Resurrection

Resurrection
by Eilan

Chapter One: Relations

"Being evil is worse than doing evil"
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

At the main entrance of Hogwarts, Minerva waited for Severus. He wasn't late, yet she got more irritated with every passing second. She wondered if she could hide her displeasure about his teaching at Hogwarts to avoid upsetting Dumbledore. But despite her misgivings, she was there, waiting for the newest addition to the teaching staff at Hogwarts.

He came, at first just a dot at the horizon, slowly coming nearer. He was obviously not using a broom to get to Hogwarts, otherwise he would've arrived earlier. As it was, she had to wait several minutes before she could see him properly. He hadn't changed much at all: he looked exactly as he had in the picture she had seen the week before. His black hair was pulled into a ponytail and his body language told her that he was someone who was indifferent to everything that happened around him. Finally, he stood in front of her.

"Severus," she greeted him, nodding. Now that he was close to her she could see that he didn't just seem indifferent about his surroundings, but also about himself. His robes were in a good state, but his hair was greasy and he was not shaved properly.

"Professor," came the equally cold reply. Had it been anyone else, she would've probably told them to call her Minerva, but as it was she felt no real desire to conceal her feelings about his newly gained position from him.

"I will bring you to Professor Dumbledore," she stated matter-of-factly and turned to walk through the door. He followed her without any further word until they arrived at the stairs that would lead them to the tower in which Headmaster Dumbledore's office was located.

"If you would give me the password, I can find the way alone." His voice held no emotion.

Minerva forced herself to turn around slowly, not with the quick motion she would usually have used. She looked at Snape for a few seconds before answering him.

"I have orders to lead you to Professor Dumbledore's office and I will do exactly that." Minerva wanted her voice to be cold and sharp, but instead she sensed that she sounded hurt. She turned away before she could see the corners of Snape´s mouth twitch into a smirk.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Sugar quill."

The gargoyle guarding the door to the Headmaster's tower stepped aside as Professor McGonagall said the password and revealed the stairs to Dumbledore´s office. Snape followed her through and they climbed the stairs in silence.

Severus barely took notice of his surroundings. He remembered climbing those stairs for the first time, in his second year. Dumbledore had just been made Headmaster and one of his first duties had been to tell a second-year that his mother had been killed in a Muggle car accident.

Severus hadn't even noticed that McGonagall had knocked when the door opened and Professor Dumbledore -- Albus, as he had been told to call him -- offered him a hand which he politely took.

"Severus, it's good to see you."

His response was to try a sincere smile that he could feel failing. He wasn't the type of person who smiled often and if he did, it was never sincere.

"It's good to see you, too." It was not an entirely honest answer, but it served its purpose. With one motion of his hand, the Headmaster of Hogwarts invited him into his office and Snape quickly entered.

Dumbledore's office hadn't changed much since he had last seen it, in his seventh year. Every time he had spoken to Dumbledore since then had been either at some pub or via fireplace. Even that annoying phoenix - Fawkes, as he recalled -- was still there and eyed him carefully. As a general rule, magical creatures disliked him. It had been no surprise to him that he had nearly failed Care of Magical Creatures. There was a mutual dislike between him and such beasts.

Behind him, he could hear Albus and McGonagall -- he refused to call the head of Gryffindor House Minerva, even in his head -- chatting quietly. Not quietly enough, however. They seemed to underestimate his ability to hear even conversations that were held in low voices.

"You can leave now, Minerva. I will inform you of everything later."

"But Albus, shouldn't I be present?"

Severus snorted. She was so typical of Gryffindors, too curious for her own good. And totally oblivious to everything that didn't jump directly in her face. He hoped she would just take the hint and leave. He knew it was unfair to judge her thus, but after all, she had been the person who allowed Black to go without any punishment in their fifth year. If Snape knew anything, it was how to hold a grudge.

"I think it will be better if I talk to him alone." Dumbledore had raised his voice just a bit now, and he could hear him without any problem. Snape didn't know what the purpose of whispering was when you whispered almost as loudly as you talked.

McGonagall seemed to finally get the point. "If you're sure about that..." Her voice trailed off and Snape almost sighed out of relief.

Finally, the door snapped shut and Severus was left alone with Dumbledore.

"Do you want some tea?" Dumbledore asked and Severus nearly jumped with surprise. He had been touchy for some time now, something he definitely had to change. It would do him no good to stay like that.

"No, thank you," he replied as politely as he could.

"Take a seat then."

At first, Severus wanted to tell him that he'd prefer to stay standing, but he quickly dismissed this idea. He could at least make himself comfortable, as they would probably just discuss some boring school business. After all, everything important had already been discussed weeks before.

Severus quickly sat down and looked up. There had been a time, from his fifth year at Hogwarts onward until only a few weeks before, that he had not been able to look into Dumbledore´s eyes. Either because he thought his hatred would show, or - more recently -- because he was too ashamed to. He was relieved that he could do so now.

"So, Severus, you know that your being here is merely a façade, so we don´t have too much to discuss," Albus began.

Severus wasn't sure whether Dumbledore was referring to this meeting, which was just set up to hide that the decision had already been made, or his teaching at Hogwarts.

His confusion must've shown on his face, as Dumbledore immediately explained, "In a sense, you have already been given the position as Potion's teacher. We can skip the formalities now and sign the papers so that you can leave soon. I take it there are a few people who want to speak to you." It was more a statement than a question.

"There are," was Snape´s only reply. He certainly wasn't looking forward to his 'meeting' with Lucius Malfoy. He could deal with people like his former Slytherin friends Nott and Avery - Avery having been in his year, Nott one year above them --, even with people like Crabbe and Goyle if he had to, but Lucius Malfoy -- he could only feel disgust at the thought of him.

Dumbledore obviously thought better than to question Snape any further. His expression betrayed that he was a bit uncomfortable with the subject.

"Very well. You'll be able to prepare your quarters and meet the rest of the staff one week before the next term starts. This should be an ample amount of time to get to know them." Snape snorted. He wasn't really keen on 'getting to know the staff'. He knew most of them from his time as a student and didn't think he would like them one bit more than he had before. He wasn't going to be teaching at Hogwarts for more than one year anyway, so it would do no good to waste energy trying to get along with them.

"You will be very free in what you are going to teach the students. I believe Professor Jennig will owl you the current state of knowledge the second to seventh years have."

"He already has," Severus interrupted the Headmaster, who nodded approvingly. The owl had arrived the other day and Severus had soon realised that Professor Jennig hadn't changed his curriculum since Severus had left Hogwarts. It wouldn't be too difficult to teach these children. At least not from the academic side of things .

He felt his mind wandering off while still listening to what Albus told him about his duties as a teacher and Head of House.

Twenty minutes later, he had signed the paper that made it official: he now was 'Professor Severus Snape, Potion's Master, Potions Teacher, and Head of Slytherin House'. Sounded impressive enough. He smirked.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What is it, Corwin?" Lucius was not pleased to be contacted this early in the morning, and he didn't bother to hide it. Nott had better have a very good reason for disturbing him.

Thankfully, Nott had never been a fan of small talk.

"Barty, the Lestranges and Todd Raven have been found and captured in their hideout in Wales," Nott stated. His voice held no emotion, but his facial expression made it quite clear that he was angry about the recent turn of events.

At first Lucius was stunned, but he quickly got over it. The Lestranges and Bartemius had been among the most valuable followers of the Dark Lord, and if they were to be persecuted it could prove a major setback. Because Karkaroff had spilled their names they had gone into hiding for some time. Anger welled up inside Lucius.

"What are they accused of?" He had to know the extent of the damage Karkaroff had potentially caused by telling the Ministry of Magic the names of the four Death Eaters. Revealing the names, Karkaroff had been given a shorted sentence - under the condition, of course, that they were indeed guilty. Lucius didn´t know what Karkaroff had told the ministry other than the names, so he hoped they were accused of something that couldn´t be proven.

"Using an Unforgivable on two Aurors, Frank and Melissa Longbottom. The punishment the Ministry wants is a life-long imprisonment in Azkaban."

Lucius silently cursed. The incident had occurred over a year before. He knew that the Longbottoms were still at St. Mungo's because of the Cruciatus curse, so there was close to no chance that Crouch, Raven and the Lestranges would go unpunished. Lucius hadn't approved of this course of action when Crouch had suggested it because the risk was too high, but the Dark Lord hadn't done anything to stop it. Without the Dark Lord, his followers would have to be more careful in the future.

"Damn it," he said aloud.

Nott paled a bit. Lucius knew it was because he rarely showed any feelings other than anger with one of his inferiors. He wasn´t known for cursing.

"Who is going to testify?"

"Karkaroff, since he gave Crouch Sr. the names. Karkaroff would do anything to get out of Azkaban a bit earlier and he would certainly tell them that they were serving the Dark Lord and weren't under the Imperious curse. Then there's Preston Hover, an Auror who worked with the Longbottoms. He headed the investigation and probably has found evidence that will prove the guilt of the accused. Besides these two, I have no idea."

"I'm surprised there will even be a trial. Crouch Sr. seems to be eager to let it look as if he's justified in sending his son to Azkaban." Lucius laughed in spite of the situation. Four of the most loyal Death Eaters would probably be sent to Azkaban for life because of Karkaroff´s treachery. Damn it, indeed.

Corwin Nott didn't respond. He just watched Lucius Malfoy and waited for his orders.

"We'll be meeting this evening. Ten o'clock, here. Contact Avery, Crabbe and Goyle."

Lucius judged that to be the end of the conversation until Nott spoke again.

"What about Snape?"

"He´s otherwise occupied. I will meet with him tomorrow."

Without any further explanation, Lucius ended the conversation. After staring for some time at the empty fireplace, he left the room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Minerva had waited in the staff room while Dumbledore spoke with Snape. Snape had left Dumbledore´s office about thirty minutes after she had, and now she could no longer restrain herself. Minerva was angry for having been shoved out of Albus´s office. Why had Albus come to her when deciding whom to pick for the position and then had more or less kicked her out of the door? It didn't make any sense. She had been present when he had talked to the future Divination Professor, Sybill Trelawney, just after the students had left.

And Dumbledore had known that she strongly disliked Sybill. So why should he not want Minerva to be present when he talked with Snape?

After waiting two more minutes, she stood up and left the deserted staff room. Apart from her and Dumbledore there were only four teachers present at Hogwarts these days. Rose Walkshire, the former Divination professor wanted to make sure her replacement -- who would spend the next week at Hogwarts -- was properly introduced to her duties. George and Helena Brown, the Defence Against the Dark Arts and Ancient Runes professors, respectively, would only be on holiday for two weeks in August. And Elizabeth Vector, the Arithmancy professor, had decided all she needed for a holiday was some quiet time at Hogwarts. But the rest of the staff had gone. Even the school nurse, Poppy Pomfrey, had taken leave. In case of an emergency, Serena Sprout -- who was currently at her flat in Hogsmeade with her husband -- would take over Poppy's duties.

Knocking on the door of Dumbledore's office, she wondered what she was going to do. She was hurt, she had to admit that. Maybe not really hurt, but she felt as if she had been deliberately slighted by her closest friend. And that did hurt her.

"Come in, Minerva."

When she entered his office, she immediately felt a certain warmth spread through her. This room was familiar to her, even more so than her family's home. She had always felt at home sitting in this room, drinking tea and talking to her best friend. But considering what had just happened, the warmth quickly subsided and was replaced by a mild, restrained anger once again.

"Please, take a seat," the Headmaster told her one second too late, as she had already seated herself. He smiled. This smile, that she had seen so many times before, made her even more furious.

"Albus, what were you thinking, shoving me out of your office right in front of that..." Minerva didn't even know a word that described what she wanted to say about Snape. She preferred to let her voice trail off. It was quite obvious what she meant anyway.

"Minerva, I am truly sorry about that. I should've told you beforehand that I wanted to talk to Severus alone." Albus really looked sorry and she couldn´t stand looking into his eyes any more, because if she did she would give in with no further argument.

Just then she realised that Albus had called him Severus even before their conversation . Had he been in contact with him before?

One second later, she realised how stupid that thought was. Of course Albus had been talking with Snape before -- he had invited him to come to Hogwarts. And Severus had been a student at Hogwarts. Albus had always maintained a close relationship with his students, whereas she tried to distance herself from them to be able to judge them objectively.

"Really, Albus, you shouldn't have talked to him alone. For all I know he could be a second You-Know-Who and could've tried to kill you." Her voice was a bit higher than usual. She always talked like this when she was upset or angry and she hated it.

"As you know, I am perfectly capable of protecting myself, Minerva. And Severus is going to be a teacher here, we can't treat him like he's our enemy."

"I'm not of the opinion that he's an 'enemy'. I just think we should be careful around him," Minerva said. She felt that sounded as if she felt the need to defend herself, what she didn´t.

Albus leaned forward a bit and looked straight into her eyes.

"Minerva, do whatever you like, but trust me: Severus is no risk to us. I take responsibility for everything if -- if something goes wrong. Please, just trust me on this."

Once again, she couldn't help but nod. Albus had such an effect on people and even she couldn't resist it, although she knew he used it on her deliberately. But she decided to keep a close eye on their new teacher all the same. After all, she cared a lot about her students, Albus, and the rest of the staff. And if Snape did anything that indicated he was misusing the trust that Albus had given him, she would make him wish he had never accepted the job.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Malfoy Manor was quiet in the evenings. Of course it was always rather quiet, because apart from Narcissa, Lucius and Draco, there were only a few servants and ghosts who lived in it.

But in the evenings, when Draco was asleep, dinner was eaten, and the servants were confined to their rooms, not one sound disturbed the nearly peaceful atmosphere in the manor. Narcissa still remembered being surprised when she had been inside the Manor for the first time. She had expected raw walls, dark colours and dimmed light. Instead, the inside of Malfoy Manor was quite welcoming. The walls were painted in light grey, decorated with pictures of landscapes, and big chandeliers hung in nearly every room.

She was expected in the dining room in two minutes and so she quickened her pace. She wore green robes embroidered with gold and she had her hair falling loose around her shoulders. It was not a formal meeting, as she had attended countless times, but she was nevertheless expected to be there and to represent her family as well as possible. As much as Lucius didn't trust her, he couldn't show it in front of the others and thus she would again be the only woman present. Pricilla Lestrange had been the only high-ranking female Death Eater, and normally wives were either not allowed at meetings or were placed under memory charms afterwards. Lucius, of course, was too sure of himself and his control over Narcissa to do such a thing to her.

Narcissa arrived in the dining room at exactly five to ten. Lucius was already there, and he looked up and down her body before nodding approvingly. She could've slapped him just for that look, but instead she smiled weakly and sat down next to him.

No word was spoken between the two of them until exactly five minutes later when Corwin Nott, Armand Avery, William Crabbe and Garrett Goyle entered the room. Narcissa and Lucius stood up to greet them, then led them to the room in which Lucius received his associates. Nearly every room in Malfoy Manor had a fireplace, but since this room also served as something like a living room, they normally gathered there. Books lined the walls in it, as they did in nearly every room of the Manor. However, this was the only room that had two bookshelves reserved for novels Narcissa and Lucius read for pleasure. The other books in the Manor all had something to do with magic, both Light and Dark.

They sat down in chairs that were scattered around the fireplace. Lucius had briefed Narcissa about his conversation with Nott, so she didn't need any further introduction to what would be discussed.

"So, Barty, Leith, Pricilla and Todd will probably go to Azkaban, I understand," Armand Avery began calmly. He was the kind of person that, unlike Lucius, William, or Garrett, one would never suspect of being a member of the Dark Lord's ranks. He was a tall, thin man with short brown hair, average in every way. Corwin Nott was the same. William and Garrett looked more like men who would be on the 'Dark' side, both being tall and muscular, but slightly dumb. They never moved with the grace that Narcissa had always admired about Lucius and Corwin.

"It certainly looks like it," Lucius replied.

"If the situation weren't that hopeless, I'd say it's their own damn fault." Corwin Nott had only muttered it under his breath, but of course they had all heard him say it. Before Lucius could give him the icy reply that was certainly on the tip of his tongue, Narcissa stepped in.

"Perhaps they went too far, but that's not why we are here today," she said coldly. If anyone had the right to judge the actions of the four Death Eaters, it was either the Dark Lord or Lucius. Nott was in no position to do so.

Corwin immediately seemed to get the hint, as he was not too foolish, and snapped his mouth shut. Of course Narcissa was not optimistic enough to think it would stay that way.

"What will happen to Karkaroff once he gets out of Azkaban?" Avery asked after a moment.

"We'll deal with that problem as soon as he is released," Narcissa answered with some annoyance, glaring at him. He shouldn't have needed to ask that question, since the answer was obvious. A minute of silence passed while all of them thought how little they would want to be in Karkaroff´s place.

"In light of this recent event, different matters are in orders. We cannot act openly any more - instead, we'll have to rely on other ways to reach out goals," Lucius stated as if nothing had been said since he had last spoken. As Narcissa knew, he was a master when it came to ignoring people if he wanted.

"More inconspicuous ways, I guess," Armand concluded.

Lucius just nodded.

"So, what do we do?" Crabbe spoke up. He was one of the people that in Narcissa's opinion probably didn't even know what inconspicuous meant.

"Severus will start teaching at Hogwarts next term," Lucius began. Nott wanted to comment on that, but Lucius quieted him with a sharp glance.

"Apparently, he has successfully convinced Dumbledore that he has turned away from our side and will spy on us for him, if Albus grants him a safe 'haven' at Hogwarts," Narcissa explained. She knew Lucius wasn't too happy about the fact that she had spoken instead of him, but she didn't really care. It would not weaken his power over them, and after they were gone, she would be the silent little wife again. In public, however, she had an image to maintain. And that included not hiding behind her husband if possible. Her mother had been the same way and raised her in that sense. She would not stand in the background behind her husband.

"Of course," Lucius continued "the old fool was quite easily convinced that Severus was telling him the truth. His being there gives us several advantages. He is spying on Dumbledore and thus, we will know what the other side is thinking. Then, he can supply Dumbledore with the wrong information about what we're going to do. You can certainly imagine that this strengthens our position."

Narcissa could certainly imagine that it would strengthen Lucius's position.

"As soon as Severus has gained his trust, however, we should make sure that we get rid of Dumbledore." She leaned back and summoned a glass of wine. This would prove to be very interesting.

***

To be continued...