A\N: Hey guys! This is chapter one of my new story! Again I do not own anything recognizable. Also want to thank all the people who added me to their favourites/ alerts as well as sent me a PM or Review. I hope I don't disappoint with where I envision this story going! Also if you want to listen to the song that gave me the idea for the story it's called "Thick Skin" by Leona Lewis!
Severus Snape was not a foolish man. He knew the invitation extended to this meeting was only done out of necessity. Dumbledore was a smart wizard, one of the smartest in recent history, but Snape was still alive after all these years of playing spy that had to count for something.
Snape had apparated to the closest point of the meeting possible. Severus stood in the middle of the grassy field for a second before getting his barring and taking off in a quick walk in a direction only known to him. To anyone seeing him it would appear that he was walking towards nothing.
It took several minutes until Severus came to the barrier of the protection wards that undoubtedly surrounded the location of the meeting he was to attend. To anyone not invited it would have caused them to pass through the entire area instantaneously and out the other side into more field, seeing none of what was in the middle of the wards. To Severus, who was invited, when he passed through, he saw a small canvas tent.
On the small chance that someone bypassed the wards, the small tent in itself was unassuming. Barley big enough to fit one person semi comfortably. It wasn't until you passed through the tent doors that you realize the true size of a wizarding tent.
The inside of this tent was a kin to a medieval battle tent. It held no bed nor camping supplies. This tent held a table with 4 chairs. 3 of them already occupied. Books and rolls of parchment laid on the table. Some open between the table's occupants and some waiting to be used. Severus spoke no words and neither did the others. He walked silently to the last chair and took his seat.
Dumbledore sat at the other end of the table, opposite of Severus. He peered at him over his half-moon glasses, his usual twinkle replaced with a sad dullness in his blue eyes. He cleared his throat softly before he began to speak, "I'm glad you all could make it here tonight"
The other two occupants shifted in their chairs to nod towards Dumbledore in acknowledgment. Severus recognized them of course. To his right sat his fellow teacher, Minerva McGonagall. She sat very still, even while stiffly turning towards Dumbledore as he spoke. Her greying black hair styled in her usual tight severe bun. She wore her trademark green robes and square shaped glasses. To his left sat a Ministry unspeakable from the Order named Saul Croaker. Severus didn't know the man well, just enough to put a name to a face. His round face, looks like it should have been in a jolly smile but instead a shallow frown had taken up residence on his face since his partner, Broderick Bode, had his "accident". Of course Severus knew that it was actually an Imperius curse that went terribly wrong when he was forced to attempt to steal the Potter prophecy almost 1 year ago.
Dumbledore gave them all a nod in return and continued to speak, "What we are about to discuss does not leave this meeting."
After receiving an understanding nod from each member he went on, "earlier this summer I have discovered the key to destroying Voldemort." He made no indication toward the involuntary shudders that the name caused.
Dumbledore looked down pensively, "this does not mean the war is even close to being won, the method used to both prolong and preserve his life is archaic and extremely dark magic. Merely touching its vessel lead to this," Dumbledore rose his hands and the difference was noticeable. One looking to be his normal hand, the other being shrivelled and black, the flesh looking near death. Severus, having brewed the potion just a few days ago that slowed the poison coursing through his blood, wasn't shocked by the appearance of the hand.
Dumbledore gave the other two time to settle again before continuing, "Even I don't know enough about the magic and thus cannot act upon this information. I personally have been working on a plan to gain the needed knowledge, but we are here to discuss plan B."
Severus' eyes bore into Dumbledore's blue ones. Dumbledore had a tendency to manipulate everyone around him. A fact that had aided keeping Severus alive until now. He knew that whatever this plan B was, it was Dumbledore's true plan. If plan A, that was already apparently in motion, was his end game he would not be having this secret meeting. No, plan B was his true plan and plan A was the face of it.
"Saul has aided in the logistics of this plan, should it work it very well could not only aid us in winning this war but ensuring the war never would have started." Dumbledore ended his speech and surveyed the room.
Severus hid his skepticism under his usual mask of indifference. Minerva, being the more emotional of the quad, brought her hand quickly to her mouth as if trying to physically stop her fast paced thoughts from spilling out of her gaping mouth. Saul, having co-mastered this plan did not looked shocked. Instead he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Having an unspeakable uncomfortable made Severus internally cautious, Severus paid very close attention to the next words coming out of Dumbledore's mouth.
"If one could go back, stop the source of the mayhem before it took place, the war will have never happened. No war means all that perished during will still be alive. The world as we know it would be changed." Dumbledore drifted off.
This time Severus spoke up, "You don't know that it would be changed for the better, stopping one evil may make way for a greater, unknown evil. There is a reason it's the number one magic rule, you do not mess with time." He spoke clearly with purpose. He knew where Dumbledore was going with this and it was not a good plan.
Dumbledore sighed, "Yes Severus I know but if there is a chance that it may turn out for the better and we have the means to do so, should we not try?
Severus rubbed the bridge of his nose before responding, "in theory yes, but so many things could go wrong that it doesn't make it worth the chance. Even a tiny thing that is changed could unravel the fabric of time and reality. Simply trying could cause the end of the world, not just as we know it, but actually end it"
Dumbledore waved his good hand in an act of dismissing his argument. "Severus, How can things be much worse?"
Severus stayed quiet. It was clear that Dumbledore had made up his mind. This meeting was not a conversation on whether or not to do it. It was a planning session on how to go through with it. Realizing this, Severus turned his attention from Dumbledore to Croaker, "so since this is your plan, how do you suggest we go about doing it?"
Croaker shifted again in his seat, Severus was starting to believe the man didn't know how to sit still. Croaker cleared his throat, "After the battle in the Department of Mysteries, the hall of time turners was destroyed. Every active time turner smashed save for one. The one Minerva held onto for Miss Granger since her third year." The occupants looked towards Minerva as she nodded stiffly, indicating she indeed still have the aforementioned time turner. Croaker continued, "Them being smashed, made the individual units defective. However the components, more specifically the enchanted sand that ran through the hourglass, still technically hold some power. My department collected the sand and after some research it was found that a higher concentration of sand lead to further travel. So essentially more sand the further back it can send you. The amount in the previous time turners was mathematically calculated to only allow for a few hours at a time but a larger amount means further travel. Theoretically, one could use the sand to send someone back to before the war and stop it at its roots."
Severus felt the wheels of his thought process turning at warp speed. The idea was certainly an interesting one. He knew of the fight at the Ministry and what the consequences of that battle were. It never occurred to Severus that individual pieces of an enchanted item could still be useful when not whole and linked together. He let himself cautiously think of the process in which to do this. Severus was nothing if not methodical.
"So if I am understanding this correctly, who would we be sending back? And just how far back would we be sending them?" Severus inquired.
Minerva chose this time to interject, "now hold on one griffin picking minute! I cannot believe this is actually being discussed. It as if you don't remember the Triwizard Tournament! How can we offer someone up as bait? You talk of trying to preserve life but this is anything but! With no guarantee of not only their survival but the entire world's survival how can this really be a viable plan?"
Dumbledore answered the shrieking witch, "Minerva if the person is successful like we plan for them to be, every one lives. No one dies as a result of the war. It's not to say no one will die but it will be of different if not mostly natural causes"
Minerva probed back, "but what about the person who goes?
Severus saw where this was going and interrupted, "you don't intend for the so called hero to return do you? You plan for them to stay where they land and over see that the plan continues to be what you deem a success"
Dumbledore looked down towards his clasped hands. That told Severus all he needed to know. Knowing Dumbledore's secrets aided him in his role as spy, his motto 'for the greater good' still rang true in dictating his actions. Severus let out a tiny grunt, letting Dumbledore know he disagreed with his plan.
Dumbledore sighed for what seemed to be the hundredth time, "Yes Severus that is indeed my plan. All of which would be divulged to the witch or wizard that volunteers to take on this role. "
All four sat in contemplative silence. Each member of this meeting reflecting. Minerva worried about the poor soul that was to volunteer for the mission, if they would grasp the consequences of this choice fully. Croaker mulled on how he would get the sand, knowing he had to do it soon, as Dumbledore wanted to execute the plan during the next order meeting. Severus studied the other member's and sighed, however much they questioned and shouted in moral outrage, they all still operated under the assumption that the plan was going to be carried out. No one even considering saying no outright. Dumbledore had already began sorting the necessary pieces still needed.
Severus was the one to break the silence, "so who do we send?"
Two pairs of eyes turned to Severus. It was almost as if they forgot about that part of the plan. Dumbledore looked contemplative, "I assumed I would bring it up at the next order meeting and let someone volunteer."
Severus, as the every droning voice of reason, "and if no one volunteers?"
The dullness did not leave Dumbledore's eyes, this worried Severus immensely. Dumbledore did not answer, instead he continued with his plan, "I have drafted a notebook on Voldemort's life, all incidents of note and a timeline of his life known to me. Upon acceptance of this mission he or she would be given this to study in hopes of aiding them in knowing the best moment to go to and complete the task at hand." And at that he waved his wand over the scrolls and they neatly collected into a ringed notebook, complete with an unassuming cover.
Severus knew this meeting was at an end. He got up and nodded toward the table, "if you had already decided I'm not sure as to why you chose to have this meeting. I assume it's because you needed a part from each of us. Minerva to give you the time turner, Croaker for the sand, but I am unsure as to why you needed me."
Dumbledore looked up to make eye contact with the now standing, sullen man, "you're right this meeting was held to converse with all people necessary to carry out this plan, save for the actual traveller. Your part Severus, comes next week. I need you to keep watch when you are with Voldemort, take notice of any, if any changes that begin to manifest. As the subject is changed so does our future until it is unrecognizable. At which point you wouldn't know to or would it be necessary to, report back. However in the case that plan B fails and nothing changes, we may need to fully implement plan A."
Severus understood his role. It was no different than what he had been doing for the last 17 years. He was to spy on the other side and report back. With another nod of understanding Severus walked out of the tent. His walk back to the boarder of the protective wards was just as quick as his walk to them before. This time however felt longer, it felt more akin to a walk towards impending doom rather than a walk home.
Once he passed through the ward, Severus didn't even check if anyone was around. He disapparated on the spot. He landed home and took a breath, reliving the events of tonight. He then made a B-line to his personal stash of Firewhiskey. He drowned two glasses in quick succession. The burn of the alcohol not registering at all. He sat in the chair in his study and processed the meeting. He downed his third glass and let out an exasperated growl of frustration.
Severus was a spy in the most dangerous wizarding war of recorded history, and even he did not envy the unfortunate soul that took on this mission.