Seeing with the heart
By Fancyspinner
Here's the deal! For the moment, I intend to post more-or-less as I write, hence the sub-chapters.
This subplot has got away from me. I'll do my best to focus on Harry and Co.
Chapter 4-B
Undisclosed location…
"Severus, have you completed your report?"
He took a breath and moved all of the grief and pain and loss further behind his mental shields.
"One more bit of news, My Lord. Would you hear it now?"
"I would, my servant."
"Frank and Alice Longbottom are dead. I am concerned as to how this may affect our … family since the curse is likely to have rebounded upon the casters."
Severus used his genuine concern and healthy bit of fear to enhance the expected tone of his thoughts.
"Continue doing as you have been, Severus, I am pleased. Go!"
"My Lord!"
He consoled himself with the fact that she hadn't been a member long. She had not yet learned that to speak without having been asked first meant more pain than usual.
Severus didn't wait even a second as he bowed low to the demonic figure on the throne-like seat and quickly exited.
The roared "Crusio!" was for once, music to his ears.
The instant he was out of sight he activated his Portkey and raced to Albus' office. This was something that couldn't wait.
He burst through the door shouting almost at the top of his lungs.
"Albus!"
"Severus, my boy, what is it?"
"Tell me we have someone else spying for us from the order!" In his agitated state he reached for the older man's shoulders to shake them slightly.
"No, no we don't."
"Then, we're in a great deal of trouble because Emaline Vance is a Death eater."
"Albus sank down on a purple couch that appeared behind him.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, I think my days of spying are over."
"Pippy!" called Albus softly.
When the tiny elf appeared Albus spoke rapidly.
"Find Alastor and Minerva and ask them to come here. Once that is done, bring us a snack please."
"Yes Professor long Beard! Right away!"
"Come sit, Severus."
We'll do no one any good pacing around."
"I'll do myself some good!"
"I expected people to go over but not those so firmly in the order. We have some things under oath but many more … well it wasn't practical. She has our logistics. She will do us a great deal of damage."
A tea set appeared in the middle of Albus' desk complete with food but neither man took the time to look. Albus poured them tea and handed Severus a couple of sandwiches.
"Eat Severus."
"I wasn't cursed or anything today."
Albus gave him the you'd-better-do-what I-say look. Severus replied by floating the tea and sandwiches at chest level so he could continue to pace.
The door opened quietly and Minerva and Alastor walked in.
Alastor noticed that Snape was pacing the floor. He didn't look like he'd been cursed with anything so whatever he and Albus were cooking up appeared to be successful.
Minerva sank into a chair. She knew albus and Severus well and something appeared wrong.
"What is it?" Her words fell into the silence with the no nonsense attitude people expected from her.
"Minerva, "Severus lay a hand on her shoulder, "Emaline Vance has joined the Death eaters.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"Oh great Morgana! That's … I didn't think she would."
"I knew she was unhappy with the way the Muggleborn are integrated into our society but that's madness!" Alastor's words fell like a bucket of ice water into the room.
"Is that so?" Albus asked.
"Of course, but a lot of us are." Severus spoke quietly.
"I see."
"We can't deal with that now," Minerva spoke firmly.
"What we need to do is call a meeting for tomorrow and see where people's loyalties are. Then see how we can limit the damage her betrayal will cost."
KKKKK
Early evening found Harry, Ron and Hermione huddled in the Common Room.
"Hermione, we need to talk." Harry spoke softly, using a text book to hide his face from the majority of the chattering students.
"Ok, why don't we go find somewhere more private?"
Spotting Ginny across the room, she motioned to the younger girl who had been made one of the fifth-year Prefects. Ginny broke off her conversation and made her way over to the trio.
Gin, Harry, Ron and I need to go have a talk; I'll fill you in as best I can. Will you keep an eye on everyone?"
"Of course."
The three made their way out of the tower and moved swiftly towards the second floor and the Out of order bathroom that belonged to Myrdal. Hermione noticed that Harry had managed to bring along his bag and that Ron actually looked focused for the moment.
The instant they were inside Harry waved his wand around in a complicated pattern and slumped onto the floor.
"What kind of spells were those?" Hermione asked a well known eagerness in her tone.
"Well, if I read them right, they are a complex set of privacy and notice-me-not wards."
"Oh My!"
"Yuck, mate! You don't know what's been on the floor!" Ron yelped.
"Oh do be quiet, Ron." Hermione mumbled but found herself grinning as she joined Harry on the floor.
"Urg!" Ron griped as he found a corner and leaned against it.
He refused to sit on the floor. He himself had sort of helped to make a potion in here and who knew what else had gone on here? He ignored the amusement his friends were displaying.
"Right, Harry. What did you need to talk to me about?"
In response, he opened his bag and took out several small books and held them out to her. Once they were in her hands, he began to speak.
"Hermione, I know that Ron told you about our experience, right?"
She nodded absently as the first book she opened read, The Personal Diary of Rowina Ravenclaw.
"Mione, focus on us. Books'll still be there in a bit."
She raised her eyes and glared at Ron whose expression was surprisingly serious. She complied though and closed the book.
"Where did you two find these?"
"You know that we've all been worried about Ron and I've been wanting to try and help you research a bit. After … Neville ending up in the hospital and then Goyle … I've been feeling like there's a kind of time limit. The kicker was when we had that experience. I decided to go to the library. I asked Madam Pinse about any rare books on the founders."
"I suppose the best place to find those would be Hogwarts." Hermione murmured.
"Right," Added Ron.
"Thing is they're bespelled to appear innocuous to most other students."
Harry handed her the bit of parchment with the names of the students who would be able to read the books.
"How … interesting!"
Ron slowly slid down the wall.
"We went to see them last night. I couldn't sleep, Mione." Ron ran a hand across his eyes.
It was hard for him not to burst into tears but he really couldn't. That would just be too much! He might be falling apart but he couldn't here. He absolutely refused to cry; even if it was in front of the two best friends anyone could ask for.
"Oh Ron." Hermione sighed and moved to put her arms around him.
He took deep breaths and was really doing ok, until Harry joined the hug. Then his resolved crumpled and silent tears fell.
"I'm such a bloody berk." He gasped through his tears.
"Yea, you can be but you always come round," Harry replied softly.
Ron sniffled at that and the three friends just sat together not speaking. After a bit Ron's sorrow and frustration seemed to trigger Harry's and Hermione's own grief and sorrow and they comforted each other.
"What are we going to do," sighed Harry.
"We got to see how many Slytherin's we can keep away from Voldemort." Ron spoke startling even himself with the words.
"Goyle and Crabbe said they don't want to join Voldemort – well, Goyle said and he was pretty bloody certain about it too!"
"Their names are on the list." Hermione said.
"Yea. Look, here's what we can do." Ron jumped to his feet toppling his two friends and started walking around the room as he continued to speak.
"I went to see Goyle again this morning and I told him I'd come back and see him while he's in the hospital to give him notes and stuff. Once we figure out what books would be best for each group to look over I'll take him those too! I can see Neville while I'm there. People would expect that. I have a list of Slytherin's Goyle asked me to train. A lot of them are younger…"
He spun to walk the other direction and noticed his friends smiling at him.
"What?"
"You're growing up, Ron and I'm so proud of you."
"Right," he said uncomfortably.
"Let's see what we got!" He gingerly joined them on the floor.
What they had were mostly journals and a few books. Of the journals, one was called "The Early Years" and seemed to be written by all 4 founders. There were 4 more journals that seemed to be personal and one more that simply read: Hogwarts Legends and spells. The books were titled, Hogwarts the vision, the second was titled, Wish-Magic, the third was titled, elemental magic's, and there were 3 without titles. The three friends were stunned.
"Oh boy! What a load of books!" Hermione gasped.
"Do you think they're up to looking for notes in any of these? They … aren't very … well." Hermione trailed off embarrassed.
"I'm not too smart myself, mione, but if I take my time, I can do things well enough and if I have a reason, you know I can do well. It's not fair to judge them. We've been doing that too long. Besides, they did good enough on their OWLS to keep coming to school so they are capable."
She flushed.
"After last year, I did learn, you know. Do either of you have suggestions?"
"Give them the Slytherin Journal and the Early Years to start," Suggested Harry.
"That sounds good to me.
"And the others?"
"Well," Hermione looked once more at the list of names.
"Oh," she gasped.
"What is it?" Both boys asked at her excitement.
"There's a spot that says
Additional names will be added as necessary. It wasn't here a minute ago!"
"Got to love magic!" Harry laughed and soon they all were laughing.
"We should get to bed. I'd like to get a bit of reviewing in tomorrow. Ron, I think you have a Slytherin to visit. You can explain
The situation to both of them, I guess. Harry, make a list of those people we can trust. We'll all go visit Nev and see if we can't get him to wake up!"
TBC. Nexxt up Sunday