OLD MAGIC

Chapter 33: First Day Back

Bong ... bong ... bong ... Hogwart's huge clock chimed the hour as hordes of students poured from different hallways and staircases heading toward the great hall for breakfast their first day back since the holiday break. Their many voices filled the great hall with holiday chatter. But threading through the tales of fun and frolic were also concerns and speculations about the Malfoy heir's safe return and the still missing potion's professor.

As all got seated, occasional glances were cast toward the teacher's table, watching for Dumbledore to give his usual speech and make the food appear. Suddenly, cheers rang out from the Slytherin table drawing all the other house's attention toward the hall's entryway.

Walking in on still rather unsteady and aching legs was Draco Malfoy. Face paler than normal, he neither smiled nor smirked at the rousing greeting he was getting as he moved toward the table then took a seat between two students who were firmly neutral on the subject of blood purity.

Surprised annoyance and shock graced the faces of those who thought of themselves as Malfoy's friends but Draco didn't care as he had enough of being grilled and wasn't ready to go through it again from his house mates. The pair he sat between eyed him in confusion but when he didn't pay them any attention, they simply shrugged and did him the courtesy of keeping the others from badgering him.

His house mates angry attempts to get answers from Draco were cut off when sudden silence fell over the hall. Looking around in surprise, they gasped when a familiar figure limped his way through the main entrance.

Draco allowed a small smile of relief to flash on his face before resuming his bland expression. Thank God, Severus made it back safely from the Death eaters ... sort of ... he thought frowning at the limp his Godfather was still sporting.

The rest of the room watched Snape's ramrod straight form limp up the stairs of the high table's platform then walk behind his fellow teachers making for a seat next to Professor Sinestra.

She turned to give him a relieved smile which he merely returned with a cool nod as he took his seat and turned his attention to the room at large, his expression flat and cold.

The moment he was settled, the shock of his arrival faded to be replaced with a rush of whispers about where the Professor had been and how he'd been injured. Comments ranged from relief by the Slytherins at the return of their house leader to disgust, fear, and dismay by the rest of the houses that their least liked instructor was back.

Inwardly amused by their reactions, Snape let the sound of their voices roll over him as he scanned the room. Spotting Draco, he relaxed and felt a bit of surprise at seeing him deliberately segregate himself from his so-called friends. That might not have been a good idea for dealing with the inevitable questions but Snape couldn't blame him for wanting to delay the onslaught just a bit longer. He would make time to see the boy soon and was a bit concerned that Draco still looked rather pale. He traded a brief, meaningful look toward Draco, receiving an understanding one in return, before giving his attention back to Dumbledore.

Professor Sinestra leaned close to try and question him but he shook his head just a little to let her know he wasn't in the mood. Only a little miffed, she nodded her understanding, gave his arm a gentle pat before turning her attention to the headmaster just getting to his feet.

Seeing the Headmaster standing, the students fell silent. "Let's give thanks that Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy have returned safely to us." He clapped his hands and after only a moments hesitation, the rest of the room followed his example.

When it grew quiet again, Dumbledore continued, "... Though it is understandable that all of you wish to know what happened to them, they are under an order of silence from the ministry to answer no questions at this time while the investigation is on going. Please honor that requirement and leave them be on the subject ..." Both Snape and Draco blinked in surprise at that statement as they'd not been told any such thing though they were careful not to let on.

Snape frowned in thought. He could only assume this was Albus' way to keep people from harassing them though he had no doubt the ministry would have given those orders ... eventually ... careless of them to have not done so yet but then none of them were very bright except for Shacklebolt but the man wasn't in charge of this case ... mores the pity. Things would be so much easier if he was, anyway, Dumbledore's action was a wise idea and one he hardily endorsed. He'd not been looking forward to the many attempts by his fellow professors to pump him for information.

Unfortunately, the stricture wouldn't help Draco as children were too curious and persistent to let a request like that hold them back. He wished he could protect his Godson but knew he couldn't be with Draco all the time. The boy would just have to do what he could on his own. He was a smart and resourceful soul after all.

His thoughts were interrupted by Dumbledore as the headmaster finished his speech.

"... I have only one announcement to make. No one is allowed outdoors for the next week as the ministry continues to search for clues on the perpetrators. Now ... as we have a very busy day ahead let us begin with a hardy breakfast." As he said 'breakfast' food appeared immediately on all the tables.

With a cheer the students hungrily served up and conversations again filled the hall with noise.

As he served up his food then began to dig in, Harry sighed with relief. I'm glad he survived his ordeal with the Death eaters and his ankle seems to be mending, he thought. That's a relief considering what we have to do very soon. Speaking of which, I'd better send him a mental message as I head to my first class so he'll be prepared when we meet later. Glad I already sent a message off with Wine to Rubeus before coming to breakfast. I wouldn't have wanted Severus to walk too much until his ankle completely heals. Sighing, he finished breakfast, pushed his plate away, then rose to leave, Hermione and Ron doing the same behind him.

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

Snape sighed and dug in ravenously. Healing bones took a lot of energy and though he was more inclined to eat lightly, he knew he needed the calories right now. He was glad his fellow teachers allowed him to eat in peace even though their eyes were alight with a thousand questions. Let Albus satisfy them.

The last students had vanished from the hall when he ate the last bite then finished his tea. Since he had no class until ten, he planned on getting in a short nap with his sore ankle raised up. With his belly uncomfortably full, he rose and left the table, heading for his classroom as fast as his sore ankle would let him. As he headed down the stairs toward the dungeon classroom, he felt a light tap against his mental shield. Not really surprised, he opened to his visitor.

"Professor ... glad to see you back. How are you faring?" Harry asked.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking. Still a little stiff but mending."

"Got away from your friends too, I see ..." Harry's mind voice smirked. Were you able to fend them off successfully?"

Snape allowed a hint of amusement to color his own response. "Better than I thought I would. The message successfully distracted them from asking me too many difficult questions."

"Brilliant," Harry said, cheerfully before taking a more grimmer tone, "However, I have some not so good news for you."

"Oh?" Snape had a feeling he knew what it might be.

"Our enemy has made firm plans it seems for my demise. We need to prepare for his attack by Thursday night."

"Ahh ... during the full moon, eh? Are the plans we made still suitable?" It was as he thought ... Voldemort was going to make his move at last. Snape felt oddly relieved, but at the same time worried their plan of attack might not work.

"I believe so, though getting the facts from Wine are, by necessity, rather lacking in exactly what was said. However, I did get the impression our enemy still intends to lure me into the forest that night."

"Good! Has Rubeus been informed?"

"A message carried by Wine was sent this morning. I asked for a meeting tonight at his cabin ... you agree?"

"Yes." Snape said, satisfied. "However, with this being the first night everyone is back, I would think getting out would present a problem for you. Need help?" A snort of amusement greeted that question.

"Not likely." From the time he could walk, Harry had been taught the art of stealth by the forest creatures. He could now move like the unseen wind, even inside a building, with ease. No one would see or hear him if he didn't want them to.

His tone amused, Snape said, "Meet me at the main doors by midnight and we'll go together to Rubeus' cabin."

"Right, see you then," Harry responded then closed their mental connection.

Snape had reached his class room when their conversation ended. Whispering under his breath, he broke the ward that kept his door closed from intruders then opened it and walked through the classroom toward his quarters at the back.

He sighed inwardly. I hope we get the bastard on this first try. I don't want to even think what it will take to try again once he's alerted we're on to him. With that less than happy worry on his mind, he disappeared into his quarters and shut the door.

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

The day was long and grueling as both Draco and Snape were bombarded by questions from the curious. They held out and kept their mouths shut, though it did cause Draco a lot of angry hazing and pushing around by those required to get answers for their Death Eater parents. He wanted to strike back but was still too sore and tired. He did his best to simply avoid being hemmed in by any of his less than happy house mates which meant a lot of sneaking around and avoiding, making him even more tired.

As for Harry, his day went fairly well except for some considerable discomfort in the DADA class when he had to work hard not to acknowledge the urgent pleas poor, doomed, Professor Quirrell sent him with his sad eyes. He truly wished there was something he could do for the man but all avenues had been explored by the elders. They could only free the man's spirit but not save his life.

Snape found the day to be filled with stress and no little pain. He had hoped to keep off his ankle as much as possible but Neville's disaster with a potion during the first years class had forced him to stand for too long as he dealt with the resulting mess.

Mixing two ingredients at the wrong time had resulted in a spectacular explosion of purple goo all over the room, covering students, walls, desks, and floor. Fortunately harmless, it nevertheless caused a panic among the first years. It took a lot of time to calm them down though it only took seconds to clean the mess with a simple cleaning spell. Sighing in annoyance, he managed to get the class under control long enough to give out two feet of homework before the bell rung.

From that less than auspicious beginning, his day just went down hill from there as the students were too full of energy from their holiday to settle down and concentrate. He was ever so glad when the day finally ended and he could go rest his foot.

Too tired and hurting to make it to the great hall, he opted to eat in. After making himself comfortable, he called the house elves to bring him an ice pack and a meal which was roast pork, greens, and sweet potato mash with a cold glass of pumpkin juice.

In very little time, he was settled into his over stuffed chair by the fire, his foot with requisite ice pack, raised on a pillow that was perched on an ottoman before him. He reached for his glass of juice and two phials that contained a pain and healing potion, respectively, from the side table. Downing them, he set them aside, drank some juice to clear the nastiness from his palate before setting the glass down and reaching for his plate of food. He ate and rested, allowing his body to do what healing it could before making the demanding trek to Rubeus' cabin later that evening.