NIGYYSOB

"Everything is in order?"

"Yes, my lord. I have created a hole in Hogwarts' defenses, large enough for three wizards at a time. Unfortunately I will need to remain here in order to complete the passage."

"Excellent. Where will we arrive?"

"The Forbidden Forest."

"Brilliant plan, Snivellus," came a new voice. "What's to prevent us from splinching ourselves into a tree?"

Snape stiffened at the hated nickname, but answered smoothly, "There is a clearing in the forest. The centaurs meet there on occasion, but only at night. They will not be a factor during the daytime."

"I know that clearing. It's very exposed. I don't like it."

"What are you afraid of, Pettigrew," sneered the potions master, suddenly out of patience. "Perhaps you fear a sudden ambush by small forest creatures? To my knowledge, bunnies aren't carnivorous..."

"I don't see you volunteering to go."

"I would love to go with you, if it gave me the opportunity to witness your complete evaporation when you hit Hogwarts' anti-Apparation barrier. Since our master is going with you, however, I believe I would prefer to stay here and ensure his safety."

Peter's eyes blazed, and he snapped his wand to his chest in a dueling posture. Voldemort stopped him with a wave of his hand. "Enough," he snapped. "It's settled. Wormtail comes with me. His knowledge of the castle and its grounds is critical. Lucius will organize the others as they come through Severus's passage and will lead an attack upon the school. Wormtail and I will hunt down Dumbledore and Potter." The Dark Lord glared at his three highest lieutenants, red eyes glowing even in the daylight. "Now, are there any more objections?"

"No, my Lord," Peter simpered. The other two wizards shook their heads, and Voldemort nodded in satisfaction.

Face devoid of all expression, Snape pointed at the hexagram he had drawn earlier. "If the three of you could group together, I will send you on your way."

When they were in place, Snape breathed deeply, needing to center himself before performing the complicated spell. Before he could begin, however, Pettigrew shattered his concentration. "Aren't you going to send us off with any stirring speeches, Snivellus? Seems like it is the least you could do, seeing as you'll be cowering here behind the lines."

Snape ignored him, and finished the preparations for his spell. Just before they popped away, however, he smirked nastily. "Have fun storming the castle." Once they were completely gone, he added quietly, "You bastards."

Snape sighed, and then prepared to send another three Death Eaters to their certain demise. While the notion of small forest animals waiting in ambush might be ridiculous, he doubted any of Voldemort's followers would laugh at the seventy-odd Order members waiting for them, hidden by the trees surrounding the clearing.

A green spark in the distance, barely visible to the naked eye, told Snape that six dozen killing curses had just hit his master. He smiled happily. "Now I've got you, you sonofabitch."