Harry Potter and the Age of Deceit

by kiwimage

It’s Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts and the magical world is beginning to fall apart. Well-known people are seen committing horrendous crimes and there are rumours of disappearances. The Ministry of Magic refuses to acknowledge Voldemort has returne

6. Treasure Hunt

Chapter 1.6Treasure Hunt

Harry woke and looked about. He closed his eyes as memories of the last two days assailed him. He didn't want to get up but wanted another detention even less. He got ready in silence while trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. He felt as if everyone was staring at him as he went into the common room. There he met Hermione and Ron. He hazarded a glance around the common room. They all looked like they were happily going about their own business but Harry still could not shake the feeling they were all laughing at him. He lowered his head and went to breakfast.

He was walking in silence with Ron and Hermione in the middle of a large bunch of students when there was a disturbance behind him. He heard someone call out something and felt Ron and Hermione turn about. He kept his head down and looking ahead. He just wasn't in the mood. A familiar squeal caught his attention and something hit his back. He spun about to find every eye upon him. He looked down and saw a cloud of sparkling pink dust surrounded him. He looked up and saw a Ginny was similarly enveloped with a pink cloud. That was not what caught his attention however. Rather it was her expression of absolute shock that was rapidly changing to one of horror. Harry looked up at Hermione to see her expression of shock.

"What?" he asked with a feeling of impending doom. Hermione looked lost for words and he turned to face Ron. His expression of shock was subtly different. He looked as if he might turn on Harry at any moment. He turned back to Hermione. "What is this pink stuff?" he asked. Hermione looked at him and then Ginny. Harry followed her gaze to a beetroot red Ginny. He made brief eye contact and saw the terror she was feeling and then watched as she let out a muted squeak and spun and fled through the other students that were present. Harry stood and watched her go. He looked down and saw the cloud was lessening. He grabbed Hermiones shoulder and faced her. "What is going on?" he asked in a deadly serious tone. 

"Oh…" Hermione said in a distracted voice. Harry suppressed the urge to shake her. It was obvious that something very bad had just happened but he felt fine. He just needed to know what had happened to Ginny. She had run off after looking thoroughly terrified. "Hermione what just happened. Tell me," he said and then shook her, as she still remained silent.

"Pink pixie dust is used to find ones true love," she muttered as if subconsciously quoting from a book.

"Pardon?" Harry asked bewildered. He looked around at Ron who was now looking upon him with an expression of amazement. He turned about to Hermione again. "What?"

Hermione shook herself free of Harry's grasp. "It was…it looked like pixie dust"

"And…"

"When you are hit with it you and you true love glow. But you're not allowed to it. Its use is highly restricted."

"What?" Harry as a profound sense of dread gripped him. He looked about at the dozens of amazed and appalled faces that where staring at him. He reddened almost immediately. "But…" he protested.

"Wow," Ron said finally getting his voice back.

"I don't know what to say," Hermione said.

"Its some kind of trick," Harry said weakly. It had to be. Ginny could not be his true love. They'd never hear the end of it.

"Maybe," Hermione said although Harry could tell she didn't believe that even a little bit.

"It looked like pixie dust and whoever hit you said that it was as they threw it." Ron said.

"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed snapping the hoard of students out of their staring.

"Harry and Ginny got hit by pixie dust," Lavender gushed. Harry looked to an alarmed Professor McGonagall. She walked straight over to Harry and pointed her wand into the faint remnants of the cloud. She muttered several spells before she stood upright and turned to face the other students.

"It's not pixie dust. It's something else. Now who among you is responsible for this," she said in a resolute voice. A collective gasp swept over those present and was flowed by mute silence. Professor McGonagall wasn't impressed. "I will find out who is responsible and then they shall answer to both me and Professor Dumbledore. Nobody is allowed to use magic upon other student without permission. She spun and looked at Harry.  "Come with me," she said to Harry, "and you," she added to Hermione. The two of them followed Professor McGonagall as she walked away very quickly. As soon as she was away from the others she sent Hermione to go and get Dumbledore and Ginny and bring both to the hospital wing and then she practically dragged Harry to the hospital wing. Harry wasn't filled with hope as he was rushed along. Professor McGonagall seemed to be in too much of a hurry. She entered and Poppy came over.

"Is there anyone else here?" McGonagall curtly asked her.

"No. What is the problem?"

"He's been hit with pink pixie dust. The other ones on the way," Professor McGonagall said and pushed Harry towards Poppy. She gasped and hurried away. Harry wasn't thrilled by her expression of dread. He turned on Professor McGonagall.

"You said it wasn't"

"Don't speak, we must get you decontaminated"

"Pardon."

"Pixie dust is very dangerous."

"WHAT!"

"Quiet," she muttered. Pomfrey returned and threw some fine powder over him. He coughed and spluttered as he inhaled some of it. His eyes hurt and started watering profusely. He doubled over coughing and had to look up to see the people who bust into the hospital wing. It was Dumbledore and Ginny. Hermione came in moments later.

"Is this her," Poppy asked as she approached them. Dumbledore nodded and Poppy doused Ginny as well. Ginny fell to her knees coughing.

Eventually Harry stopped coughing and looked up to see the three staff members eyeing him with concern.

"What?" he asked.

"A terrible injustice has been perpetrated upon you and Ms Weasley"

"What?" Ginny said in a tearful voice.

"I'm sure that you both know what pink pixie dust is supposedly used for." Professor Dumbledore said with a very grave expression.

"But she's not my true love. I don't love her." Harry said looking at Ginny who seemed to be a state of shock as she too recovered from the powder. He gave a hesitant pleading glance at Dumbledore. He looked very sombre as he continued speaking.

"Yes that may well be the case. Pixie dust has never been actually proven to do what is claimed of it and I for one doubt it has any such ability. However it is a common old witches tale that it does indeed work and one that apparently many find quite believable. We will ensure that the truth of the matter is also circulated " He looked at Professor McGonagall who shook her head sadly. Somehow Harry suspected that didn't mean anything good. "The most I believe the dust is capable of, apart from a wide range a quite severe side effects, is that it does seem to highlight like minded souls"

"What but you said it doesn't"

"It is magical. Powerfully so in fact. No one perhaps not even pixies know it's true power but I believe it's true effect to be is to highlight compatible spirits. All it showed was that both of you are good honest people although I wonder if the fact that both of you have been touched by great evil was a contributing factor. In any event love is a most difficult thing to determine magic or no magic much like one's future is and I am firm in my belief that pink pixie dust is quite incapable of identifying ones true love. And if that doesn't convince you ask yourself why then is it not used everywhere. Illegal or not if it was known to work everybody would be using it. I think and hope that nothing more be read into this occurrence than the dust found you two to be alike."

"Oh"

"But even that is not etched in stone Harry, Ginny. Still it is best that you tell anybody who asks that the dust was not genuine and was in fact a very mean-hearted prank. I believe that your lives might become rather unpleasant if the press were to get a hold of the truth. As it is great deal of questions are going to be asked."

"Why?"

"Because you are famous Harry and a great many witches and wizards seem to have nothing better to do than read about every fascinating facet of your life."

"Can I go?" Harry asked weakly. He wanted very much to be alone and away from prying eyes.

"You have been decontaminated so you are free to go," Poppy said.

Harry stood and walked out of the hospital wing. He was in a state of shock and had walked wordlessly halfway to the great hall when Hermione stopped him.  He turned to face Ginny and her. Ginny gave him a look of utter desperation that wrenched his gut. He wanted to reach out and help her but didn't know how.

"Hmm" he mumbled.

"Questions are going to be asked."

"It wasn't real pixie dust," Harry said and looked about him. He wanted to make sure that no one was about and could overhear them speaking. Hermione gave both him and Ginny a hesitant look.

"You two can't just ignore this."

"Yes we can," Harry said quickly. He planned to ignore the entire affair. It was better that everybody pretended that it had never happened.

"Harry, Ginny er I… I don't know if Dumbledore was being entirely er truthful."

"What!?" Harry said in indignation. Professor Dumbledore would never be less than truthful to him and he wasn't happy hearing Hermione insinuate otherwise.

"It's just I've read about such things and I got the distinct impression that er the stuff really works at least some of the time"

"It's an old wives tale and anyway it wasn't real dust and just how much have you read on the subject'

"Not much but I'm going to."

"Fine," Harry said and turned and walked away. He had had enough talk about the dust. After all it had all just been a bad dream and hadn't actually happened. He kept thinking that all the way to the hall where he found much to his displeasure the entire school thought otherwise.  He went and sat down beside Ron. He started eating but the stares finally became too much for him to bear and he spoke, "It wasn't real dust. Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore both said so. It was just a mean prank and we all know who does such things. Malfoy is evil."

"Are you sure?" Lavender said from a little down the table.

"Yes," Harry spat back at her. She looked affronted and turned and began a hushed conversation with Parvati beside her.

"It wasn't real dust then," Ron asked

"Let's just forget it all," Harry said and much to his delight Ron and the others about him seemed to do just that. Even Ginny seemed to look happier as she sat down although she still managed to give Harry a haunting stare just before he left for his first class.

Classes past with a blur for Harry as he had his mind on other things and before he knew it the morning had past and he was heading the new dungeons with the Ron and Hermione after having had a rushed lunch. The twins had asked them to come although they were only going because the twins had also threatened to use them as much needed guinea pigs if they didn't go. Harry suspected that they were going to be used as such in any event but he liked the new dungeons and since they were abandoned he could walk about without people staring at him.

Upon arriving the twins declared they weren't ready for them and the trio decided on exploring.  They hadn't gone far when they were joined by a worried Ginny. She wanted to speak to Harry alone and Hermione and Ron were all too eager to leave the two of them alone and quickly disappeared. Harry looked on in disgust as they ran off hand in hand. He turned on Ginny.

"What?"  He asked in a disgruntled tone. He suspected that he was going to have trouble finding Hermione and Ron once he finished talking with Ginny.

"What have you said happened in the hospital wing?"

"Nothing."

"If you are asked say you were given a potion and subjected to a examination. Don't please don't mention the dust."

"Why?"

"Because that's used for pixie dust removal."

"Okay."

"What are you doing here?"

"The twins asked us down but weren't ready. Now we are exploring or were." Harry added in disgust. Ron and Hermione were long gone and he didn't want to think about what they might be doing.

"Well I should be going," Ginny said although she didn't look pleased with the idea.

"Okay," Harry said before his good nature got the better of him, "Are you sure you want to."

"Hmm."

"You just look like you don't want to go"

"It's my friends, they're er inquisitive and didn't believe me or Professor McGonagall about the dust at all. They think it's real and aren't letting it go. I had to lie to get away from them and they'll be suspicious if I go back to them so soon. They can't know the truth. That would be very bad."

"But they're your friends. Tell them the truth and explain that pixie dust doesn't do what everybody thinks it does"

"Oh no I couldn't. They can't ever know the truth. They'd never believe that it doesn't work. They'd see what happened as proof it does."

"Alright I won't tell."

"And don't tell the twins."

"Too late," one of them said. Ginny and Harry spun to see the two of them looking on with extreme interest.

"Well don't stop talking on our accounts," the other one said.

"Go away," said Harry.

"So it was real dust."

"Shhh," Ginny hissed.

"Oh my lordy."

"Don't tell anyone please."

"But he's you're and you're his and oh by Merlin he's Harry and your our sister and­"

"Enough.  It doesn't work. It's an old wives tale," said Harry.

"Are you sure?"

"Dumbledore said so. Think about it. If it did work then why isn't it everywhere. Anyway the story that you must tell everybody is it wasn't real dust but something made to look like the real stuff.  Malfoy's good and rich but even he couldn't get proper pixie dust. Dumbledore thinks it was cheap black market stuff." Harry said in a irritated voice.

"Oh," one of them with a knowing smile.

"Yes the main problem with that story is that it is rather easier to come by than the authorities would like everybody to know," the other said.

"Yes why even we have a small amount of our own," the other added.

"And the other problem is that it actually has been known to work"

"Yes big conspiracy actually"

"Ministry of Magic doesn't want everybody to know about it. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue? Why there'd not be a free Pixie in the entire world. All of them would be locked up making the stuff"

"I don't believe you" Harry said warily. Both twins were wearing identical evil grins.

"Here let us convince you," one of the twins said producing a small pouch.

"What's that?" Harry said backing off.

"Oh this?" Fred said reaching into the bag and retrieving a handful of pink dust.

"Don't" shrieked Ginny but Fred just smiled and blew the handful of dust at Harry. It enveloped him and then a portion of it leapt over to Ginny where is enveloped her as well.

"Bastard" Ginny shrieked and she leapt forward and snatched the pouch from Fred's hand. There was a brief struggle but Ginny managed to squirm loose and distanced herself before she turned on her brothers while holding the bag menacingly in one hand.

"Now Ginny be careful. That stuff isn't a toy," George said as both twins backed off.

"Then have it back," Ginny said and threw the bag at them. It hit Fred and exploded.

A great ball of pink dust enveloped Fred as he yelled, "Don't". The dust swirled and then some of it leapt onto George who tried vainly to wipe it off. He finally gave up and reached into his robes for another bag of dust some of which he sprinkled on to his head.  He immediately started coughing violently as he sunk to his knees. Fred grabbed the bag off him and sprinkled some on Harry and Ginny and himself. It was sometime before they had all stopped coughing.

"Are you insane" Harry wheezed.

"Not that we're aware of" one of the twins wheezed back.

Harry stood up and helped Ginny to her feet. The twins struggled to their feet and somewhat guiltily faced the two of them.

"Er best we forget that little incident" Fred said.

"Yes never happened"

"Why did it highlight you George?" Ginny asked with the beginnings of a smirk creeping onto her face.

"Er"

"Is there something you'd both like to tell me?"

"Gerroff it's not like that"

"It's like Dumbledore said. It finds like minded spirit"

"Er yeah"

"So why did you"

"Just joking"

"But that stuff is dangerous"

"Don't believe everything you hear. Its perfectly safe as long as you use the antidote within forty odd minutes of being hit"

"What happens otherwise?"

"Best not to think of such things"

"Yeah. Best not"

So how many people would have some"

"Well I'd say we might be the only one here at Hogwarts to have any. It is er not exactly an off the shelf product. Er common shelves anyway," one of the twins said with a smile.

 Harry looked at the two of them in shock and then suspicion. He knew that the twins couldn't have been the ones responsible as it was too evil an attack but he could quite help himself. Much to his dismay they seemed to follow his thoughts.

"Well I never," said one of the twins, "I am deeply offended. We're the only one with a supply other than who ever it was who doused you in the stuff"

"Yes deeply offended that you would think us capable of such a thing. We'd have used yellow dust."

"Yellow?"

"Yes it does wonders for your voice."

"It makes you sing everything," Ginny said with narrowed eyes. "They tried some on me when I was young. Mum made them-"

"Right" said one of the twins looking eager to change the topic, "so what are you two doing here then, sister?" he asked Ginny

"Why aren't you leaving?" the other asked

"Her friends are giving her a hard time."

"Well stay then and explore. Look for secret passages. We've had an unexpected delay in the lab so we can set you up. Who knew you couldn't add Boobertoober pus to our canary cream recipe."

"Indeed," the other added

"Pardon?" Harry said.

"Rumour has it that the new dungeons were filled with secret area's when they were built. Something about dark wizards ensuring that their children had a refuge within Hogwarts. We've looked and looked for them but it's slow going and there's only the two of us. And it's boring after the first couple of weeks"

"But you can look for us."

"Er okay," Harry said. He wasn't trilled with the prospect of Ginny accompanying him but exploring was always fun.

"I suppose just for a little while," Ginny mumbled while blushing.

"Good we'll get you started and give you what you'll need."

"Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"They ran off together," Harry said darkly.

"Aren't they cute together."

"No," Harry said and the twins walked off smiling. Harry and Ginny followed.

They were soon loaded with magical aides and potions and set forth upon a series of passages the twins hadn't thoroughly checked. Harry went over the procedure one more time and then the two of them were left to themselves.

They started testing the walls. Searching was a monotonous if complex and difficult task that Harry found much to his liking as it meant he didn't have time to think about the dust and the terrible revelation it had provided. He suspected Ginny felt much the same way. They had only tested a few metres of the wall when, just before they were about to pack it in, the wall glowed after the potion had been applied.

"Hey it's glowing," Harry pointed out and immediately felt like a complete idiot. Ginny kept any retort to herself and they went and got the twins. They were very excited and the four of them watched with great anticipation as both twins cast a string of spells at the section of wall. Eventually it fell away to reveal a space.

"It's not a tunnel," Fred said with obvious disappointment.

"It looks like a closet," Ginny said.

"It's another cupboard. We've found a few like it. Don't know what they were used for but we use them to store our stock in. Just in case the teacher's stumble across our lab.

"Wouldn't you be expelled then?" asked Harry.

"Possibly but future generations could come along and discover our products and have a lot of fun."

"But now its time for class. We can talk more later," the other twin interrupted.

"Yes mustn't be late. People might suspect."

The four left in a hurry meeting up with a dishevelled Ron and Hermione on the way out. They had an excuse for their appearance but Harry didn't want to hear it and they all went to class in silence.

After classes had ended the trio went back to the new dungeons. There they found the twins and Ginny. Ginny had been crying as apparently she had had a fight with her friends over the dust incident. Her friends claimed to have retrieved a sample of the dust and then confirmed that it was pixie dust. Ginny was very distraught about the prospect that everybody would be told and that she would then have to change schools. Ron and the twins comforted her as best they could and it was suggested by one of the twins that she go secret passage hunting. Hermione hadn't thought much of the idea but Ginny had nodded and it had been agreed that Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny would search together, the twins were apparently to busy to help but Harry suspected that they just wanted all the hard work done for them.

The foursome carried the search equipment to where Ginny and Harry had let off and resumed the search. For the first hour they searched happily but then Hermione realised the time and rushed off quoting a desperate need to do homework. Ron rushed off after her saying he was going to help her. Harry didn't like to think about it at all. The end result was that he and Ginny were alone again searching the corridors. They stayed there as long as possible both not eager to return to the others and face the inevitable stares. Their search was fruitless and they headed reluctantly back to the Gryffindor common room. Harry did note however that he did feel a lot better.

Over the next couple of day's Harry found himself returning to the search. Ginny often accompanied him, as did Ron and Hermione if only for short periods before an excuse was offered and the two would run off together. Harry suspected they only came with him so they could then run off together but he didn't really like to think about that.

It was on a typical day long after Ron and Hermione had run off together that a profound discovery was made. One that Harry would come to remember as life changing.

He and Ginny were together and it was getting late. They had less than an hour remaining before they had to be back to the dorm. Professor McGonagall tended to turn up every second night to make sure Harry was present and accounted for.

Harry sloshed the potion on the wall. It hissed but that was usual. Both he and Ginny waited and then Harry concentrated and said, "Revelatio," as loudly as he dared. The wall glowed and from the glow several symbols formed and stood out. Harry almost dropped his wand as he looked on. They hadn't found anything since the first cupboard and Harry had begun to suspect that there weren't any more secrets to be found.

"Oh my we found one" said Ginny. "Lets go and get the twins."

"They're not here. They have homework remember" Harry said

"But how do we open it?"

"Er," Harry mumbled as he got his mind into gear, "I might be able to do it. I've read about the spells that you can use."

"Really?"

"Confundus or another Revelatio spell should work but I've not practiced. Oh well here goes nothing. Confundus!" Harry uttered. Nothing happened. Undaunted he tried again. Still nothing. He shrugged and said, "Oh well guess we wait for the twins."

"Oh come on try harder."

Harry scowled at the suggestion that he hadn't tried as hard as he could and concentrating very hard he bellowed, "Confundus!" His voice echoed along the hall as the glowing rectangular section of wall in front of them shimmered.

"Oooh look it did something. Try again."

"But oh well."

"Confundus!" the wall shimmered twice.

"Confundus!" the wall shimmered repeatedly but then resumed it's steady but dimming glow.

"The potions wearing off."

"One last time then."

"What's supposed to happen?"

"Confundus should confuse it and it might open."

"Aren't you supposed to use another spell after Confundus…I read somewhere."

Harry closed his eyes as Ginny sounded far too much like Hermione. He remembered that he had indeed read that it was more effective to use a different spell afterwards. "Fine," he said, "one last go. Confundus! Revelatio!" this time the effect was different. Pictures appeared briefly. Harry made out what looked like a snake appearing and then entering a door before the images faded.

"Did you see that?"

"Yes. I caught a speech bubble and then a snake appeared and entered the door."

"Yeah. What was it before it became a snake."

"Didn't see."

"What does it mean?"

"Say something become a snake and enter?"

"Snake means Slytherins. Dark wizards made the tunnels…" Harry stopped talking as a thought hit him. It made perfect sense to him. He put his hand on the wall and said loudly, "I am a Sytherin," the wall remained still but Harry didn't give up. "I am a true Slytherin." The wall fell away almost causing Harry to tumble forward. "Argh," he exclaimed and then said "Oh it worked," as he recovered from his shock. Ginny was staring at him open mouthed. "Well it made sense to me. A blob speaks and is revealed as a snake and enters. I just can't believe it was that easy but then again the chamber of secrets was 'Open up' although that was in Parseltongue. Shall we?" he said gesturing into the dark passage that lay ahead of them. Ginny gulped and Harry led the way into the darkness.

The air inside was fresh and not at all reminiscent of the other tunnels Harry had been in. The passage itself was very well made as it sloped gently downwards. They walked for what seemed several hundred feet before they came to an exit. Harry paused as he realised they had exited into a very large cavern. His luminos spell wasn't nearly bright enough to light the entire area but he didn't have to alter it as torches along the walls of the cavern ignited in sequence. Harry stood dumbfounded as the room was revealed him.

"Oh my…"

"Merlins ghost."

"It's a…"

"Pool," Ginny finished. Spread out in front of them was a vast rectangular expanse of water.  Submerged lights showed Harry what it really was. Otherwise he might well have considered it an underground lake.

"It's huge," Harry said looking at it. It was easily 100m across and double that in length.

"Wow."

"Look how deep it is."

"Is it real?"

"It looks real. Wait!" Harry called as Ginny leapt forward and ran to the waters edge. She knelt and scooped some of the water up.

"It looks real enough to me."

"But wow... what is this doing here. It s a swimming pool…look the are steps along the sides."

"It's very deep Harry," Ginny said. Harry looked down into the pool. He suspected it was at least 10m deep although he couldn't be sure that it wasn't actually three times that.

"Wow," he said

"You don't suppose there's a monster in it do you?"

"Well it's very well lit and I can't see any."

"Yeah it's crystal clear isn't it?"

"It's all made out of the same marble that the new dungeons are. It must have been put here while they were being built but how did they hide it's construction. Someone must know this is here."

"They can't surely. Wouldn't it be used if it was?"

"Wait till the others get a load of this."

"They're going to be impressed alright." Ginny said and an uneasy silence ensued. Both of them looked at each other as an unspoken desire was stated. They wanted to try it out.

"We shouldn't."

"Yeah."

"But."

"Promise I won't look"

"I don't have togs on me though."

"Can't you transfigure some for yourself?"

"You're the fifth year."

"But."

"I'll give it a go," she said removing her robe and then her jumper. Harry looked away as she began to take her shirt off.

"Hey."

"Well I can't very well use my robes…what if I make a mistake and my jumpers got some charms on it that might complicate matters. I'll just use my shirt. What are you using?"

"I was just going to go in my boxers"

"Oh," Ginny twittered causing Harry to redden and have second thoughts.

"Done-but don't look around till I tell you."

"Okay," Harry said and waited.

"Done," Ginny said and Harry turned to see she was wearing a one-piece swimming suit. Harry suppressed his immediate thought that she looked very nice in it and started to take his cloths off. Ginny giggled and turned about.  Finally they were ready and they went to the nearest steps.

"It should be safe."

"Is this a good time to remind you that I can't swim very well," Harry muttered as he had thoughts of Ginny being forced to rescue him.  Ginny smiled and grabbing her wand cast a spell upon him.

"Basic life preserver spell. Makes it difficult for you to put your head under water. Mum makes me use it whenever we go swimming.

"When is that?"

"We sometimes make a pool in the back yard," Ginny said as she put her toe into the water. Giggling she walked forward down the steps into the water. "It's fine," she said as she pushed off and swam forwards Harry followed hesitantly behind her ever watchful for any threat that might present itself.

No threat eventuated however and he soon found himself having a large amount of fun. Ginnys spell kept his head above water although he was hesitant to swim to far from the sides. Ginny showed no such restraint and swam freely about him and out towards the middle of the pool. All too soon they realised they were late and left the pool for the Gryffindor common room. Fortune was with them however and they didn't find Professor McGonagall waiting for them. Harry resisted the urge to wake Ron and instead decided to tell him in the morning.

The next day Harry woke tired but happy with still fresh memories of the previous nights find. He sat up to tell Ron about it but found he was not there. He got dressed and walked down to the common room. He spotted Ron and Hermione sitting alone and went over to them.

"Hi," he said interrupting what they were whispering to each other. "I want to show you something er lunch time or after school. It's where the twin's work. It's er really cool"

"Sorry Harry but we have to study."

"But," Harry said appalled. He couldn't believe what he'd heard. He looked at Ron.

"Can't be helped"

"So after we study then?" Harry asked as he began to suspect just what was so much better than his fantastic discovery.

"Er we were thinking that…"

Harry's eyes narrowed. It was obvious what Ron had been going to say. They wanted to be alone. "Fine be together," Harry said in a disgusted voice. They could be alone and he wouldn't tell them about the pool. He turned and saw Ginny looking hesitantly onwards. He went over to her.

"Are you going to tell them?"

"They want to be alone to study so no I'm not going to tell them," Harry said as he looked at the two traitorous friends. They were kissing.

"For the love of­" Harry said as what he saw reviled him. "Why don't they just…get a room," he said louder then he intended. Several nearby students paused and stared. Ron and Hermione stopped what they were doing and glowered at him. He gulped as he realised he'd made a big mistake.

"Oh Harry you shouldn't have eeik," Ginny shrieked as something flew into her face distracting him from the impending confrontation. She batted it away and it flew into Harry's face. He whacked at it and it flew away only to hit Ginny once more. It flew backwards and forward between the two of them until Harry managed to grab it and squish it. It ended up as a purple sticky mess that stuck to his hands. He spun around to see the twins doubled over laughing.

"Paint puffs," one said through their laughter.

"With face seeking charm," the other added.

"What?" Harry said looking at Ginny. Her face had large purple splotches were it had been hit. Her expression suggested his face looked no better.

"And we don't tell them either," said Ginny.

"Deal," Harry muttered as he wiped his face. The paint didn't come off but the twins were quick to assure them that it would fade in a matter of minutes. He looked around to spot Ron and Hermione but they had disappeared. The thought crossed his mind that maybe they had heeded his suggestion. It didn't sit well with him.

It was a very irritated Harry that went down to breakfast. He ignored Ron and Hermione as much as possible.  Classes went past far too slowly for Harry's liking, as he was desperate to get back to the pool. Lunchtime finally arrived and he went to meet up with Ginny. When he eventually found her she was giggling with her friends and Harry got the distinct impression as he walked towards them that she wanted him to go away. He scowled and went to the pool by himself. He swam at the shallow end. There pool was just shallow enough for him to just touch the bottom while keeping his head above water. He found swimming alone to be very boring and decided to leave well before his next class.  He exited the secret door and was walking along the corridors of the new dungeon when he heard voices. At first he thought it was the twins but then he recognised the voices. He grabbed his invisibility cloak from its specially modified pocket in his robes and swung it on. He ducked down for good measure before creeping forward. He could hear their voices more clearly as they approached him.

"I told you, I don't know where it is. Neither does my father," Draco's irritated tone came echoing along the corridor. Harry readied his wand just in case. Draco in the new dungeons was a very bad thing and he needed to know just why the Sytherins had invaded his sanctuary.

"Doesn't he remember?"

"Idiot. My father never saw the place. He just knows the password and that the only entrance is hidden in the new dungeons. So touch the wall and say the password. We've got to find it. Father is counting on us." Harry crept forward into the passage the three Sytherins were in. Malfoy and his sidekicks Crabbe and Goyle were there. Crabbe and Goyle had their hands on opposite walls.

"I am a Slytherin," Crabbe muttered.

"No idiot," Draco said hitting Crabbe over the head. He put his hand on the wall "Like this. I am a true Slytherin. Got that dunderhead. True Slytherin. Can you be any more stupid?" Harry's stomach twisted and he almost cried out. They couldn't know. It wasn't fair. The pool was his and Ginny's. He followed in mute horror as the three continued along the corridor testing every couple on inches. It was clear that it was going to take them days to reach the entrance but Harry knew that they would inevitably find it and then it would be lost to him. He couldn't imagine Draco would be willing to share.  Not knowing what he could accomplish while alone Harry crawled backwards before walking very briskly to the twin's lab. It was locked so he headed for the Gryffindor common room. Halfway there he realised it was lunchtime. He headed instead for the library hoping for once that Ron and Hermione were actually studying. On the way he spotted Ginny. He walked over to where she was with a bunch of her friends.

"Ginny could I speak to you for a few seconds," he asked.

 Ginny gave him a disapproving stare as her friends stared at him and then Ginny.

"Yes?" she said as if he were a stranger.

"Alone," he said and her friends gasped and giggled and then a very reluctant Ginny was given a shove forwards. She scowled and Harry led her away. As soon as he was convinced the others could not overhear he spoke in hushed tones to her.

"Draco knows about our secret. He's looking for it right now with the right password. I think he'll find it in less than two days at his current search rate."

"W-what no but how can he."

"His father told him about it and instructed him to find it. I don't think they have anything good in mind for it"

"His father?'

"Who we all know is a Death Eater."

"O-Oh." 

"What do we do?"

"We have to tell the twins and Ron and Hermione. We just have to. We can't do much by ourselves."

"I suppose so but Ron and Hermione have been."

"They are just in lo­"

"I don't want t hear it and then there's you and your dirty looks."

"That was because my friends all think that you are my true love and every time you so much as look at me they go overboard. For this here right now I am going to be subjected to hours, days of utter…crap from them."

"But they're your friends"

"And they want to see me happily going out with the most eligible boy in the school."

"Who?"

"You."

"Most eligible what?"

"Don't you notice all the stares you get from the girls?"

"I try not to but those I have noticed haven't been nice. I've gotten the distinct impression I'm not liked." Ginny gave him a nonplussed look and proceeded to count off on her fingers.

"Rich, powerful, very good at Quidditch, very er," Ginny blushed and squeaked, "handsome."

"I am not," Harry interrupted eager to have Ginny stop talking about him. He hated it when people spoke about him like that.

"Well they think you are."

"Ron's right. Girls are bonkers."

"Humph I've got to go."

"But Draco, the secret…"

"Tell them in class and the twins afterwards. Okay."

"Okay."

Harry walked off to class giving a few looks behind him. It looked like Ginny's interrogation had begun with her friends surrounding her. He tried not to think about it.

He arrived at Transfiguration in good time and waited. A breathless Hermione and Ron appeared just after Professor McGonagall.

Harry went in and sat down. Hermione sat beside him with Ron on her other side.

"We've got to talk."

"So you are going to apologise then?"

"Apologise for what?" Harry asked perplexed. He hadn't done anything to them.

"For this morning. For being an idiot."

"What?"

"Honestly"

"QUIET. The next person who talks can help… weed the stinkweed." Professor McGonagall said and the class fell dead silent. No one in his or her right minds could enjoy being anywhere near stinkweed. While a potion could prevent someone from passing out from the horrendous smell nothing could prevent the odour from staining any clothing worn near it. Such a stench took weeks to disappear. Harry scowled and tried to put images of a triumphant Draco out of his mind. He could talk between classes and failing that there was always DADA.

Events however conspired against him. Firstly Professor McGonagall ran the class right to the limit meaning they had run to DADA and Professor McGonagall held Hermione back. Harry decided to tell Ron in DADA but events again prevented him as Moody slapped a speechless charm on all of them the moment they entered the class. The topic was on casting magic without speaking. Harry rejected writing messages, as he feared Moody would read them. He was forced to wait until after class.

Once the class had finished Hermione dashed off before Harry could call her back. He gave Ron a questioning look but he seemed like he was just as much in the dark. Harry shook his head at his misfortune and grabbed Ron as soon as they were out of the classroom. He said nothing as he dragged him to a deserted spot to talk. They hadn't gotten very far before there was a disturbance. A shrill shriek rent the air followed quickly by several more screams and Harry and Ron both spun with their wands out. Both ran to investigate. The other students were running in the other direction. Harry turned a corner and spotted a horrendous scene. There in the corridor ahead was a student, fallen on the ground in a puddle of blood. Standing over them was another holding a bloodied dagger and looking like they were about to deliver the final blow.

"Stupefy!" another student on the far side of the scene cried and Harry jumped aside as the spell passed straight through the assailant and nearly hit him.

"Stupefy!" Ron cried and his spell past right through the assailant and hit another student who fell to the ground. "Bugger, Harry do something fast…" he yelled.

"Impedimenta," Harry cried racking his mind for a suitable spell. The person, if it was a person, paused for the slightest of moments as the spell hit and then raised the dagger high in the air and plunged it downwards.

"Expecto Patronus," Harry cried as the dagger moved downwards. Time seemed to slow for him as a huge mass of light erupted from his wand and hurtled forward. It coalesced into a stag, which lowered its head and caught the dagger in its antlers as it ploughed through the apparent spectre taking some part of it with it. Harry watched in horror as the part of it that was left behind twisted and writhed and uttered a long low moan and then simply ceased to be. Harry's Patronus turned and approached him shaking its head free of the wisps of darkness that hung from it. All that remained of what ever the creature had been. The dagger was still lodged in its antlers. Harry reached outwards as the stag seemed to bow and then faded to nothing. The dagger fell to the ground with a clatter that shook Harry back to reality. He dashed over to the injured student. It wasn't anyone he recognised and Harry supposed from the youthful appearance that it was a first year. She was deathly pale with a single thread of vivid red flowing from one side of her mouth. He looked into her eyes with a sense of helplessness. He simply didn't now what to do. Fortune was with him however as the other student who had tried to save her pushed him aside and set to work upon her casting several spells in quick succession. He in turn was pushed aside as Professor McGonagall and Flitwick arrived. In a fraction of a second the situation was assessed and the girl was being whisked away by them. Harry was left kneeling in the pool of blood. It was several minutes before he spoke.

"What just happened?" he asked more to himself than anyone else but as he realised he had actually spoken he looked up at the others who were standing about.

"That thing just attacked her. It was another student one second and then poof it produced a knife and had stabbed her. The others tried to stop him but they were thrown about and stupefy spells didn't work. Wish I had thought of using a Patronus though mine isn't that spectacular. Suppose I should go and be with her. I am a prefect after all. Er and thanks Potter, on behalf of Slytherin," the person said as they cleaned the blood from their hands. He looked at Harry and Harry recognised him. Pieter Thompson, a Slytherin prefect.

"What?" Harry said dumbly. The girl he had saved was a Slytherin. Despite himself, that somehow made a difference but Harry subdued that rogue thought and beat it back down into the dark place from where it had risen. He looked around him and noticed several students picking themselves up. They looked badly beaten and Professor Vector was looking them over. They limped off and Harry stood up. He faced a pale Ron. "What just happened?" he asked again.

"I have no idea. Did you see that thing? Spell went right through it and even your Patronus only got half of it. It wasn't like anything I've ever seen that's for sure."

"It was some kind of monster. I suppose Hermione would know," Harry said as he continued to look about him uncertainty. He didn't know where he should go and was about to ask Ron when his question was answered.

"All Student are to go to their common rooms," Professor Dumbledore's voice boomed throughout the halls.

"Guess that means us too," Ron said and the two of them proceeded there. They met up the other fifth year Gryffindor s on the way

"What happened? We arrived a bit late," said Seamus.

"Something tried to kill another student. A really strange something. It looked like a student but spells went right through it although Harry dealt to it." Ron said giving Harry a pat on the back. Harry felt himself blush as the others gave him a cheer.

"How'd you do it? And what was it?"

"Who was hurt?"

""Whose blood?"

"A Patronus," Harry muttered almost under his breath, "and some first year was hurt. Stabbed. I think she's in Slytherin. It's her blood," he said looking down at his hands. They had quite a lot of blood on them and he realised his robes would need cleaning.

"Was it bad then?"

"I don't know if she's alive," Harry said realising the horrible truth. He didn't know and suddenly that was very important. He had to know. Ron guessed what was going on long before Harry decided upon actions.

"Oh no we are going to the dorm. Professor McGonagall warned me that if I get another detention my parents are coming to school," he said grabbing Harry's robes.

"I have to know,"

"Harry, Ron," Hermione said from behind them and they turned to face her. She was ashen and panting. "You two have got to go to the hospital wing and be careful. Wands out the whole way. Now all of you get moving. The teachers don't know if there are more of them and they apparently can look like anyone. I've got to go with the others and talk to Angelina."

Everyone had their wands out in an instant and Harry couldn't help but look about at the others and wonder. He saw that they had had much the same thought. Harry backed off with Ron. Harry gave them one last suspicious look and then turned and ran with Ron to the hospital wing. The halls were oddly hushed as they ran. They arrived to find Dumbledore, McGonagall and Wilder having a heated debate.

"Sir?" said Harry and they turned to face him.

"Ah Harry Ron, I hear congratulations are in order. You saved a student from a very dangerous creature," said Dumbledore.

"She's alive then?"

"Yes she's fine thought it wouldn't have been had you acted any later. An inspired decision to use a Patronus," Professor Dumbledore said while beaming at Harry. Harry blushed as he wondered if he should tell that it wasn't inspired at all. A Patronus was simply one of the most powerful spells he knew.

"What exactly did you see?" Wilder asked in a demanding tone. "Tell me everything from the first moment you heard anything. But first hmm… Minerva I suggest you take that one," he pointed at Ron, "and I'll take our saviour, we should separate them and then compare their stories later."

"This isn't an inquisition and I think I am better suited to­"

"I know the proper questions to ask. Mr Potter move over there," he said with a sneer and he pointed to a vacant bed at the far end of the ward. Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore who nodded. He walked as directed but not before he noticed Professor McGonagall scowl and move towards Ron. He shared on brief worried look with Ron before he was shoved forward. Wilder cornered him beside the bed. He flicked his wand and the curtains swept around the bed screening them from others and instantly muting their noise. "Tell me everything," he said and Harry gulped and did just that.

After he had finished Wilder closed his eyes and stopped moving. He remained motionless for well over a minute. Just as Harry began to think about edging by him, his eyes snapped open.

"Are you sure you saw writhing and heard a moan. A mournful sound?"

"Yes like sadness or something."

"Only made by the part that wasn't ripped away by the Patronus?"

"Yes."

"Did it still look human?"

"Yeah kind of. It looked, I don't know, different somehow but it was definitely sad and very creepy."

"Nothing good can come of this."

"Pardon."

"Nothing. Go," he said waving his hand. Harry didn't wait for a retraction and dived by him and out to the others. He was followed by Wilder who walked straight by him and then straight by Dumbledore and Minerva and out of the door. Dumbledore's eyes widened and he quickly followed Wilder. Minerva looked on with a stunned expression.

"Of all the nerve," she said in embittered tones before she scowled and chased after them.

"What do you suppose that's all about?" Ron asked.

"Don't know," said Harry.

"What do we do know?"

Harry looked around and saw Madam Pomfrey dashing into a side room. "How's she doing," he hollered. Poppy poked her head out of the door.

"Shhhh oh its you oh she's fine. You saved her life. You can speak to her tomorrow. She'll be asleep till then," she said and ducked away.

"Shall we go back to the dorm?" Ron asked.

"Yeah I suppose so," Harry said and the two of them pulled their wands out and ran back to their dorm. Nothing was spoken on the journey as both were to busy looking for possible threats.

Upon opening the fat lady they were met with silence and the crept forward into the common room. They were greeted with a face full of wands. All the Gryffindors were present and every wand was pointed at them.

"We surrender," Ron said holding his wand up.

"Harry? Ron?" Hermione said from amid the others.

"Hermione?" Ron questioned sarcastically and Harry bit his lip to stop from laughing at Ron.

"This isn't funny." Angelina said.

"Hey look who's talking."

"It is us," said Harry.

"Prove it."

"Well the deal I made with Hermione was that I do my homew­"

"Enough," Hermione said abruptly. "I believe."

"Well then three cheers for Harry and Ron. Gryffindor saves the day again!" someone hollered and Harry and Ron were both given a large group hug. After that the two of them were forced to regale their tale to the others and after they had finished Harry noticed the fear on each and every face. Hogwarts was supposed to be safe and free of monsters. The possibility of monsters masquerading as students was a truly frightening concept. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat in a secluded corner as they all waited for any word to come as to what had happened and if everything was back to normal. They exchanged worried looks and theories on what the creature had been. Hermione fancied that it was a changing under the influence of imperious although she couldn't explain how spell had passed straight through it while a Patronus had killed it. Hermione finally snapped and went and retrieved a pile of books. She read them moaning bitterly how she should be allowed to go to the library while Ron and Harry played exploding snap. Every so often Hermione let out a louder frustrated moan and looked at Ron and Harry. Not being allowed to solve this latest mystery was obvious torture for her and after suffering an hour or so Ron took action. He manhandled her away from the books and over to them. They then played exploding snap and some games of chess until, much later, a very subdued Professor McGonagall arrived. She addressed them all.

"I have important news to tell you all. Firstly the young victim, a Miss Millie Quincy of Sytherin, has survived and is recovering. She will be returning to classes tomorrow. Secondly we believe we know what was responsible although we do not know how it got into Hogwarts. The student the creature was impersonating was found wandering the dungeons in a confused mind. He is also unharmed and will be resuming classes tomorrow. However there have been some rule changes that we have felt are necessary. Firstly no student is to wander the castle aimlessly. If you have nothing to do, then study, either here or in the library. No one is to walk about the castle by him or herself. For first years the minimum is groups of three. For everyone else, pairs although I suggest larger groups. All Hogsmeade trips remain cancelled. No student is to leave the castle unless a staff member is escorting them to a class. Those of you who take Care of Magical Creatures or Herbology will assemble at the main door and be escorted around to classes. It that clear?" Everybody nodded silently while Harry let out a sigh of relief. At least Quidditch hadn't been cancelled.

Professor McGonagall then waited as everybody went to bed. Harry and Ron didn't stay long as Professor McGonagall looked very much like she was going to give the last student to go to bed a detention. Harry felt tired and fell asleep effortlessly.

****

"Master I-arrrgghhhhhh"

"Quiet fool. I have had just about enough of your idiocy Lucius. First you fail to kill the boy, then you fail in a simple derailment and now you let loose one of my creations within Hogwarts. Idiot. Now they will have warded against such things making a second attack so much more difficult. And I hear that even in this attempt you failed. Can you do nothing right?"

"I beg­"

"Silence. I do not care for you grovelling. It cannot move me now. You live because I have yet to decide upon a sadistic enough death for you. Rest assured however, I will devise suitable pleasures all in good time. Until then you may remain my loyal servant."

"Yes my lord."

"I give you one last attempt," Voldemort said and paused. Lucius looked up uncertainly. After a few minutes he spoke hesitantly.

"My lord?"

"Kill the girl. Her parents do displease me. But heed my warning, either her heart is presented to me on a platter or your's shall be."

"Her heart?"

"Bring it to me so that I can be certain of your success or present your own. You have… two days."

"It shall be done my lord," Lucius said and he hurriedly backed away all the while bowing feverishly.

Lord Voldemort's attention was drawn elsewhere and he gestured slightly that someone should approach.

"Have you the child?" he asked.

"Yes my lord."

"And the mother is dead?"

"N-not quite yet my lord."

"Why?"

"We were having fun­"

"Have your fun I do not mind what you do to her but try not to kill her. After you have tired of her I want what remains for my potion."

"Yes my lord."

"The child. Present it to me." Wormtail held out the infant. It was very young and helpless. Terror was plain in its eyes however.

"Why does it not scream?"

"We muted it my lord. I could remove­"

"It matters not," Voldemort said and reached into the buddle that Wormtail was holding out in front of him. He placed two bony hands about its neck and squeezed.

Harry woke screaming. It took him longer than usual for him to stop. His head was on fire and he rolled and writhed as he clutched helplessly at his scar. The pain didn't go away. Hands were upon him holding him as he shook spasmodically. He gave one last twitch and was still. The pain was receding and he opened his eyes. The lights were on and they were very bright. People were about him speaking something.

"Harry wake up, come on…Wake up!" Ron was screaming at him.

"He's stopped moving. Is he…"

"No he's not!" Ron screamed before turning his attention back to Harry. "Wake up. For fuck's sake Harry wake up"

"Er…" Harry moaned.

"Come on lets get you back into bed"

"Wha?" Harry said as many hands grabbed him and lifted. He was manhandled upwards and onto something soft. He opened his eyes again and looked about him. He saw some very concerned faces.

"Are you okay Harry"

"Yeah no yeah," Harry mumbled. Voldemort had killed the baby. It was a vile act and Harry felt like retching.

"Whoa Harry not all over me," Ron said as he moved aside.

"Do you want to go to see Professor Dumbledore?"

Harry nodded and curled up into a ball. His head was still aching and he couldn't think straight. All he could see was the child's face as Voldemort squeezed the life out of it. He was going to be sick he realised and he moved quickly to position his head over the side of the bed. He retched violently but it didn't help. The image remained burned into his mind. He lay on the bed and curled up again. Eventually he felt good enough to walk. He had to see Professor Dumbledore.  Millie Quincy's life depended on it. He lurched to his feet and stumbled out of the dorm colliding with Professor McGonagall on the way down the stairs.

"Harry are you…?  You've been sick and it's all­"

"Dumbledore must get to Dumbledore."

"I think it better that you go to the hospital wing"

"No Professor Dumbledore. Please"

"Very well do you think you can manage?"

Harry shock off some of his sleepiness and stood upright. His vision was blurry and he realised he didn't have his glasses on.

"Here" Ron asked and glasses were shoved onto his face.

"You may all go back to bed. I will escort Mr- Harry to see Professor Dumbledore," she said and Harry stumbled forwards.

Nothing was said until they entered Professor Dumbledore's office. He had a very grim disposition when Harry looked up at him.

"More disturbing than usual I gather"

"H-He just killed it," Harry mumbled as he looked pleadingly at Professor Dumbledore. "He just put his hands about its neck and killed it. It was a baby and…it's not right. I feel sick. I can't stop thinking about it."

"Perhaps some of this might help. I wouldn't usually but I think in this case I will make an exception although I feel I must apologize for later on when you might have wished I hadn't. He held out what looked like a small handful of grass. "Eat it." Harry did so and almost instantly he felt different. He wasn't sad. He wasn't anything. Empty perhaps. He recalled the baby's death vividly but remained unmoved by it. He looked up at Professor Dumbledore.

"Albus are you sure that was wise­" Professor McGonagall said worriedly

"Perhaps not but perhaps necessary. Now Harry, please tell me about your dream."

"Lucius sent the creature to kill Millie. Voldemort wasn't happy as he hadn't given permission and now thinks it will be more difficult to launch a second attack. He tortured him and then told him to try again to kill her and present to him her heart on a platter or failing that his own heart. He has two days. And then Wormtail was called over. He had a baby. I think Voldemort wanted the mother dead but Wormtail and some others were having fun with her instead. He asked that he have whatever was left of her for his potion. And then he was presented with the baby. It was young. I suppose a couple of months old. Voldemort choked it to death and I woke up."  He looked at Professor Dumbledore who looked more appalled than Harry had ever seen him. He looked at Professor McGonagall. She looked pale to the point of fainting. She went to seat and sat down.

"He just killed the infant," she asked hesitantly.

"Yes he choked her. Wormtail held it up for him and he used both hands. I think he enjoyed it."

"And the mother…"

"I think he wanted her for his potion. He add muggles to his potions."

"Hmmm," Professor Wilder murmured. Harry spun around as he hadn't realised he was there. "Do you know why he killed the child?"

"No."

"Anything else. What was the room he was in like?"

Harry thought about it. He remembered far more than he thought he might.

"The room was stone. Like a dungeon. There was a fireplace. Big with a carving.

"Of what exactly."

"Dragons, two of them coiled up. And a painting above them of a knight in red armour."

Professor Wilder moved in a blur as he reached into his robes and produced book. He feverishly leafed through it. He held open a page and shoved it to within a foot of Harry's face.

"This fireplace?"

"Yeah."

"Draconis Depths"

"Pardon?"

"We must strike now."

"Are you all sure?" Professor Dumbledore said leaping out of his seat. "Harry," he asked in an urgent voice most unlike his usual calm tones. "Are you one hundred percent certain that this was in your dream"

"Yes. It was that fireplace."

"There is no other like it. The painting is of Lord Draconis the third, a vampiric wizard. The painting hangs in his den in Draconis Depths.  It's a dark wizard place. A sanctuary of the Crimson Blood Guild."

"Pardon?" said McGonagall.

"I know where it is and I know the complete layout. We must strike now!"

"Agreed. Minerva, rally the troops," said Dumbledore.

"But Albus we aren't prepared for this," McGonagall pleaded.

"I must agree with Damian on this. Voldemort grows stronger by the day. We must take this opportunity to strike while he has yet to regain his full might. Even if we are not ready."

"But our losses will be­" McGonagall continued.

"Enough whining," Wilder said interrupting her. "We are going right now. Albus, the door if you please."

"Yes of course. Harry, go back to your dorm. Run and don't breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even Ron and Hermione as no one can be sure of anyone's identity at the moment. We might yet be going to our deaths. For any chance of success it must be a surprise attack. And no you may not come," Harry looked away so Professor Dumbledore could not see that that was what he was going to have asked.  "Go now Harry," Professor Dumbledore said and Harry heeded the urgent tone in his voice. He left as the three were preparing the fireplace. He walked back to his dorm and went to bed. Ron asked several questions, that Harry felt no need to answer, as he lay in his bed emotionless. He closed his eyes and drifted off to a restless sleep.

"Harry wakey wakey"

"What?"

"Going to wake up now?

"Yeah what?" Harry mumbled.

"Care to tell what your dream was about now"

"Yeah no wait no I can't I'm not allowed to. Sorry"

Ron mumbled something Harry didn't hear correctly. It had sounded like an insult of some kind but Harry decided to give Ron the benefit of the doubt. The two went to breakfast. There, Harry was met with a sobering sight. The teachers table was empty except for Professor Trelawney who looked displeased at being the only one there. She was receiving a lot of stares but her eyes were firmly latched onto Harry. It made him very uncomfortable and he looked away. Hermione elbowed him to get his attention. He looked at her and saw that she wanted answers. He shrugged and her eyes narrowed. He smiled a hopeful smile meant to calm her and she glowered at him. He frowned and looked away. Nearing the end of breakfast professor Trelawny stood up and her magically enhanced voice boomed about the hall.

"I have an announcement that I know all of you will be devastated to hear. I offer my condolences ahead of time. Classes have been cancelled for the day and all students are to remain in their dormitories or the main library. Most of the staff are engaged in an difficult spell and will not be available until exactly 6:23 tomorrow morning."

A momentary hush fell over the hall as her words sunk in and then an almighty cheer went up. Professor Trelawny looked most displeased as some students took to impromptu dancing on the tables.

"I am afraid you will all have to go to your dormitories now," she said in a slightly bitter tone. Harry managed a few more mouthfuls of food before Hermione gave a grunting noise and grabbed Harry and dragged him to his feet.

"Hey!" he complained.

"You heard the professor. We have to go to our dorms."

"But"

"And then we can talk"

"What?" he said and Ron grabbed his other side and helped with the manhandling. He complained all the way to the Gryffindor dormitory but it made little difference.

"Well that's all very well," Hermione said, as they were the first to get back. She stood right in his face and demanded, "Now tell us what is going on. I don't like not knowing"

"I can't tell you. Professor Dumbledore was very serious. It's a matter of life and death. I'm sorry. You'll understand later."

"Oh I understand now. This is petty revenge for your misguided belief that we don't like you anymore."

"What?"

"Then tell us like always."

"But I can't. Someone might overhear. I just can't. I'm…I just can't but I suppose I can say it's…can't we just sit down and do something fun to take my mind of it all."

"Harry how can we help if you won't tell us what is happening. A student was nearly killed by a strange creature right here in Hogwarts and I know you know something so out with it. What is going on? What spell are the teachers trying to cast? I know we can help," Hermione said.

"There's nothing you or I can do to help" Harry said in a more sombre tone that he intended. What Dumbledore had said about going to their deaths was tearing him up inside and he couldn't stop himself imagining a great battle in which his beloved headmaster was fatally struck down in a blinding green flash.

"You do know something," Hermione said. "And you must tell us. We have to help."

"You can't help"

"You can't know that until we have tried."

"No Hermione. You, Ron, I, Nobody at Hogwarts right now can help them right now," Harry said morosely.

"Pardon?" Hermione said taken aback by his outburst.

"Telling us now would help." Ron said.

"Yes it would make you feel better Harry and you are obviously upset."

"Let it go! I'm not going to tell you anything!" Harry cried out as their continued inquisition finally got the better of him.

"Hmmphh fine then," Hermione spat.

"What's wrong with you?" Harry asked. Hermione's eyes bulged but he was spared any further strange behaviour by the return of the others. Ron and Hermione went to the far side of the common room and began an intense discussion. They stared intermittently at Harry who sat in a chair reading a book about Quidditch and trying very hard not to notice them. Just when he needed them to be there and support him they had deserted him. To top it all off the leaves Professor Dumbledore had given him had worn off and he was now remembering the dream in excruciating detail. Every time he closed his eyes the little baby's face was there. Its eyes bulging and Harry could see the confusion there. The absolute confusion and the pain, so much pain.

"H-Harry, are you alright"

Harry looked up at Ginny. She looked very concerned.

"Yes"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing"

"Tell me please…I heard screaming last night. That was you, wasn't it?"

"How. There's supposed to be spells."

"I guess the professors took them down. They probably thought it wasn't safe to have you able to scream and no one hear you."

"Oh," said Harry not too happy with that particular revelation. He'd much rather the others couldn't hear him as he imagined that if they heard him scream a lot then they might start to think he was mad or worse.

"What was it?" asked Ginny.

"Bad dream."

"Very bad?"

"Yes. I don't want to talk about it."

"You…I'm going to put an end to this silliness," said Ginny impatiently.

"Pardon?" Harry said and watched in horror as she walked over to Ron and Hermione and spoke to them in hushed terms. From what Harry could see of Hermione and Ron's paling faces she wasn't being very pleasant. Finally she stood firm and pointed at Harry. Ron and Hermione exchanged guilty looks and rather sheepishly walked over towards him. A sick feeling of dread swelled up inside of Harry's stomach.

"Hi Harry er sorry. Do you want to talk about it?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"What? No! I told you I can't," Harry said.

"Well then I don't see what we can do for you then," Hermione said in uncharacteristically bitter tones.

Harry looked at her in shock and said, "How about being supportive and understanding."

"Tell us what we're being supportive about," Hermione countered although she looked like she had shocked even herself with her previous outburst. There was the slightest hint of guilt in her eyes as she looked upon Harry with an aggrieved expression.

"No, I can't tell you about that stuff."

"I can't believe you aren't telling us," Ron said.

"Dumbledore told me not to," Harry said in tired tones.

"That's never stopped you before," Hermione said showing even more guilt and reluctance.

"Well it is now," Harry said in an as final sounding manner as he could.

"What is your problem?" Hermione exclaimed in a low voice.

"I don't have a problem," Harry replied as he studied Hermione. She wasn't taking being cut out of the loop very well at all although Harry wasn't that surprised. She liked to know everything and loved working mysteries out.

"Yes you do. You have some problem with us. We are happy together"

"Pardon," said Harry taken aback by sudden change of topic, "This has nothing to do with your bizarre relationship."

"Bizarre? Nothing about us is bizarre," Hermione said in nothing more than a hissed whisper.

"Yes there is. You two are acting bizarrely. I have a bad dream and you two can't stop talking about yourselves," Harry said venting his frustration although his relief was short-lived as he realised just what he had said. He gulped and felt guilt build up within him as he saw the hurt he had caused Hermione.

"That is not true. And I am not about to stand here and listen to you if you are going to be like this. Harry what has happened to you," Hermione said in a very hurt voice. Even Ron seemed alarmed at how hurt Hermione sounded but when he did his face clouded over and he gave Harry a very menacing look.

"Nothing. Its you who seem different," said Harry.

"I'm sorry you think that," Hermione said, as she appeared to come to some kind of conclusion.

"So can we just er forget this or start over. How about we let it drop and­" Harry stopped talking in disbelief as Hermione turned and walked away. Ron gave him a pitiful shake of his head and went with her. Harry sat dumfounded as he watched Hermione pause and then turn about. She had her hands on her hips.

"Are you going to tell us?" she asked in a final sort of way.

"I would if I could. Please just let it go. I urgh I can't get the dream out of my head and then you two go insane."

"What dream?" said Hermione pouncing on what Harry had said.

"Voldemort being evil," Harry muttered.

"Tell us about it," Hermione said in a calm voice.

Harry looked suspiciously up at the two of them. It was clear their interest was based on the possibility that the dream was related to the teachers' disappearance.

"It doesn't have anything to do with what the teachers are doing," he said. The disappointment was palpable on Rons face. Hermione hid hers more skilfully.

"Tell us about it," she said in a neutral voice.

"Voldemort killed a baby. He just strangled it with his bare hands. It was helpless and he killed it and I can't get it out of my head. Not after what Professor Dumbledore gave me er--anyway he just killed it"

"He killed a baby," Hermione said in disbelief. She paled rapidly as Harry nodded.

"He's sick and evil," said Ron with a nonchalant shrug although he couldn't completely hide the fact the he was deeply disturbed by the news.

"A baby?" Hermione asked again.

"A couple of months old I think. Wormtail held it out for him and he strangled it."

"Why would he?" Hermione asked aghast wither hand up at her mouth.

"I should have killed that rat when I had it," Ron said in an angry voice.

"I don't know," Harry said as an image of the baby dying popped back into his head. He clenched he teeth and shock his head to clear the image.

"And the teachers are doing something because of that?"

"What? No. Whatever they're up to has nothing to do with my dream," Harry said in what he felt was a rather convincing manner.

"You aren't a very good liar Harry," Hermione said before she frowned and continued, "Is it bad…remembering? You do look tired."

"Well I couldn't sleep after it."

"I have something. I'll give it to you now and you can have a nice dreamless sleep and then when you wake up you can tell us all about it."

"I can't tell you," Harry said to Hermiones back as she rushed off to the girl's dorms. While she was gone Ron just looked upon him with mingled suspicion and concern. Harry was about to yell at him when Hermione returned. She had a potion in her hand.

"Go to bed and drink a sip of this. You'll fall straight to sleep."

"Is it safe?"

"Yes!"

"And it isn't a truth portion or­"

"Ooooh," Hermione seethed and Harry knew it was time to leave.

"G'night Hermione and er thanks," Harry said feeling better that things had ended without Hermione and Ron storming off. It was a positive result although Harry felt too tired to think anything more about it and he went to his bed without looking back. He was really very tired and the prospect of several mindless peaceful hours was heavenly. He lay down on the bed and took a swig of the potion.

*****************

"Mr Potter wake up"

"Wha-where am I?"

"You are in the hospital wing"

"What? Why?"

"You overdosed on a sleeping potion"

"Oh," Harry said and sat up. He felt good. Better than good in fact. He felt marvellous. He swung out of the bed and stood up. Madam Pomfrey was giving him a very terse look.

"Is something wrong?"

"I would have thought that a fifth year student would know better."

"Hermione gave me it. What was wrong with it?"

"Nothing what so ever. However she never intended for you to drink the entire bottle."

"Oh," Harry said before recalling what Hermione had said to him. It came to him in embarrassing clarity. She had said 'sip' and he had taken a bit more than that. "She isn't in trouble is she?"

"No."

"And I'm not in trouble am I."

"No."

"Can I go then?"

"Yes you may. I suggest you hurry. That way you won't miss anymore classes"

"Classes!"

"Yes."

"Then the teachers are back."

"Yes. You've been asleep for several hours. It's nearly lunchtime. The staff returned early hours of this morning."

Harry didn't wait any longer. He ran out of the room and tore down the corridors towards Dumbledore's office. He burst in without knocking and stood panting before a surprised Professor Dumbledore.

"Hello Harry. I see Madam Pomfrey made an antidote."

"Yes are you okay are the others okay. Did it go properly?"

"We are all fine and accounted for. It was a close call but we made it in and out alive if not entirely in one piece. Voldemort however escaped with the majority of his followers although we managed to capture more than a handful. They have been put into Azkaban although that may not hold them for long. Some of the prisoners were well known and caught red-handed performing highly illegal acts. The minister of magic is being pushed to apply the death penalty. He does not want anything to do with that however. Doing so would mostly likely mean he would have to accept Voldemort's rebirth. Still that is none of your concern Harry."

"Who got caught?"

"Too many to name here. Their names have been published despite the ministry trying to stop just that. I suggest you read the names in today's papers."

"Okay I will and you are alright then?"

"Yes Harry we are all fine." Professor Dumbledore said with a faint twinkle in his eyes. "Now I have to ask something of you. I know this is going to be an imposition but I feel it is necessary."

"Okay," Harry said without hesitation.

"I want you to keep your dream to yourself. I don't want anyone to know that we found Voldemort because of you. I can't stress that enough Harry. If it is known that you lead us to him he will make killing you his number one priority."

"It isn't already?"

"No his main goal at the moment is regaining his strength. For that he needs to remain hidden. He isn't strong enough to repel a concerted effort at the moment. The Death Eaters never really were. They're strength has always lain in secrecy. Once someone is revealed to be a Death Eater then they are of far less use to Voldemort. I want Ron and Hermione kept in the dark for now," Dumbledore said with a deep furrow on his brow. Harry's eyes widened. Ron and Hermione were not going to like that at all. "I gather they have been persistent in their attempts to gain the full story."

"Yes."

"If it were my decision alone I would have them here right now but alas I must bow to the wishes of the others."

"Others?"

"Hermione parents for one. They want her to have nothing to do with this affair. I had difficulty in persuading them to keep Hermione at Hogwarts but I now see from you expressions she didn't tell you."

"No."

"Hmm perhaps I shouldn't have told you that then. I assumed that she would have told you and Ron. In any event there are others who desire that as few people as possible know the truth. It is simply prudent with the impostors running rampant."

"Rampant?"

"Yes the creatures have been seen elsewhere."

"Who are the others?"

"I'm afraid secrecy must be maintained. If Ron and Hermione have difficulty accepting this then send them to see Professor McGonagall or me."

"What are the creatures do you know?"

"We do not know exactly what they are but we believe that Voldemort is responsible. We are trying to determine just what they are but that has proved difficult as they leave no remains and have until now eluded capture but do not worry Harry we will find out. Until then a Patronus is our best defence against these creatures as is friendship. If you sense someone you know is acting strangely tell a staff member or better yet come and see me directly. I hope however that we will soon be able to construct the wards that Voldemort fears us capable of. Doing so would render his creatures much less of a threat. However none of that is your concern Harry. Staying out of trouble is what you should do. I have heard rumours you have been accruing detentions as if they were very snug socks."

"Pardon," said Harry and he blushed deeply and looked directly at his feet. He remained very still as Dumbledore spoke to him.

"One can never have too many socks but detentions are another matter entirely," said Dumbledore without any shred of anger or disappointment in his voice. Harry however did not believe that for an instant. It was impossible that he wasn't disappointed. He himself was utterly disgusted with his behaviour.

"I'm sorry. I'll try harder to--to be good," said Harry without looking up.

"I'm sure that you will be Harry Now is there any thing else you wanted to talk to me about?"

"No I was just worried, that's all," Harry said looking up. The disappointment he though might have been there was not. Instead Dumbledore was smiling broadly with a deep twinkle in his eyes. For that one moment his headmaster looked like the same one that he had seen so often in times before the current serries of catastrophes. It calmed Harry a great deal and he found himself smiling back.

"Your job is to study, Harry, and not to worry. Leave that to those with more experience," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile that almost faded into a grimace. Harry knew it was time to leave and did so feeling somewhat better than he had felt on the way in. He went to his dorm and collected his bag before heading to class.

 His entry into history of magic brought gasps from most people but Binns didn't seem to notice and kept speaking monotonously. Ron directed him to a seat between his two friends. Hermione kept her head down as she struggled keep up with Binns. Ron tossed his quill away in disgust.

"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked Harry.

"What?" replied Harry.

"We know. It was all over the newspapers. A raid on You-know-who's lair. Dear lord Harry, why didn't you tell us?" said Ron.

"I couldn't be sure you weren't impostors and I couldn't be sure no-one else would over hear. It was a matter of life or death," explained Harry.

"You couldn't tell if your best friends where real or not?" Ron said in disbelief.

"I couldn't take the chance," said Harry.

"You should have told us.  We could have done…I don't know…something," Rons aid still looking strangely at Harry.

"All we could have done was worry," Harry said.

"Then we all should have worried together."

"Have you read the newspaper," Hermione said not looking up.

"No," said Harry.

"You haven't?" Ron said loudly drawing attention to himself. Binns didn't notice. "Here look," Ron said producing a newspaper and spreading it out in front of them both.

"Death Eaters attacked," the headline read in pulsing red block letters that literally stood out from the paper. Harry skim read the article. Most of it was a rant about the fact that Death Eaters were still active so long after You-know-who's demise and heavily questioned the ministry's repetitive denial of his rebirth. The article concluded that You-know-who had indeed returned and the ministry was now in his pocket. Harry looked at the other pages. Most of the paper was dedicated to the incident and he skimmed over the other articles looking for the list. Ron grabbed the paper and spread it open the fourth page.

"There," he said pointing at a list

Harry looked. It was a list of those captured and then he blinked and reread the line Ron was pointing to. Among the list of those captured was one Narcissa Malfoy. Harry snapped his head about to spot Draco.

"He didn't turn up. Ill or something. Probably caused by the prospect of getting no more sweets from his poor mummy."

"Did they get his father?"

"Nah but they did get a few other parents of Hogwarts students. Both Pansy's parents were caught and look she even turned up," Ron said and he and Harry looked over towards her. As if sensing their stares, Pansy looked up at them. Gone was the hatred in her eyes. In its place was fear and uncertainty. Even from a distance Harry was see that she had been crying.

"She's been crying," Harry whispered to Ron.

"What? Do you think? Why?" Ron asked and Harry gave him a disbelieving stare. Ron reddened.

"Professor Dumbledore said that there's been calls for the death penalty to be applied to all of those captured" Harry said.

"Yeah it did say something about that. Fairly good huh. Still I suppose most will get off. Very rich bunch of bastards will just bribe and blackmail the juries unless the ministry intervenes."

"Pardon?"

"Well supposedly given the scale of the matter there is the possibility of a state of emergency being declared and that could mean much harsher trials."

"Why?"

"No juries. Minster of Magic and some other high ups just decide by themselves. But it's unlikely. Its never been done. The law was introduced about the time of well when you got You-know-who for the first time"

"Oh," Harry said. The idea of juryless trial didn't sit well with him despite his desire for the Death Eaters to pay. It just seemed unjust and cold-blooded as he couldn't imagine as such trials would end with anything but a guilty verdict.

"Do you think really think she's been crying?"

"Who?"

"Pansy"

"Honestly," Hermione muttered derisively under her breath.

"Yeah she looks upset. Can you blame her though? She's facing the very real prospect that she could be an orphan," Harry said to Ron while catching the ball of paper that Ron had biffed towards Hermione. She muttered something unintelligible but didn't look up.

"Well yeah but her parents were obviously bastards and well she is a bit of a bitch."

"I'm all for justice but killing people? Voldemort er You-know-who," Harry said as Ron grimaced and Hermione jumped. "I could kill him in an instant had I the chance. Maybe Lucius Malfoy too. Definitely Wormtail. I can't forgive him or myself for letting him go. But the others? I wouldn't like to make that decision"

"No one does I suppose. Still all Death Eaters are evil and I bet they've all done very evil things."

"What do you thing Pansy will do?"

"She's still the same old Pansy, I saw her give some third years the evils after they pointed her out."

"I still can't believe that they attacked You-know-who directly," Harry said.

"How'd they find him?" Ron asked

"I don't know," Harry said.

"But you know something right?"

"Not as much as you think and what little I do know Dumbledore himself has told me to keep to myself as people's lives are on the line. I was explicitly told to not tell you two anything as er. You should be able to understand-" Harry stopped dead. He had been about to mention that he knew Hermione's parents had wanted her out of Hogwarts. Hermione gave him a questioning stare and then resumed her frantic note taking. Harry grabbed the paper and turned to the front page and proceeded to read from the first line. Ron looked at him questioningly but after Harry remained quiet he looked about and then laid his head down and went to sleep.

The class finished before Harry had finished reading.

He woke Ron and waited hesitantly for the two of them. They packed their things and the three of them walked together to lunch. Harry started to feel better as they walked. It was nice to have Ron and Hermione around even if he couldn't confide in them.

They had a quick lunch with most of the conversation about the sparsely populated Slytherin table. There were several notable absentees.

After lunch Harry felt like going to his pool. He smiled as he thought of telling his two friends. They would be stoked and it might just stop them from trying to pry information from him.

"I have something I want to show you but first I need to ask where Ginny is," he said looking up and about. She needed to be present when he told them about it.

"She's most likely gone to the Gryffindor common rooms. She won't be in the library as that got stink bombed by delinquents," said Hermione.

"The twins?" asked Harry.

"No rumour is it was a couple of second years," said Ron. "It still smells pretty bad though."

"They should be expelled," Hermione said vehemently.

"Why?"

"In a library of all places."

"Ooo-kay Hermione. Anyway lets go to the common room. We need to get Ginny and then we can go some where…else"

The trio walked back to the common room. Both Ron and Hermione seemed genuinely interested.

"So is what is it?"

"Going to tell us something important."

"No I'm going to show you something."

"Involving my sister?"

"Yeah," said Harry and  then he realised Ron had been suggesting something else.

"Honestly Ron," Hermione chastised.

"Hey I've got to protect her er interests."

Harry let them bicker until they were nearing the common room.

"It's a place," he said as he walked.

"And?"

"It's well ours I suppose."

"Oooh a secret place."

"Cool."

"And if we are all alone then you can tell us everything without fear of eavesdroppers," said Hermione.

"What? No. Dumbledore was explicit about that," said Harry.

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione.

"Yes," replied Harry.

"We shouldn't keep things from each other," Hermione said and Harry gave her a brief accusing stare that she noticed. She looked away. "He told you didn't he," Hermione said.

"Er."

"Told who what?" asked Ron.

"If I tell you a secret will you tell me one Harry?"

"Er."

"My parents don't want me to stay here at Hogwarts. They think that by remaining near you I'm endangering myself. And they're not happy at the dangers I've faced here at Hogwarts."

"What!" Ron exclaimed.

"But you knew that didn't you Harry. Dumbledore told you. Why?"

"He let it slip. I think he thought you'd have told me something like that"

"He assumed that we don't keep secrets," Hermione said and Harry saw where her argument was leading.

"But that doesn't mean I can tell you everything"

"He expects you too."

"He said I can't and he told me that your parents don't want you involved and there are other people who don't want you to know about it as well."

"My parents are just scared after the attack. They'll get over it. Now tell me everything."

"It's for my safety as well as yours."

"I beg your pardon. So you think that by telling us something your life will be endangered. Do you really think that Harry."

"Er."

"Then don't trust us and take your secret place and go there and be alone."

"But!"

"We are a team. We've always been together and now you aren't playing fair."

"What?"

"It's always been the three of us doing everything and now you don't want us to be involved."

"That not how it is"

"Then how is it?"

Harry paused as the indignation swelled in him. They had the indecency to suggest he was tearing the trio apart?  "It's not me that's destroying the trio. Its you two," he accused.

"Trio?"

"Us three. We were a trio and now it's a pair and Harry. I don't have any other friends. I don't want any other friends. All I want is someone to confide in."

"Then confide."

"And someone who respects my desire to keep something's to my self. I can't tell you, get over it."

"What exactly is your problem? Haven't you got over Ron and I?"

"It's…not that. It's I don't know. I just want it to be like it was last year. Now all you do is nag me or want to run off alone."

"We do not."

"I need you to be there for me."

"We are."

 "I just want us to be friends again and do fun things together."

"Then we can"

"And I want you to accept that I can't tell you everything. I just can't"

"Fine, if you can accept we are in love."

"Love?"

"Yes" Hermione said with quite some force. Harry looked at the uncertainty in Ron's face and without looking Hermione elbowed him.

Ron coughed, "Love yes," and blushed beetroot red.

Harry found that he didn't care as much as he had before. He supposed it shouldn't matter as much as it did and if it did matter to him in even the slightest then it was far less important than his need or the two of them to be by his side. He couldn't let his jealously destroy the trio.

"Fine."

"And you apologise?"

"For what?"

"The 'get a room' statement. That hurt."

"Er yes I never meant to say that. I was going to show you then but then you didn't want me to go with you and it well hurt. Where did you want to go anyway? Is kissing and stuff really that important?"

"No we had other things to do."

"Like what?"

"None of your business."

"Will you be doing it again?"

"Maybe but oh well we had a date planned. Ron had acquired some food and we snuck away and er had a date."

"Oh. Why didn't you just say?"

"Because you—oooh," Hermione seethed.

"Can we all agree that we forgive each other and just be friends again?"

"Yeah I suppose so. After all the past is the past," Ron said, "It's not that important."

"Hmmphh."  The group turned around to see Professor Binns gliding through the opposite wall and out of site.

"Oooh Touchy," Ron muttered with a smile as he fended off a playful swipe from Hermione.

"Never know," Harry muttered with a smirk "It might just be worth an essay on why the past is important."

Ron's expression went from a smile to a look of despair in a fraction of a second. Hermione on the other hand looked rather ecstatic.

"Do you think—" she began excitedly before faltering upon seeing Rons look of disgust.  "Hmmphh," she intoned giving Ron a peculiar look of consternation mixed with affection that she reserved solely for him.

It seemed to say, "You should be more like me but I love you anyway," Harry thought, but he backed away nevertheless.  It could, and he feared it did, mean the start of a Ron-Hermione argument.  Instead Ron surprised both of them by grabbing Hermione's hands in his and pulling her close for a kiss that rapidly deepened. Harry turned his back on them embarrassed by their display.

"Ah Professor you came back er no I don't know why they are kissing like animals," Harry said loudly to the empty corridor in front of him.  He smiled at the excited yelp of Hermione behind him as she extracted herself from Rons embrace to search for the intruding Professor.

"Why you…" She began as she saw they had been deceived.

"Bastard." Ron finished for her as he lunged for Harry.

Harry darted forward down the passage laughing as he evaded Ron and Hermione's attempts to catch him. He sped back towards the Gryffindor common room and the small safety it afforded. His friends would be reluctant to harm him in front of the others.

Arriving far in the lead Harry bounded for his room ignoring the protests of the fat lady and several students for his rough passage.  Lying on his bed and catching his breath it took him quite a while to realise his pursuers had not followed. He scowled as he had quite a good idea of just what had waylaid them.  He supposed it was their misfortune because he had knowledge of what might just be the best place in the whole of Hogwarts to do what they were doing, but this did not make him feel much better. A place far away from the prying of teachers' eyes.  Harry smiled weakly as he laid thinking of all the wonderful things he could do there. What was missing were his friends. It would be no fun for him alone. He yearned for his friendship with Ron and Hermione to be whole once more. He had been a fool to take his frustration out on his friends, especially in such a public and embarrassing fashion.  But now it seemed that they had done the impossible and forgiven him. They were true friends and that demanded something in return Harry decided and that something was his pool. 

Harry got up full of new resolve and vigour as some the burden upon him slipped off. He paused for a moment as he decided on where his wayward friends might have gone. He remembered after a moment he had once seen Hermione crawling out from behind a suit of armour not far from where he had just left them. Harry bit back a smile, surely his friends had not. He walked down to the common room to make sure they were not there. Spying Ginny curled up in one of the chairs he approached her.

"Hi Gin…have you seen Hermione and Ron around" he whispered quietly.

"Huh!" She said started out of her thoughts "Oh uh Harry oh um what…no I haven't seen them."

"I'm going to tell them about our little secret."

"What!" Ginny sat up with a start.

"I thought it would be nice for all of us to go along together," Harry said surprised at Ginny's reaction. It had after all been her idea to tell them.

"Oh Ooh," She muttered going very red. "Ah right…you telling them now then?"

"Yep."

"Right then, I'll go with you as it is OUR secret."

"Right," Harry consented quickly as he was still puzzled at her previous outburst. He momentarily considered asking her before deciding it was not all that wise to risk losing another friend.

The two of them left the common room and Harry lead them as they searched back along the corridors to where Harry had last seen the two of them. He diligently checked in every nook and cranny large enough to hold two people while Ginny followed openly disbelieving that her brother and Hermione would dare kiss in such exposed locations until they came across a suit of armour that was making strange noises.  It stood in a large strangely darkened alcove. Both he and Ginny shared a smile and giggled softly at their discovery. It was Ginny who recovered first and alerted the others to their presence.

"I suggest you come out now," she said loudly in a voice uncannily like that of Professor McGonagall's.

The suit of armour had to move quickly to avoid being sent flying as Ron promptly stumbled out from behind it. A much blushing Hermione followed.

"Bastard," Ron said as he stood up and realised he had been had yet again.

A seething, "Ooooh," was all Hermione was able to manage.

"We have something to show you."

"Yes," added Ginny as the two of them barley contained their excitement.

"But you must keep it a secret," Harry added and without further ado led them to the dungeons. As they approached the new dungeons Harry produced his cloak from his pocket and swung it over them. They made slower progress to the hidden entrance and both Hermione and Ron as if sensing the magnitude of the secret remained silent the entire journey.

Harry put out a hand onto the wall in front of him. "I am a true Sytherin," he muttered eliciting hushed gasps behind him. The wall opened to reveal the passage to the pool. They filed in with the door closing behind them. Harry led them to the pool and hushed their questioning. Ginny came beside him and they addressed the other two together.

"Welcome to our private swimming pool."

************