The Other Side: A Harry Potter FanFiction

Chapter XI

Lana stepped out of the drawing room, the boy having gone downstairs with the other girls, and saw a crowd of teenagers racing down to the first floor. They all wore the same excited expression across their faces, and she could hear someone squeal, "Snape!"

            What's so great about this Snape guy? Lana wondered, following the crowd down the stairs and into the kitchen.

            Sirius, Regulus, and Andromeda stood next to each other. A man wearing all black was sitting in a chair across from Dumbledore, Remus, and Regina. He had black hair that sank to his shoulders and dark eyes. His nose was hooked, and his skin was very pale.

            "I assume it went well, then," Dumbledore said, "Considering you're actually here."

            "Well enough," Snape said, his voice monotone. "I've managed to direct them away from here, but it's only a matter of time before we have to move."

            "Moving is not an option," Sirius growled.

            Snape's gaze snapped his way. "If the Death Eaters find this place, everything we have worked for will be destroyed. Do you want that?"

            Sirius made a face but didn't respond.

            "How long do you suppose we have?" Remus asked.

            "I would say that if we escort a couple refugees every night to another safe house, we should have the house emptied with a few days to spare." His expression was grim. "We'll be cutting it close, though."

            "It's worth a shot," Regulus said. "I'll take the first few tonight. They can stay with Kingsley and he can take them to the Weasleys' tomorrow morning."

            "Not the Weasleys'," Remus said, "They've already got their hands full with all their own children and the twenty refugees their keeping in their house. We'll have to scatter them to different safe houses throughout London."

            "The Malfoys might be able to hold some," Andromeda suggested, "I've talked to Cissy recently. Most of the meetings are held at the castle now, aren't they? None of the Death Eaters will suspect it."

            "But can we trust them?" Sirius asked, "Cissy and her son I'm alright with, but her husband is definitely not someone we should trust the lives of refugees with."

            "Is there anyone else?" Regina asked, "The Malfoys and the Weasleys are the only people we can trust to take anyone on such short notice."

            "I just received an owl from my father," said a voice beside Lana, which made her jump as all eyes turned her way.

            Cedric stood beside her, holding a letter in his hands. "He will be happy to take in a few."

            "That's settled then," Sirius said, clapping his hands together, and turning to the crowd of teenagers all listening in. "Who would like to go first?"

            A few younger girls, thirteen at the oldest, raised their hands.

            "Wonderful," Andromeda said, "If everyone will find a seat, we'll start with dinner, and you will leave for Ottery St. Catchpole afterwards."

            The refugees whispered excitedly to one another and rushed to the tables.

            Cedric smiled at Lana. "I saved a spot for you."