The Severus Snape Saga-Book 1, the Sordid Hat

Chapter 11: The eater of death

Severus, Bellatrix and Rodolphus hurried out of the common room and through Hogwarts. It was quite a long time before, finally, after searching every cabinet and article of furniture in Hogwarts, they found Pravus Snape's office. Severus turned to Bellatrix and nodded. She knocked loudly on the door.

"Come in!" came Pravus' voice from inside the office. Severus, Bellatrix and Rodolphus entered nervously.

Pravus Snape's office was quite probably the most bizarre arrangement of organized chaos that Severus, Antonin and Bellatrix had seen in a while. In one corner sat a huge cabinet which routinely wobbled, but was barely noticeable due to the huge piles of books that were stacked around it. Several broken Sneakoscopes were sitting near the books rolled up in numerous lurid green rolls of parchment which all bore the Snape family crest.

Then, in the middle of the floor, there sat the talismans of an auror. There was a Foe glass, another sneakoscope (this one functional), a silver invisibility cloak and a Secrecy sensor. And finally, in the middle of the room was a huge desk which was surrounded by what looked like small magical mines.

But the chair at the desk was empty. Nobody could see Pravus Snape anywhere.

"Dad?" called Severus cautiously, and suddenly part of the air fell away to reveal Pravus Snape with his wand outstretched. When he saw it was Severus, however, he immediately calmed down.

"Oh, Severus, it's only you and your friends. Sorry, but I can't be too careful. Please, come in and sit down. Tea?" Pravus conjured a kettle out of the air and poured some tea.

"Now," he said, looking across at the three of them with a notable curiosity, "what is so important that you needed to come see me on the weekend when you could be enjoying the party?"

"Dad, we have a tip for you," said Severus.

"Do you now?" asked Pravus, sounding amused.

"Yes," said Severus, "we think that Dalverry Corlagon will be here at Hogwarts at three o clock tomorrow and we can prove it."

"Can you indeed?" asked Pravus Snape with an indulgent smile. "Well then, by all means do!"

Severus pulled out the black rock and set it on the table. "Corlagon," he said in Voldemort's high pitched voice. "Speak to me."

"Master?" came Corlagon's voice from the rock. Pravus' mouth dropped open.

"Yes. Is everything alright?" asked Severus in the high voice.

"Yes, master."

"Good. Remember, you are to be at Hogwarts outside the forbidden forest at 3:00 tomorrow."

"I do not forget, master," replied Corlagon.

"Excellent," said Severus, "Good bye."

As soon as the stone went dead, Pravus closed his mouth and gasped

"Where did you find that thing?"

"Rodolphus picked it up before he went unconscious. His attacker dropped it," said Bellatrix.

Pravus smiled appreciatively. "I am fortunate indeed to be working with such children," he said. "Rest assured, Corlagon will be caught."

"Ok, we'll see you tomorrow, Dad," said Severus, and they left his father's office. However, just as the door closed behind them they heard Pravus start sobbing.

"It's all so pointless...so useless...so...I KNEW SOMEONE PUT A POGREBIN ON MY TAIL!" There was a squeal as they heard Pravus Snape's foot connect with the demon and it flew through the wall. Pravus strode forward and pointed his wand out of the gap where the stone had been. "Imperio!" he hissed at the Pogrebin, and it straightened up.

"You will go to your master and tail him until he gets depressed enough to sink down," snarled Pravus. "And you will stay invisible."

The Pogrebin ran away down the corridor. Severus, filled with new admiration for his father, motioned for his friends to follow him back to the common room.

The party was even more madcap when they returned, as now the music had struck up and there was dancing going on. It also seemed that Antonin had managed to bewitch the lights so they looked like a disco and Michelle had started floating makeshift magical balloons in the air (they were all green and silver).

Severus had barely entered the common room when suddenly he felt Rita Skeeter clasp her arms around him.

"Severus!" she squeaked, doing her best to sound simpering and embarrassed, but really sounding like she was wearing wet leather underwear. "Would you dance with me?"

"Er," said Severus. He'd never expected this. "I don't....dance."

"Oh, don't be silly!" gushed Rita, "I bet you're a wonderful dancer!"

"Actually, Sev can't dance to save his soul," said Bellatrix. Severus mouthed a thank you at her. Rita didn't look a spot perturbed.

"Well then I'll teach you!" she squealed excitedly, and Severus felt himself being pulled onto the floor and being forced into all sorts of strange movements which felt like some kind of tribal dance. He saw Bellatrix and Rodolphus take each other's hands and walk onto the dance floor, where they started dancing as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Mental," muttered Severus, watching as Bellatrix did a somewhat sluttish move without looking even a bit embarrassed. He saw Rita doing the same sort of movements and began to wonder if it was natural to make oneself look like a tart on the dance floor. If it was, then he wasn't sure he wanted to learn to dance at all...

"Hey, Sev!" he heard Antonin's voice, and turned to see Antonin dancing with Michelle. She was doing swiveling movements which made Severus wonder if she had any backbone.

"Y'know, I think I'd better go," he told Rita, as soon as the dance was over. She tried to tug him back.

"Oh, come ON, Severus!" she pouted. "Loosen up, baby!"

"No, I think I'd rather have a drink. Nothing personal, Rita," he said tiredly and walked away feeling as though he finally could breathe. After a few quick breaths, Severus went over to where the drinks were and poured himself some pumpkin juice.

"You want to be careful with that, Snape," came Iago Zolario's voice. Severus found himself staring back into the indifferent eyes of Iago Zolario as soon as he finished pouring the drink.

"Some prick thought it would be funny to put some kind of weird potion that makes you look like a half-animal in there," said Iago.

"Really?" asked Severus coldly. "And since when do you take an interest?"

"Look, Severus, I know I've been a bit of an ass..."

"Oh, it's not me you should apologize to," sneered Severus. "It's Michelle Stormblossom. From what I've heard you told her to go screw a niffler when she first approached you."

"Well, you know me, Severus. I really don't mix well with people I don't respect and she seemed like something of a..."

"That's just the point!" snarled Severus. "You don't go making assumptions about people without ever having known them! You treated her really badly and totally misjudged her! If there's anyone here who is less of a tart than she is I'm a vampire."

"Aren't you?" joked Iago, but he shut up when he saw the look on Severus' face.

"You're going to apologize to her when this dance is over," he growled.

"Severus, I don't do apolo-"

Severus had pulled out his wand and was pointing it straight at Iago's heart.

"DO it," he hissed quietly. "Or your blood turns to flames."

Iago glared back at him, but when the dance was over he walked over to Michelle and muttered a low and disconsolate apology. Michelle nodded her head and return and he walked back to Severus.

"Now was that so bad?" asked Severus lightly, but Iago seemed to be in no mood for jokes.

"You made me compromise my dignity, Snape!"

"No, I just made you compromise your stupid pride. Your dignity had nothing to do with it."

Iago looked like he was going to object, but closed his mouth. "Good," thought Severus. "At least he knows when he's beaten."

There was one person, however, who looked like she didn't.

Dolores Umbridge was busy trying to hand out pamphlets with the words: Severus Snape jinxed the Quaffle! Petition for his removal from our Quidditch team! Nobody seemed interested though, since they were all so impressed by Severus' performance. Now Umbridge was resorting to giving a sickle to anyone who took one, but those who did just used them as napkins and didn't actually read them.

"Bad business eh, Dolores?" asked Severus as he strode over to her with a smug look on his face. Umbridge gave him a look of pure venom. It was the first time he'd used her first name, and Severus could see that this had already gotten to her.

"Get out of here, Snape!" she spat. "I know what you are!"

"How amusing. What am I?" asked Severus innocently, putting on his best sarcastic sneer.

"The son of an evil dark wizard! A freak who loves the dark side more than anyone else! A filthy cheater at Quidditch!" snapped Umbridge, whose last accusation as particularly lame. Severus' lip curled.

"That's an interesting set of credentials. I'll have to write up a whole resume of what you think. It could probably get your arrested for slander." said Severus snidely. Umbridge fumed.

"I will find proof of your evil, Severus Snape!" she whispered dangerously. "And then guess who will laugh?"

"You know, you really have a vindictiveness problem," said Severus gently. "You need counseling."

"DON'T YOU DARE MOCK ME, YOU FILTHY DARK WIZARD SPAWN!"

"Listen to the pot calling the kettle black. Why, your dad just tried to put an unforgivable curse on me and I'm the filthy dark wizard spawn?" asked Severus. He promptly had to duck as Umbridge sent a curse at him.

"Don't you dare call Professor Corlagon evil! He's the only one who saw through you and that's the only reason you don't like him!" snarled Umbridge. "Why, I bet your dad set that whole scene up to look like dad did it so he could get rid of the only one who saw him for what he and his whole stinking family were!"

"You'd make a first rate reported for The Quibbler, Dolores," said Severus sadly. "But I doubt even they'd believe you. Why don't you just give up?"

"Because I have sworn to bring you to justice and expulsion! While you are still at Hogwarts, I consider this school to be no better than Azkaban prison!"

"Admirable sentiments, Miss Umbridge," came Professor Riddle's voice from behind them, "I wonder if you would care to repeat that in the presence of the headmaster? Hello, Mr. Snape and congratulations on your superb performance in the Quidditch match. Fifteen points to Slytherin simply for your incredible skill; you are an asset to this house. Miss Umbridge, if you make any more comments of that sort I will personally take you to see the headmaster. And dear, dear, what are these?"

Riddle had picked up one of Umbridge's pamphlets. "You are accusing Mr. Snape of bewitching the Quaffle? Miss Umbridge, these pamphlets show not only a distinctive malice (something I will not tolerate Slytherins to harbor towards each other), but also an almost unbelievable appetite for slander and perhaps most seriously of all, a distinct lack of house pride. The last offense is the most serious and would ordinarily earn you a fifty point deduction from Slytherin, but the additional offenses contribute significantly. If I thought taking house points off would help you, I think a 150 point deduction would be in order. But as I believe you enjoy harming your house, I will instead focus my punishment solely on you and remove no points. Two weeks of detentions. And for the Gods' sakes turn that awful music down! It is late!"

And with that, Riddle swept away leaving Severus with a distinct sense of achievement. He smiled at Umbridge and walked away. He was immediately accosted by Michelle and invited to dance, an invitation which he actually felt comfortable taking. As he danced and moved with Michelle, Severus felt reasonably happy but he found himself wishing (for the 1,300,897th time) that Lily Evans were in Slytherin.

When the party finally wound down (which took awhile and would probably have taken longer if not for the sudden intrusion of Peeves), Severus and his friends crawled off to bed feeling happy, triumphant and thoroughly exhausted. As Severus fell asleep he smiled to himself about all he had accomplished that day.

He was walking through the dungeons slowly. In the distance, something moved: A snake! Severus followed the snake, trying to find where it was going and found it slithering into Riddle's office. He pulled on the door handle and entered the office...

But he found himself in a long, high, vaulted chamber which was inlaid with designs of snakes. At the far end, he saw a massive stone carving depicting a very old and somewhat grim looking wizard. Standing near it was a tall man, hooded and cloaked. The hooded man walked to him.

"Well, well, Severus," it hissed, and Severus realized with a shudder that it was Lord Voldemort, "how nice of you to pay me a little visit here in my chamber. Please make yourself comfortable while I put on something more fitting."

And with that, Voldemort pulled his hood down to reveal a black mask which he pulled off. However, as soon as the mask fell away....

Severus woke up, sweating and shaking. He had just met Voldemort in a dream and he struggled to remember the face under that mask, but could not. All he could remember were the two intense red eyes staring at him from the eye slits in the mask. He shuddered at the thought of those eyes. They seemed so hateful, so powerful, so triumphant. It was like looking into the eyes of absolute defeat. Severus shuddered once again and pulled the covers over his head. Why would he have a dream about Voldemort, and more importantly why was it set in that chamber? Severus had certainly never heard of any such place existing at Hogwarts and wondered if it was just a figment of his imagination. No, it had been too real for comfort. Voldemort was trying to contact him for some reason, but why?

Severus replayed the dream over and over in his head. He had chased a Snake (why a snake?) all the way to Riddle's office, where he suddenly had switched to the chamber. There must have been something in between that the dream wasn't supposed to let him see.

Exhausted from thinking about it, Severus hit the pillow and passed the rest of the night in blissful absence of any disturbing dreams.

The next day snailed by so slowly that Severus actually found himself wondering how many days of the week had passed and discovering that it was only Monday. Even Professor McGonagall fining James Potter ten points for accidentally turning her chair into a goldfish didn't improve the day and Severus just laughed half-heartedly like the rest of them.

Defense against the Dark arts was just as bad. Pravus actually had put up a very interesting lesson which was comprised solely of judged duels. Severus found himself teamed with Iago Zolario, but with his impressive knowledge of minor curses as well as major ones and an almost uncanny quickness at blocking curses made him the easy winner. Bellatrix beat him in the end, though, and it was she who dueled with Pravus. If Severus hadn't been so anticipatory of his meeting with Corlagon he would have thought this was amazingly interesting. His father and Bellatrix sent jinx after jinx at each other and finally both hit each other at once, an event that culminated in Bellatrix growing a tail and Pravus sprouting large white dandelions form his ears.

The only class which even went remotely quickly (that is, at the speed of an earthworm and not a snail) was Herbology. Professor Lodovico actually gave them all large fanged plants which looked dangerous but could really cause very little damage. However, when Peter Pettigrew had to have his arm removed from one's mouth, this idea was called into question. Severus, for his part, patted his and got it to start purring loudly, which made Professor Lodovico irate as she could barely be heard over the racket that Severus' plant was making.

At last, 3:00 arrived. Severus quietly excused himself from Herbology and walked to the edge of the forbidden forest. As he walked, he saw his father hiding behind the gamekeeper, Hagrid's, hut. He took a deep breath and strode forward to meet the cloaked figure that was waiting for him.

"So, here we both are, Professor," said Severus. "It's ironic that the one teacher who hated the dark arts so much would be working for Lord Voldemort."

"Ssshh!" hissed Corlagon. "You don't want him hearing you speaking his name!"

"Lord Voldemort," sneered Severus. "I'm too deep in his good books for him to be angry."

"This is exactly the reason I didn't like you as a student, Snape!" hissed Corlagon.

"Spare me," Severus said silkily. "I want to ask you a few questions."

"Well?"

"Who IS Lord Voldemort?"

Corlagon laughed out loud. "You know, I once asked him the same question and he told me it was none of my business. Your guess is as good as mine who he is. All I ever see of him are his red eyes, they're all that shows under that black mask he wears."

"Yeah, I noticed he doesn't take that off too often," bluffed Severus, who had never met Voldemort.

"Well, any other questions? Ones I can actually answer?"

"Which victims are his and which are yours?" asked Severus. "I want to know who was responsible for hurting my friends."

"Well, he took care of Miss Acklebridge, Mr. Lestrange and Miss Evans," chuckled Corlagon, "But I took Mr. Rookwood and made the pumpkins drop at the Halloween feast. It was also me that attacked you."

"Hmmm. Well, that's all the confession I need. Dad, he's all yours!"

Pravus emerged with his and out. Corlagon looked slowly from him to Severus and Severus saw comprehension dawn on his face.

"You little informant SHIT!"

"Too late now, Corlagon. By the way, Voldemort will kill you if he ever finds out you were here," Severus held up a black rock. "Recognize this?"

Corlagon looked at it in horror, "It was YOU!" he cried. "YOU were using the other end! You stole the Dark Lord's communication with me! You little bastard!"

"Get away from my son, Corlagon," growled Pravus. "Or you get a taste of your own medicine."

"And what's that supposed to mean, Pravus?" snapped Corlagon.

"That means I might just kill you like the scum you are. And by the way, you will address me as 'Auror Snape'," sneered Pravus.

"Or you'll do what, Pravus?"

"Crucio!"

Corlagon screamed as if he were writhing in the flames of hell themselves. Pravus jerked his wand and Corlagon stopped abruptly, gasping for breath.

"Does that answer your question?" asked Pravus cruelly as Corlagon staggered to his feet.

"Yes...you...bastard....auror...Snape!" gasped Corlagon with a hateful look at both Pravus and Severus. Pravus looked amused and absentmindedly brushed a little dust off his robes before pointing his wand directly at Corlagon's head.

"Incarcerous!" Pravus muttered and cords flew out of his wand which bound Corlagon. He then whispered "Wingardium Leviosa!" and Corlagon, tied up and furious, was levitated off the ground. Pravus smiled at Severus, turned back to Corlagon, flicked his wand and started walking with Corlagon's form floating ominously behind them.

But Severus doubled back to talk to Corlagon. He knew he'd be cursed at, but since Corlagon didn't have his wand he figured it was safe.

"Well, Professor, to think Dad was one of the people you made us do an essay on..."

"Shut up, spawn-of-Satan!" snarled Corlagon, twisting at his bonds.

"Did you honestly believe I'd follow your boss?" Severus asked.

"I admit I was doubtful as to whether you could be a Death Eater..."

"A what?" interrupted Severus, aiming to get Corlagon angry.

"A death eater, you little fool! One of the followers of Lord Voldemort!"

"Well, that's interesting," said Severus. "Tell me, what does death taste like?"

"Don't try my patience, turncoat," hissed Corlagon.

"Ok, I'll try it. Is it any good?"

Corlagon spat on Severus. "I KNEW you were nothing but a sniveling little suck-up! Why, you're just like your father when he was a kid: A sarcastic, backhanded, dark-wizard-loving SLYTHERIN!"

"Was I really that bad, Dalverry?" said Pravus harshly. "Well, maybe it's because you were an ego-inflated, doormat sympathizing, lie-down-and-lick-the-teachers-shoes GRYFFINDOR."

This was too much for Corlagon, who started shrieking unintelligible insults (though Severus caught something about "dragon dung" in there) at both Severus and Pravus, who both ignored him. Pravus was too busy drowning out Corlagon's screaming with congratulations for Severus' daring.

"Severus, I admire your courage. Few first years would dare to communicate directly with a dark wizard and arrange to lure that wizard into a trap. You will make a first rate Auror when you grow up, but until that point, 50 points to Slytherin for carrying off such a well-laid trap."

Severus flushed with pride at this and followed his father back up to the castle, where his father told him to return to his common room while he questioned Corlagon.

But Severus was not about to follow his father in this regard. He wanted to hear the interrogation, so as soon as his father had returned to his office, Severus snuck up and pressed his ear against the door.

"Who is Lord Voldemort, Corlagon?"

"I don't know!"

"Crucio!"

Corlagon screamed in a way that Severus thought was ironically like a little girl, but still bloodcurdling.

"Are you willing to tell me now?"

"I don't know, you bastard, I swear I don't know!"

"We'll see about that. Perhaps a little Veritaserum is in order."

Severus heard his father pouring liquid into a glass and forcing Corlagon to drink it. There was some coughing and spluttering. Then he heard his father repeat the same question.

"Who is Lord Voldemort?"

"I don't know."

"Alright, then. Why is he attacking students?"

"To persuade Severus Snape to join him as his student insider here at Hogwarts."

Severus heard his father draw a long breath, and then he said in a tight voice:

"And has he succeeded yet?"

"No."

"Thank the Gods! Has he had any contact with my son?"

"Yes."

Severus heard his father's breath become labored and he said the next words in a very constrained tone.

"How?"

"With the use of remote Leglimency."

"Explain."

"My Lord sent Severus Snape a specially modified summoner's cap which did not contain the spirit of a dark wizard, but rather a direct mental connection to my Lord himself. However, like most Summoner's caps, my lord could only communicate with Severus for short periods of time. So, during one of Severus' last periods of possession, my lord used a basic Leglimency charm to keep a permanent connection to be used when my Lord desired it."

"Alright, if that's all...."

"YOU FOOL, PRAVUS! I haven't been under the influence of Veritaserum at all!"

"What the...."

But then Corlagon burst out of the office with a clang and dashed away down the corridor with the speed of a man running from a rabid wild boar. Pravus burst out too and tried to curse Corlagon, but the evil wizard dodged his curses and dashed away down the corridor. However, when Pravus saw Severus standing there he turned a deep shade of red.

"You were listening to that?"

"Er...well, sorry Dad but..." Severus began, but Pravus made a silencing gesture and beckoned Severus into his office.

"Look, son, I am a trained Auror. I know when someone's listening to my conversations, but I must ask you NOT to do so again. And now, more serious matters," Pravus started screaming. "WHAT IN THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU ACCEPTED THAT HAT THAT LORD VOLDEMORT SENT YOU?! DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THE MINISTRY ALWAYS SAYS?! DON'T TRUST ANYTHING THAT CAN THINK FOR ITSELF IF YOU CAN'T SEE WHERE IT KEEPS ITS BRAIN! AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WHEN YOU STARTED HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. V YOU KEPT IT A SECRET! I'M WAITING FOR AN EXPLANATION, SEVERUS! WELL?!"

Severus gulped. He had never seen his father this angry before in his life and was getting strong urges to bolt out of the room as fast as he could. But for some reason he wanted to explain.

"Dad, look, I didn't know Voldemort sent me the hat until a little while ago. It just arrived one day and none of us could figure out how it got there or who sent it. And I found out it was omniscient when I put it on, so I thought it would be a great thing to own. I had absolutely no idea it was dangerous and when I did I thought I could handle the situation myself."

Severus expected his father to get even more livid and start shouting at him about stupidity, but to his surprise his father smiled.

"Severus, you did just what I would have done. I'm afraid it's a tragic Snape family trait that we are afraid to ask for help, despise pity and reject sympathy as a rule. Alright, son, I will let you handle this as best you can since it appears this is your battle. But if it ever becomes...too much...come to me no matter what happens. Alright?"

Severus nodded and smiled at his dad. But he knew he wouldn't talk to him if his life depended on it. His father was right, this WAS his fight and he'd be damned if he'd let someone fight it for him. Then he heard Voldemort's voice.

"You naughty boy, Severus."

"What are you talking about?" Severus spat, not realizing his father was listening.

"Son?" asked Pravus concernedly.

"It's Voldemort," grunted Severus. The color drained from his father's face.

"You really have put your foot in it now, Severus," hissed Voldemort.

"Oh, have I, Voldie?" growled Severus defiantly. "How?"

"Why, your foolishness nearly cost me a very valuable agent. I have decided, Severus, to give up on you. Enjoy being on the losing side, boy! I will not be speaking to you anymore. Deleglimens!"

Severus suddenly felt the same pain in his brain that he had felt the day of Serena's attack. It felt as thought someone were grabbing his brain and twisting it around. He slumped to the floor and grabbed his head in agony.

"Severus?" asked Pravus concernedly and Severus let out an anguished moan. "Oh, God, Severus! What's happening?"

"He's leaving my mind..." Severus choked out and Pravus looked at him in shock. The pain slowly began to lessen as Voldemort's consciousness went out of Severus' mind and finally Severus felt normal again.

"He's gone now," said Severus and almost on cue, Bellatrix came bursting into the office.

"Miss Black, what--" began Pravus, but Bellatrix cut him off.

"Severus, it's gone!" she gasped out, "An owl came into the room and..."

"What?" asked Severus, fearing he already knew the answer.

"Severus, the hat isn't there anymore!"

"How?" asked Severus and Pravus at once.

"An owl came into the room and picked up the hat and...flew away," Bellatrix said in a breath-choked voice and the next Pravus and Severus knew she had fainted. Pravus looked at Severus with a serious look.

"You know why he did this?"

"Yeah, he gave up on me," said Severus. And as he said so suddenly a scream came from down the stairs and the next instant Professor Riddle came running up the stairs, white-faced.

"Pravus, it's horrible...just horrible...."

"What?" asked Pravus in barely more than a panicked whisper.

"Professor Medea Lodovico is....dead, Pravus."