| + |

CLAWS OF A RAVEN
by Tyde

| + |

Chapter Eleven

| + |

"What's happened Dobby?" Harry repeated his question, sure the house elf hadn't heard him the first time as he just stood there in shock.

Finally Dobby found his voice again, but his bottom lip was trembling terribly and his whole face soon followed. "It's Jippy, sir. He's...he's dead!" and the little house elf broke down in tears, blowing his nose loudly on the tea cosy.

"Did he drink the Butterbeer?" asked Ron.

"No sir. I is finding him down near the dungeons. Flat out on his back and awfully still and someone scurrying away. T'was the Killing Curse sir" Ron gulped. The students looked at each other worried, each wondering the same thing. Was Professor Snape really behind all this? Had he betrayed Dumbledore and the others because his master was back? They knew Jippy had been particularly afraid of Snape, more so than anyone else. They couldn't help wondering if it was because Jippy had found out something terrible about the Potions master that he'd been slain. Something that would reveal the truth to everyone.

Dobby's wavering voice cut through the fear they were all feeling at that moment. "He Who Must Not Be Named is back and he's killing again Harry Potter! He is killing the loyal house elf. We never did anything wrong. When he reigned we was treated awful, but we remained loyal. We are loyal to our masters because it is the House Elves code. We are just small elves, we cannot fight him" And Dobby collapsed into sobs again for the deceased Jippy. Hermione hugged Dobby tightly while Ron's face grew a shade paler.

"We'll take you to the Headmaster Dobby" Hermione said comfortingly and she picked him up, holding his sobbing body close to her own. His nose was running all down her robes but this wasn't the time to worry about such things.

| + |

Dumbledore was not at all surprised when the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor burst into his office. He had not gone to bed, but had various papers spread out on his desk which he seemed to be regarding with something akin to apprehension. Arabella Figg's head, along with those of Remus Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher, Arthur Weasley and a big black shaggy dog were protruding from the fireplace and they were all looking very grave. With a nod from Albus they all popped back to their respective fireplaces, Sorora did not notice.

"Headmaster, have you figured out what poisoned the students?" she asked breathlessly, puffed from the run up the stairs.

"I have not had word back from the Ministry as yet. I'm sure they are making every effort to be as quick as possible with this"

"Bugger the Ministry – three Gryffindors already figured it out"

A twinkle entered Dumbledore's eye that had been absent since earlier that evening. "Potter, Weasley and Granger, no doubt?"

Sorora caught her surprise before it flew out of her mouth in a ridiculous exclamation. "Er. Yes. I caught them researching in the library. And they found this" She unwrapped the book from her robes and it thumped heavily onto the table in front of him. "It's not a library book, someone planted it there for students to find. You know what it can do, don't you?"

"Yes I am well aware. Who touched it?"

"Just Miss Granger but I calmed her down before it got too bad. It does have one good thing about it though. It identified the potion. One made for the Dark Lord in his first reign. Made by an..." As she spoke the Headmaster had been flicking through the pages with his wand and had arrived on the one the three Gryffindors had been poring over.

"...S. Snape. A death draft. So you're quite certain that he put it in the Butterbeer than?" She nodded. "I have complete faith in Severus, I do not think he is responsible for all this. There are far more indications that Lord Voldemort is involved. I do hope you're not like Mister Fudge and unwilling to accept that he has returned"

"But Cornelius knows that he's back. That's what Julian has been working on in Kazakhstan. He sent them there under secret orders to search for You Know Who and his followers"

Dumbledore frowned. "Who told you that?"

She faltered. The letter had been something she didn't want to discuss with anyone, it was a little part of Julian she didn't want to share with the rest of the world like she had to with his position being such in the Ministry. He was one of the top Aurors and people were always tipping their hats to him in the street. Reluctantly Sorora told the Headmaster. "Julian did. I got a letter from him a week ago telling me where he was and that he was fine and not to worry about him. It has helped to keep my hope alive"

The old wizened wizard rubbed his beard-covered chin thoughtfully. "Would you summon the letter for me please"

Without question she did. It came flying into the office in a matter of minutes. Dumbledore ran his fingers lightly over the parchment and then tapped it three times with his wand and muttered something under his breath. The ink of the words started to bleed into each other and ran all over the page. She cried out at this but Albus quietened her with one word. "Wait"

The words were already starting to reform themselves. The same message formed but the handwriting was different. It was a small, scratchy scrawl that she didn't recognise. Sorora gasped.

"I am afraid this was not written by your husband Sorora. Someone is trying to trick you"

"But who? And why?"

"My guess is Voldemort. Why I cannot tell you. Normal logic escapes him but he must have motives" He looked at her carefully, she seemed more stunned than she should be he thought. "Was it just that letter?"

"Yes" she thought to the fleeting moment when she'd glimpsed what appeared to be him in the Charms corridor. Ridiculous she thought to herself, just your mind playing tricks.

| + |

Author's note: Well SnapeJuice you've just become my most favourite person in the world! I swear to god your reviews are giving me a head rush (back to the drug references :oP). I'm glad you like my stuff and yes I agree – there aren't any original plots left in the HP fandom so we all struggle with what we can.

Werecat99 – Generally when anyone reviews my stuff I always go and check out their stuff and review it too. Well if you're reading this part then you'll have found out why Snape is so furious about Sorora being given the post. Hope you're liking it.

Colleen – Usually when I write long stories with a woman as the lead character I start to dislike her by the end of it. I once wrote this story that started off lovely and then in the end as I started to really hate her character I made her a heroin addict and put the bitch in gaol for having her ex Russia mafia fiancé killed for his money. She died in gaol of an overdose and knew no happiness in those last moments. She died knowing that everyone that had mattered in her life hated her, along with half the world (she a famous opera singer). That shouldn't happen with Sorora though. She doesn't know anyone in the Russian Mafia and she doesn't sing :o) I'm still liking her at the moment, but it may turn sour. Probably won't though.

Corrie – Thanks again and I hope the wait wasn't too long *grins wickedly*