Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Thanks To: Matt Robare, happycabbage, Silver Kayasha, goldenspringtime, Arwen-Evenstar-Elf, and Quillian for the reviews.

Sorry it took so long to update . . .

.: This is thought speech :.

Chapter 3 - Unwanted News

The kitchen was full. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Harry, the twins, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Jake, Cassie, Rachel, Marco, Tobias (human form) and Ax (also in human form), were sitting around an enlarged table at what Marco blatantly commented was a more uncomfortable dinner than his dad's last date.

Ax, of course, was discussing how it should not be possible to transform a smaller table into something much bigger with Dumbledore, with McGonagall adding in a few comments. Marco got along fine with the twins, talking about pranks they enjoy and what kind of things they have in their shop, a conversation Jake was willing to be involved in. Cassie was talking quietly with Hermione about something (Harry swore he heard something about magical creatures in there), both obviously uncomfortable with the current situation. Ginny was explaining the current wizard war with Rachel, and Snape had already classified Rachel as a "stupid Gryffindor". Harry and Tobias were silent for most of the time, except for answering a few of Mrs. Weasley's "mother questions", and Mr. Weasley's questions of the muggle world. Harry, for some reason unknown to Tobias, kept looking at him, making his uncomfortable.

Actually, Harry was stealing glances at the "bird boy" (Marco kept calling him that, although Harry thought it was kind of rude) because of his explanation of why he lived as a bird. He knew all too well what it felt like not to be loved by family, and Harry was curious to know if Tobias felt the same way has he did. He noticed he was making the newcomer nervous, though, so settled for staring at his plate, eating slowly as to not make himself sick. All those potions that Madam Pomfrey made him take kind of made him feel ill.

What made Harry even more uncomfortable than the newcomers was Snape eating at the table. He was hoping to not have to see him for two months, but that was obviously out of the question now. For some reason, Dumbledore wanted Snape to stay, probably because of the animorphs. He had a feeling that Snape was going to belittle him for not being able to handle a day of pampering. Harry gave a small bark of a laugh at that thought, then noticed everyone was looking at him.

"What?" he asked roughly, blushing. Everyone went back to their conversations then, sensing that Harry wasn't in the best of moods.

"I have a hard time believing that six children have been fighting an entire empire," Snape said flatly to Jake. Or Tobias. They were both right next to him. Once again, all conversations ceased, only more abruptly than when Harry laughed. No doubt, everyone who wasn't an Animorph wanted to know who these people were. It was Tobias who spoke up.

"We didn't have much of a choice," he said quietly. "Prince Elfangor, the andalite who gave us our morphing power, died protecting earth. We only believed it because we saw it happen. In fact, I'm pretty sure most of us believed it to be a nightmare the next morning. I know I didn't really believe it happened until I changed into my cat.

"If we tried to tell anyone, they'd think we were crazy or playing a joke, if they were human. If they were controllers, they'd kill us. Or worse, bring us to Visser 3, which is probably what they'd do." A collective shutter traveled through the Animorphs.

"Would you be tortured for information?" Harry asked, just as quietly, wondering who Visser 3 was. Torturing is what Voldemort would do.

"Worse," said Marco flatly. "Oh, if we got stuck in morph, they'd probably try to get us to speak before they killed us. Tobias knows what that's like. But no, if they got us in our human form, or are able to demorph us, we'll be turned into controllers. The Yeerk scum will crawl into your ear, flatten, and wrap itself around your brain. By the time you know what's happening, you no longer have any control over your body. The Yeerk talks for you, moves for you, becomes you. And no one around you would be any the smarter, the yeerk having complete access to your memories and thoughts. Death is far better." Silence radiated throughout the room, everyone trying to imagine having absolutely no control over their bodies.

"Yeah, because that is really the best way to tell them what is going on, Marco," Rachel finally spoke up. "But death would be better," she agreed.

The adults in the room were appalled that kids were having to fight the war themselves. McGonagall was about to say something, but Snape beat her to it.

"And how is it that all of you are still alive? If they are truly as dangerous as you say. . ."

"Mostly luck. I would like to think it isn't, but we have the advantage of surprise most of the time. We have spies in their ranks, and there are a few Yeerks who are involved in the Yeerk Peace Movement who give us information when they can," Jake interrupted, and Snape glared at him for it.

"Unfortunately, our spies are programmed to be peaceful. Which means they can't help us in anyway, besides give us information, if someone could be hurt," Rachel said, obviously not happy about that fact. After that, everyone was asking questions, and the Animorphs continued to answer: who are the yeerks? How long have they been on earth? Were they in any danger? The questions went on for about an hour when they heard a crash from the other room, and very loud, rude screeching.

"Sorry!" they heard, and most recognized it as Tonks.

"I'll take care of the painting," another voice answered. Remus. As it were, Ax and Tobias had to demorph (no one really wanted to see them morph again), and Harry volunteered to show them where the bathroom was. Harry, not really wanting to talk to anyone, snuck pass Remus, who was trying to close the curtain on Sirius' mother, and went to the room he used last summer. Being here bugged him. He wasn't ready so close to Sirius' death to be back in his house.

Jake was unable to sleep. After laying in bed for what he guessed was two hours, he quietly got up, making sure to not wake up Marco or Tobias, and made his way downstairs. He made sure he was quiet in the hall, too, because he didn't want to wake up that annoying portrait again.

He was planning to heading toward the kitchen to get something to drink when he noticed Snape was sitting on a chair, watching him.

"What are you doing up?" he asked.

"Couldn't sleep," Jake replied.

"And why not?"

"Just couldn't," Jake snapped. In reality, he hadn't gotten a good night sleep in a while. A while being about two months. Snape continued to watch him. "What?"

"You seem to be the leader of your little group," the man stated.

"Unfortunately."

"You don't like it?"

"Would you? I don't want be."

"But you rise up to the role."

"Someone has to."

"Of course," the man answered, almost sarcastically. Jake thought about this. Why did he rise up to the role? He detested being the one making the decisions. Was he really the only one who could take the leader role? He knew it to be true, unfortunately. Every time he left, the others only got themselves in trouble. He left to the kitchen without saying another word, feeling somewhat less at ease than before, if that was possible. What is that man trying to do? Jake thought. After getting his drink, he turned around and found Snape watching him.

"What?" Jake asked, annoyed, and starting to get suspicious. "I would like it if you would stop following me and watching me."

"I just wish to talk to you," Snape answered flatly.

"Why?"

"I would like to know more about these Yeerks, the situation you children have explained sounds similar to one I have heard outside these walls, from the Dark Lord and his followers," Snape said. He knew that the child would be suspicious, and he had every right to be. He just hoped that Jake would believe him at the end of the conversation.

Snape was right. After saying that, Jake became very suspicious. How did Snape know what this Dark Lord was saying, and how would he know who the Yeerks were? Jake narrowed his eyes at the dark haired man.

"And how did you come across this information?" Jake asked.

"Simple. Now, against my better judgement, I am going to let you know something. It is something the Order members know, so if you have doubts, ask any of them. A few of them most likely also have doubts, as they should."

"Just get on with it," Jake snapped.

"I spy on the Dark Lord, but he believes I am spying for him. If news gets out that I truly am spying for the Headmaster and not him, I will die a very painful death," Snape said angrily. "So I trust you can keep this information a secret?"

Jake thought about this. Most of the people at the dinner table seemed to dislike Snape, and Jake could see why. The headmaster, Dumbledore, did appear to trust him, though. Although Snape was very disagreeable, if he truly was a double spy, Jake saw good reason to be bitter. It was hard enough with a brother as a controller.

"I don't know if I believe you, but I'll keep your secret," Jake agreed, then what Snape said before hit him full force. "What do you mean you've heard about the Yeerks from these people? How would they know?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I believe that the Dark Lord is currently making agreements with them. What they are, I do not know," Snape answered, and Jake groaned inwardly. This wasn't good. The Yeerks would never make agreements with a human, so there would have to be something more about it. If this Dark Lord was powerful enough that they are currently unable to infest him, that is what they are probably working on. And from what Jake gathered, Voldemort had a lot of influence and power over his followers. If the Yeerks succeed in making him a controller . . .

Jake couldn't wait. He ran up the stairs to wake the rest of the animorphs.

"Guys! Wake up! Meeting, NOW!" he hissed when he got into the room, then left to wake Cassie and Rachel. Three minutes later, the six of them, cranky and tired, were in the guy's room, staring at Jake, waiting for him to start.

"What is it that couldn't wait until morning?" Rachel spat.

"I've just come across some not very nice news," Jake said. "I was talking to Snape, and he thinks that this Voldemort guy is currently making agreements with the Yeerks."

.:Snape:. Ax asked. .:Are you sure that this human is trustworthy:.

"No," answered Jake. "But we can't push off what he said. It might be possible that Voldemort is just too powerful for the Yeerks to get close enough to infest him, but if they are ever able to do so, he could order all of his follower's to get infested, too. And they wouldn't fight against it because their leader told them that was how it had to be!"

"This is great, Jake," said Marco, nearly falling asleep. "But right now I just want to get asleep. We can't do anything until we know more about it, and we don't even know if it is really going to happen."

"Yeah, but . . ."

"I agree with Marco," said Cassie. "Let's sleep, then deal with it in the morning." Jake agreed, and Rachel, Ax, and Tobias reluctantly agreed, then they all went back to bed, the girls unaware that Snape watched them leave the boy's room and enter their own.