Chapter 28 - Plots and Schemes

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"Did you sleep at all?" Sirius asked in mild amusement as he opened his eyes the next morning to find a pair of content, but sleepy blue eyes looking back. At least Rowan was calmer than the night before, he thought hazily, still wallowing in the sleepy part of his mind.

"I did, yes," Rowan nodded, then yawned widely. She blushed slightly. "But not much," she admitted. "I was planning."

This woke Sirius up completely. Rowan schemed beautifully, in his opinion. If she had an idea that she found interesting and feasible enough to sacrifice sleep over . . . "Tell me."

"Not just yet," she hedged, squirming out of his arms and reaching down to pull him to his feet. Sirius frowned at her evasion and she smiled before pulling his head down for a sultry kiss. It was pure distraction technique. He knew that. Or, rather, some still sensible bit in the very dungeons of his mind registered it and protested. The rest of Sirius, however, didn't mind one bit at being distracted so pleasurably.

"I'm coming with you," Sirius gasped as he attempted to catch his breath after the kiss. Rowan looked up at him, surprised.

"But . . ." Sirius gently placed a finger across her lips.

"I'm going."

Rowan rolled her eyes and removed his finger from her mouth. "I wasn't disagreeing with you. I was pointing out that you're not going as yourself."

"Excuse me?" Sirius now felt thoroughly confused, but she didn't explain.

"Let's go hunt down Severus. We'll need his cooperation."

Sirius raised an eyebrow and felt an ominous trickle of worry begin to thread its way through his stomach. He had a bad feeling about this.

~*~

"This is your grandiose plan?" Snape asked sceptically. "Bring the most wanted wizard into a nest of Death Eaters, abduct one of their number and hope you make it back out?"

She favoured him with an offended glare. "I have a distraction planned, of course."

"Black's appearance would certainly throw Lucius and his Death Eater cronies off balance for a moment," Snape noted grudgingly. "However, there will be Ministry Aurors in attendance as well."

"We could get caught in some pretty nasty cross-fire," Sirius winced, but willingly defended the plan. Rowan kept mostly silent, only briefly sketching out her plan for a very quick removal of Wormtail to the two men, then sitting back and allowing them to quibble over details while the implications fully sunk in.

"They don't need to know it's Sirius," she offered, curling her legs under the desk she perched on. They'd found Snape deep in the dungeon laboratories of Hogwarts, working over a large bubbling silver cauldron. Sirius didn't recognise the azure liquid softly roiling over the silver flames, though he was sure Rowan knew its name, its effect, and most likely the preparation and dosage of every ingredient in it. Snape continued to monitor his concoction even as Rowan outlined her plan to the both of them.

"And I assume you have a dubious and faintly suicidal scheme already planned out for accomplishing this?" Snape asked, adding a handful of lacy insect wings to the cauldron and stirring three times.

Rowan smiled beatifically at him and answered levelly. "Actually, Severus, I do. Sirius will be going as you."

Their reactions were . . . amusing to say the least. Sirius didn't say anything for almost a full minute, though his jaw worked up and down like a gaping fish. Snape dropped the entire vial of liquid mercury he held into the cauldron, turning the azure liquid a violent gold that frothed and steamed until Rowan dived for a shelf and pitched a jewelled tortoise shell into the mixture. It stilled immediately, settling into a glossy black colour.

Sirius fought his way out of the horrified shock gripping him as he heard Snape snarling. "By the Founders, Myfanwy, what possessed you to think up this insanity? You fully intend to commit dual suicide at this soiree, don't you?"

"This is not suicide," Sirius bit out darkly, his brain finally catching up with his mate's reasoning. Even he had to admit it was dangerous, but sound. More importantly, it was simple enough to work. "This is springing their trap before they have time to set it properly. It's absolutely positive there's another layer we can't see yet. We're attempting to pre-empt whatever clever little mousetrap that miserable rat set for us!"

"How can you be so sure there is another layer?" Snape asked, curiosity tinting his voice as Rowan confirmed Sirius's reasoning with a nod. "They dangle Black's freedom in front of you and lure you away from the safety of Hogwarts, then capture you and use you both as bait for Potter. It's exactly the sort of trap Lucius Malfoy would set!"

Rowan shook her head. "I know how Peter Pettigrew thinks, and it's not that simple," she stated. "He may have been a bit slower than James or Sirius with his studies, but he was not stupid, and he knew how to scheme. More than that, Lucius won't expect your presence, Severus," she pointed out. "And he definitely won't expect 'you' to turn on him," Rowan smirked. "You're a loyal Death Eater, remember?"

Sirius watched Snape fidget uncomfortably. Chances were that Voldemort would forgive Snape, but not after a round of torture for his doppelganger's betrayal. Then Sirius realised how, exactly, she intended to turn him into irritability incarnate and felt the blood drain from his face. Polyjuice Potion. "I am not drinking anything that has bits of Snape in it!" he exclaimed in disgust.

"You will if you want Wormtail, love." Rowan stated coolly, not the least bit put out by his epiphany. Sirius grumbled darkly.

"Like I want you infesting my image, Black?" Snape's eyes flashed.

"Worried I might actually wash your hair?" Sirius shot back.

Snape glared hatefully at Sirius, but turned back to Rowan with an oily smile. "You forget that Polyjuice potion takes a month to brew, Rowan Myfanwy. We don't have a month."

"I keep some on hand," she shrugged. "In the cabinet with the Veritaserum and my stock of medical potions. It . . . came in useful to keep certain potions on hand during the last war. Especially the more time consuming ones."

Snape stayed silent for a long moment, obviously weighing the scheme and deciding whether or not to co-operate. "You would have been an excellent Slytherin, Rowan Myfanwy," Snape told her at last, grudging approval creeping into his voice. "It's a shame you were wasted on the Gryffindors."

~*~*~*~

My computer crashed completely, so I had to recoup from that before I could write up this chapter! That's why it's so short. That and I liked this ending. I apologise, but it was a short chapter or a long Authors Note explaining another week's delay.

Nataly Ravenlock: I did indeed review "Second Chances"! I haven't got back to finish and review it just yet because my computer is a sulky brat.

Imhotep: working on it. There's lots to be done yet, and like it or not, Sirius and Rowan play a major role in it. This story isn't a Harry-fest. I never intended it to be. I ask that you trust me on this. Harry gets to save the day in the end.

Lana Potter: Thank you! The Malfoys are in for it, to say the least . . .

Psychotic Disillusions: I don't do all that many tender moments, so indulge me. :) Chaos and mayhem come later.

'nigma: *chokes on glitter* Well, if I saw you more often . . . Truly, I thought you were sick of this story and my inane ramblings! I stand corrected. You get first dibs now!

Celtic Ember: Because Sock-stealing Ginny belongs to her and she may not wish to share with a less talented author?

Wellduh: You'll see.

Lily Evans: Why would I do that? You'll find out, just not yet. :)

Julephenia: Oh, the Myfanwys are VERY pure blood. They're just not quite human, but that makes their magic stronger. There hasn't been a Squib or Muggle in that line for an eon.

Lia Snowstar: good luck on your Exams! Moony's opinion? I don't know. You get into his head in the sequel, but not here I don't think.

Crydwyn: I hate it when that happens to me! My goal is to finish this story by the end of July, though, so you don't have that long of a wait!

harry potter maniac: Quick as I can!

Lyndsi: Thank you very much! Ron and Hermione don't seem to feature as much as I thought they would in the beginning! I'm afraid it looks like mostly Harry and Ginny from here on out. We'll see what comes!