A/N: I've had this is my mind for years, but its not taking well in reality. While this scenario remains focal, I am debating nipping this in the bud and restating, telling the story in a less passive voice. I need some type of feedback to make sure that is agreeable. If I still have no reviews, I'll be re-writing and posting a new start on the same story sometime soon.
Dumbledore shot an apologetic look towards Sirius, "I'm afraid I need to see Severus and Remus at once."
Sirius was confused by the look and the pairing, but delighted to have Snape gone.
"Sure. Just hold- OI! REMUS! SNAPE! PROFF WANTS YA BOTH"
"You know, I could have accomplished as much on my own" Dumbledore sighed, failing to hide the twinkle in his eye at Sirius simple yet effective methods.
The two men came down the stairs, as different as could be: one the image of scattered energy and frenetic haste, the other dark, cool and always a tad too collected.
"Sir?" asked Severus in a voice that most would hear as deferential, but that Sirius heard as insolent.
"We need to leave. Now." At a confused glance from Remus, Dumbledore hastily elaborated "A situation has arisen that requires immediate use of your specialities, and thanks to the impossibility of apparating directly here or to Hogwarts, it is possible we have already lost too much time."
Dumbledore had already turned on his heel to leave but was forced to stop once again at the sound of three pairs of footsteps.
"Sirius, I'm afraid your presence will not be prudent."
Sirius growled, more out of frustration and dejectedness than anger, and turned away.
"I promise you will have a full report as soon as the situation is stable. You have my word."
Feeling once again useless and left out, the haggard man stared at the floor, unwilling to meet his friends quiet sympathy or his enemies sneer at his rejection.
Too short of time to delay any longer, the trio hastened out the door and towards the surreal event currently attended to by a flustered Madame Pomfrey and shocked Minerva in the headmasters office.
They were a short hike from Hogwarts when Albus broke the silence.
"No need to try to surmise my thoughts Snape, I have every intention on fully briefing you in a moment. First however, I need both of your words that no matter what I tell you, you will remember that a life hangs in the balance and we have no time for a breakdown or any superciloius explanations. If you are rendered immobile I am afraid I will have to talk the liberty of levitating you to my office, an unpleasant experience for us all." Somehow Dumbledore was able to keep at a near run while giving this speech, defying all laws of aging and outstepping even his relatively young companions.
"Of course, Sir."
Dumbledore swiveled his head to ascertain Remus's response, and with a grim nod from the steeled wolf, sighed.
"Today a loud noise was heard in my office, and convinced half the house elves that Hogwarts was under attack. When Minerva went to investigate, she was shocked to find a young woman lying prostate on my desk, and rushed to help her. However, it appears the woman is bound to the desk, and all efforts to remove her or destroy the desk have proved fruitless.' Here Dumbledore paused for a quick breath, which Severus used to step in.
"Sir, while an interesting predicament, I fail to see the urgency. Sir."
"The urgency, my dear Professor Snape, is one, that someone managed to appirate into the impregnable Hogwarts, and my office, the most fortified part of it, without setting off any alarms. The more pressing urgency however, is that the woman is in desperate need of medical care and protection, and cannot be fully served while stuck to a desk."
They had come to the main doors now, and Dumbledore paused long enough to put a hand on each mans shoulder and cast a sympathetic look.
"You need to know...her injuries are rather graphic...she is missing her hands and feet." Even cold Snape blanched at such a serious and cruel injury. Lupin was a very delicate shade or green. "We believe...she sustained them by apparating out of magical manacles. Remus, Severus....we think its Raina. We think she's escaped."
