This chapter is a bit longer then its predecessors! Lots of things are happening now. The end is not even in sight yet!
Chapter 15: Voldemort's Orders
From the moment Fred joined Hermione in sixth year classes, it was obvious people suspected something. Fred, who was not used to acting 'the hero' found it remarkably hard to not mess around in class. It was obvious in many ways that Harry, in Dean's opinion, was acting like he was possessed or something. People began to think that Harry's brain had been addled – again.
Sometime that afternoon, Dean approached Fred and Hermione who were sitting quietly in the Gryffindor Common Room, working.
"Hey, Harry, where's Ron?"
Fred looked up. "Uh...he's gone to see someone."
"He hasn't been in any lessons all day."
Hermione spoke up, "Ron was doing something for Professor McGonagall if you must know. We don't what it is."
Dean looked slightly baffled but accepted the answer. "Okay, just wandering why I hadn't seen him all day."
Once Dean had gone, Hermione turned to Fred. "I hope Harry, James, Ron and Sirius come back soon. It's bad not knowing what is happening out here."
"It's hard being Harry." Fred muttered.
"Hold my hand, Lily," Wormtail whispered, "I can help you along easier."
Lily looked suspiciously at him, but consented. What had she got to lose? They crept silently through the dark and grim corridors, encountering no one. Lily felt darkness cling to her soul. Her green eyes flickered around her, taking in the evil of Voldemort's fortress.
"Where are we?" she whispered.
Wormtail looked over his shoulder at her. "Somewhere in the mountains of Scotland, near to Hogwarts. I have arranged a Port Key to take you to the outskirts of Hogwarts. There you can make your way back. I may be killed because I helped you, but I cannot bear to see you die, killed because of your son. I admire Harry for what he has done."
"I am proud of him."
"You should be."
James unclipped the flask from his side and sipped the polyjuice potion. Another hour was up. In order for Harry and James to maintain their disguises they needed to sip the potion every hour. Harry took a sip as well from his own flask.
"Disgusting as ever!" James declared, clipping it back on his own waist. He felt his stomach rumble unpleasantly as the juice bonded with his body, keeping him in the form of George Weasley.
"I masqueraded as a Slytherin once," Harry said.
James stared at him. "Why?"
Harry grinned. "We needed to find out who the heir of Slytherin was because the Chamber of Secrets had been opened, and students were being attacked by a Basilisk. I thought it was Malfoy...it turned out to be Voldemort."
"Quite obvious really," James replied.
"Voldemort was supposed to be in hiding. It never really crossed my mind."
James shrugged and lighted his wand, "I think we'd better run."
"Why?"
"I hear voices in the distance. Doesn't sound too pretty."
"Where should we head to?"
"The mountains. Lily has got to be there. It's the most logical place. If Voldemort means to lure us to him, then she's got to be in the area."
Harry agreed. "All right, dad. I'll follow you."
James took the lead, carefully winding his way through the Forbidden Forest to the mountains beyond.
Hogwarts was in uproar.
It was now known that Ron Weasley was missing. Draco Malfoy was strutting around the school as if he had a right to it; and the Professors were anxious. Only Hermione, Fred, George, Remus and Peter knew what was happening. Fred and George were sitting in the Room of Requirement, back looking like themselves. Both twins slept in the room as during the night they couldn't afford to not be waking up every hour to drink Polyjuice Potion. Even in lessons it was hard to disguise what they were doing.
Hermione was studying with Lupin. The seventeen-year old had agreed to help Hermione with an essay on the many ways to discover a werewolf. She was pleased to find such an expert advice. Along with Peter's help, Hermione complicated the essay without resorting to the help of books.
Earlier in the evening Fred and George had caused a rather amount of trouble, acting like themselves rather then James and Harry Potter. They had 'accidentally' put small filly-buster fireworks in the suits of armour that littered Hogwarts hallways. These had caused the armour to explode sending fireworks in all directions. The only problem was that not all the fireworks had been found: some were still roaming the school. The resulting chaos had led the students to panic but also to laugh at the simplicity of the prank. No one knew who had done it, save for the headmaster who suspected the Marauders anyway, but had not come forward.
Hermione had already guessed that he knew what the 'real' Harry and James was up to. She only hoped that nothing bad would come of it.
"My Lord."
"Yes, Greenhelm." Voldemort breathed, his red eyes glinting in the darkness.
"She's gone. Lily Evans has gone."
"WHAT!?!"
Anyone could see the fury in Voldemort's face.
"Who?" he growled.
Greenhelm rubbed his hands together to prevent them from shaking. "It was Pettigrew, my lord. He has...also acquired the Gem."
Voldemort was silent. Greenhelm had not expected this.
Finally the silence broke. "You will hunt Pettigrew and Evans down. Kill the Traitor but bring the girl back to me, alive."
Greenhelm bowed. "I live to serve you, my lord." He slunk back into the darkness, leaving the dark lord to contemplate his thoughts.
"Stupefy!"
Ron reacted instantly, pushing Sirius aside. Rushing to their feet once more, the pair continued running into the forest. They had remained in the tree for a while (they didn't know how long) but as soon as they had climbed down they'd been attacked. Since then, both had been fleeing knowing it was pointless to fight.
Ron was now leading the way. He had no sense of direction and no clue what way to go. "Which way?"
"Left!" Sirius shouted in return. "Don't ask why!"
Ron dived to the left, falling through bushes and into a hole big enough to fit three stags. Trees covered it, preventing anyone from seeing it. Sirius arrived seconds later. Both remained silent as the Death Eaters rushed past.
Their angry voices faded into the mists.
Ron risked a whisper. "How did you know this was here?"
Sirius shrugged. "During the Full Moon we found this place. When it rained we sheltered here, if we were outside, that is. It could fit all of us in here. I didn't know if it would still be here. We are near Hogwarts though."
"What are we going to do then? Carry on?"
"We might stand a chance of out running them now." Sirius replied.
"Oh really?" a sly voice replied.
It was not Ron.
Five wands were pointing through the bushes directly at their hearts.
TBCReview? Pretty Please?
Sorry about the cliffy. It just had to happen.
Next Chapter: Ron and Sirius are in BIG trouble; James and Harry get nearer to their destination; Lily and Wormtail run into some old friends; and Hermione and Remus worry.