Black-and-white (Translation)

70. A Malfoy at the crossroads

The next day, Harry went as if on clouds. He was still completely blown away from yesterday, and most of all, what had happened. Just when he thought about what Sev and he had done, he blushed.
Something that his "guard" of course noticed. but they said nothing.
"You, Harry, is Professor Snape coming to our Christmas party?"
The question would not have been surprising if it had not been for Neville who had asked her.
When everyone looked at him, he was embarrassed.
"I only mean. he almost never lets you out of his sight. "
"Right, where is he?"
Harry had already wondered when Hermione would ask.
"There is an emergency session. And before you ask, no, it has nothing to do with the raiding of these idiots. And no, I do not know what exactly. Not even Severus knows. He just meant that it probably has something to do with the war. "
Understanding nodding was the answer.
"So he's coming to the HA Christmas party?"
"I would like to have him with me. Dimitrius also invited his wife. So if it does not bother you, and he says yes, then yes. "

A year ago it would have disturbed the students very well. But now they had nothing against the gloomy man from the dungeons.
Sure, Snape was still the old man except for Harry and Luna. he could make scathing comments, that a hearing and seeing passed.
And his rejuvenated look had not detracted from his infamous "killer look." The students still started to whimper when he looked at them.
however, lessons had improved a lot this year. Her teacher explained more, and there were always three different recipes for a potion. So you could decide for yourself which way to take.
Also, the students could now understand the man much better. No one could explain how he could lead a double life all those years without going crazy.

So it was decided. The HA would meet in the evening before the holidays in the room of wishes to celebrate. They always deserved it. Also some house elves had agreed to come. after all, the little creatures had been instrumental in protecting the students from Umbridge. And after they had explained something more about their people in one of the hours, also friendships had emerged.
Something that never happened before.

Meanwhile, severus had completely different problems. He hated this teacher conference. Especially now after the attack on his little one. It was not easy for him not to keep Harry close to him all the time. Merlin, when did he become so possessive and overprotective? but he could not change it either. He was just worried about his husband. Most of all, he was afraid that someone would dare to turn off the lights, so to speak. That's why Fawkes now had "permanent service," Phoenix flames would penetrate every darkness.
with a bad mood and a look that even his colleagues cautioned, he sat down in his place.

"Nice that you all came."
"As if we had a different choice."
"Severus, please, I know you're worried about Harry, but he's in good hands with his friends. They have already proven that impressively. "
"But I do not have to like it for a long time."
"I agree with the bat."
"Sirius, please do not you too."
Dumbledore massaged his temples. He understood the two men yes. But as he had already said, it could not be otherwise.
"Before this continues for a long time, I better get straight to the point. It's about our use of the day before yesterday. "
"What do you mean Albus? I thought the families were protected now. "
"That's you, Minerva. That's not what I was talking about. We wondered why Tom sent only lower Death Eaters to the raids. I know it now through Kingsley. The attacks were just a diversion maneuver. "
"Please?" Came from all the teachers and Sirius at the same time.
"You heard right. While I'm convinced that Tom really did intend to take over some new wizards, that was not the main goal. he knew that if he attacks civilians, our attention will focus on their rescue. I suspect he realized that after we saved Arthur and Bill. "
"Damn Albus, now do not talk about the bush. What was Riddle planning to do? "
"A raid on Azkaban."
The sentence seemed like a whip. Complete peace prevailed in the room. Even the pictures on the walls were silent.
Remus first recovered.
"Please say that again."
"It is unfortunately the same. While the Order and the Aurors were busy protecting families, Tom and his other Death Eaters attacked Azkaban and freed its followers. Some guards lost their lives. Luckily, he did not succeed in pulling the Dementors to his side. He did not have enough time for that. But I'm sure he'll still try. "