Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters.
Chapter 75
"About time, I say," Seamus Finnigan was up on his feet when he saw Snape, Malfoy and Potter arrive. Blaise Zabini had also come forward to stand beside the auror.
"Shacklebolt?" Snape asked without wasting any time.
" The Head Auror has gone down to receive Professors Lupin and Flitwick in the Archives, and we both have been instructed to take you all to Hermione's office before going down to the bowels of the ministry altogether," Zabini informed him immediately.
"But before we go there we need to show you something else," as Finnigan supplied, Blaise got out a charmed velvet tray. On it, there was a pendant hanging from a chain.
Finnigan was speaking again, while Snape had brought his ebony wand out to inspect the jewellery," the aurors were able to retrieve it from Tracey Davis's neck. We are instructed to call for the curse breakers and hand it over to them. But Shacklebolt wanted you to look over it once."
"We know you have handled several cursed objects while at Hogwarts, Sir," Blaise spoke, trying hard not to look at Malfoy.
"That's Pansy's. Pansy Parkinson's rope chain," the blonde exclaimed," Though I am not quite sure about the pendant."
Both Seamus and Harry asked him," How do you know that?"
Snape noticed him pale slightly and swallowed hard. Draco grimaced and informed," I was briefly engaged to her."
Blaise nodded but he kept looking at Malfoy, who retorted," What?"
The Italian shrugged and commented," The pendant looks familiar to me, kept me occupied since I saw it...I thought you could...never mind, we will figure it out. So, Granger's House...?" he cupped his hands enthusiastically.
Snape warned," Not here. Is Professor Lupin and Professor Flitwick already here?"
A memo fluttered in, and Finnigan grabbed it. He read it and smiled," Yup, they are downstairs. And it means, we better lead you to the corridor of the Guarded Office." He tried to chuckle, but his wariness was quite evident.
Snape, Harry, and Draco were ushered up to the deserted corridor of Hermione's office by the two men. They halted near the mouth of the section and glanced at the Knights of the Undead, then informed the others. "We can go, whenever you guys are ready. These bunch of soldiers are more aggressive."
When Snape narrowed his eyes, Finnigan looked sheepishly and said," Very well, then, I thought you should be warned."
He nudged his head and beaconed them to step in the corridor where they could see five Knights of the Undead hovering in front of the marked door.
Blaise informed them in a hushed tone," Wouldn't even let me pass, couldn't get any work done today. At least they didn't poke me with their swords."
Draco looked at him sideways, when the Italian muttered back disgruntled," They kept tickling me to shit instead, said I need to find a wife. By the way, these were horsemen, you can tell by their distinct breaches".
Seamus shudders from the other side, " Centuries dead, yet they smell of horses! yuck!"
Severus Snape noticed how the others kept falling back as the party cautiously made their way down the dim-lit corridor. The lit in the scones flickered. It was past office hours and the ministry was closed for the day. He didn't have to turn his head to know that right behind him was Harry and Draco and following them was Finnigan and Zabini. Up ahead, the five Undead Knights truly looked more aggressive. Their stance spoke that once they might have played the role of offensive ranks which were specially trained to tear throw the enemy lines. The tallest of them hovered in the middle, while a pair flanked both his sides.
When Snape stood a meter away and squared his shoulders, the others noticed how all five bowed him to pay their respect. All five of them spoke together, in a chorus," Missy says to watch the office and let no soul in till Sire himself seeks entrance."
"Thank you sirs, it was most kind of you," Snape stated confidently," I have been told by your fellow knights that I must hurry…May we pass?"
The knight in front stepped forward and hovered close to the former spy and Headmaster of Hogwarts, He spoke in a booming voice," Sire may pass, so may those who come as friends to Miss. Arwyn and the swords of his men have sworn to protect what is dear to the lass. Sirs, you all may pass."
Finnigan from behind all of them muttered disbelievingly," Seriously, seems like even the Dead or worse the Undead fear the Headmaster."
Blaise added," Seamus, you forgot to mention the real deal."
Harry and Draco shared an amused look and the man-who-lived-twice corrected his former housemate," our common friend seems to have found a way to control the army of Undead."
"Blimey, a good thing, she is our housemate," the Irish man mumbled as he passed the knights and Zabini whispered a little louder," Best thing, we are her friends."
Snape was paying little attention to their banter, instead, his head was reeling with the instructions of the Hat. The Hat had spoken in his mind, and he was sure, the gesture was also extended to Minerva almost immediately.
"I am sharing my doubts with you, Headmaster Snape and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall. But, try not to draw the attention of these young men. There was only one last time Godric wore me. And that time he along with the founders bestowed me with the power to sort students into the four houses. But, I was privy to his thoughts, doubts, suspicions and grief and love."
Paused for a bit, the Hat informed," He had learnt about goblins stealing away his sword. He had learnt that Nathara was not Iona. She was the twin he ended up marrying, even when he doubted their bond. He had learnt the ambush was staged in order to steal his sword. And he was desperately looking for the one Slytherin member who had banished Iona and had sent her away to die, without her wand. Iona was righteous and pure. But she was incapable of controlling her magic, and her tongue. Since Salazar left without a word and soon after, the founder of Gryffindor house learnt that it was Salazar who was after his sword. Godric seething with anger and had banished Nathara, without her wand. The later part, I ended up watching from the Gryffindor quarters. The poor woman was with a child, alas! The woman had vowed to remain faithful to her husband and to find the sword at any cost."
"What do you want me to do, exactly?" The headmaster had thought back while gathering some floo powder.
"Find those two wands, though, I believe, Miss Granger might have found them already. Wands often serve keys to locked and long forgotten places." The Sort Hat surmised grimly.
Heaving a deep sigh, he noticed the ghostly apparition of Arwyn eyeing him oddly. Instantly, he could hear the ghost's voice slip into his mind. It felt cold yet reassuring, to hear the heavy voice of a knight who was often for his loyalty and bravery," Never despair, Potion master, for young Miss has covered much of the ground...she is feisty, single minded and exclusively protective of the ones she cares for. Now that I have seen you and I have watched these two lads grow up, I know, you three will save her in time. Trust your instincts and keep your eyes open. Freya often sees greatly of you."