Éminence Grise
— Act 2 —
[Part One]
Severus Snape was not in a pleasant mood. Ever since Regulus’s offering, Severus had done nothing except remain locked in his room, even as Roo attempted her best to get him up and about—though even she had stopped nagging after Severus had pulled out his wand on her. The mere memory of his actions sent a sharp spike of guilt through his chest. And with the emotion breaking through the fog in his mind, the singular thought that had been haunting him returned.
Mi-Mi is dead.
Breath catching in his throat, Severus pushed himself up and out of his bed, making his way to the drawer in which his now half empty rack of calming draughts rested. Uncorking a vial, he downed it, relishing the way his emotions dampened until they seemed to fade into the background. Indifference was better than the clawing grief he felt without the blue potion pounding through his veins.
In the back of his mind Severus heard a voice that sounded deceptively like Mr. Jigger’s, admonishing him for his excessive usage of an addictive potion. But the image of Mi-Mi’s dead body, arms sliced open and eyes lifeless silenced it quite adeptly.
Returning to his bed, Severus collapsed down heavily and returned to the fetal position he had found most comforting. Closing his eyes, Severus banished all thoughts of what had occurred and instead urged the fog of calming draught to claim him once again.
But just as his mind relaxed, there was a knocking at the door.
When Severus made no move to reply, Mr. Jigger’s voice drifted into the room. “Severus please let me in.”
Feeling hazy, Severus glanced at the door. His inner debate did not last long as the fog returned, making his limbs feel unnaturally heavy.
“Severus, if you do not open this door I will dismantle the wards myself and come in! This has gone on long enough. I understand you must feel dreadful, but as your mentor I cannot allow you to come to harm because of it.”
Severus did nothing. And, just as he had said, Mr. Jigger began to disassemble to wards. Severus could feel, even through the fog in his mind, as the defenses he had put up were scrapped aside.
A moment later Mr. Jigger walked in, looking worse for wear. It was always difficult to remove wards, and Severus had plenty of practice making them as they had become a necessity in the Slytherin dorms.
Turning to face towards the wall, Severus attempted to hide his dishevelment, not wishing for Mr. Jigger to seem him so defeated. So pathetic.
But then, Severus felt the mattress beneath him dip, as another person joined him. Arsenius sat on the edge of the bed, far enough that Severus did not feel nervous but close enough that he could reach over if need be.
“Oh Severus… ”
Mr. Jigger paused and Severus found himself jerking in suprise as he felt a warm hand land on his shoulder.
“Have you taken another calming draught?”
Severus nodded, keeping his eyes firmly locked on a little crack in the plaster before him. It was a rather interesting one, that was for sure, the divet was shaped almost like a spider—how he had failed to notice it before was an absolute wonder—
“—relinque mento.”
Severus felt his mind clear, his emotions returning full force. He gasped, bringing his hands to his lips to stifle a sound that was almost a sob.
“Severus.” Mr. Jigger repeated. “Come here.”
Turning around, Severus noted that Mr. Jigger had his arms out, as if beckoning him in for a hug. Severus shook his head, trying to force down the sorrow building in his chest. It was as if all the pain he had locked away with the calming draught had returned and brought friends with it.
Mr. Jigger sighed and lowered his arms before scooching closer on the bed. “Mr. Black told me everything. I’m so sorry Severus.”
Unable to staunch the flow any longer, Severus let out a cry, his eyes filling with tears. “It was my fault sir. Mi-Mi shouldn’t have even been there—she shouldn’t have—have— ”
This time Mr. Jigger took the initiative and wrapped his arms around Severus.
Feeling the warmth engulf him, Severus fell silent, weeping into the folds of Mr. Jigger’s robes.
It felt like forever, but eventually the tears stopped, not because Severus felt he had cried enough but because his body protested against loosing any more moisture. Feeling slightly nauseous, Severus pulled back so as to not risk the chance of him soiling Mr. Jigger’s robes further with the contents of his stomach.
“Mr. Jigger—” Severus murmured raggedly, trying to regain himself. “—I am so sorry. I did not mean to—”
“—there will most definitely be none of that Mr. Snape. You need not apologize. I took you on as an apprentice and you are now my responsibility. After all you have gone through it would be remiss of me not to offer you support.”
There was another silence and Severus felt his hands begin to shake yet again.
“Sir? Does it—does it get any easier?”
“I’m afraid not child.” Severus’s hands curled into fists. “But with time you learn to coexist with the pain.”
“But Mi-Mi—she was so young. She didn’t—I should’ve—”
Mr. Jigger sighed, clasping his hands around Severus’s. “You couldn’t have done anything Severus. You must not blame yourself.”
Those words, meant to soothe, instead lit a fire inside Severus’s stomach. “That’s just it sir! It was my fault! I was the one who asked her to join a fight that was never hers! And now she’s—” Severus paused, gasping for breath. “Now she’s dead.”
Still panting, Severus allowed his head to be tilted up by Mr. Jigger’s finger.
He was met with the sight of Arsenius’s eyes, dark with intensity. “No Severus. You may have asked her to join the fight, but she knew what she was getting into by helping you. Your friend was brave, she did what was right—and you owe it to her memory to recognize that bravery.” Mr. Jigger paused, his eyes boring into Severus’s as if through mere intent alone he could convince Severus of this. “It was not your fault. And if you continue to blame yourself the only thing you will be doing is damning yourself. And I’m sure your friend wouldn’t have wanted that.”
The flare of anger Severus felt died with Mr. Jigger’s words, in its place a gaping emptiness made itself home. “It just hurts so much sir.”
“I know.” Mr. Jigger replied. “And it will continue to do so. But the real question is, what are you going to do about it?”
Looking down at the bedsheet under him, Severus closed his eyes. Silently the hand upon his own was drawn away and Mr. Jigger began to leave.
“Oh, and Severus?”
“Yes sir?”
“Don’t forget that you have people that care about you. You are my apprentice. I will stay by you no matter what occurs. My door is open any time.”
Severus did not reply out loud, fearing his voice would fail him. Nodding instead, he soon found himself alone in his room with his thoughts.
What will I do indeed?
———————————————————
I am so fucked. Regulus reflected desolately. So utterly fucked.
What had possesed him to say that he would turn spy, Regulus would never know. Of all the most idiotic things to say I had to go and blurt the first idea on my mind. I must have been concussed.
The thought of a concussion made him wince as the pain that seemed to pulse from every part of his body flared back to life. His eye ached were Severus had punched him, the cartilage in his nose hurt nonstop, and his arms and legs cramped and uncramped without relief. It was dreadful, but even the pain could not distract him from the spiraling thoughts of his ultimate doom that had plagued him for the last week.
It was torture. Sitting in a bare room, tied up, waiting for Severus Snape to determine his fate. Each second felt like an agonizing boon—dragging out, leaving him with both hope of salvation and an all-encompassing desperation. This must be hell.
For it was worse than the cruciatus. The wait that is—it made his nerves tingle and skin burn. I cannot take this any longer!
“Then be grateful you do not have to.”
Regulus’s head snapped up, only for him to moan as the rapid motion caused his body to spasm. His arms and legs had been bound, limiting bloodflow. Now his body cried out against the treatment. Nevertheless, Regulus stared straight ahead, forcing his eyes wide.
Severus Snape stood before him, pale as a ghost.
“Goodness! You’ve been like this the whole time?” He exclaimed. Snape rushed forward, pulling out his wand and severing the bonds that held Regulus’s body. The younger Black fell forward as a painful itching sensation spread towards his fingers and toes. Unable to prevent his fall he fell face first to the ground, only just managing to avoid slamming his already broken nose into the floor.
Severus helped him back up with carful hands. Regulus did not fall for the act. He must have known about what tortures I had been left too. No doubt he took pleasure in my suffering. The Dark Lord would have.
“What are you here to do?” Regulus asked tiredly once he was propped up. “I cannot wait any longer to hear my fate.”
Severus frowned, his eyes tracing over the bruises left by the bonds on Regulus’s wrist. Even so, he began to speak.
“You cannot be a spy.” Snape said roughly. “There’s no way the Dark Lord could fall for it. Instead, I have another job for you.”
Snape paused and Regulus huffed in exasperation. “Get on with it. Nothing can be worse than having to turn traitor to the Dark Lord. He does not take to spies lightly.”
Severus’s lips pursed, his eyes hardened. “Then I suppose I shall remind you that you are in no position to refuse the task I give you, yes? You are still a Death Eater, one who has shown his disloyalty to both sides. I will not hesitate to use that against you.”
Regulus nodded, he had already known that by turning his back on the Dark Lord he’d loose any edge against Snape that he had. Nevertheless Regulus found himself feeling a small ball of hope weasel its way into his chest. It felt warm, curled up as it was. Perhaps I will be able to live through this war after all.
“Well then, I suppose there is no point delaying any longer. I need you to take responsibility for Peter Pettigrew’s capture. I don’t care how you do it but I need a foothold into this war without taking center stage and you are going to be my key to it. You’re going to be my figurehead and I your éminence grise.”
Oh. So I am to take the fall for Snape’s actions and become the focus of the Dark Lord’s ire.
Regulus felt his face drain of color, saliva flooding his mouth. Oh dear. This is not good.
Severus looked down at him. Face devoid of emotion. Regulus felt the hope in his chest fade away to be replaced with a clawing devastation. Severus Snape, you are one twisted bastard.
Regulus lowered his gaze to the floor, fingers curling into his thigh till blood was drawn.
And I am a pathetic fool. I should have seen this coming. If the Dark Lord falls for Snape’s deception and I end up in the mans clutches—
Well. Let’s just say I will be wishing for something as sweet as death.
———————————————————
After meeting with Regulus, Severus prepared to leave the Manor. Even with all that had happened there was work to do and leads to trace. Mi-Mi’s death was not merely an act of revenge, it had also been a threat and a sign that Severus had to participate in this war—for Voldemort would stop at nothing to find the person who had so thoroughly wrecked his plans.
As such, Severus began to dress for a visit to the Three Broomsticks, throwing on a cloak as to combat the chilly gusts of Britain’s winds.
He had to talk to Rosmerta.After the note that had been left for him at Mi-Mi’s house, Severus had to do his own reconnaissance. It was a risk, undoubtably, approaching Madam Rosmerta right away. If the Dark Lord had expected Regulus’s betrayal, then the note was a trap and not merely a line of words meant to disturb his enemy.
You were not the only one Rosmerta had ever taken a liking too.
That’s what the message had said. If what it stated was the truth it explained how Severus’s ruse had been caught. If the Dark Lord, like Severus, had once been introduced to Seong-Min then he would have recognized the wand work in the memory. And since Madam Rosmerta was the only person who could have introduced the Dark Lord to Seong-Min, Severus had to talk with her, no matter the risk.
Even so, that did not mean that he couldn’t take precautions. Examining his face in the mirror, Severus inspected his glamor for flaws. While he would have preferred to rely upon a polyjuice potion, he had already taken far too many calming draughts. And since both potions were made with such volatile ingredients, the possible ramifications of them interacting while inside his body put him off the option.
Buttoning up his cloak with artificially steady fingers, Severus apparated away with a crack.
When he reappeared, it was in front of the Three Broomsticks. Taking a deep breath, Severus rechecked his glamors a final time, taking comfort in the feeling of his magic washing over his body. Then, without hesitation, Severus entered.
The soft tune of wizarding jazz played over the hubbub of the crowd. Severus made his way through the crowd until he found a lone table in the corner, tucked away from everybody else.
Settling down, Severus scanned the room for Rosmerta. After a minute of searching, he found her on the far side of the room, talking with an older man and tapping her foot along to Fredrick’s Journey to the Creek.
From his pack, Severus pulled out a sheet of paper, tapping his wand to it, it folded into a crane and flew off, circling around Rosmerta unobtrusively until she noticed it. Once she did it flew back to Severus, before unfolding and slipping back into his bag. A wonderful piece of charmwork that Severus had developed with Lily for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels.
Turning his attention back to Madam Rosmerta, Severus watched as she expertly extracted herself from her current conversation and made her way over, pausing to correct the posture of a server before finally slipping into the seat across from Severus.
“Hello.” She said sweetly. “How can I help you?”
It was disconcerting hearing her speak to him as if he were a stranger. It had been a while since her customer voice had been directed at him.
“Madam Rosmerta.” Severus started, pulling out a pad from his pocket and wordlessly enlarging it to regular size, an impressive feat of magic that Severus knew would not remain unnoticed by Rosmerta. Much as he had predicted, the restaurant owner straightened, acknowledging the change in atmosphere. Giving her a moment to collect herself, Severus continued.
“I’m here with the Ministry’s Special Response Administration. I’m here to ask you a few questions concerning a suspected Death Eater attack.”
Rosmerta’s eyes widened and Severus felt a sharp pang of guilt. I would not lie to you if I did not have to madame. But I cannot risk my identity coming to light. With what I have asked Regulus to do it would put both our lives in even more danger.
“I see. I will help you in any way I can sir.”
Tapping his stylus to the paper, Severus jotted down a random scribble. After which he flicked his wand and raised a series of protective wards to increase his credibility before proceeding.
“Well then, if you’re so obliged I’d like to ask you about your role in student’s lives. You work in Hogsmead, a village frequented by Hogwarts students. I merely wished to know if you have ever taken a particular liking to any student and if so who.”
Rosmerta’s face shuttered. “I do not believe it is my place to divulge information about minors if that is what you are going for.”
Severus shook his head, changing his tact. “Not at all ma’am. I merely wish to confirm that you have formed relationships with students in the past. I do not mean to pry and I can promise it is of the utmost importance to our investigation.”
Madam Rosmerta looked conflicted, nevertheless she began to speak. “I suppose based on your description I can say I have taken a couple students under my wings over the years. Do you have a specific time period your looking for?”
Severus paused, attempting to place exactly when the Dark Lord himself would have attended Hogwarts. “Around the thirties, I suppose. Though I may be a little off in my estimate.”
Madam Rosmerta nodded. “In fact I did. A young boy by the name Tom Riddle. Brilliant kid—I met him in his first year. The poor boy was being bullied relentlessly. You know how it was with anybody raised muggle. I never did find out what happened to him.”
Severus nodded morosely, writing down the name.
“Did you ever happen to introduce this Tom Riddle to a wand crafter by the name of Seong-Min?” Snape asked curiously, looking back up at Madam Rosmerta.
“I had in fact. Tom’s wand had been broken in a tussle. Seong-Min has been a friend of mine for quite some time so I paid him a visit and he procured a wand. Is there any reason you have brought him up? He disappeared into obscurity quite a while back.”
Severus worried at his lip with his teeth. I should tell her. She deserves to know what has happened.
“I’m afraid that Seong-Min’s residence has been attacked by Death Eaters. We have reason to believe that somebody involved went to Hogwarts and became particularly close to you.”
Madam Rosmerta gasped, her hands clasping tightly together and eyes darkening. “I-Is Seong-Min alright?”
Severus frowned, knowing that Mi-Mi had not been the only one in the cabin during the attack. “I’m afraid not ma’am.”
Rosmerta shuddered, her eyes brimming with tears and a soft sob escaping from her lips. Severus forced himself to watch impartially, utilizing as much occlumency as he dared.
“I am sorry to be the bearer of such bad news ma’am. But I must ask if you know any more about Tom Riddle and his whereabouts so that we can resolve this matter.”
Madam Rosmerta pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes and nose. When she looked back at Severus again, her expression was fiercely protective. “Tom was a kind boy sir. Whatever you think him to have been involved in—you must be wrong. He wouldn’t have even hurt a fly.”
“Nevertheless I must insist. Do you have anything at all that may facilitate our investigation?”
Rosmerta sighed, shaking her head sadly. “All that I have is a notebook that he forgot here once. But that’s it.” With a wave of her wand a pocket-sized, dog-eared and yellowing notebook appeared. Severus grabbed it smoothly and nodded to Rosmerta in acknowledgement.
“Thank you for your cooperation ma’am.”
Rosmerta stood unsteadily and Severus resisted the urge to reach out to comfort her. Tearfully, she excused herself and retreated to the staff room for some privacy. Severus watched her go sadly, wishing that he could reveal himself to her. But it was too much of a risk.
I’m sorry Madame. Severus thought bitterly. But this was necessary.
Extracting himself from his seat, Severus removed the wards he had put up and made his way outside. As he did so he felt his arms prickle with goosebumps. As expected, somebody had observed the entire exchange. But they would not have been able to hear the discussion Severus had held with Madam Rosmerta, nor would they be able to pinpoint Severus’s identity.
All that the Dark Lord could confirm would be the presence of an unknown entity.
And soon that entity would have a name. That is, if Regulus performed his act to perfection.