As I'm sure you're all aware by now Harry Potter and all affiliated characters and trademarks are the property of J.K, her publishers and Warner Brothers. And now for the conclusion of first year, but the adventure is only just beginning.
Chapter 12
"How did you think you did? I think I definitely got question fourteen B wrong on the charms paper. I put 'a counter clockwise twist and jab' for a stirring charm. I should have put 'point wand and twist counter clockwise and jab.' Other than that I think charms was ok. Frankly I'm more worried about potions. Snape was making me so nervous I think I forgot to add the Valerian sprigs to the forgetfulness potion."
"Badumbum"
"Tish!" Fred and George leapt over the sofa and sat themselves on either side of Hermione.
"Ever the comedian, Hermione you…"
"Have me in stitches, you should really…"
"Take this stuff on the road."
Kat zoned out of the twins and leaned back into the plush cushions of her armchair and stared into the fireplace. Most of her class mates were ranged around the common room in various states of relaxation. The exams were over and everywhere she looked the facial expressions were either ones of fatigue or jubilation. Harry was dozing in the chair opposite, while Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean were playing exploding snap loudly in a corner. Kat, unlike most of the Gryffindors other than Hermione, was worried. Hermione was still agonizing over her exams even though they had been over for four hours. Kat was puzzled by what she had learnt from Harry and Hermione in the last few weeks. The whole year it had felt like something was building in the shadows and now she felt it was all coming to a head, if only she could put the pieces together to see what the picture was. Voldemort wanted the stone, he was in the forest living of unicorn blood. The thought of that was terrifying enough but Snape was possibly with Quirrell's coöperation going after the stone. Whether that was for Voldemort or himself it was still cause to be worried. The stone was being guarded by Fluffy and something Quirrell had done. It stood to reason that there were other defences for the stone. Harry had apparently gone to McGonagall but without proof Snape was after it she wouldn't do anything. If only there was some way to prove that Snape had been trying to get past the defences. Somehow Kat doubted that Quirrell would have the guts to admit it. If only there was someone else Snape needed information from they could ask. She slapped herself which drew some strange looks and woke Harry with a start but ignored them.
"Hermione, Hagrid gave Dumbledore Fluffy." Hermione told her to shush violently waggling her eyebrows in the direction of the twins who were now chatting with Lee. Kat ignored her and continued: "Fluffy is the first line of defence, Snape wouldn't need to know how to get past Quirrell's work unless he already knew how to get past Fluffy!" Harry sat bolt upright a look of alarm dancing across his features.
"You're right. Hermione, Hagrid told me the day I met him that he'd always wanted a dragon, and then he meets someone who just happens to have one. It must have been Snape finding out how to get past it."
"Harry we've been over this you-know-who was afraid of Dumbledore." Hermione grabbed Harry's knee and stared into his eyes trying to convince him. "If he was afraid of the headmaster, you don't think someone like Snape would dare take the stone." The shadows from the fire flickered across her face and Harry felt like he was falling into her large brown eyes, it would be so nice to just relax and accept that it was all fine and that nothing bad was going to happen. The cold voice of reality shattered the warm bubble of security after but a moment and the worries came back.
"But Dumbledore's not here tonight." Kat said grimly. She sensed rather than saw the expressions on Harry's and Hermione's faces. She turned to look at them intensely as if daring them to disagree with them. "You know what we're going to have to do don't you?" Her lip twisted up into a smile which resembled more of a grimace and caused Hermione to get chills down the back of her arms and neck.
"Tail Snape!" Harry said immediately.
"Get a message to Dumbledore!" Hermione said at the same time. They both turned to look at each other with equal looks of incredulity. Kat grinned wickedly showing her teeth menacingly.
"I don't like that look Kat. What are you planning?" Harry asked although he thought he knew what she was going to say.
"Tailing Snape but failing that." She leaned back with a bored expression, twirling her wand like a baton. "We'll just have to steal the stone ourselves."
Snape had finished his supper ten minutes ago but had sat at the staff table talking to professor Sprout. Kat's legs were cramping from standing still for so long as she stood behind the door to the great hall waiting for the potions master to leave. Her strange behaviour had so far gone unnoticed but that was hardly surprising since she was borrowing Harry's invisibility cloak. She couldn't get over how irresponsible it was to give a boy such a formidable tool for rule breaking. At the moment it was only useful for night-time wandering but in a few years he might be using it for anything and getting away with it. Or at least he might if he wasn't Harry. Her calf muscles were burning from standing on tiptoe behind the door when he finally swept by. Her position had allowed her to stay out of the way of students and staff exiting the great hall as well as providing a handy gap to see Snape's seat. The entrance hall had cleared and she was more worried about keeping up with his long strides than bumping into a student who couldn't see her. She was very surprised when Snape turned right out of the dining hall towards the stairs out into the grounds, and not left towards the dungeons. Where's he going, another meeting with Quirrell perhaps? I didn't think he would hold out this long unless…he's helping Snape. Damn we should have got Hermione or Ron to keep an eye on him too. The days were lengthening but by seven o'clock it was almost dark outside and the sun had already dipped below the surface of the lake to the west. Snape was striding across the grass ignoring the gravel path to his left, heading straight towards the dark eaves of the forest. Kat hurried to follow fingering her wand beneath the cloak. Perhaps if I were to stun him and leave him until Dumbledore gets back the problem would be fixed, but if we're wrong and Snape isn't trying to steal the stone then…oh it's too complicated. Kat decided to just follow him and save her illicitly learned stunning spells for when she was sure of Snape's guilt. She was careful to avoid twigs and leaf litter as she crossed into the forest after him but it was impossible once under the trees not to make some noise. Snape turned at the sound of a twig snapping three times before he reached his destination. Each time his gaze swept the trees and passed straight through her veiled form. He sniffed the air before sweeping round and continuing deeper into the dark forest. Kat had only been in the forest once before but she was now in complete agreement with the rules that students really shouldn't go here. To put it mildly in the dark with no moon yet risen to filter it's light down through the canopy it was pitch dark but for the soft glow emanating from the tip of Snape's wand. The trees rustled, creaked and groaned seemingly at their passing. Out of the corner of her eye she sensed things moving in the darkness which resolved into branches or undergrowth rustling in the wind when you turned to look. The problem is she thought hurrying closer to Snape is that there was no wind. Cold fear flew through her body and the hand that held her wand was slick with sweat. She found herself caring far less about being discovered and far more about staying near the dark wizard who strode with such confidence through the darkness. The twigs seemed to form claws that gripped and caught on the cloak and she struggled to keep up with Snape who seemed unaffected by the foliage. Eventually they found their way round the trunk of an enormous oak tree at who's base a cave formed beneath two of the giant roots. Snape halted and called out his breath fogging slightly in the light of his wand.
"Come out Quirinus. I know you're here." His voice seemed more fragile in the oppressive air beneath the trees, and strangely it was the lack of echo which caused Kat to shiver. Suddenly she detected movement from the cave's entrance. A deeper darkness seemed to glide forward and fill the void at the base of the tree, before resolving itself into the shadowy be turbaned figure of the DADA professor.
"Ah Severus good of you to join us. Yes this will certainly make things easier, save's me the bother of running to find you." Kat's brow knit in confusion at the voice, it was harder and colder and completely devoid of its habitual hesitant stutter. He seemed to stand taller as he squared up to Snape. "I'll make this simple for you Severus. As I'm sure you've guessed I am working for the dark lord. He will return and now is your chance to prove your much doubted loyalty. Join with me and aid me in recovering that which our master seeks within the school."
Snape took a step back in shock before peering at Quirrell intensely. The pair stared into each other's eye's for a few moments while Kat watched transfixed. Snape took another step back and visibly sagged. "So it is true he is not dead, of course I hoped but I in my arrogance could not believe that even our master could have survived." It was Snape now who's voice quivered and the hand holding his lit wand appeared to tremble.
"You thought that the greatest wizard in the world could not do what a mere infant could?" Quirrell snarled at the potions master. "I should kill you now for your lack of faith, I would if I did not have need of you."
"Alas my lord I cannot help you." Snape fell to his knees on the damp ground. "When we designed its defences we took unbreakable vows not to help others intentionally to the stone." If we made it past the watch dog I would die my lord."
"No matter, I have another task which I doubt will contravene your oath. If you are loyal to me Severus, you shall still find your place among my followers." Quirrell tapped a long pale finger beneath Snape's chin and turned his face towards his own. "When the wards are tripped you will stop the other professor's from interfering. Dumbledore will need too long to return to the castle by which time I will have the stone and can make my escape."
"Yes master." Snape attempted to nod with Quirrell's hand still beneath his chin.
"Go then my servant and make your master proud, this will be the last night before I return. Your long years in the wilderness are almost over Severus. Now is the time to prove your loyalty."
Snape stood and bowed before turning and sweeping away into the clearing. Kat couldn't decide what to do. Did she attempt to stun Quirrell now or should she follow Snape back to the castle and attempt to sabotage his efforts. For some reason she just knew that stunning Quirrell wouldn't work and turned to follow Snape back into the trees. 'SNAP' a twig broke as she turned. She dared not move or breathe. She knew by instinct that Quirrell had turned to look in her direction.
"Custodia Poenia!" She turned in time to see a dark streak hurtling towards her before impacting on her chest. It spread like chains of dark lighting around her body beneath the cloak. It began to constrict tightly biting into her skin and burned painfully. She gasped in pain before and Quirrell followed the sound towards her still hidden form on the ground. He grasped at the fabric near her thigh and pulled the cloak hard, rolling her out of it on the ground.
"It's very bad manners to eavesdrop Miss Edwards isn't it." He chuckled before viciously kicking her in the side. He continued talking while she lay coughing at his feet. "Nice cloak it would be useful but unnecessary. It will serve to stop anything finding you before I return." He squatted down next to her and stared into her faced. Did you know Katherine that the ritual for the elixir of life requires the lifeblood of another? I wonder if Flamel told, his great friend the champion of the light, Albus Dumbledore that the key to immortality is in taking the years that another could have lived for himself. Well Miss Edward's you should be honoured you have been chosen by fate to be here tonight to help the dark lord rise again." He tenderley stroked her cheek and stared into her eyes which were wide with fear. She struggled desperately to get away from his cold hand which sent shivers down her spine. As she shifted the chains burned harshly and seemed to grow tighter around her. "Shhh don't struggle my dear. The more you try to escape the tighter they bind. Oh but you should pray I return for you as well...they grow tighter by themselves anyway." He laughed cruelly and draped the cloak over her bound form before standing up and striding off into the night with nary a glance behind him as he disappeared into the dark.
Kat lay invisible to the world with the burning magic constricting her breathing and growing perceptively tighter. The pain seemed unbearable where they touched her skin but she dared not scream. At least Quirrell will kill me quickly I hope. Whatever else lives in this wood probably likes to play with their food. The darkness settled around her and she found herself crying a little. She wanted to stay strong and plan how to escape when Quirrell returned but it was all too easy to give in to the torrent of despair at her predicament. She was going to die, she was never going to see her mother and father again. She was never going to see her friends again. Voldemort would come back and try to kill Harry and it was all her fault she had failed and now she was going to die. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she lay beneath the cloak surrounded by the dark and the eery sounds of the forest. Alone and waiting to die.
… "Ah! Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans! I was unfortunate enough in my youth to come across a vomit flavored one, and since then I'm afraid I've rather lost my liking for them — but I think I'll be safe with a nice toffee, don't you?" The silver mained wizard smiled and popped the golden-brown bean into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully for a few moments with a slightly puzzled expression. A look of realisation dawned on his wrinkled features, then he choked and said, "Alas! Ear wax!"
Harry couldn't help but giggle from his place in the hospital bed and nodded to Dumbledore as he took his leave. Harry sank back into the plump white pillows and stared at the gothic rib vaults of the hospital wing ceiling. He was thinking about all that Dumbledore had spoken of but it all seemed to strange and hard to grasp, especially the things about his mother's sacrifice and his skin protection. The part he found himself thinking of most was actually the part about how his father had saved Snape's life! Harry chided himself a little for wishing that he hadn't. He chuckled a little to himself at the thought. His small smile broke into a wide grin when he heard a familiar voice pleading with the stern tones of madame Pomfrey. Harry added his own voice pointing out that he was resting. 'Lying down and everything.' A compromise was eventually reached followed by a huff from the nurse who strode into her office. In the five minutes allowed Harry did his best to narrate what had happened after they had been split up. Ron alternated between exclamations of awe and shock during the telling but Hermione seemed distracted although she did remember to seriously setback his recovery with a bone-crushing hug when she arrived.
"What's up Hermione?" Surprisingly Ron had also noticed her reticence. Hermione sat straighter on the edge of Harry's bed and turned away from the window and back to her friends.
"I'm just worried." She looked down into her lap where she was clasping and twisting her hands in agitation. Harry frowned in confusion.
"What about? We beat Voldemort and the stone's been destroyed."
"I know that Harry, but Kat was following Snape before it happened and she never met us to go get the stone. Well no one has seen her since then."
"Wait she's been missing for three days?" Harry exclaimed sitting up sharply and gaping at Hermione. "Well are they looking for her? Have you told Dumbledore what she was doing?"
"Blimey mate, calm down or Pomfrey will kick us out." Ron attempted to push Harry back down onto the pillows but Harry struggled against him and attempted to stand up. Naturally the school nurse chose that moment to check on her patient and his visitors and summarily dismissed them from the hospital wing, outraged at the disregard to her instructions to let him rest.
Harry called out to them and they promised to visit him tomorrow as they were ushered out of the hospital wing and the nurse slammed the door in their faces with a resounding thud.
"Well Severus are we here?" The old man's voice seemed drained and Snape felt he looked all of his one hundred and nine years. The bags under his eyes were clearly visible and his habitual forcefulness was gone from his movement. Snape remembered the one time he saw Dumbledore in battle and struggled to reconcile the memory with the man next to him in the wood. That Dumbledore had moved with the grace and purpose of a jungle cat. Some duellers dance and move, the headmaster instead appeared to glide languidly through the battle from start to his destination his stride purposeful and unhindered as his wand casually dispatched any obstacle. Gone was the warrior who struck fear even into the frozen heart of the dark lord. In his place was a doddery old man consumed by concern for a child entrusted into his care. Snape first thought how pathetic the once great wizard now seemed then he began to feel apprehension. If this is what Dumbledore has become how can the dark lord be stopped from returning should he learn of the fall of his once great rival?
"Yes Headmaster." He gestured to the clearing with a sweep of his arm. "This is where I met with Quirrell." Dumbledore stepped forward into the clearing and stared hard at the ground frowning and muttering under his breath. His wand slipped from his sleeve into his hand and began twirling and dancing as detection charms flowed out of it in a flood of magic. Snape guessed that the two men stood there for close on twenty minutes before Dumbledore visibly sagged and rested a wizened hand against a nearby elm trunk. He closed his eyes and sighed. Snape knew he had failed to detect a trace of the girl.
"Well Severus," Dumbledore finally spoke his voice was a little rough and his breath came in short gasps interspersed with his words. "Either she did not come all this way with you, or that cloak of Potters, conceals all trace of a person's presence." He pushed himself off the trunk and begun to pace around the clearing still studying the ground although now his wand was still. "I am personally inclined to suspect the cloak as I cannot explain why my instruments have been unable to detect her magical signature or even a trace of it outside the castle. The freshest trace is a week old and leads to the Quidditch pitch and back."
"Headmaster, why do you think she has not returned?" Snape pretended to be inspecting some ivy growing on an ash tree next to him while surreptitiously watching Dumbledore walking towards the cave's entrance.
"Severus what do you know of the philosopher's stone?" Surprised by the question Snape turned to look quizzically at the silver bearded wizard.
"Just that it could produce the elixir of life and turn base metals to lead."
"Ah well it requires something more for the elixir of life. It does in fact require the blood of a living person. The ritual is dark in nature and requires the life of a sacrifice. The blood when drunk will grant the drinker all the years that the sacrifice might have lived. Naturally I was as appalled as you are Severus when I first learned of the ritual; the fact that my friend now uses other means of acquiring the blood does little to reduce my hatred of the practise he engaged in for centuries. To answer your original question Severus, I think that poor miss Edward's is restrained somewhere hidden by the cloak awaiting the dark lord's return for the ritual of the elixir of life. Forced to wait and give her life so the dark lord may live again."
"The dark lord is a spirit once more and therefore incapable of magic, and after what Potter did to him, neither is his host. Would not her restraints have been lifted three days ago? It is possible that enchanted mundane restraints would not have lost their potency I suppose."
"Indeed Snape all we can do is keep searching." Dumbledore cast another long look around the clearing before stopping and looking hard at the base of a tree. "Severus do you know how to use mage sight?" The potion master crouched down next to Dumbledore and studied the base of the small birch tree that Dumbledore was gazing at so intently.
"It is not a skill I have acquired." He bowed his head slightly. "I lack the talent for seeing with it and understanding what I see."
"There are few who can Severus." Dumbledore whispered stroking a hand across four small scratches on the tree trunk. "I think I have discovered where Voldemort left her. There is an absence of magic just here in this spot."
"How do you know that means she was here?"
"I cannot be sure but I have often noticed that where both Harry and his father went beneath the cloak they left a void in the magic behind them. I have not observed this in other invisibility cloaks however Potter's one is much more difficult to detect in other ways…" He trailed off stroking the scratches again. "Severus, I fear that she did not leave this place willingly."
"What does that mean Albus?" the two wizards stood and looked at each other grim faced and serious. As a light rain began to patter down beneath the trees canopy Dumbledore was forced to admit that the trail had gone cold.
"I don't know Severus, I don't know."
A/N Took a little longer to update this week but don't worry I have no intention of abandoning this story. Please review your comments make it a much nice experience writing.