Determination

LVIII: Rising Action

June 1995

Snape had never had a worse year teaching. Honestly, he's so glad the year is almost over. Now he'd have the summer to focus on bringing back Meae so she could continue teaching her classes, and he wouldn't have to cover them anymore. He could barely stand the students in his own class, but having to teach her's as well? He'd thought he'd escaped the Weasley twins two years ago when they didn't continue with him for their N.E.W.T.s, but now? Now he'd had them in Muggle studies most of the year. Severus rubbed his hands down his face in part frustration, part exhaustion. How Meae taught such a boring class all year with such enthusiasm was beyond him.

There was a knock at the door.

"Professor?"

He turned towards the voice in his doorway, taking note of the Malfoy boy in his Slytherin garb and the inquisitorial squad emblem attached to his robes.

"Yes?" He droned at him.

"The Headmistress is calling for you."

"Why?"

"Probably for veritaserum, sir, caught Potter sneaking into her office trying to use the floo."

Snape sighed wearily and rubbed his face with his hands again before looking heavenward. Potter was probably trying to contact Black for some reason. If the dunce of a headmistress, wanted veritaserum, then she didn't know who he was trying to contact or why, at least. He turned his head towards the boy in his doorway.

"I don't have any," he lied. In fact, Severus always kept some veritaserum ready in case it was truly needed, but like hell he was going to give it to that old bat and have all the Order's secrets spilled for the ministry to hear.

Draco looked at him nervously. "You'd better tell her yourself, sir."

Severus sighed again as he got up from his office chair and followed the boy up to the headmaster's office. He hated coming up here as of late. She turned the room into a mockery of what it once was. Severus swore he'd rather go blind than ever have to see the color pink again. He followed Draco up the stairs and walked in after the boy took a breath to compose himself before holding the door open for him.

"You wanted to see me, headmistress?" Severus carefully looked around the room at all his own students who had succumbed to the power grab of this wretched woman and the Gryffindors they held. He allowed nothing to pass on his face, though he did take particular notice of the too-tight hold Crabbe had on the Longbottom boy, and the desperation igniting Potter's face.

The woman stood as she acknowledged his presence. "Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, quick as you can, please."

Severus stared at her Blankly. He had given her an entire bottle not too long ago, and per his instructions, she had only needed three drops. Inside, he smirked at her arrogance.

"You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter. Surely you did not use it all? I had told you that three drops would suffice."

He watched coolly as a flush had taken over her face. From what he'd gfathered in their Occlumency lessons, Potter had never actually drunk that veritaserum, so the witch had wasted it all for nothing anyway.

"You can make some more, can't you?" Her voice had risen in pitch, meaning Severus was thoroughly pissing her off. Very slight payback for what they'd done to Minerva, he thought.

"Certainly," He told her. He couldnt keep the arrogant smile completelly off his face though he did try. "It takes a full moon cycle to mature, so i should have it ready for you in around a month."

"A month?!" she squaked back. "a month? But i need it this evening, Snape! i have just found Potter using my fire to communicatee with a person or persons unknown!"

He was right. she was unaware of whom he was trying to communicate. Good.

"Really?" he faked new interest, he knew perfectly well wwhat the boy was up to. Snape looked towards the boy and noticed Potter determinately looking straight into his eyes.

The boy was trying to tell him something, show him something. Potter had been avoiding eye contact since he found out it was necessary for Legimancy.

"Well, it doesn't surprise me, the boy has never shown an inclination to follow school rules."

"I wish to interrogate him!" She shouted.

Severus had to hold back his snicker at the tantrum this highly decorated ministry official was having over this.

"I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!" She continued whining angrily.

keep wishing you toad

"I have already told you that I have no further stocks of veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison potter- and I assure you, I'd have the greatest sympathy if you did- I cannot help you," he continued smoothly. "The only trouble is that most poisons act too fast to give the victim time for truth-telling."

He knew he was just pissing her off further by being unhelpful; the screech from her that he was on probation now was one he expected from someone as emotionally unbalanced as she.

He gave her a mock bow when she had screeched at him to leave.

There, he thought, I've helped you, Potter, don't do anything to fuck this up worse, and you can come to my office  later-

"She's there!" the boy shouted as he turned to leave. "He's got her at the place where it's hidden!"

Severus froze in the doorway.

The dark lord had moved her? Why would he do that? And why take her there of all places? What could she do for him there that he could not?

She could open the door, he answered himself. She wouldn't be able to find the right prophecy, though.... only her own. Which, honestly, is almost just as bad as the dark lord's own.

"What does he mean, Snape?"

Severus turned to look at the boy, willing him to keep his mouth shut for once.

"I have no idea," he said coldly "Potter when i want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a babbling Beverage. And Crabbe!" he growled "Loosen your hold a little, if Longbottom suffocates it willl mean a lot of tedious peperwork, and i'm afraid i'd have to mention it on your reference if you ever apply for a job."

He quickly exited the room and carefully went down the stairs to not rouse any immediete attention.

Once he was out of the headmaster's corridor, he quickly retreated to his chambers to send out his Patronous to the Order.

He closed the door to his chambers quickly and locked the door. Thank Merlin he didnt have anymore classes today. He pulled out his wand and held it in front of him.

"Expecto Patronum!"

He watched as the glittering doe appeared in front of him and he relayed his message to her quickly.

"Potter has seen the dark lord take her to the department of mysteries. I assume he will try and go there himself as well. Tell the order." He relayed to the doe.

He watched from his chamber window as the doe flew off into the distance. He'd have to keep focus for sometime. Severus reisgned himself to lying on his bed and keeping his concentration and thoughts clear.

Send word to the order, The Dark lord has lured Potter to the department of mysteries using  Masondrit.

He closed his eyes and tried to keep his thoughts clear and the rising desperation at bay.

Send word to the order....