The Dark Heir
Author Notes: As to why Nymphdora 'Dora' is surname is Tonks and not Black, it's because she's a product of being a rape child. The fact doesn't change even if her mother was bewitched and married to Ted Tonks. So she still had to take her 'rapists' surname. It's unfortunate, but that's how it is.
Chapter 15: Through the Trap Door
"Did you hear about Snyde, Potter, and Longbottom serving detention together?" said Draco.
"You're kidding!" said the Blacks.
"Apparently, Potter and Longbottom were caught at the Astronomy Tower. Snyde was caught shortly beforehand," said Draco.
"Why would she be following them," said Harry.
"Apparently, Snyde was convinced Weasley had set his older brothers upon her," said Draco.
The Black children grin, knowing their little plan had worked out very well.
"About time she got detention," said Dora.
"That's not what's interesting about it," said Draco.
"I'm telling you. Something was eating a unicorn in the Forbidden Forest!" Merula Snyde shouts down the table.
"Something was eating a Unicorn?" repeats Harry.
"Unicorns are supposed to be fast. Faster than even Werewolves. What could kill a Unicorn?" said Dora.
"I don't know," said Delphi.
"We got exams. I think it would be a good idea to head to the library," said Artemis.
They said nothing as they get up and head to the library.
They weren't too worried about their exams. Still, it was wise to go over their work before the exams.
"Do you guys remember when I took Weasley's books because we thought they were up to something," Delphi said in a low voice.
"Yeah," said Dora.
Longbottom, Potter, and Weasley apparently were smuggling a dragon from that oaf Hagrid to the Astronomy tower to Weasley's older brother Charlie.
"Look what I found at the astronomy tower," said Delphi as she pulls a cloak out hidden inside her robes.
"An invisibility cloak?!" Dora said in awe.
"Apparently, Potter had one," said Delphi.
"I would have thought he be boasting about having an Invisibility Cloak," said Dora.
"Apparently, he's smarter than we gave him credit for," said Harry.
"What are you going to do with the cloak?" asks Dora.
"What else? Keep it, of course," said Delphi.
"It's Potter's. What if he reports it missing?" said Dora.
"So what. Our family is huge, with countless items in our possession. We can easily claim this is a family heirloom," said Delphi.
Harry said nothing, knowing it was true. Invisibility cloaks weren't easy to come by. Generally costing around a hundred galleons to acquire one.
The library was a good place to have private conversations as long as they spoke in a low voice.
As they were on the back of the library, they had very little to fear being overheard.
It's when they were between the shelves they had to be careful. You never knew who was around the corner.
Or on the other side.
They went over their transfiguration work, knowing it would be the most difficult.
Professor McGonagall was a strict teacher, and she didn't grade on a curve.
Though not as strict as Professor Snape.
Professor Snape was perhaps the harshes grader in all of Hogwarts.
Olivia Potter and Artemis Wynter eventually joined the Black children.
Both Olivia and Artemis found sanctuary within the library.
As Artemis's mother had a terrible reputation due to Rita Skeeter's slander, she suffered dark looks from her peers.
Olivia hid in the library from her older half-brother James Potter Jr. and Neville Longbottom.
They have been nothing but cruel to her, and it was clear Potter was upset she didn't end up in Gryffindor as they wanted.
Potter and Longbottom believed only the most worthy wizards were allowed to join the House of Godric Gryffindor.
After going over all their notes for the upcoming exams, they eventually realized they had been in the library longer than expected.
It was already dark when they left the library.
Olivia quickly went to her own dorm as her dorm was in the west tower.
Harry stops as he sees four individuals running towards the Forbidden Corridor.
Harry knew it was Longbottom and Potter.
Apparently, Weasley and Granger were also following for an unknown reason.
"What is it?" asks Dora.
Harry said nothing as he turns and walks down the corridor, following the four Gryffindors.
Harry's cousins followed him silently know he was heading in this direction for a reason.
Harry stops behind the corner and sees Granger opens the door that was forbidden.
Harry quickly follows and sees the four idiots standing before a sleeping Cerebus.
The Cerebus was massive in size, and its three heads were bigger than any of the first years.
A single snap from its mighty jaws would rip them in half.
They open the trap door and quickly jump through. Harry walks into the room and hears a magical harp softly playing next to the Cerebus.
"What are those four up to?" said Delphi.
Harry says nothing as he stands over the trap door.
"Why is there a Cerebus in the school?" asks Dora.
"Because Dumbledore is guarding something," said Harry.
"We shouldn't be here," said Dora.
"As long as we don't get caught," said Delphi.
"We just did," said Dora.
Harry and Delphi turn to see Ms. Norris standing by the door.
"What do we do?" asks Delphi.
"Jump," said Harry as he jumps down into the dark tunnel.
Delphi and Dora quickly jump down follow Harry.
They land on something soft that stops their fall.
"What is this?" says Dora.
"Devil Snare!" shouts Delphi.
The Devil Snare vines already had a firm grip upon the trio when they landed on top of it.
"Lumos!" the trio shouted, casting a bright light.
Devil Snare is very sensitive to light. It prefers places where it was dark and damp.
As such, the tentacles of the Devil Snare began to retreat right away, allowing the trio to get away from the Devil Snare quickly.
They quickly spot a door and quickly went through to avoid the Devil Snare.
"Nox," said the trio.
They stood there panting, wondering how the four brainless Gryfinddor's got past the Devil Snare.
Then again, the know it all Granger was with them, so she would have used Lumos to get them free.
"Why would they have a Cerebus guarding the trap door and Devil Snare upon the bottom?" asks Dora.
"The reason why this corridor is forbidden is that these obstacles are meant to protect something. Something important. Dumbledore must be protecting something very valuable. That means there are other obstacles here meant to delay or stop us," said Delphi.
"What could Dumbledore be guarding in a school?" said Dora.
"Hopefully, it's something of value," said Harry.
They had overheard the oaf Hagrid talking about the Cerebus being used by Dumbledore in the Third Corridor. His great height and size could only match the oaf foolishness. It was like he didn't have much of a brain within that large head of his.
"We shouldn't be seen down here," said Dora.
"Here," said Harry tapping Dora's necklace.
Her black robes with a mask appear.
Delphi does the same to her own necklace, as does Harry.
Filch runs, holding his bad leg as he appears in the teacher's lounge.
Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and Sprout were all seated as they look up to see Filch bursting into the teacher's lounge.
"Filch! What is the meaning of this?" demands Professor McGonagall.
"Apologies, Professors," said Filch.
"Mrs. Norris came across some students who broke into the Third Corridor. They are down there at this moment," said Filch.
"The Third Corridor has traps that will kill them!" shrieks Professor Sprout.
"Professor Sprout, you head to the Ministry at once and tell Professor Dumbledore. Professor Flitwick and Snape shall accompany me to bring back those students," said Professor McGonagall in a stern voice as the four Professors stood up to take action.