Protection In The Dungeons

Things Get Dangerous

I sat bolt upright in my bed... something felt... off. I tiptoed downstairs to hear Snape speaking with someone in a hushed tone... he sounded agitated.

"I don't think this is a good idea. Someone could get hurt, or worse! One of those kids could die!"

"Don't be so serious, Severus my boy. It's just a contest. It's not that serious. Also, no one under the legal age may enter." I recognized that voice as Dumbledore. Why is he here at 3 am?

"Albus, I don't like it. What is your plan if one of the younger class members chooses to enter the tournament?"

   "Oh, my boy, you know... I'll have a charm put around it so no one under age can get near the goblet to put their name into it." Dumbledore replied, coolly.

   "I don't like it, Albus. There are too many loopholes to exploit. It's far too dangerous-"

   Dumbledore cut him off. "Nonsense, Severus! It's tradition!"

   Snape huffed. I could picture him rolling his eyes. "Screw tradition, Albus. It's not safe. You have to think logically. What if... you know who were able to infiltrate the tournament, and harm Potter?"

   Dumbledore laughed. "Nonsense, Severus! He's dead. And has been for over fourteen years!"

   "Albus, you and I both know he can and will return. We've talked about this before. Pretending the inevitable won't happen doesn't stop it from happening, it just makes us delusional fuckheads without a goddamn plan!" Snape's voice was strained, obviously trying not to wake me, but very angry...

   I heard footsteps, presumably Dumbledore's walking towards Snape. "My boy, I'm not being delusional. Things must be this way in order for you know who to be defeated once and for all. Do not question my methods, Severus. Or do I need to remind you who saved your pathetic ass from Azkaban thirteen years ago? I could have left you there, and not testified in your favor during the trial, you know... you owe me, Severus. You would do well to remember that. And should I hear Harry or that snooping brat of yours hears about this conversation, I do believe I shall be looking for a new potions master because, unfortunately... my current professor will be on his way to Azkaban." His voice was laced with malice, but so sickeningly sweet I could get a cavity.

   I heard Snape sigh, and the sound of his chair scrape across the floor. "Understood. Is there anything else you needed to tell me?"

   I snuck back to bed, avoiding creaking floorboards. I laid down, but no sleep came... I couldn't stop thinking about their conversation. I really wanted to ask Snape about it, but how could I? I knew Dumbledore had spies practically everywhere. I couldn't even trust any animals, insects, rodents, birds, you name it. Who knows which one of them is an animagus... I shuddered, rolling onto my left side, feeling uncomfortable, and swapping back to my right. This continued until I saw the bright pink of the first rays of sunlight passing through the clouds. I dozed off around 5 am, and woke to the smell of petrichor, and the sound of rain against the roof.

~Author's Note!~

Hi guys, I'm so sorry it's been a while since the last chapter! And don't worry, Nothing crazy happened to me (like getting hit like a bus, or getting attacked by meerkats. lol) I've just been dealing with major writers block. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Btw, petrichor is the smell that normally comes with rain. Some horror authors like to use it to describe a terrible smell.  It's not terrible! I understand some people might not be able to smell petrichor, and the only way I can describe it is a fresh, earthy smell. It's mild, and quite soothing. It also is a smell associated with spring!
Thanks for reading, friends!