Chapter 28: Ripping the Contract.
Then. September 1980.
"Albus?" The hoarsed voice caused him to raise his eyes from the parchments on his desk and he smiled at his deputy before speaking.
"Yes, Minerva?"
"Someone is here to see you." The old witch hesitated for a moment. "Albus, I'm not sure you should see him. I do not think he will do something here, at Hogwarts, but still…"
"Who is it?" The headmaster asked, eyes twinkling with laughter at his old friend.
Minerva sighed. "It's Severus Snape. He says he has some information for you."
"Really?" The white haired wizard smiled under his beard.
"Albus, he is a death eater. We have information about his activities! I don't think you should accept him…I fear for your safety."
He laughed. "I do not believe Mr. Snape would harm me in any way. Please send him inside."
Minerva shook her head, obviously disappointed but left his office without a word. The headmaster stayed in his chair, pondering for a few moments until a soft knock on the door shook him from his thoughts. "You may come in, Mr. Snape."
The door opened slowly and revealed behind it the tall, dark robed figure that belonged to Severus Snape. Dumbledore observed him carefully, Snape looked thiner then usuall and if possible, paler then usuall, like he hasn't seen sunshine for a while. He bowed his head to the ground and looked like he was really interested in the scarlet carpet Dumbledore had in his office. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Snape's insecure acts and cleared his throat. Snape jumped and raised his head.
"Please, sit down, Mr. Snape. Would you like anything to drink?" Dumbledore rose from his seat and Snape shook his head, sitting and bowing his head again. "Lemon drop?" Again, Snape shook his head. "Well? What can I do for you Mr. Snape?"
"Professor Dumbledore…I came…" Snape finally raised his head and Dumbledore noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the way the black eyes were rimmed with red. "I needed your council." He whispered.
"Of course, Severus." The old wizard encouraged him but Snape lowered his gaze again and his hands shook.
"I sold my soul…" He whispered. "I sold my soul to the devil."
Dumbledore stared at him as he stood sharply and nearly tore his black robe away from his body, revealing a white shirt and a bare forearm. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes but didn't look surprised when the black haired man kneeled infront of him, giving him full view of the dark mark that burned his forearm. Snape held his gaze for a moment and then averted his eyes when the headmaster sighed.
"I expect nothing from you, professor Dumbledore. I only wish for a fair trial…" His voice shook for a moment. "I deserve the Dementores kiss for the things I did for him."
"Parhaps…" Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Parhaps we could…rip the contract, Mr. Snape." The young man stared at him for a moment, his eyes widening. "Do you understand, Severus?"
Snape nodded his head and rose to his feet slowly, pulling his black robe around his shoulders. "I understand." He said softly.
"I know you for a long time Severus Snape and you always exceeded in potions. Our Potion Master requires an assistant, someone who could appreciate the fine art of brewing potions."
Snape nodded his head. "I'd be honored, headmaster."
"Good, you may stay here tonight if you wish. I'll have the house elves prepare a room for you." Dumbledore smiled softly and returned to read the parchments infront of him.
Snape turned from him and headed towards the wooden door. "Words could never describe my gratitude for this opportunity." He spoke softly.
"You are yet to prove your worthy…and your loyalty." Dumbledore answered and Snape turned to face him.
"You knew all along." He whispered and Dumbledore held his gaze for a moment.
"I did. Rose Lupin was a clever woman."
A muscle twitched in Snape's jaw but the headmaster already averted his eyes and Snape nodded slowly. "Yes…she was." He whispered and then turned to leave again.
"Severus…" the headnaster's voice stopped him. "You will find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it…"
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"I'm tired, James, I'm just tired." Sirius sighed as the two friends went across a dark alley in Hogsmeade. "We're outnumbered, the ministry are a nothing but puppets…it lookes like the only thing we achieved so far is Azkaban…"
"We needed Azkaban to demonstrate we still have some control in the battle, Sirius. Voldemort stopped his attacks after that day." James responded, eyeing the dirty buildings around them carefully.
"For how long, James? A day? A week?" Sirius asked, an edge in his voice.
"You should rest, Sirius." James said gently. "There is no reason for you to die from exhustion."
"I have to work." Sirius said.
"Why?" James asked. "If you're so tired then why do you fight? I know why I'm fighting…I'm fighting for Lily and Harry and for the happiness they both give me…"
"I hope…" Sirius mumbled and James eyed him for a moment. "I still hope." He said again, a little stronger and James smiled.
"I think it's here." James eyed the old building with apprehension. "Merlin, if I knew Remus is living in that hell hole…" He trailed off when they climbed up the stairs.
Sirius didn't reply as they climbed their way towards the forth floor. The stairwell was dark and smelled like a hippogriff used it as a night pot. Sirius rolled his eyes with disgust and James nodded, smiling a thin smile that never reached his eyes. When they reached the last floor they heared screaming.
"Mr. Lupin, if you won't open the door this instant…" the voice trailed off as it's owner clearly didn't know how to continue. The man infront of Remus' door groaned and then started yelling again. "This is my final warning! I want the rent money by tomorrow morning or I'll bring the aurors and they would kick you out!"
Sirius and James shared a look and James cleared his throat. The landlord gave a startled cry and turned to stare at them. "What do you want?" He snapped.
"Good evening." James smiled a little. "We're friends with Remus…"
"Who the hell is Remus?" The landlord grumbled.
"Mr. Lupin…" James answered slowly and the landlord made a nasty face. "Is everything alright?"
"Your friend is three days late with the rent he ows me and wouldn't open the door."
"Parhaps he's not at home." A muscle twitched in James' jaw as the man infront of him snorted.
"Where else would he be? He has no job, no friends, who would be friends with a werewolf?"
The man didn't even see Sirius as he moved to push him roughly against the wall. "I'm his friend." Sirius whispered in a deadly tone and looked more like an insane mass killer then the auror he was. James smiled a little. "You give him trouble for being late in three days? How much does he owe you?"
"100 galleons." The man stammered.
James snorted. "Please…this rat hole doesn't worth ten galleons…"
"The truth please…" Sirius said slowly. "before I toss you down the stairs…"
The man whispered something James didn't hear and Sirius pulled out his wallet and gave him a large pile of golden coins. "Now get out of here." He said and the landlord hurried down the stairs mumbling curses as he went. Sirius rolled his eyes and knocked on the door. "Moony?" They heared no reply and the two friends pulled their wands. "Remus, I'm going to blow up the door. It shouldn't worry you too much cause I payed your landlord enough money to fix ten doors like that…" He shook his head when he received no reply.
"Oh what the hell… " James mumbled before they both pulled out their wands and sent the door flying backwards into the appartment.
Today.
"Did you know?" Molly Weasley asked quietly and her husdand turned to look at her.
"Know what, dear?"
"That Remus had a wife." His wife scolded him as if it was totally obvious what she was talking about.
"No, I didn't know." Arthur Weasley shook his head. "Please, Molly, don't make a fuss."
"What? Why are you saying that?" Mrs. Weasley had the grace to look really offended and her husband chuckled.
"I'm only saying don't go around and fuss all around them…"
In that moment the door to Dumbledore's office opened and Rose and Lupin entered the room. They werall waiting for another few members before they could start the meeting. Professor Dumbledore still hasn't showed up but professor McGonagal was there and welcomed Rose and Remus warmly.
"Look at him, Arthur, I'v enever seen Lupin so happy before."
"Happy?" Mr. Weasley frowned for a moment. "He doesn't look happy to me. He lookes worried."
"I'm sure they love each other very much." Mrs. Weasley smiled widely.
"Molly, they haven't spoken to each other in sixteen years. A lot can happen in sixteen years." He shook his head and sighed.
"Love has it's own way, Arthur Weasley."
"That's true, Molly, but life has a way of getting in the way…"
He groaned a little when she paunched his shoulder playfully and smiled.
From the other side of the room Remus smiled at them and then turned to look at his wife, secretly wishing they could be alone. In the last few days they spent more and more time together, talking, laughing, training or simply just staring at the flames for hours until they fell asleep…in each other's arms. Her mere presence brought him comfort and he found that he had no desire to think about the future. He had no desire to talk about their marriage (that weren't valid anymore), he had no desire to rush her into anything. He was happy just as he was…but he was worried. He knew that someday soon, she'd be well enough to leave Hogwarts, she wouldn't need Poppy's potions and examinations and then what? What happnes next?
He nodded at something McGonagal said without even listening and heared his wife laughing at him. He gave both of them a sheepish smile and then turned towards the stern professor. "I'm sorry, Minerva, I suppose I got lost for a moment. You were saying?"
McGonagal actually rolled her eyes before she started talking again and Rose wandered towards Dumbledore's desk, narrowing her eyes at a familiar sight. Infront of her stood an empty silver plate that strongly resembled the pensieve Remus once had. Raising her eyebrows slightly she touched the material and gave a startled cry when a memory began to surface above the pensieve.
"Rose?" Remus was at her side in a second, supporting her when she swayed violently. His eyes widened when he recognized the sight infront of him. He saw their small house burning into flames. The fire just started to get high and a figure came out of the house, holding a woman in his arms. He felt his mouth tightening into a thin line as he recognized the man who walked out of the house and then apparated out of sight.
Rose's body started to feel heavy and he allowed them both to sink down to the carpet. "I don't understand." She whispered. "I don't understand…"
The door opened quietly and Severus Snape entered the room, scowling at the Weasleys. "Good evening." He said sardonicly, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Rose and Remus on the carpet.
Remus turned his head towards him and leaped on his feet. Very slowly, he approached the Potions Master before he pulled out his wand and aimed it towards his neck. Remus' eyes were blazing and furious and Snape backed away from him until his back hit the wall. Molly and Arthur Weasley stared at them, shock evident on their faces.
Remus spoke, his voice cold and deadly. "You have five seconds to explain yourself, Snivellus, before I'll hex you to oblivion."
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Well, once more I have to appologize for the length it took me to update…
Exams are starting soon and I simply find that I have no time at all…
Please, leave your review…I noticed you guys kinda stopped reviewing so please just tell me what you tought…it doesn't have to be a long one, just something to tell me you're still there.
Thank you everyone who reviewed, you gave me the inspiration for that one, I hope you liked it!!
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