When in doubt- Eldritch Blast!

The Veil rippled as if something had passed through it. Sever the threads of destiny and weave your own tapestry!

Disclaimer: I only own my DnD characters

Warnings: Wizards have no sense of right or wrong!

Prologue- All that glimmers

There was a stone arch sequestered deep within the Ministry of Magic in the United Kingdom. This chamber, in which the ark resided, was not locked or otherwise barred, an empty circular hall boasting grandiose size that surpassed far the size of Wizengamot, the seat of wizarding governance and power. For all the wizards had their little chairs, there was a single occupant of the room.

A large stone gateway stood still in the middle of the room, surrounded by mist and the unquestionable touch of death. Beneath it lied grey sand and ruined cobblestone, a solemn reminder not to touch this strange room.

It had always existed in the most ancient of lore among magical beings- dwarves, goblins, centaurs and wizards knew of this arc's being and avoided it, crying out as the cold that breathed out the gate would stake it's twisted claim to them. Yet not all beings weren't gifted with foresight or slightest common sense.

When the first of Wizardkind discovered this strange structure, they sought it's power, greedy and shrewd like goblins, yet always willing to step out of the known and jump straight into the unknown. This was the boon of the humans and their greatest doom as they started to tamper with the ark, first using it as an object of worship and a sacrificial altar for their magic, yet it was not meant to last. Like all beings humans grew and despite their magic they rid themselves of this strange superstition, yet they acknowledged that this strange ark indeed possessed some strange magical power of great potency and long worked so that the ark would be a secret to all but few, who could discover just what exactly was this strange object.

Now thousands of years later only one thing was certain- the ark was a gate. To where did it lead? Now that was a question. However, even the most ancient of Unspeakables didn't know what lied on the other side, only the fact that if a being entered through the gate, they would be lost forever, their very soul erased completely, far worse than that of Dementor's kiss.

Yet when approached and prodded by instruments both magical and mundane, nothing could be determined, not it's age, nor the tools used to craft such a structure, for all they knew it had just popped into existence like a conjured rabbit to be pulled out of a hat. However, in this analogy the hat was more apt description as wizards had long since tried to peer behind the veil, only receiving silence in return.

So the Wizardkind was plagued by this question, but as clock turned it's hands and calendars kept thrown away to welcome their newer releases, the stone ark slowly started to gather dust and was promptly forgotten by all wizards, save most eccentric and powerful, who still looked to discover it's secrets.

On the last week of June, when the Summer Solstice was near in the year of 1976, when all clocks struck seven in the morning, the devices stationed in the Unspeakable department broke. Some sizzled out of existence, others turned inside out or were changed to stone, but most simply stopped working. However, these devices weren't the only victims of what happened next. Power vanished in the city of London, York, Bristol, Cambridge and Liverpool for an hour, while all ravens fled from London Tower. Pandemonium gripped the heart of the nation and soon more accusations were thrown against foreign agents of chaos and their own seditious citizens.

The Veil rippled as something passed through it.

It's mists parted as a small object, no larger than a Galleon and after a blink of an eye this mysterious invader had disappeared, leaving behind mayhem and destruction in its wake.

A week later…

Nightmares were almost welcome at this point, at least to escape them all he had to do was to wake up. However, even when he woke up there was the grim realization that he had traded one nightmare for another, this time permanent. At least with NEWTs done, he could kick back and relax for a while until he could head home. "Home" what a strange word it was and while he knew it, he had only experienced it once in his young life and for a fleeting moment, before shattering.

"Oi Snape" came the gruff voice of Evan "You really ought to get up" the halfblood sneered under the covers and pulled them over his head even more. He had no wish of leaving the dark and safe embrace of the dungeon especially when he had little excuse to leave the castle and since the parties happened regularly in the dungeons as the classes were over, he seldom saw the need to venture out and put himself in confrontation with Marauders now that he knew the fact that Dumbledore had given them "carte blanche" as muggles called to deal with "the wannabe Death Eaters"

"Shut it Evan" Snape grumbled, fully intent on enjoying last remaining hours of sleep before he would start brewing for some sort of remaining allowance. Suddenly his body felt cold as the sheets were lifted off of him, leaving him there in his nightclothes. The crimson-haired teenager merely offered him a wink as he twirled his wand in his hands, catching it just in time to block a hex that most likely would have caused more than a little inconvenience.

"C'mon" Rosier blocked another sickly-looking spell "I know you don't want to leave our cosy quarters, but this is the last Hogsmeade weekend and we ought to have some fun while we can as next year is gonna be a lot of 'work'!" both knew what they meant as Lucius had introduced them to their noble cause

"And?" was the sneered answer as the curses stopped, while the lanky teenager sat up straight. A smile crept on his housemate's face as he scratched the little patch of hair that he was proud to call a beard

"You can always go and see that barmaid at Three Broomsticks" this smile grew larger as Snape flushed lightly "She's a pureblood witch and quite easy on the eyes if I do say so myself…"

"Oh sod off!" he barked and then just realized his mistake as Rosier heir now knew on his feelings on the matter and like a shark smelling blood wasn't about to let go. In such cases it was far easier to appease his fellow Slytherin's ego now and let the matter die on it's own, rather to fight the questions and prolong the fight. Especially when it served no purpose.

Having dressed somewhat quickly, Severus had decided to forego his robes in the heat of June, arms of his shirt rolled up, displaying pale skin, bare of any marks, much to the dismay of certain Gyffindors.

The Dark Lord was not so stupid to mark schoolboys straight out of school.

This little fact brought another bitter smirk to his lips as they passed two firsties wearing yellow and black ties, that almost immediately slunk out of their way. Not that it had mattered that he could frighten some little Hufflepuffs, when all things in his life had been recently brought to ruin.

"Doesn't it feel good to have some respect around here, right Snape?" Rosier asked with a toothy smirk as they turned around the corner, to the hallway that would lead them past the Great Hall and down to the exit towards the Hogsmeade. It was far too sunny, Snape glowered and pushed his bangs out of his face, wand hidden in his sleeves. Despite their victory at the lake and his loss of friendship with Lily, Severus refused to let his guard down in case of another such attack. With Rosier at his side, the dark-haired potion fanatic felt somewhat capable in case of any surprise attack of Marauders. However unlikely it was with their penchant for gloating. Pettigrew had been awfully smug about this a few days ago until he was found able only to hiss whenever he attempted to speak, complete with a slit tongue. Of course, the teachers had been involved almost immediately, but the damage had been done.

Now they had to worry for any possible retaliation though, begrudgingly the Slytherin boys agreed that the four miscreants had a talent in pranks, as vicious as they were and with Dumbledore intent on protecting his saints there was little doubt that they would not attempt something and Hogsmeade seemed a viable location for such an attack. With a short shake of his head, Severus continued to listen to the rambling of his housemate and the latest gossip of what happened in other houses. Some of the gossip he had heard, but not the fact that Bagman had used liquid luck to cheat in NEWTs and was now facing expulsion if they could confirm it.

"I wonder if they'll kick him out" Rosier scratched the small patch of hair on his chin as they had come just outside of the small village. Severus shook his head, remembering just who the blonde guy's favourite teacher was "Probably not as he's been a guest at Slughorn's" the redhaired teen's brow furrowed at the mention of their head of house, smacking his finger against his head in exasperation

"Of course, Ol'Sluggy will bail him out. Merlin knows, he likes his contacts, doesn't he…"

"That he does Evan" Snape sneered "That he does…"

"I'd reckon he'd never do the same for us y'know, that fat walrus" Evan started his tirade, but Severus didn't listen, his attention paid to the jubilation around them. The village was in full bloom as third years ran around with bags full of sweets, while older students met with their parents behind the windows of Madam Pudifoots and Three Broomsticks, of course there were lovers strolling about, but the black haired teenager chose to ignore it.

Hogsmeade was a fun experience, if one had money to allow it. Seeing all of the swirling colours and small vendors and their stalls selling knick-knacks seeking to cash in from muggleborns heading home for the weekend, a small pit grew in Severus's stomach as he subconsciously touched his half empty coin pouch. A few Galleons, handful of Sickles and few odd Knuts was all that had remained from his savings of summer work. Of course, Lucius had offered to pay for his expenses, but Severus couldn't exploit one of his oldest friends like that.

"I heard Mulciber and Avery is here right now! Wanna grab a butterbeer Snape?" Evan asked, but the halfblood had no wish to deal with these two now. Both were…friends, however Severus had to admit that they were less refined than most wizards and brutes, that put Black to shame with juvenile antics. However, these boys had stuck by him and while it had been hard to be their friend, the half-blood hadn't wavered.

"Sorry, not in the mood, but I'll stop by later" he shot a glance at the many stalls outside, inspecting ones that would hold something to bring home to cheer up Mum "Gotta take something back home for mom"

He attempted to smile, but quickly stopped, seeing the weary look on his friend's face

"Better get rid of that muggle bastard, Prince, and bring her back to her rightful place" having said those words the Rosier heir turned and left the half-blood alone in the loud street, full of merriment and noise, swirling colours. He had never called him like that before and the thought of his 'father', the man didn't deserve to be called such, made his spidery hands wrap around the wand even harder.

Could he really kill Tobias Snape?

This wasn't the first time he had thought about this, but now when confronted by his peers from whom he had tried to withhold his sordid past. Without magic it would be hard to do, but certain potions and none the wiser Tobias would be put to rest quite soon. His stomach turned into a knot as soon as he had finished the sentence.

Had he just seriously considered his father's death?

It made him sick, immediately shaking his head in revulsion, Severus immediately hurried to the nearest stall, eyes darting for a suitable price and trinkets. Across him an old buck toothed witch smiled as his eye had caught the gleaming muggle made necklace in a shape of an owl.

"Hi there dearie" the woman greeted, and Severus merely nodded in return "Are you looking for something for a pretty lady? If so then I have just the thing…" with furrowed brows the young wizard inspected the rows of jewellery in front of him.

While it was nice looking, the prices were pretty steep and there was an inkling in Severus' head that he could find something better in the small sea of vendors and salesmen. He shook his head and offered the witch what was his attempt at a smile.

"Thanks, but I'll first take a look around…" the young wizard turned around, managing to hear a thinly veiled insult "as if he'd have someone to shop for"

Snape sneered and then made the enlightened decision to ignore that stall and drifted forwards aimlessly. He stopped at the stalls selling sweets and other cutesy knickknacks, before deciding that Eileen Prince wouldn't appreciate it ,he wandered onwards. Past Honeydukes and Madam Pudifoot's, the teenager couldn't find a single thing to buy for her. Sitting down on the nearest bench far from the main street the teenager held his head in his hands, eyes vigilantly peering through the fingers. Maybe it would be better to just return to the castle and prepare for a ride home or go to the pub where the rest of his friends had managed to sneak out Firewhisky.

Friends, the term itself was laughable of all the boys only Wilkes and Rosier could be considered his true friends as Mulciber only used their friendship to keep himself afloat in school and Avery enjoyed whatever suffering he could inflict on his enemies. The four boys had grown up together and with Severus introduced to their little group, he was already one of them, whether he wished it or not. For all their faults the two wizards were dependable sort and a dark mirror in a way of both Black and Potter. Of course, there was Lucius, but the older Slytherin had long since left Hogwarts and had a life of his own in the service of their cause. With his looming marriage, Severus didn't wish to get in the way of the man who had done so much to him. Growing up meant for one to deal with challenges on his own, but it was so damn hard.

"Gather Ye! Gather Ye!" was the loud magically amplified voice coming through the alleys, a booming voice carried by the wind, bringing magic in it's wake. Immediately Severus was roused from his state of self-pity and loathing. Rising up from the bench, the young wizard followed this magical voice and as he ran on the main alley, where he noticed that most wizards had done the same. All of them stupefied in seeing the grand carriage sitting in the small hamlet square shining in all of the colours of the rainbow, while a veritable castle of tents had sprouted from the top of the carriage which was drawn three headed crimson horses whose tails shone blue like the flames.

"Gentle Witches and Wizards! Young and old, those handsome or good at heart gather round" bellowed the young man dressed in a flamboyant muggle circus manager outfit shining with gold hue and hands hidden under silver gloves. Flexing his arm, a spectral dragon appeared behind him and did a small hoop, while breathing fire in a small cone around him, before landing on his shoulder. Such magic was impressive, especially without a wand

"I am merely a humble traveller and a merchant of revelry" another spectral apparition appeared as ropes of handkerchiefs stabilized the structure as colourful boxes floated out of the doors of the carriage with their lids open "Who has come here with one purpose only"

The floating boxes exploded, raining gold, sweets and even galleons around and with quick spell Severus and many older students had come to realization that this was not a clever charm or tricks of the Irish leprechauns, but indeed true magic. Holding his breath Severus continued to watch the spectacle as the strange salesman continued his strange introduction.

"To spread the festive spirit of Midsummer Eve as the Lords of Fae has decreed! Of course, not to overshadow other kind folk who have come here to bring joy on their own, I'll be gone in a flash." The man flashed a disarming smile to the vendors, who angrily eyed this upstart. Strangely enough their faces softened after hearing the strange man's words

"I have with me some truly amazing trinkets" he snapped his fingers and dozens of smaller boxes floated out surrounding the wizard "Glasses to see through darkness, a pair of boots that allow you to walk on walls, isn't that a treat!" the objects revealed themselves and to test them , the strangely clad wizard just walked up the wall of his own carriage, making his audience grow wild at the items for sale.

"Ha ha, calm down!" the salesman laughed "That's not all though and the best part of this is that all of it is free! Completely and forever~"

Severus couldn't believe it. No one would sell such items freely, especially to children with no strings attached, the man must have some ulterior motive to give away such items for scions. Could it be a cursed trinket as revenge for some slight or portkeys activated by a phrase to kidnap the chosen children. Such and other dangerous thoughts crept through the teenager's mind, but he was no hero. None of them had stepped in to help him when he had been attacked and why he should step up for them, to try to protect the students from a dazzling showman. If they were stupid enough to take such things for granted then they deserved everything they've got.

Still the Half Blood Prince inched closer through the crowd towards the man, as if pulled by a magnet.

"The process of this little raffle is very simple" the man explained all prizes revealed in front of him "I'm going to spin them and when I'll let them go, these pretty gifts shall find their owners and-"

A voice gruff came from the crowd interrupting the showman "How do we know these items ain't cursed or something?" It was a burly wizard in clean, but worn brown robes, who was holding up a toddler on his shoulders so that the little tyke could see better what was happening outside. Severus was thankful to the man, but the crowd had other ideas. Students and their parents booed and jeered at the man, however with a wave of the strange mage's hand the crowd was silenced.

"Right you are my good man" He nodded and turned to the audience "How about this? I need a volunteer to demonstrate that I mean no harm. Any takers?" the golden suited man turned around and twirled his cane, a splendid thing of black wood and gold. Many raised their hands and many more shouted that they were the ones wanting to take part in the spectacle. Severus wisely kept his hands to himself as he slunk further from the crowd to watch from certain distance.

As he stepped back, the youth collided with someone.

"Hullo Snape" came the gruff voice of Mulciber and the smaller Slytherin immediately turned to face his housemate. Behind him, Severus found Evan and Avery, who was trying to see past the taller boy and catch a glimpse of the strange salesman.

"Hello John" the half-blood replied and stepped aside "I thought you were gone harassing third year Gryffindors"

"Pff…As if I'd let a good show slip" was his answer and Severus nodded

"How long has he been doing this?"

"Couple of minutes" the other teenager shrugged

"Aight' let's move closer"

With this short replica, both Mulciber and Avery moved further through the crowd, past the other wizard like he had been a ghost. Evan instead stood back with him, a thoughtful look on his face.

"I'd reckon it's pretty stupid to agree on something like this, isn't it?" the redhead asked as he scratched his budding beard and Severus could only nod in agreement of the situation in front of them.

"Yes, yes, it is" he agreed, but still continued to watch as the wizard selected the recipients of their gifts. Most who got the gifts were first years from all houses and even smaller children whom either lived in Hogsmeade or had come with their parents. The previous unease had turned into merriment and laughter as everyone was having a grand old time and to Severus this looked out to be a bearable day, one without marauder hijinks or pestering of professors.

As he was about to approach the shimmering carriage, the tell-tale crack of apparition could be heard around the carriage. Whatever was about to happen wasn't good, the crimson robes of the Aurors appearing on the forefront of the crowd and surrounding the strange performer, wands drawn and a scowl on their faces.

"By the decree of Ministry of Magic you are under arrest for smuggling, creation of S class magical beasts, unlicensed enchanting of items and other crimes. Come quietly and we can get this solved"

The man said as he faced the flamboyant wizard. How did Severus know this? How could he hear the Auror when he was over 50ft or so away from him? It was another neat spell Severus had created, made specifically for listening in. It worked as a marking charm, tagging the person attuning his own magic to hear what was spoken far enough, currently the spell worked up to 100ft, but then it was as if trying to listen to a static radio.

"It seems the good folks of Ministry have liked my show so much, that they have sent so many Aurors to escort me. It breaks my heart to-"

"Sonorus." was the cry that came from Auror's lips "This person is a dangerous criminal, an affiliate to a Dark Wizard, wanted across MACUSA and other Ministries. Step aside"

"Now it wasn't nice" the man said and all of warmth was gone in his voice as his eyes had taken a crimson shine.

Then he, the carriage and the Auror were all gone.

Just like that. No sound of apparating or portkeys, as if the world itself had written the both out of it as if they had been an error in the calculations. The crowd went wild, hollering and screaming as the poor wizards tried to keep it all under wraps. Younger students were asking questions while certain elements were driving up the ante and heckling the Ministry wizards for ruining the day. Severus took note of Avery and Mulciber pushing through the crowd with pockets full of sweets and knick-knacks and grinned.

"Let's go Evan" Snape nodded to the other teenager and started to make his way through the human waves that were herded away from the scene of the crime.

"Wait up you twats" came the voice of Mulciber behind them and the other teens joined them, giving the other boys some of their spoils.

With the rest of the Slytherin gang now together and they had no intention of sticking around much longer especially since the teachers would be involved. It didn't take long for him to see McGonagall and Dumbledore in his purple flamboyant robes. No one had an idea just how sly and terrifying the man was and that his grandfatherly act had been just for show.

In this regard he and the Dark Lord were of the same mind.

Tomorrow he'd head back to Spinners End and from there on Severus would decide what he wanted to do with his life further, the teenager supposed that he could owl Lucius and ask for his opinion, but first thing first was to deal with his situation at home.

However, as these thoughts didn't leave the young man's mind, he failed to notice that in his robe pocket was a weight he hadn't noticed there. A small silver ring laid in his pocket in shape of a serpent eating it's own tail with two small gemstones for eyes.

If Severus had taken out the small ring and inspected it, he would have found that the small ring seemed almost alive.

A.N- Wizards are a menace to society and a lvl 20 one is a planetary level threat. At least Severus won't suffer as half as much.

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- Spook