Hello folks! I know, I know, I didn't post for a long time. If I remember
correctly, a lot of my chapters began like that. You see, evil Real Life
ever tries to keep me from writing the next chapter and I am not that
irresistible as other fellow writers who always seem to find time to write.
However, I will not give up. Promise!!!
Enough apologies. I think it's time for the next part of my story. I hope you still remember the previous events.
One reviewer asked once (a long time ago) to put more Draco into the story. I have to admit, I never really liked him but I decided to give him a try and as it happens he returns this very chapter. See for yourself how he fits into the whole scheme.
Now off with you and have fun!!!
THE CHAOS BEGINS
From: Caius Julius
Chapter 16: A Slytherin's Thoughts
The next few days went by rather uneventfully. After all the excitement and stress of his mission to Azkaban, Harry couldn't have wished for more. It was wonderful only to have to worry about 'normal' things like homework or Quidditch.
However, the events involving the imprisoned Potions Master still troubled his mind more often than he liked. Sometimes it felt as if the whole thing was nothing more than a bad dream - a mere nightmare. At other times, everything around Harry seemed to be doomed.
Harry sighed. Now was such a moment.
So far, Azkaban was still under the Ministry's control. Voldemort hadn't taken over, yet. However, who knew what evil plan the Dark Lord was plotting right now? It was probably better for Snape if Voldemort didn't attack too soon, anyway. If he'd been only half as badly injured as he had looked, the Potions Masters would need any rest he could get. Besides, Harry tried to imagine a caring Voldemort who would nurse his injured followers. That thought made him laugh.
"What's so funny, Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry was startled. He had totally forgotten about Ron and Hermione. His two friends were with him in the Common Room, Hermione absorbed in a book and Ron occupied with his chess set. Harry himself had done nothing except stare into the fire and think about. things.
"Ehm, nothing, Ron. I was just, ehm, remembering something. Nothing of importance." He grinned at Ron who didn't seem too convinced.
"You probably wouldn't have thought it funny, anyway." Harry assured Ron and turned his chair towards his friend.
"How about a game of chess?"
Ron locked at him questioningly. "Really? I thought you didn't want to play for a while after, well, after your not-quite-so successful game last week."
Harry snorted. "You know, Ron, I just know that today, I am not going to lose after ten minutes."
Harry proved to be right, however the game didn't work quite as he had planned. After six minutes his king ran from the board.
Harry still stared at the square from which his king had just vanished. He scratched his head absentmindedly. Apparently, his mind was still occupied with something else. He was never a match for Ron, that much was clear. But he had seldom felt so overstrained like in the previous game.
"Don't take it too hard, Harry." Ron tried to comfort him but still grinned mischievously. "Maybe next time you'll last out eleven minutes."
Harry rolled his eyes. Perhaps Ron was right. He should take a break from chess. This game certainly hadn't helped him shake off his negative thoughts. Maybe he was still too tense from the Azkaban experience. Perhaps he could talk to someone about it, someone else besides Ron and Hermione. His friends were a great help, but he didn't want to burden them too much with his problems. Who else could he confide his thoughts to? Who else knew of what had happened? The Headmaster. no, Harry liked Dumbledore a lot but he didn't want to pester him again. Not that the Headmaster would think about it as 'pestering' but still.
Then, Harry's face lit up. Of course!
He pushed his chair back. "I'll go upstairs, Ron. I need to think a bit. See you at dinner, alright?"
Ron frowned at him. "Ok, have fun with. whatever it is you do."
Harry winked at him and went up the stairs. At this time of day - late afternoon -normally there was nobody in the dormitories. This suited Harry just fine. After all, he couldn't write to Sirius while staying in the Common Room, could he?
Thus, Harry took out a quill and some parchment and began to write.
***
After having finished the letter Harry felt much better already. If only Sirius were able to answer soon. But of course, Harry knew that it was quite possible his Godfather was on some kind of mission right now. Whatever, the owl would find him.
Thus, Harry left Gryffindor Tower and went to the owlery. As much as he would have liked for Hedwig to take a long flight for once he didn't want to risk sending his own owl. After all, he didn't know whether it wasn't watched or anything like that. A Hogwarts owl would have to do. He took a smaller, brown owl that gave him a friendly hoot. Patiently it let Harry tie the message to its leg and then went off after hooting a sort-of good bye. Harry watched the small owl until it vanished behind the large trees of the Forbidden Forest.
"Daydreaming again, Potter?" A familiar voice behind him asked sarcastically.
Harry started. He hadn't noticed that anyone besides himself was in the room. He cursed silently. Why did that someone have to be Draco Malfoy of all people?
Slowly he turned. "And if I were, Malfoy? What's it to you?"
Malfoy smirked. "So brave, although you're all alone, Potter? Or are Weasel and Granger hiding somewhere near?"
Harry began to lose his patience. Why did Malfoy always succeed in annoying him?
"You're just to right person to say this, Malfoy. You who's only cocky when his sidekicks are with him - where are they anyway? They didn't get lost, dumb as they are, did they?"
Inwardly, Harry smiled. That seemed to have hit home since Malfoy's smirk faltered. Thus, Harry decided to press on.
"Or is it rather that they don't find the courage to leave their beloved Dungeons now that your dear Head of House is no longer here to protect them? Thanks to you I might add."
Harry was more than interested in Draco's response. Maybe now he would get the answer to his question whether Draco was really worried about Snape or if he had only been his father's tool when he had told everyone of Snape's imprisonment. Would he become angry because of his statement or rather wave it aside?
At first, the Slytherin said nothing. He was more occupied with trying not to lose his temper completely. His face became redder than Harry had ever seen it and his eyes were narrowed to slits.
OK, Harry thought. I think that can be counted as anger.
"How dare you," Malfoy finally said, his voice shaking with anger. "If anyone is responsible for Professor Snape being in Azkaban it is Headmaster Dumbledore," he almost spit out with disgust. "It was him who didn't object to Snape's arrest. Only doing his duty, of course."
Now Harry got angry. Defending Snape was one thing - insulting Dumbledore something completely different.
"Now wait a second, Malfoy. After all, Dumbledore has to protect his students - us - and if Snape's found guilty then he belongs in Azkaban. And thus-"
"No, you wait, Potter!" Malfoy interrupted him. "Dumbledore has an obligation towards his staff as well. Besides, Snape never was 'found guilty' as you put it. There never was a trial, was there? If you ask me, Dumbledore just wanted to have him out of the way. Who knows? Maybe the arrest was his idea in the first place. Snape was the only one who trusted us. He alone treated us as if we were normal people, not evil-lords-in-the-making like some of the other professors think us to be. But of course you wouldn't know, Potter, since he always put you in your place. You are probably glad he's gone for good. Well, you got your wish. We no longer have someone who favours us and your least favourite teacher is probably slowly dying in that goddamned prison."
For a few seconds neither of them spoke. Of course, Harry wanted to object, but could he? Malfoy's words had been hard and he had exaggerated at some points but wasn't he right, at least from his point of view?
"And how," Harry finally answered. "do you think you did help Snape by telling everybody? How did you know of it in the first place?"
Malfoy snorted. "Well, I never liked Dumbledore, I think that's no secret. But I thought that, maybe, if I made Snape's arrest known he would stand up for him and help him in some way. Unfortunately, he didn't. At least now I know just how trustworthy he is. If you're not his golden boy you have no chance." He glared at Harry as if to dare him to disagree.
"As for my knowledge of Snape's whereabouts," Malfoy continued. "As you know, my father has a lot of contacts within the Ministry. One of them tipped him of. He complained to me just how unfair his former school mate was treated."
Harry frowned. He hadn't known Snape and Malfoy sr. had been friends in school. He had always assumed Mr. Malfoy to be much older. Maybe he could ask the Headmaster about it.
"I won't say you're right, Malfoy," Harry said. "But if your father has such wonderful contacts, well, then why didn't he try to help his friend? Isn't that what you accuse Dumbledore of? That he did nothing to prevent Snape's arrest? And your father, who in our second year held enough power to have the Headmaster suspended can do nothing at all to save Snape?"
"That's not the same-" Malfoy said but Harry interrupted him.
"Is it? Couldn't it be that your father had an agenda of his own? Couldn't it be that Snape's arrest suited him just fine in a way? Wasn't it your actions that made it impossible to get Snape out of Azkaban? Does your father always come to you with secrets like that or did he just know how you felt about Snape? Did he guess you would walk around boasting about your newly gained knowledge and thus guarantee Dumbledore couldn't bargain Snape out?"
Now Malfoy turned red again. "You. how dare you. My father would never. He was just so upset and therefore talked to me to get rid of his anger."
Harry gave him a sarcastic half-smile. "Really? And how often does he come to you to ' get rid of his anger', Malfoy? You must be a trusted counsellor indeed if your wise father asks for your advice."
Malfoy simply stared at him, unable to answer. Finally, he could stand it no more. "Liar," he spat as he stormed past Harry. However, somehow Harry guessed that Malfoy had only fled because he felt Harry had been right. A few pointed questions had thrown Malfoy completely off balance. Perhaps the Slytherin would rethink their conversation. Therefore, only one question remained: Was Draco's respect for Snape bigger than the love for his father?
Then again, could one really 'love' Mr. Malfoy?
Harry shook his head and finally left the owlery. Maybe he should talk to the Headmaster after all.
***
Upon returning to Gryffindor tower he was once again greeted by Ron who seemed to have waited for him for quite a long time now.
"Hey, Harry. Now what were have you been? Don't tell me it took you that long to walk to the owlery." He paused and frowned a bit.
"Something wrong, Harry? You look, well, troubled."
Harry shook his head and sighed. "No, no. Don't worry, Ron. I just ran into Malfoy and we had some sort of argument."
Ron look taken aback. "Malfoy talked to you - you mean actually talking, not insulting?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, unbelievable as it may sound. Even more remarkable: he was alone, think of that! I almost got the impression he was seeking me out."
"Why would he do that?"
Harry took Ron by the arm and led him to a corner where Hermione was reading. She gave them a puzzled look. Obviously, she had been so captured by the book that she hadn't noticed her friends approaching. With a few words, Harry filled her in.
"I guess Malfoy still wanted to pout about how unfair Dumbledore was. However, I decided to take the opportunity to ask our dear friend a few questions - questions he apparently had no answers to. He told me his father had complained about how unfair Snape had been treated and that he - Draco - simply had wanted to help Snape."
Ron snorted. "Yeah, of course, as if Draco ever would help anyone."
Harry shook his head. "As it happens, I am inclined to believe Draco when he says he wanted to help. After all, he respects Snape greatly. He nearly exploded, only because I mentioned Snape's absence. It is his father's intentions I don't believe. He claims to be Snape's friend."
Hermione frowned. "Oh really? And why wasn't he able to pull something off? The way Malfoy boasts about his father one would think he rules the Ministry."
Harry nodded. "I asked Draco the same question and, frankly, he had no real answer to that himself. Rather than facing me he ran from the room."
At this Ron laughed. "I guess he will have a hard time trying to stomach that!"
Hermione, however, slowly nodded. "Really clever of Mr. Malfoy. He used Draco, didn't he? I mean a man like him just doesn't let anything slip, does he? At least not when he knows just how agitated Draco would be about the matter. How convenient that suddenly the whole school knew what should have remained a secret, thus confining Snape permanently to Azkaban. With no way for Dumbledore to free him secretly."
Again, Harry nodded in consent. "My sentiments, exactly. However, the question remains: what would Voldemort - because it is him who stands behind Malfoy sr. - want with Snape in Azkaban? In this dream I had some time ago he said he wanted to teach Snape a lesson. It wouldn't suit him to have Snape locked away forever. Therefore, he must have thought of a way to get him free on his own."
Suddenly, Harry's eyes grew wide and he hit himself on the forehead. "Of course! We are idiots!"
"Hey," Ron objected. "You're insulting me!"
Hermione, however, didn't pay attention to him. "What do you mean, Harry?"
"What is Voldemort's supposed next goal? What did Malfoy tell Snape when I and Lupin where in Azkaban?"
Now Ron and Hermione understood.
Snape would be free the minute Voldemort took over Azkaban, that much was clear. But why did go Voldemort through all his trouble? What did he gain? Didn't he lose his one spy right under Dumbledore's nose? He hadn't learned of Snape's treachery or else the Potions Master would have been long dead now. Or did Voldemort simply suspect Snape might change sides because he had been under the Headmaster's influence for so long? Was it possible he would sent Snape somewhere else? That, however, made little sense. As far as Harry knew, neither of these options seemed likely. Again another question came up in his mind. One he usually put aside immediately. But now, after talking to Malfoy and thinking the matter over again, Harry wondered if they hadn't made a mistake.
All their assumptions were based on the fact that Dumbledore trusted Snape and that therefore that Potions Master was on their side, because the Headmaster was always right, wasn't he? But what if he wasn't this time? Wouldn't it make more sense if Snape had his hands in it, as well? Maybe it was he who wanted to get away from Dumbledore.
Harry's face darkened. What if Mr. Malfoy really was Snape's friend and the two of them had come up with this scheme together? Hadn't the evidence against Snape come from the Ministry all of a sudden?
He shook his head. No, that was unfair. This couldn't be true. After all, Dumbledore was Dumbledore and the Headmaster wasn't somebody to let himself be fooled easily. The thought that Snape could be with Voldemort was absurd. It had to be.
But still.
That particular thought still haunted Harry when his friends had long fallen asleep.
TBC.
Another chapter finished and as always I am interested to hear what you think about it. You have been wonderful reviewers so far. Feel yourself hugged. *grins*
Maybe you ask yourself what will happen next.
Well I certainly won't tell you - it would spoil the fun, you know. Heheheheh!
Enough apologies. I think it's time for the next part of my story. I hope you still remember the previous events.
One reviewer asked once (a long time ago) to put more Draco into the story. I have to admit, I never really liked him but I decided to give him a try and as it happens he returns this very chapter. See for yourself how he fits into the whole scheme.
Now off with you and have fun!!!
THE CHAOS BEGINS
From: Caius Julius
Chapter 16: A Slytherin's Thoughts
The next few days went by rather uneventfully. After all the excitement and stress of his mission to Azkaban, Harry couldn't have wished for more. It was wonderful only to have to worry about 'normal' things like homework or Quidditch.
However, the events involving the imprisoned Potions Master still troubled his mind more often than he liked. Sometimes it felt as if the whole thing was nothing more than a bad dream - a mere nightmare. At other times, everything around Harry seemed to be doomed.
Harry sighed. Now was such a moment.
So far, Azkaban was still under the Ministry's control. Voldemort hadn't taken over, yet. However, who knew what evil plan the Dark Lord was plotting right now? It was probably better for Snape if Voldemort didn't attack too soon, anyway. If he'd been only half as badly injured as he had looked, the Potions Masters would need any rest he could get. Besides, Harry tried to imagine a caring Voldemort who would nurse his injured followers. That thought made him laugh.
"What's so funny, Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry was startled. He had totally forgotten about Ron and Hermione. His two friends were with him in the Common Room, Hermione absorbed in a book and Ron occupied with his chess set. Harry himself had done nothing except stare into the fire and think about. things.
"Ehm, nothing, Ron. I was just, ehm, remembering something. Nothing of importance." He grinned at Ron who didn't seem too convinced.
"You probably wouldn't have thought it funny, anyway." Harry assured Ron and turned his chair towards his friend.
"How about a game of chess?"
Ron locked at him questioningly. "Really? I thought you didn't want to play for a while after, well, after your not-quite-so successful game last week."
Harry snorted. "You know, Ron, I just know that today, I am not going to lose after ten minutes."
Harry proved to be right, however the game didn't work quite as he had planned. After six minutes his king ran from the board.
Harry still stared at the square from which his king had just vanished. He scratched his head absentmindedly. Apparently, his mind was still occupied with something else. He was never a match for Ron, that much was clear. But he had seldom felt so overstrained like in the previous game.
"Don't take it too hard, Harry." Ron tried to comfort him but still grinned mischievously. "Maybe next time you'll last out eleven minutes."
Harry rolled his eyes. Perhaps Ron was right. He should take a break from chess. This game certainly hadn't helped him shake off his negative thoughts. Maybe he was still too tense from the Azkaban experience. Perhaps he could talk to someone about it, someone else besides Ron and Hermione. His friends were a great help, but he didn't want to burden them too much with his problems. Who else could he confide his thoughts to? Who else knew of what had happened? The Headmaster. no, Harry liked Dumbledore a lot but he didn't want to pester him again. Not that the Headmaster would think about it as 'pestering' but still.
Then, Harry's face lit up. Of course!
He pushed his chair back. "I'll go upstairs, Ron. I need to think a bit. See you at dinner, alright?"
Ron frowned at him. "Ok, have fun with. whatever it is you do."
Harry winked at him and went up the stairs. At this time of day - late afternoon -normally there was nobody in the dormitories. This suited Harry just fine. After all, he couldn't write to Sirius while staying in the Common Room, could he?
Thus, Harry took out a quill and some parchment and began to write.
***
After having finished the letter Harry felt much better already. If only Sirius were able to answer soon. But of course, Harry knew that it was quite possible his Godfather was on some kind of mission right now. Whatever, the owl would find him.
Thus, Harry left Gryffindor Tower and went to the owlery. As much as he would have liked for Hedwig to take a long flight for once he didn't want to risk sending his own owl. After all, he didn't know whether it wasn't watched or anything like that. A Hogwarts owl would have to do. He took a smaller, brown owl that gave him a friendly hoot. Patiently it let Harry tie the message to its leg and then went off after hooting a sort-of good bye. Harry watched the small owl until it vanished behind the large trees of the Forbidden Forest.
"Daydreaming again, Potter?" A familiar voice behind him asked sarcastically.
Harry started. He hadn't noticed that anyone besides himself was in the room. He cursed silently. Why did that someone have to be Draco Malfoy of all people?
Slowly he turned. "And if I were, Malfoy? What's it to you?"
Malfoy smirked. "So brave, although you're all alone, Potter? Or are Weasel and Granger hiding somewhere near?"
Harry began to lose his patience. Why did Malfoy always succeed in annoying him?
"You're just to right person to say this, Malfoy. You who's only cocky when his sidekicks are with him - where are they anyway? They didn't get lost, dumb as they are, did they?"
Inwardly, Harry smiled. That seemed to have hit home since Malfoy's smirk faltered. Thus, Harry decided to press on.
"Or is it rather that they don't find the courage to leave their beloved Dungeons now that your dear Head of House is no longer here to protect them? Thanks to you I might add."
Harry was more than interested in Draco's response. Maybe now he would get the answer to his question whether Draco was really worried about Snape or if he had only been his father's tool when he had told everyone of Snape's imprisonment. Would he become angry because of his statement or rather wave it aside?
At first, the Slytherin said nothing. He was more occupied with trying not to lose his temper completely. His face became redder than Harry had ever seen it and his eyes were narrowed to slits.
OK, Harry thought. I think that can be counted as anger.
"How dare you," Malfoy finally said, his voice shaking with anger. "If anyone is responsible for Professor Snape being in Azkaban it is Headmaster Dumbledore," he almost spit out with disgust. "It was him who didn't object to Snape's arrest. Only doing his duty, of course."
Now Harry got angry. Defending Snape was one thing - insulting Dumbledore something completely different.
"Now wait a second, Malfoy. After all, Dumbledore has to protect his students - us - and if Snape's found guilty then he belongs in Azkaban. And thus-"
"No, you wait, Potter!" Malfoy interrupted him. "Dumbledore has an obligation towards his staff as well. Besides, Snape never was 'found guilty' as you put it. There never was a trial, was there? If you ask me, Dumbledore just wanted to have him out of the way. Who knows? Maybe the arrest was his idea in the first place. Snape was the only one who trusted us. He alone treated us as if we were normal people, not evil-lords-in-the-making like some of the other professors think us to be. But of course you wouldn't know, Potter, since he always put you in your place. You are probably glad he's gone for good. Well, you got your wish. We no longer have someone who favours us and your least favourite teacher is probably slowly dying in that goddamned prison."
For a few seconds neither of them spoke. Of course, Harry wanted to object, but could he? Malfoy's words had been hard and he had exaggerated at some points but wasn't he right, at least from his point of view?
"And how," Harry finally answered. "do you think you did help Snape by telling everybody? How did you know of it in the first place?"
Malfoy snorted. "Well, I never liked Dumbledore, I think that's no secret. But I thought that, maybe, if I made Snape's arrest known he would stand up for him and help him in some way. Unfortunately, he didn't. At least now I know just how trustworthy he is. If you're not his golden boy you have no chance." He glared at Harry as if to dare him to disagree.
"As for my knowledge of Snape's whereabouts," Malfoy continued. "As you know, my father has a lot of contacts within the Ministry. One of them tipped him of. He complained to me just how unfair his former school mate was treated."
Harry frowned. He hadn't known Snape and Malfoy sr. had been friends in school. He had always assumed Mr. Malfoy to be much older. Maybe he could ask the Headmaster about it.
"I won't say you're right, Malfoy," Harry said. "But if your father has such wonderful contacts, well, then why didn't he try to help his friend? Isn't that what you accuse Dumbledore of? That he did nothing to prevent Snape's arrest? And your father, who in our second year held enough power to have the Headmaster suspended can do nothing at all to save Snape?"
"That's not the same-" Malfoy said but Harry interrupted him.
"Is it? Couldn't it be that your father had an agenda of his own? Couldn't it be that Snape's arrest suited him just fine in a way? Wasn't it your actions that made it impossible to get Snape out of Azkaban? Does your father always come to you with secrets like that or did he just know how you felt about Snape? Did he guess you would walk around boasting about your newly gained knowledge and thus guarantee Dumbledore couldn't bargain Snape out?"
Now Malfoy turned red again. "You. how dare you. My father would never. He was just so upset and therefore talked to me to get rid of his anger."
Harry gave him a sarcastic half-smile. "Really? And how often does he come to you to ' get rid of his anger', Malfoy? You must be a trusted counsellor indeed if your wise father asks for your advice."
Malfoy simply stared at him, unable to answer. Finally, he could stand it no more. "Liar," he spat as he stormed past Harry. However, somehow Harry guessed that Malfoy had only fled because he felt Harry had been right. A few pointed questions had thrown Malfoy completely off balance. Perhaps the Slytherin would rethink their conversation. Therefore, only one question remained: Was Draco's respect for Snape bigger than the love for his father?
Then again, could one really 'love' Mr. Malfoy?
Harry shook his head and finally left the owlery. Maybe he should talk to the Headmaster after all.
***
Upon returning to Gryffindor tower he was once again greeted by Ron who seemed to have waited for him for quite a long time now.
"Hey, Harry. Now what were have you been? Don't tell me it took you that long to walk to the owlery." He paused and frowned a bit.
"Something wrong, Harry? You look, well, troubled."
Harry shook his head and sighed. "No, no. Don't worry, Ron. I just ran into Malfoy and we had some sort of argument."
Ron look taken aback. "Malfoy talked to you - you mean actually talking, not insulting?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, unbelievable as it may sound. Even more remarkable: he was alone, think of that! I almost got the impression he was seeking me out."
"Why would he do that?"
Harry took Ron by the arm and led him to a corner where Hermione was reading. She gave them a puzzled look. Obviously, she had been so captured by the book that she hadn't noticed her friends approaching. With a few words, Harry filled her in.
"I guess Malfoy still wanted to pout about how unfair Dumbledore was. However, I decided to take the opportunity to ask our dear friend a few questions - questions he apparently had no answers to. He told me his father had complained about how unfair Snape had been treated and that he - Draco - simply had wanted to help Snape."
Ron snorted. "Yeah, of course, as if Draco ever would help anyone."
Harry shook his head. "As it happens, I am inclined to believe Draco when he says he wanted to help. After all, he respects Snape greatly. He nearly exploded, only because I mentioned Snape's absence. It is his father's intentions I don't believe. He claims to be Snape's friend."
Hermione frowned. "Oh really? And why wasn't he able to pull something off? The way Malfoy boasts about his father one would think he rules the Ministry."
Harry nodded. "I asked Draco the same question and, frankly, he had no real answer to that himself. Rather than facing me he ran from the room."
At this Ron laughed. "I guess he will have a hard time trying to stomach that!"
Hermione, however, slowly nodded. "Really clever of Mr. Malfoy. He used Draco, didn't he? I mean a man like him just doesn't let anything slip, does he? At least not when he knows just how agitated Draco would be about the matter. How convenient that suddenly the whole school knew what should have remained a secret, thus confining Snape permanently to Azkaban. With no way for Dumbledore to free him secretly."
Again, Harry nodded in consent. "My sentiments, exactly. However, the question remains: what would Voldemort - because it is him who stands behind Malfoy sr. - want with Snape in Azkaban? In this dream I had some time ago he said he wanted to teach Snape a lesson. It wouldn't suit him to have Snape locked away forever. Therefore, he must have thought of a way to get him free on his own."
Suddenly, Harry's eyes grew wide and he hit himself on the forehead. "Of course! We are idiots!"
"Hey," Ron objected. "You're insulting me!"
Hermione, however, didn't pay attention to him. "What do you mean, Harry?"
"What is Voldemort's supposed next goal? What did Malfoy tell Snape when I and Lupin where in Azkaban?"
Now Ron and Hermione understood.
Snape would be free the minute Voldemort took over Azkaban, that much was clear. But why did go Voldemort through all his trouble? What did he gain? Didn't he lose his one spy right under Dumbledore's nose? He hadn't learned of Snape's treachery or else the Potions Master would have been long dead now. Or did Voldemort simply suspect Snape might change sides because he had been under the Headmaster's influence for so long? Was it possible he would sent Snape somewhere else? That, however, made little sense. As far as Harry knew, neither of these options seemed likely. Again another question came up in his mind. One he usually put aside immediately. But now, after talking to Malfoy and thinking the matter over again, Harry wondered if they hadn't made a mistake.
All their assumptions were based on the fact that Dumbledore trusted Snape and that therefore that Potions Master was on their side, because the Headmaster was always right, wasn't he? But what if he wasn't this time? Wouldn't it make more sense if Snape had his hands in it, as well? Maybe it was he who wanted to get away from Dumbledore.
Harry's face darkened. What if Mr. Malfoy really was Snape's friend and the two of them had come up with this scheme together? Hadn't the evidence against Snape come from the Ministry all of a sudden?
He shook his head. No, that was unfair. This couldn't be true. After all, Dumbledore was Dumbledore and the Headmaster wasn't somebody to let himself be fooled easily. The thought that Snape could be with Voldemort was absurd. It had to be.
But still.
That particular thought still haunted Harry when his friends had long fallen asleep.
TBC.
Another chapter finished and as always I am interested to hear what you think about it. You have been wonderful reviewers so far. Feel yourself hugged. *grins*
Maybe you ask yourself what will happen next.
Well I certainly won't tell you - it would spoil the fun, you know. Heheheheh!