A Son of Slytherin

A Son of Slytherin

Chapter 3

The Guardian

Severus Snape had spent most waking moments, and a few sleeping ones, reliving the events of Thursday and Friday. Not usually given to "What ifs" he still asked himself if he could have done anything differently. As far as he could determine there had been a number of mistakes made by different people. It was a wonder they hadn't suffered more injuries.

The rest of his time was engaged in selecting a guardian for Theodore Nott. He had no enthusiasm for the one candidate that had truly been eligible. It was a man who wouldn't seem out of character for the elder Nott to choose, but whom Severus knew to be loyal to Dumbledore. His main attribute was a willingness to accept responsibility and see to Theo's best interests. In all other ways he was entirely unsuitable. Snape would need to find a foster family for the boy's day-to-day care.

The mantle clock chimed, reminding him that he had business in London. Tossing a handful of powder into the fire, he called out, "Madam Sprout, are you available?"

"Yes, Severus. Going now? I'll take care of things here. Give Minerva my best," Sprout's voice called back from the flames.

He took a package from his desk and hurried from the castle and its grounds. Disapparating, he crossed the alley and narrow street and walked up the steps of 12 Grimmauld Place. Kingsley Shacklebolt nodded and smiled as he entered: "Severus."

"Shacklebolt," he nodded back.

He saw Arthur Weasley across the room, standing at a small table. Severus strode over and poured himself a drink. They nodded and exchanged greetings and Severus added, "I saw your son this morning. Madam Pomfrey is pleased with his progress."

"Thanks, Severus. Luckily for us, Weasleys heal," Arthur answered.

"I wish I could be as sure of Montague's recovery," Snape added, and feeling someone coming up, turned to see Alastor Moody. The real Order member did not cause his neck to prickle like the impostor had.

"You know, Snape, if you had contacted us a bit sooner things would have gone better."

"If you'd kept Black here things would have gone better."

"Gentlemen..." Arthur tried.

"Just what were you doing that you didn't miss seven students?" Moody continued.

"Was it really such a challenge to keep one wizard under control?" Snape countered.

There was the softest of sounds and Dumbledore stood between them. "Alastor. Severus," he said, giving each a meaningful look before glancing around the room at the others. "You're all here. Good. I've spoken individually with each of you about the events of Thursday night and I'm convinced we managed quite well. Yesterday was very busy for all of us and I appreciate your being here now. Let's move on to the future..."

Except for angry glances between Moody and Snape the subject was dropped and the Order began to plan. Severus found his mind switching between schoolmaster and Order member, both roles having been intensified by the one event at the Department of Mysteries. The meeting was at last over and the members formed into knots of conversation.

"Severus, you're going to St. Mungo's?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, Headmaster. The staff have made Professor McGonagall a package," he said, clearing his mind of everything but the deputy headmistress.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Severus. "I'm surprised she hasn't turned the Healers into toads and come back on her own. I would go visit her myself, but I'm afraid it's my duty to rescue Madam Umbridge."

"Are you sure that's wise? The centaurs are particularly hostile now."

"All the more reason to go, Severus."

"There's something else in the forest. I came across a large area of destruction when I was looking for Potter. You need to be careful."

"I will. Give Minerva my regards and remind her she has work to do."

Severus nodded and moved away. He spoke to a few others before leaving the house, crossing the street and Disapparating.

The lobby of St. Mungo's was quiet. The line at the information desk was short and only a dozen or so patients were waiting in the chairs. Severus glanced at Dilys Derwent as he strode by her portrait. He turned left rather than right and she followed him from one painting to the next, down the hallways, not to Minerva's ward but to the Secured Wing for Dangerous Patients. He stopped in front of an Auror who was sitting outside a private room. Above the man was a portrait of a stern looking warlock. Madam Derwent stood behind him on tiptoe to stare over his shoulder at Severus. The Auror stood up: "Professor Snape. I wasn't expecting you."

"I have business with Nott."

"Dumbledore sent you, then?"

"I am at St. Mungo's for Dumbledore," Severus answered.

"Go on in. He isn't talking much. Did you get the story of what happened?"

Severus ignored the question and entered the room. It was small and dark, well furnished with a narrow bed, a nightstand, and a straight-backed chair. Nott appeared to be asleep. Madam Derwent was now staring at him and whispering to a nurse in a painting on the opposite wall. "Can you hear from over there?" he asked sarcastically.

"What? Severus?" Nott stared with wide eyes, his hands gripping the bed rail tightly.

Severus had seen that look many times from many different faces. "I am here about your son."

"He's all right?"

"He has nowhere to go and no one to look after him. Is that your idea of 'all right'?"

Nott fell back on his pillow with a sigh. "What am I to do now?"

"Give the boy to me."

Nott snorted, "I can think of better."

"Can you? I wish I could. Whom do you have in mind?"

Nott glared then looked away and Severus continued. "Theo is one of my more promising students and I am willing to look out for him. These are my terms." Severus saw Nott open his eyes to watch him. The potions master sat in the chair and leaned close, his back to the portrait. "I want to know, honestly, what the boy knows about your service with the Death Eaters. I want full guardianship, complete custody, with total control over all Theo's care and finances until he graduates from Hogwarts. I don't want him leaving school when he's of age."

"And what do you know of Death Eaters?" Nott asked, his eyes now meeting Severus' without flinching. Severus knew what the man suspected, but could not know.

"Enough to know Theo wouldn't last five minutes at a Gathering."

Nott closed his eyes. "My thoughts too. And how would you keep him out?"

"The Dark Lord seems to choose his talent carefully. A few well-placed words would be sufficient to keep the boy off the invitation list. He would do well as a total neutral, a sympathizer at best. Never a member."

"Yes, yes! A sympathizer. He could serve as well, maybe better. Yes, Severus, I agree." He closed his eyes, the burst of emotion having drained his energy. Severus wondered if the man had the strength to continue. He saw Madam Derwent looking angry and frustrated, and he supposed she had not heard well enough. Or perhaps she heard too well.

"I have the relevant papers here. If you sign I can take care of the rest. There is one important detail, and it is magically binding." He paused to be sure Nott was listening. "I do not want Theo to know I'm his guardian."

"He'll question that. He'll want to know."

"He can question all he wants. His guardian wants to remain anonymous and that's the way it will stay."

Nott nodded. Severus conjured a tray and took parchment and quill from his robes. Once the paper was signed he sighed. "Now, tell me what he knows."

******** ******* *****

Severus glanced at the clock when he left Nott's room. He had two more visits to make, but only time for one. He strode knowingly down the hall to the correct ward, thinking to himself that he was far too familiar with St. Mungo's. He watched in amusement as Madam Derwent continued to follow, her silver ringlets bouncing from the effort to keep up.

He stepped into the ward and knew at once she wasn't there. A Mediwitch came up and upon hearing the name led him to a private room further along the ward. It was almost identical to Nott's, but did not have a portrait on the wall. Severus walked in quietly. Minerva looked up as if she had been waiting for him. "Severus, at last! What is going on!"

He dropped the package unceremoniously on her table. "I have gifts from the kitchen and from the staff. Sprout assures me that everything you asked for is here."

"I want news! All Sprout could tell me was that some of our students had been injured at the Ministry of Magic. What were they doing there?"

Severus resisted the urge to delay the telling, but he did look around the room carefully. Minerva understood at once. There were things he couldn't say. She went on, "There is an article in today's Prophet that quotes Fudge and says You-Know-Who is back. But it doesn't mention anything about Hogwarts students."

He stood at the end of her bed and began listing events, tallying each with thumb against fingers, "Eleven Death Eaters have been captured making a raid at the Department of Mysteries. Fudge is finally convinced of what we've trying to tell him for years. Potter is a hero. The Headmaster is back in his office. Dolores is lost in the Forbidden Forest. I believe Miss Granger can take credit for that and I would be tempted to give your House points myself if it were true." Minerva, rarely at a loss for words, just stared. So he went on, "Dumbledore, typical Gryffindor, has gone looking for Delores. He sends his regards."

"That's why I'm no longer under guard? I'm back on the good side?"

"If you lie about here much longer, you won't be. There are marks to record. Letters to be sent. Gryffindors to keep in line."

"If I had my wand, the Healer would be a toad and I would leave today. He isn't letting me go until tomorrow."

Severus suppressed a smile, thinking that the two older professors were beginning to think alike. "Then I'll lend you mine if he comes while I'm here," Severus said, although he didn't think she looked strong enough to leave so soon.

"What happened?"

"Actually, it was Dumbledore who saved the day, but I've no doubt the glory will be Potter's. In spite of our best intentions, he made it to the Department of Mysteries with six of his friends. Twelve Death Eaters were waiting for them. Luckily a team of Aurors and the Headmaster arrived just in time."

"Sprout told me some of the children are in the Hospital Wing. How are they?"

"Those are very formidable children, Minerva. Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are still under Pomfrey's care, but she is confident they'll be back to normal by the end of term." He hesitated. Minerva closed her eyes and Severus continued, "We lost the dog."

She looked at him, understanding exactly what he meant and knowing he couldn't say more. Severus looked away. After a moment she asked, "How many of yours lost fathers to Azkaban?"

"Malfoy and Crabbe are in Azkaban. Mr. Nott sustained a number of injuries and is here."

He wasn't surprised that she asked immediately, "What will become of our Nott?"

"A guardian has been appointed to oversee his care and to attend to his finances. He'll stay in school."

She appraised him thoughtfully and Severus cleared his mind. One never knew what Dumbledore might be teaching her, and he wasn't ready to tell her everything. "I should get back. Although with your Gryffindor troublemakers in the hospital wing and the Weasley twins gone, there isn't much to do."

"Thank you, Severus."

"Sunday, then," he answered and strode out. He noticed as he left the ward that Madam Derwent was staring at him from a pastoral scene hanging behind the Matron's desk. He wasn't sure if she was displeased with him or with the cows. It hardly mattered to him. He had letters to write.