Chapter 15
Voldemort's Prize
Harry told Hermione, Ron and Ginny about Wormtail's memory of Lucius Malfoy in the Department Of Mysteries and about Dumbledore contacting Mr Weasley and Madam Bones.
"We need to find out everything there is to know about the veil," stated Hermione, "I doubt the library here will have any books on the matter… but… Malfoy Manor might have some!"
"Right, I'll go and get Malfoy," replied Harry and disapparated.
Draco Malfoy was walking back to the castle with Hannah Abbott when Harry apparated in front of them. Draco turned to Hannah and told her he'd catch up with her later.
"What's up Potter?" Draco asked.
"We need your help," stated Harry, "We need to go to Malfoy Manor to find all the books about the veil your father used for a ritual he performed at the Ministry."
"Okay" replied Draco slowly, "All father's Dark Arts books should be in his underground vault. When are you planning on going?"
"We need to go as soon as possible. We know the ritual has been tried once but we don't know if Voldemort has managed to take the veil from the Ministry yet." Harry paused a moment, watching Draco's reaction, "We could do with your help in case we bump into your mother."
"You won't… she's dead," Draco replied, sullenly, "Father killed her over the summer. That's why I don't want to end up like my father!"
"Sorry, Draco. I didn't know."
"No one knows and I'd like to keep it that way!"
"Okay. I won't tell anyone, you have my word" Harry replied. "Will you help us?"
"I'm in the DA aren't I?"
"Come on then," Harry said and touched Draco's arm and apparated Draco to the library.
Harry told the others "I'm just going to get Neville and Luna."
A couple of minutes later, Harry apparated back with Neville and Luna. Luna was carrying a portable medikit containing a variety of potions, ointments and balms.
In a darkened corner of the library, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna and Draco spent all day planning their excursion to retrieve Lucius Malfoy's dark arts books. They had decided it would be a good idea to retrieve all his books instead of spending time searching for specific books. They would retrieve all the books and store them in the room of requirements.
Draco had also informed them of a potions lab. If there was time, they would scavenge any useful ingredients and also store those in the room of requirements. "There's some really obscure ingredients there" Draco explained.
When the plans had been discussed and agreed upon, Harry took Ginny aside and explained to her about transfiguring her insides into her animagus form to protect her from most spells. "It will also heighten your instincts, almost like animal instincts," explained Harry.
"Right, is everyone clear as to what the plan is?" asked Harry, turning to the rest of the group.
"Are you always like this Potter? We go in, take what we can and get back here!" Draco said.
"Okay, let's go. Everyone, form a circle and hold hands and we'll apparate together, so we don't lose anyone," Harry said, looking at Ron, "Remember, there's a good possibility there'll be Death Eaters there."
Just as they all disapparated, Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, appeared. Having been unable to deliver his message, Fawkes disappeared again, back to Dumbledore's office.
Harry's group apparated in the grounds of Malfoy Manor, behind a group of trees. They all looked through the trees and could see lights on in the house.
"Looks like it was a good idea to apparate out here!" Neville said.
"Okay. We have to take care of the Death Eaters first. Let's go!" Harry said. Everyone nodded and disapparated, except Harry and Ginny. "Transform now Ginny." Ginny transformed her insides, as did Harry, and they both apparated into the Manor.
Harry and Ginny apparated into the study, behind a group of Death Eaters who were firing curses at Ron, Hermione and Neville. Harry and Ginny pointed their wands at the Death Eaters and bound them all with an Evincio spell. They then walked up to the Death Eaters and took their wands.
"Are you all okay?" Harry asked. They all nodded. "Where're Luna and Draco?"
"Draco is showing Luna where the potions lab is" replied Hermione. Just then, Luna and Draco returned to the study.
"Any trouble?" Harry asked Draco and Luna.
"No, it's all clear in the lab" replied Draco.
"Right, Neville, Luna, you two go to the lab and start boxing up all the ingredients. When you've finished, apparate them to the room of requirements. Draco, can you show Ron and Hermione where your father's dark arts library is? Ginny and I will take a look around to make sure there aren't anymore Death Eaters around."
Draco nodded and motioned for Ron and Hermione to follow him, while Harry and Ginny started patrolling the manor.
"This place is huge!" exclaimed Ginny as they walked the halls of the manor, searching each room as they went.
"Not as homely as the Burrow though" replied Harry. He saw Ginny's face fall, "I'm sorry Ginny, we'll get the Burrow rebuilt soon." They carried on searching the manor in silence.
When they had finished searching the manor, they returned to the study to find Luna and Draco waiting for them, along with Professor Snape and no sign of the Death Eaters.
"Professor!" exclaimed Harry.
"So good of you to join us Potter! We have set up another lab in the dungeons of Hogwarts instead of using the room of requirements. It would have been better if you had come to us for help instead of going off on your own… again! Fifty points from Gryffindor!"
"Now, now, Severus," said Professor Lupin as he entered the study, reading a book as he walked, "no need to be like that. Sixty points to Gryffindor for using your initiative and joining the houses of Hogwarts together and ten points each to Ravenclaw and Slytherin for having trust in a house other than your own."
Snape didn't look pleased but didn't respond.
"Er… Professor… Hannah would have been here too, but, she needs a little more training before coming on missions like this."
"Thank you Draco, ten points to Hufflepuff for also trusting another house and ten more points to Slytherin for being honest." Lupin said to Draco, bowing his head.
Draco smiled. Ron was about to protest, but a swift elbow in the ribs from Hermione put a stop to that and Harry also smiled to Draco and bowed his head.
"All the books have been moved, except this one," Lupin said, holding up a small tome, Harry noticed it to be a book on werewolves, "to a storage room in Hogwarts. The headmaster wanted you to know that he is making arrangements for a disused tower to be opened up and remodelled for your team here to use, instead of having to use the room of requirements all the time. As soon as the tower is ready, all the potions ingredients and all the books from here will be moved to special areas of the tower only accessible by people of your choice."
"Thanks Professor, but where are the Death Eaters?" asked Harry, pointing to where the Death Eaters were.
"They've been moved to a secure dungeon in the bowls of Hogwarts." replied Lupin.
"Draco," Snape said, "whilst we're here, do you want to move any of your belongings?"
"Everything I want is already at Hogwarts sir," Draco replied sullenly.
Harry suddenly thought about the veil, "Professor? Did the ministry find the veil?"
"Yes Harry, they did and they have now moved the veil into another chamber somewhere in the department of mysteries protected by an unimaginable amount of charms and wards. Believe me Harry, no one can get anywhere near it." Lupin replied. "Okay. Then it's time to leave before more Death Eaters arrive."
Draco put his hand on Snape's shoulder, Hermione put her hand on Professor Lupin's shoulder and they all apparated back to Hogwarts.
Back at Hogwarts, in the room of requirements, Dumbledore approached Harry. "Harry, next time you go off on one of your little excursions, please remember to tell someone where you are going. You are in the Order now Harry, as are all your friends, you do not need to work alone anymore."
"Yes sir," Harry replied, "If you don't mind sir, I'd like to go to the department of mysteries to see how safe the veil is with my own eyes."
"Very well, and if you don't mind some company?"
"Not at all sir." Harry placed his hand on Dumbledore's shoulder and apparated the both of them to the chamber containing the veil.
"So much for the protection wards" chuckled Dumbledore.
Harry just stared at the veil for a moment, silently. Dumbledore came up behind him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry Harry. We'll find out everything we can about the veil."
Harry nodded, sullenly, and apparated both of them back to the room of requirements.
"I will let you know when your tower is ready Harry" Dumbledore said, then left the room.
"I can't believe Dumbledore's actually giving us a tower to use for the DA!" Hermione exclaimed.
"I know… it doesn't make sense… unless… I'll be doing my auror training here!" Harry suddenly looked at Ginny with a smile. Ginny rushed up to Harry and flung her arms around him. Hermione ushered everyone out of the room to leave the pair in peace.
After a week of waiting, Harry woke up noticing a note on his bedside table in the familiar scrawl of Dumbledore's handwriting. He put on his glasses and noticed he was alone in the dormitory, 'everyone must be in class now' he thought as he reached for the note. He opened the note and read it;
Harry,
Please see me as soon as you read this note.
Albus
Harry got up, got dressed and headed off to see Dumbledore.
As usual, the gargoyle to Dumbledore's office stood aside allowing him to pass. When he reached the door to the office he heard Dumbledore's voice call out "come in Harry". The door swung open and Harry sat down in an overstuffed armchair opposite Dumbledore's.
Dumbledore waited for Harry to get comfortable then started. "Harry," he began, "I have here the results of your N.E.W.Ts."
Dumbledore passed Harry an envelope with his name on it. He stared at the envelope as if trying to read the contents whilst it was still unopened and looked up at Dumbledore.
Dumbledore chuckled, "Relax Harry. Everything is fine."
Harry smiled and tore the envelope open. He expected to pass them all, even his Charms exam but didn't expect the results he got, Outstanding in all his exams.
"Now Harry, I know you didn't do exams for all your subjects, but all the exams you did do all go towards your application at the Auror Academy. I'm pleased to inform you that you have of course been accepted in the Academy and your training will begin shortly here at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore let the information sink in then continued, "Because we wouldn't want you disturbing the general population of the school because of your training schedule, all your things will be moved to your new tower where you will eat, sleep and train. You may also use your tower for your D.A. meetings, however, your Advanced Defence classes will remain in the room of requirements. I'll have Dobby move your things for you whilst you are at breakfast."
Harry nodded. "The password to your tower is currently set to Pineapple Chunks and you'll be required to change the password the first time you open the portrait of Godric Gryffindor on the sixth floor."
"Godric Gryffindor? I didn't even know of a portrait of Godric?" Harry asked.
"I though it rather appropriate so I moved him from my quarters to guard your own," Dumbledore replied.
"Thank you sir. Is there anything else sir?" asked Harry.
"No. That is all. You will receive a letter from the Academy when your training is due to start. In the mean time, please take the time to rest and enjoy your friends company. When your training starts, you may not get the opportunity to spend as much time with your friends as you'd like."
Harry nodded and left the headmasters office to go to the kitchens for a late breakfast.
After Harry had his breakfast, he decided to explore his new tower. When he reached the sixth floor, he opened the door from the staircase to what looked like a darkened corridor. Harry moved through the door and closed it behind him.
"Lumos," Harry shouted, but to no effect, he tried again with his wand, only a dim light shone on the tip of his wand. He then got his map out of his pocket, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The light went out on his wand. "Lumos," he said again, "Ah, now I can see where I'm going. Mmm, it's just one big room," Harry said to himself, looking at the map. "How am I suppose to find the portrait in here?"
Harry tried walking back the way he came to find the entrance door and found it immediately. He tried following the wall to see if he could find the portrait of Godric Gryffindor. After two minutes of walking around the room he came across another door. Looking down at the map he noticed there wasn't a door marked. Curious, he opened the door and found it led back to the main staircase. Harry closed the door and started walking around the room again. Another two minutes had past and another door appeared. He opened this door to find the main staircase again. "This is ridiculous!" he exclaimed to himself.
Harry turned around, facing the dark room and squinted. He couldn't see anything. Even the light from the staircase didn't shine in through the doorway. He closed the door again and sat on the floor to think.
"Think Harry, think," he muttered to himself, "how can I see in the dark?"
Suddenly an idea popped into his head. He extinguished the light from his wand and put his wand and the map in his pocket and transformed into his Animagus form, the golden griffin. Harry stared around the room again, this time seeing everything with perfect clarity. There at the other end of the room was the portrait of Godric Gryffindor.
Harry walked up to the portrait. Godric was smiling down at Harry and Harry transformed back to his human form.
"Welcome Harry," Gryffindors portrait said, "do you have the password?"
"Pineapple Chunks," Harry replied.
"Would you like to change the password Harry?" Godric asked.
Harry thought for a moment, "Yes please, can you change it to Dung Dippers?"
Godric bowed and the portrait opened. Harry stepped through into what looked like the Gryffindor common room. A large fire place was to the left of the room with two comfy settees in front of it. A table was set off to one side with a chess board on it and two chairs and a large table with twelve chairs was set up on another side of the room. There were also armchairs placed around the room with small round tables between them.
Harry noticed a staircase so he decided to investigate. He went up to the next floor and entered the room. It was a library with a large table and twelve chairs near the entrance. Most of the shelves were empty but Harry noticed all the books that were there were his, most of them from Grimmauld Place. "I must increase my collection," he said to himself.
He went back out onto the staircase and went up to the next floor. "This room," Harry thought, "must be the training room."
Harry continued to explore his new tower and found a potions lab on the floor above the training room and his new bedroom above that. His bedroom had already been set up with his trunk at the base of his king size bed and Hedwig was sat on a large perch in the corner of the room.
Harry went back down to his library and picked a book off the shelf, The Ancient Art Of Dark Magik, and took it down to the common room. He sat down on one of the settees, put his feet up and drifted off to sleep clutching the book.
When Harry awoke it was nearly time for the evening feast in the great hall. His stomach was rumbling, which reminded him of Ron and his friends. He'd missed his lunch so he apparated back to his old room in Gryffindor tower to find Ron.
Ron was just packing away his things when Harry appeared.
"Harry!" exclaimed Ron, "had a good day?"
"Yeah mate, let's get down to the great hall. I've got something to show you afterwards."
The two friends met up with Hermione and Ginny in the common room and they all went to the great hall together.
During their meal, Harry told them about his new tower. They were all eager to see it so they finished eating, Ron stuffed a large cake in his pocket for later, and they all followed Harry out.
When they got to the dark room on the sixth floor, Harry instructed them all to hold hands. He transformed his insides into his griffin form and led them to the portrait. Harry said the password, "Dung Dippers" and led them all inside and started the tour. During the tour, Ron was eating his cake, dropping crumbs everywhere, and Hermione was following cleaning them up, muttering to herself.
After the tour they all went back down to the common room and sat next to the fire talking.
"So, Harry, when's your training start?" Ron asked.
"Don't know yet. I don't even know who's giving me the training. I hope it's someone from the Order."
"I think it will be Harry. I think Dumbledore will make sure it is." Replied Hermione.
They all talked until very late. Hermione stood up and announced she was going to bed and Ron stood and agreed with her. Harry told them to apparate instead of trying to find their way back so Hermione and Ron apparated back to their dormitories leaving Harry and Ginny alone.
The rest of the week Harry spent his time going through the books he'd not read in his library. On Wednesday, Harry made one last appearance at his Advanced Defence class before handing the job over to Hermione, after approving his decision with Dumbledore. Everyone in the class were making excellent progress and could block most curses including two of the unforgivables, fire curses, hexes and jinxes at an alarming rate and could all produce a corporeal patronus. Harry set the class off on practicing conjuring large personal shields big enough to protect themselves and to protect a small group of people and instructed Hermione, Ron, Neville and Luna in producing larger group shields telling them to instruct the rest of the class after they've mastered the large personal shields.
Thursday night, Harry's Animagus class in his training room with Hermione and Ginny went well. With Harry's help Ginny had now mastered transforming herself into a golden griffin and had learned to take off and glide around the training room. Hermione still wasn't quite ready but had managed to transform herself into her Animagus form, an Elf Owl, and keep in her form for a few minutes at a time.
Soon enough, Halloween weekend was upon them and also another Hogsmeade visit.
The group of friends met up in the courtyard outside Hogwarts with everyone from the A.D. class. Harry instructed everyone to be on guard. He wasn't aware of any plans Voldemort had on attacking Hogsmeade but wanted everyone to be on guard just in case.
First order of business was visiting the Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes shop. Fred and George said "hello" but they were overrun by customers from Hogwarts. Ron shouted over at them and told them they'd drop by later. Honeydukes sweet shop was also busy. The group decided to go to the Three Broomsticks but that was closed, except for adults.
"This is ridiculous!" exclaimed Ron, "where shall we go now?"
"What about Fortescue's?" asked Harry.
"Harry, that's in Diagon Alley!" exclaimed Hermione.
"I know that! Well, what do you think?"
Ron and Ginny agreed straight away and Hermione reluctantly agreed. Harry apparated them to an empty room inside the Leaky Cauldron. They made a swift exit, before being spotted by Tom, to the patio behind the pub. Harry opened the portal to Diagon Alley and stepped through, everyone else followed as Harry started off walking towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
As expected, Diagon Alley was quite empty and the group of friends didn't have any problems finding seats outside the parlour. They were only sat there for half an hour when a familiar voice was heard behind them.
"Oi, Neville, Luna, over here!" Ginny shouted.
Neville and Luna walked over and sat down with them.
"So Neville, Luna, what are you doing here?" asked Hermione.
"We're just doing a bit of shopping. Luna needed to get some potions supplies from Slug & Jiggers. She had an idea for an anti-polyjuice potion."
"Anti-polyjuice potion? A potion to reverse the polyjuice potion?" asked Hermione interestedly.
"Better than that!" Neville exclaimed, hugging Luna, "It's a preventative method to stop someone impersonating you using a polyjuice potion. In other words, you take the potion and nobody can use your hair, nails or anything to create a polyjuice to impersonate you."
"Brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed, "We could take it ourselves and give it to the Order and all the people at the Ministry!"
"How often would someone have to take the potion?" asked Harry.
"We, er, don't know yet." Said Neville. "It's only an idea at the moment but we're going to work on it straight away when we get back, although we need to find somewhere safe to brew it."
"You can use my lab." Replied Harry.
"You have your own potions lab?" Neville asked.
"Yes." Harry told Neville and Luna about his tower being ready and promised to give them a tour when they all got back.
They all sat there laughing and joking for another hour until Harry suddenly looked up with a worried look on his face. "Come on, we have to go. Wands at the ready. Apparate straight to Hogsmeade Station."
With a POP, they'd gone.
The view from Hogsmeade Station gave them a clear view of the Three Broomsticks and the Shrieking Shack but they couldn't see down the main street. All of a sudden, fifty Death Eaters appeared next to the Three Broomsticks and low and behold, Voldemort was with them.
"Hermione, apparate to Hogwarts now and inform Dumbledore!" Harry ordered. She obeyed and apparated away.
"Ginny, transform." She did and her eyes glowed yellow.
"Ron, Neville, follow us. Luna, stay hidden as much as you can but help anyone in need of medical attention."
The Death Eaters were formed in lines and were going down the main street firing curses at anyone in their way with Voldemort following behind, killing anyone his minions missed. The AD students had set up a barricade stopping the Death Eaters from advancing any further than the Post Office. Voldemort stepped forward and was about to attack when there was a shout from behind.
"Riddle!" Harry shouted. Voldemort turned around and barged through his Death Eaters.
"Potter!" he shouted, his eyes glowing menacingly.
Harry pointed his finger at Voldemort and uttered a spell under his breath. Voldemort's eyes turned from piercing red to ghostly white and a worried look wiped over his face. Harry then sent the Evincio spell at Voldemort who shook himself just in time to block it.
Suddenly the AD students started sending curses at the Death Eaters who started falling straight away. Some of them tried to run away but Ron and Neville cut them off and bound them up. Ernie and Susan apparated next to Ron and Neville to give them a hand. Harry and Ginny carried on duelling Voldemort while the AD students battled with the Death Eaters.
All of a sudden, there was a cold feeling swept over everyone in the village. A hundred Dementors appeared and started to sweep over everyone. The AD students split themselves into groups, one group casting shield charms to protect themselves from the Death Eaters and the other group immediately started casting their Patronus' towards the Dementors.
More POPs were heard and Harry turned to see Aurors apparate in who immediately started stunning and binding the Death Eaters and casting their Patronus' towards the Dementors.
After an hour there were only a few dozen Death Eaters left and Voldemort, who was starting to show signs of tiring. The Dementors had fled the scene.
Harry spotted Draco and Hannah with a group of AD students attacking Death Eaters, Draco barking out orders to the AD students who were following him without question, and smiled.
"Give up Riddle, you cannot win!" Harry shouted, "The houses of Hogwarts are united!"
"CRUCIO!" Voldemort shouted, pointing his wand at Ginny. She just laughed at him, then stared back with her yellow eyes glowing.
She pointed her finger at Voldemort and calmly said, "You've already lost!" Voldemort touched a pendant he had around his neck and disappeared.
Ginny collapsed on the floor as soon as Voldemort left, gasping for air, and Luna ran up to her with her medikit.
The rest of the Death Eaters were rounded up by the Aurors and all levitated to the middle of the street ready to be taken away to the Ministry.
Harry shouted over to Ron, Neville, Draco, Hannah, Ernie and Susan. "Quick, all hold hands now!" They did as they were told and Harry apparated away with the group just as Dumbledore and Hermione approached them.
The Death Chamber in the Department Of Mysteries was dark and quiet. The dias at the bottom of the pit stood empty. "Quickly, hold hands again," Harry commanded. The group disappeared again with a POP.
Stood before them was an ancient archway. Its tattered black curtain fluttering in a nonexistent wind. The group stood still, listening to the soft almost inaudible voices coming from the veil. A big BOOM was heard and the room shook. They all turned to the door. BOOM. The room shook again, then went quiet.
"Everyone stay here a minute, don't touch the veil, I'm going to see what's going on." Harry said.
Harry partially apparated to the other side of the door to find more Death Eaters and Voldemort battling Ministry Aurors. Dumbledore was there talking to Voldemort.
"It's no use Tom. You will not get the veil." Dumbledore said calmly.
"And who is going to stop me? You, old man?" replied Voldemort.
Voldemort raised his wand and fired the killing curse at Dumbledore. As soon as Harry heard Voldemort start the incantation he apparated to Dumbledore's side and apparated himself and Dumbledore behind Voldemort.
Harry waved his left hand and a group of Death Eaters on the left hand side of the room fell to the floor bound and gagged, he then waved his right hand and the Death Eaters on that side of the room also fell.
Voldemort turned around and raised his wand but Harry was faster and apparated himself and Dumbledore inside the room containing the veil.
"Thank you Harry." Dumbledore said, "Would you do me a favour and fetch Hermione in here please?"
"She's in the room next door?" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes Harry."
Harry quickly apparated into the room again, next to Hermione who was hiding behind a bookcase. He noticed the fight wasn't going well for Voldemort and his Death Eaters but a number of Aurors had fallen.
Voldemort turned his attention back to the door to the room containing his prize.
Harry immediately apparated Hermione into the room.
BOOM … Everyone looked at the door again, it was starting to glow green.
"Quick, everyone apparate back to Hogwarts. Hermione, give me a hand with the veil." Ordered Harry.
Harry and Hermione both touched each side of the veil. "On the count of three apparate the veil to my library."
BOOM … The door cracked.
"One … Two … "
BOOM … The door disintegrated.
"Three …"
Voldemort rushed into the room just in time to see the veil disappear … "NO!"