Chapter Fourteen
In which another search begins
Albus Dumbledore had found the answer. It was about an hour before breakfast, but he had finally located the information he needed. The sound of hurried steps caused him to raise his eyes from the book. Minerva McGonagall looked as though she had dressed in quite a rush.
"I'm here, Albus. What have you discovered?" she questioned.
"Your hair net, Minerva." he coughed quietly.
She quickly removed the offending article and stuffed it into a pocket.
"Well?"
"The Founders created a set of six mirrors to serve as emergency exits for humans caught in the demon's prison. They were placed strategically throughout the castle as gateways between worlds. Humans cannot enter through them. Demons cannot exit. They can only be activated by incantation. I have the spell here." Dumbledore told her. "The only real trouble is getting it to them."
"And you have a plan?" asked McGonagall.
"Of course. First we locate the mirrors. We will be able to see into the other world even if we cannot enter it." said Dumbledore.
"But, Albus, there must be hundreds of mirrors in the castle! It might take days!" she said.
"We will recruit some assistance. Mister Potter and Weasley have been especially upset since the disappearance of their friends. And the rest of the staff will search with us. I am certain that we can cover much of the castle in a relatively short amount of time."
"Of course. How are the mirrors activated?"
"Two sharp taps with a wand in the center. Very simple, you see."
"Quite. Finding them will be the only problem."
"Indeed. Begin assembling the searchers and give them their instructions. Leave no mirror untapped." said Dumbledore.
Minerva nodded that she understood. Then she took a deep breath and drew herself up to her full height.
"I don't regret kissing you one bit, Albus Dumbledore. If you weren't such an old coot, I might do it again." she told him.
"I was old then too, you know." he said with some amusement. He had certainly gotten Minerva's goat.
"At least you didn't look it back in those days." she retorted, turning on her heel and leaving the office.
Yes, that was going to disturb Minerva quite profoundly and for sometime.
Harry and Ron were seated in a secluded corner of the common room with very depressed looks on their faces. It wasn't long before breakfast would be served. The house elves were bring it up. Classes had been canceled and students were strongly encouraged to remain in their dormitories. Most of the other students looked a bit subdued as well. Two of their house mates were missing as well as one of their dearest professors. Not even the fact that Snape was missing too could cheer them up. Harry glanced at the Marauder's Map, which they had taken to studying as a means of watching the searches and looking for any sign of the missing themselves, and noted that Professor McGonagall was approaching the tower.
"Mischief ... managed." Harry sighed, clearing the map and putting it away.
"Think she will have any news?" questioned Ron, who looked even more miserable than Harry.
His mother and father had come to the school the night before. He had only seen his mother that upset once or twice in his life. And he had never seen his father break down before. The times were trying. The war was on. The Ministry was in shambles. And then his daughter goes missing again. Percy had taken them home after a brief visit with Ron. He had been substantially less shaken up, but that was Percy. It was worse than the last time Ginny was missing, worse than the end of his second year by far.
"Potter, Weasley, come with me, if you please." said Professor McGonagall sternly. "And see that you have your wands." she added.
"Yes, professor." they answered, excitement and interest in their voices for the first time in days.
"I trust you will both behave responsibly, as your friends' lives may depend on it. The headmaster has asked me to recruit you both to help the staff make another search of the castle."
"You can count on us." said Ron.
"I hope so, Mister Weasley." said McGonagall.
Within minutes of being given instructions, Harry and Ron found themselves walking through the castle in search of mirrors. They didn't entirely understand what Professor McGonagall had told them, but they endeavored to follow her instructions to the letter. Their friends, as well as a man Harry considered a reluctant ally at the very best, were stuck in a very scary place that could only be reached through six special mirrors, so they would find those mirrors. Simple as that.
"Damn!" Ron swore as he finished tapping the twentieth mirror with no result. He could still see his reflection and nothing more.
"Sorry, dear." said the looking glass.
"Come on. We need to pick up the pace." said Harry.
"Then why don't we split up?"
"McGonagall wanted us together to avoid overlooking hidden mirrors and stuff."
"No, she wanted you to keep an eye on me, make sure I don't do it wrong somehow." said Ron rather bitterly. "All because I'm not a star student."
"How many other students are helping with this search? Just prefects, right?" asked Harry very coolly and logically, something he had picked up from Hermione over the years.
"You're insufferable, Harry." sighed Ron as they stepped into another unused office.
"Thank you. It's nice to be appreciated."
Harry walked over to a dusty mirror and rubbed its surface clear with his sleeve. He was quite hopeful as the mirror seemed to be very old.
"What if we can't find them?"
"Someone else will." said Harry stubbornly.
"Find what?" asked the mirror.
"Oh, a couple of special mirrors." Harry answered it absently before giving it a couple of sharp taps with his wand.
"You're looking for the special mirrors then." it accused moodily. "A plain, ordinary looking glass isn't good enough for you, is it?"
"Er, not at the moment. Do you know where they are? The ones the Founders enchanted?" asked Harry.
"Well, at least one of them was broken ages ago. They wanted me to replace it. But the old magic had been forgotten. I can't see the demon world for you, if that's what you're after." said the looking glass. "I can only see the foundation of the groundskeeper's hut." it added irritably. "Dank and dirty and ..."
"But you don't know where the others are?" interrupted Harry.
"Not exactly ... But I heard once ... long ago ... that Salazar Slytherin liked to watch them." said the looking glass.
"There weren't any mirrors in the Chamber of Secrets, were there, Harry?"
"Not that I remember."
"What about the Slytherin dormitories?"
"I'm sure the prefects checked there."
"What about Snape's office and rooms?"
"Brilliant! I bet almost no one would dare go in there without Snape's permission." said Harry. As they ran for the door, Harry called over his shoulder to the mirror, "Thanks!"
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A/N: Well, that wasn't much fun. Necessary though. And I have not been able to upload because of technical difficulties. Sorry about that!
anonymous reviewer: I have always use a dotted line to separate the fic and the notes, which I assumed would take care of anyone who had no desire to read the end notes and so forth. Many fan fic authors whose works I read do very nearly the same thing. I am sorry if you have been offended or inconvenienced in any way, but I cannot post a chapter of notes for every chapter of text.
Pidgie: Thank you very much for the review!
Astraea: Hermione manages to put up with Harry and Ron, so I would guess that she has a lot of patience. Thanks for the review!
JoeBob1379: There are people who don't approve of SS/HG? Oh, the horror! On the issue of British slang (one of my major failings), I just wish I had the time and diligence to sit down and wade through all the Brit Picker columns out there. Thanks for reviewing!
Aine Deande: You have a friend who *gasps* doesn't like Snape or even Alan Rickman as Snape (or maybe I've drawn the wrong conclusion)? You must get her some help, and quickly! Just kidding. I am very flattered that both you and your friend are enjoying the story so much! Thank you!
Black Sparkles: Those alternatives sound pretty good. I might have to go and make some changes. Thanks!
Arime Setta: I will try and find them a change of scenery if at all possible. I suppose the SS/HG ship does require some compassion. Thanks for the review!
Rhianna: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Thank you for reviewing!
Helen: Thanks for the help with the British stuff! I will go back and make changes of some kind soon.
In which another search begins
Albus Dumbledore had found the answer. It was about an hour before breakfast, but he had finally located the information he needed. The sound of hurried steps caused him to raise his eyes from the book. Minerva McGonagall looked as though she had dressed in quite a rush.
"I'm here, Albus. What have you discovered?" she questioned.
"Your hair net, Minerva." he coughed quietly.
She quickly removed the offending article and stuffed it into a pocket.
"Well?"
"The Founders created a set of six mirrors to serve as emergency exits for humans caught in the demon's prison. They were placed strategically throughout the castle as gateways between worlds. Humans cannot enter through them. Demons cannot exit. They can only be activated by incantation. I have the spell here." Dumbledore told her. "The only real trouble is getting it to them."
"And you have a plan?" asked McGonagall.
"Of course. First we locate the mirrors. We will be able to see into the other world even if we cannot enter it." said Dumbledore.
"But, Albus, there must be hundreds of mirrors in the castle! It might take days!" she said.
"We will recruit some assistance. Mister Potter and Weasley have been especially upset since the disappearance of their friends. And the rest of the staff will search with us. I am certain that we can cover much of the castle in a relatively short amount of time."
"Of course. How are the mirrors activated?"
"Two sharp taps with a wand in the center. Very simple, you see."
"Quite. Finding them will be the only problem."
"Indeed. Begin assembling the searchers and give them their instructions. Leave no mirror untapped." said Dumbledore.
Minerva nodded that she understood. Then she took a deep breath and drew herself up to her full height.
"I don't regret kissing you one bit, Albus Dumbledore. If you weren't such an old coot, I might do it again." she told him.
"I was old then too, you know." he said with some amusement. He had certainly gotten Minerva's goat.
"At least you didn't look it back in those days." she retorted, turning on her heel and leaving the office.
Yes, that was going to disturb Minerva quite profoundly and for sometime.
Harry and Ron were seated in a secluded corner of the common room with very depressed looks on their faces. It wasn't long before breakfast would be served. The house elves were bring it up. Classes had been canceled and students were strongly encouraged to remain in their dormitories. Most of the other students looked a bit subdued as well. Two of their house mates were missing as well as one of their dearest professors. Not even the fact that Snape was missing too could cheer them up. Harry glanced at the Marauder's Map, which they had taken to studying as a means of watching the searches and looking for any sign of the missing themselves, and noted that Professor McGonagall was approaching the tower.
"Mischief ... managed." Harry sighed, clearing the map and putting it away.
"Think she will have any news?" questioned Ron, who looked even more miserable than Harry.
His mother and father had come to the school the night before. He had only seen his mother that upset once or twice in his life. And he had never seen his father break down before. The times were trying. The war was on. The Ministry was in shambles. And then his daughter goes missing again. Percy had taken them home after a brief visit with Ron. He had been substantially less shaken up, but that was Percy. It was worse than the last time Ginny was missing, worse than the end of his second year by far.
"Potter, Weasley, come with me, if you please." said Professor McGonagall sternly. "And see that you have your wands." she added.
"Yes, professor." they answered, excitement and interest in their voices for the first time in days.
"I trust you will both behave responsibly, as your friends' lives may depend on it. The headmaster has asked me to recruit you both to help the staff make another search of the castle."
"You can count on us." said Ron.
"I hope so, Mister Weasley." said McGonagall.
Within minutes of being given instructions, Harry and Ron found themselves walking through the castle in search of mirrors. They didn't entirely understand what Professor McGonagall had told them, but they endeavored to follow her instructions to the letter. Their friends, as well as a man Harry considered a reluctant ally at the very best, were stuck in a very scary place that could only be reached through six special mirrors, so they would find those mirrors. Simple as that.
"Damn!" Ron swore as he finished tapping the twentieth mirror with no result. He could still see his reflection and nothing more.
"Sorry, dear." said the looking glass.
"Come on. We need to pick up the pace." said Harry.
"Then why don't we split up?"
"McGonagall wanted us together to avoid overlooking hidden mirrors and stuff."
"No, she wanted you to keep an eye on me, make sure I don't do it wrong somehow." said Ron rather bitterly. "All because I'm not a star student."
"How many other students are helping with this search? Just prefects, right?" asked Harry very coolly and logically, something he had picked up from Hermione over the years.
"You're insufferable, Harry." sighed Ron as they stepped into another unused office.
"Thank you. It's nice to be appreciated."
Harry walked over to a dusty mirror and rubbed its surface clear with his sleeve. He was quite hopeful as the mirror seemed to be very old.
"What if we can't find them?"
"Someone else will." said Harry stubbornly.
"Find what?" asked the mirror.
"Oh, a couple of special mirrors." Harry answered it absently before giving it a couple of sharp taps with his wand.
"You're looking for the special mirrors then." it accused moodily. "A plain, ordinary looking glass isn't good enough for you, is it?"
"Er, not at the moment. Do you know where they are? The ones the Founders enchanted?" asked Harry.
"Well, at least one of them was broken ages ago. They wanted me to replace it. But the old magic had been forgotten. I can't see the demon world for you, if that's what you're after." said the looking glass. "I can only see the foundation of the groundskeeper's hut." it added irritably. "Dank and dirty and ..."
"But you don't know where the others are?" interrupted Harry.
"Not exactly ... But I heard once ... long ago ... that Salazar Slytherin liked to watch them." said the looking glass.
"There weren't any mirrors in the Chamber of Secrets, were there, Harry?"
"Not that I remember."
"What about the Slytherin dormitories?"
"I'm sure the prefects checked there."
"What about Snape's office and rooms?"
"Brilliant! I bet almost no one would dare go in there without Snape's permission." said Harry. As they ran for the door, Harry called over his shoulder to the mirror, "Thanks!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Well, that wasn't much fun. Necessary though. And I have not been able to upload because of technical difficulties. Sorry about that!
anonymous reviewer: I have always use a dotted line to separate the fic and the notes, which I assumed would take care of anyone who had no desire to read the end notes and so forth. Many fan fic authors whose works I read do very nearly the same thing. I am sorry if you have been offended or inconvenienced in any way, but I cannot post a chapter of notes for every chapter of text.
Pidgie: Thank you very much for the review!
Astraea: Hermione manages to put up with Harry and Ron, so I would guess that she has a lot of patience. Thanks for the review!
JoeBob1379: There are people who don't approve of SS/HG? Oh, the horror! On the issue of British slang (one of my major failings), I just wish I had the time and diligence to sit down and wade through all the Brit Picker columns out there. Thanks for reviewing!
Aine Deande: You have a friend who *gasps* doesn't like Snape or even Alan Rickman as Snape (or maybe I've drawn the wrong conclusion)? You must get her some help, and quickly! Just kidding. I am very flattered that both you and your friend are enjoying the story so much! Thank you!
Black Sparkles: Those alternatives sound pretty good. I might have to go and make some changes. Thanks!
Arime Setta: I will try and find them a change of scenery if at all possible. I suppose the SS/HG ship does require some compassion. Thanks for the review!
Rhianna: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Thank you for reviewing!
Helen: Thanks for the help with the British stuff! I will go back and make changes of some kind soon.