Chapter 11
Something is Wrong
Hermione waved her hand and cast a drying spell over the parchment on her lap. She was thankful for the time they had spent at Grimmauld over the last year. Professor Lupin and Sirius had been very helpful in educating her and Harry, on common knowledge of the wizarding world that they had not been informed of growing up in the muggle world.
Hermione had felt indignant when she had learned that wizarding children in wizarding households could use magic outside of school. The trace was only useful in non-magical areas.
Ron had just raised an eyebrow at her rant as it was something he had long known. He had asked how she thought the twins got away with there pranks at home?
Although she supposed it made some sense as she had used her wand for the first time on Diagon Alley and then the train and had practiced several spells before she even reached Hogwarts. And she had never gotten a notice for underage magic. Still the injustice burned at her for the disparity between muggle-borns and the rest of the wizarding world.
She had delved deep into wizarding law and found that the trace was actually on the wands themselves and that was why accidental magic was basically untraceable unless it created a scene where the wizarding government had to clean up and hide the incident. Like Harry blowing his aunt up.
Hermione snorted to herself as she rolled up her parchment and put it in her bag. She would have enjoyed seeing that. She tried to be serious and keep the boys in line, but she actually found there antics rather amusing.
When she had learned accidental magic wasn't traceable, she had asked Professor Lupin if wandless magic was traceable and he had smirked and said: 'No, which is why they don't begin teaching it until sixth year when most students will be coming of age shortly. Most Wixen find wandless magic difficult or even impossible. So, teaching it before then didn't make much sense either but for the few that took to it they didn't want students to have a way around the trace."
Hermione had only pondered that for a night before digging into every book in the black library on wandless magic. She had pushed Ron and Harry to learn with her. She had said it could be important to know in a war. If they lost their wand in a fight, it could save their lives. They had eagerly jumped on board at that.
They had practiced all year and had become somewhat proficient in a few simple spells. Both boys had struggled more then she had but that had always been the case with spell work.
Hermione set a book in front of her to settle into some light reading, when a tawny owl swooped into the room and dropped a piece of parchment in her lap.
The owl swooped back out the window and Hermione opened the parchment. Her breath caught when she saw that it was written in there code. It was from Harry.
She read it over and furrowed her brow.
Hermione sat at the head of Ron's bed, her legs crossed and her fingers playing with the piece of parchment. Her book lay abandoned in front of her. The soft breeze blew through the window and although the day was rather warm, she felt a chill. Something was wrong. She knew it days ago and this only made the feeling stronger.
Hermione's concentration of the parchment was broken by the sound of feet pounding up the stairs outside the room. The door swung open and three sweaty redheads came trampling into the room.
"Mum's going to kill us keeping us out there in this heat." Fred groused as he fell into a chair in front of Ron's desk, which was piled high with his untouched summer homework.
"She's gone round the bend. De-gnoming the garden on a day like this." George added in, taking a seat at the end of the bed.
Hermione just hummed a little in agreement. The house felt very crowded today. Mrs. Weasley had asked the twins to be home before the Order meeting. They had instead closed there shop and spent the day. To their dismay they had been put to work almost immediately, alongside Ron.
"What have you got there 'Mione?" Ron asked sitting next to her near the head of the bed.
"It came while you were out." Hermione said as she handed the note to Ron.
"I'm fine don't worry. Stay safe. Harry." Ron read under his breath.
Hermione turned to look at Ron whose brows had furrowed as he read.
"Something's wrong." Hermione whispered to Ron.
Ron just nodded back.
They had talked about Harry several times since they had sent there joint letter. Then Hedwig had returned with a simple note that had said: 'I'm fine don't worry. Stay safe. keep Hedwig.'. They had also noticed blood on the edge of the paper but knew complaining once again to Ron's parents would do little good in getting Harry here any sooner.
"Keeping secrets little love birds." Fred chimed in.
Hermione looked at Fred and then George. They had functioned as their spies in the order meetings. They weren't told much and were mostly informants as to the activity they saw happening in Diagon Alley. But they had shared what they had learned and made sure Mrs. Weasley was still pressing to have Harry join them.
Hermione didn't understand what right the headmaster had to say where a student spent holiday time. However, Hermione was reaching the end of her patients with the situation. Harry never talked about what it was like at his relatives other than to say that he didn't like being there.
Hermione knew that Harry kept secrets. She never pushed; she knew that he would just push them away. It had happened before, and she didn't like it when they weren't getting along.
"Hermione, tell them what you're thinking. Maybe they can help." Ron said softly.
Hermione nodded. She didn't know what was wrong. Just that something was.
"We got a note from Harry a few days ago. It was really short and just said 'I'm fine don't worry. Stay safe. Keep Hedwig.'…." Hermione trailed off.
"There was blood on the edge of the parchment. I don't know, but I think it may have been Harry's. He was so broken at the end of the year. It was like he was hollow after Sirius died." Hermione said over the knot in her throat.
Fred and George exchanged looks.
"Another note came while you were all outside. It's almost the exact same message. I don't know what to think. I'm just worried and I feel like something is wrong." Hermione murmured.
"Will let you know if Harry gets brought up in the meeting tonight alright." George reassured.
"Yeah. If it's safe maybe will even go get him again, like we did in the car." Fred joked.
Hermione put on a half-smile. She knew there wasn't much the twins could do. She was thankful all the same for their attempt. Unfortunately for some reason Dumbledore seemed to be the one with the final say.
"We better get going. You two don't do anything while were all out of the house." Fred said with a wink to Ron.
Ron threw a pillow at his brothers retreating backs.
When the door closed Hermione leaned into Ron's side.
"I really hope he's okay, Ron. He's already been through so much recently." Hermione whispered softly into Ron's shoulder.
Ron wrapped his arms around Her shoulders and just held her.
George followed his brother down the stairs and into their old bedroom. He closed the door behind them and waved his wand to silence the room.
"Fred?" George asked worriedly.
"I know George." Fred said stomping back and forth in the room.
"Do you…Do you think it's his uncle? Or… Or something he's done to himself?" George stuttered.
Fred sat hard on his bed with his elbows on his knees and his head hanging down.
"I don't know. I doubt we'll get to know for months yet to come. They've barely been out of school two weeks." Fred muttered followed by a frustrated sigh.
George sat on the edge of his bed facing his brother. He felt tears well up in his eyes. He really cared about Harry and the thought that he was hurt again gutted him. They had tried hard this year to keep him safe. To keep him sane. To keep his spirits up when it seemed the whole school was trying to break him. When he had two teachers regularly torturing him. The tears slid down his cheeks. There wasn't anything they could do. They had sent a care package, and they could send another, but they couldn't show up on the doorstep and check on him. The Order had been told to keep their distance. That Harry and his family deserved privacy and the peace and quiet they requested of their holiday's.
A small sob passed his lips and more tears fell down his cheeks. He felt Fred sit down next to him and wrap his arms around him.
"It's going to be okay Georgie." Fred tried to comfort.
"Will go to the meeting and if Dumbledore still won't agree to let Mum bring him home then will wait one more meeting that should put us a month into summer. That's plenty of time for Harry to be back under the wards surely. Will tell Dumbledore we are going to get him whether or not he agrees." Fred reassured.
George only nodded. It was a good plan. Fred was always better at making the plans. He would follow his brother's lead in this. If he went to the meeting without a plan, he was likely to blow up on all of them. He didn't want to reveal Harry's secrets but He couldn't understand how they could all be so blind.
"Come on now. Lets get out of these muddy gardening clothes. Mum and Dad will want to leave soon.
Severus wanted to go home. He had been here far longer than a normal year. Albus had insisted after his stay in the hospital wing. He had floo'd straight to his quarters when Poppy had released him. He had no interest in walking the corridors in hospital pajamas.
He squared his shoulders and made his way up the dungeon stairs. It was finally Friday, and the Order meeting was in ten minutes. He hoped once that was settled, he would be on his way home. His house on spinners end wasn't much but it offered a nice break from school. And he looked forward to returning to Cokeworth. The town that had felt so bleak in his youth had grown on him. Despite only being there a few months of the year, he was part of the community. He also got to at least partially drop the mask he wore while teaching.
Severus could hear chatter from down the hall and rolled his eyes. Listening to the incessant chatter of Gryffindor's for the next hour was not how he wanted to wrap up his evening. No doubt there would be questions about what had happened to lead to his spy roll falling apart and questions about the Potter brat. Severus just hoped last year's agreement of keeping the children out of the meeting was still standing.
"Good evening, Severus." Minerva said as Severus stepped around the corner near Albus office.
"Good evening, Minerva." Severus drawled.
Minerva gave a little smirk, and they walked in step to the Gargoyle guardian in front of Albus office where the rest of the Order seemed to be waiting.
"Is there a reason we're all gathered around the entrance like a group of loitering children?" Severus inquired with a quirked eyebrow.
The group immediately quieted at the sound of his voice. It gave Severus a jolt of glee to get the same response out of adults that he did out of his students upon his appearance. Then to his horror it all crumbled.
"Severus!" Remus said with a smile.
"How are you feeling dear?" Molly fussed.
"Good to see you're doing better" Kingsley said with a nod.
"Oh, dear Merlin." Severus growled under his breath.
Severus caught Minerva smirking out of the corner of his eye. He sent her his harshest glare. He could tell she was enjoying the scene being made by everyone.
"I'm fine. Thank you." Severus said gruffly. He sent them all a glare that dared then to continue and risk getting hexed.
The chatter volume lowered.
"Ah. Sorry to keep you all waiting. I had a new contact I needed to speak with. We will be having this meeting in the staff lounge. I find my office feels rather crowded with everyone in there." Albus said jovially.
Albus led them down the corridor.
"Would it be so bad to have one rational Slytherin for me to consult with amongst all of you emotional Gryffindor's?" Severus said in hushed tones to Minerva as they followed the rest of the group.
A mob of red heads and Aurors. How had he ended up in this mess?
Severus heard the volume of conversation raise and then nearly cut completely off in front of him. Then he heard Minerva gasp.
"You may have spoken too soon Severus." Minerva whispered back as they entered the staff room.
Sat next to Albus were Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Severus' head spun and then he felt the beginning of a headache. Severus took the chair closest to the door. And consequently, furthest from his former associates.
"Albus, you have lost your mind!" Alastor raged as he stomped around the perimeter of the room.
Severus had to agree. This was a terrible idea.
Albus quieted the room with a slight raise of his hand.
"The Malfoys have taken an unbreakable vow and sworn fealty to me and our side. I would not have excepted less from a marked death eater. However, it would not be in their best interest to betray us now." Albus said firmly.
Severus raised an eyebrow at that.
"And what is it that you are getting out of this arrangement Lucius?" Severus drawled. He pinned Lucius with a hard glare.
"Our sons' safety. Your godson is in great danger Severus." Narcissa responded solemnly.
Severus swallowed hard. He had always cared about Draco from the first moment he had been handed the small bundle when he was only hours old. Despite the war and the politics, it was the only thing that had ever felt like family to him.
The boy had grown up to be arrogant and antagonistic even to his own detriment. Severus was reminded of a time in the boys first year, tattling on his classmates. It had cost him fifty points and landed him in not only the initial detention in the forest, but also two additional detentions with Severus to learn the meaning of cunning and self- preservation.
The boy wore a mask like many of his Slytherin's. He could be a sweet boy. But his head had been filled with prejudice from his father and reinforced by his house mates.
"Where is Draco?" Severus asked as calmly as he could manage around the growing lump in his throat.
"He's in the manor. The Dark Lord refuses to allow Draco and I to leave together. I went to the Ministry to collect Lucius when he was released from Azkaban. We will be expected back shortly." Narcissa said nervously. She glanced at Albus.
Albus nodded.
"Very well. We will be in contact." Albus said dismissing the Malfoys.
Severus watched as Lucius and Narcissa raised from their seats. They both bowed slightly to the table and left. The door closed with a soft snick.
All eyes were on Albus waiting for an explanation.
Albus cleared his throat and looked around.
"I know it doesn't look great. However, without our spy we are working in the dark." Albus glanced at Severus.
"I arranged Lucius Malfoys release with Madam Bones. We thought if we offered a deal, he may be willing to turn spy. Mr. Malfoy spent many years while Voldemort was gone building a reputation for himself and his family name. This arrest will tarnish that reputation. However, the deal includes protections at the end of the war for them to retain their freedom. Their son Draco has taken the brunt of the punishment for both his father's incarceration and his godfathers' betrayal."
Severus chest felt tight. He would do what he could for the boy.
"Lord Voldemort intends to Mark the boy over the winter Hols and has tasked him with an impossible mission. I believe he intends for the boy to fail. Then he will kill the boy as punishment for The Malfoys and you Severus." Albus said to the group, but Severus felt the conversation was all aimed at him.
"What is the boy's task?" Severus asked.
"He is to return to school and Kill me."
The room erupted at that proclamation. Severus felt a little shaky at that proclamation.
Albus set off a slight bang with his wand to return the attention to himself.
"The Malfoys will be passing information to us through Madam Bones. Madam Bones has already taken a statement from the Malfoys about any information they currently have. Including about Peter Pettigrew." Albus said aiming this comment to Remus.
Severus saw Remus jaw clinch and his eyes went dark. He gave a sharp nod that he had heard.
"The Malfoys will be seeing their son off on the train in September. They will be 'captured' at that time by Order members and put into hiding."
"So, we are going to go through all this work for what. Less than three months of information?" Kingsley said skeptically.
"The information we have already gotten is worth the trouble. If it were possible to move them now, we would." Albus assured.
"Narcissa informed me that the Death Eaters have gotten Harry's address and are starting their own guard near the house. They have orders to capture him on site." Albus said grimly.
Molly gasped at that.
All the Weasley's and Remus all looked a little pale.
"Will you please allow him to come with us now?" Molly asked.
Albus only shook his head.
"I will be sending Tonks to the Dursley residence tomorrow to inform his family and ask Mr. Potter not to leave the property until an Order member comes to collect him at the end of summer. The wards are still our best bet to keep him safe."
There were a few grumbles, but no one said anything.
Severus noticed some intense looks happening between the twin terrors, but they also didn't seem to be willing to fight Albus orders.
Severus thought the whole situation was ridiculous. The boy was being allowed to sit on his backside all summer at home being pampered. Albus was right, he should just leave him there. No doubt he'd throw a fit about not getting to go on a holiday to the beach or something else equally ridiculous.
"Has anyone noticed any activity around Privet Drive?" Albus asked, looking around the group.
There was a lot of head shaking.
"Didn't even see the lad the last time I was on guard. But with the heat I'm not surprised." Alaster said.
There were a few nods.
"Alright. Well, everyone, have a good rest of your evening. Tonks if you would speak with The Dursleys tomorrow at ten, when you start your guard shift. Kingsley you'll be on shift too."
Tonks and Kingsly both nodded.
"Very well. Night guard begins in two hours. Severus stay behind if you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with you." Albus said as he watched everyone leave.
"Severus. I'm sure this is all a lot to take in. We will do everything we can for Draco. I want you to know that Draco hasn't been hurt. Narcissa was clear about that. We will get him out. I'm sure working with the Malfoys on the other side of the war may be uncomfortable for you, but I would appreciate your help with this."
Severus felt like Albus had just stripped him bare. He didn't realize he had been so transparent during the meeting.
"For now, the Malfoys are safe. I imagine Lucius will have some explaining to do but hopefully having one of his high-ranking members back will help to placate Voldemort." Albus tried to reassure.
"How is he to explain his release to the Dark Lord without breaking his vow." Severus asked skeptically.
"He called a favor in with Minister Fudge. The man may be about to leave office, but he is still technically Minister. I didn't do much in the way of getting him released. I mostly intercepted them at the Ministry and brought them to talk with Amelia and our next Minister."
"Oh? And who will that be? One of the Dark Lord's lackeys?" Severus snarked.
"No, Rufus Scrimgeour." Albus said with an affirming nod.
"Very well. Please keep me apprised of anything that needs my attention. I will be returning home this evening." Severus stated as he stood from his chair.
"Are you sure that is wise Severus? Surely Lord Voldemort will be looking for you." Albus said worry coloring his tone.
"I will be fine Albus. My home was never known to the Dark Lord or any of his followers. I had left Cokeworth and lived with Lucius by time I joined and as far as anyone is concerned, I left there to work on a mastery abroad and then have since lived in the castle full time."
Albus nodded but he still looked unsure.
"The town has old wizarding roots Albus. It's got all kinds of strange protection on it. I have tied my wards to the boundary wards of the town. If someone with a Mark even comes to town I will know right away. I'll be safe. I need the break honestly Albus." Severus sighed
"I know you do my boy. Go and rest. I will keep you apprised." Albus assured.
With a final nod Severus made his way back to the dungeons. With a flick of his wand his trunk latched shut and he shrunk it sticking it in his pocket. He did not take much back and forth with him. He mostly kept the two worlds separate. His clothes and a few books had been stashed away in his trunk.
Severus made his way out of the castle and past the apparition bounds. With one last glance at the school, he hoped he wouldn't have to return soon, he apparated back to Spinner's end.
Severus felt the weight leave his shoulders as he landed in the back garden of his childhood home. He had hated this place so much growing up. Now that his parents were gone, and he had cleaned the place up a little it felt more like home. He knew he would need to put some more work into the house to improve it but for now it was comfortable and away from meddling Headmasters and bratty students. Learning the wards in this town growing up had been useful. There were many pitfalls in apparating into Cokeworth, but he had found a way.
Severus made his way into the kitchen from the back door and let out a relieved breath. He was home. With a flick of his wand, he set the kettle and summoned a book from the living room. He would head into town tomorrow and get groceries and possibly a new book or two for his break. Catch up on the town gossip and check with Herbert at the chemist. He kept a small supply of potions in the back just in case.
With a sigh, Severus settled into his favorite armchair with his tea and book.
Things weren't perfect. Far from it. He had been outed as a spy, nearly killed, his god son was in a precarious position and the war was really taking off. But for right now Severus was at peace and he would be able to hopefully rest until the next order meeting. Likely at least a week away.