alisanne

Title: Achieving Delivery
Author:

alisanne
Pairing/Characters: Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Mopsy.
Word Count: 100 x 8
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for

snarry100/

snarry100's prompt# 610: Free.
Summary: Harry finds a way around Mopsy's problem.
Part Forty-One of the Wisdom Series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Beta(s):

sevfan and emynn.
It's baa-ack! :)
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

~

Achieving Delivery

~

“I’ll talk to her,” said Hermione. “Excuse me.”

While Hermione approached Mopsy, Harry turned to Severus. “Are you all right?”

Severus smiled faintly. “How could I not be? I’m free.”

Harry grinned. “You know, now that people know you’re alive, we could return, you could resume your old life.”

“And why should I do that?” Severus asked, cupping Harry’s face with his hands. “My new life is much more rewarding.”

Heart full, Harry kissed him. Then, pulling back, he said, “I’m glad you said that. Because we should face the fact that we may not be able to rescue Percy.”

~

Severus frowned. “What are you saying? Are you giving up?”

Harry sighed. “We may have no choice.”

Severus shook his head. “We must do everything possible to free him.”

Harry tilted his head. “I never knew you were a Percy fan.”

Severus snorted. “I’m not, but I understand what it’s like to be trapped, a prisoner. Perhaps not as literally as he may be at the moment, but—” He cleared his throat. “If there’s anything we can do to help him, we must.”

Ashamed, Harry nodded. “You’re right.” He clasped Severus’ hand. “I just don’t want your freedom in jeopardy.”

~

Eventually, Hermione stood up, walking back over to them. “It’s no use,” she said. “She won’t even speak to me. She just…cries.”

“Did Azizi do something to her?” Harry asked Severus.

“Who can tell? I’ll ask.” Severus looked around. “Where is she, anyway?”

Harry groaned. “Merlin! Did she escape again?”

“No, she’s there by the fire,” said Hermione.

Severus nodded. “I’ll talk to her. See what I can find out.”

As he went to Azizi, Hermione turned to Harry. “I hope we can do something. I’d hate to have to tell Ron Percy’s trapped somewhere we can’t free him.”

~

Severus picked up Azizi, staring into her eyes. Azizi’s tail swished back and forth as they communicated wordlessly.

“I hope this works,” whispered Harry. “I hate thinking of Percy trapped helpless somewhere.”

“So do I,” replied Hermione. “And Umbridge seems unlikely to help us at this point.”

“I imagine she’d help in exchange for her freedom,” Harry muttered darkly.

“Not happening,” snapped Hermione, voice hard. “I’m not letting that monster go free.”

“Nor am I.” Harry clutched her arm. “Something’s happening.”

Severus gently placed Azizi down, then walked back towards them. He shook his head. “She’s done all she can.”

~

“That’s it, then” said Hermione. Looking at Severus and Harry, she sighed. “I’m so sorry about this.”

Severus hummed. “You needn’t apologise. You managed to free me, so you did as I asked.”

Harry nodded. “He’s right.” He frowned. “Although it’s not a satisfying answer.”

“I know.” Hermione glanced at Mopsy, who had stopped banging her head on the floor, but who was still whimpering. “I wish I knew how house-elf minds worked.”

Harry snorted. “Don’t we all—” He paused, pursing his lips.

Severus raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“I have an idea.” Harry said slowly. “But I’ll need Umbridge’s clothes.”

~

“Hopefully not all of them,” said Severus dryly. “This day’s been traumatising enough.”

Harry chuckled. “No. In fact, since she was wearing Percy’s clothes, we can use something from that pile.” He turned to Hermione. “Right?”

“Probably.” Hermione frowned. “Why?”

“Humour me,” said Harry. “I’d rather not say in case it doesn’t work.”

“All right.” Hermione pressed a button on her desk. “Bridget, have an Auror bring prisoner Umbridge’s clothing, please.”

While she was talking, Harry reached for Azizi. She hissed and, shaking his head, he freed her once more.

“Not in the mood for cuddling?” asked Severus.

“Apparently not.”

~

Minutes later, a knock came, and Hermione answered the door. “Thank you,” she said, taking the bundle of clothes.

“That’s evidence,” the Auror reminded her.

“We’ll be careful with it,” Hermione promised, and closing the door, she turned to face Harry. “All right, let’s see your plan, Harry.”

Accepting the clothes, Harry placed them on Hermione’s desk. Sorting through them, he picked a tie.

“If you’re planning elf bondage, I formally request re-incarceration,” Severus drawled.

Rolling his eyes, Harry said, “Don’t give up your freedom yet.” Approaching Mopsy, he crouched down beside her. “Mopsy, can you take something to Percy?”

~

Mopsy raised her head, staring at Harry. Slowly, she nodded.

“But you can’t take me to him, can you?”

“No,” whispered Mopsy.

Holding the tie, Harry concentrated on it. It glowed for a moment, then faded. He handed it to Mopsy. “Deliver this to Percy, please.”

Mopsy took the tie, eyeing him. Then, she disappeared.

“But we’re supposed to be freeing—” Hermione started.

Harry held up a hand. When, seconds later, Mopsy reappeared, he said, “Percy has the tie now?”

She nodded.

Exhaling, Harry stood up. “I’ll be right back.” Closing his eyes, he concentrated, and within seconds, was…elsewhere.

~

Continued in Breaking the Chains (LJ/IJ/DW).