Sub Rosa

Chapter 39 – Into the Earth

Midwinter was upon them and the kids were assembling in the Great Hall. Severus had argued vociferously to be allowed to come along, but if they ended up fighting Death Eaters, there was no way it wouldn’t blow his cover.

She had kissed him soundly and promised to be careful and then left him behind again. She couldn’t blame him for his disgruntled attitude. But seriously, how much trouble could she get into with twenty-three elves as back up? Hmm, maybe that was a stupid question.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Seamus, Dean, Lavender, Parvati, Neville, Luna and Justin were assembled and waiting when she arrived. The early morning sun shone in the illusory sky above them. She ran an eye over the kids. They were dressed for the winter hike, boots and sweaters (And hadn’t that been an amusing conversation, who knew the Brits called them jumpers?) walking staves, wands tucked up sleeves or tucked into boots. Harry had his sword belted at his waist. Heavy woolen cloaks covered them from neck to boot top as well.

The Host jingled into the hall then and they exchanged greetings and headed out. As they stepped into the courtyard they were met with a peculiar sight. Draco and Minuet lounged insouciantly by the stairs, dressed in heavy winter clothing.

“Mr. Malfoy, Miss Ravagienne.” Kathryn greeted them.

“Oh, hi Professor.” Draco managed a widening of the eyes meant to be surprise at the sight of them, Minuet just smiled sweetly. “We were just going for a hike in the hills.” Draco continued and the pair sauntered up to the group.

“Really?” Her tones were dubious, but her lips were twitching with the smile that was trying to break out.

“Young ones, come you to join us in battle?” The minstrel was blunt as all his kind tended to be.

“You inviting us?” Minuet grinned up at the elf, hands on her hips, an impish dimple peeping from the side of her mouth. The minstrel grinned back at the child and tweaked a lock of her ebony hair.

“Fall in, you two.” Kathryn ground out against her better judgment.

“Professor?” Harry’s outraged voice made her turn around to favor him with a darkling look.

“They’re Slytherins, if we don’t take them with us, they’ll just follow us anyway, at least we can keep an eye on them this way.”

“Hey, you know us well!” Draco tossed off. She winked at him.

“I’m getting a crash course in sneaky from your Head of House.” Quiet laughter followed that remark and they were off.

The walk into the hills was taken at an easy pace, the mounted members of the party wandered ahead to search for the rill that the Guardian had described.

None of the host had ever been to this part of Scotland before and they were happily engaged in explorations with as much enthusiasm as the students. It was funny, Kathryn thought, to feel like the most mature person present, when half the group was older than her by several hundred years.

The archers were chatting with the students and Minuet and Hermione were deep in a conversation about transfiguration. Harry and Draco were eyeing each other, Harry with suspicion, Draco with contempt.
“Look Potter, if I wanted to betray you or join the Dark Lord wouldn’t you think I’d be just a little more sneaky about it?” Drfinafinally blurted out.

“Unless that’s just what you wanted us to think.” Harry said with narrowed eyes and lowered chin.
“Yeah.” Ron chimed in with something less than eloquence. From the corner of her eye, Kathryn caught Hermione’s rolled eyes and Minuet’s pursed lipped agreement.

“Boys.” Minuet muttered and Hermione nodded vigorously. The archers behind them looked about ready to collapse from asphyxiation as they stifled their laughter. Kathryn shot a quelling look at all concerned and felt a million years old.

Thank Merlin she was past the adolescent stage of defensive posturing for the opposite sex. That thought gave her a pang of loneliness. She really wished Severus could have come with It It was amazing really how much she missed him when he was not nearby. Considering that she had only met him in September, he had come to play an inordinately large role in her life. Funny how three months could make a world of difference.
The sound of jingling harness and the soft crunch of the horses through the snow roused her from her reverie.

“We have f the the rill.” The stone-faced warrior woman called out.

“Thank you Elder, we are coming.” Kathryn called back and shooed the kids after the mounted woman. The archers sped away from the children, running lightly across the snow, leaving almost no trace of their passing.

“Show-offs.” Draco muttered and secretly Kathryn agreed. The fey had way too much fun in this world.

Trudging after the lithe elves, the wizards and witches rounded a series of snow covered boulders and discovered the fey peering at a crack in the ground that was dripping half-frozen water out onto the hillside.

“That’s it?” Harry’s incredulous tone echoed all of their thoughts. The boy jumped, as if stung, and grabbed at the sword hanging hidden under his cloak. The elves all had their attention riveted on him as he drew the blade. “You’re joking.” Harry addressed the blade with an irritated air.

“Seradonon.” The minstrel was staring at Harry with an eyebrow raised, it reminded Kathryn strongly of Severus and she smiled.

“I got it from the Guardian.” Harry said with a shrug. “I call it back-biter.” The elves all laughed at that, except for the stone-faced woman who made a moue of distaste.

Draco and Minuet were obviously confused by the blade, but too proud to ask. Kathryn reminded herself to have a talk with them later.

Harry walked up to the rill and using the sword carved a door in the snow surrounding the crack and then stepped back. The sword emitted a thrumming sound, like the metal was vibrating and then the outline became an archway into the mountain.

The minstrel bowed to Harry, with some amusement, and they all began filing through the doorway.