The Founders' Legacy

Snape touched down on the grass, the ruin of the castle looming in the distance. Sophie climbed off the broom and stretched her aching limbs.

"Where are we?" she asked.

Snape shouldered the broom and started towards the ruin.

"At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You've already met our headmaster, Albus Dumbledore."

"That castle is a school?" Sophie asked, eyeing the ruin.

"It looks like that only to Muggles and none of them is getting close enough to discover the truth. I have to warn you: as we get closer, you will suddenly remember a lot of unfinished errands and the strong urge to go away and take care of them. That's one of the charms protecting the school," Snape explained.

Sceptical, Sophie followed him. As they got closer, her mind started to wander. She remembered, that she really needed to get her laundry done. There was only one pair of clean socks left... .

Sophie tried to ignore the thought.

"And what is your position at this school?"

Sophie remembered, that she was running out of coffee. She should go to the grocery store immediately... .

"I'm the Potions master."

"And that means?" There was something... .

"My job is to teach a bunch of uninterested children the exact art and subtle science of potion-making."

Oh my god, I've forgotten to turn of the stove! The house could have burned down!

"That's all very interesting, Professor Snape and I'm really grateful for all you've done for me, but I need to go home immediately. I've forgotten to turn of the stove and... . " Sophie started to retread backwards. "My job! God, I probably got fired! I haven't been to work in days; I really need to get back and see if I can sort this out somehow... ."

"Stupid woman, that's just the Muggle repelling charm!" Snape took her arm.

"Yes, I know, but still... ."

"You've passed one of those at least twice, so stop fidgeting!"

Snape had managed to drag her along the last few steps and when they had reached the entrance she stopped her struggling.

Sophie looked up at the huge grey stone walls in wonderment. There were no more signs of decay and the double doors leading inside looked freshly polished. Snape lead the way into the entrance hall and up a magnificent marble staircase. Flickering torches were illuminating the corridors and large paintings decorated the walls. Sophie took a closer look at one of them as they walked past and jumped slightly when the old man in the picture winked at her and then disappeared. He turned up again in the next painting and started a whispered conversation with the knight portrayed there. Sophie blinked, not sure to believe her eyes. Snape stopped in front of a large stone gargoyle.

"Bubble gum," he said.

Sophie was about to ask what that meant, when the stone figure moved aside, revealing a spiral staircase. Snape stepped on it and she followed, nearly loosing her footing when the stairs started to move upwards on their own.

They entered a circular room with more paintings covering the walls, but the occupants of those were all snoring softly. A fire was lit in the hearth, despite the fact that it was in the middle of summer. On one of the bookcases Sophie spotted a tattered looking wizard's hat and on a small desk was an assortment of delicate silver instruments, whose purpose she couldn't even guess. Albus Dumbledore rose from behind his desk to greet them.

"Welcome back, Severus. I trust you managed to accomplish your mission?"

Snape nodded.

"It's good to see you unharmed. You too, Miss Beresford." He didn't seem to be surprised by her presence. "There have been reports about some reckless flying in full view of Muggle London. The Ministry is in uproar about the breach in security, but it is impossible to determine the culprits. You don't have any idea about this, Severus?" he asked, his eyes twinkling behind the half-moon glasses.

Snape pushed his hair back from his face. His cheeks had a pink tinge. He got the parchment from his pocket and handed it to Dumbledore. Only then he realised he was still in Muggle clothes and pulled out his wand with a jerky motion, transforming them back to his robes.

"Could someone finally tell me what is going on? Why is this scrap of parchment so important?" Sophie had enough. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.

"I'm sorry Miss Beresford. I wanted to keep you out of this, but somehow... . Have a seat; I'm going to tell you the whole story. Chocolate biscuit?" Dumbledore offered her a silver cookie jar.

Sophie took one and settled herself in a chair, eyeing the cookie wearily.

"A long time ago this school was founded by the four greatest witches and wizards of their time," Dumbledore began. "Back then the worlds of muggles and wizards had already started to drift apart. Muggles were afraid of us and fear often leads to violence. To protect the school from any danger, the founders each performed one protective spell. Each spell was cast separately and no one knew what kind of spell the other three choose. A magic quill wrote down the spells and the parchment was sealed, only to be opened by a headmaster of Hogwarts in times of danger. The Founders' Legacy, as it was called, was passed on over centuries until, during the Goblin Wars, Headmaster Ubertin Adelmus broke the seal. Unfortunately he made a copy, which got lost after his death. Maintaining and strengthening the wards is the duty of a Hogwarts headmaster and over the generations many additions have been made, but everything is based on these four spells."

"And if someone knew these, he could think up ways to get around them," Sophie said slowly, realisation dawning.

"Exactly," Dumbledore continued. "The dark wizard I mentioned that night at the cottage, Voldemort, somehow learned that there was a copy existing and tried to get it in his possession. But you beat him to it," Dumbledore finished with a gentle smile.

Sophie nibbled absentmindedly on her cookie, while the headmaster examined the parchment.

When he started to read it, he was smiling. Halfway through he started to giggle and when he was finished Dumbledore was laughing helplessly, taking his glasses off and whipping tears from his eyes.

Sophie and Snape watched him with wide eyes, both starting to wonder if he had lost his mind.

"Excuse me, but this...," Dumbledore barley managed between giggles. He had to hold on to his desk for support. "...this is... . " He calmed down a bit. "There have always been indications that Headmaster Adelmus was a bit challenged in the writing department. Today he would be probably considered dyslexic. Don't get me wrong, he was very intelligent man and a fine headmaster, but you should see his entries in the school

records."

Snape and Sophie were still starring, with no idea what he was talking about.

Dumbledore took a deep breath. "When he copied the Founders' Legacy, he got the words mixed up."

Snape fell into the nearest chair.

"In other words, even if this Voldemort guy had the copy, it would be useless," Sophie clarified. She looked at Snape. He seemed to be in shock, gripping the armrests so hard, his knuckles turned white.

Sophie got up and started to pace.

"Are you telling me we have been through all this for nothing?" she asked.

Snape's lips were twitching slightly, like he was murmuring to himself.

"We would have never known, if we couldn't see it for ourselves," Dumbledore said patiently. "Now, that the matter is cleared up we have to think of what to do about you. I hope you are aware that you can't just return to your old life like nothing happened?" Dumbledore strode to the fireplace, intending to burn the parchment.

"Stop!" Snape called. A smile appeared on his face, baring uneven yellow teeth. "I have a plan."

"As you know, Headmaster, I've been trying to return into the Dark Lord's service for some time, with no luck. They don't trust me anymore and think I've turned to your side. Bringing him this parchment and the information that it's useless for his plans might prove my loyalty. Especially," he smiled maliciously in Sophie's direction, "if I kill a bothersome Muggle in front of witnesses."

Sophie jumped and backed away.

"You won't ... you can't... ."

"Sit down, woman! Of course I'm not killing you for real."

Headmaster Dumbledore had shown her to a guest room, complete with one of the elaborate four-poster beds the wizarding world seemed to be so fond off. Sophie just crawled under the covers, her blue dress carelessly thrown over the back of a chair. All she wanted now was sleep.

When she woke up late the next morning, she discovered that someone had ironed the dress and hung it up properly. A breakfast tray worthy of a four-star hotel was waiting on the desk. The thought of someone being in her room while she slept was a bit disturbing, but she brushed it aside and ate. Behind a door she discovered a bathroom with the biggest bathtub she had ever seen, so Sophie spent the better part of the next hour soaking in fragrant hot water. Her relaxation was interrupted by someone knocking impatiently on the door outside. Muttering, she got out and wrapped herself in one of the fluffy white towels provided.

"Yes?" she asked and stuck her head out of the bathroom.

It was Snape and he wasn't pleased.

"Why do women always take so much time to get ready? It's almost noon and we've got lots of work ahead."

"If you could hand me my dress? I'll be out in a minute."

Snape passed her the dress, doing his best to look everywhere but her.

Sophie dried off and dressed, ready for her practise.

They spent the whole day in an empty classroom. Sophie was getting worried. She had the feeling that their plan would never work, but Snape was unrelenting. Finally, it was almost dark outside, he was satisfied.

***

Michael Avery put down the letter.

"So, Severus was playing a little charade with us. We'll see...," he murmured. "Goyle, inform the others. Looks like we finally have some good news for our Lord."

***

Snape was waiting in the headmaster's office, when Dumbledore returned from what he called "a visit to an old friend".

"Are you ready?" he asked, brushing soot off his robes.

"We are ready. I've owld Avery and he seems to believe my explanation," Snape answered.

"Then, by this time tomorrow, Miss Beresford will be in a safe place. I daresay she is going to like it."

Snape raised his eyebrows. "You are not telling her?"

"No, this will be a little surprise."

Snape had his doubts about Miss Beresford being in the mood for more surprises.

Dumbledore picked up the black stone from his desk and waved his wand. The portkey was now active.

***

The night air was warm. Severus Snape had taken up residency at the edge of the forest. Miss Beresford had switched on every light in the house and he could see her moving around inside, picking up things and pretending to clean up the mess the Death Eaters had left. Snape had to admit, he was nervous. The Muggle had done well during their practise, but he was still afraid she might loose her nerve. As he checked his pocket watch, he could hear a soft "plop" behind him. Snape brushed out a wrinkle in his black cloak and turned.

"Good evening, Michael."

"Hello, Severus."

Michael Avery stepped out of the shadows. He was wearing his Death Eater cloak, but carried the mask in his hand. Three other Death Eaters, masked, were Apparating next to him.

"You don't mind that I brought a few friends?" Michael asked.

"Of course not. This will be highly entertaining," Snape answered nonchalantly.

"You didn't seem to find it entertaining in London."

"I told you Michael, it took years to get Dumbledore to trust me, I'm not risking that."

"We'll see. Our Lord is looking forward to discuss these matters with you, once we are finished here."

Avery donned his mask and Snape led the way to the house.

The back door was locked, but a quick "Alohomera!" took care of it. He could see her in the living room, putting books back on the shelves. When she heard footsteps she turned.

"Oh, Professor Snape! Did you forget something?" she asked surprised and then her eyes widened in horror as she saw who was behind him.

"Just some unfinished business," Snape said with a thin smile and raised his wand.

"I told you, you are not going to mess with my memory...."

The Death Eaters roared with laughter.

"I'm not after your memory. Maybe a little Crucio first, to make things more interesting... ."

"You bastard!" Sophie hissed. "Dumbledore will know... ."

"I told him you're not save here. I just dropped by to check up on you and sadly you were already dead. He will be very upset."

Terrified, Sophie moved backwards until she hit the computer desk.

"I'm sorry to interrupt the fun, Severus, but our Master is waiting," Avery remarked. "Finish her off."

"Too bad." Snape raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"

Sophie's hand closed around the stone and she felt the familiar pull. Then everything went black.

The green light from Snape's wand hit the computer monitor and it exploded along with the full whiskey bottle Sophie had placed right next to it. Flames shot up to the ceiling and the papers and books scattered everywhere immediately caught fire. Smoke filled the room and the Death Eaters backed away coughing. They quickly left the house to escape the rapidly spreading fire without a chance to take a look at the body.