Disclaimer: I own nothing in this universe, just here to have a good time.
*Chapter One*
Rarely did Severus Snape find himself at a loss for words, but in this moment, his sharp tongue faltered as a maelstrom of emotions—anger, rage, and exasperation—left him speechless. His mind raced, grasping for a way to express the turmoil that swirled within him, but for once, his legendary wit failed him, leaving him in a disconcerting silence.
"Severus?" The soft voice of Albus Dumbledore, the enigmatic Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, echoed in the silence, breaking Severus's introspection. Dumbledore's uncanny ability to read his thoughts left Severus uneasy, despite his reputation as a powerful and wise wizard.
Even after years of loyal service, Severus couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of wariness around his mentor in this moment. He had known the man for most of his life, yet Dumbledore had often found new ways to shock and confound him.
Nevertheless, Severus had grown to trust Dumbledore implicitly. When the headmaster asked him to act as a spy for the Dark Lord Voldemort, the most powerful dark wizard of the age, he complied. With the knowledge that Dumbledore knew what was best, Severus took on this role.
It had taken its toll on Severus, and it would continue to take its toll, but if it was what Dumbledore wanted, then Severus knew that he had to do anything in his power to gain information that could be used to save the wizarding world, without question.
Now, as he stared at Dumbledore, who stood before him as composed as ever; arms clasped behind his back and head cocked slightly, awaiting a response, Severus could only conjure up a single word.
"No."
Dumbledore did not react, and Severus could feel the anger building in his chest. Turning to leave the Headmaster's office, he eagerly sought to remove himself from the situation before he lost control of his temper.
"If you would allow me a moment to explain, perhaps you will see why this is necessary," said Dumbledore, speaking calmly as he stopped Severus in his tracks. His head turned back, and his frown deepened.
"Forgive me, Headmaster," Severus said curtly, his tone dripping with reluctance. "I'm certain your reasons for wanting to kidnap Sirius Black are excellent. However, I must respectfully decline any involvement." With a sharp turn, he redirected his focus back to the door, seeming eager to escape the uncomfortable conversation.
"Then he will die."
Severus froze, feeling as though the scowl on his face would be etched there forever. He turned slowly to face him this time. Dumbledore unclasped his hands and stepped around his solid wooden desk before taking a seat.
His expression now showed traces of sadness, and his eyebrows were furrowed with the worries of a man who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. With a sigh, Severus walked to the chair on the other side of the desk and took a seat as well. "Why, pray tell, should I care if Sirius Black dies?"
"You care—because you are an exceptionally caring wizard," Dumbledore answered, then continued; ignoring an eyeroll from Severus, "and it is with that knowledge I trust that you will do what must be done."
It was common knowledge, to anyone at Hogwarts, that Severus hated Sirius Black. His jaw clenched as he fought to suppress his frustration. The mere mention of Black's name unleashed a torrent of bitter memories—the relentless bullying, the constant fear, and the thwarted attempts on his life.
The thought of Black's escape from Azkaban originally filled Severus with a deep-seated desire to witness his nemesis suffer, wishing for nothing more than to see the dementors extract every shred of Black's tainted soul.
Then, the truth was revealed; Black was innocent.
Dumbledore continued, not waiting for a response. "The boy loves him. He will stop at nothing to keep him safe. You must understand—I do not make this decision lightly. If what you told me is true, if Voldemort means to trick Harry into thinking Sirius is in trouble, then he will risk his life and the lives of his friends to save him."
"This may be true," Severus replied. "But what will it solve to kidnap him? Won't Potter still try to be the hero?"
"Of this I have no doubt. It appears to be unavoidable at this stage. That is why we must convince Harry that Sirius is dead. Let Voldemort go on with his plans. It was my hope that occlumency lessons would have taught him to keep Voldemort out -"
"Ha!" Severus interjected, laughing bitterly. "The boy has no talent for it."
"Nevertheless, please continue to teach him. With any luck he will improve, but as you've said, Voldemort will strike soon. I fear the clock has run out. I do worry though…" Dumbledore paused and heaved a small sigh. Shaking his head, he continued "I worry that it will not end there. If Voldemort realizes just how much Harry cares for Sirius, he will not simply place false images. He will find him and kill him. Sirius is reckless. When he is given orders to stay put at Grimmauld Place, this only fuels his desire to sneak away. Then there is the matter of Harry's concealment."
Severus nodded, his expression grim. He understood all too well the gravity of Dumbledore's implications; Harry was safe, so long as he continued to call the Dursley's house his home. He had discussed this issue before with the Headmaster, during the previous school year, when Sirius Black had asked Harry to move in with him. If Harry did so, all the protection and concealment that Potter had at the Dursley's would be null and void.
"Grave danger, Severus." Dumbledore hung his head for a moment. When he lifted it, he met Severus's eyes. "Harry cannot call Grimmauld Place his home, nor can he do so anywhere else except with Petunia. We will place Sirius under our protection. He will, of course, protest. He will not come willingly, but you must ensure that he does come and is well hidden. Bring him food, entertain him, to the best of your ability, but do not let him leave. He is to be...a prisoner once again."
There was no mistaking the sadness in Dumbledore's voice as he spoke those last words. Severus, despite his initial hesitation, knew that the headmaster was right. Black was reckless; he would certainly get himself into a position that would make it all too easy for the Dark Lord to snatch him.
The torture that would follow would cause him to spill valuable information regarding Potter, Severus had no doubt. Death would follow shortly thereafter, once Black had served his purpose. The alternative was that Sirius didn't die, but instead brought the boy into his home. Potter would jump at the opportunity, of course, and the moment he did so, Voldemort would be able to find him, even before the little brat could put his suitcase down.
"Then it will be done," said Severus as he stood up. "I will wait for the Dark Lord's plan to unfold. If the boy can keep him out of his mind, which I highly doubt, then you can convince him that his godfather was taken by the enemy and killed. In the more likely event that the boy is convinced that Black is in peril, then we use that to our advantage. Let him believe that he was captured. Let him believe that he was murdered."
Rarely did Hermione Granger find herself at a loss for words. She glanced around the room, filled with other students who were smiling and laughing. Hermione was not smiling, and she certainly was not having a good time. The other students were looking around in amazement as they cast their patronuses. Dogs, dolphins, lizards, kangaroos, even a stray elephant flew around the room in happy silver-blue wisps.
"Hermione!" She heard her name shouted behind her and she spun around. It was Ron, grinning broadly at the small, playful terrier he had just conjured from the tip of his wand. He noticed she wasn't smiling and lowered his wand. "Hermione?"
Instead of responding she turned back to face the center of the room. She took a deep breath and raised her wand. Drawing small circles with the wand tip she concentrated hard and then shouted "Expecto Patronum!" The wand in her hand shuttered slightly, trying hard not to disappoint its mistress. To her dismay, nothing formed. No patronus. Not even a puff of silvery-blue smoke. She spotted Harry watching her from across the room, his eyes fixed on hers. She managed a small smile and a shrug.
"It's alright, Hermione," he said, standing beside her and bumping his shoulder against hers gently. "You'll get it. Just think of your happiest memory." She nodded and flashed him another quick smile.
"That's just it, Ron," she said. "I am trying to think of my happiest memory. At least...I thought I was. It's possible I'm missing something; holding my wand too low or too high. Not speaking clearly enough, perhaps."
"Doubt it," said Ron with a chuckle. "If anyone knows the technique, it's you, Hermione. Don't tell me you haven't read about it in a book somewhere."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course, I have, Ron. Something...something's off, though."
"Reckon you're concentrating too hard. You just have to feel it, then…well then it just happens."
Ron stepped back and raised his eyebrows. He pointed his wand. "Like this," he said. "Expecto Patronum." Once again, his patronus shot out in a wave of energy. The Jack Russell Terrier ran through the air until it was twenty feet above their heads and did a lap around the ceiling. It returned and did another circle around Hermione's legs; its tail wagged wildly. This time, when Ron smiled, Hermione couldn't help but smile back.
"Oh, maybe you're right," she said laughing. "But, I think I'll just swing by the library and do a bit more research."
She saw Ron glance up at the clock on the wall and replied, "It's almost curfew."
Hermione bit her lower lip, a habit of hers that showed whenever she was trying to find the solution to one problem or another. Then it came to her. She would need to speak to Harry first. "It's alright," she said. "I've got an idea."
For the next several hours, Hermione secluded herself in the library. She had read all about conjuring a patronus before, but it bothered her to her core that she was unable to produce one when most of her classmates could. It was a difficult, and extraordinary, piece of magic, to be sure—but Hermione had done difficult spells before with success.
When it got too late, she shrouded herself with the invisibility cloak she borrowed from Harry. 'You're an excellent teacher, Harry,' She had said to him, 'but I'm still struggling. I think a bit of reading might help…if you let me borrow your cloak…'
He had been hesitant at first, but he agreed quickly once his attention shifted to his current crush, Cho Chang, who was giving him flirty glances from several feet away. Hermione promised to be careful, and she was surprised when Harry reached into his bag and grabbed not only the cloak, but also the Marauder's Map, and placed them both into her arms before striding over to Cho.
This wasn't the first time Hermione had borrowed the cloak from him; she asked for it sparingly, knowing full well how important it was to Harry. The Marauder's Map, however, was another story. This was the first time she was given free use of it, so eventually she closed her books and quietly returned them to their places on the shelves.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She whispered while tapping the tip of her wand onto the parchment. The ink appeared in the center like a stain before spreading out and revealing the words beneath it. She opened the map and immediately found the library. Her own name was displayed amongst tiny, inky footprints indicating her location. She took a few silent steps to test the map's accuracy, and smiled when the footprints mimicked her movements exactly.
She scanned the map again and noticed Dumbledore's office. Clasping her hand over her mouth to stifle the gasp that tried to escape, she saw Dumbledore, Harry, and Umbridge all standing in the room. Her eyes darted back and forth as she read the names again. They were all bunched together, but there was no mistaking it; Minister Fudge was also there, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Whatever was going on in that office could not be good.
Just as she thought it couldn't get any stranger, Dumbledore's footprints, along with his name, vanished. She looked around the room; he was nowhere to be found. She blinked rapidly, hoping his name would reappear, but to no avail. She would need to find Ron, or someone who could give her more information, like Ginny, Neville, or even Cho. She looked all over the map to see who might be nearby.
One set of footsteps was close, and getting even closer, judging by how swiftly the steps were moving. Severus Snape was nearing the library, likely doing his nightly patrol. Desperate, Hermione made her decision to remove the Cloak. She tapped her wand to the map and spoke, "Mischief Managed." As soon as she finished speaking, she stuffed the empty, blank parchment back into her bag. Just as she did so, the library doors creaked open.
A row of shelves separated her from the entrance, and she took a few hesitant steps out to reveal herself. She saw him, standing just inside the threshold, his eyes, for a moment blank, snapping in her direction in an instant.
"Granger," he drawled, a sneer forming on his lips as he spoke her name. "Do you have any idea what hour it is? Explain yourself now."
She blurted out the words. "I think Harry is in trouble! And Dumbledore too. They…"
'Damn' She thought to herself. Explaining the map to Snape was out of the question. She searched her mind for a suitable explanation, anything that would allow her to get to Harry as quickly as possible. To her relief, Snape raised a questioning brow but spoke before she could continue. "Follow me." He walked out of the library with his signature billowing robes being the last thing Hermione saw as he exited.
She ran behind him to catch up, struggling to match his pace. They traveled through corridors, up and down staircases, and behind several doorways before reaching the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Hermione heard him speak a password, but she was too busy catching her breath to hear what words he had spoken.
As the staircase spun down to reveal itself, she heard the voices. They grew louder as they descended the staircase, and Hermione found herself face to face with Dolores Umbridge.
"Where is he? Where has he gone!" The shrill voice of Umbridge echoed down the corridor. Severus kept his expression emotionless, a skill he had honed through his many years in Dumbledore's service.
"To whom exactly are you referring, Professor?" Severus replied coolly. He knew it could only be Dumbledore, but feigning ignorance was his only choice to keep Umbridge from asking too many questions. Behind her, he spotted a few more familiar faces: Fudge, Shacklebolt, and Potter; the last of which was standing tall in defiance, but the lack of color on his face led Severus to believe he was frightened. It was plain to see that the girl was scared as well; he could see out of the corner of her eye that Granger was trembling slightly. Her eyes were locked on Potter's, as if she were trying to communicate with him without speaking.
It was Fudge who finally answered. "Dumbledore! He's gone and vanished. I've come here to take him into custody and the man disappeared in a flash. I implore you Severus, if you know anything about this then you must speak at once. If we find out that you- "
"I assure you, Minister, I have no idea what you are talking about. In fact, I was just seeking out the headmaster myself." He gestured to Hermione who had turned her eyes to Umbridge, glaring at her with a not-so-subtle fury. "I caught Miss Granger out of bed."
"What was she doing out of bed this late?" croaked Professor Umbridge.
"Reading." Answered Granger sharply.
"Quiet," Severus chided her. "If Dumbledore has...vanished, as you've said, then perhaps I shall escort Potter and his housemates back to their dormitories immediately. Then we can search for the Headmaster, together." He cocked an eyebrow and spread out his arms, leaving the decision to Fudge.
"Yes, yes…very well. B-But hurry back, Severus, we have much to discuss." Fudge fidgeted in place and turned to Shacklebolt. "Search the grounds in the meantime, he has to be somewhere."
Severus led the way back towards the Gryffindor common room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Potter began to speak.
"They were going to arrest Dumbledore, Professor. They're blaming him for the students learning to defend themselves...blaming him for something I did."
Granger asked, "Where could he have gone?"
"I hardly care what you and your friends get up to in your spare time, Potter," Severus replied. In truth, he was worried. Without Dumbledore, the school was vulnerable. The girl had been right, and she knew somehow that the headmaster was gone.
Now that he had thought about it, he did have suspicions that Potter was in possession of a map that showed the whereabouts of people in the castle. It was likely he loaned that map to Granger. Still, even knowing this, it was vital that he get the minister out of Hogwarts as fast as possible so he could truly begin searching for the headmaster.
"But sir, it's bigger than that, and you know it," said Hermione, her voice trembling as she struggled to keep pace with him. "Umbridge is a monster. The Ministry is taking over Hogwarts and driving out the only people who are fighting to keep us all safe." Her words came out in huffs.
"I suggest then, that you both keep your heads down and stay out of trouble." They reached the entrance of the common room. "And Granger…fifty points from Gryffindor and a week of detention. See me in my office after dinner."
A/N: I don't know exactly where this story will take me, but as long as I have people reading and reviewing, I will keep writing until it is complete. Thank you to everyone who's already followed and favorited!