Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 18: Unscheduled Programming

Chapter 18: Unscheduled Programming

Snape hurried back to his common room directly after the Prefect meeting, furious at Bellatrix for not telling him what was going on within his own House and circle of allies. Professor Dumbledore had questioned Snape immediately after the meeting, asking if there was anything that Snape wished to tell him. Snape was not a fool and was well aware that Dumbledore was not one either. Dumbledore was the only living wizard his master feared, and for good reason. Yet Bellatrix believed herself capable of deceiving him, even after what had transpired last year. Clearly she had learned nothing from the experience.

Why Bellatrix had gone behind his back on this one, Snape wondered. It worried him more than he cared to admit even to himself. Lestrange had trusted him, as far as Lestrange was capable of trusting anyone, and Rodolphus' word was gospel to Bellatrix. Yet here she was leaving him out of what was undoubtedly a highly complex scheme. What did it all mean?

It took no time at all for Snape to locate Bellatrix, who was surrounded by her usual gaggle of admirers. Seething inwardly but managing to keep a hold of himself, Snape asked her for a private word. Eyes alight with anticipation, Bellatrix agreed and led him to one of the study rooms.

Snape banged the door shut. "What in the name of Merlin do you think you're playing at with this attack?" Snape thundered, feeling fully capable of murder. "I've just come from Dumbledore, who informed me in a roundabout way that he's fully aware of who within this house is contemplating engaging in a Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade. If I'm wrong about this, now is the time to tell me before I decide whether or not to turn you in to Dumbledore or to the Dark Lord himself."

Bellatrix laughed, a chilling sound in the small room. "Come now Severus," she cooed. "You can't expect me to tremble at the thought of the ickle Headmaster coming to scold me. This attack is going to happen, and it's no wonder I left you out of it. You're no fun at all. Too concerned about what darling Dumbledore is going to think, too cautious and boring to tears. You have no imagination, my darling"

"That's another thing, Bellatrix," Snape growled. "There are VERY strict rules about authority, rules you are well aware of, and you flagrantly violated them when you left me out of this little manoeuvre. As Avery has not yet proved himself to our lord's satisfaction, I am the only Marked one here and therefore am in the highest position of authority." 

"Not anymore," Bellatrix enunciated slowly and with great pleasure as she rolled up her left sleeve and displayed the Dark Mark located on her forearm. It wasn't fresh; she had to have received it sometime over the summer. Snape was puzzled; generally the follower to be Marked was surrounded by all of the Death Eaters at their Marking, where they were forced to prove themselves worthy of the Mark, a symbol of trust and camaraderie. It was something of a ritual, the hooded, masked Death Eaters surrounding the candidate and the Dark Lord while he ensured their loyalty to his satisfaction before bestowing the Dark Mark. If Bellatrix hadn't had one of these ceremonies, Snape wasn't sure how she had proved her loyalty and suddenly he was aware that he didn't want to know.

"I want you to listen very closely to me, pet," Bellatrix's insanity was plainly in evidence as she covered her Mark once again. "There are some changes that are long overdue at Hogwarts, mostly concerning our beloved Headmaster and his laughable policies. But it's also time that we had some fresh blood, so to speak, leading our noble House in the Dark Lord's work. And I will step up and lead with or without your support, dear Severus. It's your choice about where you want to stand." Bellatrix cast one more maniacal grin over her shoulder as she swept from the room.

Snape paced the small space furiously, his mind buzzing. It was clear that Bellatrix had some very influential friends, Snape didn't dare to venture a guess as to how influential. This meant one thing: however much Snape might disagree with Bellatrix's strategy there was really nothing he could do about it.