Disclaimer: Owning everything Harry Potter would mean not having a financial care in the world. But there's rent, phone bill, electricity, groceries...Oh man! I don't own this.

A/N: This is a point in the story that will start heading towards the ending, which is still some chapters away but I am getting there, promise. Oh, I have been trying to use this chapter title since I started the outline so yay me for finally working it in.

Chapter fifteen: The Pawn

He isn't going to ruddy leave! Professor Snape thought as he pulled out his best (or worst, depending on how much you appreciated your liver) firewhiskey and prepared to enter his potions classroom. He cautiously peered out of the slightly ajar door. Yes still pathetically there. The Potions Master accio'd a second glass and entered the room.

Harry sighed at the ring in his hand that Snape had just returned to him for the second time. Fucker was either really bad luck when around engaged witches or just really good luck at retrieving discarded rings. He looked up as Snape entered the room with an unmarked bottle. Harry smirked to himself. Probably bad luck. He only accepted the glass when his teacher had taken a drink from his own glass. "You think I'm an idiot, don't you."

Snape considering warning Harry that firewhiskey should never be downed in one drink but decided against it. After watching several moments of gagging and watering eyes, he answered. "Not as much as I think Miss Granger is for agreeing to marry an idiot like you. But I suppose it could have been worse; she could have agreed to marry a Weasley."

"I mean about this whole Draco bullshit! How easy was it for this to come about- Gah!" Harry shuddered as he took another gulp of alcohol.

"You're impatient, headstrong and strongly influenced by your emotions. The Dark Lord knew of your faults, Draco knew of your love for Miss Granger. Without both, it would not have happened but the conclusion was easy."

Harry accepted a third glass. "I can save her. I can vanquish Voldemort. I can fix this. You're honest, unfortunately. Do you think I can do this?"

"I have complete faith in Dumbledore, who has complete faith in you. I suppose that will suffice."

"Would it be ironic to say that I feel the same way?" Harry hiccoughed softly.

Professor Snape rolled his eyes as he emptied his second glass. "Ironic would not begin to describe this moment."

Harry snickered. "Cheers to that." Yes, Snape thought. Firewhiskey is not meant to be gulped by a virgin drinker.

The door to the classroom opened with a loud creak. Harry dropped his glass as both wizards faced the door, wands at the ready. Lupin stepped into the room with his hands raised. "It's just me. What's gotten into the two of you?" He smelt his answer when he was a few steps shy of Snape's desk. "Merlin! Is that firewhiskey?"

"Yes," Harry blinked dramatically several times. "Would you like some?"

"NO! Two armed and well trained wizards should not be drinking."

"Really?" Snape stated. "If it weren't for the alcohol, you'd be a she-wolf."

"And if it weren't me, your lack of reflexes would have resulted in disembowelment. If young Harry here can stand, you're both needed in Dumbledore's office... We've found a lead."

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The panicked squeal that he emitted when the curtains were drawn open was a dead giveaway to Harry. "Pettigrew," he hissed and rushed toward the traitor/coward/murderer. The pathetic wizard shrank further into the chair that he was chained to in a feeble attempt to avoid a confrontation. Luckily for Pettigrew, Lupin held Harry back.

"You're safe enough for now, Peter. Relish it." Lupin spat. "You're here for one purpose only and you know it. Serve it and you may continue to live your sad excuse for a life."

Pettigrew mumbled something as he nodded stupidly. "Yes, of course." He looked up to see a roomful of Order members, each with disgust and no pity written across their faces. "I know where she is. I can tell you everything."

Snape snarled from the shadows. "Oh, we know you can. What's the Dark Lord's plan?"

"Lure Potter with his mud- muggleborn. His army is preparing for you. Once you have arrived to the designated place you are to be destroyed by the Dark Lord."

"And Hermione?" Harry took a menacing step forward.

"Pretty little thing she's become, eh? She will be married to Draco and their child will start the next generation of the Dark Lord's followers." Pettigrew turned towards a female gasp he heard and noticed a man and woman in muggle clothing. "You muggles should be honored to have your daughter held in such regard." His moment of defiance crumbled as Harry backhanded him before anyone could stop him.

"You're scum!"

Dumbledore held up a hand to silence Harry. "Accio Veritaserum." He deftly caught a vial that flew from a cupboard. "Drink!" he said sharply. Pettigrew shivered but obeyed. After a moment to allow the potion to take effect, Dumbledore began to ask questions. "Where is Voldemort?"

"An underground castle in northern Ireland is his most coveted hiding place."

"What castle? There's no underground castle in Ireland." Snape said to the Headmaster.

"I said coveted. He's always been suspicious of you, Severus and would never allow you to know of its existence."

Snape said nothing, just sneered from his corner. Harry placed an arm around Ophelia's shoulder. "How can we find the castle?"

"Well there's a cave that does not seem too vast. One glance and you can see the back wall. It's beside a lake who's base is lined with blood red rocks. The local muggles avoid the area; they think it's cursed."

Dumbledore nodded to Lupin and Tonks, who quickly left the room with Bill in tow. "Is Hermione there as well?"

"Yes."

"Angelina Johnson?"

"Yes. Sooo beautiful. She belongs to Lucius Malfoy." Peter licked his lips at the thought. Dumbledore was grateful that Fred was not at this interrogation.

"How will Voldemort make his intentions known?"

"A gift will be sent to Harry. He should know it when he sees it."

Harry cursed his stomach at this moment. He chose now to drink. Dumbledore's eyebrows furrowed in worry at Harry's suddenly green face. "Excuse me," he said as he rushed out of the room. Severus shrugged innocently.

Harry had the misfortune of emptying his stomach in the hall just as Madam Pomfrey was walking past. After several futile attempts to escape her, Harry had no choice but to accept a nausea potion as well as a sobering charm in the infirmary. Harry's gaze fell upon George, who's condition had not changed since his attack. Bill mentioned a book with a possible countercurse but it had disappeared in the raid of Hogwarts. He awkwardly placed a hand over the twin's and smiled weakly. "I made a promise to my fiancee and I will not break it. Just as I will not break my vow to avenge you. If I see him, I will kill Lucius Malfoy. I-" Harry paused when he thought he heard a murmured "no." "George?"

"Giver must live to help me." George spoke though still unconscious. "Must live to help Fred."

"Help Fred what?"

"Help Fred help me. Must have Keeper live to help me. The Dark Lord knows. If you help Fred, you can kill him."

"Kill Fred?" Harry stepped back. "I think the sobering charm wasn't strong enough."

"No," Severus hissed as he peered over Harry shoulder to look at George. "He's connected to the Dark Lord. What did he say?"

"Something about a giver living and the keeper living. I think he's talking about Quidditch."

Snape rolled his eyes. "No, the Dark Lord is the Keeper of George's soul remember? Lucius is the Giver. You already know that if you kill the Dark L- Vol-Vol."

"Yeah, Professor, points for effort. Continue."

"George will die. He is merely reminding you and I'm sure that Vol- is trying to tell you also of what would happen should you try to confront him."

"But he also said that I if help Fred I could kill him."

"Interesting. Well, that is not of much help. We must prepare, Potter. As soon as the scouts find this cave we will raid it and retrieve your fiancee. You should rest." Harry looked at his teacher just as he turned to leave. He could swear that he saw a look of pity on his face, if only for a moment.

A/N: Alright! back to back updates. Uh-huh! Will continue shortly. The rest of this story is outlined and has been approved by Mason so now I just need to write it out. Wish me luck! Thanx for the reviews, welcome new readers. MysteriousNeptune17, juicy-fruit for drako, imaloser, blueeyeddolly, limegoodness (new), and everybody else (sorry if I missed you!) and eliew: I like the way you think, seriously, especially in keeping them conscious (chills). Be back soon, promise.