Chapter XX - A Change of Plans
"Your report, Severus?"
Snape sat once again in the dining room of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, turning to Dumbledore, who sat at the head of the table. He did not hesitate but there was certain information he decided to refrain from giving on what had transpired the previous night.
"The Dark Lord plans on delivering an attack on the Department of Mysteries very soon. An Unspeakable was killed last night."
"The Ministry hasn't reported anyone missing yet," Shacklebolt said, looking to Dumbledore as well. "They're still looking for you, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore nodded once to Shacklebolt before returning his gaze to Snape. "And the Death Eaters?"
"All were present."
Dumbledore turned this time to Moody. "And your report, Alastor?"
When the meeting had concluded, Snape caught Dumbledore's eye and the two lingered after the rest had left the room.
"Dumbledore," Snape said, his voice quiet. "I left DiNozzo to give Black the potion last night so as to lead suspicion away from myself and arrive at the meeting early."
"Yes...?"
"She killed the Unspeakable last night; there was no hesitation. Headmaster, she was given the potion on time which meant it should have been working. She did not appear to be controlled."
"What are you saying?" Dumbledore asked softly.
"That it is my belief that she acted of her own will when she murdered the Unspeakable."
"Is it possible that she did so only to hold up the appearance of still being under his control?"
There was a pause from Snape. "I don't believe so. Should she be on the side of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, I fear she may well reveal the fact that I have been giving her the potion. This could greatly jeopardize my position as a trusted Death Eater. Even if it was not her, so to speak, who committed the murder, then the effects of the potion are not working quite as well as we had hoped... Might I suggest we cease?"
Dumbledore was quiet a moment. "No."
"But Headmas-"
"The administration of the potion is of utmost importance. If you fear the true effects of the potion and what is at work here, Severus, then as a precaution we can entrust the task to another."
Snape watched him a moment and then nodded curtly.
"I trust you will notify DiNozzo only of the most important information?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Look, we're doing everything we can. You have to understand that."
Sirius ignored his friend for a moment, kneeling to pull out a cobweb-caked book from the bottom shelf of the library before standing and going to his usual seat. "No, we're not."
"Sirius," Remus broke in this time. "We are-"
Sirius' piercing blue eyes flickered to Remus. "We're not. I could be doing something, anything other than looking through these stupid books like-"
"Like the rest of us?" Rosemary took a seat nearby and sighed. "I'm sorry I yelled at you before, but there's more at work here than you know."
"Like what?" Sirius asked.
She was silent a moment. "You have to trust me. We're doing good by looking in these books. Already we've found out what we're not dealing with- the Imperius curse. That leaves-"
"Possession," Remus interrupted, giving Sirius an encouraging look. "Either possession of the person directly, or possession through an object..."
Sirius seemed to stop mid-thought. "The necklace."
"What?"
"The necklace, Remus, the necklace," he said, flipping through the pages of the book in his lap. "Snivellus mentioned it after the first meeting."
The other two looked at each other, Rosemary wondering if she ought to tell him of the potion. Snape had told her not to, but-
The door to the library creaked open, and as if knowing her thoughts Snape poked his greasy head in. Ignoring the others and Sirius, who was flipping almost frantically through the book before tossing it aside and grabbing another, Snape looked at her. "A word?"
She glanced briefly between Sirius and Remus before getting up with a hard, "Yes?"
Snape opened the door wide enough for her to exit the room. She glanced back once and gave Remus a shrug in return for the perplexed look he cast her way.
Once the door was safely closed and quickly warded, Snape spoke. "You will administer it until further notice."
"The-"
"Yes," Snape said roughly before lowering his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't be so stupid as to blurt it out for the whole house to hear, DiNozzo. Remember what is at stake here."
She gave the slightest hint of a resentful nod.
"Between Order meetings, Death Eater meetings, and Potter's Occlumency lessons I simply have no time. Dumbledore gave me the order to pass the responsibility to you. I trust you will not fail?"
"No," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "Just have it brewed and ready when I come for it."
"Good. Don't be late." He turned and made to walk away again.
"Snape?"
He turned back to her. "...Yes?"
"What was your waking me up all about?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
She sighed in frustration. "You, last night, banging on my door like a madman- What, your questioning my competence couldn't wait until today?"
An annoyed edge entered his voice, tinged with the sarcasm typical of him. "Don't be stupid, DiNozzo; I know it's exceedingly difficult for you but do try. As flattered as I am at the thought, are you sure you weren't dreaming?"
"You-" She shook her head, unable to finish that thought before muttering, "God, I hate you."
"My sentiments exactly," he returned as she stalked off into the library once more.