Chapter Fourteen- So Close, Yet So Far
Ginny's disappearance was not taken lightly. The buzz around Hogwarts focused mainly on Dobby, because Dobby had been the one who saw Ginny get taken from the castle. The Ministry officials were called once again to the school, but this time they were not alone. This time, they came with at least Fifty Aurors, and One Hundred Armed Security Trolls. Cornelius Fudge announced to the entire school that these new arrivals must not be taken lightly, and that everything should proceed as it normally would. Harry thought this was very much like his Third Year at Hogwarts, when the Dementors were summoned to patrol the castle grounds and search for Sirius Black.
The Security trolls were guarding staircases, entrances and even scattered about the school Grounds. The Aurors patrolled the corridors, making sure Students arrived at lessons ok. The one person that Harry really wanted to speak to was Dobby, who had been summoned to Dumbledore's office and was not seen since. By mid-week, Harry grew weary of not knowing who took Ginny from the castle.
"Listen, we've got to talk to Dobby," he said during a summoning charms lesson. Professor Flitwick had the class practice their summoning charms to make sure everyone knew how to do it. It was the perfect class for a private discussion, because there was far too much noise for them to be over heard. Harry saw Professor Flitwick being summoned across the room by Goyle's wand, while Neville caused a vase to smash into a wall.
"Harry, I want to talk to Dobby just as much as you do" Ron said, not noticing that his book had hit Pansy in the nose. "But we can't chance it with Armed Trolls around"
"Ron's right Harry" Hermione said, having perfectly summoned a piece of parchment to her.
Harry grew angry. Perhaps he was the only one who cared about these disappearances. "Fine!" he snapped. He continued practicing his summoning charm. After lesson, he retreated back to Gryffindor Tower instead of heading down to the Great Hall for dinner. He sat on the sofa and stared into the fire, and thought to himself.
Why was Voldermort kidnapping people who had no knowledge about the orbs? Wouldn't he have given them back, once he knew they were useless to him? Even as he thought, his scar prickled slightly. Suddenly, something moved in the fireplace, and it became quite apparent what it was. Dobby's head was poking out of the fire.
"D-Dobby!" said Harry, shocked. "Dobby knew this was the only way he could talk to Harry Potter sir, and Dobby was right!" squeaked the House-elf in a quivering voice.
"Where are you?"
"Dobby is in Professor Dumbledore's office sir. He is left Dobby alone sir, so Dobby thought it would be wise to use the fire to talk to Harry Potter"
"Yeah, I've been trying to find a way to Dumbledore's office, to talk to you too Dobby"
"Anything Sir!"
"Who was it that kidnapped Ginny Weasley?"
Dobby's eyes widened. "It was him sir! It was the one who was expelled! The one who has treated all the house-elves like vermin!"
"You mean, Kevin?"
"Yes Sir! Yes!" quivered Dobby. "I is on my way to see Harry Potter sir, and I saw the wheezy girl. I is stopped and said Hello sir, and she is saying hello back! Then, he came sir! The boy came and stunned her, and then took her away. He did not see Dobby, because Dobby was hiding sir!"
"But, how did he get inside the castle, when he is supposed to be dead?" Harry muttered.
"Dobby is not knowing the answer to that sir! Dobby is very scared sir! Dobby is knowing why He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is doing this sir!"
Harry's eyes widened. Dobby knew something. "What-why is he kidnapping people?" he said, as he moved closer to the fire.
"He is doing this for the Orbs sir! The Orbs of the Phoenix! And Dobby is the only one besides Harry Potter's parents who know where they are.and Professor Dumbledore sir!"
Harry was shocked. Dobby knew where the orbs were. This was Harry's chance. He had to find out where they were. He had to find out for himself. "Dobby! Can you show me where they are? -The orbs I mean"
Dobby's ears shot up. "Dobby would be glad to show you Harry Potter, but House-elves is not allowed down their sir! Only humans.I can tell you sir, because Harry Potter has helped Dobby so many times!"
"Thanks Dobby" said Harry.
"Listen carefully."
* * * * * *
"HE-HE TOLD YOU?" Ron shouted later that night. They had come back from dinner, and Harry dived right into the story about Dobby knowing who took Ginny, and where the orbs were.
"That's-that's great Harry, but.you're not thinking of-"said Hermione before Harry quickly cut her off.
"Of course I'm going to check Hermione! Listen, we've got two members of the D.A missing, and it's our job as D.A members to find them!"
Neville nodded. "Harry's right"
"Well, yes-but-what about the Ministry Gala event? Its in three days Harry"
"We can still go. I mean, we can go and take a look at the orbs on Friday evening, and no one will ever know"
Hermione sighed. "Oh.I suppose so"
"So, it was Kevin that took her, was it?" asked Ron, cracking his knuckles. "Wait till I see the git! I'll make him wish he really was dead!"
The rest of the week came and went, and before long, it was Friday evening. Harry already had everything set. They were going to use the Invisibility cloak, and of course they were going to have the Marauders Map with them. Harry peeked at it before they left the common room and saw that most of the Security Trolls were not near the way they were going, and the Aurors were heading to Dumbledore's office. Filch was on the second floor following Peeves and Mrs. Norris was in the Owlery.
"Excellent! The Coast is clear!" he said.
"Let's go," said Neville.
They opened the portrait hole, while not underneath the cloak. The fat lady was snoozing quietly in her portrait. Instead of heading toward the moving stairs, they headed the opposite way toward the back stairs.
"Harry" Hermione, said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Where exactly are the orbs, because you know what happens when we listen to Dobby" she said skeptically.
"He said we go down towards the dungeons and we'll see a portrait of a wizard on a wall. We climb through it and follow the hallways" Harry said.
As they reached the back stairs, they saw that an Armed Security Troll was guarding the back stairs. They quickly flattened themselves against a wall, and started breathing heavily.
"You said there was no one here Harry" Ron said breathlessly.
"Well, there wasn't anyone here, when I checked the map. He must have just gotten here"
They quickly threw the cloak over themselves and proceeded past the troll, who was breathing heavily, and looking twice as ugly. They continued down the stairs as quietly as possible, and finally reached the dungeons. It was fairly quiet down here, with only the torch's flickering occasionally. They proceeded down a hallway, and finally came face to face with the Portrait of the Old Wizard. He had gray hair, and red robes on, and smiled. Harry saw the hinges on the side, and stuck his hands in it. The Portrait opened up, and revealed an ugly gloomy passageway, that looked as though it hadn't been used in years.
"This is the way." said Harry. He slipped the cloak off after they climbed inside, and closed the portrait hole behind them.
"Ugh! It smells down here," Ron said, covering his nose.
"Wands out I suppose," said Hermione. Everyone withdrew their wands from their robes and said "Lumos" as the tip of their wands beamed with light.
They proceeded down the ancient looking passageway. The deeper they went into the tunnel, the narrower it became. Pretty soon, they all had to crouch down and walk.
"I don't like where this is going Harry" Ron muttered.
"Shh!" said Hermione.
They were straining their ears to hear what was ahead of them. It sounded like the sound of a beating drum.
"What is that?" Neville asked, his voice sounding frightened. "I don't know.it sounds like-"
"Drums" Hermione said, breaking Harry's sentence off.
They emerged from the passage and were in a large room. The room's walls bore markings much like Hieroglyphics and there were four large statues of a Phoenix. On the other side of the room housed a door, which had a Gold Frame around it, and the word "Fawkes" in spidery handwriting. There were two torches' that provided light and warmth to the room.
"What is this place?" Hermione asked, amazed, as she stared at the walls.
"I was about to ask you that question." Said Ron.
Hermione gazed at a wall. "Oh my!" she muttered quietly.
"What?" Harry said, as they all joined her at a wall.
"I've studied these in Ancient Runes" she said, as she touched the wall.
"What does it say?" Neville asked.
"Well.I cant make it out all the way but.it says "Those who wish to go forward will meet death.abandon the trail and it will spare your lives."
"That cant be good now can it?" Ron said. Hermione now wandered to the door, and began to examine it.
"Well, at least we know Fawke's is guardian of the Orbs. His name's right here," Hermione said.
Harry looked around for a moment, as though he heard something. Ron looked at him.
"What is it Harry?"
"I-" and before Harry could continue, one of the statues moved. The one nearest Neville craned its neck, and its eyes began to glow yellow. The Wings began to branch out, as dust fell off of it. The Statue began to move its legs, and as it did that, the other Three Statues came to life just as their leader. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville were backed against a wall, which seemed to be the safest thing to do at the moment. The statues began to flap their wings as they rose into the air off their stone perches.
Before either Harry, Ron, Hermione or Neville could utter a spell, the Phoenix Statues reared their heads back, and began blowing a stream of Fire. They had no choice but to run back to the passageway, and continue running out until they reached the Dungeons. Harry took one glimpse at the Marauders Map and saw that the Security Troll had gone away, and there were no Aurors nearby. They reached the portrait, and pushed it open as they all fell out of it and onto the cold hallway floor.
"What the bloody hell was that!" Ron said five minutes later as the four of them arrived back in the common room.
"That was scary!" Neville panted.
"I think that was what the message meant," Hermione said. "That was probably a tester"
Harry nodded in agreement. "I mean, remember what we had to go through in our first year to reach the Sorcerer's Stone? Attacking keys, Devil's snare, and the chess match-"
"Don't remind me" Ron muttered darkly.
"Can you imagine what's in Fawke's lair?" Neville asked. "There must be loads of obstacles"
"Neville's right. The next time we go down there, we'd better be prepared. We need to arm ourselves right" Hermione said, standing.
"Sorry Hermione. I'm fresh out of crossbows at the moment" Ron snickered.
Hermione shot him a nasty look. "I mean magic wise Ron!"
"Well, hopefully the next time we go down there, we won't have to dodge people!" Harry said, yawning. It was after Midnight. "Come on, let's get to bed"
He, Neville and Ron headed to the Boys dorms, while Hermione headed to the girls dorms. Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss then departed. Harry changed behind his curtains, and climbed into bed. He found it slightly hard to fall asleep. He kept thinking.He knew where the orbs were.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Harry awakened with Ron. They washed up, and dressed in casual clothes. It was only during Breakfast did Hermione remind them that there was a Hogsmeade visit today. With so much going on, Harry found it rather hard to focus. After Breakfast, He, Hermione, Ron, Neville and Cho departed for Hogsmeade. It was a cold November morning, with the sun shining weakly in the sky, trying to avoid the clouds. The ground crunched under their feet, due to the nearly frozen grass.
"You know, I hope Ginny's ok" Ron said, as they reached the gates.
"I'm sure she's fine Ronald," said Cho. "I mean, she's a member of the D.A. Harry has taught us so much.and with Professor Kevin's spells, we'll be fine"
Ron's mood lasted all the way up the high street. They entered The Three Broomsticks and found it buzzing with people. They managed to find a table near the wall, and sat down. Harry ordered the Butterbeer, and paid Madam Rosmetta.
"I wonder why You-Know-Who is doing all of this.what does he want?" Cho asked breaking the silence between them.
"It's hard to tell.he's such a mixed up person you know" Harry said, grinning. Ron however remained silent, and pale. Harry knew that he hadn't fell asleep last night. "Look Ron, you can't go on forever being all sulky! Ginny's going to be fine!"
"Potters right," said a voice from behind. Draco had just entered the pub, alone. He was smiling. "Because I know where she is!"
All of them looked up.
"You-what?" said Ron.
"Come with me! Hurry"
They exchanged confused looks, but stood up and followed Malfoy. Instead of leading them back toward the school, Malfoy led them towards the shrieking shack, and inside. Harry had been here once before, on the night he met his godfather. A lump arose in Harry's throat. It caused him pain to be here. Malfoy led them upstairs, and opened a wooden door.
Sitting on the bed was Ginny Weasley, who was writing something. She looked up as they entered.
"I found him" said Draco, as the other's entered.
"RON!"
"GINNY!"
They ran to each other and hugged each other tightly. Colin Creevy had just emerged from a room, which was clearly the bathroom. He looked at the others.
"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Neville! Cho!"
"Colin!" shouted Neville. It was great seeing both students alive and well. Harry then noticed there was someone else in the room.Her toad like face squinted up in concentration. Her ugly pink cardigan next to her. It was Dolores Umbridge. She didn't even look up as the others entered. She looked exactly as she looked when she was in the hospital wing nearly five months ago.
"Where did you find them?" Neville asked Malfoy.
"It was more like they found me.let Ginny tell you. She knows the story"
Ginny advanced upon them, and they all sat down on the floor.
"Well, as you know, Colin was gone longer than I was.but, anyway. The night of our D.A meeting, I went to the bathroom. I met Dobby, the house-elf along the way, and said hello to him. Suddenly, someone came up behind me and stunned me. When I was awakened, I was in a dark room, with death eaters surrounding me. I saw Colin and Umbridge on the other side of the room, unconscience. The death eaters moved and then You-Know-who came up to me.it was so horrible. He touched me-"
"HE WHAT?" Ron shouted.
"Not touched me-I mean.he just felt my face. He then started talking about the orbs. (Cho looked confused.) He told me that he needed them, and in order for him to get them, he needed the location and I guess he thought I knew where they were. I told him I didn't know about the Orbs. Of course, he grew angry, but there was nothing I could do. He left the room, and the moment he did, I wriggled out of the ropes I was tied to and stunned the six death eaters. I then untied Colin and Umbridge and awakened them. Umbridge still seemed as though she were still in her shock from June. Colin however was useful. We carried Umbridge out of the room, and found our way outside" she said. Everyone was mesmerized by her story.
"So, what did you do from there?" asked Hermione.
"We headed toward the mountains. It wasn't easy, because we were lugging Umbridge with us, but we made it. Near the Mountains, we met with a wizard family, all of who attended Hogwarts. They took us in, and then let us use their fire. I didn't want to return to Hogwarts yet, because I knew the death eaters would be following us, so we arrived here, at the shack. Two days ago, I ran onto the school grounds, and saw Malfoy. He was coming from the Quidditch Field. I told him what happened and he helped us. He's been giving us the news about what's going on"
Ron looked at Malfoy. He seemed at a lost for words.
"So, when are you going to go back to the school?"
"Today. We just wanted to make sure we weren't being followed. After all, it'll look interesting when we come prancing back up the school grounds" Ginny said, grinning.
"You picked a fine day to return. We've got that Ministry thing this evening" Ron said.
"Didn't you hear?" Malfoy said, trying to see whether Umbridge showed signs of life. "It's been canceled. Fudge announced it in the Daily Prophet."
Hermione snorted. "That wasn't smart. How does he know everyone invited reads the Prophet?"
"I don't know, but Fudge is a bit slow when it comes to notices" Malfoy said, grinning. Ron grinned too, but suddenly broke off.
"What are we going to do about Umbridge?" Cho asked, staring at her.
"I think we should bring her to Dumbledore. He ought to know she's alive," Neville said.
"Not that he would care" muttered Ron darkly.
By Nightfall, when snow had started to fall and the Hogwarts Students had already retreated back to the castle, Harry and the others thought it was safe to sneak Umbridge back into the castle. The only question that burned inside Harry's mind was how they were going to get past Filch. He finally thought of his invisibility cloak in Gryffindor Tower, but could not think of any way to retrieve it. Hermione had told him they could go right under the tower and she could summon it. They could then follow the path under the Whomping Willow, and reach the inside of the school.
Everything went according to plan except when they came tumbling out into the second floor corridor. Professor McGonagall stopped them dead in their tracks.
"What in Merlin's beard-Explain yourselves!"
"Professor, we found Professor Umbridge when You-Know-Who kidnapped Colin and I.we have to see Professor Dumbledore!" It took Professor McGonagall a fraction of a second to say "Follow Me"
She led them to the end of the hallway, where the stone gargoyle stood, staring blankly at them.
"Chocolate Eclairs" she said.
The Gargoyle sprang to life and leapt aside revealing the hidden staircase that led to Professor Dumbledore's office. They climbed the stairs and entered the room.
Ginny's disappearance was not taken lightly. The buzz around Hogwarts focused mainly on Dobby, because Dobby had been the one who saw Ginny get taken from the castle. The Ministry officials were called once again to the school, but this time they were not alone. This time, they came with at least Fifty Aurors, and One Hundred Armed Security Trolls. Cornelius Fudge announced to the entire school that these new arrivals must not be taken lightly, and that everything should proceed as it normally would. Harry thought this was very much like his Third Year at Hogwarts, when the Dementors were summoned to patrol the castle grounds and search for Sirius Black.
The Security trolls were guarding staircases, entrances and even scattered about the school Grounds. The Aurors patrolled the corridors, making sure Students arrived at lessons ok. The one person that Harry really wanted to speak to was Dobby, who had been summoned to Dumbledore's office and was not seen since. By mid-week, Harry grew weary of not knowing who took Ginny from the castle.
"Listen, we've got to talk to Dobby," he said during a summoning charms lesson. Professor Flitwick had the class practice their summoning charms to make sure everyone knew how to do it. It was the perfect class for a private discussion, because there was far too much noise for them to be over heard. Harry saw Professor Flitwick being summoned across the room by Goyle's wand, while Neville caused a vase to smash into a wall.
"Harry, I want to talk to Dobby just as much as you do" Ron said, not noticing that his book had hit Pansy in the nose. "But we can't chance it with Armed Trolls around"
"Ron's right Harry" Hermione said, having perfectly summoned a piece of parchment to her.
Harry grew angry. Perhaps he was the only one who cared about these disappearances. "Fine!" he snapped. He continued practicing his summoning charm. After lesson, he retreated back to Gryffindor Tower instead of heading down to the Great Hall for dinner. He sat on the sofa and stared into the fire, and thought to himself.
Why was Voldermort kidnapping people who had no knowledge about the orbs? Wouldn't he have given them back, once he knew they were useless to him? Even as he thought, his scar prickled slightly. Suddenly, something moved in the fireplace, and it became quite apparent what it was. Dobby's head was poking out of the fire.
"D-Dobby!" said Harry, shocked. "Dobby knew this was the only way he could talk to Harry Potter sir, and Dobby was right!" squeaked the House-elf in a quivering voice.
"Where are you?"
"Dobby is in Professor Dumbledore's office sir. He is left Dobby alone sir, so Dobby thought it would be wise to use the fire to talk to Harry Potter"
"Yeah, I've been trying to find a way to Dumbledore's office, to talk to you too Dobby"
"Anything Sir!"
"Who was it that kidnapped Ginny Weasley?"
Dobby's eyes widened. "It was him sir! It was the one who was expelled! The one who has treated all the house-elves like vermin!"
"You mean, Kevin?"
"Yes Sir! Yes!" quivered Dobby. "I is on my way to see Harry Potter sir, and I saw the wheezy girl. I is stopped and said Hello sir, and she is saying hello back! Then, he came sir! The boy came and stunned her, and then took her away. He did not see Dobby, because Dobby was hiding sir!"
"But, how did he get inside the castle, when he is supposed to be dead?" Harry muttered.
"Dobby is not knowing the answer to that sir! Dobby is very scared sir! Dobby is knowing why He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is doing this sir!"
Harry's eyes widened. Dobby knew something. "What-why is he kidnapping people?" he said, as he moved closer to the fire.
"He is doing this for the Orbs sir! The Orbs of the Phoenix! And Dobby is the only one besides Harry Potter's parents who know where they are.and Professor Dumbledore sir!"
Harry was shocked. Dobby knew where the orbs were. This was Harry's chance. He had to find out where they were. He had to find out for himself. "Dobby! Can you show me where they are? -The orbs I mean"
Dobby's ears shot up. "Dobby would be glad to show you Harry Potter, but House-elves is not allowed down their sir! Only humans.I can tell you sir, because Harry Potter has helped Dobby so many times!"
"Thanks Dobby" said Harry.
"Listen carefully."
* * * * * *
"HE-HE TOLD YOU?" Ron shouted later that night. They had come back from dinner, and Harry dived right into the story about Dobby knowing who took Ginny, and where the orbs were.
"That's-that's great Harry, but.you're not thinking of-"said Hermione before Harry quickly cut her off.
"Of course I'm going to check Hermione! Listen, we've got two members of the D.A missing, and it's our job as D.A members to find them!"
Neville nodded. "Harry's right"
"Well, yes-but-what about the Ministry Gala event? Its in three days Harry"
"We can still go. I mean, we can go and take a look at the orbs on Friday evening, and no one will ever know"
Hermione sighed. "Oh.I suppose so"
"So, it was Kevin that took her, was it?" asked Ron, cracking his knuckles. "Wait till I see the git! I'll make him wish he really was dead!"
The rest of the week came and went, and before long, it was Friday evening. Harry already had everything set. They were going to use the Invisibility cloak, and of course they were going to have the Marauders Map with them. Harry peeked at it before they left the common room and saw that most of the Security Trolls were not near the way they were going, and the Aurors were heading to Dumbledore's office. Filch was on the second floor following Peeves and Mrs. Norris was in the Owlery.
"Excellent! The Coast is clear!" he said.
"Let's go," said Neville.
They opened the portrait hole, while not underneath the cloak. The fat lady was snoozing quietly in her portrait. Instead of heading toward the moving stairs, they headed the opposite way toward the back stairs.
"Harry" Hermione, said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Where exactly are the orbs, because you know what happens when we listen to Dobby" she said skeptically.
"He said we go down towards the dungeons and we'll see a portrait of a wizard on a wall. We climb through it and follow the hallways" Harry said.
As they reached the back stairs, they saw that an Armed Security Troll was guarding the back stairs. They quickly flattened themselves against a wall, and started breathing heavily.
"You said there was no one here Harry" Ron said breathlessly.
"Well, there wasn't anyone here, when I checked the map. He must have just gotten here"
They quickly threw the cloak over themselves and proceeded past the troll, who was breathing heavily, and looking twice as ugly. They continued down the stairs as quietly as possible, and finally reached the dungeons. It was fairly quiet down here, with only the torch's flickering occasionally. They proceeded down a hallway, and finally came face to face with the Portrait of the Old Wizard. He had gray hair, and red robes on, and smiled. Harry saw the hinges on the side, and stuck his hands in it. The Portrait opened up, and revealed an ugly gloomy passageway, that looked as though it hadn't been used in years.
"This is the way." said Harry. He slipped the cloak off after they climbed inside, and closed the portrait hole behind them.
"Ugh! It smells down here," Ron said, covering his nose.
"Wands out I suppose," said Hermione. Everyone withdrew their wands from their robes and said "Lumos" as the tip of their wands beamed with light.
They proceeded down the ancient looking passageway. The deeper they went into the tunnel, the narrower it became. Pretty soon, they all had to crouch down and walk.
"I don't like where this is going Harry" Ron muttered.
"Shh!" said Hermione.
They were straining their ears to hear what was ahead of them. It sounded like the sound of a beating drum.
"What is that?" Neville asked, his voice sounding frightened. "I don't know.it sounds like-"
"Drums" Hermione said, breaking Harry's sentence off.
They emerged from the passage and were in a large room. The room's walls bore markings much like Hieroglyphics and there were four large statues of a Phoenix. On the other side of the room housed a door, which had a Gold Frame around it, and the word "Fawkes" in spidery handwriting. There were two torches' that provided light and warmth to the room.
"What is this place?" Hermione asked, amazed, as she stared at the walls.
"I was about to ask you that question." Said Ron.
Hermione gazed at a wall. "Oh my!" she muttered quietly.
"What?" Harry said, as they all joined her at a wall.
"I've studied these in Ancient Runes" she said, as she touched the wall.
"What does it say?" Neville asked.
"Well.I cant make it out all the way but.it says "Those who wish to go forward will meet death.abandon the trail and it will spare your lives."
"That cant be good now can it?" Ron said. Hermione now wandered to the door, and began to examine it.
"Well, at least we know Fawke's is guardian of the Orbs. His name's right here," Hermione said.
Harry looked around for a moment, as though he heard something. Ron looked at him.
"What is it Harry?"
"I-" and before Harry could continue, one of the statues moved. The one nearest Neville craned its neck, and its eyes began to glow yellow. The Wings began to branch out, as dust fell off of it. The Statue began to move its legs, and as it did that, the other Three Statues came to life just as their leader. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville were backed against a wall, which seemed to be the safest thing to do at the moment. The statues began to flap their wings as they rose into the air off their stone perches.
Before either Harry, Ron, Hermione or Neville could utter a spell, the Phoenix Statues reared their heads back, and began blowing a stream of Fire. They had no choice but to run back to the passageway, and continue running out until they reached the Dungeons. Harry took one glimpse at the Marauders Map and saw that the Security Troll had gone away, and there were no Aurors nearby. They reached the portrait, and pushed it open as they all fell out of it and onto the cold hallway floor.
"What the bloody hell was that!" Ron said five minutes later as the four of them arrived back in the common room.
"That was scary!" Neville panted.
"I think that was what the message meant," Hermione said. "That was probably a tester"
Harry nodded in agreement. "I mean, remember what we had to go through in our first year to reach the Sorcerer's Stone? Attacking keys, Devil's snare, and the chess match-"
"Don't remind me" Ron muttered darkly.
"Can you imagine what's in Fawke's lair?" Neville asked. "There must be loads of obstacles"
"Neville's right. The next time we go down there, we'd better be prepared. We need to arm ourselves right" Hermione said, standing.
"Sorry Hermione. I'm fresh out of crossbows at the moment" Ron snickered.
Hermione shot him a nasty look. "I mean magic wise Ron!"
"Well, hopefully the next time we go down there, we won't have to dodge people!" Harry said, yawning. It was after Midnight. "Come on, let's get to bed"
He, Neville and Ron headed to the Boys dorms, while Hermione headed to the girls dorms. Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss then departed. Harry changed behind his curtains, and climbed into bed. He found it slightly hard to fall asleep. He kept thinking.He knew where the orbs were.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Harry awakened with Ron. They washed up, and dressed in casual clothes. It was only during Breakfast did Hermione remind them that there was a Hogsmeade visit today. With so much going on, Harry found it rather hard to focus. After Breakfast, He, Hermione, Ron, Neville and Cho departed for Hogsmeade. It was a cold November morning, with the sun shining weakly in the sky, trying to avoid the clouds. The ground crunched under their feet, due to the nearly frozen grass.
"You know, I hope Ginny's ok" Ron said, as they reached the gates.
"I'm sure she's fine Ronald," said Cho. "I mean, she's a member of the D.A. Harry has taught us so much.and with Professor Kevin's spells, we'll be fine"
Ron's mood lasted all the way up the high street. They entered The Three Broomsticks and found it buzzing with people. They managed to find a table near the wall, and sat down. Harry ordered the Butterbeer, and paid Madam Rosmetta.
"I wonder why You-Know-Who is doing all of this.what does he want?" Cho asked breaking the silence between them.
"It's hard to tell.he's such a mixed up person you know" Harry said, grinning. Ron however remained silent, and pale. Harry knew that he hadn't fell asleep last night. "Look Ron, you can't go on forever being all sulky! Ginny's going to be fine!"
"Potters right," said a voice from behind. Draco had just entered the pub, alone. He was smiling. "Because I know where she is!"
All of them looked up.
"You-what?" said Ron.
"Come with me! Hurry"
They exchanged confused looks, but stood up and followed Malfoy. Instead of leading them back toward the school, Malfoy led them towards the shrieking shack, and inside. Harry had been here once before, on the night he met his godfather. A lump arose in Harry's throat. It caused him pain to be here. Malfoy led them upstairs, and opened a wooden door.
Sitting on the bed was Ginny Weasley, who was writing something. She looked up as they entered.
"I found him" said Draco, as the other's entered.
"RON!"
"GINNY!"
They ran to each other and hugged each other tightly. Colin Creevy had just emerged from a room, which was clearly the bathroom. He looked at the others.
"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Neville! Cho!"
"Colin!" shouted Neville. It was great seeing both students alive and well. Harry then noticed there was someone else in the room.Her toad like face squinted up in concentration. Her ugly pink cardigan next to her. It was Dolores Umbridge. She didn't even look up as the others entered. She looked exactly as she looked when she was in the hospital wing nearly five months ago.
"Where did you find them?" Neville asked Malfoy.
"It was more like they found me.let Ginny tell you. She knows the story"
Ginny advanced upon them, and they all sat down on the floor.
"Well, as you know, Colin was gone longer than I was.but, anyway. The night of our D.A meeting, I went to the bathroom. I met Dobby, the house-elf along the way, and said hello to him. Suddenly, someone came up behind me and stunned me. When I was awakened, I was in a dark room, with death eaters surrounding me. I saw Colin and Umbridge on the other side of the room, unconscience. The death eaters moved and then You-Know-who came up to me.it was so horrible. He touched me-"
"HE WHAT?" Ron shouted.
"Not touched me-I mean.he just felt my face. He then started talking about the orbs. (Cho looked confused.) He told me that he needed them, and in order for him to get them, he needed the location and I guess he thought I knew where they were. I told him I didn't know about the Orbs. Of course, he grew angry, but there was nothing I could do. He left the room, and the moment he did, I wriggled out of the ropes I was tied to and stunned the six death eaters. I then untied Colin and Umbridge and awakened them. Umbridge still seemed as though she were still in her shock from June. Colin however was useful. We carried Umbridge out of the room, and found our way outside" she said. Everyone was mesmerized by her story.
"So, what did you do from there?" asked Hermione.
"We headed toward the mountains. It wasn't easy, because we were lugging Umbridge with us, but we made it. Near the Mountains, we met with a wizard family, all of who attended Hogwarts. They took us in, and then let us use their fire. I didn't want to return to Hogwarts yet, because I knew the death eaters would be following us, so we arrived here, at the shack. Two days ago, I ran onto the school grounds, and saw Malfoy. He was coming from the Quidditch Field. I told him what happened and he helped us. He's been giving us the news about what's going on"
Ron looked at Malfoy. He seemed at a lost for words.
"So, when are you going to go back to the school?"
"Today. We just wanted to make sure we weren't being followed. After all, it'll look interesting when we come prancing back up the school grounds" Ginny said, grinning.
"You picked a fine day to return. We've got that Ministry thing this evening" Ron said.
"Didn't you hear?" Malfoy said, trying to see whether Umbridge showed signs of life. "It's been canceled. Fudge announced it in the Daily Prophet."
Hermione snorted. "That wasn't smart. How does he know everyone invited reads the Prophet?"
"I don't know, but Fudge is a bit slow when it comes to notices" Malfoy said, grinning. Ron grinned too, but suddenly broke off.
"What are we going to do about Umbridge?" Cho asked, staring at her.
"I think we should bring her to Dumbledore. He ought to know she's alive," Neville said.
"Not that he would care" muttered Ron darkly.
By Nightfall, when snow had started to fall and the Hogwarts Students had already retreated back to the castle, Harry and the others thought it was safe to sneak Umbridge back into the castle. The only question that burned inside Harry's mind was how they were going to get past Filch. He finally thought of his invisibility cloak in Gryffindor Tower, but could not think of any way to retrieve it. Hermione had told him they could go right under the tower and she could summon it. They could then follow the path under the Whomping Willow, and reach the inside of the school.
Everything went according to plan except when they came tumbling out into the second floor corridor. Professor McGonagall stopped them dead in their tracks.
"What in Merlin's beard-Explain yourselves!"
"Professor, we found Professor Umbridge when You-Know-Who kidnapped Colin and I.we have to see Professor Dumbledore!" It took Professor McGonagall a fraction of a second to say "Follow Me"
She led them to the end of the hallway, where the stone gargoyle stood, staring blankly at them.
"Chocolate Eclairs" she said.
The Gargoyle sprang to life and leapt aside revealing the hidden staircase that led to Professor Dumbledore's office. They climbed the stairs and entered the room.