Areas of Expertise

-- You guys are great! I really giggled at some of your ideas for Draco's secret. A bit more informatin is revealed in this (not much, but if you read between the lines...)

--LilRinnieB: yes I'm following HBP, but Snape and Dumbles know Dray's secret - they discuss it early on in the story.

--Kirraluv: Your suggestion made me laugh so hard!

--Celestialuna: Nice thought, maybe for the sequel! I've got a badge in my car that reads "Come over to the Dark Side: We have cookies"!

--Shadowama: I'm with you on the whole Harry being in denial. He's not too brgiht at times. Hmm, maybe a missing sympton of pregnancy is losing brain cells?!

--KnowingDivine: Howled at your suggestion!

--Seriously guys, thanks so much, I've had a not too great day, so seeing your ideas - knowing someone cares - is fab! SP



Chapter Eighteen –



“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” Herbert Spencer



***



Harry knew the exact moment that Snape told Voldemort about the child. He felt a surge of triumph and glee come pulsing into his head that was so strong he felt sick. He dropped his cup and sagged in his chair whilst Ron and Hermione stared at him in concern.



When he had recounted to them what had happened, and no longer felt like he was going to re-visit his tea, he asked for their help.



“Seriously Harry, this is messed up. I know Dumbledore thought this plan would help defeat You-Know-Who but I’m not convinced. He can’t have known Malfoy would’ve found out so soon and that Snape would’ve had to tell You-Know-Who could he? I mean, he’s putting you in real danger!” Ron looked outraged on Harry’s behalf as he finished.



Hermione was chewing her lower lip. “Dumbledore knew that at some point You-Know-Who would find out, but I agree with Ron, he can’t have meant it to happen so soon. You’re not due til June, and we’ve only just started December. It’s an awful risk.”



Harry bit down his irritation. They were just telling him things he already knew, but he also realised that he had to let them talk, as eventually (he hoped) they’d come up with something useful.



“Can’t you just hide?” Ron asked.



“Oh, Ron, where is Harry going to hide? Hogwarts is the safest place for him to be. And he still needs to do his lessons. After all, Dumbledore is also telling him important things about You-Know-Who.”



“Can’t you just call him Voldemort?” Harry asked, so fed up of this particular argument he felt a headache starting.



Hermione glared at him. “We’re trying to help,” she scolded.



Harry rubbed his aching forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m worried about Severus. Voldemort knows, and he wants to know who the father is. If he finds out it was Sev, I mean Severus, he’ll kill him.”



Hermione’s face softened. “That’s ok, Harry, we’re worried about him too, but not like you are.”



“I’m not worried about the git.” Ron stated, making Harry give a tired smile.



***



“Tell me Severus!” Voldemort’s voice was harsh and cold. “Tell me who is the father of the brat’s child!”



Severus, writhing in agony on the ground, cried out, “My Lord, I do not know! Dumbledore has kept it a secret even from me! I have tried to discover the man, my Lord, I promise!”



Draco Malfoy watched his teacher twisting on the ground and swallowed. If he had told Voldemort, that would’ve been him lying there screaming in agony as curse after curse hit him. He had to keep his calm, he had to hold his tongue, otherwise his secret, the one that would ruin the Malfoy name, would be shared. He couldn’t bare the thought of that. His father was already in Azkaban, if their secret were shared, he would be held up to scorn and disgust, and would, no doubt, be given the Dementors’ Kiss. He wouldn’t be responsible for his father’s death, not whilst he could do something about it.



“And you, Draco,” Voldemorrt said suddenly, turning on the lad, “what news have you to tell me?”



The blond swallowed again and looked at Snape panting on the mud. The teacher lifted a care worn face and Draco drew strength from the dark eyes.



“My – My Lord, I have a plan to accomplish what you set me, but I am finding Borgin less than helpful.” Draco felt himself begin to panic, and knew he mustn’t. He must control himself.



“Excuses, boy? You bring the Dark Lord excuses?” Voldemort’s voice was frighteningly soft, and those closest to Draco shuffled away.



“I will complete my task, my Lord!” Draco insisted, “I will.”



“Yesssss,” hissed Voldemort, “you will, or I shall kill you myself.”



***



Harry was tired. Concern for Severus was making his head pound, and hearing Ron and Hermione talk in circles for the past two hours hadn’t helped.



“I still say Harry could hide himself!” Ron declared heatedly.



“Where?!” Hermione said, exasperated.



Ron suddenly clicked his fingers. “I’ve got it! The Room of Requirement!” He thought for a few moments then went on, “We could ask the room to be somewhere safe for Harry and Snape, but still allow Harry to learn. That way he could ‘see’ all his lessons and learn stuff, but never have to leave the room.”



Hermione gaped at her friend. “Ron,” she said, “it’s brilliant!”



Harry felt calm spreading through him. Severus was on his way back. He gave a small smile and a nod to Ron. “I’ll talk it through with Sev – I mean Severus – when he gets back, well, once he’s recovered enough.” He frowned, remembering Voldemort’s cruelty to the other. “But it sounds like a good plan. Thanks Ron.”



After that, Harry became edgy. He knew Snape was near at hand, probably walking unsteadily up the driveway with Draco, and all he wanted was to greet the man and ensure he was all right.



After being asked the same question three times, Hermione gave up and suggested to Ron they leave.



“Speak to Snape, Harry,” she urged as she left.



“I will, ‘Mione, promise.” He responded, wriggling in his chair, bored with the inaction. He wanted to be doing something.



-- I'm dead impressed a wrote another chapter without smut! I think Harry's feelings are building up quite nicely, ne? SP