A/N All Jk's
**
They had tried Dumbledore's office, the Staff Room, nearly all of the classrooms; the Hogwarts staff seemed to have disappeared.
"Harry" said Ron, looking concerned "You don't think…-"
"I don't know" Harry said, thinking hard. "Maybe they're still in the Hospital Wing?"
"All of them?" said Ron, incredulously.
Harry started to walk off in answer, his friends following. They made their way through deserted corridors until they stood, at last, outside the Hospital ward.
Dumbledore's voice could be heard from within, and immediately Harry relaxed. As he turned into the doorway, about to knock politely on the door, he saw something that made him hurriedly turn back. Ron, following, bumped into him with a muffled explanation.
"Sssshhh" hissed Harry urgently, bundling his friends away from the door.
"What is it?" asked Hermione in a low voice.
"All of the teachers are in there" said Harry. "They're all gathered around Snape's bed. There are loads of people I don't even know!"
"What's going on?" wondered Ron.
"I don't know" said Harry slowly.
"They must be all the wizards and witches recalled to defend Hogwarts" suggested Hermione.
Harry caught a brief mention of his name float out of the doorway, and edged closer to hear more clearly.
"…know we are facing a very difficult time….feel it's important…wonder…."
He edged closer, craning at the door.
"Our colleague Severus Snape has, for some months now, has been an undercover spy within Voldemort's ranks. This has been an incredibly horrific experience but Severus has my complete confidence, and I believe his sacrifice has been valuable. I think it will be valuable for you all to hear his story at such a time. I will be calling upon you all to stake your lives in the defence of this school, indeed, the defence of our way of life. Severus if you wouldn't mind?"
"What's happening?" whispered Hermione into his ear, her cool breath brushing against his face.
He shivered. "I don't know yet…"
Snape's voice, low and mournful as ever, but somewhat cracked with strain, began to speak.
"I am not proud of the things I was forced to do in order to prove my renewed loyalty to Lord Voldemort." Snape began, before a paroxysm of coughing interrupted his words. "Lord Voldemort." He repeated bitterly.
"Deatheaters, many of whom we know, were required to spend a mandatory and voluntary period of four weeks under the cruciatus curse. We were all housed in the same damp cellar. The screaming was incessant and brutal." Snape's voice betrayed no further emotion as he continued. "Finally, when he was assured of our allegiance, we were each set various…tasks." His voice broke. "I did my share. Some, for whom the experience was a pleasure" he loaded this word with contempt "were rewarded with higher ranks in his service. I remained a menial servant. It was my responsibility to prepare food and drink, along with participating in random muggle-baitings."
Snape started coughing, the sound hoarse and flemmy.
"One day I was summoned to supply to six goblets of red wine to the Master's Drawing Room. When I arrived at the door I heard snatches of conversation. I heard something about an attack on Hogwarts before he called me. 'Severus' he said, 'won't you come in?'. He has regenerated beyond our fears. His magic is strong, his grip on the black hearts of his followers is complete. As I served the drinks, my eyes lowered as commanded, I caught sight of ground plans and what seemed to be a school photograph. I looked up and met red eyes, the intensity of a furnace but colder than ice. He knew."
"Finishing my task hurriedly I left the room, determined to share this news while I could. Ten Deatheaters cornered me in the kitchen. I barely escaped alive."
Dumbledore's voice, low and soothing, broke into the narrative. "It's alright Severus, you can stop now."
Harry was just about to turn away, and share this news with Ron and Hermione, when once again a voice made him turn back, his pulse racing.
"He's coming for Harry" said Sirius.
"I fear so" said Dumbledore gravely.
"He must go into hiding" Sirius stated determinedly.
There were murmurs of agreement from around the room.
Harry didn't wait to hear any more.
"Come on" he said firmly. Striding quietly down the corridor. Bewildered, Hermione and Ron shrugged at each other and followed.
**
"I am NOT going to let them hide me away" said Harry, quietly angry. "I am not a child"
"They're only looking out for you Harry" said Hermione, pale but determined.
"I have lived for 16 years by myself. I won't run and hide while Voldemort attacks people I care about. I'm going to find out what he knows and then I'm going to confront him."
"Harry mate, they're not going to let you go off on a field trip to a Muggle library" said Ron, practical for once.
"I'm going anyway. You're free to stay here" he assured them.
"Harry it's not safe" said Hermione, her voice shaky but her resolve firm.
"It's not safe for anyone Hermione." Harry said steadily.
"What the heck!" said Ron dramatically, throwing an arm around Harry's shoulders. "I'm in."
The two of them stared at Hermione. She was nervously twisting the pendant around her neck, pulling the little heart from side to side in her indecision.
"Hermione" said Harry softly "you should do what you think is right."
She caught her lower lip between her teeth. Then she smiled. "Someone needs to look after you two in the Muggle world."
Harry's grin felt like it would split his face. He hadn't doubted her for a second.
"We leave tonight."
**
"Harry I am not wearing my school jumper" fumed Ron.
"Right. Well wear your robes then! No really, take your wand and broomstick too, then we'll blend right in with the other Muggles"
"Fine!" said Ron, throwing his bag at Harry. "I'll wear it but I'm not happy!"
"Come on, we're meeting Hermione in the grounds. You go first so that we don't look suspicious."
Harry watched Ron sulkily make his way out of the room and head down the stairs. He quickly read over the note that he had scribbled;
"Me, Ron and Hermione have gone into the Muggle world to research (Professor Dumbledore knows all about it). Will be back soon. Harry"
He left it on his bed, cast his quill aside and headed downstairs.
When he reached the meeting place - an old elm in the school grounds - he saw Hermione and Ron in huddled conversation. He raised a hand in silent greeting and placed one finger against his lips.
"Harry, are you sure about this?" whispered Hermione.
"Never surer"
She smiled weakly back at him.
"Get on your brooms, we should get as far away as possible before someone notices that we're gone."
He stepped astride his broom, and scanned the horizon anxiously. Dusk was starting to fall and there was a hazy mistiness around them. He squinted, alerted by movement, but it seemed to be merely branches swaying in the evening breeze. The wind was cool but calm. Harry licked one finger and held it up to the night air. The wind resistance was quite high, in periodic gusts, but he didn't think the conditions were too unsuitable for flying. Of course, by not using front and rear lights they were breaking about fifty school and magical laws. Harry crossed his fingers.
Ron was rising slowly into the air on his borrowed school broom. Hermione was faring less well. The heavy weight of her bag (books, books and more books) kept unsettling her weight distribution. Every time she tried to push off from the ground, the strap of her bag slid across her shoulder and pulled her to one side. She firmly pulled the bag to her front, closed her eyes, gritted her teeth and tried once more. She rose a few shaky feet before lurching dangerously to the left.
"Hermione I thought you said that you were better on your broom now" said Harry anxiously.
"Better." hissed Hermione "I never said good!"
"This is ridiculous" said Harry. "You'll have to ride with me."
"What!" she said, with slightly too much shock for his liking. "You mean on your broom? Don't be
ridiculous Harry, it'll never carry us both and our bags."
"It'll be fine" said Harry, giving her what he hoped was a confident grin. "We'll enchant your broom to follow mine and we'll attach the bags."
"Hmmm" she said, pursing her lips. "I really don't like flying"
"You'll be safe with me. I'd never let you fall." He held out one hand in old-fashioned
invitation.
Without hesitation she put her hand in his and he pulled her toward him. Too fast. She bumped into him abruptly with the force of her motion. They giggled, embarrassed.
"I should warn you" she said hurriedly "I'm a terrible back-seat driver"
Harry smiled. "Then, Miss Granger, you shall have the front seat." He settled her in front of him, and they tentatively tried a few lifts. Harry's Firebolt managed the two of them easily.
They attached the straps of their bags to Hermione's broom, muttered a charm "sequendo" and set off. They made an odd and initially shaky procession across the Hogwarts grounds. They bumped into Ron, who had come back to find them.
"What are you two doing?"
"Hermione was having a little broom trouble."
"I could have taken her."
"It's fine, my Firebolt's probably better suited anyway."
"Fine."
"Fine."
On that awkward note, the three set off into the night.
"Which direction are we headed again?" asked Ron.
"Errrr"
"Head towards that bright star" said Hermione, watching the compass on Harry's broom and consulting her notes. "We just need to follow the train tracks back to London and then we can get muggle transportation from there."
**
"Harry I'm tired" moaned Ron, his head nodding with sleepiness.
"I know Ron, but we have to keep going while we've got the cover of darkness" Harry called back.
"Harry, I'm hungry" Ron whined again.
Harry chuckled. "I never would have guessed."
"Hermione, are we nearly there yet?" asked Ron, swooping closer to the Firebolt.
"Shhh" whispered Harry hastily. "She's still asleep."
"Lucky" moaned Ron.
Harry smiled again and tucked his arm more firmly around Hermione's middle, where he was holding her on the broom, and adjusting the hand with which he was steering. Hermione had dropped off a couple of hours ago and Harry had been secretly glad. When she was asleep she didn't wriggle about every time a tall tree hoved in to view. Moreover, since falling under, she'd tucked herself neatly against him, her head thrown back against his shoulder. Harry was grateful for her warmth in the cool night air, and happy also for reasons he couldn't quite bear to explain even to himself.
"Harry" hissed Ron urgently.
Harry looked up sharply. Ahead of them stretched the bright lights and high-rise buildings of Muggle civilization. Harry pointed his wand at the tracks below them "Lumos" he commanded. "We're still on course" he said, relieved.
"We should land soon" said Ron, squinting into the distance. "The sun is coming up."
"Over there" said Harry, pointing to a section of grass to his left. In front of him Hermione began to stir.
"Wha-" she muttered.
"Sssh" he soothed. "We're nearly there."
Once landed, they followed the tracks on foot until they led into the central station through a series of tunnels.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?" sniffed Hermione.
Ron chuckled. "Hermione, we're going up against You Know Who! All things considered, this isn't that bad!"
"Sssh" said Harry. "Quick, get under the cloak."
Cramped together and shuffling awkwardly they made their way onto the main platform.
"Right" said Hermione. "You two stay here and I'll go and check the Departures board."
Harry and Ron huddled together on a bench to await her return. They kicked their brooms under the seat and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible.
**
"There's a train to Cambridge in 15 minutes" announced Hermione, looking extremely pleased with herself. "I got us tickets. Come on lets go."
They stood up to follow her across the platform, but bumped into a conductor. He looked down at the group, his face stern beneath the brim of his regulation cap.
"What's going on here then?" he asked firmly.
"Er-" said Ron, stammering for a reply.
"Field trip" said Harry suddenly.
Hermione elbowed him in the ribs and nodded in the direction of the station clock. It read 5:30 AM in a bright red display.
"…later today" he amended.
"We're very excited" added Hermione. "We're going into school first and then…field trip"
she said.
"Yeah" said Ron, catching on "off to school early today."
The guard looked at them oddly. He took in their uniforms and bags before noticing their broomsticks.
"What's with the brushes?" he asked.
"Brooms" corrected Ron without hesitation.
"Right" he muttered.
"It's a community service field trip" said Hermione quickly. "We're going to be cleaning up an English city as an environmental project."
The conductors attention had already been diverted by an elderly lady, who seemed to be attacking a dustbin with her walking stick. He walked off without a second look.
"Nice work Ron" said Hermione scathingly.
"I was only trying to-"
"Well next time don't" she snapped. "The first person we meet and we nearly got caught."
"It's okay Hermione" said Harry, clapping a hand on Ron's shoulder. "We'll do better next time."
"We better" she sulked, striding decisively towards Platform 3.
"Environmental project?" said Harry to Ron
"Community service field trip" he replied. "Where does she get this stuff?!"
Smothering their amusement they followed her through the station, which was rapidly beginning to fill with people.
**
Settling into their seats, Harry, Hermione and Ron relaxed happily.
"I could just fall-" Ron's sentence faded out as his head lolled back against the rough seat.
"Ron?" questioned Hermione.
"Let him sleep" muttered Harry, his words slurred with tiredness.
"We should work on a cover story" fretted Hermione anxiously.
"Good idea" he mumbled… "You do that…"
"Harry?"
"Two minutes…"
Harry was woken abruptly by the shrill sound of a question.
"Any teas? Any coffees?"
He blinked rapidly, his vision blurry with tears. Glancing opposite he could see that Ron was beginning to stir too. He could see Hermione out of the corner of his eye. She was staring into the distance through a grime-encrusted window, biting nervously on her lower lip.
"Any drinks?" asked the rail attendant pushing the trolley.
"Great" said Ron, through a yawn. "Three cauldron cakes please."
Hermione snapped back to attention.
"Ron!" she seethed.
"S'ok Hermione" he murmed, putting a hand to his mouth as another yawn threatened to split his face in two. "I've got the money!". Reaching into his trouser pocket, he retrieved a handful of bronze coins.
The rail attendant was looking at them with barely concealed impatience.
"Look, you kids want something or not?" she snapped.
"CAULDRON CAKES" repeated Ron louder and more firmly.
"Is that a joke?"
Her strict tone jolted Ron back to full consciousness and abashed he shook his head.
She tutted and pushed the trolley onto the next seats muttering something under her breath about "kids today".
"I'm really sorry" said Ron sincerely.
Hermione exhaled slowly, looking as though she were keeping a strict hold of her temper.
"It's okay" she said evenly "we're nearly there. Our stop is next, we should get ready."
Gathering up their belongings they made their way to the end of the carriage, swaying from side to side. Hermione managed to strike a very formal looking business man over the head with her broom. He looked at her in annoyance, his expression mellowing to confusion when he noticed the broomstick. She shrugged and muttered an apology, pointedly refusing to make eye contact with Ron, who was desperate to gloat. A sudden change of pace sent them lurching forward. Harry trod firmly on the back of Hermione's heels.
"Sorry Hermione" he winced in sympathy. "Are you okay?"
"Mmmhmm"
Out of the small window in the door they could see the platform and a small white sign modestly proclaimed their arrival into the city of Cambridge.
**
Another section, another R-and-R request…