Posted 2/18/2015
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This is a work of fiction, based on the book series by J.K. Rowling. Neither do I claim ownership nor do I intend to.
Chapter Sixty-Four - Reward
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Just as she was about to turn the page, the book was pulled out of her reach over the kitchen table. Hermione groaned, sending Harry a frustrated glare. "Would you please stop doing that?"
He looked up, confused.
"I was reading that," she told him, pointing to the book lying upside-down in front of him. "You could have at least asked before summoning it to you."
"Err, sorry, I... Well, I didn't think, I guess." With a swish of his hand, he sent the book back to her.
Did he do it on purpose? Did he have to taunt her with his displays of wandless magic? But one day, Hermione vowed, she would sit him down and learn it herself. Or maybe finally find a book that would explain it to her. Surely someone had written one? There were books about many useless topics, so surely someone had decided to write one about a very interesting and powerful skill.
Pushing the thought aside, she focused on the book Harry had sent back. "You know," She said, scanning the paragraph she needed for her project, "once the war is done, I'd like to do something completely different for a change. Only for a while, I'd like to create something that can't be easily turned into a weapon or is a tool for the war."
Harry smiled, running a hand through his hair. "Well, does rebuilding count? There's bound to be something that will need some sort of help. Or why not do a bit of re-education to wash the lies out of people's heads?"
Hermione bit her lip worriedly. "Not what I had in mind, but you're probably right. We'll have to come up with something for that as well."
"Unless you want to leave it to the Ministry," Harry replied, looking up from his piece of parchment. "And we both know they'd do everything wrong, whether accidentally or intentionally."
"And the Ministry'd have to be cleaned up first, as well," Hermione groaned.
"Like sucking out the poison," Harry added, chuckling.
"Think we could –" Hermione began, only to be interrupted by Kreacher's return.
"Kreacher has done as he was told," he said with a low bow to Harry. Just like always, he didn't take note of Hermione, but it had been weeks since she was really bothered by it. As much as she disliked accepting it, there was likely very little that could make the old elf change his mind – Kreacher might just be too old and set in his ways to really stop thinking of Muggleborns as inferior and deserving disdain. To Kreacher, Ron remained a blood traitor, but since he was also a pureblood, his magical ancestry had earned him enough respect to be acknowledged and greeted without scorn. Greengrass was Kreacher's new mistress, apparently, and was treated with about the same attitude as Harry.
"Good," Harry replied with a nod. "Put the purchases away, would you?"
"Kreacher does as Kreacher is told," the elf answered with another bow and slunk over to the pantry.
"As I was saying," Hermione began anew, but was interrupted once more by Ron strolling into the kitchen.
"Err, Harry, Hermione, might one of you come join me upstairs for a bit? Don't know how, really, but... I must've done something wrong with the spell. Anyway, now a flock of angry birds are attacking everyone who sets foot into the training room. And they're surprisingly fast as well. And – now, I'm not sure, mind, but I think some of them are nesting."
"What exactly were you trying to do?" Harry asked, looking confused.
"Well, I tried creating live targets for all kinds of spells. I managed that, obviously, but... I can't seem to hit them properly. Too fast, you know?"
Harry frowned. "How fast are we talking here? Or how small?"
"About fist-sized and... don't know. Faster than a Bludger. Snitch maybe? That'd be your speciality."
Exchanging a half-amused, half-exasperated look with Hermione, Harry nodded. "I guess we'll take care of it later. So, you trained, then? Did you make any progress?"
"Well, I think I've gotten this awareness now – seeing a lot at once and knowing where something is. Not that much different from playing Keeper, really, except I'm not keeping an eye on the opposite team and rather the general area and half a dozen enemies at once. Couldn't we just make a bunch of cotton balls fly? Wouldn't hurt as much when they crash into you."
"And why would we do that? It's the pain that makes you duck and try to avoid as many hits as possible."
"I guess," Ron grumbled, rubbing the back of his head where, Hermione assumed, he had been hit at least once.
"Well," she started, turning to Harry, "maybe we should –"
Just then, the door in the entrance hall closed. Hermione groaned, but got to her feet along with Harry. Together with Ron, they sneaked up the stairs and into the corridor.
Tall and menacing, Professor Snape glared at them. "I expect a good reason for why you asked me to come, Potter. I don't have time for your silly games and jokes."
"Why did you stop Harry Potter's Remedial Potions lessons?" Harry asked in a steady voice.
A heavy silence fell around them as tense seconds passed.
"Potter decided to ignore my orders," the Snape in the corridor spat with a snarl.
"Too general, everyone would know or guess as much," Harry replied, and Hermione thought for a second she had heard a slight smile in his voice. "Which order did he ignore?"
"To sit still," the Snape said, his eyes shining with contempt. "Instead, he decided to poke around the office and stick his nose into places it didn't belong."
"The notes on the classes and select students, yes," Harry said, relaxing. "I remember."
"Like the Pensieve," the Snape corrected, looking annoyed. "This test is unnecessary. You asked me to come here. I came, but I'm also busy, Potter. What is it you want?"
Harry led them into the unused dining room off to the side. "Well, what I have to tell you is to be in strictest confidence and better not repeated to anyone in the Order," he began, addressing their visitor.
"Wait," Hermione interrupted, immediately casting privacy spells. No matter what she felt about Greengrass, Hermione also knew that she had to be treated with at least as little trust as a member of the Order. If they weren't to know – and she agreed with Harry with respect to their topics – then Greengrass shouldn't either. Once Hermione was happy with her work, she nodded.
"As I was saying," Harry said, "this is for you only."
"Are you about to confess you are behind the attacks?" Professor Snape asked, raising an eyebrow.
Harry blinked in confusion. "Well, I won't now." he grumbled something that sounded very much like spoilsport. "How do you know?"
"I am not stupid, Potter," Professor Snape replied with pursed lips, apparently disgusted at having to even suggest such an outrageous idea. "I have taught students for over a decade and you three for six years. I know where you stand. I heard about your rescue mission for the Weasley twins. Just because you don't go around advertising doesn't mean some people can't see the similarities, particularly the use of a dead man to cover for you as well as the obvious acceptance of casualties among the attacking Death Eaters by trying to make them curse each other. I hope you didn't ask me here just to reveal that open secret."
"And you're not the least bit surprised by it?" Hermione wondered before remembering she wasn't exactly on friendly terms with the man.
"It was no surprise," Professor Snape told her with a sneer, glaring at her past his overly large nose. It might have been a trick of the light, but for the fraction of the light, she thought she could see just how much his life as a double agent had made him age before his time.
"And you're probably used to seeing criminals and scum on a daily basis," Harry agreed with a nod. The slight pause and twitching corner of his mouth made Hermione think he might have swallowed whatever he had been about to add. "So you're not freaked out. Right. Well, it's me; you got that right. Which means I'm curious what Riddle and your buddies think about it. Do they know or suspect who's behind it?"
Professor Snape ignored Ron mouthing 'buddies' with an incredulous look, instead sending Harry a glare. "They do neither know nor suspect the truth. They are missing crucial information, for one. They don't know about your involvement in the escape and survival of the Weasleys. They don't know as much about Black and his influence on you as I do." The implied insult had Hermione bristle internally, but Harry just smiled thinly. Professor Snape added, "They lack the experience with either of you. Not even Pettigrew has made the connection yet."
"You know where he is?" Ron interrupted, earning him a glare from his former Professor.
"He is staying at his master's side, doing whatever inane task he is given. He may have returned to their master's side, but his previous cowardice has not yet been forgotten or forgiven.
"The Dark Lord has started paying attention to the attacks. While the loss of Macnair was a surprise, it was also nothing more than a curiosity. The Dark Lord was willing to let the Ministry take care of those foolish enough to challenge him, but the lack of progress has made him question the Ministry's might. Unfortunately, he isn't alone, as you very well know. The Dark Lord considers fear to be the best tool to keep the populace in line and cowed. Your attacks have demonstrated the Ministry's limits, making people daring enough to question them and in turn the Dark Lord who is backing the current government. It is a dangerous game you play, Potter." He sent Harry a look that Hermione couldn't quite place. She could see the loathing of Harry Professor Snape had shown in school, but there was also something in his tone and face that carried a note of warning. Hesitantly, he added with a frown, "I was asked to deliver a message, in fact. 'You're playing with lives.'"
"Dumbledore?" Harry asked, smiling slightly.
"No," Professor Snape replied. "Armando Dippet saw fit to bestow that pearl of wisdom upon me to pass to you."
"Well," Harry said with a nod, "please thank him for me, will you?" Professor Snape looked very much like he would do anything but relay the message, but Harry just nodded and continued, "So Riddle's getting nervous. Good. There's another reason I asked for you to come. Dumbledore and I discussed the war at length before his death. We talked about what needed to be done one way or another, probably to teach me to recognize the priorities in this war we're now dealing with. And Dumbledore also saw fit to voice some of his worries. He was concerned Riddle might gain too much power." Hermione refrained from glancing at Harry at hearing his explanation and likely exaggeration. "And he also pointed out some... pitfalls, you might call them." Harry waved his hand around uncertainly, drawing a sneer from Professor Snape. "Pitfalls we would likely have to deal with sooner or later. Whatever he is otherwise, Riddle also likes to be prepared. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeves, you could say."
"Professor Dumbledore seems to have taught you his meandering way of thinking," Professor Snape spoke up, narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe I just like hearing myself talk," Harry admitted with a nod and a chuckle. "Dumbledore was worried about Nagini."
"The Dark Lord's snake?" Professor Snape looked about as doubtful as Hermione and her friends has expected him to be.
"The very same, yes," Harry agreed. "Back then, it was mostly hypothetical. 'What if Riddle orders her to do this, what if he orders her to do that?' However, Dumbledore was mostly concerned what Riddle might do with a snake that followed his orders. She has infiltrated the Ministry, for example. She knew to attack and hopefully silence Arthur Weasley. The latter requires quite a bit of forethought in that she had to take the consequences into consideration. She needed to understand the priorities of her master."
"Potter –"
"That's more forethought and intelligence than a snake usually has. Dumbledore was worried about the beast, worried Riddle might find new and creative uses for a follower he could freely experiment on – a follower with different limitations. However, I had a bit of time and did a bit of experimentations. He's not the only one who can order snakes around, is he?" In the blink of an eye, Harry had his wand out, conjuring a small snake on the table. "Why not turn one into a spy?" As if to prove his point, he hissed something in the creepy snake language, flicking his wand only a fraction of a second later. The snake vanished from sight. "Plant them on an unsuspecting Death Eater and learn their secrets? Invisible as this one is..." He swished his wand at a spot, and Hermione had a feeling he had truly vanished the animal. "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work. Snakes don't remember complicated orders once they leave the vicinity of a Parselmouth. They're animals; they don't understand or care for such long-term plans, especially if they can't see any gain for themselves. Why does Nagini, then? Riddle must have tampered with her. Dumbledore suspected as much. It seems logical."
"And not nearly important enough that it would in any way affect me," Professor Snape answered, but his eyes rested on the spot the invisible snake had been. At least he had realized the danger Harry had pointed out – of snakes working as spies.
"It depends, really," Harry said, scrunching up his face. "Riddle doesn't do things part-way. As a matter of fact, he kept her around when he was still in his weakened form. He had Pettigrew use parts of her to keep him healthy. She's kept him alive. She's more intelligent than she should reasonably be. Dumbledore wanted to see her dead because he thought of her as a dangerous animal under Riddle's control. He once mused there might be something more to her than meets the eye – that she's..." Harry frowned as if in thought, "'keeping him on this side of the great divide'?" From the twitch in Professor Snape's eye, it seemed like something he believed the previous headmaster to say. Even Hermione had to agree it sounded very Dumbledore-ish. "I'm starting to think," Harry added, "that he might have been right about that. I think Riddle did something to her. Some kind of magic he picked up on his travels. Maybe even something that does indeed keep him alive, but definitely something that links her to him, makes her his eyes and ears."
"Snakes don't have ears, Harry," Hermione corrected almost automatically. "And they don't really see all that well, either, I think. Something you should ask one of your friends, I guess."
"Well, you know what I mean. Riddle and Nagini have some kind of bond. I could see through her eyes because Riddle can. He must have done something to make that happen. I can't see him lower himself to the level of a snake – not the most powerful wizard in history. He likely made her an extension of himself, like a vessel he can slip into and out of at will. And it's not Legilimency either."
"While worrying," Professor Snape admitted, narrowing his eyes, "all of that doesn't affect me at all, Potter. It is my job to be the eyes and ears of the Order, in case you have forgotten."
"Be that as it may," Harry replied, "something about her kept him strong as a disfigured baby."
"By means of a potion, if I remember correctly?" Professor Snape sneered. "Potions require ingredients. I would have hoped you had learned that much after years in my class."
"And how many of the newts for your potions did you keep around? How many slugs did you breed and keep as a pet?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. "If Nagini was just any snake, why would Riddle bother keeping her around? Unless, of course she either will be or still is useful to him. Does he treat her as expendable? Or does he value her?"
After a moment of silence, Professor Snape nodded curtly. "He did assign her a room to herself, at least in part to insult his followers. However, he also uses her as a means of intimidation, and I haven't seen any indication of her keeping him alive in any way."
"Well," Harry said, pursing his lips, "Dumbledore mentioned it once. He looked deeply disturbed and refused to elaborate, stating I was too young to know about it." Hermione swallowed a lump in her throat at hearing Harry's bold lie. She knew Professor Dumbledore had definitely said more about the snake than that. "He did say," Harry continued in a conspirational tone, giving Hermione a strange sense of foreboding despite already knowing what Riddle had done, "that for those who had no reservations, for those who had long since moved past common evil and believed themselves above any rules of decency, there were rumoured means to stay alive. Few would dare try it, and fewer succeed, but..." Harry drifted off uncertainly.
"I will not risk my life to hunt down the Dark Lord's pet snake on the vague suspicion of something having been done to her," Professor Snape announced.
"And I don't ask you to," Harry replied with a shrug, almost instantly dispelling the lingering uneasiness of the unspoken crimes and transgressions of Riddle. "All I wanted to ask you in private and without telling others in the Order until such a time when it might be necessary is to keep us informed on her as well. I knew... We knew you would have dismissed any request of ours unless we told you specifically why Nagini might be a problem that needed addressing before long. Dumbledore had considered it a task for the Order. Now that I know the limitations of snakes, I'm certain something's off with her. I don't want to wager on Riddle shying away from exceptional evil, especially if it might benefit him. Some time, possibly in the near future, I plan to kill the snake, just to be sure."
Professor Snape pursed his lips in disgust. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded curtly. "Any other important pieces of information the late Headmaster saw fit to share with an impulsive student and not his most trusted allies?"
"Weren't you in a hurry?" Harry smiled benignly. "If you give me a moment to think about it, I'm sure I –"
With a last glare at Harry, Professor Snape whipped his cloak around him and stormed out of the room.
"Really? Taunting him?" Hermione groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "When you just asked him a favour?"
But Harry waved her off. "He promised to do it. He'll do it."
As quietly as he could, Peter crept into the room. Almost all of the seats were already taken, but Peter didn't mind much. Just as always, Bellatrix and the other devout followers were crowded around the Dark Lord, which meant the vacant seats were further away. And if someone had to make the sacrifice and not be close to the Dark Lord, Peter was very willing to be the one.
Peter had just sat down when the doors opened once more, allowing Snape and Alecto Carrow inside.
"So you have all come," the Dark Lord announced shortly after the latest arrivals had found a place on the opposite side of the table. He paused, letting his gaze wander, lingering on select followers. "I trusted you to take care of a few minor issues. I trusted you to follow the orders given to you. Yaxley," he turned to the man who looked understandably nervous, "what has the Ministry's investigation revealed? What have they found out about these attacks?"
Yaxley swallowed visibly, but found the strength to answer. "Very little so far, my Lord. The... obvious suspects don't seem to be involved, and very little evidence has been found that might implicate them. The," he glanced around, looking for help that didn't come, "the Aurors suspect a disagreement, my Lord. They think you might have ordered the deaths."
"I didn't," the Dark Lord replied with a cold look. "So you are telling me that the Ministry is unable to do the task it was given. You are telling me the Aurors, who in the past very able to catch some of my best followers, are unable or unwilling to track down some upstarts who target those in my service?" When he got no reply, he continued, "I'm losing my trust in the Ministry. And I'm not the only one. People are wondering whether the Ministry is losing control. If people don't believe the Ministry in control, if they don't respect and fear the Ministry, they don't respect and fear me, for what is the Ministry but yet another part of my forces? Without fear, how long will we have to wait for witches and wizards going against my will and orders?"
"Cuffe has been replaced, my Lord," Yaxley spoke up. "Wickham is the new editor-in-chief. I don't think she'll dare question anything anytime soon."
The Dark Lord didn't reply, but he also didn't punish Yaxley which might count as silent approval. "Still, people have seen it. People have read it. People will wonder whether the Ministry is as weak as Cuffe wrote. Something needs to be done to show determination. Maybe it's time for a few changes?"
No one answered, but Bellatrix seemed on the verge of volunteering for the job. Peter refrained from rolling his eyes. No matter how frightened the Ministry's workers were, they'd never accept Bellatrix Lestrange into their ranks.
"Yes, changes will be made at the Ministry," the Dark Lord announced. "In the meantime, we will have to take care of these attackers ourselves. We do not know who they are yet, but we aren't uninformed. They attack Death Eaters – your brothers and sisters. They attack my supporters, both big and small. They willingly oppose Lord Voldemort. They challenge the Ministry. They seem to have the numbers to form an army and attack numerous people in short order without getting caught." The Dark Lord paused for a moment of indecision. "They seem to have some training on covert operations and make use of it. They might be working under the instructions of an experienced fighter, possibly a former Auror or hit wizard. They are skilled, but foolish. They take risks to show off." He glanced around. "They act like eager children, playing at war. They don't know or care about the consequences. And they have shown us a way to get a message to them in turn." When he noticed the confused and expectant looks around him, he added, "They read the wizarding papers."
"My Lord," Malfoy spoke up, "what kind of message should we want to get to them? They are our enemies. They openly oppose you."
The Dark Lord smiled thinly. "They do fight against me, yes. But that also means they are likely fighting for something or someone, Lucius. If they fight against pureblood supremacy, then they are likely for Mudblood rights."
Someone growled, and Peter glanced around, but couldn't see who it had been – all of the gathered either looked impassively or snarled.
"Lucius," the Dark Lord continued, "select about a dozen trustworthy Death Eaters and await my orders. When the time comes, I will let you compose our reply." He smiled once more – a smile that made Peter uneasy.
"And the resistance?" Yaxley asked, frowning. "They're still around. They're likely planning something. We may have taken one of their strongholds, and we may have freed their prisoners, insignificant as they may have been, but... They'll recruit. They'll grow stronger again, and in secret, won't they?"
"The resistance, yes," the Dark Lord mused. "I haven't forgotten about them. If you had managed to secure our hold of Wizarding Britain, we could have dealt with them by now."
"My Lord," Yaxley said, straightening in his chair, "please let me take care of them. Let me punish them; let me –"
"We will take care of the resistance in time. Soon," the Dark Lord promised. "But resistance will always grow and fester as long as the roots haven't been pulled out. If we want to destroy any lingering resistance, we will have to address the problem at the roots." He turned to Snape and Alecto Carrow. "I have heard rumours, Severus. I have heard rumours about unrest at Hogwarts, Alecto. I have heard whispers that you still haven't curbed the youthful enthusiasm and rebellious spirit."
"My Lord," Alecto Carrow said, almost straightening in her seat in foolish bravery, "it is true, but we are making progress."
"'The day of reckoning will come,'" the Dark Lord quoted in a calm voice. "'The resistance lives on.'"
Alecto Carrow winced.
"It seems you do not have the school under control," the Dark Lord continued. "You had five months. What have you done in that time? What have you achieved?"
"My Lord," Carrow tried, "most of the students have taken to our teachings. We already have a list of promising candidates – students willing to take your mark. There is nothing but hatred for Mudbloods; we are very close."
"Lies," the Dark Lord hissed.
"N-no," Carrow answered, inching back. "Most of the students do believe in blood purity, most students are willing to follow your orders. There are only a handful who stubbornly refuse. It's them behind the slogans. It's them who lack the proper direction."
"Five months," the Dark Lord repeated. "Five months, and you still haven't crushed their rebellious spirit?" He paused once more. "Have you removed the latest slogans?"
"Professor Flitwick was kind enough to help," Snape replied, earning him a glare from Carrow, but he continued as if he hadn't noticed it, "after it proved too difficult a task for Alecto and Amycus."
Peter suppressed a giggle at seeing Carrow squirm under the Dark Lord's glare.
"Five months," the Dark Lord said, "and you still haven't secured the castle. Do these handful of students prove too much for a seasoned and skilled witch? Are you really bested by a handful of unruly, dim-witted children?"
"It's... it's that Longbottom, my Lord," Carrow spat. "Him and that Weasley chit. I know they're behind it."
"And those two are too much for you?" the Dark Lord hissed, anger evident in his tone.
Carrow visibly trembled, but somehow found the strength to talk. "My Lord, they're hiding. They're acting behind the scenes. We know it's them, but they haven't been caught breaking any rules."
"The little boy's grown up, has he?" Bellatrix sang from her place.
Carrow didn't answer, but her face still spoke volumes. It made Peter blink in surprise. Neville Longbottom, the chubby child without any confidence or strength to call his own, the load weighing everyone down?
"Wormtail," the Dark Lord said, turning to the startled Peter. "Do you not know that Longbottom boy?"
"I... Yes, m-my Lord, I d-do," Peter stuttered.
"Shared the dorm with 'im," someone added with a snort. "Shared a Weasley's bed."
Peter swallowed his indignation and continued, "Son of the Aurors, but... He seemed rather cowardly back then." Someone coughed, though it sounded somewhat like a suppressed laugh. "Not a leader of any sort," Peter braved on.
"Well, he is one now," Carrow growled. "Foolish and stubborn. No respect for rules or orders. It's him pulling the strings, I bet... I know."
"Do you think I sent you to Hogwarts to bother with rules?" the Dark Lord asked her. "You are there to get the students under control. You are there to sway the students to my side. You are there to undo the years and decades of Dumbledore's teachings about the worth of Mudbloods. You are there to take the resistance's future and any possible recruits."
"She has done that for the most part," Snape spoke up. "With a few exceptions, the students have indeed taken to our teachings, but undoing decades of Dumbledore's work in five months might not be possible. Longbottom will leave the school in a few months. He will also be very busy with his exams before long. I expect the incidences to become quite rare or even stop entirely before long."
The Dark Lord sent him a long look. "And what have you done, Severus? What have you done so far to stop these incidences from occurring?"
"My Lord," Snape replied with a curt nod, "all matters of discipline were entrusted to the Carrows just as you ordered. I was under the impression that I was to keep the staff under control and sway them to your side while Alecto and her brother took care of the students. I have done my best to keep the transition as smooth as possible. The staff may not have sworn allegiance to your cause, but they are following orders and teach the students to the best of their ability."
Peter couldn't help but be impressed by Snape's daring. Not many would have had the courage to talk back to the Dark Lord like that. Most would have grovelled.
"If the students can undermine your authority," the Dark Lord said, glancing to Alecto Carrow, "then I might have misplaced my trust. Are you so incapable that a handful of students can continue to stand up to you?"
"No, my Lord," Carrow answered, swallowing hard. "Maybe we could take their families hostage to –"
"Are you that incapable that you can't control them?" the Dark Lord hissed. Peter half expected him to pull his wand and kill Carrow on the spot. "If we can't control children, how are we meant to keep Wizarding Britain cowed?" When Carrow wisely didn't reply, he continued, "You will take care of those students. You will show everyone at Hogwarts just what happens to those who do not follow orders – to those who dare go against you or disrespect Lord Voldemort."
"My Lord," Snape spoke up, "I have years of experience with children. I know the likely candidates personally, having taught them myself. If you want them dealt with, it might be best to follow the rules as closely as possible so that their treatment cannot and will not be perceived as injustice. Hunting them down might make them martyrs. Their fate would only encourage others to follow their footsteps. Youthful foolishness might make others come to the aid of Longbottom and whoever is behind these slogans and disruptions if our actions are seen as unjust or oppressive. If they were caught breaking the rules, however..."
The Dark Lord raised his hand. "Do you hear that, Alecto?" he asked. "Severus seems to think some of the students might side with Longbottom. It seems he thinks some of the students might change their mind about supporting you. He seems to think they aren't as convinced as you claim."
"My Lord," Carrow said, quivering, "children don't think straight. They are impulsive. I will take care of Longbottom and the others as soon as possible, I promise, but..." She glanced to Snape uncertainly. "I have noticed the resistance at school sparking whenever we were acting without evident reasons. Catching the dissenters breaking the rules might indeed be for the best, but we haven't succeeded so far. If..." She gathered her courage, "if I had just a bit more support, some way to keep an even closer eye on the school..."
"You have the Prefects spying for you. You have five members of the staff to help," the Dark Lord whispered, yet he made it sound very much like a threat. "Do you need Severus to help as well? How much support do you need for such a simple task?"
"I gladly offer my help, my Lord. However, Hogwarts is big," Snape pointed out, "with many secret passageways and hiding places. Six members of the staff and the Prefects might not be enough to control every last nook and cranny."
"And how was the staff able to keep order before?" the Dark Lord questioned.
"Mostly by letting small infractions go unpunished and trusting the students to not act out too much," Snape replied smoothly. "They also didn't have to battle the same kind of dissent within the school. Even under Dumbledore's rule, pureblood supremacy could grow in secret specifically because the staff didn't look too closely into it. That's why you were able to recruit with relative ease, my Lord."
The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes, both in anger and thought. Finally, he addressed Carrow. "You will get the school under control. I will assign yet another of my followers to help you. Severus, you will get rid of one of the teachers not on my side." The Dark Lord smiled thinly. "I hear McGonagall is getting on in years."
Snape blinked. "My Lord, you assigned me as Headmaster of Hogwarts. Therefore, I strongly and respectfully advise against replacing any of the experienced and well-known educators. McGonagall may be getting on in years, but she is a Transfiguration Mistress very few in Wizarding Britain can match in skill and with decades of experience in teaching. Replacing her on such a short note will not only spark protests and cast doubts on the administration of the school, but also severely lower the standards of education. Likewise, Flitwick may not be as pure of blood as one may hope, but is exceptionally talented both in practice and teaching. He is also very well-liked among students and parents. We don't want or need a repeat of the Hagrid debacle. If you want to keep the students compliant, the skilled and well-liked teachers will have to stay, I'm afraid, especially with the exams so close and doubly so for essential classes."
Peter almost fell out of his chair in shock. Snape was really pushing it, no matter how true his statements were. Did he have a death wish?
"We might have someone work as caretaker," Snape suggested, but the Dark Lord's glare, he pursed his lips. "Astronomy might work as well," he added, "as it does not require magical skill. A decently intelligent witch or wizard might be able to take over relatively fast and do an acceptable job."
The Dark Lord's glare weakened as he seemed to consider the suggestion. "Very well," he agreed with a thin, humourless smile. Snape relaxed and nodded curtly to acknowledge the Dark Lord's decision. But their master wasn't finished and added, "You will replace the Astronomy teacher within a week. I know someone who has proven himself to adapt very quickly and is eager to prove his worth." It was then that he turned to Peter. "Isn't that right, Wormtail?"
Peter squeaked as his heart stopped; out of the corner of his eye, he saw Snape's face losing most of the colour – whatever he had hoped for, seeing one of his childhood tormentors return and become part of his life hadn't been it.
Forcing himself to smile in faked gratitude at the task he had been given, Peter mumbled something about an honour, ignoring the suppressed chuckles around him and unable to figure out whether he was punished or rewarded or merely the punishment for Snape's courageous stand earlier.
While the talk around him turned to other matters, all Peter could think of was just how much his life had taken a turn for the worse with the reward he had been punished with.
To be fair, it's likely Flitwick also had a hand in creating the spell used to spread the slogans.
