Chapter 23 : Double Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Severus Snape sat gazing out the window of his private quarters; his eyes taking in the sunlight shimmering on the lake, the snow dusting the trees and the massive icicles hanging from the craggy outcrops of granite that formed the base of Hogwarts castle. He wondered to himself why he'd never really noticed these natural, beautiful features before. 'Perhaps', he mused, 'I'm getting melancholy in my old age.'
'Old age', he chided himself. 'You'll just be turning thirty-five next month; not exactly in your dotage.' He shook his head, slightly amused. 'But, if Pot . . . Harry hadn't sent his friends back,' his brain reminded him. 'You'd never see thirty-eight! At least, now, you have a chance to actually become old.'
Shaking off those gloomy thoughts, he focused on what he'd learned in the past few days - week- whatever space of time you'd call it. Harry knew the truth about Lily . . . the whole world did, apparently. So much for taking that secret to his grave. But then, in truth, he had died before Harry saw his memories, so . . . Severus shook his head, again. Damn, all this Time Travel was playing havoc with his long held notions on how his life should be lived . . . that was out of the question now; except for his role as spy against the Dark Lord.
The rest . . . he would just have to deal with all of these changes . . . nothing for it, in any case. He was also aware that Harry didn't hold it against him for loving his mother all those years, had even 'forgiven' him all of the slights and slurs he'd heaped on the boy's head the last four and a half years. However he was glad the lad had the brains to accept the fact that, at least in public, his attitude toward the boy could not change. Nothing, in regard to his perceived demeanor, could change one iota, or it could mean all of their deaths.
Glancing at the clock on the mantel, he rose and headed for his private potions laboratory, to check on the simmering 'Felix Felicis' potion.
X X X
Dobby and Draco appeared, with a 'pop', in Gregory's bedroom. But before the bedridden classmate could register who was standing there, Draco sent a stunning hex, causing Gregory to collapse back onto his pillows.
"Dobby, could you do a memory charm on Gregory, make him believe I was here visiting for a couple of hours . . . talking Quidditch and school gossip and such."
"Certainly, Master Draco, and then I'll let Master Gregory fall asleep for a nap . . . you can leave now and go downstairs . . . Dobby is hearing old Master's voice calling Master Gregory's father." Dobby walked over to the bed and waved his hand, Gregory's eyes closed and he started to snore softly.
"Thanks so much, Dobby." Draco put out his hand and shook Dobby's, which made the House Elf blush.
"Dobby is just doing his job, Master Draco."
"I know, but thanks anyway. Oh! Could you pop back to the Manor and tell Mother we got here in time, unseen and I'll be back in a minute or two."
"Yes, Master Draco."
'Pop'
X X X
"Ah, Lucius, I thought I heard your dulcet tones," remarked Gaylord Goyle, as he entered the hallway. He looked down at Lucius' face in the green flames of the fireplace. "And to what do I owe the honor of your 'Floo Call'?"
"Good afternoon, Gaylord. Two things, actually. First, there will be a meeting Friday evening, at the 'house'. We are to be there promptly at seven. Do not be late, I don't believe the season's good cheer extends to cover our host, you understand." Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed, well, I will be sure and arrive a bit early. And the second thing?"
"Draco is there visiting your son, I believe?" Lucius inquired.
"Is he? Well, he very well could be up in Gregory's room. I've been in my study most of the afternoon. I'll just go and . . ."
"Ah, it was you I heard, Father," Draco interrupted, as he descended the stairs. "Hello, Mister Goyle, sorry I missed you when I arrived, but was informed you were in your study and not to be disturbed."
"Yes, yes, I had quite a lot of paperwork to attend to; boring nonsense, but the Goblins at Gringott's insist I go over the end of year statements. You agree about that chore, don't you , Lucius?" Mr. Goyle turned to see Lucius looking at Draco with a frown on his face.
"I was told Gregory was ill. Do you think it advisable . . " he started, but Draco waved his hand dismissively.
"Just a rotten head cold, Father, nothing contagious. I sat in an armchair and Gregory was propped up in bed. We talked about Quidditch . . . girls . . . school . . . girls . . . pulling pranks on Mudbloods . . . what we'd gotten for Christmas . . . "
"And girls!" Mister Goyle laughed. "Yes, those were the topics when we were their ages, eh, Lucius?"
"Indeed," Lucius smiled. "But, I need you to come home, Draco. We have a dinner invitation from The Minister for Magic and I want you to come with your mother and myself."
"Certainly, Father."
Lucius' face disappeared from the green flames.
"Nice to see you, Mister Goyle. Tell Gregory, when he wakes up from his nap, that I'll owl him later, see how he's feeling." Draco put out his hand and shook Mister Goyle's before he took a handful of 'Floo Powder' and tossed it on the flames. "Malfoy Manor!"
'POOF'
X X X
'Pop'
"Dobby!" Ginny exclaimed.
"What's going on, Dobby?" Harry leaned over and steadied the House Elf.
"Oh, thank you, Harry Potter. Dobby is coming to tell you not to worry about Master Draco, him is home safe and old Master does not know him was not where he found young Master." Dobby wheezed, trying to catch his breath.
"And where was Draco supposed to be, Dobby," asked Rupert.
"Visiting Master Gregory, him is sick in bed with a cold and Master Draco was visiting him to cheer him up . . . old Master believed him, when he walked down the stairs and went home. Him, that is young Master, is to go to dinner with old Master and Missy Cissa," explained Dobby, with a smile. "Master Gregory will only remember young Master was there and that he took a nap."
"That was a close one, Dobby," Hermione sighed.
"Missy Cissa told Dobby where to take young Master and what to tell him, but young Master knew what to say to Master Gregory's father and old Master. Dobby was listening before he went to tell Missy Cissa everything was alright, then Dobby thought he should come and tell you what had happened." Dobby stood there, looking extremely proud of his part in the little adventure.
"Fast thinking on all of your parts, Dobby," Dan agreed. "Well done!"
"Oh, thank you Mister Dan, sir. Dobby is only doing his duty."
"And you do it splendidly, too, Dobby," said Luna, as she leaned over and hugged the House Elf.
Dobby blushed pink to the tips of his ears, but before he could say anything, Molly's voice echoed up the stairwell, calling them all down to dinner.
X X X
Albus, Minerva and Severus were seated at the staff's round communal dining table, later that evening, enjoying a cup of tea. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Trelawney and Madam Pomfrey had already retired to the teachers' lounge for a game of whist. Suddenly, a large eagle owl swooped down and landed on the back of Severus' chair. It held out its leg, to which was attached a small scroll. Severus removed the piece of parchment and the owl took wing and flew out of the Great Hall as swiftly and silently as it had entered.
"Ah, a note from Lucius," drawled Severus, his eyebrow lifting as he scanned the brief note. "It seems The Dark Lord would like to hold a meeting this Friday evening and I've been summoned.
"Why doesn't he just make your Mark burn, if you don't mind me being so indelicate as to mention it? Why the 'formal' invitation? If you call that scrap of parchment an invitation," sniffed Minerva.
"Considering it's not widely believed that he has returned, having his followers arms being clutched in pain would not be the kind of attention Tom would want drawn to his new circumstances, I should think," replied Albus, looking over the rims of his glasses at Severus.
"Indeed. This is worded as if Lucius wants me to pop in for a visit, but it doesn't say Malfoy Manor, it says 'the house'. That's the word for the Dark Lord's newest hiding place."
"Ah, this is a good thing then, Severus," Minerva sat up and looked at her colleague, excitement on her face. "Try to remember as much detail as you can about the house and its surroundings, for my little trip there this coming Spring, eh?"
Severus looked at the Headmaster and a smile played at the corners of his mouth, whereas, Albus was grinning broadly.
"It seems that Minerva and her friend Crookshanks are going to be very well versed about the territory they will be invading, if she has anything to say about it, I believe," chuckled Dumbledore.
"I almost, but not quite, feel sorry for Pettigrew," agreed Severus. "I'll also try and ascertain where that bloody great snake of his likes to spend most of its time," he added. "Besides curled up at his feet like some demented version of a pet dog."
Minerva shuddered. "That's the only part that worries me, Albus; that snake of his. After what it did to poor Arthur, I'd hate to think what it could do to Crookshanks or myself while we're stalking Pettigrew."
"Ah, but that's where Sirius will come into this whole plan. He won't be at the Ministry, he'll be with you, not only for protection but with the express purpose of killing Nagini. That is paramount, that the snake is killed. But you must have Peter in your custody and be ready to leave before that happens, as Tom will know instantly that something has gone wrong with his pet; he'll feel it and try to get there as quickly as he can."
"Perhaps he'll be too preoccupied at the Ministry to realize what he's feeling, Headmaster; he might think it's coming from Harry, as he's trying to manipulate his mind," suggested Severus.
"Indeed, as he, apparently, thinks he can control Harry. As we saw, it was a rather rude awakening for him, to see that the boy could throw him out of his mind without too much effort." Albus leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "Harry is a lot stronger than either of them thinks. After this episode, Tom will know that he really will have his work cut out for him, in order to try and kill Harry."
"Which is why we should thank our lucky stars those young people had the bravery to come here and warn us as they did . . . I'm actually going to miss them," Minerva admitted.
"I'm just glad they didn't bring the rest of the actors with them, especially the ones who portrayed those Weasley twins," answered back Severus, with a shudder.
"Merlin help us!" laughed Minerva, "We barely survived having the four we have here now! Can you imagine two of Neville Longbottom or Seamus Finnegan? Hogwarts would surely be reduced to rubble!" She collapsed into a fit of giggles, as Albus laughed heartily and Severus sat shaking his head.
"Don't you even suggest such a thing, within earshot of those young people, Minerva. Or you and you alone will be responsible for the damages!" Severus intoned, which did nothing to quiet the laughter coming from the other two. "I, for one, have considerably altered my opinion of both of those young wizards and I think, with the right instructions, they could be quite formidable foes to anyone trying to enter this castle."
"Here, here!" gasped Minerva. "BOOM!' And she was off again, giggling like a schoolgirl.
X X X
Thursday morning found everyone crowded around the kitchen table, enjoying breakfast as Winky whipped out omelets and flipped bangers onto plates at an amazing speed. Molly was sitting at her place, actually getting to enjoy eating with her guests, as opposed to hovering around the table, as was her usual occupation.
They had decided to spend the night at The Burrow so Molly and Winky could have everything ready for Arthur's return the next day and to also give Sirius an extra couple of hours out of Grimmauld Place. Kids and adults alike were rested and in good spirits, when the fire blazed up with green flames and Severus Snape stepped out.
"Severus! Join us won't you? Have you had breakfast?" Molly immediately went into hostess mode.
"Thank you, Molly, but I ate earlier. However, I won't say no to a cup of coffee," replied the Potions Master. "Good morning, all."
He looked around the table, if not with a jovial smile, at least he was being cordial. As he surveyed the stunned looks on his students faces, he noticed the Muggles didn't seem at all surprised with his greeting, until he remembered they were used to being greeted by the actor who portrayed him . . . obviously this person was more sociable than himself.
"Good morning, Severus," Remus replied, being the first to recover the power of speech. Turning to the others, he snapped them out of their frozen postures by instructing them, "Shove over, you lot, make room for one more, please."
"Oh, right!" "Sorry!"
Chairs scraped and Severus lowered himself onto the wooden stool which floated over and landed with a soft thump at his side. Winky was there in the next instant with a steaming mug of coffee.
"Thank you, Winky," intoned Severus.
"You is welcome, Professor Snape, sir," answered the shy House Elf. "Can Winky get you anything else, sir?"
"No, this will be sufficient."
"Yes, Professor." Winky hurried back to the stove, blushing.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of this early morning visit, Severus?" Dan asked, passing the cream and sugar.
"Thank you, Dan. Actually, I'm here to collect Pott . . . Harry, for his first 'Occlumency' lesson." He turned and looked at the young Wizard, noting the look of dread that had flitted over Harry's face. "I have devised a plan for your instruction, which I think you will find preferable to the methods I seem to have used in our first go around; no shouting, no nasty remarks, no beating you up mentally."
Pausing to take a sip of coffee, Severus watched the relief flow over Harry. He caught Dan's eye and received an almost imperceptible nod and smile.
Severus continued, "Albus and I have discussed this and we have come to the conclusion that the Dark Lord is being very subtle in his method of invading your mind, so I must show you how to detect those attempts at manipulating your thoughts. If you are aware of his presence, you can better control your reactions and what you present as your thoughts . . . Harry."
"That sounds like a reasonable plan to me," intoned Sirius. "If Harry can at least be aware of what he shows Voldemort, without giving any more information than we want him to obtain, then we have a distinct advantage."
"And after the blow-up at the Ministry in June, he'll realize it's a two-way street and shut his mind from yours Harry, so it's not going to be that long that you have to keep on your toes, so to speak," added Dan. "I think you'll be very good at 'Occlumency', given how you'll be trained this time, because near the end, you could see through Voldemort's eyes and spy on him without much trouble."
"That's right. I forgot that bit," admitted Harry. Standing up, he turned to grin at Severus. "I'm ready when you are, Professor." Looking over at Dan, he winked. "Or as you would say, Dan, 'Let's get this show on the road', eh?"
Severus looked first at Remus, then Sirius before he grimaced slightly. "I've got a bad feeling about this," he muttered, which caused the two Marauders to look at each other and laugh, as their classmate and his pupil took their leave.