Chapter 10
"So why is he in Dumbledore's office?" Harry asked.
"He's insane. He was apparently tortured with Cruacious for hours until he died. We questioned him for almost an hour Harry, but finally he chased us out of the office. Ron fell down the stairs, and broke his leg."
They sat in silence for a bit. "Hermione, I hate to ask this, but I need some way to talk to Snape where he will be lucid. Can you arrange it?"
She looked up tears in her eyes. "I - I'll try Harry."
Harry nodded. "I wish I could give you time Hermione, but a lot worse is going to happen if we don't find out where everyone is." She nodded mutely. But stood and moved to dig out a few books. "If you need any other books, we can send a pair to the library to get whatever you need."
Hermione took up her position at Ron's head, this time with a quill, parchment and a small pile of books. After an hour's work she stood, stretched, and handed Harry a list of thirty books. He took the list, grabbed the map, and his cloak.
By this time, Ginny, Justin, Lisa, and Dean were back with what appeared to be everything they could physically transport out of the potions room. Harry helped clear a space for their new potions lab. He looked over the rest of them, and made up his mind rapidly.
He moved over to Ginny, pulled her to him, and whispered into her ear. "I need to get books for Hermione, the only person I can trust to come with me is Cho. I just want you to know one thing before we go." He looked into her eyes locking gazes with her. "I love you only. We'll be back as soon as we can."
Ginny nodded. She knew Harry would do nothing to hurt her. Cho on the other hand was another matter.
Harry looked up. "Cho, you are with me. Ginny, you are in charge until I return." They left through the door. "Bar it behind us. We'll let you know it's us."
The door closed and Ginny started work brewing potions for healing taking great care in preparing the potions. They had a limited supply, and she didn't have the luxury of making mistakes. After an hour she started getting nervous, her mind playing out scenes ranging from them being captured to Harry being unfaithful. Finally she sighed, and refocused on the task at hand.
Justin moved over beside her. "Ginny, don't worry. Harry is a saint. The only reason he took Cho is out of necessity."
She looked at Justin and smiled. "I know it's just…"
"Frustrating" he finished for her "Knowing he had a thing for her, but to be honest with you, Ginny, I believe Cho could dance naked in front of him singing 'take me now' and he'd push her aside to get a good look at you in a burlap sack."
Ginny laughed out loud at that. "I'm not sure I'd like to put that to task Justin."
He smiled, "I would, but it's only for a chance to see Cho naked."
Ginny giggled. "Alright stop it, if I don't concentrate I'm going to mess this up, and we are dangerously low on supplies as is."
Justin patted her shoulder, and moved over to pick up the work Cho had been working on. A half hour later there was a knock on the door.
Justin went to the door. "Who is it?"
"The wicked witch of Ravenclaw, who in the hell do you think it is Justin?"
Justin smiled, and opened the door. Harry and Cho were standing there weighed down by piles of books. "Hermione, did you actually pick these books by weight or what?"
Hermione blushed. "No, they just have what I need." She looked apologetically at them both. "You got them all?" she asked glancing at the spines.
Ginny was trying not to stare at Harry looking for even a hair out of place or smudge of that horrendous lipstick Cho wore. Seeing nothing out of place, she smiled and went back to her potions.
A hand fell on her shoulder, and she turned to look into Cho's eyes. "I want to talk to you Ginny. Now."
Ginny looked at the potion, it could easily sit for an hour in this state. "Ok, where?"
Cho lead Ginny to her room, and on entering it Cho sat on her bed. "Ginny, I have to confess something to you." The young Asian girl said. "I have been exceedingly jealous of your relationship with Harry, and I have allowed this to color my judgment of you, and it's really not fair."
Ginny studied Cho for a minute. Then she smiled, and started to laugh.
"Well, that's not exactly the response I expected, but it's better than I would have guessed." Cho said a smile touching the corners of her mouth.
"No, Justin was talking to me earlier, and said, well…" She broke into another fit of laughter. "He said you could dance naked in front of Harry singing 'take me now' and he'd move you aside to get a better look at me."
At this Cho gave an almost derisive snort. "He's not off the mark Ginny."
Ginny blinked. "Pardon me?"
"That man has it bad for you. He apologized no less than thirty times for having to be so close to me to keep us both under the cover of the cloak. He was so noble when it came to carrying the books; he offered to carry the bulk of them." A tear left her eye, and traveled down her cheek. "The last time I had anyone act like that was Cedric. I did something very stupid. I went to kiss Harry."
Ginny's face got hot. "What!?" her voice dripped venom.
"Calm down Ginny, I said I went to. Harry put a hand up and stopped me from doing something foolish." The tears were flowing now. "Then you know what he did?"
Ginny shook her head, not daring to speak.
"He took my hands in his, and said he was flattered, but that he thought it better that he stops me before I did something I'd regret." She laughed hollowly "He wanted to tell you, and apologize to you about the whole thing like it was his fault. I have never met anyone like him Ginny. You are so lucky to have him in your life."
Ginny smiled. It was true, she was very lucky to have him in her life. "You know, he does still care about you as a friend."
Cho nodded. "I know." With that they stood and headed out to the common room, a silent truce had been formed.
Harry was looking about the room anxiously. Ginny went to him, and kissed him deeply. "I'll be right back Harry, I need to finish this potion, and get it bottled, and then I want to talk to you."
He nodded, and let her leave his embrace. She walked over to her cauldron, and Harry moved over to where the note was still unopened. He stared at it dubiously. "Hermione," He heard her sigh and come over. "Can you tell me if that has a portkey on it?"
She nodded, pulled out her wand and cast a quick spell on it. It glowed briefly, and then settled back to its normal look. "No portkey." She went back to her books.
Harry looked at the note dubiously still, and with the tip of his wand prodded it open.
Potter,
I don't know if this idiot Fudge actually has the presence of mind to go to Hogwarts where you are no doubt waiting for a gilded invitation to do something. Well here it is.
In my chambers you will find a wooden crate with a single lock on it. The lock is magical. Place your wand tip in it, and utter the phrase "Octo Incanto" inside you will find what you need to play hero again.
Don't waste this opportunity Potter, the remaining students and Dumbledore are counting on you.
Severous Snape
Harry blinked, and read it a second time. Of course, Snape was spying on Voldemort for Dumbledore; he had to have a way in and out of the castle. Portkeys he'd wager.
Ron was stirring groggily. Moving on Voldemort couldn't wait, Snape had alluded to deaths already, and they new he was dead. "Ginny, I need Ron awake and lucid."
Ron looked over at Harry with bleary eyes, "Oi, Harry, you coming over to watch the Cannons play in the World Cup?"
Ginny looked at him and shrugged. "I can try Harry." She rummaged through her rucksack and pulled out a greenish potion. "Have him drink this." She handed it to Hermione.
Ron drank the potion, got a funny look on his face and retched. "My GOD! What in the hell was that?"
"Armadillo bile." Ginny stated going back to finish her potion.
"Ugh" Ron retched again. Hermione pulling books frantically away from him. "I am going to kill you Ginny. Slowly."
"Harry said he needed you awake and lucid." She shrugged.
"Ok then, I am going to kill Harry first." Ron made to heave again, but managed to keep everything down.
Harry grinned, "Right mood, wrong target mate." He handed Ron the letter. What do you make of this?" Ron read it over quickly and handed it back to Harry. "Let me clean up and I'll get right back to you on this." Ron stood uneasily, and headed to their room, Hermione with a wrinkled nose cast a cleansing spell and another that made the air smell like pine.
Harry heard Ron in the showers and after a moment he came back out throwing his soiled robes in the laundry chute. He was dressed in sweats now, and was still toweling his head and brushing his teeth.
"Lemme see dat node" he mumbled around the toothbrush reaching for the note. He wandered back to the bathroom, and came back a minute later. "It's for real Harry, I believe Snape sent Fudge here with the intent of warning us."
"Alright then." Harry looked at them all. "Who wants to get the crate from Snape's rooms?"
Cho stepped forward almost as fast as Justin did. Harry nodded, handed them the cloak and map. "Move fast, and silent. We don't know what else is going to happen. Get the crate, and get back here."
They nodded, took the map and cape and practically fled from the room.
He turned to Ginny, "What can we do to help?"
She considered. "I need these ingredients cut just so, and I need to keep this stirred, and" she said turning to Harry "I need to talk to you."
She took his hand and led him back to his room they sat on the bed and Harry looked at her waiting for her to start.
"Cho and I had a talk Harry, and I think that it would be best if you formally made her your 'second in command' and not me. If anything were to happen to you, I don't think I could be strong enough to lead."
Harry blinked. This was certainly not the talk he had expected.
"She still cares for you Harry, but I think she respects me far more now than before." She was smiling. "That and she's afraid I'll hex her into next month if she tries anything again."
Harry smiled and looked at her. "Perhaps you are right." Then he gathered her in his arms and kissed her deeply. The kiss became more passionate, and powerful, before long robes and clothing were abandoned across the room, and they were enjoying the feeling of being one being.
They talked softly afterwards, Harry telling her plans of buying a small cottage in Hogsmeade, and they could have a garden, and children, a family to live out their lives as 'That Nice Potter Couple' rather than 'The Boy Who Lived'.
(Surprised at this? Harry and I only wanted to be normal. We didn't want to be hero's and the shining light of good dammit. We just wanted to be normal. Oh, and for you puritan moralists? Harry and I had been sleeping together since Sirius told us what nights he checked beds. – Ginny)
Ginny could not imagine a nicer future. They fell asleep like that snuggled under the covers. A knock at the door woke Harry. "What?"
It was Justin. "Harry, we are back, we need to open this damned box." He stood and got dressed, the cottage in Hogsmeade fading into the back of his mind.
"I'll be right there Justin." He turned and kissed Ginny again, waking her up.
"Oh, I do like that kind of wake up." She smiled warmly at him. She gathered together her clothes and dressed as well.
They entered the common room. Harry walked over to the box, inserted his wand and tried the spell, it would not open. In a bit of inspiration, Harry picked up Cedric's wand. The lock gave way, and the crate opened. Inside were two objects. A length of rope and a wristwatch. Engraved on the back of the watch was a small note:
To work at six am, play at midnight.
"Ok, so I am guessing," Ron said, "'six am' comes here, and 'midnight' takes you to the death eaters."
Harry nodded and noticed the watch was broken, it wasn't ticking at all. He looked around. "Let's get this over with then."
They bundled up their gear, drew their wands and Harry set the watch for midnight. The common room melted to be replaced by a glade in some forest. They ducked quickly and looked around.
Off in the distance Harry saw a fire, he pointed to it, and they broke into pairs and started moving staying low and moving in short irregular patterns.
The first death eater never even knew anyone was in front of him when Harry's hand struck his windpipe. Harry pulled off the mask and made note of the face. They moved rapidly, only three death eaters were guarding the camp. None survived the attack.
"Free the students and start moving them back." Harry tossed the watch to Ron. "We have a lot of people to move and I don't know how long until someone notices."
They all noted the distinct lack of faculty and staff. Ron was urging people to touch him. "Come on you bloody gits, I'm tall, and you only need a damned finger."
The third group was already there when Harry spotted a figure moving towards them in the moonlight. It was Peter Pettigrew.
"Oh please Peter," Harry said "Come enjoy the show." His voice was filled with malice. "You are going to live so Sirius can be completely free. After that you pathetic bastard, you will pay."
Pettigrew didn't even realize the figures in black weren't the right size. He quelled at the sight of Harry. "You...You wouldn't kill me, your father…"
Harry struck Peter hard in the face. "You are not allowed to speak of my parents."
Harry pointed his wand at Peter a moment later Peter was in a full body bind. "I am going to enjoy this Peter. Ron, take this scum with you on your next trip." Harry turned away, stopped and turned back. "Keep him in the body bind. I don't want this bastard escaping again."
Ron nodded and placed his foot on Pettigrew's face. "Reckon that should work."
Once the last of the students from this camp were in Hogwarts Harry stood up. "I'll show you, you spineless bastard." He muttered. He raised his wand in the air, and called up power from deep inside himself. A brilliant red beam shot up into the sky splitting, crossing, and weaving until a Phoenix with wings unfurled stood over the camp. Harry leaned on Ron. "Get us out of here."
The common room of Telisin swam into view several hours later. Harry was looking at the still stunned faces of the Companions.
"What. The. Bloody. Fuck. Was. That." Ron said each word to him as if accusing him of casting the Dark Mark.
"They make people fear the night with their ugly skull. I'm taking it back." Harry stared at Ron, their eyes locked, and shortly Ron looked down a red flush in his face.
"I'll teach you how to do it. From here on out, when we meet and defeat death eaters, we'll leave the mark behind us." He stood shakily. "Perhaps not as big." He said with a lopsided grin.
The Companions laughed. The Phoenix Mark extended it's wingspan a good fifty meters.
"You'd think," Harry said after they calmed down a bit "Voldemort is going to be positively beside himself with fury."
"Where are the students?" Harry asked.
Ginny grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door. "They are all waiting in the Great Hall."
They moved to the Great Hall, and Harry noticed right away how few students there were. He counted them out. Less than two hundred were there. As soon as the doors opened, they had all become silent. Harry surveyed them.
"They all have been checked over?" Harry asked seeing some cradling limbs.
"Yes, there is nothing but superficial wounds, some abrasions. But we don't have the supplies to treat those." Ginny looked frustrated. "As is, I had to spread potions and salves awful thin."
Harry nodded. He had reached the head table where the teachers normally sat. He turned to face the students. "I have to ask you all some questions. Please answer so we can recover more of our missing classmates. Do any of you know where the rest were taken?"
One boy stood, Harry barely recognized him. "I know where they are Potter."
"Ok Malfoy, where are they?" Harry asked trying to keep his tone civil.
"You give me a wand and one of those fancy robes, and I'll take you." Malfoy said looking determined.
"Sorry Malfoy. I can't do that." Harry said "The rules are simple, ten members on the team, no more no less." He crossed his arms signaling the finality of the statement.
Malfoy glared at Harry. They stood like that with eyes locked until Malfoy finally wavered. "They were taken to Malfoy Manor."
Harry thought this over for a minute. "Alright Malfoy, come with us." They headed for the Telisin common room. The trolls glared at Malfoy.
"He no Tel'sin" Trog pointed his club at Malfoy. "He no enters."
Harry thought a moment. "Trog, we need Draco to get the rest of the students. We need to plan a way to break them out. We need him to be able to come into the common room."
Trog thought a bit. Finally he said "K, he kin come. But must have Tel'sin wid him all time."
Harry nodded. "I'll be responsible for him."
Trog nodded. "You 'sponsble."
They moved to the statue, all ten said 'Voldemort' causing Malfoy to flinch. The statue stood still. Harry turned to Malfoy. "All it is Draco is a word." He surprised himself and Malfoy with the kindness in his tone.
"V-Voldemort" Malfoy said, shivering with the daring of mentioning the name. Even his father didn't say it.
Once they got into the common room, Harry turned to Draco. "Sit. Now Malfoy, two things. One, you must get over your fear of a simple name. It's no different than Lucius, or Tom, or Albus. They are all just names. Voldemort is no different."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "And the second?"
Harry looked at him evenly. "I hate you Draco. With every fiber of my being; I can't stand that we have to share the same planet. However, I know you hate the people who did this to you. As do I. I don't trust you, and I'd as rather see you left behind than saved. The only redemption you have right now is to find a way for me to recover the still living students and staff. Have I made myself clear to you?"
Draco was quite taken aback by Harry's statement. He said it like saying that the sky was blue, and the sun rose in the east. "So, I'm worthless to you then."
"No Draco, you have value, your information will provide invaluable in recovering students and teachers. Beyond that, I won't guarantee anything."
Harry turned to Ron. "Get what you out of him, then you can get him out of my house."
Ron nodded and led Draco to the planning table. Harry turned to Ginny, and drew her to him. He whispered in her ear. "Fancy a shower love?"
Ginny grinned and followed him into the dormitory. Draco's eyes followed them hatred burning there until Ron snapped his fingers in front of Draco's face.
"Eyes here." Ron was pointing to the maps. "I'm going to give you a small bit of free and friendly advice lad." Draco looked at Ron as if he were offering him a sweet. "Ginny and Harry are as good as married. Now, I'm not one to approve exactly, but I am happy for my sister, and if you do anything to make her upset. I will make you pay."
"Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine?" Draco asked spitefully.
"Nope, I'm not. But she happens to be his, and if you know what's good for you Malfoy, you'll just let it drop, clear?" Justin glared at Draco as he said this.
"What, Potter can't fight his own battles? Needs his fan club to aid him?" He glared at the assembled people. "You are all actually encouraging him in this?"
Cho walked up to Draco, and with a speed he did not know was possible struck him in the face. "Never, ever say anything like that again, unless you are tired of breathing you pompous asshole."
Well, they are fiercely loyal, even a Ravenclaw. Draco thought. Tight knit too, almost thinking as if they were one person. "Fine, now what do you want to know?"
"Everything," said Susan Bones "We want to know every detail about that cesspit you called home. Then we are going to go remodel."
Draco was shocked. Ok, so his family wasn't the most giving in the wizardling community, but Bones was a respected family. What did this to these people?
"The map, Draco. I want to see everything." Ron stated.
It was well after midnight when Justin and Cho 'escorted' Draco back to the Slytherin common room. "Stay here. Meals will be provided in the common room." The same instructions had been given to all students.
At two in the morning Ron was still pouring over maps when Hermione came over and started rubbing his shoulders and neck, her hand slipped inside his shirt, and her lips grazed his neck. He moaned softly, and stood up. "Time for bed, I'd wager." He grinned at Hermione.
"Funny, I don't feel tired." She teased.
"Good." Ron grabbed her, and flung her over his shoulder, she pounded on his back, laughing all the way to the bedrooms. They paused in the hallway, the door to his and Harry's room had a sock over the handle. Ron snickered, well then. He took off one of Hermione's socks and placed it over the handle to her room. "Your place it looks like, I've been evicted." They both chuckled, and headed in.