I am not J. K. R. and so I am not profiting from her work. I am however trying to beta my own stuff so, tell me if I've made any mistakes.
Chapter Thirteen:
The corridors of Durmstrang were absolutely silent. This was not due to any sort of cute little charm, it was due to fear. The thousand or so students that called Durmstrang 'home' did so because it was tradition.
'Things weren't always this bad,' thought the lone figure that swept through the central hall, cloak flaring wide and hood drawn. 'It's only been the past few years that things have gotten this…'
*Oppressively, dark?*
'Yah.'
Reaching the staff room the cloaked figure lowered her hood and entered. The few faculty members who were already there looked up from their various amusements long enough to identify her. With her hood off, her oily shoulder length black hair hung in her obsidian black eyes. She was by far the youngest member of the faculty. After hexing the hormones out of half the male staff, she had been left alone. Going straight to her favorite writing desk, in the back corner furthest from the fireplace and, tucking her bangs behind her ear, she opened the letter that had just arrived.
~~~My Dearest, my one and only treasure, Severa,
She choked back a laugh at the endearment. Extravagant openings to their letters were part of the game they played since she had moved so far away.
I have just been speaking with my old friend Albus Dumbledore, from Hogwarts.
'As though I don't recognize the man's name. You've been telling me about him for years,' she puffed at the hair that had fallen into her eyes, and continued.
He has just told me that there is a position about to become available, in the potions department.
Her eyebrows rose, 'I thought Snape was heading potions for them.'
*You don't think they could have let him go, do you?*
'From what I've heard Snape's turned out to be a genius at what he does, Dumbledore would have to be mad to let him go.'
I would like to see you get it. Before you start to write your resignation though, there is one thing you should know. Snape is still there, the position that has opened up is for an assistant. Now I know that it would be a huge sacrifice on your part, but I also know I would sleep better with you in the country now that he has returned.
Please think over what I have said, but remember, what ever you choose I will support you. I could not have sent you to attend Durmstrang and then allowed you to seek a professorship there, if I did not have the utmost confidence in your ability to er, protect yourself.
Moody~~~
'Well now, I guess…'
*You've got to. Its Hogwarts! Even if it is the most demeaning placement he could ask you to fill. It's your dream.*
'But to be an assistant? The only thing worse would be if he wanted me as an apprentice!'
*Then be thankful.*
Shaking the internal conflict from her mind Severa closed her eyes and sought the still small voice that would give her the answer she needed.
'I need to know what is best to do now, for all of us.'
After a few moments of silent waiting, she felt a sense of peace about the coming changes. With confidence she reached for the quill and parchment that she kept at 'her' table. 'It can be a very good thing, being ignored. They would probably lynch me for writing to Alastor, without sending a copy on to him,' she grinned.
~~~My Doting and ever watchful Guardian,
She opened in an attempt to one-up him.
I would not have you pulling any strings on my behalf. I want that perfectly clear up front. That having been said, I will apply for the position of assistant as you suggested.
One thing troubles me though. Do you think he'll have me back after the way we parted? He was not pleased that I agreed to go to Durmstrang.
Imagining the laugh he would have on that particular understatement, she smiled and closed the short missive as she always had,
Moody2~~~
Chapter Fourteen:
"Severus, you should go back to the school now. Your next class starts soon and you will need to get cleaned up." The Dark Lord's tone was cold.
Seeing that he was about to protest Voldemort cut him off, "I shall contact you later about the assignment. For now, I want you to isolate what it is that is causing you these, problems."
"Yes, Master," Snape was entirely compliant once again.
These shifts in mood worried him, but Voldemort said nothing. Trusting that with proper diagnosis and treatment his pet would be well again. He watched as Snape replaced his mask, drew up his hood, bowed low and awaited formal dismissal.
(Even though Voldemort preferred to have a more casual relationship, Snape always followed protocol. He claimed that it ensured that there would be no lapses when there were others around.)
His voice was like the scratching of dry leaves, as he again placed his hand on Severus' head, "Go, and do my bidding."
Now formally dismissed Snape stood and left the room. His silken cape and indifferent air a mask far more effective than the one that covered his face.
'I'll just bet Lucius is hoping to see me cowed.'
* Ha! Yah, you'll show him alright.*
Nearly everyone close enough to see him, was trying to discern by his stride and apparent composure, whether things had gone well or ill for him. (Most hoped for the later.) He slowly walked back into the center of the room and began to mingle for a few minutes.
Having made the 'strategic' social connections and silently reassuring everyone that yes he was still on top, Snape moved to a deeply shadowed alcove. Keeping in mind the warning he had received from Voldemort, Snape apparated to an unlit alley that he occasionally used for these kinds of situations.
*Not that you've ever had the ministry hot for you before, * his subconscious snapped.
"What in the-?!" he blurted as the world coalesced around him once again.
It was raining, hard.
Removing his mask and tucking it away, he found that he had already put something in to the hidden pocket. Curious he pulled out an unopened letter and casually made his way to a dim street lamp at the corner. Flipping over the envelope to see if he could make out the seal he was surprised to recognize it as the Headmaster's personal mark. Managing a subtle glance up the street toward the school's gates, he was easily able to spot the 'stumbling drunk,' a.k.a. Department of Secrets' agent, that had been assigned to watch for his return. Making for a secret entrance (Hogwarts had several) he eluded said agent's bleary, watchful eye.
In the safety of the hidden passageway Snape, once again, drew out the letter and, leaning against the stone wall, lit his wand and began to read. Reaching the end of the note he slid down the wall and sat heavily on the floor.
"Oh god." 'The Headmaster's wrong I can't handle all of this,' closing his eyes he curled himself into a tight ball.
Several minutes passed before rising to his feet, Snape silently made his way to his private rooms. After washing his face and changing to a more appropriate cloak, he hurried to his classroom.
*Wonderful! you endanger the entire resistance movement, nearly give yourself, gift-wrapped no less, to the Secrets Agent at the front gate. Now you're cutting it too close getting to class-*
Having reached the right door he stepped in and froze.
'I'm late!' Twenty pairs of eyes looked back at him, waiting for the coming storm to break.
Though his face remained devoid of emotion, inside he was reeling, 'I can't handle this right now.'
Clearing his throat, *As though you need to get their attention. Ha!* he strode forward. Turning to face the class he casually leaned back against his desk, crossed his arms over his chest, and arched one eyebrow.
"I should think that Seventh Year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs could begin taking notes, without the aide of, adult, supervision," he said, disdain practically dripping from his lips.
He paused and watched, as the tension of waiting for him to continue became too much for first one student, and then another. One by one, they began to defensively huddle into their robes, a few even began to sweat.
"Or do you need me to remind you that you were unable to successfully complete your assigned work last class?"
When class was finally over, to the utter amazement of the pupils, the first one out the door was Snape. As the clock struck the hour he flew from the class. The heavy solid oak door was thrust out of his way with enough force to send it banging against the wall.
The first students to leave cautiously peered out into the hallway before running up the stairs and finally escaping into the 'safe' aboveground portion of the school.