Chapter 23:
I am asleep the moment my head hits the pillow. Too soon, Severus is rousing me from sleep. Opening my left eye first, I look immediately to the window.
"It isn't light out yet, Severus. I am not getting up." I have never been good at doing without sleep, and I do not feel I have received one night's proper rest since I arrived.
"Obviously." Severus sneers. "A summons from the Dark Lord rarely presents itself at opportune times. Get dressed." He snarls, throwing my robe at me. Severus, I must note, seems quite capable of going days with nothing but a few scant hours of rest. Of course, having a snarky disposition probably helps. It is difficult to be pleasant when one is exhausted.
My body protesting, joined by my mouth, I get up. While in the process of buttoning up my robe, Severus bursts back into the rooms. "Now, Bena. We have already delayed five minutes. Does the idea of 'apparate immediately to his side' have no bearing on you?"
I stare at him in amazement. "My apologies, Severus. I am ready."
"Good. Follow me." He exits the room; I stumble sleepily after him.
"Severus, we cannot apparate on school grounds. How are we going to get there?" I ask, struggling to catch up with his the brisk pace he has set. We are heading down the hallway from the dungeons, but in the opposite direction from the classrooms and stairs to the main hall.
As we continue, I realize we are lowering in elevation. The walls are moist, and moss appears. We continue walking. Soon enough, we are out of the school, in a dirt tunnel of some sort. A few more meters and we reappear above ground. Turning in a circle, I see the front gates to Hogwarts 20 meters to my left.
"A tunnel?" I say incredulously. "This is how they're going to enter? Remarkably unguarded. How could Albus allow it to exist?"
"This tunnel has existed for centuries, but was forgotten and overgrown until I needed to make use of it. In order to apparate quickly enough the Dark Lord, Albus allows me use of this tunnel. It speeds arrival to Hogsmeade by fifteen minutes. It is password guarded, and, if you look back, I doubt you will be able to see tell from where we appeared." Severus explains, dusting dirt off his robes.
I do look back, and find he is correct. There is no indication of there be any sort of entrance in the thick bramble that covers the ground. I am again surprised at the wonders of Hogwarts. Turning my attention back to my husband, I shudder as he pulls his mask from his sleeve and slips it on.
"Come, Bena." He offers me his arm. "Showtime." He adds sardonically. Together we disapparate.
Immediately we reappear in an unfamiliar clearing. Severus immediately leaves my side to take his place in the circle. I am left, incredibly vulnerable in the center of the circle. I did not notice where Severus walked to, and am discomforted to find I cannot discern his presence among the group.
I have no such problem identifying Lucius, as he strides forward, drawling loudly, so everyone can hear. "And so you did have the courage to return. Tell me, Dumbledore," I cringe that the first correct use of my name is coming from this vile excuse of a wizard, "does your uncle suspect anything?"
"Of course he does, you idiot." I outright insult him. I have sparred verbally with Lucius on several occasions. I am too tired and terrified to partake in just now. Realizing how twisted it is that I am hoping Voldemort will interrupt; I sweep my gaze around the circle.
Voldemort steps forward from the shadows. "Apparently Bena does not wish to play, Lucius. Never mind. There will be time enough later." The hairs on the back on my neck raise, wondering exactly what game Lucius wishes to play. There is, however, no time to ponder that now.
I bow low to Voldemort as he approaches me. He comes to rest inches from my lowered head. I steel my mind, swallow the bile that has risen in my throat and kiss the hems of his robes. "My Lord," I simper.
"Bena." He whispers, bringing a long, scaly finger under my chin and raising my face to his. "How good of you to come."
Turning to the rest of the gathered Death Eaters, he begins to speak, leaving me still vulnerable in the center of the circle. "My friends, as you are all aware, we have a new ally. This day, at noon, a small band of my most loyal followers will enter Hogwarts. Harry Potter is currently there, relatively unprotected. With the assistance of the Old Fool's great niece, we will capture the boy and return here. Then," he stopped, rubbing his hands together, "the fun shall begin."
I am very thankful that part of the tutelage I received under my uncle was rigorous training of Occlumency. I have a hard time keeping emotion from overtaking me at the thought of any child, let alone the gangly youth I have recently befriended, in the clutches of this hoodlum.
Laughter is heard all around the circle. "Be expecting a summons tomorrow evening, my friends. You may go. Severus, Lucius, MacNair, all of you stays." One by one, the masked wizards disappear with a crack, to go back to their homes.
MacNair. I remember the name, though I can't remember why. Lucius brings himself even with me and removes his mask. He brings his mouth to my ear, "I do not trust you, dear Bena. I am watching you. One false move, and you shall be gone. Dumbledores, disowned or not, do not allow little children to be captured and killed."
I shiver once, to show him the message is received. "I understand, Lucius. However, you forget that though I may be a Dumbledore by blood, I am a Snape by marriage. Have faith in me, Lucius, and you may be surprised."
He steps back and nods. "I shall watch, Bena. This will be fun."
Voldemort eyes the four of us. "Severus, you may return to Hogwarts. Tell Dumbledore nothing. I called you this late to ensure you would be alone. I trust no one knows of your absence?"
"No one, my lord." Severus intones.
"Good. Your only instruction is to be ready to admit us. It will be only the four of us. During the battle, I want you to stay out of sight. Be out on the grounds. I do not wish Dumbledore to know of your active involvement in this. Best let him think I found the key to the wards on my own. You have mentioned you have potions ingredients to collect?"
"Yes, my lord. I will remove myself from the castle."
"Very good. You may go. The rest of us have much to discuss." Severus looks to me. I had not known I would be left behind. I open my mouth to protest, but a look from Severus silences me. He nods and disapparates.
"Now, my friends," Voldemort nearly cackles. "Let us begin the fun."
I am asleep the moment my head hits the pillow. Too soon, Severus is rousing me from sleep. Opening my left eye first, I look immediately to the window.
"It isn't light out yet, Severus. I am not getting up." I have never been good at doing without sleep, and I do not feel I have received one night's proper rest since I arrived.
"Obviously." Severus sneers. "A summons from the Dark Lord rarely presents itself at opportune times. Get dressed." He snarls, throwing my robe at me. Severus, I must note, seems quite capable of going days with nothing but a few scant hours of rest. Of course, having a snarky disposition probably helps. It is difficult to be pleasant when one is exhausted.
My body protesting, joined by my mouth, I get up. While in the process of buttoning up my robe, Severus bursts back into the rooms. "Now, Bena. We have already delayed five minutes. Does the idea of 'apparate immediately to his side' have no bearing on you?"
I stare at him in amazement. "My apologies, Severus. I am ready."
"Good. Follow me." He exits the room; I stumble sleepily after him.
"Severus, we cannot apparate on school grounds. How are we going to get there?" I ask, struggling to catch up with his the brisk pace he has set. We are heading down the hallway from the dungeons, but in the opposite direction from the classrooms and stairs to the main hall.
As we continue, I realize we are lowering in elevation. The walls are moist, and moss appears. We continue walking. Soon enough, we are out of the school, in a dirt tunnel of some sort. A few more meters and we reappear above ground. Turning in a circle, I see the front gates to Hogwarts 20 meters to my left.
"A tunnel?" I say incredulously. "This is how they're going to enter? Remarkably unguarded. How could Albus allow it to exist?"
"This tunnel has existed for centuries, but was forgotten and overgrown until I needed to make use of it. In order to apparate quickly enough the Dark Lord, Albus allows me use of this tunnel. It speeds arrival to Hogsmeade by fifteen minutes. It is password guarded, and, if you look back, I doubt you will be able to see tell from where we appeared." Severus explains, dusting dirt off his robes.
I do look back, and find he is correct. There is no indication of there be any sort of entrance in the thick bramble that covers the ground. I am again surprised at the wonders of Hogwarts. Turning my attention back to my husband, I shudder as he pulls his mask from his sleeve and slips it on.
"Come, Bena." He offers me his arm. "Showtime." He adds sardonically. Together we disapparate.
Immediately we reappear in an unfamiliar clearing. Severus immediately leaves my side to take his place in the circle. I am left, incredibly vulnerable in the center of the circle. I did not notice where Severus walked to, and am discomforted to find I cannot discern his presence among the group.
I have no such problem identifying Lucius, as he strides forward, drawling loudly, so everyone can hear. "And so you did have the courage to return. Tell me, Dumbledore," I cringe that the first correct use of my name is coming from this vile excuse of a wizard, "does your uncle suspect anything?"
"Of course he does, you idiot." I outright insult him. I have sparred verbally with Lucius on several occasions. I am too tired and terrified to partake in just now. Realizing how twisted it is that I am hoping Voldemort will interrupt; I sweep my gaze around the circle.
Voldemort steps forward from the shadows. "Apparently Bena does not wish to play, Lucius. Never mind. There will be time enough later." The hairs on the back on my neck raise, wondering exactly what game Lucius wishes to play. There is, however, no time to ponder that now.
I bow low to Voldemort as he approaches me. He comes to rest inches from my lowered head. I steel my mind, swallow the bile that has risen in my throat and kiss the hems of his robes. "My Lord," I simper.
"Bena." He whispers, bringing a long, scaly finger under my chin and raising my face to his. "How good of you to come."
Turning to the rest of the gathered Death Eaters, he begins to speak, leaving me still vulnerable in the center of the circle. "My friends, as you are all aware, we have a new ally. This day, at noon, a small band of my most loyal followers will enter Hogwarts. Harry Potter is currently there, relatively unprotected. With the assistance of the Old Fool's great niece, we will capture the boy and return here. Then," he stopped, rubbing his hands together, "the fun shall begin."
I am very thankful that part of the tutelage I received under my uncle was rigorous training of Occlumency. I have a hard time keeping emotion from overtaking me at the thought of any child, let alone the gangly youth I have recently befriended, in the clutches of this hoodlum.
Laughter is heard all around the circle. "Be expecting a summons tomorrow evening, my friends. You may go. Severus, Lucius, MacNair, all of you stays." One by one, the masked wizards disappear with a crack, to go back to their homes.
MacNair. I remember the name, though I can't remember why. Lucius brings himself even with me and removes his mask. He brings his mouth to my ear, "I do not trust you, dear Bena. I am watching you. One false move, and you shall be gone. Dumbledores, disowned or not, do not allow little children to be captured and killed."
I shiver once, to show him the message is received. "I understand, Lucius. However, you forget that though I may be a Dumbledore by blood, I am a Snape by marriage. Have faith in me, Lucius, and you may be surprised."
He steps back and nods. "I shall watch, Bena. This will be fun."
Voldemort eyes the four of us. "Severus, you may return to Hogwarts. Tell Dumbledore nothing. I called you this late to ensure you would be alone. I trust no one knows of your absence?"
"No one, my lord." Severus intones.
"Good. Your only instruction is to be ready to admit us. It will be only the four of us. During the battle, I want you to stay out of sight. Be out on the grounds. I do not wish Dumbledore to know of your active involvement in this. Best let him think I found the key to the wards on my own. You have mentioned you have potions ingredients to collect?"
"Yes, my lord. I will remove myself from the castle."
"Very good. You may go. The rest of us have much to discuss." Severus looks to me. I had not known I would be left behind. I open my mouth to protest, but a look from Severus silences me. He nods and disapparates.
"Now, my friends," Voldemort nearly cackles. "Let us begin the fun."