Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y7 ~ Saintlike

In the days leading up to the new school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an eerie silence pervaded the castle. The once lively corridors now lay dormant, shadows lurking where students should have been. The loss of Dumbledore weighed heavily on everyone, and Severus Snape, now Headmaster, found himself burdened with a daunting responsibility.

In the dimly lit Great Hall, Snape stood alone, his eyes tracing the enchanted ceiling that mirrored the starless sky outside. His mind was a storm of thoughts, his heart heavy with anxiety. He paced the length of the hall, his robes whispering against the cold stone floor. The sound of his shoes echoed, the only noise in the vast emptiness. Running his fingers through his greasy hair, he sighed deeply, his expression clouded with despair.

"I can't do this. But I have to...I promised," he thought, his resolve wavering but unbroken.

With a swish of his arm, Snape Apparated, arriving at a grand manor bathed in the glow of its many windows. Inside, the room was dominated by a large, ornate table, illuminated by the flickering light of a fireplace. Two dozen figures sat silently, their faces drawn and tense. Suspended near the ceiling, as if by an invisible rope, was the unconscious form of Charity Burbage.

"Severus," Voldemort's voice cut through the silence. "I was beginning to worry you'd lost your way. Come. I've saved you a seat."

Voldemort grinned, his silhouette framed by the fire, and gestured to the seat nearest his own. All eyes followed Snape, except for Draco Malfoy, who stared nervously at the body above, and Lucius Malfoy, who looked haggard and defeated, his eyes fixed on his wand. Narcissa Malfoy, her face a mask of stoicism, stared straight ahead.

"You know our hosts, of course, Severus. Narcissa, in particular, has been most hospitable. Lucius, on the other hand, is, I fear, burdened by my presence. Are you, Lucius?" Voldemort's tone was deceptively light.

"My lord?" Lucius replied, his voice barely audible.

"Are you burdened?"

"My lord is always welcome here," Narcissa interjected quickly, her voice steady.

Voldemort's smile widened, his eyes shifting to Snape, who watched the great snake Nagini slither over the feet of those present, causing visible unease.

"You bring news, I trust, Severus?"

"It will happen Saturday next. At nightfall," Snape replied, his voice calm.

"And this information comes-"

"-from the source we discussed."

From the opposite end of the table, Yaxley, a Ministry insider, leaned into the flickering light. "I have heard differently, my lord. Dawlish, the Auror, let slip that the Potter boy will not be moved until the thirtieth of this month, the night before he turns seventeen."

"This is a false trail," Snape countered smoothly. "The Auror Office no longer plays any part in the protection of Harry Potter. Those closest to him believe we have infiltrated the Ministry."

"Well, they've got that right, then, 'aven't they?" cackled a squat man, his laughter wheezy and unpleasant. Others joined in, but Voldemort raised a hand, silencing them.

"Pius, what say you?" Voldemort addressed Pius Thicknesse, whose gaze was placid.

"One hears many things, my lord. Whether the truth is among them is not clear," Thicknesse replied diplomatically.

"Spoken like a true politician. You will, I think, prove most useful, Pius. Where will he be taken? The boy?"

"To a safe house. Likely the home of someone in the Order. It has been given every manner of protection possible. Once there, it will be impractical to attack him. We may have compromised the Ministry, but there are those who remain loyal to him," Snape explained.