Diclaimer : I own nothing... But I own the plot. Maybe it's not very good but still it's mine. :)
A/N : And again sorry for taking it so long with the new chapter. It's just I was so tired ! I almost not sleeping these days. Maybe only for 3 or 4 hours. I come home from the university only at 7 o'clock in the eveming, eat and then I'm geting ready for the next day almost all night. Or I'm spending all evening in the library... My life is really crazy these days. I'm like Hermione... :D So as you see I have almost no time to write. But anyway I managed to write another chapter. There's only one chapter left. So... it's almost the end.
CHAPTER - 18
- Oh, stop it, you two ! It's no one's fault ! I don't know how but he had managed to defeat that spell. It's better to start question the other Death Eater before he escaped too.
They went back to the remained Death Eater and surrounded him so that he couldn't escape. Dumbldore bent down so that he could look straight into Death Eater's eyes. His blue eyes were sparkling with anger behind his half-moon glasses and his face turned red.
- Tell me your name. - he demanded. The Death Eater was dumb.
- Seriously, professor... it's ridiculous. If the potion of truth won't work I suggest to torture him a little. - Severus said. Dumbldore turned to him and rised one brow.
- What - Snape surprised. - This can help, you know.
Dumbldore bent down to the Death Eater's face and was trying to understand what's wrong. Why the potion of truth wasn't working ? The Death Eater suddenly rose his right hand and started to scratch his temple. His other hand followed the example of the other hand. Dumbldore made a step backwards in amazement. His eyes were like two galleons already.
- Severus, what's happening ?
- I...I... don't know, professor... - Snape mumbled.
- Severus, I really doubt that you put a spell on them...
- Shut up, Lupin ! That's not my fault - Snape shouted. He was so annoyed with this situation and everything. He was trying to understand why everybody were blaming him in everything ?
The Death Eater was scratching his temples so hard that blood appeared on his pale skin and small pieces of his own skin were stuck under his nails. His body started to shake and he fell to the floor from the chair he was sitting on a few seconds before that. He was screaming from pain, twitching and tossing. All the professors were transfixed. They were looking at the man on the floor and didn't know what to do. They have never seen anything like this : a man was under a spell and he was moving... and not just moving, something strange was happening to him.
- What's happening to him, Albus ? What's wrong - Screamed Reamus Luping who was holding his wand and was trying to think something up. - What kind of potion you gave him, Severus !
- Stop blame me in everything - Snape hissed and pointed his wand at Lupin. Reamus did the same. They were red and was sure to shoot death spell at each other at any minute. Dumbldore took Snape by the hand :
- Lower your wand, Severus. And you too, Reamus. Stop behave yourself like you're still Hogwarts students. The Death Eater is waking up.
And indeed he stopped shaking and scratching. He wasn't screaming anymore, he was just lying on the floor with opened eyes breathing hard. Dumbldore bent down upon him and asked:
- Tell me your name. - Dumbldore demanded once again.
The Death Eater looked at him with a hint of fear in his eyes and answered :
- My... my name ? I...I don't know.
- Tell us your name - Reamus shouted pointing his wand on the Death Eater.
- I don't know ! I can't remember my name - the Death Eater shouted in return.
Dumbldore looked at Reamus in rather strange way and said calmly :
- Reamus, I suggest you to put your wand away.
Luping took a deep breath and nodded.
- Sorry, professor. I just... lost control over myself... That won't happen again. - Reamus apologised. Dumbldore nodded in agreement. Snape materialised behind his back. An evil grin was playing on his lips.
- Remember I suggested to torture him, professor... Maybe this will force him to speak... - Dumbldore looked at Severus a bit surprised. Was he serious about this ?
- I'll consider it as a joke, Severus. - he made a pause. - I think Voldemort beated us... He predicted that we could catch some of his spys and obviously put a special spell on them so that we couldn't find out anything. There's nothing we can do. Tie him down to the chair.
Dumbldore looked with sad eyes at the broken window for a second. And it wasn't clear wether he was upset because the window was broken or 'cause the Death Eater managed to run away from them. He then turned to the other professors who were still sitting on their places as if they were frozen. - I ask Deans of all four faculties to lead students to their houses. It will be great if others will help them to prevent safety for the students. It's an extreme situation.
Not saying a word professors stood up from their seats and slowly walked to the door. But something was wrong... The door was locked.
MacGonagall tuggled on the door but nothing happened. It was still locked.
- Albus, did you lock the door ?
- No, why ?
- The door is deadly locked.
- What - Dumbldore ran to the door along with Reamus and Severus. He tried the door handle... the door was deadly locked indeed. Albus told all the other to step back, he withdraw his wand and cried out a standard spell " Alohomora ". Nothing happened.
- Latwantum - he tried again. No effect.A few minutes he was standing in front of the door as if trying to destroy it with his eyes. Others were just standing behind his back not daring to say a word. Dumbldore tried every single spell he knew that could open the door but none of them worked.
- Maybe we can try and destroy the door somehow - Minerva asked.
- It's impossible. We can't destroy this door. It will open or it won't. It's quite obvious that it won't. We're trapped.
- Oh, how sweet... young love... Too bad you won't spend your whole lives together... but you can be sure that both of you will die at the same day...
Harry and Hermione shrank back from each other and looked at the source of the cold voice that appeared in the common room. Fear petrifed them for a few seconds. It seemed that room suddenly was frozen because of that voice. Even the air was cold as if dementors were near them. Voldemort were in the room right in front of them. It was just as if the worst nightmare became real.
Harry quickly put his fear into the coners of his soul and jumped from the sofa in front of Hermione clutching his wand, ready to defend Hermione till the end. He will do it even if he'll have to die. But it had no affect on Voldemort. He touched his bottom lip with his wand and grinned. That grin was disgusting and Harry felt as if he was going to throw up.
- Oh... who would've thought... You're so brave... Can you tell me one thing ? How can it be that you're still alive ? I remember perfectly that the death curse hit you and you fell to the ground lifeless. Do you know how did this happen - he made a pause as if expecting Harry to start describe him excitedly how Hermione revived him. - Or maybe...The Mudblood will tell us how she brought you to life ? Huh ? No ? I'm sure she had to know this...
- Don't touch her ! You hear me ? If anything will happen to her I swear I...
- Oh... what will you do - he turned to the Death Eater who were standing behind him with a humilating smiles on their faces. - What a simple boy who even haven't finished learning in school can do against me ? What a boy who even haven't managed to save his friend can do ? Do you remember, Harry ? DO you remember that boy who casually came to me along with you ?... - Voldemort smirked in a most disgusting way and looked at his servants again.
Harry's heart began to beat faster threatening to explode like a ticking time-bomb inside of him, he felt a lump in his throat he tried to swallow it but it seemed impossible because it only became bigger. It was squeezing his throat from inside and he felt that he was loosing his voice. Indeed he still was blaming himself in Cedric's death. He always thought that he could save him somehow... But no ! He won't let Voldemort take control over him !
- Don't even speak about him, you bastard !
- So ? Will Mudblood tell me how she revived Potter ? No, I'll put it another way. Will she tell me where is Salasar's secret library ?
- She doesn't know anything ! Leave her alone ! You need me, right ? Then leave her alone !
- Oh, I'm sure that she knows precisely where is that library... I'll speak to you later, Potter. Now, I need her, Potter. And she'll tell me where it is wether she want it or not.
- In a minute all professors will be here, in the common room. It was stupid to appear in the school, isn't it, Riddle ?
- Shut up, Potter ! Don't pronounce that dirty name - Voldemort screamed and pointed his wand at Harry. Harry didn't even moved. He just followed Voldemort's example and pointed his own wand at him. He was ready to cry out "Avada Kedavra " at any minute. A love of his life was sitting behind him and he will do everything to protect her from this monster.
- And don't worry about professors... I took care of them. They won't help you, believe me.
Harry felt that for a moment his heart stopped beating. " What did he mean when he said that he took care of them... Then they... no, it can't be... Dumbldore is a powerful wizard he would've... " Harry closed his eyes and felt hot tears forming in his eyes but he fought them back. He barely heard that Hermione weeped behind him.
- Step away, Potter ! Move !
Harry didn't obeyed. Holding his wand in his right hand he was standing in front of the Dark Lord with a stone-like face. He won't move. Voldemort will have to kill him to get to Hermione. And he can be sure that it won't be easy.
- Okay, then... You leave me no choice. Crucio !
Harry couldn't jump aside. If he did, the spell would hit Hermione instead of him. And he wouldn't let Hermione get hurt. Never until he's still alive.
The spell hit him and Harry felt terrible pain spreading in his body. He screamed and clutched his fingers so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He was trying with all strength he had to stand on his feet but that was impossible. The pain was too strong and it was making his legs weak. In a few minutes he was lying on the floor praying to die but not to feel that pain. He couldn't see anything, tears were bluring his vision. He only can hear Hermione scream :
- Stop it ! I won't show you anything if you don't stop ! You can kill me, I don't care. Then you definately won't find out where Salathar's library is !
Voldemort smirked and lowered his wand.
- You're a smart mudblood... But that won't help you. Don't you know that I can put an Impervius spell on you and you will show me where it is in an instant. But that would be too easy and totally boring... So... I give you 3 minutes and then you must show me where it is.
Hermione bent down upon Harry who was now lying motionless on the floor breathing heavily. Tears were cascading down her cheeks. She looked at him : his face was livid, there were tears on his cheeks and he was squeezing his eyelids strongly. She took his left palm and kissed his fingers lightly.
- Harry, it will be okay... look at me. - he slowly focused his gaze on her. - You must get up... I'll help you.
Harry just nodded silently. It was still to hard for him to talk. He surged from the floor with Hermione's help and looked at Voldemort. He wanted to kill him. He wanted to destroy him.. but he couldn't. It was only because of him that his life became a neverending nightmare. And there was nothing he could do. At least now. He must think up some kind of a plan how to get away from Voldemort and all the Death Eaters. He had to save Hermione, he had to save other students. He had to ! But what the hell he could do ? A bitter feeling came... he felt very... helpless...he couldn't do anything against all those Death Eaters.
- Times up. Now, mudblood, show me where the hidden library is. - with this words Voldemort pointed his wand at her. Harry once again stood in front of her.
- Oh, Potter... you want to be a hero so much ? I'll give you an opportunity. But later. Show me the hidden library, mudblood !
- No, she won't show it to you !
- Potter, step away or I'll just kill her. Is that what you want ?
- You'll have to kill me first.
- I'll make your wish come true, Potter. With great pleasure. - he smirked and pointed his wand at Harry. Hermione touched his shoulder, tears were falling from her eyes freely.
- Harry, please. Don't. It's better to do what he want.
Harry looked at her and sighed. With a slight nod he turned to Voldemort and Death Eaters.
- You need me. She'll show you the hidden library and then you'll let her go. She has nothing to do with you and me.
- Alright, Potter. I'll let her go. Now, I'm tired to wait. Show me Salathar's collection.
- Albus, this is a trap ! What are we going to do ? We must get out of here! Students are in great danger.
- And especially Miss Granger and Mr. Potter. Voldemort need books from Salathar's hiden library. If he'll get to it... it will be a catastrophy... I hope they'll manage to do something. If not... we're doomed. - Dumbldore said.
- Headmaster, what... I can't believe we're locked inside of your office ! We must break this door or... I don't know ! We must get out of here !
- We can get out of here only if someone will help us from the other side.
- Who can help us - Reamus almost screamed. Albus lowered his eyes and then looked at Lupin again, his eyes were glittering a bit.
- Sirius. - he simply said.
- Sirius ?
- Exactly. I'll send Fawkes to him.
- Sirius can't cope with all the Death Eaters and Voldemort. He can't fight alone.
- He won't be alone. Somehow I'm sure he won't be alone.
- I don't understand what you're refering to. - Snape said with a scowl.
- You will. - Albus smiled.
Harry and Hermione were slowly walking in the direction of the library holding each others hands. It was so difficult to just stride along the Hogwarts corridors with the knowledge that Voldemort and Death Eaters are walking behind you with their wands pointed at you. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and squinted at him. His face was very concertrated. It was clear that he was trying to think up how to get away from Voldemort and his servants but the situation was too desperate. And what was even more terrible - the Death Eaters took their wands.
Slowly they were approaching the library. For a brief second Harry thought about the other students who were apparently still in the Great Hall surrounded by hundreds of Death Eaters. He hoped that nothing bad happened to them but everything was possible.
They opened the heavy doors of the library and walked in. Hermione was walking straight to the Restricted section and nervousness was visible on her pale face. She looked like she was up to something but Harry couldn't figure out to what exactly. They walked past two rows of bookshelfs and then stopped.
- What Mudblood ? It's here ?
- It's behind the wall.
- What wall ?
- At the end of the Restricted section.
- And how can I get to the hidden library ?
- I don't know.
- What do you mean you don't know ! You got there somehow !
- Yes, but I don't know how !
- She's lying, master. - one of the Death Eaters said.
- I think you're right. Tell me how to get to the Salathar's library - he pointed his wand at her, his face was stone-like, his red eyes glittering with rage.
- She said she don't know - Harry shouted, blocking Hermione with himself. - You said you'll let her go if she'll show you where the hidden library is !
- Yes, I said so. But how can I be sure that she told me the truth ? Maybe she tricked me... I can't let her go until I'll be sure that that's the right place.
- That's the right place - now Hermione was getting angry too.
- You know, somewhat I don't believe you.
At the corner of his eyes Harry noticed some movement on one of the numerous bookshelfs in the Restricted section of the library. He looked up and saw Dobby standing on the bookshelf along with some other house elfs. He gave him a sigh that meant that everything will be okay and Harry quickly turned his attention to the Voldemort again.
- Let her go. - he said curtly. The Dark Lord just smirked.
- Potter, you're starting to get on my nerves. You have three seconds to show me how to get to the hidden library, Mudblood. And then I'll kill Potter along with you ! One..two... three... Avada...
But he couldn't finish the spell. Suddenly all to books began to fly in the air and hit the Death Eaters and Voldemort. That was the chance ! Harry took Hermione's arm and started to run out of the library covering his head with the other hand. They left the library and ran along the corridor not knowing where exactly.
- We had to hide somewhere. - Harry said to 'Mione breathing heavily. And that was immensely important 'cause he could hear Voldemort shouting : " After them ! After them, you fools ! "
- The secret passage to Hogsmeade - she suddenly said breathless.
A/N : Well, this is chapter 18. Maybe the next chapter will be the last... or maybe not. Anyway. It's almost the end. And I don't know yet if it there will be a happy end...