Chapter _. The Council
Snape entered the meeting room at a brisk pace. Numerous narrow and high windows on either side were letting a bright daylight into the place. A long table in the middle seemed to be packed with teachers, scholars and practitioners. They, obviously, started a while ago, and Dumbledore spoke to the Mistress of Spiers - Bixue Taki and Master of Arts - Millicent Irender. There was an empty seat between the Mistress of Paramagical Interactions - Sash Wonow and someone else.
Snape quickly sat down, bowed to the person they didn't know and shook hands with Wonow.
- Professor, I trust, you understand that we need assurance of the safety of the event. Now you claim to have it under control, but the last time - at the New Year Ball eve, in fact, - we have been attacked by the Death Eaters... - Irender began slyly.
- Dumbledore warned you about this eventuality and took measures in accordance. - interfered Snape's cold voice.
- Thank you for your input, Snape, I'd like to know where were YOU during said events.
- Professor Snape and I were attending to the Ball as resident teachers. - said Dumbledore calmly.
- And who, may I ask, have witnessed_ - inquired Irender, bloody shade of irritation spreading over his face.
- I did. - said Wonow untroubled.
- I saw them too. - added Taki.
Irender looked like he might fly off the handle in a second, but, apparently, had nothing to argue. Half a dozen others shifted uncomfortably in their chairs.
-Right, you will make a note of that, Lorek. - he turned to his secretary - a placid looking clerk of around thirty. The story, wildly spread by Irender himself, of his bounty and generosity, of him taking Lorek in as an apprentice explained fairly well latter's devotion and desire to prove himself that were often translated in soundless acquiescence and brutish mimicking of his benefactor.
After an hour worth of discussions participants began to separate into smaller groups to narrow the scope. Wonow and Snape drifted to the rest of their colleagues who were already gathering several seats down the table:
- A somewhat unusual agenda, don't you think?
- Hmm, given the last Decree, I would have expected worse. More and more optimistic... — it doesn't become you, Sash. - Snape remarked ironically.
- The last time I expected the worse, it happened — now, I am taking precautions.
Snape smirked appreciatively. They walked, amused, into the circle with Taki, Dumbledore, Professor Sprout, Adou and Dinah Quoc-Shadel, Ariel Ghonz, Mihel Rashi, Ornado Bruno, Jannica Osterholm and Soyong Dori.
They settled down. Dumbledore walked around the circle of chairs casting Silencing spell.
- So, our brilliant legislators decided to shut down any institution that uses or teaches ancient physicist magic. - Adou started the conversation.
- Yes, well, it doesn't really concern us, does it? None of us is specialized in this branch. And it isn't in the schedule...
- There's a possibility... - Dumbledore paused, choosing their words carefully - of private use.
- You mean, YOU're using it? - asked Ariel, his eyes widened in astonishment.
- The person doesn't signify. The important point is that they might be targeted merely for the use of alternative kind of magic, because of the ignorance and fear of people of power.
- Oh.- exclaimed Ghonz.
- Sounds fun. - contributed Bruno.
- You have a plan, I understand, Dumbledore? - asked Taki.
- It is so happens that I do. While I will be convincing the Ministry, some volunteers might organize a network - a magical protection against governmental control - for anyone using the banned strategy.
- Wait a moment! If somebody of the mission is caught... - said Dori.
- You don't have to participate, if you don't want to. And, of course, you should be aware of the inconvenience eventual arrest might cause you, in case of your capture during this mission. - explained Dumbledore.
- If I might remind you all, the freedom of spell-casting is at stake. - piped up Snape's disembodied voice.
The general vibe around the circle didn't change, people looked kind of tense and worried.
- I am volunteering. - said Wonow finally.
- Me too. - added Taki.
- I'm in. - said Rashi.
- You may count on me. - said Professor Sprout.
Dumbledore looked around to check that everyone had their say, then:
- Thank you very much to everyone. I will be expecting those who agreed to participate this Tuesday at ten o'clock, in my office, please.
They talked about a few topics, Dumbledore, Bruno and Osterholm were deep in conversation when Wonow, who sat beside Snape, fidgeting with her papers, saw them push their chair out of the circle, and soundlessly retire to one of the windows. "They might be having one of those memory fits again"- Wonow thought, picked up her papers, hastily thrust them into her bag and hurried after Snape.
Wonow found Snape standing in a window niche flanking the wall, their head against the cool stone.
- Severus, can we talk?
- Of course. - they said with a note of strain in their voice, turning their head to face her without leaving the wall.
- Do you need anything?
- No, it will stop eventually. Just, just block the sound, please...
She performed a spell and the babble of the room went out. She opened a window and stared at the sunlit grounds far down and below: the sparkling tailing river, the cliffs and trees thinning with the distance and blending into the vapory greenish sky. The luminous sound of a Gigo bird slashed the silence and echo returned it tenfold.
- Severus, are you all right? - Dumbledore asked quietly, gently patting them on the shoulder.
- I'm fine, thank you. - they took Dumbledore's hand and roughly pushed it away.
- If I might be of assistance...
Wonow made a movement to go.
- No ! Sash, stay... - cried Snape.
- Well, I won't trouble you any longer, you know where to find me, just in case.
Dumbledore smiled and walked away, bowing to Wonow.
She followed with her gaze their retreating figure, then, turned to face Snape, who was looking away.
- Severus, what was that about?.. Did they, did they do something wrong?
- No, they are a saint.
- Oh, I see: Brian has more exuberant ways of expressing themself which gives them appearance of domination, especially in the company of onlookers. But you know you are equal, and they never make you feel otherwise.
Snape looked stunned:
- How?..
- I am a P. I. Mistress, remember?
- Indeed, and_ a Building practitioner. How is your practice, by the way?
- Very amiable, very amiable.
- And what are you doing as a... what was it again?
- A muralist.
- A muralist, right.
- Well, it's dear old spell-casting that involves mineral transformation, I make patterns out of walls, in other words.
- Fascinating!
- You're overdoing it.
- Am I?
They laughed.
After the Tuesday night's meeting Dumbledore invited all participants to supper. Only Wonow agreed, however.
So, she and Dumbledore proceeded to the dining room of the Headmaster's suite.
-We're going to wait for Severus for a while: they said, they would come. I hope it won't inconvenience you...
-Ah, no, of course not. I didn't know, they were coming.
I'm still curious about the project, though. If we knew whom we were protecting, it would be so much easier to do it.
- While I definitely understand your concern, I am nevertheless compelled to withhold this information. Sorry, Sash...
- ._
- Sash. Brian.
Snape shook hands with Wonow and Dumbledore, settling on the end of the sofa opposite from them. Sash sat in an armchair facing them both.
Several minutes into the supper, Wonow and Snape were chatting about the Council stuff and Dumbledore was asking questions from time to time. Everyone was quite relaxed and at ease: Sash stretched her legs onto a neighboring armchair, with a plate in her lap, a goblet posed on the floor; Dumbledore and Snape reclined on either side of the couch, Dumbledore's left arm rested on the high back cushions as was Snape's right elbow, the former was picking some food from time to time and latter's plate remained completely untouched.