Doppelganger

AN An extremely long chapter and death. Sorry that I could not tie the rite up and forced to complete it next chapter. Hermione's true power is revealed and we see a softer side of the dour Potions Master. Neko I hope this update is quick enough and I encourage all to review.

Chapter 33 Slytherin Rites Part 2

Severus ignored the bangs and screams sounding from the Slytherin common room as he put on his Deatheater robes and grabbed his mask. He felt his wife's satisfaction across the connection and grinned to himself as he knew that she was enjoying herself. "Call for the Headmaster if you need to as this is related to the challenge and I cannot interfere. I will be away for a while as I have to report to the Dark Lord."

He felt her acceptance of his words through the connection as he left the castle and apparated away.

Appearing in front of the Dark Lord he went to bow.

"Stop Severus and remove your mask as all here is of the Inner Circle."

He did as he commanded and noticed Bella and Greystone standing next to the Dark Lord with drinks in their hands. "Bella, Greystone I thought that you would be here." Greeting them as he noticed a large glass of Firewhiskey floating in front of him and grabbed it and took a sip. "Many thanks My Lord."

"Deul Et Nex has been offered up against young LeStrange by young Greystone?" The Dark Lord asked.

"Yes My Lord and Salazar Slytherin tried to dissuade the boy. It is his belief that the boy will lose." He replied as he continued to sip his drink and observe his fellow Deatheaters. Something more was going on here.

"I was telling Daray of my disappointment in his son as now I have conflict between him and dear Bella. I just came up with an idea. These two shall duel as well after the rite is completed since they are required to be there."

"An excellent idea My Lord." Severus spoke out as he noticed the look in Greystone's eyes as Bella's cackle of joy echoed in the room.

"My dearest Daray I am going to enjoy killing you ever so sloooowly." Bella sang out in a sing song voice as she walked around the wizard with her wand lightly touching Daray's robes.

"And how is my brew going Severus?" The Dark lord asked as he enjoyed watching Bella play with Daray.

Severus finished his drink and continued to hold the glass as he replied. "Ahead of schedule My Lord. It should be ready this Friday."

"Wonderful news Severus but with this going on I will have to keep to the original schedule." Dark Lord replied in a light voice as he conjured up a note and sealed it and handed it to Severus. "You know who to give it to. You can go now and I will expect you here after the rite is complete with word of who won." Handing the parchment to his First Knight.

"As you command My Lord." Severus left as Bella once again cackled out in joy.

Severus apparated to the gates shaking his head. Bella was certifiably insane and he always felt uncomfortable around her. He quickly strode across the grounds and entered the castle looking for students out after curfew as he headed up to the Infirmary.

He drew his wand as he heard screams of pain and banging behind the closed door. What the hell was going on in there? He kicked open the doors and rushed in with his wand pointed out and saw that Poppy was looking to him with relief in her eyes. "Thank Merlin you're here Severus. I need your help as there are too many of them and the Headmaster says we can't get help from St. Mungo's as this is a result of some Slyhterin rite."

Severus stood there for a few minutes watching the Headmaster and the entire teaching staff helping Poppy and her apprentice as best they could. Even the caretaker Mr. Filch was there handing out bandages and assisting the best he could. What the hell had happened while he was away?

"Poppy I already told you that he is unable to help as his hands is tied because of the rite." Albus called out to her.

"Is my entire House here Poppy?" Asking with disbelief evident in his voice. He was glad that everyone was too busy to notice.

"Everyone except the First Years and Mr. LeStrange. All here is accusing Apprentice Granger of doing this but I don't see how one witch could hurt so many at once. Why in the world was she in Slytherin House anyway Professor Snape?" Disapproval evident in her voice.

"She was there because of the rite Poppy. Are there any that have passed to the Veil?" Looking around as he tried to perform a mental House Count.

Poppy stopped what she was doing and called her apprentice over and whispered into her ear. Alice merely nodded and picked up the girl's hand and held it.

Poppy took Severus's arm and led her into her office and pointed to the four cots. "They are victims of the Killing curse Severus." She whispered to him as he walked over and pulled down the blankets revealing the faces of three wizards and one witch that were in Seventh year. He gently picked up the left arm of the witch and muttered a charm as the Dark Lord's Mark flared brightly for a moment and then disappeared.

Poppy gasped out in shock and the suddenly her thoughts clicked into place. "Look at the hate frozen on their faces Severus. I think they casted the curse and it somehow backfired."

Severus covered them up and turned to Poppy who was now silently weeping. She had always been there to patch him up and heal him when he came back from the Dark Lord and sat with him and whispered soothing words as he healed. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly as she began to sob. "Poppy you must be strong as you have always told me in the past when I came in near to death so many times in the past. Everyone is depending on you and you will do the best for my House." Whispering into her ear. "I promise to send First years up here with everything that I have to help you as the brews were made before the rite was issued and they can be used on your patients."

Poppy pulled away from him and straightened her blood stained robes. "Thank you Severus and I promise not to tell anyone that you actually have a heart."

He allowed himself a chuckle noticing that the sound relieved the distressed medi-nurse. "I would appreciate that Poppy as that would ruin the reputation that I have worked so hard to keep. I'll use your Floo and I promise that help will arrive shortly."

Poppy left her office as he picked up some Floo powder and tossed it into the fire and snarled out "My Chambers!" Stepping into the green fire and disappearing.

Hermione and Brody were sitting at a table in the common room discussing tactics and jumped as Severus angrily entered the room and looked to them for a moment before striding up the stairs three at a time and entered the First Year dormitory.

Severus looked to the large group that huddled together in the middle of the large room. "Stand up!" He barked out watching as they all jumped up as one and looked to him in fear.

"How many here are aligned with Mr. LeStrange?" He asked his tone just a little softer.

There was silence as he asked. "And who is aligned with Mr. Greystone?"

Still no one moved to speak. "You are going to be heroes First Years as you are going to help treat the rest of your House with their injuries. Now straighten up and follow me."

Hermione and Brody watched as the Potions Master came back down the stairs with the entire First Year following behind him and watched as he drew a key from his robes and unlocked his private potions cabinet and started handing out phials of potions and jars of salves to each student.

"These brews and salves will help your fellow students and you will remain and help until Madame Pompfrey releases you. Do you understand my command?" He asked in a calm voice.

One timid witch spoke. "We do sir and I promise that you will not be ashamed of us."

"I am not disappointed in any of you young Slytherin. It seems you had the common sense not to involve yourself and duck. Now go as time and your help is of importance." Watching them leave.

"You two will not move a muscle until I come back here." Anger apparent in his voice as he went to the door that led to his chambers.

Severus checked on Henry and Marsha Granger making sure that they were still asleep from the draught and went straight to his liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Firewhiskey and a glass and carried them with him back to the common room. A calming draught was out of the question as he needed to think on how to handle the implications of tonight as there was no doubt that word would quickly get out.

He sat down across from the witch and wizard and quickly slammed down three shots of the fiery liquid and felt his tense muscles relax. "Mr. LeStrange you will now tell me what in Merlin has happened here tonight."

Brody stuttered out. "I swear Professor Snape we did not send out one curse."

Severus glared at the boy. "So almost the entire House of Slytherin decided to point their own wand to themselves and send out killing curses and deadly hexes on a whim?"

Hermione giggled picturing the image until her husband brought her mind focused once again. "What amuses you so Miss. Granger?"

"Because Professor Snape they did that very thing in a way." Quickly explaining that everyone pointed their wand at her and Mr. LeStrange jumping up next to her with his wand pointed out and explained the altered extended shield charm that she performed.

"Show me." He demanded.

Hermione silently shielded herself and nodded to Mr. LeStrange as he sent a tickling charm out and watched as it bounced back and strike as he immediately fell to the ground in a laughing fit.

Severus pointed his wand at the First Year and intoned "Finite Incantatum" to stop the charm and watched the boy stand up and join Hermione.

A voice sounded out in the room. "Head of House their words are true as I saw it all. The power the witch has is unbelievable. Who could ever imagine that a Mud…"

Hermione whirled around and pointed her wand at the painting. ""The witch" does not care for the term you are about to use and I am now confident that I could destroy your painting." She snarled out.

Salazar held out his hands in surrender. "I meant to say who would think that a witch of her class could conjure an extended shield strong enough to hold against over one hundred hexes and curses sent all at once." Respect evidenced in the painting's voice.

"The rite limits my words as Head of House. We will be talking of this if you survive the week and the duel. I suggest that you go to bed now."

He picked up the bottle and glass and watched as they left. At least they would not have to worry about attacks for the next few days. He put away the whiskey and glass and made his way back up to the Infirmary to advise the Headmaster of his findings.

Severus entered the Infirmary looking for the Headmaster and saw him walk towards him.

"What have you found out Severus that could cause all of this? Almost an entire House taken out and it is unbelievable."

"The students did it to themselves according to Hermione and Mr. LeStrange and Salazar Slytherin confirmed it. She casted an altered extended shield spells of her design to send back whatever was sent to the caster. I did not believe her until she showed me."

They watched the First years assist the professors and comforted their fellow housemates. "Your First Years are incredibly compassionate Severus."

"Wait until they are older Albus as my House will break them of it. After all most of their parents are in league with the Dark Lord in some form or another. Speaking of which I need to tell you that Hermione found out from Mr. LeStrange that there are three hundred witches and wizards with the Hidden Mark that we discovered earlier. He informed her that he was being groomed for the Inner Circle which does not surprise me considering who his Guardian is."

"So much hate for one witch to cast out such charms and hexes Severus? It alarms me." Albus continued to speak as he pulled his ring off and handed it to the younger man. "Classes are cancelled for the next two days and you are the temporary Headmaster of this school as Minerva nor I cannot perform our duties and needed here. Students are allowed outside for two hours after lunch and are expected to remain in their House except for meals. Have the Head Boy and Girl and the Prefects assist you."

"As you wish Albus." Severus replied as he moved to leave.

"One more thing my boy." Albus spoke his eyes twinkling.

He arched an eyebrow as he waited for the old wizard to continue.

"I expect you to deal with the press nicely as I sense they are gathering at the gates as we speak." Chuckling as he went back to assist the injured.

He placed the Headmaster ring on his finger as he left the Infirmary and felt the presence of the castle within his mind reminding him that it was only temporary and made its feelings known that he was the only one left to run the school and the last choice it would ever accept.

Severus stopped and smirked as he placed his hand on the castle wall and let it know what he really thought about its words and chuckled as a large rumble resounded throughout the castle.

Suddenly Albus appeared and shouted down the hall. "Severus do not make the castle upset. It has ways of getting even you know."

The Founding Four were playing cards in one of the portraits vacated by its occupants in Slytherin House.

Godric Gryffidor laughed as he threw in his cards. "Seems that your Head of House is the Headmaster now Salazar and has already angered the Castle. He should have an interesting time until he apologizes."

Salazar laughed as he raked in his winnings. "The wizard will never apologize Godric. They will have to come up with a truce."

Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw shook their heads as Rowena spoke up. "You would think that after a thousand years you two would overcome your rivalry."

The wizards looked to the witches as they both responded with a laugh. "Never!" And continued playing cards as the witches watched them with disgust clearly showing on their face.

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Severus slept in the Headmaster's office and rose to attend to his morning rituals and noticed a cloud forming over his head and let out a pouring rain soaking him completely. Oh for fucks sake this would not do at all as he imagined the students ridiculing him.

He placed his wet hand on the wall and thought out. "Neither one of us is going to apologize so let's have a truce as we both have to deal with one another. At least it's temporary. I don't suppose you can send that cloud out and gather above the press that I will have to deal with later on?"

The cloud immediately went away and he performed a drying spell on his robes as he made his way towards the Great Hall for breakfast. He couldn't wait to see the look on the darling faces as he dropped the bomb.

As he walked the castle he could hear the staircases creak and it sounded suspiciously like laughter. Damn castle mocking him.

He sat down in the Headmaster's chair and waited for students arrive. Soon Hermione and Mr. LeStrange entered and sat down at Slytherin table and waited. They were not surprised that he was alone based on the chaos from last night.

Hermione felt his anticipation and mirth through the connection that had suddenly opened. "You are enjoying yourself too much you know."

Severus looked down to her smirking as he sent back. "It's worth it as I have to deal with the press later and I have been told that I have to be nice."

Students began to enter the hall and take their seats noticing Slytherin table practically empty and no one except for Snape at the Head table and he was sitting in the seat reserved for the Headmaster.

"Blimey!" One Gryffindor Seventh year whispered to another. "He's wiped out the entire staff and taken over."

"Is that Apprentice Granger sitting at Slytherin and why in Merlin's name is she wearing Gryffindor robes?" A Ravenclaw Third year whispered to another.

"How can the castle accept this? The man is evil and it's supposed to protect us."

"Merlin he's killed off his entire House. Wonder what they did to upset him?" A Hufflepuff spoke out to his table.

A few Hufflepuff First years began to cry as they heard the conversations around them.

Headmaster Snape let the students speculate for a few more minutes and then approached the podium with an evil grin and wand in hand as the entire hall became silent.

"You have correctly deduced that I am Headmaster now and you will obey me or suffer my…wrath." Looking down and noticing that he had the student's complete attention. "Classes are cancelled for the next two days." Pausing at the few who were brave enough to cheer. "You think that I would be that easy on you?" He snarled out. "Assignments to last you two days will be found in your House Common Rooms and I suggest that you complete them. Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl will be in charge of you and if you disobey them then you disobey me." Severus waited a minute to let that fact sink in and then continued. "You will stay in your House and will be let out for two hours after noon meal. You will receive incoming owls but not today and are not allowed to send any out. Please try to do so as I am itching to use my wand to prove to you that I am not a Potions Master because I cannot use it. Now enjoy your meal in silence and Head Boy and Girl and Prefects will stay behind for instruction. Mr. LeStrange and Miss. Granger will stay behind as well."

Food appeared on the tables and Severus went back and sat down in the Headmaster's chair and began to eat enjoying the complete silence.

He felt the grudging respect of the castle as he took over complete control of the student population by his reputation alone. There was never a quieter meal in Hogwarts history as most quickly ate and left the hall.

An owl flew in and dropped the Daily Prophet onto the table and quickly left. He looked to the headline that screamed out "INSANE MUGGLE-BORN WITCH TAKES OUT SLYTHERIN HOUSE OF HOGWART'S!" The article was amazingly accurate despite the headline. He felt anger in his connection to his wife as she sent to him. "Call me an insane witch did she?"

He sent back "You will get to meet with Rita shortly and you are not allowed to hex her in my presence."

Soon the Great hall was empty except for those that Headmaster Snape commanded to stay behind.

Severus went down and addressed the group. "Fifth Year Prefects will attend to their house and pass out assignments. The rest of you with the exception of Mr. LeStrange and Miss. Granger will go out to the gates and bring whoever is gathered there into the Hall."

He watched as the students scrambled to obey his command. Soon the hall was filled with every parent of Slytherin house along with the press. He chuckled as he saw the rain cloud over the press and no one else as everyone sat down at the tables and waited for him to speak as the clouds disappeared and drying charms were heard. Everyone was shouting out questions to him as several wands were pointed to him. "Silence!" He thundered out.

Severus glared at the group and waited as everyone looked up to him. "If you expect me to answer any questions then you are foolish." Walking up to a stand that held something that was covered with a drape and pulled it down to reveal a portrait with the Founding Four looking back at the group. "You will listen to the Founding Four for the words they speak are true." Sitting down as Salazar Slytherin began to speak. Then Godric Gryffindor followed explain rite of the Founding Four and the fact that the Headmaster had no choice but to accept the challenge.

Severus waited until they were finished and stood back up and addressed the crowd. "Slytherin that are gathered if you had ever bothered to read your book then you know that it true."

Two wizards strode up. "Impossible that the Mudblood could accomplish such a shield. You are covering something up Headmaster." One spoke out in anger.

"Miss. Granger come here as I believe you have a challenge on your hands." Looking to the group. "This school is not responsible for any harm that might befall you in your challenge." Snape mentioned as he stood well away from her.

Hermione strode up with her wand in hand as she quietly spoke out her shield charm. "Bring it on." She stated as she waited with her wand held down.

The two wizards of the Outer Circle looked to one another for a moment as they pointed their wand at the witch and shouted "Avadera Kedevra!" Togather.

The press gasped out in shock as they watched the killing curse shoot back from the witch and killed the wizards who caste it.

"So that proves it and what a waste. Head Boy and Girl you will escort the press from the castle." Watching as they jumped up and motioned for the witches and wizards to follow them and soon left a group of stunned Slytherin parents to deal with. Severus spoke as he went down to talk to the parents "Mr. LeStrange and Miss. Granger you will go back to Slytherin House now." Watching as they left the Hall.

"Seventh Year Prefects you will pass a parchment around and have everyone here sign it and take it up to the Infirmary so that Madame Pompfrey will know that the parents are here. The rest of you will make sure that your House obeys my rules."

He watched as the students scrambled to obey his orders and spoke to the parents. "Because of the rite I am limited to what I can say or do. You will stay here and Madame Pomphrey will advise you." Sweeping out of the Hall with his robes billowing behind him.

AN Next is the completion of the rite. Sorry to mislead you a bit before.