Phoenix

Planning and Waiting

As August wore on, the Death Eaters were still watching the house. We had to be very careful and deliberate about when we left the house. Which meant I was stuck inside most of the days with none of my usual activities to occupy me.

When I wasn't researching or planning, I time staying in contact with people from SHEILD. I talked to Shuri and Peter daily. Well, not Peter as much. Something had happened and I hadn't heard from him in days. Shuri however was having me explain to her the ins and outs of wizard politics. I was still contacting my dad and Maria Hill as often as I could. Part of me was afraid that once I all the action started, I would never get the chance again.

On the first day of September, Hermione, Ron and I were sitting around the kitchen table discussing plans.

"We have to do something," said Ron "We are sitting ducks in this bloody house, and Voldemort is gaining ground every day."

"I agree with you, Ron." I sat down with my cup of tea. "But if all of us are out looking for clues constantly, they will see us and figure out how to get in. We have to be smart and selective about it."

"The first step is figuring where to look. Leaving the house isn't a question if we don't know where to go," said Hermione. "I have been putting together some notes—"

The kitchen door opened and Harry walked  carrying a newspaper and wearing a scowl.

"What's happened?" asked Ron apprehensively.

Hermione pushed aside the hand-drawn maps that littered the end of the long kitchen table. Harry as he strode towards us and threw down the newspaper on top of the scattered parchment.

A large picture of a familiar, hook-nosed, black-haired man stared up at them all, beneath a headline that read: SEVERUS SNAPE CONFIRMED AS HOGWARTS HEADMASTER.

"No!" said Ron and Hermione loudly. I didn't say anything. The thought of my last encounter with Snape made me sick. I had been betrayed, I had been moments away from death—

Hermione was quickest; she snatched up the newspaper and began to read the accompanying story out loud.

'"Severus Snape, long-standing Potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was today appointed Headmaster in the most important of several staffing changes at the ancient school. Following the resignation of the previous Muggle Studies teacher, Alecto Carrow will take over the post while her brother, Amycus, fills the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
'"'I welcome the opportunity to uphold our finest wizarding traditions and values –'" Like committing murder and cutting off people's ears, I suppose! Snape, Headmaster! Snape in Dumbledore's study – Merlin's pants!' she shrieked, making both Harry and Ron jump. She leapt up from the table and hurtled from the room, shouting as she went, 'I'll be back in a minute!'

'"Merlin's pants"?' repeated Ron, looking amused.

'She must be upset.' Harry pulled the newspaper towards him and perused the article about Snape. He glanced at me. "Are you alright, Kendra?"

I gave a tight nod.

"She's scariest when she's quiet," said Ron, then glanced at the paper. "The other teachers won't stand for this. McGonagall and Flitwick and Sprout all know the truth, they know how Dumbledore died. They won't accept Snape as Headmaster. And who are these Carrows?"

"Death Eaters," I said, composing myself. "And it's not like the teachers have a choice. The smartest thing for them to do is stay at the school and do everything they can to protect the students."

Harry flipped over the Prophet so as not to have to look at Snape's face. "Well, at least we know exactly where Snape is, now."

He began to spoon soup into his mouth. I glanced at the soup that Kreacher had given us, and began to eat as well.