Chapter 45: The Masquerade Begins
Solomon Slade, the wizard formerly known as Severus Snape, examined himself in the mirror, making the final check of his Captain Hook costume. Domino mask, check; blue contact lenses, check; hair and moustache dyed brown, check; long red leather coat, check; yellow silk scarf, check; frilly white shirt, check; cutlass, boots, tricorne hat with plume, check. He'd add the hook with a Glamour spell when he arrived at the masquerade.
At Biscuit's urging he'd donned one gold earring, some gold chains, and an emerald ring, too. "If it's stuff that Snape guy would never wear, you should absolutely wear it," the cook had pointed out. "It will enhance your disguise." Sadly however, no one could convince him to braid a few colorful beads into his hair.
Severus had to admit that it was a very effective disguise. He did not look at all like Professor Snape, the dreaded Potions Master of Hogwarts, and certainly not like the harried, burned-out Headmaster Snape of the final pre-battle days. In fact, he had to admit that he actually looked kind of sharp.
He spelled his wand to be a bit shorter than his forearm, slipped it up his sleeve, and secured it there a sticking charm; a wandless Accio on top of a quick Finite would bring it to his hand in a second. Then he made a few final adjustments to the scarf that covered his scarred throat and he was ready to go.
He found Biscuit and Kat in the mess. The former was dressed as Mr Smee in a loose-fitting shirt with big blue stripes; his hair was wrapped in a black bandana decorated with a classic skull-and-crossbones motif. The latter was wearing a battered leather vest, tattered trousers, and a tricorne hat. Both had stout sashes across their shoulders that held their cutlasses.
Captain Clark emerged from his quarters dressed as Long John Silver, complete with a crutch and a bushy black beard. A conjured replica of a parrot sat on his shoulder; he didn't want to take Mavis along in case there was trouble. "You guys didn't think I was going to let you go without me, did you?" he laughed. "There's no telling how much mischief the three of you would get into if I left you on your own."
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Standing near the entrance to North House, Theodore Nott was feeling sorry for himself. "No dressing as anything nasty. No werewolves, vampires, scary monsters, or hit-wizards. Absolutely no badgers, lions, ravens or eagles, and of course no snakes. Dressing as anything Muggle is uncool, in my personal opinion, and dressing like wizards and witches is what we do every day. There's nothing left. Nothing exciting, anyway."
"Just because the ball is free for students doesn't mean you have to attend," Melody Nowak pointed out as she adjusted her tail. She and Clayton Urquhart were going as Merfolk. Their feet were hidden by Glamours.
Clayton smirked at Nott. "You could always go as the Bluebird of Happiness."
"That's not funny! I should hex you 'til your socks catch fire!" Nott raged.
"Okay, sorry," Clayton said. "Look, we need to remember that our objective here is to get Slytherin House restored, and in order to do that everyone has to be nice. We have to set a good example. Anyone who can't manage that should just stay in their room. If you want to do that, Nott, I can bring you some of the food."
"No, I'll think of something," Nott pouted. "But I won't like it. I wanted to go as a blood-sucking vampire."
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Captain Clark brought the boat to the surface through the ice on the Hogwarts lake and Severus gathered everyone together for a final talk. "Before we go," he said, "I'd like to review our cover story. Remember, we're all important members of the American wizarding establishment and we're here unofficially, so we mustn't reveal our names or positions lest we get in trouble with our superiors. Try to be as vague as possible.
"As for the Malfoys, we can tell them that we're partners in a small but profitable potions business and we've chartered this boat for our visit. The Malfoys are indebted to me and I'd like to keep it that way. Lucius might try to pay me back by buying the boat for us, or even by buying Knight Lines." He thought for a moment. "That is, assuming that he doesn't own it already.
"It's a short hike up through the cliffs to the castle. I'll lead the way. And when we get there, try to be inconspicuous," he said, although he doubted that they could manage that.
"And I want everyone back on the boat before noon tomorrow at the latest," Captain Clark added. "We need to get ready to sail then."
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When Severus handed Narcissa Malfoy his ticket she looked down at the ticket and then up at his face. "Severus, is that you?" she asked hesitantly. She, Lucius, and Draco were dressed as a family of Muggle shepherds. They wanted to appear as harmless and likable as possible. Narcissa was lovely as always in a light blue dress and a white apron embroidered with alpine flowers. It was probably the first time Severus had seen her in flat shoes since their student days. It was certainly the first time that he'd seen her with her hair in braids.
Lucius and Draco looked handsome in lederhosen and Tyrolean hats. Lucius was holding a shepherd's crook. Astoria Greengrass, also dressed as a shepherdess, was standing next to Draco, smiling sweetly and holding his hand.
"Great Merlin!" Lucius said, staring at Severus. "I never would have recognized you!"
"That's the general idea," Severus said warmly. "It's good to see you all again. Especially you, Draco. You're looking quite well. And Astoria. It's good to see you both."
"Uh, yeah, you too, sir," Draco stammered. Could this tanned pirate really be his old Head of House? "You look great!"
Narcissa hugged Severus and then he and Lucius shook hands. "Nice legs, Lucius," he whispered.
"Ah, that's the man I remember!" Lucius laughed.
"Please introduce us to your friends," Narcissa said, smiling at the crew.
Gesturing with his conjured hook, Severus introduced them all by their pirate names and repeated their cover story. "We would like to keep all our identities secret at present," he added, "to ensure against anyone tracing me."
"Of course, that's quite understandable," Lucius said. He turned to the group. "Welcome to Hogwarts, all of you, and to the New Year's Eve War Orphans Benefit Masquerade Ball. I'm so glad you could come! Please enjoy the festivities."
Severus took a look around. The Great Hall was festooned with sparkling icicles, silver stars and streamers, and it was beginning to fill with costumed witches and wizards, most of whom were heading for the tables of refreshments. His companions set off to join them.
"Avast, ye Sea Dogs!" they heard the Captain say. "Lets see what sort of vittles these wizard folks have conjured up fer us."
Narcissa laughed. "Let me get you a drink, Severus," she said.
"Perhaps later. I'd like to circulate a bit first and take a look around. See how the repairs turned out, and that sort of thing. Please excuse me for a little while."
"Of course," she said. "It must feel strange to be back, after everything that's happened."
"Very, very strange," he agreed.
He wanted to get away from the crowd as soon as possible to investigate the source of his mysterious dreams. Perhaps he would try to sneak into the Headmistress's office for a word with the portrait of Phineas Black. Phineas was usually a source of reliable information.
He felt tense as he crossed the Great Hall but no one paid any attention to him. He'd cast a strong Notice-Me-Not charm on himself but one could never be certain. He spotted Minerva McGonagall who was dressed in a cat costume inspired by the Muggle musical. The old gal always insisted that she'd seen the musical only because she was a cat Animagus, but in fact Muggle theater was one of her secret guilty pleasures and she was a regular at the Edinburg Fringe Festival. She was conversing with Pomona Sprout, who was dressed as a pineapple. Her billowing orange gown was decorated with diagonal patterns, and a bunch of long green leaves crowned her head.
Severus dodged into a hallway that led past some of the classrooms. He'd take a back way up to the office.
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The crew was standing beside a fountain made of pale blue ice when a passing suit of armor offered them a tray of canapés. They accepted some large crackers loaded with smoked salmon, shrimp, and scallops. There might have been a person inside the armor but it was impossible to know for sure.
Biscuit took a glass of champagne from a nearby table and looked around the Great Hall. "I like the ice sculptures," he said. "The floating sparklers are a nice touch, too."
"Hey, is that Jack Sparrow over there?" Kat asked.
"Captain Jack Sparrow? I heard he'd died," Biscuit said.
"He did, a couple of times," Clark observed. "Or so I've heard."
But before they could go talk to the fellow, a small man dressed as a penguin greeted them and introduced himself as Filius Flitwick. When they told him they were visiting from America, Filius offered to show them around.
"The pantomime zebra over there is Professor Vector," Filius told them, pointing with a silky black wing, "and the chap dressed as a Roman emperor is Professor Slughorn. The gypsy is Professor Trelawney; she always looks like that, actually, except for the mask. The big fellow dressed as a monster must be Hagrid, our groundskeeper."
The monster, who looked somewhat like Godzilla, waved happily.
"And I have no idea at all what that is," he said, looking up.
Something that appeared to be a cockatrice was perched on a rafter above them. His feathers were colored an iridescent blue-green and his head sported a big red coxcomb and long wattles. A fake dragon tail studded with spikes floated out behind him.
"Is that Fawkes? Did you guys help him do that?" Clark whispered.
Fawkes looked down and said, "Beep beep!" Then he chortled.
"Yup," Biscuit whispered back. "He looks great, doesn't he? And we gave him chocolate-covered coffee beans to help him stay awake all night."
Filius looked over at them. "What was that you said?" he asked.
"We were just saying that it must be an Animagus," Clark answered quickly. "He looks great, doesn't he?"
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Severus was passing an empty classroom when he heard a squeaky voice behind him cry out, "Hello Headmaster Professor Snape! I is so glad to see you again!"
He whirled around to see a House-Elf grinning at him. He should have realized that no disguise could fool a House-Elf. The Elves always knew everything. The little fellows had their own sort of magic that no one really understood.
Severus held a finger to his lips to indicate silence. "It's Former Headmaster Professor Snape now, Bingle, and my visit is a secret. You Elves mustn't tell anyone about it, even after I've left."
The House-Elves had been essential to him when he was Headmaster. He couldn't have managed without their support. Bingle had been one of his best spies.
"Yes, secret! We knows!" the Elf replied happily. "We is glad you is okay! Can Bingle help you?"
"No." Severus paused, and then he said, "Well, actually, yes. You know that special Scotch that the Headmistress has? The very old Glen Mystic?" She'd shared it with other professors on special occasions, but never with him. "I'd like a glass of that, please. In fact, make it a double."
Bingle nodded vigorously, his big ears flapping like wings. The Elf would have no difficulty accessing the Headmistress's office and Severus could just follow along behind him.
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There was a smattering of applause and a few cheers and whistles when the trio and Ginny entered the Great Hall. They were dressed as musketeers with big plumed hats and bright blue tabards emblazoned with gold crowns. The costumes were Hermione's idea. Most witches and wizards were ignorant of Muggle literature, including The Three Musketeers, but the costumes would look fabulous whether anyone knew the book or not.
Molly Weasley followed after them dressed at Mother Goose in a long grey dress, apron, and bonnet. Arthur was done up as a gander. There was a long orange beak attached to his mask and a plump gander body was charmed to float around him. Orange flippers on his feet completed his ensemble. Arthur had wanted to dress as a Muggle but Molly had nixed that idea.
Molly and Arthur were followed by Bill and Fleur who were dressed as snowy owls.
Owls? Why owls, Fawkes wondered as he watched them enter. That's so unimaginative. There are so many wonderful birds to choose from.
To Molly's disappointment, George had decided not to attend and Charlie was back with his dragons. Percy arrived later, alone, in formal evening wear, a fez, and a small black mask.
"Ewww," whispered Lawrence Butt, one of the former Slytherins. "It's the Wonderful Weasley Family and the Chosen One."
"Chosen by whom, or what, I wonder?" Clayton muttered.
"Pipe down, everyone, and keep smiling," Melody told them. "Let's go get some food." She was a true Hufflepuff.
Theodore Nott was already at the food tables. He was wearing a plump yellow-and-black striped body and a black mask. He stuffed a canapé into his mouth.
"Oh, you're a honeybee," Melody said.
"Shhh," Nott hissed, blowing a few cracker crumbs toward her. Then he leaned a little closer. "I'm secretly killer bee!" he whispered.
"Oh, of course, I should have realized that," Melody said, trying not to laugh. "You're such a Slytherin!"
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Severus made himself comfortable at McGonagall's desk and sent Bingle off to attend to other duties. He savored a sip of the Scotch. It was indeed excellent.
The old portrait frames were empty and there was no sign of Phineas, or Albus. He supposed they'd all gone to watch the festivities so he had to content himself with enjoying the Scotch and searching through the desk drawers. Nothing interesting there, just the usual paperwork.
He flipped through the minutes of recent faculty meetings. It appeared that they were considering hiring a Mr Fang to teach Defense. The fellow had been born in London but had studied in Asia. And they had hired Kirby Pond, a former Hufflepuff, to teach Runes and Dead Languages. Longbottom had been hired to do herbology research and assist Sprout, and it was expected that he would take over the position when she eventually retired. Slughorn wanted to return to retirement but would continue to teach Potions until a suitable replacement could be found. And there was much grumbling about the new House system, but the Sorting Hat appeared to be incapable of making any sense and McGonagall was holding fast to her decision.
McGonagall had made some changes to the décor but the office still looked much like it had when he and Albus had occupied it. It still had that stuffy smell of candles, old books, and parchment, too. Unwanted memories began to unsettle him. How often had he sat at this desk during his time as Headmaster, unable to sleep and sick with fear and worry? He looked up and saw his own portrait staring down at him, stern and unmoving.
I've got to get out of here, he realized as panic started to grip him.
He gulped down the last of the Scotch and hurried down the stairs, past the gargoyle, down a hall, and out onto a balcony. The light from the Great Hall and the happy voices from the masquerade floated out across the snowy courtyard below him. It was so different from the darkness and tense silence that prevailed when he was Headmaster. He took a deep breath of the cold winter air and let it out slowly. It quickly turned into a cloud of ice crystals.
Suddenly he realized that this was exactly what he used to do to clear his head when he was Headmaster. He'd better get out of here, too. This was where …
Then a hollow voice close beside him said, "Oh, Professor! I'm so glad you survived! I felt so bad when I heard about your death."