Author's Note: Hints of action to come. Might actually have to start updating every two days because my backlog of sections is dwindling as the time to write decreases.
Darn education demands on my valuable writting time.

Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.

Section 16: The Scheme

The trio found Ravindra clawing at a tree at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The red gryffin looked furious. No wonder Dumbledore had warned the students to stay out of her way. They were considering leaving when Ron stepped on a twig. Rave ceased her assault on the tree and turned with a growl.

"S-sorry to disturb you, but we have to ask you about something."

Rave considered the dark haired boy. He seemed troubled, but not by her. Leiko had said the kid was trustworthy enough. Perhaps she should hear him out before going with her first impulse and ripping the children to shreds. The girl, whom Rave did not know much about, spoke next.

"We know something's happened to Professor Leiko. We wondered if there was anything we could do to help."

Rave saw the curiosity in Hermione's eyes; in all their eyes. Brats wanting to know the morbid details, she thought. One look at Harry's face pushed that thought from her mind. The boy seemed genuinely concerned. Ah, well. Children thought differently from adults. Perhaps they'd come up with a foolish but brilliant plan for rescuing Leiko. Rave decided to tell them what she knew.

Severus Snape had suffered many injuries in his lifetime, but never had he been bitten by a gryffin. Madam Pomfrey had repaired his broken hand with skillful ease, but the many bite marks were proving to be more difficult.

"It's remarkable how that gryffin can resist the effects of magic. Did you know I could hardly do a thing for her when the Dark Lord tried that mental attack? Had to let her heal naturally. Though she heals at an impressive rate, so I suppose it balances out.

"Now, these bites aren't healing because she made them. Why, I don't want to think about, but something in the saliva seems to counteract my healing spells. We'll just have to deal with them the muggle way."

And with that, much to Snape's horror, the talkative woman produced bandages and some sort of alcoholic-smelling liquid. She cleaned the wounds, ignoring the glares and curses emanating from the Potion's Master. After making sure she had treated all the bites, Pomfrey allowed Snape to leave with strict instructions to rest and keep the wounds clean.

Back in his dungeon dwelling, Snape allowed himself to give in to the emotions that had been building up inside him. How could he have allowed Lucius Malfoy to get away with Leiko? He'd been a fool to keep the news of the letter to himself. He should have told someone. Perhaps not Rave, but Dumbledore at least should have been notified.

A knock at the door drew him out of his thoughts. Who could that be? As he opened the door a very excited Rave bounded in, knocking over a chair. Three very nervous Gryffindors followed, unsure of how to deal with Snape in his own lair.

"Snape, these kids are brilliant!"

There was silence as the wizard stared at Ravindra in shock. Potter and his friends brilliant? The red gryffin must have lost her mind. Granger was a know-it-all, but at least she knew how to think. The other two didn't have a brain cell between them. He waited for Rave to explain, his expression turning from shock to anger.

"I told them about Leiko, and the kids came up with a plan to get her back. Or at least get to her. That will be enough. I can get her out safely enough, but I have to reach her first."

Snape was incredulous of this 'plan'. Knowing Potter, it would be too dangerous for any sane person to have even considered. Looking from the boy to Rave, Snape realized that perhaps the feathered beast was not as 'sane' as he'd assumed. He might as well listen to what was bound to be a suicidal idea, for until then there was no ridding himself of the unwanted company.

"What is this 'brilliant plan'?"

Rave and the trio grinned at each other as the red gryffin went on to explain what the students had devised. After hearing the details, Snape had to admit that their proposal might actually work. That is, if they were extremely lucky. It all depended on Voldemort calling his Death Eaters, and there was no way to know when that would happen. There were also a few points that Rave did not cover. Snape was troubled by that lack of information, but the creature seemed to be confident and the Potion's Master knew her well enough to realize that Ravindra would do nothing to endanger her sister.

Snape looked long an hard at the red gryffin, and then at each of the trio of Gryffindors. He was pleased to see the students squirm under his glare.

"Very well. I'll inform you when it's time to proceed. Now if you'll excuse me..."

Rave, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were shoved out the door, which slammed shut behind them.

"At least he agreed to the plan."

"To be honest I was surprised he heard us out. Come on, kids. We've some preparations to attend to."