Four Heads Are Better Than One

Year Two: More Serious Matters

Sorry! I know this is really late. I leave for uni in less than two weeks and it's quite worrying how unprepared I am. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, favourites and alerts, and we really hope you enjoy this chapter.

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The secret passage behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy

"Two more attacks." The misery in Minerva's voice was dreadful to hear.

Severus patted her arm, their usual antagonism forgotten. "We can cure them, Minerva. The Mandrakes just need a few more weeks to mature."

Pomona nodded encouragingly. "And once they're awake, they will be able to tell us who was responsible."

Minerva let out a long, shaky breath. "I know. But why did it have to be Hermione Granger? She's never hurt anyone."

"Nor has Penelope," said Filius quietly. The gentle Ravenclaw had been distraught at the attack on his prefect, but his distress had since given way to an icy rage that reminded Severus uncomfortably of the few times he had seen Albus get angry. There was not a trace of geniality in his face now. Minerva and Pomona exchanged glances. They knew better than to underestimate the tiny wizard in any case, but sometimes it was easy to see the duelling champion he had once been. The Heir of Slytherin had would do well to ensure that his path never crossed that of Filius Flitwick.

Severus shifted uncomfortably.

"Granger was probably chosen because of her connection to Potter. Frankly, I'm surprised she wasn't targeted sooner."

Minerva nodded grimly. "I suspect Potter and Weasley have been keeping an eye on her, especially after those unpleasant little incidents with Mr. Malfoy." She shot an irritated glance at Severus.

The Slytherin scowled right back. "Potter and Weasley bear at least some of the responsibility for those."

Filius glared at the two of them. "We are not discussing this now." Though he spoke calmly, the magic crackling dangerously in the air warned the bickering pair that he was deadly earnest, and the argument subsided rather quickly. Pomona raised an eyebrow at him, but did not comment.

The diminutive wizard continued as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "Were Potter or Weasley able to provide any further information?"

Minerva shook her head. "Nothing, though Percy Weasley confirmed that the mirror belonged to Miss Clearwater."

Pomona glanced at her. "How could Percy…" The frown on Filius' face darkened. "Never mind." Apparently it was not the time for student gossip either.

Severus coughed loudly. "I doubt the mirror is of any particular importance."

Minerva nodded in agreement. "At least this settles once and for all the matter of Mr. Potter's guilt. Even his worst enemies know that he would never hurt Miss Granger."

Pomona gave a wan smile. "That'll be enough for my badgers. They understand things like that."

Minerva raised an eyebrow at Severus. "And what about your snakes? Will this finally convince them to leave them alone?"

Severus' lip curled. "Why would Slytherins be picking on him for being Slytherin's heir in the first place?"

"They hate him!"

"Yes, because he's the Boy-Who-Lived. Use your brain, Minerva." The Gryffindor's eyes flashed dangerously, so he added quickly: "But the fact that he was preparing for the match at the time of the attack would serve to convince the doubters that he is not responsible."

Minerva rolled her eyes, but Pomona smiled at him. "It's a start."

Filius sighed. "The Ravenclaws will believe him after this, but this also means that we're no closer to finding the real attacker."

Pomona looked troubled. "Do you think we should talk to Hagrid?"

Minerva frowned at her. "Please don't tell me you think he's behind this."

The Hufflepuff shifted uncomfortably. "I know that he would never deliberately hurt a student, but, well…"

"If it involves a magical creature he would be completely incapable of not investigating," Filius finished impatiently. "However, he has already told Albus that he has been unable to learn anything new."

Severus grimaced suddenly. "Something tells me you're not going to be the only one to think of Hagrid though."

A dark scowl spread across Minerva's face. "The Ministry."

"Exactly. Four students petrified, rumours of Slytherin's monster, the Headmaster baffled… Fudge has to be seen to be doing something."

"Even if that something is completely moronic?"

Severus snorted. "Did you expect anything else? This is Cornelius Fudge we're talking about."

"But even Fudge must know that Albus will not allow Hagrid to be made a scapegoat. He never believed he was responsible in the first place."

"But does the Headmaster really have the power to overrule the Minister?" Pomona asked.

Filius shook his head. "Technically, no, but Albus' opinions carry a great deal of weight. If anyone can talk sense into Fudge, it's him."

"That'll be the day," Severus muttered.

Pomona grinned at him, but her smile was soon replaced by a scowl.

"Who wants to bet that Gilderoy will spend the next month telling everyone how he could have prevented the attack had he known about it in time?"

Minerva groaned. "Maybe we should just stay in here."

Filius looked at her. "And give him free reign in our classes?"

Minerva shuddered at the prospect. "On second thoughts…"

"It is an excellent hiding place though," said Pomona admiringly. She glanced at Severus. "How did you say you found this place?"

The Slytherin smirked. "Lily and I overheard the Marauders talking about it in our third year. We were able to make good use of the information."

Filius glanced at Minerva. "It appears we finally have an explanation for the antler incident."

Pomona grinned. "I didn't realise the two of you were so devious, Severus." The amused twinkle in her eyes removed the bite from her words.

Severus shrugged. "We had to be." Abruptly, he got to his feet. "If that is all, I really must be getting back. I have some potions brewing that require I stick to a tight schedule."

Minerva nodded. "I have some marking to do. Would you believe that some of the fifth years can't remember the basic laws of Transfiguration?"

Pomona gave a shudder. "I can't blame them." Severus gestured furiously for her to stop talking, but it was too late; Minerva had already launched into a passionate defence of her subject. Personally, Severus was of Pomona's opinion, but unlike her, he had the sense not to say so. The Hufflepuff already looked like she was regretting her words. Smirking, Severus tapped the wall with his wand, and a moment later, a section of the wall swung open. After glancing cautiously around for any sign of a certain colleague, the four teachers slipped out into the corridor.

There was the faintest trace of a smile on Filius' face as he watched the wall swing back into place.

"I love Hogwarts."

Pomona nodded fondly. "I've spent most of my life here, and I still don't know half its secrets."

"I certainly don't, and I've been here longer than you," Minerva remarked. "I don't think any one person could." She opened her mouth to continue, but suddenly stiffened, staring out of the window down at the grounds.

Severus glanced at her sharply. "Minerva?"

She beckoned them over. "Is that Lucius Malfoy?"

Severus needed only a single glance to confirm it; only one other person had that colour hair. "Yes, it is." A frown was spreading across his face. "I wonder what he's doing here."

Filius scowled, his good humour dissipating. "I don't know, but I'm quite sure it's not going to be anything good."

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