Disclaimer: I own the plot and Saerry Snape. Everything else is JKR's.
Harry Potter and the Dark Defenses
Chapter 28 ***Escapades***
Dumbledore looked up from his desk as Severus Snape burst into his office. He had obviously been running, as he was breathing heavily and there were beads of sweat along his brow. And something was wrong as he also had his wand clenched tightly in his hand.
"What is it Severus?"
Snape gasped for a moment then breathed, "I found them. I found Saerry and Black."
Dumbledore practically shot to his feet and asked, "Where?"
As Severus was about to reply there was a shout from outside the office. Hermione charged in a second later, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her six-year-old daughter Kallianne came in after her, her gray eyes wide and confused. The child had no idea as to what was going on.
Hermione fell against Dumbledore's desk and sobbed, "They found him! He was hiding in the forest and they found him! They're saying they're going to take him to Azkaban tomorrow!"
Dumbledore frowned at the news and Snape looked appalled. He shook his head a second later and muttered, "They can't. They can't take him to Azkaban. Not yet."
Hermione looked up at Snape and asked, "What? Why?"
Snape looked down at her and replied, "I found where Voldemort has been holding Saerry and Black. And as much as I hate to say this, Harry Potter is the only way I'll get my sister back!" With that he slumped into a chair - and fell instantly asleep.
Hermione blinked at that and turned to Dumbledore, who waved a hand and said, "Let him be. Severus hasn't had much sleep lately."
Kallianne looked from one adult to the other then padded over to her mother. She asked in her innocent child voice, "Mommy? Why are they taking Harry Potter to Azkaban?"
Hermione pulled her daughter up into her lap and hugged her close. She gave a little sniffle then said, "Well, honey, Harry did some things that could get him in Azkaban. Things that when other people found them out they thought he'd gone bad."
"Is he?"
"No. Harry would never be evil. Never."
Kallianne blinked. "Then why is he going to Azkaban?"
Hermione ran a hand through the girl's brown hair and replied, "Because the other people don't know the whole story. They don't know why Harry became.."
Dumbledore interrupted here with a, "Are you sure you want to tell her this Hermione," to which her reply was a sharp, "Yes."
Hermione gave a little cough and continued. "They don't understand why Harry became a Death Eater."
Kallianne leaned against her mother and whispered, "Like Daddy?"
As Dumbledore blinked at the little girl, Hermione nodded and said, "Yes Kal. Like Daddy."
There was a long moment of silence in the room before Remus and Ron burst in, waking Snape up. The Potions Master glared at the two of them then closed his eyes again.
Ron turned to Hermione and said, "You heard."
Hermione nodded in reply and hugged Kallianne, who gave a little shiver and curled up in her mother's lap.
A second later Draco charged in, his face red. He snarled, "They've got Potter."
Ron snarled, "We noticed Malfoy. I was the one who had to bring him in."
Remus shook his head and looked at Dumbledore. He asked, "What are we going to do? Without Harry we have no chance against Voldemort." The werewolf looked around the room and added softly, "And who knows which of us will be next."
Hermione gave a little whimper at that and hugged Kallianne tightly. Draco moved over to his wife and knelt down beside her. Kallianne turned to wrap her tiny arm about his neck and whimper, "Daddy don't go to Azkaban."
Draco looked surprised at that and looked around the room. He frowned and said, "You mention a word of that Weasel and I'll hex you from here to next year."
Ron sighed. "I have better things to do than turn you in Malfoy. Besides, Harry is the one set to go to Azkaban at the moment." He continued, "Though you'll not want the fact that you were a Death Eater to get out. Unlike with your father, Aurors will be on you in a flash."
"I get the point Weasel," growled Draco.
Remus lifted his hand and said, "Break it up you two. What we have to worry about right now is Harry."
Dumbledore nodded and said, "Remus is right. Hermione, why don't you and Kallianne go back to your rooms?"
Hermione nodded and rose, carrying Kallianne with her. The little girl craned backwards, holding her arms out to her father and crying, "Daddy! Daddy!" Draco hugged the both of them and whispered, "Its alright Kal. I'm not going anywhere. I promise." He kissed Hermione and the two had left the office, Kallianne peering over her mother's shoulder at her father.
Draco shut the door and sighed, "Let's get this over with."
Snape opened his eyes and said, "A plan would be nice."
Remus looked around the room and suggested, "Tell them the truth maybe?"
Snape, Ron, and Draco all coughed at the same time and looked at Remus in disbelief. Ron shook his head and said, "They wouldn't believe you. All of them think Rita Skeeter's report was a blessed sign or something."
Draco snorted, which received a glare from Ron.
"Something wrong Ferret?"
"No. Just imagining anything that woman wrote as being blessed."
Ron shook his head at that then frowned. "We still need a plan."
Snape sighed and glumly said, "I'm afraid we'll have no time to think of one that won't get us locked in Azkaban. Though it won't help much as Voldemort will most likely take control of that place as soon as he gets followers."
Ron's ears turned red as he turned to glare down at the sullen looking Potions master. He roared, "ARE YOU TELLING ME YOUR JUST GOING TO GIVE UP?"
Snape looked up at him, his black eyes empty of snapping anger or mirth.
"You, I, and anyone else who would stand against the Dark Lord would be a match for him. None at all. He is much stronger than he was."
Just as Ron was about to say something else there was a shout from downstairs.
"HE'S ESCAPED!"
A/N: *yawn* 10:44. Still more inspiration rattlin' around my brain! ON TO CHAPTER 29! *hauls Sâerwy after her as she walks off to start on 29*
Hint, hint: The next kidnapping is coming soon!