Chapter Two- The Dark Lord's Plan

Snape was stroking Harry's hair when a knock sounded at the door, causing both foxes to freeze. "Harry, get upstairs quickly and stay out of sight," Snape said as he stood and cast the Glamour on himself. Harry quickly slipped upstairs and into his room. He stood in the doorway and focused his ears on the downstairs.

"Narcissa!" Snape exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"Severus, may I speak to you? It's urgent."

"But, of course." Snape stood back to admit Narcissa and her sister inside. He allowed them to precede him into the sitting room, pausing to glance up and see Harry creeping into the hall. He sighed. "All right, Harry. You can listen in; just be careful."

"I will," Harry answered.

Snape entered the sitting room, passed into the kitchen, and returned with a tray bearing a bottle of elf-made wine and three glasses. "The Dark Lord," he toasted and drained his glass. The sisters copied him and once Snape had refilled their glasses, he added, "So, what can I do for you?"

"Severus, I'm sorry to come here like this, but I had to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me. I know I ought not to be here, I have been told to say nothing to anyone, but-,"

"Then you ought to hold your tongue!" Bellatrix snarled. "Particularly in present company!"

"'Present company?'" Snape repeated. "What do you mean by that, Bella?"

"That I don't trust you, Snape as you very well know!"

Harry's eyes narrowed at Bellatrix's tone and words. He very much desired to prank her, but he mastered the impulse. Severus was a grown fox and could take care of himself; he's certainly handled himself well in front of Voldemort when the dark wizard summoned Snape a week ago.

"Where were you when the Dark Lord fell? Why did you never make any attempt to find him when he vanished? What have you been doing all these years that you've lived in Dumbledore's pocket? Why did you stop the Dark Lord procuring the Sorcerer's Stone? Why did you not return at once when the Dark Lord was reborn? Where were you a few weeks ago when we battled to retrieve the prophecy for the Dark Lord? And why, Snape, is Harry Potter still alive, when you have had him at your mercy for five years?"

Harry kept very still, eager to hear Severus' answers especially the last one. Severus could hardly say that Harry was a magical fox, that he was a fox too and that he had fallen in love with Harry.

"Before I answer you- oh yes, Bellatrix, I am going to answer! You can carry my words back to the others who whisper behind my back and carry false tales of my treachery to the Dark Lord! Before I answer you, I say, let me ask a question in turn. Do you really think that the Dark Lord has not asked me each and every one of those questions? And do you really think that, had I not been able to give satisfactory answers, I would be sitting here talking to you?"

Harry's ears were alert as he listened to Severus' answers. Naturally, they were different from the ones he gave Harry and the young fox had to admit that they made eminent sense. Finally, Severus came to the question concerning him and his continued existence. "It was only Dumbledore's protection that kept me out of Azkaban! Do you disagree that murdering his favorite student might have turned him against me? I should remind you that when Potter first arrived at Hogwarts there were still many stories circulating about him, rumors the he himself was a great Dark wizard, which was how he had survived the Dark Lord's attack. Indeed, many of the Dark Lord's old followers thought Potter might be a standard around which we could all rally once more. I was curious, I admit it, and not at all inclined to murder him the moment he set foot in the castle."

"Fine," Bellatrix huffed. "But you could have found a way to kill him after year one and before last summer. Dear Draco has told us that he's a magical fox."

"He certainly is," Severus said. "After seeing his true form, I spent time researching this breed of fox and found that, despite the qualities and abilities, Potter lacks the focus to use any of them as he rarely shows focus nor attention in his Potions classes. He may think everyone is impressed with his new look, but I am not one of them. Now, Narcissa," Severus turned to the blonde woman. "How can I be of service?"

"Severus, I know I shouldn't have come, but you were always Draco's favorite teacher and I thought you might be able to help him."

"You refer to the Dark Lord's plan for Draco. Yes, I know of it and if I did not, speaking of it betrays his trust."

"I thought you knew of it. The Dark Lord trusts you so."

Harry strained his ears to hear more. What was Voldemort wanting Malfoy to do?

"I cannot change the Dark Lord's mind," Severus said softly. "The raid on the Ministry in June was a fiasco. He lost a good number of followers to Azkaban, your husband among them. The worst part was when members of the Order showed up and in the fight, the prophecy was smashed. Oh, yes, the Dark Lord is very angry and not pleased."

Narcissa gave an anguished sob that tore at Harry's heart. "Now, he seeks to punish Lucius for his failure by setting Draco an impossible task that he'll die while attempting it."

Harry clenched his fists so tightly that his claws punctured his palms, but he barely noticed it. Voldemort was willing to let Malfoy die in the task he setting him to do, which was…what?

"Severus, please…my only son," Narcissa sobbed and Harry felt his heart break. He would never have thought of feeling sorry for Malfoy, but hearing the woman's sobs brought those feelings into the forefront.

"Please, Severus. Help him. Help him carry out the task the Dark Lord has set him?"

"I will try. I should tell you now that I believe that I may have lost favor with Draco. He possibly blames me for usurping his father's position as the Dark Lord's most loyal follower. He may rebuff any help I offer."

"But you will try?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Severus!" Harry peered into the sitting room from the stairs to see Narcissa tightly embracing Severus, tears still streaming down her cheeks. The specifics of the task had still not been made clear and Harry wanted to know what it was. And I will. All I have to do is ask Severus.

"Severus, what is Voldemort wanting Malfoy to do?" Harry asked. The older fox's tail twitched at Voldemort's name.

"He wants Draco to kill Dumbledore."

Harry gasped. "And Malfoy is eager to try?"

"It sounds that way, but I pray he does not. Tell no one, Harry, but the Headmaster may not live to the end of the coming school year. He came into contact with a nasty curse recently. I have trapped it in one hand, but it will spread and eventually kill him."

Harry's ears drooped. "He's dying?"

"I'm afraid so. You will need to tread cautiously at school this year. Draco knows your secret and has carried that news to his family. You know Bellatrix is likely to tell the Dark Lord of your heritage and he will undoubtedly be furious that he allowed you to slip through his fingers yet again."

"I promise I'll be careful."