The Hospital Wing melted away in a smear of black and grey. A whirling sensation coursed through the man's body as the Portkey he created, what was once a simple empty beaker, transported him away amidst a swirl of blurred colours.
His attempt to murder Harry Potter had failed. He scowled at that thought. The planning that had been needed, the inside-help... all to waste. His master would not be pleased.
The swirling feeling subsided, and the feeling of a hook inside his navel was no more. He opened his eyes, expecting to see his hideout. Mottled cobblestones were met to his eye, and an acrid scent to his nose. Growling softly, he realized he was not where he was intended. He had been sent to the dungeons.
"Blast!" the man shouted, soon biting his lip for making such a ruckus. He peered around through the eye-slits in his mask, anxious to find an exit. The Portkey had taken him to the dungeons of the castle - not where he had meant at all. He made a quick step to the exit, ready to disembark. At that moment, the door swung open, crashing loudly against the wall. Argus Filch, caretaker of the castle, stepped through clutching an oil lantern. His eyes bulged, almost protruding from their sockets.
The black-garbed man snickered, eyeing the caretaker with a hidden smirk. "Filch? My, it has been some time."
Filch growled. "You come with me! I'm taking you to Dumbledore, and then we'll see who's the one smug one."
To that, the man could not help but laugh. "You? Argus Filch, the squid?" Filch's cheeks reddened in the darkness. "No. I have a much better idea. I can remember, back not too long ago, you laughing as you tortured me by making me gut frogs down here in the dungeons. Yes... I have my own means of torturing, Filch."
The Death Eater thrust his wand forward, uttering an incantation. Filch's shouts echoed through the dungeons, resounding through the school. He collapsed to the floor, screaming in pure agony. His shouts did not die for quite some time.
The trio rounded the corner, walking at a brisk pace. As they went, their eyes darted about. At every step, they expected to come to face with the prowler. They were poised to attack at any sign of movement. The shadows of Hogwarts hid any lurking figure, though Professor McGonagall would not let that stop her.
"Stupefy!" she shouted, emitting a blaze of crimson from her wand. A cloud of dust shot up as the corner was blasted apart. She stood there, gasping for breath, watching the dust settle through her narrow spectacles. "I could've sworn I saw a... oh, never mind. Come."
Harry and Hermione followed closely at McGonagall's heels. "Who do you think it could be, Harry? I mean, with Voldemort gone... do you think it could be a Death Eater? But the only ones remaining have been rounded up. How could they have known you were in the Hospital Wing. I suppose they could have walked in on you by happenstance, though that's not very likely. You don't think anybody has been hurt, do you?"
"I don't know, Hermione," Harry said impatiently. He was bent on preparing to defend himself against whoever was lurking in the castle. "How did you and Professor McGonagall get to the Hospital Wing so quickly?"
Hermione suddenly appeared embarrassed. The darkness did well at hiding the colour in her cheeks. "I was coming to see you and apologize. She caught me in the hall. I guess teachers who aren't on patrol aren't supposed to be out this time of night. But I'm sorry, Harry! None of this would've happened if I had stopped to think. I mean, we came so close to... to something really bad happening. I'm so sorry." A quaver rose in her voice. Had the torches been lit, Harry would've counted on seeing tears.
Harry's did not reply, for they had just stepped up to the great stone gargoyle aside the entrance to Dumbledore's office. The gnarled beast sat on a pedestal, snoring loud enough to wake the entire tower. Growling, McGonagall hit the creature across the head.
"Wake up!" she belted at it. "We must see Dumbledore."
The creature yawned, scratching its cracked and worn-down skull. "Password," it said groggily.
McGonagall shouted the password at it, shoving it aside. Hermione and Harry stared, shocked at the headmistress's brutality. She had been far from the sweetest character at Hogwarts, though they had never seen such aggressive behavior. The creature skulked at the side of the entrance, muttering about receiving no respect.
They burst into the office, expecting it to be as darkened as the halls outside. However, the torches against the walls were lit, and Dumbledore was already garbed, standing before them.
"Dumbledore," McGonagall began, rushing towards him, though he cut her short.
"Minerva, I've already heard. Ms. Derwent has already informed me," he said, gesturing to a painting of a now-sleeping headmistress. "We mustn't dally. I want you to awaken the teachers. The Heads of Houses must guard the students, and each student is to spend the night in their respective common room – not the dormitories. They are to be seen at all times. You go with her," he added, nodding to Hermione. She nodded intently before hurrying off after McGonagall.
Harry took a step forward to follow them, though Professor Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Not you, Harry," Dumbledore said, taking a step to his desk where his wand lay. He picked it up, admiring it. "Presumably, whoever is in the castle is after you, Harry. I doubt they will unnecessarily harm someone else, though that chance cannot be taken. I must go out to protect my students. No room in Hogwarts is safer than this very one, and to protect you, I can perform a charm to bind you to it."
Harry blinked, lost. While it seemed logical that Dumbledore's office was safest, he could not see how it would be so without Dumbledore there to guard him. And that line about binding him only made him blink more.
"The Legaturas Charm can be used to bind someone to a room. They cannot escape. Ancient enchantments placed on this room will not allow any harm to befall you while you remain here. With your approval, only, I can bind you here. You will be safe against the intruder." Dumbledore peered at Harry through his spectacles with twinkling eyes.
Harry only partially understood what he was being told, but it seemed to make sense. "Okay, then."
Dumbledore nodded, raising his wand. "Legatura Aveconcenso." Dumbledore's wand swished in front of him, crossing sharply through the air. The headmaster's eyes were closed for concentration, it seemed. Magic that needed strict concentration from a wizard of Dumbledore's level was difficult indeed.
Harry felt nonplussed, as if no spell had been cast. Dumbledore's eyes opened. "I'm afraid I must tend to the matter at hand, Harry. You're safe here." He smiled reassuringly, though only halfheartedly. He seemed slightly detached about what he had just done. Harry was sure it was because of the infiltration. The headmaster strode off, his plum robes trailing off behind him.
Sighing, Harry crossed over to the window. The grounds were as dark as ever, completely bereft of light. The moon failed to bathe them with its glow that night, for the plumes of cloud above seemed to conceal all. Harry pushed open the window, hoping to tempt in a breeze. His heart skipped a beat as his hand could not reach any further than the frame. A nonexistent barrier blocked it. It's Dumbledore's charm, he realized, shaking the surprise off. The door would probably work the same, too.
Harry sat down against the wall. He could not possibly imagine who would be after him. How they had known he was in the Hospital Wing was another mystery to ponder. Later, he thought, realizing how tried he truly was.
The wall was far from comfortable, though it made for a welcoming place to rest in his state. He could feel his head slide against the stone wall, coming closer to the floor. By the time he hit the ground, Harry was already asleep.
Note: Just making a small note saying that a lot of the stuff in this chapter that probably didn't make sense (the Legaturas Charm, for example) will be explained next chapter. This note is to battle the onslaught of 'Huhs?' I'm expecting to receive in the reviews.