| Taking Sides This title is taken from a song by David Bowie and the late Freddie Mercury of Queen called, "Under Pressure." Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this so far. I have two more chapters to go. Special thanks to Christina Teresa and Juliane. Chapter 9: This Is Ourselves Under Pressure Harry was grateful that April ended at last. The fun they had had over the Easter holiday had been overshadowed by the loss that Professor Snape and Alex had suffered and by the knowledge that it was a student who had harmed her. He watched his godmother closely, making great efforts to spend time with her. It meant that he was around Professor Snape more than he would have been comfortable with in previous years, but he was willing to do it for her sake. Professor Snape was actually all right in private. He was very reserved, but Harry could see how much he cared for Alex. That made up for some of their past history - even if only a small part. One Sunday afternoon in late May, Harry was sitting with Alex in their rooms. She was drilling him on poisons and their antidotes. He noticed that she was looking at him and smiling a little. "What? Was I wrong about that last one, Alex?" "No, Harry, it's just that I was remembering watching your parents prepare for their O.W.L.s. I'm so glad I'm here with you and Severus. I know you probably don't like hearing your two names in the same breath, but you two were missing from my life for far too long, you know." "It's okay, Alex," he smiled sheepishly. "I don't mind it. I have both you and Sirius now." "Where are Ron and Hermione, Harry?" Alex changed the subject abruptly. "They're studying together, I think," he said, hoping that he didn't betray what he was thinking. Those two don't need me around, that's for sure. "Oh, I see. They want to be alone. I wondered when they would wake up to their feelings. I hope you aren't hurt, Harry." "Oh, no. I mean, I just wondered what took them so long. We're still friends, but I try to let them be on their own a little too." He felt her gaze on him again, and he wondered if she wanted to ask him about his life whether he had anyone special. I'm not really sure I know the answer to that myself. know that Ginny is my friend now. That's all I really need at the moment. Somehow Alex seemed to know how far she could push him for information like that. She went back to the poisons. They didn't notice Professor Snape standing in the doorway until he cleared his throat. "You seem to have learned these antidotes fairly well, Potter. I do believe there's hope for you yet." "Um-well, thanks, Professor," he said, not quite knowing what to make of Snape. "Severus," Alex said in a warning tone. "I just came in to ask if you had seen my ledger, Alexandra," he said with a little smile at the corner of his mouth. "Check your desk in the study - not that I've touched it you understand, but I think I saw it there." "Very well, carry on. And Potter, be sure and study the Mandrake Restorative Draught." Snape turned and left quickly. Harry noticed the smile on Alex's face. Professor Snape going soft? Nah . . . . The rest of the school year passed in an uneasy blur. Their exams came and went. Harry preferred not to think of what he went through. We just have to wait for the marks. Nothing else to be done. There was a decision that had to made, however. This year Harry did not want to return to the Dursleys for the summer. Professor Dumbledore agreed, but not necessarily with Harry's idea of going away with Sirius to Professor Lupin's house. Of all things, Dumbledore wanted Harry to stay at the castle. Facing Dumbledore, Harry tried to hide his disappointment. "I can see, Harry, that you might object to being left in the care of your godmother, although if I am not mistaken things have improved between you and Professor Snape." "Yes, well, it's not so much that I don't want to stay here, Professor. It's just that I want to be with Sirius." "I quite understand," said Professor Dumbledore. I believe I can solve this problem by having Sirius stay here. That way both of your godparents will be available to you." Harry was happy with that choice, although it would have been nice to get away. Ron and Hermione would be going home, but would be allowed to visit if their parents would agree. Alex was staying at the castle with Professor Snape. Harry wondered how it would be to have Sirius in close quarters with them. Professor Snape had been part of the plan to free Sirius, but it still seemed like they didn't exactly like each other that much. * * * The other person whose summer accommodations had to be determined was Draco Malfoy. With his mother dead and his father in prison, there was no obvious place to send him. Professor Dumbledore had been contacted by Lucius Malfoy's cousin and sent for Draco Dumbledore wanted to be certain that sending him to these relatives was what Draco wanted. "Mr. Malfoy, I am sorry that you are in this circumstance. I have been contacted by your father's cousin, Perscitus Malfoy. He has enclosed a note from your father who approves of you staying with Perscitus and his family for the summer." Dumbledore looked at the boy carefully but could not read his expression. "I need to know, Mr. Malfoy, if this is acceptable to you. I will not force you to go there if you do not wish to go." Malfoy sniggered. "I wouldn't stay here if this were the last remaining building on the planet. I'll go, and you may see me at next term or you may not." "That, Mr. Malfoy, is a matter for you and your father to decide. I will say this in all seriousness. I hope that you decide to return for your own safety. In this current time, no one is safe, but here Professor Snape and I can watch out for you." "A fat lot of good that's done me so far." "I will not deny that life is difficult for you now, but do not be rash in your decisions. Your life may depend on it. I will write to your cousin and tell him to meet you at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters." The boy gave Dumbledore a surly look and turned on his heel. He slammed the door behind him. So much anger . . .pity it isn't directed at the right person. * * * Severus found the summer to be very difficult. He knew that he should be looking for signs of depression in Alexandra and trying to help her, but he suddenly felt the need to withdraw. It wasn't anything to do with her. His feelings for her were the same, it was more this nagging feeling that Voldemort would be rid of him soon too. He had been summoned twice over the summer to do almost menial tasks. The fact that Voldemort did not comment on the loss of the child almost made it seem worse. Severus had thought that he would rather have been tortured and have it over with than wait around for the axe to fall. He did not, however, want to die. He wasn't the only one who was feeling nervous. Both Colin Murphy and Dumbledore were beginning to worry that Severus was in too much danger. Colin Murphy, Felix Merriweather, and Professor Dumbledore met with Severus and Alexandra after the second time that Severus had been called to Voldemort. "Severus, given the fact that Voldemort has followed a very clear pattern of seeking revenge on his original Death Eaters, we are of the opinion that we must plant some sort of misinformation with respect to you. We must do our best to make you indispensable to him," Dumbledore began. "I went over the entire story of Voldemort's return, Severus, and I think I might have an angle on making your services valuable," Colin said looking at Severus first and then his wife. "I understand that Harry's blood was used in the potion that returned Voldemort to his body." "That is what I was told," said Severus. Felix Merriweather spoke up. "Voldemort used an ancient spell to restore himself to full corporeal existence. The effect of having Harry's blood is that he can now touch Harry and presumably curse him without fear of the spell rebounding back on him. The protection left to Harry by his mother's sacrifice has somehow been neutralized. I think there may be a way to develop a charm that will revive this protection, and that will be the vehicle for making you important to Voldemort." "Me? I'm no charms specialist." "True enough, Severus, but you do have access to me and I want you to report to Voldemort that I'm in the process of perfecting this charm," Dumbledore replied. "You mean you want that information divulged?" Severus asked. "I think it doesn't matter because we have Plan B anyway - whatever that may be," said Alexandra in an exasperated tone. "Exactly," said Colin smiling at Alexandra's impatience. "I plan to plant a rumor about the charm with someone who is connected to the powers-that-be in Voldemort's new regime. Then, we'll just wait for the call." And this is supposed to make me feel better? Severus asked himself. As they walked back to their rooms, Alexandra put an arm through his. "Sev, I'm sorry this had to fall on you." "Alexandra, we knew it would be unpleasant. There's nothing to be done." "Come on, why don't we stay in this afternoon. I can prepare tea for us and have it sent up. I wouldn't mind having you all to myself. We could go for a walk afterward-whatever you want." As if on cue, Sirius Black appeared in front of them. He had a very devilish look on his face. "What's this about the two of you not coming to tea in the Great Hall? Honestly, what is it with the two of you? I would have thought that the honeymoon would be over by now!" "And I would have thought that you would have learned to mind your own business by now," Severus growled. "Oh, touchy are we? Here you have a wonderful wife willing to pet you like an infant, and even that won't put you in a good mood. You are ungrateful, Severus." "I can think of one way to improve my mood," Severus snipped back. "Come on, you two," Alexandra said with a laugh in her voice. "Severus you should know that this pest will dry up and blow away if you ignore him." Then with a slight pout she looked at Sirius and said, "As for you, if I can't spoil my dear husband, who can I spoil?" Sirius raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid that does me in. I can't stomach all the treacle that's flowing around here." "Cower off, then," Severus said with a slight sneer as he held on to Alexandra's arm. Alexandra looked at her husband and then at Sirius with a twinkle in her eye. "That's right, only a real man knows how to graciously accept sincere affection from a woman." Sirius pantomimed being stabbed in the heart and slumped off. Alexandra put her arm around her husband and held onto him as she laughed the rest of the way to their rooms. As soon as the door was shut behind them, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a very long kiss. She trailed her hand down his chest and then hugged him tightly. "Testing me out to see if I can graciously accept affection?" "I have no doubts that you're a real man, Severus. I'm just happy that despite everything your sense of humor remains intact." Severus and Alexandra spent the rest of that day alone. *** The sorting ceremony and the first day of school had just taken place a week before Colin Murphy called an emergency meeting at the school. Something bad had happened yet again. He turned to look at the group assembled before him in Dumbledore's office. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were both standing behind chairs. Alexandra, Severus, Minerva McGonagall, and Felix were seated. Dumbledore was at his desk looking a bit older than usual. "I seem to be assigned the task of bringing you bad news all the time. Some of you know that we use the old Muggle prison called Alcatraz to house a few of our prisoners. This is where Lucius Malfoy and his cronies have been kept since their arrest." "What? I thought that place was a tourist attraction. I can't believe your government wants Muggles that close by." "You're right, Sirius," said Alex, "Muggle tourists do go there to look at portions of the fortress. They aren't allowed into A Block, though, which was first used to house military prisoners. That's where we keep our people. There is a total blanket of protection, including the kind of charms that make it impossible to Apparate and Disapparate, over that part of the prison. When we move prisoners in and out of the facility, we use fog as a Muggle-repelling device. I mean who would be suspicious of fog in San Francisco, right? So far we haven't had anyone escape." "Now that we're done with our little travelogue, Alex, let me get to the story. Malfoy was being moved out of his cell for a bit of exercise, which was supposed to consist of walking the length of A Block a few times with a couple of guards. One of these guards was a new hire. He contended that Malfoy was getting out of control and tried to escape. He killed him. The surveillance cameras indicated otherwise, and under questioning it was learned that this person was part of Voldemort's organization." "That means that everyone except the Death Eaters in Azkaban, Crabbe and Goyle are gone. Severus, I think if you are called again, you will have to reveal some of your information about the charm," said Felix. "I think it may be time to restrain you from going back when called. There has to be a way to do this. Perhaps you can be arrested again. It is far too dangerous to risk you at this point," Dumbledore said. "Of course, the discreet part of me would agree, but I assure you it would not be valor that would make me go. If it is necessary for me to answer the call, I will do so." Severus looked very gravely at Colin and appeared to be avoiding his wife's eye. She looked resolute. "Michael believes that the way things are going in the U.S. at the moment, it will be no later than a few weeks before you are summoned again. This time, you will go. We all will. The main thing for now is that you will have to deal with Draco again. Quite frankly, I expected him to enroll in Durmstrang over the summer given the way things have gone here. He will have to be told about his father and then restrained for his own safety. I don't want him running out of here and getting killed. And as always, Alex, you will be the target of some more of his anger. Watch your back," Colin admonished his friend. "I won't make that same mistake twice. I'll be wearing my armor and watching what I eat and drink from now on." Colin went over the plan with them, studying everyone intently. When he finished, he smiled and said, "Then, that's it. Please stay close by all of you." "Very well. Back to the business at hand. We are running a school here," said Dumbledore. With that, everyone filed out of the office in complete silence. Murphy stayed back to talk to Dumbledore. "I didn't think it wise to reveal my suspicions about Voldemort's right hand man at the moment," he said with a sigh. "You do have proof then?" "Michael's been informed and I almost have all the proof I need. As soon as my latest trap is sprung, I'll move against them." "Good. I believe that things are working well then." "I'll see you soon, I think, Professor," Colin said and turned to leave. The sooner the better. I know Alex is getting tired of waiting. * * * The Dark Lord was angry. Sparks almost seemed to be shooting from his eyes. "I want to know why you moved against Lucius Malfoy without my permission. Who do you think you are? Do you suppose that your good connections make you somehow independent of me? You are fortunate indeed that I have not killed you, but the night is still young." "Master, he revealed everything he knew to the American government so that they can use it against us. I had to do it. There was no time to ask." "You fool! How do you know what information he had? How did you know that I didn't plant false information on him? You have cost me a valuable minion with a great fortune that I could have used to finance more of my plans. Now, his fortune will be tied up by the Ministry, at least for a while, and my American servants are beginning to wonder whether they can risk being in my service This is the point at which I need every loyal follower I can get. I should have Nagini peel the very flesh from your bones right now, but instead I'll take care of you myself! Crucio!" Voldemort screamed out the spell as his servant cried out, writhing in pain. "And another thing, what was the purpose of killing the child in that manner? If anyone should have taken that child away, it should have been me. But it would have been more prudent not to. That child would have helped to keep up the proper image of Snape's sham marriage; you interfered again without authority. Can you not recognize that Alexandra could be a useful tool?" He stopped and looked at his servant, narrowing his eyes even more. "You have actually reduced me to the point of missing Wormtail; so, I'm afraid I must give you more of this. Crucio!" His servant was screaming now. When the pain stopped, all that could be heard in the room was a low sobbing. "Master, everything I did was to meant to further your interests. I have brought you new recruits-not fools, but intelligent, worthy servants. I have brought you money and power. I have turned my back on my entire life for you." "And that is not enough if you cannot learn to obey!" Voldemort shouted at the top of his lungs. Then, coming close to his servant, he looked down. "You will be spared for now because I need you to get my plan moving forward. You are to bring her to me in one week. By then all of my recruits in the United States will be ready. If you do not deliver, expect to breathe your last breath on this earth. Do you understand?" "Yes, my Lord. Do not worry. I can't fail," his servant said, standing tall with head held high, though Lord Voldemort could see that it was an extreme effort. All that pride and haughtiness will cost you your life. * * * It was the end of September. Harry sensed that there was some tension among the adults. He didn't understand why Professor Lupin was staying nearby and seemed to appear at the castle every day. As he and his friends were walking back to Gryffindor Tower from dinner one rainy night, he thought he might go see Alex. "Something's wrong. I know something is going on, I can feel it," Harry said to Ron and Hermione. "Well go and see Alex. That's about all you can do, Harry. She left dinner early tonight. I'm thinking she went to her office." Hermione looked at Harry and Ron. "I bet it all has something to do with Malfoy's father dying. I'm sure his death wasn't an accident or a suicide. I thought I was getting used to things being dodgy around here, but this is the worst it's ever been." Ron shook his head. "Tell Ginny I'll be along in a bit then, all right?" Harry said. "She wanted me to review the Summoning Charm with her tonight." Ron and Hermione smiled. "We'll see you in awhile then, Harry." As Harry neared Alex's office, he could hear talking. He slowed down to listen. "It's all going to work fine, Alexandra. I've been over everything that Michael and Dumbledore have planned. Everything I know of your grandparents indicates that they did their homework when they developed this Shielding Charm." They were silent for a minute or so, then Harry heard Professor Merriweather's voice again. "I find it fascinating that you and Michael have taken your clan's motto to heart." "Felix, I love hearing the history of my family name in Scotland, but we're just a couple of Yanks. As far as I'm concerned ‘I'll defend' is just another way of expressing the oath we took as Keepers of the Light. I just hope we can adequately defend everyone when the time comes." "Well, get some rest. We're going to need to be fresh when it happens. I'll see you and Severus in the morning." "I guess I'd better check on him. Stress only makes him work harder, poor dear. Good night, Felix." * * * Professor Merriweather left Alex's office and met Harry in the hallway. They greeted each other and Harry walked in. "Hello, Harry. I think I can guess why you're here. Why don't we go and see Professor Dumbledore and talk to him." "All right, Alex," Harry said marveling at her ability to read his mind. She must be learning it from her husband. As they started to leave, an owl flew in and landed on Alex's desk. It stuck out its leg and Alex pulled a message off. She read it the color seemed to drain from her face. She looked at Harry and said, "Look, I've got to go. It's really urgent. Please come back in about an hour. I should be back here by then." Alex threw the parchment on her desk, grabbed her cloak, and almost flew out the door. Before he could even open his mouth, Professor Merriweather had run back in the office. "Harry, I saw Alexandra running out of here. She said she had to get somewhere right away. Did she tell you where she was going?" "No, Professor, she just read this message and then seemed to get upset," said Harry pointing at the parchment on the desk. "Understand this, Harry, I wouldn't read her message if it weren't important," he said picking up the parchment. He read it quickly and seemed to blanche just as Alex had. "Dear God. Harry go and get Professor Dumbledore. I think Mr. Murphy, Remus, and Sirius are with him. Bring them here. I've got to find Severus and Minerva now." Merriweather looked back at him as he ran out the door. "Move, Harry! Move! It's urgent!" Harry felt a very bad lurching in his stomach as if he were falling from a great height. He ran out of his godmother's office. As he approached the stone gargoyle, he realized that he didn't know the password. Damn! The wall behind the gargoyle opened and Professor Dumbledore came out, followed by Professor Lupin, Sirius, and Mr. Murphy. There was also someone with them in an American uniform. "Professor Merriweather said for all of you to go to Alex's office right away. I don't know what happened, but Alex got a note and left in a hurry. Professor Merriweather said it was urgent." They looked at one another and started to run to Alex's office, which was not far away. They were met by Professor Merriweather, Professor Snape, and Professor McGonagall. * * * "Merriweather, you were supposed to be watching her. Where the hell did she go?" Severus yelled at him. "She told me she was going to check on you when Potter here came by. He told me she got this note and left." Severus grabbed the note out of Merriweather's hand. "Well, she shouldn't have gone, but she should be back -" A strange nagging began at the back of Severus' mind. This is it. This is how he's getting her, he thought. By the looks he was getting from the assembled group, he was certain that he appeared very upset. My God, we never saw it coming. "Severus, this confirms the identity of Voldemort's new right-hand servant. I couldn't tell you before. Michael and the others are watching the most likely spots. Our best guess is that they will take her to a cottage owned by the Riddles. That's where they've been meeting. We have to wait for confirmation," Colin said. Severus choked back an oath and forced himself to remain silent. Murphy turned to the man in uniform. "You take Harry back to Gryffindor Tower and stay with him. When the time comes, I'll summon you." "Yes, sir," the man said without blinking an eye. "Harry, do you still have the locket that Alex gave you last year?" Murphy asked. "Yes, I have it pinned in my robes, " said Harry looking very confused. "Good. Hang onto it and bring it when you get called." The group waited for word from Michael. Severus tried very hard not to think of what could be happening to Alexandra. All these months he had been preparing for this day. In fact, Professor Dumbledore had used the Tempero Charm on him this morning, just in case. Even with the charm, he was having trouble controlling his feelings. Intellectually, he knew everything was in place. He had been reassured by Merriweather that the plan would work. Now they just had to sit and wait. He could feel everyone watching him. Are they waiting for me to crack, or do they just want to see the Dark Mark begin to burn? he thought bitterly. * * * When Alexandra had arrived at the meeting place, she knew instantly that something was wrong. She didn't see her there, though she really couldn't see much in the rain. Something's wrong. It's a trap. How did they know our code? Two pairs of arms grabbed her in the dark. She tried to wrestle free, but she couldn't. Someone was trying to force her hand onto an old sack. A Portkey, she thought, and then she felt a blow. Alexandra opened her eyes. She was in a cold stone room, lying on a table. Her hands were tied in front of her and her feet were bound. She was in a basement or a cellar. There were no windows. Torches were lit and hanging from the walls. Two hooded figures were standing by the table. This was it. This was how they lured me. Well, it had to be, she thought, feeling the weight of the locket on her neck. "So, you're awake now. I expect you know where you are." A man's voice came out of one of the hoods. "Not really, but I have a guess," said Alex. "What have you done with her?" "Nothing, we've done nothing to anyone," he said. "We just want to have a little conversation with you." "I don't have much to say at the moment. My head hurts too much." "I have heard that you and your brother can be quite arrogant. I guess this proves it. You may think you don't have a lot to say, but I assure you, you'll answer my questions in the end. We have the feeling that your brother has some sort of plan to defeat Lord Voldemort. Hence your presence at the castle." "What are you talking about? I'm married to Severus Snape. That's why I live there." "You really do believe we are stupid, don't you. You know very well that the reason you went to Hogwarts in the first place had nothing to do with Snape. We want to know why you are there. What does that fool of a brother of yours think he can to do Lord Voldemort?" Alex said nothing. The other person made a sudden movement, and pulled out a wand. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it is time," said the man in the hood. Alex knew the next word she would hear would cause her to feel great pain, and she braced herself, setting her jaw. The Death Eater moved closer, aiming the wand. The hood fell away. This was the last person she expected to see when the hood came down. The shock of seeing and hearing this person almost made her forget the pain. "Crucio!" Alex writhed in pain as much as the bindings on her hands and feet would allow. She tried the old trick of making herself laugh to step outside of the physical pain she was feeling. It could be worse, it could be raining. When it wore off in a few seconds, she opened her eyes and she could feel a tear running down her cheek. "Christina, why are you doing this to me?" *** Also included in this chapter was a line from the movie Young Frankenstein. |