Chapter 14
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Severus surveyed the house one last time. It would be another nine months before he had to come back, and he felt good about it. The last time he had left his house for this long was four years ago for his seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
It didn't feel like Severus was leaving his home though, it felt like he was returning to it. Hogwarts was the only place that had ever felt welcoming to him. It was with a smile that Severus grabbed hold of his trunk and floo powder and shouted, "Hogwarts!"
His house quickly zoomed away and the inside of Dumbledore's office filled his vision. He stepped out of the fireplace cautiously. He rarely had ever been inside the Headmasters office, with the exception of the instances with the Marauders in his earlier years at the school. Even though he was no longer a student, it still felt like he had done something wrong, so he quickly hurried down the stairs and out of the office.
Before he realized where his feet were taking him, a familiar room stood before him. Bright light streamed through the large windows as he slowly walked towards the middle of the Great Hall, passing many large, long tables. He stopped at a specific one and looked at it softly. There stood the same table he had sat at for hours upon hours. It was his table through every welcoming feast, regular feat, holiday: the Slytherin table. He sat down slowly and felt a rush of familiarity. Just four years ago he had sat here, a proud seventh year, and looked up at the Professors for another year. Without moving, he continued to sit as the sun started to shine brighter through the room.
"It feels like you belong there, doesn't it?" Severus turned his head to see Dumbledore standing in front of the head table, a slight smile on his face. Severus stood up at once.
"I'm sorry, I didn't, I mean-" he stammered. Dumbledore waved his hand in dismissal.
"I wasn't criticizing, only understanding." He motioned for Severus to join him and he complied. "This," he motioned to the staff table and smiled, "is your home now." Dumbledore looked at Severus with a look mixed of seriousness and knowing. "Hogwarts is so much more than a school, Severus. Always remember that." He pulled a packet of paper out from his robes and Severus grabbed them without question. "Your class schedules and other basic information are in there and I would strongly advise reading and familiarizing yourself with them." He nodded at Severus and turned to walk away. "Just remember, Professor Snape, Voldemort expects you to be loyal to him and it would be wise of you to do so." Without another word, he strode out of the room, his footsteps echoing as he walked.
Severus watched him until he turned the corner to another part of the castle.
Severus looked over the papers and learned that his classroom would be in the dungeon. How queer, he thought, because he had never felt more free. He tucked the papers into his robes, grabbed his trunk, and headed to his new home.
The dungeons were dark and dreary and none of the candles on the wall were lit. Severus casually lit them with his wand as he passed by, causing shadows to dance all around him. His office, once he had arrived there, was empty except for a desk seated in one corner with a chair. Severus set his trunk in another corner and sat down at his desk. Severus pursued through the packet he was given again and found out that he had to be in the Great Hall in half an hour for the welcoming feast. While he waited, he sat and quickly memorized his schedule as Dumbledore had suggested and thought about how he was going to act towards his new students. If he was to portray a follower of the Dark Lord, he would have to favor the Slytherin house-which he didn't think would be too hard since he had come from there himself- and be unfair to almost everyone else. Even though he didn't really want to admit it, spending all that time with the Dark Lord probably helped in this area.
The half an hour passed quickly and soon he was on his way towards the Great Hall once more. Once he arrived, he smiled to himself. The Great Hall looked as magnificent as it always had when he had gone to Hogwarts. The candles floating among the tables, the golden plates and the ceiling that was enchanted to look like the sky all welcomed him and created a warm atmosphere.
Not a moment later, Dumbledore walked passed him, calling to Severus over his shoulder. "The children have arrived, it's time to sit at the staff table." Severus followed Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers to the staff table. When they were all seated, two places remained empty. Severus assumed they would be taken by Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor who helped with first year sortings, and Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts who conducted the boats the first years took across the Black Lake to the Hogwarts Castle.
The teachers that were seated however were, apparently, finding it difficult to refrain from pointing at Severus and hiding their shock that he of all people was hired by Dumbledore. It was well know that he had been big about the Dark Arts among the teachers, considering he had been taught by most of them a few short years ago. Severus did his best to ignore the less than welcoming reaction, it was no more than he had expected, and he instead directed his attention towards the entrance to the Great Hall as he waited for the students to enter.
The doors opened almost immediately and the sound of hundreds of children all talking at once filled the Great Hall at once. The tables gradually filled up with the older students who were all joking and laughing together. With a shock Severus discovered he already knew some of them from when he had still been a student, and the realization was quite odd.
Finally it seemed everyone had entered the Great Hall and Hagrid and taken his seat at the staff table. The doors opened again and in came the first years lead by Professor McGonagall who was carrying a stool and a hat, both of which brought good memories to Severus who then smiled. As usually, the sorting hat sang it's song for that year about the different houses and their attributes. When it had finished, the sorting began with McGonagall calling out, "Ashers, Emily!"
One by one the nervous and anxious first years were sorted until "Zanburry, Keith" became the last Slytherin and the stool and hat were taken away. Dumbledore then stood up and waved his hands.
"There will be time for talking later, but for now," he waved his wand and smiled merrily, "dig in!" The once empty plates in front of everyone suddenly filled with many different types of extravagant food and everyone began filling their individual plates at once. Severus filled his plate many times, grateful that he wouldn't have to eat his own cooking all year again. He wasn't bad at cooking, but he was no where near as good as the house elves at Hogwarts. Less than an hour later, everyone sat back in their chairs,full and satisfied. Dumbledore took this as his cue to start and he stood up, the room becoming silent as he did.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another magical year of school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As usual, I must give a few notices before we begin. Mr. Filch has once again asked me to tell you his list of forbidden objects in the castle. If anyone wishes to view the full list of some four hundred objects, it will be posted in Mr. Filch's office. Also, I would like to remind all students, new and old, that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students. As is customary, if students in their third year and above, who also have their signed permission slip, will be allowed to make the trip to the village of Hogsmeade." He paused for a moment and Severus watched the third years give each other excited glances.
"Now, this year we have three new additions to our staff. First, I would like to introduce Professor Trelawney who will be taking over the post of Divination this year." Dumbledore then paused again to allow students to clap before he continued, "Second, replacing Professor Slughorn this year for Potions will be Professor Snape, who will also be taking over post as Head of Slytherin House." They wasn't as much applause this time, except for at the Slytherin table, but Dumbledore pretended not to notice and merrily continued on. "Finally, Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who will be replacing Professor Merrythought, is Professor Tenebrosis. Good luck to all of you this year."
"Quidditch tryouts will take place when organized by our newly appointed Captains, so if you wish to try out please give your name to your Head of House. Schedules for this coming year will be handed out at breakfast tomorrow, as most of you know, so that wraps up my speech for tonight. You all have warm beds to enjoy so go enjoy them. That is all." The students all got up almost as one and began to make their way to their dorms while the new Prefects attempted to restore order to the chaos of children. Slowly, everyone made their way out the door and in the right direction. The teachers then began getting up and wishing good night to their fellow educators as they too made their way to their beds.
Severus stood with the rest and began his way back down to the dungeons. He past the Slytherin dormitory entrance on his way and smiled. Once in his sleeping quarters right off his office, he quickly got ready for bed. He debated for a short amount of time whether or not he should respond to Lily's letter yet, but decided not to because he did not have much to tell quite yet. With a flick of his wand he put out the lights in the room. He then closed his eyes, feeling safe in the dungeon and very much at home.
In a much darker building, Bellatrix Lestrange passed outside a large, wooden door, her robes bellowing behind her. She was waiting to talk to her master about a very important topic. She knew something wasn't right and she was going to prove it.
"Come in," she heard and immediately strided over and pushed her palms into the door.
"My Lord, I come on an important matter," she exclaimed. Voldemort looked at her, amused for a second before his snakelike face returned to its emotionless state.
"What is it, Bellatrix?" he questioned as he motioned for her to sit. She declined his offer and began pacing the lengths of the extravagant dining table.
"My Lord, I think there is a spy among us," she stated quickly. "I think someone is unloyal to your powerful rule." Voldemort looked into her eyes and stood up silently, the heavy sound of Bellatrix's breath the only sound in the room. She stopped pacing at once and stood perfectly still as her master walked slowly towards her, his eyes both curious and filled with anger. When he reached her, her breath stopped and she waited.
"Who." Not a question: a demand.
"Severus Snape," she breathed softly. Voldemort took two steps back, looked at her once more, and started to laugh.
"My Lord!" she exclaimed, enraged at his mockery. "Snape is a lying piece of filth who cares more about Mudbloods than your power! He will damn us all!" Her fists clenched in rage as Voldemort continued to laugh, the sound ringing off the walls.
"Severus Snape is as much of a traitor as you are Bellatrix," he replied, amused at the whole conversation.
"But how do you know?" she wailed, desperate for him to understand her. "Snape has always been a powerful Legitimist." Voldemort stopped laughing immediately.
"Are you questioning my power, Bellatrix?" he asked slowly. She froze, realizing her mistake.
"I-I mean, he's not nearly as powerful as-"
"Silence," he hissed and she whimpered softly. He circled around her and tapped his palm on his wrist. "I'm disappointed in you."
"But Master-"
"Get out." Without another word, she hurried out quickly. Instead of feeling angry that her master didn't believe her , she was filled with determination.
"I will discover what you are doing, Severus Snape. And when I do," she paused, a wicked grin spreading though her face, "you will die."
Her laughter echoed off the walls as she walked out the door and further into the darkness.