What? A new chapter without having to wait for weeks? Yep, and it's extra long. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you again for your support!
Severus Snape was exhausted. He'd been interviewed by aurors and then had to sit in as each Slytherin that had gone to Hogsmead that day was interviewed. It had taken hours, but thankfully Draco's name had yet to come up. The boy, of course, had been interviewed with the rest, but his alibi and his occlumency shields had held. It was dark before he was dismissed. Loath as he was to do it, he needed to report the day's events to the Dark Lord. It would be far better for himself and Draco, if the news was delivered promptly.
Aurors were stationed throughout the castle and grounds as a precaution. This made Snape's journey that much more of a risk. He knew he wouldn't be able to be gone for long without raising suspicion. He slipped through a secret door and preceded down a forgotten tunnel that led to the old grounds keeper's house that had burnt down decades ago. He disillusioned himself and emerged carefully, casting a quick homenum revello to ensure no one was near. After, he quickly made his way through the Forbidden Forest and past Hogwart's wards.
He apparated to the front gates of Malfoy manor and took a steadying breath before continuing up the drive. He checked the audience hall first to find it empty. So, he continued on to the Dark Lord's study and knocked on the door. Bellatrix opened the it. "Severus, what drags you out of the dungeons?" she sneered.
The man had no intention of reacting to that harpy's jabs, not tonight, not after the day he'd had. "Move aside, woman, I have news for our Lord," Snape drawled.
"What is it? What news do you have?" Bellatrix demanded refusing to move aside. "He can't be bothered by every triviality. What, did someone hurt your feelings? Can't you sort that out on your own?" she mocked.
"If you consider Hogwarts being swarmed by aurors a triviality, then by all means, send me away," he challenged.
"Bellatrix!" a voice hissed from inside the study. "Let Severus in."
The woman huffed and stepped aside. Severus approached Voldemort and knelt at his feet. "Rise, Severus. Be seated. Tell me this news that you have," the wizard gestured to the chair across from him. Judging by the look on her face, he must have been offered the seat that Bellatrix had just left. Not to be left out, the witch summoned another chair and seated herself next to her Lord.
"My Lord, there was an incident at Hogwarts today. A murder attempt against the headmaster," he began.
"An attempt, only an attempt?" Bellatrix interrupted.
Severus simply ignored her and continued. "It would seem that a student was given a cursed necklace to deliver to the headmaster. Unfortunately, the wrapping slipped and the object brushed against the girl's ungloved hand. She survived, but is in the infirmary in critical condition," he explained.
"And are their any suspicions, Severus?" Voldemort asked.
"No, my Lord," Severus answer. "If I may be so bold, I know of Draco's mission. He assured me that nothing could be traced back to him. So far his name hasn't even been mentioned as a suspect. He covered his tracks well."
"That's good, very good. I would so hate for the Malfoy line to end with him," the Dark Lord said, and Severus flinched inwardly at the obvious threat. "Did the boy indicate that he had other avenues available to complete the task I assigned him?"
"He said nothing of future plans, My Lord," he said carefully. "But was adamant that he had not given up. I believe he has something else in mind. Although he will not confide what he means to do."
"And why should he tell you his plans?" Bellatrix's shrill voice interrupted once again. "He is securing his legacy. Bringing glory to the Black and Malfoy names. He doesn't need the help of some half blood."
"Bella," the Dark Lord hissed. "Calm yourself. Go, tell Narcissa that I wish to give her an update on her son." The witch seemed surprised by her dismissal but didn't want to disobey her Lord, so she scurried out to find her sister.
"I fear the boy may not be up to the task," the dark wizard lamented. "I had such I hopes for him and his family, but time and again, they have disappointed me." He sighed; his red eyes focused on the fire in the hearth. "Tell the boy that I expect more from him. Let him know that I will notify his mother of his failure personally, and that his father will hear of it as well."
"Yes, My Lord," Severus agreed.
"Go now, Severus. Return to the castle before you are discovered missing. Report back should anything change," he dismissed the other man.
Severus left his chair to kneel before his master once more before he stood and left the study. In the hallway, Bellatrix led Narcissa towards the study. The fair blond looked alarmed as her sister quietly admonished her, "I've always told you that you were too soft on the boy. You only have yourself to blame. You should be grateful for our Lord's mercy."
As soon as she saw the potions master, Narcissa held out her hands to him. Severus took them and gave them a gentle squeeze. She leaned in to kiss his cheek. As she did this, Severus whispered, "He's safe and well for now." The woman gave a ragged sigh at the news of her son.
She pulled back and smiled. Her pureblood training demanding she play the hostess despite the circumstances. "Severus, it's always good to see you. Can you stay for tea?" she asked.
Bellatrix jerked her sister back. "There's no need to waste manners on a half blood, Cissa. You mustn't keep our Lord waiting," she said as she ushered the other woman into the room and slammed the door firmly shut. Bella always did like her theatrics, Snape thought as he made his way out. He hadn't gone far before he heard Narcissa's screams echoing through the manor.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
Severus slipped back into the castle with relative ease and made his way to the headmaster's office. He knew the old man would be waiting up for him. He'd half expected it to still be crawling with aurors. Thankfully he found Albus alone, going through paperwork at his desk.
"So," the older man said not looking up as Severus entered the room. "I take it you went to visit Tom tonight."
"Yes, was my absence noticed?" He asked.
"Not to any great extent," Dumbledor replied. "I told them that I'd sent you back to your quarters to eat. Since you missed both lunch and dinner due to the interviews. I insisted that you needed food and rest before any more questions were to be answered."
"Thank you, Albus," Snape responded.
"For what?" he asked absently. "It is the truth. Now, how was your meeting?"
"It went as well as could be expected," Severus sighed as he took a seat. "I told him that Draco had failed, but hadn't brought suspicion upon himself, and that he meant to try again. Narcissa is suffering for his failure as we speak."
"That is unfortunate," Dumbledore said. "And what of the boy?'
"I am to tell him of his mother and that the Dark Lord will notify his father of this new disgrace as well. The Malfoys are in a precarious position," the dark wizard advised.
"Is this something we could use to our advantage?" the headmaster asked.
"Not as long as Narcissa is in the hands of the Dark Lord. Draco admires his father, respects him even, but he adores his mother. He'd do anything to protect her. I believe that is why he's so afraid to seek help," Severus explained.
"A pity. I can see of no way to extract her without tipping our hand," Albus sighed. "We'll have to hope that the boy decides to come to you on his own. Don't give up on him, Severus. He is misguided, but not evil."
"We can't have him endangering the other students, Albus. He almost killed Miss Bell today. Who knows who he may harm tomorrow," he warned.
"We'll just have to watch him closer," the headmaster stated. "We have little time left, Severus, and we must ensure that you are positioned to take my place should Tom take over the school. There are many lives that depend on this advantage. It's not one we can let slip past us," Albus reasoned.
Severus sighed deeply. "So, what theory have the aurors come to?" He asked. "Do I need to worry that they'll start dragging my Slytherins to Azkaban?
"No, they've decided that the assassin came from outside of the school. No one here is a suspect. Although, I fear we'll have to cancel Hogsmead Weekends for the foreseeable future," Albus advised.
"That will go over well," Severus snarked.
Albus chuckled, "Yes, I do believe that the students will be most displeased with that decision. The Aurors will stay for the next few days as they continue their investigation. They want to ensure that the school is safe before departing. Classes for Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled to allow the Aurors free rein as they search the castle."
Snape looked alarmed, but the headmaster continued, "It was a bit of a fight, but I refused to allow them to search the personal belongings of the students and staff. The children are to stay in their dorms until Wednesday morning. Meals will be served in their common rooms. The other heads have spoken to their prefects to give them instructions for the next few days. Your prefects were told to await your instruction. They are aware that you'd likely be in late. I knew there was a possibility that you'd need to speak with Mr. Malfoy again tonight and wanted to give you a plausible excuse."
Severs stood. "Thank you, Albus. I suppose I should get this over with," he said.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
It was nearing 3 AM by the time he reached the Slytherin common room. Only one prefect was waiting though. "Miss Parkinson," he said to announce his presence to the girl that had fallen asleep on a sofa near the fire place.
The girl woke immediately and jumped to her feet. "Professor," she said. "should I get the other prefects? When it got so late, they went to bed. I was to let them know when you arrived."
"You drew the short straw, I presume?" Severus asked the dark-haired girl.
Pansy grimaced. "Something like that, professor," she answered.
"Well, go and fetch them," Snape said. The girl turned and made her way towards the dorms. "Oh, and Miss Parkinson," he called out to her. Pansy stopped midstride and looked back. "You don't have to be gentle about it."
A malicious smile spread across her face. "Yes, sir," she responded and continued on to the dorms. Within moments, screaming and shouting erupted and his dazed and dismayed prefects filed into the room.
He quickly imparted his instructions for the next few days, and dismissed the students back to their beds.
"Draco, a word," the wizard said. The boy turned back. "I received regards from your mother," he explained as he watched the last of the prefects go to their dorms. Once the two were alone in the common room, Snape threw up silencing charms and wards to ensure privacy.
"Sev, I don't want to talk about this any further," the boy said tiredly.
"Sit, boy. I have news from the Dark Lord," he said.
Draco's face looked ashen as he sat down.
"I informed the Dark Lord of what happened here yesterday," Severus began. Draco looked at him with shock and betrayal. "Calm yourself, Draco. It was in your best interest that I told him of the event."
"Was it really, Sev?" Draco sneered.
Snape refused to be moved by the boy's snark. "Yes. It ensured that the Dark Lord knew that we were hiding nothing from him. It also allowed me to control the narrative. Would you rather have the news come to him from any one of your classmate's parents? Do you think all of them have any incentive to paint you in a good light? How many of them do you think are laying in wait, desperate to take your family's place in the inner circle? Think, boy."
That withered the boy's attitude somewhat. "I told him that you had failed in your attempt, but that you hadn't given up on your mission. And that you had manage to evade detection. He's giving you a second chance, Draco."
The boy looked relieved. "Thank you, Sev. I'm sorry, it's just been a long, long day," he explained.
"It's not over yet, Draco. The Dark Lord has given you another chance, but your failure will not go unpunished. He will be notifying your father of the incident. I'm afraid your mother has already been told. She is receiving punishment in your stead," Severus said. The boy seemed to crumble somewhat with the news.
"Is she still alive?" Draco asked.
"I believe so," Snape responded. "She's no good to him dead. This was meant to be a…demonstration of what would happen should you fail again."
The boy didn't even try to hide his tears this time. "Here," the potion master said as he handed him a vial. "Dreamless Sleep, use it tonight."
Draco looked down at the vial in his hand. "Sev, I don't deserve this. I don't deserve to sleep, not after today. I-I can't. I'm sorry, I can't," he said, trying to return the potion.
"What you deserve doesn't matter, Draco. You need to have your wits about you, and you need the rest. Drink it," the wizard commanded.
Draco nodded, "Yes, ok, I- I'll take it."
"Good, go back to your bed. Take your potion and sleep," Severus said.
The boy didn't respond. He only got up from his seat and made his way back to the dorms and his bed. Once he was gone, Severus canceled the wards and charms. He was exhausted. He couldn't wait to reach his own bed as well. No dreamless sleep for him though. He'd learned long ago how to sleep despite his demons. He hoped that Draco would never need to learn the same lesson.