Chapter 4: All Hallow's Eve

A/N: This is a revised version of chapter 4.  In the original I accidentally, through my haste, left out two lines of dialogue from the scene between Snape and Dumbledore.  Now the flow of conversation will make more sense.  Secondly, I have the Divine List of Reviewers.  So if you already read this, skip to the end to get the new stuff.

Chapter 4: "By the Pricking…"

Over the next couple months, Mallory had to admit that she was warming to Severus Snape. Well, as much as she was capable of warming to anybody.  She really didn't talk to him often; Just a nod in passing or having polite conversation at meals. Of course polite is very loose term when describing any exchange with Severus.  She reckoned she liked him because he made no effort to be liked.  He never meditated on the effects that his words will have on the listener. To Mallory, this was refreshing. She'd met many a person that talked to her only out of obligation or pity.  She knew full well, Severus only talked to you if he truly wanted to.  He was the most nonsuperficial and sincere person she had met in a long time.  She recalled a talk she had with him at the end of the first week of classes:

"I've heard that you managed to upset a student on your first day, congratulations."

"It was wrong for me to speak to her in that manner."

"Who was it"

"Hermione Granger."

"Really?" He was intrigued. "What exactly did you say to her?"

She sighed. "I was rather sarcastic when answering an inquiry and practically telling her to push off. The worst part is that even when I apologized to her I was less than amiable."

He laughed. "Good for you, I always figured Miss Granger would do good with a slap in the face, verbal or otherwise."

"That's horrible."

"What? Saying what every teacher thinks? That certain students deserve a good bout about the head."

He turned away from her and she took to the opportunity to give him a coy smile.

All right, no use denying it: She fancied him.  She wasn't even sure why. She didn't want to, it scared her.  The last man she loved was cruelly taken away from her.  No, best just ignore these feelings, they'll pass.

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It was early October and late at night.  Voldemort had changed his centre of operation. This complicates things. It seemed the gatherings were now taking place in an old abandoned castle. Specifically the throne room.  Snape stood by an open window.  The cold autumn breeze tugged at his black robes.

He watched the dais where The Dark Lord was addressing Pettigrew.  Just to look at Voldemort with his blazing red eyes and ghastly thin frame sent shudders down Snape's spine.  His terrible voice was ringing high and sharp in the chamber. It's a Miracle that my ears aren't bleeding.

"Wormtail, When is the next full moon?"

"The 31st my lord."

"Ah," he turned to face his disciples, "Halloween, how appropriate."

A soft "coo" came from the window.  Snape ignored it, trying to listen. "It's time to show our hand.  The moment is at hand to reveal ourselves to the world, let there be no mercy to those who would oppose us. Those fools at the ministry can no longer ignore us. We shall see them tremble and plead at our feet as they did before.

"Is our target Hogwarts?" Piped up one Death Eater. Snape's blood ran frigid.

Voldemort laughed, a high cackle, "No, not now, but it is our ultimate prize."

The coo cam from the window again.  Snape looked for the source. There, on the windowsill sat a small white bird.  It's head cocked in all directions.  Most strangely, the bird bore some odd, orange marking on its breast.  Intrigued, he tried to snatch it from its perch, but it flew away before he could touch it.  Only slightly annoyed by this defeat, his interest returned to the front of the chamber.

"Now, the details of this action will only be divulged to those whom I have chosen to participate." A wave of disappointed groans rippled through the assembly. Voldemort held up a hand for silence.  "Now, now, no need to worry.  You all will have the opportunity to assist in my rise to my former glory!" Oh, goody. "You all are dismissed."

As Death Eaters Dissapperated, Snape glanced out the window one last time.  Before he vanished, he caught sight of a white bird soaring past.

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Halloween finally came.  Snape was able to warn the ministry of the planned assault, but could not venture any details.  Unfortunately (or fortunately in some respects) Cornelius Tucker was not among the select few to participate in the evening's events.

Making his way to the Great Hall, he could already hear the incessant chatter of the multitudes of students. Opening the large doors, he was greeted by the bright lights from the chandeliers and large Jack-o-Lanterns.  The roar of voices flooded the hall. Snape swept over the cheery young folks with a cynical eye. None of them knowing what horrors could enfold tonight, each one blissfully unaware that tomorrow morning they may hear of a loved one's death.

Shaking his head, he sat in the seat left of and next to O'Kenly. Her black robes greatly contrasted her skin.  She looked trouble. Poor dear looks more distressed than I feel.

He asked her, "How are you holding up?"

She looked at him from out of the corner of her eye.  "I've been better she said quietly.

He made no reply, he just dwelled on her statement.  He has certainly seen her worse, but he doubted her mood could get any better than this.  Her head was now tilted up, her eyes watching the night sky through the enchanted ceiling.  The night was dominantly overcast, but once in a while the clouds broke and the gray glow of the full moon brought soft light to the dark sky.  Snape's mind began to journey.  He imagined all of the candles being put out with the moon for the only illumination.  He pictured how her skin would shine silver in the pale light.

He was taken from his sweet reverie by a burning on his left forearm.  It wasn't the usuall painful heat, but more like an extremely irritating itch.  Snape had half a mind to push up his sleeve and vigorously scratch it, but that would've been extremely stupid.  He knew that this the small prickle on his arm meant something was up.  He tried to silently get Dumbledore's attention, at that moment a large horned owl swooped in and dropped a letter in front of the Headmaster.

Dumbledore's expression remained stoic while he read, but Snape had a pretty good idea what the letter pertained to.  His suspicions were confirmed when Dumbledore rose and headed in Snape's direction.  But Dumbledore stopped next to O'Kenly and said something in her ear.  She got out of her chair and followed the headmaster out of the hall.  After lees than a minute, Dumbledore returned, but not O'Kenly. What the hell is going on?

Dumbledore sat down and couldn't help but notice Snape's bewildered expression.  Dumbledore just smiled and gave him an acknowledging nod.  Snape wanted to say something about the prickling of the Dark Mark, but something about the old wizard's visage told him to leave it for the time being.  Snape tried to shake the thoughts from his head and concentrate on shrewdly watching the student body for any inappropriate behaviour.    But the prickling of the Mark wouldn't let him be. Well, this puts a twist on the old quote from Macbeth…

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It was almost midnight.  At least that's what Snape's clock said.  It could be fast, not that it mattered to an insomniac.  Snape laid on his bed, still fully clothed, and staring at the ceiling.  He was contemplating the night's events.  More so he pondered O'Kenly's involvement in it all.

Was she a Death Eater gone to join in on the activities? No, she didn't disappear until Dumbledore led her away. Besides, Dumbldore wouldn't knowingly higher a Death Eater. He has before. But his was a different case.

An Auror? Her? No! Besides, he knew all of the Aurors who were out on the field.  Her name wasn't on the roster.

Another Spy? No, that didn't make sense either.  How could she do it? The attackers tonight were handpicked by Voldemort, they would know if an unwelcomed part member appeared. Unless… Well, that brought him back to the Death Eater theory. Damn, this whole situation was making him run circles in his mind.

Since it was midnight, and the stinging in his left arm subsided, he decided to pay Dumbleodre a visit.  Surely by now he's been informed about the details of the nights' events.  Maybe this will put Snape's mind to rest. Not Likely.

He ascended the spiral stairway to Dumbledore's office after saying the pass word at the gargoyle (peanut-brittle). He mused still on what news Dumbledore had. So much so that he didn't see the other person coming round from the opposite direction.  Nor did the other person see him. They collided.

"Umph!"

Recovering from the mild impact, Snape looked down and there was Mallory O'Kenly sitting on the steps, rubbing the back of her head.  He resisted the impulse to help her.  Instead he went with his natural instinct, after all, he hadn't decided if she was trustworthy. "You should watch where you are going," he sneered.

"Aye," she said between gritted teeth, "but you ought to practice what you preach, Snape."" She stood and brushed past him. "Practice what you preach."

He watched her till she disappeared around the bend. Well, at least she's safe. Safe? He didn't know if she was in any danger at all. Trying to push the Irish girl out of his mind, he knocked on the office door.

"Come in."

The Headmaster's office was warm.  It was always warm, always inviting.  Fawkes was perched on the arm of the unoccupied chair across from the desk.  "Ah, Severus, I gathered you'd be up here anon. Come, take a seat," he said pleasantly.

Snape shooed the phoenix from his perch and settled himself in the chair. "So you know why I'm here."

"Yes."

"And…"

Dumbledore stood.  "Well thanks to you, Aurors were alerted at the first sign of disturbance."

"Is there casualties?"

"No," Dumbledore stood, "after all this isn't a war, Severus."

"Not yet."

"Anyway, all they were able to accomplice was some vandalism, a few started a fight with a Muggle-born  in the tavern, Rosmerta was a bit shaken…"

"Rosmerta?! Sir, are you telling me that this took place in Hogsmeade, so close?" Dumbledore solemnly nodded. "I hope we're canceling all student trips."

"Of course."

"The outcry will be deafening.  Of course it would be because they aren't going to be given a valid nor the real reason why." He gave Dumbledore a criticizing look.

"You know I am under direct orders from the ministry not to tell the students. They don't want any panic."

"Sinve when have you gone step-by-step with the Ministry playbook?"

Dumbldore had been pacing, but stopped and gazed out of a window.  "These are delicate times.  My position is hanging on a thin thread, and I know there are certain people at the ministry who would find any excuse to cut that string.  I can only imagine who they would get to replace me."  He turned and gave Snape a significant look.

"You mean someone like Lucious Malfoy, a bloody Death Eater." Snape was exasperated.

"You never know."

"Bloody hell."

Dumbledore let out a heavy sigh.  "It's late, Severus, and its been a long day.  Time to get to bed, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Headmaster." He got up to leave but turned at the door.  "I know it's not my place to pry, but what were you talking about with Professor O'Kenly?"

"You're right, it's not your place to pry."

Snape nodded and went back to his room. It was futile to even try to sleep.  He hasn't had a descent night's rest since he'd left the Death Eaters so many years ago.  Usually it was from haunted dreams and nightmares, but tonight it was because he couldn't stop thinking about Mallory O'Kenly.

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Okay! Now for the Divine List:

Thumper, Marvin, Sphinx, Rusumble, Rosmerta, Hippy Gypsy, aeiou, Melissa Ivory, Thea, Bluemeanies,

Lilith Morgana:  Its never a bad review if its nothing but kind words;-)

Iphigenia (AKA The Greek Goddess of all things "Little-Bitty"):  The opinions of the characters are not necessarily that of the author.  I do like Hermione, Mallory doesn't.  Maybe someday she'll appreciate her, just not yet.

I apologize to anyone I missed. Th eother Chap. 4 reviewers will be thanked later.