Chapter 11
Harry had to get the plan in his head all cemented before he could even think about leaving to rescue his father. By the time he got to the Hospital Wing he had most of the plan solidified in his mind, but he still had a few things that he needed to find out what he was going to do about, like who was going to go with him and help him, because he couldn't go alone.
He quietly opened the door and saw Madam Pomfrey looking at some papers while Remus was still asleep. But when he closed the door, Remus stirred. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Harry, he yawned before saying, "Hey, Harry. What's going on?"
Harry yawned too, he hated when other people yawned, they were so contagious. "Well, I just got back from speaking with Dumbledore and I was going to see how you guys were doing," Harry told him. He turned to the mediwitch and said, "Thanks for watching Sirius for me, Madam Pomfrey."
Pomfrey nodded her head and said while picking up her papers, "It was no trouble at all," then she went back in her office with a smile to the two men.
"We're doing just fine, Harry. Thanks." Remus looked at Harry. "How are you holding up?" he asked.
Harry sighed, "Alright, I guess," he said, trying to appear calm while his stomach was doing summersaults.
Remus nodded understandingly, "I know it's got to be hard for you to not go and do something rash, but I'm very proud of you for not going out and finding him yourself," he told the young man.
Harry smiled, though inside he was anything but happy at the praise. Great, what a way to make me feel better, Remus. Tell me that you're proud of me for not doing something that I shouldn't. Even when I know in a few hours I'll be doing exactly what you're praising me for not doing, he thought to himself.
"So, any plans for today?" Remus asked.
Harry had to restrain himself from banging his head against the nearest wall. "Not really, probably go hang out with Hermione, Ron, and Ginny," he told his ex-professor. He needed to get out of there and away from Remus or else he might just skip the whole plan entirely, then he remembered about getting Remus something to eat. "Oh, I was wondering if you wanted something from the kitchens? I didn't think you'd gotten anything much to eat lately and I can go get you something," he asked.
Remus smiled, "That would be lovely, Harry. Thank you,"
Harry smiled, "Anything specific?"
"Maybe some butterbeer and a piece of chocolate cake?" he said, winking at Harry.
Harry laughed, "Sure, I'll go see if I can't get some for you. I'll be back in a bit," and Harry gave Remus another quick, but tired smile, and left the room and made his way to the kitchens.
Harry yawned again, he hated when people yawned because it made him tired when he wasn't even tired. When Harry was out of sight of the Hospital Wing he saw Ron, Hermione, and Ginny strolling down the hallway laughing about something and talking enthusiastically. He waved at them and they waved back when they saw him.
"Hey, Harry!" Ginny greeted.
"Did you guys talk with Dumbledore?" he asked, looking at Hermione.
Hermione blushed and looked down at the floor, "Yeah, we did," she said, then she looked up. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I should have known that you would know the difference between Sirius and an imposter. I was just so sure that the book I read was right, but Dumbledore told me that the book was older than it looked. When I got it, it looked almost brand new, there was a whole bunch of dust on it, but it looked new. But its actually a couple hundred years old, reprinted a hundred years ago and put in storage. And Dumbledore just found out a way to get him back out so," she paused and gave Harry a hug, "I'm so sorry, I found out that the books I read aren't always infallible."
Harry smiled, "It's alright, Hermione. I didn't believe Remus or Sirius at first either, so it's ok," he pointed back to the Hospital Wing and said, "Why don't you guys go see them, Sirius is asleep but Remus is up, I'm going to go run and get him something to eat," he told them.
Everyone nodded, and Ginny asked, "You want some company?"
Harry shook his head. "Nah, it's alright, and besides, you'll want to see Sirius, I'll see you guys later."
Ginny nodded in understanding and gave Harry a goodbye hug and walked away with the others.
After his little pit stop he quickly made his way to the portrait, tickled the pear, and walked inside.
"Harry Potter, sir!" Harry heard before he felt his legs snap together.
He looked down to see Dobby the House Elf giving his legs a hug. "Hello, Dobby," he told the elf. "How are you?" he asked.
Dobby let go and stepped back, rocking on the balls of his feet, "Dobby is very good, Harry Potter, sir! How has Harry Potter been?" he asked.
"I've been alright, Dobby, thank you. I was wondering if you had a butterbeer and a piece of chocolate cake? Remus is a bit hungry," he told the elf.
"Dobby does, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby has some, Dobby goes and gets some for Harry Potter, sir," he said, before he disappeared.
Harry smiled and shook his head at the elf's antics, but then his head snapped back to where the elf had been standing moments before. Dobby! He could help me! He thought. Harry's plan seemed to fall into place as he realized that Dobby could help him in his endeavor to rescue his father. Why didn't I think of it before! Harry smiled.
Dobby reappeared moments later, "Here you go, Harry Potter, sir! Dobby hopes Professor Lupin enjoys his snack." Harry looked down to see two pieces of cake and two butterbeers.
Harry smiled. "Thank you, Dobby," he told the elf. "Dobby? I was wondering if you could help me? I need your help," he told him.
Dobby smiled, "Of course, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will do anything for you, Harry Potter set Dobby free!"
Harry laughed slightly, but then grew serious. "Dobby, let's sit down," he sat down at a table that was just to the right of them. "Dobby, I'm sure you know that Snape's gone," and when he nodded he continued. "He's been taken to Death's Door."
Harry saw the elf's ears drop and his smile vanish. He knows.
"Dobby, I know you know that place, and I need help getting through it and I was hoping you could help me."
Dobby gazed sadly at Harry, "Harry Potter, sir. Death's Door is a very bad place. Dobby cannot go there, no Dobby cannot. Death's Door is very dangerous. And Deaths Door isn't a place for Harry Potter, sir. No, sir, Harry Potter cannot go there either!"
"Dobby, please. I'm going, it would be much easier for me if you came and helped me, but if you won't it's not going to keep me from going."
Dobby seemed to be battling with himself, but he finally said, "Very well, Dobby will help Harry Potter."
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry told him, thankfulness evident in his voice. "Ok, can you leave tonight?" he asked. When Dobby told him that he could Harry said, "Alright, I'll meet you here in about two hours. Can you take us both to Death's Door, or can you not take me?" he asked. Harry was afraid that Dobby wouldn't understand what he was saying but Dobby nodded his head.
"Yes, sir. Dobby can, sir."
Harry let out a breath. "Ok, that makes it easier. So, we'll leave and go to the place. Can you become invisible Dobby?" he asked when the thought came to him. Dobby told him that he could and asked why. "Because if you aren't seen then that would make things a lot easier. But how can I follow you?" he asked, thinking aloud.
Dobby suddenly jumped up. "Dobby has an idea, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby be right back!" and he disappeared.
Harry was slightly startled by the elf's disappearance but he took that opportunity to eat his piece of cake when his stomach started to growl. By the time he finished his cake and half his butterbeer, Dobby came back with what looked like string in his hands. "Dobby?" he asked.
"It is invisible string, Harry Potter, sir! When Dobby becomes invisible, the string will become invisible!"
"Dobby, you're brilliant!" Harry told him, smiling. He quickly came up with a plan. "So, you'll be able to tell me when to stop by pulling the string twice, to speed up by pulling once, and if I need to hide yank it out of my hands and then when the danger's past find me again. Does that sound good?" he asked the house elf.
Dobby nodded his head, sounding unsure, "Yes, sir. Dobby understands."
"Do you know your way around the place, Dobby?" he asked.
Dobby sadly nodded his head. "Yes, sir. Master took Dobby there a few times." Dobby shivered.
"So you know where the dungeons are right?" he asked. When Dobby nodded, he ran to the wall and started to bang his head on it saying, "Bad, Dobby!"
Harry ran over to him and pulled Dobby away from the wall. "Dobby, stop that! You don't need to punish yourself, the Malfoys aren't your masters anymore," he told him. And when he was calm Harry continued.
"So you'll lead me to the dungeons and then I'll get Snape out then we can get somewhere that my portkey will work and get back here, hopefully before anyone knows we're gone," he said with a sigh.
Dobby nodded his head, still looking upset with himself. "Dobby, I'm sorry for asking you to do this, but I need help, and you can become invisible and not be seen."
Dobby shook his head. "That is not why Dobby is upset, Dobby is worried that Harry Potter will be captured."
Harry smiled, "Well, I won't, but if I do then you stick around and wait until they're all gone and then come inside the cell and help us out, ok?" he asked.
Dobby smiled unsurely at Harry but said, "Ok, Dobby can do that,"
"Dobby, it's very important that you stay out of site at all times, don't come out unless no one is there, do you understand?" he asked, giving Dobby a stern look.
Dobby nodded his head, "Yes, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby will not let you down."
Harry smiled. "Thank you, Dobby." Then he remembered the snack in his hand for Remus. "I'll be back later, alright? I have to get this to Remus. Oh," he realized something. "Don't go near Dumbledore. I know how you'll act around him if you do. And don't punish yourself either, understand?"
"Yes, Harry Potter, sir. But if Professor Dumbledore tells Dobby to tell him Dobby cannot lie to Professor Dumbledore," he informed Harry.
Harry sighed. "Alright, but if you tell him then come to me straight away and we'll leave immediately, ok?" Dobby nodded in agreement. "Alright, then I'll see you later, Dobby." He waved good bye to the elf and made his way back to the Hospital Wing.
He finally got back to the Hospital Wing and calmed himself before entering. He wasn't sure if his friends were still there so he took a peek and saw that Remus was sitting in a chair, reading a book, while Sirius was still sleeping, but his friends were no where in sight.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Remus."
Remus looked up and smiled. "Dobby?" he asked.
Harry nodded his head. "He means well, but at least he didn't give me twenty pieces of cake and ten butterbeers," he laughed quietly.
Remus smiled and reached for the food that Harry was offering him. "Thank you, Harry. You're a lifesaver," he told the young man.
Harry smiled. "Well, I'd better get going, I'm a bit tired and I'm going to take a nap," he informed his ex-professor.
Remus smiled. "Alright, Madam Pomfrey says that Sirius will be out for the rest of the day."
"Ok, so I'll talk to you later?" he asked.
Remus smiled and nodded, "Yes, and I'm glad to see that you are taking my advice," he said with wink.
Harry crossed his arms, "Yeah, what was that advice? 'Go to sleep or I'll poor a sleeping potion down your throat.'"
"Yes, it was, and if you don't do as your told that's what you'll get," Remus told him, eyes dancing with laughter.
Harry sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I'm going," he turned around and walked toward the door.
"Hey, Harry?" he turned back around to see Remus looking at Sirius, then back to him. "I'm glad that you're going to go to sleep, really, it's not good for you to worry so much."
Harry almost bristled at the words, but calmed down. He felt a bit guilty too, letting Remus think he was going to go take a nap, but there was nothing he could do, he had to plan. If he went into this without a very intricate plan he knew something would go wrong. Harry sighed, he hated having to be the one to save everyone, but he straitened up, he knew he was the only one that could save Snape without the possibility of Voldemort deciding to just skip the majority of the torture and just kill him.
Harry nodded, smiled, then walked out of the room and down toward his room.
The evidence that Snape wasn't there was heavy in the air when Harry stepped through the portrait. Harry sighed and quickly walked to his room and closed the door. He grabbed a piece of parchment and quill and started to write out everything that was going to happen from the time he and Dobby left to when he got Snape and left. He was just finishing up when Dobby appeared with a very worried look on his face.
"Dobby?"
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby is very sorry!"
Harry felt his stomach hit the floor as he realized what Dobby's words meant. "You told Dumbledore?" he asked.
Dobby ran to Harry's bedside table and took his lamp and started to bang it against his head saying, "Bad, Dobby! Bad, Dobby!"
Harry quickly ran to Dobby and took the lamppost out of his hand and said, "Dobby, now is not the time for punishments, we have to go now or else Dumbledore will not let me leave! Are you ready?" he asked quickly. Dobby nodded and took out the string. "Good, let's go then, if we need to think of anything else we'll do it at Death's Door, before we go in." He grabbed his parchment and left the room.
Harry made his way quickly out of his quarters and ducked his head out of the Dungeon Hallway to make sure no one was there. When he didn't see anyone he ran across the Entrance Hall. When he reached the door he heard someone yell, "HARRY!"
Harry opened the door and ran out just as a stunning spell was incanted. Harry ran as fast as he could across the grounds and made it three quarters of the way when the doors behind him opened. Harry was running flat out as he tried to get to the edge of the grounds. He hoped Dumbledore didn't have any power to stop the wards from letting him through. He saw Dobby at the edge of the wards looking quiet scared. Harry knew he couldn't look back but did anyways to see a red light speeding toward him. He ducked out of the way and continued running. He got to Dobby and said, "Now, Dobby!" and the next thing he knew he was traveling to Death's Door.