Moving through the castle seemed more difficult than it ever had before. Perhaps it was the fact that there was increased security and teachers were roaming the halls with peering eyes or perhaps it was the fact that he had to stifle his breathing for fear of being caught. For every step Harry took, more and more horrific images came to his mind, thoughts of Ginny and what could be happening for every second he wasted. The girl that he cared for more than anyone he had ever thought possible was in the clutches of a man who would do anything he could to hurt Harry, and it's all my fault.
Harry held his breath as he squeezed between Professor Flitwick's outstretched wand and a stonewall. When he was free of the narrow corridors Harry exhaled slowly as he crept silently down the marble staircase into the large entrance hall. Harry only encountered the house ghosts when slipping through the great oak doors.
He felt some of the tightness in his chest lift as Harry reached the open air of Hogwarts' grounds. There was ghostly moonlight that cast a reflection on the still lake, the perfect picture of calm, so far from what was going on in Harry's mind, the perfect picture of chaos. Harry's eyes scanned his oddly still surroundings, looking for a good place to depart.
Spotting the large oak tree under which Harry had spent many a summer day relaxing with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny after a long day of exams. He crossed the grounds and walked around the tree so his back would face the castle. Harry leaned heavily against the tree and immediately pulled the cloth that covered the small teacup from his pocket.
Taking another deep breath he let the cloth fall to the earth and held on to the cup with dear life. Images of Ginny were flashing through his mind as fast as the whirling colors surrounding him from all sides.
When his feet landed firmly on the ground Harry cautiously opened his eyes. He was in what was obviously a back street of Knockturn Alley. After he became aware of his surroundings Harry set off in determined strides down the cobble-lined road.
The street was deserted; Harry supposed that even the shady wizards that usually strode across Knockturn Alley weren't fool enough to stray the roads at this time of night. The shop windows were all darkened but because his inability to see every detail it felt more gloomy and dark than it ever was in the day light.
Lighting his wand under the protection of the cloak, Harry stood in front of the only shop that would seem worthy of Voldermort's schemes, Borgin and Burkes. It seemed to click in his mind. This was obviously a trap for him, so why make it difficult?
It seemed to confirm Harry's theory when the door opened without a hint of struggle. The door swung backward ominously, inviting entrance to the dark store. Harry didn't allow his eyes to travel to the threatening objects that filled the store. He headed straight to the door behind the counter. Harry ignored the sign that bore "Employees Only" as he crossed the threshold into the back room.
Unlike a normal shop, Borgin and Burkes was not filled with boxes, but varying trunks and objects on shelves that no doubt could do things Harry couldn't imagine. His eyes quickly spot a cellar door in the far corner, underneath a small window. Avoiding the many cobwebs on his way, Harry lifted the heavy metal door, as a powder of dust flew into his face.
There was a thin ladder on the side and Harry lifted himself into the black hole, clutching tightly at the metal ladder all the way down. The farther and farther he went, the more Harry could smell the must and feel the water dripping from the muddy walls and caves.
After what seemed an eternity his feet touched the compacted dirt pretending to be a floor. Harry coughed the dirt that had lodged itself in his throat as he peered down what appeared to be never ending tunnels running off in all directions.
Harry was vividly reminded of the Triwizard tournament and hoped that the ending of this escapade would not be as badly. He felt blind sighted looking at at least twenty different passageways, having no clue which one to choose.
Harry pondered for a moment calling Ginny on the mirror again but didn't want to risk them being caught. It was lucky enough they had gotten by with a full conversation undetected before, and the last thing Harry needed was one of his few advantages to be discovered.
In a sudden spurt of inspiration he remembered just how he had gotten through the third task in the first place, Hermione, or more accurately Hermione's spell. Harry placed his wand in the palm of his hand, praying to all the higher powers he could think of, that it would work. His throat caught slightly from lack of use. "Point me to Ginny Weasley," Harry's voice vibrated off the high ceiling.
His wand spun wildly before pointing in the direction of the tunnel just to his right. Harry wanted to shout in success but figured it unwise to do so; he relit his wand and made his was down the long corridor.
It was a long while before Harry reached another fork where he needed to test the spell again. It was quite a relief when he did; Harry had begun to think it was all a dream or some silly joke, to see how long he could go on. It was an hour before he spoke the spell again.
The next time Harry spoke the words "Point Me" it was possibly fifteen minutes less than his previous walk and this time there were four tunnels to choose from. It continued this way for Harry couldn't later recall how long. Each time he spoke his options of corridors grew double in size.
On his fifth walk down a new turn Harry stopped so suddenly one would have thought he'd walked through Nearly Headless Nick. He became elated that he had not decided to leave the cloak at the top of the cellar, for three Death Eater's walked past him, cloaks blowing ominously. When the three had passed Harry looked farther forward and spotted an even larger congregation of black cloaks.
Harry backtracked to the open room where he had an option of some twenty other halls. Picking one randomly Harry strained his ears for the sound of a swishing cloak or threatening footsteps. When he was satisfied that he was alone, Harry whispered the Point Me spell again before setting off in a new direction.
Some three hours later Harry was beginning to wonder weather daylight would begin to raise so many floors above him. His feet were aching and his throat was raw from stifling many yawn and sneezes. "Point Me to Ginny," Harry rasped. The wand spun to firmly point at a solid wall. Harry had reached a dead end.
He struggled with himself for a moment to keep inside an animal growl of frustration. When Harry's composure was regained he repeated the spell again. The wand remained firmly pointed forward. At a lost Harry searched his mind for weather or not to head back to the main room once again. He stared down the wall willing with his mind for a door or some such thing to suddenly appear.
Harry pictured Ginny standing next to him. The image of her bright red hair standing near a similar wall flashed into his mind. She was holding her mother's hand. Clapping a hand to his head at his own stupidity, Harry took a deep breath and walked forward. The concrete structure melted before him, just like the platform that he crossed twice every school term.
In that split second that he was through the barrier Harry prayed for that second time that night that he would see the same fiery red hair when he crossed the threshold to wherever he was going. To say he was right would be an understatement.
Ginny stood feet in front of him, her arms crossed and her hair flying viciously. "Harry Potter, you stupid, arrogant, fool." Ginny started toward him wagging a finger that brought many thoughts to his mind of Mrs. Weasley. Harry fully intended for her to smack him but was pleasantly surprised when he felt her lips on his own. It was the angriest kiss Harry had ever received from her, but it was pleasant nonetheless.
Harry forced himself to pull away. "As much as I might otherwise enjoy this," he was short of breath, "we have to go."
Ginny nodded, and looked at him hungrily for a moment. Her desperate eyes searching his own as though she couldn't believe he was here. No matter how angry she was Harry knew Ginny was going to be eternally grateful for this. Ginny took his hand firmly and led him to the door.
She leaned forward into the barrier with confidence, but it remained ever solid. Ginny shot a fearful look in his direction before leaning, more forcefully towards the wall again. It didn't budge.
Harry smacked his head against the nearby wall. "Damn it, shite, bugger it all, why didn't I think of that?" He raised his wand, ready to blast the stupid wall open if he had to. For a moment he thought Harry had fixed it before even uttering a word, for the barrier had disappeared. In it's place stood Lucius Malfoy and a band of other blank staring masks.
His long blonde hair was a sleek and pristine as ever, as was the rest of his person. He spoke in the same lazy drawl that his son had perfected. "Honestly Potter, it is rather foolish of you to think we had not barricaded this room with words to detect your presence."
Harry tried to look attentive as he thought of an escape plan. If I start fighting them, I could maneuver them to turn around, Harry thought, maybe Ginny can make a run for it.
Lucius waved an arrogant hand. "Try not to worry yourself Potter, we won't waste our precious time trying to kill you. I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the Dark Lord on that." Harry's face remained a picture of calm; he noticed out of the corner of his eye Ginny's face twitch. "Ah, you don't seem surprised, maybe you've finally realized you should be more careful where you hide your secrets."
For the first time Harry felt his interest reflect on his face, if there were a spy he'd need to know.
"Even in your own dorm," Malfoy was idly playing with his wand now. "He's joined our ranks now, you know? Mr. Finnigan has been in contact with my son on many occasions this year, reporting things."
It seemed Ginny's barely maintained composure had finally snapped. Her wand faced Lucius and was hurling hexes faster than Harry's eyes could follow. Harry saw no other option but to follow her lead. His curses were flying at another masked Death Eater. Harry didn't bother to wonder who it was he was hexing, that was until a voice spoke behind the mask.
"You know we can't kill you, baby Potter, but there's always your little girlfriend."
Her, the moment that voice had reached his eardrums and rewired to his brain, Harry's intensity in the duel had increased ten fold. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but apparently whatever it was was working, for Lestrange was no longer speaking, focusing her energy completely on the fight. So many spells were whirling through his mouth and mind Harry couldn't spare a moment to glance at Ginny.
Though he wasn't looking at her, Ginny's face was pictured clearly in his mind's eye. He had to keep his barriers up, if the cronies are here, so is he, Harry thought. It continued for an unspecified amount of time in his mind. Harry didn't realize that he had achieved his goal of turning the Death Eaters around until he heard Ginny's frantic call.
"Harry," she cried, not allowing her eyes to stray from her frantic battle with Lucius Malfoy. There was a fierce light in her eyes that Harry recognized from the night when they had finally ended up together. This was a battle on much more than a physical level for her. Ginny was facing an enemy, the man who had handed her to Voldermort.
He dropped his hand and for one of the few times in his life, Harry ran. He didn't care what amount of pride it cost him; all that mattered was getting Ginny out of here alive and well. Harry snatched her hand tightly in his as they ran through the wall out into the many winding corridors. He panicked for a moment in which direction to turn, when he placed his wand in the palm of his hand. Harry had not so much as uttered a word before the wand spun, pointing him in the right direction.
It continued this way until they had reached the room below the cellar door, clutching at their sides and panting heavily. The journey had gone much quicker on the way back. Harry and Ginny, still clutching to one another, ran faster than a human could conceive possible, and with no hindrances or having to wait to be pointed in the right direction.
Harry let go of Ginny's hand for the first time as he stood on tiptoe, in order to reach the cold metal barrier. He pushed it away from him, hearing the sound of a satisfied clunk as it obviously hit the wood floor of the store above them. Harry took her hand again, intending to give her a boost up…
"Harry, it's about time you stopped by for a visit."
He felt his heart freeze and squeezed Ginny's now cold hand, making certain she was still there. Harry turned slowly to face the blood filled eyes. He stared back coldly. Ginny was standing at his side as if petrified, staring wide-eyed at the older version of the Tom Riddle she knew so well.
He squeezed her hand again. "You know how I can't miss an opportunity to see you again." Ginny's eyes fell shut, apparently horrified.
Voldermort sighed, all vindictive humor now gone from his icy tones. "Our time is short Harry, so I'll make this quick. Crucio."
"Aegis Contego." His shield was thrown up quickly enough to block to offending curse. Harry had covered himself and Ginny. It was a hundred times more powerful than protegeo, but didn't last nearly as long.
Harry's couldn't allow his eyes to leave Voldermort's cold red ones as he attempted to breach the shield. "Ginny, go."
She made a noise of disbelief. "No."
Harry sighed, his heart pounding. "Ginny…"
"Damn it I said no!" Her eyes were piercing him and her voice was filled with desperation.
He pulled himself away from his attention to Voldermort. Harry wished he could have had a time turner for the soul purpose of reliving the memory of looking in Ginny's eyes at that moment. There was a blatant fear in them, not trying to be masked, a passion, and something else he couldn't quite recognize. Harry clutched tightly at her upper arms. He let his barriers fall for just a second, just for her. His desperation, if not conveyed in his eyes was obvious in his voice.
"Ginny, please. I'll be right behind you, I swear to it." Harry willed his voice not to break, not at a time like this.
He had fully intended on giving her a leg up, but by the time Harry had turned around to do so she was already half way there. He felt a proud sort of grin cross his features. In the interim, Voldemort had been relentless on the shield- it was beginning to flicker. Harry was just starting to wonder if he could maintain his protection through the cellar hole when the light gave one giant shudder and dissipated completely.
Harry wasted not time in lifting himself up by the tips of his fingers. He scrambled franticly, unable to pull himself up while dodging the still hurling curses. Someone clutched at his hand. The strained face of Remus Lupin was hovering above him.
Harry let out a bark of laughter, it was short, for he had been stopped half way.
There was a triumphant cry from behind him. "MAXIMUS MORTIFER!" The red light struck Harry in the small of his back. From the people that surrounded him it seemed to move in slow motion.
Remus pulled quickly on Harry's arm, but it was too late. He was free of the dark tunnels just in time to fall limply into Remus Lupin's waiting arms.
HE'S NOT DEAD! Just sticks with me here, don't panic, and take a deep breath. I know this chapter is late, well, very late, but I think I have the best excuse in the world! Harry Potter! I actually got the book at midnight and finished it the next day, lol. I did rather guess everything, though, except for the bit where blah did you know what to blah. Won't say anymore here, just move onto the reviews.
I want LOTS of reviews here people!
Thanks as always to: Gogglehead Lover, marideth, Sucidal Bunnies, and sophiablonde
Inysia: Well, you got your wish!
Mistress of Eternal Night: Yes well I hope this chapter meets your satisfaction, lol. I usually update once a week on Thursdays or Fridays.
Chuckles-D-Hobbit: Yes, Ron and Hermione are going out. Actually Ginny has had to deal with Voldermort alone, and she hadn't actually met with Voldermort yet, just his cronnies. Read carefully my dear.
Harryginnyluv4ever: Thank you kindly my dear!
Takethistoyourgrave: Hope you like this chapter. I think that a child with a stuttering problem would still be allowed to go to Hogwarts. As long as children can learn they would be accepted to Hogwarts. If they take werewolves they can take stuttering issues. It is something that can be overcome. Hope that helps!
Mimbulus: I'm glad you're going to stick around. I have previously mentioned that you would not know what The Curse of Mortifer was about until the end, well I suppose wait no longer. Hope that satisfies you.
Jenn the Freak: I REALLY hope your head didn't explode, I need your reviews. Sorry I am relentless about cliffies!
Supernova1860: Well you were a bit off this time, but good guess!