Walk the Shadows

'It would be better if I had access to my lab. I have an idea for a potion that might help.' His voice was very soft, and Harry had trouble catching it, but the meaning was clear.

'He won't let you brew here?'

The snort of amusement was clear this time. 'Not for my own purposes. And not now, at any rate.' A pause. 'Are you feeling better?'

Harry held out his arm. Tremors still ran through it, but not as bad as just after he'd woken from the vision. 'Yes, sir.'

'Good.' A hand grasped his elbow and pulled him to the bathroom, where Snape turned on the water in the sink, the tub, and then flushed the toilet. In the ensuing roar of water, a low voice whispered in his ear. 'We're leaving here tonight.'

TBC . . .

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A/N: Next chapter -- The escape! Or the rescue! Or both?

*Chapter 9*: Chapter 9

Walk the Shadows -- Chapter 9

By jharad17

Warning: This chapter contains violence, torture and reference to non-con (rape) of a minor, although none of it graphically described. Please do not read if you are offended by such. Rating of story has been altered to suit.

Disclaimer: Not mine, was never mine, will never be mine.

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Previously:

'Good.' A hand grasped his elbow and pulled him to the bathroom, where Snape turned on the water in the sink, the tub, and then flushed the toilet. In the ensuing roar of water, a low voice whispered in his ear. 'We're leaving here tonight.'

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Minerva McGonagall crouched on the corner post of a stone wall as she watched her 'contacts' retreat back into woods and farmland. Her eighth such meeting of the night had given her more information than any of the others, specifically regarding the nearby town of Topsham and the manor named for it, that lay on the outskirts. It was almost two am, time to check in again.

Minerva arched her back and stretched, very catlike, as the last of her sources twitched their tails, vanishing into the darkness, then transformed back into her normal, bespectacled self. A few Apparitions and Floo rides later, and she entered the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.

Albus was there, as well as Nymphadora Tonks, who was midway through her own report. 'No change on the south coast, and minimal difference in and around Swindon. Not enough to show any significant dark curses being thrown around.'

The women watched as Albus crossed several more names off the list in front of him, then shifted his gaze to Minerva, silently asking for her report. She told him about three of the places she'd visited since their last check in, and watched him cross off those names, too. Then she addressed Topsham.

'How sure are you?' he asked.

'Fairly.' She drew herself up and adjusted her tartan shawl. 'According to my sources, the vibrations around Topsham Manor point to very dark magic indeed. In the last fortnight, the emanations have increased tenfold, and the numbers of native creatures inhabiting the surrounding areas has decreased dramatically. I believe that is where we will find him.'

Albus nodded, his gaze pensive and focused inward. 'Good. Excellent work, ladies.'

Tonks turned from Minerva, and a stubborn expression crossed her malleable features. 'I want to go on the rescue.'

'I, as well,' Minerva put in. She would not be put off this time.

But Albus shook his head, taking another lemon drop from his never ending supply. 'I need you to mind the school,' he said gently.

'Albus! You can scarce afford to send anyone else. What of the attack you said was planned for Leeds? The school can mind itself for a few hours.'

The Headmaster was quiet so long, head bent, that she was sure he was going to refuse. But then he nodded, at last. 'It's true,' he said, and his bright blue eyes met Minerva's. For once, they were not twinkling. 'I have no one to spare for this mission. The most I can do for you is try to remove any blocks or wards on the property, so you may gain entrance.' He studied each of them in turn. 'I need not remind you that not only will this be dangerous, but that if you are caught—'

'We will not be caught,' Minerva told him. 'But, in the unlikely event that occurs, we will not expect relief from outside.'

Tonks nodded, beside her, and Albus spent a few minutes making each of them a portkey out of an old lemon drop tin. The portkeys would take them, plus one other, directly to the Hogwarts infirmary. They spoke a while longer, finalizing plans, and then Albus shooed them out of his office, with his promise to inform them the very moment the manor wards were breached. Minerva and Tonks Apparated from the gates of Hogwarts to the edge of the town of Topsham, and Minerva led the younger woman toward the manor, where they awaited the signal.