Chapter Twenty: The Second Task:
It was bitter cold the date of the second task but that did not stop any student from heading to the lake to watch what they could of the task. Neville sat with Luna as Harry, Ron and Hermione were going to be part of the task. They had no clue as to what part the three friends would play in the task but there was a rumor it was dangerous. The students would get to watch part of what happened, each champion would have a magically run camera following them with a witch or wizard following them with muggle scuba gear (some muggle things work better than magic and as the safety teams and camera operators were going to be under longer than the champions they needed the scuba gear). The camera equipment was loaned by the American embassy and as such it did not violate the Muggle Protection act of Briton as it had not be made in Briton.
"Wonder what Harry Ron and Hermione are doing?" Neville asked Luna.
"Probably hiding." Draco said sitting by Luna with Ginny. "Because Ron picked on his sister one too many times."
"Draco just because you got permission from all of us to date Ginny does not give you free reign to insult Ron." Fred said sitting behind Draco with George.
"Yea you step out of line, after Ginny is done with you."
"And Bill,"
"And Charlie, don't forget him."
"The git that is Percy is next."
"Then we get our turn."
"Draco would never do anything to hurt me or step out of line." Ginny said her brown eyes flashing. "He is far smarter than you!"
"He is Slytherin dear sister, it pains us you date him!" George said.
"Me mum was Slytherin." Neville said. "Me dad was Gryffindor and they were both Aurors."
"Yea see not all of us Slytherin are bad." Draco said. "I am the best looking in the whole school."
"Better looking than me?" Sirius said taking a seat by the boys and Luna. "That is impossible!"
"Well I do have far more brains than you cousin." Draco said. "That and looks."
"Ouch, he got you uncle Siri." George said.
"Who's side are you on little cub?" Sirius said.
"The side that has brains even if they are from Slytherin and evil." Fred said grinning.
"You got him with that one." George replied.
Before Sirius could reply Snape walked by and Sirius growled as he did. Snape did not pay him any attention and went and stood with the other teachers and judges. The champions were given last minute instructions and they headed into the lake. Cedric was chewing something down and Neville looked smug as if he knew something no-one else did. The champions dove under the water and a large hourglass was set. One hour passed and Krum surfaced first, five after and Fleur surfaced. Ten after, no Cedric, fifteen after, still no Cedric then Neville spotted him with two people swimming slowly to shore. When he got close to shore Ron saw Cedric had Harry and Hermione, Ron had come up first with Fleur and Krum had come up with out anyone. The diving wizards and witches had a word with the judges and Dumbledore spoke to the mercheiftaness.
"Wonder what happened?" Neville said.
"Seems they had to go and get something they held dear." Sirius said. "Or something like that."
"You do think sometimes." Draco said.
"Do you want me to talk to your mother?" Sirius said to Draco.
"She will side with me over you." Draco said. "She likes me more."
Neville just shook his head and watched as the points for this task were given out. Cedric did loose points but as he had saved two people as he had taken the task seriously he did not loose too many. He was tied for first place with Fleur and the whole school cheered for him. The students headed back to the school for dinner, after dinner everyone went back to their common rooms. It was clear the Hufflepuffs were going to be celebrating most of the night as they had started at dinner. No-one saw Snape slip out of the school and head down to the lake but one shaggy black dog who followed him and slipped in and out of the shadows. Snape came to the forest and stepped under some trees and Lucius Malfoy walked up to him.
"Why did you ask me to meet you here?" Lucius said.
"The dark lord is back." Snape said. "Do not lie to me, the mark grows darker each day."
"If he is back why would you care?" Lucius said. "You serve Dumbledore."
"Only to stay free." Snape said.
"You have not gone to try to bring him back."
"I cannot leave Great Briton, if I tried I would be hunted down and killed." Snape said looking around. "I am still loyal, I have never been otherwise."
"I cannot say yes or no if he is back." Lucius said.
"Remember I am loyal, I want him back." Snape said. "My life has been harsh since he was gone, you are not a prisoner as I am."
"I will do what I can." Lucius said. "Do not call me here again, it is too dangerous."
Snape walked away from Lucius and headed back to the school. Padfoot followed him as close as he dared wanting to rip out Snape's worthless throat. He followed Snape into the school and watched him walk up to the headmaster's office. He turned human and followed him up to the office. He heard Snape give the password and waited a moment before he walked up and did the same. He stormed up to the office, burst through the door with wand out and fury on his face. He saw Snape in front of Dumbledore's desk sitting with the headmaster behind the desk. He stormed over to Snape and stuck his wand against Snape's neck.
"Sirius what do I owe this visit?" The headmaster said.
"This thing, this filthy death eater." Sirius snarled. "You know where he was?"
"Do tell and please remove that wand from my neck." Snape said coldly.
"He was meeting with Lucius Malfoy!" Sirius shouted, "he was plotting to bring back Voldemort!"
"Yes Lucius Malfoy is plotting to bring back Voldemort that is true." Dumbledore said calmly. "Severus is trying to find out if he is successful."
"He is a filthy death eater and I am gonna kill him!" Sirius said.
"No he is not." Dumbledore said. "He told me before he left he was going to meet with Lucius, I know all about it. Severus is in fact my spy, has been for years now."
"He want?" Sirius said looking confused.
"My spy, and yes I trust him, I would not have him here if I did not." Dumbledore said. "Now please remove your wand from my boy's neck."
"Headmaster." Snape protested. "I don't think he would care or understand."
"I think he has a right to know how much you do for us." Dumbledore said calmly though there was a fire in his eyes that was making Sirius nervous. "Severus has done a lot to keep the Wizarding world safe these past years. If not for him many people would have died as Voldemort is not dead only powerless for now. He has taken a job that is very taxing and hard for him and has done all this to get rid of Voldemort."
"But he is a death eater!" Sirius snarled.
"And you tried to kill him while you were still in school." Dumbledore replied calmly.
"I said I was sorry." Sirius sulked.
"I trust Severus because though he made mistakes he has done all he can to repent of them." Dumbledore said. "His guilt is great but he was conned into joining Voldemort, you have no idea what he goes through."
"I do not want pity especially from this mutt!" Snape snarled.
"I would never pity you, you greasy git!"
"Brainless bastard!" Snape shot back at Sirius.
"Boys enough, now Sirius one more thing, if you dare do anything to hurt Severus you will have me to deal with." Dumbledore said. "He is my boy and I will not have you hurting him is that clear?"
"What if he goes after me?" Sirius said.
"I would not, it would upset Remus too much." Snape said.
"Now that you know the truth about Severus you will not tell anyone but Remus." Dumbledore said. "Any careless words could get him killed and you would again have me to deal with."
"Yes sir." Sirius said finally lowering his wand. "You at least used Veritaserum on him?"
"No, that would have been Alastor Moody." Dumbledore said.
"I guess I am a real git here." Sirius said slowly. "However that does not mean I will ever like you Severus. Respect what you do yes, like you no."
"I could never like you either Black, you are arrogant, bullying, cocky, dunderheaded, evil, foolish, grating, hideous, idiotic, jerk, knowledge-less, lame, moronic, needling, quitting, pompous rebellious, stupid, terrible, underdeveloped, vain, worthless, xenophobic, yelling, zombie!"
"Fell better Severus?" Dumbledore asked as Sirius just sat there looking stunned.
"Yes headmaster." Snape said. "May I be excused, I have potions to brew."
"Of course, Sirius you are still banned from the dungeons even as Padfoot." Dumbledore said.
"Yes headmaster." Sirius said.
He headed out of the headmaster's office and walked down the stairs. He did not speak to Snape as he really did not like him and had been humiliated in front of the headmaster! Still it was a relief to know that such a sinister wicked person was at least against Voldemort and on their side. However Sirius still did not like Snape and he never would, it was just the way he was. Snape was ugly but he was far smarter, better with the ladies and far more powerful than Sirius. Sirius headed to Remus' office to see him sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione who were munching on chocolate.
"I want chocolate!" Sirius said snatching some from Remus' desk.
"So how did the meeting with Dumbledore go?" Remus asked him.
"How did you know?" Sirius asked.
"The fat friar told me about you storming up there." Remus said. "What did you do to Severus?"
"Nothing, I just had a few things to say to him." Sirius said. "Nothing major, just wanted to be allowed in the dungeons is all!"
"That will happen when hell freezes over." Hermione said and at a look from everyone in the room. "Well it will, professor Snape needs at least one place he is safe from pranks by anyone."
"I agree with that." Remus said. "After all potions and pranks do not mix very well, unless it is a prank potion. Padfoot kindly remove your hands from my chocolate or I will remove your arms."
"I hate it when it is that time of month for you." Sirius said removing his hand from the bag of Remus' chocolate. "Bloody nuisance you are."
"I love you to Padfoot." Remus replied dryly.
"Have you seen Moody?" Sirius said.
"Don't you dare prank him, he will make it hard for you to sit." Remus warned him.
"I won't I need to ask him something." Sirius said.
"Yea he should be in his office." Remus said.
Harry had been listening to this exchange and knew that Sirius was hiding something. He did not say anything but went back to enjoying his chocolate. He had been through yet another round of Occulumency training and his head hurt. Still he had Ron and Hermione to help him and even Neville was interested in what they were doing. There was no way he could get out of his lessons, if he could he would have followed Sirius and seen what it was he needed to talk to Moody about…
Yes Severus Snape is Dumbledore's boy, he is not going to allow anyone to hurt him. I think when Remus and Moody took Harry in it helped Dumbledore see that he had to be kind to those who were helping him. Most notably one Severus Snape, the man lost his parents at a young age (say what you will I only see that they were very poor and his father did yell a bit, that does not make his parents abusers of him) and that is what I believe made him turn to Voldemort. Dumbledore knows this and sees Snape as the son he never had and wants to do right by him.
I want to thank all who have reviewed so far: Tumshie, The Geeky Quill, graypheonix, Lady Clark-Weasley of Books, JWOHPfan, AllMightyPen, DeliaDee, Rainbow2007, Charcoal Hunter Winston, danielle72679, HarrySirius Fan, Auralia Mortimer, world peace, kloette, excessivelyperky, Blueowl, Tristan Cartier, Frost Merry Darkness Luver, miss sophie potter, Black Dragin, jabarber69, murdrax, panther73110, tlfsjs, Novice91. Thank you all! Oh and thank you all who have read and enjoyed this story too!