CHAPTER 12: HIS OWN SLYTHERINS
12.1
"You know you are being absurd."
"So being concerned about you is being absurd, is it?"
"James, you know very well, nothing's going to happen to me. That curse has been lifted."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Professor McGonagall explained it." Lily's voice held exasperation now. "I told you. We've had this conversation so many times now."
"Excuse me, if I am still bothered about it." James' voice was high with anger. "According to Harry, none of his DADA teacher lasted beyond a year. One, in fact, even died."
"I'm not denying it. Minerva explained everything to me. Including the fact that with Voldemort's death, the curse was automatically lifted…."
James cut her short. "But Voldemort is still alive, isn't he? How can you be so sure that the curse isn't still there?"
Lily sighed. "Both Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall have assured that the curse has been lifted. Voldemort helped them in this. Minerva explained…."
"Yes, I have heard it." James said shortly. "However, I cannot really believe in the good intentions of Voldemort."
"But, surely you can believe in the expertise of Dumbledore and McGonagall." Lily's voice had become sharp.
James snorted. "I can't take such a risk."
"For God's sake, nothing is going to happen to me." Lily virtually shouted.
"And I say, how can you be so sure?"
Harry put his head in his hands. Day in and day out, the argument between his parents was repeated. Very soon, James would storm out of the house, slamming the door after him.
Thud! There the slam of the door echoed in the house. Harry groaned.
12.2
He had become aware of the sounds in the street long before and had prepared himself.. He was startled nevertheless when the knocking on his door started and he heard a woman's voice calling out timorously for Mr. Snape. The voice held no hope, perhaps the woman had gone knocking on each doorway. Could this be a trap? Lucius had warned him. What the hell! One way or the other, it would be nice to end it all. He spelled the door open.
Nothing could have prepared him for the two people standing at his door.
"It…it is…Mr. Snape, isn't it?" The woman asked. "You might not remember me," she continued, "but we…"
"I remember you." He said, cutting her short and then waved Lily's sister and her husband in.
"But I don't understand," he said after he had heard her rambling account accompanied by her wailing and the growling of her husband. "What do you expect of me?"
"See we have been to the police and they say Dudley is an adult and can go wherever he wants to but I know my son, he'd not leave us like this." Vernon Dursley spoke up. "He hasn't been kidnapped by anyone, otherwise we would have received a call for ransom. That leaves only you fre…I mean magical folks."
Freak! He saw red. "Get out." He hissed.
"No please," the man said humbly. "I apologise. You are our last hope. We have been trying to contact Harry but we have had no luck."
So Lily had not contacted her sister. This was the first thing that he expected her to do. She had always been fond of her, though this creature here – he looked at the woman in contempt – had always been awful to her.
The woman sniffed. "Then I remembered you lived in Spinner's End and so we took a chance."
"Why don't you put an ad in a newspaper?"
Dursley stiffened. "What will the neighbours say?"
Snape sneered. "I wonder about your priorities."
"Please…please help us," Petunia Dursley wailed. "I remembered you from our childhood. I do not know whom to contact. We've tried to contact Magical folks but were unable to. Could you make a few inquiries. Perhaps somebody has taken our son because he had a grudge against Harry. There was some kind of war, isn't it? Please if you could just send a letter to Harry stating that his cousin is missing. …The boys were very close."
He turned away, sickened by the lie.
"He is our only child. Please." Both of them were looking at him beseechingly.
"Draco is my only child." Narcissa had said. Should he put a board outside proclaiming: Distraught Mothers Contact Here for Wayward Sons.
No, they were demanding too much. He did not want to get involved again.
"Please, you were a friend of Lily's."
Friend of Lily's. A stabbing pain went right thru him. There had been a time when he had thought so to.
"Okay," he said. Their faces lit up and he hated them. He had seen Potter's memories and he remembered the woman too well.
After they had left, he pondered over the practical side of the problem. How was he to contact Potter? He had no owl and to go to the Wizarding Owlry meant getting out of the house. He coughed and a few drops of blood came out of his mouth.
As he wiped his mouth, a movement at the window caught his eyes. Iris! What was Lucius' owl doing over here? Were things alright at the Manor? He opened the window and the owl sailed in and settled comfortably on his shoulder. He petted the bird. Ah! There was the solution. He could send the message to Potter thru Iris.
12.3
Harry felt wretched as his father stormed out of the house once again. It seemed all he heard in his house nowadays were the voices of his parents, high in anger, and the slamming of doors. This was not the way he had visualized his life with his parents. Of course, he had seen his uncle and aunt fight too and had seen Molly sometimes raise her voice at Arthur. But he had never expected his parents to behave in such a manner.
The sound of raised voices somewhere near the doorway made him bound out of the house. His dad was saying something to Remus, his face twisted in a snarl. As he watched, his dad apparated away flinging aside Remus' restraining arm. The other man stood transfixed, his eyes staring at the point where James had disapparated then he raised his head and beckoned to Harry.
"Suppose we go out for a walk," Remus suggested as Harry neared him.
Harry was more than willing. He did not want to enter the house where he was sure his mother was either sniffling or controlling her rage in an unsuccessful manner, her mouth a grim line.
"Don't judge James too harshly, Harry." Remus' voice was concerned as Harry kicked at the pebbles on the ground.
"I am unable to understand it Remus." The frustration of the past few days was palpable in Harry's voice.
"Couples do fight Harry." Remus voice was soft. "You know this."
"I know it." Harry bit out. "But I never expected…"
"What?" Remus' voice hid a smile in it. "That your parents will never fight?"
He turned towards Harry when the latter refused to answer and said indulgently. "Don't worry, each and every child feels the same way."
"But I don't understand what they are fighting about." Harry burst out. "Dad ought to be happy that mum has got this post. The curse is no longer effective. Mum even invited Professor McGonagall and she explained everything. We even got a letter from Professor Dumbledore explaining matters. But dad is so adamant about not letting mum take up this post. And I so much want them to be with me as I complete my education at Hogwarts. I've never had them and now…" He found to his horror that his eyes were becoming misty.
Remus put a comforting hand round his shoulders. "I can understand what you must be going through Harry. But look at it from the point of view of James."
"Explain it to me." Harry said, blinking his eyes.
"You are too young to realise Harry what goes through a man when he finds that his wife has got a job while he himself remains unemployed."
Harry looked at Remus uncomprehendingly. "I…don't understand. You mean dad is envious of mum getting this job."
"Not simply envious." Remus sighed. "Somewhere James is very proud of the fact that Lily has got this job. But then he looks at himself and finds that he is not earning anything and that…"
"But dad doesn't really need to work," Harry cut in. "He has inherited a fortune."
"You think James is one who will squander away his fortune?" The older man's voice had gone sharp.
"No, of course not." Harry replied hastily. What had he been thinking? Dad would not be a wastrel. Even uncle Vernon went to office daily. "Dad can take up his old job."
"His old job was fighting evil. Being a member of the Order of phoenix. And that job, I think," Remus smiled, "has become redundant."
"But then he can become an auror."
"He doesn't have the necessary scores for that."
"What?!" Harry was bewildered. Hadn't his father been an outstanding student through out?
"Sirius and James were brilliant pranksters. If only they had applied themselves to their studies." Remus shook his head in fond remembrance.
"Look here Harry," Remus continued when Harry refused to say anything. "A child always feels that his parents are the best. Through a miracle, you have got back your parents. But don't see them as some sort of demi-gods. This would be doing them an injustice. They are as human as you and I and are as liable to fail at certain things as we do. This does not make them any less and you should not judge them harshly just because you have set your standard too high."
"I am not judging them for God sake." Harry said sharply, stung by the implied criticism in the other man's voice.
"I can understand what James is going through." Remus went on as though he had not heard Harry. "I underwent the same thing after my marriage with Dora."
"Yes Harry," he continued when the boy looked at him. "After my marriage I felt so useless. Here was Dora, an auror in the Ministry and there I was a jobless werewolf, totally useless."
"Don't say that." Harry said and wanted to throw his arms round Remus.
Remus gave a rueful smile. "But it's true. I could not even get a decent job. She was running the house and when Teddy was born, everything just got exacerbated, so much so that I even felt like running away from it all."
"I remember it." Harry said, recalling his heated argument with Remus.
"I am sure you do," Remus ruffled Harry's hair a little. "You too are growing up Harry. Imagine such a scenario where your wife runs the house and you stay at home."
Harry nodded. "What you are saying makes sense Remus but why can't they discuss this like adults. I mean…they argue like children."
"But they are." At Harry's look of incomprehension, he expounded. "Harry you and might see them in their latethirties, but they haven't actually lived these past two decades. They had barely entered their twenties when they died. They behave accordingly." Remus squeezed his shoulders. "Don't worry, give them some time to grow and adjust."
12.4
It was with a lightened mood that Harry returned with Remus.
"Where were you Harry?" Lily virtually jumped at him as he entered the house.
"Er…I went out for a walk with Remus." Harry replied, trying to wriggle out of his mother's arms. What will Remus think?
"You could have at least informed me," Lily's voice was frantic with worry. "I was going out of my bloody mind."
"Actually the fault is mine Lily," Remus said. "I just took him out for a walk."
"How could you Remus Lupin?" Lily's eyes flashed fire as she turned towards her former classmate but abruptly she seemed to deflate. "I am sorry. I just get so worried when Harry…"
Remus moved forward and hugged her. "I understand."
Lily gave a shaky sort of laugh. "I'll prepare some tea and Harry it's time you fed Poggy. He has been grunting for quite some time now."
"Ooops I forgot." Harry remarked. "Where is he?"
"Who?" Remus asked. "Poggy who?
"My pet. A present from Dad."
"That's nice."
"Oh no!" Lily's exclamation had both of them looking up. An owl was coming through the window.
"I hope it's not a belated birthday present. I've got so many, I do not know what to do with them." Harry remarked in a despairing tone.
The owl swooped down and perched at Harry's shoulder. As Harry took the scroll from its beak, it flew away.
"Hey, it did not wait for an answer or treat." Harry remarked.
"Whose is it?" Lily asked.
Harry shrugged. He could not quite recall seeing this particular owl.
"What does the letter say?" His mother asked.
"Oh my God!" Harry exclaimed as he went thru the contents.
"What's the matter?" Lily and Remus asked simultaneously, rushing towards him. The boy had gone pale.
"Dudley," Harry swallowed. "Dudley is missing."
"Who?" Lily asked in a puzzled tone. "Dudley who?"
"Dudley Dursley."
Lily seemed to sway. "You don't mean Tuney's son?"
Harry nodded grimly and extended the letter to her but it was Remus who took it from him. "Ah," the man nodded, "no signature." He turned towards Harry. "Do you recognise the writing?"
Harry nodded in the negative, his thoughts flying all over the place. Could Dudley have been kidnapped by one of the Death Eaters? Perhaps a follower of Voldemort who wanted to take revenge for his master's downfall?
"Do you think anything untoward happened to him?" Lily asked as she sank down on a chair, her eyes scanning the letter that Remus had handed to her.
Squealing from near the door made them look that way. Poggy had come inside the room.
"I better feed him." Harry said moving towards the pig.
"HARRY WAIT." Remus' voice arrested him. He looked up in surprise as Remus took out his wand.
"What's the matter Remus?" Lily questioned, getting up from the chair.
"Lily, Harry, take out your wands and be ready."
"But what's the matter?" Harry asked in bewilderment even as he took out his wand. Lily did likewise.
Remus did not reply instead he waved his wand towards the pig. "Finite Incantatem"
Dudley Dursley lay sprawled on the floor.
12.5
The door opened violently as James and Sirius rushed inside.
"What's the matter Lily?" James asked, moving towards his wife and attempting to take her in his arms. "Kreacher said it was urgent."
At the same moment, Sirius had moved towards Harry and taken him in his arms. "Harry what's the matter?" He panted. This close Harry could smell the fire-whisky on him.
Lily moved out of her husband's embrace and fixed her glare on him. "How could you do this James?"
"But what did I do?" James asked, his bewildered gaze moving from Lily to Sirius to Harry to Remus.
"Remus! You over here. Is everything alright?"
Before Remus could open his mouth, however, Lily spoke again. "Thank God that Remus can identify transfigured beings."
James looked at Sirius and then made his way to the couch. He sat down on it and drummed his fingers on to the sheet. "So you know." He remarked casually.
"Yes we do," Lily said furiously. "Could you explain what you were thinking?"
James looked at his wife and shrugged. "There's nothing to explain."
"No," Lily shouted. "My nephew turns up as a pig. My sister must be frantic with worry and you say you have nothing to explain."
"And your precious sister treated my son worse than dirt." James spoke through clenched teeth. He got up and moved towards Lily who was looking at him in shock. "What do you think? My son suffered for years. He was locked up in a cupboard, was starved, was repeatedly beaten and scolded and bullied. And you woman," his words were little more than a whisper, "think I could have just let that pass?"
Lily took an involuntary step back. Her eyes were large and fearful as they fixed on her husband's face. Her throat convulsed as she swallowed. Harry too swallowed. His father was scary when he spoke like this.
"It was just for a few laughs." Sirius let go of Harry and moved towards James and Lily, his voice breaking the tension in the room.
"So you were in this too?" Harry spoke for the first time.
"Of course, what do you think?" Sirius counter questioned, his voice expressing surprise. "I've been wanting to do it for so long." A smile hovered over his lips. "It was a rather appropriate form considering his dimensions."
"You are incorrigible, Sirius." Remus said with a smile in his voice.
"Don't tell me you approve of this." Lily seemed to have got over her scare.
"Well," Remus scratched his head. "No lasting harm has been done. The boy can be obliviated and sent to his home. And frankly the parents did need to learn a lesson."
"Remus Lupin, I don't believe this. You, of all the people, should not be encouraging this." Lily's voice had grown sharp.
"Lily don't take it out on him." James spoke, his voice as sharp as Lily's. "He wasn't even aware of it."
"Oh come on, Lily. Laugh a little." Sirius remarked as tension once again grew in the room.
"No Sirius. She will not understand." James spoke bitterly. "She is more concerned about that wretched sister of hers than her own son."
"How dare you James Potter!" Lily thundered. "I am concerned about my son's welfare and that's why I am going to take up a job so that I can look after him well…."
Harry knew that these words were not going to be forgotten. He saw it on the faces of the others. Saw how his father's face went white with fury, how his mother tried to swallow back her words….
Thud! The slamming of the door echoed in the house.
12.6
Draco took a deep breath before knocking at the door of his father's study. Whenever he was summoned to this particular room, it was something fairly serious that his father had to discuss with him. He told himself that he was no longer a child as his father's deep voice bade him to enter.
"Take a seat, Draco." Lucius was sitting as ramrod straight. This calmed Draco somewhat. He had seen his father slunk and kneel in front of the Dark Lord. Those were scenes, he wished he could remove from his mind forever. He took a chair, in front of his father and imitated his way of sitting.
"The term is to start in ten days Draco," Lucius remarked.
"Yes, I know." Draco replied, a little surprised.
"If you have had second thoughts over going to Hogwarts, let me know."
Draco coloured. "No, of course not," he blustered.
Lucius sighed inwardly. Draco had never been able to lie in front of him. The way he had gone fairly pink was indication enough.
"There is no need to lie to me Draco. I know it is not an easy task."
"It is going to be tough, Draco." Lucius continued when the boy said nothing. "I am not going to give you any false assurances. This year you will be on your own. No Goyle or Crabbe, no Zabini, not even Miss Parkinson. Do you realise what that entails?"
Draco looked up at him. "I realise it father. I'll have to make new friends."
Lucius smiled grimly. "The question is not that. The question is whether anybody will be willing to be your friend."
"I…I don't understand."
"Draco, the realities have changed. Earlier people would have been proud to have your friendship. But now who would like to have a Death Eater's son as a friend?" For a moment, Lucius wanted to turn away from the gaze of his son. "I do realise that the Malfoy name being mud is my fault and if I had my way your mother and you would not suffer because of my mistakes and error of judgment but things being what they are, you will have to bear the brunt of it. Ridicule, insults, humiliation."
"I have already encountered these things." Draco could have bitten his tongue the moment the words were out of his mouth. Pain twisted his father's features before he was looking at him impassively.
"As I said earlier, I wish I could have spared you and your mother the entire trauma."
"Please father, I did not mean it that way."
"I know you did not Draco," Lucius said, waving it all away. "The difference now is that you won't have your friends to fall back on. And more significantly, no Professor Snape."
"What?" Draco sputtered. "But I thought he would be.…" Words died in his throat. It was too immense.
Lucius got up from his chair and took the couple of steps that brought him near his son. Draco got up from his chair with alacrity. "No, keep on sitting." Gently, Lucius pushed his son down. Draco looked up at him in confusion.
"If you want to change your mind and go to Durmstrang, I will understand."
Draco took a deep breath. The screams of Granger echoed in his head. But Professor Snape will not be there. All the other professors hated him. He had let in the Death Eaters. Greyback had been there too. But that smell…He stood up and looked his father squarely in the eye. "I have made my decision, father and I intend to stick to it. I am going to Hogwarts."
Lucius nodded at him. "Good. Now let me tell you about our plans. As you know your aunt and uncle have already left, your mother and I will join them the day you leave for Hogwarts."
Lucius went back to his seat. For a minute, he had wanted to squeeze Draco's shoulder but his hand had refused to move. He remembered the day in the hall when his son had put his arms round him and he had ruffled his hair. It had been a moment of panic. He could not afford to show his son what panic filled him when he thought of Draco's last term at Hogwarts. How would the young one cope? Lucius hated the Dark Lord more than ever. Why couldn't he have won?
Draco sat down. For a minute, he had wanted to put his arms round his father, the way he had done in the hall. He had seen Lupin slobber all over his son and he had wanted to be held like that. He gave himself a mental shake. He would not show any weakness in front of his father and how could he equate himself with a werewolf. It was disgusting. He concentrated on what his father was saying.
12.7
Will it continue to be like this? Harry thought miserably as his parents stopped talking to each other altogether. Days had passed since he had taken Dudley back to Privet Drive along with Remus, dropping him at his home. Harry, under a disillusionment charm along with Remus, had seen how his parents' eyes had lit up when they opened the door and found Dudley on the doorstep. Uncle Vernon's walrus moustache seemed to jump up and down on his face in excitement. Aunt Petunia had seemed incoherent with happiness. They had dragged their son inside. Harry could well imagine the barrage of questions that must have assaulted his cousin. Dudley, of course, would not have been able to answer them. Lupin had cast a powerful oblivation spell. Dudley'd remember nothing of his stint as a pig or the fact that he had seen Harry or Lily or James. Perhaps, it'd just be dismissed as short term amnesia or something. It was unkind of his father to have done this to Dudley but he could understand his motives too. At the same time, he could not forget how Dudley had embraced him when he had regained his human form. Happy that Harry was well and alive. His cousin certainly had changed. Harry sighed. It was a prank, slightly malicious in nature but then as Remus said, no lasting harm had been done. The fact was that Dudley was back with his parents.
What troubled Harry was the continuing tension between his parents. Only a week was left before he returned to Hogwarts. He had avoided talking about the state of affairs with his parents. A curious embarrassment came over him whenever he had tried to voice his feelings. And it wasn't that they were not suffering. He had seen both of them look pretty sorrowful. But today he was going to talk to mum and dad and make them see reason.
"Lily, Harry," James' voice, full of gaiety, floated down the rooms as he hurried inside.
"Guess what Harry!" James asked him as he came inside the room. Harry was too busy gaping at him. Dad seemed completely transformed. No sullen unshaved face, no smell of firewhisky. James' eyes sparkled and laughter was present in each and every line of his face.
"Lily darling!" James rushed over and picked up his wife and twirled her around as Harry's eyes popped out of their sockets.
"What? What?" Lily's grim face dissolved into incredulity.
James gave her another twirl before putting her down. "Sirius and I have come up with a brilliant plan."
Harry remembered the last plan the two of them had come up with and his heart sank. Perhaps his mother too was thinking on the same line because her face again became grim. "What plan?"
If James noticed the cooling in temperature, he did not let show. "Sirius and I have decided to create a Carnival at Hogsmeade."
"Carnival?" Lily asked while Harry looked on confused.
"Yes," James was bursting with excitement. "You know Sirius is brilliant at tricks. He has been giving Fred and George a lot of tips regarding new wizarding items, you know talking brooms, finger-biting rings etc. We were discussing this when suddenly it struck us that we could create a carnival of our own. What does the Wizarding world want now? They have had an excruciating war and this miracle. They want to enjoy. And we will provide then entertainment, thrill, adventure. There would be stomach-dropping rides, talking mirrors, vicarious adventures…" James stopped to get his breath back.
"This sounds wonderful." Harry said, infected by his dad's enthusiasm.
James came up to him and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Young man just wait and see what Sirius and I create. We have already finalized the place and got the necessary documents and permission."
"Really!" Lily's voice was full of amazement and surprise.
James turned towards her slowly. "I wasn't drinking all the time Lily."
There was a small silence then James spoke again. "I know I've been behaving like a jerk…"
"Say no more James," Lily's eyes glistened with tears.
Harry watched as James moved towards Lily and put his mouth onto hers. He blushed and looked away.
12.8
Minerva McGonagall looked up at the man in horror.
"Three days before the session is to start, you are telling me that you are quitting."
"Right." Slughorn looked cheerful.
Minerva could not believe the gall of the man." How can you be so unprofessional?"
Slughorn looked disconcerted for a moment. "Actually I got the invitation only yesterday. Had they invited me earlier, I'd have informed you earlier. I'm sorry."
"You could have declined." She bit out each word.
Slughorn looked at her as though she was talking a foreign language. "Minerva, it is not everyday that you get an offer like this. The Newspaper is paying me well and all I've to do is to write on potions and their properties and…"
"But what about the students?"
"I'm sure you can get a replacement. Anyway you can see my agreement with Albus. It's stipulated that I can leave at a moment's notice."
Anger flared within her. "You got that clause written down so that you could desert your post the minute Death Eaters attacked Hogwarts."
"Let me remind you dear lady that I neither abandoned my students nor my school when it was invaded by the Death Eaters." Slughorn spoke in clipped tones. "But perhaps you don't remember; this school has a habit of forgetting Slytherins." Slughorn looked steadily at her. "And now please excuse me, I've to make preparations."
McGonagall trembled with barely restrained fury. "Damn Slytherins." She shouted.
"Now, now Minerva control yourself." And she realised she was not alone in the room.
"Interesting," Phineas Nigellus continued, "I never thought the man had it in him."
In a flash, McGonagall turned towards him. "And what is that supposed to mean."
"It was just an observation." Nigellus remarked. He seemed to be examining his nails.
McGonagall turned away from the portrait. She had better work to do than argue with a portrait.
"Let me see who I can get now. It's so difficult to get a good potions master." Fury overtook her again. "Damn Slughorn. He ought to be grateful that Albus gave him this job. What was he otherwise?"
"Principal McGonagall, let me also remind you of something." Nigellus was speaking again. "Albus did not get Slughorn because he was suddenly concerned about an old teacher but because Mr. Potter did not get an Outstanding in his potions OWLS."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"And Mr. Potter had to have potions for his NEWTs, isn't it? After all he wanted to become an auror."
"Well say whatever you for Albus," Nigellus continued silkily, "the man surely knew how to get his own way."
Holding her back stiff, Minerva marched to her living quarters. Away from the intrusive portraits, she sank down on her bed. What was she supposed to do? Nigellus' words had reminded her again how immense a responsibility Dumbledore had placed on her shoulders. She knew even without anybody telling her that her running of Hogwarts would forever be evaluated. That's why she had been so keen to get Lily and Remus. She needed good teachers. And now, if the students were to arrive and find that there was no teacher of potions. What Nigellus had said about Dumbledore getting Slughorn when it was clear that Snape would never accept Harry in the sixth year was something that she too had suspected and if she was honest with herself applauded. But that was then. Whom could she get at such a short notice? Van Otter, Rendell, Safin, Singh…all renowned potioners….but all of them busy with research or teaching. Will they be willing to come? And even if they were, will they be able to wind up their previous commitments and reach Hogwarts in three days? That left only one option. One that she hadn't been keen to explore at all. But damn it, she couldn't deny that the man was a genius. She would not allow her personal grudges to come in way of her duties as a principal. Yes, that's it. She would owl him immediately. Nodding resolutely, she made her way to her desk.
12.9
He lay on his bed, reexamining Lucius' letter. Why the hell did Lucius imagine, he was interested in all the happenings? So the Lestranges had already left for the place where Dumbledore was initiating that scheme of his. Lucius and Narcissa were also going to follow suit. Very well. As though service would make them give up their warped world view. What was Dumbledore thinking? Putting them all in one place along with Voldemort. Wouldn't it lead to a regrouping of the Dark forces? Well, he wasn't going to bother thinking about the man's motives. He always had one plan or the other and he was too tired to fathom what game the old man, sorry, Prime Dominie, was playing now.
It was the news regarding Draco that interested him. So the boy was going to Hogwarts. That was surprising. He'd have thought that Draco would not want to return to a place that held some very bad memories. But then perhaps this was Lucius' doing. For all his faults, Lucius had always wanted his son to show courage. However, he had always solved Draco's problems too. So rather than becoming stronger or standing on his own feet. Draco had developed an unhealthy tendency to rely exclusively on his father. A small smile escaped his lips. When Draco had first come to Hogwarts – and what a long time ago it seemed. He had seen that crown of blond hair and pointed chin and then seen McGonagall look at him as though Draco was nothing but trash. He had noticed at that time how the boy's mouth had trembled and then taken on a sneer. Later, he had come to know of how Ron Weasley had laughed at Draco's name earlier in the train. Yes, Draco had known that the Malfoy name had lost its sheen. And now, it was virtually garbage. A Death Eater's son, a Death Eater himself, going back to the institute where he had let in werewolves and Death Eaters.
He got up from his bed. No, this was all Lucius' doing. Draco was not strong enough for this. Was he mad? Exposing his son to such ridicule and humiliation.
An owl came flowing through the open window. Severus started in surprise. It was Hermes, Draco's owl. He hastily untied the scroll from the owl's claws. The bird hooted. Oh damn it! He had nothing to feed the bird. Wish Wormtail had been here still. He would have fed the rat to this bird and removed that sneer from its face….wait a minute…sneer…Salazar help us all…apparently the Malfoy birds had learnt certain lessons from their masters. Then he remembered the cake that Petunia Dursley had brought the other day. Her boy had returned and she had been babbling her thanks incoherently. It had taken a massive effort not to shut the door on her face. As though, he wanted to hear her words of gratitude. Though by her talk, he had guessed that Lily had not made any contact with her. The boy, he had made out at once, had been obliviated. So there had been magic involved in his disappearance and the boy had returned after his owl to Potter. Interesting…
The owl hooted again, his sneer intensifying. Quickly, he fed him pieces of the cake. The owl hooted in delight, nibbled his ear, and took off. Shaking his head, he opened the scroll. Aha, so Draco's decision to go to Hogwarts was his own. Interesting. Father had asked him to reconsider the decision – okay – but he had declined. Now why would Draco do that? Why had he not taken the easy way out? "I do not want to let Father or Mother or You down again." What?! When had he entered the equation? What was the boy babbling about? "I let you all down pretty badly. After my talk with Uncle Reg…." -- Uncle Reg? Okay Regulus Black. Nice fellow, not crazy like his elder brother though a little too preoccupied with the purity of his blood. Of course Draco wouldn't have minded that. – "I realised I had to make something of my life." Well grand words indeed. "And the first step was to rectify my past mistakes." Salazar goes sailing! When did the boy start speaking like this? This was Lucius, the oozing politician all over.
He wanted to crumple and throw away the parchment but forced himself to read further. "Now that mother and father are going away, I realise suddenly what you had done for my sake. I insulted you the whole of the sixth year and yet you killed Professor Dumbledore for my sake. I do not understand your relationship with him but I can gauge what it must have cost you to cast the killing curse. And you did it for me. It is too immense. You must have really cared for me…"
The parchment fell down from his hands. Cared about Draco? Cough racked his body and he picked up the potion that he had prepared and downed it at one go. It was good to be admired but had he really cared about Draco or any of the other children in his house. Oh he had given them leeway, awarded them points, but had he really cared about them? No, it was too late to lie. He had been too obsessed with the memory of Lily to care about anybody else. He had never been able to show any affection towards his students. Enacting his role, he had not even been able to wean them away from the path of Darkness. Some of them had been confused, not really willing to follow the Dark Lord, had he showed them the right path at that time, they would have perhaps helped in the defense of Hogwarts. But no, Dumbledore and his guilt over Lily's death had ensured that he could not reveal his true allegiance to them. So they had followed him in darkness. Some to the edge of the precipice like Draco. Fool! The boy thought he cared about him. Foolish, foolish boy.
His thoughts were rudely interrupted by the arrival of another owl. Merlin, he was suddenly too much in demand. Hogwarts' crest. Who could be writing to him? Principal McGonagall! What the hell! When did she become principal? His eyes virtually popped out. She wanted him to accept the post of the potions master! So the old man was meddling again! Well he wasn't going to accept that post. He had enough of trying to teach stupid, rude, ignorant louts. Request to meet her at the Wizard's Library at London. Fat chance. He was not going to get out of his house. He scribbled "No" on the other side of the parchment and moved towards the owl.
12.11
The massive portals of the Library beckoned him. The books lay over there calling out to him. Nobody gave him a second glance. The scholars were busy poring over the ancient tomes. So, the war was over and the wizarding world had moved on. His mother used to come over here occasionally. She would leave him in the section devoted to children and herself move to the restricted area. He had fallen in love with books. They had provided a sanctuary for him. He would often lose himself in the adventures of the heroes in the gaily covered books that he read.
"Professor Snape."
He looked up. "Principal McGonagall." He said, bowing his head a little.
The witch gave him a tight little smile and entered an alcove. He followed her. So, she was not happy about this. Had this been forced upon her? Had the Prime Dominie ordered her?
"I am sorry for giving you such a short notice." The Head-Mistress said, as they sat down at a table and she cast a silencing charm around them. "But Slughorn" – her mouth tightened – "tendered his resignation quite out of the blue."
So, it wasn't because of Dumbledore. Thank Merlin. He couldn't have tolerated the man meddling with his life again.
"Do you accept it?" So no dawdling like Dumbledore. Straight to the point. Good. He had enough of twinkling eyes and intentionally befuddled manner.
"Yes." He saw her shoulders ease. He permitted himself an inward smile. So, she had been worried about this.
"Thank you." She said, still speaking in that formal tone that she had adopted right from the beginning. There had been no questions about how he had been faring. It was a strictly, professional relationship. He was glad. Last time he had seen her, she was chasing him, murderous fury in her eyes and he had been defending himself against her curses. He could not even hex her in return.
"A couple of points that I need to discuss with you though."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Remus Lupin is rejoining us this year as the Transfiguration teacher. You have had problems with him earlier, I hope it's no longer the case."
"You have given him your old post. You wouldn't have done it without giving it a lot of thought. I don't have problems with Lupin as long as he doesn't endanger nay of the students."
"As long as you continue to prepare the wolfbane for him, I do not see any problem. Will you be kind enough to do so?"
So, he was to do that too. The wolf had tried to kill him once. He didn't want any student to undergo such an experience. His palms turned sweaty just thinking about that night. "Fine I'll prepare it."
"That's nice to know." She nodded. "Now the second thing. Lily Potter is joining us this year as the DADA professor. Her husband would stay with her in the Staff quarters. I know of the history between the three of you but I don't want rivalries of childhood days destroying the reputation of the school."
Again his finely honed skills saved him. This wasn't fair. How would he be able to face Lily? No, he couldn't do that. Not even for his snakes. Then there was Potter and most probably Black. His nightmare will begin anew. No, this was too much to ask from him. He had agreed to accept this post only to take care of the young ones in his house. He wanted to do what he hadn't been able to do earlier: guide them, take care of them, show them that somebody was concerned about them. But he couldn't do this. No..no…he was being a coward but it was okay. Draco, that fool could show all the bravery that he wanted to…
"You must have really cared for me."
Foolish, foolish boy.
"It would be wonderful to see her again. And I assure you that I'll not let childish squabbles destroy the reputation of the school."
He will do it. He owed it to his Slytherins.
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A/N: Thanks to duj, excessivelyperky, callie 258, and TL Driver66 for their comments.
A Happy New Year to all. May this new year bring a lot of cheer. Plz cheer me up by submitting a review.
31/ 12/ 2008.