Eye of the Storm
Authors Note: I wanted to know if you wanted Severus to be Harry's biological father or just his adopted father. You can tell me what you want in a review or direct e-mail. At the end of next week I will let you know which won. (Please also tell me if either way would make you stop reading this.)
Chapter 10 The True Death Eater
The order stayed at Figg's for the rest of the week. By Saturday Dumbledore was expecting more death eaters or maybe even another letter. He knew the spy was waiting for the right time to strike again. Lost in his thought it took the headmaster a moment to realize someone was knocking at his door.
"Do come in."
Severus entered and sat down on the chair opposite Albus. The elder wizard noticed the almost weakening demeanor of the other. Snape seemed to have lost weight rapidly, and the dark circles under his eyes became more noticable at the obvious lack of light he had been getting. Dumbledore made a mental not to ask if he had been called to a meeting later. Now was not the time.
"Headmaster,"
Dumbledore looked up at the pause, it was if Severus was waiting for permission to continue. He nodded.
"Last night there was a death eater meeting. I recognized a female voice."
That statement confirmed his suspicions that he should have realized from the beginning. Dumbledore shook his head, he was becoming an old, impressional, weak wizard. He was too trusting, that much was certain. Because of his oun stupidity he risked the lives of every single order member who trusted him and followed him, sometimes even blindly into the unknown. He raised his head to look at his spy.
"Pende."
Snape nodded, "I do believe that is our traitor headmaster."
"How can you be so sure?"
"The meeting last night was purely general, to check up on the progress made to find the whereabouts of Harry and the order's headquarters. The Dark Lord was pleased to hear that many of his followers from the past have escaped from Azkaban after the dementors were released. Others came with news of people who were loyal to you. I'm afraid they are going to be targeted if they haven't been already. As for Pende, while we were at Hogwarts I knew I had saw, or rather, heard her somewhere before but I couldn't place her. She gave her report and told the Dark Lord of this place. When he asked me I had to confirm." Snape said the last part quietly.
Dumbledore nodded and stood. "How can we be certain she is the spy? Anyone could assume you as well."
"She is faithful to the Dark Lord, wouldn't you be informed if she was a spy for the light?"
Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, and, as a matter of fact, I'm the only one who is supposed to assighn people to spy duty. I want you to know that you are my only spy. I have complete faith in you. You, are my only source of information to the plans of Voldemort."
Snape closed his eyes, "Thank you Albus."
"You are welcome my boy. Now, to more pleasent matters. Harry will be in your care until school starts."
Snape rolled his eyes. Anything concerning Potter was not pleasent. "When would you like me to take him?"
"Let us deal with our small problem first. I will contact Cornelius Fudge."
Snape smirked this time. The minister of magic is so blind to everything concerning Voldemort that the Dark Lord could take over the world before he realized, or accepted his return.
Dumbledore seemed to be reading Snape's mind. "We cannot take these matters lightly. If she is indeed the spy, certain steps need to be taken."
Severus nodded slightly and stood, Dumbledore following. They passed the study that held three of thier students. Niether party noticed the other.
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The dest had stopped moving and Harry lost interest. "What should we do?"
Ron shrugged the best he could as he laid on his back. Hermione continued to look out the window. Harry was perplexed, he was away from the Dursley's and better yet, he was with his two best friends. He was bored.
"I'm going to go see if Mrs. Weasley wants any help in the kitchen. See you later." Hermione said, walking down stairs.
Ron and Harry sat up in the dusty room and after a while decided to play wizard chess.
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Snape and Dumbledore were sitting on one side of the table waiting for Pende who was called for a personal meeting with the headmaster. Snape was quiet, staring at the door. He was going to be taking Harry James Potter to his manor and take care of him. Something poked and proded in his mind, and the feeling wasn't pleasent. Three soft knocks brought Snape out of his reverie.
"Please come in." Dumbledore called kindly.
Cornelius Fudge walked in, along with another member of the ministry.
"Albus." The minister acknowleged the headmaster then turned to the man next to him. "This is Collin Mean, head of the interrogation department as well as head of security, as you well know."
The man looked at Snape who met his gaze and held it effortlessly. The two wizards knew eachother and didn't trust the other at all. Collin had captured three death eaters during a raid many years ago. One of them was Severus. Not knowing Albus appointed Snape as a spy, Collin took him to the ministry before Severus was shiped off to Azkaban.
"If you will please take a seat Minister, Mr. Mead, we will begin."
"Where is the accused Dumbledore? Surely it's not Mr. Snape here."
Albus looked at Fudge and shook his head, "No, of course not. Severus is here to bring some evidence forward."
Collin eyed the potions professor suspiciously, it was fortunate that he brought the truth potion with him.
"Now, you say this woman, Pende is her name? Well, she didn't come up on record at all. I'm not even sure she exists."
This was news to Albus, he pulled up all of Pende's files himself, she was infact real. It was necessary for a full backgound check to become a member.
Severus watched out of the corner of his eye as Dumbledore closed his eyes briefly to calm himslef. Snape leaned over and was about to ask what was wrong when the doors opened and Pende walked in. Severus sat up straight and watched as she hesitated before taking the seat that Dumbledore offered. It was interesting how much emotion she was showing. Maybe Severus was wrong, maybe the voice he heard was someone elses. Fear was evident on her face however and as she locked eyes with Snape she paled slightly. Maybe he wasn't wrong. Maybe he was right on target.
"Miss Clion, as you know, there is a leak in the order." Dumbledore started off looking into her eyes. "I have gotten reports that it may be you."
Pende was thinking quickly. Snape in the room hindered her a bit but this was nothing she couldn't handle. The minister was sitting beside her, but she didn't feel pressured, she actually felt more relaxed. The man next to him though, who was it?"
"I assure you Mr. Dumbledore, I have not been disloyal to you or to the order." Pende said with more truth than it was.
Severus leaned forward. "You are a death eater are you not?"
Pende was a relatively new and young follower of Voldemort and she raised her chin defiantly at Snape's question. " No. I am not."
"Then you would have no objection to showing us you forearm."
Pende smiled. "Not at all." She then pulled up the fabric concealing her arm. There was no sign there. Cornelius looked at Dumbledore sharply. Severus however, wasn't convinced.
"Finite Incantartum," he said slowly.
Rapidly, a dark spot appeared on her arm, it got more noticeable until it showed the mard of a death eater. A skull with a snake coming out of it's open mouth.
Mr. Mead stood up to put Pende into custody.
"No! It's not me, it's him! He has been passing information to the Dark Lord. I became a death eater thinking it could help the order. I knew Severus was one himself. Why don't you check his arm?"
Severus had already rolled up his sleave revealing the dark mark.
"See! I told you."
"We already know Miss Clion. Severus is a spy for the order, not against it." Dumbledore said sitting back in his chair.
"How do you know?" She asked.
"I appointed him."
"How do you know he's not going against you?"
Dumbledore answered truthfully "I trust him."
"You trusted me too."
"She has a point Dumbledore." Fudge said looking at Severus. Snape glared at the minister.
"I have a way to finish this headmaster." Collin said, opening his bag. "A truth potion."
Dumbledore nodded and the potion was administered to both Severus and Pende.
"Question them Dumbledore." Fudge said irritably.
"Miss Clion, are you a death eater?"
"No."
The answer came as a shock to everyone in the room, including Dumbledore. He shook it off and focused on her again.
"What is your name?"
"Marideth Weaver."
Dumbledore relxed slightly and continued to question her. "Miss Weaver, are you a death eater?"
"Yes."
"Are you a faithful servant to Lord Voldemort?"
"Yes."
"Have you been giving information over to Voldemort?"
"Yes."
Dumbledore nodded, satisfied with the answers he got. "There you are minister, from he own mouth. Are you satisfied?"
Fudge shifted in his seat, looking at Snape who had a strange look in his eyes. They were calmed and glassy looking, as if he couldn't see.
"No. What about him" He asked.
"Very well." Dumbledore said and turned to Severus while Merideth was put into custody.
"Is your name Severus Snape?"
"Yes."
"Are you a death eater?"
"Yes."
"Are you loyal to the Dark Lord, Voldemort?"
"No."
"Have you been passing information over to Voldemort?"
"No."
Dumbledore was going to stop wth questioning when Fudge stepped in.
"Have you killed for the Dark Lord?"
"Yes."
"Cornelius this isn't necessary, Severus was omitted at his trial."
The minister of magic stared at the calm almost comical look of Severus Snape. "Very well Dumbledore, we will leave with the accused. Good day."
Dumbledore nodded and gave Snape a counter potion.
"Where is the minister?"
"He left with Miss Weaver."
Snape looked at Dumbledore, and eyebrow raised. "Who?"
"Miss Clion."
Snape nodded and felt terrible pain in his arm, in the exact place of his death eater mark. At the same time, Harry grabbed his forehead. This wasn't a normal death eater call. Voldemort was mad.
TBC