Chapter 7

"How are we supposed to know this isn't some Death Eater trap?" Harry asked slowly.

Wringing his hands wildly, Snape jerked his head at the bodies in the rubble. "Those two caught me. They were going to kill me, but I ran away." He ignored a muttering of "Coward," from one of the twins. "I killed them, but You-Know-Who may know about the people in hiding. He wouldn't know where… but it's only a matter of time."

Ron spoke up. "Harry, how do we know we can trust this slimeball?"

Nodding but not answering, Harry reached out and placed his hands over Snape's head.

The former professor felt an immense charring in his skull, as if someone was taking a shovel and recklessly sorting through his memories. He'd gone through this before, as did all of the Dark Lord's followers, but never this bad. Never this intense. Each memory, each feeling was torn from his brain to be sifted through by Harry. Just before Snape thought he was going to break down or black out, Harry released him.

"He's clean."

Everyone breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief. Dean timidly asked, "How are we supposed to get there? We are going there… right?"

We have to go. We have to go. If there are more us we can regroup and keep each other alive. Not to mention no one will feel so bloody alone. "Yes, we're going." Harry knew what they needed to hear.

Fishing about in his massive pockets, Snape pulled out a ratty quill. "Ever since the takeover the Dark Lord's been allowing unregistered port keys constantly. This one will take us there, when I say an activation spell."

Harry stepped forward confidently and loosely grasped the end of the quill in his hand, so even those with doubts (which was most) shook off their misgivings and gathered round the quill.

Snape muttered something under his breath as the start of the spell, then shouted, "To the survivors!"

The familiar feeling of a portkey gripped Harry's navel, and he felt himself be torn from the ground. A few moments later, he collapsed on a smooth, wet floor, in a chilly, pitch-black room. Noticing the floor was made of earth, he started to push himself up.

Then collapsed again as five more bodies fell on and around him.

"Hey you, move. You've got your foot in my eye!"

"Get off me, you're crushing my ribs!"

"Will someone please get off my head!"

There was the sound of quick scuffling, then someone asked, "Who's on the bottom?"

With a groan, Harry simply said, "Me." He worked his way out of the bodies, then sat down to gather his breath. "Snape, where are you?"

A startled, worn voice sounded from the darkness, a voice Harry could dimly remember, but not place. "Is Snape here then? Who are you all, anyways?"

Someone moved in the darkness to sit by Harry; he was fairly certain it was Ron. He was sure of it when Ron said, "I've got a lighter in my pants pocket… it'll just be a minute."

Sitting quietly and listening to the breathing of unknown people was not at all reassuring. Fred yelled out, "Damnit, hurry it up!" George chimed in. "I want to know who the hell these people are."

"Alright, alright, I've got it now." The clicking of lighter filled the room, and for a brief moment Ron's heart fell as he thought it wouldn't light. Suddenly it was lit, and the timid light wavered in the shadowy darkness. A figure stepped forward from the gloom, revealing the thin face of….

There, cliffhanger! At least I updated. Any guesses to who's there?

Honestly, I hadn't update because I was sort of hoping for more than two reviews. It was a bit of surprise when that was all I got.

So thank you to JessieRose and Fairyangel24, I love you guys, you're my best fans ever! Thank you, and update again.