OLD MAGIC
Chapter 53: A Course Change in Life
The enticing smells of the food made the boys waiting for Dumbledore want to squirm in their seats but they held themselves quiet even though their stomachs were making loud complaints.
"Gentlemen, please go ahead and eat your food, but do so slowly or your poor stomachs will make you regret it. Once much of your hunger as been assuaged, we'll have a casual discussion about the lessons you learned today and see if they have succeeded in making you realize the error of your most unacceptable behavior at breakfast this morning," Dumbledore advised them.
Leading the way, the headmaster set to eating his own meal with some enjoyment as the stress of the past day's events had disturbed his own appetite and with the successful and positive conclusion of those same events, he found himself ravenous.
The boys winced at the reminder of how they had ended up so hungry in the first place, but set that aside to finally be able to fill their bellies. For several minutes they focused on ridding themselves of the worst of their hunger pains.
Snape watched them closely as he set about eating his own meal at a leisurely pace. Their behavior seemed to indicate some positive alterations. He had taken a moment to speak with the castle spirit just before leaving for Dumbledore's office. What the spirit had told him made his eyebrows raise in shocked surprise. The lessons had been brutally real and unforgettable. Not making any judgement he thanked the spirit and now here he sat waiting to hear how the boys felt about their so-called 'history lessons'.
The room was mostly silent except for the occasionally whispered gossiping among the portraits of past headmasters and the sounds of eating.
After some twenty minutes and with the food mostly eaten, Dumbledore wiped his mouth, took a sip of his tea before addressing the boys.
"Now which of you would like to tell Professor Snape and I what you experienced and what wisdom have you gained from the history lessons the castle spirit tried to impart to you," he ordered.
The boys glanced at each other and by some silent signal, Flint became the first to speak. He took a quick drink of his pumpkin juice before he launched into a fairly accurate description of what they had experienced in both the muggle and wizarding past during the worst periods of unrest and war.
It took some thirty minutes with additions from his fellow students before Flint finally stopped speaking.
Dumbledore eyed them a moment, waiting for anything more, when none of them spoke again, he said," sounds like a truly terrifying adventure but you still have not told me what you learned from it … Derrick?" Picking one of the boys at random, Dumbledore gave him a penetrating stare demanding an answer.
Derrick flushed and looked down at his feet for a long time before finally speaking in a tight, wary voice, "I didn't like it, sir. It was horrible … all those people dying in so many bloody ways. I've seen death before … my father ensured that so I wouldn't shrink from it. But nothing I've seen had ever compared to any of those times. It...it actual seemed tame … uh ... I mean the deaths I had seen with my father … or maybe more clean than the ones I witnessed today. You know what I mean, sir?"
"I do indeed, Mr. Derrick. Magic can make death seem clean and final but it also can be messy, disgusting, or horrifying depending on whether it is a curse, spell, or unforgiveable. But I'm assuming these were much more violent, bloody, and chilling to the very soul of you that has you upset, hmm?" Dumbledore said, bluntly.
"Yes sir," Derrick meekly replied.
"How did it make you feel," Snape asked.
Derrick looked at his fellows helplessly, seeming not able to voice what he was feeling.
Flint swallowed but tried to answer for all of them. "Horrified at first when we thought we would be the next victims then shocked numb when we ended up safe but landed in yet another battlefield with hell all around us. In the end, it felt …."
"Exhausting..." Crabbe blurted, feeling completely wrung out from the experience.
"I just wanted it to go away..." Goyle cried out, the entire experience having frightened him to death that he didn't want to think about it any longer, though he feared he would have nightmares for years about what he'd witnessed.
"Yeah all those things and most of all, realizing that there is no glory in war only death, suffering, and loss. I used to think that if we won we would all be rewarded with being in charge and having the power to make people do what we want. But, the spirit showed us that a war on the scale we were fighting would gain us only a little power if the Dark Lord saw fit to even give us any … our fathers, if still alive would gain more directly than us. And I can say, at least for myself, me da isn't the giving type. Anyway, if we do manage to get anything at all we wouldn't reap the benefits right away because of all the problems caused by the war," Flint said, thoughtfully.
"Problems? What kinds of problems," Snape asked wanting to see if the boys truly understood what the lasting effects of war were.
"Uhm … well dealing with collapsed supply chains like food and such. Communications might not be hampered because of owls …
"Not if they and other birds we use were all killed and the wireless had been destroyed then communications would take a long time to reestablish..." Derrick interrupted.
"And if too many people died that did important jobs like food prep and growing it, making clothing, fixing equipment, and medical staff died there would be no one to take care of the things we take for granted now. What's the point of being in charge if there's no one to be in charge of?" Goyle chimed in.
"Yea, and then there's the need to insure those conquered obeyed the new leader. If any of the enemy were still livin' then they could rise up and start the whole thing all over again," Flint finished.
"And this would be a bad thing? What about being able to lord it over the people you hate?" Dumbledore pressed.
All four grimaced in response. "What good is power if you have to fight to keep it over and over again," Flint growled, tired, disgust in his voice.
"There's no time to jest enjoy yer victory at all. So what's the point?" Derrick admitted.
Snape gave Dumbledore a look of cautious optimism at what they were hearing. The headmaster subtly nodded.
"Well gentlemen, it seems you have indeed learned some valuable and sound lessons. What do you intend to do from now on? I am aware your fathers will not be too please by your altered viewpoint so what will you do about that?" He asked.
The boys traded worried looks.
"To be honest, sir, we don't know. We do know they will be furious," Flint finally said.
"A good answer. Here is a solution for you, if you decide to stand against your parents, then Hogwarts will provide you a safe place to live as wards of the school." Shock made the boys eyes widen but the headmaster wasn't finished so they had to keep quiet. "We want you to learn and grow in safety and if that means you don't leave here until you graduate then so be it." Dumbledore held up a hand when he saw the immediate protests forming on their lips. "Now, hold just a moment … I do understand such a decision is very difficult. No one wants to make you leave your parents and home. It will be up to you whether you tell your parents or not."
He paused and stared into each of their faces. "To be clear, that does not mean you should keep this to yourselves for too long as your changed behavior will be noticed. And, despite what the castle spirit has done by way of 'changing your minds' as it were, you still must face punishment for pulling your wands in the first place."
The boys sat rigid in their seats almost mulish expressions on all their faces. This, they thought, was highly unfair. They had gone through a truly horrendous day. That should count as punishment.
However, it was obvious Dumbledore didn't feel the same way. "Now before we discuss said punishments, I do want to make it clear that we don't intend for you to suffer any type of serious punishment from your parents such as abuse disguised as being punishment. Only you are aware of what kinds those are within the framework of your own home dynamics." The headmaster turned to Snape a moment.
Snape nodded. "I know what lurks for you in your homes if you should voice this change of heart. I have experienced such for less than that." The boys blinked at that rather bald statement. It never occurred to any of them that Snape's life as a child wasn't a happy one.
"Don't wait until your life is threatened before you seek sanctuary here. No matter how much you love your parents, there are those that feel you belong to them and should do what you are ordered without question. This is not parenting nor is it love in any form. If this is what you face we want you to call for help and we will step in. Hogwarts will be set up to take you in and give you safe harbor while this war still wages. Perhaps when it is finally over you may be able to go home, that is something we both wish for you."
"I'll add my own promise to Professor Snape that Hogwarts will defend and provide you safe harbor until such time as you want to rescind the request of your own volition, not your parents. It wont guarantee you will be 100 percent happy here but we can guarantee you will be safe and provided for."
The boys look both bewildered and shaken. This was a huge decision for one's their age to make but they were already fighting a war so they weren't so young to understand the ramifications of their choices.
"You would do this for us?" Flint finally managed to ask, disbelief plain in his voice.
"But what if I don't want to leave home?" Goyle nearly wailed in distress.
"You can't protect us!" Crabbe cried.
"I don't believe my da will listen to anything I have to say," Derrick said, flatly.
"Now, now be easy. As I said this wouldn't be a simple decision for you. I'm only telling you what we will do for you should you choose our help. No one will force you to abandon your family. But think hard about your decisions. No one should have to fear their parents or living at home. That is why we would provide a setting where you can talk to them with one of us present. That way we can assess the danger to you. But failing that, it is still in your hands about how and when you do this with them. I know it would be easy to just let it slide and hope they don't notice and that might work for a time … like while you are here, but when you go home for the school breaks and especially during the summer, the subject will come up unless you intend to continue to lie to your parents. Which I don't recommend. Some of them are used to lying themselves so they would be quick to recognize a lie in you. Whatever happens between now and end of this school year, I want you to remember one thing. No one should fear being home. No one should accept punishment that does you serious harm. That is never acceptable no matter how angry your parents are. You are just children and there are many things in this world you still must learn. Causing you harm is not one of them. Peace, love, respect … these aren't just words. They mean being able to live a happy, fruitful life. Being able to attend school and walk in the world without fear. Life is to be enjoyed and lived not huddled in fear, anguish, pain, or possible death. Understand?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
The four sat quietly thinking about what the headmaster was trying to tell them and what he was offering then one by one heads nodded slowly, showing they understood.
"We'll give it try, sir. Though the first battle will be within our own house besides the one with our fathers when they learn we wont help them with the war any longer," Flint said, carefully.
"Of course, that was understood in the first place," Dumbledore reassured them.
"And I will make it my business to put an end to all the bad behavior in my house. I'm not fool enough to think I can spot all that goes on when I'm not around so I will have extra eyes watching you and punishment will be swift," Snape promised.
Flint, Derrick, Goyle, and Crabbe were impressed by Snape's willingness to do something they had never heard of before or dared hope would protect them. Perhaps things could change within Slytherin House. Only time would tell and this was but the first step.
"Excellent. Now for your punishment." They groaned but he ignored it. "I believe I will let Professor Snape decide what that will be as he will be the one monitoring you during it." Dumbledore nodded at Snape who acknowledged the look. "So, if you have finished your dinner ..." The boys quickly finished their drinks and the few things left on their plates then gave the headmaster their attention. "...very good, Professor Snape, where would you like them to go?"
Snape thought about it a moment. "Report to my classroom and wait for me there."
Not looking terribly happy, the four rose and headed out of the headmaster's office for the dungeon. Once the door shut behind them, Snape and Dumbledore shared a look of relief and hesitant hope.
"Now I will do my part in seeing to their punishment and monitoring them to see if those four can succeed in keeping their promises to themselves, so I'll bid you a good evening," Snape said rising from his seat and heading for the door.
"Thank you, Severus. If you don't mind a suggestion, denying them Quidditch and no visits to Hogsmead might be good ones as well as keeping them out of harm's way."
"Those were some of the punishments plus a few others I have in mind, sir," Snape said smiling mirthlessly.
"Of course. Good evening to you and I hope things will be quiet for the rest of the evening. It has been a long and eventful day," Dumbledore sighed.
Snape said nothing more as he left the office. He had someone to see before he went to the boys waiting for him so he turned away from the dungeons and made for the kitchen.
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Earlier in the evening, a group of unhappy Slytherins sat in their common room. Those that didn't like to associate with the more militant of their number eyed each other, quietly gathered their study things, and left for the library. They were more focused on getting good grades than the pure blood/mudblood conflict going on in their dorm.
Pansy stormed and shouted, incensed that four of their number had been sent to the Dark Tower. No one had ever been banished there in recent memory.
"How can Snape do such a thing?" She roared.
"Because he's the house leader," Warrington said, blandly, sitting on the couch that faced the roaring fire.
Pansy gave him a vicious glare. "I know that, ya big idjit. But why did he do it?"
"It's you who are the idjit, Pansy. Snape had no choice. Flint, Derrick, Goyle, and Crabbe should never have pulled wands. That was amazingly stupid," he growled back.
Pansy didn't have an immediate answer to that when it was patently true. "Fine!" She snarled at last. "Then why haven't they returned by now? Shouldn't they have received some kind of punishment and been returned. They never got breakfast, lunch, and now they have missed dinner."
Warrington just shrugged his shoulders.
"What they did is cause for expulsion from the school. That may be what happened and they have been sent home," Nott hazarded a guess.
Millicent grimaced at that possibility, the expression making her plain face more ugly. Thick Black hair she wore in a pixie cut and framed blunt unattractive features with hard eyes and thin lips and a heavy jaw not seen on a female normally. Her body was square and muscular. The unappealing package was finished by an equally awful personality that was dull witted, temper prone, and a bully.
No one said anything else. What could they say or complain about? This was one of the few rules that shouldn't be broken due to its more severe consequences.
"Since we're not going to get any answers until Professor Snape either tells us or the blokes return, I'm going to get some homework done," Nott announced, gathering his books and bag then headed for a more quiet corner of the common room, flopping down in the chair and spreading his things out in front of him.
The girls took seats before the fire and stared at it for bit while the other boys decided to emulate Nott.
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Stepping into the kitchens Snape noted how much quieter it was at the moment. Since dinner was over, only half the number of elves were present cleaning pots, dishes, and the kitchen in general. Others were preparing baked goods for the morning. Dobby was in the corner working at a huge wood stove.
Snape had no idea what he was preparing.
Firg noticed his presence and came to the man's side. "What do you need Professor Snape?"
"Evening Firg. I have a request to make …" he spent several minutes bringing the house elf up to date then asked, "... I just need eyes on my house until I feel they have all understood the change in rules."
Firg pulled at his face for a few minutes as he thought about what Snape required. His people were extremely busy but this could be done while they did their chores. But there was one that might be more invested in taking this chore on. He turned and called, "Dobby!"
Dobby set his work on hold before hurrying over to Firg. He eyed Snape with interest wondering what brought the potion master to the kitchen.
"Professor Snape needs a watcher for his house. Much has happened within the last few hours. Will let him explain but the gist of it is he needs someone to ensure his students within Slytherin do not harm one another ... do ye have time to do this and be ye willing?" Firg asked.
Dobby looked surprised at the request. He wondered if this morning's illegal wand use had anything to do with this unusual request. No matter. It wasn't difficult for him to add watching Slytherin House to his guard duties and chores. "Dobby would be honored to aid you, Professor Snape, sir."
Snape smiled. "Thank you Dobby. I know this adds to your present duties but it is vital my students be watched for a time. Are you free now?"
Dobby glanced at Firg in question. "Has tea been completed?" the head elf asked. Dobby nodded.
"It is and on warming yonder," he pointed to the stove he had been working at moments ago.
"Excellent then I release yeu," Firg said. "And Professor, I will have my other elves also keep an eye and ear out for trouble as well." Snape nodded pleased by Firg's willingness to do this extra work. Then Firg turned away, he had many duties yet to do before seeking his bed.
Knowing a dismissal when he saw it, Snape led the way out of the kitchen and headed to the dungeons. On the way, he briefed Dobby on what had transpired that day. He hadn't acted like he and Dobby were very familiar with each other when he spoke with Firg because Snape hadn't wanted to seem as if he was doing an end run around Firg's authority. Now alone, he could bring Dobby up to date which would help the elf know how his part fit in with all changes that were happening within the school.
When he finished, Dobby was shaking his head. "Dobby hopes lessons have taken too, Professor Snape. It would be nice if things in Slytherin house could be as peaceful as in the other houses."
"I wish for that as well, Dobby. We will just have to watch and see. Right now, you may go where you can watch and identify the ones involved and I'll leave you to watch my back as it were," Snape sighed reaching the door of his house.
"Do not worry, Professor Snape, sir. Dobby will keep your snakes safe." Then he vanished with a snap of his fingers.
"Wish I could travel that way," Snape mused. Sighing, he gave the code to the snake guard in the painting and stepped through. He immediately sent his voice outward to all his students then waited until they all appeared from all corners of the house and a few entering through the portal from being at the library.
He waited until they had all settled and were quiet which didn't take long. "I gathered you to relay some new rules and changes that will begin tonight. Punishment for infractions of these new rules will be severe and involve staying a day in the cells of the Dark Tower." There were gasps and a few white faces at that threat.
"Misters Flint, Derrick, Crabbe, and Goyle have finished their first punishments and will be getting a more permanent set that will last until the end of the school year. NO ONE! He thundered making the students cringe, "...WILL EVER POINT A WAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTACKING ANOTHER STUDENT N THIS SCHOOL AGAIN! UNDERSTOOD?" Mutters of compliance ran around the room, everyone cowed for the moment.
"Now that has been made infinitely clear, here are the new changes: no bullying of students from other houses or your own, no forcing others to accept your beliefs of pure blood superiority, no calling those of muggle blood 'mudbloods', absolutely no spying for your parents and reporting what other students are doing … ever. Breaking any of these rules will send said offender immediately to the tower for a whole day without food or water. There will be no negotiating or pleading mercy unless there is a medical reason."
Everyone stared at him in shock except for the few that cheered to themselves. They were hardily tired of being harangued by the malcontents in the house.
"As for what your parents want, we do not care. As of this moment, Hogwarts is considered a safe haven for those children threatened with harm by their parents. If you fear for you life, you will be protected here. If that means you remain here for your safety and don't go home at all then you will be made wards of the school. But only if you chose that option. No one will make you leave your parents. This is only for those who do not feel safe at home."
Now there were loud gasps of shock and outrage from some of the worst Death Eater children but the rest again were thrilled at this option. Some were faced with hostility and threats at home and finally here was a chance to be free of that.
"Just remember, it is your choice to reveal these rules to your parents. We will not be advertising them but they will be in the school charter immediately. As for making children wards of the school that will take a few weeks to install as it requires more paperwork to accomplish. Regardless, the offer still holds for those that need it. If you do tell your parents and they object by trying to remove you from school they will find they must personally come to Hogwarts to do that. This will give you time to let I or Headmaster Dumbledore know if this is your choice. If you do choose to go, that doesn't mean you can't change your mind and call for help. Someone will hear and retrieve you then we will keep you safe."
"I know this is a lot to absorb so I want you to think about what I have said," He waved his hand and a pile of documents appeared on a table nearby. "Here is what I just said for you to read again and study. Only after you have read it and signed your understanding will I entertain any questions on this matter. You are not signing an agreement … only that you understood what I said.
"The four who have been serving punishment are waiting for me. Once I am through with them they will be returning here. Unless they agree, do not harass them. Leave them be if they ask. Ignore what I just said and the watcher I have on you will immediately send you to the tower to cool your heels for two hours. Is that clear?"
There were immediately many frantic head nods. "Excellent. You may go back to what you were doing before I arrived. Have a good evening." With that, Snape turned and made his exit.
That should make them behave for the night at least, Snape thought, smirking. My snakes are finally going to be civil or they will learn there are real consequences. Now my last stop of the evening.
He walked to his classroom and entered. The four boys had been talking but shut up the moment he entered the room.
"It is getting late so I wont keep you long. The punishments I give you now will last until the end of the school year. They are: no trips to Hogsmead, no Quidditch (that caused serious cries of dismay quickly silenced by the look Snape gave them), you will stay after class every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to do whatever chores I need done. That is it. Do you understand what is expected of you?"
"Yes sir, but Quidditch, sir..." Flint pleaded.
"It is a great honor to play and since you smeared that honor with your ill conceived choice this morning why do you think you should still be allowed to play?" Snape asked coldly.
All of them looked at their feet, though flushed with anger, none argued.
"I thought not. Now, I've posted new rules for my snakes. Ensure you grab a sheet with what I briefed your fellow housemates on just a while ago. Sign your understanding … it is not an agreement, and leave the form on the table by morning. I have also sent to your beds another document that lists the punishments you were just given. Sign that as well. No one is to bother you about what you have experienced on pain of immediate incarceration in the tower you just left." They gaped at him.
He nodded. "Yes, I am that serious. However, if you are willing to speak about your experience and your decisions about what you are going to do now, that is on you. Punishment only occurs if you have asked to be left alone and someone doesn't. That will be all gentlemen. Tomorrow is a new day, let's begin it on the right foot, shall we? Also, I suggest you ask your house mates what lessons you missed and have a week to finish them." The boys nodded, rose and left for their house.
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"No Quidditch this year, that blows," Derrick grumbled softly.
"Well what did you expect?" Flint snapped. "Forgiveness? Something has changed and it ain't just us. I think Professor Snape has had a change of heart as well."
"What?" Goyle goggled, stopping in his tracks.
"He's changing the rules, what do you think that means? And look what he's done to us his own students?" Flint growled.
Crabbe sighed. "I don't think I'm going to like whatever it is he's put down in that paper he wants us to read."
None of the others responded. They would find out soon enough.
Reaching the painting for Slytherin, Flint snarled the response and waited until the door opened enough for them to enter. He stared at the nearly full room. His fellow snakes were sitting or standing all over the place and everyone was holding a piece of paper while they read, argued, and questioned its contents. It was noisy in here.
As all four entered and the door shut, it was somewhat disconcerting that no one paid any attention to them. Frowning, Flint moved forward and noted the table holding several sheaves of paper. He grabbed one.
"New Rules for Syltherin House," he read. "This must be what the professor told us to read," he muttered then sighed and took his copy to the fireplace. Rather than make someone move, he simply dropped tailor fashion to the hearth rug and began to read.
Crabbe and Goyle decided to go to their beds to read so threaded their way through the masses to the stairs and disappeared from view.
Derrick scowled down at the paper, not really wanting to read it at all. Looking around, he noticed everyone avoiding his eye. Something told him Snape had probably scared them into staying away from the four pariahs. He didn't know if that was good or bad. Snorting in ill humor, he slouched his way through the crowd and went up the stairs as well. It was going to be a long night.
Notes:
Author's Note: The next chapters are in raw form as I am doing NANOWRIMO 2018 now. Have over 17,000 words to go to make it 50,000 by 30 Nov. Will edit this later. Would love input on any errors you find not just grammar one but context as well. Yes this very wordy, that is the point right now. Will shrink down when I edit this later. Thank you for sticking with me on this story and wish me luck in finishing on time.