Chapter 12: The Great Escape Part II
Ron shivered slightly as he woke up another villager. It was so cold in the dungeons, no wonder half the villagers were huddled up close to each other. Since he was the only one with a wand in the whole dungeon, he was the only one who could get all of them out of their chains. There was a relieved murmur emitting from the whispers and excited whispers from the children.
"I knew you'd come! Where's 'arry?" Friar Hagrid asked Ron. He had been trying his hardest to get threw the huge shackle which bounded him to a wall. Ron smiled up at the jolly half-giant.
"He's getting Hermione, and searching for your umbrella and everyone's wands," Ron said as he finally managed to free Hagrid, "and some other little things," Ron added slyly, grinning mischievously up at him.
"Tha's the 'arry I know! Hones'ly, both you and 'arry are saints!" Hagrid said, getting up, and stretching. Ron blushed slightly at the comment.
"Come one, help me free everyone." Ron said.
"Aye alright. These chains shouldn' be too 'ard to break," Friar Hagrid grinned, as he was able to snap the chains that bounded Lee Jordan. Ron rushed over to Remus who had been chained to the far end of the dungeon.
"Hey there! Alohomora!" Ron chanted and the locks on the manacles undid itself. Remus rubbed his wrists.
"Thanks Ron. I owe you one," Remus thanked him and stood up.
"Is that everyone then?" Ron called out, just loud enough for everyone in the dungeons to hear.
"No! We have to help Sirius," Remus said and headed over to the window that led to Sirius' dungeon. Ron followed him and looked inside the dark room.
"Sirius! Sirius!" Ron whispered loudly. A loud snore was his only response.
"Here, let me try something," Remus said. He slipped his hand through the bars and searched the wall. He felt a mop of hair, and whacked hard at it.
"Ow!" came Sirius' reply as he groaned. Remus grinned.
"Glad your awake!" Remus said with laughter in his voice.
"How will we get him out. There was only one door leading to your dungeons." Ron stated.
"There's no door, I was apparated in here," Sirius said through the bars.
"Well, if there's no door, make one," Remus commented slyly crossing his arms. Ron grinned.
Harry and Hermione rushed down the stairs. They had tied up the guards and had put a hovering charm on their wands so that they couldn't reach them. They reached the end of the secret passageway and opened it a crack to see if any of the guards had passed by.
"Hermione, you wouldn't happen to know where they put the wands?" Harry asked.
"Sorry Harry, I don't have a clue. But we could try Malfoy's safe," Hermione suggested.
"Where about is that?" Harry whispered looking down the corridors for guards.
"It's behind the painting of the huge waterfall. You step into the painting and step behind the waterfall." Hermione answered.
"Where about is it?" Harry asked again.
"In Malfoy's room."
"All right. But first of all, you've got to the dungeons," Harry said and walked out still holding onto Hermione's hand. They stepped into the shadows.
"What? Why?" Hermione asked confused.
"You're getting out of here with all the others." Harry explained to her and continued to follow where he had seen Ron go to.
"What? No! I'm going to help you!" Hermione said in a rather loud whisper and firmly stopping. Harry turned to look at her; she had a determined look on her face.
"Hermione, I nearly lost you, at the Quidditch Tournament, and yesterday night. I'm not going to loose you again." Harry whispered firmly at her.
"You won't loose me here, I can help you find the wands," Hermione said gently. Harry smiled down at her and stroked a strand of her hair away.
"I love you, please just listen to me this one time. Go with Ron and the others," Harry nearly pleaded with her. Hermione had a look on her face which clearly said 'I'm staying with you whether you like it or not.' Harry sighed. He brought out his wand and placed a silencing charm on her. Hermione looked surprised and started to talk, but realised there were no words coming from her mouth. Her eyes grew the size of saucepans when Harry hoisted her over his shoulder and started to head where he had last seen Ron.
"Sorry Hermione, but I'm not risking you getting caught, or hurt here," Harry apologised and tiptoed into the shadows. Hermione squirmed a little, trying to get free, but Harry had a firm grip on her. She gave up after a while, knowing that she couldn't escape Harry's clutches, not that she wanted to though. Harry brought out his wand ' Find Ron, search for Ron.' Harry thought. He felt the familiar vibrations and followed the direction that his wand turned to. He walked silently, with a slightly flustered Hermione. Luckily, Ron had managed to deal with the guards at the bottom of the steps. Harry quietly walked passed them and towards the kitchen, where his wand had taken him. He followed the passageway into the kitchen and saw a house elf. He lodged himself and Hermione between a pantry and a cupboard in the shadow as a half-asleep house elf passed. His wand led him to the other side of the kitchen and then it pointed towards the ground. Harry put Hermione down, for one reason, he knew she would co-operate now, and for a second reason, his shoulder was going slightly numb. He took off the silencing charm, she looked ready to explode at him but a quick kiss silenced her.
"You can yell at me later," he whispered to her with a small smirk. Hermione had an expression on her face that showed some amusement, but some annoyance also. Harry bent down on his hands and knees, and searched the dark ground, his hands brushed over a knob. He pulled at it, and it budged open, startling Hermione her foot had been on the trapdoor.
"Well, the dungeons were supposed to be underground," Hermione muttered to herself.
"I hope the rest are all right. Come on, let's go," Harry said and offered out his hand. Hermione took it and they both disappeared under the floorboards. They walked through a tunnel, which had been lit with fire torches; Harry's unruly hair brushed the top. They entered a chamber at the end with crates and crates of food. Enough food to last a good three years it looked like. Harry's wand once again pointed to the floor. And started to shake more violently.
"The dungeons must be somewhere underneath here," Hermione stated.
"Yeah, we just need to find a way to get down," Harry replied to her.
They walked around the room, searching for any trapdoors or any other passageways. Harry then walked behind a crate and nearly fell down a hole in the ground. He stepped back a few paces as his wand shook violently towards it.
"Hermione, I think I found it," Harry called at her. She had been munching at an apple while searching for the opening. She jogged towards him and saw the hole.
"Do you know how deep it'll go?" Harry asked her.
"No idea, but…" Hermione threw her apple in to the hole. About a minute later, they heard a soft thud.
"It's about a minute's fall," Hermione said.
"Alright then, shouldn't be too bad," Harry said and put his wand away. He then held out his hand which Hermione took apprehensively. She knew what was coming next.
"Don't worry," Harry whispered to her, "I'm here, and I'll be the one ending up to break your fall!" Harry joked. Hermione smiled a little but then looked down at the dark hole. She still had a fear of heights, but she knew she could tackle it with Harry around. Harry wrapped his arm around her and held onto her hand.
"Let's go," Harry whispered reassuringly. They walked up to the edge. Hermione closed her eyes. Harry placed a small kiss on her cheek and they jumped. For Hermione, the fall seemed to last forever, and she had the strongest urge to scream, but Harry tightened his grip on her, warning her not to shout out loud. After a minute, Harry and Hermione felt ground under their feet and fell backwards. The ground was cold underneath them. Hermione moaned a little.
"See, it wasn't that bad," Harry said, grinning. Hermione opened her eyes and saw a pinprick of light above her. They had fallen from there?
"Yes it was!" Hermione managed to say. Harry pulled her up off the ground and smiled down at her.
"Bravest woman I know. Facing your fears many times," Harry commented, his eyes sparkling at her. Hermione gave a small smile but shivered. It was freezing here! Harry pulled her in close and rubbed her arms, trying to warm her up. He had robes; she had a thin night-dress. Harry's wand started to vibrate in his pocket and pointed to a metal door on the left of them.
"That must be the dungeons," Hermione said.
"Yeah, come on, let's go," Harry replied.
They glided across the dark chamber, towards the door. Harry opened the unlocked door, which didn't make a sound surprisingly. The dungeon seemed almost empty, as the two peered in, but they heard a heated argument going on between two people.
"No wait!" but it was too late. Harry and Hermione saw bits of rubble and stone strewn about. And a lot of coughing afterwards.
"See, I knew these would come in handy!" Fred said, covered in soot. The wall at the other side of the dungeon had a huge hole blasted in it. The walls had been tainted black and had been smoking slightly. Sirius couched and crawled into the dungeon inhabited by villagers, some of his chains still attached to his wrists.
"Oh no, I've gone to hell," Sirius said as he looked up seeing the smiling faces of Fred, George, Remus and Ron.
"You're not dead." Remus stated grinning down at him.
"But we will be if you don't get out of here soon," Harry said. The villagers turned to face him in shock.
"Harry! Hermione! When did you two get here?" Ron asked.
"That doesn't matter, all of you get out of here now! The alarm has probably been set off!" Hermione stated.
"Oh don't worry, they probably felt a small shuffle, but nothing that big!" Fred said.
"Don't take it so lightly," Harry warned them.
At that moment, they stayed quiet for a while. And in that silence, they heard the shuffling of many footsteps over head.
"See, the alarm has been set off, you all have to get out of here!" Harry ordered.
He looked at Ron who nodded. He emptied his pockets, revealing different items, a bicycle wheel which had shrunk, an old Weasley sweater, a ball of wool and a scarf. Harry appointed Fred, George, and Ginny to take control of all the items. They all looked confused.
"They're portkeys, we'll take 3 villagers at a time, 4 villagers if you have the bicycle wheel, and return for the others." Ron said. Realisation dawned on them and they nodded.
"Ron, leave Harry the invisibility cloak," Hermione said.
"What? Why?" Harry asked her, slightly confused.
"If you're staying behind, you'll need to be unseen by the guards," she said. Ron handed Harry the cloak.
The Weasley's got to work. Harry and Hermione would arrange groups of people to go first. Their first priority was the children and mothers. The four Weasley's disappeared for a while, with villagers, and then reappeared a few minutes later.
"You didn't mention the flying snake Harry," Ginny stated.
"Don't worry, she's quite reliable." Harry replied as he hurriedly pushed another group of villagers forward. He was starting to get worried as the sounds were becoming louder, and he could've sworn he heard Snape's oily voice. Hermione noticed this as well and squeezed his hand reassuringly. He smiled a small smile down at her. Harry watched as Mrs Weasley, Friar Hagrid and Neville Longbottom disappeared with Ron. George reappeared, and Hermione shuffled Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan and Lee Jordan forward. Ginny appeared, taking Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Percy and Penelope with her, back to the flying snake. This carried on for two more minute. Only Sirius, Remus, and Hermione were left. Ron appeared a few seconds later. The pounding of footsteps could be heard running towards the dungeon door.
"Harry, what's going to happen to you?" Ron asked hurriedly.
"I'll get out someway. But I've got a bone to pick with Malfoy. Just sit on the snake's head and it'll fly you away from here, and don't worry, I know where she's going," Harry said quickly.
"Harry, come with us, we'll get the wands later," Hermione pleaded.
"I can't, not enough room anyway." Harry said. The voices got louder and they saw the knob of the door turn. " Now go," Harry whispered. He covered himself with the cloak. Just as the guards enter, the four people disappeared with the portkey. Even though Harry was under the cloak, he remained in the shadows. Snape looked furious, and he had at least 3 dozen men behind him.
"Where are they?" roared Snape.
"They've gone sir," said one of the guards.
"Send a troop of guards to Tir-Nan-Og, or Godric's Hollow. They might be headed there," Snape ordered.
"Aye Sir," said the guard and he was followed by the others. Snape was visibly fuming. Harry took his chance to escape with the guards, so that he didn't make a noise escaping. But unfortunately, he wasn't fast enough to escape with them. He accidentally kicked a stone which ricocheted off the dungeon wall. Snape turned around, extremely alert and looking at the stone which was rolling on the ground. He then sneered.
"So Potter, you are in here." He smirked an ugly grin.
Silence.
"What's the matter Potter? Can't face your old Potion's Master?"
Silence.
"I never knew you were such wimp. Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave, and you can't face me like a man," Snape said evilly, closing the door so that he'd be able to see Harry open it. He then started to feel the air.
'Dammit, the bastard trying to provoke me. Damn him.' Harry had no choice but to reveal himself. He took off his hood, but not the cloak. Snape jumped as he saw Harry's head floating in mid-air. He sneered a little while later.
"So, the wanted criminal reveals himself. My, how pathetic you look," Snape said, grinning maliciously at Harry. Harry smirked.
"Now now Snapey, that's not the way to greet a former pupil. You should mind your manners," Harry said mockingly. Snape's face turned cold. He brought out his wand, but Harry was faster.
"Expelliaramus," Harry said and Snape's wand flew out of his hand, and into Harry's firm grasp.
"We've played this game before Snape, and you lost last time. There's no reason why you won't lose again," Harry said grinning at him. Snape wasn't sure what to do now. Harry conjured a rope and gag, and it bounded Snape from head to toe. Harry snickered. And placed a hover charm on Snape's wand. It hovered inches above his reach.
"Nice seeing you Snape…not!" Harry chuckled and covered himself with his invisibility cloak. The door of the dungeon opened and Harry ran out.
Meanwhile outside, the villagers watched as they saw guards running out into the woods towards the two villages where they had stayed. The snake was flying away from the manor at a slow pace, seeing as it was tired being up at such an hour of the night. Hermione was right at the tip of it's tail, watching the manor. Hoping that she would see Harry pop out and follow them. Lavender stood behind her and put her hand on her shoulder. Hermione turned and gave her a small smile.
"Harry'll be ok. That manor is like a second home to him. He always escapes it," Lavender comforted. Hermione nodded, a new feeling of hope filling her.
Harry reached the main hallway and had to dodge the many guards rushing around. It was impossible to stick to the shadows all the time, and Harry had to make sure the cloak didn't flick upward revealing his feet or anything like that. He tried to get up the stairs. 'The painting with the waterfall.' Harry thought and rushed through the corridor, leading to Malfoy's room. 'The safe has to near the master bedroom,' Harry thought again. Harry could hear yelling ahead of him, and it sounded strangely like Malfoy. Harry grinned, 'hope he's really pissed.' He thought. Harry had been too busy in his thoughts when someone knocked right into him from behind. Harry toppled over and his cloak flew off. 'Shit.' Harry thought. He quickly got up and grabbed his cloak, but the guard had grabbed the other end and was tugging at it. It was like a tug of war between them and the cloak. 'If we carry this on, it'll tear in half,' Harry thought. Harry let go of the cloak and the guard flew backwards, creating a racket.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak!" Harry summoned and the cloak was flown towards him.
"Stupefy!" yelled the guard. Harry ducked and the curse flew over him. The guard's eyes were bulging with rage at Harry. He looked ready to charge at him. Harry took this moment to put a spell on him.
"Engorgio!" Harry chanted. The spell hit the guard square in the stomach. His eyes bulged more and looked ready to pop out. He felt himself expand and starting to float off the ground. Harry laughed at the sight as then guard's fingers swelled to the size of corn on a cob and he could no longer keep a grip of his wand. Harry then noticed a piece of his invisibility cloak underneath the guard. 'Crap, it ripped!' Harry thought. He walked over to the guard and picked up the piece of his invisibility cloak. He stuffed it in his pocket and then folded the cloak away. 'It's not much use if it reveals you arms.' Harry thought. He'd repair it later.
"Look! There he is!" Harry heard a familiar voice. A fuming Snape could be seen at the end of the corridor. Harry ran, and knew that the other guards would deal with the blown up man. Harry ran up a winding staircase to the West Wing, which was where Malfoy's domain lay. Harry heard footsteps behind him and grinned. This was all part of the excitement. Harry ran through the familiar corridor to Malfoy's room. The guards weren't there – thankfully – so Harry ran up and barged through the door. He didn't care about Malfoy, he knew he could deal with him any old day. Surprisingly enough, the room was empty. Harry locked the door behind him and looked around the room. Maybe he could snag some things in here that had rightfully belonged to the villagers. He opened the cupboard of money and filled a sack he had shrunk. After it was full of gold, he shrunk the sack again and placed it in his robe pockets.
Harry walked towards the painting beside Malfoy's bed. It was a huge painting once you came up close to it, and it was beautiful. Harry pulled forward his right hand and put it on the canvas. Surprisingly enough, he felt his hand go through. It felt like little brushes were painting over his hand and making it look as if it were painted. He felt the water from the waterfall wet his hand. He pulled his hand back out. His robe sleeve had become slightly wet, and it felt tingly. Harry then boosted his courage and walked into the painting. His body felt weird as he felt as if a thousand little brushed were painting him and making him part of the picture. Once he was fully in the painting, he was up to his waist in water. He looked at his hands, they didn't look real, they looked as if they had been painted with oil paints. Harry looked behind him and saw a square had been placed from the frame. He could see Malfoy's room and bed, and he noticed how the door was beginning to open. Harry waded further in, until he was able to reach the waterfall. He ran through it, getting completely soaked with the painted water. Harry cast a spell, so that he was dry again.
"Lumos," Harry muttered and a light emitted from the tip of his wand. Harry looked around and he saw that he had entered a chamber, that looked strangely like the Chamber of Secrets he had visited in his second year. It had large curtain drawn around, in a deep green colour. Harry was now praying that a basilisk was not at the end of the chamber. He walked further into the chamber and saw a tiny safe. Harry grinned and ran to it. But then someone appeared in front of it, just as he was approaching it. Harry skidded to a halt, just inches away from the person. It was worse than a basilisk, it was Draco Malfoy.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr Potter," Malfoy sneered.
"Malfoy," Harry nearly hissed through his teeth in a way of a greeting.
"How nice that you have discovered this chamber, you always did stick your snooty nose in other people's business. And even after all these years, you've never ceased to leave me in privacy." Malfoy stated.
"That's mainly because your 'privacy' has a lot to do with me," Harry spat.
"Oh yes. Your belongings, the taxes, this manor, my fiancée, it all adds up. This rivalry between us has gotten a lot stronger since we were pupils," Malfoy sneered. Harry looked a bit shocked.
"Surprised I know about you and Hermione? Shouldn't be really. She always spied on you at school, had a crush on you, even though she knew that she was betrothed to me. And since you're still a bloody charmer, I'd have been surprised if she didn't fall for you." Malfoy cleared up.
"Well Potter. I don't actually have the authority to punish you with the help of dementors, but I can always just punish you," Malfoy smirked.
"Punish me? For what? Reclaiming my belongings, trying to get my home back, trying to give back to the public what is rightfully theirs?" Harry listed.
"For commiting the crime of adultery, of theft from household, of robbing the money vaults," Malfoy listed.
"You're the one robbing the villagers of their money! Using it for your own pleasure! Whereas me, you could say, I 'Rob the Rich to Feed the Poor,'" Harry commented. Malfoy smirked.
"Catchy little title there. But, you're robbing, and that has to be punished."
"Oh, and what about your punishments? You're robbing from me! Stealing my home! Refusing me of my belongings! This house isn't yours yet, it's rightfully mine, or have you forgotten about that little piece of parchment called a will?" Harry shot at him. Malfoy seemed to pale a little at that.
"You're increasing the taxes of the villagers to pay off this manor. It's quite pathetic really." Harry started.
"What's pathetic is that you're still pining over a house that you're dead mudblood mother left you," Malfoy snapped. That was the last straw for Harry. He raised his wand and shot a spell at Malfoy. Draco was slammed against the wall of the chamber.
"Never insult my mother in front of me. That's just asking to die!" Harry shouted menacingly at him. Malfoy moaned in pain and tried to get up. He had hit the wall hard, and bruises were sure to form on his back. Malfoy got up and brushed off his robes, and he drew out his wand. Harry gripped his wand, ready to duel if he had to. In a sudden burst of rage, they both set their energy on their wands and started to duel. A burst of silver light shot from Malfoy's wand, and gold darted out of Harry's wand. They met in the middle and formed a giant ball of energy, growing, and growing and shattering finally into millions of gold and silver debris. Both duellists continued to duel. Harry sent a mismatch spell at Malfoy, so whenever Malfoy tried to move his right arm, his left leg would move instead. It was a classic from confusing spells Harry had learnt at his time at Hogwarts. Malfoy however had managed to send a curse at Harry before Harry had hit him with a spell. He had sent a numb curse that had hit Harry's legs. Harry couldn't feel anything in his leg now, but it was hard to move about, and he'd fall over from time to time. They continued to throw curses, hexes, jinxes, spells and incantations at each other. The chamber was in a mess. Debris everywhere. The duelling had gotten quite violent between the two. Both had cuts, bruises, scalds, and their clothes were ripped, and both were tainted by their own blood. Harry looked as menacing as ever. His messy hair looked wild, and pure rage was evident on his face. Malfoy's usually sleek hair looked unruly like Harry's and he was the spitting image of pure hatred. Though they were both in agony and extremely exhausted, neither one cared what happened to the other.
"IMPEDIMENTA!" they yelled, both at the same time. Their spell hit in the middle, and formed a huge fireball. 'Shit! Harry thought. He bent low in the floor, curled up in a ball, with his numb legs brought up to his chest. Harry could vaguely see Malfoy doing the same. The Fireball exploded with such a force, like a bomb. Harry felt the flames sweeping over him, the heat feeling like a furnace. His brown robes, were now tainted black from the burns and red from his own blood. Some fire tickled his skin, adding more pain to his body. After the intense heat seemed to become slightly cooler, rolled on his side, taking in what was around him. The whole chamber was on fire. The stone was charcoal black. The large curtains, looked ripped as the flames reached up there. Harry gasped in pain as he felt a sharp kick from behind him.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU'VE RUINED MY HOME, STOLE MY MONEY, AND MY FUTURE WIFE! I HOPE YOU SUFFER IN HELL!" Malfoy yelled at him. He then staggered away from the chamber, leaving a trickle of blood where he had previously been. He disappeared through the waterfall.
Harry was losing his battle to stay conscious. He was in pain, with burns around his body and he was bleeding badly. His numb legs would couldn't feel anything, which Harry was thankful, but he was sure that even if he did survive this, he'd probably lose his legs through loss of blood to them. He didn't give up though. 'Too many people are counting on you. Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Remus, the other villagers, you promised them their wands, and you're going to do that, even if it's the last thing you do,' Harry thought. The thought of his friends brought some strength to Harry. Harry started to move his feet, and tried to get up. It felt awkward, not feeling your legs, but he somehow managed. Harry tried balancing where he stood, and trying to avoid the fast approaching flames. He focused on moving one foot in front of the other, as he clutched a bleeding wound at his side, and held his wand firmly in his other hand. He coughed as the smoke started to reach his lungs, and intoxicated his body. 'You have to reach the safe!' Harry thought with determination. He was co close to it, but he felt like he would collapse anytime soon. 'Just a few more steps…' Harry thought again. Harry reached out his blood-soaked hand and reached for the safe. Just a few more inches…
A/N: Ok…firstly, I am ssssssooooooooo sorry I haven't updated in over a week! I feel so bad! I feel so upset! I feel like a bad author! ::on her knees:: PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Yes? No? Maybe? Anyways, I spent a lot of time making this chapter long! I think I'll need to make another part to it, cause 'The Great Escape' is a rrrreeeaaallllyyyy long chapter! Right…please review, to show that you still care!