A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed this story. It means a lot to me.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.
HBP NOTICE: This story was started before the release of HBP, as such, it is now offically AU and takes place during Harry's sixth year (follows books 1-5). At this time, there are no plans to include the events of HBP, so no need to worry about spoilers.
Most Evil Plan
Chapter 4
Refusal
Severus gave a jolt as his left forearm started to tingle. Luckily he was in his rooms and miraculously didn't have any dunderheads in detention that night. After sending his patronus to Albus to inform the headmaster, he quickly left the castle.
As he walked towards the apparation barrier, a feeling of uneasiness fell over him. It was currently the beginning of October, and Voldemort had yet to initiate 'the plan'.
The only thing Severus knew was that he was to continue to treat the boy wonder with contempt. Something that Severus didn't find difficult at all. In fact, according to the headmaster, he was enjoying that part of the assignment too much. Well, you had to find some things in life to enjoy, especially when living the life of a spy, Snape thought, before turning his mind back to the plan.
He knew that the sooner he discovered the plan, the sooner, and easier, it would be to combat it. With the way the Dark Lord thought, anything could be possible, from turning Potter into a puppy to deaging him to the point of infancy. Severus snorted at that last thought. The Dark Lord wasn't able to defeat a fifteen month old child fifteen years ago, why would he believe it would be different today?
Leaving Hogwart's grounds, Severus quickly apparated away to the Dark Lord's side.
"He wants to review the syllabus again," Severus complained to the headmaster, upon his return to the castle.
"Any particular reason why?"
"Most likely to make additional changes, therefore, making my life even more difficult."
"Now, Severus," Albus stated eyes twinkling, "I'm sure that isn't his only reason."
Snape snorted in disagreement.
"Just because that is something you would do, does not mean that others follow the same rules."
"Speaking of rules," Severus said, eyes gleaming, "I caught Potter roaming the halls in his invisibility cloak again."
"Ah, poor Harry,"
"Poor Harry!" Severus reiterated in disgust, "That boy has broken more rules than all the other students combined. And instead of punishing him, you sympathize."
"Now, Severus, what would you have me do?"
"Expel the boy, of course."
"That would not bode well for the plan," Albus reminded Snape.
"Humph," was all Severus deigned to reply.
"Besides, I'm sure you penalized him enough."
"Thirty points and three nights detention with Filch since he so enjoys being out of the dorm after curfew."
"Did you find out why he was out after curfew?"
"Most likely trying to set up some prank on an unsuspecting student," Severus replied.
"Now, Severus, you should know Mr. Potter better than that. He is not like James."
"Could've fooled me," Severus muttered under his breath.
"Except in appearance," the headmaster continued. "His demeanor is more that of his mother."
As Severus went to reply, Albus held up a hand, "However, I will speak to Mr. Potter about roaming the halls after curfew. Even with the cloak, it is much to dangerous."
"I still don't understand why you felt it necessary to give an eleven year old an invisibility cloak," Severus grumbled.
"The syllabus, Severus," Voldemort quietly demanded.
"Here, my lord," Severus stated as he passed the sixth year syllabus to the Dark Lord once again.
"Some changes need to be made," Voldemort said as he perused the parchment.
"Yes, my lord," Severus responded, silently groaning. Only the Dark Lord would change the class syllabus a month into the term. Hopefully it wouldn't be too significant.
"I have decided to initiate the plan on Halloween."
"Yes, my lord," Severus agreed, once more wishing for a recording so he wouldn't have to attend these meetings.
"It has also come to my attention that once my plan is set in motion I will no longer be able summon you."
Severus struggled to keep his surprise-and dismay- hidden. If he wasn't summoned how would he know the steps to the plan? So far the Dark Lord had been very hesitant in sharing information.
"My lord?" Severus questioned, not sure how or why the plan would interfere with these 'appointments'. After all, the headmaster believed him to be a spy and wouldn't keep him from attending.
"You will see, Severus, you will see," Voldemort gloated before explaining the new system of communication.
"Halloween," Severus announced as he took a seat across from the Headmaster.
"I should have expected that," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Voldemort does like to stick to his routines."
"Apparently so," Severus agreed. "I still have no word on the details, except that it will require a change in the syllabus. However, he has informed me that once the plan is activated, I wouldn't be able to report to him as normal."
"Do you thing he suspects?" Albus asked, concerned for his friend's safety.
"No," Severus said confidently. "If he knew or suspected that I was a spy, he wouldn't allow me to return alive. I would be punished at once, as an example to others."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Snape said curtly, before changing the subject. "He indicated that the next time he calls he would have the new form of communication for us to use. Hopefully he will also reveal the plans for Halloween."
Severus groaned as he carried the enchanted quill and diary back to Hogwarts.
Just what he needed, he thought as he headed towards the headmaster's office, a journal to communicate with the Dark Lord.
After saying this week's ridiculous password, Severus entered Albus's office, dropping the diary and quill on the desk.
"This looks familiar," the headmaster stated as he took in the small leather bound book.
"It should, it's an imitation of the diary Riddle kept when he was sixteen," Severus sneered. Although he never had a first-hand glimpse of the famous book that was responsible for opening the chamber of secret, he had heard about it from Albus and had seen it in Potter's memories from teaching the boy occlumency.
"Ah, that explains it," Albus answered, "Lemon Drop?"
"No, thank you. This is the Dark Lord's new method of communicating with me. Only that quill will work in the book. He has a brother book. What is written in one book will appear in the other. Once the plan is set in motion, I am to alert him using this. Likewise, rather than 'calling' me, he will use the book to let me know of the next stages of the plan."
"Ingenious," Dumbledore marveled. "So simple, yet secure. I trust that after each transmission the book is cleared?"
"Yes," Severus sneered as he recalled the password the Dark Lord set to the book.
"Have you tested it yet?"
"Not yet. He will use it to call me for the next meeting," Severus explained. "The quill is connected to the book, if a message is waiting for me, the feathers will change colors."
"Remarkable," Albus said in awe, not quite as impressive as the Order's means of communication, but still an incredible feat.
"Severus, I have asked you before if it was possible to alter the results of certain potions," Voldemort began.
"Yes, my lord," Severus answered, wondering if he is finally going to hear the details of the Dark Lord's master plan.
"The potion I am most curious about is Amevi."
Snape paled at the mention of that potion. What exactly did the Dark Lord have in mind?
"Severus," Voldemort demanded, "Answer me. Is it possible?"
"It should be possible, my lord," Severus answered, clarifying the statement, "However, it has never been done before and it would depend on how you want the results altered."
"And if the potion was later recreated without you there, would it show the same altered results?" Voldemort continued, ignoring the second half of Severus's remark.
"Again, my lord, it depends on what results you want. As long as the results aren't too complicated, it shouldn't be much of a problem." Severus answered.
As Voldemort explained the results he desired, Severus continued to pale. That was his new plan? Surely the Dark Lord wasn't serious?
"My lord?" Severus questioned, "How is that going to help you defeat Potter?"
"Crucio," Voldemort incanted, watching Severus fall to the ground.
"Who are you to question me? Your job is to carry out my plans. All will be revealed in time; however, suffice it to say that our powers are tied to our emotions. I've already discovered how Potter's emotions have an effect on me. This will make Potter unstable. He will be too wrapped up in his emotions to think."
"Yes, my lord," Severus agreed, hesitating briefly before asking, "Are you sure I'm the best candidate for this, my lord?"
"Severus, Severus, Severus," Voldemort said despondently, before once again cursing the potion master. "When will you stop questioning me? I cannot think of anyone better for this assignment."
"I trust you will find a way to make that happen?"
"Yes, my lord," Severus answered, silently hoping that Albus would find a way to prevent it.
"Excellent," Voldemort cackled. "That is the potion that will be prepared on Halloween. Also, young Malfoy is to be Potter's partner that day."
"Yes, my lord," Severus repeated, one thought running through his mind, he could not let Voldemort's plan be put into effect.
"I refuse to follow through on this," Severus stated after he explained the plan to the headmaster.
"You can't," Albus contradicted.
"Regardless, I still refuse to do this. Why don't you find a way to stop it?"
"How?" Albus asked, eyes twinkling.
"Say that you refuse to allow them to make the potion."
"The time for that would've been when you brought your revised syllabus to me the first time."
"Well do something!" Severus roared. "This lesson cannot proceed as he intends."
"Again, I ask, what can I do? If you can think of a way out of this without revealing yourself as a spy, I will give it some consideration."
Severus stood up and started to pace. Perhaps he could arrange for the necessary ingredients to be tampered with. No, Severus thought, he couldn't waste ingredients like that. He could always hex Potter so that he would be absent from class that day. Arrange an 'accident' for the boy. No, that would only delay the Dark Lord's plan. Not stop it.
"Oh Merlin," Severus moaned as he returned to his seat in front of the headmaster. "There isn't a way out of this, is there?"
""I'm afraid not," Albus said cheerfully, eyes brightly shining. "Lemon drop?"
Amevi-a potion of my creation…you will find out what it stands for on 'Halloween'…I will tell you that it is actually an acronym for 5 words, most of which (if not all) are in Latin…
Hey, I said Severus would know the plan…not you
Chapter 5 Halloween (I think…unless I break up the chapter)…plan set in motion…
7/30/2005