This chapter was particularly hard for a song because all the betrayal/treachery songs I Googled came up having to do with love. xD This betrayal is NOT about love.
Dream lighting: Thanks.
Chapter Playlist:
- The End Where I Begin ~ The Script
After explaining and demonstrating my new power to Harry, we went to Dumbledore, who was extremely fascinated by it. When we were done, he reminded Harry about doing something tonight. When we left he started to explain Slughorn's memory. Hermione and I got extremely curious so we went to the library.
Now we were walking along a corridor. "So did you find anything?" I shook my head, frustrated. "Nothing. I'm guessing that whatever books that contained information on them, they've been thrown out." Hermione told Ron and Harry.
"At least we have Dumbledore. He's our very own walking, talking encyclopedia." I said, trying to boost everyone's mood. The clock tower chimed loudly. As we crossed the courtyard, I noticed Harry looking at something. "What is it Harry?"
He turned around and then started to walk in stride with me. "Is the Room of Requirement unplottable?" I frowned and thought for a moment. "If one wants it to be. Why?" "It would explain why I thought Malfoy was leaving the castle when he disappeared off the Map. He was going to the Room of Requirement." Hermione nodded her head.
"Of course, and that explains the Vanishing Cabinet as well!" "No. I got an owl from Dad this morning. The one at Borgin & Burke's? It's still there." Ron told us. "But I'm telling you. I saw it—" Harry told him firmly. He stopped and watched as the Patil twins walked by.
Harry looked at them and then back at me. "What if there are two? Vanishing cabinets." I nodded, deciding it was logical. "That'd make sense." Hermione piped up, "But, so what if there are?" He frowned. "I don't know..."
We came to a stand point, in front of the Astronomy Tower, we couldn't go on now. "Good luck, mate." Ron told him, shoving his hands into his pockets. I stepped forward and hugged him. "Be careful." I whispered in his ear. He ruffled my hair, making me scowl.
I bit my lip nervously as he kept walking, sending us a reassuring smile. "I don't need luck. I'll be with Dumbledore." I knew that should've made me feel better, but it didn't. None of us had any idea of what to expect.
I tapped my foot on the ground while I stared front into the glowing fireplace, wringing my hands. "Laurel, tapping your foot and glaring at the fire won't make you feel better." Hermione advised. "It's better than being still." I told her evenly. More than anything, I wanted something to take my mind off worrying about Harry.
Reading or homework didn't do me any good. Sleeping was definitely out of the question. I wish I had my sword or bow. That'd be something to do. It's a shame I already had that duel with Oreius. I walked over to the window and peered out. Dark clouds started to roll in.
I could feel it in my gut, like a sixth sense, that something bad was going to happen tonight. After all, the main adventure that happens per year always happens in June. What month is it? Oh yeah, June. I wrung my hands together and sat down next to Hermione and Ron. "I hope they're alright." I murmured, watching the fire.
"Does anyone else feel like...something bad is going to happen?" Hermione asked in a low voice. I looked over her shoulder and saw Eva and Erin talking and laughing. A ghost of a smile appeared on my lips. "Yeah." I said quietly.
Rain started to pelt down on the window. I then realized that I left my Astronomy book in the Astronomy Tower last night! "Crap!" I muttered, pulling my hoodie over my t-shirt and walking towards the portrait hole.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked. I turned and said, "I left my book in the Astronomy Tower." "Use an invisible force field. That way no one will question you." Hermione advised. I nodded and headed out, putting a force field over me as I walked through the courtyard.
It's so fascinating, yet odd to watch rain slide down the sides of a force field. But it didn't block the coldness that came with the rain. I shivered and zipped up my hoodie, wondering why I didn't do it in the first place.
As I made my way through the ground level floor, I spotted the area where I left my book. I ducked underneath the metal rings in the center of the room, displaying the roof above. I heard noises as I grabbed my book.
I drew my wand out and watched Harry help Dumbledore. "You're back!" I cried. They looked around alarmed. "Laurel? Laurel, where are you?" Harry hissed. I realized I still had the force field on and popped it. "Down here." I called.
Noises came from somewhere above us and Dumbledore became alert. "Hide yourself below with Laurel, Harry. Both of you, do not speak or show yourself without my permission. No matter what." Harry looked down at me and then up at Dumbledore.
"Do as I say, Harry." He told Harry, more of a plea than an order. Harry hesitated. "Trust me." Dumbledore whispered to both of us. The look in his eyes made my chest tighten. What's going on? The noises came closer and Harry raced down the stairs to where I was. I hugged him tightly but quickly let go and watched as the doors opened. We shifted our positions to see who it was.
It was Draco.
Dumbledore didn't look the slightest surprised. "Good evening, Draco. What brings you out on such a fine spring evening? Or is it summer?" Malfoy's eyes darted around. "Who else is here? I heard you talking." I was surprised by his forwardness. What was he doing?
"I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful. That which sounds sane at a whisper can seem utterly mad when said for all the world to hear. Haven't been whispering to yourself, have you, Draco?" Dumbledore told him smoothly.
When he didn't respond, Dumbledore started talking again. "You are not an assassin, Draco." "How do you know what I am? I've done things that would shock you." He shot back, his voice cracking slightly. The Headmaster still didn't look fazed.
"Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she would, in turn, bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with poison. Forgive me, Draco, but these are attempts so feeble I cannot help but question if your heart has been really in them. I'm curious. When Voldemort gave you this task, when he asked you to kill me, was it in a whisper?"
My eyes widened and I looked at Harry, who was also looking shocked and alarmed. Harry was right all along. Draco is a Death Eater and has been given the task to murder Dumbledore. Hell no! We need Dumbledore.
"He trusts me! I was chosen!" Draco pulled back the sleeve of his left arm and showed us the Dark Mark tattooed onto his skin. Dumbledore looked bored. "Then I shall make it easy for you." He drew his wand and almost instantly, Draco used his own. "Expelliarmus!"
I watched, a nervous, sick feeling rolling around in the pit of my stomach, as Dumbledore's wand flew from his hand. "Well done, Draco. But I warn you. Killing is not nearly as easy." I frowned. How did he know? Malfoy looked at the stairwell and then back at Dumbledore.
This does not go unnoticed by Dumbledore. "You're not alone, are you? There are others. How?" A smug sneer came over Draco's face. "The Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement." "That cabinet has been broken for years." Dumbledore told him in the same calm voice he's been using with Malfoy all night. "I've been mending it." Draco told him proudly.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "Ingenious. Let me guess. It has a sister. A twin." "In Borgin & Burkes. They form—" "A passage, yes. Very good." He finished for him. Dumbledore shifted his eyes towards the door before saying in a low voice, "I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Draco."
Malfoy raised his wand towards Dumbledore. "I don't want your help! Don't you see! I have to do it! I have to! I've got to kill you or he'll kill me." Dumbledore wrung his hands. "Say that again, Draco. But aloud this time."
Draco started to lower his hand when the doors burst open again, displaying Bellatrix, Greyback, and other Death Eaters. "Well now, look what we have here. Dumbledore. Wandless and alone. Cornered in his own castle. Well done, Draco."
I peered over at Harry, anger flashing in his eyes, I watched as he drew his wand out slowly and swiftly. Dumbledore didn't look the slightest intimidated. "Good evening, Bellatrix. I think introductions are in order."
I watched her as she sauntered towards Draco. "Love to, Albus. But I'm afraid we're on a bit of a tight a schedule. Do it." Malfoy raised his wand once again. Harry raised his own, aiming through the grid. I felt a pair of eyes watching us and I turned to see Snape standing in front of us, drawing his wand. He held a finger to his lips, indicating for us to be quiet. Then he left as swift as he came.
"He doesn't have the stomach. Like his father. Let me finish him. In my own way." I heard Greyback said. I wanted to vomit, but I held it down, knowing it would do us no good. "No! The Dark Lord was clear. The boy's to do it. Go on, Draco. Now!"
For the umpteenth time, Draco raised his wand with trembling hands. Snape appeared behind the Death Eaters and came forward. "No." Dumbledore looked at him. "Severus..." "Well, look who's here. Hogwarts own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter?" Bellatrix taunted. Oh how I wanted to rip those curls from her hair.
I focused back on the scene and saw Dumbledore talk again. "Severus...please." "I gave my word. I made a vow..." He told the Headmaster. I was so confused, trying to make sense of the situation. Snape's wand arm rose. "Avada Kedavra!" A jet of green light hit Dumbledore, causing him to stumble. Then he fell off the edge of the tower.
Nononononononononononononononononononononono.
Panic rose in me. Bellatrix rose her wand to the sky and manipulated the dark clouds, making them form the Dark Mark. "You can no longer stay here." Snape told Malfoy. The Death Eaters walked out of the tower and to who knows where.
When they left, I trailed after Harry who was climbing the steps to where they stood moments ago. We looked over the edge to see his body lying on the ground, motionless. I saw agony run across Harry's face. He looked up into the sky, watching the Dark Mark. I panicked when I saw rage fill his eyes. "Harry no." I cried weakly, watching him run off.
I turned around and looked down, my lip trembling. Tears welled in my eyes and I didn't hold them back. No no no no. This must be a mistake. Please Aslan help us. We can't do this on our own. I sat again the railing and cried.
We were screwed beyond our imaginations.
