Author's note: Hey, everyone, I know that its been a long time but I've been away for a long time. I just got back, and I really hope you guys liked this next installment, I'm starting to get into the deeper plot of the story and the basic reason that its called, 'A Rhapsody of Seven'. Just a warning, this is going to be a while, and I may need to make this one long story into two shorter one.

Hope you all enjoy it! this is For Princess Sapphire and Schnabes, a good friend of mine.

Chapter 28 – War Council

Snape was already pacing outside Dumbledore's office when the headmaster opened the door to go down to breakfast. He actually had to double back, when Snape whirled on him.

"Ah, Severus," he greeted, trying to sound pleasant instead of surprised. "I was just about-well, not go to see you, but to go down for breakfast. Are going for some as well? I hear the pancakes are especially fluffy today."

Snape stopped in his tracks and arched a black brown for a fraction of a second.

"I don't eat breakfast." He said dourly.

"Well, you should." Dumbledore said with good humor that should be declared evil so early in the morning. "It's the most important meal of the day." A few moments of intense scowling from the Potions master wiped the smile off of his face. The Headmaster managed to compose himself. "I suppose, however, that you have more important matters to discuss with me other than the important of breaking your fast."

The Potions Master nodded. He set his teeth on edge and tried his very best to suppress his first instinct which was to glower. Albus was the closest thing that he had to a friend.

"This is a matter of some importance." He said. His voice was monotone and he also somehow managed to bite back a small smile at the Headmaster's antics.

Dumbledore smiled again, his blue eyes twinkled. He knew that Snape was slightly amused and was fighting to hide it.

"Well, come in then." He said standing aside to let Snape in. He then followed the Potion's Master to his desk and sat behind it. He leaned back and steepled his fingers and considered Snape carefully. "Very well, Severus, what is it you wish to speak to me about?"

He gestured for the dark haired man to take a seat in one of the plush overstuffed chairs that faced his desk. Snape complied lowering himself onto the soft seat but looked no less comfortable than before.

"The Aurors that were sent to capture Norman Roarke were found."

Dumbledore waited pointedly.

"Dead, of course." He continued the headmaster. He fought not to roll his eyes. "That's seven more of the Ministries men gone and too much time wasted."

He was so frustrated that he could barely keep seated.

Dumbledore's demeanor instantly turned grave, all traces of playfulness and good humor were erased. The look on his face showed quite clearly that he had expected all of this to happen. It was moments like these that showed just how formidable Albus Dumbledore truly was.

"Give them time, Severus." He said soothingly. "This is the first aggressive action they have taken all year. At least they are beginning something." He paused. "I have been expecting something like this for some time now."

Snape shook his head. He knew better than to ask why Albus did not prevent it. Whatever was going on, Dumbledore had a plan, he just liked being a stubborn old coot and always refused to give up details until it was ready.

"They struck blind." Snape said. "They had no idea how many people Roarke would have as security detail."

Dumbledore nodded and plucked a candied lime from the bowl on his desk. He popped it into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

"This Norman Roarke," he asked. "Who is he exactly? What is his importance of him to Voldemort?"

"A potions specialist." Snape answered promptly. "He graduated from Hogwarts at the top of his class about fifteen years ago, long before my time as a Professor, but after my time as a student."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, he was mulling it all over in his impressive brain, and he opened his mouth to question Severus further, knowing that the Potions Master would have the information that he needed.

"Slytherin?" he queried.

Snape shook his head; he knew that Dumbledore was not asking due to the rampant house-discrimination. Voldemort had a tendency to favor his house-mates, he almost never gave Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws any importance, and he had never, ever worked with a Gryffindor.

"Ravenclaw, I believe," he replied without a moment's hesitation. He decided Dumbledore needed more information. "But he is from an old wizarding family. Pure blood back six generations unless I'm mistaken."

Dumbledore nodded, he allowed himself a small smile.

"Which I doubt."

Snape said nothing but accepted the praise.

"What was his assignment?" the old man asked, instantly snapping back into battle-mode.

Snape shook his head.

"There has been no intelligence on the subject. I only learned of his existence and importance a week ago when he almost died at the hands of the Aurors. Voldemort was livid at his body guards and lackeys. Roarke apparently had to be taken to Swithin's Hospital, it was a pretty risky move, exposing Swithin's."

"Swithin's hospital?"

Snape nodded.

"I was unaware of its existence as well." He said. "It's a haven for Deatheaters, an ideal place for an attack. A clinic of a sort, a hospital."

Dumbledore shook his head, taking another lime and wordlessly offering Snape one which the Potions Master declined.

"No." he said. "Not yet. First I want to find out about this Norman Roarke, and what he is studying for the Dark Lord." His face then took a far away look. "I should have known they were being taken somewhere. The damages inflicted over the last few years are too extensive to have been fixed at such a crude facility as a warehouse with cots and a few makeshift healers. The Dark Lord is also stubborn in his belief that muggle medicine can do nothing to help him." He shook his head. "An arrogant, stubborn and foolhardy notion."

"Perhaps," Snape said. "And perhaps our saving grace. Should we not do something about it? Swithin's"

Dumbledore shook his head.

"What happened with Roarke?"

"The Auror's orders were to capture if possible and kill if impossible." Snape recounted. "Typically slapdash of Fudge. He's not thinking with his rational mind at this point."

"He got away?" Dumbledore pressed. He tried not to permit Fudge-bashing of any form no matter how justified.

Snape nodded. He knew that no matter how much Dumbledore disliked Fudge, he didn't allow anyone to put the Minister down.

"He was hit by a Thrombosia Charm." Snape said.

Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up. The Dreaded Charm was only a notch below the unforgivable curses. Not many people had survived it, and those that did spoke of terrible horrendous pain, second only to a Crucio, but more lasting. No matter how powerful the wizard, the Thrombosia Charm could have permanent effects if not treated properly.

"And he survived?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"I don't understand it, though." Snape continued. "This man is a researcher, he is not at all not built for the field life He had never been trained, I would have though he would perish the moment the spell hit and yet someone had managed to save him. Something like that requires a truly skilled healer."

Dumbledore frowned.

"We need more about Swithin's Hospital and the healers that it employs." He said. "That shall be our course of action for now."

Snape nodded, and stood.

"And for Draco and-"

Dumbeldore smiled. He knew that this topic was going to inevitably be brought up. Snape was really quite attached to his godson.

"I have Hermione covered." He said with a solemn nod. "And don't worry about Draco, he can handle himself until such time that he gets back to school. It's only after the child is born that I fear for him."

Severus nodded.

"I know how to handle my affairs." Dumbledore assured him. "Until then, we simply have to wait."

"Very well." Snape said trying to not show his agitation. "We are just going to sit around to find out more about Swithin's and Roarke's work?"

"No." Dumbledore said standing as well. "I want to call a meeting with Filius and Minerva. I shall need to have a talk with Cornelius as well."

"Until then?"

Dumbledore finally smiled again.

"Until then, you eat breakfast, Severus, it's the most important meal of the day."