A New Outlook

Disclaimer: All characters are property of J.K. Rowling. I’m just having some fun.


thoughts
{Parseltongue}
normal speech


Chapter 6: A Letter to Snape

Severus awoke to the sound of tapping on his window. He had returned from the dungeons only a few hours earlier to get some sleep. After finding Bellatrix Lestrange, Stunning her, and throwing her into the dungeons, Severus helped Lucius and Draco interrogate the Dursley family. The things he heard had made him sick. He had not had a good childhood either, but what the Dursley’s had done to Harry was beyond his comprehension. If he had not been firmly on the Dark Lord’s side before, he definitely was now. To know that a mere child had been put through hell just to keep him under one man’s thumb was inconceivable to Severus. Not even the Dark Lord tortured children. Yes, the Dark Lord had killed children, but they were always killed immediately with a swift “Avada Kedavra.” Severus dreaded the Dark Lord’s response when he read the interrogation journal.

Climbing out of bed and throwing on a dressing gown, Severus went to the window and opened it for the owl that was outside. The unfamiliar owl swooped in and perched on the footboard of Severus’ bed waiting for Severus to retrieve the letter. Severus held out his arm for the owl to perch on. After the owl was settled on his arm, Severus went to the armchair in his sitting room. Severus sat down near the fire and called for a house elf. He instructed the elf to bring his some breakfast and water and food for the owl. When the elf popped out to follow his orders, Severus lit the fire and then untied the letter from the owl. The owl then swooped over to the other chair and perched on its arm.

“I suppose you are waiting for a response,” Severus said to the owl.

The owl hooted in reply.

The house elf popped back in and set the requested items in front of Severus before popping back out. Severus took the bowl of water and food and put it in front of the owl. Then he returned to his chair and letter.

After casting the necessary Detection spells, Severus turned the letter over. It was addressed to “Professor Snape.”

“Why would one of my students be writing me?” wondered Severus.

Curious, Severus opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Professor Snape,

I know this letter comes as a surprise to you, but we did not know who else to turn to. Please do not burn this letter before reading it. To summarize, a certain set of red-headed twins have learned from the Bumblebee himself at a meeting of a group of chickens that a certain dark-haired wizard is being abused by his relatives. The group of us is loyal to that wizard, and we love him like a brother. To put it simply, we need your help. We are afraid that something terrible will happen if no one helps the dark-haired wizard. Please, Please, Please help us or direct us to someone who will. This is NOT a prank. We are deadly serious. We would give more detail, but it would take too much time right now. The twins are willing to meet with you to tell you everything they know and swear under Veritaserum that their story is true. We are loyal to the dark-haired wizard above all. Please send your response to Neville and burn this letter.

With many thanks,

Ginny Weasley
Fred Weasley
George Weasley
Luna Lovegood
Neville Longbottom

P.S. The owl’s name is Archimedes.

Severus was astonished. First of all, he did not know of an Order meeting that had been called since the Induction of the Weasley twins. Severus reread the letter two more times before coming to a conclusion. Severus knew what should be done, but first he wanted the Dark Lord to read the letter.

Severus quickly got up, leaving his cold and untouched breakfast, and went to get ready for the day. After showering and dressing, he came back into the sitting room and grabbed the letter. As he started for the door, the hoot of an owl reminded him that the owl was still there. Severus turned and addressed the owl.

“Archimedes, is it?”

Archimedes hooted and bobbed its head in affirmation.

“It will be a little while before I respond. You are welcome to hunt on the grounds or go to the Manor Owlery and sleep until I return. I will call for you when I need you.”

Archimedes hooted once more before flying back into the bedroom to fly out the window.

Severus turned again and left his room heading for the West Wing of the Castle and his Lord’s private chambers.

Lord Voldemort was eating breakfast in his sitting room when he heard a knock on his door.

“Come in,” Voldemort commanded.

Severus entered the room, bowed to Voldemort, and then began to speak.

“My Lord, I have just received a letter from some of my current and former students with information that might be beneficial to our cause,” Severus said as his crossed the room and handed the letter to the Dark Lord. Voldemort waved him to take a seat as he read through the letter.

“What do you make of this, Severus?” asked Voldemort as he finished.

“My Lord, I do not detect any deceit. I can only surmise that these children feel incredibly desperate. After all, they wrote to their most hated teacher about a person that they believe I hate above all others for help. I also do not know of another Order meeting being called since the Induction of the Weasley twins, but you know that Dumbledore does not completely trust me either.”

“What do think we should do about this then, Severus.”

“With your permission, My Lord, I would like to respond and ascertain a time and place to meet with the twins. It could be very beneficial to find out what they know. Afterwards, if they pose a threat, I can always Obliviate them.”

“You have my permission to meet with these twins. If you find that they are truthful and their information is helpful, you may ascertain their loyalty to my grandson. Use Veritaserum, as they have already consented to its use. If their loyalty is sound, tell them that you will be in touch and that Harry is safe. Make sure they cannot reveal their conversation with you to anyone else. Do NOT answer any questions that they might have. Come back here immediately and inform me of everything. Only after that will we make any other plans.”

“Yes, My Lord. I will go and respond to Mr. Longbottom immediately,” Severus answered before sweeping out the door to do just that.

Voldemort got up and went to his grandson’s chambers. Voldemort entered the bedroom to find it empty of all but the healing boy. His grandson still looked awful, but he looked better than when they had found him. As Voldemort sat down in the chair to watch over Harry for awhile, Nagini slithered up to him.

{Master.}

{Nagini. Has anyone bothered my grandson?}

{Only one, Master. The young blonde one snuck in here to see the young snake. I tasted his curiosity, but knew he meant no harm. He looked at the young snake and was sick. Then he started crying. He told the young snake that he was sorry for everything that he had done to him. He held the young snake’s hand for awhile and then left. Since he did not try to hurt the young snake, I did not harm him. Did I do wrong, Master?}

{No, Nagini. Right now my grandson can use all the support he can get. Go and get some sleep. I will call you to watch when I leave again.}

{Thank you, Master.} Nagini hissed before slithering out of the room.

Voldemort turned back to Harry and said, “Please get well soon, my grandson. There is so much that you need to know.”

Voldemort sighed as he leaned back in the chair and hoped that his grandson would be ok.