Title: Black and Deep Desires
By: Dr. Kim-chan...wait. Scratch that.
By: Lucius Malfoy, Ronald Weasley, Draco Malfoy, and Plushie
(Lucius, Ron, Draco, and Plushie are sitting in front of their boss's laptop, wondering exactly how to continue from the chaotic scene where Dr. Kim-chan left off…or to be more precise, Lucius is the one sitting and everyone else is standing around him, breathing down his damn neck…except for Plushie, because he can't exactly breathe—)
Draco: Oh, get on with it, Father!
(Right. I digress. If you're wondering where Dr. Kim-chan and Potter went, just refer to the ending commentary in the last chapter. It was actually quite amusing. Do you know how long I've wanted to do that to Potter? And it's rather nice to not have that crazy woman control my fate for once. She's made me do such horrible things to Ron in this atrocious story of hers. Well, I still have him by my side, and hopefully I will continue to have him beside me…and under me…and occasionally on top of me if I feel up to it—)
Ron: (blushing a bright red) As flattering as that is, we really should continue.
Plushie: Boy, you guys do it in any position. (hops onto the desk) So what's your favorite position, Luci? Doggy-style? Missionary? Or does Ron just give you the good ol' Cleveland Steamer?
Draco: (turns green) I'd REALLY rather not talk about my father's sex life.
Plushie: Well, I'm impressed. Still robbin' the cradle at his age? What is he, sixty-eight?
Lucius: (turns red) I'm forty-four, you insolent little rag doll! (picks up yet another rolled-up newspaper from nowhere and knocks Plushie off the desk) Anyway, we're past overdue for a somber chapter, so let's get to it.
(Substitute) Author's Note: Another Legilimency session between Snape and me, so, again, I am in italics and Snape is in regular type.
(Begin Chap. 38)
…Professor McGonagall was furious. At who was the big question.
First possibility: whatever plan Dumbledore and his new confidant had been up to and hiding behind the rest of the faculty's back ever since the incident with Granger had backfired in the worst way. Second possibility, and the theory McGonagall was most comfortable with: it had been an act of Voldemort and his forces, and unless the current investigation proved that it had been a sly trick not even the Aurors could have prevented, she could easily be angry with the Aurors for not doing their job.
But then there was the third possibility, and the one that terrified her the most. What if Harry Potter was truly losing touch with reality?
But then again…
She did remember something else. Not too long ago, she, along with Dumbledore, Snape, Mills, Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy, had gathered to discuss the events surrounding the death of Mrs. Malfoy and had gotten much more than they bargained for. Apparently, from how the story looked, during the time Ron had been taken hostage by Lucius Malfoy, certain…things happened. Exactly what those things were, they didn't know and they weren't sure it was for them to ever know. In any case, Mr. Malfoy suddenly thought so highly of Ron that he wrote him into his will just days after his wife's death. Considering what Lucius Malfoy was like, he wouldn't have done that in a thousand years. It was a very horrible thing to wonder, but maybe Ron was associating with the wrong people. Whether it was forced or of his own will, though...McGonagall really didn't have the energy to handle one more mystery. What was important was what happened in the here and now: why did Harry attack Ron?
Fortunately, it seemed that Dumbledore was finally ready to give some answers.
The whole ugly affair had happened on a Thursday night. Because of the possibility of the presence of dark forces, curfew was going to be raised double for the next few nights, and tonight Dumbledore had scheduled a meeting with all the teachers in the Great Hall.
It was between classes now, and the next class would be her last before lunch.
She didn't know if she could stand the wait.
…"You won't believe this—!"
"Potter's gone mad? What're you talking about?"
"He tried to kill Ron Weasley last night! Nearly choked him to death!"
"I heard he even almost used an Unforgivable Curse on him. The worst one! The Killing Curse!"
"Oh my God!"
"I haven't seen Weasley all morning. I hope he's okay."
"Where's Harry now?"
"From what I heard, they took him to St. Mungo's…this is just unbelievable."
"You think it was You-Know-Who…?"
There wasn't anyone who wasn't talking about the events of last night. In classes, in the hallways, the Great Hall, on the Astronomy Tower, on the Quidditch Pitch...the whispering was everywhere. It was inescapable. This in mind, it was nothing short of idiotic to think Professor Snape hadn't heard of it. In a certain perspective it was a good thing. For one, this was exactly what Voldemort had been waiting for. Everyone could easily say it wasn't his fault, but it wouldn't stop them from alienating Harry. Once that happened, all hope was lost.
Secondly, this was the perfect excuse to talk to Lucius again. No particular reason had been given as to why, but Snape couldn't just contact Voldemort directly. All information coming from Hogwarts (i.e., Snape) had to be transferred via a mediator (i.e., Lucius). Umira was on a separate mission entirely. What it was, he didn't have a clue.
That evening, an hour before the emergency teachers' meeting was set to begin, Snape was sitting in his personal chambers again, with nothing on the desk to distract him except for the two candles burning in their brass holders. Interlocking his fingers and tucking his chin into them, he tapped into his own mind and used his Legilimency skills to reach Lucius Malfoy. A silent moment passed, and then…
"Severus? For God's sakes, I was asleep."
"This early? You really should do something more constructive with your spare time."
"Did you contact me to give a report or to give me useless career advice?"
"Actually, there is something you should know—something Voldemort should know. The Malefecium Elixir has finally taken effect, though it's happened much sooner than we expected. Maybe all we're doing is manifesting and intensifying Potter's own suspicions, and if that's the case, we're just wasting our time."
"Won't he be pleased? Can you tell us of any specifics?"
"Only from what McGonagall told me, and we've tried to ask Weasley as well, but—"
"Weasley?"
"Apparently Potter attacked Weasley in the middle of the night. Judging from the bruises on Weasley's neck he tried to strangle him, but the other three who sleep in that dormitory also told us Potter tried to use his wand…most likely attempting to execute the Killing Curse."
What happened next was unsettling. Snape's mind turned completely quiet, as if someone had turned down the dial on a radio. Lucius didn't "say" anything for almost five minutes. Snape knew what was going on. Although not as advanced in the art as him, Lucius was also talented in Occlumency and Legilimency, and he had just temporarily clouded his mind, probably to think. Was he in shock? After a while Snape was just about to try and reconnect with him when Lucius did it first, but only to proceed to nearly give him a heart attack.
"Where are they keeping Potter at the moment?" Lucius demanded.
"It took Dumbledore and the entire team of Aurors to restrain him and transport him to St. Mungo's. Keeping him in the hospital ward would have only asked for trouble."
"And Ron?"
"Weasley spent the whole day in the hospital ward. Understandably, he's completely traumatized. He hasn't been to classes and he'll see or speak to no one, not even Miss Granger."
"…I'm coming up there."
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"You know as well as I that we have just been granted an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up…another one separate from what we hope to accomplish with Potter. I'll inform His Lordship about this latest development, speak to him about the necessary arrangements, and I'll be arriving at Hogwarts tomorrow afternoon."
"We've been granted an opportunity? I'm sure you actually meant yourself. There's no need to be discreet. This is just an excuse to further your own agenda."
"I don't believe it's your business if it is."
"Everything you've worked for and accomplished, and you're sacrificing all of that for the affections of a sixteen-year-old boy, the one person who's closest to Potter! If you get in over your head, he won't hesitate in murdering you! I have more than enough reason to make this my business!"
"What I've accomplished? I've accomplished nothing. From the day I married Narcissa I've never known a moment of happiness. I've told you before—I don't care what happens in the end. Even if I must die at the hands of my fellow Death Eaters or Voldemort himself, I hope Weasley gets a mind to follow me to the grave. All that Voldemort desires is for the world to recognize his power. As long as Potter and the current regime in the Ministry are out of the way, I doubt he'd care less about the company I keep. Besides, I can make this work in our favor; it's not as if I'm abandoning the Death Eaters."
"I'm not so sure. Ever since you took Weasley hostage this summer, you've become a different man—"
"And you're wrong once again. I'm not changing; I'm remembering what I once was. You seem to have overlooked one crucial detail."
"And what, may I ask, is that?"
"I never once said I loved Ron. That's too strong a word. Feelings, urges, a desire…call it what you like, but I am keeping emotions out of this."
"You don't have to say you love Weasley. You're saying it with your actions, not your words. My concern is that all of this is going to cloud your good judgment, and maybe then you'll get a mind to defect from the group."
"Then if you're so concerned, betray me."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. Snape was absolutely furious. "And just what in hell are you insinuating?"
"Isn't that common policy among us? If any of us feels one of our own is a threat to Voldemort or the other Death Eaters, they're reported, hunted down, and killed, lest they cross over to the Ministry and reveal any vital information that could be used against our master. So if you're truly that worried, Severus, betray me. I'm not worried. I have nothing else to live for."
An extremely tense moment passed, Snape staring absentmindedly into the flames. Then, suddenly, he himself did something unexpected.
He chuckled.
"You honestly think I would stoop that low? That's something you'd expect from a sniveling wimp like Pettigrew. No, Lucius, rest assured you can dig your own grave on this one. The faculty is having a meeting shortly about these recent events. I could inform them of your arrival."
"No. Most likely they'll question you as to how you found out. I'll have an advantage by coming on such short notice, anyway. I announce my coming, and that will only give them time to try and stop me."
"Not that they don't have reason enough already, what with you having to resign as a school governor and your recent incarceration, and rumors flying about that Potter's attack was caused by Lord Voldemort. Besides, it's no longer a secret—not really. When we told Draco of his mother's death and you changing your will—"
"So who suspects something between me and Ron?"
"I was the first to say so, although Dumbledore had that look in his eye. Umira has to know. She'a Seer and she's been working intensively with the inner thoughts and fears of the students. Not only does McGonagall know, but she's on a personal crusade to stop it."
This elicited a dry chuckle from Lucius.
"They can believe whatever they like, but they aren't going to stop me. Will you accuse me of betrayal if I admit that part of the reason I'm coming is because I'm worried about Weasley? After all, he was almost killed by who he believed to be his closest friend for most of his life. Besides, you say no one can convince him to leave the hospital wing? They'll only be too grateful to have me there…"
…A quarter of an hour later, Professor Snape was seated at the Head Table with all of the other faculty members, but in a different position. Additional chairs had been placed on the other side of the table so that everyone could be facing each other out of courtesy. At the end of the table was Dumbledore. The closest two on either side was reserved for the Heads of Houses: Sprout, Flitwick, McGonagall, and Snape. After that were Hagrid and the other teachers, Filch, and Auror task force. To save up on space, Professor Binns had agreed to float in midair. Dumbledore didn't have a chair, either; he didn't expect the meeting to last long.
"We know why we're here, but to anyone who is confused, I will present the problem at hand. Last night, at around one in the morning, Professor McGonagall was called in to the Gryffindor boys' dormitory on a disturbance. As it so happened, the disturbance was between Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. From what we can understand, and although the cause is still unknown to us, Mr. Potter suffered a delusional fit which caused him to attack Mr. Weasley…even threaten his life."
Quiet murmurs began circling around the table, and the smallest of sniffles could be heard from Hagrid. He had found out when Hermione came down to his hut that morning in tears and told him the whole story.
"There has been strong speculation that this was an attack or diversion brought on by You-Know-Who himself, and to a point I cannot deny it. But I believe there was another cause for this—" That immediately shut everyone up "—a cause that Professor Umira Mills should know."
On cue, the redheaded Seer stood up.
"To fully have an understanding of the situation, it's imperative that we think back to the recent events of this past July. Of course I'm speaking of the hostage situation involving Ronald Weasley following the Diagon Alley raid. Cornelius Fudge versus Lucius Malfoy, that's how the Daily Prophet made it out to be. The reality was far less romantic, albeit a bit suspicious. All Mr. Malfoy wanted in return was ransom money, and of course we know that's not how the Death Eaters do business," Umira explained, "and just because we got Weasley back didn't mean that was the end of it. The Ministry wanted to know exactly what that money was going towards. So, along with the Auror task force, I was also sent here, but for a more…clandestine operation."
"Did you have any knowledge of this, Albus?" McGonagall asked suspiciously, though she knew what the answer would be.
"Yes."
"Well, why didn't you tell us?"
"What was there to tell?" he replied simply, shrugging his shoulders. "It was meant to be a simple investigation, and Umira had little to go on. Now that we've seen their plan manifest, perhaps Umira can continue her work with more efficiency."
"I think we no longer have the need for guesswork!" McGonagall exclaimed. "Potter almost killed Weasley! With an Unforgivable Curse! And however this was accomplished, it happened right under the task force's noses!"
"And that's where the money trail begins," interrupted Umira. "After we dug around a bit, we figured out that the money was going towards the research of Callisto Zabini, the father of Blaise Zabini, one of the students here. The Zabini family is renowned for their knowledge in alchemy, which, as Dumbledore can tell you, is a dying art. The research in turn was geared towards a certain potion—one infamous in legend. It's called the Malefecium Elixir. To spare you all its gruesome and long-winded history, its basic function is to make the drinker turn on their friends and family, while at the same time acquiring an affinity towards who they once considered their enemies. If the potion goes untreated within a period of over three months, the drinker dies. With this attack on Weasley in mind, it's apparent that someone has finally been successful in slipping it to Harry Potter."
At once the entire table erupted into protests, which hushed up when McGonagall finally stood up to face Umira. No one could exactly explain it, but they felt something from McGonagall they had never felt before.
"That is all well and good that you're focusing on the cause of this incident, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that it is equally important we also focus on the well-being of these two boys—and not just them. If the effects of this potion are as disastrous as Mills says, then anyone Potter once had a connection to is in danger, and if worse comes to worse—"
She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, choked up at the thought of Harry dying.
"You do not have the luxury of efficiency any longer, Miss Mills, nor do you have the luxury of time. Not only must we now worry about Potter's possible imminent death, but we'll have pressure coming in from all sides. The Ministry, the school governors, Cornelius Fudge himself, Mr. Weasley's family—"
"Not to mention Mr. Malfoy."
McGonagall stopped cold and stared at Snape, who had been sitting in his place the entire time, secretly enjoying the relentless interrogation she had been putting Mills under.
"Do you remember, Minerva? After his wife's death, Lucius Malfoy made Weasley an heir. That means he will be constantly looking out for the boy's well-being. So what do we think will happen once he catches wind that another one of his inheritors came dangerously close to death?"
McGonagall threw up her hands again in frustration. "Right. And now we have Lucius Malfoy to worry about, for two apparent reasons. If the Elixir was such a danger, then, why weren't the Aurors informed? Why weren't the teachers informed?"
Suddenly, another unspeakable moment occurred. Umira Mills was caught off-guard. It wasn't that she didn't have an answer ready, but when one thought about it, it was a pretty valid question.
"Then we'd all have been running around in the dark," Umira replied. "All we know is what the Elixir does, not how they planned to sneak it into Hogwarts. We don't know its exact properties. We didn't even know that Potter was the target. We'd have only been causing needless panic."
"Needless panic and necessary precautions! We may not have known the specifics, but we would have been much more prepared! I cross the line here. No more politics, no more investigations, no more guesswork…and no more excuses. I think I speak for all the faculty when I say that if we stand by any longer, the situation will only get worse—not that it has already," she muttered abrasively, shooting a glare at Professor Mills. "As of now, we all have but one concern—saving the life of Harry Potter and those close to him."
Umira kept quiet throughout all of McGonagall's speech. She really didn't have anything to say in her defense. Not even she could have foreseen this disaster.
(End Chap. 38)
Lucius: Finished. That'll put that haughty Professor Mills in her place…and I get to return earlier than Dr. Kim-chan promised!
Everyone else: (gapes at him in horror)
Lucius: What? Besides, her fans are going to LOVE this!
Ron: You deviated from her plan!! You were only supposed to come back in December! What do you think she'll say when Dr. Kim-chan comes back?
Dr. Kim-chan: (steps through—well, smashes the door down) WHAT DO YOU THINK I'LL SAY WHEN I COME BACK!!! LUCIUS MALFOY, I'LL KILL YOU!!!
Lucius: (screams like a little girl and runs)