Chapter 4. The Madman

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Disclaimer: Hermione is an adult

- Professor Snape, how is the brewing of the potion for Miss Granger progressing? - Lucius asked in the Great Hall at dinner.

- Successfully Mr. Malfoy. Tomorrow morning we'll be able to find out what happened to the student, - came the irritated answer.

- Well, that's great. However, are you sure, Severus, that the potion's location is safe? Are you sure that the villain who committed the incident won't penetrate and destroy it?

- That sounds like a plan, Lucius. - McGonagall gave Snape a reproachful look. -Don't worry, the potion is in a chest in my office under a dozen powerful spells, including the invisibility spell. No one but me and Professor Dumbledore will even be able to find the chest. So, be sure of the maximum level of security, - after receiving an approving look from Dumbledore, Snape continued his dinner.

- May I ask what kind of spells are these, Severus?

- Hmm, - grinning, he decided to sarcastic in response, - don't hope, Lucius, you won't find counterspells in any case.

- Oh, how rude, Severus, - said Professor Flitwick.

- What's rude here is the appointment of this person to the post of Commissioner for the rights of Muggles at Hogwarts School.

- Are you jealous, Professor? - Lucius' eyes lit up.

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Overturned tables and chairs, books scattered around, cans, flasks, ingredients, tattered walls and a huge inscription in blood on one of them: "MUDBLOODS DESERVE VIOLENCE."

This is how Snape's dungeon appeared when Dumbledore came there before the first lesson. The headmaster looked around the classroom. Then again. And again. Until he finally realized that it was gone, there was no potion for Hermione. It lay spilled and already soaked into the old wooden floor next to the broken vessel in which it had previously been. Dumbledore couldn't believe what had happened.

Professor McGonagall also arrived there. What she saw shocked her.

- It's gone, Minerva, it's gone…

- A-Albus, how is that? What is it? - she was shaking with despair.

- SE-VE-RUUUS!!!!! - the headmaster's shrill cry rang through the school.

***********************

At this moment, the Slytherin students began to leave their rooms, heading to the hall for breakfast. The first thing they saw was a huge bloodstain on the bright green carpet and deep nail marks on the floor. By whom it was left, no one knew. But everyone was very scared.

- We need to tell Professor Snape, - Pansy Parkinson exclaimed.

Everyone shouted in approval.

- Come on, Parkinson, let's go together, - Draco suggested. – At the same time, we'll look for Zabini, I haven't seen him since last night. He was so nervous, - Draco grimaced.

- Very strange, - Pansy chuckled as they left the Slytherin dungeons. – I saw him yesterday afternoon. He was talking to your father about something. Classes had already started, so there was no one in the corridors. They looked very strange, and Blaise seemed to be scared.

- To my dad? Suspiciously. Neither of them told me anything about this conversation.

And suddenly they heard Dumbledore's shrill scream. The guys realized that it was coming from Snape's office and ran there.

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Snape felt a bright light on his face. But it was dark in his eyes. He was all wrapped up in bloody bandages. His body ached terribly. He was surrounded by a strange hospital smell. It was almost like... that day. Suddenly Severus heard a sob.

- P-Professor, I'm sorry. I ... I really, really didn't want to. I didn't know. I'm sorry, Professor, - a boy was sitting next to him, he understood it by his voice. This voice was very familiar.

- Mr. Zabini? - Snape tried to open his eyes.

- Y-yes, P-Professor.

- What happened? What happened to me? Why can't I see anything? Where are we, Blaise?

- In-in R-Room of R-Requirement. For-forgive me, p-please, - Blaise burst into sobs for a minute. Finally, he pulled himself together and told Snape everything. – ...When I returned to the Slytherin living room, Professor, you were already unconscious and bleeding, and they got to your face. I didn't have time to stop them, I didn't have time to save your e-e-e...eyes.

– AAAAAAAAA - Snape let out a wild cry, full of despair.

When Blaise calmed down, he continued to say,

- I-I'm sorry, Professor. I have no o-other w-way out. I-I-I have to…

- What? What are you going to do, Zabini? Blaise, please! I've suffered enough. Have mercy!

- Obliviate!

***********************

- Well, I congratulate you, Zabini. I didn't expect such cruelty from you. I praise you! Well, well, don't cry. Your parents will be proud of you. You almost killed, and then deprived one of the strongest wizards and a professor of Hogwarts of his mind. The poor guy became a madman and was found by the elves in the kitchen, he tried to fry his shoe, can you imagine?! - there was a peal of laughter.