OLD MAGIC

Chapter 28: Snape's Not So Wonderful Homecoming

While Draco was being carried off to the medical wing of Hogwarts, Snape was using his considerable will power to grimly keep pain at bay. Every bounce made his broken ankle jab him like hot needles despite the care Hagrid had taken to stabilize it.

"How are you faring, Professor Snape," Ronan asked over his shoulder.

"As best as can be under the circumstances," Snape through tightly clenched teeth.

"My apologies for causing you even more pain. However, your misery is nearly over, we're within sight of the manor."

Snape peered around Ronan's shoulder the best he could from his upside down position and saw the upper floor of Riddle Manor against the darkening sky as his companion stepped out of the woods and began to climb the weed and brush choked hillside.

Riddle Manor had once been the pride of Little Hangelton, a beautiful and shining example of wealth perched as it was on a high hill overlooking the village itself. However, it's fall from grace was plainly evident as seen by some of its windows being boarded up, tiles missing from its roof, and ivy spread unchecked over its face. The place was a damp, dingy, and spooky hulk of its former self. The hillside, once a beautifully well tended place of lawns, gardens, and shade trees was now thoroughly overgrown and hidden making it nearly disappear into the landscape.

He knew the inside was just as bad. Only a few rooms had been made habitable. The rest was allowed to look abandoned as if no one lived there for a very long time which was the Dark Lord's intention. It kept normal folk away by its strong aura of evil emanating from it.

There were no house elves to make those areas the Death Eaters used clean and tidy as the poor creatures couldn't have handled leaving sections of the house deliberately messy. Also, Voldemort didn't want their large ears hearing anything they could pass onto the Light. Though loyal, the creatures did have a habit of answering anything asked of them unless strictly ordered not to. So no house elves to take care of even their basic needs. He hated living there the times he was required to by Voldemort. Not many of the others would either. At this moment, there should be no more than four or five in residence at this moment ... he hoped.

His musings were rudely interrupted when a swinging branch slapped against his face. The centaurs were finding it hard going as they forced their way through thick tangles of head-tall weeds and overgrown brush. Having his arms tied up kept Snape from preventing the plants from slapping, poking, jabbing and nearly pulling him off Ronan's back. The only luck he had was his hood covered his head and most of his face providing some protection.

Oh how he wished he was at Hogwarts with Draco receiving Madam Pomfrey's rather acerbic tongue-lashing while getting her undeniably gentle and excellent care, he sighed, wistfully. But no ... here he was arriving at the most inhospitable place imaginable in the most humiliating position and being forced to wait to care for his own injuries. He shoved his brief bout of self-pity away and focused on what he was going to say to those waiting for him in the manor.

He and Magorian had chosen the rear approach to the house (despite knowing it would be a harder passage) because there were less homes and a small copse of woods nearby that would hide them as they traveled.

They'd arrived in Little Hangleton by apparition courtesy of Hagrid and Magorian (much to Snape's shock and surprise because he like other wizards hadn't been aware centaurs could do such a thing) after traveling to the edge of the Forbidden Forest near Hogsmeade. The reason for walking at all was to make Snape look like he'd been out for hours over a centaur's back.

The trip through the Forbidden Forest had taken more than a couple of hours and he could feel the results in his rib cage that was now thoroughly bruised and sore and his poor ankle throbbed incessantly, but it was vitally necessary for their cover story to work.

After arriving in Little Hangleton, Hagrid wished them a brief good luck before apparating. He had to appear at Hogwarts before nightfall to play his part in all this. Once he'd left, their small group headed out using every bit of cover they could so as not to be seen by the mostly muggle population.

The day before this cold and pain-filled trip, Snape had taken Magorian aside to brief him on what they would encounter at Riddle Manor. Spell traps had been set at the rear entry from the copse of trees to the edge of an old pathway to the house. From there the wards extended around the house. His concern was how Magorian intended to get past both of these barriers. Obviously, Snape could not give him the spell to pass through the wards without giving away his status as a spy.

Magorian understood that very well and had shaken his head at Snape's question.

"Don't be concerned, Professor, I am quite capable of disarming the traps and as for the ward, I intend to bring it down not attempt to pass through it. You might say it's my less than subtle way of knocking on the door," he smirked.

Snape brows had risen in surprise. "I take it this has to do with the message you're giving them?" He not been told the contents of the message so he would appear just as surprised as those reading it. Magorian nodded. Snape had shaken his head but didn't question the centaur further. He just hoped he wouldn't regret the surprise the elders had planned with that message of theirs. After all, he would be the one left to deal with the aftermath when his escort left.

He sighed then winced at a particularly sharp stab of pain from his ankle as Ronan made his way through a large patch of gorse bushes. They reached the first of the traps some minutes later but it didn't hold them up more than a moment as Magorian dispatched them with a casually muttered spell and a sneer of disdain at the lack of sophistication then continued onward.

Snape stared at the sad abode that drew closer and closer. A few lights shown from a couple of the upper windows signifying that some Death Eaters were indeed inside. Their journey finally ended when all felt the warding spell guarding the house. They halted and waited for Magorian to dispel it.

But before he did that, he signaled his warriors to hide themselves. The thick plant growth was an advantage now as it made it easier for them to vanish from view but still be at the ready for their leader's signal. So, within moments, only Ronan, Snape and Magorian were left in the open.

With very little effort, Magorian broke the ward with a brilliant pulse of purple light from his hand that lit the entire area for a brief moment. Satisfied, he trotted up the broken cobbled path that lead to the back door with Ronan staying just behind him, their hoofbeats muffled by the snow.

However, before they got within ten feet of the door it slammed open. Four people stood there in black robes and Death Eater masks with wands drawn, tips glowing green. They'd been prepared for an attack by the Light or the local constabulary so were surprised and wary when all that greeted them were two centaurs, one of which had a human tied to their back.

Both sides stared at one another for several minutes before the four Death Eaters cautiously stepped outside and onto the small porch, keeping the unwanted visitors under careful scrutiny and searching around for any other possible danger.

"What do you want here and how did you break the wards," one of them demanded in a harsh voice. Snape instantly recognized it as Nott.

He grimaced. Nott wasn't someone he wanted to deal with tonight but at least the man wasn't as bad as Mulciber. That worthy, fortunately, was still languishing in Azkaban.

Magorian stared coldly at the four, his arms across his chest, his posture unafraid and commanding, for several long minutes, making the Death Eaters uncomfortable and uneasy. When he finally spoke, it was with a condescending tone, clearly showing his disdain and lack of fear. "We have something ye've lost. Come take him and the message he holds."

Their body language showed the four were surprised and suspicious. No one moved, as if they weren't certain how to react to this command.

"Be quick about it or we'll take him away again!" Magorian growled, stamping a front hoof to show his impatience.

"What is going on out here? Why haven't you dealt with the problem yet?" A female voice demanded angrily from inside the house.

"Hold on ... we're trying to discover what's going on ..." Nott called back to her over his shoulder, his voice angry at her interruption.

"Well it doesn't sound like you're even doing that. Let me pass and I'll see if I can get some answers," the female said nastily, having opened the door and staring out from the threshold to see what was going on and obviously not happy about their lack of action.

Snape could just picture Nott gritting his teeth while holding onto his temper. He wasn't particularly enamored of Bellatrix Lestrange but apparently didn't feel like dealing with her as in the next moment he stepped aside to let her pass him while keeping guard. Snape didn't like her either and wasn't happy that she was here tonight.

He watched surreptitiously as she stepped down from the porch and approached. She wore no cloak against the cold and was dressed in her normal attire ... a dark, long gown, with a tight bodice. The bottom of it swept the snow away as she walked toward him. Her hair was dark brown and was a wild mess of curls that rose high atop her head then draped about her face in long messy tresses like a mass of snakes. Her wand was out and pointed toward the three waiting patiently before her, halting a short distance from them.

Though it was plain they weren't happy with the way she was handling this, the male Death Eaters came off the porch as well and formed a protective wall behind her.

o*o

Bellatrix's expression was cold and haughty, the eyes holding a hint of madness as they raked over Magorian and Ronan before settling on the long form in black that draped inelegantly across the centaur's back.

"And who might this be that you've brought us?" She asked in a low throaty tone.

Magorian didn't respond. His eyes studied her in turn, his gaze as frosty as hers. After a pregnant moment, he gestured toward the body suggesting she come closer and look for herself.

Eying him suspiciously, Bellatrix stepped closer while keeping Magorian under careful watch. Reaching the body's front end, she used one hand to raise the head by its chin and stared in surprise at Snape's swollen face.

"Are you going to simply stare at me or get me off this bloody animal," Snape snarled, staring at her with anger and pain, not completely feigned.

"Well, Severus ... what have you gotten yourself into this time?" She asked archly, her eyes amused. "We've been searching for you for weeks."

Snape glared at her mutely.

"Take him or not but be quick about it. We don't intend to stand around this foul place any longer!" The lead centaur spoke suddenly, startling her, though she pretended he hadn't.

"You'll do what we say, if you know what's good for you," Bellatrix warned, stung by his manner and commanding tone. She flicked her wand threateningly at him.

The leader, which she suspected was who he was, gave her an impatient look before making a hidden signal. Suddenly, the Death Eaters found themselves partly surrounded by well armed centaurs.

"Do you think me a fool? I would not come to a viper's lair alone," he sneered at her, tone dripping scorn.

Bellatrix looked around warily. They had wands on their side but the centaurs showed no sign of fear. Since their abilities were largely unknown by wizarding kind, she wasn't certain how to proceed.

She decided to err on the side of caution. It bothered her the centaurs had not only found their hideout but had the power to dispel a ward made by their Dark Lord. That shouldn't be possible! Also, it was disturbing to see these the centaurs taking such a step when they'd been previously neutral in this war. None of these things made sense and it caused her to hesitate which, of course, made her angry. However, fighting these creatures when they were clearly bringing back the Dark Lord's favorite would be a stupid and dangerous move.

Bellatrix might be a bit insane but no one ever accused her of being stupid. "You needn't be rude about it. We'll take him," she said silkily, pretending she didn't care either way and putting her wand away. Turning to the watching Death Eaters, she barked, "Two of you get Snape down."

Hesitating only until they got a nod from Nott, which made Bellatrix even angrier, two of them put away their wands and cautiously approached the burdened centaur. One untied the rope holding Snape to the back of the creature while the other used his wand to vanish the ones around the man's wrists and ankles.

They helped him slid off the centaur's back only to grab him again before he was fully on his feet when he cried out in pain and started to fall.

"My ankle is broken you idiots!" Snape hissed at them.

Snorting in annoyance, Bellatrix pointed her wand and cast, "Wingardium Leviosa" at Snape's form which immediately became as light as a feather in the men's hands. Snape sagged a little in relief despite the odd sensation of feeling weightless. The two men on either side of him steadied and kept Snape from floating off.

"You can go now and don't come back here," Bellatrix said haughtily then strode to the doorway, turning her back on the centaur.

Expressionlessly, the leader gave a signal that sent his centaurs wheeling about. They quickly vanished into the brush again, their leader bringing up the rear.

"Nott, you should probably put up a new ward. I'll take Severus to his room," Bellatrix ordered casually.

Nott's shoulder's tensed. He glanced after their vanished visitors a moment longer before responding to her. It pissed him off to have her treat him like some lackey even if the ward did need to get done. Time to reassert some authority here. "Fine. But don't question him until I'm present."

Bellatrix merely shrugged and headed inside. Turning her head to the other two men she said, "Help him to the potion's lab."

Without comment the pair did as ordered, gently guiding Snape's floating body toward the house like he was some kind of balloon.

"Make sure you don't bang his broken ankle against anything," she added somewhere ahead of them.

"Go open the door to the potions lab," she ordered the other man not aiding Snape. He pushed past the group, went down the hall then took the stairs that led to the basement.

Snape felt truly weird floating like this but at least his injuries weren't getting bumped or handled badly. However, it was very disorienting so he kept his eyes closed. He used the time to get his story straight. He hadn't expected to find Bellatrix here. She was harder to fool and dangerous to deal with. Putting her off balance immediately, would be the best way to handle this, he thought. He'd have to try because injured as he was, he wasn't much of a match for her and four others right at the moment.

The two guiding his body placed him over his narrow bed in the corner of the potion's lab then Bellatrix released the spell, none too gently, causing him to fall the rest of the distance to the bed. He allowed a stronger cry of pain to escape him so she would think him more seriously injured than he was.

"That was uncalled for," he hissed at her angrily.

"Oh ... does it hurt that much?" She said in a vicious, sugary way.

"What's been going on while I was imprisoned?" He retorted, not responding to her baiting.

Her eyes narrowed angrily. "Why should I tell you anything? You managed to get yourself kidnapped then returned. A much more important question is how did that come about and I suggest you answer or we can make your pain much worse."

"And incur the Dark Lord's wrath? I highly doubt even you are that stupid," Snape said snidely.

Her eyes widened in fury but she held herself back ... barely. He'd made her mad but not enough to strike him, perfect.

"Fine. Have it your way." She stalked around the room, touching bottles and books knowing it would make him irritated but he was careful to keep his face from showing it. "However, he will want answers so you might as well tell us ..." Bellatrix returned to his side and leaned close to his ear to whisper, "... because he doesn't really care if you're hurt more during questioning as long as he has the potions he wants." She smirked nastily at him before moving off again.

Long practice helped him hold the snarl he wanted to vent from emerging. She was right about that. The Dark Lord had a habit of 'punishing' his followers for the least little reason and being injured wasn't enough to stay his hand. Not even he was immune from that behavior. Voldemort might not have a physical body right now but his presence, especially through Bellatrix, could still be a threat he could not ignore.

At that moment Nott arrived, at least the man's return had pulled Bellatrix's attention off him. Snape could tell Nott was annoyed and pissed that he had to restore the wards then find his cohort trying to question their injured potion's master against his express wishes. It was to Snape's benefit to keep them at each other.

He could see Nott was about to say something but then Avery spoke up and said something intelligent for once.

"That centaur said there was a message ..." he reminded everyone.

Okay, that would work as a distraction and besides, he too was curious about what he carried.

Bellatrix stared at Avery as if she'd never seen him before then turned back to Snape, returning to his side. "Is that true? Do you carry a message?"

"I believe there is something pressing against my ribs on the right side. They stuck it between my shirt and robe," he admitted, freely.

Frowning, Bellatrix reached down and fished inside his robe, none to gently, and came up with a rolled parchment. She stepped away and proceeded to pull the ribbon off then unrolled the message. The others crowded around her as she read what it said aloud.

"We, the forest dwellers have stood by and watched wizard kind mismanage our world over the centuries. The stars say we will not have to tolerate this state of affairs much longer. Among wizard kind is one who holds the seeds of change for our world. Here now is the prophecy of the stars that speaks of this new world and how it will come about! Pay heed to its words if you wish to survive what comes!

Those who follow darkness shall die,

Those who follow ignorance shall fall,

But those who follow the one who will bring a message of peace, progress, and a mission...

Will see our world be transformed!"

"What nonsense is this?" Bellatrix demanded of no one in particular.

Well that was vague enough to keep them from harming him, Snape thought, smiling inwardly. It should also keep them busy for quite a while trying to interpret it too.