NOTES: So so sorry for the delay. As you all know ff.net has been acting weird and then Real Life decided to intervene. I hope this chapter is worth the wait.
Recommendations: I'm in a Voldemort and Harry mood, how about you? Morgane's fic found on my fav site: "Cursum Perficio" and its sequel "A Place to Return To" newly posted. Short yet they pack one hell of a punch. Review and she writes MORE! Always good. And "In Destroying Him I Met My Fall" by Ephirel. A very interesting take on Harry's origins, Voldemort sort of present by default as you will discover upon reading. This one too can be found on my fav page.
Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews. Over 100, I'm speechless. blush I've never had such feedback. (Especially you Skywalker26, short but very heartfelt! Thank you!)
** ** for Moony's writing
// // for Padfoot's writing
Just in case the bold font doesn't come through.
*****
CHAPTER X: The Great Gryffindor Caper
*****
"What happened? What was that thing you and Malfoy saw?" Ron asked as they stumbled chilled and exhausted into the empty common room.
"Voldemort," Harry blurted out before he could stop himself, too numb from Seeing to check his words. He stumbled into a chair by the fire. "He's drinking from the unicorns until he can get to the Philosopher's Stone hidden here at Hogwarts."
Dead shocked silence greeted his sudden admission. Harry raised his head with effort to stare at the stunned faces of his friends.
"W-what? What are you . . ." Hermione said aghast. "How do you kno--" She broke of and stared at Harry, light dawning. She wasn't the smartest witch of their year for nothing. "You've been keeping things from us," she breathed in revelation. "You've been keeping things about what is being hid in the school and why and who's after it," she said furiously, pointing an accusing finger at the smaller boy.
"You've WHAT?" Ron yelled.
Harry flinched. That was all the admission that his friends needed.
"How could you—after everything with the troll . . . you said—" Ron sputtered, incensed. "Damnit, Harry!" Ron hissed, collapsing with a thump on a couch. "You promised! You promised you'd tell us, let us help!"
Harry rubbed at the dried blood on his forehead, unable to meet Ron's accusing gaze. This is all my fault! Ron, Hermione, my friends . . . "It's-it's dangerous, I could have gotten you hurt," he explained, a touch of desperation in his voice. Blood, blood on my hands, on the field, on my robes . . .
"So instead you've been doing this all by yourself, with no one to watch your back?!" Ron yelled completely forgetting the sleeping Gryffindors in the rooms above them. Harry shrunk in his seat. "All those books on alchemy, they had to do with it, didn't they? There was no extra project for history! And all those nights sneaking out?" Harry didn't answer, he didn't need to. The redhead let his head drop back with an explosive sigh. "I can't believe you didn't tell us."
"Ron . . ." Harry whispered, but could find no words, could offer no apologies that wouldn't sound hollow in the face of his friend's righteous indignation.
With a disapproving frown, Hermione, ever practical, got right to what she wanted to know. "Well? What is this Philosopher's Stone? Is it--is it really You-Know-Who who is after it? Where is it? You'd better tell us, we're not going to take no for an answer," she said firmly, crossing her arms.
"Nicolas Flamel created a stone back in the 16th century called the Philosopher's Stone. It is the only one currently in existence. It can turn any metal into gold and it also produces something called the Elixir of Life which makes a person immortal."
Ron let out a low whistle. "That's the something being protected? That is worth stealing."
"How did you figure all this out?" Hermione asked, stunned. "Did you know during Halloween and kept it from us?"
Harry shook his head; it ached fiercely. "No," he said quickly. "I told you the truth at Halloween. I didn't know what was the reason behind using the troll as a distraction."
"What about where? Did you know where?" Ron demanded.
Harry twisted his hands in his lap. "I didn't know for sure," he said smally.
"But you had a pretty good idea, right?"
"The third floor corridor," Harry admitted softly.
Hermione slapped her hand against her forehead. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?"
"It wasn't always at Hogwarts," Harry explained dazedly, eyes bright with exhaustion. "It was kept in a vault at Gringotts. Hagrid went to pick it up the day I went shopping in Diagon Alley with Sirius and Remus. The Vault was broken into soon after. The stone is being guarded by one of Hagrid's pets."
"What is it this time? A hydra? Perhaps a friendly Dementor?" Ron asked incredulously.
"It's a giant three headed dog."
Both Hermione and Ron could do nothing but blink as they digested that statement.
"And you know this because you went into the third floor corridor where Professor Dumbledore said we could die horribly?" Hermione said, voice rising stridently.
"Something like that," Harry mumbled distantly. He felt cold, he should be shivering, but his whole body felt numb, expect for his scar.
"And tonight?"
"Tonight . . ." Harry stared into the fire, gripping the armrests of the chair. Was it just him or was the common room spinning? "Voldemort was out in the Forbidden Forest drinking unicorn blood to stay alive until he can get it, until he can get the Stone." Or have someone get it for him.
"Don't say his name," Ron said in a panicky whisper staring at the portrait hole as if he expected the Dark Lord to burst in any minute.
"Voldemort saw us, he came after me, was going to grab me, but I-I managed to force him away, I don't know h-how--" Harry continued inexorably, the words just pouring out in an uncontrolled jumble now. "I spoke with Firenze. He said--"
Hermione held up her hand to stop him. "Wait, wait. Who's Firenze?"
Ron sat up, gaping. "You managed to force You-Know-Who away? How?"
But Harry ignored them. "--Mars is bright, and he's right, it is. Mars an omen of impending war. Voldemort will try for the Stone soon. He has no choice, he can't live off of unicorns forever. And even if he doesn't get it, there are other ways to come back, he won't stop trying. And I think--" Harry hesitated and then rallied. "I think that one of the teachers is working for Voldemort to get the Stone for him. I thought for a while someone just wanted it for themselves, for the gold or-or for the Elixir, but there is a traitor. I'm sure of it. It might be . . ."
"Who?" Ron and Hermione asked together, eyes wide.
Harry shook his head, which proved once again to be a very bad idea. "I don't know," he said desperately, dropping his head into his hands. "Things are all . . . muddled. They don't make any sense, every night . . . green and-and a woman's voice . . . they just don't make any sense." Harry mumbled to himself.
"What? Harry--!" And his friends were beside him, reaching out to try and quell his trembling.
Harry stood, shrugging of Ron's hand on his shoulder, backing away from both of them, realizing he'd just given them everything, told them everything, and now they were in danger because of him. He would get them hurt, it would be his fault, his fault! "No, no, I've told you. You know now. I shouldn't have, but . . ." Harry scrubbed his eyes beneath his glasses fiercely with his sleeve. "And you've got to promise me that you won't go after this," Harry said fiercely. "It's dangerous. You could be killed. I won't let you-- You don't know what he's capable of. Voldemort will kill you and--"
"Will you stop saying that name!" Ron hissed.
"You could be killed too, Harry," Hermione said softly. "Remember? We don't want you to get hurt either. We can't just . . . forget about this, not now that we know."
"No. It doesn't matter," Harry said simply. Things were falling into place. He knew with absolute certainty that he had to alive for Voldemort to succeed or fail. It no longer mattered. He no longer mattered. "Promise me." he demanded, green eyes flashing.
"No," Ron said, crossing his arms over his chest, blue eyes fierce, defiant. "I won't."
"Harry," Hermione said, eyes darting between the two of them; a confrontation was the last thing they needed. "Professor Dumbledore is the one person You-Know-Who was ever afraid of. As long as he's here at Hogwarts, no one will make a try for the Stone. And besides if centaurs told you that rubbish about the planets being omens of the future it probably isn't true. All that fortune-telling isn't real. Seeing is a very imprecise type of magic. Nobody can really See the future, let alone discover it in the stars. Professor McGonagall says it's made up mostly."
The two boys did not look at her.
Sighing she rubbed her eyes tiredly. "It's late," Hermione whispered, hoping merely for temporary calm. There would be no resolution tonight. "We have class in a couple of hours."
Silently the three of them headed up the steps and into their respective dorms.
The sky had turned light with approaching dawn and they stumbled towards their beds to catch a few minutes of sleep before breakfast. Ron was silent, and drew the curtains closed around his bed.
Harry pulled back his covers, prepared to simply fall into bed with his clothes on, when he caught sight of his father's invisibility cloak folded neatly on his pillow. He'd left it up at the highest tower after Charlie and Kurt had flown off with Norbert and had been unable to escape watchful eyes to go and retrieve it.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
He picked up the liquid material and pressed it to his cheek, the coolness soothing. His fingers caught on a piece of parchment and he forced his eyes open to read the message.
//Just in Case.//
Hermione may be right that Voldemort would not make a try for the Stone with Dumbledore at Hogwarts, but the Headmaster seemed to fear the worst regardless.
Harry no longer fear the worst, he simply knew it was coming.
*****
// Dear Harry,
I am in no way disappointed that you lost some points. Some of the Marauder's best plans ended in point loss. You are continuing a fine tradition, Mischief Maker, and I am very proud that you are having fun. I was getting worried that you were only doing homework! I am curious to know what you were "smuggling." I am sure it could not have been so bad as to get you arrested—//
** Not that Padfoot should talk being an illegal Animagus-- **
// As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, Harry, if you need me to order something on Filch's forbidden list you have only to ask. You don't have to smuggle something in from some upper year student. They demand such exorbitant fees--//
** And he should know Harry since he used to--**
// I remember for a while in our fifth year everyone was crazy over Augers and someone snuck in a couple of eggs and started a bidding war for the creatures. Personally I think if you're going to have a forbidden pet it should be a dog. A nice big dog to terrorize Slytherins. Speaking of Slytherins--//
** Harry, don't worry about the House Cup. Points are important, but the competition is all in good fun. No need to brutalize Slytherins, though your description of Lucius Malfoy's son being dragged off by his ear for being a tattletale is a fantastic ima-- **
// It reminds me of another busybody Slytherin who stuck his oversized nose into our business and got what he--//
** And don't worry about your House mates being upset. 50 points between the three of you for being out of bounds at night isn't too bad. One time Padfoot lost over--**
// Harry, was McGonagall in her bathrobe? Does she still wear a tartan patterned one?//
** Exams are soon, I know that you'll do fine, but don't spend all your time on the Quidditch pitch, get some studying in. As for me, the book is nearly done, at least the rough draft is. You can read it whe-- **
// Which means that Mr. Moony will at last stir from his study for more than a new pot of tea, he might actually prove to be somewhat entertaining instead of burying his head in-//
** Take care Harry.**
// Schools almost done and we'll have the whole summer together, just us. //
//Love,
Padfoot// **and Moony**
*****
"Harry, Harry wake up!"
Harry opened his eyes and realized Ron was shaking him awake again. "S-sorry," he managed to say. "I'm all right now."
Ron didn't believe him. From across the dorm room, Neville muttered and snored in his sleep. "Want to talk about it?" the red head whispered, not wanting to wake the others.
Harry shook his head. Every night for the last week and a half had been the same. Even with the stilted and strained atmosphere between Ron and Harry, with Hermione's frantic last minute studying and final exams just begun, Ron still managed to wake now by habit at least once in the dead of night to check on the smaller boy. Now both of them had dark circles under their eyes. Feeling guilty, Harry had put up silencing charms one night, but Ron had checked on him and had been quietly furious.
"Same as before," Harry explained his reluctance to talk. There was nothing new to tell, just the horror of watching his family be destroyed before his eyes by their demons and the ever present crushing weight of impending darkness barreling down at him. Harry felt a cool hand hover above his forehead, not quite touching, and stiffened reflexively.
"It-its not bleeding," Ron said awkwardly. "Are you sure you don't need to go see Madam Pomfrey? Is it hurting?"
It hasn't stopped hurting since our detention in the Forbidden Forest. But Harry wasn't going to say that. The constant dull ache seemed so petty to complain about when the safety of the whole Wizarding World was so precariously balanced. It's just a stupid scar, he told himself angrily. Harry forced a smile. "I'm fine. Thanks."
Ron shrugged. "Are you going back to sleep?"
"No," Harry said quietly. "It's past midnight. There's no point," he finished barely above a whisper.
Ron opened his mouth to protest, but then closed it. "Okay."
Harry watched as Ron burrowed back under his covers. The Stone is perfectly safe, he reminded himself as he silently got out of bed to sit by the window. Professor Dumbledore is here, you have no proof that anyone is a traitor. You can't point fingers accusing people. He stared across the grounds, now green with spring. He saw in the distance the brooding shape of the Forbidden Forest where Voldemort was, Hagrid's Hut standing sentry at the edge much like the three headed monster stood onto of the trap door.
The dog guarding the trapdoor was fierce, Professor Snape could attest to that. There was little chance anyone could get past him to get at the Stone. Harry was unique in his ability to be near the creature. No one but Hagrid knew how to handle his pets and Hagrid would never tell anyo--
The dragon's egg won off a stranger in the pub.
How many people just happened to carry illegal dragon's eggs in their pockets?
Harry pressed his face to the glass and stared. Hagrid was awake; the sky was lightening. He could just push open the window and jump out, transforming to his Animagus shape as he fell and be there in an instant. He could ask Hagrid who this man was, what he had said, whether Hagrid had told him anything about the dog. Harry opened to window with a click and was about to leap when . . .
Harry looked back over his shoulder at the red hair sticking out underneath a pile of bedclothes. Ron and Hermione would be furious if he went off investigating without him.
But this couldn't wait!
Scrambling down from the window Harry ran over to Ron's bed and gently shook him awake.
He hoped his friend would forgive him the early wake up call.
*****
"Harry slow down! Where are we going?" Ron asked still half asleep. He was trying to shrug on his school robe while Harry dragged him down the stairs, through the common room and out into the corridor. He'd wanted in on Harry's adventure but getting up at dawn, getting dressed and running outside . . . that was a little extreme and after the thing with Norbert that was saying something
"We've got to go see Hagrid, now," Harry said breathlessly as he headed for the outer doors.
"Why? Is this about the Stone?" Ron asked, eyes wide. "Have you figured out who the traitor is? What about Hermione?"
Harry pushed open the heavy doors and slipped through. "This can't wait, besides do you want to get caught going into the girl's dormitory?"
Ron shuddered imagining the pink frilly horror that would no doubt greet him upon entering the den of females. Ginny's room at home was bad enough. He had fixed ideas about the studious and confident Hermione; he didn't need them shattered upon realizing she was indeed a girl. "Why Hagrid? Shouldn't we go to Professor McGonagall or Professor Dumbledore?"
Harry shook his head as he scrambled along the dewy grass. "I need to ask Hagrid something first. I should have realized it earlier," he cursed himself.
Sprinting their way across the field they slid to a stop beside the giant man who was chopping wood to add to his fire pile beside his hut.
"Hullo Harry, Ron!" he greeted them. "Bit early to be out isn't it?"
"Hagrid," Harry said, a bit out breath, cheeks red. "The stranger you played cards with, the one you won Norbert from, what did he look like?"
The gamekeeper seemed surprised by the questions. "Yeh know," he said after a moment. "I don't rightly know, 'xactly. Wouldn't take his cloak off."
"You never saw him?" Harry asked a bit desperately. "You never saw his face or-or got his name?"
"'E was just some stranger, passin' through Hogsmeade Harry," Hagrid explained, his face puzzled. He wasn't the only one; Ron looked equally bewildered.
"And he just happened to have a dragons egg in his pocket," Harry continued on anxiously.
"That he did, Harry. He asked me lots of questions about what kinds of animals I take care of and I told him, I told him a dragon's no trouble fer me. I've raised all sorts of creatures. I don't remember too well," Hagrid confessed sheepishly. "He kept buyin' drinks yeh see. But I told him, a dragon's no trouble fer me. After raisin' Fluffy, a dragon's dead easy."
"A-and Fluffy would be?" Ron asked, with growing worry on his face as he put together why Harry had dragged him out here so early.
"My dog," the giant man said proudly. "Raised him from a pup I did."
"Does he—does he have three heads?" Harry asked grabbing hold of Hagrid's sleeve. "Does he?"
"How did yeh--?" Hagrid sat down on a tree stump and stared at the green eyed boy with growing concern. "Harry how do yeh know about Fluffy? Yeh haven't been wanderin' where yeh shouldn't, have yeh?"
"You didn't tell this-this stranger a lot about Fluffy, about caring for him did you?" Harry pressed, ignoring the gamekeeper's questions.
"I told him Fluffy's no problem, none at all. Jus' play him a bit o' music and he's fast asleep—" Hagrid stopped looking horrified. "I shouldn't have told yeh that! I shouldn't have told anyone that!" He stood suddenly and Harry stepped back. "Never you mind about Fluffy. Forget I said it. The less people know the better!"
"Harry . . ." Ron whispered.
Harry shook his head. "We're sorry, we're sorry we bothered you Hagrid. We've got to get to breakfast. See you later."
"Harry, wait a minute," Hagrid called after them. "Harry!"
But Ron and Harry were already tearing across the grass up to the castle.
*****
Hermione sat all alone at the Gryffindor table. Where were those boys?
They hadn't come down from the dorms; they hadn't been there when their dormmates had awoken. Who knows what could have happened to them? Perhaps they'd gone exploring under Harry's invisibility cloak. Perhaps they'd decided to investigate without her. She scowled. Hermione promised herself that she would torture them if they left her out!
But then the also could have been snatched from their beds by Voldemort or the Traitor, a tiny voice whispered inside her.
Instantly Hermione felt very guilty for wishing torture on Ron and Harry. They could be being tortured at this minute, dragged off into the Forbidden Forest, lost, alone, dying, dead!
She was very much relieved when two very familiar figures came running up to the entrance of the Great Hall. Abandoning her breakfast she jumped up, coming to join them.
"Where have you been?" she hissed. "You were just gone. I thought . . ." Hermione trailed off noting their pale worried faces. "What is it?" she whispered as she pulled them out of direct traffic of students.
"Remember the stranger Hagrid won the dragon egg off of?" Ron said between labored breathing. "He told him how to get past Fluffy."
"Who's Fluffy?" Hermione asked bewildered.
"Hagrid's dog," both boy's said together.
Harry continued "We think the stranger was Voldemort or maybe someone who works for Voldemort and now he knows how to get the Stone."
"Say You-Know-Who for Merlin's sake!" Ron said sharply.
"So You-Know-Who knows how to get to the Stone," Hermione echoed a touch frightened.
"Or have someone on the inside get it for him," Ron explained. "Remember only someone inside Hogwarts could have let the troll in and you said this place is covered in wards. He's stuck in the Forest and he's afraid of Professor Dumbledore."
"But who?" Hermione said.
Ron crossed his arms. "I think we can all guess after Harry's first Quidditch match that it's Professor Sn--"
"And what . . . is so important," a dark voice hissed from behind them "that makes student's think they can loiter at the entrance to the Great Hall, disrupting traffic as if they owned the place?"
Harry and the others turned to face Professor Snape who was glaring down at them from his imposing height.
"Sorry sir," Hermione managed bravely.
"You would do well to remember that your place is at your table for meals and in classrooms during the day and in your common rooms at night. Obviously . . . such simple directions escape you."
"We'll just go have breakfast then, sir," Ron said as he began to edge around the Potion Master.
"A-actually, sir, we were wondering if we could speak to Professor Dumbledore," Harry said clenching his fists by his side. His two friends stared at him, goggled eyed. Harry, willingly continuing a conversation with the Professor he could barely acknowledge without shrinking into the floor in embarrassment? Harry asking for something from the Potion Master who's sole purpose in life was tormenting and humiliating him?
The world was ending.
Obviously Ron and Hermione were not the only two flabbergasted by the request. Snape looked completely nonplused for a moment, his face free of its usual smirk which was very very strange. However, the Professor recovered from his surprise quickly and smiled thinly at the black haired boy. "And you think the Headmaster has nothing better to do that cater to your timetable, your pathetic wants, Mr. Potter?"
Behind Snape, Ron was frantically giving his friend the universal escape-while-you-can gesture.
Harry raised his chin. "It's important, sir."
Snape snorted. "Clearly, you still haven't grasped the fact that the world does not revolve around you. The Headmaster is away. He received an urgent owl earlier at breakfast and had to leave immediately for the Ministry, which you would have known Mr. Potter if you'd gotten up with your other classmates and made it to breakfast on time."
Harry stared past the Professor to see the empty seat at the center of the high table. "Professor Dumbledore's gone? Now!?" Harry said, an edge of panic raising his voice to a near shout. The Great Hall quieted, and students turned to search out the disturbance and were shocked.
Harry Potter was shouting at Professor Snape.
Ron and Hermione, eyes wide, took a prudent step back from the explosion about to happen.
"Are you deaf boy?" The Professor took a step nearer, glaring. Harry fought not to back away. "I fail to see any pressing need for you to see the Headmaster. I'm sure in your world we all need permission to act or breath, but in reality Potter very little requires your say so, let alone the Headmaster's calendar. Now sit down or leave before I take points. And any more night wanderings and I will see to it personally that you are expelled."
Stumbling to his seat, Harry sat facing the pale faces of Ron and Hermione.
"What are we going to do?" Hermione whispered. "With Professor Dumbledore gone . . ."
"Whoever on the staff will wait until nightfall at least," Harry said slowly.
"Harry," Hermione said warningly. "You're not thinking of going after the Stone first are you?"
Harry stared at his empty cereal bowl, toying with his spoon.
Hermione turned to look at the redhead for support, but Ron was strangely silent, a pensive expression on his face.
"Harry, no!" Hermione said, aghast. "You heard Professor Snape! You could be expelled not to mention killed. No," she said. "We'll go to Professor McGonagall and tell her that the Stone is in danger and she'll take care of it."
"But the traitor is part of the staff," Ron said urgently.
"And you think it's Professor McGonagall?" Hermione demanded incredulously.
"No," Ron scowled. "It's Snape. It all fits. He tried to hex Harry off his broom. Did you just hear what he said to Harry? He'll expel him for night wanderings. Snape let the troll in; he probably knows all about trolls, he's wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job for years. Everybody says so. Snape is the traitor."
"Keep your voice down," Harry said lowly, noting some of their yearmates staring.
"So we go to Professor McGonagall. And there will be no talk of going anywhere at night," Hermione said firmly.
*****
But Professor McGonagall didn't believe them and sent them packing back to the common room with threats of removing points from her own House and expulsion if they stirred one toe out of bounds tonight.
Hermione wrung her hands. "Well that's it then. There is nothing else we can do."
Harry strode past her and the rest of Gryffindors, purpose firm, and took the steps up to his dorm room.
It was time.
"Harry?" she called after him.
Ron hurried up behind him, taking the stone steps two at a time. He found the black haired boy crouched by his trunk, pulling out his father's invisibility cloak. Hermione hovered in the doorway.
"You can't," she whispered seeing the cloak.
"You don't understand," Harry said faintly, unable to put into words, the black dread, the certainty. He let the liquid material slip through his fingers. "You haven't seen what he will do if he comes back, the blood, the screaming." He looked up and stared at his friends. "How many more families will he destroy, how many other people will he kill? And there will be no way to stop him. None. The Stone will make him immortal. I have no choice, its why I'm here."
He stood. "I'm going down the trap door tonight."
"We are going down the trapdoor tonight," Ron corrected firmly. At Harry's shocked look he rolled his eyes. "You don't think we're going to let you go alone do you? Merlin Harry, do we have to go through this every single time?" He grabbed hold of the shorter boy's shoulder and shook him gently. Hermione ventured into the boy's dorm and took Harry's hand. "We're all together in this. We're Gryffindors. We're your friends."
Harry met their eyes, seeing only determination that matched the steel within him. He had to admit part of him, a secret, small part of him wanted them to come with him, wanted someone there so he didn't have do this alone. But just wishing they were with him filled him with sick remorse. They would be hurt, they would be killed--!
They were his friends, like Moony and Padfoot had been friends with his father. They could choose themselves what they wanted to do.
But it didn't have to end in blood.
He clenched his fists, reminding himself again.
(the sacred simplicity of you by my side)
It didn't have to end in blood.
"If we're caught you'll both be expelled, too" he reminded them anxiously.
Hermione shook her head. "Professor Flitwick told me I go 112 percent on my Charms exam. They're not throwing me out after that!"
"What about for being the boys dormitory?" Ron teased.
Hermione tossed her head. "If you can't beat them, join them. I've decided to be a rebel."
*****
// Dear Padfoot and Moony,
I'll do my best and maybe you'll never have to be sent this letter at all. I told Hedwig to wait before delivering this. I hope she understood me. If I don't come back by morning, Hedwig will know to fly home. Just in case I wanted you to know that there was no other way. Voldemort is out in the Forbidden Forest living off the unicorns and one of the professors is probably a traitor. They've already made a try at the Philosopher's Stone at Halloween when someone let a troll into the school If Voldemort gets the Philosopher's Stone he'll be immortal. The centaurs saw the war in the stars, it fits with my dream. Professor Dumbledore was called away today so its tonight, the traitor will go for the stone tonight.
I have to be there. It's important.
Ron and Hermione wanted to go with me. I tried to keep them out of it. I don't want them hurt. But they want to help me so I wouldn't have to do it alone.
I'm glad they're with me. Maybe I shouldn't be, maybe it's wrong to drag them into this. But I can't help but feel better that they'll be with me, at least for parts of it. They are great friends.
I just wanted you to know that I love you both so much. You rescued me and took me home.
Thank you.
Love,
Harry //
*****
Harry and Ron slipped down the stairs and met Hermione by her door. Silently the three headed across the empty common room for the picture hole, Harry shaking out the cloak preparing to cover the three of them.
"What are you doing?" a voice, Neville's, broke the stillness. "You're sneaking out again. We'll loose even more points. I can't let you."
"Neville you don't understand," Hermione said desperately.
"Just get out of the way," Ron said.
"No, I'll-I'll fight you," the boy said desperately, raising his fists. "But I'm not going to let you get Gryffindor into any more trouble."
Hermione shook her head and drew her wand. "I'm sorry Neville. Petri—"
"No, wait!" Harry called out. He stepped forward and put his hands on Neville's fists, pressing them down gently. "This is important. More important than house points. I'm sorry," he whispered.
And Neville collapsed in Harry's arms.
"How did you--?" Hermione wondered. "Oh, right."
"Help me," Harry said ignoring the question, and Ron helped him moved the unconscious Neville to the couch by the fire.
Harry slipped the cloak over all three of them and moved out into the corridor towards the third floor.
Peeves hovered on the top of the stairs and must have sensed their presence for he looked up from his mischief.
"Who's there? I can heeeeaar yoooouu!" the poltergeist called. "What creatures lurks, what student shirks his beddy-bye time? I'll catch you! I'll catch you to the--!"
With barely a thought the poltergeist was frozen and Harry rushed the them past him to the door that lead to Fluffy.
It was already ajar.
Someone had gotten there first.
The world seemed to slow down, become amazingly clear, every action and sound precise. It had started. The whole term had lead up to this moment, this place. Harry had not chosen to come to Hogwarts to learn, to play, to make friends . . . he had come for This Place, This Time.
And before him Harry saw success and failure, and darkness in each.
And still he moved ever forward.
Mars was bright tonight.
Harry heard the indrawn breath of the girl beside him, felt the growing tenseness of the boy.
"Take the cloak and go back?" Harry said quietly.
"Don't be stupid," Ron hissed.
"We're coming with you," Hermione insisted.
They stepped in and found the massive three headed dog waking up as the last notes from an enchanted harp stopped playing.
Harry threw off the cloak and moved towards the beast, hands raised.
"Harry!" Ron yelped, dragging his friend back.
"Don't worry. He knows me," Harry said. He moved closer and the massive heads turned and snuffed at his sweater, one of them nuzzling his wild black hair.
"Uh, Harry?" Hermione said cautiously, slightly awed by this strange reunion. "Will he let us go down now?"
Harry shook his head. "Hagrid trained him well. He won't even let me down. Luckily . . ." Harry drew out the flute Hagrid had sent him for Christmas and began to play.
Harry was no great musician. The noises he managed to produce barely classified as music, but Hedwig and the other school owls liked it and Harry enjoyed the hooting notes and so apparently did Fluffy.
The dog's eyes began to droop and Ron and Hermione pulled the trapdoor open. The three of them stood looking down into the darkness, Harry still playing.
"Do we jump?" Ron asked quietly.
"No other way," Hermione said firmly. "Ready? On three. One, two--"
*****
Quietly, the clock in Moor House began to move unnoticed. One hand of three swung from Mischief to Mortal Peril.
*****
tbc
Song lyrics by Vienna Teng "Eric's Song"
Well? What did you think?
