Harry
Potter and The Secret Within (Chapter 2)
By Anneke
"Hermione!" Ron said with a hint of scared astonishment in his voice.
"R-Ron, Har-" Hermione began to say but at that moment she collapsed to the cold gloomy floor. Harry, and Ron slowly backed away but then looked down to look at Hermione who was gone.
"What! She-she was just there a-a second ago!" Harry began to say.
"Harry! Come on we got to see Dumbledore now!" Ron replied eyeing where Hermione once was.
Harry, and Ron began running to where Dumbledore's office was, but did they know what trouble they were going to be in when; when they got there. They started to slow down, panting to the stone gargoyle that stood and guarding Dumbledore's study. Harry and Ron stood there silent except for the heavy heartbeats and pants.
"Cockroach Cluster!" Harry said remembering the last time he went to Dumbledore's office. Unfortunately the gargoyle did not move an inch.
"Crap!" Ron began saying.
"Potter, and Weasley! What are you doing!?" Cried McGonagall.
"Please Professor! Hermione just…just" Harry began to say but knowing it was going to sound very strange and stupid he just said. "We need to see Professor Dumbledore." Harry finished.
"Why!?" McGonagall started but decided not wanting to get an answer she went on " Professor Dumbledore, I'm afraid, can not see you." Professor McGonagall shivered then in an instant she shook her head and said, " Come with me, both of you."
Ron and Harry followed her interested and bewildered where she was going to take both of them. Ron looked at Harry confused with his eyebrows lowered almost touching his eyes in concerned bewilderment asking him if he knew anything that was happening Harry shrugged in reply to this way of asking. They both looked on forward, knowing this certainly was not the way where they were planning to be; they were heading for the dungeons. Harry looked up where McGonagall was supposed to be but there instead of her was; was
"Professor Snape!" Harry cried out. Ron who was looking down at the ground looked up.
"What the Hell!?" Ron shouted.
" Weasley, Potter." Snape smiled at them then laughed maliciously at them. " You are both in for it!" He laughed harder then before but he was angry with both of them for giving him a harder time then he
" What the" Ron swore, " is going on!?"
" Just follow and shut up" Snape's anger was building up. He marched downward and they now had to follow, afraid what might happen if they didn't. They continued to go down, downer then Harry had ever been before. Then when they turned a stone corner there was an end to the maze like dungeon walls. Snape walked forward took out his wand and said " Lord Voldemore" rather frightened. Ron and Harry looked at each other rather frightened. Then after a minute the stonewall vanished and in its place was an entry to a cozy looking place with a fireplace in it, there were furniture in it to and at the side of the wall was staircase going, if possible, downward. Harry looking around was not expectantly shoved into the room. Ron was pushed, too. Harry fell down hard on the blunted stones. Harry raised himself and then settled kneeling on the cold gloomy floor, looking at his scraped but bloodless knees.
" Is that you, Severus?" came sneering voice evidentially coming from the stairs and not waiting for an answer then continued, "Did you get Potter and Weasley?"
"Yes, Lousius. It is I" Snape answered.
"Good! Wait. I'm coming." Then there was stomping up the staircase.
" Ah…. There they are." Lousius Malfoy said, a wide murderous smile overcoming his cold, thin, grave face. "The lousy scums."
Snape smiled too but more murderous then Lousius's was. Harry didn't like this at all.
"Where is him" Snape asked.
"Who?" Malfoy asked confusingly.
Snape hesitated not wanting to say this but then smiled knowing what to say " Master?"
"Oh, he's down stairs" Malfoy said shuddering.
"Comfortable?"
" Yes."
"Good"
"Well, might as well bring them down to him" Malfoy said but as though this was something he rather not do.
" I; I guess so." Snape answered as if he thought this was a bad idea. Snape and Malfoy grabbed Harry and Ron. They dragged them down the stairs, which went downward swirling, but green light could be seen.
" Where are you taking us!?" Ron shouted but was muffled because of Snape's arm went in it.
" You'll see Weasley." Snape answered. They went farther down toward the green light. Harry's legs were tired and were refusing to walk no more but Harry forced them too which was painful, tears were forming in his eyes. Wishing more then ever that this was just a dream but couldn't be because of the pain swarming around his body. Then finally Harry saw a humongous snakemouth for a doorway but blocked with a stone door filled with thousands or millions of small-carved squiggling snakes.
"Malfoy, how did you get in?" Snape grunted at Malfoy.
"Didn't. Just spoke to him through the door." Malfoy sneered.
"Potter, try opening the door with your parseltongue langue" Snape growled at Harry's white chalk face. Harry stood still; weighing his chances with grabbing Ron and running back up the stairs or speak to the door. He choused to speak parseltongue to the graved door. He slowly proceeded to walk on his aching legs. "Open up" Harry grunted. The door slowly, and gravely went up. In front of Harry was the same exact room design as the one up stairs except it had a bed in front of where the stair case should have been, and laying there on the bed was; was Lord Voldemore. Ron gaped at what he saw. So this was what Voldemore looked like powerful or possible more powerful then he was before or; or ever.
Voldemore sat upright on his bed in wizard robes lines of bulging muscles on his arms and legs. His black hair was slicked back. His big eyes were blood red. His mouth was curled into a penetrating smile.
"So, the famous Harry Potter and the powerful Lord Voldemore meet again." Voldemore sneered.
"My Lord what can we do for you?" Asked Malfoy.
"Nothing for right now." Voldemore answered.
"Now, Weasley, tell me. What does Potter have that I don't?" Voldemore asked Ron, who was shivering with fright.
"I-I don't know." Ron stuttered.
"DON"T LIE TO LORD VOLDEMORT"
Ron flinched at the name. " Harry has a scar." Ron said shyly.
"STUPID BOY! DON"T PLAY AROUND WITH ME!" Voldemore boomed. "I won't hurt you just tell me." Voldemore said more calmly.
"Harry" Ron paused to think. " Harry has trust and he has love." Ron said more bravely.
" WHAT!" Voldemore shrieked. " Hah. Is that all? So there is nothing really to Harry Potter. Like wise." Voldemore smiled. "I don't really care for trust and, and; and" he was startled. " And love" Voldemore whispered silently. Malfoy, Snape, Ron and Harry looked at Voldemore puzzled.
"Master what are you talking about?" Snape said eagerly.
"Ah, well the boy is wrong I do have love. In my skin, Now I have the protection Potters mother gave him when she died and with that--'' Voldemore paused but he didn't finish at all.
" And what, my lord?" Malfoy said
]
"Never mind that" Voldemore growled.
"Snape! I thought you were with Dumbledore a spy for Dumbledore." Harry yelled.
Snape looked horrified at Harry then looked at Voldemore who's back was turned to him and was still. "Dumbledore thinks I am a spy for them." Snape said still shuddering.
"Yes, and now Snape has done something which I repaid him with forgiveness." Voldemore answered.
"Why you idiot!" Ron yelled at Snape.
" You down your purpose boy!" Voldemore snarled at Ron " And Now I will kill you" Voldemore paused then continued " AVADA KADAVRA!" A burst of green light came out of his wand Ron tried to duck but no use he died before he hit the floor and when he did a sickening crack was heard. Harry didn't want to look down.
"I WILL KILL YOU!" Harry screamed. " YOU WILL NOT GET AWAY FOR THIS!"
Voldemore laughed coldly. Harry looked into the evil dark bright red eye and those dark red eyes told him that he wasn't going to kill him and that he was, that night. Harry grabbed his wand Harry didn't know what he was doing but a dreamy feeling went over him it was the Imperious curse played again in Harry. Harry heard a voice saying 'look at me' Harry didn't think this was going to be bad so he did but was surprised that his head tilt over to Snape. But that was not all then the voice continued 'pull out your wand' and then said ' say AVADA KADAVRA'. Harry tried fighting it but he couldn't it came out of his voice.
"AVADA KADAVRA!" Harry bellowed at Voldemore. Voldemore who was smiling evilly at him before was now screaming in pain and he, Voldemore, now was dead; dead. Harry was breathing deeply at this he couldn't believe what happened.
"O. My. God." Harry panted. " What. Did. I. Just. Do."
" No, Harry. I as good as did it." Snape said.
" Snape!" Malfoy shrieked. Then Malfoy said, " Were freed!" Then after everyone looked at each other there came a mumbling Harry froze. Who? What? Where? Harry looked down at Ron. Harry yelled. Ron was fumbling on the floor.
"What!" Harry yelled. " What's happening!"
"I-I-I don't know" Snape said.
" Lets, I think we should bring him to the Hospital Wing" Malfoy. Harry for the, first time, agreed with Malfoy, or a Malfoy. Harry bent down and tried to pick up Ron. Then Ron grumbled again. This was amazing Harry thought. This was absolutely amazing. Voldemore finally dead and then Ron who was just dead alive! This was amazing! Snape came over to help Harry with Ron and then they went up the stairs up to the Hospital Wing. O, if only Hermione was here Harry thought dreamily. If only if she was here. Wait! Harry's thought popped. Where was Hermione? Harry quickened his pace, which Snape had to, too. Then Malfoy had too. They were all running up the stairs away from the green light. Where was Hermione? The question kept on repeating it self around Harry's head. Finally what had must have been an hour Harry got to the top of the stairs followed by Snape and Malfoy, of course. They all came back to the same room where they had begun at before Malfoy took them down to see Voldemore. The room looked different though. It looked darker and as if it had just been blown up with out anything getting blown into smithereens. But they didn't care what it looked like they had no mind to this they had to get to the Hospital Wing that was their new destiny. Through the corridors, up about a million staircases. Into a door through an archway. Madame Pomfrey was treating a small girl who was asleep.
"What is this?!" Madame Pomfrey said surprisingly.
"Poppy, this boy was just dead but amazingly enough he came back to life just after He-Who-must-not-be-named died." Snape said in his regular greasy voice.
"W-What?" Poppy said looking astonished her eyes bulging.
"Where are your manners!" Malfoy sneered.
"O, I am sorry" Poppy confessed. She pursed her lips then took Ron from Harry and Snape.
"Then you should be off!" Poppy said whose voice sounded like she was very annoyed. Harry, Snape, and Malfoy left. I must be off got to go to the Ministry of Magic." Malfoy said then ran to the Main Entrance and flung the door.
Harry looked up at Snape then he said, " We have to visit Dumbledore." Snape shook his head " Harry, I am sorry but Dumbledore is gone he disappeared into thin air." Then Harry remembered Hermione "That's what happened to Hermione." Then Harry remembered the Marauders Map and remembering that it showed where people were.
"Hold on." Harry called to Snape as he ran but he couldn't run he was to tired after running that much. Harry then collapsed out cold.
"Weird"
"Is. Is he alive?"
"I-I don't know"
"Probably not. I heard he was in another fight with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"Yeah. Right."
Harry was hearing voices. Voices. He turned and then he heard gasps. What was going on? Where was he? He didn't know. He wanted to open his eyes but he couldn't but he was too tired and decided he would just fall asleep again.
"It's time for all of you go!" Madame Pomfrey said. "George, Fred, Ginny you could stay." She added. He must have been in the Hospital Wing. Harry finally got his eyes open. He sat up. He looked around. To his surprise Dumbledore and Hermione saw them in the next few beds. He turned the other side. Fred, George, and Ginny were bent on the floor by Ron's bed. Ginny was weeping. George and Fred were frozen. Ron was lying there motionless. Harry tried getting out of his bed without them noticing it didn't; work once he sat on his bed it creaked. At that Fred and George looked up where Harry sat. Harry grinned at them and they grinned back. Harry got fully up from his bed and walked over where Ron laid. Ron was breathing but very lightly and just took small breaths.
"He'll live." Madame Pompfrey's voice broke the dead silence.
"Wha-" Fred said. He was befuddled of the breaking of the silence when he wasn't thinking.
"I said that He'll live" Madame Pomfrey repeated.
"O." George answered who was clearly not listening either. "Well, Harry we better leave." George, Fred and Ginny left the room turning back only to wave to him.
"Bye." Harry whispered. Harry climbed back into bed it was noise just looking at Ron. The bed repeated his creek when he climbed in nut he didn't care. Harry then fell right back to sleep.
Three days later Harry was out of the Hospital Wing and so were Hermione and Dumbledore. Ron unfortunately wasn't out but was much better then he was that day he was out cold. But now Ron was talking not much though but was mostly asleep at Madame Pompfrey's command.
"Hermione when you disappeared where did you go?" Harry asked one day while walking to Gryffindor tower.
"Hmm?" Hermione was showing that she did not understand Harry at all.
"The day when we were going to our first Defense Against the Dark Arts." Harry said trying to unconfused Hermione's head.
"O! That day. I disappeared?" Hermione asked.
"Yeahhh…." Harry answered.
"Well, I didn't see myself invisible. But I wasn't really anywhere. I was in like…" Hermione paused, pondering on what to say. " I was like; well nowhere." Hermione finished.
"but-" Harry was interrupted by Hermione putting up her hand. Hermione, un-doubtable, didn't not want to discuss it any further then they had gotten. So they didn't say anything for the rest of the way. Once they got to the portrait hole Hermione spoke up " Fire Dancers" The door swung open and Fred and George were on the floor with a piece of paper. They didn't even look up when Hermione and Harry got in from the portrait into Gryffindor Common room. Harry trying not to make any noise tiptoed behind Fred and George who were apparently not mapping out something.
"Stupid Muggle" claimed George.
"I agree!" Fred answered.
"Man if we hadn't showed him that magic trick we would have to pay that $500! Man our we lucky only having to pay $10!" George had claimed.
"Yeah. Our only worry is getting $10 in Muggle money."
"Well, we can get that from Harry."
"What from me!?" Harry eyed them suspiciously, but knowing what it would be. Fred and George looked horrified.
"Ahh… Harry umm… we were just looking for you!" Fred lied.
"Yup! We were um…. Wondering if you could lend us $10, you know in Muggle money." George replied.
" Why me?" Harry asked. " I don't even have a Muggle penny"
"Err…Can you ask your Uncle some" Fred said with a tone of panic in his voice.
"No problem." Harry said sarcastically. "It'll be a piece of cake."
"PLEASE!" George and Fred said together.
"Ok, I'll have to bribe them though for it." Harry said slowly.
"Thanks Harry. We owe you a bunch." Fred said relieved.
Thank God its Friday Harry thought then he carried himself to his dormitory a fell right to sleep.
The sunlight made him wake with a start; Harry opened his eyes and rubbed them. No one was there. Harry brought himself up and walked sleepily and silently down the spiral staircase and he saw Ron at the end of it looking out in the deserted common room where there came a humming noise. Hermione was there sitting on the most comfortable chairs humming and doing her homework. And then she broke into whispering song.