Always - Chapter 6 - Darkness Rising

-6-

Darkness Rising

An unkempt man of dubious origins scurried through the darkness of Knockturn Alley, hiding in the shadows and keeping his head out of sight. He slunk through the blackest places, finally finding himself at a dead end. With wild eyes, he looked back over his shoulder to verify he hadn’t been followed. He removed his ragged wand and tapped a pattern against the bricks, then stepped back as a rickety doorway appeared. Checking the entrance of this small alley offshoot for prying eyes once more, he opened the door and darted through. The brick wall reappeared as soon as the door was closed.

The small house in which the man now found himself reeked of unwashed bodies and rotting food, and some other, more dubious aromas.

“You’re late,” snarled a voice.

“Have to be careful, you know,” said the man. “Rounding up all of us left and right. Not many of us Snatchers and the like left, you know. With the Dark Lord’s defeat, we’ve been left scrambling to stay out of the way of aurors and the like.”

“Well,” said the man in his chair, his features quite inhuman, and rightly so. One of Fenrir Greyback’s pack, he chose to adopt the same animalistic appearance. “What news have you?”

“What I hear is that he is alive.”

Rolf Paleeyes stared at the mousy man. “We know Harry Potter is alive. None dare touch him. He’s the one who defeated Lord Voldemort.”

“Not him,” said the smaller, unkempt man. “The one who betrayed the Dark Lord.”

Paleeyes’ wolfish eyes narrowed. “Snape.”

“I overheard when I was passing past the Ministry. Seems he didn’t die at Lord Voldemort’s hands after all.”

“Mulciber, I hope your information is right.”

Mulciber, who had once called Severus Snape a friend, smiled coldly. “Oh, it’s correct. I’ve been in contact with some of our old associates and the house in Cokeworth isn’t abandoned, and Avery said he’d seen a man that looked like Snape at Hogwarts.”

Paleeyes grinned ferally. “We’ll need to come up with a plan to draw him out and then, make him pay for his ... transgressions.”

Mulciber eyed the werewolf. “Planning on a little Snape Snack?”

“Wouldn’t it serve him to be one of us? Or I could nibble on some of his students.”

This last comment caused the gathered few to chuckle menacingly.

Another of Greyback’s pack, a crafty older werewolf who was known only as Longtooth, coughed discretely. “No. Gather more of the Dark Lord’s followers. Get together as many as you can and when our forces are stronger, then we can start planning. It does no good to attack in small numbers. You saw how the Dark Lord was defeated. Snape is as crafty and smarter than even the Dark Lord. In order to bring him to his knees, we need to be just as crafty and smart.”

A younger gathered member snarled at the older man. “Who made you leader?”

Longtooth merely glared down his long nose at the younger one. “Do you think I achieved my age by being anything less than crafty or smart? If you want to end the exile, then you simply must do what I suggest. If you want to attack him out in the open or in small groups, snatching people up a few here and there, then you’ll fail as assuredly as the Dark Lord did.” He rose from his seat, brushing his coat off as if there was something soiling the fine deep violet velvet. “When you are ready to decide if you wish to spend the rest of your days hiding in some dung heap, scurrying from shadow to shadow like rats or not, post an owl to me. I won’t waste any more of my time on people who are too afraid to act on their own.”

Longtooth stood and disapparated from the place, leaving the gathered motley remnants of Voldemort’s army alone.

“You trust him?”

Paleeyes nodded. “He was steady when we were through the gates, wary enough to stay on the periphery when things went south after Potter defeated the Dark Lord. Helped get a lot of the survivors away when the aurors started showing. Start sending word out. Gather anyone who wants revenge on Snape. We’ll bide our time, make our plans and make sure we send him our best wishes.”

Mulciber’s eyes were passive. “I want him. I want to torture him and rip every last secret out of his body before his mind snaps.”

“Find a weak minded student or staff member, Mulciber. You’ve a way with the imperius curse, don’t you? Find out ways to make him suffer.”

“It’ll take planning, but I’ll get it done.” Mulciber stood and made his way out into the night, Avery on his heels.

Paleeyes chuckled to himself. By the time they were done with Severus Snape, he’d wished the Dark Lord really had ended his life.

Longtooth apparated in a modest, but attractive flat hundreds of miles away, far away from the noise and hubbub of London.

CRACK! A house elf appeared within moments of Longtooth’s arrival. She was a butterball of a house elf, her wide lilac eyes regarding her master with affection. “Mimsy were awaiting your arrival, master. Mimsy has some nice hot tea for you, sir!”

Asphodelus Gruenwald, better known to his circles as Longtooth, turned and patted the house elf’s head. “Thank you, Mimsy, but I fear I must pen a letter before I have tea. Please fetch me my writing instruments.”

“Of course, sir!” said Mimsy as she vanished with a pop and then returned with quill, ink and parchment in tow. “Does Master wants the wards back up now?”

“Yes, Mimsy, thank you. Help yourself to some sweets. I’m quite pleased.”

Mimsy’s round face rolled into a smile and she vanished once more, presumably to the kitchen to eat some rewarded sweets. Asphodelus took the parchment and began to write a letter.

Dear Sir,

You do not know me, nor, most likely, would you wish to, due to my unfortunate malady which leaves me indisposed once a month. You may well know that one of your associates within the late Order of the Phoenix had come amongst our kind to rally us to join your opposition. Truth is, there were many who wished to join, but were afraid for friend and family alike, or the persecution which might follow should any of your resistance be bitten.

My name is not important, for those among the circle of people I am now forced to bear company do not know me by my true name, and being a skilled Occlumens, they never will glean it, but your group have friends among the werewolf community and it is through your associate’s contact with us that I am finding myself pressured to write you.

There are a number of the Dark Lord’s followers who are intent on rallying forces to bring about the demise of one whom they feel betrayed their former master, even though the intelligent ones who supported him only reluctantly realise that the Dark Lord would not have carried through with his promises, only his threats.

I know you have no reason to trust me, and I would not blame you if you did not heed my warning, but I know that Remus John Lupin walked among us as equals and died for his beliefs in a better world for those who are not pure-blooded or even fully human. I am offering myself up as a spy in this organization. I have been a werewolf for longer than most of these young upstarts have been alive, and I haven’t lived with my affliction this long without being careful not to call attention to myself.

They will be gathering the survivors of the dark army at my suggestion, and when they’re ready to make their move, I’m hoping you and your people will be ready to bring the rest of these villains to justice, and into Azkaban, where they belong.

Send your reply at your leisure. There is no rush for action at the moment. I hope to keep them from rash actions to give you time to prepare.

Respectfully,

Asphodelus Gruenwald

“Mimsy, when you’re through with your treats, you may serve me tea.”

The house elf hurried in with a tea tray levitating beside her. Her round cheeks were dusted with sugar. “Mimsy’s master is most kind and generous with Mimsy. It is Mimsy’s pleasure to serve such a noble and kind-hearted wizard.”

“Mimsy, I need you to deliver this message to the man whose name is addressed on the outside of the scroll. You may only give it to him, and nobody else. Do you understand?”

“Mimsy understands and will not fail.”

The house elf took the sealed envelope and with a loud pop, she disapparated and made her way to where the man was. “Are you Severus Snape, sir?”

Snape turned around to see the house elf and was momentarily startled. “Who is your master or mistress?”

“Mimsy’s master is good and kind. He bids you well, sir, and wishes me to give you a letter.”

Snape was too wary to trust a strange house elf. He withdrew his wand and touched the letter. “Reveal your secrets.”

The letter opened on its own and nothing untoward happened. Satisfied there were no hexes, curses or enchantments of any kind on the letter, Snape took it in his hands, reading it twice before replying.

“Does your master detest mudbloods?”

The house elf clapped her hands over her ears. “That’s bad words, Mimsy’s master says! Bad words! Mimsy would have to punish herself fiercely if she ever saids such bad words, sir!”

“Is your master a half-breed?”

Mimsy’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh, sir, to say such things would make Master weep! He were bit by a werewolf when his daughter was just a baby and Mimsy was made his, protects him Mimsy does, and uses elf magic to calms him when he changes. Mimsy never lets Master out of her sight when he’s wolfy, and he’s never hurt nobody!”

Snape gazed at the elf, believing what she had told him. “You need not fear, Mimsy. Convey my thanks to your master and I will keep vigilant watch to be sure those here are safe.”

“Severus Snape, sir, good wards are here. Dobby Free-elf said the school was safe. He hads a bad wizard, but Mimsy heard that Harry Potter tricked Dobby’s master to give him clothes.”

“Thank you, Mimsy.”

The round little house elf made a funny curtsy and vanished, leaving Snape to ponder the missive. He’d heard of some werewolves that were so protective of their condition as to be certain they didn’t infect anyone else. Remus Lupin, thanks to the Wolfsbane potion Snape had brewed for him, had made certain to not be a menace to anyone, except the time when Snape had followed them into the Shrieking Shack, certain Lupin had been aiding Black when the latter had been a fugitive from Azkaban. Snape was ashamed of his behavior towards Lupin, and had visited his gravesite, as well as the others who had given their lives to protect Harry. He’d even been to visit Dumbledore’s desecrated tomb and spent laborious hours working the tomb back together after finding the elder wand’s pieces and returning it to rest with its true owner.

He had resented Dumbledore for making him continue on protecting Harry, had resented him for asking Snape to kill him, for commanding him to return to Voldemort’s side. Though Snape had been utterly cautious with Voldemort, had done everything right, Voldemort had still turned on him, and if not for sheer luck, Snape would be as dead as Dumbledore. He thought back to the voice he heard in his head as he was minutes from death. He recognised the voice as clear as day – James Potter. James Potter, apologising, telling Snape that he couldn’t die, that he was still needed. That his sacrifices would not go unrewarded.

Shaking the notion from his head as a near-death delusion, Snape returned to his grading. The students, he noted happily, were doing exceptionally well under his newer teaching methods and it looked as if most of his students were prepared to get Outstanding in their O.W.L.s, and that made him proud. He was still just as strict about his expectations in class work, but his newfound willingness to explain, help and answer questions had done wonders for the morale of the students in the class.

There was a light knock on the door and Snape rose, crossing to the entrance. He opened the door to see Neville Longbottom standing there. “Hello, Professor Snape. I was wondering if I might speak with you?”

“Longbottom, of course, please, come in.”

Neville entered the potions classroom with a start. “Professor Snape, sir,” he began but Snape cut him off.

“I have something I want to say first, Longbottom.” Neville swallowed hard, looking very nervous. “I wanted to thank you again for your quick thought and action the night you found me. I was on death’s door and you saved me. Your parents would both be so very proud of you, as I’m sure your grandmother is. You are a true Gryffindor through and through. It shames me that I was your boggart. As it is, I owe you a life debt, and I will aid you in any way you need it.”

“You’re not my boggart any longer, Professor Snape. I can see now why you did the things you did. It was all a plan that, from the start, Dumbledore thought up and you followed it. I’m glad I heard you in the boatshed, and I’m glad I could help. Lots of the first years are telling of how they’re enjoying their potions classes. You’ve changed. You’re still strict and have high expectations, but you’re willing to help students achieve greatness.”

Snape gave a twitch of his mouth in a semblance of a smile. “So, are you coming to potions lessons with Potter on Friday?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I can’t. I’ve got advanced herbology class with Professor Sprout. She says I’m the best herbology student she’s had in years. I can’t be sure, but I think she might be retiring in a few years and would like me to take over for her.”

“I think you’d be a very good teacher, Longbottom. You are not the timid young boy you were when you started here.”

“That’s high praise from you, sir.”

“You did well to stand against me, Longbottom, when you thought I was allied with the Dark Lord. Your courage and commitment to the school and your friends is highly commendable. I am looking forward to being colleagues in time, should that be the path you wish to follow.”

“Thank you, Professor Snape. The reason I came down is, well, besides wanting to take you up on your offer for potions lessons, I was wanting to see how you were doing in your recovery and to ask you if you’d write a letter of recommendation for me when time permits.”

Snape was genuinely taken aback by Neville’s request. “You’d ask me for a letter of recommendation? After all the strife I caused you?”

“Well, if you were writing it, sir, it would be because I deserved it, and not because you favored me.”

Snape rose to his full height, meeting Neville in the eyes now that the boy was nearly grown. “Once you’ve scored in your N.E.W.T.s, after receiving proper teaching in potions, I’ll be happy to write a letter of recommendation, Longbottom. You have already proven yourself outstanding in medicinal applications of local flora. I am living proof of your skill there.”

Neville smiled sheepishly. “I’m glad I found you in time.”

“So am I, Neville,” Snape offered softly. “Send me a note of your available times for potions lessons and I’ll let you know when I’m available.”

“Yes, sir.”

Neville gave Snape a hearty wave and left the classroom. Snape found himself smiling, oddly content in his new life. He was still solitary, but now, he had Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and the others.

“Professor Snape?”

Snape looked up to see Ginny Weasley standing in the classroom. “Miss Weasley? How may I help you?”

She had blossomed into a true beauty, reminding Snape of how Lily had been, though Lily had oft worn double pigtails and Ginny chose to wear her hair down. She also had been unflinchingly unafraid of him when the whole of the world thought he was a true follower of Voldemort. The girl moved towards him, her expression much softer than it had been the last time he’d seen her.

“Well, sir, I’d just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for Harry. We haven’t had an opportunity to talk much, being behind in our studies because of Voldemort’s attack, Harry and I. Ron said you’d been working in secret at Dumbledore’s behest to spy on Voldemort and that you’d been protecting Harry since he was a baby.”

“Guilty,” he drawled softly. “I’m just glad I could do my part, and that God or the fates decided to spare me.”

“He’s the love of my life. I’m sure you understand what that means.”

Snape’s eyes seemed to glaze a little in the torchlight. “Yes ... yes I do.”

“I wanted you to know I’m grateful for your sacrifices and I’m happy you’ve taken Harry in and are giving him a safe home. He’s lost just about everyone who’s ever loved him and it’s taken a toll on him. I know you and he have come to care for each other greatly, and I just wanted you to know that I’m happy you’re here, professor.”

“Your words are too kind. I regret many of my actions, but loving Harry’s mother was not one of them.”

Ginny moved closer to Snape, putting a hand on his arm as if it were a natural thing to do. “Harry showed me your memories. I’d not have believed the great capacity for love that you have had he not done so. You truly did play your part well, and we’re all lucky to have had you here to protect us.”

Snape looked at Ginny, raising a hand to brush a stray hair from her cheek, then hastily dropping his hand as if catching himself in a memory. “You have all the qualities I admired in Lily ... exceptionally talented, endlessly kind, fiercely devoted to those you care about, steadfast in the face of danger. You are good for Harry and I’m glad he has you.”

Ginny smiled back at Snape, leaning forward and kissing his cheek lightly. “I’m glad you have Harry, and that Harry has you. He’s not really had a father figure and you’re the closest to one he has now. You may have been hard on him, but you didn’t want him hurt and you put yourself in grave danger to keep him safe. If that doesn’t make you like a father to him, I don’t know what does.”

Snape stared at her as if she’d suddenly gone mad, his fingertips covering the spot where she’d kissed him.

“Harry’s mum found worth in you, professor. Is it so hard to believe others will as well?”

“She was rare, but perhaps not unique. Thank you, Miss Weasley.”

“You’re quite welcome, sir. I’d better go. I don’t want to be late for Charms. I’ll see you in class, Professor Snape.”

Snape nodded, then waved her good-bye. He returned to his grading, thinking back to his youth at Hogwarts and how good Albus Dumbledore had been to him, and how he had been so desperate to belong – to be a part of something greater than himself – that he’d made a momentous mistake that had drastic and long term consequences. Now, finally, he truly was a part of something greater than himself. Harry was going to live with him, he was teaching again and making an impact with the students and he was being met with cordiality rather than contempt or fear. For the first time since he was a boy of nine years in the company of Lily Evans, Severus Snape was oddly happy with his existence. His attention was once again diverted by students filtering into the potions classroom and he greeted them with a somber smile and proceeded to pre test their work on their O.W.L.s. Snape was quite pleased.