A/N : So you guys didn't see that coming? Neither did they...
"But that's impossible!" Surprisingly enough it was Kingsley that was responsible for the outburst. "Karkaroff was killed by Death Eaters years ago, for betraying them to the Ministry."
"Dead? But the results..."
"I was one of the people he betrayed you idiot. I saw him," Severus said in a sneering tone. Hermione placed a hand on his arm.
"What if, for arguments sake," Hermione proposed, "He's not dead. We know better than anyone else that such a thing is a possibility."
Harry frowned taking her words into consideration. God, he hoped it wasn't a horcrux. He'd hate to have to go through that again. "What purpose would he have now? I mean with Riddle gone."
"Perhaps revenge, Severus?" Kingsley questioned.
"But that was so long ago. Why wait till now. Tom Riddle been dead for years," Severus grumbled again.
"Maybe so, but the Death Eaters have not," Hermione prompted. Her husband turned to look at her.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning maybe this is a revenge plot. Albeit an elaborate one," She let her words sink in before continuing, "Just think about it. Most of the Death Eaters are either dead or in prison. There's only a few still out: namely you and Lucius."
Severus looked stunned and then he snarled. "Damn it! If what you're saying is true, then we're playing right into his hands."
"You don't suppose he was the one behind that article about you and Lucius, do you?" The Minister asked looking up at the now standing Potions Master.
"It is likely," Severus let out in a tired voice, while pinching the bridge of his nose.
"He was flushing you guys out," Harry added. "The killings are just a distraction."
Hermione shook her head. "No, they're more than that. They're to make sure they were involved."
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Draco Malfoy awoke to the tapping of a beak against the glass windows of Malfoy Manor. "Bloody birds," he mumbled under his breath. He eased up from the bed, determined to be as quiet as possible in order to prevent waking up his tired pregnant wife. Gingerly the heir walked across the room with sock feet and fetched the letter from the annoying owl. Dragging a hand across his face to get rid of the sleep he looked to see whom it was from. Surprisingly enough, it was from Lucius. Moving to sit down at his nearby desk, the young Malfoy opened the missive.
The letter stated that he wished for him and Astoria to visit him at Hogwarts for dinner. All in all, it was pretty vague. But Draco knew better. If he had to guess, this dinner would really be about his father and his relationship with the young nurse. Smirking, he quickly penned an acceptance and sent the little bird off back to Hogwarts. As much as he wanted to return to bed he decided to get an earlier start on his day. With a yawn and a stretch he strode over to his wardrobe.
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Severus was not happy the next day. To him it seemed that he was forever destined to have to deal with….stuff. First it started with his abusive father, then he was tormented in school and lastly he had pledged his loyalty to a lunatic. In fact most of his life he spent going from one turmoil to the next. Out of the frying pan and into the fire as it were. But, he had been alone before. Now he was a married man-more than that, he had a family. People to lose….
It wasn't fair. And Severus hated that he felt this way. He of all people knew that life wasn't fair, but he wished it was a little less apparent in his case. Frowning, he wandered through the halls seeking children that he could take house points from….
When lunch time came around he stormed into the Great Hall in his usual manner, sneering at the students as he stalked by. He had yet to share the news with Lucius or even Albus for that matter. Hermione wasn't at lunch-she was busy completing her studies as quickly as she could. With a baby on the way, she was determined to finish her apprenticeship ahead of schedule. "Afternoon Severus, I've been meaning to speak to you," he heard Lucius say as he sat down.
"So have I, Lu-"
"Mine's first," Lucius insisted and Severus kept himself from giving him a put off look. "Lana and Iwish for you and Hermione to dine with us this evening, and we're not taking no for an answer." Crap. He had an inkling as to why they were inviting them over for dinner. Old Severus fought with the new, softer Severus who didn't want to ruin his friend's day by giving him the news just yet. In all likelihood they were in no immediate danger, so for now Severus just nodded his acceptance. "Now, what were you going to say?"
"Later," was all he mumbled before digging into his meal.
