(A/N: Updates are going to be slow for a while. I sincerely apologize for this, but there's nothing I can do about it right now. But rest assured this chapter should be longer than recent updates to make up for the time delay.)
Chapter 32Harry sat alone at the top of the astronomy tower, staring out upon the grounds of Hogwarts, cursing their peacefulness. How could anything be so serene at a time like this? He glanced at the mirror like surface of the lake, at the water's edge where so many moments had been shared. He had been so sure they would get her back, but now as he sat there, tears sliding down his checks, he was only scared.
He was so engrossed in his own thoughts, he never heard the trapdoor open quietly, or the sound of light footsteps in the night. "You are well aware, Mr. Potter, that you are out after curfew, and are subject to disciplinary actions?" When the words came they held none of Severus Snape's usual malice, nor the sarcasm.
"I don't particularly care Professor." Harry replied with a sigh.
"Then you wouldn't mind accompanying me to my office, would you?" Snape asked in a tone that left no room for argument.
"No, sir," Harry answered feebly, climbing down from his perch on the tower's turret. Together they walked down the corridors, neither willing to break the silence that had grown between them. Harry continued to look out the windows until they reached the lower levels, where he suddenly became interested in the stone floor. At last they were seated in Snape's office. When they walked in, a large fire started itself in the hearth and was slowing heating the room.
"Tea, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked quietly, while standing and pulling a kettle out of a small cabinet next to the hearth.
"Only if it has honey in it," Harry replied, just as quietly.
"Then it has honey in it," Harry could hear cups being taken out and set down, heard Snape fill the teapot with water. After a few minutes, Snape sat back down behind his desk. "What's got you so depressed?" He asked, picking up a stack of papers and moving them to the side.
Harry looked up and studied the older man, "Who are you and what have you done with Professor Snape?" The only answer he got was a sigh. Silence reined, and then, "They're not going to let me go are they?"
"Probably not, Mr. Potter."
"Why not? I mean they tell me, 'You've got to beat Voldemort' and then they lock me away where no one can find me! How am I ever supposed to be prepared for that if they shelter me all my life? Not that I'm sheltered at the Dursleys', but still!"
"Don't look too hard for an answer, you won't find one."
''
Draco lay in bed, sleeping soundly, when he was awoken by a noise outside his door. He laid there and listened for a few moments. He heard it again, footsteps followed by a voice. Someone was outside the door, and he didn't think it was house elves. Leaning on one elbow he shook Hermione awake.
"Quiet, there's someone outside the door."
"Who Draco?" She whispered, worry apparent on her face.
"I don't know, but they're not well-wishers. Get your wand, go into the bathroom and lock the door, send Dobby for Professors Snape and Dumbledore." He whispered, reaching for his own wand. "Go!" She jumped out of bed, grabbed her wand, and tiptoed out into the bathroom. Draco got up and walked slowly to the bedroom door. Opening it, he was surprised to see his parents standing in his common room. He listened for a few moments as they quietly argued before his father looked up and spotted him.
"How pleasant to see you at, oh, one-thirty in the morning," He drawled, and had to cover a smirk as his mother, who had her back to him, jumped.
"So sorry Draco, did we wake you?" Lucius asked never blinking, or moving his eyes away from Narcissa. Ah, so it was her voice he'd heard.
"Only me and half the school." He replied sarcastically.
"That's non-sense Draco, you've always been a mercifully light sleeper." His mother told him, finally turning to face him.
"How would you know? You were too busy worrying about your reputation to care for me."
"Draco…" Lucius said in a warning tone.
"Sorry Father, I'll be lighter with my insults next time."
"There will be no insults next time if you wish to keep your tongue. Now, to business; Where is Granger?" Lucius demanded, stepping forward.
"Do I look to be her keeper? With luck, she is off rotting in one location or another."
"You're lying, Draco, I see it in your eyes! Tell me where she is, or I will shred every item in this castle till I find her!" Lucius' eyes were glistening with hatred now, not for his son, but the muggle girl he wished to find. Yet Draco had the gall to be amused.
"Begin your demolition then, I will not stand in the way." Draco smirked, stepping to the side and gesturing to the room at large. "Mother, would you like tea?"
''
Severus sat back and sighed, it had been a long night of patrolling and a nice glass of scotch before bed sounded delightfully good. He groaned as he realized he had first year potions first, and decided two glasses would be better. Ten minutes and half a glass of scotch later, Severus found himself glaring at a house elf, who was nervously wringing his hands.
"What do you want?" He asked in a low voice. After all, nice stopped at mid night.
"Miss Granger is sending Dobby, only Dobby is knowing Master Severus is not liking to be disturbed… But she is saying it is important… and Dobby is hearing old master… and he is not sounding happy…"
"What are you saying?" Severus asked as politely as he could.
"She is telling Dobby to tell you that Draco is needing you sir, and that she is scared old master Lucius was there for master Draco…" Severus, not doubting what the elf was saying, got up and grabbed his cloak.
"Inform the head master!" He barked as he swept out. Dobby bowed low, then disappeared.
''
Draco sat calmly on his couch; it was simply a matter of time before someone showed up. Besides, with all the wards Draco had erected Lucius had trouble destroying anything. It was quite amusing actually; anything that was broken immediately flew back together and repaired itself.
"If I were him, I'd have given up by now," Draco commented sipping from his cup of tea. Narcissa sat across from him, and just as calmly, drank her tea in silence. "They should be here any minute now. You should go, I don't want you to get caught too." Narcissa just nodded before standing and hugging her son.
"Be careful Draco," And she left. Not long after Narcissa had slipped through the door, Snape and Dumbledore came charging in.
"Lucius!" Snape snarled. Lucius spun around on his heel and glared at Snape.
"Severus," Lucius replied calmly.
''
It was Saturday, Lucius had been taken into custody in the early morning, and life at Hogwarts was buzzing. Hermione was dragging the boys up to the library to do homework. The boys were doing a valiant job complaining.
"Hermione I told you, I'll do it tomorrow!" Ron nearly yelled.
"Ron," She replied, "I know for a fact that you won't do you're homework tomorrow. You'll just come up with another excuse for not doing it."
"Might as well do it now and shut her up," Draco whispered in his ear, "She can go on for hours."
"Don't I know it," Ron whispered back.
"Look, Ron, Harry's not complaining."
"Hermione, fighting you on this is futile, better to give in now and escape with my sanity," Harry replied distantly.
The rest of the day passed by slowly, Sirius was no where to be seen, and Professor Dumbledore, Snape, and Remus were missing come dinnertime. The entire school ate happily, hardly noticing the empty seats, but Harry noticed, and it weighed on his heart.
''
"We'll take the manor quickly," Dumbledore said from his position behind his desk.
"The best way to get in would be through the back. It is not as heavily warded as the front door; it's mostly used for a servant entrance." Snape told the group.
"Right. Everyone know where we're going and how to get there? Good, Severus, you'll go first. Tonks and Shaklebolt will follow; the rest will come after that." The people standing near the fire moved so the floo could be used.
''
A soft pop was heard in the night; a man appeared. Dressed in black, his shoulder length hair blew in the soft breeze. Momentarily after the first sound came, two more followed, and the man pointed at the large mansion, standing on the silent hill. The two others followed his line of sight and nodded. Together the three began the hike up the slope.
(A/N: Ok, I know it took forever! I was going to write more, but quarter exams are next week (not that I'm worried about them though) and I doubted I would have it done before I had to start studying. Oh, and for every one out there even thinking about flaming me, go ahead! Your comments really don't bother me, besides, I need a good laugh.)