CHAPTER 43: MESSENGER

Unknown Location

(Voldemort POV)

"You have done well, Augustus," said a high, cold voice, belonging to one who was currently sitting comfortably on a couch.

"Th-thank my Lord," replied the man, taking a bow, before leaving.

The Dark Lord was pleased, as he had not been in a long time. After the humiliation he had experienced during the 31st of August, even he, the greatest wizard in existence, had been unsure of his position.

He had been played, and he knew it. No matter how much Voldemort did not want to accept it, it was reality, and he was defeated. At the time he was incredibly angry, outraged at the fact. Yet now, his anger has disappated, and he was actually (somehow, for one who only cares for himself) grateful for what happened, for it serves as a reminder, a lesson, that one should never be too sure with himself or too overconfident. It was the elementary mistake which many of his Death Eaters make, and he had warned them about it, punished them with a Cruciatus whenever they fail because of it, even. Yet, Lord Voldemort, he himself, too, had committed that exact same blunder. He had too much and overconfidence, which led him to underestimate the girl in front of him. And because of this he became, decadent, complacement, and it had cost him dearly.

Upon hearing about what happened, Fenrir Greyback and his werewolves had defected from his cause, and it was a great loss at the time, for all in all their numbers comprised about a quarter of Voldemort's entire army, and it made the Dark Lord furious. He immediately ordered his Death Eaters to hunt down the werewolves. However, he soon recalled them just a couple of minutes from announcing the mission, for he realized that there were more important things to take care of.

Instead, he made them focus all their efforts on recruitment. He sent envoys to the giants, to the vampires, to the goblins and to all the wizarding families and other magical creatures existing in Europe. Then, he himself went out to do some recruiting personally. And from one of these personal expeditions, the Dark Lord got an inspiration.

In one of the homes of the wizards who had accepted to join his cause (They agreed to help him financially but did not want to join the actual battle, though Voldemort decided to agree to it without doing any bewitching or additional threats, seeing as the man would indeed be more useful that way. And if he ever defected or betrayed the Dark Lord, well, he and his family would be killed.), the Dark Lord saw a book: it was a book on the Trojan war.

Yes, he had read the story before, but had not given it much thought as it was a boring, trivial, insignificant story, which was more Muggle than wizard in nature. Yet, Lord Voldemort could not help but laugh... a high, cold, cruel, laugh, as he recalled the details of the epic... for it had given him a great idea…

The Trojan Horse...

-BREAK-

(Ilya POV)

"Ilya, are you alright?" inquired a male voice.

"Mmmm…" nodded ilya, as she continued munching on her sausage waffle, though judging from the look on her boyfriend's face, he wasn't convinced.

It was Thursday morning, the sixteenth of September. Ilya and her friends were currently in the Great Hall having breakfast. It was just another normal start to another normal day at Hogwarts… except for the mixed feelings of dread, confusion, tenseness, disbelief, and outrage that currently filled the air.

And this was due to the fact that twenty of the students, all Slytherins, who had decided to discontinue their journey to Hogwarts and gone off to join Lord Voldemort, were once again among them.

Many of the students, with the exception, of course, of Slytherins, were complaining, grumbling amongst themselves, as to why the 'traitors,' after their 'desertion,' were even allowed to return Hogwarts. While the silver-haired girl could hardly contain a snort at these comments (since most of them saw the members of the House of Serpents in a bad light anyway, even those who were glaringly decent people, just because they were members of the particular House), she does agree that they were a grave threat.

The night before, a letter from Rufus, addressed to Ilya and Severus, were handed over to them by Evelyn. The four people, having brought food and drinks with them to the fourth floor, did not have to go down to the Great Hall for dinner, and as the owls could not find them (which was a good sign, since it meant that the security measure was working), his sister delivered it directly to them instead, and the letter only further confirmed her suspicions.

According to Scrimgeour, the students who were returning to Hogwarts had strong political backing, because of their high status, pureblood families, and each one of the returning students also had relatives who were members of the Wizengamot (Wizard High Court).

And it was undoubtedly due to their influence that there was nothing anyone could do to stop them from coming back to school. Over two weeks had passed, and information related to the Hogwarts train incident, while not being publicized in news articles, had already more or less spread throughout the wizarding community, especially since the students were bound to have owled their parents on all that had happened. The only reason why things remained quiet, including the part which involved Ilya directly, was probably because no one wants to risk putting their careers or lives (their loved ones and their own) in danger (The threat could be either from Voldemort or from those against him in the Ministry.), and thus preferred to remain neutral, keeping their opinions to themselves. And while Ilya, due to the friendship she and Sev have with Scrimgeour (who was a greatly trusted subordinate by the Head Auror Richard Parker, who in turn was a trusted and esteemed friend and confidant by the Minister of Magic, Ronald Dreamweaver), was able to utilize this kind of advantage…

It was natural that there were others, and there were many in Voldemort's rank, who can as well, and use it they did. According to Scrimgeour, as an insurance, an order from the Hogwarts Board of Governors, stating that the students are to be allowed to enter Hogwarts was secured, which, in Ilya's opinion, was a wise tactical move, for it would prevent any attempt to of opposition, probably especially Albus Dumbledore. For while the old man was still chatting cheerfully and normally at the teacher's table, Ilya could tell that it was just a façade.

And thus the school was in its current predicament. Twenty potentially dangerous threats had been allowed to enter Hogwarts… no, they weren't potential threats… they were threats.

For they were like scouts, an advanced party, sent out to spy and investigate the enemy territories and defenses. The silver-haired girl had no doubt in her mind that this meant that the Dark Lord was planning to try and take over Hogwarts in the future, and that, in all angles, is definitely not good.

I must find a way to expose them, thought the silver-haired girl, as she drank a cup of hot cocoa. Yet she knew just how difficult that would be. For the fact that these students joined the Dark Lord, yet had sufficient influence to make the Ministry ignore their actions completely…

It means that whatever they did, it had to be something so significantly relevant, and with too concrete evidences about it, that even their influence would be rendered useless…

Ilya knew that they will eventually make a move… but for now, while waiting for that time to come…

"Sev…Alice… Rose…"

"Hmmm?"

"Would you guys mind skipping your classes for today? There is something really important I need to discuss with you…"

-BREAK-

(Dumbledore POV)

Albus Dumbledore was not pleased. For the past couple of decades, ever since the retirement of Armando Dippet, he had taken the position of Headmaster, and had done his utmost to not only to maintain the quality of education, but also in ensuring the safety of the castle's occupants, especially the students'. He has already done what he could for this matter even when he was still the Transfiguration professor, and when he became Headmaster, he decided to take his steps further. He did all he could within his power to enforce laws and policies which would further increase their protection.

Yet now, a grave threat has entered the school and even though he was the Chief of the Wizengamot, as well as the Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

In truth, when the students arrived, escorted by two of the members of the Board of Governors, he wanted to protest, he wanted to deny them their right in coming back to the school. He knew that this was normally not a correct notion from a teacher's point of view, yet accepting them compromise the very safety of the inhabitants of the castle. There was no doubt as to why they were sent back to Hogwarts after all: to do Lord Voldemort's bidding. It was a plot, and Dumbledore would not be surprised if it turns out that their objective was to take control of the school. Yet he could do nothing.

For if he protested, there was a possibility for him to get suspended from duty or even removed as Headmaster. The returning students after all had powerful family backgrounds, and they have sufficient power to pressure the school governors to do what they want. He cannot allow them any grounds to have him removed, for if he was forced to leave Hogwarts, it would badly affect the security and well-being of the students, especially those who are Muggleborns, who are not of magical decent.

The Headmaster had tried using Legilimency on some of the students, yet for some reason, he could not see anything that was related to Tom Riddle. If not for the fact that he was an expert, he might have overlooked the strange feeling which he got while probing. The students' thoughts were undoubtedly under the protection of a spell, most probably an Unbreakable Vow, to never reveal certain information, which meant that even Verisaterum, the most powerful truth potion, would be useless. The Unbreakable Vow is a very powerful spell, especially when it comes to concealing information, and it can be used to ward off even the most powerful mind readers. Had Dumbledore been less than the skilled Legilimens that he was, as well as the fact that he had experience with this kind of mind block before, he would not have been able to know, and would have simply assumed that they were innocent.

He had already called for a meeting with all of the teachers, telling them to be on their guard and be watchful of the movements of students, especially the twenty returnees, as well as the rest of the Slytherins. The teachers, who like him, cared for their students agreed. If it was at all possible to convince and prevent them from doing anything, that would only make the Headmaster too happy. Even if they were being coerced by the Dark Lord, they were still just young people, with a future ahead of them, and if they can be turned from the path of darkness, so much the better. Still...

Dumbledore knew it was not enough. He had done everything he can, yet when the immediate threat or problem was something he cannot see and identify, he was not sure if he will be able to ensure everybody's safety. He needed help.

He had actually contemplated on having some members of the Order of the Phoenix go to Hogwarts, but none of them had any time to spare, occupied with their regular work, as well as their Order duties, which were crucial to the struggle against Tom Riddle. Also, if someone like Alastor was discovered to have another affiliation, he would be fired from being an Auror.

"Fawkes," whispered the Headmaster, as he faced an empty perch in his office. In an instant, a magnificent, flaming orange bird appeared in a burst of song and flash of bright light.

"Could you please keep it down?" complained one of the portraits of previous Headmasters. "I'm trying to get some sleep here…"

"Of course, Phineas, I'm sorry for the disturbing your sleep," answered Dumbledore sincerely, though he knew full well that the portrait of the man was wide awake and was only pretending to sleep.

"You always say that, yet you never do keep it down... and a lot of people say you are a man of your words... man of his words my ass," replied the former Headmaster sarcastically, before returning to pretending trying to fall asleep. This time, the silver-bearded Headmaster ignored him.

"Fawkes," said Dumbledore to the phoenix quietly, as he gently stroke the bird. "I need you to deliver a message for me…"

-BREAK-

(Severus POV)

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

A wooden sword rose a few feet into the air.

"I DID IT!" cried a female voice happily. "DID YOU SEE THAT?"

"Well done," said a silver-haired girl, smiling slightly.

"Did you see that?" repeated Alice, as she looked at the blue-haired girl beside her. "I never would have thought it was actually…"

"Silencio!" said another female voice suddenly, making the talking black-haired female stopped, as she realized that her voice was no longer coming out.

"Hey, that was mean Rose!" pouted Alice, as Ilya removed the jinx on her. "Why did you use a Silencing spell on me?"

"'Cause you're too noisy and annoying me," came the casual reply of the blue-haired girl, which made the other female scowl. The two stared at each other, like two cats who were about to tear each other apart, and they probably would have done so, had a silver-haired female not interrupted them.

"Restrain yourselves," said Ilya, her voice cold and monotonous, yet with a commanding aspect to it, for the two immediately turned their attention back to the silver-haired girl, who took a deep breathe before beginning to speak talking…

"Do not forget the steps, and the feel of it," said Ilya. "You can follow the same steps for any spell you want to cast without a wand. And the more you practice, the faster you will be at casting it..."

It was now ten o'clock in the morning. Ilya seemed to have thought that it would be a nice idea to take the day off from classes. At first, Severus was confused as to why someone like her (who was a diligent student type) would even think of suggesting such an action, and now her objective was clear to see. She was going to begin teaching her two female friends their kind of magic. In fact, she had probably been thinking of doing so eventually, yet the return of certain students to their school seemed to have made her decide to no longer postpone it. Ilya probably wanted her friends to be prepared for what could be coming.

Yes, the returning students were undoubtedly among the Dark Lord's followers, and Ilya probably wanted to teach her friends, for them to become stronger, so that they can defend themselves in case anything happens (though from Severus can tell, based on what he had seen them do, they were pretty good at it already). Still…

Severus could not help but smile as he watched his girlfriend (Severus was temporarily resting from his sword practice), who was currently instructing their other two friends. She had already taught them about the two forms of magical energy, mana and od, and how to manipulate it, which they seemed to have learned quickly. Yes, she was definitely a good teacher. However...

Now comes the hard part, sighed Severus inwardly, feeling nervous, as he saw Ilya pull out two red gemstones from her pocket.

The silver-haired girl was planning to teach her friends about her kind of magic, but before that, she will first have to tell them what it is, its history, and what it is like. And Severus did not know how Alice and Rose would react, when Ilya tells them that 'to be a magus means to walk with death'.

"Before we resume there is something that you two need to know," began the silver-haired girl, a serious look on her face. "I am not… HUH?!"

For a split second, the black-haired girl and the blue-haired female had confused expression on their face, wondering why Ilya suddenly had a surprised and worried look on her face, but then...

A burst of orange light suddenly filled the chamber, along with a melodious sound.

What in the name of Merlin? thought Severus Snape to himself, who had not felt anything off, as he closed his eyes…

"By the Root," the raven-haired young man heard Ilya mutter.

Severus opened his eyes, and gasped at what he saw. It was an orange bird, similar to a swan, except that this one was much more beautiful, with a long magnificent tail, gently flapping its wings to keep itself airborne, which seemed to emit gentle heat with every movement…

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Alright, another chapter out. Not much to say here though, though I must say I'm rather surprised with the last review. Boy, I sure am glad that I did not post my real name here... would have really sucked for me... big time. Man, I never thought I'd get a death threat just because they don't like some of my ideas... Well, I always got death threats when I trash talk while playing World of Warcraft, but hey, I didn't expect to get one here at fanfiction.

Well anyway, my work really is piling up now. It's such a drag, and a problem too, so like I said before, all I can promise is that I'll try and update at least once a week... and that's 'try,' with the number of things I have to right now, I'm not so sure... but enough about that...

Anyway, like always, I hope you enjoy this chapter...

Later, then, people...