PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING NOTE!

I'd like to thank everyone who has sent me reviews and e-mails badgering me to get this next part up. I apologize greatly for the long delay, I've been on vacation without access to a computer, have just finished exams, and been ill, among some of the excuses. Just a reminder that I have every intention of finishing this story, so bare with me here on the long and infrequent updates. I WILL FINISH! I greatly appreciate every single review you've so kindly given, especially those people that have been reviewing since the beginning. You know who you all are.

Dalamar

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to J.k. Rowling. The plot is of my own, so please do not plagiarize it. Orla, as I have said, is also one of J.K. Rowlings own characters.

Extended Summary: Harry was captured by Voldemort four years ago, when he was fifteen. Hermione is now Draco's 'toy'. Ron and Remus are dead. Harry has nearly given up hope of being rescued, when a familiar person is captured and suddenly shows up in Harry's cell….when the impossible happens, will Harry have the determination to restart fighting for his freedom…his life?

Rating: R

Chapter 7

Harry's P.O.V

The figure raised his wand, as if in slow motion. I never took my eyes off of it, until I saw him level at me—wait! No, he didn't! He muttered, "Reducto," at the bushes, causing a gaping hole to be created in the middle of the row before stuffing the wand back into a pocket, still easy to access.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"I never thought I'd say this to the likes of you, but... a friend, believe it or not." He snorted and his head turned to look down at Sirius. He sighed suddenly. "Well, I suppose we'd better get you back to Hogwarts then, hadn't we?" He bent down and grabbed one of Sirius' arms, easily hoisting him up over his shoulder. "Can you walk all right?"

I stared at him blankly for a moment, the sudden change of events leaving me speechless, until I quickly realized he was still waiting for an answer. "Uh…yeah, I can…walk…"

Without acknowledging my answer, he turned around and proceeded to climb through the path he'd created in the bushes, with Sirius still slung over on his back. I hesitated, and then quickly scrambled up and jogged to catch up to him, as I realized that for the moment, he seemed like he was trying to help us.

"So, Potter. . .how did you manage to escape? I mean, I presume you must have had some help. . .but why wait until now?"

I gazed at him curiously out of the corner of my eye. "You mean. . .you weren't sent here to help me?"

"Why would you think that?" He replied nonchalantly. He paused a moment before saying sharply, "You didn't answer me, how did you get out?"

"I had some help," was all I confirmed, beginning to grow suspicious of him. "They told me that this was the night to do it, because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had left the castle."

We walked in silence, I glanced at him discreetly every couple of minutes to see if I could see any of his face. We wandered around in the woods for what seemed ages, I only hoped he knew where he was actually going. I soon forgot about trying to get a glimpse of his face, and began concentrating on forcing one foot to go in front of the other. I saw the sun begin to rise on my left, between the trees, and could feel the early morning rays that had made it through the branches on my face and arms.

I could feel my eyes slowly begin to droop shut. . .and that's when I tripped over the tree root. I felt my head slamming on the hard ground and then everything was quickly replaced by blackness. . .

"Where did you find him?" I heard faint voices above me say.

"He was wandering around the borders of Voldemort's manor grounds. I shadowed him for a bit, without him noticing, to see what he was up to, but I stepped in as a girl confronted him. She claims to have been trained here at Hogwarts and recently too."

"Then what was she doing attacking Harry?"

"I believe we may have found your spy, Sir."

"Oh, yes of course. . .she didn't get a look at your face did she? Because if she somehow managed to get word to Voldemort. . ."

"No, I had my hood pulled over my face. . .. Potter doesn't even know who I am."

"Well, we should perhaps try to keep it that way for now." There was a pause, "Should you not be going? We don't want Voldemort getting suspicion. After all, you are supposed to be one of the members of his elite and most trusted group."

"He's not there at the moment. . .in fact to tell you the truth, I'm worried. I don't know where he went. But you're right Professor, I'd better go."

"Be careful, remember to trust your instincts!"

"Always, Sir."

I let out an involuntary groan all of a sudden as something caused the bed to shake, making my already pounding head feel like it was being repeatedly hit with an overly excited bludger.

"Harry? Harry? Are you awake?"

I slowly forced one of my eyes open, wincing against the brightness of the light. I swallowed, trying to moisten my throat before I tried to speak, my mouth not wanting to cooperate. "Hwers Sarus?"

"Pardon me?"

"Where's Sirius…is he…all right? I muttered thickly, before I finally realized who I was talking to. "Professor Dumbledore?"

"Yes. . .it's me, Harry. Sirius is fine, don't worry about him now, concentrate on getting yourself well. Madame Pomfry has tended to him, and he is currently sleeping his fever off now." Dumbledore replied calmly, a relieved smile on his face. He then grew serious. "How did you manage to get out Harry?"

"I'm not quite exactly sure sir. I had a lot of help." I replied slowly, still trying to focus on getting my mouth to form coherent words. I smiled hesitantly, and glanced around the Hospital Wing in amazement. "I'm really. . .back?"

The professor gave a small chuckle. "Yes Harry, you're really back. And it's wonderful to see you're actually all right."

"All right?" I replied, and massaged my pounding temples gently, "I sure don't feel all right. My head is killing me."

"Well, from what my contact says, you went down pretty hard and hit your head on a tree stump. Though, that doesn't account for your black eye, or your arm. What happened there?"

"Oh," I answered, and looked down, "Lucius Malfoy."

"I see." He gazed at me thoughtfully. "Harry, how did you get away?"

I stared at him curiously. "Professor Snape helped me sir. He said it was part of your plans."

"Snape!" Dumbledore exclaimed in astonishment. "What. . .is he up to?"

"What do you mean professor?"

There was a long stretch of uncomfortable silence.

"We had planned to get you out Harry, of course, but we didn't know how. We were going to wait until the end. The final battle, which is inevitably going to be soon. But I didn't tell Serveus this…how did he know? But if he freed you, does that mean I was wrong; he is still on our side?" Dumbledore mused over the last bit himself.

"What do you mean Professor? You said years ago that you were positive Professor Snape was on our side. . .you mean you were wrong?"

"I'm not quite sure Harry," He replied gravely, "but I think it's time we all sat down for a talk." He got up from the chair he had been resting in and regarded me for a moment. "You try and get some more sleep, when you next wake up, Sirius should be also awake, and we can talk some more, in my office and you can hear everything."

He smiled at me before I quickly fell back into a blissful sleep. My first dreamless sleep in years.

Bill's P.O.V.

I was slumped over the dining room table, accompanied by Dennis, Sarah, and a man by the name of Robert who was just a year older then me. I don't know where Orla had disappeared to, I assumed she wanted to be alone, for she too was quite close to Angelina. I hadn't seen her since Angelina and Marcel's funeral that had been yesterday, two days after her—their death's. And still no one had a clue on how they had been murdered. Dennis was involved in a half-hearted attempt of a chess game with Robert; he couldn't even be bothered to argue with his pieces when then ignored him.

I felt like I was in a horrible dream. I couldn't believe Angelina had been killed. . .we were close. We weren't dating or anything like that, she was too young for my taste, but we understood each other. Most of my family had been killed, and so had hers. We were assigned to teach a Strategy Application course with each other, and Dumbledore had like the way we had worked together. We'd been partners ever since. And now she was just. . .gone. She wouldn't be coming down to breakfast, or helping me baby-sit the young orphans, or teasing me about my earring. I couldn't sit with her late at night, when neither of us could sleep, not necessarily talking, but simply comfortable in each others' presence as true friends are.

Not even Professor Dumbledore's 'exciting news' could give me a reason to cheer up.

Ever since Dumbledore had told me the news, we had all gone in full research mode. Hundreds of us spent hours in the library, searching for a potion, charm or spell, some way the Voldemort could be defeated. We already had a plan to defeat his main defenses, we had a way to get close to him. . .but not to truly defeat him. And of course we had to save Harry first; I knew Professor Dumbledore would never forgive himself if he betrayed Harry's parents by not saving their son if he had the chance.

So let me tell you I was surprised (and a bit annoyed) when an owl came zooming in for a quick landing, flying right into the chess board sending the pieces everywhere just to deliver me a letter.

Bill, the message said,

I have had some great news, and two rather unexpected visitors. Will you please gather the rest of the crowdArabella, Snape, Mundungus, Orla, Minerva and your fatherand meet in the hospital wing in twenty minutes.

Albus

I stared at the note in astonishment, before getting up slowly from the table, muttering a quick good bye and hurrying off to find the others.

Harry's P.O.V

I stared nervously around the hospital wing in anticipation while we waited for everyone that Professor had asked that come. At long last the hospital wing's doors opened, and in filed a crowd of people. A couple of them I didn't recognize, but obviously they all recognized me as all mouths dropped open.

"H…Harry?" Mr. Weasly managed to spit out finally. The others just gaped, as if they oculdn't believe their eyes.

"Arthur, Minerva. . .everyone please sit down." Dumbledore guided them gently and conjured up chairs for them all.

"As you can see Harry is safe now; it seems we didn't have to put the plan into motion because Serverus seems to have an agenda of his own." Dumbledore began, before Professor McGonagall interrupted him quickly.

"What do you mean, Albus?"

"Snape rescued Harry. We didn't plan it this way, in fact, he shouldn't have known about the plan since he wasn't at the last meeting we had, unless one of you told him about it." Everyone shook their heads, puzzled.

"Speaking of which, where is Serverus. . .and Orla?" Dumbledore glanced at Bill, puzzled.

"I have no idea where Orla is but Snape said he'd be a bit la-" Bill began before the door swung open once again and in walked Snape.

"Severus," Dumbledore welcomed him warmly, "we were just talking about you."

"I see." Was all he said, and he regarded everyone warily. He then spotted me, and I nearly fainted away in shock as he said, "I'm glad to see you made it out all right Potter."

"That's what we're here to talk about Severus," Dumbledore started, "why did you not tell us your plans?"

"Why have you not told me yours?" Snape countered. "I suppose you thought I was the spy?"

"I must regretfully admit it did, my old friend. But I'll ask again, why did you not tell me?"

"Because Headmaster, no matter how careful we were, the spy always managed to discover what our next move would be no matter how secret these meetings were. I concluded that it be best if I act on my own accord, without telling anybody. Voldermort has grown too dependent on his spies to the extent that his defenses have grown weak. I thought with a bit of help, even for someone as weak as Harry, it'd be easy for him to escape relatively unharmed."

"But I nearly didn't escape," I spoke up suddenly, "A girl tried to stop me, said she had been trained by 'Dumbledore's best' but then contradicted that by her saying she worked for You-know-who."

"It's Voldemort, Harry," The Professor spoke up absently, "you aren't his prisoner anymore."

I just shuddered at that. I was more then his prisoner, but that they should never know; would never know. It was just too embarrassing; too humiliating. I could only hope Snape would keep his mouth shut, for he would everything that had happened to me in those four long years.

"What did the girl look like Harry?" Professor McGongall questioned me, but I shook my head in defeat.

"I don't know professor, I didn't really notice. She was young, uh. . .brown hair possibly? I really can't remember."

"How did you get away?" spoke up someone else, a man that I didn't recognize.

"I had some help. . .a girl named Dell Ondrea who said she still was a spy for you Professor, and a man . . .he said he worked for You-Know... Vol-de-mort as well, but he helped me, I don't know why!"

"Don't worry about that Harry." I guess I must have sounded like I was bordering on hysterical, for Dumbledore suddenly jumped into the conversation again. He paused briefly, processing what I just said. "Dell's working for me? She was caught a couple of months ago, if my memory serves me correctly. She couldn't possibly be still working for me, could she?"

"She is Headmaster," Snape corrected him. "Through me. She found out one day, and I'm lucky it was only her, that I was still working for you. She's a kitchen servant, they go all over the castle delivering meals and she hears plenty. She passes it on to me, in fact, that's where a lot of my information has come from these few months."

"And you didn't tell me?" Dumbledore shot him a disapproving glare.

Snape didn't reply.

There came loud screams from outside, and everyone reacted, simultaneously with drawing their wands. Dumbledore jumped up and hurried over to the doorway. He paused there for a few seconds, apparently talking to someone earnestly, and I saw his face darken. After a few moments he came back over and addressed us gravely.

"There's been another attack on the grounds." Was all he said before hurrying wordlessly out of the room.

The others glanced about in dismay, before hurrying after him. I grabbed Bill by the arm and spun him around to face me.

"I'm coming too."

He started to disagree, but then quickly thought twice. Grabbing a set of robes that had, I assumed, been left for me at the side of the bed, I flung them on over the pajama's I was wearing, slipped on some boots, and trailed after Bill out of the room.

The walk down to the grounds was brief, and I gazed around the familiar hallways of Hogwart's in amazement, nearly forgetting that someone had just been murdered. It was felt like a dream come to true to be home finally. We walked past the Gryffindor Commen room, and the fat lady gasped in shock when she saw me. There grew loud voices, and what seemed like shadows as the pictures flitted ahead of us, eager to gossip about the good news.

We soon caught up to where Professor Dumbledore and the others had gathered, surrounding the body. I caught a glance as Mr. Weasly moved backwards and I gasped loudly.

"What is it Harry?" Dumbledore whirled around sharply to face me.

"That's her." I whispered slowly.

"What?" Professor McGonagall spun around and gave me a horrified look.

"That's her. . .the one who tried to attack me just before I escaped from You-Know-Who."

No one bothered to correct me this time. The only thing I heard was silence, until that was broken by Bill sadly whispering, nearly groaning one sentence:

"How could you. . .Orla. . ."

I'd like to read about any questions you're wondering about the story, it helps me so I make sure I don't forget to leave anything unanswered at the end of the story. Please continue to review!

Let me know if you'd like to be e-mailed when I update.

Dalamar