The Bookstore

The Dark Lord and his advisors made themselves comfortable in a small sitting room in Prince Manor.
 
"Severus I thank you for allowing this meeting to take place in your home" the Dark Lord began, "Reports gentlemen". 
 
"Bert Lewis of the Knockturn bookstore received another visit from Moody, this time with the Potter heir in tow. They caused some property damage, it appears that Lewis himself was uninjured" Lucius reported.
 
"Do we know why they targeted him, they haven't done so previously that we have known of" asked Xander, knowing that the man was a supporter.
 
Lucius and Severus shared a glance before Lucius answered "They initially targeted him a little over two weeks ago, mainly threats and attempting to plant a dark artefact from Moody's pocket. They didn't initially realise that there was a witness in the form of Livia Snape present, they left shortly after she confronted them".
 
The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes at the two young men in thought.
 
"I assume that this event has something to do with the questions you have been asking regarding evidence supplied by wards. Livia improved Bert’s warding after the first visit I take it?", he smirked at the surprise evident on the faces in front of him.
 
"That would be correct my Lord" Severus answered, recognising that the man had obviously talked to his sister in some depth about her warding ideas.
 
"I have filed a complaint with DMLE and have applied for compensation for damages on behalf of Mr Lewis" Lucius finished.
 
Rambert smiled at this "I believe that this will at the very least result in the suspension of Moody. Crouch Sr is already under investigation and as such he can ill afford to receive another report on the abuse of power being perpetrated by his Aurors and not act. Should Lord Prince call for Moody's suspension it would be understandable after his sister was involved during the first incident".
 
"You forget that Severus works along side Dumbledore and cannot afford to bring scrutiny upon himself at this time" the Dark Lord commented.
 
"Actually that may already be an issue" Xander said "I have heard through the grapevine that Dumbledore has approached some of the Board of Governors individually with concerns that Snape may be walking a dark path and discussing the possibility of terminating his contract to protect impressionable youths from dark sympathisers" he sneered.
 
Severus sat straighter, concerned "He recently became aware that I have taken the Prince Lordship. He has enquired about who held the proxy votes at present since I hadn't been attended the Wizengomot in person. He indicated that any vote not in line with his would be considered a vote for the dark. If he is already seeking ways to terminate my teaching contract I can only assume that he will use that to begin putting pressure on me to align my votes with his wishes".
 
"We knew that this would be the case. The question is how to address it going forward" Abraxas said waving a lazy hand.
 
"I believe that he may also seek to discredit and have Livia removed from the school" Lucius said with a significant look at Severus.
 
"I can understand Severus but why would his sister be cause for concern?" Xander asked curiously.
 
"You were not present when Lucius initially reported the impact Ms Snape has been having on the student body. It seems that several families have started questioning the curriculum of Hogwarts and some of them are on the Wizengomot. It is beginning to cause ripples that Dumbledore won't appreciate", answered Rambert.
 
"I believe that the students will be organising the delivery of their petition this week" Severus said with a small smile, his sister had really been stirring the cauldron lately, particularly since Dumbledore's conversation  with her about the dangers of Knockturn Alley.
 
Lucius smirked "I was expecting them to take longer to organise themselves, I can't help but think this is a further result of Livia being displeased with Dumbledore, he has been having a terrible run of luck of late", unknowingly mirroring Severus' thoughts moments ago.
 
Severus looked suddenly concerned and abruptly stood, "Someone is attacking the wards. Excuse me". He walked swiftly out of the room, wand already in hand and Lucius following.
 
Nobody in the room moved until a house elf popped up and informed them, "Master Snape says to inform you's that there be Aurors here making mischief but that the wards are holding them at present".
 
"Gentlemen I will go and see what has occurred, I would suggest, Ram and Xander, that you return home. We don't need to give them reasons to look in your direction. Abraxas shall we?" Lord Slytherin said with authority and swept out of the room.
 
The scene that met them wasn't one they expected.

"Livia..." Severus tried only to be ignored once again it seemed.
 
"... and after our last meeting I would have hoped you would have learnt some better manners Auror Moody!" Livia was saying sternly, arms crossed and foot tapping.
 
"Livia!" He shouted, the woman in question looked towards Severus, a little surprised to see him stood there. "Stop berating them for a moment and explain what is going on here, is this as a result of your 'upgrading the wards by any chance?" Severus said more calmly than he felt though still exasperated at having already tried repeatedly to get his sisters attention so she could explain what in Merlins name was going on.
 
"I too would like to know the answer to that" Lord Slytherin added, walking carefully towards the three Aurors that appeared to be stuck in some sort of magical containment.
 
"Thomas! This is convenient. You said you would like to see my wards up and running and other than a few kinks I'm working on, this is them" Livia said excitedly, smiling and gesturing towards her captives.
 
"Girl, you had better release us now! You will only make things worse for yourself" Moody said menacingly and fired another barrage of spells at the ward surrounding him.
 
Whilst Lucius contacted Crouch, Bones and Skeeter to inform them of the current issue they faced, Livia faced Moody with a hard look.
 
"Mr Moody, have the courtesy to address me correctly, I do not answer to girl. Besides I can't release you, I have already explained to you that these wards activate based on intention. You still intend harm to those of this household, until that intent ceases to be you will be stuck there. Perhaps some meditation would be of benefit" she said sincerely if a little crossly, only to hear snorts and coughing behind her.
 
When Moody began to swear loudly at her she silenced him with a flick of her wand.
 
"Fascinating, I see that his magic is being absorbed by the ward. What happens to the magic? Is it dissipated?" Thomas asked while continuing to circle the room observing the wards from different angles.
 
"The magic used within the containment area actually strengthens the ward. There is a power stabiliser and a crystalline container that harnesses the magical output of the person contained and recycles it to hold them in the cell. The wards I have designed for prisons harnesses nearly all of the magical core of a person and directs it in to a magical suppression and physical holding ward. If the person attempted to do magic under such circumstances it is my belief that they would entirely destroy their core which would break the wards..."
 
"But leave them a squib" Thomas finished "You mentioned 'Intent'. I take it that they tripped the ward the moment they intended to attack someone here?"
 
Livia nodded in confirmation "Whilst the intention of causing harm to anyone in this home is present they cannot be released. In short they themselves are responsible for their own imprisonment at present".
 
As the Floo flared and Skeeter, Crouch, Bones, Minister Bagnold and two other Aurors stepped through into the reception room. The Aurors raised their wands upon seeing their comrades being held and one of them promptly found himself in a containment cell.
 
Thomas continued talking to Livia while Lucius and Severus explained what was happening, "That makes for an interesting fail safe. The only way out is for your captive to mean you no harm but if they are released and renege on that they will be instantly imprisoned again I take it?"
 
"Indeed" she grinned.
 
"Tell me, what happens if they continue to be a threat? You won't want them here indefinitely I assume"
 
"I have not yet finished the final alterations of this particular ward but at this point the person can be rendered unconscious and cuffed in magic suppression cuffs or be sent to our dungeon, where they will be placed in a cell that they essentially power with their own magic. Now that I have finished the upgrades anyway" she said smugly.
 
"Eventually I would prefer that a deal was made to have them transported directly to the DMLE, particularly if these wards were installed in a small business or home's without the necessary holding facilities" she smirked up at him, he was impressed with her invention she knew and she was proud of her accomplishments.
 
He stared down at her with a look of contemplation on his face as he moved a finger to his lips and brushed them in thought, neither realising that they had moved so much closer to one another during their conversation.
 
Three of the cell wards had fallen some time during their conversation however, Moody showed no sign of calming down. Bones approached the pair and greeted them, "Lord Slytherin, Ms Snape. Ms Snape I understand that you are the creator of these wards, is there a way of extracting Mr Moody that will not cause him harm?"
 
Livia gave her a kind smile "Of course. Would you prefer stunned or with magical suppression cuffs?"
 
Madam Bones observed the younger woman in front of her and considered her options, "Stunned please" and she turned as the cell appeared to shoot out a singular beam that hit Moody and he fell.
 
'Well I must say I'm rather impressed with this. Will you be making this ward available to others?" Bones asked, thinking of how useful this could be in homes and in the Auror cells.
 
"Yes. As soon as my Mastery is completed it will be", beamed Livia
 
"I look forward to it. Good day to you." Madam Bones nodded to each of them and turned to cast a binding spell on Moody before approaching Crouch and the Minister who were still being berated by Abraxas, Lucius and Severus . She ushered Crouch, Moody and the Aurors out through the floo with Severus' permission.
 
Lucius and Abraxas had detained the Minister to discuss what action they would be taking against Moody and what was going to be done with Crouch, who was obviously not taking concerns about the old Auror seriously. 
 
Thomas had yet to move from his consideration of the brilliant young woman before him, eventually he asked "We never did arrange a visit to my library, I think it is passed time you did so. Perhaps you could visit tomorrow and share lunch with me, I wish to discuss the uses and modifications you are able to make on your wards".
 
"Very well, I look forward to it" she said pleasantly, "I'm sure it must become boring talking of politics all of the time. There is nothing like quite like a rousing debate on magical theory to get the creative thought processes swirling after all" she said happily, "If you gents will excuse me, I wish to run some diagnostics on the wards" with that said she left.
 
The Dark Lord saw that Minister Bagnold had been allowed to leave finally and looked at Abraxas, Lucius and Severus and stated, "Severus you are incredibly useful inside or out of the school, in fact if you have no desire to work as a teacher I suggest that you turn in your notice for the end of the year. I rather believe that your having more time to work on individual projects will benefit us all a great deal more than having your talents wasted at Hogwarts".
 
"Gentlemen I think we should rearrange the meeting that was interrupted today. I will send you an owl. I will now take my leave of you", he said and left via the floo followed by Abraxas, Lucius stayed to talk over what had occurred that day and how best the situation could be uses to their advantage.
 
                               

 
Thomas had returned home and was attempting to plough through the paperwork which had apparently multiplied whilst he was gone, but found that he kept returning again and again to Livia. He was looking forward to her visit tomorrow, it was refreshing to be around someone who wanted nothing from him, unless the debates on magic they had counted, in fact in the time he had known her she had asked him for nothing, hadn't made demands of his time and hadn't gone out of her way to try and attract him. She really had quite the amazing mind, but the little glimpse he had seen of her fierce and stern nature when she was standing up to Moody had surprised him, she was usually cheerful while they discussing academic and intellectual pursuits thus far, perhaps she might have a little of her brothers infamous temper after all. 
 
He was confident that between the two Snape siblings that the wizarding world would see invention and progress like never  before however, the current laws in the UK would prevent them from flourishing and might even drive them away. He knew from his conversations with Livia that she had no intention of being bound to the Britain having been used to a certain level of magical freedom abroad. Severus only stayed because he had joined his cause and of course he now had his lordship, but that was unlikely to keep him here long term. He had no interest in politics and would likely use Lucius as his proxy on the Wizengamot long term until there was a suitable heir to take over the role.
 
In order for Britain to flourish they needed people with brilliant minds, innovation and challenging ideas to want to live and work here. To get that, the laws needed to be changed and the education system needed an overhaul. At times it seemed like too much needed to be changed and civil war was the only viable alternative in order to achieve change.
 
Dumbledore continued to hold such sway over so many areas. He felt his frustration rising, if only more people would understand what they were losing with these increased restrictions, their denial of lady magic and the reduction in curriculum.
 
His mind wondered back to Livia again, she had a fresh perspective on many things, was intelligent and didn't hold back in a debate, he enjoyed his conversations with her. A small smile touched his eyes when thinking of how proud she had looked when showing him her ward, as she should. It was looking over that masterpiece that he had come to the conclusion that for the sake of having someone close to Dumbledore he was depriving himself and Wizarding Britain the potential genius that was the Youngest Potions Master Severus Snape. The mans creativity had been shackled leaving him unable to create or even write an unbiased article without the great Albus Dumbledores' interference and sanitisation of the facts. 
 
He wondered if Livia would be willing to speak to the Wizengamot about how her wards work, perhaps if they could make them see the advantages of the use of them they could repeal the necessary legislation to have them approved, he would talk to Livia further about it tomorrow at lunch.
 
He was beginning to think that Rambert had a point when he suggested that Livia would make a suitable spouse, if she would be amenable. He would consider it later he decided and tried instead to concentrate on his paper work again.
 
    -------
                  
The next morning at 9am Livia stepped through the floo and was greeted by Lord Slytherin who gave a brief tour of his home en route to the library.
 
Livia liked that the walls were in light colours in an attempt to off set the darkness of the tapestries and paintings that adorned the walls and the heavy dark oak furniture that was carved with depictions of mythological scenes and magical creatures.
 
Once seated in the library Thomas ordered tea and they spoke long about changes that had been made to magical Britain both the positive and negative. They moved on to books and magical theory and how stagnant British information and teaching had become which led neatly to a subject Thomas hoped Livia would aid him with.

"Would you be agreeable to speaking with the Wizengomot about your wards? As you know I would dearly like to see them used in Azkaban and I believe that the use of them yesterday at Prince Manor is likely to be raised at the next meeting" he asked.

"I would however, I would prefer to do so after my Warding Mastery is completed so that the appropriate paperwork with the ICW can be filed to prevent others from appropriating my work. Would it have to be the full Wizengomot I spoke with?" she asked, wondering if a smaller group to speak with would be possible.

"You would prefer a smaller group? Do you have an objection to speaking if it is with the full Wizengomot?" he probed, it seemed unlikely that she would be intimidated speaking to a large group of people so he was interested in her apparent reticence.

She gave a careless shrug and waved off his question "It isn't the numbers, but the combined intelligence I have an issue with. A smaller group would lessen the inevitably stupid questions I would be asked", Thomas gave a light laugh and agreed whole heartedly with her sentiment.
 
A house elf appeared to instruct them that lunch was prepared and they sat down to enjoy bouillabaisse. Thomas had noticed she favoured French cuisine and had requested that his house elves make something she would enjoy.

They had had a light discussion on the endeavours of those that they both knew and recent news until the meal was finished and now he wanted to address what had happened the day previously.
 
"Was your initial encounter with Moody anything like the one I witnessed yesterday?" he asked.
 
"Yes. He was just as rude then" she said with slightly narrowed eyes in remembrance.
 
"I am to assume that you told him off in a similar fashion?" he smirked at the memory.
 
"I wouldn't call it a telling off, I was simply pointing out that his manner left much to be desired"
 
"Lucius mentioned in yesterday's meeting that the children were ready to distribute their petition, which he attributed to your influence. He also mentioned a 'run of bad luck that Dumbledore appears to have had, do you know what he meant?", Thomas eyed her reactions carefully.
 
"He has had some minor pranks played on him, probably the children or that poltergeist Hogwarts has hovering about" she answered, looking for all the world as if she believed it, but Lucius' smirk had indicated differently but he let her keep her secrets for now and would find out later.
 
                                   

  
A week later Lord Slytherin had been sat pondering on how best to approach the subject of the wards for Azkaban thus was pleasantly surprised when Dumbledore, dressed in robes a disgusting shade of brown rather than his usual bright eyesores he favoured - he wondered idly if that was one of the 'pranks' Livia had alluded to, was the person to raise the subject for him.
 
"We must discuss, I'm afraid, a rather serious incident that took place at Prince Manor just a week ago. Three Aurors, acting on information received of there being dangerous, dark magical items being present at the home in question, were making a routine inspection to discover the veracity of the report.
 
They were invited in by a house elf and upon entering the manor were subsequently held hostage in an unstable ward of some kind produced by an unsupervised appentice.
 
I feel that it is imperative that we pass urgent legislation to ensure the safety of our Aurors. We can not allow home owners to have wards which hold hostage the very people who are there to protect them, I have provided you all with a copy of the proposed law I have written with the hope that you will understand the necessity of having it passed quickly." Dumbledore informed the Wizengomot gravely.
 
Lord Malfoy stood "You appear to be missing a great deal of pertinent information from your explanation Chief Warlock. As I was there with my father at the time I would be glad to enlighten you of some of the more significant details, such as the fact that the Aurors were held by wards which were placed to prevent those with ill intent from attacking anyone within the home", it was unsurprising that Moody would have gone to his friend to complain.
 
"I think that such details are hardly important my boy. Our Auror's must be able to attend to their work with out fear of being detained by unscrupulous homeowners", Dumbledore countered forcefully.
 
"I was also present", said Lord Slytherin as he  stood "I am of the opinion that it is vitally important that the wards are understood properly before any new legislation be accepted. The young ward designer who developed the wards in question is currently completing three masteries and is months away from their completion. At least two countries are interested in her ward designs to be utilised in their prisons as a more secure and humane way of dealing with criminals. She explained quite clearly to me that ANYONE in the home who has the intent to harm another would be affected by the wards installed on the family manor. The Aurors in question included Alistair Moody who has only recently been suspended from his position while a thorough investigation is initiated to discover how long he has been abusing the power of his position. The man is well known for cursing first, asking questions later, which is why the wards were effective in neutralising the threat he posed to the inhabitants of Prince Manor".
 
Lucius looked a little unsure at his declaration, he didn't know if Livia would be happy that her wards were in discussion here or if she would be willing to speak to the Wizengomot in the way that his Lord was implying.
 
Lord Bones, brother to Amelia Bones, stood and declared that he would be interested in understanding the wards better before passing any laws based on their use, he had heard about the wards from his sister and had been impressed. Several others agreed and it was decided that Livia Snape would be invited to attend a future meeting in order to give a presentation and answer questions that the Wizengomot may have.
 
Dumbledore was unhappy with the outcome, Severus had handed his notice in and was now entertaining Slytherin in his home and from what Moody had said his sister looked very chummy with the man. She had obviously been corrupted by the man and now she would drag poor Severus down with her he thought.
 
Lord Slytherin, though annoyed with the old meddler for trying to force through yet another damaging law, was satisfied that the  door would now be opened for other academics and experts to be bought into to be speak in front of the Wizengomot when legislation arises that would further restrict magic use and he was confident that the academics would be on his side. 
 
When the session finished Lord Slytherin approached Lucius and spoke quietly, "If you, as I suspect, are aware as to the reason for the robe choice of the Chief Warlock, would you be so kind as to enlighten me?"
 
He was surprised at the answering smile and chuckle, Malfoys did not chuckle, "Perhaps if you have the time you would care to accompany me to my home, I believe I have some memories that may be of interest to you Lord Slytherin", he answered.
 
An hour later a laughing Dark Lord exited a pensieve.
 
                                 

 
Breakfast at Hogwarts a few days later was interrupted by the usual mail Owls however, it was the newspaper that was causing a stir. The headline was 'Knockturn Children Failed' an it went on to detail the lack of educational options open to them and heavily implied that Dumbledore's prejudice was to blame and provided evidence that only 'light' or Dumbledore supporting families were offered scholarship funds.
 
Lord Slytherin was impressed, Rita Skeeter was turning out to be an excellent find, he mused as he read the Daily Prophet that morning. He had no doubt that the board would be holding a meeting to address the issue and make a statement soon. Hopefully they would also review how the scholarship  fund was allocated, in one of his conversations with Severus it had been mentioned that Livia had attended Beauxbaton, not only because they offered her a scholarship, but because Hogwarts had not.