Chapters 141-150

Trio or Duo?

Percy observed the procession of dark-robed men from the visitors’ entrance to the meeting room where Umbridge was waiting. He wondered why their presence bothered him so much. After all, the corridors and hallways were full of robed men, of men and women in robes of every imaginable colour, day and night. Was it because of the weird hairstyle they favoured? But there were bald wizards, too. His own father sported a hairline that was quite visibly receding with age. Or their piercing eyes, filled with distrust and thinly veiled disapproval? But Minerva McGonagall could outstare most Slytherins with her beady gaze. And he was certain that Severus Snape would have those Muggles quaking in their boots within seconds.

Was it just because they were Muggles? That thought disturbed him. Had he learnt nothing from his experiences during the war? Percy shook himself. His boss was waiting for him. Andromeda Tonks-Black and he were investigating if the magical tattoos had been manipulated from within the Ministry of Magic. A job of late nights, high stacks of parchment, and finicky detection spells. Probably the most important job of his life. He swallowed hard. And not only of his life.The lives of many others depended on his work.

Turning around, he almost collided with the Minister of Magic. He apologised profusely, bowed, and looked expectantly at the older man, but there was barely a reaction. Shacklebolt looked dazed and merely nodded at him before he hurried on. His movements were mechanical, as if he was beyond weariness. And…Percy grimaced. He must have been to see Umbridge this morning already. A wave of Jarvey musk floated in the wake of the Minister’s passage.

Just before they disappeared from his sight, Percy noticed that one of the dark-robed Muggles had slowed down. The man was watching him—and the Minister. Dark eyes glinted with what Percy recognised as shrewd cunning and a flicker of…of what? Suspicion? Dread? But why would a Muggle who belonged to an official diplomatic delegation be afraid of him? Or of the Minister?

oooOooo

‘Alina would be the logical choice for a third,’ Hermione admitted at last, but Ron noticed that she wouldn’t look at Harry. ‘If it’s really necessary to have a team of three…’

Snape shook his head at once. ‘Absolutely not. She’s a child. And a student. I will not allow that.’

‘Look, Severus,’ Harry cut in. ‘I understand why you don’t like that. I really do. But…she’s strong and she’s a Necromancer. She has also proven on more than one occasion that she’s smart, and that she can handle herself in difficult situations. I mean, if you think back, in my second year I had already faced—’ He stopped. A flush and a sheepish expression suffused his face. ‘Umm. Well. I guess there’s no really good way to put that, is there? In my second year I’d already faced Alina’s dad with Voldemort attached to him and I survived the Chamber of Secrets. I mean that was dangerous, too.’

‘Exactly,’ Snape hissed. A vein at the man’s temple pulsed, betraying his agitation in spite of the soft tone of his voice. ‘You could have been killed. Your friends could have been killed. Back then it was my task to ensure your survival—against all odds, including murderous plots of various Death Eaters, and even against Albus Dumbledore’s infernal meddling. Today I am responsible for Alina’s safety. And while I know better than anybody else about the mitigating circumstances for your extracurricular activities, I fail to understand how Arithmantic statistics justify endangering the life of a young girl.’

Harry’s eyes flashed green lightning. He straightened up, a look of barely contained belligerence on his face. For a moment Ron wondered if his friend was actually looking forward to risking his life again.

‘Harry, mate,’ Ron interrupted. ‘I’m sorry, but for once I have to agree with Sn—with Professor Snape. I don’t know a lot about Arithmancy, but even I know that every figure has some kind of power. So if the two of you are the strongest wizards in the world, you should be able to pull off this stunt on your own. Leave the kid out of it.’

Snape and Hermione looked at him with disconcertingly similar expressions of astonishment.

Harry glared at him. ‘No risk, no fun,’ he snapped. ‘And if Madame Dubois and Professor Vector both say that a trio has the best chance, then I think we should bloody well put together a trio for this expedition.’

Ron looked at Harry and wondered if he’d always been so stubborn. Hermione was still staring at her interlaced fingers as if they held the answers to all her questions. Snape was glaring at Harry and studiously ignoring Hermione.

‘Harry? Could I talk with you for a moment outside?’ Ron glanced at McGonagall, belatedly realising that he was interrupting an Order meeting. But McGonagall nodded.

He practically dragged Harry from his chair and out the door.

‘What?’ Harry ground out once they were in the hallway.

‘Harry, I don’t know why you don’t want to listen. But you’re taking things too far. No one knows if you can get beyond the Veil and back. And no matter what Dubois and Vector are saying about favourable figures, Snape at least is convinced that he’ll only get back as a ghost. Have you even noticed how he won’t even look at Hermione? Bloody hell, Harry, do you even care how dangerous that trip is?’

oooOooo

‘Are you feeling better?’ Hermione asked softly. Then she sighed. ‘I’m sorry. That’s a stupid question.’

The room was dark and cold, apart from the warmth of her body at his side. He would have preferred to be alone, without the constant reminder of what he would lose. The warm curves of her body pressed against him. The sighs of her pleasure exhaled into shared kisses.

‘At least Alina will be safe now,’ he replied.

‘Hopefully…’

oooOooo

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