AN - I haven't forgotten this story - It's planned out until the very bitter end but I find my mind not talking to my fingers when I try to type it. I've also gone back to school - so the next update will depend on that.
Poppy Pomfrey received a package from a small House Elf by the name of Nessie. That wasn't unusual, as she often received packages. However, the small, extremely under-aged House Elf handed her small, surprisingly heavy black bag to her. That was unusual. Owl Posts were usually securely Sealed and wrapped packages.
Plus she didn't recognize the rather ornate handwriting on the accompanying note that stated that the bag was for the expressed attention of one Madam Poppy Pomfrey - Hogwarts.
"I didn't know you did Owl Post," Poppy commented to the Elf. That was said more out of a desire to delay opening the box than anything else. Because she had an unexpected premonition that she was being handed Pandora's Box. If Pandora's box was actually a well-weathered leather Healer's bag complete with a handle worn smooth from use.
"Nessie finded it and broughts it here," The Elf informed her. "Nessie wishing to be helpful Elf."
"Are you a Hogwarts Elf?" Poppy asked. It was a nice way to ask if Nessie reported to any of the Staff Members.
"Nessie being one. Nessie is hoping to haves a new Master soon." The House Elf smiled happily and bounced in her excitement. Then her ears dropped and she looked at floor. "Nessie knows new Master may be saying no. Nessie must trying harder. Nessie be returning to Master's rooms. Nessie has much work needing to be done."
Then the little House Elf looked up at Poppy and whispered, "Nessie wishing to be perfect for new Master. Then Master be knowing that he keeps Nessie. Nessie wanting a new Master."
The House Elf bounced away, leaving Poppy literally holding the bag.
Poppy flipped the envelope over and inhaled when she realized that the missive was Sealed with a dragon sigil.
"You died defending Severus from You Know Who and Albus, and yet you also are responsible for the Manchester Magical Massacre. And Remus' condition is due to you. Yet, you struggled to defend Severus." Poppy ceased her complaining and she deliberately opened the letter. Quickly, she read it and grimaced, having accepted that the pawn known as Poppy Pomfrey had been put into play.
I know the Dumbledorian version of justice. Finance and Power, Friends and Acquaintances determine ones' innocence or guilt.
Severus lacks all of these. Therefore Severus is in need of my assistance.
As I Avowed with my sacred honor to my Lord Gellert, I will defend the vulnerable with the last of my strength. Regardless of the small fact that I am most likely dead, I will still speak in order that I might bear Witness to the Dumbledorian and Voldemortian traumas that were inflicted on Severus. The grave will be no barrier to my soul-sworn Oath. I will speak the truth of what I witnessed.
Healer Poppy Pomfrey, I Command you on your Healer Oath to search out Filius Flitwick. Give him my bag as there will be instructions for him detailing what must be done. Fortunately for Severus, good Master Flitwick is quite conversant in Blood Magic.
By my hand, by my blood, by my soul,
Damyan Georgiev Draganov
Master Healer – Medical, Advanced Master Healer – Medical, Advanced Master Healer-Surgeon
Then she opened the bag.
As she had been advised, inside the bag that had been charmed with an Undetectable Extension Charm were two vials, one clear, one dark, a pensieve, two Healer notebooks, one suitable for public viewing and the other detailing all the assorted peculiarities of Severus' treatment that was for her review only.
And there was another letter. Triple Sealed in the ways of Old Magic, by Wax, by Blood, by Soul.
For Filius Flitwick.
No one else.
Especially not for the perusal of one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
And she was Compelled to find Filius immediately.
At that moment, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore entered a scene of absolute chaos. A lot of yelling and assorted cursing were occurring and there was even a thrown chair was in flight.
Then everything stopped; even the chair was halted in midflight as Alastor Moody waved a negligent hand.
"Nice of you to join us," Rufus Scrimgeour growled. "Just so you're aware of the current situation, Albus, here's a brief review. During that magical massacre in Manchester, it seems that Gellert escaped from Nurmengard."
That tidbit caused Albus to stop in mid-stride. Serge the Serbian's sharp inhalation was the only sound in the room.
"What he is failing to mention is that Gellert didn't so much escape from Nurmengard, his followers broke him out," the irascible Moody growled.
"Followers? You're quite comfortable in using the plural?" Rufus vainly protested.
"Bloody hell, Rufus, I trained you! Multiple trajectories from multiple flying personnel hit the weakest spot in the wall. And it crumbled like the proverbial walls of Jericho. And yes, I think only an idiot wouldn't believe that Gellert's followers consist of more than the two covens that showed up in Manchester. He's out of Nurmengard, and no matter how hard we cry, we can't get the genie back into the bottle," Moody growled.
"Your vigilantism, your inability to stop meddling has caused this, Albus," the lion maned Rufus thundered. "Gellert's out! For fifty years, he was secure in his prison."
"And Voldemort is dead," Moody inserted. "Be fair, Rufus. You need to give credit to Albus for that. Plus no matter how hard you wish to deny it, Gellert's followers have been out and about. And in positions of high importance!"
"Yes, You Know Who is dead, but so is a goodly percentage of the international Auror associations," was Rufus' retort.
"Their own fault," was Serge's unexpected response. "They treated this like a jolly holiday. Off to see the wizard and all that shite. And they ended up quite dead."
"I dare you to say that to their families," protested the beleaguered Minister of Magic.
"I would," the Russian stated. His matter of fact nature startled even Alastor Moody.
Rufus Scrimgeour was the consummate politician and he knew when a cause was lost, and when to jump onto a winning horse.
"Albus, you're no longer guardian for your little Death Eater. You've proven completely incapable of watching over his parole. Filius Flitwick has volunteered for the position, and I've given the responsibility over to him."
Albus was at a loss for words, but still he tried. Filius? No... Minerva... Minerva ... would be preferred. She had experienced trauma similar to Severus... she would be able to help Severus...and there had been that clandestine relationship between them – wouldn't it be for the best for Severus? To have someone he could ... perhaps... one day... develop a healthy sexual relationship based on trust and mutual affection?
Not that Filius wasn't a brick, but Filius was a long-term widower, having never remarried after that tawdry business with his in-laws. There had only been one woman for Filius in all the many years that Albus had known him.
Not that it was a bad thing, but Severus deserved a chance to develop a healthy relationship.
"Filius may work at Hogwarts, but he's not a Dumbledore Devotee." Rufus stated his firm belief. "He's also quite the duelist. It shouldn't be too onerous a chore for Filius, as the trial will be taking place shortly. We should have this all wrapped up by nightfall."
It wasn't necessary to be a Legilimens, as Albus could hear Serge's mental protestations reminding him that Albus had promised to help Ekaterina.
Naturally, Filius was soon separated from Severus. To his surprise, Poppy Pomfrey arrived in the office that he had been given in order to prepare a minimum defense. It wasn't so much an office as it was a closet, but Harry Potter had changed the world after living in a cupboard, and at least Filius didn't have to share his space with a kettle.
"I have to give this to you," Poppy informed him as she presented the physician's bag to him. Her tone was odd and she looked ... peculiar...
"Does that belong to whom I think it does?" Filius asked. He kept his tone light.
"Yes," she said. "He feared Severus might be in need of his assistance."
"Somehow I don't know if his backing will be an asset for Severus," quipped Filius. "That raving nutter business is deemed a major character flaw."
"Filius, there's a letter in there for you. And before you read it... he mentioned Blood Magic, Filius. He commented that you were quite familiar with it," Poppy slowed and then swallowed. "Blood Magic, Filius? The old rumors... about your... expertise..."
Yes, Filius Flitwick was quite familiar with Blood Magic and he had the jolly holiday in Azkaban to prove it.
"Don't you worry, Poppy. I'm not planning on returning to Azkaban. Once was enough for me," was his glib response. "And if the blood is freely given, it is perfectly acceptable to use it. That is according to the latest rulings."
Well, in some quarters, that was the thought. Others disagreed.
"In for a knut, in for a galleon," Filius reminded himself. He then gingerly took the bag from Poppy and then placed it on the table. He opened it and recklessly stuck his hand into the bag. As he anticipated, something jumped into his hand, as though Summoned.
Pulling his hand forth, he discovered the envelope.
"Best you go, Poppy," Filius ordered. His tone was commanding, at odds with his usual cheery demeanor. "Best if you know nothing about this."
"I'll tell Albus to break you out of Azkaban," Poppy offered by way of a reassuring goodbye.
Filius refrained from mentioning that he hadn't need Albus' assistance to escape the last time.
"Seems like old times," Alastor Moody growled. The retired Auror was sitting behind Albus Dumbledore much like he had done at the Wizengamot interrogationof Igor Karkaroff. They were in the same bloody seats, Albus realized. Except to his right, there was the glowering Serge who seemed intent on breaking his former fiancée out of custody. On his left, there was a fuming Minerva McGonagall who was tapping the fingers of her right hand on her left arm.
"Filius?" She repeated for what was the ninth time. "Filius is Severus' barrister? You should be defending him."
Alastor just rolled both eyes, the fake one spinning round in its socket, because Moody had already informed Minerva in crude terms that as Severus' former lover, Albus would be a lousy choice to defend him.
Alastor Moody had been a rock steady presence in Albus' life for near seventy years, ever since the first year instructor Albus had noticed Head Boy Alastor Moody. Not in that way, the carnal way, but because of his inner strength and tough integrity. But after Alastor' repeated muttered disparagings about Albus' rather tortured and quite scandalous love affairs, Albus was beginning to have his doubts.
Or at least a strong desire that Alastor would come down with a sudden case of laryngitis.
"Minerva, I have the utmost faith in Filius," protested Albus.
Yes, he had complete trust in Filius, however Albus Dumbledore was quite prepared to abscond with Severus if things went south. And yes, Albus would ensure that the former Russian Auror turned Draganov comfort woman would come along for the ride. If for no other reason than Severus' request, because Albus wasn't completely convinced about her supposed Compulsion.
As for Severus, he was Cuffed and Collared, not Gibbeted, as while he was looking particular svelte, a Gibbet simply would not have fit around him. Well, it would have, but the seeming incongruity between Severus' waist size and the circumference of the Gibbet would have been noticed by someone. It took a little bit of wiggling, but Albus was able to see the real Severus underneath the various Charms and Incantations. The lad looked sallow, more than his norm, and yes, Severus did have an endearingly distended belly.
It was June... which meant that Ariana was ... six months along? Truly she was only six months along? So much had happened in such a short time that Albus wouldn't have been surprised to have found Ariana beneath the Sorting Hat that very morning.
Severus was quite knackered, Albus realized anew as the Russian witch was physically assisting Severus. Circumspectly, so it seemed that their contact was accidental, rather than purposely done. Again, Albus cursed himself, wishing that he had not frightened Severus into fleeing. He should be the one cosseting Severus, not Gellert's followers. Indulging him, pampering him... yes... suffocating him... so Severus would once more decide that his best chance for survival was flight.
"Severus is on his last dregs," Albus stated. He Muffiliatod his voice so only Minerva could hear him plus he added multiple charms on top of it so the damnable lip-reading Serge couldn't listen in. "He's leaning on Ekaterina for supports. He looks quite uncomfortable."
"Damyan had them attached to his heartstone," Minerva explained. "He was severing them and it cracked from a fault. We nearly lost them both so he isn't as hale as he should be, if they had been able to separate them properly."
To Albus' surprise, Minerva reached over and squeezed his hand. Tightly.
A gesture of compassion so unexpected and unwarranted that Albus had to blink back tears. Merlin, his old feelings for the remarkable Minerva, having never really died, were kindling anew. And at certainly what was the most inconvenient of times.
Their eyes met and Minerva nodded once in recognition of what they couldn't acknowledge.
"I'm sorry," Albus whispered. He needed to apologize for his feelings toward her; reassure her that Severus was his priority; promise her that he'd smother his feelings so he wouldn't embarrass her.
"I am also," she confessed. "This has stirred up everything for me also. I had thought I had everything neatly compartmentalized. Regardless of what dear Alastor has been harping , I believe not all your affairs were colossal cockups."
"I need you..." He paused then, realized the ineptness of what he was saying and then he flushed. Yes, Albus needed Minerva... but not in the physical manner, well... yes... but no... "I require your assistance with Severus... I need you to advise me on how to handle this very delicate manner."
A longer pause.
"I promise that I will listen and will follow your advice in this matter. I so..." Dumbledore was about to Avow his oath but Minerva shook her head.
"I told you to cancel the Bonding," Minerva reminded Albus.
"I pressured him into agreeing," was Albus' soft response. "I must have promoted his horrible belief that if he Bonded me... that if he bedded me I'd be more inclined to sustain him through this ordeal. Minerva, I would have willing done that even without his offer of physical intimacy. But as always, my hubris is my fatal flaw, as I hoped, that in time, only after he healed, that I could help him... experience... "
Albus was quite shy when it came to sex, Minerva remembered. So she wasn't that surprised when he paused and swallowed.
"I had hoped that I could help him experience it... properly... I know that our Christmas night together... it wasn't good for him. You know that I lack sufficient experience... in such manners to guarantee my partner's satisfaction. At least, not without a great deal of conversation with my partner beforehand."
"Stop fishing for compliments," snapped Minerva. "I had no complaints."
"Always – have you credited me far more than I deserve," Albus gently chided.
"It was the Compulsions that Voldemort put on him that caused most of our problems with Severus. However, neither of us are completely free from blame, Albus."
Severus Snape was doomed to be Kissed. Albus wasn't jumping to his defense so it seemed that perhaps his pathetic plea for Albus' assistance had been denied. Therefore without Albus' assistance, even a seer of Sybill's limited ability could predict his fate.
He would Kissed and Ariana's soul would be sucked from her body after he was drained. No doubt the Dementors would savor the scrumptious soul of a complete innocent.
A cramped Ariana was stretching and moving within him and he touched her mind. He sent her all the love as he possessed for her and then more, and he was rewarded with what only could be a baby's happy giggle. Their communion strengthened his resolve to do the right thing for Ariana. It would be far better that she die by her father's will then have her soul sucked dry.
At least, he'd be merciful, do it quickly. The Dementors would torture her... The Dark Lord had Compelled Severus to protect the child and so he would. A quick, painfree death would be the best way he could protect her and so it would be.
The difficult decision made, Severus struggled to focus on his current situation. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand the verbal arguments erupting around him; comprehend why he was deemed Incorrigible and Irredeemable. Filius made numerous interjections and protestations but Severus couldn't understand a thing as the sound was garbled. In fact when Ekaterina nodded her head in what seemed to be approval after one of Filius' declarations, he had no idea what he had missed. But she smiled at him, a quick flash of joy.
Then it was Filius' turn to speak. With a quick gesture, he unVeiled a Pensieve. There was a murmur from the crowd, a series of loud protestations while Filius drew a few arcane symbols on the floor. Only then did Albus Dumbledore interject a loud comment. Filius then waited for a moment and then he took two vials from his pockets. With the casual grace of a Charms GrandMaster, he poured both liquids into the vial.
Then Filius loudly compelled the shade of Damyan Georgiev Draganov to come forth to testify for the defense of one Severus Tobias Snape.
When the bloody phantasm appeared, the crowd erupted. The clamoring seemed to wake Severus from his ennui.
Albus Dumbledore knew Filius Flitwick far better and for far longer than Minerva did, so he was alarmed when he saw the pensieve and the blood vial. Filius wasn't allowed to dabble in blood magic, certainly wasn't allowed to display his understanding of the arcane subject in public. That was one of the conditions of his release from Azkaban all those many years ago, after the death of his wife. Well, release wasn't the correct term, as Filius had already broken out of Azkaban.
Yet Filius had waded back into the dark mysteries to help Severus. Yes, Albus had absolved him...
"My blood is willingly offered. You do not have to fear that the onus of performing the Dark Magic will fall on your soul, Filius. It will be my obligation to carry. I do so willingly."
But Minerva hadn't spoken those words, had she?
No.
Merlin's scrote, Minerva hadn't spoken the ritual words releasing Filius' soul from the burden of utilizing Blood as a magical base. And Albus had been so focused on rescuing Severus that he hadn't realized that Filius had broken his parole.
Albus was not only pulling Severus and Minerva down the grade with him; he had already pulled Filius down also.
Filius Flitwick stared at the phantasm that he had conjured thanks to the Blood and the Soul donated by Severus' defender. As Filius had anticipated, the quixotic DamyanDraganov had decided it proper to appear in full Gellert-era regalia in order to induce a proper feeling of terror and awe in his audience. The audience was full of older wizards and witches who had lived through the original nightmare of Gellert and now one of his chief lieutenants was standing in front of them. Wearing his dragon helm. The dragonhide armor, the dragon emblazoned surcoat and the bloody tattoos... the bloody living tattoos were on full display. If that wasn't horrifying enough, he had conjured two banners, one for the Dragon of Bulgaria and one with Gellert's insignia.
Oh yes, Damyan Draganov had prepared for everything, even for the need to protect Severus after Damyan's death. Really, the helm was the perfect touch as it covered his face and shielded his eyes. He looked like a nightmare made flesh and given form.
"I order you to remove your helm," Filius commanded.
The specter did so, and then he gracefully bowed to Filius Flitwick. It was a chivalrous mark of respect between dueling foes, a gesture from a time long past, and Filius answered in kind.
"Master Flitwick, I am delighted that you still live. Let me reassure the courts that my Blood and Soul were freely given to you for the defense of Severus Snape and that there is no onus against your soul. I wish to bear witness. Let the grave be no barrier to my voice and my memories of what truly occurred."
The spectre's voice was hollow but still it carried credence of the beserker's dark reputation.
A dead Dark Wizard summoned by Blood Magic to bear witness in a trial in front of the entire Wizengamot. If Filius Flitwick did not tread carefully, he would be in a cell next to Severus. Since he wasn't having Albus' baby, he had his niggling doubts that Albus would bother to get him out of Azkaban when Albus decided to rescue Severus. He'd have to do it on his own again and Filius rather doubted that they'd let him escape twice.
Filius nodded once more and then spoke to Damyan.
"Can you advise the court of who you are?" Filius requested.
"I am... or should I say...was... at one time Damyan Georgiev Draganov. My ranks included that of Master Healer – Medical, Advanced Master Healer – Medical, Advanced Master Healer-Surgeon. I was also a senior member of my Lord Gellert's Brotherhood. Currently, I am in the outer ring of the seventh level of Hell, immersed in the river Phlegethon. And much like my brother Capaneus, my head is unbowed. As my Lord Gellert often commented, 'In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity. In peace: goodwill.'
Silence greeted that cheeky pronouncement.
Yes, that's exactly how I need you to behave. Arrogant, insolent and nuttier than a fruitcake. Throw in a few arcane yet erudite references that will have the majority of them scratching their heads.
The phantasm leaned toward Filius and asked in a conspiratory tone.
"Tell me, Good Master Filius... sometimes... between the screams... do I truly hear Albus shrieking? The sounds come from Caina. That ring specifically for betrayers of family and kin? I attempted to kill him in Prague, but he survived. Was I at last successful? Does he now freeze in the lake of Cocytus with the rest of blood betrayers?"
Filius didn't need to view Albus to realize that Damyan had verbally scored and had scored well on his opponent. His family, past, current and future, was Albus' Achilles' heel.
"Tell me, Good Master Filius... is not Albus in the ninth level of hell? When I died to protect Severus from that monster bedazzled and bespangled in purple finery, did we both go to Hell together? Or did my fears come true? That he still lives?"
"Healer Draganov, no, you did not kill Albus. And there are many here who would disagree with character assessment of him," the gentle Filius chastised him.
Yes, I know you how you loathe Albus. Let me see what that comment does to your composure.
The specter's face darkened in rage and then he shook his head.
"You're fools. I found Severus Snape in my alleyway in Manchester, desperate to flee from both Dearest Dumbledore and Snake face. He was so anxious to escape from them both that he did a Blind Jump and nearly died."
"Yes, Healer Draganov, that's why I'm speaking to you. I need you to tell everyone here how you found Severus," explained Filius.
And hopefully provide a raving, foaming example of why Severus could never leave you.
"The berk really doesn't like you, does he?" Alastor remarked as Damyan Draganov began detailing in graphic detail how he had found Severus puking and near dead in his alleyway. The Dark Wizard comments were liberally spiced with wry aspersions on Albus' character.
"No, he doesn't," agreed Albus.
"You know, Albus, when this is all said and done, you and I need to have a pint or three, and discuss your truly awesome inability to end your relationships on good terms. It's a God-given talent you have."
"Albus and I were friends," protested Minerva.
"You wouldn't talk to each other for years," Alastor tartly reminded her. "Maybe the kids in the Order don't realize it, but I know how one can converse without saying anything."
Meanwhile Severus' odd defense continued. Damyan Draganov was pretending to be a Healer, so he was detailing the various health issues that had affected Severus.
"When his temperature spiked to 41 degrees Celsius, Severus grew delirious. In his fevered frenzies, he truly believed that I was Albus Dumbledore and he would beg me to stop hurting him. That Severus had finally learned his lesson and no longer wished to be punished. He would remind Albus of how he had been a true and loyal servant, how he had willingly followed all of Albus' commands, no matter how depraved. He would struggle to convince Albus that Severus still had some worth to Albus' grand schemes, even though he had lost his arm. Even though his traumas had temporarily robbed him of his magic."
"Good Master Filius, in his fear of being returned to Azkaban due to his supposed inability to contribute to Albus Dumbledore's vigilantism, I must confess that Severus even offered to... bed ... me. What the terrified Severus offered to do was nauseating even to my worldly tastes, and in my naive refusal to claim myself as Albus, he grew increasingly desperate to remain out of Azkaban and safe from Snake Face. Perhaps it would have been better for his wounded soul, if I had lied to him, assured him in his delirium that that blessed Saint Albus had forgiven him."
"I do not understand why you involved yourself in this matter. Can you explain yourself?" Filius questioned. "You've hidden in the shadows for the last fifty years, why did you decide to involve yourself with this?"
"I felt compassion for Severus. To be continuingly sent to the viper's lair and then to be cast aside as though he was nothing more than a broken hammer, well, it affected me. His fears of being returned to Azakban are well-founded. I know firsthand Wizarding Justice. When my wife and child were murdered, Wizarding Justice decided that I was the guilty party. People, whom I naively believed were my friends, turned away from me and not a single soul dare raise a protest that I was not guilty of those hideous crimes. My Lord Gellert reached his hand out to me, a stranger, and helped me when all others had forsaken me. How could I not do the same for Severus?"
"And I was angry, so angry that the great Albus Dumbledore would use a loyal servant as a tool and then discard him in the rubbish heap when Severus's duplicity was discovered by Snake Face. My Lord Gellert would never have treated his followers that way. No wonder Severus did a runner. I decided that Severus needed new friends."
"New friends?" Filius questioned.
"Yes, new friends. People who would cherish him for the remarkable talent that he is, people that would not allow other people to abuse him... New friends, true friends."
"A true friend would most assuredly prevent him from returning to a bad situation," prompted Filius.
That earned a narrowing of Damyan's eyes. He knew that Filius was leading him down the garden path but the automaton's slightly crooked grin was answer enough. Damyan would bloody run down the path, foaming and raving the entire way.
To protect Severus.
"Yes. Severus was badly injured, terribly weakened by his ordeal, close to death. And as Severus' true friend, I was quite concerned that he'd return to his abuser. I wished to help him regain his strength so he would under no man's sway. "
Filius had the unique experience of having Damyan's magical mirror image drop to his knees and look him straight in his eyes.
"Good Master Filius, it's not Severus' fault that he broke his parole. He was Compelled to return back to Albus, yet Snake Face had heavily layered a rather rational fear of Albus into the mix. Snake Face abused Severus using Albus' image but it only crystallized the fact that blessed Albus had repeatedly wounded Severus through years of neglect and abuse. Fortunately, I prevented Severus from returning back to Dear Dumbledore as Severus returning back to Albus would have quickly led to Severus' death."
"Severus broke his parole," Filius reminded Damyan. "Yet, you are telling me you're the real behind him breaking his parole."
Damyan softly laughed. "I understand what you're doing, Good Master Filius. Truly, you must have been one hell of a duelist if the way you bandy words is any indication. Very well then, for the idiots that line the arena, I will speak plain. Severus could not leave my shop until I released him. He was as good as dead when he landed in my alleyway, so I tied him into my heartstone."
There was a grumble from the various purists in the audience. Heartstones were not considered proper magic.
"Come now, I cannot believe that these fine, learned souls refuse to explore outside the lines. These children foolishly limit themselves by accepting Eurocentric custom as gospel. Heartstones are any magical objects that can store and even augment magical energy. I fed my personal wards for over two decades in Manchester through my heartstone. Most importantly when a severely depleted Severus decided to plant himself face first in my alleyway, I was able to keep him alive through my heartstone. And yes, I tied him into it so he wouldn't be able to leave."
Damyan laughed.
"I did the same thing to Severus as I did to Ekaterina Sidorova Dobrolubskaia. Katya tried to leave, so many times over the years. But she couldn't."
The Dark Wizard laughed harder.
"She tried to kill me, you know. Fifty seven attempts over the last thirty years. I forgave her each and every incident except for the times Katya tried to kill both of us. I don't mind Katya trying to kill me as I found her futile endeavors refreshing and invigorating. The dear girl kept me on my toes. However, I have never forgiven her for those dozen or so attempts when she decided to kill both of us to get rid of me. I healed her; I fixed her broken back when I found her dying in an alleyway, I must assuredly wasn't going to let her go. Certainly not back to the Russian Aurors, who rather cavalierly sent her after me. Alone."
"So Ms. Dobrolubskaia was also your ... companion?" Filius paused, accenting the slight pause.
"I cared for both of them, so I kept them safe. I kept them close. You are a man of this horrible, horrible world, Master Filius. There are animals like Voldemorts and Dumbledores out there, uncaring of whom they crush in order to gain power. Those that are focused on their own glory. Katya and Severus, they were my family and I would do anything to protect them. Good Master Filius, I know what happened to your wife. How you did everything in your power to protect her. How her father and her brothers looked down on you because of your Goblin heritage."
"Oh bloody hell," whispered a shocked Filius.
"If only Gellert and the Brotherhood had been active then. Gellert would have recognized you for the intelligent, magnificent soul that you are. You and your wife, you would no doubt have a multitude of great-grandchildren by now. You certainly wouldn't have been remanded to Azkaban while your father-in-law got away with an Honor Killing. These children's predecessors did nothing; so fearful were they of offending your father-in-law and his cronies."
Filius turned away from Draganov and looked toward the Minister of Magic. His voice was tremulous as he requested a recess.
There was a loud palaver in the courtroom.
In a softer tone, Damyan continued to talk. "If Gellert had been your liege lord, we would have been brothers. Filius. As your brother, I would have killed them for you, for I know you have a kind and gentle soul, Master Filius. "
"Murder is not the answer," loudly protested Filius. "If there is one thing I've learned in my long life, deliberate murder is not the solution."
"Alas, I must disagree, murder is the only answer!"
"No, it never ends. One killing leads to another and then another," argued Filius.
"Execution is the only answer for the culpable. I executed the Muggle that killed my wife and child. The Bulgarians and the Czechs... they didn't determine guilt, they decided based on personal whims and jealously. No trial was I given. My cousin Adrik was given no trial, no chance to defend himself and his family from unwarranted charges. A bloody hag could have read his blood and realized he didn't carry the curse."
The revenant was in full voice.
"Execution is acceptable for the guilty parties. I killed Tobias Snape because of the crimes he committed. You know Filius, he pushed his wife down a flight of steps. He put her in a coma, and nothing was done. You brave souls sitting in the arena, looking down on me because of what I was, the New Order I wished to create for our kind, you lot did nothing for one of your own. Because she was poor, because she was abused, because it was so easier for you lot to look the other way. The Muggles, well, they did nothing. And Albus... dear, sweet, sainted Albus... well... he was quite occupied with far more important issues than to handle this delicate matter involving one of his supporters. Such tough decisions for such a brilliant man. Should he wear the purple or the scarlet?"
"And I say, wear the scarlet, Albus, for the blood on your soul. One day, I will greet you in Hell, and I long for that day."