Snape walked brusquely through the halls, wand in hand and cloak billowing. He ignored the whispers of a few students as they shrunk and slid out of his way. He was listening for his fellow teachers; trying to smell them, sense them. He could, not as easily as he made it out to Minerva, but he could. What he could Easily sense was Dumbledore, and the vials of blood. His recent taste of it made any source of the intoxicating liquid feel like a beacon. Using that he could make guesses based on their location as to who had them.
Someone was outside, obviously patrolling the grounds. However they were hovering near the greenhouse, so he reasonably guessed Pomona. Upstairs in the Divination class would obviously be Sybil. She was the only adult who ever went to her classroom besides Dumbledore and Filch. What he didn't understand was why she had a vial. Why in the world would Dumbledore give a vial to that incompetent peacock pretending to be a witch? One prophecy does not a reliable seer make, nor a competent teacher.
He glared at two students dawdling in the halls as he turned the corner. Dinner was halfway over, too much longer and he would be contending with the entire faculty, and not just those that had a vial. That meant it would be harder to track or avoid them through the numerous smells. He could, he had done so in Diagon Alley, but then it was sleuthing out familiar smells against unfamiliar ones. Here, everything was familiar, and many students smelled like where they had just been, the younger ones not having developed their own scent yet. Whether or not he could suss out his colleagues amongst the myriad of pubescent students was still a small problem next to just having to contend with them all at once in a closed environment. However big it might be. It's why he left as quickly as possible last time.
So… Who else had a vial? There was one moving nearby in the courtyard, which was one of the reasons he was headed there besides to check that route to the outside. He turned out into the night air and fought back a grin.
"Severus! Have you seen McGonagall? She was sent out to meet you." Flitwick squeaked.
Snape walked up to the man and nodded. This was quite fortuitous, it seemed his commands had worked. No one knew the man had had anything done to him other than being made a quick meal of, if that.
"Not recently. We parted ways. May I ask what you are doing out? You aren't one for late night strolls." Snape glanced around, the students had since vacated the courtyard, it was rather chilly this evening he supposed, for anyone that such a thing might bother.
"Well, Dumbledore seems to be under the impression that you will attempt to leave again, despite us having a solution to your predicament." The Charms Professor commented while shivering a bit in the blue cloak that was waving about his ankles in the slight wind that often came off the lake this time of year. This breeze revealed that the man was grasping his wand underneath the cloak's folds. Snape however was not worried and the annoyed tone of his voice told as much.
"Really?"
"Yes! I know you are quite smart, so I don't see why he thinks you would leave. The teachers in the know have already started to write up a donation schedule. I am third in line."
A raised brow was the first sign of disbelief. "Really? After the events of yesterday?"
Flitwick rubbed his neck uncomfortably.
"Well, I know you won the duel and I am quite confident about what happened after it by your comments during. Also, I was quite lightheaded. I must thank you for stupefying me first."
Snape narrowed his eyes, was every single one of his colleagues fucking insane? "You're…. Thanking me for knocking you out?"
Flitwick nodded curtly, obviously uncomfortable. "You know I have a very poor stomach for such things. I do believe the memory would keep me up quite a few nights. So whether you removed it for your safety or consideration of my weak stomach, I thank you."
"And you still consider me a colleague, despite the fact that you are confident about what happened after our duel? I thought you were smarter than our groundskeeper."
Flitwick's response to Snape's jab at both him and Hagrid was to simply ignore it. The man opened his mouth then paused and looked around, making sure the courtyard was indeed free of students. Snape rolled his eyes and cast a wandless muffliato anyway. "Speak freely."
The diminutive man nodded. "Hunger and addiction do strange things to the mind. Until this situation is solved and over I will judge you on fairly little. I used to smoke a pipe up until my fifties. I doubt it fully compares to your situation, but I like to think I have a tiny bit of understanding."
Snape stared at the man. All of them, every one of these goody two shoes heroes was going to get themselves killed.
Flitwick continued. "I can't say I am overly fond of you, but you are a fellow professor and none of us would let another go through such a trial alone. Besides being cruel, it reflects poorly on the school, affects the students and their studies, and is, in your case, quite dangerous."
Snape nodded at the man's comments. He also had never been overly fond of the man, well he was not overly fond of anyone. He did however appreciate his common sense. All the points Flitwick made were excellent reasons to assist him, or anyone, with problems. Snape may not be fond of children, but he enjoyed teaching the next generation of wizards and did not like interruptions to his teaching. He was most decidedly causing a disturbance for the other teachers.
"I do not disagree on any of those counts I suppose. I appreciate your… support in the matter. However, I must ask if the solution to my current predicament still involves chaining me to a chair?"
"Ah…. I don't know." The small man's face, body language, and heart rate, showed no deceit in the answer. Snape pushed forward, hoping to find easy answers as he questioned the man.
"Perhaps trapping me in a room?"
Flitwick shrugged. "I'm sorry Severus, I really don't know. I just know it involves diluting Dumbledore's blood now that we have a potion to thin it."
"Then I will search elsewhere for that answer." He said.
"Then you are not leaving?"
Snape could see the man's cloak move slightly as he gripped his wand tighter, ready to raise it. He fully intended to fight if Snape said he intended to leave. He could read that clear as day from the man's gaze and posture.
"Not at this exact moment, no."
"But eventually? Soon? Your answer leaves room for a lot of interpretation, Severus."
"I have not decided. The only thing I know is that I would like you to give me that vial in your pocket."
Flitwick's eyes immediately clouded over slightly as he listened to the command. He swayed from side to side and almost seemed like he would be blown over when a strong gust came.
"O-o-of of course." Flitwick blinked and put his hand in his suit pocket. He rummaged around for a moment before withdrawing a vial filled with red. Snape bent over and took it slowly as the man swayed. He pocketed the vial and nodded.
"Very good. Now you will return to your rooms until classes tomorrow and have a normal evening. There is no need for concern."
Flitwick nodded, then blinked and shook his head. His eyes focused slightly. "Ah, yes… I mean no."
Snape raised a brow at his words, was the man actually resisting? That was impressive, and quite unexpected.
"I have rounds. Need to patrol."
Snape nodded. Filius' adherence to routine was legendary, of course suggesting he deviate from it would mean he broke out of the suggestion.
"Then go relax in your room and patrol once the students go to bed but leave me alone until tomorrow."
Flitwick nodded as Severus put power behind his words. A general order requesting indefinite disinterest would be too obvious, and most likely easier to break. Tomorrow would have to do, he'd be long gone by then anyway.
"Of course, that was my plan after you retired for the evening." He said as he walked toward the door.
"Before you go, did you charm the punch at the New Years party two years ago?" Snape called out.
Flitwick paused and the lines on his forehead made canyons as he tried to remember.
"Hogmanay? Ah, no. I believe that was Albus, at least that's what Poppy said."
Snape shook his head. "It seems like something he would do, but I doubt it. I shall continue to look into it."
"Well I wish you the best of luck on that. Do tell me if you find out. I had quite a pleasant evening."
Snape almost asked about it as his colleague nodded and headed back inside, but decided he'd really rather not know. Snape waited till he disappeared and then dropped the Muffliato and listened, sensed. A vial of blood pulled up and to the right. Far up… the medical bay. Poppy most likely. He could hear more students walking about in the corridors, leaving dinner and chatting obnoxiously loud.
He most likely had half an hour. Forty five minutes at the most. He decidedly did not wish to sit in another room and suffer through withdrawal with numerous onlookers gawking and attempting to help. If he could get a few vials and some of that new replenishing potion before the rest of his colleagues left dinner he might be able to do 'detox' himself. Of course, he had to get out of here as well. He turned and made his way to the hospital wing.
He passed a gaggle of students and heard yet more rumors about a supposed love potion, more about him being a vampire, and just general rubbish. About three hundred points were taken from various houses, twenty were from Matt Rosenberg just on principle for the vampire comment earlier, and being caught snogging behind a statue today. Another twenty were from Carlos Cantilena for just saying the word vampire, and being caught sneaking up on a group of Hufflepuffs. Snape didn't care if Carlos was in Slytherin, all comments about him being a vampire needed to be squashed. And he should be better at sneaking.
"Professor, Professor!"
Snape cringed internally before he stopped and turned. He did not have time for this. He watched as the young Banderknott rushed up. The child stood panting for a moment while Snape towered over the young boy.
"Pro-Professor! Are you -? I've- it's-"
"Full sentences are usually required for successful communication, Mr. Banderknott." Drawled Snape while the boy gasped out incomplete thoughts.
"You've been gone!"
Snape sneered. "How astute. Yes. I've been gone. I will be leaving again shortly. I have some urgent personal matters to attend to." Snape said while the boy looked at him with a worried gaze. He did not like it. He did not like students being worried about him, or liking him. If they liked him, they might come to him for help. Help he not only did not want to give but most likely would not be able to. Still, it seemed the boy was at least none the wiser of the incident from before.
"Yeah, but are you ok?"
"I am fine, though it is none of your concern."
"Then why are you headed to the infirmary?" The boy accused.
Snape blinked. "How do you know I'm headed there?"
"I… I'm guessing?" Said the boy as he shrugged.
Snape sighed and wished that vampiric mind reading was in fact a reality as so many muggles and wizards believed.
"I need to talk to Poppy. She has some potions from Saint Mungo's that I wish to examine while I am away. While my errand is urgent, I will have to wait for some time and do not plan to waste it standing around." Said Snape as he perused the boy's facial expressions. He was nervous, and conflicted, but happy. He was talking to a professor he liked despite only meeting once, when everyone else said this was not someone he should look up to. They were not wrong.
However, as far as he could tell the boy really had just guessed where he was headed.
"Mr. Mathias Banderknott, students should not worry about their professors, in theory it should be the other way around. Although from what you most likely have heard I am disinclined to such things."
"Well, the fact that I'm not dead and still have use of my arm says otherwise, but who am I to contradict a professor." Said the young boy with a smile.
Before Snape could scowl or take points the child had turned and started to walk away.
"Five points from Hufflepuff for being a student who did, in fact, contradict a professor!" Yelled Snape as the child turned and waved. Now a scowl did grow rapidly on the dour professor's face. He was losing his touch. His scowl deepened and he whirled in place, continuing his march toward the hospital wing.
By the time he arrived fifteen more points had been deducted from Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Five more students had cowered or flat out scampered away, but Snape still felt like the students weren't quite as cowed as usual.
He was in a sour mood as he opened the doors to the infirmary with a bang. Poppy turned with a frown but jumped an inch when she saw Severus' face.
Good, he wasn't losing his touch, not quite yet. Not if he could cause the prim mediwitch to jump.
"Poppy, you know why I'm here."
"The… the potion recipe I assume?"
"And the potion preferably."
"We don't have any Severus. Not to spare. We have two bottles. One for the infirmary, and one for us to check our own brew against the first time either of us make it. They of course expect us to make our own."
Both of them scowled at that. The ministry of course expected a busy mediwitch and a busy potions Professor to make the potions needed for the school hospital wing instead of providing them. It was a fact that they had shared their displeasure on, over a few scant lunches together, especially after students suffered injuries in the potions classroom.
Merlin forbid the Potion's Master at Hogwarts be unable to fulfill his duty, or have a life. Not that either situation had come up before. Poppy made many of the potions for the infirmary, but Snape made a good deal of the ones that took a bit more skill, or time, to make. He had no idea whether this was one of those potions without seeing the recipe. Of course Mungo's would expect the same as the ministry. Of course they couldn't send any for use while he filled up their stock.
"Very well. May I have the recipe now?"
Poppy nodded and Snape watched as the grip on her wand loosened. He quickly looked around the facility. There was only one student, a young Slytherin who was obviously deeply asleep by her heartbeat and breathing.
"There is something else I would like. The vial, in your right pocket."
At the comment Snape watched as the mediwitch grasped her wand again and, while she didn't point it at him, it did rise to the ready at her side.
"Severus, I can't give you that."
"What is it for then, if not me?"
"...My protection."
"Really? As in it for your life?"
Poppy nodded. "If you were in a frenzy I suppose."
"I assure you, I am far more dangerous lucid. Let it do its job now instead." Snape held out his hand for the vial and recipe but Poppy just huffed and lowered her wand.
"Severus, I'm sorry. You may portray yourself as a horrible crotchety man but I remember tending to your scraped knees and bruises when those horrible children beat you up. So, I am very sorry, but you do not scare me in the least."
"Horrible?" Had the matron healer really just implied what he thought she had? Was there really someone who didn't see the Gryffindor golden boys as pure, innocent, amazing prodigies? The tone of voice the mediwitch used seemed to imply so.
"Children, Severus, are horrible. They are bullies, rude, wild, and undeveloped. They deserve love and support and discipline as they grow up so they don't get worse." Said Poppy with hands on her hips.
"Well it seems neither of us is very good at providing anything other than the last."
"If I was a certified therapy witch I'd say that is probably because it is very hard to give something you were never given. More importantly, they get quite enough coddling elsewhere and anyone healing needs quiet! Like this young lady here." She snapped.
Snape looked over at the young woman, girl really. He could smell blood, but it was off. Not quite blood. His nose curled a bit at the smell.
"Well," said Snape, ignoring the first part with the intention to dissect it later, "in favor of being quiet while Miss Loternus over there endures her first taste of the joys of womanhood, how about you hand me the vial and I leave in silence?"
"How about you just leave in silence?" Poppy countered. "Without the vial."
"Because I want it."
"We don't often get what we want, Severus. I thought you would know that by now."
"I do." Snape sneered. "But in this instance what I want is quite within my reach."
"And you'll deprive the school of their healer to get it?" Poppy questioned, no hint of fear in her voice.
Snape however could hear her heart beating faster than normal, only slightly however. The witch was the epitome of put together and calm in the face of danger. Perhaps he could change that.
"Would you rather I go after Trelwany and treat her for a heart attack?" Said Snape with a raised brow. "I highly doubt the vial is for your protection if not everyone has one, and if Sybill does. Would she even know what to do with it? Or not to give it to me?"
Poppy stood resolute.
Snape nodded. "Very well." And began to turn on his heels to head toward the divination classroom.
"Wait." Poppy said, nails in her mouth and concern on her face in a show of emotion perhaps just as rare as one from the man she was trying to outmaneuver.
Snape paused.
"I…I will give you this if you promise not to go after Sybil."
"But not yourself?" Snape queried, curious at the mediwitch's lack of self preservation. Surely her safety was paramount considering few others could do what she did here?
At the question the prim nurse's normal annoyed expression returned. "I am quite capable of defending myself from you Mr. Snape. Sybil is not." She snapped.
"You are most likely not wrong that Sybil couldn't fight me, but what makes you think you're more capable?"
"Because I am the mediwitch of Hogwarts and I know for a fact you have never seen me do anything other than heal. You know nothing about me, Severus Snape, admit it."
Snape did have to admit that, but he still somehow doubted the witch could do anything other than successfully repel him from the room. Still, assumptions led to failed plans, so he would not do such.
However, this was a chance to glean something about her past, with tensions raised perhaps her lips would be looser than normal. She rarely interacted with the other staff. It wasn't that she didn't want to, most likely, but because a student could be hurt at any moment. Still, she had been decidedly more close lipped than the other professors were in their attempts at friendship. Anything he could find out would be valuable, if only for the fact that it was hard won.
"No. I don't. I highly doubt that you have my dueling skills however."
"You are quite correct. I don't need them. I don't duel, I manipulate the body. Would you like me to boil away a fever you don't have? Or summon cerebral fluid out through your eye?"
Snape sneered. "I doubt it would bother me in the slightest. The vial, if you would."
Pomfrey nodded. "Those were the more benign options, but we can discuss why 90% of my practice's spells are banned in dueling another time. Do you promise not to harm Sybil?"
"Physically? Of course. I'm not sure I Could do much harm to her mental capabilities if I wanted to."
Poppy pursed her lips at the insult but ignored it. It seemed older Ravenclaws were disinclined to rise to many of his insults. How annoying.
"Promise to not interact with that woman in any way this evening Severus Snape or so help me I will banish you from the hospital wing."
"And you haven't done this already because?"
"It might be loud and my patient is asleep. Now, your word?"
Snape paused, noting the witch's priorities, and nodded. "I give you my word, I will not harm Sybil tonight."
Poppy returned the gesture and with a swish and a flick levitated the vial and recipe over to Severus. He plucked it from the air and nodded a thank you.
"Before I go. I was told that you could confirm that Albus was the one who enchanted the punch that hogmanay?"
Poppy paused, startled at the 180 degree change in tone and conversation. "Ah. Yes. I believe I saw him do it. Of course I was only there for a brief while. Firecrackers."
"Ah yes, the bane of any mediwitch. The Weasley twins."
"Do not get me started. Now. Out! Out!" She shooed the Potion's master out of the hospital wing and as soon as he was out the door she quickly raised a barrier there. Snape could feel it, it glowed silver and repelled him, specifically him, specifically undead flesh.
"Really?" Snape said with mild interest, he had not known this ward was there.
"Really."
"As you wish." Dismissed Snape before raising his wand. Poppy tensed, but Snape ignored her, intent on something else. "Accio Sybill's Vial of Blood."
Poppy's stare turned into a glare and she clucked her tongue in annoyance. There were gasps and the sound of swishing cloth from down the hallway and Snape raised his hand. A vial flew through the air and snapped into place beside the one Poppy had just given him.
Poppy scowled.
"What? You thought she would have enough presence of mind and forethought to charm it against summoning? Without knowing why she had it? I had no doubt you did, but her?"
Poppy just huffed at Snape's assessment.
"Why did she have it anyway?"
"Most likely to distract you from her if you decided she was an easy meal." Poppy said with disdain.
"How crass. No, again, I find myself disinclined to believe such a notion."
"Then to waste your time! You'll have to ask Dumbledore. Now leave, before I hex a stake into your heart for waking my patient."
"Poppy, I never would have guessed you were capable of such-"
"Snape, you have no idea what I'm capable of. Now, I will ask only once more before I alert the others and risk a loud fight waking my patient. Leave. Now."
Snape nodded and finally took his leave. He'd foray into the information he'd gathered later. For instance, were there undead wards elsewhere?
He hurried through the corridors and down towards the ground floor. Students were out en masse now. Dinner was ending. Still, the three vials were worth it. Now he just had to get out.
He strode into the throng of students, wading into the center of the stream and letting it part before him. In the center it would be harder for anyone to interact with him in a confrontational capacity. He strode through the crowd, heading once more toward the courtyard. It was a good enough point of egress as any.
Halfway there however he heard the chatter of Hooch and Septima. He scowled and turned down a hallway that had far less chatter, and no heartbeats to speak of.
And came face to face with a smiling Mr. Lee. Snape's normal scowl became a grimace and then a glower as he stalked toward the vampire.
"Escaped your handler, did you?"
"It vas not exactly difficult. And you? Did you achiefe your goals?"
"Adequately enough. Now, are we going to have an altercation?"
"Vhy? Do you vish to attempt to fight me?"
"No, but I am on my way to 'attempt' egress." Said Snape, hiding his annoyance at the use of the word 'attempt', as if any fight between the two of them would be child's play for the other vampire.
"And this should concern me? If you vill accept it, I offer my aid in fact."
Snape stared at the vampire, the annoyance from before morphing into irate disbelief and disgust. "You're willing to help me escape? After you killed and threatened people's lives to get me here?"
Mr. Lee seemed unconcerned with the morality of his actions, and Snape felt that if the man were one to indulge in such a juvenile expression of emotion, he would be shrugging his shoulders. "I aimed to get you here, as a fafor to Dumbledore. He now owes me a fafor and I am content. If you escape after my efforts, it does not annul his debt. You ask why I assist you? I ask vhy not? Now, I vould assist in your escape. I vill create a distraction.
Snape chewed the inside of his lip, any distraction this man could make would no doubt be dangerous. "What will you do?"
"I vill scare the children. I may not harm them, but they do not know that. In fact, I believe most of the teachers are not avare of that. Grabbing one, alluring the others, enthralling some. Chaos is easy to sow. Death is easier, it vill be a challenge to sow chaos vithout it."
Snape thought upon the proposal. He wasn't against it per sey, the idea should make his skin crawl but honestly the idea of the students seeing what a dangerous vampire actually was capable of, one so dissimilar to himself, did not turn his stomach. It served the little gits right for calling him a vampire when he had shown very few symptoms. They should at least read up on it before accusing him.
Snape nodded. "Very well. However, if a single child is harmed not only will you face the wrath of all the teachers-"
"I haf no intention of harming anyone. Scaring, yes, harming, not vithout their permission."
A whirlwind of possibilities rushed through Snape's head. Who needed to be scared? Who would benefit from it the most? A thought crossed his mind.
"Stay away from the students in yellow robes."
"Vhy, are they yours?"
"No, but they are surprisingly organized, and they are known for patience. I don't particularly want to run into anti-vampire wards or spells set by them around the castle. In fact I would also stay away from the ones in blue robes. They are smart enough to research and cast such things as well, I don't want to be impeded in my own home."
"Vill they not see me attack and do such things anyway?"
"...Perhaps. Unless they see the teachers take care of you. You could enlist the Slytherin's… the ones in green robes assistance if you just wish to scare." This was becoming burdensom and complicated. "Although perhaps you should just go after a teacher."
"Hmmmm. How about another sort of distraction then? I shall seduce one."
The hand that had been stroking his beard in contemplation froze as Snape turned his full attention to the vampire. "You'll… what? Are you insane?"
"Hardly. It should not be all that difficult. I'm sure I can locate a suitable target."
"There isn't a professor here who wouldn't be able to immediately tell you're undead. I believe, for most, it is rather important that a love interest be Alive."
"For most. I vas in the great hall briefly during the meal. There vas one who left quite early. Her mind vas as scattered and vild as her hair and clothing. I beliefe she vould be a suitable target for my false affections."
"Sybill. You want to seduce… Sybill Trelwany?" Snape stared at the vampire, trying to fathom why in the world anyone would want to seduce the overly dramatic farce.
"Of course, the blood of a true seer is quite a treat. They are so rare these days. If she offers, I vill not be in fiolation of my agreement with Dumbledore."
"And how would this be a distraction?"
"She is…. quite clamorous. A mere valk down the halls vhile I pay her attentions, court her, compliment her, vould be noticeable to say the least. Vhen my eyes followed her out of the hall, I noticed three of the other teachers paid my action mind. By that, I assume they vill vant to protect her."
Snape was mildly impressed with Samuel's keen awareness of his surroundings. "I… that is true, but it will not draw everyone away from their task of guarding the exit."
"If a student were to go missing in tandem with such an event, vould that be enough?"
"Yes. Most likely." Said Snape warily.
"Vonderful. You shall be in charge of that."
Snape frowned, then smiled. "No. I have someone missing already. I just need to tell the right person."
"Ah, who?"
Snape sneered at the question. "You, are not the right person."
"I shall assume McGonagall then."
Snape showed no emotion at the accusation and shook his head, it was time for a bit of misdirection. No matter how much he and the cat fought, he did not want this vampire near her in her current state. "No. But if you wish to know that badly, I gave a student detention this evening, and no one else knows about it. They are currently scrubbing the owlery." Hopefully Mr. Lee would spread this rumor with Sibyl on his arm, and he could let a very specific person know about McGonagall, perhaps after a nice chat with them on the grounds.
"Ah, very good. Then I shall loudly ask the way to the Divination classrooms and be on my way."
Snape rolled his eyes as the vampire cleared his throat.
"Ah Professor Snape! Good! I vas wondering if you could gife me directions to the rooms of Divination!"
Snape smirked at the loud question. It was said well, as if the vampire was attempting to catch up to him. He would reply in kind.
"If you could not guess, they are upwards!" He said in his normal annoyed voice, albeit a bit louder. "I am, however, on my way to the headmaster and have no time to lead you around like an underpaid tour guide!"
"Ah but-"
"Find someone else!" He snapped even louder and he heard the nearby chattering of students pause.
"As you vish!'' Said the vampire with a smirk and a nod. Snape returned the gesture and they both looked very similar as they each turned on their heels sending cloaks billowing as they walked in opposite directions.
(Hope you guys are enjoying this, if I got anything wrong with the alchemy last chapter, please let me know. If you like the story and want to see more deep magic dives or weird spells, mystery stuff like Mr. Lee, more snarky meetings with Snape and the other teachers, ALSO let me know.
Here's info on the alchemy from last chapter.
Alchemy. Rubedo and Albedo, are stages of alchemy in making the philosopher's stone. Also what Rubeus and Albus are named after.
Stage 1- Nigredo, decomposition/blackness (where the lead is cooked to form uniform black matter). Represented by the raven. According to Jung it is also the stage or awareness where one becomes aware of the shadow aspects of oneself, maximum despair. Also, Chaos (masa confusa), which has comprised a lot of Snape's life, which is why he strives for order. I chose this to represent Snape for these reasons.
Stage 2 - Albedo, purification/whiteness (washing away impurities of the lead). Represented by the dove. Creates order from the chaos (masa confusa) of nigredo. It also has to do with being divided into two opposites, which will later be unified in Rubdeo. According to Jung part of this step has to do with shedding the excess ego, becoming aware of others. Also the contrasexual (opposing sexes) represented in the soul, because the... rebis, it's complicated. Look it up if you want to know more. Jung and alchemy, and the philosophers, stone and sexuality get Really mixed up in this one.
Stage 3 - Citrinitas, shedding of soul/lunar light/yellowing. (I cannot find what is supposed to happen to the lead next, probably because no one got that far and agreed) Represented by the sun in images sometimes, I think. Jung says this is the psychoanalysis phase, represented by the wise old man or woman according to him.
Stage 4 - Rubedo, success/redness. Also equated with blood, the culmination of the work the creation of the stone, of creation of rebis. Jung says it is the combining of ego and self, giving rise to a new personality. A state of no return. If Snape ever does alchemy and his familiar shows as a phoenix or a red figure... it could be... interesting. Very good... or very very bad. Inner peace would be great. I mean look at Mr. Lee, he certainly is at peace with himself!
The squared circle. It symbolizes the interplay of the four elements in the philosopher's stone. As the basis (goal) of alchemy I chose to use it as the basis for alchemical magic. Since alchemy is process of transfiguration, the squared circle is also the basis for alchemical transfiguration with the goal being determined partially by the surrounding symbols.
For the heartbeat amulet
Salt- in alchemy represents the body and what links the magic to relate to his body.
Earth - stability and groundedness.
Air - among other things, a life giving force. Like .. I dunno. A heart beat!
Lead - The start, stability, the first step. As in... before he died, what he started as. Alive.
For the digestion amulet
Salt- same as above as well as non-combustibility. Something a vampire would very much want. Mild protection from the sun.
Earth - potential, what food should bring, as in new cells. And why his body sometimes forgets he is dead and his beard grows slightly.
Air - Heat and wetness, the inside of a stomach, the inside of a body, and a life giving process again, which is something digestion is.
Leo - digestion... y'know, the thing he wants to fake.
These symbols would also be on the medallions themselves, among others. Most likely old futhark.
Alchemy is fun! Sorry I forgot to put this last time, I was super tired.
The poison in the amulet. Thought I forgot about that from like chapter 9, didn'tcha? NOPE. Almost everything has a reason, but I throw some fluff in too so you can't tell what's important or not. Weeee.)