Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

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Chapter 15: Friends in High Places

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Albus Dumbledore was usually known as a calm, collected man. He had a very level head, and he could often think himself out of a number of rather arduous tasks.

However, after Severus' prevention of Harry's privacy breach, the old headmaster had been fuming. He had lost his bargaining chip at the Ministry and one of his most trusted spies all in one fell swoop.

"That fuck had better know what he's gotten himself into," Dumbledore muttered, before grinning evilly.

~*~

Bellatrix Lestrange had never been captured after the fall of Voldemort. She was at large, and, truthfully, only one person knew exactly where she was. Bella and Narcissa had always been close.

"Cissy, I need a place to stay for a while," Bella pleaded. "You know there is a wing that no one ever uses in the manor, and I could put charms around it to prevent my being found."

"Bella, I'd love to help you, but we have ministry goons here every other week," Narcissa replied. "Lucius is in cahoots with Dumbledore again, and I need to get out of here anyway."

"We should go abroad," Bella said. "Get away from all the problems we have here."

"Let's leave tonight," Narcissa answered, her face glowing.

"I'll meet you at ten in the Hog's Head. Aberforth's good about keeping his mouth shut for the right price," Bella answered, before pulling her head from the fire.

"Narcissa, you have a letter," Lucius called, the owl flying to her.

"Thank you, Lucius," Narcissa called. She opened the letter and grinned.

"The old fool wants Bella and my help to bring down Severus and Potter?" Narcissa thought, sitting on her automan. "He's keeping something from the staff at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore wants to get it out as soon as possible? That should be fun."

She went into her rooms, and she swiftly began packing for her impromptu trip with Bella.

~*~

Lucius knew the bi-weekly Ministry visits were taking their toll on his estranged wife. He had noted how things were changing between them. She was more distant, colder, and less caring.

Draco had written him not long ago, wondering why his mother had not written to him. Lucius had told him that she was changing for the worse, and that he didn't expect her to be around much longer. He had gotten her to sign the divorce papers long ago, saving them for a time when they would be properly needed.

He noted that the noises from the wing of the house Narcissa had taken had ceased. He knew she was leaving. He heard the entirety of the conversation with Bellatrix. He signed the papers, and as soon as he finished his signature, they were filed at the ministry.

One thing he had made sure to write in was that the divorce would remove Narcissa from all the Malfoy accounts. She now had a useless charge card in her bag, as well as broken keys to the vaults themselves.

~*~

It was by pure chance that Dumbledore decided to visit Aberforth on this particular night. He had fancied a stroll to Hogsmeade and found himself wandering in the direction of his brother's pub.

"Greetings, Aberforth," he greeted, as he walked up to the bar.

"Hello, Albus," Aberforth answered, somewhat ignoring the man. He had received an owl from Severus, and, if it was possible, he harbored more dislike for his brother.

"How is this fine evening going?" Dumbledore asked, taking a seat.

"Fine," Aberforth answered, going back to cleaning his glasses.

"Any interesting visitors?" Dumbledore asked, pushing through the implied silence from Aberforth.

"No, none," Aberforth answered, moving to the other end of the bar.

He picked up a quill and parchment, penning a note to Severus. He sent it off with his owl.

~*~

Bella had managed to fire call Narcissa before she left the Manor.

"Hogshead is off, Cissy," Bella said, catching Narcissa off-guard. "Dumbledore is there and Severus wants us to steer clear of him."

"Why are you talking to Severus?" Narcissa asked, shocked.

"He is a part of the reason I haven't been captured yet. He's been helping me out by warning me of Ministry raids near the places I've been hiding," Bella explained. "He needs our help to combat Dumbledore and his intense need to release information about Harry."

"I was just written to by Dumbledore," Narcissa said. "But Severus is Draco's godfather, and I owe him a great deal."

"We're supposed to meet him in two days time at the Three Broomsticks," Bella said. "He's bringing Harry with him, and we're going to discuss the information."

"Alright. Do you need a place to stay until then?" Narcissa asked.

"I've got a place for the next couple days," Bella responded. "Meet me outside Hogsmeade in two days. Then we can go to the Three Broomsticks and meet Severus and Harry."

"Alright," Narcissa answered.

~*~

After fours hours of one-sided conversation with his brother, Dumbledore made his way back to the school. He hadn't seen hide nor hair of Narcissa or Bellatrix. He was furious.

Somehow, one or both women decided to ignore his letters.

He returned to the school and slipped back into the carefree headmaster role.

"This game is getting way too old," he thought, before turning in for the night.

~*~

"Harry, I have to go to Hogsmeade for a meeting tonight. I'd like you to come with me," Severus said, after the two had made it to their rooms.

"Who are we meeting?" Harry asked, looking at Severus.

"Narcissa and Bellatrix," Severus answered, fully expecting the worst from Harry.

"Why are we meeting them?" Harry asked, not shocked at all by the names.

"Dumbledore has attempted to contact them," Severus said, sitting on the couch. "He wanted to use them to spread your condition around. As former Death Eaters, whom are loyal to their own, Bella immediately contacted me. She had an idea that a similar letter was sent to Narcissa."

"So we're going to meet with them to prevent them from spreading that information?" Harry asked, slightly confused.

"We're going to meet them instead of the old fool," Severus said. "I got Bella to keep Narcissa from going to Dumbledore. They are now waiting for us in Hogsmeade."

"I see," Harry said, keeping his expression neutral. "We should go soon."

"Come with me," Severus said, holding out the Invisibility cloak. "I'm not going to reveal that you're with me right away."

"Right," Harry said, slipping the cloak on and smirking.

"Tonight should be fun," he thought, following Severus' billowing robes.

~*~

A/N: I have to apologize for the brevity of this chapter, but I couldn't think of a decent way to continue into the meeting with Bellatrix and Narcissa, so I left it at this.

I've been having a case of writer's block lately, so this chapter isn't up to the normal quality. I should be able to get the next one out in about a week, so keep your eyes open.

Thanks for the support guys, it means a lot.

-KD