Power of the Quill

The Power of the Quill.

Chapter 10. Memories.

As soon as Severus entered the small room, he could smell the scent of blood and sex still thick in the air. "Lumos Projectus," Snape said as he withdrew his wand from his robe. A small ball of light shot from the tip of his wand and hovered overhead. The evidence of what had happened here became easily apparent as light filled the room.

A large pool of blood was in the center. A set of bloody handprints was just to the right. Three distinct sets of bloody footprints littered the floor. Severus was amazed at the stupidity of the scene. He was sure that if he were to confront the three Slytherins now, they would all still be wearing the same bloody footwear they had used the previous evening. A half-trained Auror on his first day could make an airtight case against Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. Severus knew that really didn't make any difference. The hypocrisy and prejudice of the Wizarding World all but insulated purebloods like Malfoy from true justice.

Severus heard the door creek open behind him as another person entered the room. "What do you want, werewolf?" he asked with venom in his voice, still keeping his back to the other wizard. Remus closed the door after he entered the room. "Did the Headmaster send you here to make sure I didn't take matters into my own hands?" Snape contemptuously asked.

"No, not entirely," Remus answered. "Albus trusts you'll do the right thing. He only fears that your idea of what is right might differ from his own."

"That is undoubtedly true," Snape said as he turned to face Lupin. "So, what sort of trickery allowed you to regain your current position?"

"No deception was involved. I merely accepted the position when it was offered to me," Remus answered.

"Dumbledore simply asked you?" Snape asked, sounding annoyed.

"Yes, he has asked me every year, since I left, to return to Hogwarts. With Sirius now gone and the Ministry making it very difficult to find employment in the Wizarding World., I decided to take Albus up on his offer," Remus explained.

Giving his fellow professor a very contemptuous look, Snape asked, "You don't actually believe that you're more qualified for the Dark Arts position than me, do you?"

"You may have a greater knowledge of the Dark Arts, Severus, but I'm still well-qualified to teach the course," Remus answered, self-assuredly. "What I'm not qualified to do is teach Potions. Hogwarts is the only school of wizardry, which I know of, employing a Potions Master to teach the subject. I think the Headmaster believes that anything else would be a waste of your natural talents."

"Using flattery; how very un-Gryffindor of you, Lupin," Snape said in a sarcastic tone. "You should know by now such a ploy will never work on me."

"It's not a ploy, Severus. I simply wish that we not spend the entire year at each other's throats, once again. Recent events have shown Hogwarts isn't as safe as it once was. Only with all of us working together, without distractions, can we prevent this from happening again," Remus said as he looked down at the pool of blood on the floor.

"This will happen again; I can assure you of that. Especially if we do nothing to remove those from this castle who have already given their souls to the Dark Lord," Snape said in frustration.

"Draco is the only one we know of that has taken the Mark. It should not be beyond us to keep a proper eye on one teenage boy," Remus said.

"That is precisely why we need to act now while there is only one. How many will there be by the time Malfoy graduates two years from now? Goyle and Crabbe may be already too far gone to save; in two years there might be ten or more," Snape said bitterly. "If we continue to do nothing, we will be fighting a war against the very same children we now try to protect."

"Then we should remove him from Hogwarts," Lupin suggested. "It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out a way to get rid of one student without death being involved."

"Expulsion?" Snape asked.

"Why not? Draco's father is in prison and no longer has any influence with the Ministry. His mother has been removed from him. If we come up with something plausible, the Ministry shouldn't interfere on Malfoy's behalf," Remus answered.

"The Malfoy estate is still quite substantial. He could easily buy some powerful new friends in the Ministry. It will not be as easy as you think to remove him," Snape stated. "Of course, if he were to be expelled for something that can't be forgiven, not even by the Ministry, than it's possible we might be able to remove him."

"If he were caught doing Dark Magic, we could easily have him expelled," Remus said.

"Dark Magic - you can't be serious? More than half the students in Hogwarts try some form of it before they leave here. The Ministry regularly turns its back when wizards are caught performing Dark Magic; this will be no different. You need to stop thinking like a Gryffindor and start thinking like a Slytherin. You have to ask yourself 'what does the Ministry truly hate?'" Snape said with a malicious look on his face.

"And what would that be?" Remus asked.

"Muggles," Snape answered.

"Muggles! How will that help us get rid of Malfoy?" he asked.

"The worst crime a wizard can be accused of is giving, or selling, magical secrets to Muggles. If young Mr. Malfoy found himself in this position, it would very difficult for him to find friends in the Ministry. He would most certainly lose favor with the Dark Lord, as well," Snape said in a malevolent voice.

"You really can be quite the Slytherin sometimes, Snape," Remus warily said.

"I already told you, flattery will get you nowhere with me," Snape sarcastically said. He then bent down on one knee next to the pool of blood. With the tips of his fingers, he plucked a small metal object out of the center of the pool. The cold, stone floor kept the blood wet and sticky even after nearly 24 hours. The small half-inch object was a gold-plated bunny. Snape recognized it as part of Pansy's bracelet.

"You don't think expulsion is enough?" Remus asked.

"Twenty-seven broken bones, loss of more than half her blood volume, raped and thrown away like a piece of garbage. No, expulsion seems scarcely adequate," Snape answered in frustration as images of the girl's broken body ran through his mind.

"We are not seeking justice, Severus. We are only trying to keep the innocent safe until we achieve victory against the Dark Lord," Remus said. "Justice must come later."

"You're beginning to sound like Dumbledore," Snape stated.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Remus said with a slight smile.

"Don't, it was not meant as one," Snape affirmed. He rubbed the small golden bunny between his fingers, trying to remove the blood. "I have known this child since she was only two. Her mother had contacted me personally about a potion for her daughter. As a toddler, Pansy had somehow gotten into her father's hidden supply of pure Hellebore powder. She had a severe rash from head to toe. Her father didn't want to explain to a Mediwitch how his daughter came in contact with an illegal control-substance. So, he had his wife consult me for a remedy. I spent three weeks working on an antidote and couldn't get the feisty little brat to drink a drop of it. It took three of us to hold her down so that I could pinch her little snout-like nose shut and force her to drink," Snape cheerlessly said. "She has always been a very spirited child; that's why I chose her as Prefect. I knew she could contend with the other three houses' prefects. She has rarely ever backed down or shown fear.

"Now she is nothing but an empty shell, just a ghost image of herself; no fight or fire remains. I doubt she will ever be anywhere near what she once was or could have been," he said in a solemn voice.

"Have you not known Draco even longer?" Remus asked.

"Yes. The day after he was born, Lucius threw a large ball at Malfoy Manor to introduce his son to the Wizarding World," Snape answered.

"You made him a Prefect, as well. It seems to me you have equal sentiments for both. Do you not wish to see both of them reach their true potential? " Remus asked.

"No, they are not the same. Pansy had her innocence torn from her, unlike Draco who threw his away for the promise of power and supremacy; something the Dark Lord will never deliver. His ignorance has led him to believe that he is among the elite. In truth, he is nothing but a slave and will soon die one," Snape said coldly.

"We cannot let our emotions rule us, Severus. We have ready lost a great deal because we couldn't control our feelings," Remus cautioned.

Snape stood up and looked Remus in the eyes with a callous stare. "Are you referring to the demise of our late friend, Mr. Black? Do you blame me for his death, the same way that slow-witted Potter boy does?" Snape asked in an irritated voice.

"No, I don't blame you for Sirius's death," Remus answered. "His choice to go after Harry, to the Department of Mysteries, was his and his alone. Of course, there may not have been a reason for him to go if you hadn't stopped teaching Harry Occlumency. Why did you stop the lessons? Surely you knew that Dumbledore wouldn't have asked you if he didn't think the lessons were important."

Severus could sense the underlying resentment in Lupin's question. He didn't say it, but Lupin indeed held him at least partly responsible for what happened to Black. "Potter was a hopeless student. He lacked the concentration and discipline to ever be a master of Occlumency. Continuing the lessons would have been a waste of my time," he answered resentfully.

"Are you sure it wasn't your pride that caused you to suspend the lessons?" Remus accused. "Harry told us about what he had seen in the Pensieve; isn't that the real reason you stopped teaching him Occlumency?"

"It's not surprising that Potter told you about that," Snape said bitterly. "His silence was the only thing I have ever asked of the Boy Wonder. So, of course, he couldn't wait to betray my trust. He truly is his father's son." Lupin just stared back at him with his amber eyes. Severus could tell he had upset Lupin by insulting his long-dead friend and his son.

"You showed Harry a part of his father he never knew existed. It's only natural that he would seek out answers from the other people involved in that memory. You know, Severus, I found it very peculiar that you placed that particular memory in the Pensieve. What happened after our O.W.L. exams was quite minor compared to what James and Sirius did to you on numerous other occasions. I would have expected your first trip aboard the Hogwarts Express, and the sorting ceremony that followed, would have been your worst childhood memory."

"Those memories were in the Pensieve, as well," Snape answered. "Luckily, I was able to stop Potter before saw those images. Imagine what he would have thought of his dear father if he had seen what he was capable of at only eleven years old." The memory of what was done to him on the train to Hogwarts, by that mob of students, still bit hard at his heart.

"James and Sirius were too young to know any better at that time. I can assure you, they both regretted what they did later," Remus said, defending his late friends.

"Strange, twenty-five years later and I have yet to receive either letter of apology. I must check through my back mail; maybe I just missed it," Snape sarcastically said with a sneer.

"They may have started the feud between you but your own actions did nothing to stop it. You only helped to escalate matters with your own attacks," Remus declared.

"They were not attacks, but simple retaliations," Snape corrected. " It was the least I could do to stop the reign of terror you and your cohorts continually inflicted upon me."

"I never so much as muttered a single hex at you, nor did I encourage anyone else to do so," Remus said defensively.

"Yes, your neutrality was always such a comfort to me," Snape mockingly said.

"If you remember, Severus, I had a lot more to worry about back then than some juvenile grudge you and James had," Remus said in irritation.

"Do you have a point to any of this?" Snape impatiently asked.

"Yes, my point concerns the memory that Harry witnessed in the Pensieve," Remus answered.

"What of it?" Snape resentfully asked.

"I don't believe you put that memory in the Pensieve because you didn't want Harry to see how his father and Sirius treated you. I believe you put it in to keep Harry from seeing how you treated his mother," Remus said.

"That's ludicrous," Snape scoffed. "Why should I care what Potter would think of that?"

"Because of your feelings for her," Remus answered.

"I had no feelings whatsoever for Evans. She was nothing but a pretentious little Muggle-born know it all," Snape stated angrily.

"Come now, Severus, nearly half the boys in Hogwarts were infatuated with her, including myself. I was always curious why you came outside with the rest of us after the exams. Normally you headed straight for the dungeon after classes, to avoid James and the rest us. I think the only reason you went outside that day was to be near Lily."

"That's ridiculous," Snape spat. He knew Lupin was right but he would be dammed if he ever admitted it to this Gryffindor.

"It must have felt horrible to be humiliated in front of her. That was the reason you called her a Mudblood, wasn't it? You couldn't stand for her to see you like that, weak and helpless at the mercy of the people you despised most. That's why you put the memory of that afternoon in the Pensieve; you must have realized all chance of her ever being interested in you evaporated once you called her a Mudblood," Remus said.

"You're assuming an awful lot, werewolf," Snape said bitterly. "Whatever I felt as a teenage boy has little to do with anything today."

"Of course it does. The way you treat Harry and his friends is a direct result of what happened when you were a student at Hogwarts. You see in him not only the boy who tormented you but also the eyes of the girl you once were so infatuated with," said Remus.

"I dislike Potter because he is just as arrogant as his father ever was," Snape sharply said.

"That isn't true, and you know it, Severus. Not once in his entire life has he ever raised a hand, or tried to torment another person, without being fiercely provoked first," Remus said in a serious voice. Snape thought of bringing up the fight with Malfoy at the end of their Quidditch match last year but felt no real compulsion, at the moment, to defend Draco.

"It seems that fate has given you a second chance, hasn't it, Severus?" Remus optimistically said.

"What second chance?" Snape asked, feeling a little confused.

"Hermione," Remus answered. "You can't tell me that you haven't noticed the striking similarities between her and Lily. If she hadn't been born a year before Lily's death, I would swear that Hermione was Lily reincarnated."

"They are not alike. Evans was much taller than Granger and better looking, as well," Snape solemnly stated.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Remus said in frustration. "They are both beautiful, highly talented, and courageous Muggle-born witches. Although Hermione might have a sight temper on her."

"A slight temper!" Snape barked. "The little pest tried to hex me right in front of the Headmaster. You're right Lupin, they both do share a lot of traits, but only bad ones. They are insufferable Know-it-all Gryffindors that care for no one's opinion but their own."

"Funny, that also describes someone else I know," Lupin, said with a raised eyebrow. "I believe it was Lily's intelligence and willingness to express herself that probably attracted you in the first place. I doubt her looks had very much to do with it."

"I was a typical, hormonal teenager at the time. Anything I may, or may not, have felt for her was due to that and that alone," Snape declared.

"Regardless of what you tell yourself, I believe you would never be attracted to anyone that wasn't intellectually superior to most others. Without knowing it, the Ministry has given you just what you always wanted. A mate that will challenge and surprise you," Remus said.

"She is barely sixteen years old, a near child. The only thing she will be to me is a burden," Snape criticized.

"A hundred years ago, witches were routinely married off to middle-aged wizards, older than yourself, at only fourteen years of age. The girl knows more about how the real world works than most witches twice her age," Remus informed him.

"I cannot believe that you, of all people, would condone this marriage. Surely you think that she is better suited for Potter or Weasley?" Snape asked.

"The only thing I want more for Hermione than her happiness is her safety. I believe you can protect her from the same fate as Lily; even if it is only your pride that makes you want to succeed where James failed," Remus seriously answered. "In time, I think you two will do well together. At the very least, your child will pose a real threat to Hogwarts' academic records."

"Apparently, Granger has more intelligence than I gave her credit for; besides myself, she is the only one that can see what a disaster this marriage will be," Snape sarcastically said with a sneer on his face. "I hope we are done with this little psychological 'get to know one another better' chat, because I have more important things to deal with at the moment."

"Dumbledore and the rest of us are putting our faith in you, Severus. It will be your responsibility to keep her safe through this. She has already helped Harry thwart the Dark Lord on three different occasions. She could easily become a target for his Death Eaters," Remus said with concern in his voice.

"I take my responsibilities very seriously, Lupin; you know that. I gave my word to the Headmaster that I would let no harm come to her. And none shall; not while I still breathe," Snape vowed.

"I truly hope that you are right, Severus," Remus said. Severus stepped pass Remus and headed for the door. "Shouldn't we have the house-elves clean this up?" Remus asked as he stared at the pool of blood and prints on the floor.

"No," Snape answered coldly as he stood in the doorway. "Let the blood stain the stones. At least, then, Hogwarts itself won't forget."

.......................................................................................................

Hermione nervously ate her breakfast in the Great Hall with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. In about half an hour her parents were due to arrive at Hogwarts with Mrs. Weasley. She could only hope that the morning ended without someone being killed. Dumbledore graciously lent his office for the meeting of her parents and Professor Snape. Hermione hoped that, with the Headmaster present, things wouldn't get too out of hand.

The best thing to have happened that morning was that Draco and his two gorillas were nowhere to be seen. It was Saturday, so it wasn't surprising that most of the sixth and seventh years had skipped breakfast at Hogwarts to get into Hogsmeade early. Unlike third, forth, and fifth years, they were allowed to go every weekend. The small village's economy depended on it.

"May I have everyone's attention, please," Dumbledore said in a raised voice from the staff table. "I am pleased to announce the marriage of Marcus Flint and Marietta Edgecombe, which took place in Hogsmeade's Warlock Chapel, Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Flint are currently on their honeymoon for the weekend. If anyone wishes to send congratulatory remarks to the new couple, please address them to Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House. Thank you for your attention."

"That was fast," Ginny said, a little surprised by the announcement.

"The Tornados have a match next weekend. Flint probably wanted to get it done before he starts practice on Monday," Ron said as he finished his breakfast.

"I talked to Flint on Thursday. I think he wanted to get it over with before his parents found a way to get him out of it," Harry said.

"You mean he wanted to marry Marietta?" Hermione asked.

"Well, not her specifically. He just didn't want to marry the girl his parents had chosen for him," Harry answered.

"I bet Christmas at the Flint house is going to be fun. Marietta will be lucky if she lives to see New Year's Eve," Ron jokingly said.

"Marietta won't be spending Christmas with the Flints," Harry said in a serious voice. "If Marcus doesn't take her some place safe, then she'll have to stay here, or with one of us, over the holidays."

"Why should we care what happens to Marietta over the holidays?" Ron asked, sounding a bit perplexed.

"Because, Ron, she'll be a member of the D.A. by then. We don't want her to fall into the hands of any Dark wizards, do we?" Hermione answered.

"WHAT!!?" both Ron and Ginny said together. "Since when is she back in the D.A.?" Ginny asked.

"Cho asked me to give her another chance. She said that the Ministry was putting pressure on Marietta to tell them everything she knew about the D.A. and its members. They even wanted her to sign a statement saying that we were training people to overthrow the Ministry. Since she refused to sign the statement, I decided to give her a second chance," Harry answered.

"Cho asked you?" Ginny bitterly asked.

"Yeah, she did," Harry answered.

"And is Cho back in the D.A., as well?" Ginny angrily asked.

"Uh, yeah, she is," Harry answered, looking a little confused by Ginny's anger.

"You have to forgive Harry, Ginny," Hermione said. "When it comes to Cho, he's pretty whipped."

"I AM NOT!" Harry shouted. "Besides, you agreed that it was a good idea to let Marietta back into the club. You said it would be better if she were unable to tell anyone about us."

"That's true," Hermione said. "But I was thinking with my head when I said that. When you were talking to Cho, you probably didn't have enough blood in your brain to think straight."

"I do not have any feelings for Cho, anymore," Harry said flatly. "She is a friend - that's all - just like you and Ginny," he said to Hermione. Ginny's face contorted further with anger at Harry's words. Hermione thought it was a good time to change the subject.

"Ron, I want to talk to you about Pansy," Hermione said in a very serious tone of voice. "There's something you need to know about the attack on her."

"Draco raped her," Ron said, interrupting her.

"You know?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.

"He raped her?" Harry asked with a look of shock on his face.

"Oh, Merlin," Ginny said as she put a hand over her mouth.

"How did you find out?" Hermione asked Ron with a puzzled look on her face.

"It was something Draco said yesterday morning before the fight. He called her 'used'," Ron answered.

"WHAT A BASTARD!" Harry yelled. "Does Dumbledore know?"

"Yes, he knows," Hermione answered, sounding very annoyed.

"How did he find out, Hermione?" Ron asked. "The map couldn't have shown you that."

"While I was in the hospital wing with her, that little Slytherin turd sent Pansy a reminder of what he did to her," Hermione answered.

"What did he send her?" Ginny nervously asked.

"Believe me, Ginny. You don't want to know," Hermione said.

"We're going to have do something about Malfoy and his goons," Harry said. "It should be the first order of business for the D.A this year."

"I don't think we are going to get much help from Dumbledore, or the staff, with this," Hermione said.

"We won't need any," Harry told her.

............................................................................................................