Chapter 10
Moody had only moments to wait before the front door of Grimmauld place opened and Harry Potter walked in followed by Albus Dumbledore.

"Professor Moody!" Harry exclaimed, excited to see a friendly face. Of course, Moody's face never looked friendly. He had had far to many battles that caused quite a bit of disfiguration to his face. Even when he smiled, his face scrunched up in such a way that he looked like a nasty bulldog growling at you.

"Potter," Moody gave in quick greeting before looking beyond him at Albus.

"Alastor, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. I hope all went well," Albus gave Moody a penetrating look over his half-moon spectacles.

"There is trouble, Dumbledore," was all Moody gave in reply.

Albus paused before giving the tiniest of nods and turning to Harry he said, "Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have been awaiting your return. Rather impatiently, I might say. Why don't you go upstairs and say hello and settle into your room."

Harry looked between Dumbledore and Moody. He knew something was going on, but he also knew better then to question it right now. With a tight-lipped nod, he turned and headed up the stairs.

Albus walked past Moody and into the parlor. Moody followed and closed the double doors behind him.

"Hicks and Loraine were caught," Moody stated, getting straight to the point. "I left the others behind to watch for any sign of them. There are too many Death Eaters for just us though. I came back for reinforcements."

Albus stood with his back to Moody while he received the news. His head was dropped so that his chin nearly touched his chest and his hands were clasped behind his back.

"Minerva has already left to gather more Order members," Moody continued.

There was a light knock on the parlor doors. One door cracked open and Remus Lupin popped his head inside. "Am I interrupting?" he asked.

"Come in Remus, and bring the others with you," Moody said, his magical eye having already seen the group of wizards and witches on the other side of the door.

Albus moved closer to the wall and stood staring at the fireplace in quiet contemplation as the room began to fill with members of the Order.

Minerva was the last to enter. She paused as she pulled the doors closed behind her and cast a charm to prevent anyone, mainly the children, from eavesdropping. She glanced around the crowded room. Every seat was taken; those that did not make it in time for a seat took up residence on the floor or stood standing along the wall.

Minerva picked her way through the people to Albus's side. Placing a hand lightly on his upper arm so as not to startle him out of his thoughts, she whispered, "Everyone that was available is here."

Albus turned slightly to look her in the eye. Uncrossing his arms, he placed a hand over hers, "Thank you."

Turning the rest of the way, his gaze swept over the room. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. As I am sure you have all been apprised of the situation, I will get straight to my plans for a rescue…"

At the sound of the door opening, Loraine turned her head to get a better look of who was entering. Her head was pounding from where it hit the floor and her right eye was difficult to open because of the swelling from where Voldemorte's hand connected with her face.

Severous Snape swept into the small room with his robes billowing behind him. His eyes darted around the room and landed on Loraine. He managed to prevent the surprise from showing on his face and instead turned his expression into a sneer.

"Ah, Professssor. I am sso glad you could join our little party," Voldemorte hissed. "Pleassse be sso kind as to adminissster the potion that you brought with you to our guessst."

Snape reached into his robes and pulled out a tiny vial, no larger then the tip of his pinky finger. Walking up behind Loraine, he braced his hip against the back of the chair while his right arm snaked around her neck. From this position, Snape had enough leverage to force Loraine's chin up and cause her head to tip backwards. Using his torso and right arm, he was able to secure her head to keep her from moving. He dipped his head so that his greasy, black hair covered his face from view and mouthed, "I'm sorry," before prying her lips apart with his free hand and pouring the potion into her mouth.

Loraine did her best not to swallow but the tiny amount of liquid tickled at her throat. That in combination with Snape stroking her Adam's apple forced her to swallow.

Snape backed away from Loraine as she swallowed. He watched as her normally vibrant eyes darkened to a deep shade of green and then hollowed out with a vacant expression. Her face contorted in pain and tears began to well up in her eyes.