Habeas Corpus

Dear All, thank you for the reviews. I know it might seem that Snape is OOC in this story but I thought we don\'t really know how Snape behaves among the Death Eaters. Furthermore, JKR does not tell us what the relations and interactions between the Death Eaters are, hence the friendship with Lucius and the picture of Voldemort. I hope you\'ll forgive me licencia poetica here. Enjoy the next chapter!

Just to remind you, the last chapter ended with Severus returning from the revel the next morning after the party.

Chapter 10 - The Prophecy

Stroking her hair, Severus inhaled deeply. He was glad that the revel went smoothly. He chuckled thinking about his breakfast with Lucius. He felt good about it. For the first time in his life, he didn\'t need to pretend he was confident. He just felt the confidence and the woman in his arms was making him even more confident or maybe it was the Muggle money and attire...

\"Severus, I need to go.\" Said Hermione pulling away from him.

\"I know, pet.\" You cannot imagine how much I\'d like to hold you like that for the rest of my life - he thought.

\"Are you alright?\"

\"I am. I need to let Dumbledore know about the revel. There are some things I need to discuss with him.\"

\"Can I go with you?\"

\"Better not. As soon as I am back, I\'ll come to you.\"

She nodded.

\"There is one other thing.\" He said. \"I think our original mission comes to an end here.\"

\"How come?\"

\"It was Bellatrix Lestrange who organised the killings of rich Muggles. Voldemort has been very displeased with her for that at the revel. The killings will stop. I\'ll let Dumbledore know. It might mean that you\'ll be free to go back to your training once I come back.\"

\"Oh.\" She muttered.

\"Aren\'t you happy?\"

\"I suppose I am but I... sort of liked being here... on the mission... with you....\"

\"Well, we shall see what Dumbledore says.\"
______________________________________________

Dumbledore\'s office, Hogwarts

Snape entered the Headmaster\'s quarters.

\"Severus, what are you doing here?\"

\"Good day to you, Albus. There are some things I need to discuss with you.\"

\"Have a seat. Can I get you something?\"

\"Hot tea would be good.\"

Dumbledore clapped his hands and the tea set for two appeared between them.

\"So whringrings you here, Severus?\"

\"There was a revel last night.\"

\"So I\'ve heard.\"

\"Two issues came up.\"

Dumbledore did not reply but allowed Snape to take his time.

\"First, it was Bellatrix Lestrange who organised the killings of rich Muggles. Voldemort has been very displeased with her for that at the revel. The killings will stop, which I suppose, means that Hermione\'s mission as well as mine with this respect ends here.\"

\"And the second issue?\' asked Dumbledore ignoring Snape\'s conclusion.

\"Voldemort claims that there is another prophecy foretelling his fall. He wants me and Malfoy to find it for him. Do you know anything about the existence of such prophecy?\"

\"Severus, I must disappoint you. Hermione\'s and your mission does not end here. You are wise enough to know that this whole mission was concocted by me and serves another purpose.\"

\"I guessed as much. I thought you had some plan for me and that Hermione was a cover up. Not to mention Virginia Weasley.\"

\"Yes and no.\"

\"I really hate it when you put things this way.\"

Dumbledore chuckled and took another sip of tea.

\"I sent you to the Muggle world so that I had the two brightest minds on our side safe from what was going on in the magical world.\"

\"And what is going on?\"

\"We are loosing Potter to the dark side.\"

\"What?\"

\"It seems Voldemort is too powerful for Harry to fight him away from his mind.\"

\"Meaning?\"

\"Harry is slowly becoming Voldemort.\"

\"But why do you want to keep us away from the magical world?\"

\"Hermione was Harry\'s best friend. Voldemort might try to hurt her. You are a spy. Potter knows it. He might try to kill you.\"

\"That makes no sense. If Voldemort knew I betrayed him, he would have killed me last night.\"

\"He doesn\'t know yet. We\'ve managed to control Harry. He is in St. Mungo\'s. We keep his mind occupied so that Voldemort has limited access to it.\"

\"What about Miss Weasley?\"

\"She was Harry\'s girlfriend. He used her while being under Voldemort\'s control. I thought it best to send her with you.\"

\"Do you mean, Potter raped... .\"

\"Unfortunately, we were unable to come in time.\"

\"Oh, dear Merlin!\" sighed Severus.

\"As you see. I cannot let you or Hermione come back just now. We need to get rid of Voldemort from Harry\'s mind first.\"

Snape considered the facts for a moment. He was surprised that he wasn\'t disappointed in not being able to come back to the magical world just yet. It gave him more time with Hermione - alone.

\"What about the prophecy?\"

\"I\'ve heard some rumours about the prophecy.\"

\"What rumours?\" asked Snape.

\"The Ministry is supposed to have a copy of it but it can\'t be opened.\"

\"Why?\"

\"Because it was made many years ago and not one person who heard it lives today.\"

\"And only those whom the prophecy refers to may be allowed to see it.\"

\"Exactly. H no no one really knows what it says.\"

\"Why do you think that it is about the fall of Voldemort?\" asked Snape.

\"It\'s just a guess. All I know it that the prophecy begins with the following words:

Of fresh and ancient blood
The power shall come
To Vanquish the saddest
Of all kings crowned,
And again discrowned.\"*

\"And Voldemort is supposed to be the saddest king of all kings crowned?\" asked Snape.

\"That\'s how the prophecy is interpreted now.\"

\"Now?\'

\"Yes. This prophecy is six hundred years old. It has already been interpreted to match at least six dozens of men.\"

\"Without success?\"

\"Everyone who touched the prophecy died. It wasn\'t meant for them, hence the prophecy has not been yet fulfilled.\"

\"I will tell Lucius what you told me about the prophecy. I\'ll leave out the opening words of the prophecy.\" Said Snape.

Dumbledore nodded.

\"I think I should be going. Anything else I should know?\"

\"No, Severus, that is all.\"

Snape nodded and moved towards the door.

\"It was good to see you again, Albus.\"

\"Give my best to Hermione and tell her not to worry. Everything will be fine.\"

\"I wish I had your optimism.\" Said the younger man and disappeared in the dark.
_______________________________________

Hermione\'s flat

\"Severus!\" Her face was in mirth when she saw him standing in the middle of her sitting room.

\"Hello!\" he replied casually.

\"What did Dumbledore say? Are we coming back?\"

\"I\'m sorry to disappoint you but no.\"

Her expression was indiscernible for him. Was she happy or sad?

\"Tell me what\'s going on?\"

\"Dumbledore wants to keep us away from the magical world.\"

\"Why?\"

He considered telling her the truth for a moment but deciding against it said:

\"He wants to have some forces away so that we could step in when the time comes.\"

\"The time comes?\"

\"For the final battle.\"

\"Oh.\" She said and sank into the sofa.

Not knowing what to do, he said:

\"I guess I should be going. You must be tired after last night.\"

She seemed not to listen to him.

\"Before I go, however, can you tell me what was that scene about?\"

\"What scene?\"

\"The one in the morning when you yelled at me?\"

\"Oh, that.\"

\"Yes, that. What was that about?\"

\"I\'ve noticed one of your maids was spying on us so I thought that the only convincing, muggle-style and appropriate for the occasion reaction of a woman was to make a big scene.\"

\"Appropriate for the occasion?\"

\"Must you be so daft? I host a party with you. You are telling the world that we are together and then you disappear and return in the morning. I had every right to be mad.\"

\"You definitely are serious about us.\" Said he and she was not sure if he was mocking. She looked startled at him.

\"Well, I should be going. Good night.\" He said

Before she managed to open her mouth, he was gone.

*The prophecy is based on a poem by L. Johnson: \"By the statue of King Charles at Charing Cross\".