Harry hurried to the clearing at the edge of the lake, unsure of what he would find there. Would he see Ginny? Was it really Malfoy who kidnapped her?
His questions were answered as he stepped into the clearing. A black-robed figure was waiting for him, silent and frightening.
You came, the figure said simply.
Of course I did, Harry said angrily. Where is she?
The figure laughed, a cold, mirthless laugh. She is not important anymore, he said. All that matters now is you.
What are you talking about? Harry demanded.
The other man drew a wand out from under his cloak and leveled it at Harry. The only reason I took her was to get you, he told Harry. I used her as bait, if you will, to lure you to me.
Harry asked, trying to gain some time for himself and for Hermione. He looked uneasily at the man's wand, wondering if he could pull his own out of his pocket without getting cursed.
Don't go for your wand, the man said calmly, as if he could read Harry's mind. Very well, I will explain everything before I kill you. Harry couldn't see his face under the shadow of the hood, but he could hear in his voice that he was smirking. You are one of the two people in the world that stand in my way. So, to put it plainly, I need to get rid of you. You and Albus Dumbledore.
In your way? Harry asked, fighting to remain calm.
the figure replied. I am continuing my master's work. Lord Voldemort was not successful in his quest . . . but I will be. My companions and I form a stronger group than the former Death Eaters. He motioned with his hand, and about a dozen more figures in black cloaks seemed to materialize from among the trees. We are few, he continued, but we are bonded together, and none of us can deter from our plans. He made another signal, and one of the Death Eaters roughly shoved a small figure into view.
Harry cried. He would have run forward, but the leader flicked his wand threateningly, and Harry froze. Ginny looked terrible. Her hands were tied together tightly, and she appeared to be silenced by a spell--she was trying to talk, but no sound was coming out. Her face was whiter than Harry would have thought possible. She looked completely terrified, and Harry tried to convey to her that it would be all right, that everything was under control.
Before I kill you, the leader said softly, I want to make you an offer. You are one of the greatest wizards alive. You are brave, determined, and very talented. It would be a shame to kill you, but if it comes to that . . . I will do what I must.
Your offer is. . .? Harry said coldly, hoping that Hermione and Ron were ready.
Join us. As Harry opened his mouth to reply, the leader continued: Or Ginny dies. He moved the wand to point at Ginny, who grew even paler. Choose now, Harry.
Ginny looked at him, her expression even more frightened than before. He looked her directly in the eye, mouthed I love you, and casually reached up to straighten his glasses.
came two shouts from nearby. The leader and another Death Eater toppled over, Stunned. Harry whipped out his wand, Hermione threw off the Invisibility Cloak, Ron leapt out from the shadows of a tree, and the three of them set about Stunning the rest of the Death Eaters, who were uncertain of themselves without their leader to command them. That finished, Harry rushed over to Ginny and began untying her hands.
he said anxiously, they've done something to her. She can't talk.
Hermione hurried over, took one look at Ginny, and muttered,
Ginny managed to choke out before falling, sobbing, into his arms. He looked up at Hermione helplessly, unsure of what to do, and Hermione mouthed, pat her on the back!' He began to do so, tentatively, and Hermione's worried look slowly eased as Ron came over.
D'you reckon one of us should go for Dumbledore? Ron asked, looking nervously around at the bodies.
I don't know where his office is, Hermione told him. But yes, someone should go find him.
Ron suggested. I don't know where it is, either.
I'm kind of busy, Harry said, as Ginny's grip on him tightened. There's a stone gargoyle in an empty corridor on the second floor. Password's sherbert lemon'. . . or at least, it was.
Ron and Hermione both looked blank.
Oh, fine, Harry said, exasperated. Ginny, you can come with me, he said quickly as she clutched at him even tighter. You two make sure they stay there. He helped Ginny to her feet, and began slowly up to the castle. Ginny was still crying, so Harry carefully dabbed at her face with the sleeve of his robes.
Are you okay? he asked, supporting her as she stumbled.
she wailed, tears starting afresh. I was so frightened, Harry . . . and I was worried that you wouldn't find the note, and that he'd go to get you at midnight . . . they were talking all day, they kept me nearby, and he said that if you didn't show up he wasn't even going to give you a chance to live!
Harry soothed. It's all right, I've got you now. He helped her up the castle steps, seeing as she was very shaky on her feet, and opened the door for her. Did you see who he was?
He never took off his hood, Ginny sniffed, swiping at her eyes. My hands are all numb . . . he had me tied up all day.
Harry swore under his breath as he carefully examined her hand. Her fingers were purple and swelled, and there were deep welts on her wrist where the ropes had been. We'll get you to Madame Pomfrey as soon as this is over, he told her, supporting her up the marble staircase. She nodded weakly, stumbling a bit as he led her down a corridor.
Well, well, well. Harry jumped as a cold, oily voice came from the shadows nearby. Professor Snape slowly walked out from behind the gargoyle statue and stood facing them, a smirk plastered on his face. Out of bed after midnight? he sneered. Tut tut. We'll have to do something about this, won't we?
We need to see Professor Dumbledore, immediately, Harry interrupted him. It's a huge emergency, Professor, what's the pass--
Detention, I think, Snape said silkily, ignoring the fact that Harry was talking. Perhaps that will be a reminder to you to stay in your rooms at night.
Professor, you don't understand! Harry burst out. Will you please just listen to me?!
Follow me, please, Snape said, glaring at him. I'll need the detention notices, which are in my office. He started off down the corridor, motioning for them to follow him.
Sherbert lemon! Harry yelled in the general direction of the gargoyle. It remained motionless.
I believe I told you to follow me, Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, Snape barked.
I believe he told you that it is an emergency! Ginny shouted, letting go of Harry and wobbling a bit. She seemed to have finally reached the end of her temper. Snape began advancing towards her slowly, menacingly, but she continued: We need to see Professor Dumbledore right away. Something terrible has just happened, I have been tied up all day-- she brandished her torn-up wrists in his face --and I am going to curse you if you don't tell us the password! She whipped out her wand and pointed it directly at his face. Harry stared at her in astonishment. Snape froze.
You wouldn't dare harm me, Snape told her, his sneer wobbling a bit. I am a teacher, and I could have you expelled--
No, you couldn't, Ginny said calmly, because Professor Dumbledore will understand my reasoning. And I believe we have a very qualified nurse who I'm sure would be able to patch you up. Now tell us the password-- she waved the wand --or I will be forced to use a Truth-Telling Charm on you.
Snape glared at her huffily. I will be reporting you to Albus, he told her, but she merely nodded. The password is peppermint toad'. As he said that, the gargoyle leapt aside, and Harry and Ginny stepped up onto the revolving staircase. Snape was right behind them, muttering threats to them all the way up. Harry knocked on the door, and received a mutter of Just a moment.'
In a minute, Albus Dumbledore had opened his door.
Harry burst out, we need to talk to you. It's very urgent. Dumbledore took one look at the two of them and stood aside to usher them in.
Excuse us, won't you, Severus? Dumbledore asked, and closed the door practically in Snape's glowering face. What do you have to tell me? he asked Harry and Ginny, motioning for them to sit down.
There isn't time, Professor, Harry said urgently. Ron and Hermione are down at the lake, we need to go help them right away. We Stunned a whole group of Death Eaters--
Dumbledore immediately started towards his door, opened it with a, Please come with us, Severus, we'll need your assistance, and the four of them hurried down to the lake.
Over there, Harry said, pointing towards the clearing, and Dumbledore, moving so fast he appeared to be merely skimming the ground, started in that direction. They heard him mutter something as he stepped into the clearing. Snape was the next in, and he gasped and let go a strangled oath. Ginny was leaning on Harry again, breathing heavily, and he helped her over to where Dumbledore was standing.
Ron and Hermione visibly relaxed.
Thank goodness you're here, Professor, Hermione said to Dumbledore, completely ignoring Snape. I didn't know how much longer the spell would last . . .
Dumbledore moved over to one of the prone figures. Was this the leader? he asked softly. Hermione nodded. Dumbledore carefully turned the person over, and removed the hood.
Hermione gasped. Ginny screamed. Ron's mouth opened in a big O.
Harry felt as though he had turned to ice.
The figure was Draco Malfoy.
