~ 💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 60→1ch | 100→2ch | 200→5ch ⏰ Resets Monday! Thanks!
"No problem," Snape said, his voice a slow drawl.
"The sooner the better," Dumbledore said pointedly.
Snape's eyes narrowed. "You recall my warning, Headmaster? Regarding that matter. You do not intend to proceed without me?"
Sirius offered a lazy shrug. "That sounds remarkably wise."
"Don't pretend your head is capable of grasping my meaning, Black," Snape said smoothly, his gaze fixed on Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I see a dangerous pattern. I am compelled to offer another warning: do not involve Black in any crucial plan."
"And my advice," Sirius shot back, "is to mind your own damn business, Snape."
Snape ignored him completely, staring only at Dumbledore, his lips twisting into a mocking grimace. "Let's see. The last time Black was allowed to participate in a plan? Someone died…"
The careless smile vanished from Sirius's face. In the next instant, he was across the room. One hand fisted in Snape's robes, the other brandishing his wand. Snape's face was corpse-pale, but his own wand was already pressed against Sirius's throat.
"This time," Sirius hissed through clenched teeth, jabbing his own wand into Snape's chest, "it'll be you and your master."
Dumbledore stood. His voice was calm, clear, and final. "I said, lower your wands. There is no enemy here."
Fawkes sleepily poked his head over the top of a cabinet. Dumbledore glanced at the worried faces of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then at Anthony.
Anthony understood immediately. He moved to the three Gryffindors. "Come on," he said quietly. "We should go."
"Go?" Ron gasped. "And let them kill each other?"
"Professor Dumbledore is here." Anthony offered a small, reassuring smile. "Let's go."
Reluctant but unable to argue, the three students dragged their feet out of the office, looking back with every step. Anthony followed, shepherding them down the spiral staircase until they were well clear of the gargoyle.
Ron stopped abruptly. "Wait. Did Snape say something about Sirius being part of a plan?" He looked at Harry. "But Sirius just said he was going to Greece!"
"I suppose he didn't want Harry to worry," Hermione said, frowning. "It sounded dangerous."
"Yeah…" Harry said slowly, his eyes flicking to Anthony.
Anthony pretended not to notice.
"Professor Anthony?" Harry asked.
"Yes?" Anthony replied, his tone resigned.
"You know something, don't you?" Harry said, sharp. "I mean, you were also in the Headmaster's office."
Anthony looked down at three pairs of pleading eyes. He didn't hesitate long between a lie, the truth, and 'it's none of your business.'
"I do know something," he admitted.
Ron leaned in, voice hushed with excitement. "What's the plan?"
"Is it dangerous, Professor?" Hermione asked.
Anthony considered his words. "What I can tell you is that I'm in the Headmaster's office for likely the same reason Sirius is. We've been assigned the same task."
He saw them all relax simultaneously, a flicker of disappointment in their expressions. Every student at Hogwarts who knew him was aware he hadn't had a formal magical education. They'd seen him learning Apparition with everyone else last year.
Hermione looked slightly ashamed, realizing their relief was too obvious. "We didn't mean…"
"It's fine," Anthony said with a genuine smile.
…
By the time Anthony returned to the Headmaster's office, Sirius and Snape had separated, each now claiming opposite ends of the room.
"Yes, Dumbledore. I don't trust him," Snape was hissing. "He is reckless—"
"As if you're worthy of trust," Sirius said coldly.
"My trust in you is complete, Sirius," Dumbledore said, raising a hand that was both a pacifying gesture and a full stop to the topic. "Just as it is complete in Severus."
Sirius and Snape shared identical expressions of disgust, as if they'd both swallowed a fly.
Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Severus, I assure you, I have no intention of proceeding without you. But for now, if you agree, I wish to speak with Sirius and Henry."
Snape studied Dumbledore for a long moment, then gave a stiff, reluctant nod. "Very well, Headmaster."
"Thank you, Severus."
Snape seemed to want to say more. Instead, he cast a final, venomous look around the room. His gaze fell on Sirius, who was leaning back casually against a cabinet, elbow propped. Sirius shot a rakish grin at Fawkes, who was still craning his neck to watch. Snape pressed his lips into a thin line, turned sharply, brushed past Anthony, and strode from the office.
Sirius gave a soft, bird-like whistle to Fawkes. The phoenix cocked its head, considered him for a second, then lost interest and withdrew.
"I still don't understand why you hired Snape to teach," Sirius said, pushing himself upright. Anthony privately agreed.
Dumbledore smiled gently. "I have my reasons. Find yourselves comfortable seats, Sirius, Henry."
They sat. Anthony and Sirius exchanged a look and a small, commiserating laugh.
Dumbledore's smile widened. "I believe you both understand why you are here."
"Yes, sir," Anthony said. "I just didn't expect it to be Sirius."
"To be honest, Henry, I was surprised to hear your name too," Sirius said. "But Albus says you're the expert, and Remus claims he's not surprised at all. So, I'm expecting a pleasant shock. Where do we start?"
"Well… According to geography books, Albania is about fifteen hundred miles from Britain," Anthony began, glancing at Dumbledore. "Mr. Twycross stressed we should never attempt an Apparition over seven hundred miles. So I assume we need suitable transportation."
"Suitable transportation," Sirius mused. "I've got a decent motorbike. It should be big enough." He eyed his massive trunk. "Hmm. Maybe we could add a sidecar…"
"I meant an airplane," Anthony clarified. "I checked the routes. We could fly from London to Rome, then Rome to Tirana. We're in luck. Rinas Airport still has international flights." He'd made a point of consulting Mr. Lind.
"An airplane?" Sirius's eyes lit up. "You mean those buzzing things Muggles fly around in? You've got one of those?"
"No, but I believe I can get us tickets for one. Before that, though, we'd need passports." He stopped abruptly, realizing Sirius likely had no birth certificate, and he himself had the unique distinction of possessing both a birth certificate and a death certificate.
Sirius leaned forward, intrigued. "Apply for a passport? Like applying for a Portkey?"
Anthony looked to Dumbledore. "Sir, how do wizards usually get passports?"
"Wizards usually don't need passports," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. "But if one is truly required, you can petition the Ministry to fabricate one for you."
"Right," Anthony said decisively. "On second thought, let's revisit that sidecar idea."
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📚 BOOK COMPLETED ON PATREON!📚
This story has reached its conclusion on my Patreon!
🔥 Full story available now
💎 Exclusive bonus content & early access to new books
👉 Join my Patreon community today!
✨patreon(.)com/GoldenLong
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━