Chapter 55: "Oh, the weather outside is frightful!"

The students were seated at their house tables, murmuring to each other about which students hadn't returned from holiday and what they'd heard from their families while at home. Slytherin was the only house with no missing members, except for Draco Malfoy. It seems it was mostly younger students and those who were known to be half -bloods or Muggle born who were absent.

Neville, Ginny and Luna knew which of those were actually in residence in the Room of Requirement, and they had already spread the word to the other members of the D.A.

Silence fell over the Great Hall as Severus Snape entered, striding down the center aisle to take his place in the Headmaster's chair. Without saying a word, he clapped his hands and dinner appeared on the tables. Everyone proceeded to fill their plates and the rise in conversational buzz made it seem like Hogwarts was almost back to normal, but no-one really believed that for a minute.

As the dessert plates disappeared, Headmaster Snape stood to address the student body. He took a moment or two to scan down the length of each house table, ending with the Slytherins, his blank expression giving no indication as to his mood.

"We seem to be missing a few students . . . for various reasons. I assume those of you who have returned care about your education, so I expect no disruptions in your studies. If we should have any more visits by . . . unauthorized persons, that breach of our security wards is to be reported to one of the staff . . . immediately. The Ministry is prepared to send Aurors to patrol the halls . . . around the clock . . . if necessary. Anyone found to be helping unwanted visitors to enter the grounds, or the school itself, will be arrested and dealt with . . . as an adult . . . youth and stupidity are not valid excuses for harboring wanted criminals."

There was a bit of whispering about that announcement, but most of the older Slytherins just sat there and smirked at the other tables. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick exchanged looks, but otherwise, the staff did not react at all. The Carrows sat at the end of the table, trying to not draw attention to themselves.

"Mister Longbottom, Miss Weasley . . . I would like a word with you two. The rest of you are dismissed."

Severus stood there, watching the students and teachers file out of the Great Hall, even as Neville and Ginny made their way to the dais where he was waiting for them. When the last person exited, Severus waved his wand and the giant doors swung closed. Turning to the two Gryffindors standing before him, he motioned them to sit at the nearest table, while he remained standing.

"Did everyone on that Ministry 'half-blood' list make it back?" Severus asked.

"Yes, sir," answered Neville. "Most of the younger members of the D.A. came through the Hog's Head, but some did "Disillusion Charms" and walked through the gates with those who rode the Express."

"Professor Flitwick knew they were there, of course, and let them pass, having done a charm so they wouldn't set off the intruder alarms. The Carrows were standing, watching, so those sneaking in they had to be extra careful not to leave marks in the snow while getting past the checkpoint. Then again, it was the Carrows," Ginny added with a shake of her head." But they're all settled into the Room of Requirement."

"Good. Speaking of the Carrows . . . they are, indeed, idiots, but they have been tasked with something by the Dark Lord, for when the invasion begins. I will try and ascertain exactly what they are to do, but if it's a 'Trigger-event' memory charm, they may be unaware they have a task, until the moment it's needed." Severus frowned. "It probably has to do with making sure the members of Slytherin House are free to move about the castle. . . .perhaps they have been given specific jobs to do, to help from the inside of the school when the Death Eaters arrive. We shall see."

"Ah, letting Daddy in the side door?" Neville questioned.

"Attacking the D.A. from behind?" Ginny added.

"Among other helpful little tasks," Severus smirked. "When is your next D.A. meeting?"

"Saturday morning, at 9AM," Neville replied. "It's harder, on Saturdays, to keep track of people when there's no scheduled activities or classes."

"I must come and report to all of you what I learned at my last summons," Severus glanced from one to the other.

"Good news or bad?" Ginny asked.

"Is it ever good news?" Neville laughed.

"'It's when we learn our plans have caused old Tom problems," countered Ginny.

"Then it's, at least, a bit of both," Severus said. "Alright, I think my keeping you here this long is sufficient to have everyone wondering what you've done to draw my attention, don't you think?"

"Should we look downtrodden or just terrified?" Neville asked, with a grin, as he and Ginny stood and walked the length of the Great hall with the Headmaster.

"I plan to stomp out of here with a bit of my famous temper showing," Ginny told them, then scowled to show what she meant.

"Oh, well . . . frightens me nearly to death, Miss Weasley," Severus said, hand to chest in mock fear.

Both Neville and Ginny looked at Severus with expressions of surprise, before smothering their laughter in their hands.

"Stop snickering, you two!" chided Severus. "You'll ruin my reputation!"

"Too late!" gasped Neville, Ginny nodding agreement.

The three of them stopped at the door.

"I'll leave first, then count to ten and head for the Gryffindor Tower," instructed Severus.

"Right!" Ginny said, wiping the smile off of her face

"See you later, Severus!" Neville stage-whispered, just as the doors opened and Severus started to leave.

"Cheeky blighter," Severus threw back over his shoulder, as he strode out the door, robes billowing behind him, scowl firmly planted on his face.

The few students standing around the entrance hall backed away from him, clearing a path to the stairs, but then they looked to see if Ginny and Neville were coming. When Neville and Ginny did emerge from the Great Hall, Ginny looked as if she could rip the head off of a mountain troll and Neville looked stricken and close to tears, although, in actuality, he was closer to bursting out laughing. They walked silently to the main stairs and started the climb to the Fat Lady's portrait and the Gryffindor Common Room. Only the few Slytherins in the hallway were smiling and then they also headed to their Common Room, to gleefully report what they'd seen.

X X X

The weather turned bitterly cold and ominous grey clouds scuttled across the sky, cutting off the weak winter sunshine. It didn't take long for the residents of the castle to realize that Dementors were once again circling overhead, patrolling around the school grounds from above.

"This is unconscionable!" fussed Minerva, at the D.A. meeting. "It's bad enough that the students are living with the threat of the Carrows and their sadistic ways in the classroom, but the addition of the Dementors mental influence is starting to show, Albus, and it's not been a week since the children returned!"

"Indeed, Minerva. But it's just another tactic Tom is using to wear everyone down, mentally," replied Dumbledore.

"I don't see it affecting the Carrows to any extent," Sirius observed. "But then, there isn't much there for the Dementors to work with in the first place, is there?" he added cheekily.

The D.A. members snickered, shaking their heads, but they knew they were feeling the oppressive atmosphere themselves. Even knowing what was the cause did not lessen the effect.

"Can't we do something, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Perhaps it's time to see just how well you all have progressed with learning the 'Patronus Charm'," answered Albus, twinkle in his eye. "I should think next Saturday morning before the Quidditch match would be a good time; clear the air, so to speak."

"Oh, the Slytherins will not like that one bit," snickered Ginny.

"Nothing about vanishing Dementors in the official Quidditch rule book, Miss Weasley," Minerva informed her. "I just checked," she finished, waving a well worn volume for all to see.

There was a bit of cheering with that news, then the D.A. took a map of the castle and grounds and began plotting out where everyone would stand, in order to cover the widest area of the surrounding territory. Even the younger, less experienced members who hadn't achieved a full Patronus were encouraged to participate, just for the experience.

"I will make sure the Carrows are in the stands, in the Slytherin box, so there will be no way for them to find out who is sending out a Patronus," Severus said. "Although this will alert the Dark Lord that some of the students might be a little more advanced in their spell work then he's been lead to believe, as there will be too many Patronuses for just the staff to have produced."

"Ah, good point, Severus," Remus added. "Perhaps the staff could do their spells at the Quidditch pitch and the others coming from the school might not be noticed. They could be just clearing the area for the game."

"Why not!" Filius Flitwick spoke up. "What's the worst the Carrows can do? Object to us clearing up the weather for a bit? If necessary, I'll make sure they think it was an excellent idea, as it benefits the Slytherin team, also." He twirled his wand around his fingers, smiling.

Sirius turned to Remus and Severus. "Maybe we should consider asking Filius to become a Marauder . . . what do you think?"

Remus rolled his eyes, but Severus just looked over at the diminutive Charms Professor and lifted one eyebrow.

"We'll talk about it, later," he replied, turning back to his two new friends, shaking his head. "It seems my inclusion in this exclusive club has opened the flood gates."

X X X

The Carrows had tried to find excuses for not attending the Quidditch match, but couldn't come up with anything that sounded convincing, so Saturday morning found them trudging in Headmaster Snape's wake toward the Quidditch Pitch, muffled against the biting wind and bitter cold. Severus motioned them to proceed up into the Slytherin box.

Students were slowly making their way to their seats in the lower bleachers, because, although the weather was foul, it was Slytherin vs. Gryffindor and they weren't about to miss this game.

Suddenly, Minerva McGonagall appeared at Severus elbow.

"A word, please, Headmaster?" she asked, ignoring the Carrows.

"Of course, Professor." Severus stood and moved away from the Carrows to talk with the Transfiguration teacher . . . alone. The Carrows moved down the bench a bit to try and eavesdrop, but with the wind and multiple layers of scarves and hats they were wearing, they could hear nothing.

"Very well, I suppose, as it would benefit both teams, you may proceed," said Severus, as he turned to take his seat. He stood with one eyebrow arched as the Carrows scooted back to their places on the bench.

Professor McGonagall disappeared down the stairs to reappear in a minute or two in the Gryffindor box. She took out her wand and looked at the other House boxes and the field, checking to see that Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Slughorn were ready, along with Madams Hooch and Pomfrey.

Gazing upward, she grinned and then shouted, "EXPECTO PETRONUM!", and the others did, also. A huge white cat shot skyward, joined by Flitwick's hedgehog, Sprout's goshawk, Slughorn's iguana, Hooch's eagle and Poppy's stork. The white forms circled the Quidditch pitch, picking up speed and then moving higher and higher, almost like a reverse tornado cloud. As they rose and the circle they were making widened, the grey swirling mists parted, blue sky appeared and the clouds rolled back, past the edge of the Quidditch Pitch.

Cheers erupted from the teams and they mounted their brooms to get in a little warm up session before the game started. The students in the stands were cheering and turning their faces to the bright sunshine now pouring down on them. The winds had also dissipated, meaning extra scarves were being taken off as everyone felt a bit more comfortable.

As the white Patronus forms continued their flight, they kept pushing the clouds, spreading the patch of beautiful blue sky wider and wider. As the two Quidditch teams drew the attention of the spectators, the eruption of another group of Patronus figures from various parts of the school went unnoticed by most. The D.A. members in the stands, who knew this would be happening, made sure to keep the other students focused on the players, starting cheers and chants, which of course, the Slytherins had to answer, keeping them watching the teams actions, as well.

The Patronuses from the school joined the ones from the Quidditch Pitch and attacked the clouds, and the Dementors hiding in them, with renewed vigor. It didn't take long before those former guards of Azkaban turned and left, fleeing the whites figures nipping at their heels. Soon, blue sky filled with bright sunshine replaced the sullen atmosphere had been hanging over the school for weeks.

Students who had been reluctant to come out to see the game because of the bad weather saw the change and streamed out of the school, joining their fellow students in the stands and the D.A. members who had helped send their Patronuses skyward blended in with the surge of late-comers, unnoticed. Those residents of the Room of Requirement, D.A. members and the others in hiding, who had helped 'clear the air' were gathering on the Astronomy Tower, where they could watch the match but not be seen.

"Everyone!" called Albus, as he came onto the observation deck. "I should like you all to know that Narcissa successfully cast her first full Patronus today! That's quite the accomplishment."

Narcissa stood there, blushing, as all turned to smile, clap and congratulate her.

"Good one!" "Bravo!" "Way to go, Mother!" "Excellent, darling!" "What was its form?"

"It was a peacock . . . because I like them so much," Narcissa replied, as she took a seat next to Lucius, who leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Well, it's good to know you can do that, Mother," Draco said, turning to look over his shoulder at her, from his seat beside Harry. "In case you run out of ammo, that's your plan B!"

"Oh, my! You're right, Draco . . . I must remember that . . . and practice, too, so I know I'll be able to conjure it, if needed." Narcissa added.

"Excellent idea," Albus agreed. "Practice makes perfect!"

"Too bad practice won't help your team, Potter," Draco said to Harry, out of the side of his mouth, as he turned back around to watch the game.

"We'll see about that, Malfoy!" shot back Harry, as they heard the distant sound of Madam Hooch's whistle, signaling the start of the match.

X X X

"Well, Potter, I can see why you'll be marrying your girlfriend in the future." Draco poked Harry in the ribs as they watched, from afar, the team celebrating Ginny's catch of the Snitch, thereby winning the game.

"Among other reasons, Malfoy," Harry shot back, grinning. "Just think of the Quidditch team our kids will be on in twenty-five years or so! Gryffindor will be unstoppable!"

"Hey, Slytherin has a great team, too!" Draco, pointed toward the Quidditch Pitch. "Gryffindor ONLY won because of Ginny, we had you on points!"

"Yeah, they really miss having Ron in the goals; it's their one weak spot, but the keeper is improving," Harry replied, loyally.

"You're right . . . didn't fall off the broom once this game!" Draco managed to spit out, laughing, before Harry grabbed him around the neck, rubbing his knuckles on Draco's head. " HE!HE!HE! HEY! OW! Gerroff Potter!" Draco growled, pushing him away.

"I've always wanted to give a deserving someone a 'nuggie'! Draco, consider yourself the lucky recipient!" Harry laughed, as he and Draco followed the others back down to the Room of Requirement.

" 'Nuggie' eh? I'll have to remember that!" Draco replied. "Might come in handy at some point!"

X X X

"The Dementors left?!" Voldemort growled, turning to look at Stanley Parkinson, who ducked his head, looking at the parchment in his hand.

"Yes, my lord . . . Pansy wrote that the professors used Patronuses to clear the sky over the Quidditch Pitch for the game but that the Dementors seemed to have left Hogwarts entirely . . . there was nothing but blue sky from then on. And they have not returned, Master." Mister Parkinson sat down quickly, laying the letter from his daughter on the table.

"And Severus gave permission for this?" Voldemort looked at the Carrows, who nodded silently.

"He gave permission to clear the sky above the Pitch for the game, as both teams were not even able to fly, much less play, my lord," Alecto replied, while Amycus nodded stupidly.

"But the clouds just rolled away and the sun was shining," Amycus added, as Alecto squirmed in her seat.

"Who cast a Patronus?" the Dark Lord asked.

"Ah, McGonagall," Amycus started counting off on his fingers.

"She came and asked Snape for permission," Alecto injected, which earned a scowl from her brother for interrupting. "Sorry."

"Flitwick, Sprout, Slughorn, Pomfrey and Hooch," Amycus concluded.

"It seems this had been discussed before hand, if they were all prepared to cast a Patronus on McGonagall's signal," muttered Voldemort.

Amycus and Alecto looked at each other in surprise, as if the thought hadn't occurred to them, which, of course, it hadn't .

"I will recall the Dementors to their station at Hogwarts when the next winter storm rolls in, but I will make sure they understand their loyalty to me must be stronger than the inconvenience of a few ghostly animals flying around them." Voldemort sat there thinking for a minute or two before he turned to impale the brother and sister with his flaming red eyes. "You are sure it was just those half dozen casting that spell?"

"Yes, Master, they were all right there in front of us! The Patronuses rose up into the clouds and they chased the Dementors back. Then the game started and by the end of it the skies were clear," Alecto answered.

"You saw no other Patronuses, just those six?" Voldemort stared into the two Death Eaters eyes, seeing only the Quidditch Pitch and the game.

"No, Master," replied Amycus.

"I'm amazed you can count to six," Bella muttered to herself, shaking her head.

"Did any of you hear from your children about this incident, other that the letter from Pansy?" Voldemort looked down the table at the other Death Eaters gathered around the table, but was only met with negative head shakes. "Very well, you two return to Hogwarts, with a message to Severus that I wish to see him here, when we next meet, in two weeks.

"Yes, Master," replied Amycus as he stood, dragging his sister out of the room.

"Idiots," muttered Bella, which brought a faint quirk to the corner of Voldemort's mouth.

"The rest of you . . . may leave . . . Bella . . . remain here," Voldemort instructed as he leaned back in his chair.

Rudolphus gave Bella a look, but she didn't see it, having her eyes fixed on her Master's face. As the door closed behind the departing Death Eaters, Voldemort looked at the Witch sitting at his side, eagerly licking her lips in anticipation of her Master's next command.

"Bella . . . Let us take a stroll through the gardens, shall we?" he purred, standing and moving toward the French doors at the back of the room.

"Yes, Master," she replied, falling in step beside him, rather than a step behind.

Voldemort smirked. 'Ah yes, Bella, you do know how to push the boundaries, don't you?' he thought. 'It will be useful, your perception of your place among my devoted followers, when the time comes . . . you won't question any order I give you . . . will you?' He headed down one of the pathways through the garden, silent, but seemingly in deep thought.

Bella continued beside him, holding her tongue, knowing when her Master was ready he would confide in her, his most faithful Death Eater. She glanced around the gardens of Malfoy Manor and spied one of the white peacocks her sister was so fond of, sitting on a low branch of a tree. When her gaze came past that part of the garden again, the peacock was gone.

'How odd,' she thought, casting her eyes around, looking for the huge bird. 'Where did it get off to so quickly?' Bella frowned. Even in the dark, a white peacock should be easy to spot.

"Something wrong, Bella?" asked Voldemort, noticing her glancing around.

"One of Cissa's peacocks was sitting right over there," she informed him, pointing. "Now it's disappeared . . . odd."

"Perhaps it went behind that thick stand of boxwood," Voldemort pointed and then turned down a side lane toward the darkest corner of the garden, Bella following.

As they went around the corner of the hedge, they were out of sight of the manor house. Voldemort stopped, looked around and then waved his wand, putting a silencing charm on the immediate area.

"Forget that silly bird, Bella," he hissed, holding out his boney hand. "Come to me, my pet."

"Oh, yes, Master," Bella replied, peacock quickly forgotten.