(Severus Snape - PoV)
"...And so we came to you to get a new room," Draco finishes explaining.
The urge to slam the door shut, throw up a few silencing charms, and go back to drinking is, significant.
Draco's a sma-...not stupid. I am sure they can figure out the rooms themselves, at least for the night. And then I won't have to deal with...
Deal with...
...
Less than a day. Only a few hours, at most. And the little bastard managed to go from seemingly content to...that.
I want to sneer. To rant and rave. To focus on the threats, and the damage, and pretend that this entire event was him acting the part of a petty bully.
That I can deal with, even if I have to work around his Grandfather. That I can categorize. That I can hate.
...
Petty bullies, don't tend to bash their own heads in. Or spend the night twitching and muttering to themselves. Or any of the other...
...
Merlin, he really isn't another Sirius, is he? He is another Bellatrix.
The hand holding the door twitches minutely at the realization.
This...this goes far beyond our deal, Dumbledore! I would have never agreed to teach his spawn in the first place! Dealing with a new Bellatrix is beyond the pale!
Forget drinking for the night, I should prepare my resignation!
Yes...Yes! It will break our agreement, certainly, but Dumbledore is far too softhearted to truly do anything about it, especially after all these years. I will lose the protection of Hogwarts and that's it.
The distance from the bearded bastard may make my plans somewhat harder, but I am certain he will be eager to retain me in his circle.
My snakes...
...
My snakes...will make due...once more. Struggling on their own. Whoever Dumbledore appoints in my place will no doubt be as useless as McGonagall or Slughorn.
...
The boy, the new Bellatrix, someone else can deal with.
...
Anyone else...
"Uncle Sev?" Draco asks hesitantly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"We will be fine with anything. Really. You can just have the House-Elves move the beds to an empty classroom, right? There are plenty of those!"
I nearly chide him for using such familiarity in public, but hold my tongue at the last moment.
My eyes narrow as I examine him and the others closely. It is clear they have had an... unpleasant, night. Their first night at Hogwarts, a priceless experience, ruined.
And, as easy as it would be to blame him, I very much doubt it was any better for Coeus...
Shaking my head, I attempt to refocus my thoughts.
"It was not the room I was considering, Draco," I speak before they get the wrong impression, "but how to deal with Coeus."
"Mipsy," I whisper, glancing behind the boys and snapping my fingers.
*Pop*
"Prepare," I speak before she can, "the spare dorm room. Move these students' belongings there, when it is ready."
Nodding enthusiastically, the elf *pops* away with a grin on its face.
It is good that House-Elves are not capable of splinching, as far as I am aware, considering she was practically vibrating in place from excitement.
Draco blinks.
"Spare dorm? There are spare dorm rooms?"
I nod, idly, barely registering the question.
"The castle is prepared for a number of unusual situations," I reply.
The students quickly shift out of the way as I finally step out of my room, firmly shutting the door behind me. I swiftly make my way down the hall before they can ask any more questions, heading towards their new room.
...
It is still early enough that the dungeons are empty, leaving our footsteps loudly echoing through the silent halls.
They are not loud enough to drown out the screams in my head.
Men, women, children, no measure of innocence was protection. Muggles, Muggleborns, Half-Bloods, and even the oldest Pure Bloodlines; despite all the claims, the supposed goals, magic and status did nothing either.
Light. Dark, because you didn't think being a Death Eater made you safe, did you? Creatures, of every kind. Animals, even, on occasion.
All screaming. All accompanied by crazed laughter, and mad taunts.
Bellatrix was relentless, torturing them all to death, in the Dark Lord's name.
And she didn't limit herself to Crucio, like so many others. It may be among the most effective for pure physical pain, but she liked to torment as much as torture.
When she got ahold of an entire family?
...
No...No, the world does not need another Bellatrix. The demented baby talk always made me glad she never conceived, but it seems the world will never grow tired of its little "pranks".
...
They can't, can they?
Painful as it is, I finally admit it to myself as we pass through the, thankfully empty, common room.
They won't be able to deal with him. They can't. They can't handle another Bellatrix.
Dumbledore and the idiots and fools around him, even someone halfway competent like Flitwick...They will have no idea how to deal with Coeus. How to stop him from becoming her.
They will only make things worse. Guarantee it, even. Just look at their track record!
...
It's...it's not my responsibility! Not my obligation! I have...I have too much. Too much...
I, I just need to resign, and then it won't be my job. Someone else...someone else can...do it.
Not my responsibility. I need to focus on Dumbledore, and Voldemort, and Iri-
I stop dead in my tracks.
Iris.
Her closest friends, are the twins. Close enough to argue with the staff, and the Sorting Hat.
If Coeus follows in Bellatrix's footsteps...
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath.
Why?
Merlin damnit, WHY?!
WHY does EVERY pile of SHIT always land directly in MY lap?!
...
I take another deep breath.
...
There's nothing else to it, is there?
At least I have experience.
Reopening my eyes, I find Draco hesitantly standing in front of me, arm raised.
I was tuning out everything around me, wasn't I?
Damn. A downside, to the "Drunk Away" potion (damn wizards and their complete lack of ability to name anything). It does not actually cure, or remove, the effects, only suppresses them, and it is not perfectly effective, especially for Occlumens. I am not at one hundred percent, my self-control especially, and need to remember that.
"Un-" Draco begins.
"It is nothing," I cut him off. "A separate concern. Come."
The footsteps hesitate slightly before following me.
Thankfully, it does not take long at all to reach their new room. Stepping inside, I confirm that everything is prepared. The beds are ready, trunks are in place, and everything appears in order. There is nothing to indicate that the room itself has not been used in...
Actually, I have no idea when the room was last used. Before I took the post, certainly. Perhaps Slughorn allowed some favored Alumni to stay in the dorms, I have not.
House-Elves really are capable of fantastic work. If only they were less bothersome to talk to.
Glancing back at the students peering past me, I step aside and wave them in.
They file in hesitantly, gathering up before me.
"This, will be your room for tonight. While it depends on how my, conversation, with Coeus goes, I expect it to be your room for the, foreseeable, future."
The students nod.
"What, what about Coeus?" Draco asks. "Is he going to be...Is he going to go back to normal?"
"I rather doubt he has ever been normal," I reply automatically. "That said, I believe so, at least for now. It rather depends on what set off this little, episode."
"Little..." another student mutters.
Ignoring the comment, I consider for a moment.
This would be an excellent opportunity to figure out exactly what happened on the lake.
The downside is that it comes at the cost of my reputation of omniscience. If I wait just a little longer I can learn the details far more discreetly.
Unfortunately, I really need to know as much as possible before dealing with the boy.
"Tell me, what, exactly, happened with Coeus on the lake last night?"
Draco blinks at me.
"The lake?" he repeats, before rolling his eyes.
"I thought the twins were over the stupid pirate thi-oh, I never told you about that, did I?"
I raise an eyebrow at him.
He waves a hand.
"It's not important, really. Years ago the twins found an old family journal, written by an ancestor that ran off and conquered an island or something and became a pirate. I thought it sounded ridiculous, but the twins loved it."
Aquarius Black, I suspect. After being exiled for his use of dark magic he took a ship to the Americas and continued his research...and began raiding every British ship he could find.
Britain eventually rescinded the order. Officially in exchange for his work, and because the original accusations were deemed "overblown." Really because he managed to cripple the Atlantic magical trade and they ran out of wizards willing to even attempt fighting him.
To this day, I cannot understand how that dog is related to the same man who invented the Draught of Peace.
Draco shakes his head.
"They obsessed over it for a while, but eventually moved on, and that was that. Until last night."
He sighs.
"After all of the brushes with death on the train,"
All of them? What exactly does he mean by all of them?
"due to those three's crazy,"
...three?
"Dora announced she would accompany us to Hogwarts, to watch them, and make sure they didn't pull anything. I figured that would be the end of it, right? No. We are barely even started when we hear yelling, splashing, and spellfire. Everyone is looking around, trying to figure out what is going on, when *whoosh*, Coeus lights his wand, showing off the fact that the three of them are now wearing pirate hats, and their boat is flying a black flag."
He is talking animatedly, gesturing with his hands.
"I knew exactly what was going on as soon as I saw them, I knew it. And sure enough, he declared war on everyone and the three of them started attacking the nearest boat."
"I see. What happened to Miss T-...Black?"
Draco shrugs.
"He told Dumbledore, err, sorry. Dumbledore and McGonagall were waiting for us when we got to the castle. Anyhow, he told Dumbledore that they threw her off the boat and hexed her until she gave up."
...Threw a sixt-
"Oh, and stole her wand."
...
Surprise, I am assuming.
Still, that should not have happened. The girl is...acceptable, in Defense, and combat in general.
...
As, painful, as it is to admit, I fear we may be nearing the point where we might actually need to ask Mad Eye to teach Defense.
My frown deepens at the thought of that disaster in the making. And of the man in general.
Constant vigilance...
Draco fidgets before me as I focus on him.
"You said he "declared war" on everyone? It is my understanding that a, significant, number of individuals joined him."
Including you, I don't say.
Draco nods.
"After they took out the first boat, he started offering people the chance to join his "crew.""
He makes a face.
"The pirate talk was annoying, and he was...friendlyish, about it, but I know how Coeus is, and when he is holding us at wand, and bloody sword," he mutters the last part, "point and the lake is full of people who tried to fight him? The choice is obvious."
He shrugs.
"It helped that he pointed out we could attack the Weasley's boat, which was a nice bonus."
He smiles slightly, nodding.
...
I, on the other hand, Have to fight to maintain my passive expression.
Does he truly not realize?
"That's...about how it went? Everyone already on his side attacked anyone who hadn't joined, while he went around claiming ships, forcing people to either join or get thrown off. A lot of people tried to stay out of it but it didn't work. Other than Daphne, I guess. Everyone else had to either join or surrender."
Draco scoffs.
"Iris had to go and take things even further, of course, and broke one of the boats almost in half-"
She what?
"because, "they wouldn't surrender." Those were her exact words. To Dumbledore."
I am very glad I am talking to first years and not older student's, who would have undoubtedly noticed my twitch.
He shakes his head.
"I don't think she even cared about the fact that they are Founders relics!" he exclaims. "She admitted she doesn't even feel bad about it! That the only reason she wouldn't do it again is because Coeus wanted to steal them or something. And then Arcturus showed up and literally told Dumbledore he couldn't do anything about any of it and we all went to the feast."
He...of course he did.
I am very sorry to have missed that.
I give Draco a nod before looking over the others.
"Does anyone else, have anything to add?" I ask
Shaking heads and a chorus of "No's" answer me.
But I pick out one mumbled "He's a menace," amongst the melody, from a student who won't meet my eyes. Ryan Chambers, I believe.
His neighbor elbows him in the side.
"Dude, it's your fault for not joining," he whispers.
Draco overhears as well.
"That's why you were acting suicidal earlier?!" Unlike the other two, he makes no attempt to lower his voice, catching everyone's attention. "You were just annoyed because he dumped you in the lake?" He asks.
"He could have killed someone!" Ryan argues.
Draco stares at him incredulously.
"So your response is to try to pick a fight with him. A potential killer. While he is clearly both upset and not in his right mind," he deadpans.
Shaking his head, he turns towards me, a frown forming on his face.
"Iris broke a boat. Coeus blew up a door. Phoebe has clearly broken the Sorting Hat. Iris almost set the train on fire before we even got here, and tried to blow it up! It's been less than a day! Uncle Sev, you have to do something! There won't be a castle left by the end of the year if they keep going!"
...
I don't like the fact that Iris is included in his list but...he may have a point. This has been the most...eventful, beginning of the school year since I started teaching.
I withhold a sigh before answering.
"Draco, while I certainly will be speaking with them, I assure you the school itself is in no danger. It has stood for a thousand years, and many, many thousands of students, including several that became legends or even outright Dark Lords in their own right. It will survive a few more disasters...though I admit that the various founders' artifacts inside may not be so lucky."
I don't process his reply, only nodding absently, too caught up in my own thoughts.
What's one more lie, in a life full of them?
A new Bellatrix, twinned to the most powerful seer I have ever heard of, in any legend or record. From a family infamous for producing insanely dangerous lunatics. With near limitless wealth and access to almost whatever they desire through their grandfather. And the girl marked by prophecy, with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord.
While certainly unlikely, if anyone is going to destroy Hogwarts it will be those three.
Especially given Coeus's supposed propensity for accidentally causing the apocalypse.
Repeatedly.
"To bed now, all of you," I announce, getting quiet nods from the tired students.
"And Mr. Chambers," I add before he can move away, waiting until he looks at me to continue.
"Come see me in my office, tomorrow."
His expression hardens, but he nods before turning away, walking stiffly to bed, fists clenched.
Unfortunate.
It is no surprise that he assumes I am calling him in for punishment or to act against him somehow. It may very well be what he is used to...
That said, it is yet another knot in a situation that may already prove frustrating to untangle depending on if he was telling the truth, lying, or misdirecting.
Still, if he is in Slytherin he should be at least a little flexible in his thinking. I have worked with worse, I am sure.
Dismissing the matter for the moment, I leave the room, heading to the original first-year dorm. I also push down the irritation I feel at having to make such a distinction.
This promises to be hard enough already, I do not need to make the situation worse by going into it in a foul mood.
All my other feelings are bad enough.
...
Dumbledore, Black...Sirius Black. Damn you both, for shoving this bomb off on me!
He is your bloody son, Black! And Dark Lords are supposed to be your job to take care of, Dumbledore! In the making or not!
...
If only I didn't know you two would fuck it all up, like you have everything else.
...
As if I of all people have room to talk...
...
I...I have to do better.
I have to.
I take a deep, but quiet, breath as I near the, still doorless, room, before stepping around the corner.
And promptly sigh.
"Miss Black. Miss Potter. You are aware these are the boy dormitories."
Several beds have been shoved together and most of the various bits of bedding appropriated. The two of them, along with Coeus, are currently buried in a pile of pillows and blankets.
Iris appears mildly embarrassed but stiffens up regardless, looking me in the eyes stubbornly.
"So? It's our room now," Phoebe replies defiantly. "It's your fault for not having more options. I know there are more, don't try me!"
Coeus...shows almost none of the symptoms Draco mentioned. He looks perfectly content, resting between the two, in fact. The only evidence otherwise, is the injury on his head.
Once more, the pieces fall into place.
...
Stepping into the room, I begin to speak.
"After your show at the feast, I was expecting these sorts of games from you. I admit, however, that I wasn't expecting you to start so soon. Or to use your brother so, callously," I probe.
Ah, there we are.
Regret blossoms on her face, as she looks away from me and towards Coeus.
Her hands clutch at him.
"I...wasn't expecting...I didn't see..."
She shakes her head before looking back at me.
"We've never been so far apart. Ever. Or for so long. I...might have underestimated..." she admits.
Interesting. It is good to confirm that her power isn't perfect. Far from it, if she can achieve her intended goal but accidentally harm the person she cares about the most.
...That fact is also extremely concerning, and sounds exactly like the sort of "price" magic often loves to extract.
It also confirms the reason for Coeus's breakdown. Thankfully, it was a controllable, easily avoidable factor.
Unfortunately...
I sigh, not bothering to hide it. Not in front of the girl who can, effectively, bypass my Occlumency.
Stepping further into the room, I approach the bed, pausing when I hear a strange rumbling noise.
*Rrrrrr*
...
"Did the trunk just growl at me?" I ask, not taking my eyes off it.
"I think so?" Phoebe replies. "I didn't know it could do that. Did you know it could do that?" she asks Coeus.
"Pretty sure that's new," he mumbles, not opening his eyes or getting up.
Of course. The one thing that I dismissed for the moment, turns out to-
That was the trolley, not the trunk. Glancing around, I notice the trolley over by the wall, half hidden in pillows.
Taking note of its position, I am about to look away, when I notice exactly what candy it currently has on display.
My old favorites.
All of my favorites. Even several that, as far as I know, are not made anymore. And nothing else.
My estimation of its threat goes up a couple orders of magnitude.
Turning back towards the bed, I hesitate, eyeing the trunk, before slowly taking out my wand.
Conjuring a chair, I cautiously take a seat before putting my wand away,
Draco was right, I muse, to get out immediately. I can feel the attention on me.
I flick my eyes toward the twins once more.
"Just yesterday, you claimed to not have a pet," I half admonish, to see how they react.
Phoebe shrugs.
"Yesterday we might not have? I have no idea when the trunk became..." she waves a hand at it.
Then frowns.
"Unless you count the trolley? I didn't think about that." She cocks her head. "Does the trolley count?"
"Debatable. Does it matter? I am sure the two of you will use whichever answer benefits you at the time."
And that concerns me a lot more than it did before I met the thing.
She nods in agreement.
"Well, duh. House pride demands it, if nothing else."
I don't bother replying.
Coeus, who I originally came to talk to, remains laying in the middle of the bed, eyes closed, as he recovers from the night. It is hard to tell how much of this he is actually paying attention to.
Iris is to one side, most likely dragged here by Phoebe. She has been quiet but is up and listening.
Phoebe is on the other side, playing games. Games with consequences.
Coeus could still very well become a Bellatrix...Would Phoebe be his Voldemort?
"Y-" I barely begin to speak when Phoebe cuts me off as she bursts into laughter.
Hysterical laughter.
Mad laugher.
Iris looks at her in concern. Coeus opens up his eyes as well, looking over at her questioningly.
She waves them off.
"S-Snape dosen-heh. Doesn't understand."
She shakes her head.
"Iris, tell him."
Iris cocks her head.
"Err-"
"About our night."
"Oh. Umm...everything?" she asks hesitantly.
"Yup. It's fine."
...I'm not going to like this, am I?
Phoebe smiles at me.
