Hogwarts
Unease
Is what the headmaster's feeling. Unease with the situation. with the device's behavior.
As Stated before, the monitor should be beating a steady red. A confirmation of active magic. Not glowing gray.
Blood Wards can vary in color. From reds and blues to yellows and greens.
But no matter the wards color. They all have one thing in common.
That gray signifies uncertainty. Gray means that the blood wards aren't in full power.
Be it the wards itself or the guarded individual. Uncertainty of blood wards is never a good omen.
It could be a number of reasons for its sudden behavior. None better then the last.
He gripped the sides of the table tighter. His unease grows stronger. Gut tightening.
One could describe Blood wards to be 'Sentient magic' in a sense. It is invoked by the purest emotion in desperate times.
It protects the individual form anyone who wishes to bring any harm.
If those of different blood wish to hurt the Warded, their attempts will be sent back to the attacker.
'But the individual can be hurt from those of the same blood.'
His chest tightened.
This is a matter of great concern.
Letting go of the table, he marched toward the portraits.
"Summon Professors Minerva, Severus and Flitwick immediately."
When they acquiesced his request headmasters request, he returned to the device.
No changes, still glowing gray.
The growing unease started to be replaced with dread.
'Great Merlin, Merlin please let the child be safe.'
Break
Severus Snape is annoyed.
He was in the process of preparing for the next year of teaching the empty-minded young witches and wizards the brilliant art of alchemy.
Organizing and restocking his supplies of potion ingredients. And drafting a set plan for classes.
Only to be interrupted by a portrait delivering a summons from the headmaster.
Striding through the halls he grumbled to himself.
'Of all times for a summons it had to disrupt my preparation.'
Of course he knew that a summon could be called at any point of time. He's just annoyed that it happened in the middle of his task.
Climbing up the stairs. He passed portraits, suits of armor and the occasional house elf.
He paid them no mind. His of course is elsewhere.
Pondering the reason for his summons.
'Did many students complained about his methods of teaching? Life isn't fair and easy, it's best for them to learn that quickly. Especially the Hufflepuffs.'
Various other theories danced in his head. Some leaving feelings of amusement and dread.
But he wasn't going to find out by just toying with speculations. The answer will be given by attending the meeting.
His train of thought stopped after he turned to last corner.
Standing by the statue of headmasters chambers is two of his fellow colleagues.
Minerva McGonagall and Fillus Flitwick.
'It seems that I wasn't the only one Summoned.'
The two are in a conversation. Probably chatting about the coming semester.
Continuing his pace, the two heard his footsteps approaching. They turned to face him.
"Severus, you were called as well?" Flitwick spoke first.
He Raised an eyebrow.
'This must be important then.'
"So it would seem." Was his reply.
"How are you today?" Minerva asked.
"I'm mildly annoyed for the interruption this caused."
Flitwick gave a chuckle.
"Preparing as well?"
"If you are referring to the next semester then yes." He stated. "I was in the process of finalizing preparations."
Flitwick chuckled once more.
"Seems we aren't the only ones." Minerva jokes.
Severus gave an amused breath.
The sound of shifting stone stopped the banter.
The statue began to rise, revealing a spiral staircase.
"Seems Dumbledore is ready for us." Flitwick surmised.
"Indeed, I'm unsure if Miss Sprout will be here as well." Minerva pondered.
"If she arrives, she'll meet us with the headmaster." Severus declaring.
Moving past the two, he began to ascend the stairs.
He heard the two behind him sigh. He didn't dignify a response.
Break
The headmaster didn't move from the table. He couldn't the dread continued to build.
Endless possibilities flew through his mind adding to the fire.
He had even contacted Arabella for more information of Harry's presence.
She responded that the young Harry was not present when the Dursleys returned from school.
The reply he's given caused the dread to grow into a rising flame.
Footsteps snapped him from his thoughts, grew louder and closer to him.
His head turned to the entrance. Three sets of footsteps stopped on the otherside. A knock came soon after.
He quickly composed himself. He need to remain calm.
"You may enter."
The door open after he finished speaking.
Severus was the first to enter. Followed by Minerva and Flitwick.
They couldn't see the device. He was obscuring their view. Only the luminous glow can be seen.
Minerva nodded her head to him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore"
She greeted, as did Flitwick.
"Headmaster"
Is all Severus said, he doesn't mind his choice of formality
"My friends." He greeted. "I apologize if this was an inconvenient for you, but a situation has transpired."
Minerva looked to Severus then to Flitwick. Flitwick doing the same. Severus kept his gaze set on Dumbledore.
"Will madam Sprout be here as well?" Flitwick inquired
"Miss Sprout, will not be attending this." He responded.
"Is the reasoning behind our summons related to the upcoming school year?" Minerva queried. Dumbledore shook his head.
"I'm afraid not Minerva, this is a matter of great importance." I breathed
Severus seems to notice the glow.
The three traded glances.
"Then what is this meeting involved with."
Minerva's expression was mixture of confused concern, Flitwick's a visage curiosity and Severus's an intrigued indifference.
"It involves the safety of Young Harry Potter." He announced
Expressions changed upon his declaration.
Severus's eyes gained a distant look and body grew still.
Flitwick's attention is now solely focused on to himself.
Minerva's face changed to absolute concern. Then a face of pure determination formed.
"What happen to Harry, Dumbledore." She practically demanded.
All eyes on him. He move to the side. Revealing the device.
The gray glow stolen their attention form him.
"That is something that we must find out."