Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and its various publishers own Harry Potter. No money is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Notes to reviewers are at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 32
Up to No Good

Ignoring the fact that Professor Lupin's wet robes were dripping on her feet, Ginny focused all of her attention on the figure in the infirmary bed. Harry's clothes were torn and dirty. His left arm hung at an unnatural angle and a deep red gash marred his cheek. Even though he was injured and unconscious, hope flared inside Ginny as she pressed her fingers to his neck. His pulse beat strong and steady.

Professor Lupin looked exhausted. Breathing heavily, he slumped into the bedside chair. In an anxious voice, he ordered, "Go get Madam Pomfrey, Ginny!"

"I'm not leaving," she answered matter of factly, not caring if she seemed disrespectful. She'd already cast a drying spell on Harry. Now she lifted her wand to run a diagnostic spell.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Rhys' determined nod. "I'll get her," he said, and hastened away.

"Maybe we should get him out of those filthy clothes," Lupin said, still looking wretched and cold himself.

Ginny cast a cleansing charm, and said softly, "We should wait for Madam Pomfrey."

Her diagnostic spell hadn't shown any internal bleeding or other life threatening conditions, but she was a novice. Madam Pomfrey would be able to tell for sure. Until then, Harry shouldn't be moved any more than was absolutely necessary.

As her eyes met Professor Lupin's, Ginny thought she heard a quiet sigh of relief come from the old werewolf. She smiled shyly, and said, "You found him."

A rush of relief coursed through her as she let the news soak in. She shuddered to think where they found him. Judging from his condition it must have been someplace frightful. But there'd be time to worry about that later. There'd be time for a lot of things later.

Then the infirmary door banged open forcefully. Madam Pomfrey bustled into the room and began to bark orders. Ginny had no more time for anything but fetching potions and supplies. Pulling screens around Harry's bed for privacy, they did what they could to tend to his wounds. Madam Pomfrey worked without comment, but her serious expression filled Ginny with dread, especially when Harry didn't wake up.

Ginny's heart lifted when Professor Dumbledore arrived, his blue eyes twinkling in a way she hadn't seen in a while. He watched Madam Pomfrey finish a series of healing spells. Then he asked, "What's the prognosis, Poppy?" in a tone that seemed to say he already knew the answer.

"He'll survive. None of his injuries appear to be life threatening," Madam Pomfrey said as she wiped her hands on her crisp white apron. "It's curious that he remains unconscious. Perhaps-"

"Some sort of sleeping potion," Professor Dumbledore finished for her with a gentle smile. But his expression grew serious as he watched Harry's slumbering figure. Nodding slowly, he said, "We'll know more when he wakes up. Until then, we can all rest easier. Could I see you for a moment, Poppy? In your office perhaps."

Madam Pomfrey's mouth dropped open in surprise, but she recovered quickly. Without commenting, she followed the Headmaster into her office and closed the door.

Only a few minutes passed before Professor Dumbledore returned. Harry was resting comfortably, peacefully sleeping with his black hair smoothed off of his forehead to reveal his famous, jagged scar. A thick layer of healing ointment covered his cheek.

Smiling benignly at Lupin and Ginny, Professor Dumbledore said, "We can't be certain what Harry has been through until becomes conscious. He could awaken in a minute or next week. We'll have to wait and see."

Despite this indefinite declaration, the Headmaster's presence, as always, seemed to exude calm and reassurance. Mumbling unintelligibly, Ginny sat down in the nearest chair and took hold of Harry's hand.

"We'll know the whole story soon," Dumbledore said, peering at her intelligently over his half moon glasses. Despite his mild expression, something in the tone of his voice sounded ominous. "In the meantime, Mr. Potter will need absolute rest. Even when he becomes conscious, for everyone's sake, visiting hours will have to be restricted. He shouldn't have to answer questions until he is ready."

Ginny looked up. Surprised at Dumbledore's veiled warning, she wasn't sure what he meant.

Patting her shoulder, Lupin continued, "Harry's safe. You can stop worrying. I'm sure you have plenty to do. Isn't this your O.W.L. year?"

Ginny smiled at him. He was right of course, and she knew she'd better agree or risk getting a howler from her mother. "Of course, you're both right." She shrugged and said, "I do have some catching up to do."

The Headmaster walked away, leaving Professor Lupin and Ginny alone with Harry. As she watched his sleeping form, she knew her feelings of happiness and relief showed openly in her face, but she didn't care. She made herself comfortable in the bedside chair, twisting her ruby necklace around her finger, grateful that no one had suggested she leave Harry's side immediately.

In fact Professor Lupin smiled at her indulgently. "I'll find Ron and Hermione if you like. Let's see…it's Saturday afternoon and Hogsmeade is still off limits. Where do you think I could find them?"

"Try the library." Ginny laughed and added, "And…thanks, Professor. For finding him and bringing him back." Gathering her courage, she ventured a question, half expecting to be rebuffed. "Where…where was he?"

Professor Lupin turned back toward her, and said, "I guess there's no harm telling now. We found him in a Death Eater stronghold, not far from Myrddin's Den. Harry's phoenix led us to the cave the night he disappeared from Hogwarts."

Her forehead furrowing, Ginny asked, "Why couldn't Aurora just grab him?"

Shrugging, Lupin said, "I don't know…maybe some kind of ward. Certain Anti-Apparition Charms might be enough to keep Aurora away…even Harry would have trouble shrugging that sort of magic off."

Mentioning the cave drew her interest. She looked around for any sign of Rhys. Not surprisingly, he'd disappeared. "What about this place-this Myrddin's Den? Is it near Abergavenny?" Ginny asked, hoping Lupin would tell her the whole story.

Snape had muttered more than once about Abergavenny. In fact, those murmured words were the most she'd been able to get out of Snape the whole time she attended him.

Shaking his head, Professor Lupin continued. "I'm sure Harry told you. It's the cave where I was trapped last summer in Wales." Lupin pulled his cloak collar closer as if remembering the ordeal. "A group of us went the next day. Inside things had changed, there were chambers leading off the main cave. Everything was wide open and completely empty. No sign of anyone using the place. So we waited and set watchers in the area, searching for any place they might be guarding a prisoner."

Ginny was puzzled about one more thing. Why hadn't Harry's mirror worked? She glanced at the filthy pile of clothes under Harry's bed, wondering if his mirror was in a pocket. But she didn't want to interrupt Professor Lupin since he was explaining the rescue effort so obligingly.

"Yesterday, we discovered they were using a small, isolated farm nearby." Lupin lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Last night during the raid…we captured a very few of them. Most of them Apparated away before we could stop them. Until we talk to Harry, we won't know why they didn't take him to Voldemort. Surely that was their plan…in the confusion of the raid, I guess they forgot their prisoner. We found Harry alone and unconscious in a small shed. It was pure luck."

Ginny grinned. "At least Harry's luck seems to be holding."

"I've never met anyone who needed it more," Professor Snape said, stepping around the screen and nodding toward Lupin. "Even unconscious Potter demands all the attention. Am I to understand that I've lost all interest to the nursing staff? Perhaps you could simply show me which medicines I'm supposed to be taking, Miss Weasley."

With an amused nod at the Potions Master, Professor Lupin left the infirmary, presumably to find Ron and Hermione.

Fighting the urge to smile at the sight of Professor Snape, barefoot in his pyjamas and dressing gown, Ginny gathered all the professional dignity she could. She placed Harry's hand carefully back under his covers and turned to Professor Snape. He really did look terribly pale.

Hands on hips, she said, "Where are your slippers?" Clucking in a perfect imitation of Madame Pomfrey, she took his arm. "You should be in bed, or I won't be responsible for your condition."

The small smirk around his mouth, was the only acknowledgement Snape gave as he dutifully allowed her to guide him back to his own enclosure.

Ginny wondered briefly if she should tell him that she'd found Rhys poised over him with a wand. It seemed like she'd imagined it now. The fencing instructor hadn't really done anything to Snape even though he'd certainly had the opportunity.

If Rhys couldn't be trusted-if he were under the Imperius curse or something-Dumbledore would have noticed. The relief he'd shown when Harry arrived was genuine. Ginny was sure of that. Besides he was the only one, in all the time Harry had been missing, who really seemed to feel as devastated as she did.

"Mr. Potter appears to have survived," Snape said in a tone implying he would have preferred otherwise.

Deciding not to respond, Ginny busied herself with Snape's potions, pouring out the proper doses with practiced ease. After dutifully taking his medicine, Snape rested against his pillows with a book open in his lap, but he looked as though he'd be nodding off soon.

Across the room, she heard people arriving, loud, running footsteps and the breathless clamor of excited voices. Figuring it must be Ron and Hermione, Ginny looked at her patient hopefully.

At first, Professor Snape gave no indication that he'd heard anything. He continued to read.

Ginny sighed loudly.

Without looking up from the page he was reading, Snape said, "You may join your friends, Miss Weasley. I'm not in further need of assistance."

Not needing to be told twice, Ginny hurried across the room with a wide grin on her face. Hermione grabbed her in a big hug, and said, "Ooo…I knew everything would be all right."

Ron stood there like a great lump, but he seemed pleased. Clearing his throat, he asked, "When does Pomfrey think Harry'll wake up?"

"I…I'm not sure she knows. Professor Dumbledore thought he must have taken a sleeping potion." Ginny's forehead furrowed as she remembered the Headmaster's words. "I suppose…we'll just have to wait."

Hermione nodded, then prompted her. "Professor Lupin found him then?"

Ginny explained all that Lupin had told her about Myrddin's Den. She debated telling them about finding Rhys poised over Professor Snape, but now that all seemed surreal.

Out of breath, Neville arrived. "I heard Harry…" He stopped and gasped for air. "So it's true." With a relieved grin, he said, "I was hoping."

"We all were, Neville," Ron said, looking back at Harry with a grin.

Luna arrived, then Seamus and Dean, followed by others. Most merely wanted to see for themselves if the rumors were true, but the noise soon began to build, prompting Madam Pomfrey to insist everyone leave.

"Don't worry about it, Ginny," Ron said as they climbed the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. "You can go back later under Harry's cloak."

Ron gave his girlfriend a nervous glance, but Hermione didn't seem to have heard his suggestion. She continued walking, holding on to Ron's hand and looking more relaxed than Ginny had seen her in a while.

Despite Professor Dumbledore's warning to restrict visits, Ginny took Ron's suggestion. As the sun began to set, she went back to the infirmary under Harry's Invisibility Cloak. He was alone when she arrived, sleeping comfortably and looking healthy and somehow younger.

Ginny wondered what story he'd have to tell, once he woke up. Making herself comfortable in the chair next to his bed, she lifted the torn and dirty school uniform from under the bed, glad to have a moment alone to rifle through his pockets.

Not surprisingly, Harry's wand was missing and there was no sign of his torque or the sword he kept transfigured into a cloak pin. The pockets in his trousers were completely empty. Ginny couldn't find anything in his robes either, not a single scrap of parchment or candy wrapper.

It did explain a few things. No mirror meant he couldn't have contacted her. Of course, they'd disarmed him and emptied his pockets. That made sense. Anything could be a Portkey. But that didn't explain why Harry couldn't have made himself a new Portkey whenever they left him alone. He was fairly proficient at magic-even without a wand. Perhaps he'd been unconscious, or in too much pain. That would explain why he couldn't escape from them on his own.

Ginny gasped as Dobby appeared at the end of Harry's bed with a loud crack.

"Sorry…Miss Weasey," the house elf murmured, making a hasty bow. "Dobby had to see for himself. There is hope for all of us now that Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts?"

Still holding his clothes, Ginny said, "Er…Dobby…do you think you could fix these for him. They need cleaning and mending."

Ears wiggling as he nodded his agreement cheerfully, he answered, "It would be Dobby's honor, Miss. But these don't belong to Harry Potter." The house elf looked confidently at the pile.

"What makes you so sure?" Ginny asked, smiling at the funny little elf.

Green eyes blinking with curiosity, Dobby turned the trousers over and said, "These trousers…made in Paris. Harry Potter never wears these. Dobby keeps track of all his things personally."

Looking closely at the label, Ginny read, 'Givenchy.' She laughed and said, "I…I guess he had to borrow some trousers." That might explain why his pockets were empty.

Promising faithfully to return with clean clothes, Dobby disappeared with a loud pop.

As the windows of the infirmary had gone dark, the lamps began to burn softly. Ginny indulged herself by contemplating the sleeping Harry for a few more minutes. All the time spent wondering if she'd ever see him again and now…here he was, lookingcompletely normal with his messy black hair spread out on the pillow.

As she watched, he spoke without seeming to open his eyes. His lips cracked into a small smile, and he said, "Ginny Weasley." His voice sounded croaky as though he hadn't used it in a while.

"Harry…open your eyes." She held her breath. Once she looked into his eyes, she'd really feel like he was back.

But when Harry obliged, the flash of recognition she was expecting never came. Instead she felt as if she was looking at a stranger. Sure he smiled at her, but only one corner of his mouth went up into a sort of derisive smirk. She'd never seen him smile that way before.

In the muted light, his eyes seemed glittering and dark. Gone was the vulnerable, sweet look, he often gave her. It saddened her to think of what he must have gone through, something so frightful that he'd emerged from the experience hardened and embittered.

Reaching out, she took his hand in hers and said softly, "I'm glad you're back."

"How did I get here?" Harry asked, his voice cracking with the effort. He sat up and looked around for a moment and then fumbled around until he found his glasses on the bedside table.

She dropped his hand and poured him a tumbler of water from the jug on his bedside table. "Professor Lupin found you," she said, handing him the water.

Taking the water from her, he drank it down eagerly, then set the tumbler down.

"You've been gone so long…it must have been-" She didn't have a chance to finish her thought.

Muttering something about greeting him properly, he pulled her onto the bed, crushed her against his chest, and kissed her soundly.

Ginny went into his lap easily, eager to feel Harry's arms holding her again, but once there, she had to choke back her surprise. It wasn't entirely the foreign smell of the healing ointment on his face. Harry had never kissed her like this and she wasn't sure she liked it. Even Harry's most fiery kisses started soft, like he wanted to be sure he was welcome first. This kiss was bruising, hard-lipped and demanding and he held her roughly with his fingers digging into her sides so she couldn't get away.

Her breathing sped up, but not from the kiss. She began to wonder if this was Harry at all. Something in her mind clicked and she felt a surge of adrenaline pour through her as she tried to think of something that only Harry would know.

He released her abruptly and leaned back with his hands behind his head. His lips thinned into a satisfied smile.

She resisted the urge to wipe her mouth. Instead, she moved to the chair next to his bed and pulled her mirror out of her pocket as if to check her face.

"Oh…you look…beautiful," Harry said, slightly impatient. After a moment, he added, "Let me have a look…I want to see if they healed my face properly."

Instead of handing it over immediately, Ginny continued to look at her face and asked, "Don't you have your own mirror?"

"Oh yeah…most of us blokes carry little mirrors," Harry said sarcastically. "I'm sure all of your brothers do." He gave her another crooked smile.

Her heart was pounding, as she calmly handed it over to him. Maybe that gash on Harry's face had affected his brain, made him forget things, or maybe it wasn't Harry. She had to find out. There was a way to know for sure, but she'd need Ron's help. She stood up and forced a smile when he handed the mirror back to her. "I better go tell Madam Pomfrey you're awake."

"I'll go with you," Harry said, swinging his legs out of the bed.

"Oh…no." Ginny panicked, and said, "Madam Pomfrey will have a fit."

"I don't want that old-" he began.

Not really listening, Ginny kept talking. "Then I…I need to find Ron and Hermione…they've been planning your rescue party for weeks."

She looked at the boy in the bed. He looked like Harry. Of course it must be Harry. She'd never heard of magic that could make someone look like someone else except for Polyjuice Potion, and that was only supposed to last an hour…he'd been asleep for hours, she was certain of that.

Maybe she was going mad…from all the stress of the last few weeks, Harry's disappearance, Rhys offering to help her, then Harry showing up, but seeming so…different. She tried to remain composed as she backed away, and mumbled, "Anyway…I'll see you tomorrow, Harry. Get some rest."

He seemed amused by her discomposure, but he didn't say anything.

Once outside the infirmary, she fled toward Gryffindor, her heart pounding with fear. If that wasn't Harry, who was it?

By the time she reached Gryffindor tower, she was feeling completely deranged. The Fat Lady had her friend Violet visiting. They were engrossed in a conversation and ignored Ginny when she choked out the password in a whisper, "Frog Spawn."

It was still before curfew. She knew Ron and Hermione were probably in the common room. The sooner they figured this out, the better. Something felt terribly wrong. "Frog Spawn!" she shouted.

The Fat Lady stopped her conversation and said, "Well…where are your manners, young lady."

Violet peered down at Ginny disapprovingly. "In our day, young women didn't raise their voices."

"Frog Spawn…please!" Ginny said, closing her eyes.

The portrait swung open with a disdainful harumphing noise from Violet. Crossing the crowded common room, Ginny was ready to breathe fire by the time she found Ron and Hermione, sitting at a table by the window, doing their homework. Crookshanks was curled up in Hermione's lap.

"Where's Harry's map?" she asked unceremoniously, ignoring the stares coming from Dean and Seamus.

"What's going on?" Ron demanded loudly.

"I…I can't really say," Ginny said, not sure how to explain that the boy they all saw in the infirmary, the one that looked like Harry Potter, may not be him at all. It sounded insane, even in her head. "I need his map," Ginny repeated in a soft, but resolute voice.

Slamming her book shut, Hermione stood up and said, "I'll help you find it."

The two girls took off toward the stairs to the boy's dormitory with Ron trailing behind. Without knocking, they strode inside and went over to Harry's trunk, which stood open by his bed. Ginny tore through the clothes, digging around in search of the Marauder's Map. She found several ancient looking scrolls of parchment buried deep beneath the untidy pile of jumpers and trousers, but no map.

Ron stood with his arms folded in front of him, not helping at all. After a few minutes of watching her rummage, he said, "I'm not going to help until you tell me what this is about."

Pausing as she searched Harry's desk and books, Hermione asked, "Is it something about Harry?"

"He's awake," Ginny said flatly, wondering how to tell them about her suspicions. They were starting to seem groundless, even to her. What could she say to them? Harry woke up and kissed me funny.

Both Hermione and Ron looked confused.

Ginny realized she must seem wild to them. Then something next to Hermione's hand caught Ginny's attention. Stepping to the desk, she seized the item with a gasp. "His glasses!"

"Yes, Ginny," Ron said, speaking as though he was trying to calm a kitten out of a tree. "Harry's glasses are still here. Does he need them now that he's awake?"

Opening her mouth to explain, Ginny still couldn't quite put her suspicions into words. The only word that came out was the short answer. "No."

"Of course not…he's been mostly wearing those Mugglelens things since last summer. So what is it then?" Ron prompted. "Something's obviously got you all worked up…please, Ginny. Have you had anything to eat today? You're acting all…weird."

"She told you…she needs the Marauder's Map." Hermione folded her arms in front of herself and tilted her head.

Flushing under Hermione's steady gaze, Ron said, "Well…excuse me for trying to look out for my little sister."

Ron and Hermione seemed to hold a silent conversation with their eyes. Then Ron sighed and said, "All right then. Here it is." He pulled the map out of his pocket, tapped it with his wand, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

As the spidery veins of the map spread over the worn parchment, Ginny bit her lower lip. She pulled the paper gently away from Ron and refolded it to show the infirmary. The lines seemed to slow down as she waited. When the lines and dots formed showing that area of the castle, they showed three people. Severus Snape was by himself on the far end. The other two dots floated side by side near the entryway, labeled Albus Dumbledore and Draco Malfoy.

Hermione, sharp intake of breath was followed by a noise that could only be described as a growl.

In contrast, Ron fairly exploded. "How is that possible!" he shouted, then proceeded to let loose with a rambling rant about turning Malfoy back into a ferret.

Even though she'd had more time to think about the possibility that the Harry in the infirmary was an imposter, Ginny was dumbstruck for a moment. Then her mind leapt ahead to the next conclusion. Ron and Hermione may have momentarily lost their composure, but Ginny stayed focused on Harry…the real Harry.

Finally Hermione put a stop to Ron's raving. "Stop, Ron. It's not helping anything." She pointed to the map. "We have to figure out what to do."

"What'd'you mean?" Ron said. "We're going right down there and beat his pointy little Polyjuiced face in."

"I can't believe you," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "When have you ever beaten anyone? Why would you start now? I bet Professor Dumbledore sees right through him, the way Ginny did."

"Am I not allowed to have a say in this?" Ron was livid. "Malfoy almost killed you with that potion, Hermione. Now it looks like he's done something to Harry. I say we go down there and hurt him while we have a chance. We'll make it look like an accident."

Her face flushing, Hermione said, "I…I mean that Professor Dumbledore probably already has this figured out. Why don't we tell him what we suspect?"

"Suspect!" Ron shouted. "That map doesn't lie…and it can't be fooled. As for leaving things to Dumbledore…Hermione, last week you were the one planning our very own secret search and rescue mission." He turned to his sister and said, "Sorry, Ginny. We didn't think you were up to going."

Hermione had the grace to look at Ginny apologetically. "We were going to tell you. Honestly. But it seemed like you were too upset." Then her lips tightened as she turned back to Ron and frowned at him.

"Now you've done it," Ron said angrily.

"I've done it?" Hermione ground out.

"No one can know." Ginny's voice broke through their bickering.

"Excuse me?" Ron asked, turning toward his sister.

Both Ron and Hermione were staring at her like she'd lost her mind. "I said…no one can find out that's not Harry down in the infirmary. At least, not yet." She knew her chin was quivering as she spoke, but she tried to explain anyway. "If Draco Malfoy showed up here, posing as Harry, then he must know where the real Harry is. If we break his face…or whatever it is you wanted to do, Ron…then we have no options. We might never know what happened to the real Harry."

When Ginny finished speaking, tears blurred her vision. She'd been so relieved when she'd thought it was really Harry. Now…Harry seemed even further away. Before the floodgates could open, she forced herself to stop. No wonder Ron and Hermione hadn't wanted her to go on their rescue mission. She must seem a wreck.

That thought was confirmed when Hermione stepped over and gave her a hug while Ron patted her back. Their sympathy made it impossible to hold back her emotions. She felt the tears begin to fall.

In a soft, comforting tone, Hermione said, "That's a really nice theory, Ginny, but we don't know if it's true." Hermione pulled away, her forehead knitting as she concentrated. "Malfoy could have simply heard that Harry's been missing. We certainly can't trust him to behave himself just because he's masquerading as Harry. Whatever his plan is-and we can be sure that he has a plan-he's up to no good."

Still keeping an arm over Ginny's shoulder, Ron added, "And think about it…even if Malfoy knows what happened to Harry…how can we trick him into telling us?"

Hermione spoke with certainty. "We should tell Dumbledore and then confront Malfoy."

"She's right, Ginny," Ron said, leaning down to look into his sister's eyes. "It would be perfectly horrible to put up with Malfoy pretending he's Harry." Ron moved over and sat down on Harry's neatly made up bed. Waving his hand, he asked, "Are we supposed to let him sleep in Harry's bed? Wear his clothes?" He shivered.

Remembering what made her suspicious in the first place, Ginny instinctively wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Ron noticed. "Ew…please tell me he didn't kiss you."

Hermione put her arm around Ginny's shoulders for support.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Ginny said, "All right…you make a good point…but I think you have it backward. We should confront Malfoy ourselves–with the help of Fred and George's Truth Taffy or something–and then tell Dumbledore." Wiping the tears off her face with the sleeve of her gray jacket, Ginny continued, "Otherwise, we'll never know what Malfoy has to say."

"Ginny's right. Dumbledore won't let us be involved…" Hermione held up her fingers, one by one, to emphasize her point. "Snape, Lupin, Dumbledore, everyone of them would tell us to stay out of it."

"If Aurora originally led them to Myrddin's cave, and they found Malfoy nearby, masquerading as Harry, there has to be more to it." Ginny said, her thoughts still focused on the real Harry. She was glad now that she'd never mentioned to Ron and Hermione that Rhys had offered to take her to the cave.

Hermione didn't answer. She seemed to be lost in her own train of thought.

After a moment, Ginny folded the map, tapped it with her wand, and whispered, "Mischief managed." She tucked the parchment into her jacket.

She began fishing through Harry's trunk for the scrolls from the Potter vault. "We'll need these…and maybe we should put all of Harry's valuables away. Move them out of Malfoy's reach."

Again, both Ron and Hermione were looking at her like she'd lost her mind.

"I'm thinking ahead," she said, hoping to get through to them. "In case this charade continues and they release Malfoy from the infirmary before we have a chance to…interview him."

Ron and Hermione stared at her blankly.

She shrugged and asked, "Do either of you have any Truth Taffy? Maybe we should send a quick owl to Fred and George." When they didn't move, Ginny put a hand on her hip and said, "Well…get on with it. We don't have time to waste."

They all sprang into action. Ron took charge of clearing everything out Harry's trunk except his clothes. Hermione went to the library to look up truth serums and spells. And Ginny owled the twins. They all wanted to be sure that, when the time came, Draco Malfoy wouldn't know what hit him.

The snowstorm was almost blinding, but the Snitch was straight ahead, a golden twitching among the almost perfect white. The fluttering wings stayed just out of reach no matter how fast Harry flew.

Suddenly, his broomstick disappeared. Grasping frantically at thin air, he watched the Snitch escape into the mist, expecting to fall. He thought he was alone with no hope in sight, then he heard it…the faint sound of music lilting through the air along with him. He'd heard the song before and, as before, it seemed to be holding him aloft, supporting him easily as he floated downward, ever so slowly, in a soft spiral.

Harry woke up spread-eagled in his conjured bed, feeling cross. The bed was soft enough, an exact replica of the poster bed he slept in at Hogwarts, but the cave was cold-freezing cold. He surveyed the white stone walls surrounding him and scowled. The idea of facing another day of confinement made Harry want to pull his blanket back over his head.

Closing his eyes, he tried to snuggle back into the charmed covers and thumb through his well-worn memories of happier times. Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup. The D.A. sticking up for each other in the Three Broomsticks. Ron and Hermione helping him learn spells during the Triwizard Tournament. Flying with Ginny at the Burrow. But it was too late to summon a happy dream.

Being alone gave Harry too much time to think. Dark thoughts emerged, uninvited, weighing him down with all the mistakes he'd made, and the people he'd lost. Niniane and Voldemort had sealed him in the cave, but Harry knew the part he'd played. He doubted Rhys even had a sick sister, but even so, Harry had to wonder why he'd felt responsible for saving her.

He'd blown his chance to determine the course of his own life, to go after the things he really wanted. Nothing would ever happen while he remained sealed in this cave…and he only had himself to blame.

As he lay with his eyes closed and these dark thoughts circling in his head, Niniane appeared. Cupping his cheek, she said, "Time to wake. The sun is already high in the sky."

Although Harry wasn't asleep, the unexpected feel of her cold hand shocked him. His eyes flew wide open, and he lashed out.

"And how would I know that! Trapped in here!" Harry knew that yelling wouldn't help, but neither had humoring her.

Drawing herself up to float above the floor a few feet away from him, she shouted, "What manner of madness has overtaken you? You…you have forgotten me." She folded her arms and turned away from him.

Caution flew out of his head as he vented his frustration. "I've told you again and again!" Harry shouted, jumping from his bed and shaking his fist at her. "I'm not who you think I am! See? Green eyes…not blue."

Niniane drew nose to nose with Harry, her eyes shifting back and forth as she examined his eyes. "You're that boy…the one that stumbled through the cave…when no one else could pass." A look of shock followed a trace of comprehension across the ghost's face. "Where is Owain?" she shouted, as though Harry was hiding him.

"I have no idea!" Seizing on this one lucid moment, he tried to make her understand. "You told me yourself that he'd passed on long ago…he's probably been dead for centuries."

"I never…I didn't..." She dropped her head into her hands. "I wanted…oh…it's so confusing."

Bent on driving his point home, Harry continued to shout. "What's confusing? You captured the wrong person!"

She shook her head and closed her eyes. "But…I never intended…"

Harry knew that she was close to dissolving into tears, and, if that happened, she might not have another rational moment for quite some time. He needed to plant the idea now.

"Fine…you know what to do then." He looked straight into her eyes, and said forcefully, "You told someone how to lock me in here. Go tell someone else how to get me out."

She pulled away from him, and floated away, glaring back at Harry over her shoulder as she disappeared through the white wall.

Harry watched her go, knowing that he might have blown any hope of securing her help. It felt good to shout at her, but he should probably think of a way to make amends.

From the back, her long red hair and green silk gown, reminded him of Ginny although any resemblance stopped there. Ginny was warm and rational and full of life. Niniane was like a hollow echo of what she must have been when she was alive, left with one thought to torment herself with for eternity.

No wonder she'd fallen so easily for Voldemort's manipulations. He'd promised her the one thing she wanted.

For what seemed like the millionth time, the fear that he might never leave washed through him.

Harry couldn't bear to think about it again. The same spirit that kept him moving toward the future when he was a child locked under the stairs, came into play. Like an echo of the dream he'd woken to that morning, something lifted his spirits despite all the circumstances beyond his control. Something unexpected could happen and that something could change everything.

Deciding that he needed to focus on something else, Harry got out of bed and concentrated on his morning routine. Then, he rummaged around in his rucksack for his Charms book. It wouldn't be good to fall behind in his courses. If…no…when someone opened the cave, he'd be ready to resume his life.

Inside the bag, his hand brushed against something hard and he closed his fingers around it. It was the large oval ruby from the Potter box. The one they'd tried to use for the top of the tangleberry torch.

Smiling at the memory, Harry whispered the words he'd said then. It seemed to sparkle in response as if something within caught the light. He held it uphigher and looked carefully. Twirling within the depths of the gem was a cloud of sparks. As he continued to inspect it closely, the swirling mist grew.

Sunday morning dawned, bright and clear, over the castle. A strong wind swept the grounds, clearing away every trace of yesterday's storm.

Ginny arrived in the infirmary after breakfast to find Professor Snape sitting next to Harry's bed. Hiding her surprise behind a cheerful mask, she greeted them both and pulled another chair over.

"I came by to thank Mr. Potter," Snape said, looking like he'd swallowed some of the dead cockroaches he kept on his desk.

Ginny didn't think Malfoy seemed any happier. His black hair stuck out, Harry fashion, all over his head, but that was the only thing that seemed like Harry. He glowered darkly at Professor Snape. His arms were folded defensively in front of him, and he looked like something smelled bad.

Infirmary pyjamas and dressing gown notwithstanding, Snape appeared as formal and distant as ever. His back did not touch the chair. Inclining his head, he said slowly, "Despite my earlier lack of gratitude, in the end, the Portkey you provided was…most helpful."

Ginny tried to hide her shock and confusion by watching Snape's face from behind a curtain of red hair. Was this the information she'd been hoping to get from Professor Snape all of this time? Potter…help.

"Portkey?" the boy in the bed asked…then hastily added in a confident voice. "I wasn't sure you ever got it." As though it was an afterthought, he shrugged.

A brief flicker of a question crossed Snape's face. Then he continued speaking slowly, as if he had to choose his words carefully. "Of course you want to…down play your actions. Perhaps you've realized the…recklessness of sending such a recognizable owl to someone on a covert mission…or the foolishness of sending a Portkey capable of circumventing the Hogwarts' wards by such an…insecure method."

Of course, Malfoy wasn't offended in the least. Considering it was the real Harry that had sent the Portkey to Professor Snape, the boy in the bed couldn't have cared less. If anything, his sneer seemed to become more contemptuous.

Realizing that Professor Snape would take this reaction as confirmation that Harry was arrogant, irritated Ginny, but she stayed out of the conversation. If she wanted to find out what happened to the real Harry, she couldn't let anything sidetrack her.

As if he'd bitten his tongue, Snape paused. Drawing his lips together in a determined line, he said, "I want to…acknowledge that your action–despite its rashness–did have a favorable outcome." Lifting his chin, Snape finished silkily, "The Portkey you sent in your letter probably saved my life. You have earned my gratitude."

There was no telling what the last part of that speech had cost Professor Snape in terms of his pride. Ginny wished the real Harry had been there to listen to it. He would have loved it.

"Does this mean that you'll give me better grades in Potions?" Malfoy asked, with a malicious grin that told Ginny, at least, that he found Snape's acknowledgment hilarious.

Snape apparently had no idea that the black haired, green eyed boy smirking at him from the bed wasn't Harry Potter. Clearly offended, he rose slowly to his feet. His voice full of its usual venom, he said, "When you start brewing your potions with greater attention to the necessary subtleties and details, perhaps your grades will improve."

Without a word, Malfoy nodded his head dismissively at Snape. He gave the Potions Professor a cold, hateful stare.

Swirling his dressing gown wasn't quite as dramatic as his usual cloak swirl, but Snape turned and walked slowly toward his own bed.

Ginny made no move to help him. At least he was wearing his slippers today. Turning back to the figure in the bed, she changed the subject. With what she hoped was a bright smile, Ginny asked, "You look like you feel better. Does that mean you're coming back to Gryffindor?"

It threw her off balance that he looked so much like Harry, yet carried himself so differently. With a disagreeable grin, he answered, "Pomfrey didn't like the idea." His eyes flashed angrily at the infirmary office. He lowered his voice and hissed, "She said it would be at least a week. She wants to run some tests…such incompetence. I…I feel fine. There's absolutely nothing wrong with me."

Adopting an air of concern, Ginny tried to placate him. "Honestly…she's worried about you. We're all worried." Cringing inside, she put her hand on his shoulder, and continued shyly, "The extra rest will be good for you…you've been through so much."

"Oh…well…it was fairly horrible," Malfoy put his head down modestly, then looked at her sideways, presumably to gauge her reaction.

Ginny tried to play her part. "When I think of…" She hid her face in her hands as she felt her acting skills fail.

Now she had something more to worry about. Through her fingers, she could see Malfoy staring at her with his mouth open, his forehead knitted in confusion. If Malfoy couldn't play a convincing Harry, things were going to be much more difficult. Other people were bound to see right through him.

At the very least, they'd think Harry had been the victim of a memory charm. If this deception needed to continue, maybe she'd have to start a rumor to that effect.

Ginny felt Malfoy's hand patting her head carelessly as if he'd realized he should console her.

The entrance of Madam Pomfrey spared her further charades. "What are you doing here, Miss Weasley?" she asked as she ran her wand over Malfoy.

Ginny answered lamely, "Er…I…thought a quick visit wouldn't matter." The wand motion Madam Pomfrey was using over Malfoy wasn't anything Ginny had ever seen before. It didn't seem to have any purpose. Perhaps Madam Pomfrey was aware that her patient wasn't Harry and was engaging in a charade of her own.

"The Headmaster has instructed me to limit Mr. Potter's visiting hours. It won't do for him to become overtired." The matron pulled a red potion vial from her apron pocket, and said, "Time for your strengthening potion."

Malfoy adopted a fake smile that must have been his attempt to look like Harry. Thanking Madam Pomfrey meekly, he swallowed the spoonful she offered.

Seeming pleased, she placed a blue bottle–probably a sleeping draught–on his bedside table. "I'll be back after lunch to give you a dose of this one."

Ginny said goodbye and walked with Madam Pomfrey back to her office before leaving. She wanted to make sure that Madam Pomfrey would be busy in her office so that she could sneak back in with Ron and Hermione. They were supposed to be waiting in the hall.

Instead Ginny pushed the door into Harry's fencing instructor who was lurking right outside the infirmary. Rhys greeted her with a nod, all the while searching over her shoulder into the infirmary. "Professor Dumbledore told me Harry was awake. I…I couldn't believe it. I had to see."

She let the door close, blocking his view, and confronted him.

Seeming pale and tired, Rhys dropped his eyes, and reached for the door handle, but she stepped in front of him.

"Are you ever going to tell me what you're really up to?" Ginny asked.

"I…I don't know what you mean," Rhys said, sounding nervous. "Anyway…I'm sure you shouldn't get involved."

"Involved with what? Harry's safe now. He's right behind that door. In fact, he's sound asleep." Ginny said, trying to gauge by his reaction whether or not Rhys knew that wasn't Harry. She thought she could tell with Snape and Madam Pomfrey, but Rhys' face gave nothing away.

"Well…if he's asleep. I'll check back another time." With a slight nod, he walked away.

Ginny watched him until he was out of sight. Then she looked around the corridor, and whispered, "Are you here?"

Ron and Hermione pulled the Invisibility Cloak off and stepped forward.

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"Nothing…Rhys wanted to visit Harry…but I told him he was sleeping." Ginny took a deep breath and changed the subject. "Did the owl post arrive?" She looked at Ron expectantly.

Holding out a bright green package with the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes label, Ron grinned and said, "Came by express owl."

Ginny grinned back and grabbed the package. "I think we'll have to hurry."

Looking at the closed door of the infirmary, Hermione whispered, "What about Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape?"

"Madam Pomfrey won't come out of her office unless she hears us, but we better check to be sure that Snape's taken his morning sleeping potion." Ginny frowned down at the box in her hand. "Do you think a strengthening potion will interfere with Fred and George's truth concoction?"

With a grim look, Hermione said, "It can't be any worse than the potion Malfoy slipped me last January." She lifted the box out of Ginny's hands and said, "Allow me." Hermione took out the pretty little bag of chocolate sweets and made the suspicious looking green box disappear.

"Ready?" asked Ron as he flung the Invisibility Cloak over the three of them. To mask the sound of their footsteps, Hermione cast a Silencing Charm on the floor. The three of them huddled close together. Although Ron's shoes still showed, the ruse worked well enough to get past Madam Pomfrey's office undetected.

When they reached Malfoy's enclosure, Ron cast a silencing charm on the screened in area as the three of them slipped inside.

As they appeared out of thin air, Malfoy gasped, "Ack…" and clutched his chest. "Give a bloke some warning," he said, seeming annoyed.

"Aren't you glad to see us?" Ginny asked, her eyes wide with surprise as she folded the Invisibility Cloak and put it in her bag.

"You're not supposed to be here…Madam Pomfrey-"

He broke off as Ginny plopped down on the bed by his feet. Giving him her best Lavender Brown pout, she said, "Since when do we pay attention to rules like that, Harry."

Hermione took the chair by his bed and smiled.

Ron stood behind her, and asked, "Don't you want some company?" He smiled, too.

Holding out the bag of chocolates, Hermione said cheerfully, "We brought you these."

At first, Malfoy seemed reluctant. Laughing, Ginny squinted at him as if confused, and asked, "They're still your favorites, aren't they? I've seen you eat a whole bag in one sitting." She reached into the bag and took a bite of the chocolate coating. Letting her eyes roll up, she said, "Mmm…these are good."

That did it. Presumably concerned about blowing his cover, Malfoy took the bag back and popped a few of the confections in his mouth. "Mmm…chewy," he said, presumably having found the Truth Taffy nougat inside.

Ron began to talk about Quidditch. For a minute or two, Malfoy joined in, still helping himself to the chocolate covered sweets as they talked about the upcoming game against Hufflepuff. When Malfoy's eyes appeared to glaze over, Ron turned to Hermione and nodded.

At this signal, Hermione asked, "Who do you think deserves to win the Quidditch Cup this year?"

Without hesitation or intonation, Malfoy answered, "Slytherin."

"He's ready," Ron said.

"What happened to Harry Potter?" Ginny asked, her voice sounding deeper than normal.

"Don't start with that one," Ron complained.

A shadow flitted over Malfoy's expressionless face, "I…I'm not sure. No one knows the whole story. Some say Potter disappeared into some cave. Some say the Dark Lord killed him."

"Oh…" Ron said, shrugging. "All I meant was. We need to be careful how we phrase things."

"We've been over this, Ron." Hermione put her hand in his. "Fred and George said we'd only have a little time."

Ignoring both of them, Ginny asked, "Who helped the…the Dark Lord get to Harry? Was it you?"

"Someone from Hogwarts lured Potter into their trap. It wasn't me." Malfoy's voice was flat and trance like.

Ginny couldn't breathe…so it was true. Here was irrefutable proof that Harry had been trapped by Death Eaters. If You-Know-Who had him, then he might even be…no. She couldn't think that way. Besides Aurora still thought he was alive.

Hermione asked, "Why are you pretending to be Harry?"

"I volunteered," Malfoy answered.

"Are you taking Polyjuice Potion?" Hermione asked.

"What difference does that make?" Ron whined.

"Sh…I'm curious…answer me, Malfoy. What is making you look and sound like Harry?" Hermione looked resolute.

Unfazed, Malfoy answered all their questions in order. "I'm not taking Polyjuice. The difference is that I don't need anything like Potter's hair. An Illusion charm, cast by the Dark Lord is making me look and sound like Potter."

"We're not getting anywhere," Ginny said, frustrated. "What purpose do you have at Hogwarts?"

It must be something more important than making fools of all of them. Malfoy wouldn't risk coming back here, putting his life in danger in the process, only to have a little fun with the Gryffindors.

There was a pause; Malfoy was struggling against answering this one. "I…I am to pretend to be Harry Potter."

"Why?" All three of them asked at once.

Malfoy answered slowly. Either the serum was wearing off or he really didn't want to answer. "Then…then…when the Dark Lord comes to Hogwarts…I'll…I'll go over to his side, making everyone think that Potter has joined his ranks."

"Well…at least we can stop that from happening," Ron said.

"When?" Ginny asked, still focused on their questions. "When is…your Dark Lord coming to Hogwarts?"

"I don't know," Malfoy answered hollowly.

Shaking her head, Hermione said, "I can't believe it. How could they ever have expected to get away with that?"

Malfoy said, "The Dark Lord is more powerful than any of you realize. Without Potter, the only remaining obstacle is Dumbledore…and everyone knows he's an old fool."

"Well, there's your answer, Hermione." Ron scowled at the trance like Harry clone in front of him.

Beginning to sound a bit desperate, Ginny asked, "Do you have any clue who betrayed Harry? Was it a student?"

"It was someone at Hogwarts. I don't know who," Malfoy answered.

Both Ron and Hermione reacted to that, grumbling about who it might be, but Ginny's thoughts were already going off in another direction, looking for a way to find Harry, or at least find out what happened to him.

"I can't think what else to ask." Ron said.

Hermione shrugged and said, "I think we should go straight to the Headmaster. Do you have any other information that Professor Dumbledore might want, Malfoy?"

"Snape is a marked man," came the flat, hollow answer.

Ron looked puzzled. "Do you mean someone is trying to kill him?"

Nodding, Malfoy answered, "Yes, more than one person."

"Meaning someone at Hogwarts. Who…I mean…who would try to kill Professor Snape? And how are they planning to do it?" Hermione asked.

"Goyle left a Lethifold in the dungeon last fall. Nott put a lethal potion in his Christmas present. I turned him over for the Dark Lord to deal with personally, then…since he escaped, someone…someone else has the job. I don't know what they are planning." Malfoy's eyes glinted dangerously.

Ginny stood up and said, "I think we've heard enough. Besides, he looks like he's coming out of it. Hermione, why don't you Obliviate him. You're so good at charms."

"A filthy Mudblood, Obliviate a Malfoy…I'd like to see her try…" Zapped from two directions, Malfoy slumped back onto his pillow. A brief image of the real Draco Malfoy blurred into sight, smooth blond hair and pale face, then morphed back into the black haired illusion of Harry Potter.

Squinting at the unconsciousform, Ron shouted, "Bloody hell! Looked for a moment like the illusion failed."

Lowering their wands, both girls turned to him, looking mildly surprised.

Ron pulled his own wand, and said, "Maybe we should keep stupefying him. I hate seeing him look like Harry. It's creepy."

"I don't think we should do anything more." Hermione pocketed her wand, and said forcefully, "We need to find Dumbledore immediately. As it is, we'll probably be in trouble for meddling. It's too dangerous to Obliviate his memory. What if there are other things he could tell us?"

She knew Hermione was, as usual, the voice of reason, but secretly, Ginny agreed with Ron. Stupefying Malfoy some more seemed like a fine idea, but at least they'd already exposed his game.

"But we can't leave things like this…if nothing else, he knows we know," Ron said, seeming concerned. "And he could wake up any time."

Nodding and moving over to the bedside table, Ginny said, "We'll give him his afternoon sleep potion a little early, and then go find the Headmaster." She lifted the blue vial and measured. "On top of those stunners, this should make him sleep for a while."

"We'd better tell Professor Dumbledore everything he had to say." Hermione said, her eyes bright with excitement. "He'll probably have a few questions of his own."

Ginny used a dropper to give Malfoy the sleeping draught. She turned to Ron and Hermione, knowing what she'd have to do. "I know we should hurry…I mean…Dumbledore needs to know that Hogwarts could be attacked, but…why don't you two go by yourselves?"

"Is this about earlier?" Hermione asked, her brow knitting in confusion. "We couldn't let you know we were planning to search for Harry. It would have upset you even more."

"You've barely been eating," Ron said, shaking his head. "and…and you know you haven't been sleeping. Those Glamour Charms you use can only do so much. We were worried."

Wrapping her arms around herself, Ginny said, "I am tired. But I was thinking that one of us should stay here and watch Malfoy…someone might help him escape. Remember last time?" With that, she sat down tiredly in the bedside chair. "Don't waste any more time. Go. Hurry." Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

Hermione's voice was full of concern. "Er…all right…I'm sure you'll feel better if you rest. Ron and I will tell Dumbledore about Malfoy…and what he said."

"Maybe it's best if you stay somewhat alert…considering what we are dealing with." Ron said. "That Illusion charm must be dark magic. I've never heard of such a thing…so keep your wand out, Ginny." For a moment he looked like he didn't want to leave her, but Hermione pulled on his arm and he walked away.

When they were out of sight, Ginny pulled a worn piece of parchment out of her pocket, tapped it with her wand, and said softly, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She found the little dot she was looking for without much trouble. Rhys was in the fencing practice room–all by himself.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Just like everybody else, I really do appreciate reviews.I loved reading all the speculation in the reviews. All the guesses were really good, especially considering that the ending of the last chapter was purposely misleading.

gina87: Thanks for writing! You didn't have to wait long.
maclir: Thanks!
MsMissProngs: Thanks for reviewing!
bommor: Thanks for saying you like the story!
Miles: Thanks for writing! Full points for mentioning Malfoy. And obviously I agree, it would have been weird if Ginny couldn't see through the illusion.
murdrax: Good suggestion. Harry…the real Harry may get the chance to expose Rhys yet. Thanks for reviewing!
icedragon925: Thanks!
yorkvillebird: Thanks for reviewing!
BonoRules: Diolch y'n fawr! is pretty much the limit of my Welsh although I did understand what you wrote…so Diolch y'n fawr! Unfortunately for me, I currently reside a long way away from Abergavenny. You're very lucky. It's beautiful country.
Jastul: Thanks for writing! Yes…I do have a lot of explaining to do. Hopefully the next couple of chapters will answer all your questions.
Silver Warrior: You got it in one. Thanks for reviewing!
Seeker TLK: Thanks for your review! Sorry to be confusing. Hopefully this chapter and the next will explain things.
mysticruby: You saw right through that one. Sorry about the cliffhangers. Thanks for writing!
Anxiouslyanticipatingnext Chapter: Thanks for your nice comments! I'll try to hurry the updates!
bassir: Make all the guesses you want. And you did guess correctly! Thanks for reviewing.
Foxfur: I loved the story of your muse…see you can write! If that angsty muse shows up again, try spraying water on it. It worked on the aliens in Signs. Or was it that baseball bat that worked? My eyes were shut. And once again, you guessed correctly about Harry. Thanks for reviewing!
B-A-Hplova22: You're good…very good. I hope I answered most of those questions in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Desert Hacker: Thanks, I'll try!
Don: It was just mean.I'm sorry.I don't know what came over me. Hopefully this chapter ended at a better spot. Thanks for writing!
GryffRavHuffSlythendor: Thanks for reviewing! Sorry about the evilness. This one wasn't as bad. Right?
ganon: Thanks! I'll try to write faster.
angiegs: Thanks for reviewing! Sorry about the cliffie.
pokie4389: You're right! Thanks for writing!
KandiG86: Rhys just seemed dead. You're right, that was the plot thickening. That's sort of what I was going for. Yes and no. Thanks for your kind comments!
wlippinc: Thanks for reviewing!
JakeTheSheepy: Thanks for saying that! Fanfiction is loads of fun.
chunky: Full points for your ferret comment!Thanks for reviewing!
Lady of Masbolle: I stand by what I said about the cave being magical. Rhys through the paper shredder…it's a fine image. Thanks for writing all those lovely suggestions
SillyGillie: Thanks for reviewing! You won't have to wait long for Rhys' day of reckoning. I'll try to post soon!
Sara: Thanks for saying that!
Toras: Good guesses. You're right about Rhys. He's going to be in trouble when the whole truth comes out. Thanks for writing!
-never: Hopefully this cliffie isn't as evil as the last one. Sorry. Thanks for reviewing!
Bosch1990: Thanks!
yom: Thanks for writing a review!
eyes of sky: Thanks for saying that! I am trying to finish the next chapters faster.
Ted M. Hammett: I would love to write a story that focuses on Harry and Snape changing their perspectives on each other. I really hope JKR includes some of that in Book 6 and 7. I may have touched on some of that here, but there are so many other things happening, we'll have to see. Thanks for the suggestion!
amari: Thanks, I will try!
rosepetal13: Thanks for reviewing! I will try to update faster next time.
krissygurl: Thanks! Hope this chapter cleared some things up.
Phoenix1687: Good guess. Thanks for writing!
Kelly: You're so lucky. Now you have an eight week old (?) …but I wager you're still a little sleep deprived. Your memory is fine. All your guesses and suggestions were very interesting. Thanks for reviewing!
Harry9970: You were right about Harry! Thanks for reviewing!
aschowin: No…and yes…and thanks for saying nice things!
JAMESYANKEE7: Thanks for writing. I can't seem to stop the cliffhangers. The chapter endings just keep coming out that way.
Lourdes: Hopefully this chapter explained a few things. Sorry to be confusing! I blame it on my slow updates. I'll try to write faster. Thanks for reviewing!
Lady of the Dragon: You have good instincts. Thanks for writing!
totallystellar: Good guesses. I'm starting to like Rhys, too. Thanks for the dust!
Harrie: It wasn't just you. Thanks for reviewing!
spike blade: Thanks, I'll try.
Nimbirosa: All good guesses. Thanks for saying you like a story to throw you for a loop. Your stories are like that, too. Thanks for writing a review!

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review!