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Ignorance Isn't Bliss

Chapter 15 - Dark Times

The next morning a refreshed Marcus Snape was eating his breakfast when the morning post arrived. He noticed Draco Malfoy receive a letter. The boy seemed to scowl while he read the letter ('probably the part about his language' Marcus mused.) but once he was finished his expression changed to one of content. Marcus watched as he Draco folded up the parchment, sticking it in his robe, and lifting his eyes to meet Marcus'. Marcus nodded to affirm for the blonde that he knew what the letter was about.

From that moment on they were nearly inseparable during the day. They ate all of their meals together. Crabbe and Goyle had taken to walking everywhere with them. Marcus didn't order Draco or anyone else around. They just were there for him.

It had not went unnoticed by the headmaster so he pulled his potions master in for questioning.

"Severus, tell me what is going on with Harry."

The potions master sneered. "His name is Marcus. And there is nothing going on with him."

"The truth Severus. Why are the Slytherins treating him like a god?"

"I can't help it if my son is well respected by his housemates. I think that Mister Malfoy may have started it though. That family will do anything for power. Whether it was with his former name or now my son radiates power and others can sense it."

"That had better be all it is Severus."

Since then, the tension in the school became palpable. The Gryffindors, who couldn't stand to see anything dark, became more reserved and stayed in their tower more as the darker students became more noticeable. All except for Hermione that is. She kept going to the library just as often as usual. Instead of shunning the rest of the school her more Ravenclaw side caused her to study the changes around her. That was the position of most of the Ravenclaws. They kept an eagle eye on everything, carefully dancing around any confrontation. Hermione could still be seen mostly chatting with her fellow Gryffindors but in the evenings when most of them were in their tower she would be either in the library or out by the lake studying.

It was those times that Marcus sought out her friendship. Marcus wasn't sure why, with all of the Slytherins befriending him, he still needed for Hermione to approve of him, but he did. He would often just sit and chat with her. She would tell him about her current boyfriend, a Ravenclaw seventh year. Marcus wasn't sure how to approach her about joining the dark lord so he didn't. With all his bravery he just wasn't ready to bridge that gap between his former life and his new one.

As the months rolled on Marcus continued to read any book Voldemort suggested and when he wasn't busy reading or practicing what he read, he translated the parseltongue potion book he bought earlier in the year for his father.

The headmaster became frustrated at the loss of control over his own school so his decisions became more rash. One morning in early March he made the decision that would bring about his downfall.

It was a crisp morning when Marcus woke up early and headed towards the great hall for breakfast. He didn't make it out of the dungeons though as he heard arguing coming from his father's quarters. Marcus waited outside the door but ran in when he heard curses start flying. When he entered he was unprepared for the scene inside.

A team of aurors had his father subdued and was magically binding him so that he couldn't escape. Marcus stared in horror before running over to his father.

"Dad! Dad, are you okay? Talk to me." All he got was a pleading look in return. Marcus turned to the aurors, fury evident in his eyes. "I demand to know what is going on here."

A man in his thirties with blonde hair stepped forward. "We were called by Albus Dumbledore. We are arresting Severus Snape on the grounds of dark activity. We are taking him to the ministry to await trial." Marcus had to close his eyes and take a deep breath to keep from hexing the aurors. He would have to let them take his father but the headmaster would pay. He went back over to his father and whispered in his ear. "If you can hear me, I will get you out of there father. Don't do anything rash. I love you dad." Marcus backed away with tears in his eyes and left the room heading straight for the owlry. He penned a quick letter sending it with the Malfoy owl.

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Several minutes later Lord Voldemort was awakened by a persistent tapping. He opened his window and let the owl in. "What is worth waking me this early Lucius?" He muttered as he opened the letter. When he recognized the handwriting he sat down to read the letter.

LV

Aurors arrested my father this morning and took him to the ministry.

MS

Voldemort immediately summoned his followers.

They started appearing right away and were surprised to find that they ended up in their Lord's private quarters as the mark led them to wherever he currently was. He didn't give them time to wonder very long.

"Lucius."

The blonde stepped forward. "My lord?"

"Severus has been arrested and is being taken to the ministry. Create a team and get him out of there. Now!"

Lucius immediately pointed at several people in the room and they followed him outside.

"Everyone else just go. If you see an opportunity to get Severus, take it. And, if you have children at Hogwarts tell them to watch out for themselves. Dumbledore will pay for this."

After everyone left he sat down and wrote back to Marcus.

MS

We will get him out of there. Be careful and watch out for the old man. Keep studying and I will contact you when I have your father. I want his safe return as much as you do.

LV

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When Marcus received the note he felt instantly better but still had a sick feeling in his stomach. He decided to head back to his dorm. When he got there, Draco was in the common room.

"Marcus, where have you been. Father sent me a letter and you were gone."

"Owlry. I had letters of my own to send." He plopped down on the sofa in front of the fire, putting his head in his hands.

Draco sat down beside him. "They'll get him back you know."

Marcus had to blink back tears. "I know Draco. And once I know that he is safe I will act."

Draco had a confused look on his face. "Act?"

Marcus nodded. "I have some spells to look up." Marcus went up to his room and grabbed one of his books and went to the chapter titled "So you need to kill someone but can't use the killing curse." and began reading.

An hour later an eagle owl flew through the window and dropped a scroll in Marcus' lap.

MS

We have him. He is still out of it but when he comes around I will have him send you a letter. Be careful.

LV

Marcus instantly felt relieved. His father was safe. He went back down to the common room as another eagle owl flew to Draco. When Draco finished his letter he smiled. "Told ya they'd get him."

"Yes, you did Draco." Turning to the rest of the students that had gathered in the common room he spoke firmly. "I do believe it's time for breakfast. I recommend we go together. We should stay closer together than usual. And I don't just mean myself. I don't want any Slytherin by themselves unless they are in their dorm. It isn't safe for us here right now. Crabbe, Goyle I want you to watch out for the first and second year Slytherins. Everyone, we must be on guard at all times. First second and third years, I want you to always be with an upper classmen. Let's eat."

Slytherin house as a whole marched up to the great hall. As they past Professor Snape's quarters several students looked sadly at the door. When they entered the hall the took there seats, noticing the presence of several aurors in the hall.

Marcus was sneering at the Gryffindors who looked a little too happy for their own good. He grinned when he noticed a few students shutter. Dumbledore stood up to address the students.

"Good morning. I know that you have all noticed the aurors in place at the school. They are here for your protection. I have become aware of dark activity going on at the school and it will not be tolerated. Professor Snape was arrested this morning and will no longer be teacher here ever. Any student found to be using dark magic or associating with dark wizards will be expelled immediately."

'Associating with dark wizards? Does that mean I can't even speak with my dad?' Marcus stood up and left the hall when the Gryffindors and some of the Hufflepuffs began applauding. Draco and a few other Slytherins followed suit. Marcus stormed straight out of the castle and walked towards the edge of the forest. Turning around he noticed Draco still behind him.

"Draco, I would like to be alone right now. I'm going in the forest for a little while. If you'd like you could wait here for me. Holler for me if you see anyone coming." Draco nodded his head, obeying the nicely put order.

Marcus went about twenty yards into the forest. There were several things he had been reading in the book and one of the solutions stood out as the obvious one. Animagus. For months he had been practicing the concentration exercises but hadn't had the opportunity to try the actual change. He had wanted to study longer but the headmaster forced his hand.

He found a suitable clearing and kneeled down in the middle. The book said that the more powerful wizards could be either a magical beast or a very large beast. It also recommended kneeling incase your form didn't have legs. He wouldn't want to fall.

He began concentrating his magical energy in his mind as he had practiced. When he was sure he had gathered all of his power he released his body to the will of his magic and immediately felt the tingling all over his body. When the tingling stopped he released his magic back into his body and opened his eyes.

When he opened his eyes he was shocked. The forest was so beautiful. Everything seemed to have an aura surrounding it. He could clearly see every beast crawling around in the forest. He began walking around and realized that he was tiny, like a bug. He swore but nothing came out. He looked back over himself and noticed wings on his back. He began moving them and was surprised when he picked up into the air. He flew over to the lake and looked down at his reflection. He was a gnat. 'Great, I study for months to become a fucking gnat.'

He flew back to the clearing and once again gathered his magical energy in his mind. He gave his control back over to his magic and felt himself changing again. When he opened his eyes he was high off the ground. He looked down and noticed scales. He went to speak but it came out as a roar. He was now apparently a dragon, a Hungarian horntail at that. 'Two forms, that'll be useful.'

When he heard Draco shouting for him he quickly gathered back up his concentration and this time was sure to picture himself back in his body. When he opened his eyes he saw Draco running towards him with his wand out.

"Marcus, I heard a loud roar. You okay? I was worried."

"I'm fine Draco. Thanks for coming though. I heard it too but it was a little further away. Let's head back up to the castle."

As they reached the common room an eagle owl flew in the window, giving Marcus a scroll. He took it up to his room to read it.

Marcus

I love you to son. I am well and will be staying here for a while. I obviously can't come back to Hogwarts so I will see you when you don't expect it. Lucius is working to get my charges dropped. He led my rescue and reasoned with the ministry. Having them at odds with the headmaster is good for us. They didn't want to arrest me it seems. Just be careful and don't do anything rash. I know you've got to be pissed right now but you need to finish school.

Dad

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