BLOOD OF THE MOTHER by BertaS Oct. 2005
Chapter 23
Description: The meeting at Gringotts breaks up and the guys arrive at the ministry.
Disclaimer: They are not mine. They all belong to JKR.
Evidence
Harry insisted that each person present be scanned for compulsions, which didn't take long but was a bit depressing. Over half of them had some spell or another on them ranging from simple truth spells on Ron, Hermione and Ginny to the more complex ones, similar to those that where on Severus, on Remus, Molly and Arthur. Minerva had even more including the one that would make her feel attracted to Albus. She was in a bit of shock for a while.
The surprise was the residue of spells on 'Cissa, which they thought were broken by the death of her husband.
There were a few moments, when Molly realized that Dumbledore had placed spells on her children, that Harry thought that he would not have to worry about anything but keeping his adoptive Mum out of Azkaban. It took quite a bit to calm her down. Minerva came out of her stupor and pulled her aside where Sev overheard bits of their plotting.
Bill asked for one of his co-workers to come help him record and remove the spells. As they where doing this he taught Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Arthur and the twins how to locate, record and remove such spells.
Severus couldn't help thinking of the discussion he had with Harry concerning his own compulsions. Harry had said there where different flavors to the spells on him.
Lemon Sherbets, obviously Albus, there were the silencing and truth spells as well as obedience with a list of rules, and what they had finally decided to call the, 'Maintain Cover No Matter What' compulsion. As well as a suppression on certain emotions, fear, pain, and guilt.
The smell of Death had to be the Dark Lord. These spells where mostly straight forward, obedience, submissiveness, the need to grovel almost worship the Dark Lord, one to promote feelings of pleasure in the pain of others, and a spell that actually caused pain when the word 'Voldemort' was spoken. They had also determined that there were suppressions on most of his positive emotions, leaving only fear, anger, and hate. There were a couple spells that they had not been able to positively identify but thought may have been a power drain and something that would take effect if the Dark Lord were to die.
Lilac, Severus' memory of Mama always included that smell. These seemed to be mostly associated with things that all mothers say to their little boys, things like act your age, study hard, mind your elders and never be immodest. And suppressions on his emotions, big boys don't cry, don't laugh loudly or smile too much, and there is nothing to be afraid of.
The last flavor had been the only one that they where unsure of. When Harry had told him that it was licorice, Severus had at first shook his head, no one he knew ate it regularly enough for it to flavor their spells. Then it had hit him like a bludger, not licorice, but anise, Absinth; Grandfather had been addicted to Absinth. After they had figured this out it made more sense that there were obedience with a list of rules and suppression of fear, pain, guilt, and humor.
Discovering the list of his Grandfathers rules had only taken Harry getting exasperated and loosing his temper. Sev had suddenly found himself on his knees with a loud groan, head on the floor speaking in a monotone, "I will mind Mama; If I do something bad I will not get caught; If caught I will take my punishment like a man; I won't let anyone know that Papa was a worthless mudblood; I will study hard; I won't laugh out loud; I will respect my elders; I will stay away from blood traitors; Love is a weakness; I am not worthy of happiness." It took Harry apologizing for losing his temper and comforting him to snap him out of it.
Sev was brought back to the present by loud laughter as Remus and the twins were talking about a remote delivery to remove all spells on some one as if it were one of the twins products. They thought they would have something worked out by the end of the week. Remus and the twins where heading back to the joke shop to plan some pranks as per Sirius' wishes.
The rest of the Weasleys and Hermione, who was staying with them till the beginning of term, were discussing going to the party at the Caldron and told Harry they would like him to come to supper soon. Tonks and her mother were also going to the party and expressed an interest in having Harry and Severus over to dinner. Professor McGonagall asked them to tea once school started. Harry began to wonder what was going on with the females in his life, all suddenly wanting to feed him but didn't really have time to think about it.
When they where alone 'Cissa pulled a folder from her bag, "This is all you will need to know about Richard (call me Dickey) Thornprick. There is another file I feel you should see, My Lord, it is quite large. If you wish I will forward a copy to you as soon as I get home or you could send Severus to pick it up." She smiled at Harry and Severus. She seemed to have a hard time hiding the surprise when Severus smiled slightly in return.
"It's just, Harry, Mrs. Malfoy. Who is this other file on?" Harry asked politely.
"Of course, Harry, and I am 'Cissa." Harry nodded and she continued, "From what I just heard you are going to war, against Dumbledore?" she smiled.
Harry just looked stunned and Sev answered with a smile, "Not precisely, but I doubt anyone can deny the man needs brought down a peg or two."
"I quite agree." She smiled brightly, "Harry, I too would be willing to have the two of you to lunch or tea but it is my understanding that you and my son do not get on well?" she made a little moue of disappointment.
Harry cleared his throat, "Draco and I get on just fine as long as we stay far, far away from each other." This caused both Sev and 'Cissa to laugh. Before they parted they made arrangements for Severus to collect the files in a few days.
After a leisurely lunch and reading through the files they drew their staves from the holsters that were strapped on their backs under their clothing, these where charmed to hold any length wand or staff. They headed to the Ministry, apperating into the atrium and headed toward the security guard.
The guard was looking bored till Sev stepped into his line of sight where upon he immediately went to a defensive position. Holding his wand on the smirking Severus Snape, he signaled for back up.
Several aurors arrived in short order to hear Harry soundly berating the guard for his stupidity, trying to arrest one of the wars greatest heroes, and Harry's personal body guard.
The man turned to the aurors and said, "Every one knows that Snape is a Death Eater, don't they?"
One of the older aurors shook his head and sneered, "He was. But the way I understand it he's got a new master now." He eyed Harry suspiciously.
One of the younger men looked to Harry, "Mr. Potter, have we your word that he will behave? We're having a bit of a problem with the Scum in the holding cells, acting right crazed they are."
Harry looked at Sev, who had let his hair fall over his face and was leaning slightly on his staff. He appeared, to most, to be relaxed, even bored, except the slight twitching of a muscle in his jaw. "As far as I know Professor Snape is not inclined to cause trouble, unless he catches you out of bounds after curfew." He leaned closer to the young auror, as though telling him a secret, "I know for a fact that his detentions are brutal."
The young auror laughed, "Been there, done that." he then cleared his throat with a little cough, "No offence meant Professor."
Severus smiled, "None taken, Mr. Jones. You may need to call in some curse breakers to check those in your lock up. When Mr. Potter removed the mark there was something that we believe would have been triggered by Voldemort's death." He smirked as there were gasps and a shiver ran through most of those present. "I believe that Mr. Potter has an appointment with Madam Bones now, if you will excuse us?" he said as he gave a slight bow and motioned for Harry to lead the way to the elevators. No one even realized that their wands and staves had not been checked at all.
A/N: Kind of short I know. Next chapter should be the meeting with Madam Bones and the Minister after that should be the start of the DE trials and then the Cotillion. I am open to suggestions on non-main character parings for the Cotillion.