An Invitation
Chapter 6: An Invitation
Sasuke met no trouble walking from the Forbidden Forest to the school. No one spoke to him or even really looked at him. He made sure not to look too interested in what was going on around him, but kept a close eye on his feet while simultaneously being aware of his surroundings. How funny not to see his toes. His toes felt trapped.
The magic seemed to be everywhere. No matter where Sasuke looked there was someone using their power doing something silly. They made feathers float and practiced turning rocks into marbles. It was a waste of power, but, Sasuke thought, perhaps wizards had an unlimited supply of magic and they could afford to waste their power. It was possible. After all, Naruto had almost unlimited chakra and he was able to keep going where any other shinobi would have been exhausted and probably unconscious. If the wizards had similarly inexhaustible power, it would be wise to note. Granted, such information didn’t have much to do with the mission for if all wizards had such great power then they were all equally matched. However, no shinobi worth their salt would ignore such important information.
Sasuke would need to do further research to understand how magic worked.
It was as he was mulling the idea over that Sasuke realized there was someone walking towards him. He kept walking as if he didn’t see the boy from the corner of his eye.
"Snape, if you don't want the book, just say so. Don't walk away from me."
Sasuke recognized the voice from when he'd seen Snape-san in the school's infirmary. "Hello."
Lucius Malfoy smiled brightly as he strode briskly to Sasuke's side. He held out a heavy book. "Well? You're the one who wanted it."
Sasuke took the book and tucked it under his arm with a nod then started to walk away, again. Malfoy-san caught Sasuke's arm to stop him. "You're not walking away from me, are you? Are you sure you don't want me to do something about those Gryffindors? You can't just let this go on. I can take care of them a lot more effectively than you. Just a word to Potter's father and it won't happen again."
Sasuke stopped walking and looked at Malfoy-san from behind greasy, lank hair. "No," Sasuke told him. The voice was perfect, he was sure, but this would be the real test. From what Sasuke had seen, Malfoy-san was closest to Snape-san out of all the students. "I can handle them myself."
"You always have to take the hardest road, don't you? What are you doing up and about, anyway? I should think you would have been told to rest after your injuries."
Sasuke didn't say anything for a moment. He really wasn’t sure what to say about that. He dipped his head a little lower, but eventually looked up. "What do you want?"
"Can't I inquire about a friend without a reason? I've noticed you limping and you weren't the last time I saw you. It was just your head that had been split open, the last I knew. What did those four do?"
"Let me deal with them on my own."
"If that's what you want." Malfoy-san shrugged carelessly. "Just remember that you can call on me if you need something. I'm always good for a favor." Malfoy-san smiled broadly and Sasuke could understand why this boy would be a leader in the school. He was charismatic – charm almost dripped off him. However, from what Sasuke had seen over the past week, there was more to Malfoy-san than charisma. He had the potential to be dangerous. "Come with me."
"I have a class."
Malfoy-san shook his head and kept his hand firmly on Sasuke's arm. "It's only charms. You could easily pass if you missed the next seven classes. Come on." When Sasuke didn't immediately follow when pulled, Malfoy-san looked at him curiously with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Are you going to ignore me, Snape? Severus?"
It occurred to Sasuke that maybe he'd missed a few things during his observations. He had, of course, noted that Snape-san tended to spend a good deal of time with Malfoy-san, but he'd thought little of it. Maybe he should have thought more. Even though Snape-san didn't appear to enjoy Malfoy-san's company, Malfoy-san would wait for Snape-san outside classrooms and deliberately sit next to him at every meal Sasuke had seen Snape-san take in the Great Hall. He seemed to go out of his way to spend time with Snape-san.
"Would I dare?"
Malfoy-san smiled. "You make me sound like a monster. I just need a word in private."
Private, it turned out, was the Slytherin House deep in the dungeons. Sasuke let Malfoy-san lead him through the halls and down into the dungeons. They went down many stairs until they came to a hallway filled with tapestries, all of them nearly large enough to hang from ceiling to floor. Each one was different. Some were of landscapes, some were portraits of people, and some were abstract works. Near the middle of the hall was a painting of writhing, twisting snakes. Malfoy-san led Sasuke passed the painting.
The entrance into the Slytherin House was a portrait; a woman with her arms around a child. The woman smiled at the child and patted his hair, lovingly. She smiled at Malfoy-san and then at Sasuke. "Good morning, boys." She smirked knowingly.
It made Sasuke nervous. Surely, she hadn't seen him when he'd snuck in while following Snape-san. He'd been very quick and very fast. After he'd found out that the many paintings around the school were able to talk and move, he'd had to be extra careful not to get himself caught. They could easily report him to an authority.
"Baroness." Malfoy-san gave a nodded greeting with a disdainful tone. He didn't seem to catch the look the Baroness was giving Sasuke. "The password is Rayngar."
"Correct, Mister Malfoy. Kindly enter." The woman waved her hand a little and the tapestry opened. A wide split formed down the middle through which Malfoy-san stepped.
It was an ingenious protection for Slytherin House. The entrance was not a door or even a hidden door in the wall. Instead, it was the portrait itself and that meant that if the portrait were rolled up and hung elsewhere, the Slytherin House could be opened from anywhere. Plus, all the other tapestries were like camouflage to disguise the true entrance.
The Slytherin common room was impressive and Sasuke looked around, approvingly. The room was cool, but not cold, with rich carpets on the stone floor. It was a large, open room with a fireplace at one end and several plush sofas spread around the room. There were heavy tables with clawed feet and elegant paintings on the walls. There were no windows, no light at all except for candles that burned so brightly that they filled the room with light. On either side of the fireplace were two doors.
On a sofa in front of the fire two girls were lounging, almost laying down with their feet curled up next to them. A dark haired girl with shining eyes smiled and winked her nose at Malfoy-san. "And what might you be up to?"
"Nothing to worry you, Black," Malfoy-san answered easily.
She raised her chin, haughtily. "You're doing something with Snape and you don't think I should worry? Come on. What's the plot? Maybe I can help."
"No plots this time." Malfoy-san paused only to take hold of Sasuke's arm, again, and pull him. "We're just going up to have a word. About what I spoke to you about last night."
Understanding dawned in the girl's eyes. She frowned a little and looked Sasuke up and down. "But… Snape?"
Malfoy-san made a show of wrapping a seemingly affable arm around Sasuke's shoulders. It was all Sasuke could do not to cringe. "He's a friend of mine, Black. You're not going to insult him, are you?"
"No. Of course not," Black acquiesced quickly. "If you think it's wise..."
"And why wouldn't it be?" The other girl on the sofa spoke softly, but she had a cold look on her face. "Snape's as good as they get. If you haven't seen that then your eyes aren't open, Bella. Go on, Lucius. I'm sure Snape's smart enough to understand."
Malfoy-san gave the second girl an elegant bow that made her blush before walking Sasuke to the dormitory of the Slytherin boys. It was the first time Sasuke had been there openly. They were opulent rooms with velvet curtains for privacy around each bed. Malfoy-san took his arm off Sasuke's shoulders as soon as they were out of sight of the girls and wiped off his sleeve with his hand.
"I sometimes think you deliberately put stuff in your hair to make it look like that. Take a seat. I received a letter from my mother at breakfast. Of course, you weren't there." Malfoy-san yanked open the curtains of his bed and sat on it. He pulled a small scroll from under the pillow and unrolled it, smirking at Sasuke. "You did very well, holding your tongue out there, I mean. Usually Black gets you into a temper without even trying. You didn't say one word to her. I'm very proud of you."
Sasuke didn't know what he should say to that, so he kept silent and nodded.
"Were you with Hagrid at breakfast?" Malfoy-san's tone had changed slightly. It sounded sharper.
"Yes."
"You must stop seeing him." Malfoy-san frowned disapprovingly. "He's beneath you. Despite everything you're better than Hagrid. People still talk about you snubbing your classmates and professors to dine with that… that person. You must care more about your reputation."
"I don't like them." Sasuke knew it was something Snape-san would say. He seemed to be a blunt, honest sort of boy. "I'd rather eat with slugs than in the Great Hall. I do go there for lunch and dinner."
"True. Now, listen to this." He unrolled the scroll and read from it. "'Lucius, hope you're doing well in your studies… bla, bla, bla'… ah! This is the important bit. 'You're to bring that boy with you when you return home for the holidays. Our guests, whom I've told you much about, are eager to meet someone that you think so highly of. If the situation requires it, advise me and I will smooth the details. Kindest regards, Joliet Malfoy.'" Malfoy tossed the scroll onto the bed beside him. "She writes as if it were a business letter. Anyway, you heard it."
Sasuke silently nodded.
Malfoy-san rolled his eyes. "For a genius, you sure are thick. You are invited to Malfoy Manor for the Christmas holiday. Feel free to thank me now."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Malfoy-san slapped his hands together. "Now, we’ll need to do something about your clothes and your shoes. There’s also the state of your hair to consider. You are not being presented to my mother looking like that."
"Thank you, but I must refuse."
Malfoy-san's reaction was interesting. His smile vanished and he crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back a little. His eyes narrowed, thoughtfully. "What game is this?"
"No game."
"You can't refuse me." Malfoy-san seemed astounded by the very idea of it. "Are you trying to joke? You aren't very good at it. You leave that to me, won't you? Now, as I said, you'll have to get your hair trimmed. Mother doesn't mind long hair so long as it’s kept tidy and yours would not pass muster."
He went on and on while Sasuke thought. He couldn't leave, no matter what guests Malfoy-san's mother wanted Snape-san to meet. No matter if it was expected that he would go or not. He couldn't leave Hogwarts.
"You should feel honored. Any of the seventh years would give their front teeth to meet the people you're going to meet."
"Who am I going to meet?"
"The future! You remember. I was telling you about them yesterday. People of such power and influence that you’d be a fool not to meet them." Malfoy-san's eyes shone disturbingly brightly. "You're just not valued here, Snape. Not one of the professors can see how much you're worth. Now!" He held up a hand. "Don't mention Slughorn. He's a fool, he doesn't count. If you even think to mention Hagrid, I'll hex you myself." He looked confidant, as confidant as Naruto when he would say that he would be the next hokage. "You just wait - you'll go far and I'm the one who will get you there. You’re going to be powerful and respected when you leave Hogwarts – I’ll make sure of it."
From the brief glimpse Sasuke had seen of Snape-san's life, it must have been a temptation too great to turn down.
"You'll be the envy of all Slytherins when they find out you’ve met them, one of them in particular. I’m sure I don't have to remind you not to tell any of the professors what’s going on. Monday morning we'll be leaving and I'll return you Tuesday night. You'll have plenty of time to get your studying done or whatever it is you do when you're alone during the holidays. Go and get to your class."
Sasuke turned to leave, but as he did, Malfoy-san's voice stopped him.
"Snape, whatever's wrong with your foot - get it fixed. Honestly, limping around like a lame horse is pathetic. You do have a Slytherin image to uphold - mine. Since I allow you to hang around me, you reflect on me. I won't have you making me look bad. Get your foot fixed."
Sasuke looked over his shoulder at Malfoy-san who was laying on his bed, rereading the letter from his mother. He didn't look up as Sasuke left.
Sasuke left Malfoy-san still lounging on his bed, but unsure about what the whole conversation had meant. There was some significance in what had happened, but it was entirely possible that the whole thing was nothing more than Malfoy-san trying to take care of his friend. The references to powerful, important people whom many of the students would be eager to meet, but warnings not to tell any of the professors, alerted Sasuke and roused his curiosity. Still, he wouldn’t go. The mission centered on the school and nothing else mattered.
When he walked into the Slytherin common room, Sasuke was ignored by the two girls. It was as if they didn't see him. Perhaps they'd only noticed him before because of Malfoy-san. Whatever the reason, it didn't matter. He left Slytherin House without incident and had time while walking in the deserted halls to consider what he’d already learned.
Sasuke had found the first major security flaw. Snape-san had fought with his schoolmates and no one had been disciplined. It was easy to see that student fighting was ignored and was a great threat.
Not to say that fighting was prohibited at the Academy in Konohagakure, in fact it was encouraged, but there was always proper supervision. Fighting was a major portion of the course work so, of course, the sensei's encouraged good fights, but fighting for personal reasons was frowned upon. If Iruka-sensei found out that his students were brawling because of some foolish argument, they'd be lucky if he didn't cane them.
Worse, the fighting of Hogwarts’ students was done with magic. This wasn't just taijutsu fighting with a few punches or kicks. Wizards, even as students, were capable of great power. Their fighting could easily lead to accidents that could kill someone. An attacker could kill someone and disguise it as a student fight, thus concealing their presence.
Sasuke hadn’t gone more than a dozen steps from Slytherin House before the school's healer, Madam Ratian, found him. She was a strong looking woman with a square face and serious, angry eyes. For a moment, she just stood in front of him and tapped her foot on the stone floor. "Well? Where do you think you're going, young man?"
"Class. This IS a school. I thought I might try to learn something." It was fun, Sasuke realized, to say exactly what he was thinking without worrying about what people would think or how his words might reflect on his family. Such blunt words were exactly in character for Snape-san, too. "Why? Did you think I should go swimming? It's a little too cold for me, but thank you anyway."
"I'll have none of your flip answers!" She took another step towards him and crossed her arms over her chest. She was tall and narrow with a stiff black gown and a white apron. "You were told to stay in the hospital wing. Bad enough that you decided to take that useless jaunt to the Ministry, but then I have Hagrid telling me that you're limping around with a burned foot. If you'd just stay where I put you this sort of thing wouldn't happen."
"It was while I was under your care that I was given this burn. You don't keep a very close eye on your patients, do you?"
"You and your mouth! You'll never change." She flushed and seemed outraged. "Why didn't you say something about the burn?"
Sasuke found it curious that she didn't ask who had done it. "Because it's not your affair." He wondered if Snape-san planned to get revenge and whether or not Sasuke would have to deal with that during his mission. Maybe he could let it ride out for two weeks and let the real Snape-san take care of it when he returned. "Was there anything else?"
Her eyes blazed. "Young man, you will get yourself to the hospital wing, now, and have that foot looked at. It was against my better judgment to let you go out to the Ministry in the first place. I only let you go because the headmaster said I should. What are you waiting for? Come along!"
Sasuke didn't move. "I have to get to class."
"You have to get your foot seen to!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke kicked off his boot and held up his foot for examination.
Madam Ratian rolled her eyes. "Oh, honestly…" But she took out a wand and aimed it at Sasuke's foot. He had to steel himself when she did. It was a weapon as surely as if it had been Tenten with her needles or Lee's fist.
"You didn't use the salve I sent with Hagrid, did you?"
"I've been busy."
She snorted. "I’m sure you have been. Well, this won’t work as well as the salve, but at least you’ll be able to get around relatively pain free during your classes.” She took aim with her wand pointed at the soul of his foot and shot a spell at it. There was a mild tingling sensation and then the pain was gone. “Now,” she put her fists on her hips. “Stop getting yourself into such trouble. I see you more than any other student. At least three times a week you're taking up one of my beds."
"I apologize for using up your bed space. I'll try to limit how often I'm attacked. If you prefer, I'll just find a quiet corner to bleed in. Now, if you don't mind, the injury is hardly life threatening." Sasuke looked up at her without really raising his face. "Your efforts…"
"Are no longer needed? Don't you give me that! I'll have you know that Hagrid burst into my office demanding to know why I'd let you wander about if you weren't completely healed. I don't need to be lectured by that creature about how to do my job! Honestly, you're going to get yourself killed one of these days."
Quite probably. "If I'm a lost cause, then I suggest you put your efforts into someone else. I don't need your help. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." Sasuke stepped around her and continued on his way. "I certainly don't need an overbearing nag chasing after me." Yes, that was definitely something Snape-san would say.
The first class of the day was charms, a class that required a wand and magic. The stress of keeping up his disguised nose and voice was using up a lot of chakra. The idea of having to use more chakra to imitate magic worried Sasuke. He knew it would be draining and, therefore, make his work harder. However, there was a simple solution that should allow Sasuke to skip holding up an illusion of himself doing magic. With luck, he would be able to use the excuse for a day or so.
To be continued…