Chapter 18 - At the Lake

Sirius was running along the corridors trying to find someone awake. However, to his displeasure everyone was on the spot where they were at the moment the spell hit them, lying on the ground in deep sleep.

"This is crazy! Why am I the only one to be awake! SNOW WHITE!" he yelled and a white light flashed in front of him and Snow White appeared.

"Where the hell were you?!" Sirius asked angrily.

"Sirius, try to calm down. This isn't time to panic." She said in her calm voice.

"How can I stay calm while everyone is hit by an unknown spell? Why am I the only one who hasn't been affected?"

"You're not the only one Sirius." Snow White said. "Finally, the charm protecting the evil plans have been broken when this spell started. The cause of this spell is Voldemort. I'm sure you heard about him."

Sirius froze. "V-Voldemort you say? But how?"

"It seems that he is cooperating with my stepmother. He has started this spell from the middle of the Fourth Kingdom and it's effecting all the nine kingdoms. And only the rulers of the kingdoms are the ones who hasn't been effected."

"Why?"

"I don't know yet. But I'm sure he's planning for something." Snow White said. "You have to stay in the palace. Don't leave and don't speak to any strangers if you meet any. The only people who are awake are the rulers of the other kingdoms and even if they try to come here, it will take them a couple of days or so to reach here."

"Alright. If anyone else appears I guess it'll have to be a Death Eater."

"Right. Now, I'm going to pay Dumbledore a visit. He asked me to visit him, and I'll tell him that Voldemort has started his plans."

"He won't be pleased though."

"We both aren't pleased either, are we?"

"Yeah, you're right. Okay, go ahead, I'll wait for you to return."

"Alright." Snow White said and disappeared.

Sirius went to his room and closed the door behind him. He sat near the window and stared out at the bright sky. "Everything seems perfect out there, how come there's no sign of anything weird?" he asked himself.

Meanwhile, Voldemort finished his incantation and turned to his followers.

"Bella, did you do as I said?" he asked.

"Yes Master." Bellatrix replied with a bow.

"Good. My plans are going well. Let's just hope Dumbledore wouldn't stick his nose in this time." Voldemort hissed. "Let's go back now. We have someone to meet tonight."

O o O o O

Dumbledore entered his office and saw Snow White stroking Fawks' feathers.

"Snow White, my dear. How nice to see you again." He said with a smile.

"Hello Albus. I'm afraid I have bad news." Snow White said.

Dumbledore sat in his chair behind his desk. "Voldemort?" he asked.

"Yes. He cast a sleeping spell over the kingdoms, and only the rulers haven't been effected."

"What about Sirius?"

"He is there as Wendell, so he's also awake."

"That's good to know."

"Albus, I need your help in saving the kingdoms. Wolf, Virginia, Tony and Wendell can't do this by themselves. They need guidance from experienced wizards."

"We have Sirius, and I'll ask Remus and Snape to join him too." Dumbledore said. "I will help as much as I can. I can't leave Hogwarts, but I'll be there when I'm needed."

"Thank you Albus. Now, you wanted to tell me something, what is it?"

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Sirius' name is cleared." Dumbledore said with a smile.

"How nice!" Snow White said. "He'll be happy to know."

"Yes of course. Who wouldn't?"

"Yeah. So, that means that he can come back here and show himself?"

"I'm afraid not Snow. Voldemort shouldn't know that Sirius is alive. In fact, no one should know that Sirius is alive. He will show himself when the time comes."

"Alright Albus. I'm going back to the kingdoms. I'm sure Wendell… I mean Sirius will be expecting a council meeting during the next few days. It will be his first, so I have to be there when the other rulers arrive."

"Of course. How is he doing as a king?"

"Oh he's fine. He doesn't like it, but he'll survive."

"How typical of him. So independent, and so modest at the same time."

"Yes. Well, I better get going. See you soon Albus."

"See you soon Snow." Dumbledore replied and Snow White disappeared in a white flash of light.

That evening Harry was pacing back and forth near the Entrance Hall. Ron was going to arrive any moment now, and Harry couldn't wait to see him again.

"Harry!" Ron yelled as he came closer.

"Ron! Nice to see you mate!" Harry said and gave Ron a hug.

"Nice to see you too! Missed me?" Ron said with a wink.

"Of course I did! You can't imagine how boring it is to stay all alone in this place."

"I can imagine. How's everything going?" Ron asked.

"So far, so good. Lia is having her private lessons and she seems to enjoy them."

"Where is she anyway?"

"In her room. She didn't come out today, I don't know what's wrong with her. Remus says that she wants to stay alone. She hasn't been to any class today either."

"Are you sure she's alright? I mean… her heart and all…"

"Yeah, she's fine. If something was going to happen, I would've felt it too." Harry said. "Although, my scar was stinging this morning a little bit. But nothing special."

"I see. So, are you staying in our dorm?"

"Yeah, all alone in the Gryffindor tower."

"Blimey! That must be cool!"

"You can't imagine how much!" Harry said. "Come, let's take your trunk there and we'll go and visit Hagrid."

"Alright." Ron said and he pulled his trunk with Harry's help to the Gryffindor tower.

As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry said the password and they both entered. They left the trunk in the common room and went out again to visit Hagrid.

When they reached the cottage, Harry knocked the door and Fang started to bark.

"Shut up Fang!" Hagrid said and opened the door.

"Hi Hagrid!" Harry and Ron said together.

"'ello 'aryy! Ron? What 're yeh doin' 'ere?" Hagrid asked.

"I came to join Harry." Ron said.

"Get in!" Hagrid said and motioned for them to enter.

Ron and Harry entered the cottage and Hagrid closed the door behind them.

"Where's Rex?" Harry asked.

"Ou' there. Came out since mornin' and didn' come back yet."

"I wonder what he's up to?" Ron asked.

"He must be with Lia." Harry said. "Remember what she said about him? He's always there beside her when she's not feeling well."

"Oh, so she's not feeling well at this moment." Ron said.

"Yeah, hey let's go and see her." Harry said.

"Yeh better go back now. 'tis getting dark." Hagrid said.

"You're right. Let's go Ron." Harry said. "See you tomorrow Hagrid."

"Bye Hagrid." Ron said.

"Bye." Hagrid replied and the boys went out. They headed back to the castle and climbed the stairs to go to Lia's room in the western tower.

As they reached the room, Harry knocked but to his surprise, the door was opened. He walked in and looked around.

"Lia? Are you in there?" he asked, but no one was in the room.

"Harry, look what I found!" Ron said as he picked up a piece of parchment from the ground. He unfolded it and read:

----------------------------

Dear Lia,

Please meet me near the lake tonight at ten o'clock. I really need to see you. I have something to give you from your mother.

P.S.: Please don't tell anyone about this, especially the headmaster.

Sincerely,

An admirer

----------------------------

"Hey, she already has a secret admirer?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. Who might he be?" Harry asked. "Do you think it's Remus?"

"Why do you think so?" Ron asked.

"Well, he has been taking care of her since we got here, and he seemed so interested in her all the time."

"Oh I see. It says that he'll wait for her near the lake." Ron said.

Harry looked at Ron for a moment. "Are you thinking about what I'm thinking?"

Ron smiled. "Yeah."

"Let's go then!" Harry said and they both ran to the lake.

"What time is it?" Ron asked as he stopped to catch his breath.

"Almost five minutes to ten. Come on let's hurry or we'll be late!" Harry said and ran, Ron followed him.

Lia walked to the lake looking behind her all the time. She felt like she was being watched. She hoped that it wasn't the werewolf she saw a few days ago. As she reached the lake she saw someone standing there. It appeared to be a woman. Lia approached her carefully.

"Lia?" the woman asked.

"Yes, who are you?" Lia asked.

"My name is Bella."

"Why did you sign the letter as an admirer?"

"Well, because there's an admirer who wanted to meet you." The woman smiled.

"And who might that be?" Lia asked.

"Me." A black figure appeared from behind the trees and stood in front of her. Lia felt her scar burn and her breathing started to get faster.

"You!" she said in a whisper. "You're the one who killed my mother!"

"How excellent memory you have." Voldemort hissed. "And I see that you have the beauty of your mother."

Lia took a step back. "Stay away from me, or I'll scream."

"And you think someone would hear you?" Bellatrix said.

"You lied to me! You said you had something to give me from my mother!" Lia yelled.

"In fact, your mother had something that she was supposed to give me. Her love." Voldemort hissed. "But instead, she preferred that mudblood."

"Don't you dare call my father a mudblood!"

"You are coming with me."

"She's not going anywhere!" Harry said and took out his wand. "Leave her alone Voldemort!"

"How dare you call him by his name!" Bellatrix said and took out her wand.

"You!" Harry said. "You're the one who killed Sirius!"

Lia's eyes widened in shock. Her heart was hurting now. "H-Harry." She said and fell on her knees, breathing hard.

"Lia get out of here!" Harry said and pointed his wand at Bellatrix. "Stupefy!"

Bellatrix ducked and the spell missed her. "Bad aiming kid! Here's the way to do it. Crucio!"

"Protego!" Harry yelled and a golden shield formed in front of him and the spell hit it.

Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry. "You're going to suffer Harry Potter. Crucio!"

Before Harry could act, Voldemort's spell hit him and he fell on the ground wincing in pain.

"Expelliarmus!" Ron yelled, pointing his wand at Voldemort.

Voldemort's wand flew out of his hand and landed next to Wormtail. Harry got up slowly as the spell lost its effect.

"Lia, run!" Harry said.

Lia got up and tried to run but Wormtail blocked her way. She tried to avoid him, but he seemed to appear in every direction she took.

"Accio wand!" Voldemort hissed and his wand flew to him. "Say good bye to your precious cousin Potter." And with a wave of his hand both Lia and Voldemort disappeared. Bellatrix and Wormtail disappeared after them.

"Lia! NO!" Harry yelled, but Lia was gone.

"I thought they couldn't disaparate around Hogwarts!" Ron said.

Harry fell on his knees and cried. "LIA!!!"

At that moment Dumbledore and Remus came running.

"What happened?" Remus asked. "Where's Lia?"

"Voldemort took her." Ron said, looking at the ground.

"He did what?!" Remus asked.

"How did that happen?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry got up. "He just waved his hand and they disappeared." He said between sobs. "Professor, we have to bring her back!"

"We will Harry. Don't worry. But now, you are the one who will be able to tell where they are."

Harry stared at Dumbledore. "But how?"

"Through your dreams Harry." Dumbledore said. "You won't do Occlumency anymore until we find Lia."

"Let's go back to the castle." Remus said, anger was obvious in his eyes.

They all walked back to the castle and Harry headed straight to the Gryffindor tower.

"Ron, may I have a word?" Remus asked.

"Yes professor?"

"Remus."

"Okay, Remus." Ron said.

"How did you know that Lia was at the lake?" Remus asked.

Ron took out the letter from his pocket and gave it to Remus. " We found it on the ground in Lia's room. We went there to see how she was doing, and I saw it. We thought that it was from you actually."

"Me?" Remus raised an eyebrow. "Why would I call her to the lake if our rooms are next to each other and we can talk in private?"

Ron blushed. "I'm sorry. We didn't think at that moment. It didn't seem to be a false letter. Besides, it said that the person who sent it has something to give her from her mother."

"But it also said not to tell anyone, especially Dumbledore. And you know that Voldemort's worst enemy is Dumbledore."

Ron's face went dark red. "I…"

"It's not the time to apologize or something. Go to your common room now. We'll see what can we do about this situation and I'll call you two later."

"Alright." Ron said and ran to the Gryffindor tower.

"What do you have to say about this professor?" Remus asked.

Dumbledore was standing near one of the windows and staring outside.

"I don't know Remus. The only clue we will have will come through Harry's dreams. I just hope that he'll be able to see where she is now." Dumbledore said without turning around.

"What if we're late?"

"Whatever Voldemort is planning, I'm sure he'll need Lia to complete it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have took her."

"You're right. And what should we do now?"

"We have to wait for Harry to tell us about it. Let's wait until morning."

Remus nodded and went to his room, while Dumbledore headed to his office.

Remus felt terrible. "I should've known there was something wrong about her since this morning!" he told himself. "Obviously she was confused by the fact that one of her mother's friends had something to give her, and he was supposed to be an admirer! How stupid I am! If I only insisted on seeing her this morning!" he looked out of the window. "Oh Emi, I hope that you'll forgive me for being such a fool. Your daughter is in deep danger and I can't do anything about it."

Remus lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He had to do something about this. But he didn't know what. "If only Sirius was here now. He would've known what to do." Remus said to himself and drifted into sleep.