AN: I am going to apologize for the beginning of this chapter before you begin to read it, it was not what I expected.
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Chapter 32
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"How about this one?" Ron said pulling another box from the shelf. "Mon-op-o-ly. Wonder what the point of this game is."
"Monopoly. Isn't that like taking over everything?" Ginny asked, still looking along the shelves at the other names. "This one looks a lot like chess. Stra-te-go. What does that mean?"
"Who cares. Forge, E-13."
"What! You cheat! You sank my cruiser!" George stands, takes off an imaginary hat and hold it to his heart. "All the brave souls who died in the line of duty. They will not have died in vain. And their memories shall never be forgotten. They shall be avenged!"
Harry shook his head at the twin's antics. They didn't seem to care if the pieces didn't blow up on them or do anything magical. They enjoyed making fools of themselves anyway. He of course knew as much about any of these games as the rest of the Weasley family. His big question centered on why Snape had all the games in the first place.
But that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. He was spending Christmas with his godfather and the Weasleys. The whole lot of them.
"This one looks fun," Ginny said pulling another box from the shelf. "Cluedo. Wonder what that means. There's one just behind it called Clue. Think they might be the same?"
"You sank my battleship!" George cried. "Oh, the navy that has been lost to the bottomless depths of Davy Jones's Locker. May their memory remain in our hearts forever."
"Well, one game down," Fred remarked. "What next? Ho, Ginny, my dear, what, pray tell, are you holding?"
"Don't know. Says a murder mystery."
"Forge-"
"And Gred, detective sleuths-"
"At your service. Let's give this one a shot."
"Right indeed. Let's see, now. Six players, oh, they have names. Let's see, Harry you'll be Reverend Green, with your eyes you could be no other."
"Ginny, you're Miss Scarlet, no explanation needed."
"Ron, Professor Plum for you. That is the color you turn when embarrassed, isn't that right, ikkle Ronniekins."
"I'd rather be Colonel Mustard," Ron said grimacing at the statement.
"Right then, that leaves Mrs Peacock for myself and Mrs White for you, dear brother."
"Now it says we are to pick three of the cards out of the deck, a weapon, a person, and a room. Ok, the candlestick sounds fun."
"In the conservatory."
"And the person. Reverend Green."
"Hey."
"Sorry, Harry, but someone had to do it."
"Fred, you are suppose to choose the cards WITHOUT looking," Ginny said exasperated.
"Oh fine, Miss Scarlet. You choose."
"Then I will, Mrs. White." Fred actually looked pleased with his new name. Ginny took the opportunity to draw three cards, one from each separate pile and hide them in the envelop. "Right then. It says I role first."
"Now hold on just one minute."
"George, it says right here, 'Miss Scarlet rolls first.' Then the player to the left and so on."
"Fine," George replied sullenly. "I shouldn't have given you that token." Ginny responded just as childishly and stuck her tongue out.
"Having fun, I see," an adult voice said from the entryway.
"Professor Lupin! They said you were here," Ginny responded joyfully.
"Hey Professor, we've got the perfect piece for you. Professor Plum!"
"Ah, I see you are playing Clue. Somehow Sirius got a hold of a game when we were kids. Brought it to Hogwarts and we managed to charm the pieces. But this one seems to be unaltered."
"It was also unopened."
"Really? Never really thought this place would be used to play board-games. I still find it odd that they exist in this house," Remus said sitting at the table with them. "Before I forget, Irvan is going to be performing some sort of spell that you might be able to feel the effects of. If so, there's no need to be alarmed."
"This has to do with Snape, doesn't it?" Harry prompted. He had known the moment Professor Dumbledore arrived with Mrs. Weasley that what had happened to the hated Potions Professor was much more serious than he had first thought.
"Professor Snape. And yes." Harry watched the Weasleys for reactions. It was no secret that everyone of them hated said Professor. And the twins were among the first to express joy at Snape's internment. Harry himself could careless about what happened to the Potions Master, even through the sight had been disturbing. That did not mean he liked the git. But from the looks of things the Weasleys were more confused than anything else.
"Er, Professor," Ginny broke the silence. "What happened to Professor Snape?" Of the five of them, she was less critical of the Potions Professor. And it was her nature to care about the well-being of any human being. Even while Harry and Ron had a bet going that Snape was anything but human.
"He was severely injured a couple of nights ago, and Headmaster Dumbledore asked you mother to assist in healing him." No details. Nothing to give away anything that had happened.
* Irvan, what are you going to do? * Perhaps he would learn what Remus was keeping from him.
* Not now, Harry. Go back to your game. * The vampire sounded preoccupied. And as expected, annoyed.
"Hey, Harry. It's your turn." Ron pulled him back to the room he was in. Irvan was not in the mood to be helpful. Which meant Harry would have to try later. But what spell could Irvan use that people other than the caster and recipient feel?
"Oh." He rolled, counted squares and moved the token. "When do we get to accuse people?"
"You don't want to accuse until you know for certain who did, where, and with what," Remus explained. "Once you accuse and are found wrong you're out of the game except to disprove other people's suggestions. But if that's what you're asking, then once you can enter a room, you can make a suggestion."
"And then the fun begins." George stated, in a high pitched squeak that was suppose to be his imitation of a woman.
Harry stopped paying attention to the game as he felt a strange wind against his skin. He couldn't describe it as anything except that it was not normal wind. Not long after did an ice cool feeling slip along the nape of his neck. The sensation barely lasted a minute. Once over, the faces of his friends surrounding him proved that he was not the only who felt it.
Even even the twins were sufficiently spooked.
Remus however still seemed to be feeling it, or was still recovering from what he had felt. "I guess that was it." Somehow that statement was inadequate. "Shall we search for the kitchen and have some hot chocolate?" Everyone nodded.
Abandoning the game, they went mostly silently towards the dinning room. And as though expecting visitors, there was a door Harry had never seen leading down a flight of stairs. Sitting around a good size table in the center of the kitchen, they watched as Remus busied himself with searching for the ingredients for hot chocolate.
* Irvan? *
No answer.
"Ah, here we are. Add to warm milk and there we have it." Professor Lupin poured six mugs full. "Do you want to stay here, or go up to one of the other rooms?"
"Other rooms?" Ron asked. "We've only seen that game room."
"Well, then, take a good long swig of what you've got, and then I'll show you the room we decorated for Christmas." Remus had his normal good cheer going in attempts to put the others at ease. Levitating a tray laden with their mugs and a fresh pot of hot chocolate, Remus lead the way back up the stairs.
* Irvan? * he tried again.
* What. * Tired and of course annoyed. But oddly, mostly tired.
* Did you just... *
* Yes. * was the tired response. * Whatever you are currently recovering from, is a reaction to the wand I used. No harm has been done to any of you, so there is no need to worry. *
* Are you alright? * Strangely he did not want to loose the odd friendship he had gained with Evan.
* Yes. I'm fine. *
* What did you do? *
* I removed a vampiric spell that was ripping Severus's muscles to shreds. *
* Vampires? *
* Yes, vampires. Apparently Voldemort is after something vampires were guarding. *
* What? *
* That is not for you to know. * Pause. * At least not until I know what Severus is doing with it. * A longer pause. * Likely the Headmaster will be searching you out momentarily. It is my understanding he wishes to inform you of a few things. *
* You mean about you and what you have been keeping me from seeing. *
* Among other things. * Irvan didn't sound guilty. * That is because I am not. What I have done was to keep you alive. The added consequences of keeping a tight reign on the energy that was being drawn from you were for you to completely black out all such visions and myself viewing them in your stead. And it is of my opinion that you would have been spending more time feeling guilty, or at the least feeling disgusted, that you would not have survived your own consciousness. *
* Huh? *
There was a great mental sigh. * I will repeat in simpler terms. You have a tendency to think you have the sole responsibility of saving the wizarding world from this creature, Voldemort. Don't even think about denying it. It is not your fault that self-same wizarding world and Headmaster Dumbledore have drummed into your head that idea. But that is sadly the truth. And what's more is that no one person can do anything to save everything. You would still be lost in Dumbledore's dreamworld of saviors and messiahs, all the while drowning further into your guilt because you could not help someone. *
* I thought you said you were going to use simpler terms. *
* Did I? Perhaps you could have a simpler problem. I'll try again. None of this is your fault. If anyone's, it is Sybil's and her unpredictable prediction rate. No doubt if she had been more careful about where she shout her mouth off, all of this could have easily been adverted. *
* What do you mean by that? *
* Simple. No one knows about the prediction. No one does anything about it. Voldemort doesn't know and therefore doesn't "mark" his would be killer. Prophecies work only because people try to counteract what is said and in doing so inadvertently set into place exactly what they were trying to avoid in the first place. *
* You are rather depressing. *
* I am rather depressed at the moment. *
"Ah, Harry, Remus. There you are." Dumbledore's voice startled him.
* I wish you the best of luck, for I am going to rest and prefer not to be interrupted. * was Irvan's last statement before going silent.
"Would you come with me, please. There are some things I need to tell you."
Confused Harry followed Professor Lupin out into the hall, leaving the equally confused Weasley contingent. They walked silently to the parlor where Sirius was pointedly ignoring the portrait of his ancestor.
"Ah, Headmaster Dumbledore. Moody has been wondering where you have been and desires to speak with you immediately. Primarily on why he has not yet received the second potion he requested."
"Phineas? What are you doing here?"
"I happen to have a portrait here," the Slytherin Headmaster stated the obvious contemptuously, straightening his dark green robes in an arrogant manner.
Imperceptibly the current Headmaster sighed. "Why is it you have a portrait here?"
"Sylvester was most kind in allowing a portrait of myself to hang in his house, as I was being the most recent Slytherin instated as a Hogwarts Headmaster."
"Why haven't you told me this before?"
"For none of this was necessary information for the Headmaster to have. Not to mention that this castle, Ciara Aloysius, is meant to remain in the analogs as a legend, not an actual location. Now, Moody would like to know if you have the time to converse."
"You may tell Alastor that I will have time later. And Phineas, we will find time to discuss this."
"There is absolutely nothing I have to tell you in regards to this house. If anything, my silence in this regard remains a higher priority than my loyalty to Hogwarts." Then the oil painting stalked from his frame.
Harry didn't have time to wonder about the conversation, nor about the importance of the potions. His mind was far too busy trying to work out why the Headmaster wanted to speak with him, Remus and Sirius. He already knew from Irvan that it dealt with his visions and what had been kept from him. And if it involved either of these two then of course they would be here. But if it did, why had he not been told sooner? Surely something could have been done before now. And just what was it that had been kept from him.
"Do sit," Dumbledore said absently, apparently still mulling over his conversation with Phineas. Or perhaps on the way to inform them of why they were here. "I fear this will take a great deal of time." And Headmaster Dumbledore proceeded to weave the strangest tale Harry had ever heard. Only a few key points glued themselves to his memory. Irvan had blocked out his visions from him. One was of Voldemort torturing his godfather. Another was Snape giving a potion to his godfather and Voldemort cursing Sirius.
And Dumbledore knew from the time the Aurors imprisoned Snape that Snape was responsible for the potion's influence on Sirius. He had known for several months. And Irvan had know for much longer! Irvan had kept the information from him. Dumbledore had also.
"I should have known!" he said before thinking. "I had a right to know!"
"Now Harry."
"I had a right to know!" he repeated. He had a right. They were is visions. It was his link to Voldemort. They had no right to keep HIS visions from him. He could have done something.
"Harry, there was nothing we could have done without endangering both of them." The old man sounded concerned. "We will find a way to free Sirius from this."
"Sirius," Remus asked, drawing everyone's attention to the animagus. "Where are you going?"
"To kill Snape, of course."
Sirius actually made it to the door before the shock settled. To kill Snape, said in a calm and slightly uncharacteristic voice that forced Harry to actually look at the man speaking, wondering if this was truly his godfather. It was Remus who called him back. "Sirius. You will stay here. We need to discuss this."
"That we do not. Frankly, I don't care what all he did. This just proves he's a no-good, lying bastard." This time Harry watched in utter disbelief as his godfather dramatically slammed the door behind him.
"Is he serious?" he asked the empty space.
"He's always serious," Remus answered dully. "I wouldn't be too surprised if he tries to carry this out." The Defense Professor trailed off as Dumbledore rose, obviously still troubled. "Headmaster?"
"I should have expected this," was out of focus reply. And the Headmaster was out the door without another word.
Harry looked to Remus. They shared a puzzled glance. Harry was more worried about Snape or Irvan for that matter harming his godfather than anything else. After all, it was Snape who had the mental breakdown and tried to curse Sirius. In agreement, the two went after the Headmaster.
* * *
Severus opened his eyes to a pounding headache. He was sore, he was tired, and he could not put himself back to sleep because he needed to tell the Headmaster. He must have groaned aloud in his pain for he felt something come closer to his bed.
"Awake?" Damn vampire. Did it not know when to just go away? "Good. You can explain to me how you got this book."
"Go. Away."
"Go away? Is that all you have to say?" Irvan's voice was rising in volume. Which was not helping his pounding head. Not to mention that every movement made his muscles scream in protest. Great Merlin, just what did the leech do to him? "You return, unable to stand for curse damage. And I find out that you had a bloody run in with vampires! And you say 'go away.' Then I have to go out and get that bloody Chest of yours and what do I find? That bloody book that is SUPPOSE to be with my grandparents in South Wales! And you have the bloody nerve to tell me to go away!"
"Yes. This is none of your concern."
"I should say it is! I will ask you again. What are you doing with THAT book!"
"In case you are so blind as to not notice," Severus said pushing himself into a reasonable sitting potion. "The Dark Lord is after that book. I sent it to that Chest because that was the only way I was able to remove it from the house without the Death Eaters and the Aurors finding out. Now, just what is that book?"
"Oh, no. You are going to tell me exactly what happened to the owners of that book." Irvan was in rare form. The vampire seemed physically weak for some reason, yet he was looming over the bed in a fit of rage Snape rarely saw.
"The old man is dead," Severus stated bluntly. Irvan reacted as though he had been slapped. "Malfoy killed him once the Aurors arrived. The old woman was alive last I saw. I gave her a potion to make her appear dead just after she told me where to find the book."
Snape watched the vampire's face grow cold and stoney. "You. You killed her."
"Now see here!"
"You idiot! How could you not realized you were not dealing with mere HUMANS! Did you not listen to me! THAT is my grandparents' book! That one, laying on that table! And the old couple you harassed to find THAT book were VAMPIRES! My grandparents! Have you not yet realized that ANY potion you give us will react in a far more extreme manner! In a human your potion would have been fine. But in a vampire! You sentenced her to death!
"And now I have to have the responsibility of keeping that book safe! Do you realize what a complicated issue that is! First off, the other colonies must know about the deaths of my grandparents. Secondly, they must know WHERE the book is now! And third, they will want to know WHO tried to take it and WHO revealed where it was! As I am obligated to take the book after my grandparents, I am the one who should be reporting. However, there remains one small problem. You! I can not very well make myself known as long as you need to remain out of suspicion. Nor would it be safe for me to roam about freely once Voldemort knows. Apparently, not only would he want my head, but he also wants that book! Quite a bargain don't you think!"
During the rant, the enraged vampire stalked over to the coffee table and picked up the wood plaque by a string handle. "You would have me explain this." It spoke smoothly, a deceptive calm. Snape studied his momentary adversary. The eyes were a more normal hematite, though he though he detected red seeping in. The creature had been outwardly calm during the duration of its rant, but the eyes had betrayed a sense of wildness and abandon most commonly associated with Bloodlust. But this might be a different sort of bloodlust. "This and its book companion. The truth of the matter is, Severus," a sly and almost self-satisfied smile, "no human was ever suppose to know of the book's existence. The fact that Voldemort does, means someone is trying to undermine us from within. You want to know what these are. I want to know why Voldemort wants them, who told him, and why the Aurors found you. Almost an even trade, you will be getting the more long lasting knowledge."
A trade of information. Under normal circumstances, he would not have divulged anything except the bare facts of his 'mission.' As it was, he did not know most of what Irvan wished to know. The trade would be rather lopsided. "It would be an almost even trade if you dared to question the Dark Lord himself. I knew nothing other than to demand the book once we had portkeyed to the house." Irvan had the grace to look disgusted and somewhat fearful at the thought of the Dark Lord. "You were about to explain about that book," he prompted the speechless vampire.
The glare he received should have sent him back into oblivion. It took all of a moment for those eyes to become stones. "You want answers," he whispered dangerously. "Then you shall have your answers. Within that book is everything ever written in regards to vampires. It is the sole reason we have been able to out maneuver all wizards' attempts at eradicating us. Not only does it contain weapons to be used against us, it has many counter measures that can be taken to avoid, remove, or repair the damage done. In addition, it contains all magic that we might be susceptible to for harmful purposes. Now do you see why that book is never to see the light of day," he ended in a deadly quiet voice.
Snape never had the time to respond. His bedchamber's door banged open, forced open by Sirius Black. "All right, Snape. We end this now!" he yelled, drawing his wand.
"Dumbledore is being a fool," Irvan hissed, bearing down on the new threat. "Tell me, would you rather be here and alive now or dead and rotting months ago?" it spat. "For I can easily finish what Voldemort would have done to you had it NOT been for the ruse of the potion."
"I don't give a rat's ass for what you think would have happened. In fact, I don't care what you think at all." Black raised his wand.
"You are most certainly a fool and an idiot to try to pull a stunt like that." The raging vampire had returned and was completely undaunted by Black's meager show of force. Black was thrown violently back through the doors from where her come. And Snape delighted in hearing the Gryffindor's yelps of dismay. And he thought he could hear others cry in alarm. But if Black had come in here raging about finishing something, that could only mean one thing. Dumbledore had saw fit inform the Gryffindors to the small history he had in common with Black. Namely the whole incident involving a potion, a curse, and the Dark Lord.
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Reviewers:
Persephone Lupin: Sorry about the confusion, hope I cleared most of it up. And, good old Salazar should be making a couple more appearances before the story is over. And I think Slytherin is the only one who is even remotely interested in the Gryffindors swarming the place.
shadoewhunter: The length wasn't that bad, only compared to the chapter previous. Chp 31's 28 KB versus Chp 30's 32 KB. Severus is never happy. And Irvan was drained rather harshly by the wand, thus Totti giving him the drink.
Padawan Jan-AQ: Book explanation, hope most of the questions are answered. Ciara Aloysius is the house they are in right now, which happens to be the legendary home where Slytherin took refuge after leaving Hogwarts. Among other rather dark events. And has an extremely extensive and highly dangerous system of wards, curses, and the like protecting it. And Snape-Harry bonding will be more prevalent in upcoming chapters.
Mystical Dragon: Don't think Severus liked that approach.
Eizoku: Keep wondering. Thanks for the comments about the spell.
Leah Durose: Always glad to be of assistance. And feel free to post your questions. Even if I might only tease you with half answers.
amy: Many thanks for being the 230th reviewer. I now have enough yen to take a bus to the nearest shopping center.
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Chapter 32
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"How about this one?" Ron said pulling another box from the shelf. "Mon-op-o-ly. Wonder what the point of this game is."
"Monopoly. Isn't that like taking over everything?" Ginny asked, still looking along the shelves at the other names. "This one looks a lot like chess. Stra-te-go. What does that mean?"
"Who cares. Forge, E-13."
"What! You cheat! You sank my cruiser!" George stands, takes off an imaginary hat and hold it to his heart. "All the brave souls who died in the line of duty. They will not have died in vain. And their memories shall never be forgotten. They shall be avenged!"
Harry shook his head at the twin's antics. They didn't seem to care if the pieces didn't blow up on them or do anything magical. They enjoyed making fools of themselves anyway. He of course knew as much about any of these games as the rest of the Weasley family. His big question centered on why Snape had all the games in the first place.
But that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment. He was spending Christmas with his godfather and the Weasleys. The whole lot of them.
"This one looks fun," Ginny said pulling another box from the shelf. "Cluedo. Wonder what that means. There's one just behind it called Clue. Think they might be the same?"
"You sank my battleship!" George cried. "Oh, the navy that has been lost to the bottomless depths of Davy Jones's Locker. May their memory remain in our hearts forever."
"Well, one game down," Fred remarked. "What next? Ho, Ginny, my dear, what, pray tell, are you holding?"
"Don't know. Says a murder mystery."
"Forge-"
"And Gred, detective sleuths-"
"At your service. Let's give this one a shot."
"Right indeed. Let's see, now. Six players, oh, they have names. Let's see, Harry you'll be Reverend Green, with your eyes you could be no other."
"Ginny, you're Miss Scarlet, no explanation needed."
"Ron, Professor Plum for you. That is the color you turn when embarrassed, isn't that right, ikkle Ronniekins."
"I'd rather be Colonel Mustard," Ron said grimacing at the statement.
"Right then, that leaves Mrs Peacock for myself and Mrs White for you, dear brother."
"Now it says we are to pick three of the cards out of the deck, a weapon, a person, and a room. Ok, the candlestick sounds fun."
"In the conservatory."
"And the person. Reverend Green."
"Hey."
"Sorry, Harry, but someone had to do it."
"Fred, you are suppose to choose the cards WITHOUT looking," Ginny said exasperated.
"Oh fine, Miss Scarlet. You choose."
"Then I will, Mrs. White." Fred actually looked pleased with his new name. Ginny took the opportunity to draw three cards, one from each separate pile and hide them in the envelop. "Right then. It says I role first."
"Now hold on just one minute."
"George, it says right here, 'Miss Scarlet rolls first.' Then the player to the left and so on."
"Fine," George replied sullenly. "I shouldn't have given you that token." Ginny responded just as childishly and stuck her tongue out.
"Having fun, I see," an adult voice said from the entryway.
"Professor Lupin! They said you were here," Ginny responded joyfully.
"Hey Professor, we've got the perfect piece for you. Professor Plum!"
"Ah, I see you are playing Clue. Somehow Sirius got a hold of a game when we were kids. Brought it to Hogwarts and we managed to charm the pieces. But this one seems to be unaltered."
"It was also unopened."
"Really? Never really thought this place would be used to play board-games. I still find it odd that they exist in this house," Remus said sitting at the table with them. "Before I forget, Irvan is going to be performing some sort of spell that you might be able to feel the effects of. If so, there's no need to be alarmed."
"This has to do with Snape, doesn't it?" Harry prompted. He had known the moment Professor Dumbledore arrived with Mrs. Weasley that what had happened to the hated Potions Professor was much more serious than he had first thought.
"Professor Snape. And yes." Harry watched the Weasleys for reactions. It was no secret that everyone of them hated said Professor. And the twins were among the first to express joy at Snape's internment. Harry himself could careless about what happened to the Potions Master, even through the sight had been disturbing. That did not mean he liked the git. But from the looks of things the Weasleys were more confused than anything else.
"Er, Professor," Ginny broke the silence. "What happened to Professor Snape?" Of the five of them, she was less critical of the Potions Professor. And it was her nature to care about the well-being of any human being. Even while Harry and Ron had a bet going that Snape was anything but human.
"He was severely injured a couple of nights ago, and Headmaster Dumbledore asked you mother to assist in healing him." No details. Nothing to give away anything that had happened.
* Irvan, what are you going to do? * Perhaps he would learn what Remus was keeping from him.
* Not now, Harry. Go back to your game. * The vampire sounded preoccupied. And as expected, annoyed.
"Hey, Harry. It's your turn." Ron pulled him back to the room he was in. Irvan was not in the mood to be helpful. Which meant Harry would have to try later. But what spell could Irvan use that people other than the caster and recipient feel?
"Oh." He rolled, counted squares and moved the token. "When do we get to accuse people?"
"You don't want to accuse until you know for certain who did, where, and with what," Remus explained. "Once you accuse and are found wrong you're out of the game except to disprove other people's suggestions. But if that's what you're asking, then once you can enter a room, you can make a suggestion."
"And then the fun begins." George stated, in a high pitched squeak that was suppose to be his imitation of a woman.
Harry stopped paying attention to the game as he felt a strange wind against his skin. He couldn't describe it as anything except that it was not normal wind. Not long after did an ice cool feeling slip along the nape of his neck. The sensation barely lasted a minute. Once over, the faces of his friends surrounding him proved that he was not the only who felt it.
Even even the twins were sufficiently spooked.
Remus however still seemed to be feeling it, or was still recovering from what he had felt. "I guess that was it." Somehow that statement was inadequate. "Shall we search for the kitchen and have some hot chocolate?" Everyone nodded.
Abandoning the game, they went mostly silently towards the dinning room. And as though expecting visitors, there was a door Harry had never seen leading down a flight of stairs. Sitting around a good size table in the center of the kitchen, they watched as Remus busied himself with searching for the ingredients for hot chocolate.
* Irvan? *
No answer.
"Ah, here we are. Add to warm milk and there we have it." Professor Lupin poured six mugs full. "Do you want to stay here, or go up to one of the other rooms?"
"Other rooms?" Ron asked. "We've only seen that game room."
"Well, then, take a good long swig of what you've got, and then I'll show you the room we decorated for Christmas." Remus had his normal good cheer going in attempts to put the others at ease. Levitating a tray laden with their mugs and a fresh pot of hot chocolate, Remus lead the way back up the stairs.
* Irvan? * he tried again.
* What. * Tired and of course annoyed. But oddly, mostly tired.
* Did you just... *
* Yes. * was the tired response. * Whatever you are currently recovering from, is a reaction to the wand I used. No harm has been done to any of you, so there is no need to worry. *
* Are you alright? * Strangely he did not want to loose the odd friendship he had gained with Evan.
* Yes. I'm fine. *
* What did you do? *
* I removed a vampiric spell that was ripping Severus's muscles to shreds. *
* Vampires? *
* Yes, vampires. Apparently Voldemort is after something vampires were guarding. *
* What? *
* That is not for you to know. * Pause. * At least not until I know what Severus is doing with it. * A longer pause. * Likely the Headmaster will be searching you out momentarily. It is my understanding he wishes to inform you of a few things. *
* You mean about you and what you have been keeping me from seeing. *
* Among other things. * Irvan didn't sound guilty. * That is because I am not. What I have done was to keep you alive. The added consequences of keeping a tight reign on the energy that was being drawn from you were for you to completely black out all such visions and myself viewing them in your stead. And it is of my opinion that you would have been spending more time feeling guilty, or at the least feeling disgusted, that you would not have survived your own consciousness. *
* Huh? *
There was a great mental sigh. * I will repeat in simpler terms. You have a tendency to think you have the sole responsibility of saving the wizarding world from this creature, Voldemort. Don't even think about denying it. It is not your fault that self-same wizarding world and Headmaster Dumbledore have drummed into your head that idea. But that is sadly the truth. And what's more is that no one person can do anything to save everything. You would still be lost in Dumbledore's dreamworld of saviors and messiahs, all the while drowning further into your guilt because you could not help someone. *
* I thought you said you were going to use simpler terms. *
* Did I? Perhaps you could have a simpler problem. I'll try again. None of this is your fault. If anyone's, it is Sybil's and her unpredictable prediction rate. No doubt if she had been more careful about where she shout her mouth off, all of this could have easily been adverted. *
* What do you mean by that? *
* Simple. No one knows about the prediction. No one does anything about it. Voldemort doesn't know and therefore doesn't "mark" his would be killer. Prophecies work only because people try to counteract what is said and in doing so inadvertently set into place exactly what they were trying to avoid in the first place. *
* You are rather depressing. *
* I am rather depressed at the moment. *
"Ah, Harry, Remus. There you are." Dumbledore's voice startled him.
* I wish you the best of luck, for I am going to rest and prefer not to be interrupted. * was Irvan's last statement before going silent.
"Would you come with me, please. There are some things I need to tell you."
Confused Harry followed Professor Lupin out into the hall, leaving the equally confused Weasley contingent. They walked silently to the parlor where Sirius was pointedly ignoring the portrait of his ancestor.
"Ah, Headmaster Dumbledore. Moody has been wondering where you have been and desires to speak with you immediately. Primarily on why he has not yet received the second potion he requested."
"Phineas? What are you doing here?"
"I happen to have a portrait here," the Slytherin Headmaster stated the obvious contemptuously, straightening his dark green robes in an arrogant manner.
Imperceptibly the current Headmaster sighed. "Why is it you have a portrait here?"
"Sylvester was most kind in allowing a portrait of myself to hang in his house, as I was being the most recent Slytherin instated as a Hogwarts Headmaster."
"Why haven't you told me this before?"
"For none of this was necessary information for the Headmaster to have. Not to mention that this castle, Ciara Aloysius, is meant to remain in the analogs as a legend, not an actual location. Now, Moody would like to know if you have the time to converse."
"You may tell Alastor that I will have time later. And Phineas, we will find time to discuss this."
"There is absolutely nothing I have to tell you in regards to this house. If anything, my silence in this regard remains a higher priority than my loyalty to Hogwarts." Then the oil painting stalked from his frame.
Harry didn't have time to wonder about the conversation, nor about the importance of the potions. His mind was far too busy trying to work out why the Headmaster wanted to speak with him, Remus and Sirius. He already knew from Irvan that it dealt with his visions and what had been kept from him. And if it involved either of these two then of course they would be here. But if it did, why had he not been told sooner? Surely something could have been done before now. And just what was it that had been kept from him.
"Do sit," Dumbledore said absently, apparently still mulling over his conversation with Phineas. Or perhaps on the way to inform them of why they were here. "I fear this will take a great deal of time." And Headmaster Dumbledore proceeded to weave the strangest tale Harry had ever heard. Only a few key points glued themselves to his memory. Irvan had blocked out his visions from him. One was of Voldemort torturing his godfather. Another was Snape giving a potion to his godfather and Voldemort cursing Sirius.
And Dumbledore knew from the time the Aurors imprisoned Snape that Snape was responsible for the potion's influence on Sirius. He had known for several months. And Irvan had know for much longer! Irvan had kept the information from him. Dumbledore had also.
"I should have known!" he said before thinking. "I had a right to know!"
"Now Harry."
"I had a right to know!" he repeated. He had a right. They were is visions. It was his link to Voldemort. They had no right to keep HIS visions from him. He could have done something.
"Harry, there was nothing we could have done without endangering both of them." The old man sounded concerned. "We will find a way to free Sirius from this."
"Sirius," Remus asked, drawing everyone's attention to the animagus. "Where are you going?"
"To kill Snape, of course."
Sirius actually made it to the door before the shock settled. To kill Snape, said in a calm and slightly uncharacteristic voice that forced Harry to actually look at the man speaking, wondering if this was truly his godfather. It was Remus who called him back. "Sirius. You will stay here. We need to discuss this."
"That we do not. Frankly, I don't care what all he did. This just proves he's a no-good, lying bastard." This time Harry watched in utter disbelief as his godfather dramatically slammed the door behind him.
"Is he serious?" he asked the empty space.
"He's always serious," Remus answered dully. "I wouldn't be too surprised if he tries to carry this out." The Defense Professor trailed off as Dumbledore rose, obviously still troubled. "Headmaster?"
"I should have expected this," was out of focus reply. And the Headmaster was out the door without another word.
Harry looked to Remus. They shared a puzzled glance. Harry was more worried about Snape or Irvan for that matter harming his godfather than anything else. After all, it was Snape who had the mental breakdown and tried to curse Sirius. In agreement, the two went after the Headmaster.
* * *
Severus opened his eyes to a pounding headache. He was sore, he was tired, and he could not put himself back to sleep because he needed to tell the Headmaster. He must have groaned aloud in his pain for he felt something come closer to his bed.
"Awake?" Damn vampire. Did it not know when to just go away? "Good. You can explain to me how you got this book."
"Go. Away."
"Go away? Is that all you have to say?" Irvan's voice was rising in volume. Which was not helping his pounding head. Not to mention that every movement made his muscles scream in protest. Great Merlin, just what did the leech do to him? "You return, unable to stand for curse damage. And I find out that you had a bloody run in with vampires! And you say 'go away.' Then I have to go out and get that bloody Chest of yours and what do I find? That bloody book that is SUPPOSE to be with my grandparents in South Wales! And you have the bloody nerve to tell me to go away!"
"Yes. This is none of your concern."
"I should say it is! I will ask you again. What are you doing with THAT book!"
"In case you are so blind as to not notice," Severus said pushing himself into a reasonable sitting potion. "The Dark Lord is after that book. I sent it to that Chest because that was the only way I was able to remove it from the house without the Death Eaters and the Aurors finding out. Now, just what is that book?"
"Oh, no. You are going to tell me exactly what happened to the owners of that book." Irvan was in rare form. The vampire seemed physically weak for some reason, yet he was looming over the bed in a fit of rage Snape rarely saw.
"The old man is dead," Severus stated bluntly. Irvan reacted as though he had been slapped. "Malfoy killed him once the Aurors arrived. The old woman was alive last I saw. I gave her a potion to make her appear dead just after she told me where to find the book."
Snape watched the vampire's face grow cold and stoney. "You. You killed her."
"Now see here!"
"You idiot! How could you not realized you were not dealing with mere HUMANS! Did you not listen to me! THAT is my grandparents' book! That one, laying on that table! And the old couple you harassed to find THAT book were VAMPIRES! My grandparents! Have you not yet realized that ANY potion you give us will react in a far more extreme manner! In a human your potion would have been fine. But in a vampire! You sentenced her to death!
"And now I have to have the responsibility of keeping that book safe! Do you realize what a complicated issue that is! First off, the other colonies must know about the deaths of my grandparents. Secondly, they must know WHERE the book is now! And third, they will want to know WHO tried to take it and WHO revealed where it was! As I am obligated to take the book after my grandparents, I am the one who should be reporting. However, there remains one small problem. You! I can not very well make myself known as long as you need to remain out of suspicion. Nor would it be safe for me to roam about freely once Voldemort knows. Apparently, not only would he want my head, but he also wants that book! Quite a bargain don't you think!"
During the rant, the enraged vampire stalked over to the coffee table and picked up the wood plaque by a string handle. "You would have me explain this." It spoke smoothly, a deceptive calm. Snape studied his momentary adversary. The eyes were a more normal hematite, though he though he detected red seeping in. The creature had been outwardly calm during the duration of its rant, but the eyes had betrayed a sense of wildness and abandon most commonly associated with Bloodlust. But this might be a different sort of bloodlust. "This and its book companion. The truth of the matter is, Severus," a sly and almost self-satisfied smile, "no human was ever suppose to know of the book's existence. The fact that Voldemort does, means someone is trying to undermine us from within. You want to know what these are. I want to know why Voldemort wants them, who told him, and why the Aurors found you. Almost an even trade, you will be getting the more long lasting knowledge."
A trade of information. Under normal circumstances, he would not have divulged anything except the bare facts of his 'mission.' As it was, he did not know most of what Irvan wished to know. The trade would be rather lopsided. "It would be an almost even trade if you dared to question the Dark Lord himself. I knew nothing other than to demand the book once we had portkeyed to the house." Irvan had the grace to look disgusted and somewhat fearful at the thought of the Dark Lord. "You were about to explain about that book," he prompted the speechless vampire.
The glare he received should have sent him back into oblivion. It took all of a moment for those eyes to become stones. "You want answers," he whispered dangerously. "Then you shall have your answers. Within that book is everything ever written in regards to vampires. It is the sole reason we have been able to out maneuver all wizards' attempts at eradicating us. Not only does it contain weapons to be used against us, it has many counter measures that can be taken to avoid, remove, or repair the damage done. In addition, it contains all magic that we might be susceptible to for harmful purposes. Now do you see why that book is never to see the light of day," he ended in a deadly quiet voice.
Snape never had the time to respond. His bedchamber's door banged open, forced open by Sirius Black. "All right, Snape. We end this now!" he yelled, drawing his wand.
"Dumbledore is being a fool," Irvan hissed, bearing down on the new threat. "Tell me, would you rather be here and alive now or dead and rotting months ago?" it spat. "For I can easily finish what Voldemort would have done to you had it NOT been for the ruse of the potion."
"I don't give a rat's ass for what you think would have happened. In fact, I don't care what you think at all." Black raised his wand.
"You are most certainly a fool and an idiot to try to pull a stunt like that." The raging vampire had returned and was completely undaunted by Black's meager show of force. Black was thrown violently back through the doors from where her come. And Snape delighted in hearing the Gryffindor's yelps of dismay. And he thought he could hear others cry in alarm. But if Black had come in here raging about finishing something, that could only mean one thing. Dumbledore had saw fit inform the Gryffindors to the small history he had in common with Black. Namely the whole incident involving a potion, a curse, and the Dark Lord.
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Reviewers:
Persephone Lupin: Sorry about the confusion, hope I cleared most of it up. And, good old Salazar should be making a couple more appearances before the story is over. And I think Slytherin is the only one who is even remotely interested in the Gryffindors swarming the place.
shadoewhunter: The length wasn't that bad, only compared to the chapter previous. Chp 31's 28 KB versus Chp 30's 32 KB. Severus is never happy. And Irvan was drained rather harshly by the wand, thus Totti giving him the drink.
Padawan Jan-AQ: Book explanation, hope most of the questions are answered. Ciara Aloysius is the house they are in right now, which happens to be the legendary home where Slytherin took refuge after leaving Hogwarts. Among other rather dark events. And has an extremely extensive and highly dangerous system of wards, curses, and the like protecting it. And Snape-Harry bonding will be more prevalent in upcoming chapters.
Mystical Dragon: Don't think Severus liked that approach.
Eizoku: Keep wondering. Thanks for the comments about the spell.
Leah Durose: Always glad to be of assistance. And feel free to post your questions. Even if I might only tease you with half answers.
amy: Many thanks for being the 230th reviewer. I now have enough yen to take a bus to the nearest shopping center.