Villain of the Piece
Part 2 Youthful Indiscretions
- Chapter 31 -
Chapter 31: A Glint
of Metal Later on 9th June to Severus Apparated to Snarebeck at once. His mother had gone to bed so he called
goodnight through her bedroom door. “Wait!” she called back.
“Come in.” He poked his head around the door as she waved her wand to
light the lamp. She looked scared. “I’ve been to see Dumbledore” he whispered. “He’ll give me a teaching job when he
can. There’s no vacancy at the moment
but he’s put me on the list.” Eileen looked very relieved. “A teaching job” she said as she sat up. “A proper job again. A good career. Thank goodness!” “And” he swaggered, stepping into the room, “If things get
bad, as I predict they might, you too can move to Hogwarts. And live there and work there in safety. But be sure not to tell anyone about that
possibility–” “Safety – if things get bad?” She looked puzzled. “If the political situation deteriorates.” “You really do believe it will, then?” She gazed in awe at her son; he was such an
independent young man now. “How have you
managed this?” she asked. “How does anyone get a job?
I went for an interview.” “But you haven’t got a job yet … and you say there might be
a job for me? But I haven’t had an
interview – haven’t been appointed to anything–” “Assistant Librarian” he said, walking over to her. “How would that suit you?” She still looked dazed and puzzled. “It doesn’t make sense. And it’s all too fast for me. What would happen to this house? I’d have to give it up. I don’t want t–” “We’ll see about that” Severus said kindly. “Don’t worry about that now, Mother. I just want you to know that if the need
arises there is a refuge.” He placed a
kiss on her forehead and said goodnight. “Goodnight, Severus” she called to his retreating
back. “You’re a good boy, really.” He lay awake in his old bed at home, thinking about the
special role that Dumbledore had outlined to him. ‘Secret agent’ had a certain sexy appeal; the
old man knew that and had played upon it.
And it was truly perilous. And
hadn’t he just lived through a mere few days of such fear in trying to get that
message to Lily? Why was he
contemplating a lifetime of that level of risk?
And for no monetary reward other than a teaching salary – eventually – and no public recognition, except
perhaps at the end, if he survived to the end?
And he would have to Vow to follow Dumbledore’s orders – what if the old
man turned out to be a crackpot? But he would have a reputable career again – he would be a
teacher. The Dark Lord could not deny
that! And he would have manoeuvred his
mother to safety, put far behind him the wreckage of his dishonourable
dismissal from St Mungo’s, and brought to an end his hand-to-mouth existence in
But would he keep this new job or make a mess of it? He wasn’t going to like teaching, deep inside
he knew it! Some young version of Sirius
Black would trigger his bitching switch and the old man would carpet him for
mental cruelty to a pupil. Or even for
physical cruelty to a pupil! And
Dumbledore knew too well his penchant for sarcasm and disdain. The old man wanted team spirit amongst the
staff. I’m just not a team player,
Severus admitted. I tolerate a few
people, but usually prefer to be alone.
Flitwick’s incessant geniality will drive me round the bend. Kettleburn’s as bad. I’ll goad McGonagall just for the hell of
it. Sprout? No, I may be alright with Sprout. And who will be doing Defence Against the
Dark Arts while I look on in envy? Some
useless idiot whom I could out-perform with one hand tied behind my back!” He sighed and turned over, still thinking. How did I come to shackled myself to a
psychopath? Because I thought he was the
greatest wizard of the age. Which he
probably is. But the Dark Lord is capricious
and immeasurably cruel, and can wipe me out in a second if I displease
him. And I cannot defeat him. Not yet. A Hogwarts job would provide me with a respite as well as
giving me the semblance of fulfilling my master’s wishes. And, in time, Dumbledore may yet provide the
removal of my ‘master’. Yes, Dumbledore
will take care of the Dark Lord for me. I must not make a mess of teaching; I must be good
enough! I can never be a Flitwick but I
can perhaps be something like McGonagall.
And Dumbledore has made her Deputy Head.
If reserved, frosty McGonagall is good enough for that, then why not me
in some similarly high position? Why
not? But if Dumbledore fails – if the Dark Lord defeats him? If that happens I will still be seen as a trusted Death
Eater. I must be able to play this both
ways! It is even possible that both
wizards will fall in this war, leaving me a survivor. To do what?
Take over at Hogwarts? Be the
next Greatest Wizard of the Age – the next Dark Lord? But if Dumbledore falls, Hogwarts will no longer be a
sanctuary. Mother and I may not be
safe. I must always be ready for that. Very well, I will be ready for that. I’ll keep my options open. I’ll be the secret agent. I’ll obey Dumbledore’s orders. And if they ever threaten to compromise the
secret agent role, I’ll say so – he cannot give me orders that defeat his own
purposes. But to operate in that way I’ll
have to speak to him confidentially – no talking in a forum about such matters. I wonder how many he has on his side. How many brethren? How odd that he uses the same terminology as
the Dark Lord. Brethren – join the
brethren. Is that just coincidence? And does Dumbledore discuss tactics and plans
with his supporters? No, possibly he
does not. He’s a one-man warrior as much
as the Dark Lord is. Not a democrat, not
really; although he has an inclusive and naturally fair-minded nature. Yes, I see it now … I may in time emerge from this as
Dumbledore’s most trusted, most valiant and celebrated colleague, perfectly
placed to step into his shoes, or to take up some even better appointment. Why not? And with his mind settled on that Severus fell into a
pleasant sleep in which he walked in marble halls, was pestered with petitions
to head the Wizengamot, and a crinolined Honor Wigworthy pinned an Order of
Merlin, 1st Class, upon his chest, saying “Glamis thou art, and
Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised.” “Wrong play, Goneril”
Severus sneered in his dream. “Oh, yes” she said,
momentarily dazed. “But never mind –
when you come to choose a queen remember that I bear a royal name. I’ll change it back to Goneril if you command
me to…” * * * At ten minutes to nine the following evening Severus
Apparated outside the school gates and headed for the oak front doors. But he saw that others were ahead of him; two
figures muffled up unseasonably in cloaks and hoods were already mounting the
steps, at the top of which Professor McGonagall and the house-elf Titcha stood
waiting. Who were these people, Severus
wondered. Aurors? Was Dumbledore going to have him arrested
once he set foot in the school? Was the
old man treacherous after all? Titcha
was leading the visitors inside but Professor McGonagall remained, watching
Severus leap up the steps two at a time. “No hurry, Mr Snape” she called. “Do not make yourself out of breath.” “Good evening, Professor McGonagall.” She eyed him warily, distrusting his good manners. “Professor Dumbledore sends his apologies”
she said. “He has been delayed. Come to my office, you can wait there.” This was unsettling.
Surely those two visitors were even now being taken to Dumbledore. What did they want? Would they say something that would make the
old man change his mind? Go back on his
word? Nevertheless Severus had no choice
but to follow McGonagall to her room.
Even in summer a small fire burned in the hearth and she motioned him to
a low-seated button-backed chair beside it. “A dram?” she said, offering him a tiny but very beautiful
glass and preparing to pour liqueur Scotch whiskey into it. He accepted – it was delicious. He also accepted a shortbread finger from the
red tartan tin she held out. “I must say Professor, you do yourself rather proud here”
he observed as she settled into the chair opposite. “Thank you” she replied.
“Yes I’ve made theses quarters very cosy, although Horace had the edge
on me. I doubt that anyone can beat his
level of luxury.” “Horace?” “Horace Slughorn.
You’re old House Master.” He realised that if – when – he became a teacher he would
have to get used to using his old teachers first names. How odd that would be. Minerva, Filius, From the little she divulged it was clear that she knew
that Dumbledore was thinking about offering him a teaching post at some time in
the future, but she would let slip no hint about which job it might be. Even so, he found that as long as he was cautious
it was useful to chat to Professor McGonagall.
She clearly had responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school
and when he got a job there he could probably expect his instructions to come
from her, and only his special instructions to come from the Headmaster. He filed away many details for future use and
they were into a good discussion about timetabling when a wizard’s head
appeared in the fire and called McGonagall by name. The head also noticed Severus. “Who’s that?” it asked. “Just someone waiting to see the Headmaster” McGonagall
replied. “Well you can tell him Dumbledore’s on his way” the head
spluttered. “Crikey Minerva, what are
you burning here? Old sporrans? Anyway Dumbledore’s just set off. Okay?” “Thank you and goodnight” she said archly and the head
disappeared. Ten minutes later Titcha took Severus to the Headmaster’s
office where he found the old wizard seated at his desk, looking particularly
tired. Dumbledore apologised for the
delay and Severus presumed that if all was well they would take up the threads
of their previous discussion. “Do I take it then that you have made a decision about my
offer?” Dumbledore asked. “Yes Headmaster.” Severus replied. “My answer is unchanged from my initial
reaction yesterday. It is still ‘yes’. I will be your agent. I will be your agent in return for a teaching
position, here; and in return for sanctuary for my mother.” A gleam of triumph showed in Dumbledore’s eyes. “Your mother’s situation is already agreed”
he reminded Severus. “You can set that
aside from this bargain. So, you will be
my man among the Death Eaters? Spy for
me, report to me, carry out my orders.
Act as though your loyalty is to Lord Voldemort, but let your true
loyalty be only to me.” “Yes, Headmaster.” “Are you ready to become a member of my brotherhood, and to
be encompassed by the protections I have set up for its members?” “I know nothing of the brotherhood, who the members are,
how many there are, or any rules. You
are asking me to buy a pig in a poke.” “Yes … I suppose I am” Dumbledore agreed. “There is only one rule – to follow my
orders. Everything is on a need-to-know
basis. Members are not told what they do
not need to know. I will also protect
matters pertaining to you in a similar manner.” “But you are expecting me to take a step into total
darkness.” “Not into the dark I hope” Dumbledore sighed. “Hasn’t that already been asked of you? I am asking you to trust me and follow me,
blindly perhaps at first, but towards the light … Are you ready to take the
Vow?” “Have the other members of the brotherhood actually made an
Unbreakable Vow?” Severus countered. It
looked as though he was playing for time. “They have all sworn loyalty to me” Dumbledore stated
mildly, “But … No, none of them has made a magically binding Unbreakable Vow.” “Then why must I?” “None of the others were ever Death Eaters.” It was hard to be sure but as he said those words there
seemed to be a trace of bitterness in the old man’s voice, or perhaps it was
disappointment. He also seemed anxious
to proceed. He sent Fawkes on an errand
and told Severus to kneel on the rug by the fireplace. Then he knelt opposite him. The time for debate was over, it was now a
question of running away or proceeding, and Severus decided not to run. A tall, hooded wizard came into the room and stood beside
them. He was not introduced. Severus clasped the Headmaster’s hand and the
stranger aimed his wand at them.
Dumbledore said the words of the Vow and Severus replied at the
appropriate points: “Do you, Severus Snape, agree to become a member of the
Order of the “I do.” “Will you undertake, in detail and in spirit, my each and
every order for the overthrow of the evil power of Lord Voldemort?” “I will.” “And do you agree to carry through those orders, no matter
how objectionable they might at times be to you, nor how meaningless they might
at times seem to you?” “I do.” On each reply a tongue of flame had shot from the bonder’s
wand and wrapped itself around their hands like a red-hot glowing wire. When the Vow was complete Dumbledore helped Severus to his
feet; although far older he was the one who seemed steady and unruffled. While Severus sat in a chair by the fireplace
the Headmaster bade goodbye to his visitor. “And this was in Fenwick’s hand” Severus heard him
murmur. “If “He’s sure” a voice replied. The door clicked closed.
Dumbledore went back to his chair by the desk and on the desktop he
placed a small object which he stared at for a while. It was difficult to see from where Severus
was sitting but he thought it looked like a piece of metal. “Welcome to the Order of the - Chapter 32 - |