Chapter 3 - Assumptions

Harry sent a Patronus to Snape that evening asking for a meeting at his convenience. An hour later, a familiar doe came back and from it came the professor's deep, gravelly voice. "Far be it from me to deny such an eminent Auror his small request. If the meeting is truly at my convenience, then next Sunday evening after dinner is available."

Harry spent the next week studying everything he could find in the M.L.E. files about Death Eaters. Most of it he was already familiar with, but he found some miscellaneous reports that he suspected were from Snape that filled in some blanks in his knowledge. He cancelled plans with Ginny that weekend so he could review everything one last time before his meeting.

Ginny stopped by Saturday night anyway. She lightly kissed his cheek as she entered Grimmauld Place holding two bags giving off mouthwatering aromas that she had carefully held onto during her Apparition from the Burrow.

"I promise I won't stay long. I know you want to be prepared. I thought you could use a short break, though, and you have to eat anyway. Mum insisted on packing some food for you."

Harry gave her a hug with his right arm. "Have I mentioned recently how much I love you?"

"As much as my Mum's cooking?"

"Hmm…"

Ginny laughingly pushed him away. "So how goes the studying?"

Harry led the way to the kitchen, while Levitating the bags behind him. Kreacher appeared and made a hmph sound but put two plates and two glasses of butterbeer on the table before Disapparating as Harry was telling him thank you.

Harry and Ginny took their seats. "I've studied more for my meeting tomorrow night than I ever did for any O.W.L. I'm flat out worn out," Harry admitted.

Ginny looked at him carefully. "You really need to get more rest. You look terrible."

"Gee, thanks for that." Harry glanced at her as he served the food. "Well, this should last for a month or two."

"I mean it, Harry. When was the last time you got any sleep?"

Harry sighed. "It's been tough between work and wanting to make sure that I don't make a fool of myself in front of Snape tomorrow."

"I know you won't." She leaned over and brushed his hair away from the side of his head. "I'm surprised your face still looks inflamed. Have you been back to St. Mungo's?"

Harry nodded as he scooped an extra serving onto his plate. "They said the original counter-curse may have been cast too hastily and hence not correctly. They re-performed the spell and gave me some more potions, but I have to admit it still stings when I put pressure on it, like when I'm trying to sleep on my side."

Ginny looked doubtful. "What sort of curse takes that long to heal?" she asked between mouthfuls.

Harry sighed wearily. "It's called Ast Caro." He took another bite, savoring the spices. "This is great, by the way – thank your mum for me."

IKAIKAIKA

Harry Apparated to the Hogwarts gates Sunday night, which opened as if expecting him. He enjoyed the long walk to the castle, lost in his memories of his adventures with Ron and Hermione prior to the war. It was late enough that only a few older students were still outside. He stopped for a moment to inspect the stone walls. He could see some areas that were obviously newer than the rest, without the weathering that would appear in time. He supposed that those areas had been left that way deliberately to remind others of the battle, though he knew that anyone who had been there would not need any reminders.

Harry ignored the looks he got from the students. After a brief courtesy hello to the Headmistress to let her know that he was there, he headed down to the dungeon. His eyes lingered on the patches in the hall and on the plinths empty except for a plaque at the base to remind those walking by of the statue that had come to life to defend Hogwarts only to be smashed or blown apart.

By the time he got to Snape's office, Harry's mood had changed. Now depressed, he couldn't imagine living among the reminders of the battle, seeing them every day.

When Snape called "enter" in response to the Auror's knock, Harry walked in.

"On time, I'll give that to you, Potter," Snape greeted him snidely.

Harry was a little surprised at the hostile reception but put it down to Snape being Snape. "Harry, please. Thank you for seeing me," he replied.

Snape pointed to the chair. "Did I have a choice? I was surprised an Auror bothered to ask me what my schedule was before beginning another interrogation."

Snape's hostility suddenly made sense. "Sir, I'm not here officially."

Snape raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not. I haven't even told my boss that I'm here. If you tell me to leave, I'll go without another word, though I hope …"

"Leave." Snape's tone was uncompromising.

Harry's face fell. "Yes, sir." He stood and walked to the door.

"Stop." Harry stilled, with his hand on the door handle. He looked back to Snape. "You said you'd leave without another word. I heard two."

Harry started to respond but then shut his mouth.

Snape stared at him. Harry did not feel any threads of Legilimency but knew that he wouldn't unless Snape wanted him to.

Sighing, Snape once again motioned to the seat. "Sit, Potter. What do you want?"

Harry returned to the chair and noticed it seemed more comfortable than previously. He cleared his throat. "Sir, if you ask me unofficially, I think Robertson is a twat. And a pretty bad Auror at that."

Snape leaned back and cocked his head. "While I agree with you, I'm curious as to your reasoning."

"Well, first of all, he shouldn't antagonize someone who can provide him with useful information."

Snape rubbed a finger over his lips. "But I did answer all of his questions."

Harry nodded. "But you left holes big enough for an erumpent to tromp through. You said you didn't hear any rumors when you were in Hogsmeade two weeks ago, but not that you'd never heard anything. You said you didn't visit Knockturn Alley the last time you were in London, but didn't say how long it was between that and your previous visit, and whether you visited the Alley then."

The Potions Master slowly nodded. "Very good, Potter. You'll make a decent Auror."

Harry grinned at what was from Snape high praise. "I have to admit I had to use a pensieve to go through the conversations once or twice."

"There's nothing wrong with using all the tools available." Snape stared at Harry. "So if you think I'm hiding something, what do you plan to do?"

"To be honest, sir? Nothing." Harry leaned forward. "I know you, and I trust you. If you had information about the Death Eaters still on the loose, I know you'd have said something."

"So why are you here?" Snape sounded only mildly curious, but Harry suspected he was more than that.

"Because I plan to be the best Auror that Britain has, and in order to do that I need to learn all I can about the threats facing us. If the Death Eaters are reforming, I think it's important to stop them now."

Snape merely blinked for a moment. "Admirable, but as an Auror you need to consider the fact that your assumptions may be wrong."

"My assumpt … oh, do you mean the Death Eaters are not reforming?

Snape leaned forward again. "Again, assumptions. Whether or not the Death Eaters are reforming is unknown. However, from everything I have gathered, and I do try to stay informed if only for my own protection, the altercations that began early last summer in Knockturn Alley were not the work of either Death Eaters or Death Eater-wannabes."

Confused, Harry shook his head. "How can you say that? I'm told they wore black cloaks and masks!"

"Use your head, Potter," Snape sneered. "Dressing for a part does not make you part of the cast. Of course they wore black cloaks and masks, for the same reason the Death Eaters did – such apparel hides wizards in the shadows and disguises their appearances. Should they wear yellow as if going to a Lovegood wedding? If the M.L.E. had the sense to look at the cut of their cloaks, they'd see it's completely different from that worn by Death Eaters."

Harry just stared at him.

"You don't believe me? Ask to see people's memories of the fighting." Snape waved his hand dismissively.

"It's not that, sir – I just didn't think you paid attention to fashion. I mean …" Harry trailed off.

Snape let out a snort. "I was a spy, Potter. I pay attention to everything. Do you want me to tell you how Granger took her tea at lunchtime?"

"I believe you, Professor." Harry paused. "How do you know what the attackers wore?"

Snape pinched his nose as if trying to ward off a headache. "I just told you, Potter, I stay aware of things for my own protection. Of course I make a trip to Knockturn Alley as soon as I can after each attack to garner information."

Harry blinked as his thoughts raced. Snape could use Legilimency to view what any eye-witness had seen. "Why didn't you tell Robertson?"

Snape smirked. "That fool never asked."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "Right. So if the attackers aren't Death Eaters, who are they?"

"Are you truly looking for my opinion?"

Harry nodded again.

"The world is not divided into angels and Death Eaters. People fall along a spectrum." He glanced at his left arm. "Even among Death Eaters there were those who enjoyed torturing and killing, those who hoped to improve their wealth or status, and those who joined simply because they saw no other option. I've met Aurors who use their position to bully, but also others like Kingsley who genuinely want the best for society."

Harry picked at a loose thread on his sleeve. "S… omeone once told me the same thing, that the world isn't divided up into good people and Death Eaters."

"And he or she was right. That's the key to the recent attacks. The attackers aren't Death Eaters, nor do they want to be. The casual nature of the attacks show that."

"Casual nature?" Harry interrupted, shifting in his chair to relieve the pressure on his left side.

"Look at the pattern of attacks over the summer. Minor damage every time, perhaps a prelude to extortion for protection money. There was no escalation of violence unless those responsible were met with resistance from the denizens of Knockturn Alley. Residents of the Alley know enough about the Death Eaters to know they don't want the … type of enforced discipline found among the Dark L… Voldemort's followers but they won't just stand by."

"But why don't the shopkeepers help the Aurors find those responsible?"

Snape put his elbows on his desk. "Again, Potter, use your brain. When the stores involved may have some shady transactions, the answer is obvious. As for the others in Knockturn Alley, think, Potter. What have the Aurors ever done for them? Pulled them in for questioning when something untoward happens even if they have nothing to do with it? Are they able to protect them from retribution? No. Shopkeepers in the Alley learn how to protect themselves."

Harry sat in thought, and Snape did not interrupt. Finally, Harry looked up. "Why haven't you told the Aurors this when they've interviewed you?"

Snape snorted. "I'll have to remember that they're 'interviewing' me next time they interrupt my class. I have suggested it to them in the past, Potter, and have been told I'm obfuscating," he paused a moment, "though the Aurors doing the … interviews, you call them … have to use simpler words."

Harry stood up slowly. "You've given me a lot to think about, sir. Would you mind if I return at some point? I have dozens of questions rolling about in my mind, but I want to be able to formulate them properly before asking them."

Severus stood up as well. "Have you had that curse looked at? It still looks raw."

"Yes, sir. The Mediwizards at St. Mungo's saw me that evening. I returned to see Healers there last week and they re-applied the counter-curse."

Snape looked at him speculatively. "Then I'm surprised it doesn't look better than when I last saw you. You should see them again. They're doing something incorrectly."

"I will, sir."

"I stand by my earlier statement, Potter. I think you'll make a fine Auror one day."

Harry thanked him and then walked out feeling he had, for once, just earned an Outstanding in class.

IKAIKAIKA

At the Monday morning staff meeting, Harry brought up the suggestion that the attackers had not been Death Eaters. He was met with a gale of laughter. "You sound like Snape," said Phonetta Ramstone, a comely witch with wavy brown hair held back by fluttering dragonflies. "He's tried that line on more than one of us."

Brian Mortens, a burly wizard with silver-blond hair that reminded Harry of Draco, gave him what was obviously supposed to be a friendly punch to the left shoulder. "We'll show you yet what you need to know to be a successful Auror. Don't worry about putting out ludicrous ideas. It's how you learn, and every now and then you may be correct."

Harry was too wrapped up in trying to hide the pain of the whack to respond. By the time he caught his breath, the meeting had moved on.

Ron approached him at his desk afterwards. "You OK there, mate? You didn't look too good in there."

"It's just frustrating that they all assumed Sna … my idea was so ridiculous. What proof do they have that it was Death Eaters? Black cloaks?" Harry rubbed his face with his right hand.

"Look, you may be right on that. I've learned to listen to Snape too. I'd look for evidence, though, before bringing up his suggestion again." Ron looked carefully at Harry. "But I was talking about your reaction to Mortens. It didn't look like he hit you that hard."

Harry looked up and winced. "He didn't. It's just that this curse hasn't left my system yet and my whole side is painful. St. Mungo's said that sometimes it takes a while for the curse to go away."

"Maybe you should take a few days off and rest. You look exhausted." Ron looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Ginny told me how you spent your weekend."

Harry shook his head. "Yeah, it was like studying for five O.W.L.s at once. It's over now, though. I'm fine."

"If you say so." Although Ron didn't look convinced, he shrugged and Accio'd a chair. "So, how do we prove you're right?"

Harry smiled. "I knew I could count on you. I've been thinking about that. When we interview the witnesses, what's the first thing we ask?"

"What they saw, of course."

"Yeah, but I've been thinking about it. I've heard more than one interview begin something along the lines of, 'Did you witness the recent Death Eater attack?''

Ron looked up to the ceiling and to the left before returning his gaze to Harry. "You're right. Not every time, but often enough."

"Do you think that's prejudicing responses?"

"Could be. So how do get them to open up?"

Harry exhaled in frustration. "That's the ten galleon question. You saw how I was practically laughed out of the room."

To Harry's surprise, Ron smiled. "There is an easy answer, mate. We ask to do some more interviewing." Ron conjured up a calendar. "We have a lesson on transfiguring for stakeouts this afternoon and the next lecture on legal ins and out of the Obliviate charm tomorrow morning. I don't have anything on my schedule tomorrow afternoon. You free?"

Conjuring his own calendar, Harry nodded. "Let's see if the boss will let us go to Knockturn Alley at two."

Portia Johnson was surprised at their request. "You sure you want to waste more hours there? Are you that bored with paperwork?"

"No, ma'am," Harry replied for the both of them. "We just feel we can use the practice to sharpen our skills."

"I can't afford to send anyone with you tomorrow. You know people will be tied up with providing security for the head of the Tunisian Alberlmalej."

"No problem at all, ma'am," Ron responded with a look that reminded Harry of seeing his best friend trying to hide something from Molly. "That's why we think tomorrow will be a good opportunity to practice our skills – we don't have any training scheduled."

Fortunately, Johnson wasn't as perceptive as Molly. "Well, I was going to have you do some research into the rumor of someone introducing grindylows into the London water supply, but that can wait a day since no one's actually seen any proof and the one who reported it admitted he'd enjoyed a few pints before falling into the reservoir. Fine." As the two left her office, they could hear her mumbling under her breath about overeager trainees.

Harry couldn't concentrate in the stakeouts lesson that afternoon as his pain was getting worse again.

"Potter!" admonished Mortens, who was teaching the class after he released the new Aurors. "You're dismissed for the rest of the day. Get over to St. Mungo's and get that curse looked at again."

IKAIKAIKA

"So this is the third time you've been seen for this," confirmed the Healer after Harry had gone over his story. This time he had an older Healer, a wizard with a short gray beard that matched his gray eyes. His lime-green robes were clean but rumpled.

"Yes. I was treated right after being cursed, and then again the following Monday."

The healer raised his wand to make another diagnostic scan. "The counter-curse obviously is working somewhat or your skin would still be blistering instead of being sensitive and inflamed. I suspect the final swish they used was slightly off. I'll perform the counter-curse again, and I'm confident that you'll be fine."

Harry smiled in relief. "Great! How long should it take to heal?"

The Healer tapped his wand on his leg. "I won't lie to you. Unfortunately, we've noticed a couple of cases recently where the counter-curse isn't as effective as it should be." Harry's face fell as the Healer continued. "The other two people are still in the healing process so I can't tell you when to expect results. But magic is wonderful. It's not like we can't treat you at all. We'll keep re-applying the counter-curse on a regular basis, and in the meantime I'll give you a stronger potion to rub on the affected area to instantly numb it whenever you need it. You won't feel a thing."

"Easy for you to say," Harry mumbled softly." Resolving to be positive, he asked more loudly, "Anything else I can expect?"

"Well, the others affected did report increasing feelings of exhaustion. That's not a problem, though – just don't overdo it."

Harry stood up. "When did the other two come in for treatment?"

"Oh, at the beginning of summer as I recall. But don't worry about a thing – we'll have you up and flying before you know it."

Despite the Healer's optimism, Harry couldn't help but feel that he might never be cured.

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