~*Chapter Nine*~ - The Keep of Darkness
"Hermione, we can't risk us being seen; they can't see invisible people," Ron realized as they reached the edge of the trees. Before them lay a dilapidated old castle, crumbling and in quite sad shape. But the dark magic that emanated from it was enough to prickle the hair on the backs of both their necks. Gently pulling out the shimmering Invisibility Cloak, Ron looked at Hermione and nodded, then slipped it over their heads, rendering them invisible to all. "Now all we need to do is get to that huge door over there and then we can find Harry and get out of there. But how do we get in?"
Hermione groaned. "Honestly Ron, didn't you read anything after graduation?"
Ron looked indignant; he almost made the sarcastic remark, "Nope, never read before graduation either!", but he decided against it when he saw the volatile look she was giving him.
"Oh, never mind. There's a spell I know that we can use to get in! Now come on, quickly!"
"SHH! They may not be able to see us but they sure will be able to hear us if you keep that up!" Ron hissed at her, yanking her back into the clove of trees. "Geez!"
Hermione shook her head. "Never mind, we're not going to get anywhere arguing like that."
Quietly, after the small squabble was taken care of, they made their way up the overgrown path that led to the massive door. The closer they got to the entrance, the more dark energy the felt. More than once, Ron shivered involuntarily, but he kept up his pace, making sure not to let the cloak slip from his body and reveal himself to any guards that might be lurking or that possess a scrying device. Harry was inside these walls, Ron knew it, and anyone be damned who try to stop him.
When they came upon the door, Hermione silently and slowly pulled out her wand, looking thoughtful. She turned to Ron with purposeful eyes and took a breath, her russet eyes glistening with courage.
"Here we go, Ron. No turning back now. Are you ready?"
Ron nodded, and she turned back to the door, touching it with the tip of her wand.
"Phasma Phasmatis," she whispered, and both watched in amazement as the door went blurry around the edges.
"What was that spell, Herm?" Ron asked quietly, not wanting to touch the door just yet. Hermione smiled superiorly.
"It's the Intangibility spell, Ron. Very powerful, but it took me months to learn it. Let's go now, we mustn't waste any more time."
Without so much as another word, both gingerly stepped towards the door, and watched in amazement as their cloaked bodies passed through the seemingly solid door, and then they found themselves standing in an otherwise empty room, the main entryway of the old castle. Old mildewed tapestries hung tattered from the walls, and dust was collected on the red carpet below. But no one was there.
"What do you suppose these Death Eaters are playing at, Hermione?" Ron asked warily, his blue eyes glancing around the dreadfully dim room.
Just as the words left his mouth, the unlit torches that ran along the sides of the damp granite walls lit up with fierce flames in swift succession until it reaches the end of the wide corridor. Both jumped and whirled around, and felt a quick swish as the Invisibility Cloak was whisked brusquely from about their bodies. Their wands also flew from their grasps, and both watched in horror and confusion as two black-cloaked figures appeared at the far end of the corridor, their identities hidden by concealing black hoods. The taller cloaked figure raised his hand to catch the stolen items in a ready grip while the other began to laugh, a hearty, malicious laugh…a familiar laugh.
"Come to save your precious Potter? I knew you would come, Weasley, always ever loyal, especially after what I saw when my Death Eaters and I came to your house for Potter," the laughing Death Eater proclaimed with more than a note of disdain in his voice. "Hmm, and I see you've brought friends along. Perfect."
"Who are you and what have you done with Harry?" Hermione asked angrily, her fists clenched at her sides. She felt so helpless; she hated it. The Death Eater laughed again.
"Why, I'm their leader," he replied, tossing back his hood proudly. "Draco Malfoy."
"I suspected as much, Malfoy!" Ron cried furiously. "The apple never falls far from the tree, and you were no better. I always knew you'd make one hell of a Death Eater." Ron's voice was full of unbridled hatred, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Where is Harry?"
Draco laughed again, his arms crossed. "You said all of that like it's a bad thing. Very well, Weasley, here's your Potter." The blond haired young man raised a hand and snapped his fingers, and a figure appeared at his and his comrade's feet, broken and battered. Glasses askew and green eyes barely open, Harry lay there; it was a wonder he was still alive just be judging his haggard appearance.
"Harry!" Ron cried wildly. Hermione tried to hold him back while fighting her own horror, but she failed, and Ron charged forward, ready to strangle Malfoy with his bare hands if necessary.
"Evandius Moenia!" The cry came not from Malfoy, but from the one who had their wands and the cloak. He had his wand raised and as he cried this spell, Ron could've sworn he knew that voice.
"Ron! Watch out! He just cast an invisible barrier between us and them!" cried Hermione. Ron came to a halt and put his hands forward, touching the solid but translucent wall.
"Damn you bastards, let him go!!" he cried, banging his fists upon the barrier futilely. His face was full of uninhibited fury and abhorrence at these two. He was also dreading; the trepidation at discovering the other Death Eater's identity.
Hermione ran forward, her face also full of loathing as the firelight danced victoriously in Draco's gleaming eyes. "What have you done with the people from the Ministry? How were you able to defeat the Auror?" she demanded.
"I never sent an Auror, nor did I send any Ministry people," the other Death Eater said suddenly and emphatically, putting a hand to the cowl of his hood and pushing it back with one swift motion. "I only sent myself."
Hermione gasped and stepped back, shaking her head in disbelief. Draco made sense; it made sense for him to be in this dark society…but this, this was unreal. It couldn't be true…"
Ron felt his stomach sink and his mouth go dry.
"Percy…"
~*Chapter Ten Coming Soon!*~
