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The Apprentice	By : Nerys Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 62961 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
The Apprentice

Chapter Fourteen

Narcissa flourished her wand around. Lord Voldemort looked up; Hermione followed his line of sight but saw only an elaborate decorated ceiling. ‘The outer wards around the fence are crumbling, Narcissa,’ Voldemort observed.

‘I know,’ she responded out of breath, still casting.

‘I have removed all evidence of my presence here,’ Voldemort replied coldly. ‘But if we have to apparate out, their wards will acknowledge exactly who was here – I noticed one of them has an identifying signature. I need you to give us more time.’

‘I am resetting the second line of defence on the inside of the fence,’ Narcissa replied hastily. ‘But these wards are ancient, they won’t hold forever. Draco get the mirror; we need to know who precisely is out there, so we can determine what to do about it.’

Draco stepped next to his mother and raised his wand. A flash. The silver-embossed ornate hallway mirror blurred. Clouds formed on it until the air cleared, and the mirror showed who was standing outside the Malfoy gates. Hermione held her breath when she saw the slightly balding Arthur Weasley, gesturing to two male Aurors to get a move on. Ron’s dad was here? Would he even know who was in this house right now? Did he have enough reinforcements with him? What if he died?

‘Weasley,’ Draco sneered. ‘He’ll never get in. He wouldn’t know how proper entrances to a real house work.’

‘Don’t be a fool, Draco,’ Snape sneered, yanking the boy back by his collar, so he was no longer in the immediate vicinity of Lord Voldemort. Severus positioned his body between the two smoothly. ‘Arthur didn’t arrive alone; he brought Aurors, and they will take you and your mother to Azkaban if they find what you got hidden down there.’

Hermione raised an eyebrow and smirked. This was priceless. Draco Malfoy got snapped at by Professor Snape. Where was a recording device when you needed one desperately?

‘They are here for some meaningless Dark Arts trinkets?’ Voldemort said, looking at Snape sharply.

Snape turned to the Dark Lord, nodded solemnly and started talking.

Meanwhile, Hermione and a disgruntled Draco, who had moved back a few feet to get away from Snape, made eye contact. Hermione just couldn’t resist smirking even harder, especially when she saw the realisation flash through Draco’s eyes about who precisely was standing in his family’s hallway. Draco scowled. He was about to speak up and expose her when Voldemort interrupted Snape’s explanation in an icy tone of voice. ‘Not a word, Mr Malfoy, or you will wish you had never been born.’

Draco paled and quickly closed his mouth. Hermione was even more amused. Snape’s dark eyes swiftly darted between them before focusing back on Lord Voldemort.

‘My Lord, as I informed you yesterday Arthur Weasley made Head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects,’ Snape spoke silkily. ‘It seems his dislike for Lucius has rendered him very inspired to locate those objects, which we were able to keep hidden from the ministry before.’

‘Arthur knows about our hiding place?’ asked Narcissa, concerned, lowering her wand when she finished putting the wards on the inside of the fence in place.

‘I overheard him talking to former Auror Moody at the Order Meeting,’ Snape replied, turning his head to Narcissa. ‘He said someone told him the Malfoys had a secret hideaway underneath the floor of the parlour. He didn’t say who though.’

‘Oh no,’ Narcissa said, clasping her hand in front of her mouth. It was exactly where the place was hidden.

‘So these Aurors are really here, because of some silly old feud?’ Voldemort said quietly.

Snape nodded.

‘Merlin, Lucius is even a nuisance when he is locked up in Azkaban,’ hissed the Dark Lord.

Draco’s face darkened, and if looks could kill, Snape would have dropped dead on the floor right away.

Meanwhile, Bella tapped with her wand against the persons on the mirror. ‘Eeny … meeny … miny … moo,’ she cackled madly. ‘Yes, let’s kill them all,’ she suggested, ending her game by pricking her wand at Arthur’s face. ‘Ooohhh, poor Mollywobbles,’ she mocked, ‘it seems all those babies will have to do without daddy.’

Hermione’s wand burned in her pocket. That bitch was the first to go. She might not be able to bring Sirius back, but damn it all the way to hell, she was not going to stand by and watch Ron lose his dad. As Grindelwald had said, they were only two little words and Lestrange already had her back turned, so…

Lord Voldemort suddenly blocked her line of sight, damn. For a second, his red eyes glanced in her direction warningly before he turned to Bella. ‘We don’t have time to play games right now, Bella,’ he said, like he was speaking to an infant.

Bella turned around and pouted. ‘But I want to play.’

An echoing crash accompanied the fall of the outer ward.

‘Oh goody!’ Bella cheered, jumping up and down.

‘Restrain yourself, Bella, or I will do it for you,’ Voldemort said quietly.

The woman’s posture collapsed; all joy vacated her body, and she bit her nails, nervously and very disappointed.

‘So, they know there is a secret entrance in the parlour,’ Voldemort said, turning away from Bella like she didn’t exist and focussing his attention back on Severus. ‘Well, I guess we have to make sure it won’t be there when they enter.’ He swirled around, brandishing his wand.

Narcissa held out her hand in shock. ‘Master, I haven’t deactivated the wards inside!’ she yelled in panic.

But it was too late. Voldemort’s magic followed his body’s graceful, almost languorous turns; his wand flowed in circles; and with a thundering noise, the Malfoy wards crashed upon him as he spread his arms wide. ‘Oh yes,’ he said with a moan, tilting his head back – happy to receive all that power.

He stood there motionless for what seemed like an eternity, as a dark cloud partially obscured his body. Nobody in the hallway dared to move. Only Narcissa peeked nervously at her outside wards to check whether the noise stayed contained indoors; but she needn’t worry, he had it covered. Lord Voldemort’s arms made a quick gesture, almost like he was pulling everything he could find inside of him. The cloud was no longer visible. His head snapped back up, his eyes opened.

‘Wonderful,’ he muttered, before making a fluent motion with his wand in the air around him, as if he could taste it. ‘Really wonderful.’

Then, he jabbed his wand at the parlour door. A lightning bolt charged away from the tip of his wand, clashing into the door and electrifying the walls. Hermione took a step away from the wall as sparks burst out of it to return back to the tip of the Dark Lord’s wand, no matter who or what was in the way. It was an aesthetic sight to witness, as he moved around receiving all that power back in a flowing motion. Until he whipped his wand above his head, and all of the sudden, she was standing at ground zero of a magical blast of magnificent proportions.

Her hair flew around her face; her clothes rustled violently; she could barely stay standing as the full force of his charm charged the very air around her. She felt it breezing through her, caressing, titillating her every nerves’ endings, and touching her in the most intimate of places. The power was overwhelming; she swayed on her heels but managed to stay upright, though only just.

Bella had her arms spread wide and was dancing in circles, bathing in it, laughing in clear rapture and delight. Snape stood still like a stone statue, unmoving, his arms folded in front of him, his face expressionless; his long waving black robes the only thing about him which gave of an indication of life at all. Shaking, Draco had squatted on the floor, taking cover underneath a half-round hall-table, which stood against the far wall. Narcissa stood in front of it, having made an attempt to conjure a shield to protect her and her son, but it had been ripped to shreds instantaneously. She collapsed against the table, grabbing a hold of the wood to not fall down. Several others had. In fact as Hermione looked around, she saw that the only four still standing without support were Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange, Severus Snape and … well, she.

For a moment, Snape’s dark intense stare fell on her. He didn’t have his wand in his hand, but Hermione wasn’t chancing it. She quickly looked elsewhere. He had broken into Harry’s mind relatively easily. She had no idea if he could perform Stage One Legilimency, but was sure he wouldn’t be able to do it without eye contact. His eyes narrowed for a split-second upon her obvious avoidance, but then, his expression was blank again. You have to be an “automaton” to perform Occlumency for long durations of time, Hermione remembered Voldemort saying. It was a rather unflattering statement for her Potions Professor.

The walls started shaking. Draco yelped and crawled away from it. Hermione turned her head to check all around her. They were moving; the walls were moving. When she noticed she unknowingly had moved her hands in front of her, she quickly clasped them behind her back again and made sure she stood up straight. Her beaded bag bounced against her legs; it was rather irritating. But Snape was already showing an interest in her. She didn’t need to give him actual clues. So she stayed still.

The floor began trembling also. Bella jumped up and down, cheering. Lord Voldemort stood still; his wand pointed at the floor; his eyes closed; he was the embodiment of concentration – the epitome of skill and power. Grudgingly, Hermione had to admit it was quite something to witness.

‘Magnificent, isn’t he?’

Hermione jumped when Bella whispered in her ear. She hadn’t been paying attention and the woman had, somehow, used the limited space behind her back to sneak up on her. Crap.

‘I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,’ Bella said smoothly, wrapping her arms around Hermione and drawing her body flushed against hers.

Hermione’s eyes widened. What the hell was she supposed to do now? Voldemort had told her not to say anything, but she doubted Lestrange would take kindly to being ignored. ‘Oh, such pretty hair,’ Bella said, taking a strand of Hermione’s between her fingers and holding it out. ‘He likes the colour black, you know.’

Snape’s eyes darted from Lord Voldemort to the scene in front of him. His posture gained an almost invisible tension.

‘Yes,’ Bella continued in a low tone of voice. She twirled Hermione’s hair around her fingers, studying it. ‘He really does-’

Abruptly, Hermione grabbed the witch’s wrist and turned her head, ignoring the tension the movement put on the tuft of her hair in Bella’s hand. She put every bit of loathing, hatred and disgust she felt for the witch, responsible for Sirius’s death, in her eyes and just looked back at her intensely, warningly, telling her without words she was a dead woman if she didn’t back off now.

Glaring back in wicked amusement, Bella leaned in – inches away from her face. ‘Ooh,’ she whispered, giggling softly. ‘Feisty too.’

She yanked out the hairs she had wrapped around her hand with a satisfied glint in her hollow, dark eyes. Hermione flinched, but her eyes didn’t leave Bella’s and she didn’t make a sound. Her jaw set, she gritted her teeth in order to keep control of herself – to not do something that would blow up in her face tremendously. Surely, Voldemort should be done any second now.

‘And not unable to stand a bit of pain. You’re just perfect, aren’t you?’ Bella spat, fury flashing through her features.

Alright, she was going for her wand if this got any worse. Alas, it would require her to let go of Bella’s wrist and casting would require speech. She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Was he never going to be finished with that spell?

Bella took the hair she’d just pulled out Hermione in her free hand and caressed her own face with it. She traced the strand past her nose, tauntingly. ‘You smell nice too.’

How was she going to get this insane bitch to leave her the hell alone?

Bella twisted her wrist in Hermione’s hand, and next, she had both of hers locked violently.

Crap, she should have gone for her wand, while it was still an option. Too bad Voldemort had added an Anti-Grav Charm to her beaded bag, which made it incredibly light; otherwise she could have swung it around on the bitch’s head. It would have been all over for Bella then.

‘Bella, let go of her now,’ Snape hissed, stalking forward hastily. ‘I don’t think the Dark Lo–’

A wave of magic flooded past. Snape froze; his hand inches away from grabbing Hermione’s arm, he lowered it quickly when Lord Voldemort looked up. His red eyes immediately fell on Bella, who backed away instantaneously, holding up her hands in a gesture of innocence, until she noticed the incriminating black tuft between her fingers. ‘Just a bit of girl-talk,’ Bella said, hiding her hands behind her head quickly. ‘No harm, no foul.’

‘We will … “discuss” this later, Bella,’ Voldemort said coldly. ‘Draco, let the nice Aurors in, will you?’

Draco walked to the front door, somewhat reluctantly. He had been enjoying the show very much.

‘Get a move on boy,’ Voldemort hissed.

Draco ran.

‘My Lord, what now?’ Narcissa asked, not understanding.

‘We will retire to the dungeons, Narcissa,’ he looked over his shoulder, and satisfied, Draco had exited fully, he continued, ‘which are now located underneath your drawing room.’

Several snorts came out of different Death Eaters. Snape smirked. One of the unidentified males said, ‘I hope they have fun searching underneath the floor of the parlour.’

Bella cackled softly.

‘Lead the way, Bella,’ Voldemort ordered.

On cue, the woman paced past Hermione, pulling out her wand. ‘Don’t disappoint me again,’ Voldemort added evenly.

Bella glanced over her shoulder apprehensively. The four men Hermione didn’t know quickly followed Lestrange. ‘Severus, are you staying with Narcissa or coming?’ asked Voldemort, watching the Potions Master quietly.

‘I think it would be hard to explain to Arthur why I am here now,’ Severus said silkily.

‘Follow Bella then.’

‘Thank you, Master,’ Snape said humbly; but when he turned, his sharp eyes glanced down at Hermione briefly.

She didn’t like it one little bit. She watched the back of her teacher as he stalked away, and she noted she wasn’t the only one in doing so. Was Snape on to her? He couldn’t be. She’d not been Hermione at all. She was sure of it. Hermione would have mouthed off Bella. Yeah, she definitely would have. She still wanted to. Big time.

‘Are you alright?’

Lord Voldemort stood right in front of her, looking down. Surprised, Hermione nodded in response. Narcissa was still here after all.

He cupped her face and leaned toward her ear. ‘You did very well, Hermione,’ he whispered.

His breath sent a shiver down her spine. His hand stroked through her hair. He was far too close. His magic thrummed against her, invading her privacy, heating up her skin. It brought back some very embarrassing memories of a certain nightmare. Her heart picked up speed as she remembered the feel of his hands on her body, the touch of his lips on her skin, and the sensation of having him inside of her. She suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, standing in an almost intimate embrace with the Dark Lord, even though only one of his hands touched her hair.

Ugh, this was all Bella’s fault. She’d put thoughts in her head, which were ridiculous to begin with. The man was thrice, no, four times her age; he didn’t look at her in such a way. She was a child to him.

She swayed a little in the force of his presence. She clenched her fist, driving nails into her skin, doing everything she could not to jump him, to prevent herself from making an absolute fool of herself by plastering her body against his. Why did she suddenly want to jump him? Damn, his magic felt different; it called to her, attracted her much worse than before. She’d been very capable of ignoring it easily up until now. Why was it worse? Why did it have to get worse? Merlin, she needed to get a grip before he would pick up this particular memory.

‘She won’t bother you again when I am done with her,’ Voldemort spoke softly, his breath danced over her skin.

She closed her eyes to the sensation; her entire body tensed. No, no, no, this was not happening. She needed to step back now. Yes, just take a step back. It was simple; just move your feet one at the time. Come on, Hermione, move, damn it.

She took a deep breath; the muscles on her leg contracted and she moved back, straight into his hand. Her eyes flashed open in shock when she felt the contact on her back. But Lord Voldemort looked in Narcissa’s direction, straightening up, not acknowledging her existence apart from the possessive hand on her back. Yes, possessive, ownership. That was what it felt like.

Oh shit, she was getting nuts. Maybe Bella’s condition was contagious? One second of contact with the woman, and she was making things up which weren’t there. She needed to stop seeing things which weren’t there. Logical, she had to approach this logical, as she’d been able to do the whole time she’d been in his presence. Just bury the memory, dig a deep hole, shove it in there and dump tons and tons of soil on top of it. She done it before, she could do it again. Sure, she could.

It was no problem, just get your breathing and heartbeat back under control, Granger, and stop blushing like a stupid teenager. Use your head. Blasted Lestrange. Lots and lots of soil on top of it.

‘We’ll better go, too,’ Voldemort spoke casually to Narcissa, glancing at the front door. ‘It would be a shame of all that hard work if we are found standing here when Draco returns with Weasley.’ His hand slid a little more to Hermione’s side, and he guided her to the drawing room. ‘Narcissa,’ he nodded politely in passing.

‘My Lord,’ Narcissa said, bowing her head, not nearly as foolish as her sister to make a remark of any kind to what she’d just witnessed.

They passed the trapdoor quickly. Voldemort turned and slashed his wand at it. Not only did it cause the trapdoor to close, but the floor above them turned into solid concrete; impenetrable, unyielding and preventing detection.

‘Fourth door on your right,’ he ordered, gesturing at her to walk along before turning his attention back on the ceiling above them. His wand flashed and he began securing their environment against discovery with invisible wards.

Hermione frowned. Hesitating, she walked away. She wasn’t sure it was a good idea for her to be on her own with Death Eaters again. Though, to put some distance between her and that man was also a very preferable option to consider. When you have two bad choices, which one do you pick?

The least embarrassing one! Her steps picked up speed and determination. She’d get as much space as she possibly could between him and her, even if it meant fraternising with his insipid followers.

‘I won’t be long,’ sounded behind her back.

Yeah right. So not helpful.

She didn’t look back. So she never saw the wicked glint, which danced through his eyes, or the satisfied smirk, which was quickly becoming quite irremovable, as he considered how well everything went his way. Bella certainly was useful at times; though if she’d known how useful, the pureblood witch would probably eat her own wand in frustration. He grinned, flashing his wand again. He could take the next step with Hermione before sending her back to the Order now. He wouldn’t have to wait for her return. This little Auror disturbance surely paid off for him. It was such a timesaver. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

For a second, he wondered if Dumbledore would notice when he saw Hermione again. A high-pitched laugh rolled through the dungeons. To see the look on that man’s face when he realised… It would be worth something. He’d give up half of his followers to witness that. Hell, they could have them all. There were always others to take their vacant places. Watching Dumbledore’s world fall apart, however, was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He snickered. It was like winning the lottery. Such a high.

---

‘I am sure we’re going to get sued, because Tonks just had to knock over one of their priceless family vases.’

Laughter all around. Remus shook his head.

‘Eh,’ Tonks shrugged in a fake apologetic gesture. ‘I am clumsy like that.’ She grinned. ‘Though alas, it didn’t draw out the lovely family member I hoped it would.’

‘We weren’t there to draw out anyone,’ Arthur reprimanded, though with a smile on his face. ‘We were there to give Sev-’

The door to Molly’s kitchen flew open and crashed into the cupboard next to it. The early morning sunlight behind his back highlighted his dark and gloom posture, while his black robes swayed around his frame.

‘Ah Severus!’ Arthur joyfully called out. ‘We were just discussing your situation. Did our little ploy help yourrrr,’ his voice died out upon seeing the absolute murderous look in Snape’s face.

Moody shifted in his seat, his wand-hand ready for a quick draw. Soothingly, Kingsley put his hand on the man’s arm. Remus raised an eyebrow. The entire kitchen turned silent as Severus stalked around the table; his hands clenched in fists; his entire body trembled from the effort it took him not to lash out, as he approached the Headmaster. Slowly, Dumbledore rose from his chair, frowning concerned. ‘Severus, why don’t we take this up in the other-’

‘No, I think we will discuss this right here,’ snarled Snape. ‘I have had it up to here with all the secrecy. You can only go so far, Albus,’ he spat out the name. ‘You can only push people for so long, before they start pushing back and no longer want to take your lead.’

‘Severus, you need to calm down, this is not a subject for everyone’s ears.’

Severus snorted. ‘Like your hand isn’t?’ He leaned forward and spoke softly in the man’s face, ‘If you want to risk your life by not getting assistance straight away when deadly curses hit you, that’s your choice; but I most certainly won’t stand by and watch you risk another’s life, especially one that’s not even off age yet.’

Dumbledore sighed.

‘Something bad is going to happen to Harry?’ Molly asked, taking a few steps toward them, concerned. Her tea sloshed over the rim of the cup she held tightly. ‘I know you plan to pick him up in three days from his aunt and uncle,’ she added, looking at Dumbledore. ‘Did You-Know-Who find out?’ Her eyes darted between Snape and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore shook his head reassuringly. ‘Harry’s travels are secure, Molly.’

‘No, Potter is safe for now,’ Snape added evenly. ‘It’s his friends I am more concerned about at the moment.’

Molly’s eyes widened.

‘Severus,’ Dumbledore said warningly, holding up his hand. He placed it on Snape’s forearm and tried to move the man with him. ‘Not here.’

The Potions Master merely looked at the hand on his arm. ‘Why is Hermione Jean Granger at the Dark Lord’s Headquarters?’ he spoke quietly, not moving even an inch.

Severus’s words slowly sank home inside every Order Member present, and silence fell upon the kitchen.

A crash broke it. Molly had dropped the cup in her hand. Her hands at her mouth, she looked absolutely horrified. Remus had half-risen from his seat, his wand in his hand ready to leave straight away, while the rest of his body language clearly indicated he didn’t want what he just heard to be true.

‘AH!’ Kingsley shouted out, enlightened. His hand waved to Tonks. ‘She is the one who kicked you in the butt that day. I knew there was something familiar about that girl. I just couldn’t put my finger on it.’ He seemed almost relieved to have solved the mystery.

Tonks just stood there, unresponsive, disbelieving.

Arthur put his arm around Molly protectively. ‘Surely you must be mistaken Severus?’ he asked hopefully, his eyes darting between Dumbledore who stood there contemplatively and Snape who was still furious.

‘I have taught that little obnoxious Know-It-All for five years, Arthur, she has a quite … distinctive irritating attitude,’ he turned his attention back to Dumbledore. ‘And you know she is there. You told me not to dig into the matter of the unknown girl back then, to leave it be. You’ve known all along she was there, didn’t you? Why is Granger there, Albus? How come you know about it? And why are we not doing anything about it?’

‘Does Lord Voldemort know you’ve recognised her, Severus?’

Molly gasped and several people turned pale when Dumbledore corroborated Severus’s claims with his question.

‘What?!’ Snape snapped. ‘That’s the question you’re asking me? Why don’t you answer mine and I am sure everyone else’s?’

Dumbledore plucked at his beard thoughtfully. ‘He must have. This is a problem.’

‘A problem? A problem! I don’t call Hermione Granger following the Dark Lord around a problem, Albus. It’s a disaster. I swear if he hadn’t been hovering all over her, I would have grabbed the little witch and apparated us both out; but I never got the right window of opportunity.’

‘It wouldn’t have helped her, Severus. She’d have to go back anyway and your cover would be blown,’ Albus said, shocking everyone even further. ‘You can’t act upon this information, Severus; he will be waiting for you to do so and…’

‘Albus,’ Remus interrupted. ‘I am with Severus on this; if Hermione is there, then we need to go rescue her.’

Several murmurs of agreement followed.

‘Why is she even there?’ Tonks asked, confused. ‘I mean the way you’re talking about it makes it sound like she is there willingly, which is ridiculous. Besides, why would he tolerate a Muggle-born’s presence at all?’

‘She is close to Harry,’ Remus answered. ‘It’s got to be what’s interesting to him.’

‘Yeah, for him, but why for her?’ Tonks said, throwing her hands in the air. ‘It doesn’t make sense.’

Everyone looked at Albus for the answer.

He shook his head. ‘It’s not something I am at liberty to share,’ he said.

The uproar was of spectacular proportions. ‘Not at liberty to share.’

‘We have to do something. We have to go get her out.’

‘I can’t believe this is happening. I thought she was home with her parents.’

‘Do you think they know? They must be so scared.’

‘They are still alive, aren’t they? Did anyone check? If he kidnapped Hermione, then…’

‘Following him around as in she has joined You-Know-Who? What a load of crap.’

Kingsley rose from his chair. ‘Albus,’ his voice boomed, silencing the lot. ‘On behalf of the Auror Department, I have to say I am afraid you’re going to have to explain it.’

Silently, Moody leaned back in his chair, his magical eye twirling between Snape, Dumbledore and now Kingsley Shacklebolt. His wand was drawn a long time ago, but he hid it magnificently in his wide sleeves.

Dumbledore nodded, making Shacklebolt and several others sit down in anticipation of the explanation. ‘You’re right; it seems I have no choice but-’ Albus said, whipping his wand out with the speed of light.

Moody dropped his chair to the floor and rolled under the table, a silvery shield following him around like a bubble. The others never stood a chance. Dumbledore’s curse froze every single one of them.

‘Alastor?’ Dumbledore asked, moving back slowly – his wand raised. A silvery shield followed him, too, as he moved around behind the immobile frozen people.

‘Albus,’ Alastor replied courteously, his wand at the ready.

‘We need to talk about this.’

‘You’re not wiping my memory, Albus.’

‘Of course not, my old friend,’ Dumbledore said reassuringly. ‘I would never do such a dreadful thing.’

‘Save it for someone who’s buying,’ Moody growled distrustfully, scattering back quickly when he noticed Dumbledore moved to the other side of the table.

‘You’re not as silent as you used to be when you move, Alastor.’

‘Old age, wooden leg,’ Moody said, shrugging.

‘We all have our disabilities to overcome,’ Albus concurred, flicking his injured wand-hand under the table.

A gonglike sound vibrated. Moody swore and Molly’s sink took the hit; water sprayed around the kitchen. A dash of red sped toward Dumbledore; he swirled out of its path easily. Molly’s self-knitting jumper halted in mid-air. Its wool unravelled and landed on the floor in mere threads.

‘Nasty hex, Alastor.’

‘Yours too, Albus.’

‘There is only one way for this to end,’ Dumbledore warned, circling the table farther.

‘Uh-uh,’ Moody replied, taking cover behind a frozen Kingsley Shacklebolt. ‘Why don’t you drop your wand and surrender then?’

Dumbledore grinned.

Moody tapped Kingsley with his wand. Nothing happened. Surprised, he glanced at the tip of his wand. He shook it; sparks flew around. It was still working.

‘It’s not your average day Freezing Charm, Alastor. He won’t wake for you,’ Dumbledore answered his unspoken question.

Moody noted his voice sounded an awful lot closer, too close. His magical eye swirled, taking in the room in a 360 degree fashion. He had nowhere to hide. Quickly, he rolled into the open and whipped his wand at a stunned Albus, casting his infamous Incarceration Charm. He never expected it to work. Ropes twirled around the Headmaster and the man crashed to the ground fully immobilised. Moody’s jaw dropped. His wand and eyes firmly focused on Albus Dumbledore, he rose to his feet. He realised his mistake a second too late. ‘Merlin’s beard,’ he uttered, annoyed, just before he froze in position, immobile as the others too.

‘Sorry, my friend,’ Albus said behind him, removing the Invisibility Charm of his body, ‘but it is imperative the Council’s existence remains a secret.’

He quickly wiped everyone’s memory of Severus’s arrival and everything that happened after it, until he reached the last one, Severus Snape. He sighed, plucking his beard again. Tom had to know he recognised Hermione. He was too observant to miss something this big; and he had not wiped Severus’s memory of it, as was his Keeper’s responsibility. Dumbledore shook his head.

Tom had deliberately squandered the charter to see whose side Severus was really on. The man knew he would have to act if Severus told him whom he had seen. The man also knew that if Severus told him, he couldn’t complain to the others about Tom’s lacking actions without giving up Severus’s true allegiance. And if he sent Severus back with an erased memory, Voldemort would know Severus had told him everything. It would mean the end for Severus. He was completely stuck if he couldn’t get Severus to see to reason.

Frowning, he looked at the Potions Master. He took the man’s wand away, just to be on the safe side, raised his wand and unfroze Severus.

‘You have two choices,’ he said calmly to his teacher, who looked around the room confused, while his hand tried to draw his wand fruitlessly. ‘I can put you in protective custody against Lord Voldemort, after I have erased your memory of Hermione’s presence there. Or you can go around your business as usual, keeping Hermione’s secret without ever knowing why she is there, and maybe you will even be in a position to assist her should she need it someday to concur the difficult path that lies ahead of her.’

He stepped back, looking at Snape intently; ready to weigh the truthfulness of the man’s response to him.

Too bad for Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape was a true Master of Occlumency.

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The Apprentice