The Leader

Chapter 6

Awakening

One Week Later - Albus Dumbledore - Hogwarts - Headmaster's Office

Albus Dumbledore hummed as he looked over his employee's plans for teaching the students. He rarely ever made changes to them, but he always kept an eye on any spells or potions he didn't like the look of. Such as the lineage potion; he had prevented Severus from teaching the seventh years that one six years ago and he had never requested it again. He didn't want the students to realize they had at least one wizard or witch in the family; he'd spent a long time making sure the world was divided, after all without Dark/Evil wizards there were no heroes. He was the biggest hero of them all, and nobody would ever forget that, he wouldn't allow it. If Muggle-Borns realized they had wizarding families, they'd come forward and claim inheritances and such, and wouldn't be willing to fight the good fight. The Purebloods would be willing to accept them, and that thought was intolerable to Albus Dumbledore.

Albus frowned, just thinking about his Potions Professor; perhaps he had been a bit hasty in sending him to the coven. He truly would have been better off teaching students, and turning a few of the younger generations into master spies like he himself had been. Added to that, the fact he would need to find a new Head of Slytherin and Potions Master; it would be easy to acquire a new Head of Slytherin, but the Potions Master would be very difficult to find indeed. No word had reached him yet of his death, but he hadn't been expecting one. The Covens didn't just dispose of the body in the streets, they hid them so they were never found again, if Severus had been caught…then there was no hope of any of the others being able to get near the place. He truly wanted to know what they were up to, they were so powerful, and he'd never met a group so…threatening before. It didn't bode well; it was just so unfortunate he didn't know anyone who could successfully infiltrate the group and find out what their goal was. If they joined Voldemort he dreaded to think what could happen. Mundungus spent a lot of time off the radar, perhaps he'd have a clue to who and what they were. They weren't all vampires, that much was certain right off; it was by far the oddest group of beings he'd ever met.

Having read through the syllabus for this year, he placed them in the done pile, which was towered over by the in-pile he had on his desk. It was crouching precariously, ready to topple any given moment; with a war impending, he could do without this inane part of being Headmaster. It didn't help that Minerva was not staying at Hogwarts this summer, only Charity Burbage, Irma Pince, Argus Filch, and of course Poppy Pomfrey. He could have done with his Deputy's help to relieve the burden; sighing in resignation, Albus accepted another correspondence from the pile. His eyes twinkling, he realized it was something he wanted to attend to: more restrictions on Dark Creatures. They were foul and should all be killed, even if a few had their uses, but unfortunately he couldn't admit to it. He could, though, make their lives as unpleasant as possible. Nobody knew of the restrictions―with the obvious exception of the Wizengamot―that he wished to pass, at least nobody in the Order other than Doge, who was a good personal friend of his. He also understood his aims, and also was a member of the Wizengamot. Doge told nobody of his wishes, understanding that he had a façade to keep up; after all, he was Albus Dumbledore, a hero to the entire magical nation.

With a flourish he signed his name on the legislation with a large red fancy quill; humming once again in satisfaction, he watched it roll up and disappear leaving behind a puff of smoke. Albus waved his hand causing the smoke to disperse; nodding in satisfaction he picked up yet another document, and quickly made his way through half the pile. It took almost two hours to get through it, but he succeeded; to his consternation more piled up as he worked. Unfortunately they would have to wait for another time; Albus thought to himself as he put the quill down and massaged his right hand, undoing the stiffness that made itself known. There was absolutely no rest for the wicked; he should know, he rarely got any rest these days.

Standing up, he moved over to the fireplace and shouted in his destination, 'Grimmauld Place!' and since he was the secret keeper of the building he could come and go as he pleased. Well, as long as Sirius Black continued to allow him to use the building, but he couldn't foresee a reason for that not to be the case. He had subtly suggested to the Black heir to create a will, after all nobody knew how long they had. If anything happened to the idiot, he wanted to ensure he still had the use of the townhouse. It was absolutely filthy, jam packed with disgusting dark artifacts, but again it was useful, and since they didn't use it for anything else it was well worth tolerating the darkness in it.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," said Albus, making his dramatic appearance as always.

"Albus!" greeted many, 'Headmaster' said a few of the younger generation still unable to call him by his given name, despite the fact they had permission from the wizard.

"Mundungus, you spend a great deal of time in Knockturn Alley, do you not?" asked Dumbledore, giving the man his sole undivided attention.

Dung's bloodshot eyes widened as the Headmaster stared at him; he didn't normally receive much attention during these meetings. He was only here because he provided useful information now and again when he was underground. He'd never actually asked him anything; in fact he spent the entire time ignoring him. To have his attention though, wasn't a good thing; he didn't trust Albus Dumbledore like the others did. He heard much down in the underground, information he dared not think about in this man's presence. Unfortunately he felt a sense of duty to the magical world, and didn't want to see Death Eaters ruling, if they did the world he knew would end. "Yes," answered Dung; his voice croaked, he didn't speak very often... well, when he wasn't drunk. When he did drink he got a little... shall we say, loose-tongued?

"Have you heard anything about Covens?" asked Dumbledore.

"Covens?" asked Dung, shifting nervously, he didn't like where this was going at all. Oh, he suspected what Dumbledore was getting at, and he didn't want to get on the wrong side of the new single Coven that was rising from the Underworld. Their leader was said to be ruthless, obliterating any opposition and killing anyone who dared encroach on his territory. He'd just last month killed five of Greyback's 'cubs,' although to be fair, they were probably the ones who started it.

"Yes, I questioned a few while I was searching for our Mr. Potter…one in particular has piqued my curiosity," said Dumbledore, eyeing Mundungus closely. He knew something of that, Albus had no doubt, but would it be anything important? He had learned long ago not to raise his hope, for more often than not he was just sorely disappointed.

"Well, nothing much is known about them, they're very secretive; only a select few are even allowed into them. The only time word leaks out is if someone betrays them, or worse, they want the news to get out and spread it themselves," said Dung.

"Spread it themselves? Why is that worse?" asked Molly baffled.

Mundungus stared at her in disbelief; honestly, sometimes he felt like he was sitting next to idiots. "They want the news to get out so they can fight opposing covens and other wizards who think they are tough enough to take them on. Or they are a large Coven that wants the world to know just how tough they are, warning people away while at the same time drawing idiots in like moths to the flame. Or they want to be the lead coven and are challenging people to build up their reputation." replied Mundungus.

"Have you heard of one in Central London?" asked Dumbledore, staring in contemplation. He doubted he could get them onside, which was too bad; they would have been formidable against Voldemort. Easy to dispose of afterwards as well, but he couldn't go and negotiate. It seemed as if they lived up to their words, since his Potions Master was dead. If he hadn't been killed, Severus would have returned to him, of that he was certain.

Remus' amber eyes widened slightly, body stiffening as he realized this was starting to get near dangerous ground. Harry didn't want Dumbledore finding out about him, and he could only imagine his reaction if he found out the old fool knew. While he freely admitted that he sometimes suspected the worst of Harry, he wasn't as bad as he sometimes thought; he had kept Snape alive after all. If anyone would know, he freely had to admit it was Dung, he got information left, right, and centre; people underestimated him for sure. If anyone had information on Harry's Coven it would be him, and that made Lupin extremely worried. He loved Harry, or at least for so long he'd loved the thought of him. It was hard to stomach the young man he had become, he was so cold and distant, and he didn't understand why. Harry had never lied to him though, never judged him, and he couldn't help but like that for a brief moment he'd been accepted fully―until he failed to pass the final hurdle. He'd been stunned; afterwards he'd woken up in a room in the Leaky Cauldron, unable to speak a word about what he knew. It was only a few months later he realized he'd gotten off lightly.

"There are many spread all over London, there's no way to pinpoint a certain group," stated Mundungus, lying through his teeth. Oh, he knew which Coven Dumbledore spoke of, and he damn well wasn't giving out information on them. He valued his life too much for that; he'd met the leader once and that had been enough for him. His power put Dumbledore's to shame; he had requested potion ingredients, although he mostly worked through Dale, who was also part of the Coven. The money was too good to lose, he wasn't about to oust them to Dumbledore. On the other hand he was also protecting the nosy fool; if he tried anything with them…well, the Order would find itself without its Headmaster and founder.

Remus let out an inaudible sigh, it seemed as if Fletcher wasn't in the sharing mood. He wasn't sure but he had a feeling the wizard knew more than he was letting on. It seemed as if he might have to warn Harry about Dumbledore's nose being focused on them.

"Why do you want to know about Vampires, Albus?" asked Minerva curiously, and admittedly a little baffled; he'd never cared before. This meeting had been abrupt, unexpected, and now he was asking Mundungus Fletcher questions about Covens... Well, you could see why she was staring at the Headmaster as if he'd lost the plot.

"Charity and I came across a Coven while searching for Harry; they didn't react to his name and they were all extremely powerful…I must admit I am curious about them," said Albus honestly.

"Albus, where is Severus? I usually get a summons to take the first dose of the Wolfsbane by now?" asked Bill, changing the subject quite expertly. His handsome face was badly scarred, by the werewolf attack. What nobody knew, though, was it was merely a manifestation of his old injuries; he'd been so embarrassed, humiliated and ashamed of what happened he'd rarely showed his face. Even his family flinched when they saw him. Then his leader made sure to show him that the wounds shouldn't be seen as a weakness― no, it was a sign of strength and courage to face an enemy that could have caused his death. Then when he had accepted that part of himself, he'd been given a potion that got rid of the scars. Harry had said to him, he was giving it to him not because of the wounds, but because he'd proven his loyalty and he deserved to be able to hold his head up high. He'd taken the potion, but the words had struck a chord in him, and so he kept the scars, if only by glamour, as a reminder. Only his Coven got to see him without them, a Coven that accepted him wholeheartedly when his own family could barely look him in the eye. The rest of his family hadn't disowned him, far from it, but nothing was the same. Charlie and the twins were the only ones to try to help him through this, but they all had worries and lives of their own.

Remus turned to face Albus, looking interested in the answer too, as well as confused, despite knowing exactly where the Potions Master was. Unfortunately for both him and Bill, they wouldn't be getting their Wolfsbane potion. It saddened him immensely, since he'd gone years taking the potion. The thought of starting to go without terrified him; he honestly loathed the thought of harming another soul. He would rather kill someone than infect them; he'd never wish his life on another person. He hated not knowing what he was doing the night of the full moon. He shuddered anew as he remembered how people reacted to the news of his affliction: they could barely talk or look at him. Bill received the same treatment as him; unfortunately he couldn't hide what he was because of the scars. He, Lupin, at least had been bitten where nobody could see; Bill hadn't been as lucky. Under Dumbledore's protection it had been better, but now that he knew what the old man was really like…he didn't think of it as much of a protection, just a death sentence waiting to happen. He wondered what Dumbledore was going to say about it; he had been rather silent, he mustn't have been expecting it.

"I am afraid I have some saddening news to share on that front; I am afraid Bill, and Remus, you won't be getting the Wolfsbane Potion, at least not from Severus. I sent Severus on a mission, but I am disheartened to say, it did not go well. I believe Severus is gone; he hasn't returned to report his findings and there is only one thing that would prevent that―his death," said Albus, his twinkle nowhere to be found, as he stared a picture, of regret and sadness.

"Where did he go? He was gravely injured when he was found out as spy!" said Remus wide-eyed; he was supposed to have seen the man, after all. Dumbledore didn't need to know he hadn't gone to Poppy that day when he lied. Bill didn't look surprised that he wasn't getting Wolfsbane; the urge to look at him was strong but he refrained, keeping the attention on Dumbledore, wondering what he would say for himself.

"He wasn't at Hogwarts when I went to visit him last week; Poppy said he disappeared after talking with you, Albus. I tried his quarters but found him absent from them too. I assumed he went home…Poppy was furious, he shouldn't have been up…Why would you sent him on a mission?" asked Minerva, frowning in confusion. Poppy never exaggerated, Severus must have been in very bad shape; what had the Headmaster been thinking? He'd been missing a week, and this was the first they had heard of it? "Why haven't you called us before this, to try and aid Severus? What if he'd just been injured and he is now lying somewhere dead because you didn't call for aid to help him?" She was very fond of Severus, even if he could be completely irascible. He had good reason, she supposed; Merlin, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to face You-Know-Who every week. The thought of him being gone actually made her feel very emotional and saddened to her core.

Albus stared, stunned, between Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall, unsure of what to say to placate them. He hadn't expected Severus Snape's death to be worthy of any words; all of them hated him. For good reason, he was a bastard to everyone, something that worked in Dumbledore's favour or so he thought. "I told him to wait until he was well, unfortunately we all know Severus' distaste for the Hospital wing, and he did not want to remain there. I do regret telling him so soon; I should have waited, and all I can do is offer my sincerest apologies," said Albus sighing sadly, looking as though a terrible burden had been placed upon his shoulders.

"But why didn't you gather the Order to look for him?" asked Remus, finishing what Minerva started. Hopefully the Order would pick up on it, and begin to suspect the old fool for what he was. He couldn't care less if the old man began suspecting him, especially if it saved people's lives.

"If Albus thought he was in trouble, I'm sure he would have!" said Doge, defending his old friend.

"I agree," said Molly immediately after Doge spoke.

"He might still be alive," said Charlie, "Unless we find a body I think we should keep hope. We could go on a mission, Albus, maybe find out what happened? Where did he go?" He had never been fond of Snape, but then he'd helped his brother when he was at his weakest. Brewed the Wolfsbane Potion for him. Bill couldn't afford it otherwise, even with his now part-time job at Gringotts the potion was far too expensive. He'd tried to brew it and spectacularly failed, it was just too difficult for him but he only had an EE in his N.E.W.T's exams.

"We regretfully do not have the manpower to search for Severus; if he is well he will come back to Hogwarts when he can. The war is getting worse, you know what this means; we must find Harry Potter. Keep in mind we have to train him once he has returned before he can face Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore, his face pained, as though the decision wasn't an easy one to make. "I do know, however, that this would have been what he wanted, for Lily's son to be found."

"We've been searching for five years…there's not even been a glimpse of him!" said Shacklebolt grimly. "For all we know…something happened to him; we have no proof that he's alive." This was an old argument; he and Tonks knew the darker side of the world, both Magical and Muggle. He hadn't done accidental magic, the wards in his home had come down, and from all indications it looked as though Harry Potter was dead. Unfortunately, Albus and the rest of the Order refused to believe it; he didn't want to either, but the evidence wasn't in their favour. He felt it was useless for them all to be searching for Harry Potter instead of helping those they could.

"Don't say that," snarled Sirius, his face full of agony as he thought about the possibility. He hated when they continued to say that; his godson wasn't dead! Couldn't be dead; he wouldn't be able to live with that. He would never believe it until he saw it with his own eyes. It was for that reason alone he could get himself out of bed each day; even if he was stuck in here unable to look for Harry himself. He so badly wanted to help; unfortunately without Pettigrew turning himself in or being caught he had no hope of aiding them in their search for his godson.

"He isn't dead, the prophecy clearly states he will be the one to destroy Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. They didn't know the contents of what it said, but merely that Harry would defeat Voldemort. He had no reservations about admitting that much, since Voldemort already knew this.

"He did that when he was one year old, that might have been all it referred to," said Tonks thoughtfully, sending Sirius a sad look when he whined pitifully, not wanting to hear what they were saying.

Remus clutched at Sirius' shoulder, silently supporting him as he howled inside. He hated this; he so badly wanted to tell Sirius that Harry was alive and well, so his best friend wouldn't be in agony all the time. And he was, he had survived solely for Harry in Azkaban. The only consolation was that he would be able to tell him soon, or rather he could take him to Harry. He couldn't say for definite when, since he hadn't been in touch yet. One thing was for sure, it wouldn't be a good idea to have Sirius and Severus under the same roof as Harry, and it would not end well. Although if he was honest, Sirius hadn't been reacting to anything, never mind Severus, lately. He'd seemed kind of shocked to hear that Severus was in the hospital at death's door, if the look on his face was anything to go by.

"I will say no more on this subject," said Dumbledore firmly, not wanting to hear it. Potter was alive, Merlin help him he'd have him within his grasp and train him for what he was born to do. He would destroy Lord Voldemort and help shape the world to his preferred image.

Everyone went quiet, but the doubt remained in quite a few people's eyes.

Severus Snape found himself returning to the land of the living. Strangely enough he felt very well rested, and the pain that he had felt before passing out was gone. His eyes snapped open, confusion the most prominent emotion in his eyes as he took in his surroundings. He looked around the large airy room, from the open window that was emitting a nice breeze to the potions on the left side on the cabinet. Where the hell was he? Sitting up, he went to swing his feet out of the bed, but realized quite quickly that it wasn't working. He was stuck to the bed; his black eyes zoomed around looking for any sign of his wand, but found nothing. Panic seized him, he was stuck in a very unfamiliar place, without his wand, and in other words he was screwed, royally screwed. Why had they kept him alive? Dread consumed him; they obviously had a reason… and when that reason was gone he would be killed. His brow furrowed as he tried to figure why the hell they would heal him.

Severus' hand went to his face, surprise catching him off guard; the long wound down the side of his face was completely healed. He couldn't even feel a scar; that had been made by dark magic, courtesy of Bellatrix. She'd had the intentions of writing traitor and Mudblood across his face; he'd broken her nose with his forehead and in anger she'd slashed the entire right side of his face. Nothing healed those kinds of wounds, bar a few potions…and they were extremely rare because of the potions ingredients that were required in it. Swallowing thickly, he stared down at his chest, moving the shirt aside (a nightshirt that was most assuredly not his) he found his chest totally healed as well. Now he was beginning to worry, just what the hell did they want from him?

Closing his eyes, he thought back on what he could last remember, starting from breaking the wards and the duel with the creature―because he was pretty sure that whoever it was wasn't fully human. A shuddered made its way up his spine, just remembering the feel of that magic. He had never felt anything like it, and he'd spent his fair share of time around powerful wizards, more than a fair share to be frank. The man he had been duelling with had frozen in what was probably fear, so the leader wasn't someone to be trifled with. No doubt he was probably like the Dark Lord. Although he had to admit the Dark Lord wouldn't have healed anyone, he would have just given them a few potions to make sure they could answer any questions before killing them.

He'd been grabbed by two vampires; one of them had aggravated his shoulder injury. Severus rubbed at his shoulder as phantom pains made themselves known. Yet there was nothing wrong now; he could feel no soreness, the injury had healed, along with everything else. His eyes still closed, he thought on everything further, but that was where it got a little hazy. They'd taken his wand but that was to be expected, when you subdued someone you didn't let them keep a potentially lethal weapon, now did you? It didn't stop him from scowling nastily, and wishing harm on the vampire who had done it.

Severus groaned inaudibly when he remembered the words the leader had spoken to him: 'Who would have thought I'd have Severus Snape of all people kneeling before me?' Who was it? It was beginning to bug him now; it definitely couldn't be a Hogwarts student, vampires had never been accepted into the school. Unless of course it was someone who had graduated, then been turned, which was quite possible, but due to his blood loss he hadn't been able to really think straight. Which meant it could literally be anyone.

Shivering anew, he remembered his reaction to his touch― Merlin, he felt weak; the vampire had known he went there to die. Putting his emotions aside, he focused on what else he remembered, but nothing sprang to mind other than hearing the vampire saying 'You don't recognize me' and one of the other vampires speaking to him before everything went black. So it was someone he had met before; that didn't help narrow it down. He lay there, scowling darkly; he hated not knowing, and most importantly he hated being confined to a bed and helpless.

The door opening caused him to tense; his masks slid up and he looked... before his masks were blown to smithereens as he caught sight of who came through the door. It was the last person he had ever expected to see; he couldn't help but gape in shock.

Thanks to Jordre for editing this! :D