The Trap

(chapter thirteen)

"What's taking her so long?" Harry sighed impatiently. He and Ron had been waiting for Hermione in the common room for ten minutes already and Harry was growing edgy. The trio had to get down to breakfast and into Hogsmead village by noon in order to carry out their plan.

Harry looked to Ron for an answer. After all, he was the last one to see her last night. Ron, however, showed no sign that he was listening to Harry. Instead, he stood beside him with his hands shoved deep down inside his pockets, starring at the floor.

"Ron what's-" Just as Harry was about to confront Ron, he heard bounding footsteps coming down the stairs and he turned quickly to see who it was.

"Hi Harry, Hi Ron!" Said Ginny cheerfully as she skipped over to the two boys.

"Ginny, Where's Hermione?" Harry asked urgently.

Ginny frowned. "Nice to see you too."

Harry sighed and tried to increase his patience.

"Sorry, Good morning Ginny..,"

"That's better."

"Is Hermione up there? We're kind of in a hurry."

Ginny's face turned serious. "She...er, she didn't sleep well last night, woke up late…she'll be down real soon though."

Harry noticed that Ginny had shot a quick glance in Ron's direction when saying that Hermione didn't sleep well. He had a feeling they all knew something he didn't, but decided to save the discussion until after they caught Snape in the act.

"Good," Harry responded.

"Is she ok?" Ron asked. Harry was slightly startled at the sound of his voice and he turned to his friend suspiciously. There was definitely something going on.

"She's Fine," Ginny said. She knew however, that Hermione was in a right frantic state when she entered the girl's dormitory last night. Pacing and slamming things, and mumbling under her breath about how stupid she was. Ginny of course was there to comfort her and with much persuasion, she finally got Hermione to confess what had happened. Ginny's advice was to act like nothing had happened, even better…"walk down those stairs as if it were the best day of your life." "Don't let him see he makes you uncomfortable, play hard to get". Hermione warily took her advice.

Just then, a second pair of footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. It was Hermione this time. She was wearing a knee length jean skirt, a pink V-neck Tee, and a bright smile. Harry noticed that Hermione looked exceptionally pretty and happy this morning. Hermione rarely ever wore skirts (Other than her school uniform), especially into Hogsmead. Harry also noticed that it didn't look like Hermione had had a rough night at all; on the contrary she looked radiant.

As Hermione neared the bottom of the steps, she walked right up to her three friends and smiled brightly.

"Good morning Harry…Ronald," Hermione said sweetly and blushed when her eyes met Ron's

She never called Ron by his full name unless she was yelling at him. Strange, Harry thought.

"Hermione are you alright?" Harry asked.

Her smile faded slightly. "I'm fine, what would be wrong?"

"Nothing," Harry sighed. Then he did a double take. "Are you wearing makeup?"

Hermione blushed furiously. "Er…just a little,"

"Why?" Harry asked. But before Hermione could respond Ginny interjected.

"Why are you so anxious to get to Hogsmead anyway?"

Harry drew his attention away from Hermione and focused on Ginny.

"Nothing important," He lied.

"You are a terrible liar Harry, don't make me curse the truth out of you," Ginny said sternly.

The group was silent. Ginny searched her friends for an answer.

"Look, there is no reason why you three can't let me in on whatever it is you're up to. I can help! Please tell me! I was with you in the department of Mysteries, you know I'm capable-"

"Ok!" Harry said holding up his hands, silencing Ginny. Harry told her what their plan was and Ginny happily volunteered herself to help.

The four friends quickly ate their breakfast at which they noticed Snape was conveniently not at. This restored their belief in their theory that Snape was guilty and they made their way into Hogsmead village at about 11:00.

As they made their way down the streets of the village, they passed hundreds of shops where several children were laughing and playing, completely unaware that a teacher at their school was about to be revealed as a death eater.

By the time they reached their destination outside the Cozy Chamomile it was 11:50. Ginny and Hermione quickly took their places behind a large boulder and Ron went to the other side of the dirt road where he silently crouched behind a prickly bush.

The friends waited in hiding while they watched Harry standing in the center of the dirt road, wand out and cautiously waiting, counting down. Five more minutes until the truth would be revealed.

Harry's breathing became shallow, and beads of sweat formed on his face. Three minutes.

They heard footsteps on the gravel coming from around the bend in the road.

Harry's heart pounded and he gripped his wand tightly.

Two minutes, a tall shadow was revealed.

Harry swallowed and braced himself for the final confrontation.

One minute. The figure appeared around the bend and began briskly walking toward Harry. At the sight of the mysterious person, Harry squinted hard and then let his mouth hang agape.

It was a man, a very old man with long blue robes and a long silvery beard.

It was Dumbledore!

Harry saw the headmaster smile as he walked up to him.

"Right on time I believe, didn't want to keep you waiting in suspense."

Harry was lost for words. "I err…I, Professor," He stammered.

"You're wondering what I am doing here, am I correct?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry silently nodded.

"Professor Snape informed me of your clever plan," Dumbledore explained. "Well, partially at least. Severus told me what he knew or rather what he overhead. As I am sure that is what you wanted," Harry nodded once more. "And then I put the pieces together."

Harry still was in shock.

Dumbledore then pulled his gaze from Harry and looked out onto the surrounding scenery.

"Mr. and Miss. Weasley, Miss. Granger…you can come out now!" Dumbledore said loudly and soon after, Harry saw Ginny and Hermione emerge from behind the boulder with looks of bewilderment that mirrored his own. Merely a second later, Ron revealed himself from behind the bush and the three friends made their way to the center of the road where Harry and Dumbledore stood face to face.

They were all silent. It was Hermione that finally spoke.

"Professor? I don't understand."

Dumbledore nodded with his knowing smile and took a deep breath before he began to explain.

"I believe you are under the impression that Professor Snape is in league with Lord Voldemort, that he is a spy."

The four children nodded shyly.

"You have guessed correctly," Dumbledore stated simply.

The friends gasped and exchanged looks of shock amongst each other.

"So Snape is a death eater, you've caught him?" Ron said with excitement.

"I'm afraid not Mr. Weasley. It seems you are only partly correct."

"What do you mean?" Asked Hermione.

"Professor Snape is not a death eater, but he is a spy. But not as you think."

The four teenagers were silent, waiting for Dumbledore to explain further.

"He has been posing as a follower of Voldemorts in order to attain information for the order. I know you must have grown suspicious of the fact that Voldemort was so knowledgeable about your deeds Miss Granger."

Hermione nodded.

"In order for Severus to act as a convincing follower of Voldemort's, he must occasionally let slip some information about you three. He is very careful however in what he says."

The four friends were silent and all had a feint blush to their cheeks.

"I know that you pride your selves on being amateur detectives, but I must stress to you the seriousness of not getting involved in any life threatening conflicts this year."

They all nodded. Dumbledore smiled.

"I understand these times are hard, but you are all young. Enjoy yourselves and study hard…off you go," Dumbledore said and made a waving motion with his hand signaling for them to leave.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny lingered for a moment before they hurriedly walked back down the dirt road into the heart of Hogsmead in silence.

Well, what do you think? Let me know, and thanks!