A/N: MarsMoonStar - Thanks. Lady Mandara Snake - Thank you. Hermionegreen - Thank you. Iced Flamed - I know, I'm mean. And I'm mean again. Wadeki - Yup, you're welcome. Andromeda Snape-Malfoy - Thank you. I'm glad we agree. Ranchan - Thank you, I'll check chapter ten. HPIceAngel - Thank you. Ranchan17 - I'm sorry, it won't be a major part of it, but there will be some. Jenbachand - That's basically what I have planned sort of. Ssjztrunks - Thank you. Jaded Angel8 - Thank you. *grin* Now stop reading and get back to your stories. Ironic-humour - Thank you. Sadisticfreak529 - Thank you. SlytherinDamian - I'm sorry. It won't be a major part though, and it won't be graphic. Bera - Sort of. Blue Clover - Thank you so much. I'm glad you decided to give it another shot. Silv3rang3l - Sorry. Thank you. Insanechildfanfic - Yup, thanks. Makoto-18 - Thank you. Hpfan182 - Thank you. Ms. Issues - Thanks. DeadRoses - I did, I did! Thank you. The Vampire Story Hunter - Thank you. Nemati - Thank you. Selua - Thank you. HecateDeMort - Thank you. Amy - Thanks, me too. Kyra2 - Well, I had gotten rather stuck with it, and skipping ahead awoke my muse. Shattered Diamond - Yup. Thank you. ~DragonMaster~ Thank you, I will. ProudSlytherin - Thank you, and I will promote your LJ. It's a great idea. Wadeki - Thank you for reviewing again. SlythsRule - Okay! Pretty_meh - Thank you. Not much meaner, only if he has to be. Jackie - Sorry for the cliffie, no I'm not. *evil grin* Thank you. Illucia - Thank you. Glad you like the pace. That's the part I worry about. Freya Elise Raine - Thank you.
A/N2: Hi, I'd like to take a moment to promote Live Journal. If you get a chance check mine out. I post chapter updates and little ficlets there. There is a link to it in my author info page. Also at Live Journal check out the Dark Harry community. I have a link for that also on my info page. There isn't much posted there yet, but it has to get started somehow!
Dislaimer - I only own the plot.
Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Chapter 19 - Lord Snape
Marcus and Severus arrived at the gates in time to see a crowd forming. Several Death Eaters had conjured a stage, while others had alerted the media. They were not wearing their masks. Marcus was thrilled to see a delegation of centaurs coming out of the forest. Of course they had known what was going to happen for some time.
The students, waiting for the train, were only a hundred feet away. Marcus could see Draco, Hermione, and Ron among them. The Death Eaters that were near the stage quickly left it to join the crowd below, as seeing Severus was the signal that their Lord would be appearing soon. They just didn't suspect Marcus to be him. Marcus covertly pulled up his father's left sleeve, summoning the full membership of the Death Eaters. Switching to his gnat animagus form, he hovered above the stage. Once all of the other Death Eaters arrived, the non-members in the crowd gasped and began to panic. The new arrivals were in full mask and robe attire. At this, Marcus made his appearance, turning back into his human self.
"Sonorous! Do not panic. No one will be harmed today."
The crowd quickly turned to face him. Gasps were heard from everyone. The Death Eaters were surprised to find out whom their Lord actually was, and the students were surprised to see their classmate speaking to such a crowd. The media and townspeople murmured amongst themselves, clueless as to what was happening. Although the non-Death Eaters were slightly calmed by Marcus' words and the inaction of the gathered Death Eaters, they still separated themselves into groups. Everyone had their wands at the ready.
"It pleases me to see all of you here. Some of you know why you are here, others will find out shortly. My name is Marcus Snape. Having recently finished my education, I have begun a new mission of sorts: to unite the wizarding world." Marcus paused as the crowd increased it's murmuring.
"Not only will I unite the wizarding world; I will unite us with the muggle world." This time he paused, as there were shouts of dissent. Marcus watched as several Death Eaters turned towards the crowd, silencing them instantly.
"We have hidden for too long. We think ourselves above muggles, vampires, werewolves, and centaurs; yet, we continue to hide ourselves. We should all be free to make our own decisions. Any one of you should be able to buy a muggle house and continue to use your gift of magic while you live in it. The primary reason muggles fear us is because they don't understand us. I will make them understand."
Several Death Eaters were nodding. Marcus noticed that Remus Lupin was clapping enthusiastically. 'Won't Remus be shocked soon,' Marcus thought.
"Not only do we deny ourselves the use of our magic while in the presence of muggles; we also deny ourselves the use of dark magic even amongst our own kind. Dark magic is not something to be feared. Yes, it is powerful and can be used for evil. But its most important uses have given us many of the things we treasure today. Binding wizarding contracts that serve to protect us all were discovered by the use of dark magic. Even curses like the various blood-letting curses have been used to rid patients at St. Mungo's of poisons, saving literally thousands of lives. I plan on restoring the proper use of dark magic to our world."
At this point he was almost inaudible over the cheers of the Death Eaters and many of the merchants from Hogsmeade. Even some of the regular townsfolk had begun clapping slowly. The students stared in rapt attention, something they should do in classes more often, he mused. One by one, Death Eaters bowed down on one knee, murmuring "My Lord."
Finally he had reached the point of the speech that would shock the most people, when he would reveal his previous self.
"There is one more thing I would like to bring to your attention. As I stated already, I am Marcus Snape. I am the son of Severus Snape. However, as recently as two years ago I went by another name. It was a name given to me under false pretences. That name was Harry Potter."
Gasps, shouts, murmuring, and whispers filled the street. Most people were just in shock, while others were outraged. Marcus made a point to look at certain people. When he met Draco's eyes the boy's cheeks got a pink tinge to them; Marcus was unsure whether it was with anger or embarrassment. Hermione looked to be consoling Ron who was enraged. Remus was just standing there, a hand clutched to his chest, his face pale with shock. Marcus regretted not telling his former professor sooner, but they had been distant since Sirius' death.
Realizing that the time had come to depart, he swiftly turned into the dragon and flew back to Hogwarts. Perching on one of the towers, he continued to think over everyone's reactions. The reactions to his policies didn't worry him. Those that didn't agree with him now soon would. He found that the reaction that worried him the most was Draco's. He would have to seek out the boy tomorrow. He'd let him have a night to think about things.
His father met him back down in the dungeons. Marcus slumped down onto the sofa, staring into the flames dancing in the fireplace. Severus sat down beside him, handing him a drink that had the faintest odor of a calming potion. He drank it, feeling a warm sensation envelop his body.
"Father, it is time for me to leave."
Severus blinked, hiding his needs and wants. His son needed to rule the world, not play the part of the long-lost son the Severus wanted to coddle. He stared ahead.
Marcus knew his father too well to accept the blank stares. He pulled his father's face into his hands. "I'm not leaving you behind father. You will always be my guide and my strength. And, Hogwarts will always be my true home. Someday, I will be back at this school. You know why you need to be here right?"
Severus grunted, pulling away, and sipped his own drink that was also laced with the calming potion. "I am proud of you Marcus, but I am no longer needed. You must move on to follow your destiny."
Marcus sighed, his father could really get melodramatic at some times. "Father, you are being absurd. I will leave tomorrow morning for our home, and I will visit often."
Severus scowled before taking another sip of his drink. "Do you not realize that I know what happens now? You are a grown man now Marcus. I will come to you, bow at your feet, when you summon me. I am a relic. I am little more than a decent potions master now. You have surpassed me Marcus in all else. You will surround yourself with those more powerful than I. Your inner circle will be those closer to your age. And, soon you will send some young man for me to train. Then I will be useless. That is why I'm staying at Hogwarts, to find you the next potions master to serve our cause."
"Dammit Father," Marcus yelled as he through his glass into the fire. "You are not just some potions brewer, you are my father. My father! If you find me a new potions master I will be able to better use you. You will be what you have been the past two years, a friend and advisor. Stop feeling sorry for yourself." Marcus stormed from the room. If any other Death Eater were acting as pathetic as his father was now there would have been curses thrown. That's why Marcus left the room. He didn't want to hurt his father.
He made his way to the Slytherin dorms without a sound. The emptiness served to calm him as he sat down on the bed he had used these past two years. He looked around the room sadly. He would miss this place. He began packing up his belongings. Everything was surreal. Here he was, a seventeen year old boy, but ruler of hundreds of full-grown wizards. He carefully packed his own things knowing he could probably order anyone else to do it. He laid out the clothing he would put on in the morning before stretching out in his bed. Sleep claimed him quickly.
------------------------
The following morning he awoke early. He grabbed the clothes he had left out, and headed for the shower. He definitely did not need a long goodbye with his father. He showered quickly and dressed himself. As he levitated his trunk in front of him, he exited the front doors. He turned back to glance at his former home, offering a silent challenge to the castle that he would return to claim her, before continuing his trek to the front gates. At the gates he grabbed the handle of his trunk and apparated to his new home.
Although he had stayed here the previous summer, he stood in awe of what was now his. In front of the grand castle stood two Death Eaters, guarding the front door. As he stood there, he noticed that the Death Eaters had recognized him and were on one knee. The door opened revealing an amused Lord Voldemort. Voldemort descended the steps, stopping in front of Marcus. "Lord Snape, your abode awaits you."
Marcus smiled and embraced his mentor. "Thank you, my Lord. Shall we?"
"We shall."
Once Marcus was settled he sent off two letters, one to Draco and one to Hermione. Both contained timed portkeys.
At five minutes before noon Marcus headed for the front gates. Hermione would be intimidated by the guards. At two o'clock exactly she appeared at the front gates.
Marcus led her to one of the back patio gardens. They had lunch and tea as they discussed what would happen now. Hermione would be going to a muggle university. She felt that she had missed out on a decent muggle education. Though, by the end of lunch, Marcus convinced her to use her magic freely in front of the muggles. He also gave her the task of explaining to Ron and Remus the whole story. He knew that Ron would never understand, but Remus would. Marcus just didn't want to leave them in the dark.
At five minutes before eight that evening he waited in his sitting room for Draco to arrive. If Draco arrived. Marcus sincerely hoped he would.
_________________________________