Summary: The twins unknowingly use dark magic to enchant the castle as a prank, what will happen to the one trapped inside? And how will the trio be able to save them when they are lost themselves? Set in 6th year, not HBP compliant
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JK Rowling and I just use her characters for fun.
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It had been a late night for the students. They had been allowed to go to Hogsmeade, and were permitted to stay out later than usual as it was confirmed that Voldemort was elsewhere. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were, as usual, talking and laughing together. The only downside to their day was that Fred and George's new shop had not opened yet (they had bought out Zonko's.) It had made Ron rather angry as he was hoping to glean some puking pastils for the next charms class; he was not ready for their chapter test. It was only when the students approached the castle that they realized something was severely wrong.
"Oh blow me down on the sea, I knew she was a pretty, so I sat in my house and dressed like a mouse and sang a little ditty!" it sounded like Hagrid was drunk again, "OH! Yo ho, yo ho I crack my knuckles naught, I sat with a keg and a really bad egg an' I thought of my sweetie." It was not Hagrid, to the many students surprise, but the castle itself. The gathered group could plainly see it swaying back and front, the doors to the Great Hall swinging open and closed with the words, and two lamp lights up in the top floors, that seemed to be serving as eyes, flickering with the melody. It also did not escape the students notice that everyone else (the teachers, ghosts, and even the house elves) seemed to be standing outside the castle as well. Dumbledore himself was even there and he seemed to be scolding two redheads.
"Fred, George!" Ron yelled delightedly, "I need some puking pastils!" as the trio approached Dumbledore silenced Ron with a very grave stare. "Oh, er, sorry Professor Dumbledore, sir."
Dumbledore turned his back on them and continued speaking very seriously to the twins. "As amusing as this would have been boys, Professor Snape is trapped. He was not expelled from the building like the rest of us. We need him, he is a very important man, and not to mention one of my dearest friends. So how," and at this point Dumbledore's voice grew louder, the anger barely contained, "are we going to fix this?!"
"Erm," suggested Fred, "We could try talking to it, see if it'll let any of us in to go and get him."
"We're very sorry, Professor Dumbledore, we had no idea that the castle would keep one of you. At least it's not yourself." Said George and Fred nodded in agreement.
"Alas," replied Dumbledore, "I would have rather it been me. The memories Severus has of alcohol related incidents, are not good ones. Well? Go and talk to it then, it's your creation it will most likely listen to you."
After much elbowing and nay saying Fred was reluctantly elected to be the speaker. "Uhm, excuse me, Mr. Castle?" started off Fred.
The castle immediately stopped singing to look down at him, "Yes?" he asked in a rather groggy manner.
"Well, we were just wondering, um, you seem to have one of are men, and um we'd like, well we'd like him back, is there any chance of us sending someone in to fetch him?" answered Fred respectfully.
The castle seemed to ponder this, "The one you wish to rescue is mine to torment, only one who has a life debt to this man can come to try and save him. That is Magic Law."
Fred seemed quite stunned, he had not known that he and his brother had been dappling in ancient dark magic when they animated the castle. Perhaps they should spend more time researching than testing, it was worth consideration. He turned back to Dumbledore and mouthed, "Know anyone?" But Albus shook his head. In fact it was not until Hermione came forward that Fred received an answer.
"Fred," she whispered, "Snape saved Harry's life in first year, he was constantly protecting him, do you think that'll work?"
"I don't know," replied Fred, "Professor Dumbledore, do you think Harry's first year'll count? Or do you think since Snape was trying to repay James…?" Fred trailed off.
Albus looked contemplative for a second and then said, "I believe Mr. Weasley, that debts are nullified after one dies, so therefore Severus' protection of Harry during that time should count for something. Does it castle?"
The castle, who had been listening intensely, said "That would not count, it was merely protection; I believe the girl there was the real reason that Harry did not lose his life. However, this boy is in debt to Severus Snape for another time. So are several others of your students. If you can figure out what this moment was I will allow not only one, but any three of your choosing to enter the castle and rescue your friend."
The group sat in silence for a long time, each member racked their brain for an answer, but none were forthcoming. It was not until Neville approached Professor Dumbledore that an answer was reached. Neville whispered his guess into the Headmaster's ear. After listening intently Dumbledore nodded and told Neville to tell the others what he thought. "Well," began Neville nervously, avoiding Harry's gaze because he knew that this would upset him, "my guess is, well last year. He was the one that alerted the Order about us going off to fight Voldemort at the ministry. If they hadn't of come we would have been in a lot of trouble and would have probably been killed." Neville had been right, this didn't please Harry, for to him it was still all Snape's fault that Sirius had died that day. The castle, however, seemed to see things in a different light as it smiled and said,
"Yes, yes. You are quite clever, young man. That answer is correct three of you from that group may enter." There was a shocked silence and then Ron declared,
"Looks like this is a job for the Golden Trio!" At this Hermione snorted and Harry shook his head, but they knew that out of the bunch of them they were the group that had jelled the best and therefore could take on the challenge the easiest.
Dumbledore looked questioningly at Harry, who although amused at Ron's outburst, did not seem too pleased by the prospect of rescuing Snape. "Harry?" he questioned, "Please try. We need him, you know that, please put your grudge aside for now." His words seemed to work and Harry nodded at him. "Castle, we have, made our decision, Harry, Ron, and Hermione would like to enter and rescue Severus."
"So be it," replied the Castle. "They may enter." And with those words the doors swung open to admit the three students. Harry, Ron, and Hermione trudged up the walkway, looked at each other, and entered together.
The inside of the castle was dimly lit, and smelled heavily of alcohol. Once inside a voice, presumably the castle's thoughts, spoke. "Now that you are inside, many tricks I have up my sleeves, let's see what happens when I separate these three. Once apart, you must find each other. Not until all three reunite will you have a chance to find the one you seek." And as the thoughts finished a gust of wind tore through the corridors and blew them all to different sections of the castle. This was going to be a more difficult task then Harry, or the others for that matter, had thought.