Opportunities

‘Now,’ Madam Longbottom said, her chin raised regally. ‘What other manipulations do I need to be aware of?’

‘Let me set out some refreshments and perhaps get us both something stronger than tea?’ Severus offered, wanting some time to figure out how to tell her what he knew and wondering how well she was going to take it.

‘I have no other engagements for today.’

‘Let’s hope we can cover them all today then.’

Madam Longbottom pursed her lips. 

‘Although maybe we should move to somewhere more protected seeing that you Madam Longbottom, are the first person to gain entry to my home when I have not been in. I would be very much interested in how you accomplished it.’ He raised an enquiring eyebrow. While he didnt want her to change her mind, she’d proven to be more of an obstacle than he had anticipated and he did not enjoy surprises of any kind.

‘Your wards are blood based, they let in blood family.’

‘I am the last of my line, and my parents are dead.’ Snape said bitingly.

‘Your mother was Eileen Prince, her great grandmother was a Witlock, as was I before I married.’

Severus narrowed his eyes. ‘I’m surprised that the blood wards allowed you through, diluted as it is.’

‘Which is why your wards alerted you that I was here even while allowing me entry and I presume from how robust they feel that we are safe to continue discussing our matter?’

He inclined his head as he rose and picked up his purchases. He noticed Madam Longbottom eyeing the bag but said nothing. Heading to the kitchen he quickly set up cheeses, cold meats, crackers and some sauces and floated them along with a bottle of eighteen year old single malt Macallan whisky.

A small smile graced Madam Longbottom’s face as she looked over the selection before nodding in approval.

‘I take it this is what you were out purchasing when I arrived?’

‘If you tell anyone I’m fond of a muggle shop I will tell everyone you are a dirty stinking liar.’ Severus said.

‘We have an accord.’ She smiled as she selected one of the cheeses and placed it on a cracker with some mango chutney. She took a delicate bite. ‘Not that anyone would believe you.’

He felt himself smile. ‘Maybe in another life.’ 

She raised her tea cup in salute.

‘Now,’ she said. ‘Pour me some of that whisky and tell me what I need to know. Then we can strategise. And we’re not going back with the rat. I refuse to have anything to do with that disgusting rodent.’

Severus stared at her for a long moment, clenching his teeth. ‘And who, pray tell, will take his place?’

‘Muriel Prewitt. I haven't approached her yet, but with her history she will of course agree and have plenty of past errors we can correct.’

Severus raised an eyebrow.

Madam Longbottom scoffed. ‘Really Severus, I’d perfected that look before your mother thought the only way out of an arranged marriage was to elope with a muggle.’

‘And if I refuse?’

‘Septimus Weasley is an acceptable replacement.’

Severus pitched the bridge of his nose and breathed in deeply. ‘Elucidate your reasons.’

‘Excluding the deaths of Fabian and Gideon, do you know the real reason why Molly and Arthur married?’

Severus inclined his head. ‘They were in love in a time of war. Many believed that Molly was already with child and that was the reason for the quick wedding but Bill wasn't born for another year and a half.’

‘While Molly was pregnant with Ginevra, Muriel discovered that she had been love potioning Arthur, she never discovered when it started, probably some time around their fifth or sixth year, but most definitely throughout their seventh.’ Madam Longbottom said, downing her glass of firewhiskey, her distaste evident in her severe expression and the tight grip she had on her now empty glass. ‘By the time Muriel discovered the potioning, it was too late for Arthur, one of the potions she’d used had caused too much damage.’

Severus stared at her before following Madam Longbottom’s example and downing his drink before refilling both glasses with a healthy amount of firewhisky. ‘I assume that Arthur has been purged and actually loves her seeing as they are still together?’

‘Possibly, unfortunately that particular potion had done a number on Arthur, he believed so even after Murial and Cedrella had cleansed his system. Septimus and Cedrella wanted Molly sent to Azkaban but Arthur was the one who came up with the plan. Molly unfortunately adores Arthur, her love for him is true, so after some carefully worded vows, he returned to his wife, under a strict regime of potions that Cedrella oversaw for him to recover, but by doing so Septimus insisted they would be cut off from the Weasley fortune.’

‘I never thought Arthur a coward before.’ Severus said.

Madam Longbottom glared at him. 'What would you rather, your wife and mother of your children making vows to protect you and the family and to never use or brew certain potions, a weekly healer check up monitoring your health where you still got to be with your family and your children raised without any stigma or a life in love with a woman locked up while your seven children are disgraced in the entire wizarding world because of the actions of their mother and the youngest having the stigma of being born in Azkaban?’

Severus blinked. It certainly wasn’t the choice he would make, but then he didn’t have children.

‘Cedrella found out under veritaserum that Molly had only been giving him the odd attraction and lust potions and stopped them after Charlie was born but Arthur started pulling away hence the gap between Charlie and Percy. So she restarted them whenever she wanted another baby, she was desperate for daughters but otherwise they were happy. After the twins were born, her potions mentor, a miserable decrepit old man, passed away and unfortunately left her all his old books. It took her a while to go through them all but after she had Ron she found a recipe in them for a different type of love potion, which she had never heard of, so she tried it when she was ready for another child. Unfortunately it was much more potent and that’s the one that did the damage.’

‘What was the potion called?’

‘Amorimpedia fascinare introitus.’

Severus felt his breath catch in his throat. ‘But that’s…’

‘You’ve heard of it then?’

‘How was she not sent to Azkaban? That potion is not only illegal and highly addictive, all texts referencing it are highly regulated!’ Amorimpedia fascinare introitus both bewitched and entranced whoever ingested it to whomever it was aimed at and lasted for several months. Severus had never even seen a recipe for it. It had been banned several hundred years ago when a member of the Black family had found there sweetheart attempting to dose their drink with the potion, they had then unearthed that he’d belonged to a group of people that had been using it on approximately a third of the higher ranking Wizengamot members. The entire thing had been hushed up, the group Kissed by dementors and any reference to the potion was meant to have been destroyed, only the story was still told to potion masters as a warning.

‘Mainly because of Arthur, his love for his children and to avoid a scandal. Molly truly didn’t know how bad it was. Cedrella cursed her sterile, Molly had actually wanted more children if you can believe it, Septimus changed his heir and Muriel disowned Molly from the Prewitts.’ She said, taking another sip of her drink.

‘How does no one know this?’

‘No one needs to know, and those involved with Arthur’s purging were obliviated. You do remember that Cedrella was a Black?’

Severus glared at her and raised his glass.

‘I’ve always wondered if Molly was responsible for Cedrella’s death but that’s just wishful thinking.’

Severus choked on his firewhiskey. ‘Merlin woman.’

Madam Longbottom smiled bitterly. ‘While her death didn’t change the fact that they were cut off financially from the Weasleys and magically from the Prewitts, Molly had more leeway afterwards. Septimus and Muriel were both too furious over the circumstances to stay in her presence too long so the visits were always brief and to ensure there were no potions in the house. Arthur has a weekly healer check up at the ministry but there’s been nothing since and it seems he does now love her.’

‘That’s why he’s never progressed in his career.’ Severus breathed. 

‘So you see, they both have their reasons for joining us but Muriel would be more effective than Septimus. I believe their only stipulation would be we return before 1978 which we are planning on doing so anyway.’

‘Either of them would want us to return to before Molly started potioning him which, if she started fifth year would be summer of 1965 which would make you five years old.’ Madam Longbottom said before smirking at him. ‘I’m sure I can convince them otherwise, as long as they stop her from using that potion.’

Severus nodded. ‘And I’m assuming Madam Prewett would also like to save her nephews Fabian and Gideon.’

‘You agree with Muriel as our third then?’

‘Merlin save me from Gryffindors. How did she discover what Molly was up to? That can’t be the only reason she’s qualified to come with us.’

Madam Longbottom smirked at him. ‘What makes you think either of us were Gryffindors? And is that not the reason you chose myself?’

Severus downed the rest of his drink in response, eliciting a delighted laugh from her.

‘I was in fact Gryffindor, Muriel however was Slytherin. Although speaking of Gryffindors we’ll need to have a decent plan on how to deal with Minerva and Albus.’

‘Minerva?’ Severus blinked and eyed the bottle of firewhiskey. ‘What has she done?’

‘Oh it’s more what was done to her, by that idiot headmaster and his manipulations.’ Madam Longbottom said before sighing. ‘I used to think he’d used compulsions and spells to ensure her loyalty, however I think it was worse than that. He got her to trust him and see him as a friend and confidant and then overworked her so she didn’t see what was happening under her own nose.’

‘And how did you come to this conclusion?’

‘Muriel helped. Although she is of the opinion that Minerva’s been obliviated a fair few times as well.’

‘Just how close are you and Madam Prewett?’

Madam Longbottom smirked. ‘It would probably be best to involve her before we make any plans.’

‘Very well. I’ll leave that to you shall I?’ He asked dryly.

‘You may start on the timeline and problems that we need to correct while I go collect her. Do remember to add Fabian and Gideon to the list.’

Severus took a large swig straight out of the bottle of firewhiskey as Madam Longbottom left, wondering what on earth had possessed him to think she was a good candidate to go back in time with him. Truthfully he hadn’t thought she’d want to be involved that much in his plans, that she would save her son and daughter-in-law and let him get on with his plans after ensuring they were to save lives and not to aid the Dark Lord. He’d been prepared to offer her vows and had thought that would be enough for her. He’d clearly been wrong.

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It was several hours, one disposed of rat that would never see freedom or daylight, and multiple pieces of parchment later that Severus felt Madam Longbottom knocking on his wards with a guest by her side. He set his lists that kept overlapping or deviating down and made his way to the door, surprised that she hadn’t just let herself in like she had before.

‘Well young man, I hope this plan of yours is sound. I have a whole list of people to either save or kill.’ Madam Muriel Prewett announced as she strode past him and into his house. ‘I do so hope you’ve put your petty little feud with the Blacks to rest, as Melania and Acturus are on the saving list. Walberga however, I have a special poison picked out just for her.’

Severus looked at Madam Longbottom. ‘It only took a few hours to convince her?’

‘No, it only took five minutes, the rest of the time was spent with gathering her own lists, including blackmail and recipes of undetectable poisons.’

‘The spell will not allow us to take material possessions back with us.’

Madam Longbottom rolled her eyes as she removed her vulture hat and sat down. ‘Neither of us are senile you impertinent whelp, they’re for us to memorise them. She also gathered all of Cedrella’s information.’

‘Do I want to know how she gathered this?’ Severus asked, dread filling him but he also needed to know if he was due to have either an angry Septimus Weasley or the aurors on his doorstep.

‘We entered his manor easily enough so it was most likely legal.’ Madam Longbottom peered around the living room she was in earlier, ignoring Muriel and the large table she had conjured and spread her parchments over. ‘Where’s that bottle of Macallan gone?’

‘I assume you actually have a plan on how to get rid of the Dark Lord or at least know how the Potter boy managed it?’ Madam Prewett demanded, switching her focus from her parchment to him.

‘I do.’ Severus drawled.

‘Are you going to share that knowledge or hoard it to yourself like Dumbledore?’ Madam Prewitt pursed her lips as she looked disapprovingly at him. ‘Seeing as Augusta is adamant that we have to go back to Yule of 75.’

‘I am willing to go back to Summer of 71.’ 

‘I am not.’ Madam Longbottom interrupted. ‘Yes we could save more lives, we could also condemn more and the further back we go, the less helpful and useful our knowledge will be.’

Madam Prewitt blew a raspberry at her. ‘How you didn’t sort Ravenclaw I will never know.’

Severus left the room to hunt out the firewhiskey. He was relieved he hadn’t finished off that first bottle when Madam Longbottom had left earlier and hoped he hadn't been mistaken that he had a second hidden at the back of a cupboard somewhere. He wasn’t sure he’d survive any length of planning with those two without it.

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‘We’ve made a list of the people we want to save, possible allies to acquire who can help with our plans, and a timeline of events as we know it.’ Madam Longbottom said the moment he walked back into the room.

‘We will not be telling anyone of our journey.’ Severus stated, eyeing the list of allies.

Madam Prewett snorted. ‘What kind of morons do you take us for? One’s that wish for a one way trip to experimentation in the department of mysteries?’ 

Severus inclined his head in acceptance as he glanced over the lists, placing the two bottles in the middle of the table. He nodded agreeing with many of the names he saw in the lists, most of them having already been mentioned already.

‘I would like to add Regulus Black to the list of people to save. He turned against the Dark Lord and was killed for it.’

‘Acceptable.’ Madam Prewett nodded. ‘Are you handing over that firewhisky or just going to stare at it?’

Severus calmed himself before conjuring glasses and pouring them all some.

‘Are you planning on going into teaching again?’ Madam Longbottom asked, watching him intently over the rim of her glass.

‘No.’ He didn’t feel the need to clarify any further, he hoped it wasn't obvious that he’d been manipulated into it before and felt he couldn't leave.

Madam Longbottom nodded, giving him an approving smile. ‘We have plans for the school as well. Too many classes cut and the education dumbed down. We’ll be correcting that of course.’

‘Of course you are.’ Severus made a mental note to start brewing hangover cures and liver replenishes as he finished his glass and got up to pour them all another.

‘Now then, how to get rid of that so-called dark twat?’ Madam Prewett demanded.

Severus choked on his drink, barely noticing Madam Longbottoms casual hand wave that cleared up his drink that he’d spat over himself. He took a deep breath. ‘Horcruxes.’

He smirked when both Madams spluttered out their own drinks.

‘At the time we will return to, he will have made five of them.’

‘I dread to ask how many he made in total but I’m going to.’ Madam Longbottom said faintly.

‘Seven.’

‘And you know where these will be?’ Madam Prewitt asked pointedly.

Severus winced. ‘I know where two will be in 1975.’

‘And the other three?’

‘Made it to Regulus Black, Bellatrix Lestranges and Lucius Malfoy by the time he attacked the Potters.’

Madam Longbottom huffed loudly.

‘Well, we’ll just have to entreat with the Goblins when we return and obtain those two of them.’ Madam Prewitt declared riffling through some more parchment.

‘The Goblins?’ Severus asked dubiously.

‘Youngsters theses days. Even with a mastery they know nothing.’ Madam Longbottom grumbled. ‘Goblins do not just store our gold they also hunt for it.’

‘I am aware.’ Severus drawled icily not impressed at her tone or the words she was using.

‘And they train curse breakers.’ Madam Prewitt cut in, sounding thoroughly unimpressed. ‘They’ve come across horcruxes before and I’m told have a spell to track them for nincompoops who make more than one.’

‘Nin-nincompoops.’ Severus repeated faintly, blinking rapidly, utterly flummoxed that Dumbledore hadn’t sought out all possibilities for destroying or even tracking horcruxes.

‘I believe you prefer the term dunderheads.’

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