Band of Gypsies

Chapter Eight

Harry tied the parchment to Dante's leg and prayed that the bird would know what to do. Voldemort's followers would never expect a raven to carry mail. They would, however, intercept owls. Harry felt it was safe for the moment, if only the bird was able to carry out its mission.

"Dante. You must deliver this to Dumbledore. He is at Hogwarts. Do you understand?" Harry spoke clearly. Do ravens understand the same way owls do? he wondered. "Go!"

"Arakhav o drom (find the road)," Dante squawked and took flight. Harry watched with a sinking heart. Please, please don't get lost. Take it to Dumbledore.

The raven circled the camp twice and then shot off into the twilight. Harry watched until he could no longer see the black speck.

Dumbledore looked better than he had for weeks. Hagrid stood in the headmaster's office. He had heard the news that Harry was alive. He was even feeling better himself.

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore, sir?" Hagrid smiled. "I'd do anything fer you 'n Harry. You know that."

"Yes, yes, I know you would Hagrid." Dumbledore smiled. "It seems our young Harry is keeping our Professor Snape safe for the time being." He looked at a parchment laying on his desk and smiled again. "But, it's only fair that Harry's friends know that he is well. So, you may pass that information on to them when you visit the House."

Hagrid nodded, "I'll do that."

"We won't concern them with the rest of Harry's plan right now. I believe only a select few should be aware of all of our plans, Hagrid." Dumbledore handed him a sealed letter.

"Just Remus and Arthur, I should think. There, that should explain it."

Hagrid pocketed the letter and left the room.

Harry sat facing Snape. He had just finished with his lessons with Jolie and Gregor. They were teaching him how to send messages to other Romani. Harry was amazed. They showed him the various ways they would lay rocks alongside the road, or tie scarves into the weeds. Each was a sign and symbol that represented their message. Once seen, it was passed on to other Gypsies that traveled the road.

"I have to know where we stand, Snape." Harry said to the man. Snape had been compliant and quiet over the past few days. It made Harry nervous.

"Well, Mr. Potter." Snape addressed him coolly, but politely. "You can't expect me to talk to you openly if I am to be a prisoner. What does it matter if I am a prisoner to you or to the...other. The results are the same, I am still a prisoner. And that hardly engenders trust, don't you think?"

"I realize that you're not afraid of me, Professor. Nor are you afraid of the people here. We have both faced something many times worse." Harry sipped at his tea. "I know that Dumbledore trusts you and you are a member of the Order of the Phoenix. But you'll have to forgive me if I don't put a lot of faith in that."

Snape nodded and continued to stare at Harry.

"What I need to know is that you will also work for me, or at least stay out of my way if you can't bring yourself to be on my side." He hesitated, "That you wouldn't give me up." Harry said it and then proceeded with more caution. "I believe that you are an asset that shouldn't be wasted by keeping you here. I think it's dangerous to allow the Kalo Beng," he glanced at Snape, "Voldemort, to believe that his trust in you has been compromised."

"Really, Mr. Potter. I am touched at your concern." Snape said it, but without the usual sarcasm in his voice.

"Why do you do that?" Harry asked with disgust.

"Do what, Mr. Potter?" Snape raised his eyebrow.

"Never mind!" Harry threw the remains of his tea into the fire.

"Lucius Malfoy very nearly found you out." Snape said. "I have to admit that staying here with these gypsies was very clever of you. I had a very hard time finding you myself."

"You know Snape, that you would never have found me. The Romani," he emphasized, "would never have let you get near me."

Snape nodded. "It's true that it was luck that I spotted you and put two and two together. But if it happened once, it can happen again. The Dark Lord is getting impatient. He wants you and he wants you badly. He will not take any action that exposes his whereabouts until he knows what to do with you." Snape mused, almost to himself, "I believe you would say he has learned patience."

"Kalo Beng is not aware of the entire prophecy, Snape. He's not aware that he'll have to do the dirty job of killing me, himself." Harry said. "He can send as many of his Death Eaters as he wants. In the end he will have to come for me."

"Is that your plan?" Snape's lip curled into a cruel smile. "To trap him into coming to you?"

Harry stared into Snape's face and said, "I have no plan, except to stay alive." He sorted his thoughts out before continuing, "And to try and keep as many of my friends alive as possible along the way."

"You may not believe this, Mr. Potter, but Hogwarts is really the safest place for you.

Even these people you call Romani, cannot offer as much protection." Snape glanced around him at the naked, dirty children playing in the dirt. The camp was as busy as usual. Harry could read the contempt in his eyes.

"That may be true, Professor. But these people saved my life. They are my family now. I may return to Hogwarts or I may not. The choice somewhat depends on you." Harry watched the children and turned back to Snape.

"And what pray-tell do you want of me, Mr. Potter?" Snape looked back.

"To help me delay the inevitable," Harry said.