Chapter 14 is below. Once again, thanks everyone for your continuing interest and reviews. Welcome to Analorien. Thank you for adding me to your story alerts.
Rosebud811 – I've taken notice of your complaint and this chapter is longer!
Whitehound – Thanks for your correction. I've amended the previous chapter and re-posted it. I don't know how that happened. I think I got confused between Narcissa and Bella.
Skeptic – Interesting question. I think an audit would show up a lot of very questionable activities/expenditure and not just on this! As for gossiping, I suppose the researchers would be like people who work in hush-hush government departments today – e.g. "I work for the government but can't say a lot, national security, counter terrorism you know!"
Naginisss – I think this chapter answers your question!
Robyn Hawkes – Thanks for your reply. Obviously I can't comment on whether or not your hopes will be fulfilled!
Previously
Severus coughed. "I'm sorry to interfere with the family reunion but, as the man said, time is limited. Draco, you and Narcissa will go to the block tomorrow." He ignored their fearful intakes of breath. "You will both be bought by members of the Order of the Phoenix. Once you are safe in their homes you will pass on the following information." He took a deep breath and steeled himself, "Please concentrate because I definitely don't want to have to repeat anything…"
Chapter 14
The harsh, discordant clang of the prison bell peeled its magically enhanced sound through the prison. Severus jerked awake and looked around, momentarily shocked to find himself back in his cell. Then he remembered the white hot agony that had coursed through his body as he had tried to brief Narcissa and Draco on what to tell the Order.
"Not much time. Mallinovich's process is almost perfected... requires a potion …Acromantula venom…tetra hydrochloride…Tell them to find out who's supplying the Ministry…Muggle businesses? Also…Floo network."
His entire body had been on fire and the red mist, once again, blinding him, but he had not dared to stop in case he couldn't go on. "There's a secret connection here…in Azkaban…find the records!" He remembered gasping out to them at the end. He only hoped he had been coherent enough for them to understand what he was saying. Then he'd collapsed. His next memory was dreamlike - being supported down a corridor by Lucius before slipping back into total unconsciousness.
The jangling of keys and the crashing of doors along the corridor outside indicated that breakfast was being served and he hurriedly grabbed his bowl and chipped enamel mug before kneeling in the required subservient posture. He was just in time. The door crashed open and a guard, not Mr. Gregory, stood framed in the doorway. The man barely glanced at him, quickly ladling something that was probably officially described as porridge into the bowl and pointing his wand at the cup to fill it with water.
It took only moments for Severus to gulp down the thin substance. He lingered over the water, savouring the soothing feel on his throat as it trickled down. Shortly after, the cell door crashed open again and Mr. Gregory motioned for him to leave. They walked a little way down the corridor outside, stopping outside another cell door. The guard opened it and Lucius stepped out to join them but not before giving Severus a piercing glance.
As they were marched back towards the Restricted Section, Malfoy was the first to break the silence.
"I don't know if you remember, but I had to almost carry you all the way back here from the Infirmary." he said, conversationally. "I'm getting a little tired of having to move dead and unconscious bodies around."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry you were placed in that position." He replied, dryly. "Believe me; I took no pleasure in the experience either!"
Lucius smiled, "That sounds like you. You're obviously well on the way to recovery."
Severus frowned, "Towards the end, the pain was …quite distracting. Did Draco and Narcissa understand what they had to tell the Order?"
"I took the liberty of confirming they did before I brought you back." Malfoy responded.
"I was going to suggest some possible suppliers for the venom but I passed out before I had time." Severus sounded disgusted with himself.
"I gave them the names of some people who used to deal in dark and near dark materials." Lucius responded. Seeing his fellow Slytherin's look of surprise, he went on. "My knowledge of the …err seamier side of the wizarding business world was at least as good as your own and it's something I didn't learn in the Restricted Section. I could pass the information to Cissy and Draco quite safely. Of course, some of the people I suggested might be retired by now but, even if they are, they'll know others who aren't. I also informed them of our agreement that they would be well treated provided I co-operated with your insane plans. They will relay the information providing your …friends," he sneered as he said the word, "keep their part of our bargain."
Severus caught the concern and uncertainty hidden behind the threat. "Draco and Narcissa will probably be sleeping on feather beds tonight after having enjoyed a three course meal." He told Malfoy, his voice filled with confidence. "Don't forget, the Order is full of Gryffindors!"
Lucius expression hardened. "You had better be right! I want to get out of here as soon as possible so I can see with my own eyes. Now we've done what you wanted, I say it's time to leave. Today's not a good day, the prison's always in a state of high alert when there's an auction and it will take a few days for Gregory here to make the necessary arrangements anyway. I say we should make our break in two night's time."
"I agree." Severus replied and watched as Gregory, who had been listening to their conversation, nodded his understanding. Then he continued. "While we're waiting, we might as well use the time productively by gaining more information that might be of use to the Order."
"Fine, just as long as we don't subject ourselves to any additional danger!" Lucius said.
Severus chose his words carefully. "We may have to take …preventative measures."
Lucius caught on immediately. "You really are insane! I'm doing this solely to protect my family. Under no circumstances will I risk by life for others!" Malfoy's voice was harsh with anger.
"Surreptitiously of course." Severus went on unperturbed. "We are Slytherins, after all!"
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So far, the day had been like a re-run of the previous day. They had spent the morning cleaning the ground floor and Mr. Withershin had kept his promise, bringing them a decent meal at lunchtime, which they had, once again, eaten in the utility room. Afterwards, he had taken them down to the basement. This time, however, he had been quite calm and business-like, from which they inferred, correctly as it turned out, there were no bodies for them to dispose of. Instead, they had busied themselves with the normal cleaning duties of mopping, dusting and emptying bins.
Mr. Wthershin's supervision was more lax that previously. Severus hoped this didn't indicate a belief that his usual convict servants would be sufficiently recovered to take up their duties again the following day. If Withershin believed he and Malfoy would no longer be required, they would be Obliviated and any intelligence they gathered from this point on would be lost.Gregory had been instructed to ensure the Kissed convicts remained sick until their escape, for just that reason.
One practical result of the Cleaning Supervisor's new attitude was that he and Lucius had been left alone in a Potions Workroom and he had been able to read the labels on the various jars and bottles set out there. Most of them were the standard ingredients he'd have expected every Potions Master to have at hand but there had also been stocks of the Muggle substance, tetra hydrochloride, a steady supply of which was, according to what George Weasley had picked up from overheard conversations, quite important to his captors. Severus gave thanks to whatever Gods there were for the Muggle practice of labeling. The magical ingredients were identified with hand-written labels simply describing the contents of each container, the tetra hydrochloride, however, had the manufacturer's name, a list of its component items and a large warning notice on it. He had memorised the details. Once they had escaped and were safety back with the Order, the information could prove useful.
Now, he was busy disinfecting the floor and work surfaces of the small room where the body had lain the previous day. Malfoy was outside, cleaning the observation window. Severus wondered if Lucius found this obsession with hygiene in a place where death was considered as no more than a regrettable side effect of progress as obscene as he himself did. Suddenly the door crashed open and Severus looked up expecting to see his former friend. Instead he found himself staring into Mallinovich's eyes. He quickly lowered his own, for once thankful that the curse on his collar gave him an excuse to avoid the other man's gaze. He had met Mallinovich once before, at an International Potions Conference. It had been well over fifteen years previously and no more than a casual acquaintance, lasting at most, a few minutes but there was always a faint chance the man might recognise him.
"You there!" Mallinovich barked. "Why have you not finished?"
Severus opened his mouth to reply but before he could say anything, the other man's hand shot out, slapping him so hard he was sent flying.
"Useless animal!"
"Ahem, Professor, is everything all right?" the well remembered high-pitched voice of Dolores Umbridge asked.
He lowered his head still further. He knew his cropped hair and the privations of the last ten years had changed his appearance but this woman had seen him on an almost daily basis for nearly a year and they had met occasionally afterwards when she had been Head of the Muggleborn Registration Commission and he had been masquerading as Voldemort's most loyal servant. If there was a chance of Mallinovich recognising him, there was a much better one that Umbridge would.
"Nothing's the matter, Director, except the laziness of these convicts. I come here to work and they have not finished the cleaning!" Mallinovich turned towards Severus, who was still lying on the floor. "Pick up your things and get out!" he ordered.
Still keeping his head averted Severus hurried to obey. He collected his bucket and cleaning rags and prepared to leave.
"Wait!" the instruction came from Umbridge. "Come here!"
Swallowing his feeling of panic, he slowly obeyed until he stood before her. He felt Umbridge's hand grasp his chin, turning his head so she could study his face. He was thankful for the blow Gregory had given him two days previously. The bruise was large and purple, making him even more unrecognisable. Umbridge turned his head backwards and forwards so she could also see him in profile. Finally she stood looking directly at his face for a long moment before releasing him.
"That will be all." She said, dismissively. "Return to your duties."
As he left the room, however, he could feel Umbridge's eyes boring into his back.
He looked round for Lucius and found him on his hands and knees cleaning the floor in the darkest corner of the corridor outside.
"I assume she didn't recognise you, otherwise she'd still be interrogating you." The other man murmured as Severus bent down and pretended to help him. "I got as far away from her as I could as soon as I saw her come down the steps."
Severus nodded his understanding and agreement to Malfoy's actions. A Gryffindor would probably have done something immensely brave but very stupid in an effort to warn him and he knew his colleagues in the Order would not approve of Lucius leaving him to his fate, but he was grateful that his colleague was a Slytherin like himself. Umbridge must know he had been loyal to Dumbledore and the Order and his imprisonment a parody of justice but his conviction, sale and subsequent return to Azkaban were matters of public record. While she would be suspicious and would certainly ask searching questions as to how he, of all the convicts available, had ended up covering for the Kissed, it could be passed off as a coincidence. Of course, if she dug, she might discover that the illness afflicting the Kissed was not natural in origin and, remembering his knowledge of potions she might start putting two and two together. That was why he had been so desperate she not recognise him.
If she had also recognised Malfoy, however, the potential for disaster was so much greater. One convict with whom she had a history was one thing, two practically shouted conspiracy. It was ironic that, up to yesterday, they had had no indication she was free, let alone in charge of this house of horrors.
"Keep moving towards the observation window." Severus instructed. "We need to listen to what Umbridge is discussing with Mallinovich."
"The situation is getting out of hand, Professor." They heard Umbridge saying as they came within earshot, keeping on their hands and knees to remain out of sight. "The deliberate sabotaging of the Dark Detectors is continuing and these appeared all over Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade last night! There is definitely a conspiracy to overthrow dear Rufus and make that traitor, Shacklebolt, Minister"
Severus heard the rustling of parchment and wondered what document they were consulting. Just as he was about to give in to his curiosity and peek through the window, Mallinovich spoke.
"'Vote for Change; Vote for Shacklebolt!'" he read out. "I can see how this could be difficult for the Minister, Madame but he has successfully beaten other challengers. Why is this one so different?"
"They were plastered everywhere; in their hundreds!" Umbridge voice rose to a squeak in outrage. "Patrons of 'The Leaky Cauldron found their beer mats transforming into them when they put their drinks down. They even appeared in the Ministry of Magic itself! Shacklebolt's supporters are clearly well organised and have even infiltrated the Ministry!"
"Why not smear this man, as you have others?" Mallinovich asked.
"He's an Auror. They are heroes in the eyes of many poor, ignorant people and the foreign press have started taking an interest. Cornelius told me that Wizarding USA Today has carried an article about his challenge. We daren't move against him without evidence."
Severus felt a warm glow, the Lovegood woman's press connections were, surprisingly, as good as she'd claimed. He tensed at Umbridge's next words.
"The Ministry has lost patience, Professor. We can no longer wait. We need one of our detainees to denounce Shacklebolt as the tool of dark wizards we know him to be. At the very least, this will create confusion and uncertainty. We must take the risk. If a few die, their sacrifice will have been for a good cause! "
"Madame, I have already warned you of the dangers. Even if they survive there is a chance they could overcome the conditioning. If you will allow me just a few more experiments?" Malinovich pleaded.
"Impossible. There are no more suitable convicts available and we don't have time to wait for more."
"What about the ones who were here earlier? Their heads were cropped and they wore collars so their masters have clearly returned them as incorrigible. Who would care about them? Who would even notice they were missing?"
Mallinovich's words sent a chill through Severus. He glanced towards Malfoy and saw the anxious expression on his face as they waited for Umbridge's response.
T.B.C.