Chapter 16
Alex and Harry returned to a very quiet house. It was almost an eerie silence that filled the large home. "Harry why don't you go find something to do? I'm going to go find Severus."
"Alright." Harry said, climbing the stairs to his room. Alex quickly made her way to the lab on the third floor that was past the library, hidden securely behind a row of bookcases.
"Sev?"
"In here." He called from the lab. Alex grabbed a worn copy of 'The Potions Masters Muse' causing the bookcase to slide into the one next to it. "How was your walk?" He asked, looking up from a slew of empty bottles in front of him.
"It was very productive. Do you remember what's hidden in the garden hedges?"
"Of course! The secret entrance into the basement."
"Yes… what's with all the empty bottles, I thought you had enough of everything."
"I did, I found these this morning. All of the ingredients missing are used in only one potion."
"Which is that?" Alex asked, wanting an immediate response.
"Polyjuice."
"Athena!" Everything began to click in her mind. The basement, the strange behavior, everything. "The real Athena must be in the basement."
"But who is pretending to be her."
"Malfoy?"
"So close, would you care to try again?" Came a menacing voice from behind them.
"Who are you?" Alex asked.
"What are you doing here father?" Severus asked, recognizing the tall man with long black hair that now had specks of gray. He looked like a scruffier, older version of Severus. He held a wand and had his arm clutched around Harry's neck.
"Good to know I've got your attention."