50

Chapter 50 Deluded Despots

Lily was positive that the fancy dress party was a success. Severus could agree on a social level sort of. It seemed to him that Dumbledore's administration of the contests made it slow down as he commanded everyone's attention. Severus understood rewarding good disguises and the ability to reward those who could penetrate them to figure out who it was, but there was no input from the students.

In Lily's original idea, there was some sort of popularity contest. Had she removed that suggestion after she considered that if she paired with him, there would be no chance of winning it? He also earned points for Slytherin. That couldn't have been Lily's plan. She wanted everyone to have fun and encouraged cooperation.

All four of the house hourglasses had more points the next morning. Even though Ravenclaw had not scored the bonus points at the end, they scored points earlier for their shrewder guessing.

Summerby was surrounded by a number of admiring Hufflepuffs at her table. She looked nothing like the Venerable Bede in real life. She was closer to MacDonald's Andromeda, except without the elaborate hairstyle. Severus thought she was in sixth year, since she had no classes with him.

At the Slytherin table, Severus received mixed reviews. His flirting was disgusting, but two admitted that they were fooled by it. They were in agreement that guessing fellow Slytherins correctly hurt them. Dumbledore should have made the rules clear at the beginning, rather than spreading the points about willy-nilly depending on his whims.

Mulciber was crude, and Severus really did not know why he kept being a stupid ass, rather than keeping his mouth shut. He asked if Snape enjoyed being a woman while Evans was on top. Severus sneered at him, rather than replying that Lily usually was on top as a woman so it would make no difference.

Some of the Slytherins were openly friendly to him that had not been before. It wasn't due to some clever spells and a disguise for one evening. Gold did that for some people. Others stared at him with narrowed eyes of suspicion or hatred. Didn't they realize that the Lestranges' own idiocy led to his wealth? And if they were waiting for one of their heroes to kill the cheating half-blood, they'd be surprised that he was irresponsible enough to legally ensure the bulk of it was out of the hands of their families altogether. Lily would spend it wildly while they muttered to each other about uppity mudbloods.

Albus received a letter from Elphias Doge. His old friend was afraid he finally lost his marbles. Why was such a big deal being made about this cup? Albus was not going to tell them about horcrux because that was knowledge no one should know. It was evil. Ripping a soul apart. And Tom, tossing a piece of his soul to one of his followers like it was a trophy? That made Albus suspect there were more, but he would need to find another one to confirm his suspicions.

Crouch had mentioned Slytherin's locket. It could be in Lestrange's house. Albus was not going to luck out next time. Severus was not going to let him anywhere near it … but Severus was here. Dumbledore cracked his knuckles. A house that old would be a challenge, but he felt he was up to it.

At the Friday evening defense group, Crouch Jr. suggested they may want to attempt learning some of the bonus point spells for the practical. He suggested the patronus charm since that was the only way to fend off dementors. They had heard rumors about dementors, outside of Azkaban, and if anyone knew the truth it would be the son of the head of Magical Law Enforcement.

Severus agreed, but none of them knew how to cast the spell. Crouch offered to look it up, but mentioned he may have to wait till the holidays to get a demonstration to learn if first-hand.

They returned to their regular studies, since one spell alone was not going to score them an Outstanding.

Since the fancy dress party, MacDonald had sat next to Wilkes in the library on weeknights, and now they were sitting together again. Lily grinned at them like a goon.

Usually the Hogwarts' house elves were discreet in their duties. Severus and Lily had seen them earlier when they brought up food, but they usually waited till called to clean up after their Friday study sessions.

Rather than wearing a Hogwarts tea towel, this specimen was wearing a pair of old yellowed y-fronts that was little more than the Y and a waistband. The stretched out waistband was no longer even human-sized so were cinched around its waist with a tasseled cord that might have been liberated from a drape.

"Oh foulest master that reeks of offal from the unnatural union that spit thou forth from the fetid slime, two intruders have been caught at the splendid house that has been offended by your obscene ownership. Kill them for their audacity to sneak and steal from the most … ignoble and squalid house of Snape?"

"What are the other options?"

"No magic can be performed in the trap. We can's let them starve so it will be the natural deaths, spineless one."

"Can Magical Law Enforcement be granted entrance to retrieve them?" Barty asked. Everyone was aware Snape had a large inheritance. Were these fellows thinking of cleaning out the house while Snape was at Hogwarts? It was an interesting idea, but even Barty's house was full of traps for intruders, and they only had one house elf who was more likely to run in fear than help. Winky would be eaten alive by house elves like the Lestranges'. They'd probably dine on Snape too with those disgusting pointy teeth, if he ever gave them a chance.

The nasty looking house elf sneered in Crouch's direction, then whined, "Magical Law Enforcement? Magical Law Enforcement? They's is not allowed in the most … ignoble and squalid house of Snape, brainless acquaintance of the obscenity that commands my loyalty. Much betters to handle it quietly, or the smelly, sneak thieves will be back tomorrow."

"Fetch Magical Law Enforcement and give them the two intruders. Let them know I'd like to be updated on the actions they take, and you also return to me and let me know what they do."

"Must I's return to your putrid presence, o baseless bastard of Nature?"

"Yes, I command it."

"Very well, your vulgar vileness. It shall be as you command." The house elf disappeared with a barely audible pop.

"Sev, why do you let that house elf speak to you like that?" Lily demanded.

"It's not my choice. Though does he look somewhat smaller and darker than the Hogwarts house elves? The Lestrange elves look different."

Wilkes offered, "If they have not been traded with other houses, they inbreed over generations. Some families try to cultivate distinctive features. That one was on the ugly side."

The disgruntled house elf returned to the former noble and illustrious house of Lestrange and gave orders to its fellows who were pleasuring themselves as they taunted the prisoners trapped in the oubliette below. The Lestranges had been the foremost wizarding family. Now they were forced to serve an abomination.

Below them, Albus paced the confined and mostly dark space. Only the opening overhead provided any light. Nothing he cast worked. Not even transfiguring the floor or walls. They were certainly loud up there. Why were there so many house elves here?

Mundungus Fletcher huddled miserably on the floor. He did not have Dumbledore's optimism that those elves were dripping water on them. They pissed down the hole intentionally. He should have said 'no' the moment Dumbledore said Lestrange. Dung's greed got the better of him. Sure, he'd help his pal Dumbledore search for jewelry. If it wasn't what Albus needed, whatever they found would be his since Mundungus couldn't be expected to work for free. His time and skills were valuable. They were lucky that Albus had not blundered into a lethal trap. His friend had grabbed Mundungus's arm as he fell. He had not realized Albus had done more than trip until he started to really fall, but by then it was too late to apparate to safety.

Eventually the deeper tones of wizard voices could be heard. A voice called, "Who's down there?"

"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding, if you could assist us out of here, I'd be more than happy to explain," Albus called up.

"Dumbledore? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, Barty, well … see that's quite a story. Um, Mr. Snape is a naturally curious lad, and I thought I should make sure the house was safe for him before he came here over the holidays."

"Without his permission?"

"He might have gotten the wrong idea."

Mundungus pulled further into the corner as light was shone down onto Dumbledore. Albus could come back for him later. He knew of only one man with the first name of Barty.

"Dumbledore, I am going to have to treat this like it's the wrong idea. You cannot enter houses without permission from the owner. Plain and simple."

"Can't we just forget about all this? It's a bit embarrassing for me."

"You think?" was the sarcastic reply. They sent all available personnel here thinking it was Death Eaters come to loot the house and set it afire to protest that a half-blood inherited it. They already had put up temporary anti-apparition wards inside. "Let me see if I can levitate you out. The house elves say the magic ends at the floor here, but maybe with me casting from here, I can get you out. If not, we'll transfigure a rope."

"Much obliged, Barty."

"Who is with you?"

"With me?

"Yes, the elves said they caught two intruders."

"Oh, right. Well um, Mundungus came with me to help with the locks and for his skills at assessing items that should not be touched."

Mundungus groaned.

A rope was necessary to extract the two of them. Mundungus Fletcher was a natural at climbing it, but Albus had to tie it around himself and get hauled up.

Mundungus Fletcher was instantly recognized, both by sight and smell by some of the Ministry wizards. A professional thief, con man, and liar. Here to make the house safe? More like here to clean it out. Their boss's instincts were right in one regard. These two planned to empty this house to the bare walls and floors.

Neither wizard was released on his own recognizance and were invited to the Ministry to answer questions. After Mundungus gave hardly any answers, he was shown to a cell.

He lied down with a sigh and wondered how Albus was going to take care of this. Were a smile and a knowing wink enough this time, or would he need to pay gold? He better not expect Mundungus to kick in a share. It was all Albus's fault that he was even there.

Albus did answer questions, but Barty was puzzled by his disregard for common courtesy, laws, and the concept that stealing from students was in their best interest. He wanted to keep this person here because he suspected polyjuice. To suggest that Snape would not miss any objects removed since he did not get a chance to see the house in its entirety yet and was used to so little sounded like absolute lunacy. A Death Eater screaming that Snape was a half-blood and unable to comprehend the fine items collected by the Lestranges would have made as much sense.

Why was Dumbledore so confident? Was he expecting the Minister to sail through the door at two in the morning to pardon him? Barty would get Dumbledore out of here by morning, but that trial was going to be moved up. The Ministry could not look like it condoned this as long as he was Head of Magical Law Enforcement.

Wilkes, Crouch, and Regulus Black stayed after the study group ended to hear how things went.

Barty had some faith in his father, but at times his hands were tied by the Minister. That wizard was a contemptible buffoon. Depended on how important the thief was. Though it would probably be a couple of arrogant wizards to think they would not be caught, had the ability to sell items that belonged to the Lestranges to their fellow dark arts collectors, and if they were apprehended, felt they were too important to be messed with. Maybe it was James Potter. That was one hell of an arrogant son of a bitch. What a laugh they had when he was kicked off the Cannons. There was so little about Potter that caused them to laugh. He was vindictive and cruel, even without Reg's older brother goading him. He had been caught in the past with Reg when the pack of them were roaming the halls like animals. Sirius tortured Reg, and Potter tortured the other Slytherin … him.

Lily appeared more upset than Severus. She was angrily pacing. She did not like the house elf. She also did not like that someone took advantage of the fact that Severus was at Hogwarts and that horrible house was empty. What would stop people from breaking in if he lived there? Would Magical Law Enforcement do anything? Who would do that? With Sirius Black still locked up, Lily suspected James Potter. Would he bring Remus Lupin with him? What would happen to Lupin if he was caught? Would his lifetime sentence at Azkaban be reinstated? How fast would Potter be out of there, even if Severus wanted him charged with a crime.

Eventually the ill-mannered house elf returned. He gave a nod in Severus's direction and asked, "Even though you are the essence of foulness, perhaps you could acquaint your indecent form with soap, maggot-infested master?"

"Never mind that. What occurred since you spoke to me last?"

"As you asked, ill-suited cowardly one, Magical Law Enforcement was summoned to remove the infiltrators from the most … ignoble and squalid house of Snape."

"Who were they?"

"Albus Dumbledore and Mundungus Fletcher, loathsome lord."

Severus pursed his lips in thought. He did not know who Fletcher was, but Dumbledore was an accomplished liar. A friend of the Minister. The only one who was claimed to be able to stop He Who Must Not Be Named, although he did nothing for years but make claims about what he needed to do to stop the Dark Lord. People and whole families were still murdered, but the public's faith in the overconfident liar remained. So he replies to the accusation of stealing Hufflepuff's cup by breaking into the Lestrange house to find more things to take before Severus had a chance to catalog the inheritance?

The girls loudly exclaimed the absurdity of Dumbledore breaking into a student's house.

The Slytherins exchanged glances. None of them liked Dumbledore, but it was unlikely that stealing Hufflepuff's cup or breaking into an unoccupied house to steal its contents would result in any hindrance to Dumbledore's autocratic methods.

"Were they freed or taken to the Ministry?"

"They were asked to go to the Ministry to answer questions, deficient one."

"Very well. You may go."

To those still hanging around, Severus said, "I'm going to my room. I need some time alone."

"But Sev, that's not going to solve anything," Lily pointed out.

He shrugged and replied, "I know."

Barty suggested, "Maybe there's some letters we can write. I know it sounds insufficient, but this isn't just about one young wizard. Think of it … He Who Must Not Be Named and his imitators who wish to make monetary gains are murdering so many, especially whole families, that there is a major shift in the holders of ancient fortunes. There are also younger witches and wizards inheriting. As we see here, you are at Hogwarts, so you cannot be murdered in the former Lestrange house outside Northampton."

"Northampton?" Lily asked. That wasn't a bad place. A lot of muggles lived there.

"The Lestranges were part of the Norman invasion in 1066," Regulus stated. "Bella was happy they had such a long history. You may have noticed the French sound of their name. Uh … they were part of William the Conquerer's magical forces. Part of what he did was disenfranchise the old nobles and installed his supporters all over, especially with castles or fortified homes. The Lestranges had a castle, but it was destroyed … the story was they were processing muggles like flobberworms for parts and skins. It could have gone unnoticed, but they liked to live a certain way so they really got under the skin of Barberus Bragge, who led the Wizards' Council back in …"

"Mid-thirteenth century. Bragge is more popularly known for introducing a Golden Snidget to Cuaditch," Barry recited. "He also had it in for wizards that killed other wizards or large quantities of muggles openly. That made it hard for him to work with muggles, since both societies were integrated then."

"So the castle was leveled by other wizards. I'm not sure if they were entirely behind Bragge, but the chance to unleash destructive spells for fun on a castle is tempting," Regulus continued. "So they were reduced to living in a mere house. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if their house is even nice. Bella didn't have parties there. They came to ones at her parents' house, who are my aunt and uncle, or my grandparents."

Barty redirected the conversation back to his initial idea, "So you are at Hogwarts, and barring lunatics waving dead animals in the Gryffindor common room, considered safe. Along with Regulus. Now if something happened to Reg's mother … you still have a lot of relatives to keep an eye on things for you?"

"Plenty," Regulus said. "They're older but they'd protect anything belonging to the Blacks."

"There's probably a handful who are not as fortunate. What if Snape is only the first of many … or the first that we know of, that are being targeted by thieves? There's no other word for it. Thieves. Setting these two free would set a legal precedent. Looters and thieves are not answerable to the laws as they currently stand because of what … Snape's age, Snape's blood status, simple jealousy? If Snape is deemed legally the owner, then there is no defense to support the theft of the contents of that house. If the thieves believe they are entitled to items in the house, there is a legal course to follow."

Lily looked at Crouch. He sounded like Severus. Government and laws were supposed to protect the citizens who formed the society at large, and all members needed to abide by them. Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black and James Potter … and He Who Must Not Be Named and his Death Eaters. With everyone else between them. Actually, not between them, but beneath them, if any of them were asked for their opinion.

Severus shook his head, "Dumbledore's a member of the Wizengamot. They're all cronies of his. That cannot be underestimated." No matter what the outcome, the publicity is what mattered. That annoying Rita Skeeter might like this, or she might decide that Dumbledore was a senile old man who was not capable of making decisions.

Sirius was miserable at Azkaban. He didn't belong here. Once the court thing was over he'd be free. He knew it. He knew he was innocent. So what if he wrote a letter to Bella? Either her or the two maniacs she lived with cast the killing curse. They were dead and that was it.

If Prongs sent him that portkey, he could settle up with him later. It was not a good prank at all.

If it was Snape, they should have him in the next cell till he confessed.

Poor Apolline. She had no idea where he was.

Contrary to what Sirius Black believed, French people did read and did communicate with people in other countries. Even England.

The female staff were enjoying a quiet breakfast on a Saturday morning when the newspaper was delivered.

Minerva raised an eyebrow in disbelief. What was Albus up to now? He was apprehended breaking into Severus Snape's house last night and was set upon by the former Lestrange house elves as an intruder.

She remembered that filthy Mundungus Fletcher. He was brought into the Order by Albus over the summer. Fletcher tried to sell her a sterling goblet that he had produced from under his rags and made disappear just as quickly. Then he pulled up his sleeve and displayed an arm length of wizarding watches for sale.

The two of them together, with Fletcher having such a checkered past reported in the newspaper, breaking into an orphaned student's property while he was known to be at school. Ah, the article penned by Miss Rita Skeeter … she was hardly Albus's confidante, but she was able to connect some dots for anyone who was unaware that Albus already had legal troubles with Mr. Snape. Stole Hufflepuff's cup from him the day it was inherited, and was off on a treasure hunt to find more priceless items from that house.

Minerva could not believe Albus tried to tell the Ministry that he was at the Lestrange house to investigate it for dangerous objects to protect his student. In the company of a known and convicted thief? A thief with a history of emptying unguarded houses since he had been caught with monogrammed and distinctive items that had been reported stolen. Severus being a half-blood had nothing to do with it, but Skeeter spelled out in a neat package that Death Eaters killed his muggle father, those Death Eaters were killed by muggles, and Severus happened to be their next nearest relative with over a century since the marriage between the Princes and Lestranges occurred. Perhaps there were wizards who felt he was not entitled to anything, and Dumbledore and Fletcher may be only the first two to arrive at the house to liberate items from an undeserving new owner.

She even suggested that Dumbledore may have done this in the past with Fletcher, who had been caught selling stolen goods, and then by coincidence, happened to be a member of the same Wizengamot and used his influence to ensure his partner in crime received either a warning or a light sentence.

Pomona Sprout, next to her, muttered to herself that some mistake must have been made. Albus did not associate with thieves.

Minerva asked, "What about that cup? You had it first?"

"Yes, and Snape did warn me it could be cursed so I took it to Albus to look at it. He agreed there was something wrong with it. That's the last I saw of it till its photo in the paper. I don't know why he claimed it belonged to the school. The Smiths used to own it."

"Albus said it was a plan of his to let You Know Who know where it was. I suppose Albus thought he could have broken into the Lestrange house to claim it."

"Claim it? Why would he be interested in that cup?"

"Albus did not explain why. Do you know where he's keeping it?"

"No idea."

Poppy Pomfrey sat silently as she absorbed everything. Snape again. Even students were entitled to their possessions if they were not an obvious danger to others. They were allowed expensive racing brooms, crate loads of fireworks and sweets, and until recently, an offensive array of pornographic materials. Albus went to a house Snape inherited and was going to investigate it? Since when did he do that? She never heard of him doing that for other students, and with things the way they were going, Snape was not the only boy or girl to suddenly find himself alone in the world and subsequently the owner of everything their family left behind.

Prof. Upsilon could read English and found this turn of events interesting. Had his suggestion regarding Severus's capabilities to Albus driven him to such a desperate act? Albus still had Tom Riddle to deal with. Did Albus mean to get caught? Why would he goad Severus into acting against him so soon? Severus was a complex person. Atlas Abstractus was quite proud of his student's accomplishments with applying arithmancy to potions. From his limited understanding of what unicorn lung could be used for, it was only used for good, as long as it was harvested in an acceptable manner. It was a good thing for both unicorns and wizards. Why turn Severus's thoughts to other matters than helping others?

Albus Dumbledore slept late. He did not get back to Hogwarts until just before dawn. Barty was impossibly thorough with ensuring it was not an impostor using polyjuice.

Horace Slughorn knew how to deal with this. So what if Snape inherited money? He was still a talentless boy who wanted attention. This was not the way to get it. Albus Dumbledore was a busy man with important things to which to attend. If Dumbledore said that there were dangerous things in that house, that should be the end of it.

Severus glanced at the paper. Dumbledore had not been kept by the Ministry. He was important like Sirius Black, back in last November, and could walk out whenever he liked. Skeeter was already sensing some sensational gossip with this story, and was unsheathing her claws. What had Dumbledore done to her? Was it when she was a student or after? She had mentioned Bellatrix Black. Was Bellatrix Black Dumbledore's darling a decade ago? Severus could imagine what kind of things she could do to students based on her cousin Sirius's enjoyments.

Mulciber looked like he was trying to think of something to say from the way his eyebrows were tilting down towards this nose, and then come down here to provoke him.

Severus stood, but it appeared that Lily and MacDonald were still shoveling in their breakfast. He headed towards them, but veered off to the Hufflepuff table. Severus waited till Summerby looked up at him, and he commented, "I enjoyed your sense of humor last week."

"Thank you. Not many people understood who I was trying to impersonate."

"There's a question as to whether Bede was really a wizard or a learned muggle, since he was around before the founders. He was more discreet than Merlin."

"But we have books that Bede wrote about magic," Summerby replied.

"True, however, -"

"Snape! Get down to my office now," Prof. Slughorn demanded.

Severus shrugged at Summerby. He guessed she was not a member of the Slug Club either.

Lily elbowed Mary. What did Slughorn want with Severus?

The Slytherin table showed some interest in what their head of house was up to. Even though there were wealthy families in other houses, they believed they had the most to protect. Was Slughorn supporting Dumbledore's claim that anything in their homes was his for the taking? A number of them got up to follow and listen.

Minerva had stood to see what Horace was up to now. He became irrational whenever there was something involving Severus Snape. Not that Horace needed to involve himself now. Albus had already made his decisions, whatever his real reason. She observed a sort of parade. Severus led, followed by Horace, at least a dozen Slytherins of different ages, a couple Hufflepuffs, some older Ravenclaws and of course, Lily Evans and Mary MacDonald. Then seeing that some entertainment was about to occur, others got up to follow. Minerva sat down and poured another cup of tea. Horace was losing his touch.

After pointing Snape into his office after he opened the door, Slughorn turned on the students that were gathering behind him in the hallway, "What do you lot want?"

"We study with the head boy in the library, sir."

"Well he's busy."

"We'll be happy to wait, sir."

"Don't bother. I might be keeping him for a few hours."

Arms were crossed, then some started to take a seat against the wall.

Slughorn shook his head at their futility. Snape was an uncooperative wretch. It really could take all day. He locked the door behind him to keep that rabble from doing something stupid.

Horace paced dramatically, then asked, "You think you're clever, Snape? No one believes your word against Albus Dumbledore's. Why don't you stop wasting everyone's time and recant your accusations. I'll open the floo and you tell Magical Law Enforcement that Albus Dumbledore had your permission to enter your house and pick up items for you."

Severus sometimes thought about ideal situations, that would never occur, but still thought of them, and what he would do. It broke up the constant reliving in his head of every defeat, humiliation and beating.

What if … He had to admit his luck in the past year, once he recovered from dragonpox had drastically improved. Surviving a werewolf was more than he could have hoped for. Could he risk letting Slughorn think he'd go along with his idea? Would Slughorn even believe him? He was the head of Slytherin. He was also right. Dumbledore had the weight of public opinion on his side. There would probably be some dramatic revelation if he allowed the Wizengamot to hear anything. Some simple explanation ending in the return of the cup to the Smiths.

"I do have a lot of homework this weekend," Severus admitted, "and I promised others that I'd meet them in the library … could we just get this over with, professor?"

Horace looked at Snape shrewdly. Homework? Albus letting Snape be head boy had gone to the scum's head. His deplorable scribblings would not amount to anything. The money meant nothing since the purebloods would ensure it would return to the ones they found more deserving of it. He Who Must Not Be Named and his Death Eaters were clear on their views. With this provocation from Snape, Albus would probably still try to save him because he was like that, but Albus's allies were not going to be as generous, starting with Horace himself.

"Very well. You know what you are to say?"

"Yes, sir. Albus Dumbledore, you said, has permission to enter my properties as you said and he may collect per your instructions what he needs," Severus intentionally added phrases in the middle. Barty had told him about the Ministry collecting memories as proof. If he said it straightforward to Slughorn, would they be able to use that as permission?

Horace knew Severus was saying it oddly, but why? Was he trying to be an annoying pain in the ass still? Snape knew he had lost, why drag it out? "A little more naturally, Snape, and leave out the part about what I told you."

"Yes, sir," he replied readily as Slughorn took some floo powder out of an ornate covered dish.

Severus kept his face blank as Slughorn appeared to be following through on his plan to floo Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry.

Horace clearly announced, "Magical Law Enforcement," and the flame turned green. Turning to Snape, he demanded, "Get down there and tell them."

Severus was unaccustomed to speaking in a floo, but knelt down to speak into the grate. "Hello?"

"Yes?"

"My name is Severus Snape. I'm at Hogwarts."

"Yes?"

"Uh, last year when I was at St. Mungo's, I was asked to floo or write if any staff at Hogwarts beat or threatened me with physical harm."

"What's your name again?"

"Severus … Snape," he said, yelling the last part as Slughorn tugged him away shouting, "What the hell do you think you're doing? Get away from that floo, you ungrateful malefactor."

"Hello? Who's that?"

"Sorry … one of the students felt like playing a little joke …"

While Slughorn verbally danced around at the grate, Severus worked fast with his wand to get to work on himself, and coaxing more blood to leak out of his nose, transfiguring a belt strap similar to his father's, multiplying his blood and letting it drip, besides smearing some on the belt and drying it … since it was from his last beating since he did not want to stripe his own behind with fresh wounds. Then shoved his wand under Slughorn's desk and cast lumos and nox repeatedly and as quickly as he could before Slughorn caught him. Even when making excuses the bloated fool enjoyed listening to himself talk.

The voice on the other side of the connection changed, "No, no, I think it best I investigate, Professor. That student, or at least the one your prankster named, is of interest to this office. Please stand back."

Severus purposely slumped next to the desk and tried to look more miserable. A bleeding nose and lip, and an ache around one of his eyes was hardly new to him.

Recognizing Gumboil as the wizard who flooed into the office, Severus did not know if that was good or bad. Why was he always around?

It was difficult not to smile or laugh as Slughorn turned to indicate he was fine, and found he wasn't. Enough blood had leaked out to stain the front of his jumper red, besides it being on the back of his hand and cuff when he wiped it before stopping the hasty multiplying spell. Due to Gamp's Law he needed some of his own blood to create more.

"What did … you ..." Slughorn was spluttering. What insanity was this? His eyes scanned the shelf of jars. Did he even have blood in here? Ah, dragon blood. Couldn't trust the students with that. "It's dragon blood," he explained. Then added, "And you will pay for it, Snape."

"What?" Snape whined piteously. "It's my blood. Isn't there some test for that?"

"Why would they bother testing it? I'm saying it's dragon blood from my personal stores, you little sneak thief."

"How do you normally get dragon's blood, professor?" Alastor Gumboil asked seeing the strap.

"I purchase it with my own funds. It's not part of the curriculum."

"You don't beat it out of them?"

"Of course not. That's his belt."

"It appears Snape is still wearing his. All I need to do is a couple of charms."

"If you insist," Slughorn dismissively replied while waving his hand.

Gumboil did identify it as Severus Snape's blood, and the dried blood on the belt as his also. "This blood is dry," he commented.

"He didn't use that on me today," Severus explained. "That was for me if I did not cooperate and tell you that the school staff could have whatever they wanted from my recent inheritance."

"Oh ho!"

Lunging at Snape, Slughorn spit, "How dare you!"

"Now, now, you are in enough trouble already, Prof. Slughorn."

"Trouble? That wretch is nothing but trouble. He should have been expelled as a first year."

"Snape, can I get you to St. Mungo's for that?"

"It looks worse than it is. I can go to the Infirmary if I can't sort it."

"If I recall correctly, you go fighting werewolves with a concussion."

"Oh please," Slughorn moaned.

"We're going," Gumboil answered him.

"Not till that slime's out of my office."

Severus got up, and noted that Gumboil had already taken possession of the strap.

"Wait," Slughorn said, turning back at Snape. "Why don't you check his wand? Use priori and you'll see what a sneak he is."

Slughorn was confused as Snape held his wand forth without any hesitation.

Gumboil cast Prior Incanto and got a result of nox. A second cast of Prior Incanto resulted in lumos. With a sigh of exasperation, Alastor Gumboil recommended, "You are testing my patience, Professor. Getting Dumbledore to close the abuse case on this student does not mean that the prior beatings are not still prosecutable."

"What are you talking about? There was mix-up with some medical records."

"If that's the case, St. Mungo's can always have another look at this student," he replied. Alastor Gumboil may not have been in the Slug Club, but that did not make him stupid. He had to work all these hours and get cases closed with results, unlike Slughorn's recommended favorites that lounged around at their desks when they weren't taking two and a half hours for lunch. Merlin, how he longed that his transfer over to become a hit wizard came through. There was no talking in that job, just show up and start stunning, rather than having to listen to lying, whinging, and pleading.

"Another look at what?"

Severus asked, "Can I go see Madam Pomfrey now please?" If he stayed here much longer, at the very least a smirk, but probably an outright smile would spread across his face. For the head of Slytherin, Slughorn could be awfully dull.

Emerging from Slughorn's office, Severus found at least two dozen students in the hall.

"Sev!" shouted Lily, having to shoulder her way through some others that got in her way.

"What?" he muttered.

"What happened?" was asked by a couple of students.

"Slughorn got a bit carried away with trying to persuade me that I should share my bounty with the staff."

While gasping and discussion broke out, Lily reached up and touched his face. "Oh, Sev, can I fix this?"

"I guess. Slughorn opened a floo to Magical Law Enforcement to have me tell them that Albus Dumbledore had my permission to take whatever he wanted, and I did not stick to the script. Gumboil's taking him to the Ministry for questioning. He saw me."

"Can I use episkey on a black eye too?"

"Give it a try."

Lily cast the spell three times, on Sev's eye, nose and lip, then cleaned his jumper.

Severus noticed that many of the students had their wands out and held defensively. MacDonald and Lily were the only two Gryffindors, most were Slytherins friendly to him, but Summerby was here with another Hufflepuff, and there were some Ravenclaws that he remembered shared a table with him during Herbology after his article about Unspeakables in The Quibbler.

"Should we retreat to the heads' rooms?" Mary asked.

"Maybe we should tell another teacher," Lily suggested.

"More than one, we don't know who agrees with Dumbledore and Slughorn, ready to line up to pick up their own souvenirs" advised Wilkes. They'd want to unlock vaults next. Maybe they'd think Mary had too much money next. Slughorn missed out on getting his hands on Black's money, and was now out for whatever he could lay his pudgy fingers on. He couldn't live on quidditch tickets alone once he retired.

They split up with Severus, Lily, Mary and Malcolm among the group going to the fourth floor. Lily hung onto his arm the entire way and then steered him to where she wanted him to sit beside her.

As before, Severus had to endure a lot of speculation around him. Though at least this time, Slughorn had actually wanted Severus to lie about Dumbledore. He was not a gormless dupe till Severus thought for himself. Severus had outmaneuvered his first two ideas about dragon blood and using Prior Incanto. What other ideas might he try? A transfigured belt was a transfigured belt whether created today or years ago. Hm, the problem was Slughorn could be clever, especially in his own self-interest. Black and Potter could not do that.

The Ravenclaws came back with Prof. Flitwick. Filius had been shocked by such tales from his students. Ravenclaws were an extraordinarily creative group, but Horace arrested for beating Severus Snape to get him to give permission for Hogwarts staff to enter his new home and take what they liked? Lunacy!

After Summerby and her girlfriend attempted to find Prof. Abstractus, then failed to find Prof. Upsilon, they decided that perhaps Prof. McGonagall could help. They already knew that Prof. Sprout was tricked by Dumbledore over Helga Hufflepuff's cup. To think, Prof. Sprout had the actual cup in her hands, then he took it. A prefect got into the head's office on some pretext, but it was nowhere to be seen. If Dumbledore took it for the school, why didn't any of them get to see it? It might as well be with the rightful owners, the Smith family. At least then, it would be in the hands of Hufflepuff's family. Perhaps that's why Dumbledore refused to give up being headmaster when it was clear he needed to be in London at the Ministry and taking care of He Who Must Not Be Named. Stealing from the school and students, and the extent of it might be found out too soon if there was a new headmaster or headmistress during his lifetime. It seemed that Gyrffindor house cultivated these really terrible people who lived to lie, cheat, steal and make others suffer. Only one or two of them were enough to ruin everything.

Minerva's eyes widened at the … tale the two students relayed to her. Horace took Mr. Snape down to his office to beat him? With an audience? Even though they assured her that Evans sorted Snape's injuries, she flooed Poppy and Pomona and asked they meet her in the head students' common room. If Horace did anything even remotely improper, after trying to seduce a recently widowed mother of a student, and after that scurrilous article that quoted him and his methods in Witch Weekly, there was no way he'd be able to keep his position here. Albus would simply have to sack him. Horace had been teasing them with talk for years about retiring so he could travel, attend more parties and cozy weekends at country manors, and not be bogged down with teaching. Well, maybe it was time to show him the door so he could get on with it.

She found that Filius had arrived first. As the story was retold each time a new staff member entered the room, Minerva was moving from low simmer to boil. Of course, other students were upset. Detention was the only acceptable punishment for a minor offense. And this was no offense at all. What kind of crackpot scheme had Albus and Horace cooked up? They couldn't go to students' houses and take things. It was bad enough Albus confiscated that heirloom, and since the Wizengamot was willing to hear it, it was not a simple case like taking a girlie magazine, which Albus was still hesitant to do. The instances of attacks on female students dropped to almost zero after they swept the school last year for pornographic materials. The man did not have his priorities straight.

Poppy looked over Miss Evans' work on Mr. Snape's pockmarked face. It was sufficient, though she did detect that episkey had been used on his nose frequently in the past. Snape mentioned it had not felt broken earlier, just very bloody. He also added he was not strapped today so there was no need to look further than his face. Not strapped today. What had Horace been covering up all these years? And … AND making her his silent accomplice who would take the blame for whenever anyone found out.

Pomona Sprout took a seat. This was all very distressing. After her second cup of tea, she was in agreement with Minerva in their whispered conversation. The four of them should confront Albus. No matter what his plan was, which he should explain to them immediately, it did not excuse this sort of treatment of a student. He should also consider rather than sneaking into someone's house in the company of a known pilferer that it would have been the polite thing to ask and explain his reasoning, rather than this heavy-handed method of taking what was not his by force.

Albus admitted he did not have the energy at this age to verbally spar with Bartemius Crouch all night. He told the truth, no matter how Barty phrased his questions. There could be dangerous things in that house. Albus also had to find that locket and see if it was a second horcrux.

He had to get Dung out still, was what he was thinking as he descended to his office to talk over this setback with his council of former headmasters and headmistresses and have a bite to eat, when there was a knock on his door.

Albus bid them to enter, wondering how many times this morning Minerva had tried to gain admittance. She looked quite determined.

"You look a little peaked, Albus. Don't you think there could be a simpler way to go about this then sneaking about, spending the night incarcerated and then taking out your frustration at not pulling off a daring heist on a student?"

Minerva always was a harsh judge, however Filius, Poppy, and Pomona were looking rather stern also.

"I admit things did not go smoothly at all, yet I was not incarcerated by the Ministry. Barty thinks the worst -"

"It's not the worst?" Poppy prompted.

"No, not at all." Albus gazed at them with growing worry as they all crossed their arms over their chest for a further explanation. "It was a foolhardy thing to try since the house is thoroughly booby trapped."

"You might want to know that the house elf that notified Mr. Snape of the break-in gave him two options, kill you immediately or let you starve to death," Minerva informed him. "They aren't used to him yet, and could still act on their own if you attempt again."

With a slight smile, Albus said, "Ah, you know me too well, Minerva. Anyway no harm done."

All four mouths dropped open, and Filius repeated in a high voice, "No harm done? Is that what Horace is saying at the Ministry, right now?"

"Horace?"

Poppy leapt in, "He was beating Snape for not allowing you in that foul house."

"Beating?"

"Only some smacks to the face this time, Severus said he didn't get a chance to use the strap today," Minerva informed him.

"What are you talking about?"

"The scheme to have Snape deny the charges against you failed spectacularly, Albus. Horace probably has not gotten his one floo call to let you know yet," Pomona said tightly.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Albus explained, not understanding why Horace would be at the Ministry needing to floo him.

"Stop protesting and listen then," Minerva scolded. "Horace took Mr. Snape off to his office at breakfast this morning. He instructed Snape to make a statement to Magical Law Enforcement that either you or the Hogwarts staff had his permission or blessing to enter his new house and take whatever they wanted. The floo call was made. Severus did not say what Horace told him to say, and they reached through the floo, hauling Horace down to London."

"Why would they do that? What did Severus say?"

Poppy put her hands on her hips and said, "The truth, you ninny. He finally had them catch Horace in the act. It was an open floo connection and Horace was threatening and beating him to make that statement that you could steal whatever you wanted."

"I … I wasn't stealing."

"You took Hufflepuff's cup from me," Pomona reminded them all. "It wasn't yours. It does not belong to Hogwarts."

"It was too dangerous. Oh dear, this is a mess. I suppose I need to go back to London and get Horace freed, along with Dung. I think they kept him too."

"Who exactly is Dung, other than a thief with a criminal record? Has he helped you break into other students' homes while they are school after you learn that have no other family members?" Filius asked, voicing the concern of the students about what was uncovered with Snape.

"Where would you get such an idea?"

"You. You were caught at that house last night."

"You know how the newspaper sensationalizes everything."

Minerva rolled her eyes, "Oh yes, and I'm sure tomorrow's issue will clear it all up. Do you want Severus to pose for a photo with you throttling him?"

"I would never do that to a student."

"Is that what you've kept Horace around for all these years?"

Severus spent the rest of the day with a lot of company wherever he went. He was allowed to work quietly in his room on his arithmancy project as long as his door was left ajar to their common room. What did they think he was going to do? It was hard to concentrate if he tried to listen to them and work on his arithmancy at the same time, but even with Slytherins present, it sounded like their ideas were a bit mad. Severus was not going to tell them what parts actually happened and what didn't, so he guessed this is what he was stuck listening to. Even when things seemed to go his way, there was a price to be paid.

The heads' common room was actually a good location for most of them to spend the day once they fetched their homework and made trips to the library. Anyone that was not a member of the defense study group was invited to return on Friday evening to join it.

Lily was unsure of what they could do, but felt there was safety in numbers. What did all this mean? Was Dumbledore only interested in keeping He Who Must Not Be Named's lot out of the school for payment? Shouldn't that be part of the headmaster's job protecting the students? Besides, Dumbledore didn't do anything about Sirius Black because the Gryffindors tackled him.

Mary had been having a difficult week. She liked Severus. She still liked Malcolm. Now Severus had been hurt, but Malcolm was sticking close to help protect him. Or was Malcolm sticking close because Mary had to protect Severus? Mary knew she had to due to the life debt, but in her conscious she knew that all this with Dumbledore and Slughorn was wrong. They were big bullies. Using their positions, age and reputation to get what they wanted, like two spoiled brats.

The arithmancy group showed up for their tutoring after dinner. Since Sirius Black showed up in the Gryffindor common room, they met here with the warning not to make a mess or their tutoring would be over. This week there were enough competent arithmancy students present to give them all one-on-one tutoring.

Prof. McGonagall stopped in to check on things. Earlier, Prof. Flitwick had joined them.

After she left, Severus had retreated back to his room. The others were evaluating Gryffindors' inability to do anything mathematical. Severus had already seen this bunch attempt to do arithmancy.

Lily came in to watch him, and had not realized that magic played such a part in arithmancy later. Numbers and symbols were writing themselves as he stared at the parchment after laying down his equation and released the quill. What were all the books of tables for then?

When it finished, Lily leaned closer to look over his shoulder. Severus tilted his head and asked, "What?"

"Can I sleep in here tonight, Sev?"

"All right."

"Thanks," Lily replied and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before leaving his room.

When she came back a short while later, she reminded him, "Can you call Phi in?"

"Now?" Severus asked.

"Yeah, Crouch and Black are staying up here tonight."

"Why?"

"Don't worry about it, Sev."

Severus was not worried about them. He supposed they were all right, and a lot better than a bunch of Gryffindors having a party in the next room all night. Did they ask to stay here, or did Lily ask them?

When he went into the next room to use their window overlooking the lake in the common room, he saw Wilkes in his pajamas and robe. Slytherins and their pajamas. Black and Crouch were also wearing fancy nightclothes, robes and slippers.

After Severus called Phi in, he mentioned, "I usually close both stairwells to Gryffindor and Slytherin for the night. Should I leave Slytherin's open for you to go back and forth?"

"No, we're done down there for the night," Wilkes responded.

Severus grunted and set about blocking both stairwells with stone. Lily and MacDonald knew the passwords in an emergency.

When he went back into his room, locked and warded the door, he went to the lavatory door and asked Lily, "Wilkes is staying too?"

"Oh yeah. Our bath's ready, Sev."

They fooled around in the tub, finished bathing, and after Severus put on his nightshirt, he slid into bed after checking that Phi's bowls were full.

"You're going to sleep, Sev?"

"I don't know. Are we?" There were people in the next room though with Lily in here, they probably assumed that Sev and Lily were having sex.

"Uh, I guess," Lily said, growing more nervous. Would they hear anything in here? Would Slughorn or Dumbledore try something? She got under the covers next to Severus, and asked, "Can you leave some light by the door?"

"All right," he agreed and left two candles lit over there. "Leave the curtains open?" he asked, referring to the bed hangings. Lily had changed her mind on them. When they were closed, it was just the two of them and nothing else, but it also felt isolated. She seemed jumpy with candles lit and having Slytherins stay the night.

"Yes, please," Lily responded as she pressed herself against her friend, on her side, facing him.

Severus spent a moment glancing around then stowed his wand before lying down on his back, with his head turned towards Lily. She gave him a brief kiss then tucked her face against his neck and put her hand flat on his chest.

Within minutes, Severus started to snore. How could he sleep at a time like this, Lily asked herself. She closed her eyes but couldn't stop thinking about everything that was wrong. Why couldn't normal good things happen to her friend? Finally being a half-blood meant something, but the windfall was tainted since it was from his father's killers. Then adults, who were supposedly role models, wanted to loot it before Sev even got a good look at it. He'd have enough money to remodel Spinner's End now. That had to be better than whatever house the Lestranges had. Maybe some full-blood fanatic with too much money would want to buy it in order to keep it out of Sev's hands.

Disgusted with herself that Sev was getting a good night's sleep, Lily slid out of bed and searched for something boring to read. Sev's Ancient Rune homework was actually pretty interesting. Maybe if more people knew this Loki bloke's punishment being bound with the entrails of his son, and his wife had to hold a bowl over him to keep painful snake venom from dripping onto his face till Ragnorak, there might be less pranking.

Lily flicked through Sev's mail looking for a letter from Longbottom or Lovegood. Who's Damocles? Lily opened that one. Sev had a potions apprenticeship offer already? Why didn't he say anything? Was there something wrong with this Damocles?

She put that one away and felt another one had something in it. Lily was right, it was a photo. She remembered this girl was a Ravenclaw, and her family was proposing marriage? What kind of stupidity was this? She didn't talk to Sev when she was a student. Maybe she should stay in Russia, Lily thought in disgust as she folded the letter back around the ugly photo.

Girls that never liked Sev before were talking to him. At first she thought they wanted to use him for the fancy dress party, but it might be about this inheritance.

Mary might be a bit flighty with going after Malcolm again, however she never had anything in common with Severus, and Sev already knew that.

Also, Severus was over at the Hufflepuff table earlier talking to that Summerby girl from the fancy dress party. What could he talk about with a sixth year that would have her following him around the rest of the day?

After seeing yesterday's newspaper, Lord Voldemort had been tempted to impulsively set out for Lestrange Manor to search for whatever Dumbledore had thought was there. However, he thought it over since he needed a plan. It seemed that Dumbledore and whoever Fletcher was, they were there without the permission of the current owner … Severus Snape again.

Snape was in school for now, and although Dumbledore could allow Snape to leave school at any time to go to the manor and retrieve whatever he wanted, he hadn't. At this point, it looked unlikely that Snape would cooperate since he already accused Dumbledore of theft, and he might have a pair of bollocks so big that he would not allow Dumbledore to drag him there against his will and force Snape to turn over what he wanted.

So what did Dumbledore expect to find in Lestrange manor? Lord Voldemort had visited it many times, both as a Hogwarts student as a guest of his fellow student, and as a guest of Rabastan and Rodolphus. He believed everything had been laid open to him. Dark Arts books, treatises and antiquities. Had they removed something from the vault besides Hufflepuff's cup? He had seen the vault with its heaps and mounds of gold and goods, but he had not dug through their junk of centuries to see if there was anything valuable amongst it all. The cup would have been safe in the vault as one more piece of crap. Why had the Lestranges taken it out? Was it related to their disobedience that resulted in their deaths? Was it some plot amongst the Blacks to depose him based on the questionable information from the Ministry regarding him? What true follower of his would actually believe Lord Voldemort's parentage to be so base?

Lord Voldemort summoned Cygnus Black to him to answer some questions. A few applications of crucio yielded no new information. Cygnus could not recall any objects of interest to the Dark Lord at Lestrange Manor nor what his nephew could have been plotting with his daughter and the other Lestranges. He swore that all three were loyal to none other than their Lord. He also swore he knew nothing about who their possible heirs would be. He had hoped Bella would settle down and have a child soon. The man actually wept real tears over that. It was disgusting.

Staying his hand from ending this ridiculous display with a killing curse, since the quantity of his followers had been dwindling with no worthy new recruits appearing, he recommended Cygnus find out what was in that house.

Lord Voldemort's hesitance to act paid off. Today's newspaper was also full of good news.

All he had to do was wait a day. Horace Slughorn was caught beating Severus Snape by Magical Law Enforcement. Voldemort laughed aloud as he read that old Slughorn had opened a floo connection to the Ministry before slapping around the head boy and threatening him with a belt unless he made a statement to Magical Law Enforcement that Albus Dumbledore had his permission to enter his home and remove whatever objects he saw fit. Oh, and if he could still weep tears of joy, he'd be wiping his eyes now because there was some cover up in the past regarding Snape. St. Mungo's had dutifully reported to Magical Law Enforcement about scars from beatings, and also pressed the Ministry when after that he was found to have a concussion and painful scalds on his torso during two follow-up examinations. Albus Dumbledore arranged to have that investigation closed.

Hm, this other article by Rita Skeeter … never any fan of Albus Dumbledore … suggested that at least Dumbledore knew that Snape would receive this large inheritance and that is why he appointed Snape head boy, in an effort to curry the young man's favor and gratitude by way of gifts from the former Lestrange fortune. She referred to her article in Witch Weekly which quoted Horace Slughorn regarding gratitude and gifts in return for favors from the Hogwarts staff. Head boy was a huge favor for a student who was not a prefect, nor even a quidditch player.

Voldemort was not entirely convinced by that reasoning. Beat him, set him to cleaning lavatories every evening, and then believe the title of head boy would even things out? Even if Snape was the stupidest Slytherin ever sorted into the house, no.

If Voldemort had been in that position, he may let a couple objects go while he bided his time and planned his revenge, but if Dumbledore's first move was to authoritatively claim Helga Hufflepuff's cup as his initial payment, he would find himself stabbed in the eye with the head boy pin. Adding Slughorn and this professional thief, Mundungus Fletcher, to the plot, there would be nothing left in that house or vault by June. Standing firm on that first theft was the only way to ever see one knut of that inheritance.

Dumbledore seemed to have a tidal wave of negative publicity. Would he be able to smile his way through it all as if he were serenely posing for a chocolate frog card? With all his plots, did he even have time left for attempting to thwart Lord Voldemort? If the whole fiasco was not so ludicrous … wait, was that Dumbledore's real plan? To garner all this negative publicity and appear tied up with these absurd legal matters? When in truth, he was about to spring some trap on Lord Voldemort and come out of it as the ridiculous hero who overcame all this adversity to win in the end?

He beginning to suspect there was nothing of interest at Lestrange Manor, when he was slipped a copy of another interesting inquiry that Crouch had opened at the Ministry. Salazar Slytherin's locket … and they thought that Lestrange stole it from Smith when he stole the cup and it was somewhere at their home. So was that what Dumbledore was after?

But if he destroyed the cup … but Dumbledore only said he destroyed the cup. Lord Voldemort had not felt anything. The cup may be stashed away somewhere and the old man may have no clue what it was. If Lestrange was thought to have both of the founders' items for thirty years, perhaps he did not know they were his horcrux.

Voldemort did know one thing for sure. He would not be trusting his diary or Slytherin's locket to Cygnus Black. His daughter's disloyalty and idiot tendencies were likely inherited from her parents.