Chapter 35: The old switcheroo . . .
Dan, Emma, Tom and Rupert ended up laughing and clapping, at the end of the courtroom story, as Sirius sat down.
"That was brilliant!" declared Dan, giving Albus a thumbs up, which the Headmaster acknowledged with a nod and smile.
"What happened then? Did Scrimgeour get the official announcement into the 'Prophet' the next day?" asked Emma.
"He did, indeed, Emma," Albus assured her. "It caused quite an uproar. Hermione made arrangements for Rita Skeeter to obtain an exclusive interview with Sirius, subject to review prior to publication, of course. It was, surprisingly, an accurate article, with Miss Skeeter being allowed the last paragraph in which to do her usual 'flourish' ending."
"I'll just bet she did," snorted Rupert.
"Peter's family demanded to see him; astonished he was alive, appalled at what he had done and embarrassed, too. He refused to see them, saying he would prefer they considered him dead. It was not a good time for them, all things considered, but he was adamant, knowing he was a marked Wizard, he didn't think he had long to live, so why bother. Sad, really," added Albus.
"Did you go and recruit Professor Slughorn?" Dan asked Harry, who nodded.
"And did Bella and you visit Professor Snape and take the "Unbreakable Vow?" Emma questioned, looking at Narcissa.
"Yes and no," was Madam Malfoy's answer. "We took a vow, but the wording was different, so that both Severus and Draco would be safe from harm, knowing that Professor Dumbledore's death would be faked." She smiled a bit. "Couldn't have that vow hanging over their heads for the rest of their lives, now could we?"
"It was a bit like crossing your fingers behind your back when you tell a little lie, then." Emma smiled at the Witch and winked, noticing Draco ducking his head, trying to hide the smile on his face.
"Precisely, Emma," Cissa said. "Very Slytherin thinking, that."
"Why, thank you, Narcissa." Emma blushed, smiling.
"On a different note," Albus continued. "We collected the Ravenclaw Diadem from the 'Room of Requirement', we already had the Slytherin Locket and I retrieved the Gaunt ring. Nagini was dead, Tom's diary was already rendered harmless and Harry was keeping Voldemort at bay with his Occlumency. That left the Hufflepuff Cup, which was in Bella's vault. We knew it was beyond our reach at that point, but we had several plans for its recovery, depending on how the next school year played out."
"In all truth, except for saving a few people by getting them into hiding, our sixth year went along almost exactly as it did in the books, just minus the stress of wondering where or what Voldemort was doing. Instead of worrying, the DA practiced and practiced and practiced," Harry added. with everyone nodding agreement.
"But, the end of the year rolled around, like it or not," Hermione laughed. "Then, the day of the Headmaster's death arrived."
"Ah, the big scene on the Astronomy Tower," Tom said, nodding his head. "This is the one bit I'm most interested in hearing about, as that was a tough scene to film, what with all the conflicting emotions and overlapping actions. How did your 'big scene' go, Albus?" he inquired, leaning forward anxiously.
"Oh, it went splendidly, as far as I was concerned, but Draco and Severus had a time of it, didn't you?" he added, turning to look over his glasses at his Potions Master and former student, who both nodded and then stood.
"First, you should know that it did not occur on the Astronomy Tower, as Albus and Harry didn't 'Apparate' away from Hogwarts that night to retrieve the fake locket from the cave . . . it all happened in the hallway at the entrance to the stairs that lead to the Headmaster's office, " explained Severus.
"Which was actually a great help in pulling off our switch of Albus and his wax double," said Draco. "I had spent the Spring getting the 'Vanishing Cabinet' to work properly, with help this time," he added, sweeping his arm to indicate Severus. "I didn't send word that the 'Vanishing Cabinet ' was functioning until we had everything and everybody in place and ready."
"As much as I am loath to admit this," Severus muttered, rolling his eyes. "The Headmaster, Draco and I actually rehearsed his 'death scene'. We did realize that the actual event might play out differently, but we and the rest of the Order and DA all had their 'parts' to play. They took no small pleasure in the knowledge that you four would approve, being professional actors . . . I believe if Arthur could have learned how to make a video, I think it's called, of the whole 'performance', he would have gleefully done so.
"Too right I would have!" agreed Arthur, even as Molly tried to hush him.
"Severus! Don't encourage him!" she hissed, while the rest smiled and shook their heads.
X X X
It was 3AM and the defenders of Hogwarts were gathered in one of the side hallways near the central stairs.
"Alright you lot," grumbled Mad-Eye Moody, "Have you all taken your "Felix" dose?"
"Yes, Mad-Eye." chorused a dozen voices.
"Are you ready, Mister Malfoy?" inquired the old Auror, turning his Magical blue eye on the blond Slytherin.
"As I'll ever be," replied Draco."I'll head to the 'Room of Requirement' now." Turning, he started for the stairs.
"Good luck, Draco," Harry said quietly, as his friend passed.
Draco paused for a moment, then leaning toward Harry whispered. "If you get a chance, my Mother asked for someone to knock Aunt Bella on her ass, as a favor."
Harry snorted and Draco wagged his eyebrows and then headed off on his mission to let the Death Eaters come through the 'Vanishing Cabinet'.
"Now, remember, let those Death Eaters pass by you and then get in position, cutting off their escape route, forcing them to fight their way out . . . can't have them 'fail' in their assigned task, now, can we?" Mad-Eye added, with a rare show of humor.
Harry turned to Professor Snape. "Take care, Professor; these next couple of months are going to be interesting." Harry held out his hand.
"Indeed, Potter," Severus replied with a smirk, as he shook Harry's hand. "At least my trips, accompanying Black to his vaults at Gringott's, has made my coming and going almost routine. And no attention has been paid to my 'fob', so I think we're good on that score." he added, twirling the miniature silver tube that hung from the chain of his antique pocket watch that he'd begun wearing months ago. "I must make my way upstairs, everyone," he said, raising his voice slightly. "Good luck and I'll see you as soon as possible."
"Goodbye, Professor!" "Good Luck, Severus!" "Take care!" "See you soon!"
X X X
"What's taking Draco so long?" fumed Bella, as she paced in front of the tall cabinet. The other Death Eaters stood silently, waiting and shrinking back from the Witch walking back and forth before them. "He said be here at 3:00 and he'd let us through!"
"If I remember correctly," said Fenrir, who was leaning against the wall. "He said be ready at 3:00 and he'd let us through as soon after that as he could. They do have night patrols, now, at Hogwarts. . . . wouldn't want your darling Draco getting caught when we're this close to killing Dumbledore, now would we?"
Bella rounded on him, wand out, maniacal gleam in her eye, but a thump from within the "Vanishing Cabinet" made them all turn, watching the door as it swung open, revealing a piece of parchment lying there. The tall blond, heavy set Death Eater, who was standing closest, bent and picked it up, but turned and handed it to Bella. Snatching it from his fingers, she quickly scanned it and a smile crossed her face, before it was replaced with a look of sheer blood lust; eyes flashing, lip curled up at the corner, wand gripped tightly in her hand.
"We're going . . . now . . . and be quiet!"
Stepping next to the door, she jerked her wand, indicating the rest should enter first. The Death Eaters were mildly surprised to find the "Vanishing Cabinet" had expanded to hold them all. Bella stepped in, closing the door behind her, waited for a count of ten and then opened the door. They stepped out into the 'Room of Requirement' to find Draco leaning against a table, arms crossed, waiting patiently.
"Ah, my dear nephew, you've done well," Bella drawled, walking by, stroking Draco's cheek.
It was all he could do not to bat her hand away, so, ignoring her, he turned to the Death Eaters as they exited the cabinet.
"Sorry I'm a few minutes late . . . had to dodge someone patrolling the hallway," he explained.
"Told you, Bella," laughed Fenrir.
"Shut up!" snapped Bella. "Who's patrolling, Draco?"
"There are a couple of Aurors here during the day, but at night the staff and some of that bunch of show-offs known as the D.A. go around with them. I saw Neville Longbottom and Professor Flitwick about fifteen minutes ago, but there are always two 'teams' patrolling . . . don't have a clue who else might be out there tonight," he added, shrugging his shoulders. "Not being a member of that particular group, I don't have access to their schedule . . . but I do know they change it up fairly regularly."
"No matter." Bella waved her hand dismissively. "We can handle a couple of kids and some old fools, if we even see them . . . Just make sure you idiots don't make any noise. We could be in and out before anyone knows what's happened."
"You just worry about getting Dumbledore taken care of and we'll take care of anyone else that tries to get in the way or stop us," Fenrir growled.
Bella's eyes flashed but before she could lift her wand Draco stepped in front of her, holding up his hand to stop her.
"Focus, Auntie! Focus!" Draco snarled. "I have a job to do and I won't have anybody screwing this up, even you!"
"How dare! . . . " Bella started, only to have her nephew turn and stalk away toward the doors.
"I dare, because I have a job to do," he shot back over his shoulder. "You two want to duel, do it on your own time. I'm sure the Dark Lord will want to know all about your not staying on task."
Fenrir barked a laugh and fell into step behind Draco, as did the rest, leaving Bella standing there with her mouth hanging open. She thought briefly of hexing the whole lot, but common sense kicked in, a rare event in itself, and she hurried to catch up, muttering under her breath.
Draco stopped at the doors and waited until the whole group was assembled. He raised his hand for silence, opened the door a bit and stuck his head out to see if there was any movement in the hallway. He closed the door and spoke softly.
"I just saw Flitwick and Longbottom start down the stairs at the end of the hall, to the right. I'm heading left, to the Headmaster's office, so wait five minutes then follow me. I should be there and have the stairs open by then. If you do meet anyone, try to be quiet when you take them out . . . don't shout, for Merlin's sake, just kill them and leave them in some corner." Draco looked at each Death Eater and received a nod, except Bella, who just glowered. Fenrir was standing behind her, grinning, enjoying every bit of her embarrassment at the hands of her nephew. Draco nodded at him, turned and slipped out the door.
X X X
Albus was standing next to his 'stand-in', not moving, waiting with as much of a blank look on his face as he could manage, when Draco came skidding around the corner and raced up to where he waited. As he took a deep breath, Draco looked from one Headmaster to the other and then turned to the live Dumbledore.
"They're giving me five minutes, which means two, maybe three, so, are you ready, sir?"
"How did you know I was the 'real' Dumbledore, if you don't mind my asking, Mister Malfoy?" Albus moved away from his wax double.
Draco jerked his thumb at the figure standing at the base of the spiral stairs. "There was no twinkle in his eyes."
"Ah, my straight face was in vain, then?"
"Sorry. But the good news is . . . from down there," replied Draco, pointing to the corner he'd just come around. "Even I couldn't tell which was which . . . I had to look you in the eye."
"Then let's get into position and see what the Death Eaters think of my alter ego."
X X X
As the Death Eaters exited the 'Room of Requirement' they saw the unmistakable form of Severus Snape, robes billowing behind them, coming toward them. Bella stepped forward, waiting with arms crossed.
"What are you doing here, Severus?" she snarled.
Severus came to a halt, nodded to Fenrir, and after looking at each of the other Death Eaters, focused on Bella, who was barely controlling her anger at this insulting behavior.
"I live here, Bella," was his withering reply. "I was also told to assist Draco, so I'm headed for the Headmaster's office. Please excuse me."
He walked through the group and headed off, but looked over his shoulder, and sneered, "Shouldn't you all be making sure our escape route is clear? Bella?"
Bella opened her mouth, wand raised, to hex Severus in the back, but Fenrir slammed his hand over her mouth and picked her up and spun her around before releasing her.
"Don't even think it, Bella," he snarled, as she backed away, wand pointed at his chest. "The Dark Lord will not be pleased if he hears you didn't put your entire attention on this mission. As Draco said, we can duel on our own time . . . later. But now, I think we should start moving, don't you?"
Realizing Fenrir was right, she turned and marched off toward the other end of the hallway, When the group reached the corner, she silently pointed one part of the group who were to station themselves on the stairs, while she, Fenrir and the Carrows continued in the direction Draco and Severus had gone.
X X X
Just as Bella and her group got to the junction of the hallway that lead to Dumbledore's office, Draco and Severus ran out of the end of the hallway.
"STOP!" Dumbledore's voice boomed, echoing off the stone walls.
Skidding to a stop, the Death Eaters saw the Headmaster standing at the opening to the spiral staircase that led to his office. Before Bella or the others could react, Draco and Snape both turned, and pointed their wands at the old Wizard.
"AVADA KADAVRA!" they both yelled, green light streaking from their wands to hit Albus in the chest, lifting him off his feet and slamming him backward into the center column of the stairs with a sickening thump. He slid slowly down to the steps and keeled over. The stone gargoyle leapt in front of him as the stairs started moving, carrying his body out of sight.
Severus turned to the others.
"OUT!" he ordered.