Draco sat in Snape's office, leg bouncing nervously. They still hadn't been able to get a bird through alive, and Draco's research hadn't been successful. Neither of them was entirely sure what they needed to do, just that they needed to figure it out soon. The school year was halfway done and they didn't want to wait until next year to carry out the plan. Draco had come to Snape to ask for advice on what they could do. The dour man surveyed Draco carefully, waiting for the young man to speak. He knew Draco and Hermione hadn't made much progress on the cabinet since school had resumed and he assumed that's what Draco wanted to talk about.
"Professor, we can't get the bird through alive. The magic is strong enough, we both agree. That leaves the incantation but nothing I've read has been helpful. I was wondering if you know of anything that might work?"
"You might not find the answer in books, Draco. Vanishing Cabinets possess a strange magic, and no one has really used them."
"Then how do I find the answer?" Draco threw his hands up exasperatedly, sliding his chair back.
"Of all the things you and Hermione have accomplished, you cannot think of anything?"
"We could always try to make our own spell but wouldn't we have to change it to transport a person?"
"Not if you make it the right way. Think about it. Talk to Hermione. Between the two of you, there's an answer."
"Thank you, Professor."
"I am always here to help, Draco."
Draco stood from his chair and walked to the door. When he opened it, he was face to face with Professor McGonagall. She had a vague look of surprise on her face, not expecting anyone to be talking to Severus during dinner.
"Professor McGonagall, my apologies," Draco said, stepping aside so she could enter. When she did, he exited the room, closing the door behind him. He heard muffled voices on the other side of the door but did not stay to eavesdrop. Instead, he headed to the dungeons to grab his journal and write to Hermione. The hallways weren't busy, most people were still at dinner. Draco had finished as early as he could so he would have time to work on figuring out how to send the bird without killing it.
The common room was as empty as the hallways and Draco decided to take the opportunity to lounge in front of the fireplace and write Hermione. He sat heavily in a chair, swinging his legs over one arm and leaning his back against the other. He placed the journal on his lap and opened to the last message Hermione had sent. His quill hovered over the page, waiting for him to think of what he wanted to write. Draco's thoughts swirled, trying to form coherent sentences.
We need to come up with our own spell for the cabinet. We know the magic is strong enough, it has to be the spell.
Draco closed the journal, not expecting Hermione to respond right away. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Stifling a yawn, he reached into his robe pocket and pulled out a jelly bean. He chewed it, feeling his energy renew. He peered at the journal, seeing the glow of a new message. He opened it, eyes flicking over the page.
Where do you suggest we start?
Well, if we want to send a live creature through it maybe Animus?
That makes sense. Do you think it would be transport or something else?
We can always try and if it doesn't work we'll change it.
Lacus for transport, then.
Twin?
Geminae is twin.
Lacus Animus Geminae? Transport life to the twin?
Makes sense to me. Are you in the RoR?
No. Give me a few minutes, I'll be there soon.
Draco closed the journal and swung his legs onto the floor and stood. He tucked the journal into his robes and strode through the common room to the door, slipping out from behind the portrait. The hallways were busier now, but none of his fellow Slytherins bothered him. They all knew he was not to be disturbed during the year. It wasn't until he reached the upper floors that he received curious glances, but no one stopped him. He went in the direction of the library, the halls becoming less populated as he approached. He took a sharp turn, heading to a seldom-used set of staircases. He crept up the stairs, encased in shadow the whole way. He ran into no one, entering the Room of Requirement discreetly. The Vanishing Cabinet stood in the center of the room as it always had and Draco approached it, running a hand along the smooth wood. He pulled the journal from his robes, flipping it open.
How many birds are left?
Just one.
Let's hope this works, then.
Draco placed the journal on the ground near the cabinet. He stood in front of the final bird, looking through the bars at the small creature. It chirped at him, tilting its head to see him better. He opened the cage, hand darting in to catch the bird before it escaped. He held it gently, keeping the wings pinned to its side so it didn't try to fly away. He placed it in the cabinet, quickly shutting it. He heard the flutter of wings against the inside and he could only remember the other dead birds. He took a deep breath, raising his wand and pointing it at the cabinet.
"Lacus Animus Geminae!" The flutter of wingbeats disappeared and Draco held his breath anxiously. It seemed like forever before the journal glowed. He waited another minute, two, hopes sinking when he still didn't hear wingbeats. How could it not have worked? Draco lowered his arm, hanging his head dejectedly. A faint noise came from the cabinet and his head snapped up. He wasn't sure he actually heard it, but when he opened the cabinet, the bird flew out, narrowly missing his head. He smiled broadly, relieved laughter bubbling from his chest. He opened the journal, reading Hermione's message.
It worked.
It's still alive.
Now we just have to make sure it works for people.
Maybe another night. I don't think my heart can take much more.
I agree.
Draco tucked the journal back into his robes and quietly slipped out of the room. The hallways were dark and deserted and he made his way quietly back to the dungeons. By now, most people were in the common rooms finishing homework or relaxing by the fire. Draco had already finished his homework for the upcoming week, something he had learned from Hermione. He was never behind and never had to worry about not finishing an assignment. Draco entered the Slytherin common room, joining his housemates in front of the fire. Few of them were actually doing homework, some were playing Wizard Chess, and a few were reading. The rest lounged by the fire, driving away the dampness of the dungeons. Draco watched the creatures in the Black Lake as they swam by, some making faces and others ignoring them entirely. They were all vaguely unpleasant to look at, but Draco was too fascinated by them to really care. Not everything could be beautiful.
"I came to talk to you about something, Severus," Minerva said once the door had closed. She took the seat across from him, hands clasped together in her lap.
"What is it?"
"Over the holiday, Hermione sent me her wand. She told me to present it and I would be safe, that I would know when to use it. I am worried about her, Severus. I fear she is toying with forces she isn't meant to. This war isn't hers to fight, but she is, and she's leading the charge." Minerva placed Hermione's wand on Severus's desk.
"I understand your concern, Minerva. If you are worried about her lack of a wand, don't be. Not only does she have a new one, but she has mastered wandless magic. This is Bellatrix's war, and that makes it Hermione's. It cannot be one without the other. She leads with Bellatrix at her side, she has her own allies in this. When has she ever failed to come out on top?"
"Don't get me wrong, Severus, Hermione is a brilliant, incredibly capable witch, but there is a limit for everyone. I'm scared she might not know what it is."
"I know it's hard to see her as more than a student, or the brains behind the Golden Trio, but she is so much more than that. She is a natural leader and she has people that will support her no matter what. She'll make it out, Minerva. Don't be afraid for her. She wouldn't want you to."
"She's like a daughter to me."
"She's prepared, Minerva. That's all I can say. She knows what's coming and she's ready."
Minerva could only nod. She picked up the wand from Severus's desk and stored it back in her robes. The wood was comforting to her because it was Hermione's. Minerva exited the room, heading back to her own office. She couldn't help the dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach, eased only slightly by Severus's words. She knew Dumbledore was planning something, too, but she didn't know what. She only hoped Hermione would make her move before he did, at least she might catch him by surprise. Her steps echoed off the empty halls, worry for Hermione creasing her brow.