Chapter Nine
This Calls For Polyjuice Potion
Voldemort stood over Karkaroff, wand still pointed at him, an angry snarl on his face. Karkaroff was being held up by Lucius Malfoy and Wormtail.
"Please Master", Karkaroff managed to croak. "Please Master, forgive me, it wasn't my fault, I couldn't hang around while Snape was so suspicious of me, he would have found out what we were planning".
"We, weren't planing anything" said Voldemort coldly. "You turned your heels and hide like a cowering idiot, giving the Ministry Of Magic the same lame excuse that you were bewitched into serving me. You betrayed me Igor, and for that, you will never be forgiven."
Karkaroff started to shake, his face turning an ugly greenish white colour.
"Oh calm yourself Igor, I'm not going to kill you", said Voldemort lazily. "I should, you deserve it, but I wont. I have a much better use for you".
Karkaroff's eyes widened.
"How desperate are you to earn yourself back into my death eaters?" asked Voldemort smugly.
"I..I would do anything Master", said Karkaroff, colour returning in his cheeks now that he knew he wasn't going to be killed.
"Good… well the first thing I need you to do is forget about that school you were headmaster of. You will never return there. If I find out you have, you will not have me to deal with. You will have my allies, and let me assure you, Dementors do not show pity like I do". Voldemort smiled at that moment, then said, "Now here is what I want you to do, and listen carefully. If you mess this up, you will go to the Dementors anyway".
"You mean you actually saw Professor Karkaroff being tortured?" asked Hermione bewildered.
"Yeah, Voldemort was really mad too", said Harry. The feast was over and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting on their own in the Gryffindor Common Room,
Harry telling them what he had just seen.
"I just wish we could have found out what Voldemort was planning with Karkaroff" said Ron. "Are you sure you can't remember what it was?"
No," said Harry". "The vision was over before I could find out".
"Blimey", said Ron. "I thought You Know Who would kill him for sure, after Karkaroff betrayed him and everything. You Know Who must be losing his marbles".
"Ron, you shouldn't make jokes about Voldemort, especially these days", said Hermione stiffly.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, you seem to think he's going to jump out of a broomstick cupboard and do us in any day now", said Ron, rolling his eyes.
"No I don't, I just think you should be careful with what you say", said Hermione. "You don't know who might hear".
"What Gryffindor is going to run off and tell You Know Who? No body is that silly".
"That's not the point", said Hermione irritably.
"Well what is your point then", said Harry.
"My point is", said Hermione roughly", Is that you cant just go around saying things like that. Even if it is in company of Gryffindor's", said Hermione to Ron, because he was about to open his mouth to argue. "What if someone else was talking about it and Malfoy just happened to hear it? What would you do then?"
Ron looked about to argue, but seeming to find nothing to say about it, he fell silent. Harry looked at Hermione. Now that he thought about it, she had a really good point. There was every chance Malfoy could hear, and he could run off and tell his father, and his father tell Voldemort. Talking bad about Voldemort was a very dangerous move.
"Yes, well, I guess you are right", said Harry quietly, still looking at Hermione.
Hermione was positively beaming. "I never thought id see the day that you would agree with me without the persuasion from anyone else".
"Well don't get used to it", said Ron irritably. Clearly he thought he had been right, and Hermione wrong, and being proven wrong didn't sit very well with Ron at all.
"Look", said Harry. "We need to find out what Karkaroff has been ordered to do".
"But how", said Ron, looking from Hermione to Harry. "That spell Dumbledore used last time wont work, and I don't think Dumbledore has anything else that can help us, seeing as I doubt he'd let us, and because even you didn't see it Harry. Blimey this is a tricky one".
But Harry wasn't listening to Ron at all. He was remembering something he had seen Malfoy doing. About half way through the feast, Malfoy was talking to his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, then, all of a sudden, Malfoy put his hands to his ears, and seemed to be talking to thin air, glancing a couple of times up at Dumbledore, as if he didn't want to be seen doing what he was doing. A small smile crossed his face, then he excused himself from the table, got up, and left the Great Hall, and didn't return until about five minutes before the feast ended.
"Harry, are you ok?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah, I'm fine, listen to this", and he told Ron and Hermione what he was just thinking about.
"I think Malfoy might know something", Harry finished. "If there was a way we could just figure out how much he knows, then we can figure out a way to stop Karkaroff. That would put a serious blow in Voldemort's defences."
"Why are you smiling?", asked Ron, as Harry glanced over to find Hermione grinning broadly.
"I'm smiling because there IS a way to find out if Malfoy knows anything."
"Really?" said Ron startled. "And what might that be?"
"Think back to second year", said Hermione, grinning more widely. "Think back to what you did last time you wanted information out of Malfoy".
Harry, understanding dawning on him suddenly, grinned as well.
"Polyjuice Potion!" said Harry. "Why didn't I think of that before.
"Ahh, guys. We are forgetting one simple problem with that", said Ron.
"What's that?" said Harry, a stumped look on his face.
"The fact that Polyjuice Potion takes a month to brew", said Ron simply.
The grin fell from Harry's face, but the grin on Hermione's grew as wide as it could go.
"Hermione, why are you still grinning?" asked Ron shocked. "This is the time when you are supposed to say well there has to be another way".
"But there is no other way", said Hermione, happily bouncing in her seat.
"Why do you say that with such a large smile for?" said Harry confused.
"Because we don't need to brew any Polyjuice Potion, its been brewed for us!"
"What?" said Ron breathlessly. "What do you mean?"
"In Transfiguration, the seventh years are doing human transformations", said Hermione excitedly. "I heard Professor McGonagall asking Snape if the potion was ready yet, and he said it will be ready by the end of the week!"
"This is brilliant!" said Ron. "Now we can find out if Malfoy knows anything after all".
"The only thing we need to work out is who we will change into", said Hermione.
"We could always use Crabbe and Goyle again" said Harry.
"No, that wouldn't work" said Hermione, shaking her head. "We need actual information, not something only those two would understand."
"Well what else are we going to do then?" asked Ron.
"I think we need to start studying the Slytherin's very carefully over this week, and we have to be quick, we go back to Egypt next week."
So over the next few weeks, Harry, Ron and Hermione carefully watched the Slytherin's that Malfoy hung around the most, and who they thought that Malfoy might tell about anything. But it wasn't until late Friday afternoon, after a very complicated Transfiguration lesson where they were set the task of transforming Alligators into handbags, that their opportunity came up.
On their way to Gryffindor Tower, Harry, Ron, and Hermione heard Malfoy's voice coming from an empty classroom in the Charms corridor. Quick as a flash, Harry whipped his Invisibility Cloak out if his bag and covering himself, Ron and Hermione, they edged into the classroom, and stood near the door so that if things were to turn ugly, they could make an easy exit.
Malfoy was standing near the teachers desk, and was talking to three other Slytherin's. A fellow sixth year who went by the name of Blaise Zambini, Pansy Parkinson, and another boy who Harry didn't recognise. Malfoy and Pansy seemed to be arguing, Pansy had tears in her eyes. Zambini was watching on, clearly impatient. The other boy looked quite bored.
"Malfoy, you simply cant do this", Pansy said shakily. "What if Dumbledore catches you? You know how fond of him Dumbledore is. Or worse, what happens if the Ministry was to find out?"
"For the last time Pansy", said Malfoy, clearly impatient as well. "Nothing will go wrong, and even if the fools in the Ministry were to figure it out, it will be too late, and the Dark Lord would have done something anyway."
"But Draco", said Pansy, wringing Malfoy's hand. "Karkaroff will turn against you. He's done it to the Dark Lord, and he will do it to you, I'm sure of it!"
"Nonsense", said Malfoy. "He wouldn't dare betray The Dark Lord a second time. He barely got this second chance. I don't think he even deserved it, but it was the Dark Lords decision, and I know better than to argue with him."
"But Draco -"
"Oh for god sake Parkinson, will you stop blubbering", said Zambini for the first time. "Malfoy isn't a fool you know. He does know what he is doing."
"Yes, I do", said Malfoy smugly, then his expression turned sour as he turned to face Zambini".
"I can answer for myself Zambini", hissed Malfoy. "I do not need you to speak for me".
Zambini glared at Malfoy for a bit before resuming to look impatient. Malfoy turned his gaze back to Pansy.
"Potter will not suspect anything, and by the time Dumbledore finds out, it will be too late", said Malfoy. "the Dark Lord has thought out this plan very carefully to make sure it succeeds, and he's not going to allow anything to -"
Malfoy stopped suddenly, and Harry stepped on Ron's foot as he tried, but failed, to stifle a sneeze.
"Lets go Parkinson. Its not safe to be talking about this here", said Zambini softly. "Malfoy, are you coming?"
"In a minute", said Malfoy. "I've got some things I need to collect before I leave".
And Zambini left, closely followed by Pansy and the Slytherin boy.
Malfoy made sure that they were gone, then he said smugly, "You can come out now Potter".
When Harry didn't move, Malfoy took careful aim, and stunned Harry through his Invisibility Cloak. Harry slipped onto the floor and out under the cloak, trying his best not to give away Ron and Hermione.
"Well well, lovely to see you again Potter", said Malfoy, kicking Harry in the stomach. Harry groaned as Malfoy took the stunning charm off Harry's mouth.
"Oh how I do enjoy seeing you in pain Potter", said Malfoy, walking up behind Harry, and leaning over him, talking straight into his ear. "How very nosy you can be, but you are wasting your time. There is no way you or Dumbledore will be able to predict this. This plan is pure genius, but after all. The one who came up with it is a genius".
And giving Harry one last kick hard in the chest, breaking a few of Harry's ribs, Malfoy stood up and walked out of the classroom.
Harry, moaning in pain, tried to roll over, but only managed to make the pain worse. Hermione and Ron threw off the cloak and ran over to Harry. Harry's breathing was shallow, his face a very pale grey.
"Harry. HARRY! Are you ok?" Hermione gently lifted up Harry's head.
Harry looked up at Hermione, and said in barely more than a whisper, "call Dobby, tell him… to call… Dumbledore". Harry was now struggling to breath.
Hermione got up, pulling out her wand and muttered, "Bonus Revealus", and an instant X Ray of Harry's chest was revealed.
"Oh dear god", said Hermione shrilly. "Ron, one of Harry's ribs has punctured a lung!"
"Dobby, Dobby… if you can hear us please come here, its an emergency!" said Ron loudly.
A loud pop and Dobby was standing at Harry's feet.
"Young Master Weasley has called Dobby and Dobby has come sir", said Dobby in his squeaky voice. "What does Master Weasley want from… HARRY POTTER. WHAT IS WRONG!"
"Dobby, you have to get Dumbledore, tell him Harry is seriously injured and cant get to the Hospital Wing on his own", said Hermione, tears rolling down her face.
"Yes Miss Granger, Dobby will fetch Professor Dumbledore at once". and with a pop, Dobby vanished.
Five minutes later, Harry as pale as Aunt Petunia's kitchen, Dumbledore came hurriedly into the classroom, carefully lifted Harry into his arms, and quickly strode towards the Hospital Wing, Ron and Hermione jogging to keep up.
Dumbledore came bursting through the Hospital Wing doors, Madam Pomfrey looking up from a Hufflepuff boy who had corn cobs sprouting out of his ears.
"Dumbledore, what is it?"
"Poppy, he needs urgent attention", said Dumbledore. "A pierced lung".
Madam Pomfrey reached for her wand and used the same spell Hermione used to analyse Harry's chest. Madam Pomfrey looked up at Dumbledore sadly.
"This injury is beyond my skill to heal Albus", said Madam Pomfrey sadly. "Potter needs to go to St Mungo's".
"Very well then", said Dumbledore. "Miss Granger, would you kindly turn that bed pan over there into a portkey".
Hermione grabbed her wand, and touched it to a bedpan next to Dumbledore. It glowed then looked quite normal again. Dumbledore reached down and grabbed it from Hermione, then in a flash Dumbledore and Harry were gone.
Dumbledore then strode up the corridor in St Mungo's, carrying Harry carefully as he strode towards the ward clerk.
"Albus Dumbledore admitting Harry Potter on an extreme injury", said Dumbledore smoothly.
"Room eleven" said the ward clerk as a team of healers were summoned, and followed Dumbledore into the room.
"If you could wait outside please Headmaster", said one of the healers, as he took Harry from Dumbledore, and put him on the bed.
"Certainly", said Dumbledore. "You can call me when its done".
"It will be a few hours", said the healer.
"Not to worry. I will wait", said Dumbledore firmly.
"Very well then", said the healer, and he strode off into the room where the rest of the healers were casting all kinds of healing spells on Harry.
"But Harry -"
"No Hermione… I want you to continue with it".
"But - "
"No buts Hermione, OR from you Ron, you two are to go ahead without me".
Harry was sitting up in his Hospital bed. It was the next day, and after almost an hour of convincing the desk clerk that they wouldn't try to kill him, Hermione and Ron had been granted permission to see Harry.
"Hermione, it does seem the best idea to go ahead with the polyjuice potion", said Ron, his arm around Hermione's shoulder because she had been crying, which had woken Harry, and when Harry had asked what the fuss was she had screamed like a banshee and Ron and Harry had roared with laughter. But Harry found it odd that Ron and Hermione were remaining so close together.
"Erm, Ron," said Harry, looking at him seriously. "Why are you still holding Hermione, and", Harry noticed Hermione was holding Ron's hand. "Why are u holding his hand Hermione?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, than looked down at their hands, then hastily separated, Ron hastily looked at the ceiling and Hermione looked shiftily at the flowers on Harry's bedside table, that had been sent by Mrs Weasley.
"Well? Is someone going to answer my question"? said Harry.
"Erm.. Well… naturally, if someone has been crying.. You.. Err…might.. Shall we say… comfort them", said Ron awkwardly.
"Yes Ron, but its highly unusual for you to act the way you did", said Harry slyly.
"Look can we get off this subject", snapped Hermione, and she shifted herself slightly away from Ron.
"Yes, lets get back to the potion", said Harry. "You two are going to do it".
"But Harry. Who are we going to change into", asked Hermione. "There were three other people there."
"Well that's simple. You and Ron transform into Pansy and Zambini".
"No way", said Hermione flatly. "There is no way I'm going to transform into that cow".
"Oh for goodness sake Hermione, just do it", said Harry impatient. Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but Harry shot an angry look at her, and she closed her mouth again.
"So that's it then", said Ron. "All we need to do now is figure out how we are going to get some of their hair to put into the potion".
Just then the desk clerk entered the room.
"I've just had an owl from Professor Dumbledore", she said. "You two are to return to Hogwarts at once".
"Ok then, thank you", said Hermione, and she and Ron got up, and left the room. Harry settled back into bed. He would be returning to Hogwarts the next day to prepare to go back to Egypt. As he drifted into an uneasy sleep, he kept imagining how much he hated Malfoy, and how he, and Voldemort would pay.
Ron and Hermione were standing near the Slytherin Common Room, figuring out a way they would be able to get the hairs they needed.
"Accio Pansy Parkinson's hairbrush!", said Hermione. It didn't take long before the hairbrush came zooming into view. Hermione took a few hairs out of the brush, and tossed the hairbrush into a waste paper bin nearby. Ron, however, took a more creative approach.
As Blaise Zambini came out of the Common Room, Ron walked up to him and foolishly picked a fight with him. Fifteen minutes later, bruised, and having had his eyebrows turned into spiders, he was pulled off Zambini by Snape, who had laughed at Ron's eyebrows, but changed them back.
"Dear me… fighting in the corridors. ten points from Gryffindor Weasley, and don't let me ever catch you fighting again, or it will be fifty and detention". and Snape strode away. Zambini got up off the floor, glared at Ron, then headed after Snape. But Ron had got what he wanted. As Snape pulled him up, Ron had managed to grab hold of Zambini's hair and ripped a huge chunk of it out of Zambini's head. Ron put it in a glass phial and headed with Hermione to the dungeons
Once they had found the potion, which was put away in a cupboard so that no one could see it, Hermione filled a small jug, and put a cork in it. Hermione then stuffed it in a pocket of her robes, and followed Ron out of the dungeon. Now it was the hard part. To find Zambini and Pansy so that they could be stunned so that they didn't burst in and blow Ron and Hermione's cover.
Hermione located Pansy in the girls bathroom on the first floor. Hermione took careful aim, and stunned Pansy in the chest. It knocked her off her feet and into a sink. Hermione put on her robes, and stuffed Pansy in a cubicle, locking it.
Finding Zambini proved difficult. He wasn't anywhere near the Slytherin Common Room, nor was he in the Great Hall, or the library. When they did find him, he was on his way down from the Astronomy Tower. Ron and Hermione hide behind a suit of armour, Ron poking his head around it, then, with spectacular good luck, cast his jinx. It missed Zambini by inches, ricochet off the wall, bounced of Peeves, and managed, somehow, to hit Zambini square in between the eyes. Ron heaved him into a broomstick cupboard and locked it. Peeves was stunned in midair.
Then, making sure the coast was clear, Hermione conjured two glass cups out of thin air, poured the potion into them both, then hid the jug behind a statue. Hermione and Ron then added the hairs, and then drained the cups.
For a few moments nothing happened. Then they felt the familiar sensation as their bodies changed.
After the transformation was complete, Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror.
"I'm so glad this change isn't permanent", said Hermione as she examined her new body in the mirror.
"Where have you two been? I've been wanting to talk to you".
Hermione and Ron spun around and came face to face with Malfoy.
"What are you two staring at?", said Malfoy. "We have urgent things to discuss". and Malfoy turned around and started walking back towards the Slytherin Common Room.
"Hey Zambini, I heard you got Weasley pretty well before", said Malfoy impressed. "Maybe I should get you to teach me to use that on Potter sometime".
"Erm… sure…", said Ron awkwardly.
"Excellent… I want to get Potter real good this time… and the masters plan shall help me get rid of him once and for all".
Malfoy didn't say anything else after that as they approached the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room. Malfoy gave the password and they entered.
As Malfoy sat himself down, Ron and Hermione sat opposite him.
"So Malfoy, how are things going with this plan of yours?" said Hermione.
"Very well indeed", said Malfoy, his voice with a hint of smugness. "The Master has trusted me with this important role and I will not fail him."
"Are we going to know about what's gonna happen?" said Ron, a little too much like himself, that earned him a nudge in the ribs from Hermione.
"Unfortunately Zambini… no, your not. Neither are you Pansy", said Malfoy.
"But I thought you said we would be helping you", said Hermione. "Shouldn't we at least know how".
"You will know what to do when the Dark Lord gives me permission to inform you. I do not go against his wishes… that would be stupid".
"Well are you allowed to tell us anything?" asked Ron.
"Why are you both so interested in this"? asked Malfoy suspiciously. "Anyone would think you were trying to fish something out of me".
"No Draco, we are just curious, that's all", said Hermione. She was playing her part very well.
"Well being curious sometimes can get you killed", said Malfoy. "But I'm allowed to tell you some things yes".
"Potter wont know what hit him", said Malfoy happily.
"What's gonna happen?" asked Ron.
"Oh something very nasty indeed", said Malfoy sneering. "Something he wont expect when he least expects it".
"Can you tell us anything else?" asked Hermione.
"No. Sorry. That's it until it actually happens", said Malfoy. "Now. I have some urgent matters to attend to, so if you could please leave".
So Ron and Hermione rose and left the Slytherin Common Room and almost walked into Dumbledore on their way to Gryffindor Tower.
"Well well… why would two Slytherin's be going to Gryffindor Tower?" asked Dumbledore smiling.
"Sir, we aren't Slytherin's, its us, Ron and Hermione… we were just… erm.."
"No need to explain Miss Granger, no need to explain at all", said Dumbledore waving a hand. "I had a feeling something like this would happen".
"You did Professor?"
"Yes. I have had a feeling that Draco Malfoy had been in contact with Lord Voldemort for some time now, but I do not know what he has been doing. Would you like to enlighten me in my office", and they set off for Dumbledore's office.
After Dumbledore had given the password, and they had entered Dumbledore's circular office, Dumbledore sat down behind his desk, and Ron and Hermione sat in front of him. They had begun to change back into themselves. Pansy Parkinson's robes were starting to hang off Hermione. Dumbledore waved his wand and Ron and Hermione found themselves wearing Gryffindor robes again.
"Now tell me. What did you find out?" asked Dumbledore smoothly.
"Well not really that much Professor", said Hermione as she adjusted her robes. "Malfoy wouldn't tell us much. He said he would tell us, or rather, tell Pansy and Zambini, when Voldemort gave the order to tell them".
"Ah yes. Good old Tom. Always secretive right to the end". Dumbledore pushed his half moon glasses up his crooked nose and continued. "Did you find out anything at all?"
"Well he did tell us that whatever it is, Harry will never expect it," said Ron. "So whatever it is, you can guarantee its something big".
"Hmm. I think I may need to increase Harry's protection just to be safe. Hagrid."
Out from behind a rather large bookshelf popped Hagrid's hairy face.
"I trust you were listening to all of that", said Dumbledore looking over at Hagrid as he shuffled past a clutter of books and a small table, knocking down a few paintings of headmasters and headmistresses. Some screamed as the fell through the air and landed on the stone floor. Some screamed at Hagrid to watch himself and others who were higher up laughed at the many who had fallen. The picture of a young looking witch walked into the frame of Phineas Nigellus's Portrait and slapped him so hard his painting fell off the wall and clattered to the ground, his frame cracking into two, and sporting a rather nasty bruise himself.
"Sorry bout that", said Hagrid as he picked up the portraits and hung them back on the wall, leaving Phineas on the floor.
"Excuse me. Haven't you forgotten someone", said Phineas rather rudely.
"You can stay there Phineas", said Dumbledore. "Your frame needed mending, and I have rather urgent business to attend to".
Phineas looked highly affronted, but stayed silent.
"Now, as I was saying… I trust you heard all of that Hagrid". said Dumbledore.
"Yes sir, and I will be glad ter add ter Harry's guard", said Hagrid eagerly.
"I was hoping you would say that", said Dumbledore. "I shall inform Professor Grubbly - Plank immediately".
"Err… Professor", said Ron. "May I suggest something?"
"Certainly Mr Weasley", said Dumbledore.
"Well… as you know… my brother Charlie… well he.. Err… he was very good at Care of Magical Creatures when he was at Hogwarts… and he's got some time off coming up… and I was thinking… I'm sure he would love to come here to teach it, while Hagrid is with us of course."
"Why Mr Weasley, that is a splendid idea", said Dumbledore smiling down at Ron, and Ron blushed crimson. "What do you think Hagrid?".
"I think it would be a great idea Professor", said Hagrid beaming. "I cant think of anyone better ter do the job".
"Excellent", said Dumbledore smiling. "I shall send the invitation to Charlie at once. Hagrid, may I borrow your owl?"
"Of course sir", said Hagrid, and he reached into his jacket, pulling out a ruffled looking barn owl. The owl shook its feathers and as Dumbledore attached the letter to its leg, he stood up and opened a nearby window. The owl took flight and flew out the window, and Dumbledore sat down again.
"Now Hagrid, I want you to get in contact with some more people. I want Harry fully protected. Round up Moody and Kingsley."
"Moody will be tricky ter hunt down", said Hagrid. "He's been busy with the Order, and Kingsley has been off promoting more on Sirius. I can see if I can get in contact with em, and maybe Tonks as well."
"Yes. Tonks will come in quite useful," said Dumbledore. "OK then Hagrid. I shall see you tomorrow then."
"Right ye are sir", said Hagrid, and gathering his things, he left.
"Now I think you two should go up to Gryffindor Tower now", said Dumbledore.
"When will Harry be getting back?" asked Hermione.
"I shall go to St Mungo's first thing tomorrow morning to get him", said Dumbledore, and Ron and Hermione left the room.
"OK… you can come out now".
Out of a far corner, Sirius popped out from under an invisibility cloak.
"Well Sirius… what do you think?"
"Voldemort is getting desperate to use someone like the Malfoy boy", said Sirius. But still I don't like it".
"Neither do I", said Dumbledore. "That is why I have ordered more protection for Harry".
"Dumbledore I really think I should be on that guard", said Sirius. "I think it's time Harry knew I was alive".
"I don't think that would be a good idea", said Dumbledore shaking his head. "Voldemort could use it to his advantage to draw Harry away from safety, the same way he did before, only this time you could really end up dead".
"I suppose your right", said Sirius sighing. "Well I'm off to the kitchens for some food. Would you like anything?"
"Yes actually. Could you ask Dobby to make me a Hot Chocolate. They are magnificent, you should try it".
Sirius smiled, then, wrapping the invisibility cloak back around him, he headed out of Dumbledore's office, silently thinking to himself, "One day soon you will know I'm alive Harry. One day soon".
Omg… talk about ages… I had deleted and re-done so much of this chapter it isn't funny… I had to backtrack through the rest of the story because certain things didn't flow so yeah… this chapter took me a while… I hope it wasn't back.. And how about the polyjuice aye… I originally didn't plan on putting it in this story, but it somehow found its way, and I think it works well… so yeah… hope you enjoyed, and look out for the next chapter, chapter 10.. Also, if there is anything you would like to see in a future chapter, please say something and ill see what I can do for you…