Chapter 6: The Spy

To say that Ron's brothers were not happy would be incorrect. They were downright furious. They refused to speak to Ron and George took a sick day from practice that evening. However, to Harry's amazement, he was still determined to clear Fred's name.

The next day, Saturday, Harry and Hermione sat in the common room with Ron eating a lazy afternoon snack of nachos.

"Ok, so it's Malfoy," Ron said, rubbing his temples. 'Now how do we prove it?"

"Well, what we need is a whiteness, someone who saw Malfoy do it," Hermione suggested.

"Yeah, um, that'd be great, but since no one's come forward so far I'm guessing the only whiteness were Crab and Goyale."

"No way they'd turn Malfoy in," Harry said.

"Unless we gave them a reason to."

"Ron, that's ridiculous," Hermione lectured him. "There's no way they'd believe anything we said about Malfoy. I mean we'd have to have evidence, but the only people good at forging and counterfeiting and stuff who'd help us aren't speaking to you…I see," she said, noticing harry and Ron's grins.

"Yeah. We get Fred and George to help us with the promise that it'll clear Fred's name."

"Sounds good to me," Harry said.

Hermione sighed. "Ok, ok, I'll help."

"Great!" Ron said. "But until then, I've got a quittich match to prepare for!"

* * *

"Moo."

"Oom."

"Roar."

"Bark."

"Meow."

"Grrr."

Because Snape was taking an unexpected sick day potions class had become a study hall under the not so watchful eye of the substitute. However, only Hermione had taken advantage of the time to do homework. The rest of the students were trying not to die from boredom.

"Ok, guys, lets cut the crap," Harry said. "There's gotta be something better to do."

"Cards anyone?" A few people shot annoyed looks at Neville, who shrugged.

"So, Weasley, I hear you're the new beater," Malfoy said. Ron cringed but stood his ground.

"Yeah, that's right. Why, you worried I'm gonna smack a bludger your way?" A few people giggled.

"You wish!" Malfoy scoffed. "I have better things to do than sit around talking to you."

"Yeah, then go do them," Ron shot back. Malfoy spun on his heel and sat down in his chair, all eyes on him. A chorus of laughter broke out among the students as Malfoy found nothing to do besides convert oxygen to carbon dioxide.

"Now, now, class, settle down," the sub called weakly. The students obediently took their seats. Harry slapped Ron a quiet high five under the desk. Harry suddenly felt someone's gaze burning into the back of his neck. He slowly turned and met Malfoy's blazing eyes.

"You," he mouthed, pointing at Harry, "dead!" and he drew his finger across his throat. Harry swallowed tightly and suddenly realized that his scar was burning.

"Hey, 'Minone, you doing anything tonight?" Harry asked his girlfriend as they left potions a little while later.

"No, why?"

"Wanna go out?"

"Sure! I'll meet you outside by Hagrid's, 7:30ish?"

"Ok. We can go for a walk or something."

"Sounds great! See you then!" Hermione gave harry a quick kiss and dashed off to her next class.

"I'll tell Hermione a bout my scar later," he decided. It felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was still somewhat perturbed, though. Whenever his scar burned it meant danger was near.

That evening Ron and Harry were finishing dinner in the Great Hall when Harry told him about his scar.

"Harry, you gotta tell Dumbledore. It's always meant that You-Know-Who is near, and with him on the loose now you don't wanna take any chances. I'll go with you when we're done if you want."

"Nah, I better go now if I'm gonna catch him," Harry said. "I'm meeting Hermione in half and hour."

"Okay. Catcha later," Ron said, reaching for a drumstick as Harry got up and left.

"Ok, so I'll just tell him that it was bothering me...oh, I sound like such a baby! Still, Ron's right…it's always that meant Voldamort was near…" Suddenly harry looked up and realized he was at Dumbledore's office.

"Professor?" He called, knocking on the stone door.

"Harry? Is that you? Come right in." The door magically slid open and Harry walked inside.

"Now, how can I help you today, Harry?" The old man looked wiser than ever; his white beard had grown several inches over the summer and his wrinkles had deepened. Harry suddenly felt like a two-year old crying about a skinned knee.

"Harry? Are you all right?" Dumbledore's deep voice snapped Harry out of his thoughts.

"Ah, yes, Professor. My scar-it was hurting." Dumbledore's kind smile was wiped away at once and replaced with a worried frown.

"Harry-are you sure?" He nodded.

"Well, then, if you'll excuse me, I must see someone." Harry nodded and turned to leave, but he was smacked in the head with the door and was knocked to the ground.

"PROFESSOR!!!!" they yelled in a shrill voice.

"My dear man, what on Earth is wrong?"

"The…Lord…Hogwarts…"

"Now, now, Serverus, take a deep breath." Serverus! Harry groaned and opened his eyes. Snape was frantically shaking the professor, his hair astray and his clothing torn.

Snape took a few minutes to catch his breath then spoke.

"As you know I was meeting with You-Know-Who, waiting for him to fill me in on his plan." He paused for a breath, then went on, not aware of Harry cowering in the corner, nursing his bruised head.

"Well, he's planning an attack all right. Tomorrow night at 8:00 sharp Voldemort is brining his army of dementors and God knows what else here to the school!" Harry gasped and Snape whirled around.

"POTTER!!!!!"

"Serverus, leave him be," Dumbledore said calmly. "Harry, please go back to class. Quietly," he added sternly. Harry nodded and ran off but he had no intention of keeping quiet. His peers had the right to know that their lives were in danger.

Hermione! He came to an abrupt halt. She was waiting outside for him! And with Voldemort on the loose she was in grave danger.

Harry spun around and raced out onto the grounds.

"Hermione!" he called. "Hey 'Mione!" She was no where in sight. Just as Harry began to panic he heard her muffled voice and what sounded like a struggle in the bushes to his left. He darted over just in time to see her shoes disappear into the forest in the arms a large robed man.

"Hey, you, stop!" Harry shouted. He suddenly wished he hadn't.

Hermione's kidnapper slowly turned and bore his deep red eyes into Harry, who nearly fainted from shock and fright. Voldemort flashed Harry one last victorious grin before fading into the forest.