A/N: Okay, here we go again! Just remember everything besides the plot and
Kristin belongs to J. K. Rowling. Now that we have that formality out of
the way, let's begin!
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"Lumos"
They all lit their wands dimly, simply giving themselves a little more light than the dim green emanating from the caves into which they were preparing to enter. With a few final words of advice, Dumbledore led Ron, who followed reluctantly into what he feared would be the most dangerous situation of his life, and the other pairs proceeded on their chosen paths.
-----
Snape and Hermoine said not a word to each other as they entered the dank cave. The damp, chilled, humidity of the swamp permeated the cave as well, but it lacked the openness of the outdoors. The air was thick, stale, and stifling as Hermoine took deep breaths simply to get enough air to stay standing. Professor Snape glared at her occasionally when her breath was too noisy for his taste, but still chose not to ignite her fiery speech, now was not the time. She took his glares with stride and begrudgingly silenced her breathing every time.
She cringed to think why they were assigned together. He, the head of Slytherin, a house that valued purebred wizardry; she, the most prominent muggle-born in the school. She may ask Dumbledore about this later, but that could wait.
She took a step farther to avoid some standing water and nearly tripped on the moss that awaited her. Snape grabber her by the back of her robes and kept her from making a ruckus, pulling her up and onto a dry patch of ground without a sound.
The green light never grew brighter, only continued to glimmer in a place which always seemed just beyond their view.
-----
Dumbledore led Ron through the cave, tempted to cast a charm that would allow them to walk on dry ground but reluctant to do anymore magic than for what the situation called, anything that Voldemort could trace could cost them many valuable resources or the entire mission.
The headmaster kept a cautious eye on Ron as the child struggled to keep himself from crying out every time he noticed a shadow or spider or anything outside made a sound. The youngest Weasley brother would need t o build up that courage in the next year or two if he hoped to make a successful career as an Auror, which Dumbledore suspected he would.
But the Weasley's future plans could wait, as he watched the green light in front of him glow steadily immutable just out of view, always just out of view.
-----
Draco hurried into his designated cave as soon as he saw Dumbledore leave the group to begin his search. He wanted to run, but knew better in the damp swamp and the even damper cave. He struggled to breathe as he entered and was forced to stop, take a deep breath from outside and wait for Harry to catch up. He wished that boy would hurry, but knew that Harry must dread this.
He'd never thought about that before. How Harry must hate going on trips simply to find the man who may end his life one-day. Draco had heard about the prophecy from his father, how one could not live while the other survived. How burdensome it must be to know that at the end of each meeting, one will not be standing, while the other walks away. He has to wonder each time whether he will be the one to walk away from it all for a one more year. Draco turned to look at him now following close behind the Slytherin, amazed to see the masked fear in his eyes. The green light they faced reflected in his green eyes and Draco saw Kristin once more in his mind.
She looked dead as she lay crumpled on the floor, just before her father stole her away from him. He could only imagine the horrible things he would do to her, maybe already had done to her. It was nearly morning now and the Dark Lord had retreated to his cave nearly five hours ago. How much evil could he have worked in five hours? It only takes an instant for Aveda Kadavra to kill its victim, she has been in his presence for much too long.
Harry met Draco's eyes for an instant, wishing that he could travel just a bit slower. He'd never met Voldemort from this side before. Harry often wondered if Draco ever spoke to the man that killed Lily and James Potter and so many others. Lucius Malfoy was a very powerful Deatheater and meetings with the master would be common, he imagined, but did he ever greet the child, ever entice him to join the fight against good as soon as he was out of Hogworts? Would Voldemort recognize him when he saw his face and know that Draco wasn't on his side anymore? At least, that is what Harry hoped. He didn't need to be walking this trail with a spy.
The green light ahead of them grew brighter and brighter as they neared it. They could feel energy all around them. They considered using the charms to notify the others but weren't sure if they saw the same change in the dim grotesque twinkling and chose to wait a little longer before they called for help.
-----
Ok... so it's a little longer than last time. I'm getting there.
-----
"Lumos"
They all lit their wands dimly, simply giving themselves a little more light than the dim green emanating from the caves into which they were preparing to enter. With a few final words of advice, Dumbledore led Ron, who followed reluctantly into what he feared would be the most dangerous situation of his life, and the other pairs proceeded on their chosen paths.
-----
Snape and Hermoine said not a word to each other as they entered the dank cave. The damp, chilled, humidity of the swamp permeated the cave as well, but it lacked the openness of the outdoors. The air was thick, stale, and stifling as Hermoine took deep breaths simply to get enough air to stay standing. Professor Snape glared at her occasionally when her breath was too noisy for his taste, but still chose not to ignite her fiery speech, now was not the time. She took his glares with stride and begrudgingly silenced her breathing every time.
She cringed to think why they were assigned together. He, the head of Slytherin, a house that valued purebred wizardry; she, the most prominent muggle-born in the school. She may ask Dumbledore about this later, but that could wait.
She took a step farther to avoid some standing water and nearly tripped on the moss that awaited her. Snape grabber her by the back of her robes and kept her from making a ruckus, pulling her up and onto a dry patch of ground without a sound.
The green light never grew brighter, only continued to glimmer in a place which always seemed just beyond their view.
-----
Dumbledore led Ron through the cave, tempted to cast a charm that would allow them to walk on dry ground but reluctant to do anymore magic than for what the situation called, anything that Voldemort could trace could cost them many valuable resources or the entire mission.
The headmaster kept a cautious eye on Ron as the child struggled to keep himself from crying out every time he noticed a shadow or spider or anything outside made a sound. The youngest Weasley brother would need t o build up that courage in the next year or two if he hoped to make a successful career as an Auror, which Dumbledore suspected he would.
But the Weasley's future plans could wait, as he watched the green light in front of him glow steadily immutable just out of view, always just out of view.
-----
Draco hurried into his designated cave as soon as he saw Dumbledore leave the group to begin his search. He wanted to run, but knew better in the damp swamp and the even damper cave. He struggled to breathe as he entered and was forced to stop, take a deep breath from outside and wait for Harry to catch up. He wished that boy would hurry, but knew that Harry must dread this.
He'd never thought about that before. How Harry must hate going on trips simply to find the man who may end his life one-day. Draco had heard about the prophecy from his father, how one could not live while the other survived. How burdensome it must be to know that at the end of each meeting, one will not be standing, while the other walks away. He has to wonder each time whether he will be the one to walk away from it all for a one more year. Draco turned to look at him now following close behind the Slytherin, amazed to see the masked fear in his eyes. The green light they faced reflected in his green eyes and Draco saw Kristin once more in his mind.
She looked dead as she lay crumpled on the floor, just before her father stole her away from him. He could only imagine the horrible things he would do to her, maybe already had done to her. It was nearly morning now and the Dark Lord had retreated to his cave nearly five hours ago. How much evil could he have worked in five hours? It only takes an instant for Aveda Kadavra to kill its victim, she has been in his presence for much too long.
Harry met Draco's eyes for an instant, wishing that he could travel just a bit slower. He'd never met Voldemort from this side before. Harry often wondered if Draco ever spoke to the man that killed Lily and James Potter and so many others. Lucius Malfoy was a very powerful Deatheater and meetings with the master would be common, he imagined, but did he ever greet the child, ever entice him to join the fight against good as soon as he was out of Hogworts? Would Voldemort recognize him when he saw his face and know that Draco wasn't on his side anymore? At least, that is what Harry hoped. He didn't need to be walking this trail with a spy.
The green light ahead of them grew brighter and brighter as they neared it. They could feel energy all around them. They considered using the charms to notify the others but weren't sure if they saw the same change in the dim grotesque twinkling and chose to wait a little longer before they called for help.
-----
Ok... so it's a little longer than last time. I'm getting there.