Disclaimer: I'm running low on humourous disclaimers, so this is just the regular spiel. I am not JK Rowling. I own absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter, except for this plot line. If I were her, I would be working on Harry Potter 6 and not some fan fic.

AN: Thanks to all who have reviewed so far. You guys rock. You might have noticed that Harry and Co. are not going back to the Burrow. Sorry, but it had to happen sooner or later. So, here is chapter 5. Enjoy.

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Chapter 5

Harry let out a nervous breath as Ginny slowly lowered her wand. "Sorry Harry, I.sorry." "It's okay Ginny," Harry replied, "I just want to talk." Ginny grabbed his hand and led him to the portrait and out into the hall. Offering no resistance Harry let himself be pulled and pushed through the maze of doors, halls, and rooms Ginny seemed to be taking him through, until at last they came upon a spiralling stone staircase leading into the darkness. "Ginny, what's down there?" Harry asked as she started to disappear down the stairs. "Lumos!" Harry heard Ginny whisper. "Ginny, NO! You're not allowed to use magic outside school! You know that!" The stairs came to an abrupt end at a small landing, leading to a large wooden door, dimly lit by the glowing tip of Ginny's wand. "It's okay Harry, I'm allowed." Ginny reassured him and she pushed the door open. She gave a small smile to Harry and slipped inside.

Harry's stomach dropped as he stepped into the all to familiar room. He found himself in a replica of Snape's classroom back at Hogwarts. The only major differences were that different flasks and cauldrons replaced the students, bubbling over with multicoloured smoke issuing forth. The air was foul and Harry did not feel that pair of eyes always judging and mocking. "Ginny, where are we?" Harry asked. "You said that you wanted to talk, so what did you want to talk about?" she replied, ignoring his question. "First of all, I want to know where we are," Harry said. "We are in one of the many dungeons in Snape's house. I saw him go down here once and so I followed. He doesn't know that I know where this room is," she said coolly, "I just thought that this would be the perfect place to talk because Ron and Hermione don't know about it and everyone in the order will be in the meeting still. Next question?" "What is wrong with you today? I mean, the other day, you wrote me a letter and told me that I could talk to you no matter what and now you are ignoring me and running away. What is happening?" Harry asked. "Oh Harry, I wish that I could tell you. I just." she trailed off. "What is it Ginny? You can tell me anything," Harry told her reassuringly. "That's just it though Harry. I want to tell you, but I can't. I just don't know how to tell you." Harry looked at her and thought, 'I want to help her. Why won't she let me?' "Harry," she began, "I know-." The door being thrown cut her off open. Ginny and Harry both looked up in surprise as their eyes met a very angry Severus Snape.

"What do you think you are doing down here? This is a private room. You were told to stay put! Can't you listen to anything?" he yelled at them, "Dumbledore gave you strict orders not to leave the room and this is what he gets? I'm warning you, Potter, there are things in this house that even you would be afraid of. No doubt your father would have been. If for one moment, you think that you can get away with all the things that you do at school while under my roof, then you are sadly mistaken. Do I make myself clear? You and Miss Weasley are out of bounds and you will be disciplined as I see fit. Follow me." Ginny and Harry began to walk out of the room and were followed closely be Snape. "Think that you are some brave boy for exploring my home? Playing the hero again, Potter?" he asked. "No, sir. I was just trying to talk to Ginny. That's all, sir," Harry responded. "I am not an idiot, Potter. Do not treat my as one. I know what I saw and from the looks of it, you lead her down there. Do not go traipsing around my house again, or I will make sure that the next time you are down and out, I will not come to your rescue. Here we are; back at your room. I am locking you in this time. Do not leave again or you will find yourself renting a room at the Leaky Cauldron," Snape said as he opened the door to the room, "One moment Miss Weasley." Harry hung back for a second to wait for Ginny when Snape said, "I asked for Miss Weasley to stay. Not you, Potter. Go inside and stay there." Harry decided that it wasn't worth an argument, so he stepped inside the room and was soon followed by Ginny.

When they both had entered the room, they saw that Hermione and Ron hadn't stopped arguing, but had only changed their topic. "I don't know where they are, Hermione. Maybe they wanted to get away from you always saying things that no one cares about. 'Oh look at me. I'm Hermione. I have read "Hogwarts: A History" SIX BLOODY THOUSAND TIMES!!!'" Ron finished off. "Well, at least I have more emotion than that of a teaspoon!" she shouted back. They were both turning red, their common danger sign. "Guys, we're back," said Harry loudly. Neither one heard. "Oi! We're back!" shouted Ginny. Again, they didn't notice. Finally, Harry whistled loudly and that got their attention. "And just where the bloody hell have you been, Virginia Weasley?" asked a very angry Ron. "We went for a walk. That's all," she replied. "You know that Mom and Dad don't want us running around this place. It's dangerous," he said. Harry spoke up, "Sorry Ron. It was all my fault that we were out walking around. Don't get mad at her. She already was yelled at enough." "What do you mean?" asked Hermoine. "Snape caught us walking around and he sent us back to the room," said Ginny.

Just then, they heard a flurry of activity coming up the staircase. The meeting had let out and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were coming upstairs to take Ron, Ginny, and Hermione back to their rooms. From the way that they were acting towards Harry and Ginny, it seemed to be that Snape had not told anyone that he had caught them in his dungeon. After saying some quick goodnights, Harry fell back onto his bed and feeling the exhaustion of exploring the mansion, he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.