Facing the Dark Lord

This story now deviates away from canon. Hope you don't mind the liberties I've taken. There are some lines of dialogue that are borrowed or similar to ones from DH, and some of the situations are the same. No plagiarism was intended, but I don't know JKR to ask permission, so I hope she doesn't mind.

Huge thank you to my betas, MadBrilliant, for typo hunting for me, and Southern_Witch_69, for helping me clean this up and make it presentable. I appreciate it so very much.

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Facing the Dark Lord

~May 2 1998~

Severus woke up at some point in a dark room on a lumpy bed with the image of a sad looking girl, gazing down at him from over the fireplace. He tried to move his head and felt an intense pain shoot through is body.

He heard someone walk over and sit on a stool next to the bed. "So you've come back, have you?" the man asked gruffly. Severus was surprised to see Aberforth leaning over him as he lifted Severus' head and force-fed him some potions, two he could identify as Blood-Replenishing Potion and a general healing potion. The other tasted more like cinnamon tea.

Finally, Severus felt he had the strength to try talking. "Have I?" he managed to say, but his voice was barely audible, only scratchy croaks in his own ears.

"Save it," Aberforth said, scooping up Severus' head again, holding another potion for him to drink. "Your neck is still pretty tore up. What bit you? I'm guessing it was that huge snake of that Lord of yours."

Severus was surprised by the taste of the potion; it was his potion, the same one he'd brewed for Arthur three years ago. "Yes, the Dark Lord's familiar."

"Them is rhetorical questions, boy, not for conversation. Eat." Aberforth forced Severus to eat, well swallow, this time some bread soaked in a thick, beefy broth and some beer.

Severus ate as much as he could. The food was good, and it did quiet his stomach as well as sate his hunger. "Who won?" he managed to croak out. He tried lifting his head to sit up, straining to lift his shoulders.

"No one," Aberforth said, pushing Severus back down on the bed. "Save your strength, boy. The big battle hasn't happened yet. That Lord of yours was giving Potter one hour to surrender to him. Time's nearly up."

"What?!" Severus exclaimed, ignoring the strain on his throat.

Aberforth made a mirthless chuckle. "They're collecting their wounded – on both sides. It's been quiet at the castle. Even the fighting in the town has stopped. But them giants are still pacing around out there. I think your side is gathering in the forest, or so I heard. One last attack on the castle."

"So it's not over," Severus said, inhaling deeply, steeling himself to try getting up again. Gingerly, he rolled onto his side to rise. "Potter, is he still..."

"Lay down. Potter's in the castle," Aberforth said, trying to make Severus lie down again.

Severus resisted, pushed himself up with his elbow, and forced himself upright. "I have to go, Herm-he needs me." He was still lightheaded, weak, but this wasn't over. With any luck, I can still find Potter, not that Fortuna has ever favored me when I really needed her... For some reason, the memory of what he wanted to tell him was fuzzy – absent. He tried searching his memory for why. I... did it, didn't I? I released the memories. But will he see them in time? Did I tell him?

"If you go out there, they'll kill you," Aberforth said gruffly.

Severus turned his head, the pain nearly making his eyes water. "Didn't you know? I'm already dead." He pulled himself warily to his feet.

Aberforth raised his hands in surrender as Severus staggered for the door. "Pardon me, I thought you needed saving. She was rather clear that I was to help you."

"And I thank you for all you've done," Severus replied as he walked out the door to fulfill his promise.

Severus had no idea how he'd managed to find the strength to make it to the edge of the forest. Scrambling through the tunnel from the Shrieking Shack and out from under the Whomping Willow had only increased his resolve to keep going. If he couldn't get to Potter, he had to see Hermione one last time to prove to her he was still on her side. Before he died, he wanted her to know the truth. He was wandless, but that didn't matter. He was a dying anyway. He would show his face, stand among those fighting against the Dark Lord, and hopefully it would shake the Dark Lord's confidence. He hoped it would be enough. The Dark Lord was so arrogant, so overconfident in what he believed, and Severus had fed that overconfidence, his vanity for years, groveling at the narcistic fool's feet to prove his loyalty. He would prove where his true loyalties lay today. It was worth it, and a quick Avada Kedavra was preferable to a slow painful death anyway.

He arrived at the scene just as Hagrid was being forced at wandpoint to carry Potter out of the forest and up to the castle, followed by a triumphant Dark Lord and his followers. His shoulders sagged as he leaned against a tree. I'm too late. Severus swore as the Dark Lord told Hagrid to dump Potter on the ground in front of the castle in view of the door and called out the people within. Severus cursed himself for his incompetence. I've failed. Severus remained where he was hidden within the trees to watch and listen. Nothing for it now, it'll be a bloody battle to the end – but he'll win. But I'll prove it to Hermione... At least she'll know. It's not much, but I have to show her the truth.

From his position, Severus could see the Dark Lord pace as he reveled in his victory – one that Severus knew hadn't even been decided yet, although with Potter dead, the Dark Lord was sure to win now.

"You have lost. Fighting me is futile! You must all see that now," the Dark Lord called out to the occupants of the castle. "There doesn't need to be any more fighting. Surrender and I will be merciful."

Severus heard the doors of the castle open and saw the people as they filed out onto the grass to face the Dark Lord, wands drawn, hardened expressions and determined eyes.

The Dark Lord sneered as he watched the defenders of the wizarding world face him. "You would still fight me? You still defy me? You would choose death rather than surrendering? How foolish." He pointed to the place Potter's body was lying on the grass in front of him. "Here is your Chosen One, your hero – the one you all thought could defeat me! See him. He lies here dead – I killed him – your defender."

Severus wanted to cover his ears, but his eyes caught a flash something orange, or a ball of flame, move in the windows of the castle. From somewhere inside the castle, echoing from the open windows and gashes in the wall, a familiar cry was heard – the defiant cry of a phoenix. Everyone stood still as Fawkes swooped down from the castle and dropped what looked like the Sorting Hat in front of the Dark Lord, right where Severus assumed Potter lay, and then flew off in Severus' direction. Severus' attention was riveted on the bird as he flew straight at him and landed on his shoulder.

The bird was surprisingly light, and his soft cooing felt like an elixir to his soul. Regardless, Severus had to sit down. What strength he'd had was leaving him. Fawkes walked down Severus' arm and came to rest on his forearm, looking at him with a questioning air. When the phoenix leaned over to nudge his neck, Severus felt the warm drops of Fawkes tears drip off his beak and roll down his skin. He gratefully loosened his bandage as the bird continued to cry on his wound. Within seconds, he could feel the difference in his neck as the wound healed, and he could feel some of his strength coming back. Nevertheless, Nagini's venom still coursed through his veins, and he knew that the neurotoxins were already eating away at his nerves and muscles, but he also knew that he now had strength enough for what he knew had to be done. "Thank you," he said, noticing that even his voice was stronger than before.

Fawkes cooed and hopped to the ground, looking at his pocket. The bird nudged him, tearing his attention from what was happening in front of the castle, and Severus stuck his hand in his pocket, surprised when his fingers touched a glass vial.

"Now how did you know I still had this?" he asked, withdrawing the vial.

Fawkes preened and nudged his hand. Severus unstopped the vial and swallowed the last few drops of his Pain Potion. He let his head fall back against the tree and closed his eyes as the potion took effect, trying to tune out the sarcastic voice of the Dark Lord. The Pain Potion helped or, rather, the pain he felt was lessened. Fawkes nudged his hand again, indicating the now empty vial.

"You want this?" he asked and held it to Fawkes. Severus was surprised again when the gentle bird tilted the vial toward him with his beak, leaned over the opening, and filled the medium vial with his precious tears before flying off into the trees.

Severus stood and walked toward the edge of the trees to see what was happening. It was apparent that the battle would take place there on the grass in front of the castle. The collection of students, teachers, a few Order members, and Aurors looked haggard and worn, their numbers far less than Severus had hoped. Mr. Longbottom stood in the forefront with Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood on his right, Mr. Finnegan and Ronald Weasley on his left, and the Order lined up behind him with the Aurors interspaced amongst the staff and students.

Severus apparently missed some of the confrontation between the Dark Lord and Mr. Longbottom. "You insolent whelp!" he spat.

Severus watched as the Dark Lord Imperiused Longbottom and made him walk forward. "You defied my followers all year, wreaked havoc and mayhem in complete disregard to the fact that you were counted among the privileged few to be allowed to return. You who were given the opportunity to further yourself to the glory of our kind. You – who are a pure-blood from one of the oldest families, you, who I would have honored to be in my new order – you defied me! And for what? For Potter? For some sense of honor? Do you not know that I am doing all of this to set us free? To take us out of the shadows and in our rightful place..."

"I did it because it was right!" Mr. Longbottom shouted back, finally breaking the hold of the Imperius. "Because you are evil! Because being pure-blood doesn't mean you are better or smarter or more..."

"Silence!" the Dark Lord yelled and locked the boy in a full Body-Bind. "I have heard enough from you! All I heard all year was about you and your band of blood traitors!" He summoned the Sorting Hat and placed it on Longbottom's head, pacing around Longbottom as he continued to rant and rave.

The centaurs nearest Severus snorted in disgust and stepped out from the forest, arrows drawn, ready to fight against the Dark Lord and his followers on the left. Across the school grounds, members of the villagers began to appear on the lawn, creating a flank against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters on the right, with quite a few students within the ranks. Severus was pleased to see Slytherin sixth- and seventh-years among them.

As Severus took note of the tactical advantage the defenders of the wizarding world now had, both in position and in numbers, he almost missed seeing Longbottom pull the sword of Gryffindor from the hat, wondering when the Dark Lord had released the boy. In a defiant, yet familiar hiss of Parseltongue that Severus had heard all too often, the Dark Lord told Nagini to attack.

The huge snake lunged forward and missed as the boy jumped out of her way, using the sword to protect himself. Nagini recoiled, and those closest quickly stepped back. Nagini lunged again, and Longbottom swung the sword to his left in another sweeping arch, causing the snake to miss. Hissing in rage, she tried to withdraw to strike again, but Neville had swung the sword back and it made contact. Nagini arched in pain, and Longbottom swung again, this time the cut taking Nagini's head clean off. The Dark Lord went into a rage, trying to curse Longbottom, who miraculously managed to avoid being hit as if a Shield Charm protected the boy.

While everyone was distracted, Severus scanned the area for Hermione, finding her standing with several Weasley boys behind Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood. His heart skipped a beat, seeing Hermione standing among those ready to fight. Miss Weasley suddenly cried out in alarm, pointing to the ground near Neville. Severus looked, expecting to see Potter's body on the ground, and suddenly realized that he had vanished, a fact that was soon discovered by the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord raged in anger, looking around furiously, demanding to know who'd taken the boy.

The next moment, Potter removed his cloak and was standing next to Neville. "You've made a huge mistake, Voldemort, or should I call you Riddle? Tom Riddle. That's your name, isn't it, Tom?" Potter asked belligerently.

"How dare you speak his name?!" Bellatrix yelled from across the lawn, moving defiantly forward to stand beside the Dark Lord.

"Oh, I dare, as will everyone from now on. Tom Riddle. You've lost," Potter taunted the Dark Lord.

"Oh, no, Harry Potter," the Dark Lord sneered, brandishing Dumbledore's wand so Potter could see it. However, Potter only smiled when he recognized the wand. "You see, I possess the Elder Wand, the Deathstick, the Wand of Destiny. It's mine."

"Are you sure about that? Are you absolutely sure that Dumbledore's wand is now yours – that it will respond to you?" Potter asked, still grinning as he stood defiantly facing the Dark Lord, his wand held in his hand ready to fight. "From what I've seen it's not working all that well for you. Your spells seem to be – less effective – either that or you keep missing your target." The Dark Lord glared at Potter, but he sneered right back. "Because as I understand it, Riddle, you can't simply take a wand from someone's grave to own it, you have to conquer a wand to truly possess it, especially the fabled Elder Wand. If that is the Elder Wand, as you claim. Just having it isn't enough. You have to take it from its previous owner by force, subdue him, win it, and Severus Snape never did that. Draco Malfoy did."

"You lie, Potter," the Dark Lord sneered. "Severus Snape killed Dumbledore. He took the wand from him."

Potter smirked, and for the first time Severus was pleased to witness his arrogance. "Dumbledore wanted Severus to have his wand – he told him to take it from him if the time came, but he didn't. Draco disarmed Dumbledore. Snape picked up Dumbledore's wand when Draco dropped it while they were fleeing. Snape didn't own the wand – Draco did. Past tense, Tom, as in he did then."

He was there! Now Severus understood the ploy Dumbledore had planned with his vow. It wasn't only to set me up to take his place as Headmaster! He'd planned for me to have his wand. Dumbledore had set me up to die – to be a sacrifice – for a wand!

Potter was now smirking insolently at the Dark Lord. "I disarmed Draco, in his own house the day I rescued my friends. I subdued him in a fight, and I conquered him!" He held Draco's wand up so the Dark Lord could see it clearly.

Severus looked closer at the wand in Potter's hand and realized that he was indeed holding Draco's wand, not the holly wand Potter had used for six years.

"That's right," Potter said arrogantly. "I was there that night on the tower. The day Dumbledore and I stole your locket. He begged Snape to do it – I heard him pleading."

Severus looked up, seeing the plan, all of it, far too clearly now. It wasn't just enough to keep Potter alive all these years for this moment – Dumbledore knew the Dark Lord would want his wand! That's why he had Nagini kill me – over a bloody wand! I nearly failed to tell the prat what he needed to know because of that bloody wand. You lied to me. 'Give him the memories' – at least that part was accomplished, you old fart. Literally over my dying body. Severus looked at Potter with new insight. He played us, my hatred for your father, my loathing of you, for this – this! He concealed his real plans from us both.

"It was Draco Malfoy who disarmed Dumbledore. He held him at wandpoint and subdued Dumbledore, not Severus Snape. You killed the wrong wizard."

"Severus Snape killed Dumbledore," the Dark Lord snarled, but Severus could hear the confliction his voice, the doubt. Severus knew what Potter was doing and applauded the boy. Yes, I was right, the Dark Lord's confidence can be broken. If the Dark Lord doubts – if he's unsure – the strength behind any spells he casts will be lessened.

"Yes, because Dumbledore made him do it. Severus Snape was Dumbledore's man – he was on my side – right to the end," Potter sneered back, defiantly, his arrogance finally serving him well.

The Dark Lord's brow creased, and for a split second, his wand dipped.

"Severus Snape swore an oath to Dumbledore, a wand oath, to protect me. He made a vow to do everything he could to make sure I survived to face you, here, now, today. And he succeeded!"

The Dark Lord drew himself up to stand taller, erect and firm, rather than the relaxed casual stance he usually had. "You are a fool, Harry Potter. He was my spy, my most loyal..."

Potter shook his head, a smug expression on his face. "He turned against you. Severus Snape was working against you all along these last sixteen years. He was working with Dumbledore to bring you down because you killed my mum. Severus Snape swore an oath to protect me, to help me, and he has – every day since we first met – he's helped protect and strengthen me."

The Dark Lord literally took a step back, the anger and doubt evident to Severus from where he stood. "You lie, Harry Potter, you were fooled, as were all of you!" he nearly shouted.

"You'd like to think so, wouldn't you? Why then did Severus Snape save my life, and my friends' lives, over and over again? First year from a troll, again when you had Quirrell hex my broom, and he was with Dumbledore when they saved me from you when I found the Sorcerer's Stone. Second year, he brewed the potion to cure those petrified by the basilisk. Third year, he tried to protect me from the Dementors – twice – and from a werewolf. Fourth year from your imposter Moody, and fifth year, Severus Snape saved Mr. Weasley from Nagini's bites and warned the Order about your plans in the Ministry, sending the Order to save me and gave me private Occlumency lessons. And last year, even though he killed Dumbledore, he fought against your Death Eaters as he left the castle, protecting me, Draco Malfoy, the Auror Tonks, Professor McGonagall, and my friends. And this year, Severus Snape again protected my friends from the Carrows and gave me the sword of Gryffindor – the real sword, not the fake one he gave Bellatrix Lestrange."

"That's a lie!" Bellatrix shouted, looking quickly from Harry to the Dark Lord and back. She raised her wand, pointing it at Potter. "You lie! I had the sword – the real one – and you stole it from my vault!"

"Severus Snape gave me the sword in December," Potter said, smiling smugly. "Right after we escaped your familiar in Godric's Hallow."

"Enough of this!" the Dark Lord yelled, enraged, and Severus knew that Potter had nearly managed to weaken the Dark Lord's confidence. "You lie. You can twist what happened all you want, Potter, but I know the truth – he was my..."

Severus stepped out from the shadows under the trees and staggered forward to face the Dark Lord to prove Potter's words were right. Hermione rushed over to him, stopping only long enough to see how weak he truly was. She was worried – worried for him. She was too thin, her clothes were dirty, and her hair was in a messy braid with tendrils of curls flying every which way. There were dark circles under her eyes, a cut on her cheek and on her arm. There was mud, grime, scorch marks, blood, and soot all over her – but to him, she had never looked more beautiful. The most beautiful sight in the world.

"See him. He lives. Your snake didn't kill him. He's right there – on my side – not yours," Potter said, pointing at Severus and Hermione. "My friends know the truth. Even Bellatrix Lestrange knows that Severus Snape had turned away from you – chose to switch sides and fight against you," Potter said. "She's suspected him all along!"

Severus wasn't really paying attention to anything but Hermione. He felt another arm slide around his waist as Hermione moved to support him. Severus turned his head, surprised to see Miss Lovegood smile up at him, her wand held firmly in her hand. Miss Weasley and Mr. Finnegan hurried over, and Draco followed, the three of them stopping to stand in front of Severus and Hermione, wands drawn ready to defend him. The Dark Lord looked at Severus with pure hatred in his red eyes and turned his attention to Potter as the insolent boy continued, undaunted.

"Do you see now? He was never yours. He is on my side, as is Draco Malfoy," Potter sneered, turning to face the Dark Lord.

Severus could see Narcissa moving in his direction, most likely so she could defend her son when the fighting resumed.

"They're not yours. They stand against you as do many other people you thought were destined to follow you," Potter said, pointing to the Slytherin students and people from Hogsmeade. "Severus Snape was in love with my mother. Did you know that, Riddle? Did you know that Severus Snape's Patronus is a doe, just like my mum's? Did you realize that when he begged you to spare her life? Severus' love for my mum made you make your biggest mistake, Tom, your first miscalculation. Not only did my mum's sacrifice protect me all those years – but you also marked me as your equal that night. You gave me powers I wouldn't have had otherwise."

"You liar," the Dark Lord practically shouted. "I have seen your so called skills – you are nothing! You are not my equal – you are nothing but an insolent child, who has, until now, relied on luck and the aid of those better than you..."

"Really? Then explain our connection, how I can read your feelings, your thoughts, and see what you see? How I knew about your Horcruxes – what they were and where you hid them? How I knew where you were most of this year – enough to evade you – to escape your traps?" Potter asked, and Severus could see the Dark Lord pause. "They are gone, you know, all of them. Gone. Destroyed! You are mortal now. There is no coming back this time."

"That is irrelevant," the Dark Lord sneered. "I will win. You will die, and I will rule all."

"Like you did the Malfoys? There they are, Mrs. Malfoy and Draco – standing next to Severus Snape and my friends." Potter pointed to the small group standing opposite the Dark Lord's left among the centaurs. The Dark Lord looked and sneered. "And where is Mr. Malfoy, eh? Why isn't he standing among your followers?"

"They don't matter – I'll deal with them later. It will make no difference," the Dark Lord spat angrily.

Severus knew; Potter had broken the Dark Lord's confidence. For all his bluster, his defiance, Severus could hear doubt in the wizard's voice.

"I am going to kill you, Harry Potter."

Potter stood ready, his wand arm up, shoulders back, and feet set in a duelist stance. "I don't think you can, but go ahead. Take your best shot!"

"Avada Kedavra.," the Dark Lord said as Potter yelled, "Expellarimus!" Twin jets of light shot forth from their wands, but the spells collided and combined. However, the force of Potter's spell, apparently the stronger of the two, made the combined ball of light continue on its path and hit the Dark Lord square in the chest. Dumbledore's wand had flown from the Dark Lord's hand the moment the two spells had collided, and Potter reached for the Elder Wand, catching it as the Dark Lord fell.

Screams and cries erupted as the Death Eaters raised their wands and the defenders, theirs. Both sides shouted various spells and shots of light crossed the field.

Several Death Eaters dropped their wands, falling to their knees, fingers laced behind their heads in surrender.

Hermione had moved forward into the fray, fighting valiantly. Lestrange turned to fire at her, and Severus raised his hand, concentrating the last of his strength on one spell, sending Lestrange flying backwards.

The last thing Severus saw before he passed out was Hermione stumble and land on the ground only a few yards in front of him.

~May1978~

The Warrington house was one of the oldest houses in Hogsmeade. It stood tall, an imposing rectangle of stone among the old trees. The wards surrounding the place made it look like nothing more than an igneous formation of plutonic rock unless one was given the secret, but even when one could see the house, it looked like it was made from one huge block of stone. Today was the last Hogsmeade weekend of the year, and Aeron Warrington had invited Evan Rosier and his friends to his house for lunch.

Mr. Warrington claimed to be a descendant of the Woodcrofts, the founders of Hogsmeade. He had beady black eyes, a pudgy nose, and a goofy grin, which was in stark contrast to his tall frame and long, thick, hairy arms. He was known to be a stern man and a wicked fighter, but his movements were usually slow and deliberate. He was also a zealous supporter of the Dark Lord.

By now, Severus was getting used to the formal dining style of the pure-blood families and knew that he should always wear his best robes. After lunch, as was the custom for the pure-blood males after a formal meal, they gathered in the study for smokes and drinks. An old female house-elf served the boys firewhisky watered down with gillywater instead of butterbeers. As was expected, considering the company he was in, the conversation turned to the old debate of blood purity and the activities of the Dark Lord. "...the Ministry still tried to stop it, of course, but as usual they arrived too late. The deed was done. One less Muggle brat to infiltrate our world," Mr. Warrington said, extolling the details of the latest raid.

Mr. Warrington had made not one but two confirmations about raids on Muggle-born homes in which the families were killed. Severus tipped his drink to his lips to hide his disapproval. Avery and Rosier laughed as if Mr. Warrington had been telling them a joke and not about the deaths of a family of five and a family of three. All Severus could think of was that either home could have been Lily's, and come summer, she would very likely be a target. Severus knew that Avery and Mulciber had accepted the Dark Mark, and he was certain that Rosier had as well. All three despised Lily because she bested them in classes and at Potions. There wasn't a spell taught in school that Lily couldn't do. She was pretty, a Gryffindor, and she was well liked by the other students and her teachers; and it grated on his friends' nerves. In addition, the fact that Severus had feelings for her was a constant source teasing from his friends as well.

"I heard from Thaddeus Nott that the proposition to adopt out the Muggle-borns and half-bloods to proper wizarding families was denied," Mr. Warrington told the boys. "It was an outrage! The idea of imposing those brats upon good honest families! The Ministry just doesn't comprehend the situation. Nott was told that the new DAAM office will address the issue of the Mudbloods' accidental magical outbursts – cover it up more likely."

Severus knew that he was complaining again about the newly created Department of Accidental Adolescent Magic because Rosier's dad worked in the Ministry.

"It's bad enough that the Muggle-borns are not bound the first time the Ministry has to go clean up their accidental magical outbursts, but to have a whole department of wizards to clean up the mess they make and to Obliviate the witnesses – it's an outrage," Rosier said.

"Not when the Dark Lord rises to control, it won't be," Avery said proudly. "Dad says that the first thing the Dark Lord intends to do is bind their magic. That way we won't have to worry about those buggers anymore."

"Can he do that?" Mulciber asked.

"Dad said he can," Avery replied, sipping on his drink.

The thought that it might be possible to bind a Muggle-born's magic made Severus' blood run cold. No, he rationalized as he sipped on his drink, it can't be done, not yet. Otherwise, he wouldn't need to kill the kids – and the families with Muggle-borns. It's just talk.

"That doesn't solve the problem of the ones that we already have pretending to fit in," Hardgrave sneered. Severus remembered that at the last Knight of Walpurgis party, Hardgrave had proudly accepted the Dark Mark, showing it off to his friends. "They dilute our families, expose us to the Muggle world with their inability to control their magic, and infiltrate our government, take over our businesses, and pollute our school – and then expect us to conform to them – their ways."

"I'll never accept their way of doing things." Jensen, a seventh-year from Ravenclaw snorted in derision. "The old ways are completely lost on those Mudbloods," Jensen said. "Imagine, I had two first-years who didn't even know how to use an owl – they had to be told!" The other boys laughed. "One even asked me where the school post box was! And when Jensen's Mum Flooed him – they threw water on her! Because the flames flared up and they were startled, they said!"

"That's not all, I tried explaining about wand etiquette and safety to our Mudblood first-years, and all I got was blank faces," Hardgrave said, jerking his head in Jenson's direction. "And when we explained about house solidarity, one of them thought I was talking about rooting for the house football team, whatever that is. He didn't even know about Quidditch! I also had to stop one from trying to charm his... cassette player, I think he called it."

"What's a cassette player?" Mulciber asked.

"A Muggle device to play recorded music on," Severus said. He didn't really want to explain it, but he hated to sound ignorant. "I saw one once – has plastic cassettes..."

Mulciber still looked confused.

"I see it every day. The Mudbloods have no understanding of our world," Mr. Warrington added. "It's a shame that the old ways are not taught in the houses anymore."

"They are in Slytherin," Severus said, knowing that the old traditions were strictly upheld in Slytherin house. "Even the new students are inducted properly on the first night they arrive. Those who claim to not know the traditions are expected to learn them."

"We have stopped doing most of them in Ravenclaw. I was told by my Prefect first year that the Mudbloods didn't like them – thought they were antiquated," Hardgrave sneered. "But then we have many more Mudbloods than you do in Slytherin. I know that Gryffindors completely ignore the traditions and embrace the little Mudbloods as if they were precious."

Severus knew the smear was intentional, to get a rise out of him. He smirked. "I know Potter and Black are not concerned with traditions, unless you consider breaking every rule as a Gryffindor tradition."

"Bloody Mudblood loving prats," Avery sneered, "strutting around the castle with that Mudblood Evans. It's bad enough Dumbledore favors them."

Severus nearly choked on his watered down firewhisky.

"Over half the house is Mud or nearly Mud – the other half are all Muggle lovers," Mulciber sneered. "It's disgusting."

"Well, we won't have that problem any longer once the Dark Lord takes over. We'll be Mud free." Mr. Warrington tipped his glass at Severus. "Be a whole new world – done the right way, if you ask me. Be right good to be done with them, I tell you."

Severus' mind whirled as he considered the ramifications of what he was hearing. Lily's going to be in trouble! She will be a target!

When the party was coming to an end, Mr. Warrington motioned Severus aside. "I have been hearing some impressive things about you, young man. Nott and Avery tell me you are becoming quite the accomplished Potion brewer."

"Thank you, sir," Severus said, pleased by the compliment, wondering if the man would become another of his clients.

"Your friends say you are right good at defending yourself," Mr. Warrington said with a wide smile that didn't seem as friendly to Severus as the man might have meant it to be. "I understand you can really hold your own in a duel, even when it's two against one. And that you're quite knowledgeable in the Dark Arts. You are of age, are you not?"

"Yes, sir, I'm eighteen," he said, managing to hide his surprise at the question.

"Yes, I'm glad to hear it. In fact, the Dark Lord is looking forward to your next encounter," Mr. Warrington said, placing a hand on Severus' shoulder and giving it a friendly squeeze.

Severus felt a chill he tried desperately not to show.

"I understand that you will be invited to join the Knights this summer," Mr. Warrington said, leaning in toward Severus' ear as if divulging a confidence. "Oh, yes, the Dark Lord is quite interested in you."

Severus didn't know what to say, so he chose to look politely interested.

"I know Malfoy spoke for you, as did Lestrange, but I'd like to stand for you as well," he said, his expression indicating that he thought he was offering Severus a great honor. "You'll be staying at the Malfoys' over the summer."

It wasn't a question. Severus simply nodded his head, more in acknowledgement of the statement than a committal.

Mr. Warrington smiled, pleased with what he assumed Severus' nod indicated. "I look forward to seeing you there."

Severus left the house, realizing what Mr. Warrington had implied. He would have to decide, and decide soon, or he'd be taking the mark this summer regardless. He wondered if he could refuse at this point. Those who defied the Dark Lord always ended up dead.

~ T B C ~>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o0o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Notes: