3,463Chapter 62
In One Fell Swoop
Severus was mad. Actually he was more than mad, he was downright pissed off to be honest. How long had he been trapped inside his own mind now? Days? Weeks? Months? Years?
He shuddered at the thought.
No, not years. Salazar would have found a way to get me out of here before then. He thought, as he lit the stove in the tent he had conjured.
"A week at most, I hope." He muttered as he set about making his own breakfast.
He knew that it was all in his mind and that he wasn't really eating anything, but he did it out of desperation and to have some sense of normalcy. In fact, everything he had conjured to make this…stay…more pleasant wasn't real. He knew what was going on though. The Dark Lord had cast a spell that caused him to become trapped in his own mind.
It was a spell he'd seen the Dark Lord use many times during the first war, and Severus knew it was a spell of the Dark Lord's own making. He'd trap people in their minds, then cause their worst fears to plague them so he could gain information from them, and only when he had them begging for death then he would finally kill them.
It was a tactic he had seen over and over.
"Petulant child." Severus growled, as he cracked a few eggs he had conjured out of nowhere. "He got mad because I was on the verge of beating him in the duel. Even if he had hit me with the blood boiling hex! Twice! He knew I had reversed the first one, then he hit me with it again! It's the only reason he cast this mind trapping spell!" He yelled, as he waved around the whisk he was using to beat the eggs with.
I'm beginning to lose it. I'm going crazy. He thought, as he placed the eggs into the frying pan, but then he sighed and shook his head. I've been reduced to waving kitchen utensils around like a madman, but I guess it beats going outside.
Severus shuddered and glanced towards the tent door. He didn't like going outside. It was dark, with nothing around but rocks and a steep cliff overlooking a cavern full of thick, dense fog. He knew this was part of the spell and not his actual mindscape, but it did nothing to improve his mood and it was the main reason he had conjured this tent in the first place.
But nothing had changed since the spell had taken hold of him, and if he didn't already know that he was safe at Camelot, he'd be a bit more afraid of what was going to happen next. He would be watching his back, waiting for the Dark Lord to invade his mind and use anything and everything against him.
It was a thought that made him shiver.
But I escaped. He thought with a smirk. And according to the Dark Lord's own dueling rules, if you can escape, then so be it.
"Even if you conjured the suits of armor to attack me!" He yelled. "Ha! Ha! Take that!"
But I'm now his second in command. He thought with a satisfied nod. I proved myself worthy, at least in his eyes, and no other Death Eater can question me.
It was actually a good position to be in because he didn't answer to anyone except the Dark Lord himself, and while that might not seem like a good thing, it actually was. According to the Dark Lord, if you can make it to the top spot and duel him, you had earned a measure of his respect, and by extension, a few free passes on any screw ups you may have.
The duels for second-in-command were nasty because it was anything goes, with the exception of the imperius curse and killing curse. The Dark Lord considered it bad form and cheating if you used the imperius curse, and because 'they were all on the same side' the killing curse was not to be used at all, or you'd instantly receive one from the Dark Lord.
Severus simply thought it was just a way to keep the inner circle from killing each other off, seeing as there was so few of them to begin with.
He had spent all day dueling Crabbe, Rowle, Goyle, Nott, Amycus Carrow, Parkinson, Montague Sr., and Yaxley and he bested all of them.
Yaxley and Montague were the two he had been most worried about though. The others, at least in Severus's eyes, were brainless idiots who could barely hold a wand the right way, but Yaxley and Montague were two people to watch out for.
Yaxley had conjured nearly a hundred knives and sent them sailing at him, but Severus was only able to vanish about half before the rest got through his shield and began stabbing him. The man had also conjured dirt and blinded him when he created a mini tornado of sorts.
Montague had used the torture curse on him, coupled with the cutting curse and Severus had a hard time getting out of that, but in the end, he had managed to defeat them both and go on to duel the Dark Lord himself.
And as one could imagine, that had been a nasty, near death duel, and it was one Severus hoped not to have to repeat anytime soon.
But he knew it may come, especially when the others were fetched out of Azkaban, and the very thought of having to face Bellatrix was not a pleasant one.
"Severus? Can you hear me dear?" A soft, feminine voice asked, which caused Severus to subconsciously look up.
"Yes Molly, I can!" He shouted, though he knew that she couldn't hear him.
"They have figured out what's wrong. Merlin is going to try something different dear. If you can hear me, hang on, it may get rough."
"I want to monitor his vitals while this is happening. I don't want him to start convulsing or anything of the sort. Perenelle, you'll have to move to the other side of him." Severus heard Poppy say.
"Severus, if you can hear me at all," Salazar said. "You need to try and lower your occlumency shields again. I think you subconsciously put them back up when you passed out."
"I can't though! I'm trapped!" Severus yelled, but he was starting to get excited.
He knew they had been trying different ways to reach him, because he could hear everything going on around him. Molly had come to sit with him on many occasions, as had Poppy, Perenelle, Albus, Merlin, Godric, and Granger, who was there for a little while, much to Severus's confusion. Narcissa had also come to talk to him, much to his relief, but the one person who never left his side was Salazar.
Severus could feel the old wizard's presence at all times of the day, and he could often hear the man singing to him, as bad as it was, but through it all, Salazar was always there, and he never left.
Even when Poppy threatened him physical harm if Salazar didn't get some rest.
There seemed to be a renewed sense of urgency that passed from his visitors to Severus, and hope blossomed in his chest.
Maybe this time it will work. He thought as he vanished the rest of his breakfast and stood up.
"Merlin is going to create a way out, but I have to come in and get you just in case you don't understand what's happening." Salazar said. "Perenelle is going to hold your eyelids open, so don't panic if you feel that. Albus is here as well, and he has to hold my own eyelids open, because if either of us blink, we will lose the connection. If you can't lower your occlumency shields, I'm going to have to break them down, so try not to panic."
"Do what you have to do!" Severus shouted, even though he knew it was pointless. "I can fix them later!"
"Poppy, are you ready?" Merlin asked.
"I am."
"Salazar?"
"This has gone on long enough, and I want my son back." He replied with a fierce determination.
That comment almost made Severus break down into tears, which was uncharacteristic for him, but it also made him wonder, especially since Albus was there.
"Very well." Merlin said gently. "We will begin."
The sound of beating drums began almost instantly. Severus knew that was his defenses trying to alert him to a foreign presence in his mind, but then the earth suddenly started to shake beneath his feet and the tent vanished on its own accord.
When the cliff started to fall away, Severus let out a yelp and began back peddling to try and keep ahead of the crumbling rocks, but between the shaking and drums, it was nearly impossible.
The drums were so loud that it was almost painful, but then he heard the shattering of glass and images started flashing before his eyes. It was at that point he knew Salazar had succeeded in breaking through his defenses. He cried out in shock when he slipped and fell, but he managed to scramble back to his feet, and ran smack into Salazar, who was trying to maintain his own footing.
"There you are! It's really me so don't panic." Salazar cried with a happy grin. "All this is because Merlin is shattering the mindscape. I think we did it this time, now we just need to find Merlin's way out."
"I know it's really you, because I could hear you, I just couldn't do anything. But do you mean to tell me that you don't know what Merlin's way out is!?" Severus cried, as more of the cliff face fell into the fog below.
"We didn't know the condition of your mind, so we couldn't plan for an exact way out." Salazar managed to say, before he also slipped and fell.
"Where do we go?" Severus asked, as he hauled Salazar to his feet.
"There!" Salazar shouted, pointing into a vortex that had formed in the fog.
"What!?" Severus cried.
"Or has that always been there?" Salazar asked.
"No it hasn't."
"Then that's where we go. We have to jump." Salazar said, as wind from the vortex began whipping everything into a frenzy.
Severus gave him a dubious look, but then he nodded.
"If I didn't trust you…"
"If I didn't trust Merlin." Salazar said with a small chuckle, but then they grabbed each other's hand, and jumped.
The mindscape Severus had been trapped in shattered the second they hit the foggy vortex, but in the next instant, there was a great gasp that escaped from Severus and he sat bolt upright in the bed.
Salazar had just enough time to fall to the side, for if he had not, their foreheads would have collided and the action probably would have knocked them both out.
"Finally." Severus said with a relieved sigh, as he laid back down. "I could hear you, you just couldn't hear me. I couldn't lower my own shields though, because I was trapped in my own mind. It's how the Dark Lord created the spell. No one is supposed to be able to get out of it once the spell has taken hold of them, unless he lifts it of course."
"What happened to you Severus? You had so many stab wounds and cuts that it looked like you had been used as a muggle voodoo doll. The images you gave me before you passed out left more questions than answers. A fight to the death and duels!? We know about Narcissa and Lucius, but what happened to you?" Salazar repeated desperately, as he grasped both sides of the young man's face.
"The story can be told later." Poppy scolded. "The important thing is we have him back, now he needs to rest."
"Poppy, I'm okay now, really." Severus said, as he shifted around a bit. "And surprisingly I feel really good."
"Harrumph!" Poppy scoffed, as Salazar chuckled loudly.
"I told you so." He grinned, only to be met with a scowl as Poppy trounced out the room.
Merlin, Molly, Perenelle, and Albus started laughing, but Severus looked at them in confusion.
"What?" He asked with a furrowed brow.
"You've been out of it for three weeks and…"
"Three weeks!" Severus exclaimed, causing Salazar to nod.
"Nicolas has been using polyjuice potion and posing as you for your classes because we wanted everything to appear normal to the students, but yes, you've been out for three weeks. It's nearly time for Christmas Holidays." Albus replied.
"So what's wrong with Poppy then?" Severus asked.
"She lost a bet." Salazar grinned. "In order for you to eat proper meals and get exercise so that your muscles wouldn't be sore, I used a dark curse on you that was created a long time ago. It's called the marionette spell."
"What does it do?" Severus asked.
"It allows a person to control your every action, only it lets you keep your mind as your own. It's a very old, crude spell, similar to the imperius curse, but unlike the imperius curse, it lets you keep your own mind."
"You were walking around here like a…well…expressionless marionette puppet." Molly said with a shiver. "It was rather creepy to tell you the truth."
"She's right." Salazar added. "I had you eating at the dinner table, walking around so your muscles wouldn't become stiff, and going to the bathroom properly, among other things. I did it so you wouldn't waste away laying in the bed. Poppy was against it because she didn't know if it would cause you problems, but I told her it wouldn't. I didn't want to use the actual imperius curse though, for obvious reasons."
"I understand." Severus said with a nod, but then he sighed and looked around at everyone, who was staring back at him. "I really am okay."
"We are still wondering what happened." Albus said quietly.
"Severus?" A voice from the doorway called softly.
"Narcissa." He acknowledged calmly, as he shifted around and sat back up.
"Severus, if I caused…" She said with a ting of fear in her voice, only to be interrupted by a wave of Severus's hand.
"Whatever you did Narcissa, you didn't cause this. I was called to him that morning because the Dark Lord wanted to have a second-in-command 'competition'." Severus said, only to have Narcissa gasp.
"Oh my Merlin! Severus, I had no idea!" She cried, as she clutched ahold of the door frame.
"We were already in progress when Lucius burst into the room with a dead person who looked just like you. I was in the middle of a duel with Crabbe, so it was hardly anything to worry about, but I became so distracted by your dead body that I almost lost."
"Severus I'm so sorry." She said again, only for Severus to wave her off once more.
"It's as I said. You didn't do this, but I am curious to what you did do."
Before she could answer though, Molly spoke up.
"I don't understand. What is a second-in-command competition?" She asked hesitantly.
So Severus briefly explained to her what it was all about and how he ended up with all the injuries he had, but then he nodded.
"And I won." He said, only have Salazar sigh loudly.
"Not exactly what I would have wanted for you, because you'll end up being watched more closely by not just Voldemort, but everyone."
"It's actually not a bad position to be in, but it likely won't last long. As soon as the others are out of Azkaban, Bellatrix will challenge…"
"They already are." Salazar said with a despondent sigh, which caused Severus to stare at him in horror.
"What!?"
"Azkaban was raided a week ago." Albus said with a disgusted sigh. "Every Death Eater was taken, and Fudge in his epic stupidity has blamed it all on…"
"Let me guess." Severus said, rolling his eyes.
"He thinks I taught them all how to become animagi, for the total of twelve hours I was imprisoned, so they could escape." Salazar said. "If the situation wasn't so dire, it would be hysterical."
"Don't tell me people are buying that rubbish." Severus commented.
"They aren't." Albus replied. "Rita has set everyone straight with her articles in The Quibbler. Word has it that many people are fleeing the country."
"Many shops in Diagon Alley have shut down, but a few are still open. Fudge is screaming that 'all is well', but it's falling on deaf ears now." Merlin explained. "With this Azkaban breakout, people who didn't believe that Voldemort was back are starting to see the truth. Fudge doesn't have much time left though. Percy was able to get ahold of some evidence showing Fudge for what he truly is, and Amelia is ready to go public with it. The only reason she hasn't is because we have been preoccupied with your situation, but now that you are back with us, we can go forth."
"I want to ask, 'what about Umbridge', but first I want to know what Narcissa did." Severus said, looking towards the doorway where she was still standing.
Salazar started chuckling. "Now that I know that what she did didn't cause your situation, I find it all rather funny, and very cunning my dear." He said as he looked over at her.
Albus sort of grunted with disapproval, but even he couldn't help but laugh as Narcissa fully entered the room with a grin.
"When I spoke to Lucius after you all had locked him up at Hogwarts, I placed him under the imperius curse, gave him back his wand, kept him in his cell, and waited. Through the link of the curse, I felt the dark mark burn him that morning, and I knew it was time. I had him escape out of the cells, though I must admit it took a while before I was able to find the real exit. He came out into the dungeon, and then I sent him out of Hogwarts through a secret passage that I had discovered during my time there."
"Turns out it was my own personal tunnel which I built to get on and off the grounds without having to traipse all through the castle to the front doors." Salazar clarified with a grin. "Again, clever girl."
Narcissa smiled at the praise, but then she continued.
"When he was off the grounds I made him apparate to McNair's place because I remember Lucius always complaining about the man being a bit late to meetings. I met Lucius there to give him some polyjuice potion that I had, admittedly, swiped from Merlin. Thankfully that knowledge of McNair paid off because he was still there, taking his time in getting his mask and robe together, among other things. I had Lucius burst into his place, imperius McNair, make him drink the polyjuice, and then kill him when he had fully changed into me."
"Because with polyjuice, you don't change back into your original form if you die." Severus commented as he began to somewhat understand what happened. "The Dark Lord wondered why McNair had not shown up, and there was talk of someone finding him and bringing him to the Dark Lord once it was all over."
Narcissa just smirked at him, but then she continued with her story. "After that I had Lucius take McNair to the Parkinson's, because through the imperius curse, I knew where the meeting was to take place when the dark mark burned."
"And that's when Lucius burst into the room." Severus chuckled.
"Right." She grinned. "The rest, to me, is a little fuzzy because Lucius actually started to panic and began to earnestly try and throw off the curse, so maybe you could take over."
Severus actually laughed, which filled Salazar's heart with joy to hear. He was finally coming to terms with the fact that Severus was going to be okay, but despite Severus's claims that being second-in-command was a good thing, Salazar still had reservations.
"Well, at first I was shocked, because as I said before, I was dueling Crabbe, but when Lucius burst through the door looking like a deranged madman, everything came to a halt. He began explaining how he escaped from his prison, though he didn't say what or where this prison was, through the use of his animagus form, which no one knew about apparently."
"It's because he was ashamed of it." Narcissa explained with a smirk. "And I didn't want him to mention he was at Hogwarts, so I left that part out."
Severus shook his head in an amused sort of way, but then he continued. "The Dark Lord wants to know about all our abilities, so finding out Lucius was a secret animagus really didn't set well with him, so he made Lucius show off what it was."
"It was a chicken." Narcissa said with a girlish laugh. "More specifically, a hen and not an actual rooster." She added, much to the amusement of everyone there.
Severus chuckled darkly. "After Lucius showed the Dark Lord that, he couldn't help but laugh, and I mean truly laugh. It was almost scary, but Lucius went on to explain how he had caught Narcissa out shopping, and he killed her. That's when he produced what I thought was Narcissa's body. The Dark Lord actually praised Lucius for a job well done, invited him back into the inner circle, and offered to allow him to take part in the second-in-command competition." Severus said, but then he sighed and shook his head. "That's when things got out of hand. The body came to life and attacked the Dark Lord. It caught him off guard, and actually bit him on the shoulder."
"I made Lucius turn McNair into an inferius just before we walked into the door." Narcissa said with another smirk.
Severus just shook his head and chuckled again, but he continued telling the story. "The Dark Lord let out a furious yell, set the inferius on fire, and then turned to Lucius. Lucius started spouting about how he hated the lot of us because of his circumstances, and drew his wand on the Dark Lord. That's when the Dark Lord killed him with the killing curse." He finished.
"I knew he was dead because the imperius connection was cut. That's why I kept telling you all he was dead when you learned he had escaped. When Lucius burst into the room, I didn't know what was going on. I saw Severus and Crabbe standing before the Dark Lord with their wands drawn, but I thought it was just a normal scuffle that had broken out, and the Dark Lord was handling it. When you showed up in the condition you were in, I couldn't help but think that my actions caused the Dark Lord to go on a rampage and you bore the brunt of it somehow." She said, shaking her head, but then she looked at Severus and spoke directly to him.
"I told them," She said, pointing to Salazar and the others. "What I did, but after Lucius was killed, the connection was cut. I didn't know what had happened to cause your situation, and that's why we all thought that what I did caused it."
"Well it didn't." Severus said reassuringly. "He did go on a rampage, but it was aimed at Lucius. I'll spare you the details of what happened to his corpse though. After he was done with that, the competition resumed."
"What I don't understand is, why did he place that curse on you?" Molly asked in confusion. "If you had won this competition thing, why punish you?"
"It wasn't a punishment. He would have lifted it had I not portkeyed out when I did. He conjured the suits of armor, then had them attack me, but in the next instant, he hit me with the blood boiling hex and the mind trapping spell. Had I not simultaneously turned one of the suits of armor into a portkey, he would have lifted it." Severus repeated. "The final duel with Dark Lord is always a nasty one, but to him it symbolizes that you have earned that place at his side, so he won't kill you, or injure you to the point where you can't be healed."
"It's barbaric." Perenelle said with a scoff.
"It is, but it's your 'reward' for winning the top spot. You can't win against him, even if you think you can because he won't let you."
"He doesn't want to appear weak in any way." Salazar said with a growl.
"Correct." Severus nodded. "There are only three ways to end the final duel. One way is for you to be knocked out and unable to continue, or you submit by verbally saying you quit, or you escape. He had placed anti-disapparition wards up, hence the suit of armor I turned into a portkey, though I think the rest of them ended up coming with me."
"They did, and we vanished them after checking them for tracking charms and various curses." Merlin added with a chuckle.
"Why have this though?" Molly asked, still utterly confused. "I just don't understand."
Severus sighed, but it wasn't an impatient one. Instead, it was one of pondering.
"I think he does this so that we can mostly prove ourselves worthy, but he also conducts them when fighting amongst the Death Eaters start. I think this one was actually brought on by Yaxley, who has been vying for the top spot, which I have held since the Dark Lord returned. He's apparently been trying to undermine my authority, and this is the way the Dark Lord puts a stop to that sort of thing. It's the 'final say so'."
"It's still barbaric. Competing in a competition like this just to prove your worth to him." Perenelle spat. "He probably enjoys watching you all tear each other apart just for the chance of kissing his arse with the hope that you will remain his 'second'." She said with a loathing growl. "It's sickening."
Salazar nodded in agreement, but then he looked at Severus. "You need to get some rest now. You've talked a lot, and after your ordeal, you really should already be resting, but I just had to know what happened." He added quietly as he grasped Severus's hand. "I hope you can forgive me for carrying on with this questioning."
"I do forgive you." Severus whispered. "I heard you just before you came to get me. 'I want my son back'." He said, as he glanced from Salazar to Albus, who only stood there with a small smile on his face.
Salazar nodded. "I wouldn't leave your side for anything, so there was no point in continuing the 'we hate each other' charade any longer. I explained the whole thing to Albus."
"I, for one, am happy for you both. Even if I don't understand it, because Harry does have the body of a fifteen-year-old."
"And he looks like Potter." Severus said, causing everyone to chuckle softly.
Salazar gave Severus a wink that only he caught, but he squeezed Severus's hand before letting it go.
"Still though, you need to rest. Or else Poppy will come charging back in here and kill us all." He said, causing everyone to smile, knowing it was probably true.
"But what about Umbridge? If Fudge is done, what's to be done about her?" Severus asked.
"I will fill you in later because there is a lot to explain. Today is Thursday, so take tomorrow and the weekend to rest up before we go back to Hogwarts."
"Yes sir." Severus said with a nod, but it was in that moment that the adrenalin from the whole ordeal finally wore off. He sighed heavily, rubbed his eyes, and laid back down.
Salazar cast one more look at him, before they all slipped out of the room.
You-Know-Who RETURNS!
Fudge Ousted as Minister! Amelia Bones Takes His Place in Emergency Vote by the Wizengamot!
State of Emergency Declared! Ministry Says to Prepare for WAR!
Harry Potter, Also Known as Salazar Slytherin, Cleared of All Charges!
By Rita Skeeter
In a shocking emergency weekend gathering of the Wizengamot, spearheaded by Albus Dumbledore himself, Amelia Bones, former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, presented concrete evidence of bribery, theft, conspiracy, and murder on the part of the former Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, age 75.
In a shocking revelation, the newly elected Minster, Amelia Bones, uncovered evidence of a ledger, written in Fudge's own hand, of backdoor deals and bribes taken from known Death Eaters and common criminals to cover up their atrocious crimes and in exchange for no prison time. In addition, facts were uncovered for multiple conspiracies ranging from theft of Ministry funds for Fudge's own private use, to murder.
Several cases that had been ruled as 'accidental deaths' of Fudge's political opponents and enemies were cast into sharp light and evidence was uncovered that Fudge himself had hired 'hit men' to do his vile deeds for him.
After Madam Bones made her case in front of the entire Wizengamot, Cornelius Fudge was, unsurprisingly, voted unfit to be Minister and he was taken directly into custody immediately following the Wizengamot's unanimous guilty verdict.
With the Minister's spot now vacant, names were immediately submitted by various parties. Albus Dumbledore's name was included, but he declined by saying that he only wished to be reinstated as Chief Warlock, which was granted instantly.
Other names were put forth as well, but none more shocking than that of Merlin, who was on hand for all the previous courtroom drama. The very shocked and humbled ancient wizard was stunned speechless, but he eventually declined by saying he was once head of the Wizard's Council for many, many years, and wasn't interested in doing it again. The Wizard's Council, if you know your history, was the Wizengamot's ancient predecessor, so this did not come as a great shock to the Wizengamot itself. Several people still tried to convince the greatest wizard of all time to take the Minister's spot, but Merlin still declined the job.
However, everyone seemed to be satisfied when Merlin suggested that he could become an unofficial advisor, of sorts, to whoever was elected. This seemed to please the gathered body, and after several more debates, Amelia Bones herself was finally sworn in Saturday night.
But things were far from being over.
As Sunday dawned on the wizarding world, the Wizengamot gathered once more to clear up a few lose ends. Amos Diggory replaced Dolores Umbridge as Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, while former retired Auror, Alastor Moody, was asked to take over the Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Harry Potter's name and unfair trial this past summer was mentioned a lot as well, especially by Albus Dumbledore and Minister Bones. The Wizengamot agreed to take one more look at the case, after it was decided that Mr. Potter was going to be placed under veritaserum.
Mr. Potter was then fetched from Hogwarts, where he has been laughably residing in plain sight of both Aurors and Fudge's former lackey, Dolores Umbridge, for some time. Mr. Potter allowed himself to be questioned under veritaserum, where he was instantly asked the question 'who are you?'
His answer of 'Salazar Slytherin', sent the Wizengamot into a frenzy, but with Minister Bones, Albus Dumbledore, and even Merlin himself, who was later confirmed by Mr. Potter's veritaserum testimony to actually be THE Merlin, all doubt about this claim was put to rest.
During the questioning, Mr. Potter gave testimony of Peter Pettigrew's murder and it was concluded that the killing curse, cast by You-Know-Who, did in fact bounce off of him and strike Pettigrew. As you can imagine, this led to questions about You-Know-Who and it was confirmed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that You-Know-Who has in fact RETURNED!
The Wizengamot went on to dismiss the charges against Mr. Potter, and he was free to go.
However, business for the day was far from over. The Wizengamot immediately voted for a State of Emergency to be declared, and preparations began for open war!
After this was settled, we reporters, along with visitors and guests, were ushered out of courtroom ten as preparations got underway.
My dear readers, I wish I could say I knew what happened after that, but I'm afraid that even if I did know, I would not tell you.
I do not need to really say that fighting You-Know-Who is a though job, because as you all know, it is. Whatever the Wizengamot decided after that remains a mystery, but Me, Myself, and I can tell you that there was a very big shake up and the Wizengamot WAS CUT BY NEARLY HALF ITS MEMBERS!
Details are sketchy, but it was revealed that members of the Wizengamot took oaths about their loyalty and allowed themselves to be questioned under veritaserum!
As shocking as this is, unsurprisingly there was opposition to this, but it was later found out that this opposition was, in fact, supportive of YOU-KNOW-WHO!
Those who were found to be loyal to You-Know-Who, which I can tell you turned out to be about twenty of the fifty members of the Wizengamot, were immediately placed under arrest and taken away by Aurors, who are now under the command of Alastor Moody.
With the head of our government effectively cleaning itself up, there are no plans to replace those lost members…for now.
Once the war is over and You-Know-Who is destroyed, elections of the vacant posts will resume as normal, but for now, the law says that in a State of Emergency, the government is allowed to cancel elections for open Wizengamot posts.
I must admit, my rabid readers, that I don't understand this law to its fullest declarations, but it's the law and it allows the Wizengamot to, unquestionably, and in my opinion, rightfully so, carry on with this. Especially since we don't know who is, and who isn't, a supporter of You-Know-Who. If the Wizengamot didn't take this necessary action, we could elect supporters of You-Know-Who right back into those open Wizengamot posts!
And that is not something anyone wants to see happen.
Whatever preparations the head of our government is taking, you can rest assured that the Minister for Magic, Amelia Bones, Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore, Unofficial Advisor to the Minister, Merlin, and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Alastor Moody, will ensure that the fight against You-Know-Who will be handled in the best way possible.
On side note however, I posed a question to Albus Dumbledore later Sunday evening about the safety and security of your children who attend Hogwarts, and this was the Headmaster's reply.
"We certainly can understand if families wish to pull their children out of school, especially if they are thinking about moving out of the country, but I can assure you that our children are safe. I am working closely with Minerva McGonagall, our Deputy Headmistress, as well as our two Founders, Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor, to ensure our children receive the best education they can, while still remaining safe and secure at Hogwarts."
A very fitting reply, I must admit. With Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Gordy Roffin, and I'm told, Merlin as well, keeping watch over your children, Hogwarts is as safe and secure as it ever has been.
I'll keep my eyes open though, and as always, bring you any updates should they occur.
Until next time my lovelies!
Rita Skeeter
It was Monday morning and the great hall was silent as everyone devoured Rita's article. Whether it was in The Quibbler, or the Daily Prophet was of no concern to anyone though. The paper had undergone an overnight about face, once Amelia got ahold of them and they now were reporting truthful news and events.
It made Hermione smile just a bit.
As the silence droned on, an undignified shriek came from the head table and one Dolores Umbridge jumped out of her seat and ran for the doors. This action was met by loud boos, hisses, and unsurprisingly, food being thrown her away as she hightailed it out of there.
But, a few students at the Gryffindor and Slytherin tables didn't take part in the display, as one might have imagined.
"Poor Perenelle." Hermione said with a sympathetic glance cast at the retreating woman. "I feel so bad for all the stuff she's had to endure."
"Yeah, but she played Umbridge perfectly these last three weeks." Neville said, as Blaise, Draco, Daphne, and Godric stood up and made their way over to them.
Daphne had become a good friend to them over the last several months, so they decided to trust her with more of the inner details about the things that were really going on around them. The fact that she was Blaise's date for the ball last year, and had always been somewhat friendly with Salazar and company, didn't hurt in the slightest. She didn't know about the major things though, such as the Potters, Salazar and Godric not being reincarnated, and things that were said in Order meetings.
And she probably never would. They trusted her, but not that far.
"Well at least she doesn't have to put up with all the pranks, insults, and minor death threats being sent her way anymore." Ron said with a sigh, as he continued to eat without missing a moment of the conversation.
"Oh look! We can actually sit with you all now!" Draco said, as he plopped down beside Neville.
"And vice versa." Hermione added, as she passed him the pumpkin juice.
"Too true." Draco admitted as be began filling his goblet. "And even though it pains me to say this, I feel safer over here than I do over there." He added, as he eyed his former scowling friends with distaste.
"Yeah, and I can now move back into the Snake Pit without worrying about being expelled." Godric said as he rolled his eyes.
"Ten galleons says Harry will take great pleasure in blasting those stupid Educational Decrees off the wall." Blaise said with a grin.
"We never make a fool's bet!" Fred and George said in unison as they joined them.
Cedric, Susan, and Luna wandered over from their tables, and the Creevey brothers also took the opportunity to move closer to the core group of friends. The other Gryffindors had to shuffle down and make room for all the new people, but no one seemed to mind, seeing as they were lost in their own conversations about what was going to happen next.
"So what's to happen now?" Colin asked. "I felt sure one of the other teachers would have stopped her from escaping. Especially after what she did to the two of you." He continued as he pointed to Hermione and Ron.
Those 'in the know' exchanged a discreet glance, but Godric just laughed.
"Why bother?" He asked. "Dumbledore practically shredded her to bits, and threatened her with everything but death if she ever tried that again. So let her go, she is of no concern anymore. She's lost her place at the Ministry, and by extension, here as well. Why worry over it?" He asked, with an unconcerned wave of his hand.
"A good point." Hermione agreed, as Ron nodded vigorously.
The fact that the real Umbridge was locked away in the prison cells somewhere below their feet, where she had been for the last three weeks, made the decision to dismiss the incident that much easier for both Ron and Hermione.
"So," Dennis said with a laugh as he looked up at the head table. "Who wants to bet that the Snape who is sitting up there now is the real Snape?"
"Hmm." Fred said as he eyed the man closely. "Judging by the hateful glares and scowl, I'll bet five galleons that it's the real one."
Hermione elbowed him hard in the side, but Fred just grinned at her.
"We don't make fool's bets either." Daphne said with a giggle. "You can look at that man and tell he's the real Snape."
The others just looked at each other and grinned. This little ploy had been cooked up by Salazar when Severus was at Camelot. Nicolas had made a polyjuice rock and used it to take Snape's place, and since no one knew about the invention of the polyjuice rock, it was simply believed to be the actual potion.
However, the plan was for Nicolas to try, and miserably fail, at taking Snape's place as Potions Professor. This was to ensure that word got back to Voldemort that there was an imposter Snape running around, and that Severus wasn't intentionally ignoring any calls to appear before him. It was also to protect Severus when he eventually went back to him.
Thankfully, the students of Hogwarts saw right through the imposter, and for the last three weeks everyone tried to guess who it actually was. Those that didn't know Severus had been laid up at Camelot thought that he had had a horrible potions accident, and that Dumbledore was covering it all up by allowing the imposter to take Snape's place.
Those that knew the truth, helped fuel this rumor, and so far it had been a complete success. Now the only thing left was to see if Voldemort had been told of the imposter by the Death Eaters who had children here, and who had not stopped talking about the imposter since he had appeared.
And, of course, whether Voldemort bought the entire ruse.
No one would know if this was the case, until tonight when Severus planned to go to him. Excuses for his absence were solid though, and everyone just hoped that Voldemort would buy them without question.
But that remained to be seen.
"I still think the imposter was Harry himself, since he hasn't been seen here at all." Colin said proudly.
"I keep telling you it isn't him." Godric said with a grin.
"Yeah, but I don't believe you, and neither does anyone else." Colin said, giving Godric a mock scowl, which caused everyone to laugh.
"Well," Ginny said as she plopped down next to Ron with a copy of The Quibbler grasped firmly in her hand. "This is the best news I've heard in a long time! Harry is finally free to return to classes!" She exclaimed, as her starry eyes lit up with excitement. "Now he won't be stuck in that stuffy old classroom day in and day out!"
Everyone groaned slightly and rolled their eyes, but Hermione finally sighed and looked right at Ginny.
"Ginny, I hate to tell you this, but you do realize that Harry has the mind of a one-thousand-year-old man, right?"
"So." Ginny said, suddenly scowling at her.
"So," Hermione said slowly. "I really don't think he's interested in seeing fourteen-year-old school girls, or any school girls for that matter."
Ginny's scowl deepened to a full-on snarl, which kind of took everyone by surprise. "So? What of it? He's still a fifteen-year-old boy. He has to grow-up like the rest of us do. He's the last Potter, and he has to have relationships, get married, and have kids at some point."
"But he has the mind of a one-thousand-year-old man." Hermione repeated, looking at the girl as if she were thick headed.
"He still has needs." Ginny said, with a haughty flip of her hair.
This comment nearly made Draco, Godric and Blaise, and not to mention, and perhaps even more so, Fred, George, and Ron, choke on their breakfast.
"Needs!" Ron exclaimed, nearly showering everyone with half chewed bits of toast.
Ginny leveled her gaze at him. "Yes, needs." She repeated, causing her brothers to start mumbling and sputtering incoherently.
A very red faced Godric uncomfortably cleared his throat, which caused everyone look over to him.
"Ginny, um…how do I put this delicately? Hermione is right. Salazar, and myself for that matter, have one-thousand-year-old minds. I can speak for Salazar when I say, he and I both prefer older witches. Much older witches. If, and when, Salazar does decide to have a relationship with anyone, he will be around fifty years old, and at that point you will likely already have a family of your own."
Even though Ginny was slightly pink around the ears, she still leveled her gaze at Godric, who was a little taken aback by it.
"I bet I can change his mind." She said, before getting up and stomping off.
She left a very stunned group of people behind her, but Ron whimpered a bit and mumbled something under his breath. This caused a very panic stricken Fred to look right at Godric.
"Someone warn Harry." He said with wide eyes.
"Someone tell Mum. She will set Ginny straight." George added with equally wide eyes.
"Salazar already knows about your sister's infatuation with him." Godric said as he shook his head and sighed. "However, yes I agree, someone needs to alert your mother."
"Don't take this the wrong way." Daphne said. "Harry is very handsome and has caught the eye of more than a few witches around here, but unlike Ginny, we have realized exactly what Hermione said. Once we found out that he really is Salazar Slytherin, it's kind of been weird to think of him, and you too Gordy, as anything but…well…old."
"And that's a good thing." Godric said quickly. "Keep that in mind, and everything should be alright."
"Don't get me wrong, I like Harry, but I don't see what all the fuss is about." Luna said, in her usual dreamy tone, though her face showed one of confusion. "Cho and Cedric broke up the other day, and ever since then Cho has talked nonstop about Harry. I just don't get it." She said, causing Cedric to uncomfortably shift around, as everyone glanced at him awkwardly.
"It's true, we broke up, but Merlin, I didn't think she'd immediately set her sights on anyone else this early." He said, causing everyone to keep their eyes firmly planted on their plates.
"Well," Blaise said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence. "With the witches looking at goody-two-shoes Potter and his best friend Roffin as old men, I think there is actually hope for the rest of us!" He said happily, as he glanced at Daphne and waggled his eyebrows at her.
Daphne giggled, but proceeded to throw a napkin at him, which caused everyone to burst out laughing.
"Not on your life Zabini, now Weasley, you on the other hand…" She said, making a kiss face at Ron, who just stared at her stupidly, unsure of what to say or do.
Then she went to lean over the table and kiss his cheek, but Ron yelped, slipped off his seat, and landed hard on the floor, causing everyone around them to crack up laughing.
"You're pathetic Weasley." Draco grinned as he helped the red head up. "When a girl does that, you're supposed to let her."
"I was joking Ron, but I do admit you are cute when you blush." Daphne said, causing Ron to go an even deeper shade of red.
Then he ran off.
"Brilliant!" Fred and George cried. "We get to tease him for running away from a girl…for life!"
"See what you did." Hermione hissed playfully, causing Daphne to snort.
Godric just grinned and shook his head, but then Minerva began shooing students out of the great hall so they could get ready for their classes.
"You're lucky Hermione." Daphne whispered with a grin, as they all got up to head towards their common rooms in order to grab their books. "Because I was going to mention something about you and Longbottom next."
Hermione turned red in the face and mumbled something that sounded like a cross between 'not true', and 'if you do I'll kill you', which made Daphne giggle, but then she grinned again and ran to catch up with her other friends in Slytherin.
"Don't tell me she's going to start playing matchmaker." Draco grumbled, causing Godric to laugh.
"I wouldn't put it past her." He said.
"Yeah, knowing Daphne, she will try to set you up with Ginny, Malfoy." Blaise laughed.
Draco paled and sort of took on a greenish tint, but everyone else just laughed again and headed off in different directions.
They had potions first period, which put any doubt to rest about the nature of Severus being back, but second period gave them all pleasant surprise.
They had Defense, which caused everyone to wonder about who was going to take over the class. Some said Dumbledore might do it, until either Remus came back, or until the Headmaster found a replacement, but others hoped Salazar would return.
When they got to the classroom Umbridge had been using, nothing had changed from when she was there. The door was already open, so they found their seats and waited somewhat patiently for class to begin.
"Good morning everyone." A calm, sort of amused voice said from behind them.
They all turned around in their seats, and everyone started cheering so loudly that Godric was pretty sure Trelawney heard them all the way up in her tower.
"Alright, alright. Settle down, and yes, I'm happy to be here too." Salazar said with a grin, as he walked towards the front of the class.
"What's with the Robillard costume Harry?" Dean asked, looking at him curiously.
Salazar turned around and shrugged. "I felt it would be easier for you all to accept an adult teaching you, versus someone who looks the same age you do. I have tons of polyjuice potion already made up, so I thought, why not. Better to use it than let it go to waste."
"But what do we call you?" Lavender asked.
"Well, obviously not Professor Robillard. If you want to call me Harry, I suppose that's fine, but I'd prefer Salazar, or Professor Slytherin. I'm not that picky to be honest though, so whichever is fine."
Everyone grinned wildly at him, but there were a few in Slytherin who didn't seem happy about this news.
"There is no way you all are going to get away with any of this." Pansy spat. "You all think you've won by taking over the Ministry, but you haven't."
"Ignorant words from a child." Salazar said as he shook his head. "Just ignore them, and rest assured, everything is well in hand."
"For now." Pansy said with her eyes flashing dangerously.
Salazar pointedly glared at her, but then began addressing the class. "Professor Dumbledore asked me just this morning, after Umbridge ran out of the great hall, to resume my role of Defense Professor, and of course, I jumped at the chance. For now, this classroom will do, but after Christmas Holidays we will be back in the original classroom, so keep that in mind. I don't need to repeat my expectations for this class, but I will say that I still expect you all to comply with them." He said, causing everyone to nod in understanding, but then he grinned at them.
"Now, when we were rudely interrupted by that stupid woman we were working on the stunning spell by partnering up. I want to continue what we started that day, but keep in mind, I still expect every spell to be cast silently. I know that I said I want you all to be able to do this by Christmas, but seeing as the last few months have been…interrupted…I will change that date to Valentine's Day. Are there any questions?"
No one had any questions, so Salazar nodded and continued.
"Very well then. I want you all to partner up, and resume practicing the shield spell, the reviving charm, and the stunning spell. Remember to do them silently."
The students all grinned and stood up, eager to be getting on with proper Defense classes.
The news that Salazar had returned to teaching spread through the school faster than 'guess who's dating who now' gossip. Some didn't want to believe it, but when they saw Salazar sitting up at the head table between Severus and Sirius at lunch, the entire great hall let out very loud cheers. Salazar just grinned at them, bowed slightly, and sat back down, much to the amusement of Albus.
But, it was in that moment when a sudden…lightness…settled over the great hall, and it was in that same moment when everyone realized that things were going to return to normal. Some students looked around a bit sadly, but that was only because they still had more pranks they wanted to pull, and they quickly realized they wouldn't get away with that sort of thing anymore.
But the overwhelming feeling of 'doom' Umbridge had put in place was now gone, and everyone smiled as they began chatting with their friends, whispering, and enjoying all the things that had been stopped while Umbridge was in charge.
Salazar and the rest of the Professors felt this change take place and they all looked out over the great hall with small smiles, but Sirius was the only one grinning like a lunatic.
He stood, and as he did so, he scraped his chair loudly across the floor and stood up on it, which caused everyone in the great hall to stop and stare at him curiously.
"I know that as a Professor, what I'm about to do is completely unprofessional." He said, causing Minerva to narrow her eyes at him. "But as a prankster, I find it to be hysterical and quite fitting." He added, causing more than a few of the students to grin at him. "Now with that said, would Colin and Dennis Creevey please stand."
The Creeveys looked at him in confusion, but they stood up, which caused Sirius's grin to become even bigger.
"I just want to say that your singing prank was a stroke of genius, and it is not something I would have ever thought of. However, I will admit that I took your idea of the singing prank and went a little bit further with it. Now it's time for me to confess that…by pulling another prank!" He shouted, causing everyone to burst out laughing. "With Umbridge gone, I only find it fitting that Colin and Dennis lead us in this charge. For those of you who know the song, feel free to join, for those of you who don't, you'll get the hang of it." He said mysteriously. Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out an ordinary looking envelope, held it up high for all to see, and grinned.
"To the demise of the Reign of Umbridge!" Sirius shouted, then he broke the envelope's seal.
An old familiar rhythm, to all of the muggle raised and born, immediately began blaring out into the great hall, causing them all to jump out of their seats with large grins. Some of the half-blood also jumped up, but the pure-bloods who had no idea what it was, soon learned.
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
Stomp, Stomp, Clap
The Creeveys didn't miss a beat, and as soon as the words started, so did they.
"Buddy you're a boy make a big noise. Playin' in the street gonna be a big man someday! You got mud on yo' face, you big disgrace. Kickin' your can all over the place! Singin'!
"We will, we will rock you!" Shouted almost everyone that knew it, causing more and more people to get in on that old familiar rhythm. "We will, we will rock you!"
"Buddy you're a young man hard man, shouting in the street gonna take on the world someday. You got blood on yo' face, you big disgrace, wavin' your banner all over the place!"
"We will, we will rock you!" Everyone shouted.
"Sing it!" Dennis shouted, as he grinned madly.
"We will, we will rock you!" Everyone cried, as they still kept up with the rhythm, much to the awe of Albus, who was watching the whole thing with pride.
"Buddy you're an old man poor man, pleadin' with your eyes gonna make you some peace some day! You got mud on your face, big disgrace! Some body betta put you back into your place!"
"We will, we will rock you!"
"Sing it!" Colin shouted above the deafening noise that threatened to bring down the ceiling in the great hall.
"We will, we will rock you!" Everyone roared.
"Everybody!" Sirius and Dennis cried, as they grinned at each other.
"We will, we will rock you! We will, we will rock you!"
"Alright!" Sirius whooped, as he started playing the air guitar, which sent more than a few people into fits of laughter.
They still kept up with the rhythm though, right down to the very last clap. Almost everybody was red in the face from excitement and they all had grins a mile wide.
But, it wasn't long before all of the muggle raised and born, including a few half-bloods, linked their arms around each other and began singing an entirely new song.
"I've paid my dues, time after time. I've done my sentence, but committed no crime. And bad mistakes, I've made a few. I've had my share of sand kicked in my face, but I've come through!"
"And we mean to go on, and on, and on, and on!" Dennis shouted, as tears of happiness fell down his cheeks.
"We are the champions - my friends!" Everyone sang as they began to sway back and forth. "And we'll keep on fighting till the end. We are the champions! We are the champions! No time for losers! 'Cause we are the champions…of the world!"
On and on the song went, and as Salazar sat there listening, the meaning and impact of those words were not lost on him. The hatred and blood lust to kill the muggleborns, and anyone Voldemort and the Death Eaters saw as unworthy, was what this war was all about and they aimed to kill each and every one of those children, and those like them, who were now singing that song.
But as he sat there watching them, Salazar actually started to cry. Yes, even if this war somehow, some way, killed him, he would make sure that these children had a fighting chance. He would make sure they would come out…as champions.
He was speechless as they finished their song, but even though he had tears streaming down his face, causing his vision to become blurry, he caught movement out of the corner of his eyes.
Albus stood up and Salazar noticed that, he too, had tears streaming down his face, but Albus was smiling at everyone, who were now taking their seats. He sniffled just a bit and wiped his eyes and nose with a napkin, then glanced around the great hall.
"Five hundred points to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and yes, even Slytherin for your unique showing of courage, creativity, loyalty, and cunning. I will admit, I do not know and have never heard that song, but it speaks volumes to the trials that you all are facing at this time. I make a vow right here and now, that I will do my very best at making sure that all who are in danger because of Voldemort and his supporters, will come out as champions."
Salazar smiled at Albus. It seems that he had come to the same realization as well, and he couldn't blame the Headmaster because he too felt the same way.
Still, there was always those that don't feel the same way, and as Montague, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, Millicent, and all the other Voldemort supporters, gritted their teeth and glared at what they considered appalling, revenge and hatred raged through their hearts.
They didn't like this at all, and their Master will be hearing about it…soon.
No one in the great hall caught these looks of loathing though, except one.
Theo nervously sat in his seat trying to blend in with those who felt contempt at this display of victory and celebration. He had not had a chance to talk with Nora since that one night, but he suspected that it had something to do with Snape's absence, seeing as Salazar had been nowhere to be seen.
He had decided to play along with the Voldemort supporters though, hoping he could be a spy, of sorts, and let Salazar and the others know if the students were planning anything. It seemed like a good place for him to be.
He just hoped Salazar would allow him to do it.
It was later that Monday evening when Severus apparated to the Parkinson's house, and the moment he did, he cringed in disgust. He could hear yelling coming from the drawing room where all the meetings were held, and he absolutely loathed the owner of that voice.
"How dare you!? How dare you!?" Bellatrix shouted with rage.
"Half-blooded son of a muggle! Half-blooded son of a muggle! Hahahaha!"
"Crucio! Crucio! Avada Kedavra! Crucio!"
"What's the matter Belly Button!? Can't handle the truth?! Hahaha! You can't hurt me, you can't hurt me! Nanny, nanny, boo, boo! Dancing on the table, whoop de whoop! Dancing on the table…"
"Shut up you disrespectful, loathsome, maggoty worm!"
"Awe, you say such nice things Belly. I might just come to love you too!"
"ENOUGH!" Voldemort bellowed, just as Severus made his way into the room.
The room was in shambles because Bellatrix had been on a rampage the moment she set eyes on Tiny Voldemort. Severus was thankful for the humor damping potion right now though, because Tiny Voldemort was grinning at the severely enraged witch, who was leaning across the table trying to strangle it.
It just kept laughing at her though.
Voldemort, on the other hand, actually seemed to look out of sorts as he sat in his new throne, with one long slender finger resting against his temple. He was glaring at Bellatrix and Tiny Voldemort, but he suddenly looked up when Severus fully entered the room. Truth be told, Voldemort actually looked relieved to see him.
Or it could have just been a welcome distraction from all the chaos.
"Severus." He said, as he looked at the approaching wizard carefully. "I had almost given up hope."
Bellatrix immediately let Tiny Voldemort go, and she turned around with a sneer aimed right at Severus, who ignored her completely.
"Sevie Poo! I've missed youuuu!" Tiny Voldemort said happily as he jumped up and down. He tried to make his way over towards Severus, but Bella backhanded him, which sent him flying into the wall.
Tiny Voldemort just laughed as he ran back towards the table, but everyone ignored him when he started hopping around with excitement.
"My Lord." Severus said, as he bowed low and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes. "It has been too long."
"Indeed." Voldemort replied. "I heard about the imposter that fool replaced you with. Whoever it was didn't do a very good job. Parents have said their children mentioned that he was good at impersonating you, but he didn't quite get it right." He chuckled.
"Figures." Severus said with a disgusted snarl. "Dumbledore won't tell me who he replaced me with, but rumor has it was Potter." He spat.
"I'm not surprised." Voldemort said with disgust. "But tell me, how did they break my mind trapping spell?" He asked, as his red eyes practically bored holes through Severus's head.
"Merlin's expertise is mind magic, and it was something he did My Lord." Severus replied smoothly. "They won't say what he did, but one moment I was trapped, then the next I was waking up on a cold table that had been placed right in the middle of the Chamber of Secrets. They kept me there the whole time and had that basilisk watch over me. I had portkeyed away from our duel, trying to make it to the front gates, but that blasted anti-portkey ward had me land right in the middle of Hogsmeade. Someone found me laying in the street and summoned Dumbledore. Apparently that bastard Black came and got me." He finally finished, as he gashed his teeth together.
He heard a low growl just behind him, and knew that Bellatrix wasn't happy about hearing that particular name.
"It seems my ancestor still doesn't trust you." Voldemort chuckled. "But it's no matter. You're here now, and that is what counts."
A scoff sounded throughout the room, causing Voldemort to look up sharply.
"Is there something you wish to say Bella?" He asked with an icy coldness that sent shivers down Severus's spine.
"No My Lord." She replied with a bow.
"Then leave us." He growled.
"At least I get to stay." Tiny Voldemort said as he waved bye to Bellatrix, who backhanded him again. "Bye-bye Belly!" He cried loudly, then he burst out laughing and disappeared, only to reappear on Voldemort's shoulder.
Bellatrix hatefully glanced at Severus and Tiny Voldemort, but she did as she was told. When she was gone, Severus let out a small sigh of relief, but turned his attention to the Dark Lord, who looked less than pleased to have his counterpart sitting on his shoulder.
"As you can see Severus, we have finally fetched all our friends from Azkaban. No doubt they told you this when they brought you out of my spell." He said, as he swatted Tiny Voldemort off his shoulder. Then he stood up and walked over to a small table that was sitting along the wall.
"They did My Lord." Severus replied. "But what of the news this morning? They woke me up last night, and this morning they sent me right back to my teaching post."
"They probably kept you like that so you couldn't warn us. I have no doubts that my ancestor was behind that idea. He was probably hoping I'd kill you for not being able to send me word, but rest assured Severus, I have no such intentions. I spotted what this was the moment I was told of the imposter."
"Potter will likely be disappointed My Lord." Severus scoffed, causing Voldemort to chuckle.
"Probably."
"Or, Salazar is just making you think that! Its sooooo frustrating when someone is more cunning than you are." Tiny Voldemort laughed, causing Voldemort to grit his teeth.
"Shut up and go bother Bella!" He snapped.
"An excellent idea Big Me! I don't think the sitting room has been properly destroyed yet!" Tiny Voldemort said as he laughed gleefully, but then he disappeared again.
Severus looked at Voldemort in surprise because he didn't think Tiny Voldemort would follow that order, but the Dark Lord just waved it off as he placed a book down on the table in front of him.
"Better it bothers her than me." He said with disgust.
Severus scoffed and nodded. "What would you like me to find out about this morning's news My Lord?"
"Nothing. I have others working that front, but Amelia Bones won't be alive long enough to enjoy her new post. Rest assured, we have it all in hand." He said dismissively, which caused Severus's insides to churn with worry. "I actually have something else I wish you to do."
"Anything my Lord." Severus said as he sat forward eagerly.
"When word reached my ears about the memory Merlin showed in the great hall several weeks ago, an ancient sword was mentioned. I did some research about it, because I had heard stories in my youth about its powers. It is said that Excalibur can kill anything." He said, looking right at Severus as he pointed to a picture of the sword in the book.
Severus's blood immediately ran cold, but his face remained expressionless.
"Anything." Severus said with a fake gleam of awe in his eyes. "Do you think it could possibly…?"
"Kill my ancestor." Voldemort hissed, as a twisted smile appeared on his thin lips. "Yes Severus, this may be the answer I have been looking for. The legend states that Excalibur can kill anything living and non-living. It was once used to kill a wraith, which is what I was before my triumphant return."
"My Lord this is excellent!" Severus exclaimed with false excitement.
"Indeed it is, but I want you to find out if it's true. Give that Granger mudblood veritaserum, and ask her questions about it. I am told she apparently has a fascination with Merlin, so she probably has asked the questions and been given truthful answers."
"Then I'll obliviate her." Severus said. "An excellent plan My Lord, because they won't tell me anything about it. Merlin has taking a liking to the girl, so she probably knows all about it."
"That's what I'm hoping." Voldemort said with a nod. "Once you find out this information I want you to tell me. Then, I want you to figure out a way to steal it."
"Steal it?" Severus breathed, as he stared at the Dark Lord with wide-eyes.
"Yes Severus, is that a problem?" He asked sharply.
"Of course not My Lord." Severus replied, as he bowed his head. "My mind automatically began trying to find ways to carry out this task. I just need to find out where it's kept. "
"Well, I'll leave that to you." Voldemort said. "Get this sword for me Severus, because I plan to ram it right into the heart of my ancestor, and his meddling reincarnated friends."
"Absolutely My Lord."
Suddenly they heard several loud booms that shook the entire house, followed by lots of shouting and spell fire. Voldemort growled, gritted his teeth, and stood up.
"You may go Severus."
"Yes My Lord." He said, as he bent to kiss the hem of his Master's robes, but Voldemort didn't even give him the chance.
He was already out the door, yelling at Bellatrix and Tiny Voldemort because of the noise.
Severus cast a quick desperate look around the drawing room, but sighed as he looked at the ceiling. His only thought before he apparated out was, if Excalibur could kill them, why did Merlin make mention of it?