Author's Note:
Sorry for the late posting, I've been having trouble with the site. Hope this was worth the wait. I should be back on track now.
Victories and Mysteries.
Evan paced in his study at Grimmauld Place. Harriet sat in the armchair by the fire watching him.
"If it was a robbery or revenge attack why did he have a pocket full of diamonds and a suitcase full of stolen silver?" Evan snarled for the tenth time. "How could they have drained him of blood without leaving a mark?"
"There's something bigger going on here," sighed Harriet, "Dung was a toerag, but he didn't deserve that."
"Hermione won't tell us anything," grumbled Evan, "if I hear the phrase 'restricted access' again I swear I'll feed her Veritaserum in her Butterbeer."
"Ev, you know her hands are tied." said Harriet, "There's an active investigation and the murders have been crossing over into the muggle world. She has to do this by the book. The revenge or robbery story will just be to placate the Prophet."
"She could at least keep us informed," he complained, "Merlin knows she should be able to trust us by now."
"It's not a case of trust Ev, you know that." Harriet sighed again. "She has the press breathing down her neck, if it gets out that she's involved us then the whole media circus starts up around us again. We don't need that, the kids don't need that."
Evan gave a snort and a sneer and continued pacing. Harriet got to her feet and walked into his path, placing both her hands on his shoulders and halted him gently. He flashed her an irritable look as she stood on tiptoes and placed a light kiss on his nose.
"You know I'm right." she said, smiling as he glared at her.
"I know you're an insufferable annoyance." he smirked.
"And you're a snarky bastard." she grinned.
"Impudent girl." he smiled.
"Greasy git," she said, pecking his cheek, "but I'm still right."
"I know," he sighed, "I just want to know if there's anything we can do to help, and if the kids are safe at Hogwarts."
"Hermione wouldn't put them in any danger." said Harriet. "They're as safe there as they would be here."
"I'll still feel better when they figure out what is happening." said Evan. "I have a few theories of my own, but with details hard to come by I've no way to prove or disprove them."
"We can get McGonagall to put some feelers out with the old gang." said Harriet, "but we have to be discreet. I won't put Hermione in the firing line."
"Well talk to her tomorrow," Evan agreed, "after we watch Harry's match."
"It's just going to feel wrong cheering for Slytherin." Harriet said shaking her head with a smile. "My inner Gryffindor is rebelling against it."
"Well my inner Slytherin coped with helping Gryffindor win, so you'll just have to put up with it. Besides, you can wear my old scarf, it will go beautifully with your eyes." Evan smirked.
"You better watch it," laughed Harriet, "or you'll be sleeping in here."
"In here? In the bedroom?" smirked Evan, wrapping her in his arms and lifting her up to wrap her legs around his waist. "Either way I wasn't planning on sleeping."
"You're like a hormonal teenager." laughed Harriet, as he kissed his way down her neck. "Don't blame me if you get tired and snappy tomorrow and don't enjoy the game."
"Totally worth it." he grinned, taking her mouth in a deep kiss.
XXXXXX
The whole school had turned out to watch the Gryffindor versus Slytherin quidditch match. The noise was deafening as Max sat in the Gryffindor section with Albus, Rose, Serpens and Orion. Banners were waving and people cheering as the players made their way onto the pitch. Max spotted Harry amongst the Slytherin players, he looked tiny in comparison. Over the opposite side of the pitch Max could see Harriet and Evan sitting in the staff enclosure with McGonagall. Harriet was watching Harry nervously as the whistle sounded and the brooms shot into the air. Her face was mirrored by Severus's face in the Slytherin enclosure, where he watched his twin intently. Evan's face was a blank mask as usual, but Max knew Evan would be just as concerned.
Albus waved his green 'Go Harry!' flag, attracting some frowns from the other Gryffindor's. The chasers of both teams soared and swooped in a complex ballet, avoiding bludgers and other players as they jostled for possession of the quaffle. Max had never watched a quidditch match before. He had played a little two on two with Albus and the twins in the summer, and heard blow by blow accounts of matches from them too, but he hadn't appreciated quite how violent and fast paced it was. He watched open mouthed as the Slytherin beaters sent punishing bludgers towards the Gryffindor chasers, who dodged them easily and passed the quaffle at a furious rate. The Gryffindor team were smaller and faster, scoring the first goal quickly to rapturous applause. The hulking Slytherin's regrouped and used their bulk to knock the chasers off course. Westerton aimed a viscous bludger at the Gryffindor chaser, Lila Crockham, knocking the quaffle from her grasp and sending it falling into a Slytherin chasers hands. Slytherin equalised and the green and silver draped portion of the stadium went crazy. Above the chaos below, circling high, were Harry and the Gryffindor seeker, Jared Jasper, searching for the snitch.
The game became increasingly dirty as Gryffindor took the lead ninety points to twenty, as the Slytherin side targeted the nimble chasers. A stray bludger came dangerously close to unseating Harry as he flew in his wide loop. Suddenly Max spotted the snitch directly in front of where he sat. Harry had spotted it but he was further away than the Gryffindor seeker. Max watched as Harry lay flat against his broom, moving amazingly fast, straight for them. He ducked as the snitch took off, over the heads of the spectators, Harry following closely behind. The Gryffindor seeker wheeled in midair and shot after Harry. Harry was faster and his hand closed on the snitch just as Jasper drew level. The crowd roared as Harry held the snitch high in the air, Slytherin had won. Max whooped and punched the air along with Albus, ignoring the scowls from some of their housemates. Over in the staff seating Harriet was on her feet screaming in triumph and waving a Slytherin scarf, much to Professor Zabini's amusement, and Evan beamed proudly.
XXXXXX
The Slytherin's were jubilant about their win for weeks, Harry rarely had to lift a finger outside of classes, and he had an honour guard everywhere he went. Severus found it all rather amusing and took great delight in Harry's irritation at the attention.
"Here comes 'The-Boy-Who-Seeks'," he bellowed in the corridors, Harry blushing and looking at the floor, "behold His Quidditchness of Slytherin!"
"Shut up Sev," Harry grumbled, "it's not even funny anymore."
"I dunno," grinned Severus, "it still makes me chuckle."
The quietened down as they entered the library, Madam Pince glaring at them. They spotted Max at a table in the corner and headed to sit with him. Severus slid into the seat next to Max and nudged him.
"You up for some light hearted mischief making tonight?" he asked.
"Doing what?" Max asked suspiciously.
"We've had a little scheme planned for weeks to decorate the edge of the Forbidden Forest." said Harry quietly.
"But with Seeker-boy's new found fame it's been tricky to get a chance to put things into action." grinned Severus.
"Especially when some idiot keeps harping on about it." sighed Harry.
"We could use an extra pair of hands," said Severus, "I know you like a bit of excitement, what do you think?"
"Students aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest." Max pointed out.
"Well technically we're not going in to the forest," grinned Harry, "and we don't intend to get caught."
"What do you say?" said Severus, hopefully. "Want to make prank history?"
"Why not," grinned Max, "what's the plan?"
XXXXXX
Late that night, when the other boys in his dorm were asleep, Max crept out to the common room. He opened the window and looked out into the cold night, his cloak wrapped tight around him. The night was silent and owls swooped in and out of the owlery, silhouetted in the moonlight. He scanned the horizon for the twins on their brooms, but they were nowhere to be seen. They should have been here by now, Max hoped nothing had happened. He opened the window a little wider and leant out further. A hand landed on his shoulder and he nearly fell out of the window. He scrabbled frantically at the window frame to steady himself. Then he realised the twins were hovering on their brooms either side of the window.
"You bastards!" he gasped, as they laughed hysterically, almost falling off their brooms. "I nearly fell."
"Sorry Max," chuckled Severus, "just couldn't resist. Your face was a picture."
"Come on," said Harry, jump on the back of my broom. We'll fly over the top of the castle and land out of sight near the forest."
Max swung his leg over the window sill and slipped on to the broom behind Harry, holding tight around his waist. They flew across the main roof of the castle and landed on a pitched roof to check if the coast was clear. Severus pulled out the map and held his lighted wand above it.
"Shit!" he said quietly.
"What?" asked Max and Harry together.
"Strychnine is down there," whispered Severus, "l think he is patrolling or something...wait, no he's not. He's heading for the gates."
Harry edged towards the end of the roof and peered down. There was no sign of anyone in the grounds.
"I can't see him," he whispered, "he must be using a disillusionment charm."
"Why would he do that?" whispered Severus, "He's a teacher, why is he sneaking around?"
"Well he's obviously up to something," said Harry, "Why don't we go find out what exactly?"
They floated down to the ground and Harry threw the cloak over the three of them while Severus checked the map.
"No sign of Strychnine on the map," said Severus, "he must have left the grounds again."
"Then let's check his office." Harry whispered, as they pushed open the door and sneaked in.
The quietly made their way down the stairs to the dungeons, stopping to check the map for anyone nearby. They passed a statue of a snake, this one was curled in a circle, tail wrapped around its own neck. Max smiled a little at the Slytherin obsession with snake statues as he passed.
They were carefully making their way down a stone corridor when Severus pulled them against the wall. He frantically gestured to them to keep quiet and they flattened against the wall. Max could hear footsteps echoing around the corner stared in that direction. Professor Zabini strode around the corner, wand held high lighting the corridor. He stopped and scanned the passage way, obviously looking for something. He then continued his progress, passing within inches of where they were hidden, and soon disappeared at the other end of the corridor. Severus checked the map again.
"He's gone up to the kitchens." Severus whispered.
"He's looking for someone," said Max, "what if someone told him we were planning something?"
"We didn't tell anyone else, did you?" said Harry.
"Of course not." said Max.
"Then he's not looking for us." Harry said, but he looked worried.
"Strychnine is back in the grounds." hissed Severus, looking at the map.
"Where?" said Harry, urgently.
"He's near the Whomping Willow," he muttered, "we've got a clear run to outside the main door if we go now."
"Quickly then." said Harry and they ran, as quietly possible while staying hidden under the cloak.
They edged out of main doors and huddled in a corner under the cloak as Strychnine staggered up the steps. He looked rumpled, like he had slept in his robes for days, and he moved jerkily. His eyes were red-rimmed and he had dark circles around them. His skin was pale, almost waxen, and his hair scruffy. He stumbled in through the main door and it closed behind him.
"He looked drunk." said Harry. "Maybe he's got a drinking problem?"
"He looked ill," frowned Severus, "maybe someone should stage an intervention or something."
"Either way it was a lucky break for us that we weren't in his office when he got back." said Harry. "I would not want to mess with him looking like that."
"Are you flying me back to the common room now then?" said Max.
"Why would we do that?" said Severus, looking puzzled.
"I thought we were calling it off," said Max, "we almost got caught then."
"Which means we have a prime opportunity," grinned Harry, "no point going to all this trouble and not finishing the job."
"All you need to worry about is keeping watch on the map," smirked Severus, "while we work our Slytherin magic."