Gryphnwng: That's ok, and yeah, animagus studies will be next chapter. Now, it's riddle time!
Athenakitty: Eventually, yes, probably, you'll see, and perhaps. You are an inquisitive little sonuvagun.
Lady Lightning: Yes, it is so nice, isn't it?
Kateri: Yes you are, but that's to be expected from a demented Ravenclaw. Yes, it's very popular in Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky as well.
Moon kitty: I'll try to find time to email you. Things get a little hectic here.
Orenji Yosei: Yeah, I'm making a list. I think everyone will be pleased.
Erin: I didn't create them, no. I'm not that witty. I just found them and had to figure them out. Though I will admit, a few of them I had to cheat and look at the answers. Like the echo one.
Esperanza: Thank you. I like to come up with original things for my story.
Snapefan51: well, reverse those orders, and you'll get them. Riddle first, then animagus!
Mikee: Oh, we will see Draco comeuppance...don't you worry.
Iniysa: Well hello again! Glad you liked it!
Pyro Bear: I don't feel bad one bit. In my opinion, he was easy on em!
Lillian-Damien: Thank you! I try to get chapters out ASAP.
Chaser: Wow, that many? Thanks!
Phoenix Flight: Well, they told Ron and Hermione earlier, and Blaise when they rescued him. Ginny, they'll address in this chapter.
Shadow4284: Thank you for the high praise! I love hearing from y'all!
Karri: Go Snape indeed! He's not someone to mess with!
Selke: They did SO deserve it, and more. But as Snape said, he promised Harry.
Sparrow: Don't know...we'll have to wait and see.
Fanfiction fanatic: Punctuation is your friend....hehe, sorry, it's late here.
BJ Jones: Sure, why not?
Jen: Welcome! Glad you like the story! I don't know if the Dursleys will be back or not. Haven't decided.
Xikum: Alright, since you've been such an avid reader, I'll grant your request (and it so happens it fits in superbly with the story line). So be on the lookout!
Charma1219: Thank you!
NotQuiteFamous: Interesting item there
Liliana-Suger: Thank you, I will! And your idea is awesome too!
Takari4ever7: Thanks for the great review! I love when y'all love the chapters!
Snape coolgirl: He just seems like he enjoyed scaring Ron out of his wits a little too much. But hey, that's Severus for you!
Thank you so much for all the support. I don't know how far this thing is going to go. It is the longest thing I've written so far. Hope you guys don't mind!
This one goes to Lillian-Damien, who hit the magic number, but didn't leave an item. Here ya go!
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Harry woke up feeling better, knowing that today he would save Ginny. Then, that left Hermione. And then, hopefully, he could find out whoever was behind it all. He dressed quickly and threw a pillow at what was supposed to be Blaise's head. The pillow ricocheted off the lump, and the foot of the bed began to rustle. Blaise's sleep-filled face peeked out from beneath the covers, and Harry laughed.
"I'm not even going ask how you managed that one. Come on, time to get up."
"What day is it?"
"It's tomorrow," he said, hoping he would get the hint. He did, and bolted out of the bed, dressing in record time. Harry adjusted his green and silver tie for him and together they walked to the Great Hall. Harry flashed Ron a smile, and Ron waved back, momentarily taking his hand from Padma's. Harry chuckled and shook his head.
~You seem to be in high spirits~
~I feel great! I hope Caribe comes back soon~ A bright light filled the room, causing several students to shriek. Harry grinned broadly as the eagle's screeching filled the Hall. Students all over gasped in shock and awe as the golden bird sailed to Harry, dropping a scroll, and the soared to land on the back of Severus' chair. For show, the potions master threw the bird a contemptuous look and grumbled. He looked Harry directly in the eye and scowled.
~I'm not even going to ask how you did that~
~I didn't~ He shrugged and tore into the scroll. Ron had jumped up from the Ravenclaw table and was now approaching them. Dumbledore stood.
"Mr. Potter, if you would kindly escort yourself to my office?" Harry nodded and Blaise and Ron followed him out. They got to the gargoyle and entered, finding the Headmaster and Severus already there.
"What does it say Harry?" Severus asked.
"Always old, sometimes new; never sad, sometimes blue; never empty, sometimes full; never pushes, always pulls."
"Wicked," Ron whispered, "what does it mean?" Blaise looked at Ron.
"That's what we have to figure out, Ron." Ron shot Blaise a glare, but Harry quickly broke it up.
"You can fight later. Let's concentrate on solving this so we can get to Keep." Both boys nodded sheepishly and joined Harry on the couch. "Headmaster, do you have a quill and parchment?" Dumbledore nodded and gave Harry the requested items. On the parchment, he made three columns. They all joined him and peered over his shoulder to see what he was doing. Ron stood to give Snape a seat next to Harry, for which he got (what he thought was) a thankful glance.
The columns were titled Always, Sometimes, and Never. Under them, he began to list the adjectives. When he was finished, he smiled.
"Now, what is always old and pulls?" He looked around the room puzzled, but no one seemed to be any better off. "Ok then, what about never sad, empty, or pushes?"
"A clown?" Ron offered. Blaise backhanded him lightly on the shoulder, to which he shrugged.
"Alright then, what is sometimes full, blue, or new?" By this time, Blaise's face was scrunched in thought. He began to mouth words out, then jumped out of his seat, nearly knocking the entire couch over.
"The moon! The moon is sometimes full, sometimes new, and sometimes blue! It's never empty, always old, and it pulls the tide! The answer is moon!" Ron just stared at him blankly. "Hey, Astronomy is my favorite subject," he offered.
"That's fine," Harry said, "but what does it mean? There have to be hundreds of observatories all over the earth!" Dumbledore's eyes began to twinkle.
"Yes, but only one run entirely by centaurs." Harry looked up, asking the question with his eyes. "You remember back in your first year, Harry? What did Hagrid tell you about centaurs?" Harry thought for a moment.
"That they're not concerned with anything closer to the ground than the moon!" he answered excitedly.
"Yes, exactly. Now, I don't know where it is, but I'm sure Firenze does, or perhaps Bane." Harry stood excitedly.
"I'll go find Firenze," he made for the door, but Snape intercepted him.
"Certainly not. That is in the Black Forest. Headmaster, is there any other way to contact the centaurs?"
"I'm afraid not, Severus, but I will personally go with him to seek out Firenze. You have a class to teach. It would seem suspicious should you go missing with Mr. Potter just after he receives a riddle."
"It wasn't suspicious last time," he protested. Harry hid a snigger at how childish the man sounded, but was silenced by a glare.
"That is because I sent Lupin with you. I believe he is currently occupied with classes. I dare say, I won't let Sirius teach again." At this, Harry actually laughed, and Snape's face darkened. "We will be fine Severus. Mr. Zabini, Mr. Weasley, please go to class. We will retrieve you when we have the information we require." They nodded dejectedly and said goodbye and good luck to Harry. Severus merely nodded at them and swept out of the room.
"He wasn't too happy, was he?"
"Ah, Harry, that is the way of things. I believe there's an old Muggle saying: 'You can't always get what you want.' That is true in this case. Come, we must venture into the forest." Harry nodded, depositing the scroll into a pocket and descending the staircase. He exited first, and as he emerged from behind the gargoyle, Malfoy stood there.
"I can't believe you get special treatment just because you lost your pals. If it were up to me, I'd let them die. Filthy mudblood and little weasel," he spat. His cohorts chuckled stupidly beside him, before taking in a sharp breath.
"Well, well, Mr. Malfoy, I had no idea you felt this way," Malfoy stopped laughing as the Headmaster exited just behind Harry, who had a triumphant smirk on his face. "That will be fifty points from Slytherin, and you will come see me tonight before dinner with your Head of House. We will be discussing a few things, such as your stay here at Hogwarts." Malfoy paled to a ghostly white. "Now get to class, Mr. Malfoy, and have a good day!" Harry followed the venerable wizard out into the Entrance Hall, then across the grounds. Once they reached the edge of the forest, the Headmaster pulled his wand. Harry did the same, but felt a little foolish next to the greatest sorcerer of all time. Dumbledore muttered an incantation, and the wand spun a little before pointing them in the right direction.
They wandered for nearly half an hour before they came upon a clearing. In it, several centaurs were discussing the arrangement of Jupiter and Saturn, and the effect it would have on Orion. It actually looked to be a class of some kind, as there were smaller, presumably younger, centaurs listening to the older ones. Bane spotted them first, and his black form galloped over.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Harry Potter, why have you come into the forest?" Firenze came up behind him and smiled down at Harry.
"Now, Bane, be respectful. This is Albus Dumbledore, after all." Bane muttered something that sounded like "biped lover" and sauntered off. Firenze brushed him off with a glance and turned back to the humans.
"What can we do for you?"
"Ah, Firenze, how are you? Yes, well, you see, Mr. Potter has recently received a riddle to which the answer is moon. We were wondering the exact location of the Mars Bright Observatory." Several of the young centaurs gasped sharply at the sight of the bipeds, but Ronan gathered them up and turned them back to their discussion. Firenze began to walk away, and Harry and Dumbledore joined him.
"Our young are not accustomed to seeing bipeds yet. We will educate them in the ways of the world soon enough, after their essential training is complete. The location of the Mars Bright Observatory is a secret and sacred thing among the centaurs. It is not permitted for us to tell non-centaurians its whereabouts. However, if you look deep into the heart of the Alps, you will find what you seek. I must leave you now, but tell no one what has transpired here, for my sake, and for yours." Harry and the Headmaster promised they would not tell anyone and quickly left the forest. On their trek to the castle, Harry spoke up.
"Why has he taken them all over Europe? I mean, I had to go to Belgium for Ron. If they keep getting further away, I'll have to go to America for Herms!"
"Calm down, Mr. Potter, all will be well in the end. We will go retrieve Mr. Zabini and Mr. Weasley and we will assemble in my office. Severus will take you from there." Harry nodded, and the duo continued on in silence. Dumbledore pulled Blaise and Ron out of class and the four of them met Severus in Albus' office.
"Wonderful, you're all here. Severus, what did you do about your class?"
"Seventh year Slytherin/Gryffindors. They can handle one period without me, and I have no second period. If we are not back, you will have to take my others."
"Fine, fine, well, we found where the observatory is, however I must caution you to tell no one of its whereabouts. The centaurs are very adamant about keeping it a centaurian secret." Albus summoned a map of the Alps from somewhere in his expansive office and it unrolled, hovering in mid-air. "Now, he said in the heart of the Alps, so I'm assuming he meant Hart's peak, as in H-A-R-T, not H-E-A-R-T. So this," he pointed to rather ragged looking section of the Alps, "Is where you will find Miss Weasley. Severus, you know the way?"
"Yes, but I cannot Apparate with all three of them, much less when we have another on our return."
"Ah, you see, I took the liberty of removing my Portkey for All Occasions. Rather handy little thing. You see," he pulled out an old tin box, "you just write on a piece of parchment where you want to go," Albus scribbled Hart's Peak on a scrap piece, "and you place it in the box like so, and vóila! Instant portkey!" They were all too intent on the box that no one noticed Harry's apprehensive look. "Now, off you go!" He handed the small box to Severus, who turned to the boys. Blaise and Ron stepped up and placed a finger on it, but Harry remained back, his expression blank. Ron turned to his friend.
"Go on, Harry! Ginny's in danger!" Severus leveled a glare that would have sent a seventh year running, and Ron gulped. The potions master thrust the box into Blaise's hands and moved to his son's side.
~What's wrong?~
~Portkeys. I hate portkeys. Ever since Cedric…~ That was all that needed to be said as Severus laid a hand on the boy's shoulder.
~You are safe with me, Harry. No harm will come to you. I promise~ Harry's head shot up.
~You never promise~
~That's not what I said; you misinterpreted my words. I said, "I don't make promises I can't keep." There's a difference~ Harry nodded and moved forward, placing a tentative hand on the box. Discreetly, Severus placed his hand so it was atop Harry's, sending a reassuring (he hoped) ambiance through the contact. Harry shut his eyes tightly as he felt the all-too-familiar pull behind his navel, and soon, they were surrounded by mountains and snow.
"It's f-f-freezing out h-here!" Ron exclaimed, throwing his arms around himself. Harry muttered a spell, then nudged Ron playfully.
"Are you a wizard or not?" he asked mockingly. Ron tinged and pulled his wand, casting a warming charm on his robes. Blaise and Snape did the same, and soon, they were trekking through the snow, warily eyeing the looming peak before them.
"Are we going to have to climb that?" Blaise asked apprehensively.
"Yes, why?" Snape asked.
"I'm, er, sort of afraid of heights." Harry stopped and turned.
"But you play Quidditch!" he exclaimed. "How can you be afraid of heights?" Blaise pushed him and they continued walking.
"Flying is different, I don't know why. I'm just afraid of heights." Harry shook his head and stepped closer to his father, trying to draw some warmth. Apparently, his charms weren't strong enough to keep the biting wind from nipping at him, but the older wizard didn't seem the least perturbed by it.
"Harry, do try and stay away from the cliffs this time," Snape teased. Harry shot him a sarcastic sneer behind his back and Ron sniggered with Blaise. Snape ignored them as the angle of ascent increased, and the students had to strain to keep up with Snape's long strides. Ron stopped for a moment to catch his breath when he heard it.
A scream echoed across the mountains, faint and high. All four wizards stopped, as if trying to discern its origin, but that was impossible for all the echoing.
"Ginny!" Ron yelled desperately. Harry clamped a hand over his mouth to prevent him from screaming again.
"Ron, are you daft? You could start an avalanche!" he hissed. Ron wrenched himself away from Harry's grasp and started up the mountain again, faster than he had been before. Harry had to haul Blaise out of a snow bank once, causing them to fall behind. When they looked back up, Snape and Ron had disappeared.
"Where'd they go?"
"Black is camouflaged in all the white," Harry said. Blaise looked at him stupidly.
"What are you on about?"
"I know it doesn't make sense, but it's like snow blindness. In all this white, your eyes register the void that is the blackness of their robes and fills it in with white, effectively camouflaging them," Harry explained.
"Oh, well, let's hurry then. Maybe we can catch up to them." Harry nodded and trudged on.
~We lost you. Stop so we can catch up~
~Hurry up~ Harry soon saw them resting on rocks, and Harry and Blaise pulled up beside them. Snape nodded curtly and stood, Ron jumping to his feet as well.
"Let's go!" he ran ahead, stumbling occasionally, but his determination to free his sister won out and he persisted. Blaise was near him, almost equally determined to find Ginny.
"There!" Ron pointed to the very top, where Ginny was tied to a stake. Odd creatures were circling her, and it looked as if they were carrying spears of some kind.
"They're people!" Harry exclaimed. Upon closer examination, he was right. They were people, an ancient tribe of some kind, and it looked as if they were preparing to sacrifice Ginny to their god. Ginny saw Ron and began to squirm. Finally, she managed to remove the gag from her mouth. But instead of yelling for help, she spat at the nearest tribesman.
"Let me out of here you mythological moron!" They turned to her, obviously shocked, and the nearest made to drive his spear into her. Ron surged forward, pulling his wand, and summoning the spear from the savage's hands. The rest did the same, and soon, the tribesmen were all unarmed. They didn't seem to mind, as they kept on chanting and moving toward Ginny, obviously intent on throwing her over the ledge. Ron threw the spear, rather awkwardly, and the one closest caught it deftly from the air. The now-armed man launched the spear in a much more skilled manner, knocking the weapons from Harry and Blaise's hands. That gave the chief enough time to untie Ginny, and holding her high above his head, he yelled out a chant. The others followed, then he tossed the young Gryffindor over the edge.
"No!" Blaise and Ron cried at the same time. But Harry surged forward, digging into his pocket. He pulled out a small item and dove over before anyone could stop him.
"Harry, no!" he distinctly heard his father yell for him, but Ginny was falling faster and faster. He quickly dispelled the Shrinking Charm and mounted his XS mid-air. Now zooming faster down to the falling girl, he managed to catch his breath. He streamlined himself, and soon found himself under her fall. Gliding gracefully, he scooped her out of the air easily, careful not to jar her too hard. She landed on his back with an "oof" and wrapped her arms around him. She mounted the broom, and moved her hands to the handle.
He looked up to see the tribe raving, but backing away from the edge in awe. They fled as he landed stylishly on the ground. Ginny dismounted into Ron and Blaise's waiting arms, and Harry felt a firm hand on his neck. He dropped his broom as Snape dragged him off to the side, where they couldn't be seen by the others.
"Harold James Potter! Never, ever, do anything of the likes of that again!" During his tirade, Snape had put his other hand on Harry's other shoulder, and was shaking the boy lightly but firmly in emphasis. "Gods Harry, I—" He spluttered for the words, but none came. He finally took a good look at Harry, who was cringing under the rave. "Harry, look at me," Snape commanded, and Harry opened his eyes, connecting with his father's black depths, and Snape's grip softened. "I will never raise a hand to you in anger, nor would I harm you intentionally." Harry visibly relaxed, but Snape wasn't finished. "You have to understand…what you did..." he paused, searching for the right words. "Harry, I don't think I've ever been that...terrified in my life." Now it was Harry's turn to be shocked. "Next time, if there is a next time," he gave Harry a pointed look, "Tell me what you're planning, so I can help you without freezing in fear." Harry nodded shortly, clearly still afraid that Snape would blow up any minute. Snape placed his finger under the boy's chin and lifted it up to meet his eyes. Snape asked the question with his eyes, and Harry smiled slightly, leaning into a small hug, then bounded away to pounce on Ginny.
Snape pulled the portkey and a scrap of parchment out, scribbled down Albus' office and placed it in the tin box. The four teens placed fingers on it after Harry grabbed and shrunk his broom, and soon, all were standing in the middle of the Headmaster's office.
"Ah, Severus, how are all of you? Miss Weasley, I trust you are unharmed?" She nodded rather vehemently, and the Headmaster's grin widened. "Splendid! Then off to class, all of you! I believe you have Charms?" Harry nodded, and Ginny stayed silent. "Miss Weasley, if you don't mind, I'd like you to go to the Hospital Wing to let Poppy check you out. Just a precaution mind you."
"Of course, Headmaster," she replied. She waved and began her journey. Harry clapped Ron and Blaise on the shoulder, bid goodbye to the professors, and the trio headed to Charms after grabbing their bags.
"Uh, Harry, Ginny doesn't know about you and...you know," Blaise said uncertainly. Harry shrugged.
"We'll have to tell her at some point. I mean, our studies would be hard to continue otherwise." The other two nodded in agreement, and they entered Flitwick's class in higher spirits than ever. Harry threw one forlorn look at the empty seat next to Ron, and turned his attention to the little wizard.