Chapter 40
‘I’m telling you, I can’t get in!’ cried James. ‘I even tried blasting the door open – nothing! And Kreacher won’t respond when I call him!’
‘I’m sure Sirius is fine, James. No need to worry.’ Dumbledore replied calmly.
‘He ran off chasing a squirrel almost a week ago, Albus.’ Lily’s hands wrung together. ‘What if something has happened? And that’s why Grimmauld is warded shut?’
‘If that was the case, it should have been warded shut while he was in Azkaban – but it was not. There is surely some other explanation.’
‘I did tell him not to open the wards to anyone. He’s been pretty confused – crazy, really – maybe he’s keeping them shut against us by accident?’ said James.
‘That may be a possibility,’ Albus agreed thoughtfully.
‘What if someone was planning to get to him? What if he’s been taken? After all this time, why has he suddenly been freed from Azkaban? What if there’s some plot going on?’ Molly jumped in, adding more tension to the gathered group.
Severus took his opportunity to enter then. He’d paused just outside the doorway to the upstairs room of the Hog’s Head, waiting for the right moment. ‘There is no plot. The new crop of Auror trainees were studying war trials, and Black’s case came up. There was no paperwork to be found, so Madam Bones arranged a new trial.’ Severus strode purposefully into the room and stood by the window, casting a cool look over the group and turning to lean against the window frame, hands clasped behind his back. ‘If Black is missing, it is nothing nefarious. He is a dog who has been locked in a cage and gone mad. He’s probably still chasing squirrels somewhere. Actually –‘ Severus paused, trying not to smirk at the way several people turned to face him more fully, as if he’d had some revelation. ‘Has anybody checked the local SPCA?’
Grumbles and growls met his question, along with a few choice words from Potter.
‘Now, Severus, let’s not make light of the situation. Are you certain you have heard nothing from your side?’ Dumbledore chided.
Severus bristled internally at the pointed choice of words. ‘It is not my side, as you well know. I am only there at your insistence, Albus. And no, I have heard nothing. Black was not a Death Eater before, and the Black madness is not an appealing trait. The Dark Lord has no interest in a mad dog.’
Potter’s glare could melt stone, but he held his tongue. It was true – the Dark Lord probably didn’t have any use for Sirius now that his mind was gone. Snivvy was still a slimy bastard though, even if he was right.
‘Very well. We shall just have to keep our eyes and ears open. I am sure Sirius will eventually return home. Let us move onto other matters…’
The meeting dragged on, and Severus had to work hard to keep his attention focused on the drivel that various Order members were spouting. Dumbledore wasn’t much better – lots of empty platitudes and vague calls to arms and exhortations to stand strong, blah blah blah…
When the meeting finally ended, Severus waited behind at a gesture from Dumbledore. He stood silently by the window until the room cleared, sinking slowly when Dumbledore gestured for him to sit in vacated chair.
Severus wasn’t sure why Dumbledore insisted on putting on such an act when it was just the two of them. Severus had seen the core of steel, the ruthless demand for obedience and loyalty, had been sworn to a Vow by the sheer force of Dumbledore’s will. Why he insisted on the doddering, weary grandfather routine was a mystery.
Ignorant to Severus’ internal eye-rolling, Dumbledore slumped in his chair, lifting his spectacles to rub at his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose, then heave a sigh before pulling himself back together- albeit slightly less composed than he had been when the whole Order was there. As if he trusted Severus enough to be vulnerable, as if Severus was his most faithful and devoted follower. As if Severus was allowed closer than anyone, and so he must be important to Dumbledore – he must surely be able to trust the old man in return.
If only Dumbledore was a little more realistic.
Severus had grown up in constant danger, constant risk to his wellbeing, constantly on edge and ready for attack from any direction. He was uncannily adept at picking up subtle clues and cues, at discerning true motives, and at playing the role that was expected from him. Dumbledore thought he was so all-knowing, but Severus could see right through him. Even so, he gave no indication. The information he gleaned was invaluable to his true Lord.
‘I must confess, I am a little concerned about Sirius’ continued absence. I know you and he have a tricky past, but perhaps-‘
‘Tricky past?! He tried to kill me! Multiple times! He tried to set a werewolf on me!’ snarled Severus, letting some of his genuine anger flare up to boost the authenticity of his display.
Dumbledore held up a hand. ‘He was just a boy, Severus – a foolish boy, yes, but a boy nonetheless. He is no longer the same, not after years spent in Azkaban, surrounded by Dementors. We need him to return, Severus. It is important. Can I trust you to do what you can to find him?’
Severus bit back the burning comment on the tip of his tongue – I was just a boy too – but he held back, knowing it would fall on deaf ears. ‘Why is he so important?’ he asked, voice a careful mix of resigned and weary.
Dumbledore hesitated, a calculated pause before he said cryptically, ‘It is about the Prophecy. You know I cannot tell you more than that, my boy.’
Severus clenched his jaw briefly, then gave a sharp nod. ‘I will see what I can find out.’
He stood abruptly and strode from the room, a simmering anger bubbling in his chest at Dumbledore for lying so blatantly. Severus had heard the Prophecy – Dumbledore only wanted Sirius back for his house and money. The thought was quickly swamped by rage burning in his gut at the memories that assaulted him from his school days.
Memories of Sirius Black sending him to be killed at the sharp teeth of a werewolf.