The Dark Gryffindor

Chapter Eighteen: Breakthrough


Two weeks past by uneventfully, with no more than a passing glance shared between the two at meals in the Great Hall. By now January was coming to a close and it had been two weeks. Snape was hoping desperately she would think it prudent to come by today, after a full fourteen days. He would have to test her defenses to see if she was ready for what he had in mind.

The headmaster opened his pocketwatch, retrieved from the stiffs folds of his vest with the many buttons under his teaching robes. This was the usual time Valerie arrived for Dark Arts and or Occlumency, the very same time that Amycus Carrow taught the other Seventh years the subject.

Snape rose from his desk and paced the circular room, hands behind his back, pondering what this would all mean to Valerie. He had thought about it for a long time, weeks in fact. He was almost sure she would be ready for the challenge now.

The lulling noise of Dumbledore’s old silver instruments emanated from the room, keeping Snape deep in thought. Until he heard someone speak knocking him out of his thoughtful reverie.

“It’s today, is not Severus? I must say being a portrait does make time meaningless... Are you going to tell her your idea?”

Snape’s head jerked up and he looked at the Dumbledore in the canvas, charmed onto the wall directly behind the headmaster’s chair. He merely nodded. Dumbledore smiled in return.

“You know the initial reservations I had about keeping a close relation with someone, Severus. Because the plans we’ve made are dangerous for you let alone another. Having Valerie in your life only increases the chances our plan for Harry and so many others will fail.”

“It won’t fail. I am ready whenever the time comes to die,” said Snape bitterly and he meant it.

"Yes, that is true. Your obstinate insistence that you deserve a partner or mate is selfish, Severus. I have told you that before ...and you don’t wish Valerie to die in the process as well? Do you?”

“Of course not!,” snapped Snape.

But Dumbledore looked at him with a knowing gleam, opened his mouth and then closed it again. Snape did not see this. Apparently there was some scenario that Snape had not foreseen, but Dumbledore had. It was the worst-case scenario admidst several possibilities for the couple’s future.

Dumbledore did not reveal it to Snape but sighed sadly and went on, “So you are not changing your mind on your idea for Valerie then?”

“No…,” said Snape firmly. “I see no reason why it isn’t applicable, professor. Not only does it help you – but I am certain I can make the Dark Lord believe it is helping him.”

Dumbledore’s morbid face morphed into glee again and he chuckled at the thought of fooling Voldemort.

A little while later, Valerie arrived for her lesson again, content to be with Professor Snape again, as he mutually shared the same feelings on reuniting.

*

Snape finished the harsh Legilimency lesson he just performed on Valerie to be sure her Occlumency would be up to par with Voldemort’s potential intrusion. Although not as adept as Snape’s skills, she had at least mastered the technique, now all she would need is experience against Voldemort or other real foes.

Snape laid down his Legilimency blade and looked at Valerie with something he had never felt for her before. Valerie seemed to sense this fluctuation in his mood. “What is it, sir?”

Snape’s voice came out constricted with emotion. “I’m – I’m proud of you, Valerie. For getting this far as well as getting beyond your past. For a mere two weeks, it is a commendable achievement.”

Valerie beamed and her blue eyes softened from their usual hard stare. “Thank-you, headmaster!” she chimed sweetly.

Snape took a step closer to Valerie, bending down to look her full in the face, and at once he was cupping his hands around her visage. “You are beautiful to me…and strong. Everything about you has such beautiful strength. You have proven yourself. Therefore, I think you are ready to know what I’m about to tell you.”

“For what? For what, sir?” she burst impulsively, suddenly feeling intense excitement. Just what sort of adventure did Snape have for her?

Snape swallowed hard and then said clearly, “I want you to join the resisters. You know that group Potter originally organized.”

Valerie's jaw dropped with incredulity. “What? You want me to be a part of Dumbledore’s Army?! Why?”

Snape remained calm, as he continued to gently hold Valerie’s face, dark eyes boring into her blue ones. “Because it is useful. You will be a spy for me. Afterall, the headmaster should know what is going on inside his own school. Should he not?”

“Um…Yes, I suppose…,” she trailed away, still galvanized at this order from him.

“Good. I am glad you agree,” and Snape released his hands from Valerie and strode over to behind his desk. Valerie followed as Snape elaborated with factual explication, “You will provide reports for me. Oral reports on the comings and goings of this group. Concerning the students’ welfare and more. However-there is a certain amount of danger involved. You will also-“

Valerie’s curiosity was finally piqued to fully spark. The idea of danger only increased her excitement as she bubbled, "“What kinds of danger, sir?”

“Do not interrupt me,” Snape said a bit dangerous in demeanor himself, eyes flashing momentarily. “As I was saying-…this involves a duty not only to I and all my true allegiance but to the Dark Lord as well. Relaying some of the information to the Dark Lord – will help myself remain under cover. This gives him concrete evidence, making him truly believe I was never on Dumbledore’s side. So that perhaps he will never doubt me again, as I know he does even if he never admits. Do you understand what you must do, Valerie?”

“I think I do – yes. I suppose I’ll ask the Weasley girl if I can join them. Don’t think she will let me though…,” she added thoughtfully, thinking of the red-headed seeker on her Quidditch team.

“Then make her to think it. Be persuasive and use all the cunning you Gryffindors are capable of.”

Valerie suppressed a laugh, instead blowing it out of her cheeks at the Slytherin headmaster’s reference to her house. “Cunning? Or I could – All I need is to try being nice to her.”

“Nice? You think that’s all it will take to win her over?”

“Yes, sir. Nice! You see, me and Ginny aren’t exactly on the friendliest terms.”

Snape looked at her skeptically. “You will figure out some way to do it. No matter what. It does not matter how.”

Valerie nodded dutifully.

Snape grabbed her arm, clutching it protectively, “Throughout all of this you must be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“When did you come up with this idea, sir?”

“The night we traveled to Spinner’s End. We were passing one of the recruitment signs in the halls and at once I realized what a help you could be…Besides your Occlumency skill, you will need all your courage and resourcefulness…”

“Yes, sir. I want to do it. Not for me, but to serve you and keep you safe,” Valerie said softly.

Snape nodded slowly in agreement to this. “Yes. Remember: you will not be loyal to the group, although of course you will appear as such. You must be observant and watchful of their activities so that my master will be satisfied.”

Valerie did not care to if she could not be completely loyal to Ginny and her gang. What was more important was being loyal to Professor Snape. “I know. I am loyal to you.”

“Yes, but that is not quite as far as it goes. While your true allegiance is to I – the headmaster. It remains that I am employed in the Dark Lord’s service. So in a way you are serving the Death Eaters. Even if it isn’t in your heart – it must appear you serve him like I do. Is this clear?”

Valerie hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she was loyal to Voldemort or not. She had not fully made up her mind. Her heart fluttered as Snape waited for her answer, “Yes….headmaster.”

“Good…I hope you become a member as soon as possible. Be sure to bring a marker of proof that you are in the D.A. I don't know what, for I'm sure these students won't brand you like Death Eaters are. But still, they must have something...," Snape paused looking pensive, unconsciously rubbing the back of his left forearm. "But be warned: as soon as you are accepted in – I shall be informing the Dark Lord.”

“I understand,” said Valerie again.

And with a good night, Snape led her to the door, and she was gone.