Chapter 14
The pink walls of the office came into view as Harry cautiously opened the door and tiptoed to the fireplace. Hung near the entrance was a bit of floo power. While Hermione and Ron guarded the door, Harry threw a pinch of the floo powder inside and called for Grimmauld Place, then stuck his head inside. No one answered. He cried out loudly, hoping maybe Sirius was taking a nap or something, but no, there wasn't a soul in the house. His worst fears were confirmed.
Suddenly, he felt a hand grab his shoulder and his head came out of the floo to find a nasty looking Umbridge shaking him and forcing him into a chair. Behind her, Malfoy and Filch had ahold of Ron and Hermione.
"Found these trying to guard the halls." The rough voice of Crabbe spoke. He pushed in Ginny, Neville, Luna, and to Harry's surprise, Selina. Lily. He reminded himself.
"You were going to Dumbledore, weren't you?" Umbridge cried angrily as she brought Harry to a chair and sat him down with a hard push. When he didn't answer she slapped him hard. Harry winced but did not say anything.
Suddenly, Snape appeared at the door. He looked at the group of students and spotted his daughter being held captively by the Slytherins.. His Slytherins. Snape felt himself growl when he realized Umbridge had allowed it. But he couldn't just barge in and attack the woman. Still, if the toad tried to hurt Lily, he might just do much worse than hurt.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Professor Snape! You brought the veratiserum, yes?"
"Unfortunately, you used all of my stores interrogating students." He replied smoothly. "Unless you wish to poison him, and I would have the greatest sympathy if you did, I'm afraid I can't help you."
Umbridge huffed in annoyance. "Alright well that will be all.."
"He's got Padfoot!" Harry cried. "He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!" Harry hoped and prayed Snape understood what he meant. He had been foolish; there had been someone who could've helped, who was in the Order. Snape.
"Padfoot? What is Padfoot? Well, what is he talking about?"
Snape glared at Harry, then gave Umbridge a blank expression. "I have no idea."
Umbridge nodded and Snape exited. Apparently the mangy mutt had gotten himself into trouble again. But he couldn't just leave his daughter to the mercy of that toad. He took a detour and sent a patronus to the Weasleys about Black. Then he called Dobby. Certainly the house elf could help..
"Tell me now! You were going to Dumbeldore!"
The others watched in fear as Harry didn't speak. Harry's head raced fast; he had to get to Sirius, this was only wasting time.
"This calls for more deperate measures." Umbridge breathed. "It is to insure the authority in this school.. The cruciotis curse."
"You can't do that, that's illegal." Hermione cried indignantly.
"What the minister won't know can't hurt him." Umbridge smiled, setting the minister's picture face downward. Harry stared in a mixture of fear and worry as Umbridge lifted her wand to his face. The curse word was on her lips..
"Tell her Harry!"
Hermione stood shocked with wide eyes after she screamed it out, but Harry saw the workings of a plan shining in her eyes.
"Tell me what?" Umbridge demanded.
"Well, if you don't tell her.. I will."
"Well, don't be afraid, what is it you silly girl?" Umbridge cried.
"Dumbledore's secret weapon." Hermione gulped.
"Show me this weapon."
Harry and Hermione were crowded out after Umbridge gave strict instructions to the Slytherins to keep a close watch on their captives. Lily watched worriedly as Harry closed the door behind him. They were left with Malfoy and his lot, who sniggered and laughed at their victims. Lily huffed; surely the group could take on a few dunderheads. She hoped her father had found Sirius. Sure she knew he didn't like the man, but her father wouldn't just leave him to die, would he?
Lily tugged her arm from the hold of the boy, and he laughed and gripped her arm tighter.
"I hope you all are expelled." Malfoy laughed, making Crabbe and Goyle automatically cackle with the ferret. "And you, Selina. House traitor!" He cried bitterly. "I warned you not to run around with this kind. Shame you didn't listen."
Neville glanced at Luna, and then both looked at her. Malfoy's words only made Lily's temper rise, but she fought it back to think of a way out. Lily looked at Ginny, and knew they were thinking the same thing. In a split second, both girls bit the arm of the Slytherin holding them as hard as they dared, causing the goons to cry out in pain and release them. Now free, they lunged for their stolen wands. Malfoy, who had ahold of them, lifted them over his head and laughed. Ron then stuck out his foot and tripped the blond, causing the wands to fall to the ground. Lily and Ginny grabbed theirs and began to blast their captors, freeing Neville and Luna.
Malfoy wipped out his wand and blasted a curse at Luna, just missing her head. Crabbe and Goyle stood soon after and began to punch Neville in the side. Lily and Ginny were about to yell some dreadful curse, when there was an unexpected, foreign blast that came from somewhere outside. It hit Malfoy in the head, causing him to fall. Crabbe and Goyle, scared out of their wits, ran out the door, followed by the other Slytherins.
Lily leaned down to Neville, who was trying to get off the floor. "You alright?"
"Never better. I say we kicked them good." Neville smiled. "But where did that last curse come from?"
"We have to find Hermione and Harry!" Ron yelled, already hurrying out the door.
The others followed and made it to the Great Hall, when they were stopped by the coughing of a voice. Lily recognized it instantly.
"All of you back to your dormitories, now." Snape growled. "This is no time for children to get involved."
"But sir, Umbridge, and Hermione and Harry, and Sirius.." They all protested at once, all except Lily, who knew a lost argument when she saw one, though she gave her father her best set of pleading eyes.
"Absolutely not. Too dangerous for underage wizards." Snape snarled back. "I have warned the Order; your friends will be fine. Now in the Gryffindor common room; and Ms. Prince, I would like you to follow them."
Lily nodded, but let a secret smile grace her lips in a thank you before departing. She knew her father had sent in that last curse; he was still watching out for her.
The group headed towards the common room, but took a detour before actually getting there. They couldn't just sit and wait; Harry and Hermione might've already gone to look for Sirius.
"We need to get to them." Neville whispered loudly.
"But how?" Ginny asked.
"Let's sneak down to the bridge." Lily put in. "If Harry and Hermione aren't in the castle by now it's the best place we'll be sure to meet them."
"Let's go!"
Ron led the way out, true determination in his eyes. Lily sighed; perhaps spending so much time with Gryffindors had begun to rub off on her.