Ch. 9 Miss Bludwyd's Tray
"Headmaster! May I see you?" asked Lily Evans, fairly hopping up and down in her oxblood loafers.
Albus Dumbledore had been making his way to the head table. The food smelled good, and the Great Hall was beautifully decorated to help the students forget the scene that happened the evening before. "Of course, Miss Evans. What can I do for you?"
"It's nothing that I want for me, Headmaster," the redhead said earnestly and in a low voice. "I have to find out where Severus was taken and then save him!"
"Save him?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Yes. If he's been taken to the Ministry of Magic, they could be beating him up, for all I know! I can't just let them take him away like that! He didn't mean what happened. I think his tongue just got away with him!"
"I agree with you, Miss Evans. Here, let's talk more out here in the corridor – "He led her into a small hallway that ran adjacent to the kitchens.
"Headmaster, I need to get to London."
"London?"
"To Ministry Headquarters!" Lily was so frustrated she could hardly restrain herself from hopping on one foot. "I'm not sure how to get there, but I'm sure you can help me figure out a way, being as concerned about Sev as I am -- perhaps even more so, since he called you his father."
At this, Dumbledore gave a nearly imperceptible jerk. His blue eyes clouded in memory. "Yes, that's right. He was taken from Hogwarts against his will – against his will and mine as well, Miss Evans."
"Well, will you help me?" she said earnestly.
"I myself cannot. No."
At this, she nearly screamed. But Dumbledore continued before she had the chance to speak again.
"I would not be opposed to a very good friend of mine coming to Severus' assistance. I would suggest that you first enlist another student to help you. Then come to my office as soon as you can – say, within the half-hour. I will be there waiting for you. The password is "cherry mash."
Lily was off in a shot. Sirius wouldn't help her, she knew that. He hated Severus far too much. But she knew that James was sweet on her. Who knows – it might end up being an adventure, on a number of levels.
-------------
"James Potter, if you won't help me right now, I will curse you for all eternity!"
James stared goggle-eyed at the breathless and beautiful girl leaning over the dinner table gazing at him. He exchanged a quick glance with Sirius, then stood up.
"Really, now, Evans? Don't hold back! Tell me how you really feel! You know I'm all ears."
"And quite a bit mouth," Sirius added.
"Shut your head, Black," Lily snapped. She grabbed James by the hand and hauled him out of the Great Hall, leaving his fellow Marauders alone and his dinner untasted.
-----------
"There's no time for me to explain. Severus has been taken to the Ministry of Magic and they could be torturing him, all I know! I've got to rescue him!"
"Rescue him? Why you?"
"Because I promised his mother I'd look after him. And now see what's happened! I can't give up now! Headmaster Dumbledore is going to help us get there!"
"Get to where, Evans?"
"To London, you cheesebrain! Hurry!"
-----------------
Both teenagers – rather breathless by now – stood in the Headmaster's Office. The faces from the portraits nearly surrounding them all offered their own cordial greetings. What distracted them the most, however, was Fawkes the Phoenix. He was sitting on his perch, gazing at the two children with his head cocked.
"Oh, so lovely," Lily cooed. "What a beautiful thing you are. I've never seen a phoenix before. Have you, James?"
"Nope. Just know ravens, robins, and songbirds."
Lily was delighted when Fawkes stepped upon the finger she offered. Amazed at the solid weight of the large bird, she brought him closer to James, and both examined him.
"Ah, I see you've already met your escort for tonight," said Headmaster Dumbledore, coming down the spiral staircase.
"Our escort?" Lily said rather apprehensively.
"Yes. You see, Miss Evans and Mr. Potter, my hands are tied in this matter. It appears likely that Severus will not be returning to Hogwarts if his father has his way. And Severus acts against his father's will at his peril."
"He does?" Lily said, puzzled.
"Surely you've noticed that our young friend has an inordinate number of bruises and injuries when he returns from holidays."
Lily looked at James. "I don't know if I've ever noticed, sir, but are you telling us that his father thrashes him?"
"Indeed, Miss Evans." Dumbledore looked over at James, whose eyes were on the floor. Of course James knew. Sirius used that knowledge to goad Snape, knowing he was embarrassed about it. "And so -- since Severus was met at the Ministry Offices by his father -- I suspect a rather painful father-and- son chat has already transpired. I don't believe that Severus will have any friend at hand to help him....except for the two of you, of course."
"Excuse me, sir," James said. His stomach rumbled loudly. "I don't see how a couple of kids will be able to get past even the reception area at the Ministry!"
"And that is how Fawkes can be of assistance. He has some rather miraculous properties, children. He has the gift of invisibility as well as transformation. He has as good a working knowledge of magic as many humans. And – for an animal nearly five hundred years old – he's developed a rather ingenious way of dealing with encumbrances like reception areas – "
----------------
"Ah, good day Minister," said Maledictis Snape. Quick as a cat, he moved his hands up to Severus' neck, and adjusted his school collar to cover the fresh bruises. "Or rather, good evening. Just making sure the boy looks 'just so' to greet the Minister of Magic!"
A glare from his father convinced him to act as natural as he could, even though he was absolutely terrified inside. Severus relaxed his face into its usual lines of inscrutability. It was his primary defense against the world, and he was quite good at it.
"I thought we could talk about what happened, Severus," Fudge said, motioning him and his father over to a table and chairs at the far edge of the room. "This won't be a formal hearing, for you are underage and we are not certain whether your activity constituted a crime. So have a seat, would you – and Mr. Snape too – there."
Fudge gave an officious little throat clearing and signified by slapping his palms on the table that they were ready to begin.
"Now, Severus, do you know the difference between a truth and a lie?
"Yes."
"If I was to say that your robes were white, would that be the truth or a lie?"
"A lie."
"That's right. That's very good, Severus. Very good indeed. We want to ask you some questions about what happened at Hogwarts last night. Your father will be allowed to remain here, although he will not be able to speak on your behalf, nor can you converse with him. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Asking questions on behalf of the Ministry of Magic is Mr. Alastor Moody. Miss Brunhilde Bludwyd will take down what he says to you, Severus, and what you say to her. Now then. Are you ready?"
"Yes sir."
Miss Bludwyd nodded, placing a tray on the table and seating herself. Alastor Moody – who had been literally lurking in the shadows in the corner of the room -- took his place at the table. He had one eye that appeared normal and another that was too large and rolled around in its socket in a very disturbing manner. It made Severus nervous, because he couldn't quite tell if Moody was looking at him, or looking somewhere else entirely. He supposed it didn't matter in the long run.
"State your name for the record."
"Severus Silanus Snape."
"How old are you?"
"I am fifteen."
"Do you go to school?"
"Yes, you know I do."
"Please refrain from extraneous comments, young man."
"Yes sir. I go to Hogwarts."
"That's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Are you a good student?"
"Yes sir."
"Have you studied Defense Against the Dark Arts, Severus?"
"Yes sir."
"Will you tell me the details, please?"
"In my third, fourth year, and fifth year I studied it in a full-year course."
"Are there any other courses that you have taken that explore what many refer to as the Dark Arts?"
"No, sir."
"Do you like to read, Severus?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you ever read about the so-called Dark Arts – "?
Miss Bludwyd was busily scribbling away. An efficient person, she had brought a fresh bottle of ink, ten or eleven blank parchments, a quill, and a spare.
"Headmaster! May I see you?" asked Lily Evans, fairly hopping up and down in her oxblood loafers.
Albus Dumbledore had been making his way to the head table. The food smelled good, and the Great Hall was beautifully decorated to help the students forget the scene that happened the evening before. "Of course, Miss Evans. What can I do for you?"
"It's nothing that I want for me, Headmaster," the redhead said earnestly and in a low voice. "I have to find out where Severus was taken and then save him!"
"Save him?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Yes. If he's been taken to the Ministry of Magic, they could be beating him up, for all I know! I can't just let them take him away like that! He didn't mean what happened. I think his tongue just got away with him!"
"I agree with you, Miss Evans. Here, let's talk more out here in the corridor – "He led her into a small hallway that ran adjacent to the kitchens.
"Headmaster, I need to get to London."
"London?"
"To Ministry Headquarters!" Lily was so frustrated she could hardly restrain herself from hopping on one foot. "I'm not sure how to get there, but I'm sure you can help me figure out a way, being as concerned about Sev as I am -- perhaps even more so, since he called you his father."
At this, Dumbledore gave a nearly imperceptible jerk. His blue eyes clouded in memory. "Yes, that's right. He was taken from Hogwarts against his will – against his will and mine as well, Miss Evans."
"Well, will you help me?" she said earnestly.
"I myself cannot. No."
At this, she nearly screamed. But Dumbledore continued before she had the chance to speak again.
"I would not be opposed to a very good friend of mine coming to Severus' assistance. I would suggest that you first enlist another student to help you. Then come to my office as soon as you can – say, within the half-hour. I will be there waiting for you. The password is "cherry mash."
Lily was off in a shot. Sirius wouldn't help her, she knew that. He hated Severus far too much. But she knew that James was sweet on her. Who knows – it might end up being an adventure, on a number of levels.
-------------
"James Potter, if you won't help me right now, I will curse you for all eternity!"
James stared goggle-eyed at the breathless and beautiful girl leaning over the dinner table gazing at him. He exchanged a quick glance with Sirius, then stood up.
"Really, now, Evans? Don't hold back! Tell me how you really feel! You know I'm all ears."
"And quite a bit mouth," Sirius added.
"Shut your head, Black," Lily snapped. She grabbed James by the hand and hauled him out of the Great Hall, leaving his fellow Marauders alone and his dinner untasted.
-----------
"There's no time for me to explain. Severus has been taken to the Ministry of Magic and they could be torturing him, all I know! I've got to rescue him!"
"Rescue him? Why you?"
"Because I promised his mother I'd look after him. And now see what's happened! I can't give up now! Headmaster Dumbledore is going to help us get there!"
"Get to where, Evans?"
"To London, you cheesebrain! Hurry!"
-----------------
Both teenagers – rather breathless by now – stood in the Headmaster's Office. The faces from the portraits nearly surrounding them all offered their own cordial greetings. What distracted them the most, however, was Fawkes the Phoenix. He was sitting on his perch, gazing at the two children with his head cocked.
"Oh, so lovely," Lily cooed. "What a beautiful thing you are. I've never seen a phoenix before. Have you, James?"
"Nope. Just know ravens, robins, and songbirds."
Lily was delighted when Fawkes stepped upon the finger she offered. Amazed at the solid weight of the large bird, she brought him closer to James, and both examined him.
"Ah, I see you've already met your escort for tonight," said Headmaster Dumbledore, coming down the spiral staircase.
"Our escort?" Lily said rather apprehensively.
"Yes. You see, Miss Evans and Mr. Potter, my hands are tied in this matter. It appears likely that Severus will not be returning to Hogwarts if his father has his way. And Severus acts against his father's will at his peril."
"He does?" Lily said, puzzled.
"Surely you've noticed that our young friend has an inordinate number of bruises and injuries when he returns from holidays."
Lily looked at James. "I don't know if I've ever noticed, sir, but are you telling us that his father thrashes him?"
"Indeed, Miss Evans." Dumbledore looked over at James, whose eyes were on the floor. Of course James knew. Sirius used that knowledge to goad Snape, knowing he was embarrassed about it. "And so -- since Severus was met at the Ministry Offices by his father -- I suspect a rather painful father-and- son chat has already transpired. I don't believe that Severus will have any friend at hand to help him....except for the two of you, of course."
"Excuse me, sir," James said. His stomach rumbled loudly. "I don't see how a couple of kids will be able to get past even the reception area at the Ministry!"
"And that is how Fawkes can be of assistance. He has some rather miraculous properties, children. He has the gift of invisibility as well as transformation. He has as good a working knowledge of magic as many humans. And – for an animal nearly five hundred years old – he's developed a rather ingenious way of dealing with encumbrances like reception areas – "
----------------
"Ah, good day Minister," said Maledictis Snape. Quick as a cat, he moved his hands up to Severus' neck, and adjusted his school collar to cover the fresh bruises. "Or rather, good evening. Just making sure the boy looks 'just so' to greet the Minister of Magic!"
A glare from his father convinced him to act as natural as he could, even though he was absolutely terrified inside. Severus relaxed his face into its usual lines of inscrutability. It was his primary defense against the world, and he was quite good at it.
"I thought we could talk about what happened, Severus," Fudge said, motioning him and his father over to a table and chairs at the far edge of the room. "This won't be a formal hearing, for you are underage and we are not certain whether your activity constituted a crime. So have a seat, would you – and Mr. Snape too – there."
Fudge gave an officious little throat clearing and signified by slapping his palms on the table that they were ready to begin.
"Now, Severus, do you know the difference between a truth and a lie?
"Yes."
"If I was to say that your robes were white, would that be the truth or a lie?"
"A lie."
"That's right. That's very good, Severus. Very good indeed. We want to ask you some questions about what happened at Hogwarts last night. Your father will be allowed to remain here, although he will not be able to speak on your behalf, nor can you converse with him. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Asking questions on behalf of the Ministry of Magic is Mr. Alastor Moody. Miss Brunhilde Bludwyd will take down what he says to you, Severus, and what you say to her. Now then. Are you ready?"
"Yes sir."
Miss Bludwyd nodded, placing a tray on the table and seating herself. Alastor Moody – who had been literally lurking in the shadows in the corner of the room -- took his place at the table. He had one eye that appeared normal and another that was too large and rolled around in its socket in a very disturbing manner. It made Severus nervous, because he couldn't quite tell if Moody was looking at him, or looking somewhere else entirely. He supposed it didn't matter in the long run.
"State your name for the record."
"Severus Silanus Snape."
"How old are you?"
"I am fifteen."
"Do you go to school?"
"Yes, you know I do."
"Please refrain from extraneous comments, young man."
"Yes sir. I go to Hogwarts."
"That's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, correct?"
"Yes sir."
"Are you a good student?"
"Yes sir."
"Have you studied Defense Against the Dark Arts, Severus?"
"Yes sir."
"Will you tell me the details, please?"
"In my third, fourth year, and fifth year I studied it in a full-year course."
"Are there any other courses that you have taken that explore what many refer to as the Dark Arts?"
"No, sir."
"Do you like to read, Severus?"
"Yes, sir."
"Have you ever read about the so-called Dark Arts – "?
Miss Bludwyd was busily scribbling away. An efficient person, she had brought a fresh bottle of ink, ten or eleven blank parchments, a quill, and a spare.
