The morning was a frustrating one for Harry. He awoke early when McGonagall and Krux began moving about the cave and he was unable to get back to sleep. He had the opportunity burn off some nervous energy after they left by mixing and heating warm cereal. Harry and Moody ate in silence while Snape inventoried his supplies and began preparing items for the day. Snape did not eat.

Harry sat and watched Moody finish his preparations while he finished his breakfast. He alternated between guilt and anger, having to sit aside without being able to assist the two older wizards. He was so caught up in his own thoughts that he did not notice immediately when Snape and Moody began chanting. They sat facing each other on the cave floor. Snape held his wand pointed toward a pale colored rock that lay on the ground between the wizards. A barely perceptible stream of light flowed from his wand to the stone and, after a minute, Harry could see that the stone itself had begun to glow.

Harry forgot his resentment as he watched, fascinated. The spell was like none that he had ever performed. Harry rubbed impatiently at an itch on his forehead. Moments later the itch became a sting, clearly originating from his scar. Harry's stomach knotted in panic. Something was definitely happening and he doubted that the timing was coincidental. He opened his mouth twice to speak, to tell Snape and Moody what he was feeling. Although panic was beginning to grip him, he could not bring himself to speak, fearing the consequences of interrupting the spell.

Harry watched the beam of light emanating from Snape's wand brighten and intensify. The beam split, pieces of it zigzagging up Snape's arm like an electrical current. The energy seemed to focus around Snape's left forearm, as if flowing into the Dark Mark through his robe. Harry found it more and more difficult to focus his eyes on the Professor. The room appeared to be getting progressively brighter and his view became washed out.

"What on Earth…" It was Moody's voice, sounding alarmed. Harry turned his head toward the sound, but he could barely make out the Ex-Auror's form.

Harry stood quickly and staggered toward the older men. Other voices soon joined Moody's, dim and far away sounds that Harry could not decipher. The cave walls seemed to fade, only to come back into sharp focus a few moments later. The bright light was receding and, as it did, Harry ascertained what was happening. The room was not glowing. His vision was obscured by a crackling beam of energy, flowing from his own scar through Snape's forearm to the stone on the ground.

Snape and Moody stood staring at Harry and the spell was fading now that their energies no longer fed it. The light dimmed and, after nearly a minute, died out altogether. Harry sat down, hard.

"What," Harry's voice cracked and he finished in a whisper. "was that?"

A long silence answered him. Finally, Snape spoke.

"That," He responded, his voice low, even and dangerous, "was a failed spell. One that probably alerted the Dark Lord to our presence here." Harry, still dazed, looked up to find that his professor was standing directly over him, face contorted with rage. "That," Snape continued, nearly shrieking now. "Was probably," these words were yelled. "our fate being sealed. Any moment now we could be surrounded by Death Eaters!" Snape was outright screaming, and Harry was sure he felt flecks of spittle land on his face.

"Well, it wasn't MY fault." Harry screamed back, climbing unsteadily to his feet. "I don't even understand what happened!"

Harry stood facing Snape, his nose inches away from the older man's.

"You ABSOLUTE child," Snape's breath was acrid and stale on Harry's skin. "We are probably going to die and you want to stand here making sure that you don't get any of the blame!"

"YOU'RE the one who started yelling at ME, you prick." Harry stopped and blinked, having shocked himself by his own outburst and having suddenly become very aware of how close he was to his Potions Professor. Moody let out a soft gasp at Harry's words and both men whipped their heads around to face him. He stood several feet away from the pair, good eye round with shock. The man's lips were pursed together tightly and, if Harry was not mistaken, he was desperately suppressing a grin. Harry caught himself trying to smile back.

"Well," Moody said. "We don't appear to be surrounded by homicidal Death Eaters just yet."

Harry turned and examined the room, more to assuage his discomfort than to look for intruders.

"So," Harry said softly, with a nervous glance at Snape. "What do we do? Should we leave so that we don't get trapped here?"

"No." Snape said. Harry waited a moment to see if there was a further explanation, but the man was apparently just being contrary.

"Right," Moody said finally. "If they don't know our location, we're safest here. I'm going to go stand outside and see anything looks off."

"Can't we set wards?" Harry asked.

"Yes, Potter. We have been avoiding all use of magic for no reason whatsoever." Snape's was nearly yelling again.