Hagrid
was waiting for them at the gates. He quickly let them in and Harry,
Ron and Hermione put the invisibility cloak on.
"It was e good
thing ye messaged me when ye did. I was going to see McGonagall today
anyway. I want to introduce Augurey to my 4th years." Hagrid said
proudly, but quietly
"The what?" They replied in unison
"Irish Phoenix, ill explain later," Hagrid said "now keep
quiet, I can see Filch."
They were quiet all the way up to
McGonagalls office, and Hagrid let them in
"Good afternoon
Hagrid"
"Afternoon Minerva."
"You wanted to see me
about a new creature?"
"Yea, the Augurey, or Irish Phoenix. A
male and female have nested in the forest."
"Ok, I have never
seen one before, shall we go down and have a look?"
McGonagall
left her office and Hagrid followed out behind her, looking over his
shoulder anxiously. When Harry was sure they were outside, he took
the cloak off.
"Ahh, Harry, I was wondering when I would be
seeing you here." Dumbledores portrait exclaimed. Dumbledore was
sitting in a plush royal purple armchair. Fawkes was sitting on the
back of the chair. Dumbledore was wearing magnificent robes of red
and gold, Gryffindors colours. There was a little table next to the
chair and on top of it was a bowl full of Lemon Drops and other
sweets he enjoyed.
They all jumped
"Hello Professor."
They all said, Hermione's eyes were very wet
"We have to be
quick incase McGonagall comes back." Harry began
"Professor
McGonagall." Dumbledore interrupted
"Sorry, um we found a
horocrux. It is the cup, and it was in the tree at Godric's
Hollow." Harry said very fast
"Well done Harry. Im guessing
you are here to ask me how to destroy it them?" Dumbledore said
proudly
"Yes, I have no idea how to."
"You do not know
how to YET Harry. It is a simple incantation Genitus Districtus
Phasmatis. But one should be careful as to how he goes about
destroying a piece of Voldemorts soul. For instance, when I destroyed
the piece in the ring a very powerful curse hit me and attempted to
kill me slowly, however, it only reached my hand." Dumbledore told
Harry. Harry heard Hermione writing it down.
"Ok, thanks
Professor." Harry said. He looked around at Ron and Hermione, they
were both very white, and Hermione had now taken a hold of Ron's
hand.
"Professor, can I ask you something about the night at
the cave." Harry asked tentivly
"Of course Harry."
"What
was that stuff you were drinking?"
"Ahh, a very clever idea
indeed. Voldemort had taken the memories of the victims he personally
murdered. They were green, because they were terrible terrible
memories and they had been taken from a dead body."
Harry
suddenly felt very sick.
"Can I ask you 1 more question
Professor?" Harry asked
"I believe you just did so, but I
will allow you to ask one more."
"Why did Snape, do what he
did?" harry asked, his throat suddenly felt very tight, and his
eyes were tingling
"Alas Harry, I would tell you, except I have
no memory after Master Malfoy lowered his wand." Dumbledore
explained very sombrely
"Ohh, Well have a good day Professor."
Harry said quietly
"Good day to you all and I am sure I will be
seeing you all soon again." Dumbledore said
Harry, Ron and
Hermione stumbled out of the office and put the cloak back on. As
they were going down the spiral staircase Harry distinctly heard
Phineas Nigellus say to Dumbledore "You tell the students far too
much. You let them indulge in what they like to think of their own
superiority."
"I'm sorry you do not understand why I
divulge the information that I do, and I never expect you will
Phineas." Dumbledore replied
Harry, Ron and Hermione went
back to Hagrids hut. They walked very slowly and Harry could hear
Hermione sniffling. He was glad that she was sniffling, because then
Ron wouldn't hear him. They let themselves in through Hagrids
backdoor and found Fang, curled up in his bed. Harry looked around
and saw that Hagrids hut was a little bit bigger and had an extra
room. Harry wondered who had rebuilt his cabin after it was burnt
down. Harry went and patted Fang, he noticed that he still bore marks
of the fire, there was a large patch on his back that the fur was
still shorter then the rest. Ron made tea and Harry and Hermione sat
at the table. Hermione was openly crying, but Harry was trying to
hold his tears back, until he was alone. He sat next to Hermione and
hugged her.
"'Ello. Did you get what you wan... Hermione,
whats wrong?" Hagrid asked
"It, was just sooo sad. Seeing
Dumbledore." Hermione managed to get out
"I know its sad, bu'
he was a great man, who liked happiness and laughter. So jus' try
and remember tha'." Hagrid told Hermione
"I know, thats why
its so sad." Hermione said
"Ye'll be fine." Hagrid
comforted her and patted her on the back, making her lurch foward.
"Here's the tea." Ron said, who's eyes were also wet and
red
They sat in silence for a while drinking their tea. Hagrid
offered them all rock cakes, which they all declined.
"How long
have you had an Augurey couple for?" Hermione asked curiously
"They flew in a couple o' days after the funeral. Interesting
creatures they are. Keep to themselves, but like the company o'
Unicorns and Thestrals. They walk around the forest floor and only
fly when it rains. They cry before it rains also, it's a hollow cry
though. Very loud." Hagrid said very proudly
After that the
conversation got considerably lighter.
"We better be off
now Hagrid, It was good to see ya mate." Ron said
"Bye yer 3.
Yer 3 are great people, just be careful." Hagrid adviced them
"Don't worry, we will Hagrid." Hermione said, giving him a
hug
"Bye Hagrid, take care." Harry said
Hagrid walked
them to the gates and let the out. They turned and waved and then
apperated back to Grimmauld Place.
No one was home at
Grimmauld Place, so Harry Ron and Hermione found an empty room on the
4th floor. There they put the cup in the middle of the room, and many
books. Hermione had conjured a pouffe and was flicking through a
healers book, taking in as much as she could.
"Ok, lets do
this." Harry said holding out his wand
"No, Harry. You
can't!" Hermione screamed, standing up
"She's right mate.
It's like at Godrics Hollow. If you die, then who will kill Him?"
Ron agreed
"Well, who's going to do it then?" Harry asked.
He could feel his anger rising slightly.
"I will." Ron and
Hermione both said
"Ron, I will do it, you risked your life
last time." Hermione said
"Hermione, this isn't a tally
sheet. I'll do it."
"No, without trying to be rude, im
better at charms and spells then you are."
"Which is why you
can't do it. If something happens we need you to fix it."
Harry
didn't know what to say. He was feeling the same thing he felt back
at Godrics Hollow; Love. He was honoured that his friends were
willing to risk there lives for him. He felt loved for one of the
first times in his life.
"Harry, why are you smiling?"
Hermione asked
"Oh, what, was I? Im just really lucky to have 2
friends like you." Harry said, then blushed.
"Oh, thanks
mate. Your a good friend to." Ron said
While Ron and Harry were
distracted, Hermione turned around, pointed her wand at the cup and
shouted "Genitus Districtus Phasmatis."
Harry and Ron
spun around in time to see the room fill up with a dark green shadow
in the shape of a very thin person. The shadow looked at Hermione,
who was shocked, And then lunged at her and flew down her open mouth.
Harry and Ron just stood there, they had no idea what to do. Then
suddenly
"So, you have found my secret." Hermione said in a
voice which was not her own
"You have found a part of me which
no one knows. My dear friend Hepzibah Smith, the fool. She willingly
let me into her house, then, I killed her and took this cup. The elf
took the blame and rotted in Azkaban, haa she told them she poisoned
her. It was my idea. Now, I will kill you. Ahh Its Harry Potter, and
his red haired side kick. Where is the girl? Oh I am her." Hermione
said, then laughed. A cold high pitched mean laugh.
"Harry,
whats happened?" Ron said quietly
"Im not sure, but I think
Voldemort has possessed her." Harry replied
"What do we do?"
Ron asked, sounding frightened
"Im not sure. Dumbledore always
said love will prevail."
"I see Harry Potter, you are trying
to calm your friend down. It will not work." Hermione said in that
cold voice, which was quite the opposite to her own.
"Well,
what do we do then?" Ron said, now starting to panic
"Ahh, I
can see fear in your eyes." Hermione said
"Hermione, I know
you are in there, start thinking about who you love the most!"
Harry yelled
"She can not hear you, only I can hear you now."
Hermione advanced on them with her wand held high
"Crucio!"
She screamed pointing her wand at Harry
He had no time to dodge
it and was soon lying on the floor twitching, withering and screaming
in pain. Hermione lifted the spell and Harry stopped. He was covered
in cold sweat. Ron was kneeling beside Harry in complete shock.
"Ron, you practically love Hermione right?" Harry asked
panting
Rons ears went red and Harry knew the answer
"Ron,
tell her you love her. Its the only way to save her."
Ron stood
up but said nothing
"Ron, hurry up." Harry said, he looked
over to Hermione and saw her leaning against the door with a look of
joy on her face
"Hermione, I, I. I love you." Ron stammered
out
"You think she can hear you?" Hermione said
"Ron,
you'll have to do better. Say it louder and more." Harry
practically shouted
"Hermione, it's me, Ron. I love you. You
mean so much to me. You are a fantastic person, and I love been
around you. I love you!" Ron shouted
Hermione stumbled.
"Ron,
kiss her." Harry whispered
"No, He is in her, I can't do
that." Ron said, looking utterly disgusted
"Ron, you have to.
You will not be kissing him, you will be kissing her! Do it now."
Harry cried, pushing Ron forwards. Ron cautiously walked forwards,
looking over his shoulder at Harry.
"Ahh, the friend approaches
me. Do you like death?"
Hermione raised her wand and started to
cry "Avada..."
"Stupefy!" Harry cried
Hermione fell
to the ground. Ron kneeled next to her and kissed her. Voldemorts
spirit flew out of Hermione and exploded, showering the 2 in dust.
Ron revived Hermione.
"I love you too Ron." Hermione said
with a smile, then fainted.
