Chapter Four: Running with Scissors Blindfolded

So bring your armies against me my love

Infiltrate me with your spies

Implicate me, all lies

The world's not out to get you my love,

I know it feels that way sometimes

Yet you don't need an army by your side

To fill your head with guns and bombs

Don't take too long, take too long.

"Drink?"

"Hell yeah." Standing, Ron moved towards the bedroom, to a table holding a mini bar.

"Name your poison."

"Blood orange." Nodding, Ron went to work preparing the brew, not noticing eyes watching him carefully. Buy us time, Potter. Pander to his views, do whatever you must, just keep him away from her as long as possible. Snape's words echoed through his mind, and he found himself wondering again if she had been rescued yet. Soon, Potter, you'll know soon, he reminded himself sternly. A drink was thrust into his hands, he realised he hadn't paid close enough attention to the concoction as it were made, and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, lost in thought."

Severus watched the younger man climb through the window, noting the lack of exertion in the task, and transformed, helping him into the room as silently as possible. "Get her out and to a hospital, apparate."

"Why didn't you?"

"I had to be here when Ron walks through that door. The others will be here in a minute, untie her. When they arrive, I need you to apparate, get her to Hogwarts as quickly as possible. Dumbledore will be expecting you. Ready?" George nodded.

"Do you think she'll be ok?"

"As long as you get her to Howarts, she will be fine, George." Had George been able to think clearly, he would have noticed with some shock that there was not a trace of venom in his former Potion Master's voice, only concern. Before he could reply though, a tabby jumped effortlessly through the window, followed by grunts from an invisible source which sounded suspiciously like his twin. Grinning, Fred and Ginny removed the invisibility cloak Minerva had left for them and winked at George.

"It's time to go, George," Minerva smiled softly. "Guard her well." Nodding, he apparated, the noise echoing explosively in the silent room. They waited.

"Why aren't you drinking that?"

"I figured just after you made it that it wouldn't be a good idea."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because when I go back to the Ministry, they'll suspect I let you go if I smell of alcohol. They'll dose me up to get me to tell the truth, and we don't want that." A loud bang, almost a pop, shattered the still of the room before a shrill cry of avian alarm echoed.

"What the fuck was that?" Ron cried, jumping from his chair and racing towards the bedroom. Grinning, Harry followed. Show time.

Ron slammed open the door, not checking his surroundings as he eyed the bed furiously, wand at the ready. A tabby cat with patches on its eyes which looked suspiciously like glasses eyed him haughtily, and he swore loudly. The bird began to shimmer, transforming into the menacing image of Severus Snape. "It's over, Ron. Give up. You can't apparate out of here."

Ginny moved in front of the teachers, pleading with her brother quietly. "We want to help you, but we can't until you let us. Put down your wand, Ron."

"Fuck you."

"I'll warn ye once, Ronald Weasley, put that wand down or I'll transfigure ye a nasty surprise." With a fluid movement, Ron cast his spell, Crutacius, on Ginny, watching her fall to the ground with a satisfying thud. She didn't scream, and he upped the power in annoyance. Still she bit her lip to keep from crying out, a thin trickle of blood running down her pale skin.

"Expelliarmus!" The bellow came from behind, giving Ron no time to block it as he was slammed to the ground, his wand landing in Harry's hand. Ginny stopped convulsing instantly and curled into a small ball, Severus moving to look after her. "Don't you touch her," Harry growled, eyeing his former friend with pure hatred. "You sick bastard."

Slowly Ron struggled to his feet, eyeing Harry warily. "I'm unarmed, Potter, you won't touch me." He sounded eerily like Lucius Malfoy as he spat out the name, and Severus looked up swiftly, alarmed.

"Watch him, Harry…" It was all he had time to say.