The Snake's Clan

Chapter 6: Thefts

* * * * * * *

Saturday, October 10^th

Harry is walking, heading for a place that not even he knows. His feet direct him but his mind have no say in the task. He doesn't care. The silence in the corridors is the same as is in him, calm and peaceful. An angel comes to meet him. He puts a hand on Harry's neck in a caress, the other on his back, and then draws the boy in his embrace. Their faces are touching, their lips pressed against one another. There is no strength in the kiss, simply a fond cuddle. The sensation to breath the same air, to be reunited as a single human being, is strong. Bliss and serenity surround them as they slowly fall on a bed. Silk sheets revive Harry's passion and he encircles the angel's waist with his legs. They don't have robes or shoes anymore. Harry is drowned beneath a spring of kisses, and he arches his back towards the angel as perfect lips brush and pet his throat. They don't make any noise; only passion can be felt of the movements, like a heaven that envelops them, a mix of sweat and panting.

Harry awoke in his bed.

'A dream ... Ah yes, that explains why there was a bed in the middle of nowhere' thought Harry as he poked his hand out the velvet draperies on his bed, reached around on his nightstand table for his glasses and contemplated his dream. Putting his glasses on and looking around he quickly noticed his roommates finishing dressing for the day and got out of bed.

It had been a month now, that he'd had his first dream. After having the same dream for a few days now, he had strategically opted for casting a soundproof charm over his bed when he went to sleep, so that his roommates wouldn't be awakened by the noises he made and he himself could enjoy the dreams longer. They haunted him deliciously every night, and each morning. He always woke up covered in sweat, moaning. The cold shower was compulsory, but he had to admit it was a pleasant way to start a new day though.

While he was slightly late in joining his friends at the Gryffindor table, he discovered them all occupied reading the Hogwarts Herald. Only Justin was standing on his chair, grinning, seeming to survey the current state of affairs. The Hufflepuff had done quite a good job with his plan of a school newspaper. He finally had clinched a bargain with the Daily Prophet, obtaining the consent that his newspaper would excessively deliver news of the entire wizarding world at Hogwarts. Harry walked over to Hermione and squeezed himself into a spot near her.

"Ah, Harry! Look, Gringotts has been burgled last night," said Hermione as she pointed to a moving picture in her Hogwarts Herald.

"Again?" asked Harry, foraging for his favorite breakfast food from the great table.

She lowered her gaze from the Herald. "How again?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

"First year, philosopher stone," replied Harry, spying his prey and swooping his hand down for the kill.

"Oh yes, that's right." Hermione breathed as though she couldn't believe she had forgotten such an incident. "But this is a different problem. They say they don't have a single idea how it could have happened. The thief must have known all the passwords, because the alarms and wards didn't sound."

"How did they discover the robbery then?" asked Harry while taking a bite of his delicious raspberry jam prey.

"Well it seems the Goblins were taking watches, and they saw someone flying in the tunnels. It seems the thief is a really good flyer ... Where were you last night, Harry?" Hermione put down her paper and asked Harry playfully with a grin.

Harry paused, "In my bed, why?" he asked innocently while finishing his toast and spying the next piece.

"That's what you say..." replied Hermione as she tapped Harry on the shoulder mocking his innocence.

Harry suddenly realized what she was insinuating. " 'Mione, that's not amusing, you know it's not me."

She smiled. "Of course, I was just teasing you."

He grunted. "You can tease anyone in the school yet you chose me ..." Harry asked in an accusatory manner, somewhat perturbed, but only because he couldn't find more of his favorite prey.

"Yes," Hermione stated plainly, somewhat taken aback by Harry's lack of humor. "Aurors pursued the thief through all of England, then from London to Scotland. They lost him then."

"Scotland?" Harry asked in a more relaxed tone as he found more of his favorite prey had materialized on a plate right in front of him. "Hogwarts's at the border, isn't it?"

"Yes, now you understand why I teased you?"

He nodded in a sudden understanding, "the thief would be here ... Teacher or student? ... Maybe it's Padfoot!"

"No, he would have written to you ... I think." Hermione lowered her voice at Harry's sudden outburst, and didn't want to cause any more attention to them.

"Then who ..."

Harry's eyes opened wide as a scene came back in his mind, a scene that had taken place one month ago. Bill, working on Gringotts' protection, had given a plan to Draco and said 'There's the map, with codes and access doors. The rest is yours.'

He looked up and glimpsed at the blond.

"Hermione, what was in the vault, at Gringotts?"

"It doesn't say." Hermione had just rechecked the Herald to make sure her statement was in fact true, "The goblins themselves don't have a clue, and it was kept secret by the Minister of Magic."

"And I bet that no but the Minister of Magic knows about it."

"Exactly," said Hermione matter-of-factly, but curiously at the same time wondering where Harry was going with this.

'So, it could very perfectly well be Draco, but why? And what was stolen?' Harry thought to himself while staring at the blond Slytherin. 'Who else is as good at flying as fast as I can?'

At that instant, the blond turned his head in his direction, and Harry could see shadows under his eyes.

They both smiled a knowing smile.

'Maybe if I could speak to him about the theft, he'll tell me something ... Harry, my friend, you're dreaming again...' and he sighed profoundly, winning a bemused glance from Hermione.

As it was Saturday, they didn't have class that afternoon. Ron, as always, had dragged Harry, on the quidditch pitch to train on their team organization. Ron had stopped abruptly, his jaw dropped. Sat on a bench, Hermione was smilingly speaking with their new flying teacher - Krum. If it had been anyone else, Ron wouldn't have minded, but he couldn't stand the young Professor, ever since Hermione and Viktor had gone out during their fifth year.

Leaving his friend to his problems, Harry went forward to another part of the field, where two students, of which Harry noticed one as Seamus Finnigan, were dismounting their brooms, next to a third, whom was standing. His back turned to Harry; Draco was speaking to Wilkes, the Slytherin's new seeker, as the young nodded turned and walked away, Malfoy caught Seamus by the arm and kissed him passionately; a kiss that Seamus seemed eager to give back, but he saw Harry first.

Harry's eyes were so full of feelings, that he couldn't have described them all even if he wanted to. He was surprised firstly, that Draco, a Slytherin, would dare kiss Seamus, a Gryffindor, in the middle of the quidditch pitch, for all to see. Then again, he already knew they were sleeping together, thanks to Hermione; but to see them kiss in front of him, that was another matter entirely. It was pain to see someone else with his love. It was jealousy not to be this one it was desire to be.

Draco turned around.

"Harry? How are you?" Draco asked, composing himself after the kiss.

If Harry was waiting for a question from Draco, it certainly wasn't this one and, surprised, he mumbled that he was fine.

"Happy to hear it." The blond went on, smiling, "you seemed a little out of this world, recently. You want the pitch?"

"Hum ... Yes, if you're finished." Harry was forcing himself to not tremble or shake, and considering he was still coming to grips with his feelings for Draco, it was considerably hard for him to do.

"I am. It's all yours. I've to do some research in the library. See you later." Draco excused himself, smiled, and nodded to both boys before kissing Seamus one last time and then left for the library.

Harry coughed at their awkward silence, "Hum ... so you're with Malfoy?"

Seamus smiled, "Yes, he's quite a good guy when he wants to be ... and in bed ... in bed, he's a god."

Harry's ears and face went red in seconds, "A ... ah?" was all he could reply.

"Yes, you'll have to try him one of this nights ..." A blushing Seamus said while shifting his robes so that the other boy couldn't see just how much of a god Draco was.

'Whenever he wants to...' Harry thought.

"Harry?" Seamus asked, noticing how lost Harry looked

"Hum?" Harry replied absently, as if not there.

"D'you fancy Draco?" Seamus was no longer blushing but looked concerned for the other boy since he seemed very out of it, realization dawning on him.

"A lot," Harry replied hazily, then realizing what he had just said stuttered, "err ... I mean ..."

"I know what you mean, Harry. Why do you keep it a secret? Nobody would care," replied a grinning Seamus, trying to console Harry and hide his surprise at the other boy's sudden outburst.

"I don't think so..." Harry said shaking his head and to emphasize his point, put up both hands in a manner of protest. Harry was unsure of who he was trying to convince.

"See me, I fancy him openly and there's no problem," said Seamus in a rather it's-ok-to-admit-it manner.

"Maybe..." Harry added resolutely, "You'll tell Ron that I've gone to work in the library?" Harry asked Seamus before running off at full speed to the dormitory for his books and then to the library.

As Harry ran towards the library, his books and quills in hand, the smile on his lips didn't disappear.

'If I hurry, I'll get there before him, that way I can watch him arrive.' Harry thought as he raced passed people and said his apologies to his accident victim's along the way.

Harry waited for about fifteen minutes before the high wooden doors finally opened. Harry didn't see anyone or anything but Draco. The rest of the world was a scenery barely discernible, a snug and exotic mist of perfume, in which he wadded to to snuggle his love. When he waited for him at his table and saw him coming, it was as if a thousand suns enlightened the sky and transformed the utter Earth. The floor became a crimson carpet, the tabletop a nacelle, people around them became a ballet of gold-hemmed shadows, and Draco arrived in this glory, he was the middle of the world, he walked towards him and Harry could feel a cloud of light inflate in his heart.

"Hi," Draco asked, and then followed with a furrow of his brow, "Did you give up on quidditch practice?"

"Hummm" Harry replied somewhere between an answer and a statement, lost in the awe of Draco.

"Can I sit here?" Draco asked, pointing to an empty seat across from Harry.

"Hummm." Harry replied again with the same tone.

Reluctantly realizing he was making a fool of himself by staring at Draco with his elbows on the table and huge lost eyes, he jumped out of his reverie with a start.

"Err... Yes, you can sit. I... I have my curses and maledictions assignment to do," He said as he started frantically rummaging for said assignment.

"You still have four days to do it. Have you become studious, all in a go?" Draco asked, somewhat amused at the boys sudden outburst of nervousness.

"Must be yours and Hermione's influence," Harry replied as he gave out a soft noise of triumph as he found his assignment.

"Do you need any help?" the blond Slytherin asked.

"I'll be okay, you have your own homework too, and I'm sure," Harry pointed, at the other boy's small stack of books he was carrying in one hand.

"Not a problem, I have a month to write this crap," Draco replied, dropping his stack down on the table with a small thud.

"... How do you manage?" Harry asked with a slight open mouth. It seemed to Harry that Draco had just as much homework as Hermione did.

"What?" Draco asked looking somewhat confused by the Raven-haired boy's question.

"To do all this. You're always helping others, Slytherins, Seamus, me ... and by the way, I got a hundred and sixty percent on my astronomy essay, thank you," Harry said while bowing his head in appreciation, "but when do you work for yourself?"

"For the Astronomy, you're welcome. And I work at night," Draco replied, taking the other boy's questions as a sign to sit.

"When do you sleep, then?"

"I don't need much sleep, you know," Draco said looking up briefly before starting his own homework.

Attention and concern were now glowing in Harry's eyes. Since the beginning of their seventh year, Draco was almost always surrounded by students. Some asked him for help with homework, but they were mainly personal questions, about his love life, family or future. Malfoy appeared to remember all they said to him and to find ways to help or comfort each of them.

They worked all that afternoon till the diner, if peeping could be considered working. They took a short break at the Great Hall and ate dinner, then went back in the library. As Mrs. Pince was pulling the last remaining students out of their books, and as they were in the middle of a charm dissertation they finally decided to finish up in the Slytherin dungeons.

Since Hermione spent most of her time with Ron or resolving her head girl's problems, Harry was now used to going into the dungeons. The Slytherins didn't act as if they liked him, but they weren't hostile towards him either. The only one to be openly suspicious toward Harry was Blaise Zabini, and he couldn't make out why.

They studied potions - a subject Draco was really good at - and, at almost midnight, examining the potion the blond had used to cure Ron some time ago, that was a elaborate mixing of wormwood; that burns the opacities of the body and assists psychic receptivity and hawthorn; that repairs wounds of the etheric body, associated with fumitory and camphor to exorcise.

"Harry?"

The Gryffindor raised his tired eyes and looked at Draco.

"It's one in the morning, you're exhausted. You'd better go and get some sleep."

Harry sighed, looking at his watch and realizing the blond was right, "Yes, you're right."

Harry began to pack up his things when Draco lifted his hand to stop him.

"You didn't really think I was going to let you walk alone in the castle at this hour of the night?" he asked, frowning his brows.

"Err... Yes?" Harry asked, to tired to really think or argue.

"You're mad. It's dangerous, you could get yourself killed," Draco said going a tad hysterical

"But ..." Harry said reflexively

"You'll sleep here tonight and that's that!" Draco said while maneuvering the other boy to his bed.

His voice was one that didn't accepted contradictions. Besides, Harry could feel he would appreciate the sleep in the Slytherin dungeons, near Draco. The blond guided him to a small bedroom, decorated with green and silver tapestries. The Slytherin then handed pajamas to him and exited the room, kindly smiling.

'Okay, that was quick ... My Harry, you were a fool to think he was going to sleep with you ... But he loaned you his pajamas, and God, what pajamas ... dark green silk.'

He swiftly put them on and moved into the bed.

'Hum ... It smells of Draco... I wonder how many students he brought into this one bed. Surely a lot, according to Hermione ... Why does he always act like that? He's kind, he takes me in his arms, and he lends me his bed and clothes, how come he doesn't really notice me? What more can I do? ... Maybe talk to him, tell him how I feel. Yes, exactly it, and if he doesn't like me, then I would lose him ... after all, Seamus is really handsome, the most attractive of the Gryffindors, so what I am compared to him? Why would he want me when he has Seamus ... But maybe since Seamus knows my feelings towards Draco, he will be kind enough to let me him? ..."

Relaxing, he fell into a world of happy dreams, where Draco and he loved each other forever, his parents coming back as ghosts during their grandiose marriage to tell him how proud they were of their son.

* * * * * * *

Sunday, October the 11^th

A hoot awoke him. The sun was pointing from the horizon. Perched on a chair's back, a tiny brown owl was watching him with interest, probably wondering what a dressed student was doing in Draco's bed.

Harry put on his robes, went down the spiraling stairs and was going to pass the door that connects to the common room when he heard whispering.

"I don't want to become a death eater, Draco ..." a voice stated a fear very unlike what most Slytherins were capable of producing.

"We'll help you, don't worry, when will the ceremony take place?" Draco asked, making it sound as though he would do everything in his power to not let the person become a Death Eater.

"Next Sunday," The voice replied with dread, as if their life was now over.

"Come and see me Saturday evening. I'll find a way by then," Draco sounded as though gears were already in motion of a plan.

"Thank you. Really, thank you. I don't know what to do, and if my father discovers that I don't want to serve the dark lord, he'll kill me."

"I know ..." It sounded almost as if Draco were reminiscing about something horrible.

There was a blank.

"You mustn't have had much sleep last night. We're Sunday, go and sleep some more. I'll wake you for lunch," Draco had told the other person, and it sounded as though he were ushering them away. The noise of footsteps, a door closing then nothing. Harry slowly entered the common room. Draco sat in the middle of it at a desk surrounded by dozens of parchments and books.

"Harry? Did you sleep well?" Draco looked up and asked with a hint of a tired smile.

"Hum... Yes, perfectly. Did you work all night?" Harry asked with notable concern in his voice.

"No, I had a three hour nap," Draco replied, looking back down to his rolls of parchment.

"Ah ... well I think I'll go back to Gryffindor tower before everyone wakes up, or they'll worry over me. I'll see you at breakfast?" Harry asked making to leave.

"Yes, as always. Bye." Draco was now fully immersed in his work now.

"Bye," Harry nodded and walked to his common room.

As Harry exited the dungeons, he was back to questioning what he just heard.

'I didn't know that there were some Slytherins that didn't want to become Death Eaters. They're forced into it, that's a little like me being The Boy Who Lived. Maybe I can help them... Maybe Professor Dumbledore will be able to do something...'

Hermione was observing Harry trying the robes on she had brought him the preceding day. Ron had been jealous to see her with Viktor, her last boyfriend. As their seeker was gone and Ron not in the mood anymore to play quidditch, they had decided to go to Hogsmeade. Ginny, who had been Harry's girlfriend for a time last year, until she discovered he was gay, and now hanged out with Neville. Hermione had accepted to go with her and buy new robes for the dark-haired young man. She ignored, of course, the real aim of Harry's being well dressed but had been glad of their shopping session. Not seeing her friend come back at eleven o'clock, Hermione had rightly assumed he would spend the night in the dungeons, after having hardly worked, between two glances in the direction of a certain blond.

"Hermione, do gray pants look good with black robes? ... Or rather black pants with dark green robes? ... Or ..."

"My God, Harry! You're sounding like Ginny last year ..." Hermione said with a threat that she'd slap him if he kept it up.

"Re ... really?"

"Oh yes! She would hesitate for hours about what to wear to please you the most."

"She was like this?" Harry asked confused that Ginny would act in such a way.

"Yes," Hermione stated rather exasperatedly.

"And I'm sounding girlish?" A look of slow realization came on Harry's face.

"Hum..." Hermione only added in her version of statement and question.

"This is a disaster ... which color do you think fits me the best? Black or dark green?"

Hermione smiled motherly at her friend. Nothing would distract him from his fittings.

"Dark green. So, how's your affair with Draco progressing?"

"I slept in his bed last night."

"Oh, Harry! I didn't know you were so rapid..." She shot him a look that resembled one a football player would give a teammate for scoring a touchdown.

"No, it's not like that. I slept alone in his bed," Harry said while fidgeting with his clothes and robes.

"Pity for you, but that's a beginning. Was it pleasing?" Hermione asked helping Harry straighten his clothing.

"Best night I've had for years. No nightmares, only relaxing dreams." A slight sign escaped him.

"Of marriage and a happy life, I bet." Hermione only rolled her eyes at her own statement.

"Yes!" he admitted with a big grin, "you know, it's such a ... such a great feeling to be in love!" Harry smiled at his words and laughed mentally at his thoughts and dreams for he and Draco.

"Life is beautiful, stars everywhere and Draco your love angel."

"How d'you know that?" Harry asked suddenly scared Hermione was able to read dreams and thoughts.

"It's called love Harry, you just said it. You're finally going to talk to him at the diner?" Hermione asked, jumping up and down.

"I don't know. For now, I simply just want to please him."

"You're brave enough to fight against You Know Who, but not to tell someone you love him. That's so Gryffindorish," Hermione 'tched and stopped bouncing at Harry's sudden lack of confidence.

"What do you mean?" Harry looked at her, somewhat hurt by her comment.

"What I mean is, Gryffindors are brave against danger but afraid to face their own feelings."

"That's just me and maybe Ron ... and you ... and ..."

"And all the house, except Ginny who always loved you." Hermione stopped her thought short; as she didn't want to dwell on it for fear that it would ruin the mood.

Harry seemed willing to go along with it.

"There's Dean, he's with Lavender," Harry said breaking the sudden silence

"But he loves Seamus," Hermione said as if baffled that is wasn't obvious.

"Ahhh!!! ..." Harry was suddenly beginning to formulate a plan in his mind and was smiling while doing it.

"Why are you smiling?" Hermione asked, suddenly aware Harry knew something that she did not.

"Because ... err ... because Seamus is with Draco and if Dean loves Seamus and finally tells him ..." Harry stopped unsure if he should tell Hermione of his less than noble intentions.

"If he tells him, then Seamus will stop seeing Draco and he'll fall into your arms, that's it?" Hermione finished his thought for him and was going to start poking holes in his plan but she thought herself better.

"Exactly." Harry said with a nod of triumph

"You're devilish, Harry. But that appears a good and right idea. Now, finish dressing or you'll never be ready for the diner." Hermione finally handed him a combination pair of pants and robes that would look stunning on Harry, and surely get Draco's attention.

* * * * * *

Monday, October the 12^th

Against Harry's hope, Draco didn't show himself to diner at the Great Hall. Harry went to the dungeons in search of the Slytherin but the blond had disappeared. Night and sunshine had fallen again over the castle and Draco still hadn't reappeared.

Harry was in one of the rooms of the astronomy tower, near the dungeons. He had just come back from a little morning flying outside. Flying around in circles on the Quidditch pitch was useful, it allowed Harry to think of what bothered him without being disturbed by his Housemates or worrying about where he flied. He went out the tower, and, noticing the light of Filch's lamp just in front of him, only had a second to regret that he lent his invisibility cloak to Ron; when Filch turned and saw him.

In Dumbledore's office were the Headmaster, and two Aurors. Harry really didn't know what to make of the situation, and silently wondered why their Aurors were at Hogwarts. Dumbledore seemed embarrassed.

"Hum ... Harry, Mr. Filch said he caught you in the astronomy tower. Is that right?" A curious twinkle in the Headmaster's eye told Harry that everything was going to be all right.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied with a bit of apprehension

"With your broom," Confirmed the Headmaster

"Yes, sir," Harry added an eyebrow furrow, wondering how else Dumbledore would have thought he was flying. Harry noted though that upon his answer the two Aurors were nodding their heads in a disapproving fashion. Harry didn't understand why the Aurors were so happy about his answers.

"Can I know what you were doing outside at this hour?" Dumbledore asked with that same twinkle in his eyes

"I couldn't sleep, so I went flying," Harry replied truthfully, still confused why there were Aurors here and why they were so disapproving of him. Why did they keep doing that, it was really quite annoying.

Dumbledore coughed. "Did you know there was an other robbery at Gringotts this night?"

"Wha ..." Harry asked confusedly but the answer had dawned on him as he kept glancing between Dumbledore and the two Aurors, now, he understood. The Aurors were here because they suspected the same thing that Hermione and Harry did: the thief was from Hogwarts. And as a fool, he, the best seeker in centuries, let himself be caught, his broom in hand the night of the theft. This was just wonderful!

"No, I didn't know," Harry was slightly unnerved at what might happen to him.

"If you allow me, sir, we'd like to interrogate him alone," one of the Aurors said.

"Yes, of ..." His sentence was cut off by the opening of the Gargoyle.

"Headmaster."

Harry slowly turned his head to see who entered and felt a quiver of fear running down his spine, and cold sweat on his back, it was Professor Snape. With Snape here, his future was set: jail without passing go, and not collecting 200 galleons.

"What can I do for you, Severus?" Dumbledore asked in a very calm and relaxed tone. He appeared willing to use Snape's coming as a distraction.

"I heard Mr. Potter was suspected of tonight's robbery," Snape said, casting a disapproving sneer only he was capable of achieving after seven years of teaching him.

"That is a fact, yes."

"I wanted to add that I did saw him going out with his broom," Snape added a grimace and stared at him very mischievously, as if knowing that he was deciding his fate.

This was it, Hogwarts had been a happy part of his life, and Harry would regret not being able to ever some back to it.

"That was approximately an hour ago. He wouldn't have had the time to go there and come back from Gringotts in a so short time." Snape stressed the fact that he couldn't have done both, but didn't put it past the boy to try something like this.

Harry's mind illuminated again.

"Are you sure of what you affirm?" Dumbledore asked as if for the two Aurors, not he himself.

An Auror had spoken, and Snape answered him without a second guess, keeping his straight face, his voice neither sounding forced, angered or shivering.

"I am."

"Well, then we are sorry for ever disturbing you. We can only congratulate you for your night watches and preventing us from making a mistake. If you permit, sir, we have to go and continue our searches."

"I am happy that we've been able to help you."

When the Aurors were gone ... Dumbledore smiled at both Professor and student

"I didn't know that you did watches, Severus," Dumbledore asked in a somewhat mused manner.

"I don't. Mr. Malfoy is the one who saw him. I reluctantly agreed to interfere in their investigations." His eyes were sending a million daggers to Harry.

"Mr. Malfoy. Of course ... the young boy who never sleeps." Dumbledore turned his attention to Harry. "You may go, Harry. Severus, I assume you have some ... other things to entertain me with," asked Dumbledore as he dismissed Harry.

"Yes sir," Snape replied before turning to Harry and shooing him out of the Headmasters office.

"Now that Mr. Potter is gone, may I know what really happened this night, Severus?"

"That is why I am here. I think you already know whom the thief is ..." Severus spoke very calmly, but had a tone that he didn't like to play games.

"I do. To be good at flying and know so much about dark magic, there was only one student that could fit that description," Dumbledore mused to himself.

"This morning, Draco brought me a potion vial and many parchments containing formulas and an ingredients list."

"So he succeeded in stealing the two vaults' contents. The boy is full of resources. Do you know how he did it?"

"I think he has an ally in Gringotts itself, but it's an assumption. I don't know much," Snape replied with a tone of bitterness.

"I thought he told you everything," Dumbledore asked, not surprised, but thoughtfully.

"That was back in first and second year, he has learned to keep his secrets from then on."

"Of course, it's the Slytherin way: the less you reveal, the more in security you'll feel."

Snape nodded and added, "May you share what you know about this potion? It would be ... fairer."

"I'd found out about it, Seventeen years ago, when Voldemort was still rising, some dark magus decided to switch sides, as you did, and to fight against him. Contrarily at you though, they didn't join us on the Light Side. Preferring opposing dark magic to dark magic. Each one with his specialty, they invented formulas and spells to create the most powerful potion never realized, intending to use it against their former master. But then, Voldemort was finally defeated, all of them denounced, arrested and send to Azkaban where they died many years ago, and the potion was never finished."

"And the potion is ..." Snape asked interrupting the Headmaster with a piqued curiosity about this mysterious potion.

"Yes. Potion and spells were scripted and hidden in Gringotts, in two different vaults, protected by so many dark wards it dissuaded thieves during all these years. When Voldemort came back, I thought of using it but waited; this potion is made of such dark magic that it has to be our last resort. When I learned about the robbery two days ago, I decided to send someone to steal the other part of the magus's invention, but it seems he failed." Dumbledore was slightly unhappy about the last part of his conversation.

"Someone ..." Snape wondered as to whom Dumbledore would trust with such an important task.

"Sirius Black."

Snape groaned but said nothing.

"What I don't know is; how young Mr. Malfoy intends to use this potion, and how he'll be able to finish it?" continued Dumbledore.

"I think you must know Draco has changed," Snape said, hating to point out the painfully obvious.

"In a lot of ways, I have noticed," Dumbledore replied softly, as he understood what Snape was getting at.

"It seems he discovered something at the beginning of the summer that made him want to change. He spent the holidays asking about magic."

"Dark?" Dumbledore asked, unsure of his opinions of Draco for a brief second

"Partly. But also White, Elemental and another I didn't know. His skills in Potions have considerably increased, as in Charms. I also think he intends to become an animagus if he isn't yet."

"I didn't know. That is interesting. Do you have any idea what he will do of this learning?" Dumbledore's fears subsided.

"No. But he worked so hard that he finally fell sick and had to stay in bed almost a week. He spent it talking to the young Zabini about things they are eager to keep as secrets."

"And you said yesterday that they are always together? Maybe this is simply romantic." Dumbledore felt a reminiscence of love and youth fill his heart.

"Hum ... There is no romance between them. More like a relation ... of ... hierarchy ..." Snape was careful to choose his words as he was unsure how to phrase the two's pairing.

"Severus? Is there a problem?"

"Hum. No. Just ... a thing I need to verify. To come back to the potion, I am not able to cast the majority of the spells. Draco will have to cast them himself or have to ask to someone for help."

"Is he a danger to the students?" Dumbledore asked not willing to put his students in jeopardy no matter what the cost.

"Knowing dark magic? I don't think so, he seems to go along well with Potter this year, and with most of the Gryffindors too," Snape said in a bemused way.

'Honestly, Gryffindors are really very easy to manipulate'

"This boy is plotting something of his own that I am not sure I want to know ... You have remained in close touch with Lucius Malfoy since the come back of his Lord, don't you?" Dumbledore asked, curious as to if Snape knew his student as well as he thought he did once.

"Err ... yes, rather close."

"Can you do some research on his side? Maybe he knows something."

"I will," Snape said and waited for the Headmaster to see if there was anything else he wanted to discuss.

"Good, then. I think you have a class now correct? You may go. I also need to see Mr. Finnigan. Fascinating these little 'Tracers' he created..." Dumbledore held up a tiny tracer that Finnigan had created and placed around the school. He intended on questioning the boy about them later.