Chapter 21
As soon as he was through the doors, Snape charged directly at Draco and Hermione, his dark eyes oppressively upon them the whole way. He was, if possible, more intimidating than they had ever seen him. He looked something like a great black storm cloud, with his robes roiling around him furiously with every step. When he arrived at his destination, he towered over Draco and Hermione, eyes hard, breathing coming in ragged gasps.
Hermione was shaking with anxiety, and Draco instinctively wrapped one arm protectively around her, while reaching into his robes to grasp his wand, his eyes full of challenge. If Snape had lost his bloody mind and meant to do them harm, Draco was more than prepared to go down shielding Hermione.
"Professor?" Draco said evenly, without the slightest hint of alarm in his voice.
Snape stood panting, trying to catch his breath. He looked as though he had run the entire length of the grounds, his anger spurring him on. Then, he drew himself up to an impressive height, narrowing his eyes for a moment at his two students.
"Shall we agree to leave off all pretence, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger?" he asked coldly.
Draco and Hermione looked at one another, dumbfounded. Draco squeezed the wand inside his cloak a little tighter.
"What do you mean, Sir?" he asked calmly.
Snape began to pace, his robes trailing him fluidly.
"We do not have a lot of time…" he murmured distractedly. "I spoke to Dumbledore late last night, and I know, Mr. Malfoy, of your change of heart, and your decision to join the Order," he said in more subdued tones, as he drew nearer to the couple.
"Yes?" Draco said, not releasing his grip on his wand the tiniest fraction.
Hermione was staring unabashedly at Snape. What could his behavior mean? Why would such knowledge anger the Potion's Master?...Unless, he really was still in the service of the Dark Lord, and had fooled Dumbledore and the other Order Members. What if he had fooled everyone? Had he come to take Draco away or worse yet, kill him?
Hermione surreptitiously slid her hand into her robes to search out her own wand. With sudden lithe grace, she was in front of Draco, wand out, eyes blazing. She felt Draco's restraining hands on her wand arm and heard him breathe her name, but she violently shook him off.
"You won't take him!" she cried insistently, eyes flashing. "Not without a fight!"
Snape sneered at Hermione, his face the very picture of extreme annoyance.
"You misunderstand me, Ms. Granger," he said with a quick wave of his hand. "I am not here to take Mr. Malfoy anywhere…though I am sure that both Mr. Malfoy and I are very impressed by your characteristic display of typical Gryffindor courage."
The word "typical" was said with Snape's well-known cutting sarcasm.
"Then why are you here…Sir?" she asked guardedly, without lowering her wand.
Snape ignored Hermione's continued distrustful stance.
"I am sent to you from Dumbledore," he said, his tone urgent."
At the sound of Dumbledore's name, Hermione's jaw and her wand dropped simultaneously, and her eyes widened.
"I am s-sorry, Sir…" she stuttered, as images of her packing her trunk to return home after being summarily expelled flitted before her mind's eye.
"There is no time for this, I tell you!" he said irritatedly. " I am to bring you to Dumbledore's office immediately. Apparently, there has been a massive prison break in Azkaban. Several Death Eaters were among those who escaped. The Dark Lord has certainly orchestrated this event. He is calling all his faithful servants to him. Dumbledore fears that things will begin to happen in earnest now."
Hermione gasped, and Draco let his shaking head drop into one of his hands.
"Good gods," Draco whispered.
"I take it that means you understand that your father is among those who escaped, Mr. Malfoy," Snape said evenly, though not unkindly.
Draco did not answer. He was overwhelmed with a myriad of thoughts and emotions. His Father! Escaped! Anything might happen now! Lord Voldemort had finally made a definitive move toward accelerating the events of the War. Certainly, he must have plans to put his reinstated Death Eaters into service somehow. What could he be planning to do? What would be his next move?
Hermione peered at Draco, loving concern in her eyes. Then, she took his hand.
"Come," she whispered. "Dumbledore is waiting."
Professor Snape turned, as if on cue, and lead Draco and Hermione out of the safety of the classroom, and into what appeared to be, for all intents and purposes, a whole new era for the Wizarding World.
A quarter of an hour later, Professor Snape, Draco, and Hermione stepped off the revolving staircase before Dumbledore's oaken office door. Snape, having the dubious distinction of being leader of this little group, reached up and knocked firmly.
Immediately, Dumbledore bid them enter. Upon stepping into the now familiar room Draco and Hermione's eyes fell immediately upon Harry and Ron, who were turning in their seats before Dumbledore's desk to see who was coming. As soon as Ron saw his best friend and arch enemy he purposefully dropped his eyes and would not look at them; his face a mask of misery and stubborn pride. But Harry with a grim nod, flicked his wand at the space beside him, thus conjuring two more chairs for them. As they moved to their seats, Dumbledore, who was in his customary position behind his desk, greeted them.
"Ms. Granger…Mr. Malfoy, I see Professor Snape has delivered you safely to our little meeting."
The Headmaster's voice was polite, but firm; his eyes full of grave concern. By this time, Professor Snape had taken his place behind the Head Master, and beside Professor McGonagall, who looked supremely displeased with the whole situation. She nodded at the new comers with her trademark crispness.
"Yes, Sir," Draco intoned formally.
But, his eyes were snapping, and it was obvious to all in attendance that he wished to hear any and all available information and the sooner the better.
"I assume Professor Snape has filled you in as to the situation we are now facing?" Dumbledore asked gravely.
"Yes, Sir," Hermione said softly. "But, I for one still have many questions."
"As do we all, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said with a small smile. "As do we all. But, I can only tell you what we know so far. I am afraid the news isn't good."
Their was a general murmur around the room, and Dumbledore let it continue for a brief few seconds, before raising his hand for silence. Then, he turned his head slightly, in the direction of Professor McGonagall.
"Did you say you were able to reach Arthur and Molly Weasley, Professor?" he asked politely.
"Yes, Professor," said McGonagall with her most matter-of-fact voice. "Arthur says he is keeping his ear to the very ground at the Ministry. He will, of course, keep us all informed as to any news. He and Molly will also be alerting as many Order Members as they possibly can," she finished.
"Good. Good," Professor Dumbledore said appreciatively. "All seems in hand, so we will move along."
He then turned to the group, looking carefully at each of them.
"As you know, there has been a prison break at Azkaban. It is more than certain that Voldemort is behind this. Azkaban, being the fortress that it is, with all the protective and restraining spells over it, not to mention the guards, would normally be impregnable. It would take a very powerful Wizard indeed to breach its formidable walls. Besides, most of those who escaped are Death Eaters."
Dumbledore paused, looking at Draco, who held the Professors gaze steadily until Dumbledore again looked away to address the group.
"I don't suppose I have to tell any of you that one of the escapees is Lucius Malfoy," he continued evenly. "This is particularly bad news for those on the side of right. Lucius is one of Lord Voldemort's most faithful servants. He has done, shall we say….much to further the Dark Lord's cause."
The Head Master shifted in his chair and let his eyes fall on Fawkes, the beautiful scarlet-plumed phoenix on his perch beside the door. He looked contemplative for a moment, as though he were remembering some long past event. Then, he shook himself from his reverie and continues in subdued, but firm tones.
"Of course, this event was not wholly unexpected. As head of the Order of the Phoenix, it is my business to know as much as possible about the plans of the Enemy camp. I employ many fine Wizards to keep their eyes and ears open, should any helpful information come along. I am most grateful to them, for they risk life and limb every day to keep me informed. That being said, I have it on very good authority that this break out is only the beginning step to Lord Voldemort's plans. The story now being circulated is that an attack of one kind or another is imminent. We do not yet know where, or when, so we must watch and wait a little longer. But, when the time comes I am sure I can count on everyone in this room to participate."
There was a general murmur of assent, rippling across the room. Hermione, whose eyes had not one time left the Professor's face as he spoke, took the opportunity to surreptitiously glance at Ron. He sat hunched in his chair, looking petulant. He was not speaking, or even nodding his head. But, the fact that he did not jump out of his chair in protest, was a testament to Dumbledore's powers of persuasion. For, it was clear to Hermione that Dumbledore had taken advantage of his few minutes alone with Harry and Ron to fill them in on Draco's decision to turn away from Lord Voldemort and his father, and his new disposition in the Order. Ron would only have accepted such news from his revered Headmaster so meekly. But, it was equally clear that he didn't believe Draco was a changed man. It was equally clear that he hadn't forgiven Draco nor Hermione for their earlier "crimes" in the hidden nook. She could only hope that Ron would be able to work peaceably with Draco, as the situation demanded.
Draco, who had been exceptionally quiet the whole time, decided to address the elephant in the room. He looked to Dumbledore for permission to speak.
"Sir, if I may," he said respectfully.
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. Draco stood up, and Hermione, sensing what he was about to do, pressed his hand lightly to show her support. Draco smiled at her, straightened himself, cleared his throat, and began.
"Perhaps many of you are surprised to see me here today. I will not deny that at one time I felt myself destined to follow in my father's footsteps one day. I do not expect everyone in this room to accept the validity of my change of heart just now…"
At this, he let his gaze fall for a moment on Ron and Harry. They did not return his gaze and Draco continued, his eyes darkening with determination.
"However, I do intend to do everything I can to destroy the dark works of Lord Voldemort wherever I find them. And I hope, that one day, anyone who questions my commitment now, will have cause to render a different judgment hereafter."
With that, Draco sat down again; to the nodding head and approving glance of Professor Dumbledore. Hermione squeezed his hand, tears shining in her eyes, while Harry was silently contemplating his wand as he turned it over in his hand. Ron, however, only scrunched further down in his seat, with a highly audible scoffing sound. Hermione turned on him wrathfully, but Professor Dumbledore was quick to stop what everyone in the room knew would soon turn into a royal row otherwise.
"I am sure…" said Dumbledore in a placating tone as he stood up to lean with his fingertips upon the desk, "we all appreciate Mr. Malfoy's sentiments."
He nodded at Draco, who returned the nod.
"But, now I think we should return to our business until such time that I have anymore information for the group. Be assured I will send for you if such a time arrives. In the meanwhile, I am sure I need not remind you to keep all that has been said here quiet. I have spoken to each of you at one time or another in the past two days, so you know your assignments for now. I suggest you perform them with all possible haste."
Professor McGonagall came out from behind the desk and handed each of the four students passes to show their teachers upon their return to class.
"That should allay any difficulties you might have getting into your classrooms without having to field questions," she said crisply.
Professor Dumbledore smiled encouragingly at his rather downcast and worried pupils as they headed to the door.
"Do not worry," he said soothingly. "Just be alert…or as Alastor Moody would say, 'Constant Vigilance!'".
The Professor did such a realistic impersonation of the eccentric ex-Auror, that the whole room broke up. Even Professor Snape cracked a smile.
Next thing they knew, Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ron found themselves out in front of the revolving staircase once again.
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