Chapter 13: The Fortress Of Shadows

They spun round and saw Ron standing behind them with his wand raised high.

"I thourght we could have a duel," Ron said.

"Whatever," Harry agreed.

"I'm his second," said a voice. They spun round yet again and saw Sirius emerge from the bushes.

"Fine, I'm Weasley's second," A cruel voice said. Bellatrix Lestrange was standing next to Ron with a smug look on her face.

"We meet again cousin," Bellatrix sneered.

Sirius said nothing but whistled a long pierceing note. The bushes ruffles and out popped a few other people. Mad Eye Moody, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape and Tonks. Sirius had called half the Order to help!

"I thourght I'd bring a few friends, hope they don't spoil the party," Sirius growled.

"Big deal, I can do whatever I like," Bellatrix sneered, "Including snatching away that Mudblood!" A puff of smoke rose and Hermione had vanished. Bellatrix had dissapered along with Ron.

"Well, that was interesting," Sirius comented.

"Shut up Padfoot," Lupin said.

"How about NOOOOOO!" Sirius shouted.

"QUIET!" cried Snape," Thank you, now we must get back Miss Granger from the clutches of the Dark Lord." They all agreed to that so they set off to find a way into the castle. The castle in all it's glory seemed to be missing a door, so they decided to do the Wingardium Leviosa Charm on there selves to fly up to the battlements.

The decor of the castle wasn't what one would expect from a castle. Instead of coats of arms and swords on the walls, there were pictures of wizards. Harry immediately recognised that

they were Dark Wizards. All the portraits seemed to be trying to curse the team.

"We meet again Potty," Hunter drawled. He raised his wand but Tonks was there first,

"Impedmita". The sleeping charm worked and Hunter dozed off before he hit the ground.

"Boo yah, I kick but," Tonks shouted, making her hair turn different shades of purple.

"Be quiet," hissed Moody," Our only hope is in stealth." They continued along the corridor and down a flight of stairs, Harry realised two things at that moment in time, 1: He felt as thourgh his heart had been wrenched in two, and the other half was being eaten by crows. He did not like this feeling. 2: Snape was now leeding them.

"Sirius, why is Snape leading?" Harry asked.

"Because he was a Death Eater remember? So he knows the way to the Dungeons," Sirius answered. Harry looked at Snape and made a mental note to trust him a bit more from now on.

Everyone else had stopped outside a large-ish door. Snape produced a key and unlocked it. How did he still have that key? Harry made abother mental note, to trust Snape a bit less.

They followed Snape right down to the end of the flight of stairs and reached the cells at the bottom. Over the archway sat a sign saying:

The Dungeons Of Doom, Abondon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

"Well, thanks for the warning," Sirius said lightly.