It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 23

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Albus, Minerva and Severus were seated at the staff's round communal dining table, later that evening, enjoying a cup of tea.  Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Trelawney and Madam Pomfrey had already retired to the teachers' lounge for a game of whist.  Suddenly, a large eagle owl swooped down and landed on the back of Severus' chair.  It held out its leg, to which was attached a small scroll.  Severus removed the piece of parchment and the owl took wing and flew out of the Great Hall as swiftly and silently as it had entered.

"Ah, a note from Lucius," drawled Severus, his eyebrow lifting as he scanned the brief note.  "It seems The Dark Lord would like to hold a meeting this Friday evening and I've been summoned.

"Why doesn't he just make your Mark burn, if you don't mind me being so indelicate as to mention it?  Why the 'formal' invitation?  If you call that scrap of parchment an invitation," sniffed Minerva.

"Considering it's not widely believed that he has returned, having his followers arms being clutched in pain would not be the kind of attention Tom would want drawn to his new circumstances, I should think," replied Albus, looking over the rims of his glasses at Severus.

"Indeed.  This is worded as if Lucius wants me to pop in for a visit, but it doesn't say Malfoy Manor, it says 'the house'.  That's the word for the Dark Lord's newest hiding place."

"Ah, this is a good thing then, Severus," Minerva sat up and looked at her colleague, excitement on her face.  "Try to remember as much detail as you can about the house and its surroundings, for my little trip there this coming Spring, eh?"

Severus looked at the Headmaster and a smile played at the corners of his mouth, whereas, Albus was grinning broadly.

"It seems that Minerva and her friend Crookshanks are going to be very well versed about the territory they will be invading, if she has anything to say about it, I believe," chuckled Dumbledore.

"I almost, but not quite, feel sorry for Pettigrew," agreed Severus.  "I'll also try and ascertain where that bloody great snake of his likes to spend most of its time," he added. "Besides curled up at his feet like some demented version of a pet dog."

Minerva shuddered.  "That's the only part that worries me, Albus; that snake of his.  After what it did to poor Arthur, I'd hate to think what it could do to Crookshanks or myself while we're stalking Pettigrew."

"Ah, but that's where Sirius will come into this whole plan.  He won't be at the Ministry, he'll be with you, not only for protection but with the express purpose of killing Nagini.  That is paramount, that the snake is killed.  But you must have Peter in your custody and be ready to leave before that happens, as Tom will know instantly that something has gone wrong with his pet; he'll feel it and try to get there as quickly as he can."

"Perhaps he'll be too preoccupied at the Ministry to realize what he's feeling, Headmaster; he might think it's coming from Harry, as he's trying to manipulate his mind," suggested Severus.

"Indeed, as he, apparently, thinks he can control Harry.  As we saw, it was a rather rude awakening for him, to see that the boy could throw him out of his mind without too much effort."  Albus leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face.  "Harry is a lot stronger than either of them thinks.  After this episode, Tom will know that he really will have his work cut out for him, in order to try and kill Harry."

"Which is why we should thank our lucky stars those young people had the bravery to come here and warn us as they did . . . I'm actually going to miss them," Minerva admitted.

"I'm just glad they didn't bring the rest of the actors with them, especially the ones who portrayed those Weasley twins," answered back Severus, with a shudder.