____________________________________
Chapter 14
_________________________
"You never told me Sybil was working here," Irvan said. Severus was busy with his lesson plans and summer assignments and only gave the vampire half an ear. To think those children actually thought tapeworms were an object used to dispense a substance to attach other objects together. He was going to have to be more rigorous with the Muggle-borns.
"What would that have accomplished?" he asked explaining why ringworms were not used as a substitute for tapeworms as ringworm was a disease not a potion's ingredient.
"For one thing I would not have followed Harry up to her tower and I would never have had to talk with her, period."
"I don't understand why you are so concerned." Trelawney was harmless. Harmless in the way that should she ever decide to act it would make her look foolish.
"She is a partially trained vampire hunter. There is a great concern when it comes to her."
"More so than Lupin?" Severus raised an eyebrow, but still didn't really pay Irvan any attention. True, he hadn't known Trelawney was from a slayer family. But he was never interested.
"I would expect so. She knows a vampire is in her vicinity without having to smell it or see it. And it doesn't matter that I was in my animagus form. She spotted me immediately."
"And how does this become a problem?" Might as well give this some thought. Merlin knows Irvan would not stop.
"She now knows that I am here. She now knows why I am here. She now knows what I'm doing here. And she now knows what I'm doing to block Harry's visions of Voldemort."
"So you have told her your suspicions?"
"Yes. After having to explain to her the situation I am in, namely concerning you, I was naturally inclined to inform her of you mandates." Severus glanced up at the vampire's acidic tone. Irvan was currently pacing before the cold hearth. He wondered why that seemed to be Irvan's favorite place to express his frustration. "As to that, she decided to tackle the problem of determining what the connection really is. She came to the conclusion that they were not visions in the ordinary sense. But as to what it is, she has no idea.
"Now, I don't mind too much that there is someone else who can work on this problem, but I mind greatly that it is Sybil. We have never had the best relationship. And I doubt we ever will. I am disturbed that there is a hunter on the premise. And I wonder if Dumbledore is even aware of her training. Though I am quite sure he would be thrilled to know about that.
"The other thing that worries me is whether or not she will feel it necessary to inform Lupin of my presence, as I foolishly mentioned the conversation to him. But I find it very disconcerting to have another know that I am alive when it would be better for her to continue to believe I was dead. Are you even listening to what I am saying? I'm trying to explain to you that there is another person who could inform Voldemort of my existence and therefore your betrayal."
"I am aware of that possibility, Irvan," Severus said dully from his paperwork. So what if the old fraud knew of their connection. The old bird never left her tower. And Dumbledore knew everything there was to know about every teacher in this school. "I will not be surprised if she goes to Dumbledore and explain everything herself. He will tell her not to say a word about Evan and your alternate identity will remain safe. As for Trelawney informing the Dark Lord, I seriously doubt she knows anyone in association with him. Perhaps she will uncover a solution that you are unable to."
"So your telling me that there is nothing to worry about?"
"There is everything to worry about. I'm just saying Trelawney is not one of them. Though, how do you know her anyway?"
"Years ago, when she was sixteen, my mother decided to take revenge for my father's and sister's deaths. Does that cover everything?" Irvan began to pace again, betraying his frustration. After several blissful moments of silence, Irvan asked another question. "Why are you so unconcerned with the Ministry interrogations?"
Severus barked out a laugh. Unconcerned? Far from it. "I have already been through that. And I know nothing Dumbledore can do will change their minds. "
"So you are going to just sit back and wait?"
"What do you expect me to do?" he spat in disgust. "Run away and hide? While that may appear to be the best option, the Dark Lord and possibly even Dumbledore would hunt me down. Not to mention the Ministry and their Aurors. Running is not an option. I can only hide from so many people for so long."
"But why are you just letting them ruin your life?"
"Perhaps because this life is a pathetic excuse for one. I don't like it one bit, but I can't bloody well change it, can I?" Severus stopped short as the tail-tale burning sensation centered on his left forearm. He stood to leave.
"You're going to get yourself killed doing that," Irvan mumbled, just lower enough for Severus to understand. "And I thought brewing potions was dangerous." Irvan disappeared after that statement. The creature must have known he would have heard an earful if he remained.
"Good riddance," Snape mumbled. He didn't particularly want to deal with the vampire at the moment. He knew good and well that Irvan hated the Dark Lord and probably would do anything to keep Severus from returning. Out of his own safety. Not Severus's.
Not that that matter much to him. When it came to self preservation, Snape understood completely. He just wasn't in a position to make use of his instincts.
He had his Master summoning him and he would go where his Lord commanded.
* * * * * * *
"Is there something wrong, Ron?" Neville asked upon seeing his friend stare wide-eyed at Harry's bed. The Weasley looked up, but Neville couldn't interpret the expression. If he called it anything, he would have called it scared.
"Harry," was the first word out of his mouth. Neville looked at the prone figure of the Boy-Who-Lived. Nothing unusual. He looked asleep. "We were talking then he got a strange look in his eye. Like when he has a vision of You-Know-Who. But Evan came and bit him. Now he's comatose."
"Evan bit Harry?" That was shocking. Neville was of the opinion that Evan was some sort of tamed pet. But by the way Ron was eyeing the spider, one would think it was some dark creature biding his time.
"That's what I'm saying. Bit him and Harry fell unconscious. I'm telling you that spider did something to Harry. It's not safe."
"Harry's still alive, isn't he?" Ron nodded, still staring at his best friend. "Should we try to wake him?"
"I don't think we could. Even if he was having a vision of You-Know-Who, we couldn't wake him."
"Then should we tell Dumbledore?"
"Maybe. We'll tell him in the morning. At least about Evan. Who knows what Harry is seeing."
* * * * * *
Bloody great. Called only because the Dark Lord wanted a potion brewed. Brewed for some victim they were playing with while they waited for the potion to finish. Severus wasn't in the best of moods to say the least. He was sweating over a complex potion late at night and wouldn't finish until early the next morning.
And what was the potion for? It was a liquid Impervious meant to trap the strongest willed person in to obeying orders that contradicted his personal values. In other words, it was more than suggestion. It bordered on mind alteration.
Of course Severus was proud of his work. He had created this based on a Dark Potion he had found in a forgotten text. He had even tested it in Voldemort's first reign of terror. If the potion wasn't dark, perhaps he could have written an article on it an won an award. Too bad his greatest achievements were only known to the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. He doubted he could even tell Dumbledore some of what he had done. And most definitely not this potion.
It would be Unforgivable if the Ministry knew of it's existence. And as the creator he would get a harsher punishment than anyone who used it afterwards. He supposed that was something to be proud of. Creating something worthy of the world's hatred and fear. His name would be synonymous with betrayal. Like what-his-name from the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold. Too bad the Americans won. He felt he was in a similar position. Train and serve with the enemy. Live as a double operative until you botch a major mission. Then go running back to your 'safe' side.
If Severus survived his botched mission, whatever that might be, he would go running back to Dumbledore. He knew that. Arnold went to the British, smart fellow. The Americans would have killed him with no trial and no mercy. Severus expected as much from Voldemort. Even after he went back to the 'safe' side, Arnold was never trusted. Rewarded yes, but never trusted. It was the once and always deal. Severus got to look forward to that as well.
Once and always. It never matter who you were or why you did it. Once and always.
Moody had accused him of that once. As had Black. The Dark Lord wouldn't let him live to be called that. Black and Moody were wrong in the noun they used though. Death Eater was completely wrong. Traitor was more correct.
And he was getting sidetracked.
The potion needed to be finished before they brought down the victim.
Now where was the dragon liver located. This might be his potions laboratory. It was his first and he felt comfortable here. Granted he felt safe at Hogwarts, but he was comfortable here. There was a difference. This was his laboratory. And every Death Eater who wanted to use it felt they had a right. He growled in annoyance.
That meant the ingredients were moved, not replaced, and spoiled. Thankfully the Dark Lord realized this and had it freshly stock. Too bad the stockers knew nothing of where the ingredients were to go.
He was rifling through the storage cabinet when he heard the door open.
"You almost finished?"
"Nearly, Lucius," he replied, head in the cabinet. He couldn't see the blonde haired man, which was fine, except Lucius Malfoy had a habit of stabbing people in the back. Severus however, thought it best to attempt to remain aloof. As though he trusted Lucius.
There could never be a truer lie.
"Would it be all right if we brought him in now?"
"Tired of playing with him?"
"No, but our Lord thought you would be ready by now."
"I would be if the idiots who stock this thing knew where to put the dragon's liver."
"The delay won't ruin the potion?"
"Not at this stage."
"Right. Bring him in and put him in the far corner," Lucius called to his men who were waiting outside the door. That did not inspire confidence in Severus. "So it appears our Lord has you on an all work and no play program." Severus grunted. That statement did not merit a reply.
As he turned, he saw the backs of three men. Two Death Eaters, likely Goyle and Crabb, carrying a third between them. Severus didn't recognize the back of the bloody figure. Which meant they pulled a random man from the streets for this experiment. Not very original. Severus had expected them to kidnap some Ministry official. If Lucius had his way, Arthur Weasley would have been top on the list.
"It appears you have more than one potion out here. Are you planning something else to accompany it?" Lucius ask gliding up to the worktable.
"Possibly. Depends on the state of the victim," he answered. He hadn't planed on much more then was required, but he had set out more just for looks.
"Snape?!"
He froze. Great Mordrid kill him now. There was no way in Seven Hells Dumbledore would let him live after this night.
Chapter 14
_________________________
"You never told me Sybil was working here," Irvan said. Severus was busy with his lesson plans and summer assignments and only gave the vampire half an ear. To think those children actually thought tapeworms were an object used to dispense a substance to attach other objects together. He was going to have to be more rigorous with the Muggle-borns.
"What would that have accomplished?" he asked explaining why ringworms were not used as a substitute for tapeworms as ringworm was a disease not a potion's ingredient.
"For one thing I would not have followed Harry up to her tower and I would never have had to talk with her, period."
"I don't understand why you are so concerned." Trelawney was harmless. Harmless in the way that should she ever decide to act it would make her look foolish.
"She is a partially trained vampire hunter. There is a great concern when it comes to her."
"More so than Lupin?" Severus raised an eyebrow, but still didn't really pay Irvan any attention. True, he hadn't known Trelawney was from a slayer family. But he was never interested.
"I would expect so. She knows a vampire is in her vicinity without having to smell it or see it. And it doesn't matter that I was in my animagus form. She spotted me immediately."
"And how does this become a problem?" Might as well give this some thought. Merlin knows Irvan would not stop.
"She now knows that I am here. She now knows why I am here. She now knows what I'm doing here. And she now knows what I'm doing to block Harry's visions of Voldemort."
"So you have told her your suspicions?"
"Yes. After having to explain to her the situation I am in, namely concerning you, I was naturally inclined to inform her of you mandates." Severus glanced up at the vampire's acidic tone. Irvan was currently pacing before the cold hearth. He wondered why that seemed to be Irvan's favorite place to express his frustration. "As to that, she decided to tackle the problem of determining what the connection really is. She came to the conclusion that they were not visions in the ordinary sense. But as to what it is, she has no idea.
"Now, I don't mind too much that there is someone else who can work on this problem, but I mind greatly that it is Sybil. We have never had the best relationship. And I doubt we ever will. I am disturbed that there is a hunter on the premise. And I wonder if Dumbledore is even aware of her training. Though I am quite sure he would be thrilled to know about that.
"The other thing that worries me is whether or not she will feel it necessary to inform Lupin of my presence, as I foolishly mentioned the conversation to him. But I find it very disconcerting to have another know that I am alive when it would be better for her to continue to believe I was dead. Are you even listening to what I am saying? I'm trying to explain to you that there is another person who could inform Voldemort of my existence and therefore your betrayal."
"I am aware of that possibility, Irvan," Severus said dully from his paperwork. So what if the old fraud knew of their connection. The old bird never left her tower. And Dumbledore knew everything there was to know about every teacher in this school. "I will not be surprised if she goes to Dumbledore and explain everything herself. He will tell her not to say a word about Evan and your alternate identity will remain safe. As for Trelawney informing the Dark Lord, I seriously doubt she knows anyone in association with him. Perhaps she will uncover a solution that you are unable to."
"So your telling me that there is nothing to worry about?"
"There is everything to worry about. I'm just saying Trelawney is not one of them. Though, how do you know her anyway?"
"Years ago, when she was sixteen, my mother decided to take revenge for my father's and sister's deaths. Does that cover everything?" Irvan began to pace again, betraying his frustration. After several blissful moments of silence, Irvan asked another question. "Why are you so unconcerned with the Ministry interrogations?"
Severus barked out a laugh. Unconcerned? Far from it. "I have already been through that. And I know nothing Dumbledore can do will change their minds. "
"So you are going to just sit back and wait?"
"What do you expect me to do?" he spat in disgust. "Run away and hide? While that may appear to be the best option, the Dark Lord and possibly even Dumbledore would hunt me down. Not to mention the Ministry and their Aurors. Running is not an option. I can only hide from so many people for so long."
"But why are you just letting them ruin your life?"
"Perhaps because this life is a pathetic excuse for one. I don't like it one bit, but I can't bloody well change it, can I?" Severus stopped short as the tail-tale burning sensation centered on his left forearm. He stood to leave.
"You're going to get yourself killed doing that," Irvan mumbled, just lower enough for Severus to understand. "And I thought brewing potions was dangerous." Irvan disappeared after that statement. The creature must have known he would have heard an earful if he remained.
"Good riddance," Snape mumbled. He didn't particularly want to deal with the vampire at the moment. He knew good and well that Irvan hated the Dark Lord and probably would do anything to keep Severus from returning. Out of his own safety. Not Severus's.
Not that that matter much to him. When it came to self preservation, Snape understood completely. He just wasn't in a position to make use of his instincts.
He had his Master summoning him and he would go where his Lord commanded.
* * * * * * *
"Is there something wrong, Ron?" Neville asked upon seeing his friend stare wide-eyed at Harry's bed. The Weasley looked up, but Neville couldn't interpret the expression. If he called it anything, he would have called it scared.
"Harry," was the first word out of his mouth. Neville looked at the prone figure of the Boy-Who-Lived. Nothing unusual. He looked asleep. "We were talking then he got a strange look in his eye. Like when he has a vision of You-Know-Who. But Evan came and bit him. Now he's comatose."
"Evan bit Harry?" That was shocking. Neville was of the opinion that Evan was some sort of tamed pet. But by the way Ron was eyeing the spider, one would think it was some dark creature biding his time.
"That's what I'm saying. Bit him and Harry fell unconscious. I'm telling you that spider did something to Harry. It's not safe."
"Harry's still alive, isn't he?" Ron nodded, still staring at his best friend. "Should we try to wake him?"
"I don't think we could. Even if he was having a vision of You-Know-Who, we couldn't wake him."
"Then should we tell Dumbledore?"
"Maybe. We'll tell him in the morning. At least about Evan. Who knows what Harry is seeing."
* * * * * *
Bloody great. Called only because the Dark Lord wanted a potion brewed. Brewed for some victim they were playing with while they waited for the potion to finish. Severus wasn't in the best of moods to say the least. He was sweating over a complex potion late at night and wouldn't finish until early the next morning.
And what was the potion for? It was a liquid Impervious meant to trap the strongest willed person in to obeying orders that contradicted his personal values. In other words, it was more than suggestion. It bordered on mind alteration.
Of course Severus was proud of his work. He had created this based on a Dark Potion he had found in a forgotten text. He had even tested it in Voldemort's first reign of terror. If the potion wasn't dark, perhaps he could have written an article on it an won an award. Too bad his greatest achievements were only known to the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. He doubted he could even tell Dumbledore some of what he had done. And most definitely not this potion.
It would be Unforgivable if the Ministry knew of it's existence. And as the creator he would get a harsher punishment than anyone who used it afterwards. He supposed that was something to be proud of. Creating something worthy of the world's hatred and fear. His name would be synonymous with betrayal. Like what-his-name from the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold. Too bad the Americans won. He felt he was in a similar position. Train and serve with the enemy. Live as a double operative until you botch a major mission. Then go running back to your 'safe' side.
If Severus survived his botched mission, whatever that might be, he would go running back to Dumbledore. He knew that. Arnold went to the British, smart fellow. The Americans would have killed him with no trial and no mercy. Severus expected as much from Voldemort. Even after he went back to the 'safe' side, Arnold was never trusted. Rewarded yes, but never trusted. It was the once and always deal. Severus got to look forward to that as well.
Once and always. It never matter who you were or why you did it. Once and always.
Moody had accused him of that once. As had Black. The Dark Lord wouldn't let him live to be called that. Black and Moody were wrong in the noun they used though. Death Eater was completely wrong. Traitor was more correct.
And he was getting sidetracked.
The potion needed to be finished before they brought down the victim.
Now where was the dragon liver located. This might be his potions laboratory. It was his first and he felt comfortable here. Granted he felt safe at Hogwarts, but he was comfortable here. There was a difference. This was his laboratory. And every Death Eater who wanted to use it felt they had a right. He growled in annoyance.
That meant the ingredients were moved, not replaced, and spoiled. Thankfully the Dark Lord realized this and had it freshly stock. Too bad the stockers knew nothing of where the ingredients were to go.
He was rifling through the storage cabinet when he heard the door open.
"You almost finished?"
"Nearly, Lucius," he replied, head in the cabinet. He couldn't see the blonde haired man, which was fine, except Lucius Malfoy had a habit of stabbing people in the back. Severus however, thought it best to attempt to remain aloof. As though he trusted Lucius.
There could never be a truer lie.
"Would it be all right if we brought him in now?"
"Tired of playing with him?"
"No, but our Lord thought you would be ready by now."
"I would be if the idiots who stock this thing knew where to put the dragon's liver."
"The delay won't ruin the potion?"
"Not at this stage."
"Right. Bring him in and put him in the far corner," Lucius called to his men who were waiting outside the door. That did not inspire confidence in Severus. "So it appears our Lord has you on an all work and no play program." Severus grunted. That statement did not merit a reply.
As he turned, he saw the backs of three men. Two Death Eaters, likely Goyle and Crabb, carrying a third between them. Severus didn't recognize the back of the bloody figure. Which meant they pulled a random man from the streets for this experiment. Not very original. Severus had expected them to kidnap some Ministry official. If Lucius had his way, Arthur Weasley would have been top on the list.
"It appears you have more than one potion out here. Are you planning something else to accompany it?" Lucius ask gliding up to the worktable.
"Possibly. Depends on the state of the victim," he answered. He hadn't planed on much more then was required, but he had set out more just for looks.
"Snape?!"
He froze. Great Mordrid kill him now. There was no way in Seven Hells Dumbledore would let him live after this night.