Chapter 3 - Snape the Prisoner.
Hey! Um, not much is explained, that won't happen until chapter 4, but please, hang in their! It will be worth it.
Please review this poor author, and let her know how she's doing.
********
Dumbledore sat calmly, watching as the second Snape pulled a little at his bonds. "Who are you?"
"Severus Snape"' the second Snape answered truthfully.
"Who are you?" Repeated Dumbledore.
"Severus Snape." He said again.
"Are you sure?"
"If you look in my clothing, which you took from me." Said the other Snape bitterly, "you should find my Ministry papers and a few other things that will confirm that I am, in fact, Severus Snape."
Snape couldn't let his go on. "Look, I'm here, how can you claim to be here as well?"
"That is harder to explain, but please, can you for now believe that I'm Severus Snape? I can tell you think I'm crazy, but I'm not. I am Severus Snape, Auror first class....."
"I'm sorry headmaster, I don't understand...'
"Severus.' Interrupted Dumbledore, 'what if I say I believe you?"
"I would be glad." Said Snape Two, straining against his cuffs. "I suppose it would be too much to release me from these cuffs?"
"I will, when you answer a few more questions."
The second Snape stopped struggling.
"I want to know what you're doing here, if you are in fact, Severus Snape."
"I...was sent here.' He said, 'I was sent here by the Department of Metaphysic's to warn you."
"Metaphysicist's?" asked Dumbledore.
"It's a department in our ministry, I don't think you have it here, but where I came from the department was set up due to....because....because...because they came."
"Who came?" asked Dumbledore gently.
The second Snape smiled. Not the smile they had seen on the first Snape's face many times before, but a proper smile. A smile that wasn't forced, but one of trust. "I don't know where to start, but you know when....when.....vol....v,v,v...He-who-must-never-be-named came? It must have happened here..."
"Voldermort?" Everyone, except Dumbledore and MacDuff winced at the mention of the Dark Lord's name, '"yes, he existed here."
"Well, it was around that time when they appeared. They called themselves the 'metaphysicist's.' They said that on the condition that their race was accepted on earth, and that they were treated equally, they would help rid us of He-who-must-never-be-named. They were true to their word, but it wasn't until afterwards we learned what they really wanted. We think that they came from the stars. After the wars, well, everything had to come out into the open. It was almost funny, seeing Fudge, fudge things up between the 'Physicists' as they're called, and come out into the open. But Dumbledore, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. They've been hiding, and Fudge has made things worse." He looked at Snape, his black eyes almost in tears, "We stand on the edge of a knife. One wrong turn, and He-who-must- never-be-named will return, and it won't means death for just half-bloods, mudbloods and muggles, but purebloods as well. Fudge doesn't know what he's dealing with, when he talks with the 'Physicist's." The other Snape closed his eyes, rolling his head towards the ceiling, 'you sent me here Dumbledore, now please help me." And with that, he promptly fainted.
There was silence for a few minutes. Then, carefully MacDuff said, 'Do you believe him Dumbledore? I mean, it could have been a faulty Veritaserum...."
"That potion was perfect!" exclaimed Snape, feeling personally insulted, '"I know, I made it myself, and I never make a potion wrong. But what he said, it can't be true."
Dumbledore lowered his hand in such a way that they felt compelled to quieten down. He drew in his breath ominously and said, calmly and quietly, 'I believe he was telling the truth, and that our Snape is a fine potions maker."
Snape, although feeling a little better about being comforted over his potions abilities, said, "He might have built up a resistance to Veritaserum, so if he was questioned like this....."
"Severus, I see no reason for him to do so. I still don't think he is lying about whom he is. If he were keeping your appearance by any sort of magic, it would have shown 'cracks' by now. I believe that this man, is essentially, you. But that he is also not you. Now, Severus, I don't know how this is, or what is going on, but I believe that he is telling the truth."
"I believe Dumbledore is right." Added MacDuff quickly.
"But he still hasn't explained why he's here." Said Snape.
"I think he'll tell us in time, but I think he's had a hard time getting here, we must let him get his strength back before he finishes his explination. For the time being we must assume that he is either you from the suture, or you from the past."
"What? Why?"
"Well, Severus, he shares many of your characteristics, but he isn't the same man. Therefore we can come to the conclusion he either, whet you were, which I doubt because I have known you all my life, or what you will become. But I find that hard to believe because h looks the same age as you."
Snape thought about this for a moment. He still couldn't believe what he saw, but somehow he had to believe it. This man was himself, whether either of them liked it or not. He had been telling the truth, and although Snape wished this had never happened, he found himself being rather intrigued by this man who was, essentially, himself. Another Snape. He always though he was the last, and here he was, another one of himself. Sometimes the loneliness gets too much, when you know that it's just you. He touched a lock of his other self's hair. It was the same texture, the same greasy black. He felt as if he was watching his life go past, just by looking at this one man. It was not events he'd seen, but regrets and triumphs, silent victories and hushed scars.
Unknown to many, a body does tell a story, if you look hard enough.
Snape, still looking at himself said, "Dumbledore, I wouldn't ask, but....but could I have the next few days off?"
"Certainly Severus, I'm sure that we can get a replacement easily, just for a few days." Said Dumbledore, understandingly; "I'll get Poppy to set you up a bed, as you'll be 'ill' for a few days."
"Thank you sir." Said Snape, truly gratefully.
Dumbledore and MacDuff left, leaving Snape along with himself.
*******
It was much later when the second Snape woke up. Snape himself had nodded off, and was woken up to the sound of his own voice saying, "Wake up Snape."
"Whu?" he said as his brain got into gear. Then seeing the other Snape he sat up straight, ready to begin questioning.
"I see that at least one of us is bright and ready." Said the other Snape sarcastically.
"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit..."
"'Useful one too." Snapped back the other Snape, "Now, can you release me from these straps, they're becoming extremely tiresome?"
"I want to know why're here." Said Snape, leaning over to the strapped Snape.
"I thought I told you that already."
"I don't believe you."
"You should. That was good Veritaserum I took."
"Thank you, but that isn't the point. Why are you here?"
"I told you, I was sent by the ministry..."
"You said Dumbledore earlier." Exclaimed Snape, jumping on his mistake.
"Well, technically I was sent by the ministry, but Dumbledore convinced me to come. He's the only man anyone at the ministry trusts since he-who-must- never-be-named went away. The whole worlds in an uproar. 'They' are arguing with the Ministry like cats and dogs. We stand on the edge of another war. If we don't act, 'they'll' kill us all like Dogs."
"Who are 'they?" The other Snape was about to open his mouth when Snape interrupted, "and if you say 'the Metaphysicist's' again, I might be forced to kill you."
"They? They are a race of non humans." Said the other Snape, as if it were obvious, "Non-human's who've lived with us throughout history. But the thing is, the thing is things have changed. They want their fair share of the world, and they aren't getting it. Muggles and wizards alike won't let them have it."
"Yes, I'm getting the point, but why are you, specifically you out of everyone else in your world, here." Snape spat, spraying spittle everywhere.
"I was sent here to warn you about them!" shouted the other Snape, angrily, "That's why I'm here you idiot! I didn't want to come! But the told me they had to send an emissary, and they chose me. I know a million different people who would have been better the me.' He screamed, raging, 'But they sent me! I'm just an auror, I'm not meant to deal with stuff like this!"
Silence fell over the room. Panting, almost as if the argument had exhausted him, Snape said quietly, "You're an auror?"
"Yes, now go report what I said to Fudge!" snapped the other Snape, his very body rebelling against the leather straps, "That's why you're here..."
"You are mistaken." Said Snape, the little colour he had in his face running out, " I teach here. I'm the potion's master."
The other Snape went quiet. "What?"
"I teach here." Said Snape gently.
"So you don't..."
"No."
The other Snape lay back on the bed. Then, sighing loudly he said, "Are you under strict orders not to let me talk you into undoing these bonds?"
"Yes."
"Damn." Said, looking up at the ceiling, "I was hoping that even if I'm still a prisoner, I could have me hands back..."
"Good afternoon Professor's Snape." Said a bright and cheerful voice. They both looked over at Madam Pomfery, who had been listening to their conversation, " I was just on my rounds when Professor Dumbledore told me that I am allowed to release Snape on the condition that he allows me to give him a check up and that he will come with the other Professor Snape, to his office afterwards."
"Thank God." Said the other Snape, as Madam Pomfery undid the bonds. He sat up, and rubbed his wrists, checking that his hands still could move and stretched his back.
"Now, I just need to ask you a few questions, do you smoke?"
"No," said the other Snape, rubbing his ankles.
"Drink?"
"Not often, but the occasional butterbeer has been known to temp me, especially when offered by a lady."
Madam Pomfery giggled like a school girl. "Excuse, me, I can't call you Snape, or I'll get confused. I suppose I couldn't call you something else."
"Why not?" Mused the other Snape, drawing his knees up to his chest, "You could always call me Severus. No one seems to call my...frie- ...aqua...double here that, except Dumbledore."
"Alright Severus, I'm just going to give you a physical examination, Professor Snape, you might want to leave..."
"Yes." Sighed Snape, "Severus, I will be waiting for you behind the screen."
After about half an hour of various examinations of which Snape didn't want to know about, Severus walked out with madam Pomfery, asking, "Can I have my clothes back?"
"Of course Severus, but you know we have to take your wand..."
"I know, usual precautions, but there's only one thing I want. It's my wallet. I don't need the other stuff."
Madam Ponfery went to her desk, and brought out a small box with all the possessions that Severus had taken with him, and passed him his now cleaned up robes, plus his miraculously clean boots. Then she passed him the brown wallet, which Snape realised he also, had in his own robes. Severus looked through it under the scrutiny of Snape and Madam Pomfery, and drew out a photograph, a wizard one anyway, and slipped it back into the Wallet. Then he put the wallet into a pocket.
Snape resisted the temptation to open his own wallet, and taking Severus by and arm, marched his down to Dumbledore's office.
As they entered, Dumbledore, sitting at his desk, looked at the two of them and looking at Severus said, "Please will you, Mr Snape, explain why you are here before we approach the ministry?"
**********
TBC
Hey! Um, not much is explained, that won't happen until chapter 4, but please, hang in their! It will be worth it.
Please review this poor author, and let her know how she's doing.
********
Dumbledore sat calmly, watching as the second Snape pulled a little at his bonds. "Who are you?"
"Severus Snape"' the second Snape answered truthfully.
"Who are you?" Repeated Dumbledore.
"Severus Snape." He said again.
"Are you sure?"
"If you look in my clothing, which you took from me." Said the other Snape bitterly, "you should find my Ministry papers and a few other things that will confirm that I am, in fact, Severus Snape."
Snape couldn't let his go on. "Look, I'm here, how can you claim to be here as well?"
"That is harder to explain, but please, can you for now believe that I'm Severus Snape? I can tell you think I'm crazy, but I'm not. I am Severus Snape, Auror first class....."
"I'm sorry headmaster, I don't understand...'
"Severus.' Interrupted Dumbledore, 'what if I say I believe you?"
"I would be glad." Said Snape Two, straining against his cuffs. "I suppose it would be too much to release me from these cuffs?"
"I will, when you answer a few more questions."
The second Snape stopped struggling.
"I want to know what you're doing here, if you are in fact, Severus Snape."
"I...was sent here.' He said, 'I was sent here by the Department of Metaphysic's to warn you."
"Metaphysicist's?" asked Dumbledore.
"It's a department in our ministry, I don't think you have it here, but where I came from the department was set up due to....because....because...because they came."
"Who came?" asked Dumbledore gently.
The second Snape smiled. Not the smile they had seen on the first Snape's face many times before, but a proper smile. A smile that wasn't forced, but one of trust. "I don't know where to start, but you know when....when.....vol....v,v,v...He-who-must-never-be-named came? It must have happened here..."
"Voldermort?" Everyone, except Dumbledore and MacDuff winced at the mention of the Dark Lord's name, '"yes, he existed here."
"Well, it was around that time when they appeared. They called themselves the 'metaphysicist's.' They said that on the condition that their race was accepted on earth, and that they were treated equally, they would help rid us of He-who-must-never-be-named. They were true to their word, but it wasn't until afterwards we learned what they really wanted. We think that they came from the stars. After the wars, well, everything had to come out into the open. It was almost funny, seeing Fudge, fudge things up between the 'Physicists' as they're called, and come out into the open. But Dumbledore, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. They've been hiding, and Fudge has made things worse." He looked at Snape, his black eyes almost in tears, "We stand on the edge of a knife. One wrong turn, and He-who-must- never-be-named will return, and it won't means death for just half-bloods, mudbloods and muggles, but purebloods as well. Fudge doesn't know what he's dealing with, when he talks with the 'Physicist's." The other Snape closed his eyes, rolling his head towards the ceiling, 'you sent me here Dumbledore, now please help me." And with that, he promptly fainted.
There was silence for a few minutes. Then, carefully MacDuff said, 'Do you believe him Dumbledore? I mean, it could have been a faulty Veritaserum...."
"That potion was perfect!" exclaimed Snape, feeling personally insulted, '"I know, I made it myself, and I never make a potion wrong. But what he said, it can't be true."
Dumbledore lowered his hand in such a way that they felt compelled to quieten down. He drew in his breath ominously and said, calmly and quietly, 'I believe he was telling the truth, and that our Snape is a fine potions maker."
Snape, although feeling a little better about being comforted over his potions abilities, said, "He might have built up a resistance to Veritaserum, so if he was questioned like this....."
"Severus, I see no reason for him to do so. I still don't think he is lying about whom he is. If he were keeping your appearance by any sort of magic, it would have shown 'cracks' by now. I believe that this man, is essentially, you. But that he is also not you. Now, Severus, I don't know how this is, or what is going on, but I believe that he is telling the truth."
"I believe Dumbledore is right." Added MacDuff quickly.
"But he still hasn't explained why he's here." Said Snape.
"I think he'll tell us in time, but I think he's had a hard time getting here, we must let him get his strength back before he finishes his explination. For the time being we must assume that he is either you from the suture, or you from the past."
"What? Why?"
"Well, Severus, he shares many of your characteristics, but he isn't the same man. Therefore we can come to the conclusion he either, whet you were, which I doubt because I have known you all my life, or what you will become. But I find that hard to believe because h looks the same age as you."
Snape thought about this for a moment. He still couldn't believe what he saw, but somehow he had to believe it. This man was himself, whether either of them liked it or not. He had been telling the truth, and although Snape wished this had never happened, he found himself being rather intrigued by this man who was, essentially, himself. Another Snape. He always though he was the last, and here he was, another one of himself. Sometimes the loneliness gets too much, when you know that it's just you. He touched a lock of his other self's hair. It was the same texture, the same greasy black. He felt as if he was watching his life go past, just by looking at this one man. It was not events he'd seen, but regrets and triumphs, silent victories and hushed scars.
Unknown to many, a body does tell a story, if you look hard enough.
Snape, still looking at himself said, "Dumbledore, I wouldn't ask, but....but could I have the next few days off?"
"Certainly Severus, I'm sure that we can get a replacement easily, just for a few days." Said Dumbledore, understandingly; "I'll get Poppy to set you up a bed, as you'll be 'ill' for a few days."
"Thank you sir." Said Snape, truly gratefully.
Dumbledore and MacDuff left, leaving Snape along with himself.
*******
It was much later when the second Snape woke up. Snape himself had nodded off, and was woken up to the sound of his own voice saying, "Wake up Snape."
"Whu?" he said as his brain got into gear. Then seeing the other Snape he sat up straight, ready to begin questioning.
"I see that at least one of us is bright and ready." Said the other Snape sarcastically.
"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit..."
"'Useful one too." Snapped back the other Snape, "Now, can you release me from these straps, they're becoming extremely tiresome?"
"I want to know why're here." Said Snape, leaning over to the strapped Snape.
"I thought I told you that already."
"I don't believe you."
"You should. That was good Veritaserum I took."
"Thank you, but that isn't the point. Why are you here?"
"I told you, I was sent by the ministry..."
"You said Dumbledore earlier." Exclaimed Snape, jumping on his mistake.
"Well, technically I was sent by the ministry, but Dumbledore convinced me to come. He's the only man anyone at the ministry trusts since he-who-must- never-be-named went away. The whole worlds in an uproar. 'They' are arguing with the Ministry like cats and dogs. We stand on the edge of another war. If we don't act, 'they'll' kill us all like Dogs."
"Who are 'they?" The other Snape was about to open his mouth when Snape interrupted, "and if you say 'the Metaphysicist's' again, I might be forced to kill you."
"They? They are a race of non humans." Said the other Snape, as if it were obvious, "Non-human's who've lived with us throughout history. But the thing is, the thing is things have changed. They want their fair share of the world, and they aren't getting it. Muggles and wizards alike won't let them have it."
"Yes, I'm getting the point, but why are you, specifically you out of everyone else in your world, here." Snape spat, spraying spittle everywhere.
"I was sent here to warn you about them!" shouted the other Snape, angrily, "That's why I'm here you idiot! I didn't want to come! But the told me they had to send an emissary, and they chose me. I know a million different people who would have been better the me.' He screamed, raging, 'But they sent me! I'm just an auror, I'm not meant to deal with stuff like this!"
Silence fell over the room. Panting, almost as if the argument had exhausted him, Snape said quietly, "You're an auror?"
"Yes, now go report what I said to Fudge!" snapped the other Snape, his very body rebelling against the leather straps, "That's why you're here..."
"You are mistaken." Said Snape, the little colour he had in his face running out, " I teach here. I'm the potion's master."
The other Snape went quiet. "What?"
"I teach here." Said Snape gently.
"So you don't..."
"No."
The other Snape lay back on the bed. Then, sighing loudly he said, "Are you under strict orders not to let me talk you into undoing these bonds?"
"Yes."
"Damn." Said, looking up at the ceiling, "I was hoping that even if I'm still a prisoner, I could have me hands back..."
"Good afternoon Professor's Snape." Said a bright and cheerful voice. They both looked over at Madam Pomfery, who had been listening to their conversation, " I was just on my rounds when Professor Dumbledore told me that I am allowed to release Snape on the condition that he allows me to give him a check up and that he will come with the other Professor Snape, to his office afterwards."
"Thank God." Said the other Snape, as Madam Pomfery undid the bonds. He sat up, and rubbed his wrists, checking that his hands still could move and stretched his back.
"Now, I just need to ask you a few questions, do you smoke?"
"No," said the other Snape, rubbing his ankles.
"Drink?"
"Not often, but the occasional butterbeer has been known to temp me, especially when offered by a lady."
Madam Pomfery giggled like a school girl. "Excuse, me, I can't call you Snape, or I'll get confused. I suppose I couldn't call you something else."
"Why not?" Mused the other Snape, drawing his knees up to his chest, "You could always call me Severus. No one seems to call my...frie- ...aqua...double here that, except Dumbledore."
"Alright Severus, I'm just going to give you a physical examination, Professor Snape, you might want to leave..."
"Yes." Sighed Snape, "Severus, I will be waiting for you behind the screen."
After about half an hour of various examinations of which Snape didn't want to know about, Severus walked out with madam Pomfery, asking, "Can I have my clothes back?"
"Of course Severus, but you know we have to take your wand..."
"I know, usual precautions, but there's only one thing I want. It's my wallet. I don't need the other stuff."
Madam Ponfery went to her desk, and brought out a small box with all the possessions that Severus had taken with him, and passed him his now cleaned up robes, plus his miraculously clean boots. Then she passed him the brown wallet, which Snape realised he also, had in his own robes. Severus looked through it under the scrutiny of Snape and Madam Pomfery, and drew out a photograph, a wizard one anyway, and slipped it back into the Wallet. Then he put the wallet into a pocket.
Snape resisted the temptation to open his own wallet, and taking Severus by and arm, marched his down to Dumbledore's office.
As they entered, Dumbledore, sitting at his desk, looked at the two of them and looking at Severus said, "Please will you, Mr Snape, explain why you are here before we approach the ministry?"
**********
TBC