...................................
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, The Day After Tomorrow or Charles Gunn. SO PLEASE DON'T SUE! Tah!
..................................
Chapter 6: Revelations for the Paris Opera.
.................................
(Christine's POV)
Giving a deep curtsey and accepting a beautiful bouquet of pink and red roses, I watched the audience as the curtain closed.
Another performance finished!
I gave a friendly hug to my co-stars and a rose to each of the chorus members, as was my tradition. They worked so very hard and rarely got any acknowledgement.
I remember that, having been there myself. After congratulating my friend Meg Giry on her debut as Prima Ballerina, I ran up the long, shadowy staircase to my dressing room, where I knew Severus would be waiting for me.
As it had been the last performance of the season, we would be apparating back to Hogwarts later that evening.
Knowing him, he'd probably insist that we have one last dinner in Paris before going back. Of course, once back at Hogwarts I would also be calling him Prof. Snape again.
Here, at the opera, he was Severus, and we were friends, rather than teacher and student. And even so, there were very few people who knew there was anything more between us, with those who did thinking the Potion's Master had lost his mind!
Severus and I didn't admit to anything other than friendship which had grown out of his interest in opera and my being an opera singer.
"And did you manage to say goodbye to absolutely every last member of the company?" Severus sneered as I walked into the dressing room.
I looked at him and giggled. "Did I really take that long?" I had honestly come upstairs as quickly as possible.
"So it seems." Severus stated, taking a sip of whatever he had poured himself. "I'll forgive you this time, as it was the final performance."
"How generous of you." I said with a smile, quite used to his sarcasm and arrogance. "Well, I'll just change into regular clothes and we can go."
"Dinner first?" asked Severus, as I had figured he would.
"Sounds good to me," I answered as I stepped behind the Oriental dressing screen. "Do you have any idea where you want to go?"
"Somewhere close unless we apparate." Severus suggested. "It's still raining like the sky just opened up."
I charmed my costume off and street clothes on and stepped out into the room again. "Still? That's three days, isn't it?"
"At least," he said flatly as he stood and crossed to me. Rather unexpectedly, Severus wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. "You were superb tonight, by the way."
"Thank you," I smiled up at him happily. "It's one of my favourite roles."
Severus smiled down at me warmly and drew me into a lingering kiss. I could feel myself melting in his embrace and completely lost all track of time. He had that effect on me. Despite what others thought, Prof. Snape did brush his teeth and wash his hair and person.
I loved the spicey scent of him and the warmth of his arms around me. It felt safe and just right. Our moment was unfortunately interrupted by a frantic knock on the door and we pulled apart reluctantly.
"Come in." I said a bit breathlessly. Meg rushed in with an agitated expression, her dark hair streaming about her face. "Meg, what's wrong?"
"Have you heard what's going on in London?" Meg asked, searching my room for a television. I didn't have one.
"What's happening in London?" I asked, looking up at Severus.
"Hold on." Meg slipped her wand from her pocket and conjured a television set and turned it on. A rather fuzzy picture appeared. "Here, watch."
It was difficult to tell what exactly was happening, but it looked as though the reporter was standing on top of his car, which was mostly submerged under water. I leaned forward to adjust the image but that was as clear as it was going to get apparently.
The reporter was talking about rising water levels in the city and the Thames and it took me a few moments to realise this was taking place in the middle of London, not near the shore or the river. It was rather close to the airport. Just as the reporter was starting to explain how the city became flooded, screams were heard in the area and the camera pulled back.
A gigantic wave was rapidly approaching the spot where they were, and suddenly the picture went black. Numbly, I turned to Severus and Meg, who looked equally as stunned.
"This has been playing on the news for the last hour or so according to my dresser," Meg explained excitedly. "No one seems to be able to get any further transmissions from London."
"I wonder how far north the flooding went?" I whispered, fearing for my friends from Hogwarts.
"They didn't say," Meg answered.
"I think we had best leave now and find out," Severus stated, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I do hope that Hogwarts isn't underwater."
(Professor Snape's POV)
Christine's eyes flew wider than they already were and she quickly gave her friend a hug and grabbed my hand, indicating that she was ready to go.
"Keep yourself safe, mon ami."
"Both of you do the same." The ballet dancer looked as frightened as Christine did. Personally I was becoming impatient to leave and see just what was going on.
"We'll apparate." I said, leaving no room for argument.
Opening my arms, Christine wrapped her's around my waist and I apparated the two of us to London, and to the Ministry of Magic. Utter chaos greeted us. People were running to and fro in panic. Some were soaked through and shivering, while others were busy placing drying charms on themselves.
All were demanding to know what in Merlin's name was going on outside. I kept a tight hold on Christine's hand so as not to lose her in the crowd and confusion. A group of saturated people shot through one of the floo entrances, landing in a heap and puddle inches from us. The water they accidentally splashed on us was frigid.
"What is going on?" asked Christine, looking around wide-eyed at everyone.
"I suppose it's raining here like it is in Paris," I stated with a liberal dose of sarcasm . "Oh, it's doing more than raining out there," announced one of the people who had just arrived. "There's hail the size of oranges and terrible flooding. Up to my hips, it was. And icy cold."
"But it's summer," Christine gasped in astonishment.
"One wouldn't know that out there!" quipped another wet person.
I pulled Christine away, towards the lifts, where it was somewhat less wet and slippery. So many people were flooing in from all over the city that the lobby was becoming quite crowded. The receptionist had all but given up trying to register anyone or weighing their wands. Actually, I found this the perfect opportunity to slip past the guard and go into one of the lifts.
The two of us were dry and looked as though we might belong there allowing us to push a button and not look suspicious. As much as I detested having to speak to any of the Weasleys, Arthur Weasley's preoccupation with all things muggle might just come in handy at the moment. He might have an idea what was happening outside.
No sooner did we exit the lift at our floor, than an announcement was clearly heard amongst the chaos that appeared to have extended itself to every floor at the Ministry. It simply told us to gather in a safe room on the floor that we were on. Having worked all of these years as a spy, I knew the layout of this building and took firm hold of Christine's arm, propelling her towards the aforementioned room.
She protested at first, but I told her that there was a reason for this or it never would have been suggested in the first place. Most wizards and witches were perfectly capable of apparating in case of any major disaster. There had to be some reason that they did not wish us to do so.
"Snape, what are you doing here?" the voice of Arthur Weasley came from behind me.
"Weasley." I acknowledged, pulling Christine to a halt. "What in Merlin's name is going on out there?"
"It's a weather disaster of some sort." Weasley explained. "We're trying to reach some of the Elementals to enlist their help. But before we do that, we need every available wizard and witch to assist us in securing the Atrium. It's flooding."
Naturally, no one had ever thought to waterproof this place, I thought to myself. "I suppose you'll be wanting our help then." I tried to keep my voice in its usual sarcastic tones.
"Of course, Snape." Weasley indicated for us to follow him. "Christine, hello. Perhaps you had best get to the safe room."
"I can't do that, Mr. Weasley." Christine said in a most friendly manner, despite which Arthur managed to look suprised.
"She stays with me." I barked rather harshly.
"But she's a student." Weasley protested.
"Oui, I am," agreed Christine, continuing to walk with us. "But I'm 18, so I'm no longer underaged. Plus I need to stay near the Professor."
"Ah yes, there is that." The memory that Christine had been inducted into the Order at the beginning of the summer apparently popped back into Weasley's mind. He stopped protesting after that.
The three of us followed Arthur back to the Atrium where those who were still there were nearly knee deep in icy water. A good deal of them were panicking, which was getting in the way of those trying to get things under control.
I could feel myself sneering at the utter disorganisation of it all. Ignoring the others, I looked around to see if I could find where the water was entering from. Christine, thank the Gods, followed suit and between both of us we managed to find the major source of the leak. The telephone booth. Every time someone entered from the outside, water gushed in after them. Somehow it had to stop.
"Arthur!" I bellowed, catching his attention. He waded over to where we were standing. "Is there any way to block this off?"
"Not without cutting off access to the building for whoever might still be in need of shelter in here," he answered. There was no need for an explanation of why I had asked, since every few moments more people tumbled out of the booth.
"We might have to." I stated, knowing that a choice needed to be made or we would lose the battle with the flooding. Weasley agreed.
Without further argument, we waited for the booth to descend once more and before it could rise back up to it's place, we securely sealed it off. Nothing and no one would be able to get into the phone booth. Hopefully that would stop the water, as well, unless it was leaking from around the sides.
Drawing my wand, I placed a firm seal around the entrance into the Ministry and was more than a little relieved to find that the water had stopped bubbling and streaming in. It had worked.
"Well done, Severus!" Weasley congratulated me with far too much enthusiasm.
It was to be short-lived, however, as Christine tugged at my sleeve and pointed toward the floo fireplaces. "This wasn't the only place."
I could feel the colour draining from my face at the sight of vast amounts of water accompanying those who were flooing in. Several witches and wizards were already there, working on that problem however and we quickly sloshed through the standing water and joined them.
One of them was quite certain that there was a way to allow only living beings to enter. Other than their clothing, nothing inanimate would be allowed through. That was to include water, of course. Unfortunately, no one knew how to adjust the floo network to those specifications. There had to be a way.
(Christine's POV)
My attention was diverted when I realised that the water level was still rising. With a sense of dread I looked towards the floo fireplaces and tugged at Severus' damp sleeve. "This wasn't the only place."
The colour drained from Severus' face at the sight of vast amounts of water accompanying those who were flooing in, leaving him paler than usual. Several witches and wizards were already there, working on that problem however and we quickly sloshed through the standing water and joined them. I fought the urge to swim. It might have been easier. One of them was quite certain that there was a way to allow only living beings to enter.
Other than their clothing, nothing inanimate would be allowed through. That was to include water, of course. Unfortunately, no one knew how to adjust the floo network to those specifications. There had to be a way.
Another gush of frigid water came from the fireplace we were closest to and knocked me off my feet. Two pairs of strong arms lifted me up almost immediately, though it didn't keep me from shivering, as I was now properly drenched. It wasn't even worth performing a drying spell at this point.
I rung out my hair, tying it into a knot to keep it out of the way. Severus' arm, to which I was clinging, kept me on my feet through the next few gushes from the fireplaces. Not only water was coming in, but melting pellets of hail, as well. Some were the size of oranges!
"May the Goddess protect us!" gasped Mr. Weasley as what looked to be several battered, and rather dead, bodies shot through into the room.
They eerily floated on the water, causing everyone in the immediate area to quiet in shock. One was a baby, its mother floating behind. The poor thing must have drowned after the mother had been hit by one of the balls of hail. Or by something from the gash on her head.
I was quickly becoming numb and not only from the cold water.
"Prof. Snape, perhaps we should all get to that safe room." I suggested my voice barely above a whisper.
"We're needed here." was all that Severus answered, though he didn't remove my hand from his arm.
"Actually, Severus," began Mr. Weasley, "I know I saw several students amongst the group down here. Maybe it would be prudent to apparate them and their families to Hogwarts. I think there are enough of us here to secure the Ministry."
"How the bloody hell do we separate them from the others?" Severus spat in frustration.
"Tell them it's an order from the Ministry." Mr. Weasley smiled, a Dumbledore-like twinkle in his eyes. Severus rolled his eyes. I just looked at him hopefully.
"Oh, very well," Severus grumbled irritably, dragging me behind him.
"Tell Ron and Ginny I'll get to them as soon as possible," yelled Mr. Weasley to our backs.
I turned, nearly tripping over something beneath the water. "We'll tell them."
As we reached the safe room, I was quite relieved to find that it wasn't flooded, even if I was shivering violently. I performed a drying spell but still felt chilled through to the bone.
Not as many people were in here as I had thought would be but the room was full. Shock was registering in almost every face. My eyes scanned through everyone and I noticed that there were several students that I recognised. Since it was summer, I doubted that many were left in London.
"All Hogwarts students and their families, please gather here." Severus ordered officially, using sonorous to amplify his voice over the idle chatter in the room. Ending the spell, since he had no intentions of repeating himself, he crossed his arms over his chest and we waited.
Slowly, far too slowly but probably because of the shock, several students drifted over towards us. Some were with their families and some were merely with friends. None seemed overly happy that it was Prof. Snape who was here to save them. Well, except for Draco Malfoy, who was amongst the group. I wondered if his father was somewhere around the building, and if he was helping or hindering the mess. The blonde seemed to be taking particular care not to touch those who weren't purebloods. Typical. Even in a crisis.
"Is that all of you then?" Severus asked and received a quiet response. "I am going to bring us all to Hogwarts, which I shall assume is safe." He leaned down to me, whispering close to my ear. "Do you still have that bottle of soda with you?"
"Of course," I smiled and retrieved a bottle of my favourite Diet Coke from a pocket. It was a Muggle vice of mine.
Severus grabbed the mostly empty bottle from me and muttered an incantation which turned it into a portkey. He advised everyone there to either grasp the soda bottle or someone who was touching the bottle. My hand was securely beneath his, his long fingers also in contact with the surface of the portkey. With a suprisingly minimum of fuss, everyone soon was in direct or indirect contact and Severus activated the portkey, pulling us rapidly to Hogwarts.
We were roughly deposited onto the floor of the Great Hall, causing quite a few of us a wonderful bout of nausea. Unfortunately, I was amongst those who lost the contents of their stomach. Not that that was unusual for me after either flooing or using a portkey. I hated travelling that way but sometimes there just wasn't any other choice. Cringing at having vomited, I quickly cleaned up the mess magically, and assisted a few of the younger students in doing the same.
Prof. Snape caught my eye and moved away from me almost as soon as we got to the school. More than likely he was going in search of Prof. Dumbledore. Of course, we had to put on the front of being teacher and student here or we would be risking his job and my place as a student, not to mention endangering the Order. No one thought it odd that we were together, though, thanks to my reputation as his Ravenclaw shadow!
I noticed a few other students who were seventh years and sixth years, and recruited them to help me get everyone organised. And yes, Draco was one of them. After all, there were Slytherins amongst us.
"All right, Draco, you take charge of the Slytherins and their families," I began, a little frustrated that I didn't see any of the other student heads amongst us. "Ron, you get the Gryffindors and their families....Pandora, I know you're relatively new, but would you gather the Hufflepuffs and their families? I'll take care of the Ravenclaws."
"Should we bring them to our common rooms?" asked Pandora, who was shivering almost as much as I was.
"Oui," I answered. "Our heads of house will take care of things from there." At least I hoped that they would.
It bothered me that the other student heads were missing, as well as the Prefects. I prayed that they were safe, wherever they ended up. Looking out of the windows, I saw that the weather here was worse than in London.
Here it was snowing.
.....................................................
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, The Day After Tomorrow or Charles Gunn. SO PLEASE DON'T SUE! Tah!
..................................
Chapter 6: Revelations for the Paris Opera.
.................................
(Christine's POV)
Giving a deep curtsey and accepting a beautiful bouquet of pink and red roses, I watched the audience as the curtain closed.
Another performance finished!
I gave a friendly hug to my co-stars and a rose to each of the chorus members, as was my tradition. They worked so very hard and rarely got any acknowledgement.
I remember that, having been there myself. After congratulating my friend Meg Giry on her debut as Prima Ballerina, I ran up the long, shadowy staircase to my dressing room, where I knew Severus would be waiting for me.
As it had been the last performance of the season, we would be apparating back to Hogwarts later that evening.
Knowing him, he'd probably insist that we have one last dinner in Paris before going back. Of course, once back at Hogwarts I would also be calling him Prof. Snape again.
Here, at the opera, he was Severus, and we were friends, rather than teacher and student. And even so, there were very few people who knew there was anything more between us, with those who did thinking the Potion's Master had lost his mind!
Severus and I didn't admit to anything other than friendship which had grown out of his interest in opera and my being an opera singer.
"And did you manage to say goodbye to absolutely every last member of the company?" Severus sneered as I walked into the dressing room.
I looked at him and giggled. "Did I really take that long?" I had honestly come upstairs as quickly as possible.
"So it seems." Severus stated, taking a sip of whatever he had poured himself. "I'll forgive you this time, as it was the final performance."
"How generous of you." I said with a smile, quite used to his sarcasm and arrogance. "Well, I'll just change into regular clothes and we can go."
"Dinner first?" asked Severus, as I had figured he would.
"Sounds good to me," I answered as I stepped behind the Oriental dressing screen. "Do you have any idea where you want to go?"
"Somewhere close unless we apparate." Severus suggested. "It's still raining like the sky just opened up."
I charmed my costume off and street clothes on and stepped out into the room again. "Still? That's three days, isn't it?"
"At least," he said flatly as he stood and crossed to me. Rather unexpectedly, Severus wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close to him. "You were superb tonight, by the way."
"Thank you," I smiled up at him happily. "It's one of my favourite roles."
Severus smiled down at me warmly and drew me into a lingering kiss. I could feel myself melting in his embrace and completely lost all track of time. He had that effect on me. Despite what others thought, Prof. Snape did brush his teeth and wash his hair and person.
I loved the spicey scent of him and the warmth of his arms around me. It felt safe and just right. Our moment was unfortunately interrupted by a frantic knock on the door and we pulled apart reluctantly.
"Come in." I said a bit breathlessly. Meg rushed in with an agitated expression, her dark hair streaming about her face. "Meg, what's wrong?"
"Have you heard what's going on in London?" Meg asked, searching my room for a television. I didn't have one.
"What's happening in London?" I asked, looking up at Severus.
"Hold on." Meg slipped her wand from her pocket and conjured a television set and turned it on. A rather fuzzy picture appeared. "Here, watch."
It was difficult to tell what exactly was happening, but it looked as though the reporter was standing on top of his car, which was mostly submerged under water. I leaned forward to adjust the image but that was as clear as it was going to get apparently.
The reporter was talking about rising water levels in the city and the Thames and it took me a few moments to realise this was taking place in the middle of London, not near the shore or the river. It was rather close to the airport. Just as the reporter was starting to explain how the city became flooded, screams were heard in the area and the camera pulled back.
A gigantic wave was rapidly approaching the spot where they were, and suddenly the picture went black. Numbly, I turned to Severus and Meg, who looked equally as stunned.
"This has been playing on the news for the last hour or so according to my dresser," Meg explained excitedly. "No one seems to be able to get any further transmissions from London."
"I wonder how far north the flooding went?" I whispered, fearing for my friends from Hogwarts.
"They didn't say," Meg answered.
"I think we had best leave now and find out," Severus stated, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I do hope that Hogwarts isn't underwater."
(Professor Snape's POV)
Christine's eyes flew wider than they already were and she quickly gave her friend a hug and grabbed my hand, indicating that she was ready to go.
"Keep yourself safe, mon ami."
"Both of you do the same." The ballet dancer looked as frightened as Christine did. Personally I was becoming impatient to leave and see just what was going on.
"We'll apparate." I said, leaving no room for argument.
Opening my arms, Christine wrapped her's around my waist and I apparated the two of us to London, and to the Ministry of Magic. Utter chaos greeted us. People were running to and fro in panic. Some were soaked through and shivering, while others were busy placing drying charms on themselves.
All were demanding to know what in Merlin's name was going on outside. I kept a tight hold on Christine's hand so as not to lose her in the crowd and confusion. A group of saturated people shot through one of the floo entrances, landing in a heap and puddle inches from us. The water they accidentally splashed on us was frigid.
"What is going on?" asked Christine, looking around wide-eyed at everyone.
"I suppose it's raining here like it is in Paris," I stated with a liberal dose of sarcasm . "Oh, it's doing more than raining out there," announced one of the people who had just arrived. "There's hail the size of oranges and terrible flooding. Up to my hips, it was. And icy cold."
"But it's summer," Christine gasped in astonishment.
"One wouldn't know that out there!" quipped another wet person.
I pulled Christine away, towards the lifts, where it was somewhat less wet and slippery. So many people were flooing in from all over the city that the lobby was becoming quite crowded. The receptionist had all but given up trying to register anyone or weighing their wands. Actually, I found this the perfect opportunity to slip past the guard and go into one of the lifts.
The two of us were dry and looked as though we might belong there allowing us to push a button and not look suspicious. As much as I detested having to speak to any of the Weasleys, Arthur Weasley's preoccupation with all things muggle might just come in handy at the moment. He might have an idea what was happening outside.
No sooner did we exit the lift at our floor, than an announcement was clearly heard amongst the chaos that appeared to have extended itself to every floor at the Ministry. It simply told us to gather in a safe room on the floor that we were on. Having worked all of these years as a spy, I knew the layout of this building and took firm hold of Christine's arm, propelling her towards the aforementioned room.
She protested at first, but I told her that there was a reason for this or it never would have been suggested in the first place. Most wizards and witches were perfectly capable of apparating in case of any major disaster. There had to be some reason that they did not wish us to do so.
"Snape, what are you doing here?" the voice of Arthur Weasley came from behind me.
"Weasley." I acknowledged, pulling Christine to a halt. "What in Merlin's name is going on out there?"
"It's a weather disaster of some sort." Weasley explained. "We're trying to reach some of the Elementals to enlist their help. But before we do that, we need every available wizard and witch to assist us in securing the Atrium. It's flooding."
Naturally, no one had ever thought to waterproof this place, I thought to myself. "I suppose you'll be wanting our help then." I tried to keep my voice in its usual sarcastic tones.
"Of course, Snape." Weasley indicated for us to follow him. "Christine, hello. Perhaps you had best get to the safe room."
"I can't do that, Mr. Weasley." Christine said in a most friendly manner, despite which Arthur managed to look suprised.
"She stays with me." I barked rather harshly.
"But she's a student." Weasley protested.
"Oui, I am," agreed Christine, continuing to walk with us. "But I'm 18, so I'm no longer underaged. Plus I need to stay near the Professor."
"Ah yes, there is that." The memory that Christine had been inducted into the Order at the beginning of the summer apparently popped back into Weasley's mind. He stopped protesting after that.
The three of us followed Arthur back to the Atrium where those who were still there were nearly knee deep in icy water. A good deal of them were panicking, which was getting in the way of those trying to get things under control.
I could feel myself sneering at the utter disorganisation of it all. Ignoring the others, I looked around to see if I could find where the water was entering from. Christine, thank the Gods, followed suit and between both of us we managed to find the major source of the leak. The telephone booth. Every time someone entered from the outside, water gushed in after them. Somehow it had to stop.
"Arthur!" I bellowed, catching his attention. He waded over to where we were standing. "Is there any way to block this off?"
"Not without cutting off access to the building for whoever might still be in need of shelter in here," he answered. There was no need for an explanation of why I had asked, since every few moments more people tumbled out of the booth.
"We might have to." I stated, knowing that a choice needed to be made or we would lose the battle with the flooding. Weasley agreed.
Without further argument, we waited for the booth to descend once more and before it could rise back up to it's place, we securely sealed it off. Nothing and no one would be able to get into the phone booth. Hopefully that would stop the water, as well, unless it was leaking from around the sides.
Drawing my wand, I placed a firm seal around the entrance into the Ministry and was more than a little relieved to find that the water had stopped bubbling and streaming in. It had worked.
"Well done, Severus!" Weasley congratulated me with far too much enthusiasm.
It was to be short-lived, however, as Christine tugged at my sleeve and pointed toward the floo fireplaces. "This wasn't the only place."
I could feel the colour draining from my face at the sight of vast amounts of water accompanying those who were flooing in. Several witches and wizards were already there, working on that problem however and we quickly sloshed through the standing water and joined them.
One of them was quite certain that there was a way to allow only living beings to enter. Other than their clothing, nothing inanimate would be allowed through. That was to include water, of course. Unfortunately, no one knew how to adjust the floo network to those specifications. There had to be a way.
(Christine's POV)
My attention was diverted when I realised that the water level was still rising. With a sense of dread I looked towards the floo fireplaces and tugged at Severus' damp sleeve. "This wasn't the only place."
The colour drained from Severus' face at the sight of vast amounts of water accompanying those who were flooing in, leaving him paler than usual. Several witches and wizards were already there, working on that problem however and we quickly sloshed through the standing water and joined them. I fought the urge to swim. It might have been easier. One of them was quite certain that there was a way to allow only living beings to enter.
Other than their clothing, nothing inanimate would be allowed through. That was to include water, of course. Unfortunately, no one knew how to adjust the floo network to those specifications. There had to be a way.
Another gush of frigid water came from the fireplace we were closest to and knocked me off my feet. Two pairs of strong arms lifted me up almost immediately, though it didn't keep me from shivering, as I was now properly drenched. It wasn't even worth performing a drying spell at this point.
I rung out my hair, tying it into a knot to keep it out of the way. Severus' arm, to which I was clinging, kept me on my feet through the next few gushes from the fireplaces. Not only water was coming in, but melting pellets of hail, as well. Some were the size of oranges!
"May the Goddess protect us!" gasped Mr. Weasley as what looked to be several battered, and rather dead, bodies shot through into the room.
They eerily floated on the water, causing everyone in the immediate area to quiet in shock. One was a baby, its mother floating behind. The poor thing must have drowned after the mother had been hit by one of the balls of hail. Or by something from the gash on her head.
I was quickly becoming numb and not only from the cold water.
"Prof. Snape, perhaps we should all get to that safe room." I suggested my voice barely above a whisper.
"We're needed here." was all that Severus answered, though he didn't remove my hand from his arm.
"Actually, Severus," began Mr. Weasley, "I know I saw several students amongst the group down here. Maybe it would be prudent to apparate them and their families to Hogwarts. I think there are enough of us here to secure the Ministry."
"How the bloody hell do we separate them from the others?" Severus spat in frustration.
"Tell them it's an order from the Ministry." Mr. Weasley smiled, a Dumbledore-like twinkle in his eyes. Severus rolled his eyes. I just looked at him hopefully.
"Oh, very well," Severus grumbled irritably, dragging me behind him.
"Tell Ron and Ginny I'll get to them as soon as possible," yelled Mr. Weasley to our backs.
I turned, nearly tripping over something beneath the water. "We'll tell them."
As we reached the safe room, I was quite relieved to find that it wasn't flooded, even if I was shivering violently. I performed a drying spell but still felt chilled through to the bone.
Not as many people were in here as I had thought would be but the room was full. Shock was registering in almost every face. My eyes scanned through everyone and I noticed that there were several students that I recognised. Since it was summer, I doubted that many were left in London.
"All Hogwarts students and their families, please gather here." Severus ordered officially, using sonorous to amplify his voice over the idle chatter in the room. Ending the spell, since he had no intentions of repeating himself, he crossed his arms over his chest and we waited.
Slowly, far too slowly but probably because of the shock, several students drifted over towards us. Some were with their families and some were merely with friends. None seemed overly happy that it was Prof. Snape who was here to save them. Well, except for Draco Malfoy, who was amongst the group. I wondered if his father was somewhere around the building, and if he was helping or hindering the mess. The blonde seemed to be taking particular care not to touch those who weren't purebloods. Typical. Even in a crisis.
"Is that all of you then?" Severus asked and received a quiet response. "I am going to bring us all to Hogwarts, which I shall assume is safe." He leaned down to me, whispering close to my ear. "Do you still have that bottle of soda with you?"
"Of course," I smiled and retrieved a bottle of my favourite Diet Coke from a pocket. It was a Muggle vice of mine.
Severus grabbed the mostly empty bottle from me and muttered an incantation which turned it into a portkey. He advised everyone there to either grasp the soda bottle or someone who was touching the bottle. My hand was securely beneath his, his long fingers also in contact with the surface of the portkey. With a suprisingly minimum of fuss, everyone soon was in direct or indirect contact and Severus activated the portkey, pulling us rapidly to Hogwarts.
We were roughly deposited onto the floor of the Great Hall, causing quite a few of us a wonderful bout of nausea. Unfortunately, I was amongst those who lost the contents of their stomach. Not that that was unusual for me after either flooing or using a portkey. I hated travelling that way but sometimes there just wasn't any other choice. Cringing at having vomited, I quickly cleaned up the mess magically, and assisted a few of the younger students in doing the same.
Prof. Snape caught my eye and moved away from me almost as soon as we got to the school. More than likely he was going in search of Prof. Dumbledore. Of course, we had to put on the front of being teacher and student here or we would be risking his job and my place as a student, not to mention endangering the Order. No one thought it odd that we were together, though, thanks to my reputation as his Ravenclaw shadow!
I noticed a few other students who were seventh years and sixth years, and recruited them to help me get everyone organised. And yes, Draco was one of them. After all, there were Slytherins amongst us.
"All right, Draco, you take charge of the Slytherins and their families," I began, a little frustrated that I didn't see any of the other student heads amongst us. "Ron, you get the Gryffindors and their families....Pandora, I know you're relatively new, but would you gather the Hufflepuffs and their families? I'll take care of the Ravenclaws."
"Should we bring them to our common rooms?" asked Pandora, who was shivering almost as much as I was.
"Oui," I answered. "Our heads of house will take care of things from there." At least I hoped that they would.
It bothered me that the other student heads were missing, as well as the Prefects. I prayed that they were safe, wherever they ended up. Looking out of the windows, I saw that the weather here was worse than in London.
Here it was snowing.
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