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

Chapter 57

"You misunderstand me, Severus.  Is it his ghost or is that meddling old fool hiding in the castle?" Voldemort hissed, even as Bella grinned, licking her lips in anticipation of Severus' answer.

"Dumbledore is dead, Master.   Draco killed him and I also hit him with the 'Avada Kadavra' spell, even as I saw the light leave his eyes from Draco's spell."

Severus was looking right at Voldemort as he gave his assurance that Albus had died that night, so many months ago.  He felt Voldemort in his brain, checking his memories, again, of that time in the corridor outside the stairs to the Headmaster's office.  The flashes of green light hitting Dumbledore in the chest, lifting him off his feet to crash down at the base of the stairs, and then the stairs starting to turn, carrying the body upward.

 But this time, Severus allowed Voldemort to see Dumbledore's face come into view as the stairs turned, Albus' eyes lifeless and dull, unseeing, his life force gone. This seemed to satisfy Voldemort, as he pulled away from Severus' mind, deep in thought.

"Why hasn't anyone seen him before, I wonder?"  Voldemort asked.  "Why hasn't he shown himself to you, Severus?"

Bella was wiggling with excitement, hoping Severus would slip up and get himself into trouble, but his answer was not what she expected.

"Perhaps because I had his portrait removed from my office and put in a storage room deep under the castle.  He might be quite content down there, with all of his possessions piled in the room.  Frankly  . . . I don't care," finished Severus.  "It's Harry Potter and his little band who concern me, Master."

Voldemort sucked in his breath, eyes flashing at Severus' insolence, but then he smiled, disappointing Bella, as the Dark Lord nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, let us concentrate on the living, not on the dead.  Have you anything new to report about our young . . . 'friends'?"  Voldemort hissed.

"They have been spotted going into the Forbidden Forest, so they must have established a base camp there, raiding the school kitchens for supplies.  It has been noted that they do these forays at odd times, with no set schedule, so as to avoid setting a pattern, thus avoiding being trapped.  They also use different routes through the school, for the same reason, we've surmised.  However, their entry point is always the same and the kitchens are their goal."

"Splendid.  We can let them continue their little trips, thinking they are fooling everyone, but we'll know where we can capture them when the time comes."  Voldemort leaned back, thinking. 

The gathered Death Eaters waited in silence, only Bella's snickering could be heard.

"Oh, by the way, Severus," Voldemort continued. "Has anyone spotted Draco accompanying those three on their little raids?"  He was watching Severus closely, while waiting for his answer.

Severus eyebrow shot up, then he looked thoughtful.  "I'd not seriously considered that possibility, Master.  I wasn't made aware that Draco had left with those traitors until long after the fact. But to answer your question . . . no.  Draco has not been seen since I confronted him in the Great Hall last December.  Whether  Potter took him by force or he went willingly, he's not been seen.  And I'm assuming you haven't seen or heard from your sister, either, have you, Bella?"  finished Severus, turning to look across the table at the now livid witch.

Voldemort waved his hand dismissively, before Bella could say a word.

"We will assume the Malfoys are huddled together in hiding somewhere . . . they'll be found, by one means or another and then  . . . well, we'll worry about what punishment should be handed down when the time comes, eh, Bella?"