Sirius sat in Dumbledore's office, nervously biting his nails. Moira had gone alone, despite both Sirius and Dumbledore's protests, to retrieve the information requested from Oliverio Runyan. If he had been able to get the location of Snape and Remus, the two would be rescued that evening. If not, arrangements had been made for those students who had signed up to stay over the holidays to be sent away with the others the next morning. Sirius, himself, had okayed Harry to stay with the Weasleys. Dumbledore had created a contingency plan for any students who had nowhere to go. Tom, the landlord at the Leaky Cauldron had reserved several rooms for his use. Everything was ready- so why couldn't he stay calm? If any problems arose, they still had a week until the full moon. There was plenty of time.
Suddenly, the door banged open, and Dumbledore appeared, followed by a red-faced Moira. She carried a very large roll of parchment, which she rolled out onto the desk. Several more faces appeared in the room, professors, and huddled around the desk with Moira and Dumbledore in the center.
"The Stronghold is located here," Moira said, pointing on the map. "It's pretty much exactly as Snape described it. The castle itself is rubble, but the subterranean levels are massive." She turned the map around so it faced the surrounding crowd.
"According to Runyan, Snape's being held here, in the second level beneath the castle. He said someone else was down there too, under heavy guard. My guess is, it's Remus, but he could not positively confirm that."
"Do you trust this information?" Sirius asked. Moira's eyes met his, then diverted themselves back toward the map.
"He was in no position to lie to me."
"We do not know what condition Severus or Remus are in," Dumbledore broke in, easing the heavy tension left by Moira's answer. "We are not aware of the extent of any injuries they may have received. However, we cannot send in an army. Four of us will go: Moira and myself, Sirius, and Filius. The rest of you will keep watch over the school. Minerva, you will be in charge until we return."
"Albus, do you think it wise for you to go?" McGonagall asked.
"Minerva, this is the lions' den," he answered, motioning toward the map. "I will not send others where I, myself, am not willing to go."
McGonagall swallowed any further protests and nodded, as Moira and Dumbledore laid out their plan for the rescue.
"You are a fool, Severus." Lucius Malfoy leaned casually against the wall, staring down at the body sprawled on the floor in the middle of the cell. Snape was laying on his back, his breathing quick and shallow while he recovered from his latest round of beatings. "You've thrown your entire life away."
"It is my life."
"Is it? Dumbledore has given you the freedoms you once enjoyed? I'd rather understood you were under his rule, asking permission to come and go. Aren't you at that school so he can keep an eye on you?"
"If you're going to kill me, please do it now and spare me from having to listen to your voice." He slowly sat up, touching his fingers to his bleeding lip.
"Look at you. You used to be so powerful, so respected."
"There's a difference between respect and fear, Lucius. Not that I expect you to understand."
"Is that what you think you were getting at that school? Respect? It was a waste of your talents. You are a waste of your talents. And soon, you and that school will be destroyed."
"Along with your own son."
"Draco will be safe. He knows what will happen."
"Will he? What did you do? Send him a letter?" Snape coughed. "Tell me, Lucius, has he replied in any way? Has anyone's child? You're underestimating who you're up against."
"Dumbledore wouldn't endanger my son."
"No, he wouldn't. But I wouldn't underestimate O'Shaughnessy. It almost cost you your life the last time."
"Are you trying to save your own life by telling me this?"
"No. The students' lives. Your son's life." His ink eyes flashed up at Malfoy. "Surely you know you are endangering him."
Lucius stared down at him silently, as if considering what he was saying. Very slowly, a smile spread across his lips.
"You really are a fool, Severus, if you think I will believe you." He turned his head toward the door at the sound of approaching footsteps. "But I must leave you now." He opened the door, then turned back toward him. "Sleep well."
Just past his turned body, Snape spied a group of Death Eaters, one of whom carried the end of a thick chain. At the end, a hooded figure was practically dragged behind. The figure turned his head and looked into the cell as Lucius was leaving, meeting Snape's eyes for just a moment. Snape gasped. It was Remus. And yet there was something terrifying in his eyes. Anger. Hatred. Darkness. Snape hung his head as the door slammed shut, leaving him in darkness.
All was lost.