***Hi everyone! Glad you all liked the last chapter! New chappie is here! Hope you all like it! Enough said, on with the story!***
Chapter Fourteen: The Shrieking Shack
I rode all night, and by the time I reached the old Death Eaters Lair, the sun was beginning to rise. I landed in the countryside just next to Hogwarts. I stared up at the Giant Castle, it brought back so many memories, good and bad. I pulled myself out of my thoughts, and looked over at the forest in front of me. It wasn't the Forbidden Forest but it was a close second. I swung my broom over my shoulder and pulled out my wand. Slowly but carefully, I entered. Even if it was the begging of the day, it was pitch black inside. Eventually, I found the entrance and cautiously I entered. It was a bit like the Shrieking Shack inside, but much, much larger. I wondered around the room, when something glittering in a small pool of light caught my eye. Slowly I walked over to it.
I picked it up and examined it, it was Hermione's charm bracelet that I had gotten for her. But one of the pieces was missing. It was the piece of me. I put it inside my pocket and carried on examining every part of the Lair. When I had looked everywhere, all I had found was the bracelet and a small piece of parchment with the number '12' on it. I also put this in my pocket. I wasn't quite sure what it meant but, I kept hold of it all the same, just in case it would come in handy.
Since I had no where to stay, I thought Dumbledore would be able to spend the day in the castle, for old times sake. Just until tomorrow, or until I figured where to go next. I made my way out of the Lair and the forest and climbed back onto my broom. I kicked off from the ground and sped over to the castle. I had learned where quite a few of the teachers office window's where, so I figured I'd go straight up to Dumbledore's.
I flew around to the window, and there he was, sitting at his desk looking through what looked like rolls of parchment. I hovered next to the glass and smiled. Dumbledore was the greatest wizard I knew, and I knew a lot. I tapped on the glass, and instantly, he looked around to see where the noise had come from. He eventually looked over at the window and spotted me.
His eyes twinkled and a smile spread across his face. He stood up and opened the window. I flew in and climbed off my broom.
"Its good to see you again Harry" said Dumbledore giving me a hug.
"You too sir"
I replied back. As he pulled away, he noticed the concern on my face, and the worried look in my eyes.
"What's, wrong Harry?" he asked sitting down.
He indicated a chair opposite him and I sat down. I placed my bag and Firebolt on the floor and ran my hands through my hair. Dumbledore got the message.
"Its Hermione, isn't it?" he asked.
I looked up and nodded.
"Don't worry Harry, I'm sure you'll find her" he said knowingly.
I smiled at him, apparently Dumbledore, the Weasley's and I thought that Hermione would be ok.
"Sir, I was wondering, would I be able to stay here in the castle for just one night?" I asked.
"Of course Harry, and there's something I wanted to ask you"
"What is it?" I asked, curious.
"Well, we have been having a hard time in finding a teacher for the DADA post, but no one wants the job, I was wondering, since you are quite experienced in this area, if you would like to take it?"
"I'd love to work here at Hogwarts, but not until Hermione is found"
"I understand Harry and you are welcome to stay in the castle tonight"
I smiled and stood up, I shook Dumbledore's hand and made my way to a room he had spare for me.
As I walked into my room, I placed my stuff down on the floor and walked over to the window.
"Where are you Mione?" I said aloud to myself.
I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere now, since I was so tired, so I decided to go straight to bed. I took off my clothes and kept my underwear and socks on. I climbed into the bed, and fell straight asleep. Unfortunately, my dreams were not that pleasant. I dreamt that I saw Hermione walking along with Krum, in a place I recognised, but couldn't remember what it was called. I watched as Krum took a locket out of his pocket and placed it on the hypnotised Hermione. She began to shake and she fell onto the floor, I tried to reach her, but I failed.
I sat bolt upright in my bed. Shaking and fresh sweat running down my forehead. I wiped my hair out of my eyes and put on my glasses. I looked around the room and it took me a while, but I realised where I was. I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, so I climbed out of bed and strolled over to the window. The sun beginning to rise far in the distance. It must have been about five or six in the morning. The images of the dream flashing across my mind. But as I watched them walk, my mind clicked and I realise where they were. The Shrieking Shack, of course, that's where Peter Pettigrew went after he reappeared in sixth year. If anything, they would be there, or at least a clue or something that told me where they went.
I didn't waste anytime. I got dressed and picked up my bag and Firebolt. I swung my bag over my shoulder and mounted my broomstick. With the window open, I was about to take off when I realised that I hadn't left Dumbledore a note. I got off my broomstick and quickly scribbled a thank you note to Dumbledore and left it on the side table. I re-mounted my broomstick and sped off into the early morning sun. It didn't take me long before I reached my destination. Seeing it was pretty early in the morning, the fields that surrounded the Shrieking Shack were empty.
I landed softly on the grass, just near to the window. I got of my broomstick and pulled out my wand. I apperated inside. It was just the same as I remembered it from third year. I kept my wand by my side and walked slowly around the abandoned shack. I had walked only a few paces when I began to hear footsteps, other than my own, and voices. I stopped abruptly and listened. The footsteps stopped and a man with a cold voice spoke.
"Have you brought the girl?" it asked.
A man with another dark voice replied.
"Yes master, and she is under the Imperio curse, so I can control whatever she does"
I knew that voice, that was Krum's voice, he was here and if he was here, then Hermione had to be. The cold voice spoke once again.
"Excellent, soon the world will once again fear the wrath of Lord Voldemort"
Voldemort? But he couldn't be alive, I defeated him at the end of seventh year. Not unless, Krum has brought him back from the dead. But what did he want with Hermione? My question was soon answered as Krum spoke again.
"After I have given you a drop of her blood, could I keep her?" he asked.
"Yes, you may" the cold voice, now known as Voldemort, replied.
"Good, do you want the blood now?"
"Yes, cut her wrist and drop it over my left hand, with her blood, I will have my full body back again"
"Yes master"
The sound of a knife could be heard being pulled out. He was going to harm Hermione, and if Voldemort got hold of her blood, then he would have his full body back. I had to do something. I dropped my bag to the floor along with my Firebolt. I pushed them into a corner and ran straight to where the voices where coming from. My wand by my side.
A/N: End of the chapter! Next chapter will be out real soon, it will be the battle! I hope you all liked this one! Please, please review and no flames! Thanks!
Bye for now
numberoneseeker
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