Chapter 11: Draco's Epiphany

Sophie sprinted into the Entrance Hall but came to an abrupt halt at the foot of the staircase. How was she supposed to know where in this huge castle, Severus might be? Frustrated she began to think; "He could be in his classroom, or their quarters, the common Room… or the Staff Room – which was at the opposite end of the castle from the dungeons. Maybe in Dumbledore's office or in another Teacher's office…?"

It was hopeless; the castle was just too big. Suddenly she felt a slight 'magical pull' coming from the collar. It wasn't anything physical; it was like a little nudging in her mind, pulling her towards the marble staircase. Deciding she didn't have anything to lose she followed it, speeding up when the little pull became more insistent. Soon Sophie found herself outside the Gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's Office. "Fizzing Whizbee" and was knocking on the door.

"Enter."

Inside was Dumbledore and Severus, sitting either side of the big oak desk. "Ah, it worked. Splendid, please pull up a chair, Sophie." And so she did, plonking down in the overstuffed, chinse armchair next to Sev and looked expectantly at the pair of them, waiting for some explanation of her summons.

"The Headmaster had an idea on how you could find me or I you – if the need ever arose." Explained Severus shortly. Sophie narrowed her eyes, he was hiding something from her.

"And this practise is needed because…?"

"Always good to be prepared, my dear." Finished Dumbledore and she knew that was all was going to be told at present. "I have some bad news I'm afraid. Dolores has now gained full control over the Floo Network and over the Owls. The latest decree came in this morning. And she already has begun to sort through the mail, aided by Argus, as we speak."

"So you will need me to deliver some messages soon then?"

"Yes. I'm glad to hear that you have already begun to take trips away from the castle, so hopefully your absence won't be considered that unusual. I hear too that Miss Granger has begun to claim that these trips are a common thing for Lunio's to exhibit this time of year." Finished Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling merrily

"She has. And nobody is going to bother to check up on that fact if Hermione is the one to say it."

"How very lazy of them." Smiled Dumbledore benignly.

"So, when would you want me to take the trip to London?"

"I was hoping you would be free this Friday? It's not quite as noticeable to Umbridge if you are absent over the weekend you see."

"Shouldn't be a problem, Headmaster."

"Very well, if you could report in to me at say, two O'clock?"

"No probs."

"Alright then, that will be all. Severus… you know what to do." And Sophie and Severus left his office. Severus didn't say much as they trekked down to the Dungeons but Sophie couldn't help but feel that he was worried about something, or slightly scared. However she understood that pestering him would do no good and she would simply have to wait him out.

"I would like to practise you summoning me, in case you run into trouble whilst away." Said Severus abruptly.

"Sure." Replied Sophie easily "So do you want me to go hide somewhere I the castle and try to 'pull' you to me?"

"Indeed, practising now would be preferable. As we may not have an opportunity to do so before Friday."

"Okay… I'll be going then…" And Sophie turned and walked quickly back the way they had come, making odd left and right turns as she went.

After about five minutes of this she decided that she might as well have some company whilst 'hiding' and journeyed through the castle towards Minerva's office and knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Asked Professor McGonagall as she opened the door. "Sophie! Is everything alright?"

Having quickly informed the Professor of what she was doing Sophie was soon seated in the office, eating a shortbread biscuit and channelling her magic through the collar to replicate what she had felt earlier.

"This is a very interesting branch of magic." Observed Minerva "The link between the two of you." She expanded as Sophie's questioning gaze "Your connection through the collar, not to mention the familiar bond, must be quite strong."

"Familiar bond?"

"Yes, when a wizard or witch takes on a familiar their two magical cores bond. That is why most magic folk have magical animals for familiars; the bond is much stronger that way. For if they were to have a non-magical animal then the wizard's magic would be the sole thing bonding the two of them together. Not to mention that magical animals are usually much more intelligent than non-magical ones and are therefore much more useful and more pleasant to have around."

"Oh. So even if I didn't have the collar on, I could still create this pull… or feel it?"

"Essentially, yes. However the collar, like a wand, helps direct and amplify the magic. So it is possible to do so without the collar however it is much harder and requires much more power."

"Huh, it would take a lot of practise too I bet."

"Indeed."

At that moment there was a knock on the door and Severus opened it without waiting for permission to enter.

"That's quite an interesting sensation..." He began – only to be swiftly interrupted by Professor McGonagall

"Yes, you may enter. Oh, Severus how are you? Yes, do come in. No, you're not interrupting at all!" Cried Professor McGonagall sarcastically.

"I knew Sophie was in here."

"Yes, you also knew I was in here – but that doesn't give you the right to just barge in."

"I knocked."

"But didn't wait for permission, oh never mind!" sighed Minerva "Men." She muttered to herself as Sophie quickly bade her farewell and followed Severus out the door.

Later that night found Sophie sitting in the Slytherin Common room with Draco, as Severus was holding his weekly 'Wednesday Help Night'. (Severus always made himself available to the slytherin's every Wednesday so he could help them answer Homework questions and give advice)

"I overheard The Weasel saying how you might be being called for the 'Or…' something. When we were on our way back from Care of Magical Creatures."

"Don't call him that, Drake. And 'or' what?"

"No, not 'or'. It was the start of a word that began with O.R. So do you know what he was talking about?"

"No clue."

"So why did Sev want you in such a hurry?"

"Oh. Um. He… wanted to tell me about the latest decree. I mean, he had just found out that there was a new decree and was worried it would affect me. But it doesn't."

Draco looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You're not very good at thinking on the spot, are you?"

Sophie simply stared at him, silently asking him not to press her.

"Uh. Fine. So what is the latest decree? She ban the school clubs now or something?"

"No, but 'touch wood' or else she will."

"I don't participate in those stupid muggle superstitions."

"Fine, but if she bans any clubs it'll be all your' fault! Anyway the new decree means that Umbitch has full control over the Floo network and all the owls."

"Trying to stop Dumbledore communicating. I bet." Muttered Draco "Not that it will do her much good, Dumbledore has his phoenix if he really wants to send messages."

"Yeah, but Fawkes gets grumpy and really tired if Dumbledore makes him do multiple trips. Plus his 'burning days' put him out of action for a little while. So in a way she is succeeding."

Draco merely nodded his head, not paying attention; his mind was spinning – trying to piece together what Sophie's involvement in all of this could be. However, he didn't want Sophie to think that he was trying to figure out her secret, so he abruptly changed topics, and they talked on indifferent matters for the rest of the evening.

Later that night however, Draco tossed and turned, trying to figure it out - and suddenly it clicked. Dumbledore was using Sophie as a messenger. It all made sense; why Sev was worried about how the decree would affect her, why she kept disappearing for days at a time… Granger's tales about Lunio's exhibiting 'that kind of behaviour' might fool Umbridge - but for anyone who bothered to check facts out for themselves would see that that was all complete rubbish…

But why was she doing this? Why help the old crackpot? Was it because Sev was pretending to be a spy for the light and they were trying to make Dumbeldore trust him more? Or was Sev really spying on the Dark Lord for Dumbledore? Sophie never claimed to support the Dark Lord and she did have muggle friends… she wouldn't stand for it if Sev supported a man who wanted to enslave them. More importantly, for now anyway, what should he, Draco, do about it?

"Nothing." Draco whispered to himself in the dark "I won't do anything. I won't let anything happen to Sophie or Sev. No matter what side they're on." And with that resolution he rolled over and went to straight to sleep.

Meanwhile, up in Trelawney's room, the batty old seer suddenly felt quite… off.

"The future has shifted. The Snakes' fate has been decided.
Hogwarts shall stand - It shall not be divided.

For the Badgers shall rear and the Snakes will a rally.
The Lions shall roar and the Eagles not dally.

Defend Hogwarts they will. The very foundations shall shake.
Once they cast their differences aside - the Ministry will quake."

However no one but Dumbledore (Who had Trelawney charmed in case she ever delivered another prophesy) and the Department of Mystery's (who had suddenly had another Prophesy Ball appear in the Hall of Prophesy) knew that this startling revelation had occurred. And no one ever knew that it was all down to one resolution that the sleepy Malfoy heir had made on a blustery Wednesday night.

Friday eventually came, and an excited Sophie, decided to try and distract herself by wandering through the school. She had just meandered down the third floor corridor when she was accosted by Harry, Hermione and Ron.

"Hey, guys. What's up?"

"Shhh. Not here, follow us."

And they led her to an unused classroom.

"We heard that Umbridge is now going through the post and that she is having the Floo Network watched." Began Ron

"And we figured that you must be delivering some messages to the Order soon." Interrupted Hermione "And Harry has…"

"I was hoping you could give a letter to Sirius for me." Concluded Harry, looking slightly annoyed at Hermione for trying to speak for him.

"No problem. If any of you have any letters you want delivered just let me know. I'm actually leaving this afternoon. So if you can get the letter to me before then…"

"Here." Said Harry reaching into his backpack and pulling out an envelope from between some pages of a textbook. "I just have some questions for him and didn't know how else to get in contact."

"Anytime, Harry. The same goes for you two. Well you'd better hurry up and get to class – or you're going to be late."

"Thanks, Sophie." Smiled Harry and the trio hurried out of the room and down the corridor.

"Gryffindors." Sighed Sophie "What was the point of secretly talking to me when they just run out of the room afterwards? They have no concept of subtly"

And she too left the classroom (at a much more sedate pace) heading down to the Dungeon to put Harry's letter in a safe place until it was time for her to leave.