Fidelitas

Chapter Five

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'It is most distressing, Albus. Had we known of Voldemort's plans to free Azkaban, we might have prevented it; as it was, we were completely unprepared.'

Albus looked at Remus thoughtfully. He had just resumed his leadership of the Order of the Phoenix; Snape had relinquished his temporary post quite happily. A week had passed since Lucius Malfoy had escaped Azkaban, and already the wizarding world was in an unprecedented state of terror.

'What about Draco, Albus? Has he made his decision?'

'Not that I know of. Severus has been speaking to him. What do you make of it?'

Remus thought for a second, then spoke. 'There is no doubt that the boy is intelligent. I am also sure that he is sufficiently shrewd. However . . . '

'You cannot trust him?'

Remus looked uncomfortable. 'What if he's meant to spy on us for Him? What reason has he given us to trust him?'

'None. Yet, you must realize that Voldemort has absolutely no need for spies. Our position is quite deplorable as it is. He has no requirement for any further advantage. He has already surpassed his previous strength, and Harry is not yet ready.'

'In that case, why does Malfoy want to join our forces anyway? If he is so shrewd, wouldn't he pick the winning side?'

'I'm not so sure. I have a feeling that the revelation that Severus is on our side, had a very ... profound effect on young Mister Malfoy.'

Remus was confused. 'What do you mean?'

'Think about it Remus. The boy has virtually grown up without a family. What if he looks up to Severus, as a mentor, so to speak?'

'You could be right.'

'Perhaps. Indeed it is an intriguing possibility.'

'Nonetheless Albus, he has only three days left to make his decision.'

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'Add newt's eye in small quantities till mixture turns purple, stir clockwise three times, anticlockwise five times, then add spleen of lionfish mixed with . . .'

The sound of footsteps roused Snape from his brewing. He frowned, then applied a Freeze charm to the potion, took off his gloves, and proceeded downstairs.

The house was dark: he had forgotten to turn on the lights in his preoccupation with the complex potion. He walked soundlessly through the familiar rooms, his vision having adjusted to the darkness.

A swish of robes behind him alerted him to their presence; he pivoted around to catch a glimpse of black robes, familiar masks and three jets of red light directed towards him; he ducked, but not fast enough. The spells hit him simultaneously and he crashed down to the floor. With his very last breath, he muttered a spell and a beam of silver shot out of his wand and into the night.

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Remus, Bill and Albus were seated in the Headmaster's office, sipping on cups of tea.

'Hagrid has been speaking to the centaurs; after Bane's disappearance, they're much more openly supportive of our cause, but they're reluctant to play any active role.'

'Perhaps Kingsley should talk to them? As the Minister for Magic, perhaps he shall have better luck.'

'It is possible but . . .'

Albus broke off suddenly.

A small silver sphere on Albus' desk had begun to produce a whirring noise.

'It's Severus! He must be in trouble!'

'We'll handle it Albus,' said Bill, as he and Remus headed towards the fireplace.

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'Bloody traitor!'

'Stand aside,' said a voice easily recognizable as belonging to Lucius Malfoy. 'He's mine.'

'My, Lucius, you sound almost possessive.'

Lucius turned around to find Remus smiling at him benignly, his wand held with seeming casualness.

'So possessive, so personal, why, do you like him, Loo-cius?' said Remus with apparent childish glee.

Lucius bared his teeth in a cold smile. 'Well, this is most fortunate; we came for the traitor, and we'll get the werewolf as an added bonus.'

Remus' smile broadened.

'We shall see . . .'

'Malfoy, look!'

Lucius turned around to find that Severus' body had disappeared. As the two henchmen looked around wildly, Bill and Remus attacked. Caught by surprise, Lucius tried to fight back, but the others had fled. Within moments, he disapparated as well.

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'We really should thank Harry for this cloak of his,' said Bill, as he removed the Invisibility Cloak to reveal Severus' battered form.

Remus smiled, but he looked worried. 'These wounds are serious. We must get him to Madam Pomfrey immediately.'

Without a word, Bill and Remus touched their wands to Severus' body and spoke a spell in unison. The three of them faded away, leaving the room in darkness once more.

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