Chapters 201-210

The Second Question

‘And now the second question: what issue lies at the heart of conflicts and wars, Muggle or magical? Recent history will suffice.’

Hermione frowned, then counted down the obvious list in her mind. The first and the second World War. Korea. Vietnam. The Falklands War. The Persian Gulf War. Grindelwald. Voldemort.

She exhaled in a rush.

‘Power,’ Hermione whispered.

Again, Severus nodded. ‘Trust me, Hermione, it’s better if our worlds remain apart. Magic—people with magic—would become nothing but tools of power for the mighty. Weapons to be controlled and used. Can you imagine what that would mean? For you, for Harry, for Alina? Do you think that anyone, any child with magical powers would be allowed to lead a normal life?’ He shook his head. ‘No—the Pacta and the Statute of Secrecy may have many faults, but the initial idea of those treaties has been a saving grace for both our worlds.

‘As for your initial question: If my suspicions are true, do I think that we face an official ‘crusade’ of the Church?’ He shrugged. Then he wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘I cannot tell. All we have are more or less vague suspicions. But a concerted effort does not seem very likely, in my opinion. The involvement of Umbridge and the Death Eaters—’

‘So you do think that the killings and the curse and the Church-wizards are connected somehow?’

‘I haven’t survived this long by believing in coincidence,’ he replied dryly. ‘But yes, I do think that the events of the last two years are more or less connected. However, here’s the catch: I cannot truly see the Church cooperating ‘officially’ with Death Eaters; or even unofficially, to be honest. The Muggle world has gained as much as the wizarding world from the success of the détente since the implementation of the Pacta and the Statute. And the Church is very much aware of the fact. Or why do you think the congregation was re-named in 1908?’

‘Times have changed, is that what you want to say?’ Hermione asked.

Severus looked weary and worried. She wondered how long he’d been thinking about all of this. How long it had weighed on his mind. How long he’d kept silent about his suspicions. At least since November, when he’d given her the rare copies of the Pacta to read. Had he hoped that she’d come to the same conclusions? Had he been waiting for her to…She mentally shook herself and forced herself to concentrate on the topic of their conversation. She could meditate over her intellectual shortcomings later. All right. So times had changed. But taking into account recent events and Severus’ suspicions, what did that mean?

‘But times may change again,’ she ventured. ‘A détente may unravel. A truce may be broken.’

Severus exhaled deeply. Leaning forward, he propped his elbows on his knees and covered his face with his palms. ‘Yes, indeed. That’s exactly what I told Andromeda. The Inquisition may today be called ‘Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’, and Pope John Paul II. may have established an official symposium to examine the history of the Inquisition. But this does not mean that the Church suddenly embraces magic as a god-given gift. The old adage of ‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’ will never be forgotten in certain circles.’ He looked up again. ‘However, all things considered, I believe it is more than likely that we are dealing with a group of vigilantes. Much like the Order of the Phoenix, maybe?’ He gave her a mirthless smile.

‘But—’ Hermione hesitated. She wanted to say that the Order was different. But was it? It was certainly not part of the establishment. Or even remotely legal. Though that might change, now that Andromeda was Minister of Magic.

‘But—’ She fell silent. Then she shook her head and squared her shoulders, probably in typical Gryffindor fashion. ‘But they are Muggles. I mean, they may have a couple of renegade wizards on their side. But when it comes down to it, they’re just Muggles. We’ll manage.’

‘Will we?’ Severus asked, his tone biting. ‘And just how well, pray-tell, do you think the average wizard will manage to duck solid projectiles travelling faster than the speed of sound and penetrating soft, unprotected bodies? You don’t need magic to kill a wizard.’

Hermione gulped. She’d never given a thought to Muggle fire-arms. Severus was right. Which wizard would even recognize a pistol as a weapon? And who’d be quick enough to duck, to cast ‘Protego’ between firing and impact. If that was even possible.

‘Is it possible at all?’ she asked. ‘To duck, I mean.’

Severus gave her a long look. Then he inclined his head. ‘It is. That is—I did it. Once. Harry might manage.’ He scowled. ‘Even if it’s just because he’s meant to be a pain in my arse for all eternity.’

oooOooo

Harry stared at Draco’s translucent face.

‘Draco?’ he croaked. ‘How? Why?’

Draco rolled his eyes. ‘Does the phrase “unfinished business” mean anything to you? It was kind of a bummer to lie there with a damn fish tank crushing my ribs in and breathing my last, when I didn’t even know if I’d really found the second half of the Resurrection Stone.’

Draco fidgeted. It made him rise a few inches above the tabletop before he sank back down into a perfect simile of his customary posture of boredom and nonchalance, complete with picking at his not quite visible nails.

Harry swallowed hard. He didn’t want to imagine how it had been, to lie there with the lobalug’s venom coursing through Draco’s veins, his ribs crushed by the damn fish tank. Hermione had been right. What a stupid way to die. Obviously, Draco—or Draco’s soul—had agreed.

‘Gosh,’ Harry gasped. ‘I’m really sorry, Draco. But I hope you don’t mind me saying that, I’m also terribly glad. To have you back, you know?’