Soul of Ice

26. Picnics and Potters

Harry sat on his bed in his dormitory, watching the Marauder's Map. He was looking for any sign of Draco Malfoy sneaking about, hoping he could get an idea of what he was up to. To his disappointment, he found Draco's dot firmly in the Slytherin boys' dormitory.

Although it was late, Harry wasn't tired. While Ron snored in the bed next to his, Harry curiously scanned his eyes across the map, not looking for anything in particular. There wasn't much activity this late at night anyway. A couple of teachers were still in their offices, and Peeves was flitting around the Great Hall. With so little movement on the Map, Harry's attention was drawn to two dots moving down the second floor corridor - Severus Snape and Abigail Payne.

Harry watched the two dots curiously. What could Snape and Abbie be doing so late at night? He hadn't seen her since that afternoon's Potions class, and he'd heard she'd ended up in the Hospital Wing again, but that wouldn't explain why they were on the second floor so late.

He watched them for a few minutes. They were moving steadily but slowly, their dots right next to each other as if they were close together - whispering about something, perhaps. If anyone was going to know what Malfoy was up to, it would be those two.

Harry looked back at the dungeons. Malfoy was still in the dormitory, and nobody else seemed to be moving.

Harry made a decision and quietly climbed out of bed to extract his cloak from his trunk. He hardly used it anymore, since he, Ron and Hermione couldn't fit under it together, but on his own, he might be okay with a bit of crouching. He set off, determined to find out what Snape and Abbie were up to.

He caught up with them just as they turned into the fifth floor corridor. Harry quickly realised why their dots were so close together on the map - Abbie had her hand in the crook of Snape's elbow, and was resting her head on his shoulder. As Harry crept closer, he began to make out what they were saying.

"... and Draco," Abbie was saying. Harry's ears pricked up. "We haven't been very close lately, but I don't think he'd do that." Do what? Harry wondered. He crept closer still, crouching down to ensure his feet were hidden.

"He only ever speaks highly of you," Snape replied. "Perhaps some frustration at your friendship with Potter, but that's unsurprising. I agree he's an unlikely culprit. You're certain there's no one else?"

"Definitely."

"Perhaps your behaviour raised suspicion... is there anyone -"

"No," Abbie said quickly. "No."

"Very well. Perhaps I can gather information from her myself."

Abbie sighed. "Okay, just don't let her believe it's true."

"Of course not. Your secret's safe with me."

"Thank you."

They continued walking in silence for a little longer, giving Harry time to process what he had just heard. What had Malfoy possibly done, and why didn't they believe he had? And what secret was Abbie keeping?

He was so lost in thought, he walked into a suit of armour, and the rattling sound echoed around the corridor. Harry froze, and quickly checked his feet were still hidden. Abbie and Snape both turned around towards the sound.

"What was that?" Abbie asked.

Snape looked around, then his eyes landed on the suit of armour, almost looking directly at Harry. Too late, Harry realised he had knocked the suit's foot askew. Snape must have realised this too, because he quickly moved closer, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"There's nothing there, Dad -"

"Shh." Snape stayed still, so still he was barely visible, blending in as he did into the darkness. He cocked his head slightly; listening, Harry realised, for any strange sounds. Harry, only a few feet from Snape now, held his breath.