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Fire & Ice: War Games	By : Anubis Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 3344 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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            The rest of the holiday break flew past as Severus spent his time recovering under Professor
McGonagall’s ever vigilant watch and beneath the influence of Madam Pomfrey’s Hogwart’s stores. Three
days before he was to return to King’s Cross, Severus was enjoying his first day outside the cottage walls in
the new year. He sighed with a new found contentment as the wind played with his raven hair. His mind was
clear and sharp now that he had a new sense of purpose thrust upon him.

            Severus thrived on difficult challenges and Ripper had delivered the best one yet to date. As he
watched the trees gently sway in the January breeze, he found himself growing more and more alive. Severus’
senses tingled with anticipation of the commencement of the final stretch of his seventh year and this new role
dropped upon his shoulders. He had not been trained to be a spy, but perhaps the Daughters of Necessity had
different plans for him. Perhaps there had to be a reason, after all the tribes of man always proclaimed that
Fate was a fickle mistress. If the last few years and Ripper’s faith in him was proof enough, he was a natural
at the cloak and dagger game.

            His mind churned over the complex puzzle that was his Transfigurations professor. Albus Dumbledore
though, Severus understood and could easily read despite the numerous testimonials to the contrary. The only
enigma residing within the stone walls of Hogwarts for Severus was Professor Minerva McGonagall. Like an
old, yellowing book left lying upon a bookshelf to collect dust in a forgotten corner, the Gryffindor matron’s
appearance was deceiving. For nearly seven years he had believed the professor was forged from the same ice
as he, yet Severus had begun to see something more just below the surface.

            The no-nonsense witch concealed her true nature from her students, perhaps even from her cherished
Gryffindor charges as well. Severus felt a peculiar warmth spreading through him at the notion that perhaps
he knew more about Professor McGonagall than the school’s beloved Marauders. A smug smile found its
way onto his face as the mental images of his nemeses gapped liked blubber fish before they burst into
thousands of little pieces and sprinkled down upon the ground like confetti.

            Though contented for the time being, Severus knew that he would make another appointment with the
eternal angel. When the darkness fell and the light rose again, Severus Snape would make a date with Mors
once again. But for the time being, he would simply play his hand and hope that he would still be at the table
when the final card was played.

            The door opened behind him and his self assigned warden stepped through carrying a morbid owl
perched on her arm. “Sorry for interrupting, Mr. Snape, but a letter has just arrived for you and this demonic
ball of feathers refuses to relinquish his parcel to anyone but yourself.” McGonagall glared at the sickly bird
as she spoke and it abruptly spread its fragile looking, monstrous wings. “All this fuss over a letter!”

            Severus grunted his acknowledge and held out a bent arm, his palm turned upright at an odd angle.
His onyx eyes followed the flight path of the lunatic owl as it approached him. Severus was quick to pull his
arm back to his body as the folded parchment fall into his hand and felt lucky to have escaped the vindictive
owl’s talons with only a couple of deep scratches across the back of his arm. His breath hissed from between
clenched teeth as the owl departed with a mocking hoot. “Eris, you black demon!” The Slytherin shouted at
the rapidly departing owl, “I’ll use you in a potion yet!”

            “I wasn’t aware that you two were on a first name basis, Mr. Snape,” McGonagall said, her eyebrows
raised.

            “I’ve received letters from her master before,” Severus hedged, not daring to elaborate further.

            “Professor McGonagall nodded her head knowingly, yet he could see that she was unsure of the
malicious owl’s owner. She suspected it was one of Riddle’s followers that commanded the beast, Severus
could tell. “Such a vicious creature,” McGonagall said as she tended to his wounds with an old rag from her
robe pocket.

            Severus smirked grimly, “Eris has her master’s temperament. It’s best to avoid both when one has the
opportunity, Professor.”

            McGonagall gave him a weak smile as she finished wrapping his arm, “we should get some alcohol on
that before it festers.” The Slytherin’s words created a cold shiver down her spine as taped off the makeshift
bandaging. “I’ll be inside making a fresh pot of tea when you need me, Mr. Snape.” She said before
disappearing back into the cottage.

            Alone once more, Severus broke the familiar seal and opened the letter. His brow furrowed as he re-read the single sentence scribbled on the parchment. Sighing, Severus folded the letter up and waved his wand
over it, “incendio.” As the last syllable slipped off his tongue, the parchment became inflamed and he let it fall
to the ground at his feet. Severus watched until the letter was reduced to ball of smoldering ashes.

            Severus plucked a pair of dried leaves from off the hem of his robe and transfigured them into a piece
of parchment and quill. Using his own blood as ink, he composed a quick note to Ripper. Finishing the quick
letter, Severus called Professor McGonagall’s owl over to him. A kindly grey owl swiftly appeared and
perched on his proffered arm, mindful of his injuries. “In exchange for a nice juicy mouse, would you deliver
this for me?”

            The gentle owl hooted its agreement and offered him its leg. “As soon as we get back to Hogwarts,
you’ll get your snack.” As he tied the note to the owl’s leg, “take this to Atticus Flynn at the Ministry of
Magic. Let no other relieve you but him and I’ll pick up the fattest mouse Diagon Alley has to offer.” The
owl affectionately nipped his fingertip before flying away. From the corner of his eye, Severus watched a
curious Professor McGonagall watching him from the sitting room window.

            Ignoring his warden’s gaze, Severus casually strolled across the lawn before abruptly fleeing into the
woods. Once he felt that he was outside the Transfiguration Mistress’ wards, Severus apparated to Malfoy
Manor. Straightening his robes, Severus composed his mask as he walked up the drive. The last thing he
needed was Lucius Malfoy privy to the innermost workings of his mind. Severus welcomed death, a death on
his own terms and not Malfoy’s or his cohorts. There was too much at stake now to allow himself a single
mistake. But Severus wasn’t fool enough to risk everything and not receive adequate payment. Severus only
hoped that Albus Dumbledore was prepared to pay.

            A house elf answered the Malfoy’s door, “greetings Mr. Severus Snape, Sir. Master Lucius is
expecting Sir. Dobby is to be taking Mr. Severus Snape to master, Sir.” Dobby said, bobbing his head as he
led the Slytherin through the manor.

            Severus sneered at the back of the house elf’s head. He detested the subservient demeanor of house
elves in general, but Dobby’s timidness irritated him to no end. Perhaps it was Rimball’s influence on him, but
Severus privately loathed the forced enslavement of another species; he was an enigma unto himself. Amongst
the elite of wizards, Severus’ mask reflected the views of his surrounding peers. The house elf opened a
heavy oak door and bowed before disappearing.

            Reinforcing his mask, Severus casually strolled through the opened door. “Severus!” Lucius Malfoy
glided forward and clapped the younger Slytherin on the back. “He wishes to speak with you.” There was no
need to ask who the blond wizard was referring to. “He’s next door in the library, you shouldn’t keep him
waiting.”

            Severus nodded his head and walked back down the lavishly decorated hallway. The twin doors
opened before him on their own accord he instinctively took to one knee. As much as he hated house elf
behavior, Severus loathed being subservient himself more. “How may I serve?”

            “I am of the understanding that you’ve been enjoying the generous hospitality of Dumbledore’s right
hand since we last saw one another.” Severus kept silent, not knowing whether he was suppose to answer or
not. “Would you care to explain?”

            “My Lord, Professor McGonagall discovered my person in an unconscious state after I departed your
presence last time I was permitted an audience with you. She discovered your claim upon my person and
convinced Dumbledore not to summon the Aurors.” Taking a deep breath, “she is under the impression that
she can redeem my condemned soul and turn me into a weapon against you.” Severus kept his eyes on the
nauseating green carpeting and held his breath.

            “She’s almost as devious as a Slytherin,” he said laughing. “The blundering ignorance of the golden
Lion’s Den will be their downfall.” Recovering his composure, Riddle continued and Severus cringed
inwardly. The Slytherin boy hated exposing his professor’s kindness to the madman before him and listening
to him twisting it around to suit his own views. “Do it, Severus.”

            “Pardon me, my Lord?”

            “Become McGonagall’s pet project, Severus; reform. Or rather appear to reform and fall into line, do
whatever it takes to slither your way close to the old man. Make him care about you, what becomes of you.
That’s one assignment and this is the second.”

            Severus raised a cautious eyebrow, “as you wish it my Lord.” A thick leather journal slapped the floor
in front of him and was followed by a small cherry wood box. “My Lord?” Severus asked, playing the village
idiot.

            “Inside the box you will find four shrunken items, one each belonged to Hogwarts’ founders.
Together they are an answer to a riddle that I have sought, a recipe for a potion that I wish you to brew. The
journal is the key to deciphering the objects inscriptions.” The dark wizard said before waving his hand,
“dismissed. Report back to me when you have the recipe and we’ll continue our discussion then.”

            Severus bowed before retreating from Malfoy’s library and back down the hall towards the manor’s
arboretum. He silently stalked past the many family portraits, not wishing to be badgered by Malfoy’s dead
ancestors. His mind’s defenses felt fragile even to himself, but they were always after a private audience with
the monster of the wizarding world. Unlike the former Snape lord, Severus never shared the butcher’s horrific
vision of cleansing the wizarding world at large and had simply grown accustomed to playing a part. During
the years, Severus Snape had gone MIA even to himself.

            While the Malfoy’s overall interior decorating disagreed with him, the manor’s arboretum was one of
his favorites. Perhaps those who believed to truly know him would not be surprised to discover his genuine
love of the flora went beyond his extracurricular hobbies, Severus didn’t know for sure. His audience with the
dark wizard had left his defenses shaking and the quiet solitude of the arboretum rejuvenated him.

            “Ah, there you are Severus. I was wondering where you had disappeared to after your meeting,”
Malfoy said as he sat opposite of the younger Slytherin.

            “A time to think and reflect is worth more than a single moment of joy.”

            “Something must be weighing heavily on your mind if you’re acting all philosophical and quoting
Merlin. A knut for your thoughts?”

            Severus smiled softly, “my burdens are but mine alone. How does your heir fare, Lucius?” He said
steering the conversation away from him and to a subject that the other wizard loved to gossip about.

            “Narcissa complains daily and the mediwitch pronounces a positive diagnosis with each new visit. I
simply find a cozy hole to hide in.”

            The raven haired Slytherin snickered, “the great Lucius Malfoy cowering from his pregnant wife!”

            Slapping Severus’ arm playfully with his book, “I will remember that when the future Lady Snape is
carrying your heir.”

            “My friend, I shall never marry.”

            “And allow the Snape line to wither and die with you?!” Malfoy asked in disbelief as he stared at the
younger wizard.

            “Yes, Lucius,” Severus stood. “I’m afraid that I must take my leave.” He said as he shrank the journal
and box before slipping them into a robe pocket. “McGonagall and Dumbledore are watching me like a
hippogriff . As it is, she’ll be throwing a tantrum when I do.”

            Sighing, “take care and my the old spinster suffer in the end.” The blond Slytherin clasped the raven
haired wizard on the shoulder before escorting him outside Malfoy Manor, “don’t be a stranger, Severus.”

            Once safely off the Malfoy estate grounds, Severus slowly began to relax. Instead of simply
apparating, he casually strolled through the adjoining thicket off the manor grounds. The day had greatly aged
while he was summoned to the dark wizard, the sun was already leaning across the western heavens as he
immersed himself in the wonders of the natural world. “I can hear your wings hitting against the branches,
Soot.” Severus said quietly once they were a safe distance away from Malfoy Manor. He continued walking
as his comrade settled on the ground behind him and resumed her natural shape.

            “Ripper got your note, Shadow.”

            “And he sent you to keep tabs on me? I’m touched, really,” Severus sneered and continued on his
way.

            “Shadow, he was concerned about you,” Illianya lied. “We all were concerned!” She said, hurrying
after him.

            “I know and I’m sorry, Soot.” Severus said with a weary sigh. He felt as though he were carrying a
tremendous weight that bore down upon his heart.

            As though seeing through his melancholy, Illianya slipped her arm through his and walked in
companionable silence with the Slytherin boy. “You’re my hero, you know, Shadow,” Illianya whispered
softly in the heavy silence.

A/N

This chapter beta-ed by Kate (chapter 33 has been sent to her already!)

            Well, for those who have been following this fic and wondering when and how it’s gonna end...All I
can say is, we’re hitting the home stretch now.....Also, don’t expect all the questions raised in this piece to be
answered by the time that the epilogue is posted. I never planned on answering everything in just one fic
piece, but rather over several that cover the important events (determined by the authoress) of Severus
Snape’s life. At this time there is in the works/plans two more novel length pieces that are just begging to be
written. For clues/hints to the next novel length fic in the Fire & Ice series, check out the user lookup
Anubis81 on Fanfiction.net.

Daughters of Necessity (aka The Fates)

The 3 aspects of fate; The Greek demi-goddesses of mortal/immortal destiny.

Mors

The Roman equivalent of the Greek god of death, Thanatos

Eris

The Greek Goddess of Discord; Sister of Ares and daughter of Zeus & Hera.
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Fire & Ice: War Games