Chapter Eleven: The Ptolemy Bond

"We were hoping you could tell us what happened, Mr. Malfoy," replied Dumbledore.

Malfoy seemed to realize where he was for the first time then. He looked around, bewilderment and worry replacing the anger on his face. "He took her. We were out on the grounds, by the lake. We were just talking. I don't know how he knew. He came and…we have to find Parvati. He took her!" Malfoy fairly leapt off the bed at that point and began a mad dash for the door.

"Hold on there Mr. Malfoy," said Madame Pomfrey, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're in no shape to be going anywhere."

"I have to stop him. I have to find her before…Oh, God, what am I going to do?" Malfoy visibly paled, leaned his back against the wall, and sank to the floor.

"Who has Parvati, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked quietly, but Harry recognized a note of concern in his voice.

The blonde boy looked up at the headmaster warily and seemed to be struggling with some internal conflict. He rested his head in his hands in defeat and finally whispered, as though hoping no one would hear, "My father."

Dumbledore trilled a high whistling note and Fawkes suddenly appeared on his shoulder. Headmaster and songbird disappeared in a puff of red and gold sparks. They were gone a full five minutes, and Harry watched Malfoy grow paler and begin to tremble as they waited. When Dumbledore and Fawkes finally reappeared, Dumbledore was supporting an unconscious Parvati in his arms. He gently laid her on a bed and turned to the others.

"Draco, please stay in the hospital wing through the night. I would like Madame Pomfrey to keep an eye on both you and Miss Patil a little while longer. Harry, Ginny, you may go. But please do not speak of what has transpired here. This is not information meant for all ears."

"Yes, sir," Harry and Ginny spoke in unison, and they turned to leave the hospital wing.

"Harry, what do you think happened?" Ginny asked when they had walked some distance.

"I don't know for sure, but it seems like Lucius Malfoy found his way onto Hogwarts grounds. I'd think the wards would have kept him away."

"I'd have thought Azkaban would have kept him away," Ginny answered, her voice rising slightly.

"Sssh, keep it down," Harry whispered, looking around. 'Someone's following us,' he pushed his thoughts forcefully toward her.

Let's just hurry up and get to the Great Hall

'Come in here with me,' he thought, and pulled her into an empty classroom.

I don't like this, Harry.

They huddled in a corner of the room and waited. The sound of footsteps drew closer and Harry caught sight of Mr. Filch's moldy coattail.

"It's just Filch," Harry said aloud.

"But where was Mrs. Norris?" Ginny wondered.

"Good question," Harry replied, "he hasn't been away from her much since she got petrified four years ago. Look around. Maybe she's nearby."

They stepped out into the corridor and peered up and down. There was no sign of Mrs. Norris anywhere. Harry shrugged and said, "Who knows? Maybe it's cat nap time just now."

"Well, let's get on to dinner, then," Ginny said, and they made their way quickly to the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione were just leaving when they got there.

"Oi, Harry, where have you two been? We were just going out to look for you," Ron exclaimed.

"Never mind," said Harry, "I'll tell you when we're alone. Dumbledore said not to spread it around."

"Ron, can we go in now? Only, I'd like a small bite of dinner. It's been a long day for me." Ginny looked a bit annoyed at this point as she eyed the disappearing food on the Gryffindor table.

"Oh, right," said Ron, stepping out of the way, and Ginny walked past him and sat down. Harry stayed behind a moment.

"Look guys, don't tell anyone about Malfoy or where we found him, ok?"

"Ok, but what's happened?"

"I don't know the whole story, but it has something to do with someone we know and it could be embarrassing for her."

"Harry, who?" asked Hermione, Ron just looked puzzled.

"I'll tell you later," Harry insisted, and he moved toward the table to sit beside Ginny. Ron and Hermione waved goodbye and left, presumably to go back to the Common Room. Harry and Ginny ate quietly, and then they, too, left for the Common Room. When they arrived Ron and Hermione were not there. Harry and Ginny sat in their favorite spot by the fire and waited for the other two to return. Neville came by and sat down with them. He wore a broad smile and leaned back in the comfy chair looking up at the ceiling. He had a dazed look, like something unbelievable had happened. Harry studied him quizzically, hoping Neville would say something. Finally curiosity overtook him and Harry had to ask.

"What's up with you, Neville?"

"Hmm?" Neville's eyes held a dreamy, unearthly look as he turned them toward Harry to respond.

"Look at you, you'd think you just got Snape sacked or something," Harry chuckled.

"Better," said Neville.

"What could be better than being rid of Snape?" Ginny asked him.

"Luna," Neville said. Then he suddenly blushed a deep crimson, as though he had not meant to say that name out loud.

"Luna?" asked Harry, astounded, "Loony Lovegood?" He was immediately sorry for using the common nickname. Neville's look made Harry cringe.

"Don't call her that," Neville stood up and shouted, "She's not loony. She's the most incredible girl who ever lived!" Neville blushed again and looked around at all the staring faces. He suddenly burst out again, "That's right, go on, tell the whole school if you want. Luna Lovegood is my girlfriend. She just said yes today!" The broad smile returned to Neville's face even as he crossed his arms defensively over his puffed out chest."

"Neville, that's terrific!" said Harry.

"I'm really happy for you," Ginny added.

"Thanks," said Neville proudly, and he shook his short hair back, let his arms fall to his sides and strode purposefully toward the sixth year boys dorm room. Ron and Hermione came back just then. Hermione sat on the couch next to Ginny and Ron on the chair beside Hermione. They looked happy for some reason, as neither could manage to wipe the grins from their faces.

"First Neville, and now you two? Why is everyone so happy today?"

"We found it Harry," Hermione exclaimed.

"Found what?" Harry asked, confused.

"You know, that subject we've been looking up in the library?"

"Oh, is that where you've been?" Ginny asked

"Yeah, come on, we'll show you," Ron said, standing up from his chair again.

"Hold on there, prefect, isn't it getting a bit late?" Ginny teased him.

"We still have an hour before curfew. That's plenty of time. Come on, aren't you two even the least bit interested?" Hermione prodded.

"All right, all right, let's go," Harry agreed, hoping he had stalled long enough to keep the amount of interest he had in this subject secret. "But let's get my cloak just in case we lose track of time." Harry dashed up to their dorm, smiled at Neville who lay face up on his bed, still daydreaming, scooped his cloak and the Marauders Map out of his trunk and returned to his friends.

"Ok," he said, "let's go,"

"Here it is," said Hermione while opening a large and dusty volume entitled Wizard Marriage Rites and the Magical Results. She read from the pages.

In Medieval times the great wizard Ptolemy created a bonding ritual for couples to help them gain greater trust in one another. The individuals thus bonded could hear one another's thoughts and respond in like manner. (See illustration 4a for details on how the ritual is performed.) Many marriages have been saved because of this bonding, though a few have come to an abrupt end, having undeniably confirmed fears of disloyalty. Unmarried couples can participate in the ritual with some success, but generally will not fully realize their ability until the marriage vows have been completed. Only the most powerful and often darkest wizards have been able to form such a bond without the aid of the ritual. Generally it has occurred after said powerful or dark wizards and/or witches have experienced a life altering, life endangering event together or when one has been placed under a life debt to the other. Two persons who have entered into a strong Ptolemy Thought Projection Bond are able to cast their thoughts into one another's minds from any distance apart. Those with a weaker bond must look one another in the eye to 'hear' each other's thoughts. Parents have found the bond especially useful…

"He goes on from there, but that's the main idea of it," Hermione said. She looked up at Ron, Ginny and Harry and asked, "What?" of their ashen faces.

Ron squeaked, "What kind of ritual is it?"

Harry thought, 'Powerful or dark?"

Ginny responded to Harry Life altering…like the Chamber.

Hermione was showing Ron the picture of the ritual and explaining the individual parts to him, but Harry had tuned that mostly out. 'Ginny, am I a dark wizard?'

Don't be ridiculous, Harry. You would know if you were a dark wizard. I'll bet you're just a really powerful one.

'But, I'm no more powerful than Ron, and Hermione has always had better grades.'

Grades don't make a wizard powerful, Harry. A wizard's heart makes him powerful. His desire, his ability to give and love, and his choices for good or ill are what make a wizard grow in power. That's what my mum always said.

'What about Voldemort, then? How is he so powerful when he has never loved a single soul?'

He has had strong desires, though, hasn't he? He has always been compelled by his desire for control over the wizarding world.

"Harry, Ginny, come and look at this," Hermione cut in on their mental banter. "I think we could do it. There are just a couple of things we would need to get, but I would bet we can find them in Hogsmeade in a couple of weeks." She was staring avidly at the page, running her finger up and down as she scanned the list of necessary items. Ron, peering warily over her shoulder, didn't look as excited as Hermione.

"I dunno, Mione," he said. That looks a little…well…"

"Oh Ron, really. It's just a simple ceremony. It's not going to kill you."

"But, it says we have to bring with us a bit of what we're most afraid of. That means I have to bring a spider, doesn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose it does," Hermione said unsympathetically.

"What about you then? Are you going to deliberately fail a test so you can bring the bad grade with you?" Ron demanded.

"Look guys," Harry interrupted. "I don't mean to intrude, but can we get back to the common room soon? We've been here too long already."

"Right," Ron agreed promptly, and he began to move toward the doors.

"Just let me copy this down first," Hermione said, eagerly pulling out a parchment and quill and muttering a spell. The quill jumped to life on the parchment making an exact replica of the illustrated ritual and the list of necessary items. When it was finished, she rolled up the parchment, stuffed it and the quill back in her bag, and looked up at the others expectantly. "All right, let's go."

"Check your map first, Harry," Ron suggested.

"Right," Harry replied and pulled out the tattered parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," Harry muttered. The map revealed itself and Harry scanned it for Mr. Filch, Mrs. Norris, and any teacher that might be patrolling the corridors.

"That's odd," Harry said, looking more closely. "Filch isn't on here anywhere, and neither is Mrs. Norris. At least I can't see them right now."

"Well, is the way to Gryffindor Tower clear?" Ron asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Yeah, it appears to be. Let's use the cloak just in case," Harry replied.

Harry pointed his wand at the cloak and said, "Engorgio," and it doubled in size. He and Ginny held it up so Hermione and Ron could duck under it, and they all moved as quietly as they could out of the deserted library and into the corridor. They had taken only five or six steps before they saw someone coming up ahead.

"It's Filch," Ginny whispered in Ron's ear and they all plastered themselves against a wall, making sure their shoes were covered by the cloak. They watched the crotchety old caretaker pass and go into the library to check for students in there.

"I thought you said it was clear," hissed Ron as they continued quickly down the corridor.

"It was," Harry hissed back. "And I told you before; Filch wasn't even on the map."

"Mrs. Norris wasn't with him again," Ginny whispered.

They reached the common room just then and Hermione said the password, "Flobberworm." The portrait swung open and the four pulled the cloak off and climbed into the common room.

"What do you mean Mrs. Norris wasn't with him again?" Ron asked Ginny.

"Earlier today, after we saw Malfoy and took him to hospital, we saw Filch. We thought he was following us at first, but we ducked into an empty classroom and he passed by us without looking for us. Mrs. Norris wasn't with him then either." Ginny explained.

"What difference does that make? She was probably off somewhere watching some students get into trouble."

"What I want to know," Harry interjected, "is why he seems to have made himself unplottable? Why didn't he show up on the map?" Harry looked at the map again and scanned the library for Filch. There was nothing there. "He's still not on here, even though we've a pretty good guess where he's at."

"That is odd," said Hermione. She glanced over Harry's shoulder at the map and frowned. "What do you suppose it means?" she asked.

"Maybe he's found out about that map and doesn't want to be on it so he can catch us one of these times," Ron suggested.

"There are only a few people in the world who know anything about this map, and I can't think of a single one who would tell Filch about it," Harry argued. "The only one who isn't a friend is Petigrew, and he's got better things to do than worry about Filch's student catching skills."

"Harry's right, Ron," Hermione agreed, "But, why, then, would Filch make himself unplottable? Do you think he's hiding from something, or someone?"

"Who knows? But it wouldn't be an effective way to hide, would it? Everyone knows he works at Hogwarts," Ron supplied.

"Maybe he just doesn't want to get any Owls from people," Ginny said uncaringly, "Look, guys, I'm beat! Let's call it a night, eh?"

"Yeah, I agree," said Harry, "I need some sleep. I'm sure whatever Filch is up to, it's his business anyway. G'night Gin," He kissed her cheek and she smiled before walking up the steps to her dorm room. Harry went to his and sat on his bed. He vaguely wondered how long Ron and Hermione were planning to take about saying goodnight, but kept his mind mainly on the topic of Filch's unplotability. He lay in his bed a long time and noted that Ron had still not come up as he drifted off to sleep.

The unicorn in the statue bobbed its head slightly as if to welcome him back. Harry walked over to where Ginny had waited for him in previous visits, but she was not there. He sat on the side of the fountain to wait for her. He looked into the waters in the basin and saw some fairies dancing upon the surface. Beneath them the water sparkled and glistened, revealing the pebbly stone below.

"Harry?" she called from some distance away.

"Ginny, I'm here."

"Where are you? I can't see you?"

A swirling blackness engulfed him and he was standing in a dark, moist underground chamber. The light from the torches on the wall cast an eerie shadow over the sleeping form of a thin man. The pale skin of his arm revealed bruises and scrapes under numberless freckles. A tuft of red hair poked out from under the man's robes, but the face was mostly covered. A pale, blonde haired man sat just outside the cell. His eyes stood open in rapt attention, but his body language spoke of intense weariness.

"You appear to have done well, Lucius," Harry said, "but I am saddened by this news of your son's disclosure. His loyalty has been tested and has been found wanting. Unless he gives up this silly emotional attachment, I am afraid he will not be suitable for my ranks at all."

"My Lord, I have dealt with my son and I do not believe he will cross me further. He will not have the strength to do so for some time."

"Ah, and yet, the barmy old headmaster himself came to your home to retrieve the girl, even after this punishment you so swiftly administered. I am not so sure your son is altogether on our side, Lucius. Is the father as wayward as the son, I wonder?"

"No, my Lord, please, my Lord," Lucius groveled at the feet of his master.

"Crucio," Harry spat, pointing the yew wand in his hand at the prone man. A cackling laugh echoed through the dungeon mingled with the screams of the loyal Death Eater. The man in the cell awoke and sat up. The cloak fell from his face revealing a gaunt, distressed expression. The young man backed slowly away from the cell's bars and into the stone wall behind him. He seemed almost to meld his body right onto the stone in his desire to break through.

Harry looked at the cringing man in the cell and smiled wickedly. "I take it you are expecting me to do that to you, as well? I will offer you the same deal as before. All the fame and notoriety the wizarding community can offer you, a title and office that you have always desired to hold, women begging to be in your company, riches beyond any you have ever dreamed, and a partnership with me, or…"

"Go on and torture me, if you so desire," the red-haired man said in a trembling voice, "kill me off at last, I would prefer it. But I shall never disgrace my family's name by joining you."

"As you wish," Harry proclaimed and aimed the yew wand at the young man.

"No! Percy," another voice erupted upon the scene then. "You evil monster!" she spat at Harry.

Cold red eyes turned in her direction, the wand pointing toward her. "Avada…"

"No!" Harry exclaimed suddenly, "Voldemort, I command you to stop!"

"You command…you think to command the Lord of Death, the greatest sorcerer of all time?"

"I will not let you hurt her!" Harry shouted. The knowledge of the love he felt for Ginny and the need to protect her filled Harry's whole being. A powerful force swept through Harry's body and he cried out in agony. It seemed as though the very fabric of his soul were on fire. Voldemort's being was suddenly separated from his own. Harry threw all the magical energy at his disposal out at his enemy and the mental connection he had shared with the beast was suddenly severed.

Harry found himself lying in his bed, dripping in sweat, all his dorm mates standing over him, staring.