HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE

I own nothing. Harry Potter and co. belongs to She-Who-Must-be-Worshipped, J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 5: Preparations

The cerulean sky was cloudless and crystal clear. The sun was just setting, casting an incandescent glow to Hogwarts and its grounds. The lucid lake now twinge with an orange color of the setting sun stirred and from it raised a lazy tentacle of the giant octopus that resides within. Birds of various kinds immediately flew out of the Forbidden Forest as the monstrous figure of the giant Grawp shifted in his deep slumber. The centaurs, self-appointed protectors of the forest, were just waking up and readying themselves for another night of stargazing. Even the giant acromantulas were now out of their domain, hunting for a misfortunate soul that got lost within the bowels of the Forbidden Forest. The boarhound Fang could be heard barking from somewhere inside the forest, looking for his master, the half-giant Hagrid, who was incidentally in the Quidditch pitch, tending to its now overgrown weeds.

The inside of Hogwarts didn't differ much from the outside. The halls and corridors, now emptied of its students, were now unusually quiet and serene. The pictures from various portraits were now in each other's frames, trying to quench their boredom. The caretaker Filch, oil lamp at hand, was lurking about, his keen eyes searching for something out of the ordinary and trying to spot Peeves. The said poltergeist, who couldn't stand the silence was now in the different side of the castle away from Filch, banging up armors and long forgotten trophies. Even the teacher's lounge was now bare of its occupants as all of the professors were now on their own different homes. In the kitchens, the house-elves who by now had finished their duties for the day were standing around looking at each other doing nothing and trying to think of something to clean, except for Dobby who was seated in a corner happily knitting a pair of mismatched socks and Winky who was beside the fireplace, drinking all of her sorrows with butterbeer.

All in all, it was another normal day in Hogwartsâ€. well, as normal as it can be. Everything was quiet (except for Peeves), and peaceful. So peaceful in fact that no one would think that a war had just started outside its grounds. A war that can only be stopped by a young boy.

Curiously enough, that same young boy was now currently resting in the hospital wing of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry groggily opened his eyes and looked around, then groaned to himself when he realized where he was. It seems that every time there was an encounter, be it with Death Eaters or Voldemort himself, Harry always finds himself waking up in the hospital wing. He garnered he even has his own bed in here now too.

He moved his right leg towards the edge of the bed and heard the now so familiar creak because of it.

Yep, the same bed as always all right.

Harry then remembered why he was here in the hospital wing in the first place. The battle at Diagon alley flashed through his mind. He can flawlessly recall every small detail of what transpired then, as his visiting nightmares never let him forget that. He could picture in his mind every dead person he had seen, from their cold lifeless staring eyes to their crumpled bloodied bodies. But worst of all was the battered body of Remus. He could vividly recall as the Death Eaters throw curse after curse at his already beaten body. He thought that he had almost lost Remus then, and now, Harry couldn't stop the tears falling from his eyes.

Almost. I almost lost Remus too.

Harry wiped his eyes with the back of his right hand and moved to reach his glasses but found out that he couldn't move his left hand. He felt the fear starting to rise, as he thought of different reasons why he couldn't move his left hand. But his fears immediately vanished when he looked and found Hermione sitting in a chair directly beside his bed. Her left hand was holding his hand tightly and her head was resting on his arm. She was completely asleep and Harry didn't have the heart to wake her up as she looked liked she needed the sleep, judging from the circles under her eyes.

The light of the setting sun coming from the window behind her was giving her brown curly hair a slightly golden sparkle on it and Harry finds himself utterly mesmerized. He couldn't take his eyes off from her and didn't even try to. He stared from her soft brown curly hair to her thick long eyelashes that accentuate her beautiful eyes and then to her cute slightly upturned nose and finally to her soft moist lips.

Harry realized that she was muttering something that he couldn't hear nor understand. A few seconds later, she frowned as a strand of hair fell down on her face. Harry couldn't help but chuckled at the cuteness of it all and reached his right hand to tuck the offending hair behind her ears. His hand never left her head as he continued to caress her hair. Harry smiled as he saw the frown on her face disappeared and was replaced by a soft small smile forming in her beautiful lips.

Moments later, her eyes opened and brown orbs met emerald ones.

"Hi, 'Mione," Harry quietly greeted.

"Hello," she mumbled in reply, obviously still half-asleep. Then seconds later, her eyes opened widely and she suddenly jumped on him, covering him in a fierce hug that would rival even that of Mrs. Weasley's. She buried her face on Harry's shoulder and immediately cried. "Oh Merlin! You're finally awake! Thank Merlin! I was so worried. We were so worried. When they woke me up, Order members and Aurors were all around pointing and screaming with each other and I couldn't find you. I searched and asked everybody but they wouldn't answer me. They totally ignored me and kept on shouting with each other. I was so scared, Harry! I couldn't find you. You weren't there! I looked and looked and you weren't there. I shouted for you but you didn't answer. And you were gone. I looked for you but you weren't there. I thought I finally lost you...."

Harry noticed that she was shaking and sobbing uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but feel responsible. I did this. I made Hermione cry. He returned her hug and whispered to her, "Shhhh..... I'm all right. I'm right here. Don't cry 'Mione, I hate seeing you like that. I'm okay now, so don't worry."

"But.... but you were unconscious for a week! Madam Pomfrey doesn't even know what's wrong with you! And..... and Professor Dumbledore wouldn't even tell me what happened. I.... I was so worried Harry," Hermione cried, whispering the last sentence.

"Don't be," Harry whispered back to her ear. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I didn't want that. Hell, I'll never want that." He tightened his hug with Hermione and she did too. They remained like that, laying in bed hugging each other fiercely as Hermione's sobbing gradually stopped. Moments later, when Hermione was calmed down, Harry asked about Remus.

"He's all right, werewolf healing factor and all," Hermione replied softly then added, "Tonks is taking care of him now. It seems they had gotten to know each other better this past year. She's making sure that he eats and sleeps plenty."

"That's good to know," Harry said seriously, "He needs someone to be with him right now, with Sirius' death and all."

"Oh, Harry...."

"Don't worry about me 'Mione. I told you I don't want you worrying about me. And besides, I have you, haven't I?" Harry smiled her.

Hermione smiled at him and replied, "Well, in a manner of speaking, of course."

Harry moved and Hermione lay down besides him, her head resting on his shoulder. "You said that I was asleep for a week. What had happened since then?"

"Well, all Death Eaters involved were apprehended except two. It turned out that they were new inductees and doesn't know much about Voldemort's workings. So they're completely useless. The Weasleys are back now. All of them are here in Hogwarts except the twins and Charlie. Charlie is still in Romania, tending the dragons. Ron and Ginny reckoned that Dumbledore is going to use them in war. Completely rubbish of course. Dragons are too unpredictable; they just might hurt those who were using them. The twins are still in their shop, which was miraculously unharmed during the attack. Hmmm.... So what else? Oh! Neville is a hero now. He was inside Gringotts when it was attacked and it seemed that he helped protect the bank. So the goblins awarded him, which had never been done in a century."

"Really? Well at least something good came out of the attack," Harry said, mostly surprised with the news with Neville.

"You did that, Harry," Hermione said, proud of him.

"What? What did I do?" Harry asked confusedly.

"You brought him out of his shell," Hermione said simply. "You made him believe that he can do much, much better if he just believed in himself. You inspired him."

"Well..... that just sounds.... err.... kind of.... gay...." Harry said jokingly.

"Oh do grow up Harry!" admonished Hermione, rolling her eyes at him. Harry's only reply was a laugh and a squeeze of her hand, which he didn't let go.

They remained like that for quite some time, never letting go of each other, fearing that the nightmare of Diagon Alley would come back and haunt them once they let go.

Evening finally came and enveloped Hogwarts and its grounds with infinite darkness broken only by the moon and stars above and small lanterns put in strategic places to light one's path. Inside, candles burned at every corner, giving light to the darkened hallways. Silence and serenity surrounded the place broken only by the constant chirping of night insects in the Forbidden Forest.

Not once were Harry and Hermione been disturbed. Not even Madame Pomfrey, which struck Hermione as extremely odd as she was constantly checking up on Harry since he was brought here. But she didn't put much thought on it though as midnight was slowly approaching. She stood up from Harry's bed and made to leave for Gryffindor common room but was quickly stopped by Harry as he grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked. He couldn't understand it but when Hermione stood and left his side, he immediately felt a void in his heart that she alone could only fill.

"To sleep," she replied simply, "It's near midnight and I need to get some rest, I'm bushed." She then made to move towards the door but stopped when she felt that Harry hadn't let go of her hand yet. She looked at him questioningly and saw him hesitated. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry replied in a quiet voice that Hermione had to strain a bit to hear him. "P-please, don't go. Stay with me," Harry begun, and then added in a smaller voice, "Sleep with me."

What?! Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Did he just say what I thought he said? Did he just ask me to sleep with him?

"Please, its just that.... I don't want to be alone right now." Harry explained, "You could choose any bed you want from here, there's plenty. I'm sure Madame Pomfrey wouldn't mind."

Hermione let go of the breath she didn't realized she was holding and sighed in relief. Oh! That kind of sleep! Really Hermione, Harry isn't that kind of a guy! What were you thinking?

Obviously, you weren't thinking at all.

Oh do shut up!

Hermione looked at Harry and her heart immediately to him. He looked so lost and alone right now, which was understandable because of the recent events in his life. Sirius' death and Remus' almost dying had left Harry feeling completely alone and poignant. She nodded her acquiesce and moved to lie down besides him. Harry smiled gratefully at her, which she returned with one of her own. She rested her head on his chest and heard the abnormally fast beating of his heart. Her left hand went around him to his right shoulder and moments later, she was asleep.

Harry watched her sleep peacefully for the first couple of hours before he himself fell to the warm embrace of slumber.


Harry woke up feeling completely refreshed. He just had the best sleep he ever had in his whole life and the reason escaped him completely. He blindly grabbed his glasses and put them on slowly with a small smile on his face.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

Standing in front of his bed were Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore was watching him with an amused grin on his face and the ever-present twinkle in his eyes while Madame Pomfrey was looking at him lividly, her face in an angry shade of red.

He felt something moved in his bed and his eyes widen in realization, much to the Headmaster's amusement.

"I was only gone for a night and this what happens!" Madame Pomfrey shouted angrily, waking Hermione up from her sweet slumber. Noticing that they have some company, she muttered a soft mornin' to them and tried unsuccessfully to hide her blush and embarrassment.

"Good morning to both of you," Professor Dumbledore greeted jovially. Madame Pomfrey turned to him sharply with an angry look in her face.

"Albus! First you send me in a crackpot mission to St. Mungus and when I returned, we found out these two in the same bed doing only God-knows-what! And all you can say is good morning?!"

"But.... but nothing happened! We just slept besides each other!" Harry reasoned, his anger starting to rise. He couldn't believe that they thought he would do such a stupid thing and in the hospital wing, no less!

"Oh, nothing happened is it?" asked Madame Pomfrey asked unbelievingly, her eyes narrowed at them.

"Poppy, that's enough. I believed young Potter is telling the truth and now, please, if you could give us a few moments, Harry and I have something important to discuss."

Madame Pomfrey huffed away angrily muttering something incoherent. Hermione, knowing that she was being dismissed too, squeezed Harry's hand, whispered a soft 'see you later' to him then nodded her head as a goodbye to the headmaster and went out the door, heading towards Gryffindor tower.

When they were left alone, Professor Dumbledore conjured a comfortable looking chair and looked at Harry through his half-rim glasses, making Harry feel a little bit uncomfortable. Professor Dumbledore had always given him the expression that he can read minds.

"Err.... so what was the important thingy that we're supposed to discuss?" Harry begun uncomfortably.

"I know that you had a lot of questions that wanted to be answered concerning the events at Diagon Alley."

"Well.... actually, yes. But first, I was wondering how Remus is."

"He's healing quickly. The full moon isn't expected until two weeks, and Lupin would be completely healed by then. You shouldn't worry about him Harry; he's going to be all right."

"Alright. But why did the Death Eaters attack Diagon Alley? What was their purpose?"

"I believed that they hoped to bring Gringotts down. Of course they had failed, thanks to you and Neville."

"But Remus did all the work. And the twins and Hermione were there to help."

"Of course."

"But why? Why do they want Gringotts destroyed? What good would it do to them?"

"I'm sad to say that their reasons completely escaped me. But of course there could have been no reason at all. They might just did that for their enjoyment."

"But that's highly a waste of time and pointless," Harry protested.

"Pointless but possible. Of all the Death Eaters that we captured are barely just got out of school. All were too young and inexperienced. If Voldemort wanted sure success, he wouldn't be sending them."

Harry considered what the Headmaster had just said. If that were true, then what was Voldemort really planning? He just couldn't believe that Voldemort would send his minions in a mission without an ulterior motive.

"What does your intelligence tell you professor? What have your spies gathered? What's Voldemort planning now?"

Dumbledore then looked like he gained ten ages in a second. Harry never had seen him looked more tired and old than he did right now. "I'm sad to say that my sources hadn't been able to gather information as of yet. We only know that Voldemort is planning something big. But what and when we do not know. He is being very careful right now. We have found out that he doesn't meet with his supporters as a whole but by one on one only. And because of that, we have no idea what he is planning. We haven't even seen a member of his inner circle. It seems that they had just disappeared. And even Snape hadn't come back from his previous summons. I have no idea where he is now and what Voldemort's up to."

"But enough of that," Professor Dumbledore continued suddenly sounding jovial again. "Now we must discuss what happened to you in Diagon Alley."

"Yes, what was that Professor? I mean.... I felt the magic surrounding me and then I sort of apparated. But, I don't even know how to apparate! How was it possible?" Harry asked nervously. He didn't exactly know what happened to him when he went and saved Remus from the Death Eaters. And he wasn't exactly sure if he even wanted to know.

"As I had asked everyone except you about what had transpired in Diagon Alley, I have a pretty clear picture of what had happened. Do you remember what I told you about the types of magic? I believe you just did mind magic. Mind magic is basically run by your desire. It is fueled by your emotions and can be focused by willpower. The stronger the emotion is, the stronger the effects would be. Your strong desire to save Remus allowed you to do so."

"But, what about the energy that surrounded me and Remus? What was that?"

"I believe Harry that that was your raw magical energy. Every living creature has it, even the muggles, animals and trees, and especially wizards."

"I don't understand. Muggles have magical energies?"

"Yes, but only in small amount. Why do you think that they sometimes can do extraordinary things in times of danger?"

"But I still don't understand."

"Naturally," Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "As I said before, blood is the main store for magic. It travels all around our body with our blood. But the main core for our magical energy resides inside our hearts. There are seven gates that let that pure raw power into our system."

Professor Dumbledore continued, "There is the first gate. Wizards are borne and grow up capable of opening and closing the first gate only. It is nature's way of protecting young untrained wizards and witches, you see. If a young wizard or witch desires something greatly, he or she 'accidentally' opens his or her first gate, resulting the pouring out of magical energy and ultimately leading to an accidental magic. But as the first gate only allows a small amount of magic to pass through it, the results would be small and uncertain. The second gate can only be opened when the wizard reached a certain maturity, hence the start of schooling for eleven years old. The second gate allows you to access a certain amount of magical energy that if you focused it in a wand, you would be able to cast different kind of spells. The average wizard can only open his gates only up to the second level, further more than this would be rare. The third gate allows you to access a strong and large amount of energy that you would now be able to focus your magic without a wand. But if you tried casting a spell with the third gate open, the effect would be more powerful than normal. And that also means you would be able to do wandless magic. And I believe that was what you did in Diagon Alley. Due to your strong desire to save Remus, you were able to open the third gate accidentally and access magical energy from it. But as your mind and body are not properly trained to hold onto such strong magic, you collapsed afterwards and needed a week to recuperate."

"But if you only need desire to open your third gate, then why is it so rare? I mean there are a lot of witches and wizards out there. There's bound to be a least a hundred that have strong enough desire to open up theirs."

"Indeed. But some of them have a weak mind and body that they just can't handle it. And most of the wizards do not have strong enough magical raw energy within them so if they managed to open their third gate, they would only be able to cast easy spells without a wand."

Harry was silent for a moment, pondering on the new information that he had just learned. He 's starting to understand some of it now. But there were still a lot of questions in his mind.

"Professor does that mean that I still wouldn't be able to access my third gate?"

"I believe so as you need an organized mind to fully access the third gate."

Organized mind? What does that mean? Then Harry's eyes widen in sudden realization. "Oh! You mean occlumency?"

"Yes, Harry. I meant occlumency. That is one of the reasons why I wanted you to learn the skill. But as you had already opened your third gate once, even by accident, you wouldn't be having a hard time accessing it again."

"To what gate could you open, Professor?"

"Hmm.... I believe I could open up to gate four were as Voldemort could open up to gate five."

Harry was flabbergasted. Up to gate five? And Harry was having a hard time with gate three as it is! "How am I going to defeat Voldemort if he could access such strong magic?"

"That is only for time to tell. Do not worry young Harry, as I believe you will be able to beat him in time. Anyway, as seeing you feeling better now, I would like to ask you something. Due to the incident in Diagon Alley last week, the Wizengamot has summoned a trial for Minister Fudge for his ineptness in handling his task. His lack of actions and inability to protect the citizens in Diagon Alley has left the Wizengamot wondering if Fudge is suitable for his position. Now, I will ask you to come with me in the trial to witness against Fudge. This is a time of war and Minister Fudge is nothing but a politician. He is not in his best during a war and we couldn't allow such man to lead as in battle."

Harry remembered all of his encounters with the Minister from all the way back in his third year. At the end of his third year, he had told Fudge that Sirius was innocent but he didn't believe him. The same goes when he was in fourth year. He and Dumbledore had warned Fudge that Voldemort was back but didn't believe them either, calling them liars and delusional. In his fifth year, Fudge had used his influence and power to discredit him and the headmaster. He even replaced Dumbledore as headmaster with that old toad Umbridge.

"I understand," Harry said. "But who would replace him? It would be no good if we were able to change an ineffective minister for a Death Eater one."

"As it stands, I believe Madame Bones would be asked to replace him until proper elections. Even if she isn't a member of the Order, I believe she will be a highly competent and effective replacement."

"When would it be?"

"A week from now."

"Okay. Are we the only two coming? Can't my friends go as well?" Harry asked.

"Of course they can. And I will leave it up to you to inform them," and with that, the Professor stood and walked out of the hospital wing with a slight nod as farewell.


The Dark Lord strode through the halls of his castle purposely. The air smelled of moss and decay. The corridors were empty and dark, lightened only by torches that hung in the walls every thirty feet. It was so cold that one would think that there were Dementors in every corner, which was a high possibility.

This castle has a history in itself, unknown to everyone but Voldemort. This is Castle Nifelheim. Build and hidden by Lady Morgause herself, a sanctuary for those who wanted to preserve the old ways. Lady Morgause was the half-sister of the legendary King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. Upon the hearing of the death of her son Mordred at the hands of her half-brother, she planned her revenge. She studied and learned the ancient magics, searching for power that would avenge her son by the death of King Arthur and the cursed wizard Merlin. But her intention was discovered. Merlin haunted her with the aid of his apprentice. Even with her newfound powers, she was no match for the combined powers of Merlin and the apprentice. She barely escaped alive and went into hiding. She discovered an enormous cave under a mountain and built her castle there. She stayed there for three years, learning the arts of summoning away from the civilization. When she thought she was prepared, she emerged from her hiding to look for her enemies and was never heard of again. The castle was left alone for hundreds of years until Voldemort found it and make it his own.

He reached the place he wanted to go and pushed the black huge door in front of him and stepped through. Various cries of praise reached his ears and Voldemort grinned despite himself. He was standing in a foyer, stairs on the side leading downwards. The room was so vast that no one could see the end. Darkness seemed to enveloped the room, broken only by the hundreds or so candles floating above.

And below him stood thousands of figures covered in black robes. Their faces covered with white masks and black shadowed hoods. They were chanting him praises, glad that they had been summoned. These were his loyal followers all over the world, sent to meet here for the first battle. His army was now prepared and eager to do battle. Their numbers were now unmatchable and besides the wizards and witches inside this room, millions of various dark creatures and beasts were in their assigned places, prepared to attack in his order.

His inner circle of Death Eaters were kneeling on his right, never been allowed to step out of the castle. Voldemort turned to the lone servant on his left.

"Professor Ivan Vladimir Inovanov, is it ready?"

"Yes my Lord," he bowed. "I had done what you had ordered. We have prepared two units and are now fully operational. We can deploy on your command."

Voldemort laughed a cruel laugh. "Well done, Professor. You will be awarded greatly." Voldemort was very happy right now. It took a long time of preparations but everything was falling in place. He turned to the followers beneath him and motioned for silence.

"My faithful servants, the time has finally come! A week from now, the leaders of the wizarding community will be meeting at the Ministry of Magic, including Dumbledore himself! And at that time, we will attack! First, England! Then, the world!"


Harry was seated at the Gryffindor common room, losing a game of wizard's chess with Ron. Ginny, seated beside him, was trying to help him beat the undefeatable Ron. Hermione, meanwhile, was seating besides the fireplace reading a book about magical creatures. The other members of the Weasley family, finally seeing that Harry was perfectly fine, decided to go back to the Burrow leaving the four teenagers in Hogwarts. They were granted permission by the Headmaster to stay here for the summer, as he believes that something terrible was brewing in the horizon and this was the best place for them to be.

Harry's queen was currently being dragged outside of the chess set when he felt the sudden jolt of pain in his scar. It felt like that Harry was being stabbed at the forehead by a heated knife. The pain was too much for him to take that he collapsed on the floor, hearing Hermione's scream of terror before blackness came over him.


Snape walked to his chambers cursing the fates for putting him in this position. He and the other Death Eaters were imprisoned here in this God-forsaken place for almost a month now. He had never realized that the Dark Lord was this prepared for a war and he believes Dumbledore didn't either. There were thousands of Death Eaters in there and the Order members were barely a hundred! How would they win this war? And worst, that Russian guy seems to be working on some sort of a magical bomb. He has to warn Dumbledore! He must! But the only way out of this place was the front doors and that was guarded by a dozen of mountain trolls, ordered to kill who tries to get out. Anti-apparition wards were placed everywhere and there are no fireplace here. Even portkeys don't work here. There was no way out. So how would he warn them?


Harry woke up with a terrible headache. He opened his eyes and groaned when he saw the clean white color of the ceiling.

Not again!

He reached for his glasses and looked around. Yep. He was back at the hospital wing again. Harry was really getting tired of waking up in here, but then remembered why he was here. The scar. And the feeling of dread came over him. The only thing he could remember was that Voldemort was feeling excited and unbelievably happy then he fainted from the pain.

The door opened and in stepped Professor Dumbledore, with him was his two bestfriends and Ginny. Hermione immediately went to hug him when she saw he was awake. Ron just smiled and lightly punched his shoulder when Hermione finally let go.

"You had us worried there, mate," He said with a smile.

"Sorry," Harry smiled back.

"How are you, Harry?" Ginny asked concernedly, looking at him oddly.

"Besides the slight headache, I'm fine," he replied.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly and looked at Harry imploringly. "Well, Harry, I was told that your scar had hurt earlier. Had you had another vision?"

"Not really, Professor. But I felt that he was extremely excited and happy about something. Why do you think it was Professor?"

"Honestly? I don't know Harry. But we will be more alert for whatever it is. Anyway, I assumed your pretty sick of this place so you could go now and have your dinner as you haven't had one yet," the Headmaster chuckled.

Harry happily agreed and went towards the kitchen with his friends, glad to escape the dreary hospital wing. After dinner they went back towards their common room and seated at the front of the fireplace contemplating what Voldemort was so happy and excited about.

"Probably came up with a foolproof plan on how to kill me," Harry joked after five minutes of silence.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted, looking at him as if he just grew another head. "How could you even joke about such a thing?!

"I think its brave of him," Ginny giggled, earning a weird look from Ron.

"Oh c'mon, Hermione. What do you expect me to do? Cower in fear?" asked Harry ridiculously.

"Yeah! You-know-who is after Harry ever since he was a baby and he always failed! Why should Harry fear him now?" Ron added smugly.

"I guess so," Hermione admitted reluctantly, trying to avoid Harry's eyes. "Anyway, I'm tired. I'm going to bed." She runs towards her room hurriedly without a second glance at them.

"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked incredulously. Harry wasn't sure himself but he could swear that he saw tears coming out of her eyes.


A/N: Alas, another chapter finished. Thanks to those who reviewed. I got fewer and fewer reviews as I go on. Do I really sucked that much? Oh well.... life's like that. You win some you lose some. Review people, so I would know if people are still reading my story.

Next chapter: Harry and friends goes to the Ministry of Magic again for the trial of Fudge. And Voldemort goes for an all out attack! And Harry once again finds himself face to face with the Veil inside the Department of Mysteries.