'If Thine Enemy...'

{ If Thine Enemy... }

Interlude: A Little Knowledge

'If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man
who has so much as to be out of danger?'
- Thomas Henry Huxley, On Elemental Instruction in Physiology

Swift, assured footsteps echoed in the halls of Hogwarts. Any long-time student would immediately recognize, by the menace embodied in those footsteps, that Professor Snape was on the prowl.

What they didn't know, of course, was that Severus was in trouble. That his pulse was erratic and his mouth dry--and that the dramatic swirl of his black robes was not at all intimidating to the man he was about to see.

The door to Dumbledore's office swung open at his approach. Severus remembered when Albus had first set up the ridiculous system of 'lolly-name passwords' to keep the children entertained. As though a wizard of Dumbledore's power would ever need passwords to determine who was at his door, let alone allow them anywhere near it.

The office was cluttered as usual--a carefully engineered disorder, welcoming and calming at once. A human face to an inhuman man, Severus thought. A pile of ash was still smoking under Fawkes' perch--the bird must have immolated again. Severus managed a tight smile at being relieved of its irritating squawk. Phoenix or not, a bird was a bird.

But then the papers on the headmaster's desk stirred--and by the time Severus turned to face them, an old man with a ridiculously long white beard and a pair of glinting spectacles was sitting at ease behind it.

'Albus,' Severus greeted calmly, as though it was a perfectly expected phenomenon to have a headmaster drop out of the thin air.

Dumbledore inclined his head, smiling sardonically at Severus' non-sequitur. Gone was the famous merry twinkle. The old man's blue eyes were now hard, and sharp as polished stone.

Severus knew this face well. It was a face that meant trouble--either for himself, or for some other colleague of his. He cleared his throat before taking a seat opposite Albus' desk. 'So you've been told,' he murmured.

Albus nodded as he smoothed his beard. 'Indeed.' His face hardened with urgency. 'This is a most undesirable situation, Severus. Our ward has escaped--to Merlin knows where--without any one of us to keep a track of him. The magical residue still lingering in Diagon Alley indicates that Mr. Potter has apparated.'

Severus winced. 'Apparated? He was barely trained in that spell!'

'Exactly. Which is why we have reason to be worried.'

'Why did he apparate?'

'Death Eaters. Or rather, illusions of Death Eaters. Probably a plot to herd young Mr. Potter to a more dangerous spot. However, he panicked and... well.'

Severus was quiet. This was more than 'undesirable', as Albus so euphemistically put it. This was bloody disastrous. Their most valuable asset had just apparated out of their reach. 'Where were his Watchers? Were they not meant to accompany him--to prevent situations of this sort?'

The headmaster's mouth tightened in displeasure. 'Obviously, those two have not been doing their job. Recently Mr. Potter has managed to give them the slip on numerous occasions--claiming the need to be alone. It may be merely his hormones, but at any rate they should have been able to maintain sufficient proximity to him, with or without his knowledge. Or approval.'

Severus didn't know what to say--not wanting to berate his colleagues in front of the headmaster, despite the fact that it was obviously their responsibility to keep watch on Potter, ever since his very first year in this school. 'Should I call them?'

Dumbledore nodded. 'Indeed. Issue an official summons to Aurors Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.'

* * *

Severus watched Weasley and Granger enter the office, faces tense. They both knew that they had allowed the Boy Who Lived to slip through Dumbledore's carefully orchestrated control--and that, if they were to survive this meeting, their careers would most probably never recover. Aurors unable to keep tabs on a fourteen-year-old boy. Ridiculous, really.

They stewed silently, tension palpable until Dumbledore finally broke the silence. 'There's no need to keep your disguises here.' He waved his hand irritably. 'Revert.'

Immediately Weasley and Granger began to put on both height and weight--robes expanding to accommodate the true bodies of their owners. In front of Severus stood a tall, red-haired man and a young woman with hair more like a brown bottle-brush than anything else. Both wore Auror badges.

Albus sat back in his chair and folded his hands on the desk. Severus noted that he did not invite the other two to sit down, despite there being three more chairs in the office.

Weasley had crossed his arms defensively. 'Sir, we--'

'Silence!' Dumbledore's eyes sharpened with anger. Severus saw Weasley shrink back, and Granger twitch like a puppet. 'You two have had but one job these past four years--to keep an eye on young Mr. Potter. Despite the years of training you received before his arrival here--despite the tortuous planning that was required to assure that you two were the first he befriended at this school--despite all that, you have been unable to accomplish your mission. You had pledged yourselves as his Watchers, employed on my behalf and of the Ministry of Magic. To keep him company no matter what the circumstance--and to report to me anything out of the ordinary.' He paused. 'How on earth could you let him escape this time? And by an apparation spell that should have been easy for you to block!'

Granger spoke in a reedy voice--very different from the confident drawl she managed as Harry's young bookworm friend. 'As you know, sir, Potter has been... different... since his fourteenth birthday. There have been rare times when, for no known reason, he has wanted to be rid of our company. The usual tricks to keep him interested did not work. If you recall,' and at this Granger cast a look at Severus too, 'one of our main priorities was not only to keep watch on him, but also to avoid suspicion of any ulterior motives. We were meant to be his true... friends.' Her mouth twisted bitterly, and Severus thought he caught a note of regret.

'As such,' Weasley continued, 'we tried every method to keep track of him. But he seems to have become adept at avoiding others. His magical signature too has become increasingly hard for us to trace. His whereabouts are always shaded by a... growing darkness.'

Severus felt his own face tighten at that. 'So he is Emerging.'

Granger nodded. 'It was to be expected, however--Tom Marvolo Riddle too had begun to Emerge upon the physical maturing of his body. Although of course a joining with another in psychic or sexual intercourse is required to complete the final Emergence--which will reveal the true Form of Potter's magic as well.' She bowed her head in deference at Dumbledore. 'Isn't that right, Sir?'

'That is why it is the worst time to lose him.' Dumbledore's voice was sharp with dissatisfaction. 'We had even arranged for an encounter with young Miss Chang, so that his physical Emergence would take place in our hands and under our supervision. But now he is... gone.' One aged hand reached out to stroke the pensieve on his desk, completely steady. 'I have been unable to trace his magical signature. It is too early for him to have Emerged, since we know that at the time of his apparation he was a virgin in both psychic and physical spheres. Thus there are only two possibilities. Severus?'

Severus was still tense with the memories of his own psychic Emergence--a singularly painful experience, to feel his Dark magic pull out of him like a hook from a fish's throat. Apparently it was an immensely pleasurable experience for some, occurring alongside an orgasm--but for him, it had been horrific. Finally, he managed to gather himself together to continue Albus' explanation. 'Two possibilities... Quite. The first is that the apparation was done so incorrectly that Potter was killed or fatally injured during reassembly, thus leaving no magical signature for us to trace.'

Weasley's face was impassive at this, his stance unshaken. Only Granger's fists had clenched.

Severus continued. 'The second possibility is that he apparated to an area that is somehow blocking our sensors. And, as you know...'

'Only Dark magic blocks our sensor spells,' Albus picked up again. 'That is precisely what has been making it more difficult for you, Auror Weasley, and you, Auror Granger, to keep track of Mr. Potter. He is approaching the time of his Emergence--this is the worst possible time to lose someone with as much potential to cause damage as him--and to lose him to a Dark wizard.'

'To Voldemort,' Granger whispered.

Dumbledore actually chuckled. 'Not necessarily, Auror Granger. A Slytherin is as a Slytherin does. If Mr. Potter has apparated into the grasp of a Dark wizard so powerful that they can block our scans, then it is obviously a senior Death Eater--someone ambitious enough to have his or her own agenda. Mr. Potter could be undergoing torture even as we speak--but at least that might weaken his Emergence, or even result in his death. But if Voldemort already has him, then... then... there is no hope.'

Severus was startled to hear that despairing tone from the man that was often referred to as 'The Cheerful Autocrat'. After all, Albus' smile could range from a blessing to a knife.

To Severus' surprise, it was Weasley who finally said it--his voice strangely flat and deep. 'Potter would be better off dead. Better for us.'

Granger's eyes snapped to him with a mixture of rage and despair.

The headmaster agreed. 'Yes. Unfortunately. In the current situation Mr. Potter is a liability to our cause. It would be a pity to lose him, since his services have been invaluable thus far... especially in securing the Philosopher's Stone. As well as the attachments that I know you two have formed with him... to varying degrees.'

Weasley flinched.

Albus appeared not to notice. 'Nevertheless, if he Emerges under the guidance of a Dark wizard or becomes convinced of their political agenda, then he will become our enemy. Greater than Voldemort, greater than anything we're ever likely to see.'

'And we will be destroyed,' Severus finished. 'If he is alive and with a Dark wizard, I can only hope his Emergence is as painful as mine was. Then he will return to our side just as I did. However... if he experiences what Voldemort calls...', Severus paused in distaste, 'Dark Communion, then he may not return. Not unless he can be made to see the bigoted madness of their plan.'

Granger spoke up in a manner that, had she any sense, she would not take in front of Albus Dumbledore. Foolish woman. 'You do realize, of course, that our agenda is considered equally bigoted by many. Perhaps Harry... perhaps Potter...'

'Deserves to make his own choice?' Albus asked incredulously. His hard blue eyes were glittering . 'I doubt it, Auror. Nor is it your place to question me. We have been planning for Mr. Potter's Emergence since his conception. Everything has been engineered to ensure his acceptance of our cause--he has not been allowed to glimpse the other side. We sacrificed his parents, as he sacrificed the years of his childhood. Voldemort was successfully accorded responsibility for James' and Lily's deaths. Potter's choices have to be our choices. There is no other means to stop him--there is no other way to ensure his loyalty. We already made the mistake of giving free will,' Dumbledore spat, 'to Tom Riddle. Despite the fact that his power is overshadowed by Harry Potter's. You can hardly expect us to allow Mr. Potter similar freedom.'

Granger was silent, although her body was still tense. Severus noted Weasley's unnatural, almost painful impassiveness--and wondered why the Auror was being so distant despite nearly giving his life for Potter on various occasions. Perhaps... he got too close to Potter. A most unfortunate state for a Watcher... Forever destined to watch, but not to touch.

'Well now.' Albus announced with his usual authority. 'Our plan of action. If Mr. Potter is dead, then there must be a body for us to find--or at least a collection of poorly assembled limbs. Aurors Granger and Weasley, you are hereby officially tasked as Trackers. Your duties as Watchers have been suspended temporarily. You are to report to our contacts at the Ministry of Magic and acquire whatever materials you require, as well as the assistance of no more than four other Aurors.'

Weasley nodded curtly; still expressionless as he whirled about and headed for the door. He shrank again in size to the body of young Ron Weasley, before turning the knob and striding out. Granger lingered, hesitant--apprehension etched on her face.

'You are to leave immediately.' Albus' voice was a whip.

Twitching again (Severus was reminded once more of a badly strung puppet) she too reverted to her childhood disguise before turning and leaving the office. The air behind her remained tight with tension.

A silence descended upon the office, as Albus watched the smoke rising from Fawkes' ashes. Perhaps he is wondering if something can be recovered from Potter's ashes too. But Potter is no phoenix. We have lost him, one way or the other. Severus felt a peculiar sense of loss twist in his chest. He may not have been a phoenix, but Potter's tears healed us all. His grief for our salvation. His pain to pass our tests. Was it an even trade?

'Severus.'

He snapped out of his reverie. 'Yes, Albus?'

'If Mr. Potter is alive.'

A cold stone sank to the pit of Severus' stomach, sending ripples of sickness through him. 'Yes...'

'You understand. You are to attend the forthcoming Death Eaters' gathering. You are to engage all those who attend in conversation, particularly the senior Death Eaters--Malfoy, Pettigrew, Avery, Crabbe and Goyle. Try to uncover any indication of Mr. Potter's whereabouts, and who has hold of him. You are to let their plans progress without any interference, even if those plans involve direct harm to Mr. Potter. Instead, you are to return immediately and inform me of everything. From then on I will give you further instructions.'

Severus' knees cricked as he stood up--he felt he had been frozen in that chair for centuries. The stone of dread had tightened in the pit of his stomach. 'Yes of course, Albus. Anything else?'

Dumbledore shook his head--smiling suddenly. Severus was stunned at the transformation: blue eyes were now soft and twinkling, slightly milky with age. Gone was the incisive hardness of the previous Dumbledore. Here was the mild-mannered and affectionate headmaster of Hogwarts.

'Excellent, Severus! Would you like a cup of tea before you leave?'

Severus felt sickened at the perversely mundane offer. As though he were just another distraught student seeking comfort, and this meeting were a matter of no consequence. Albus' smile was cutting him to the bone. Oh, Merlin. Potter is gone. Potter is gone. Potter is gone.

He pulled himself up, trying to gather his dignity in front of a man who was effectively his master. He inclined his head respectfully as the other's smile grew wider. 'No thank you, Albus.'

And with that, Severus Snape turned and swept out the door.

***To Be Continued***

Notes: OUCH. This one hurt to write. You've got to believe me. I really didn't want to subvert Dumbledore this much, but the plot demanded it. And I hope all of you were similarly stumped by Ron's and Hermione's revelations! Looks like Harry never had true friends after all... *sob* Although Ron seems to have some sort of strangely repressed attachment to Harry--which is to be expected, given his job and the fact that in my fics, there is hardly anyone who isn't queer.

Other Notes Pertaining to this Chapter, and Possibly to Coming Chapters: Albus asks Severus to go to a Death Eater meeting because Severus is an under-cover Death Eater spying for Dumbledore. Also, when Severus says 'Potter's tears healed us all', he's referring to the quality phoenixes have of healing wounds with their tears. All other magical and/or mythical references belong to me... (This includes the concept of Emergence, in which a Dark wizard discovers the true Form of their magic. It usually coincides with adolescence, and is 'consummated' when the Dark wizard achieves a joining with another wizard--either through psychic (mental) or physical (sexual) means. Dark Communion is a different matter--it occurs when a new Dark wizard 'falls in love' with the Darkness of his/her magic, and discovers its beauty and true potential as well as the link it has to the natural world. Communion often takes place during orgasmic Emergence or as the product of long instruction by a senior Dark wizard. Not many wizards experience Communion--those that do never give up their magic, because it is too dear to them. Yes, Lucius has Communed.)

Next Chapter: Er... yeah. I've already written it, and am currently proofreading it. We return to Lucius' POV back at good old Malfoy Estate. He schemes and schemes... but is his self-control slipping? Why does Harry keep inciting the strangest desires in him? Will be R-rated for... er... sexual content more than that in the last chapter.

*clears throat*

Aaaaaanyway... please review this chapter ASAP. I hope I didn't upset anyone too much with the developments here...

And if you want to find out exactly what this 'bigoted agenda' is that Granger... I mean Hermione... alludes to, then you'll have to wait for another 2 chapters (including the next one) before finding out. Details about Ron's and Hermione's history as undercover Aurors will also be divulged in the next interlude.

Please review if you want more!

~THANKS TO ALL THE GREAT REVIEWERS WHO URGED THIS CHAPTER ONTO THE NET! MAY ALL YOUR APPARATIONS LAND YOU IN HAPPY PLACES!!~

Kenna Hijja: As usual, your reviews are invaluable. So gratifying and so comforting too, to know that my sometimes too-wordy approach finds favour with a reader! Tension is exactly what I wanted to achieve... And you're right that Harry was running from himself--from both the sexual and magical connotations of his encounter with Lucius.

Mage Legacy: I think this chapter makes your question even more pertinent. Unfortunately I'll have to leave it unanswered until the end of the fic!! (That pesky thing called plot suspense, you know...) In fact I haven't yet decided, because there is great potential plot-wise to have Harry become Dark, but there is also great potential for Lucius-angst if he doesn't go Dark. *don't kick me!*

Peter Kim: *chuckles* A little eager for the NC-17 slash aren't we? Unfortunately, I'm currently writing only up to an R rating because I do want FF.net to host my stuff... however, I also plan to rework them as NC-17 chapters and post them elsewhere. Don't worry, I'll let you know when that happens!

Tinuviel: Ah, the magic words. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

laa: Glad to see I've converted yet another reader to Lucius-worship. He deserves it.

nptrenko: Here's more.

hermionegranger: Another beloved reviewer! I do look forward to your reviews so much, that I'm afraid my rendition of you (a.k.a. Auror Granger) might put you off. I hope you don't mind!! (I don't get called brilliant nearly as many times as I'd like to... ahem.)

Fyrie: Lucius indeed! I did focus on trying to make him as sexy as wizardly possible, so that I wouldn't feel that guilty after making Harry fall for him at the tender age of fourteen. *cough*

Anne Phoenix: There's a phoenix in this chapter, yay!! Just for you... Thank you *so* much for being a regular reviewer... And what a wonderfully Slytherin phrase you used! 'The game of pain and fear...' Precisely. Perhaps Ron in this chapter has a similar pain.

me3gogi: Brilliant spotting with the time differences! Yes, I must remind my readers that this is an AU fic, so not all the timings will match up with the canon books.

Maeglin Yedi: The Goddess of HarryxLucius herself! An honour to have your reviews... And yes, I too got a kick out of seeing Lucius unnerved. A rare Kodak moment... We all want to see what Lucius looks like, unarmed. (No pun intended, honestly.)

RavensHalo: Your fics are too brilliant for you to be hangin' round reviewing mine, dear Raven! Get off with you and update them! :D (Nah... just kidding... I'd rather you spent all day here reviewing me of course... ;-) )

ShinigamiLover: I stand corrected--although I'm afraid that if you like Gryffindors too much, this chapter might displease you! Although I'm truly happy to know that this fic attracting a wider audience than I had previously expected!

Aeryn: Thanks for being the first to appreciate the alternating perspectives... tricky business that--I'd had to juggle them like a clown for hours on end before deciding on how to order them. Thank you's and hugs to you!

Gia: It was good to see you in the HarryxLucius Yahoo! group as well... Thanks for your review!

Blues: Hopefully this chapter offers some ideas for where Harry might go with his Dark magic. Of course, that doesn't mean he will go there... *evil grin* Remember, this is switchknife writing a sadistic fic.

FLAME ME & Derae: Oooh thank you thank you!! Hope this chapter wasn't too much of a break from the last one... I just thought the readers might appreciate a break from the constant Lucius/Harry interaction in this chapter. Rather like... an interlude in a movie. Although the information given here is quite crucial I suppose...

~Don't forget to review, now!!~