It's All About Hogwarts

Severus stepped out of the Floo in the Headmistress's office and immediately moved aside so Kingsley could follow him. He nodded a curt greeting to his old teacher. Minerva McGonagall was seated at her desk, looking curiously at them.

"What is so important that you cannot wait until the morning?" she asked, gazing curiously at the wizards. "Is something wrong?"

Kingsley stepped into the office and the wizards approached the desk.

"Hello, Minerva. We fear Hogwarts will once more be under attack and wish to offer assistance," he said abruptly. "Sorry to disrupt your evening, but this is urgent."

"Sit down, friends," she said. "Please explain."

"You are aware of the missing former Death Eaters," said Severus. "Their release from Azkaban was arranged by Dolores Umbridge, and it seems she has now kidnapped them. We believe she wishes to discredit the current Minister of Magic and Hogwarts too, by arranging some kind of attack by her Imperiused captives. It may come soon, so we're here to offer our assistance in arranging an effective defense."

The Headmistress was a shrewd woman, and she knew these wizards too well to dismiss their tale.

"I'll call a meeting of the staff immediately and institute patrols of the castle and grounds," she told them. "Will we have reinforcements, Kingsley?"

"The Ministry is divided and there are not many I'll trust with this. But I'll stay tonight, Minerva, and we're organizing more reinforcements for the morning," said Kingsley. "We have Draco, Victoria, and Narcissa Malfoy. Harry, Ron and Hermione, Crabbe and Goyle. We plan to contact the other Weasleys, Tonks and Lupin. Perhaps more."

"How soon must we expect an attack?" she asked grimly.

"It could happen any time, but likely in the next couple of days," Severus replied. "I'll return as soon as possible, but I must reinforce the wards on the cottage immediately."

"Of course, Severus. We'll manage until the morning without you. Is there anything else I should know before you leave us?"

He shook his head. "We only realized that an attack on Hogwarts is likely a short time ago. We'll investigate to the best of our ability, but the school must be protected immediately. I'll see you both in the morning."

He strode to the hearth and reached for the box of Floo powder. He glanced once more back at the Headmistress and the Auror, already speaking seriously together. He threw the powder down into the flames, turning them green, said, "Snape Cottage," and stepped through to his own home.

Severus discovered that the crowd in his kitchen had grown significantly during his absence. The Potters, Crabbe, Goyle and assorted Weasleys were seated around the enlarged kitchen table, in addition to Zelda and the others who had been present earlier. He nodded to the assembled group as he sat down next to his wife.

"Minerva and Kingsley are speaking to the staff, arranging patrols. Kingsley will stay at the castle tonight. The rest of you who will stay at Hogwarts will go in the morning," he said. "Rather than continue searching, it's more practical if we wait for them to appear."

"Mother, Greg and I will all stay at Hogwarts, so we can help. Crabbe says there's no problem finding quarters," said Draco. "Vic and Alys will stay here with Zelda."

Vincent Crabbe had followed up his seventh year at Hogwarts by becoming Hagrid's apprentice, a job arranged by Minerva to keep the young man safe from his family's Dark connections. He had the support of the Snapes during the following years, and over the years he took on various jobs around the castle. His academic shortcomings were unfortunate, but Zelda had tutored both Crabbe and Goyle. When Goyle moved away to London, Crabbe had stayed at Hogwarts. He assisted Hagrid with grounds keeping and Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. Two years earlier, when Madam Hooch retired, Crabbe became the flying instructor and supervised the school Quidditch program. He had found a home at Hogwarts, although he was still very diffident outside the structured setting of the school.

"The Headmistress will be glad to have you at Hogwarts for as long as necessary," he said in a deep, low voice. "Professor Snape, I think the dungeon guest rooms near your quarters would be most practical."

Snape nodded approvingly. "We'll work out a means of communication tomorrow, as well as a schedule for patrols." He turned and looked intently at Harry. "As soon as daylight returns, we must strengthen the wards."

Harry nodded, looking grim. During the years that the two families had been neighbors, wards that covered both cottages and the land between them had protected the Snape and Potter homes. This was done so the children could go between them in safety. The wards were evaluated and strengthened yearly by Severus, Kingsley, Harry and Ginny, and had grown formidable. But given this new threat, once more the wizards would add their magic to the protections.

"We'll help," offered Victoria. "The children are here, so I want to add what I can. Draco will help too."

Draco nodded. His eyes met Harry's with an ironic smile, which Harry returned.

"Brings it all back, doesn't it?" asked Harry softly, glancing down into his teacup.

"Where are the boys?" asked his childhood nemesis. "It's too quiet for them to be here."

Ginny grinned. "They'll be staying with George's family for a few days. Beattie will stay here, but Zelda doesn't need to wear herself out trying to keep those two from destroying everything in sight. They're Fred and George all over again."

As people decided where they would be during this crisis, Michael Fletcher watched without comment. He would stay behind with Zelda and the children. It made sense to let those with magical ability deal with this, but he was frustrated. It went against everything in him to stay behind and let others deal with trouble, but Zelda needed him. Although she managed to appear calm and reasonable, she was terrified for Severus, her children and friends. He smiled cynically at the group. He loved them all, but it seemed they'd sit here all night unless someone prodded them into motion.

"Shall I take the couch, Zel?" he asked lightly, rising to his feet. "It's past my bedtime."

Severus smirked, realizing that once more his friend was managing them. There really was nothing more to be accomplished this night, and they needed rest, so Michael was effectively dispersing the group.

"I think the shed will be adequate for you," he murmured. "Come along and I'll move the bins aside."

He led the older man into the hall and paused thoughtfully. Then, pointing his wand, he added a temporary room. Opening the door, Michael saw a small room much like his room at the cabin they shared back in America.

"Nice," he murmured.

"Are you carrying a gun?" asked Severus softly.

"Nothing showy," he replied, sliding a small, sleek handgun out of his pocket. "It gives me the element of surprise and one or two shots before the game is up."

Severus nodded. "Don't leave Zelda and the children for any reason until this is finished."

Michael squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You know I won't leave them."

"I know."

Severus trusted his friend as much as he trusted his wife, and knew that Michael would protect his family.

"They should break the party up now. Forget all of this and take care of Zel. She's fretting about you and Alaric. I'll see you in the morning."

Severus smiled as he returned to the kitchen. He discovered that the group was breaking up, making plans to meet again in the morning. He caught Ginny Potter's eye and drew her aside.

"Michael will be here with Zelda, Victoria and the children. Is that adequate? We don't wish you to worry about Beattie."

Ginny's eyes twinkled and impulsively, she leaned forward and kissed his lined cheek.

"I chose the best possible godparents for my daughter," she whispered. "We'll be checking in here too, and we trust you with all of them. Thank you."

A slight flush crept appeared on his face and searching for a change of subject, murmured, "The wards on our homes will soon rival those of Hogwarts, you know."

"I hope so," she replied. "You know, old Death Eaters are bad enough, but we're getting pulled into bloody Ministry politics too, and I loathe those corrupt bastards. We can't be too careful."

"Language, Mrs. Potter," murmured Harry. "Remember that you're the mother of young children."

He put his arm around his wife's shoulders, meeting Severus's eyes with a faint smile. "We'll be back at sunrise to reinforce the wards. Ron and Hermione will be back, and probably most of Ginny's family. Is there anything else we can do?"

"Get some rest," said Severus. "Lucius is still full of tricks, but he's weak and ill. But if dear Dolores is involved, there's no telling how many we'll be dealing with." He sighed irritably. "The entire Weasley clan? I suppose the least we can do is feed them, since they're adding to our protections."

Ginny laughed. "They are a hungry lot. Why don't we call on Dobby? There's no need for you and Zelda to feed the masses all by yourselves."

"An excellent idea. Perhaps I'll find an excuse for him to stay here. He is very protective of Zelda."

"How will Narcissa feel about seeing her former family slave again? Does she know he's still around?" asked Harry.

"I doubt she'll care," Severus replied. "She is not Lucius, you know. Dobby's existence doesn't bother Draco."

"At first he was pretty uncomfortable," said Harry. "But it's not important, I guess. We'll be off then."

"Leaving so soon?" asked Zelda suggestively. "Our guests are all gone, for now. We'll see you in the morning. And thanks for letting Beattie stay tonight. Emmie would be a real pain if she got bored and lonely in the middle of all this."

"Our pleasure," said Harry, hugging her firmly. "See you tomorrow. And thanks for taking Dobby off our hands. He still pops in to our house to help The Great Harry Potter a couple of times a week. We'll enjoy a break from him."

Hastily he escorted Ginny to the door and they were gone before Severus could speak again. But he could feel his old professor's gaze following him as they left the cottage. They never spoke of their long, complicated relationship, but the presence of Severus Snape in his life was immensely comforting.

Severus and Zelda watched them as they left the house and Apparated back to their own home.

"Alone at last," said Zelda. "We can't have that early night, but I hope you're still in the mood for snuggling. I think you know I'm feeling a little stressed."

Severus pointed his wand around the kitchen, cleaning up and turning off the lights. With pleasure he made sure the doors were secured, then put his arm around her and turned her toward the stairs.

"Come along, wife," he growled softly. "I require your undivided attention."

Zelda sighed, relaxing briefly against him. "Finally," she murmured, reaching up to undo his collar buttons. "It's been a terribly long day."

They went upstairs together, holding hands.

Sitting on the icy floor in complete darkness, Lucius, Goyle and Crabbe conferred in hushed voices. They were all chilled and slightly feverish, Crabbe still the weakest of them.

"It will happen soon, I think," said Lucius. "Whatever happens, we must not use Dark magic or we'll be kissing the rest of our lives goodbye."

Crabbe snorted. "Are we supposed to behave like stupid children? If we're fighting the Imperius, how can we only use Ministry-bloody-approved spells? We'll be going on instinct, Malfoy, and it could get us killed!"

"Would you rather go home to your wife, or back to prison?" hissed Goyle. "The odds against us are huge, but we must try. We don't know what she intends to do with us, but if we hurt or kill innocent people, we'll be killed on the spot."

Lucius closed his eyes for a moment, collecting himself. He had talked enough with Narcissa after his release to know that while she understood him well, she had turned her back on his political machinations and his Dark ways. If he wanted to return to her, he must survive without using his vast knowledge of Dark curses, and without killing or torture. Given his deep urge to twist Dolores Umbridge's neck with his bare hands, this would be difficult. But the picture of a baby girl, an innocent smile in her bright eyes, swam into his mind and he knew he would try.

Dolores Umbridge signed her initials with a flourish and folded the parchment. She fastened it to the leg of a nondescript owl and opened the window.

"Take it to Walden Macnair," she commanded, shooing the bird away.

She sat down in her desk chair once again and began finalizing her plans for the attack. There would be no problem accessing Hogwarts, she thought. Argus Filch had eagerly done her bidding when she was Headmistress of Hogwarts, and mapped out the secret passages between Hogsmeade and the castle for her. Although McGonagall now knew of those passages, there was no watch on the one that had collapsed nearly thirty years ago. She had spent several weeks magically clearing that passage, and although the others had were protected by magical alarms, her passage would allow them to enter the castle. And if she was mistaken, her three Death Eaters were expendable. If they were captured before completing their mission, she might still use the publicity to weaken the Minister.

She listed the names of Ministry workers who were ready for change in her mind, recalling her efforts to sway them with a satisfied smile. Williamson, Montague and Carmichael were the only current Ministry employees who were directly part of her plan. Their prisoners were housed underground in the ruins of the old Montague house. The other two had been invaluable in gaining the release of the Death Eaters, and all three would be present when Malfoy led his attack. Macnair would remain hidden until the moment they penetrated Hogwarts. He would claim to be Imperiused by Malfoy and testify against their pathetic victims. The others would be with her and help to defeat the 'attackers.' As an Auror, Carmichael would lend credibility to her story.

The plan was perfect, she thought. With a wide smile, she sat down at her desk and began to write her first speech as Minister of Magic. The liberals would sit by, helpless, as she brought back the glory days of British Wizardry. If she spared a thought for the prisoners who would make this happen, it was only to imagine graciously offering to return the bodies to their families… in the name of compassion, of course. Tomorrow, she thought, her wide mouth curling into an unpleasant smile. Why wait longer?