Knowledge is Power

Chapter 70

When Severus returned to Hogwarts, Filius was waiting with Mag in the private chambers of the headmaster. Even though he was now the headmaster, Severus felt it was, in truth a sham. As such, he still considered the rooms in which he now lived the headmaster's private chambers rather than his own. It wasn't intentional, it was just how it was.

"When you weren't at dinner, I was worried," Filius said, a strained expression on his face.
"The Carrows were present, so I assumed you weren't at one of...HIS meetings," Filius concluded, obviously speaking of Voldemort.
Mag's expression was pensive as well as she stood to embrace Severus.
"When Filius came in all worried, I got worried as well. It's contagious," she said, giving him a strained smile that Filius echoed.
Though both were glad to see he'd returned safely, neither would be relaxed until they knew all was well.

"Well it was a meeting, but not of the sort you're thinking," Severus said, giving a reassuring smile.
"I went to see Wolfgang about your reading," he said, looking at Mag.
"Which reading," Filius asked, and Mag briefly filled him in. As she spoke, she poured Severus some tea, because she and Filius were having tea while they waited.

"What did Wolfgang say," she asked, when her explanation to Filius was complete.
Both Mag and Filius looked at Severus expectantly while he took a sip of tea, allowing himself a moment to collect his thoughts.
"He feels I was on the proper track to consider speaking to Grindelwald on the matter. He believes we will require his help. He feels Grindelwald's method of switching one person for another worked so well that we should use the same method now, difficult and unlikely as it sounds considering how hard Voldemort is to fool."

When both nodded without speaking, he continued.
"The clear problem is that whoever takes my place won't be willing to do so for obvious reasons. While we're still working out the details, I did bring up the fact that vampires can effect the mind on a far deeper level without leaving the same magical traces that an Imperius curse does. The obvious vampire to turn to for help in this matter is Regulus Black. He has returned very eager to help in order to assuage his guilt I suppose, so we may as well make use of it. I planned to go and speak with him this evening if you'd like to come along," he told Mag.
"There's no time like the present to begin setting things in motion for my survival, after all."

"Agreed," Mag said quickly.
"I'm ready when you are."
"Where is he staying now," Filius asked.
"At the home of one of Albus's friends. He promised to find him somewhere to go for the time being if Regulus didn't force Harry from his home yet."
Filius nodded.
"Well do let me know how it goes, and of course if there is anything I can do to help, Severus. This is all very distressing."
Severus gave a dry smile.
"You don't say."
Considering it was about his possible death, or at least avoiding it, he quite concurred.

Mag stood to collect the invisibility cloak she'd borrowed from Wolfgang from where it was stored in the wardrobe. He had a few and he lent her one so she could move about Hogwarts to be with Severus in the evening without the Carrows or even the likes of Draco Malfoy and his goons seeing her. Severus and Filius watched her vanish, indicating she'd dawned it and was ready to go. The wardrobe door shut seemingly by itself and Severus stood, Nightshade jumping from the back of the chair to his shoulder with one flap of large white wings. The owl had been strangely silent, making Severus wonder if he was worried. If so that was mildly depressing and made Severus wonder if he was being too hasty to relax even a little on the matter now that he was taking affirmative action.

//It's cool, Prof. Sure I'm worried, but I mainly didn't want to say shit in front of Adler or Flitwick. You're under enough stress without having to try not to react to my awesome comments. See? Like that right there. You're having to try not to smile, and considering the shit you're having to sling right now, that's not really right of me."
Severus was oddly touched, because the owl rarely kept his thoughts to himself for any reason. Still some of it had to be motivated by self interest.

Neither Filius nor Wolfgang were aware of Nightshade's...extra abilities. The owl was so paranoid that if too many people knew, he'd somehow end up in 'a fuckin' lab' that he didn't even want most of the wizards in their trusted circle to know. It wasn't that he didn't find people like Flitwick and Adler to be trustworthy. It was more that he feared if too many people knew, others who weren't so trustworthy would eventually end up finding out. Out of respect for his wishes, Mag and Severus kept his secret from anyone he didn't want knowing it.

Severus and Mag walked together out of Hogwarts and off the grounds. At the edge of the forest, Severus took her hand and side apparated her along with him to the home of Elphias Doge. Nightshade remained visible on the shoulder of Severus's sweeping black robe, as there was no reason to hide from anyone inside that he had an owl. When Doge opened the door his face showed immediate concern. If there weren't so many other things to be depressed over, the fact that anyone seeing him these days looked concerned would be depressing. Obviously an unexpected visit from him could mean poor tidings.
"Albus is fine," Severus said, thinking to get the reassurances over at once and hopefully do away with the older man's depressingly concerned look.

Doge was Albus Dumbledore's oldest friend, so of course he was let into the loop that when it appeared Albus was dead, it wouldn't be true. Albus knew he couldn't risk letting everyone in on the secret, but he wasn't able to allow his best and oldest friend to needlessly grieve him, which Severus understood.

"Oh good," Doge said, openly relieved.
"What can I do for you, then, Mr. Snape?"
"I also brought a friend," Severus said.
Doge smiled at Nightshade.
"Ah yes. A very fine owl you have there..."
Then he started as Mag allowed the invisibility cloak to drop.
"Oh well then...And a good evening to you as well Miss..."
"Snape," Mag supplied, and Severus had to struggle to keep his brows from shooting up.

"Well...both of you come in...I even have a treat for Mr. owl."
//Cool but it better not be one of those cheap ass nasty ones,// Nightshade warned.
//If it is I will shit on his floor, I'm telling you right now. Tard-baby owls may eat anything, but this one right here has refined taste, I'll have you know.//
//I am aware,// Severus replied with a slight smile.
"I'm sure the owl would be grateful," he told Doge.

"We came to see Regulus...Is he in?"
"As a matter of fact, he just returned from...urm...hunting his evening meal," Doge replied, obviously uncomfortable with what or rather who vampires had to eat in order to survive.
"Come into the parlor and I shall tell him that he has guests."
Severus thanked him and they followed Doge into a lavish parlor full of book cases and heavy earth toned velvet covered furniture that actually looked quite comfortable and inviting. That or Severus was just extremely stressed out and open to drawing comfort even from a bloody sofa.
//Funny,// Nightshade said, giving a mental snicker.
//Good one, Prof.//

Mag and Severus settled themselves onto a long and extremely soft velvet sofa to wait. Nightshade left Severus's shoulder to perch on the back of the sofa.
//Here is my shit spot if I don't appreciate the quality of my owl treat,// he announced and Mag laughed.
//That's disgusting,// she thought to the owl.
//Thank you,// Nightshade said, spreading his wings to preen as if he'd just been highly complimented.
Mag sighed and shook her head.

Less than five minutes later, Regulus entered with an openly fawning Kreacher at his side. The youthful looking vampire's face lit with pleasure upon seeing who had come to pay him a visit.
"It's so good to see you, Severus...And you as well, Mag. I always liked your parents very much, and I look forward to getting to know the girl who managed to snag Severus's hart...or hell discover that he even had one...because frankly the rest of us weren't so sure."
Mag smiled in pleasure, obviously taking to Regulus at once.
She tended to warm to anyone who was pleased that she and Severus were together.

//He's surprised that you wanted to see him,// Nightshade shared.
//Poor bastard doesn't think many people like him these days.//
//Interesting,// Severus replied.
//We were friendly in school, but his clear obsession with Voldemort always made us careful even if we did like him for his mind and wit.//
//We,// Nightshade asked, curious.
//Me, Heather and Raislen. We were all in the same house, and those of us who loved books as much as the four of us did, tended to be aware of one another.//