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Lost and Damned	By : danniperson Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 24088 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the characters or the world or anything, and I make absolutely no profit from this.

Chapter List
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LOST AND DAMNED

It's the End of All You've Known

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Severus found himself in a grouchier state than usual the days following his departure from Harry. He managed to speak with all of the workers at Hogwarts at least once during that time, most of them much the same as his run in with Minerva. They hated him, but most held their tongues, and if they had something to say to start with, they were usually more respectful once he reminded him that they were their only hope for the students of Hogwarts. He set up ground rules with the Carrows, encouraging them to come to him before dolling out punishments, though Severus had a feeling they weren't going to be very inclined to listen. He also spent a great deal of time planning what to do about his task regarding Orpheus Odell.

He knew it was better to do sooner rather than later, or he'd just keep putting it off. Despite Harry agreeing that Severus would have to do whatever he had to, he was not looking forward to seeing how far he would have to go with Orpheus. He didn't want anyone but Harry…He didn't want to taint his memories of his time with Harry with the touch of another. Severus doubted Orpheus would let things go that far, but one never knew…It had been a good few years since he had last seen Orpheus and Severus had come to know how foolish it was to not expect the very worst…Assuming the best never did anyone much good.

No amount of preparation made it easy to leave Hogwarts and head to Ottery St. Catchpole to the tiny house Orpheus occupied. It was a modest home, but Orpheus had never felt the need to have much. His lawn was pristine, but for the blackened bushes along one side of the house that looked to be a failed Herbology experiment. Even great minds and skilled hands could make mistakes. The pale yellow of the house seemed to have faded into a dirty white color, though the door seemed to have gotten a paintjob…its red seemed brighter now than Severus last remembered. It was an offensively Gryffindor red, considering the man had been in Ravenclaw.

Severus strode up to the door and knocked loudly, eager to be done with this task now that he was here. It was a long minute before the door opened to a very exhausted and surprised Orpheus Odell. Not much had changed these past eight years. He was almost the same man Severus remembered, though perhaps a bit healthier in his weight and a bit more gray streaked through his dark auburn hair, still as short and neatly cut as ever. There was the same cleanly shaven face, the same warm honey colored eyes, the same dark circles beneath them that told of countless sleepless nights slaving over a new potion or spell or new writings or whatever new project Orpheus had dedicated himself to. He still wasn't as handsome as his younger brother, though his warm instead of arrogant smile made him a more appealing candidate for a friend or lover than Oedipus would ever be.

"Severus," Orpheus said, stunned.

"Orpheus," Severus said with a nod. "May I come in?"

"Of course," Orpheus said, eying him suspiciously as he stepped back to let Severus in.

"No safety measures?" Severus inquired, slowly stepping inside, keeping his hand near where his wand resided in his robes, just in case.

"If you were an enemy, you would have had a hard time getting past my wards and staying within them," Orpheus said, waving him off.

"Over confident," Severus muttered, though perhaps Orpheus had every right to be. He was tempted to ask Orpheus about his apparently astounding wards, if they were strong enough that he didn't have to worry about asking questions to every person who knocked on his door, making sure it was a friend instead of a foe.

"Why are you here?" Orpheus asked.

"And blunt," Severus said. "Very well. The Dark Lord wants you. He is aware of your intelligence and would like to make use of you."

"And you're the recruitment committee?" Orpheus asked.

"He hopes for me to seduce you," Severus said.

Orpheus raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"My direct orders were to recruit you by any means necessary, but it was certainly implied," Severus assured him.

"Hmm," Orpheus said. "Well, before you start trying to charm your way into my pants, I should let you know, it's not going to work."

"I thought not," Severus said, not letting his great relief present itself in his voice. "It would probably do well for you to go into hiding. The Dark Lord is not kind to those who repeatedly refuse his…offers…if you will remember what he did to the Potters and the Longbottoms."

"I remember," Orpheus said with a frown. "And you came here to warn me?"

"I came here because I was ordered to do so…To not even make an attempt would anger the Dark Lord greatly, and I have no wishes of an early death. I did, at least, think it fair to alert you to what is coming," Severus said.

"Huh," Orpheus said, looking at Severus as though trying to make up his mind about him. "I heard you killed Dumbledore."

"My allegiances are a complicated matter. I'm hoping I can trust you enough to not get me into much trouble," Severus said. It was always a gamble to make others aware of where he stood at all, but he felt he could count on Orpheus. He did not have many choices, and he had a feeling coming clean to Orpheus would do everyone a lot more good than harm.

"I don't care much for gossip," was Orpheus's agreement. "I do suppose you'll need to make some attempt to…show him?"

"I would appreciate it," Severus said with a nod.

Orpheus shrugged. "Come in, then. Might as well catch up…You can try to kiss me or something and I can push you away like some scandalized virgin and be done with it."

This was going a lot better than expected. Severus was too smart to just accept that this was it, but he would be glad if it was. He followed Orpheus into his small sitting room and placed himself in on an old sofa while Orpheus folded up the latest issue ofThe Daily Prophet and set it aside before sitting beside Severus, a comfortable distance away.

"I hear you've been named Headmaster of Hogwarts…A congratulations are in order," Orpheus remarked.

They spoke longer than Severus expected. What he hoped would take an hour, at most, ended up becoming a three and a half hour conversation catching up in one another's lives. Orpheus was in the process of writing a very long and bound to be controversial article for The Quibbler about how ridiculous the idea was of Muggles stealing magic from wizards and the phenomenon of Muggle-borns and Squibs was unexplainable…That one was either born with or without magic and that if magic could be stolen from one being, he doubted Muggles had the proper equipment to do such a thing. The Muggle-Born Registration Commission had not even been in affect long, but Orpheus seemed to know all of the details. He was apparently also attempting to perfect the growth of Moon Roses: roses with silver petals and pale yellow stems that could only be grown in moonlight and were very sensitive to sunlight. They had very strong magical qualities that would be especially useful in healing potions, but he was still searching for a good enough way to protect them from sunlight. In the process of finding a way to grow them with a defense-mechanism against damaging light, he had discovered a very interesting Blue Rose (roses with pale blue-violet petals and silver stems) that he was, at the moment, still studying. Orpheus even allowed Severus to view his notes and agreed to let Severus take a few of the Blue Roses home with him to see what he could do with them.

From Orpheus's discoveries, Severus confided in Orpheus his lack of time to do many things, but his interest in developing a potion that would allow homosexual couples to reproduce, as requested by Septima Vector's sister and practically sister-in-law. It was a subject Orpheus was greatly interested in, being a homosexual man with a great desire to have children one day. "It is one of their biggest arguments, that we cannot reproduce," Orpheus commented. "Imagine what would happen if we could! What excuses would they have then to despise us? I imagine they still would, but it could possibly do us a great deal of good, I think."

It was a great change, having such an inventive and intellectual mind to discuss things with. There was no spark between Severus and Orpheus…Severus didn't think there ever really had been…but he did enjoy talking with the man and had almost forgotten how nice it was to have such a conversation with a human being. He had a feeling he and Orpheus could aid each other a great deal if given the opportunity to speak more with one another about their ideas. Severus was tempted to keep contact, but reminded himself that Orpheus would have to go into hiding to protect himself. Eventually he gathered the roses Orpheus gave him and reluctantly reached out to slide his hand up Orpheus's thigh, leaning in to kiss him.

Luckily, Orpheus didn't even allow that. A strong hand pushed him away before their lips could meet. "There may not be very many homosexual men in the world, Severus, but we are not going to use each other because we are all the other can find," Orpheus said coldly.

"Come now, Orpheus," Severus said, using his most seductive tone. Orpheus stiffened and shifted where he sat a bit…Severus longed to see Harry's green eyes darkened in lust, his young body trembling at his touch…at his voice alone, even. He found himself suddenly hit by the cold, empty feeling that had resided in him since leaving Harry.

"No," Orpheus said harshly. "I will not be used…I know what you're here for…Just…go! Go and don't come back!"

"Or-"

"Get out!" Orpheus snapped, raising his wand threateningly. Severus raised his hands in surrender and slowly slid to his feet, glowering at Orpheus for show.

"You will regret this," Severus vowed, turning and sweeping out of the house. He was midway down the path that led outside of the house's wards when he heard the door open behind him.

"One day, when this is all over, we should talk again. I do miss our conversations, Severus," Orpheus said.

"I am stunned that someone of your arrogant skill would admit to enjoying the company of another. One would think you assumed you were the only person with brains," was Severus's sarcastic reply.

Orpheus just grinned. "Tell me…Have you found someone?"

Severus quirked an eyebrow.

Orpheus chuckled. "It's been eight years…I am merely curious."

Severus paused a moment and considered the question. "There is someone…But it is too complicated to explain and too dangerous to even try to."

Orpheus nodded. "Well, I wish you both well. Goodbye, Severus…It was good to see you."

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While Severus met with Orpheus, Harry and Hermione spent their days at Grimmauld Place awaiting Kreacher's return. Harry had had some strong hope that since Kreacher had been able to escape a lake full of Inferi, that hunting down Mundungus Fletcher should be no problem, and was a bit disappointed when days went by with no sign of the house elf. Harry and Hermione spent their days watching the Death Eaters outside of the house and pouring over the books Hermione had brought with her, anything on Dark Magic in hopes of finding something about Horcruxes that others could have missed.

Harry was pretty sure it was all useless and figured they would be able to figure out more once they had an actual Horcrux in their presence. He took a long shower, hoping to clear his mind and failing miserably…He was starting to get a migraine, thinking about all of this so much, and decided he needed to ask Hermione if she had a potion for it when he got out. Or if she had any mood-enhancers…The more he thought about things the more frustrated he got and the more hopeless it all began to feel.

"You cannot give up…no matter what," he could hear Severus telling him.

"I won't. Not really in my nature, is it? S'what makes me a foolish Gryffindor."

"And one of the many reasons why I love you."

Somehow, that was enough to chase away most of his more negative thoughts. It came at the price, though, of that awful ache in his heart that seemed to appear every time he thought about Severus. He could barely stand it…Remembering his touch…Recalling their goodbye…and imagining what Severus was up to…Imagining him going over this Orpheus Odell bloke. He had suffered a bad enough nightmare of that the night Severus left. He imagined a man with the Malfoys good looks and Hermione Granger's brains, someone who was so perfect for Severus it made him sick. Just imagining Severus touching anyone else, even if they weren't stunningly handsome, made him regret ever telling Severus to go ahead and do it. "I don't care if you have to shag this bloke to keep You Know Who happy…"

It was for the best, he reminded himself. He couldn't go getting jealous…couldn't be angry with Severus if he did do something…His life was on the line. The man had been risking his life for years for this cause. He couldn't ask him to spare his feelings when it could very well put his safety in jeopardy. He loved Severus too much and would rather have him alive in someone else's arms than dead and gone from him forever.

Harry didn't let his thoughts get away with him too much and took himself out of the shower when he was in danger of thinking too much. He dried off and dressed quickly, walking downstairs to the smell of Hermione cooking up some lunch. Halfway down the flight of stairs into the hall, however, he heard a tap on the front door and then metallic clicks and the grinding of the chain. Immediately, every nerve in his body tautened and he stared in the direction of the entrance sharply. He pulled out his wand and moved into the shadows beside the decapitated elf heads and waited.

He saw a glimpse of the lamplit square outside and a cloaked figure edged into the hall and closed the door behind it. The intruder took a step forward and Harry moved closer, pointing his wand firmly in the direction of the trespasser. "Don't move!"

He had forgotten about the portrait of Walburga Black. At the sound of his yell, the curtains hiding her flew open and she began to scream. "Mudbloods and filth dishonoring my house-"

Hermione came running out from the kitchen and stopped at the bottom of the staircase near Harry, her wand raised and pointing, like his, at the unknown man now standing with his arms raised in the hall below.

"Hold your fire! It's me, Remus!"

"Oh, thank goodness," Hermione said weakly, pointing her wand at Mrs. Black instead. With a bang, the curtains swished shut again and silence fell. Harry did not lower his wand.

"Show yourself!" he called back.

Remus moved forward into the lamplight, hands still held high in a gesture of surrender. "I am Remus John Lupin, werewolf, sometimes known as Moony, one of the four creators of the Marauder's Map, married to Nymphadora, usually known as Tonks, and I taught you how to produce a Patronus, Harry, which takes the form of a stag."

"And I," said another voice, causing Harry to jump, as he hadn't known someone else had entered the house, "am Sirius Black, the third, very grateful to Hermione for shutting up my awful mother and who has been trailing his arse for days."

"Oh alright," Harry said, lowering his wand and blinking in surprise. "Had to make sure, didn't I?"

Remus glanced over his shoulder in irritation as Sirius, grinning, came up to stand beside him. "Speaking as your ex Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I quite agree that you had to check. Hermione, you shouldn't be so quick to lower your defenses…Though I believe you should question this one further," he said, nodding to Sirius.

"Ah, alright," Sirius said. "I am Padfoot…I turn into a dog…I would also very much like to rest," he said, clapping Remus on the back.

"What happened to the wards?" Remus asked, glancing back with a frown.

"Er," Harry said.

"We dunno, really. We thought Mad Eye Moody said the Order had put up protections, but we didn't notice anything when we came in…We figured it would have just come out if Death Eaters showed up," Hermione quickly jumped in, lying effortlessly.

"Hmm…We should check that out…It isn't safe to be here, let alone with the wards down," Remus said. Sirius, as well, turned solemn and raised his own wand, the two men working on checking the wards while Harry and Hermione glanced at each other in a panic.

"What are you two doing here?" Hermione asked.

"Is everyone okay?" Harry asked.

"Yes, but we're all being watched," Remus said. "There are a couple of Death Eaters in the square outside."

Once Remus and Sirius checked the wards, they concluded that they had been removed, but only assumed that Severus must have done it, or another very powerful wizard or witch. They put a few of the wards back up, but weren't sure how to replicate them all. Finally, they retired to the kitchen where Hermione lit a fire and prepared more food. Remus and Sirius seemed interested in what had happened to Harry and Hermione when they left the Burrow and then informed them of what was going on in the outside world. They both had to pretend to be interested and act shocked and horrified in the right places, though Severus and Draco had already told them everything. They did, at least, provide some information that Severus and Draco hadn't offered…That Harry was wanted for the questioning about the death of Albus Dumbledore. It was disturbing and Harry had never really thought before now that not many people knew what took place in the tower that night.

"How could you?" he had demanded, so hurt and betrayed and angry with Severus. He could still see Dumbledore's body falling, as if in slow motion.

"I had to. He asked me to."

"He asked you to kill him?"

"I love you, Harry."

He blinked away the images and tried to focus on Remus and Sirius, though he could still hear his lover's voice echoing in his head. Severus had wanted everyone to know it was him, to give up the playing double agent…had to allow the Order and Harry to lose complete faith in him. Now it seemed only they knew the truth. Voldemort wanted to use Harry to create more confusion, more fear, and to make good excuses for his Death Eaters to go about with their brutally cruel behavior.

"I'll understand if you can't confirm this," Remus was saying, "but the Order is under the impression that Dumbledore left you a mission."

"He did," Harry replied. "Hermione is in on it and she's coming with me."

"Can you confide in me what the mission is?"

Surely he could? He had told Severus and Draco, probably two of the people Dumbledore would have wanted him to tell the least, because of their connection with Voldemort. He had done it, knowing that he wasn't supposed to…Yet looking between the two men who sat before him…Harry didn't quite feel it was right. Not as right as it had seemed when Severus and Draco had been here.

"I can't, Remus, I'm sorry. If Dumbledore didn't tell you, I don't think I can."

"I thought you'd say that," Remus said, looking disappointed.

"We could still be of use to you, though, can't we?" Sirius asked and Remus brightened up at the mention of it. "You know what I am…what we are…and what we can do. We could be protection, can't we, Moony?"

"Exactly," Remus said, looking pleased, but a bit wary with Sirius. "There would be no need to tell us what you were up to."

Harry hesitated. It was a tempting offer…He'd have his godfather here…and Remus. His dad's best mates…practically fathers to him with his own dad dead. Though how they could keep their mission a secret if Sirius and Remus were around all of the time…Maybe they could think of something…

Hermione looked puzzled. "But what about Tonks?"

"What about her?" said Remus. Both Remus and Sirius seemed uncomfortable by the mention of the new Mrs. Lupin.

"Well," Hermione said frowning. "You're married! How does she feel about you going away with us?"

"Tonks will be perfectly safe," Remus said. "She'll be at her parents' house."

There was something strange about Remus's tone. It was almost cold. It was also a bit odd, the idea of Tonks hiding out with her parents. She was an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. She would want to be in the thick of the action…She certainly seemed like that kind of witch, didn't she? Harry looked from Remus's defiant expression to the way that Sirius was looking away uncomfortably and frowned, too.

"R-" Hermione started to say, but Sirius started talking and cut her off.

"She's with child," Sirius said, something odd about his voice, too, though he tried to keep it filled with humor. "Or pup, really."

"Oh how wonderful!" Hermione said.

"Congratulations," Harry said.

"So do you accept my offer?" Remus asked with an artificial smile.

"Our offer," Sirius corrected.

"Just-just to be clear," he said. "You want to leave Tonks at her parents' house and come away with us?"

"She'll be perfectly safe there, they'll look after her," Remus said.

"'Dromeda's right excited about having a grandchild. She and Ted will do all they can for Tonks and the baby," Sirius assured them with an excited grin.

"Harry, I'm sure James would have wanted me…us…to stick with you," Remus said.

"Well," Harry said slowly. "I'm not. I'm pretty sure my father would have wanted to know why you aren't sticking with your own kid, actually."

Remus's face drained of all color. Sirius frowned and looked everywhere around the room and not looking at anyone in particular. Hermione's eyes swiveled back and forth between Harry and Remus.

"Harry," Sirius said gently after a moment.

"You don't understand," Remus interrupted.

"Explain then," Harry said.

Remus swallowed. "I…I made a grave mistake in marrying Tonks. I did it against my better judgment and I have regretted it very much ever since."

"I see," said Harry. "So you're just going to dump her and the kid and run off with us?"

Remus went on a long winded rant about how he had done nothing but ruin the life of his wife and his unborn child. He went on about what the world thought of creatures like him and how he had made them outcasts. He went on and on desperately…tone pleading with them to understand, but to Harry it sounded like nothing more than excuses.

"-if by some miracle it is not like me, then it will be better off, a hundred times so, without a father of whom it must always be ashamed!"

"Remus!" whispered Hermione, tears in her eyes. "Don't say that-how could any child be ashamed of you?"

"Oh, I don't know, Hermione," said Harry. "I'd be pretty ashamed of him."

Harry did not know where this rage was coming from, but it had propelled him to his feet now. Remus looked as though Harry had hit him and it pleased Harry in a way.

"Harry," Sirius said in a warning tone.

"If the new regime thinks Muggle-borns are bad, what will they do to a half-werewolf whose father's in the Order?" Harry demanded. "My father died trying to protect my mother and me and you reckon he'd tell you to abandon your kid to go on an adventure with us?"

"Harry-how dare you?" said Remus. "This is not about a desire for-for danger or personal glory-how dare you suggest such a -"

"I'd have never believed this," Harry spat. "The man who taught me to fight dementors…a coward."

Remus drew his wand so fast that Harry had barely reached for his own. There was a loud bang and he felt himself flying backward as if punched. As he slammed into the kitchen wall and slid to the floor, he glimpsed the tail of Remus's cloak disappearing around the door.

"Remus! Remus, come back!" Hermione cried, but Remus did not respond. Sirius sighed heavily and moved from the couch, reaching out to help Harry to his feet. A moment later they heard the door slam.

"Harry!" wailed Hermione. "How could you?"

"It was easy," snapped Harry, pulling out of Sirius's grasp. "Parents…shouldn't leave their kids….unless….unless they've got to."

"Harry," Hermione said, stretching out a consoling hand, but Harry shrugged it off and walked away.

"You're right," Sirius said quietly after a few long, silent seconds. "Your mum…Lily…she would have hexed him good for that. Fussed him until we were all trembling with fear," he said, laughing shakily. "And James…Well…your dad would have set him right. Like me, he might have gotten caught up in the adventure, but…but in the end…he wouldn't approve of Remus abandoning his kid. Probably would have been nicer about it, but…you're a lot like Lily, you are. I doubt he'd have listened any other way."

"Thanks," Harry said stiffly, feeling his anger melting away and not quite sure how to feel. He felt…some remorse. Some indignant need to hold onto his stance. Exhaustion.

"I should…I should go after him," Sirius said sadly after a moment. "Unless you need me to stay?"

"No…We'll be fine. You'll both be better off helping the Order, anyway," Harry said with a nod, turning to his godfather.

"Alright," Sirius said, extending his arms. Harry just stared at him for a moment before stepping into the embrace and hugging his godfather tightly. He had missed him a lot and honestly wished he could stick around. It would have been really nice to have both Sirius and Remus in the house, lightening the mood when it all became too much…Getting to know each other better, spending time with men who were practically family…Family he had never had enough time with.

"I'll drop by now and then…See if I can offer any help down the road," Sirius promised. He ruffled Harry's hair playfully before bidding them goodbye and leaving. It wasn't as hard as Severus's departure had been, but he could feel a bit emptier inside with yet another person gone.

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Severus had been so caught up in talking with Orpheus, he had gotten back to the castle with barely any time to spare before the staff meeting that Albus had suggest he hold. He managed to quickly create the solution Orpheus had given him to put the Blue Roses in…Lukewarm water with small bits of slug slime, salamander blood, and flobberworm mucus. It took a bit of stirring for it to mix properly. It was slightly thicker than water and looked very dirty, but it looked much the way Orpheus assured him it should. It would be enough to keep the Blue Roses alive after being cut, and they would be best if kept in dimly lit places. He left them in a cup on the desk he had recently set up in his rooms under lamplight and changed into his usual black robes before heading off to the staff room.

Everyone was already waiting when he arrived. Every head turned in his direction. Closest to the door where he stood was Aurora Sinistra who sat tall, but couldn't quite look him in the eye. False defiance and fear. Across from her sat Sibyll Trelawney who was glaring at him in a knowing manner…That same look she gave everyone, as though she knew everything about them. Firenze looked calm and unbothered, unlike most people, and stood a bit behind the others, nearest to Sibyll. Horace Slughorn seemed anxious and eyed him with equal amounts hatred, equal amounts fear. Cuthbert Binns was as dull as ever and seemed to have more interest in the wall than anyone or anything else. Severus was surprised the ghost had come by at all. His old friend was staring at him with a mix of emotions displayed on her face: confusion, uncertainty, fear, frustration, sympathy…He could barely look at Septima Vector…Did not want to retain any hope that their friendship might survive this year. Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, Bathsheba Babbling, Rolanda Hooch, Rubeus Hagrid, and Poppy Pomfrey were all glowering at him with hatred that was almost palpable. Argus Filch stood by a wall, seeming unsure of what to think. The two chairs on either side of the table by his at the head were occupied by the only two grinning fools: Amycus and Alecto Carrow.

Severus walked slowly across the room to take his seat, well aware of his footsteps on the stone floor echoing loudly off of the walls in the silent room and the way the chair scratched awfully along the floor as he pulled it out. "Good afternoon," he said. "For those of you who have not had the pleasure of being introduced, we have two new professors joining us this year," he said, tone indifferent as he waved his hand to his left. "Amycus Carrow, Defense Against the Dark Arts-"

"Or just the Dark Arts, if you will," Amycus said with a nasty grin.

"-and Alecto Carrow, Muggle Studies."

"Maybe we can bring in real Muggles for demonstrations," Alecto cackled.

"Enough," Severus said. "They will be my Deputy Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress. They are also in charge of punishments. If any students give you any trouble this year, they are to be sent to either of the Professor Carrows. If it is a particularly significant offense, they are to be brought to me."

They won't do anything to them unless they have no choice, Severus realized. He could read the defiance all over their faces and was grateful. The majority of the teachers here would do everything they could to protect every student they could, regardless of what they did. While students getting away with breaking rules was annoying, it was in their best interests. Severus could only hope no one caused too much trouble. He knew they wouldn't be able to escape having to punish them entirely.

"There will be no Hogsmeade visits this year," Severus informed them, leaning back in his seat and trying to recall the notes he had carelessly left on the headmaster's desk. He remembered most of his points, at any rate. "From Dolores Umbridge's time, we will be reinstating Educational Decree Number Twenty Four."

"Which one was twenty four?" Filius asked Minerva.

"All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded. An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students. Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge). No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor. Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled," Septima recited to everyone's surprise. Somehow she reminded him greatly of Hermione Granger, the way she easily recalled the Decree verbatim, "where definition seemed to hold more value than comprehension," he remembered complaining once. Septima smiled sheepishly at the attention. "Though I take it there will be no High Inquisitor?"

"And little to no hope of allowing any of them to reform," Severus said coldly.

"And take what little enjoyment they have left from them?" Pomona asked.

Severus smirked evilly, playing his role to its fullest. "While I am positive our new Deputy Heads are sadistic enough to crave more wrongdoings for the perfect excuse to torture the students, I find I have very little patience for the whelps and would prefer a relatively peaceful term without having to deal with analyzing crimes and dolling out punishments. As I have seen in the past, gatherings among students in such a nature is breeding-ground for some of the worst behavior that I would prefer to avoid. Unless, of course, you want the little bastards to get what's coming to them. I assure you, however, that I will not be in such high spirits if I must continually deal with rotten children."

"I would have thought you would enjoy punishing the students, Severus," Minerva said coolly.

"I might," Severus retorted. "But only when the behavior is particularly foul."

"Come on, Snape!" Alecto grinned. "Let them get into trouble! In fact, why not encourage open rebellion? I won't get bored of putting those bastards in their place!"

"Why I never-!" exclaimed Bathsheba, standing up, but Filius and Septima quickly pulled her down. "Such an awful way to speak of young children!"

"They act more like beasts than children," Severus muttered.

There were gasps of shock and indignation, and Septima rolled her eyes. "He's never liked the students, though, has he?" he heard her whispering to Bathsheba.

"Surprised he became a teacher at all," Pomona huffed.

"Settle down," Severus said sternly, already tired of dealing with them. The biggest thing was ensuring they all understood the way the school would be run this term, when the students arrived in less than a month. The biggest thing was enraging them enough and warning them enough to make them stay and protect the students in ways he could not. Already he was regretting coming at all, having to deal with all of this nonsense…It was going to be a very long, very tiring year.

"Tell me, Severus, what sorts of punishments will you be inflicting upon the students?" Minerva demanded. "Or beasts, as you so elegantly referred to them."

"Unforgivable Curses always work well at producing desired results," Alecto said.

"Rape…but only for the pretty ones," Amycus said with a grin, laughing as the others stared and gasped in shock and disgust. Minerva quirked an eyebrow and Severus stared back challenging, half expecting her to make some mention of the scene she had interrupted between himself and Harry last year. Her nostrils were flaring, her lips pressed thin as usual when she was furious.

"…hang them up by their toenails," Alecto was saying in a dreamy voice.

"Hit 'em with a spiked whip," Amycus said.

"Boil them alive in my favorite cauldron," Alecto was saying.

Everyone looked sickened the more Alecto and Amycus went on, providing gruesome details to the sorts of things they wanted to do to the students. Severus kept his face impassive, though it was a struggle. He wanted to curse them both before they got the opportunity to lay one cruel hand on anyone. It was disturbing…and frightening, honestly. How much of this terror could he actually stop?

"Surely you don't expect us to sit back and let this happen!" Poppy said.

"You can always be replaced," Severus promised them. "We have many friends who would be glad to take your place."

They all sat in grim silence and Severus smirked with the same wicked pleasure the Carrows did. If nothing he said had done the trick, he was certain that with the promise of more Death Eaters coming in would keep them here. They were nothing, if not dedicated professors.

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Lost and Damned