Moments in Love

The End of the Line: Part 2

AN: Warning for this chapter: Language, Violence, Trigger Warning, Implied (non-graphic) incest between consenting adults.

Something had obviously happened. A hum of nervous curiosity and bewilderment rose in the Great Hall as it filled with hungry students at breakfast time. As the Potters and their friends took seats at the Mingling Table, snatches of conversation could be heard.

"What's going on?"

"Dunno..."

"Why are those two sitting there?"

"Where's Dumbledore?"

Harry swallowed anxiously and gave Hermione's hand a comforting squeeze as they eyed the smug countenances of the two Inquisitors. The Carrows were seated opposite the Potters in the centre of the Staff Table, looking for all the world like a king and queen waiting for their coronation to begin.

A quick look around the Hall also revealed the presence of wizards with insignia on their robes which Harry didn't recognise.

"Those are Unspeakables," Dora whispered, seeing Harry's puzzled expression. Hermione bit her lip to stifle a sob; a tear escaped and rolled down one cheek.

"You alright Hermione?" Harry asked, giving her hand another gentle squeeze. She nodded forlornly.

"I will be Harry. We knew this was coming at any moment - that eventually they'd oust Dumbledore. I... I just... now that it's actually happening..." Hermione trailed off, unable to say any more.

Harry glanced around the table at the rest of the Unaffiliated and their friends; their expressions ran the gamut from apprehension to anger. Fleur's natural radiance had lost its usual lustre and Daphne's gaze was frosty. Dora's countenance was stony and she narrowed her eyes when she spotted Malfoy ogling the Unaffiliated and chortling with unabashed glee.

Jennifer was miserable. She had grown more comfortable being among the many other students at Hogwarts since the beginning of the term, and had enjoyed herself despite everything; she didn't want to leave.

"Well, looks like this is it," said Harry quietly. "We'll be alright - just try to stay together everyone, and we'll jump ship at the earliest opportunity... If anyone gets separated, just get back to our Corridor and stay there until we meet up. Nobody else can get in there except for us..."

Harry was interrupted by the swell of music which heralded the morning news. The ever dapper William O'Hannity began the programme with his usual gratingly pontifical manner, but in place of his usual co-host Endora was someone that everyone recognised all too well.

"Thank you for that very kind introduction William," said the pink clad toad-like woman in a breathy girlish voice. Her tone dropped a notch and hardened as she continued.

"I am afraid I have some very grave news from the Ministry this morning. I felt that given the nature of this dire circumstance, it was imperative that I myself be the one to impart the information in the spirit of Ministry openness and transparency...

"As you are no doubt aware, the DMLE and the Unspeakable Office have been investigating the events which occurred at Hogwarts shortly before the end of summer. What you may not know, is that the Ministry has also been investigating the recent death of one of Britain's most esteemed Warlocks, Lucius Malfoy..."

"NO!" gasped O'Hannity with well-rehearsed sincerity. "Warlock Malfoy is dead? How dreadful..."

"Yes, it is a great loss to Wizarding Britain," continued the Minister. "But his death was no accident - it was murder most foul. And the subsequent investigation revealed that it was inextricably linked to the events at Hogwarts. I cannot reveal everything due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigations, but I can say that the principal suspect is none other than the Potions Master of Hogwarts, Severus Snape..."