The Attack by Fire

Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who transfers my babble into language, sorts my random punctuation and is a good friend.

This chapter is dedicated to mollyssister, fangirl extraordinaire.

Chapter 22 – The Attack by Fire

18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

(Sun Tzu, The Art of War, XII. The Attack by Fire)

Helga Hufflepuff's cup, Rowena Ravenclaw's wand and Salazar Syltherin's locket were lined up on one of the tables in the Chamber of Secrets. Rowena Ravenclaw's tiara lay there as well but at a distance from the other items.

Severus stood facing the Horcruxes, wand in hand, while Hermione and her friends were watching from behind him. Hermione had volunteered to help him destroy the Horcruxes, but he had refused. Casting the Killing Curse drained the caster of positive feelings, and he'd argued that since Hermione had never cast it before, she would need far longer to recover than he would.

Severus frowned, deep in thought, and cast a series of spells on the items. The curse on the locket that had confused and sedated Harry, Ron and Luna in the forest was soon broken, so when Harry checked for benevolence or malice, the locket merely lay before them, shimmering in the harmless, silvery glow of a magical item without malicious magic on it.

The curses on Rowena Ravenclaw's wand were dealt with as easily. As the keeper of that particular item, Severus had been told by Voldemort what the curses were, and thus he knew exactly how to counteract them.

The protection on the cup remained to be removed; the revelation charm showed angry, red, vortex-like funnels bubbling and spiralling around the cup: a clear sign of curses and hexes. Severus wiped the sweat from his brow when Hermione stepped forward and offered to cast a containment charm on the cup while he worked on breaking the curses.

Nodding absentmindedly, he accepted. Hermione urged Harry to help her with the charm while Ron and Luna stood alert to perform damage control should something go wrong.

"That's it." Severus sighed after a long while, looking exhausted. "Now, I'll destroy them."

He paused, looking at the Horcruxes again and then at Hermione. "Are you sure that these are all of them?"

"As sure as we can be. Remember, we thought that the tiara was a Horcrux, but you keep saying there's nothing Dark within?"

"There isn't. See for yourself."

Severus chanted an incantation and pointed his wand at each of the items, including the tiara. All of them showed the peaceful shine of a harmless magical item, but the Horcruxes seemed to be hiding something under the silvery glimmer. It was more of a shadow than a colour: purplish, insubstantial, but visible if you knew where to look for it. It reminded Hermione of the dark purple mist that rose up whenever Severus created a new Inferius.

The tiara lacked that dark centre. Hermione was convinced. "All right, I see what you mean. Then Harry was right all along. He didn't think that this was a Horcrux. We concluded that Wormtail must have picked it up after Riddle was hit by the rebounding curse and vanished. Wormtail had Riddle's wand; he could have picked up the tiara, as well. And since Riddle couldn't kill Harry, he couldn't have made the item into a Horcrux."

"Perhaps," Severus replied while rubbing his forehead. "The child was of more importance to him than the parents; he would have wanted to use the death of the child for the Horcrux. I think you are right. However, he may have cast the necessary spell for the Horcrux creation ahead of time, and when the intended target didn't die, a Horcrux might have been created through the death of Potter's parents."

"So you agree with me that there could be one more Horcrux?" Harry asked, staring at Severus.

"Yes," Severus agreed simply.

"Hold on," Hermione said. "What's going on here? Harry?" She looked at her friend, who freed his gaze from Severus' and looked at her sadly.

"Oh, no!" It felt as if a veil had been lifted. Her eyes were fixed on the lightning-shaped scar on her friend's forehead. "No!"

"What?" Ron asked, but Luna seemed to have caught on as well and whispered, "The scar. Look at the scar. Harry could be a Horcrux."

"Can't you cast that revealing spell on him? Perhaps we're mistaken?" Hermione whispered, glancing pleadingly at Severus.

"The spell only works well with inanimate items...or animals. All people have Dark areas; some are more successful in fighting and suppressing the Dark within them than others, but it's still there. The spell cannot differentiate between that and something artificial, like the Horcrux curse."

"Bloody Hell!" Ron exclaimed. "But this makes so much sense. Everything's falling into place, now. The prophecy. And the connection between Harry and Riddle. The visions, the emotional connection... Oh, Harry!"

"Do you think Riddle suspects this?" Hermione asked, horrified.

Harry swallowed. "I don't think so. He was rather keen on killing me last time I saw him. That doesn't exactly look like protection of something he values, does it?"

"Right," Severus interrupted. "And this will give us the chance to remove the soul fragment without alerting, ah, Him."

"So that's why you don't want to kill Nagini?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, but also because she's an animal. It's not her fault that she's been used for Riddle's evil machinations," Harry insisted.

"And if we can remove the soul fragment from the snake without killing it, then we have a good chance of succeeding with Potter, as well," Severus said.

"But with a Dementor? What if it doesn't stop and sucks Harry's soul out together with Riddle's fragment?" Hermione didn't like the aura of fatalism that was surrounding Harry.

"It's a risk I have to take," Harry replied. "The alternative would be to kill myself or ask one of you to do it for me. When I'm dead, and the other Horcruxes are destroyed, then anyone can kill Riddle. It doesn't have to be me. It's what he believes...because of the prophecy, but we know better, don't we?"

"Indeed," Severus agreed. "But since there may be another way, there is no use in being so maudlin, Potter. And now, I had better destroy these." He pointed at the three Horcruxes. "Stand back."

Hermione saw with concern how beads of sweat formed on Severus' forehead and ran down his temples. He looked very pale; a grimace of loathing seemed to be etched on his face.

"Avada Kedavra!" The green flash hit the cup full force. A lightning-shaped crack formed in the cup, and with a loud howl, the soul fragment was cast out of its confinement.

Hermione covered her ears; she'd had no idea that the eviction of a soul would be so noisy. When the howling stopped, the ensuing silence seemed to weigh heavily upon them. The cup stood broken but harmless.

Severus wiped his forehead and proceeded to dispense with the wand and the locket. Two more Killing Curses in quick succession had the two items broken in a similar manner as the cup, and all three were now shimmering harmlessly in the benevolent, silvery light of the 'Benefiz, Malefiz..." spell.

Hermione rushed to Severus' side. He had sat down, looking totally exhausted. "Why don't you three take the items away and come back later?" she asked. "Severus needs some rest; casting so many curses must have drained him horribly."

"I'll live," he murmured, his eyes glittering.

Hermione took his hand, and as soon as the others had left, she hugged him firmly, stroking his arms and back.

"What are you doing?" He pulled her onto his lap and buried his face in her hair; his voice was muffled.

"You must have had to conjure so much hatred and bad feeling to cast all those curses," she whispered while kissing his throat. "I just want to replace that hatred with some happier emotions."

"Good idea," he murmured and kissed her passionately.

"Too bad we can't just sneak away for a bit," Hermione said and nibbled on his ear. "But the others will be back in a moment."

"Pity." He sighed and kissed her again. "But I'll take this as a promise..."

Hermione grinned and nodded. "I always keep my promises."

"I'm counting on it," Severus replied, but before he could kiss her again, the door opened, and Harry, Ron and Luna were back.

Reluctantly, Hermione got up from Severus' lap, ignoring the surprised and delighted smile Luna gave her. Both Harry and Ron looked slightly sick.

"So, by freeing these three soul fragments, they could theoretically be reunited with You-Know-Who. Is that correct?" Ron asked when they'd all sat down again.

"Theoretically, yes," Hermione confirmed, checking 'Unable to Die and Unable to Live: The Ultimate Choice.' again. But it would have to happen through an act of selfless love, and can you imagine anyone performing that ritual on him?"

"Not really," Ron agreed.

"Hmm, if that means making him a bit more human again... and then maybe I wouldn't have to kill him...become a murderer," Harry mused.

"But who loves 'You-Know-Who' enough?"

"Bellatrix does, but she'd be the last person to perform such a ritual," Severus threw in. "And without the Horcrux within you, you don't need to kill him, Potter. You said that yourself half-an-hour ago. Someone else can do it, if necessary."

"That's not really a relief. I don't want another person's soul to be ripped because I'm afraid to get mine damaged."

"I don't think that killing in self-defence damages your soul, Harry," Luna said.

Severus looked at her with a frown and shook his head. "Wrong, Miss Lovegood. Every killing, whether it is performed unintentionally, through self-defence, from malicious intent, in a war or as an act of mercy––every killing affects your soul. Once you've ended another human being's life, you'll never be the same person again. That's how it is. It can't be changed. It is a loss of innocence, an acknowledgement of your power over the life and death of others, of your responsibility. It may not rip or even damage your soul, but it will have an effect on it. Your life will be changed forever through it."

"I don't want to kill anyone," Luna whispered.

"Let*s hope you don't have to, Miss Lovegood," Severus said calmly.

"Is there anything else in these books that might be useful for us?" Hermione asked in an effort to distract her friends from the gruesome subject.

"Lily used to study some of them," Severus replied, ignoring the way Harry was staring at him. "She was immersed in her study of ancient magic. She told me...while we were still on speaking terms...how ordinary magic could be enhanced through love when it is focused, when you really mean it. It would be worth looking into that aspect of benevolent magic some more."

"The power the Dark Lord knows not..." Ron whispered. "That has to be it."

"Possibly," Severus conceded. "And now we'd better alert Minerva and plan how to proceed from here."

"Right," Hermione agreed and opened her locket, asking its inhabitants to relay a message to the Headmistress.

---

The Chamber of Secrets, quiet as it had lain for centuries, was now alight with candles and warmed by cheerful fires so often that every rat and olm which usually dwelt there had fled in disgust. Severus, Hermione and her friends had found it the perfect refuge to meet and make plans, better even than the Room of Requirement. The Chamber was still a secret to the students and most teachers. It was well hidden under a Fidelius Charm and only occasionally used for Order meetings. It was perfect for the conspirators to meet.

Thus, it was logical that the first meeting of the group which would plot the trap for Voldemort and lay the plans for battle should meet there, too. Hermione was dying to find out who all the lieutenants of the Underground were; so far, she had only known about Severus, Minerva and Aberforth Dumbledore. Seeing Alastor Moody limp into the room took her completely by surprise.

"You?" she blurted out but paused for a moment and smiled apologetically. Why not Moody? He was one of Professor Dumbledore's oldest and most trusted friends, after all.

"Surprised?" Moody cackled. "Snape..." He nodded at Severus, who was sitting at Hermione's side and returned the nod just as politely. There was no animosity there, none of the disgust and dislike Moody had shown for Snape in the past. Instead, there was acceptance, even grudging respect.

"When did...?"

"After Albus died, Abe here introduced me. They had planned it this way. And after I saw what Snape has accomplished... Only a fool never changes his mind, Missy. Surely you don't think I'm so old and stubborn that I can't admit a mistake?"

"Uh," Hermione said.

"You were supposed to think that way, Moody," Severus threw in.

"Who else is coming?" Aberforth Dumbledore asked.

"Harry, Ron and Luna. Perry and Parvati––I don't think there's anyone else. Am I wrong?" Hermione ticked them off on her fingers but was interrupted by the arrival of her friends, who were just as surprised to see Moody but a lot more enthusiastic.

Perry Price, Parvati and Minerva McGonagall all arrived at the same time. Minerva looked around and smiled. "We've met here today," she began, "because recent developments in our joint efforts have made it possible to move things ahead. The time has come to lure the enemy out of his hole and make plans for battle. Severus has some suggestions we need to discuss."

Severus stood up and faced the small group. "We have an army of approximately three hundred well-trained and skilled wizards and witches in the Underground. They are at our disposal. They are disciplined and used to following orders. They form the core of our army and can be relied upon under all conditions and in all areas.

"We also have around fifty Order members, some of which are Aurors. Most of them are highly skilled, and we can count on them, although they lack discipline and are individualistic and often stubborn. We need to employ their services wisely and with care.

"The centaurs and the merpeople are our allies, as are the ghosts and house-elves of Hogwarts. We also have two half-giants, Hagrid and Madame Maxime, as well as one fully grown giant, Grawp. They've agreed to help fight off the giants on the other side.

"The enemy has a total of a hundred-and-twenty Death Eaters, at least as many sympathizers who are willing to fight and around fifty more or less skilled, but devoted, wizards and witches in his inner circle. He has a group of werewolves on his side, several corrupt Ministry employees, the giants and a large group of Dementors. Our best course of action would be to divert and distract the enemy's force and lure him to a place where we want to fight. The fewer Death Eaters Potter has to face when the confrontation between him and his foe comes––and I can't see how this can be avoided––the better. And the confrontation should occur at Hogwarts."

"Right," Harry said. "So you want to use me as bait."

"Whether I want to or not, you are the bait," Severus said. "If He thinks that you are hiding at Hogwarts, afraid of facing him, he'll come to get you. We could make it a half-truth. I've been hinting along these lines in my reports to my, ah, employer, all along; Albus planned it that way. It only needs some impulse for the enemy to act. Maybe another vision or prophecy? " He looked at Parvati.

"Wouldn't it be better if I were kidnapped now?" she asked. "I could have frequent visions of how he should proceed. We could push him where we want him..."

"No," Price cried out and took her hand. "That's far too risky. You can make your prophecies from here."

"Nonsense," Parvati hissed and pulled her hand free. "Everything we do here is risky. I will be a lot more efficient when I'm where things get put into motion. I can react directly to what is decided."

Severus stared at her for some time. "I am inclined to agree," he said softly. "But we need to be very careful. You should only be 'kidnapped' at the last possible moment and for as short a time as possible. We need you; you are a formidable fighter." His smirk made Parvati grin in delight.

"I don't like it..." Price grumbled, and now it was Parvati's turn to take his hand and squeeze it. "They wouldn't dare to hurt me, Perry. I'm too valuable to Riddle. And I can be more efficient there than I would be here. Trust me on this."

Price sighed and looked at their joined hands.

"The best way would be if you had a 'lapse' in one of your classes and uttered something about 'time to act, now" or such... This will be relayed to, ah, Him, and then I can suggest kidnapping you if none of his minions has the idea first. I shall be present as much as possible and see to it that you are treated well and have additional protection," Severus suggested.

"Right," Parvati said. "Tell me when the time is right, and I'll do it."

"Someone has to tell the Order that things will be moving soon," Moody said.

"I think it would be best if we informed them in groups, not all at once. How much can we tell them?"

"Do we fight as our true personas or in disguise?" Hermione asked. "How will the Order, and the Aurors, for that matter, know that we aren't Death Eaters? How will they react to the Underground?"

"Good point," Aberforth said. "I think it would be better if the identities of the fighters weren't released. And we should have something to be recognized by, something like the symbols the Underground members carry on their person to be recognisable in disguise, like that brooch Nightshade wears, there." He pointed at Hermione's Datura brooch.

"Not a brooch or any piece of jewellery. That can be taken off too easily and used by someone else. A fabric application of... a panther head," Hermione suggested, which got a snort out of Severus.

"I'm serious," she said. "You're known to all of the Underground. You've been leading us; everyone trusts you and relies upon you. It's only fitting that we all fight under the banner of Nundu." She smiled at him.

"I second that," Minerva said, also smiling.

"Motion carried," Moody bellowed. "Overruled, Snape. A Nundu head on all the Underground robes. We shall inform the Order and the Aurors about this when the time comes."

"Agreed," Minerva said. "And we'll alert our allies and prepare for the quick evacuation of those students who are still boarding at Hogwarts."

"Good," Severus said. "And now for the details. I think we should proceed like this..."

---

Harry was very quiet when he came out of the Pensieve in the small cave of Nan Guthan's introduction area. He had followed Severus and Hermione through small and wide corridors, dived through the sink hole and, of course, signed the full contract before he was allowed to access the area and be shown its true location.

Hermione had suggested that Harry see at least one of the Underground refuges to get a better impression of what Severus and the whole Underground had accomplished. She hoped that this would change Harry's attitude towards Severus for good, just as it had changed her own view. The two men had to collaborate closely––and trust each other––to bring their plan to fruition.

So far, it seemed to be working. Severus held his tongue in check and suppressed caustic remarks and snide comments. Harry merely gazed at him pensively from time to time.

"Why not let Severus give you the tour of the caves while I study these books here a bit more?" Hermione suggested after the main excitement of having Harry Potter in the Underground had died down. There would be a gathering of all the Nan Guthan Underground members later, but there was still time to pass until then.

When Severus and Harry had gone, Hermione took the shrunken book out of her rucksack and started to read. 'Body and Soul: How the Greatest Power of All Holds it Together' was a fascinating read, and she was soon so absorbed by the subject that she jumped when Severus asked her with his velvety voice whether she had found anything useful.

"Hi." She smiled at him and Harry, who had sat down opposite her. "So what do you think, Harry?"

Harry shook his head and looked from Hermione to Severus and back. "I... Quite frankly, when you first told me about this, I had trouble believing it. And I never imagined something so... so... "

"Refined? Civilized? Comfortable?" Hermione suggested and grinned.

"Yeah," Harry said. "It's like a different world. A secret world... I was just wondering..."

"What?"

"Well..." Harry's cheeks reddened, and he looked embarrassed. "Er... with so many people being here for such a long time... Aren't there any babies?"

Severus snorted, and Hermione rolled her eyes. "We're on long-term contraception, Harry. The charm. It's permanent until you cast the counter-spell. Don't tell me you've never heard of it?"

"Oh. Er... I suppose I have."

"Well, for the sake of your future family planning, I hope you paid attention. It's cast on every adult when they make their decision to join the Underground. The only children you'll see here are the ones we rescued together with their families."

"I see," Harry said and nodded. "It's incredible. You've done..." He shook his head again. "It's incredible."

"Well, since we seem to have your approval now, Potter, maybe we can proceed. Was there anything in the book?" he repeated his earlier question to Hermione.

"As a matter of fact, there was. This is the most amazing book. It's a shame that... I think it explains how Harry's mother was able to save him," she finally completed the sentence.

"Is that the book she studied?" Harry asked.

"It's one of them," Severus confirmed. "But there must have been others, too. She'd been very busy with her research."

"And efficient, too," Hermione said thoughtfully. "Her sacrifice worked; Harry was saved." She stared at Harry with a frown. "But... you know... there must have been some sibling love between your aunt and your mother once, otherwise that protection wouldn't have worked...not according to that book."

"Aunt Petunia? She certainly doesn't love me..."

"Probably not, but she must have loved your mother once, and your mother her... The magic described here only works when the blood ties are confirmed through bonds of love. Otherwise, that protection wouldn't have worked."

"But––I thought Dumbledore had fixed that protection?"

"He may have, but without your mother's sacrifice and the ties of her beloved relatives, he wouldn't have been able to do it. Your relatives were included in the protection, didn't you know that?"

"I had no idea," Harry said. "But what's the point? How does that help us now?"

"But don't you see, Harry? Your relatives are Muggles. All of them. And the love your aunt must have had for her sister makes the magic possible. That means that..."

"...There is no clear distinction between Muggles and magical people where basic magic is concerned. It's stronger in magical beings, but some of it is present in Muggles, as well. The transition from Muggle to Squib to full magical status is transitional. It means that we are all human beings, only different in certain talents. It is a rather revolutionary thought for wizards, and it is no wonder that this book has never been seen in the open, nor is the kind of magic taught openly anywhere." Severus spoke with passion.

Harry frowned and stared at him. "And that helps us how?"

"It might help with devising basic protection for groups of Muggles, like, for example, the families of Muggle-borns who are immediate targets for Death Eater attacks. I'm sure, in time, we could come up with other uses," Hermione said, displaying her full arsenal of enthusiasm.

"Well, that's a bit too theoretical for me," Harry said. "I only want to know how fast we can deal with You-Know-Who and his followers."

"There's the small matter of Horcrux creation and love magic, too," Hermione said, smirking at Harry's stunned face.

"What?" Even Severus looked surprised. Had she found something he hadn't heard of before? This would be a first.

"I've compared some of the procedures described in 'Body and Soul' with the descriptions in 'Unable to Die and Unable to Live'––it's quite stunning, actually." She looked up at both men, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "If I understand it correctly, the creation of Horcruxes is an imitation of a very ancient sacrifice for love. It says here that when someone sacrifices their life for a loved one: spouse, friend, sibling, parent or child...then a part of the soul of the dying person remains behind and binds to the beloved person as long as it is needed. It only returns and reunites with its main part after the person for whom the sacrifice was made is alive, safe and whole. In the case of a child, this would be at their coming of age. Your mother left a part of her soul in you, which saved you from the Killing Curse. It's just like Perry... or was it Severus? It's just like they told you. When you lost that part of your mother's protection, your magic changed. Don't you remember?"

"Yeah, but we've been through this already? What's the big deal?"

"I see where you're going, Nightshade. A willing sacrifice and a soul fragment left behind that saves the life of the beloved person," Severus said.

"Exactly. And the Dark version of it is a murder and a split soul not bound to a beloved person but to an item, an artefact. A Horcrux."

"I'll be damned. So it's a debasement of the love magic, basically?" Harry asked, looking bewildered.

"Yes. But what would be more important... If all the Horcruxes are destroyed, wouldn't Riddle's magic be affected, weakened, just as yours was, Harry?"

"I wouldn't count on it," Severus murmured. "He didn't show any signs of weakened magic after the diary and ring were destroyed, and maybe that effect on one's magic really is only detectable when the soul fragment is bound to the person who is protected. None of the murdered people left their souls behind. It not only debases the love sacrifice, it also turns it upside down. It's not the dying person who leaves a fragment of their soul. It's the act of murder that splits the soul of the murderer, who then preserves it for future emergencies. It is a forced, non-consensual stealing of life for self-preservation in contrast to the willing gift of life for the protection of a beloved other. It is a prime example of the predatory nature of Dark Magic."

"This is all far too much theory for me," Harry said. "I can't really see how we can use any of this in battle."

"There's more to it," Hermione said. "I'm sorry to bore you, Harry, but I just find this so exciting. I've always wanted to know how your protection worked–– Anyway. Love magic can also be used to strengthen the resistance of a person towards attacks and to strengthen their own spells. That doesn't need a sacrifice...only a focus of the love on the recipient. And a spell."

"That could come in handy. It wouldn't hurt to learn that spell," Severus said.

"That's what I thought," Hermione said with a grin.

In the meantime, the central cavern had filled with people. The meeting was about to begin.

---

"Nundu, a word, please." Draco Malfoy approached Hermione, Severus and Harry after the meeting in which the Nan Guthan group of the Underground had been given instructions about the upcoming battle. Apart from the Underground fighters being ready to come out and fight––in disguise––the remaining members would be responsible for the secrecy and security of the refuges and for the students who would be brought to the caves when Hogwarts was evacuated. With Nan Guthan being the oldest and largest refuge, its leader, Bee, had the authority to inform and instruct the other groups.

"What is it, Draco?" Severus stood up, obviously glad to have an excuse to get away from Harry.

"I want to fight, too. Please."

"You know that we can't let you."

"I know that you can't let Mum and Dad out, but me? Please. I need to do something."

"Draco, the safety of our armies is more important than your personal feelings. Even if I personally don't doubt your loyalties and would risk it for my own safety, there are some who aren't convinced. There is just too much at stake. Request denied."

Hermione was surprised to see Harry study Draco's reactions silently, although with a frown. She would have expected violent opposition to Draco's involvement and Severus' words, but Harry only nodded.

"If it's any consolation for you, Malfoy, your girlfriend will be actively fighting. I'm sure about that."

"Pansy? How do you...?"

"She's changed since your, ah, death. She's been teamed up with me in Defence class, and she is a stellar fighter, I'll give you that. She's been saying that she wants to be free to compete with me and my ilk, as she calls it, and V... Riddle in charge would never give her that chance. No competition, no proving oneself to be superior. There'd be only forced dominance...no freedom to fail or succeed. She says she owes you that; she's fighting for freedom because of you and Slytherin House. And I have to say, I agree with her reasoning."

Draco's features twisted into a small smile. "That's Pansy. She never gives up. And always fiercely loyal to those she thinks belong to her. That little despot..."

Hermione laughed. "How nice to see you so besotted, Draco."

"I could give that compliment back, Granger." Draco smirked at Hermione's blush. "But still, do I have to beg you all to let me do something useful?"

"Take care of the evacuation. That needs a lot of organising. We will trust you with this, Draco," Severus said, a small smile on his face, too.

"And you'll be protecting them if our attempts should fail. I know that your whole family will return remorsefully to, ah, Him, if our plans fail, but it is in your power to protect those students and the other people still hidden. Do it, Draco. Show that there's more to you than the obvious agenda of the Malfoys thriving under all circumstances."

"I find it difficult to convince you of my sincerity, Nundu, but I will protect those children. I promise. And understand this: my family has nothing to lose. Let us prove ourselves––let us be useful. If Riddle wins––Merlin help us––we shan't be welcome, even if we told him about the Underground. And we can't tell him, anyway. Your protective spell will prevent us. It would be a lot more advantageous to keep the Underground hidden and active. Let us help by being prepared for anything."

"Very well. Look after the evacuated children, firstly. I shall assign Hannah Abbott and a few others who won't be fighting in the first line to look after the secrecy spells for them."

"You don't even trust me with the secrecy, do you?" Draco said with a sad sigh. "You simply don't trust me."

"I can't afford to, Draco." Severus looked just as sad. "There are too many people's lives at stake."

"I see," Draco said and turned to go to his quarters.

"You shall have opportunity enough to prove yourself when the battle is over. It will mean either dealing with a new, changed world after the defeat of You-Know-Who or protecting and hiding or evacuating what's left of the Underground. If we win, the purebloods who aren't directly associated with the Death Eaters will need guidance; they will need to be given a direction, and that will be the chance for your family, Draco. You can be crucial in getting them used to the idea of a more homogenous wizarding world. You'd be leaders; you'd be a new kind of elite."

Hermione listened in amazement and with quite a bit of admiration for Severus' ability to push people in the direction he wanted. She saw the thoughtful expression on Draco's face and knew that he was considering Severus' suggestions very seriously. The task offered to him would be something the Malfoys knew how to do best: manipulating, influencing, coaxing––and they had been rather successful with this in the past. Under the right circumstances, the Malfoys could be useful allies. She wondered what Ron would say to all that. His family had suffered from the Malfoys' arrogance like few others. To have to work with them would come as a shock and likely be considered an affront.

---

The Chamber's long sleep was ended for good when Severus and Hermione erected a tent in one of the side chambers formed by the snake pillars. They had decided that they both had to be at Hogwarts as often as possible, now, close to where they wanted the battle with Voldemort to take place. Hermione had brought Crookshanks with her, and their only connection to the Underground now were their portraits and Patronus Charms. That would be enough to give orders and get the army into motion when the time came.

Parvati had had her 'lapse' in her Hufflepuff/Slytherin Seventh-year Divination class. "Now. Now. If the Dark Lord doesn't move now, he never shall. And if he doesn't act on the..." she had rasped out before she went on teaching as if nothing had happened, ignoring the gaping and open-mouthed stares of her students.

Severus had reported that the 'lapse' had had the desired effect on his master, who had summoned his allies and declared that the time had come for action. And Voldemort had also demanded that Sibyll Trelawney be brought before him.

Severus had tried to talk him out of this idea, arguing that a scared Sibyll would be less likely to have useful visions than one who was relaxed. He suggested she be watched closely by some of the Slytherin students but was opposed violently by Bellatrix Lestrange, who finally felt that her moment of triumph had come. She mocked Severus, called him a pernickety old biddy and encouraged Voldemort in his plan to kidnap Trelawney.

Since this had been exactly what Severus wanted, he gave in resignedly and continued suggesting that a scared Trelawney wouldn't be of any use.

"Oh, shut up, Snape," Lestrange had crowed. "We won't harm a hair on her silly little head. She'll be treated like a queen as long as she is useful. Isn't that right, my Lord?"

Severus hadn't liked the mad gleam in her eyes, but there had been nothing he could do about it at that moment. Voldemort had agreed with Bellatrix and had ordered Severus to get hold of Trelawney and bring her before him. It was decided that this would happen the next day.

After Hermione had seen that scene through Legilimency, she knew that this night would be the last one they had together before the battle and, perhaps, forever. A look into Severus' eyes showed her that he knew it, too. She suspected that neither of them would get much sleep that night, but who needed sleep? This night would be special.

And it was. Hermione had thought that they would be clinging desperately to each other, but she was mistaken. Severus showed a wildness, a playfulness and passion he hadn't shown her before. Their night was filled with laughter, and sighs and very little sleep. When morning came, they made love one last time, very gently, and then they got up without regrets and with just a hint at sadness. Everything that needed to be said at that point had been said; everything that had been planned so meticulously would now be set in motion. A last kiss, and Hermione transformed back into her Muggle-girl disguise.

After a short conference with their co-conspirators, they were assured that each part of Dumbledore's army knew their mission and would move to where they would be needed. Their allies had been informed, and now all that remained was to wait for Voldemort's first move––elicited through Parvati's 'visions'.

Severus handed Hermione another phial, and she swallowed its content. The Shrinking Solution reduced her to the size of a mouse, and Severus gently picked her up and put her in his pocket, a place Hermione had wanted to explore thoroughly for some time. Then he went to the North Tower to 'kidnap' Parvati-as-Trelawney.

---

Apparition wasn't any more pleasant as a mouse than it was as a witch, Hermione thought when they landed in 'Death Eater Central' with a soft pop. To circumvent being detected by a 'Homenum revelio' spell, she had Transfigured herself into a mouse. Transfiguration into an animal was not an easy task, and unlike the transformation of an Animagus, the animal form could not be maintained for long stretches of time. However, being ever the perfectionist, Hermione had mastered this spell as she had any other she had set her mind to, thus she could enter Lord Voldemort's hidey-hole hidden in Severus' pocket without being afraid of being found out.

True to his role, Severus had donned his Death Eater mask and was now dragging a whimpering Parvati-as-Trelawney towards a destination Hermione couldn't see since she didn't dare look out of the pocket.

"My Lord, I have brought you the seer," Severus said after pushing Parvati roughly to the ground. He had lowered himself to his knees. Hermione had to struggle not to tumble about in his pocket while he did so.

"Rise, Severus. You have done well." That voice was Voldemort's. Earlier, Hermione had only heard it as an echo in Severus' mind when he had shown her something through joint Legilimency. Still not daring to take a peek, she suppressed a shiver and listened intently.

From where she thought Parvati must be, she heard weeping and whimpering.

"Welcome, Sibyll Trelawney," Voldemort said softly. "Seer of my fate. At last we meet, and you shall witness beforehand how Lord Voldemort makes use of fate's gift of your foresight. No harm shall befall you. You shall be treated with all the honour Lord Voldemort's oracle deserves."

Parvati uttered an earth-shattering scream, and then there was silence.

"What's with her?" a simpering voice asked: Wormtail.

"She's fainted, imbecile," Voldemort hissed.

"Your presence was too much for her, My Lord," Severus said smoothly while casting a Rennervate on Parvati. "Allow me to take her to a room where she can calm down."

"I'll go with you, Snape. She needs to be watched. We wouldn't want to miss any visions, now, would we?" That was Lestrange's voice.

"You stay here, Bella," Voldemort ordered. "Let Severus take care of the seer. We need to prepare our next step. Wormtail..."

Hermione couldn't hear anything else since Severus had left the group. He murmured orders to Parvati about where to go...as much for Hermione's as Parvati's sake.

"You can relax, Sibyll," he finally said. "No one will bother you in this chamber. Not even a mouse."

That was Hermione's cue. Carefully, she climbed up to the opening of Severus' pocket and looked outside. They were in a small room; the walls were bare and made of roughly hewn stone. It looked old. Maybe a ruin or an old castle, Hermione thought.

"Muffliato," Severus whispered under his breath. "Are you all right?"

Parvati nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll manage."

Severus turned his back to the door to block the view, gently took Hermione-the-mouse out of his pocket and set her on the ground in front of a small crack in the wall...the perfect hiding place for her. She quickly hid in the mouse hole but kept close to the entrance...she wanted to watch what was going on despite her heart hammering wildly in her chest. It was from excitement, not fear, she tried to convince herself while ending the animal Transfiguration and relaxing in her shrunken human form.

"I shall leave, now. Wait a few minutes and then have your, ah, vision. I trust you have your crystal ball?"

Parvati nodded. Severus ended the Muffliato spell and went away.

Parvati sat down on the bed in the chamber and started rocking to-and-fro while sing-songing monotonously.

"Silly bint." Someone glanced through the small window at the top of the door. "Why doesn't she make her prophecy and be done with it?"

"Shut up and listen, Yaxley. Just listen. You don't need to watch her." That was Severus' voice. "But be certain to not miss anything. The Dark Lord won't be pleased if you do."

"Who can understand anything through that buzzing and humming? Her singing voice isn't exactly first rate, is it?"

"Do your work and don't ask questions," Severus hissed and walked away.

Parvati turned her head away from the door and winked in Hermione's direction. She continued humming and singing for a short while until, finally, she emitted a loud groan.

"Now... now... he must act now. If he doesn't act today, he shall never be victorious. Act now, act now..." She resumed her rocking and sing-songing immediately.

Yaxley's face had appeared at the window. He looked at Parvati wide-eyed. When nothing else was forthcoming, his head disappeared, and shouts and the sounds of running footsteps indicated that he would be reporting to his master immediately. Hermione held her breath.

In the meantime, Parvati had taken her crystal ball, waved her hand over it and stared inside as if her life depended on it.

A moment later, Voldemort, Bellatrix and Severus entered the chamber.

"What do you see?" Voldemort swept towards Parvati in his overly dramatic way and stared into her crystal ball. "What do you see?"

Parvati looked up, blinked and screamed.

"Oh, please," Bellatrix growled. "Let me take care of her, My Lord. She's given you the date that was missing. What more do you want with her?"

"Keep away from her," Voldemort hissed. "She shall witness my triumph. Lord Voldemort keeps his promises." An unpleasant smile split his noseless face. "One way or the other."

Bellatrix smirked, a mad gleam in her eyes. "Do you wish me to watch her, My Lord? It would be my... pleasure."

"Severus may watch her until I get word from Wormtail, and then you can take over, Bella."

"Thank you, My Lord." Both went away, leaving Severus behind, who cast another Muffliato.

"Stay in the hole when I'm not here," he ordered, his back to the door again. "Nagini is here." Then he sat down in an armchair in the corner and watched Parvati, who had resumed her sing-songing and was staring into the crystal ball again. "It'll be a while, now. Wormtail has sent the owl."

Hermione sighed. That meant that the first part of their trap was being prepared. So far, everything was going according to plan. She wished she could hide in Severus' pocket as a mouse again, to be close to him for a little while and calm herself down, but she didn't want to risk it. He would have a hard time explaining why he was talking to a mouse if someone came into the room unexpectedly.

"There they are," Parvati whispered after a while. "There's the owl. It's in the Great Hall. They are having lunch... There's Harry. The owl drops the parchment. Harry reads it. He jumps up and looks around wildly. Ron pulls him down. They whisper... It's well done; they don't pile it on too thick. Now they're pretending to eat, but they are being watched by people from different houses.

"Now they're getting up and leaving the Great Hall." Parvati waved her hand over the ball. "The owl will be here soon." She breathed deeply and collapsed on the bed. Parvati had explained to Hermione that watching people through the crystal ball took an enormous amount of a person's energy. Merely waiting for glimpses of the future to be revealed at random was much less strenuous.

"Do you have the mirrors?" Severus murmured.

"Of course," Hermione whispered from the mouse hole.

Hermione rummaged through her pocket until she found two small mirrors. It was actually only one half of a mirror each, each one a different part of a set of two-way mirrors. It wasn't the mirror Harry had been given by Sirius––they had never found the counterpart to it, and one mirror alone was useless for communication. This set had been produced by Mad-Eye; it would be used for phase two of their plan. Harry and Ron had one counterpart apiece to Hermione's two halves. That way, each one of them could talk to the other.

"Snape! Our Master wants to see you." Rodolphus Lestrange was at the door, beckoning to Severus.

"Will you watch her?" Severus asked after quietly lifting the Muffliato spell.

"No, we are to lock her in. Bellatrix shall take care of her later." Rodolphus laughed cruelly. "The seer won't be a concern."

"Very well," Severus said and got up from his chair. He coldly stared at Parvati, who had resumed her rocking and stared back at him, empty-eyed. Then he closed the door and locked it.

Hermione heard footsteps from two pairs of feet move away from the door. She knew that this was their cue; most likely, Harry's owl had arrived and delivered his reply to the message he had received earlier.

Hermione knew exactly which message that was. She stared into the mirror but nothing moved––yet. That would hopefully change soon enough. But now she needed to get ready. She breathed deeply and tried to calm her frantically beating heart and get some clarity into her head. Adrenalin rushes weren't exactly productive for cool thinking, and impulsive actions weren't needed yet. After running through her trusted calming exercise a few times, she carefully glanced out of the mouse hole and listened intently. It seemed as if the room wasn't being watched any more. She went to the opening and whistled softly.

Parvati stopped her rocking and stood up from the bed. She walked on shaky legs to the corner where Hermione's hidey-hole was, all the while hugging herself and still rocking and humming. Right in front of the crack in the wall, she sank to the ground and curled up, head between her knees and looking to the ground.

Sheltered by Parvati's body, Hermione took hold of Parvati's jeans and carefully moved closer until she could sit down in the space between Parvati's legs and body, a place that couldn't be watched from the door. She took the mirror out, enlarged it with a nonverbal 'Engorgio' and sat down to watch, together with Parvati, who stared directly at it past her own knees.

It only took a while before they heard Harry's whispered, "Are you there?"

"Hmm-hmmm..." Parvati hummed. Another 'Muffliato' spell had been cast by Hermione; no one would hear what was being said.

"Ron's just taking the Polyjuice Potion, and McGonagall is casting the spell... He'll have to put the mirror into his pocket. You'll be able to hear but not see."

"Hmm-hmmm..." Parvati hummed again.

"Here he comes," Harry said. "Bloody Hell! Look at us." The image and focus in the mirror changed, and instead of Harry's face, Hermione saw two Harrys opposite each other. One was looking worried; the other was grinning like a lunatic.

"Guess who's who?" the grinning version of Harry said towards the mirror.

"Get on with it, Ron," Hermione snapped.

"All right. But you must give me a bit of time to enjoy my greatest moment," Ron said. "All these years I've been envying Harry. Now I can walk in his shoes and see how great it is to be the target." He smirked.

"Dammit, be careful, Ron," Hermione hissed. "This is deadly serious."

"I know. Calm down," Ron said, "It was my idea, after all. I just needed this moment, ok?"

"Fine."

"No more tellyvision, just wireless now," Ron-as-Harry said and put the mirror into his pocket. "I'll go now. Wormtail should be there in fifteen minutes."

"Good luck," Harry said, and although the sounds grew weaker while Ron was walking away, Hermione heard Harry's footsteps beat the floor in a steady rhythm; he must have started pacing.

Hermione bit her lip. What Ron was about to do would be very dangerous, but it could divert and inactivate a considerable part of their foe and would give Harry opportunity to meet Severus and destroy the Nagini Horcrux––and his own.

In the meantime, the sound of a door banging shut could be heard. Ron was now outside the castle. "Accio broom," he muttered and continued walking (indicated by footsteps on the staircase and later a soft rustling when he walked over the lawn towards Hagrid's hut).

"Oi!" There was a swishing sound and a slight knock. The broom must have found its master. Hermione knew that Ron would hold on to the broom for dear life, no matter what would happen next. The whole affair had been his idea, after all.

A slight whistling sound indicated that Ron must now be flying towards his meeting place with Wormtail, with Peter Pettigrew, who had sent a message to Harry Potter, offering information about Harry's parents. Information that no one else could give to Harry; Peter Pettigrew had been their friend for many years, after all.

The idea had developed gradually. The need to divert Voldemort's forces, to divide and confuse, had been clear to all of them.

"Maybe, if I pretend to want to talk to Wormtail, I can lure him and others away?" Harry had suggested.

"He'd never come alone. He'd have a large group of his friends hiding and ready to seize you when you arrived. That's how he works...how he's always worked, him and his friends," Severus spat bitterly.

"But if I do the same, and a group of my friends lie in wait for them, shouldn't we be able to get hold of some of them without the others knowing?"

"It'd result in a fight, a first skirmish. Chances of keeping this a secret from their, ah, general are slim at best. With a larger group fighting, someone will get away or get a message out. We would have to time this very carefully." Severus scratched his chin and paced in front of Salazar Slytherin's statue.

"How would you contact Wormtail, just by sending him an owl?" Hermione asked. She hadn't liked that idea one bit.

"We can't wait for him to contact me, now, can we?" Harry's irritation had showed. He didn't seem all that happy with his own plan, either.

"Maybe you can," Severus said, now pinching the bridge of his nose and rubbing his temples. "I think I could convince Wormtail to do just that by warning him against it."

"Brilliant," exclaimed Ron. "And it shouldn't really be Harry who meets him but someone else. I'll go." He shook his head when he heard Harry's protest. "Think about it, Harry. They'll think that you've been lured out of the castle, and while they think that you're elsewhere, you could go and de-Horcrux Nagini. We would have to time it in a way that the main Death Eater attack would start at the same time, and that they think they have us in a trap. Sn... ah, Nundu could arrange that, together with the right prophecy, couldn't you, sir?"

If Severus was surprised by the sudden proclamation of respect, he didn't show it. "Certainly, I could do that. But there still remains the problem of the skirmish. If we want the enemy to start his attack when Potter presumably left the school, it would be detrimental if word got back to him that the meeting was a trap."

"That's why there won't be a group of Order members or Aurors waiting," Ron said, all excited now with his planning. "Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical."

Hermione snorted, and Severus emitted a low choking sound. Hermione could have sworn that it was suppressed laughter since his eyes were sparkling and his lips were twitching.

"Acceptable," he drawled. "Quite acceptable, Mr. Weasley. I see that you have at least learned something."

Ron grinned sheepishly and winked at Harry, who scowled. "I don't like it," he complained. "It's dangerous. How were you planning to get away from them all alone?"

"Like this..." and Ron had laid out his plans.

And so it had transpired that Severus had skilfully manipulated Wormtail into suggesting a trap for Harry Potter where he'd lure the young man out of the castle. Severus disapproved; Bellatrix was delighted. Severus grudgingly gave in, and Voldemort agreed. It was decided that Wormtail would get hold of Harry Potter and bring him to Voldemort, who would wait in the Chamber of Secrets for him while his Death Eaters and their allies would lay siege to Hogwarts and take the Ministry at the same time.

And now Ron disguised as Harry through modified Polyjuice was on his way to meet Wormtail while Voldemort should be on his way to Hogwarts.

A soft 'thud' from the mirror woke Hermione from her reverie. Ron must have dismounted.

"Harry Potter," a slimy voice said. Wormtail!

"Say what you have to say, Wormtail, and then leave."

"Ah, Harry, good boy. How very much like your father you are. But you have your mother's eyes..."

"Get to the point," Ron snarled.

"As you wish," Wormtail said in mocked reverence. "Young Harry, did you never wonder why I betrayed the people who were called my best friends?"

"Not really," Ron spat. "I suppose you thought that siding with Voldemort would keep your sorry arse out of danger, was that it?"

Hermione was amazed at how perfectly he could imitate Harry. But it really wasn't all that surprising. No one knew Harry better than Ron did...not even her or Ginny.

Wormtail sighed dramatically. "Exactly like your father...with a little bit of Sirius thrown in. Always ridiculing poor Wormtail. Always laughing about him, calling him names, thinking he is stupid." The voice grew louder and softer as if he was walking in circles around Ron.

"Clinging to your little broom, are you? Just like your father, the great Quidditch hero. James Potter and Sirius Black, they were the cool boys. Wormtail was allowed to traipse along; Wormtail was allowed to help hex Snape or other enemies, but when it came to sharing the fame, Wormtail was only the stupid side-kick. Wormtail needed help to achieve what the smart boys achieved. Wormtail didn't even have the exciting distinction of being a monster, a werewolf, like dear Lupin. And so Wormtail was sometimes useful to have around and always good to have a laugh at. The eternal sidekick. Ever in the shadows of the great mischief-makers. Be careful, Harry Potter.You have sidekicks, too. Aren't they envious? Maybe you should watch them closely."

"Never fear that," Ron growled. Hermione knew that tone; he was very angry now. "You sound just like Snape when he goes on and on about my dad. What neither of you understands is that I am not my father. And I can rely one hundred percent on my best friends. They will never betray me."

Well said, Ron, Hermione thought.

"Then you are lucky," Wormtail mocked. "But that would not have been reason enough. Wormtail had his standards."

Ron snorted in disbelief.

"You can laugh, young Harry, but I did... And I could have endured the taunting of my so-called friends. But I could not bear the derision of your mother. Such a pretty girl. All the boys wanted her––even Snape, for a while. And Wormtail wanted her, too, but she never spared him a glance. And then James Potter comes along, and before you know it, she is married. To James Potter, the boisterous idiot."

There was a growling sound. Hermione thought that Ron had to fight being sick. Wormtail and Harry's mother? That was a thought that made her sick, too.

"And so, by betraying them, I had the Dark Lord promise me to spare Lily. She should have been grateful to me for saving her life. But instead, she had nothing better to do than sacrifice herself for you." Wormtail's voice had grown very nasty now. "What a waste for a stupid little boy like you."

"My mother would never have accepted you," Ron snarled. "She'd have died before she'd have agreed. You're a piece of slime. Don't try to justify your betrayal. Nothing can."

"I see you're sitting on your high horse, like your father. Be careful, Harry. Those who sit up highest fall down hardest." Rustling sounds almost made his words incomprehensible. "Seize him," Womrtail cried. The Death Eaters who had accompanied him must have come out of hiding.

Hermione held her breath. This was the critical moment. She heard Ron's heavy breathing and quick footsteps; he was running.

"Get him. Don't let him get away." Wormtail again. Something was sizzling and crackling. Someone must have been casting curses, and from the sound of it, they had hit a tree.

Then the slight whistling sound told Hermione that Ron was on his broom, flying into the Forbidden Forest. She allowed herself to relax slightly. So far, everything was going well.

"No, no, no, he can't fly fast in there. Go after him! Don't let him escape," Wormtail cried, but his voice was growing weaker. Apparently, Ron had managed to put quite some distance between himself and Wormtail.

The rapid beating of running feet on the ground indicated that the Death Eaters were still following. From time to time, crackling and sizzling sounds betrayed curses cast at Ron. That went on for a short while, and then Ron was moaning, "Oh no, here they are. Why can't it be butterflies for a change?"

More swishing and whistling and an occasional 'Oi!' and 'Shit' from Ron hinted at obstacles on the way. And then all went quiet.

"I'm going to take the mirror out and stick it to my robes so you can see." Ron's hoarse voice sounded loud now, and suddenly Hermione could see her friend's wide blue eyes. He looked appalled and slightly dazed. "This is the last part. Wish me luck," he said until the swishing of the broom resumed, and Hermione saw branches and trees fly by, interspersed with spider webs.

"There he is. Up there, quick," a female voice yelled but was cut short by a scream, shortly followed by more screams. And then the swishing stopped, and Hermione saw a huge spider web coming very close and the handle of the broom ramming into it.

"Merlin's rotten teeth," Ron swore. The image in the mirror was spinning wildly, sometimes only inches away from the giant spider web, sometimes showing Ron's face twisted in concentration and concern, sometimes showing his arms and hands and a part of the broom handle. He was hanging from the broom, which was stuck partly in the web. A series of curses and nauseating spinning of the image, and Ron's voice uttered, "We're back in the game." More swishing and rushing and then the bright light of a clearing.

"I've made it," Ron said, grinning triumphantly. "There's Bane. I'll just talk to him for a sec; the centaurs can round up any of the Death Eaters who haven't been caught by the Acromantulas, and then I'll head back. I've done it."

---

A/N: I had the idea about a Ron as Harry before book seven with the seven Potters was published, just so you know. And about Wormtail's obsession with Lily mirroring Sev's love and obsession: I had planned this before book seven, too. I didn't want to believe that canon Sev should be cursed with such an immature obsession. But alas, he wasn't given any mercy...