Chapter 11: When Two Worlds Collide
"They have returned!" shouted Neville as he ran inside to spread the word. In the early afternoon light, some of the kids lounged on the steps, speaking amongst each other about wild predictions about what they think would happen next. The three wizards who departed to Hogsmeade earlier that day returned through that gates looking mostly unharmed.
"Give me a broom that is made of pure elder,
Pour this witch a beer from butter,
Scarlet and low the sun will set,
I'll fly off this world with no regret…"
As Hagrid carried McGonagall, she sang an old witch's tune and waved her hand, almost smacking him in the face. Harry carried her wand along with Hagrid's umbrella. They walked past the students who were now staring at them, some with amusement, some with concern. They walked into the great hall where Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley stood waiting. Mr. Weasley rushed forward at the sight that the state McGonagal was in.
"I'll take her to her cot," said Mr. Wesley as he took the drunk witch from Hagrid. McGonagall stopped singing and hobbled with Mr. Wesley to the teacher's cots laid in the hall's front. Dumbledore shook his head, looking after them.
"Well? Did the muggles agree or disagree?" Dumbledore asked Hagrid.
"I wasn't in the room with 'em when they talked, but from what I heard. McGonagall sealed the peace treaty for the time being," said Hagrid. Harry cut in.
"Also, sir, I also heard from McGonagall that the muggles that are stranded in the village plan to come here for temporary shelter. I believe that would be a good opportunity to show them that we are not who they think we are," said Harry. Hermione and Ron, who were eavesdropping, entered the conversation.
"And what if they take this opportunity to attack us from the inside out?" Hermione looked up at Dumbledore to back up her reasoning. However, he took Harry's side after a moment of thought.
"I believe that to stop this war, there has to be some trust given by both sides. They trust us by bringing their injured here, inside what they believe to be the 'snakes pit.'" stated Dumbledore. Ron promptly glanced over at the Slytherins side of the hall, specifically at Draco, who was curled up in a blanket.
"We are a very docile snake pit at the moment," Ron mumbled. "They could always change their mind when they see our condition. What will be holding their attacks then?" Everyone took Ron's comment into consideration. Luna then shuffled closer since her cot was close to where they were talking.
"Human values. They will see our condition and see that we are no threat," Luna said. "It is better for them to see us like this than to be intimidated by our strengths. It will bring empathy into the equation."
"Yes, but what about the children they already hurt? Don't you remember the first day of all this?" Hermione shook as she spoke. "They attacked us in cold blood! Why are we giving them a chance to do it again?"
"They are in a different position," said Dumbeldore. "The muggles themselves are hurt, which will make an attack from them less likely. If we do bring them in, all of us will be on high alert and ready to intervene if the need arises."
Not everyone agreed with Dumbledore's idea, especially Hermione, but if they hoped for the war to end, trust within the two sides needed to happen. The rest of the afternoon, Dumbledore talked to McGonagall, and she confirmed that everything that Hagrid and Harry said was correct. She said that the leader seemed to trust them enough to even consider walking into Hogwarts. She also said that the muggles would arrive within the next three days, giving them time to prepare and lay down some rules.
Word spread around the school, and talk about the muggle soldiers were everywhere. Some, including Draco, were outraged. Others saw the plan for what it was and stayed quiet. For the entirety of supper, the hall was loud as students conversed and argued about the benefits and consequences of letting the muggles in the school. The noise was somewhat comforting to Harry since it brought back memories of the loud dining hall before the attacks.
After supper, Harry walked up to Dumbledore's office, running an errand for Mrs. Pomfrey. The door was cracked open, and before opening the door further, he heard Dumbledore muttering. Peaking through the crack and trying not to make himself known, Harry saw Dumbledore using the Pensieve, looking through memory after memory. Finally tearing himself out of the last memory, he bottled it and sighed.
"If only we obliviated his mind long ago. This all could've been avoided." Dumbledore muttered. Harry waited a few moments then knocked on the door.
"Come in," said Dumbledore as Harry stepped into the room. Harry decided to not mention what he saw or heard and continued to ask the question he came there for.
"I haven't seen Professor Snape around. Do you know where he is?" asked Harry. "I was instructed by Mrs. Pomfrey to fetch some health potions from his office, but it is locked."
Dumbledore cast a worried look towards the window then back at Harry. "I can easily give you the spare key to his office. He must have made a bunch of potions before he left." Still holding a memory tube, Dumbledore walked toward the cabinet to put it away.
"If I tell you this, Harry, you will promise not to spread any word about this," said Dumbledore gravely, still facing towards the shelf.
"Of course, sir," said Harry as his curiosity got the better of him. Dumbledore turned toward him.
"Severus was the one who destroyed the muggle's portkey gate." Harry was taken aback by Dumbledore's words but kept listening. "I told him to get captured by the muggles. There, he could secretly give the other captured wizards a chance to escape. Before he left, we injected a small portkey in his ankle." Dumbledore shuffled over to his desk and sat down.
"The portkey we injected him is to become active at 6 pm, three days from now. That should give him time to contact all the prisoners, assuming they are all kept in mass cells." At this, Dumbledore sighed. "If they are kept in individual cells, Snape will return outside the school's gates alone." He then smiled at Harry. "Either way, Snape will be back in three days."
Harry nodded. He now understood why Snape looked so fearful a few days ago. He was giving himself to the muggles with no idea what they might inflict upon him. Taking the spare key, Harry went to get the potions for Mrs. Pomfrey.
After a day of restless sleep, Snape was awakened by the sound of heavy footfalls. He was promptly removed from his cell and escorted by four large guards. Without talking, they moved down several corridors that Snape observed to the best of his ability.
As they passed one corridor, shouts were heard. Orders to 'stay quiet' and 'sit down' echoed around the halls. At a glance, Snape saw a large cell with what would seem to be filled with many people. Slowing his pace to take a better look, Snape saw faces he recognized; many of them were from the ministry. Wizards.
He was pushed roughly by the guard behind him, and he kept walking. After a few more hallways and turns that all looked the same, Snape was shoved into a room. The room was large, with a large viewing area off to his left and a dummy wearing armour standing far across from him. The walls were all white, and the same fluorescent lights shone every shadow out of the room. Looking in the viewing area behind a piece of glass, William stood with his arms crossed accompanied by five other scientists and Umbridge. The stare from the scientist sent a shiver down Snape's spine. William hit a button and the room filled with his voice.
"Welcome to the testing room, Severus. To your right is a wand that I acquired from Hogsmeade during the battle." A basic wand sat on a small table in the corner of the room. Snape moved over and picked it up, examining it. William smiled and continued, "I would like you to use it on the dummy and try to destroy it. Your band will be turned off for this, so use your full power." Snape looked back at William, unimpressed.
"If you wanted me to use my full power, then you would have given me my own wand," said Snape coldly. William looked over to Umbridge, who grinned and shook her head. Snape didn't hear what they were talking about until Willaim pressed the com button again.
"We took the precaution so that you don't escape. You will be able to use that wand fine." William cut out and pressed another button on his console. Snape felt his magical strength slowly come back to him. The void disappeared. The power he was deprived of, a power he never knew he had until taken, was returned. The wand in his hand almost glowed with energy.
"I turned the band off, but if you are to teleport yourself out of the room. The band will turn on and shock you on a level that you can only imagine. Same if you manipulate anything outside the room." William's hand hovered over what could be guessed as the shock button for his headband.
Snape thought of ways to escape. To get to the other wizards would be impossible if he was electrified. So he decided to follow the orders that were given to him.
First, a simple hex. Nothing. A slightly more difficult hex. Nothing.
Spell after spell, he tried to destroy the dummy. Red and blue hexes shot across the room. Sectumsempra did nothing but a small chip in the armour. Meanwhile, the scientists intensely took notes, monitoring the dummy's structure. Snape stood there for a second, debating to use the killing curse.
"If I were to use the killing curse on a dummy, it will not work effectively as you would want," said Snape. William sighed.
"I knew you were going to say that. That's why I brought one of your friends for you to test it on." William talked through the radio by his desk, and a door was opened across the room. Nymphadora Tonks was shoved into the room, wearing the same armour as the dummy. Tonks looked at Snape with pure shock. Snape's blood boiled.
"If you are expecting me to use the killing spell on her, you are truly mad!" exclaimed Snape, thinking about what Lupin would do to him if he killed her. William stared down the wizard.
"If you can't use it on the dummy, use it on her. If you don't, we kill her anyways."
Snape looked at Tonks, who looked to be in utter shock. Tonks nodded at Snape, tears in her eyes.
Snape lifted his wand.
"Avada... Kedavra," He whispered. The green light came from the tip of his wand. Tonks' eyes shut as the blast hit her. She fell backwards, collapsing to the ground.
After a few breathless seconds. Tonks got back up. Crying and laughing out of relief. Snape moved to see if she was truly alright.
The band on his head zapped him but didn't turn on. Tonks was removed from the room and the door shut. Snape cursed.
"Don't you kill her!" Snape looked at William, who was staring at him with wonder.
"Of course not. You saved her," said Willaim. "Is there anything else you wish to do before I turn on your band?"
Snape had enough. Wiping the wand towards the dummy, medal coils burst out from the concrete walls and penetrated through the armour and the dummy. Waving his wand again, he darted another piece of metal through the head, ripping it clear off, pinning it to the wall.
As he moved for another attack, the band on his head turned on, draining him. The wand was no more than a stick to him.
"I think you had enough for today Severus," said William over the loudspeaker. The guards that escorted him there walked in and took the wand from him.
Walking back, he saw Flitwick out of the corner of his eye in the cell with the other wizards. Seeing Snape, Flitwick's eyes widened. Snape gave a short head nod to his fellow professor but was then smacked in the head by a guard behind him.
"Eyes straight, you monstrous bastard." ordered the guard. Snape continued to walk, memorizing every turn and hallway as they went. He was thrown back in his cell. The doors locked, and the bright light continued to pierce his eyes. There was a tray of food and water on the bench, which Snape ate without a second thought. He observed the fork for a second.
I could cut it out and give it to Flitwick. However, that would mean staying here for who knows how long. Snape pondered the idea of digging out the portkey with the fork he was given. Holding it above the ankle, he hesitated.
I don't want to stay here. The thought was strong, repeating itself on a loop in his head. Snape looked around the room for hidden cameras; none were found. He then held the fork above the spot where he had the portkey injected.
For the mission. He reminded himself before plunging the fork into his skin. Wincing, he started to move the fork, probing for the small chip. Once he got it out, he used his shirt to stop the bleeding, hoping not too much got on the floor. Holding the tiny portkey, he placed it in his pant pocket.
Now I just got to fake a nosebleed or something. He thought as the bright red shone brightly against the white floor.
Two days passed rather quickly. The entirety of Hogwarts was buzzing with the anticipation of the muggle soldiers arriving at any minute. Over the last few days, the students moved their living quarters back into their respective dorms. The students that needed medical surveillance stayed in the medical bay where Pomfrey could keep an eye on them.
Hooch flew past the courtyard alerting that the army was ten minutes away from the gates. Looking over the courtyard from one of the towers, Professor Moody stood guard along with Lupin with wands drawn and ready. Dumbledore stood at the front doors with McGonagall by his side. All the students were either inside the hall or in their dorms. Several students peaked out of one of the towers to observe the arrival. Out of those students were Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
After a few minutes, the silhouettes of the soldiers appeared across the footbridge. Crossing it, over fifty soldiers lined up at the open gate leading into the courtyard. McGonagall made out Sergeant Sharp, who left his army at the gates to talk to the two wizards at the doorstep.
"Nice to see you again, Minerva," said Sharp as he nodded his head in her direction. Turning to address Dumbledore, Sharp nodded in greeting towards him. "It is good to finally get to meet you um…" Sharp was saved from the butchering of the name.
"Dumbledore," introduced the old wizard. "And the same to you, Mr. Sharp."
"Please, the name is Christopher if you would prefer." Sharp looked at his tired army. "My army is in need of food, mostly water. The last few days have been rough sleep-wise as well." McGonagall smiled warmly.
"We have more than enough to provide for your army. We only ask for you and your men to leave their weapons outside the gates." She glanced down at his weapon strapped to his belt. "It is for the safety of the children, of course." Sharp nodded in agreement. He only wanted to get assistance for his men as quickly as possible.
"I will run it through with my men," said Sharp as he quickly jogged back towards his army. After a few back and forth exchanges among them, they all started to disarm themselves. Leaving the weapons in a pill outside the gates, they filed into the courtyard. Some of them were leaning on others for support due to a battle injury. Some had missing limbs from what seemed to be severing charms.
Dumbledore and McGonagall lead the army to the main hall. The soldiers looked around them in amazement at the old building, jumping from the live portraits waving at them. Some of them waved back, completely perplexed.
Opening the large doors to the hall, the soldiers filed in to be greeted by a large number of empty cots. On each cot lay a towel and a plate of food that sat nearby. Standing beside the door, Madame Pomfrey pulled the injured soldiers to the side and guided them over to the cots by the door. She had potions and her wand at the ready for those who needed immediate attention.
Standing on the far side of the room. A few students watched as the soldiers lay down on the cots from exhaustion. The students stiffened as more and more soldiers piled in the room. McGonagall asked Sharp if the accommodations were enough. Sharp smiled gratefully.
"Minerva, this is more than we could ask for. I look forward to discussing a permanent peace treaty after I am rested." Sharp picked up his towel. McGonagall pointed towards the door.
"The showers are your first, right. Not sure if all of you could fit at once." She smiled. Sharp laughed. The students observed from a distance, reassured by their professor's friendly attitude towards the muggles.
Sitting in the back of the group, Draco fumed with his bandaged head, pounding every heartbeat. His knees shook, and his fist clenched.
They did this to me. His hatred for the muggles grew stronger by the minute as he watched them settle into his second home. His only home at the moment.
My parents could be dead or worse. It is them. Draco abruptly got up and marched towards the muggles. Neville, who was watching Draco at a distance, jumped in and caught hold of him. Draco burst out in rage directed at the soldiers.
"YOU MURDERERS!" Screamed Draco, clawing the air as Neville held him back. "My parents are dead because of you!"
McGonagall rushed over to Draco, and Sharp followed cautiously. To her surprise, Sharp kneeled in front of the boy. Seeing the bandaged head, Sharp winced at the thought of the pain of taking the band off. Looking Draco in the eyes, Sharp sighed.
"Your parents are not dead. They have been taken by my people to be held prisoner. I am so sorry for the pain we brought you." To this, Sharp was greeted by a punch to the face.
"You have no idea!" Gasped Draco, who started to cry. McGonagall then sat the docile Draco in the back of the room and walked over to Sharp.
"Sorry about the child. He and many of the children have been hurt beyond the scope of your imagination." McGonagall glanced back at the sobbing Draco, his friends comforting him. "There is just so much a child can handle."
"No," said Sharp solemnly, "I should be the one apologizing, even though it will mean nothing to you all." Sharp paused, looking from his soldiers then back at the kids. A small flicker of remorse and hope hovered behind his eyes.
"Minerva, I wish to do anything to bring peace between both our nations," Sharp said sincerely. McGonagall never pictured this much from Sharp, although this was the first time seeing him sober. Sharp looked her in the eyes. "I will dedicate all loyalty to you for the good of my moral values and the values of humanity." McGonagall nodded, then smirked.
"Then I suggest demonstrating your humanity by taking a well-needed shower. I need to attend to the students." McGonagall stroad away, amazed at the sincerity from the man.
Dumbledore was right. There is still good in humanity. She thought to herself. Maybe this plan of his will be worth the risk.
The last two days for Snape were miserable. Two rounds of testing every day along with blood samples twice a day. He was fed once a day, and water was given to him after extracting his blood. He memorized his way from his cell to the testing room, always passing the other wizards being held.
Today is the last day. Thought Snape as he checked the portkey in his pocket. A voice in his head told him to keep the portkey and get out of this hell. Then he remembered Tonks and the look of fear in her eyes. As a death eater, he was used to seeing people on the verge of death to the moment they were killed. Why was this any different?
Snape slammed his fist against the wall of his cell. The guards showed up at the door, ready to bring him to the testing room. After passing the imprisoned Wizards, he saw Lucius Malfoy hugging his wife as she slept in his arms. He looked up at Snape, and his eyes widened.
Snape nodded and continued walking to the testing room. After a long testing session, he was ordered to be brought back to his cell. Inside the viewing room, a clock was hung on the wall that read 12pm.
6 more hours. Thought Snape as he was roughly removed from the room. Approaching the containment corridor, he took a deep breath. He could see Flitwick through the bars, looking at him. The guards guarding them were on lunch break, so no one was close to the mass cell. This was the last chance.
Tearing loose from the guard's grip, he ran towards Flitwick and dived to reach the bars. On his knees, he motioned for the dwarf to come closer.
"Severus!" exclaimed Flitwick quietly as he watched the potions master frantically fish something out of his pocket. He quickly handed it to Flitwick, who, understanding what it was, hid it in his pocket. The guards finally caught up and grabbed Snape by the back of his shirt. Snape tried to tell Flitwick the plan, but it was too late.
From the exertion, the band started to electrify him. The guards jumped back, not wanting to get caught in the electrical shock. Flitwick leaned down towards the withering Snape.
"What time?" Whispered the dwarf urgently. Snape struggled to painfully look at his fellow professor. His shaking hands held up six fingers, then he curled in on himself as the pluses became more intense from the movement.
Flitwick wanted to help, but knowing the situation, he stepped back from Snape, took one last look, then walked deeper into the cell. As he brushed past Lucius Malfoy, he slipped the small portkey in the purebloods pocket, walking away and not making eye contact. Lucius glanced after the dwarf, then Snape, who was twitching and semi-conscious on the ground outside the cell. He made the connection quickly and walked back towards his wife, who was lying against the far wall of the cell. The band in her head was applied roughly, and any movement reopened the wounds around her head. Kneeling by her, he put his hand gently against her cheek. Her face was pale and eyes weary as she stared lovingly back at him.
"You! The dwarf! Search him!" Guards entered the cell and pointed weapons to the rest of the wizards, ordering them to stay back. Flitwick was dragged out of the cell into the circle of soldiers. They roughly searched his pockets and patted him down. Taking a metal detector, they scanned him. The only time it was set off was when they accidentally hovered it over his headband.
"Clear! Get back in there!" Shouted a guard as he shoved Flitwick back into the cell. Dusting himself off, the dwarf walked back into the crowd of wizards and witches. Looking over at Lucius, Flitwick nodded and returned the gesture discreetly. A plan to get out was underway.
Outside the cell, Snape's band finally stopped electrifying him. As the guards picked him up, his head rested forward, the tangled black hair shielded his face. The guards had to carry him back to his cell as Snape's legs dragged the ground.
Snape felt himself fall to the ground and the sound of the heavy metal door closing. He lay there for a while, trying to get his thoughts together. One thought rang clear over the rest.
That was it. My chance for escape is gone.