InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Is that punishment?"

Greg Goyle (a_reticent_git) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-06-20 18:15:00

Entry tags:

!2003: 06, !complete, gregory goyle, severus snape

Visiting Hogwarts for a favor
WHO: Gregory Goyle and Headmaster Severus Snape
WHAT: Going to Hogwarts to ask for help and favors...maybe a job?
WHERE: Headmaster's office, Hogwarts
WHEN: Sunday afternoon, tea time
WARNINGS/RATING/STATUS: Language/pg/incomplete

Apparating into Hogsmeade earlier in the day, Greg had been amazed at the transformation of everything. The shops looked pristine, and he'd even had the time to go inside the sweets shop and look about, buying some candy to take to Theo on Monday. Greg had spent most of the day at St. Mungo's before coming, and even as he left, he had felt defeated and hopeless. He'd hated leaving Theo there, and even the thought of taking him treats was not enough to boost his mood.

It was the walk to the school that had cheered him up so much; he found he had missed that outdoor expanse of woods and the smell of the green. Greg thought he could spend all day outside, walking about that forest and on the grounds as he made his way up to the school. The gates were open and he approached the main entrance, feeling more at peace than he thought possible. Someone noted his arrival, an older Hufflepuff prefect he thought, and asked if he could help Greg. He had been cordial and told the boy he was going to visit the Headmaster, that he had an appointment. The youth nodded, and accompanied Greg to the correct hall, and giving the statues the password, had vanished up the rotating stairs. Greg looked at the walls, touching the newly repaired stone work with a wonder, remembering the damage that occurred here. He turned at the sound of a cleared voice, and it was the youth again.

"Headmaster Snape will see you now."

Greg mounted the stairs and stopped just in the entrance of the room, waiting with his hands at his sides to be acknowledged by Snape.

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in_the_grass
2010-06-21 02:01 am UTC (link)

Severus wasn't sure what sort of advice he was supposed to offer (aside from keep your hands off it or it's bound to go wrong, whatever it is), but did feel some small amount of curiosity about - perhaps even responsibility for - Goyle's stint in prison. He had never found Goyle to be a stimulating conversationalist, but it was, first and foremost, probably better than babysitting, and might shed some light on why Goyle seemed so concerned with someone who had never been at all involved in their activities. It seemed perfectly natural to him that someone had finally noticed Nott was a little touched in the head, but clearly someone was upset.

"Come in," he said, waving Goyle to the chair across from his desk. The office hadn't changed very much in the past few years. He'd transferred his things up from the dungeon, had added exactly one picture to the clutter of portraits and other frames that hung on the walls, and had acquired a few more interesting and vaguely unsettling specimens in glass bottles. "Sit. I'll tell you now, I don't know anything about what's happened to Nott. If you're looking for information, you'd do better to follow up with the hospital."

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-21 02:12 am UTC (link)

Greg looked about the office, thinking about the few times he'd been in here. It had been long ago and a pink sheen had been added at the time to everything. It looked far better now than it had as he remembered it, and Greg stepped forward gingerly, following Snape's directions to the letter.

He put his hands together and listened and didn't speak at first. And when he did start, he tried to keep his voice calm; it was difficult to hide the strain that was clear on his expressions, "I've just gotten released and I found Theo at St. Mungos. When I was starting my volunteer hours. I..I had no notion that he was in there. The hospital's not talking, Sir. They say they can't release information to anyone who is not family. Then they say that they cannot release Theo himself to anyone who isn't family or a custo..someone who has custodial rights," and Greg paused as his frustration with all of it grew inside of him almost to bursting, "He just can't stay there, Sir. He can't! He's never going to get better from whatever put him there. He needs...he needs me, Sir."

Greg took a breath and gave Snape a look for permission to continue.

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in_the_grass
2010-06-21 02:27 am UTC (link)

"Nott's parents are both deceased. I don't know who else he has - if the hospital hasn't found anyone, it's likely they don't exist, or they're not interested." Severus thought that a team from St. Mungo's was probably a better custodial candidate than Gregory Goyle. Why was he so distressed? "If you feel he's being mistreated, there may be other ways to have him released - moved, at least. Is that why you think he needs you? What are you going to do for him? You're not a healer." Severus had never noticed that they had been friends. They seemed a strange pair.

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-21 02:46 am UTC (link)

Greg's head had stiffened at Severus's words, "His father is dead?! But how did he die? Do you know, Sir?" and he looked intently, frowning even.

He shook his head in some disgust, frustrated with himself for being gone, "I got burnt and then locked up and I never got a chance to find him, to be sure he was okay," and as he spoke, Greg started to show his worry more, rubbing his thumb across the palm of his opposite hand in distraction, "I should have tried harder. I should have left them all. Blast it all!" he said, and then he realized who he was swearing in front of. Greg colored slightly, "Excuse me please, Sir, this is all new news to me and I.. I am not taking it very well."

At Snape's last words, Greg looked at his hands, and gave a sigh to let his shoulders drop, "I can look after him, Sir. We were...in school we...we meant a great deal to each other," and he raised his eyes, looking directly at Severus, "I love him still, as much then as I did now. And I know if it was me in there, he'd do everything he could to get me out so he could tend to me. I know what he likes, how to calm him down. I know him, Sir," he said, his eyes hard and slightly defiant. And then the realization of who he was challenging struck him and he blanched slightly but didn't drop his gaze.

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in_the_grass
2010-06-21 03:19 am UTC (link)

"Quite dead." News still traveled slowly through Azkaban, clearly. And Nott could hardly be relied upon to provide an accurate accounting. "I was under the impression that Mr. Nott killed him, although I admit I was rather preoccupied at the time. As were you. I hardly think trying harder would have done anyone any good." He didn't quite feel guilt - Goyle hadn't exactly been dragged kicking and screaming to take the Mark - but it wasn't quite fair, either. Not that there was any reason to expect it should be.

It took Severus a moment to decide he hadn't misinterpreted, or that Goyle hadn't misspoken. He kept his face carefully blank, but the idea was ... astounding, and not in a pleasant way. He chased it away to process later, and pressed on, batting away persistent mental images. "... I see." Good heavens. "Even given all of that, it seems unlikely that a man in your position would be granted custody of a - of someone like Mr. Nott. You've only just been released, and volunteer requirements are hardly considered stable employment." That struck him with an idea that bordered on insane, but if it helped to satisfy his nagging conscience, it was worth investigating. It wasn't as though that job hadn't been held by the marginally qualified before. "Perhaps a steady job would be a good first step."

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-21 03:34 am UTC (link)

Greg let out a large exhale, not realizing he'd been holding his breath and he fell back in his chair, his mouth open in utter shock.

"Killed him? He killed his da? Theo did it?!" and Greg looked opened mouthed at Snape as he went on about Greg's position. Greg could only nod blankly at first, still stunned at the news. It all made sense. It all fit in that irrational sort of way: the delirium, the babbling, the references to rules and his dad and all of it. Theo had done it. How, Greg didn't have a clue, but it must have been a face to face thing, and the act had made Theo's mind snap.

Greg came round as Snape mentioned a job, "Yes, well, a job would be bloody brilliant. Something outside, working with my hands. Blokes mentioned construction or something but I don't know," Greg said as he sat up in the chair, his brows still knitted slightly, "I am better at doing things with my hands I've found," he added, looking at Snape as he thought, "I suppose I'll have to wait to go for that custodialship thing after I get a job. A job will help with the house too, and my mum. Did I mention she's the reason I got out early? So I could help support her? Seems Da went through most of the Goyle money before he passed and she's been having a devil of a time...," and Greg stopped himself. He knew his old Head of House enough to realize that he wouldn't want to hear the drivel about the Goyles' lives.

He cleared his throat, "So I'm to get a job, and then get him out? I've come here because, well, Sir, there has to be something to help his state of mind," and Greg brightened visibly, "If he did kill his Da, if Theo did it, then wouldn't getting that memory out of him help him? Maybe give him a chance to be sane for a bit? I thought you might know about stuff, potions and things, that might help his nerves as well," and Greg let his voice fall, thinking about what Snape had told him again.

The very thought of Theo killing his father filled Greg with some unnamed emotion and to his utter horror, Greg found his eyes filling, and he realized with growing terror, that he was close to tears.

Here. In front of Severus Snape.

Greg rubbed a hand at his eyes, "No wonder he's gone natters. He's gone round the bend, and I've all that he has, Sir."

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in_the_grass
2010-06-21 11:15 pm UTC (link)

"I haven't a clue whether it will help him or not." Severus' voice sharpened. He had little enough patience for tears in two year-olds, never mind grown men. He wasn't here to soothe anyone or to speculate as to Nott's sanity. "As for his nerves, I imagine his healers are far more qualified than I am to say what he ought to take. I haven't seen him since he left Hogwarts. What I can offer you is a job," he continued, wondering how soon he was going to regret this. He owed him something, though. "The groundskeeper position has been difficult to keep filled, given the extra complications after the battle. If you think yourself capable, I'm willing to have you in for an interview." He was fairly certain he could fight off any resistance from the Board, so long as he didn't actually propose to let Goyle teach anything. "You would be required to live here for the majority of the year. If you do insist upon taking him out of the hospital, you will need to find someone to care for him. And if you need a reference, of course, I'll provide one, for whatever that's worth."

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-21 11:29 pm UTC (link)

"Of course Sir," he answered at once, wiping his eyes and getting his emotions under control, mortified at the slip in front of all people. He wasn't the crying type but things had been a shock these last twenty four hours, and he looked at Severus, frowning slightly at first as if he didn't hear him correctly.

"A job? You're offering me a job. Honestly?" and without pausing for confirmation, he rushed on, "I'll take it. Of course. Definitely. I can do it. I'd be happy to do it," and then he paused hesitantly adding, "It's just for the grounds keeper position right? Because I'm okay with animals but not all that brilliant at them," and he hesitated again, "I mean, if you needed to me, I suppose I could try," and he nodded emphatically as the words sunk in, "Interview? But..but when? I mean, do you want me to start right away? Because I can you know," and he was sitting up, leaning forward now, his eyes bright.

"I'm your man, Sir. I can do the job, I'm certain," Greg announced with clear certainty.

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in_the_grass
2010-06-22 03:24 am UTC (link)

"Good," Severus said with a curt nod, trying not to think of the reaction when this inevitably became public. Dumbledore hadn't even been able to pass off a reasonably tame werewolf when that piece of information had been leaked; the complaints that would come if he hired a recently released convict and former Death Eater might prove even more strident. But this place was his now, and surely he was entitled to some deference. "Our Care of Magical Creatures professor will be up to keeping the animals, I should hope. You can start when you like - it's rather more pleasant without the students running around, really - and it may be better to begin earlier. You may find you're not precisely popular." He felt compelled to warn him, although it was obvious and there was nothing to be done about it. If Goyle came on reasonably soon, perhaps the objections would blow over by the start of term.

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-22 03:40 am UTC (link)

Greg nodded, "That is fair enough. I can help, of course, if the Professor needs it. I'd be happy to, to lend the Professor a hand," and he gave a small smirk, "I think I can do this, truly Sir. I'll start moving in straight away. I've got furniture I can use, if that is allowed?" he asked, and he pursed his lips, thinking about how he was going to care for Theo, and his mother. He was thinking about items he'd seen in the Goyle house that might be suitable for a cottage, and he paused in his thinking, "Popular? Oh I don't expect I'll be that popular. I mean, I'm no Hagrid, I know. But I can work hard, and I'll keep the place neat and tidy. Do you think...," and he paused, looking at Snape in the face, "Do you think we'll be able to get some of the creatures back here, that belong here? Would you mind very much if I got to work on that as well? Like the squid? And the thestrals? And maybe we can be sure to get the centaurs word to come back...if that is okay?"

Greg paused, and looked slightly embarrassed, "I just remember how upset some people were when those changes happened. It would be good to restore all of it, right?" and it was true; he could remember keenly Theo's distress, and other students' upset, at those animals leaving. It had been just another strong arm tactic from the Ministry to put some muscle on the school, as far as Greg was concerned. It would be good to repair those old wounds as well, Greg thought.

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in_the_grass
2010-06-22 03:56 am UTC (link)

"There was quite a controversy surrounding Hagrid when he was hired," Severus pointed out, although he wasn't sure whether it should be encouraging at all. "You'll do well enough. You may bring your own things, so long as they don't create a distraction."

His mouth tightened at the thought of repopulating the grounds, and he was silent for a moment. He had no true preference as to a Hogwarts with or without thestrals. The squid had always been something of a nuisance - rather, the things children did when they knew there was a giant squid to be provoked had often been cause for headaches. The Centaurs he had liked, as a professor, largely because they were so solitary they might as well not have been there, but as headmaster ...

It was true, though, that putting things back in their proper places was probably for the best. He had worked so hard at returning the castle to its original state that to neglect the unpleasant details would seem somehow dishonest. He thought he remembered Albus being rather fond of the squid, as he had been of so many incomprehensible things. "If you like," he said at last. "You may certainly start tracking them down. Do let me know before you let anything run wild in the forest, of course."

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-22 04:04 am UTC (link)

"Right then, I'll work on that," he thought, a wave of self pride going through him at the notion. After all of this time, he could do something to make a difference, and it would be in a way he hadn't even anticipated. He pursed his lips, "I bet I could contact the right department in the Ministry. They'll put me in the right direction as to where the thestrals ended up. I'll work on it," he said, more to himself, thinking about what the best way would be to find these things. Maybe he could take some trips, to investigate things....

Greg stopped his wool gathering and looked at Severus's face, and rose from his seat, extending his hand to his prior Head of House, "Sir, I want to thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down, I promise," he said, and he meant it, felt it with every fiber of his body. He knew Snape was a busy man, and he didn't want to waste too much more of his time.

"If you don't mind, I'll go down to the caretaker's cottage and look about. Maybe wander the grounds as well, if that works."

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in_the_grass
2010-06-22 04:27 am UTC (link)

Severus told himself he was worrying over nothing - after the past ten years or so, any number of things would pass at Hogwarts with hardly more than a raised eyebrow. What was a squid in the grand scheme of things, or even a staff member with a highly checkered past. The worst of it, he thought, would be that he would have to keep a closer eye on his groundskeeper than he might have had he hired someone who hadn't spent his adolescence proving himself incapable of walking and simultaneously carrying on a conversation. But he had managed worse.

"Go, if you like," he said. After a beat he caved to convention, stood, and briefly took his hand; there was no sense in getting off to the wrong start. "Better to have someone escort you, for now. I'll have you the papers soon enough." And then perhaps it would simply slip by without anyone noticing.

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a_reticent_git
2010-06-22 05:04 am UTC (link)

"Right, Sir," Greg said as he gave Snape a firm shake and then moved towards the door. He gave a small backwards glance and then let himself walk down the stairs and out the doors.

He looked about and gave a happy sigh. With his head up, he moved down the corridor, down the moving staircases to the main floor. Across the floor to the doors to the courtyard he strode, and he paused, glancing about for someone who might have time to escort him. But for whatever reason, he seemed to catch the place empty and Greg shrugged and kept on. In moments, he was outside and down the hill, and approaching the place where Hagrid's hut had sat. That had been destroyed during the war, stomped by invading Giants and utterly demolished by the spells flying about. In its stead, a new cottage had been constructed. Made of stone gathered from the surrounding grounds, it was still oval in shape. Greg approached it, and mounted the steps up, and opened the door to enter.

It took only moments to inspect the empty rooms, a large room with a huge fireplace and a kichen off to the side, and two small rooms, with a a bath sandwiched between them. There was nothing inside, no furnishings but Greg thought there was plenty of furniture at the Goyle home he could gather up and bring. He thought he'd even invite him Mum to live here, but he knew she'd never accept. She had her House-elf and clung to the notion that someday, the Goyle home could be restored. Greg wondered if he would make enough to do that; he'd at least send her money home every month and that was more than he'd been able to do, all of those years gone. He touched the wooden mantel with what would pass for as an affectionate pat, and thought it was a far cry from the life he had been raised in, the luxury he had experienced. But the last five years of his life had been lived in the worst surroundings possible; this felt like a palace compared to that place, and Greg thought it suited him just fine.

Leaving, he closed the door behind him firmly and walking the grounds, he started making mental lists of things he noted, things that might need doing here and at home to get ready for his move. When he walked off Hogwarts grounds, Greg had his head lifted high and a smile on his face.

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