(A/N: Last Chapter. I am certain readers everywhere will weep at that news. Well, gentle readers, a rather tense chapter, this, not such a bright note to end upon, I know, but it does work. Or so I hope. So here we go, into eternity!)

Chapter 5: I Could Never Get The Hang Of Ideology

It was morning, and light gold sunlight was streaming through the high gothic windows of the breakfast room, making the dark brown and green room look as peaceful as a forest floor. Lucius was sitting on the windowsill, sipping coffee. He looked especially content and the features of his face seemed softer than usual, nearly pretty.

Severus, on the other hand, sat at the table, staring intently into the distance, chewing his eggs Benedict. "How moody you're being," Lucius said pleasantly. "while we've just changed the world." He nearly glowed with complacency.

"Yes....changed the world.." Severus said, glowering down at his food.

"Somehow you don't sound too pleased," Lucius sneered. "It was your idea, you know."

"I know." Severus said. He sighed. "I think I'll be off, actually." He stood up, throwing his napkin onto the table. Lucius snorted.

"I'd say you'd gotten out the wrong side of the bed this morning, but I won't, because firstly I was there and I know you didn't, and secondly, this is your usual mood. I just don't see how you can't be exultant at our success. But by all means, go if you must." He said, still looking out the window. "Go invent some more potions to take over the world with." He smirked at Severus, who grimaced back.

"You're hilarious." He said, taking his cloak from the house elf and pulling it on. "I don't know why I should go around skipping and picking flowers just because I've made sure everyone in the country is going to have their brains eaten. I suppose I just don't go for such simple pleasures as much as you do." Lucius laughed.

"Goodbye Severus," he said. "you little bundle of joy." Severus waved in greeting once, and then disapparated. "Is it just me, or has Severus rather lost his motivation?" Lucius said to the house elf. "That was a rhetorical question, by the by, so don't bore me with your answer. If he keeps that up, I might have to check up on him and see that he doesn't do anything.....stupid. Remind me of that." The house-elf nodded, and scuttled away.

----------------

Severus arrived in his home, which was considerably smaller than Malfoy Manor, feeling rather empty. It was a damp day, and in his house, a limestone cottage, it was too cold and moist to want to do anything, so he lit a fire, and called the house-elf for a cup of tea. It was an old and ragged creature, left over from better times, just like everything else in the house. He slid down into a worn, ancient chair, and watched the fire for a while, pondering the last few days. Now that everything was done, and irrevocable, he did not know whether he really agreed with it all.

Not that he doubted his cause, of course he did not. His nature was not so fickle. What he was not sure about, was the means. Maybe it was the Ravenclaw in him, but something about everyone turning completely stupid made him feel........uncomfortable, and, had he been a different man, perhaps even nervous. He could not tell why, so he dismissed the feeling as silly and sought to forget about it with a cup of tea and a nice, illegal book.

--------------

He was walking around Hogsmeade, looking at window displays, and it was an agreeable time, until he suddenly noticed who was walking in front of him. He recognised the smallish, slim posture, the messy black hair, the arrogant posture...... and as the person turned around, he nearly winced at the sight of James Potter.

But, rather different from what he had expected, James did not say anything to him, his eyes did not take on that annoying pleased look he remembered, he just stared. "Potter," Severus said, tilting his head back a bit, warily. James, though, did not say anything, he stood there, staring dumbly. Shrugging, Severus turned away, to pass him by, only to bump into someone. "Watch where you're....." he began to snarl, when he saw it was James Potter. Drool was dripping from the corner of his mouth, Severus noted disgustedly. "Potter!" he said, "You were....." He glanced behind him, and saw that the first James was still standing there. In fact, right behind him was standing another James Potter, and next to that one, yet another James......

Severus shook his head in confusion, and turned back to the second James, only to see that flanking him were two new Jameses, looking at him, their eyes also glazed over. Beginning to feel slightly threatened, he pushed through the three Jameses, and wanted to storm away, only to bump into more James Potters. Feeling very much like he wanted to scream, he opened his eyes and woke up.

He immediately flew out of his seat, looking around feverishly for any sign of danger- or James Potter. But the living room was empty. He stalked around, but every single room and hall was empty, as were the gardens. Growling with frustrated tension, he sat back down again, realising that the horrific scene he had just lived through had been entirely imaginary. He started at the sound of footsteps behind him, and he flew up, his wand ready.

In the hall, a miniature James Potter was standing, looking up at him morosely. He blinked in surprise, and gone was the bespectacled visage. In its place stood his panic-stricken house elf, looking like it very much wanted to run away. "It's alright, Dippy, you can go." he sighed. The elf disappeared in a flash. Severus leant on his armchair for a moment, before deciding he needed some fresh air, and stepped outside to disapparate.

He was already feeling better when he was walking leisurely through a field just outside Hogsmeade. The sky was slate grey, the air cool but not cold; perfect spring weather as far as Severus was concerned. He glided along, unconcerned, gazing ahead at the pair that was walking a short distance away from him, in the opposite direction. Only when they were about to pass each other by, though, did he notice who they were.

He had to keep himself from shrieking at the sight of James Potter, and promptly disapparated.

------------

Having composed himself under a large, too friendly oak tree that for some reason kept asking him why he was so nervous, even though he wasn't nervous at all, damn that nosy piece of vegetation, he made a decision. So he slowly arose, absent-mindedly shaking the leaves and a bowtruckle from his cloak, and he was on his way.

Very determinedly he made his way through the all too familiar hallways of Hogwarts castle. Very determinedly he suppressed the still very fresh memories, as he darkened the halls with his robes and cloak that fluttered out behind him. The few students that were around, scuttled out of his way in fear. Very determinedly he strode up to Dumbledore's office, and very determinedly he stood there, remembering that he needed a password to enter.

He was just very determinedly threatening the gargoyle statue, when suddenly the door opened, and out came Dumbledore. "Hello Severus," he said. "I understand you want a word?" Severus just nodded in reply, noticing the foreboding, shadowy dark blue of the Headmaster's eyes as he looked into them. But the old wizard smiled a tiny smile and strode back into his office. "Come in." he said, and Severus followed.

Dumbledore sat down, and bad Severus to do likewise with a gesture of his hand. For a moment, they just sat there, a slight tension in the air. It was evident that Dumbledore was expecting Severus to begin the conversation. He swore to himself. Anything to make things as difficult as possible for him. He swept some hair from his face, and began.

"The past few days, I have been involved in a rather delicate secret operation. One that shall affect the lives of everyone in our world deeply. One that shall change everything." He said. His eyes were a cold, determined and calculatedly expressionless black as he spoke. "I have discovered a solution that eats away at the brain of who-ever is foolish enough to consume it, and it had been carefully integrated into a substance that nearly everyone is likely to eat within the next few weeks. It has not been distributed yet, and no-one is likely to have been affected yet." Dumbledore sat with eyebrows raised.

"What kind of substance is this we are talking about?" he asked. Severus snorted. It was going to sound idiotic.

"I put it in chocolate frogs." He said, smirking. Dumbledore smiled weakly.

"A clever plan." he said. "A clever plan. And what is going to happen once this has been spread among the populous?"

"Everyone will lose all mental capacities and turn into a kind of human vegetables." Severus answered. "The effects in the eventual long run have not been investigated, since the plan was to not let there be a long run." Dumbledore, catching the suggestion, shook his head. He looked rather appalled.

"And they have not been distributed yet?" he said. Severus shook his head. "When will they be?"

"Within the next few days."

"A wicked scheme, indeed, Severus." Dumbledore looked down at his hands. "And why exactly are you telling me this?"

"I don't want it to happen." Severus said, firmly. "It plagues me."

"What plagues you about it?" Dumbledore gave him a fierce glare, and Severus leant back, smirking wryly. Of course Dumbledore would know he had no morals and that it wasn't the suffering or death or politics that bothered him. A good thing he had been planning to tell him the truth.

"Frankly, I cannot stand the thought of everyone turning even more stupid than they are already." he said, returning the old wizard's gaze. "I have seen what it does to its victims. It's highly annoying. A nation of James Potters, that is what plagues me." Dumbledore frowned.

"You do him no justice, Severus." he said. "But I am glad you have told me the truth." He was silent for a moment, looking still in Severus' eyes. He could feel his memories very faintly flitting around his mind, as they were scrutinised by the other's ancient mind. But he trusted him, and cared for the moment only for gaining his trust in return. Finally, Dumbledore broke eye contact, and cleared his throat.

"And what are you willing to do to stop this from happening?" he asked.

"Anything." Severus replied. Dumbledore nodded.

It was agreed.

(A/N: And that was the true story of Snape's desertion. Honestly. Completely true. He told it to me himself at a Demoralists Anonymous meeting which happened to take place in my shed. Get ready for the next ride, dear readers, for an even more absurd story, with an even fainter semblance of a plot, shall be arriving to an author's profile near you soon. Feel free to show me how much you like my creations by skinning parts of yourself and sending me the hides. I need them to refurbish my sofa. Fondle you soon, dear reader, and stay wicked. Sincerely, The Duchess)