The Founders' Intervention
By: Sheltie
I still don't own Harry Potter at all
Chapter 9
A deluge of owls flooded the Great Hall some heading towards Dumbledore and the others towards Snape. It was unusual to see two professors getting swamped by so many owls, but here it was. And what made it more interesting was the fact that there were several red envelopes in the mix too. Soon they exploded and shouting was heard that echoed throughout the hall. What got everyone's attention next was the headline in the newspaper.
Former Death Eater Teaching Students At Hogwarts; What Is The Headmaster Thinking
The entire article was very thorough and went through Snape's entire history as a Death Eater even with Dumbledore backing him up every time. Though the article made it look like Dumbledore was just trying to save his potion master more than anything. It also put the question out of why'd you let a potion master with no prior teaching experience teach and be head of house in Hogwarts. The article then went through Snape's tenure as potions teacher. The reporter was very thorough and had many interviews with many former Hogwarts students on how bias Snape was in his class. How he favored his own house and took points and shelled out numerous detentions even though another student was at fault. It also showed the decline of aurors, healers and other professions that relied on potions mostly since Snape took over as potions professor. The article was quite damaging to Snape and laid all the blame on Dumbledore for subjecting students to Snape's tyranny.
/Scene Break/
"Well looks like Amelia did good" Harry said after Hermione read the article to him.
"Harry, it looks like you're going to busy with a certain whiskered fellow" Daphne said.
"Oh, and what makes you say that Daph?" Harry asked.
"The fact that the whiskered one is staring at you and he doesn't look happy" Daphne said.
Harry glanced up at the head table and found Dumbledore looking at him with a disapproving look.
"Hmm, this ought to be fun" Harry said turning back to his friends.
"Only you'd think facing off with Dumbledore would be fun" Neville said rolling his eyes at his friend.
"Oh come on Nev, Dumbledore is just going to do the same old song and dance" Harry said.
"You best be careful though. Dumbledore is a powerful wizard" Susan said warningly.
"I know Susan, but I know what I am doing" Harry said with a smile.
Hermione sighed. She wasn't sure what Harry had planned, but she had a good idea that Harry wasn't going to be subtle. Harry didn't do subtle.
"Everything will be fine. Harry won't be harmed. Dumbledore needs him" Luna said.
The others looked at Luna, who after saying that was now buttering her toast and humming a jaunty tune.
/Scene Break/
Harry sat in the headmaster's office with an irate Snape glaring at him and Dumbledore sitting behind his huge desk looking on with disapproval. Like how a parent looks at a child after they have broken a lamp. It would've looked intimating if Harry hadn't seen Rowena in one of her moods. Now those were scary, this was just idiotic.
"Is there something I can do for you sir?" Harry asked.
"Shut it Potter, I know it was you who helped with the article" Snape spat.
Harry blinked.
"Do you have any proof?" he asked.
"Arrogant, just like your father" Snape sneered.
"I'm not arrogant at all. I'm just like any student here. All I want is a good and fair education" Harry said.
Snape looked ready to hex Harry, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"Harry my boy, did you have anything to do with that article?" he asked in a grandfatherly tone.
"No sir, I had nothing to do with it. I guess someone in the Prophet decided to act on a tip of some kind" Harry said.
"He's lying" Snape hissed.
"And how do you know if I am lying or not? Do you have a built in lie detector in that greasy mess you call hair?" Harry asked.
Snape had his wand out this time ready to hex Harry, but again was stopped by Dumbledore.
"Harry, that isn't any way to talk to a professor" Dumbledore said in stern tone.
"Sorry sir, but he's given me no respect so why should I give him any in return" Harry said.
"Harry, you must respect people in authority" Dumbledore said.
"I do, I respect those who use their authority in a right and just manner and who are respectful to me" Harry said.
Dumbledore frowned. He wasn't getting anywhere here.
"Is there anything else sir?" Harry asked.
"No, you may go" Dumbledore said.
Harry nodded and left.
"That brat was responsible, I know it. He's just like his father, arrogant and cocky. Say the word and I'll pour Veritaserum until it comes out of his ears, then we'll get answers" Snape said.
"Severus, we can't, Harry is Lord of an Ancient and Noble house. I have no authority to do that unless over half of the Wizengamot agrees and there must be formal charges brought forth first as well as other things" Dumbledore said.
Snape looked ready to kill.
"We must hope for the best and prepare for the worst" Dumbledore said.
/Scene Break/
Harry told his friends about his talk with Dumbledore and they found interesting.
"I wonder what his next move will be?" Daphne pondered out loud.
"Don't know, but it's not going to be much. I'll bet he just a few meaningless platitudes and everyone thinks things will be fine" Harry said.
"You're probably right Harry. Dumbledore is all talk" Neville said.
"Don't underestimate him Harry. Dumbledore is very powerful politically. He can crush you" Daphne said.
Harry nodded.
"So what next?" Neville asked.
"We should start looking into the chamber" Hermione said.
"Why don't we go to the founders, they can tell us what we need to know" Susan suggested.
"No they can't. They'd want us to figure it out on our own" Hermione said.
Susan sighed.
"To the library?" she asked.
Hermione nodded and led the way to the aforementioned library with the others following her.
/Scene Break/
Meanwhile in the founders' chambers the four founders were talking.
"Things are moving along smoothly" Salazar said.
"Yes, but I fear what will happened with the chamber now since things have changed" Rowena said.
"Harry will triumph Rowena. He's not going to lose" Helga said.
"Yes, but we've changed things and who knows if Nellie will attack the same people and who knows if they will be just petrified this time? Also I fear that if Hermione is attacked what Harry will do" Rowena said.
This caused everyone to frown. Once again Rowena was correct. They had no idea if this school year will go without a death like they had seen.
"We mustn't worried about things we can't control. We must keep helping Harry and his friends prepare for the fight ahead" Godric said breaking the silence.
"Does he have to kill Nellie this time though?" Salazar asked not wanting to lose his beloved pet.
"I don't Salazar, I don't know. I am sure Harry will try and not to, but you know that Nellie will be under control of Riddle" Godric said as he put a sympathetic hand on his friend's shoulder.
Salazar's shoulders slumped.
"You can always have Harry breed a new one" Helga suggested.
"It won't be the same" Salazar said sullenly.
/Scene Break/
The group of friends worked in the library trying to find anything on the chamber.
"Where could the place be?" Daphne asked out loud.
"Not sure, but it can't be somewhere obvious since it could've been found already" Neville said.
"What about the beast in the chamber, any clues at what it is?" Fred asked.
"Yeah, we don't want to go in blind" George said.
"Knowing Salazar it will be a snake" Harry said.
Hermione then pursued a book on magical creatures trying to find a snake that would fit guarding the legendary chamber. She was biting her bottom lip as she read. Luna was humming softly to herself as she looked through old newspaper articles hoping to find clues. Daphne was looking through other books hoping to get an idea on where the chamber could be located. Neville was helping Daphne on this even though she told him that she didn't need any help. Susan was pursuing books of spells that might help. The twins were doing the same as well as doing some of their homework they had been putting off. Harry was leaning back thinking. He knew his friends had it well in hand. His only concern was who else will be hurt before they could stop whoever was causing this.
/Scene Break/
Another attack happened. This time it was a Gryffindor named Colin Creevey and the Gryffindor ghost Nearly-Headless Nick. Though it only petrified the student and the ghost. This of caused the group to research creatures that could petrify their victims.
Malfoy was strutting around the castle because of this and it annoyed the group.
"Arrogant ponce, I wish I could hex him" Harry said.
"Harry" Hermione chided.
"What, he's strutting about thinking he's the Queen of England, which from what I hear he spends so much time in the bathroom it almost qualifies him as a girl" Harry said.
"And where did you hear this?" Hermione asked.
"Daphne" Harry said.
Hermione looked at her Slytherin friend, who shrugged.
"What, I heard all about in the Snake pit. Pansy won't shut up about it. Always, she say stuff like, 'Draco spends more time in the mirror than I do' or ''how much jell does Draco use'. It's hard not to hear" Daphne said.
Hermione sighed.
Meanwhile Luna was keeping an eye on the little redhead at the Gryffindor table. She saw how pale Ginny was and frowned. She knew what Ginny was doing and knew that it was causing her to be this tired. But it was her own fault for using a diary she wasn't even sure of. The lithe blond shook her head.
/Scene Break/
Snape was plotting deeply now on how to get rid of the Potter brat. He wasn't going to let this stand one day longer. No, he was going to deal with the brat soon. But he just had to finalize his plan Dumbledore be damned. He didn't care about the old man and his plans for the boy he was going to get his revenge.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore was flummoxed. He had no idea what to do. His foray in the Wizengamot, which he used to rule was shown up by novice. He was maneuvered masterly in an arena he usually ruled. He wasn't too sure about another attempt in it too soon since he was still licking his wounds from the last. As for Hogwarts, he had no idea where he stood in the castle he once thought he had control over. None of the portraits nor the elves told him what was going on anymore. They kept mum on anything related to Harry, which was what he wanted to know most. Yes, he was no longer safe anywhere it seemed. Now with this mysterious petrifying going on he had no idea what to do. He feared news would leak soon and that was the last thing he wanted since that would cause more prying eyes on business that they shouldn't know about. He needed a miracle.
/Scene Break/
Amelia was pleased. She was making many subtle inquiries about Dumbledore and his life. She asked many in the old crowd that knew the man personally. She had a few successes, but she had to be careful since these people were also friends with Dumbledore and could go and tell him what was going on and she'd be stopped in her tracks. She couldn't let that happen so she used all the cunning she had, which would make some of her close friends wonder why she wasn't put in Slytherin. Amelia was putting a lot of information against Dumbledore. None of it was criminal as far as she could tell, but it would help in the long run.
/Scene Break/
Snape finally made his move one Saturday. He stalked the halls looking for his target and when he found him he unleashed a fury of spells most bordering dark.
Harry was having some fun chatting with his friend from Ravenclaw, Cho Chang. He thought it would be best to make some good connection with them for later use. He really needed to stop hanging around Salazar and Daphne. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the first spell and pushed Cho down so she wouldn't get hit by any of the spells.
Cho was having a nice chat with Harry and found he was a great friend. She didn't have put on any airs with Harry. She knew Harry was off-limits because he was betrothed to Hermione, but she was smart and knew being friends with Harry would help her in the long run. Suddenly she pushed to the floor by Harry. The only thing she saw was the spells go streaking by.
Snape was enraged that he had missed and got ready to fire off his next barrage when Harry stood and fired off a stunner. Snape blocked that and then fired off his next combo. Harry shielded against what he knew and dodged what he couldn't.
"Cho, are you alright?" Harry asked.
Cho nodded from her position. She was still on the floor ducking.
"I need you to get help now. I'll cover you" Harry said as he dodged another dark spell.
Cho was scared. She had never been in this kind of situation before and her whole body was numb.
"Cho, get moving!" Harry shouted.
Cho got going at this and moved. She trusted that Harry would watch her back as she went for help. She ran as fast as she could and never looking back, but hoping Harry could hold out.
Back at the fight Snape was now firing off dark spells at Harry without consequence. His plan was gone and now all he wanted to do was cause pain to the boy.
Harry kept shielding and dodging. He'd fire back when he had an opportunity, but those were slim. He was glad that Godric and Snape had taught him magical combat skills, but he never knew he'd need them this soon. A sudden rush of pain caused him to come back to the present. He had a big gash on his left shoulder and it was bleeding. It wasn't too bad though. So Harry kept fighting.
Snape was tiring a bit, but he was older and had more magical experience than Harry. He knew he could win. The boy could only evade him for so long. Then once the boy had nowhere else to go he'd savor his victory.
Harry was tiring and he knew it. He may have a big magical core and everything, but he didn't know how to use it. Besides, he was a second year against a fully-grown wizard. He didn't stand a chance. So he knew he'd just have to try and out last Snape til help arrived. He just hoped it would arrive soon.
A crack made Harry buckle and he fell to the ground. His leg was broken in several places and he couldn't move anymore. The pain was unbearable, but he held back the sounds of pain that wanted to escape by gritting teeth. Snape looked on looking smug above all else. He stalked towards Harry like a predator towards its victim. He wanted to savor this. He was about to raise his wand and utter the torture curse when he was knocked back. He looked up to see a furious Filius Flitwick.
Flitwick was in his office just grading some papers when an out of breath Cho Chang came rushing in. She only got out Snape, Harry, hallway before collapsing in exhaustion. Flitwick knew right away and rushed off with wand in hand. If Snape had hurt Harry in any way there would be no safe place to hide for the greasy man. Flitwick got there just as Snape was raising his wand. He fired off a spell and Snape went backwards.
Snape knew he couldn't win against Flitwick. The diminutive Charms teacher was a dueling master and not one to mess with. He threw out a few spells to distract the charms master and ran for it.
Flitwick flicked away the spells Snape shot out with ease and was about to give chase when he saw the condition of Harry and stopped. His first priority was getting his student to the infirmary. He helped Harry to his feet and took him to the infirmary.
/Scene Break/
Hermione had heard what happened and rushed off to the infirmary with Daphne and Luna behind her. Everything was a blur til Hermione got to the Harry's bed.
"Miss Granger" Pomfrey chided.
"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked ignoring the nurse completely.
"Fine Mione. Just magically exhausted along with a few injuries" Harry said.
Hermione took a scrutinizing look at Harry not trusting his report on his own health. She saw the gash, which was healed and then the leg that was mending.
"I'm fine Mione, Flitwick got there just in time" Harry said trying to sooth his betroth.
Hermione got on the bed and snuggled into her Harry being mindful of Harry's injuries.
Pomfrey, who had been ignored to this point huffed and was about to say something when Daphne placed a hand on the nurse's arm. Pomfrey looked at Daphne and the Slytherin shook her head. Pomfrey sighed and conceded. There was no way that Hermione was going to leave Harry's side and she was just going to have to deal with it.
Soon the rest of Harry's friends made their way and now they all stood beside his bed.
"Hey guys, fancy meeting you all here" Harry joked.
Everyone rolled their eyes at Harry. Only he'd joke after almost getting killed.
"What happened Harry?" Daphne asked.
"That's what I liked to know also Harry?"
They all turned and found Dumbledore there.
"I'll tell you what happened. Your pet Death Eater attacked me without provocation" Harry snarled.
Hermione's eyes widen and then got ready to find Snape and deal with him. Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist to stop her.
"No love, he's too strong for you" Harry said gently.
Hermione didn't look satisfied with this answer.
"Harry, I don't think Severus would do that without reason and I am sure he didn't mean to hurt you" Dumbledore said in his reassuring tone.
"Snape attacked me with dark spells Dumbledore. I highly doubt he was just testing me" Harry said furiously.
"I am sure Severus meant you no harm Harry" Dumbledore said serenely.
"Do you have cotton balls in your ears. Snape attacked my Harry!" Hermione shouted.
"It's professor Snape miss Granger" Dumbledore said chiding the Ravenclaw.
Hermione looked furious.
"Sir, please leave for I won't have any control of what Hermione does next" Harry said.
Dumbledore didn't want to leave, but saw the murderous look in Hermione's eyes and decided a retreat was in order. He needed a word with a certain potions master anyway.
Once Dumbledore was gone Harry told everyone what had happened.
"I do hope Cho is okay" Harry said frowning.
On the next bed Cho was resting, totally exhausted from her run and the trauma.
"I'm sure she'll be fine Harry, but what we need to think about now is what to do about Snape" Daphne said.
"I agree, with his attempted attack on you, you can press charges on him and kick him out also" Neville said.
"Right, we need Amelia" Harry said.
"I'll send a letter to my aunt" Susan said.
The Hufflepuff rushed off.
"Dumbledore is going to try to get him off you know" Fred said.
"I do, which means I throw everything the Potters have at him" Harry said.
Ingenious" George said.
"Yes, quite" Fred said.
Both of the twins knew how power the Potters were and knew that Snape was in for the shellacking of a lifetime.
/Scene Break/
Filius was furious and right now his best friend and colleague Minerva was trying to calm him.
"Filius, you must calm yourself" she said.
"I can't Min, he attacked one of my Ravenclaws. That can't stand" Filius said furiously.
Minerva had to agree with Filius. If Snape had attacked one of her cubs then she'd probably be in the same state as her friend was in. But she needed him to get a level head so he doesn't do something that will put him in prison. That couldn't happen.
"Filius, I am sure that Mr. Potter is already planning his revenge on Snape right now. And I doubt the lad will be merciful" Minerva said.
Filius stopped and then calmed as he nodded. Harry wouldn't be easy on Snape at all. He just hoped Harry would save some for him in the end.
/Scene Break/
Dumbledore couldn't find Snape anywhere. He looked everywhere and couldn't find a swishing cloak nor strand of greasy hair of his potion master. He hoped Snape got out safely and would contact him. he needed to know what Snape was thinking. And then how to help him out of this situation.
/Scene Break/
Snape was hiding. He knew he had to and in was in the one spot he knew wouldn't be looked at in the first go around. The Shrieking Shack. After that he'd make his was to his home at Spinner's End. Not many knew of his home so he was safe there. After that he'd head off far away from Britain. He didn't know where he'd go, but anywhere was better.
/Scene Break/
Harry ended up staying in the hospital wing over night as a safety precaution. Hermione stubbornly stayed put and Pomfrey just threw her hands up in defeat.
The next day Harry was out and he got glances from various students. Most were sympathy since he had gotten hurt. Harry ignored them as he headed, with Hermione watching him carefully, to the founders' chamber. This needed to be finished. On his way he met Cho, who was very grateful to him for saving her life. He told her it was nothing and that was what friends did for one another. Once in the chambers he found Amelia waiting for him.
"Are you alright Harry?" Rowena asked worried as she rushed to her son looking him over critically.
"I'm fine Rowena, Pomfrey patched me up fine" Harry said trying to assure the founder of Ravenclaw.
After several minutes of Rowena fussing over Harry things got going.
"We've yet to locate Severus Snape. We have the entire force looking, but no luck just yet" Amelia said.
"He's hiding out somewhere, but we don't nowhere" Daphne said.
"That greasy snake, we have to get him" Hermione said furiously.
"We know Hermione, and we're doing everything we can" Susan said calmly.
Harry wrapped and arm around Hermione's waist to calm her.
"We should look at all the Death Eaters that were suspect during the last war. He might be hiding there" Harry suggested.
"We're trying, but we're not getting a whole lot of support" Amelia said frowning.
"No doubt he's probably hiding out at the Malfoys" Neville said frowning.
"That and we have Dumbledore to deal with" Fred said.
"Yeah, he going to spin this his own way" George said.
"Well then after he puts his story out then we do our own with Cho and Flitwick's point of view" Harry said.
Everyone agreed on that and chatted a bit more til Amelia had to leave and find out what was going in the search for Snape.
/Scene Break/
Just as the group predicted a news article came out trying to paint Snape in a good light, but the light was quite bleak so it wasn't too hard for them to destroy that article with their own.
Their article came out the next day with Cho and Flitwick point of views since they were more than willing to give their story.
Death Eater Snape Attacks Lord Potter in Hopes of Ending Noble Line
The entire article was damning for Snape as well as Dumbledore. Since they thought they should take out two birds out with one stone they put all the blame on Snape as well as having another article that stated how Hogwarts had been doing since the first article of Snape and Dumbledore came out. They had mini-interviews with current students and it was quite damaging.
Snape was officially sacked though there wasn't a need since it was too certain. Dumbledore knew he couldn't do a thing about that, so he let that go without argument. He was still worried on where his potion master was since had no word from him. he tried asking Fawkes, his phoenix, to find Snape. But the phoenix did nothing and sat on its perch. This irked Dumbledore. He needed to find his potion master before everyone else.
/Scene Break/
Snape was sweating bullets. He was close to his home and was feeling the pressure. He needed to get home, but that was getting harder with all the aurors around. It seemed that the entire country was looking for him. He had to get away fast. He couldn't believe the articles he had read. It made him angry and wanted another go at Potter, but knew that would a bad choice. So here he was trying to make his way home then after that he could plan some more. At home he would be safe.
End of Chapter
A/N: end of this one. Sorry I didn't do much on the Chamber, but I got going on this Snape thing and it pushed everything else aside. I'll be focusing on Snape for a bit and try to add in some stuff with the chamber too. Thanks for reading and please review.