Chapter 48 : The D. A. goes underground
"Really? Just like that?" Rupert turned and looked at Lucius. "You switch sides and become Dad-of-the-year in less than a minute?"
Lucius laughed and shook his head. "I don't know about 'Dad-of-the-year', Rupert. That took some real work on my part, but you can't forget, I am a Slytherin; I'd been observing and calculating . . . then Narcissa handed me my chance at getting us out alive . . . and I took it. We were trapped, about to be killed and we both knew it. Voldemort did not hold me in the high esteem I thought was my right . . . he didn't hesitate to kill both Narcissa and myself. And as soon as we arrived at Hogwarts and I saw Albus was alive and found that Draco was helping Harry, too, I was more than willing to do whatever it took to bring about Voldemort's downfall."
"That's not to say Lucius had the run of the castle, but he did help train the D.A. with their dueling, gave over some of the nastier Death Eater spells that would, more than likely, be used against them; he fit right in," Harry assured Rupert.
Rupert nodded and sat back, thoughtful look on his face, then he sat up again. "I just thought of something, what happened to Draco? Did the Dark Lord call him to the Manor?"
"Oh, yes, he tried," nodded Draco, unconsciously rubbing his forearm. "My arm was sore for a week . . . needless to say, I didn't answer . . . and I had to disappear from the school, too."
Dan looked over at Severus. "I bet you were stuck between a rock and a hard place, eh, Severus?"
"That sentence could be in the top three ' Understatements-of-the-year', Dan," nodded the Potions Master, with a smirk.
X X X
Severus met Bella in the hall outside of the meeting chamber.
"Any sign of the Wandmaker?" she asked, but not in her usual condescending, snide way; she seemed nervous and down-right frightened.
"None, but the others are still looking. . . What's happened?" Severus frowned.
"Narcissa and Lucius have disappeared." Bella whispered. "And the Dark Lord was injured; that gate at the bottom of the stairs swung shut and knocked him down."
"WHAT? How badly is he injured?"
"I don't know, he doesn't want anyone in the room right now," she hissed back, casting a look at the closed door. "He's. . . stunned . . . that Narcissa and Lucius should get away . . .he was about to kill them both . . ."
"How did they get away? Those cellars are warded . . . the Dark Lord saw to that himself." Severus glared at her.
"How should I know? The gate went swinging shut, knocked our Master down, I went running to help him and when we turned around . . . they were gone!" Bella replied, trying to keep her voice down, although she was getting more worked up by the minute. "I'll kill Narcissa, myself, when I find her!"
The door to the meeting room swung open. Severus and Bella took one look at each other and then went through, to face their Master.
Voldemort looked haggard, but held his head up, staring at his two most faithful followers as they approached him and fell to their knees.
"Well?" came the raspy voiced inquiry.
"The front gates were still warded and sealed, so the others are searching the grounds, Master," Severus reported.
"They won't find him, nor will they find the Malfoys," replied Voldemort. "I can think of only one way to get through my wards . . . the Malfoy's House Elf."
"But, Master," Bella spoke up, though her head was bowed. "Harry Potter tricked Lucius into freeing their Elf three or four years ago. Lucius refused to get another."
"That's even worse, Bella," the Dark Lord hissed. "A free Elf is not bound to obey any Wizard and can come and go as they please. Perhaps it has been spying on us, keeping a watch on its old Mistress; perhaps the creature was loyal to Narcissa, and was trying to protect her. But that still doesn't explain Ollivander's escape."
Bella had the good sense to keep her mouth shut, as did Severus, although he knew what was coming next.
"Severus."
"Yes, Master."
"Go to Hogwarts and bring me Draco Malfoy . . . NOW!"
"Yes, Master."
Severus stood, turned and stalked out of the room, robes billowing behind him.
"Bella?"
"Yes, Master?" came the whispered reply.
"Close the door and ward it . . . then come to me."
"Yes, Master."
X X X
Severus arrived at the gates to Hogwarts , dropped the wards and let himself through, sealing the gates behind him as he walked down the approach road. He sent his Patronus flying to the school. He was thinking furiously, and hoped that Plan C was ready to be implemented. Looking at his watch, he realized the students would be gathering in the Great Hall for dinner, so as long as the word spread quickly . . .all should go smoothly . . . however, having to go and tell Voldemort he'd been thwarted again was not going to be pleasant . . . at all!
X X X
Draco had returned to the Slytherin Common Room, fairly quickly after greeting his parents, so as to not be noticed missing. He had promised to come back to visit after dinner . . . but those plans were about to change.
Severus' Patronus arrived in front of Albus and he nodded his head. The doe looked at Cissa and Lucius, and then took off, disappearing in a wisp of smoke.
"Well, Lucius," said Albus, as he stood. "This is where you declare which side you're on in this war, once and for all. Are you ready to do that?"
"To help Harry win and to save my family. . . most certainly," Lucius replied, as he joined the Headmaster, having pulled Narcissa to her feet.
"In that case, I have something for you," Albus walked over to his desk and picked up two wands, handing one to Lucius and one to Narcissa. "We've emptied Mister Ollivander's shop of all of the wands and he thinks this one will suit you, Lucius. And here is your wand back, Narcissa."
"Oh, lovely," she smiled, putting her wand in its loop on her belt."How did . . . ?"
"I sent Tykey to retrieve it, while you two were talking with Draco, as I knew you might be needing it, sooner than later." Albus leaned over and stage whispered.
"Are you sure you feel well enough, Narcissa?" Lucius looked at his wife with concern.
"I'm fine. Poppy's potion did the trick on my headache and I wouldn't miss this for the world!" she declared.
"Well, it's going to be quite the show, isn't it?" Lucius looked over at Harry and Ron.
"You'll get the hang of it, Lucius. Just act your old arrogant self, but for our side!" Ron laughed.
"That . . .I can manage," Lucius smiled. "Years of practice, you see," he added, straight faced, as he swung his new wand around, getting the feel of it. Then he looked at his wife. "How about you, old girl?"
"Old girl ?Don't you 'old girl' me, Lucius Malfoy!" replied Cissa, trying to look stern, but then ruining it by leaning over and giving her husband a kiss on the check.
"Well, it's time you all got into place . . . ah, here comes Hermione," Albus suggested, just as Ariana's portrait opened and Hermione climbed down the ladder.
"Narcissa!" Hermione greeted Draco's mum with a hug and then turned to Lucius. "I see you've brought someone with you . . .Welcome to Hogwarts . . . Lucius."
"I'm glad to hear the welcome part, especially . . . Hermione. Thank you." Lucius did a bit of a bow, but wasn't terribly surprised when Hermione threw her arms around him and hugged him, too; Draco had warned him.
"Ah, well, what's a Galleon," he muttered, as Hermione stepped back.
"Excuse me?" She looked at him quizzically.
"My son bet me a Galleon that you'd give me a hug, straightaway. I thought you'd wait and see how it was going . . . I lost."
"Ah, well, Draco's picked up on a few things, hanging with this lot," Hermione giggled, indicating Harry and Ron.
"And he's a Galleon richer! So, let's get in place, shall we. Did you send Tykey down to warn the others, sir?" Harry asked. "Draco, especially."
"Yes, Draco and those who need to take action are aware," Dumbledore reassured him, shooing them to the door. "But be careful, the D.A. will get the students out of the way, but keep an eye on the older Slytherins, especially. The staff will cover the Carrows."
"Right, well, see you in a bit, sir!" called Ron, as he pushed open the door and checked the hallway, before leading the group out of the Room of Requirement.
X X X
As Draco walked into the Great Hall with Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson, he cast a glance at Neville Longbottom, who lifted his chin in greeting and then winked. Draco halfway smiled and flicked his nose with this finger. "Someday,' he said to himself, 'I'm going to watch that Muggle movie and find out about this 'Sting signal'business.'
The members of what had been come to be known, among the students, as the 'Senior D.A.', which consisted of the original members, were looking around, silently checking with the other, newer members, giving them the signal to be ready. Nods were exchanged and the students were settling down at their places when Severus Snape came striding in the doors, proceeding halfway down the room before he stopped, turned and pointed to Draco.
"You! Come here!"
The silence that descended on the student and staff was instantaneous. Draco appeared startled, looking left and right, then pointing to himself.
"Me? What did I do?"
"SILENCE!" Snape roared, as he indicated that Draco should come to him, immediately. Draco stood and then walked around the ends of the tables to join the Headmaster in the middle aisle, not looking particularly worried, but then, he was Draco Malfoy, after all. The entire room was focused on them.
"Have you received word from your parents today, Mister Malfoy?"
Draco shrugged. "No, why?"
Severus ignored the question. "No messages, owls . . . visits from a certain House Elf, perhaps?"
"House Elf? You mean Dobby? He hasn't been our House Elf since my second year, thanks to bloody Potter." Draco replied with a sneer.
"You're coming with me . . .NOW!" Severus grabbed the sleeve of Draco's robe, but Draco twisted around and was out of the garment before Severus could get a hold on his arm. "Why you insolent little . . ." Severus snarled, as he threw down the robe and pulled his wand, pointing it at Draco, who was backing away.
The students gasped and a few of the younger ones started crying.
"I'm not going anywhere with you, Headmaster," Draco snarled.
"Oh, yes you . . . " Severus started to say, when Neville stood and put himself between Snape and Draco.
"You're not taking Draco anywhere . . .sir," Neville informed him, boldly.
"Oh, I have waited YEARS to be able to hex YOU, Longbottom," Severus snarled, raising his wand.
"I wouldn't, if I were you, Headmaster," Ginny Weasley said, as she stood, pointing her wand at Snape. Neville and Draco both pulled their wands and stood side by side, facing Severus.
The Carrows had been walking from their places at the front table and now had their wands out, pointing at Draco and Neville's backs.
"We've got these two covered, Headmaster," Amycus wheezed, his sister nodding her head.
"And we've got you covered," Seamus and Luna stood, wands pointed at the Death Eater brother and sister.
Just as a few of the Slytherins started to stand and pull out their wands, the rest of the D.A. responded by standing quickly, wands drawn, effectively stopping the Slytherins as they were rising from their seats. They slowly sat back down when they saw the determination in the others students eyes. The newer members of the D.A. were motioning for the youngest students to get under the tables for shelter, which they were only too glad to do.
Severus looked around, noting the number of wands pointed at the Slytherin table, the Carrows and himself.
"Well, it seems we have a standoff! And now I know who to turn over to the authorities for questioning," he added. "I'm sure Dolores Umbridge will be glad to see all of you in her office . . .at the Ministry."
"Ha!" Neville barked a laugh. "You seem to be under the impression that you're still in charge here, Severus, old man."
"How dare . . . "
"Eh, eh, eh." Neville flicked his wand at the Headmaster. "It's time for YOU to wise up, and face the fact you're outnumbered and outwitted."
"When I want to talk to a student in private," Severus flicked his wand, indicating Draco. "I expect that student to come along with me quietly and quickly . . . And yet, for some reason, you and your friends have seen fit to try and stop me."
"Oh, very good," Ginny spoke up. "He gets it, Neville . . . I told you he was smarter that we were giving him credit for being!"
Severus swung around, leveling his wand at Ginny, who didn't flinch.
"I wouldn't, if I were you," came a voice from the door.
The entire room swung its gaze in that direction to find Harry, Ron and Hermione standing in the open doorway, wands out.
"POTTER!" Snape snarled, swinging around and raising his wand, but before he could utter a word, the Carrows shouted and fired off spells at Harry. Draco and Neville hit the floor, which left Severus standing right in the way. The spells hit him in the back and sent him flying forward, to land at Harry's feet. Almost instantly, the Carrows realized their mistake, but were hit by spells from Minerva and Flitwick, rendering them unconscious.
Harry bend over and checked Severus; he was breathing but knocked out. Standing, Harry called to Poppy, "Perhaps you should take a look at him, Poppy."
Ignoring the Carrows, Poppy came hurrying down the center aisle and started checking Severus.
"You've killed the Headmaster!" screamed Pansy Parkinson, standing and pointing at Harry.
Draco and Neville were just standing up , dusting themselves off and turned to look at the Slytherin girl, then looked at each other.
"Was she always this dense?" Neville asked, with a crooked grin.
"Yeah, pretty much," answered Draco. "Pansy, shut up and sit down! The Carrows hit the Headmaster, you stupid cow!"
Blaise tugged Pansy back down onto the bench and hissed in her ear to shut up! They were still being covered by the members of the D.A. and wouldn't stand a chance.
Just then, as the rest of the students were climbing out from under the tables and back onto their benches, looking around, trying to see what was happening, Lucius and Narcissa walked in the door.
"Oh dear, we seem to have missed all the fun, Lucius," Narcissa said, pouting.
"That's alright, darling, we'll try to be on time from now on!" replied Lucius. "Ah, there you are, Draco, finished dinner already?"
"Not quite, Father, never got started, come to that; bit of a hold-up. Would Mother and you care to join us?"
"Oh, that would be lovely, dearest. Goodness, is Severus all right?" Narcissa asked, as they approached the group gathered around Severus and Poppy.
"He'll be fine, Madam Malfoy. A few days bed rest should set him right," Poppy smiled up at her. "Oh, hello Mister Malfoy, how are you this evening?"
"Just fine, Poppy, do you need a hand moving Severus?" Lucius gallantly inquired.
"That would be so kind of you, yes. We'll just take him up to the hospital wing," Poppy answered. "Minerva, I imagine this leaves you in charge for the time being."
"Indeed, Poppy. Hello, Lucius. Thank you for helping." Minerva said, as she walked up and looked down at Severus, lying on the stretcher Lucius had conjured. "Will he recover?"
"Fairly quickly, I image, Minerva. . . those two are Death Eaters, but they are also, fortunately for Severus, lousy at hexes, " Poppy replied, smiling. "This way, Lucius."
Minerva turned to Narcissa. "May I ask a favor of you, Narcissa?"
"Of course, Minerva. What can I do for you?"
"Would you collect all of the Slytherins' wands, please. Miss Granger and Mister Weasley will help you," replied Minerva, conjuring a basket, in which Cissa could place the confiscated wands.
There were protests from the Slytherins but they dropped their wands in the basket or handed them over to Ron and Hermione, none the less. Pansy was furious and glared at Hermione, who smiled sweetly and yanked Pansy's wand away with barely hidden glee.
Professor Flitwick, in the meantime, had bound and gagged the Carrows. As Harry, Draco, Neville and Minerva approached, he looked up, smiling.
"Hello, Mister Potter. You're looking well!"
"You look in pretty good shape yourself, Professor. Glad to see you again," Harry replied.
"Your wand work was spot on, too, Filius," added Minerva.
"As was yours, Minerva! Now, what do we do with these two idiots?" he asked. "And what do we do with Slytherin House, for that matter?"
"Slytherin House will be confined to the dungeons for tonight, while we fix the corridors to alarm if any of them try to get out of the castle. . . . which means monitoring the owls, too, so they can't send for help. We'll continue the school as if nothing is wrong. We will send everyone home for Christmas and then see who comes back. It'll be our word against theirs, as to what happened here tonight, so . . . perhaps a bit of memory modification wouldn't be amiss . . . as a Christmas treat."
"That's cheating, Minerva!" Flitwick laughed. "Okay, then, here's our story: Severus asked for Draco, but Harry, Ron and Hermione showed up, Neville pulled Draco out of the line of fire, which led to Severus being accidentally hit by the Carrows. Then Draco left with Harry, Ron and Hermione. We'll leave the other students participation out of it, for their own safety. Most were under the tables and didn't see what happened, in any case."
"That will do, we'll change the memories of each grade of the Slytherins when they come to your class tomorrow, Filius. Then we'll give them back their wands . . . have then practice a non-verbal 'Accio'. The others, I don't want them forgetting as it will give them hope for the coming battle."
"Well, if that's settled for the time being, let's have dinner . . . I can hear Ron's stomach growling from all the way back there," Harry laughed, jerking his thumb over his shoulder towards the other end of the Great Hall. "Then we'll make our exit."
"Sounds like a plan, Harry," laughed Draco.