Dark Ness
Rises Where Silence Dies
- Location
- The Primordial Soup
Suspicion, possibly concern, confusion, disappointment, awe, suprise. A whole cocktail of stuff.
Path to Victory – A Severus Snape Story (Worm/HP)
- Thread starter Sir Rabby
- Start date
To say nothing of the Hufflepuff.
Incredulity at the rumors of his sudden (increasing) genius in potions, dueling, and spell creation. She knew he was talented, but really? Maybe feel a bit left-out since he never consulted her on the lycanthropy cure, or the spells (iirc, Lily was a dab hand at potions, and it was Lily who redeveloped the Fidelius). Maybe confusion at his hiding these projects (which she'd approve of) from her.
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Well, we know she's still more than 40,000 steps away from worshipful adoration...
Beyond that... cure werewolves, good.
Lupin was a werewolf, what?
Dark arts counter to unforgivables, it depends on how much she takes her cues from Albus.
- Location
- NYC
Probably trying to understand what the hell is going on.
On the one hand, he seems to be trying to make amends, in a weird way. He's defending Hufflepuffs from bullies, teaching them self defense, and apparently trying to redeem himself. Plus, he cured Remus.
On the other hand, he's ingratiating himself with Death Eaters, and is apparently defying authority and all that stuff.
On the third hand, he's now become Merlin reborn. WTF!
Honestly, she should probably just come and talk to him. They used to be pretty close friends at the very least, and the discoveries he's made merit discussion, if nothing else.
Khepri14
Thus kindly I scatter...
- Location
- Following the wind
Oh Sevvy, Sevvy, Sevvy. How the fuck are you so oblivious if you are supposed to be so damn smart?!?!?!?!?! It's so damn obvious you fool, if you stopped to think of the meanings/consequences of your words and action!!! Oh my God, he's already fallen into the same trap that
Predominately, suspicion and worry. Suspicion, because he's never showed this much competence around her ever and he's managed to create a potion that outright eradicates lycanthropy, duel Bellatrix Black and win 3 times (I dunno if everyone else in the school knows besides the Slytherins, but I wouldn't underestimate Hogwarts rumor mill either), etc... and worry because he seems to be "forgetting" her and getting in further with the (at this point, they're only potential DE's- we could get the Path to help us make them our followers) elite crowd in Slytherin. Also, what DayDreamer said.
Next up... learning to cast everything wandlessly! Because what good is an anti-unforgivable spell if getting disarmed disables you from casting it?
She really is. You're probably having some braining trouble because Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith are only 11 years apart, while the characters they portray have a much wider gap. Remember that Snape is a contemporary of James and Lily, and they died when they were 21. At the start of the stories, Snape is only thirty and change. Alan Rickman was 55 at the time of filming.
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Huh... An unforgivable shield (that is, by itself, might be some sort of darkarts, whatever it means), partially written in a form Snape doesn't understand (but Dumbledore does). And inspiring McGonnagal to completely revise her opinion on magical ability of transformed animagi (will she look into wandless casting, I wonder? Or maybe wand alternatives? I wonder what the path could come up with when asked about those)...
Also, yeah, an unforgivable blocker (and, in case of Imperio, hopefully, counter) are, indeed, a matter of national security. I wonder how soon Snape will be given bodyguards - he's a national treasure at this point.
As to Lily... Well, "WTF" would, in my opinion, fairly well describe her reaction in large part.
Also, yeah, an unforgivable blocker (and, in case of Imperio, hopefully, counter) are, indeed, a matter of national security. I wonder how soon Snape will be given bodyguards - he's a national treasure at this point.
As to Lily... Well, "WTF" would, in my opinion, fairly well describe her reaction in large part.
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Generalissimo
Generalissimo of SufficientVelocity
- Location
- Tropico, Tropico
Yesterday with all of the bodyguards!
Oh I am slain!
Wynaut?
- Location
- Tatooine
1. She would wonder whether she really understood him after all.
2. And while she might come to accept the changes, she would still be really confused about the suddenness of the changes.
But I dunno whether we have enough info about Lily to know how she would approach Snape about this. Immediately? Never? Hesitation for a few weeks? Coincidental encounter during the summer, if they still live near each other?
If she does approach Snape, it would either be face-to-face or a brief message followed by meeting face-to-face.
If Lily's on the superficial side, then it'll likely go badly, and readers would be upset.
If you've chosen the more mature characterization of her, then it could be something as simple as "I'm happy for you."
But I don't think it's possible narrative-wise for Snape to be friends with Lily any time soon. Snape would be disappointed with how mundane she is, and Lily would be confused by how different Snape is. I don't think readers would enjoy that. Maybe the huge number of necessary steps for the Lily path is partially because of the existence of the Path power?
(Actually, now that I think about it, the premise of the story and the tone thus far basically make it impossible for Snape to 'end up' with Lily AND have a positive ending. For that to happen, Snape would need to lose the Path powers eventually, or have them become drastically weakened. Or Lily would need a power-up, which wouldn't fit the story. If there's going to be a positive ending, my bet is on Snape either getting over Lily, or he loses the Path powers eventually. Or Sir Rabby decides to go for a bittersweet ending, which is 'easier' and more realistic in a way. Yay vague speculation!)
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Sir Rabby said:
Per day? Per month? Per semester? Be specific, Snape! This is from ch. 1.01
- Location
- Poland
The path is worded to equalize how much Snape and Lily like each other. As in how to make Lily like Snape as much as he likes her. It could be that Lily likes Snape again, OR Snape doesn't like Lily anymore. Could go either way.
Galerians
I am Blissfully Insane
- Location
- Indonesia
First and foremost: confusion. Now, I assume that Lily, at this point in time anyway, doesn't know the latest deadly altercation between Snape and Marauders. She, however, notices that something must have happened, because after one night, the Marauders seemingly left him alone without any notice whatsoever. This turn of event also causes her to notice Snape's improvement in behaviour (and his appearance, of course). Unfortunately, asking the Marauders produces no result, although for whatever reasons, she notes that Remus seems to brighten up nowadays, and thus can't help but make connection between Snape's changes and Remus' recent increasingly good mood.
One morning, when she receives her newspaper and finds that her former friend has created the cure for Lycanthropy, her confusion grows. She had assumed Snape as a bigot, if what he said to her that broke their friendship is any indication, but if he really was one, why did he create a cure for a condition that should have been beneath his notice? And not only that, he gave it away for free, and he never brags about it even though the creation of such a miraculous cure would have justified it.
...I would have written more, but this should give you a general idea of what I think is her train of thoughts during all this.
- Location
- Poland
Nonono! Write more, I'm digging this version!
Don't forget he foiled an assasination attempt with perfect ease where everyone could see him, including Lily.
It won't be long before she makes a connection between Snape being constantly crowded by some people and him doing something out of the ordinary.
Also the end of their friendship wasn't out of bigotry, not constant, visible one at least. He blurted out to her the word "mudblood" once and that's it.
I have a racist friend in real life. He constantly jokes about jews and black people, and I nod politely to whatever he says because I value his friendship more than I disaprove of his racist remarks. Racism isn't that big of a barrier to friendship, really.
Galerians
I am Blissfully Insane
- Location
- Indonesia
Very well. I'll see what else I can cook up.Nonono! Write more, I'm digging this version!
This will be a direct continuation of what I posted above.
...
Just as she begins to think how all this doesn't make very much sense, she witnesses the attack on Snape's person, and with it, another emotion begins to surface: curiousity (and even a small bit of worry). Not at how easily Snape thwarted the attack, and not even on the attack itself, but at how calm, in control, and nonchalant Snape is at the whole thing, making her suspect that he was expecting such an attack. She deduces (this is if we were to assume that she really is as intelligent as the novels imply) that this incident must have correlated directly with his newly invented cure, and judging at the ease he showed, Snape must have known that creating and giving the cure to the Ministry would have attracted this kind of danger to himself, and prepared accordingly.
Sadly, due to the severed relationship between them, she can't exactly ask Snape what is happening, and so, day by day, her confusion and curiousity grows unabated.
Fast forward (either several weeks or months, I'm not sure, since it's up to you), her confusion and curiosity grows even more severe when she hears a rumor that the reason Snape has been leaving school ground ('on Ministry business', they always said whenever she asks) is because he had invented a spell that guards against the impossible, the Unbreakable Shield, and has been teaching it to the Auror Corps.
Later, when her shock finally dies down, she begins to ponder. What is he doing? Why would he create something that would severely reduce the danger posed by dark wizards? Because, Merlin, this could't have been something he did on a whim! Something on this scale would have required years, if not decades! It's something that should have been done by a whole government, not just one man! Furthermore, he should have known what kind of danger creating this spell would place him in! This won't just attract their attention; this would definitely place him in the blacklist of dark wizards all around the world! In fact, it can even be said that he's practically declared a war on them---!
As she ponders and ponders and ponders, an epiphany, in the form of a question, hits her like a brick.
...Was this the reason?
He called her a Mudblood, and thus, breaking their friendship. Not only that, he did so in public, sending a clear message to everyone that he (or rather, she) had cut all ties.
Was this the reason?
Was it something he did deliberately, because he knew what kind of danger he would place himself, and the enemies he would surely gain in the future if he continues along this path? Because he knew that if he did this, it would paint a target not on just his head, but also those around him, and since she is a Muggleborn, she has no protection of a noble, or even a normal, wizarding family?
...Tell me, Severus, was this the reason?
...
Okay! I have no idea if this is any good, but feel free to use it any way you want!
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Oh I am slain!
Wynaut?
- Location
- Tatooine
Ooh, I really like this. The conclusion she reaches is just the kind of over-thought conclusion that a young, savvy person might reach.
I'll add that there may be moments in which she wonders whether it's all an act. E.g. perhaps he took care of the mail attack so casually because he arranged it himself? Then she immediately dismisses the idea as absurd and feels ashamed for even considering that, as more attacks come in and Severus delivers more wonders to society.
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Galerians
I am Blissfully Insane
- Location
- Indonesia
Hell, what I envision above also ties in nicely (in my opinion, anyway) to PtV. You see, the way I understand it, PtV may have been a sure fire way to accomplish something, but it is also limited in how well the user asks the question. The reason there were tens of thousand steps when Snape asked how to make Lily forgive him is because how general the question was, and that's why the shard provided so many steps because it was the only way for Lily to forgive Snape as the kind of person he was then.
And then Snape asked PtV how to become a better wizard, and again, due to how general the question was, it interpreted it into a path not only to improve his abilities in magic, but also improve him as a person overall.
However, what Snape doesn't realize is that in becoming a better person, the steps in the 'path to make Lily forgive him' is also reduced by a huge amount, and he doesn't know this because he has never asked this question again since the first time.
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I like this... I like this a lot.
It sounds like what a person might come up with when behest by strong emotions.
I think most people are going to assume that his sudden perfect ability to do everything is due to an redisigned Felix felicis or something. It is pretty much a weaker version of PTV and it does explain his new competance.
Lily has probably started changing her views and I think most of that is because of remus. In fifth year she still didn't really like the other maurauders but if I remember right she was friends with remix earlier than the rest and she probably figured out his werewolfism ( over 5 Years it would be hard not to) and snape just cured him and every werewolf for freefree..
Lily has probably started changing her views and I think most of that is because of remus. In fifth year she still didn't really like the other maurauders but if I remember right she was friends with remix earlier than the rest and she probably figured out his werewolfism ( over 5 Years it would be hard not to) and snape just cured him and every werewolf for freefree..
Chapter 1.13
Chapter 1.13
Things progressed rapidly ever since McGonagall ordered me over to the Headmaster. I felt like I was a passenger in this wild ride. An audience member in the strangest most surreal movie I could possibly conceive. Then again...the results seem to speak for themselves. I trusted that everything would work itself out under the guidance of my mind-voice.
A few errant pangs of frustration bubbled up when I considered my lack of agency but I settled it fairly quickly. I always had the power to alter the path or even simply not play along with it. So far I hadn't found a reason to not play along.
Until now.
And to think the day started so pleasantly.
This morning I found myself in Minister Harold Minchum's office together with my Head of House Professor Slughorn. The man had thrown himself up as my advocate and considering how deep his contacts reached into our society I felt I couldn't have done better with anyone else. Just a little while ago I finished giving a short presentation on the nature of my counter curses, their incantations and wand movements, as well as a smidgen of the theory behind them.
Present were Director Bartimius Crouch, Head of the Auror Office Gawain Roberts and Senior Auror Alastor Moody. They had been the first the law enforcement officials I taught the counter curses to and with the help of the path they all found them fairly easy to assimilate.
Senior Auror Moody seemed to be a right bastard straight out of the gate, "I know your type, boy. What else have you got up your sleeves?"
Slughorn immediately ripped into him, "Do you mean which other beneficial magics might he kindly donate to our society?"
I already didn't like the man but his next reply solidified my opinion, "I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he had an entirely new set of spells that could chew through these shiny defenses."
Fortunately the Minister took back control over this ordeal, "Do try and contain yourself, Moody. We didn't bring you here to scold and interrogate the boy."
Director Crouch had been staring at me since the first moment I stepped into the room with him. He hadn't done much beyond shaking my hand but he was always there. Always present and carefully studying me. I wasn't sure what he was looking for but I had bigger concerns.
The Minister continued, "Are you all satisfied with your mastery over the counter curses and do you feel confident you can handle the instruction of the rest of your department?"
Finally Director Crouch spoke up, "I do indeed. I will however counsel against introducing it to all our troops."
Roberts immediately responded, "Why ever not, Director? Why would we cripple ourselves?!"
The man steeped his fingers under his chin before replying, "It is an open secret our forces are riddled with supporters,and sympathizers with Voldemort."
A shudder went through each person in the room but Moody and myself. Crouch's gaze landed on me yet again but this time I spotted an amused smirk playing around his lips. The man continued, "I propose we take full advantage of the confidentially agreement and train up our more loyal strike teams first. Even if our advantage on lasts a few weeks we need to press it."
Moody drawled out, "At least someone is thinking here."
What a thoroughly unpleasant man. Perhaps it felt this strong about him because of the way his eye followed me around everywhere. More likely it had to with the fact that he was vaguely pointing his wand at me at all times.
What had I done to deserve this scrutiny from the man? Was it simply because I was a Slytherin? Either way Crouch stated his case, the others bickered back and forth, and eventually they all turned to me again.
The Minister yet again took the lead, "If it were up to me, my boy, I would have nominated you for an Order of the Merlin on the spot and be done with it. Unfortunately we can't quite afford to be so straightforward. It must be turned into a joyous occasion for the country and for that we must make a grand ordeal of it."
Oh, joy. More fame.
Eh, who was I kidding? I loved this!
I smiled at the man and asked, "What does that mean, sir?"
"It means, Severus, that we need to go through the proper channels. We have to make a celebration out of it and that means press, press and more press."
Crouch must have seen my affected path driven confusion because he explained, "He means we have to go through the Wizengamot and trust me, young man. Nothing ever quite proceeds at its appropriate speed there."
Moody interjected, "And what he means is that those petty old men and women will bicker about the details for months before agreeing on nothing."
Minister Minchum shook his head, "Well, it's not quite that bad. Still, it will take a while and it will have to be for your work with the Lycanthropy cure. Not that it doesn't deserve the award on it's own merits but it's difficult for people to see it's benefit. For most people werewolves have simply been monsters all this time and wrapping their minds around the fact that it's a disease will take time."
Again Moody shared his observations as he rolled his eyes, "Or having the public try to come to terms with their appalling behavior towards members of their families is something they are truly looking forward to. How many inheritance disputes will this kick off, Minchum?"
It appeared the group once again fell to bickering. Professor Slughorn was trying to wrangle concessions from them and out of a path driven impulse I suddenly spoke up, "I want a dispensation for using magic outside of Hogwarts."
"And what do you plan on doing then, boy?"
I simply smiled at the man.
It worked out though. The Minister didn't seem to care either way and Crouch thought it was a fine idea. Unfortunately it may have lead to his next concern.
"While two discoveries, even on this magnitude, might not be indicative of a pattern I put forth the motion we should have this young man looked after, properly."
What?
Is he talking about body guards? Permanent eyes on me? How would I ever get anything done with people looking over my shoulders at me?
Moody smiled a razor sharp grin and said, "He doesn't seem to be all that enthused about the idea."
Professor Slughorn looked questioningly at me as if to wait for my instructions.
"True. I'd rather not be a burden, sir."
Moody bellowed out a loud laugh while Crouch asked me, "Are you certain? You've made enemies with your actions, young man, laudable as they may be."
I nodded firmly and said, "I'm quite confident in my ability to defend my-."
Before I could finish the sentence the path bade me to throw myself backwards. I rolled with my momentum as the chair fell over, and with a sharp jab of my wand threw Moody clear across the room. The bastard recovered near instantly but I was ready for his return spell in the sense that I didn't occupy the spot it landed on.
Slughorn was screaming. Roberts was aghast. The Minister was turning bright red.
I barely noticed any of that as the mind-voice told me I was safe again.
"Well, those are some impressive instincts, boy."
I narrowed my eyes at the old man and simply waited out the vitriol thrown at him from all the bystanders in our little impromptu fight.
Moody seemed dead set on ignoring them all and said, "Those aren't the reflexes of a fifteen year old boy. Who are you really?"
Crouch was silent but chose this moment to speak up with an arctic tone, "Moody. You are excused."
It was a testament to the man's influence that Moody didn't talk back and just walked out of the room. I sat through another few minutes of bickering after they were done apologizing for Moody. This time though they discuss the merits of the a protective detail when Crouch once again cut through all the nonsense.
"Are you certain you don't want a detail covering you, Severus?"
I nodded again, "Yes, sir."
"Then that is the end of this."
There wasn't anything else to do after that so when the meeting broke up Slughorn and I made our way to the elevator. For a brief moment I thought that Crouch was going to join us but an errant flying note sent him scurrying off in a haste.
"That was quite the experience wouldn't you say Severus?"
I just smiled at my Head of House and was about to reply when suddenly his attention was caught by an elderly man stepping out of the elevator. I didn't particularly recognize him, he wore expensive but nondescript robes, and seemed oddly fixated on me.
It wasn't an entirely novel experience for me. The past few days I'd felt like I had the collective eyes of the world on me but it was still rather intense. My mind-voice counseled silence until Slughorn introduced us.
"Well met, Lord Prince. Might I introduce to you, young Severus Snape?"
The path was prompting me to extend my hand to the man's own outstretched one. When I didn't act the path offered up a lighthearted remark to lighten the tension. When I still didn't say anything the guiding whispers ceased. The path fell away.
The elderly wizard said something but I couldn't hear it over the sound of my own frantic heartbeats. Slughorn's frowning and curious visage sprang in front of me...but I just looked past the man.
I was shaking with badly restrained anger. This man was responsible for the wretchedness of my previous existence. The price of his fucking cloak could have saved us from the winter's cold when we couldn't afford keeping our heat on all through the season. The rings on his hands could have fed us for years. The silk under clothing I could faintly make out would have paid all of our hospital bills.
And now he's being introduced to me?
Now?!
I took a step forward to close in with the man, saw my own wild appearance reflected in his shocked eyes, and...
I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say.
I had imagined this very moment for so long. I daydreamed many a fantasy on how I would rub my hard won success in the man's face. With the moment here and with greater accomplishments behind me than I could have ever conceived off I... let it pass.
I just walked past the man into the elevator deliberately trying not to look at the people already in it. Or those onlookers in the hallway. Or even to accept the pity on Slughorn's face.
We rode the elevator in silence and I barely noticed the angry tears that came when Slughorn put his arm around me.
Things progressed rapidly ever since McGonagall ordered me over to the Headmaster. I felt like I was a passenger in this wild ride. An audience member in the strangest most surreal movie I could possibly conceive. Then again...the results seem to speak for themselves. I trusted that everything would work itself out under the guidance of my mind-voice.
A few errant pangs of frustration bubbled up when I considered my lack of agency but I settled it fairly quickly. I always had the power to alter the path or even simply not play along with it. So far I hadn't found a reason to not play along.
Until now.
And to think the day started so pleasantly.
This morning I found myself in Minister Harold Minchum's office together with my Head of House Professor Slughorn. The man had thrown himself up as my advocate and considering how deep his contacts reached into our society I felt I couldn't have done better with anyone else. Just a little while ago I finished giving a short presentation on the nature of my counter curses, their incantations and wand movements, as well as a smidgen of the theory behind them.
Present were Director Bartimius Crouch, Head of the Auror Office Gawain Roberts and Senior Auror Alastor Moody. They had been the first the law enforcement officials I taught the counter curses to and with the help of the path they all found them fairly easy to assimilate.
Senior Auror Moody seemed to be a right bastard straight out of the gate, "I know your type, boy. What else have you got up your sleeves?"
Slughorn immediately ripped into him, "Do you mean which other beneficial magics might he kindly donate to our society?"
I already didn't like the man but his next reply solidified my opinion, "I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he had an entirely new set of spells that could chew through these shiny defenses."
Fortunately the Minister took back control over this ordeal, "Do try and contain yourself, Moody. We didn't bring you here to scold and interrogate the boy."
Director Crouch had been staring at me since the first moment I stepped into the room with him. He hadn't done much beyond shaking my hand but he was always there. Always present and carefully studying me. I wasn't sure what he was looking for but I had bigger concerns.
The Minister continued, "Are you all satisfied with your mastery over the counter curses and do you feel confident you can handle the instruction of the rest of your department?"
Finally Director Crouch spoke up, "I do indeed. I will however counsel against introducing it to all our troops."
Roberts immediately responded, "Why ever not, Director? Why would we cripple ourselves?!"
The man steeped his fingers under his chin before replying, "It is an open secret our forces are riddled with supporters,and sympathizers with Voldemort."
A shudder went through each person in the room but Moody and myself. Crouch's gaze landed on me yet again but this time I spotted an amused smirk playing around his lips. The man continued, "I propose we take full advantage of the confidentially agreement and train up our more loyal strike teams first. Even if our advantage on lasts a few weeks we need to press it."
Moody drawled out, "At least someone is thinking here."
What a thoroughly unpleasant man. Perhaps it felt this strong about him because of the way his eye followed me around everywhere. More likely it had to with the fact that he was vaguely pointing his wand at me at all times.
What had I done to deserve this scrutiny from the man? Was it simply because I was a Slytherin? Either way Crouch stated his case, the others bickered back and forth, and eventually they all turned to me again.
The Minister yet again took the lead, "If it were up to me, my boy, I would have nominated you for an Order of the Merlin on the spot and be done with it. Unfortunately we can't quite afford to be so straightforward. It must be turned into a joyous occasion for the country and for that we must make a grand ordeal of it."
Oh, joy. More fame.
Eh, who was I kidding? I loved this!
I smiled at the man and asked, "What does that mean, sir?"
"It means, Severus, that we need to go through the proper channels. We have to make a celebration out of it and that means press, press and more press."
Crouch must have seen my affected path driven confusion because he explained, "He means we have to go through the Wizengamot and trust me, young man. Nothing ever quite proceeds at its appropriate speed there."
Moody interjected, "And what he means is that those petty old men and women will bicker about the details for months before agreeing on nothing."
Minister Minchum shook his head, "Well, it's not quite that bad. Still, it will take a while and it will have to be for your work with the Lycanthropy cure. Not that it doesn't deserve the award on it's own merits but it's difficult for people to see it's benefit. For most people werewolves have simply been monsters all this time and wrapping their minds around the fact that it's a disease will take time."
Again Moody shared his observations as he rolled his eyes, "Or having the public try to come to terms with their appalling behavior towards members of their families is something they are truly looking forward to. How many inheritance disputes will this kick off, Minchum?"
It appeared the group once again fell to bickering. Professor Slughorn was trying to wrangle concessions from them and out of a path driven impulse I suddenly spoke up, "I want a dispensation for using magic outside of Hogwarts."
"And what do you plan on doing then, boy?"
I simply smiled at the man.
It worked out though. The Minister didn't seem to care either way and Crouch thought it was a fine idea. Unfortunately it may have lead to his next concern.
"While two discoveries, even on this magnitude, might not be indicative of a pattern I put forth the motion we should have this young man looked after, properly."
What?
Is he talking about body guards? Permanent eyes on me? How would I ever get anything done with people looking over my shoulders at me?
Moody smiled a razor sharp grin and said, "He doesn't seem to be all that enthused about the idea."
Professor Slughorn looked questioningly at me as if to wait for my instructions.
"True. I'd rather not be a burden, sir."
Moody bellowed out a loud laugh while Crouch asked me, "Are you certain? You've made enemies with your actions, young man, laudable as they may be."
I nodded firmly and said, "I'm quite confident in my ability to defend my-."
Before I could finish the sentence the path bade me to throw myself backwards. I rolled with my momentum as the chair fell over, and with a sharp jab of my wand threw Moody clear across the room. The bastard recovered near instantly but I was ready for his return spell in the sense that I didn't occupy the spot it landed on.
Slughorn was screaming. Roberts was aghast. The Minister was turning bright red.
I barely noticed any of that as the mind-voice told me I was safe again.
"Well, those are some impressive instincts, boy."
I narrowed my eyes at the old man and simply waited out the vitriol thrown at him from all the bystanders in our little impromptu fight.
Moody seemed dead set on ignoring them all and said, "Those aren't the reflexes of a fifteen year old boy. Who are you really?"
Crouch was silent but chose this moment to speak up with an arctic tone, "Moody. You are excused."
It was a testament to the man's influence that Moody didn't talk back and just walked out of the room. I sat through another few minutes of bickering after they were done apologizing for Moody. This time though they discuss the merits of the a protective detail when Crouch once again cut through all the nonsense.
"Are you certain you don't want a detail covering you, Severus?"
I nodded again, "Yes, sir."
"Then that is the end of this."
There wasn't anything else to do after that so when the meeting broke up Slughorn and I made our way to the elevator. For a brief moment I thought that Crouch was going to join us but an errant flying note sent him scurrying off in a haste.
"That was quite the experience wouldn't you say Severus?"
I just smiled at my Head of House and was about to reply when suddenly his attention was caught by an elderly man stepping out of the elevator. I didn't particularly recognize him, he wore expensive but nondescript robes, and seemed oddly fixated on me.
It wasn't an entirely novel experience for me. The past few days I'd felt like I had the collective eyes of the world on me but it was still rather intense. My mind-voice counseled silence until Slughorn introduced us.
"Well met, Lord Prince. Might I introduce to you, young Severus Snape?"
The path was prompting me to extend my hand to the man's own outstretched one. When I didn't act the path offered up a lighthearted remark to lighten the tension. When I still didn't say anything the guiding whispers ceased. The path fell away.
The elderly wizard said something but I couldn't hear it over the sound of my own frantic heartbeats. Slughorn's frowning and curious visage sprang in front of me...but I just looked past the man.
I was shaking with badly restrained anger. This man was responsible for the wretchedness of my previous existence. The price of his fucking cloak could have saved us from the winter's cold when we couldn't afford keeping our heat on all through the season. The rings on his hands could have fed us for years. The silk under clothing I could faintly make out would have paid all of our hospital bills.
And now he's being introduced to me?
Now?!
I took a step forward to close in with the man, saw my own wild appearance reflected in his shocked eyes, and...
I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say.
I had imagined this very moment for so long. I daydreamed many a fantasy on how I would rub my hard won success in the man's face. With the moment here and with greater accomplishments behind me than I could have ever conceived off I... let it pass.
I just walked past the man into the elevator deliberately trying not to look at the people already in it. Or those onlookers in the hallway. Or even to accept the pity on Slughorn's face.
We rode the elevator in silence and I barely noticed the angry tears that came when Slughorn put his arm around me.
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JamesB
You needed worthy opponents.
- Location
- Kansas
And now Severus meets his "dear old dad" and realizes just how much his dad screwed his mom, in more ways than one. I foresee the current Lord Prince becoming a victim of a spell that causes him to be admitted to St. Mungo's. All it needs to do is put memories of Snape and his mom growing up, barely making by, in a constant loop in his head that he can't turn off.
B_mod
Nrvscrwthishisnameis
- Location
- That one made up country from South Park
Looks like somebody still got some spine that is not Path-induced...