Promises Defended

Promises Defended

Chapter Nineteen: The Fool's Game

"Have you been here before?" Remus asked quietly.

Severus nodded without a word, his eyes already fastened on the grate. Good, Hogwarts' headmaster though quietly. Severus already knew.

He'd intended to bring Snape here eight days ago, but along their walk Remus' sensitive ears had detected a strange noise, which had led the pair to detour into the dungeons...and find a half-comatose Lee Jordan. Not what they expected--even Severus had thought the poor boy moved back to Azkaban with the other hundred-plus children Voldemort had collected. But they'd been lucky. Severus remembered Lord Voldemort moving the boy to Hogwarts, but couldn't say--or know--why. And yet he was there. There and mostly dead.

Thus, Madam Pomfrey had been the third staff member to return to Hogwarts, fetched by Peter only moments after he and James arrived. The matron had clucked worriedly and bossed Remus around in her motherly fashion, going to work on Lee with a vengeance. Meanwhile, Severus and Remus ran spell after spell to ensure that Voldemort hadn't hidden something in the poor boy...but there was nothing. Nothing at all.

Strange.

And yet--through the Founder's Door they traveled, and to the Font of Power. Eight days later and with classes scheduled to begin on Monday (just two days hence), it was time. Far past time.

"There is a way to tap into the Font," Snape said softly, his eyes on the rusted grate. "Albus passed it on to you."

"He did," Remus confirmed, noticing the sadness in his friend's eyes. "As I must pass it to you."

"What?"

"When Albus brought me here, he said that he had to do so. That we all act as we must." Was that fear in Severus' eyes? "And here is where you need to come."

"I--" For once, Severus seemed completely speechless.

"I know," Remus replied quietly. "There is so much I cannot tell you--so much that cannot be explained with words. All I can say is that this is your choice...but if you accept, the Font will change your life."

"How?" The question seemed automatic.

"Perception. Power. Connection to the school. Visions."

Only Severus would seize upon the third quality instead of the fourth. "Connection to Hogwarts?"

"You'll know the school the way I do," Remus explained, feeling a catch in his throat. "The way Dumbledore did."

His companion stared.

Remus tried to nod reassuringly, but the effort was worthless. Snape continued to watch him with those hawk-like black eyes, as if he was waiting for something to break, something to crack. To change. To fail. Finally, he turned again to stare at the Font, wonder softening his hard features. One hand reached out, ever so slightly, and hovered above the grate--until it was snatched away and Severus turned to glare at Remus.

"I am a Death Eater," he said, his voice sharp. "I always have been, but you and I both know that I am now irrevocably on the side of the Dark Lord. Bringing me here has been both foolish and dangerous."

"Yes. It has."

Black eyes narrowed.

"You'll need what the Font can give you, Severus," Remus replied levelly. "I do not know more--I can see nothing else--but I know that. And Hogwarts will need you."

"What?"

Remus closed his eyes. "Before the end, Hogwarts will need you. And I. And all that we can give." A deep breath washed the sudden chill away. "I know what you are, Severus, and so does this school. The Font still wants you."

"You can sense that?"

When he opened his eyes, it was to look upon the mixture of fear and wonder on Severus' face. "Yes."

Hesitation.

"What do I do?"

Remus smiled slowly. Hogwarts breathed in relief.

"I will tell you."

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"We need to wait longer," she said reasonably. Or tried to, anyway. Her nerves were getting frayed. Badly.

"And how long would you have us wait?" Nathaniel Adams demanded. "The Death Eaters are still reeling from the loss of Hogwarts--"

"How do you know that?" Alice demanded. "There is no evidence whatsoever to support that theory. Voldemort was not even at Hogwarts when the school fell. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe that he or his followers are reeling."

"You're missing the point," Adams replied testily. "Of course the Death Eaters are confused and weakened by the Aurors' attack. They fought for years to get Hogwarts--and to lose the school so quickly? It's certainly a blow."

"I'm sorry," Alice replied sweetly. "I missed the part where you were a strategic expert. Or where you were a strategist at all."

But I didn't miss the part where I hate you. Is that clear enough for you, genius?

"It doesn't take a genius to see--"

"Am I or am I not the only Auror in this room?" she cut him off. No one answered, so she continued:

"The division traditionally gives Aurors a minimum of two weeks' break between important and trying missions. Years ago, when we had enough Aurors to fight multiple battles, no one questioned the need for this rest--but there is a need. I will not watch my people burn out because you are in a hurry. There is plenty of time to spare, and the longer we wait, the longer Voldemort has to become complacent. There is no strategic value in rushing matters." Alice paused to glare at the others, all ringed around the table as if they were important. "You have tasked me with retaking Azkaban. I have already stated my opinion on the matter, and I still think it's a stupid idea, but the Aurors will do our damnedest to take that island back. But we need time. I need at least another two weeks to plan and train. No less. Then we'll do the job."

Her angry eyes turned to Fudge, daring him to disagree. Idiot though he was, he had to possess a bit of sense. Alice wasn't arguing about the mission, which wasn't the Aurors' to decide, anyway. She just wanted the time to do it right.

But he didn't.

"Unacceptable," the Minister of Magic stated flatly. "The raid will go as scheduled, in three days time. On the second of the month."

I know when three days from now is, you bastard!

"We can't do it. There isn't--"

"No excuses. You will follow my orders."

"Or what?" Alice challenged.

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It was storming again. Day and night. Less than twenty-four hours after Lupin left, after that day that the dawn refused to break, the storms had started. And even the new class of candidates--the brand new class 4905--trained, shivering, in the rain. Bill and Frank were more distant from the process this time, using their own trainees to help the others, and letting Hestia head this class. Somehow, neither could imagine themselves back in those old roles. Not with the pressure Alice was under, the stupid and risky plan they had to help her build. So they simply watched, standing side by side.

Bill shivered. "So what now?"

"We wait. We hope," his friend replied softly, almost under his breath. "We plan behind his back and pray that everything turns out all right."

"I don't like it." There was something wrong in discussing their legal government this way, even if the Minister was an idiot. Even if he seemed determined to kill them all. Damn everything to hell. Sirius, I understand why you had to go, but how could you? How can we manage now?

Frank shrugged. "Neither do I," he admitted. "But what choice do we have?"

"We could refuse to follow him," Bill suggested half-heartedly, scraping wet hair out of his eyes. He needed to cut it again.

"Do you really want to do that?" the older wizard asked, twisting to stare at him. "Even after everything that has happened?"

"No." he let out a shuddering sigh. "But it's a nice fantasy. Except..." He shook his head.

"Except that it would break the world's trust in us," Frank finished for him.

"Yeah. That."

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Immediately following the meeting, Fudge had grabbed her arm and dragged Alice into his office, slamming the door behind her. For once, the office was completely empty, devoid even of Umbridge, who was always by Fudge's side. But the little minister's eyes were hard with anger.

"Don't you ever do that again!" he snarled. "I am the Minister of Magic, and a word from me would put you and your precious husband out of jobs, destroy your precious reputation and--"

"Is that how you pissed Sirius off enough to make him leave?" Alice asked amicably.

For a moment, she thought that he might hex her, but Alice was not nearly so lucky. Then she'd have had an excuse to hex him back--but no, he suddenly smiled.

"Don't cross me, Alice," Fudge said in an almost friendly tone. "It's not a good idea."

"And why is that?" she snarled.

"Because I am still your legal superior," the Minister said with a gentle nod--the change was almost frightening. "And I still hold your life...and the lives of your Aurors...in my hands."

And Frank's life, but he didn't have to say that. The point was admirably clear; Alice could see the glint in his eyes. He was suddenly dangerous, frightening, though not because he could harm her. Fudge was dangerous because he wanted to survive, and he could feel his grip on the world slipping bit by bit, and day by day. How far would he go to hold on to power?

"You wouldn't dare."

"Dare what?" he asked innocently.

Alice could feel herself shaking in fury. "Even you know how much our world needs the Aurors," she replied incredulously. "Without the Aurors, your precious peace will vanish--without a way to fight back, you're an easy target! Even you can't deny that."

"No. I can't." Fudge smiled again. "So you'd best keep those Aurors alive, shouldn't you?"

"Don't make this out to be my fault," she spat.

"I'm not blaming anyone. Simply stating...possibilities."

"You're a fool."

He laughed. "So it might seem, Alice m'dear, but all things change."

"Not everything."

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January 31, 1993

THE EVIL WITHIN

By Charles Lee, Assistant Editor

Hogwarts is free. Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shacklebolt are

healing. The students return today, and the world seems right.

Doesn't it?

Yet there is an abnormality within the silver lining. An

abnormality--a darkness--named Severus Snape. He remains.

Longtime Potions Master and Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts

School, Severus Snape is still there. Longtime Death Eater

Severus Snape is still there. One of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-

Named's most loyal, and highest ranking followers, remains at

Hogwarts.

Aurors saw him there as recently as yesterday, just before

Lupin's return. Did he dare face the man he stabbed--so

literally--in the back? Or has he fled? One must hope for the

latter, for such a wizard has no place amongst children. Any

children.

A man who is both a traitor and a coward does not belong at

Hogwarts, one of Wizarding Britain's oldest and most magical

locations. His presence alone taints the school, and parents all

over Britain are demanding that he leave.

"I will not send my daughter back to Hogwarts while that monster

is there," Paden Patil, Minister for Magical Transportation states.

Previously the father of twins, he lost one daughter in the attack

and is not about to lose another. "If Lupin does not remove him,

the Ministry will."

Parents across the country agree. The board of governors,

however, is strangely silent on the topic, probably caused by the

number of Death Eaters on the board. Each of them is certainly

an old friend of Severus Snape's.

Yet this paper is not. Nor is the government, or the majority of

good people in our world. Join us in demanding that the greatest

traitor of our times--Remus Lupin's once trusted Deputy

Headmaster--be exiled from Hogwarts forever.

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Remus swallowed, watching the sea of faces gather. Ted Tonks stood to his right, looking nervous and pale, but that was almost to be expected--especially considering the mutters in the crowd concerning the last Deputy Headmaster. Ted wasn't nearly experienced enough to hold the post, either, but he was the strongest of all available options: Sprout was completely uninterested, Shacklebolt newer still, and Flitwick too scatterbrained. Sinistra might have been a good option, but she was too closely tied to Severus, and if that ever came out...Remus shivered.

No, Ted was the best for the job, even if he'd been teaching at Hogwarts for less than a year. He was smart, resourceful, and innovative-- even stubborn to a fault. He wasn't conventional and he wasn't experienced, but Ted was strong. They needed that now.

But Remus would have to help him. He'd have to nudge Ted along sometimes, especially with two brand new professors to keep an eye on. One--Libatius Borage--Remus wasn't too worried about; he'd taught at Hogwarts sixty years ago, and though things had changed, he still had a solid grip on how things worked. But the other, his new and flamboyant Arithmancy Professor Merick Plumpton, bothered Remus. Plumpton had been the only one who wanted to be Snape's successor and was also now the only former Slytherin on the staff, which made him the Head of Slytherin by default. That wasn't a position that Remus enjoyed wishing upon a new teacher, but it had happened before. What he did not completely trust was where Plumpton's loyalties lay... Remus sighed. That could not be helped. He'd just have to hold on and hope for the best.

"Ready?" Ted asked at his elbow, swallowing.

"As much as I'll ever be," Remus breathed.

The students had arrived throughout the morning, settling in quietly during the afternoon and mostly keeping to themselves. Sunset, however, had been reserved for Hogwarts' own memorial ceremony--individual funerals were being held by the families of the dead, but Remus felt that Hogwarts had to do something for her fallen. Something more than stand by quietly and watch them fade.

At least one had chosen to be a ghost--Remus had caught a glimpse of Victoria Vector as he walked outside, and he spotted her drifting near the edge of the crowd even now. She looked sad but focused, melancholy but accepting...and to her right was another unexpected shadow, this one alive. He'd stay hidden, Remus knew, but he was glad to see Severus there. Out of all those present, Severus probably needed to be here the most.

He stepped forward, staring at those no longer so innocent faces. There were still some bruises, still some surface scars--but the real scars, the important ones, ran deeper and more painfully than those a visual inspection could reveal. And he had helped put those scars there, had caused them with his choice and his arrogance. Remus had to swallow. I thought they would be safer here. I thought they would be picked off one by one if they stayed at home. I knew Hogwarts would be attacked, but I thought we could keep them safe... I never thought that things would go so wrong.

The heavy weight would not lift off of his chest. Nine students and two professors were dead because of him, and Remus would not forget that. He would not dwell upon it--he could not--but Remus would not forget.

And yet there could have been many more than eleven.

House after house. Street after street.

He could hear the screams even though he knew they were not real.

Children.

Cedric Diggory--

Angelina Johnson--

Both Patils--but not their parents. Oh, no. There were better uses for them--

Faces flashed past his eyes, cold and dead or screaming and dying. Motionless. Rotting. Crying.

Cho Chang--

Kenneth Towler--

Roger Davies. Emily Davies--

Hannah Abbot--

Su Li--

Eddie Carmichael--

So many.

The Weasleys--

Stop!

Remus wrestled his mind free of the visions with an effort. Ted had been shaking his arm for several moments at least, and Remus was trembling violently--everyone was staring at him. Severus' distant eyes bored in the deepest, seeming to know...or at least recognize the signs. A shaky breath did not steady Remus, but the Font washed through him, and he was warm again. The visions faded, replaced by a certainty that things could have been worse. Much worse.

I still won't forget, Remus vowed. Not ever.

He shivered again, but this time the feeling was of his own doing. No helping that. Head up, Lupin. Move forward. What was it that Peter had said, so innocently, twenty some years ago? "We can't help who we are. We can only try to make ourselves better." And he hadn't even known. Not then. My choices are my own. I cannot change them. I can only move forward.

Remus placed his hands on the podium and began to speak.

"Hogwarts reopens today, eighteen days after students and teachers alike were forced to flee. Classes resume tomorrow, but there are some words that need to be said first..."

He wasn't James, but Remus could speak of the future. He could speak of the past. And he could remind them what Hogwarts stood for, of what two witches and two wizards had meant opening the school. More than one battle had been fought over the nature of the school, and he supposed that history would simply count this as another. Yet one more battle...

He did not speak long, merely saying what needed to be said. Divination classes were canceled for the rest of the year, and new professors were introduced. A few muttered under their breath, but there were no objections. Draco Malfoy sneered when Remus reemphasized that everyone was welcome at Hogwarts, provided that they followed the rules and wanted to learn. Marcus Flint was nowhere in sight when Remus mentioned that disrespecting professors or fellow students would not be tolerated, no matter what side of the war one's family was on. Harry nodded grimly when Remus stated that Hogwarts would go on, and would continue as the school always had: a center of learning, truth, and open-mindedness.

The students were quiet as he read the roll of the dead--perhaps the truth was finally sinking in for those who had not lost friends or family. A few even cried when the monument was revealed, but most, like Remus, had no tears left to cry. They were spent and quiet, still mourning but understanding that it was time to move on. One by one, many students stepped forward to touch the monument, dropping to their knees in the dead brown January grass to say a few words to those they had lost.

It was a simple monument, a silver eleven-pointed star laid out flat and flush with the ground just outside the gates. Each point was labeled with the name of a victim, and the dates of the attack were listed in the center. The Seventh Battle for Hogwarts. January 13 - 31, 1993. No houses were listed. Only names, birthdates and death dates. Nothing more.

Almost every student stepped forward, even those whose parents had been part of the attack. Those who did not, of course, were no surprise, though their coldness grieved Remus. The dead deserve better than your contempt, he thought, looking directly at Draco Malfoy. The young man sneered again, but Remus ignored him. Foolish posturing made no boy look important.

The students then shuffled off to follow their heads of Houses without protest when the time came, some looking back and others not--though most paused to look at Remus before going, smiling shyly. There were surprisingly many students here--few hadn't come back, which both pleased and worried Remus. He wasn't sure what had driven parents from all sides of the war to send their children back into his care, but Remus doubted that it was from any of the pretty and convincing words Fudge had tried the day before on the WWN.

The professors followed Remus out of the courtyard and inside, seemingly afraid to let him out of their sight. Ted even stayed in his office long after the meeting with the heads of houses was complete, watching Remus with his intelligent eyes and seemingly waiting for the world to fall apart. Finally, the headmaster had to usher him out with a gentle word and a softer smile; he wanted to be alone to read the note he'd found sticking out from underneath a small stack of papers on his desk.

It was surprisingly cordial.

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Remus,

I underestimated you. Both your resiliency and your determination are beyond what I expected from a Hogwarts headmaster, even one of your kind.

I will not insult your intelligence or your loyalty to your friends by asking you to join me. Though I believe we would both profit from such an alliance, you and I both know that you will never accept. Besides, I am gratified to know that one such as yourself stands by Sirius' side.

We will meet again. Until that day.

Ave atque vale.

Lord Voldemort

of the Second Family, Gaunt

descended of the Slytherin line

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