A/N: Here's a little excitement. We were way overdue. This is the first half of it. The second half is nearly done and will be posted in a matter of hours, so if you'd rather wait to read the full scene... up to you! As for my more frequent updates…. if the US election could just come and go already, I'd be a little more focused. #justsayin
Chapter 22 - The State of Affairs - Part I
They agreed to reconvene an hour before dinner in Dumbledore's office, and this meeting would include Minerva. Lucius excused himself to floo to the manor for a visit with his wife, but would return. Harry had been wondering if Malfoy Sr. had been sleeping nights at Hogwarts all this time, but so far, he had returned to his home. His parting comment to Dumbledore seemed to indicate that he intended to establish quarters in the castle, starting this evening. He'd also winked at Harry before spinning away, and Harry had been tempted to laugh at how his newly formalized "mentor" was a bit over zealous about his official role.
"I've got parchments to mark," Remus commented, but he was studying Harry, as if assessing his best friend's son for unmet needs.
"I've got parchments to write," Harry admitted as they turned to leave.
"Then let us fetch your assignments and take them to my quarters for review," Severus said. It was not meant to sound like a suggestion open for argument. By this point they were taking the stairs down from the small tower where Albus' maintained office and quarters, Remus in the lead, then Harry, then Severus.
"Sir-" Harry started.
"We should also review some spells," Severus cut him off. "And you should have a real lunch at some point. Ice cream is not a healthy substitute for a meal."
I should argue with him. But in truth, Harry was eager to finish his assignments so that he could practice some magic, and also was thinking he'd not be hungry for lunch until it was too late to eat in the Great Hall. What's this all about, though? Lucius acting like he'd won a prize and Severus fussing about me eating properly. In truth, he'd been thinking about the bedroom he had in Snape's quarters just now as a possible place of refuge, if his housemates proved to be too noisy or rambunctious for him to get his work done. The Library held no real appeal at the moment.
Fine.
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"Mimbulus Mimbletonia," Harry said to the portrait of The Fat Lady. He turned to give Severus a smirk, finally acknowledging the somewhat nattering way that the older wizard had insisted that Harry spend time with him in the Dungeons. "I'll be right back, sir."
Severus nodded with narrowed eyes, watched The Boy Who Lived pass through the entry to House Gryffindor, and then spun on his heal to take a few long strides away so as not to appear to be hovering. He'd spent the morning in a tense state of anxiety over Harry Potter that he'd not yet managed to deconstruct for himself. Many factors were causing him high concern, not the least of which was the fact that he'd been informed by Albus earlier that the Ministry of Magic had failed to conclude that any of the students who had assisted Pius Thicknesse in his successful attack on Harry in the school corridor would face legal ramifications. Albus had indicated that harsh consequences had been delivered, but then had not discussed the subject in front of Harry just now.
Harry emerged a few minutes later to find Severus standing halfway down the corridor, arms folded, index finger tapping impatiently, and wondered if he was going to regret cooperating with this plan. His dorm mates had tried to cajole him into defying his professor. At the moment, Harry was ambivalent. Well, we'll see soon enough how shaky things really are between us, won't we?
But then Snape's hand was on Harry's neck, and he was diverting their path to an as-yet-unknown-to-Harry hidden passage that was a shortcut through a long, narrow corridor with no other doorways, which ended with a long, long spiral staircase down all nine levels, to the dungeons, and emerged nearly directly in front of Severus' quarters.
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"I've obviously sequestered you here for a reason," Severus acknowledged as he stood aside to let Harry precede him into his sitting room, "not the least of which was indeed to see what sort of effort you are putting into your schoolwork."
Harry "schooled" his features to hide the surge of defiance that any normal teenager might summon in similar circumstances, and simply responded by giving Severus a confused look.
But his professor was unrelenting. "Your weekend assignments included three essays and some reading. Where do you stand with the written work?"
"I've written rough drafts of all three," Harry said defensively. "I still need to do the reading, but it's for Tuesday, so I was going to read half tonight and half tomorrow."
"Good," Severus surprised him with that. "Pass me your essays. I'll give them a read through."
"No, thanks," Harry said, immediately on edge. "I already know what you think of my written work." He was fuming, as easily as if he'd never had a good moment with Snape in recent days. He hitched his bookbag higher on his shoulder, ready to leave.
"Mr. Potter," Severus said carefully, "I saw for myself the other night that you are more than capable of breaking a concept into well reasoned segments in your lesson with your own students. I will evaluate your papers, and if I find issue, I will explain, and then I will advise you on how to approach your revisions."
"All I've ever gotten from you is nasty remarks and a lot of…." Harry searched for the right term… "mean, discouraging-"
"I realize this," Severus said quietly. "Let us turn that corner. It is entirely for your benefit."
Harry averted his eyes and glared off at nothing. He didn't really know what to do.
"I have a challenge for you while you wait for my vicious, red scrawl to decorate your hard work," Severus added, still in his quiet voice, but now with a touch of snark. When Harry looked back at him with hesitant interest, Severus pointed to the table he used as a desk. "Leave your parchments and your wand there. This will be a wandless challenge."
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Harry sat on the sofa, a lit candle hovering in front of him that had been charmed by Severus, and working very diligently to light and extinguish the flame without a wand. The "challenge" was to attempt to do so with very minimal hand movements, or better yet, with only a tiny swipe of his index and center fingers, as if he was directing the flame to go on and off. He was making progress, and starting to get a sense of this new way to control his magic. Needless to say, his mood had lifted.
Severus quickly read and evaluated Harry's papers, and made suggestions that were constructive, as promised. He was keeping careful, albeit surreptitious, watch on how intensely Harry was focused, and was again impressed. It was not the first, nor the last time Severus would wish he'd initially tried a different tact with young Harry Potter, instead of waiting all of these years, until shame had forced him to change his ways.
That train of thought was interrupted by the warming of their coins. Both wizards retrieved theirs in the same moment to read the message from Remus:
We may have a problem….. Several upper year students... went into the ROR….. on Friday evening and have….. not yet exited.
"And here we go," Harry said, meeting Severus' infuriated expression, and clearly shared conclusion. But that wasn't all that Remus had to say:
I've been informed by….. Draco and Anthony Goldstein that….. older students from Slytherin and Ravenclaw….. are being quite noisy about….. "loyalty to the Dark Lord"…..saying that He's not gone…..
"Wonderful," Harry murmured.
"I'm warning you now," Severus said. He'd turned in the chair and was leaning forward with the heels of his hands braced on his knees, looking very intensely at Harry. "I'm going to be after you, more and more, to stay nights in these quarters, and retreat here as often as you can, to remove yourself from the upheaval that lies ahead." He narrowed his own eyes when he saw the flare of rebellion in the younger wizard's eyes. "Your habits and schedule will be studied and memorized, so that attacks can be planned. I imagine myself, Lupin, and Lucius, and Albus, for that matter, to be targeted as well. We should all be quite unpredictable in that regard." He was fully proud of himself for not having scornfully called out young Mr. Potter's instinct towards defiance, because he could see that his reasoning had paid off. Another lesson learned. "I want you here as often as possible, even if it's literally because you're avoiding classes for some reason. I know you well enough now to know you would have justification."
"Alright," Harry conceded. He was torn between feeling quite unfooted to be so carefully considered by this wizard, but also a little ruffled by the control that Severus seemed to be seizing of his well being. And what about Malfoy?
As if reading his last thought, Severus added, "I would imagine that Lucius and Narcissa have already set up private quarters for you at their Manor, young man, so be prepared for Lucius to be trying to send you off to stay there as well." And yes, the speechless, gobsmacked expression on the young Gryffindor's face brought him immense satisfaction, as did Harry's next comment:
"Er,…. I'm grateful that he's helping me by playing "mentor" under wizarding law, but I have no intention of becoming a frequent guest at Malfoy Manor!" Harry said. He saw something that actually touched his heart in Severus' expression. The former greasy-bat-who'd-lived-to-make-him-miserable was openly relieved that Harry didn't want to become a second son to the Malfoys. He started to laugh. "You two are competing? …..over me?"
THAT was funny.
"I fear not, you little fool," Severus responded defensively. But the point had been scored, and won, by young Harry Potter.
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"I'm quite alarmed at the vitriol that the fifth year Prefects have been privy to from the older students," Remus said emphatically to Dumbledore later that afternoon. They all sat in a large semi circle of newly conjured, plush armchairs, in the temporarily enlarged interior, of Dumbledore's office. "What's been done to the ones who assisted Thicknesse, Albus?"
"I can answer that, Remus," Minerva interjected. "I was only able to give the harshest penalty to Strickland for his use of lethal magic, as there was no one else to contradict the accusations made about his involvement. The other Slytherin and Ravenclaw students managed their mischief with simple spells, and so the worst I was able to do to them was strip their privileges."
"It's hardly had an impact," Remus said, shaking his head. "And what of an auror presence here? We've not had an Order meeting in what seems like ages, and with the coming weekend sessions at the Wizengamot, the lot of us will be leaving the castle, and the student body, underprotected."
"I realize this, Remus," Albus said. He'd steepled his fingertips and was silently assessing the group. "I'm right now seeking to convince the powers that be that these interviews requiring our attendance should be held at a satellite location, rather than in the formal chambers of the court. These are, after all, interviews. They are not proceedings. I am hopeful to negotiate the use of The Three Broomsticks for our sessions. This will require agreement from Madam Rosmerta as well, mind you."
"Can we rent the space from her?" Harry asked as the idea popped into his mind. "I'll cover the costs, if that will help." He felt eyes boring into the side of his head and had to struggle not to grin while he waited for Dumbledore to respond. He'd beat Lucius to the punch on that one, and he could feel his "mentor's" indignence.
"Mr. Potter," Lucius said in his most pompous tone, "it's highly inappropriate that you should be compelled to pay such costs-" but he stopped himself when Harry ducked his head and tried to hide his grin. That insufferable little brat. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Albus, if there are costs to be incurred, I will cover them."
Albus was openly amused, and impressed, by Harry's confidence that Lucius Malfoy would tolerate being undermined by his charge. That had to mean that Lucius had made significant strides with gaining Harry's trust. He'd also noticed the measurable change in Harry's body language while around Severus. These were small rewards that warmed his heart. He knew he had lost substantial ground with Harry since the Tournament, on all fronts, but still considered this a necessary cost. He finally responded to both wizards with a warm smile and twinkling eyes, "Gentlemen, this is quite generous. I'm hopeful that it will not be necessary, but if it is, I will seek you both out and we can settle terms at that time."
His smile broadened as he watched Harry flash a goading grin at Lucius, …. and Lucius' sneer softening in spite of his best efforts to hold it intact.
"If we cannot have this concession," Severus said, "perhaps we can ask to be interviewed in smaller groups, so that half of us can stay at the castle."
Albus nodded. "I'm feeling confident I'll get my way, Severus. It's part of the reason I've scheduled an additional Hogsmeade weekend. That will help disperse the students to some extent in the event that our suspicions are made real. The parents who attended the confrontation with Minister Fudge have created a call list, and are aware that they may be asked to join us in Hogsmeade, to be additional eyes and ears."
That could be a good thing, Harry thought. He looked over at each of the squad members and found each of them looking at him. Oy.
"I've been quite relieved that we've had no other scuffles among the students in the last three days," Albus continued, "but I'm not naive enough to assume we will not again." He sighed, considering his next comment, and when he spoke, his eyes went from Harry, to Severus, and back to Harry. "The students who are spending extended time in the Room of Requirement are causing me deep pause. And Severus' brilliant use of his potion while exploring its confines leaves me in agreement that danger lurks within that chamber. I believe this to be true on two fronts. One, being that at least one other horcrux is likely stowed there. And the second, being that the students are involved, on some level, with the plans to utilize them."
Lucius was frowning with grim concern. "This is quite disturbing," he said in a low growl. "The entire population of inhabitants of this castle is under threat, Headmaster." He scanned the faces of his peers and found agreement. "I suggest we set intention to close the school at the first sign that this planning has moved into its operational phase."
"Yes," Severus said quietly, but his tone sounded dangerous to Harry's ears.
"Sir," Harry asked Dumbledore, "we've said that I should continue with the DA, and I've got a lot of enthusiastic members now. But if the Room of Requirement is too dangerous to use-"
"You will need a new space," Albus interrupted him. He gave Harry a small smile. "I'm working on that, Harry," he said. "I'm asking the castle for an alternative for you that is large enough to allow the same quality of practice that you've been enjoying thus far."
"Alright, thank you, sir," Harry said. He was unsettled. But he was also undiscouraged. His commitment to teach his peers real defense was unflappable, no matter the threat. "It feels more important than ever that we get to practice defensive magic in a safe place."
"I completely agree, Harry, not to worry."
"I've had some thoughts about the remaining horcruxes," Remus said. He continued when all eyes moved to him, "Thus far, we've had his diary, we know his snake carries a piece of him, and there's Harry's scar. The addition of Salazar Slytherin's locket completes a pool of things that are clearly very personal to Voldemort."
"How am I personal? or, er, how could I have been personal to him?" Harry asked. He was looking at Dumbledore as he spoke, and so he caught the Headmaster flashing a sharp glance at Severus. He looked over at his professor and saw the blood draining from Severus' pale visage. His stomach plunged as he watched Severus struggle with himself. "What?" he whispered, suddenly feeling choked.
"There was another prophecy, Harry, that Sybil Trelawney revealed, a few months before you were born," Remus explained. He spoke quietly and carefully, and the tension in the room crackled in a way that really scared Harry. "The prophecy claimed that there would be a child born at the close of July, who would be a threat to Voldemort. At that time, there were three babies due in late July: You, Neville, and Draco."
Harry knew Remus was withholding something. And he could tell it had to do with Severus. All of the sudden, he couldn't look at his potions professor. But he couldn't not ask the question that begged asking, "Why is Severus on edge about this?" He heard the potions master jump to his feet, but didn't turn back to look. Severus was pacing back and forth, and since Remus didn't answer Harry's question, he realized that Severus likely would. But the pacing continued, and so did the silence. Harry finally forced himself to look at the older wizard he had been growing to see as the mentor he felt closest to. "Sir?"
Severus couldn't contain his anguish. It was all hitting him: shame and horrible regret. If he ran away, he'd lose every inch of ground he'd gained with Lily's boy, and that thought was a knife to his heart that he had not seen coming. He tried desperately to squelch the heaving breaths that were forcing his chest to expand and contract almost violently. The tears came and he couldn't stop them, nor could he keep his voice from breaking when he met Harry's eyes and admitted, "I told the Dark Lord about the prophecy. All of this started with me." He crossed his arms and turned away.
"Why?" Harry choked out, "I don't understand." But it all makes so much sense, doesn't it?
"Harry," Lucius said quietly, and he let Harry see his deep emotion when the boy turned his way, "things at that point were incredibly tenuous for those in the Dark Lord's circles. There was terror in every heart, except for a small few that Voldemort held in high regard. Severus was in terrible danger. He'd not yet learned to Occlude. He knew secrets that he could not protect."
Harry nodded quickly, but he had to cover his face and rest his elbows on his knees so that he could support his heavy head. He was in shock, his young mind struggling to fathom the scale of guilt Severus was admitting to. Another few moments passed in silence, and then Harry heard Severus retake his seat to Harry's left. He looked over at the older wizard but Severus couldn't meet his eyes. Harry sat up and looked at Dumbledore. "How many more horcruxes could he have made?" he didn't care that his voice sounded like sandpaper. "We need to finish that bastard."
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The discussion continued without Severus' participation. Harry tried to contribute as much as he could, but frankly, he had very little idea of what else could have mattered to Tom Riddle. Fortunately, Dumbedore had some ideas, and also fortunately, he shared them. He'd revisited old memories of having instructed Riddle some fifty years prior, and had also visited a retired professor and former colleague named Horace Slughorn. Albus had "acquired" a deep, damaged memory of Tom from Slughorn that had acutely disturbed the former potions professor.
"I've done some digging, and believe I have found a trail that would have begun while Tom was a student here. He was a Slytherin, but he also was enchanted by this castle. There is a reason Severus smelled a skunk in the Room of Requirement."
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Harry tried to hang back until Severus made his way out of Dumbledore's office, but Lucius nudged him to head out, and leave Severus to make his way when he was ready. Harry obliged, but against his better judgement.
"You have to learn to read when he needs space." Lucius dropped his head to say this in Harry's ear. "He'll be along. This was an enormous reveal, Harry."
"I know," Harry said softly. "I get that."
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At the base of the stairs, Albus suggested everyone take a longer route to the Great Hall for dinner, leading them along about halfway, until he paused to point out a lengthy stretch of wall. "I'm thinking this would be the perfect location for the new space to practice defense."
Harry stepped away from the others and retraced his steps. He saw the shadow of his potions professor before the older wizard actually rounded the corner into this corridor, and stopped to wait for him to approach.
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Remus cast a glance around for Harry. He knew that the intensity of the emotions that Severus was dealing with could possibly lead to him lashing out at the young Gryffindor, and wanted to see if he could be a buffer, but he may already be too late. He was not good with anguish. He'd seen Severus break down twice before, and both occasions were tied to his deep love for Lily. Remus' heart had truly bled in sympathy, but he'd not been able to show it. Severus' prickliness and harsh anger were difficult to navigate around, while trying to be his friend. Remus had no confidence that he could offer much in the way of support to Severus, other than the physical space he clearly needed.
"Harry is a sensitive soul, Remus," Albus said to him. He'd made his way over to speak with his newest and most popular staff member, while Lucius and Minerva continued to brainstorm the charms to utilize to expand the interior of the new room they were asking the castle to provide. "We've decided Lucius' quarters should be in closer proximity the Ravenclaw Tower."
Remus nodded his approval, and turned his attention back to the new Defense Room.
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Severus stopped in his tracks when he spotted Harry. The grip of shame in his belly was so intense it hurt. He was incapable of communication, and the vulnerable boy waiting to speak to him had no idea how precariously close he was to being verbally eviscerated.
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Corey Mullen and Maxwell Stoner, both seventh year Ravenclaws, flashed looks at each other and nodded. They stood shoulder to shoulder, keeping physical contact as they put their magically enhanced goggles on at the same time, and instantly saw only white that was so bright they had to close their eyes to it. Max tapped his index finger on Corey's forearm. On the silent count of three, they raised their wands and cast, simultaneously, "Tenebris!"
And a blanket of deep, deep blackness descended upon the entire stretch of lower corridors that completely blinded the eyesight of all others in the vicinity, but these young wizards could see just fine. Harry Potter was their main target, but they would earn extra praise for delivering Severus Snape.
A/N: More soon! It's mostly written, just needs a little refining ;-)
