Disclaimer: Harry Potter world and characters don't belong to me.
"Professor!"
A dark and powerful figure strode through the empty hallways of Hogwarts, its black cloak billowing in its wake.
"Professor!" the boy sounded shaky, out of breath.
The figure stopped and twisted, and the boy almost recoiled from the intensity in those deep green eyes. Like a sea abyss they drew him in...
"Yes, Mr Malfoy!"
The woman's voice was impatient but otherwise she showed no emotions. The boy swallowed nervously.
"I saw them, Professor!"
"Where?"
There was something almost predatory in her suddenly narrowed eyes.
"The forbidden corr-" he stopped once the woman raised her hand.
"Go to your common room and stay there," she said, already turning away from him and quickening her pace. He gratefully ran in the opposite direction.
'Foolish boy!'
'Arrogant, just like his father-'
'Brave-'
'Stupid, he is going to get himself killed!'
'No, not Harry! Please, not him!'
She took a deep breath as a new sense of calm washed over her. Sev and his Occlumency.
'I won't let anything hurt him!'
'We won't.'
'And Albus-'
'He will pay.'
She paused before the door. It was ajar just like she expected. Her left hand gripping her willow wand, her right already pulling another from her robes – this one blackthorn. Now wasn't the time to be discreet – her son was in danger.
She felt Severus inside her – shifting, adjusting and taking control. There was no need for words – they both knew what to do.
Despite her anger, she did the sensible thing first – sent two doe Patroni with messages to Dumbledore and Sirius. Then she stepped through the door.
The dog was as angry as the last time she saw it – her leg ached at the memory. Imperio at the two of its three heads proved to be enough to calm it though.
She glided over the plant effortlessly.
It took her a full minute to crack the anti-summoning wards and Accio a key with battered wings. The door was warded much more thoroughly – the only other option would be to torch it with Fiendfyre, but the children could be behind it.
She soared over the black chess pieces and landed in the middle of the board. Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom watched her with awe. They were kneeling beside an unconscious Ron Weasley. It only took her twenty seconds to stop the blood and make sure he wasn't dieing, but even that was too long for her. She wasn't going to waste anymore time listening to their apologies.
"Take Ronald, the brooms and get out of here!" she ordered. "Or do you want that dog to wake up?" She wouldn't be able to hold it under the double Imperius much longer.
After making sure the troll would never get up again, she quickly dispelled her fire and stepped through the doorway.
