, but there are institutions for dangerous under age criminals like you on the continent." Remus informed him. "The Wizengamot has made such arrangements in similar cases before. I believe the last case was a boy that murdered his father about forty years ago. He went to a detention center in Siberia after his trial, I think."
Ron whimpered. "No, please! You can't do that to me. Think of my family. My father is your friend."
"I am quite sure that your father understands the necessity no matter how much your misdeeds will hurt him or your mother." Professor Sprout declared tears glistening in her eyes. "How could you do that to a loving family like yours?"
"I guess we were wrong to assume that our traitor had to be an abused or neglected child from a broken home." Dumbledore sighed once again. "We just automatically expected the traitor to be a Slytherin when in the end it was the Slytherins' efforts that led to his discovery and capture."
"Looks like we owe Slytherin an apology then." Remus stated. "And perhaps some house points."
"You also owe Neville Longbottom and perhaps Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor." Snape added. "And it might be a good idea to officially state the innocence of Seamus Finnigan who did help with the capture after all."
Dumbledore finally smiled again, though it was a rather weak smile. "I think your house might have a chance of winning the house cup this year after all, Severus."
Lucius kept quiet and outwardly calm during this entire discussion. Inside his head however his thoughts were racing. If Ron went on trial he might end up telling the truth about Lucius' involvement there. In fact he could blurt it out at any time. Lucius had an emergency portkey that he constantly carried in his pocket. He could use that to escape and go into hiding, if the boy betrayed him, but it would mean to give up everything. His influence, his good name, his home and family. He'd probably even lose standing with the dark lord, if his fortune was confiscated and thanks to his extortion trial that wasn't all that high at the moment in the first place.
Of course, if he prevented the boy from giving away anything now, he wouldn't need to escape at all. He could serve off the rest of his punishment, which shouldn't be that much longer since Snape was obviously restored to normal, and walk out as if nothing had happened.
There was a way to pull it off, though it involved great risk. Should he be caught in this he would have no route of escape. Still sometimes you had to take a risk.
Just as Trelawney was getting up to head out the door Lucius jumped up as well. "Please excuse me." he stated hastily. "I just remembered I've got a cauldron on the fire. I'd better check up on it."
In his hurry to get out he ran right past Trelawney which forced him to push though between her and Weasley who still stood with his back to the door staring a the pieces of his wand.
Ron's eyes widened for just a second as he felt Lucius bump into him and push a tiny glass object into his tied hands. He fingered it carefully. A vial?
Why would Lucius give him some potion? Was it poison to kill him before he could betray their Lord at his trial?
But how was he expected to bring it to his mouth with his hands still tied to his back? Wouldn't whoever finally untied him notice that he was holding something and take it away from him?
He wasn't given much time to contemplate his problem. Snape took charge of him again and led him to a small room filled with empty shelves. The door closed behind him and he heard the key turn in the lock. So now the best he could hope for was to get locked up for life in some more comfortable place than Siberia? He'd once heard there was a detention center for juvenile delinquent wizards somewhere in France, but would anyone there even speak English? Ron didn't know any French.
A sudden pull behind his navel drew him out of his thoughts and dropped him right into an expensively furnished bedroom. Wide-eyed Ron turned around and found a skinny house elf in a ratty pillowcase staring at him open mouthed with a feather duster in her hand.
"What is you doings here, Sir?"
"Um ... I don't know." Ron stuttered. "Where is here?"
"This ises Mr Malfoy Sir's bedroom, Sir."
Ron blinked. "I'm at Malfoy Manor?" It only took him a moment to recover, though. "Then inform your Lady of my presence and untie me, elf!"
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"Letter?" Corvus demanded, but Cockroach didn't seem to be in the mood to look for the destroyed parchment.
Lucius had cast the spell that remote activated the emergency portkey the moment he had closed the door to his quarters behind him. Now he was in the middle of enspelling a new emergency portkey. He wouldn't feel safe until it was completed and he wouldn't let some idiot raven keep him from that. The report of the disaster to Lord Voldemort could wait that long no matter how urgent it was.
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When they arrived at dinner that evening the students found the tables empty and all teachers, including both Professor Malfoy and Professor Snape waiting at the head table. Even Professor Trelawney was there which caused some confusion among the first years who'd never seen her before.
Whispers spread from the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables. The traitor had been caught? It had been Seamus Finnigan, no Ginny Weasley, no Neville Longbottom. No, no, no all wrong. Seamus, Ginny and Neville had been the ones to catch him. It had been Ron Weasley.
The Ravenclaws snorted at that information the Hufflepuffs shook their heads in disbelief. Nicodemus Hanson was heard muttering that he was fine with anything, if only the traitor stopped bothering them from now on.
Luisa Hunter-Moor dashed into the great hall almost five minutes late and blushed as everybody's attention turned to her. She looked relieved when the headmaster stood up the moment she had sat down.
"I have very good news, and some not quite that good news for you." he announced. "The good news is that the traitor has been found. It was Mr. Ronald Weasley. He was expelled from this school and his wand has been broken. The pieces are now in my possession and will be handed over to his family as soon as they arrive. The bad news are that the traitor himself has managed to escape with a port key that he somehow managed to sneak past us. He is currently no longer on school grounds and should not pose a danger without his wand. Should you see him, however, please do not try to apprehend him yourself. Report the sighting to me or the ministry right away and leave it to the aurors to capture him. Do not trust him in case he should approach you and under no circumstances let him back onto school grounds."
There was a renewed round of whispering. It was hard to believe that Ron Weasley of all people was indeed the traitor. The Weasleys had always stood firmly against the dark arts and Voldemort, and Ron had been Harry's best friend for six years.
Harry, easy to find thanks to his bright white mob of hair, was sitting at the far end of the Gryffindor table head bent in misery. Next to him Hermione Granger, Ron's other former best friend didn't look much better, but she had a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder anyway. The pair was flanked by Harrys dorm mates Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan who did their best to fend off all the curious questions directed towards Harry. Dean Thomas was talking to the two other Gryffindor sixth year girls, probably trying to explain the events as well.
"Now I want to apologise in the name of the whole school to everybody else that was under suspicion from us or their fellow students."
Remus Lupin cleared his throat and Severus Snape gave the headmaster a pointed look.
"A special apology to Slytherin house, who were our main suspects only on grounds of Voldemort being a former Slytherin himself." Dumbledore stopped to look over the crowd of students. Many were still whispering and not paying him any attention at all. "That leaves only the matter of the house points I have to award the students that finally discovered and captured the traitor."
Ah, that got their attention. At least most of them were looking towards him expectantly now.
"Fifty points each to Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbottom for their gathering of evidence and capturing the traitor. Thirty points each to Juliana Carlson, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas and Harry Potter for their assistance in the actual capture. Twenty points each to Theodore Nott, Ginny Weasley and Alice Mortimer for their investigations and gathering of important information. Ten points each to Blaise Zabini, Gregory Goyle, Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, Estella Rashton, Millicent Bullstrode, Mike Marst, Sandy Mortimer, Susan Hendringer and Hannah Hayhall for their help in the investigations. Additional points will be awarded as soon as I have received a complete list of all participants from Mr. Nott."
Lucius Malfoy wasn't listening anymore, though. He was staring at his son in utter disbelief. Draco had investigated and captured the traitor? His own son? Voldemort would kill him for this!
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In the end Voldemort did not resort to such extreme measures, though Lucius' standing among his fellow death eaters was still at an all time low five months later.
Ron and Percy Weasley weren't caught by the aurors, but the search for them was so thorough that they were forced to flee out of the country. As they couldn't afford to flee to America, Lucius suspected they chose to hide under a new identity somewhere in France where they could help to mobilise the former followers of Grindelwald for Voldemort. Of course that task might also have taken them to Germany.
After a lengthy time of 'recovery', which he had spent mostly sneering about Lucius' efforts at teaching, Severus Snape had finally returned towork after the end of the Easter holidays and Lucius had finally been able to return home.
Aside from occasional fits of rage about his son's disloyalty, which he took out on his house elves, Lucius felt he was finally over the consequences of the ordeal and indignity of having to be a Hogwarts teacher.
Life was beginning to look up again, he thought as he made himself comfortable on his favourite couch in his private sitting room and unfolded his paper. Perhaps he could arrange a little informal dinner with some of the higher ups in Voldemort's ranks. That should be a first step towards regaining his former position and it would be fun as well.
A slight breeze wafted in through the open window carrying the warm smell of summer. Lucius smiled. The distinct sound of wings flapping.
"Cockroach!"
Lucius shot up from his seat just as a large bird with gleaming black feathers landed on the couch next to him.
"Letter." he declared and held out his leg.
Lucius glared at the intruder and grabbed the letter as quickly as possible. "Thanks. Now, get lost!"
"Stupid Cockroach!" the bird declared and with an elegant jump returned to the air and sailed out the window.
"Stupid bird." muttered Lucius and opened the unwelcome letter.
My dear old friend Lucius,
I trust this letter finds you well. I myself have been the unfortunate victim of a Potions accident, curtsey of a first year Gryffindor, in which I broke my wrist. Madame Pomfrey of course had no problems fixing the damage right away, but informed me that my wrist will remain slightly stiff for several weeks. This will of course severely hinder my brewing rendering me unfit to teach Potions for the rest of the school year. I am sure that you are aware that another change of teacher, especially since we are only one week away from the finals, would be extremely difficult for the class. I have therefore convinced Albus to ask you back to finish the rest of the year. You are after all already familiar with the students and will have no problem taking them through their exams. I am looking forward to seeing you at breakfast on Monday where I will give you all the necessary papers and time tables for the exams.
Yours,
Severus Snape
Lucius had to read the letter a second time before he could believe his misfortune.
"Nooooo! " he yelled and threw his paper to the floor.
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Ginny tried to stop her knees from shaking as she sat outside the great hall waiting to take her Potions practical. It was her first oral OWLs exam and the knowledge that Severus Snape was not going to be the one asking the questions did not help her nerves in the slightest.
It seemed like the other candidates had taken hours in there.
Finally the door opened and a still very pale and exhausted looking Bibiana Morris stepped out.
"Ms Weasley Virginia!" a voice called from inside.
Ginny took one last deep breath and walked in.
"Weasley?" the chairwoman of the commission was asking the headmaster. "Related to those two criminals the ministry has been searching for for months?"
Ginny stared at the floor. Would she get that wherever she went from now on?
"Their sister." Dumbledore confirmed. "I assure you that Ginny is nothing like those two, though. We have taught four more of her brothers who all turned out fine upstanding members of wizarding society. Percy always was the odd one out in the family. We can only assume that he mislead Ron. Ginny was always closer to her brothers Fred and George who run a successful business in Diagon Alley."
"So you never had any contact with your criminal brothers at all, Ms Weasley?" the chairwoman asked clearly doubtful.
Ginny had to fight down tears. She hoped they weren't audible in her voice as she answered.
"Of course I had contact with them sometime. They're my brothers. But I was only their baby sister, not their confident. They knew the family would never help them after what they did. Mum was devastated when she heard. Harry and Ron always seemed so close. He was almost a member of the family." she sniffed. "I don't know why they did that."
"It's alright, Ginny." Professor Malfoy said a little awkwardly. "None of us blame you." Then he turned towards the chairwoman. "The students need to concentrate on their exams. You are not helping the poor girl by bringing up such emotionally disturbing problems. I hope you realise that this is going to have consequences for her performance."
The chairwoman actually blushed.
Lucius smiled. Maybe this part of the job wasn't so bad after all.
"Now Ginny, if I asked you to brew a sleeping potion using the ingredients on that worktable?"
Ginni glanced at the table and almost could have laughed again. Could Malfoy make this any easier. "You want me to brew the drought of living death?"
Lucius nodded gravely. "Indeed. Do you feel up to that?"
"Of course. We learned that one in first year."
"You brewed a potion of that strength in first year?" the chairwoman asked slightly surprised.
"No Madame, Professor Snape only went over it theoretically. After all it has only two ingredients. He never made us brew something that simple."
"He did potions with more than two ingredients in first year?" the chairwoman asked.
"As you noted yourself the drought of living death is a rather powerful potion to entrust a first year to brew. Severus usually makes them brew more harmless potions that require more skill. This gives the students the chance to learn all the basic techniques early on and leaves them free to concentrate on the more dangerous advanced potions later on." Dumbledore remarked. "If you looked up the records you may have noticed that our students have a higher average in Potions than other schools'."
Ginny decided to get to work. If she could concentrate on her potion that would distract her from the chairwoman. She understood that the ministry assigned a stranger for that job to assure that the exams were indeed fair, but did they have to pick that witch this year? Or would any witch have reacted to her like this?
The potion was finished in a matter of minutes and Ginny set it aside to cool. Professor Malfoy had several more questions, which she answered easily. Was he ever going to move beyond the first year curriculum?
Apparently not.
"Excellent, Ms Weasley. I believe that concludes the Gryffindor exams." he said. "Our next candidate is a Hufflepuff, right?"
"Mr. Anderews, Norbert." the chairwoman's assistant read out as Ginny walked out still hardly able to believe that it had been this easy.
That should earn her an E at the very least. If only the rest of her exams went that well too.
As it turned out E was the worst grade anyone got on their Potions OWL that year. Lucius Malfoy had indeed ended up grading the finals as he did homework.
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kateydidnt – Oh yes, and those gummy bears just proved their heroism once again and saved Draco from the evil traitor. (Well, with a little help from Sevi.)
Kalieris – That's the thing. That last epilogue got a lot of negative reviews, but also seems to have its fans. Hence the poll ...
Thistle – Um ... Still feeling sorry for Ron? ... And the answer to all of your questions is yes! (Sorry, I owed Ron some abuse for the way he treated poor Ginny in Slytherin Rising and I never did like him much.)
holly – (silver fox tail rises into the air proudly) Yep, I did that on purpose. Too many of you kept guessing Ron so I had to accuse Seamus more.
Pam Briggs – Sorry, I owed Ron some revenge for mistreating Ginny in Slytherin Rising. ... They got through a lot of trunks, because there were three of them and they hadn't expected the Gryffindor trunks to be so much easier to open than the Slytherin ones. In Slytherin only first and second year trunks open to a simple alohomora.
JerseyPike – (silver fox snout peeks shyly around corner) Sorry? ... Gee, I knew that wouldn't go over well with all the Ron fans ... Friends?
lil-teddy-bear – Should have bet all of it. Ah well, I'm not giving out prizes anyway. (I don't have that much money.)
Marauder3Moony – Done. ... This chapter is when you should eat gummy bears. That way you can realistically taste the chapter.
EriEka127 –Thanks.
elsa – Thanks.
Andrew-Squee – Not by Sevi and Draco, but by a lot of readers. (Now that he's revealed I'm answering traitor questions. You asked at exactly the right time.)
kalariah – Nope, you're actually spot on. Good going!
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A/N: Please participate in the poll: Review and tell me whether I should write an epilogue similar to the one in MNS or not.