No more lies (To Victory)

CHAPTER 19

••°°••

He was losing his touch.

Not only he hadn’t noticed anything being wrong with Potter all these years, he allowed the brat to set terms again.

The child was way too sneaky. Way too manipulative, but was it that weird, considering just who the boy had been in contact with?

The Dark Lord.

Somehow, somewhere, Potter had made contact with the wizard and had been in contact ever since. Close enough for possession to occur. Close enough… Severus’ heart dropped. Was his Lord… here? In the castle?

Had he been… observing them all? Is that why Igor was so irrationally paranoid, insisting that something or someone is following him?

Could be Potter, with that thrice cursed cloak of his. The way he acted during the Yule Ball, the way he spoke to Karkaroff? It was malicious in nature. Exactly what the Dark Lord would’ve done; instill fear of the ever coming doom.

He downed what was left of his firewhiskey; while Severus wasn’t one to indulge in the substance often - memories of his alcoholic father having ruined this pleasure for him - he considered this more of a necessity than anything else after the day he just had.

For once, he was at a loss of what to do.

He didn’t know if Potter was acting on his own free will - like he insisted, or if he was being manipulated by the other wizard.

It was a slippery slope. If he let things be and didn’t help Potter out of the Dark Lord’s clutches, and it turned out he was ensnared, Severus would be breaking his vow of protection. However, if he tried to break them apart and it turned out they were in it together, it would mean treason. The Dark Lord would know in an instant and he’d be hunted down like a dog. Like a traitor.

Severus shuddered.

That was a fate worse than death.

However, there was another thing he could do; check his mind for obliviations. The way Potter spoke about obliviating him earlier had raised his hackles.

If it turned out to be nothing then so be it, but if,somehow, somewhere, his mind has been tampered with? Well, it was unacceptable.

He had to be sure.

As an occlumens, his own mind was easy to navigate. Everything was put into their respective places, and he’d know if anyone ever rummaged through his ‘drawers’. He had to look for something out of place. Not quite right.

It took hours for Severus to spot an oddity. Clearly, he’d missed it the last few times he looked over his memories, his eyes gliding over it like- like a compulsion. One telling him not to look closely into whatever it was.

His drawer was slightly crooked. It should’ve been a clear sign, one that his mind had conjured in the otherwise perfectly organised mindscape, clearly wanting him to notice, but alas…

Severus opened it.

It was a memory of Theodeus Nott visiting him in the castle, way back in autumn.

It was a completely regular day. Nothing out of the ordinary, so, why did it feel wrong? Why alter it?

He looked closer, noticing a… glitch, almost. Blink and you miss it. One moment he was walking Theodeus back to his office, them talking in the hallway and the next… it was the same hallway, they were just slightly farther in. Just a few steps. Nothing to be suspicious about, except… it was. Suspicious, that is. Memories should be linier.

He had been obliviated.

If he were anyone else, he would’ve never paid any mind to such a small oddity. He’d think he was simply distracted, or had zoned out for the memory to be glitching, but he was anything but distracted.

So, he picked at it. It wasn’t easy to restore a memory, especially one replaced so well, but Severus has had practice. He wasn’t a master occlumens for nothing.

However, the magic… the magic felt familiar - painfully so. He’s felt it dozens of times before and one just like it was resting on his left arm.

Did… did the Dark Lord obliviate him?

For the first time that night, Severus hesitated.

It must’ve been for a reason. A good reason, otherwise… didn’t the Dark Lord trust him?

Would his act of disintegrating the obliviate be seen as a treacherous act?

Eventually, his curiosity won out. He’ll just keep his trap shut about what he found out. Simple, really.

Or it seemed to be, up until the real memory was revealed to Snape.

Harry Potter with a young Dark Lord. A corporeal Dark Lord.

He wanted to retch. Potter incapacitated him. A student- the Potion’s master shook his head. That wasn’t important.

What was important, however, was that Harry Potter was dilly dallying around Hogwarts with a Dark Lord by his side, completely at ease. Calling him Tom. Eeasily handing his wand over so the other wizard could perform the obliviation.

Bloody hell.

How long has this been going on? Considering just how… cosy they seemed to be, no wonder Potter refused his attempts to sever whatever link that was between the boy and the darkest wizard of all times.

The comradire they had with each other… uncanny. Them, communicating in the serpent tongue? Even more so.

No wonder Potter was so smug all of a sudden.

He may’ve been manipulated, but he was clearly in it on his own free will.

Otherwise he would’ve asked for help once such an opportunity presented itself.

Severus surfaced and the first thing he did was down a whole glass of firewhiskey, hoping that it might make the memory more blurry. Perhaps even make him forget it again.

Whoever said that ignorance was a bliss had it right.

Now, he only needed to visit Theodeus Nott and-

And what?

He was at a loss of what to do.

Going against Potter would be suicide, that was clear now. For all he knew, the Dark Lord was constantly around him, hiding behind the invisibility cloak. Just counting seconds until he could strike.

No, he’ll do his duty. He’ll do whatever he can to help the boy heal physically and pray that the foolish child doesn’t get himself killed in the process.

Igor’s days, however, were numbered.

If the Dark Lord was here… there was nowhere for him to run.

Safest place on earth his arse, Severus huffed.

Hogwarts had never been this dangerous.

Giddy.

Theodeus Nott hadn’t felt this giddy in years.

“I’m still unsure if you should’ve done this, Severus; our Lord wanted us to be oblivious.”

“How do you propose we smooth things along if we’re unaware of the current situation?”

“Good point,” the man conceded. “But really, all the signs were there.”

They were, weren’t they? You just had to know where to look.

It was so damn obvious now.

“It won’t be long, then,” Theodeus muttered, swirling his own glass of firewhiskey around. “I still can’t fathom how this whole situation came to be in the first place, but I am most pleased. Theodore has only the best things to say about the Potter boy as well.”

“Indeed?”

“Of course. Now that I have this information, his whole… act does eerily remind me of the days of my youth, when our Lord was just starting out.”

They were so similar in that regard.

Except the Tom Riddle he knew would never have taken another person on. Not to stand beside him - not as an equal.

But perhaps… times change. Back then, there was no Harry Potter to harass the masses. There was no equal to speak of for one, powerful Tom Riddle.

There was now.

“Who would’ve thought…” he wondered out loud. “You know, when our Lord… fell that night, there were talks amongst the Inner Circle,” Theodeus said conspiratorially, eyes glazed over with the memories.

Severus kept quiet, intrigued.

“We all knew of the prophecy, naturally. And while our Lord’s behaviour was… questionable, we didn’t dare to question his orders. Why would he want a child dead so badly? A baby, no less? Why not kidnap him, raise him amongst our own? Anyway.” the man paused, as if contemplating if he should reveal the information. “After that night there were talks about the Potter boy being even more powerful than our Lord - even darker than he had been. That our Lord felt threatened, that Potter would be after his position as a Dark Lord if he was allowed to grow up. And when we believed the boy had killed our Lord? There were whispers that the boy’s true nature had shown through when faced with death - and really, what light wizard could survive the darkest curse of them all? There were talks about following Potter for a while.” Severus’ eyes widened; he hadn’t heard that. “Up until Dumbledore proclaimed him the Saviour of the Light. Up until he started the legend of the Boy Who Lived. Before, there were rumours he’s to be the next Dark Lord.”

This left Severus reeling.

“Some were excited to see the boy once he came to Hogwarts. Disappointed, that he truly acted like a light fool, following Dumbledore’s every word like it was gospel. But now… we find out it was all for show. Quite frankly, that was the most slytherin act the boy could’ve pulled; put his own self preservation first and foremost. I can respect that. Survival… for someone in Potter’s position mustn’t have been easy. But now, with the boy showing his true colours? Truly, Severus, the rumours had started again.”

“What?”

“Mhm.” Nott sipped his drink. “After the boy’s public attendance at the Malfoy Yule Ball, not to mention the havoc he’s been causing this whole year, people have been talking.”

“Have they, now?”

“Yes. Whatever he said to people during the ball has made it crystal clear to everyone that Potter is completely anti-Dumbledore. However sneakily he claimed to support the Dark Lord’s goals, not all of them, mind you, but the picture was clear.”

“Foolish child,” Severus cursed. “Albus had been furious about Potter ‘betraying his friends’ and believes he’s turning dark just by taking meals at the Slytherin table. If he learned about any of this…”

“That’s troublesome. Perhaps have a person escort young Potter around?”

Severus snorted at this. “I’ve tried. That child is exceptionally sneaky and detest being followed around.”

“Is it any wonder? If he communicates with the Dark Lord, privacy is a must. I’ll ask Theodore to spend more time with the boy. They seem to get along. I wouldn’t mind if the boy put in a good word about Theo with our Lord. Perhaps… I might reach out as well.”

“And what? Make him suspicious that we remember?”

“Hm… No, but I might just drop by to visit my grandson. Might take Lucius as well; he’s a board member. He can visit the castle whenever he wishes.” The man paused. “Do you think he knows?”

“About Potter?” Theonel nodded. “Undoubtedly. Something transpired during the ball. Lucius was scared. I believe Potter might’ve been getting around more than we ever believed possible.”

The older wizard laughed. “What an intrigue, Severus. What drama! I feel our future will simply never be boring again.”

Potion’s Master grumbled. “You try dealing with teenagers daily, Theonel, I’ll see how boring your days turn out to be.”

“True. but is it truly that terrible?”

“Potter is my student. Of course it is.”

“Wormtail.”

The rat man cowered before his Lord, whimpering when another crucio hit him.

“Yes, my Lord?”

“Tell me, why is this glittery madness is still around?”

Wormtail bowed deeply, his voice shaking with fear. “My Lord- my Lord, I believe it to be cursed! Nothing seems to help- aghhhh!”

“Pathetic. Are you a wizard or not? Why do I even keep you around, hm?”

“I’m- I’m sorry, my Lord, I-”

“Leave!”

Voldemort sighed deeply, furious at his servants' blatant incompetence.

It was all Potter’s fault, naturally. Somehow, every single little thing was tied to that brat. He grew like fungus, encompassing every decision Voldemort had to make.

He couldn’t wait to see the light leave the boy’s eyes. At least then that thorn in his side would be gone.

But- 

Something in him told him that would be a mistake.

It didn’t matter that his horcrux was attached to the boy. That attachment would fade with time. However, the intrigue he felt watching the boy chip away at the old man’s carefully constructed persona bit by bit was entertaining enough for Voldemort to consider… allowing the boy to live a little bit longer, if just to aid his plans.

But that damned glitter was rapidly changing his mind.

He’ll crucio Potter to the brink of insanity just for that alone.

Barty’s message, though, was most amusing. His follower was very subtly inquiring about what his bird had delivered to Potter. Then spilled even more complaints about Potter being evasive and downright nasty towards someone he perceived to be Moody.

The memory provided in the vial was simply delightful.

Voldemort laughed.

It was something he hadn’t done in years; being a bodiless spirit didn’t leave much to be desired, but that boy-

“Massster, why are you laughing?” Nagini slithered closer, her double forked tongue tasting the air. “I haven’t seen you like this in a long time…”

“My nemesis, my dear. Who knew that the boy detests the old Auror so much? And here, I believed that Barty’s disguise would be perfect to get closer to that infernal brat, not push him away. It seems I’ve greatly… miscalculated.”

“What will you do now, Master?”

That was a great question. He- he wasn’t sure. He kept going from wanting to keep the boy to wanting to strangle him with his own bare hands… everything was too mucked up in his mind for Voldemort to answer clearly.

“Do not worry, my sweet. Go hunt.”

“That rat man?”

“No, he is still useful to me.” Voldedmort paused, grimacing. “He might make you sick.”

Nagini hissed. “That’s what the boy said as well.”

Curious, how Potter’s hatred for one traitorous rat surpassed the wrath the boy should feel for him.

Truly, how curious…