Dark Days

Dark Days – An explanation


“Have you ever heard of Sir Gary Whittle?” asked Dumbledore.

Hermione shook her head, “No, never. What did he do?”

“He studied animagi several years ago now. He was great friends with my father incidentally. They were inseparable at school, rather like the Weasley twins I understand. He used to always have sweets about him which he gave to my brother and I. Lemon Sherbet usually; it’s how I developed my fondness for it.”

Hermione listened politely wondering privately when he’d get to the point.

“Anyway as I was saying,” said Dumbledore then as if in answer to her thoughts. “He studied animagi for many years, his work is quite enlightening.”

“How is it that I’ve never heard of him?” asked Hermione. “Especially since I went through all those books in New York’s library.”

“His work was largely discounted due to the fact that he was considered insane. That’s his portrait up there,” he said indicating. The wizard in the portrait was playing exploding snap with a young witch with long dark hair. On one foot he wore a green Wellington and on the other a shoe that looked like one from a bowling alley. On his head was a large hat that looked very reminiscent of one of Dobby’s tea-cosys. Hermione looked rather doubtfully at him.

“But surely if he was insane then his work can have little merit,” said Hermione, her voice full of disappointment.

“Nonsense. His work is very thorough; I’ve never once found it to be wrong.”

Hermione still looked doubtful but asked, “What did he say?”

Dumbledore got up and went to one of his huge bookcases. The book he wanted was on the top shelf, very thick and covered in dust. “All of his theories are in here, but I’ll tell you some of them in brief. I expect you’ll want to read the whole thing however at some point so you may borrow it.” The wizard on the front cover was grinning up at her so merrily that Hermione couldn’t help but smile.

“Thank you,” said Hermione, who still harboured some doubt\\s about the relevance of a book by an insane wizard.

“Gary was the first and as far as I know only wizard who ever brought up the theory that the animals that we change into are representative of the person who changes. Some aspect of their character which is particularly strong is compared with an animal possessing the same characteristic and thereby decides the outcome. It’s very accurate. For example, James Potter a very noble and honourable young man began a stag; Sirius Black the loveable rogue became a dog and Minerva McGonagall a very graceful sophisticated woman becomes a cat.”

“And Peter Pettigrew was a coward and can become a rat…” said Hermione.

“Exactly.”

“But how does that explain my transformations?” she asked perplexed.

“Consider yourself Hermione. Over the past few months you have not been the same young woman that we all knew. You have been distant and reclusive, angry and yet in a great deal of pain. The part of a human that makes up the personality is very fragile and can easily be hidden, buried away and replaced by a somewhat mechanical being that merely exists.”

Hermione listened to this disturbingly accurate account of herself in silence.

“You have not lived for the past few months Hermione, merely existed. So when you attempted the potion to become an animagus it had nothing to compare you too. You therefore we able to become any animal you desired, although as you say it took you much effort to control the change. I think this unique turn of events really does prove Gary’s findings don’t you think? I wonder if I could get them re-published post-humously?”

“Will it last?” asked Hermione then, “I mean, if I get better or whatever, will I become one animal then? Or will I still be able to change into whatever I wish?”

“I should expect that you will be able to continue, but as you are to date the only person on record to whom this has occurred, it is impossible to say.”

The sat in silence then, Hermione was pondering this new found knowledge and Dumbledore was happily reminiscing over lemon sherbets as a child and how to go about getting the work re-published.

Hermione was the first to break the silence as she remembered the sudden appearance of Bill Weasley last night, she hadn’t cared at the time but suddenly felt incredibly curious.

“Why did Bill arrive last night Albus?”

“Hmm? What was that?” he asked dazedly as he gathered his wandered thoughts together. “Bill? He had bad news I’m afraid.”

“What was it?” she asked.

“Are you sure you’re up to it? Nobody’s expecting you to get back into the Order straight away if at all you know!”

“I know, but I might as well, I need to keep busy. Doing nothing is a sure way to make me worse.”

“Very well, but before I do that I think there’s something else you should know, but it’s not going to be easy for you to hear.”

She looked dubious, “What?”

“It’s about Severus…”

Hermione’s face went blank, he eyes hardened but at the same time a lump welled in her throat, thinking of Severus meant dealing with events that she was not emotionally equipped to deal with at the moment. She closed her eyes and forced her breathing to remain constant. Dumbledore did not speak and quietly waited for consent to go on.

“What about him?” Her voice had become hard and empty.

“It’s a long story, but it began a few weeks ago when Harry and Ron were out spying on Voldemort…”

* * * * * *

Hermione sat in silence. There was so much to take in. Severus a prisoner, did that mean that he hadn’t killed her parents? Had been under the imperius curse? Or had he displeased Voldemort after that to cause him to be imprisoned. A rush of emotions coursed through her body, although nohowehowed on her face. Dumbledore sat and watched her absorbing this news.

Finally she spoke, “Good. I hope he rots for what he did,” she got up and pushed back her chair forcefully so that it wobbled precariously.

“Hermione, consider, we do not know the circumstances of Severus’ imprisonment. It may be, and it seems likely that he had nothingdo wdo with your parent’s deaths.”

“Of course he fucking did! He’s a bloody murderer.” Her voice was dangerously quiet.

“But then why would Voldemort imprison him?”

“Because Voldemort can obviously see what you can’t. That Severus Snape is a scheming bastard who doesn’t deserve to live.”

“Maybe he does not deserve to live, but many who die do not deserve that either. We cannot make decisions about him without knowing the facts. In fact a group has been assembled for the rescue of him which you will be a part of. We awaited only your return, although had you not come back soon we should have gone anyway.”

“I will not be a party to this madness,” fumed Hermione, her eyes flashing. “Rescuing a known murderer. A man who has lied, cheated and killed his way through life. He can stay where he is for all I care.”

“He is also a man you once loved. And I do not usually make demands of people, but you will recognise that we exist in a state of war, and as an intelligent young woman you will also realise that soldiers in such times must follow orders. You will be part of the team Hermione, it leaves tomorrow.”

Hermione glared at him for a while, glanced at the book in her hand and then threw it forcefully against a wall. “Fine,” she spat before turning on her heel and storming from the room.

Dumbledore sat for a long while in contemplation. He seemed to be doinat aat a lot lately; maybe he was finally getting old. He did not like to send Hermione off like that, but she needed to be present to witness for herself his innocence and condition of which he was certain. Only then could she accept her losses and move on. He sighed and decided to cheer himself up with a nice cup of hot chocolate from the kitchens.

* * * * * *

Hermione lounged against the cold stone wall of Hogwart’s entrance hall. Around her the other people who were to join her in the mad ‘rescue’ mission were getting ready to go. Harry and Ron naturally as they had found him; Tonks and Sirius were there as well. Joanne had not been happy that Sirius was going where she was sure there would be trouble, especially if she couldn’t go too. But there was nothing to do about it so she merely hugged him fiercely before he left. Personally Hermione thought that this whole thing was ridiculous and should be abandoned at once, but she had no say in the matter and so she went, unhappily.

The plan was to apparate from Hogsmeade to a place about two miles from where they had found Severus, completely unaware at this point that he was no longer there. They walked in silence down to Hogsmeade, none of them knew quiet what to say to Hermione and she was glad to be left with her own thoughts. Different emotions contended within her, fighting for dominance and she was unsure which she wanted to win. Hatred was still dominant at the moment, but flickers of her old love were there as well, which she hastily tried to squash. She didn’t notice that they’d arrived in Hogsmeade and apparated to the appointed place without even realising she had done so.

They appeared in the middle of a clump of trees up on a tall hill. From this vantage point they could see the house in the distance.

“Right if we must be party to this absurdity let’s get it over with,” said Hermione sharply. “The sooner we get it done the sooner I can go back to pretending he doesn’t exist.” With that she pulled her invisibility cloak over her head and made her way down the hill. The others, after casting curious looks at each other followed suit.

It took them the best part of an hour to reach the house as they had to keep dodging death eaters who were milling around in a rather feeble attempt at keeping guard. The house when they did reach it was a daunting sight. It was large and proud and full of bored death eaters, getting in unnoticed was going to be difficult even with their cloaks. Being invisible, unfortunately did not stop you being solid.

“Okay, Tonks, Sirius you stay at the end of the corridor leading to the dungeons, give us warning if anyone approaches. Harry and Ron you’ll have to come with me since you know the way, and since if he’s in a bad way I won’t be able to carry him alone,” said Hermione who had, much to her disgust, been put in charge of this farce. She also seemed to be avoiding saying Severus’ name, referring to him only as ‘he’. The others nodded and they made their way cautiously down to the mansion.

It seemed that it had not occurred to put anyone on guard at the doors, apparently feeling that the guards outside would be sufficient. But quite obviously not as the five slipped in without too much trouble and made their way to the secret passage to the dungeons. Getting into the passage howetooktook considerably longer. Every time they thought they were alone and therefore able to open it without being noticed someone else came in and they had to wait. Finally the hall was empty and they slipped in as quickly as they could; as instructed Tonks and Sirius stayed by the entrance and the other three made their way down the dark passage.

The passage was dark and smelled rank, stale sweat and musty air, but they dared not light their wands for fear that there may be people at the other end to see them coming. They hardly dared to breathe as two huge death eaters came past them in the passage. They pressed themselves against the wall; Hermione squeezed her eyes shut with the rather simplistic theory that if she couldn’t see them then they couldn’t see her. Whether that worked or they were just lucky, the two death eaters passed without incident and the three friends moved on. Going carefully it took almost five minutes to reach the room from which Severus’ prison had opened into. Two more death eaters were seated at the table playing dice.

“It’s that door there,” whispered Harry to Hermione indicating. “You best look, you’re lighter on foot that Ron or me, less likely to make noise.”

Hermione nodded and made her way quietly into the room. At one point the guard nearest to her leaned back in his chair and nearly knocked into her. Once more she pressed herself against the wall and didn’t move for a couple of long minutes until he was absorbed in his game again. The door that Harry had indicated was hugely thick and had only one small window that was heavily barred. She had to stand on her tiptoes to peer in and even then could hardly see. It was dark and grimy inside, but there was no-one there. She cursed silently and started to make her way back to Harry and Ron.

“He’s not there,” she whispered when she reached them.

“Are you sure?” asked Ron.

She cast him a disparaging look which naturally they couldn’t see. “I think I’d still be able to recognise him Ronald, and no I’m not just saying it because I don’t want him rescued he actually isn’t there.”

“Well come on then,” said Harry. “There’s no point in staying here and arguing, let’s go somewhere safer. Then if you really wish you can continue what will no doubt be a wonderful row.”

At that point they both glared at Harry but still turned and made their way back up the passage. Not being able to see Tonks and Sirius at the top they bumped into them.

“Ow,” said Tonks massaging her shoulder where Ron had run into it.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“Did you get him?” asked Sirius.

“Nope, long story, lets get out and we’ll tell you,” muttered Harry.

They put their ears against the door and listened for any noises outside. Hoping that there really was no-one there they pushed it open. They were lucky and they all piled out and pushed it silently closed behind them, just in time as five burly death eaters, a woman with black and pink curls whose arm was linked with a very familiar person, Draco Malfoy, entered the room and made their way up the stairs. Harry drew in a sharp breath at the sight of his nemesis and Hermione grabbed his arm to stop him doing anything stupid.

When the group had gone they hurried out of the house and made their way in silence once more to the hill top crowned with trees that they had arrived at.

“Okay so what happened down there?” asked Tonks when they’d sat down and caught their breath.

“He wasn’t there,” said Hermione.

“I thought you said it was a long story,” said Sirius wryly. Hermione glared at him. “Apparently not.”

“What are we going to do now then?” inquired Tonks.

“We’ll have to look for him,” said Harry.

“Do we have time?” asked Ron. “I mean this was supposed to take a few hours not days and we have no idea where you-know-who will have put Severus.”

“I doubt he’ll have moved him far away, he needs to keep him within areas he has complete control of, which is round here. He can’t be that far,” reasoned Hermione logically.

“That still leaves an awful lot of ground,” said Harry, “Maybe we should go back and get more help.”

“No, I want this over with as soon as possible,” she asserted. “Look you lot stay here, I’ll scout out nearby, if he’s not close then we’ll split up and look further afield.”

“Er why you Hermione? Why don’t we just split up now?”

“I can do it faster than you.”

“Oh really and how is that?” asked Sirius sceptically.

“Just wait here. I’ll be back in about five hours. If I’m not, split up yourselves and look for him.” With that she shed her pack, shimmered, turned into a falcon and flew off northwards.

The others gazed after he stunned, “Did you know she could do that?” asked Sirius amazed.

Harry and Ron just looked at him with open mouths and shook their heads.

Hermione soared above the clouds for a while, revelling in the solitude and the peace of the skies. Here she could be alone, and her all her human thoughts and pain were nothing. There was only the joy of the kill, the exhilaration of diving from great heights and the endless bliss that was flying. She screamed the defiant scream of the predator and flew without care for a while.

Soon however her mind returned to the task at hand and she began to search for Severus. Silently she blessed the fantastic eye-sight of this bird. She kept her eye out for large groups of death eaters, recognisable by their arrogant swagger and often vacant or cruel expressions. She encountered several large concentration camps that would have turned her stomach had she been in human form. The falcon however merely saw them as another human settlement and ignored it.

The others sat waiting on the hilltop, the chatted in quiet voices, but did not stir out of the copse lest they be seen by watchful death eaters.

“How long has she been able to do that?” wondered Ron.

“Probably while she was away, she would have had to do something to keep her occupied, you know Hermione, even when she’s miserable she works,” said Harry.

“Crazy,” murmured Ron. “Most people’d use it as a good excuse to do nothing.”

Hermione searched the lands around in a wide circle; she had been gone nearly four hours when she finally saw something. It was the remnants of a large castle. Most of it was still intact but a few areas were in bad disrepair. It was populated with many death-eaters. It seemed that more had joined Voldemort since their last encounter, which was not good. Voldemort was winning srt frt from evil people of other countries but the ‘good’ communities stoically refused to believe that he was back, or if they did they saw it as a British problem best to be left alone. They continued with their quidditch world cups and international magical co-operation events, with their fingers firmly in their ears humming loudly to drown out British screams.

* * * * * *

Voldemort stood at the tall window of the castle he was for that time inhabiting. He had finally managed to escape the lackeys and hangers-on that dogged his every movement and get a few minutes to himself. He was relishing it. Surveying the land before him gave him great pleasure, to know that he controlled all that he saw and more beyond it gave him great satisfaction.

Outside a falcon screamed and circled high above the trees. He smiled, he enjoyed watching these creatures. They were as cold and ruthless as himself, with no mind for anything but the kill. So simple. The falcon circled once more, came to rest on top of the tower and began to preen its feathers.

Hermione felt eyes on her and tried to look casual. “Casual right,” she thought. “I’m a sur surrounded by death eaters, how do I look casual?” Far below a rabbit caught her eye. Without even thinking about it the bird took over. Talons outstretched she zoomed towards the ground. The rabbit did not have a chance to bolt, in seconds her talons were on it and a sharp beak ripped into the warm flesh.

Far above Voldemort laughed, so simple, so effective. He continued to watch as the falcon enjoyed its meal before turning away.

* * * * * *

Five hours were almost up, Harry and the others were beginning to get restless and worried when a falcon flew silently into the copse and shimmered back into Hermione.

“Where the hell have you been?” demanded Ron.

“Majorca for a quick break where do you think?” she replied.

“How long have you been able to do that for?” asked Tonks curiously?

Hermione looked at her, “That’s really not the issue here,” she evaded. “I found him.”

“Where is he?” asked Harry. “And what’s that round your mouth?”

Hermione put her hand to her mouth, her fingers came away red with blood. “Nothing,” she said hurriedly wiping the blood off on her jeans. “He’s in a castle south of here. He shouldn’t be too hard to get to, the place is crawling with death eaters but they didn’t look particularly alert.”

“How do you know he’s there did you go inside?” asked Sirius.

“No, he’s in a tower room, I saw him through the window.”

“Can you get him out through the window?”

“What animal do you think would be able to break through bars and carry a grown man down safely from a high tower room without being seen?” she asked sarcastically. “I’m an animagi not a miracle worker.”

“Sorry,” murmured Sirius under his breath.

“We’ll have to get inside again, as I said the death eaters aren’t too alert. They may be a problem though.”

“What?” asked Ron.

“I think Voldemort might be there.”

“Are you sure?”

“No, but I think I saw him. I might be wrong but we’ll have to be careful.”

“Is there anywhere nearby that we can apparate to?” asked Harry.

“There’s a wood about 900 yards from the castle, you’ll have to be careful but so long as you’re in your cloaks you should be okay.”

They nodded, “Well what are we waiting for?” said Harry.

“Bloody hell,” muttered Ron. “Great, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we get all the worst jobs!”

Harry grinned at him before pulling his invisibility cloak over his head and disappearing.

They man managed to apparate to more or less the same place, although Ron somehow managed to end up a tree and spent the next ten minutes trying to get down before realising that he could just apparate down.

When they were all together they started to formulate a plan.

“How will we find him once we’re inside?”

“Well the tower’s at the north part of the castle so if we make our way in that direction we should find him eventually. But everybody stick together, we won’t be able to see each other any more than the death eaters will, but I’ll cast little illuminations every time I get a chance so that you can see where I’m going and can follow,” said Hermione.

They nodded, “Okay, lead the way.”

Once more they pulled their cloaks over their heads and made their way down to the castle, slipping in behind some death eaters for whom the door had been opened. Luckily they had stopped to chat for the guards so the door did not immediately clang shut behind them.

“Point me,” murmured Hermione. Her wand pointed towards the left so she turned and headed through a large oak door, a tiny blue light trailing behind her.

The castle was like a maze, with doors leading off in every direction, spiral staircases and the corridors that seemed to lead nowhere or double back on themselves. They all at some point thanked God that at least they wouldn’t have to find their way out but could just apparate. Finally they reached one long staircase with guards at the bottom that seemed to be the one they wanted.

“Dormio,” whispered Hermione and the two guards fell asleep where they stood.

“Okay, Tonks, Sirius as before. Get inside the door so that I can wake these two up in case anyone comes wandering, but lets us know if anyone tries to come up. Harry and Ron come on up with me. Let’s do this quickly and quietly, I’m in no mood to prolong this.”

They nodded and slipped quietly inside the door.

“Envigilo,” whispered Hermione again when they were through. The two guards woke up, completely unaware that anyone had been there, or that they had been momentarily asleep.

Tonks and Sirius stationed themselves silently at the foot of the stairs, one on either side of the door and the others made their way up the stairs on silent feet. The tower wound round and round, endlessly going up, passing no openings and seeming to have no end. Eventually they came to a heavy oak door, behind which there were two more guards. Severus was apparently an important prisoner, and one whom they did not wish to be found again or rescued.

“Dormio,” Hermione murmured again and the two men fell asleep. The door moved open silently at a command. The room they entered was tiny and only one door led from it. They moved across and peered through the window in the door. Severus was in there. He was asleep, thin and emaciated but alive.

“Alohamora,” said Hermione. Nothing happened. “Shit,” she cursed. “See if you can find the keys.”

Harry and Ron moved over to search the guards, “Carefully,” she added then. “The spell will hold if you’re quiet but don’t jerk them around or make loud noises or they’ll wake up.”

Ron gulped and began to search one man much more carefully.

“Here.” Said Harry after a minute and handed Hermione a large jailors ring with about twelve keys on it.

She took it carefully to avoid jangling and began to try each key in turn. The first three did not turn, she was about to try the fourth when Sirius’s voice sounded quietly in the room, “Hurry up, people are coming. You were right, Voldemort is here, with some woman too. Be quick.”

Ron gulped again and Hermione projected her voice quietly down to Sirius, “You two get out, wait for us in the woods.”

She tried the fourth key, still nothing. “Come on Hermione come on…” said Harry nervously.

Fifth key, nothing, Ron gulped again.

Sixth key, nothing, one of the guards stirred in his sleep.

Seventh key, the door opened. They sighed with relief. Severus woke up and looked around blearily. They pulled off their cloaks and appeared as if from nowhere in front of him. He did not register who it was for a moment, but then he realised. All his attention was on Hermione. She had come for him, she was really here. He could hardly believe it. He staggered to his feet and tried to reach out to her but he was too weak and stumbled, falling to his knees.

“We’ll have to make a portkey, he’ll never be able to apparate.”

They heard a sound then that brought fear to their hearts, steps on the stairs.

“Shit,” Hermione cursed. “You two get out, lock the door behind you and put the keys back. Then get out, wait with Sirius and Tonks.”

“But…”

“No buts Ron, you and Harry are too big to hide under your cloaks with him, I’ll have to do it. Trust me we don’t have time.”

He started to argue again but Harry saw that it would be futile and followed Hermione’s orders.

“Good luck,” he said simply as he grabbed the keys and locked the door.

Hermione threw the cloak over herself and Severus, waited until Harry and Ron had gone and muttered, “Envigilo.” The guards woke up. “Wingardium Leviosa,” she said then and she and Severus rose up from the floor and hovered up by the ceiling, he had fallen unconscious and she had to expend a lot of energy to keep up the spell to hold them both.

The door at the top of the stairs opened and the two guards jumped to attention. Voldemort and Jai’mea sauntered in, in their usual manner.

“Keys,” he demanded imperiously.

Hermione hardly dared to breathe, her eyes were squeezed shut and her heart was racing. If they were caught they’d both be dead. She was actually surprised to find that she cared. That was the first time in ages.

The key rattled in the lock, Hermione bit hard into her lip.

The door swung open and Voldemort and Jai’mea strode in.

For long moments they did not move or say anything. Looks of joint horror and puzzlement covered their faces, although Jai’mea’s rapidly turned into disappointment and petulance.

“Where is my prisoner?” he asked dangerously.

The two guards hurried in, looks of bafflement and fearful concern over their own lives were clearly written on their faces.

“My Lord, no-one has been near the place,” gasped one.

Voldemort grabbed him round the neck, “Really, or is your vigilance less than I expect?”

“My Lord, I swear to you!” the poor man gasped.

Voldemort’s eyes flashed. Above him Severus stirred. They didn’t notice.

“Why am I surrounded by idiots!” he yelled. “Get out search the castle, search the grounds! I want that man returned to me! NOW!”

The two men rushed out of the room and hurried down the stairs raising the alarm. Voldemort lingered for a moment ignoring the sulking woman by his side. “Come,” he said then and followed his incompetent guards down the stairs. Jai’mea cast one last longing look at the dungeon and followed her lord.