Severus Snape Meets His Match

Author's Note

In this chapter, Randi meets the Minister of Magic and convinces him to give her Aurors to assist in the attack on the Death Eaters meeting. Not actually saying so, he makes it clear that he will be a part of the raid as well.

Hope you enjoy!

Amelia

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“Good evening, Minister.” Randi said in a businesslike tone as the tall, blonde secretary who had just ushered her into his office closed the door behind her.

He turned away from the window he was looking out and motioned towards one of the brown leather chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Miss MacKenzie.” His expression was deadly serious. Randi could gather that he’d already viewed the pensives Albus had sent out, and he wasn’t at all happy with what he’d seen.

The vampire sat down and looked at her directly, “I hope you’ll understand my mood and not think me inhospitable. I’m a man of action, Miss MacKenzie, not a beaurocrat. I’ve already summoned the other Ministers. They’ll be arriving Saturday for a closed-door conference. I’d like you to come and tell them all you know. Your father will be here as well.”

Randi gave a solemn nod, “Yes, of course. I’ll be there, Sir.”

“I’ve never seen anything so disturbing in all my years.” He stated gravely, “The entire world, gone, destroyed in a matter of days by wizards every bit as powerful as you are.”

“It is disturbing, Sir,” she agreed respectfully, “But I believe that with the proper preparations we may stand a chance against them. It will take time and hard work, but I think I can teach at least some of my spells to your Aurors as well as the upper level students at Hogwarts.”

He seemed to relax a little after hearing that. “I was hoping you could. The spells we know now won’t stand up against these Corillians. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to spend much of your free time teaching your spells to others, so that we can be prepared.”

“I’ll be happy to help, Minister.” She declared, “But first, I’d like to take care our present menace to society. I’ve just been given information that Lord Voldemort will be holding his next meeting at the old mill on Hanley Lane this coming Wednesday at midnight.”

The Minister gave her a surprised look and asked, “How did you find this out?”

“I was given the information by Professor Severus Snape. As you’re aware, he’s a spy for the Order. He’s now close enough to Voldemort that he has seen fit to tell him the location of the next meeting.” She replied, not wanting to reveal the sorted details of the wizard’s plot to kill Dumbledore.

“Ah, finally!” the Minister gave a half smile, “I knew his work would pay off eventually. I assure you, you have my best Aurors at your disposal, Miss MacKenzie. Just tell me how many you need.”

“I’ll need around fifty, I think.” She answered after a moment of pondering, “There should be around thirty Death Eaters in attendance. As you are aware of the prophecy, I’m sure you’ll agree that Mr. Potter should be with us as well.”

Reluctantly, he nodded. “Yes, I know. I suppose we have no choice, but I do wish he were older. He’s already barely escaped Voldemort with his life more than once.”

“Not to worry, Minister. I’ve taught him a very powerful spell to use against Voldemort. I assure you, it’s quite deadly, and he’s already successfully performed it.”

Rufus sighed in relief and said, “That’s good to hear. Potter is a fine young man. I would hate for us to lose him.”

“My suggestion is that we have some of the Aurors focus on protecting Harry, so that he can safely face Voldemort. The rest of us should be able to take out the Death Eaters.” She declared confidently.

He nodded. “Yes, yes, a good idea. I forget sometimes that you have been trained for exactly this sort of situation. I hope your father knows how much of a Godsend you are.”

Randi smiled politely, “Thank you, Sir. He tells me frequently that I was destined for greater things than he could even imagine. Knowing what I do now, however, I’m beginning to think that my abilities are actually nature trying to strengthen our ties to the magical current. Father says that once I marry and have children, it’s highly likely that they will inherit my abilities.”

“It’s quite important that you marry then.” He stated, “As soon as you are ready, of course.”

Randi smiled gently and replied, “I understand, Minister. I promise you, as soon as I find the right wizard; I plan to have many children. As for Voldemort, I think we should meet here at around eleven to prepare for the raid. I’m certain it will be a nasty fight, but with enough skilled Aurors and the element of surprise on our side, I expect that we’ll win. I only ask one thing of you. Should things go badly, I want you to get your Aurors out of there as quickly as possible along with Mr. Potter.”

Rufus gave her a wicked grin. “It isn’t in me to run away from a good fight, Miss MacKenzie. I am a vampire, after all.”

“I thought as much.” She replied, returning his grin, “I suppose we’ll just have to be successful then, won’t we?”

“We most certainly will.” He stated firmly, “I’ll make the preparations, and we’ll await your arrival here Wednesday at eleven o’ clock then.”

Randi stood up and extended her hand, “Thank you, Sir. With any luck, this will be over come Thursday, and we’ll then be able to focus on this new threat that’s coming our way.”

He shook her hand and replied, “Indeed we shall. Thank you for your assistance, Miss MacKenzie, and do give your father my highest regards.”

“I’ll be sure to do so, Sir.” She promised, then turned and left his office.

When she apparated back to the school, she immediately went to find Dumbledore. He was in his office, talking to Severus. “Ah, Professor MacKenzie, do come in!” Dumbledore said brightly, “Severus and I were just discussing the upcoming raid. How did you fare at the Ministry?”

She took a seat beside Severus and replied, “Quite well, actually. The Minister agreed to provide us with fifty Aurors to assist us in the raid. We’ll need Mr. Potter to go with us as well.”

She didn’t see how the old wizard could trust Severus Snape after what he’d done. She wasn’t about to reveal that she’d taught Harry one of her deadliest spells. That was a little secret she would keep to herself until she knew he’d given her good information to go on.

“Yes, yes, of course. Harry will be there.” Dumbledore replied, “Severus would like to take part in the raid as well.”

She gave Severus a look of warning and said, “This had better not be a set up, Professor.”

“I assure you, it’s not.” He declared calmly, “Voldemort will be there along with the others. Since I won’t, however, we’ll need to attack just before the meeting starts, before he grows suspicious of my whereabouts.”

Dumbledore nodded in agreement, “Yes, we’ll have to act quickly. We should meet beforehand and go over our strategy.”

“That’s already been arranged, Headmaster.” Randi replied, “We’ll meet with the Minister and the Aurors at Ministry Headquarters at eleven o’ clock. With any luck, this will all be over within an hour.”