Dark blood- Intruder in Hogwarts, giving up

Hi everyone, hope you are enjoying this so far:D I just wanted to say Thankyou to those of you who favour or are following this Fic and to those of you who reviewed. Next chapter and il name some names to thank you personally:)

thank you and make sure you review more, ok?;) please?

Albus apperated to the closest area near Hogwarts and walked the rest of the way. When he came to the closed gates, he expected them to remain just that, closed. However as soon as he came close, they slid open, allowing him to enter in a very inconspicuous manner. It was probably because Hogwarts either recognised the old headmaster or understood that help was needed for the present ill one. Dumbledore smiled and entered the castle.

The headmistress had remained in her office for most of the last few days. She had hopes that at some point someone would just burst in through the door and tell her where Severus was. Severus. More like his body, cold and lifeless. Minerva shook her head sadly. How could they have misunderstood a man so much? Why did they ignore the subtle signs and shy acts of kindness? Why did they refuse to see the good and only see the bad?

while she mourned the death of her colleague, she noticed a change in the school. The gates were open which meant someone was in who shouldn't be. She quickly wiped her tears and stood up to leave for the great hall. Who was in the school?

Ah, so the headmistress knows. Albus grinned, his eyes twinkling madly as he made his way to the dungeons. It was the potion masters store room he was after, but he knew that Severus had always placed a large number of protection spells on the room so it wasn't unexpected or as surprising when he came across it. Albus continued making his way down, silently surprised that no students were about. Of course the school year was yet to start, but it was still different to what he was used to. If only Severus would agree! Now Albus stood just outside the store room, hand raised to remove any spells, when suddenly a harsh, yet familiar voice called out to him.

"Don't move. Don't you dare move"

Minerva was furious. Who was this man before her?And What in Merlins name did he think he was doing with Severus' store cupboard? The sudden reminder of her deceased friend only served to fuel her hatred more. She whipped out her wand and pointed it at this black clad figure, who dared to saunter through the halls of Hogwarts like he owned the place.

"Don't move. Don't you dare move"

She had come as soon as Hogwarts had informed her that someone was in the dungeons. Since no one else was around here she knew the intruder would be in this area. But who was he? And why in Merlins name was he smiling?

The man before her was clearly an old wizard, judging by the short, white beard. As he turned to face her, he raised his hands and, if possible grinned even more.

"What do you think you are doing?" Her shrill voice echoed through the dungeon but did nothing to change the look of the wizard in front of her.

"I...was merely looking for the headmaster or mistress of this school. You wouldn't happen to know where he or she is, would you?"

Minerva seriously doubted that this was the man's intention. Why sneak in then? But he was incredibly convincing, if only a bit strange. Still...

"And why, pray tell, do you need to speak to the headmistress of Hogwarts? What business do you have here?"

Albus had been prepared for that question and had an answer, but he knew Severus wouldn't like it. Oh Severus would hate it, but he had seen the flicker of hope in the dark eyes when Severus had been told of how Harry had defended him in front of the ministry. Yes, Severus would agree, even if not at the beginning. But it would be worth it later. This could work out well.

"My son and I wish to teach here"

"Did you not send a letter of application beforehand?"

"I did. But I got no response. Is the headmistress very busy these days?" There was an amused look on his face now.

It was true Minerva had been quite busy these past few days but it was unlike her to miss such a letter. Especially since the school was in desperate need of a transfiguration, defence and potions professor.

"I sent it by owl. Did you not receive it?" He repeated.

"No I did not. Which position were you applying for exactly?"

"I see then that you are indeed headmistress of this school. We were going to apply for the DADA and potions classes. We are quite eager!"

Minerva finally lowered her wand and sighed in relief. The man seemed sincere and those were positions she needed if this school was to run. She was not about to be fussy.

"Very well then. Come into my office and we will discuss the rules and requirements. Merlin knows I am in dire need of professors." And with that said The headmistress led the older wizard to her office. It was there that they discussed the jobs.

In Gryffindor common room.

"Guys, I've been thinking about things and I feel that maybe we should call off the search"

Ron and Hermione stopped. This was unexpected.

"Harry, what do you mean? Snape?"

Harry nodded and swallowed thickly."I don't think we will find it anytime soon and let's face it, we saw him bitten and where he lay. If he was around there we would have seen it by now."

"But Harry, why now? We've come so far"

" But we still haven't found him Hermione. And something tells me we never will."

"Harry..."

Harry turned to his two best friends. The ones who had stood by his side for the last 7 years. They would understand.

"The longer I think about him and his role in the war, the more I hate myself for never being able to see the person behind the mask. The more I think about him the more distressed I feel. We will never get to know him. Severus I mean. Not the spying professor, death eater, headmaster Snape. Not the spy who was never known by those except Dumbledore, who used him anyway"

The saddened look on their faces made Harry hesitate for a second, but he carried on.

"Seeing his corpse will just serve as another reminder of how much he was used. I think instead of spending time looking for what may not even be his body, we should make his legacy well known, starting with the damn ministry!"

At this, Ron looked up sharply.

"I can't believe they outright disagreed with you about Snape like that. There, in front of everyone, despite what you and everyone who had seen his memories had said. That git! I mean your the boy-who-freakin-killed-Voldemort twice! The damn ministry should be bendin' down, kissin' your arse!"

Hermione who had been silent now spoke up.

"I feel sad that professor Snape will never know about this. For everything he did he would only be recognised after his death, and that too as a death eater"

They pondered for a minute on the fight they had at the ministry. It had been to defend Snape but the minister was adamant that the potion master was to blame. Even with the option to look at Snape's memories, the ministry had still said no, claiming they didn't need evidence to prove he was at fault. This had infuriated the golden trio and they had stormed out of the conference as a smiled bitterly. If only he knew how much we are trying to defend him. Maybe Severus would forgive us and be happy for once.

"So it's agreed then. Lets call off the search. We should spend more time doing what we can to prove him faithful"

"Alright mate. If that's what you think, then we're with you a hundred percent."

"Harry, are you absolutely sure?"

Harry paused for a moment but finally...

"Yes. Yes this would be better"

The headmistress' office

" Well it certainly was nice meeting you! I cannot ever be grateful enough for your help"

"Why headmistress, the pleasure is all mine. It is you who agreed to this"

"You may call me Minerva, please. It wouldn't do to see to such formality, especially considering how we will be seeing you teach here very soon"

The arrangements has been made. The school would open in two weeks and Alder Slade and his son Servine Slade would make themselves at home, three days prior to the opening of the school. They would have the area of their choice to themselves with all the room and facilities they need, and because one of them would be potions teacher, they would have access to all ingredients just as its predecessor had once had.

"Does your son know which he would rather teach?"

"Servine hasn't decided yet, but I am sure he will make the decision quickly. You needn't worry because Servine is qualified and trained in both fields just as I am"

The headmistress nodded. "Well then Mr Slade. If you would like to follow me I will show you the quickest way to apperate, from here"

"Ah, Minerva if I could just ask you, would it be possible to take a few potions with me?"

She blinked from her seat. "Why? I mean you can, but what is it you need them for?"

"My son is actually quite ill at the moment and his stubbornness will prevent him from recovering if he doesn't take anything. You know how it is, I mean you must have met someone who never looked after themselves, no matter what you did"

Minerva looked down at that. Of course she would think of Severus and his stubborn behaviour. It was just one of his biggest traits.

"Of course. I take it this is why you were attacking my potion storeroom earlier"

Alder coughed."yes, well it was just very important and I didn't know where everyone was, so there was no one to ask. It is quite serious, he is very ill"

"You may help yourself, I will remove the charms in place for ten minutes and you may help yourself during then"

Alder nodded, smiling happily and stood up to leave. Minerva also stood up and was about to speak when she noticed Alder, staring at two portraits on the wall, the two ones that weren't magic.

"They do not speak. They are the two most recent deceased headmasters of Hogwarts and are at this current moment being greatly missed by all"

He turned back and gave a small sympathetic smile. "So I had heard. I am sorry. Were they very important to you?"

"Very. That one, who's name is Albus Dumbledore was my mentor and close friend along with being headmaster and hence my employer. That one is of Severus Snape. He was a spy in the war and unfortunately was... He was also one of my closest friends. He shouldn't have passed on the way he did. We are trying to look for the body at this moment however we have been very unsuccessful. I just wish..." There were tears in her eyes as she looked at Alder. She had no idea why she was telling all this to him but felt strangely compelled to do so.

He smiled encouragingly."I am sure you will find him soon enough"

The headmistress quickly wiped her tears and smiled back.

"Yes. Anyway I would like to meet your son some time. He does seem rather interesting."

"Of course, as soon as he is better I will bring him"

And with that said, they shook hands and Alder charged down the halls to the potion store room. After he obtained the potions, he left Hogwarts and quickly apperated to the hut.