Ron yawned as he followed a flowing red cloak down a dimly lit corridor. It was slightly colder from last night but warmer than what raged outside. He followed the student up a flight of stairs where he was asked to wait a moment. He opened the door; the wind howled outside yet didn't fly into the door. Standing there wondering what would "Headmaster Krum" wanted with him so early in the morning. A student had rapped on his and Hermione's door earlier saying that Viktor wanted an audience with Ron. Telling Hermione it was nothing and to go back to sleep, he dressed into some warm clothes and followed him into the corridors.
The door opened again, showing the student with small flecks of snow in his hair. He bowed Ron towards the door where he walked out of onto one of the ramparts of Dumstrang. Snow gently fell on his hair as a soft crunch of the door closed behind him. He looked over and saw Viktor in his blood red robes, but looking less like a travelling cloak. Ron wondered if he was used to the cold when he realized that he was warmer than he expected. He loosened his cloak as he walked up beside Viktor who just stared out onto the white wasteland.
"Amazing isn't it?" asked Viktor still staring out onto the landscape.
"Yeah…it's a nice sunrise," said Ron, looking slightly confused. The sun was slowly rising, looking no different from when they arrived. The sky still blood red but now muddied by the storm outside.
"No, not sun," said Viktor laughing a bit, "The torches…look."
Ron looked around; there seemed nothing to be strange. He heard the wind howl outside…but he was already outside. He looked up along the wall and noticed that the light of the torches did not flicker at all from the wind. He looked up at the sky as snow fell gently into his face and about 50 feet above him he saw a sudden change where black sky swirled violently with snow.
"The torches keep the blizzard outside of their light. Not perfect, still some snow gets by," he said as he scooped up some snow a tossed it into the air, "but what is the North without its snow?"
Ron looked very amazed as small hills of snow gathered just outside of the torches lights, preventing the school from being buried under tons of snow. The west side of the school taking the full brunt of the wind already started to have a tall wall of ice and snow forming 30 feet from the school. As the sun rose a bit more, Ron noticed more light was coming from the torches.
"You cannot leave," said Viktor bluntly.
"What?" said Ron. He stepped back a step looking at Krum who stood still as a statue.
"The weather not suitable for travel. Please stay until the weather clears up," said Viktor.
Ron felt a bit of relief as his heart pace slowed down to normal. The wind howled even louder as if angry at lost sacrifice.
"It is not normal for me to provide some of our sled dogs for you," started Viktor, "but seeing the importance of your journey…I will make an exception."
"Thank you Viktor," said Ron.
"Once we supplied them freely," started Viktor as if he said this many times, "anyone who came within our walls as a guest would be given them without question. But it was only a few years ago when we stopped that practice."
Ron looked a bit interested. Viktor's eyes darken as he placed his hands onto the rampart edge.
"It was when Dark Wizards started to request them for their travels to Potter," said Viktor with slight apprehension, "Most sleds would return as always…but not without damage. We lost some of our dogs. The one body that returned was dragged by one of the sleds that returned. I sent some teachers out to investigate but somewhere in north the dogs will not pass a point. Fear would grip them and send them madly into the wilderness or back to Durmstrang."
Viktor was looking intently into the north, where near the horizon they saw dark clouds forming. They stood silent for a moment as snow continued to fall. Ron felt warmer and warmer by the minute as light slowly filled the castle sky. Expecting that he was done, Ron started to walk towards the door.
"Ron-ald," said Viktor getting Ron's attention, "You are a very lucky man."
Ron was speechless. He looked at Viktor who still looked out into the blizzard.
"You are very lucky to have such an able-lady as your wife," Viktor said as he turned around looking at him, "it makes me wonder if I shall ever find such a woman."
"Uh…thanks," said Ron looking a tad embarrassed.
"I asked you to come because I saw Herm-ione's sad eyes at supper last night," said Viktor, his voice a little less gruff, "It pained me to say such things about your friend. But for your journey even bad news is better than none at all. Information prepares us."
"Don't worry about it Viktor…we actually appreciate any news of Harry," said Ron.
"Still," said Viktor, taking a moment to collect himself, "there were things that I must discuss about Harry…but I want to spare Herm-ione's feelings. I want the day to be for her…and all of you to enjoy as guests of Durmstrang."
"Viktor…thanks but we can't…" stuttered Ron.
"Ron-ald…please" pleaded Viktor, "I told you the information because you have strength Ron-ald. I want to help but I cannot come with you on your journey. If I can provide some assistance even if it is rest…I wish to."
Ron stood there looking into Viktor's sincere eyes. He looked like an ancient warrior of old in his robes while flecks of snow collected on his hair. Ron imagined that if Viktor wanted to he would have gone to hell and back with Hermione. There was something smoldering in his eyes as if he was waiting to awake in a blaze of fire.
"Ok Viktor," said Ron sounding as if he made a difficult choice.
Viktor grabbed his shoulders and looked at him with slightly red eyes, "Do not hesitate to ask for assistance Ron-ald. For the man who has won Herm-ione's heart is a worthy man…worthy of any help."
"Thanks Viktor," said Ron again feeling the word has begun to lose its meaning, "And...just call me Ron. Just Ron."
"Ron," said Viktor as if trying out the word, he gave him a reaffirming pat on the shoulders, "Ron…yes! I shall then. Now let me show you to Great Hall. Breakfast is being served. I am sorry I cannot join you but I am overseeing the shipment of supplies for the school coming in."
Ron joined Hermione and the Twins at the teachers table. The twins have apparently started a discussion with a young looking teacher who had a good grasp of English and humour. They were laughing more than they spoke. Hermione asked Ron where he was in the morning and he said just chatting with Viktor. When the Twins caught his attention talking about the layout of the school, Hermione continued chatting in Slavic with one of the teachers.
One of the teachers who had a free period was assigned to introduce them to some of the classes. Hermione was well known by the students as some actually asked her for autographs or to look over their homework. Ron just chatted a bit more with the Twins about things happening back home. It wasn't until lunch that Viktor had reappeared and invited them to dine with him again. They had a great time discussing what they were doing after their 7th year of school.
"Fred…George," said Viktor pointing at them, "every shipment I personally inspect them. Yet still student still manage to smuggle in your products causing disturbances to my school."
"Well….uh…didn't mean," sputtered Fred.
"to do any harm. I mean…it's not like we," sputtered George, expecting the fork to be lodged into his throat any second.
"Some of the older teachers find it to be most disruptive," said Viktor, "but it is fun to see smiles on the students. It is quite sad that youth leaves us when we are older."
Fred and George gave great big smiles and listened as Viktor recounted the times where Weasley's Wizard Wheezes caused havoc in the school. They laughed at some of the ingenious ways their products were used. As lunch came to a close the students filed out of the Great Hall and Viktor gave them a personal tour of Durmstrang. Ron felt a bit more at ease with Hermione attached to Viktor's arm during the tour. He even managed to block out Fred and George's fake snogging as Hermione and Viktor, and when they found that didn't work they started to look for secret passages amongst the school while following the group.
Dinner ended up with a giant feast for everyone in the castle. Fred and George showed Viktor some of their products where Viktor looked amused and wide eyed at some of the magic. Ron and Hermione wondered why Fred and George even bothered to bring their product with them. After an every finished their meal, the student tables were whisked away with wands and they put on a show for the guests. Dance troupes, examples of magical talent and even a small stage play entertained the guests immensely. They performed late into the night until Viktor with a clap of his hands bid everyone a good night. He saw the guests to their rooms personally and bowed to them as he disappeared down the corridor in a whirl of red cloak. As Ron looked outside of the room's window, he saw the dark clouds again, still forming, swirling like a black current. He remembered what Viktor said this morning and his heart sank a bit. The blizzard died down a bit with winds pushing the snow gently to the east. The torches around the castle dimmed more and more as it got darker. A suddenly cough made Ron turn around and he saw Hermione shuffle in her sleep, bringing the covers in closer to her. He looked at her face, warm almost radiant. He went over slipped into bed with her and felt the warmth of her body lull him into a restful sleep.
Dogs barked and licked the students' hands as they tightened the sled belts in the clear morning sun. Hermione gave Viktor a final hug before she walked over to get instructions how to operate the dogs in Slavic. The Twins were having a harder time but lightened the moment by trying to make silly sounding words out of the commands. Ron was finished locking his trunk when two students carried it towards the sleigh when Viktor tapped him on the shoulder.
He hugged him give him reaffirming pats on the back. Ron looked a bit shocked slowly patted him back.
"Ron. Take care of Herm-ione for both you and me," he whispered, his voice sounding very firm as if trying to steady himself.
Ron pulled back, shook Viktor's hand and said, "Don't worry. I will with my life."
Viktor looked surprised as if not expecting the statement but smiled agreeably. The Twins shouted at Ron to stop fooling around and get on one of the two the sleds. Viktor and the students yelled good luck and good-bye in Slavic as they pulled away. Hermione thanked them for all the hospitality as Ron just looked back staring at them until the black walls of Durmstrang disappeared over the horizon.
They traveled for hours, not knowing what time it was. Fred and George did most of the sledding having a blast with the dogs yelling, tongues wagging as they glided smoothly over the packed snow. They broke for lunch, not speaking much. The silence of the landscape seemed to have muted any intent for discussion. They began to understand why a lot of teachers and students looked so grim and gaunt.
They sled for another few hours seeing nothing but the dark clouds of the north getting closer and closer. Suddenly they sleds skidded to a halt, crashing into some of the dogs ahead. They started to howl and yelp jumping up all over the place. Fred and George looked at them, yelling at them in poor Slavic to mush on. Hermione got out of the sled trying to calm them down. But Ron, just looked out to the north, the clouds rolling more and more.
"Leave them, just take the luggage," said Ron in a cold voice.
"What? Are you mad?" said Fred.
"If you don't remember little bro, this is out ride in and out of here!" protested George.
"Viktor said the dogs won't go past this point," said Ron as he unpacked the sled, "It's no use. Just unload the supplies and luggage and we'll have to go on foot from herein."
"Viktor? What did Viktor say Ron?" asked Hermione, her eyes filling with concern.
Ron told them about the dogs that wouldn't go past this point and how they would return with their Dark Wizard riders. Hermione took the information well, but her face looked a tad whiter. Fred and George who would have thought it been a time to laugh didn't as they looked northwards as well wondering what exactly caused that to happen. They unloaded their packages and headed off.
Almost half an hour into walking the winds started to pick up. Cold sheared through their clothing as their bones felt like they were freezing. Snow crashed onto them in waves of flurries and they trudged through the snow. Hermione cast a spell that made their boots walk right on top of the snow, but even so the wind slowed them down considerably. Soon enough they looked like they were passing through a canyon of some sort, but they couldn't know for sure as the snow whirled around them, almost blinding them to details of the landscape. Visibility was three meters at most, but it wasn't like there was anything of interest to look at. Still they trudged on, the wind howling in their ears. They clumped together, trying to conserve heat, but still they felt their chests, their hearts stiffen as if they were freezing as well. Moments passed when up ahead they saw something huge figure looming tall and wide. Someone shouted out something but no one heard or cared, they were worried about freezing to death. They trudged on still as the huge figure grew bigger and bigger.
As they got closer and closer the noise of the wind died down a bit. It was still blowing snow everywhere forcing them to squint. George was holding onto his brother's scarf, making sure not to get lost. Slowly the walked in single formation as the dark figure ahead grew larger and larger but not more distinct. They saw it the waves of snow whirl around them but realized that it was a trick, that the blackness ahead was moving like waves crashing into each other.
"That must be the gate!" yelled Hermione.
Soon enough the wind had died yet some sound indistinct replaced the wind. The snow still flowed albeit a tad softer against them. They looked at into the darkness, barely three meters in front of them. They saw the snow on the ground melt into the blackness ahead and they wondered what gate could possibly cause snow to disappear below them instead of piling up against it. Ron took out his wand and muttered, Lumos.
Hermione screamed as a scabbed withered hand reached out to grab her. Ron pulled her back raising his wand but it didn't go far. Her scream died in her throat as they looked up, the light shining on the blackness ahead. It was huge and writhing in a hypnotic wave after wave of movement. It stretched farther than the eye can see on all sides, blocking out the sun, the landscape…everything in front of them. They voices lulled into the air, as snow crashed into it, into the blackness. It was an entire wall of Dementors. The part nearest them flowed back, with hands stretching to grab at them, however unable as it flowed backwards in accordance to the rest of the dementors. It was like a sea of hooded floating people with no end in sight. They sucked the air in a horrible orchestra of union.
Even Fred and George who usually had something witty to say or appreciated great but unusual feats stared in horror of the wall that stood before them. George vomited the contents of that day's lunch right into the snow while Fred helped him up shook with fear. It was then that they realized a bone sticking out of the snow. Fred and George took out their wands and sent some fireballs out around themselves and they noticed they were in a field littered with frozen corpses of wizards and witches. Their dead eyes wide with horror. The wind was too silent.
"Ok…ok….let's..," said Ron.
"Let's what!" shouted Fred hysterically, "pass through the wall of dementors? Are you insane!"
"We just need our…out patronuses," mutter Ron looking weak.
"Look at it Ron!" shouted George, "look at it! There's over a million of them! Bloody hell…bloody hell! Our patronuses can't even handle a dozen of them!"
"We need to get through…we need to," Ron was beginning to drawl on.
"Stop it!" cried Hermione her face in tears, "stop it…STOP IT! Why?…why did you have to do this Harry? Why!"
The wall groaned with Dementors wishing to feast on the small group in fear below. The wave crashed forward but ebbed back after reaching only three meters away from them. The sea of Dementors calmed themselves…knowing they can wait. They sucking of the air creating a cold stale wind.
Ron walked over and picked Hermione up. Fred and George got around them and consoled her as she just looked like she was on another world. They shared her feelings, the feeling of betrayal, confusion. What had Harry done? How or even why? Ron looked up at the infinite blackness, moaning with each wave that shuddered through the wall. It was an ultimate defense no matter how you look at it.
"We can apperate through it can't we?" suggested Fred, "I mean they can't get us if…if."
"But how far Fred?" said Ron, "We don't know how deep this thing is. We don't have time to walk around it, we're low on supplies enough as it is. And there's no knowing if we'd get lost either way. We have to go through it."
They looked at him like he was mad.
"I know…we…I know Harry wouldn't let us die just to go there," said Ron unsure of himself, "But we have to do it…for mom and the family. For Ginny's sake."
Their looks faded and they looked solemnly at Ron. The snow felt less cold now for some reason. They got to work as they took the luggage and shrunk them to a quarter of their size. They strapped them to their backs and as they faced the wall of dementors they all said at the same time, expecto patronum.
Silver threads popped out of the tips of their wands as they wrapped around themselves forming small indistinct shapes. Hermione formed first with an otter that happily clapped its hands and gambled around them. A silver fox appeared in front of George. Moments later a hyena formed in front of Fred. It laughed as it snapped at Fred's feet, which he kicked it telling it get off. Finally, Ron's patronus roared into the wind. A great silver lion with a huge mane stood proudly in front of Ron, rubbing it's head against his hand.
"Nice one little bro," said Fred, getting some of his usual enthusiasm back.
Hermione gathered everyone together, as the patronuses also listened in, "Ok, we will have to do a back to back formation. Ron will be out in front. Fred, you will be behind Ron, covering our back. George and I will be taking the left and right side. Since our patronuses are small Ron and Fred will have to back us up if we need it."
Everyone and directed their patronus to follow the plan.
"Did you get all that?" asked George to his fox. It gave him an unscrupulous look and walked off to the formation getting into position.
"Smartass," said George.
They all got into formation. With all of them looking at Ron. He looked at the wall of dementors, they quietly growled, looming over them, anticipating them. With a few clicks of the tongue, Ron ordered his lion patronus forward into the dark. The others followed suit as Fred told his to hold still as he walked in backwards. The wall parted a bit as the lion approached it, like a small crater forming. It got a meter wider on each side as Hermione and George's patronus neared the darkness. Fred kept a close eye on their backs making sure he doesn't stray as his patronus followed him in. A moment later a wave crashed over the hole, swallowing them entirely. The wall of dementors groaned as it swayed back and forth in the cold air.
Inside was so black even the air tasted dark. As the hole closed behind them, George gave a sudden jump at the sudden lack of light. They moved slowly, making sure they could feel each other's luggage gently bumping into each other. Foot by foot they progressed through them and blacker and blacker it seemed to get. The air was stale, putrid as the dementors tried to suck the air creating an ill wind inside the protected area. Fred and George had put their sleeves to their noses, trying not to breathe, but the image of decay gave their noses enough imagination.
Minutes felt like hours as they progressed even further, Ron not sure of his bearings at all. Already beads of sweat appeared on their faces, Hermione's brow shone in the dark. The bubble felt stuffy as dementors futilely clawed at the light. Some hands would reach out in front, but Ron's lion would swipe at them with his claw roaring, sending them back into the swarm. George's fox prowled back and forth, even swishing his tail at the dementors. Hermione was focusing on her otter to gamble back and forth in a wide arc, keeping themin checkwith its swiftness. The wave seemed to throb as the otter pass to a fro. Fred was having trouble keeping control of his patronus. The hyena made nervous laughs as it snapped its jaws against stray heads and hands, keeping them a fair distance, but was much too distracted by them all. Fred kept on telling it to come back each time it stopped to snap.
"How much longer?" asked Fred as his hyena growled at the dementors trailing their back.
"I don't know," said Ron.
"I can't hold out much longer here bro," said George, his voice trembling a bit. His fox was panting as his tail drooped a little.
"What was that!" exclaimed Fred looking from side to side in panic.
"They're just dementors Fred…there's nothing else in here," said Hermione coughing.
The air was getting stuffier, thicker. They could feel them closing in.
"They're thinning up ahead. I think we are nearly out," called out Ron.
"There it is again…there's something out there," said Fred.
"Hold it together Fred," said George.
"I swear there's something."
"Now is not the time," hissed George through gritted teeth.
"Shut up…all of you," said Ron, his voice weak, "concentrate."
"Ron…Fred..I need…I," panted Hermione but it was too late. Her otter dimmed and dementors started to trickle into the area. She was on one knee, trying to keep the silver strands to maintain form.
Fred swung to his right trying to get his hyena to protect Hermione but he screamed. He was staring into a dead witch's face, her eyes white, her mouth agape, her face clawed at by thousands of scabbed hands. Her body floated as if she drowned in the sea of dementors. His concentration shattered at the sight as a hand bursted pass the corpse's shoulder and grabbed him, sucking the air. The hyena yelped and ripped into silver threads that withered into the blackness. Fred screamed as he fell backwards into the chaos, George brought his fox to Hermione's aid. Ron was sending his lion in great circles. The scabbed hands grabbed a hold of Fred's legs, dragging him into the writhing darkness.
"FRED NO!" yelled George.
A set of hands shot down from the ceiling clasping around Fred's shoulders, they were trying to pull him up into the blackness, fighting with the dementors below for their meal. They were hungry and desperate; the dementors have waited far too long without sustenance. The air swirled with putrid decay as dementors tried to crash through the now weakened defenses. Fred was halfway into a black mass of clawing hands dragging him down. Ron was forcing his Lion to pace back and forth protecting a semi circle around the group
"expecto patronum"
Hermione had just lifted up her wand with a shot of brilliance, the otter jumped onto Fred snapping at the hands. The hands let go as if burned with fire and George dragged his brother out. They were waning, all of them.
"Ron…take Fred…get him out of here," said George as he slumped him onto the lion. His fox snapped at the grabbing hands with the otter.
"But you…Hermione," said Ron, his head was now swimming with fear. His heart began to freeze.
"Go…GO!" shouted George and with his last amount of strength he pushed Ron towards the lion.
"NO!" screamed Ron but like a ceiling caving in dementors started to fly down, rushing towards him.
Ron ran, he yelled at his lion to plow through as cloak after ragged cloak parted before its roars. Each time a hand tried to grab Fred off the lion's back it would swipe at it. Ron followed close behind, trying desperately to keep up. He couldn't feel anything but fear and desperation filling his mind. He looked back and saw they were pursuing him, hungry for him. It was like watching water flooding into a pipe. Something glinted in front of him, but it wasn't his lion; it was daylight. He was nearly there just a few more meters. Hands were snatching at his heels, grabbing at his robes. The light was getting stronger, he could smell fresher air. Ron knew that once the lion made it out, they will close in on him. He kicked into a spurt of speed, the lion got out and Ron dived right after out of the hole moments before dementors behind him bursted out a few feet before being sucked back into the sea of black.
Ron scrambled a few meters more, up to his lion. He looked at Fred, his robes were torn, there were scratches on his hands and neck. He looked deathly pale. Then as if the volume turned up a collosal groan came from behind.
"Hermione…George!" thought Ron, and he looked back at the wall.
It was rushing towards him like a tidal wave. A tidal wave of scabbed hands, hooded socketless eyes sucking at the air. The putrid air filled Ron's lungs, his lion roared, prone against the oncoming wave, but he did not care. This was the end. Hermione was gone. George was gone. And now him and Fred.
"Why Harry?" thought Ron weakly as he closed his eyes.
He was too tired to be afraid anymore.
A shine of brilliance made him squint his eyes. He felt something, like fresh air pass over his head and jump beside him. He looked up and there was Hermione's otter patronus and George's fox patronus, seven times their size, with their owners riding them on their backs. The wall groaned as dementors filled the hole they emerged from.
"Get back you foul loathsome creatures!" growled Hermione through gritted teeth pointing her wand.
The otter barked sending a dome of light to hit the oncoming wave. The fox swung its tale, cutting through the wall like a ships prow through water sending a ripple through the pulsing darkness. Dementors groaned as they reformed the wall again but this time the storm calmed. The wall floated back further and further until they stopped twenty meters away. They flowed slowly out and in like breath. They had lost.
Ron looked in shock as Hermione slid down her otter's back which faded away in a puff of silver vapour. She ran over to Ron and hugged him, tears streaming down her face.
"I thought I lost you," said Ron, "I thought…I…"
Hermione shushed him, telling him to be quiet.
George patted the side of his fox's neck saying, "I'm….never….doing that again."
He jumped off and the patronus with a swish of it's tail turned into silver vapours. Tired he stumbled over to the lion who kneeled and gently placed Fred onto the snow. It purred and in a moment, it too vanished.
Hermione's sobs died down a bit as Ron kept on holding onto her. They were so tired every movement ached. They didn't even feel the cold but they finally noticed there was no wind there, not even snow in the air. Ron pulled back as he looked out onto the landscape and kneeled there quiet in shock. Hermione gasped as she looked around. They were in a field similar on the other side of the wall, but it was littered with frozen corpses. Spears, wand tips, broken handles of brooms were strewn across the field like a graveyard. There were tattered banners spattered with blood. But what shocked them the most was rings, thousands upon thousands of rings that stretched all over the snowy landscape. They were embedded into the ground and from them small scantly visible wires of light being dragged into the wall of Dementors. They were leashed to the ground.
"Wake up Fred…wake up!"
George was leaning over his twin, bandaging him with his wand while shaking him with the other hand.
"Wake up Fred! We need you!"
George had dropped his wand and shook his brother with both hands, "Come on George, I need you back at the shop. We have a business to run! Wake up! WAKE UP!"
Ron stumbled over taking a hold of George telling him to stop. Hermione had just taken something out of luggage and headed over to Fred.
"Ron!" said George as if he saw him for the first time, "Why? Why did Harry do this to us? Why did he bring us out here..to face…to face that?"
George looked back at Fred. Hermione was breaking chocolate into his mouth.
"Look at me George," said Ron hands on his brother's tear streamed face, "He didn't mean to do this to us. He didn't."
"He did Ron," said George, grabbing onto his brothers forearms, "first Ginny, then Fred. Who next then Ron? Huh? Hermione? YOU?"
"I don't think Harry intended…"
"Damn him," interrupted George, "Damn him. Damn Harry. Why did he do this Ron? We welcomed him into our family. We treated him like a brother, like our own BLOOD!"
"Ron! George!" shouted Hermione.
They ran over and saw that Fred was breathing, but just barely. A bit of colour returned to his face.
"No…I'm sorry. Please don't. No mom…I'm sorry…no," mumbled Fred.
George stroked his hair, "Shhhh…quiet Fred. You'll be alright. Everything will be alright."
George stood up summoned a up a stretcher and put some warm blankets over him. Hermione wept softly. Ron just stared at his brother's pale face.
"If I ever see him…I swear I will…"
"We have to keep on moving," said Ron.
"What!" yelled George, "are you MENTAL? We need to go back. Fred is dying and we need to get help."
"And what George?" yelled back Ron, "go back through that? All four of us barely made it through, what makes you thinkthree with one in a stretcher stands a better chance?"
"Oh, and going to Harry's place is probably the better option," said George.
"We will get Fred help when we get there."
"But…"
"When we get there George," said Ron, he was clearly exhausted, "it's our only option."
George understood. It wasn't if or maybe but reasurring if not confident when. Ron was going to see this through all the way. He stared at Ron but broke off to levitate the stretcher.
They gathered all they can when they set off. They didn't travel far, just over a hill, before they looked wide eyed at what laid before them. It was a massive river or even perhaps a lake that crossed their path. A mist covered it and when they gotten down closer to the water's edge, they noticed it wasn't mist or frost, but steam. The water bubbled in front of them, as if boiling. Fred dipped his wand in and felt the tip, it was steaming hot. Already they began to sweat as they tried to loosen their robes. Small ice flows passed by them as the water bubbled quietly.
"Do you see the other side?" asked Ron.
"No I don't. But I suspect that's trick," said Hermione analyzing the situation.
They scanned up and down the river seeing for some sign of another side. But the steam blocked their vision past ten meters.
"Oi!" shouted George.
The looked over and George was standing a few meters down from them, his figure clouded by the steam. They walked over, taking care not to bump Fred when they saw George with his hand on a boat.
"It looks sturdy enough," he said, "and big enough to fit a small group.
Indeed inside the board there were at least 6 benches to rest upon. There was something eerie about it though as there was nothing else. No oars, no rudder, nothing but the boat.
"Well are we getting in or not?" asked George.
"I don't trust it," said Ron.
"Oh that's rich coming from you," complained George, "what else is there then? Just jump across ice patch to ice patch like frogs?"
"He's right Ron, this seems to be the only way," said Hermione unconvinced.
Ron agreed and they loaded Fred into the boat. They were putting the luggage in and getting settled when Fred found something. He pulled out a chain, dripping with water and steaming rising from it's links.
"I guess we use this to pull ourselves to the other side," said George with a smile.
"I don't know," said Hermione cautiously, "we don't know if that leads to the other side."
"Well it is heading north…right into that steam there."
"Ok," said Ron, "but be on your guard. There's something more to this."
George nodded and he began pulling on the chain. Slowly the entered into the steam, as the water's edge disappeared. George had to stop sometimes to allow pieces of ice to pass by, but most of the time the grazed the boat, shaking it a bit. Hermione looked out for the shore, Fred murmured in his sleep, but Ron looked on the bubbling water. Something caught his eye as he looked off to the left. There was a patch of water bubbling a bit more than the rest. He stared at it, wand in his hand.
"Eh?" said George, Ron looked over at him, "What's this? The chain just drops off here straight down into the water."
Something white streaked pass Ron's head. Before he could react he was lifted into the air by something. Hermione screamed below him as something was hoisting her up from the steam. He looked down at her and saw a long white something with dozens of suckers and a pointed end wrapped around Hermione's mid-section. George yelled as he struggled to keep a tentacle from wrapping around him with his hands. Ron looked out and saw the head of a giant squid rising up from the water, it's yellow eyes looking at it while it flung them around. The chain was attached right between it's eyes. Hermione kept screaming, Fred kept struggling and Ron looked around in panic as other tentacles rose out of the water. One was patting on Fred, as if searching him and then moved to grab hold of Hermione's flailing arm.
"…Hogwarts…"
Ron looked down at who was talking the suckers tightened against his body. George was searching too. They looked down to see Fred turning under his blankets.
"…George…lake…Hogwarts…" he mumbled out loud.
George's eyes lit up and he took out his wand. He struggled looking around and then right about a foot from the end of a tentacle then he prodded his wand right into it. The tentacle holding him stiffened and then relaxed, placing him back onto the boat. He yelled to Ron to prod it in the same area as he rushed over to Hermione to help her out. The tentacles gripping them relaxed sinking into the water, however the other ones were still flailing about, searching for them.
"Stand…still," commanded George as he sat down.
"Wha?" said Ron.
"But George," pleaded Hermione.
"Trust me…just stand still."
They sat there, perfectly still as the tentacle tips hovered over them. They patted them gently as if searching for something and after a few tense moments they slowly retreated back into the water.
"What was that all a…" started Ron but a sudden lurch forward made him lose his balance. Something white gripped the sides of the boat, propelling it ahead.
"That was a giant squid," said George.
"We know that," said Hermione looked a bit miffed, "But why did it…"
"…hogwarts…lake…" mumbled Fred.
"Exactly," said George, "Fred figured if the giant squid at Hogwarts is anything like this ones, it'll only attack you if you struggle. That's why it didn't grab a hold of Fred because he was still."
"Glad one of us can still keep a level head," mumbled Fred.
"Shut up you," glared George, but he smiled as Fred's complexion got better. The ice flows whizzed by as they seemingly glided over the water.
"Then what spell did you cast when you tapped it with your wand?"
"Oh that wasn't a spell," said George smiling, "if you mucked about the Hogwarts giant squid as long as we did, you'd know that they have pressure points near the end of their tentacles. Relaxes them right up."
Ron sighed and dropped into the boat.
"Aren't you glad that Charlie told you to bring us along?" asked George.
Hermione gave an approving smile and slumped into Ron's chest. The air grew cooler by the moment.
Far too short of a rest later, they had gently been placed onto shore. The squid slipped slowly back underwater, but bubbles appeared a few meters offshore as if waiting for the journey back. They unloaded Fred off the boat and proceeded through a narrow winding canyon. They passed fewer deadwizards and witches this time. Perhaps even less people got pass this far. Cold gripped them again as they tighten their robes around them. They heard a rumble in front of them. Something was causing the earth to tremble. Ron stopped the group, his wand out looking out for anything. The walls trembled every so often, but nothing to indicate they might collapse onto them. He slowly guided the rest through the canyon which twisted lower and lower down. He was going down a slope where his foot skidded out in front. He didn't fall but he was sprawled out on a wall, looking for balance. Hermione helped him back up when they looked down onto the ice. It was smooth as glass as small trails of water flowed down it. They slowly progressed down the slope holding onto the edge when they reached the bottom. They stepped through puddles as warm air flowed down the canyon passage.
George complained about just having left something hot and then cold only to get hot again when he bumped into Hermione. He was about to tell her off when he saw they were both silent looking out from the canyon. There off into the distance was a black castle, however it wasn't any ordinary castle. It looked like a stone by stone replica of Hogwarts. It gleamed under the sun, reflecting it. However that wasn't what Ron and Hermione was gaping at. George looked down as he felt a rumble through his feet. Down there was a valley with grass. The snow had melted entirely, and even stone and dirt appeared. Littered on the ground though were dragon nests. Dozens if not a hundred dragons congregated in the valley below. Common Welsh Greens, Hungarian Horntails, Peruvian Vipertooths, Short-Snouts and Longhorns. Every single dragon you can think of, even those undiscovered were down in the pit, roaring, blowing fire at each other, tending to their young or nesting their eggs.
"Where's Charlie when you need him?" said Fred nervously.
They walked down a path as it grew hotter and hotter. They were getting closer. The heat warped the air as the sounds of roars got louder. They were some thirty meters to the closest one. Some dragons had their attention caught. One rushed at them. The group flinched and had their wands out when they saw it snapped it's jaw, unable to move. It was chained to the ground. Struggling it snapped some more until it gave up and walked back to it's nest growling.
"We can't get through this today…we have to form a plan," said Hermione.
"AUGH!"
Fred had coughed up blood. George ripped off the blanket and saw the bandages on his stomach had soaked through. Even his legs bandages where showing red.
"Do something!" yelled George as Hermione took out her wand putting on more bandages.
The dragons started to snap their mouths, roaring at the sound. Ron didn't know what to do. His brother was dying and no one has the proper training to treat it, not even Hermione. He gripped his wand tightly and started off right into the valley.
"Ron! Don't!" shouted George, but Ron had made up his mind.
Hermione yelled at him to stop which he did after a few steps. It wasn't because of her opposition though. Something peculiar seemed to come from the dragon valley. Someone was singing very badly as he was walking up the valley. It was a bunch of nonsense really, something about trees, rivers and forests. However soon enough a floating piece of meat had been tossed up towards one of the dragons which snapped at it happily. A small figure was dancing up the trail, without a care in the world, a wagon full of meat following him by magic. He wore six pairs of socks, two pairs of mittens and five hats on his head, which was supported by big floppy ears. His wide eyes were happy and his long nose danced along with him as he threw another piece of meat towards a dragon.
"Dobby?" said Ron in amazement.
The small figured stopped and looked at them. The piece of meat he was floating up dropped with a wet slap onto the dirt road. A burst of flame engulfed him and the ground around him.
"Dobby? NO!" said Ron as he saw flames dance where Dobby last stood.
The flames died away but Dobby was there unscathed, still standing there in surprise as if nothing happened.
"Mr. Weezy?" said Dobby.
"Dobby!" said Ron as if that was the only word in his mind now.
"My goodness, Mr. Weezy came. Mr. Weezy came for Harry Potter!" exclaimed Dobby as he bounded up the trail.
Dobby grabbed Ron by the leg hugging him with all his might.
"Dobby, not now," said Ron trying to push him away, "I have an emergency!"
"An emergency sir?" said Dobby, his eyes lit up, "I will do anything to help you sir. Anything you want."
"My brother Fred is up there with George and Hermione…" started Ron.
"Ms. Gran-grr is also here sir? Oh Harry Potter would be so pleased. It is a great…"
"Dobby!" shouted Ron, "My brother Fred is dying! We need to get him to the castle."
Dobby's eyes widened in fear as he pushed past Ron. He followed Dobby up the path. There the house elf was already looking at Fred's wounds while George was looking surprised. Hermione was telling Dobby to settle down as she pointed out the wounds."
"This is bad sir…we need to get him to the castle," said Dobby.
"You have to help us…you have to get help right away,"
"No sir," said Dobby, "Castle is better sir. Please if you hold my hand, and Ms. Gran-grr holds yours and George Weezy…"
They all clasped hands, with George holding onto the stretcher stopping Dobby in his rambling.
"Now follow me sir, and don't let go," said Dobby as he trotted down the path at a quick pace. Ron had to slump over to hold onto Dobby's small mittened hand, but then he realized they were heading right into the dragons' nest.
"Dobby, what are you doing?" said Ron, his eyes widening with each step.
"Trust me sir, Dobby will protect you sir," he replied walking even faster.
He felt his hand tighten as Hermione looked at him. Fred was cursing something but he held on for all his life. As they ran a nest came up on the left a 15 foot tall Hebirdean Black reared and shot a fireball at them. Ron closed his eyes for the blast, unable to get his wand or do anything to defend himself. Seconds passed and he was still walking hand in hand with Dobby and Hermione. He opened his eyes and nothing happened, they were smack in the middle of the nests. He looked on as another dragon, a huge copper Peruvian Vipertooth shot a stream of fire in front of them. Ron trembled but Dobby pushed on, they were about to jump into the flame when something parted it. Like a big train they plowed through the fire as it died and smoldered on the ground. Another blast of fire caught his attention when it just glanced off them a meter away from the. It was like an invisible glass shield had wrapped around them. A Norwegian Ridgeback further up the path flung it's tail at them, but it only bounced off the air a meter above their heads. A resonate boom shook their bones as they walked past the dragons roaring in rage. Closer and closer they got to the castle doors. The dragons were restless as they blew more flames at them. In moments they were out of the valley, the cries of dragons dying behind them. The cold began to flow again, chilling their faces. They approached stone steps when they saw another elf, sitting there as if thinking. Its attention was caught as it stood up putting one hand out.
"My name is Kreacher, servant of my Master Harry Potter," he said, sounding very rehearsed, "you must defeat me in order to pass through these..."
"Out of the way!" shouted Dobby as he waved his hand.
Kreacher was swatted to the side as if an invisible fist hit him. He mumbled uncourteously as the group rushed past him up the stone steps and into the giant doors. As they ran down the corridor their footsteps echoing, sweat and cold battling for their bodies; they hardly realized they had made it. They had entered the castle of Harry Potter.