OLD MAGIC

Chapter 21: The Search for Draco and another Snatch

Professor Snape sighed mentally as he sat in the great dining hall after a fruitless search in the Forbidden Forest that had lasted a long, cold, ten hours. The house elves had provided them with hot chocolate to restore body and mind before heading off to bed as it was well past nine at night.

With only a small handful of children staying through the Christmas holidays, it made doing the search easier though many of the teachers were desperately wanting to go home to their families too. Unfortunately, they had to remain to help in the search but most weren't really qualified nor skilled enough to be traipsing in the dangerous woods and ended up being more of a detriment than a help, he thought ruefully.

His attention was pulled back to the here and now when Dumbledore spoke. The headmaster looked all of his over two hundred some years as he addressed his teachers.

"I know we are all extremely tired and some of you wish to leave on your holidays so don't think me ungrateful that you were willing to stay and help with the search. For you that are ill equipped to handle such a rigorous search, I excuse you with my sincere thanks. You're free to go home. Please enjoy your Christmas holiday."

Sighs of relief met that order followed swiftly by a mass exodus of people heading for their quarters until there was only Snape, Quirrell, Flitwick, McGonagall, and Hagrid left in the big room.

Dumbledore eyed them silently a moment. "I will be honest with you all, I have never had to deal with such an event since I became headmaster of this school. It is a terrible black eye to Hogwarts to have something like this happen. It needs to be resolved quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions what we should do next?"

Snape blinked. He was rather surprised the old wizard would admit to being helpless and turning to them for help. He cast his gaze around the room a moment. Quirrell he already knew wouldn't help since he was the enemy. No one knew that, of course, but himself and Hagrid. Flitwick was a formidable warrior, despite his diminutive size, and McGonagall was a powerful witch, both good to have at one's side. Then there was himself and Hagrid. Naturally, they knew what had happened to Draco and what was going to happen to himself, but they did have to at least maintain the appearance of helping.

What an amusing situation, he thought, as he maintained a look of irritation for the others to see. It was beginning to chafe to wait until it was his turn to be 'kidnapped', but warned himself to patience. He still needed to play his part in this charade first.

"The aurors and members of the Light are already doing what they can, Headmaster. What do you expect us to do that they aren't already doing?" He asked, sourly.

Dumbledore studied his prickly potions master a moment then sighed. "Yes, I am aware of that, Severus, however, it wouldn't look well if we, at Hogwarts, did not show our concern by searching as well. After all, it is we who are ultimately responsible for our students welfare and safety not the aurors. As it is the minister is understandably upset and has been fire calling me frequently for results. I know I'm asking a lot of you all, forcing you to miss your holiday like this, but we must add our assistance to the aurors ..."

"Even if they don't want it," Snape interjected under his breath.

Giving Snape a sharp look of admonishment, Dumbledore continued, "...and show solidarity that we are just as concerned and interested in finding Draco Malfoy as they are."

"I assume Lucius Malfoy is already part of the search team?" Snape asked silkily, knowing for a fact Lucius probably threw a fit when he found out his son had been snatched. He didn't doubt the man had taken a large group of death eaters and his own servants out to search as much of the woods as he could before the aurors spot them and it became too dark to see anything even with the help of their wands. God forbid, his reputation be tarnished by not looking for his son. And I'm sure he's furious at the poor timing and ruination of his careful plans. The boy's very lucky to be gone right now.

A look of annoyance flashed in Dumbledore's eyes at being needled like this. "I've heard he has been searching with the aid of his own people but without success. If no one has a better idea of what action to take then we'll be joining the aurors tomorrow morning, early. Please get some rest and hope that in the light of day we'll be more successful in finding the boy."

No one said a thing as they rose to leave.

"Hagrid, please stay a moment," Dumbledore requested.

Snape gave the half-giant a quick glance that wasn't seen by the headmaster. Hagrid's look was placid and calm. He gave the man a tiny nod of assurance. Without another word or look, Snape took his leave.

"Wha can I do for yeu, Headmaster?" Hagrid asked, politely.

"I know you have ties to the creatures of the forest, Hagrid. Have you spoken with any of them since the kidnapping occurred?"

"Of course, soir! Weal...at least those that I could find. Ya know they hide deeper in the forest in winter time and aren't too happy to be rousted," Hagrid said, keeping in character. "But those that I did speak with hadn't seen or heard anything. They swear the centaurs are in their winter quarters so think we're a bit barmy to think they'd be out and about in this stuff, much less stealing a student." He shrugged his shoulders and looked puzzled.

Why don't I believe him? Dumbledore thought, frowning. He's never been dishonest with anyone but for some reason I just don't believe him. He sighed mentally. "Thank you for trying Hagrid. Best you go home now and rest. See you in the morning."

"Begging your pardon, sir but it be a waste of time. The snow is deep and strange things like to hunt the weak when food is scarce and harder to find. Not wise to run into them beasties. And the aurors be good and all, but even they won't find the forest dwellers if they don't want to be found."

Dumbledore studied the half-giant keenly. Hagrid had a natural mind shield so he was never able to probe the man which always discomforted him a little. The half-giant was well versed in the creatures of the forest and was considered one of those forest dwellers himself. Was he covering for them? But why would he? Dumbledore hated all these questions but trying to browbeat the half-giant for answers was an effort in futility and he was immune to Veritiserum.

His frustration mounting, the headmaster was more blunt than normal when he said, "If I didn't know better, Hagrid, I would suspect you of stonewalling us."

Hagrid blinked at Dumbledore with hurt eyes.

The headmaster sighed and shook his head. "As the ones responsible for our students welfare, Hagrid, we must do all we can to show we are doing our best to find Draco, even if our efforts come to naught in the end. I only pray he's in safe and caring hands and will be returned to us in the same condition he left."

"I will hope for the same, soir," Hagrid said in a serious tone. Time to make his escape, "Goodnight, Headmaster." Dumbledore just nodded and Hagrid took his leave, giving Fawkes a friendly scratch in passing and receiving a pleased trill in return.

Only when he was outside the castle and heading toward his temporary home away from home did he sigh loudly. Nearly caught me there, he did. Best be more careful around the headmaster as he apparently senses I'm not exactly being honest with him. Wish I could go home though. Don't fancy more hours of fruitless searching in the snow. Shaking his head, Hagrid opened his cabin door and slipped inside to get some needed sleep.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Snape had made his sedate way to his quarters, bidding farewell to his fellow teachers when they split up near the great hall with Quirrell walking swiftly away from them without a word. Eyes and shakes of head followed him.

Snape wondered what they would have said if he told them that was the Dark Lord striding away from them? Probably be furious then try to use the Cruciatus Curse on him. Unfortunately, as deadly as that spirit was, it would be they who would be harmed instead. Which was why he didn't say anything as he left them and headed down into the dungeons. He was already packed for his vacation and had shrunk it to the size of a pack of cards. Tomorrow would be a very hectic and dangerous day

Unlike Draco's kidnapping, his would be far more difficult because it would involve a battle and the aurors. He didn't want anyone hurt in the fracas and thought they'd managed to reduce that danger but battles were fickle things ... all manner of disaster could befall them despite their careful planning.

However, he refused to dwell on it as that would be unproductive. A battle, they felt, was the only way he could conceivably be taken and not be thought a traitor by both sides. He prayed that for once things would go his way.

The end result of all this was a vacation unlike any he'd ever had since he was young. He soo looked forward to having an enjoyable Christmas for once in his miserable adult life. Of course, Draco would soon learn of his deception but he had no problem with that. Actually, it would make it easier for him to protect his godson this way.

Smiling to himself, he made ready for bed.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The next morning was sunny, surprisingly. The storm clouds had moved on leaving the snow covered ground glittering brightly in the morning light.

A still tired group met for a sketchy breakfast then headed out of Hogwarts for Hagrid's hut. They had been notified by the aurors that morning that they'd all meet in the area where the centaurs were known to congregate. Even though the aurors had already searched this area, it was decided to start at that spot and push further inland in large groups.

The professors from the castle met up with Hagrid who was waiting for them near his pumpkin patch. From there the group trudged doggedly through the deep snow toward the meeting spot.

A group of some fifty aurors waited for them. All were using warming charms as it was bitterly cold despite the sunshine.

Moody was there as was Shacklebolt and Tonks who nodded at them in greeting. Quirrell had bowed out of the search, stating he was feeling a bit unwell.

I just bet he is, Snape snorted mentally when he'd heard. Just as well. We don't need that evil thing out here right now complicating things.

Bartemius Crouch senior, a ministry official who had been appointed to be in charge of the search, called for their attention. "Listen up, please!" The deep silence of the forest beat down on them when all voices went still and they turned to face their leader.

"We will break up into groups of six and head out in different directions. Be extremely watchful. Though most forest dwellers are hibernating, there are still hunters out there so stay alert. We will meet back here before dark."

Without speaking, the people sorted themselves out. Snape, Hagrid, Flitwick, Proudfoot, Dawlish, and Tonks formed one group. Dumbledore chose to join with Crouch, Moody, and Shacklebolt plus two younger aurors.

By unspoken agreement, Snape's group allowed Hagrid to lead the way as they knew he was far more familiar with the forest than anyone there. They struggled through the deep snow for more than an hour, seeing nothing of note...not even a scrap of evidence that their target had gone this way at all.

They could hear the other groups as they spoke to each other or cursed from fighting their way through areas where brush was hidden by snow...a nasty trap for the unwary.

But those that followed Hagrid were spared any of that as the half-giant led them sure-footedly through pathways only he knew.

As a second hour passed, Snape began to get restless. He knew any moment now the attack they'd planned would occur but it was hard to remain calm. However, just as he finished that thought there was an outburst of fear and surprise from his companions caused by the appearance of fox sized, ugly, black things that turned out to be spiders. They dropped from trees and sprang up from the snow in a horde that overwhelmed them quickly.

Hagrid bellowed and batted off the spiders without really hurting them but no one knew that. The baby Acromantula's scuttled here and there, lunging at people then slipping away before getting hit though some weren't fast enough and got toasted or swatted into trees.

Hagrid knew the mother wouldn't be that upset at losing some of her young as it was difficult to feed such a horde. They made the perfect sneak assassins which was why he was using them as his diversion.

Though he was expecting it, Snape still yelled convincingly when he was suddenly swept off his feet and carried off abruptly. He had to abort an automatic spell of defense or he would have harmed his snatcher. With difficulty as he was being bounced along by the running centaur, he put his wand away. When they were far enough from the others they couldn't see them, only then did the centaur, Belize, pause long enough to set Snape on his back then leap off into a gallop once more.

Snape held onto the centaur's waist grimly, keeping his eyes closed, and head pressed again Belize's neck to keep from being slapped by branches as they plowed through the forest at breakneck speed.

Back in the clearing, the Acromantula scurried away and vanished leaving the aurors puzzled and winded.

"Was anyone hurt?" Hagrid asked.

Everyone looked around and at each other and were surprised to find themselves uninjured, however, there was someone missing. "Where's Snape?" Tonks shouted.

Exclamations of dismay galvanized a quick search of the area, hoping the man might have only been knocked out and buried under the snow but after more than twenty minutes of hunting, they were forced to give up.

It was Dawlish who made a surprise discovery. "Here! There's signs of a horse running off from here. Bugger! Another centaur snatch! What the bleeding hell is going on?"

Hagrid did his part by coming closer and staring down at the tracks. "Ye be right, these be centaur tracks...too large for unicorns. Don't rightly know what's gotten into them, though. But, I did hear a rumor that a few members of the herd had a falling out with the leader and took off. Don' really sound like sommat they'd do. What would be the reason?" He scratched his beard thoughtfully.

Flitwick frowned. "There's no doubt it was a centaur, Hagrid. You can think of no reason for them doing this?"

Hagrid shook his head. "None, Filius."

"Well this is evidence something is up with the centaurs and Crouch needs to know about it as well as Snape being snatched," Proudfoot declared.

"But we still have to search for the boy!" Tonks objected.

Proudfoot growled in annoyance, uncertain what they should do now. Dawlish had no such problem. "The rest of you continue the search. I'll go find Crouch. It shouldn't be too hard as they were paralleling us."

No sooner had he made that observation then Crouch and his group came running through the woods toward them.

"What happened? We heard fighting?" Crouch demanded, winded and covered in snow from his run through the trees. Dumbledore and the rest hurried up behind him.

Dawlish quickly briefed their leader.

Crouch looked angry and confused. "What the devil is going on with the centaurs?" He asked no one in particular.

"And you don't know what might have stirred them up to do this, Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked. This was the first time he was hearing about a possible division in the local centaur herd. Something Hagrid should have told him last night.

"I'm sorry, soir. Even being close to them as I am, there be things they keep private among themselves. I only heard rumors about this dissension ... seemed too far fetched to be true, ya know. But I had intended to investigate it, that is, until I was pulled away for this search," Hagrid explained, looking distressed.

"This just doesn't make sense. Now we have two missing people." Crouch stood silently thinking and staring blindly into the forest.

Dumbledore was no happier and could think of nothing that could make the search more efficient or faster. It was frustrating and now his potion's master was missing as well. Things were fast getting out of hand.

Crouch spoke suddenly. "All we can do right now is continue with our original plan. My group will head back to our original position and your group will go on from here. Just be more watchful for those damnable spiders."

"Yes sir," Dawlish said briskly, though not completely happy they weren't trying to chase down the centaurs.

Turning away, Crouch strode back over the path they'd taken, his group trailing dejectedly behind him. Dumbledore nearly stumbled as his mind was more on the issue of a splinter group of centaurs than the ground beneath his feet.

It was Shacklebolt that kept him from falling.

"Oh, thank you, Kingsley."

"I don't like this Albus. Something just isn't right here," Shacklebolt muttered, worriedly.

"I completely agree but I don't know how we can get the forest dwellers to listen to us and help," Dumbledore said, unhappily pushing forward.

Shacklebolt grimaced. "We burned our own bridges centuries ago with them, I'm afraid, Albus." He sighed. "And you're right, if we'd been on good terms with them this probably wouldn't be happening."

"Unfortunately, true." Dumbledore sighed as another downpour of snow dropped on him from a tree disturbed by the ones ahead of him. It was going to be a miserable night's search and he feared it too would be unsuccessful. He offered up a prayer that it was the forest dwellers that had taken the two wizards, while at the same time trying to figure out why they would do this in the first place.