Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and friends. That glory belongs to
J.K. Rowling.
**Notes: Hope you all are enjoying it, here is a bit more. Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming .~~Minerva.
Chapter 12: The Plan
After everything settled down and Snuffles changed into Sirius. It was time to get down to business. It was time to announce the plan that would hopefully kill Voldemort. Or at least get rid of him for a few more years so Harry could grow up with his father. Harry sat down next to Sirius since he was more comfortable being next to him then next to Severus. This hurt Severus slightly, but he wanted his son to be happy and of course comfortable. Harry had a couple of years to get used to Sirius, and it helped that they hit it off from the start. It was Different with Severus due to how he had treated Harry the 4 years prior to the knowledge of who Harry's father really was. Severus understood but it still hurt some.
"Now my friends, we are here tonight to discuss a plan that may be the undoing of 'Lord" Voldemort." Dumbledore stated while looking over the tops of his glasses. "If there is any part of this plan that you don't agree with please tell me when you hear it, or at the end. This way we can work out any problems now instead of later when it would be vital to have known in the beginning." Everyone nodded in agreement with this and looked very closely at Dumbledore waiting for this plan to come out.
"Now, I have a date in mind for this action to occur. That date is October 30th. That's right, the day before Halloween." He smiled at himself thinking 'We will have much to celebrate on the 31st if all goes as planned' "Now what I was thinking was this." He paused momentarily.
"Severus will continue to get as much information as possible being the wonderful spy that he is. It is imperative that we stay on top of what Voldemort is doing. Harry, I will need you to report any visions when and if you have them" Harry nodded towards Albus showing he understood fully. "Or at the very least tell your father of the visions." Albus smiled towards Severus. "Sirius, I need you to keep your nose in the air, I know you have a few connections, if you hear any rumors don't hesitate to let any of us know immediately."
"Now as for the plan itself. Severus, I can tell you now, you are not going to like it, neither are you Sirius. It calls for putting Harry, Ron and Hermione out as bait." Severus and Sirius looked at Albus as if he were a clown wearing a big green hat and huge purple glasses. There was no way they were going to agree with this. "Now, now gentlemen, hear me out first before you kill me to stop it from happening. It will be up to Harry and his friends after all if he decided to go through with this plan." The two men settled down slightly, but their ears were wide open for this. "Harry, Ron and Hermione will go out for a picnic; a certain Slytherin will overhear. The 30th is on a Saturday so it will be out in Hogsmeade where they will have it. A late lunch so to speak." Dumbledore started pacing the floor while talking.
"We will all be there, by a certain invisibility potion, and a certain cloak that Mr. Potter acquired a few years ago." Albus winked at Harry. "We will also try and get a representative of the Ministry of Magic, to verify both Voldemort and Wormtail's existence." He took in a breath and continued, everyone hung on his every word. "With them there they can verify they are in fact alive, thus making them admit Voldemort has returned and also admit that Mr. Black did not commit the murder in which he was imprisoned for those many years ago."
"As I said before, all of us, plus a few other wizards and witches who have volunteered to stay with us will be there protecting the children, they simply need to be there. Sirius, I am afraid that you will not be able to be snuffles, as Wormtail knows who you are. They would run for certain. Severus, you tell Voldemort you heard them talking after class. Harry Ron and Hermione, you'll talk about it when Malfoy is around. That is if you plan on doing it. If you do, you three will do nothing to defend yourself; you let the adults handle that part. I fear Ron hasn't built up enough power yet, and Hermione and Harry, well, it just wouldn't be safe in case you miss and hit one of us. So what does everyone say?" Dumbledore sat down and waited.
"Kind of easy if you think about it, are you sure it will work Albus?" Asked Sirius, looking at his godson.
"Sirius, my friend, I don't know, I really don't know. As long as we get someone from the ministry to witness and verify that it is in fact Peter Pettigrew. Your name will be cleared. With all of us there Harry and his friends are sure to be safe from Voldemort. So his safety is guaranteed. It's just getting both of them there." Sighed Albus hoping this would work.
"We're in" cried Harry Ron and Hermione all at the same time then looking at each other and smirking.
"I guess that means I'm in as well" piped up Severus. "I will do my best to get both of them out there, I really hope this works Albus, if it doesn't and I am found out, you know what he will do to me."
"Severus, that is why you will be the one using the potion, he will never know you are there. If you wish you can cast a shield around the three of them, since it takes constant concentration on it. That way you will at least feel useful in protecting your son." Dumbledore did know what it felt like to be helpless when it came to his own children. He gave a slight smile of understanding to Severus who simply shook his head.
"Harry, are you sure you want to do this? It could be very dangerous." Asked Sirius.
"Yes, any chance I get to rid the world of that bastard; I am in." Harry said so passionately it almost frightened everyone in the room.
"Very well Harry, very well. I'll be in touch with the ministry and get someone here for that date, and a couple of Aurors as well just to be on the safe side." Dumbledore started to jot things down as they were added. He was surprised that everyone was initially agreeing to everything.
"Remus, You've been awful quiet through out this. Do you think it will work?" Harry asked, prodding the man for his ideas on if it would work.
"You know Harry, I think it just might. There will be enough of us there you will be in no danger at all unless Voldemort brings 30 or more death eaters. Which that isn't likely to happen, it will 'only be' the three of you. So far as he knows anyway. Tell me Albus, who else have you enlisted in this little charade of your?" Asked Remus, not sure what the answer would be.
"Well Remus, so far I have everyone here, the Weasley's as well, ALL of the Weasley's. I know I can get just about every professor here, as well as half of the ministry of magic. Severus, how close do you want Voldemort to get to young Harry?" Albus asked, knowing full well what the answer was.
"Well, I would rather him not go near him at all, but that's not likely to happen is it? Knowing that, I would say about 10 yards. Why does that matter?" Asked Severus, he really had no clue at the moment.
"Severus, that will tell me how many people to invite to the killing of Lord Voldemort, you know, I could probably sell tickets to that as well, what do you think?" Said Albus trying to lighten the mood a little.
"Albus, you really are off your rocker aren't you?" Asked Severus, but he did understand what he was trying to do.
"Albus, you just tell me what time and where exactly to be and I will be there for my godson. I am sure he would like the 'real' Harry to be able to come out and be able to not have to hide the truth from everyone." Said Sirius, hoping as much as Severus that this would work, so they could all come out into the open. He didn't mind being Snuffles, but it did get tiring. He wanted to be able to walk the streets again.
"Well, I think everything is well at hand then. Severus, Ron, Harry ad Hermione, you all know what you have to do. You have 2 months to get Voldemort informed of your picnic." Dumbledore said most sternly. "I bid you all good evening. Ron, Hermione, if you will follow me up to your common room. Harry you have an hour and your invisibility cloak. After which I expect you in your dormitory." And with that Dumbledore, Ron and Hermione were out the door.
Remus looked at Sirius, and said, "maybe we should go too Snuffles they need some time alone. This is a lot to take in right now." Sirius gave Harry a hug and said, be careful until then, and especially on that day. I don't want to loose you before we got to go out on the town together. Harry nodded his understanding into Sirius' cloak, and then in an instant, Snuffles was there.
"You be good too boy and I'll see you soon" Harry said while scratching Snuffles behind his ear and hugging him. Then they too were gone. Leaving just Severus and Harry together alone. This was the first time they had truly been alone like this. At the manor Mrs. Snape was always an earshot away from them.
"Dad, do you really think it will work?" Asked Harry with pleading eyes.
Severus was shocked. "What did you call me?" Asked Severus, but in a tone Harry had never heard before, he wasn't angry or spiteful, just really surprised and wanted to make sure he heard him correctly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you don't want me to call you dad I can call you father" Harry said looking down at the floor.
"Harry, my dear boy, if you want to call me dad, by all means please do. It is a great honor to be someone's dad" Severus said very sincerely. Severus felt as though he was flying when his son, called him dad. He had never felt such a wonderful feeling. OK, maybe with Lily, but this was totally different. He actually got up sat next to his son and gave him an awkward hug. He honestly hadn't hugged anyone since Lily, and that was oh so long ago.
"OK, Dad said Harry, but do you think it will work, if you don't I won't do it." Harry said while his father was hugging him. It had felt awkward to Harry as well.
"You know Harry, I think it just might work. Even though it is extremely simple, it just might." Replied Severus. He wondered himself if the old man had fallen off his rocker, the plan was so simple that it was scary. Harry and Severus sat in the den and talked for the rest of the hour, then it was time for him to go back to his dorms.
"Would you like me to walk with you? I know you'll be under the cloak but this way Peeves won't give you any problems, and neither will Filch." Severus was truly concerned for his sons well being and it was evident by the look in his eye. Not wanting too cause any more hurt feelings as he did earlier in the evening by sitting with Sirius, he accepted his fathers offer. Harry got under his cloak and off they went.
As they were headed up the first set of stairs, Malfoy was running full blast and almost knocked Harry over. Severus was by no means happy, for it was after curfew. "Mr. Malfoy, what seems to be the big emergency?" Snape hissed at him. Harry was trying his best not to giggle as he too was out after curfew, but he had permission from the headmaster himself. He knew Malfoy didn't have that.
"Professor Snape, it's Peeves; he's after me." Said Draco panting and out of breath from running.
"Oh really, well he wouldn't be after you if you weren't out after curfew, 50 points from Slytherin. Now get back to your dormitory NOW or I will have to put you in detention with Filch." Snape snapped and Draco ran in the direction of his dormitory. He made sure Draco was gone before making sure Harry was all right. Harry got to the Gryffendor common room at 11:05 Ron and Hermione were up waiting for him. Severus went back to his rooms constantly thinking. 'He called me Dad'.
**Notes: Hope you all are enjoying it, here is a bit more. Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming .~~Minerva.
Chapter 12: The Plan
After everything settled down and Snuffles changed into Sirius. It was time to get down to business. It was time to announce the plan that would hopefully kill Voldemort. Or at least get rid of him for a few more years so Harry could grow up with his father. Harry sat down next to Sirius since he was more comfortable being next to him then next to Severus. This hurt Severus slightly, but he wanted his son to be happy and of course comfortable. Harry had a couple of years to get used to Sirius, and it helped that they hit it off from the start. It was Different with Severus due to how he had treated Harry the 4 years prior to the knowledge of who Harry's father really was. Severus understood but it still hurt some.
"Now my friends, we are here tonight to discuss a plan that may be the undoing of 'Lord" Voldemort." Dumbledore stated while looking over the tops of his glasses. "If there is any part of this plan that you don't agree with please tell me when you hear it, or at the end. This way we can work out any problems now instead of later when it would be vital to have known in the beginning." Everyone nodded in agreement with this and looked very closely at Dumbledore waiting for this plan to come out.
"Now, I have a date in mind for this action to occur. That date is October 30th. That's right, the day before Halloween." He smiled at himself thinking 'We will have much to celebrate on the 31st if all goes as planned' "Now what I was thinking was this." He paused momentarily.
"Severus will continue to get as much information as possible being the wonderful spy that he is. It is imperative that we stay on top of what Voldemort is doing. Harry, I will need you to report any visions when and if you have them" Harry nodded towards Albus showing he understood fully. "Or at the very least tell your father of the visions." Albus smiled towards Severus. "Sirius, I need you to keep your nose in the air, I know you have a few connections, if you hear any rumors don't hesitate to let any of us know immediately."
"Now as for the plan itself. Severus, I can tell you now, you are not going to like it, neither are you Sirius. It calls for putting Harry, Ron and Hermione out as bait." Severus and Sirius looked at Albus as if he were a clown wearing a big green hat and huge purple glasses. There was no way they were going to agree with this. "Now, now gentlemen, hear me out first before you kill me to stop it from happening. It will be up to Harry and his friends after all if he decided to go through with this plan." The two men settled down slightly, but their ears were wide open for this. "Harry, Ron and Hermione will go out for a picnic; a certain Slytherin will overhear. The 30th is on a Saturday so it will be out in Hogsmeade where they will have it. A late lunch so to speak." Dumbledore started pacing the floor while talking.
"We will all be there, by a certain invisibility potion, and a certain cloak that Mr. Potter acquired a few years ago." Albus winked at Harry. "We will also try and get a representative of the Ministry of Magic, to verify both Voldemort and Wormtail's existence." He took in a breath and continued, everyone hung on his every word. "With them there they can verify they are in fact alive, thus making them admit Voldemort has returned and also admit that Mr. Black did not commit the murder in which he was imprisoned for those many years ago."
"As I said before, all of us, plus a few other wizards and witches who have volunteered to stay with us will be there protecting the children, they simply need to be there. Sirius, I am afraid that you will not be able to be snuffles, as Wormtail knows who you are. They would run for certain. Severus, you tell Voldemort you heard them talking after class. Harry Ron and Hermione, you'll talk about it when Malfoy is around. That is if you plan on doing it. If you do, you three will do nothing to defend yourself; you let the adults handle that part. I fear Ron hasn't built up enough power yet, and Hermione and Harry, well, it just wouldn't be safe in case you miss and hit one of us. So what does everyone say?" Dumbledore sat down and waited.
"Kind of easy if you think about it, are you sure it will work Albus?" Asked Sirius, looking at his godson.
"Sirius, my friend, I don't know, I really don't know. As long as we get someone from the ministry to witness and verify that it is in fact Peter Pettigrew. Your name will be cleared. With all of us there Harry and his friends are sure to be safe from Voldemort. So his safety is guaranteed. It's just getting both of them there." Sighed Albus hoping this would work.
"We're in" cried Harry Ron and Hermione all at the same time then looking at each other and smirking.
"I guess that means I'm in as well" piped up Severus. "I will do my best to get both of them out there, I really hope this works Albus, if it doesn't and I am found out, you know what he will do to me."
"Severus, that is why you will be the one using the potion, he will never know you are there. If you wish you can cast a shield around the three of them, since it takes constant concentration on it. That way you will at least feel useful in protecting your son." Dumbledore did know what it felt like to be helpless when it came to his own children. He gave a slight smile of understanding to Severus who simply shook his head.
"Harry, are you sure you want to do this? It could be very dangerous." Asked Sirius.
"Yes, any chance I get to rid the world of that bastard; I am in." Harry said so passionately it almost frightened everyone in the room.
"Very well Harry, very well. I'll be in touch with the ministry and get someone here for that date, and a couple of Aurors as well just to be on the safe side." Dumbledore started to jot things down as they were added. He was surprised that everyone was initially agreeing to everything.
"Remus, You've been awful quiet through out this. Do you think it will work?" Harry asked, prodding the man for his ideas on if it would work.
"You know Harry, I think it just might. There will be enough of us there you will be in no danger at all unless Voldemort brings 30 or more death eaters. Which that isn't likely to happen, it will 'only be' the three of you. So far as he knows anyway. Tell me Albus, who else have you enlisted in this little charade of your?" Asked Remus, not sure what the answer would be.
"Well Remus, so far I have everyone here, the Weasley's as well, ALL of the Weasley's. I know I can get just about every professor here, as well as half of the ministry of magic. Severus, how close do you want Voldemort to get to young Harry?" Albus asked, knowing full well what the answer was.
"Well, I would rather him not go near him at all, but that's not likely to happen is it? Knowing that, I would say about 10 yards. Why does that matter?" Asked Severus, he really had no clue at the moment.
"Severus, that will tell me how many people to invite to the killing of Lord Voldemort, you know, I could probably sell tickets to that as well, what do you think?" Said Albus trying to lighten the mood a little.
"Albus, you really are off your rocker aren't you?" Asked Severus, but he did understand what he was trying to do.
"Albus, you just tell me what time and where exactly to be and I will be there for my godson. I am sure he would like the 'real' Harry to be able to come out and be able to not have to hide the truth from everyone." Said Sirius, hoping as much as Severus that this would work, so they could all come out into the open. He didn't mind being Snuffles, but it did get tiring. He wanted to be able to walk the streets again.
"Well, I think everything is well at hand then. Severus, Ron, Harry ad Hermione, you all know what you have to do. You have 2 months to get Voldemort informed of your picnic." Dumbledore said most sternly. "I bid you all good evening. Ron, Hermione, if you will follow me up to your common room. Harry you have an hour and your invisibility cloak. After which I expect you in your dormitory." And with that Dumbledore, Ron and Hermione were out the door.
Remus looked at Sirius, and said, "maybe we should go too Snuffles they need some time alone. This is a lot to take in right now." Sirius gave Harry a hug and said, be careful until then, and especially on that day. I don't want to loose you before we got to go out on the town together. Harry nodded his understanding into Sirius' cloak, and then in an instant, Snuffles was there.
"You be good too boy and I'll see you soon" Harry said while scratching Snuffles behind his ear and hugging him. Then they too were gone. Leaving just Severus and Harry together alone. This was the first time they had truly been alone like this. At the manor Mrs. Snape was always an earshot away from them.
"Dad, do you really think it will work?" Asked Harry with pleading eyes.
Severus was shocked. "What did you call me?" Asked Severus, but in a tone Harry had never heard before, he wasn't angry or spiteful, just really surprised and wanted to make sure he heard him correctly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you don't want me to call you dad I can call you father" Harry said looking down at the floor.
"Harry, my dear boy, if you want to call me dad, by all means please do. It is a great honor to be someone's dad" Severus said very sincerely. Severus felt as though he was flying when his son, called him dad. He had never felt such a wonderful feeling. OK, maybe with Lily, but this was totally different. He actually got up sat next to his son and gave him an awkward hug. He honestly hadn't hugged anyone since Lily, and that was oh so long ago.
"OK, Dad said Harry, but do you think it will work, if you don't I won't do it." Harry said while his father was hugging him. It had felt awkward to Harry as well.
"You know Harry, I think it just might work. Even though it is extremely simple, it just might." Replied Severus. He wondered himself if the old man had fallen off his rocker, the plan was so simple that it was scary. Harry and Severus sat in the den and talked for the rest of the hour, then it was time for him to go back to his dorms.
"Would you like me to walk with you? I know you'll be under the cloak but this way Peeves won't give you any problems, and neither will Filch." Severus was truly concerned for his sons well being and it was evident by the look in his eye. Not wanting too cause any more hurt feelings as he did earlier in the evening by sitting with Sirius, he accepted his fathers offer. Harry got under his cloak and off they went.
As they were headed up the first set of stairs, Malfoy was running full blast and almost knocked Harry over. Severus was by no means happy, for it was after curfew. "Mr. Malfoy, what seems to be the big emergency?" Snape hissed at him. Harry was trying his best not to giggle as he too was out after curfew, but he had permission from the headmaster himself. He knew Malfoy didn't have that.
"Professor Snape, it's Peeves; he's after me." Said Draco panting and out of breath from running.
"Oh really, well he wouldn't be after you if you weren't out after curfew, 50 points from Slytherin. Now get back to your dormitory NOW or I will have to put you in detention with Filch." Snape snapped and Draco ran in the direction of his dormitory. He made sure Draco was gone before making sure Harry was all right. Harry got to the Gryffendor common room at 11:05 Ron and Hermione were up waiting for him. Severus went back to his rooms constantly thinking. 'He called me Dad'.