HARRY POTTER AND THE MARK OF GRYFFINDOR

By Geena

Chapter 16: Through thick and thin

The news about Olivander's kidnap was met with a lot of speculation. Some students, who didn't know any better, thought that the Dark Lord didn't have a wand anymore and needed a new one. Harry left them in their ignorance, but it did make him think.

"Maybe he wants to be sure Olivander doesn't sell any more wands so in the long run only himself and his followers have them." Ron suggested.

Hermione didn't agree. "We could always get our wands abroad."

"Yeah, but what if he captures all the wandmakers ?" Ron answered her back.

Harry tried not to worry too much about it, but it still kept lingering in his mind.

Soon enough all thoughts about Olivander and his fellow wandmakers were pushed aside in favour of the exams. Hermione had made them a tight schedule and for once, both Harry and Ron committed themselves to follow it. It left them with little time to spare and when there was room for distraction, they rather went flying or visiting Hagrid. Also because the Death Eaters seemed to have needed a little break of their own. There weren't much raids and some people even suggested the Dark Lord and his followers had been defeated by the Ministry's top wizards, which would be rather spectacular since the Ministry wasn't involved in any such activities. Not officially that was.

At long last the dreadful OWLs lay behind them. There was still more than a week left before they got to know their results, but they welcomed this time to fully enjoy themselves. And there was the final Quidditch match of the season of course.

Slytherin squashed Ravenclaw and once again the Gryffindors knew they needed to win their game against Huffelpuf, or at least catch the snitch. Harry was confident. He hadn't felt this good and stress-free for weeks and he devoted nearly his entire time to Quidditch practise and tactics. Fred and George moaned every time he addressed the team, saying he was turning into an Oliver Wood clone.

Harry wished it were true. He really could have used Oliver's Quidditch insights. And not just that either. He also would be more than happy to have some of his charm. Until now Harry hadn't been very self-conscious about his appearance, but ever since he was sort of together with Hermione he had become aware of the fact that girls seemed to like a guy with good looks, whatever that may be. Remembering Oliver being quite the popular one, he tried to figure out what the secret was. If Fred and George were serious about him developing some of Oliver's characteristics, maybe there was a chance he would become charming as well.

On the day of the match, Harry received a good-luck card from his godmother. He beamed up at her when she passed by his chair, smiling.

At that same moment, Draco Malfoy found it appropriate to make his way over.

"Well Potter, ready to face your doom ? You know as well as I do you need a small miracle to take the lead form Slytherin. Why even bother ? Oh,no. You don't need to answer me." Draco waved his hand. "I already know you Gryffindors are as thick as they come." He smiled haughtily and went back to his table.

"Don't let him get to you Harry." Ron said, his gaze locked onto Malfoy.

But Harry knew they needed to win with a large difference in points, just taking the snitch wouldn't suffice. Angelina, Alicia and Katie assured him they were going to score like he'd never seen before. It was their last game for the team after all.

They kept word and that evening the Gryffindors celebrated with a shiny Quidditch Cup standing on the mantle piece.

There were only a few days left before they would be getting their results and Harry was growing a bit restless. Hermione had already started to research on what subjects she would like to focus on for her NEWTs and Ron spent the larger part of his days on a broomstick, determined to make the team the following year.

So Harry found himself on his own, wandering on the school grounds. He didn't take too much notice of his surroundings and he almost jumped up when a hand was placed roughly on his shoulder.

"They didn't need you anymore, did they ?" Draco Malfoy sneered at him. "Funny how quickly the famous Boy-Who-Lived is cast aside." He sniggered.

Harry chose not to reply.

"What is it ? Am I too close for comfort ? I bet the Weasel and the Mudblood have found better things to do. Things that don't include you Potter. Yuk, just think about what would come from a union of those two." Draco's face was distorted from disgust.

"You don't know at thing Malfoy !" Harry shot back. He tried to contain his rage, barely managing. Now was not the moment to reveal he was together with Hermione. He hadn't forgotten about Malfoy's special interest in her.

Just then Professor Palmer decided to show up and ask Harry to take some potions to the infirmary for her.

Harry felt awkward about the encounter with Malfoy. He couldn't tell what it was, but something was clearly amiss.

It wasn't until late that evening when he suddenly realised what had seemed off. It was the look in Malfoy's eyes. Those pale grey eyes that normally shone brightly each time Professor Palmer was around had been blank. Maybe Malfoy had got over his infatuation, but Harry clearly remembered it being there a little while ago. He tried to think when he had last seen it or had heard someone make fun of it. Come to think of it, it had been some time. He relaxed and concentrated. At the time of the Yule Ball it had still been there, but after that …

Harry jumped up in his bed when he realised something. That day when he had been talking to his godmother and they embraced, he thought he had seen something out of the corner of his eye. Maybe that had been Malfoy ? His mind was racing to try and catch up with all the theories his imagination was sprouting. Suddenly he couldn't stay in bed anymore. That's when a sharp pain coursed through his scar and he just knew trouble wouldn't be far. He jumped into some clothes and ran straight towards Dumbledore's office. Once again the gargoyle leapt aside and let him in. When the door was opened he saw Snape was already there, looking ashen. Dumbledore didn't even seem to notice him, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, apparently in deep thought.

Finally Snape saw him and motioned him to come closer.

"She has been taken." He said in a strangled sounding voice.

"Where ?"

"I don't know. I haven't been summoned."

To Harry it didn't seem real. It was like a bad dream he would wake up from in a few minutes, after which he would eat some chocolate and he'd feel better instantly.

However, when he looked at Snape and Dumbledore it didn't seem like chocolate would do the trick this time.

For a few moments they stood there in silence, each one of them staring at another point in the distance.

Then the fireplace started crackling and out of a flaming green fire stepped a familiar looking woman, looking agitated. She stormed right at Snape, ignoring Dumbledore and Harry completely.

"Severus, I'm so sorry ! I didn't know he was planning on doing that. I knew there was something big to come, but I never thought …"

"It's alright Narcissa." Snape took her hand in his and gave it a rather strong squeeze.

"No Severus, it's not alright. I should have been able to prevent it. It was Draco." She lowered her head.

"Draco ?"

"Yes. I found letters from him to Lucius, saying Professor Palmer was too close to Harry Potter and how he hated her for it. Lucius must have suspected something and may have asked for a description, because in the next letter he described her from head to toe."

Snape shut his eyes briefly and Malfoy's mother now turned to Dumbledore.

"Albus, I think I know where they're holding her. Maybe you can send some of your people there."

"NO !"

Snape's exclamation was so harsh and loud the others slightly flinched, even Dumbledore.

"I will go."

"No Severus, I cannot let you go there on your own." Dumbledore intervened. "It is just what he wants, to have you both at his mercy."

"At least when I'm there I'll be able to do something."

"And get yourself killed ?" Harry asked to his own surprise.

Snape slowly looked at him, as if remembering vaguely he was there.

"He will not kill me on sight. That would be too easy for me. No, he'll want me to witness whatever he has planned for Jessica. I want to be there for her. Narcissa, where is she ?" He turned back to Mrs Malfoy.

"In our summer residence."

"Right."

Before Harry had blinked his eyes Snape had already left, storming down the stairs. The light in Dumbledore's eyes dimmed and Narcissa Malfoy slapped herself on the head. Harry didn't think, he just acted and bolted out after his professor. He heard Dumbledore's hoarse "Harry !", but he didn't look back. Snape already had a head start on him.

"Accio Firebolt! Accio cloak!" Harry yelled as he ran across Hogwarts' Grounds.

The broom flew into his hands and he mounted it quickly. The cloak followed and shielded from the outside world, Harry closed in on his teacher.

Snape didn't seem to worry about anyone noticing him, for he ran like mad. Harry knew he was going to apparate as soon as he left Hogwarts' borders and he needed to get close to him, very close.

When he was level with him, Harry landed and reached for the hem of Snape's flowing robes. Just when he got a hold of them he felt a little pull and everything went black.

TBC

A/N: Final part coming soon.