A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 32 ~ The Meeting

Snape woke early the next morning. The wizard lay in his bed looking up at the ceiling. He drew in a deep breath. The day had finally arrived. The day he had both dreaded and secretly longed for. Two decades was a long time to hide away. His hiding days were over.

The wizard rolled out of bed, bathed and dressed with care, drawing on a hooded traveling cloak. Before he left, he penned a letter to Eli with instructions to deliver it to Hermione upon his departure. His act wouldn’t seem as nearly impressive if the witch had no idea of it. He was sure however that the witch would not be so pleased shortly afterwards, but he had to make sure he wasn’t disturbed.

Before he left, he visited the worksite and adjusted the wards, then departed for the Ministry.

Three Aurors lounged around the back of the Ministry building, waiting to escort a mysterious visitor inside and directly to the Minister’s office. One of them was Department Head Harry Potter. He wasn’t thrilled about this. For all the Minister knew, his visitor could be an assassin, though why anyone would even want to assassinate Winslow Utterton would be a mystery in itself. The wizarding world was operating pretty smoothly under him.

Still an unidentified visitor with a wand was a cause for worry, but Harry had direct orders. He just wanted to be present if anything went awry.

Suddenly, there was the crack of apparition, and a tall, hooded wizard stood before them. Harry peered into the hood but could see nothing. An added glamour to hide his face no doubt.

”You are here to see the Minister,” he asked suspiciously, his green eyes flicking over the visitor.

The visitor inclined his head once.

”Very well, follow me,” Harry said, opening the door and walking up a back stairwell. The visitor followed, trailed by the other two Aurors who watched him suspiciously. There were to be no questions, no patting down of this person. He was just to be delivered to the Minister’s office and they were to wait outside.

They walked up several flights of stairs, then Harry opened another door which opened on the corridor that led to Utterton’s main office.

The Minister nervously awaited his visitor, his jowls quivering. He was hopeful and curious. On his desk lay the morning’s Daily Prophet, the headline reading.

”Banned Spell Performed at Hogwarts”

Because of the ongoing investigation, the Ministry was able to curtail what was actually reported, saying it could damage the investigation. There was some information concerning an unnamed student’s alleged use of a spell that had been banned for the past twenty years and that the investigation was pending. There was no mention of Rose Weasley at all.

Of course the Headmaster was being deluged with owls from parents demanding to know what the hell was going on at Hogwarts, and reporters prowled outside the main gates like wolves.

There was a knock on the door and the Minister cleared his throat, straightened in his chair and in his most commanding voice said, “Come in.”

Harry entered.

”The visitor has arrived sir,” Harry said as the tall, hooded wizard silently entered.

He was rather imposing, particularly since he looked like Death coming for tea.

The Minister blinked up at him for a moment as Harry hovered. The visitor half turned toward him as if to say, “Why are you still here?”

There was something very familiar in the visitor’s bearing, but Harry couldn’t put his finger on it.

“Er . . . you may go, Mr. Potter,” the Minister said, waving his hand at the wizard.

Looking doubtful, Harry left the room, closing the door slowly.

”I don’t like this,” he said to the other Aurors, “Keep a close watch.”

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The visitor stood and looked out at the Minister from the darkened hood.

”Er . . . please have a seat?” Utterton said, his voice quavering slightly.

The visitor stood there.

”Please ward the door and cast a silencing spell, Minister,” a silken voice said from within the hood.

”Of course,” Minister Utterton said, pulling out his wand and doing as his visitor asked.

The Minister was no slouch magically, and could protect himself quite well. He used this opportunity to place his wand on his desk in easy reach, just in case.

The visitor sat down in front of the Minister, and lowered his hood.

Utterton turned a frightening mottled color and began gasping with shock and amazement.

“Breathe, Minister,” Snape said, his eyes glittering.

After a few seconds, Winslow drew in a deep breath like a man who just managed to keep from drowning. His eyes were as wide as saucers.

”Professor Severus Snape,” he gasped, unable to believe his own eyes.

”It is easy to see why you were elected Minister. You have quite the talent for stating the obvious, sir,” the Potions master said rather sarcastically.

”Yes, yes,” the Minister agreed, the wizard’s sarcasm going right over his head in his excitement. “Everyone . . . everyone believes you are dead.”

”More proof that despite the belief of the masses, some things are not as they appear, Minister,” Snape replied. “I am very much alive.”

”Yes, I can see that,” Utterton breathed, staring at the wizard.

They looked at each other for a minute or two, Snape fighting back the urge to tell the Minister to stop gawking at him as if he were a piece of meat.

Indeed, Utterton was thinking how wonderful it would be to announce he had discovered one of the wizarding world’s greatest heroes. His popularity points would fly off the charts and he would definitely be remembered in the history books.

“The reason I have revealed myself is because of Mr. Rod Dormers, Minister. I wish to help the boy, and the Ministry,” Snape said. This was a stretch of course. He wanted to help himself get back into Hermione’s good graces. He couldn’t very well say that.

“Why?” the Minister asked him.

”I have my reasons and I believe I can get through to him,” the wizard replied.

The Minister looked at the wizard consideringly. Once Dormers saw him, the boy would probably think he came to torture the truth out of him. The Minister wasn’t sure if this were indeed the case. The wizard had a rather dark, cruel caste about him, despite being a hero. His sharp eyes, hooked nose and tightly held mouth didn’t exactly reek warmth and understanding.

“He’s been questioned under Veritaserum, by healers and lawyers and said nothing. It’s been made clear to him he will go to Azkaban and he still won’t say a word,” the Minister said to the wizard.

”I don’t intend the question the boy,” Snape said, “Instead I intend to give him information. If done correctly, he may offer up what he knows himself.”

“What kind of information?” the Minister asked him.

”A lesson in History presented in a manner only one who has actually experienced it can share,” the Potions master replied.

A history lesson? Good gods. Had Snape lost his wits during his long absence? But the Minister was desperate. He had to know if followers of Voldemort were out there and recruiting again.

“Very well, Mr. Snape,” the Minister said, “I will give you an opportunity to talk to the boy.”

Snape looked at him, his eyes narrowing.

”However, there are conditions that must be met if I am successful, Minister. Firstly, the boy will not be punished and returned to Hogwarts,” the wizard said.

”What? I can’t do that! There were witnesses to his use of the spell, Mr. Snape,” the Minister said, shocked. “Hundreds of them.”

Snape’s lips curled.

”The Ministry is quite adept at covering up the most glaring situation if need be. I have several suggestions how this might be accomplished. I don’t believe this Dormers boy should be punished as his use of the spell, if that is what he used, was used for good. He saved a witch’s life. He should be rewarded and not punished,” the Professor said.

Still the Minister looked doubtful.

”If I did that, I would be lax in my duties,” he said to the wizard.

Snape decided it was time to dangle the bone.

”If you do this, Minister, I will allow you to be the one to reintroduce me publicly to the wizarding world using the story of your choice. You can claim full credit for locating me and bringing me back into the fold,” the wizard purred at him. “That would secure your place in history. The man who found Severus Snape.”

The Minister blinked at him. Full credit? That would be a feather in his bowler cap for sure.

”Full credit? You will back up whatever I say?” the Minister asked him.

Snape nodded.

Utterton could just see the jubilant crowds praising him for never giving up the search. His eyes glazed over for a moment.

“There is also one more condition. That I be given a special dispensation to use the Locomordres spell. It is necessary for my livelihood. It will not be used for any dark purposes, despite its origin. It is quite a useful spell,” the Potions Master added.

The Minister looked at him. Yes. Yes. Allowing the Locomordres spell to be used in limited cases would ease the onus of it after this fiasco was over. It was only because the spell was associated with Voldemort that it was banned. If used to the benefit of others, it could be upgraded to acceptable use. One of the problems with the banned spell was the inability to track its use. Unlike Unforgivables, it was not magic used on another, but similar to apparition in that it was used by a wizard or witch on his or her self. Nothing was expended. There was no signature that could be identified precisely, only an increase in power, which occurred with just about any spell usage. If a person wasn’t actually seen using the spell, nothing could be done.

Covering up Rod Dormers actions would be the most expedient course, otherwise besides incarcerating the boy, thousands of galleons would have to be spent trying to appease the public, the Ministry pretending to track down users of the spell, which . . . was impossible to do and would only be a Band-Aid. A true waste of taxpayer’s money. Voters hated that.

“Tell me what you have in mind to hide the use of the spell, Mr. Snape,” the Minister said, leaning forward.

Snape told him and the Minister smiled.

”Brilliant,” he said, “Simply brilliant.”

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Rod was eating sausages when the door to his cell opened and a tall, hooded man entered, closing the door behind him and pulling out his wand, warding the door, blacking out the window and casting a silencing spell on it. Rod stared at the wizard for a moment.

”Have you come to torture me?” the young wizard asked, figuring the Ministry was fed up with being nice about this.

”No, but that would probably be quicker, or at least more enjoyable for me,” Snape replied lowering his hood. “You have cost me my privacy and my solitude, Mr. Dormers.”

Looking at the pale, sallow-faced wizard in front of him, Rod thought that his statement pertaining to enjoying torturing him might be true. He was frightening.

”NOOOOOO!” a voice screamed out behind him.

Startled Rod turned to see Tom behind him wide-eyed, pointing a long finger at the man in front of him. Snape stared at the boy’s reaction.

”No. No you’re dead! You can’t be here!” Voldemort snarled.

Rod turned back to Snape.

”Who are you? You look familiar,” Rod said to him.

”I am Professor Severus Snape, former Potions master and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,” he replied.

Rod’s eyes widened.

”You’re supposed to be dead,” he said as Tom walked around him, staring at Snape as if he had seen a ghost.

”I’m afraid rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” the wizard replied with a slight smirk, “Now this isn’t about my purported death, but your life, Mr. Dormers. I have an interest in seeing you go free, an interest that is completely selfish in motivation. In other words, there is something in it for me. I think it important that you know that. I am a Slytherin after all as you are. Surely you are familiar with the concept of marked self-interest.

Rod rolled his eyes.

”And how,” he agreed, “But I’m not going to tell you anything more than I’ve told anyone else. So if you’ve come to question me, you might as well leave now.”

Snape blinked at him, then reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

”I don’t believe in wasting my time, Mr. Dormers. I haven’t come to get knowledge from you, but give you knowledge. Did you use the Locomordres spell? That is the only answer I need at this point. I will ask you nothing else,” the wizard said, “After viewing this, I am sure you will be the one questioning me.”

Rod looked at Snape suspiciously. He wanted him to admit what everyone already knew? Well, he didn’t see the harm in that.

”Yes, I did,” the boy admitted.

Snape nodded and revealed what he had in his hand. A small, sealed Pensieve.

”What’s that?” Rod asked him.

”Truth, Mr. Dormers. This contains the history of the wizard who created that spell. Lord Voldemort. He taught it to me personally years ago. I think you will find it interesting,” the wizard said, pulling out his wand and removing the seal.

”Don’t view that!” Tom hissed desperately. “This man is a liar and a traitor. He is not to be trusted. I know him. I’ve known him for years. He’s trying to trick you. Voldemort has nothing to do with this. I taught you that spell. Your friend. Tom,” the wizard said, “Tell him you don’t need to see it, Rod.”

”It sounds interesting,” the wizard said to the spirit.

Snape arched an eyebrow, thinking Rod was addressing him.

”’Interesting’ doesn’t quite describe it, my boy. Eye-opening is a better description,” he replied.

”No! No! Don’t view it, Rod! If you value my friendship at all, you will send this lying traitor away now! I’ve stuck with you through everything. Helped you get a wand, respect and given you great power! You owe me!” Tom cried.

”I don’t see that it can hurt,” Rod said, taking the pensieve from Snape and sticking his finger into it.

The boy fell still and Snape watched as his color slowly paled. He would be unable to extract himself from the Pensieve until he saw everything. No doubt he’d be singing a different tune.

”I killed you. Nagini killed you. I saw it. I watched you die you bastard! How is it you are here, alive? Damn it, damn you Snape. I thought . . . I thought I’d defeated you, cast you aside like a used piece of parchment,” Tom hissed in despair. “But here you are, trying to ruin me again, trying to usurp my power a second time you traitorous cur!”

Snape sat there watching Rod for more than forty-five minutes. When the boy revived, the first thing he did was throw up all over the floor.

Snape expected it. He pulled no punches and hid nothing in that Pensieve. It showed the first time he met Tom Riddle, his taking of the mark and swearing of fealty, the despot transformation, his consequent torture of Snape on several occasions, his slaughter of muggles and muggle-borns, the revels and his attempted murder of the Potions master.

Snape pulled out his wand and scourgified the vomit as Rod wiped his mouth, his eyes full of horror as he focused on something to the right of Snape. He had seen Voldemort before his transformation and he looked exactly as he did now.

”You never told me who you were!” Rod cried, “You never told me you were Tom Riddle! You never told me you were Lord Voldemort. You’re nothing but a bloody murderer!”

Snape stared at the boy and the empty space he addressed, his brow furrowing.

Tom stared at him, his face contorting. Then slowly, he changed into his true form at death, scaly, lipless, noseless, earless and crimson-eyed.

”Yessss! I am Lord Voldemort, the greatest wizard that ever lived! I gave you what you needed, Rod. You had nothing, and would have continued to have nothing without me. With me, you could be the greatest wizard in the world, almost as powerful as I was, if you would just go for it. I could get you out of Azkaban easily, tell you how to do it. I even have the name for you. Lord Mordemordres!” the despot hissed.

Rod’s face distorted as he heard the anagram.

”Lord what? That has to be the stupidest name I ever heard of! I wouldn’t take that! Besides, I don’t want to rule the world, and I definitely don’t want to be like you! I wish I had the stone with me. I’d get rid of you for good! You’re evil, Tom. Pure evil!” Rod declared.

Snape’s eyes narrowed. The stone? Oh dear gods.

”Rod, you have the Resurrection Stone?” the dark wizard asked him.

Voldemort looked at Snape in horror.

”Say no! Say no!” Voldemort demanded.

”I found a black stone by the lake at Hogwarts. Or it found me rather. I collect stones so I picked it up and brought it back to school with me,” the boy explained, “Then, when I was examining it . . .”

Rod told Snape everything that happened. How the creature appeared on his bed, and grew strong and changed into Tom and how he thought they were friends and what he’d done, everything.

“Harry Potter is still an idiot,” Snape hissed with disgust, then stood up and pulled on his hood.

”Wait here,” he said to Rod.

”Where am I going to go?” he responded as the wizard unwarded the door and left the room. Then he glared at Voldemort, who glared back at him.

”If I were flesh boy, I’d strip the flesh from your body an inch at a time,” the spirit hissed.

”I bet you would you sick bastard. I can’t believe I actually liked you. I’m an idiot,” Rod said.

”Most Hufflepuffs are,” Voldemort sneered.

”Hufflepuff? What do you mean Hufflepuff?” Rod asked him, scowling.

”You are a Hufflepuff. You show all the signs. That’s why you never fit into Slytherin. You were completely unsuitable for anything but manual labor. Hufflepuffs are the least worthy witches and wizards at Hogwarts. You really are a loser, Rod Dormers, a loser from birth. You will never be anyone of worth!” Voldemort hissed.

”That’s bullshit. You’re the loser. I’d rather be a Hufflepuff than follow a murdering bastard like you. No wonder you’re in darkness on the other side. You deserve it!” Rod snapped back at him. “And you’ll be going back too. I’m giving up the stone. I don’t need you anymore. I never needed you!”

Voldemort stared at Rod with hatred in his eyes as Snape and several Aurors entered the room, the Aurors carrying Rod’s possessions taken from his room and examined. Among them was a box of rocks. They set everything on the bed and exited, looking at Snape curiously. The wizard waited for them to leave, then replaced the ward and silencing spell. He lowered his hood then picked up the box of stones and picked through them. He found the Resurrection Stone, then looked at it.

There were no markings on it. Just the split. He looked at Rod in askance.

“There are supposed to be designs on this stone,” the wizard said, "What happened to them?"

”I covered them up so it just looked like a broken black rock. I used ink,” Rod said, “I didn’t want anyone to know I had it.”

Snape nodded. The boy was resourceful. His act of concealment had been simple but effective. Even the Aurors ignored the stone when searching his things.

The Potions master placed the stone in the palm of his hand.

”No! NOOOO!” Voldemort cried as the wizard turned it over once.

Suddenly, Rod blinked. Tom was gone.

”Did you send him back?” Rod asked the pale wizard.

Snape shook his head as Voldemort reappeared next to him, snarling as he took an ineffectual swing at the Potions master.

”No. He’s right here,” Snape said with a nasty grin.

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A/N: Woo hoo! Voldie is SOOOOO busted! Lol. Thanks for reading.