Chapter Ten
The Night Sky Ride

Kerry had been very understanding, swearing to secrecy, and understanding the warning that I would do something nasty to her if she should hint at anything. For the first time in my many years at Hogwarts, I finally felt as if I had a proper mate. It was a comforting feeling in itself. When the time came for me to see Snape, she gave me a hug before I went. She'd suggested that perhaps Snape would be taking me to see my mother by using floo powder. I didn't know. I had several questions of my own to ask him.

Professor Snape was sat as his desk writing when I pushed the door to his office open at his command. He glanced round to look at me.

"Elixa. Can you make sure you go and change into robes to fly in, and I'll meet you in the broomshed in fifteen minutes. Also bring something you think would be useful to your mother's recovery if you think it will help." I was surprised at the order, but obliged.

"Yes Professor." I backed out of the room and shut the door behind me. Were we going to fly there? Why not use floo powder? Kerry seemed equally confused as she sat on her bed as I changed my robes.

"I'll see you soon. If I'm not back, say you think I'm ill or something to everyone else." I hurried out, fastening the catch on the necklace around my neck.

"You're late." A voice snapped as I ran into the broomshed.

"My apologies Professor, I bumped into Professor Moody, who wanted to know where I was going at this time of night." I couldn't see Snape, but my broom was thrust into my hands as I walked further into the shed.

"Right, lets get on shall we, or we'll miss them." Snape left the shed, with me following, bemused.

"Miss who?" I asked as he mounted his broom and soared into the night sky. I kicked off the ground in pursuit, the night air catching in my throat.

"The Ministry." Snape replied, pausing to let me catch up. "They're coming to accompany us to St Mungos. Give them time to interview you."

"Interview me in the air?!" I exclaimed.

"Don't ask why, it was their idea." We started to move in a southerly direction, over Hogsmeade.

"What's your opinion on Draco Malfoy?" I asked, gripping the broom tightly as the wind buffeted both brooms.

"Nothing you'd be interested in, although he's taken an interest to you." I shot Snape a look.

"You say it like you think it is unhealthy."

"I do. He could be trying to get you to tell him things that he'll pass on to Voldermort via his father. Telling anyone could be risky." I swallowed.

"Professor, do you think Kerry Alanis is trustworthy?" Snape looked round.

"She better be." He told me. How sure I was then that he had read my mind! Two figures on broomsticks were approaching from the west. They sent out a blue flame, and Snape sent out a green one. They returned it with yellow.

"Ministry." Snape told me. The two figures grew larger as they drew closer.

"Evening Professor, Miss Amethyst." A tall ginger haired boy greeted us.

"Percy Weasley." Snape spoke sharply. The other Ministry wizard was larger, round faced and dark haired. He introduced himself as Gregory Simpkins.

"Any trouble?" Percy asked.

"Not yet." Snape replied curtly, his eyes ahead. I slipped in behind him, Percy slightly behind me on my left, and Gregory slightly behind me on my right. It felt safe. Soon it became colder and colder, and my hands felt numb with their grip. Percy had asked the occasional question about the strange occurrences. He seemed as baffled as Dumbledore. He was about to ask another question when Snape spoke.

"The dark mark!" We all looked east and saw the skull materialising in the air.

"Dive." Percy ordered, he grabbed me by the back of my robes, pulling me down. I tucked in and obeyed.