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Chap 18: Role Call







“Headmaster,” Snape sighed lazily as he entered the large office.

“Ah, Severus we have visitors.” Albus smiled and gestured to the three men that sat, stone faced, in front of his desk. Harry wouldn’t put it past the old man to be getting some type of amusement from their current situation.

“I had heard of the infestation.” Atheena noted that Severus had yet to acknowledge their father or brothers.

“I believe that they have business to which they wish to attend to with you.” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.

Harry studied the men with the utmost contempt. The eldest Snape was a slim, angular man. His frame seemed smaller than those of his sons. He wore black robes, which matched his sleek black hair. His face was hard. His long chin stuck out underneath the bushy mustache. His eyes seemed to be stuck in a permanent angry squint. The youngest man was rather handsome, Harry thought. His face seemed youthful and arrogant. His eyes were a piercing ice blue and the medium length black hair on his head seemed to have been gelled into perfection. Potter noticed the tattoo of a viper that wound around his neck. He did not wear robes like the rest of his family. An emerald silk shirt clung to well defined muscles and black dress pants hung loosely to the floor. Marius remained seated and appeared to be dreadfully bored. The third Snape was the closest mirror to Severus, except for the full beard and mustache that hung mid-chest.

“Severus.” The handsome brother waved unimportantly.

“Marius.” Snape hissed.

Marius slouched out of his seat and sauntered over to the group. “Is that anyway to greet your baby brother?” He cocked his head to the side. “Atheena,” He seemed to be evaluating his sister. “Look at you all dressed up like a flower child.”

“Marius, evil hasn’t agreed with you, look at those wrinkles.” Atheena examined her brother’s face with a smug un-involved look.

“This face is flawless baby.” He glanced at Rachel. “She must be the butch to your bitch…and this must be the infamous Harry Potter.” He stopped and allowed his eyes to graze slowly over Harry’s body. “Besides the obvious imperfections, what with him being on the other side and all, you do know how to pick them. This one is…” There was lust in his voice as he raised his hand to brush Harry’s face. Severus’s hand flew out to grab his brother’s wrist.

“Marius, if you wish to keep all of your appendages, I’d advice you to be seated.” Even Dumbledore took a step back at the deadly tone.

“Brother knows best.” Marius backed up with his hands in the air. “But if he is joining the family I think it’s pertinent that we arrange…shall we say…a little brotherly love?” Severus drew his wand before Marius could react.

“Marius!” The eldest Snape bellowed. Harry placed a hand on Severus’s chest, pulling him a safe distance backwards.

“Why don’t we all take a seat, shall we?” The Headmaster chimed in.

“That won’t be necessary.” The potions master growled. “They won’t be staying long.”

Theolonus stood and smoothed his hands over his breast pockets. “Very well, Severus. Give it here. Let’s end this foolishness.” Harry stared at his lover.

“I’m almost certain that I will not.” It didn’t even seem like Severus’s jaw moved when he said this.

“Now, now son, let’s be reasonable here. You give me what I want and I’m sure that you’ll incur favor with…”

“Not interested. He killed me. Remember?”

“This is ridiculous!” Corvus stood with a thundering pop. “You can’t wed a Potter! Least of all that one! There are rules for this sort of things and they apply to you!” The man’s voice was oafish and boomed around Harry’s ears. “He’s not of our…standing.”

“I think that you’ll find that Severus has followed your rules to the letter.” Dumbledore smiled as he unwrapped a lemon drop. “I’ve taken the liberty of researching Snape blood magic laws and as it turns out, one only needs to obtain the signature of a senior member of the line to wed someone of a different station.”

“Which he’s done.” Atheena pointed out, readily. “Sorry Daddy. You were a bit late.”

Theolonus raised his hand, his voice was menacing. “One matter at a time, Atheena. I’ll deal with you in a moment. Severus, I’m sure that you’ll find that it is in your and Harry’s best interest to hand me that parchment and call this wedding off.”

Severus almost smirked. “If that’s the only reason you’ve come, I fear you’ve wasted a trip. This wedding is not up for negotiation.” Severus and his Father were mere inches apart.

“Please try to see reason! If you do this…”

“I imagine that when you return empty handed your lord will be less than pleased. Am I correct? The professor all but chuckled.

“You worthless little twit!” Theolonus howled. “Do you know what it’s like? Having you as a son? Have you any idea of the shame you’ve brought upon us?! The disfavor…”

“That must be positively tragic.” Harry broke in. His attempt at remaining silent had ended. He could no longer stand the sorrow that was emanating from Severus. “But I’m sure he’ll spare you, with all of those years of loyal service. You can’t help that it will be your son-in-law that will bring an end to his life, his empire…basically everything that you hold dear, right?” Harry’s hand firmly grasped his wand, waiting for Theolonus to make a move.

The elder man’s eyes connected with Harry’s. “You do look so much like your father, pity he met such an untimely end. I’d hate to see history repeat itself.” Snape’s hit his father’s jaw before anyone was the wiser.

“Go back and tell your lord that you’ve failed and I promise you if he does show mercy, the next time we cross paths you won’t find me so agreeable.” With the strength Harry had grown to love, Severus hoisted his Father to his feet and shoved him towards his brothers.

“Do you honestly think you can win this? When you see what’s coming you’ll all wished you’d stayed dead.” Corvus spat. “When he gets his hands on your new toy Severus, not even the Congregate will be able to find the pieces.” At this comment The Professor was instantly incased in a wall that Harry could not see. The tip of Albus’s wand continued to point at his old friend.

“Theolonus your business here is at an end!” As Dumbledore’s voice echoed throughout his study the doors burst open and two men slid into the back of the room. ‘Sirius, Remus, would you be so kind as to escort these gentlemen off of the school premesis? Feel free to make it evident that they are not welcomed back.” The headmaster popped three lemon drops in his mouth at once.

“Yes sir.” Sirius bit harshly. He looked sympathetically at Severus who still fumed behind invisible restraints.

“Get on with it!” Remus yelled at the two brothers. Corvus and Theolonus begrudgingly followed Lupin out of the room.

Marius lingered slightly. “I’ll see you very soon.” His voice was husky as he whispered in Potter’s ear, his eyes never leaving his older brother’s.

To everyone’s surprise it was Rachel that threw the next punch. Marius smiled as he ran his thumb over his bleeding lip.

“Move!” Sirius shoved the younger man. He silently contemplated homicide based on what he had just witnessed.

“That’s right! My delicious new brother is your godson. Just precious isn’t he?”

“Sirius!” Albus roared when the man raised his fist. “Marius get the hell out of my school!” Marius smirked at the order and took a few carefree steps.

“Oh Atheena, you girls still call San Francisco home? In case I find my self in the area over the holidays?” He turned seamlessly and began to descend the stairs. He stopped just before he disappeared from view. “Once again Sevi…fucking nice choice. I’ll be in touch so we can come to some kind of agreement.” With his last sting he was gone.

Silence reigned over the study even as Dumbledore released Snape from the immobilizing spell. He dejectedly smoothed out his robes then grabbed Harry’s face, thoroughly checking him over.

Rachel was the first to speak. “Everyone says it, but my in-laws are actually evil…that was out of control.”

“Mmm yes, it usually is around here I’m afraid. Lemon drop?”

“Yes thanks.” She shoved the yellow candy into her mouth. “I punched some guy.” She seemed in amazement of herself. “I mean I didn’t like what he said and I just…pow” She gestured a punch. “Is that ok here? Can we do that?”

“Not normally…but thank you.” Harry grasped her hand in appreciation.

“I for one, liked it better on different continents.” Atheena took a leman drop. She had figured out long ago what it was that made them so calming.

“Atheena, you look lovely.” Dumbledore smiled. “Will you be staying?”

“Oh can we!?” Rachel nagged. “C’mon Theena we’re in a frikin’ castle.”

“You’re staying.” Sev ended the speculation.

“Sev we have jobs and,”

“You’re staying!” Severus was furious. “They know where you live Atheena! You can’t be so pompous as to think that you can fight them off!”

Rachel looked worried. “We have some vacation…”

“Are you mad!” Snape’s face shook with anger “To hell with your jobs! You won’t need them when you’re dead!”

“Atheena your brother may be right.” Sirius sighed as he and Lupin rejoined the group. “I can guarantee that that wasn’t that last we’ll see of your family.”

“What do you think?” She looked to Albus.

“I’m inclined to agree. We can offer you protection, we’ve got the room and I dare say that I could use the help. We’re going to be fighting a war and much as I’d love to spare you that, I could use two more sets of hands.”

“Oh I’m not…I can’t…” Rachel shook her hands in the air.

“Oh my dear girl, I should have explained. I can sense slight magic coming from you. If you care to work on it you would be able to master remedial spells. Nothing to extravagant, but enough to be of use. I could teach you all of the basics and with your history in nursing you could really help the hospital wing…so are you staying?”

Atheena looked to Rachel who nodded her head. “We’ll stay until the great Snape gives us leave to go. I left this world for a reason, it’s all death and darkness.”

“While you’re here, I’d like to offer you the head of house position in Ravenclaw. I’ve found myself with a vacancy. It was your house was it not?”

“Yes, but…”

“A Snape not in Slytherin?” Sirius seemed aghast.

“I’m not a Snape anymore. I took Rachel’s name. It’s Monroe now.” She seemed overly defensive. Severus scoffed.

“Will you take the post?” Albus prodded.

“Since when do the heads of houses not teach?” Atheena was suspicious.

“I had hoped you wouldn’t notice until I had something signed, very astute.” Dumbledore shook his finger. “I recall you pondering a career in charms, correct?”

“Albus that was over twenty years ago!” Atheena huffed.

“First and Second years only. Three classes a day. Tonks is fine with the rest but with her duties at the ministry and with the Order she needs help.”

“Ok ok…I’ll do it. I can’t believe this! I can’t believe that I’m teaching at Hogwarts. I am not wearing robes.” She continued to converse with herself as she left the office.

“Very well, Remus would you show them to the Ravenclaw Head of House rooms? Rachel I’ll meet with you this evening and answer any questions you may have.” He shooed them out and turned to Sirius. “Find me the Weasley twins would you?” Sirius left promptly.

“You can’t sense magic like that.” Snape seemed to be interrogating the Headmaster.

“Heavens no. I looked her up years ago. I had a feeling that Atheena would come back to us someday and I wanted to know who she would be bringing with her. Rachel has magic in several branches of her family tree.” Albus was proud of himself as he sat behind his desk. “Harry would you mind finding Tonks and telling her the good news about Atheena?”

“Of course,” Harry smiled at the two men before he left the room.

“That went as well as can be expected don’t you agree?” Dumbledore smirked at the man who had thrown his feet onto the large stone desk.

“Swimmingly,” Severus gritted through clenched teeth.

“As you know, your father and brothers are dangerous men. We need to exercise caution. We knew this was coming. Voldemort is going to interrupt you marrying Harry as a challenge. Are you prepared?”

“Headmaster, I have served at his feet for 20 years. I’ve done things to stay in his favor that I can’t even…” Snape cracked an out of character grin. “I prey that he thinks it a challenge. This needs to come to an end.”

“My sentiments exactly.” The old man smiled.

“Seeing as how I have you in good spirits, I’d like to discuss your classes. When you feel like returning, I’d like it very much if you gave first and second years to Remus. It will give all of you more time to train and you’ll soon be a newlywed.” His eyes twinkled. Sometimes Snape thought he hated this man.

“Share my classes?” He knew he hated this idea.

“You’d be in separate rooms. He’ll also be teaching a few DADA classes. I feel this is the best use of all of your time.” Albus knew that he would win.

“If you trust them with it, who am I to argue?”

“Professor Dumbledore.” The twins interrupted. “You called for us?” They asked in their usual fashion of shared speech.

“Ah yes, I’d like you to check the wards on any spot where you may enter or leave Hogwarts…”

“We know them well.” They added fondly.

“Questionable, as it is, you know them better than any of my staff. Alert me if you find anything amiss.”

“Yes sir.” George grinned.

“You can count on us, sir.” Fred saluted.

“Oh and boys, I caught wind of an incident involving someone swan diving from Gryffindor Tower and I also happened upon a noose in the great hall. Do try to keep your antics in check until such a time when my students are sleeping, wont you? We don’t want to frighten them.” Both boys knew that this was not a scolding. They were far from being in trouble.

“Sorry Sir.”

“Completely inappropriate,”

“Should have known better,” They rushed to exit the study.

“Perpetual half-wits.” Snape growled as he swept down the stairs after them.

“It is nice to all be back together.” Albus cheered, eating another lemon drop.