Chapter One - Autumn

Wer jetzt kein Haus hat, baut sich keines mehr.
Wer jetzt allein ist, wird es lange bleiben,
wird wachen, lesen, lange Briefe schreiben
und wird in den Alleen hin und her
unruhig wandern, wenn die Blätter treiben.

– Herbsttag, von Rainer Maria Rilke

Who now has no house, will not build one anymore.
Who now is alone, will remain so for long,
will wake, read, and write long letters
and will back and forth in the alleys
wander, restlessly, while the leaves blow.

– Autumn Day, by Rainer Maria Rilke

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
12 September 1997

Dear Minerva,

After our meeting in the Hogwarts grounds two weeks ago I have finally found a way to stay in touch. Enclosed with this package is a bottle containing a certain ink that allows us to exchange messages legible only to us. This ink contains, among other ingredients, some of my blood. You will need to add a few drops of yours, and send me half of it back.

Any word written with this ink will fade into the parchment instantly, and re-appear only if the recipient smears the letter with a drop of his blood. I know it is Dark Magic you will not like to use, but I cannot think of an alternative. Should our messages be intercepted the parchments will appear blank to anyone trying to read them.

Sincerely yours,
Severus

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
13 September 1997

Dear Severus –

Excellent idea. Have included the ink and, as you can see, it works perfectly. Where are you, what is going on, can you tell me?

Poppy, Argus, and Irma returned to Hogwarts during the past week. All is well here.

Sincerely,
Minerva

Molly Weasley to Minerva McGonagall
15 September 1997

Dear Minerva,

I feel so bad about not having written to you in a while. Arthur and I intended to come and visit you in Hogwarts, but we have been very busy with work – you know what for.

The Ministry has sent us a home-schooling plan for Ginny. It is very well designed, did you make it? It said 'according to the Hogwarts curriculum for sixth year.'

Ginny is all upset that she has to stay at home, but I did not allow her to go off with Ronald. Ron has decided to accompany Harry and Hermione to go searching for something. I am not sure what that is, they still won't tell the Order. But I think Remus has an idea, he hinted that he might follow them and try to protect them. It still sounds horribly dangerous, I am very afraid. But I could not make Ron stay at home. At least Ginny is safe here.

I do hope you are well. George told me he met Madam Pomfrey in Diagon Alley last week, I think she was buying some medical potion ingredients. I was devastated to hear about her aunt, the poor old lady! Anyway, George said Poppy said you were doing fine and I sincerely hope so. Would you like it if we came to visit you some time soon?

Yours truly,
Molly

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
17 September 1997

Minerva,

Here is what I can tell you so far: The Dark Lord has set up his headquarters in the old Riddle House and in Malfoy Manor. The two places are connected by a floo shortcut that is inaccessible to the Ministry. He likes those of us who he calls the 'Inner Circle' to stay with him in Riddle House.

Our main task for now is trying to infiltrate the Ministry and other official institutions – personally I am sure St Mungo's is next on the list. Many Ministry workers have been imperiused already. I have included a list of those I know, maybe you will find a way to give it to Arthur Weasley without having to tell who you received it from.

The Dark Lord also plans to recruit more of the giants, werewolves, goblins, and others – in short, just about every species that could hold a grudge against the Ministry and can fight.

Potter and his friends have been seen in Godric's Hollow and in London. The Dark Lord thinks they are trying to flee and hide from them, but I had the impression they were searching for something. In London they visited an orphanage; I think it is the one that Tom Riddle lived in.

Please send your owls to me so they arrive late in the night.

Yours sincerely,
Severus

Albus Dumbledore to Minerva McGonagall
1 September 1996

Minerva, my love –

A new school year begins today and I have one more task to do before the Hogwarts Express arrives and students will crowd the castle again. I have to write this letter to you, and I do not know how to begin.

I love you, Minerva. You know that I love you with all my heart. I wish to protect you from all evil, knowing full well that I have not always succeeded in doing so. I love you so much that it pains me to keep some things secret from you, but I have no choice.

Naturally, you know that it is Voldemort I mean. You have heard the rumours about the prophecy concerning Harry and you are intelligent enough to work out that they are true. No one but Harry Potter can bring about Voldemort's downfall. There is no need for you to become involved in this final confrontation, a fact that I am very thankful for.

During the months to come, I will not tell you how Harry and I plan to proceed. I know you will be angry with me, but that is a small price to pay. Voldemort will realise that you are not involved, and you will be in less danger. Minerva, my dearest ambition is to protect you and to cause you no harm and sorrow.

Unfortunately, this brings me to another point, to the main reason for writing these lines to you. During the past weeks I have come to realise something that would, I think, cause you much sorrow if you knew it. My dear, I know that I will die soon. There is no other solution.

Lord Voldemort has ordered Draco Malfoy to kill me – a task most likely intended only to humiliate young Mr Malfoy when he fails. I think Voldemort plans to kill Draco after a failed attempt, as a punishment for his parents. Severus will try his best to protect the boy from his fate. But there is more to this task. Regrettably, Severus was bound to promise that he would in time take over Draco's task – bound, in fact, by the Unbreakable Vow. Minerva, you know what this means. If Severus and Malfoy are to survive, Severus has to kill me.

He has not yet agreed to do it. We have had fierce arguments. But in the end, I think, I will convince him. He will not sacrifice Draco, a mislead but still innocent boy. And Severus knows that he might be able to help Harry more than I could ever to – not to mention the fact that I have lived a long and mostly happy life. It is time for me to go, Severus will come to see that and end my life in the right moment.

I think you will argue that I should have told you this right away, that you would have had a right to know. You do. You have every right to know about my plans, but dear – I will not tell you. I could not bear to see tears in your eyes. I could not bear to see the look on your face when every time you or I leave the room both of us know it might be our last goodbye.

The rest of my life will be short, months only. It is selfish, but I wish to enjoy it in your company.

I love how you laugh when no student is around, and how you always chide me for adding extra sugar to my hot chocolate while you sip you plain black tea. I love to wake up with you in my arms early in the morning, before I sneak back to my own rooms so that no one will notice I have spent yet another night in your quarters.

Minerva, do allow me to spend a few more happy months with you even if that means my death will come as a shock for you.

I have made up my mind. Fawkes will deliver this letter to you after my death.

Dear Minerva, knowing you has been an honour and a privilege. Those last few years with you have been the happiest in my life.

With all my love –
Albus

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
18 September 1997

Severus –

Fawkes brought me a letter from Albus just now – he wrote it more than a year ago. I think it is the letter he mentioned to you, the one he would write to me. I will tell the Order about it. They need to know you are no murderer, and now I have proof.

There is something strange about Fawkes. He appears ill – not worn out and old like he does when his burning day approaches, but ill as though he was recovering from something. His right wing does not appear as strong as the left one. I think something must have attacked him, maybe that is why he delivered this letter so late.

I cannot write more right now.

My apologies –
Minerva

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
18 September 1997

Severus –

Forgive me for sending two letters in one day, I hope this will not cause too much suspicion.

Your last message to me arrived immediately after I had read Albus's letter and Poppy took it. Poppy was with me, we took care of Fawkes and – unfortunately I must admit I was a bit shaken after reading Albus's letter. I read yours only just now, but think I ought to reply right away.

Harry and his friends are indeed searching for something – Horcruxes. Albus found out that You-Know-Who has created several Horcruxes, that is how he survived initially. Tom Riddle's diary was one. I know last year Albus made two attempts to destroy more. Harry told me that they think four Horcruxes are left, and this is what they are searching for.

Once more, please excuse me for sending two letters in the course of one day. One ought not to allow personal sentiments to distract one from what is important.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva

PS: I took Fawkes to Hagrid immediately, he will sort him out. Maybe in the future Fawkes will consent to bear our letters. Unlike an owl he would only appear to you when you are alone.

Minerva McGonagall to Molly Weasley
19 September 1997

Dear Molly,

There is something I need to tell you, but I dare not write it down in case this letter should be intercepted. Let me just say that this is about the topic we have avoided speaking of for quite some time.

You and Arthur are certainly welcome at Hogwarts. As a matter of fact, I should like to see you as soon as possible so we can discuss the abovementioned matter. I will also invite the other members of the Order, as well as your son, Mr Potter, and Miss Granger.

Have you heard from any of them? I do hope you all are well. I was glad to hear that you made your daughter stay at home.

Sincerely,
Minerva

Molly Weasely to Poppy Pomfrey
22 September 1997

Dear Madam Pomfrey,

You will be surprised to receive a letter from me after we met in Hogwarts only yesterday. I apologise for contacting you about such a sensitive matter – I know you are friends with dear Minerva. But I need to ask you for your professional opinion. When I was a student in Hogwarts, you already were the school nurse and the first healer that I really trusted – and you have helped many of my family members over the years. I need your professional opinion and will follow your advice.

You were not present when we spoke to Minerva yesterday. I have always suspected that one day she would bring up this matter again. I just don't know what to make of it.

Minerva showed us a letter. I don't know if you have ever seen it. She said it was from Albus Dumbledore, and sure enough, the handwriting was very much alike. It was just so different – well, we always knew Dumbledore was a caring person, but would he have been so personal? Is it true that Minerva and Albus Dumbledore were married? I used to suspect that, but now I do not quite know what to believe any more.

Minerva hesitated before showing us that letter. She only wanted to tell us about it, and was very reluctant to show it. It was as if she knew that there was something wrong with it.

Madam Pomfrey, I know this is a very serious accusation but – I am certain this letter is fake. What if some Death Eater wrote it, most likely Snape himself? Or what if – I hardly dare write it down – Minerva herself wrote it???

She seems not like herself any more. Could she maybe have written that letter to convince herself of what she likes to believe? Maybe she does not even remember it herself any more?

You are the medical expert. On behalf of all of the Order, I ask you to give us some advice.

I know Remus is pondering if there might be something to Minerva's theory. Can there be anything to it after all? And if not, what can we do for Minerva? Should she not be in medical care right now? She looks awful with all the weight she has lost, and she is so pale.

Yours truthfully,
Molly Weasley

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
23 September 1997

Dear Minerva,

Horcruxes. Yes, I had suspected that, too. You know that I healed the Headmaster last year so that the curse in his hand could not spread further.

I asked him then how he could have come in contact with such Dark Magic, and he only said he had destroyed an object to make the Dark Lord more vulnerable. What else could he have referred to than to a Horcrux?

But four of them left? This is a task too big for Potter.

I will come to see you as soon as I can. I am not good at saying things like this but – I think I have an idea what receiving a letter from Dumbledore must have meant to you. This would have distracted you from anything.

Severus

The Daily Prophet
25 September 1997

A Warning, and A Tragic Loss

By Charles Dibbler, Hogsmeade correspondent

Yesterday afternoon the magical community was once again shockingly reminded of the fact that even in entirely magical settlements such as Hogsmeade, life is not safe any more. During the events of the previous day, one witch was killed, and so far another 23 were reported injured.

Around two o'clock in the afternoon, a group of dark-clad persons, who most likely belong the 'Death Eater' followers you He Who Must Not Be Named, apparated in Hogsmeade. Several eye-witnesses claim that they brought a large, dangerous beast along, most likely a griffin.

The group immediately set about to destroy three buildings: the joke shop 'Zonko's', the local bookstore 'X Libris', and the post office. Only about twenty minutes after their arrival, the Dark Mark hovered above all three burned-out houses and the Death Eaters disapparated again. Minutes later a large flock of owls arrived, delivering Howlers to all Hogsmeade households. All Howlers contained the same message:

'A warning to Muggle-lovers'

All three of the destroyed houses belonged to wizards who were regularly in touch with Muggles or were at least Muggle-tolerant.

'Zonko's' has only recently become a branch of 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' of Diagon Alley, London, which belongs to former Hogwarts students Fred and George Weasley. The Weasleys come from a traditionally Muggle-friendly family and even sell some Muggle products (like 'magical' card tricks) in their stores.

'X Libris' has always sold books not only by magical authors, but also by Muggle authors. Most of the British Muggle newspapers also were sold in the established Hogsmeade bookstore.

The Hogsmeade post office has, of course, always catered to the needs of wizards who wanted to communicate with Muggles via person-delivered (as is common in the Muggle world instead of owl-delivered) letters.

It was in the post office where the most tragic scenes happened. Several of the witches and wizards present tried to oppose the Death Eaters and protect the post office staff. Poppy Pomfrey, well-known school nurse of Hogwarts, was killed in the battle.

Mary Cunnings, a long-time employee of the Hogsmeade post office, later told the Daily Prophet about the medi-witch's death:

'It was really sad, you know, because she rarely ever comes here – said she had a very important letter to post to Ottery St Catchpole and wanted an extra strong owl for express deliveries, and Hogwarts has only regular brown owls. Then there was all this fire suddenly and spells shooting everywhere, and there was this child crying for her mummy and Madam Pomfrey protected her. We all ran out of the building and then she fell and –'

Ms Cunnings was unable to comment any further. She and the other surviving victims are now being treated in St Mungo's hospital in London.

The Hogsmeade community is in shock. Poppy Pomfrey was a respected and well-liked school nurse who was always greeted fondly when she visited the village close to her work place. Sadly, her last message to her friends was destroyed in the post office fire – her words may be lost, but she herself will never be forgotten.

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
7 October 1997

Severus –

Today Hagrid and I sorted Poppy's belongings out and sent most of them to her cousin. There was, however, one letter on her desk that she had started writing to you. It is unfinished, really only a few lines, but I thought you should receive it. It is enclosed.

Thank you for coming to Poppy's funeral. It felt strange to know that you were standing next to me, hidden under your Invisibility Cloak. Everyone else assembled in that church would have tried to kill you upon discovery, but I am sure Poppy would have approved of your attendance.
Sincerely,

Minerva

Poppy Pomfrey to Severus Snape
undated, presumably late September 1997

Dear Severus,

I know that Minerva and you have found a way to keep up a correspondence and I shall ask her to send this letter to you. Most likely a regular owl would not be able to find you?

My main objective for writing this letter is to apologise to you. Like so many others, I believed you to be a Death Eater. Even when Minerva spoke up and insisted that you had to be innocent, I did for a long time not believe her. Severus, I knew you as a boy in school and later as a teacher, I should have known better than to think you a murderer – and I should have trusted Minerva, she is my best friend after all.

But since Dumbledore's death, she has been beside herself. And Minerva's condition is the second issue I should like to discuss with you. She is not well at all, but she trusts you. Whatever you and Minerva are planning, please do make sure that she does not overexert herself.

A member of the Order of the Phoenix has contacted me, asking if Minerva could possibly be right with her declarations of your innocence or if she is insane. I have answered this letter, hopefully they will now in the future –

(unfinished)

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
16 October 1997

Minerva –

The gold cup that used to belong to Helga Hufflepuff is a Horcrux and I know where it is. Potter and his friends are actually close, but they do not know what they are up against. Meet me in tonight, 9 o'clock, just outside Hogsmeade where that old path leads to the Shrieking Shack.

S.

Hermione Granger to Remus Lupin
19 October 1997

Dear Professor Lupin,

I hope you are well. Harry, Ron, and I are doing fine.

There is one thing I would like to tell you, although it will be hard to explain in a letter that may be intercepted. You know that we have set us a certain task to complete before we feel ready to face Voldemort. Concerning this we are doing well – let me just say that one quarter of our task is done.

Yesterday we found what we were looking for, and we were able to do what needed to be done to it. I thought you should know since you and Tonks are the only members of the Order who know what I am talking about.

But I have one more question. Although it was not an easy task, doing what we had to do was easier than I had anticipated. For one I should have expected the hidden thing to be better protected, and then it was hidden along with some other magical items – one of them a book that actually held instructions as how to deal with that kind of thing! It confirmed what we had gathered from other sources already.

Professor, did you and Tonks help us? I know you told Mrs Weasley that you would keep an eye on us, and there were several occasions when I thought that someone was watching us. Did you find out where that thing was, and leave it for us to find?

Thank you very much for your support. Harry and Ron say thank you, too.

Yours sincerely,
Hermione Granger

Remus Lupin to Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley
21 October 1997

Dear Hermione, Harry, and Ron,

Thank you for your letter. It is good to hear from you all that you are well and that you are somewhat successful with your task.

Hermione, about your question: no, neither Tonks nor I have helped you. We did watch you, but had actually lost track of you in London and were at a loss as to what to do. Are you sure that there was somebody who helped you? It is quite possible that the item itself was hidden along with other valuable possessions, including a rare book that would hold information about that branch of magic.

But if you had help, that is most puzzling. There is one person that I could think of to do that, but I shall have to investigate this further before telling you more.

Yours truly,
Remus Lupin

Remus Lupin to Minerva McGonagall
21 October 1997

Dear Minerva,

I have good news for you and there is something I should like to discuss with you. Would it be convenient to you if I visited you in Hogwarts any time soon? How about Thursday evening?

Yours truly,
Remus Lupin

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
23 October 1997

Dear Severus,

Remus and Nymphadora came to see me tonight and told me that Harry, Ron, and Hermione have succeeded in destroying the first of the four Horcruxes left.

Hermione noticed that the task was a little too easy for them – but I am still glad we cleared the hiding place in the old orphanage of all the spells. Although Harry is quite good at defensive magic and Hermione is, of course, a very skilled witch, I am not sure if they could have managed that.

There is one more thing. Remus suspects that it was me (or the two of us) who cleared the path to the Horcrux. He asked me straight out if I had my secret sources about the Horcruxes and had helped Harry and his friends.

Severus, I lied and said I did not know of anything. I know this would have been a chance to prove your innocence, but I am still not sure if they would have believed me. What is more, I do not like the way Remus and Hermione communicated about the Horcruxes. They do not have the advantage of secret ink and Fawkes bearing their messages.

I would like the world to know that you are innocent, but now that we have started sabotaging You-Know-Who's plans by secretly supporting Harry and his friends… maybe it actually is better if the members of the Order believe you to be a faithful Death Eater? Tell me what you think.

Sincerely,
Minerva

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
25 October 1997

Dear Minerva,

Yes, by all means, now that we have started actively supporting Potter and his sidekicks I think I will need every little bit of 'proof' of my trustworthiness to the Dark Lord. The more the members of the Order hate me, the better.

The Dark Lord knows by now that you have left the Order. He also knows the reason, and he is eagerly waiting to see if I make a move to help you. Do not tell anyone about our plans, not even Potter and his friends.

Severus

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
3 November 1997

Minerva,

The Dark Lord has become aware of the fact that I travel to Hogsmeade often and he has grown somewhat suspicious. This morning he has confronted me about it and accused me of collaborating with you. I know that if I had denied everything, this would only have enraged him more, so I took the only other chance I saw: I confirmed that I have met you several times during the past few weeks, and that we communicate frequently.

That night when we met at the Headmaster's grave you said it yourself: you are the only one who knows that I am no Death Eater, and I am the only one who knows that you are not insane.

Today I confirmed the rumours about you to the Dark Lord. I told him that you lost your mind after the Headmaster's death and believe me to be your alley. You know what this means. I have to lead you into a trap to prove that you trust me, but that I only serve the Dark Lord.

I apologise I have to do this to you, but I see no other way. You will soon receive a letter via regular owl post, bearing instructions that will lead you into this trap.

Trust me –
Severus

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
4 November 1997

Severus,

Of course I trust you. Am awaiting your instructions.

M.

The Quibbler
17 November 1997

The Mad School-Mistress

By special correspondent Libella Clark

Hogwarts Headmistress Minerva McGonagall has always been known as a strict, but fair and reasonable teacher. Her intelligence and judgement have always been above question. For roughly forty years, she has been guide and role model to many Hogwarts students both of her own Gryffindor House and the other Houses as well.

BUT IS SHE?

Recent developments show that there is more to the plain-looking person. Her black eyes obviously hide not only dirty secrets of her past, but also the stain of madness in her mind.

On 13 November, Madam McGonagall contacted several members of the resistance organisation known as the 'Order of the Phoenix' (founded by the late Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, see full report on page 7) as well as journalists of the leading British newspapers. She claimed to have proof that Severus Snape, former Potions Master of Hogwarts and Head of Slytherin House, is innocent concerning the murder of Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter, the young wizard we all have to come to know as the 'Chosen One', has himself witnessed the murder and brought up the charges against his former Potions teacher (see full report on page 3).

Professor McGonagall offered no more explanation upon first contact. When all the witnesses she had called were assembled in her private quarters in Hogwarts, she insisted that everyone ought to be very quiet on the way to place where she had arranged for a meeting with Severus Snape, explaining that Snape had requested her to come alone, but that she had wanted the press coverage as a "surprise for dear Severus", to make sure "this time people would believe he is innocent."

The Scottish witch, wearing robes of green tartan, then led the assembled persons to a clearing in the Forbidden Forest nearby where a dark-clad figure awaited her. Upon seeing him, Professor McGonagall greeted the wizard enthusiastically and rushed forward to meet him.

Events then sped up. The waiting wizard did indeed turn out to be Severus Snape, who was immediately joined by two other Death Eaters. Without delay, all three of them started duelling McGonagall, who hardly had any time to recover from her shock. Though her magical powers not doubt are still extraordinary, she was that day most certainly saved only because the witches and wizards she had brought along outnumbered the Death Eaters three to one.

Snape and his companions were able to escape.

Professor McGonagall was immediately brought to St Mungo's Hospital in London. Hospital spokesman David MacLean confirmed that she was only lightly injured and will be released within the next few days.

Another spokesman, who does not wish his name to be published, stated that "she is held in hospital only because she still insists on Snape's innocence and claims that he only 'staged this attempted assassination to please You-Know-Who.' But you know, she's no danger to herself nor to anyone else, so we've got to let her go back home, even if she's loony."

The Quibbler has collected exclusive opinions of people who know Professor McGonagall well.

Says Remus Lupin, long-time friend of McGonagall and her former student:

"I could not believe Minerva would ever be wrong in her judgement, and had actually started to wonder if there could be something to her theory that Snape is innocent. But I think the events of today have sadly proven once more that Snape is a true Death Eater."

Argus Filch, Hogwarts caretaker, offers this explanation:

"We used to think it was Dumbledore she was in love with, you know, everybody thought there was something going on. But now come to think of it, she was always quite fond of Snape. Sure, they'd quarrel all time, but that's to be expected with the Heads of Slytherin and Gryffindor.
But really they's got along pretty well, and McGonagall always used to say how she liked the lad. Even tried to intervene when he was on probation with Headmistress Umbridge – now that was a much better Headmistress, she was!"

Many witches and wizards nationwide have now come to wonder whether Professor McGonagall is really fit to teach our children. Surely the Ministry will re-evaluate that question if Hogwarts re-opens.

A witch who fiercely defends the innocence of a man who tried to kill her in front of several witnesses can not be considered sane any more. Minerva McGonagall had called for a press meeting to prove "dear Severus's innocence", but in reality, she has only proven that the former Potions Master is a Death Eater trough and trough.

Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall
21 November 1997

Dear Minerva –

Brilliant show. Who would have thought that the rational Hogwarts Headmistress has such a talent for acting?

I am sorry that your reputation has suffered so much. The articles in the Quibbler and the Daily Prophet were very outspoken.

Severus

Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape
22 November 1997

Severus,

The next time you aim an Avada Kedavra at me, could you give me a little more warning than a whispered 'jump to your left'? I am getting old, you cannot just count on Animagus reflexes any more. That was close.

I am glad this is over. I suppose that he now cannot doubt any more that I am your puppet on a string, and you his faithful disciple?

So what can we do next? I think I have an idea where another Horcrux might be, but we need to discuss that.

Sincerely,
Minerva