Chapter IV - No News is Good News
It was a few days before Snape returned to number twelve, Grimmauld Place to reveal his findings. Everyone remained on edge, even the Weasley children who were not allowed to know the goings on of the Order. Dumbledore called the meeting together and by the time everyone was inside the dining room there were hardly enough chairs to seat them all.
"We have all been eager to hear of the Death Eater meeting, Severus," Dumbledore said.
Snape nodded. "The Dark Lord has reassembled those Death Eaters who did not respond to the Dark Mark with those that did, and his numbers are growing. He is not pleased with most of them, but I have seen a few faces from the Ministry of Magic."
Shacklebolt and Tonks glanced at each other.
"He still believes me to be faithful to him."
Dumbledore nodded, saying quietly, "Good, good."
"There is, however, one thing the Dark Lord revealed that we haven't seen before." Snape continued, putting everyone on edge again. "A weapon, I believe. A woman he says is under his control. One we believed to be dead." He glanced briefly from the old man to Sirius, Remus, and Rosemary, who sat together. Surprise grew on their faces, and Rosemary grasped Remus' arm.
"Calm down," Remus said quietly with a sideways glance at her.
She let go, sitting back a little anxiously. "Sorry."
Snape's gaze returned to Dumbledore. "I have no doubt he will use her to her full extent."
Dumbledore took a moment to say anything. "Thank you, Severus. I'll ask that you inform Tonks and Shacklebolt of the Death Eaters you mentioned." He looked to them. "Can you acquire plans of the Ministry building?"
"Yes, sir," Shacklebolt answered.
"Good."
The meeting was dismissed shortly after. Snape had a brief word with Dumbledore before leaving the house, as many of the other members did. Sirius headed out of the dining room without so much as a glance at his friends, who watched him with slight concern.
"Come down here," Mrs. Weasley called to her children and Hermione upstairs. "Time to start cleaning again." All at once a woman shrieked and began screaming terrible things at the top of her lungs.
"Not again, Molly!" Sirius said, and she apologized as the two hurried up toward the woman's portrait to stop the howling.
Rosemary caught Remus as they left the dining room. Her voice was hushed but urgent. "Do you think-"
"Yes, I think," he said gravely.
"Then she's alive- and Sirius-"
Remus sighed. "Talk to him if you like. I don't think he'll be too willing to listen considering how quick he was to leave the meeting."
"Well..." She looked down. "Snape said she's under his control. What if- what if he-"
"Don't think about that. Any one of us could be next."
The woman made a nervous noise.
"I mean that she has as good a chance as any one of us."
"But we're not exactly in his clutches, are we?"
Remus looked past her suddenly, and Rosemary turned as well. A girl stood a little awkwardly nearby, the look on her face perhaps trying to silently tell them she hadn't heard any of the conversation.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Remus' concern was quickly replaced by a warm smile.
"Erm, Mrs. Weasley said to see if you'll come help us. We've been having a terrible time with one of the rooms on the second floor."
Rosemary sighed. "Yes, we'll be right up."