D/C: I'll be sure to create the Harry Potter Universe in my next life.
Chapter 24: The Devil's Advocate
Harry had his hand pressed against his scar long after the faint tingle had passed as he stared off towards Hogsmeade. The green glow of the dark mark sneered brilliantly even in the morning sunshine.
A shrill whistle caught his attention. Madam Hooch was flying quickly about, rounding in all the players who landed with startled expressions marked with fear on their faces. Harry followed right behind Fred and George who were both pale, clutching at their broomsticks nervously.
Everyone was facing the exit where Albus Dumbledore stood, fierceness in his benevolent demeanor. His voice was suddenly magnified to echo across the entire stadium though it was hardly needed, as everyone was quite silent on the pitch. So much so that screams of terrorized citizens could be heard from Hogsmeade.
"Teachers lead everyone to the dungeons," Dumbledore said his voice thunderous and even. "Then meet me in the Great Hall for your duties. All staff that are head of houses, please first make a sweep of your common rooms. Be sure every student is accounted for."
There was not one utterance of a question or protest as the teachers began to herd the students through the exit, hurrying them out of the stadium.
"Quick and orderly!" McGonagall called over their heads, her stolid face betrayed by a faint quiver in her voice. Harry was forced along as the reality slowly sunk in. He began searching for Ron and Hermione, but there was no sign of them. For a moment, not one face seemed very familiar and the feeling of being very alone suddenly swept over him. It quickly passed however, as Hagrid's form came into view.
"Hagrid," Harry said, pushing his way past a group of students. "Hagrid—,"
"I know Harry," the half-giant said. The drawn tightness of his voice made his ferocious size seem to shrink. He looked down at Harry, the beetle-black eyes wide with fear.
"Just go on now, do what you're told," he said, reaching out and patting Harry reassuringly on the shoulder. Harry nodded stiffly and allowed himself to be swept away by the crowd. Could the Dark Mark mean Voldemort was back—in Hogsmeade less than a few steps away from Hogwart's grounds? Harry thought. The dark calling card hadn't been seen since Karkaroff's murder last winter when Sirius said the Death Eater movement had been strongest. And then Harry remembered something.
Jade.
Feeling as if his stomach had just dropped a hundred stories, he began to force his way through the sea of students in search of Dumbledore. Jade had said her portkey was set for ten, Harry reasoned. It was well after ten now, she must have already gone, hadn't she?
As he broke free of the crowd just outside the castle, he saw a woman accompanied by a large black dog racing towards the head of the crowd. Without wasting a moment for thought, Harry dashed towards the strange duo as they headed for Dumbledore.
"Arabella," the Headmaster said not bother to hide his surprise as the woman swept urgently up to his side.
"Professor," she panted. "We—we didn't know. They must of put us off their trail—the Death Eaters must think you have the pendant—"
"I've realized," Dumbledore interrupted her. "Quickly now, inside."
"There's something else," Figg gasped. "There was a surprise attack in London on the Minister's home…the Death Eaters have taken Cornelius Fudge hostage." Dumbledore paused, turning to face her.
"Maybe he'll believe us now," he said sadly before pushing the last of the students and teachers in. In all the hustle, they didn't see Harry trailing right behind them, but the black, four-legged creature beside Figg did.
Sirius barked and bounded towards Harry, attempting to push him back in line with the other students who were now pouring towards the dungeons.
"No, Sirius," Harry muttered. "Jade—she's—"
Sirius barked again, calling for Dumbledore and Figg's attention. The headmaster turned, not looking the least bit surprised by Harry's departure from the crowd.
"Harry, whatever it is, I think it best if you follow everyone to the dungeons," Dumbledore said firmly.
"But what about Jade?" Harry insisted. "She's in Hogsmeade—"
Before Dumbledore could more resolutely repeat his request, Professor Trelawney swept down the stairs looking agitated and excited all at once. Professor Sinistra was right behind her pinching the bridge of her nose as if the few moments spent retrieving the Divinations professor had resulted in a migraine.
"I knew!" Trelawney announced loudly in a wispy tone. She was cradling her crystal ball and tarot cards.
"I saw a dark shadow in my morning tarot reading—all the omens pointed to this—"
"Kind of you not to tell us a little earlier, Sybill," McGonagall snapped the irritation in her voice knocking all fear from her face. "Could you see yourself maybe joining the rest of the staff in the Great Hall?" Trelawney's lips pursed and her eyes narrowed dangerously behind the magnifying lenses of her bejeweled spectacles. She was about to retort when Dumbledore interrupted.
"I think that this is not the time," he said firmly. The Divination professor turned to look at the Headmaster but gasped at sight of Harry.
"My dear child!" she wailed clutching the crystal ball to her chest. "If You-Know-Who is here—then these next moments may very well be your very last! Why are you not being better protected?" Despite himself, Harry raised an incredulous eyebrow.
"If you would please join the rest of the staff," McGonagall inserted firmly. "I'm sure the Headmaster will make sure Potter doesn't die."
Trelawney was only successfully led away after both McGonagall and Sinistra firmly dragged her towards the Great Hall.
"I'm asking you, Harry," Dumbledore said gently as Trelawney's lamentations faded away. "Please join the rest of your peers in the dungeons."
"But Jade—" Harry declared stubbornly seeing the disapproving glare evident in Sirius's eyes despite his doggy state. "She's out there in Hogsmeade and she's got the Guardian."
Arabella Figg's eyeballs threatened to roll out of their sockets as she stared at him bewilderedly. The few teachers that remained in the entrance hall clucked their tongues disapprovingly at Harry's forwardness but all of them looked as though they thought he had suffered yet another terrible shock. From near the back of the small gathering of staff members, he could make out Hagrid and Lupin looking worriedly at him.
Dumbledore stiffened, looking at Harry with an expression more of understanding than surprise. With a slow blink brightening the twinkle in his eye, he nodded.
"Perhaps then, Harry, you could do me the favor of escorting Ms Figg's dog to the side chamber so that we might get on with our urgent business," he said before turning to the teachers. "Please, to the Great Hall then—the time is upon us."
Harry swallowed hard, feeling the sweat begin to trickle down his back; it was less from the stifling heat and more from the panic that his presumption about Jade's necklace was very correct and that Voldemort would get it if he hadn't already. Pulling off his scarlet robes he led the black dog to the side chamber of the Great Hall. He shut the door behind them and turned to find his godfather standing before him.
"Why don't you ever do as you're told?" Sirius said, the anger in his voice reflecting worry for his godson. "Do you know who might very well be out there right now?"
"Yes, I do," Harry returned more bitterly than he meant. "I saw the dark mark too, I'm not bloody blind." He regretted his words instantly at the look that fell over his godfather's face. Sirius turned and pressed a hand over his eyes as if trying to block out the faint light of the chamber.
"I can't believe this is happening," he muttered, puffing a breath out from between his clenched teeth. Without bothering to look at Harry, he asked, "how'd you know about the Guardian?"
"So it's true then," Harry breathed. "That is the Guardian Jade has around her neck—"
"We don't know for sure," he replied awkwardly. "But that is the suspicion, yes."
"And that's why Voldemort's back?"
"We weren't even sure Voldemort knew about the Guardian until today," Sirius answered clenching his fist and tapping his toe as if aching to sprint to Hogseade and join the fight. "The Death Eaters that have stormed the Minister's home in London have demanded the Guardian in return for his life—but the Minister's convince it doesn't exist—that it was destroyed."
"But it wasn't, was it?"
There was more long silence.
"No."
Harry's mouth went slack and he turned and fumbled for a chair. Cornelius Fudge was being held hostage for the Guardian, Hogsmeade was under attack because the Death Eaters wanted to get into Hogwarts, and Jade's innocence—or life—was in question. All because his mother refused to destroy the unimpressive green stone that Jade now possessed.
"What happened that night my parents went after the Guardian, Sirius?" Harry asked shaking his head.
"This is hardly the time."
"I at least deserve to know why they died."
Sirius caught Harry's gaze unsteadily. He hesitated before pulling up a chair across from
his godson and sitting down.
"Fourteen years ago, Dumbledore received news from his spy within Voldemort's inside circles that this Jade Guardian not only existed, but was located by the Death Eaters. Dumbledore informed the Ministry about the possibility of the existence. Fudge wanted to send out an expedition for the Guardian immediately—not to destroy it, but to use it in the fight against the dark mark."
"Why didn't my parents hand it over to the Ministry after they got it then?"
"And give immeasurable power to a group of elite that was riddled with Voldemort's spies and corrupt men? Dumbledore knew that the Guardian wouldn't be used just for defeating Voldemort—not that the Minister intended for anything otherwise. Corruption is the nature of men. Power is what transformed a man into a thing like Voldemort."
"So Dumbledore decided to destroy it," Harry said.
"Yes," Sirius replied. "He asked your parents to do it, having worked very close with them in their days of Auror training. They were among the top crusaders in the war against the Dark Lord: young, capable of youthful action but not prone to ignorant recklessness."
"They went after the Guardian, Lily successfully took possession of it. They were nearly stopped by eight Death Eaters—but we were wrong to assume that Voldemort knew where the pendent was. The eight were among a small minority within Voldemort's circle that had tracked down the pendent for themselves. You see, Harry, the Guardian's power is of such potency that, whomever can get their hands on it, gets anything they desire. If they could get to it first, they could take power over Voldemort and his wrath wouldn't be felt."
"In the end, an accidental rockslide left two of the Death Eaters dead and spared James and Lily's life. Afterwards, Dumbledore staged the Guardian's elimination and both the Ministry and Voldemort bought it."
"But why did he fake it?" Harry asked bewildered, "why didn't my mum want to really destroy the damn thing?" As he spoke, Frank Longbottom's words suddenly filled his ears: James, listen—they know, You-Know-Who knows. You tell Lily to get rid of it. Dear god, just get rid of it.
Sirius didn't answer. Instead he looked down at his interlaced hands, staring at the filthy fingernails.
"I don't know why," he finally said, his hackles rising slightly in bitter hurt and resentment, "but Peter did."
Harry was momentarily dumbstruck staring at his godfather's pained expression.
"That was the secret that rat kept," Harry finally managed slowly. "That was how Peter Pettigrew betrayed my parents as their Secret Keeper—he told Voldemort that the Guardian wasn't destroyed by Dumbledore—that my parents had it."
"Yes."
"But they didn't have it the night Voldemort killed them," Harry insisted. "If they did, Voldemort would be ruling over everything and I'd be dead."
"Could you not say things like that?" Sirius said grimacing.
"Sorry," Harry said whole-heartedly, kicking himself for his lack of sensitivity. They sat in each other's company for a few silent minutes.
"But how did Jade get a hold of the Guardian?" Harry asked quietly.
"I don't know," Sirius said. "It's just a suspicion that she has it."
"That's why you warned me about her; it was because she had it all this time—right here in Hogwarts."
"We didn't know straight away—it was just so unlikely."
"But even if Dumbledore thought it was possible she had the thing," Harry insisted, "why would he let her stay?"
"He wouldn't refuse her on a presumption, Harry," Sirius answered. "And if there was a chance her necklace turned out to be the Jade Guardian, then what better place to keep it under wraps then Hogwarts?"
Harry fell silent, dropping his scarlet quidditch robes to the floor beside him. He was thinking about the night of the Promenade, the shocking pain that had followed Jade's touch—she had this great source of dark power the whole time. Was Lupin right in assuming she was getting her memory back? And if she was—
"Sirius," Harry said. "Do you think—do you think Jade could somehow be along the ranks of Voldemort?"
"No," Sirius answered quickly. "No, I—I don't think that."
"What do you think?"
"I think—" his godfather paused thoughtfully, running his fingers through his now short and disheveled hair. "I think there are a lot of questions we don't have answers to about her."
"Jade's not a Death Eater or something," Harry said. He wasn't sure if he was meaning to convince his godfather or himself, but either way, he wanted to believe it. "All she's been is a loyal friend." Sirius didn't answer.
"But whatever her nature is," Harry muttered. "It doesn't stop the fact that Voldemort is after what she has, does it?" Before Sirius could answer, the chamber doors creaked open.
Dumbledore crossed the threshold followed by Lupin, looks of disquieting somberness blanketing both their features.
"I'm leading Arabella, Minerva, Lupin, Hagrid, and several other professors down to Hogsmeade to join the Ministry Aurors that are most likely on their way. The rest of the staff have been assigned to different posts around the castle—as for you Sirius, I need you also to stay."
"What?!" the former Azkaban prisoner exclaimed leaping to his feet. "You can't ask me to stay when Voldemort could very well be less than a half a mile away!"
"There'll be aurors out there, Padfoot," Lupin said calmly, "and you're still a wanted man."
He reached forward and rested a reassuring hand on his friends shoulder. Sirius's hands clenched and he ducked away from Lupin. He turned and faced the unlit fireplace, every muscle tense.
"We need you here, Sirius," Dumbledore said earnestly. "You are among one of our most able fighters—you must be here to defend the students if it leads to that. Put aside your need of vengeance for them. For Harry." Black didn't answer. Instead he continued to stare into the fireplace, examining the remains of a fire long since put out.
"As for you Harry," Dumbledore said acknowledging his presence. "It is time that you join your peers in the dungeons."
"But what about Jade?" Harry said standing up. "Please tell me their portkey was for ten this morning, that they've already left." The wizen form before him shifted as if shouldering the weight of the question.
"Mr. Price and Jade were to leave Hogwarts by ten in order to meet with the Transportation representatives that would be setting up their portkey," he answered. "They were set to transport by noon."
Harry's jaw dropped.
Jade, along with the very thing Voldemort was after, may very well still be in Hogsmeade.
A few minutes later Harry stood before the entrance of the Slytherin common room. He had just watched Dumbledore lead a group of teachers out of the front doors. They were in such a hurry; Hagrid could only flash Harry a brief smile. Harry could only watch the small group led by the Headmaster leave, hoping against hope that Dumbledore could set things right in Hogsmeade—that somehow Voldemort wouldn't get to Jade's pendent first.
He also hoped that Jade would be okay. He didn't know what he thought about her anymore, after knowing she had the Guardian, and after receiving so many warnings—and especially after the Promenade. But he knew that he didn't want her to be in danger; that somehow she deserved to get out of Hogsmeade safely and home to her parents. At least he would not have to worry so much about Sirius. Despite his godfather's fury at being asked to stay at Hogwarts while others went to join the fight in Hogsmeade, Harry was comforted by his presence.
Sirius was currently prowling the grounds with Lupin who was directed by Dumbledore to reinforce all the major magical defense mechanisms around the castle before meeting the rest of the assigned staff in Hogsmeade.
Harry stepped into the dungeon common room—it was chilly despite the merry flames in the fireplace. It was a strange sight to say the least: Slytherins and Gryffindors were huddled amongst each other, neither groups exchanging conversation but both houses married by their common fear.
The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws as well as the other staff members that were unaccounted for in the Slytherin's common room were being housed in a large lecture hall just down the dungeon corridor as the entire population of Hogwarts could hardly fit into one room. Harry had overheard the arrangements discussed by McGonagall and Dumbledore as he was hurried down to the dungeons just minutes before.
He pushed his way through the group of students in search of Ron and Hermione, noticing the staff was surveying the room nervously. No one was talking except Dumont who was biting her nails and repeatedly announcing that her sword was no where to be found to Madam Pomfrey who looked as if she hardly heard what the slightly off woman was saying.
"Harry!"
Hermione appeared before him, her eyes glassy with both fear and relief. She ran forward and flung her arms around him.
"Oh Harry!" she said clinging painfully tight to his neck. "When we couldn't find you—I thought—I thought—" She didn't finish. Instead she pushed herself away from him. Beside her, Ron stood, face pale, staring with a mixture of both relief and anger at his friend.
"Where the hell were you Harry?" he hissed weakly. "God, what we thought when we got here and nobody could tell us where you were—"
"Sorry," Harry answered earnestly, before leaning in close and adding, "Snuffles is here—I was speaking with him."
"So you know what's going on?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, for the most part anyway."
Harry looked up and noticed that they were in much too close of a proximity to so many people to be safely discussing Sirius and the happenings in both Hogsmeade and London.
"Not here," he said turning in hopes of spotting a quiet, deserted corner. However, the room was filled to maximum occupancy. Harry wound a path through the group of students, turning back every so often to make sure Ron and Hermione were right behind him. However, in his haste, he plowed right into someone who had been standing in his way.
"Sorry," he muttered and looked up to find Draco Malfoy staring back at him—it was not the usual collected, malicious face Harry had come to know. Malfoy looked even paler than normal. His face was drawn, and his gray eyes were wide—it took Harry a moment to realize that his archenemy was afraid.
As they stood before each other, the opposition that often brought tensions to near breaking points seemed obsolete: the enmity between Slytherins and Gryffindors, Draco and Harry meant nothing compared to the bigger fight up there in the real world. How truly childish they were to believe that there was nothing more real or important than their rivalry.
"What Potter?" Malfoy attempted to sneer soon recognizing who it was facing him. His words, however, had never sounded less threatening.
"Where's the loo?" Harry blurted out, unable to get over the fear he saw in Malfoy's eyes. Malfoy seemed a bit taken aback by the question and hastily pointed towards a stairwell to the left of them. Harry nodded and poked Ron to get him to move.
"Potter," Malfoy called before they had reached the brightly lit staircase. Harry paused and turned around finding Lucious's son flanked by his now stolid faced companions.
"I'd watch my back if I were you." Without an answer, Harry pressed on.
It was unclear as to whether or not Malfoy's words were a threat or a warning.
"Did you see his face?" Ron said as they descended down the pleasant stairwell.
"He looked a bit scared," Hermione said, surprise clear in her voice. "But his father—"
"I know," Harry said.
They reached the last step and found themselves in a long corridor lined with dormitories for the Slytherin boys on either side.
"Looks like it's down there," Harry said and led them towards the end of the corridor where they faced a door marked "Lavatory". Ron pushed it open and stepped in, holding it for the others. Hermione didn't move and instead averted her gaze, suddenly looking very uncomfortable.
"Well, go on," Ron said with a huff.
"I can't," she said flatly.
"Why not?" Harry asked, wondering if her foot was stuck on some Drooble's Best Blowing Gum or something.
"It's just that—," Hermione sucked in a breath "—I've never been in a boy's bathroom before." Ron rolled his eyes looking very impatient.
"Well, there's a first time for everything," he said before grabbing her hand and yanking her across the threshold. Harry followed, locking the door behind them.
"Congratulations, you've now official been in a boy's bathroom," Ron announced.
"Ron!" Hermione gasped furiously. "What if there had been somebody in here?!"
"Ah, but there wasn't."
"That was highly inappropriate!"
"Oh, and it was okay for me and Harry to be brewing Polyjuice potion in the girl's bathroom with you?"
"Yes, because I instigated that and it was for something important!"
"Don't mean to interrupt," Harry said loudly, feeling very irritated, "but we didn't exactly come here for a little insignificant chat."
The bickering stopped, but both Ron and Hermione moved away from each other and situated themselves on either side of Harry. Sighing inwardly, Harry proceeded to tell them about the attack on Hogsmeade, the truth about the Guardian's existence, the hostage situation involving the Minister, and the news that Jade, whom he was nearly positive had the pendant, may very well still be in the village.
"No," Hermione said quietly. "Are you sure?"
"She wasn't s'pose to leave Hogsmeade until noon," Harry answered, sloppily pushing his hand through his hair in frustration.
"Oh no," Ron muttered. He had grown considerably pale, and a visible shiver racked his body. Hermione and Harry grabbed his arms to steady him as he shook his head in disbelief.
"What is it?" Hermione asked worriedly. "Ron?"
"Percy," he mumbled weakly. "Percy—that means Percy's still in Hogsmeade too. He and Price."
Hermione looked from Ron to Harry, her brown eyes begging him to tell them that it wasn't true. Harry just shook his head, considering Percy and Price's chances in a town being ravaged by Death Eaters as they were currently in company with a girl that had what Voldemort wanted.
"Percy'll be fine," Harry said firmly. "He's a—"
"Goner!" Ron wailed. "He's out there with Death Eaters. What's he going to do? Confiscate their thin-bottomed cauldrons?" He swallowed dryly and stiffly pried his arms out of their grasp.
"Dumbledore's out there, too," Harry said. "He'll take care of everything."
"God, what if something happens to Percy?" Ron muttered clearly not listening. "After all the times I've yelled at him—"
"And your special sibling relationship can continue as soon as he gets back," Hermione said helpfully.
"There are aurors out there too," Harry said. "Percy's going to be fine, he can defend himself—he was Head Boy, remember?"
"Wasn't Cedric Diggory Head Boy?"
The voice startled all three of them. Their heads whipped round so that they faced the stall where it seemed to be coming from. Moaning Myrtle appeared from the porcelain bowl, her silver face looking as morose and depressed as ever.
"He was a prefect," Harry said with out thinking, startled by her sudden appearance. As the words left his mouth, however, he found himself pained by the small reminder of Cedric.
"Well, in any case," Mrtyle said huffily. "That didn't stop him from dying, did it?"
"That's not very sensitive!" Hermione exclaimed both surprised and angered by Myrtle's brashness.
"I was just being truthful," she retorted dejectedly. "I didn't mean to offend anyone."
"What are you doing here anyway?" Harry asked having recovered from the shock and grown irritated.
"Well, if you haven't heard," Myrtle replied. "You-Know-Who and his follower aren't exactly very far from Hogwarts. I don't want to be in my unprotected toilet when he comes."
"What do you care?" Ron shot. "You're already dead!"
"Talk about insensitivity!" she wailed, tears slowly starting to leak from her eyes. "I didn't want to be up there alone!"
"Don't cry," Hermione said stiffly, her face straining in the effort to be kind. "You have every right to leave your toilet."
"Sorry," Harry muttered sardonically, "I guess having your life threatened could put you in a slightly off mood."
"Again with the 'life' jokes!" Mrytle cried out, though her tears had dried. "There are worst things then death you know!"
"Like being stuck in a stall with her," Ron mumbled under his breath.
"You could have your soul sucked out of you by a dementor," Myrtle was saying having clearly not heard Ron's comment. "Or you—you could be forced to live a half-life, or you could die then have your essence captured and bound to something—trust me, there are things many times worse than death." She moved towards them obviously excited by her growing list of worst fates.
"Your essence bound to something?" Harry muttered looking up at her transparent face. "Myrtle, you don't know anything about Manifested Existences, do you?"
"No."
"Dead useful, you are," Ron muttered.
"I don't have to take this!" Myrtle exclaimed. "Making hurtful puns at me—DEAD useful is right! I hope you do get dealt a half-life or something equally terrible!" With an ear-splitting wail, she dived with a splash back into the toilet to find another safe u-bend to sulk in.
As the last of Myrtle's wails faded to a dull echo, Ron slid to the floor his ridiculously long legs sprawled before him. Harry and Hermione joined him, and for a moment they all just stared off in the direction of Myrtle's latest haunting. Suddenly, Harry growled miserably and buried his head in his hands. All those dreams about his parents that had both pleased and tormented him—they all came down to the fact that the Guardian still existed and Voldemort could now get his hands on it. If that happened, his parents would have died in vain. So many would have died in vain.
And it was Jade who had it. What did that mean for everyone?
"I think we should go back now," Hermione finally spoke up. "We've been down here an awfully long time."
Harry and Ron didn't say a word as they stood and led the way toward the door. Harry unlocked it and eased it open, before stepping back and promptly shutting it again.
"What gives?" Ron demanded.
Harry put his finger to his lips before cracking the door and crouching down so that Hermione and Ron could see out into the hall as well. Several yards away, Dumont was clutching at Professor Lupin's robes having just dragged him down into the corridor.
"What is it, Professor?" Lupin said, a slight edge to his usual calm demeanor.
"I was right, wasn't I?" Dumont said, eyes glinting with a fierce excitement that unsettled Harry. He had grown steadily suspicious of the bizarre woman since having witnessed her lying about Jade's illegal tramp to the Restricted section a few nights ago.
"This isn't a competition, Dumont," Lupin said pointedly.
"You have to tell me," she said her gray eyes flashing behind her oblong frames. "You-Know-Who's here because of the Guardian, isn't he? My suspicions were right, weren't they?" Lupin didn't answer. Instead he seemed to be sizing her up, as if noticing her peculiarities for the first time.
"Whether your suspicions about the girl were right or wrong should hardly be your concern," Lupin said in a voice so firm and cold that it made Hermione gasp. "Do you know what's at stake now? A girl's destiny along with all of our futures—and because Hogswarts was responsible for her, if Voldemort gets the Guardian, it'll be our fault." He turned, wand drawn, and began to proceed up the steps.
"Maybe Dumbledore should have thought about that before taking her in," Dumont returned, the icy, quick-witted tone of her sarcasm clashing abominably with her usual impartial and senseless nature. Lupin paused and turned his head to look over his shoulder.
"Dumbledore's aim was to solve the problem, not to send it off to someone else less competent to take care of it."
And with that he disappeared, obviously finished with his defense duties on the grounds and his conversation with Dumont.
Dumont was silent, staring off in the direction Lupin had departed in. She was uncharacteristically collected, a small smile suddenly appearing on her face. What she said next nearly caused Harry to tumble backwards.
"So I've brought the Dark Lord to Hogwarts."
With slow, sure steps she began to make her way out of the corridor and up the stairs. Harry pushed back, letting the door close, turning to find his astonishment reflected in Ron and Hermione's faces.
"Sirius told me Voldemort didn't know the Guardian still existed," Harry said quickly. "Dumont must have told him—she was here all this time, she knew about Dumbledore's suspicions—all those arguments with Snape—" Harry pushed his hands through his hair and threw open the door, hurrying down the hall back towards the Slytherin common room, Hermione and Ron rushing after him.
"But Dumont—," Hermione stuttered. "One of Voldemort's servants? He killed her parents! Drove her insane!"
Harry wasn't listening. He was taking care to lead them out of the stairwell unseen. The common room was a bit noisier than before, but the mood was hardly merry. The staff members assigned to the room were explaining the situation to the students who were huddled around them, anxiously asking questions about the Dark Mark over Hogsmeade. They didn't notice Dumont crouching in the shadows near the exit, aiming her wand at an empty armchair situated by the fireplace across the large room.
"What's she doing?" Ron muttered. He was answered when the emerald-colored chair toppled to its end in the flames. There were yelps and cries of surprise as it quickly caught fire, but Harry hardly noticed, watching as Dumont slipped through the exit.
No longer having any pretense of danger or fear, he dashed after her. Before he could make it to the exit however, Hermione and Ron had grabbed his arms.
"What are you doing!" she demanded, hissing at him with eyes glistening. "If what you say is true—she could be dangerous!"
"She's up to something," Harry returned ripping from their grasps. "She's the reason why the Dark Mark went up!" He was angry now; Dumont was the one who set the stage for Voldemort's securing of the pendant—she could make his parents' death be in that of vain. He pressed against the stone wall and slipped through, Hermione and Ron tumbling after him.
Outside of the Slytherin common room, the stone working slid shut, and they were plunged into the dim-light of the dungeons, listening to the quickly receding footfalls of Dumont. Harry, motioning Ron and Hermione to be quiet, pressed forward until they reached the entrance hall landing just in time to see the crazed woman darting up the grand staircase.
"What d'you think she's up to?" Ron muttered. They made after her, carefully keeping their distant. Harry was a bit surprised to find she had led them to the gargoyle outside Dumbledore's office.
" Licorice Wand," Dumont said firmly and the Gargoyle leaped aside. She swept up the revolving steps faster than they could whirl her. Harry didn't follow, allowing the stone statue to leap back into place; he didn't dare get himself, Ron, and Hermione caught by the woman in an enclosed space.
Before Dumont returned, heavy footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"Quick," Harry hissed. "Hide!" Green eyes darting in all directions, he followed Ron and Hermione across the hall where they dived into what appeared to be a broom closet. The other person had reached level with their hiding place just as the scrap of stone on stone signaled Dumont's reappearance from Dumbledore's office.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing?" The man cried out, Harry instantly recognizing his voice to be that of his godfather's.
"Give me the sword!" Sirius was demanding. "You can't make this situation better!" Before he could say more, a thud sounded, like that of a bludger hitting a player's body and Sirius yelped as he crashed to the floor.
"It's my duty now to kill the girl," Dumont hissed. "We'll see what I make of this situation after I get the Guardian." And with that, she muttered "Reducto!" Sirius grunted as the curse hit him, sliding his body across the corridor. Hidden away, Harry grimaced and balled his hands into fist painfully tight: it took all of his strength to not burst out upon the woman.
A few seconds passed and inside the dark closet, they heard Dumont's much lighter footsteps begin to fade as she turned to depart. Nearly unable to wait for her to completely disappear, Harry flung open the door to find Sirius sprawled sloppily on the ground.
"Sirius," Harry breathed, kneeling next to his godfather. Blood was pouring from a cut opened across an already purpling bruise on his temple.
"Is he—?" Hermione said worriedly. Ron knelt across from Harry and nervously held his hand over Black's nose and mouth.
"He's breathing all right," Ron answered shakily. "I think he's just knocked out."
"Did you hear what Dumont said?" Harry muttered. "She's going to go to Hogsmeade— I wouldn't believe it before—but I think she's more then capable of getting Jade's necklace. I've got to go warn Dumbledore."
"No, Harry," Hermione said pleadingly, instantly catching his drift. "We could go tell a teacher—"
"And wait for them to wise up while Dumont hands Voldemort that thing?" Harry returned angrily. "While she kills Jade?" She was instantly silenced.
Harry turned back to his godfather momentarily before pushing himself to his feet.
"I have to go find Dumbledore," Harry repeated.
"We'll come with you," Ron blurted out. Despite his firm tone, Harry could see Ron's frame shaking with terror.
"No," Harry said shaking his head resolutely. "Go tell the teachers—" This time, Harry was silenced as Hermione had drawn her wand and was now directing it right at his chest.
"If we don't go with you," she said determinedly though her eyes were full of tears. "Then you don't go at all."
Harry looked at Hermione, who was looking true to her word, and Ron who was straightening bravely to his full height. He had wanted so badly to spare them from the pain he had endured last year upon facing the wrath of the Dark Lord. But he knew that Ron and Hermione, being as true and loyal as they were, would rather endure much more to prevent Harry facing that sort of thing alone ever again. Half irritated by their stubbornness, half relieved for their company, he nodded.
"To the one-eyed witch then."
A quarter of an hour later, Ron was pushing open the trap door hidden in the basement of Honeyduke's Sweetshop. Harry had used the secret passage that they had just tromped through mostly to sneak into Hogsmeade undetected during his third year. Today he was using it to get into a village where the first battle of Voldemort's return was taking place. After Hermione had climbed out after him, they walked with trepidation towards the door that would lead into the candy shop. Even before Harry opened it, he could hear the sounds of screams, pleas, and destruction taking place in the small, wizarding community.
"I think your parents were right in wanting you home, Hermione," Ron said sounding as if he were suddenly queasy. They stood there and examined their surroundings. The store itself was currently deserted. Items were strewn everywhere, and there were dark black marks on the whitewashed walls where curses were ducked. But outside, people were fleeing in all directions as figures in masked hoods prowled among them like tourist in an amusement park.
"Oh god," Hermione gasped as a woman was struck with the crucio curse and fell to the road several feet in front of the store. Before the Avada Kedavra curse could be administered, the woman was saved by another woman dressed in fitted robes marked on the breast by three lines and a scrolling "A". The Ministry Aurors had arrived.
"We got to find Dumbledore," Harry reminded them, swallowing thickly. "Keep an eye out, and blend in as much as possible."
With that, Ron, Hermione, and Harry slipped from Honeydukes into the ensuing chaos. Above them, the Dark Mark continued to glow even in the hot sunlight. They ducked into shops and behind carriages every time a group of Death Eaters passed—there was no doubt Harry would be an added bonus to Voldemort's taking possession of the Guardian.
"Where d'you think Dumbledore would be?" Hermione asked pale with fright.
"I dunno," Harry muttered, leading them past a bon fire made up of robes from the vandalized Gladrags. He was concentrating so hard on avoiding Death Eaters, the groups of injured wizards and witches huddled in the eves that lined the lane, and finding the tall, wizened form of Dumbledore he could hardly breath. Harry glanced in every direction and finally spotted something that only made him more desperate for the Headmaster's presence.
A block away from where they stood, Price was running full speed towards the Hog's Head, a pub with a rough scene that Hagrid often frequented. Price's face was strained and his characteristic top hat was long gone. In one hand he clutched an old boot to his chest, and with the other, he was holding onto Jade's hand. Her face was blank in the wake of all the destruction, and she followed with a sort of indifferent effort. Beside her, Percy, visibly pale even from that distance, was running and gazing at his watch, throwing furtive glances over his shoulder every few steps.
"One more minute!" he cried out, his voice cracking and his composure threatening to crack as Price stopped in front of him.
"In there!" Price yelled, pulling Jade roughly towards the pub.
"Percy," Ron gasped at the sight of his brother. Harry barely noticed Percy, as his attention was on Jade. He hoped with all his heart that it was a portkey in Price's hand, and that they would make it out of Hogsmeade safely. Just a few more seconds—
It seemed they had been running from Dumont who appeared a few seconds later, racing towards Price, Jade, and Percy, swinging a familiar gold sword skillfully in her hands.
"No," Harry muttered shaking his head. "No, she's going to stop them." And he was off, sprinting towards Jade and her companions. Dumont was so much closer, all Harry could do was pump his legs as fast as he could, but there was no way he was going to reach them first.
"NO!" Price cried out as he spotted his sister, pushing Jade and Percy behind him. Harry was nearly there, they were just feet away. He wasn't going to let Dumont get that pendent or kill his friend. But it was too late, the woman was there her left hand wrapping around a handful of Price's robes, swinging back Godric Gryffindor's sword like a deadly pendulum ready to deal the blow.
"STOP!" Harry yelled furiously throwing himself at Dumont. In that moment, there was a swooshing sound, and all four of them were gone. Harry landed hard in the dirt, his face reflecting his disbelief. Dumont had Jade. There was nothing he could do. The Guardian was as good as Voldemort's.
Harry pounded his fist into the dirt, ignoring the fact that he was grinding gravel into his scraped palms. So many had died to bring down the horror of the Dark Lord and because of his mother's ridiculous desire to not destroy a stupid rock, his own blood, that stupid Triwizard tournament, and one pitiful servant it would all be for nothing. Voldemort was right—all attempts at defense, his mother's death—it only bought Harry time.
"Percy! That loony's got them!" Ron yelled. He looked panicked, but at the sight of his friend he struggled to regain his composure and he and Hermione reached down to pull Harry up.
As soon as he was up on his feet, Harry jerked from their grasps, suddenly becoming once more aware of the turmoil around him. He had failed to save another life. If Dumont got the pendent, Jade was dead.
"Harry," Hermione said urgently.
"We need Dumbledore," Harry muttered.
"No," she said more urgently. She grabbed his arm so tight that the discomfort made him look up.
Several feet in front of them, standing in front of the Hog's Head, a figure in a masked cloak was staring at them, wand drawn.
Harry didn't think. All he wanted was that figure to be Voldemort so that he could kill him. He wanted to kill Voldemort as much as the Dark Lord wanted to kill him, and in that split second as he lunged at the cloaked figure, Harry felt that the first steps of revenge were being taken.
Harry collided hard with the masked man and they both crashed through the front window of the pub. Glass rained down on them, as he struggled to right himself, feeling as if his lungs had been crushed. Pushing up blinding, his fingers hooked around the Death Eater's mask and as he thrust himself off of the man, the hood slid off. Harry roughly pushed his glasses back on, breathing hard. He threw the hooded mask aside and looked down at his enemy to find the figure's face now exposed and in perfect focus.
Harry was looking straight into the eyes of Peter Pettigrew.
A dry-heave racked his body as Harry stumbled back, feeling revolted by the sight of the man. Pettigrew stared back with wide-eyes, swallowing dryly as he quickly examined the pub, his rat-like face straining as he struggle to regain his breath.
"You," Harry finally mustered, shocked at the venom he had stocked behind that one word. Pettigrew didn't say anything only continued staring right back at him, with a gaze that was mingled with both fear and agitation.
"Harry look out!" Hermione and Ron had just dashed into the pub.
"Reductus!" the rat-faced man cried out before Harry could comprehend Hermione's warning, taking careful aim at her and Ron.
Both of them cried out as they crashed into the bar, Ron toppling over the counter before disappearing behind it. Harry didn't even register that he didn't have his own wand when Pettigrew faced him, wand pointed directly between Harry's eyes.
"I should of let Padfoot and Moony kill you," Harry spat more angry than afraid. Pettigrew only paused to reach back and strike him across the face with the silver hand Voldmort had created for his servant in return for his sacrifice. As the cold metal made contact with Harry's skin, his scar blazed with a far more immobilizing sting causing him to stumble back and wince.
"Just give up," Pettigrew said his voice a cowardly whine.
Harry didn't answer; instead he grunted and lashed out violently, successfully knocking Pettigrew's hand away. The coward's wand clattered across the room and came to rest under a solitary, broken barstool set up in the middle of the room. Harry raced towards the fallen wand, but Pettigrew caught hold of his ankle, sending him crashing to the ground.
Blinking stars out of his eyes, Harry found himself pinned to the ground by Pettigrew, the disgusting face of the man who betrayed his parents just inches above him.
"I'm sorry," Pettigrew muttered, his voice quavering. As he shifted, the light caught the glint of a dagger he had swiftly drawn and was now holding in his silver hand. Harry's eyes widened as he struggled in vain. He was going to die the worst death imaginable—he wasn't even going to get a chance to face off with Voldemort. Suddenly choking on his own breath, all Harry could think about was not wanting to die by the hands of the man whom he had saved in a moment of righteousness. He couldn't die this way—he just couldn't.
The blade came down and a burning sensation immediately blazed across Harry's scar. He closed his eyes against the pain and the glint of the silver hand and dagger waiting for blade to sink into his chest. A second later he'd be dead.
The moment's past and he wasn't. Harry opened his eyes to find Wormtail's face twisted in effort above him. Saliva was hanging from his lips and he seemed to be throwing his entire weight into the blade poised above Harry's heart. Harry could faintly feel a prick from the point of the dagger, but it was as if his chest was made of lead. No matter how much weight Pettigrew threw into the blade, it would not sink into Harry's flesh. Their eyes met and they both knew—wizard's debt. Pettigrew could not kill Harry.
"Mobilius!"
A chair came zooming in from the bar crashing over Pettigrew's head, and shortly after Ron had thrown his body into Pettigrew, knocking him off Harry.
"Accio dagger!" Hermione cried out, whipping Wormtail's blade magically away. As soon as it was in her hands, she threw it aside and helped Harry up, the look of utter amazement, fear, and relief making it clear she had seen the strange occurrence. Hermione didn't waste any time with words however as she and Harry raced towards Ron and Pettigrew now grappling near the solitary, broken barstool. Suddenly, Pettigrew threw his elbow up into Ron's chin, buying himself enough time to reach for his wand beneath the misfit stool. As he succeeded in wrapping his hand around it, Harry reached forward violently struggling to pull the wand from his grips. Pettigrew thrashed and reached forward with his other arm, stretching his plump body towards the broken stool, his fingers finally clutching it.
Ron still dazed by the blow fell into the stool, his arm linking around the only undamaged rung. Hermione grabbed hold of it in attempts to untangle her friend as Harry tried to throw his weight on Pettigrew successfully sending the stool crashing down on himself. Before the tangle could be resolved however, a very familiar tug just behind Harry's navel pulled him into a whirl of color and wind.
With a crack, they landed on a grassy knoll, the broken barstool splintering beneath them. Harry found that he could barely catch his breath as his vision slid in and out of focus. He could hardly make out Pettigrew untangling himself from them and rushing away as he struggled to sit up.
Gasping, Harry turned to find Ron and Hermione sprawled beside him along with the remains of what apparently was a portkey Pettigrew was trying to get to. Where it had taken them, however Harry had no idea.
"What were you thinking?" Hermione panted, glaring at Harry as she wiped blood from a cut on her lip. "Throwing yourself at an armed Death Eater?!"
"Pettigrew couldn't kill me," Harry muttered.
"Wizard's debt," Ron grunted sitting up.
"You two okay?" Harry asked becoming aware of the great risk his friends had put themselves in.
"Bloody grand," Ron replied bluntly.
All three of them stood up stiffly, taking in their surroundings. In the distance, craggy mountains capped with blindly white snow twinkled in the midday sun. Around them was a forest, cheery and bright, and just several yards away, was a castle—a looming fortress beyond anything King Arthur's tale described.
It was incredibly large and medieval, a relic of the past and the very epitome of antiquity. The black stone workings were nestled into a rocky foothill, and the castle looked only accessible by the decrepit bridge strung across a massive gorge that led to its entrance.
"What do we do now?" Hermione asked quietly.
"What else is there to do?" Harry returned as he led the way towards the castle.
After spending an atrociously long time convincing Ron to cross the bridge (which swayed unpleasantly in the summer breeze), they entered through the fortress gates. Within the courtyard, was the main entrance and they pressed forward to find themselves in front of the castle's decaying front doors.
"This place looks like it's been deserted since Merlin," Ron noted nervously.
"This isn't right," Hermione whispered. Harry didn't answer. Instead he wrapped his hands around the large, brass ring attached to the door and pulled. Light spilled in from the opening onto an entrance hall that must have been grand in its day. It was dimly lit by natural light spilling in from the few tiny gothic windows. There were two staircases that lead to upper floors on either side of the hall, and beyond them was another corridor, so dimly lit, it was impossible to make out any of it's details from where they stood.
"Maybe it'll give us a clue as to where we are," Harry said, stepping into the hall hearing the end of his sentence reverberating throughout the room. "Or why Wormtail's portkey was set for here."
They walked in slowly, Ron, Harry, and Hermione very aware of every sound that muddled the air like the echoes of all the years the castle must have bared witness to. Harry led the way towards the dark corridor, nearly slipping several times on the age-smoothed flagstone. Hogwarts was dwarfed considerably in both age and size by this structure.
"It's really dark," Ron said in a voice higher than normal as they stepped foot into the dimly-lit corridor just beyond the two staircases. The only light came in sporadic streams from tiny, round stained-glass windows that lined either side of the hall.
"D'you hear that?" Harry asked pausing. He held his breath, thinking that he heard something like the swish of a blade. It was utterly silent as it seemed Ron and Hermione were holding their breath as well. Nerves on end, they pressed forward again. Suddenly a loud fluttering echoed throughout the hall behind them as a group of birds nesting in the rafters took flight.
Ron shrieked and clung to Hermione who pushed him off. Harry jumped, swinging his head from left to right, before relaxing a bit as he became aware of the birds that were now emptying from the entrance hall.
"Just birds," Hermione said quietly. Harry turned to look at her and Ron, breathing deeply to slow his racing heart.
"Yeah," Harry said and slowly turned around. He gasped feeling as if his body was suddenly submerged in ice water as he found there was a blade pricking into the skin of his neck. What little light was in the hall was reflecting on a long, golden sword that threatened to slice open his throat with a single flick. Harry's breath became shallow as the figure holding the sword pressed forward, forcing him to step back. A stream of colored light faintly lit up the face of the weapon-wielder.
"Not another step," Dumont said her gray eyes flickering.
A/N: I know, I know, it's been a over a month since my last post—I'm really sorry. You wouldn't believe the absolute drama I've been going through over the past two-three months over one calculus class and one itty-bitty college transfer. Looks like my plans have been foiled once more—gah. But alas, enough of my pitiful lack of time—that was ch. 24. I really hoped you like it and please, stick around—I promise you the LAST (that's right my friends—the LAST) 2 chapters will be up much quicker than my previous post. So, love it? Hate it? Have me on your Hit List? Lemme know and review! All thank yous below!
~jess
p.s
If you like fan art, I've recently posted a few more doodles I had lying around. You can see them in the fanart section of this fatty mcfat fat site: www.death-curse.com . I'm the first batch on that page. Enjoy!
p.p.s
Go see LILO & STITCH! Dude, it was fabtacular. Right, and if you haven't you must check out Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials". They're great books you can read to "take a break" from Harry Potter. Keep in mind it's no Harry Potter, but it's just as magnificent. Go on, you need to explore new books—god speed, grasshopper.
Mercurygirl: GASP! You haven't actually read the HP books yet?! Get yee to yee olde bookstore! But yeah, thank you so much for reviewing, I'm so happy that you like my fic—hmmmm….i really really really hope I wasn't responsible for your death :) You're ab-fab, hope you enjoyed ch.24!
Pete B: Eek! You're reviews are honestly the best! I take what you say to heart, I think it grounds the themes of the original HP for me. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this chap, it was honestly a monster to write. Take care, I hope you're preparing well for your new job!
Ginny Potter: Your fics have NOT died on you! Damn those muses—they really get lazy at the most inopportune times, don't they? Don't worry, you're a great writer, they'll be back. But anywho, thanx for the review—I'm so happy you liked it!
Bloodmoon: LOL! Book violation! Indeed a punishable crime. Thanx for the review!
Jamie C.JC: HA! And you thought I was a nice person :) hope you liked this cliff!
KasLinn: Wow, thanx a bunch! I hope you like this one just as much.
Eleanor: I'm glad you're getting a kick out of playing detective—you know me, always love pleasing people. Anywho, keep up the good guess work, and we'll see what happens—very, very, very soon. Thanx again!
Lukias: Well, I got to end the damn thing sometime! Ah well, as for the cliff hangers—don't worry, I'm heavily insured for all "suspense" related accidents. And yeah, you're totally right: I'm in love with your words, keep them coming, my friend! By the way, I'll be expecting my air-mailed kiss—or maybe by this time, it's been magically changed to an air-mailed kick in the arse for taking this side of forever to update. Sorry about my lack of Jade this chap, promise she's around more the next one. By the way? Jade Cordonnier is currently single. She enjoys shiny objects, walks around the lake, and poking at things next to signs that read "DANGER: Do not touch". Despite blushing at tall red heads dudes in leather jackets and ponytails, she is open to being interested in any fatty mcfat fat guy. DAMN YOU SALAZAR—rock on.
Josh Witt: LOL! You crack me up? Superior writing skills? More like lucky amateur brain farts, but eh. Thanks so much for reviewing. I'm glad to hear your summer is going great—thanx for the emails! By the way, I'm changing my major from business to a double major in art and computer science engineering—then I plan to do my Graduate study on Animation/Film. ::sigh::: see you around soon!