Chapter 4: The Grimm Reality

Severus Snape could in no way be considered as a savior-of-the-wizarding-world supporter, so many were wondering why the man wasn't frothing at the mouth wanting to kill his former pupil. However, the Potions Master had better things to do than waste his time trying to find ways around the boy's "thou shall not talk" spell. Not to mention formulating what he was going to say about the disappearance of the Dark Lord's most coveted recruits since the truth was not an option for obvious reasons. He knew the news could not be kept secret; it's not everyday 45 students go missing all at the same time. Telling everyone they ran away together was a bust since their parents all knew that Slytherins and Gryffindors wouldn't walk in the same direction unless there just wasn't another way; the same went for Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.

Snape was happy…or at least as close to it as he could come. Potter's disappearance had done him some good after all since he had recruited Slytherins and Severus' best Slytherins against their parents. At that…Snape could not be happier the house would follow their example, all but a few, and he would be glad that for once he would not loose his students to that bastard half-breed of a Dark Lord. He was aware that there were a couple of cruciatus curses in his immediate future when he was called again, but they would be worth it. He knew that he would also start a class, knowing the Headmaster would follow Potter's not so subtle command, for the first and second years, in which he would teach them how to survive the next few years of their lives.

"Headmaster?" Severus interrupted Minerva's frustrated dialogue.

"Yes, Severus?"

"What the Potter boy said about teaching them survival skills…he had a point as loath as I am to admit it." Snape drawled doing his best to sound properly hateful at agreeing with Potter. There were outraged gasps and protest from around the table.

"But they are just children." Minerva burst out horrified that Potter and Snape thought it was best to teach children the ways of war. There were many sounds of agreement and nods.

"Ah, but, Minerva, I am afraid Harry had the right of it. We are at war, and teaching them how to transfigure teacups into earmuffs isn't going to keep them alive should Hogwarts be attacked. While I hate the fact that they live in such dangerous times, it's our job to prepare them as best we can and not just send them to die with meaningless titles after seven years of frivolously educating them. I'm afraid that Severus will no longer be the potions professor; he will become our survival professor instead, teaching all years, not only first and second as Harry suggested. Professor Lupin, you will now focus on making sure students all know the basics of dueling against a death eater. I'm afraid we can no longer pretend that all is right with the world, as Harry has given the children the right of it. You will observe your students and check their strengths and weaknesses. Whatever they aren't proficient in will be worked on until they can do the basics; their strengths will be focused upon until they are second only to their teachers. I will bring in another potions professor, and they will resume learning potions that will be helpful during this time. Poppy will also be testing the student body for healers and, subsequently, training them." The Headmaster sighed; he hadn't wanted it to come to this.

"But Albus…," Minerva protested.

"Minerva, I'm afraid that we have failed Harry; I do not want to fail the rest of our students because we underestimate them or want to protect them."

"Failed Harry?" Remus asked confused. While he saw Harry's changes, he didn't think they were necessarily bad; in fact, he was very proud of Harry for the young man he had turned out to be. As much as it pained him to admit it, he wasn't disturbed by the fact that his best friend's son had learned to kill. It was a necessary evil that many, including Dumbledore, had failed to grasp, which was why Voldermort had followers from his previous reign to begin with. Harry had once again proven himself by taking control of his destiny and making sure he would be ready to meet it when the time came.

"Yes, we failed him. While we hold his affection, we hold none of his respect. He has been trained, that much is obvious, but by whom and why remains a mystery. Did you not see that he had aged more than just the three months he had been gone? He's armed and very comfortable wearing it all; he has a confidence that only comes from testing yourself and coming out the victor. When once he would have taken our advice, he will no longer do so; we have betrayed his trust by not informing him of his destiny when it became apparent that there was no doubt who all the prophecies referred to. Our inaction brought about Sirius's death. We should have told Harry about his destiny, but, in protecting him, we failed to see that we couldn't; we only made things harder for him. He cannot get away from his destiny, so he had no choice but to embrace it. Every one of you saw him not bat an eye when telling us why he smelled like blood. Harry is no longer a child; he has killed and will kill again in his quest to eradicate Voldermort from this world."

"We knew it would come to that…I'm ashamed to admit that it took a 16 year old to make us see that we were not prepared to do whatever it took to save ourselves, and he is. I will not condemn him or his followers for that. It took more guts for those young people to walk out of here than it took us to join the Order. I will not allow anyone to condemn him for taking them." Remus looked around the room making sure everyone understood they would answer to him. No one would cross him since most were afraid of him, especially when he knew his eyes were glowing amber. No one would make that mistake around him. He'd be damned before he let anyone, even the Ministry, bad mouth Harry; again, werewolf status be damned.

"He has taken the descendants of the most powerful warlords and kings in our history with him." Professor Binn's ventured.

"Yes, he has. I'm afraid that the prophecies are true; the Dark Knights will ride once more, and may Merlin help those who oppose them. I'm afraid that they will not tolerate Fudge and his foolishness or anyone else who becomes a hindrance when the real war starts. So far, there have only been strategic strikes, a warning of the horrors to come. Let us hope that Harry will be back soon." It was a downtrodden group that left the staff room that evening; all except for Severus Snape.

"Well done, Potter…may the grace of the gods see you to us safely once more." Severus Snape whispered his blessing as he looked out the window; as night blanketed the horizon, his words were carried by wind, water, and earth. A rider lifted his head and cocked it to one side as if listening to something only he could hear; a small smile lit his face as he continued on his journey feeling lighter than he had in a long time; maybe not all was lost.

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