Change The Fate: The Fallen Angel Arise
By TheUndefeatable
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! Well, maybe do I own something, but Harry Potter characters are not among them!
Rate: Rated T just to be safe
Summary: There is always a light in the middle of darkness, you just must be brave enough to see it and to embrace it! Then, you will see that you don't need to take the burden all by yourself; you see that you are not alone. A sequel to 'Face The World Alone: Tale Of A Fallen Angel'
Warning: Mention of child abuse and attempt suicide, some violence and bloodshed in later chapters, but not any thing explicit! Don't like it, don't read it!
A/N: Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think. Any grammar and spelling mistake is mine, and I'll be grateful if you tell me about them, so I can correct them! Infinite thanks to Alethea27 for her help!
Edited April 2019.
Chapter 5: Revelation: Part One
That evening Poppy called both Albus and Minerva to her office in the healing ward. Minerva flooed directly to her office while Albus preferred to walk there. He walked in the corridors deep in thought. Strange things were happening which were making the situation worse. He hoped this day wouldn't get any worse, but considering the fact that he had been summoned to Poppy's office, it was unlikely. This day was getting worse! 'Or better' a treacherous voice said in his head. 'If Poppy has news of boy's apparent death, then you don't have to worry anymore! All problems are solved!' the voice continued. He shook his head. This might be the easiest way out, but it wasn't right. No, he would act on the basis of Severus survival, until the boy took his last breath for real. He wouldn't stop trying to make things right.
If Severus is still alive and Poppy's urgent summoning isn't because of it, then he would go to Ministry tomorrow and inquire about the matter of Severus' father, but no, tomorrow might be the time for him to take action, and might be too late for getting information as Ministry expected an answer to their inquiry. Also his appearance in Ministry and in the Department of Children Support Service can attract unwanted attention, and they might even ask for the response to their inquiry. No, he had to get information another way. He started to list name of all his friends in Ministry in his head, to find someone who can get the information he wants.
He reached Hospital Wing still in thought and made his way toward the matron's office. However, when he was passing the only bed with closed curtains, he stopped, and instead made his way toward it. He pushed the curtain aside, but didn't go in farther. He stood looking at the body on the bed.
Severus looked at peace and so innocent, unlike the angry, hateful expression Albus had often seen on his face. 'Maybe because you usually saw him when he was in trouble for getting into a fight with the Marauders. Something he couldn't' have started, as they were four to one, but in the end it didn't matter as he was usually punished harder, while those who were cause of the trouble walked away without any serious punishment' a voice said at the back of his mind.
He shook his head. That voice was right. As an adult, he is the one at fault. He should have investigated about Severus' home life and all of the incidents with the Marauders. However, Severus didn't make it any easier for him. He was too smart for his own good and covered his traces so he didn't get anyone's attention.
'He was bullied in school by students, and the professors always took the bullies' side, be it Marauders who you supported, or Slytherins who Slughorn did. He had enough reason to try to cover any traces because when no one cared about his life in school, why would they care about his home life? Most probably, he thought if he were to tell anyone it just would be used to hurt and humiliate him further, and you know he would have been right' that voice continued.
"All this feeling of guilt and staring at him won't solve anything" Albus startled by the voice that came from behind. He turned and found Minerva standing several feet away and looking past him at Severus' white face. Albus turned back, looked at Severus and said "I just can't understand how we missed this!" He gestured to Severus' battered body. "How did we miss what was going on here under our noses!"
"Don't speak like we are innocent people, caught in a trap! We knew the Marauders and he were always fighting, and we knew Severus is a Slytherin and the possibility of him attacking one on four is very little! Yet, when the Marauders said he started it, we believed them over reason and Severus words! We all look the other way, only because his attitude put us off! It is our duty to teach and protect the children. All of them. And in this case, we failed miserably. So don't you dare say we were completely unaware!" She said in a stern tone.
Albus slumped and nodded still staring at the prone body on the bed. Minerva sighed and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come! Poppy wouldn't tell me anything. She wants to say it once and as headmaster you should be there."
Albus nodded again, closed the curtains and followed Minerva to Poppy's office. When they all sat with a cup of tea in their hands, Albus started to speak. "Any change in his condition?"
Poppy sighed. "No, there is no change in his condition which is the problem. Though he is stable now, if he doesn't wake up soon, his body will begin to fail, starting with his liver as it has been damaged badly. Spells and potions can only get his body so far! Even though I've had to use a Muggle IV to give him some liquids as his body is quite dehydrated, his body needs food...something sustaining. Even the potions I'm giving him usually are taken on a full stomach"
"You said if he doesn't wake up 'soon'. How long does he have until his organs start to fail?" Minerva asked.
"I can't tell for sure, but I don't think it will be more than a week." Poppy said gravely.
"What? Just one week?" Both of them were shocked. They felt a weight on their chests at hearing it.
"Yes, one week. If we had found him sooner, things would have been easier."
They all bowed their heads, feeling ashamed. They always prided themselves in being responsible adults in their students' lives, but this incident showed just how much they had failed. After several minutes spent in silence, Minerva tried to gather herself and said firmly, "Wallowing in the past and in our mistakes won't solve anything. We have to keep hope in Severus survival and try to make things ready for when he wakes up. He should have the best support possible when he awakens."
"It won't be that easy." Albus said slowly. At the look he received, he put the Ministry letter on the table between them and explained. "I received this letter from Ministry today. Apparently, Severus' father has claimed that Severus had stolen some money from him and had run away from home. He has said he doesn't care about the money and just want his son back. He also has signed a cancellation form for Severus' sixth and seventh year. I think the date of the cancellation form is same as the date of Severus' mother funeral."
"What? Why would he do something like that?" Poppy asked.
Minerva was looking at the letter with something akin to disdain. Then like she remembered something, she asked, "You received the cancellation form today?" At Albus' nod she continued "This is strange. They should send these letters in summer so we can remove the student's name from the new year's list."
"Yes, it is strange."
"Now what are we going to do? If Ministry is searching for him, we can't keep his presence here hidden for long."
Albus nodded and said "They sent an enquiry about whether Severus was sighted in Hogwarts or not and I have to answer soon. I wanted to consult with someone in Children Support Services about it, but I don't know anyone there and walking into the Ministry to ask some random employee will draw too much attention. They might even question my motivation for asking this information"
Poppy and Minerva nodded deep in thought. Suddenly Minerva looked at Albus, her eyes widening in excitement. "Why you don't speak with Doreen? I think she mentioned once that she has a friend in that department."
"Doreen? James' mother?" Albus asked. Minerva nodded as a small smile formed on her lips.
"I'll ask her to bring her friend to my office today."
"Today? Albus, would it not be better to contact her tomorrow morning?"
"No, I usually answer Ministry's letter in a day's time! If it takes more than a few days, it would seem suspicious. We don't know how long will it take for us to find a solution so the sooner we start, the better."
Both witches, nodded and with that they said goodbye and the wizard and witch departed from the medical ward. They walked in silence and at the bottom of the stairs which separated their ways, they departed with a nod.
The moment Albus entered his office; he moved to the fireplace and threw some floo powder in and called out, "Potter Manor."
He had thought about the approach he is going to take for this meeting and other ones. He had known the Potters for a long time and knew they would keep his secret, but he couldn't be sure about Doreen's friend. He suspected that he is not the only one who is aware of Severus case and until he settled everything or at least knew about that person and his/hers motivation, he preferred to keep things silent.
He waited for a minute before Doreen brought down the fireplace ward and Albus saw her crouched in front of fireplace. An expression of surprise came upon her face.
"Albus? What a surprise! Has James done something? Has something happened to him? Albus, tell me my James is fine!"
"He is well and rocking, Doreen!" Albus chuckled. "I contacted you for another reason. Minerva told me you have a friend in the 'Children Support Services' department of Ministry. Is this true?"
Doreen looked confused when she said "Yes, Rosaline Bones, but she is not a friend! She is a cousin of mine several generations removed, but we have a very good relationship. Why do you ask?"
Albus didn't give her chance to say more. "Is she trustworthy? Can she keep secrets?"
"Of course she is!"
"Can you bring her to my office, today?"
"Today? What's the matter, Albus? You are worrying me!"
"Yes, today! It is important, Doreen. If you can bring her to my office, I'll explain everything then."
"Um …okay. I'll see whether she can come. Is seven good?"
"Yes, it is good."
"Ok, then." She closed the connection.
Albus sighed, before getting up slowly and sitting down behind his desk.
~oOo~
Seven o'clock found the wizard and two witches, sitting in the headmaster office, sipping tea and doing small talk. After five minutes of introduction and pleasantries, Doreen Potter put her cup in her saucer and then both of them on the table between them and asked, "Are you going to tell us what this is about, Albus?"
Albus sighed, put his cup down, and started to speak. "First both of you must swear an oath not to reveal what I am going to tell you to anyone, even your son and husband, Doreen."
Though both witches had identical expressions of confusion, they drew their wands and repeated the wordings Albus told them. Albus started his story. "The matter is about a half-blood Slytherin who had been abused by his Muggle father severely."
"Did you manage to save him? Um …is he a boy or a girl?" Doreen asked.
"A boy, and yes, if you can call it 'saving'. We reached at the last minute. It was three days ago and his condition is still critical!"
"Poor boy" Doreen muttered.
"What about his mother?" Rosaline jumped quickly on the legal aspect of case.
"She is dead. She died in March and from the state we found their home in; I think we shouldn't rule out the possibility that she was murdered."
Both witches eyes widened, horrified, but after several minutes of silence Doreen asked, "How old is he and what is his name?"
"Fifteen."
"Fifteen? You mean he is same age as James? And you just found out he was being abused?"
"Yes, he is same age as James, and yes. He was too good at covering it up. Even his best friend who knew him since before Hogwarts wasn't aware of this," Albus said, careful not to say that no one here had cared enough to see the signs and investigate.
Rosaline muttered, "All of them are good at it."
"No wonder he ended up in Slytherin, abused and hating anything to do with Muggles"
Albus shook his head. "Severus' best friend is Muggleborn and to my knowledge Severus cares about her a lot." Though in everyone eyes their friendship was ended, Albus could see how much Severus and Lily cared about each other. Though Lily preferred her Gryffindor friends to Severus, Albus in his talk with her found out she still cared deeply about Severus.
Doreen was surprised, but a part of Albus' words caught her attention. "Severus? As in Severus Snape? The boy James and Sirius prank? But from what I heard from them, he is a vicious boy and a member of group of children who hate and hex Muggleborns in school. There are also some rumors about the parents of some of them that they have joined the one who calls himself Voldemort!"
"There is a high possibility that those rumors are right, but Severus' case is different. There was a misunderstanding that I admit I played a role in," Albus said vaguely. He didn't want to elaborate about the events and his role in Severus' current situation. He didn't want to tell Doreen about his disregard for Severus' home life, his ignorance of his situation in the house of snakes. And the unjust punishment he gave Severus in his encounters with the Marauders.
He wanted to change subject to distract Doreen from her current line of thoughts, but before he could say anything, Rosaline said, "To my understanding it is an abuse case like any other. There is going to be a petition, an examination to prove the abuse, words of witnesses and then a hearing...like all other cases! I just don't see why there is any need for this level of secrecy."
"Well, there is problems even on that case, Severus is a proud, reserved, and private boy and I don't think he would consent to a physical examination" Rosaline lips pursed at that, but Albus continued evenly, "However, today I received a letter from Ministry that complicated things greatly. And that's the reason I asked for secrecy. Apparently, for some unknown reason, Severus' father has gone to Muggle authorities and claimed that Severus had run away from home after he stole money from him. He insisted that the money is not important for him and he just wants his son to be found and returned to him!"
"What? Why would he do this?" They both said. Both of them were obviously shocked.
"I don't know and that's what I want to find out, but also there is the matter of cancellation form"
"Cancellation form?" Doreen repeated.
"Yes, apparently Severus' father signed a cancellation form for his NEWTS level degree on the day of his mother's funeral, but I just received the form today instead of in the summer. It was with a Ministry letter stating that according to the cancellation form, Severus can't continue his education so in case he was spotted at Hogwarts or in Hogsmeade, he was to be returned to his 'concerned' father immediately!"
Rosaline sighed "Now I see the reason behind all this secrecy and haste. You can't keep his presence here quiet for long."
Albus nodded. "That's why I need your help and I need you to keep it silent! For helping Severus, I need to know the reason for his father trying to reclaim him. Besides that I suspect that someone wanted to keep the cancellation silent, but I can't imagine why."
"What is strange for me is how his father knew about cancellation procedure! It is not customary even in the wizarding world to not allow children to take their NEWTs." Rosaline said.
"Well, his mother could have told him." said Doreen.
"If Professor Dumbledore's assumption about Severus' mother murder is right then I highly doubt that she wanted to cancel Severus' education or had told something in that regard to her husband" Said Rosaline.
Albus nodded. After that there was several minutes of silence where everyone was in their own thoughts. Rosaline cleared her throat to get the attention of the other two occupants of room and said, "Now, I understand perfectly why you called for our help and I swear I will do my uttermost to help without anyone noticing. If that's all, I'll go to ministry to see what I can find in Children Support Services. Tomorrow I'll speak briefly with some of my friends in other departments to see what we can find. I assure you, my friends are trustworthy and will keep silent."
Albus smiled and nodded.
"If you need any help for Severus, just let me know! I'll speak with James and Sirius over holidays and tell them not to prank him anymore!"
Albus shook his head. "No, don't tell them anything. As I said before, Severus is a private boy, and I admit I played a role in the misunderstanding about him. I don't want him to think that I spoke about his problems to his rivals to humiliate him. I will talk to them about this misunderstanding when Severus is better."
Doreen pursed her lips and nodded reluctantly. Then the two witches were gone. Leaving the old wizard to his thoughts.
~oOo~
The next day near down, Dumbledore had a surprise visit in form of Rosaline Bones and Doreen Potter. While he knew Mrs. Bones would come, he didn't expect it to be so early in the morning.
"Am I right to assume you found something?" Albus asked and when Rosaline nodded, Albus gestured with his hand to them to sit down.
The moment they sat down, Rosaline opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when Albus raised his hand.
"If you would wait a minute, I prefer Poppy and Minerva be here for this. I'll get them while you eat something." He stood and moved towards fireplace. An elf suddenly appeared with a tray containing a teapot, five cups, and a dish of biscuits, setting the tray down on the table in front of the two witches.
When everyone was seated with a cup of tea in their hands, Rosaline spoke, "First of all, I want to know who this boy is?" She received four confused stare as response.
"I told you his name is Severus Snape, a half-blood Slytherin" Albus said calmly.
"I know that, but what I mean is who he is? What does he have that all these people are after him?"
"All what people?" Asked Doreen.
"I take it, you don't know anything either?" Albus asked Doreen.
Doreen shook her head. "All Rosaline said was that we needed to speak with you urgently."
"There are quite a few people who are trying to get their hands on him, one way or another! I asked one of my colleague about him and I got a suspicious response. I sneaked into Children Support Services and two other departments and what I found was shocking. What is even more shocking is that some of these people are very powerful and influential and there are some rumors about most of them; that they have ties to this man who calls himself Voldemort."
The other four in the room were both shocked and horrified. Rosaline continued without waiting for their response. "And while most of them don't have any documents or evidence in their file, Lucius Malfoy even has all the legal documents for guardianship ready. They just lack Severus' signature!"
"Guardianship?" Dumbledore murmured, but in the silence of room everyone heard it.
"Yes, and he is not the only one! There are others who want to take his guardianship. Someone named Stephan Bareed claimed that his grandfather had named him his godfather so he is naturally his guardian. A witch has gone so far as to claim that when he was born, she was near five and their mothers had bonded them, so she is his magical guardian until he is of age and they can marry!"
With every word the room occupants' eyes widened more and more.
"Could that man claim such thing? Considering that everyone knew Lord Prince disowned his daughter even if most don't know why!"
Rosaline sighed. "I looked into it. Severus Prince had disowned his daughter, but not any children she might have."
"So Severus is the heir to Prince fortune, and one of the richest men in the wizarding world?" asked Minerva incredulous.
"Yes, and it is easy for influential people to get the information about his mother's death. They naturally would want to get their hands on him and his fortune. But the fact that most of these people are rumored to have connection with one person can't be coincidental!" said Rosaline and others nodded their agreement.
"Severus is a very talented young man." Poppy said
Albus nodded. "He got O in all of his OWLs," he added.
Poppy nodded and said. "His best subjects are Potion and Defense against Dark Arts. When Horace was too busy to make the hospital's potions, Severus usually made them. He is a genius in potions and can even make NEWT level potions. He told me once he has even invented a spell! His own spell!" Poppy said like a proud mother with a gentle smile on her lips.
The other four's eyes were wide with surprise. Creating spells was not an easy feat. Most of people twice or thrice Severus' age hadn't managed such things. Doreen knew that neither she nor her husband had managed it. It was shocking that a fifteen year-old boy had managed such a feat. And suddenly they had an understanding of why these people were after Severus. Especially, if they knew about his home life. Severus would be the perfect tool for them to use.
Dumbledore who recovered from his shock rather quickly said. "That explains why Tom is trying to get Severus." The four witches nodded.
There was several minutes of silence as everyone thought about the implication of this information for Severus and how it changed things before a thought occurred to Minerva and she asked Rosaline, "Do you know why his father has said he wants him back?"
Rosaline nodded her lips in a thin line. "Apparently the cancellation form wasn't the only matter that Severus' father was informed of. He has been told about Severus' inheritance and his guardian's access to them. He has signed a form requesting to receive a large amount of money each month for taking care of Severus."
"What?" Minerva and Poppy said at the same time.
"Who told him?" Asked Doreen.
"That explains why he wants Severus to be returned to him." Albus said solemnly.
Rosaline nodded and in answer to Doreen's question said. "Albert Peterson. He was the Ministry employee who attended Eileen Snape funeral" At the lack of reaction from her audience she explained, "He is an employee in the Children Support Service Department. It is not their duty to attend funerals or give out cancellation forms! Also his name is on Severus' father's money withdrawal form. But more importantly his name is also on Malfoy's guardianship documents."
Understanding lit up their eyes. Then Minerva frowned and said, "So we can assume that Lucius Malfoy was behind all of these." At the nods she received she continued, "But what I don't understand is why they withheld the cancellation form from us? Wouldn't it have been more convenient to send it to us in summer as they usually do? To my understanding that was the first thing that made us suspicious and caused us to investigate." Albus nodded in agreement.
"Then either he has some other plan we don't know about or someone else interfered with his plans" Doreen concluded logically.
"Now that you mentioned it, it might be possible. Professor Dumbledore do you have the letter that the Ministry sent to you?"
"Please call me Albus, and yes I have it." Dumbledore opened a drawer of his desk and brought the parchment out. Rosaline took the parchment from him and inspected it closely before looking at the other people in the room.
"It is just a guess, and a very far one at that, but this letter was sent by Alice Ferb. She works in Department of Education. Her husband Mike Ferb works in Department of Children Support Services and he was working on the Stephan Bareed's file. You know I found a document in that file that presented rather good evidence that the claim of Mr. Bareed is right, but it was determined to be a fake by Mr. Peterson."
"Wait a minute! You are saying that they are sabotaging each other work?"
Rosaline shrugged. "It is just a guess," she muttered.
"But if all of them work for one person, why should they sabotage each other's work?" Asked Doreen in confusion.
"Maybe Tom had promised them some reward and each of them wants it for themselves," Albus said.
"What I don't understand is that why Malfoy needed Severus' father to know about cancellation form and money withdrawal?" No one had any answer to that.
"Those things are not important, what is important now is to come up with a way to save Severus. By the way how is he?" Rosaline directed the last question at Poppy.
"No change. He is still unconscious." Poppy replied with a sad sigh.
"What can we do?" Minerva asked wearily.
"Bring up the abuse, of course! I know Severus is a private person and might have objections to a physical examination, but that would be our best option." Said Rosaline.
Albus, Minerva, and Poppy exchanged some wary looks, before Albus cleared his throat and said.
"There is another problem, beside Severus' objection" Albus looked closely at his audience, before taking a deep breath and saying, "At the end of last year, Severus tried to commit suicide." Both witches' eyes widened and a gasp escaped Doreen's mouth. They thought they are done being shocked after all they had seen and heard in the recent twenty hours, but they were wrong.
Albus continued without any comment on their reactions. "He nearly died, but Poppy managed to save him. Now, even if Severus consents to the physical examination, the healers assigned by Ministry will bring that up and Severus will be institutionalized in St. Mungo's mental ward most probably," he explained.
Rosaline frowned and her lips were pursed. After that no one spoke. There was only the sounds of cups and saucers clinking from time to time.
After what seemed an eternity which was only ten minutes, Rosaline broke the silence, "I think they might be a way to solve this problem. It won't be an easy job, especially for you Professor Dumbledore, but it saves Severus from mental ward and will make things easier"
"What is it?" Dumbledore asked earnestly.
"You should become his guardian." Rosaline said.
TBC...