Chapter Nineteen The Plan
Snape was relieved when the girl told him that she could see his reflection. The idea that was forming in his mind was that he was actually the Double and it was insidious. He was beginning to question himself and that was the first sign of impending insanity. He constantly heard the Double and periodically felt his presence shadowing him but he did not look at him directly.
He considered her plan as he contemplated the contents of the book. He did not want to have to face the doppelganger. If he did, it would only be a short time later before it killed him or he killed himself trying to escape it.
At least one problem was solved for the moment. Potter was at Hogwarts and therefore, safe.
He studied the girl while she was reading. Granger had always been a burr under his collar. She irritated him and yet he had to admire her for a certain bull-doggedness. Was Lily like that; competent, smart, persistent? Definitely. He'd not forgotten. If Lily were here with him now he knew that she would have been proposing similar plans. She often dared the bravest fellow to jump in where fools feared to tread.
But still, he thought, face the doppelganger! Wouldn't it be easier to face Voldemort? he wondered. At least he will kill me after he tortures me for a short while. Better then to be hounded and hunted by my Double and lose my mind.
Contrary to what Lupin wanted, Snape was not opposed to letting Potter and his friends involve themselves in the hunt for the Horcruxes and possibly assist in destroying them. He doubted he could do anything about it if he didn't like it. He knew from experience that Potter would find a way to be the center of it all no matter what.
He was considering this when his Double whispered in his ear. "The girl is lying to you. She means to give you up to the Dark Lord." He waved at the air as if shooing a bothersome fly and yet the voice continued. "Give yourself up to the Ministry. Sooner or later someone will try to kill you. No one will believe that you are innocent."
Snape sighed deeply. The Double continuously talked to him, like an echo in his head that wouldn't go away. What will it be like if I actually face it? he wondered. It will cling to me and become more solid in form. It will truly be hard for anyone to tell the difference between us. The thought was frighteningly ugly. But there was an advantage. He was the stronger of the two since he held all of his own memories and the Double had only images. He could possibly manipulate the doppelganger as the girl suggested. This was something that he'd also been thinking about but not in the way Granger considered. He thought about sending the Double back to Voldemort. He cannot destroy it, but it can hurt him and hurt him badly. However, my evil silhouette might be able to destroy a Horcrux. Would it be a waste to try? He questioned himself.
His eye discovered a rather ornate page in the book he held and it caught his eye. Yes, he said to himself, 'There is the word, 'Horcrux'. Someone had vandalized the beauty of the page by scribbling in the margins. He recognized the script. It was Dumbledore's.
So he was here before me doing the same thing, Snape thought. He was busy studying the writing, squinting to make out the letters and words. The girl was at a desk nearby and his Double was standing beside her. Snape could sense it but had trained himself to keep turned away from it.
It was at that moment that Neville Longbottom stepped around the end of the library shelf, his wand pointed at Snape's heart and exclaimed, "Don't move!"
Hermione glanced up and made to stand, her mouth a round 'O' as she tried to shout the word 'No!'.
Snape remained still, his hands still holding the book. He didn't like the Longbottom boy and thought he was not far from being a squib. But he also knew that when one's emotion were at play, even someone as useless as Neville Longbottom could cast a spell that might hurt.
He was lucky because his Double became visible immediately and stood between himself and the boy.
Snape had been right. Neville cast the Cruciatus spell and directed it at him. However it went through his double and there was just enough time-the space of a second or two- when he could neatly step aside and let the spell make contact with the shelf behind him. The fact that it could be done was interesting. Snape tucked that information away for future use.
He also made sure to keep his eyes on the boy's face and not look at the ghost double and he knew by the look that Neville was now seeing two of him. And, his spell had no effect on either.
"What!" he cried. "What is this?"
…
Harry set the box with the locket on a table before them and stared at it as he ate. He was considering a plan that was just developing in his mind. It would encompass destroying the Horcruxes and entrapping Voldemort. Once entrapped he might have a chance to kill him. But how to go about it all? He sat in the Room of Requirement now transformed into his parent's Godric's Hollow home and he stared at the fire and felt safe. He didn't want to do anything; he wanted to stay here and pretend that he could not be touched and the world was at peace and he could get on with his life. He always felt better when he was at Hogwarts; it felt like home.
And then he remembered the tomb out in the lawn and his sadness and grief returned. Dumbledore had tried to take the burden from his shoulders by destroying one of the Horcruxes; by hunting them all down and destroying them.
Will I end up like Dumbledore? Harry wondered. He was a great wizard and still he died. He picked up the box and opened it. Would it kill him? Would it possess him? The diary hadn't.
And then he did the thing that would have stopped Hermione's heart if she had known; he lifted it from the box with his bare hand.
…
George and Fred managed to make it to Hogwarts even though they were both badly wounded. They had sent out the muggle equivalent of a MAYDAY and the entire D.A. was apparating into Hogsmead village. Even former students were joining them and the street in the late evening hours was becoming crowded.
George was supporting Fred and within seconds friends crowded round and helped them into an empty shop.
"We were attacked," George managed. "Death eaters."
"What about Ginny?"
"She left minutes before," Geroge said. "Someone needs to go after her."
"We came here and called you all in. We need your help," Fred managed.
"You both need to go to hospital," someone in the crowd said.
"We will be safer if we go up to the school," George said. "We've got to have a plan."
The others in the crowd, which was increasing by the minute, were murmuring amongst themselves.
"Right then," Lee Jordan said loudly. "Let's get them up to the school."
…
In the meantime, McGonagall faced Tonks, and several other members of the Order. Molly Weasley was sitting in a chair looking overwrought.
"Arthur sent word?" one asked.
"We knew it would come to this," Molly said. "We have been vulnerable since we befriended Harry. Now it seems that the Dark Lord has sent out all his Deatheaters to find all of us. Arthur's gotten news that people are dying and being tortured just to give information about my family."
McGonagal rested a consoling, sympathetic hand on her shoulder. "Then we shall have to find them first."
"No need," Tonks said. "Remus sent me a message that he and Snape were coming here. Remus would know where Harry, Hermione and Ron are."
"Here?" one asked.
"Why here Tonks?" asked another.
Madam Pince stood in the background, having been unable to deliver her message. She spoke now, "It's true. Snape is down in the library. That's what I've come to tell you. I haven't seen Remus. "
The group looked her way. "Well Molly, it's best to send a message back to Arthur that we all meet here. Send one to the children, too. At least try and locate all of them." Minerva McGonagall stood before the members of the Order. "I'll go down and talk to Snape. I trust that you all know that Snape was not Dumbledore's murderer?" She eyed them sharply as she might have done her students and then went on, " In the meantime, we shall meet in the main hall in a half hour. She pushed her way through the witches and wizards. "Follow me Madam Pince."
It wasn't only friends of George and Fred's and even Harry's friends that were gathering about the grounds of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, it was also many of the members of the Order being summoned, including Arthur Weasley. He was very quickly told by one of the students that his only daughter had been abducted, that his sons- George and Fred- were on their way to Hogwarts and wounded.
"McGonagal will have a plan Arthur," Madeye Moody said striding towards the school with his ship-rolling gait. "She says Snape and Lupin are there. We'll have us a meeting of the minds, so to speak."
Arthur Weasley was ahead of him and almost running, not at all surprised when he ran into more students going in the same direction.
"There ahead, Mr. Weasley," the girl said. "It's Fred and George that called us in."
"Are they all right? Are you sure? And Ginny?" he asked breathlessly.
No one answered. He shot out away from them in a full run when no one responded.
…
Within a short time the hall was fast filling up. Hermione, Neville and Snape had come from the library, Ron was with his parents; Molly was ministering to Fred and George, and conversing quietly in a corner while everyone else mingled and talked in hushed whispers.
"Remus is here?" Tonks asked.
Hermione nodded. "It's the full moon. I don't know where he's at."
"You can find him in my old classroom locked in the broom closet," Snape growled.
"He's been given the potion?" Tonks asked. Snape nodded. "Thanks,then; thanks a lot."
Snape turned away and seemed impervious to the looks and stares of the people in the hall."What about Harry?"
"He's here, Tonks," Hermione whispered. "He doesn't want to come out yet. I need to go tell him about Ginny. Just me." She took her hand off of Tonks arm, glanced at Snape and left them in the hall. Minerva stepped to the podium and everyone quieted.
"It has come to this," she said softly. "We all know what I am referring to." She glanced at the Weasley family. "I don't think we can stand by any longer and pretend that everyone of us is not in danger."
Neville stepped up beside Hermione to listen and was shocked when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced back to see his grandmother standing behind him. She squeezed and then dropped her hand and drew out her wand. She looked battle-ready. He turned back to stare at McGonagal but a smile played on his lips.
…
Hermione stood before the Room of Requirement, it's door remained invisible. "I need to talk to Harry, I need to talk to Harry, I need to talk to Harry." She whispered the words but the door didn't appear and she knew why. She really didn't want to speak to Harry. Not if it meant telling him that Ginny was in Voldemort's hands.
"Perhaps, I can be of assistance, Miss Granger." It was Snape.
She remained steady staring at the wall but shook her head. This time she closed her eyes and concentrated. "I have to help Harry, I have to help Harry, I have to help Harry." With this change in words the wall began to move as if living creatures dwelled within the stone. And then a door began to appear and solidify before their eyes.
Without speaking to Snape she stepped over and opened it. He was there, standing with his back to her. They both went in and Hermione gasped as she came around in front and saw him standing there, the locket grasped in his hands.
"Harry!" She pulled her wand but couldn't decide what to do. Snape was beside her watching.
Harry studied the locket and then looked up when they intruded. "It's all right Hermione, there is nothing left in this." He dropped it to the table.
"Are you sure?" Snape asked.
Harry nodded. "I can tell it was there at one time. When I touch it I feel like I am inside his head, like I can possess him like he possessed me. But it feels like he's not aware that I'm there. I think it would be much stronger if the Horcrux was still inside. I probably could not fight it."
"So whoever fetched it from the cave, destroyed the Horcrux inside?" Hermione said.
Harry nodded. "I think so. Yes, I'm sure of it."
"That leaves only one left to us," Snape commented lightly. "The other two are out of our reach."
Hermione, shocked by his flippant tone of voice, glanced at him and then back to Harry. "I have something I have to tell you Harry."
"Yes. What?" he asked and then with more urgency, "Hermione, what?" He could tell by the look on her face that it was serious.
She told him about Fred and George and the missing Ginny and the people gathering together in the Hall and then sat down and watched him, silenced by her anxiety.
Harry looked first at her and then Snape.
"You say you can possess him. Do you know his mind?" Snape asked. "What he is thinking right now?"
Harry shook his head. "No, he possessed me. I have not tried to enter his mind."
"Will you try now?" Snape stated. "Only for any instant."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I will."
"Protect your mind if you can. We are not ready for him to become aware that you are there." he said.
Harry considered it for a minute and then nodded once again.
"Miss Granger and I have discussed a plan. WE must consider it even if it is not fully formed," Snape said sitting down opposite of Hermione.
"Does it include getting Ginny back?" Harry asked.
Snape glanced up. "Yes. Miss Granger would you like to tell him what we were discussing?"
…
"You need to concentrate," Snape asked.
Harry nodded and motioned Hermione to step aside.
"Remember, Potter, in and out."
"Are you sure he won't know where this room is? If he finds out I'm in his head..." Harry asked. If their experiment failed they would have to think of another way. But if Hermione and Snape were right, Harry could lead Voldemort to Godric's Hollow. They could remain at Hogwarts and auto-pilot the Double to the castle.
"Not if you are quick, Snape answered. "We only need to know if you can make contact." This all rested on Harry's ability to get inside the wizard's head as Voldemort had doen to him. They all knew that it was going to be plain luck for Snape to manipulate his Double- transfer the remaining Horcrux to the Double and then send him into the castle. Tricking Voldemort into believeing the Doppelganger was the real Snape and imprisoning him along with the Doppelganger was another problem. They had to hope the castle would operate the same way it had when they became trapped. All of it was up to chance. Then all that was needed was for Voldemort to kill the Double. They weren't sure if that was possible.
And they still had two Horcruxes that were out-of-reach; the Hufflepuff cup and the other and no one knew whether it was a true Horcrux or not; Voldemort's snake, Nagini.
"Hermione, will this work?," Harry began, suddenly frozen with indecision.
"I tell you Harry, he put that Horcrux in a living creature," Hermione said. "That's why he's becoming a snake. It means his humanity is disappearing and it makes him less dangerous. I think that if we can kill the snake it will destroy the Horcrux. He made a mistake," she persisted. "A living creature can be destroyed-killed- and without a vessel to reside in; the Horcrux is destroyed. We can do the same. Transfer the one in the Phoenix into the Doppelganger and then let Voldemort kill who he thinks is the real Snape... M. Snape." She glanced guiltily at Snape who raised an eyebrow at her.
They stared at one another.
" He will kill my Double if he thinks it is me. Your job is two-fold Potter," Snape reminded him. "You must ascertain where he is. We have no time to search for his hideout so the snake can be killed. There is an army of people willing to help. Let them do it, let them kill the snake."
"I know! I know," Harry snapped.
Snape glared hard at him as if he hadn't been glaring all along. He, better than anyone, knew the risks. And yet, they were running out of time. "Ginny Weasley will be with him. Do not doubt it. She will tell him what he wants to know."
Harry gritted his teeth. He knew what Snape was doing.
"Now is your chance to prove your worth," he said quietly. "I did not protect you all of these years, sacrificing your mother, to watch you become a coward."
"You, protect me!" Harry hissed. "You!"
Snape nodded. "I was there. Every moment that could be spared I watched you. There at the Dursleys, on the train, at Hogwarts. Every time you bumped your head I was there to stop you from crushing it. I stood watch and kept the wolves at bay. Do not doubt it Potter, you would not have survived to live this day if I had not done so."
Harry looked into the dark eyes trying to read what was there. He didn't want to believe it; he wanted to believe that it had been Dumbledore or someone else, even Lupin. And yet he heard Snape and Lupin talking and knew his mother made Snape promise to protect him.
"Lupin..." he started to say.
Snape answered. "He kept me from protecting your mother and then he disappeared."
"Dum...Dumbledore," Harry mumbled.
"I carried you from the nursery and placed you in his hands. I buried your mother and your father." Snape said calmly.
"But you hate me!" Harry cried.
Snape frowned and didn't respond immediately.
"Harry, we must decide," Hermione said. " We must do it now or not at all. All of your friends are here at Hogwarts. They are willing to fight to get Ginny back. But you know that many of them will die if they face the Dark Lord or the Death eaters. It may already be too late."
Harry closed his eyes and reached out. For a moment there was nothing and then he felt it. He was inside the Dark Lord's head looking out into a room. The snake was there but Ginny was not. It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary was happening. He felt Voldemort twitch, as if he were aware that something was wrong.
Harry jumped back in just haste that he almost passed out. Snape and Hermione caught him before he hit the floor.
"I got...I did it. I got through," he mumbled. "Ginny wasn't there."
"The snake, Harry," Hermione snapped. "Was it there?"
He nodded. "And the cup. It was sitting there on the table before him."