Dark blood- Fight in the staff room

Hello! So following on from the last chapter we found Sev faced with a huge shock. What will his reaction be? And let's see how long will it be before something gives?

Please please review as always! You guys are awesome and if you want to be even awesomer, you will follow!FOLLOW TO THE END OF THE EARTH!

Anyway Thankyou so much my reviewers, and readers! Enjoy this chapter:)

"I am correct aren't I? It's you isn't it...Severus?"

Severus had never felt more shocked or caught off guard in his life. Servine immediately occluded his mind. Perhaps the man was an occlumens. For a random man to suddenly start asking strange questions and just know that he was Severus Snape was a shock in itself. How could he possibly know though? There is no way Alder would let the charms drop especially here in Diagon alley and Servine hadn't actually looked him in the eye or felt his mind being invaded. But then how?

"Aha! I can't believe it. It actually is you! Well the dark lord always did say you were a tricky Slytherin, but this!"

Servine decided he would try once more. He looked around in a confused daze. Then he turned to the man who had his shoulders.

"Sorry, who are you? And who are you calling Severus? I've never even met you!" But he knew from the look on this mans face that he knew. God this man actually knew! Servine glanced around quickly. The area was practically vacant probably because wizards were heading home. Damn where is a crowd when you need one?!

But Servine did spot something. Another unfamiliar brown-haired muggle man ran up to the one who had grabbed Severus and started talking to him. Merlin not another one! I have to get away from here.

"Hey, leave him for a minute!" The man took the other ones hands off Severus' shoulders and began to whisper into his ally's ear. But Servine heard them anyway and what he heard made his heart stop.

"After all this is an excellent opportunity...we may have...use for him. We are the only ones who know. In fact, lets just take him now"

That did it. Servine didn't hesitate. He turned around and bolted as fast as he could away from the two men. He didn't check to see if they had followed him but carried on running. Suddenly the crowd appeared again and Servine blended into it quickly. But he was nowhere near where he was meant to meet Albus! Then Severus mentally paused. Did this encounter mean they knew about Albus too? What if they tried to go after him and he was kidnapped? Or worse as in he was hurt? No! He couldn't let that happen. Albus was all he had left, all left to live for. If something happened to his mentor... I would kill myself.

Severus knew he had to find Albus. A patronus was out of the question since people could spot it and it would blow his cover. Plus what if it didn't reach in time. Taking a sharp quick turn into the shop near him he waited there to bend over and catch his breath. A warm hand touched his back and he jumped, span around and whipped out his wand. But the sight he was greeted with was a favourable one.

"Albus" He breathed. He had never been more relieved.

Alder stood there looking very confused , his hand still hovering where Servine had bent over. His young charge had turned around and was gazing at him with a mix of relief and fear. Albus knew there were not many things that could get Severus' heart going out of fear, so something must have happened in his absence. What had happened to Severus?

"Severus? Are you alright?" Albus whispered low enough that only Severus could hear. But instead of replying, Servine only shook his head and stood straight up again. Then he took Alder's shoulders from behind and steered him out of the store and practically all the way back to the apparation point outside Hogwarts in a rapid pace. Finally Servine let go when they were in the forest outside of Hogwarts and were completely alone. Alder faced him and to his horror, Servine sunk onto a nearby fallen tree trunk and put his head in his hands, covering his face and shaking his head.

"Severus, what happened? Are you alright? Alder asked in a quiet yet concerned manner. He sat down next to Servine on the tree trunk and looked around twice, before removing the spells that made them Slades. Then he put a hand on Severus' shoulder. Suddenly Albus found himself wrapped around by black sleeved, tight arms as he was pulled close to Severus. Now he knew something had happened. Severus Tobius Snape didn't do hugs. He just did not and certainly not so openly. Albus pulled away enough to see Severus' black eyes gazing at him with so much relief. What would bring about such a feeling?

"Severus, child what is wrong?"

"Albus..." He let go of his mentor and looked at the mossy ground.

"I made a mistake. We have made a very big mistake."

"But Severus! What happened? For Merlin's sake, tell me!"

"I was caught." Albus looked at him.

"Caught, Severus? As in caught out?"

"A men I did not recognise, came up to me and asked me vague questions about dark magic and potions. Then he turned around and called me Severus. He started saying he knew it was me and then he grabbed me but stopped when his accomplice came up to him and told him to let go of me because he knew they could make use of the opportunity and decided it would be better if they just took me with them! In other words, two men I didn't know, knew who I was and wanted to kidnap me!" By the end of his rant and shouting, Severus had begun to act a little hysterical.

"Severus, tell me all the details. What they looked like, what they asked, what they did-" he stopped short to inspect Severus from head to toe.

"Did they hurt you? Severus, are you hurt!?" Albus shook him quickly when Severus didn't answer but gave a shake of the head.

"I'm fine Albus, I- what?" Albus had performed a quick diagnostic spell that told him Severus was speaking the truth (other than the venom already in his body and slightly elevated temperature). Albus tucked his wand away- he had learned that Severus' standard answer for everything was 'I'm fine Albus!' which meant nothing to him if his child was hurt. Sighing he signalled for Severus to continue. The potion master scowled but told Albus all the details, up to the point where Severus had run into the store. Albus linked his hands together and thought carefully.

"He said "the dark lord" that means that despite the clothes, they couldn't have been muggles. And you say there was something 'off' about them?" Severus nodded.

"Severus, have you considered polyjuice potion?"

"What do you mean?"

"That they were people you did know, only disguised?"

"Hmmmm. But then how did they know? Who were they and why did they want me?"

"There is probably much more to this that meets the eye. Let us keep an eye out but from now on we mustn't leave the castle unless it is necessary. After all, besides your wish to remain hidden, the ministry is after your body and I wouldn't be surprised if there are still death eaters out there as well."

He stood up and stretched. " come Severus! We should go back to the castle. And you mustn't worry. They cannot get to us at Hogwarts anyway"

Minerva had called for an emergency staff meeting that evening so when Servine and Alder returned ( with the glamour charms in tact) they were hurried into the staff room by Pomona and Filius. Once everyone was seated, Minerva began her main topic of discussion. But she didn't seem pleased. More frustrated in fact.

"Professors, earlier today I recieved a letter from the ministry of magic concerning the project we had discussed with Harry and his friends. It seems that despite the sheer number of witnesses who are willing to support the facts, the minister is just not willing to accept the fact that Severus was a brave man who wasn't a death eater"

The faculty gasped and began to chat amongst themselves.

"Tha's outrageous! Sev was on our side!" Hagrid's voice boomed.

"It just doesn't make any sense, why are they so stubborn!" Pomona cried out.

"They should be hanged!" Filius shrieked. Followed by Pomfrey, Rolanda and Sybil. Even Filch nodded in agreement to the apparently ludicrous statement of the ministry. But Alder had his eyes trained solely on Servine. What would his son's reaction be? The doubts in Servine's mind had been caused partly by the fear that the staff had rejected him or hated him. This meeting didn't show this. In fact the uproar in front of his very eyes was proof that they cared for him. And would fight for him. Merlin, despite me being supposedly dead they still want the charges cleared. For an instant, Severus pictured what their reactions would be to finding out he was sitting right in front of them. Servine shook his head in frustration. He wasn't going back to his life as Severus...except those men knew! They knew so what is the point in pretending l am someone I'm not? The ministry posed a problem though and if any death eaters were around he could be killed just for saying the wrong thing. He sighed. He was a wanted man despite what these people were trying to do for him. But at least he could try and stop them wasting their time trying to help his dead body.

He stood up and everyone halted like in the great hall. Alder remained silently seated, curious of Servine's reaction." professors, I don't understand why you are wasting your time fighting for someone who's no longer alive. Why would you even do that especially for someone who doesn't even deserve it, I mean for Merlin's sake Severus Snape was a murder-"

"That's enough!"

Servine stopped midway through his rant to find himself on the pointing end of Minerva Mcgonigals wand. It was then that he noticed all the teachers were glaring at him as if he was a murderer. But I am! He laughed at the irony of the situation in his mind but kept a serious face.

"Mr Slade I don't think you quite grasp how important Severus was. He was the bravest and I repeat, Bravest of men. He spied on the dark lord, killed his best friend and suffered the hate of everyone to ensure they were safe. And all for his love for another. Tell me, do you think it was right that he was killed by the dark lord the way he was? So brutally and that too, not even a quick and painless death?"

Servine had gone pale. He hadn't realised his memories were still with Potter. That Potter must have shown the staff! And also that these people thought him worthy of fighting for. They cared. Someone cares enough to defend me beyond my death. Is this how I am looked at by others? Do others defend me like Minerva? I have to know.

"Oh pray tell, who would agree with you headmistress? The ministry certainly doesn't!" He knew he was pushing it now but he needed to know if...

"Professor, I can mention dozens of names that would defend Severus!"

"Such as...?"

"Why the whole school for starters!"

What? The whole school... Did that mean they have all forgiven me? No not possible!

"You lie."

"Very well then." Minerva lowered her wand. She seemed to have calmed down if only a bit. "I will prove to you Servine Slade that there are many others who care for Severus like myself starting with when the school students arrive"

He nodded and sat down promptly and Alder smiled sadly at him. His knees felt like they were in a jinx as he took in the dialogue in the meeting. He then realised that he was confused. Totally confused. What had Sybil said? That I was confused? Well she was right. What if her whole statement is true? That I must be careful...and mind my past...

Three days passed swiftly with the professors hustling quickly to make sure that they were completely prepared for the students. Servine still hadn't managed to find time for the remaining seven potions and was constantly dosing himself with his antivenom to make up for it. But he knew that would run out soon and that this couldn't continue. He was becoming prone to dizziness again and it also didn't help that he wasn't able to sleep because the fear that the two men would appear telling everyone who he was along with nightmares about Lily and Voldemort, were giving him insomnia. Now it was only a few hours before the children arrived and filled the halls of Hogwarts with life.

But Alder had noticed the unusual effects on Servine. He tutted as he watched his stressed charge struggle to stay awake from the bedroom door. The young professors grey eyes were dull and slightly red. And instead of sitting up straight doing his lesson plans, he was slouching and hunched over slightly. Severus only ever did that if he was in pain. Alder grew suspicious and crept into Servine's bedroom those few hours before and asked him if he was suffering from the venom to which he shook his head. But he told Alder that he wasn't sleeping very well and Alder forced him to get some sleep for a while. When he woke up, Alder opened his door and gave him a smart set of clothes and cloak and told him to get ready. The students had arrived and he needed to be in the great hall within the next fifteen minutes. He scrambled out of bed and got ready. It was time to see if Minerva was being honest.

TBC;D