Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Ships:
Harry Potter/Luna Lovegood
Characters:
Harry Potter Hermione Granger Luna Lovegood
Genres:
Action Drama
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince
Stats:
Published: 08/10/2005
Updated: 01/24/2006
Words: 106,949
Chapters: 33
Hits: 137,035

Companions of the White Warlock

DrT

Story Summary:
Year seven of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.

Chapter 17 - 17

Chapter Summary:
Year 7 of the HBP-compliant story (on Dark Arts) 'Smoke'. Harry, Hermione, and Ron go after the remaining Horcruxes, aided by Luna, Ginny, Neville, Remus, Tonks, and Professor Russell.
Posted:
12/07/2005
Hits:
4,087
Author's Note:
Harry deals with Snape and Scrimgeour



Smoke Year VII - Companions of the White Warlock
Chapter XVII

A knock on the door interrupted the continuing argument between Harry and the Minister over Harry's role in the fight against Darkness. "What is it?" Harry demanded.

Alastor Moody and John Russell came into the room. "My lord, Minister?" Russell said, "you need to come with us."

"Why?" Scrimgeour demanded.

"Potter here was sent a present," Moody declared.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Scrimgeour demanded.

"Who sent it?" Harry asked.

"Voldemort sent it," Moody said.

"But it wasn't an 'it'. . . ." Russell broke in.

"Well, it is now," Moody argued.

"I suppose you're right," Russell agreed.

"This 'it' was a . . . 'who'?" Scrimgeour demanded.

"It was," Russell agreed.

"I suppose," Moody nodded.

"Voldemort sent a body?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"Aye, he sent a body, but not a dead one," Moody answered.

"What. . . ?"

"It looks like long-term exposure to Legilimency and Cruciatus," Russell answered.

Moody nodded. "Several hours of both. Right now, at least, there's not much left except a breathing shell."

"Who was it?" Scrimgeour demanded.

"Severus Snape," Moody answered.

"I would imagine Voldemort sent a note?" Harry asked.

"A piece of parchment with the Dark Mark on it and addressed to you, my lord," Russell agreed. "It merely said 'He was more on your side than mine. I am finished with him, perhaps you would like a turn'."

"Why would he say that?" Scrimgeour demanded of Russell and the others.

Harry gestured for Russell to answer. "There is no doubt that Snape killed Dumbledore. The question has been, was he playing Dumbledore the whole time, or was he trapped into killing Dumbledore to continue the fight against Voldemort?"

"I do not understand," Scrimgeour admitted. "I thought he was a traitor, pure and simple."

"Snape was never pure, let alone simple, about anything," Harry spat.

"True," Russell agreed. "Dumbledore always knew that young Malfoy was assigned to kill him, and that Snape was to kill him if Malfoy failed. Snape did not try to hide that from the Headmaster. As for his real motives, well, Snape may have been able to fool Dumbledore, or Voldemort, or both. One of those three things must have happened. I asked Harry this and now I'll ask you. 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? I would say he could have more easily fooled Voldemort. And 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 don't see how."

"Probably not," Scrimgeour agreed.

"And now consider 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 try to fight his way out and most likely lose Dumbledore, Malfoy, and himself anyway?"

"I don't know him that well, but from what I've heard, if anyone could do that, this Snape could have," Scrimgeour admitted. "So you're saying you believe that Snape was at least anti-Voldemort all along, but killed Dumbledore to further his infiltration into Voldemort's organization in order to disrupt it later?" He frowned. "But why . . . oh, of course. Dumbledore, and the Ministry for that matter, might fight Voldemort, but it's Potter here who has to destroy him. All else can be sacrificed to that end as far as someone like Snape would be concerned with. Snape would become close enough to Voldemort to at some point get information to Potter."

"Yes, exactly," Russell agreed. "From what I heard from Pettigrew and young Malfoy, Snape should have been able to figure out that Pettigrew might have been getting ready to betray the werewolf attack. If so, he did not do anything to stop Pettigrew. In fact, he actually went out of his way to mention some minor plans to Pettigrew that Pettigrew didn't know the details of. It gave us a number of clues on how to track down some of the money trails."

"What did Pettigrew think about Snape?" Scrimgeour asked.

"He thought that Snape was a follower of Voldemort who was still keeping some options open," Russell said.

"Whatever," Harry said with a wave of his hand. "It doesn't matter now why Snape did what he did. He's a vegetable. Why should I go see what's left of the . . . whatever is left of him?"

"He taught you Legilimency, and you were in his mind," Moody pointed out. "You might be able to see past his insanity and learn something."

Harry blanched. Scrimgeour thought this was solely because he was being asked to invade an insane mind. This was partly true, but Russell and Moody knew an additional reason -- they were also asking indirectly Harry to see if he could at least partially cure Snape, so that his mind at least would be more easily accessible.

Finally, after wrestling with his conscience, Harry said in a resigned tone. "Fine. I'll do it."



Thursday, September 11, 1997

"No, there is no news, Minister," Madam Pomfrey stated wearily. The man firecalled six times a day.

"How can there be NO news?" Scrimgeour demanded. "Is Potter finished? What is Snape's condition? What do I have to do, send in aurors to drag them to St. Mungo's?"

Madam Pomfrey arched an eyebrow. "Do you really think that would work, Minister?"

"I suppose not," he admitted, "at least the part about dragging Potter in. Still, I need to know what is going on!"

"As I have repeatedly told you, Mister Potter enters Professor . . . I mean Mister Snape's mind for about twenty minutes every four hours and attempts to heal it. Mister Snape has shown some REM. . . ."

"What?"

"Rapid Eye Movement, showing there is some higher brain activity. Miss Granger, that's right, this is news since the last time you called. You call so often I sometimes forget what I haven't told you." Scrimgeour scowled, but said nothing. "Anyway, Miss Granger is going to arrange some Muggle tests for Mister Snape. Some of their newest tests are more sophisticated than ours in detecting higher brain activity and locating physical damage. Mister Moody should actually be on the way to your office to make the arrangements. And yes, Miss Granger sent along some detailed information on what we hope to understand and discover. There is a healer from Toronto who specializes in melding Muggle and magical techniques for healing brain injuries, with some remarkable successes. She'll consult with her after the tests are completed."

"So," the Minister asked in a disappointed voice, "if there is going to be any progress, it's most likely going to be long term?"

"Exactly. Now, if you'll excuse me, there were a few students injured in a potions accident who I need to get back to."



Saturday, September 20, 1997

Harry sat down with his Council, plus of course McGonagall, Moody, and Arthur Weasley.

"First of all," Harry said, "I have to say I don't have anything to report my self. I've been working with Snape, and it's rough going, with less and less return as far as I can see." He shrugged. "Hermione's still in contact with that healer in Toronto, and we might see if we can get her to treat Snape and look at Neville's parents, too."

Neville smiled hopefully.

"So, anyone NOT have anything to report?" Harry asked. Ginny and Ron raised their hands. "Anyone want to go first? Headmistress?"

McGonagall nodded regally. "I have been discussing next year with the Board of Governors. They are amenable to considering allowing the Sixth and Seventh years to come back. It will take some time to work on details."

"The Minister is hoping for another progress report," Arthur said next.

"But there is nothing new to report," Harry pointed out.

"I know, but he still wants one."

Harry frowned. "The Minister can go and f. . . ."

Remus jumped in. "The dueling clubs are going well, considering we're just getting started." He shrugged. "That's really about it."

"Tonks and I have been testing the wards," Moody barked. "Everything SEEMS acceptible, but we'll keep at it." Tonks rolled her eyes, but said nothing.

"Remus, Miss Lovegood, Miss Granger, and I have worked through the remaining materials from the entrance to Slytherin's tunnel," Russell told the group. "The remaining material wasn't as interesting and even less relevant than the first batch we told you about."

"We will release some of the translations soon," Hermione said with a smile, "just to let the world know that Voldemort missed the material."

"What's the point of that?" Neville asked.

"It will make him wonder what else he missed that we haven't released," Russell said with a nasty smile.

"What will that accomplish?" Ginny asked.

"Voldemort has an outsized ego that makes any Malfoy look modest," Harry answered. "The longer he plots an offensive, the greater his advantage over us, unless we get very lucky and get some clue as to where he might be hiding. Add to that, he doesn't respect us, but would Slytherin, and any information we gain from Slytherin. If we can get him to doubt himself, he's more likely to make some error we can take advantage of."

"Perhaps," McGonagall agreed. "However, Tom Riddle was never one to question himself, even when he was a youngster."

"That's why questioning himself at this point might lead to a mistake," Russell pointed out.

"The psychological edge has always laid with Voldemort," Remus said quietly. It was only a few days after a full moon, and he was still tired. "We need to continue to chip away at that. Harry's becoming the White Warlock helped with the general wizarding population, but we need to undermine Voldemort and his followers."

The teens looked satisfied. Harry turned to Arthur. "Anything else from the Ministry?"

"The European Ministers will be meeting in secret next month," Arthur reminded them. "The Minister would prefer that the new elf regulations would come from more than just our Ministry, but he assured me that they will be announced by end of the year, and will be in effect by the spring equinox."

"It's still not enough," Hermione grumbled.

"Excuse me, miss," Dobby said tentatively, "but new rules are as far as most elves can accept."

Hermione looked mulish, but backed down at Harry's scowl. "Anything else?" Arthur shook his head. "Hagrid?"

"Tha forest seems quiet," Hagrid said. "I'd almost say, too quiet, if ya know wha' I mean."

"And your brother?"

"He's visitin' Olympe's sister in France," Hagrid said. "If they get along fine, he won' be back." Everyone seemed relieved at that news.

"Fred and George?"

"We're done," Fred said quietly.

"All of it?"

"For you and for the DA," Fred said.

"Does this mean we get to learn what these two have been up to?" Hermione asked.

"Some of it," Harry said. "Neville, how goes the DA?"

"Well," Neville answered. "I really think that between the DA and the dueling clubs, the students will be ready for anything by spring."

"We have some new tools for them," Harry said. "Ginny, I think you should recruit some of the DA and Third years into a separate group."

"Doing what?" Ginny asked eagerly.

"I was thinking of having a broom squadron, some acting as scouts in case of attacks and some attacking as an actual attack group."

"Is that wise?" McGonagall asked. After all, the students were her responsibility.

"If we can keep Voldemort out of the castle, they wouldn't be useful. However, we can't overlook the possibility that Slytherin left some other way into the castle other than the Chamber and the secret tunnels we've located. Similarly, we can't discount the idea that he could get on the grounds. He can certainly get as close as the Forest. In case of any kind of attack, the older students have to be ready to defend themselves."

"I must reluctantly agree," McGonagall said with a sigh.

"I wish all the Sixth and Seventh years were here," Luna said.

"I would imagine that was why the Governors leaning towards Riddle were happy to agree to open up without them," McGonagall said drily.



Saturday, September 27, 1997

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the elusive Mister Potter," Scrimgeour nearly snarled.

Harry glared at the Minister. "I've been inside a lunatic's mind most of the month, and it wasn't a very nice place even before he was crazy."

"I can believe that. Have you learned anything?" the Minister demanded.

Harry pulled a sealed envelope from his robe and tossed it onto the Minister's desk. "A few more names, and some solid leads for the European Ministries. Nothing spectacular. Most of his memories aren't really accessible."

"Too bad." Scrimgeour picked up the envelope. "You and I know that Voldemort's still out there, up to something. Most people are hoping he's disappeared for good." He grimaced. "It's a good thing that we stripped Malfoy and the others of their estates. There'd be even more yelling, calling for an end to 'over-spending' if we weren't using the confiscated money."

"Are those people Dark or just stupid?" Harry asked.

"Short-sighted, for the most part," Scrimgeour said with a shrug. "It was a bother at the time, but now I'm glad you had me get rid of Umbridge. We uncovered a lot of shady deals that let us get rid of some of her and Fudge's less savory supporters, and that gives me a hold on the ones still at the Ministry. If they push too hard, they know they'll go down before I do." Harry winced. "Yes, I know, this is not a good way to run a government, but we also need people in their jobs, and we really don't have all that many people to replace them with -- we used them to fill in the slots of the people we already arrested or let go. I know something about Muggle governments, too, you know. We're no worse than about two-thirds of them, and no worse than any of them were a hundred years ago."

Harry said nothing but didn't look impressed. "Go ask your friend Granger," Scrimgeour said. "Then ask Russell or your werewolf about wizarding society and people in general. Tell me, you know Muggles. If every Muggle had the power the average wizard had, would it be easier or harder to govern them? Especially if the members of their police and military had no more power than the average citizen?"

"Probably much more difficult," Harry admitted. "I might have to accept it, at least for now, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"True," Scrimgeour said. "I don't claim to like it either, but that's what I have to work with." He waved the envelope. "You didn't really come here yourself just to give me this, did you? Russell or Tonks or even young Weasley could have done that, or given it to Arthur for that matter."

"Hermione had an idea."

Scrimgeour didn't need any further clue. "To actually send Snape to that healer in North America instead of just consult?"

"Exactly."

"We don't have an extradition treaty with the North American Confederation," Scrimgeour pointed out.

"I wouldn't like that it, either," Harry agreed. "I want to see him punished for killing Dumbledore."

"And what does Granger have to say?" Percy Weasley had shared his opinions of the interactions of the group around Potter.

"That he's been punished -- he's still being punished for that matter -- which is true," Harry answered.

"And?"

"And I while I am not willing to condemn him to insanity if he can be helped, that doesn't mean I don't want him punished."

"What if he can still make a real contribution to the fight?"

"Then as far as I'm concerned, he can share a cell with Pettigrew for years instead of decades," Harry answered.

Scrimgeour laughed, not a pretty sound. "I'm glad to know you're human after all, Potter. What do you, or your friends, want from me?"

"They want permission to send Snape to Toronto," Harry said.

The Minister thought about that, and asked, "And what do you want?"

Harry shrugged. "How about a grant to a certain healer and her team to come and study the effects of the Cruciatus on the nervous system?"

"Snape and the Longbottoms?"

Harry nodded. "It will cost sixty to seventy-five thousand Galleons. I've arranged for thirty thousand, and St. Mungo's will match that through their foundation and some medical donations from other medical facilities around the world who want the same answers."

"Which means you might need up to fifteen thousand more?"

"Not in cash," Harry said. "Moody estimated that would be the cost of around-the-clock security for four months. He said that there was a French firm that might be trustworthy and that it has British operatives. A few of their ops, some of your regular security people, and an auror to supervise them, along with Moody. How does that sound?"

Scrimgeour gave a short, silent laugh. "Only Moody would say they only 'might be trustworthy', and you're right. These people would need protection. Besides the obvious, are there any other reasons why we should?"

Harry nodded. "Think of it as an investment into security, or at least for the security forces. If there is a cure for long-term Cruciatus torture, you need to know it."

"That's very true," Scrimgeour agreed. "I tell you what. I'll give you a tentative yes, and I'll let you know if we decide otherwise by next Friday. If you don't hear differently from Arthur, he and I will start the ball rolling."

"Thank you, Minister."

Scrimgeour stopped Harry with an upraised finger. "If it works, we all share the credit."

"Of course."

"Was there something else?"

Harry smiled, "I just wanted to remind you that you certainly have my support for the last version of the elf regulations that I saw. It's a good starting place."

Scrimgeour winced. The regulations were about as far as he wanted to go. "I'll get them promulgated, Potter, don't worry."

"I'm not, since I have a lot of confidence in you," Harry retorted. "I know these are as far as you want to go. Believe it or not, they go almost as far as I would want to go, for now. We need to let these work for at least ten years or more before we even think about any serious improvements."

Scrimgeour sighed.