14
By Amadeus
Author's Note: Wow! Thank you all so much for your reviews. It's really nice to know that people actually do read and enjoy this stuff. Please continue to R/R. A lot of you didn't like the loss of poor, helpless Neville. I'm sorry. He had to go. It's part of my story. As to whether he's REALLY dead or not, that's for me to decide and for you to read. Until then, I'm afraid you're just going to have to continue hating me. As a warning, this chapter will not help. With that, I present to you…Chapter 4…
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his surrounding characters belong to JK Rowling
Chapter 4: Thirteen
The Great Hall was completely silent. Every pair of eyes in the hall were on Harry and the parchment from which Neville's voice had screamed. Presently the sound of a single set of footsteps broke the silence. The footsteps grew in sound as the owner approached Harry. They stopped just behind Harry, who slowly turned around and looked up to see the unreadable face of Albus Dumbledore.
"Harry, please follow me to my office." Said the headmaster solemnly. As Harry and Dumbledore were leaving the Great Hall, the headmaster turned toward Professor McGonall, who was slowly recovering from her state of shock. "Minerva, please send everyone back to their house common rooms immediately. Tell them that we will update them shortly. After that is done please bring Mr. Ron Weasley and Ms. Hermione Granger up to my office." She nodded and Harry and Dumbledore left the hall.
As the door closed behind him Harry heard a sudden and furious wave of chatter and rumors envelope the Great Hall. The noise faded quickly, however, as Harry nearly had to run to keep up with Dumbledore's quick strides. When they reached the Gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office, the headmaster gave the password ("Quidditch cake"), but Harry was too miserable to be surprised. They continued up the steps and entered his office in silence.
Dumbledore indicated that Harry should sit down, which he did, and then went to retrieve the pensieve Harry had found the previous year from its cupboard. He once again started pacing back and forth behind his desk and every so often pulling a gleaming strand of thought from his temple. This continued for a couple minutes, and then he turned to face Harry.
"May I see that bit of parchment please, Harry?" Harry gave him the letter. Dumbledore examined it for a bit and then resumed pacing.
"Professor?" Harry inquired.
"Yes, Harry?"
"Do you think that Neville is, ummm…"
"Dead?" finished the headmaster bluntly. Harry nodded. "I don't know for sure Harry, but all evidence certainly seems to point in that direction." Harry bowed his head. "Harry, it essential that I show you something. Please come over here." Harry stood and walked the short distance toward Dumbledore and the pensieve. "Hold my hand." Harry did. Dumbledore touched the pensieve and Harry felt the world around him swirling out of view.
When the scene around him became clear again, he was in the hospital wing, with two Dumbledores. The one holding his hand let go and turned to look at the second, who had not noticed their arrival. The second figure of Dumbledore was crouched over someone in one of the hospital beds. Moving closer and looking closely, Harry identified the person as Severus Snape.
Snape was in very bad shape. It seemed a miracle that a body in that condition could still be alive. The memory of Madam Pompfrey entered the scene and started doting on the seriously injured Snape. The second Dumbledore said something soothing to his potions master, assuring him of his location and of his safety. It was quite obvious that otherwise Severus would be able to know neither as his eyes were swollen shut, his ears bleeding, and several of his limbs broken.
Harry cringed. He didn't want to see this, he didn't want to see anyone, even his most hated teacher, in that sort of condition, but he was unable to turn away, and continued watching the scene.
"Dumbledore," exhaled Snape weakly.
"Shhh, Severus, save you're strength." He looked up at Madam Pompfrey, obviously unsure of whether his trusted potions master would live.
She nodded. "He'll be fine. None of his injuries are too serious. It's like someone was torturing him, making sure not to do any critical damage."
"Voldemort," the weakened professor Snape said with effort. "He knew…knew I wasn't loyal…Cruciatus…stopped at breaking point…said I wasn't…wasn't to be…his first victim…Potter…" The words stopped as Harry's potions professor drifted into unconsciousness.
The memory ended. The world around him once again disappeared, returning Harry and Dumbledore to his office. Harry looked up at Dumbledore questioningly. The headmaster spoke. "Upon Lord Voldemort's return last year, I asked Professor Snape to return to him as a spy against him. Initially, he was allowed back, though he was not really trusted. We don't know how Voldemort learned of Severus's true loyalties, and we may never know. But several weeks ago he returned from one of his callings in the shape you saw him, and he has only just fully recovered."
"Lord Voldemort is set in his ways, Harry, I believe he will see his threat to you through to the end, and until he does, he will think of hurting no one but you. That is why we must make absolutely sure that you and your friends stay safe. On cue, Ron and Hermione entered with Professor McGonall, Hermione crying on Ron's shoulder and Ron patting her back attempting to comfort her. Both had gotten over the initial shock delivered by the parchment.
Dumbledore turned to the newcomers. "Thank you, Minerva."
"Harry, there were fourteen besides you at your party correct?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded. "I believe those are the fourteen Lord Voldemort is after. Who else was there?"
Harry looked at his two best friends. Hermione's eyes were red, but she was no longer crying. He looked toward Ron. "All the Weasleys," Ron's face went white with realization, "Hermione," her faced paled as well, "Professor Lupin, Sirius, Hagrid, and… and Neville." Hermione started crying once again. Dumbledore nodded toward Professor McGonall, who quickly left the room.
The room fell into silence, and remained that way for several minutes. Only an occasional sob from Hermione disturbed the quiet. After a short while, Fawkes the Pheonix, who had been standing quietly on his perch throughout the whole ordeal, flew over and landed on Harry's knee, beginning a slow mournful song. It comforted Harry a bit, and quieted the weeping Hermione.
The mournful song ended as the door opened and a small group of people led by Professor McGonall entered the Headmaster's office. The group also consisted of Ginny, Fred, George, Hagrid, Remus, Sirius, and Severus Snape, all of whom looked very put out. Harry suspected that Severus felt a little guilty over his treatment of Neville, but knew that it was more than that. Voldemort's focus on Harry had saved Snape's life, and owing his life to two different Potters for two different occasions was more than he could bear. If Harry expected any gratitude or change of heart from his potions teacher the idea was quickly thwarted by the hateful look he received.
"I called this meeting to give you all a warning," came Dumbledore's voice. "I believe that Voldemort is still after Harry, but going about it in a different manner." His eyes floated around the room, stopping on each person who had attended Harry's party. "He is after Harry through his friends, you." His eyes turned toward Harry. "That letter you received on your birthday was not an empty threat. I believe he intends to follow through down to the last party member."
Author's Note: I'm not done with this chapter yet, but it's been a while and I want it out for prime time. I will have the rest up within a few hours (I have an appointment I MUST attend) Check back in a few! I know its not done yet, but please review anyway. I might consider curving it to you're likings.