A Son of Slytherin

A Son of Slytherin

Chapter 1

News

"Wake up, Nott," the senior prefect ordered, shaking Theo roughly and jerking back the covers.

The room was cool even on this June morning and Theo reached angrily for his blanket, "Go away. We don't have classes today."

"Professor wants you. Better hurry!"

Theo jerked to a sitting position and stared at the older boy. Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe were standing by their beds in their long nightshirts, looking as confused as Theo felt. "You want Goyle. He's over there!" Theo grumbled and lay back down.

"I want to go back to bed. Professor Snape clearly said, 'Send Malfoy, Crabbe and Nott to my office at once.' So get a move on." The prefect turned on his heel and trotted up the stone steps to his dormitory.

Theo looked at his classmates and forgot his anxiety. Draco's face was marked with great red splotches and Crabbe's face was bruised and swollen. "What happened last night?" Theo asked, trying not to smile.

"None of your business! Do you have a detention today?" Draco demanded, reaching into his trunk for his robes. Crabbe and Nott shook their heads.

"We'd better hurry. Whatever it is, we can't keep Professor waiting." Draco said. The three began to dress silently and Theo considered the possibilities.

Late last night Pansy had come to him for a favor. She was all puppy-dog eyes and pouting lips and before he realized he'd said yes, he was on his way to Professor's office to deliver a message: Several Slytherins had missed curfew. Theo had actually stopped half way to the office to think it over. Obviously Pansy had used a Glamour Charm to trick him into doing her prefect chores for her. And no doubt Professor would be as angry with the messenger as he would with the out-of-bounds students; particularly if he knew Nott had fallen for one of Pansy's Charms, again.

Theo had almost gone back to tell Pansy to do the job herself, but if he caused a delay he would be in trouble. And, since all the names belonged to the Idiot Squad, he wouldn't mind seeing them get their just desserts even if he had to take some of Professor's displeasure himself. But Theo had barely begun with the list of names when Professor swore and ran from the room. Theo had waited a few minutes and returned to the common room. Malfoy and Crabbe had been two of the names, but if that was the issue now, where were the others?

Malfoy was setting a rapid pace down the corridor. He turned his head to speak to Nott and Crabbe, "I'll do the talking. Whatever we've been accused of, we have to appear innocent. Just back up whatever I say."

"You'd lie to Professor!? Are you crazy?" Theo asked breaking into a quick jog to come alongside. "Whatever it is, I'll speak for myself. You can do what you want."

Draco scowled as they reached the door together and actually knocked at the same time. "Enter." Professor Snape was reading from a stack of scrolls on the desk, and did not look up. The students stared at the changes in the office.

Richly embroidered tapestries covered the walls behind Professor's desk. Theo recognized one scene as Merwyn the Malicious hexing an unfortunate witch. He knew that behind the hangings were countless jars filled with gruesome bits of magical creatures, pickled for potion ingredients. He had once spent a long, lonely Saturday's detention dusting those jars. Theo was very familiar with the shelves of gore, but he had never seen the tapestries.

As amazing as the new décor was the surprise at the other end of the room. The fireplace was home to a roaring fire, unusual any time of the year. Near the fire was a table with four chairs. This was new to the office too. Draco and Theo exchanged questioning glances, united in their confusion.

"Sit down, gentlemen," he said with the slightest of nods.

The boys walked to the chairs and sat. At once cups of strong, dark tea and plates of toast appeared on the table.

Draco was trying to change from his "It wasn't me!" demeanor to his "Social call on the Head of House" face. As he had never actually had tea with Professor, it was taking a while to summon. He saw Crabbe reaching for a piece of toast and swatted at his hand.

"Help yourself," Professor said, crossing the room and taking the free seat. Draco took a slice, only because it seemed right, but Theo merely sipped at the scalding tea. "How are your wounds?" Professor asked, glancing at both Crabbe and Malfoy.

"It doesn't hurt as much this morning," Draco said. "You were right about Madam Pomfrey's unguents, sir."

Theo rolled his eyes and wondered if he was about to find out what had happened. To his discomfort, he saw that Professor Snape was looking at him, rather than at Draco. Professor's eyes were never still. He was like a hawk always looking for prey.

"I hope Professor Umbridge expelled Potter and his gang," Draco said, and Snape's eyes darted back to the prefect.

"I haven't called you here to discuss Professor Umbridge," he snapped, then added in a calmer tone, "I want to tell you today's news before everyone else hears it."

Theo set his cup down with a clatter. He knew one thing the three of them had in common. One thing, if Potter had been telling the truth. Professor's eyes darted to Theo and their gaze met for a moment.

"There was an incident at the Ministry of Magic last night. Potter and his friends were apparently lured there by a band of Death Eaters. Aurors were involved and Professor Dumbledore himself took part in the fighting. Eleven Death Eaters were captured. Your fathers are among the ones in custody."

Silence. Draco took a large gulp of the steaming tea, and blinked back tears. "Azkaban?" he asked.

"Azkaban. It should be some comfort to you that the Dementors are no longer there."

"Father will be out soon!" Draco said.

"People were hurt. A great deal of damage was done to the Offices in the Ministry of Magic. There is no doubt the men involved are Death Eaters. Expect a long sentence, Draco."

"It doesn't matter. Father will be out soon."

"Azkaban?" Crabbe asked, "Are you sure, Professor? What will my Mum do?"

"Someone will get our fathers out, won't they Professor?" Draco asked. "There's a plan for that. Isn't there?"

"Who would do such a thing, Draco?" Professor's voice had a chill to it. His eyes darted from Draco to his companion. "Crabbe, I suspect your mother will carry on."

Only Theo had heard what hadn't been said. "Were any of our fathers hurt, Professor?"

"Two of the men are being treated at St. Mungo's. Your father is one of them."

Theo went pale. He lifted the cup and drained the tea. Snape continued, "Your father is being given the best of care. He's expected to recover."

Silence again. After a moment Snape went on, "I've spoken with the Headmaster..."

"Dumbledore?" Draco snapped, then added hopefully, "Or do you mean, Professor Umbridge?"

"Professor Dumbledore is indeed back at Hogwarts. He assures me that your fathers' situation does not change yours. You are Hogwarts students and you are expected back in September. No one is to take any action toward you for your fathers' crimes." Theo flinched at the word "crimes" and Professor Snape paused. "Nor are you to take any retaliation on the students who were involved."

Theo's cup had refilled itself. He raised it and drank quickly, trying to vanish the lump in his throat. The professor studied him a moment then turned to the other two. "Crabbe, Draco, you should write to your mothers. They will have been notified by now. Nott, I'd like a word with you."

Draco understood this as a dismissal and stood, leading Crabbe out. Theo stood up and paced around the room. "What happened to my father?"

"From what I understand, Potter and six other students went to the Ministry. Twelve Death Eaters were waiting for them. At some point, several shelves of magical devises were knocked over, falling on your father. Not long after that he was struck by a Stupefy Curse. By that time he was already weakened and it had a magnified effect."

Theo had been glaring at the floor. Now he looked up, a bitter expression on his face, "Eleven Death Eaters were captured by seven students? Not very impressive."

"The Death Eaters were captured by several Aurors and Professor Dumbledore. Perhaps you are not fully aware of Dumbledore's powers? He is far more than a friendly old man with a pocket full of sweets."

After a few moments Theo asked: "Who cast the Stupefy?"

"I don't know," Snape answered. "Theo, did you know your father was a Death Eater?"

"No. I must be thick." Theo paced a bit and came back to the chair. "When that article in the Quibbler came out, Draco said it was true. He was certain his father was part of it. But my father...he's an old man."

"He wasn't always an old man."

"Well, I just never thought.... He's never said anything. I mean, we're Pureblood, and Dad is very proud of that. He's told me to stay away from anyone who has Muggle blood, and he said the Dark Lord had wanted to keep the Magic World pure. But, a Death Eater?" Theo shook his head and sat back down.

"I've been reading over the admission scrolls, Theo. Your father hasn't listed any relatives. Do you have someone to stay with over the Holiday?"

Theo looked surprised, "There aren't any relatives. Just us." Professor Snape waited quietly as Theo considered. "I'll see if Blaise could have me. We usually do something over the summer." His face fell a bit, "But I don't know if his mother would want to now."

"And does your father have any close associates?"

"Malfoy, but I'd rather go to an orphanage than stay with Draco!"

Snape's eyes were black and shiny, "An orphanage is a very likely solution."

Theo looked up, shocked, and quickly hardened his face. "It would still be better."

"Very well, we'll keep it under consideration. But let's see what else we can come up with, shall we?"

"Yes, sir," Theo answered, understanding that he was dismissed. He stood to go, but turned back at Professor's voice.

"Draco and Potter have been adversaries since they arrived at Hogwarts, and I expect things to become worse. See to it that you do not join in. I will not be so forgiving in your case."

Theo stared at the professor. Of course he would not be so forgiving, when had he ever? "Of course, Professor." But he paused at the door and added honestly and, bitterly, "If my father was stupid enough to follow the Dark Lord, then he got what he deserved." The door shut with a snap.

Severus Snape stared at the door. How could they possibly find someone to give a home to this Slytherin son of a Death Eater? He wondered if Dumbledore knew anyone who would be able to act as Nott's guardian. In an instant a memory flashed across his mind:

A small boy scampered up a tree in terror as a vicious dog snarled and barked below. The family stood around laughing and watching as the dog tried unceasingly to reach the limb where the boy clung helplessly.

"To whom did the dog belong?

"My Aunt Marge."

That was the family Dumbledore chose for the bright Star of Gryffindor. Severus was not going to trust the Headmaster to choose for Nott. He looked into the fire and began to consider his choices.