Chapter 11
Good Intentions
XXX
It all started during O.W.L exams. Longbottom had a vision of his father being tortured by The Dark Lord in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry. The boy had been getting better at blocking his mind, but the Dark Lord was far superior in the skill of mind magic and was able to plant the false memory in the child's head quite easily. Thankfully no one was killed during the incident, through several were seriously injured, including Hermione Granger and James Potter Jr.
My first instinct had been to hate Potter Jr. on principle alone, but as time went on I learned to tolerate him well enough. He looked like his father, yes, but he was focused, understanding and usually thought things through before jumping head first into them, joining his friends in their rescue attempt had been the exception. The boy had been hit with a severing curse to his right shoulder; last he had heard he was in danger of losing his arm.
Longbottom had received no serious injuries, though I'm sure being possessed by The Dark Lord was certainly not a pleasant experience for him. I had seen the boy once since the incident and had taken a quick glance into his mind, Lily had expressed concern about his mental state and asked that I take a quick peek. Technically it forbidden to enter anyone's mind without their express permission, but exception of course can be made if there is a valid enough reason. The Boy-Who-Lived had been feeling a large amount of guilt not only being foolish enough to fall for the trick but also for dragging his friends and father into danger. In all honesty I thought the guilt he was feeling was well placed, because of his rashness two of his friends were gravely injured, they could have died. Lily had been more sympathetic, saying that Longbottom had thought he was doing the right thing, and that it was all a tragic mistake.
Good intentions, however do not always equate to good choices.
I was summoned by the Dark Lord shortly after the incident. He asked me of update which I gave him.
"Several injuries, one girl may not make it through the night, Potter will most likely lose a limb. Malfoy and McNair were captured, though not hurt, at least not severely."
"And what of Dumbledore, have you heard anything from him?" He asked leaning back in his wing-backed chair, his blood red gave drifting out a nearby window.
"No, My Lord. I have only seen him once briefly in passing since the incident."
The Dark Lord paused for a moment but then nodded slowly rising from his chair. "I wish to see you next Saturday at noon with a more detailed update."
"Yes, my Lord." And with that I left.
XXX
I stood silently behind my wife who sat down on the edge of the Granger girl's bed. She had been hit by an unknown dark curse during the confrontation at the Ministry. With mine and the Headmasters help Madam Pomfrey was able to stabilize the child though any lasting side effects were not known at this time. Why a bright young girl such as Granger would follow Longbottom and Potter into such a dangerous situation was beyond me. Then again, she was a Gryffindor, they are often illogical and allowed emotions to rule their better judgment.
"It's unfair that her parents can't be here," Lily sighed she gently stroked the unconscious child's hand. "Such idiotic rules. So what if they are muggles, they should be able to visit their sick baby. What if it was one of ours, Sev and we were told we couldn't see her?"
"I know darling, but there is nothing we can no about it." I replied, wrapping my arms around her.
She sighed, laying her head on my chest. "I think I'll write them, to let them know how she's doing."
She was right, it really was unfair that simply because the girls parents were non-magical they could not visit their child in hospital. He remembered when he and Lily were in their 3rd year there had been an accident in potions and she had received some pretty bad burns because of it and had even ended up temporarily losing her hearing in her right ear. Rose and Harry Evans had been furious that not only were they informed of their daughters injuries 3 days after the incident but by letter.
"They couldn't have taken the time to call us, or even send someone to tell us." Rose had yelled when she had finally been visited by McGonagall almost a week after the incident, and only after threatening to pull Lily from Hogwarts.
McGonagall had been very apologetic and had promised to keep them closer informed of their daughters well being from then on, still it left a bitter taste in their mouth concerning the wizarding world after that.
XXX
Weeks had passed since the Ministry fiasco and things were slowly getting back to normal. The Granger girl awoke from her coma and was able to go home to her parents. Lily had insisted on riding the train with her, all the other children had headed home days before and she didn't feel right about her taking the train alone; and so we used it as an excuse to head to London for a family outing.
Hermione Granger's parents were nice enough people though I could tell they were far from over the incident. At one point they had told the Headmaster that they were taking her out of Hogwarts and that she could receive private tutors. Professor McGonagal was able to change their minds, just as she had with Lily's parents, at least for the time being. They agreed to let her come back but they made it quite clear that if they found her in the slightest bit of danger ever again they would bring her straight home.
After saying goodbye to the Granger's we spent the day in London as a family. We took the kids to the zoo and lunch and then a local park. It was very muggle, but pleasant.
It was several days later that I was summoned by my Master who demanded an update.
"I do hope you bring me something useful today Severus," The Dark Lord said in an almost bored tone, "your information as of late has been trivial at best. "I would hate to have to punish you for your inadequacy." He said as he twirled his wand in his long, thin fingers.
"I apologize My Lord, I do have some information that you may find most helpful."
In truth there had been a lot of movement in the Order over the summer, I had been as vague as possible with any news I brought to the Dark Lord but it would seem he was getting impatient.
"Very well, what?"
"Longbottom is no longer staying in his family home. He and his father have moved in with his grandmother, Augusta Longbottom."
The Dark Lords brow rose at this bit of information, a small smile pulled to his lips. "Is that so?"
"Yes my Lord, apparently Augusta insisted."
While after the incident at the Ministry, the tenacious woman did in fact insist her son and grandson come to live with her, in actuality they have not moved. The Headmaster insister they stay at Alice's family home as there are strong blood wards tied to the grounds and by far the safest place for Neville. The lead was in fact false, by telling the Dark Lord they had moved and expecting him to act on it they were hoping to set up a trap. Whether it would work or not I was unsure; the Dark Lord is far from naive.
"They have increased security around her home, at least two Orders members always on the grounds or in the residence."
The Dark Lord nodded as he began to walk slowly across the wooden floor, pacing back and forth as he thought. "Interesting, yes…. But I wonder, are you sure there are only two guards?"
"At least two, sometimes more and they are always individuals with combat training such as Potter or Black."
"Hum," My Master rubbed his chin, his red eyes snapped to mine. "We will have to tread carefully, it could be a trap. Are you positive Dumbledore does not suspect where your true loyalties lie?"
I knew I needed to be careful how I answered this, very careful. "I do not believe so My Lord. He has said nothing to make me think so. Do you believe he is leading me falsely?"
"No," He responded with a shake of his head, "I am however weary that he may not privy you to all of the Orders information that he may be keeping some of the more valuable information to himself."
I knew that wasn't the case or at least I assumed it wasn't.
"Then again… you know despite what many of our comrades say, there are advantages of you having a muggle wife, Severus. Dumbledore is more likely to trust you simply because he believes you value her more then our cause. He has always been a sucker for second chances. You are nothing more than a cause to him, Severus. Another opportunity to prove to the wizarding world that anyone can have a shot at redemption."
The Dark Lord snorted in disgust as he took a step closer to me. "But that is not the case, is it Severus?"
"Of course not my Lord. I am loyal to you and only you." I lied easily.
"I know you are and so we will use his weakness to our advantage. Severus… I wish to meet your wife."
A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Next update very soon.
