Disclaimer: I own Snape! I am using him for my own evil devices. Muhahahahahahahahaha!

My mam: What have I told you about evil laughter!

Me: Ma-m. You're making me look bad.

Mam: You sound like a banshee with a cold. And have you finished your homework?

Me: Yes! (mumbles a curse)

Mam: What was that?

Me: Nothing!

ZZZZ

Behind the Veil

Chapter Two

ZZZZ

In less than a week Snape, Remus, Moody and Tonks were making their way through the Ministry, behind Arthur Weasley who smiled and nodded to people as he passed. They had managed to perfect an ancient spell that would conceal something as big as what they were about to steal from the Ministry.

All except Arthur were after taking Invisibility potions to get in. Arthur was there so doors wouldn't seem to open on their own and to let them into password safe places. Tonks was meant to be out of the country to visit her grandmother so she couldn't be seen.

"Arthur… Arthur," someone called. A podgy man in wrinkled robes ran up to him.

"Hello Dan. How have you been?" Arthur smiled politely.

"Grand, grand. Listen, Fudge is looking for us. I think he wants to cut our department but as you know, he has to talk to us first," the podgy man said, panting.

"What?" Arthur was furious. "He can't do that! Muggles need as much protection as we can offer. If Fudge takes that away, they're as good as dead in You-Know-Who's eyes."

"I know. Now you're not meant to be here today and I'm on the way out. I suggest you do whatever you need to do and get the hell out of here. He's leaving for Bermuda tonight for two weeks. The longer we avoid him, the longer we have to come up with a plan of action. Got to go. See you Monday."

"Good bye."

The four Order members watched Arthur clench and unclench his fists. He was taking deep breaths to control his anger. An invisible hand touched his arm to urge him on.

He jumped. "Right," he said seemingly to himself and started walking again.

"Arthur," he heard Moody hiss. Arthur turned to see a transparent arm waving at him. "Quickly!"

They made a dash for the stairs, as elevators would be too risky. They ran up stairs for a good ten minutes before Arthur suddenly stopped. "We're here." He punched in a security code and cast a couple of spell before the door unlocked.

They all dashed in when a door nearby started to open.

"That was bloody close," Tonks gasped.

"Close? Some Ministry worker nearly walked out of his office to see four transparent wizards trying to unlock a door," Remus panted.

Moody looked thoughtful. "Why was your potion weak, Snape? Losing your touch?"

"Weak? I never accidentally make weak potions. They were low dosage because we need to SEE what we are doing in here, Moody. That was said when we were formulating the plan, or is your memory declining?" Snape hissed back.

"Shhh. We have to this as fast as we can," Remus said. "Arthur, you got the spells?"

"Sure do."

"Right," Snape started. "Lupin, over there, Moody over in the far corner, Tonks to the right of Lupin. I'll go here."

"Right. Arthur, when you're ready," Moody commented.

Arthur nodded and took a slip of parchment from his robes. He started reading out a spell. After he said it three times the others started chanting it with him. This continued for several spells.

Forty minutes in, a glowing blue surrounded the Veil like a bubble. Suddenly it popped.

"That's it. The magic isn't protecting it anymore."

"You sure?"

"Positive. You can get it down now. The ropes are unbreakable so you'll have to undo the knots up there." He pointed up to the high ceiling.

"We'll have to levitate someone," Remus said.

They all looked at each other.

"I'm too heavy," Moody stepped back.

"Too old," Arthur said quickly.

Tonks raised her hands. "I'm crap at knots."

"I'm afraid of heights," Remus admitted sheepishly.

They all looked at Snape. "I…" he couldn't think anything. "Fine," he snapped. "Let's get this over with."

They all levitated him, just in case. Dumbledore would never forgive them.

Snape was untying the last knot when the door flew open suddenly. They all spun around, breaking the levitating spells. As Snape fell, the Veil came with him.

"Who's there?" Moody.

Snape fell head first into the Veil. Just before he was completely in, Remus and Tonks grabbed his leg.

"Alistair, help," Remus called. Something was pulling the Potions Master from the other side.

"There's nobody there," Arthur said as he came back into the room. "What the-"

When finally the four of them managed to pull Snape back out, he made a dash back to it.

"I saw him. He… Black. He's in there… alive," he gasped for air.

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