By Ratwoman
September 1994
Severus Snape hardly listened to Albus’s speech. This year there’d be the Triwizard Tournament, the delegations of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were to arrive in October.
This morning, while taking a shower, he had noticed something that worried him. On his left forearm he had found very faint, thin lines… you had to look closely to see them. Before today, you wouldn’t have seen anything at all. His dark mark had faded completely after the Dark Lord’s downfall. So why had he seen faint lines today? He was going to keep an eye on his mark, to see whether it was coming back.
Severus was so absorbed in his thoughts, that he jumped when the door burst open.
Alastor Mad Eye Moody. Why was he late? Moody walked through the hall, a “clink” with each step. Gazing supiciously at Severus, he sat down at the Staff table. Severus shivered, remembering how he had been arrested by Moody 14 years ago. Moody had not turned to unneccessary brutality like so many other Aurors had done. Yet he had been somehow scary in his precise efficiency…
Severus wished he could meet Sirius and do something to get rid of his tension. A bit of sex would be… But he wouldn’t run back to Sirius and beg him for it. He would wait until Sirius would come running back to him. He had time. Maybe…
**
Sirius read Harry’s newest letter. Of course, Albus had already informed him that the Triwizard Tournament was to take place this year. Harry was excited about it, albeit he was angry that he was not old enough to participate… He was quite convinced that he would have had a chance to win. Sirius smirked; at that age, he and James had also thought nothing could stop them.
As usual, Harry was moaning about Snape’s lessons, quoting some remarks he had made about the Gryffindors. Sirius caught himself giggling about Snape’s sarcasm. He had not heard from Severus since last June. But Sirius was still optimistic that Snape would see reason and come back to him… all he asked of him was not to keep it secret any longer. That wasn’t much to ask, was it?
Well, if Severus didn’t show up before New Year’s Eve, he would push the topic, then…
**
October 1994
Quite impressive, Severus had to admit. The delegation from Beauxbatons had arrived via a huge carriage, the Durmstrang students were using a ship. Not bad. So Igor Karkaroff was at Hogwarts now. Severus was not worried, not much anyway. Igor had bought himself free from Azkaban by selling a few names. He was not very popular among the remaining Death Eaters, and as far as Severus knew, he had lived a rather quiet life since the Dark Lord’s disappearance.
Igor curtly nodded at him when passing. Severus nodded back and wondered how to avoid sharing a drink with him one of these days.
**
A few weeks later the names of the contestants were drawn. Fleur Delacour, Victor Krum, Cedric Diggory… Harry listened with awe and applauded loudly when Cedric was drawn… at least no student from Slytherin. Though his favourite had been Angelina, of course.
But then, something completely unexpected happened: the Goblet of Fire spat out another name. Harry watched with excitement how Dumbledore caught the paper, read it out… “Neville Longbottom!”
Harry’s head turned to stare at Neville. How had Neville got over the age line and put his name in? Not even the Weasley twins had found a way!
Neville paled, then blushed when he noticed that everyone was staring at him.
“Neville Longbottom, come here!” Dumbledore called.
Neville looked as if he rather wished to be swallowed by the ground when he stood up and walked towards the Staff table. Harry watched with a mixture of bewilderment and envy as Neville was sent into the room where the other champions were waiting.
**
Severus followed Albus, Minerva, Moody, Madame Maxime and Igor Karkaroff into the room. Barty Crouch and Ludo Bagman were already in. Bagman seemed to be excited about it… the Boy Who Lived, a Triwizard Champion…
Severus mustered Neville Longbottom thoughtfully. He looked sick and frightened. If Harry Potter had been the fourth Champion Severus would have thought that the boy had somehow got past the age restriction, but Neville Longbottom – he was too clumsy and shy for that kind of action.
Igor and Madame Maxime were shouting about the unfairness, that someone had manipulated the Goblet of Fire to give Hogwarts more chances for winning the tournament.
“If so,” Severus said, “why on earth did they put the name of Neville Longbottom into the Goblet of Fire and not the name of someone talented, as for example Miss Granger?” He noticed how hurtful this remark must have been when Neville looked to the floor. “Whoever did it probably wants to see the Boy Who Lived dead.”
Moody already had a theory how it could have happened: someone had entered Neville’s name as the contestant of a fourth school. Who could it be? Karkaroff? However, Crouch said that this was a magical contract, and it was binding. Neville Longbottom had to take part in the Triwizard Tournament.
How was HE to survive?
**
At first, Harry was angry. And nothing Neville said could convince him and Ron that Neville had not put his own name into the Goblet of Fire. Neville must have found a way to get past the age restriction. But by the next morning, Hermione and Neville brought him to his senses.
“It’s probably something you would have done, Harry,” Hermione said, “but it’s not like Neville at all. He doesn’t like to be the center of attention.“
Neville blushed. Harry frowned: “I don’t try to stand in the center of everyone’s attention all the time…”
”Well, maybe not all the time…” Hermione said. “Anyway, how should Neville have done it?”
“I wish he’d told us so we could get our names in, too…” Ron said angrily.
Neville glared at Ron: “Moody has an idea how it could have happened: someone put my name in as the contestant of a fourth school, hoping I’d get killed if I take part in the Tournament. I agree with him, someone wants me dead.”
Ron stubbornly looked away, but Harry asked alarmedly: “Who would want…?”
Neville shrugged. “A Death Eater? One of those who caused mayhem at the Quidditch World Cup?” Neville stood up and walked towards the window, looking out. “They want to kill me…” his voice sounded as if he was really afraid.
“Well now…” Harry decided to take charge, “so we’ve got to find out what the first task is. Then we can make a strategy for you, Neville…”
**
They soon found out (via Hagrid) that the first task had something to do with dragons. Neville thought it decent to warn Cedric, as he assumed that Victor Krum and Fleur Delacour had found out about the task as well. But how was he to fight a dragon? Neither he nor Harry and Hermione had an idea. Ron still wasn’t talking to him, but at the moment that was Neville’s least problem.
Then after DADA Mad Eye Moody asked him to stay behind for a moment. Neville felt uneasy with Moody but tried not to show it.
“So, have you thought about your first task, yet?” Moody asked.
“Yes,” Neville said meekly, “but…”
“You don’t know yet how to solve it, do you, lad?” Moody said.
Neville blushed.
“Think, boy,” Moody said, “what are your strengths?”
”I don’t have any,” Neville said sadly.
“Professor Sprout told me you’re good at herbology,” Moody seemed rather impatient with him. But helpful: Neville suddenly had an idea!
”Devil’s snare!” he called. That might be strong enough even to hold a dragon!
Moody nodded. “Professor Sprout told me last week she planted one in greenhouse 4, where all the dangerous plants are. You can go now, Neville.”
**
”And how are we supposed to steal a plant that will throttle us if we get near it?” Hermione asked when Harry proposed to steal it using his Invisibility Coat.
“Actually,” Neville said, “you just need to sparkle it with wine and it stops moving. The problem is, how do I get it into the task, if all we are allowed to have is our wand?”
“With a Summoning Charm,” Harry said.
“I did not once manage one of those,” Neville said desperately.
“We’ll practise,” Hermione said reasonably.
**
With a pounding heart Severus watched the Triwizard Champions. Krum, Delacour and Diggory all had finished their parts, but how was Neville Longbottom to survive the first few minutes with a dragon?
He saw Neville hiding behind a rock, calling something, flinging his wand…. Something was flying through the air towards him… A plant in a pot?
How on earth should that help?
But Neville directed the plant to collide with the dragon. Long tentacle-like branches unfolded, entwining around the dragon. The beast fought it, but the more it fought, the tighter the plant wrapped around it. Neville ran past the wriggling dragon, ducking under its tail and got the egg.
Severus breathed out in relief. The boy was alive. Even if it meant a Gryffindor had passed the first task with flying colours.
**
Severus waited for the official part of the Yule Ball to end, so he could leave. He hated feasts… well, except of Lily’s New Year’s Eve parties…
That Granger girl had somehow managed to get one of the Triwizard Champions, Victor Krum, to go to the ball with her. Neville Longbottom was accompanied by Ginny Weasley. Harry Potter was with one of the Parvati twins, but none of them looked too happy. Actually Potter had left the hall a while ago, while she was dancing with a Durmstrang boy.
Severus left the hall, too, but to his displeasure was followed by Karkaroff. “Severus,” he hissed, “I’ve got to talk to you!”
Severus sighed. “What is it, Igor?”
“Don’t you see all the signs?” Karkaroff said, “the events at the Quidditch World Cup, the Longbottom boy being a Triwizard Champion… and I bet you see lines on your forearm you didn’t see for a long time.”
„No,“ Severus said, „and I don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."
"Severus, you cannot pretend this isn't happening!" Karkaroff said in a hushed voice. "It's been getting clearer and clearer for months. I am becoming seriously concerned, I can't deny it "
"Then flee," said Severus tiredly. "Flee, I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts."
They were outside now. Snape drew his wand and blasted rosebushes apart, where he expected students to be hiding and snogging. Squeals issued from many of the bushes, and dark shapes emerged from them.
"Ten points from Ravenclaw, Fawcett!" Severus snarled as a girl ran past him. "And ten points from Hufflepuff too, Stebbins!" as a boy went rushing after her. "And what are you two doing?" he added, catching sight of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley on the path ahead. What had the boys heard?
"We're walking," Ron told Snape shortly. "Not against the law, is it?"
Unfortunately not. "Keep walking, then!" Snape snarled, and he brushed past them. To his annoyance, Karkaroff hurried away after him.
„For Merlin’s sake!“ Severus hissed between clenched teeth, „if you’re so afraid of HIM, then run away and hide.“ Glaring at Karkaroff, he added in the hope of finally getting rid of him: „I for my part hope that he will return!“
Karkaroff paled and took a few steps back. Severus turned on his heel and walked back into the hall.
Only ten days until New Year’s Eve.
**
New Year’s Eve 1994/1995
Sirius watched Severus out of the corner of his eyes. He looked quite good, wearing velvet black dress robes. Sirius took a deep breath. Time to get a move on. Determinedly he crossed the room.
„Hello Severus,“ he said.
„Sirius,“ Severus replied, nodding at him.
„Did you miss me?“ Sirius asked directly.
Severus smirked. „A bit,“ he said. „And you?“
“A bit,“ Sirius replied. „Want some sex?“
„Anytime,“ Severus answered, then seemed to be surprised by his own answer.
„Still care about what others might say?“ Sirius asked.
Severus looked around the room. For a whole minute he let his eyes wander over James, Remus, Lily, the kids... then he smiled. „Ah, fuck it!“ he hissed, then grabbed Sirius by the hair and pulled him close. Sirius was quite surprised when Snape kissed him deeply in front of all these people.
**
This year, Lily was convinced she had found the perfect woman for Severus. Viola was part Veela, and she was constantly complaining about men. How they were losing all their brains when they saw her, how the only thing they noticed about her was her beauty. She wanted to be praised for her intelligence rather, that’s why she cut her gorgeous hair short and wore high-collared dresses. Still every man was totally transfixed by her beauty.
If there was any man who would not be taken in by a Veela’s beauty, it was probably Severus. This would make him incredibly interesting for Viola. And being a Veela, not even Severus would be able to resist her for long. So Lily thought when she had invited Viola.
Now Viola had come to the party and Lily wanted her to meet Severus. But what was that? Severus was over there – and he was snogging Sirius Black. Not only that, Sirius was kissing him back as if his life depended on it.
Lily stared at them for a few seconds, then heard Viola chuckle. “A gay couple? I like gays, they at least don’t turn into bubbling idiots when they see me.”
”Er,” Lily said, “as far as I know they are both bisexual, so they might.” Viola looked slightly disappointed.
Lily gazed at James. He was staring at Sirius and Severus, a look of utmost disbelief on his face. Remus, standing next to him, just smirked, looking not in the least surprised. Harry and his Gryffindor friends (Ron, Fred and George Weasley, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom) looked almost as shocked as James.
Finally Severus broke the kiss and carefully looked around. Sirius grinned broadly, but Severus actually blushed. He said something to Sirius that Lily didn’t understand, but Sirius nodded as an answer.
Viola smirked. “Not that I mind, but why do they get more attention from people here than I?”
Lily smiled: “They appeared to hate each other until yesterday.” Obviously, it was not necessary any longer to find Severus a woman. “Come meet my husband, Viola. That will distract him from the shock.”
**
January the first, evening
Harry had pretended to be disappointed when Lily sent him away to let the adults talk, but then he had just thrown on his invisibility coat, walked down the stairs and slipped into the living room.
Sirius was there, leaning at the mantelpiece, arms folded, while James nervously paced the room. Remus and Lily sat on the couch, looking amused.
“But… he is Snape!” Harry’s dad called out for the third time.
“Yes, you already said that, James,” Sirius replied, smirking.
“I mean… how long…”
“Oh, we’ve met secretly for almost ten years,” Sirius said. Harry was similarly surprised as his father.
“Ten years? How could you?!?” James stared at him.
Sirius shrugged. “At first I thought it would be a passing passion, but then I kind of got used to fucking him.”
James drew a face. “But… how can you… he’s Snape!”
Sirius grinned. “Prongs, it’s actually quite easy, first I take off his clothes, then mine, then…”
“STOP THIS!” James yelled. Remus was shaking with laughter. Harry rather agreed with his father – how should he ever shake off the mental image of his godfather fucking Severus Snape! His Potions Master!
Lily giggled. “Ten years? Why did you not stop me trying to find a girl-friend for Severus all those years?”
Sirius grinned at her: “It was fun to watch!”
Indeed, it had been fun to watch her doing that. But Sirius and Snape? The thought made Harry shudder. Though his mum and Remus Lupin seemed to be rather amused about it. One thing Harry just couldn’t understand.
**
It was the day before the new term would start. Severus was visiting Albus in his office, conferring.
“Do you think Professor Karkaroff put Neville’s name into the Goblet of Fire?” Albus asked.
“No,” Severus replied, “he seemed rather scared when he was telling me that his Dark Mark was coming back.” Severus rolled up his left sleeve, looking thoughtfully at the faint lines. One could recognise now that they were forming a skull, a snake slithering out of its mouth. “It gets clearer each day,” he said.
Albus looked at him earnestly. “I wonder who else could have an interest in seeing Neville dead. We must have missed something.”
Severus frowned. “Could Peter Pettigrew have come into the castle in rat shape?”
“Possibly,” Albus said, “if he is more afraid of Voldemort than of you. Sirius told me you scared the hell out of him.”
Severus smirked. “I guess he was just as afraid of Remus and Sirius.”
“By the way,” Albus said, “congratulations!”
Severus looked blankly at him.
“To your relationship with Sirius Black.”
“Rumors travel fast,” Severus said, “how did you hear about it?”
“Met Arthur Weasley yesterday in the Ministry of Magic,” Albus said, “he told me his sons told him that they had seen you and Sirius Black in a not very platonic embrace.”
“My relationship with Black is everything but platonic,” Severus replied. “I guess soon the whole school will know.”
Albus smiled merrily. “Most certainly,” he said.
**
How soon, Severus realised when in the first week of the new year Draco Malfoy timidly came to his office.
“Yes, Draco?” Severus asked, looking up from the test he was creating.
“Sir…,” Draco said, looking embarrassed, “I just wanted to inform you… the Gryffindors are spreading rumors about you!”
“What kind of rumors?” Severus asked, though he already guessed.
“Um… that you’re gay, sir,” Draco replied.
“Bisexual,” Severus just said. When Draco looked at him in confusion, he explained calmly: “The Gryffindors must be mistaken, I like women as much as men.”
Draco stared at him wide-eyed when he realised the meaning of what he had just said.
“Anything else, Draco?” Severus asked.
“N…no, sir,” Draco said and quickly left the office.
**
Neville had more important things on his mind than his Potion Master’s sex life. Yet Harry was talking of nothing else all day.
What was the second task? He had opened the egg in which hints were hidden, but heard only shrill loud voices he couldn’t understand. At least, Ron was talking to him again; though at the moment as they were walking down a corridor towards their next lesson, he was joking about having to be careful not to get detention with Snape. “… I mean, knowing his taste…”
“You don’t look a bit like Sirius Black,” Hermione said reasonably, “he will know the difference.”
Then Hermione and Ron started bickering again. Neville was almost relieved when they passed Cedric Diggory and Cedric held him back for a moment. “Neville, can I talk to you for a second?”
”Sure,” Neville said, looking shyly at the taller boy.
”Did you find out about the egg yet?” Cedric asked.
“No…” Neville said. Was Cedric hoping to get some hints from him?
”You warned me about the dragons,” Cedric said, “so I thought it only fair to give you a hint…” Then he told Neville that the prefect’s bathroom was just the perfect place for a bath. Great. Couldn’t he be a bit more precise?
Neville decided to take his chance nevertheway, run behind Ron, Hermione and Harry and asked Harry breathlessly “Can I borrow your Invisibility Coat?”
**
Neville reread aloud the rhyme he had written down, after he had heard it by placing the egg underwater.
“Clearly, you will have to retrieve something important to you,” Hermione said. “And it will be stolen by the merpeople.”
“So, good luck, mate,” Ron said, “how are you going to hold your breath for that long?”
Neville thought hard for a moment. Were there any plants… “Gillyweed,” he said.
“Brilliant!” Hermione called, “that way you can breath underwater!”
Ron and Harry just looked at each other and shrugged. “If you say so,” Harry said. "Where can we get Gillyweed?"
"God question," Neville said miserably, "I guess Professor Snape has some in his office, but he will have it protected with spells..."
Harry grinned at him. "I know a lot of spells to open doors. My dad and Sirius taught me, they said I might need them at Hogwarts..."
Hermione looked at him slightly irritated. "You know, Harry, I really like your dad and your godfather, but sometimes I think they are a bit irresponsible."
**
The next night, Harry, Ron, Neville and Hermione hid under Harry's Invisibility Coat and went to Snape's office. To their great surprise, the door was ajar and lights were shining inside.
Neville wanted to get back, but Harry, always curious, pulled them onwards.
"Harry," Hermione whispered, "that's madness..."
Neville peered over Harry's shoulder, when they had reached the office door. Mad-Eye Moody was inside, searching for something. Neville hitched his breath. What was Moody doing here?
Moody suddenly turned his head, his magical eye focusing on them. Could he see through the Invisibility Coat?
"What are YOU doing here?" he hissed. Obviously, he could see them.
Neville was too shocked to answer, but Harry said calmly: "Neville needs Gillyweed for the second task, and he was told he is allowed to ask his friends for help..."
Moody grunted, then grabbed a bottle in one of the shelves. He threw it at them and Harry quickly caught it. "Thank you, Sir," Neville said.
Looking disgruntled, Moody stepped out of the office and spell-looked the door behind him. "Now go back to bed," he said.
Then they heard footsteps coming from the other side of the corridor. Neville quickly looked around and almost fainted. Professor Snape, wearing a long gray nightshirt, was coming up to them.
"Moody," he snarled, "been searching my office again?"
Neville remembered with relief that Snape couldn't see them.
Moody's face twisted into a smile. "Auror's privilege, Snape. Dumbledore told me to keep an eye on you."
"Dumbledore happens to trust me," Snape said through clenched teeth. "I refuse to believe that he gave you orders to search my office!"
"Course Dumbledore trusts you," growled Moody. "He's a trusting man, isn't he? Believes in second chances. But me - I say there are spots that don't come off, Snape. Spots that never come off, d'you know what I mean?"
Snape suddenly seized his left forearm convulsively with his right hand, as though something on it had hurt him. Neville and his friends looked puzzled at each other under the cloak.
Moody laughed. "Get back to bed, Snape."
"You don't have the authority to send me anywhere!" Snape hissed, letting go of his arm as though angry with himself. "I have as much right to prowl this school after dark as you do!"
"Prowl away," said Moody, but his voice was full of menace. "I look forward to meeting you in a dark corridor some time..."
Snape stared angrily at Moody. "Don't ever go near my office again!" he hissed, then turned on his heel and walked away.
Neville breathed out with a sigh when he had left.
"Professor," Hermione said timidly, "why were you searching Professor Snape's office?"
"As I hinted on before, Miss Granger," Moody said, "I was looking for evidence against him. Now go to bed!"
**
Severus watched with apprehension as the four Triwizard Champions jumped into the water. Had the dunderhead Neville Longbottom found a way to breathe underwater? He wouldn't be so stupid to try if he hadn't, would he?
Half an hour passed... Cedric Diggory came out of the water first, with Cho Chang in his arms. Where was that Longbottom boy?
**
Neville dived through the lake towards the underwater city of the merpeople. A crowd of them were in some kind of village square with a gigantic statue of a merperson. Neville realised with a start that three people were bound to its tail. One of the Champions must have already been here...
Coming closer, Neville recognised Hermione and Ginny floating unconsciously in the water. The third one was a girl looking like a younger version of Fleur Delacour. Neville stopped a short distance before them. Who was his "treasure"? Hermione? Ginny? He indeed had thought a lot about Ginny since he had been with her to the Yule Ball. But Hermione was his best friend... Neville looked undecidedly from one to the other.
Then the merpeople started screeching excitedly. Neville turned around and saw a monstrous creature, half shark, half man, swimming towards them. After the first shock he recognised him as Viktor Krum, who had transformed partly into a shark. Krum freed Hermione and swam upwards with her.
Neville took a sharp rook and cut through the ropes holding Ginny. He shot a last worried gaze at the girl left. Would Fleur come in time? Surely Dumbledore wouldn't allow her to die if not.
Hugging Ginny close to himself, Neville started upwards.
**
Viktor Krum reached the surface next, dragging along Hermione Granger. Where was the Boy Who Lived, the time was almost up? Fleur Delacour had given up halfways...
There, finally, Neville Longbottom appeared at the surface, along with Ginny Weasley. So he had done even better than Delacour... Severus was surprised. He rose and walked towards the Champions. Meanwhile, Merpeople appeared at the shore of the lake, bringing Fleur's sister along. She was unhurt and well.
Longbottom was surrounded by his friends. Ginny Weasley looked up at him with huge eyes: "You care most about me...?"
The Longbottom boy blushed. Severus decided to spoil the mood: "How did you manage to breathe underwater?"
Neville looked at him, surprised. "Gillyweed, Sir."
Severus shot him a murderous gaze. So Mad Eye Moody was not the only one, who had been in his office - he would make the Longbottom boy pay for it later.
**
A few days later in class Severus wondered how he could ever make the students listen to him. Hermione Granger and her friends were whispering incessantly. They didn't even stop when he was standing right behind her.
"Fascinating though your social life undoubtedly is, Miss Granger," he said. "I must ask you not to discuss it in my class. Ten points from Gryffindor."
The foursome jumped, and now Severus saw that they had hidden a magazine under the desk. "Ah... reading magazines under the table as well?" he added, snatching up the copy of Witch Weekly. It was of course an article about the Triwizard Tournament. "Another ten points from Gryffindor... oh but of course Longbottom has to keep up with his press cuttings..."
The dungeon rang with the Slytherins' laughter, while Neville Longbottom blushed and Harry Potter looked angry. Severus decided to read aloud... that would teach those treacherous bastards not to steal from his stores. "'Neville Longbottom's Secret Heartache’... dear, dear. Longbottom, what's ailing you now? 'A boy like no other, perhaps... ' - lacking talent like no other, I have to agree." Snape paused, then went on: "’Deprived of love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen-year-old Neville Longbottom thought he had found solace in his steady girl-friend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger..."
It was the usual cliched nonsense of Rita Skeeter. Severus thought anyone who believed any word of what she was writing must be exceedingly stupid. "'...Since the arrival at Hogwarts of Viktor Krum, Miss Granger has been toying with the boys' affections... Neville Longbottom's well-wishers must hope that, next time, he bestows his heart upon a worthier candidate.' - How very touching," Severus said mockingly, rolling up the magazine. "Well, I think I had better separate the four of you, so you can keep your minds on your potions rather than on your tangled love lives. Weasley, Potter you stay here. Miss Granger, over there, beside Miss Parkinson. Longbottom, that table in front of my desk. Move. Now."
Crimson in the face, Neville Longbottom threw his ingredients and his bag into his cauldron and dragged it up to the front of the dungeon to the empty table. Severus followed, sat down at his desk and watched Neville unload his cauldron.
"I give you a fair warning, Longbottom," Severus said quietly, so no one except Neville could hear him, "if I catch you breaking into my office one more time..."
The Longbottom boy looked up startled. "I haven't been anywhere near your office!"
"Don't lie to me," Severus hissed. "Boomslang skin. Gillyweed. Both come from my private stores, and I know who stole them."
"I didn't take boomslang skin," Neville replied, looking truly perplexed.
"And Gillyweed?" Severus asked. Neville blushed. "You took it." It was a statement, not a question. Neville looked defeatedly at the floor.
"I suppose your imbecile friends helped you?"
Neville shook his head. Severus didn't believe him.
"Then you alone will bear the consequences," Severus said, "detention at Friday seven p.m., for the next four weeks."
**
"He read it out loud in class?" Fred asked, outraged.
"Yeah," Harry said darkly, "the Slytherins were having quite a laugh."
Neville blushed again. Ginny looked from the article to Hermione, then to Neville. "That's such crap," she said, watching Neville closely.
Ron was watching both Ginny and Neville, suspiciously narrowing his eyes.
George and Fred looked at each other, then George said grinning. "Maybe we should give Rita Skeeter an interview."
Harry looked suspiciously at them. "What do you have in mind?"
The twins just grinned.
**
Two weeks later, when Severus entered his classroom for a lesson of the fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins, he wondered why the Gryffindors were grinning so broadly and the Slytherins were looking so angry. Reaching his desk, he assumed that it had to do with the magazine someone had put onto his desk. Severus picked it up. It showed a picture of him taken probably at the Triwizard Tournament, and a headline saying: 'The immoral Potions Master'
Severus paused for a moment - probably everyone in class knew the article - then started reading. 'Albus Dumbledore is quite notorious for his doubtful choices in whom he allows to teach children. Last year the werewolf Remus Lupin had the post as Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, this year the half-lunatic Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. But, as the Hogwarts students Fred and George Weasley informed Witch Weekly journalist Rita Skeeter, there are also some dubious figures among the regular staff. Potions Master Severus Snape, so the quickwitted Gryffindor twin-boys, is known for his loose sexual morals.
"Last New Year's Eve, we happened to be invited to the same party as Professor Snape, a really decent party arranged by Lily Potter, the Auror," Fred Weasley told the journalist, "but then, when we were tired, we looked for a place to sleep - and we stumbled over Professor Snape in one of the bedrooms, seducing the famous Auror Sirius Black."
Handsome and strong, Sirius Black is admired by a lot of women, and some gay men, in the wizarding world. Those will be disappointed that he has fallen for the sinister charms of the Potions Master.
"And being a Potions Master," George Weasley suggested, "I wouldn't put it beyond him to have used a Love Potion on Sirius Black..." - "And not only that," his twin added, "we've seen him with another woman each year at the New Year's Eve Party. I think he takes everything he can get, men, women, it doesn’t matter...'"
Severus looked up from the paper and gazed sharply at the Weasley twins. Each year? He couldn't remember having seen them more often than twice on these parties.
'Severus Snape is also quite often seen with the rich aristrocrat Lucius Malfoy. One has to wonder of what kind their friendship is, and whether he has bewitched him, too.' Oh dear, Lucius wouldn't like that. '"Severus Snape is unusually well-dressed for a Hogwarts teacher,' Fred Weasley said, "we wonder whether Lucius Malfoy bought him his expensive clothes in payment for some... special services."' Severus looked down his front. Expensive robes?!?
'Anyway we are worried about our children’s safety when they are being taught by a man of so little morals. What kind of example will he give them? And who assures us that he doesn't seduce some of the students? R.S.'
Severus let the magazine sink and glared at the Weasley twins. Their grins faded. They suddenly looked rather nervous. "Congratulations to your imagination, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley, " he said in a dangerously soft voice. "100 points of Gryffindor for spreading false rumours about a teacher. And detention on Wednesday, 7 p.m." Then he threw the magazine into a waste basket.
"Now open your books on page 145, we'll brew the Arcadia today."
Later, when the students were preparing the Potion, Severus stopped at the twins' desk. He leaned over them and quietly, so no one else could hear him, he whispered: "Did anyone ever tell you what pretty boys you are?" They both jumped and looked slightly scared at him. "I'm looking forward to Wednesday evening," Severus added sinisterly. Of course, he wouldn't touch a hair on their head, but it couldn't hurt to frighten them a bit.
**
June 23rd
It was the day before the fourth task in the early afternoon.
Harry and his friends were walking after lunch to their next lesson, when they noticed a commotion outside: Lots of students were standing in the courtyard, staring into the air and pointing excitedly at something.
“What’s up?!” Harry asked Dean Thomas when he reached outside. Dean pointed into the sky: a flying motorbike was coming closer and closer. Sirius?
The students’ robes and hair were flapping in the wind when the motorbike touched down in the courtyard. Sirius Black sat on it, wearing black leather clothes, his hair ruffled by the wind.
“Sirius!” Harry called and pushed himself through the mass of students towards his godfather. “What are you doing here?” he said grinning when he reached him.
“Dumbledore asked me to assist in the Fourth Task. To watch over the Champions, that we get all of them out of the Tournament alive,” Sirius answered smiling broadly and dismounted his motorbike. Pointing his wand at the motorbike, he murmured a short spell and it was suddenly enclosed by a bluish light. Harry knew that spell, it stopped people from getting nearer than 10 inches to the bike.
The students parted when Sirius walked towards the entrance. Most of them recognized Sirius Black: he was mentioned in the papers quite often for his work as an Auror. And he had once won “Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile Award”. The students were staring admiringly at Sirius Black as he and Harry were walking towards the castle door. Especially the girls were looking at him with utter fascination. Harry was quite proud of his godfather, but his smile froze when Severus Snape appeared in the doorframe, looking at Sirius in an unreadable fashion.
“Hey, Severus,” Sirius said when he reached him, “may I sleep in your bed tonight?”
“If you behave,” Snape answered, smirking slightly.
Harry thought, if behaving well resulted in sleeping in Snape’s bed, he’d rather not behave.
**
June 24th
Neville was staring nervously at the big maze that had grown on the Quidditch pitch. Students were filing into the seats, and his granny was there among the guests.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had practiced all kinds of spells with him during the last couple of weeks. He managed most of them quite well by now, but would he do as well in acute danger?
Cedric was sent first into the labyrinth, then Victor Krum, then Neville. Fleur was last, because she had not finished the second task. Professor Mc Gonagall, Professor Flitwick, Prof Moody and Sirius Black were patrolling at the brink of the maze, in case someone needed to be rescued. Neville swallowed and reminded himself that nothing much could happen to him –worst case scenario was that he would have to fire red sparks and be taken out of the maze. But he did not want to do that too early – his granny would be so disappointed if he did not fight until the end.
Neville took a deep breath then entered the labyrinth, huge hedges to his left and right.
Hermione had taught him quite a useful spell that made his wand point north. Neville knew, the center of the maze was in the North West, so he followed the direction.
**
Severus felt strangely helpless. Whoever had put Neville Longbottom’s name into the Goblet of Fire, he was certain to strike today. When, if not today? And he still didn’t have a clue as to who… if it was Peter Pettigrew, he might just have turned into a rat and hidden in the maze, waiting for Longbottom to run into him.
**
So far it all had worked out quite well. Neville had escaped a blast-ended skrewt, even gone past a Sphinx – he still was surprised that he had solved the riddle. A bit earlier he had saved Cedric from Viktor Krum. Neville couldn’t explain to himself why, but Krum really had tried an Unforgiveable on Cedric.
Now they had just saved each other from a huge spider, first Neville Cedric by calling out a warning, then Cedric had shot the Spider when it had attacked Neville. The Triwizard Cup was at the other end of the lane, they could both see it.
“Go, take it,” Neville said. He was sure, Cedric could run faster anyway. And he was surprised that he had even come that far.
“No,” Cedric said, “we both take it.”
That sounded fair. And how proud Granny would be!
**
The sun had already set. Albus nervously watched the maze. Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour were already out of the maze, collected by Sirius and Minerva when they had shot green sparks. Viktor Krum looked confused and said that he didn’t remember anything.
Where were Cedric and Neville?
Then Albus saw Severus clutching his left forearm. With a pale face and wide eyes the Potions Master turned to him. “He’s back!” he whispered.
So Voldemort had returned. Albus shot a quick glance at Igor Karkaroff. He looked as if he was about to panic.
**
Neville was about to panic. Cedric was dead. He had seen him die – Wormtail had killed him the second they had arrived on an old cementery. Someone must have bewitched the Triwizard Cup to turn it into a Portkey. But how did they know Neville of all people would win the Tournament?
Wormtail had bound and gagged him, then Neville had been forced to watch him doing some Dark Magic ritual. It had resulted in the resurrection of Lord Voldemort. Neville was quite sure, after tonight his boggart would no longer look like Professor Snape. Then again, he was quite sure he would not survive the night.
Voldemort had called his Death Eaters, and about a dozen hooded and cloaked figures had appeared on the graveyard. Now he was telling them about a mysterious Death Eater who had been in Hogwarts all year and prepared his return. Who could that be? Snape?
But nasty as Snape was, Neville remembered well how last year Snape had stood thrown himself between the students and the werewolf, ready to risk his life to protect them.
Two Death Eaters had not returned upon Voldemort’s call. Neville wondered whether Snape was one of them.
“But I almost forgot…” Voldemort said, “our special guest tonight. Neville Longbottom. - I'd almost forgotten you were here, standing on the bones of my father. I'd introduce you, but rumor has it you're almost as famous as I am these days.”
Neville momentarily forgot to breathe when Lord Voldemort walked up to him.
“The Boy Who Lived.” Voldemort said, as if he was hardly believing his eyes. “How lies have fed your legend, Neville! Do you want to know what really happened thirteen years ago? Shall I divulge how I truly lost my powers? It was love. You see, when your dear parents gave their life for their only son, it provided him with the ultimate protection. I could not touch him. It was Old Magic, something I should have foreseen. But no matter, no matter, things have changed. I CAN TOUCH YOU... NOW!”
Voldemort put his finger on Neville’s forehead. His scar immedeatelly started to hurt as if his head split open.
“Astounding what a few drops of your blood will do, eh, Neville?”
His head was still pounding when Voldemort told him how he was going to kill him in a duel. The ropes binding him to the gravestone vanished. Neville sank to his knees in exhaustion, but Wormtail roughly pulled him up and gave him his wand.
“You've been taught how to duel, I presume? First we bow to each other.” Voldemort bowed. Neville knew he had no chance against the Dark Wizard. Not this time. But he would do his best!
Pretending that this was a normal duel, he bowed as dignified as he could, trying to hide his fear under a bored face.
”Trying to play the hero, Neville? I was told you’re as far away from being a hero as anyone can imagine.” Voldemort said mockingly.
Neville raised his wand and called the first hex that came to his mind:
“Expelliarmus!”
“Avadra Kedavra!” Voldemort shouted. Then the strangest thing of this already strange evening happened.
**
Sirius was still patrolling the side of the maze. Cedric and Neville were still missing… What if one of them was hurt and unable to shoot red sparks into the sky?
**
Neville stared at the shapes that had formed between him and Voldemort? Ghosts? They did not look exactly like ghosts, but they looked like Voldemort’s last victims. Cedric, an old Muggle, Bertha Jorkins… and his mum and dad. They looked exactly the same as in the pictures his granny had shown him.
“You must go back to the Triwizard Cup,” his dad told him, “it will take you back.”
“Take my body back when you go,” Cedric said.
Neville nodded and let go of the connection between their wands. The ghostlike shapes were flying towards Voldemort, holding him back for a moment.
Neville ran faster than ever in his life, then flung himself to the ground, with one hand touching Cedric, with the other the Triwizard Cup.
**
Sirius felt relieved, when finally Neville Longbottom and Cedric Diggory appeared at the corner of the maze. But wait… why was Cedric lying on the ground, not moving? And why was Neville clinging to him, crying? Sirius ran towards the boys and reached them moments after Albus.
“Neville,” Dumbledore said, crouching down next to him. “What happened?”
“Voldemort… he’s back,” Neville sobbed. “Cedric…”
Moody and Severus joined them. Severus was very pale, staring at the dead boy. Now Cedric’s father was joining them, howling in pain.
Sirius watched helplessly, hardly noticing that Alastor Moody was taking Neville away. If Voldemort was back, then Cedric probably was his first victim… Anger and sadness welled up in Sirius, as he stood by as Albus was trying to comfort Mr. Diggory. Fudge and Mrs Longbottom joined them.
“Where is my grandson?” she said.
Albus looked up, alarmed.
“I think Alastar took him into the castle…” Minerva said.
Albus stood up, eyes narrowing. “Mrs. Longbottom, can you please take care of Mr. Diggory?”
The resolute old lady nodded and very grandmotherly took charge of the situation.
Then Albus turned around: “Minerva, Severus, Sirius – follow me!”
Sirius was puzzled for a moment, just as Minerva and Severus, but came along without asking questions.
Albus strode towards the castle, so fast that it was hard to keep up with him. Then through the entrance hall and through some corridors, until they reached Moody’s office. Without halting in his steps Albus pointed his wand at the door. It burst open with a loud bang. Moody was thrown backwards onto the office floor. Albus stepped into the office, placed a foot underneath Moody's unconscious body, and kicked him over onto his back, so that his face was visible.
The others followed. Neville was sitting on a chair, looking scared and confused.
Minerva went straight to him. “Are you ok, dear?”
Neville nodded, but said: “I don’t understand..”
Neither did Sirius.
Albus turned to Severus and Minerva.
"Severus, please fetch me the strongest Truth Potion you possess. Minerva, kindly go down to the kitchens and bring up the house-elf called Winky. Sirius, watch over him-" Albus pointed at the unconscious Moody.
Sirius stepped over and pointed his wand at him, while the others left the office. Sirius listened to Albus explaining to Neville that there was an impostor pretending to be Moody and watched out of the corner of his eyes as he found the real Moody hidden in a magic chest.
Then the effects of the Polyjuice Potion wore off and the man returned to his true form. Sirius knew him, he had been at school with him: Bartemius Crouch. But he was supposed to be dead!
Sirius turned his head when he heard footsteps at the door. Severus had returned, Professor McGonagall was right behind with a houseelf at her heels.
"Crouch!" Severus said, stopping dead in the doorway. "Barty Crouch!"
"Good heavens," said Professor McGonagall, stopping dead and staring down at the man on the floor.
Filthy, disheveled, Winky peered around Snape's legs. Her mouth opened wide and she let out a piercing shriek. "Master Barty, Master Barty, what is you doing here?"
Severus gave Albus the Veritaserum and he forced some drops into Crouch’s mouth. Crouch then told them a long, strangely sad story about how he had escaped from Azkaban, been hidden and imprisoned by his father, escaped him and then met his old master. How he had taken on Moody’s identity and pretended all year to be him. Barty was clearly resenting his father, had done a lot of it in some kind of exaggerated protest against his law-abiding father. Sirius knew a lot about rebellion – he had out of protest joined the Order of the Phoenix. What made him different from Crouch? Would he have joined the Order if he had not been rebelling against his Dark-Arts-family?
**
Fudge was such a fool. Snape stared angrily at the Minister of Magic. He had brought a Dementor into the castle, and the Dementor promptly had given Crouch the Dementor’s kiss. Now there was no chance of getting a testimony from him.
Worse still, Fudge refused to believe any word Neville said, insinuating that Neville Longbottom was psychologically unstable, as Rita Skeeter had written in one of her articles.
There really were people stupid enough to believe her rubbish.
Now they were in the Ward, Fudge was arguing with a very angry Mrs. Longbottom. “My grandson is not hallucinating!” she was screeching.
Maybe it was time to show some evidence…
Severus strode forward, past Dumbledore, rolling up the left sleeve of his robes as he went. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge. Fudge recoiled.
"There," said Severus harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, at his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."
Fudge stepped back, shaking his head. Then he looked at Albus and whispered: "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry." With that he left.
Severus glared in frustration at the closed door, when Sirius suddenly put an arm around his waist. Severus was surprised, he was not used to anyone trying to comfort him.
Albus turned to them: "Now I have work for each of you. Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, James and Lily Potter, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher - the old crowd."
Sirius nodded his head, hugged Severus (who tried to return it, but stayed rather stiff), and left.
"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to him, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready... if you are prepared ..."
Severus felt his stomach cramping in a knot of fear. “I am,” he said
"Then good luck," Albus said.
Severus left the ward.
**
After explaining to Lucius, that he had not come to the summoning because he could not apparate on Hogwarts grounds, Lucius told him where to find Voldemort. Severus arrived there two hours later, in an old empty Muggle house. Wormtail was there, and Macnair.
Voldemort stared at him, red eyes sparkling. “How nice of you to pay a visit, Severus,” he said, “CRUCIO!”
TBC