Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based on the Harry Potter universe created by
J.K. Rowling Not mine
The plot is based on the Severitus- challenge therefore is not mine either.
Rating: PG13 mild language
Spoilers: All five books (SS/PS; CoS; PoA; GoF; OotP)
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait, though I hope you will enjoy the new chapter.
Chapter 5: Sanctuary
Safe-house
Isle of Skye; Black Cuillins
The first of August has dawned brightly, a dejected group of order members and Hogwarts students sat in a huge sun flooded room at a large oblong table fit for a king's palace.
Their discussion while having a rather opulent breakfast revolved around Diagon Alley, Dumbledore's death, Eric and his father, their sanctuary…
Thoroughly fed up with these topics which were swallowed and regurgitated several times by now, Eric turned to the inhuman presence named Elemira who was standing right behind his chair in case he needed anything making him feel thoroughly uncomfortable.
"Elemira, it might sound rather rude but what exactly are you?"
Not in the least disturbed she answered in her strange emotionless voice, "I'm a golem. A magical construct if you will, designed by the creator of these halls to see to the day to day business; in my case that is an administrator. There are more golems around though. In fact there are now six warrior golems at your service, which oversee all the entrances. However you probably are unaware of them for they only awaken when the sanctuary is threatened in any way, you are also able to awaken them to guard prisoners."
"Golems? Magical constructs? What does it mean? I never heard of anything mentioned like golems." Hermione asked uneasily, rather uncomfortable that she hadn't ever heard of this concept ever even as a footnote in some obscure book.
"Are you familiar with magical portraits, the variety, which never shuts up?" Elemira elaborated almost condescendingly, if that was even possible after all she was not a being of flesh and blood capable of feeling emotions.
"Yes, so I can't see the connection…"
"The connection is like this, any golem is but a three dimensional reflection of a person. Though, contrary to a portrait however it is not important for said template to have ever existed in flesh and blood. A golem can only behave in patterns which its creator intended. For example I was created to keep these halls inhabitable and spotless for human beings. I am also responsible for the library which is second only to the drowned library off Alexandria and help the master or mistress to find his or her way around the books."
"Wow, that's…" Eric tried to collect his thoughts as his mind was flooded with these concepts.
Before he could however formulate a new question she continued, "However the process to create a golem uses a lot of magical power. As far as it is known, we seven were the only once our late master ever made. He created the spellwork and as far as it is known he took the knowledge to his grave afraid another might use his invention for ill. That has been about five hundred years ago as a human would count it."
"What was his name?" Ron asked intrigued. "Kenneth Badrain Potter, second son of Genevra Slytherin and grandson to Salazar Slytherin."
"How come that he is Slytherin's grandson? The guy must have lived several hundred years later." George asked curiously
"Actually, he was born on summer Solstice in 999 almost a hundred years before the great rift between the Hogwarts founders became apparent. He didn't quite agree with Slytherin's view on muggles and muggleborns causing his estrangement. Feeling sickened by his grandfather's machinations he changed his name magically to Potter and escaped to the Isle of Skye. Magic simply clings to this island and its people, shrouding them in a curtain of silence and invisibility, making it hard for any upstart Dark Lord to conquer it."
"Okay, he created these halls but what made him hate his new name so much? Why did he despise anyone related to a Potter?" Eric asked curiously.
"Before he built these halls he was married to the woman he loved above all else unfortunately this love was unrequitted. As many marriages then, it had been arranged. They had one son or so he thought. After a while the marriage turned bitter. One day however Deidre was mocking her Husband again and not though accidentally let the secret about their son slip. His beloved wife had betrayed him. Devastated he created this sanctuary. About three centuries later he found love in a muggle woman by the name of Eleanor Rhys Snape a local."
"That can't be right", Hermione spoke up. "He must have been at least four hundred years by that time."
"Yes give or take, but his family is known for their longevity."
"Unless he becomes a Dark Lord and someone cuts his head off."
"Oy Moody, keep your opinion to yourself."
"When he died however, his muggle wife couldn't inherit the Potter heritage neither could their son even though he was a wizard of no mean power. It was common practice in these times to bypass those liaisons which were counted as inferior in the eye of society in favour of pureblood claims, even if they had been married."
Hermione let out a snort of derision about to tell Elemira exactly what she thought of such biased and in her opinion illogical behaviour when she was silenced as Ron whispered something soothing.
Unperturbed Elemira plunged on in a lecturing tone. "Even though, Corian Lewis Snape the son might have been able to claim these very halls if he had the gift of a natural Legillimense simply on the fact that he would have been able to control the wards around here. Once linked with the wards no one else would have been able to lay claim to these grounds legal pureblood claim or no and most certainly none of what remained of the Potter family. However fearing something like this would happen Kenneth himself cursed these halls shortly before his death; no one bearing the Potter name shall ever enter here. However paradoxically only someone inheriting it through a Potter would eventually find his way down here. After all the grounds above was still Potter land. The mindreader ability woke only once since this day's in the Snape family, but never had someone found his way down here again."
Suddenly Elemira was silenced by a loud bang accompanied with curses and flames. When the smoke cleared slightly they became aware of a rather strange sight; Severus Snape sitting in the middle of the big dining room.
Snape was rather surprised to be here too wherever here was. A few moments before he was just entering the headmaster's office after an excruciating potion making session for Voldemort now he was somewhere completely else.
A place he never been to before, definitely not Grimmauld Place.
The place however could put Beauxbatons to shame with its opulent painted tapestries depicting scenes of long gone battles and hunting scenes, framed in gilded marble.
Through large windows more than twice his height sunlight filtered in. Even though, the brightness of the room was almost unnatural bright even for magic thankfully it didn't hurt the eyes.
The ceiling consisted of black granite carved in twisting vines. If one looked closely one would notice a number of delicate birds seemingly cut off gems and diamonds.
What really caught the eye was a large phoenix in the centre of the circular room on the ceiling, right above the centre of the gaudy long table which would look in any other setting overbearing and gaudy.
In this room it seemed strangely fitting. The phoenix at the ceiling was made up of some strange orange and red gems, not the blood red of a ruby or any other stone he knew.
Its eyes consisted of diamonds with emeralds as pupils, its large wings spread wide across the ceiling, his beak was open wide facing the windows as if to greet the dawn with phoenix song.
All this Snape took in seconds; however he didn't have any patience at the moment to admire the beautiful artwork of the room, which was easily as large as the grand Hall at Hogwarts.
He was far more occupied being equally angry with Dumbledore, Fawkes, the order, his newfound son and his friends who where currently all, except for Dumbledore, sitting at the gaudy table eating breakfast which didn't keep them from being engaged in a discussion.
Once he had entered Dumbledore's office his eyes taking in a completely destroyed room. It was by far worse than what his son had done to the room at the end off last term, right after the ministry department debacle.
Fawkes was flying animatedly through the room. His sharp screeches were hurting Severus' ears fiercely.
He never had heard the phoenix divulging such discordant, nerve wreaking noises off …pain, sorrow? However he hadn't the luxury of contemplating the scenery for more than seconds as the phoenix was suddenly lunging for him claws outstretched and in a flash off flame they were gone, the office empty.
Once they had arrived were the phoenix obviously wanted them to be, the ruddy bird did what all phoenixes did once in a while. He erupted into flame! Midair! Mind you it was a rather large feat for a phoenix to transport someone on its burning day; however Snape couldn't quite appreciate it in his rather irritated state.
All he cared for now was that he was stared at. The people at the table had finally realized he was in the room; the loud bang when they arrived must have alarmed the crowd or maybe that infernal siren that had started right now.
Everyone at the table had his or her wand brandished in his direction now and only put it down again once they realized it was a fellow order member. Perhaps a little bit more reluctantly in some cases.
That bloody roasting chicken by name off Fawkes sat next to him on the floor, literally. Were seconds before the huge magnificent golden-red bird had been, a small chick sat right next to him obviously exhausted in a heap off ashes, looking pathetic and rather pleased. Damn bird.
Half-burned golden-red feathers were sticking out at odd angles from said heap.
Snape was glaring at the bird malevolently rubbing his hands which were slightly burned because that ruddy bird had to start the burning process in midair leading to a rather unpleasant crush on the floor.
Therefore it took him a few more seconds to notice the irate looking female in front of him. Only his many years as a spy kept his features still.
"What are you doing here…"
"Stop Elemira, he is a friend." Eric intervened adding a silent , "Sort off".
"Off course milord." And instantly the sirens that had been ringing shrilly subsided to everybody's relieve. Rising from his chair Eric walked over, extending a hand to help his father up a glint of amusement in his eyes.
Sneering noticeably less malevolently as he used too for the last five years, which probably wasn't exactly caused by his newfound love to his son but for his slightly shaky frame of mind, Snape took the offered hand.
Having helped his father up from the floor Eric bend down to scoop up Fawkes, however an astonished gasp escaped his lips when suddenly a golden nimbus seemed to surround him and the bird, warmth flooding him a joyful trill of phoenix song reverberating through his bones as Snape watched the spectacle in horror.
"That was a Phoenix bonding! Wait, where is Dumbledore? Phoenix only bond to someone else if their old master is …"
"Dead, Snape!" finished Moody the sentence having recovered for the most part from last night's ordeal, his face looking rather grim.
"Dead! But how?" asked Snape clearly trying to fight for his countenance but failing miserably as his remaining strength seemed to be sapped out.
He looked haunted, Eric noted, big black circles of missed sleep lining his eyes he stared unseeingly in front of him and looking alarmingly close to a break down.
Eric watched his professor turned father closely. Frankly it freaked him out; it seemed so out of character, so unnatural for the man to look so lost.
Eric needed every bit of normalcy he could get. If it meant to get his professor no father back to his usual snarky self, so be it.
The man definitely needed a shower, food and most of all rest; though not necessarily in that order, he decided. An additional chair and plate manifested itself at the table. Shakily Snape slumped boneless down in the chair starting to eat mechanically.
Letting his eyes wander around the table he acutely noticed that Mrs Weasley too didn't seem up to her usual resilient self; spacing off, worried for her husband even though he hadn't been at the Diagon Alley raid yesterday.
You never knew what insanities the current Minister would announce today.
A deep set foreboding filled Eric suddenly making him shiver. He suddenly knew without a doubt that this morning would be one of the bleakest in the upcoming war.
"I wonder Elemira, yesterday you mentioned something about the hall of souls and .. what was the name? Portals? How do these things work?" he asked the golem, remembering her mentioning it yesterday in passing, hoping to maybe find some means to solve Mrs Weasleys predicament. Maybe she could at least contact her husband.
"Well, to use the hall of souls you have to be a natural Legilimens. It's an amplifier for that particular ability, extending your reach to about twenty times of what you could do unaided. However you must have at least met the person you want to contact afterwards you only have to concentrate on that person. However, there is another limiting factor attached to it too. It's impossible to read an others mind from afar unless he makes a conscious effort to keep in contact with you, though this person does not necessarily have to be a natural Legillimense."
"Though, I can't invade Voldemorts mind for a change? Pity." Eric replied a mischievous smirk playing around his lips as he watched his father's reaction to it, though Snape had been concentrating mostly on his breakfast his coughing and sputtering as his food went down the wrong way was a clear sign that he still followed the conversation.
Not paying this side play any heed Elemira continued, "As to the portals, there are six portals scattered over this sanctuary which work only for departing as security measures." "Well, well, well, someone actually did give some thought to security, commendable." Moody exclaimed, "Very commendable."
"Only one portal in this manor situated in a secure room is accessible from the outside. The late master was rather strict in matters concerning security."
"How are they activated?" Molly asked for the first time this morning listening avidly.
"Once you have passed through for the first time you are keyed in and it can be used at will with the blessings of the master."
At this Eric looked up apprehensively, having a vague idea of what this might entail for him. "How does this work exactly? I hope I do not have to make a Gattaca security check again. If I never have to do them again it will be too soon. Those three times yesterday were quite enough."
"What's Gattaca?" Fred asked curiously. Feeling mischievous and still slightly put out from the twins' behaviour the night before Eric casually replied, "Oh nothing, just some old dark ritual establishing…"
He never had the chance to finish the sentence as a foot collided smartly with his shin make him wince. When he looked up surprised he noted Hermione glowering at him in mock anger it seemed as her eyes betrayed her amusement. "Eric Emrys Snape you complete git don't you dare tell such fairy tales you know perfectly well that Gattaca is a simply a muggle story."
The table seemed to relax again while Eric tried to appear properly chastised. Impatient Snape brought them back to the subject at hand.
"Amusing as this might seem, could we please return to the matter at hand? I have to second my…sons …question. How exactly do these portals work?" he asked suspiciously.
"They are a special kind of mirrors showing you where you wish to go. You only need to step through to reach your destination. The key one receives is not a physical object one can loose but an invisible mark using a drop of the master's blood to allow you passage. To return you must have a very strong desire to return. Upon return you may bring up to two people who aren't keyed to the portals. However the master might refuse them passage still. If he is not at the sanctuary the wards themself oversee that task, assuring that no one intending harm to could enter here."
"What about people who impersonate someone already keyed in using some kind of potion? Even if the recognition is based on memories there are ways in which the memories of a victim can be extracted and used by another."
"That might be true however the recognition is based on the mind pattern of a particular person which are unique. No potion is able to duplicate one. Therefore whoever tries that technique won't be able to pass the wards."
Not completely mollified Snape went on. "The Dark lord has developed a new means to control people. Something that makes the Imperious Curse looks like a child's prank. It's called the factus-servus-potion. It does not affect your conscious thought process but rather your subconscious mind. It totally depends on the rare ability to speak parseltongue to control the victim. There might only be one disadvantage to the potion anyone with the ability to speak parsel will be able to control such a person. As we know there are only two around nowadays. However here comes the interesting part the magic of a parselmouth negates the effect of said potion completely anyone marked by a parselmouth is safe from the potion. "
Shocked silence fell over the room as everyone started to contemplate the ramification. "We are screwed big time." Tonks piped up
"Yeah the only thing Voldemort needs now is one member of the order to wipe us off the face of the earth." George chimed in.
"I wouldn't be so sure about it if I were you." A pensieve Fred threw in gazing speculatively at Eric "Let me guess dear Professor you know already of a solution to our problem? Maybe you know someone who can help us out Eric, or should I perhaps say …Harry?" startling Harry out of his thoughts.
The buzzing signifying the thoughts of his companions had intensified when his father had arrived so unexpectedly though it had been toned down again. Now however thoughts were again intruding on his mind making his head hurt and hard to think.
Fighting them down, he plastered a lopsided grin on his face. "Took you long enough to find out. However I am not allowed to use that name ever again. Harry Potter never really existed. He was the revenge the product of a jealous man on his school rival playing a last cruel prank."
Even Remus Lupin said nothing to this, shaking his head sadly.
Before anything else could be said about his business Mrs Weasley nipped the conversation in the bud,
"I am sorry but I need to use one of the portals right now," wringing her hands in worry. I cannot wait. How do I get keyed in?" "If you would please follow me? My lord your assistance is needed here for a moment."
"I'm coming along if you don't mind I have some business with Rupert Lovegood" with this Professor McGonagall rose joining Eric and a frantic Molly Weasley as they followed Elemira leading them deeper into the bowels of the sanctuary which was now Eric's new home. After a quarter hour a disgruntled Eric returned.
"Lets guess it wasn't so simple after all to key mum and McGonagall to these portals." remarked a grinning Ginny, earning herself a murderous glare from Eric.
"Brrr…you look exactly like a certain potionmaster I know off when you glare like this. Creepy, mate." Exclaimed Ron mock shivering, obviously having forgotten that said sleep deprived not very agreeable in the best circumstances potionsmaster happened to sit right next to him.
Considering his face like he was trying to decide if it was worth the trouble of using Eric's best friend in some of the shadier potion formulas he knew off. Probably not. Pity!
Though at least for the moment he seemed to have forgone that particular option though, wearily letting his eyes wander over what for all he knew might well be the last of the order.
One very clumsy auror, an paranoid ex-auror, two school drop-out pranksters and six adolescents who weren't yet even inducted in the order; though they managed to be in the thick off things anyway. Voldemort has indeed won his first important battle in this forsaken war.
Not only against the order, but although against the wizarding world.
Eric too was quietly contemplating their fate as he let his eyes wander from face to face, noting for the first time that Fred didn't seem to pay the conversation much heed as he was sitting in front of his plate pushing his food around.
Moody, Tonks and Snape too were watching the youngster carefully. "What's wrong boy, you seem slightly under the weather." Moody asked Fred, not unkindly.
All the talk off strange potions made Moody even more paranoid than usual. Not that surprising if one considers his run in with the polyjuice potion.
"Oh I assure you it's not the effect of a strange mind addling potion. You wouldn't understand anyway."
"Oh dear, here I thought we only had one overemotional teenager to deal with." Tonks mumbled under her breath glancing towards Eric who was watching Fred carefully, involuntary reaching out with his newfound mind only to find pictures underlined with…hurt,…pain, …confusion,…something that could almost be described as satisfaction when the death eater was felled by the killing curse however immediately drowned out by a wave of nausea and despair.
Despair at the knowledge settling in that it wouldn't miraculously restore his school friend back to live and at what would happen if anyone at the ministry found out. The aurors or …Oh god what would his family think of him if they knew.
Trying to distract the lad Mad Eye showing his dislike for Snape snapped "Snape, I would like to know why our Oh so esteemed spy didn't inform us of this attack." His magical eye steadily trained on Snape.
Sensing the explosive mood Eric sprang up overturning his chair in the process "Stop that right now!" Eric snarled. "What's gotten in to you. You call us immature, though guess what you are right at this moment the maturity of five year old Dudley."
His friends snickered at this comment having heard enough of Dudley Dursley to know that the average toddler had more common sense and maturity than Dudley Dursley at the age of fifteen, though the rest of the adults where looking rather puzzled. George roared in laughter while even Fred's mouth broke into a tired grin. After he considered his elders thoroughly shocked into submission he asked nonchalantly, "Soooo what's the plan?"
"Before we continue this talk maybe the non-order members should leave?" intervened Tonks before Snape could say anything.
"That's all well and dandy but recent developments in the Dark Lords movement do concern Po..Eric here specifically. If he does not know he might stumble unwittingly in a trap, again."
"He is too …"
"What? Too young, Tonks?" Remus asked "Don't you see? Every time adults withheld information, he found out bits and pieces of the picture anyway endangering his life and that off his friends in the process. Maybe he simply should be given all the facts for once."
"I hate to agree with the werewolf unfortunately I believe he is right, this once." Snape agreed sneer firmly in place. "If you say so, but his friends do not…" Tonks tried to put in but was again being interrupted this time by Snape "I beg to differ, Tonks. What one off them knows all off them know."
"What do you propose though? The life of order members might be in jeopardy if we let in teenagers."
"Endangering Order members, Tonks? What order member's? There are not that many left. I wouldn't be to surprised if there where but a handful left outside this room. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean that they need to know in detail what the order is planning concerning the Dark Lord though insight in what the Dark Lord is planning won't be amiss, Especially if one considers that Eric's father, Lovegood's and the Weasley children's parent(s) are directly involved. Also it will be hard enough to keep anything from Eric here considering him being mindreader. Not even Occlumency will save you for long." Mind you I made that experience firsthand, sending his son an annoyed glare, while Eric was smirking at him cuddling baby Fawkes obviously having caught his father's surface thoughts again.
You wound me father, how come you trust me though little. At this Snapes eyes grew slightly colder and for the first time since he had been introduced to Eric Emrys his eyes flashed with the old hatred he once bestowed on one Harry James Potter.
His response was to deliberately establish eye-contact with his son, his eyes cold as ice, thinking one word, !Pensieve!making sure his son wouldn't miss this thought either.
He almost regretted what he had done as his sons face flushed scarlet, his eyes shone bright with regret and shame conveying the message "I'm sorry" without words, without even projecting his thoughts. For this once Snape didn't need his sons' strange gift or even the lesser ability of being a master Legillimense.
Strangely enough his stark raving anger was appeased, however hard he might try he couldn't stay angry with Lily's son for this transgression any longer, in which a guilty voice in his head claimed was partly his own fault. Leaving that pensieve out unprotected like that.
A feeling of regret for his extreme reaction was raising its head and, blaming his frame of mind after a sleepless night at the Dark Lords mercy, a vague sense of unease settled over when the realization struck him that his own actions at least in part lead to the Ministry debacle.
He had acted exactly like those fools who wore their hearts on a sleeve as he had accused Harry James Potter of doing. Just in a completely opposite way. When he extracted his embarrassing memories in front of the boy and storing them in the pensieve a not though tiny malicious part of him, had counted on the boys curiosity, had longed for the opportunity to catch the boy red handed as he was invading his teachers pensieve and by extension giving him the perfect excuse to stop those painful tutoring sessions in his righteous anger.
The tarnishing off the shining reputation off the boys supposed father had been an added bonus.
He had seen the pain off disillusionment in the boy's eyes after the stupid, wilful boy had viewed those memories.
With a jolt he realized if he had been able to act more neural to the boy he might have learned the art of Occlumency a lot earlier and this disaster wouldn't have happened. Though he really had loathed Black his son had thought of the mutt as almost a second father figure. Knowing that this would be a rather large hurdle they would have to deal with soon.
Wistfully he wished he would have remembered he was also dealing with Lily's son. Beautiful, wilful Lily, however much he had felt betrayed by her "defection" to James Potter, he still loved her even though she was long gone.
As these thoughts were running through his mind lightning-fast he concentrated hard on one single thought keeping eye contact.
I'm sorry too, son. I shouldn't have confused you with James Potter all along, Gryffindor though you might be.
Surprise flashed through those green orbs as he caught his father's apology and acknowledgement.
I'm sorry too, for invading your privacy in such a manner. Well it was my own stupidity which led me to believe it was a good idea. Maybe not such a good idea let's just say I figured the risk of getting some information that I believed was being withheld from myself would be justified. "Aloud he only asked the irritable potion master if he'd rather like to rest looking dead on his feet only to be verbally ripped to pieces.
"Well Eric mate, now I can clearly see were you got your …err…even-tempered disposition from." Ron put in death defying as he drew the undivided attention of both Snape's to himself. Though he was immediately rescued by Tonks.
"I fear for his poor peers. The art of intimidation a la Snape seems to be hereditary." "Tonks please let's not forget Lily's temper. At times she even could give dear old Severus a run for his money." Remus added chuckling unconcerned as two sets off narrowed eyes were now trained on him.
Discussing the Voldemorts new toy some more a clear solution couldn't be found.
After almost an hour the discussion was turning in circles only to end abruptly in silence. An uncomfortable silence descended over the table once more.
Only to be interrupted as the double doors to the dining room flew open with a bang as a very distraught looking Molly with her husband in tow and to Eric's surprise a worse for wear looking Rita Skeeter bleeding from several minor cuts burst into the room behind them he could see a man floating behind them.
"Severus, we need your help immediately Mr Lovegood is wounded very…" A sharp intake of breath and a "father" could be heard as Luna rushed to the floating figure.
Snape and Eric only a few steps behind her.
Gently Eric caught her in an embrace shielding her from the horrible view. Mr Lovegood was bleeding from several cuts and slashes his breathing shallow; every once his muscles twitched, telltale signs of the Cruciatus curse.
None of the cuts were very deep but the sheer number of them made the blood loss life threatening.
His hands seemed strangely transfigured resembling more a birds claws than human hands, the skin angry red.
As Eric was holding a sobbing Luna back McGonagall, Moody and Remus were trying to get something coherent out of the Weasleys and the deranged reporter.
Deciding it wouldn't be a good idea to let Luna watch any longer he led her outside signalling his friends to come along.
While at the same time Snape put his healing skills to good use.
They weren't on par with that of a real mediwitchs or wizards but for this crude work more than enough.
He had seen battle wounds before though these seemed to be too exact, too well placed as to be coincidental. The editor of the Quibbler had been tortured.
Voldemort came to mind immediately so he knew for a fact that the Lovegoods were Purebloods who had kept there affiliation with Dumbledore rather quiet.
It would make more sense if something like this would have happened to one of the Weasleys.
Although the telltale convulsion of Mr Lovegoods muscles spoke quite clearly of a liberate dose of the cruciatus it still wasn't The Dark Lords style. For one the man wouldn't have been alive.
This wasn't done for revenge or sick pleasure only but for information. A quick scan showed him that there was some residual Dark Magic besides that of the cruciatus curse; one was strangely enough a binding charm on his hands or rather on the "mended" bones. After a closer look Snape cursed.
The hands had been broken first and "healed" afterwards with a combined dark binding and an ordinary healing charm to render them crippled forever.
The best Healer in the world couldn't do anything for this man.
The bleeding cuts and the after-effects of the cruciatus where quickly taken care of as far as he could help anyway. After forcing a healing potion down Lovegood's throat the cuts healed fast enough, though he had his suspicion off the severity of the nerve damage caused by the cruciatus curse.
Scanning the room for Eric he frowned slightly (where is that boy when you need him?), when he spotted the golem watching him.
"The master had asked me to show you a room for the wounded. If you would please follow me?" Carefully Snape conjured a stretcher for the man and let the contraption float behind him as he ascended the stairs towards the bedrooms, Elemira leading the way.
After entering the large suit in the first floor he made sure that his patient rested comfortable in the huge bed and would at least sleep around the clock straight he tiredly left again after casting an advanced observation charm over the tortured man, which would alert him immediately to any change of his patient's health status.
Wanting nothing more than sleep he figured the settee looked rather inevitable. Without conscious thought he settled down as sleep claimed him almost immediately.
He woke up hours later disoriented as he tried to remember where the hell he was. Slowly his memory returned Fawkes…the strange room…his son…the wounded Mr Lovegood. With a jolt his mind went from asleep to wide awake as adrenalin rushed through his veins as he realized there were two other people with him in the room.
"Relax, it's only us Luna and myself." came the calm voice of his son. I didn't want to wake you up, you need some rest too, you know. We watched over Luna's father for a bit as you seemed desperately in need of some rest."
"How bad is he? Just try to send your thoughts. I don't want to upset Luna prematurely." Taking a deep breath Snape sat up stalling. "Well if you discount the cruciatus curse which while not rendering him insane will leave irreversible nerve-damage. He never will be able to use his hands properly again. Whoever did this did his job very thoroughly. It's meant to be a declaration of war. To the order in general I think. My instinct tells me it probably wasn't the Dark Lord. He had two major battles arranged. It doesn't make sense." "Fudge, than." "Probably, I think he has gone down the bend for real this time. He desperately wants the order, you and your friends.".
Eric sat very still for a minute his features a cold mask, his eyes burning emerald green. "The ministry has become a third player once more." He stated aloud his voice emotionless, cold as ice, "Damn that will get messy." "Your knack understatement astounds me to no end."
When Eric didn't even acknowledge him with a dirty glance, Snape really got worried.
"What happened while I was out cold?" Taking a deep breath looking much older than his sixteen years the teen started to recount the events of the last two hours.
Martial law had been announced. The heads of Department were now practically powerless absolute power resting with Fudge now.
Arthur Weasley suspended until further notice even though he had played along the day before.
Aberforth Dumbledore, their only hope to keep the order somehow together had been "rescued" from the "bogey man", namely Death Eaters, by aurors.
Due to one Cruciatus curse too many however he was now a case for Saint Mungo's closed ward, completely insane. For some strange reason Aberforth seemed to have placed a memory charm on himself.
For now the remaining order members who were still unknown by Voldemort and Fudge seemed to be safe.
Only Aberforth besides Albus Dumbledore knew the names of the order members who were in no shape to tell anyone now.
The most disturbing piece of information however was a new law that had been hurriedly passed this morning it seemed decreeing that muggleborns were to be put under a tracking charm which allowed the ministry to monitor their every move at all times, for their own safety off course.
Hermione had thrown a fit as she read the news in the Daily Prophet, which Arthur Weasley had provided.
The death notice had held over three hundred names this morning, mostly from the attack at Diagon Alley though some other names too appeared.
Very few off these had died of natural causes.
Gwendolyn Longbottom had been one of those, who had supposedly died peacefully in her sleep. Somehow Eric doubted that. Neville was inconsolable with grieve.
A traitor list had been issued too. The most shocking piece of bullshit the Daily Prophet had printed ever in Eric's humble opinion. It included most people currently residing with Eric; his friends, Tonks, Moody only the potion master, the Deputy headmistress and Mr and Mrs Weasley seemed as of yet untouched by the accusations.
The order was outlawed. The biggest joke however in Eric's opinion was the fact that Harry James Potter was listed just below Voldemort ("Don't say his name!") the escaped Death Eaters never mentioned.
Lucius Malfoy's name was missing as was McNair and every high ranking Death Eater. Instead one could read right below one Harry James Potter names like the Fred and George Weasley, Ronald Bilius Weasley, Ginevra Molly Weasley, Hermione Jane Granger, Luna Lovegood, Rita Skeeter, Nymphadora Tonks and Artemis Michael Lovegood were just some names on the dreaded list.
All in all it was comprised of about one hundred names including their special abilities for example for Tonks being a Metamorphmagus.
Rather frightening if one considered that the martial law had been past merely the night before.
Hermione after reading the death list had gone into hysterics in fear for her parents and sister until Eric showed her how to use the portals.
Neither Ron nor anyone else could dissuade her.
She had left with Moody, Tonks and Mr Weasley, they all had returned pale-faced Mr Weasley carrying a hysterically sobbing Hermione Granger.
"The Dark Lord?" Snape interjected, Eric shook his head before continuing in a tired , bitter voice "We do not think so. Too much points towards overzealous aurors trying to find out where to find Hermione. The Dark Mark was missing for one. Moody told us that Mr and Mrs Weasley had died because they reacted badly to an overdose of veritaserum. Hermione's sister had been hit with a stupefy and flung backwards down the stairs. She landed the wrong her skull and neck was broken. They wanted information about their daughter and my whereabouts. When the Grangers couldn't answer to their satisfaction they simply increased the dosage of veritaserum until they couldn't take it anymore. She blames me now you know; I could see it in her eyes when she returned. Worse she was thinking it at that moment." He finished softly, miserably.
His father remained silent longing to able to comfort his son but not knowing how.
Eric felt arms enfold him in an embrace. Luna had sneaked up on him offering him silent support now.
With a soft smile on his lips he leaned into the hug.
"It's not your fault Eric. Hermione is upset she wants to blame someone, making the loss easier to bear. She is also blaming herself for some strange reason. She will soon put that rational mind of hers to good use don't you worry. Soon she will blame those who really deserve it and woe upon the Minister and Voldemort." she volunteered earning herself a half-hearted death glare from Snape for naming the dark lord, not fazed in the least by their irritable potion professor.
"You will see." And if not I will make her see the light. Leaning further into the embrace Eric felt contend for the first time since…the end of his third year when he had just learned the truth about Sirius.
Melancholy overcame him once more though he pushed it away there was no time to grieve. Still he couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if Sirius had found out whom Eric's biological father is.
He didn't think that Sirius would have taken the news well though this was neither here nor there.
Day's passed as news from the outside kept getting graver every day.
Professor McGonagall had returned almost immediately to Hogwarts after Mr Lovegood had been brought to their sanctuary, though she remained in touch. In the beginning, however two days after the attacks her name too had found its way on the traitor list, escaping narrowly being captured.
The Daily Prophet the only valid newspaper had run an article about who might become the new headmaster.
It had also been established that school would start one month later than usual due the governor's indecision and a revaluating process of Hogwarts students.
Snape too had returned to Hogwarts. However he popped in daily claiming that he couldn't leave those foolish Gryffindors to their own devices.
It was pretty clear that he wanted to get to know the enigma that was his son.
However a week after their spectacular escape from Grimmauld Place he would be in for a big surprise. It had been decided that Luna and Ginny would attend Salem Institute for Witches for the time being, while Hermione, who had been very withdrawn over these last days, Ron and Neville would attend Beauxbatons.
Eric would attend Hogwarts this year without his friends. Being rather protective of Eric this didn't please them at all. Madame Maxime, Beauxbaton's Headmistress, had immediately agreed showing great displeasure at Fudges attitude. James Culpepper the Headmaster of Salem Institute, an old friend of Mc Gonagall, while slightly more hesitant in the beginning though after being made privy to all the information complete with Minerva's traitor status in Great Britain he had allowed Luna and Ginny in, offering McGonagall Salem equivalent to Hogwarts Defence against the Dark Arts position; their Transfiguration position.
Professors were yet unable to hold the position longer than one year yet, Mc Gonagall accepted wholeheartedly, loving the challenge.
Eric's cover story would be that his mother had found out that Snape had been cheating on her. Enraged she had left for New Zealand not telling her lover that she was pregnant. After her death Eric was informed of his father via testament.
Hermione however had other ideas overthrowing the carefully laid plans. Luna had been correct. A day after her break down that followed the horrible discovery she had sincerely apologized to Eric. But there was a glint of steel in her eyes now that had not been there before.
She was again focussed now, deadly so, she could be found in the sanctuary's big library reading or curled up in her room watching a photo of her family. It was of the wizarding kind picturing them at a picnic in somewhere in France where they had travelled in the summer after her second year. She had taken photos and later developed them at Hogwarts in a special potion to transform them into the moving photos. It was the only photos out of the lot which was worthwhile keeping. It was perfect. However after viewing the otherwise pitiful results she had vowed than and there to never ever touch a camera again. Now that photo was the only thing left of her family.
Ron, Eric and the rest had decided to give her some space at the moment, though always being close by if an ear might be needed. When Hermione talked to her friends she was collected inquiring what was going on, than she would return to either the library or her room to begin plotting.
"I do not intend to visit any other school but Hogwarts, even if it is Beauxbatons." It broke out of Hermione stunning Eric and his father into silence, Ron, Ginny and Luna on the other hand looked more resigned than shocked.
Hermione hadn't even been allowed to attend her parent's funeral for she was now considered a murderess even in the eyes of the muggle authorities, courtesy to the ministry's deft manipulations.
Fudge was at the heart of it. It almost seemed as if he was possessed by Voldemort.
"Professor Snape I do not think it's a good idea to let Eric attend Hogwarts without at least one of his friends as confidant." Hermione spoke up, startling her friends and Professor Snape who currently had a discussion about their future schooling in Beauxbaton and Salem Institute.
"There is only one way you could attend." Snape stated cruelly sure that the discussion would be nipped in the bud, "It's either as apprentice or as the close relative to one Hogwarts staff. Now who would you suggest to play the role as your relative? The only staff member who could pose as your relative without suspicion would be me." drawing the relative bit out quite cruelly sneering at her and giving his son a quick warning glance, as Eric was ready to defend his distraught friend whose complexion had turned red in anger her eyes however held an angry bonfire which could was up to par with Eric's.
Seemingly oblivious Snape plunged on, "There are no other choices left. The complete Hogwarts staff had been suspended and is now under the scrutiny of the ministry and the Dark Lord although. As we all know his henchman have at least a foothold in the ministry, if he does not control the minister himself that is. Minerva has already joined the names on the ruddy traitor list. It's only a question of time when every teacher suspected to be loyal to Dumbledore will be joining her there. Hagrid has already left Hogwarts grounds being attacked by aurors implementing a ridiculous new law concerning half humans. Don't give me that look Eric! Lupin and I have our differences but contrary to popular believe it doesn't revolve around the fact of him being a werewolf. Though what do you suggest, girl?" Snape challenged.
"Are you familiar with the adoption potion, professor," Hermione spoke up evenly, calm as if this very subject had not already caused her professor and Eric so much grieve being the proverbial Pandora's box to them about to be opened.
"I might have heard of it once or twice." Came the dry response from Snape, only his eyes giving away his seething anger. Eric was simply watching Hermione closely, a sad smile suddenly spreading over his features as his friends intention became clear.
"You know, I always wished I had an elder sister. It could work you know."
"You're mad. That's the most ridiculous story you could cook up." Snape finally exploded.
"Think of it father, you have not yet told Vol…err…The dark lord or anyone associated with him that you have a child, have you? Our story only needs a slight alteration Artemis Luna Moon had fraternal twins instead of just one son. Not very trusting, she never had contact to the magical population. You told us yourself that at school she used to be the "shadow" of Slytherin."
"Have you forgotten the Dark Lord? Chances are that both of you comes face to face with the Dark Lord and if he looks into your eyes he will know Mrs Granger. Even some of his Death Eaters will be able to flit through your mind. Don't you understand, posing as my daughter might very well lead to a quick or depending on the Dark Lords mood slow however always painful downfall unless you prove to be a quicker study than Eric here, in the art of Occlumency. However I admit that his inability to learn could mostly laid down to our strained student relationship. If you are really prepared to go through with this plan I suggest you learn the art as fast as your capable mind can. But bear in mind not everyone can master it and if you won't be able to fully occlude your mind by the end of august you will join your friends at Beauxbatons. I won't tell you to think very carefully of what you are getting into. You are close to seventeen. The potion would not work in the same way as it had with Eric. For you it will be a permanent arrangement, no going back ever." Snape finished looking straight in Hermione's eyes searching for hesitation. "The potion would make you my daughter by blood." "I know." She replied evenly.
"Won't it be suspicious if the whole family is adapt in occluding their minds?" Ron piped up who didn't seem in the least bit surprised by Hermione's revelation; sounding rather resigned to it even though he silently agreed to his girlfriends reasoning.
Eric needed any support at Hogwarts he could muster. Best if it was someone who had a chance to be sorted into another house.
She had told them last school year that she almost had been sorted into Ravenclaw.
In probability she will land in this house this time around. What had the world come too, his best friend would probably be sorted into Slytherin and his girlfriend would join the Ravenclaws., shaking his head ruefully a small smile playing around his lips.
"No, that won't be a problem. Artemis always was somewhat…paranoid. Even for a Slytherin. I will start brewing it while you start practicing with Eric just in case. At the end you must be able to spin out false memories at will. Beware there is more to Occlumency than book smarts. I will test you and as you might have heard from my son I won't be gentle. Voldemort and friends won't be either."
Two weeks later Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna sat in the sunlit Park they had crossed when coming to the Sanctuary, as now everyone called it. Strange that deep under ground there was a space where actually trees grew and grass and diverse flowerbeds.
Not to mention that his great grand-grand-grand whatever father had the insane idea to grow mandrakes which had been cared for by the garden golem. As for animals, there were some very strange kind of fireflies and other bugs inhabiting the caves and even small mammals besides mice or rats. Even some magical beings had found a home here.
Now in daylight one could actually take in the huge place which shouldn't be able to exist. However magic bend the space to ten times its rightful size and drew the lights from the sun, moon, and stars giving the impression of being situated somewhere in the countryside instead of being about two hundred meters underground.
Luckily charms took care of air supply and the cooling system.
Most peculiar was the caves habit to resize depending on peoples mindset. If you went for a stroll without a care for or time direction you could spend hours in there without seeing evidence of the entrance leading to the sanctuary.
However if you wanted to go back it almost seemed as if you had been standing in front of the front door all the time.
Approximately fife-hundred meters to the right of the sanctuary a shady little grove of beech-trees, surrounding a small pond.
Water lilies and reed was dominating a quarter of its sparkling green water. It was here the teens had gathered partly for a picnic, being fed up of being cooped up inside over the last month or so, and watching Eric's and Hermione's Occlumency lesson sitting slightly apart from their friends to better concentrate.
Eric as a natural Legillimense did not need any kind of incantation to invade other people's minds however he had used it in the beginning for Hermione's benefit to let her know when an actual attack was coming. She almost had mastered it now. He estimated that two or three sessions Hermione would be ready for the final test. They had been diligently practicing for several hours each day for the past two weeks.
Suddenly, having her mind attacked multiple times for two hours straight had drained her greatly, it was too much, she toppled heavily to the ground eliciting an outcry from Ron and worried looks from Eric and the rest of the group. She rolled herself into a foetal position as tears ran down her cheeks and wails of great distress disturbed the quiet.
The damn had finally broken which held all her suppressed grieve over her family's death.
Ron took her gently in his arms as she cried; rocking her gently to and fro. Eric watched sadly remembering what he had forced his friend to relieve.
Luna quietly slipped a comforting hand into his and led him out of the beech grove to the other end of the Park motioning for Ginny and Neville to follow them giving the couple some space. Eerie, how Luna always seemed to sense when he was in need for comfort.
Settling down in the soft grass Ginny asked rather subdued "What made her though upset, she seemed fine these past weeks."
"You have to understand that these lessons are very draining. I'm quiet surprised that she lasted for so long. In the end I ran across some memories which brought up everything that happened in the last weeks."
He said quietly adding even more quietly, "At least she is grieving now and not bottling up everything inside. I was beginning to worry the way she threw herself into studying Occlumency and finding a way to save order members from that damn potion." Noticing the incredulous looks of his friends "What?"
"Eric mate, I hate to break it to you, but for you to say that is like the pot calling the kettle black." Ginny replied in disbelief. "By the way how are you dealing with Sirius and everything else?" "I think I'm doing fine at the moment, at least as long as I keep myself busy. Talking with Remus and you guys helps too." "Though you still are repressing your grieve." Ginny sounded quite exasperated. "Possibly, but unfortunately I do not have time to wallow in self-pity." He shot back his temper rising "Though mum I promise you I will be good and don't break down at the most inopportune time. Besides the research for the protection charms are easily the most important project, not to mention petty and mind consuming. We are just lucky to have access to those two libraries or else we wouldn't even know were to start. What happens if Lord Snake captures one of you or the order? He only needs to feeds you that damn potion and whoop-dee-doo he can control you without exerting himself in the slightest. We even might have found something. It needs a little tweaking yet, but the first prototypes are ready."
."That's great mate, but we still haven't any clue who everyone in the order is." Neville spoke up.
Uncomfortably Eric begun to fidget with his robes, before dropping the bomb so to speak "Well I do. You see the knowledge was buried in Fawkes mind. When he bonded with me magically, the knowledge was transferred to me."
"Smart bird he knew that the mental barriers of a natural Legillimense are almost impossible to break. Though this wasn't the reason for him bonding with you I imagine." Luna offered without her usual air of lost in thought attitude complete with wand behind her ear as she slipped a hand in Eric's.
Eric had found out over the past two weeks that this loony mask was just that, a mask.
A perfect defence mechanism protecting her true feelings for such a long time, that she had great difficulties now to let her mask drop even with friends.
Exactly like him he thought ruefully.
He too was mostly hiding behind a mask, or rather masks.
There was Gryffindors Golden Boy mask, which his father despised so much.
There also was his Slytherin mask, the poker face, which his friends had begun to fear. Lately however he used his calm mask, which showed no emotion at all.
Now however he let his guard down for his friends benefit showing deep exhaustion.
Suddenly there was a low buzz and a second later with a soft pop Rita Skeeter stood before him the Daily prophet in her hands.
"Fudge has finally lost his wits completely!" She screeched "I wasn't aware that that dungbeetle had anything remotely resembling a functioning brain." Eric replied scathingly.
"Eric! Play nice, the poor reporter hasn't done anything to you yet." Luna reproached playfully, slapping Eric's wrist lightly, eyes sparkling. "My apologies fair lady. I assure you I will behave …for now."
He replied grinning with a mock bow.
"Ah isn't it sweet, young love. If I were still a reporter for the Daily Prophet instead of being marked as a traitor and you being still who you used to be, this would be lovely front page news. Don't you agree Eric or should I say Harry Potter." Skeeter cooed trying to break the teens up in embarrassment.
However a split second later she found herself on the business end of Luna, Neville and Ginny while Eric didn't bother to opting to stare her into submission very reminiscent of his father at his worst, wiping the smirk right of her face.
"Harry Potter does not exist anymore and was nothing more than a façade. Everything connected to that name has been deleted magically as James Potter willed it. However it would not do for you to remember this information. 'Obliviate'" He breathed the charm softly under his breath while waving his hand at her.
Over the past few weeks he had gotten quite accomplished with wandless magic and didn't actually need any particular hand movements, however they had become second nature through all those years he had wielded a wand.
That's not to say that he never used a wand anymore. The power behind his wandless magic was breathtaking making his friends work in their mock duels to stand a chance at winning. However if he used his new wand he was almost scared of the results himself.
IT was rather fortunate that the ministry couldn't track underage magic or any kind of magic for that matter here.
Correction he was scared witless. Returning his attention back to Skeeter he noticed a vague look crossing her face, which was used to conceal the three wands drawn which meant in Luna's case behind her ears.
Giving the teen's one more confused glance Skeeter returned to the entry Hall. When she was once more out of earshot Eric sighed relieved. "Gah that was Obliviate number five. The stupid cow…"
"Bug dear, her animagus form is a bug. Don't insult the cows." Luna replied helpfully.
"I know that." Came Eric's indignant reply. When his face suddenly lit up in a malicious grin reminiscent to the twins before the dreadful summer started, causing Ginny and Neville to shudder.
With a soft pop he transformed into his animagus form and flew after Skeeter.
"Well I don't know what he is planning but I definitely wouldn't want to be in Skeeter's skin when she transforms," commented Neville, an awed expression on his face.
"I second that." Ginny concurred, chuckling softly, adding "I definitely have to become an animagus. Do you reckon Eric might help us?"
"Well if not there is still this book to consider, it's the same Hermione send him as early birthday present." Luna spoke up handing Ginny the book.
"The beast within you", Ginny mocked as she read the title, "oh ..dangerous. Were did you find it anyway?"
"Well Eric let me explore his library in his trunk, said I could borrow them if I wanted. That library has been self-updating for almost seventeen years you know on every topic ever published in the UK since than." She let out a laugh when she remembered Eric's face as he spied a particular set of books written by Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Eric's face when he saw Lockhart's collection containing every single masterpiece he ever had written." she explained at their confused expression which made Neville roll over laughing too.
"I can…Ha Ha…imagine that would be quite the shock…ha ha. Back when Lockhart was our Defence teacher …ha ha…he always made Harry enact his heroics instead of teaching us anything." He managed to press out between gales of laughter.
"Yeah and than Ron's broken wand got rid of that fake." Ginny spoke up a dreamy expression crossing her face "I wish I could have seen it, but alas I was otherwise occupied." She ended a melancholy glint to her eyes.
Neville sensing her mood, hugged her, getting more comfortable of having a girlfriend over the past two month's and resenting the fact that both of them where going to different school's this year.
However it was necessary.
They would get a valuable insight into other communities which made to show how desperate the order really was.
Oval Office
Ministry
29th August
Fudge lounged in his comfy swivel chair behind his desk, reading reports of recent attacks and the progress of captured traitors.
After the loss of Azkaban the sentence for this particular crime was a walk through the veil of death after a quick trial. The trial was …fair…impartial… it ended always with the same sentence for the alleged.
A soft knock on the door made him look up. "Come in", Fudge called out impatiently.
Softly the door was being opened by Dexter Brown, after Kingsley's dead the most senior of his aurors, pureblood that is.
Fudge in his great wisdom has released an act that denied muggleborns and half-breed's any promotion within the ministry for their safety of course.
Now Voldemort wouldn't have any reason to attack them.
Wasn't he a genius, a small pleased smile played around his lips, as he mentally congratulated himself for the wisdom of this act.
Although some of his employees of this very same persuasion didn't quite see eye to eye with them here, almost causing a riot.
Now they were unemployed and could count themselves lucky that they haven't been expelled from the magical community altogether or even getting a short trip to the other side of the veil.
The populace to needed some persuasion to see eye to eye with him, however they had been dealt with; thanks to some well placed articles in the daily prophet.
The attacks by Death Eaters have grown more frequent.
One of those attacks had cost him his Head of the Magical Law-Enforcement hospitalizing Madame Bones after liberal use of the cruciatus curse by Death Eaters.
Those pigs would pay for that slight he would make sure of that. Meanwhile he would put the promising young Mr Brown into the position Mme Bones recently held.
He was absolutely loyal to the ministry and most importantly to Fudge.
"Sir, you wanted to talk to me?" Brown's voice cut in to his reverie of the young man before him, barely thirty.
Actually pretty young for the position he would soon fill. "Ah, Brown, I suppose you're aware of the delicate position the department of Magical Law Enforcement is in now.
It needs a head that will prosecute the enemy's of the state thoroughly enforcing the law with an iron hand when needed. Whoever is deemed a danger to the state will be put away. "
Two hours later a very pleased looking Head of Magical Law Enforcement left the Ministry's office a smirk tugging at his lips.
Oh those mudblood's will get what is there due. Who needs The Dark Lord if the ministry is doing his job? If everything goes according to plan then wizarding England will soon be in his grasp.
Meeting of the School governor's
Somewhere in Kent
September 1st
Freya McGregor was feeling increasingly annoyed as the meeting continued.
The incessant bickering and rumbling of platitudes were grating on her nerves. Normally these meeting should have been over a long time ago.
However they had trouble to find people for four vacated teaching positions, Defence against the Dark Arts was nothing unusual, However now they had to fill in Transfiguration, caretaker and the Headmaster. The headmaster or rather mistress was easily decided upon.
It would be the infamous Dolores Jane Umbridge, to replace the recently deceased venerable Albus Dumbledore.
This time the school would acknowledge her as mistress for she was officially declared by the school governors unanimously.
Oh how it galled to put that bitch into a position were she could hurt the children again.
However she was strongly suggested by the minister himself.
Therefore the council has not dared to not follow his "suggestions" and formally instated Umbridge as Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The ministry's lunacy, insisting that muggleborns and Halfbreeds were exempt from any kind of teaching position, was giving the Council a major headache too.
After much debating the Caretaker and the Defence position could be filled, however the Transfiguration position was still not filled.
The only good thing was that the ministry had postponed school start for one month.
At least they had now roughly one month to look for someone suitable she silently prayed for a Halfblood mainly because that would piss the ministry off.
Halfbloods were not as discriminated as halfbreeds and muggleborns, infact they still could assume any job however a pureblood gets VIP treatment in any event.
She was just glad that most of the suspended teachers had been reinstated.
"Freya, aren't you a Transfiguration mistress?" Kane Adder asked slyly, levelling a glare at the bane of her existence, she asked guarded, "Yes , you know that why do you ask?"
Oh shit, he won't think that…no way …I refuse teaching those little brats.
Please let him mean something else. No such luck "You might not be aware that the minister in his great wisdom has deemed you worthy of assuming the important task of teaching our future the fine art of Transfiguration.
He made it especially easy for you." Kane smirked, extending an official looking letter.
Reading it McGregor paled considerably her hands shaking in anger. "I see, though please may I be excused I have to prepare some lesson plans." She lightly informed her colleagues, mostly old money, seething in anger.
Oh Fudge just you wait, you will get your just dessert. Primly the Ex-governor turned teacher left.