When Angels Die
Ch: 20
Disclaimer: see part 1
Darkness descended across their vision as they slowly walked down the unknown corridor. Harry held up his wand, glancing left and right for any indication of danger. Hermione stopped suddenly and raised her wand.
"Harry," she said. "Look at this."
She wiped away the gathering dust clinging to the walls to reveal a dark colored wall. The wood itself wasn't what caught her attention; it was the runes etched deeply into the wall.
Harry reached out gently to run one hand down the wall. A tingle swept up into his hand, spreading a warm feeling as it made its way into his brain.
"These are old-very old. And magical."
Hermione stared at him with a worried expression as his voice took on a dreamy quality. Harry stroked the runes on last time before turning away and leading on. He kept one hand on the wall as he walked on. The sense of warmth stayed with him the whole way and the only thing Harry could compare the feeling to was 'home'.
"Uh..Harry, are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"I'm fine. Can't you feel it?"
"Feel what? Harry, you're starting to scare me. The only thing I can feel in this tunnel is power. Lots of power."
Harry nodded. "Don't worry about the power. It won't be used against us. We are welcome here. It's the other feeling I'm talking about- right below the feeling of power."
Hermione concentrated but she only felt the immense feeling of power. Whatever sort of feeling Harry was talking about was not reaching her.
"How do you know that?"
"It said so. This is a place of safety. It doesn't want us to be harmed. It wasn't made that way."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see.."
The passageway went down and down; it seemed like forever until it finally stopped. A door engraved with silver runes stopped them. Hermione stared at it in wonder. Lines of heavy runes graced the door and some were ancient- almost beyond recognition.
"We are here."
"Where are we?"
Harry turned and she gasped in surprise. His green eyes were flaring like a super nova, brighter than anything she had ever seen.
"When the castle was created by the great founders, it was placed on magical ground. The combination of the Four plus the magic already placed in the ground at the beginning created a sentient being- the castle came to life.
"That's how the rooms change, doors disappear and how Dumbledore knows everything- or almost everything- that goes on within the school. He asks it."
"You're saying the castle is alive? With a mind, memory span and everything?"
"Yes."
"It may seem crazy but I believe you."
Without warning, the door opened up. Harry walked in followed by Hermione. That's when she felt it- peace. Peace flowed through her body and she relaxed. Love encircled her with a wash of beautiful colors.
"Wow."
Harry turned and flashed her a smile.
(Welcome)
"Hello," said Harry.
(It has been a while since I have had company. The Headmasters and mistresses never come down here. Many do not know this exists.)
"We do not mean to interfere."
(That is fine with me. It does tend to get boring but every student makes me happy. Can I help you with anything?)
"Yes. You are aware of what is happening out there, correct?"
(Yes. It is the biggest gathering I have ever seen since I was created.)
"I am worried about my students. May we use your chamber for a sanctuary?"
(Sanctuary? Of course, you may. Having students here will provide me entertainment! I look foreword to them.)
A pause in filtered the air. Hermione was in awe and filled with many questions but none could find their way out of her mouth. Harry stood there with a small smile but it was quickly washed out by whatever the chamber had told him. He looked astonished as a small smile formed on his face and a pale hand went to his stomach.
"A-are you s-sure?" he asked in a wavering voice.
(I am always sure when it comes to matters like this. I am afraid you must leave now, you have been here quite a while and some one dear to you is looking for you. Please come and visit anytime you need to. Goodbye, young master!)
"Goodbye, for now."
Harry ushered Hermione out of the room and back up the corridor. He was distracted by something so Hermione didn't pry. On the way out, Hermione and Harry distinctly heard a soft humming, floating up from behind them.
"Harry. Are you alright?"
Harry's smile was the brightest thing she had seen in the last few years. It reminded her of nights spent in friends ship and tears shed in love. It was a mixture of happiness and hopes for all dreams once thought to be dead.
"I'm fine Hermione. I'm the best I have ever been in a long time."
They walked back into the hustle and bustle of the castle, Harry still with his smile and Hermione as confused as ever. But the confusion was swept away as the staff gathered for the arrival of the students.
"Hermione!" called Ron from down the hall. "Hermione, there you are. Where have you been? Oh, hi Harry."
"Hello Ron! I hope your day has been bright and cheerful! Excuse me though, I need to find Dumbledore. Do you know where he is?"
Ron stared at Harry in confusion but pointed down the hall anyway. With a wave of thanks, Harry was off; waving and smiling to everyone he met. When he saw Draco talking to Sinistra, Harry walked over and kissed him thoroughly before walking off.
"I have no clue what he is on," explained Draco to a blushing Sinistra.
Harry finally found Dumbledore and explained his plan to keep the kids safe. The castle was strangely still connected to Harry's mind and it agreed to place an unmistakable mark on the outside of the brick. Runes light in gold would guide the way so no one would be lost.
According to Draco, Severus and Albus, many of the Death Eaters had pulled their children out of Hogworts but many of the ones who did not want their children involved in the war sent their children to Hogworts. Now many of the Slytherins were loyal to the side of the Light or to no side at all. It was a relief to know that the children were not wrapped in Voldemorts web.
Many of the children were sent to a safe house hidden deep in the mountains. Caretakers loyal to Dumbledore made sure the children stayed safe in a loving environment. This way they were out of Voldemorts warpath. These children would be arriving tonight- none of the new kids would be sorted until the next day while the older children would be placed into their houses that night.
That was new news to Harry. No one told him he there was an orphanage for homeless children.
"Why can't we send the students to the orphanage?" asked Harry.
"The only way is to portkey them out of here but we can't take the chance that Voldemort will get them. You have to go to the portkey site but that is outside the barrier, like the apparation sites. The wards prevent anyone coming in or going out, including portkeys."
"Damn."
"You said the castle will allow them to stay in the chamber?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes but you should know that."
"It seems the castle has taken a deeper bond with you than it has to me."
This seemed to amuse Dumbledore somehow but when Harry asked about it, Dumbledore simply said, "You'll know in time."
But Harry took this all in stride as he approached Snape late one evening after Draco had dosed off. They had moved Harry's belongings into Draco's room, which was a big step, even for them. "This way you will never be in trouble" was Draco's response.
Harry banged on the door as he waited for Snape to wake up. He didn't have to wait long as a sour looking Severus opened the door.
"Harry? What in Merlin's name do you want?"
"I wanted to ask if you would be the godfather to my child."
Snape looked at him for a moment before passing out.
AN: Hehehehh. I am evil. Pure evil. The next chapter won't be this long, I'm sick so I thought I should catch up on this story. I am still working on it; it's just taking a long time. Now you sort of know what the castle said to Harry. If Snape passed out just from being asked to be a godfather, how do you think Draco would react? Anyway, thank you for the reviews and enjoy! ~Ta-ta
Darkness descended across their vision as they slowly walked down the unknown corridor. Harry held up his wand, glancing left and right for any indication of danger. Hermione stopped suddenly and raised her wand.
"Harry," she said. "Look at this."
She wiped away the gathering dust clinging to the walls to reveal a dark colored wall. The wood itself wasn't what caught her attention; it was the runes etched deeply into the wall.
Harry reached out gently to run one hand down the wall. A tingle swept up into his hand, spreading a warm feeling as it made its way into his brain.
"These are old-very old. And magical."
Hermione stared at him with a worried expression as his voice took on a dreamy quality. Harry stroked the runes on last time before turning away and leading on. He kept one hand on the wall as he walked on. The sense of warmth stayed with him the whole way and the only thing Harry could compare the feeling to was 'home'.
"Uh..Harry, are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"I'm fine. Can't you feel it?"
"Feel what? Harry, you're starting to scare me. The only thing I can feel in this tunnel is power. Lots of power."
Harry nodded. "Don't worry about the power. It won't be used against us. We are welcome here. It's the other feeling I'm talking about- right below the feeling of power."
Hermione concentrated but she only felt the immense feeling of power. Whatever sort of feeling Harry was talking about was not reaching her.
"How do you know that?"
"It said so. This is a place of safety. It doesn't want us to be harmed. It wasn't made that way."
"What are you talking about?"
"You'll see.."
The passageway went down and down; it seemed like forever until it finally stopped. A door engraved with silver runes stopped them. Hermione stared at it in wonder. Lines of heavy runes graced the door and some were ancient- almost beyond recognition.
"We are here."
"Where are we?"
Harry turned and she gasped in surprise. His green eyes were flaring like a super nova, brighter than anything she had ever seen.
"When the castle was created by the great founders, it was placed on magical ground. The combination of the Four plus the magic already placed in the ground at the beginning created a sentient being- the castle came to life.
"That's how the rooms change, doors disappear and how Dumbledore knows everything- or almost everything- that goes on within the school. He asks it."
"You're saying the castle is alive? With a mind, memory span and everything?"
"Yes."
"It may seem crazy but I believe you."
Without warning, the door opened up. Harry walked in followed by Hermione. That's when she felt it- peace. Peace flowed through her body and she relaxed. Love encircled her with a wash of beautiful colors.
"Wow."
Harry turned and flashed her a smile.
(Welcome)
"Hello," said Harry.
(It has been a while since I have had company. The Headmasters and mistresses never come down here. Many do not know this exists.)
"We do not mean to interfere."
(That is fine with me. It does tend to get boring but every student makes me happy. Can I help you with anything?)
"Yes. You are aware of what is happening out there, correct?"
(Yes. It is the biggest gathering I have ever seen since I was created.)
"I am worried about my students. May we use your chamber for a sanctuary?"
(Sanctuary? Of course, you may. Having students here will provide me entertainment! I look foreword to them.)
A pause in filtered the air. Hermione was in awe and filled with many questions but none could find their way out of her mouth. Harry stood there with a small smile but it was quickly washed out by whatever the chamber had told him. He looked astonished as a small smile formed on his face and a pale hand went to his stomach.
"A-are you s-sure?" he asked in a wavering voice.
(I am always sure when it comes to matters like this. I am afraid you must leave now, you have been here quite a while and some one dear to you is looking for you. Please come and visit anytime you need to. Goodbye, young master!)
"Goodbye, for now."
Harry ushered Hermione out of the room and back up the corridor. He was distracted by something so Hermione didn't pry. On the way out, Hermione and Harry distinctly heard a soft humming, floating up from behind them.
"Harry. Are you alright?"
Harry's smile was the brightest thing she had seen in the last few years. It reminded her of nights spent in friends ship and tears shed in love. It was a mixture of happiness and hopes for all dreams once thought to be dead.
"I'm fine Hermione. I'm the best I have ever been in a long time."
They walked back into the hustle and bustle of the castle, Harry still with his smile and Hermione as confused as ever. But the confusion was swept away as the staff gathered for the arrival of the students.
"Hermione!" called Ron from down the hall. "Hermione, there you are. Where have you been? Oh, hi Harry."
"Hello Ron! I hope your day has been bright and cheerful! Excuse me though, I need to find Dumbledore. Do you know where he is?"
Ron stared at Harry in confusion but pointed down the hall anyway. With a wave of thanks, Harry was off; waving and smiling to everyone he met. When he saw Draco talking to Sinistra, Harry walked over and kissed him thoroughly before walking off.
"I have no clue what he is on," explained Draco to a blushing Sinistra.
Harry finally found Dumbledore and explained his plan to keep the kids safe. The castle was strangely still connected to Harry's mind and it agreed to place an unmistakable mark on the outside of the brick. Runes light in gold would guide the way so no one would be lost.
According to Draco, Severus and Albus, many of the Death Eaters had pulled their children out of Hogworts but many of the ones who did not want their children involved in the war sent their children to Hogworts. Now many of the Slytherins were loyal to the side of the Light or to no side at all. It was a relief to know that the children were not wrapped in Voldemorts web.
Many of the children were sent to a safe house hidden deep in the mountains. Caretakers loyal to Dumbledore made sure the children stayed safe in a loving environment. This way they were out of Voldemorts warpath. These children would be arriving tonight- none of the new kids would be sorted until the next day while the older children would be placed into their houses that night.
That was new news to Harry. No one told him he there was an orphanage for homeless children.
"Why can't we send the students to the orphanage?" asked Harry.
"The only way is to portkey them out of here but we can't take the chance that Voldemort will get them. You have to go to the portkey site but that is outside the barrier, like the apparation sites. The wards prevent anyone coming in or going out, including portkeys."
"Damn."
"You said the castle will allow them to stay in the chamber?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes but you should know that."
"It seems the castle has taken a deeper bond with you than it has to me."
This seemed to amuse Dumbledore somehow but when Harry asked about it, Dumbledore simply said, "You'll know in time."
But Harry took this all in stride as he approached Snape late one evening after Draco had dosed off. They had moved Harry's belongings into Draco's room, which was a big step, even for them. "This way you will never be in trouble" was Draco's response.
Harry banged on the door as he waited for Snape to wake up. He didn't have to wait long as a sour looking Severus opened the door.
"Harry? What in Merlin's name do you want?"
"I wanted to ask if you would be the godfather to my child."
Snape looked at him for a moment before passing out.
AN: Hehehehh. I am evil. Pure evil. The next chapter won't be this long, I'm sick so I thought I should catch up on this story. I am still working on it; it's just taking a long time. Now you sort of know what the castle said to Harry. If Snape passed out just from being asked to be a godfather, how do you think Draco would react? Anyway, thank you for the reviews and enjoy! ~Ta-ta