This may be a bit less than usual but the next part will be more exciting sorry.
athenakitty: I don't know if he is but why not? I already said it go back to chpt 4 I think. Severus was practically cleared in the Daily Prophet. I didn't mention the ministry because Arthur knows and he's the M.O.M.
mactunes: You liked what I did with Sirius. As a club member of SiriusHatersAnonymous, I must tell you that you ain't see nothing yet.
Tazthedevilman:Don't worry. I'll get to the explanation sooner or later. Yes Mary is the kids' mother and no it doesn't say married but no they didn't shack up. You'll find out in the next part. I'm getting to the good part next though. (sighs) it's going to be hard for me though.
Melissa Jooty: Yeah. Harry is better now but still stuck with the curse. Good analysis of Dumbledore and you're right. It's not that he's not harsh with them...he's just more cool in his demeanor. Sexy Sev. Oh more people will notice. Don't worry. Hmm..I'll have to think about that. Sorry this took a while. The next part shouldn't take as long...I hope.
Duj: You're telling me! I was pissed for days after reading the thing with the original shack. That's what finally endeared Sev to me.
Linda: (sobs and hugs Linda) I'm so proud of you. You pretty much got it. Now all you need to do is add on. Don't worry. You'll see. (grins) As for Chiara think of this: She and Severus are Ying and Yang. And Lilith...it slipped into my head but I didn't pay attention till I was editing.
merlin, Grace, Shinigami: Thanks for reviewing! I'll try to update a bit faster okay?
TITLE: With Darkness Comes Anew
AUTHOR: Alia
STATUS/PART: 8
EMAIL:
RATING: PG-13
PAIRING: Severus Snape / (You're free to guess)
SPOILERS: not including OotP
WARNINGS: angst, language
DISCLAIMER: I do not in anyway or fashion own HP. It belongs to JKR. curses
SUMMARY: Leaving the Wizarding World after a devastating betrayal, Severus starts a road in life that will eventually rock his world.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: You know it would be helpful if I had an actual idea for this story. Some have come over my head but what can I say. Well here goes nothing boys and girls. I was listening to Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand when I wrote this. Fair warning. (giggles)
With Darkness Comes Anew
The rest of the Order members were waiting for Albus, Remus, Sirius, Arthur, and Molly in the Headmaster's office waiting to hear Snape's prognosis on Harry's curse.
Albus entered first, quickly followed by the others. Hermione had decided to stay with Madam Pomfrey and Ron in the infirmary. The others followed him at a more subdued pace. Remus, Sirius and the Weasleys were still in a bit of shock.
Tonks jumped from her seat. "So what happened? Is Harry alright?"
Fred and George frowned at the looks on the faces of their parents. Fred moved toward his mother from his place by the fireplace. "Mum? Is everything okay?"
George paled suddenly. "Mum, I swear I didn't do it! Fred put that dungbomb in Poppy's office!"
Fred turned and shrieked at his brother. "WHAT! Don't listen to a word he says. He's been slightly delusional ever since that last incident with the Gray Bong-,"
"Fred, George." The exhausted voice came from Albus Dumbledore and caused both boys to quiet almost immediately. "If you boys will please sit down we can update everyone on the situation with Harry."
Everyone immediately took a seat, though uncomfortably. The atmosphere that the newcomers radiated was extremely tense.
Shaklebolt cleared his throat. "Well, Albus, how is Harry? Did Snape check him out?"
A small smile arose on the Headmaster's face. "Indeed he did. Although Harry is still under the influence of the curse, he is now physically healed."
Smiles and noises of both excitement and approval went through the room. Albus continued, "He is, however, exhausted and from what Severus has told us, he will be in and out of consciousness for a while. He is expected to get better though."
Moody continued to stare at the newcomers while the others gave sounds of relief. "What does...Snape," he spat, still not quite believing that the man was the former Potions Master, "have to say about the curse the boy's under."
"Nothing just yet. He has reiterated what Julius has already told us. That Harry is unable to use anything but Dark magic. He is going to do a scan of Harry's magical signature to see what is going on. He'll do it tomorrow."
Bill, who'd come to visit both Harry and his brother, asked, "How did Snape do it? How did he heal Harry?"
Albus demeanor darkened slightly. "Yes. That is something we must talk about."
Arthur blinked when he realized why Albus spoke in the way that he did. "He was using dark magic?"
Molly shook her head. "But he had to, remember? Severus couldn't use anything but dark spells."
Remus frowned. "Molly, the only time Snape actually used a spell was when he was transferring injuries."
That statement got a round of questions from those that were not allowed into the infirmary. It took a moment for everyone to calm down. Albus slowly explained what Severus had done with Harry, Ron, and even Sirius in the infirmary. People nodded but weren't exactly relaxed anymore.
"What I meant earlier Arthur, was that...Severus performed the magic almost effortlessly."
"He was a Death Eater, Albus!" cried Sirius. "Snape's always been deep in that sort of magic."
Dumbledore frowned at him saying, "And what makes you so sure of that Sirius?"
"Because he's always been a terrible person! For Merlin's sake the man is a..." He trailed off as he realized that he was no longer able to say that.
"He is no more a killer than you Siri." Whispered Remus.
Before a rant on all of Snape's evils began again, Albus silenced Black. "This is not the time to discuss that. Now be silent and listen."
Rubbing his forehead and beginning to actually feel his age, Albus continued. "Severus performed that magic almost effortlessly. Without words except for the one chant. But did any of you noticed that he did so without the use of a wand?"
Severus threw open the infirmary door and began storming down the hall leaving Julius stumbling to catch up with him.
"Lex, slow down a minute, will you?"
Severus came to an abrupt stop and turned on his heel just as fast. Julius moved toward the other man with trepidation.
Seeing the look on the werewolf's face caused Severus's own to soften. He sighed heavily. "I apologize, Caesar. I don't know what got into me."
"From what you've told me of your former personality, I'd say the old Hogwarts' Spirit has." He place a hand on Lex's shoulder. "I'm sorry I got you into this Lex."
"Do not think on it too much, my friend. I just need to calm down. And to keep my temper. Dumbledore will want to confront me tonight. And not only about what happened five years ago."
"Then with what?" asked Julius as the two men turned and headed down the hallway. Severus gazed at the wall he knew so well for a moment before turning to Julius.
"You saw what I did Julius. Now what did I use to do it?"
Julius almost stopped walking but continued down the corridor. "You used wandless magic. But you always-,"
"Not while I was here, Julius. Not when I was a wizard."
"And the old man noticed?"
Severus snorted and they turned to corner. "Of course. One of the things that makes the Headmaster seem so damn omnipotent is that he's so observant. So he usually knows what's going on or what's about to happen before everyone else."
"I always wondered about that. But what about the thing with the door?"
"I am not a god, Julius. Even I don't know the answer to that." He did actually but he decided not to tell Julius that Dumbledore used his glasses to see through the door.
Julius huffed. "I don't believe that for a second but I'll let it go."
"Smart man."
They had managed to go without passing any students at all but they finally came upon a small group since they were headed for the dungeons. Just at the entrance, they found a small group. Two Slytherins, Three Ravenclaws and a small Hufflepuff boy.
All of them acknowledge their Charms professor as he came near, but their eyes were riveted upon the stranger. Who was a stranger to all but the two fifth year Slytherins.
"Hello everyone."
"Hello Professor Fryer."
"How are you today, sir?" Julius had decided not to take the Head of House position but the students still came to him regularly.
"I'm fine thank you."
"And you sir?" asked one of the Slytherin students. The two, both boys, had been staring at the blue eyed man since the moment they laid eyes on him.
"I am well."
Julius fought back a grin. "This way," he said to Lex. Then turning to his students. "I'll see the rest of you later."
Julius always had the courtesy to knock on Rose's door before interrupting her. The one time Minerva had done it had resulted in the two women smelling like...well lets just say it wasn't pleasant.
"Professor Transt? Rose, you in?"
"Just a moment, dear!" The two men exchanged a look.
"She acts like Brea's mum. Only more...perky."
Severus grimaced at that. He liked Brea's mother greatly. She was a pleasant woman who was a great deal like Brea, but the older woman wasn't perky. More mellow. "How perky?"
"You'll see."
Lex shivered. Julius smirked.
And Rose opened the door. "Hello Julius! How are you?"
Severus narrowed his eyes. Oh she was perky alright. More so than his twins on a sugar high.
Rose stepped out after untying her apron. "How are you dear? What did you want?"
"Well, we were wondering if you could do us a favor. My friend here is investigating Mr. Potter's curse-,"
"Oh thank heavens! I hope the poor dear is alright."
"Yes, yes," continued Julius, "and we were wondering if he could use your laboratory for a while."
Before Rose answered, she dug into her pocket for her glasses. Placing them on she said, "Just a moment dear, let me get a look at your friend." Her voice slowed as she turned and actually got a look at him.
"You're...aren't you Severus Snape?" She looked nervous suddenly.
Julius frowned. Looking at Lex and seeing his nod (the man knew that the entire staff would have to be told) and said, "Yes this is Severus Snape."
They didn't expect Rose to smile. "Oh it's a pleasure to meet you Professor Snape. I've heard quite a bit about your accomplishments-," For a few more minutes Julius let Rose rant. The look on Lex's face was well worth it, however, they really needed to get to work.
"Rose, do you mind if Lex uses your lab?"
"Of course not dear! Professor Snape-,"
"Alexander, please, Madam." Severus said with a charming smile that Julius knew was fake.
She blinked. "Very well. Alexander, you may have full use of both my lab and stores."
Julius watched as the charm became a bit more real. "Thanks you, Professor Transt."
"It's Rose, my dear. Why don't you come in and get a look."
Neither commenting that Severus probably knew the place better than her, both Julius and Lex followed her inside.
Dinner came faster than anyone would have liked it to. Severus found himself hesitant to return to the Great Hall. So many memories there. Although the trip to the Headmaster's office would more than likely be much worse on his emotions. But he would be a man about it and face the music. Or rather the near 2000 faces that would be staring at him. He smirked. "On the other hand would it be so bad?" It would be interesting to see what the student body would make of him.
He had thought of having dinner in Julius's room, but decided against it. Where was the fun in that? He was curious to see everyone's reaction, especially the other teachers that knew nothing of his arrival.
He did wonder about the Slytherins though. How would the seventh years, children he was fairly sure would remember him, act toward their former potions master who not only looked younger but was in muggle clothing. In his own mind, he would worry about the looks and clothing later and really wonder what he was doing in Hogwarts in the first place.
He leaned against the door of Julius's quarters waiting for his friend to finish washing up. They'd finished checking out Transt's labs (he ignored the thought that they were once his) and had come back up for a short moment. Lex had spoken to Chiara over the floo. The woman demanded to know if he was okay or did they need to come to Hogwarts.
Not wanting to answer any questions that would spring from their arrival, and the fact that Julius was out of Chiara's sight shaking his head furiously, he told her that everything was fine, there was no need to raise the body count and that he was about to go to dinner.
After another round of 'I'm okay, really', and he and Julius were out the door and headed for the Great Hall. Having refused to wear any wizarding robes of the kind, Severus got a number of looks as they headed toward the main corridor. It had been rare, if ever, the students had seen adults in Hogwarts walking around in muggle clothing. Lex found himself attracting quite a bit of attention. But would the students know who he was?
The moment he and Julius stepped into the Great Hall, everyone went quiet. Severus immediately started looking for reactions. Albus and the other few Order members on staff looked either pleasant (Albus) or grim (everyone else). The other teachers were stunned into silence at seeing their former colleague, the man they once believed a murderer.
The students were obviously curious at the sight of a muggle standing beside Professor Fryer in the Great Hall. All but a few. Severus could see the confusion the slight recognition in the eyes of all the seventh year students. The Slytherins especially. As he and Julius moved toward the Head Table, one of the Slytherin seventh years (Bethany Hines, he was surprised to remember) stood and took a few steps toward him. Severus halted. Julius did the same though he was a few steps ahead.
The girl looked at him quietly. "Professor Snape?" Whispers covered the Slytherin table and continued in the other.
Severus raised an eyebrow and in the same tone of voice he always used when speaking to his Slytherins, said, "Yes, Miss Hines?"
"It is you!" she cried. The other Slytherin seventh years stood and surrounded him silently. None made a move to hug him as Slytherins rarely did such things in public, but for their house, being close to him was good enough.
"I'm surprised you remember."
"It's kind of hard to forget you Professor." Another boy said. "We all thought you were dead. They never found you after you were acquitted."
"Perhaps they weren't looking hard enough." A laugh went through the small group of students. Bethany cleared her throat.
"Will you sit with us, Professor?"
Glancing at Julius, Severus said, "I'll stay here, Julius."
"I'll see you after dinner, Lex."
As Severus sat down with his former students, the Great Hall came to life, much louder than before.
TBC
Alia: Yeah I know this is a bad place to leave off but I tried. It was so had to just get past the office thing with Albus. But I swear that the next one will be more exciting. Review okay? And if you have any ideas on the confrontation for later...give it up!
