Harry dragged himself to the North Tower, wishing more than anything
that he was back in his own bed. He was tired, but more than that he
wanted to know what was happening to Hermione. His scar ached along
with his entire body, and he still wasn't quite sure that Professor
Trelawney was going to be any help to him concerning his dreams. She
was under the false pretense that he was actually good at Divination,
and he had it in his mind that if he just told her he saw himself
dying, that the lessons might be over quicker. But Dumbledore had said
for him to be honest, and he trusted Trelawney. He'd know if Harry was
lying. The sooner this week was over the better, he thought to himself
as he climbed the steps up to the Divination classroom.
Professor Trelawney was already waiting for him. In front of her lay one of her copies of The Dream Oracle. All the windows were pulled shut and hidden behind their curtains, making the smell of the incense and perfumes even stronger. Harry became light headed upon entering the classroom. None of the lamps were lit. Instead tiny candles hung midair all over the room. A space had been cleared in the room leaving only a single cushioned chair and a matching foot stool. Trelawney smiled at Harry and motioned for him to come in and have a seat.
"Welcome, Harry. Come and have a seat. We will begin shortly. I have cancelled my classes for this week, feeling that this is of more importance at the moment. So we will have no interruptions."
Harry sat himself down and felt the tension in his body decrease. The looming scent was making him extremely drowsy. Dumbledore had failed to mention how long each session would last. He'd figured he'd go in, tell Trelawney his dreams and be sent back to his room to have more. He didn't fancy having to stay in the classroom all day. He watched as Professor Trelawney wrote something down on a bit of parchment. She then looked him over with a "tut tut" in her voice.
"Dear me..."
"If it has to do with my untimely demise, I'd prefer not to hear it right now. If that's okay?" he told her, politely.
"No, no. You've just got lots of troubles ahead of you, my boy. You've seen too much for your age. It's just a pity that's all." she replied softly and took her place back at her desk. She was silent again for awhile. Harry was having to concentrate on not falling asleep. It was becoming harder to do.
"So tell me about your dreams. Dumbledore has told me that you've been seeing prophecies for a few years now."
"They're not prophecies. I see them as they're happening."
"Yes, he explained how last year you saw your friend Ron's father when he was attacked. If it hadn't been for you, he would've died. You have an excellent gift, Harry."
"I wouldn't consider it a gift." Harry muttered, and shifted in seat. She seemed to have not heard this and continued on.
"Have you had any recently?"
"One a few months back when my friend Hermione Granger and the Slytherin prefect Draco Malfoy were taken captive. And one this morning... Lucius Malfoy is keeping the girls that were taken in one room. I suppose he has the boys in another." he replied. She didn't say anything, just watched him carefully. Then as if suddenly snapped out of a trance said,
"Good! Then let's try and get back to them. I'm going to give you this potion. It's called iSopor Venenum/i. It will put you in a deep sleep, you should be able to go back to your last dream and continue on. You won't notice it, but you'll be relaying everything back to me that you see. I have to warn you that once it wears off, it won't be pleasant, but hopefully we'll be able to get far before that happens."
She handed Harry a vile of liquid. It looked a lot like what Mrs. Weasley had given Malfoy when they'd gotten to King's Cross over Christmas Holiday. He opened the cork and drank it down. It made his stomach burn and the taste almost made him retch, but soon he found himself drifting off to a welcome sleep.
Harry seemed to have been transported from the Divination's room to some sort of mansion. At least that's what it seemed like to him. Sunlight tried to break through the moth eaten curtains covering the tall victorian windows of the den he was apparently in. The fire in the grate was gradually dying and the embers glowed bright. Harry jumped as the doors slammed open. Lucius Malfoy dragged Hermione into the room. The doors slammed again. He shoved her aside. He seemed to be trying to search her mind.
"I see you and my son have been trained well. I figured this. No matter, I'll get what I want out of you." he stated dryly. Harry figured that Hermione had blocked Lucius out of her mind.
"If I wouldn't tell Draco anything, what makes you think I'll open up to you."
"Talking out of line, won't help your situation." he performed the Cruciatus Curse on her again. Her nose began to bleed.
"Veritaserum will get you to speak." he grabbed her and forced the potion down her mouth. She bit him.
"Stupid bitch!" he slapped her across the face, knocking her back down to the ground. She spit the potion back at him.
"I'm not telling you anything." she repeated.
"You'll answer my questions or die." he pointed his wand at her.
"You're going to kill me anyway." he smiled at her words.
"Eventually, yes. I see why Draco could be attracted to you. Your ego and power would've served you well in Slytherin, if it weren't for your dirty blood and Gryffindor pride. Not to mentioned you're undoubtably the most attractive witch at that filth ridden school."
"Listing off my qualites isn't going to work. Your son tried that already. If you're going to kill me, get it over with." she snapped. He smirked at her.
"What are Harry Potter's weaknesses?" he asked, casually. Hermione was unable to keep herself from answering. The potion had worked.
"His parents and friends." she clasped her hands over her mouth.
'Magically?"
"He's never done particularly well in potions or transfiguration. He's still weak in Occlumency." she covered her mouth again, tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Lucius' smirk stretched out to an evil grin.
"What the password for Gryffindor?"
"Neptunis." she squeaked. Lucius Malfoy left the room, quite pleased, leaving Hermione there alone.
"I'm so sorry, Harry." she whimpered. Harry needed to wake up. He had to tell Dumbledore, but his body wouldn't cooperate. He felt himself being pulled somewhere else. He was back in the room where the girls were being held captive. There were only five left. Where Cho and Hannah were he still didn't know. Padma Partil and Lisa Turpin remained lifeless in the same place Harry had last seen them. Ginny was crying. Harry walked over to Padma. It took him a few seconds to register the inevitable truth. She was dead. So was Lisa. He moved away from them, quickly.
"Harry will save us. He always comes." Ginny sobbed. Katie Bell was comforting her. He touched Ginny on the shoulder. She jumped and looked back, bewildered. Harry jumped too. Could she see him?
"What's wrong?" Katie asked.
"Nothing, I felt something. This place is giving me the creeps!" Harry felt something tug at his insides. He felt like he was going to throw up, he was hurtling through darkness, making him dizzy. He opened his eyes. The smell of the Divination's classroom hit his nose. He sneezed.
"Gazoontike." he heard. He saw Dumbledore coming through the trapdoor into the classroom.
"Hermione-"
"Yes, I know Harry. Sybill has told me everything. I've asked Mr. Weasley to change the password to the Gryffindor common room."
"Why am I awake? I need to go back there. Ginny knows I was there."
"No, she just felt your presence. She, herself, is a remarkable witch, though she has yet to discover it. And I think you've had enough for today. It's nearly time for dinner."
"Dinner? Have I really been out that long?"
"Yes, we were beginning to worry when you didn't wake up hours ago. But you're fine now. Hurry along, there are a few things I need to discuss with Professor Trelawney."
Harry got up but could barely walk. Despite sleeping all day, he felt worse than he had that morning. He wasn't hungry, but he felt he better make an appearance. He walked into the Great Hall and sat down next to Ron.
"Hov vit fo" Ron asked, with his mouth full of food. Harry looked at him oddly.
"How did it go?" he asked again, once he'd swallowed.
"Hermione's told Lucius about my weakness and how to get into the common room."
"Yeah, Dumbledore sent me a letter today in potions. Malfoy kept sending me questioning looks, but got in trouble with McGonagall for trying to pass me a note. She's subbing for Snape. Is 'Mione okay?"
"For now, I think she is. I don't know what happened after I left. I have to talk to Malfoy. Where is he?"
"I don't know, he hasn't shown up. Maybe he's in his room?"
Harry didn't hear the last thing Ron had said, he'd jumped up immediatly and went out to find Malfoy. He didn't have to look far. He found him scaring a first year.
"What are you doing snooping around here?" he snarled, backing the first year into the wall.
"Malfoy, let him go." Harry shouted down the hall way. This caught him off guard, and the first year snuck past him and went running past Harry.
"Where've you been all day?"
"Working for Dumbledore. I have a question. Does your family own any other property besides the mansion? Any place the ministry might not know about?"
"Yeah, of course. We have a place up in Manchester. I doubt the ministry knows about it. I've never been there. My father wouldn't allow me."
"Have you told Dumbledore about it?"
"He's never asked. I'm not even sure if we own it anymore. He hasn't spoken of it in years."
"I think that's where he's keeping them. I recognized a lot of the objects from the Black house before we cleaned it out."
"I think my aunt might've been staying there for awhile. But that was at least four years ago."
"Which aunt?"
"Aunt Bellatrix. She was always my favorite." he replied. He looked at Harry with confusion. Harry felt his face burn. Hatred swelled up in him, he wanted to hit Malfoy, but it wasn't his fault. He didn't know anything about what'd happened the previous year except that his father wasn't taken in, along with his aunt and the others.
"What's your problem, Potter?" Malfoy pulled out his wand and stepped back slightly.
"She killed Sirius." he managed to mutter. His throat was caught. He hadn't really thought about Sirius since they'd gotten back from Christmas Holiday, and it still panged him. Malfoy smirked.
"Yeah, she always had a bit of a temper. He probably got what he deserved though."
There was a huge BANG. Harry looked down to see Malfoy on the floor clutching his arm. He didn't bother to stick around for Malfoy's retaliation, he headed straight to Dumbledore's office. He met Dumbledore half way and told him about his conversation with Malfoy.
"Yes, we've considered that. I've already sent Mad Eye and a few others out to Manchester to check it out. It'll be a day or so till we hear back from them. We're working as hard as we can to get them all back safely, with no more casualties. You look like you could use some rest. If you have any dreams tonight, be sure to record them and discuss them with Professor Trelawney in the morning. If you excuse me, I have a delightful pudding pie to attend to in my office." Dumbledore smiled and patted Harry on the shoulder.
Ron was already in the common room when he returned to Gryffindor Tower. He told him about the dream, about Ginny sensing him, and his conversation with both Malfoy and Dumbledore.
"Stupid git, you'd think he would've mentioned something by now. Glad you got him."
"Malfoy still doesn't realize the importance of some of the information he has. I say Dumbledore should just sit him down and empty out his brain. He'd be more useful that way."
"I really hope Hermione's okay."
"You know Ron... I think we should go and get her. There's still no word from Snape, the order doesn't know where to look for this secret home. I've seen it, I don't know where exactly. Malfoy said it was in Manchester, but if I saw it I'd recognize it."
"Manchester's huge, Harry. Where will we know where to look? And how are just the two of us going to fight off the Death Eaters and Dementors. We weren't able to in Hogsmeade."
"Not just us, Ron, DA."
"Yes, I'm sure no one will notice all of us missing. Dumbledore won't allow it."
"We'll have to sneak out. Tomorrow night, let's call the group together again. I guess I should apoligize to Malfoy for hitting him... we need him."
"I really don't know about this... I could lose my prefects-"
"Do you want to get Hermione back?"
"Yes. Fine." Ron finally gave in. They went to bed. But before going to sleep, Harry pulled out his coin and changed the information to tomorrow night, after midnite. He knew the idea was crazy, but he had to do something. If another couple of days passed, they could all be dead. He fell asleep as soon as he hit the pillow, but was too exhausted to dream.
Professor Trelawney was already waiting for him. In front of her lay one of her copies of The Dream Oracle. All the windows were pulled shut and hidden behind their curtains, making the smell of the incense and perfumes even stronger. Harry became light headed upon entering the classroom. None of the lamps were lit. Instead tiny candles hung midair all over the room. A space had been cleared in the room leaving only a single cushioned chair and a matching foot stool. Trelawney smiled at Harry and motioned for him to come in and have a seat.
"Welcome, Harry. Come and have a seat. We will begin shortly. I have cancelled my classes for this week, feeling that this is of more importance at the moment. So we will have no interruptions."
Harry sat himself down and felt the tension in his body decrease. The looming scent was making him extremely drowsy. Dumbledore had failed to mention how long each session would last. He'd figured he'd go in, tell Trelawney his dreams and be sent back to his room to have more. He didn't fancy having to stay in the classroom all day. He watched as Professor Trelawney wrote something down on a bit of parchment. She then looked him over with a "tut tut" in her voice.
"Dear me..."
"If it has to do with my untimely demise, I'd prefer not to hear it right now. If that's okay?" he told her, politely.
"No, no. You've just got lots of troubles ahead of you, my boy. You've seen too much for your age. It's just a pity that's all." she replied softly and took her place back at her desk. She was silent again for awhile. Harry was having to concentrate on not falling asleep. It was becoming harder to do.
"So tell me about your dreams. Dumbledore has told me that you've been seeing prophecies for a few years now."
"They're not prophecies. I see them as they're happening."
"Yes, he explained how last year you saw your friend Ron's father when he was attacked. If it hadn't been for you, he would've died. You have an excellent gift, Harry."
"I wouldn't consider it a gift." Harry muttered, and shifted in seat. She seemed to have not heard this and continued on.
"Have you had any recently?"
"One a few months back when my friend Hermione Granger and the Slytherin prefect Draco Malfoy were taken captive. And one this morning... Lucius Malfoy is keeping the girls that were taken in one room. I suppose he has the boys in another." he replied. She didn't say anything, just watched him carefully. Then as if suddenly snapped out of a trance said,
"Good! Then let's try and get back to them. I'm going to give you this potion. It's called iSopor Venenum/i. It will put you in a deep sleep, you should be able to go back to your last dream and continue on. You won't notice it, but you'll be relaying everything back to me that you see. I have to warn you that once it wears off, it won't be pleasant, but hopefully we'll be able to get far before that happens."
She handed Harry a vile of liquid. It looked a lot like what Mrs. Weasley had given Malfoy when they'd gotten to King's Cross over Christmas Holiday. He opened the cork and drank it down. It made his stomach burn and the taste almost made him retch, but soon he found himself drifting off to a welcome sleep.
Harry seemed to have been transported from the Divination's room to some sort of mansion. At least that's what it seemed like to him. Sunlight tried to break through the moth eaten curtains covering the tall victorian windows of the den he was apparently in. The fire in the grate was gradually dying and the embers glowed bright. Harry jumped as the doors slammed open. Lucius Malfoy dragged Hermione into the room. The doors slammed again. He shoved her aside. He seemed to be trying to search her mind.
"I see you and my son have been trained well. I figured this. No matter, I'll get what I want out of you." he stated dryly. Harry figured that Hermione had blocked Lucius out of her mind.
"If I wouldn't tell Draco anything, what makes you think I'll open up to you."
"Talking out of line, won't help your situation." he performed the Cruciatus Curse on her again. Her nose began to bleed.
"Veritaserum will get you to speak." he grabbed her and forced the potion down her mouth. She bit him.
"Stupid bitch!" he slapped her across the face, knocking her back down to the ground. She spit the potion back at him.
"I'm not telling you anything." she repeated.
"You'll answer my questions or die." he pointed his wand at her.
"You're going to kill me anyway." he smiled at her words.
"Eventually, yes. I see why Draco could be attracted to you. Your ego and power would've served you well in Slytherin, if it weren't for your dirty blood and Gryffindor pride. Not to mentioned you're undoubtably the most attractive witch at that filth ridden school."
"Listing off my qualites isn't going to work. Your son tried that already. If you're going to kill me, get it over with." she snapped. He smirked at her.
"What are Harry Potter's weaknesses?" he asked, casually. Hermione was unable to keep herself from answering. The potion had worked.
"His parents and friends." she clasped her hands over her mouth.
'Magically?"
"He's never done particularly well in potions or transfiguration. He's still weak in Occlumency." she covered her mouth again, tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Lucius' smirk stretched out to an evil grin.
"What the password for Gryffindor?"
"Neptunis." she squeaked. Lucius Malfoy left the room, quite pleased, leaving Hermione there alone.
"I'm so sorry, Harry." she whimpered. Harry needed to wake up. He had to tell Dumbledore, but his body wouldn't cooperate. He felt himself being pulled somewhere else. He was back in the room where the girls were being held captive. There were only five left. Where Cho and Hannah were he still didn't know. Padma Partil and Lisa Turpin remained lifeless in the same place Harry had last seen them. Ginny was crying. Harry walked over to Padma. It took him a few seconds to register the inevitable truth. She was dead. So was Lisa. He moved away from them, quickly.
"Harry will save us. He always comes." Ginny sobbed. Katie Bell was comforting her. He touched Ginny on the shoulder. She jumped and looked back, bewildered. Harry jumped too. Could she see him?
"What's wrong?" Katie asked.
"Nothing, I felt something. This place is giving me the creeps!" Harry felt something tug at his insides. He felt like he was going to throw up, he was hurtling through darkness, making him dizzy. He opened his eyes. The smell of the Divination's classroom hit his nose. He sneezed.
"Gazoontike." he heard. He saw Dumbledore coming through the trapdoor into the classroom.
"Hermione-"
"Yes, I know Harry. Sybill has told me everything. I've asked Mr. Weasley to change the password to the Gryffindor common room."
"Why am I awake? I need to go back there. Ginny knows I was there."
"No, she just felt your presence. She, herself, is a remarkable witch, though she has yet to discover it. And I think you've had enough for today. It's nearly time for dinner."
"Dinner? Have I really been out that long?"
"Yes, we were beginning to worry when you didn't wake up hours ago. But you're fine now. Hurry along, there are a few things I need to discuss with Professor Trelawney."
Harry got up but could barely walk. Despite sleeping all day, he felt worse than he had that morning. He wasn't hungry, but he felt he better make an appearance. He walked into the Great Hall and sat down next to Ron.
"Hov vit fo" Ron asked, with his mouth full of food. Harry looked at him oddly.
"How did it go?" he asked again, once he'd swallowed.
"Hermione's told Lucius about my weakness and how to get into the common room."
"Yeah, Dumbledore sent me a letter today in potions. Malfoy kept sending me questioning looks, but got in trouble with McGonagall for trying to pass me a note. She's subbing for Snape. Is 'Mione okay?"
"For now, I think she is. I don't know what happened after I left. I have to talk to Malfoy. Where is he?"
"I don't know, he hasn't shown up. Maybe he's in his room?"
Harry didn't hear the last thing Ron had said, he'd jumped up immediatly and went out to find Malfoy. He didn't have to look far. He found him scaring a first year.
"What are you doing snooping around here?" he snarled, backing the first year into the wall.
"Malfoy, let him go." Harry shouted down the hall way. This caught him off guard, and the first year snuck past him and went running past Harry.
"Where've you been all day?"
"Working for Dumbledore. I have a question. Does your family own any other property besides the mansion? Any place the ministry might not know about?"
"Yeah, of course. We have a place up in Manchester. I doubt the ministry knows about it. I've never been there. My father wouldn't allow me."
"Have you told Dumbledore about it?"
"He's never asked. I'm not even sure if we own it anymore. He hasn't spoken of it in years."
"I think that's where he's keeping them. I recognized a lot of the objects from the Black house before we cleaned it out."
"I think my aunt might've been staying there for awhile. But that was at least four years ago."
"Which aunt?"
"Aunt Bellatrix. She was always my favorite." he replied. He looked at Harry with confusion. Harry felt his face burn. Hatred swelled up in him, he wanted to hit Malfoy, but it wasn't his fault. He didn't know anything about what'd happened the previous year except that his father wasn't taken in, along with his aunt and the others.
"What's your problem, Potter?" Malfoy pulled out his wand and stepped back slightly.
"She killed Sirius." he managed to mutter. His throat was caught. He hadn't really thought about Sirius since they'd gotten back from Christmas Holiday, and it still panged him. Malfoy smirked.
"Yeah, she always had a bit of a temper. He probably got what he deserved though."
There was a huge BANG. Harry looked down to see Malfoy on the floor clutching his arm. He didn't bother to stick around for Malfoy's retaliation, he headed straight to Dumbledore's office. He met Dumbledore half way and told him about his conversation with Malfoy.
"Yes, we've considered that. I've already sent Mad Eye and a few others out to Manchester to check it out. It'll be a day or so till we hear back from them. We're working as hard as we can to get them all back safely, with no more casualties. You look like you could use some rest. If you have any dreams tonight, be sure to record them and discuss them with Professor Trelawney in the morning. If you excuse me, I have a delightful pudding pie to attend to in my office." Dumbledore smiled and patted Harry on the shoulder.
Ron was already in the common room when he returned to Gryffindor Tower. He told him about the dream, about Ginny sensing him, and his conversation with both Malfoy and Dumbledore.
"Stupid git, you'd think he would've mentioned something by now. Glad you got him."
"Malfoy still doesn't realize the importance of some of the information he has. I say Dumbledore should just sit him down and empty out his brain. He'd be more useful that way."
"I really hope Hermione's okay."
"You know Ron... I think we should go and get her. There's still no word from Snape, the order doesn't know where to look for this secret home. I've seen it, I don't know where exactly. Malfoy said it was in Manchester, but if I saw it I'd recognize it."
"Manchester's huge, Harry. Where will we know where to look? And how are just the two of us going to fight off the Death Eaters and Dementors. We weren't able to in Hogsmeade."
"Not just us, Ron, DA."
"Yes, I'm sure no one will notice all of us missing. Dumbledore won't allow it."
"We'll have to sneak out. Tomorrow night, let's call the group together again. I guess I should apoligize to Malfoy for hitting him... we need him."
"I really don't know about this... I could lose my prefects-"
"Do you want to get Hermione back?"
"Yes. Fine." Ron finally gave in. They went to bed. But before going to sleep, Harry pulled out his coin and changed the information to tomorrow night, after midnite. He knew the idea was crazy, but he had to do something. If another couple of days passed, they could all be dead. He fell asleep as soon as he hit the pillow, but was too exhausted to dream.