Chapter 37: Taking On The Pink Prison

Hogwarts Castle, Wizarding World...

The overall feel of the castle when they arrived was at best somber. An eerie chill ran down the spines of both Hermione Granger and Harry Potter as they looked at the place. It had been nothing like the school they had come to know and love over the past five years. "The Pink Prison" had looked more grim than the lands of the hero's home in a Muggle movie she viewed as a child. Snape expressed several times much to Dumbledore's chagrin how much he wanted to vomit from having to endure the eye sore of a color so much. For once Harry Potter had been in agreement with Snape about vomiting due to the atrocious use of the color pink. It screamed "Umbridge is a bonafide nutter", unleashed by the Ministry of Magic and on a one woman power-trip.

Dumbledore appeared to be largely unaffected by the atrocity in décor Umbridge had made of his school. Then again Snape suspected it was the old coots secret fantasy to paint the entire school that ridiculous color. What passed for fashionable in Dumbledore's mind was clearly evident by the sky blue robe with half moons imprinted upon it. Grotesque if ever there was a fashion trend Snape had an opinion about.

The small group of wizards accompanied by one very capable bushy haired witch, entered the far side entrance of the castle that Dumbledore, according to a certain Potions Master, had reserved for his "lengthy dramatic entrances." Dumbledore despite seeing the school in such obvious disarray had been rather cheerful about everything.

"When we are inside we will need to split into groups." said Snape immediately taking charge of the group. "Potter, Granger, you are to be one group."

"I don't take orders from you Snape." said Harry bitterly.

"You will if you want to survive that grotesque pink toad's onslaught." said Snape growling in annoyance.

"Severus, is right this is the best course of action." said Dumbledore finally getting into the conversation.

"Harry stop this, Professor Snape is only trying to help right now." said Hermione getting through to her stubborn friend.

Harry glared at Snape bitterly as he realized that he was out voted.

Snape saw fit to relish putting Potter in his place with a victory smirk.

"Granger look after Potter, take the east quadrant of the castle and work." he said turning more serious. "Steer clear of Greyback at all costs...if you find trouble make your way to the room of requirement as a means of escape."

Hermione and Harry both nodded in understanding.

Snape met Hermione's eyes one last time before he turned his attention to Dumbledore.

"I suppose you wish to go charging into the thick of battle as pro your usual Gryffindor status." he said dryly.

"And no doubt slinking into the darken dungeons is what you have in mind." countered Dumbledore with a pleasant smile.

Snape rolled his eyes when both Harry Potter and Hermione laughed.

"All jokes aside, I was hoping to find some of the other staff members, no doubt the toad has them locked away in the bowels of the castle..." he said annoyed. "This is after all, is what dungeons are used for...especially in times of war."

"You make a good point." said Dumbledore conceding. "All the more reason to provide a fashionable distraction while you free the other staff members Severus."

Snape nodded.

"Well, it seems we all know our separate duties." said Dumbledore. "By the way Harry, if you or Miss Granger happen to locate any other student or staff members fill free to take them to the room of requirement for safe keeping."

"Will do sir." said Harry dutifully.

Snape rolled his eyes at the boy's gleeful obedience when it came to the Headmaster. Hermione noted this and thought perhaps Severus was a bit jealous of Harry's blind devotion to the older wizard.

"Gryffindors." he muttered in annoyance.

"What." said Hermione turning to face Snape. "What will we do if the fighting starts?"

Snape narrowed his obsidian eyes at her.

"You and your ragtag little group will not be fighting...Miss Granger...leave that to the adults who know how to hold a wand properly...wait in the room of requirement until it is safe to emerge." he said in a near growl.

"But we can fight just as well as any of you." said Harry defensively.

Snape rolled his eyes.

"Do as I say, Potter." he growled this time emphasizing the murderous intent behind his dark glare. "Ensure that you and Miss Granger do not split up with Greyback prowling the halls there is no telling what can happen."

"I'll see you and the other's in the main hall." said Dumbledore breaking the tense moment between the young Gryffindor and the Head of Slytherin house. "Good luck to you all."

"Good luck to you too, Professor." said Hermione in respect. "And to you Professor Snape."

Snape took one last look at the bushy haired witch who mouthed the words "Be careful." to him as Harry grabbed her hand and made off toward the Gryffindor common room in the hopes of saving more students from Toad face's tyrannical reign. The dour wizard simply nodded once and took off toward the dungeons.

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The Common Room, Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts...

Harry and Hermione made it successfully toward the Gryffindor common room. She had done a good job of keeping an eye out for Greyback as Snape instructed her to. Harry had gone through the portrait with minimal resistance, mostly due to him forgetting the Gryffindor password, which Hermione was more than happy to enlighten him as to what the right answer was. Much to Harry's chagrin.

"We need to find Ron and Ginny." said Harry as soon as they made it safely inside.

"We have to find Neville and Luna as well." added Hermione.

"Right." said Harry. "I'll search the boy's dorm and you can take a look at the girls dorm."

"If you run into trouble and can't find me make your way toward the room of requirement." instructed Hermione.

"Wait." said Harry thinking for a moment. "Snape said that we shouldn't split up."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry since when did you of all people start listening to Professor Snape?"

The green eyed wizard knew she had a point and couldn't find a retort.

"Fair enough." he said finally.

"Remember if you run into trouble make your way back to the room of requirement as soon as possible." said Hermione in a serious tone.

"Right." said Harry.

Both the young green eyed wizard and the bushy haired witch parted ways hoping that neither of them ran into Greyback.

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The Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts Castle...

In the darkness of the dungeons Snape had been pleased to note that the pink toad's hideous décor had not yet reached his coveted domain. The familiar scent of herbs and fresh earth from his quarters had made him feel secure for some reason. The beast blood that boiled in his veins seemed to be appeased if at all slightly. The thought of Hogwarts being overrun by werewolves and Umbridge had a tremendous effect on the beast that dwelled within. Hogwarts had been his second home, well if he was honest, Hogwarts had been his only home and to see it in such disarray was unsettling.

The dour wizard stalked the familiar halls with his teeth gritted and his obsidian eyes narrowed.

As he passed a familiar corridor he found himself coming face to face with a patrolling Draco Malfoy. In one swift motion Snape grabbed the young Malfoy and pulled him into the shadows. The scent of his fear accompanied by his rapidly beating heart made Snape smirk in the darkness.

"Surely a Slytherin as capable as you does not find yourself afraid of your own uncle?" said Snape still smirking in the darkness.

"U-Uncle Severus?" asked Draco when Snape eased his grip on him.

"Who else would I be?" asked Snape rolling his eyes.

The stench of Slytherins stooge was coming off Draco in waves.

"Getting a little too close to the enemy aren't we...Godson?" he asked with an eyebrow arched.

"S-She's punishing Gryffindors...Slytherin house has complete power over them." explained the junior Malfoy.

"Opportunity came knocking I suppose." said Snape understanding why his house was willing to play nice with the toad.

"Besides she was a former Slytherin." said Draco. "I felt it my duty to ensure that Slytherin makes Gryffindor look second rate...who knows when we'll get another shot at being in charge."

"Point taken Mr. Malfoy." said Snape showing his annoyance with the conversation. "I want a full report on what's been going on in the wake of my absence when all this is over...for now the short version would do."

"Well Sir, Toad face has taken over Hogwarts declared you, Potter, and Granger dead..." explained Draco. "She locked the other Professors in the Slytherin Dungeons and has been trying to pry open your private quarters in a bid to discover your secrets due to you being a known death eater...she hasn't been successful though."

Snape smirked. Of course she wouldn't be. His wards were impenetrable by everyone except Dumbledore and that was only because the old coot was the headmaster.

"How was McGonagall when you last saw her?" asked the Potions Master.

Draco looked at his Godfather for a moment, he knew the dark and brooding wizard held the transfigurations Professor in high regard. He had once said that Minerva McGonagall was the most formidable witch of her time. Apparently his godfather had a fondness for tough old birds.

"She wasn't doing very well." admitted Draco honestly. "I-I've been sneaking her food as best I could...but she's gotten sick despite my efforts..."

Snape had not hid the look of absolute fury that filed across his pale face.

Apparently that toad-faced nutter was torturing the staff, McGonagall especially given her opposition to the toad's demands when she was attempting to oust Dumbledore.

"Stick to your duties and forget you saw me for now." instructed Snape.

"Yes sir." replied Draco. "Do be careful uncle...she's got werewolves in her corner...threatened to unleashed them on the whole school..."

"You let me worry about those so called werewolves." replied Snape with a glint behind his obsidian eyes. "I have a feeling that the pink toad is not fit to rule them."

"W-What about that big one?" asked Draco with concern in his tone. "T-The one they call Grayback?...he's their leader isn't he?"

Snape smirked rather wickedly as he looked off into the distance. The changes in him unnoticed by his unwitting godson.

"Not for long." he said and took off toward the castle prison, where old slaves from ancient wars were kept during the Hogwarts Castles battle days long before it became the prestigious school of magic of today.

It wouldn't be long now...

Soon they would all see some action. Hogwarts in the battle for it's own freedom from both the Ministry of Magic's oppression and the toad-faced troll that calls herself high inquisitor. With the way things were under Umbridge's direction Hogwarts truly was a pink prison. Snape shuddered at the thought of it all, not in fear but in relative disgust. Pink was an atrocious color in it of it's self, But add a frumpy toad with a power trip and a pack of blood crazy were dogs and it was sure to be interesting come confrontation point.

Snape made his way toward the castle prison hoping Hermione and Harry Potter were faring far better than he on their assignment. And that Greyback would steer clear of them. Unfortunately, for Severus' wishful thinking, it was simply not going to be so for as Hermione Granger made her way through the girl's dorm a pair of glowing yellow eyes followed her with a predatory glare in addition a deep rumble that had not registered in her ears as she cautiously stalked the halls.