Part 4



Karis strode as fast as she could to her Grand Father’s office. She was angry that Albus and Severus never told her about the attack on Azkaban, or whether there even was one. Karis had to make sure that Malfoy and Rookwood had escaped, because if they had not, then Voldemort would have succeeded in manipulating Harry again, and that was the thing she was dreading the most.

“Fizzy Wobbler”.

Suddenly the gargoyles moved and the winding staircase rotated. She didn’t even knock on the entrance door, she just threw the door open.

“Ah, I thought I told you to rest Karis!” exclaimed Albus as she approached him.

“I’m fine, so is Harry, he is awake and I have found out something very interesting and want to know why you didn’t tell me!” she shot in agitation.

Albus looked up from his desk, surveying her with a surprised frown “Let me guess – Azkaban?”

“Got it in one, Malfoy and Rookwood are with Voldemort as we speak. What happened?”

Albus gestured for Karis to sit down in the chair opposite; he looked tired and slowly took off his glasses and wiped them on a cloth, while pacing the floor.

“You know the situation we have here Karis, the one with Severus!”

“Yes, he is putting himself at great risk and still trying to protect me in the process, he needs to focus, I don’t need saving, I’m a big girl now!”

“Yes, well he cares for you; he has done for a long time.”

“I know.” she replied, putting her head down, feeling shameful at her hurtful remarks. “It’s just I have to watch out for Harry, please tell me what happened!”

“Very well, I will tell you everything, but please do not let anyone else know, only members of the Order are aware, Harry, Ron and Hermione must not know about this!”

“About what?”

“At exactly seven o clock last night Severus had a calling….. The calling!” He eyed her carefully to make sure she understood what he meant.

Karis nodded. “The dark mark!”

“Yes. He had to leave. He was given a mission for the evening. To make a polyjuice potion in the form of me. Voldemort highly appreciates Severus, as he has a direct link to me and the Order, he doesn’t know however that Severus is on our side as a spy, and that is how it has to remain.”

“Yes, of course! she stated in surprise. “Give the polyjuice potion of Albus Dumbledore to an imprisoned Death eater, the ministry wouldn’t batter an eyelid. Who was the other poor culprit?”

“Kingsley.” replied Albus.

“Right, so Severus had ready made polyjuice potion, got hair from you and Kingsley and fed it to Malfoy and Rookwood. Hang on….., Kingsley’s bald!”

“It doesn’t have to be hair just from the head Karis. And yes, I’m afraid that is what happened.” Albus was still pacing.

“Eww, I don’t think I wanna know!” replied Karis, screwing up her nose.

She was however inside deeply upset, she was so angry at Severus, but she knew he didn’t have a choice. He still had to take orders from Voldemort if he was to succeed in helping Mad-Eye Moody and the Order in this fight.

“They beat Alastor you know, they really hurt him. I don’t know how long he is going to survive in there.” said Karis, holding back a tear.

“Yes it is most unfortunate, but at least we know where he is now!”

Karis just nodded; she didn’t want to talk about it any more.

“OK, well I’m going to bed now, school starts in a few hours, and there is a quidditch match I want to watch today. I take it we are carrying on as normal with the school!”

“Yes, we don’t want anyone to know about this Karis, it’s not just Severus’ neck on the line now, if the Ministry knew what Kingsley and I did, there would be serious repercussions. But you must understand we did it for Severus. We need him now more than ever!”

Karis stood up from the chair. “I know, just wish it was all over, that’s all.” then she turned and left the room.

Albus kept staring at the closed door, just for a few seconds. “So do I sweetheart, so do I.” he solemnly muttered under his breath.