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Severus frowned at the heavy rain that hit Hogwarts. Despite the storm, Mother Nature was throwing a fit and he could feel her magic spewing in the wards. His mind recalled a scream he could acknowledge in the ferocious weather. 'You killed them! You've destroyed my children! You will pay!' He knew exactly what the voice meant.
Several days ago, Hogwarts had opened the Triwizard Tournament and the first task had just finished. During Viktor Krum's turn in facing the mother dragon, a few eggs were crushed in his process. The wizards on the scene only cheered for the Champion of Dumstrang and both Mother Nature and Lady Magic were enraged.
Being blessed by the two magical beings of the world, Severus constantly dealt with their rage fits by settling punishment upon those wrong. Working against Fate though was tough since she believed her prophecies would always come true so he couldn't hurt Dumbledore, Tom Riddle and protect Harry. Instead, he did what he could to lighten the war as much as possible and end it for the sake of every living creature in Britain. Severus stared at the hurricane approaching Hogwarts stone walls and sighed heavily. 'Well, time to get to work...'
The Yule Ball was to occur that night but was currently postponed due to the storm. Many sought shelter in the wards of Hogwarts but even there they were surrounded by cold and fear of the Creators. Severus swept past his students, all huddled and shivering. He frowned upon this and cast a wordless wandless spell upon the walls to spread warmth against those guilty. A few students straightened and a smile returned to them. Severus hid a smile behind his own mask while reaching the Great Hall.
Lady Magic had a talk with her strongest child regarding the punishment against her residents for her sister. Hogwarts heeded her mother's orders and assured to send pain to those that hurt those of Mother Nature. Now, the beautiful bewitched ceilings of Hogwarts Great Hall was a full-on storm with raging rain and crazy wind. A few professors stood there, trying to cast spells to end the madness. Dumbledore stood among them, confusion in his facial expression. He was sure he had Hogwarts under his thumb and that made Severus scoff at his ignorance.
"There you are, Severus!" Flitwick squeaked from his place and scuttered up to the man. "We need your strength as well! We need to contain the ceiling and fix what's wrong!"
"I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet, professor," Severus muttered while eyes the storm weather illusions above him. He has set a shield around him to avoid being drenched to the bone. "You seemed to be one with Lady Magic..."
"Lady Magic?" Flitwick gaped at his suggestion and scrunched his brows in concentration. He gasped at the tendrils of rage lashed upon him and he glanced around, taking note of the darkness fessing with the building. "This isn't just Lady Magic... There's another source of rage..."
"Mother Nature," Severus muttered softly, loud enough to catch the half-goblins attention. He stared into those onyx eyes that were filled with understanding. "Sister to Lady Magic; she rules upon the Muggles and nature... Any living being is under her jurisdiction, magical or not..."
This got the shorter professor to understand everything and he turned towards the Drumstrang students who were aiding a few that had been struck by lightning. He noted how afraid Krum seemed and he noted Fleur and Cedric also unable to leave the hall. Harry was the only Champion not remotely attacked but he was still uncomfortable with the wetness of the weather and area he couldn't escape.
Finally, he turned to Severus for answers. "How do we fix this?" He tilted his head to Albus who was trying to comfort the other judges who were stuck in the minefield. "That old coot thinks he can control Hogwarts and everything..."
"And that's why I'm here," he muttered while magic began to break free. Everyone froze as the magic curled around the entire room and Severus' walls crumbled away, ignoring the astonished looks from his coworkers and students. He eyed the ceiling and whispered softly, "Puella pulchra domina mea, in requiem obsecro, ira tua et quae ... Ego iam Strick poena eorum in malum iniquitatem..." He repeated his last line several times, letting his magic soothe Hogwarts and the twin sisters.
He wasn't sure when he had closed his eyes but when he did reopen it, he was engulfed in black mist and he could feel the comfortable weight of his scythe on his back. Taking a deep breath, he controlled his emotions and revelled the mist back into his uniform, a large black cloak of darkness and his eyes glittered from his dull onyx eyes to a bright hazardous jet black. Beneath his cloak, he realised his obsidian button-up had unravelled, revealing his muscular pale chest and his battle scars. But he did nothing to hide them, knowing he was to fully take on his position from now on.
"You people had enraged two of the strongest Spirits of this world... Thus, they have assigned me to punish you all for your misdeeds," he trailed off while unsheathing his scythe. He smiled at the familiar weight in his hand and turned upon his targets. When he realised all eyes were on him, he conjured a list and peeked at it for a moment. "10 targets... All ten are present... Permission to assign punishment?"
They watched as magic swirled his cloak before his hair was pulled into a high ponytail while his scythe in between his lips. His dark glare upon Dumbledore and the headmaster began pleading, "Listen here, my boy... That's enough of your jokes. We understand you're mad about not being able to do your potions in peace... But you can't seriously-"
The old coot was silenced by Severus passing him in a flash and had his scythe in hand. When all eyes turned to Dumbledore, they noticed his beard had been cut and a murderous gleam passed his blue eyes. Severus sat on the podium with an amused smirk before glancing at them all.
"This ain't no joke, old man," he began softly, watching as a few students were peeking in through the doors and windows. "Lady Magic had been enraged by your plots of World Domination for your 'Greater Good' while Mother Nature is furious you're using her children for fun."
"M-Mother Nature would never do that," Hermoine tried reasoning with her know-it-all snarky ignorance. "I've read that she is a kind and forgiving being! You're just planning to play with us like what you always do with us in our class!"
Severus glared down upon the Gryffindor with a sneer before flicking a finger at her, having a gust of wind tossed her towards the stone walls. Without any hesitation, green vines began encasing her on there like a display and she began screeching. Severus shrugged, unable to defy Mother Nature and turned upon his targets.
"I'll start with the less punished target," he mumbled after peaking at the parchment. "Harry James Potter, for riving a pregnant mothering dragon with your taunt actions. Mother Nature and Lady Magic agreed you only did so to accomplish the task you were forced upon but Mother Nature was still angry with your lack of consideration upon her child. Her wings were internally damaged and the possibility of a flight disability is there..." He could see the young Potter spawn pale at the thought of hurting such a creature and he sighed.
Instead of punishing him right there, Severus turned to the ceiling and said loudly, "I call upon Lady Magic and Mother Nature to bring consideration and mercy upon this child! He is only a controlled marionette for those in this war! I wish they consider lightening the punishment!"
They watched as the scroll glimmered and Severus turned to it and sighed in relief. He turned to Harry and gave an assuring smile before announcing, "Your punishment is being forcefully bonded to one of the Hungarian Horntail spawns and you are to raise it as your own! Fail to comply with this simple task will end with your own disability to fly on any magical contraption, so mote it be."
Many gasped as magic swirled around Harry and he jumped as a large dragon egg ended up in his arms. Severus watched his charge gingerly settle down and smile upon the warmth around it. Harry gave him a curt nod and Severus returned with his own before turning back to the list. The other champions stiffened in fear and Severus gave them a quick glance.
"Fleur Delacour and Cedric Diggory," he watched them jolt in fear. "Be assured, your punishment is as light as Harrys'. You both faced the dragons with a more settling choice. For Miss Delacour, the sleeping charm you cast upon the was harmless but the mother dragon had been in a state of comatose that would've brought danger to her and her eggs. Thus, you are punished to lose the ability to sleep soundly. You shall be always aware of your surroundings despite being asleep and if you try to fight against this, your magic shall be bounded, so mote it be..." He cast the spell on the half Veela and watched her accept the merciful punishment with a sad smile. Severus nodded before turning to his other student.
"Heir Diggory, you sent a dog against the Mother Dragon to retrieve the egg. Your danger distressed the female creature and traumatised her against all canine creatures..." He glanced from his list and noted how unsettled the teen was and he sighed. 'Honestly, they should've considered this well..' "Your actions shall be punished with mild cynophobia... Be grateful for this for any other attempt to harm Mother Natures' children will conclude with your magic bounded, so mote it be..."
With those three off his list, he turned to the paled Drumstrang Champion. His glare darkened at him and he spun around, billowing his cloak at the three while facing the fourth target. He lifted a hand, not need his wand as an amplifier now that he had unleashed everything. He had lifted Krum into the air and slowly curled his fingers and his windpipe was squeezed. Many gasped upon his act but Severus kept silent while glaring at the teen.
"Why don't you tell me what you did wrong, Heir Krum?" He questioned ever so casually while he took note of Igor's position. The ex-Death Eater was inching to save his star student but hesitating by Severus' magical presence to hold him in place. "Well?"
The famous Seeker forced his vocal cords to struggled and say like a whisper, "My hex hurt the mother dragon and she killed her children..."
"So you understand your wrongdoings?" Severus mused. He had seen the pale look from the Bulgarian after his task. He was sickened by what occurred but kept silent.
Krum now trembled in his grasp while tears welled up. Severus felt pity, knowing he had hated himself since the incident. His eyes softened slightly and he turned to the quieting storm. No matter how responsible he was, he had his own opinion and didn't want to hurt this student. Instead, he turned to his superiors.
"I leave your punishment to Lady Magic, Heir Krum..." He spoke loudly, earning relief looks from the Drumstrang students. "I've seen your self-hatred and believe she will lighten your sentence..."
Krum closed his eyes and sniffed as Magic swarmed around him. Everyone waited as the Spirits regarded his heart and soul. Severus let Lady Magic deal with it and released the student. Krum stayed in the air at first, magic swirling before it blasted and he slumped. Severus did a detection spell and sighed in sympathy.
"Lady Magic declared you guilty but remorse. You were sentenced to twenty years of infertility," Severus explained softly and Krum huffed. "You are to live twenty years of learning the true meaning of life and your marriage contract will show a single condition by Lady Magic which you MUST adopt a Muggleborn and raise them well. Child abuse towards the Muggleborn will end with your magic bounded..."
Krum nodded in agreement while slowly standing up. Severus watched his classmates giving him pitiful glances and support. 'He'll be okay,' he reminded himself and silently thanked Lafy Magic for her mercy. Finally, he turned to the four adults and frowned upon his list. 'Oh, Minister Fudge ain't here...' Lifting a hand, he summoned his Patronus but in a mist form. They watched a large Wendigo stand up from his mist cloak and knell in front of the Potion Master. He gently caressed his skull head and whispered his command. "Bring him here for trial..."
Severus watched his Wendigo disappear into the shadows and leaned back before turning towards his audience. "Until Target number ten arrives, I'll let you all question me of anything... Try to reason your remorse and I'll consider asking Lady Magic and Mother Nature to reduce your punishment..."
The judges shared glances before Ludo Bagman stepped forward and offered a sheepish smile. "I-I was just doing my job, pal! You know, I had been forced with these tasks! I just dealt with the creatures!"
Severus glared at him and huffed in frustration, "Like you hadn't been betting on this the entire time and your documentary was pretty exciting, Mr Bagman... And I'm not your pal..." He waved him back and lifted a brow at the rest.
"You're magically powerful," Madam Maxime said softly despite her huge baulk. "Why are you working 'ere out of all the jobs in Britain? You could work at the Ministry..." Crouch also seemed interested in this and many looked at Severus for his answer.
He barked out laughing at their unexpected question and hugged his ribs in pain. They watched him settle down before he turned upon them while flipping a pendant around his neck. "Listen, madam... This is only thirty per cent of my full strength... If I show my full magic, what do you think people will consider me? The next Dark Lord? A World Domination ass? A psychotic madman with unbeatable power?" He conjured a bottle of Fire Whiskey and poured some for himself before sipping it with a smile. "I enjoy brewing... So I don't need to show off this strength..."
"They why do you have this strength? And how did you get it?" Karkaroff questioned while his eyes flashed with his dark intention. Severus didn't need to read his mind to know the dark ideas he was plotting mentally.
Instead, he sighed while leaned into his palm before conjuring the item that started it all. Many gaped at the rope in his hand but he ignored it to stare deeply into Karkaroff's eyes. The man had stiffened and he could feel malice grow in his gut.
"Yeah... That's a story I can tell you," he muttered while swinging the bloody noose around his finger before sending it away. "But then, I'll have to kill you..."
When silence commenced, he frowned and began cleaning up the drenched hall. Every student could feel magic swarm and calm the storm slightly. A few could feel the warmth spread through their pale fingertips and the emotion grew lighter. Severus smiled at their inner joy and quickly cleaned the mess around of tables and benches before opening the doors and windows. "Come on in and take a seat! I'm sure you kids are hungry..."
Severus watched them all take their seats except for the judges. He left them rooted in their spots in front of the podium and he smiled warmly at the wary kids. When everyone was seated, he snapped a finger and multiple torches began to lighten up, warming everyone. He snapped again and Fawkes appeared on his shoulder with the Sorting Hat. Severus gently placed them onto the podium beside him and snapped once more, calling upon a house-elf.
"Hello, Master Severus!" Squeaked a pale house-elf with pink rags and a cute tophat. "What can Mimsy do for you, master?"
"Hey, Mimsy," he greeted while gently patting her hat. "As you can see, the kids are all drenched and hungry. Can you get the others to cook warm soup and soft bread for the students? The teachers would also love some nice warm tea to go with their meal..."
"Of course, Master Severus! It is good Mimsy sees you in your true form! Mimsy and everyone is happy Master Severus is taking over! He is Hogwarts true master! Master Severus is the greatest master!" She squeaked once more with teary eyes while shaking his hand over and over again.
"I know, Mimsy," Severus reassured her with a gentle smile before patting her once more. "Now go on and get to work! I'll be sure to award you later with more chores..."
"Thank you, Master Severus!" She squealed in delight before disapparating back to the kitchen.
Chatter filled the hall as students passed explanations of what had happened and the Champions were being huddled around and bombed with questions. Severus smiled at the cosy scene before feeling a hand on his shoulder. He turned and noticed Minerva staring at him in confusion. He only nodded with a reassuring look, meaning, 'i'll tell you later...' She got the message and sighed before returning to her seat.
While everyone ate, the doors swung open with a bang and everyone jolted in their seats. Many gasped as the Wendigo sauntered inside while in his hand was a struggling minister. Surrounding his Wendigo was a few officers including Madam Amelia Bones and Madam Umbridge. Severus placed his glass of wine before turning to his Patronus.
"Thank you, Wendy," he muttered while the beast dropped the minister unceremoniously on the floor between the students and teachers. "Hello, Madam Bones... and..."
"Madam Dolores Umbridge," sniffed the pink-clothed toad lady while storming forward. "This... thing barged into the ministry and nabbed the Minister of Magic! You've better have an explanation for this or I shall bring this to court, you-"
"Hello, Severus," Madam Bones spoke out while silencing her co-worker with a spell. "Honestly, the least you could've done was send a warning note! You scared half of our workers and knocked out our warders."
Severus gave an apologetic nod before explaining, "Just doing my job, Amelia... If you could keep things quiet, I would appreciate that much..."
"What the hell is going on here?" Hissed Minister Fudge while standing up and fixing his robes. "Albus! What is the meaning of this?"
"It seems that my boy Severus wants to... Well, punish us for our wrongdoings in the Tournament..." Albus tried explaining calmly, though his warm compassionate look was completely snapped. He was angry at the casual rule-breaking act of his spy and wanted him to act like it was all an act. He needed Severus to be under his thumb, not a magical wizard capable of beating even him. "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding, Fudge..."
Severus sighed while sharpening his scythe casually, sending loud shrieks of metal across the hall. The temperature plummeted at this and everyone shivered as his mood soured. He finished his drink and stood up before approaching the MInister with a sneer.
"Long story short, old man," he huffed while placing the sharp tip at his blubbery chin. "You enraged Lady Magic and Mother Nature... You shall be punished..."
They all gaped at his calm cold look and Fudge glared right back. "What kind of joke is this? I demand you to take your... your thing out of my face!"
Sighing at his ignorance, Severus turned around and snapped his fingers, letting his enraged tendrils of magic start off the punishment for annoying him. Fudge was lifted by his ankles until he was swinging from the ceiling and his robes were glued to his body to not fall off and display his underclothing. As he struggled, he snapped a few more times and waited for him to freeze and silenced before turning back with an insane smile.
"Well, now that you shut the fuck up, I can continue," he said sweetly while pulling out his parchment. The Champions gulped as his eyes wandered down the list and the dark look magnified as he read the punishment. "Oh! This will be fun!" He giggled while skipping towards the still figure of the minister. "You're to be mentally tortured of losing your children and getting pregnant, only to be forced miscarriage! How exciting!"
Before anyone could speak, the torture began, sending screams echoing through the hallway. Many paled and lost their appetite as Fudge screamed and cried his begging for his children to stay safe. Severus simply stared into his eyes, sending more dark memories of torture and ignored the frightened looks from his students and colleagues. He continued this for ten minutes before releasing his hold and the man collapsed onto the floor while curling up. Severus pouted in the realisation that he was still alive but shrugged his frustration away, knowing he had placed enough trauma on the man.
"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is just the appetizer!" He announced, much to their dismay. "The four remaining judges of this tournament will receive similar punishments and survival isn't mentioned on my list! So try your best!"
When he turned to Karkaroff, Crouch and Bagman, the two stepped away as Severus advanced. Even without his wand, his magic display was strong enough. He extended a hand and watched them struggle against an invisible source. He glanced at his parchment and nodded in agreement with the explanation before snapping. A goblin squad appeared and Bagman squealed in fear while they cornered him.
"For Ludo Bagman, the lucky bastard will be punished by the goblins under their laws," he read out before turning to one of the creatures. "Goblin Goldfist, he's all yours..."
"I thank you for your job, fellow Harbinger," the goblin thanked with a short nod of his head. "May your enemies flee forever..."
"And may your gold flow forever," replied Severus and watched them disapparate with Bagman. He turned to Karkaroff and Crouch and snapped loudly and the men were under the same spell as Fudge, crying for a family they never had to be kept away from the mind terrors. Severus grinned at their cries and turned to Madam Maxime.
"Please," she began softly while tearing up. "I knew using those magnificent creatures was wrong but I was just so interested!"
Severus considered this and turned to Fawkes. The phoenix was staring back but gave a nod. He sighed before turning to Lady Magic for her consideration. Magic swirled around the sobbing headmistress and when it dispersed, he listened to the magic message and sighed.
"Lady Magic has judged you, Madam Maxime," he looked annoyed but agreed with the punishment. "Your punishment by Lady Magic is you're bonded to a task of dealing with Magical Creatures in close quarters. Meaning you shall clean and raise them yourself. Fail to precede these tasks will have your magic bonded..."
She nodded quickly, accepting the disgusting but merciful sentence. Severus turned to the three mind tortured elders and did a complex spell before they woke up and gasped. Fudge was older and his skin was drooping from his bones. His grew hair was completely white and his eyes were dull blue. Karkaroff's hair was a messy dirty nest and his beard was full grey. His eyes were dull brown and he seemed to have grown weight and shorter. Barty Crouch Senior was also sagging and his magical appearances were taken. He held himself up with a hand on the floor and he looked aged.
"Your magic has been bounded and you both are forced to leave the Magical World and to never interfere with Lady Magic again," he began loudly. "If you do anything against Mother Nature, she will send natures strength at you and kill you a slow and painful death..."
While they sobbed, Severus turned to Albus with a dark sneer and lifted a hand, only to have his magic stuck. He paused and stared blankly at the wall behind Albus before sighing and lowered his wand. Before anyone could speak, a light flashed by them and they watched three bright figures approached Severus. The Harbinger stared at them with a deadpan look before kneeling down at their feet.
"Apparently he's a part of Lady Fate's jurisdiction, miladies," he explained and all the students stared at them.
The first lady was tall and beautiful with pale moonlight hair and blue silky robes which sparkled with stars. She had a dark blue wizard hat on her beautiful locks and her pale hands held out to pat Severus' black locks. The second lady was dark-skinned and wore green robes with vines around her smooth legs like shoes. Her golden eyes glittered with joy and compassion. The last lady was shorter than the two and wore beautiful purple robes and curly black hair. She held a glass ball and giggled here and there.
The last lady hopped around Albus for a moment, taking in his appearances before skipping back to Severus and shook her head. Severus frowned and turned to him while slowly standing up.
"What do you mean the Prophecy is fake?" He spoke clearly out loud, causing Madam Bones, Madam Umbridge and Albus to freeze in their tracks.
Little did Severus know, by saying that out loud, the young future-Death Eaters had decided to send word... and war would come streaking towards Hogwarts for an explanation...