Empire and Exigency
Chapter 5 : Conversations
by Annie B

Rated PG-13

JKR owns all things Hogwarts. I'm borrowing them, but I didn't ask first.

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In the Headmaster's office, two men set near to a banked fire. The other lights were off, as suited the hour, and the red glow of the coals cast a sanguine glow over the pair.

"Do you think there is something wrong with Draco?" Dumbledore passed over the brandy bottle. Snape had declined the tea, and Dumbledore knew better then to offer one of his drugged lemon drops.

"Many things, I should imagine." Snape held his glass up, checking the liquor with a professionally suspicious eye. "The burden of the Malfoy estates, his mothers' disappearance..."

"Yes." Dumbledore filled his own glass. "What do you think is behind that?

"A great desire not to talk to the Aurors, I should imagine."

"Do you think..." Dumbledore raised his glass to his lips, letting the question finish itself.

Snape followed suite. (Even with Dumbledore he was too much the spy to drink first. ) "That she murdered her husband?" Snape thought a moment. "Unlikely. She was never that skilled at charms."

The Ministry wasn't talking (at least, not to any good purpose) but whatever had struck Lucius Malfoy had been a charm. A dark and a powerful one.

"So?" Dumbledore prompted.

"Given the contents of Malfoy Manor, I could think of a thousand reason *not* to welcome Unspeakables to the door. And that is assuming the Dark Lord is not in residence."

"Is he?" The last time Snape had been summoned, his magical signature had disappeared over Cornwall, but that was hardly decisive. Voldemort, even in his current state, was easily strong enough to confuse the tracking mirrors. Plus he was rumored to move frequently, informing only his most loyal servants.

"Who knows." Snape stared into the fire. "Probably not." Refreshing his drink, he added. "Lucius was out of favor. The Master does not appreciate failure. And as Voldemort made no attempt to rescue Lucius? Say what you will about Narcissia, she was a loyal wife. One must assume the bad feeling is at least slightly mutual."

"Enough to keep Draco...?" Dumbledore's eyebrow was up. A sign of interest. If the House of Malfoy could be preempted - even steered into mere neutrality - a great deal of Voldemort's advantage would be neutralized.

"For now, perhaps."

Or perhaps not, Snape added to himself. Draco had been gaining confidence, adding to his command of Slytherin House, long before this most recent tragedy.

Voldemort himself might have to work if he wished to secure the young man's alliance. For Dumbledore, who had six and a half years of favoring Draco's rivals? The Headmaster would need a powerful bribe, or an even more powerful threat. Which Dumbledore must know, so there was no need to speak such unpalatable truths out loud.

"Until he is a full Wizard he would be of little use." A true answer, as far as it went. "But time passes quickly and once he has graduated there will be certain... expectations."

Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Perhaps you could... change those expectations."

"How?" A bitter edge crept into Snape's voice. "I can hardly plead with him to be 'good'. As far as Draco knows, I support his father's... politics. And as *you* did even less for his father than did Voldemort...."

"Come now, Severus." Dumbledore stood. A sign the discussion was coming to an end. " You can hardly expect me to pardon every Death Eater.:

"I expect nothing. Which is what you will get from Draco, if he expects nothing from you."

"As you say, Severus. Still, you have the boy's trust. Somewhat. So..."

It was an order. Vague, polite, but clear enough. Snape had become very good at recognizing unspoken commends.

Snape drained his glass. "I will do what I can - but I make no promises."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ronald Weasley peered into the darkness. "Come along. It's time."

No voice replied, just the crunch of rocks and dry leaves, as if pressed by something heavy.

"Sorry,but *he's* waiting."

The unseen heaviness rumbled forward.

"Good lad!" Ron called appealingly. "I know it's been a long three days, but you've done your job. Done it well. Very well. Just a bit more now." Ron backed slowly away from the cave entrance. "It's almost over."

"Help us finish this mission and you'll be free." Ron held out his hand, it's silver ring catching the faint moonlight. "You know *he* keeps his word.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Draco and Hermione had made their way to the farthest back stall of the girls showers.

"You know," Hermione whispered, "It will kill my reputation if we are caught here."

"Yes." Draco whispered back. "But it will *make* mine."

"Pig."

She might have said more, but Draco kissed her again. Just lightly. They had little time.

Holding out his hand. he pressed the snake ring against the center circle knob of the 'hot' handle.

It flashed red, then even more briefly green.

Hermione did the same with the 'cold' handle.

Clasping hands, they reached up together and pulled down on the shower head.

Below their feet, the floor dropped away.

End Chapter Five.

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Bianca Malfoy - Even more confusion. *grin *

Silver - Once more chapter - but it won't make things clearer Not yet. (But next chapter - I promise. *grin* I'll try to get it written fast. )

Hoodsie - Thanks! Sorry if things are confusing. I'm setting up the plot. (It's a plot about a PLOT . ) Just keep reading. I promise it will all start to make sense soon.

AnimegirlH - You are right. But it's *Draco* who is keeping secrets. Dark secrets. (Well - Ron and Hermione have a few secrets too. ) In fact - a LOT of folks have secrets. Just *evil chuckle* not much longer.

Elven Warrior - I appreciate the reassurance. I'm sort of new at this, and just learning how this site works.

Niffi - Thanks. That warms my heart.

Emma Barrows - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. (Hey -- she reviewed THREE times! )