Chapter 17: The Interrogation of a Dead Man

                                    

                                          
Severus had very much enjoyed levitating the unconscious form of Mad-Eye Moody up to Dumbledore's office, mainly because he was behind everyone else and, consequently, could bash him into the odd wall without anyone else noticing. Once he got into the office, he dropped the man into McGonagall's conjured chair and searched him for his wand and any other weapons or Port-keys, then bound him to the chair tightly.
                          
"I trust you have Veritaserum, Severus?" Dumbledore asked jovially, and Severus rolled his eyes. How the man could have this attitude when Moody, who was supposed to have been Dumbledore's good friend for over two decades or some such, was unconscious from ten Stunners, was beyond Severus' understanding.
                          
"I do, Headmaster," Severus agreed, "but as this was witnessed by the entire school, and we have the Heads of three schools and two Ministry officials in this room, I think it would be better if we Flooed for an Auror or two."
                          
"I do not think it is entirely necessary, Severus, but if you feel it is the right thing to do, then go ahead."
                          
Severus rolled his eyes again and wondered if the man had gone senile; this was not the first odd occurrence he'd noticed. Nevertheless, he diligently stalked to the fireplace, threw the Floo powder onto the fire, shouted out his destination, and stuck his head into the flames. A bored receptionist answered. "Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror's Office. How may I help you?"
                          
"Headmaster Dumbledore is in need of two Aurors, preferably high up ones, as there has been an incident that has led to someone being Stunned by ten people simultaneously."
                          
The receptionist had wide eyes. "Y-yes, of course, Professor Snape, sir! Two Aurors are on their way, so keep the connection open."
                          
"Very well," Severus said, and withdrew his head from the Floo. He found that Karkaroff and Dumbledore were discussing something or other, Madame Maxime had sat herself down in a comfy chintz armchair next to McGonagall and they were politely drinking some tea that a house elf had probably brought them, and Bagman was nattering away at Avery, who wasn't paying attention to him, instead glaring at Moody darkly. Severus could understand the look, since Moody had been the one who had captured Avery's eldest son and Heir, having him placed in Azkaban for being a Death Eater. Avery's other son was also a Death Eater, but was such a lazy layabout that he'd never had the possibility of being caught. Avery himself was also a Death Eater, but he had been in the inner circle and was rumoured to have known the Dark Lord since they were in school together. He didn't know whether Avery was still loyal to the Dark Lord, but considering the fact that Avery was calm and not dead, he probably was. Karkaroff, on the other hand, refused to leave Hogwarts' confines, and was constantly pestering Dumbledore to strengthen the wards.
                          
After a few minutes, Madam Bones stepped out of the green flames, followed by a pink-haired witch that had Severus groaning inwardly. Nymphadora Tonks had been the bane of his existence when she'd been his student, because even though she'd been the best at memorising potions instructions and explaining potions theory, letting her around a cauldron was akin to signing your own death certificate. How she'd managed to get an O in her OWLs and NEWTs potions practicals, he couldn't fathom.
                          
"Right then," barked Madam Bones. "What was the incident that occurred? From Mad-Eye being unconscious and tied to the chair, I take it he was the one Stunned?"
                          
"Indeed," Severus said, stepping out of the shadows. "One moment he was calmly reading the Prophet, the next he lunged at me, screaming that I was a traitor and that the Dark Lord would make me beg for death before he killed me. I don't know what set him off."
                          
"Well, I suppose we could just ask him. Is he in a coma from the Stunners, or merely unconscious?"
                          
McGonagall spoke up, "Madam Pomfrey was able to determine that all the Stunners were rather weak, so he is unconscious."