Chapter 14
No Good Deed
Cornelius Oswald Fudge was a natural leader and born for the world of politics. The strategy, social games and handshake deals – all these came easily to him. He had run the best lemonade stand on the block as a wee kid. He had won numerous school elections while attending Hogwarts and knew from an early age that the Ministry of Magic was where he would spend the majority of, if not his entire career. He could play the bumbling fool, the savvy negotiator and the hard line conservative. He had run many a successful campaign, was an amazing fund raiser and had even been known to keep one or two donations for strictly for himself. After all, the money was raised on the back of his hard work – why shouldn't he get a little taste?
Fudge would rise quickly within the Ministry of Magic, and by 1990 he would ascend to the most powerful magical position in all of Great Britain – Minister of Magic. His swearing in would be the happiest day of his life. The portly little man would be able to hold onto that coveted position for 6 years. Some Ministers only lasted one or two years, not bad for a kid who failed charms class his first two years at Hogwarts.
But today Fudge was still a decade away from achieving the highest political post in Great Britain. Today, he found himself in the middle of bedlam in downtown London. What a mess, he thought. Destroyed buildings, twelve dead muggles, one dead wizard and two injured Death Eaters. It was going to be a hell of a long night writing up this report. But Fudge didn't mind. Competent and efficient handling of tough situations was what was going to allow him to rise quickly through the Ministry ranks.
Fudge was a Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes and one of the first on the scene after Sirius Black's terrorist attack. He arrived with a squad of trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad and had secured the area immediately. Fudge was impressed with the squad he had been tasked with. There were some real stars in the bunch, probably a few future aurors in this lot.
While he watched impassively, the Hit Wizards magically roped off the area from curious onlookers. A muggle passing the alleyway would now see a closed off fence with a large sign that warned of a gas leak. One of the Hit Wizards had stupefied some constables who had been on the scene – when the extensive magical damage was completely repaired, Fudge would plant the memory of a terrorist attack in the minds of the constables.
Fudge didn't know much about muggle politics, but he knew tensions were high between London proper and some group known as the IRA and this would be an easily acceptable group for the muggle world to blame. A clean and tidy solution to this horrible business. His superiors should be impressed with this little bit of muggle knowledge – it would show he was thorough and took his work a step further than most.
Fudge's mind drifted from his next political move to the actual horror of the scene before him. Such a needless loss of life. Poor muggles, wrong place at the wrong time. So often that was the case in these situations. Too bad there wasn't a spell to bring innocents back to life. One day, he would become Minister of Magic and solve all these problems. God help any criminals arrested during his tenure!
Fudge never forgot the scene that day. He would sometimes dream about it as he grew older. There was a large crater in the middle of the street, so deep it had completely cracked the sewer running below it. That was going to take an impressive bit of magic to fix, mustn't leave too big a mess for the muggles to clean up. Showing compassion was also important in the eyes of his superiors. Maniacal cackling behind Fudge drew his attention. It was a delirious laugh, devoid of warmth or compassion.
Fudge turned around and stared at Sirius Black – mass murderer Sirius Black. Long ragged black hair, burns across his face, dried blood specked on his robes. He was crying out a mirthless laugh, hollow and empty. He certainly seemed amused with today's events. There was no dark mark on his arm, but there was no doubt he was one of the Dark Lord's followers. Fudge was going to recommend an immediate sentence to Azkaban, no need to waste the Wizengamot's time with a trial for this psychopath.
However, there might have to be a trial for the fellow Death Eater next to Sirius. Fudge was not quite sure who the pale skinny man lying next to Sirius was. He was dressed in magical robes and, initially, Fudge had been concerned that another wizard, apart from the courageous Peter Pettigrew, had been grievously injured. None of the muggle witnesses remembered seeing the wizard, he appeared to be another unfortunate bystander. But when Fudge saw his left forearm, his empathy vanished. He immediately placed magical restraints on the young man and told the medical personnel dispatched from St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries there was no need to hurry. There were two stony faced Hit Wizards standing behind the two Death Eaters, wands pointed at their backs. Fudge turned back to the street, confident there was no way the two criminals would escape on his watch.
Severus Snape looked like two different people put together. The right side of his body was disheveled; robes tattered, but no worse for the wear. The left side was another story – it was a bloody mess. The blast had thrown him backwards and he had skidded along on his left side. His left cheek felt like it had been placed in a blender, he was sure his jaw had been dislocated and his left arm might have been broken. The junior minister could have easily waved his wand and eased some of his pain, but all Snape received from Fudge was the occasional nasty look.
Even worse than the pulsing pain wracking his body, was the delirious laughing coming from the man sitting on the curb next to him. Snape wanted desperately to break loose of his restraints and drive his fist down Sirius' throat, but instead he was relegated to listening to the murderer sniggering. Everyone once in a while Snape would hear him mutter something about missed justice or too quick a death. Clearly, the man had lost what little sanity he had left. The Dark Lord must have seriously twisted his mind.
Snape shuddered as he remembered one of the occasions when the Dark Lord had penetrated his mind, walking freely through his memory house, violating even his most personal recollections. And Snape was a natural, gifted Legilimens. Who knows what the Dark Lord could do to lesser minds. As another wave of fresh pain rose up through Snape's body, he leaned to the side and vomited on Sirius, who gave no sign he had noticed or cared. Just before passing out, Snape thought he heard the sounds of a large van pulling into the alleyway.
Snape's mid lifted from a cloud haze, jostled awake by the swaying of his seat. He tentatively opened his eyes, not truly caring but curious as to where he was. He was in the back of a van, a Magical Enforcement "wagon" by the looks of it. Bars lined the windows and the partition to the front seat. Snape was shackled to the seat by magical restraints – chains were continuously slithering along his body, squeezing tight, going lax, and then squeezing tight again. It was difficult to escape when your restraints had no lock and were continually slithering across your body.
Snape had a sudden pang of thirst, his mouth tasted of dried blood. A raspy cough drew his eyes to the figure seated across from him. Sirius Black looked like he had aged 100 years since Snape had last seen him. His long black hair was frayed and he had a psychotic aura about him. Snape stared hard at the man who had treated him with the utmost disdain, with total disrespect the moment they first met on the Hogwarts train so long ago. The very first words Sirius had ever directed towards Snape had been barbed insults. Well, at least some people got what they deserved thought Snape. The famous Sirius Black, Gryffindor heartthrob and rebel Black family member, was going to rot in Azkaban for the rest of his treacherous life.
Snape caught Sirius' eye and gave him a vindictive sneer.
"What the hell were you doing here today Snivellus?"
"Worry more about yourself Black. Enjoy the little freedom you have left."
"We're going together, just you and I!" laughed Sirius.
Snape angrily spat towards Sirius, but he was so weak it just came out as a feeble spray, dribbling over his chin and down his robes. Sirius' crazy laughter echoed again in the back of the wagon. As Cornelius Fudge yelled at them from the front seat to pipe down, Snape dropped his eyes and looked down at the floor. Today was not the first time Sirius had almost gotten him killed.
"Are you sure he's following you?" Sirius impatiently asked his fellow Gryffindor.
"Yes, yes. I'm quite sure," squeaked Peter. "Why don't you ever believe me?"
"Because Wormtail, you're not the brightest bulb in the box."
Peter appeared to bristle indignantly at the perceived slight, but the truth was he wasn't offended in the least. He loved being part of Sirius' gang, being included in the hijinks. And, if he was being in honest with himself, Sirius was right – he was a little thick sometimes.
"I waited until he was behind me in the library and then I told Devin he had to cover for me in charms class, cause I had to urgently speak with you down by the lake. Here look! Check the map!"
Peter thrust the Marauder's Map into Sirius' hands. Sure enough, a small dot labeled Severus Snape was closing quickly on their location, the western shores of the Great Lake.
"Sometimes I underestimate you Wormtail," said Sirius as he rubbed Peter's hair. "Now go stand over there with the map. When you see that Snivellus is in place to overhear us, turn around and loudly ask me to go over the plan again."
Peter deeply blushed, his hair tingling where Sirius' had tousled it. He happily bounced over to a tree, feeling light after the rare Sirius' compliment. I can't believe such a handsome, popular boy enjoys spending time with me!
"But what exactly is the plan?"
"Wormtail, would you shut up till he gets here?!"
Peter turned away and looked across the Great Lake, wondering what was in there. He had heard voices floating across the lake on some of the Marauders' night adventures. Maybe merpeople lived down there. Lost in watery thoughts, Peter didn't look down at the map for a good five minutes. When he did, he saw a tiny dot labeled Severus Snape nestled amongst the trees behind him and Sirius. It was time. Action!
Peter tapped the map with his wand, whispered "Mischief Managed" and shoved them into his back pocket. He turned around and sauntered over to a bored looking Sirius. God, what beautiful flowing hair he has…no wonder all the girls chase him.
"Sirius, I don't understand. What exactly is the plan for tonight?"
"Wor-," Sirius stopped short, not wanting to use one of their secret nicknames while Severus was listening. "Peter, are you dense? I'll explain it one more time, and then we have to get back to charms. I can't afford any more detentions. Me, you and James – we leave the common room separately and meet in the Astronomy Tower late tonight. Make sure you're not seen by anyone; avoid Filch and any Slytherins, especially Snape."
"No one can ever see us, we have James' invis–."
"Shut up Peter!" screamed Sirius. The idiot almost gave away the fact that the gang had an invisibility cloak. What a moron. "Now, we meet at the tower and finalize our plans to humiliate the Slytherins at the next Sunday feast in the Great Hall. Any questions?"
Come on Peter, Sirius thought. Ask about Remus. Sirius stared hard at Peter, nodding his head as if to push him to say something. Peter winked at him, understanding.
"Nope. Sounds good to me Sirius. Let's get going, back to class."
Sirius sighed and then grabbed Peter before he could scamper off.
"And Peter," Sirius warned loudly. "Do not tell a soul about Remus and the Whomping Willow."
Peter's eyes narrowed in confusion, he forgot they were acting. "Of course! I would never tell his secret, I don't need to be reminded!"
"Good, because he will be there tonight. Remember, if you hit the small knot at the trunk, the tree branches becomes immobilized. And you can then squeeze through the opening in the tree roots and into the secret passage."
"I know all this already!"
"I'm just reminding you not to disturb him tonight. His secret is of utmost importance! It's crucial for our attack!"
Peter was now thoroughly confused, "What attack?"
Sirius shook his head for the umpteenth time; this kid was really slow on the uptake sometimes. He grabbed Peter's arm and steered him back towards the castle, whispering "Never mind about an attack. Just keep your mouth shut about what we just did. Don't go squealing to James first chance you get."
As Sirius and Peter walked away from the Great Lake and back towards Hogwarts, Severus rose from his crouched hiding place. The conversation he had just heard didn't quite make sense, but then again the Marauders weren't exactly brilliant scholars. Of course they would be planning an attack during next Sunday's feast; exacting revenge for the latest Malfoy and Avery prank – the two Slytherins had turned the Gryffindor quidditch team uniforms silver and green during last week's match.
As Severus hurried back the Slytherin dungeons, he couldn't wait for tonight. For once he would have the drop on the gang of four.
Severus was scared…no…he was terrified.
He had been debating all day whether or not to go to the Astronomy Tower to eavesdrop on James and Sirius or sneak down to the Whomping Willow to see if what Sirius had said was true. Was there really a way to freeze the willow? Was there really a secret passage? There was no one he could confide in and solicit advice on the best course of action. Lily would not be happy knowing he wanted to spy on her fellow Gryffindors. She was turning into everyone else in the castle, thinking that James and Sirius could do no wrong. And he didn't want to tell any of his fellow Slytherins; he wasn't that close to any of them and the ones he was on friendly terms with would probably try to take all the glory for themselves by foiling the Gryffindor prank. Severus would like to be the hero for once in his miserable life.
Severus finally decided that the chance to get the drop on James and Sirius was more appealing than ferreting out Remus' night time secret. But as he headed off towards the tower late at night, he glimpsed through a window Remus and Madam Pomfrey crossing the school grounds. He just couldn't resist the temptation and began following them. Severus was shocked to find that they indeed were headed to the Whomping Willow.
He watched as Madam Pomfrey levitated a twig, sent it smashing into the willow tree trunk, and impossibly, the flailing tree limbs went silent. Madam Pomfrey walked to the trunk with Remus, gave the boy a quick hug and watched him crawl through a hole near the trunk of the tree. She then quickly walked back to the castle, walking right by the very bushes Severus was hiding in.
Severus couldn't believe it – had Sirius been telling the truth? Remus had snuck off to the Whomping Willow this evening, but for what purpose? Why would Madam Pomfrey be helping Remus do something underhanded? Maybe Lucius was right – the faculty really did favor Gryffindor! They were prejudiced against House Slytherin! If Severus could catch Remus doing something nasty, and get evidence a faculty member was complicit – oh my! Slughorn must be told about this treachery. At worst, he would have the drop on a Marauder all alone and without backup. None of them had ever dared to attack Severus in a fair fight.
The Whomping Willow began swaying back and forth again, snapping Severus out of his reverie. He approached the tree cautiously; those swinging limbs could easily crush him. Why on Earth was such a tree even allowed to exist on the school grounds? It was so dark, how had Madam Pomfrey even been able to see the knot that froze the tree limbs?
Severus reached his wand back, whispered "Lumos Maxima", and flicked his wand towards the Whomping Willow. A ball of light appeared at the tip of his wand and then flew towards the large tree. It landed softly in the grass and illuminated the base of the tree trunk. Severus flicked his wand towards the tree once again and a twig lying by his feet floated up and sped towards the knot, just missing its target. It took a couple more tries, but Severus was finally able to hit the knot and incapacitate the tree. With a deep breath, he crossed to the tree trunk and headed down, through a large gap in the roots.
Severus crawled forward, headfirst, and slid down an earthly slope to the bottom of a very low tunnel. The tunnel was crudely made and very narrow. Even the young Severus had to crouch low in order to navigate through it. On and on the tunnel went, much longer than Severus expected. And then the tunnel began to rise, twisting sharply to the right. He could see a patch of dim light through a small opening – through that opening lay Remus, all alone, hiding something terrible. But Severus stood rooted to the ground.
Severus was scared…no…he was terrified.
The sounds emanating from the opening were not…human. It sounded like there was an animal in there, a terribly angry animal. Anguished wails, loud yelling, clawing and scrapping, it sounded like…shrieking! Severus considered leaving, hightailing it out of there and getting back to the safety of the castle. But almost immediately the thought was pushed out of his mind. I am not going back. I am not such a coward.
He stumbled forward, closer and closer to the opening. He carefully peered through it. It opened into a room – a very disordered, dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains all over the floor; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it. The windows were all boarded up. The room was deserted, but to the right a door stood open…and something was moving outside of it. Severus saw a shadow flash across the doorway. What was that? It looked like…
Two strong arms materialized around Severus' body and he was forcibly pulled back through the opening. He tumbled down the steep rise of the tunnel, someone firmly wrapped around him. He slammed into the ground, buffered against the other person. Severus rolled off to the side, rose to a knee and pointed his wand at his attacker. But he was a step too slow, for his assailant already had his wand out.
"Expelliarmus!"
Severus' wand went flying down the tunnel.
"Lumos," said the unseen attacker and light shone brightly, illuminating the tunnel. Severus got a clear view of a lean boy, with messy black hair and square rimmed glasses – it was a wild looking James Potter. Hate and jealousy flowed through Severus. Again, he had been duped! It was at that moment that Severus decided it was time he began to embrace his Slytherin house mates. Fighting his battles 1 vs. 4 because of his pride and reluctance to make friends had cost him one too many times. He waited for the sound of Sirius' voice to echo behind him, one was never far from the other. Trapped in a tunnel, wandless, this was not going to end well for the young Slytherin.
"What are you waiting for Potter? You and your friends want to play with your food before eating it?"
"Shut up for once Severus and listen to me. I'm trying to help you!"
"We both know that's a goddamn lie!"
"You're right, I don't give a shit about you. But I do care about Remus!"
As James said his friend's name, he involuntarily turned his head back towards at the small opening. Severus immediately launched himself onto James, knocking away the wand with one hand and driving a fist into James' stomach with the other. James doubled over from the punch, wheezing for air.
Severus took a step back, and then drove his knee into James' head, knocking the Gryffindor down to the ground. Severus stepped over James and lunged for his wand, but just as his fingers touched it, he was jerked backward. James had grabbed Severus' robes and tugged him back. James then tackled Severus and the two boys rolled around the cramped tunnel – trading punches, elbows and kicks.
Finally, James was able to untangle himself from Severus and kick him away. He scooped up his wand and pointed it at the prone Severus.
"You move another muscle and I'll permanently turn you into a slug!"
"Do it then Potter. Put me out of my misery," softly cried Severus. His nose bloody, glistening with tears.
"I'm saving your life you idiot. We have to leave. Now!"
"Save my life? Why lie James? There's no one around to hear you're bullshit. It's just us."
"You would've been ripped apart had you gone any further into that shack!"
"Ripped apart? By weak, sickly Remus? What's he hiding in there?!"
James' reply was drowned out by a shrill howl sounding from the opening. He looked hard at Severus, and then shoved his wand back into his robes. He turned to the side, making room for Severus, and held out a hand towards the opening.
Severus paused, hesitant, wary of a trick, but his curiosity got the best of him and he inched past James towards the opening once again. Whatever had been howling was now very close to the opening. Severus crawled forward slowly, aware of the tense breathing behind him and the low growling in front of him. He was very close to the opening now, something large was just in front of it. Too large to fit through the small opening. What was it? If he could just get a little closer he could see. Just a little farther, that's it…it looked like a…
Severus tore down the tunnel, James right on his heels. The two teens half-crawled half-ran as fast as they could, their heads bouncing off the roof of the tunnel every few seconds. Severus reached the tunnel entrance and flew out of it, dodging the swinging branches with surprising agility. Once he was out of the Whomping Willow's range, he turned around to catch his breath. James was right behind him, but a flailing branch clipped him just before he reached Severus. James skidded to a halt, blood dripping down the side of his face. Severus stood over him, staring. I could just push him a little further back, into the willow's strike zone. No one's around, no one would know. They'd blame the tree, or maybe the beast contained within. No one would know it was me.
But Severus knew in his heart he couldn't do it. God I'm so weak. Partly ashamed, partly proud, Severus hoisted the unconscious James onto his shoulders and headed for the hospital wing. Severus gave the Whomping Willow one last look. Severus would travel back through the tunnel and into the Shrieking Shack two more times in his life. The next time, over ten years later, he would track Lupin there in the hopes of exacting revenge on Sirius Black. And the final time – the Dark Lord would summon his most trusted servant to meet him there for one final service.
"I know you'll do the honorable thing Severus. You are strong. You are loyal. And above all else, you are wise. I trust you with Remus' secret, and believe you will never tell a soul," Dumbledore said to the gangly young boy standing across from him.
"You don't know a thing about me," spat Severus, trying to appear unmoved by the headmaster's words. He hated the warm feeling enveloping his heart. He didn't need this old man's approval.
"I know more than you think Severus," smiled Dumbledore serenely. "You showed true courage tonight. Come now. It's time for you to head back to your room. The hour is late and you've had quite an adventure."
Headmaster and student walked along the hospital wing's corridor, passing empty beds on either side. Except the bed right at the end of the wing, near the hospital entrance. In that bed lay James Potter, badly bruised but alive.
Jealous hate sprouted from Snape as he walked by James. Of course Dumbledore, Slughorn, McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey all thought James was some kind of hero. Severus had just been an inquisitive sneak. I mean was the whole goddamn world against me? James hadn't been acting heroically or altruistically, he just wanted to protect Remus and Sirius from getting into trouble, which in turn would have gotten him into trouble. Dumbledore had called it a life debt. Are you freaking kidding me? I owe him some sort of magical debt now? I saved his life too, dragging his worthless ass back to the castle. Where was my debt? I bet Sirius and Peter just get off with warnings.
And now I'm sworn to secrecy about Lupin the freak. I gave my word I would never speak of what happened tonight. I bet Dumbledore didn't make anyone else swear. I showed just as much moxie as James did! Why did everyone favor him?! Much to Severus' chagrin, the whole castle already seemed to be abuzz with a story of how James had saved silly little Severus from the Whomping Willow.
Dumbledore held open the door to the hospital wing and allowed Severus to exit. Waiting outside was a worried looking McGonagall, an anxious Peter and a smiling Sirius. As the Gryffindors trooped by, Professor McGonagall gave Severus a quick hug, Peter looked down at the ground, but Sirius slowed down to bump into Severus. As Severus looked up, Sirius winked and drew a long finger across his throat, nasty mischief dancing in his eyes.
Snape looked up as the wagon stopped. Sirius had the same mischievous look in his eyes from that long ago night, but with a more haunted twinge. Cornelius Fudge shouted smugly from the front of the wagon.
"Sorry to inform you boys, but the Ministry holding cells were extremely crowded. So until the Wizengamot has time to hear your cases you will be held here…in Azkaban."
The door to the wagon opened, and Snape was dragged out. He looked up and saw that he was far away from land, out in the icy waters of the North Sea. He was on a tiny island, the home of the most dreaded wizarding prison on the face of the Earth. Snape saw Dementors flying above the prison walls, sightless soul sucking fiends. They fed on a wizard's emotions, his hopes and dreams. There was no real need for the walls and bars, most prisoners became trapped within their own minds. Some went insane, driven mad when bereft of a hopeful thought; others simply died without putting up a fight. It was then Snape realized he hadn't been in a Ministry wagon, no, he had been in a secured Ministry plane.
Cornelius Fudge was busy yelling at a Dementor, no doubt explaining the sudden arrival of two prisoners. Could the Dementor even understand him? The Hit Wizards who had accompanied the prisoners on the flight quickly headed back to the plane, not wanting to stand a moment longer on the dark island. Snape looked over at Sirius, who was leering crazily at him, an awful rictus of a smile plastered on his face. My God, he had already gone insane. I am truly alone now.
Cornelius walked over to them, whispering "Okay boys, enjoy. I'll be back to fetch you when your case comes to trial." Cornelius slowly looked around, adding "If I remember to call your case before the judges." He then strode over to the plane, yelling at the pilot to take off at once.
A huge gust of salty wind blew across the island, as a Dementor floated down and led the two forsaken men towards the prison entrance. The entrance was protected by a large gate, a mix of metal and stone. Two fearsome looking gargoyle statues stood above the gate, their twisting grimaces welcoming all new residents. Abandon all hope ye who enter here…Snape looked around for any sign of comfort, of hope, of anything. All he got was the sound of the plane taking off, the vast expanse of the North Sea, the impossibly high walls of the prison, the air heavy with futility, and the unsettling pitch of Sirius' laughter.
Snape looked over at the other dead man walking. Sirius turned towards him, still cackling like a maniac, but his eyes…his eyes seemed all too sane. Sirius winked and drew a long finger across his throat, nasty mischief dancing in his eyes.