Laddie! I ' impressed

After the drill (yes it was a drill.) was over, Moody pulled Harry aside, "Peverell, a minute please."

"Yes Master Auror. How did we do?"

Moody nodded, "They were good. Actually they were very good. But there's lots of room for improvement. We took down ten of them. You can guess what would have happened if it had been the real thing."

Harry nodded gravely, "I know. Losing even one would have been too many. I'll see what we can do to bring the rest up to snuff."

Moody nodded, "You better do that, lad. However I'm still very impressed with those students. If any of them ever want to join the Aurors, I'll vouch for them personally. That'll get them inducted bypassing all the formalities."

It was a great honour to hear those words coming from Moody. To think that he would go to such trouble for someone he didn't know was gladdening. But it seemed that some of Harry's training hadn't quite sunk in yet. Tonight's session in the Chamber of Secrets would help them remember.

I will give up

It was a couple of days before the final match when Susan and Hannah entered the Hufflepuff common room to find the entire house waiting for them. This, by itself was an unusual occurrence. The only other time Susan could remember something like this was when Cedric had been selected to represent Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament. The captain of the Quidditch team McManus was sitting in the center of the crowd looking expectantly at them. She waited for a minute to see if someone would speak and when no one was speaking and Susan was tired from a long day, so she started moving toward her dormitory.

That was when McManus brought her back, "Bones and Abbott, a minute please."

McManus had never bothered with her in the last five years that she had been at the castle and yet, when he was sitting with the whole house behind him and asking for something, that didn't sit well with her. She knew that McManus was not the kind of guy to have any bad intentions toward anyone.

They both returned to the assembly of the house and Susan asked him, "What is this about?"

"Bones, we have a request for you both", he said hesitating.

"Go on, we are listening", she said.

"The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff is in 2 days and…", he said hesitating.

"And you want me and Hannah to have no contact with Harry or Neville in anyway?", she finished his sentence for him. "I assume this is in keeping with the tradition of houses not mingling before Quidditch matches?"

He nodded, "You may choose to disregard it anyway but we just wanted to make this request to you both."

Susan smirked, "well, I am not a Hufflepuff for nothing. When it is time to show my house pride, I will definitely do it. Until the match is over, I will not talk to Harry or any other member of Gryffindor. Hannah?"

Hannah, who had been trying to say something, raised her hands in a silence gesture and said loudly, "Neville doesn't even play Quidditch! Why can't I talk to my boyfriend?"

Susan curtly said, "That's enough, Abbott! If I don't get to talk to my boyfriend then neither do you. House Unity, you know."

Hannah nodded with an impish grin, "Ok, I'll not talk to Neville or any other member of Gryffindor either, if that's what you really want…"

McManus nodded firmly, "We are not Snakes, Hannah. I won't have you spying on them. When we win, it will be fair and square. Understood?"

As others nodded, Zacharias Smith said condescendingly, "Would you really do it?"

She nodded, "I don't know if you remember or not Zacharias but when we were about to be sorted, Professor McGonagall told us that our house would be our family for the next seven years. I will stand with my family over my boyfriend."

Some in the crowd sniggered in response as both the girls walked towards the dorms.

While they were finally alone, before other girls joined them, Hannah asked her, "How can you promise them, Susie?"

Susan said chuckling, "Oh relax, Hannah. It's all part of the fun. They were right to remind us of our duty to our house. The match will be over soon enough and sworn enemies will all be friends again."

Hannah shook her head in denial, "Pull the other one, Susie. I know that you're going to do something to get them riled at you."

Susan smirked, "Of that you can be sure, Han. Do me a favour though. Will you please let Harry know about what we had to commit to do?"

Hannah nodded, "the poor boy will be miserable without you but I think he will survive."

Susan grinned, "Too right."

The griffin flies

The next two days were really uneventful for Harry. Hannah sent word through Stevenson from Slytherin that the Hufflepuffs had requested that the girls stay away from their boyfriends until the match was over. So Harry and Neville would have to do without them.

The rules continued in the Chamber of Secrets too. Susan practiced with students from other houses or with Hannah. That left Harry saddled with Neville. However, Neville was a better duel partner than Susan because with him Harry didn't have to hold back or worry about any consequences. Neville was tough as nails and would be better practice for him anyway.

After they had practiced for an hour, Harry collected them together, "Alright, this is time for news. We have been practicing together for the last several months. There is very little time for improvement. Now it is time that you all know what role you have to take in case of siege. You all performed admirably in the fake attack but there is still somewhat left to be desired. Alastor Moody stunned at least 10 of you before we got into the Great Hall. 10 students who would have died if it had been a real battle. We will have to up the game. For the next few days, the leaders of squads as I have nominated will be drilling you in your duties or roles in case we have an unexpected attack on the castle. No two teams will know what the other is planning except for me or for Ron who has got a strategic head for these things. Now dismissed."

With that, the students returned to their dorms while Daphne remained behind. After everyone was gone, he asked her, "Why did you stay behind Daph? Something bothering you?"

She shook her head, "Nothing but I wanted to know why Susan isn't talking to you? Did you two have a fight again?"

Harry said morosely, "It's a Quidditch thing. Her housemates said that she can't talk to me until the next match is over because of the traditions. I just can't stand not talking to her."

She grinned, "Well it will be a new experience, I am sure."

He nodded, "Daph, I have been meaning to ask you something but I keep forgetting it."

She asked, "What is it that is bothering you?"

"Daph, why aren't you dating someone? I mean there are so many eligible boys out there who would be perfect for you. If you want, Susan and I can play match maker for you."

Daphne snorted, "Sorry Harry. I'll take care of that in my own time. I'll date whom I want, when I want. You don't need to worry about that."

As she turned to go, she thought to herself, "Oh, Harry. You have no idea how much heartache you're in for. And when it happens, I'll be there for you. You can count on it."

That was yesterday. Today was the day of the match. This match was going to be a lot different for the lions because the Human Bludgers, Fred and George, had decided not to play in their final game as Hogwarts students. Jack and Fay were playing in their place. It would be worth seeing if they would be up to the pressure.

As the team entered the Great Hall at breakfast, the crowd was stunned into silence seeing Fay and Jack proudly carrying the beater's bats over their shoulders instead of the twins. Rumours started making the rounds. While Fay and Jack remained unfazed, Angelina was unnerved a bit because it was her last match at the school and she wanted a win.

As the teams were leaving for the stadium, Susan joined them, "Harry, do you like my robes?"

When Harry looked at her, he saw that she was wearing a Hufflepuff Quidditch robe with a Gryffindor scarf that Harry felt sure had belonged to him until recently. Perhaps one of his elves had delivered it to her. She was looking sumptuous in the form fitting robes which accentuated her figure and showed the fruits of the physical training that she had been doing the last few months. As he looked, she turned around for him to see and a grin formed at the end of his lips, as he read the name on her back which had been hidden behind her hair. In bold shining letters, was written, "SUSAN POTTER".

Ginny who was just behind Harry, laughed out loud, "Some people are going to choke on it when they see that. I must say that's a very gutsy move."

Whistles and catcalls supported what she said.

When the team was safely behind the doors of the change room, Angelina went into a full rant, "Right then! Get this straight. We are going out there, flattening the badgers and getting that cup for McGonagall! She expects to open her favourite bottle of wine tonight at the victory celebration. If you don't want to spend the rest of term in detention, You'd best not disappoint me… err her." Angelina glared around at her team. If the twins had been there, this would have been the time for them to crack a joke. But without them there, they all just nodded gravely.

Angelina went on, "We are twice the team that Hufflepuff is. But that's no reason to let up on them for even a second. No showboating. No distractions. I've seen what you can do in practice. Now, it's time to show the whole school! Flatten them!"

The stands around the pitch were filling up fast as students, staff and visitors streamed into the stadium. Lee was sitting in the announcer's box as usual, sitting next to Professor McGonagall. Every now and then, the Roar of Luna's lion hat could be heard above the noise of the crowd.

Lee began his narration, "Welcome everyone to the last Quidditch match of the year on this beautiful morning for Quidditch. With mixed feelings, I must also announce that this will be the last game that I announce for Hogwarts. Thanks to all of you, it has been a good run. Special mention to Professor McGonagall for keeping me on track all these years."

"Jordan!", McGonagall remonstrated, but there was a definite tear in her eye.

Lee continued, "The house Quidditch cup is still up for grabs… in theory. Sorry Hufflepuff fans, but your team would have to win by a whole lot to carry that one off."

"Jordan", McGonagall warned him again, but there was definite pride when she said it.

Lee continued, "The Hufflepuff line-up has no surprises today. They'll be playing the same team that has done well so far this year. Gryffindor, however, is starting Ginny Weasley as seeker today. We've seen what she can do against the Slytherins. We're looking forward to more of that today. The big unknown, are the new Beaters, Fay Dunbar and Jack Sloper. We haven't seen them in a game yet, but if they've been training with those embodiments of mischief, Fred and George Weasley, they'll do just fine."

As he finished speaking, mist rose out of the Quidditch pitch and took the form of a giant clown. It burst to form the words, "COMING SOON, WEASLEY'S WIZARDING WHEEZES at Diagon Alley. Original gags, tricks and practical jokes for any occasion."

A lot of students enthusiastically clapped for the spectacle including Dumbledore while McGonagall was thinking about how to deal with the twins when she caught up with them. The original Marauders did not get anything past her; the new marauders won't stand a chance either.

The moment that the smoke from the display cleared, the Hufflepuff team came flying from the change-room in a straight line.

Lee welcomed them, "Here they come! The mighty badgers from the dungeons. Give it up for Hufflepuff!"

The crowd cheered as the team flew out to center field. As they pivoted in a neat wheel and settled to the ground, Lee announced, "I give you Macmillan, Smith, Whitby, Cadwallader, Rickett, McManus and Summerby! That's some pretty fancy flying. Too bad they are doomed to lose."

"Jordan!", McGonagall reprimanded him again.

Lee made a tiny correction, "Whatever the outcome today, I'm sure it will be epic."

The Gryffindor players flew from the change-room one at a time. As each one emerged, there was the boom of a cannon followed by the sound of an animal. Lee announced, "Here come the undefeated lions. Let's hear it for Gryffindor!"

For Angelina, Katie, Fay and Jack there was the roar of a lion. For Ron it was the barking of a Jack Russell Terrier. For Ginny (Playing in for Alicia) it was a horse neighing. And finally for Harry it was the roar of a leopard. As they hurtled through the air and landed facing their opposite number across the center-line, Lee introduced them to the crowd, "I give you Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Ginny Weasley, Fay Dunbar, Jack Sloper, Ronald Weasley and Harold Peverell. This is the debut of Jack Sloper and Fay Dunbar. They will be our Beaters today, substituting for Fred and George Weasley."

As the crowd roared in welcome to the Lions, Madam Hooch arrived at center field with the ball crate under one arm. She placed the crate on the ground and waved her broom at the crowd in greeting.

Lee commented, "Here's our favourite referee, Madame Hooch. There will be a brief pause while she reads the Riot act to the teams."

McGonagall exclaimed, "Jordan!"

Lee chuckled, "It's a tradition."

Madame Hooch explained, "It's the last game of the year. I expect spirits will be high. Just remember that these are your school mates. Do try and keep the injuries to a minimum. And as usual, I will kick anyone off the field if you use those broomsticks for anything other than flying or you use those bats for anything other than Bludgers. Is that clear?"

Every member of both teams nodded. The cautions delivered, she opened the crate. The Golden Snitch made a bee-line for the Hufflepuff end and disappeared behind a goal post. The Bludgers soared into the air and circled menacingly overhead. The fifteen brooms rose into the air and took up their positions. The next moment, Madame Hooch hurled the Quaffle into play and blasted her whistle as Lee picked up the commentary, "Smith dives for the Quaffle and narrowly avoids collision with Ginny Weasley."

Ginny had to jig hard to avoid the collision. Smith meant business. But Ginny's better broom meant that she was able to wheel around and get just behind and below Smith before he got very far.

"It's Smith with the Quaffle, headed for the Gryffindor end. There's a Bludger from Fay. Smith rolls for the dodge but he fumbles. Ginny picks up the Quaffle! Angelina and Katie flanking Ginny in the Arrowhead formation and Jack guarding. It looks like the Badgers were caught flat footed there. There's a Bludger from Rickett. Fay bats it back and Ouch! That's got to hurt! Rickett gets a dose of his own medicine! Rickett is nearly knocked off his broom and the attack on the Hufflepuff goal goes unchecked. There's Cadwallader, trying to screen the goal."

With her broom flying at full speed, Ginny stood up on her broom, threw the Quaffle in the air and spiked it through the right goal hoop.

Lee almost shouted in excitement, "Did you see that! Because McManus sure didn't. It's Ginny with the Chelmondiston charge. That Quaffle is through the right hoop and that's 10 to 0 for Gryffindor! Keep your eyes on this one, scouts. I think we're going to see more of that." The crowd cheered while Luna let loose with the roar from her hat.

While Madame Hooch carried the Quaffle back to center field for the tip-off, Harry scanned the pitch for the Snitch. He hadn't seen it emerge again after its initial dive behind the Hufflepuff goal posts. From his lazy circling of the pitch, it was pretty clear that Summerby had no idea where the Snitch was either.

Madame Hooch blew her whistle as the Quaffle arched through the air. Lee picked up the play-by-play again, "There's the whistle and Whitby comes up with it this time. Reverse pass to Macmillan. Did he fumble it? NO! It's the Porskoff Ploy! Smith picks it up and takes his shot on the left… No, it's a curve-ball and he catches Ron at the right but it's a goal on the center hoop! That ties it up at 10 all, folks".

Harry had been watching the play when he could spare the attention. He had to admit that Smith had a few tricks up his sleeve. Putting that much spin on the Quaffle takes a lot of effort. Ron should have spotted it.

As the puffs celebrated, Angelina shared some signals with her players. When play resumed, all the beaters and chasers flew towards the Hufflepuff end leaving Ron on this side to hold the fort.

Lee resumed, "Angelina dives for the Quaffle and nearly knocks Smith right off of his broom. She is flying straight towards the Hufflepuff end while the lions perform a powerplay move and are keeping everyone out of the path giving Angelina a free run. Summerby comes out of nowhere trying to block the play. Harold Peverell arrives in the nick of time, doing a corkscrew, nearly knocking him off. Looks like Angelina is taking her shot. McManus is on the job… It's a reverse pass to Katie. Shot through the left hoop and its 20-10 for Gryffindor."

While the crowd was still cheering for Katie's goal, the whistle brought Lee back to the play, "Ginny grabs the Quaffle. They're heading for the Hufflepuff end in hawkshead formation straight towards the goals. Ouch! Katie takes a Bludger from Cadwallader. It looks like she's hurt. No whistle on that play. The Hufflepuff chasers try a Parkins Pincer to take the Quaffle but Ginny does a corkscrew to break up that play."

The whole crowd gasped as Ginny again stood up on her broom and did what looked like an overhand volley-ball serve. McManus didn't even try to block it because it looked like the Quaffle would soar right over the hoop, but at the last possible split-second, the spin on the ball caused it to drop through the hoop right behind his head.

Lee called the play, "that was the Dionysus Dive folks. An extremely difficult manoeuvre and rarely seen from someone with so little experience under her hat. McManus didn't see that one coming. It's 30 to 10 for Gryffindor. That's MVP material right there!"

There was a double-blast from Madame Hooch's whistle as Angelina called for a time-out after the goal.

"The Gryffindor captain, Angelina has called for time-out. It looks like Katie isn't able to shake off that Bludger hit. Here comes Madame Pomfrey."

There was a brief examination, followed by a consultation with Katie and Angelina. When the Medi-witch shook her head firmly, Katie picked up her broom and followed Madame Pomfrey off the pitch. The crowd uttered a collective "Ah.", as it became clear that Katie had to leave the game.

Lee announced, "Looks like that Bludger cracked a couple of ribs. I'm sure she'll be fine, but that's all for Katie today."

The crowd applauded as Katie bravely raised her hand and waved goodbye while leaving the field.

Lee checked the Gryffindor roster to see what was happening next as another of the Gryffindor girls came hurtling onto the field atop her broom, "That will bring in Demelza Robins as a back-up chaser. Welcome aboard Demelza Robins!"

Angelina and Katie had been working together as chasers since Harry's first year at Hogwarts. They could practically read each other's minds when it came to Quidditch. Ginny, on the other hand, had been practicing with Demelza every chance she got. She had a pretty good idea how the game was going to go now. She greeted her team-mate with a grin that said, "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

Demelza nodded in agreement. Harry took advantage of the lull in the action to really look for the Snitch. When he spotted it, he realized that it had been hiding around the goal-posts all this time. It was using the golden goal-posts as camouflage. He didn't know who enchanted this one but it was quite clever.

Everyone flew back into their positions and Angelina gave a sign that time-out was over. With a blast from the referee's whistle, the bright-red ball arched through the air again.

Lee resumed, "There's the whistle and Demelza snatches the Quaffle right out of Whitby's hands! She's heading for the Hufflepuff goal. Ouch! That's a penalty Ref! Smith has deliberately fouled Demelza."

A double-blast from Madame Hooch's whistle said that she agreed with him. While Angelina conferred with Demelza, the referee cautioned Smith. Demelza was bruised, but not seriously hurt.

Lee picked up the commentary, "Penalty against Hufflepuff for Blatching. Demelza will take the penalty shot for Gryffindor." There was a single blast from Madame Hooch's whistle and Demelza advanced on the Hufflepuff goal.

"She's shooting for the left. No, that was a feint. It's center… McManus didn't buy it. That's a save. Pass back out to Smith. He's on his way with Summerby and Macmillan flanking. Smith takes a Bludger in the ribs! That's got to hurt!"

Fay and Jack had joined forces to send a Bludger at Smith performing the Bludger backbeat. It gave Smith a lot of bruised ribs. They wouldn't have been vicious except Smith had crashed in Demelza. The Bludger backbeat was a very lethal move but still perfectly legal. Smith would just have to play hurt because Hufflepuff had no back-up players.

"Whitby picks up the Quaffle. Pass to Macmillan. He's heading for the Gryffindor end folks."

Harry was looking for the snitch when a bludger decided that it needed to target Harry. As it rushed at him, Harry charged forward to meet it with his arm guards on. He felt nothing as he swatted the bludger away towards Ernie Macmillan.

"Macmillan is lining up his shot and a Bludger sent away by Peverell almost slams in him. Twirl manoeuvre from Macmillan. There's the shot! It's through the center hoop. That's 30 to 20 for Gryffindor."

While they were flying back to position for the next tip-off, Harry gave Macmillan a slap on the back and congratulated him for an excellent play. Macmillan was a bit confused because when he was madly twirling about to dodge the Bludger, he had let go of the Quaffle and didn't even know where it had gone until Lee announced the goal.

The game resumed, "Ginny comes up with the Quaffle! Looks like Smith and Macmillan are blocking. There goes Whitby and it's Parkin's Pincer. Pass to Demelza. Ginny makes a Shape dive to escape the Pincer. Demelza is rushing the goal. McManus is charging out to cut the angle. Big mistake! Demelza jigs and she has the entire goal to herself! That's through the center hoop and it's 40 to 20 for Gryffindor!"

The crowd went wild while Angelina and Ginny congratulated Demelza on her first goal.

Harry made a great show of looking for the Snitch for Summerby's sake, but he thought he knew exactly where it was. With Gryffindor leading and Summerby oblivious to where the Snitch was hiding out, he felt no need to end the game just yet.

The play got nasty from there. The Hufflepuff chasers were fined once for haversacking when they locked broom handles with the Gryffindor chasers. In retaliation, Fay Dunbar was fined when she collided with one of the Hufflepuff beaters, Cadwallader.

Several more such incidents followed causing tensions to rise. An hour later, the score was 80-50 in favour of Gryffindor. Harry had been tracking the Golden Snitch the whole time. He had a bit of fun trying out feints on Summerby while their team-mates thrashed it out with the Quaffle and the Bludgers. When he could see that tempers were fraying, helped along in large part by Smith's unsportsmanlike behavior, he decided it was time to end the match.

As a part of his seemingly routine circuit of the pitch, when he neared the Hufflepuff goal-posts, he turned his broom and shot toward the Snitch. Surprisingly, the snitch had decided to come out now and was hovering near the ground. As he shot down, the snitch started to climb up.

Lee commented, "Smith comes up with the Quaffle. He's looking a little worse for wear. I wonder what's keeping him on his broom…."

"Jordan!", Professor McGonagall was on the job.

"There's another Bludger from Jack. Fumble! Ginny catches the Quaffle… There goes Harry. Is it another feint? Summerby is at the other end of the pitch. Harry has spotted it alright!"

Harry wrenched his broom up into a vertical climb as the Snitch tried to avoid him. Summerby came screaming from the other end of the pitch as fast as his Comet 360 would dive.

"Harry is hanging on for dear life as he makes a bristles-down all-out climb. Here comes Summerby from the other end of the pitch. FOUL! Smith collides with Harry."

There was a double blast from Madame Hooch as she called the penalty. It was a dirty trick. Harry could not capture the snitch while play was suspended. Smith was already badly bruised up from earlier collisions plus the devoted attention that Fay and Jack had been giving him for the last hour and a half. He was in a bad way and really should not be flyinganymore. That last collision had cost him dearly. Harry, on the other hand was almost completely unphased by the collision, but he had lost sight of the Snitch. He frantically searched the pitch while Lee continued with the commentary, "Penalty against Hufflepuff to Smith for interference. Since Harry is not a Chaser, Angelina will take the shot for him. There's the whistle. Angelina rushes the Goal. McManus tries to cut the angle. There's the shot. It's through the right hoop! That's 90 to 50 for Gryffindor!"

No sooner had play resumed than Harry spotted the Snitch again. The moment the tip-off whistle blew, he headed straight for it.

Lee commented, "It's Ginny with the… It looks like Harry has spotted the Snitch! There's a Bludger from Cadwallader."

Harry could have smacked the Bludger at Summerby, but he didn't want to risk losing the momentum and missing.

Lee announced, "Barrel roll! Ouch! Summerby takes the Bludger in the face!"

Harry caught the Snitch with his sleeve and passed it to his other hand as he whooped in victory.

"Peverell performs a Plumpton Pass and it's all over folks! Our final Score today is 240 to 50. GRYFFINDOR WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!"

Except for Harry, all of the Gryffindor players, including the reserves and even Katie had returned from the hospital wing with her ribs mended, met in mid-air for a group hug and celebration.

Why not Harry you may ask? That was because, holding the Golden Snitch high with one hand, he was flying to the stands where a certain strawberry-blond was standing, cheering and clapping for him.

"And Harold Peverell flies off to the stands to offer the snitch to Susan Bones. She's blushing but takes the snitch happily. I must tell you Quidditch fans, that Susan Bones is wearing a Hufflepuff Quidditch robe. The name on the back of it says SUSAN POTTER! And the Gryffindor Scarf around her neck makes quite a statement."

Harry descended to join in the celebration with his team. They raised him on their shoulders carrying him to the stage where Dumbledore was waiting with the cup and a big smile on his face. Angelina accepted the cup. It was passed through the whole team before it reached McGonagall who was beaming with pride at the victory.

As the team was celebrating and most of the school was still in the stadium, the twins' final act was revealed. Crates of fireworks that were concealed in different corners of the stadium erupted. All sorts of fireworks filled the stadium. There were several pin-wheels, a goat, a pig, and all sorts of bangers, screamers and sky-rockets. And last of all, a giant animated, fire-breathing dragon for the finale. The show went on for a good 10 minutes and McGonagall kept scowling. When the show ended with again a projection of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, she took the mike from Lee and announced, "Detention for the rest of the year for Fred and George Weasley and 50 points from Gryffindor."

As she was done making her point, Dumbledore took the mike from her, "I think we have been too harsh on Mr. and Mr. Weasley through the years in our quest of discipline. We overlooked the fact that they are very brilliant inventors and have developed an entirely new discipline of magic which is a great accomplishment to their acumen in charms and transfigurations. We will strive to correct our mistake today by awarding 50 points to Gryffindor for their genius."

As Fred and George took a bow, overwhelmed with Dumbledore's gesture, they could not think of an appropriate response for the appreciation that they were getting. Finally Gred (or Forge) found his voice, "For this lovely gesture, you will get 50 % off on any pranking item at our establishment, Headmaster for the rest of your days."

Of course nobody was going to point out that Dumbledore was already at the twilight of his life.

The confrontation

Of course, Susan and Hannah were invited to Gryffindor tower for the big victory party. This was perhaps the first time that such a thing happened but nobody was going to object. By the time they returned to the Hufflepuff common room, it was quite late. They found Smith waiting for them. He had been pacing in the common room and looked to be in a very bad mood.

As he saw Susan, he barked, "What did you think you were doing Bones?"

She raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean, Smith?"

"Why did you write your name as Susan Potter instead of Susan Bones? What were you trying to prove?"

Justin spoke before Susan could, "To me it looked like she was trying to tell all of us that she is going to marry Harold Peverell someday. What did you think she meant, Zacharias?"

Smith sneered, "What would you marry him for?"

Susan said curtly, "If that were any of your business, Mr. Smith, you would already know."

As she began to walk towards her dorm, Smith went for his wand but Justin caught his hand, "Zacharias, you had best keep that wand in your sleeve. You won't be able to utter a spell before you will be taken down."

Smith sneered, "And who will take me down, Finch-Fletchley? You?"

"I can take care of myself." Smith looked around and realized that Both Susan and Hannah had been pointing their wands at him the whole time with a glint in their eyes that just dared him to try anything.

Wayne Hopkins who was Zacharias Smith's only friend and not too bright at that, tried to pull his wand. Before he could reach it, he found a dozen more wands already pointing at him. Other Hufflepuffs who belonged to the Order of the Snow Leopard were ready for anyone that threatened their own.

Gwendolyn Shaw, who was the leader of this squad, said menacingly, "Mr. Smith, Justin was being polite. But, since you are too stupid to appreciate polite, I'll be more direct and I'll use small words so that you will get it. If you try anything to hurt Susan, Hannah or any of us for that matter, you will be hit by so many stunners that you will be an old man before you wake up again. Is that clear?"

Gwen was a hero of the Battle of Hogsmead so she was very popular with most of the students in the school. Smith had enough functioning brain cells to realize that he wasn't going to get away with a cheap shot today. He clenched his jaw and his fingers twitched as if he wanted to strangle someone. He nodded curtly and stomped off toward his dormitory.

Can you break a ward?

Augustus Rookwood was facing the biggest challenge of his life. Voldemort had given him the assignment to find some ward masters who could break down centuries old wards, specifically the war wards of Hogwarts. It made his head hurt just to think about it.

The first problem was that the war wards were practically unknown. The last time they were employed was during the Grindelwald wars. That was before Augustus was born. Without any first-hand experience and only vague memories from survivors of that war, his chances of success were vanishingly small. Those old accounts talked about how they made some type of dome like structure which made the castle impenetrable. It was entirely likely that not even the current headmaster could claim to know everything about them. They were perhaps more secret than the room which he had heard was elusive and only few had found. If there was a ward manual or ward plan in existence, Augustus didn't know about it.

His best hope lay in making contact with a clandestine society that only existed by evading all attempts to detect it by the Ministry of Magic and the Department of Mysteries in particular. They had no formal meetings or leadership. What they had were signs by which they could recognize one another and a very strict code that if anyone revealed their secrets, they were to be put to death immediately along with anyone to whom those secrets were revealed. Compared to these dark ward masters, Augustus was a posturing buffoon. People hired them because when they wanted something to be really secure, they were the best people for the job, so long as they paid promptly and didn't ask too many questions. Of course the Mystics knew about them. But, so long as they didn't cause too much trouble, they were allowed to continue.

Augustus had been a member of this secret society but had not returned to them since he escaped Azkaban.

He knew that he needed to study those wards before he could give a definitive answer to the Dark Lord. He was waiting in The Basilisk's fang for a person who was his contact to the secret society. The Basilisk's fang was a shady tavern located just off of Knockturn Alley where the Aurors never went. 10 unmarked death eaters had accompanied him for his protection. A few were sitting at the adjacent tables while the rest of them were posted at the end of the alley to give a signal if threat loomed near.

A female entered the inn and made a beeline straight for his table. Sitting across from him, she made a hand-sign and said, "I have news that you have a ship to wreck."

Augustus made a counter hand sign to her then nodded, "A ship that is hard to wreck but the galleons are good if you can bring a wrecker or two."

With both of them satisfied that they were dealing with a member of the society, she got down to business, "We charge a standard fee for the wreckers themselves not including the charges for the manpower that we will have to put in."

He nodded, "I want 3 wreckers so strong that no ship would stand a chance against them."

She nodded, "Come to the wrecker's cove with three loads of dung and we will get you the desired items."

[Translation of their codes:

"I hear you have a ward breaking contract for us."

"A ward that is hard to break but you will get your named price if you can bring a ward breaker or two."

"We charge a standard fee for the ward breakers themselves which increases with the difficulty of the job and the risk involved, there are additional fees for man-hours of research and the time on the job."

"I want 3 ward breakers (Heavily customized and reinforced) so strong that no ward would stand a chance against them."

"Come to the headquarters with thirty thousand Galleons (In ancient times, gold was often kept wrapped in cow dung to smuggle it past government agents) and we will get you the desired items."]

Braying of the wolves

"On your left", yelled Remus to his second in command as the man ducked to avoid a blow from a werewolf who had a dagger in his hand.

Remus and his crew had been trying to find the werewolves. He didn't know that Voldemort had ordered them to return to the castle. Many of the groups had chosen to disobey orders and kept on with their own plans. As a result, Moony and his crew had to fight five different groups in just the last week. They had killed 30 werewolves so far while the rest had escaped. Remus would have liked to take a few of them as prisoners but Harry's orders were clear. There would be no prisoners.

This time, they were fighting with a group of werewolves somewhere in Sheffield. Remus was worried. They had run into twenty werewolves and he had only ten at his side. These werewolves were not as slow or stupid as the ones he had faced but these were more savage than others. They actually knew what they were doing and they were going for the weakest points in a man's anatomy to kill their opponents. Five of his men were already down and he was struggling now. They had killed about 10 of the opposite pack but he didn't know if they could kill all of them.

He needed help and he remembered Harry's advice. As he fended off another attack, he called his elf. As she appeared, he barked, "Go and bring help immediately."

The elf disapparated to appear in the Mermaid's sanctuary where Harry was having sword practice with Neville. As she appeared, she croaked at the top of her voice, "Master be in danger, Lord Peverell."

Before they could react or put their swords away, the elf caught their hands and they disapparated instantly to appear in the middle of the fight. They immediately got to the grizzly work of hacking their enemies to death.

To Harry's horror, he saw Moony caught by a werewolf who had trapped his arms behind him while another drove a dagger into Moony's stomach, making blood run out of the wound.

Harry immediately saw red and bellowing, he ran in that direction. One of the werewolves jumped in between them but Harry swung his sword with all his force and the werewolf's head parted company from his body. The two who were fighting with Remus turned towards him. Before they could express their astonishment or shock, one found the goblin made sword passed through his heart and the other with a dagger in the middle of his forehead.

Harry caught Remus who was falling and pulling out the dagger, he cast a healing charm. The charm didn't work as well as it should have but it stopped the bleeding. Harry was going to perform another spell before Remus croaked, "I.. I.. wi.. will not di.. die. Help them."

Harry ran towards the werewolves that were still fighting and decided to challenge their alpha, "I challenge you to duel to the death, you scourge of the land."

The werewolf bared his teeth, "I have been waiting to drink your blood, Peverell."

Harry dropped his sword and pulled out a dagger. This was a very ordinary silver dagger free of any enchantments unlike his other daggers but it was one of those that he had found in the Rosier vaults.

As he and the alpha circled each other, Remus's elf tried to help him as best as she could. Elves have their own brand of magic. With it, she was able to close the gash so that Remus wouldn't bleed out suddenly but that was all.

Neville had rallied the others around him and they had started to fight with renewed vigour. When Neville felt that he was not able to effectively deal with them in his human form, he changed to his animagus form and started attacking them at once. The werewolves stood no chance against a fully grown bear who was out for their blood. A swipe of any of his massive claws was enough to knock them flat. As the bear would render them disable, one of Remus's werewolves would kill the fallen foe.

Harry and his foe circled each other, looking for an opening. Depending on his supernatural speed to surprise harry, the werewolf lunged for Harry's throat. At the last possible moment, Harry twitched to one side, holding the dagger where his throat had been. Instead of getting his hands around Harry's throat, he got a burning slash the length of his arm. With a parting kick to his butt, the werewolf stumbled forward and landed on his face. Continuing the motion, he tumbled over and sprang to his feet.

Humiliated, enraged and howling with pain, the Alpha drew his glaive and rushed at Harry again. Harry wasn't fooling around anymore. This time, he grabbed the weapon-arm as the werewolf tried to strike. With a twist of his entire body, he hurled the werewolf past him, slamming him to the ground and breaking his wrist. This time, with both arms practically useless, the werewolf got to his feet much more slowly. He took a moment to assess his condition while Harry waited patiently. The wound from the silver dagger was still burning, but he thought he could still use that arm. The hand with the broken wrist was useless, but he could still manage a forearm smash with it. And, of course, he could still use his feet.

This time, the werewolf approached slowly, cautiously, using his good hand to distract. When he was close enough, he lashed out with a vicious front kick that was aimed to destroy Harry's manhood. In one motion, Harry stepped back ever so slightly, grabbed the foot with his free hand, while propelling the foot upwards, he cut the werewolf's hamstring and flipped him end-over-end to land on his face again.

Harry looked on with disinterest as the werewolf struggled back to his feet. When he saw Harry put his dagger away, the werewolf laughed, a hideous barking laugh, "What? You concede? Very well, I will kill you now."

Harry didn't even so much as blink in response. When the werewolf hobbled toward him again, he grabbed the arm still dripping blood from the dagger wound. Twisting while pulling and lifting the werewolf high overhead, he slammed the werewolf into the ground, forcing the shoulder out of its socket and breaking the arm in three places. The werewolf was obviously unable to fight anymore, but this duel was to the death. With a mighty roar, Blizz appeared in Harry's place. A single swipe from the claws of the giant snow leopard removed the wind-pipe and both carotid arteries from the werewolf's neck before he could gasp in surprise.

Looking around, Harry quickly realized that Neville and the four remaining werewolves from Moony's pack had already taken care of the rest. He resumed his human form. He beckoned Remus's second in command, "Arrange for your dead to be honourably escorted to the plantation. Then wait for the Aurors who will arrive soon with a clean-up crew. Give your report to them and inform them that the Order of the Snow Leopard aided you in the best way that they could. I will also send a medical team to you as soon as I can so that they can tend to your injured."

As the man retreated, Harry turned to Remus's elf, "Take Neville back to the castle. I am taking your master to the plantation. I will make sure that he is well cared for."

To Neville he said, "Return to the castle, brother. I will come back as soon as I can."

Collecting his sword, he conjured Patroni, he said, "Moony is seriously injured. Taking him to the plantation. Come soon."

He sheathed his sword in its scabbard and shrunk it down and stowed it in his robes. He scooped Moony up and disapparated to appear in the Rosier Plantation where Narcissa was still living. She stood to greet him but he wordlessly carried Remus up towards his room as she followed closely.

As he worked on Remus's extensive injuries, she kept supplying him with things that he needed. Moony had received two wounds. Harry had been able to cure one of them but he had no idea about the second one. Finally he decided to ask for help.

"Dobby", he called and the excitable elf appeared, "Master calls for Dobby?"

"Dobby, please go to the hospital near Scottish highlands and bring me healer Sushrut. No matter what he is doing, I want him here right now."

The elf disappeared. Before the elf could return however, Sirius and Tonks had arrived.

Harry told them of everything that had happened while Sirius listened agitatedly and Tonks was impassive. When he was done, Sirius growled, "And you never sought fit to inform me?"

"Remus told me that he needed no help. Besides you were needed at the ministry more", said Harry meekly. Sirius's outburst had scared him, even if a little.

When Tonks spoke she sounded like she had a bad cold, "I know he can be pig-headed but this is insane. We are going to have a talk once he is awake. How is he now?"

Before Harry could speak further, Dobby appeared with the healer. He seemed to be wrestling with the elf to rid himself of Dobby's grip. Dobby however stuck to him like warts to plasters and was clinging to his leg and kept saying, "Master wants you right now."

Harry chuckled despite the grim mood, "It's alright Dobby. You can go now."

Sushrut turned to Harry, "You should have at least let me dress, lad."

Now that he said it, Harry realized that the man was only in a dhoti which was tied around his lower body while his upper body was bare, showing a well muscled frame.

"I apologize, Healer Sushrut but the requirement was urgent. A life may depend upon it."

Tonks took the healer to Remus while Sirius waited with Harry in the floo room where Narcissa had joined them. Harry turned to her, "Thank you for the assistance Narcissa. I didn't know that you knew so much about healing."

She bowed her head, "I wanted to be a healer when I was a student, Lord Black. But we were not allowed to pursue a career in the house of Black. We were meant to be trophy wives for our husbands and nothing more."

"If you wish you can pursue a career in healing now, Narcissa", he told her, "In fact I will endorse you, if you need that."

She obliged by bowing her head.

The healer had come down by then, "lad, he will be fine in two days but he should stay out of any fighting for a week at least. He escaped by breadth of hair from being rendered vegetative."

Harry shuddered, "I assure you Healer Sushrut that he will not go out fighting for the next week at least. I don't think Tonks will allow that."

Sirius growled, "Damn right. Next time he goes out, he will have a damn army with him. He doesn't need to play the hero when he can kill them without taking too many losses."

Remus had lost three men that night. Three more were badly injured, but they would recover. It was a considerable loss for him.

Time skip

The next few days came and went in a blur. The month of April passed without further stress at the castle while things heated up on the outside. In the castle, many things happened which may be important in another story for another time but nothing much happened in regards to the war. The students still practiced their drills but other than that, they were now paying more attention to their upcoming OWLs. The exams were starting soon and it would serve them well to revise for them.

Study groups had formed among the students. They spent most of the time outside classes in the study groups preparing for the exams. While they had a fair idea about how they would be tested on Transfiguration and Charms, the rest of the subjects were a mystery to them.

The first exam on that list was for defense. Vikram Rana heavily hinted at the exams putting more emphasis more on practical application of everything that they had learned. He also dropped hints about having developed a new series of tests for the practical exam. Madam Marchbanks, the head of Wizarding Authority was very receptive to the idea that they need to devise a new exam pattern for defense against the dark arts. If they wanted the students to be able to apply to jobs such as Aurors or hit wizards, they needed to be able to stand up to the challenge. After all, the ministry wouldn't be accepting just anyone in the Auror corps. The Aurors were the elite of the ministry and they should come from those really well versed in their craft.

The second subject was History of Magic. History of magic wasn't a subject that anyone could pass with pure rote learning anymore. Professor Hughes had taught them to think for themselves. It wasn't just the names and dates. It was also critical thinking about the cause and reasoning behind each event. Her students didn't have to agree with her but they would not pass unless they were willing to defend their reasoning. She taught about great events in Wizarding history in detail and while she did, she would often ask questions of the students. Any student failing to answer wasn't reprimanded but she would often encourage them to read ahead for the next class. Inciteful questions were even more welcome than correct answers. She wanted all of her students to participate in the discussions. Answers to the questions in their OWL exams would depend on the discussions that they had in classes. The books that she recommended contained wrote, standard answers which would not be sufficient by themselves to impress the examiners. The students would have to think for themselves to get anything better than an A.

Apart from those two, the other subjects were the same. Potions already was tested to a very high standard but this year, many of the students had got better at it due to the change in the teacher's attitude. Snape had stopped tormenting the students just for fun and that had brought considerable change. Besides Harry often shared tips about brewing which were helpful to them in getting better results. The impact of Harry's tips were such that Seamus Finnigan, the widely acclaimed pyromancer had only destroyed one cauldron early this year!

The days passed quickly with them practicing in the chambers in their spare time while studying when they were not in the chambers. With the end of the Quidditch cup, there were only the exams left which were supposed to happen sometime in June as per the annual schedule. There had been however an interesting development which people had noticed and talked about.

Ernie Macmillan was hiding out at a table in the back of the library so that he could concentrate on his studies, when someone slipped into the chair beside him, "I swear that you are a hard man to track down sometimes, Macmillan."

Ernie shook his head in resignation, "I had hoped no I had believed that you won't be able to find me here in the library, Greengrass."

Astoria admonished him, "I have told you several times to call me Astoria, Ernie."

He said resignedly, "Tell me what you want from me, Astoria. I am tired of you hounding me everywhere I go."

"For myself? Nothing. For you, I bestow the honour of being my date for the weddings of Heir Weasley, Regent Rosier and Regent Potter. I sincerely hope you can dance because if you step on my foot, I shall promptly kick you in the shins."

He raised an eye brow, "What gives you the idea that I want someone to accompany me?"

"Well, you just asked me what I want. What I want is for you to enjoy yourself at what is sure to be the social event of the decade. I guarantee that it won't be boring."

He nodded, "Alright, I will grant this wish. Now will you leave me alone?"

Astoria tried to look innocent. The look was so out-of-place on her features that it made Ernie laugh. She asked, "Did I say that I would leave you alone if you granted my wish, Ernie?"

Ernie groaned, "You should have been a Slytherin. Who put you in Ravenclaw?"

Since that day, Astoria was nearly inseparable from Ernie. They kept disappearing into empty classrooms together. While everyone was certain that they were snogging, what Astoria was really up to was making Ernie a better dancer than Neville if it could be done. Ernie was no Klutz, but he was a whole lot better at the Highland Fling than he was at the Foxtrot. Once Astoria had laid her claim, the other girls knew enough to stay away from Ernie for their own good. Her nick-name wasn't Little Trouble for nothing.

Apart from them, rumours had started going around the Castle about Fay Dunbar and Dean Thomas Sayre. They were well matched because they had certain chemistry between them.

Also invitations had started to arrive at Hogwarts for the students. Invitations from Harry to everyone that he wanted at the weddings. He had taken care to personally give each card to the desired recipient for the cards were also portkeys for the venue.

Out of the castle

Let's break wards

Out of the castle, things were progressing at a good speed. Several things were happening at the same time and nobody was any the wiser.

The Wrecker's cove was situated in the basement of a dilapidated complex of buildings. This used to be an affluent neighbourhood back in the 20s and some wizarding families had purchased these properties. As the families died, the properties changed hands and came into the hands of the wreckers. They constructed basements beneath the properties. The upper buildings had a carefully developed look of outer ruin. This basement was their headquarters. It was where Augustus Rookwood arrived at their invitation.

The guards at the entrance stopped him. One of them said, "Show identification before you can be allowed inside."

Rookwood gave the sign and turned up the right sleeve of his robe to show the mark embroidered there, a symbol showed that he was a member of the society.

The security wizard frisked him with probity probes, checked the sacks that he had brought with him full of shiny gold galleons and let him in. As he entered, he was made to surrender his wand and then was accompanied to a room where two wizards and a witch sat at the other side of a table.

As Augustus sat, they started without preamble, "let's come to the point because time is precious for us."

Rookwood nodded and they continued, "What are the specifications for this assignment that you bring to us?"

"I come from the Dark Lord who wants a way to bring down the war wards of Hogwarts without facing too many losses. This is important for him in his campaign and this amount that I bring is only a fraction of the price that he is willing to pay. If you have a way for me to bring down those wards, I am all ears."

The oldest of them who was well advanced in age, said, "This is a difficult task due to the sheer magnitude of it. Those wards are massive and very mysterious. Fortunately, I have had the chance to study them. In the time of the Grindelwald wars, the security of Wizarding Britain was threatened. That was the last time the war wards of Hogwarts had been deployed. I was a ward master at that time. The DoM asked me to help them with those wards for there were very few who could unravel its mystery. I have studied those wards and I know their weaknesses. For one, those wards don't retaliate. Most wards these days can kill if you use offensive magic against them but those wards were made with the sole intent of defending. They can be over bearing on your senses but they can't kill you."

Rookwood nodded, "So can they be broken?"

The old man nodded slowly, "Any ward can be broken. The real question is whether it can be done while they are being actively defended, in an amount of time that makes sense and how much you are willing to throw at them. Of course, the older they are, the stronger they tend to be. We're talking about war wards that have been in place for over a thousand years. Every Headmaster at Hogwarts has added to them. By this time, they may have developed a mind of their own. We can do it, but it will take every ward breaker we have and you will have to provide a distraction so that we can work in peace. The plan is to weaken the wards so that they can be taken down with minimal force later, but Dumbledore will not notice until it is too late. You will have to send me word when you want me to start working on the wards."

Augustus stood from his place, "I will leave you to your job then."

The Forbidden Forest

Hagrid was talking to the centaurs. They were on better terms with him since he had taken Grawp to the mountain cave that Dumbledore had suggested for him.

Bane, as usual was being difficult, "Wizard kind can fight their wars, Hagrid. We trouble not ourselves with these worldly affairs". He was the leader of the herd.

Hagrid shook his head sadly as he sat down on a nearby boulder, "Them's fine words, Bane. Yer folks do a fine job of guarding them what lives here. Ya know that I help ya out when I can and I'd never interfere if it weren't a matter of life and death."

He looked Bane in the eye, "Tom Riddle won't care that yer neutral.". Thumping the ground with his foot, he continued, "This here forest is between him and the castle. He'll kill everyone and anything that's got the misfortune ter be in 'is way."

Bane tossed his hair and snorted defiantly, "Then he has chosen death!"

Hagrid looked hopeful, "Does that mean you will fight?

Bane snorted and pawed at the ground, "I'll make this clear, half-giant, we will always fight to protect our home. But we will not fight for you."

With that, he turned and his herd followed him into the forest.

Gringotts

"King Ragnok", said the Goblin Manager of the House of Black, Ripthroat, "I have just received a communication from Rudolphus Lestrange which is strictly meant for your eyes only."

Ragnok extended his hand and accepted the letter. He checked it for curses and portkey etc. before he opened it. It was eloquent in the way that a pureblood would write with subtle threats within the language.

"Greetings, Lord Ragnok

I write this letter in hopes that it will find you in good health. While I can assume that you know of my status as escaped convict with the ministry of magic and that I am on the list of most wanted criminals however I also believe that you will not send this communication to the ministry. The treaty which was entered into at the end of the second goblin rebellion gives you autonomy in your territory. As such, my status with the ministry is no concern to you.

The purpose of writing this letter is to ascertain the status of my deceased former wife's vault. The vault which she had inherited from her family as part of her dowry and was managed separately by her alone. I care not for the vault itself. I give to you all the contents of that vault as your fee. In return I call upon you to do one small service for me. The vault contains a little chalice made of silver. It is engraved with the Hufflepuff coat of arms. The said chalice was sent to the vault by the deceased Bellatrix Nameless about two decades ago. I trust that it is still in your possession.

The said chalice once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff herself but at some point in time came into my possession, which again is not your concern. I want that chalice delivered to me at a time and place of my choosing.

I must also mention that the Dark Lord himself covets that particular artefact. You may assume that refusing him this little service may incur his displeasure for the Goblin nation. Fulfilling his demands will put you and the goblin nation in his favour. I, on my honour, guarantee that you will be adequately rewarded in terms of amendment to the Goblin treaty to suit your interests.

May your gold always flow.

Rudolphus Lestrange."

Ragnok slapped the letter down on his desk, "The fool cannot give what is not his. Neither can I, no matter what the threat or the promise." He turned to Ripfang, "Send a letter to him informing him that the said vault with all of its contents was confiscated on the orders of Lord Black when his marriage was annulled. Also tell him that we will gladly do any other service to him."

Cave near the sea

Voldemort had finally decided to check on the state of his horcruxes and gather them to him. He had decided to keep those things close to him, protected by various enchantments so that no one would be tempted to try to steal them or destroy them.

He already knew that the diary was destroyed and that the ring he took from his Gaunt grandfather was gone. His arch nemesis Harold Peverell was once his horcrux but that had ended when Voldemort had hit him with the Killing curse. Other than that, there was Slytherin's locket, the cup which he had given to Bellatrix, the Diadem of Ravenclaw and finally his familiar Nagini. He needed the others safe if he ever hoped to kill Harold Peverell.

He had asked Lestrange to retrieve the cup for him, Nagini was safely hidden in the castle and the Diadem was safe in the Room of Requirement. The locket had been hidden here at this cave where he had laid some very elaborate protections around it. He had also tested those defenses with a house elf who had croaked as he drank the potion which evoked one's hidden fears rendering them insane. Before one could even get to the potion however, one would have to give up their blood to open the door which no one else could detect anyhow. This was a very arcane ritual and dark in nature. He knew of no one who dabbled in dark arts enough to be able to find the way. Inside the cave, one had to cross the lake which was infested with inferi. Ah yes, the inferi... While he was here, he would summon his army of undead to aid in the Battle of Hogwarts that could be any day now. To cross the lake to the tiny island, they would need to find the boat that was at the bottom of the lake. Unless they knew how to raise the boat, they would be devoured by the inferi. He was sure that no one could ever find and destroy the horcrux that he kept in the middle of the lake.

As he landed on the shelf where the entrance of the cave was, he first cast some detection spells to see if someone had been tinkering about. There was no magical signature of anyone but only his own. As he walked towards the blank wall, he sliced his palm with this wand and smeared the blood on the wall as the door appeared. The door shimmered for a moment before it became substantial and opened for him to enter. He waved his wand again to try and heal the cut which he had given to himself and to his dismay, his cut was only partially healed. Thinking he must not have cast a sufficiently powerful charm, he cast again. To his horror, this time, the cut didn't close at all.

He waved his wand towards a pebble trying to levitate it and to his horror, the pebble didn't move at all. Now that he thought about it, he realized that he could not feel the magic in his body at all! Somehow someone had placed a block on his magic, effectively making him a squib! In his frustration, Voldemort kicked a pebble into the lake and he instantly regretted his choice. The lake was full of inferi. They would be coming up any time now! He had no way to save himself for he could not create fire as he couldn't do magic. The entrance to the cave had long since closed and he had no way to open it. To open it required him to draw his blood and he couldn't cut his palm without a knife!

He collapsed on the floor of the cave, hopeless with despair and resigned himself to the fate of being killed by the corpses of the people he had killed over the years. He waited for his death but nothing seemed to be happening. After he had waited long enough, he realized that something was amiss.

Cautiously he peeked into the water where he could see the ghostly green boat at the bottom of the lake but other than that, the lake was empty. There was no one and nothing else in the lake at all. All the bodies in the lake were gone. He wanted to shout at the top of his voice and blast things apart but he could not. His magic was not working.

He decided that he might as well try to check the horcrux while he figured out a way to get out of the cave. There was only one way for him to get to the little island in the lake and that was the boat. He would have to raise the boat to the surface. He started spreading his senses in all directions to try and find the chain which had raised the boat to the surface in the past. His senses however failed because he had no access to magic. After several laps around the lake, during which he utterly failed to find the chain that would raise the boat, thoroughly exhausted, disoriented with only the bioluminescent slime on the walls for light, he sat down on the ground and slept. When he awoke, who knows how many hours later, he remembered that he would need magic to find the chain and raise the boat. He spent several more hours, feeling out in all directions as far as he could reach on the side of the lake where he could see the glow from the boat on the bottom of the lake. When he was sure that the attempt was futile, he slept again.

When he awoke the second time, He realized that without the inferi in the water, the island was not that far away. He hadn't been swimming since his childhood days at the orphanage, but perhaps he could persuade this construct to do it. Leaving his robe on the ground and taking his wand between his teeth, he slipped into the cold, subterranean lake. His feet remained on the bottom, even when the water was over his head. He found that as he worked to tread water, he rose to the surface and could breathe. With a bit more effort, he was able to do the Australian Crawl out to the island. When he climbed up onto the rocky surface, he could still see the glow of the potion basin ahead of him.

He didn't relish the idea of drinking down that potion. He had designed the foul stuff so he knew exactly what it would do to him. Without the use of his magic, he couldn't cast the spell to empty the basin. He couldn't even conjure a cup. The irony wasn't lost on him that he would have to suffer the fate he had intended for his enemies.

With his breeches still dripping-wet from his swim, he approached the basin. He couldn't have expected to find the horcrux still here. It was pretty obvious that someone had been here before him, but maybe they couldn't overcome the last obstacle and Slytherin's Locket was still here. He tried pushing the basin over, but he didn't have the strength that task required. In fact, with the spells he had cast on that basin when he set it up, even Grawp would not have been able to do it. He tried scooping the potion out with his hands and dumping it on the ground but the level of the potion stubbornly remained the same. Finally, without even a drinking cup to aid him, he started doing what he knew he had to do. He knelt down beside the basin and started scooping up the potion with his hand to drink it. The progress was slow because his long, boney fingers made a poor cup. With the first sip, the thirst and the horror visions began. The murder of the Riddles, the torturing of the muggle orphans, his horrific transformations as he made each horcrux, every lesson with Abadan, every murder, torture, lie, his own fear of dying, being forgotten, counting for nothing, that killing curse bouncing of off the Potter brat's head and killing him over and over again. It went on and on with no end. And then there was the terrible thirst! Every gulp made it worse.

Finally, the terrible dark lord, babbling about every fear or doubt he ever had, and they were many, crawled to the edge of the island to slake his thirst. He should have died then, but thanks to Neville's work, there were no inferi to drag him under the water and rip him limb from lim. He passed out for a time.

When he came to himself again, he walked back to the basin to see the locket exposed. It was similar in size and material to Slytherin's Locket, but when he picked it up, it looked different. He tried speaking Parsel-mouth to tell it to open, but he could not do that without magic. It was no use. This was not his horcrux. But perhaps, it contained a clue to who had taken it. With careful examination, he found the latch and opened it. Inside was a folded piece of parchment. When he unfolded the note, it was written in a neat, slanting script with black ink. It read:

"To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead by the time you will be reading this. I know of the measures that you have taken to ensure your immortality while you boasted to us of our unfathomable powers which would grant you immortality. I realised that I have been serving a charlatan who is not worthy of picking my sandals. I am absolutely appalled at the disgusted measures that you took to ensure your 'immortality' and from this moment, I renounce you.

I am taking this horcrux away and I know I won't be able to live to destroy it but I hope that I can help bring you down even if in a small way. I part ways in hope that you will meet your match when you are completely mortal again.

May you burns in the pits of hell forever,

Regulus Arcturus Black,

Heir presumptive of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black."

The moment he read the note, Voldemort felt the magic returning to his core. He reached for his wand and blasted the basin into oblivion. Perhaps sudden anger had destroyed the block on his magic. That also destroyed the anti-apparation ward that had been inscribed there. In the next minute, he dried himself off and summoned his robe. As he worked, all he could think of was "Regulus Black had betrayed him. He was already dead, but where was the locket? Did he succeed? Was the locket already destroyed?"

Fear, fear of his own mortality gnawed at what was left of his rotting soul. Of course, the Great Lord Voldemort never expressed fear, so he raged. The Blacks, the last of the Blacks, all of the Blacks would pay for this insult. It didn't matter one bit that Regulus was already dead, he would have his revenge on all of them!

Of course, he didn't lose sight of the fact that it was now more important than ever to protect Nagini and to get The Diadem of Ravenclaw out of that accursed castle.