Summer Interlude 1 part A
Spinner’s End
Severus Snape was a bitter man. There was no disputing that fact. His life had turned out to be as shitty as one could imagine. He was caught between two masters with no chance of freedom. That is until
Avalon School for Magical Beings
Pottermore Castle
Isle of Potter
Headmaster: Sage Filius Flitwick, Grand Warlock, Master of Transfiguration, Ward crafting, Charms, Ancient Magic and Duelling
Potions Master Snape,
We wish to extend to you an invitation to become a Potions Tutor to our Mastery students at the Avalon School for Magical Creatures.
It should also be noted that you will be required to undertake at least one Potion’s Thesis per year. In addition to this you are also eligible to complete two other Masteries based on your records. The Masteries you are eligible for are as follows: Dark Arts, Spell Crafting and Healing.
Due to your past affiliation with various extremist groups, you will undergo extreme scrutiny before and during your time at our school if you accept our offer.
We look forward to your response.
Sage Apprentice Remus Lupin, Arch Sorcerer
Master of Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Defensive Magic and Spell Crafting
This might be the break he needed. Hogwarts was never the place for him, neither as a student nor a teacher. This position would allow him to work with others who shared his enthusiasm in potions and could lead to major breakthroughs for him.
There are only two problems: Dumbledore and Lupin. Severus was sure that Dumbledore would not allow him to be outside his direct influence, the man had serious control issues.
Remus Lupin was a name from his past that he hoped would stay there; buried forever. He wondered to himself if this was worth seeing Lupin as a superior. It only took two hours for Snape to decide that there was no shame in trying to make something better of his life. So he got some parchment and a quill and began to pen his response.
Headmaster Flitwick,
Thank you for considering me as a possible student at your school. I would like to attend your institution, but there are some concerns. Could we meet at the Leaky Cauldron two days from now to address some issues I am facing?
Thank you in advance.
Severus Snape
Potion Master
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Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley
The first two weeks of Harry’s summer was spent playing catch up and sitting his exams for the Magical Institute. It was stressful to say the least.
Since then, he and his friends had begun the Basic Staff Training to become warding assistants. They flooed to Gringotts every day for the past week to be instructed by the chief goblin warder - whose name could be loosely translated to “Brick Wall” in English – in how best to assist a warder and in setting up Warding camps.
The warders needed to conserve their magical energy to build the wards and therefore all the magic done at the campsite was done by the aids. Their duties included, cooking, cleaning, healing (when necessary), and warding the campsite.
The first thing they learned was what felt like a million household charms that took care of everything one could possibly imagine, or rather what Harry could imagine. They also learned basic first aid. It wasn’t enough to heal a person totally, but could sustain life till professional help arrived.
Currently the trainees were learning how to construct Camp Wards. It was a simple process. The wards were constructed by the goblin leading the team prior to the mission, and stored on a portable ward stone. Upon arrival at the camp, the helpers set the parameters of the ward with some charmed stones. They then basically pushed their magic into the premade ward stone to activate and set the wards. It was a simple job.
What made it more exciting is that the team you are assigned to will start teaching you about warding in their spare time. That made these training opportunities highly sought after, even by those who had no intentions of pursuing warding as an occupation.
In all the training lasts for a total of two weeks, and then the trainees are divided into groups of varying sizes base on which warding team you are assigned to. Due to some negotiations, Harry and his four friends were all heading to Colombia and Brazil at the end of their training to aid in warding some potential dig sites in those countries. It was far away from Britain where the retribution of Lucius Malfoy was surely on its way. The adults wanted the teens as far away as possible, for as long as possible until the backlash from Narcissia’s book was contained.
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“You guys behave and look out for each other okay,” Alex said, again.
“Papa, calm down. We have everything, and we will be safe,” Cayden assured his papa.
“Well you guys make a good impression on those warders so that they are begging to have you next year,” was all Augusta had to say on the topic.
The group was gathered in one of Gringott’s conference rooms saying their farewells. Final arrangements were being made for the Ministry ball to be held on the 25th of August. Due to them being out of the country, there were many things to be finalized before they left, especially Harry and Neville who were ennobled guests.
“It is time to leave,” was the final word from Luna. As soon as she said it, Wardsmith Lovelace, their supervisor on the expedition entered the room to retrieve them. Hugs were given all around as the teens shouldered their packs and followed Lovelace from the room to their portkey.
Lovelace led them further down the passageway into a smaller conference room. The teens entered the room not knowing what to expect. This was the first time they were meeting the warding team they were to work with. There were ten people already in the room when they arrived. When the door closed behind them, the goblin at the head of the table in the center of the room called for silence. As one, the others in the room moved to grab seats around the table. Seeing this the teens clumsily followed.
“This expedition is not a challenging one going by the reports we received from our scouts. There are two potential sites that may house the treasures of the Dark Lady Maeve. In the file before you are details of the sites and some background on the culture of Colombia and Brazil.” There was a long pause as the group shuffled through the papers in the file. “We should all introduce ourselves and tell us what role you will play on this expedition for the benefit of our new helpers,” continued the goblin, “I will begin. I am called Wardmaster Steel shield. I am the leader of this expedition.”
The other goblin stood (made no difference), “I am call Goldeye. I am a treasure seeker and scout for this expedition.”
“I am Jason Lovelace, Wardsmith, and supervisor for the helpers.”
“Anna James, Wardsmith and Rune Master. I decode existing wards and encode the ones we will build.”
“Name’s Colin James, Cursebraker and Linguist. I rip apart existing wards and test the strength of the new ones being set. I also am the main translator between us and the natives.”
“Pleasure to meet you guys. I am Galen Smith, Beastmaster. I’m here to deal with any malignant creatures we may meet on the expedition.”
“Karen Mace, Herbologist. Harvesting wild, exotic plants.” Short and to the point, Neville immediately admired her.
“I am Jasmine Quake, Mediwitch.”
“We are Shield Agents Rupert, Dawson and Grace.”
“Shield Agents, what are Shield Agents?” asked Susan.
“We are the security group hired out by Gringotts. Think Aurors for hire. We are her to protect the group from human threats.”
“Well I am Susan Bones. Beside me on the left is Luna Lovegood and on the right is Neville Longbottom.”
Cayden quickly continued the introduction, “And I am Cayden Kent and beside me is the world-famous Haddricus Potter.” He received a sharp nudge in the ribs for his effort from Harry.
Steelshield took control of the room again. “Now that we are introduced, let’s get going. Time is a wasting and so is gold.” With that the all left the conference room and walk a short distance to the International Portkey room.
In a matter of minutes they were gone.
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Malfoy Manor
Lucius Malfoy was not a happy man. In fact he was apocalyptically furious. It all started three weeks ago when his dearly beloved ex-wife published her book. At first glance it seemed innocent enough, until it was actually read. It detailed many of what was considered Malfoy Family secrets.
The past three week had him playing host to the Ministry Aurors who basically stripped his house of personal wards to find the contrabands he was hording. They were immensely lucky unlike other times. The great number of ‘relics’ they recovered was solely due to Narcissia and her tell all book. The fact that he was not in Azkaban at the moment was testament to how tight his hold on Minister Fudge was. Yes, he was facing charges, but not in a holding cell due to his status as a model citizen.
There was a sharp knock at the door.
“Come in,” Lucius drawled.
“Mr. Malfoy. Why did you send for me?” The stranger was shrouded in darkness. The stench of death was heavy around him. Marcel Greaves was a murderer for hire with a long-term contract to the Malfoy Family.
“Mr. Greaves, a pleasure to see you again. I wish not to dally on the matter. It seems that Narcissia’s tongue and pen are enjoying her freedom from me too much. I wish to have her tongue and right hand on my desk at the end of the week.”
A boisterous laugh met his end statement. The laugh continued for several minutes until Marcel came to an abrupt halt with tears still streaming down his face.
“You want me to kill Narcissia Potter, as she is called now. I am no fool Lucius. I am old enough to have seen several Blacks on a battle field. I would be a fool to even attempt this.”
“It seems that you have misunderstood me Marcel,” Malfoy pushed as much malice in his voice as possible while saying the mercenary’s name, “I am not asking you to do anything, I am telling you to kill that bitch. Do this and I will give you everything you desire.”
“I desire to live for another few centuries Malfoy so I will pass on the opportunity. I will also advise you not to go against a Black. They are vicious and will murder you if they can get away with it. You remember that raid you went on in 1976, when you were knocked out by Sirius Black?”
Lucius bristled.
“I was there that day, and the only reason you are alive is Narcissia Potter. Her wand work stunned Dumbledore and the Dark Lord. Think on that before you commit suicide.”
With that Marcel turned and left the Lucius’ study and the Manor. He hoped the man would take his advice, but doubted it.
“Prideful bigot,” He scoffed as he apparated away.
*Back in the study*
His attempt to have the woman assassinated had failed. If a notorious Vampyre assassin turned down the task due to fear of retaliation then it was safe to say that the lesser assassins would do the same.
“I guess I will just have to do it myself.”
With that he stormed off to the Manor Library to do some needed research. Narcissia’s days were numbered.
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Nott Manor
Draco had spent the last two weeks with his best friend Theodore Nott at his Manor. After the release of Narcissia’s book (he refused to think of the whore as his mother), his father had sent him away to Theo’s house with some of the more valuable heirlooms that could be confiscated by the Ministry.
This was all Potter’s fault.
Draco would have his revenge on the uppity brat if it was the last thing he did. He went in search of Theo to help him plan Potter’s downfall.
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The Leaky Cauldron
“Ah, Professor, Master Flitwick is waiting for you in the private sitting room.”
“Thank you Tom, please lead the way.”
He was escorted to a small room. As he passed by the door, he felt the immense pressure of the wards covering the room. He wondered what would happen if he was not admitted and how the wards would retaliate.
“Severus. It has been a while.” The usually cheerful half-goblin was wholly professional I his tone. Severus realized that this meeting could either free or condemn him.
“Sage Flitwick, thank you for meeting me here today,” Severus replied shaking the smaller man’s hand.
“Let us not stall. That mark on your hand is preventing me from totally accepting you into my school Severus. My Dark Arts Masters have devised a ritual that could possibly free you from the mark. It is however untested.”
“And I would be the ideal test subject. How sure are they of the ritual’s success?”
“They are about 60% sure. They would however warn you that if the ritual fails there would be no major consequences.”
“Well that is good to hear. But if it fails then what?”
“Then the Masters would start to research other methods. But you would not be admitted to our school at this time.”
“Well, when is the best time for this to be done?”
“No time like the present. They have set up in a safe house our students use sometimes for whatever reasons.”
With that Flitwick produced a portkey from his pocket and offered it to Severus.
“Avalon.” They disappeared in a swirl of magic.