Disclaimer: All characters, magical places, and everything else out of the Harry Potter series was created and is owned by the wonderful J.K. Rowling. It's all hers! It's not mine!
Comments
miss mcGonagle: Thanks for your review! Yes, Severus' description of Umbridge was very well done!
Rosaleen: Yep, Dumbledore's a strong man! And Severus doesn't like all the fussing. He'd rather be left all by his lonesome, but we can't have that!
TartanLioness: Yeah, the Yu joke was stupid (which is why I probably put it in...cuz I'm a dork, too!). And Severus did a good job with his description. UmBitch, huh? I like it!
Little Morgsi: I've never seen Stargate-SG1. Is it good?
I know that a few chapters ago, I promised a story with Severus Snape more in character, but I've decided to do it as a one-shot (still called The Side Effect). Please keep an eye out for it!
I tried to update as soon as I could; sorry if it wasn't fast enough. Please review, please, and enjoy!
saiyanwizardgurl
Chapter 18: The Check-Up
Severus Snape was sitting in an armchair, sipping tea and totally engrossed in Most Potente Potions for the thirty-fifth time. He had just finished reading about the Spider Legs Solvent when a sharp pain shot up his left arm, causing him to drop his teacup.
"Argh! Not again!" Cursing under his breath, the Potions Master cleaned up the shattered fragments of the cup. He closed Most Potente Potions and set it on his bedside table. Striding over to the fireplace, he pulled out a small vial of a green liquid, poured some of its contents into the flames, and called, "Albus Dumbledore!"
It was like the ripping of a picture. A small hole had formed in the wall of the fireplace and was growing rapidly. When the hole had reached its maximum size, Snape got on his knees and could see a kitchen on the other side.
"Headmaster, I need to speak with you!"
Dumbledore did not come to the fireplace, however. Instead, a goat walked in front of the hole and cocked his head. He must be at Aberforth's house, thought the Potions Master, rolling his eyes.
"Goat, I need you to get someone intelligent for me. Can you do that?" The goat cocked his head the other way and stared blankly at Snape. "I'll take that as a 'no.'"
"Severus?" said Aberforth Dumbledore, bending down in front of the fire next to his goat.
"Good evening, Aberforth," said the Potions Master, relieved that he would no longer be talking to a goat. "I need to speak to the headmaster. Is he here?"
"Yes, of course; I'll go get him." Aberforth stood and walked out of the kitchen, the goat following his master. Good riddance. I don't think I could take making small talk with that stupid creature.
Albus Dumbledore walked into the kitchen a few minutes later. "What can I do for you, Severus?" he said, bending down in front of the fire.
"I might be late for tonight's meeting. He just called."
"I see," said the headmaster, his expression unreadable. "Please be careful, Severus."
"I will, Headmaster."
Dumbledore nodded, then noticed that he was talking to his Potions Master through a hole in the fireplace. "You're not using the Floo Network, are you?"
"No. I've developed a potion that allows for fireplace communication that is undetectable by the Floo Network."
"Oh, I see. You really must tell me about that later," said the headmaster, his face brightening slightly.
Snape let the tiniest of smiles play across his face. "Of course. But I'd better leave now; the Dark Lord does not like to wait."
"All right, Severus. Goodbye."
Snape pulled out a vial of purple liquid and poured some of it into the fire. The hole began to shrink until the fireplace was back to normal. He shoved the vial back into his robes and stood up. Grabbing his cloak, he strode into his office and out into the dungeon corridor. The castle was thankfully empty until he got to the entrance hall.
"Ooohhhhh, what do we have here?" said Peeves, holding an open umbrella over his head. "It's the slimy, sneaky serpent of Slytherin!"
"Go away, Peeves!" said the Potions Master, angrily.
In a flash, he pulled out his wand and with a quick wave, caused the umbrella to close sharply on the poltergeist's head. "Argh!"
Satisfied, Snape opened the large oak front doors. Much to his displeasure, he was met with a downpour of thick rain. "Why does it always have to be pouring when the Dark Lord calls?" he grumbled before stepping outside.
…………………
The Potions Master turned the rusty knob of Riddle Manor's side door. The house was as dark and dreary as ever, but the extensive rain made the air crisp and cold, causing Snape to shiver. He climbed the stairs silently and entered the meeting room, which was mostly full with Death Eaters.
"Ah, Severus, so kind of you to join us," drawled Voldemort, sitting lazily in his high-backed chair in front of the hearth rug. "I was hoping you would join us."
As if I wouldn't, thought the Potions Master, quickly shielding it from the Dark Lord's sharp Legilimency.
"How is my potion coming along?"
"Quite well. It will be in your hands by the time you requested."
"Very good. Such a faithful servant; always doing what I ask, quickly and without fuss. Unlike some of you worthless fools!"
Those standing in the room tensed. What is he talking about? thought Snape.
"Nott! Step forward, please."
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Have you found out the whereabouts of the…special…person I requested?"
"It is proving very difficult, my – "
"Have you found him? Yes or no?" said Voldemort, an impatient air clearly audible in his voice.
"Not yet, my Lord, but – "
"Crucio!"
Nott immediately fell to his knees and let out a piercing scream. The Dark Lord looked at him angrily and apparently upped the flow of power in the curse, because the Death Eater before him started rolling on the ground.
"You imbecile! Is it so hard to find a middle rank Ministry official? Have you not enough leads? Clues? Is your loyalty wavering?"
"NO, NEVER, MY LORD! HE IS IN HIDING! HE MUST HAVE FOUND OUT THAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR HIM!" screamed Nott.
"And who did he find out from?" snarled Voldemort.
"I DO NOT KNOW!" replied Nott, his voice going hoarse.
The Dark Lord removed the curse. "Useless," he muttered. "Lucius!" he said, suddenly turning around to face the others. "Have you located our dear friend, Igor Karkaroff?"
"No, the fool went into hiding the night you returned to power."
"Can none of you follow simple instructions?" asked Voldemort, angrily. "Crucio!"
The surrounding Death Eaters watched as the blonde man rolled around helplessly, screaming himself hoarse. Once he got bored with Malfoy, Voldemort removed the curse from him. The Dark Lord and the other Death Eaters stared at the two shaking figures lying in the middle of the circle, some with disgust and others with relief because they weren't lying with Malfoy and Nott.
A thoughtful look suddenly came across Voldemort's face. "Severus," he said, turning to the Potions Master. Snape's heart sank. "You saw Karkaroff at Hogwarts, did you not?"
"I did, Master, but I have not seen him since your return."
"I see," sighed the Dark Lord, angrily. "That's all, then. All of you get out of my sight, NOW!" Severus breathed a small sigh of relief; he would not be punished tonight.
The Death Eaters scrambled for the door. They knew that when Voldemort said out, he meant out. They all clambered out fairly quickly; all except Malfoy and Nott, who were crawling out on their hands and knees.
Black-clad figures spilled out onto the vast stretch of muddy grass as bulbous rain drops splashed onto their heads. "My, what wonderful weather we're having," muttered Snape sarcastically as he reached the edge of the property. Once he was sure he was well out of sight, he Apparated to Grimmauld Place.
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