The Syndicate

Chapter 9 - Answers

The great hall was immediately silent before the students began to whisper amongst themselves. Severus Snape and Vicious Bromista were speechless. How could the headmaster do something like this without asking them about it first? This must have been some kind of a sick joke though they could tell by the expression that the headmaster bore on his face that this was no joke. Everyone knew that Dumbledore was a little off of his rocker but that was to be expected from one who had seen and lived through as many things as he did in his long lifetime. He had seen the rise and fall of Grindylwald, WWII, Hitler and his Nazis, but this just all went to show that the old man was senile.

"Surely you must be joking Albus?" Minerva inquired.

"I am not joking about this."

"How could you even think about switching their positions? That is just pure lunacy!" Flitwick squeaked while looking up at the headmaster.

"I'm not loony. In fact I have been thinking about this for a while now. Years ago I knew that as long as Voldemort might return that Severus had to at least pose to favor the Slytherin students. If he did not then more than likely they would have tried to kill him or worse yet claim that they had been witness to some things that might land him in Azkaban. His position as a spy has been compromised and thus I have decided to give him a chance," turning to Severus Snape he continued with his speech, "you have wanted to teach that class for as long as I have known you. I admit that you are much more skilled at the fine arts of brewing potions than you are to be fit to teach that position. If you had to keep up appearances to the death eaters then they would have wanted you to teach their children the dark arts. This is not Durmstrang."

Vicious was watching this a little amusedly and saw the fierce sparkling eyes of the headmaster turn on him, "Bromista is much more talented than he lets on. I know for a fact that while he is VERY highly skilled in Defense Against the Dark Arts and war in general but I also know that he has a slight ability to brew potions. Nothing close to being a master at it but I have been told that he can brew several ones that are complicated."

"I am not that talented at it but I am not the worst in the world," Vicious commented as he was taught the basics of potions during his stay with Spike, even how to brew at and a little above N.E.W.T. level.

"However talented he may be I still think that this might not be such a good idea," Snape spoke.

"It is a good idea. Bromista should be able to handle your classes for at least one week even if he were to only have them reading from their textbooks and doing essays. You on the other hand will finally get the chance to prove to yourself and to me if you are suitable enough for teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts position then it will be yours next year. Given that when Vicious made the contract for only one year I do believe that he is not going to be staying here any longer. IF he decides that teaching is not the right career for him then you may very well be the new teacher of that position if we can find another person who is skilled to be your replacement."

That little impromptu speech at the head table had settled it. None of the teachers would go against Dumbledore's wishes so they had agreed to just let this one slide. Even though he made the wrong decisions sometimes he would always try his best to correct them and at times when others thought he was crazy the situation turned out to the positive instead of the negative. Later that evening after coming to terms with the switch of professions Snape decided to pay a little visit to the chambers of the enigma that went by the name of Vicious Bromista only to discover that there was no answer when he knocked on the frame of the portrait. Most would think that the man was more than likely asleep and would like to get his rest but Severus Snape was not one to be fooled easily and thought that it was just a little bit suspicious. Then again he might have been paranoid since he thought that the way that the man had held his fork when he was moving food to his mouth was suspicious as well.

Having decided that his revenge should be dished out now before he had to change schedules and teach potions all week Vicious was walking through the tunnel from the Shrieking Shack back towards Hogwarts underneath the invisibility cloak. Tonight was fun but tomorrow was going to take all he could handle to keep himself from smiling and even laughing about what had happened and he damn sure could not wait to see the look on Malfoy's face in the morning. Lucious Malfoy and his wife Narcissa were going to be included in the revenge against their idiot son and they were not going to like it. Then again old Tommy boy would definitely be displeased at the outcome of the night either and would be likely to torture his death eaters for hours.

Breakfast was a common event in the Great Hall. Not all of the students at Hogwarts stayed there to enjoy it and most would wake up only to run in there late and grab a piece of food before heading to class. This morning was no different and probably wouldn't be. Everyone who was there was sitting there talking to his or her friends and neighbors when the post arrived. Upon opening the Daily Prophet, those who had purchased it were shocked into silence and were soon imitated by everyone else. Vicious had a twinkle in his eye as he watched the proceedings from the head table though no one could see this because of his customary shades. After several seconds of shock there was a complete pandemonium when several Aurors came in demanding to look through the possessions of the blond haired Slytherin.

The Daily Prophet

Malfoy Name Disgraced

Late last night, it came to the attention of the Ministry of Magic that one of the most prominent families of wizarding society may have been dealing in the dark arts. A surprise raid was performed on the Malfoy Manor and many dark artifacts were discovered when a secret trapdoor that led to a room that was piled with these items was discovered under a rug. Walking down the stairs, Ministry officials discovered enough items to land Lucious Malfoy in Azkaban serving several terms. This was not all they found however as they had also discovered a ledger which contained many dealings with several shady people.

After leaving the manor and arresting the Malfoys several Aurors made their way to Gringotts in Diagon Alley to impound their vaults and all the items that were held within. The head goblin told the Daily Prophet that something strange had happened that night as well and that nearly seventy-five percent of the funds once held inside the vaults had been stolen.

"One whole wall was ripped off. I have never seen anything like it, especially with the dragon that had been guarding it. The culprit first slain the dragon," the goblin turns a sickly shade here and rushes off to the side. Upon seeing the dead creature it became apparent why as it was a gruesome sight, "then tore the place apart. Whoever it was disabled the security systems because we did not even notice anything until we accompanied the Aurors down here."

The Ministry has impounded the remaining money that was in the vault as well as their manor and all of their holdings. It is a shame to think about how we all trusted and respected the despicable Malfoys.

Tadd LeTell (special correspondent)

"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore we have here a search warrant that allows us to go through young Malfoy's things. We must determine if he had any prior knowledge about his father's dealings in the Dark Arts," spoke the head Auror when the headmaster stood, "we will check his rooms momentarily."

Just then one of the young Aurors who had to literally tear the satchel from the boy exclaimed, "Sir take a look at this!"

What he held up was none other than a book entitled "Dark Curses, Spells They Won't Teach At Hogwarts" by A. Nonymous. After seeing the title they decided that this was enough and immediately dragged him out of the room to be tested under Veritaserum.

Severus Snape who had watched these proceeding as well was not in the least bit shocked. He had known for a long time that their family had dabbled in the Dark Arts especially Lucious whom had been a fellow Death Eater in Lord Voldemort's inner circle. Still the boy had to have had fewer brains than the - bloody - boy - who - lived since he actually was carrying that with him let alone having it in the school where other people might find it. He was a minor though so he wouldn't be in too much trouble but he might be kicked out of Hogwarts.

Many people could not take the commotion of the proceedings of the past days. Yesterday they discovered that the two banes of the students were going to be switching jobs and they had no doubt that it might be worse than it was before. Then today came the less than shocking (to the students and staff, but not the rest of the world) information that the Malfoys had been in the Dark Arts. Many of the students felt like cheering even a few of the Slytherins but they would not dare do it. Today was the day that would be remembered for a long time for the fall of the noble (*cough* yeah right *cough*) house of Malfoy. Silently the students were thanking the high heavens that today was Sunday as they stood no chance at all of paying attention if there had been lessons that day. As it turns out Malfoy was expelled but was not sentenced in a trial and was sent instead to live with his aunt in France who was a squib and didn't have a lot of money.

Monday morning was fast approaching and soon the Gryffindor and the Slytherin sixth year classes were standing outside of the Potions dungeon awaiting the arrival of their new professor (only for one week thank god). There were some spots of nervous chatter here and there but most of all it was eerily quiet. With a flash the professor passed them in the hall and had opened the door before he seated himself behind the desk and took a good look around. Quickly the students made their ways to their seats before the professor could take off any points from their house.

"Welcome class to what I assure you will begin to understand in a short while. I do not like the art of making potions," a collective gasp issued from the students, "but I must respect the headmaster's wishes. In this instance I have decided to let you all off of the hook this week. You will read through the first six chapters of your potion book again and be ready to take a large quiz on Friday. Longbottem I do not want you anywhere near a cauldron in my presence so put it away. Now you can sit here and read, which I advise, or you can leave. I do not really care but you had better be ready for the test on Friday because I assure you it will be worth all of the grades you will receive for this week and then some."

There was a mad dash for the exit with Neville at the lead. The only one who seemed to be willing to stay in the classroom for this period was Hermione and even then she had to tell Ron to leave her alone because she was not crazy. Seeing her chance to speak to him she waited until the last person who left had shut the door before looking up at him. Vicious was reclining in the chair with his feet propped up on the desk.

"Sir can I ask you a question?" Hermione was more than a little intrigued about what was in the journal but she also wanted to know a little bit about the man himself.

"You just did but yes you can ask me some questions although they may not be answered."

"What made you decide to become a Professor here? I chose that occupation when I had to choose what tests I would take for the O.W.L.S last year as well as the N.E.W.T.S next year."

"It was not an easy position to attain. I did not have very much competition for the job since most everyone considers the position to be cursed."

Before any more questions could be asked the bell rang signaling the end of the lesson.

"Ms. Granger I do believe that I have a class to be getting ready for and you have to go to Defense Against the Dark Arts so maybe we can continue this conversation some other day."

Hermione nodded her acceptance of this and left the classroom. Once outside the door Bromista let out a breath that he did not realize that he had been holding. He had wanted to tell her the truth but he could not. She would just get a broken heart again and he did not want that to happen. Harry Potter could not come back now but maybe he could someday. At least Vicious knew that he could no longer remain dead and forgotten because too many people cared about him.

Severus Snape watched with the smallest bit of apprehension as the sixth year Gryffindor and Slytherin class made their way into their seats in the room. It was eerily quiet as none of them seemed to want to even breathe too loudly.

"Today we are going to discuss Gluss. Who here can tell me what they are and what they are capable of?" Surprising nobody raised his or her hand not even Granger, "Weasley?"

"I do not know sir," Ron answered a bit sheepishly.

"It figures that you would not know. Probably none of you know what an Oneb is..." In response to this question everyone in the class raised their hands. Thanking god that he did not show his shock Severus called the one person who was the least likely to know, "Longbottem."

"It is a dangerous creature that is closely linked to the dementor. Even though they are few they are still one of the deadliest creatures in existence because of their hunger. They eat bone to survive and will literally tear a person apart to get to their bones. Their hunger is never quenched and the more bones that they eat the deadlier they become by increasing their ferociousness."

The greasy bastard could not believe this. A sixth year class knew something that was not even taught in school and if it were to be taught it would be to seventh years as maybe a very difficult bonus question on the N.E.W.T.S. What was Bromista up to? He had to find out.

"Class dismissed!"

Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth all of the students fled as fast as they could and Neville actually elbowed people to get them out of his way. Hermione hung back a little though and saw the teacher leave the room at a dignified pace and make his way toward the office of Professor Bromista. She could not help but smile and give a chuckle at the idea that several days ago not even the teachers wanted to visit him and now he seemed to be the center of attention.