Chapter 3: Amicontego!

"Ginny, little Ginny, there's no reason to be afraid. You have served me a great deal in the sacrifice of your soul, and Voldemort does not forget. He will remember your service," A faint, dark-haired figure laughed softly. Harry could see his outline becoming more and more defined each second. He heard himself utter a strangled sob. Confused, he tried to sit up. His arms would not support him, and he could barely keep his eyes open. The ground beneath him was hard and cold, oh, so cold.

"Harry..." he whispered. Harry's head was pounding and it hurt to concentrate, but he could see himself in his mind's eye, and he was fighting fiercely to send a silent message to Harry Potter, wherever he was, to tell him not to come...

"Yes, my dear. Your precious Harry Potter will undoubtedly venture down to the Chamber of Secrets in hopes of saving you, the fool that he is." A sinister laugh, a laugh of excitement and glory. Tom, that was his name. Tom Riddle. Voldemort.

No, Harry Don't come, get away, get far, far away. Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I've been such an idiot, please, please, Harry, save yourself... Harry was startled to feel wetness on his cheeks. He heard footsteps, and his last glimpse was of a skinny boy in torn and dirty robes, staring at him with very familiar green eyes... and an expression of utmost terror. Harry knew without a doubt that he was dying.

Harry's eyes flew open. He was no longer in the Chamber of Secrets, but in his bed in the boys dormitory. Pre-dawn light streamed in from the open window, lighting up dust motes that had been thrown into chaos with Harry's sudden movement. Harry fumbled for his glasses, found them, and then slipped them on. Breathing a sigh of relief, he sat up and looked around. Harry could still feel his heart beating furiously. There was no sound but the soft snoring coming from the bed next to his.

He leaned back against his headboard, mulling over what he had seen in his dream. Harry was fairly sure that it was not another vision. No, he was quite certain that he had seen the events of his second year. He'd had nightmares of that night, yes, but this one was different. In this one, he saw through Ginny's eyes. At least, he thought grimly, he hadn't seen everything through the eyes of Voldemort.

Ron groaned and rolled over onto his back. He opened his eyes a bit, and then threw his left arm over his face to block the light.

"What time is it?" he asked sleepily.

"Dunno. Pretty early."

Ron turned his face away from the sun, and after a few minutes of silence, Harry heard the snores starting again.

But Harry was too keyed up to go back to sleep. He got up and dressed, then made his way down the stairs into the common room. No one was there. Harry sank into a chair facing a window, but he barely noticed the glorious morning light show that was taking place before him. Instead, his thoughts turned, as they often did, to Sirius. Harry cursed himself again for being so stupid. If only he had remembered the mirror, if only he had not been so stupid as to believe that dream, if only he could have somehow stopped Sirius from falling into the veil. The mysterious veil.

Harry vaguely recalled Dumbledore referring to the room with the dais as the Death Chamber, but what did that really mean? Were people sent to die there? Why wasn't it in use now? Who had created it? Where did those voices he had heard come from? Why couldn't he go through the veil? Harry remembered being pulled back by Lupin... Lupin! He could ask Professor Lupin. Harry immediately felt guilty for not writing to him sooner. Harry spotted a sheet of parchment and a quill lying on a nearby table.

Dear Professor Lupin,

How have you been? Are you still living at headquarters? I wanted to ask about the veil. Can you tell me about it? Like why it's there, and what happens to the people who go through? If it's so dangerous, why hasn't it been destroyed? And have you ever heard voices when you were near the veil?

I hope everything with the Order is going okay. Is the house still clean without Ron's mum around? More importantly, has Kreacher died yet? Just joking. Sort of. Well, you know what I mean.

Hope you're all right,
Harry

Harry tucked the letter into his pocket. He would find time later to visit the Owlery. Harry checked his watch again to discover that it was nearing eight. He was rather hungry, dinner had been early last night. Maybe he should go up and wake Ron. Harry wasn't sure how he would get Hermione and Ginny to come down without breaking something on the way. He laughed as he remembered Ron's ride down the slide when he had attempted to climb the girls' staircase.

"What's so funny?" Hermione was coming down the stairs, covering her mouth as she yawned.

"Remember Ron when he tried to go up to your room?" Harry asked, laughing again.

"Ron tried to go up to my room?" Hermione asked, her cheeks turning pink.

"Yeah, and the stairs turned into a slide," Harry said impatiently.

"Oh... right," Hermione said, not sounding as if she remembered at all. Then she yawned again. "I'm so tired. The House Elf's Life was so fascinating that I stayed up all night finishing it."

Harry snorted at Hermione's idea of fun.

"Is Ron ready yet? I'm so hungry," Ginny had come down, too. She looked pale and there were dark shadows under her brown eyes. Harry looked at her, noticing how tired she seemed. Was it possible that she had dreamt the same nightmare as he had?

"I don't know. Do you think I should go get him?" he asked slowly. Ginny cocked her head and lifted her eyebrows.

"Are you o–" she began.

"Don't worry, I'm here," said Ron's voice, muffled by the jumper over his head. He pulled it on and then said, "Let's go."

The four went down to the Great Hall and sat down at the single, long table, which was already filled with a few Hogwarts professors and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. After greeting everyone, the four sat down.

"Mmm," Ginny said, dumping sausages and scrambled eggs onto her plate as everyone around her tucked in.

As they were finishing breakfast, Dumbledore stood up and walked over.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione... would you be so kind as to come with me to my office?" he asked politely.

Harry shot a nervous glance at Ron, wondering what they had done now. Ron looked just as bewildered.

"What is it, Professor?" Hermione asked, her voice a pitch higher than usual.

"All will be explained in good time. Come, follow me." And with that, he swept up the stairs, the trio hesitantly following behind him. When they reached his office, Dumbledore conjured up three purple armchairs, and motioned for them to sit down.

"Harry, in my letter I wrote to you that I believed there was better protection for you here at Hogwarts. I still believe so, but I fear that that has not been enough to keep Voldemort–"

"Be quiet, Ron!" Hermione hissed, kicking Ron's left shin. Ron clapped his hand over his mouth.

Dumbledore continued on like nothing had happened.

"–from attacking your mind, as he did this past year. Fortunately, I have found what I believe is a suitable protection for guarding your mind against further invasions. It is a spell that is not often used, because it is so rarely needed, but it is powerful, yes, and effective. For the spell to work, however, you need the power of someone with whom you have a close relationship." Dumbledore turned to Ron and Hermione. "This is where you two may help. The friendship you share with Harry will be more than sufficient for this purpose. When I perform the spell, you will feel a slight disorientation, as if you have forgotten a great part of your life, but the sensation will only last for a few minutes. Your strength, combined with the wards of the castle, will enable Harry's mind to withstand even Voldemort's assaults. But only, of course, if you are willing." Dumbledore gazed at them with the penetrating stare Harry was only too accustomed to.

"How exactly does this work?" Hermione asked.

"Other than the initial effects, you will feel nothing," Dumbledore answered. "Loyalty, along with courage, are very powerful qualities that you and Ron both possess in great amounts. This spell helps to use those qualities to shield Harry from any probing Voldemort will attempt on him, especially when Harry is at his weakest.

"This will also eliminate any need of more Occlumency lessons from Professor Snape," Dumbledore added, a twinkle in his eye.

"Not that I wouldn't sacrifice a bit for Harry, but if he's using our courage, what happens to us?" Hermione pressed.

"Whenever there is great demand of either loyalty or courage, Hermione, you will find that you have no limits," Dumbledore said, peering at her over his half-moon spectacles.

Hermione smiled.

"Let's do this, then," she said. Ron nodded, though he was still shuddering from the mention of Voldemort. Harry felt a sudden constriction in his throat.

"Do you agree to this, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"They won't be affected in any way? What if Voldemort tries to attack them?" Harry said in a rush.

"Hermione and Ron will be perfectly all right. Voldemort can only attack you from such a great distance, Harry, because of your connection to him. The only way he could ever harm Hermione or Ron is if they were face to face, which, I assure you, will not happen as long as you three remain at Hogwarts. In any case, their defense against him will be exactly as it is had they not participated in this spell. Perhaps their defense would be even greater."

"There's absolutely no way I can do this without Ron or Hermione?" Harry asked sadly.

"It's okay, mate," Ron said quietly. "I–we– want to do this."

Harry took a deep breath.

"Okay, Professor."

"Will you please stand up, then?" Dumbledore asked, motioning to Ron and Hermione. When they had gotten to their feet, Dumbledore produced a small red garnet. For a split second Harry thought he was seeing the Philosopher's Stone again. "Place a hand on this, please."

Ron put his hand down a split second after Hermione, accidentally covering her hand with his.

"Sorry," Ron mumbled, flustered. He moved his hand.

"Ready?" Dumbledore asked. Ron and Hermione nodded.

"Amicontego!"

There was a bright purple flash, which faded instantly. The garnet glowed for a moment, and Harry could feel the heat emanating from it. Ron and Hermione looked shaken, though pleased. Dumbledore conjured up a thin gold chain, and then passed it through a small hole in the garnet. He handed the necklace to Harry, who put it on. The effect was amazing. Harry felt as if his mind had been covered in dust and cobwebs, and was only just being cleansed and freed. He suddenly felt better than he had in weeks, ever since Sirius's death.

"Sit down, rest for a bit," Dumbledore lead Ron to his chair and helped him into it. Ron had a dazed expression on his face. Hermione swayed slightly where she was standing, then sank to her knees on the carpet. Harry hurried to help her into her chair.

"Will they be all right?" he asked anxiously.

"In a few moments, yes."

Harry waited in tense silence, twisting a corner of his shirt. Ron and Hermione... his best friends. They had been through so much together, and they were so willing to help him. Harry blinked his eyes, which had somehow become wet, and turned his head to look out the window. Dumbledore pretended not to notice.

Ron stirred, then sat up. He gingerly touched the side of his head.

"Ahh... I feel like I just did ten hours' worth of Divination homework," he muttered ruefully. Next to him, Hermione was taking slow, deep breaths.

"Thank... thank you," Harry said, not knowing quite where to look.

"Oh! You're welcome, Harry, you know that," Hermione replied.

"Yeah," Ron echoed, the tips of his ears turning pink.

"Come on, I think Mrs. Weasley is waiting for us," Harry said. Ron and Hermione slowly got to their feet to follow Harry.

"Thank you, Professor " Harry called back as they left his office. Dumbledore gave them a nod.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Ron moaned,

"What were you wearing, Hermione? Steel-toed boots?" He bent down to rub his leg.

"Well, you really should start saying 'Voldemort.' Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself, remember?" Hermione said.

"Easy for you to say," Ron muttered. "You didn't grow up knowing about all the horrible things You-Know-Who did."

Hermione tutted but said nothing.

"Er... are you sure you're okay? Maybe we should go to the common room instead..." Harry said uncertainly as Ron suddenly lurched against the stone wall, bracing himself with his right palm.

"Yeah... yeah... I mean, no... I'm all right," Ron said dazedly. Hermione looked at him with concern.

"We shouldn't keep Mum waiting, she doesn't like that," Ron mumbled. He stumbled down the hall. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and then followed him.

The trio made their way down to the Great Hall, where Mrs. Weasley was busy smoothing Mr. Weasley's robes.

"Hi, Mum," Ron said. Harry and Hermione echoed a greeting.

"Oh thank goodness the three of you are here. Off we go, then?" Mrs. Weasley led them outside, where a carriage was waiting for them. They hurriedly climbed in. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she relaxed against the cushioned interior.

By the time they arrived in Hogsmeade, Ron had fallen asleep. His loud snores filled the carriage as Mrs. Weasley attempted to speak over him.

"Here we are!" she said. "Stay together, and meet us back here in exactly two hours, mind!" Mrs. Weasley handed the carriage driver a handful of Sickles and then she and her husband walked into the bustling crowd on the narrow street.

Harry elbowed Ron, who promptly shoved him back and went on sleeping.

"Let's just leave him here," Ginny said cheerfully.

"I have other patrons waiting, you know," the carriage driver said disdainfully.

Hermione reached for Ron's hand and pulled him to his feet. Ron blinked and gripped Hermione's hand harder, his knuckles turning white. Ginny giggled.

"Ouch, Ron! You're hurting me " Hermione said, snatching her hand from his. Harry gave Ginny an inquiring look, but she just shook her head at him.

"I know how to wake him," Ginny said confidently, after her laughter had subsided. She bent over Ron and tugged on his ear, then whispered something. Instantly Ron bolted upright, glancing around wildly. He threw a look of disgust at Ginny, who burst into laughter again.

"Come on, let's go," Ron said roughly.

The four of them wandered into the bustling streets. As they walked, Harry thought he saw a woman from the group that had rescued him last summer. Had her name been Hester Jones? Maybe it wasn't her at all. But two minutes later, Harry caught sight of another woman he was sure he had seen around headquarters. Why was he seeing so many Order members? Harry was so deep in thought that he barely noticed when Ginny suddenly stopped walking right outside of Zonko's Joke Shop.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing to the display in the window.

The sign said "PARROT PUFFS!" and there was a tray of multi-colored cream puffs.

"You don't think..." Ron began. They looked at each other, then pushed through the swinging doors into the crowded shop.

There was a commotion going on near the counter, and they edged their way through the mass of moving bodies. People near the front were laughing as a small man took a bite out of a Parrot Puff and then turned into a blue, green, yellow, and red parrot. A few minutes later, his feather fell out and the man re-emerged, smiling and chuckling along with the enchanted crowd.

"Parrot Puffs! They'll be the hit of your dinner party!" said another man, who was waving brightly colored boxes.

"They didn't!" Hermione said indignantly.

"They copied Fred and George!" Ron shouted. He lunged toward the two men, Ginny barely catching the back of his shirt. Hermione hurried to help her.

At Ron's words, the two men had looked over. They were both wearing identical looks of surprise. Harry saw them turn towards each other and whisper with their heads bowed. He caught the words "Are you sure he's not one of those Weasley twins?"

"No," Ginny said decisively, after Ron had stopped struggling. "There's a better way to get back at them." Harry recognised the mischievous twinkle in her eyes as the ones he'd seen so often in the twins'.

"What do you have in mind?" Ron growled.

"Ginny, are you sure this is a good idea?" Hermione said worriedly.

"We're just going to... help Fred and George a bit, all right?"

"How?" Harry asked, intrigued.

"Let's see..," Ginny glanced around the corner of the shop they were in. "Come on," she whispered as she bent down. The others took her lead and followed her as she inched her way behind a pyramid of blue biscuit tins. She drew out her wand and muttered a spell. With her wand tip at her mouth, Ginny said clearly, "Go to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, ninety three Diagon Alley. "

Ron's eyes lit up and he grabbed the wand from her. He paused for a moment, holding the wand high over his head as Ginny jumped to try to snatch it back.

"What are you doing? " she hissed. Ron seemed to be thinking for a bit, and then he put the wand to his mouth.

"If your enemy won't leave you alone,
And you just can't seem to escape,
All you do is moan and groan,
Wait and watch revenge take shape.
You see, all you really have to do,
Whenever you feel like winning,
Just hurry and whip out the Floo,
I swear you'll find yourself grinning,
Because there's nothing else that pleases,
As much as Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!"

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny burst out laughing as Ron finished his song. Ginny quickly ended the spell, then grabbed her wand back from Ron and furiously wiped it clean on her shirt.

"Did you just make that up?" she asked, after thoroughly inspecting her wand for saliva.

"Yeah," Ron said, his ears turning pink.

"That was brilliant!" Harry laughed.

"Shh! Watch what happens," Ginny whispered.

At that moment a horde of shoppers, each carrying a PARROTS PUFFS box, pushed past the teenagers and opened the door. Instantly they could hear Ginny saying, "Come to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes " and then Ron's song came on. The shoppers laughed and applauded at the end, which attracted the attention of the two men who had been advertising the PARROT PUFFS. They stalked over as the song came on again. The whole shop was buzzing with laughter and excited chatter.

Harry gave a start as he saw the men catch sight of them.

"Hey, you!" The shorter man yelled, running over.

"I thought you said he wasn't a Weasley twin!" the taller man hissed furiously.

"Come on!" Harry yelled, grabbing the nearest sleeve and yanking it along with him. As he pushed through the door he heard the other man whine, "I didn't think he was!"

The four of them raced out the door, setting off the song again, and down the cobbled street. They didn't stop until they reached a narrow alleyway, where they bent down to catch their breath.

Ginny was laughing so hard she couldn't speak. Harry look sideways at her, and noticed that her hair was hanging over her eyes and in her mouth. He also noticed that she didn't seem quite so tired anymore. In fact, she looked really nice, smiling... just there. Without meaning to, Harry found himself comparing this laughing Ginny to the sobbing Cho. Immediately, he felt guilty. It wasn't Cho's fault that Cedric had died. She must have been terribly sad. How would he feel if Ginny died? It wasn't the same, he reassured himself. Not the same at all. Confused by his own thoughts, Harry turned away. He was relieved to see that Ron and Hermione hadn't noticed anything. They were too busy laughing themselves.

Ginny turned and caught Harry's eye.

"What's wrong?" she asked, grinning.

"Nothing," Harry replied automatically. "Well, I wanted to ask you something" he amended, shifting his weight to his other leg.

"Yes?" Ginny asked, tucking her hair behind her ears and looking up at him with a concerned expression. Harry took a deep breath.

"Did you have a strange drea–"

But Harry was cut off by a series of shrieks from around the corner. All of a sudden a chill fell over the cosy alleyway. Harry didn't need to tell the others what was going on. Everyone present knew exactly what was on the other side of the corner.

Dementors.