A/N- I solemnly swear this story will end very happily, in about three chapters. Be patient.
Chapter 10- Harry's sixth year
Minerva McGonagall frowned down to the Gryffindor trio as they rushed into class and sank into their seats, in the front row, five minutes after class. "Sorry Professor." They greeted her together, all out of breath. "Professor Dumbledore kept us late again." They explained. It was the code to all their teachers that they'd been undergoing training by the Order of the Phoenix.
During their fifth year Dumbledore and McGonagall, and surprisingly enough Snape as well, had put their foot down about their involvement. The general consensus was that it was just too dangerous for them to take part in the actual war against Voldemort. But as usual they had ended up involved anyway. That time they'd snuck off to see Hagrid about Harry's parents and an unknown death-eater had attacked them. Some quick thinking and confusion caused by panicked students screaming different curses from different directions managed to save them. The incident also served to remind the Headmaster and Headmistress that no matter how hard they tried, Potter, Weasley, and Granger would always end up involved. And so they were undergoing advanced training from the order.
That did not give them the right to be late, however. "We'll talk about it after class." She told them, before address the whole class. "Today we're going to start studying the theories behind human transfiguration. Take out your notebooks."
The class dutifully copied the notes on the board. Minerva did some of her grading for the night, until her best friend, Poppy came into the room and waved her to the door. Worry settled in the pit of the transfiguration professor's stomach and shined out through her eyes. It was mostly out of habit, they'd already been through two wars together, but a part of it had to do with the voice in the back of her head that asked her if she was sure no one was dead.
She swept out of the class, barking at the sixth years to continue, panic rising in her throat. "What is it Poppy?"
They hadn't been best friends for well nigh sixty years without learning to hear more than others. Poppy put a hand on the other woman's arm. "It's nothing to panic about Min. Severus was called last night. He's back now and he has information. There's a meeting after this class. Albus wants you to bring the three of them."
The panic abated a bit. "Very well. How is Severus?"
"He hasn't been to see me yet. So I can only assume after a night of fun and games, he's in terrible condition."
Minerva nodded. They'd seen Severus after his "meetings." No one who saw what he went though every time he was called to the side of Lord Voldemort could doubt that he was on their side. It was cruel. And very hard for Minerva to see.
Which was one of the reasons why, on the other end of the castle, in the Headmaster's office an argument was going on. Severus Snape had his arms crossed in front of him, not tightly, mind, because he was in a good deal of pain, but crossed none the less. He had blood crusted on his face and his robes, dirt and bruises covering every inch of his pallid skin. He needed medical attention, and McGonagall did not need to see him look like this. Which was exactly what Dumbledore was trying to tell the rather stubborn spy.
Snape merely raised an eyebrow. "Albus, Minerva is a grown woman, and has already seen two battlefields. I'm sure she can handle a few scrapes."
Dumbledore rarely lost his temper, even more rare was him losing it with the staff and his friends. But now he lost it, Snape had hit his hottest button, his best friend. "Severus Snape. You. Will. Go. To. The. Hospital. Wing. Immediately." Snape was startled, and turned to go like a meek little boy. "And Severus. Never presume to tell me what Minerva McGonagall can or cannot handle again." He added quietly to the man's retreating back.
Snape did as he was told, and it took him fifteen minutes longer than anyone else, to get down to the meeting room, a secret room below the Headmaster's office. Everyone was already seated when he got there, much to his irritation. He looked around the room. Sirius Black, Mad-eye Moody, Arabella Figg, Remus Lupin, Helena Hooch, Poppy Pomfrey, Serena Sinistra, Minerva McGonagall, Dumbledore, Potter, Weasley, Granger. The usual crowd. He was glad he wouldn't have to repeat anything.
"Severus, what have you learned?" The headmaster asked him softly.
"Voldemort's making plans to level Hogwarts." There was a murmur in the crowd, the Dark Lord had never been that bold before. "He's got a plan, he won't say what, to get the Headmaster away, which he believes will leave the school defenseless."
Hooch snorted. "Obviously he hasn't studied his history."
"Lena Hush!" Came the chastisement from her three friends.
Once Helena was quiet Snape got on telling them what he'd heard, which wasn't much else. The meeting was concluded and everyone broke into splinter groups to discuss the new information. "Thank you for cleaning up Severus." Dumbledore told him quietly. "Some day, probably soon, you will understand why I asked of you what I did." Snape merely nodded. But as soon as Dumbledore walked away he sent a curious glance over to the deputy headmistress.