Disclaimer : I wish I own Sirius. If I did then he surely would be still alive. But I own nothing except for the plot. :(
A/N : Finally ! Exams are over ! Two months out of University ! jumping from joy
Well, and I managed to write another chapter... I had an author's block... sigh
Okay, there's only one chapter left. I promise that the next chapter will be the last one. Now... on with the show... )))
CHAPTER - 19
- The secret passage to Hogsmeade ! - Hermione suddenly said.
Harry just nodded. That was a great idea. Of course Tom Riddle knew Hogwarts castle like his five fingers but somewhat Harry was sure that he had no idea of that secret passage. Very few knew about it. That was their chance to finally think up what to do next and what was even more important for Harry, Hermione will be safe at last. He didn't care what may happen to him, the most important thing was to make sure the the girl he loved was out of any danger. They reached the right place and entered the secret passage. Darkness captured them and they had to lit up their wands to be able to see each other. Both of them were breathing heavily and fear was still visible on their faces.
- Are you okay, Harry ? - she suddenly asked, concern in her voice. Harry rised his eyebrows in surprise. Was something wrong with him ?
- Yes, I'm okay, why did you ask ?
- Well, that bastard cast Crucio at you... - she shuddered involuntary at the memory of Harry lying on the floor, screaming from pain. She prayed that she won't see that again. She lowered her eyes. Harry lifted her chin with his thumb so that he could look into her eyes. He formed a smile and almost whispered :
- Hey... don't worry. It's not the first time that spell hit me. I'm fine just a little bit weak, that's all. Do you hear me, 'Mione ?
She just nodded and for a few minutes she was just looking into his emerald green eyes that were sparkling from the rays of light from their wands, as if she was trying to find the proof that he told her the truth. Then suddenly 'Mione crossed the distance between them and embraced him warmly. She circled her hands around his neck and squeezed him a bit. Harry also hugged her stroking her hair gently. He could feel that she was quivering slightly.
- Are you crying, Hermione ? - he asked silently drawing her back so that he could see her face. Indeed there were tears rolling down her cheeks. She refused to meet his eyes as if she did something wrong.
- Hermione, please don't cry... - he asked trying to catch her eyes. - Everything will be okay... we're safe now and we'll think up something.
- I'm sorry, Harry... I was just so scared for you... I thought that he'll kill you...
- That would be awful considering the fact that you revived me not long ago. - Harry said in attempt to brighten the atmosphere a bit. Hermione smirked and finally looked at him. Her chocolate-brown eyes were glittering from tears.
- Oh, Harry... I love you SO much... - she said and hugged him again. She was still crying but this time Harry wasn't trying to stop her. He allowed her to cry freely on his shoulder and there was only one phrase he whispered in her ear with his eyes closed :
- I love you too...
It took about an hour for them to bring themselves together and calm down. They were now sitting on the ground side by side looking into space. Both were trying to figure out what to do next. They're safe here but what about the others ? They can't just leave them ! Voldemort's words kept swirling in Harry's head : " Don't worry about professors, Potter. They won't help you, believe me. I took care of them. " What did he mean by saying that ? Harry couldn't even imagine the awful picture of Hogwarts professors lying on the floor dead. That can't be true...
- You know... I'm thinking about what Voldemort had said about the professors... that he took care of them... Do you think that they may be... you know...
- At first I thought so. But now I doubt that all of them had been killed. - she made a pause. - So ? Any suggestions of what to do ?
- Actually yes but you won't like it... And I think that's the only way out of this.
Hermione was waiting for him to continue. But he hesitated for a few minutes then finally spoke.
- You have to go to Hogsmead and bring help here.
- And you ? - she asked with dismay in her voice. He was silent for another few minutes, 'Mione was waiting patiently. He lowered his eyes and sighed.
- I will stay here. I must...
- No ! - she shouted. - I won't let you ! You must go with me ! We'll bring help together and come back just in time to save everybody. - she finished more quietly.
- Hermione, there's no time ! Don't you understand !
Hermione was shaking. Big tears were falling from her eyes down her cheeks and it was breaking Harry's heart. He couldn't see tears on her face especially when he knew that he was the cause of her tears. She covered her face with her hands. Somewhat she had a feeling that if she'll just close her eyes all this will appear to be just an awful dream. That was the only thing she wanted most of all right now.
Harry sighed and embraced her warmly allowing her to cry on his shoulder freely. He stroke her hair gently trying to calm her but that wasn't working. He didn't know how long they were standing like this but he suddenly hear her whispering a phrase that almost made him cry.
- Harry don't leave me... I'll die if I'll lose you. There must be another way...
Harry swallowed hard and lifted her chin using his thumb. Her eyes were red and puffy from tears, and her cheeks were a bit pink as well but even in a condition like this she looked adorably beautiful. He frowned causing a few tear fall down from her chocolate brown eyes.
- There's no other way, 'Mione. - she lowered her head in defeat. Harry was too stubborn and she knew it was impossible to persuade him in something. Harry lifted her head once again. - You won't lose me. I promise I'll never leave you.
Hermione sniffed and looked into his emerald green eyes sadly.
- Don't make a promise you're not sure you won't break.
- I won't break the promise. I'm sure of that. Do you believe me ?
She hesitated for a moment but then nodded. He took a step backwards.
- We don't have much time, 'Mione.
- Yeah, I know. - she agreed taking a deep breath.
- Let's just don't say goodbye to each other, okay ? Better not make this harder than it is.
- Okay.
- Be careful, Hermione.
- You too.
He turned from her and started to walk away with heavy heart. He couldn't just walk away but he had to. He couldn't let all those people just die. He was the one who could save them. He and Hermione.
Harry walked to the exit from the secret passage and tried to hear what was going on outside in the corridor. Everything was quiet. At first he thought he heard footsteps but then he decided that it was just his imagination. During situations like this one some hallucinations may appear very unexpectedly. When he made sure that no one was in the corridor he slowly abandoned his dingy shelter and stepped out into the long empty corridor. What he needed right now - was his invisibility cloak. And as far as he remembered it was in his dormitory in the griffindore tower. Now a difficult task was lying before him - to get to the Gryffindore tower without been caught. At this thought Harry felt shiveres down his spine. Hogwarts was filled with Death Eaters. Clearly Voldemort was still in the library searching for Salathar's collection. But here in the corridores still may be Death Eaters walking here and there in search of students or professors. He had a small chance but Harry also was sure that it was VERY dangerous. If Hermione was here with him she most likely forbid him to do it. " I have to try at least. " - Harry said to himself. Stepping out into the corridor. He looked to the left, then to the right. The corridor was clear. He was on the 4 floor and he needed to get to Gryffindore tower which was on the 7 floor. "Okay... Here we go... I hope Hermione will make it in time... " - he thought making a few steps. He just needed to get his invisibility cloak. As soon as he'll get it everything will be okay. At least he hoped it will.
He continued moving through the corridor trying not to make a lot of noise. He was almost running but trying to step softly at the same time. That was so dangerous ! Harry could get caught at any minute.
" I'm almost there... Almost... " - he was saying to himself praying that there will be no Death Eaters in the common room. If there is... then he's doomed. Sweat was pouring down his forehead, his glasses were slipping to edge of his nose all the time and he nervously put them back on the place. He walked through the portrait hole and quickly ran up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. As he was getting closer to the door his heart was about to jump out of his chest. He couldn't believe he had managed to get to the Gryffindore tower without been caught. It was far too easy. He slowly opened the door. His eyes scanned the room. It was empty. Then he slowly walked in. But in the next moment somebody grabbed him by his arms and covered his mouth with a hand. Harry tried to get free from the firm grip of a stranger but then he calmed down when he heard a very familiar voice.
- Calm down, Harry. It's me.
Harry felt relief. He spun around and a smile crossed his face when he realised that he was right. It was his Godfather, Sirius. Harry took a deep breath and put his right hand to his chest.
- God... you scared me to death ! I'm so glad to see you... You have no idea...
- Wait. Harry, tell me what's going on. School is full of Death Eaters. And all the professors are locked in Dumbldore's office.
Harry sighed with relief.
- Thank's god, they're alive. For a minute I was sure that they were killed. You said they're in Dumbldore's office ?
- Yeah... With ten Death Eaters guarding it.
- Wait... how did you...
- Tonks showed me one very useful spell... I can become invisible. - Sirius told him before Harry could finish his question. - Where's Hermione and others ?
- I sent Hermione to the Ministry to call for help. Ron is at his parent's house. And all the other students are in the Great Hall. Voldemort and Death Eaters appeared during the ball.
- Voldemort is also here ! - Sirius's jaw dropped in astonishment.
- Yes. Me and Hermione barely escaped. Voldemort is trying to find Salathar's collection.
- Salathar's collection ? - Sirius frowned.
- It's a long story. We must do something ! But first of all I must find my invisibility cloak.
- It will be more easy if I'll just put that special spell Tonks taught me.
Sirius rised his wand and cast a spell at Harry. He felt very strange. As if Sirius spilled a bucket of cold water. Harry cringed. He lifted his right hand to his eyes but he couldn't see it. It became invisible.
- Wow ! I can't see my hand ! - he lowered his eyes. - And my body too ! That's cool, Sirius !
Sirius smiled.
- Yeah... took me a long time to learn how to do it though. Wait a second... I'll make myself invisible too and then we'll decide what to do next...
In a minute Sirius disappeared too. It was very wierd... Harry couldn't see his godfather, he could only feel his presence and hear his voice.
- So ? Any suggestions ? - he asked. Harry thought for a minute.
- Well, first we can try and help our dear professors to get out of Dumbldore's office.
- Ehh... Harry... There's at least ten Death Eaters. How do you think we can help them without been caught ? Or without been killed... - he added almost in a whisper.
- It's our only chance to save the other students... And... I guess I have an idea... - Harry said with a strange smile.
Okay... now I'm waiting for the reviews... ))