A/N: Every time I say "I'll be getting a couple of new chapters up in a short period of time," ff dot net decides to come crashing down. Boo. Shall I jinx myself again and say I'll get the next chapter up by Wednesday? Shall I? Let's just say it's implied… Onward!
Up From the Dust
Chapter 6: Two Betrayals and Two Prisoners
The 16th of October was not a pleasant day for Severus Snape. First, he had woken at two in the morning and had been unable to fall back asleep. Four hours of prowling through the hallways had yielded not a single student from whom he could dock points, and at one point, Peeves had decided to follow him, spouting insipid nonsense for nearly half an hour before deciding to go sabotage some of the girls' toilets. Having seen that the aforementioned toilets were closest to Gryffindor Tower, Snape had gladly let the ghost go.
After breakfast, Albus had pulled him aside to mention that all of his first- to third-year students should be taught to make the Bezoar Restorative Draught in order to have a supply with them.
Many of the students' parents believed that their children needed a means of protecting themselves against poisoning. They were right, in a way; the number of Death Eater poisonings had been on the rise for quite some time. Some parents had begun to send their children to school wearing tiny vials of the potion on chains around their necks; apparently Dumbledore had picked up on the idea. Severus wouldn't have been surprised to find out that Albus had been bullied into the idea by Molly Weasley.
Arguing that an entire class was not necessary to teach the Bezoar Restorative was futile. The fact that the entire process consisted of boiling water, adding a bezoar, and waiting for the potion to boil down for strength had fallen on Dumbledore's selectively deaf ears.
Severus scowled to himself. That morning, a second-year Hufflepuff had somehow managed to cause an explosion in class, and he, Snape, and seven other students had had to report to Madam Pomfrey for burn treatment. Later, the third-year Slytherin-Ravenclaw class had finished ahead of schedule, and he had been forced to let them go early.
Now, before his third class of Boil, Add Bezoar, and Wait, Severus was pacing his office, pondering unpleasantly.
He hated teaching the same thing over and over, and tomorrow he would have to do it three more times! The thought made him grind his teeth; it didn't help that the Wait step was extremely conducive to conversation, or that Albus's little idea put him a lesson behind in half of his classes.
He also hated having to go to Poppy for those stupid potion burns. Unfortunately, his own stores of burn-healing potion had run out, and he'd had to sit an on uncomfortable bed in front of eight second-years while Madam Pomfrey swabbed his face and neck with a potion that felt like stinging, liquid ice. He hadn't let Poppy near his left hand, afraid that one of the students would see the pale Dark Mark on his forearm if he were required to roll up his sleeve. His hand was still burned as a result.
What he hated most, however, was the wedding ring he had been wearing for over a week. The ring felt like a lead weight, and every time he caught a glimpse of his left hand, he was tempted to simply jump off of the nearest tower. He was tied to her, and there was no way out. Wizarding marriages were binding; death was the usual release from an unhappy one, and divorces were rare. Severus knew that infidelity was an acceptable reason for divorce, but if Lucius had done his job right, he would have to stay married to avoid the irrational Juliette's wrath. The thought was enough to turn his heart to ice.
Severus was wallowing in his office when the flames in his fireplace turned green and the head of Lucius Malfoy came into being in their center.
"Severus! How is it going, old friend?"
"Piss off, Malfoy."
"Temper, temper, Severus. You owe me a favor after what I've done for you. I'll be sure to think of a nice one." Severus could hear the smirk in his voice. He's probably rubbing his hands together in glee, he thought.
"Very good, Malfoy. Now if you mind-" he reached for his wand, ready to extinguish the flames and cut off the arrogant Death Eater before he could ask.
"I'm not quite finished, Severus." Damn.
"I want to visit my son. Meet me in the Forest in ten minutes."
"Very well," grumbled Severus. Waving the fire out of existence, he put on his cloak and headed out.
- - - -
"As you can see, the phases of the moon have quite an impact on many magical creatures and part-humans. However, they also control the ebb and flow of magic itself."
Professor Sinistra pointed her wand at the chart in the front of the class, gesturing to the darkest circle of many: the New Moon, two nights away. "What effect does the New Moon have on the essence of magic? Hermione?"
"The New Moon encourages a finer control of magic, allowing detailed rituals and very difficult, newer spells to be performed under its influence, unlike the Full Moon, which allows wilder, older magics to be used, such as those involved in the werewolf transformation."
"Very good. Can anyone give me an example of a spell that would be strengthened by the New Moon?"
Draco Malfoy raised his hand, only to be interrupted by a loud knock at the door. It swung open before Sinistra could even say "come in," admitting the tall form of Draco's father.
"I need to speak with my son, for a moment, professor… Sinistra, isn't it?" He looked down at the witch with condescension, and she clenched her jaw to prevent herself from saying anything. He knew very well what her name was.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," she said, wishing she didn't have to let this snotty man do just that, or even better, that he had never weaseled his way out of Azkaban in the first place Without a word, Draco left his seat and stepped out of the classroom.
"Well," the professor continued, looking over her mixed Gryffindor-Slytherin class, "Does anyone else have any ideas as to magics that would be strengthened by the New Moon?"
The door opened again, and Draco Malfoy returned to his seat. Slightly annoyed, Sinistra repeated her question for a third time. Draco's hand returned to its raised position.
"Mister Malfoy?"
"The Animagus transformation, transfigurations, and fine-tuned controlling spells," he said. His voice was slightly dull, as if he had been given some bad news. Sinistra tried not to be happy about that.
- - - -
"He was gone for about a minute. His father was probably giving him something illegal." Ron Weasley's voice was slightly muffled by the food that was in it as he turned to speak to Harry.
"It did seem odd," added Hermione from the other side of the table. "But I was glad enough to be rid of him for that long."
"Definitely," said Harry from next to Ron. "He was such a jerk in Potions."
"Isn't he always?" asked Ron.
"More so now that Professor Snape's been in such a bad mood."
"Snape's always in a bad mood, Harry."
"He's been worse lately. Haven't you noticed? He took thirty points just from me yesterday, and today he looked ready to kill-"
Harry was interrupted by the sudden scowl that Hermione shot over his shoulder. "What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked.
- - - -
Severus, unfortunately, did not see the entire exchange. He had his head turned toward the Headmaster when a shout rang out across the hall, its origin at the center of the Gryffindor table. He looked up to see Ron Weasley holding Draco Malfoy's arms behind his back; Hermione Granger had just climbed over the table to see to Harry Potter, who had fallen onto the floor. Potter was unconscious, and his left shoulder was bleeding. The girl was flinging healing spells at him, but none seemed to work. Malfoy seemed limp in Weasley's hold. Severus saw a flash of silver as a knife dropped from his numb hands.
Severus was running between the tables before he knew it. He scooped the knife up and looked at it; the blade had a purple tinge to it in addition to the red of Potter's blood. Poison.
Briefly, he met Malfoy's eyes. The disbelief that registered there was tangible. He looked from Severus, to the knife, to Potter on the floor, and back. His knees buckled and Weasley dragged him back, dumping him on the floor and rushing over to his best friend.
Potter's still form was beginning to shimmer, and Severus's hand was going numb. With dawning horror, he realized that the poison was seeping through the burned skin of his left hand. The numbness was swiftly traveling up his arm; already he had no sensation up to his shoulder. A wave of disorientation passed over him; the world seemed to be moving far too slowly.
Albus was there, but he couldn't hear him talking.
He registered the sensation of the floor underneath him; he was on his knees.
Around him, people were shouting silently. Potter was gone. The knife slipped from his fingers but did not hit the ground.
The numbness reached his chest. The Great Hall seemed so far away. Whether he passed out or disappeared first, Severus would never know. All he saw was the blackness closing in.
- - - -
For the third time since the start of the month, Severus woke to unfamiliar surroundings. This was, however, the first time those surroundings had been quite so uncomfortable.
Sitting up, Severus took in his environment as well as he could, considering the darkness. From what he could tell, he was in a large, windowless basement. The floor was concrete, the air was cold, and both were damp. He had been stripped of his outer cloak and robes; upon reaching for his pocket he found that his wand was gone and that his wrists were chained to the wall.
The skin of his left hand was raw. He had no idea where he was. He was freezing. He was unarmed. He was-
"An idiot. A goddamned idiot." How could he have been so stupid as to pick up the knife?
From his left side came a low moan, followed by a slurred "Where?" Five feet away, chained, unarmed, and underdressed, slumped a lethargic Harry Potter.
Severus bit back a sarcastic comment and responded with a simple "I don't know."
He sighed, then scooted closer to the boy, dragging the chains behind him. Potter looked disoriented, but otherwise intact. He had managed to pull himself into a sitting position and was now leaning against the cinderblock wall, his head tilted back at what seemed to be a very uncomfortable angle. He was wearing nothing more than a thin shirt and pair of pants.
Snape turned Potter around to look at his back, being careful to handle him just above the elbows. There was no resistance on Potter's part as Severus did his best to examine him in the dim light. There was a noticeable tear in his shirt around his left shoulder blade, but no wound. Apparently he had been healed before being brought here.
Potter coughed. "Professor Snape?" he asked, as if first noticing that he was there. Blinking the dazed look from his eyes, Harry returned to his former position at the wall.
"Actually, Potter, I was thoroughly convinced that I was Madam Hooch." Severus's voice held no trace of humor.
Potter sighed into the darkness. "I don't suppose I should ask what happened?"
"You were stabbed with a poisoned knife, then healed. I made the mistake of handling the knife; the potion used on the blade was most likely of the Summoning sort, and linked to whoever brought us here." As he spoke, Severus stood and began to walk along the wall away from Potter, searching for a weak spot or hidden doorway. The Alohamora charm was quite simple: if he found a door, it could be possible for him to open it without a wand.
He didn't mention that Summoning potions were extremely difficult to prepare correctly, and the one that had been used on himself and Potter was probably one he had made himself. Like the Polyjuice potion, many Summoning potions could be made to match a specific person after they had been brewed.
Harry was silent as his professor traced the wall; then he too stood and began to search for a way out. The sound of chains being pulled taut told him that Snape had reached the end of his tether; a few moments later, Harry was also at his limit. Both stood roughly ten feet from the common anchoring point of their chains; neither had reached a corner.
"The door must be too far for us to reach with these chains," said Harry, walking back to the place where he had awoken and taking an uncomfortable seat on the damp floor.
"How marvelously astute," hissed Snape, who remained standing.
"You don't have to be so nasty, you know," said Harry crossly. Snape shot a glare at him.
"That comment illustrates your complete lack of experience in a situation such as this. Now if you are going to be useless, do it silently."
"I searched my side of the wall!" cried Harry defensively. In response, Snape stepped past him and proceeded to double-check Harry's work.
"How very stupid of me to rely on you. It would be fitting to the situation if we were to die because you overlooked a door, Potter."
"You're monstrous!" yelled Harry.
"And you are an insolent little brat who has no idea as to what a priority is!" Snape yelled back.
Harry got to his feet. "I am not insolent! You – you just want respect where it isn't due, Snape!"
"That's Professor Snape!"
"If you hadn't noticed, we aren't at Hogwarts anymore!"
"I'm still in charge here!"
"Then why are you chained to the wall?!"
"You're bloody chained to the wall as well, Potter!" By that time, Harry and Severus were standing mere inches from each other, Harry's face tilted up to make eye contact with his professor. Both had their hands balled into fists and were quite close to spitting in each other's faces.
"You know, I'd rather be locked up with a mad hippogriff than you! At least they have manners!" cried Harry.
"You impudent wretch!"
"You heartless bas-"
Harry's last insult was broken short by the banging sound of a heavy door being thrown open. Light flooded into the basement room from a newly visible doorway, situated far from the two arguing men. In the light, a large sink could be seen near the door, as well as a Muggle clothes washer and dryer, and assorted cleaning supplies. The ceiling was solid; it had pipes running along it and nails protruding from the floor above. Apparently, they were in the basement of a large Muggle home. The sound of slow clapping could be heard from the doorway.
"Well, well…. Arguing like children already. I must say, Mr. Potter, you argue with dear Severus here almost as spiritedly as I've been told you do with my son." Lucius Malfoy stepped through the door, dressed in black robes with red detailing. His hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his neck, and his wand protruded from a loop on his belt. Lifting the wand, Lucius conjured a metal cage around Harry, cutting him off from the rest of the large room and any chance of escape. Harry's sound of dismay was drowned out by the clanging noise of the bars as they snapped into place.
Snape, still free to walk as far as his chains would let him, moved as close to Malfoy as he could and put on his best annoyed scowl.
"Lucius! Why didn't you get me out of here sooner?"
"You were so entertaining to watch," said Malfoy smoothly, a trace of a smirk on his lips.
"Well, that's all done with now, Malfoy. This is an excellent setup, although I doubt it was your own idea. Having me captured as well means Dumbledore won't suspect my involvement in Potter's disappearance." In the cage behind him, Harry's eyes widened in shock.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" remarked Malfoy, as he stepped up to within arm's length of his fellow Death Eater.
"Yes, yes, now let me out of here."
"You bastard!" yelled Harry from his cell. "You've been on the Dark side all along!"
"Shut up, Potter," said Snape evenly. Turning his attention back to Malfoy, he asked, "What are you going to do with him, anyway?"
"The boy is for use in a life-draining spell to strengthen Our Lord's unborn child. You, on the other hand, are simply an unexpected bonus." Taking a step back, Malfoy pointed his wand at Snape's head. Snape proceeded to do something he rarely did: he opened his mouth and gawked at Malfoy.
"Lucius, you can't possibly believe that-"
"Abscido!" Snape was thrown back and onto the floor as Malfoy's curse glanced off of his forehead. He clapped a hand over the bloody, jagged wound that Malfoy had cut there and glared up at Malfoy as another cage formed around him.
Malfoy looked from Harry to Severus, then threw his head back and laughed. "There! Now you match! How appropriate!" He turned on his heel and left the room, slamming the heavy door behind him and once again leaving Harry Potter and Severus Snape in cold darkness.
Thanks to Whisky Lullaby (I tried really hard to anti-Mary Sue Juliette, glad it worked!), Suzuki-chan, Silverthreads (interesting anecdote!), and SiddaBJR for reviewing!