A/N - Here you are folks, Chapter 23! You get to hear lots of backstory that goes past just my story here, and means to explains things from the actual books. We get to hear about why Snape "killed" Dumbledore, the whole business behind Hufflepuff's Cup, and things like that. Also, at the end, there's a return of a lovely character we all cherish (cough cough). :) Just remember to review folks!
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Snivelling the Cup
`I don't believe you' Harry responded, still shocked at the statement. If Snape destroyed Huffleuff's Cup so long ago, why would Dumbledore send him to find it now? It made no sense to Harry.
`I can prove it to you' Snape said calmly, looking over to the corner of the room. Draco kept checking the doorway, and out the window.
`Draco, we are safe here. The Dark Lord would not step inside these walls unless absolutely needed' reassured Snape.
`I don't care Snape. Even I don't trust you' Draco said, peering around the old and musty curtains. Snape turned back to Harry and the others, who were still struggling against their binds.
`If you're on my side, then why did you attack us and tie us up then hey?' Harry spat.
`Because you're appallingly predictable Potter. I knew you would try to kill me if I didn't explain my situation first' Snape replied.
`I still want to kill you; you killed Dumbledore!' Harry replied. Snape was getting frustrated again with the situation.
`He was already dying you stupid boy! He drank a Dolomors Potion. It causes the person to relive every horrible moment in their life, and then kills them slowly, and painfully. He was begging me to kill him.' Harry laughed harshly.
`Oh, so now you're a saint? You killed him, and I saw it! You killed him with a Killing Curse!' Harry almost shouted. He was trying to sit up, but having a terrible time against his bonds.
`Potter, if we were still at Hogwarts, I'd take points from you for your stupidity! If you saw me perform the curse, then you would have noticed how Dumbledore rose up in the air; the Killing Curse doesn't do that! If I hit him with a true Killing Curse, he would have just fallen over. I said the Killing Curse, but performed a silent Levitation Charm, so he would rise over the edge of the tower. It was the fall that killed him.'
`I don't believe you. You're a murderer, plain and simple' Harry retorted angrily. Snape stood for a moment watching Harry, then approached him-his face emotionless as usual. Hermione and the others wiggled violently to get free, but it was no use. Harry watched the man come closer, and wished for nothing more than his wand in his hand, so he could kill him. Snape bent down, and pulled out a pocket watch, and opened it.
Harry wondered what he was doing, but understood when he put the tip of his wand against his temple. A silver string of water-like material came out, and he cast it into the bottom of the watch back, which filled it perfectly.
`Let's try this then, and see if you can get it through your dimwitted brain' he said calmly once again. He moved the watch closer to Harry's face, and Harry tried to squirm away, but he couldn't move well enough. The tip of his nose touched the silver memory, and Harry was pulled inside.
Harry's side hit the stone floor hard, as he was still bound in his cords. He glanced around as best as he could, and found himself in the Headmistress's Office. It was Dumbledore however, who was sitting behind the desk, with all his silver instruments on the desk in front him. It was night, and Dumbledore was quietly writing on something. Only the sound of his quill against the parchment filled the room, until a knock came at the door. Dumbledore called the person to enter, and Snape came into the dark room. Harry's anger came again to a boiling point, seeing Snape and Dumbledore in the same room.
`You asked to see me Professor' Snape stated, his black cloak following closely behind him and blending into the dark corners of the room as he approached. Dumbledore nodded, and motioned Snape to sit. He did so, and Dumbledore put down his quill with which he was writing.
`Tonight I will be leaving the castle with Mr. Potter to look for the locket. I believe it is in the cave Regulus told you of.' Snape had no reaction to this news, and Dumbledore continued on. `Have you learned anything from Mr. Malfoy?"
`Nothing new Professor. He is trying to fix something, but I think he has finished his work. The Dark Lord has called several followers to him the last few days, so I am concerned something may occur' Snape mentioned.
`It is possible. With my absence, Voldemort may attack the castle. I have called you here to tell you that, in the event something may happen, you must ensure Draco's survival. I believe, knowing Voldemort's past, the locket will be well guarded, and may result in my injury becoming worst' he explained, gesturing to his blackened arm, that made Harry cringe with remembrance of the injury.
`What are you saying Professor?' Snape asked.
`If I return, and the infection has spread farther, or the cave's defences were beyond me, I want you to do what I know Draco is not capable of.' Snape stared at Dumbledore without blinking, and then leaned in slightly.
`Albus, I can't . . . I can't kill you.'
`You must. If I live, then you and Mr. Malfoy will die. My part in this war is coming to an end, I can see that much. You do not have to kill me with the Killing Curse. Fake the curse, and let me fall over the edge of the castle. You will have appeared to kill me, and I will be dead. I do not want Draco becoming a murderer, because you know just as well as I that he walks far from his father's path.'
Snape sat in the chair motionless, and Dumbledore let him for a few moments, before inclining his head, and looking over the edge of his half-moon spectacles. Snape lowered his head, and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
`I know this is a lot I ask of your Severus. I am sorry, but it is the only way. You would have to leave with the Death Eaters, but I am sure your Occlumency would keep you safe' Snape looked up at the old man again, and his eyes-Harry noticed-rested on Dumbledore's blackened arm. He looked back at Dumbledore, and slowly, with sadness in his face Harry never knew he could express, nodded.
`Thank you Severus. You have helped both the Order and myself countless times, and I hope you and Harry will overcome your problems, and work together.' Snape's face changed slightly at the mentioning of Harry's name, but it was short lived.
`I will try Professor.'
Harry was then pushed outwards, and found himself hitting another stone floor, this time with Snape in front of him holding the pocket watch. Harry looked at Hermione, and found her eyes looking worriedly.
`Is that proof enough?' Snape asked snidely, Harry's head snapping back to the greasy haired man. Harry was still trying to process all the information.
`How do I know that isn't fake?' Harry asked, trying a long shot excuse. Snape sighed with annoyance.
`Potter, you can't fake a memory, no one can. That is a memory, you just saw me pull it out!' Harry was still wracking his brain trying to understand.
All this time, it was obvious to Harry that Snape was evil. He constantly ridiculed and harassed Harry at Hogwarts, and never showed him any respect. He continually told Harry how horrible he thought James and Sirius were, and he antagonized Sirius in staying in Grimmauld all that time. He put Harry through all that torment during his Occlumency "lessons," and last year-Harry just now remembering-he stunned Professor Flitwick during his escape from Hogwarts.
`Then why did you always treat me like rubbish, and teach me Occlumency wrong? Why did you stun Professor Flitwick last year? Why . . . Why were you so evil?' Harry questioned. There were so many questions at Snape's loyalty passing through Harry's mind, it was hard to keep it in order.
`I treated you like that to maintain my secret. Everyone was to suspect I was a Death Eater, and still was. Why did I treat you so? Because I did hate your father, and his ill-mannered "friends". Lupin I could tolerate, since he normally kept his mouth shut; but the arrogant Black? The idiot Pettigrew? And Potter, the worst of them all? No, I could never learn to abide their presence. You are much like your father, and as such, you are arrogant, boastful, and untalented. I despised that Dumbledore took a liking to you, though I understood his reasonings.
`And I knew you would be terrible with Occlumency. Always too much misplaced anger, and immaturity, just like your father; you would never succeed. If you wanted to be treated as the "famous Harry Potter," then you should be a natural at everything right? I made it my point to show there are some things you could never learn with all that falsely placed glory.'
Harry was going to respond, but let it slip. He had a feeling he could use his Legilimency later to his advantage if he needed.
`Stunning Flitwick and being my normal cheerful self was again, part of being the Death Eater.' Harry laughed again at this.
`So what, it was all just one big act? Is that what I'm supposed to believe? That still doesn't explain Hufflepuff's Cup, or why we're still tied up on this stinking floor' Harry commented, trying to still figure a solid question to prove Snape's allegiance. Harry knew before hand that you could not fake a memory, but he needed to try.
`It was an act Potter, some of it. Hufflepuff's Cup will require another dip into the watch. As to your restraints, I am willing to let you free, but with no wands. If any of you even twitch, you will be back in those binds.' Snape motioned Draco to pick up all their wands, and he did so, stepping back to the far corner of the room. Snape moved over, and with a swish of his wand, their bonds were lifted. Harry stood up quickly, as did the others, and stayed in place.
Snape took the memory out of the watch lid, and put it back to his temple. He then closed his eyes for a moment, Draco keeping his own wand trained on the four others in the room, and Snape again pulled out a memory, and dropped it into the lid of the watch.
Just as he was opened his eyes and looked at Harry, Topher shot out his hand, and his wand soared out of Draco's shaking hand, and across the room. Snape's eyes snapped to him, and Harry took action.
`Expelliarmus!' Topher yelled, while Harry gave Snape's leg a kick to disorient him. Draco's wand, along with the others flew across the room and into Topher's hand, and Snape's wand flew over as well as he yelled out in pain and clutched his leg. Harry heard a snap when he hit it, and was inwardly pleased with himself.
`Here' Topher said, lobbing Harry and the other's their wands, and keeping his trained on Draco. Snape was on one knee, still holding onto his left leg.
Harry took his wand, and pointed it directly at Snape's heart. Only a few minutes ago he wished for this situation; for him to have his wand, and for Snape to be at the receiving end of it. But as Snape looked at him, he found his thoughts changed on the situation.
Harry was starting to feel unsure about Snape. Making him see that first memory caused Harry to question his belief that Snape was entirely evil. He still felt Snape killed Dumbledore, but Snape's explanation about the Killing Curse was correct; it didn't cause the victim to rise in the air.
Confusion was gripping Harry, and he felt that this was what Snape wanted; to make Harry question his intentions, and make him unsure.
Ron moved over to the window Draco just finished looking out of, and looked back to the rest of the group. `There's no one the-` he started, looking back out. Fear gripped his face, and he leaned closer to the dirty window pane. `There are Death Eaters here! They're coming into the building!'
Topher ran to the window, and Hermione kept her wand on Draco. Draco looked petrified, looking from the window to the door. Any bit of colour from his face disappeared, and he looked like he could faint at any moment.
`You knew they were coming! You're still a Death Eater!' Harry snarled, moving forward-his wand jabbing into his Snape's neck. Topher moved away from the window, and came over to Harry.
`Harry, we need to go. They'll be here any moment.' Topher looked at Snape for a moment, then back to Harry.
`They didn't come for you Potter, they're here for us. We need to go with you. Give me my wand, and let's get out' Snape asserted. Harry was not convinced.
`I don't believe you. You stunned us and were waiting for other Death Eaters, that's why Draco was watching.'
`They killed my father and my mother! They're chasing us!' Draco shouted frantically. The doors downstairs banged open, and people began to stomp inside, and up the stairs at the end of the hallway.
Topher still held Draco and Snape's wands, and was hesitantly waiting for Harry to respond. The pounding footsteps of the Death Eaters in the house were becoming louder, and both Hermione and Ron came closer waiting for Harry to decide.
`Let's leave them here. Apparate back to Hogwarts' Harry decided. Topher and the others nodded slowly, while Draco breathed in deeply with the answer and moved into the corner of the room looking scared beyond words. Snape looked at Harry, and did nothing, then glanced at Topher.
Harry knew this was an act, and that when the Death Eaters would enter the room, Snape would act calm, and Draco would stop is pathetic dramatics. Harry and the others took a step back, and thought of the gates of Hogwarts. The pounding steps were approaching the room, and the four gave a turn, but nothing happened. Topher sighed angrily, and hastily waved his wand at the door, locking it.
`They cast another Anti-Apparation Charm on the building. We're going to have to fight our way out.' A loud pounding on the door came, and Harry could hear spells being slammed against the outside of the door. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Topher moved in front of the door, ready for who might come through. Snape moved over, and Draco came and helped him on to his feet.
`We need to get out of the house. Stun, blast, just clear the way and run' Topher directed. They all nodded, and the door continued to creak as spells blasted its exterior. The spell began to loose its strength, and the door began to budge. Harry held on to Hermione's hand, looked at her for support, and looked back just as the door blasted off its hinges and across the room.
`STUPEFY!'
`AFLATUS!'
`CRUCIO!'
All three spells came flying out of wands; the first from Harry, the second from Topher, and the third from the incoming Death Eater. The Cruciatus Curse flew past all four of them, and the Death Eater was slammed against the opposite wall of the hallway like a piece of lumber against a house. More spells were being shot through the doorway though, from the sides by other Death Eaters.
Harry and the others dived to the edges of the room, and Harry found himself next to Topher, while Ron and Hermione were on the other side of the room. Snape and Draco were a few feet from Harry on the same side, trying hard to not get hit by spells.
The room was alight by red, blue, and green lights as spells flew from the doorway, as well as from the sides of the room. There were more Death Eaters though, and Harry found himself Shielding himself more than throwing offensive spells.
`Protego!' Harry yelled, as a Disarming Spell shot from the doorway. The spell deflected to the ceiling, and Harry looked back to see a Stunning Spell fly from the doorway, and hit Hermione in the chest.
`HERMIONE!' Harry yelled, trying to get up and reach her. Topher held him down, and pulled him back towards the wall, just as a Cruciatus Curse missed him.
`I'm giving Snape and Draco their wands' Topher yelled between spells. Harry was still keeping an eye on Hermione, who Ron was moving behind him to protect her, and looked back. Not waiting for a response, Topher took the two wands, and threw them to their owners. Harry looked back frantically, but found Snape moving closer, and shooting off a Disarming Spell at the doorway, while Draco cast a Stunning Spell at a Death Eater.
Topher gave Harry a nudge to continue, and the two of them, along with Snape and Draco shot off a barrage of spells and curses at once, overwhelming the Death Eaters on the other side. Topher moved closer to the side of the doorway as the others continued, and just as there was a tiny gap in spells, turned in the doorway, and moved his wand in a massive right to left movement. Spells from the Death Eaters stopped at once, and the Orphanage went eerily silent. Harry wasted no time, and rushed over to the other side of the room to see Hermione.
`Hermione, Hermione? Are you alright?' he asked frantically. Ron used a Renneverative Spell to revive her, and she was slightly groggy. She nodded, and Harry helped her up, along with Ron.
`Thanks Mate, are you alright?' Harry asked Ron, who had a nasty looking cut on his arm. He nodded, and the three of them turned towards the doorway to see Topher binding the Death Eaters in the hallway, Draco again looking out the window, and Snape standing in the middle of the room, fixing his leg that Harry only minutes before kicked.
`Do you believe me now?' Snape asked, a large amount of resentment present in his voice.
`For now. We need to get out of here, fast' Harry responded, making his way to the doorway. Topher was already down the hallway, calling everyone else to hurry up. The Death Eaters were gone, and the doors in the hallway were all locked; muffles coming from each of them.
Harry and the rest moved down the hallway quickly, and down the stairwell towards the entranceway. Exiting through the front doors, they moved out into the bare courtyard as the cool outside air made Harry shiver slightly. Making their way across, the wind caught up in some of the trees just outside the yard, and Harry turned to see the trees swaying. They continued on, and stopped just as they reached the front gates. Topher opened it for everyone, and they made their way across the street hurriedly. Harry glanced back at the gate just as Topher was turning, when a bolt of red light hit his back and he fell over.
`Topher!' Harry yelled, running over with Hermione and Ron. Snape followed quickly, and looked around for the culprit. It didn't take long for Harry to see that it came from a dark-cloaked figure standing close by. The figure removed its hood, to reveal Bellatrix Lestrange; laughing evilly at the group in the hollow night.
Hermione reached over and held onto Harry's hand, more than likely to keep him from launching at the woman who murdered Sirius. It worked, and Harry's mind kept level, and he squeezed her hand back. Bella looked at Harry and Hermione for a moment with her cold and dark eyes, then her gaze moved to Snape, who moved in front of them.
`Ah Severus, I knew you would be so foolish. The Dark Lord will be pleased when I drag you before him. Crucio!'
Her Torture Curse whizzed by Snape, and he took his wand and raised it to respond.
`Sectumsempra!' he expelled. Bellatrix screamed in pain as gashes appeared on her face and front. A particularly nasty looking gash was right under her left eye, and extended all the way to her chin. Snape did not bother to wait, and stunned her quickly; silencing her screams, and causing her to fall over with a thump on the pavement.
`We have to move. Get to the other side of the street' Snape ordered sternly, as Hermione revived Topher. The group moved over, and kept close watch of the Orphanage. Noise and bangs were coming from the building, and they quickly moved farther away so they would be able to Apparate.
`We need to go with you' Snape told Harry and the rest. Harry was hesitant for a moment, but seeing him injure Bellatrix like that made his case a bit stronger in Harry's mind.
`Alright. Give him the address' Harry told Hermione. She looked at Harry questioningly, just as another loud bang occurred inside the Orphanage.
`Hermione, give him the bloody address!' Harry restated, some anger encroaching into his voice. She hastily reached into her pocket, and found a scrap piece of parchment and her traveling quill, and wrote down a small sentence. She gave it first to Snape, who read quickly, then to Draco-who was still looking around frantically for Death Eaters. Once he finished, Hermione burned the parchment, and looked at the rest.
`Topher, Side-Apparate with Draco, I'll Side-Apparate with Snape. Unless you want to get splinched, I'd suggest going right to Grimmauld' Harry declared. Snape looked to protest-probably because he thought it was childish-but the Death Eaters from the Orphanage burst out of the front doors, and began pelting curses at them. Topher quickly moved, and grabbed Draco's hand, twisting on spot, and disappearing with Draco. Ron and Hermione Apparated away with speed, and Harry-thinking of Grimmauld's front lawn-looked to turn when Snape grabbed his arm.
`NOW!' he yelled, and Harry gave a turn, feeling the siphoning envelope him, with Snape bumping into him along the way.
The group of Death Eaters stopped firing spells, and two walked over to Bellatrix-their steps sounding in the empty courtyard. Snape's Stunner was just lifting, and she stood up-blood still trickling down her chin.
`Are you alright Bella?' one of the masked men asked in a hoarse voice. She wiped her brow, and looked to where Harry and the others just vanished from.
`I'm better than alright. The not only is the mudblood their secret keeper, but she and Potter are in love. The Dark Lord will be very pleased about this.' She turned, ordered the others back to the caves-and with an evil grin-Apparated herself.
*
Landing on the parched front lawn, Harry and Snape were right next to the others. The air here was cold and still; very much like that outside the Orphanage-minus the spells flying through the air of course. The group quickly entered the house, and Harry made his way to the kitchen to make sure no Order members were there. He thought he was in luck, seeing very few lamps lit, when he found Lupin sitting at the table.
`Harry! What are you doing here?' he asked, looking up from the Daily Prophet that he was reading. Harry, for the first time he could imagine, was upset to see Lupin. It would have made things easier if no one was around. He would have to explain the whole situation to Lupin before Snape and Draco could enter the room, otherwise there would be yet another duel.
`I was doing something. Remus, I need to you do something for me, please' he started off, sounding very cautious like he was approaching a live tiger. Lupin could tell something was up.
`Harry, is everything alright?'
`Everything is fine, I just need you to do one thing.' Lupin put down his cup, and looked at Harry in wonder.
`Alright Harry, what is it?' Harry took a deep breath, and approached his father's old friend.
`I need your wand' Harry articulated. Lupin did look to question his request, but must have caught the look of hope in Harry's face. He pulled out his wand from his grey robes, and gave it to Harry.
`Thanks Remus. Now, please, I need you to not go off your rocker over this' Harry began, walking over to the doorway to where Topher and the rest were waiting.
`Over what?' Lupin asked again, sounding more worried now than before. Not having his wand in his pocket made him feel exposed, even if he was in a secret house.
Harry gave a deep breath, and opened the door, letting Topher in, followed by Hermione, Ron, Draco, and finally, Snape.
`Oh, hi there Topher, Hermione . . . Ron, Ron! Malfoy is behi- YOU!' Lupin yelled. He started off sounding alright, but by the end he was off his seat, automatically reaching for his wand that Harry luckily got from him before hand. Harry swiftly moved back into the room, and tried to calm Lupin down.
`Harry, what are you doing! He's a Death Eater, he killed Dumbledore for Merlin's sake!'
`Remus, REMUS!' Harry yelled, trying to get him to stop. Snape remained quiet, as did Draco-who was looking at his surroundings in mingled disgust-as they stood on the opposite side of the table.
`Remus, they're on our side! Dumbledore was already dying from a potion, and knew he was going to die. He told Snape to levitate him over the edge of the castle' Harry divulged to both Lupin and the others. Lupin snapped his eyes to Harry, still looking for answers.
`How do you know?' he asked, still sounding frantic, but slightly calmer.
`He showed me a memory of him and Dumbledore before we left Hogwarts the night he died.' Lupin looked over at Ron and Hermione for help, but they were just as confused as he was. He looked to Topher, and found he was the calmest of the whole group.
`It's true Remus, Severus is on our side. Dumbledore told me last year why he trusted him, and showed me the same memory that is locked in Snape's pocket watch that proves his allegiance' he professed. Lupin was still confused, but Harry was quickly angered by this information.
`You knew about the cup! Why didn't you tell me! Why did you and Dumbledore lead me on, we could have been killed!' Harry shouted, side stepping Lupin. Snape remained quiet, and Topher was taken aback with this outburst.
`I had to stay quiet Harry, Dumbledore made me promise. You have to ask him why, I don't know. All he said is you would be going to two places: an old manor, and an orphanage. He said I would have to go with you both times, and that you would be looking for Snape.'
`I wasn't looking for Snape, I was looking for the cup' Harry said confusedly.
`Did you find it?' Lupin asked.
`Here' Snape voiced, speaking for the first time. He pulled out the shards of Hufflepuff's Cup, and threw them on the table. Lupin looked at Snape with disgust, hesitantly walked to the table, and looked at the cup for a moment, before finding the halves of the badger.
`Is this?'
`Yes, it's Helga Hufflepuff's mark' Snape answered monotonously. Lupin turned with the shards still in his hands, and looked at Harry.
`This was the cup you were looking for? Why is it so important?'
`Because . . . well, erm-`
`Because it was a Horcrux' Hermione announced, sounding thoroughly annoyed at Harry dancing around the subject.
`A what?' Lupin responded, not understanding the gravity her statement.
`A Horcrux; something that contains a piece of someone's soul. It was one of Voldemort's Horcruxes' she exposed. Lupin reacted in the correct fashion now, and immediately threw the cup pieces out of his hand, and let them land with a clunk on the table top.
`Voldemort's soul? What- . . . what are you talking about?' he asked, confusion gripping him entirely.
`It's a long story Remus, and we don't have time. I need to see that memory in Snape's pocket watch, and we need to get back to Hogwarts before McGonagall comes looking for us' Harry remarked. Lupin looked back at the cup with worry, but kept quiet, and nodded, sitting back at the table-though keeping some distance from the cup.
`Sit down, and give me the watch' Harry instructed to Snape. He felt a bit triumphant, being able to order Snape around, even if they were on the same side. Snape was of course displeased by the tone, but sat down, and produced the watch. Draco sat down as well, and continued looking around the room. Topher took a seat across from Draco, and kept his wand out just in case. Harry moved the watch closer and Hermione and Ron approached him from both sides.
`I want to see this' Hermione stated.
`Yeah, me too mate. If this was what made Dumbledore trust Snape, I want to see it' Ron added. Harry nodded, and gave Lupin his wand back.
`Keep an eye on them. We'll be back in a second.' Lupin seemed better with his wand in his hand now, and nodded. Topher did so as well, and Harry opened up the watch, and found the silver memory still inside. Ron looked at it questioningly.
`Um, Harry . . . how do you-I mean, how do I-`
`Just stick your nose in it, and it'll do the rest' Harry answered. Ron nodded, and Harry bent over the watch, and entered the memory.
Harry landed in a sitting room-which had the look of a miniature library-and soon Ron and Hermione landed next to him.
The walls were covered in shelves full of old leather-bound books, of which most appeared motionless for years. A worn and neglected sofa, a cracked leather armchair and a shaky wooden table sat under a small flood of amber flicker from an oil lamp hanging above. On the table stood a small iron cauldron, filled with a black tar-like potion that was steaming a purple mist, which was fogging the room slowly as it spread outwards, hugging the floor.
`Where are we?' Hermione asked quietly. Harry shrugged his shoulders, and observed the room carefully.
Harry saw movement in the corner of the room, and found Snape walking from the shadows towards the cauldron. He came forward quietly, and sprinkled an orange paprika-like substance into it, and the potion turned even deeper black; absorbing all the light that fell on it from the old and dusty lamp above. The purple mist intensified, and began filling the air. Luckily, Harry remembered this was a memory, so he would be saved from smelling the potion.
`That's the Cassus Animus potion' Hermione pointed out. Harry nodded, and all three were startled by a knock sounding through the room.
Snape's head jerked up from the potion, and faced the door. He moved around the table-his footsteps creaking the floor below him-and opened the door. He mumbled something to the person outside, and opened the door fully to reveal Albus Dumbledore standing outside; his silver beard standing out in the darkness.
Dumbledore entered the room in a grey and dark blue coloured robe, and glanced at the walls, and the ceiling. Snape closed the door behind him, and turned to see Dumbledore smiling.
`I quite like small houses. You're never too far away from anything, and can get anywhere with only a few paces.' Snape continued to frown at the old man, and moved closer to the potion, entering the light.
`This is not a house, this is a slum' Snape pointed out bluntly. Dumbledore continued to glance around, and his gaze fell eventually found Snape's unhappy look. Dumbledore looked at the cauldron, and stepped forward.
`Ah, is this the potion?' he asked, trying to forget his attempt at being nice to Snape.
`It is. It's ready to be used.'
`I understand, do you have the item?' Dumbledore asked. Snape moved to the section of the room farthest from the door, and reached up to one of the many dusty books. It was hard for Harry to see in the darkness, but Snape pulled down on one of the books, and a section of books on the same shelf next to it opened up like a cupboard. The books were only an inch deep, and mounted onto a wooden cabinet door. In the hollow, a single golden object stood in the centre. Snape carefully reached in, took hold of the object, and moved back into the lamp light, the hidden cupboard door closing.
The instant the light cast on the item, it was easy for Harry to distinguish it as Hufflepuff's Cup. Though it was very worn and tarnished-the gold unreflective and dull-the cup was still a magnificent piece. The handles looked like a set of arms of a plump woman, her hands resting on her waist in frustration. The golden badger, even though it was not well maintained, stood proud on the side of the cup.
Snape offered it carefully to Dumbledore, and he took a cautious hold of it. He looked at it closely. He tilted the cup in the dim light, and with his other hand, moved his half-moon shaped glasses to take careful examination of the badger.
`Amazing, simply amazing. This cup is over twelve-hundred years old. It is a shame Voldemort had to pick such an object as a Horcrux' he commented, holding down from his vision, and instead looking towards the murky potion. He took a few steps forward holding the cup closely, and leaned over slightly. He quickly pointed his wand at his nose, and sighed in contentment. Snape approached, and Dumbledore leaned away from the potion.
`Not the most pleasant smell is it?' Dumbledore stated rhetorically. `The cup needs to be put in the potion. The only question is whether the soul needs to be activated for the potion to work.' He paced around for a moment, his eyes fixed on the cup in his hands, and turned back to Snape, still pacing-his robes following behind him and kicking up dust from the floor.
`Hmm . . . How do you think the cup could be activated?' Dumbledore asked, placing said object on the table next to the potion that would destroy it.
`Since it's a cup, I gather drinking from it would be the most likely method' Snape answered, the lack of enthusiasm clear. Harry was beginning to notice how he would look out at the door every once in a while. He wondered if Snape was doing this either because he was worried of someone entering, or he was expecting someone.
`That sounds correct. Let's try just dropping the cup in first' Dumbledore suggested. Snape nodded shortly.
Dumbledore took his wand, and levitated the gold cup above the surface of the black potion. He lowered it slowly, so the potion oozed around it, and let his wand go after the cup filled, and was lost to sight. The room was dead to sound, and only the small amount of dust in the air moved in the lamp light. A few seconds past, and the potion continued to stay dormant like a pond, and Dumbledore took his wand, and lifted the cup out.
`It appears it will need to be activated. I gather the metal of the cup protects it from the potion. Shall I activate it?' Dumbledore asked, as he tipped the cup allowing the potion to pour out slowly like molasses. The cup slowly lowered to the table once again, and with a flick, was clean of any remaining potion.
`I will do it Albus. It will be a testament to my true loyalty, and redemption for what the Dark Lord did to my friend' he asserted. Dumbledore lowered his head in agreement, and took a step back.
Snape was apprehensive for a moment, but walked up to the table, and took hold of the cup. It was going to be a difficult thing to do, and Harry knew it. Snape had to take a drink from the cup, but at the same time throw it into the potion. It seemed to Harry that the Snape in the memory was having the same dilemma in his mind, and Dumbledore stepped forward.
`Might I suggest doing this' he offered, levitating the cup into the potion, so it floated on top. He then gave a swish to the cauldron, and the cup seemed to stop bobbing in the thick potion. Snape gave a curious look at Dumbledore, and he approached the cauldron with caution. He looked at the cup, and found it not to be moving, in any direction. Wondering, he gave the cauldron a slight nudge, and the cup and the potion remained motionless.
`I solidified the potion. This way, you can drink from the cup, and it will be submerged in the potion' he explained. Snape glanced at Dumbledore and nodded with the realization, and pointed his wand at the cup. A small jet of water came out, and filled the cup half way. Dumbledore came closer with his wand out just in case, and Snape picked up the cauldron. It was small, but Harry could tell it weighed enough from the struggle Snape was having with it. He lifted it up and tilted it slightly. The potion remained motionless, and the cup stayed in the centre. With one final jerk of the cauldron, the water came falling out of the cup, and Snape drank the liquid.
As fast as he could, he lowered the cauldron and hastily set it back on the table. A massive roar filled the little room like that of a tornado, and Dumbledore swished his wand at the potion, and the cup fell into the darkness of the blackened liquid as it began to bubble violently, and dark green fumes erupted from its surface. Many of the old books on the walls began falling down and slamming onto the floor as it seemed the tiny room was being shook by a massive being like someone would shake a muggle snow globe. Snape moved to the edge of the room, next to where Dumbledore was, and in the midst of all the noise and chaos, he grabbed his head and hunched over in pain.
`Severus, Severus are you alright?' Dumbledore asked worriedly, as put his hands on Snape's shoulders trying to steady him.
`The Dark Lord . . . he . . . he knows' Snape stuttered in pain. The cauldron gave a violent rumble, making the flimsy table it was sitting on almost snap like a twig, and the potion began to churn and fade into a vile shade of olive. Snape seemed to recover, and slowly stood with Dumbledore's aid. Dumbledore was still looking at him worriedly, but Snape just nodded, and they looked back at the potion. As they looked back, the potion seemed to calm instantly, and the howling and violent rattling of the rooms ceased.
They both stayed back, and watched the potion carefully. Harry remembered what came next, and covered his ears, Hermione and Ron doing the same. It helped very little though, as a sudden, piercing scream blasted the entire room, and no doubt half the country. The brownish green surface of the potion reflected a shadowy face, which looked much like that of the older Tom Riddle, who was screaming in excruciating pain. The face slowly sank lower until no longer visible, and it, along with the scream, died away and the potion finally turned a sick, swampy green. Dumbledore and Snape both approached, and looked in to find the cup, broken exactly in two, floating in the potion.
Dumbledore waved his wand, and with a heavy clang of metal on metal, the two cup pieces rang against the bottom of the now empty cauldron. He reached in, and pulled out the two sections. Examining it carefully, Harry noticed the badger was broken exactly down the middle. Snape was panting, as if he just ran a marathon, and Dumbledore approaching him with the cup pieces.
`Are you alright?' he asked. Snape took a few breaths, and nodded.
`I am . . . The Dark Lord . . . was inside . . . my head . . . he never has . . . been before' he panted. Dumbledore moved Snape over, and sat him down in the cracked leather chair.
`I imagine that was the part of his soul. What did it say?'
`It said I was a fool to try and destroy his Horcrux . . . and that nothing could stop him' Snape responded, still gathering his breath. Dumbledore nodded, and took a seat on the edge of the couch.
`Meant for those who are weak minded. One needs the mental strength I believe to make the soul stay in the potion.' Snape nodded, and looked at the shards that Dumbledore put down next to the empty cauldron.
`You have my trust now Severus Snape' Dumbledore acknowledged, holding out his hand. Snape took it with a firm grip, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione were pushed out of the memory.
Harry landed back in the kitchen of Grimmauld, and everyone was still sitting down. Harry looked at Snape, who looked vastly weathered to his younger self in the memory, and sat down. Hermione and Ron sat down next to him, and they too looked at Snape.
`Do you trust me now?' Snape asked to Harry.
`We'll see, I have questions. When was this?'
`About two months before your parents died.'
`And who was this "friend" of yours?' Snape paused for a moment, breaking his gaze with Harry, and looked back, his expression changed slightly.
`Regulus Black.'
`You knew Regulus?' Lupin asked. Snape nodded, and continued.
`Of course I knew him, he was a Death Eater. We understood each other. He was from a family that didn't understand him, and so was I. I helped him move into the deeper circles of the Dark Lord's service.'
`Why did he die?' Harry asked. Sirius always said he got in too far, and was murdered, but Harry always wondered why Regulus was killed, and what scared him to want to get out.
`Because he, like me, learned what the Dark Lord was doing. The Dark Lord called a meeting of his closest and most trustworthy Death Eaters: Bellatrix, Lucius, Rosier, myself, and Regulus. At first, the Dark Lord was unsure of Regulus, but I swore he was trustworthy. He took us to a distant cave, and revealed his deepest secret to us.
`He told us of his Horcruxes. At the time, they were hidden, but he wished for a single and trusted Death Eater to guard each of them. Lucius was given a diary, Rosier a ring, Regulus a locket, Bellatrix a snake, and myself, a cup. He told each of us where they were, and to check on them.'
`He just told you? Just like that?' Ron asked sounding astonished.
`He was at the height of his power Mr. Weasley, and quite arrogant. He did not tell us exactly what the objects were. He said it was important they remain safe, and that they contained the power to do great, evil deeds. He knew his Horcruxes were safe, but he wanted to make sure. If we all died trying to get to them, then he would be satisfied. If we didn't, then he'd kill us anyways, and hide it once again.'
`So what happened?' Hermione asked.
`We left, and when I met up with Regulus, he was petrified beyond words. At first I thought he was worried over guarding the locket, but he was worried over the locket itself. Coming from such a notably dark family, he knew what the locket really was, and how evil a Horcrux was.
`He said he didn't want to be a part of the Dark Lord's service anymore; that he wanted out. I told him he should reconsider, but he wouldn't have it. He said he made a terrible mistake, and that Sirius was right to discourage him from becoming a Death Eater.'
`So how did he end up dead?' Harry asked again, wanting Snape to get to the point.
`I told him about my work with the Order, and the potion I was making with your mother. At the time, the potion was brewing, and he told me he would get the locket so it could be destroyed with the cup, that I found in the muggle Orphanage behind some terrible curses. He left, but never returned.
`I found out later from Bellatrix that he ended up here, at Grimmauld, and that he professed to his mother that he was joining the Order of the Phoenix. He said he stole the locket, but she didn't believe him, nor did anyone else for that matter. She was so disgusted by him-turning into his brother Sirius-she disowned him, and called Bellatrix to bring him before the Dark Lord. I had to watch as he was tortured over and over again, until at last put to death. The Dark Lord sent several Death Eaters to the cave, and none came out, which meant the protection must have been strong enough.'
`That's how he died?' Lupin asked, his voice croaking from not speaking in a while. Snape nodded slowly, and took a deep breath.
`It was then that I knew my allegiance to the Order. I felt I had to fight the Dark Lord, not just because I wanted to, but because I owed it to Regulus. It was because of me that he died.'
Silence filled the room for a moment as everyone took in Snape's words. Remembering back to the horrible Occlumency lessons, Harry remembered seeing Snape as a child with his parents yelling, and how he looked so helpless. Then he remembered those memories from when his father and Sirius tormented him, and for the first time in Harry's life, he felt bad for Snape, learning now of how he lost his best friend.
Regardless of how mean he was to everyone, he had a horribly tough life. Always being picked on, then falling into the ranks of Death Eaters, and having his best friend killed in front of him, knowing it was his fault. This feeling of sorrow to Snape however was short lived as he once again returned to his snide self.
`So do you trust me, or are you going to throw us to the Death Eaters?' Snape asked.
`Firstly, you can stop with the attitude, and secondly, I trust you, but what about Draco?' Harry answered.
`What about me Potter? I hate this as much as you do, but the Dark Lord killed my parents. He made me watch my father get tortured in front of me' Draco informed grimly to the rest of them.
`It's true, I was there' Snape reassured.
`So why should we trust you?' Harry asked Draco. Draco was getting noticeably frustrated.
`Because I want him dead! I'm not my father, I don't want to be my father. I looked up to him all my life, and in the end it was nothing. He was reduced to living in a cell, then being let free only to be murdered by the man he loved more than his own bloody family. I hate the Dark Lord, and I hate Bellatrix!' Draco spat.
`Well that's all well and good, but we need proof' Hermione explained.
`I don't have any' Draco responded. Harry was unpleased by this, but Topher rose from his seat, and smiled.
`I have a solution' he announced, pulling out a piece of parchment, and writing something on the top.
`Both of you, sign this' he instructed, pushing the parchment and quill towards Draco, who looked at it oddly.
`What is it?'
`We need proof, this will help' Topher answered, however Draco was still hesitant. `Don't worry Draco, it won't hurt you, and nothing will happen so long as you remain loyal to the Order' he explained. Draco carefully picked up the quill, and wrote his name on the parchment. Snape followed without question, and Topher quickly summoned it back to him, and pocketed it.
`Good, we have insurance, just in case. Now' he said louder, getting up from his chair again, `we need to return to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall will be wondering where we all are if we don't show for breakfast.'
`Breakfast?' Harry questioned. Topher smiled with one side, and motioned to the small window, through which Harry noticed a dull blue sky peering through.
`It's morning! We have to get back!' Hermione asserted anxiously.
`Alright. Remus, can you put them upstairs, and make sure they stay out of the way?' Harry asked, getting up from his chair.
`I can, sure. I'm the only one here right now, but Kingsley is supposed to stop by this morning sometime.' Lupin got up from his seat, and turned to Harry. `Harry, I am a bit nervous having both of them in here though, with me by myself' he disclosed. Topher came over, and reassured him though.
`Don't worry Remus. They do anything' he said, brandishing the parchment they just signed, `and you won't have any troubles.' He looked at Lupin, smiling with both sides, and Lupin nodded.
`We'll be back soon-and don't think of going anywhere' Harry stated aggressively.
`We're prisoner's Potter, whether we like it or not' Snape remarked bitterly. Harry smiled at the idea that now Snape was confined to Grimmauld, and turned to Hermione, Ron, and Topher.
`Let's go, back to the gates' Topher said quickly. Harry thought of the gates, and gave a turn, Apparating out of Grimmauld.
His feet landing on damp grass, Harry was surprised by how bright it was. The sun hadn't risen yet, but it was close. The sky was a dark shade of blue, and was on the brink of declaring day.
The four of them walked up to the gates, and Topher talked to one of the gate keepers. He seemed to have a difficult time with the man he was talking to, and came walking back in frustration.
`Something wrong?' Ron asked. Topher sighed, and rubbed his forehead.
`The guards I talked to last night I knew. They had no troubles letting us in or out, but they switched a few hours ago. I didn't think we would be that long, and these new guards are pompous yaks. They've called Umbridge down.' The mention of Umbridge made Harry's mind sink. He knew she would have a field day with this, and have a delightful time telling Professor McGonagall how she found "that Potter boy" outside the castle again all night. Harry worried for Topher too, because his job could be in jeopardy.
The group stood in the morning chill in quietness, waiting for the plump and exceedingly annoying woman to come from the castle. Harry saw her walking down, and she seemed to be purposely taking a long time to get there. By time she did arrive at the gates, the sun was rising and casting morning rays on the castle.
`Open the gates' she instructed to the keepers. They opened them, and the group entered. Umbridge's toad-like face grinned at Harry, and she stood in front of the group.
`You three may leave. Professor Terrwynebas, Professor McGonagall would like to speak to you. Granger and Weasley, Professor Fourmove will be speaking with you, and as for you Potter' she pointed, with a stubby finger, `you'll be coming with me.'
Harry sighed, and the group sauntered up towards the castle. Umbridge motioned towards the small chamber located off the Entrance Hall that was usually for the first years before being sorted. Hermione gave Harry a sorrowful look, and he tried to smile, but there was no use. He was tired, thoroughly confused over the night's events, and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep on his bed in the East Tower.
He slouched his way to the door, and looked back to see Umbridge standing closely behind him, grinning happily, like she just caught a huge fly. Harry sighed, and opened the door, only to find the second most disgusting person he wanted to see in Hogwarts there, sitting on a chair, with one sitting in front of her. Her long and painted red fingernails clutched a piece of parchment, along with a red quill.
`Oh, Harry, so wonderful to see you again' Rita Skeeter said happily, motioning him to sit down, and giving a large grin to Umbridge, who entered the room and closed the door behind her.
Harry wondered what else this day would throw at him.
Spell / Name Meanings:
Dolomors Potion - L. dolor: pain, suffering, mors: death (Dolomors Potion = suffering death)
-->