Eye of the Storm
Chapter 8 Harry's Haven
The seconds seemed to be hours as Harry waited alone in the Great Hall. There was still no sign of the others and Harry's worry mounted. 'Maybe the death eaters came,' he thought to himself, 'maybe they didn't get out in time. What am I going to do?'
"You alrigh' Harry?"
Harry turned around so fast he almost lost his balance. Hagrid stood there, walking toward him.
"Hagrid, how did you get here? You didn't come through the fireplace."
"I came out in the hospital wing. When you use floo powder to get to Hogwarts it transports different people to different places. There are probably enough places so that no one will end up coming out of the same place."
Harry didn't really care at the moment, he was just so happy to see someone else.
"We're supposed to wait in here for Dumbledore, then we'll know for sure what is happening." Hagrid said and sat down at the Gryffindor table, looking at Harry.
McGonagall came in next and looked relieved to see Harry there, safe. More members followed, finally ending with Snape and Dumbledore.
"As you all are now here I will inform you that death eaters did not find headquarters but they do know that it is on Kling Court, so we must relocate. As for the moment, we will be expecting some more members this evening. Everyone can get a room to stay in then we will leave in the morning for our new location. Sleep well."
Dumbledore watched as everyone headed for their rooms and his eyes rested on Harry. So much was expected of one person and such a young person.
"Harry," Dumbledore called out " I will excort you to your room."
He nodded and followed the headmaster down the long coridor, up the stairs, and into the Gryffindor common room.
"Please get some sleep Harry, we will be moving in the morning."
Harry nodded and watched as Dumbledore left the common room.
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Snape waited outside next to the picture of the fat lady. The pain in his arm was growing and he was torn between waiting for Albus or going, most likely to get tortured for his tardiness.
"Severus, we need a new location for headquarters instantly. I'm afraid that we have a traitor, and we must get that person out of the castle." Dumbledore's expression and the look in his eyes asked all the untold questions.
"I will do all that I can headmaster."
"Good. Please be as quick as you can. Time is of the essence."
Snape nodded and walked away, toward the big front doors.
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"Harry, it's us. Are you here?"
The noticable female voice floated up the stairs from the common room. Harry jerked his head up from his note pad and ran downstairs.
"Hermione?"
When Harry reached the bottom of the stairs Ron was the first one to greet him.
"Hiya Harry, guess what, Scabbers did some magic the other day."
Harry looked at the rat in Ron's arms and smiled. His friend had been trying to get his rat to show any sort of magic at all.
"That's wonderful Ron. Hi Hermione."
Hermione waited while Harry and Ron greeted eachother.
"Hi Harry, how's your summer been?"
Harry shrugged and looked toward the fireplace. "It's been interesting. See, first I was at the Dursley's and when they kicked me out Snape came to take me to the Order. Then, death eaters show up on Kling Court, so we all moved here until tomorrow when we will move to the new headquarters."
Ron and Hermione looked at eachother for a moment before looking back at Harry.
"Well, my mum and dad just got letters about the Order today. Dumbledore said he wanted people with families to come last, just incase something happened." Ron said, looking around the room. "My brothers are here too. Mum left Ginny with family."
"I got a letter personaly. Not for the order meeting of cource but to come to Hogwarts. My parents will be coming later in the summer. This is all really strange." Hermione said and crossed her arms.
Scabbers jumped out of Ron's arms and ran up to the boy's dormitory.
"I think he's got the right idea." Ron said following his pet. Harry heard him mutter a small 'night', before Hermione walked toward the girls dormitory.
"I'm going to sleep too. Good night Harry, it's great to see you again."
Harry waved and went upstairs to bed.
"Hey Harry, do you really think it's that bad? Do you think You-Know-Who will come back to power?"
Harry took off his glasses and sat down on his bed. "I don't know Ron, I really hope not."
"Well if he does you can just do the same thing you did last time."
"Yeah," Harry said sarcasticaly "Nothing."
Ron fell asleep moments later.
Something made the hairs on the back of Harry's neck stand up 'it's nothing' he said to himself and fell into a light sleep.
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The mark on his arm kept sending bolts of pain up and down his body. Snape decided to check on the areas around order members houses. Arabella's was the only one not surrounded my the magical community. I would have to do.
Pulling a piece of parchment and an old quill out of his robe pockets, Snape scribbled a not to Dumbledore.
Temporary, A.F..
S.S.
He knew that was all Dumbledore would need. Giving it to an owl, Severus went to the edge of the wards around Privet Drive and vanished.
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"What is your reason for missing my meeting Severus?"
The cold, meacing voice rose out of what seemed like nothing. Voldemort was unhappy and Severus was the one at the other end.
"I was indisposed, my master. I needed to do work for Albus Dumbledore."
"That is no excuse! Crucio."
Snape fell to his knees without crying out. He suspected that his nerve endings were all but fried.
"Rise."
Very carefully Snape stood, unsteady on his feet.
"Crucio"
Again Snape fell to the ground, this time almost letting out a small scream. The curse was lifted.
"Stand up."
He did.
"You know the concequences of missing a meeting Severus. For your sake, let's not have it happen again."
"Yes my lord."
"Get out of my sight."
Snape bowed and walked slowly out of the forrest. This was the first time he made it out without collapsing. Reaching the bounderies, Snape watched as the sun started to rise. He was alive, for a little while longer.
TBC
It might be a while for the next chapter so here is a little taste.
Chapter 9 Privet Drive
Severus's head snapped up at the sound of her voice. She was indeed familiar, but he couldn't place her. Something in the way she carried herself, almost proudly cought his attention as well. He had seen her before, but where?