Silver Hourglass

Cassius' Warning Chapter 55

The next morning, a barny owl flew in front of Harry in the Great Hall, dropping a hastily written letter. Harry looked at it as it fell and watched as the owl flew away. He picked up the folded paper and saw the initials CW. Quickly filled with worry, Harry unfolded the letter, not caring of the Slytherins around him and read.

Harry,

I hope this letter reaches you in time. I have finally learned the reasoning of Lestrange's talk with the werewolf. They are planning to sack Hogwarts. I do not know the exact date but it is soon. The Death Eaters are getting anxious, Flint and the others are all talking about their connection—a friend, girlfriend I don't know. I wish I know more Harry, but I fear they are starting to suspect me. I kept declining their invitations to go out and terrorize small muggle towns. Yesterday they've captured someone, a Quidditch Player that apparently Flint knows very well. I tried to get near him, but Flint has his goons guarding the door. I'm going to try my best to save him, but I might need help. Please Harry, tell Dumbledore to send this Order or whatever it is called to help him! Tell him the Quidditch Player is at Flint Cottage, that is where Bellatrix stationed us.

CW

Harry had to fight the urge to jump up and run to Dumbledore. He looked out at the staff table and saw the Heads of Houses descending to give out their students' schedules. Snape was taking his time as he walked from student to student, his eyes gliding from one to the next as he handed out their schedules. Maybe Harry could use him to get Cassius' letter to Dumbledore. ... But then again, there is no way he can confirm that Snape will get it to Dumbledore in a timely matter. No, he needs to give it himself, but there is no way he can just stroll up and handed it to him. And he does not believe that he can use Quidditch as an excuse again. Then, as if Dumbledore had heard his troubles, Dumbledore stood up from the staff table and began to walk between the house tables, leaving the Great Hall. Harry stood up and followed the Headmaster outside. "Sir!" he said as he ran up to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore turned around and said, "Harry, is something the matter."

"The letter sir... it's urgent." Harry breathed, giving Dumbledore the letter. Dumbledore read it and nodded grimly. "Yes, I see... thank you Harry. I will contact the Order immediately and send some members immediately." With that, Dumbledore hastened his step and quickly left the entrance hall, towards the stairs.

His job done, Harry relaxed slightly as he returned to his seat in the Great Hall, automatically relaxing into Draco. "What was that about love?" Draco asked as he wrapped an arm around Harry.

Harry just looked at him and smiled. "Don't think about it," he said.

When they've obtained their schedules both Harry and Draco groaned. They had Ancient Runes and Defense Against the Dark Arts back to back with no breaks in-between, and Double Potions after Lunch. "Come on love, better get this started..." Draco said. Harry nodded and groaned as he followed Draco, wondering why he thought it was a good idea to continue Ancient Runes. An hour later found Harry exhausted and mentally drained. One class and already he felt he was behind on homework. Professor Babbling had assigned them all a fifteen-inch essay, two translations, and they have to read heavy tomes by Wednesday. Harry's arms were almost killing him as he and Draco lugged their homework towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom two floors above.

"There is no way she expects us to complete all of this by Wednesday!" Harry moaned as he leaned against the stone wall, needing to catch his breath.

"Shame..." Blaise and Ron said as they appeared, both looking at Harry and the others with mock pity.

"Just wait," Hermione said, holding her copies of the heavy tomes and textbooks. "I bet Snape gives us loads."

The classroom door opened as she spoke, and Snape stepped into the corridor, his sallow face framed as ever by two curtains of greasy black hair. Silence fell over the queue immediately.