Thank you all for reading the story so far, it is motivating. Also it has been a good experience and practice to write this. The comments I have received so far have helped me to reflect on things, even though I have a direction in which I want to go and certain scenes where I want to arrive, it has been good to consider certain directions.
One thing I am uncertain of is the summary. I do not think it compellingly describes the story. Any tips regarding that would be appreciated.
Daphne and Tracey ate their meals in the common room rather subdued, in contrast with the boisterous atmosphere around them. Ducking under tables to avoid fireworks just before was an exciting activity, combined with the special circumstance of having dinner in the common room, it just made everybody quite giddy. Plus most of their housemates were rather cheery now that the two red headed menaces from Gryffindor were taken down a peg. "Did you see the looks on their faces?" Marcus Flint yelled "Oh, they will so be banned from quidditch. They might even get expelled for this!"
But the girls simply could not join in the festivities that were caused by their prank, the words that Snape spoke to them as they were leaving the great hall were weighing heavy on them. What matters did he want to discuss with them? It could only be related to the prank they just pulled, couldn't it? Sitting slightly apart from the rest of the house they were whispering to each other, with Dread sitting on top of Daphne's armchair listening in. How to handle this situation?
"I am telling you Daphne: wall of silence. We deny everything." Tracey said.
"Are you sure? He probably knows something already, maybe it would be better to downplay what we did? Daphne replied.
"Downplay? What is their to downplay? We just messed up the great hall to the point you cannot eat there!"
"Well, we will try this wall thing then. Anyway, whatever happens, we are in this together, right?"
"Off course, best friends don't betray each other."
At least on that they agreed. A big lump in their throats made it impossible to each much and they both thought that it would be best to get it over with, so soon they were making their way to the office of Professor Snape. Until now they had never noticed how scary this area of Hogwarts was. With every step they took towards the potion's dungeon the castle seemed colder, darker, creeper,… I mean, why would anybody put up a painting of Baldwin the Bloodthirsty, slayer of goblins? Who would display a statue of a Nundu half-hidden in an alcove? In moments like these, Daphne was extra happy with the presence of her familiar on her shoulder, it felt comforting to have him near.
Finally they arrived at the dungeon and Snape's office, with small hearts they knocked on the door.
"Enter." The cold, calculated voice of their head of house sounded and the girls shuffled inside.
"Miss Greengrass, Miss Davis, why don't you take a seat in front of my desk?"
"Yes Professor." The girls said and sat down on two stools that were placed in front of the desk. Their head of house did not sit down at his table, but rather stared striding around slowly in his office. After a few minutes he started speaking.
"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim." Professor Snape declared, "or in your case the swoop of a crow I suppose. Who do you think came up with that quote?"
Daphne and Tracey glanced at each other, until Daphne replied: "Euhm, we don't know Sir."
"It is in fact a muggle quote, hard as that may be to believe. From an old Chinese warrior that wrote a complete book on winning a war. Muggles are surprisingly effective when it comes to destroying one another. Now, although it is not desirable to destroy our fellow students from other houses, I would say that you struck a pretty decisive blow to the enemy. However, let us discuss the quality of your decision, was it truly a well thought out plan? Or did you simply get lucky? For example did you ensure that those twin terrors had illegal contraband in their schoolbag?"
The girls were quite surprised with the turn of events, their head of house did not seem too angry with them. Was he even happy that they pulled off this stunt? Whatever the case, it seemed like their wall of silence had crumbled before it even was erected.
"No Sir, we just assumed that something interesting would be there." Tracey finally replied, once she got over her confusion.
"Well, than that is an indication that your future plots should be better prepared. I bestow on you a quote by Machiavelli, a 15th century Italian wizard: 'Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.' You could have arranged for somebody to deliver them illegal items before you struck, thus ensuring that they were caught with something. Or you could have expanded your spying operation to be aware of details of such transactions. That is how a true Slytherin would work. Do I make myself clear?"
"Euhm, yes Sir, we will keep it in mind." Daphne answered flabbergasted. Was Professor Snape really going to let them get away with this?
"Also, I personally don't mind for the theatrics surrounding your ploy." Snape continued, "The scale of the chaos and noise you caused was simply too much for this kind of operation. As Salazar Slytherin himself wrote: 'When the snake strikes, the lion doesn't realise his doom until it has succumbed to poison'. However I must admit that when it comes to those two maniacs, things can rather easily escalate to the chaotic. That being said, your scheme did show at least some level of preparation and planning, that tells me you are at least better than the average dunderhead that roams this school."
After this, Professor Snape remained silent for a while, stopping his pacing and seemingly staring off to a point in the distance. Eventually Tracey dared to reply: "Thank you for the compliment, Sir."
"Your actions earlier this afternoon should have mayor consequences for those two vandals", Snape resumed his speech and walk through his office", naturally the Headmaster will protect two members of his old house and sons of political allies as best as he can, so expelling them will be of the table, but even he will not be able to let them escape unscathed and their capacity to conduct their schemes will be severely reduced over the coming months. Of course, as a Hogwarts Professor, I should report your actions to the Headmaster immediately. Most probably he will assume the culprit can be found in Slytherin and will approach me this evening to gather any information I have on this matter. Do you know why I will tell him that my students are completely innocent and the culprit should be found elsewhere? And incidentally, do you know how I was able to determine so quickly that you two were behind all this?"
"We do not, Sir." the girls answered together.
"It is because, Miss Greengrass and Miss Davis, I realise that information is power. 'If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.' That is why, in every year of Hogwarts I have a few of the most adept students feeding me such information. I knew of your sudden interest in suspicious runes, I knew of your sudden ambition to learn disillusionment charms, it was reported to me that a runestone was activated at our house table by Miss Davis when the students left the great hall. And that is why, over the next seven years at Hogwarts, the two of you will be feeding this type of information to me. Is that clear?"
After a small moment of hesitation Daphne replied "That is clear, Sir. Although, I wonder what kind of information you would find interesting. If Gregory Goyle eats waffles for breakfast, I would rather think that dull."
"But if Mister Goyle always eats fried eggs and this pattern is disrupted, it might indicate something. Although I must admit Mister Goyle's breakfast habits would indeed not interest me, but I want to know changes in patterns, in our house and in others. Occurrences that strike you as odd, changes in the normal order of things. Maybe in the beginning you will report too much, but I will indicate and let you how to properly adjust. You will each deliver me a concise written parchment every week with your findings. Now you might be wondering, what you will get in return for these reports?"
"Euhm, okay, what will we get in return, Sir?" Tracey said.
"As illustrated right now, you will of course receive protection from certain disciplinary actions. You will also receive information in return that could be beneficial to you. Ultimately, if you behave for the benefit of me and our house, you will start to become part of this network of students that we have created and that supports each other's secret operations. A network that could keep supporting you even beyond your Hogwarts days. Would that arrangement be agreeable to the both of you?"
Since the alternative was the revelation of their prank to the Headmaster, of course both girl confirmed that they would start these reports. Their head of house, however, had more to add.
"Naturally if you want to evolve in your rolls within our house, you will do better in your self-improvement. Miss Davis, your latest potions assignment will simply not do and Miss Greengrass, with the power you display in other classes I would suspect better results in your transfiguration course. Additionally, now that you have become part of our Slytherin circle, you will have an assignment during the upcoming Yule holidays. You will both purchase the handbook 'Organising the mind', the established standard manual for learning the basics of occlumency and practice the meditation techniques that are described in the first chapter, this chapter will also clarify why these skills will be of utmost importance for your current and future schemes. And that brings me to the last topic I wish to discuss, Miss Greengrass, have you studied manuals regarding familiar bonding?"
"Yes Sir, I have read the basic manuals and then some additional books regarding bird familiars." Daphne replied.
"Then you will no doubt have come across the particular properties that a witch might develop with a crow familiar, observing through his eyes and catching glimpses of visions. I have no doubt that you realise the advantage these skills would offer for information gathering. From what I have observed, the bond you currently have with your familiar has grown strong already, I would encourage you to attempt to acquire these particular skills."
Throughout this final explanation, Snape had been looking at Dread intensely. Harry had until now kept relatively calm, being mainly focused on controlling the turmoil that he could feel from Daphne and support her. But now he started to shift around nervously on her shoulder until Daphne took him in her arms and it was her time to calm him. "Of course Sir, I will see what we can do." she said finally.
Harry was glad that they were finally dismissed from the imposing man's office. But when they were shown the door by the Professor, they were met by another imposing figure walking towards them. As predicted by Professor Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore had made his way to his office. For some reason, the old man was watching an old piece of parchment intensely while he was walking towards them, until finally he put it away and looked up at them. With a final warning glance at the girls Professor Snape turned to the Headmaster and greeted him.
"Good evening, Headmaster. What brings you to my humble part of the castle?"
"Good evening Professor, Miss Greengrass, Miss Davis. Well Severus, I see that you already anticipated my visit, the presence of these two girls is in no doubt related to the events that occurred earlier this evening in the great hall?" Dumbledore said.
"On the contrary Headmaster, both girls had some questions regarding their latest potion assignment. If you want I will of course listen around for any information regarding the incident. But I must say I am surprised, obviously Mister and Mister Weasley have been apprehended, it is the contents of their schoolbag that caused this incident, is it not? No doubt they will be punished severely. Is an expulsion in order?"
Throughout this conversation, Dumbledore was looking at the girls and particularly Dread. Harry started feeling quite uneasy with all the attention he was receiving, sensing his discomfort, Daphne pulled him even closer and hid him in her arms.
"Well, I must admit the contents of their bag has proven to be quite interesting." Dumbledore answered, "But I see no reason to expel the twins. Haven't we recently learned we should cherish the young wizards and witches of our world more? The example of the disappearance of young Mister Potter shows undoubtedly that we should keep them close to us. I think we can get Fred and George in line through detentions, no doubt their mother will also contribute to their punishment. Additionally they were able to help me out with a matter that was weighing on my mind, so some leniency is deserved."
Snape raised an eyebrow to Dumbledore: "Of course you know better than me how to handle these situations. I must admit I am surprised to hear you speak so candidly of the disappearance of the young Harry Potter, Headmaster. Are their any new developments I am unaware of?"
"Oh, not yet. But all my monitoring equipment still indicates that he is in good health. I have no doubt that we will eventually find him. Wherever young Harry Potter is, I hope that he found friends or even a family to support him. I can only imagine how lonely he must sometimes by without his parents to help him in his life. Although he might be physically in good shape, surely he must feel lonely in this regard."
The discomfort which Harry felt, grew more and more. Why did those men know his name and why were they discussing his disappearance so openly? What did they know about his parents? Luckily the strange, bearded man finally relented and stopped looking at him.
"If you don't mind Headmaster, we will wish you a good evening and return to our common room." Daphne said. She felt uneasy throughout this conversation. Why were they discussing this topic so openly? She did not know the Potter boy that had disappeared, was it almost a year ago? But it had been mayor news at the time and it seemed inappropriate to discuss this in front of them. She was relieved they were allowed to go, Tracey and her had a lot to discuss and a lot of information to process that evening.