The Price We Pay

The Price We Pay

Chapter 1

Remus Lupin stepped aside as the mediwizards entered the dungeon cell and began to examine and treat yet another prisoner. He watched as they removed the chains from the hysterical witch and calmed her down enough to transport to St. Mungo's Hospital for further treatment. At least she was aware and able to realize she was free. Some of the prisoners they had rescued reacted violently when the door to their cells opened and had to be stunned before being removed. They did not understand that they were being freed, not harmed.

With a grim sigh, Lupin left the cell and proceeded to the next door. He was surprised how extensive and isolated the dungeons of Riddle Manor were; they had explored the lower levels of Lord Voldemort's large mansion for most of the day and had found only twenty-two captives. The search of Malfoy Manor the day before had revealed over fifty wizards and witches, along with an assortment of Muggles. Most of the prisoners in Voldemort's lair were magical folk reported missing during the last weeks of the war and were in fairly decent condition considering who was holding them captive. The werewolf shook his head sadly as he thought of all the lives ruined by Voldemort and all the lives lost in the war.

He walked further down the dark stone corridor, holding his wand aloft to light his way. Cells that had been checked and opened were marked with a silver star and after winding his way through the dungeon for a minute Lupin heard someone shout his name from down a side corridor. Backtracking he came across a pair of frustrated wizards standing in front of a heavily bolted and warded door. This cell was located in an isolated part of the dungeon and Lupin wondered what was the problem now.

Stopping in front of the door he glanced into the face of Bill Weasley, who had volunteered his curse breaking skills in cracking the many wards protecting the dungeon and manor itself. Lupin knew Bill wanted to be at the bedside of his brother Ron and sister Ginny, as they were still recuperating from their wounds in the Hogwarts Infirmary. He had finally been convinced they were fine and he should go and help people who needed him. The Weasley family had grown even closer following the deaths of Arthur and Percy 3 days ago during the final battle at Hogwarts. They had swallowed their grief and with heads held high Bill, Charlie and even the twins offered to help others affected by the war any way they could. Mrs. Weasley had only smiled and chose to remain at Hogwarts with her youngest children, saying Arthur would have been proud of their efforts. Though dark circles of exhaustion and sorrow lined his eyes, Bill nodded his head at the door and said, "There's someone in there, but that's all we've been able to scan. What concerns us now is the sheer complexity of the spells sealing this door. Someone, probably Voldemort judging by the power of the various curses and charms, went to a lot of trouble to keep this door closed from outsiders."

Lupin frowned as he considered this news and asked, "Have you tried the normal counter charms and opening spells?"

"We haven't even attempted to open this door yet Remus. Mo here reckons one wrong move and things could get ugly real fast."

Lupin looked at a young witch by the name of Morgan Frost wearing Auror robes and holding up her wand cautiously.

"I specialize in charms and hexes sir and there are some here that I wouldn't touch by myself. Maybe with the three of us casting the counter spells we might have some effect." She reported with another cautious glance at the door. Lupin nodded his consent and they pointed their wands at the wooden door. At the count of three they each cast the same standard opening charm. Their spells were absorbed and the door remained shut. Scowling now, Lupin watched as Bill Weasley cast an even stronger spell. Then another. They had no effect.

"Who the hell is in there? What is going on?" Weasley growled as he finally gave up and turned confused eyes to Lupin. With a shrug he answered, "I have no idea. Let's try again."

Again they raised their wands and cast a stronger spell. This time when the combined spells hit the door something happened, but it was not what they expected. A bright green light materialized in front of them and when it faded they stared in surprise at the dungeon door, which of course was still closed. Pinned to the wood was a scroll tied with a green ribbon and sealed with the crest of a snake and skull. Frost scanned the letter quickly for any hexes and gave the all-clear sign. Reaching out Lupin removed the note from the door and his eyes grew wide in shock as he stared at the front of the letter. In neat handwriting was written the name Albus Dumbledore.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Picking up his cup of tea Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and owner of many other titles and positions, sighed and stared out his office window while stroking his long white beard thoughtfully. The sun was just beginning to set behind a thin layer of gray clouds, bathing the school grounds in patterns of light and shadow. He could spot Hagrid returning from the Forbidden Forest with Fang, no doubt checking in on the centaurs and other creatures that offered their help in defending the castle from the attack 3 days ago. Had it really been 3 days since the magical world had gathered in these halls for the final battle with Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters? He was still trying to process all that had happened in the previous week; it felt like years had passed, not a few days.

Dumbledore shook his silver head and sipped his tea as he sat and thought about the families torn apart, the children slain defending their school and the countless other wizards and witches who risked everything to rid the world of Tom Riddle. He liked to think he had been the wise and venerable leader everyone looked to for inspiration and instruction, but despite his best efforts things had gone wrong and the children he was charged to protect had been forced to raise their wands against enemies far stronger than them. Even though the Order of the Phoenix had risen from the ashes like its namesake to reclaim control of the battle, so many innocent lives had already been taken. Neville Longbottom, Colin Creevey, Susan Bones, Blaise Zabini and Luna Lovegood, to name a few of his children who died fighting for the light.

The Headmaster was really starting to feel his old age now and looked forward to a new era of peace blossom under the guidance of a new generation. Harry Potter would likely figure prominently in the years to come, having fulfilled the prophecy, as he and his classmates would work to make the wizarding world safe again for their children. Things were calming down and people would no longer need wizards like him to keep the peace and fight evil. Dumbledore had lived a very long, fulfilling life and it was time he retired someplace nice and perhaps take on some hobbies that Muggles were so fond of, like gardening, stamp collecting and folk music.

People would learn to live life to the fullest and cherish each day they lived without fear and the threat of Voldemort. Once the celebrations ended things would calm down and business would go on as usual. Of course, considering how long people celebrated the first downfall of Voldemort, Dumbledore would be surprised if the parties stopped before Christmas. He himself had yet to attend one of the many parties and gatherings being held because truth be told, Albus Dumbledore did not feel like socializing with his fellow wizards and witches. In a corner of his heart Dumbledore rejoiced privately with the memory of a man who deserved to celebrate the ruin of Voldemort more than anyone. He supposed Minerva McGonagall would drag him down to the formal school party when they finished restoring the Great Hall, but his thoughts always came back to the one person no one seemed to miss and whose contributions they did not remember. The one person he had let down and abandoned would never receive the recognition and credit due to him.

Severus Snape had been missing and presumed dead for 8 months now. He had been summoned on a cold night in October and had not been heard from or seen since. Dumbledore waited nervously throughout the night, as he always did, for his Professor to return; however this time his waiting was in vain. The Order of the Phoenix used all of its resources to locate the missing Snape, but they hit dead end after dead end. He had refused to listen to attempts to convince him that Severus was really gone, even snapping harshly at Minerva when she came to his office to hesitantly discuss hiring a new Potions Professor. At the end of the second month Dumbledore reluctantly declared it was assumed Snape had been finally discovered as a spy and was a casualty of war. It pained him to reveal this to the Order and in his heart he firmly believed Severus was alive.

His musings were interrupted by a knock on his office door and Dumbledore remembered he had asked Minerva to see him before dinner. He set down his cup, opened the door and smiled kindly at the stately witch. Professor McGonagall had been released from the Infirmary this morning and she was still recovering from being hit with two cruciatus curses at the same time. Despite her pale appearance her eyes were bright and she appeared as stern as ever.

"Thank you for coming, Minerva. Can I get you some tea? Lemon drop perhaps? Please sit down."

"No, thank you, Albus. I just had tea with Molly Weasley and will be going to dinner shortly. Poor dear needed a hot cup of tea somewhere calm."

"Ah, yes. How is Molly doing? I spoke with her yesterday but haven't had the time to have a real talk with her." Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and gazed at McGonagall over his half-moon glasses.

"As well as can be expected I suppose. Ron and Ginny will be fine but she hasn't had the time to really grieve for Arthur or Percy. I sense she will need all the support we can give her in the weeks to come."

Dumbledore nodded sadly as he remembered the fierce battle between Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy. It only took a momentary lapse in concentration for the Death Eater to slip the Killing Curse past Arthur's defenses. Too busy gloating over killing the muggle loving Arthur Weasley, Lucius failed to see the enraged Percy behind him until it was too late. The avenging son was later slain by an unknown Death Eater and the Weasley family lost two good, honorable people in the war. So many children lost to a horrible monster.

"Of course, I will be sure to visit them tomorrow after breakfast." Dumbledore paused and with a heavy sigh dropped his gaze to the many papers on his desk. It was amazing how a war could produce so much paperwork. "I asked you here Minerva, to inform you about an important decision I have made regarding my future here at Hogwarts."

McGonagall stared at the old wizard apprehensively. His blue eyes twinkled at her but they had lost some of their spark. She could see the weight of his many years pressing down on Albus and it worried her immensely. He had never been the same since Snape disappeared and whatever he was about to tell her could not be good.

"I have given this issue much thought and I have decided to resign as Headmaster of this school effective this summer. As Deputy Headmistress the position would obviously fall to you and you have the support of the Board of Governors. You will make a fine Headmistress of Hogwarts if I may say so myself."

For a long minute there was silence in the office as McGonagall processed this sudden declaration. This was not what she had expected to hear when Albus asked her to come up to his office before dinner. When she found her voice she said incredulously, "Albus are you sure?! This is your life; Hogwarts would never be the same without you! Are you serious?"

"Quite serious Minerva. All things must change my friend and I have been planning this for some time. You underestimate your own influence here; this school will continue to thrive under your direction. You accept my proposal don't you?"

"Yes, yes of course Albus! But are you sure you should be leaving so soon after all that has happened? The children need you. The staff will need you. Now is not the time to be making radical changes."

Dumbledore merely smiled serenely as he gazed at his Deputy and trusted friend. Choosing to avoid her questions for the moment he popped a lemon drop in his mouth and exclaimed, "Excellent! We should announce this as soon as possible and work on the radical changes, as you put them, over the summer once everyone has left."

McGonagall pressed her lips together to avoid frowning unhappily. Albus had not answered her questions and his mind appeared to be elsewhere tonight. She opened her mouth to reply when someone knocked loudly on the office door. Both wizard and witch jumped slightly and Dumbledore rose to greet his visitor. He had barely opened the door when Remus Lupin dashed in, breathing heavily and clutching something tight in his hand.

"Remus!! What are you doing here? I thought you were overseeing the search of Riddle Manor? Did you find something interesting?"

Lupin stopped to catch his breath and gave Dumbledore an odd look. He held up the note in his right hand and replied, "Interesting? Oh yes, I think this qualifies as very interesting Headmaster."

Before he could say any more McGonagall had pressed a glass of water in his other hand and motioned for him to sit down while he told his tale. Dumbledore eyed the note with the serpent seal with growing trepidation and curiosity.

"Sorry for bursting in like this but I believe this cannot wait much longer. My team was freeing the prisoners from the dungeons when we came across a cell we couldn't open. Bill Weasley couldn't even get past the spells sealing this door and when we tried a stronger opening charm this letter appeared. It is addressed to you Albus."

With a slightly shaking hand Lupin handed the letter to Dumbledore, who stared in horror at the green seal of Lord Voldemort. He glanced at the other two and found the same fear and wonder he felt mirrored in their own eyes. His hands were incredibly steady as he broke the seal of the letter and unfolded it. Taking a deep breath he began to read.

Dear Albus,

Congratulations! If you are reading this it means Potter has finally vanquished me and everything you fought for has come to a victorious end. While your associates are no doubt celebrating my permanent demise, I imagine you are sulking in your office thinking about lives saved and lost. Sentimental old fool. And knowing your misplaced affection for one traitorous life in particular it is my pleasure and honor to inform you to the final whereabouts of your Severus Snape.

He is currently locked in the same dungeon cell where you found this letter. Yes he is still alive, death would have been too good for your spy, but in what state of mind he exists now I cannot really say. We have had our fun with him and I am returning him to you now. Severus held out longer than I thought he would, a shame I will miss your reaction upon seeing what your precious professor has become. The door is enchanted to open upon your touch alone.

Consider him a parting gift to you Albus.

Cordially Yours,

Tom Marvolo Riddle

Before McGonagall or Lupin could ask what the letter said Dumbledore had already left his office and was running through the castle faster than anyone had seen him move.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Standing in the dungeons of Riddle Manor only one thought was running through Albus Dumbledore's mind. Severus, his Severus, was alive and behind this wooden door. Resisting the urge to blow this door and the entire mansion to dust Dumbledore took a deep breath and loosened his grip on his wand. He paid no attention whatsoever to the group of wizards waiting behind him and barely registered what Remus Lupin was asking him. Dumbledore reached out to grasp the iron handle of the door and found that Tom, for once, was not lying to him. Immediately all the complex and powerful spells Riddle had cast on the cell vanished and the door opened with a small click. With determined eyes and a grim frown Dumbledore swung the door open wider and entered the small cell.

The first thing that assailed his senses was the smell. Foul, noxious smells hit his nose and his stomach churned violently. He did not pause to consider what was the source of the dark stench in fear of losing his lunch. Next was the complete darkness of the cell itself and Dumbledore used his wand to cast a dim light around the dirty, cold prison. A large rat scurried away through a hole in the stone and a puddle of brown liquid was forming in a corner. Blood, grime and other mysterious substances stained the walls and rusted chains hung menacingly at various heights around the cell. It was very cold and the impression of pain, fear and despair still hung in the air. Dumbledore absorbed all this in a second before his attention was drawn to a huddled form in the farthest corner from the door.

"Oh, Severus." He breathed softly and made his frozen legs move to cross the length of the cell in two slow steps. Dumbledore felt his heart break as he sank to his knees next to the broken man. His movements were slow so not to scare Snape but the curled figure had not moved, nor even appeared he was aware he was no longer alone.

He was naked, body curled into a tight defensive ball with head protected as much as possible from overhead blows. Thick iron chains encircled his wrists and ankles and to Dumbledore's horror a heavy metal collar connected by a chain to a hook in the wall encircled his pale throat. The blood and dark bruises covering his emaciated body worried Dumbledore, but not as much as the unresponsiveness and total absence of sanity in Snape's dull black eyes, which were open and staring at the wall in front of him blankly. His mouth hung open and a thin line of drool trailed down to the ground.

"Severus? It's me, Albus," Dumbledore whispered concernedly. No response.

With a steady hand he touched Snape on the shoulder, being careful to avoid the disturbing whip marks covering his horribly scarred back. Snape finally reacted, flinching from his touch and dissolving into fierce trembling. There was still no sign of recognition or awareness in that empty face. Dumbledore was just beginning to understand what Riddle meant in his letter by 'state of mind.' It was clear Snape had no mind.

"Oh my poor child. I'm here, I'm finally here." He soothed and watched helplessly as Snape's trembling increased. Dumbledore released him from his chains and collar with the wave of his wand and hoped Riddle was suffering a thousand deaths in whatever level of hell he was currently residing. He then removed his own cloak and hoped a warm touch would calm down the scared man enough for transport.

Gentle hands wrapped Snape in the folds of the soft cloak before casting a simple sleep charm and pushing the exhausted body into slumber. The black eyes slipped closed and with a small sigh Snape snuggled closer into the sudden warmth.

Lifting the alarmingly light body in his arms Dumbledore rose and left the accursed cell. A pair of mediwizards from St. Mungo's had arrived to take care of Snape but his arms reflexively tightened around the sleeping man, and he pinned the wizards with a glare that would have frozen a mad dragon.

"I am taking him back to Hogwarts. I will call for a Healer if we need further assistance." His cold tone brooked no argument and they hastily stepped aside.

The Headmaster swept past them without another glance, cradling his precious burden to his chest as he left the dungeons. Only the shadows could see the tears roll down into his white beard.

*TBC*