Disclaimer: See Chapter 32
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Chapter 35: For a Better Tomorrow
Leaving Hermione behind with Cho and Parvati, Harry treaded up the path that his friends had made earlier with a singular thought going through his mind: exact revenge on Percy.
Lighting up his wand to illuminate the dark passageway, it suddenly occurred to him that he had no idea where to go. Percy wanted to get his hands on something badly but where and what would it be?
The question of where would be solved easily if he had the Marauder's map and he mentally slapped himself for hastily departing from the chamber without preparing but he could remedy that easily.
He held up his wand in the air and said, "Accio Marauder's map."
Putting his free hand out to wait for the map to come, his mind wandered back to the fight with Radu in the chamber. Was there really any chance that he could have saved Cho? He knew the answer to that one: no. Cho was dead now and there was no bringing her back, not to mention that he could find no comfort in her last words thanking him for bringing her happiness. Hadn't he promised her during the Valentine's dance that he would protect her happiness? Some hero he was. Perhaps it would have been better if he had gotten impaled on that sword instead and in some ways, he supposed he did.
The sound of paper ruffling flying through the air caught his attention and moments later, he felt the roll of rigid paper in his hand.
Putting his wand in his mouth, he unrolled it to find that Hermione had not gotten the chance to dispel its magic and so the entire layout of the castle was visible before his eyes.
A red X with the name Percy Weasley under it was moving around on the floor just above him and there were also several black Xs moving towards the red X with the names of the professors under them. Sepet was in the lead followed closely by what appeared to be Dumbledore.
The floor just above him contained the dungeons but why would Percy be there? Only Snape's classroom, Walter's office and Sepet's chamber were on that level - there was nothing of value on that floor. Unless of course, Percy was trying to get at the Mirror of Malikith.
*Yes, that has to be it * Harry thought to himself. Percy had been babbling on about securing the future and with that mirror in Voldemort's hands, he could predict everything that the Order (or anyone who opposed him for that matter) were going to do. If he hurried, he could catch Percy before the professors arrived.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Looking at the map, Harry briskly walked up the slope that led to the dungeons but as he turned the corner, he noticed that the layout of the castle had changed. Instead of opening into a long hallway as his map indicated a few seconds ago, a solid wall stood in place before him. However there was a steep incline sloping upwards off to his right.
Following this new opening, Harry meandered through a maze of stairs and passageways; he came to a wooden wall with no apparent knobs or handles. Deciding to push against the wall, he discovered that it opened easily and he found himself in Sepet's office.
Stepping into it, he saw that the wooden wall had been the back of the large mirror that was placed on the wall.
Now that he was on the right floor, Harry hastily made to open the door and ran to where Walter's office was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As he neared his destination, Harry saw that the door to Walter's office was left wide open. Wand at the ready, he took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves while putting away the map and went in.
Peaking into Walter's office Harry quickly recognized Percy's figure standing in front of the mirror with his wand pointed at it.
"Reducio," Percy said flatly.
A beam shot forth from his wand and struck the mirror in the centre. The mirror began to shrink in size and so Harry decided it was best to enter now before Percy got away.
"Hold it right there Percy," Harry ordered with his wand pointed at Percy.
"Harry Potter," Percy sneered and he whirled around, levelling his wand at him. "You're alive. This IS indeed a surprise."
Harry didn't reply, deciding to let his wand do the talking.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled and a silver bolt of light propelled itself towards Percy.
Percy dodged out of the way and let lose the Cruciatus curse.
Harry cast a shielding charm and the curse was reflected back at Percy who imitated Harry with his own shielding charm.
Glancing back at the mirror behind him, Percy saw that it had now shrunk to the size of a peanut. He grabbed it off the wall and shoved it into his pocket.
"I'd love to stay and play with you but my master calls," said Percy with a sinister grin.
Percy stuck his hand in his other pocket and disappeared in front of an increasingly frustrated Harry just as Dumbledore entered the room with Sepet and Professor McGonagall.
"I think there are three students in a secluded chamber that need help getting out," Dumbledore told McGonagall just as Professor Snape entered the room.
"Severus, come," McGonagall told him.
Snape gave her a look of annoyance but when she ignored it, he followed the Deputy Headmistress out of the office.
"This is indeed very tragic," Dumbledore said, quietly addressing Harry. "I must apologize for not being around much this year. Perhaps if I had offered you some advice or some other form of help, this might have been averted."
Harry merely stared at the now empty wall ahead of him, not wanting to look at Dumbledore.
"I'm afraid that it is my fault Headmaster," Sepet interrupted, hoping to take the blame for himself. "I failed to carry out my duties as agreed upon. I believe I deserve nothing less than death."
"That will not be necessary Vladimir," Dumbledore replied. "You have done quite enough this year and your help as been invaluable."
"But - " Sepet began to protest but was silenced by a wave of Dumbledore's hand.
Harry finally broke his silence, deciding to ask one question that was going on in his mind. "Why?"
"Why?" Dumbledore repeated, raising his spectacles. "Harry, I believe that everything in life has a reason behind it and this case is no exception. Why Percy Weasley misled us and ultimately betrayed us, that is what happens when one puts himself over others. Why Miss Chang had to die? I think the best way to answer that question would be to give you a chance to, not only understand how you have touched others with your bravery and selflessness but to also open your eyes to the hardships and trials ahead. Maybe it will even lead to something better."
Although Dumbledore meant well, Harry had a hard time finding comfort in his words but there were more questions to be answered.
"What of Walter's betrayal?" Harry questioned. "Why did he turn and why did you have to leave us?"
"To the first question, I'm afraid I cannot answer it at the moment but you will get your answer in due time. As for the second question I can only say this. You must know that although we have the Order behind us and perhaps the support of the members of the wizarding community, our enemies are numerous and if certain events did not take place, our position would be weakened. My capture would be one of those."
"I still don't understand sir," Harry replied.
"I had to leave because it would prepare everyone for the possible future where I may not be around to help you," Dumbledore clarified. "In my absence, you have proven yourselves to be worthy over and over again and have helped each other grow stronger. In doing so, should such an event occur where I will not be around anymore, you have ensured that the wizarding world will always have strength to fight against the darkness that threatens it."
"My, old age does begin to catch up on me," Dumbledore said, chuckling as he made his way over to Walter's desk so that he could sit down. "Please have a seat Harry if you have anymore questions."
Sepet moved to stand by the door and Harry sat down in the chair across from Dumbledore.
"That mirror," said Harry. "It showed Hermione and me the future while we were in Professor Sepet's castle. Voldemort will be able to predict everything we do now, is there any way we can defeat him?"
If Harry was expecting Dumbledore to look troubled, he would be sorely disappointed because the headmaster's lips tugged upwards into a smile.
"Life is what you make of it Harry," Dumbledore told him. "Think of it like a game of chess - everyone starts off with the same thing but what you do with your time is up to you. Granted, some things in life are left to chance but as you get older, more and more of your decisions will be decided by experience rather than luck. This is no exception. A mirror may be able to show Voldemort the future but what he decides to do with his time between now and the future he sees is up to him."
At that point, Hermione and a now revived Ron entered the room.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore greeted them warmly. "Glad to see that you are alive and well. I was just about to leave since I believe that Harry has no more questions for me."
Dumbledore rose from his chair and began to walk towards the door. Hermione and Ron glanced at Harry, both of them worried about their friend.
"Good night Miss Granger - Mr. Potter - Mr. Weasley," Sepet said with a slight bow and with his cape flowing behind him, he followed the Headmaster out of the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione dared to ask when the two adults had left the room.
Harry didn't bother to acknowledge her but merely stared at the wall.
Ron began to move towards Harry but Hermione held him back, shaking her head at him.
"Let me go to him," Hermione whispered to Ron and she slowly approached Harry.
She pulled up the spare chair in the room and turned it so that she could sit in it and face him. "I'm sorry Harry. I did my best but her injuries were too much for my healing spells. I know you wanted to protect Cho but in the end she thought that it was better if you lived."
"What if it is you or Ron next time?" Harry asked with a look of irritation. "What if it is one of you two?"
"Harry, we're your friends and if you think we're going to leave you just because you think that we'll get killed you're an idiot," Ron added harshly.
Hermione cringed at Ron's tone because not only did Harry become visibly angered, he basically resorted to screaming his lungs out at them. "IDIOT!? YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN CEDRIC DIED! WHO RESCUED GINNY FROM VOLDEMORT!? WHO HAD TO SUFFER THROUGH SLEEPLESS NIGHTS DREAMING OF NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARES!? ME! Don't you DARE call me an idiot Ron - you haven't the slightest idea of what I've been going through for the past four years."
After that outburst, Hermione was saddened by her friend's plight but she did the only thing she thought would help. If words didn't help, perhaps actions would.
Not saying anything to him, Hermione wrapped her arms around him and pulled him towards her in a hug - an action which she hoped would bring him to his senses as well as comfort him.
Ron made to leave but Hermione got his attention, telling him to stay. Grunting to himself, Ron stood where he was and watched his two friends intently.
It was a while before Harry distinctly relaxed and he raised a hand to touch Hermione's arm that was wrapped around the front of his chest.
"Thanks you two," Harry said quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The end of the term feast was a little unnerving for Harry but he was grateful to his friends and even Neville for getting the other students off his back. Too many questions from the other students about Cho were making him angry with them. None of them would ever understand since they weren't there.
Like last year, the hall was decorated in the same manner that it was for Cedric's death but this time it would be in remembrance of Cho Chang.
Dumbledore was sitting in his usual chair for the feast which was a relief so perhaps not all of the news was entirely bad. At least with him in charge, Hogwarts would be a lot safer than it had been over the past few months.
Professor Snape was talking with Professor Sepet - something a little out of the ordinary because Snape didn't take a liking to the vampire - but it was probably more for business rather than out of friendship. Whether or not Snape had friends; that was something Harry wondered about.
The sound of metal on metal was heard from the Teacher's table as McGonagall used a knife to tap on her goblet to get everyone's attention.
Announcing Dumbledore's return to the students, McGonagall resumed her seat and the Headmaster stood up to give his end of the year speech.
"For the fifth year students, I congratulate you on having survived your O.W.L. exams and I would go into more detail why they are necessary but I believe I would be boring you with that. However, there are other matters which I would like to address," Dumbledore said. "The first would be Cho Chang. Like Cedric Diggory last year, she has given her life for what she believed in and I hope that you will not let her sacrifice be in vain. In my absence, I appreciate that you have shown Professor McGonagall the same respect that you have given me and I request that you do the same with your fellow students regardless of what house they are in. The years to come will challenge you with many, many hardships and I have the utmost confidence that you will overcome them. Grow stronger with your studies, grow stronger in your friendships because they will equip you with the tools necessary to fight the battles to come."
The students began to applaud loudly for Dumbledore with the exception of Malfoy. Dumbledore then took his seat and raised his glass at Harry.
Harry followed suit and the two drank from it in mutual understanding.
Collin Creevy was now running around with his camera, snapping pictures of the students.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Ginny asked him seeing that he was not entirely happy.
"I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks Ginny," Harry replied truthfully. As much as Cho was gone now, Hermione and Ron had done their best to cheer him up and he appreciated it a lot. Sirius had also sent him a letter the day before, expressing his condolences.
It was always a relief to see that his friends and remaining family were around to support him but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that Dumbledore was leaving out some of the more obvious things. Percy had escaped meaning that Fudge would still be under his control. Would that mean that the Ministry of Magic could come after everyone here as well? Most likely but should that happen, he hoped that they wouldn't be able to do much.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
On the morning of their departure to King's Cross station, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were loading their baggage onto their train when a horseless carriage drew up to the station, catching the attention of some of the other students.
Everything about the carriage appeared normal except for the late arrival, very odd indeed but they dismissed it as a student being late. However they were puzzled when the door opened and Professor Sepet stepped out onto the platform dressed in his black hooded cloak.
His head turned from left to right as he scanned the students in front of him, apparently looking for someone and Harry had a pretty good guess that Sepet was looking for him.
"Harry," said Hermione as they were about to board the train. "I think Sepet wants to talk to you."
Harry paused for a moment on the stairs and glanced down at Hermione only to board the train without a word.
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Hermione boarded the train after her friend with Ron and Ginny close behind.
"HARRY!" Hermione called his name, running towards him in the narrow corridor until he whirled about on her and glared.
"What?" Harry hissed through his clenched teeth. "I don't want to talk to Sepet. Now let's go find a compartment."
Hermione shook her head to herself and quietly followed behind him.
"He must still be upset," Harry heard Ron whisper to Hermione. "I think it's a good idea not to talk to him until he calms down."
Ignoring what his friend was saying behind his back, Harry went all the way to the last compartment, thinking that it was empty but when he opened the door, Sepet's hooded figure was already sitting in the seat closest to the window.
"Well Mr. Potter, are you going to keep running or are you going to have a seat?" Sepet asked him.
Harry silently sat down across from Sepet while Ron, Hermione and Ginny filled up the rest of the seat with Hermione sitting next to Harry.
"I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend but I'm fairly certain you still have unanswered questions. To those questions, I believe I have the answers so if you would like, ask away," said the Count.
Harry merely stared out the window in thought but Hermione began to question Sepet.
"You're not staying for another year, are you?" she asked.
"Unfortunately not," Sepet replied, his hood moving slightly as he shook his head. "I must report back to my superiors and tell them all that I've seen here."
"So much for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position," Hermione muttered to herself, "That's two teachers we've lost this year."
"Not to mention one friend that I'll need to replace somehow," Sepet said, pulling a timepiece out of his pocket and checking it for the time.
The last statement intrigued Harry and so, turning his head so that he was looking straight at the Count, he asked him, "Does that mean you'll go after Walter?"
Although it was too dark to see under his hood, Harry had a feeling that Sepet was genuinely smiling. "If anyone goes after him, it will be me but I have a feeling that I won't need to."
"Why's that?"
"You'll probably figure that out soon enough Mr. Potter," came the evasive reply.
"There's one thing that's missing though," Ron added after remaining silent the entire time. "What about the mirror?"
"What does my traitorous brother need with it?" Ron questioned angrily.
Sepet let out a brief laugh. "I can assure you that mirror is useless to him."
"Why would that be?"
The Count reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple amethyst stone. "This is why."
Hermione was the first to realize what Sepet's actions meant. "That stone powers the mirror and without it, the mirror won't work. Harry and I found that in a stone gargoyle in Sepet's castle and used it to activate the mirror."
"Very good Miss Granger," Sepet stated while leaning over a bit to see what was coming up ahead. "After Walter switched sides, I thought they might come after the mirror and so I took the liberty of removing the stone powering it. That way even if they stole it, it would be useless to them."
"What about Baron Radu? How come you two weren't on the same side?"
Sepet scoffed at the mention of the Baron's name. "We vampires have our own little kingdom that is kept hidden from the eyes of even the wizarding world. Our society has its own hierarchy similar to that of the muggles in the Middle Ages. Naturally the older the vampire is, the higher the rank you are given but that's not important. What is important is that the elders have decided to side against Voldemort."
"What made you decide that?" Harry asked in wonderment. "Wouldn't it be more profitable for you to side with him?"
"That's what some of us believe, those like Baron Radu but what they don't realize is that Voldemort has an intense hatred for those who aren't purebloods," Sepet explained. "This would include centaurs, giants, werewolves, muggles, and to some extent, even vampires. Now, vampires need blood to survive but only the blood of humans has been found to replenish our strength. If Voldemort cleansed the world of muggles, we vampires would be hunted next because we would be forced to feed upon the purebloods to keep our strength. In other words, we would eventually have to fight each other in the end and so, why bother to help him when it would only lead to our extinction?"
"There is one thing that I still don't understand," said Hermione, interrupting the Count. "If you need human blood to survive, how come you haven't attacked a single student at the school?"
The Count laughed to himself. "The answer to that would be a little ingenious concept that Dumbledore came up with. Each time a student was attacked by Radu, his or her blood had to be replaced completely in order to prevent him or her from becoming a vampire. Why let that blood go to waste? Dumbledore had Madam Pomfrey store that blood and it was given to me as payment for my services but unfortunately, that supply didn't last very long and so she had to resort to paying me with her regular stores of medical blood."
"At least we know why Walter was getting that flask from Madam Pomfrey," Harry murmured.
"Well, I believe I will be leaving soon but there is one more thing I would like to do before I leave," Sepet said, reaching into his pocket again.
When he withdrew his hand, Harry saw that there were two envelopes; one with his name on it and the other with Hermione's. He handed them to Harry and Hermione and told them to open it.
Flipping it over, Harry noticed a seal with the letter A on it. "What is this?"
"A friend of mine invited me to a dinner party at his estate over the summer," Sepet explained. "Since I'll be returning to Romania, I hope that you'll take my place. The other invitation would have been for Ruby but again, I won't be going. Go ahead and open them."
Harry gave Sepet a puzzling look. Did the Count actually have feelings for his water guardian? That would really be something interesting indeed but he opened up the envelope and found a piece of parchment folded into thirds. Unfolding it, he read it to himself while the other three students huddled around him to take a look at it.
It read:
To Harry Potter:
Your presence is required at the dinner party held at my estate on July thirty-first in the year one thousand, nine hundred and ninety six at six o'clock in the evening.
Please arrive in your dress robes and preferably with a lady friend. The other invitation is for her.
Your host,
Lord Alton
*Another wizard with a rank of some sort* Harry thought to himself. *Maybe a vampire..Either they all have connections or he's another member of the international ministry.*
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Sepet stood up and opened the window all the way, letting a pleasant breeze into the compartment.
"The party is supposed to be for purebloods only so don't look so glum Mr. Weasley," Sepet said to Ron, noticing the disappointed look on his face when he had resumed his seat. "Your father should be receiving a group for each person in your family."
"But if the party is for purebloods, why should we go?" Hermione asked with concern. "I don't think we'll be welcome there, especially if the Malfoys are going to be there too."
"I informed him that you two would be attending in my stead," Sepet said, leaning back into his seat as the train passed through a tunnel, darkening the compartment. "He'll make sure that they won't bother you - you have my word on that one."
The four inhabitants of the compartment suddenly heard wings beating the air in front of them as hundreds of bats took flight out the open window and when the train had cleared the tunnel, brining back a stream of sunlight though the glass, nothing but an empty cloak remained in the seat.
"He's gone," Ginny Weasley whispered in awe.
"As you four should be," said a voice from the compartment door followed by two gruff laughs. "Nuisances the lot of you are."
They turned their heads to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle looking straight at them. He probably heard everything Sepet had told them moments before and therefore didn't look too thrilled.
"I can't believe that I'll be seeing mudblood and the family of Weasels at the party," Malfoy said disgustedly.
"No one said you had to come Malfoy," Hermione shot back.
"Perhaps not but I think I will," Draco said haughtily. "After all, every pureblood in the wizarding world will be there. That bothersome professor won't be there and so it'll be YOU who will be unwelcome."
Ron made a move against Malfoy but Ginny stopped him. She then strode up to Malfoy and much to the boys' amusement; she slapped him twice, once on each cheek. Ginny wheeled around and sat back down with a satisfied smile on her face while Hermione broke into laughter.
"Just watch it Weasel girl," Malfoy said threateningly. "Your brothers won't always be around to protect you."
Shutting the door behind him, they could hear three pairs of feet pattering away from their compartment, leaving them in peace.
"Don't listen to him Ginny," said Harry reassuringly. "I'm fairly certain that Sepet will take good care of us and even if he doesn't, Dumbledore will see to it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up until the train arrived at King's Cross station, the four students discussed everything they had planned for the summer, including what they should do about the dinner party, over a game of exploding snap.
Inwardly, Harry wasn't looking forward to going back to the Dursleys; in fact he dreaded it but perhaps the dinner party would be an excuse to leave and go somewhere else.
As soon as they disembarked, they loaded up their carts and headed over to the portal that would take them back to the muggle world.
"Back to those awful muggles eh Harry?" Ron asked him.
"Yeah," Harry said gloomily. "A month with them will be absolutely horrifying."
"Don't worry Harry," Hermione said cheerfully. "We'll write to you everyday and I'm sure Sirius won't let them do anything horrible too you."
"Ronald! Ginny!" they heard Mrs. Weasley call from the platform.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Ron said, putting out his hand to shake Harry's. "Take care mate."
"You too Ron," Harry replied with a grin as he grasped his friend's hand and shook it. "See you in a month."
Hermione went over and pecked Ron on the cheek. "Bye Ron."
"Bye Hermione," said a blushing Ron as he pushed his cart over to his parents with Ginny following behind.
Once Ron had left them, Harry and Hermione pushed their cart to the portal and returned to the muggle world.
"Your turn Harry," Hermione said once they had cleared the portal and she enveloped him in a tight hug which he returned happily.
She then pulled back slightly and kissed him on the cheek as well. "Don't tell Ron, I'm sure he'll be jealous."
Harry gave her a look of bewilderment but at the same time, his own spirits were lifted and as he looked after his friend who was now returning to her parents, he felt that a month at the Dursleys had just become more bearable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: The end! I didn't expect to get so many reviews for this fic but I guess that's a pleasant surprise. The responses to all the reviews are in the next page along with the credits but..
First, to all the flamers (2 of them):
Zeus: Thank you very much for your flame. If you hadn't flamed me, I don't think I would have gotten as many reviews as I did. Unlike the second flamer, at least you used proper diction and English grammar.
Chineseboy13: I quote from what you posted on your review: "i don't think i'm going to read any of your story every again. the chapter i have hate and hope that you stop writing these."
First, learn proper diction (and learn how to type). Second, I don't understand what the hell you were trying to tell me, please learn how to speak English (I don't think the smartest person on earth could understand what you were trying to say). Third, you flamed me for the chapter where I killed Cho. Either you really liked the H/Cho or you hated something else, not quite sure with your crappy English so unless you tell me what you disliked in correct English please, I can't fix it (if it is fixable).
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Chapter 35: For a Better Tomorrow
Leaving Hermione behind with Cho and Parvati, Harry treaded up the path that his friends had made earlier with a singular thought going through his mind: exact revenge on Percy.
Lighting up his wand to illuminate the dark passageway, it suddenly occurred to him that he had no idea where to go. Percy wanted to get his hands on something badly but where and what would it be?
The question of where would be solved easily if he had the Marauder's map and he mentally slapped himself for hastily departing from the chamber without preparing but he could remedy that easily.
He held up his wand in the air and said, "Accio Marauder's map."
Putting his free hand out to wait for the map to come, his mind wandered back to the fight with Radu in the chamber. Was there really any chance that he could have saved Cho? He knew the answer to that one: no. Cho was dead now and there was no bringing her back, not to mention that he could find no comfort in her last words thanking him for bringing her happiness. Hadn't he promised her during the Valentine's dance that he would protect her happiness? Some hero he was. Perhaps it would have been better if he had gotten impaled on that sword instead and in some ways, he supposed he did.
The sound of paper ruffling flying through the air caught his attention and moments later, he felt the roll of rigid paper in his hand.
Putting his wand in his mouth, he unrolled it to find that Hermione had not gotten the chance to dispel its magic and so the entire layout of the castle was visible before his eyes.
A red X with the name Percy Weasley under it was moving around on the floor just above him and there were also several black Xs moving towards the red X with the names of the professors under them. Sepet was in the lead followed closely by what appeared to be Dumbledore.
The floor just above him contained the dungeons but why would Percy be there? Only Snape's classroom, Walter's office and Sepet's chamber were on that level - there was nothing of value on that floor. Unless of course, Percy was trying to get at the Mirror of Malikith.
*Yes, that has to be it * Harry thought to himself. Percy had been babbling on about securing the future and with that mirror in Voldemort's hands, he could predict everything that the Order (or anyone who opposed him for that matter) were going to do. If he hurried, he could catch Percy before the professors arrived.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Looking at the map, Harry briskly walked up the slope that led to the dungeons but as he turned the corner, he noticed that the layout of the castle had changed. Instead of opening into a long hallway as his map indicated a few seconds ago, a solid wall stood in place before him. However there was a steep incline sloping upwards off to his right.
Following this new opening, Harry meandered through a maze of stairs and passageways; he came to a wooden wall with no apparent knobs or handles. Deciding to push against the wall, he discovered that it opened easily and he found himself in Sepet's office.
Stepping into it, he saw that the wooden wall had been the back of the large mirror that was placed on the wall.
Now that he was on the right floor, Harry hastily made to open the door and ran to where Walter's office was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As he neared his destination, Harry saw that the door to Walter's office was left wide open. Wand at the ready, he took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves while putting away the map and went in.
Peaking into Walter's office Harry quickly recognized Percy's figure standing in front of the mirror with his wand pointed at it.
"Reducio," Percy said flatly.
A beam shot forth from his wand and struck the mirror in the centre. The mirror began to shrink in size and so Harry decided it was best to enter now before Percy got away.
"Hold it right there Percy," Harry ordered with his wand pointed at Percy.
"Harry Potter," Percy sneered and he whirled around, levelling his wand at him. "You're alive. This IS indeed a surprise."
Harry didn't reply, deciding to let his wand do the talking.
"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled and a silver bolt of light propelled itself towards Percy.
Percy dodged out of the way and let lose the Cruciatus curse.
Harry cast a shielding charm and the curse was reflected back at Percy who imitated Harry with his own shielding charm.
Glancing back at the mirror behind him, Percy saw that it had now shrunk to the size of a peanut. He grabbed it off the wall and shoved it into his pocket.
"I'd love to stay and play with you but my master calls," said Percy with a sinister grin.
Percy stuck his hand in his other pocket and disappeared in front of an increasingly frustrated Harry just as Dumbledore entered the room with Sepet and Professor McGonagall.
"I think there are three students in a secluded chamber that need help getting out," Dumbledore told McGonagall just as Professor Snape entered the room.
"Severus, come," McGonagall told him.
Snape gave her a look of annoyance but when she ignored it, he followed the Deputy Headmistress out of the office.
"This is indeed very tragic," Dumbledore said, quietly addressing Harry. "I must apologize for not being around much this year. Perhaps if I had offered you some advice or some other form of help, this might have been averted."
Harry merely stared at the now empty wall ahead of him, not wanting to look at Dumbledore.
"I'm afraid that it is my fault Headmaster," Sepet interrupted, hoping to take the blame for himself. "I failed to carry out my duties as agreed upon. I believe I deserve nothing less than death."
"That will not be necessary Vladimir," Dumbledore replied. "You have done quite enough this year and your help as been invaluable."
"But - " Sepet began to protest but was silenced by a wave of Dumbledore's hand.
Harry finally broke his silence, deciding to ask one question that was going on in his mind. "Why?"
"Why?" Dumbledore repeated, raising his spectacles. "Harry, I believe that everything in life has a reason behind it and this case is no exception. Why Percy Weasley misled us and ultimately betrayed us, that is what happens when one puts himself over others. Why Miss Chang had to die? I think the best way to answer that question would be to give you a chance to, not only understand how you have touched others with your bravery and selflessness but to also open your eyes to the hardships and trials ahead. Maybe it will even lead to something better."
Although Dumbledore meant well, Harry had a hard time finding comfort in his words but there were more questions to be answered.
"What of Walter's betrayal?" Harry questioned. "Why did he turn and why did you have to leave us?"
"To the first question, I'm afraid I cannot answer it at the moment but you will get your answer in due time. As for the second question I can only say this. You must know that although we have the Order behind us and perhaps the support of the members of the wizarding community, our enemies are numerous and if certain events did not take place, our position would be weakened. My capture would be one of those."
"I still don't understand sir," Harry replied.
"I had to leave because it would prepare everyone for the possible future where I may not be around to help you," Dumbledore clarified. "In my absence, you have proven yourselves to be worthy over and over again and have helped each other grow stronger. In doing so, should such an event occur where I will not be around anymore, you have ensured that the wizarding world will always have strength to fight against the darkness that threatens it."
"My, old age does begin to catch up on me," Dumbledore said, chuckling as he made his way over to Walter's desk so that he could sit down. "Please have a seat Harry if you have anymore questions."
Sepet moved to stand by the door and Harry sat down in the chair across from Dumbledore.
"That mirror," said Harry. "It showed Hermione and me the future while we were in Professor Sepet's castle. Voldemort will be able to predict everything we do now, is there any way we can defeat him?"
If Harry was expecting Dumbledore to look troubled, he would be sorely disappointed because the headmaster's lips tugged upwards into a smile.
"Life is what you make of it Harry," Dumbledore told him. "Think of it like a game of chess - everyone starts off with the same thing but what you do with your time is up to you. Granted, some things in life are left to chance but as you get older, more and more of your decisions will be decided by experience rather than luck. This is no exception. A mirror may be able to show Voldemort the future but what he decides to do with his time between now and the future he sees is up to him."
At that point, Hermione and a now revived Ron entered the room.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore greeted them warmly. "Glad to see that you are alive and well. I was just about to leave since I believe that Harry has no more questions for me."
Dumbledore rose from his chair and began to walk towards the door. Hermione and Ron glanced at Harry, both of them worried about their friend.
"Good night Miss Granger - Mr. Potter - Mr. Weasley," Sepet said with a slight bow and with his cape flowing behind him, he followed the Headmaster out of the room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione dared to ask when the two adults had left the room.
Harry didn't bother to acknowledge her but merely stared at the wall.
Ron began to move towards Harry but Hermione held him back, shaking her head at him.
"Let me go to him," Hermione whispered to Ron and she slowly approached Harry.
She pulled up the spare chair in the room and turned it so that she could sit in it and face him. "I'm sorry Harry. I did my best but her injuries were too much for my healing spells. I know you wanted to protect Cho but in the end she thought that it was better if you lived."
"What if it is you or Ron next time?" Harry asked with a look of irritation. "What if it is one of you two?"
"Harry, we're your friends and if you think we're going to leave you just because you think that we'll get killed you're an idiot," Ron added harshly.
Hermione cringed at Ron's tone because not only did Harry become visibly angered, he basically resorted to screaming his lungs out at them. "IDIOT!? YOU WEREN'T THERE WHEN CEDRIC DIED! WHO RESCUED GINNY FROM VOLDEMORT!? WHO HAD TO SUFFER THROUGH SLEEPLESS NIGHTS DREAMING OF NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARES!? ME! Don't you DARE call me an idiot Ron - you haven't the slightest idea of what I've been going through for the past four years."
After that outburst, Hermione was saddened by her friend's plight but she did the only thing she thought would help. If words didn't help, perhaps actions would.
Not saying anything to him, Hermione wrapped her arms around him and pulled him towards her in a hug - an action which she hoped would bring him to his senses as well as comfort him.
Ron made to leave but Hermione got his attention, telling him to stay. Grunting to himself, Ron stood where he was and watched his two friends intently.
It was a while before Harry distinctly relaxed and he raised a hand to touch Hermione's arm that was wrapped around the front of his chest.
"Thanks you two," Harry said quietly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The end of the term feast was a little unnerving for Harry but he was grateful to his friends and even Neville for getting the other students off his back. Too many questions from the other students about Cho were making him angry with them. None of them would ever understand since they weren't there.
Like last year, the hall was decorated in the same manner that it was for Cedric's death but this time it would be in remembrance of Cho Chang.
Dumbledore was sitting in his usual chair for the feast which was a relief so perhaps not all of the news was entirely bad. At least with him in charge, Hogwarts would be a lot safer than it had been over the past few months.
Professor Snape was talking with Professor Sepet - something a little out of the ordinary because Snape didn't take a liking to the vampire - but it was probably more for business rather than out of friendship. Whether or not Snape had friends; that was something Harry wondered about.
The sound of metal on metal was heard from the Teacher's table as McGonagall used a knife to tap on her goblet to get everyone's attention.
Announcing Dumbledore's return to the students, McGonagall resumed her seat and the Headmaster stood up to give his end of the year speech.
"For the fifth year students, I congratulate you on having survived your O.W.L. exams and I would go into more detail why they are necessary but I believe I would be boring you with that. However, there are other matters which I would like to address," Dumbledore said. "The first would be Cho Chang. Like Cedric Diggory last year, she has given her life for what she believed in and I hope that you will not let her sacrifice be in vain. In my absence, I appreciate that you have shown Professor McGonagall the same respect that you have given me and I request that you do the same with your fellow students regardless of what house they are in. The years to come will challenge you with many, many hardships and I have the utmost confidence that you will overcome them. Grow stronger with your studies, grow stronger in your friendships because they will equip you with the tools necessary to fight the battles to come."
The students began to applaud loudly for Dumbledore with the exception of Malfoy. Dumbledore then took his seat and raised his glass at Harry.
Harry followed suit and the two drank from it in mutual understanding.
Collin Creevy was now running around with his camera, snapping pictures of the students.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Ginny asked him seeing that he was not entirely happy.
"I'm feeling a lot better now, thanks Ginny," Harry replied truthfully. As much as Cho was gone now, Hermione and Ron had done their best to cheer him up and he appreciated it a lot. Sirius had also sent him a letter the day before, expressing his condolences.
It was always a relief to see that his friends and remaining family were around to support him but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that Dumbledore was leaving out some of the more obvious things. Percy had escaped meaning that Fudge would still be under his control. Would that mean that the Ministry of Magic could come after everyone here as well? Most likely but should that happen, he hoped that they wouldn't be able to do much.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
On the morning of their departure to King's Cross station, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were loading their baggage onto their train when a horseless carriage drew up to the station, catching the attention of some of the other students.
Everything about the carriage appeared normal except for the late arrival, very odd indeed but they dismissed it as a student being late. However they were puzzled when the door opened and Professor Sepet stepped out onto the platform dressed in his black hooded cloak.
His head turned from left to right as he scanned the students in front of him, apparently looking for someone and Harry had a pretty good guess that Sepet was looking for him.
"Harry," said Hermione as they were about to board the train. "I think Sepet wants to talk to you."
Harry paused for a moment on the stairs and glanced down at Hermione only to board the train without a word.
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Hermione boarded the train after her friend with Ron and Ginny close behind.
"HARRY!" Hermione called his name, running towards him in the narrow corridor until he whirled about on her and glared.
"What?" Harry hissed through his clenched teeth. "I don't want to talk to Sepet. Now let's go find a compartment."
Hermione shook her head to herself and quietly followed behind him.
"He must still be upset," Harry heard Ron whisper to Hermione. "I think it's a good idea not to talk to him until he calms down."
Ignoring what his friend was saying behind his back, Harry went all the way to the last compartment, thinking that it was empty but when he opened the door, Sepet's hooded figure was already sitting in the seat closest to the window.
"Well Mr. Potter, are you going to keep running or are you going to have a seat?" Sepet asked him.
Harry silently sat down across from Sepet while Ron, Hermione and Ginny filled up the rest of the seat with Hermione sitting next to Harry.
"I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend but I'm fairly certain you still have unanswered questions. To those questions, I believe I have the answers so if you would like, ask away," said the Count.
Harry merely stared out the window in thought but Hermione began to question Sepet.
"You're not staying for another year, are you?" she asked.
"Unfortunately not," Sepet replied, his hood moving slightly as he shook his head. "I must report back to my superiors and tell them all that I've seen here."
"So much for the Defence Against the Dark Arts position," Hermione muttered to herself, "That's two teachers we've lost this year."
"Not to mention one friend that I'll need to replace somehow," Sepet said, pulling a timepiece out of his pocket and checking it for the time.
The last statement intrigued Harry and so, turning his head so that he was looking straight at the Count, he asked him, "Does that mean you'll go after Walter?"
Although it was too dark to see under his hood, Harry had a feeling that Sepet was genuinely smiling. "If anyone goes after him, it will be me but I have a feeling that I won't need to."
"Why's that?"
"You'll probably figure that out soon enough Mr. Potter," came the evasive reply.
"There's one thing that's missing though," Ron added after remaining silent the entire time. "What about the mirror?"
"What does my traitorous brother need with it?" Ron questioned angrily.
Sepet let out a brief laugh. "I can assure you that mirror is useless to him."
"Why would that be?"
The Count reached into his pocket and pulled out a purple amethyst stone. "This is why."
Hermione was the first to realize what Sepet's actions meant. "That stone powers the mirror and without it, the mirror won't work. Harry and I found that in a stone gargoyle in Sepet's castle and used it to activate the mirror."
"Very good Miss Granger," Sepet stated while leaning over a bit to see what was coming up ahead. "After Walter switched sides, I thought they might come after the mirror and so I took the liberty of removing the stone powering it. That way even if they stole it, it would be useless to them."
"What about Baron Radu? How come you two weren't on the same side?"
Sepet scoffed at the mention of the Baron's name. "We vampires have our own little kingdom that is kept hidden from the eyes of even the wizarding world. Our society has its own hierarchy similar to that of the muggles in the Middle Ages. Naturally the older the vampire is, the higher the rank you are given but that's not important. What is important is that the elders have decided to side against Voldemort."
"What made you decide that?" Harry asked in wonderment. "Wouldn't it be more profitable for you to side with him?"
"That's what some of us believe, those like Baron Radu but what they don't realize is that Voldemort has an intense hatred for those who aren't purebloods," Sepet explained. "This would include centaurs, giants, werewolves, muggles, and to some extent, even vampires. Now, vampires need blood to survive but only the blood of humans has been found to replenish our strength. If Voldemort cleansed the world of muggles, we vampires would be hunted next because we would be forced to feed upon the purebloods to keep our strength. In other words, we would eventually have to fight each other in the end and so, why bother to help him when it would only lead to our extinction?"
"There is one thing that I still don't understand," said Hermione, interrupting the Count. "If you need human blood to survive, how come you haven't attacked a single student at the school?"
The Count laughed to himself. "The answer to that would be a little ingenious concept that Dumbledore came up with. Each time a student was attacked by Radu, his or her blood had to be replaced completely in order to prevent him or her from becoming a vampire. Why let that blood go to waste? Dumbledore had Madam Pomfrey store that blood and it was given to me as payment for my services but unfortunately, that supply didn't last very long and so she had to resort to paying me with her regular stores of medical blood."
"At least we know why Walter was getting that flask from Madam Pomfrey," Harry murmured.
"Well, I believe I will be leaving soon but there is one more thing I would like to do before I leave," Sepet said, reaching into his pocket again.
When he withdrew his hand, Harry saw that there were two envelopes; one with his name on it and the other with Hermione's. He handed them to Harry and Hermione and told them to open it.
Flipping it over, Harry noticed a seal with the letter A on it. "What is this?"
"A friend of mine invited me to a dinner party at his estate over the summer," Sepet explained. "Since I'll be returning to Romania, I hope that you'll take my place. The other invitation would have been for Ruby but again, I won't be going. Go ahead and open them."
Harry gave Sepet a puzzling look. Did the Count actually have feelings for his water guardian? That would really be something interesting indeed but he opened up the envelope and found a piece of parchment folded into thirds. Unfolding it, he read it to himself while the other three students huddled around him to take a look at it.
It read:
To Harry Potter:
Your presence is required at the dinner party held at my estate on July thirty-first in the year one thousand, nine hundred and ninety six at six o'clock in the evening.
Please arrive in your dress robes and preferably with a lady friend. The other invitation is for her.
Your host,
Lord Alton
*Another wizard with a rank of some sort* Harry thought to himself. *Maybe a vampire..Either they all have connections or he's another member of the international ministry.*
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Sepet stood up and opened the window all the way, letting a pleasant breeze into the compartment.
"The party is supposed to be for purebloods only so don't look so glum Mr. Weasley," Sepet said to Ron, noticing the disappointed look on his face when he had resumed his seat. "Your father should be receiving a group for each person in your family."
"But if the party is for purebloods, why should we go?" Hermione asked with concern. "I don't think we'll be welcome there, especially if the Malfoys are going to be there too."
"I informed him that you two would be attending in my stead," Sepet said, leaning back into his seat as the train passed through a tunnel, darkening the compartment. "He'll make sure that they won't bother you - you have my word on that one."
The four inhabitants of the compartment suddenly heard wings beating the air in front of them as hundreds of bats took flight out the open window and when the train had cleared the tunnel, brining back a stream of sunlight though the glass, nothing but an empty cloak remained in the seat.
"He's gone," Ginny Weasley whispered in awe.
"As you four should be," said a voice from the compartment door followed by two gruff laughs. "Nuisances the lot of you are."
They turned their heads to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle looking straight at them. He probably heard everything Sepet had told them moments before and therefore didn't look too thrilled.
"I can't believe that I'll be seeing mudblood and the family of Weasels at the party," Malfoy said disgustedly.
"No one said you had to come Malfoy," Hermione shot back.
"Perhaps not but I think I will," Draco said haughtily. "After all, every pureblood in the wizarding world will be there. That bothersome professor won't be there and so it'll be YOU who will be unwelcome."
Ron made a move against Malfoy but Ginny stopped him. She then strode up to Malfoy and much to the boys' amusement; she slapped him twice, once on each cheek. Ginny wheeled around and sat back down with a satisfied smile on her face while Hermione broke into laughter.
"Just watch it Weasel girl," Malfoy said threateningly. "Your brothers won't always be around to protect you."
Shutting the door behind him, they could hear three pairs of feet pattering away from their compartment, leaving them in peace.
"Don't listen to him Ginny," said Harry reassuringly. "I'm fairly certain that Sepet will take good care of us and even if he doesn't, Dumbledore will see to it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Up until the train arrived at King's Cross station, the four students discussed everything they had planned for the summer, including what they should do about the dinner party, over a game of exploding snap.
Inwardly, Harry wasn't looking forward to going back to the Dursleys; in fact he dreaded it but perhaps the dinner party would be an excuse to leave and go somewhere else.
As soon as they disembarked, they loaded up their carts and headed over to the portal that would take them back to the muggle world.
"Back to those awful muggles eh Harry?" Ron asked him.
"Yeah," Harry said gloomily. "A month with them will be absolutely horrifying."
"Don't worry Harry," Hermione said cheerfully. "We'll write to you everyday and I'm sure Sirius won't let them do anything horrible too you."
"Ronald! Ginny!" they heard Mrs. Weasley call from the platform.
"I think that's my cue to leave," Ron said, putting out his hand to shake Harry's. "Take care mate."
"You too Ron," Harry replied with a grin as he grasped his friend's hand and shook it. "See you in a month."
Hermione went over and pecked Ron on the cheek. "Bye Ron."
"Bye Hermione," said a blushing Ron as he pushed his cart over to his parents with Ginny following behind.
Once Ron had left them, Harry and Hermione pushed their cart to the portal and returned to the muggle world.
"Your turn Harry," Hermione said once they had cleared the portal and she enveloped him in a tight hug which he returned happily.
She then pulled back slightly and kissed him on the cheek as well. "Don't tell Ron, I'm sure he'll be jealous."
Harry gave her a look of bewilderment but at the same time, his own spirits were lifted and as he looked after his friend who was now returning to her parents, he felt that a month at the Dursleys had just become more bearable.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: The end! I didn't expect to get so many reviews for this fic but I guess that's a pleasant surprise. The responses to all the reviews are in the next page along with the credits but..
First, to all the flamers (2 of them):
Zeus: Thank you very much for your flame. If you hadn't flamed me, I don't think I would have gotten as many reviews as I did. Unlike the second flamer, at least you used proper diction and English grammar.
Chineseboy13: I quote from what you posted on your review: "i don't think i'm going to read any of your story every again. the chapter i have hate and hope that you stop writing these."
First, learn proper diction (and learn how to type). Second, I don't understand what the hell you were trying to tell me, please learn how to speak English (I don't think the smartest person on earth could understand what you were trying to say). Third, you flamed me for the chapter where I killed Cho. Either you really liked the H/Cho or you hated something else, not quite sure with your crappy English so unless you tell me what you disliked in correct English please, I can't fix it (if it is fixable).