Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Half-Blood Blessing

Chapter Thirty- Eight: Allies

I woke to white walls and linens. It was not particularly unusual for me. I tried to get up, and found a weakness I had never experienced. I found it hard even to raise a hand. There was no pain though I remembered it and that was enough. The curtain was stretched to enclose my bed which I was grateful for when I heard the noise of official sounding voices just beyond the cloth. The dry harshness put me in mind of the time I had been brought in on charges during the last war. I had already been making overtures to Dumbledore at that time and it was that that had saved me. Forever I would associate that tone with politicians and if I never heard it again I think I could be happy.

"I told you Severus," it was Draco's voice, and the words might be accusing except he sounded so relieved. He handed me a cup of water, helped me drink when I had trouble. I was grateful no one else was there; I don't think my pride would have taken it. Except, there was someone else there. Potter was standing like a will-o-the-wisp at a parting in the curtain; he looked halfway to invisibility, like mist on a moonless night.

"Potter, what are you doing here?" My voice was rough, rasping.

"I'm acting as a look out. Madame Pomfrey is refusing entry to anyone except a few ministry people. I brought Draco in because he wanted to see you."

I had expected something sarcastic from him, but his voice was gentle, just an explanation to a question. His eyes tilted towards me, I saw the wear of crucio there even from where I sat. "You saw everything?"

I looked at Snape then peered out the gap in the curtain again; Pomfrey was dosing one of the other patients still. "You saw everything?" It didn't sound like a question.

"I had little choice, every time I closed my eyes yesterday, even when I didn't I could still hear, and when Voldemort was at his most furious… it didn't matter if my eyes were closed or open."

Snape didn't speak, and I looked at him again. His expression was neutral as he met my gaze, a little shock when he did. Maybe he saw something he didn't expect. We had never really been good judges of the other's character, too many prejudices perhaps.

"Potter, long torture under crucio has terrible side effects that can last long after, and not appear for years, have you taken something for it?"

He sounded truly concerned. "No, but the circle of the bond between me and the caster dissipates such."

That was an interesting notion. I wondered if it held any truth or if he was deflecting. I was about to ask but Draco spoke.

"Severus, the ministry is going to arrest you."

That was something else to worry about. I sat up, still weak but with a flood of energy that came from panic. Even that put my head to pounding. I weighed the limited options laid before me. I could not walk out of here, the ministry officials standing outside were likely stationed just for that purpose though they needn't have worried, Madame Pomfrey would push me back into a bed like a child, or I could ask Potter for help. The consideration stung at first, but it was more like a flinch for a punch that never came, I realized that I didn't really mind. But could he really take me out of here, would he be willing. I stood up, wobbling a little. I realized I was still in my robes not dressed in a hospital gown, thank Merlin. Draco was right at my elbow with a steadying hand that I tried to scorn but was actually grateful for.

"Potter…"

"I prefer Harry, among my friends." That was another shock; apparently my surprise showed through, hours after leaving the Dark Lord it seemed all my careful control was stripped away by Potter calling me friend. I guess it was shocking enough… Harry must have thought it deserved explanation, "I know what you suffered, and perhaps we are not so different."

"Harry," the name did not seem so unfamiliar, "can you help me out of here?"

"We aren't here, professor," he said. I couldn't decide if it was some mind trick that allowed his magic the strength it had… but then the noise from the other side seemed to have faded. "Where is there?"

"My chambers," I said, I needed something for my headache, and something else besides that. I blinked and we stood in front of my fireplace. Harry very comfortably plopped himself down on my sofa, the golden mongoose slipping out of his satchel. Draco took the traveling like stepping from one room to another but I was stunned again; it was nothing like apparation. It was like no magical transportation I had ever experienced. It was comfortable.

I recovered quickly, went to my bedroom and my private stash of healing potions, I dosed myself and pocketed a few more for later if I did not see my room again. If the ministry was intending to arrest me, they would search my rooms and office. I thought of all the quasi-legal substances, enough to have me arrested even without all the rest, stored carefully in corners no one should think of. I'd lose them all. I mourned my years of secret research.

"Harry, the ministry will search…"

"I thought you locked your doors? Who can open them but you?"

I puzzled again, he seemed to hold a contrived notion of the world, but how did that make it so? Thinking is not magic. 'More evidence for the state of Potter-normal…'

"To Dumbledore's Office?" Harry asked shrugging.

"Is that best?" Draco was leaning against the doorframe. A frown on his face said he thought the action unwise. "They set a trap for you there, Harry."

I didn't know that, 'what trap? Clearly not a successful one…'

"I am no foolish mouse thinking only of cheese, Draco."

"Can you keep us all out of the cat's jaws?"

"It has no jaws. They should not yet know that you are gone from your bed."

"I should go, Albus should know…"

"what to do?" there was a heavy irony in his voice, "I did not think you were so blinded by him. But perhaps he will at that." With his words we stood at the door to Albus' office. Harry's mongoose draped around his shoulders, its small black eyes wary and glinting. I reached up a hand and knocked on the old wood frame, it crackled with magic. I had felt the zap a hundred times and it always felt like a warning.

"Enter," the voice was weary. I twisted the knob and pushed in. Albus was seemingly alone, but the disappointment on his face made me want to address the Minister of Magic instead.

"Albus? I understand that the Ministry seeks my arrest."

"Aye, my boy," I hated that address, and by the faint color in Harry's cheeks so did he, even when it was not directed at him. "Severus, can you say your loyalty is still to me? Under vertiserum?"

It was an odd question. My instinct was to answer 'yes,' instantly but could I when my actions had always been for her, in her memory… My lips parted to explain just that technicality when I noticed he played with a crystal phial, the liquid inside clear with a unique iridescent glint when the light hit it just right. Then my heart turned cold and my mind wary. Vertiserum… He intended me to drink it on the spot. His trust in me was gone and I had to wonder if it meant I was outside of his protection.

"What did they show you that your confidence in me has slipped so?"

"This was your second chance. I was going to give you another to confess, but your hesitation speaks for you. Accio wand." I only realized that I had it when it was flying to his outstretched hand. I had thought I had lost it. His blue gaze, the one that made the wizengamot quiver, was leveled at me, and it was emotionless. He must have cast another spell; ropes tied my hands in the small of my back. I looked for my students, they stood leaning against the low counter that ran around half the room. Harry made a gesture that seemed to ask for patience. I wasn't feeling very patient.

Conjured ropes appeared and wrestled Snape's arms behind his back to bind them there. Snape looked at me, asking for assistance I thought, though the look was foreign on his face. I waved a placating hand. I had a feeling that this was not all the traps sprung yet. Draco and I were out of the picture as far as everyone thought; invisible to all but the potions master. He did not know that of course.

I was right, Ministry aurors paraded in, if five can parade in so small a space. At least their self inflated importance made the parade; they were puffed up too with the thought being the ones to catch a long know and dangerous Death Eater at last, at least that was how the paper might make it out. Two flanked Snape, hands on his upper arms in a bruising grip. I wondered what evidence had been brought against him, something severe to go by Dumbledore's expression. I did not think I would ever find out, because I was just planning how best to spring our captive professor. It was no longer a matter of ability but what would make the most commotion. I decided the twins had more influence on me than they should; I never used to enjoy commotion. I nodded to the door indicating Draco should be ready to leave when the time came. Kenelm jumped to the floor, frolicked at my feet, baring his teeth. I think he knew it was about to be a fight. I let my invisibility drop and walked to stand before Dumbldore's desk.

"I find it interesting that you expect a man who has extensive knowledge of potions and poisons," I stressed the second, "to drink something he did not himself see brewed. A man who has long acted as a spy, a man who's paranoia has long protected him, a man who has protected you at the risk of his life. You bind him; did you think he would not go freely? Did you fear his fangs? Do you fear a wandless wizard?" I stretched out my hands, showing them that I too was unarmed. I gave the red robed aurors a judging look. They twitched forward, perhaps seeing a greater prize in my arrest. "Ah, you remember I am a fugitive. I thought you might." I waited and fingered the scar at my neck; reminding them of a failure of theirs, and daring them. "I suggest you release this man." I made the last a threat.

"No, child," the third auror sneered, or tried to, his fear showed a little. Kenelm hissed a little, swaying as if he were fighting a snake. The auror snatched my wrist, clapping a set of handcuffs around the bone thin joint. He twisted, rolling me into his grip, hand over my mouth, strength ready, waiting to snap my neck if he chose.

I rolled my eyes, staring at my double sagging limp in his grip, melting already like wax in the sun. I let my doppelganger dissipate. "I think we will be going now. I have been tried once already and do not intend to stand trial for the same crimes. If you cannot charge this man, release him." I knew they could, with false evidence maybe, but they made no move to do either so I gave them a shove in the right direction.

My ropes dropped to the floor and havoc broke. I was amazed by how civil Harry had been, I had seen other episodes that involved him and the aurors, swift violent affairs that he always won. I was pretty sure that every ego in the force had tried himself against Harry. I had learned just by watching that he was not to be trifled with. But perhaps that was the difference. Two of the aurors still had a grip on me that my strength could not shake. I twisted weakly but to no avail. I noticed then what Dumbledore was doing; he had taken a sip out of a goblet, grimaced and picked up a wand that was too pale to belong to Albus, started to cast a spell. Polyjuice. The thought pounded hard against me.

"Harry, it's not him, it's not Albus."

Harry swirled, arms flinging wide, the aurors that had been attacking him pushed back though they strained against the barrier, looking like they walked head first into a blistering wind. The man under polyjuice shrank a little, lost white hair and beard, and became a little darker of skin. His face was not familiar to me; aged, but in the fashion of being used too hard. He did not appear new to the business of secrecy or of being discovered, but the sudden loss of a disguise that should have lasted another hour sent him floundering. He raised his hand; I could see the tremor of it. His eyes darted at the two aurors still flanking me; a signal I thought. I found myself released as they lounged forward. Harry gave an irritated shrug of his shoulders and the two found themselves tossed harshly against the bookcases that lined the office.

"I'm guessing Dumbledore has been arrested. He was not so willing to assist the Department of Law Enforcement as you had hoped. I know what trick you were hoping would fell me at last. You were almost clever enough and I will not deny that if Dumbledore had been willing it might have. I will warn you not to try it again; I'll never again trust that appearances show the truth."

Harry led us into the corridor, Draco at my elbow, and try as I might to reach our destination without needing his support I could not. When I stumbled I found a cane suddenly in my hand. Despite myself I found a growing respect for Harry's heart. I had always counted it as a Gryffindor's heart; full of arrogance, compassionate maybe but wanting to make sure the whole world knew their generosity. Harry was not like that, had he been he would have handed me the cane instead of the stick appearing in my hand as if I had carried it all the way. It was a subtle difference, but one that spoke to me; for kindness shown to me had always been from pity. One other had shown me that consideration even when it earned her scorn.

The stress of walking begged the question of why Harry had not transported us like he had before. I did not speak though all my breath used for following as quickly as I could. I didn't know where he could be heading; I guessed the rooms he shared with my godson and the others.

Eventually we came to a corridor that I rarely travelled; it provided no useful passage to anywhere I would want to go, though I remembered that occasionally when I was a student it had gotten me quickly from Charms to the ground floor when other more convenient passages were blocked by bored Gryffindors. We paused before one of the stranger portraits, trolls in tutus, a wizard using his wand like a conductor's baton waving it back and forth while the trolls bent their knees, and growled. I had a feeling he had not long survived after the portrait was painted. On the other side of the corridor a door seemed to make itself more and more noticeable, not unlike the way Harry seemed to slip in and out of focus as he chose. He opened the door, held it open while Draco and I entered then shut it. He did not bother setting a locking spell; I guess he would not have to.

"Welcome to the Room of Requirement."

I had heard of the room, even knew that this was where Harry's defense group had met in secrecy two years ago. I grit my teeth remembering that toad of a woman, the one thing that had brought Minerva and me into a form of camaraderie. We stepped into a short hall with several doorways leading off into different rooms. Harry passed the first on the left stuck his head into the second and then entered the third. He looked over his shoulder at Draco, eyebrows arched in a suggestion I could not read. Draco nodded.

"Severus," he said, though I hardly heard. I was distracted by the way things shifted ever so slightly when I looked about. Every chair looked comfortable and I just wanted to sink into one. I did not let myself though and followed Draco.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading. Please Review. Special thanks again to Dopey4Dobby and Bookworm, you are the reason chapters get uploaded as swiftly as they do.

Regards,

Shifted Illusions