Interlude V

Severus stalked into the office, his mind a whirling ball of fear and stress.

This was perhaps the most catastrophic piece of information the Dark Lord had handed him since his return. The girl was accepted amongst them, only kept as distant from Order secrets as the rest of the brats. She was friends with Potter, and the arrogant fool would certainly never even begin to suspect her as belonging to the enemy. She was in Hogwarts, free to do whatever she pleaded to whichever innocent students she desired.

If he was not mistaken, she had already killed one under his care.

And he could think of nothing to do about it, nothing, at least, that could be done without revealing his true loyalties.

Still, Dumbledore had to be told. Severus had to maintain at least some hope that Dumbledore could think of something, weak though he knew that hope to be.

Dumbledore was sitting at his desk and writing something as Severus entered.

"Ah, Severus. Just a moment."

While Dumbledore finished up whatever it was, Severus took the opportunity to examine his reflection in the glass door of the cabinet.

He looked as composed as ever he did in Dumbledore's presence. Ever since that night fourteen years previously when Dumbledore had seen him completely lose control, he'd been determined not to allow his armour to slip in front of the man again, even when he was bearing the sort of news he now had.

It was usually easy enough to lock himself away from his feelings. Occlumency helped, but the simple fact that he remembered how much it hurt to truly feel helped even more.

He could sense it, as usual, the constant self-loathing and pain that surrounded the tiny ocean of calm he always maintained.

There was a soft click as Albus put his quill down, and Severus turned.

"Well, Severus? What did Voldemort want this time?"

He flinched like he always did at the mention of his erstwhile master's name, the Mark on his arm seeming to burn for an instant.

"No one can know what I am about to tell you," he said, glancing at the wall of portraits behind Dumbledore. "No one."

"Preposterous," an elderly witch with terrifyingly long nose hair cried, waving her finger at him. "We are forbidden to divulge any of the current headmaster's secrets."

"It is disgraceful to even suggest such a thing," another wizard added, fingering his wand with a scowl.

"Thank you, Edessa and Giffard," Albus said with a ghost of a smile, "But that will be quite enough. Severus has more reason than any other to demand secrecy."

Grumbling, the portraits fell silent.

"I have been expressly forbidden from telling you this," Severus said, "And except maybe Wormtail, I am the only one who knows this."

Looking weary, Albus nodded.

"I will not act on this news without considering the implications very carefully," he promised, "This I assure you. What is it, Severus?"

"There was an altercation in my fourth year Gryffindor and Slytherin class today," he said, "Creevey forgot to add Armadillo Bile to his Girding Potion."

"Truly a state secret," one of the portraits huffed, "I'm surprised you didn't demand the Unbreakable-"

"Enough, Dylis. Severus, please continue."

"I had warned them numerous times to not leave the bile out. When I brought the error to his attention, he appeared extremely disoriented and distressed."

Albus' frown deepened, concern becoming visible on his face.

"When the boy noticed the Weasley girl looking at him," he continued, "he reacted with terror. Only for a moment, but it was there. And when it was gone, he was confused again."

Albus closed his eyes, holding his hand up and forcing Severus to pause.

He fancied he could see the wheels turning in Albus' mind as he processed it, putting the pieces together. From his vantage point, it looked like Albus was growing older before his eyes.

"You performed Legilimency on them both?" Albus finally asked, not opening his eyes.

"I tried to check Weasley while class was still in session. But she was prepared. She managed to keep me out, Albus. Nothing too sophisticated, no false memories or the like, but she kept her mind empty enough that I could not access anything."

Albus nodded as if he had been expecting it, his eyes slowly opening, deep wells of pain visible within.

"So you were not mistaken over the summer."

"Apparently not," he said with a sneer, "And her avoidance has not been mere coincidence."

"Memory Charms on Mr Creevey, I presume?"

To anyone else, Albus would have sounded merely conversational, but Severus knew better.

Over the past fourteen years, he'd seen enough to know that he was not the only one to ignore his emotions.

"Yes. And badly cast ones. It would take me far longer than the short time I had to even begin fixing them, and now I am not sure that I should do so."

Albus nodded again, the wrinkles on his face more prominent than Severus had ever seen them before.

"How long has she been serving Voldemort?" Albus asked.

"Crouch brought her to him last year. He is absolutely certain of her loyalty."

"Did he say why?"

He shook his head, hating his uselessness.

"Only that he examined her mind and trusts her loyalty more than any others. He believes she would choose not to breath before disobeying him."

"The enchantments on the Diary," Albus murmured, "The effects of his possession, and the results of his manipulations. I have been a naive fool."

"He said that Crouch was impressed with her acting ability. Apparently, Crouch only discovered her by accident after she had killed a fellow student."

Albus rubbed his forehead, his eyes glistening.

"Do you know why she murdered Mr Higgs?"

He shook his head, suppressing the rage that threatened to collapse his bubble of calm.

"No. But I will find out."

"Our first thought must be of the living," Albus said chidingly, "And of helping those we still can. Terrence is dead, Severus. The rest of our students are not."

He rolled his eyes, moving on.

"She has been ordered to give all the information that she can find to the Dark Lord, as well as to draw as close to Potter as possible."

Grimacing, he shook his head again.

"He said that...she has already ingratiated herself with Potter. Potter, she says, is closer to no-one other than her brother and Granger. And she plans to seduce him. The Dark Lord-he hinted that she would somehow bring Potter to him."

Albus stood up, gesturing for silence again, and began to pace before his desk, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

On his perch, Fawkes removed a wing from his face, adding a mournful whistle to the chorus of Albus' whirring and buzzing instruments.

After a while, Albus retook his seat.

"Has she has given him any information of import?"

"I was asked to explain why I had never reported on the nature of Black's relationship with Potter. How Potter sees him almost as a parent and how Black cares for no one like he does Potter."

"You are expected to train her, I presume?"

"I am to pick up where Crouch left off. He wants her to learn how to fight better. And how to Apparate."

"You will have to play the part," Albus said, "At least, until you have enough knowledge of her mental state. If she is truly so loyal to him, trying to dissuade her from her path would reveal too much."

He rolled his eyes, not deigning that with a response. Of course he'd thought about what to do, and of course he'd reached the only conclusion.

"Obviously," Albus said, "I cannot tell Harry, at this point or the Weasleys. I think it most unlikely that they will be able to keep it secret for long."

"What will you do?" He hissed, anger seeping into his core, "As always, you leave me to-"

"I understand your concerns, Severus," Albus said sharply, his hand rising into the air again, "I assure you, I am as disconcerted by this news as you are. I must think, Severus. I must think and plan. When you first meet with the girl, do not teach her anything. Use that time to ascertain her level of skill and knowledge. Find out how deep her loyalties truly lie. We need information, Severus. Without it, we are as blind men."

"Potter-"

"Is in grave danger," Albus said with a nod, "And I still dare not meet with him. Severus, you must debrief me as soon as you have finished with her. For now, I will do what I can to protect my students. Tipsy!"

A loud crack sounded in the office, Fawkes raising his head and affixing his eyes on the new arrival.

The house-elf was slightly larger than usual for his kind, the toga tight around his shoulders.

"Professor Dumbledore sir," it said with a small salute, "What can Tipsy be helping with?"

"I need a team of eight or ten elves," Albus said, "There is a student who I want to be placed under constant watch, twenty-four hours a day, preferably by two elves at a time. She cannot find out about this surveillance, nor can anyone else with the exception of Professor Snape and myself. Even other elves cannot be told."

"All the elves is being good at secrets," Tipsy said, a trace of insult in his high-pitched voice, "and bring unseen."

"Of course. But some, surely, are better than others? It is those who must be chosen. I think, also, that Dobby and Winky would be unsuitable for this job."

"They'se not being good for this," Tipsy agreed, shaking his head.

"Indeed. Please bring whichever elves you feel would be suitable as soon as you can. Thank you, Tipsy."

After giving a low bow towards both Albus and Severus, Tipsy vanished with another crack.

"When will you meet with her?"

"Tomorrow," he replied, "The Dark Lord wants it to happen as soon as possible."

Albus shook his head sadly, his eyes glistening again.

"You mentioned a plot to kidnap Harry. What do you know?"

"Very little. I believe that part of the reason I was informed about her was so that I could facilitate it. He will give me a Portkey which I will give her. She will take him to Hogsmeade and activate it. That is all I know so far."

"Harry will need to be told before then."

"You-"

"I know," Albus interrupted, "that you are the only possible source of this information. I know that it would reveal you to Voldemort. But, Severus, I cannot risk Harry's capture. Once this plot is more fleshed out, once you know more of it, we can plan in such a way to prevent him from being taken and to keep your loyalty hidden. But Harry needs to be told."

"You would cast me aside for him?" He spat.

"I was under the impression that you were interested in his safety." Dumbledore said coldly, "Severus, if Harry is taken there will be no use for a spy. If the truth about you is revealed, I can protect you from Voldemort. If Harry is lost, hope is lost with him."

Sighing, Albus continued.

"Find out more, Severus. Tell me about the girl, and about Voldemort's plans."

"I will."

"I can only hope that it is not too late to contain the situation."

That, Severus thought, was something he agreed with.

Luna lay on her bed with her hands behind her head, staring up at her bed's canopy.

She gave a heartfelt sigh, fatigue trying to make her sleep.

She fought against the Sandman's lure, rubbing her cheek to keep awake.

After her latest test's failure, she urgently needed to think.

Idly, she rubbed the bracelet around her wrist, the little bells' chimes bringing a sad smile to her lips.

She'd waved it around Ginny's head, earlier, letting the bells give off their noise. She'd waved and waved and even massaged Ginny's scalp, but still hadn't seen the tell-tale pink vapour of Wrackspurts.

Which meant it wasn't Wrackspurts.

One of her roommates grunted, the mattress singing as she turned over in her sleep.

It was always peaceful in her room at night. She hadn't been lying when she'd told Ginny that her housemates' gibes didn't bother her, but she did prefer it when it was all quiet and peaceful.

She never really felt so peaceful when people were around.

Except when she was with Ginny.

But lately, things with Ginny had been different. There was a whole new aspect to their relationship, and though Luna did enjoy it, sometimes, the way Ginny acted…

Well, it scared her a little.

The kissing was fine, amazing in fact, but when they moved beyond that Ginny seemed almost hungry, in a rather unnerving way.

If it was only that, Luna figured that she wouldn't be worried, not really.

But there were other strange things about Ginny.

Lately, Luna had stopped feeling so peaceful in Ginny's presence. She couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly it was, but she kept getting this sense that Ginny was lying to her. That Ginny was lying to her about a lot of things.

There was the terrible rage that she'd caught glimpses of, the horrific fury that only appeared for a second or two at most before vanishing under Ginny's face.

And it was almost always precipitated by a discussion of the DA or mention of Harry Potter.

That itself was very odd. Luna hadn't ever discovered why, but she had seen enough to know for certain that Ginny didn't like Harry Potter.

And yet, this year, Ginny had become friends with Harry. Friendly enough, in fact, that if Ginny wasn't her girlfriend, Luna would have wondered if she liked Harry in that way.

No doubt about it, there were a lot of strange things around Ginny.

Sometimes, Luna thought Ginny wore a carefully constructed mask.

And now she was certain that it wasn't the Wrackspurts. Which meant that she really should talk to Professor Flitwick.

But she couldn't quite make herself do it.

She knew that she should, knew that it was the right thing to do.

But she could still remember how peaceful she'd felt with Ginny, could still remember that joy of having a friend.

Even though things with Ginny weren't as wonderful as they had been, there was definitely a chance that they'd improve again.

If she told Professor Flitwick, she knew, it would never improve. She'd lose Ginny.

'I can't risk that,' she thought. 'I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything. I just need to talk to Ginny about it.'

With worry gnawing at her belly, Luna turned over and went to sleep.