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

Chapter 35

"If I remember correctly," said Fenrir, who was leaning against the wall. "He said be ready at 3:00 and he'd let us through as soon after that as he could.  They do have night patrols, now, at Hogwarts. . . . wouldn't want your darling Draco getting caught when we're this close to killing Dumbledore, now would we?"

Bella rounded on him, wand out, maniacal gleam in her eye, but a thump from within the "Vanishing Cabinet" made them all turn, watching the door as it swung open, revealing a piece of parchment lying there.  The tall blond, heavy set Death Eater, who was standing closest, bent and picked it up, but turned and handed it to Bella.  Snatching it from his fingers, she quickly scanned it and a smile crossed her face, before it was replaced with a look of sheer blood lust; eyes flashing, lip curled up at the corner, wand gripped tightly in her hand.  

"We're going . . . now . . . and be quiet!"

Stepping next to the door, she jerked her wand, indicating the rest should enter first.  The Death Eaters were mildly surprised to find the "Vanishing Cabinet" had expanded to hold them all.  Bella stepped in, closing the door behind her, waited for a count of ten and then opened the door.  They stepped out into the 'Room of Requirement' to find Draco leaning against a table, arms crossed, waiting patiently.

"Ah, my dear nephew, you've done well,"  Bella drawled, walking by, stroking Draco's cheek. 

It was all he could do not to bat her hand away, so, ignoring her, he turned to the Death Eaters as they exited the cabinet.

"Sorry I'm a few minutes late . . . had to dodge someone patrolling the hallway," he explained.

"Told you, Bella," laughed Fenrir.

"Shut up!" snapped Bella. "Who's patrolling, Draco?"

"There are a couple of Aurors here during the day, but at night the staff and some of that bunch of show-offs known as the D.A. go around with them.  I saw Neville Longbottom and Professor Flitwick about fifteen minutes ago, but there are always two 'teams' patrolling . . . don't have a clue who else might be out there tonight," he added, shrugging his shoulders.  "Not being a member of that particular group, I don't have access to their schedule . . .  but I do know they change it up fairly regularly."

"No matter."  Bella waved her hand dismissively. "We can handle a couple of kids and some old fools, if we even see them . . . Just make sure you idiots don't make any noise.  We could be in and out before anyone knows what's happened."

"You just worry about getting Dumbledore taken care of and we'll take care of anyone else that tries to get in the way or stop us," Fenrir growled.

Bella's eyes flashed but before she could lift her wand Draco stepped in front of her, holding up his hand to stop her.

"Focus, Auntie! Focus!"  Draco snarled.  "I have a job to do and I won't have anybody screwing this up, even you!"

"How dare! . . . "  Bella started, only to have her nephew turn and stalk away toward the doors.

"I dare, because I have a job to do," he shot back over his shoulder. "You two want to duel, do it on your own time.  I'm sure the Dark Lord will want to know all about your not staying on task."

Fenrir barked a laugh and fell into step behind Draco, as did the rest, leaving Bella standing there with her mouth hanging open. She thought briefly of hexing the whole lot, but common sense kicked in, a rare event in itself, and she hurried to catch up, muttering under her breath.

Draco stopped at the doors and waited until the whole group was assembled.  He raised his hand for silence, opened the door a bit and stuck his head out to see if there was any movement in the hallway.  He closed the door and spoke softly.

"I just saw Flitwick and Longbottom start down the stairs at the end of the hall, to the right.  I'm heading left, to the Headmaster's office, so wait five minutes then follow me.  I should be there and have the stairs open by then.  If you do meet anyone, try to be quiet when you take them out . . . don't shout, for Merlin's sake, just kill them and leave them in some corner."  Draco looked at each Death Eater and received a nod, except Bella, who just glowered.   Fenrir was standing behind her, grinning, enjoying every bit of her embarrassment at the hands of her nephew.  Draco nodded at him, turned and slipped out the door.

* * * 

Albus was standing next to his 'stand-in', not moving, waiting with as much of a blank look on his face as he could manage, when Draco came skidding around the corner and raced up to where he waited.  As he took a deep breath, Draco looked from one Headmaster to the other and then turned to the live Dumbledore.

"They're giving me five minutes, which means two, maybe three, so, are you ready, sir?"

"How did you know I was the 'real' Dumbledore, if you don't mind my asking, Mister Malfoy?"  Albus moved away from his wax double.

Draco jerked his thumb at the figure standing at the base of the spiral stairs. "There was no twinkle in his eyes."

"Ah, my straight face was in vain, then?"

"Sorry.  But the good news is . . . from down there," replied Draco, pointing to the corner he'd just come around. "Even I couldn't tell which was which . . . I had to look you in the eye."

"Then let's get into position and see what the Death Eaters think of my alter ego."

* * *

As the Death Eaters exited the 'Room of Requirement' they saw the unmistakable form of Severus Snape, robes billowing behind them, coming toward them.  Bella stepped forward, waiting with arms crossed.

"What are you doing here, Severus?" she snarled.

Severus came to a halt, nodded to Fenrir, and after looking at each of the other Death Eaters, focused on Bella, who was barely controlling her anger at this insulting behavior.

"I live here, Bella," was his withering reply. "I was also told to assist Draco, so I'm headed for the Headmaster's office.  Please excuse me." 

He walked through the group and headed off, but looked over his shoulder, and sneered, "Shouldn't you all be making sure our escape route is clear?  Bella?"

Bella opened her mouth, wand raised, to hex Severus in the back, but Fenrir slammed his hand over her mouth and picked her up and spun her around before releasing her.

"Don't even think it, Bella," he snarled, as she backed away, wand pointed at his chest. "The Dark Lord will not be pleased if he hears you didn't put your entire attention on this mission.  As Draco said, we can duel on our own time . . . later. But now, I think we should start moving, don't you?"

Realizing Fenrir was right, she turned and marched off toward the other end of the hallway,  When the group reached the corner, she silently pointed one part of the group  who were to station themselves on the stairs, while she, Fenrir and the Carrows continued in the direction Draco and Severus had gone.

* * *

Just as Bella and her group got to the junction of the hallway that lead to Dumbledore's office, Draco and Severus ran out of the end of the hallway.

"STOP!"  Dumbledore's voice boomed, echoing off the stone walls.

Skidding to a stop, the Death Eaters saw the Headmaster standing at the opening to the spiral staircase that led to his office. Before Bella or the others could react, Draco and Snape both turned, and pointed their wands at the old Wizard.

"AVADA KADAVRA!" they both yelled, green light streaking from their wands to hit Albus in the chest, lifting him off his feet and slamming him backward into the center column of the stairs with a sickening thump.  He slid slowly down to the steps and keeled over.  The stone gargoyle leapt in front of him as the stairs started moving, carrying his body out of sight.

Severus turned to the others.

"OUT!" he ordered.