As The Falcon Hath Her Bells: Taking Flight

Chapter Twenty-Three

Draco presented the note to Snape with an extremely troubled look just before the Easter holidays."He says he'll be here for me this evening," Draco said, voice flat and expressionless, but eyes obviously worried.

Snape studied the letter delivered to Draco that morning.It was a note from Lucius Malfoy stating that Draco's mother was ill and wished her son home for the Easter holiday to see her.Draco was to be at Hogsmeade station that evening, awaiting his father's arrival.

Snape sighed and looked up at Draco."This does complicate things."He had not planned on the boy having to deal with being around his father or the Death Eaters before he broke off his ties with their kind after finishing Hogwarts.

"I don't believe for an instant," Draco said, frowning, "that Mother is ill.He had mentioned at Christmas letting me attend a meeting before I took the Mark--introducing me to the Dark Lord.That was the night before…well, before that."He gave the usual helpless half-shrug he resorted to when pondering the events of that night, indicating his lack of knowledge.

Snape smiled humorlessly."Your interview with Voldemort, Draco."

"There's no way I can avoid it, is there?" Draco grimaced.

Tosca sighed and said, Dangerous game, Sev.I don't like it.Snape nodded idly, to let her know he was listening and agreed.He didn't talk with her in front of young Malfoy, as the boy had no idea that he (or Hermione Granger for that matter) was an Animagus.That would tip his hand, and while he was reasonably sure of Draco's intents, it wasn't a secret he wanted to be confiding immediately.If necessary, he would divulge it.Else, it was none of Draco's business, and talking with Tosca would rather give him away.

"Not really," he replied."About all you can manage is to act loyal--there are only two months left," he said in an effort at consolation."And he will not have you take the Mark before leaving Hogwarts."Voldemort had refused to allow him to do so, saying that he would not lose a valuable Death Eater to Albus Dumbledore's scrutiny.

"I see."

"If it's any help," he offered, "you are not supposed to…participate…until you are in the ranks.Your experience at Christmas will not be repeated, at least not with the Dark Lord present."Voldemort really didn't care what his followers did with those they captured, so long as they eventually ended up dead, but he detested such distractions at his meetings.Never mingle business with pleasure, Snape thought wryly."You will merely observe," Snape continued, recalling his first meeting.He came out of it with no idea of what the Death Eaters really did; if he had, would he have joined their ranks?He didn't know, but his concern now was for Draco rather than his own sordid past.

"I had best be packing," Draco said with a sigh."Father will be here in a few hours."He gave Snape a ghost of a smile."Wish me luck, sir.If I'm not here come Monday, assume the worst," he said, almost matter-of-factly.

"I hate this," he muttered, once Draco had closed the door after himself.

There's nothing you can do? Toca asked, gliding lazily onto his desk and regarding him with her large black eyes.Tell Malfoy he's got to stay here to make up for abysmal grades and has had all leaving privileges revoked or the like?

He shook his head."No.Leaving privileges are not pertinent in the case of family emergency, as Lucius wrote is supposedly the case, and in any case, any such effort would more than set him upon alert.Draco's quite a prize for Voldemort, one that Lucius Malfoy will be careful not to lose."

Damn.I suppose you'll probably be summoned if it's a meeting this weekend.Take Hermione, I suppose, and keep an eye on him.

"Are you getting fond of him, Tosca?"He grinned.

As fond as I can be of a boy who turned into a ferret, she chuckled.Blasted prey-mammals, the lot of them.My sister Carmen insists they're wonderful partners in flushing out hares for you, but I think she's quite frankly fibbing.

He nodded idly."He may summon me, or he may not."He shrugged."In all likelihood it'll be tomorrow night, so even if I'm not called, perhaps I should go: see what I can glean in the way of information, and to keep an eye on the boy."

He hoped Draco still possessed a Slytherin's cunning and deviousness to get him through this.It hadn't been easy, since all of Hogwarts considered him the foremost Death Eater-to-be and treated him accordingly.When his turning sides was known, he likely would not be widely accepted, even by those he should have been able to call allies.Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin: at least to them.They'll think he'll switch sides at the first opportunity, he thought tiredly.It would be the first test of many for the boy.He only hoped the burden wasn't too heavy.

Tosca suddenly groaned, studying the Potions essay he had been grading when Draco had burst into his office.Who is this?"Nundu breath is the result of not using mouthwash"?They get worse every year…I swear, I could do better in your class than most of these lackwits.He chuckled slightly at that image, and rose to his feet, intending to go find Hermione Granger and let her know that there was work to be done this weekend.

* * * * *

It was a calm and moonless night that Saturday, as Hermione and Snape watched the gathering in the dungeons.She was used to the slight distortion of sounds by now through the charmed window.

Draco was in there with them, trying to look calm and composed, but obviously a little unnerved from the impressions remaining of the memory of what he had done in these dungeons.Still, though looking a trifle paler than usual, he was holding up well.

"My son, my Lord," Lucius said, pride obvious in his voice, as he led Draco forward.

"Young Draco," Voldemort said, glowing red eyes fixed upon Draco standing before him."You would follow me?"

"My Lord," Draco said smoothly, his voice sounding like a silky younger version of his father's, "I would follow what I know to be right."

Snape made a faint grunt at that.Don't equivocate, Malfoy, he muttered.You're Slytherin.Lie and have done with it!

Draco must have realized that, because he continued with nary a hitch, "And I know that it is only right that magic should be reserved for those who are pure and untainted by Muggle filth."Hermione tried not to shudder at the old propaganda coming once more from Draco's mouth--she had grown used to the idea of him as wiser and determined to fight for the right side, not the whinging brat he had been before.But it had to be done.

"Really," Voldemort said coolly.

"My Lord," Lucius protested, seeming to see his high position slip through his fingers if his son was not trusted, "he has always sought to humiliate the Mudbloods…"

"There is a great deal of difference," Voldemort said, turning that fiery gaze upon Lucius, Hermione not surprised to see Lucius pale a little and take a half-step back, "between humiliating Mudbloods and exterminating them.I must wonder if your son has the spine to follow my orders, to do what must be done to cleanse this world of the filth that has tainted it."

Draco stepped forward and bowed his head slightly at the monstrous figure, half-snake, half-man."I will do whatever is necessary, my Lord.There will be deaths in this struggle, I know.Those who are against me and those I follow must die."

Again, he was playing too close to the razor's edge, obviously a little squeamish about proclaiming himself to Voldemort openly, even falsely.Voldemort sensed it, as a shark sensed blood from wounded prey and pressed further."Would you die for me, young Malfoy?Would you give up your life in my service?"

Draco looked up and smiled at Voldemort, hints of the old arrogance back in his countenance."Yes," he said calmly, though Hermione noticed his hands trembling slightly, as though saying that eternally damned him.

"Very good."That test initially passed, Voldemort further questioned Draco with the boy answering calmly from the way he used to be, with hardly any compunction as the interview went on.

Tell him what he wants to hear, Hermione muttered softly.We won't think less of you for it.

She was aware of a sound of surprise from Snape.I'm surprised to hear that from a Gryffindor.

Are you surprised to hear it from me, not just "a Gryffindor"? she retorted, thinking she must have been mistaken in thinking he had seen beyond her house.

No, not from you, he admitted plainly, turning his eyes back towards the window, shifting slightly on the branch.She was quite comfortable seeing him in falcon form by now.

"Bring him to me once he is free from Dumbledore and he shall enter my service," Voldemort finally declared imperiously.Lucius gave a slight bow of acknowledgement at that, lips curving into a smile beneath his half-mask.

"Ah," Voldemort said lightly."One more thing, Draco."

Draco turned back, the very picture of servile humility."My Lord?"

"Tell me, how is," Voldemort smirked, "Severus Snape these days?Pitt tells me," he nodded towards a stocky young Death Eater, "that when he left Hogwarts a year ago Severus was…"he waved a hand idly, "…not his usual self?"

Draco shrugged."Snarky and sarcastic as usual, my Lord.He had a funny turn for a few weeks last year, but he's mostly the same."He smiled widely."I could kill him for you!" he offered in a convincing display of youthful overabundance of eagerness to please."Traitors can't be tolerated."

She knew it was all an act to enhance Draco's masquerade as an exceptionally eager Death Eater candidate, but she couldn't help looking at Snape and seeing him sitting still as death.The Death Eaters actually chuckled at Draco's seemingly innocent adoration of Voldemort.Voldemort smiled indulgently."No, there will be other opportunities for you to prove yourself.The pleasure of capturing Snape I believe I shall give to Walden and Desdemona now that they are freed from Azkaban, since he," now the voice changed to a malevolent hiss, "betrayed them into the hands of the Aurors.I shall be the one to kill him, of course.That is the law."

"Yes, my Lord," Draco said, the very picture of reluctance and petulance.

You set the Lestranges up? Hermione asked softly, impressed.She knew they had escaped Azkaban shortly after Christmas with the assistance of the Death Eaters.

Yes.I betrayed them, Snape said flatly.

With that, the victims to come were named: this time Killian Ruiadh, a journalist for the Daily Prophet who had been publishing editorials calling for a rally against Voldemort, was foremost.

Suicidal fool, Snape muttered darkly, as Voldemort Disapparated, along with a few of the Death Eaters.Did he think they'd ignore him publishing such things?

With that, the masks were removed and hoods thrown back, the Death Eaters looking cheerfully at home.Ah, Snape said flatly.It's to be a weekend at Lucius'.I have such fond memories.

Beg your pardon?

He'd often invite, Snape explained patiently, some of us amongst the Dark Lord's higher ranks to stay at the manor for a few days and "amuse" ourselves.He does like to curry favor amongst the ranks; keeps him in power just below Voldemort.Well, below Pettigrew now as well, he amended.

You don't mean…

Oh, fine vintages from the Malfoy cellars, banquets in the dining room, and probablyhe's got some Muggles or the like for the "amusement" later, he replied, shaking his head.Maybe an Auror, even, though I've heard of none captured lately. Don't get ideas, Hermione.We can do nothing.I could do nothing even when I was there in the thick of it, besides not fall to doing such things myself.A world of regret was in his tone.

I know, she acknowledged.But it hurts no less.She turned back to see Draco mingling freely with the Death Eaters, helpfully passing around some of the Ogden's Old Firewhiskey that the house elf had brought.Leaning over shoulders to listen to conversations, and looking in general bright-eyed and cheerful about the whole business.

Quite the consummate actor, she observed.Hurrah for devious Slytherins, she added jokingly.

My my, he said mildly, you sound almost fond of us.Come, now.There's nothing else we can do here.He took off from the branch, she following close behind, saying a quick prayer that Draco would make it through the weekend intact and still sane.

* * * * *

Sunday evening found Draco bursting again into Snape's office, but while on Friday afternoon he had seemed in despair, now he appeared almost jubilant.Ignoring that Hermione was heading out the door since Snape was showing her that her article had indeed been published, he grinned widely and reached in his robes."I have something for you!" he practically crowed.

"Yes?"Snape's eyebrows rose.Rarely had he ever seen Draco Malfoy looking so utterly triumphant.Actually, he never had.The boy was all cool composure, normally.

"Some of them stayed the weekend after the meeting," Draco said quickly."I knew they sometimes did, and Father told me that he wanted me to mingle with them this weekend; get to know my fellows."He smirked."I got to know them all right, well enough to use these!"

Carefully he handed over a series of leather pouches to Snape.Puzzled, he looked at the first one, seeing it neatly labeled in ink, "Desdemona Lestrange".The next, "Peter Pettigrew."

"What is this?"

"Well, open it and see!"He opened the one labeled for Lestrange and was startled to see it nearly full of midnight-black hair.

"Lovely how firewhiskey puts you in a stupor," Draco smirked."So much of a stupor you might not even notice a Severing Charm on part of your hair, and a Growing Charm to repair the damage."

Snape looked up at him, startled at the sheer nerve it displayed."They never suspected a thing," Draco said confidently."They think I'm just an eager little junior Death Eater to be chuckled over.That should keep you in Polyjuice Potion when you need it, don't you think?"

He looked through the names represented.Voldemort's highest ranking Death Eaters: the Lestranges, Avery, Pettigrew, Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy.He smiled slowly. Draco had indeed been busy that weekend.For all he had decried himself as a coward, this was quite audacious.There was no innocuous explanation if he had been caught at work--even the least wizard knew hairs were primarily used in Polyjuice Potion.This was quite a good supply, indeed."It should indeed.Thank you."He smiled as Draco left.Cunning certainly is valuable, he thought with a faint air of pride, carefully hiding the hairs.He would give them to Dumbledore later, of course boasting it had been one of his Slytherins that had procured them.Such a feat earned some bragging rights, indeed.

Chapter Twenty-Four

After seven years, it had come time for the parting of the ways.At points nearly blinking back tears, Hermione finished packing her things into her trunk.The results for the NEWTs had come in yesterday, and today was the Leaving Feast.Her seven years at Hogwarts were done.

Everybody was finally learning what future plans were for each other.She was off to Lothlorien: her acceptance had come last month.The Cardiff Dragons had taken Harry to play professional Quidditch, naturally.Ron had opted to become an Auror and study at the exclusive Auror's Academy in London, having pulled up his marks significantly this year once he realized his goal.At least he wasn't complaining about being the worthless youngest son any longer--none of the Weasleys had been accepted to Baker Street before.

The London Auror's Academy was headquartered at 221B Baker Street, home of the famous Auror and Potions Master, Sherlock Holmes, still sarcastic and brilliant nearly 150 years of age.Dumbledore had been his classmate at Hogwarts.Holmes had held the position of Potions Master at Hogwarts following his quite early retirement from the Muggle world, reported there as seclusion to Sussex to study bees.He had been there for many years, barring the occasional year where he had been on lecture tour across Europe and a substitute had been procured.

Obviously Snape's fourth year had been one of those; she recalling the picture of the substitute laughing over Sirius Black's prank on Snape.Well, it's no wonder where he gets the sarcasm.Carrying on a fine tradition of Potions Masters there.The reins had been handed to Snape in 1980, and Holmes had begun Baker Street, as the London Auror's Academy was colloquially called.

Hermione had listened quite closely to lessons concerning Holmes in the History of Magic, particularly his defeat of the Dark wizard, Moriarty, and retiring for three years afterwards from Muggle life in hiding from Moriarty's thugs.She had read Conan Doyle's works upon the Muggle life of Holmes eagerly as a young girl, and envied Snape the chance to have been taught by him.Holmes was also a wonderful inspiration for what a Muggle-born could achieve in the wizarding world.

Had she not been opting to study at Lothlorien, she'd have certainly loved to study under Holmes at Baker Street.It was a fascinating building, looking no more than an ordinary set of rooms from the exterior, but charmed to hold an entire school training probably thirty to fifty Aurors at any given time, and housing about ten live-in staff as well. Mrs. Hudson, the Academy cook, was said to be superb, and Dr. Watson, Holmes' slightly bumbling friend and the Academy's Mediwizard, was said to be a great ear for listening after the acerbic lash of one of Holmes' lessons.

She envied Ron not a little, to be honest.Well, perhaps also she could study at Baker Street for the year of Auror's training after her two years at Lothlorien.Studying at an Auror's Academy would be good, since it taught the practical side of magic, and that would be sorely needed in days to come.More than a few university students were going the Auror route these days since Voldemort's return.The side of the Light would need all the skilled fighters it could get.The Auror schools in London, Llandudno, Belfast, and Strathclyde were working furiously to turn out as many well-trained Aurors as possible.

Draco Malfoy was staying at Hogwarts, however.Snape had informed when she had inquired that he would be apprenticed to Hagrid for the summer.He would then take over the teaching of Care of Magical Creatures the next fall, as Hagrid was concentrating ever more these days upon making peace with the giants and bringing them to the side of the Light, with the help of Olympe Maxime, and his newly found mother, Friedwulfa.Thus he was apparently handing the task of teaching over to Draco and keeping only his job as Keeper of Grounds and Keys, which left him more open to time for being an emissary to the giants.

"Care of Magical Creatures?" she asked now, coming to say her farewells to him in private before the Leaving Feast."That doesn't sound like him…"Draco had really never shown fondness for the class that she could recall.

"The Headmaster feels it will be good for him," Snape said with a somewhat amused smile. Trust Dumbledore to put Draco in close contact with a man he had tried to have arrested, defamed, or removed not a few times, and who could break him in two with hardly any effort.It would be good for Draco to make his peace with Hagrid, though.

"I suppose so," she replied, smiling a little."Well, sir."She cleared her throat.

"Please, Miss Granger, no tears for the parting," he said in a light tone."You should be glad to finally be free of me."

She smiled, shaking her head."I wanted to thank you for everything this past year.The potion, the Animagism…"

"You did those yourself," he said briskly.

"Still, thank you for your assistance, no matter how much you deny it.After all, you tell me to take credit: why shouldn't you?"

"For the potion, because my name is not one you would wish to be tied with.For the Animagism, because that is something I most definitely do not want to be credited with."He shrugged and gave a slight self-deprecating smile."Still, Miss Granger, you have made it quite an…interesting year."

She put out a hand, and after a look of surprise, he grasped it in his own.She smiled at him and said softly, "Take care, sir.I don't imagine Tosca will relish having to go back out with you evenings, but…"

He laughed quietly."Well, she's all right with it.She'll miss bickering with Crookshanks, though."

She turned to leave, not sure of anything else to say, and headed for the Great Hall.Hufflepuff had indeed beaten Gryffindor this year at Quidditch, Slytherin in turn beating Hufflepuff and securing the Quidditch Cup again.The House Cup was easily in Slytherin's hands after that.So it was to be a year of the Great Hall decorated in silver and green, a fact that had Harry clenching his fists and snarling constantly and Ron unhappy, but one that didn't bother her as much as it would have in years past.

The Slytherin table looked actually quite ecstatic this year, since their banners hadn't graced the Leaving Feast since her first year, and that falsely.She wondered idly why Dumbledore had chosen to do it in that manner: it had been somewhat low to make Slytherin think they had won and then snatch the title from them.She looked over at Draco Malfoy at the Slytherin table, and their eyes met for a moment.He gave her a small smile in thanks, then turned and said something reply to Goyle pounding him on the back.

Dumbledore made the standard end-of-year announcements, wishing all the newly-licensed witches and wizards going into the world the best of luck.She looked down at the other end of the staff table to see Snape smiling slightly as Dumbledore awarded Slytherin the House Cup, and heard Slytherin roaring in approval.Much of the Great Hall sat silent at the celebration, though.There's always a line between them and us, she thought sadly.Even now, when there needs to not be one…

The students slowly filed out of the Great Hall, and she noticed Draco staying behind.McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick handed Snape what looked like some Galleons.They make bets on the outcome of the House Cup? she thought, giggling slightly.

"Pool's yours this year, Severus," Flitwick said cheerfully.

"Fifteen years without the Cup," Sprout sighed, shaking her head."Always next year."

"Blast," McGonagall muttered quietly."We were this close to having it."

She turned to leave as Draco approached the staff, shoulders squared, obviously ready to reveal his true colors to the rest of the Hogwarts teachers.Only Snape and Dumbledore had known until now. But the rest would have to know and accept Draco if he was to work with them in years to come.She wished him luck and slipped out silently, ready to go to the platform at Hogsmeade.

* * * * *

Tosca and Crookshanks sat together in Hermione's room during the Leaving Feast, sighing in discontent.Who knew humans were so complex? Crookshanks meowed, idly batting at a catnip mouse.I thought that if we just showed them they were awfully similar that'd do it.

Ugh.I'd have thought after thirty-seven years he'd be eager to have somebody who doesn't see him as just a greasy git!Bloody human romance, Tosca griped.

Oh, don't worry, Crookshanks said smugly.She'll be back, you know.She's tied too close to this place--and to him.

Maybe before I get old and all my feathers fall out, Tosca replied tartly.Well, we can hope.

It's been good to work with you, Tosca.

What?A cat, admitting I'm not just a glorified pigeon?You shock me, Crookshanks.Well, it's been pleasant as well.Work's not done yet though.

Just then, Hermione came through the door and saw Crookshanks and Tosca sitting on the floor."Ready to go, Crooky?"

Yes.

"Take care of him, won't you, Tosca?" Hermione asked softly.

You can count on me.The white falcon watched as Hermione Levitated her trunk to follow behind her, Crookshanks at her heels, as she walked out the door and closed it behind her.

Good luck, little passager, she said softly, hopping onto the windowsill and watching her make her way towards Hogsmeade Station.You'll come back to the nest soon enough, I'd wager, all grown up.

It would be a busy night.Severus would undoubtedly be called, as young Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy were due to for induction into the Death Eaters tonight.She couldn't wait to see the look on Lucius Malfoy's face when his little nestling's note explaining his turn away arrived, and Malfoy fumbling to explain himself to Voldemort.She watched until Hermione disappeared from view, then leapt from the window and flew towards the dungeons, ready for whatever might come.

End Book 1