Squib Puppet
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma
sequel to "A Squib's Proper Place"
Chapter 1: Obliviated
The Forbidden Forest is a dreadful place. I rarely enter its
borders, even during the day. It was sheer madness for me to go there in
the middle of the night.
Following Draco Malfoy into the Forest on my own was worse than
foolish. I ought to have awakened Severus before I left the Castle. And,
I should have fetched Hagrid before entering the Forest. But Draco had
already slipped out of the Castle like a wraith. And the boy was moving
at a run, quickly going beyond the Castle's boundaries. I was afraid to
hesitate, even for a moment, for fear of losing him.
Over the past weeks I had seen Severus's fears for his favorite
student steadily increase. Barely sleeping or eating, Draco was paler
than ever. He had gotten thinner; his grey eyes held a perpetually
haunted expression and had bruised-looking hollows underneath them.
As a first year, young Malfoy had shown a sensible amount of dread
for the Forest and the perils within. But now he moved eagerly through
the dark trees as if he feared nothing.
Clutching my lantern, I hurried along the narrow earth track that
wound through the trees. The boy's glowing wand guided me towards him.
At least he had slowed a bit, enough for me to catch up with him.
"Draco!" I shouted, trying to ignore the terrified pounding of my
heart. "Stop, boy! Where do you think you're going?"
"Mr. Filch?!" Draco's voice was startled. He was so distracted
that he had not known that he was being followed. "What are you doing
here?"
"My job!" I snarled, fear making my voice even harsher than usual.
"You're supposed to be in the Castle, in your dormitory, in your bed!"
"You shouldn't have followed me! You must leave here at once,"
Draco ordered me imperiously. "You have no idea how much danger you're
in!"
"Me?! What about you, you young fool!" I snapped.
"I'll be fine," the boy said, haughtily. "It's you who..."
Not giving him a chance to finish, I reached out and grabbed his
arm.
"You're coming back with me, straight-away! We'll see what
Professor Snape and the Headmaster have to say about..."
Around us, the Forest had grown very still.
Abruptly, I realized that the boy and I were not alone.
"Pendeo," a drawling voice hissed, from behind me.
I found myself lifted into the air by a powerful spell.
"Draco, you have brought me an unexpected gift! How delightful.
Good evening, Squib. Have you no insolent words for me?" Lucius Malfoy
asked.
His voice was as elegant as ever, though there was a ragged
quality marring its smoothness.
His power swirled around me, spinning me roughly around to face
him.
The resemblance between father and son had never been more
pronounced. Like Draco, Lucius looked as if he'd been ill. He was thin
and paler than usual. His grey eyes were haunted by the memory of recent
pain.
But the anger in his face when he looked at me, was all his own.
The force of the rage beneath his calm manner struck me like a physical
blow.
"Malfoy makes a dangerous enemy," Severus had warned me. "If he
should ever have you at his mercy again, he will make you beg for
death."
I had not forgotten Snape's warning. Helpless at Malfoy's dubious
mercy was the very last place on earth that I wanted to be. I knew that
I was not supposed to remember most of the things I'd done to enrage
this Dark Wizard recently, but I didn't expect that to save me.
It didn't.
But Draco bought me a brief respite.
"Please, Father! Leave him alone. Speak to me," the boy pleaded.
"It's been weeks! I was so glad to get your message this morning! I've
thought of nothing else all day. You still have not said what happened
to you. Mother has told me nothing. Neither has Professor Snape!"
"Both Professor Snape and your Mother have been obeying my wishes.
What happened to me is none of your concern."
"I've been worried..." Draco's voice faltered now.
"Foolishness. I'm fine, as you can see. Ah, Draco, you are too old
for such nonsense."
This last was said as the boy embraced his father. Lucius held
Draco close to him, his protests fading into silence. Malfoy senior made
no comment on Draco's obvious pallor. But a flash of pain crossed his
face. He held his son tightly for a moment, even after the boy had
released him.
"There. Let your mind be at ease now, boy." Lucius said, quietly.
"I am all right. What happened is over and done."
His silver-grey eyes flickered to me.
"But not forgotten, oh no. At least, not by me."
"Father?" Draco said, confused. "I don't understand what Mr. Filch
could possibly have to do with anything. He's only a Squib."
Lucius smiled, bitterly. "Ah. You'd be surprised how much of a
nuisance `only' a Squib can be. Particularly that one."
I felt a wave of satisfaction. I did not dare allow it to show on
my face. Instead I did my best to look frightened, which wasn't too
difficult.
"Have you anything to say for yourself?" Lucius Malfoy asked me.
"No," I whispered. "Sir."
"Good. You seem to have acquired some manners since the last time
we met. Or since the last time that *you* can recall meeting me, at any
rate," Lucius drawled.
"At least you're a Squib who understands his proper place in the
order of things. Unlike another I could name. The Moffitts aren't really
to blame, of course. That old fool, Albus Dumbledore, has put some very
strange notions into their heads."
Unable to help myself, I dropped the facade of meekness and glared
openly at Lucius Malfoy.
I knew that he'd meant to provoke me, but it didn't matter. I was
fond of the Moffitt family! And, though I am not anywhere near as
threatening as Hagrid, I still did not intend to just float calmly while
a Death Eater insulted the Headmaster in my presence! I knew that I was
doomed anyhow. There seemed no point in hiding my defiance. Maybe if I
angered him enough he would kill me quickly.
Draco was giving me a look of pure exasperation. "Father," the boy
said, placatingly, "Don't..."
"Petrificus Totalus!" Lucius Malfoy snarled at me. The body bind
itself was not painful. But the thud, when he let me fall to the ground,
jarred every bone in my paralyzed body. A cry of pain forced itself out
through my clenched jaws.
Lucius prodded my side with his boot. Then he turned me over onto
my back.
"Father, if you hurt him, there will be questions," Draco
cautioned Lucius.
The boy's face was a calm mask. He sounded completely indifferent
to my fate. I noticed, however, that he'd moved between Lucius and me,
blocking the path of any curses that the older wizard might want to
throw in my direction.
"Don't concern yourself, Draco. I'm not going to injure him. At
least not in any obvious way. The satisfaction would be all too
fleeting. And it would be a foolish waste of an unexpected opportunity.
No, I can think of a much better use for Dumbledore's highly trusted pet
Squib."
"Imperio!" Lucius hissed in my ear, his wand inches from my face.
A wonderful feeling filled me, as if a lifetime of cares had all
been wiped away. I struggled hard, both against this vague, unnatural
happiness and even harder against the faithless act of betrayal that
Lucius Malfoy was telling me to commit for him.
"Stubborn wretch, aren't you..." Lucius murmured. "Well. We'll do
this the hard way, then."
Harshly, he said, "Crucio!"
*******
I tried to resist him. I tried. But the combination of two
Unforgivable Curses was more than I could fight.
Through tears of pain, I saw the pale glimmer of Draco's
frightened face as the boy crouched, shuddering, beside me.
"I've left no marks on the old man. There will be no unpleasant
questions asked about what occurred tonight," Lucius reassured his son,
quietly.
"Yes, Father."
"Still, for your own sake, I think that it is best if you do not
remember what you have seen and heard. It is necessary for your own
protection. You are blameless. None of this shall touch you."
Lucius's voice softened. "I am sorry, Draco. Forgive me. Remember
only that we saw each other, we talked, and you found me well."
Lucius Malfoy's voice was gentle, but the spell he cast on Draco
was strong.
"Obliviate."
Lucius Malfoy turned to me. "Your turn," he said, far more
brutally. "You *will* obey me, though you will forget who has given you
your task. In a week's time you will return to the Forest, bearing the
thing that I've asked you to fetch for me. You will speak of this to no
one. Is this understood?"
"Yes," I said, dully.
He paused. "There is one thing more. My son is not to be punished
for leaving the Castle. You will not give him detention. Bring him back
inside and consider the matter ended. You will remember this!"
"Yes," I murmured.
His wand glowed as it filled my field of vision.
"Obliviate," Lucius Malfoy said.
END CHAPTER ONE
Author's Notes: I will probably not be able to update this story as fast
as the previous ones, since I seem to need more sleep these days. But
writing is too much fun for me to stop doing it for very long.
UnrepentantReader: Thank you!!
Ariana Deralte: Thank you!! Yes, Filch has taken Mrs. Norris and the
kittens through the Doors, but the Doors can distinguish between Animagi
and other animals.
ThePet: Thank you!! Filch has "chatted" with the Castle once before, in
"Squib Doors." The first time that he ever summoned a Door, he did so,
after asking the Castle for help.
Lataradk: Thank you!! Yes, Sirius will be taking a trip through a Door.
Sooner, rather than later. More Lucius and Draco in this chapter.
Mystical Witch: Thank you!!
Emma: Thank you!!
Helen: Thank you!! You're right about Filch having a last quiet time
before something happens.
Interesting idea about a Squib's quarry being affected by the Squib's
searching for them. I gave it some thought.
When the Squib uses their searching talent to find someone that they
care for; a friend or a family member, the one being sought definitely
feels no discomfort. Seeking the familiarity of someone else's magic
because that person makes you feel safe, loved and reminds you of home,
should not be painful or unpleasant for any of the people involved.
(Poor Callandra would have a hard time getting volunteers to practice
on. She wouldn't want to hurt Neville, her brother or her room-mates.)
But, if the Squib has learned to use their searching talent to find a
witch or wizard that they have no close relationship to, or emotional
bond with, as part of an Auror's investigation, it makes sense that it
could be unpleasant for the Squib's quarry. I rather like that idea!
(Especially the image of Callandra's "searching" making Death Eaters
feel ill.)
Melodie: Thank you!! Severus will keep Azoth. (Or, from Azoth's point of
view, he will keep Severus.)
Quoth the Raven: Thank you!! I agree that Snape ought to be able to let
go of the past for his own sake.
Yes, it meant a lot for Filch to hear that he would have made a good
Hufflepuff, especially from Severus whom he respects. Though Severus
would vehemently deny that he was trying to bolster Filch's ego. "I said
that he would have made an excellent Hufflepuff. He chose to be
complimented."
Azoth may look like a small, cuddly kitten, but he considers himself the
Prince of Darkness. In between his regular duties, which will include
keeping his favorite wizard's rooms safe from rats, mice, stray bits of
dust and any spare socks that Severus might leave lying about, Azoth
will also diligently practice lurking in the Potions classroom, and he
will work hard at pefecting his best cold, unblinking stare to be
directed at anyone who annoys Snape.
Scampering madly about the classroom, chasing the trailing ends of
Snape's robes will tend to ruin the "Prince of Darkness" image that
Azoth is attempting to cultivate but he'll outgrow this eventually.
Maybe soon after he stops playfully wrestling with his tail.
Demeter: Thank you!!
Andolyn: Thank you!!
WG: Thank you!! (I have a few ideas for a later story that features
Snape and Azoth. Azoth may have to chase Sirius. He's the only kitten
who didn't get to try out the comfy Animagus!)
Jelsemium: Thank you!! And you're welcome! Sirius is going to show up
later in this story. Moody won't let him leave until he tries to go
through a Door with Filch.
The Castle rarely Takes Notice of individuals. Dumbledore and Filch are
the only two living beings that It's currently aware of. (Hagrid, Keeper
of the Keys, is tantalizingly close to being Noticed though.) The
process takes a long time. Filch was feeling those strange, frightening
surges of magic for years before he stopped "hiding" from them.
Saint Fool: Thank you!!
Lizard of Fire: Thank you!!
Besnaped: Thank you!!
Gramarye: Thank you!!
a Harry Potter fan-fic
by Ozma
sequel to "A Squib's Proper Place"
Chapter 1: Obliviated
The Forbidden Forest is a dreadful place. I rarely enter its
borders, even during the day. It was sheer madness for me to go there in
the middle of the night.
Following Draco Malfoy into the Forest on my own was worse than
foolish. I ought to have awakened Severus before I left the Castle. And,
I should have fetched Hagrid before entering the Forest. But Draco had
already slipped out of the Castle like a wraith. And the boy was moving
at a run, quickly going beyond the Castle's boundaries. I was afraid to
hesitate, even for a moment, for fear of losing him.
Over the past weeks I had seen Severus's fears for his favorite
student steadily increase. Barely sleeping or eating, Draco was paler
than ever. He had gotten thinner; his grey eyes held a perpetually
haunted expression and had bruised-looking hollows underneath them.
As a first year, young Malfoy had shown a sensible amount of dread
for the Forest and the perils within. But now he moved eagerly through
the dark trees as if he feared nothing.
Clutching my lantern, I hurried along the narrow earth track that
wound through the trees. The boy's glowing wand guided me towards him.
At least he had slowed a bit, enough for me to catch up with him.
"Draco!" I shouted, trying to ignore the terrified pounding of my
heart. "Stop, boy! Where do you think you're going?"
"Mr. Filch?!" Draco's voice was startled. He was so distracted
that he had not known that he was being followed. "What are you doing
here?"
"My job!" I snarled, fear making my voice even harsher than usual.
"You're supposed to be in the Castle, in your dormitory, in your bed!"
"You shouldn't have followed me! You must leave here at once,"
Draco ordered me imperiously. "You have no idea how much danger you're
in!"
"Me?! What about you, you young fool!" I snapped.
"I'll be fine," the boy said, haughtily. "It's you who..."
Not giving him a chance to finish, I reached out and grabbed his
arm.
"You're coming back with me, straight-away! We'll see what
Professor Snape and the Headmaster have to say about..."
Around us, the Forest had grown very still.
Abruptly, I realized that the boy and I were not alone.
"Pendeo," a drawling voice hissed, from behind me.
I found myself lifted into the air by a powerful spell.
"Draco, you have brought me an unexpected gift! How delightful.
Good evening, Squib. Have you no insolent words for me?" Lucius Malfoy
asked.
His voice was as elegant as ever, though there was a ragged
quality marring its smoothness.
His power swirled around me, spinning me roughly around to face
him.
The resemblance between father and son had never been more
pronounced. Like Draco, Lucius looked as if he'd been ill. He was thin
and paler than usual. His grey eyes were haunted by the memory of recent
pain.
But the anger in his face when he looked at me, was all his own.
The force of the rage beneath his calm manner struck me like a physical
blow.
"Malfoy makes a dangerous enemy," Severus had warned me. "If he
should ever have you at his mercy again, he will make you beg for
death."
I had not forgotten Snape's warning. Helpless at Malfoy's dubious
mercy was the very last place on earth that I wanted to be. I knew that
I was not supposed to remember most of the things I'd done to enrage
this Dark Wizard recently, but I didn't expect that to save me.
It didn't.
But Draco bought me a brief respite.
"Please, Father! Leave him alone. Speak to me," the boy pleaded.
"It's been weeks! I was so glad to get your message this morning! I've
thought of nothing else all day. You still have not said what happened
to you. Mother has told me nothing. Neither has Professor Snape!"
"Both Professor Snape and your Mother have been obeying my wishes.
What happened to me is none of your concern."
"I've been worried..." Draco's voice faltered now.
"Foolishness. I'm fine, as you can see. Ah, Draco, you are too old
for such nonsense."
This last was said as the boy embraced his father. Lucius held
Draco close to him, his protests fading into silence. Malfoy senior made
no comment on Draco's obvious pallor. But a flash of pain crossed his
face. He held his son tightly for a moment, even after the boy had
released him.
"There. Let your mind be at ease now, boy." Lucius said, quietly.
"I am all right. What happened is over and done."
His silver-grey eyes flickered to me.
"But not forgotten, oh no. At least, not by me."
"Father?" Draco said, confused. "I don't understand what Mr. Filch
could possibly have to do with anything. He's only a Squib."
Lucius smiled, bitterly. "Ah. You'd be surprised how much of a
nuisance `only' a Squib can be. Particularly that one."
I felt a wave of satisfaction. I did not dare allow it to show on
my face. Instead I did my best to look frightened, which wasn't too
difficult.
"Have you anything to say for yourself?" Lucius Malfoy asked me.
"No," I whispered. "Sir."
"Good. You seem to have acquired some manners since the last time
we met. Or since the last time that *you* can recall meeting me, at any
rate," Lucius drawled.
"At least you're a Squib who understands his proper place in the
order of things. Unlike another I could name. The Moffitts aren't really
to blame, of course. That old fool, Albus Dumbledore, has put some very
strange notions into their heads."
Unable to help myself, I dropped the facade of meekness and glared
openly at Lucius Malfoy.
I knew that he'd meant to provoke me, but it didn't matter. I was
fond of the Moffitt family! And, though I am not anywhere near as
threatening as Hagrid, I still did not intend to just float calmly while
a Death Eater insulted the Headmaster in my presence! I knew that I was
doomed anyhow. There seemed no point in hiding my defiance. Maybe if I
angered him enough he would kill me quickly.
Draco was giving me a look of pure exasperation. "Father," the boy
said, placatingly, "Don't..."
"Petrificus Totalus!" Lucius Malfoy snarled at me. The body bind
itself was not painful. But the thud, when he let me fall to the ground,
jarred every bone in my paralyzed body. A cry of pain forced itself out
through my clenched jaws.
Lucius prodded my side with his boot. Then he turned me over onto
my back.
"Father, if you hurt him, there will be questions," Draco
cautioned Lucius.
The boy's face was a calm mask. He sounded completely indifferent
to my fate. I noticed, however, that he'd moved between Lucius and me,
blocking the path of any curses that the older wizard might want to
throw in my direction.
"Don't concern yourself, Draco. I'm not going to injure him. At
least not in any obvious way. The satisfaction would be all too
fleeting. And it would be a foolish waste of an unexpected opportunity.
No, I can think of a much better use for Dumbledore's highly trusted pet
Squib."
"Imperio!" Lucius hissed in my ear, his wand inches from my face.
A wonderful feeling filled me, as if a lifetime of cares had all
been wiped away. I struggled hard, both against this vague, unnatural
happiness and even harder against the faithless act of betrayal that
Lucius Malfoy was telling me to commit for him.
"Stubborn wretch, aren't you..." Lucius murmured. "Well. We'll do
this the hard way, then."
Harshly, he said, "Crucio!"
*******
I tried to resist him. I tried. But the combination of two
Unforgivable Curses was more than I could fight.
Through tears of pain, I saw the pale glimmer of Draco's
frightened face as the boy crouched, shuddering, beside me.
"I've left no marks on the old man. There will be no unpleasant
questions asked about what occurred tonight," Lucius reassured his son,
quietly.
"Yes, Father."
"Still, for your own sake, I think that it is best if you do not
remember what you have seen and heard. It is necessary for your own
protection. You are blameless. None of this shall touch you."
Lucius's voice softened. "I am sorry, Draco. Forgive me. Remember
only that we saw each other, we talked, and you found me well."
Lucius Malfoy's voice was gentle, but the spell he cast on Draco
was strong.
"Obliviate."
Lucius Malfoy turned to me. "Your turn," he said, far more
brutally. "You *will* obey me, though you will forget who has given you
your task. In a week's time you will return to the Forest, bearing the
thing that I've asked you to fetch for me. You will speak of this to no
one. Is this understood?"
"Yes," I said, dully.
He paused. "There is one thing more. My son is not to be punished
for leaving the Castle. You will not give him detention. Bring him back
inside and consider the matter ended. You will remember this!"
"Yes," I murmured.
His wand glowed as it filled my field of vision.
"Obliviate," Lucius Malfoy said.
END CHAPTER ONE
Author's Notes: I will probably not be able to update this story as fast
as the previous ones, since I seem to need more sleep these days. But
writing is too much fun for me to stop doing it for very long.
UnrepentantReader: Thank you!!
Ariana Deralte: Thank you!! Yes, Filch has taken Mrs. Norris and the
kittens through the Doors, but the Doors can distinguish between Animagi
and other animals.
ThePet: Thank you!! Filch has "chatted" with the Castle once before, in
"Squib Doors." The first time that he ever summoned a Door, he did so,
after asking the Castle for help.
Lataradk: Thank you!! Yes, Sirius will be taking a trip through a Door.
Sooner, rather than later. More Lucius and Draco in this chapter.
Mystical Witch: Thank you!!
Emma: Thank you!!
Helen: Thank you!! You're right about Filch having a last quiet time
before something happens.
Interesting idea about a Squib's quarry being affected by the Squib's
searching for them. I gave it some thought.
When the Squib uses their searching talent to find someone that they
care for; a friend or a family member, the one being sought definitely
feels no discomfort. Seeking the familiarity of someone else's magic
because that person makes you feel safe, loved and reminds you of home,
should not be painful or unpleasant for any of the people involved.
(Poor Callandra would have a hard time getting volunteers to practice
on. She wouldn't want to hurt Neville, her brother or her room-mates.)
But, if the Squib has learned to use their searching talent to find a
witch or wizard that they have no close relationship to, or emotional
bond with, as part of an Auror's investigation, it makes sense that it
could be unpleasant for the Squib's quarry. I rather like that idea!
(Especially the image of Callandra's "searching" making Death Eaters
feel ill.)
Melodie: Thank you!! Severus will keep Azoth. (Or, from Azoth's point of
view, he will keep Severus.)
Quoth the Raven: Thank you!! I agree that Snape ought to be able to let
go of the past for his own sake.
Yes, it meant a lot for Filch to hear that he would have made a good
Hufflepuff, especially from Severus whom he respects. Though Severus
would vehemently deny that he was trying to bolster Filch's ego. "I said
that he would have made an excellent Hufflepuff. He chose to be
complimented."
Azoth may look like a small, cuddly kitten, but he considers himself the
Prince of Darkness. In between his regular duties, which will include
keeping his favorite wizard's rooms safe from rats, mice, stray bits of
dust and any spare socks that Severus might leave lying about, Azoth
will also diligently practice lurking in the Potions classroom, and he
will work hard at pefecting his best cold, unblinking stare to be
directed at anyone who annoys Snape.
Scampering madly about the classroom, chasing the trailing ends of
Snape's robes will tend to ruin the "Prince of Darkness" image that
Azoth is attempting to cultivate but he'll outgrow this eventually.
Maybe soon after he stops playfully wrestling with his tail.
Demeter: Thank you!!
Andolyn: Thank you!!
WG: Thank you!! (I have a few ideas for a later story that features
Snape and Azoth. Azoth may have to chase Sirius. He's the only kitten
who didn't get to try out the comfy Animagus!)
Jelsemium: Thank you!! And you're welcome! Sirius is going to show up
later in this story. Moody won't let him leave until he tries to go
through a Door with Filch.
The Castle rarely Takes Notice of individuals. Dumbledore and Filch are
the only two living beings that It's currently aware of. (Hagrid, Keeper
of the Keys, is tantalizingly close to being Noticed though.) The
process takes a long time. Filch was feeling those strange, frightening
surges of magic for years before he stopped "hiding" from them.
Saint Fool: Thank you!!
Lizard of Fire: Thank you!!
Besnaped: Thank you!!
Gramarye: Thank you!!