Chapter Thirteen The Triwizard Cup
"I must confess, Severus I am not surprised it is you that Tom Riddle sent." Dumbledore said. "I believed it was his only course of action when he could not obtain a position here himself." Albus circled the desk and stood before the young man."It would have been the most prudent course of action to plant a spy."
"He's is trustworthy, Dumbledore," Lily broke in. "He's saved my life and that of my child. He has sworn an Unbreakable Vow to me and I trust him with my life!"
Snape remained silent and looked at her with adoration written in every feature of his face. Dumbledore noticed it and nodded more to himself then to her. "Yes, but he has not sworn one to me, Lily." He raised a finger in the air as he spoke. Snape's eyes shifted to his new master and still he remained silent.
Dumbledore walked the walls of his office and read the titles of the books on the shelves. Fawkes was asleep on his perch in spite of the noise from various previous headmasters voicing their concerns from the portraits overhead.
"He is not to be trusted, Dumbledore," one said.
"He carries the dark mark," said another.
Dumbledore pulled down a heavy volume and opened it on a nearby table. Lily reached for Snape's hand and smiled at him reassuringly. He squeezed her fingers gently and then pulled his hand from hers.
"Lily would you mind if I spoke to Severus alone?"
She nodded and left the room, the sound of her skirts swishing across the floor. She turned once to look at them both and then left.
"Severus, I believe people should have second chances. However, in this case, any mistake I make would mean the death of many; would put into jeopardy what I have protected for a lifetime."
"If I thought it would be easy to persuade you that I am trustworthy, I would not pledge my loyalty in the first place. I would expect you to kill me instantly," Snape said quietly.
"Yes, well having you dead doesn't do you or me any good. We both know an Unbreakable Vow can be broken and; no, I do not trust you. Trust is not something you make happen with magic, Severus," Albus murmured and stared at the young man over his spectacles. "However, I trust the feelings you have for that young woman who just left the room."
Snape's eyes swept over to the door and back to his Headmaster.
"She is married and has just had a child," Albus mused.
"I am aware of it, Headmaster."
"You have been in my employ for less then a month, Severus?" Albus asked and searched the book, running is fingers down the page. "You are a good Potion's teacher. Your skills with the students need improving but your knowledge is excellent. I do not intend to do anything about your employment here, you are not sacked. On the other hand, the cat's out-of-the-bag as far as the Order is concerned. And perhaps, that young lady's faith in you is sincere but she made a grave error by telling you about the Order without consulting me first. That is neither here nor there now right now and so we must make do."
"What kind of vow do you wish me to take? Snape asked warily, watching him researching the book he had taken from the shelf.
"I ask for no vow, Severus. I think you've taken plenty of those already. I am merely consulting an astrology chart."
Snape shifted uneasily. "Then what?
Dumbledore looked up, this time his face grim. "I ask only that you make a promise to me. That you give me your word; a personal pledge if you like."
Snape frowned. It was unexpected. There was no magic involved in a personal promise. It could be broken at any time. "That is all?"
Dumbledore nodded and approached him. "I do have an idea about this that may tidy things up for you. You may find it acceptable or abhorrent. I think you may be very useful to me if you were to act as a spy for me as well as continue in the same function for Tom Riddle. This is also something I would not force on you. It is something you must readily accept. Again, I would take your word."
Snape grimaced slightly.
"Perhaps you think me naive...or senile?" Dumbledore said smiling slightly. Yet his blue eyes were serious and he waited patiently for a response.
Snape shook his head. "I would never think that." He took a deep breath and said, "You have my word, Headmaster. I will do what you ask."
He glanced at the door. "A bit too quick to agree, Severus. Is that because you see no purpose for your life? Is this a means to put an end to your pain?"
Snape stood stiffly and clenched his jaws.
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "Very well. You do understand your life will be at risk if you do this for me, probably many times."
Snape nodded once, still looking angry.
"I am sorry, Severus," Dumbledore said gently. "My references to Mrs. Potter was inappropriate and none of my business. It was rather harsh of me to speak of her. However, I proposed and you have agreed to this arrangement and you have given your word. That is good enough for me."
Snape left the room and had never broken his promise.
Snape and Harry stood at the corner looking at Gringott's. They were out of view of the few people who rushed past on errands in Diagon Alley. Their present dilemma included how to get into the bank undetected and not have the Goblins' raise the alarm that two fugitives were in their bank. They then had to retrieve the object in the vault and leave.
Harry was about to suggest they risk going in as they were, when he saw someone walking up the street holding on to the arm of a very old lady. The lady was recognizable by her clothes. Harry could never forget the look of his Potion's master dressed in those very clothes; albeit he was a boggart.
Neville! "Professor..." Harry began, turning quickly to Snape.
"Oh please, Potter," Snape mumbled irritably. "Call me Mr. Snape or just Snape. I am not your Professor now."
"Wait here," Harry said and stepped into the street. Snape reached for him and missed and stepped into the shadows when he saw the figures coming up the street.
It was a simple matter for Harry to see them and ask for a favor. Neville's grandmother was about to expound on the Ministry and the Minster of Magic as being complete gits for their recent behavior and was entirely sympathetic to the fact it was an outrage that Harry was wanted for questioning in connection to Dumbledore's death. She offered her home, money and anything else he needed.
In fact, what Harry needed was Neville. He pulled Neville aside and explained he needed an object from one of the vaults and could not easily go in to retrieve it. They quickly discussed a plan of action and Harry returned to the corner and waited in the heat of the building until the couple returned to the street. Snape stood in the shadows away from the street and Harry kept vigil. It took less then thirty minutes.
Neville looked up and down the street and crossed over. They met in a niche between buildings. "Harry, if you need help all you have to do is ask."
"I know it Neville and I appreciate it." Harry accepted the small wooden box and smiled at his friend.
"What are you going to do?" Neville asked. "Are you going to try and get Hermione and Ron and the others out of Azkaban? If you do, can I come?" He was glancing over his shoulder to watch his grandmother who stood waiting in the sun for him. "If you need anything, Gran is on your side. Me, too. Lots of people know the truth."
"Thanks, Neville," Harry said quietly.
"You've got to hurry though. They're going to be executed tomorrow," Neville groaned. "Have you got a plan?"
"Tomorrow?!" Harry had not seen another paper and had not read the latest news.
"Yeah," Neville said. His fear was poignant. "Well, I'll be waiting to hear from you. Me and the others."
"The others?" Harry was now puzzled.
"Yeah, the rest of the D.A.," Neville whispered and then turned and rushed over to his grandmother.
They were about to disapparate when three Death Eaters appeared in the street. Neville and his grandmother had turned a corner and were gone. It left Snape and Harry standing, still in the shadows, but alone.
"How?!" Snape hissed in shock. "Go!"
Harry had barely looked up and did a quick half turn and disapparated. He could not tell if Snape had done the same.
….
Hogwarts did not look the same, it's normally brilliant white spires and towers were now overcast in gloom and darkness. The sun couldn't seem to find it's way past the clouds and the ever present rain. Dementors patrolled the grounds and the cheery gardens and ground that had been well-tended by Hagrid were now growing wildly.
A hippogriff stood on one of the ramparts and shuffled anxiously. It did not like the atmosphere and in particular the wild creatures now roaming freely on the grounds. Under the care of Hagrid's hand it stayed put and did not flee. The half-giant was carrying a limp figure in his arms. With great care, Buckbeak's master laid the witch across its back and then climbed on behind her.
Buckbeak was now used to the weight of the half-giant but felt a strain with the additional person. Hagrid stroked his feathers and talked gently. The hippogriff knew he must do his best to fly far enough to evade any of the wizard's on thestrals. He loved the half-giant enough to break his heart in the attempt.
"Alrigh' Buckbeak, les go," Hagrid held on and Buckbeak began trotting and then galloping along the wall. They were nearing the edge and he spread his wing, put his neck out and began to flap. "Thas it!" Hagrid shouted and they took off.
They were not seen, even when the hippogriff swooped down low over the trees and then the lake attempting to gain height. He struggled and then caught an updraft and allowed his wings, sensitive to the air currents, to pick it up and lift him into the air. Wings stretched wide, he carried them over the Forbidden Forest and out towards the mountains ringing the small valley. They were safe. When they landed Hadrid pulled the halter from the hypogriff's head and hugged him. Go now, Buckbeak. Go and don' come back."
...
Different groups were located in different cells and separated by heavy iron doors that had small viewing holes in them. Arthur and Molly Weasley were locked in one; Hermione, Ginny and Fleur in another, and so on. Ron was with Lupin.
"How do they execute wizards here?" he had asked Lupin the first night. His voice was heard in the cell next to them which held the girls.
"Ron!" Hermione snapped sharply.
Lupin shook his head at him and ran a finger across his throat. Ron nodded and crouched back into the straw. He asked no more questions.
"We are not without hope," Lupin said loudly. "There are still people who have not been captured out there who will help us." He was thinking of Snape and Harry knowing there chances were very, very slim.
Arthur Weasley took the encouragement up and added, "That's right! They can't very well kill a Ministry wizard and his family and get away with it. There are many people who will fight this."
There was a sound from a cell further down the dark stone corridor. Lupin's very keen hearing picked it up. "Remus?" Tonk's thin wavery voice cut the gloomy silence that followed Arthur's remark.
Lupin sprang to the door and shouted through it. "Tonks? Tonks are you all right?"
He could feel his heart beating wildly.
"Yes, Remus. I'm fine. Moody is across from me and took a very bad hit. I haven't heard him move."
Lupin nodded and felt relief even though he knew they were in a terrible fix. For the moment they were still alive. "Alright everyone. Let's have a head count. I'll call out your name and you sound out." He felt lucky there were not more of them and that he had actually managed to get some of his people free by bribing some of the wizard guards. They had also ended the meeting at Grimmauld Place and had performed the coming-of-age ceremony and initiated Ron and Hermione into the Order. That left very few of them when the door burst open and they were captured.
He listened and heard Arthur and Molly, Bill, Fleur, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Tonks and Fred and George who were not their usual jovial selves. Tonks reported Moody was in a cell and not responding. Lupin could not tell if there were more but was at least satisfied there were so few.
He waited until a Dementor passed the cell and the atmosphere warmed a little before attempting to continue communication. Now, it was between he and Arthur to find a plan to escape. They talked through the morning and some of the others suggested ideas. It was when they were given bread and water for their lunch plus the Daily Prophet that they had all learned of the date of their execution.
Harry made several stops. He did not know where Snape was and thought he needed to keep moving. Someone or something had warned the Death Eaters of their location. He stopped first at Fred and George's shop. It was empty and the glass front was shattered and covered with smudges of black smoke and soot. The front was totally destroyed and only a few Weasley Wizard Wheeses still sat on the shelves. Harry rummaged among the blackened ruins and made his way towards the back entrance.
He heard a rustling behind the closed door and pulled out his wand. He opened it cautiously and poked his head in a short distance. The room was dark. He remembered having Fred and George pull him into this area where they kept there experimental products and having them stuff his hands full of free things. Now, he was concerned about someone pointing a wand at his head the moment he stepped in.
"Harry!" a whisper caught his attention. It was from a dark corner. Harry squinted and saw a figure standing there.
"Percy?" Harry had not seen the older Weasley boy for a long time.
"Harry!" The red-headed, freckled young man stepped out into the dim light.
Harry kept his wand up and faced him.
"My parents...my whole family are in Azkaban, Harry,"'' Percy's voice rang with anxiety and he came forward in spite of the wand pointed at him. "You've got to help them, Harry! You've got to!"
"Why are you here?" Harry asked. He didn't trust the man who had encouraged his own brother to desert him.
"I've looked for all of them. They're gone! Then I saw the paper. They're going to execute them!" Percy was now in tears.
"Yes, the Ministry you work for..." Harry growled.
"I know, I know..." Percy wept. "But it's not Scrimgeour's fault. He's not in charge anymore. He...he just does... what they tell him to do. If he didn't, they'd kill him."
Harry studied the sunken soot-covered face and lowered his wand. "I am trying to help them Percy. It's a little difficult to do when there is only me. Besides the Death Eaters are showing up everywhere I apparate. It's like they have radar or something."
"What's radar?" Percy began and then shook his head. "Whatever... it's probably a Apparation Locator. Only the Aurors can have them for work. But it's likely the Dark Lord has them now. It's almost impossible to move around without being found out if that's true." He then stopped and looked around quickly. "Harry if they've found you then we need to get out of here!"
Harry nodded slowly but stayed put. "You need to help me get your family out of Azkaban."
"But how?" Percy asked as he turned and pulled a large sack from around the edge of a desk. It looked like he had filled it with whatever was left of his brother's products. Harry could see objects he knew Fred and George had protected with shield charms. "No one can get into Azkaban and help someone escape. It's impossible!" There was panic in his voice now.
Harry looked over his shoulder through the rubbish to the street. It was still empty. But he had only apparated around the corner and the Death Eater would find him quickly.
"Percy," he began. The man did not turn from his endeavor to pull the sack to him. "PERCY!" He looked into his wild, red eyes and stopped the man stopped his frantic activity. "You are a Gryffindor! You need to be brave now for your family."
Percy's eyes dropped to the floor and he seemed to be struggling to regain his wits. He finally looked up and nodded. "You're right Harry. You've always been right and I've been a git for what I've done to you."
"It's not important!" Harry said. " What's important now is to save your family. You have to do something for me... for them."
"What, Harry? What?" Percy asked and dropped the sack. "Anything."
"You have to get hold of a portkey."
"Wha...where...where would I get one?" Percy snorted with derision.
"The Triwizard cup," Harry answered calmly. "Cornelius Fudge has it, or at least he did when the tournament ended and I returned."
Percy's eyes grew wide. "Yes, I've seen it."
"Can you get it?" Harry asked and began to move back through the shop. "Can you sneak it into Azkaban? Go and visit your family? They'll let you have one last visit with them."
"I don't know, Harry." Percy had followed him to the street. In the sunlight, he was so filthy he looked like a burnt stick with two red eyes staring out. And, he looked terrified.
"You've got to try!" Harry said ferociously.
"I will, Harry, I will." Percy finally mumbled and then stood straight and nodded.
Harry had retrieved his broom and threw a leg over it, now knowing he could no longer apparate from place to place.
"Where are you going?" Percy called out as he lifted off.
Harry didn't hear the words as he soared away.