Chapter Seventeen

Snape's Return

On Monday Harry was aloud, rather reluctantly by Madame Pomphry, to go back to class. Everyone kept telling him what a great catch he had made before he hit the ground. However, the thought of what Hermione had told him the afternoon before still hung over him like a blanket. During the time they were supposed to have Care of Magical Creatures, all students were summoned to the Great Hall.

"I have a few announcements to make," Dumbledore said. "First, as you all know, Quidditch practices and games are canceled until further notice.

There was a sigh from almost all of the students.

"also," he continued, " from now on all students will be accompanied by a teacher to all classes."

At once, the Hall was full of noise. Rumors quickly surfaced about the Chamber of Secrets having been opened again, but none of the students were missing.

"Now, all of you may enjoy your lunch." Dumbledore said as the tables filled up with food.

Immediately talk amongst the students began again. The main topic was the Chamber of Secrets. Ron, Harry, and Hermione, however, suspected that Professor Salia had something top do with it.

"Well, it is pretty suspicious you know. Care of Magical Creatures being canceled, and her trying to kidnap Harry," Hermione said to them.

"Yeah, really bizarre chain of events, don't you think Harry?" Ron asked, but Harry was deep in thought.

"Harry....Hullo Harry wake up!" Ron said as he waved his hand in front of Harry's face.

"Wh..huh..what?" Harry said as he came out of his thought.

'We were just commenting on how strange Professor Salia has been acting lately, and if she might have something to do with all of the stuff that's been going on," Hermione informed him.

"So you think she has something to do with it as well?"

"Yes, but we don't know how yet."

"Same here, I'm just glad we don't have to see her anymore."

"Me too," Ron said in between mouth full's of mashed potatoes and chicken.

As usual, after they had finished lunch, Hermione headed towards Arithmancy while the boys, rather unexcitedly, stated towards the North Tower for Divination. It was yet another lovely class of death predictions for Harry. As always, he wondered why he didn't just drop the subject, but then he remembered that their were no other classes he might want to take. Also, he didn't want to leave Rpm alone, since they both had chosen the same subjects.\

After Divination was through, Ron and Harry met back with Hermione in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Finally, Harry thought, a class where I can relax. However, it was not Professor Lupin who walked into the classroom, but none other than Professor Salia.

"Professor Lupin has..uh..fallen ill. I will be taking over for him."

Harry was shocked. How could this happen?

"Help me," he said to Hermione out of the corner of his mouth.

"Get under the table, quickly," she said.

He did this, the she said. "Now sneak out the back and go to the common room. We'll meet u there later."

Harry crawled around and through the tables. He made it out of the door when who should he run into, but none other than Professor Snape.

"Come with me Mr. Potter."

"Wait, what are you doing here?"

"Your questions can wait. We must hurry to the Headmaster's office."

Snape took hold of Harry's arm and led him to Dumbledore's office. He was outside waiting.

"Quickly Severus, inside."

When they got inside Dumbledore's office, Harry and Snape sat down in chairs facing the headmaster's desk.

"Now, Harry, I expect you were quite shocked to see Professor Snape after what you've been told."

"Well, sort of sir," Harry replied.

"Professor Snape knows that I told you where he was. Professor Snape has informed me that from what information he has gathered. Voldemort is stronger than we thought, and more of his followers have come back to him."

"And."

"And I feel that due to this, we may very well have a traitor in our midst."

"I know it's not my place sir, but I suspect Professor Salia."

"As do we Harry, as do we. That's why I have decided that you are to be accompanied by a teacher to each class, not leave the common room after dinner, and let me keep a hold of you father's cloak."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Two reasons. One, so it doesn't end up i the wrong hands. And two, so you don't sneak out after curfew. It's not that I don't trust you, Harry, but you can never be sure."

"I suppose so sir. Oh, I almost forgot. Professor Salia is substituting for Professor Lupin right now!"

"I wondered why you were slinking around on the corridor. You snuck out of class didn't you?" Snape said to Harry.

"That's not important now. What's important now is that we track down Salia," Dumbledore told Snape.

"I will headmaster," Snap said. And he left the room.

"What should I do sir?" Harry asked Dumbledore.

"Well, Harry," he replied, " I am going to call all the students to their common rooms, so I'd head there. Who knows where Professor Salia is now."

"Yes sir," Harry said as he left the room and headed to Gryffindor Tower.