The Severus Snape Saga-Book 1, the Sordid Hat

Chapter 12: Of Quidditch and Serpents

The days after Professor Lodovico's death were hectic. The teachers all put magical protection charms on the doors to their offices, their classrooms and (in Professor McGonagall's case) their hats. Since Lodovico had been head of Hufflepuff house, someone else had to be found for that post until a new herbology teacher was found. But no one expected the choice that Dumbledore made.

At the third feast after Professor Lodovico's death, Dumbledore stood up and clapped his hands for silence.

"As I'm sure you are all aware, a few days ago we suffered the loss of a very special person: Medea Lodovico, vegetarian hag, Herbology Professor and head of Hufflepuff house. Now, my colleagues and I have conferred and...after some very serious discussion and more than a little bloodshed we have decided on someone who will fill her vacancy as head of Hufflepuff house until a new Herbology teacher is found to replace her. I give you the new head of Hufflepuff house: Rubeus Hagrid!"

All the mouths in the great hall with the exception of the staff's fell open. The massive Gamekeeper strode over to the Hufflepuff table and sat down with a cheery smile. There was some scattered clapping but mostly a stunned silence as if everybody was saying:

"Is Dumbledore mad?"

Severus, for his part, thought this was the most convenient thing he could imagine. Everyone knew Hagrid had been expelled in his third year and was notoriously lax about rules. If the Hufflepuffs started taking their orders from him in a hurry it would probably interfere with their chances of winning the house cup. Lucius seemed to be thinking the same thing, because Severus heard him muttering to Antonin:

"One house down, three to go."

But when Severus' eyes fell on Umbridge, he was quite surprised to see her looking livid. He nudged Bellatrix and pointed to Umbridge.

"So what's eating her?" he asked curiously. Bellatrix laughed cruelly.

"Haven't you heard, Severus? Umbridge actually had a bit of a run-in with Hagrid and...well, I don't know the whole story but I think it involved a big black dog chasing her all the way back to the castle and trying to follow her into our common room. Professor Riddle had to give the dog a calming potion to get it to leave."

Severus laughed at the thought of Umbridge scampering away from a big black dog as fast as her legs would carry her (which, Severus supposed, was not very fast).

But Hagrid seemed to be a quite competent head of house, much to the dismay of the Slytherins. Villa Severum actually almost tried to provoke Hagrid. In Herbology class (which, in absence of a better teacher, Hagrid taught as well), Michelle Stormblossom deliberately put her hand too far into the mouth of her fanged geranium in an attempt to draw Hagrid's temper. Hagrid, however, just gently acknowledged it as "A 'ones' mistake."

But aside from annoying Hagrid, there were other things to worry about. Pravus Snape, who had now officially gained the title of Professor, was working them harder than ever at curse deflection, sometimes unexpectedly flinging curses at any innocent bystander that met his eye. This rather unwise treatment ceased when he accidentally aimed for Professor McGonagall and had to run as the irate Professor chased after him, furiously brandishing her walking stick.

And Professor Riddle was giving them an especially hard time with antidotes. "You never know when someone will slip a bit of poison in your drink," he had said on countless occasions. But all the homework essays he gave out, Severus had a strong suspicion, were NOT necessary (but maybe that was just wishful thinking). So, between feverishly stirring complex antidotes, writing essays on the properties of a bezoar, deflecting the many curses that James Potter seemed to think were funny to throw at him and trying to turn glasses into tucans, Severus wondered if he'd have any kind of personal life at all.

And then the coup de grace came. The next Quidditch match was announced, and it was the day before Christmas. Ludo Bagman, who seemed to be almost willing to let his hair down, suddenly turned into a manic dictator who alternately shouted at people who didn't manage to do what they were supposed to do properly and gave long lectures on the values of teamwork. By the time the team had endured a week of such treatment they started to get slightly discontented. Well, slightly discontented was an understatement since Gaston Mulciber, the other beater, started telling Ludo to jam teamwork up his you-know-where.

But, oddly enough, Severus found time to unwind and that time was his lessons with Professor Binns. Binns had decided to let Severus off taking notes since he wasn't going to actually be tested on anything and always seemed to have some variety of cold drink available for Severus to sip while he talked about the history of dark magic. But Binns had actually gotten onto some very interesting stuff even without the cold drink: Leglimency, the ability to invade someone's mind. While Leglimency wasn't technically a dark art, Binns told Severus that it was important that he learn about it since most dark wizards could use it and Lord Voldemort was one himself.

But Severus wasn't interested in Leglimency because of how fiendish it was, but because of the fact that he wanted to use it. However, all the books on Leglimency were in the restricted section so Severus couldn't get access to any of them. This didn't matter of course, Severus was a Slytherin and Slytherins could get anything given enough time.

So Severus decided to ask a teacher for a permission slip to get into the restricted section. He debated between asking his father and Professor Riddle, and finally settled on Professor Riddle. Sure, his father was his father, but he probably was very mistrustful of Leglimency as a retired auror. Severus decided to ask him if Riddle said no.

After his Potions class (which thankfully was his last lesson of the day), Severus approached Riddle with the feeling that somehow a nest of butterflies had managed to establish itself in his stomach.

"Professor?" he asked nervously. Riddle looked up with an indifferent look.

"Yes, Mr. Snape?" he asked ominously.

"Professor, I've been wondering..." began Severus, but then his Slytherin sense of diplomacy kicked in, "I've been hoping that you'd do something for me."

"Indeed? Well, what is it, Mr. Snape?" asked Riddle, his green eyes practically boring into Severus'. Severus swallowed and assumed Slytherin air of measured resistance.

"Er...I've been wanting to get a book out of the restricted section. A book on Leglimency," he added when he saw the look on Riddle's face. Riddle's lip curled.

"I think not, Mr. Snape."

"Bother," said Severus, feeling crushed.

"Don't you want a reason?"

"You don't want me learning that sort of thing?" asked Severus, bracing himself for a lecture but Riddle shook his head.

"My boy, if I had that outlook I would not be teaching you the dark arts privately. Which reminds me, we must arrange your next lesson. No, the reason I am not allowing you access to the Leglimency books is that they are useless without instruction. Therefore I think I will teach you Leglimency during the next dark arts class we have together. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Riddle got up and strode into his office.

Severus was elated. To learn Leglimency from Professor Riddle would be amazing and was far better than simply reading about it out of a book. He walked out of the dungeon classroom with something resembling a spring in his step.

When Severus reached the common room, he found the other members of Villa Severum hastily talking to someone whom he couldn't see. Severus pushed his way through the crowds and made his way over only to feel his mouth drop open again. Serena was back!

"Then, by the power vested in me by, well....Severus...look I know he's just another kid but he is our leader...I pronounce you, Serena Acklebridge-Snape a member of Villa Severum," said Michelle, blushing furiously as she did something resembling a dubbing motion with her wand. Serena giggled. Severus walked over and tapped Michelle on the shoulder.

"Hey, Michelle, aren't you going to let me talk to our new member?" he asked, feigning authority. Michelle did a ridiculously theatrical bow and motioned him towards Serena, who smiled at him. "Good to see you're back," said Severus, and he gave Serena a very slight hug before assuming his usual skeptical indifference.

"So, how are you, Sev?" asked Serena, smiling up at him.

"How am I? I should be asking how are you!" said Severus.

"I've been better; I'm still a little queasy after that little attack, though. You know, I think I caught a glimpse of who did it," she said quietly. Simultaneously all the members of Villa Severum gasped "WHO?!"

"Well, mind you I didn't see his face...but he had black hair and I know he's a teacher because he had the Hogwarts crest on his robes," said Serena with quite a few "errs" and "Aahs" in between her words.

"A black haired teacher. Hmm, who do we know who looks like that?" asked Rodolphus sarcastically.

"Maybe...Corlagon?" asked Bellatrix with sarcastic innocence.

"But Corlagon said Voldemort did all the attacks but the one on Halloween," said Severus. "He told me when he thought I was a death eater."

"A what?" asked Bellatrix and Antonin at once. They looked at each other strangely.

"A death eater. It's what the followers of Lord Voldemort call themselves," said Severus.

"I wonder what death tastes like," said Antonin, with an evil grin. "I'll bet it tastes like raw meat only with a few crunchy worms and maggots..."

"I think I'm gonna be sick," said Michelle weakly and Antonin shut up.

"But if Corlagon didn't do it, then who?" asked Rodolphus urgently.

"Well, we've got black haired teachers. That narrows it down to McGonagall, Riddle, Verbrechen..."

"Well, it was a man," said Serena, "So that cuts McGonagall right out."

"But there's one more person," said Michelle, "Vladimir Dolohov."

Antonin sprang on her with a cry like an enraged tiger, "It is NOT my dad, Stormblossom!" he roared, spraying Michelle with spit, "You take that back now!"

"Ok, ok, but if it IS your dad..."

"Which it isn't!"

"What would his motive be?" asked Bellatrix superciliously.

"Well, he's obviously impressed with Severus. You saw the way he acted during flying classes. And look who's the only person who didn't get attacked: Antonin, his son!" said Michelle, dramatizing the last words like a campfire story close.

"It is NOT my dad," said Antonin stubbornly.

"Alright, then let's look at the other candidates. Riddle and Verbrechen. Well, Riddle's impressed with Severus, but he'd never attack members of his own house, so that leaves just Verbrechen."

"Well," said Lucius, who had remained silent throughout all this, "I don't know about Verbrechen being impressed with Severus, but it seems to me that Voldemort can only be a nutter. And not only that, but I know some stuff about him. My dad works with Severus' dad too and he's brought home some pretty big rants about Dumbledore's staff appointments. Corlagon and Hagrid were big ones, but Verbrechen came up at one point. And guess what he said?"

"What?" asked Antonin, breaking the suspense.

"Armand Verbrechen is a very skilled Leglimens and not only that, he's a vampire!"

The stunned silence that followed this pronouncement was almost palpable. Rodolphus opened and closed his mouth. Finally, Antonin said grimly, "Well, that settles it, Professor Verbrechen is Lord Voldemort."

But Serena was skeptical. "If he's a vampire, how does he teach daytime classes?"

"Ah, showing your heritage again, Serena," said Lucius tolerantly. "Vampires aren't killed by sunlight. They just feel a bit queasy in it, have you ever noticed that Professor Verbrechen has a chronic chip on his shoulder?"

"Ok, so we have a theory that it's Professor Verbrechen but do we have any proof?" asked Bellatrix.

"No, but I'm pretty sure there will be a way to connect him to the attacks," said Antonin eagerly, but then he added, "Bother and he's not even a mean teacher. This isn't going to have any vengeance involved!"

"Wait," said Severus, his brain working furiously. He had suddenly remembered something when Lucius had mentioned Professor Verbrechen's first name: Armand. Severus had remembered a wizard named Voldeur Armand who had been involved with the creation of powerful potions known as "The flight of death series". These potions had been used by the twisted wizard on a flock of Augureys, birds who were said to foretell death with their cries, to make their cries kill truly. Armand would then loose the birds (with earplugs on his own ears) to go out and kill his enemies with their squawks. The formulas which Armand used for his potions were now only in restricted dark manuals which only dark wizards with real connections or aurors could read. Severus had an idea.

"Anyone here speak another language?" he asked suddenly, causing the others to start. After a few minutes, only Antonin and Michelle raised their hands. "Well, which ones?" asked Severus impatiently.

"Russian," said Antonin.

"French," said Michelle.

"Alright, I need you to translate the words flight of death into those languages," said Severus. Antonin came up with some strange phrase with far too many ch's in it for Severus' liking, but Michelle turned pale.

"Sev," she said in a small voice. "In French flight of death is Vol de mort. If you put the words together as one they're spelled the same way as..." she broke off and said in a whisper:

"Voldemort."

"Brilliant! What gave you that idea, Sev?" asked Lucius admiringly. Severus told them about Voldeur Armand and his potions and when he'd finished they were shocked.

"So that's where Verbrechen got the idea for his name!" said Antonin bitterly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's gonna use the same stuff to kill people off."

"I bet that's how he got Lodovico!" said Bellatrix in awe, and then her tone changed to bitterness. "The old BASTARD!"

"Well, we'll see just how well he holds out against us now that we might know who he is," said Severus, and then he went into his leader of Villa Severum mode. "Alright, here's your tasks. Keep close tabs on Professor Verbrechen and wear earmuffs at all times. That way, if he targets you with one of his little birds you'll be safe. And finally, stick together. We don't want to lose anyone, especially not with new members. Stay working and get the job done and we'll see who winds up in trouble when this is over!"

Most of the others nodded, but Michelle did a crazy salute and Serena, seeming to think this was the customary thing to do, did the same thing. Severus wasn't sure he wanted Serena to be taking direction from Michelle, but he did his best not to worry. After all, Michelle was self-appointed second-in-command of Villa Severum and as such could teach Serena the ropes pretty easily. Then, he suddenly got an idea.

"Listen up, everyone," he addressed the other members, "starting today, Villa Severum goes public."

And it did. Severus put fliers up in the common room over the next two weeks advocating Villa Severum as "A society dedicated to finding out who Lord Voldemort is an exposing him." Within weeks, they had six more members. These included Lucas Avery, Iago Zolario and a fourth year called Elphias Dodge. With their new member tally, Severus found that he was forced to take on more and more responsibility as leader of Villa Severum and soon he was actually being asked to sit in on "Initiation tests", which he had begrudgingly consented to. Even though some people didn't believe in joining a society run by a first year, that didn't affect Villa Severum's membership too much. Dolores Umbridge, of course, lobbied against it, but nobody listened to her.

And then the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw arrived. All of a sudden Slytherins and Ravenclaws were getting more and more touchy with each other and a few duels even broke out. Despite the fact that the animosity Slytherin got from Ravenclaw wasn't anywhere near what Gryffindor felt for them, Ravenclaw seemed to be just as zealous where Quidditch was concerned.

The day of the match could not have been better. The day was warm, sunny and cheerful and the Quidditch pitch was fresh from the rain they'd received the previous night. But, for all the pleasures of the day, Severus still found himself getting quite queasy in the stomach. Like most Quidditch matches, it was on a Saturday, so Severus didn't have to go through the agony of classes first. All the same, he changed into his robes with a resigned air that permeated the team. Even Antonin didn't seem to be able to come up with a clever joke to lighten up the mood. Ludo gave them an intense lecture before the match and when he was done, Severus felt as though a lump to end all lumps had decided to spend its weekend in his stomach. And as the team approached the Quidditch pitch they all felt about ready to be sick.

The commentary was already running. "Laadies and Gentlemen, I give you the Ravenclaw team: Chang, Diggle, Moody, Rattlestone, Patil, Schawkings aaand QUIRKE!!!"

The Ravenclaws were met with resounding applause and Severus felt the lump in his stomach jump about the height of a skydiver. He shuddered a little and prepared to take off as the captains shook hands.

"And I'm sorry to say here are the Slytherin..."

"WEASLEY!"

"Sorry, sorry, Professor. Here are the Slytherins: Dolohov, Snape, Travers, Mulciber, Bagman, Stormblossom aaand Malfoy!"

The clapping was reduced but still loud as the Slytherin team mounted its brooms and kicked off. All of a sudden the lump in Severus' stomach got an eviction notice as he soared into the air and seized the Quaffle before passing it to Antonin, who executed a few devious dodging maneuvers before passing it to Travers, who went straight to the goal posts and made a few feints before scoring the first goal for Slytherin.

The Quaffle went to Rattlestone, who made a valiant attempt to avoid Ludo's bludgers but dropped the Quaffle in the attempt. This time Travers got the Quaffle and Severus watched as he passed it to Antonin, who headed up the pitch while dodging two bludgers. Severus spurred his broom on and decided to have a little fun with the Ravenclaw beater before scoring. He turned his broom and shot toward the beater and began to swoop tantalizingly back and forth, daring the beater to hit a bludger at him. Severus noticed that Ludo had moved up behind him, so Severus very clearly motioned towards Chang and gave Ludo a look that said very clearly "get her".

Then the bludger came. Severus dodged out of its way quickly enough and watched as Ludo hit the Bludger triumphantly toward Chang, who did a sort of pirouette before getting hit smack in the head by the other bludger, sent by Mulciber. Severus pulled his broom around and caught the Quaffle just as it was sent his way. He shot off towards the Ravenclaw end and was just about to score when...

SNAP! Severus' earplugs had just closed over his ears and Severus suddenly saw with horror why. An Augurey was soaring over the Quidditch field and it had just opened its mouth and let out a bizarre squawk which thankfully was blocked out. A few people looked lightheaded but none of them passed out. Severus looked over at the Slytherin end and saw Michelle pointing her wand at him from the goal posts. So it had been her who had made his earmuffs snap over his ears. Thank the Gods.

The Augurey soared off and Severus immediately turned his attention to the teacher's box. Professor Riddle was looking impassive and the rest of the teachers weren't paying any attention at all. Even Professor Verbrechen was absentmindedly cleaning his glasses and didn't seem to notice the Augurey at all. Figures, thought Severus, He probably knew this was gonna happen all along and thinks I'll be dead when he looks up.

But Severus didn't waste his time looking at Verbrechen and just had time to dodge a bludger before scoring another goal for Slytherin. He could hear Weasley cursing as he soared off to steal it from Schawkings, who was getting dangerously close to the Slytherin end.

But Schawkings was surprisingly evasive and Severus found that even he, Antonin and Travers couldn't keep up to the devious flier. Severus gritted his teeth and tried not to worry as Schawkings entered the scoring zone. Michelle's solid, he thought, she won't let him get past...

But Schawkings had scored. He high-fived his other Ravenclaws and flew off to take the Quaffle again. However, the Slytherins were not idle. Mulciber and Bagman were now training their bludgers specifically on Schawkings, who was having increasing difficulty pulling off his best moves. Watching Schawkings in his distracted state, Severus saw Antonin swoop low like a green and silver cloaked bird of prey and steal the Quaffle. Schawkings cursed as Antonin threw the Quaffle to Severus, who put it away with no trouble.

But then something happened that made Severus' heart stand still. Michelle turned over on her broom and plummeted to the earth. Vladimir Dolohov's whistle sounded and everybody soared down to land on the ground. But then Severus saw Lucius take a slight detour before landing. He figured he knew what had happened: Lucius had caught the Snitch. Nobody noticed however, because Michelle's pulse was frantically being checked and her head was being felt. Vladimir Dolohov turned to the many anxious students and told them:

"It's a dark curse. She's been catatonised. This match is cancelled and since no one caught the Snitch..."

"Sure about that, sir?" asked Lucius, holding up the golden ball. Vladimir's face broke into a weak smile and he blew his whistle again with the words "Slytherin wins!"

But nobody bothered to cheer since the moment was so somber. Catatonisation was Dark Magic of the worst kind and was second only to Petrification and Killing since its effects were so dreadful. Despite the fact that the ensuing catatonia was temporary, everyone still felt highly fearful for Michelle's health. Severus, for his part, was terribly worried about how anyone could have known to target Michelle, who was obviously his second-in-command of Villa Severum.

And then Severus looked over at the teacher's box with fury in his eyes. He saw Professors Riddle, Verbrechen and McGonagall getting up to come down to the field. Severus focused his stare on Verbrechen and saw that the man had stumbled on the stairs and was putting his wand away...Severus felt his heart start beating very hard indeed but managed to maintain a look of indifference on his face, though his eyes were telling an entirely different story.

But now the big guns had arrived. Pravus Snape and Dumbledore had arrived and Pravus was pulling out his wand and performing the counter curse. Dumbledore, in the meantime, was looking around worriedly and giving everyone piercing looks before quietly motioning for Michelle to be carried on a stretcher back to the hospital wing despite her protestations that she was fine. These protestations cancelled themselves out as Michelle completely blacked out after the fourth "I'm fine!" and was carried silently henceforth up to the hospital wing.

Severus was watching Professor Verbrechen, though, and was surprised at what a good act of concern the guilty professor was putting up. Severus also noticed that nearly all the other members of Villa Severum were watching Verbrechen too and were giving him looks of murder that would have made Jack the Ripper look like a benign old grandfather. He felt some satisfaction in the fact that Verbrechen was stumbling over his words.

"I...I mean to say, Headmastare, Ich hope zat ze shild vill be alright. Sie sheems ferry badly heart."

"She will be fine, Armand. Although I do wonder at the nature of your interest..." said Dumbledore with a half smile and Severus saw with some pleasure that Verbrechen seemed to have trouble coming up with a reason for his worries.

"Ich...ich merely am consherned for the vellfare off zuch a yong kirl," he aid lamely and swept away. Severus threw a smirk at Verbrechen's retreating back and walked away just as he was accosted by the rest of Villa Severum.

"So, Sev, what d'you reckon Voldemort's up to this time?" asked Lucas Avery.

"Yeah, something has to be going on," added Iago Zolario in his usual cynical tones.

"Now, now, I'm sure the leader of Villa Severum could answer these questions if he had room to breathe let alone think," said Bellatrix, who seemed to have taken up Michelle's vacant mantle. But Severus was in no mood to assume his "leader of Villa Severum" mode, so he pushed his way roughly out of the crowd of his fellow members and swept off towards the castle. He felt terrible about Michelle and was even more aggravated by the fact that Professor Verbrechen was getting off so easily. His mind was so full of bloody thoughts in fact, that he didn't watch where he was going and ran smack into the last person he wanted to see: James Potter.

Potter looked surprised at first, but then his face shifted into that smirk which made Severus' wrath production rate speed up by thousands.

"Watch where you're going, Snivellus," he sneered. "I don't want grease all over my clothes."

"Indeed, Potter?" asked Severus sarcastically. "Well, you're hardly in any position to talk since that hair of yours doesn't look like it's gone through a proper shower in days."

"Well, you really ought to know not to talk about things you don't understand, Snivelly," hissed Potter. "Your hair looks like it NEVER had a proper shower."

"And wouldn't you just love to know my washing schedule so you could watch, eh Potter?" said Severus, his voice like a silky knife. That'll shut the git up, thought Severus.

Potter was just about to open his mouth to reply when he abruptly closed it and put on an oily smile. Severus turned around and saw Lily Evans walking towards them and had to exercise immediate self-control to keep himself from grinning like an imbecile. Lily, however, was not smiling. She was striding towards the two of them with a look on her face that suggested she knew exactly what they were doing before she turned up.

"Not fighting are you, boys?" she asked with a falsely sweet voice. Severus could tell she didn't like the situation and did his best to look innocent. Potter still had that stupid grin on his ugly face, the great prat.

"Oh no, Evans, we weren't fighting were we, Sev?" he said, giving Severus a look. Severus was about to blurt out the truth but then decided to have a little fun.

"Oh no, we weren't fighting. Potter was just telling me how he was wondering if Peter Pettigrew was available for a relationship," he said with a snide grin up at Potter. "I told him he didn't have a chance."

Potter was opening and closing his fist while still keeping that idiotic grin. He looks just like a goblin, Severus thought absently and he turned back to see Lily's lower lip quivering as though she was trying to stop herself from laughing.

"Alright, Potter. Well, since I know about your sexual orientation now I'll ask Pettigrew, but I very much doubt he'll want anything to do with you."

"Evans, I--"

"Good bye, Potter."

Potter opened and closed his mouth before walking off in something resembling a huff. As soon as he was out of earshot, Lily and Severus burst out laughing.

"I wonder how Pettigrew will take the news that James Potter's gay!" Lily snorted and she threw her head back with a great laugh.

"I wonder if James will bother trying to murder me for saying that," chuckled Severus. "God, that was fun. The great prat walked right into it."

"So you don't think much of Potter either, then?" asked Lily cheerfully.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Who does?" he asked tiredly.

"Nymphadora Tonks," said Lily with a sigh of exasperation.

"Bless you," said Severus, not realizing what she'd said.

"No, I mean Nymphadora Tonks is the only one who thinks anything of Potter. At least, she's the only one I know of but there are probably others," said Lily.

"If there are, they must be howling mad," said Severus with a chuckle, "Potter is such a self-worshipping arrogant prick!"

"I completely agree," said Lily with a roll of her eyes, and then she changed the subject. "So, Severus, I hear you're the head of some gang of Slytherins who want to find out who Lord Voldemort is, then."

"So you've heard about Villa Severum," said Severus with a sigh. "Lily, I didn't ask to be a leader. Look at me, do I seem like the type who leads massive amounts of people into battle and inspires awe?"

"Severus, anybody who doesn't stumble over their words in your presence would have to be extremely brave or extremely foolish. You are a natural leader, Sev. Why, I bet that when we Gryffindors are still running around having kids you'll be a close disciple of one of the greatest wizards in existence if not one of the greatest yourself," said Lily, and Severus knew she was dead earnest. For some reason the statement struck him as ominous and he looked away in embarrassment.

"Lily, it's frightening. These attacks, the way they always happen just when you least expect them and the fact that Voldemort could be any one of us. And here I am leading people who are trying to stop it. Why me, Lily? Why me?" asked Severus with a lost look.

"You chose to, Severus. You were the one who let it go public and now that you're a leader I know you won't fail anyone. Now, the reason I asked you is because I want to be a member," said Lily. Severus' mouth became the shape of cave.

"What? Lily, you can't be serious! You actually want to become a member of Villa Severum? You really do? I mean...most of us are Slytherins, you'd kind of be singled out."

"I don't care," said Lily defiantly. "I want in."

Severus sighed, mentally cursing himself for letting Villa Severum become an actual club, and pulled out his wand and started to go through an initiation test.

"Do you swear that your sole purpose in joining us is to expunge Lord Voldemort?"

"Yes."

"You are joining us of your own free will?"

"No, Sev, someone's pointing a wand at my back and telling me to join or else they'll turn me into a pink, fluffy rabbit! Of course I'm joining of my own free will!"

Severus had to fight down a few sniggers before going on. "What is your name?"

"Do you really need to ask me that?"

"Just answer the question. I didn't write this test."

"Lily Angelina Evans."

"Right. Pureblood or Muggle-born?"

"Muggle-born."

"You understand the perils of participating in Villa Severum and that you are more likely to be a target having joined us?"

"Perfectly."

"What is your favorite color?"

"Flobberworm skin. Honestly, Severus, I hope you don't plan to make me register at the Ministry of Silly Walks."

"Oh, fine. Then by the power vested in me by myself I pronounce you a member of Villa Severum. I'd do that dual kiss thing that the generals do, but it doesn't seem appropriate."

"No, you're right, it doesn't. Potter might get jealous of me," said Lily jokingly. Severus chuckled, and he pulled out one of the badges that Bellatrix had made for Villa Severum members. They were impressive, being emblazoned with a silver "VS" which was handsomely inlaid over a Hogwarts crest. So it was with something close to reverence that Severus handed Lily the badge and blushed when her eyes looked at his. Unlike the other badges, Severus' was almost tasteless, being solid gold with the "VS" written in entwining Slytherin serpents and the Hogwarts crest was in full color to add to the décor. Lily, however, seemed to think both badges were gorgeous and fawned over Severus' for the longest time.

When Lily had done admiring Severus' badge, Severus took his leave with some sorrow, as he thoroughly enjoyed her company. Then, fully prepared for the arms of Rita Skeeter and the cakes, he headed back to the Slytherin common room...

And suddenly froze. Slithering around the gargoyle entrance was a snake with acid green skin and yellow eyes. It was about the size of a young boa constrictor and was hissing at him. Severus walked over to the snake and vaguely wondered where it came from before suddenly feeling a hand on his shoulder and looking up to find two red eyes staring at him out of a black mask.

"Severus..." hissed a high, cold voice from beneath the mask. Severus froze and stared up at the black robed figure in horror and defiance.

"Voldemort," he growled with the fiercest smirk he could muster (which was rather weak). Voldemort laughed.

"Yes, defy me all you like, boy! You had such potential, Severus, and you had to throw it away for nothing," hissed Voldemort, who Severus suddenly realized was holding his wand. "Well, Severus, we'll see if your refusal was worth the loss. Right here and now you're going to be fed to my pet..."

Severus could have screamed. The snake was Voldemort's pet and Voldemort was going to feed him to it! If Severus hadn't been a stronger boy, he might have begged for mercy, but in this situation he was NOT going to give in. His basic instinct for survival kicked in and he tried to fight as Voldemort forced him towards the snake.

"Oh, how amusing. You actually think you're going to save yourself by fighting? Severus, why aren't you in Gryffindor? Only they are that stupid, my boy. I assure you that only they would dare to try to physically confront the greatest dark wizard of all time! Now that's better..."

Severus had stopped resisting, but with a strategy. As long as Voldemort expected him to resist the evil wizard's guard would be up and he would be able to stop any attempts at escape. Severus felt himself being pushed towards the snake and felt each inch bring him closer to exactly what he wanted Voldemort to do.

"Well, Severus, I think I'll leave it there and let Nagini do the rest. Good bye, young fool. Enjoy your precious martyrdom...AAAH!" Voldemort had screamed as Severus had rocketed out of his grasp at the last instant and the snake had struck. But instead of hitting Severus, it had bitten Voldemort full in the crotch and he was now hopping around squealing like a pig. The situation was really quite comical when the danger was removed, but Severus didn't waste any time. He seized Voldemort's wand and pointed it at him just as he ripped the evil wizard's mask off....

And saw a blank face staring up at him as though he'd just ripped the mask off a dummy. He felt the face and realized it was in fact made of wood with red spots for eyes. But...how could that be? Severus released the dummy and entered the Slytherin common room without noticing that the dummy had screwed up its red eyes and turned back into the form of a tall, red-eyed man with pale skin and a lipless mouth who replaced his mask and swept away, apparently defeated.

The party would have been fabulous if Rita Skeeter hadn't insisted on hogging almost every dance with Severus, who would have much preferred to dance with a girl who didn't embarrass him in front of the entire house. Although, dancing aside, the food and decorations were fabulous and more than one amusing practical joke was played at the party (one of them involved Severus sprouting a beak where his nose had been and another made mushrooms sprout out of Lucius' ears). At last, when Professor Riddle turned up to tell them all to quiet down (in quite in irritable mood too), the whole of Slytherin house tromped off to bed stuffed with food, laughter and exhaustion. Severus had just one fleeting image of Rita Skeeter attempting to sneak up on him and grind him enter his brain before he fell asleep...