Companions of the White Warlock

Smoke Year VII - Companions of the White Warlock Chapter II

"Well," Vernon Dursley snapped, "at last, one of your kind who knows how to dress. Where's that patronizing old fop who was here last July?"

"Professor Dumbledore was murdered late last Friday evening," Russell said sternly. "Tell me, Dursley, if one of the most powerful wizards of this millennium could be murdered, what do you fancy your chances would be?"

Vernon scowled, and then he looked puzzled. "I know you, don't I?"

Russell nodded. "Yes, from some share holders' meetings. I own two percent of your company. You might consider all the implications of that statement."

Vernon gulped as he did so.

"Now, Harry will be here for between two to four weeks. I will be by a few times, and Harry may make a few day trips. He has many things on his mind. I would hope, I would strongly suggest, you will be understanding."

"Really?" Vernon sneered.

"Really. You might also bear in mind that I am not as kind, patient, tolerant, or distant as Professor Dumbledore was," Russell said coldly. "I've killed an even dozen times this past year, four times last Friday in fact, and my temper is getting very short."

Vernon started to sweat.

"I understand you have a shotgun, correct?"

Vernon frowned, but nodded.

"Will these shells fit?"

Vernon leaned forward and looked at the two large boxes of shells Russell held out. "Actually, yes."

"These are shot, these are slugs. There will be people watching in case you are attacked. If there is such an attack, your defenders will give you a password. Don't shoot them. Any suggestions on something to use?"

Vernon looked perplexed. Petunia, however, said, "'I love Muggles'."

Russell and Harry smiled grimly at that. "Very good. Here is a photo of a Death Eater in full regalia. They don't always wear those stupid masks. Feel free to shoot any of them. If you do, our people will clean up. Harry will teach you how to use the ultraviolet equipment to run off any dementors. Be especially wary on the nights of the full moon."

"Why? Are vampires and werewolves going to attack?" Vernon said sarcastically.

"Vampires, no. They are staying neutral at the moment, thank Merlin. Most of the werewolves, however, have not, at least as of last Friday. Those shells have a mixture of silver alloys."

Vernon's eyes went wide. "You . . . you're serious, aren't you?"

"I am."

Vernon shook his head to clear it.

"I'm sorry you had to be mixed up with this. Take care." Russell disappeared.

"Go to your room, boy," Vernon said, obviously still shaken. "Your aunt will bring your dinner up."

"Yes, sir."

Harry stayed on the property the whole time between his arrival and the next Wednesday. He did work out a little with Dudley's equipment in the cellar and did some yard work. He read through some of his defense work. He had been slightly surprised late Sunday afternoon to find the Potions book in his trunk.

He was very tempted to tear it apart, but then he realized that it was both a resource and a look into Snape's mind. He reread all the annotations, looking for insights.

Harry wasn't certain if he had found any insights, but looking at the Seventh year material, he was surprised by the suggestions for spells -- charms, hexes, curses, shields -- scattered through it. And, on one mostly blank page, there were suggestions of how to do both Occlumency and Legilimency.

After he had beaten Dudley's heavy bag for almost thirty minutes, Harry spent the rest of Sunday evening (the Dursleys had decided to go on a vacation until the next Sunday) practicing Occlumency for the first time in almost a year. He was amazed at how easily he could Occlude his mind. Harry decided that Snape had either been deliberately torturing him, or had forgotten how he had begun himself.

Harry had sent Hedwig off to Professor Russell Sunday evening, telling him about the Dursleys' vacation and about the Occlumency. Hedwig came back with a note saying that Russell would be arriving earlier on the Wednesday than they had planned.

Harry was therefore only slightly startled when he heard pots rattling in the kitchen at 7:00 am. Harry threw on his clothes and hurried down the stairs.

"Good morning, Harry," Russell said, who was at the stove making a large cheese omelet for the two of them. Harry could smell bacon cooking in the oven.

"Good morning, Professor."

"Eggs and bacon fine with you, lad?"

"Yes, sir."

"I was right to think that your guardians wouldn't leave you much food," Russell said disapprovingly.

"Aunt Petunia made a special trip for me, actually," Harry said. "She just underestimated how much I eat these days."

"Well, that's good to know. I should tell you that the Board of Governors met last night."

Harry wasn't certain what to make of that. "And?"

"Professor McGonagall was confirmed as Headmistress. It was a tough fight. There are twelve governors, and it takes eight votes to make a ten year appointment and nine for a life appointment. That bitch Umbridge was trying to get back, and the first three votes were seven to five. Then one of the bought votes suggested they make the next one a secret ballot, thinking that some might cave in if they could do in anonymously, but instead two of the bought votes switched. Nine to three. Umbridge was furious."

"Good," Harry said.

Russell flipped the omelet over with a skilled flick of his wrist and smiled his agreement before going on, "In addition, Hogwarts will reopen in September, but only for First through Fifth years. O.W.L.s are seen as necessary, after all. In addition, some families will want their older children home to help protect their property, and who wants the children of Death Eaters and would-be Death Eaters letting them into Hogwarts again? Any child of a known Death Eater will be banned. Also on the plus side, since his mission to the werewolves hasn't really succeeded and he was seen fighting against them, Lupin will be coming back as the Defense teacher and Head of Gryffindor. We won't be adding any other teachers for a year. Flitwick will be teaching First year Transfiguration, Lupin Second year, myself Third year, Vector Fourth year, and McGonagall will still teach the Fifth years."

Seeing Harry was still listening, Russell pulled the bacon out of the oven and plated breakfast. Harry drank milk, while Russell had a large flask of latte with him.

"We are going to have four Sixth and four Seventh year students stay on as what we'll call proctors," Russell went on as he did so. "Ginny Weasley, Luna Lovegood, and two Slytherins, Mark Stover and Carla Brown are the Sixth years. Neville Longbottom, Anthony Goldstein, Ernie Macmillan, and Susan Bones will be the Seventh years. They should all be able to keep an eye on things. Longbottom, Weasley, and Lovegood will also be able to keep an eye on your interests."

"Well, I wasn't planning on coming back. . . ." Harry said doubtfully after swallowing a bite.

"The Order will be working on protecting Hogwarts. Lupin and the Weasley boys will be spending a good chunk of time this summer looking for other odd ways into the building complex."

"That's a good idea," Harry allowed.

"A number of people thought so last summer, when they offered," Russell said drily. "The Headmaster vetoed the idea."

"Why?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"We don't know," Russell admitted. "Anyway, you, Miss Granger, and Mister Weasley are now considered members of the Order. You, and most of the other Order members, may live at Hogwarts at least part time but are not going to be living near the other students, or even the staff. Your quarters, if you care to use them, are well away from all of us."

"Thank you."

Russell shrugged. "It was a compromise. Anyway, here." With a wave of his wand, a wooden box appeared.

"What's in that?" Harry asked.

"The Headmaster's notes on finding the Horcruxes. Only you can read them without being cursed at the moment. I'm lucky that I escaped testing the thing with a rather nasty shock. So, read 'em. At least that will prevent you from looking in holes he already looked in."

"Thatwill be helpful," Harry said with a sound of relief. He had worried about just that problem, among a number of others.

"You might glance through and see if he said anything about Godric's Hollow."

"Right. I'll get on it tonight."

"I'll stop by Friday night and see if you found anything. We'll also look around today and see what food you'd like that free elf to bring along in the morning. I'll feed us today, if you don't mind."

"Not at all," Harry said. They finished their breakfast in silent enjoyment. Russell then cleaned and cleared everything away, including storing the rest of the cooked bacon.

"Where shall we talk?" Russell asked.

"How about we stay here?" Harry asked. Russell sat back down.

"You aren't going to try and convince me that Snape didn't murder the Headmaster, are you? That he's still on our side?" Harry asked in an accusing tone.

"No, because I'm not totally convinced myself," Russell said simply.

Harry slammed his fist on the table. "How can you even suggest it?" he demanded.

"You didn't pay much attention in Divination, I believe," Russell said, taking out two packs of Tarot cards. "I am fairly accurate with them. I threw for the Headmaster a year ago. I predicted the Headmaster's plan, whatever it was, would lead to both his success and to his death. He accepted that. He also knew that Malfoy was assigned to kill him, and that Snape was to kill him if Malfoy failed. He forced Snape to give up that annotated Potions textbook, and arranged for Slughorn to unknowingly give it to you."

"Why?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"He would never say why, at least to me, but I believe there were at least three reasons. First of all, he wanted Slughorn to continue to favor you. You are your mother's son and the Chosen One. Your becoming the best Sixth year potions brewer he's ever seen just added to your luster."

Harry knew why the Headmaster had wanted Slughorn to favor him, but then he frowned. "Why would I have been better than Snape was?"

"Ah. That brings us to the second reason. Snape did not add those notes BEFORE he brewed those potions, nor did Snape come up with all those potion ideas by himself. He had a long-term Potions partner, and together they figured these additions out as they made them."

"My mother?" Harry asked, a little fearfully.

"Your mother. So, while your mother's notes are apparently at least partially lost, this was a way of returning some of your heritage to you."

Harry thought about that. "And the third reason?"

"Dumbledore may have known he was not going to have as much time with you as he wanted. I believe that book has a wealth of spells, created or annotated by Snape?"

"It does," Harry admitted.

"Do you feel you could use most of them?"

Harry thought about that, then said, "I can, although I haven't made it through all the Seventh year material."

"So, in terms of combat knowledge that still means you are probably already more dangerous than all but perhaps a hundred or so people in these isles, Harry." When Harry started to object, Russell merely reminded him, "Remember we are a small community, and besides, in terms of power, you are now number one or two. You may not yet be ready to confront Voldemort directly, but you can probably beat just about anyone else."

"I couldn't beat Snape," Harry complained.

"He had easier access to you mind than any enemy, other than Voldemort, could have. That gave him the advantage. We'll work on Occlumency this summer." He frowned. "I wanted to tutor you last summer, but the Headmaster was afraid I would learn your secrets. If you prefer, I can look for someone else."

"No," Harry said. "I'll work with you. Hermione trusts you. Now tell me why else shouldn't I kill Snape the first chance I get?"

"Snape may have been able to fool Dumbledore, or Voldemort, or both. One of those three things must have happened. Tell me, who do you think he could have more easily fooled? Voldemort, who distrusts everyone but himself, but who believes he cannot make an error, or Dumbledore, who believed in giving everyone a second chance yet knew he could make a mistake?"

Harry said nothing.

Russell then gave Harry ten minutes of his experiences with Snape, and why he thought Snape might have been caught up in his own schemes. He concluded, "I hope you do not kill Snape, Harry. To kill a sentient being, even by accident, injures us. To kill in self-defense, as you must kill Voldemort and the pieces of his soul, hurts us the least, but still hurts us. To kill in hatred and anger hurts us the most. I have killed a total of eighteen people, Harry. I regret having to kill each and every one of them. I killed none of them in hatred, although I must admit I did kill a few out of revenge. While I regret them the least, I was damaged the most by killing them. If you were to kill Snape, it will be in hatred. It could be the first step down the path of Darkness, and I know I would hate for you to turn into the next Dark Lord."

Harry's eyes went down in shame.

"Dumbledore killed once, because he had to. He made certain he did not kill again. Who would it be least damaging for you to kill, Harry? Snape or Voldemort?"

"Voldemort," Harry admitted. "Why else do you think Snape might be, well. . . ."

"I know. Whatever he is, he is not innocent," Russell admitted. "Tell me, could Snape really have saved Dumbledore that night? Surrounded by Death Eaters who all wanted to kill the Headmaster, could Snape have saved him?"

"I think so, but I can't say for certain," Harry allowed.

"Which death would you have preferred for the Headmaster? Killed instantly by the Killing Curse, which would also cement Snape into the heart of Death Eaters even if he really does want Voldemort destroyed, or mauled to death by Greyback?"

Harry shuddered at that.

"And tell me this, if Snape decided that he could not save the Headmaster, do you think he would have been cold enough to have killed the Headmaster as he did rather than fight his way out and lose Dumbledore, Malfoy, and himself?"

"Yes," Harry hissed.

"And remember that Snape wanted to save his godson. . . ."

"Malfoy?"

"Exactly. And remember, Snape could have killed Flitwick, Granger, and Lovegood, but he didn't. In addition, Snape not only didn't allow the other Death Eaters to kill you, he also didn't capture you or suggest they capture you, did he?"

"No," Harry had to agree, "he didn't even suggest it. He told them Voldemort wanted me left alone."

"Voldemort wants to kill you, Harry, and to kill you himself. That suggests either he has never created the last Horcrux or he has decided to replace the ones destroyed." He paused in thought. "I wonder if there is a point where the soul cannot be further split, and he'll destroy himself?"

He shrugged. "Never mind. The point I was making is that Snape could have captured you that night as he fled, or at least made certain the others grabbed you. Voldemort does not want anyone else to kill you, that is true, but he would likely have welcomed the chance to kill you the same night Dumbledore was killed. That would have placed Snape even higher in the Dark Lord's esteem. Instead, I believe he reminded you that you should be practicing Occlumency."

"He might have been too angry to have thought about capturing me," Harry pointed out. "I've never seen him that angry before."

"You may be right. Let's examine that, shall we? What exactly did you say or do to him?" Russell asked.

"I had just called him a coward," Harry admitted.

"Why would that upset him that much, if he had been Voldemort's creature all along? If, however, he had just killed Dumbledore, knowing that this meant that his life would probably be ruined even if we win in the end, he might see what he had done as brave and self-sacrificing. For you, your father in many ways, to then call him a coward would certainly have enraged him. Alternatively, he might have felt a failure, a coward if you will, because he had found no better way out of his dilemma other than murdering the one person who had cared about him for decades. Again, for you of all people to agree with that assessment. . . ."

"Or he felt triumphant, having killed the one person he had felt forced to humor for over fifteen years, and having me call him a coward was just too much," Harry said.

"It is possible," Russell admitted. "I don't know which side Snape is on. I could make good arguments either way. I am asking you not to kill him or torture him. In fact, please, do not ever use an Unforgivable. They are unforgiveable not just because of their effects on the victim, but because of their effects on the caster. They seduce you down the wrong paths, Harry. I have killed eighteen people, Harry. I have never used an Unforgivable."

"I've tried one twice," Harry muttered.

"Which one?"

"Cruciatus. Once against Lestrange after she killed Sirius. She said righteous anger wasn't enough. You had to want to hurt the other person."

"She ought to know, sadist that she is." Harry winced. "And the other?"

"Snape, but I never completed any of them."

"Good. Don't. Do you really want to become Snape? Or Lestrange? Or Voldemort?"

"No!"

Russell placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up. "Then trust me on this, Harry. No more Unforgivables. I'll teach you alternatives. I'll bring you a list Friday, in fact. I will have failed if I teach you how to destroy Voldemort, and you end up ruining yourself in the process."

"Yes, sir."

"And, if you capture Snape, give him to me. I have ways to extract information the Dark Lord would kill for. In fact, he has, but he still does not know how to do it. And if Snape is a murderer instead of a cold-hearted, ruthless, worthless piece of shit, we'll destroy him together."

"And if he is the piece of shit?" Harry asked.

"Then he'll be hounded into the fringes of the world by others, and he'll have to live knowing he killed the only person who could have saved him."

"I can live with that," Harry said. "I just wish there were some way to know for certain."

"There is a way to learn if Snape is a loyal Death Eater or not, over time but before any final confrontations," Russell offered.

"And that is?"

"Snape knows about the Horcruxes," Russell said. "He knows what they are and that you will be after them. If we find new layers of protection, or find out that any have been moved, then Snape is likely a loyal Death Eater. If they have not, then either Voldemort thinks their current levels of protection are fine or else Snape is working for his downfall, most likely for his own twisted reasons."

Harry considered that. "Fine. I won't kill him."

"Good. Now, if you want, we can leave together for a short time, say three hours. Would you like to go clothing shopping? We can pick up some groceries as well."

"Yes, sir."

"You're out of Hogwarts, Harry. You may call me anything you like, even John."

Harry thought a moment. "How about 'Prof'?"

Russell considered that. "I like it," he said.

Harry was hardly convinced by Russell's arguments about Snape. However, that night as he skimmed through Dumbledore's notebooks, Harry admitted to himself that he could not kill or torture Severus Snape, at least until he learned the truth.

He still intended to make him suffer, however.