OLD MAGIC
Chapter 55: Sneaking into Hogwarts and the Aftermath
The passageway they had discovered was choked by weeds and roots growing through the space. It was apparent no one had dared to traverse this tunnel for some time, most likely due to the upheaval of the past few years.
Annoyed, Mulciber and Nott used their wands to clear the path all the way to its end then use them to light their way as they began their trek, a rather long walk and bitterly cold despite being underground. It took them some 25 minutes to reach the hidden tree entrance. In that time they never heard or saw Kreacher. They hoped the house elf hadn't got himself caught or this trip would be yet another worthless endeavor.
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While his temporary masters worked their way towards their destination, Kreacher had managed to safely appear, apparently, unnoticed, in one of the high towers of Hogwarts. He was hoping, with the hour being so late, that it would be unlikely anyone would be up here. He already knew there would be no astronomy class as the sky was filled with clouds obscuring the view of the heavens.
Due to being an outsider house elf, he decided not to apparate but to walk to Syltherin House. This was to, hopefully, remain out of sight of the resident house elves who usually chose apparating from place to place behind the scenes rather than boldly walk around in the open. Though walking would take longer and perhaps increase his risk of being discovered by wandering students and other things, he felt it was still a better option. So with trepidation in every step, he set off downstairs, carefully making no sound and staying close to the walls so he could vanish quickly if need be.
By the time he made it to the fourth floor, he was feeling more and more anxious as the chances of being seen increased. He had already been nearly spotted by a ghost passing through the wall just inches from his face but, luckily, its attention was elsewhere and it continued on its silent way through the opposite wall and, when he nearly reached the third floor, yet another threat appeared in the form of an ugly human with a cat just passing below him and on down the corridor without seeing him as he huddled against the wall on the last curve of the staircase. The last encounter sent his poor heart beating a rapid tattoo in fright.
After a brief break to calm himself, he continued on down till he was nearly at the first floor where his luck finally deserted him. As he paused on the staircase above the main floor to listen and look around, his body was unceremoniously snatched by an invisible force. Seconds later, he stared around himself in dismay. He was back in a tower room but this one was dark and forbidding with cells set in a circle against the walls. And he was in one of those iron cells. Frightened, he tried to escape but to no avail. The bars or something else prevented him from apparating. What that was he couldn't figure out as it shouldn't be possible. And, what was more frightening, he hadn't recognized the form of transport at all. It was nearly as seamless and quick as an elf's apparating ability but definitely wasn't elf magic.
"You do not belong here and your sneaking entry tells me you are here for bad reasons," a deep sonorous voice announced inside his head.
Kreacher screamed and clutched his head with both hands, the voice being sudden and very loud. "Don't hurt Kreacher. I did not want to do this but …."
"Silence!"
Kreacher found he could not speak at all. His huge eyes stared around in terror as he huddled in a tight ball on the floor of the cell. The voice said nothing more leaving him alone with no idea what his fate would be.
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Meanwhile, peering out the hidden entrance beneath the Whomping Willow, the Death Eaters had finally completed their dirty journey and was trying to observe as much of the lay of the land as they could without stepping onto Hogwarts land itself which would surely set off an alarm or getting them beaten by the cantankerous willow.
Waiting in such a cramped, cold space was not pleasant especially since they had no idea how long the wait would be. A fire might have been nice but, hello, it was a tree they stood in and besides the fire might be spotted so with irritable grunts, the group settled to the floor and used a warming spell on themselves while they tried to get as comfortable as the small, drafty hollow allowed.
After an hour, the waiting got to Goyle who growled in a low voice, "He's been caught!"
"That's certainly a possibility," Nott rumbled.
"Or, since it is late, our boys couldn't find a way to slip out and see us. Or perhaps all the brats have been told extra security has been set in place and they were forbidden to go outside or risk being caught," Crabbe ventured.
"Then we will wait just a bit longer then go. We can ill afford to be caught ourselves," Nott decided though everything in him said to run now.
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"Brother heed me!"
Snape startled during his walk through the castle. "Yes? Something wrong?" He mentally asked, recognizing the voice of the castle spirit.
There has been an intruder I have caught and sent to the tower … an unknown house elf. You need to deal with this matter, it intoned then went silent.
"A house elf..." Snape was shocked but realized it wasn't really that surprising. The Dark Lord's minions did have house elves of their own. It was just surprising that this hadn't happened sooner.
"Thank you for the warning. I will take care of this," he murmured back then immediately made his way for the stairs leading upward. As he hurriedly half ran up the stairs he realized he wasn't equipped to handle a house elf so halted and called out softly, "Dobby." Instantly the house elf appeared beside him.
"You need Dobby for something, Professor Snape?" The house elf looked fresh and alert. He often wondered just how much sleep the creatures actually needed since they never seemed to get tired, though he knew that wasn't true.
"Yes, the castle spirit has informed me we have an elf intruder and I thought you might help me deal with it."
Dobby's eyes widened in surprise. "A foreign house elf? Yes, sir, Dobby will do his best to help. Be he in the Dark Tower?"
"Yes. Seems that tower is seeing a great deal of attention lately," Snape muttered.
"Unfortunate, that be true, sir. Professor Snape, sir, would you like me to get us there quicker?"
Snape blinked and came to a sudden halt as he had continued his climb up the stairs when Dobby had appeared. Calling himself stupid for not thinking of that in the first place. "Thank you, yes that would be a good idea."
Dobby nodded then snapped his fingers and in the next moment they were in the Dark Tower. It took Snape a few minutes to adjust to the dimmer light of the room before he was able to discern the shabby and old looking house elf sitting in one of the cells. He knew this elf. And so did Dobby, apparently.
"Kreacher!" Dobby snarled.
Snape blinked in surprise. "So you have met him before?"
"Dobby has, Professor Snape, sir. He nasty house elf from the House of Black," Dobby growled, glaring at the elf in question.
"Yes he is but I am surprised you know that as well."
"Seen him, Dobby has, sir, in Diagon Alley going down Knockturn Alley and entering Borgin and Burkes, a place where Death Eaters been known to frequent so Dobby knows he is up to no good. Followed this creature to his home that time."
"Ah, I see. I have seen him whenever the Order met at Grimmauld Place. Always lurking about, watching us and spending a lot of time talking to Walburga Black's portrait," Snape mused.
"TRAITOR," Kreacher shouted, jumping to his feet and snarling at Snape through the bars. "You traitor to the Dark Lord just as Sirius Black is. Woe be the humiliation of the Black family that it should be brought so low by ones such as you," he hissed angrily.
"Why be you here in Hogwarts?" Dobby demanded, jerking the elf's attention toward him, his hands ready to do something wicked to the prisoner.
"Easy Dobby, allow me to do the questioning, please," Snape murmured.
"Sorry, Professor Snape, sir. Dobby meant no offense." He stepped back and tried to relax though he never took his eyes off Kreacher.
"And I've taken none, be easy," Snape reassured the elf then turned to their prisoner. "You may as well answer his question since it's been asked," he said coldly.
Kreacher glared back. "None of your business, traitor, says I. And you can't harm me Dobby," he growled at the other seething house elf.
"Hmm, so you would much rather remain incarcerated here and be at the mercy and attention of Hogwarts spirit then … well that's your choice. I certainly don't care and doubt you have any information worth my time to try and obtain it from you." Snape pretended to walk away.
"Nooo, don't want to be here," Kreacher wailed in abject terror. No way did he want to find out what the spirit might do to him. "Nasty Traitor! I care nothing for the Death Eater's seeking information about what is going on within this school."
"Then why did you try and do this at all?" Snape asked, surprised.
Kreacher continued to sulk and glare and mutter then finally, reluctantly, "I but thought to gain my place of importance again but am tired of this senseless war. Want to go home or if that be not a choice, then just leave for newer possibilities, but cannot … am still tied to the House of Black."
"Who are these Death Eaters that approached you?"
Shaking his head which caused his huge ears to flap, Kreacher gave Snape a disgusted look. "Your former allies they be, so know them you should ... I'll not say."
"Fine, since you seem to want to remain here so much, keep your secrets. Auror Moody may be able to loosen that tongue of yours better than I," Snape said, disgusted and again made as if to leave, making it as far as the door.
"Nasty, nasty, traitor! Release Kreacher. You wont see him again … will go far away from this madness and emptiness."
"Not till you tell me where my so called former associates are," Snape insisted, steel in his voice.
Kreacher glared but finally gave in. "Inside the Whomping Willow they be, a secret tunnel goes down below and comes up into the shrieking shack."
"Of course, I should have remembered that," Snape sighed, realizing Hogwarts had a serious breach in their security by forgetting that special, old passageway. How could I have forgotten it and the day when Sirius Black nearly got me killed by a werewolf named Lupin there.
Snape turned to Dobby. "You believe him about going away?"
Dobby stared at the prisoner for a long moment. Kreacher stared back sourly but said nothing more. Dobby nodded.
"He will go and never return. No home, no allies, no friends … he may find something better away from here or he will simply fade," Dobby said coldly.
Snape shivered inside. He knew just how bad that would be for a house elf but this old fellow had already been living this way and there really wasn't any more they could get out of him.
"Let's go Dobby," he finally said then gave the old house elf his attention briefly. "You will stay for just a bit longer than I will release you." Then he opened the heavy door and stepped out with Dobby on his heels, ignoring the prisoner's wails. Once in the corridor, Snape asked, "Dobby, are you able to send Kreacher far away and keep him from returning?"
The house elf shook his head. "Dobby has no such power, Professor Snape, sir, sorry."
"That's alright, it was just a thought. The castle spirit, I'm sure can do it," Snape said as they made their way away from the tower. After his statement, he received a warm feeling that he interpreted as an agreement on the castle's part.
"You may go about your duties or bed, Dobby, and my thanks for your presence," Snape said politely.
"It was my pleasure, sir. Have a good evening," With that, Dobby disappeared.
"Now I need to inform Dumbledore about our uninvited guest as well as our security breach within Hogwarts wards," Snape muttered to himself. "Another long night with no sleep."
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It took Snape some fifteen minutes to traverse the distance from the tower to Dumbledore's office and he could kick himself for not asking Dobby for a quick 'ride' but it is what it is and soon enough he reached the headmaster's door even more tired than before.
He knocked firmly.
There was no response so he opened the door and stepped in anyway. Many of the portraits woke and muttered their annoyance at him.
"My apologizes but we've had a breach in the school wards. I need to speak to Dumbledore immediately."
There were exclamations of shocked anger and fear from the portraits before one of their number hurried out of his frame presumably to get the headmaster. Snape noted that Fawkes was also not present so he waited patiently.
Dumbledore appeared only five minutes later still dressed in his day clothes. Apparently he too had not been able to sleep or Snape caught him just going to bed. "What is this I hear of a breach?" Dumbledore demanded worried and angry.
"Yes, headmaster. We forgot that it would be possible for a foreign house elf to apparate into Hogwarts with ease. Fortunately, the castle spirit sensed it's presence and incarcerated it in the tower."
"What or who did we catch?"
"Kreacher. He was the house elf for the Black's. Apparently, he was talked into sneaking into Hogwarts by my former compatriots. I suspect since he wasn't forthcoming on why he was sent, that it was for the purpose of spying on the students and hopefully getting information from any Slytherin student. Though why they didn't just try to contact their children to get answers is confusing to me."
"It's possible their children were too wrapped up in the drama of the last few days that they simply ignored the request for information and don't forget Severus, we did have four of them in custody as well," Dumbledore reminded him.
"True. Anyway, it appears that isn't the only breach that I should have remembered existed. I apologize for that headmaster. When I attended Hogwarts as a child, I had the occasion to witness a secret passageway existed beneath the Whomping Willow that led to the Shrieking Shack. It seems someone else remembered it as well so apparently we have a few of my former Death Eater associates waiting for either Kreacher or one of the children to come speak to them at the hidden entrance to the tunnel."
"I'm surprised at that. The tunnel was made for a certain student who attended here with you, Severus. The tree was planted atop it to hide that tunnel.
"Oh, so that's why Lupin used it. You had that done to allow him a safe place to change and to protect his fellow students," Snape said, realizing in that moment that James Potter had known of the tunnel because he was close friends with Lupin.
Dumbledore nodded, a sad smile on his face. "Correct. It was the only way he could attend at all. But you are right, we need to deal with that security breach though I wish I knew who had leaked the secret. No matter. We need to deal with this matter immediately. Let's be off and see if your former colleagues are still there." So saying Dumbledore headed for the door with Snape on his heels.
They encountered no one as it was quite late and all students should have been abed, so they reached the main foyer in minutes. Snape pushed ahead and opened one side of the massive door, stepping through and holding the door to allow Dumbledore passage before letting it go. It closed with a soft boom.
The pair quickly set off across the grass toward the huge Whomping Willow. The strange tree looked like any other in the darkness, with long strong limbs reaching the sky but as soon as one got closer the limbs weren't normal. Each thick branch stuck out like some odd clothes rack with huge knobs on each of the limbs.
The limbs didn't sway in the light wind but as soon as Snape and Dumbledore got within ten feet of it, the limbs suddenly moved and tried to strike the pair with one of the knobbed 'arm's. But they both knew its trick and ducked in time then stepped back a few steps which caused it to settle into stillness again.
"How does one gain entry without getting brained since the Willow won't cooperate with even you, headmaster?" Snape asked, annoyed.
"If I remember rightly, there is a small knot on the truck just there," Dumbledore stated, pointing to the eastern side of the willow's trunk. They walked warily to that side.
"We have to duck and run to a rather large knot on the trunk," the headmaster was saying as they walked. "Once one presses the knot it will open a door."
"Well before we attempt that, why don't we see if we do have spies," Snape suggested as they reached their destination and found it too dark to see anything at all so he dared to move just a bit closer to the tree trunk. Raising his hand he caused a light to form in his palm which lit the area brightly. Instantly an open doorway was revealed with the faces of two men staring back at them in shocked surprise, wands at the ready.
Because the three had been taken off guard by the sudden light, Dumbledore attempted to get off a spell but being already primed to fight, the two in the doorway were still faster with their spells with Nott putting up a shield that foiled Dumbledore's cast and Snape's follow up.
Standing next to Nott, Mulciber rapid fired more spells but was foiled by the headmaster and Snape's swift production of shielding and ducking in opposite directions to avoid the castings. Shouting to the other two, Mulciber warned, "We have to leave now!" He ducked down and stepped backward inside the tunnel while Goyle got off another spell from his position behind and to one side of Nott. Heeding the warning, he turned away and followed Mulciber's disappearing form. Behind him still at the doorway and cursing the enemy, Nott held his shield while the others escaped, getting off several more spells before he too turned back into the tunnel, still retaining his shield to protect his back, releasing it only when the door to the tunnel snicked shut firmly behind him.
Dumbledore snorted in disgust. There was no point in trying to run after the pair as it was very likely the rest of their number would be waiting at the other end and there were only the two of them. Despite how powerful they both were it would be foolhardy to take such a risk though he chafed at having to let them go.
"Damn," Snape muttered angrily, obviously agreeing with Dumbledore's silent decision not to give chase .
"Yes, it's annoying we can't go after them but at least we know it was who we thought and they are apparently still in the dark about most of what has been happening. And we know they are aware their Lord is gone. They will be caught soon when Moody gets the names out of Pettigrew. So for now we need to close this avenue. It is no longer needed anyway and I would feel better if no students learned of it either," Dumbledore said.
Raising his wand he muttered an odd spell in Latin. A purple beam shot out striking the ground beneath the tree. The willow shuddered for a long moment before settling quiet once more. The ground seemed to sink a bit but unless one stepped close it wasn't seen at all.
"There that should do it. The tunnel is now gone and I will discuss the house elf breach with Hogwarts. Though it seems it has already made its own judgement call on what action to take and who to take it out on, for which I'm very thankful," Dumbledore said with a sigh as he turned away and began a brisk walk back to the main doors. "Do we still have the house elf?"
"Yes, though I did promise it I would free it but that it must go far away and not come back. It is no longer attached to anyone here ... wait, someone had to have contacted him. Damn, Bellatrix must have done it. She is a Black after all," Snape said, angry at himself for forgetting that.
"Then we cannot release the house elf at this time. Insure he is cared for until we can do something about him. Meanwhile, I assume the castle spirit will be able to keep Bellatrix from summoning him?"
"Actually I don't know."
"Hmm, well I'll just ask it," Dumbledore said pragmatically. As soon as they stepped within Hogwarts, Dumbledore stopped and made a mind call to the castle.
Yes, headmaster?
"Are you able to keep our prisoner from being summoned?"
Alas, I cannot. Though I am able to keep him in a cell and unable to use his magic if he is summoned that will override my own abilities, the castle spirit said regretfully.
"I do not wish to kill the poor creature despite the wrongs he may be guilty of. I'm afraid we will simply have to hope that since he wasn't able to snoop around that he's useless to them if they even decide to retrieve him," Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head. "Thank you anyway."
"You are welcome, headmaster," the castle whispered back.
"You may be correct headmaster. Though there are other uses they might make of Kreacher so letting him go isn't a good choice," Snape said thoughtfully, after Dumbledore had told him what the spirit had said. "However, it is good Hogwarts is able to detect him as foreign and will be able to keep others the enemy might find to send. Though, honestly, I really doubt they will attempt it again."
"I'm certain you are right and I am grateful we have such an effective deterrent. Since the elf is secured for now we will leave its disposition for morning. It is late and we should get some sleep," Dumbledore said, trying to hold back a yawn.
"I agree. See you in the morning, headmaster," Snape said before taking off for the dungeon.
Dumbledore sighed and stretched a bit before making his weary way back to his own quarters.
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While Dumbledore and Snape chased down Death Eaters, Dobby was doing some hard thinking.
It felt wrong somehow to treat the fellow house elf the way they were doing. Though he didn't approve of Kreacher that had no bearing on whether the creature should die or be allowed to find a new life. Dobby firmly believed everyone deserved a second chance.
What if he was offered something better, would he take it or continue on as he was? Dobby wondered. He wasn't sure but the first place to ask would be the prisoner. He snapped himself back to the tower.
Kreacher was sitting on the floor of the cell with his back to the door. His shoulders slumped forward in defeat, his huge eyes closed, and his ears folded down. The picture of a depressed and unhappy elf.
"Kreacher," Dobby called softly.
The disgraced house elf startled then whirled around into a standing crouch, eyeing Dobby with wary eyes.
"What you want with Kreacher?" He demanded.
"It distresses Dobby to see you like this. Even if you deserved it by being on the side of evil, still Dobby does not like to see our kind so abused. Have an offer to make if you are willing to listen."
Kreacher stared at the other elf in puzzlement. He had fully expected to be vilified and cursed by his kind that served the Light but this … this was unexpected and suspect.
"What offer?" He asked warily.
"Dobby would have you set free."
The older elf gaped at him. "Noooo ... why you suggest this? Kreacher served the House of Black for years don't want any other life ... but House of Black is no more and I ... there is nothing ... no purpose. What do I need with freedom?" He asked despairingly.
"There is much you can do as a free elf," Dobby said soothingly. He moved to the bars and stared in at the other beseechingly. "Do not give up. The Light is going to make big changes in the world through Harry Potter. Those changes include us! We will be given the right to change masters if we choose, we will have the right to complain and have our grievances heard. We be on the cusp of a new world that will finally be at peace and that peace will see us and all other creatures that are not human be a real part of that world. Don't you want that? Or would you rather fade away? Dobby can give you this choice but once. Remember, Bellatrix will call you back and you can choose to ignore her as she only Black by marriage. Or you go back, be punished and be forced to do their cruel bidding. You want that?"
Kreacher stared at Dobby for a long time. Did he want to go back where he was barely tolerated or simply used to further a cause that seemed completely lost? Or should he take this chance to see if there was something else worthwhile out there for him? He had served his master Walburga Black well and she treated him better than most elves received in return but when she died things for the family changed when they chose to side with the Dark Lord. At first it was glorious and they were winning but too many of the family died leaving Kreacher alone with only the disgraced and the crazed ones left. What did he want to do now? Should he take this chance at something better or let go of this world?
Dobby did not rush the old elf. This be an important decision, not to be taken lightly. And if Kreacher did decide to take his freedom, Dobby would then have to convince Sirius Black to grant it which would require the help of Harry Potter to convince the fiery Sirius Black to cooperate. Dobby thought it might be doable.
"Kreacher will take your offer. But not sure I want freedom. It feels wrong."
Sighing in relief, the free elf said, "Dobby understand. Freedom not normal for most house elves. However, if you would like to work as a spy, the Light could use you as we clean house of the Dark Lord's minions but you would be working for the Council of Elders and not the wizarding one."
Kreacher blinked in surprise at the new master he would serve. "But would they trust me?"
"Only you can make them do so. Dobby can only suggest it but you must make them believe and believe it yourself," he warned.
They stared at each other for a long moment then Kreacher nodded his head slowly.
"A chance at another life? Worth it methinks than fading or more abuse. Perhaps Kreacher may even like it ... don't know ... but willing to try. Now how you going to free me?"
"Only one who can do this is Sirius Black."
"That one hates me!" Kreacher groaned.
"Dobby knows but if Harry Potter speaks to him, then he may do it for his Godson. Dobby can only ask. Unfortunately, it is nighttime and I must wait till both are up for the day. Can you resist the call from Bellatrix LeStrange? She may call you as they are now without means to get the answers they are after."
"Yessss...for a time. Difficult as you know to resist a call from family but yes."
"Good, here is a meal and a blanket." Dobby snapped the items inside the cell. "Will be back very soon. Try to rest."
Kreacher stared at the food and fingered the thick warm blanket and simply nodded at Dobby who promptly snapped himself away.
"Heed his words you should. A better future you may have if you truly desire it. But you must not stray toward evil even if it is easier. The Light will be work but rewarding if you keep honor about you," the castle spirit whispered to him.
The ethereal voice still spooked Kreacher but it hadn't harmed him and its advice he should heed though, like it said, turning from evil is hard since he enjoyed it so much. He had much to think about. But first, he would feed his empty belly and sleep.
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Though it was late, Dobby knew he couldn't wait to put his request to Professor Snape before the man met with all those important people of the Order, perhaps very soon. He couldn't miss this opportunity so he snapped himself to where the man might be at this time of night. He was in luck. He caught up with Snape as the man was arriving at his quarters from his meeting with Dumbledore.
"Professor Snape, sir, Dobby needs speak to you urgently."
Snape paused outside his door and stared at Dobby in surprise. "Of course, what is the problem?"
"We should speak of this inside your quarters, sir." Dobby knew this subject could not be overhead by anyone.
"Ah, yes, of course," Snape said before turning and removing his ward then unlocking his classroom door. Opening it then stepping inside, he was followed by Dobby. The elf waited patiently as Snape reversed his steps in securing his room. "Alright, we are secure."
Nodding, Dobby explained, "Have spoken with Kreacher and asked if he wishes to join the Light. He has said he would try and Dobby thinks he will do this rather than be alone. Dobby would ask if Professor Snape would request of Sirius Black to free Kreacher before his cousin Bellatrix LeStrange forces his compliance to obey her."
Snape stared at the house elf in surprise. This he hadn't expected from the free elf but he should have. Though Dobby could be blood thirsty as all his kind were when called for, Snape had since realized this elf was a compassionate sort and asking Kreacher to join rather than punish or banish was something he might do. Actually, Snape didn't think this was a bad thing and since they had no other use for the other house elf, Dobby's suggestion had merit. Except for one thing.
"It sounds like a great idea if he is willing but Dobby how do we know if we can trust him. Your people are very powerful and sneaky."
"Aye, that be true, sir. But Dobby knows Kreacher afraid of freedom as are most of our kind. I am a rarity," he smiled slightly at that as did Snape. "So he has more need to be attached to a family than I, or, in this case, the Elder Council, I warned him would be his fate," Dobby said earnestly.
"Hmm perhaps you're right, you would know of course. However, I know others wont accept that assurance so readily, so you may be assigned watch duty over Kreacher until he can be trusted especially by the Elder Council, which is a good idea, by the way. Understood?"
Dobby nodded hard enough for his ears to flap. "Oh yes sir, Dobby would be willing to watch over him."
"Alright then, I will make your case before pig-headed Sirius Black. Hopefully, he doesn't refuse me before I even open my mouth," Snape said with a shake of his head knowing how little Black cared for him and vice versa.
"Oh Aye, sir. Dobby has heard of Black's dislike of you and would suggest getting the help of Harry Potter in convincing Black. And thank you for making the effort. Dobby hopes for a good outcome."
"Ahh, excellent idea and might have more success too. I can but try and you are welcome. Good night, Dobby," Snape said warmly.
"Good night, Professor Snape, sir." Dobby snapped himself away.
"The things I'm asked to do..." Snape sighed as he let himself into his quarters for some much needed sleep.
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A very unhappy Mulciber, Nott, and Goyle stood in the Shrieking Shack long enough to insure they weren't followed. It was a tense few minutes when suddenly the ground shook for a moment and dust blew out of the hole where the tunnel was, instantly covering the three with dust, dirt, and debris.
Coughing and sneezing the group hurriedly retreated to the stairs leading back up to the kitchen.
"Damn them, they collapsed the tunnel," Mulciber cursed using his wand to clean himself off. The others following suit.
"At least it means they decided not to follow us even though that also took away our last option for getting past the wards," Nott said bitterly.
Mulciber cursed some more. "No use standing around here. It will certainly be compromised as a hideaway now," he said then apparated away.
Disgusted and dispirited the other two followed and were immediately badgered by the waiting group at the prison.
"It was a failure so don't rag on us," Mulciber snarled to the waiting group, the moment he appeared.
Bellatrix scowled back and was preparing to blast him in irritation and anger when Nott added his two knuts to the conversation. "Oy, it was stupid lucky we weren't caught when that traitor Snape and Dumbledore showed up instead of that fool house elf or our children!"
"What the hell happened?" Malfoy demanded.
Mulciber growled and ignored the man for a moment as he took his seat and made a whiskey appear in his fist, downing a quick swallow. Then he gave Malfoy a glare.
"We don't know what happened except that something did which is why we were nearly caught. Not only that, I heard that thrice damned tunnel collapse behind us. I suspect the headmaster caused that so we wouldn't attempt that way again."
There was silence for a moment.
"Do you think the elf betrayed us?" Goyle asked hesitantly.
"Doubt it!" Mulciber snapped.
Goyle frowned and would have spoke again but Bellatrix got there first. "Much as it pains me, I agree. Kreacher would never have betrayed us. So that means he was caught," she snapped swirling away then dropping gracelessly into her seat, tapping her wand against her leg.
"So no way we can try that again," Avery said gloomily.
"Ya think ..." Bellatrix snorted.
"Well what the hell do we do now? That was our one sure way of getting current information," Karkaroff demanded.
"Nah it tisn't," Crouch drawled. "We still have our contacts we were going to speak with and I don't know about any of you but I have an appointment with mine so I need to leave. I need to be rested before tomorrow. Besides didn't you have a contact you were going to test out, Belle?"
She pinched her nose at that but nodded. "I was just putting feelers out when I was summoned here."
"Alright, it appears we have to pursue our other avenues after all," Malfoy said smoothly, though he seethed inside about still not being able to reach Draco.
Mulciber finished his whiskey and made his glass disappear. The night had been an unmitigated failure and he didn't want to dwell on it any longer. "I agree, I'm goin' to get some rest and do some snooping of me own. Meet here again in a few days. Hopefully, we have some answers. And you can forget using the Shrieking Shack any longer Malfoy since they know we were doing just that," he said to his co-leader before turning to Avery. "Anythin' you want to say little miss secretary?" He smirked.
Avery's face reddened but he was no fool and simply answered the question. "We need to be quick about finding out what we can because I feel we're being closed in by the Light and, pardon an unintentional pun, we're completely in the dark as to what our enemies are doing. We could already have the Aurors actively hunting us, that's if they found Pettigrew at Hogwarts because it just seems this is where our luck is heading." He kept his smirk inside. Sometimes it was good to get back at others with the simple truth though this truth was soo bad, he was now thinking he should abandon this sinking ship and soon.
"Eh, I'm thinking you may be too right about that," Mulciber said pragmatically. He too was afraid with this amount of bad luck stacking up against them it truly were only a matter of time before they were caught. "And that be an understatement if I ever heard one. So with that bit of sad wisdom, I'm off." He apparated away.
With nothing more to say or do, the rest, except those hiding at the prison, took off as well. Bellatrix paused as if to say more but shrugged and left with a swirl of her heavy skirts for her makeshift cubby down the hall.
Since Malfoy had no where he could hide now that the Shrieking Shack had been compromised, he remained in his seat, made a glass of his favorite spirit appear, and just sat and stared into the fire ignoring the others he was forced to share space with.
Those others eyed him for a time as they drank their own spelled spirits then one after the other they made for the temporary quarters they had made up since beginning to camp out here. There were offices just down from the warden's where they were meeting. The last four...Nott, Goyle, Crabbe, and Karkaroff rose about the same time and left for their individual rooms, the sound of locking doors reaching Malfoy's ears.
Unable to sleep yet, he stayed up for hours as he brooded about everything he had heard that day and the disastrous aftermath of their plan. He was no closer to figuring out what the devil was up with his son changing houses nor why those three idiots made such a stupid move to try and kill his son. He needed to know! But how to get that information was becoming more and more difficult and frustrating. He wished he dared to approach Hogwarts and simply ask but now since the attempt using a house elf had failed and Avery's possible scenario most likely being true, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach that time had indeed run out for them. It was more than likely that, by this time, all of them were being hunted. It was only a matter of days or even hours before their names were on everyone's lips making it impossible to hide anywhere.
His head throbbed with an insipid headache. He should really just run from this. It was all becoming a huge fouled up mess and he could see no prospects of fixing their dilemma ... army or no army that sat waiting. With the inner circle most likely compromised, there was really no hope of trying to get the rest of their troops to follow their lead not with everyone's hand against them now rather than just the Order and Aurors.
"Hell," he thought, "those fools are probably already working together to take us in." He closed his eyes and tried to will away everything for just a little while ... it was all just more than he wanted to deal with any longer.