Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
By: Krystal Lily Potter
Chapter Twenty Nine: When all is Lost
Rating: PG-13 (more on the AA side)
Couples: HP/HG, PP/SF, LL/NL, DT/GW, LB/RW
Summary: As Harry and his friends enter their sixth year at Hogwarts they don't enter the cheerful world they left behind. They enter a world covered in a thick blanket of fear. It only hits Harry how important he really is when people start seeing him as the light that allows them to see under this blanket. Along with his friend he must battle the horrors of the past, present, and possible the future to begin the end of the war, hopefully before it hits Hogwarts. What happens when people start disappearing from under Dumbledore's protection, and one of the famous 'trio' disappears? It's up to the last two, plus some more friends, to find a way to save all the people that disappeared because they can't fight this war on their own...
Warning: Dark themes will be mentioned a lot and if worst comes to worst I'll rate this R because of that. There's swearing, mentions of suicide, murder, rape, gore/bloody scenes, and other dark things like that...honestly though it's not as dark as I make it sound...
Note: This chapter is short and choppy because I'm in a real hurry. I promise I WILL make it up in the next chapter because that one's planned out in detail. This was just to get the final parts in place. Sorry for such crap and like I said I wrote this REALLY fast and it's late at night so I'm right out of it so there's probably A LOT of spelling and grammar mistakes...
When you step on the ledge of all the light you have left and you take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you might believe one of two things might happen: There will be something solid for you to step upon or you will learn how to fly.
Ron laid on his bed looking positively horrible. He couldn't believe Lavender was gone. Sure he hadn't been the nicest person to her lately, taking more interest in other women then in her for awhile now.
Honestly he was angrier at himself for taking advantage of a great woman. Well technically he didn't take advantage of her but in his mind he did something just as bad, he neglected her when he knew she was in trouble.
"You know," Ron said and glanced sideways at Harry who was sitting on the bed beside his. "I think Lavender was going to break up with me too. It was just this look she had in her eyes for awhile now."
Harry sighed and set down the book he was reading and looked over at Ron. His eyes looked tired behind his thin, oval, black rimmed glasses he had put on in place of his contacts that day. "I don't know what to say Ron, I really don't."
"You seemed less worried then I am," the redhead said suddenly while rolling over and looking at the stone ceiling overhead. "And you're on this nutter's list of people to kill. Actually you're the ONLY one left."
"Thanks for making me remember," Harry replied sarcastically.
"Any time," Ron said with a smirk.
Harry looked back at the array of books that were tossed around the room with amusement. If you would have told him last year that he was going to spend most of his time either studying, reading for information on some crazy ancestor oh his that wants to kill him, and staying with Hermione in the hospital wing constantly he's have said you were insane. Well maybe except for the Hermione part, even when they weren't going out he liked to be with her when she was hurt.
"What are you looking for?" Ron questioned as he looked at the many books tossed carelessly. He had seen Harry read through so much then throw it, read through so much then throw it, etc...and it was really starting to annoy him now.
"I want to know if the ritual can be stopped," Harry said after a moment of thought as he laid back. "I haven't been able to find anything yet though." He fell back onto his pillow and started fiddling with his mother's pendent that was around his neck.
"Maybe it's in the restricted section," Ron suggested.
"You know, I never thought about that," Harry said, sitting up straight. "I think it's time for my dad's cloak to make a comeback along with the Marauders map."
"Now you're talking," Ron said and sat up. "Don't give me that look; I'm coming with you no matter what you say."
"I wasn't going to try and stop you," the other boy said with a shrug as he started rummaging through his junk filled trunk. He hissed and took his hand back, watching a thin line of blood appear on it. Looking into it he saw the broken pieces of the mirror Sirius gave him. Rolling his eyes he muttered, "Now thing's are getting repetitive."
"What is?" the youngest male Weasley asked curiously.
"At Grimmauld place this summer I cut myself on this mirror too," he replied and picked all the pieces out. After getting all of the parts he could find he took out his wand and muttered, "Reparo." Surprising when it all repaired itself there wasn't a piece missing. He picked it up, sighed and said, "If only I had actually looked in here." Setting the mirror down he grabbed the cloak and the map and said, "Let's go."
As Harry and Ron walked quietly through the hallways they heard the sound of voices getting closer to them accompanied by the footsteps of the person.
"Severus it's going to be in the prophet tomorrow," Evelyn's voice was heard. "There's no way we won't be able to stop panicking from happening all over the school."
"The headmaster has more control over these students then you'd like to think Clara," Snape replied sharply.
"Maybe so but these are dangerous death eater's that have escaped Azkaban, they're all on the loose," she said angrily "You know as well as I do that many students aren't going to take kindly to this."
"The students will listen to Albus and be calm about it," he shot back.
"Majority of the student population is either gone or are loyal to Potter, not Albus," she yelled and they both stopped walking right in front of where Harry and Ron were crouching down. Neither of the boys had seen Evelyn look so mad before but both were sure they didn't want to see her angry again.
Snape seemed to think for a minute then he said, "Exactly how did you come to that conclusion."
"It's obvious if you sit and listen to it," she said then turned around and continued walking down the corridor.
Harry got an odd feeling of dejavu as he watched her pass by. There was someone he was reminded strongly about when he looked at her at that moment in her anger although he could think of whom.
"Maybe we should go back to the common room and check the library tomorrow. Dumbledore will give you permission if it's for this," Ron muttered.
"Yeah, you're right," Harry muttered and they waited until the coast was clear and ran back to the common room.
Evelyn suddenly pushed open a secret passage way and looked at the door opening and closing quickly. She shook her head sadly and turned to leave, only to run smack into Remus.
"Remus, what are you doing here?" she asked from surprise.
"It's my turn for guard duty," he said and yawned lightly. "It's pretty tiring."
"Oh right, there was a full moon last night, I forgot," she said.
"You know Clara, someone could get suspicious from all your creeping around," he insisted jokingly.
"I know," Evelyn said in an amused voice. "I was just worried because I knew Harry and Ron were in the hallways so I wanted to make sure they got back alright."
"Hi Remus, Clara," another voice said and the two turned and saw Tonks walk into the area. "Anything happening?"
"Harry and Ron tried to go somewhere but I think they heard Severus and I arguing," Clara Evelyn explained. "I followed them through the passageways to make sure they got back alright."
Tonks eyed her for a minute then said, "You're so different compared to your brother."
"And I live each day thanking I am," she replied. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt Harry."
The other two nodded in agreement and then went their own ways to patrol the castle.
Hermione looked up from her bed in the hospital wing and smiled as Harry walked over to her. "Did you get it?"
"Well I don't know..." he said playfully.
"Harry," she said in a jokingly whiny voice.
"Alright, alright, here," he handed her the book she had requested him to get from the library.
"Thank you," she said and shoved her face in the book right away.
Harry shot her an odd look and sat beside her on the bed. "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine," she replied, glancing over the top of the book at him for a moment "I don't see why Madam Pomfrey insists on keeping me here,"
"And you told me I was crazy about thinking she was over protective of her patients," he said.
"Oh shut up," she snapped playfully, smacking him in the stomach lightly. "How's Ron?"
"About this whole Lavender thing? He's as best as we could expect. You know he thinks she was planning on breaking up with him," Harry said with a shrug.
Hermione got a guilty look on her face and she said, "Oh poor Ron. I guess he could see though that no matter how good it appeared to be going on the outside their relationship was slowly starting to crumple."
"That's what she was talking to you about that day, wasn't it?" Harry asked suddenly. "She wanted another person's opinion if she should break up with him or not."
After a moment's hesitation Hermione nodded her head. "Don't tell Ron though, she deserves to tell him herself. I know she'll be back, so will everyone else that was taken."
Moving his arm around her shoulder Harry sighed and said, "I'm going to go to Dumbledore today to get permission to look through the restricted section for information about this ritual."
Hermione bit her lip then said, "I'm worried about you Harry."
"Why? You're the one in the hospital wing," he said with a raised eyebrow.
"I know but you're the only half blood left in the school," she insisted.
"True, but remember I'm also the boy who lived so I've got at least 10 people following me every hour of the day. They're all outside now because Madam Pomfrey insisted that her hospital wing was safe," he said encouragingly.
There was a pause then she said, "That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to be worried."
He sighed and rested his chin on the top of her head and rubbed her back while saying, "Everything going to be fine."
"Do you honestly believe that?" she asked.
Harry didn't answer her, they just continued sitting in silence.
Harry sighed as they left Care of Magical Creatures that day. Pretty much the whole class surrounded him as they walked back towards the castle. This was a common practice now but it drove him insane. This especially annoyed him after his last class when no one had any right to follow him.
"I've got to go see Dumbledore," he said suddenly "coming Ron?"
"Yeah," Ron said. He looked slightly uncomfortable in the large group of people but he had gotten a little used to it since this is how it had been since before Lavender, Seamus and Dean were taking captive.
The big group attempted to follow them but Ron said, "Do you guys intend on following Harry to the bathroom when he has to go?"
A few of the girl's blushed and a few giggled with the guys just stopped walking.
"Thanks bud," Harry said and the two continued climbing up the stairs to the castle. He looked back for a minute to see Hagrid playing with Griffy, Athena and Roller. He smiled lightly; glad Hagrid could take his fire griffin, Hermione's water owl and Ron's earth weasel. They had all 'woke up' from their semi hibernation and it took their large friend to control them.
They continued up the stairs (think the scene from Harry Potter 3 here) and then over the bridge to the castle. After a long hike up the stairs Ron's face was slightly red and he was muttering about sore legs.
"You say the password," Harry said and leaned against the wall with amusement.
It took Ron approximately five minutes to say the word Voldemort right out without stuttering.
They stood on the moving stairs but didn't talk to each other. They didn't even look at each other. This was a very serious matter they were about to talk to Dumbledore about.
Harry knocked on the door and opened it before Dumbledore could answer them. The headmaster looked slightly surprised to see them.
"Sir," Harry said "I need to ask you a favour."
"Yes Harry?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"Ron and I would like to have your permission to look through some books in the restricted section about possible rituals Vulcan could use and things like that," he explained and Ron nodded in agreement.
"On most occasions I would not give a person permission to look for dark rituals but I believe this is one occasion where it is necessary," the old headmaster said and he dug out a sheet of paper and wrote a note on it then held it out. "I believe Madam Pince will allow you to look through the restricted section but do not be surprised if she checks up on you every five minutes."
"We won't sir," Ron said while snickering.
Harry tucked the note into his pants pockets then said, "Thank you."
"You're welcome...and Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful," he said.
"I'll try sir," Harry said with a sigh as he and his friend headed towards the library.
"This is the best time I spent in the library," Ron said as he read through some of the different books in the restricted section. "Hermione'll be jealous when she hears about some of the things we read here."
Harry smiled, both from the attitude of his friend and the mention of his girlfriend. They were sitting at a small table in that part of the library and like Professor Dumbledore said Madam Pince was constantly checking up on them.
The emerald eyed boy continued looking at the books until he found a blood stained one. He remembered seeing this one in his first year when he had been searching for information on Nicolas Flamel. It seemed to be something to avoid at that particular time but now he just kept looking back at it over and over.
Sighing to himself he finally picked it up and waited for it to scream or something but nothing happened. He sat with his back against another book shelf and propped the book up on his knees.
Ron noticed his friend's expressions change as he read it. His eyes would darken, lighten and get spikes of terror in it.
"Harry?" he said slowly as if terrified. He didn't even notice that Madam Pomfrey had walked over to them.
Shoving the rest of the books hastily back in their proper places Harry said, "I'd like to check this one out Madam Pomfrey. This is really important."
The librarian seemed to hesitate for a minute until she saw the look in Harry's eyes and sighed saying, "Fine Potter but only that book and don't mess it up."
"Thank you," Harry said and collected the book into his arms as he jumped to his feet. Ron followed suit then the two walked out of the stuffy room.
"What's in that book?" he asked.
"The answers to some questions I didn't even think of," Harry said as he practically started running to the hospital wing.
"This is something all three of us need to hear together isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes," Harry insisted taking the stairs in twos and threes. Needless to day when the two boys run into the room, red faced from running, Hermione was more then just a little surprised.
"What in Merlin's name are you two doing?" she snapped at them.
Harry sat down beside her on the bed and Ron sat on the chair, looking as interested as Hermione did.
"I found what the ritual is and everything but that's not important, you won't believe what else I found," he said quickly.
"What?" his two friends asked him together.
Suddenly there was a cold feeling in the room and Harry shivered. Ron was twisting in his chair to see if anything had entered the room and Hermione's eyes were darting from wall to wall.
"I'll tell you later," he said slowly, looking around nervously. "I don't think it's safe to say here."
"Understandable," Hermione said then looked at the clock and said, "Get back to the common room soon. Harry might have permission to be out but you don't Ron and even so Harry you're still under strict supervision.
"I know," he groaned "thank you for the reminder mother dear."
Ron made a face and said, "That sounds wrong in so many ways."
Hermione chuckled and Harry made a face.
"I'm hungry," the redhead said suddenly. "We missed supper. I'll see you two later."
"Bye," they both said as he walked out.
There was a moment of silence then Harry said, "Hermione, I want you to wear this." He took out his mother's pendent and placed it around her neck.
"Why?" she asked and touched it lightly.
"Just trust me," he muttered and stared at it with an odd expression on his face.
"Harry wake up."
Harry's eyes snapped open and he stared with confusion as he saw Hermione leaning over him, still dressed in what she had been earlier that day.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" he asked and sat up.
She backed away a bit and said, "Hurry, dress up quickly. There's something you have to come and see." There was a note of panic to her voice.
Harry got up as fast as possible and got dressed in a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a zip up sweater. He pulled his socks and shoes on quickly and put his contacts in, noticing that Hermione had turned around and was a deep shade of red.
"What's going on?" he asked her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on," she said and grabbed his arm, running out of the room. They ran down the stairs and into the empty hallway.
For a moment Harry thought they were going to Dumbledore's office but they didn't. Instead they went to the Room of Requirement.
"Hermione what?" he asked as she pushed the door open.
He felt his blood run cold as he looked into the room then turned around and faced her quickly. The first thing he noticed was her pale blue eyes.
"No," he muttered and fell back into the bloody room.
"I really didn't think you'd fall for the same thing twice," she muttered. "But you must really like this Mudblood to fall for it again."
Harry attempted to get out of the room when the blue eyed Hermione changed into Vulcan Potter's form.
There was a loud howling and Harry turned quickly to see four wolves staring hungrily at him.
"Oh shit..."
Hermione shot up in her bed and screamed loudly. This woke Madam Pomfrey, Parvati and Padma, who looked at her wildly.
"What's wrong Miss Granger?" Madam Pomfrey said as she ran into the room, throwing a robe over her nightdress quickly.
"Harry, something's wrong with him, I can feel it," she muttered wildly and jumped out of the bed. She was about to go to the door when Dumbledore came in with a stony face.
"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked with a note of insanity in her voice.
"I will not lie Hermione," the old man said quietly. "He's gone. There was a message left in the Room of Reqirement for us all. It said 'I have all I need, the world shall meet me again finally'."
"No," she whispered then started screaming, "HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN! IT'S TOO FAST! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Mr. Potter, from the look of the area, put up a better fight then any of the other victims had," Dumbledore said. "We've been looking for him for an hour now."
"But I just had the dream about it," Hermione said.
"I am aware of that Hermione," the old man sighed. "It was a delayed effect I believe. It happens to those that aren't used to seeing the present."
Hermione put her head into her hands and started sobbing loudly.
"The only clue we have is a trail of blood going towards the mountains in Hogsmead," Dumbledore said sadly.
Her head shot up and her eyes widened, "The cave."
"What cave?" Pomfrey asked soothingly.
"The one Harry, Dean, Seamus and I found," Hermione said. "We heard a wolf in it. I think that's the place, or at least the way to where everyone's being held captive..."
"Harry," someone whispered and shook his gentally. Harry groaned and rolled over slightly, feeling a terrible pain shoot through him.
With a struggle he opened his eyes and noticed the beat up looking forms of Lavender, Dean and Seamus kneeling over him.
"What?" he muttered under his breath then looked over to see that they were in an old rusty jail cell and walls...walls made of blood...
Author's Random Babbling
I'll let a few of you breath freely now, I will NOT be killing anymore Weasleys, Hermione and Harry won't die either…at least not in this fic! In the sequel anything is possible (well not really because I know how it beings, goes and ends). Almost done this fic!
Fuzzball – Oops…oh well…
harrylissaluv – I have it up because Cho still likes Harry…but if you noticed I took it down now
tamar-shaki – Well guess this chapter shows you were right…poor Harry
Ashton Potter – Romance isn't a big thing here but I'll try my hardest to add a little more H/Hr…sometime…
Holimontski – Thank you, I've listed out things I have to tie together and it's long, a lot of things WON'T be tied though because they'd go on to a sequel
Nicky Potter – Damn straight I like to keep you guessing. You're reviews are more Random Babbling then my author's notes are! LMAO! Ummm…nice sign
Schnuff – Ron sorta could see it coming all along, I just didn't put it in. There's a way, trust me!
Sir Slytherin – LMAO! I don't think it will be because the movie's coming out next year
Aqua Mage – OMG no what????
TanAlike – I don't like looking at blood in real life but I love gory movies
Carn – Lavender was trying not to be mean.
TheNash – Yeah he was the last one but as you saw Vulcan managed to get him. LMAO you're nice to yourself…calling yourself stupid…
Colorguardbaby23 – Yeah, Lily was…taking advantage of by a death eater.
Drake Smythe – LMAO speechless! I'm not that good with Quidditch but you know, I just needed to waste space
CastusAlbusCor – Harry will do…nothing!
Idiot with reason – That is really hard to say! My mom kept looking at me like I was insane. LMAO! Air to fish!!! Who's Gremma? Jk jk I know who you're talking about
Atrus Valentein – There isn't much of Luna and Ginny because I'm not really…into their characters that's all. I noticed that in my last reply to you I said Ginny and person, I meant Percy! Gemma said it because she KNEW it was going to happen but she couldn't stop it. What have you figured out?
Quicksilver420– Can Voldemort be killed? He was hit with the killing curse you know.
Death's Little Sister – I know it could be a girl but JK said it was a boy. Once you read the other chapters. You'll see Vulcan is the prince.
Howlingwolf1 – I'm updating soon enough
Hpfanchrissy1502 – There's more action coming up, promise!
Randomreaderguy – I noticed that to. That's how it happens a lot of the time, poof. About the ritual well you'll see in the next chapter
Dbzdragonlanceman – Thank you and I know I have problems with grammar…
Semebo – what song? I'm a little confused now.
Silver-gold stallion – Thanks! 3 titles to the books? Or do you mean chapters?
Imran 1 – Lily's brother had a different mother from them but the same father so he had different blood so that means Harry could go with him. Oh yeah and to your second review…this is fanfiction I'm allowed to do whatever the hell I want. By the way get it right, I'm not a fucking bastard, I'm a fucking bitch.
Japanese-jew – If you read through it the meeting isn't in Hogwarts, it's somewhere else and Wood's there with Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia and Lee. You really think so (to the thing about Harry in your second review)
Aboxforpandora – LMAO no I'm not JKR. How I'm going to finish this is for me to know and for you to find out! You saw how he was taken. I can't tell you if they're all coming back alive. Ginny's there, I'm just not that good with her character. No I'm not killing Malfoy or Snape.
Hermionestwin1990 – No sorry I can't tell you why because…well I'm not going to say anything yet, it depends on what happens to this story and it's sequel first.
Natassja – Like I mentioned in the email I sent you it's probably just you're computer. And I got mine fixed! Yay!
Tapsyhapsy – No I don't take offence to it, actually I agree with you completely. I know runes and ruins and all that stuff now so if I do type it the wrong way it's just a typo same with the your/you're things, I'm always in such a hurry…
Krystal Lily Potter