The Leader

Chapter 11

An Apology

"How have they been?" asked Harry, sitting, his attention focused on four of his best spies. Tray, Caron, Jacks, and Shade kept an eye on the Covens who agreed to join his side, to become one with the fold. There were restrictions, they had to stop the attacks, forewarn all their people of the change of leader. They would no longer go to Damien, they would come to him, and if they showed signs of aggression he would have to deal with them. He didn't like it, since it had the potential to set off the entire clan. However, he couldn't risk an ambush; he would rather fight on their territory than his own. Especially when they were not expecting an attack, which would lead them to being deeply unprepared.

"Actually, they've been really quiet, it's rather daunting," said Caron.

"Do you suspect they are up to something?" asked Harry, his green eyes gleaming darkly. He hoped not, Damien had been rather willing to go ahead with it. Sure he knew it was inevitable, but he hadn't had any plans to try and prevent it. Harry knew because he'd read the other vampire's mind during their meeting. Contrary to popular belief, not all vampires had mind shields, it was easier for them to learn Occlumency and Legilimency but it didn't mean anything if they didn't already know their crafts.

"I have no idea," admitted Caron.

"Keep an eye on them; I will get Rick to speak to some of them, see if he can get a better understanding of what they are up to. If they are up to anything; with a bit of luck they won't try anything," stated Harry firmly.

"Will do," stated Caron and Clay immediately.

"I've been told Dumbledore has taken an unhealthy interest in―" Rick cut off, slightly surprised to see someone human enter Harry's domain. Occasionally he could smell them in Harry's room; other than that, he'd never met any of them. He hadn't realized Severus Snape had stayed; he couldn't help but throw a speculative look at Harry. A young man who could barely tolerate company, no doubt due to his upbringing of being mocked, ridiculed, and bullied by everyone.

Severus stood stock still; the only sign of apprehension was the smell wafting from him. He had spent the past day trying to work up the courage to apologise. He knew it wasn't Harry's fault; it was just his irritation at not getting the answers he desired. He'd spent three hours trying to find him in this huge manor; he hadn't even heard anyone coming in. Now he was in a room surrounded by ten vampires; for a leader and his subjects it was rather cosy. The Dark Lord always sat on a throne, with the Death Eaters either standing or sitting according to their position. A round table, which was exactly what they had here, gave the impression of equality, had done so especially in the magical world since the time of Merlin.

"Are you just going to stand there?" stated Harry calmly, and when Severus didn't move he spoke again. "Sit." He was rather hoping Severus knew better than to start any of his usual defiance right now. No, not defiance, he was just too damn proud to want to take orders anymore; he was tired of it, Harry could see it in every line of his face.

Severus bit his tongue; as much as he would have liked to goad Harry, he knew deep down it would be a bad idea, surrounded by all these people. They all deeply respected Harry, as evident by the fact they said and did nothing when he was invited to sit with them. He could remember the Dark Lord being like that, before the prophecy came out and he became absolutely obsessed with killing children. The Dark Lord had lost a great deal of respect when he voiced his intentions. The only difference was, nobody had dared to say anything to Voldemort, for fear of being the target of his anger. So without complaint, Severus took a seat, his entire body stiff and unyielding, refusing to look at anyone.

"Continue, Rick," said Harry, nodding his head in the Rick's direction.

"As I was saying, Dumbledore's taken an interest in us, he's been asking around," said Rick.

"Who has he been asking?" asked Harry frowning in contemplation; he didn't want Dumbledore finding out about him. Not even finding out about the Prophecy had changed matters. In fact, it just made him realize the full extent of WHY Dumbledore had done what he did. It didn't excuse him; in fact he still wanted to kill him, which he would if he continued on his path.

"Fletcher," stated Brecon, "He didn't reveal anything though. He knows better than that, he'd continued digging though, and Fletcher says he won't stop until he finds someone who will talk."

"He won't," added Severus. "I'm surprised he hasn't already got someone talking. He has connections everywhere; Fletcher is just one of many."

"Do you know names?" asked Rick, his eyes pensive.

"He never reveals his 'confidential informants'," said Severus sneering the words in distain. It's what Dumbledore always calls them, rather boasted about them in Order meetings. The idiots he associated himself with all gaze at him in awe, as if he was the second coming of Merlin. As if the 'Great and powerful' Albus Dumbledore was the only person in the world to have people doing his dirty work. "Unless of course he was being deceitful and only has one or two."

"It's a smart move to make," admitted Harry wryly, "All warfare is based on deception."

Severus gaped at Harry for a second before his face was cleared of any emotion. Harry Potter had read the Art of War by Sun Tzu? When would the world stop surprising him? He wasn't used to it, but since he'd been caught as a spy things just keep happening. He had felt more in the past week than he had in years. It was oddly refreshing even if he wouldn't admit it, since change didn't come well to him. In fact he hated it, and being away from all he knew wasn't helping much either.

"We still haven't seen anything remotely resembling Pettigrew," said Wyatt, giving Snape a sidelong glance.

"I'm not surprised, I doubt he leaves Voldemort's side," said Harry grimly.

Severus snorted in bitter amusement, "You'll find you are wrong, he's constantly spying on something or someone. From his own followers, to enemies he wants taken care of. The Dark Lord cannot stand him, and often threatens to feed him to Nagini. His snake," Severus told them, his eyes dark with the need for vengeance.

"Interesting," murmured Harry, quietly, rubbing at his chin thoughtfully, as he reflected on the subject. "Do you have any suspicions on where he may go next?"

"No, but I do know where you will find him when he's called," said Severus, "I will tell you on one condition."

The others all looked bemused at that, staring between them, wondering how it would go.

"Which is?" asked Harry, a sparkle in his eyes as he looked at Severus.

"I get to torture him," growled Severus.

"Alright, but nothing permanent, and nothing that can point back to you; when we're finished he goes to the Ministry," said Harry seriously. "You don't have to worry about it being swept under the carpet; I've got quite a few people in high-ranking places within the Ministry that will prevent it if they try."

"Very well," conceded Severus, knowing it was probably the best he could get. He at least had the comfort that Harry wasn't doing this for Sirius Black. He loathed that wizard with every iota of his being, although lately it hadn't been a problem. Black had been quiet, too quiet actually. It certainly wasn't normal Black behaviour, not that he ever dwelled on it for long. So deep in thought was he that he didn't hear the others heading away after talking to Harry for a while longer.

"Why did you come in?" asked Harry curiously, gazing at the wizard and arching an eyebrow his way.

Severus looked around in confusion, where the hell had everyone gone? He knew they were vampires but this was taking the piss; it made him feel deeply vulnerable. He was used to being aware of everything around him, being able to hear even the softest of sounds. It had served him well as a spy, and enabled him to stay ahead in the game…at least until Pettigrew had gotten one up on him. He envied the vampires; they had abilities he could only dream of.

"They've gone; when you feel up to revealing where Pettigrew will be I'll send them to scout the area. Once they have a lock in on his scent, he will caught within a few weeks," said Harry. "What did you want?"

"What makes you think I wanted anything?" asked Severus.

"Other than fact you looked as if you'd been stunned for a few seconds, obviously not expecting everyone here…" said Harry, picking up his goblet and taking a large drink from it.

Severus shifted, not out of fear but the sound that had come out of Harry's throat, the wicked throaty moan and his now ruby red lips. His eyes were dilated in what could only be described as lust, but only for a few seconds. They dulled somewhat, as he was waiting patiently, still staring at him. Merlin help him, but that was bloody hot. He reined himself in, especially seeing Harry's smirk as he got himself into gear. "I cannot tell you where exactly he will be, but I can show you the area next to it," said Severus.

"No problem," said Harry. "Any luck with the books?"

"Nothing; I think the Dark Lord created the mark himself to prevent anyone from being able to remove it," said Severus, feeling dishearten all over again.

"Can you remember the words he used?" enquired Harry, placing the empty goblet back on the table.

"He spoke Parseltongue," said Severus petulantly, "He's a parselmouth."

"Perfect," said Harry his lips twitching in supreme satisfaction.

"How's that?" drawled Severus, sarcasm coming out thick and deep.

"I'm a parselmouth," stated Harry. "I have a pensive; if you are willing to put the memory in, I may be able to unveil the mystery."

"You?" gaped Severus.

"Yes, Me," said Harry rolling his eyes. "I have Slytherin blood running through me, from my father's side." It was one of the things Kai had done after he'd become a vampire: done a lineage test on him. It hadn't surprised either of them, since Kai already knew about Harry's ability.

Severus laughed in cynical amusement. Oh, if only he'd known that while James Potter was alive. It certainly would have made his day, being able to tell the Gryffindor that he was in fact of Slytherin blood.

"Yes, hilarious," sighed Harry, shaking his head, not understanding the hilarity of the situation.

"Look, I wanted to apologize for what I said the other day," said Severus sobering quickly.

"Forget about it; I have," said Harry, his eyes said it would never be forgotten though.

"May I borrow your House-Elf?" enquired Severus, glad he wouldn't have to grovel more.

"Why?" asked Harry, his green eyes intense.

"I want my things; everything I have in the world is in Hogwarts," said Severus, his voice impassive but his gaze showed just how much he valued his personal possessions.

"You think they will still be there?" said Harry doubtfully.

"I am hoping my wards will be strong enough to have kept him out…even if that wasn't the case, my items would have merely been boxed up by the elves and hopefully not destroyed," said Severus.

"Dobby?" called Harry firmly.

"Yes, sir? How can Dobby be helping Masters Harry, Severus?" said the House-Elf popping into the meeting room.

"Dobby, please go to Hogwarts to retrieve Severus' belongings; make sure you are not seen. If they aren't in his rooms, enquire about their whereabouts; try your best to get them. Return here once you have them, is that understood?" said Harry decisively.

"Dobby will do Masters' wishes." said Dobby, popping away.

"Thank you," said Severus quietly, wincing in discomfort.

"Let me see it," demanded Harry, a frown twisting his features.

"It's fine," Severus bit out tersely.

Harry just stared at him frostily, his hand outstretched.

With a much put upon sigh, he reluctantly handed over his arm, wrist up so he could see the mark once again for himself. Harry looked at it in concern; it had only been a day, yet the redness was travelling alarmingly up his arm already. By tomorrow it would near his shoulder, he would bet. Which meant the 'poison' was adapting, working faster than it had the last time. Or maybe it had something to do with him being asleep or almost in a coma that prevented it from spreading so rapidly. "I'll need that memory now; you need to look up more information just in case it isn't Voldemort's own creation."

"Do not ask why, I am quite frankly fed up with that question," warned Harry, adding it when he noticed Severus opening his mouth again. "Just accept that there are people out there who would do something for someone without demanding anything in return." He wasn't a heartless bastard who would let someone else die, especially without trying to help.

"There is no such person in existence," murmured Severus defiantly.

Harry didn't reply, he just stood up and took his pensive from its niche and placed it on the table in front of Severus, then waited patiently for the wizard to remove the memory. Once immersed he got a glimpse of what an eighteen-year-old Severus Snape looked like. Only Harry looked beyond the clothes, the impassive face to see the real Severus: a lonely young teenager striving to be better than the circumstances allowed. A boy who was desperate for acceptance, love even, whether he would admit it or not, and most of all he wanted accolades, to know he'd done something spectacular. Someone nobody else had done anything for…but who ended up ensnared in the spider's web after being invited to his parlour. Severus had ended up a fly, one who had managed to eventually escape the web of deception before it was too late.

Chapter edited by Jordre thanks for editing this :)