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Harry Potter and the Black Unicorn (part 8) - The first fight
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i
"Lucius, you have failed me. You will not fail me again"
Harry stared at the man who had pretty much ruined his life so far. It was Voldemort. Somehow Harry knew this was a dream and Voldemort was not really there, but he knew what was going on was really happening.
"No master" stuttered Malfoy, stumbling backwards a little.
"I want Potter, Malfoy"
"Yes sir, I'll get him, I'll..."
"You'll do no such thing," replied the man angrily, "He's too strong for you. No, we must take away that which protects him for he is protected well."
"But sir" interrupted Malfoy, "How can we do that with Dumbledore there he's..."
"Dumbledore is an old fool," snapped Voldemort "He's already been wrong footed and the rest should be easy."
Malfoy nodded vigorously at Voldemort and stepped further and further back, obviously he wanted to keep a distance between himself and a very angry Voldemort.
"Fool" said Voldemort coldly, raising his wand.
"Crucio!" he shouted, and Malfoy fell to the ground in pain.
"Get up you fool and go. Take away what he now needs the most."
Malfoy was running away now, towards the other death eaters who were waiting a safe distance away. He was running fast, he was clearly terrified, so very terrifi.../i
Harry jolted awake suddenly and gasped. It was very early in the morning, still dark. Harry looked at the enchanted clock in the room to see that it was not yet 2am. Harry had no idea what to do. He had no idea of Dumbledore's password and he couldn't just rely on guessing. No, he needed a teacher, and fast.
Before he even knew what he was doing he was dressed in his robes and shaking awake Ron.
"Ron get up," he whispered as Ron opened his eyes. "Get dressed, get Hermione and then go fetch McGonagall and Hidellbank and take them to Dumbledore's office. No time to explain."
Ron was out of bed in a flash and Harry charged out of the room and ran full pelt to the dungeons.
He nearly tripped down the steps to Snape's office but just about managed to keep his balance.
"Snape!" Harry shouted, as he knocked on the door violently. After a few seconds the door was flung open and Snape appeared, still in his normal robes.
"What the hell?" snapped the older man angrily.
"Sir I had a dream...well a vision. I get them." Harry started, his words muffled because he was out of breathe.
"Voldemort told Malfoy off for failing but he's coming back. He said Dumbledore had made a mistake and that they needed to kill those who protected me to get to me."
"Harry calm" muttered Snape evenly, resting his hand on the boys shoulder. "Dumbledore rarely makes mistakes..."
"But he has" interjected Harry, "Malfoy walked straight in and disappeared out...you're not meant to be able to do that in Hogwarts sir. Something's wrong."
"You think Dumbledore is in danger?" asked Snape, his eyes showing some sign of fear.
"Yes sir, and you. Last year Voldemort said one member had ran and one would never return. That he'd deal with them. You're the traitor and he knows it."
Snape cut Harry of by waving his hand at the boy.
"We need to tell Dumbledore Harry, and quick," Snape said firmly "Come on."
Harry again found himself running down the Hogwarts corridors, this time towards Dumbledore's office and with Snape closely in toe.
They got to the staircase and Snape said the password, which happened to be butterbeer of all things. Hidellbank and Ron rounded the corner just behind them and followed them up the stairs.
"Hermione's getting McGonagall" said Ron, as breathless as Harry. He looked like he was going to continue but he was cut of by the simultaneous entrance of Hermione and McGonagall from behind, and Dumbledore from inside the room.
"What an earth?" muttered the headmaster sleepily, sitting in his chair and stirring at the assembly of people in his office. The poor man was still in his pyjamas.
Snape pushed Harry towards the head master and Harry told Dumbledore of his dream and he and Snape explained what happened with Lucius Malfoy that evening.
"Malfoy should not have been able to get in," stated Dumbledore, "Someone inside this school is tampering with the spell."
"It'll be one of their children," muttered Snape, "Cant be Crabbe or Goyle because they are far to stupid."
"That leaves about 6 other children in Slytherin with suspected death eaters for parents" said McGonagall from behind Harry.
"Jesus," muttered Hidellbank "May not even be a Slytherin, weirder things have happened"
Dumbledore nodded at her and ran his hand through his beard.
Snape looked like he was about to make some sort of comment but instead he stumbled over in pain and grabbed his wrist.
"They're near" he yelled, clearly in pain. No one needed to ask who he meant as the potions master pulled out a potions bottle from a hidden pocket and poured it on his arm to stop the burning. Before anyone could ask him anything Snape was running out the office, so they all decided to follow, including Dumbledore who had magically dressed himself in a second.
When they had reached the outside of the castle they saw what Snape had been running towards. Through the gate they could see around twenty death eaters marching towards the grounds. Before anyone could stop him Snape was heading towards the gate saying he'd hold them off. No one seemed to try and stop him.
"We haven't got much time, Snape will be in range soon and he can't stop them for long" yelled Hidellbank over the strong wind. It was cold. Harry had only just realised how cold it was, even with his robes on he felt naked against the freezing wind. It was dark too, he could barely see what was happening and if it hadn't been for the wooden torches the Death Eater's were carrying it would have been nearly impossible to see them. The wind was making it difficult to hear anyone speak and Dumbledore's instructions were barely audible.
"Minerva, wake Sprout and Flitwick and begin putting protection spells inside the castle itself" shouted Dumbledore, "Sirene, you need to help me protect the walls and fast."
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood there motionlessly for a few seconds. An idea hit Harry and he used a summoning spell to call his broomstick and Hermione's book that Hidellbank had leant her from their rooms. They came quickly and Harry threw the book to Hermione.
"Ron, fly Hermione up to the owlry tower" Harry pointed up at the tower which happened to be the nearest to them.
"You need to use the blocking spells on those Death Eaters, bide us and Snape more time" Harry instructed, trying to keep calm.
Ron jumped on the broom and pulled Hermione on with him and flew as quickly as he could up to the tower.
Harry ran over to Hidellbank who was putting up some sort of protection spell.
"Ron and Hermione are going to use blocking spells to help Snape, what are you doing?" he asked urgently.
"This spell will allow only those who leave the grounds now to return to it. Effectively blocking everyone else out" she explained "Just reinforcing it now"
"Snape!" exclaimed Harry, "He's out of the castle!"
"I know Harry but I need to protect the castle," she said, looking as worried as Harry. Harry could do nothing but nod before running to the front gate to check on Snape's progress. He glanced out to see that obviously Ron and Hermione were having some effect at delaying them but not stopping them advancing completely. To Harry's horror Snape was getting pretty knocked around as bits of spells reached him from that distance away and were having the effects of a fist fight on him. Harry could see cuts and bruises forming and it was clear he couldn't hold them of for much longer.
Harry looked round to Hidellbank to see if she'd finished and she had. She was already making her way over but she'd never get out there and get Snape back inside again quick enough.
"Accio Firebolt!" Harry yelled, summoning his broomstick back to him from the owlry.
"Harry no!" yelled Hidellbank as Harry jumped on the broomstick and shot over the walls of the castle. He steered it down like he was doing the 'wronski feint' so he could get to the man quickly and stopped shakily next to the Professor as the wind was making the broom difficult to steer. The man tried to mutter something but Harry ignored him and tugged him onto the firebolt with him. Snape and Harry both raised their wands at the same time and uttered the same blocking spell. The effect was remarkable. Harry felt the spell run through him like blood through his veins and a bright spark of light occurred round the potions master and himself. The effect on the death eaters was just as amazing. They were all thrown back about 30 meters.
Harry wasted to time waiting to see if any were about to get up, he flew up again towards the top of the wall and as he was heading down the other side to land by Dumbledore he felt Snape lean on him heavily, the man was clearly going to pass out. Harry straightened the broom and eased it down gently, jumping of whilst supporting the potions master on the broom.
"Are you ok Harry?" Dumbledore shouted over the wind. Harry nodded and indicated to the unconscious Snape. Dumbledore had obviously already seen him and was waving Hidellbank over to take him to the medical wing. He instructed her to take Harry with her so he could be given a check up.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Harry had been in the hospital wing for nearly an hour before he was properly left alone. Hermione and Ron had came down and hugged him to see he was okay but had been sent away by Pomprey because she wanted some peace in which to work on Snape's wounds. Dumbledore, Hidellbank, McGonagall and even Flitwick were commending him on his bravery but saying he was very foolish at the same time. Clearly Dumbledore had realised Harry was getting wound up and made everyone leave Harry and Snape in the hands of Madame Pomprey. After three quarters of an hour she'd finished fixing up the rather bruised and battered potions teacher and had left him, still unconscious, on a bed. She had then moved on to Harry and gave him a quick check up, declaring he was fine but she wanted him to stay there for the rest of the night so he could sleep in.
Harry was pretty relieved if he was to be honest, he didn't want 100 different questions from the other students. He wanted sleep, and after Pomprey had given him the dreamless sleep potion, that's what he got.
He woke up to find light seeping through the curtains and was surprised to find he'd slept until 10.26 am. He put on his glasses and glanced across to the bed next to him to find his potions master still fast asleep. The man still looked battered and bruised but after Madame Pomprey's careful ministrations he looked far better that he had earlier that morning.
The room was empty apart from the two of them; Harry guessed Pomprey must be in her office next door. Harry stretched and got out his bed, be careful to not disturb Snape he walked over to the mans bed to check he was okay. Both of them were wearing the white and blue stripped medical wing pyjamas. Harry was used to seeing himself in them, he'd spent plenty of time in the medical wing during his 4 years of Hogwarts. He had never seen Snape in anything other than black or dark green though and it was quite an amusing sight.
Obviously the potions master could sense people laughing at him whilst he slept and the man stirred, opening his eyes to reveal his cold black eyes.
"Potter" he muttered sleepily "Ever I'm in hell or I'm in the medical wing"
"If you look at what your wearing you may struggle to decide" Harry said calmly, giving Snape's pyjamas another look.
"Oh lord," muttered Snape, glancing down "I'm going to kill Poppy"
Harry laughed at his very dozy looking potions teacher and sat down in the chair next to his bed.
"How are you feeling sir?" he asked once he was comfortably seated. Snape sat up and stretched.
"Sore" replied Snape, "you?"
"Oh I'm fine," replied Harry "I wasn't the one trying to take on an army of Death Eater's though"
This seemed to jog Snape's memory and the man swung round so his legs were hanging of the bed.
"Yes, but you were the daft one he came and rescued me Potter" he replied sarcastically "Very noble of you"
"That's my pleasure" said Harry sarcastically, not surprised in the least that he had not thanked him.
Before Snape could muster a sarcastic reply the door to Pomprey's office opened and Pomprey, Dumbledore, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black all came out.
"Ah you're awake I see" said Pomprey disapprovingly "Well as you seem to be able to walk you can both go"
Snape gave Harry a lop-sided smile that looked odd on the older man. Harry thought it must be a bit of the young Severus Snape from his Hogwarts days rearing its head. Somehow he could tell that Snape had been in the medical wing plenty of times whilst he studied here.
"Well Potter" said Snape, distracting Harry's thoughts "I doubt your god father wants to speak to me so I'll be off"
Everyone watched Snape summon himself a fresh set of clothes from his rooms and then spell them onto him. Dumbledore patted him on the back to show the man he was most grateful for his help the night before but no one said a word. Snape was nearly out the door before he turned back and looked straight at Harry.
"Firstly Mr Potter, I never wore those embarrassing Pyjama's and secondly...thank you"
Snape didn't wait for a reply before walking of. His words had made both Harry and Dumbledore smile and Lupin was suppressing one for Sirius' sake.
Sirius rushed forward and hugged Harry and Harry was glad he was there.
"Jesus Harry, you shouldn't be risking your life like that, not for HIM"
Harry knew his godfather meant Snape so did not comment.
"When did you get back?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Only about 30 minutes ago" replied Sirius "Ran across a couple of Death Eater's trying to attack Hogsmede last night. I guess they thought they'd find some easy fun."
Harry was shocked at the news and turned to Dumbledore.
"Its okay Harry" said Lupin "No one was hurt, we frightened them away."
"Well," said Dumbledore, catching their attention. "I believe we're having a meal tonight in my office Harry, Remus spoke to you about it I believe?"
Harry nodded and smiled at Lupin and his uncle.
"Excellent!" said Dumbledore jovially; "You're allowed to bring three friends so you can bring someone along with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. Usual Dinner time."
"Thank you sir" said Harry and he hugged all three men standing around him. Gathering up his belongings he left the medical wing to go see his friends.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Harry had no idea who Dumbledore expected him to bring with him along with Ron and Hermione. Obviously the headmaster had someone in mind though, Harry could tell by the way he had said it. So who did Dumbledore expect him to invite that Dumbledore didn't want to mention in front of his godfather. Harry had thought for a few seconds that Dumbledore wanted him to invite Neville, but he would have come straight out with that. Anyway, it would have to be someone who knew about Sirius. Snape. It had taken him from the medical wing to the common room entrance to realise it but Dumbledore had meant Snape. Sirius would not be happy, but may just bite his lip and be polite if he was Harry's guest. Dumbledore had plenty of bright ideas, although he could make his clues easier. He couldn't imagine how Sirius would react to Snape's presence, or for that matter Snape's reaction to the invitation.
As the common room door opened he decided to put it to the back of his head until a bit later, Gryffindor tower was packed with people wanting to congratulate him and ask him questions about the night before.
It was only during the telling of the story that Harry remembered the blocking spell that he and Snape had performed and how strange it had been.
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*Insert random way of begging for reviews here! *
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I enjoyed imagining it!
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Harry Potter and the Black Unicorn (part 8) - The first fight
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i
"Lucius, you have failed me. You will not fail me again"
Harry stared at the man who had pretty much ruined his life so far. It was Voldemort. Somehow Harry knew this was a dream and Voldemort was not really there, but he knew what was going on was really happening.
"No master" stuttered Malfoy, stumbling backwards a little.
"I want Potter, Malfoy"
"Yes sir, I'll get him, I'll..."
"You'll do no such thing," replied the man angrily, "He's too strong for you. No, we must take away that which protects him for he is protected well."
"But sir" interrupted Malfoy, "How can we do that with Dumbledore there he's..."
"Dumbledore is an old fool," snapped Voldemort "He's already been wrong footed and the rest should be easy."
Malfoy nodded vigorously at Voldemort and stepped further and further back, obviously he wanted to keep a distance between himself and a very angry Voldemort.
"Fool" said Voldemort coldly, raising his wand.
"Crucio!" he shouted, and Malfoy fell to the ground in pain.
"Get up you fool and go. Take away what he now needs the most."
Malfoy was running away now, towards the other death eaters who were waiting a safe distance away. He was running fast, he was clearly terrified, so very terrifi.../i
Harry jolted awake suddenly and gasped. It was very early in the morning, still dark. Harry looked at the enchanted clock in the room to see that it was not yet 2am. Harry had no idea what to do. He had no idea of Dumbledore's password and he couldn't just rely on guessing. No, he needed a teacher, and fast.
Before he even knew what he was doing he was dressed in his robes and shaking awake Ron.
"Ron get up," he whispered as Ron opened his eyes. "Get dressed, get Hermione and then go fetch McGonagall and Hidellbank and take them to Dumbledore's office. No time to explain."
Ron was out of bed in a flash and Harry charged out of the room and ran full pelt to the dungeons.
He nearly tripped down the steps to Snape's office but just about managed to keep his balance.
"Snape!" Harry shouted, as he knocked on the door violently. After a few seconds the door was flung open and Snape appeared, still in his normal robes.
"What the hell?" snapped the older man angrily.
"Sir I had a dream...well a vision. I get them." Harry started, his words muffled because he was out of breathe.
"Voldemort told Malfoy off for failing but he's coming back. He said Dumbledore had made a mistake and that they needed to kill those who protected me to get to me."
"Harry calm" muttered Snape evenly, resting his hand on the boys shoulder. "Dumbledore rarely makes mistakes..."
"But he has" interjected Harry, "Malfoy walked straight in and disappeared out...you're not meant to be able to do that in Hogwarts sir. Something's wrong."
"You think Dumbledore is in danger?" asked Snape, his eyes showing some sign of fear.
"Yes sir, and you. Last year Voldemort said one member had ran and one would never return. That he'd deal with them. You're the traitor and he knows it."
Snape cut Harry of by waving his hand at the boy.
"We need to tell Dumbledore Harry, and quick," Snape said firmly "Come on."
Harry again found himself running down the Hogwarts corridors, this time towards Dumbledore's office and with Snape closely in toe.
They got to the staircase and Snape said the password, which happened to be butterbeer of all things. Hidellbank and Ron rounded the corner just behind them and followed them up the stairs.
"Hermione's getting McGonagall" said Ron, as breathless as Harry. He looked like he was going to continue but he was cut of by the simultaneous entrance of Hermione and McGonagall from behind, and Dumbledore from inside the room.
"What an earth?" muttered the headmaster sleepily, sitting in his chair and stirring at the assembly of people in his office. The poor man was still in his pyjamas.
Snape pushed Harry towards the head master and Harry told Dumbledore of his dream and he and Snape explained what happened with Lucius Malfoy that evening.
"Malfoy should not have been able to get in," stated Dumbledore, "Someone inside this school is tampering with the spell."
"It'll be one of their children," muttered Snape, "Cant be Crabbe or Goyle because they are far to stupid."
"That leaves about 6 other children in Slytherin with suspected death eaters for parents" said McGonagall from behind Harry.
"Jesus," muttered Hidellbank "May not even be a Slytherin, weirder things have happened"
Dumbledore nodded at her and ran his hand through his beard.
Snape looked like he was about to make some sort of comment but instead he stumbled over in pain and grabbed his wrist.
"They're near" he yelled, clearly in pain. No one needed to ask who he meant as the potions master pulled out a potions bottle from a hidden pocket and poured it on his arm to stop the burning. Before anyone could ask him anything Snape was running out the office, so they all decided to follow, including Dumbledore who had magically dressed himself in a second.
When they had reached the outside of the castle they saw what Snape had been running towards. Through the gate they could see around twenty death eaters marching towards the grounds. Before anyone could stop him Snape was heading towards the gate saying he'd hold them off. No one seemed to try and stop him.
"We haven't got much time, Snape will be in range soon and he can't stop them for long" yelled Hidellbank over the strong wind. It was cold. Harry had only just realised how cold it was, even with his robes on he felt naked against the freezing wind. It was dark too, he could barely see what was happening and if it hadn't been for the wooden torches the Death Eater's were carrying it would have been nearly impossible to see them. The wind was making it difficult to hear anyone speak and Dumbledore's instructions were barely audible.
"Minerva, wake Sprout and Flitwick and begin putting protection spells inside the castle itself" shouted Dumbledore, "Sirene, you need to help me protect the walls and fast."
Harry, Ron and Hermione stood there motionlessly for a few seconds. An idea hit Harry and he used a summoning spell to call his broomstick and Hermione's book that Hidellbank had leant her from their rooms. They came quickly and Harry threw the book to Hermione.
"Ron, fly Hermione up to the owlry tower" Harry pointed up at the tower which happened to be the nearest to them.
"You need to use the blocking spells on those Death Eaters, bide us and Snape more time" Harry instructed, trying to keep calm.
Ron jumped on the broom and pulled Hermione on with him and flew as quickly as he could up to the tower.
Harry ran over to Hidellbank who was putting up some sort of protection spell.
"Ron and Hermione are going to use blocking spells to help Snape, what are you doing?" he asked urgently.
"This spell will allow only those who leave the grounds now to return to it. Effectively blocking everyone else out" she explained "Just reinforcing it now"
"Snape!" exclaimed Harry, "He's out of the castle!"
"I know Harry but I need to protect the castle," she said, looking as worried as Harry. Harry could do nothing but nod before running to the front gate to check on Snape's progress. He glanced out to see that obviously Ron and Hermione were having some effect at delaying them but not stopping them advancing completely. To Harry's horror Snape was getting pretty knocked around as bits of spells reached him from that distance away and were having the effects of a fist fight on him. Harry could see cuts and bruises forming and it was clear he couldn't hold them of for much longer.
Harry looked round to Hidellbank to see if she'd finished and she had. She was already making her way over but she'd never get out there and get Snape back inside again quick enough.
"Accio Firebolt!" Harry yelled, summoning his broomstick back to him from the owlry.
"Harry no!" yelled Hidellbank as Harry jumped on the broomstick and shot over the walls of the castle. He steered it down like he was doing the 'wronski feint' so he could get to the man quickly and stopped shakily next to the Professor as the wind was making the broom difficult to steer. The man tried to mutter something but Harry ignored him and tugged him onto the firebolt with him. Snape and Harry both raised their wands at the same time and uttered the same blocking spell. The effect was remarkable. Harry felt the spell run through him like blood through his veins and a bright spark of light occurred round the potions master and himself. The effect on the death eaters was just as amazing. They were all thrown back about 30 meters.
Harry wasted to time waiting to see if any were about to get up, he flew up again towards the top of the wall and as he was heading down the other side to land by Dumbledore he felt Snape lean on him heavily, the man was clearly going to pass out. Harry straightened the broom and eased it down gently, jumping of whilst supporting the potions master on the broom.
"Are you ok Harry?" Dumbledore shouted over the wind. Harry nodded and indicated to the unconscious Snape. Dumbledore had obviously already seen him and was waving Hidellbank over to take him to the medical wing. He instructed her to take Harry with her so he could be given a check up.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Harry had been in the hospital wing for nearly an hour before he was properly left alone. Hermione and Ron had came down and hugged him to see he was okay but had been sent away by Pomprey because she wanted some peace in which to work on Snape's wounds. Dumbledore, Hidellbank, McGonagall and even Flitwick were commending him on his bravery but saying he was very foolish at the same time. Clearly Dumbledore had realised Harry was getting wound up and made everyone leave Harry and Snape in the hands of Madame Pomprey. After three quarters of an hour she'd finished fixing up the rather bruised and battered potions teacher and had left him, still unconscious, on a bed. She had then moved on to Harry and gave him a quick check up, declaring he was fine but she wanted him to stay there for the rest of the night so he could sleep in.
Harry was pretty relieved if he was to be honest, he didn't want 100 different questions from the other students. He wanted sleep, and after Pomprey had given him the dreamless sleep potion, that's what he got.
He woke up to find light seeping through the curtains and was surprised to find he'd slept until 10.26 am. He put on his glasses and glanced across to the bed next to him to find his potions master still fast asleep. The man still looked battered and bruised but after Madame Pomprey's careful ministrations he looked far better that he had earlier that morning.
The room was empty apart from the two of them; Harry guessed Pomprey must be in her office next door. Harry stretched and got out his bed, be careful to not disturb Snape he walked over to the mans bed to check he was okay. Both of them were wearing the white and blue stripped medical wing pyjamas. Harry was used to seeing himself in them, he'd spent plenty of time in the medical wing during his 4 years of Hogwarts. He had never seen Snape in anything other than black or dark green though and it was quite an amusing sight.
Obviously the potions master could sense people laughing at him whilst he slept and the man stirred, opening his eyes to reveal his cold black eyes.
"Potter" he muttered sleepily "Ever I'm in hell or I'm in the medical wing"
"If you look at what your wearing you may struggle to decide" Harry said calmly, giving Snape's pyjamas another look.
"Oh lord," muttered Snape, glancing down "I'm going to kill Poppy"
Harry laughed at his very dozy looking potions teacher and sat down in the chair next to his bed.
"How are you feeling sir?" he asked once he was comfortably seated. Snape sat up and stretched.
"Sore" replied Snape, "you?"
"Oh I'm fine," replied Harry "I wasn't the one trying to take on an army of Death Eater's though"
This seemed to jog Snape's memory and the man swung round so his legs were hanging of the bed.
"Yes, but you were the daft one he came and rescued me Potter" he replied sarcastically "Very noble of you"
"That's my pleasure" said Harry sarcastically, not surprised in the least that he had not thanked him.
Before Snape could muster a sarcastic reply the door to Pomprey's office opened and Pomprey, Dumbledore, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black all came out.
"Ah you're awake I see" said Pomprey disapprovingly "Well as you seem to be able to walk you can both go"
Snape gave Harry a lop-sided smile that looked odd on the older man. Harry thought it must be a bit of the young Severus Snape from his Hogwarts days rearing its head. Somehow he could tell that Snape had been in the medical wing plenty of times whilst he studied here.
"Well Potter" said Snape, distracting Harry's thoughts "I doubt your god father wants to speak to me so I'll be off"
Everyone watched Snape summon himself a fresh set of clothes from his rooms and then spell them onto him. Dumbledore patted him on the back to show the man he was most grateful for his help the night before but no one said a word. Snape was nearly out the door before he turned back and looked straight at Harry.
"Firstly Mr Potter, I never wore those embarrassing Pyjama's and secondly...thank you"
Snape didn't wait for a reply before walking of. His words had made both Harry and Dumbledore smile and Lupin was suppressing one for Sirius' sake.
Sirius rushed forward and hugged Harry and Harry was glad he was there.
"Jesus Harry, you shouldn't be risking your life like that, not for HIM"
Harry knew his godfather meant Snape so did not comment.
"When did you get back?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Only about 30 minutes ago" replied Sirius "Ran across a couple of Death Eater's trying to attack Hogsmede last night. I guess they thought they'd find some easy fun."
Harry was shocked at the news and turned to Dumbledore.
"Its okay Harry" said Lupin "No one was hurt, we frightened them away."
"Well," said Dumbledore, catching their attention. "I believe we're having a meal tonight in my office Harry, Remus spoke to you about it I believe?"
Harry nodded and smiled at Lupin and his uncle.
"Excellent!" said Dumbledore jovially; "You're allowed to bring three friends so you can bring someone along with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. Usual Dinner time."
"Thank you sir" said Harry and he hugged all three men standing around him. Gathering up his belongings he left the medical wing to go see his friends.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Harry had no idea who Dumbledore expected him to bring with him along with Ron and Hermione. Obviously the headmaster had someone in mind though, Harry could tell by the way he had said it. So who did Dumbledore expect him to invite that Dumbledore didn't want to mention in front of his godfather. Harry had thought for a few seconds that Dumbledore wanted him to invite Neville, but he would have come straight out with that. Anyway, it would have to be someone who knew about Sirius. Snape. It had taken him from the medical wing to the common room entrance to realise it but Dumbledore had meant Snape. Sirius would not be happy, but may just bite his lip and be polite if he was Harry's guest. Dumbledore had plenty of bright ideas, although he could make his clues easier. He couldn't imagine how Sirius would react to Snape's presence, or for that matter Snape's reaction to the invitation.
As the common room door opened he decided to put it to the back of his head until a bit later, Gryffindor tower was packed with people wanting to congratulate him and ask him questions about the night before.
It was only during the telling of the story that Harry remembered the blocking spell that he and Snape had performed and how strange it had been.
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*Insert random way of begging for reviews here! *
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I enjoyed imagining it!
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