A/N: Just a forward warning: This chapter is very confusing if you rush to conclusions very quickly—so don't. Be sure to read everything correctly, and you'll understand perfectly what's happened by the end of the chapter. Not the beginning, not the middle, but the end. There were parts when I reread it that even I was lost and confused, so just bear with me. This is a dark chapter.

Chapter Twenty- One

Moony and Janet

"Escuro Phoenix!"

A long, dark object shot from the length of Lord Voldemort's wand. It flew up into the air, settling quietly over the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. It slowly slithered through the air, eventually taking the form of what appeared to be a phoenix, silhouetted darkly against the still night sky.

Several of the Death Eaters that formed a circle near Voldemort rustled slightly. A shiver passed through the ranks of the circle, one thing going through each of their minds: What's he doing?

"Merely distracting the learning process at Hogwarts," said Voldemort, as if reading their minds. He did not face them, but continued on, almost lazily, "They will know, then, that the phoenix's word was true, is true. Maccie, come here."

"Yes, Master," said a female voice as a hooded figure stepped forward. The figure was rather short; the rest of the Death Eaters rose tall around her. "What would you have me do?"

Voldemort casually scratched his chin before responding, carefully, "Lure them in, Maccie. Bring each of them to me. Be sure that all of them are separate, their magical bonds are too great for me to possibly break if they are together. Bring them here. I want them by tomorrow evening at sunset. Wormtail, accompany her."

Another figure bristled out of the ranks, nodded once, then both of them left.

Voldemort slowly turned to face his servants, a sinister smile lighting his face.

"Reaper," he whispered. A form black as night suddenly appeared in the air next to him. "Urdai." The wood became alight with movement and whisperings as many gnarled creatures appeared on the edges of the clearing. "Chimaera." Two monstrous figures came into view as well. The smile grew. "Light it."

A flame began burning in the night sky. The shadows darkened, however, and within instants Voldemort had disappeared with a faint pop. The Death Eaters exchanged questioning glances, then disappeared off into the night.

Only a torch with a burning green flame remained, dimly lighting the few feet around itself, flickering in anticipation.

***

When Harry woke up the morning following the Quidditch match, he felt one hundred percent better than he had the night before.

Ginny had obviously been right in thinking that he would fare well after taking medication long enough. He bounced out of bed and pulled some Muggle clothes on, anxiously awaiting the Hogsmeade visit, wanting to escape the confines of the castle for the first time in days, years it seemed.

After glancing around the dorm (which was strangely silent, part of him vaguely made a note of) for a moment, he hurried downstairs for breakfast. He also very vaguely noted that his scar was paining him a bit, but instantly shoved aside any thoughts of Voldemort on such a promising day as today appeared to be.

Harry plopped down next to Ginny at the Gryffindor table, Ron and then Hermione on his other side.

"Morning everyone," he greeted jovially.

But apparently the true effects of Seamus's death had set in on them; no one returned his greeting except for Ginny, and she merely gave a small "hello" in his direction.

"What's going on?" Harry asked, still quite perky.

"Just sleepy," said Ginny.

"You're sure Madam Pomfrey said that pneumonia's not contagious, right?" Harry asked in concern, feeling Ginny's forehead delicately.

"Positive," she said quietly, offering him a smile small.

"Then what's wrong with everyone?"

"I suppose it's just that since Seamus…well…you know…."

Dumbledore stood up at that moment, a grave look about his worn features. He glanced around calmly for several seconds as the tittering died down in the Great Hall, then cleared his throat.

"I regret to inform you," he began quietly, "that there has been another murdering." A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall as it often did lately, and Dumbledore waited for everyone to talk themselves into silence before saying, "Our Defense Against the Dark Arts' teacher, Professor Dol Tallow, was found dead near the Forbidden Forest last night, nothing left of his body but cinders."

Several people cringed. Harry was in total shock, as was Ginny; Ron and Hermione also gaped at Dumbledore, all thinking one thing: He wasn't the traitor.

Dumbledore continued, looking graver than ever, "We will be looking into this murder very carefully. You will be permitted to go to Hogsmeade today, but you will be transported in the carriages and you are not to stray from the main street. The carriages will leave at seven o'clock sharp, so be ready for them."

He eyed them once more carefully, seemingly teetering on the edge of telling them more, then he sighed softly and sat back down next to Professor McGonagall, who patted his hand sympathetically. All of the professors appeared rather teary.

Hermione was the first to break the silence that had settled over the quartet.

"He couldn't have faked his own death, could he have?" she asked, appearing quite confused.

"I reckon he could have," said Ron slowly.

"It's possible," Ginny said quietly, shrugging her shoulders very discretely.

Harry, who was staring out the window, said nothing.

"What d'you think happened to him, Harry?" Ginny wondered aloud as they walked down the streets of Hogsmeade alone—Ron and Hermione had gone off on a few "errands," Hermione had said, but Harry suspected that that was not the case—Ron had had a very dopey grin on his face the entire time.

"I don't know," said Harry truthfully. "Want a butterbeer at the Three Broomstick's?"

"Sure," said Ginny.

They walked down the street in silence until finally they reached the Three Broomstick's, which sat undisturbed amidst the confused and panicked Hogwarts students. Ginny went ahead and got them a table, and Harry ordered the drinks. He plopped down next to Ginny moments later, two frothy butterbeers in his hands.

"Here you go," he said, offering one to the girl.

She took it and took a long draught out of it, then gave him a dazzling smile that lit her features very vividly.

"Wow, she's beautiful," Harry said, thinking it was to himself. Ginny reddened slightly, but her grin increased, and he frowned slightly before realization dawned on him. "I said that out loud, didn't I?" Ginny nodded, now giggling slightly. Harry's face now matched hers in color. "Er—anyway—"

But Ginny had been overcome by a fit of giggles; she collapsed against Harry, chortling. Harry grinned down at her, watching as her face contorted as she laughed.

She's still beautiful, he reflected, absentmindedly draping an arm around her to keep from being crushed against the window. Do try to refrain from speaking aloud, though. You could let some dangerous things slip….

Point taken.

"Having a laughing fit, are we?" Harry teased. Ginny's laughter increased. "Could we please—breath, here, you know? Oxygen intake? Oxygen is good, Gin. Not bad."

Ginny continued laughing, though, until tears were streaming down her cheeks and her face was beet-red. Finally she gained self control and began breathing rationally once more. Harry grinned at her.

"Makes you feel good, doesn't it?" he muttered. "Just laugh everything away…."

Ron and Hermione bristled in at that moment, both looking more flushed than ever (but not from the cold, Harry guessed) and holding hands.

Ron distastefully eyed how close Harry and Ginny were sitting; barely an inch separated them. Harry just gave him a knowing grin after glancing pointedly at Hermione, and they wordlessly sat down opposite the aforementioned couple.

"So, how'd your—er—errands go?" Harry asked, fighting a smile desperately.

Ron and Hermione turned scarlet.

"Very well, I take it," said Ginny, who was still laying partially against Harry.

"How were you and Harry?" Ron asked in a falsetto tone.

"Oh, we managed," said Ginny shortly, shooting daggers at Ron.

"Well then—what say we go to Zonko's?" Harry piped up in an attempt to calm his best friend and his…Ginny down.

It worked—Ron's expression turned boyish, more so than Kirk Joseph's, and he bounced up from his seat, nearly knocking Hermione clear off the bench in the process.

"Let's go!" he said ecstatically.

Hermione rolled her eyes to the sky, as did Ginny, but Harry only grinned. He lightly pushed Ginny to pry her off him, then grabbed her hand and followed Ron's figure.

A hooded figure watched them leave through the front door, then nodded seemingly to no one.

Several minutes later, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione found themselves in Zonko's, looking around at all the various items Fred and George would kill for—even some that had the twins' names on them.

"They've gone public!" Ron exclaimed exuberantly, seeing several shelves of Canary Creams, which were being sold very quickly.

"Wow," said Harry, stunned slightly.

"Guess Mum'll never teach them anything," Ginny muttered, trying to sound mature but smiling all the same.

"Harry—good to see you," said a voice from nearby. Harry whirled around to see Remus Lupin standing there, looking rather winded. "How're you lot doing?"

"Great," said Harry. "You've seen Fred and George's success, I take it?"

Remus nodded smilingly.

"What're you doing in Hogsmeade, anyway?" Harry asked.

The smile vanished from Remus's face slowly, replaced by a small frown.

"Oh—just a few errands here and there—trying to dispel the various rumors that have been afoot lately," he said evasively.

"And his old girlfriend's back in town, right Lupin?" sneered yet another new voice.

Remus remained calm as he eyed the potions master, who had just stepped in the joke shop (at least that's what it appeared, but he had obviously overheard their conversation).

"If you're talking about Janet, then yes—she is here, Severus," he said easily. "But she isn't my girlfriend, and that is far beyond my reasoning of being here. If you must know—she's married anyway."

"Was married, Lupin," said Snape icily. "Boot died the other day, murdered by Voldemort."

"How dreadfully awful," said Remus in a flat tone. "Good day, Severus."

He walked out the door, and something like triumph flickered in Snape's cold eyes. He looked at Harry and the others.

"Get back to school!" he snarled. "It's nearly seven."

"Yes, Professor," they chorused gloomily.

Once outside and away from Snape, the quartet glanced uncertainly at each other.

"That was certainly interesting, wasn't it?" Hermione said.

"D'you reckon this Janet girl was Lupin's girlfriend?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head, trying to shake the voices out of it.

"I don't know…" he murmured softly. "We best get back…"

"Right, then, let's go," said Ron cheerfully.

Funny how everyone's so perfectly cheerful when one of our best teachers is dead, isn't it? thought Harry bleakly. Yes, absolutely fascinating. Maybe they're trying to cover up—that's what I'm doing. Still wonder what killed him. Voldemort doesn't just burn people to a crisp and not take credit for it. Yes, it is rather odd, isn't it? Oh well….

They boarded a carriage with Neville Longbottom to go back to Hogwarts.

"Evening, Neville," said Harry quietly.

"Yeah," Neville muttered. There was silence for a moment, then Neville burst out, "I always liked Professor Tallow!"

"We all did," said Ron with a faraway look in his eyes.

Midnight in the Gryffindor common room found Harry and Ginny sitting alone on the sofa before the fire, talking quietly to each other. Harry had started studying for the O.W.L.'s again, this time more vigorously than before—several of their professors had told them what they were going to be up against, and Harry wasn't ready.

Nor were most of the other fifth years, but they didn't stay up late at night studying with a fourth year.

Harry didn't know why he was so keen to let Ginny help him study—Hermione would know more than Ginny, he knew—but something told him just to stay awake that night, and Ginny had offered to help. Of course he accepted the offer, as he did need to study, but there was something unsettling about the night…something that was out of place….

As Ginny flipped through books, Harry halfway listened, answering in the appropriate places. After what seemed like decades, something outside the window caught Harry's eye.

Great, just start hallucinating while we're at it, right? I'm not hallucinating. There's a bright green light out there that shouldn't be—

How d'you know it shouldn't be, hmmm? Shaddup.

"Harry? Woo-hoo?" Ginny waved a hand in front of his face. Harry snapped to attention, giving her a sheepish look. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing…" he said, trailing off noticeably. "I'm real tired, Gin, I'd better hit the bed."

"All right. I'll just stay here for a while longer, I think."

"'Night, Ginny."

"G'night, Harry."

Harry drifted upstairs with no intention of falling asleep. He immediately grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and shoved it on over his clothes, then stuffed his wand in his pocket and crept back down the stairs. Ginny was still there, packing up the books they had been going through. Harry glanced longingly at her for several moments, then hurried towards the portrait hole. He looked back at Ginny and waited till her face was turned, then scurried out the portrait hole and down the halls, leaving a very confused Fat Lady behind him.

Shit, the map. We're screwed. As long as there's not an Auror in here, we're fine.

He hurried through the corridors until he reached the exit. No Dementors stood there, so he made it through easily without being caught. Once outside, he followed the light he'd seen from inside. Several times, the bushes rustled nearby and he'd draw his wand—only to see a squirrel or Kneazle scuttle away. He completely missed the snake that followed him the entire time.

The light led him to the Forbidden Forest near Hagrid's cabin (where he could hear Hagrid singing songs quietly to himself—at least, he hoped it was to himself). Harry glanced furtively around, then hurried into the wood. After walking for several minutes, a bush nearby that appeared orange caught his site.

A centaur stepped into view, half man, half horse, and pawed over to where Harry stood frozen in place. It had orange fur, bright as ever, and Harry knew at once who's face he was staring at—Firenze, the centaur that he had only seen once before in first year.

He had grown a lot in four years, it seemed; he now looked a lot like Bane had then, with wild hair and a ferocious appearance.

Can centaurs see through Invisibility Cloaks?

"Of course we can, Harry Potter," said Firenze, his voice a whisper. "You should not remove that cloak. Get on my back, and I will take you where you need to be—back to Hagrid's."

Harry obliged, holding on tightly to the centaur's mane.

"The Dark Lord lurks in the forest these nights, Harry Potter," said Firenze softly. "You should not be here. There is more evil than ever before here."

"What was that bright green light?" Harry asked in a whisper.

"An ancient Elven magic," was the only response that came.

Harry's mind began working again, but never did his thoughts drift back to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"The Dark Lord has brought one ancient legend back to life already," said Firenze as they neared the edge of the forest. "The Urdai live here now, mercilessly slaughtering many unicorns and many of my own kind. We have already lost many lives in the fight. Now another legend is stirring again. The Elven magic is strong here, stones of all sorts everywhere…just remember these words, Harry, and remember them well," he said as Harry climbed down and walked a bit away from him, "even a very powerful magical object created for destroying evil can be controlled by anyone or anything. I bid you and your kind well tidings. Do not wonder near the forest at night."

Harry nodded once, then left the clearing and ran towards the castle, high cackles haunting him as he did so.

Somehow—he didn't know how—he ended up at the Quidditch pitch. The night around him was filled with dark shadows, ghosts of all sorts…he was losing consciousness…he didn't know why or how…something's not right…stones…magic…legends…HELP ME!

***

Demons danced in glee around him, even in his sleep. Nightmares consumed any blissful sensations he had. It was as though thousands of Dementors were around him at all times, eating his happiness like breakfast…his head pounded against his skull, his scar hurt worse than ever he remembered….

Harry pried his eyes open with all his might. A girl with short brown hair stood before him, and a man with the same kind of hair next to her. Harry blinked several times. The man was Remus or Romulus Lupin one, and the girl…well, he didn't know the girl.

"Harry, are you all right?" asked the girl quietly.

How does she know my name?

"Who are you?" he choked out.

"My name is Janet," said the girl.

Remus or Romulus or whoever turned to face Harry, his eyes alight with concern.

"Where am I?"

"The hospital wing, Harry," said Remus (Romulus?).

"Who are you?"

"Remus."

"Good," said Harry. "I was confused."

"Who else would I be?"

"Your brother."

"Harry—are you sure you're all right?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, why?"

The vision broke before him, but not until he saw something like disbelief in Remus's eyes. Was it a dream? I'm not awake, am I?

Wake up.

I'm trying.

Wake up, wake up.

My eyes won't open.

WAKE UP!

"I CAN'T!"

Everything came into sharp focus for Harry. Every confusing detail about the events that had just occurred left in a whoosh, as well. One glanced around him told him all he needed to know.

Lord Voldemort stood there, a cruel smile lighting his features, and a few feet beyond him were the Death Eaters.

He was in the hands of Voldemort.

Ron woke up the next morning to panicked whispers around his bed. He sat up, scratching his head and rubbed his eyes, then peered through his curtains.

He got a lovely glimpse of Hermione's bottom.

"Er—what're you doing in here?" he mumbled.

Hermione and Ginny jumped and sprang around to look at Ron's sleepy face.

"Ron—Harry's gone," said Hermione in a jumpy voice.

"Where?" Ron said.

Ginny surprised him by slapping him across the face.

"What'd you do that for?!" he yelled, his cheek stinging.

"Harry is missing, Ron!" Ginny said. "He's not at breakfast table, he's not at Hagrid's, he's not here, in the common room—"

"I get the picture," Ron muttered. "He's a big boy, Gin, he can take care of himself now."

BAM!

"OUCH!" shouted Ron, his other cheek stinging.

"Aren't you worried about Harry?" Hermione said, the blade of her hand still raised from the slap she'd just delivered to Ron.

"Why should I be? He can take care of himself, you know! Maybe he just went for a walk!"

"We're not allowed outside, remember?!"

"Okay, minor setback. Just say something bad did happen to him—Dumbledore would tell us, wouldn't he?"

"Misses Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, and Mr. Ron Weasley report to Professor Dumbledore's office immediately."

"Happy now, Ron?"

"Calm down, Herm," said Ron soothingly to Hermione as they walked to Dumbledore's office. "He could want to see us for…anything! Maybe you—no, I don't want to be slapped again," he added as an afterthought, breaking in mid-sentence.

"What's the password?" Ginny murmured as they reached the gargoyle's statue.

"Licorice Sticks," Hermione said.

The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside. Ron led the girls into the room, then up the stairs and into the office of the headmaster. Dumbledore himself was sitting in a chair behind his desk, looking out the window.

"Pro—Professor?" said Ron uneasily. "You, uh, you wanted to see us?"

Professor Dumbledore turned around, a withered look in his eyes. He gestured for them to sit down. Ron glanced around uncertainly, cursing himself for believing the girls' rubbish, but worrying about Harry nevertheless.

"What is it, Professor?" he asked, focusing his attention on Dumbledore.

The headmaster sighed audibly, then conjured a cup full of water and took a long draught.

"Harry is not here," said Dumbledore calmly. "He is close by, but not in this castle. I feel his magic's presence nearby, I believe in the Forbidden Forest, but he is not here."

Ron's heart sank. Ginny looked like she was near tears, Hermione as well.

"If Voldemort has him, then there is nearly nothing I can do," said Dumbledore quietly. "The only way to survive for Harry is to remain as calm as he always is. You mustn't go after him on a flit and get yourselves killed. I know Harry is your friend, but dying is not worth it at this point and time. Stay inside at all times, do not stray outside or even go anywhere with teachers. You will be excused from your outdoor lessons for the time being."

The trio nodded solemnly.

"God be with Harry Potter."

***

It was all like a very highly colored dream for Harry. He vaguely remembered Wormtail hoisting him into a large paddock and throwing him his wand. He remembered very clearly, however, the chants and shouts of the Death Eaters as they jeered for him to be killed. He remembered a cruel smile lighting Voldemort's face as a whistle sounded.

And then a huge roar brought Harry back into reality.

A pair of Chimaera were on either side of him, claws drawn and monstrous fangs shown. Harry sank to his knees. Why in hell does everything happen to me?

It's really not fair.

"Infernobolus!" he shouted, raising his wand.

Blue fire shot out at a Chimaera, but missed…and then the images swirled before him again, but his nightmarish unconscious state didn't end.

Harry woke with a start. His surroundings were—the Forbidden Forest. No one appeared to be around him, though. His robes were torn in several places, and sweat was beading down his face. His wand was still in his pocket, and the Invisibility Cloak was still wrapped around him.

A dream, he thought vaguely. It was a dream. I'm fine. I just fell asleep out here.

He laid back down for several minutes, then pulled himself up, glancing around. His jaw nearly dropped—gazing around him in a grand fashion were five adult unicorns and three pure-gold babies. They pawed at the ground as they ate, seemingly oblivious to his presence.

Then he remembered he was wearing the Invisibility Cloak.

There were also at least ten centaurs in the meadow beyond the clearing he was in, Firenze included in the pack. Firenze stared in Harry's direction, then smiled warmly at him, gesturing for him to remove his cloak. Then, to his horror, a voice spoke to him in his head.

This is a peaceful place, Harry Potter. The unicorns will not leave in your presence—you're a kind and generous person.

Harry slowly pulled off his cloak as he recovered from the initial shock of being spoken to without speaking. A few of the unicorns glanced up at him, but it was nothing more than a passing glance.

You can pet them if you want to.

Harry walked over to where a foal stood grazing, extending his hand. Surprisingly, the unicorn raised its head and nipped his hand with its tongue.

That's Stalit. She's a girl, obviously. Usually very hostile.

Harry uneasily glanced over at Firenze, who was grinning again. "Very funny," he mouthed. The unicorn, Stalit, kept nipping his fingers with her tongue before going back to grazing.

You can talk aloud, you know.

"Oh." Harry scratched his head. "Where is this place?" he asked Firenze.

"A golden meadow where evil cannot enter," the centaur responded. "This is where the last remaining true elf lived, in these caves surrounding the area. We're in the Forbidden Forest, by the way."

"Where—how did I get here?" Harry asked, still very clearly confused.

"You were disturbing the foals while they slept by your nightmares—you kept screaming in your sleep at the pitch—so one of the mothers went and got you to calm you by bringing you here. Nightmares can't enter here either."

"Oh. Well that's comforting." He paused for a moment, then crashed on, "So Voldemort never had me?"

This time, every centaur and unicorn's head raised and looked at Harry. Firenze looked apologetic.

"They're not used to hearing the Dark Lord's name," he said. "Try to say You-Know-Who in front of them, please? Thank you. And no, the Dark Lord never had you. It was all part of your nightmare. Just relax. Today is Sunday, so you can stay here the day and I will take you back to the school."

Harry nodded, an odd quirk on his face.

"All right, then." He glanced around. "Could you show me around?"

Firenze grinned.

"I was wondering when you'd ask that."