5th year at Hogwarts

***

"Voldemort is trying to hurt Potter through people he cares about, Granger and Weasel will be next," Draco said.

"Yes, we know. But please do not share this with Mr. Weasley in potion's class anymore," Snape said softly.

"But how did you-" Draco asked.

"I heard you," Snape cut his off.

"Oh," Draco said sheepishly.

"Severus, would you please accompany me to get Harry; he is in Care of Magical Creatures," Dumbledore asked.

"Alright," Snape said and followed him out.

***

Draco, Narcissa, and Sirius watched them go, and then Sirius turned and began speaking with Narcissa, "You came back." It was a statement this time instead of a question.

"Mother?" Draco said uncertainly.

"Yes, dear," Narcissa said pulling her eyes away from Sirius to look at him.

"What's with you and-and him," Draco said gesturing to Sirius.

"Oh, well Sirius and I were in love before I was asked out by your father, and, well, no one refused Lucius Malfoy. He only wanted me to prove that he could have anything he wanted. And, well, we married and I had to forget about Sirius," Narcissa said sadly. Draco looked disapprovingly at Sirius but said nothing, because he didn't want to upset his mother. While Sirius and Narcissa talked quietly Draco sat silently waiting for Dumbledore, Snape, and Potter to get back.

When the door opened, Dumbledore walked in, followed by Snape, who was followed by a surprised looking Harry who was even more surprised to see Draco, Sirius, and Narcissa sitting in the office.

"Harry, have a seat," Dumbledore said as he transfigured a small table into a chair for Harry. Fawkes, who until then had remained almost motionless, flew off his perch to rest on Harry's lap.

"'Lo Fawkes," Harry said as he began stroking the phoenix.

"Harry," Sirius said with a smile, "You okay?"

"Just fine," Harry said flashing a smile back. Draco realized this was one of the first times he had seen Harry smile. He then turned his attention to Dumbledore, who was beginning to speak.

"Harry, I suppose you're wondering what is going on here. So Narcissa, you may tell him what you feel is necessary."

Narcissa looked at Harry thoughtfully; she only vaguely resembled the woman who Harry had seen at the Quidditch World Cup the year before, "Well, Lucius was going to kill me and I only just managed to escape."

"And you and Sirius?"

Sirius answered this with, "She's the one I was talking about earlier."

"Oh," Harry said with a slight nod, Draco noticed his eyes flashed slightly. "And why do we trust him," he asked with a jerk of his head toward Draco, "with your identity?"

"Oh, calm down, Potter. I'm not going to run off to tell the Dark Lord."

Harry gave him a look that said you better not. Dumbledore interrupted, "Harry, Mr. Malfoy is here on my invitation." Harry just nodded but again Draco saw Harry's eyes flash slightly. "Good. Now I have called you here to discuss the matter of Ms. Brown." Harry bit his lip hard. "Narcissa, you said you knew about a girl."

"Um hum."

"Tell me exactly what you know."

"She was taken and the dark lord is disappointed that Harry has not yet come to rescue her. He's residing somewhere near Hogwarts, I think."

"Severus?" Dumbledore asked turning to the potions master.

"He is indeed near Hogwarts; I was summoned to a meeting last night." Sirius mumbled something that sounded like 'you lousy Death Eater.' Severus shot him a look of pure venom before continuing. "He wants me to persuade you to get someone to go looking after Ms. Brown."

"Draco? Do you know anything else?" Dumbledore said. Draco noticed Harry raise his eyebrows when Dumbledore called him Draco, Dumbledore rarely called students by their first names except his favorite, Harry.

"No."

"What, don't you hear anything from your precious Death Eating excuse for a father?" Harry asked.

"At least I have a father, Potter," Draco said icily. Harry looked downright pissed, and Sirius turned to glare at Draco.

"Malfoy, you spineless bastard. At least my father is a better father dead then yours is alive, especially since he died trying to save me."

"A fool's death, Potter."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry growled.

"You expected anything less from your worst enemy?" Draco said with a smirk, "Oh second-worse I mean."

"Nope, not second worse, Pettigrew got that spot."

"Third?" Draco asked mildly surprised.

"Um...possibly, oh no, he got that spot," Harry said gesturing to Snape.

"Fourth?"

"Yeah, fourth," Harry said with a nod.

"Wow; you're on top of my list followed by the weasel and mudblood."

"Don't call her that!"

"Boys," Dumbledore interrupted, "That is quite enough." He paused while Harry and a more reluctant Draco mumbled their apologies to him. "Now then Narcissa, you and Mr. Malfoy are excused. Severus, I know you need to return to prepare for your next class soon, but if you could stay just a little longer-"

"Of course," Severus said quickly. Draco stood up to leave and Narcissa followed suit only pausing to give Sirius a quick kiss. Once they had left Snape turned to Harry and said, "I rate above Mr. Malfoy on your list of enemies?" Harry shrugged and nodded before standing to join his godfather on the small couch. Fawkes cooed indignantly as he got up before following him and resting on his lap once again.

"I have a plan," Sirius said.

"Let's hear it," Dumbledore offered.

"Harry can find Voldemort by following the summoning to Lavender and then we could follow him at a distance."

"Wouldn't work," Severus said quickly, "He will have thought of that. I have a better plan I would bring Potter to the next meeting, he would be stunned. And Potter would be wearing a locator charm. As soon as we get there, Aurors could begin Apparating in and taking Death Eaters."

"It's a good plan," Dumbledore said calmly, "With a few problems. For one, Apparating with an unconscious person often results in splinching. Second of all, would we be able to Apparate in?"

"True, splinching is a problem, so I will take Harry conscious. Say I kidnapped him and woke him up just before Apparating. I can assure you that if it is a meeting any Apparation barriers will be down," Severus said coolly.

"What if they suspect you had something to do with Harry wearing a locator charm?" Sirius asked.

"Concerned about me, Black? I will say that Dumbledore must have placed it on him so you would know if he went sneaking off to find Ms. Brown?"

"This seems like a very good plan," Dumbledore said. "Do you know how long it will be before another meeting?"

"No. But if I tell Him that I have a way to get Harry Potter to him it will probably be that night, so whenever we want," Snape said.

"I need a week to get a team together," Dumbledore said. "It will have to be people who believe in or can be convinced of Sirius's innocence and the return of Voldemort."

"This plan is too dangerous for Harry," Sirius objected softly. "He won't have a wand, he doesn't know enough wandless magic to fight someone with more skill yet, and he will be facing one of the most powerful wizards in the world. If something went wrong..." He trailed off.

All eyes now turned to Harry, who up until now had been silent, "I'm willing to take the risk."

"If worst comes to worst I will protect Potter even if it means blowing my cover," Severus said calmly.

"Then that settles it. I have some owls to write now. Sirius, I assume you are willing to come and help," Dumbledore said. Sirius nodded. "Good day then, gentlemen. And Harry do not tell your friends about any of this." Harry nodded then stood following Sirius, who had transformed into Snuffles, out of the room to the Great Hall for lunch.

The week seemed to flash by and before Harry knew it he was back in Dumbledore's office with Sirius and Snape. It had been hard not to tell his friends what was going on but he had done it. When he told them his talk with Dumbledore had just been a talk about more information on Lavender he knew they suspected something, but thankfully they didn't ask question and didn't voice their thoughts. Though Harry thought Hermione must have told Ron to keep quiet as Ron usually spoke the first thing that came to mind.

"Severus, I have a team ready. I want you to contact Voldemort this Friday night," Dumbledore said.

"But I have Wandless Magic!" Harry protested.

"Well, since Severus is supposed to be teaching it, it will be cancelled."

"Okay," Harry said; he was usually at his best in dangerous situations, but he wasn't in the situation yet so he had to deal with the nervousness that came with the waiting. Right then he had a terrible knot in his stomach. This seemed terribly dangerous now that he was analyzing it. He wouldn't have a wand; that was what bothered him most, and he couldn't believe he had agreed to this.

"Severus, contact Voldemort Thursday night, late, and tell him you can bring him Harry," Dumbledore said. Harry noticed Dumbledore seemed completely composed, and not at all nervous; then again Harry had never seen him when he was not composed. Also Dumbledore would have his wand; he would have a way to defend himself. They all would, all of them excluding Harry.

"Alright," Severus said. If he was nervous he didn't show it, in fact, Harry noticed, his face held no emotion at all. He sat silently with a mask over his features. Harry supposed it was built into him after being a spy for so many years.

"Sirius," Sirius stooped pacing to listen to Dumbledore, "everyone who is going to be working with us believes you are innocent or has been convinced that you are at least not working for Voldemort." Sirius nodded curtly before resuming his pacing, he was always nervous before events, Sirius. He showed it way more then Harry, he was jumpy and cautious, but when the moment in which he needed to act finally came, Sirius was always calm and collected. Harry supposed that Sirius was even more nervous then usual now because he was worried about Harry as well as himself. Harry thought that Sirius was probably more worried about him then he was about himself.

"You are all excused, if there is nothing else," Dumbledore said, they all shook their heads, "alright, have a goodnight gentleman." All Harry could think about as he descended the stairs out of Dumbledore's office was how undefended he would be when this was all going to take place, and how he would have to worry about this for four days, plus the rest of the night.

Thankfully, the next day was the day the fifth years had DADA first period so Harry was allowed to sleep in. But he did have to pull himself up and focus in for Herbology. After lunch he slept through most of HOM and was only barely focused for Divination. He did have to wake up for Transfiguration, though, and he only had a little trouble turning his desk into various small animals and back. He was fully awake when he and Hermione were paired together in Advanced DADA, especially since he had to have an unofficial duel with her while McGonagall supervised.

Wednesday dragged on and on; thankfully, Harry had classes to keep him occupied and then Quidditch practice which left him tired enough to fall asleep quickly. Unfortunately, it was a restless sleep and he tossed and turned most of the night, with nightmares about Friday.

Thursday came and Harry knew he would go to Dumbledore that evening to make sure Snape had gotten a hold of Voldemort. The day crawled by. Snape was nervous about talking to Voldemort that night, though he managed to keep it concealed from everyone else. As 9:30, the time he was going to call Voldemort, approached, he began to pace his office. Four steps left turn four steps right, back and forth, back and fourth, the minutes dragged by until finally his clock chimed, it was 9:30. Snape took a deep breath pulled a mask over his feature and reached for his wand. He pressed it to the Dark Mark which was burned into his arm, linking him and Voldemort together forever. He murmured the incantation and said, "Master we must speak."

Slowly above his arm a figure began rotating when it stopped it could have been recognized as the head and shoulders of Voldemort, "Severus," it hissed.

"Master," Severus said softly bowing his head.

"What is it Severus?" Voldemort said.

"I can bring you Harry Potter, master."

"When?"

"Tomorrow, late evening."

"Exccellent. I shall call a meeting then. Do not fail me on this Severus."

"No master. Potter and I will be there. Then you can kill him and the mudblood bitch you captured to lure him to you." The shadow of Voldemort came as close to smiling as possible before fading away.

Severus walked up to Dumbledore's office alone. He was thinking about the next night as were so many others. When he entered Dumbledore's office the old man looked up expectantly, "Tomorrow, late evening," he said with a sigh. Then he fell, tiredly, into a chair. Dumbledore nodded and stood up, "I must go get Harry and Sirius." Severus nodded.

When Dumbledore stepped into the Gryffindor common room it fell silent, his eyes searched the room before resting on Harry who was sitting at a table in the corner. Dumbledore saw Harry mumble something to his friends before he stood up and crossed the room. As he did, Snuffles stood up and followed him. Dumbledore nodded at the rest of the room before saying, "Have a goodnight." As he closed the portrait door behind him he heard conversations beginning again.

"Well?" said Harry as soon as the portrait door was closed.

"Not here," Dumbledore said softly.

They walked the rest of the way in silence but as soon as they stepped into Dumbledore's office he questioned, "Well?"

"There will be a meeting late tomorrow evening," Dumbledore said. Harry's head exploded with thoughts of seeing Lavendar again, being killed by Voldemort, and so many others Harry couldn't comprehend them all. "After dinner, around seven, you will come straight up here," Dumbledore instructed the three of them. "Harry, you may tell your friends you will be gone all night but you will be safe." Harry nodded silently.

Harry left just a few minutes later; he wasn't sure how he even made it all the way to the Gryffindor tower.

The next morning Harry could hardly concentrate; thankfully Snape did the most un-Snape-ish thing ever and went rather easy on him. Harry was incredibly grateful and somehow managed to make it through the whole day. He went down to dinner grateful that soon the waiting would be over. He knew that the plan relied hardly at all on him, he was just a pawn to attract Voldemort, but it didn't matter much. When dinner finished he split-up with his friends and walked to the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office and gave the password . Then he headed up the stairs to the office which was only occupied by Dumbledore and Sirius. Dumbledore sat behind his desk looking calmly over plans, "Hullo Harry," he said when Harry entered.

Sirius was already pacing the room he too greeted Harry, "'Lo Harry." As Harry sat waiting Arthur Weasley arrived, Mad-eye Moody who eyed Sirius skeptically, Prof. McGonagall, Prof. Lupin, Prof. Weasley, Bill Weasley who was off work for a week, and Arabella Figg. A small man who Harry didn't recognize walked in and was introduced as Mundungus Fletcher, an Auror. And finally, Prof. Snape entered.

"Welcome all," Dumbledore said when Severus had taken a seat. "Now our top concern tonight is to get both Harry and Lavendar back safely. Our secondary objective is to capture as many Death Eaters as possible, more specifically Peter Pettigrew. But any will significantly help us. It is very important that everyone here understands that everyone in here is on our side." Mad-eye Moody made a noise that sounded a lot like a sniff of disapproval. "Including Severus and Sirius. Severus is our spy, not Voldemort's," several people flinched at the sound of the name. "And Sirius is not and never was working for Voldemort. It is very important that we all trust each other."

When Dumbledore finished his little speech it was almost 8:00. Harry tuned out most of the discussion the rest were having on tactics. It was 10:00, Harry couldn't understand how the time had passed so quickly, when Severus grabbed his arm and flinched slightly, "We need to go," he said suddenly to Harry.

Harry stood up and began crossing the room when Dumbledore said, "Your wand, Harry."

"Oh right," said Harry placing his wand into Dumbledore's hand.

"And here's the locator," Dumbledore said handing him a small black sphere. "It will stay in your pocket." Harry nodded and then followed Snape out of the room and across the grounds. After walking for almost twenty minutes Snape quickened his pace he could feel the anti-apparition just ahead.

He stopped abruptly when he was just outside of it, and Harry gave him a quizzical look, "We can Apparate from here," Severus said. "I will carry you as you will look more like you jut woke from a stunning spell. Harry just nodded and allowed Snape to pick him up. Snape also grabbed his wand pointed at himself and Disapparated with Harry in his arms.