I am trying to update more but I don't have a lot of free time to use the computer. Apparently I spend too much time on it so I'm trying not to hog the computer all day. At least it wasn't five weeks this time.
This chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer Miss Anonymous hp.
The person stopped and turned around. It was Kingsley Shaklebolt.
"What is that?" screamed Harry, pointing to the ceiling.
"Someone's breached the wards!" yelled Kingsley.
Sirius swore very badly. Hermione couldn't hear what he said but she caught the gist of it through the way his lips moved.
Sirius grabbed Hermione's arm and hauled her out of library. She had just enough time to grab The Veil book and stick it into her robes.
The doors slammed shut behind them. Sirius pulled the burning torch off of the bracket and let go of Hermione's arm. He then started making frantic movements with his free arm. Hermione raised her eyebrows. What on earth was that man doing? She knew he wanted her to do something but she had no idea what.
Sirius sighed in frustration, letting his hand drop to his side. He gave up. He wasn't going to make the girl understand this way. Wait. Yes. That could work but would she hear him?
Sirius put his mouth to Hermione's ear and screamed, "GET YOUR WAND OUT!"
He drew back and looked at Hermione. She nodded and pulled out her wand. Sirius smiled. She HAD understood.
Hermione wondered why he didn't just get his own wand out. It would have been a lot easier to show her what he wanted her to do.
Sirius led the way back down the corridor, torch held high. Shadows danced around them, making it appear as if Hermione and Sirius were not the only ones in the passage.
Sirius didn't take Hermione back the way they had come. He led her down a much smaller passage. The ceiling was lower, just inches above Sirius' head. The walls were very close, making Hermione feel slightly claustrophobic. Hermione could lean against one wall and then stretch her arm and fingers out, missing the wall by inches. Sirius led Hermione down into the lower caverns. Gradually the screeching lessened until Hermione could no longer hear it. The silence was a very welcome sound.
Sirius stopped in front of a small wooden door. It was different to all the other doors that Hermione had seen. This door was smaller and older. Hermione guessed it must have been important because the door itself was hidden in the shadows alongside one of the walls. Hermione would never have noticed it if Sirius hadn't stopped.
Sirius put the torch back into the wall bracket and pushed open the door. He beckoned Hermione inside.
"Sirius!" she said, louder than she intended. "Where are we going?"
Sirius growled just one word.
"Pettigrew!"
Hermione walked inside and shut the door behind her. She was suddenly blinded.
"Sirius. I can't see," she said slowly. She was not very happy with this turn of events.
"Oops. Hold on a sec."
Hermione heard Sirius move. There was a loud crack, followed by a large bout of swearing and then a loud thump.
"Are you alright?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," groaned Sirius. "Walked into the wall." Sirius paused. Hermione had to stifle her giggles. "And I dropped my wand. Bugger." His voice was coming from the floor now.
Hermione rolled her eyes in the darkness. Men and in particular Sirius could be so stupid sometimes.
"Lumos," she muttered and the end of her wand lit up.
"Here."
Hermione handed Sirius her wand. Sirius smiled gratefully in the gloom and took it. He held the wand in front of him and crawled around the floor, hunting for his wand. Hermione thought he looked rather like a dog looking for a treat. She giggled as she realised what she had just thought.
"What?" said Sirius gruffly. He couldn't find his wand anywhere. It had to be here somewhere but where was it?
Hermione giggled again.
"I was just thinking how much you looked liked a dog, Snuffles."
Sirius looked up at her.
"Huh? Snuffles?"
Hermione smiled at the memory.
"Don't ask. Anyway I meant Padfoot. I just got so used to calling you Snuffles when we talked about you that it slipped out."
"Why?" Sirius asked curiously. "Dammit! Where is that bloody wand?"
Yes. That proved it. Sirius was completely and utterly hopeless. He needed a woman in his life to solve his problems, just like Ron had her. Hermione blushed, glad Sirius couldn't see. Where had that thought come from?
"Wand," said Hermione, holding out her hand. Sirius gazed at her quizzically but passed her her wand.
"Nox," she said, and the small corridor was plunged into darkness. Once again there was absolutely no light in the passage.
"Hey!" cried Sirius indignantly.
Hermione ignored him.
"Accio wand," she said softly, holding out her free hand.
"Ah hah," she said triumphantly, as she felt a long, thin piece of wood fly into her hands.
"What? What is it?"
"Lumos," said Hermione to her wand. It lit up again, covering the passage and its occupants in an eerie glow. Hermione looked down at her other hand. There was another wand in it. She passed it to Sirius, who was sitting, grumbling, on the floor.
"Is this yours?" asked Hermione sweetly.
Sirius looked at what Hermione had passed to him and his face lit up.
"I could kiss you Hermione. I don't know why I didn't think of that."
Hermione backed away, her hands held high.
"Glad to help, just please don't kiss me."
Sirius' face fell.
"Awwwww. Am I really that repulsive? Don't you like me?" he asked sadly. Sirius turned away and made loud bawling noises.
Hermione dropped her hands.
"Oh shuttup you big baby and stand up. Weren't we here for a reason?"
"Bugger. Oh yeah," said Sirius jumping to his feet.
"Lumos Solem." The corridor was flooded with a brilliant dazzling light. Sirius closed his eyes, shielding them against the glare. Hermione covered her eyes with her hands. After the dark gloom of the passage, the light was blinding.
After several minutes Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She squinted against the glare of the light. But was gradually able to open her eyes fully. For the first time she was able to have a proper look at the passage around her.
The walls were about ten feet high and looked very solid. At the top of the walls the ceiling curved upwards, ending in an arch fifteen feet above the ground. It reminded Hermione of a cathedral she had been to when she was younger. The walls were no longer a dreary grey stone, they were pale green. Hermione was confused. Why should they be different colours?
Noticing Hermione's puzzled face, Sirius explained, urging her to walk forwards at the same time.
"It's limestone. Don't ask why. We can't understand why there is even limestone here because about seventeen feet above us it's grey rock. It's really strange. Anyway, we use this area, well actually that area," said Sirius pointing down the tunnel. "As holding cells for prisoners."
Hermione was staring around in wonder. This place was amazing. She had never imagined that a place like this could exist underground. It must have taken absolutely ages to create.
"Sirius," asked Hermione. "How long did this place take to build or carve or whatever?"
Sirius turned to her.
"Um lessee...Moody was here...Arthur and Molly...before Sally...Tonks was little...Um...About twelve years I think.
Hermione's mouth dropped open in amazement. Twelve years! Hermione had so many questions floating around her brain, trying to get asked. She opened her mouth and said the first thing that popped into her head.
"Why?"
Hermione could have smacked herself. What a dumb question. The answer was obvious, wasn't it?
"Well, after the attack on um...you know?"
Hermione nodded. She knew Sirius was talking about the Potters and Godric's Hollow.
"Albus discovered that the Order wasn't as safe as he thought it was. Within the next two weeks over seven different Order members' homes were attacked and everybody that was in the house was killed. It was then that the Inner Circle decided to start construction on these tunnels and caves."
Hermione frowned at him. Sirius noticed and quickly replayed the conversation in his head.
"You do know what the Inner Circle is, don't you?"
Hermione shook her head. She had been around the Order and its members for two years and she had never heard of the Inner Circle, and not that much else for that matter.
"There's a lot you don't know about the way the Order works. Doesn't your Order of the Phoenix tell you anything?" asked Sirius.
Hermione shrugged.
"No. We're sixteen and still at school. They don't tell us anything until we join and we can't join until we leave school."
"What!" Sirius was stunned. "That's stupid."
"Not really. Well the rule isn't but Harry, Ron and I are too involved for them to not tell us anything and yet they insist on avoiding telling the truth until it's too late. They want to protect us. Lot of good that does us."
"Honestly. How can they expect you three to complete Harry's prophecy if you don't anything about it?"
"I don't..." Hermione stopped, her eyes widening, realisation dawning on her face. "Hold on a sec. What exactly do you mean about us three completing Harry's prophecy?"
"I...oh shit! Don't you know what the prophecy means?" asked Sirius slowly.
Hermione raised her eyes to the ceiling.
"How do you expect us to know? Nobody ever tells us anything. We have to find out ourselves or eavesdrop. I don't even think the Order knows what it means. Anyway, Harry only found out about the prophecy last July, and Ron and I heard it a week ago when you found us on the train."
Sirius was bewildered.
"That...You...How are...What?"
Sirius couldn't string a coherent sentence together. He was that shocked. How could these kids have only just found out? What kind of people were in their Order anyway? Sirius took a deep breath and said,
"If you really don't know about the prophecy, I'll wait until we see Harry and Ron to tell you."
Hermione nodded. As much as she wanted to know what it meant she knew that was only fair since it was Harry's prophecy.
Hermione looked ahead and was relieved to see that the passage didn't go on forever. In front of them was another door and it was open. Hermione could just see through the door and beyond. The door opened into a vast cavern for Hermione could see the wall the other side.
"What the..."
Hermione looked up at Sirius and was surprised to find worry etched on his face.
"Sirius, what is it?" asked Hermione worriedly.
Sirius pointed ahead and sped up.
"That door is supposed to be shut and locked at all times. It's not supposed to be open unless somebody is walking through."
Sirius stuck his wand out in front of him and quietly told Hermione to do the same. He walked cautiously through the door. Almost immediately Sirius whirled around and dropped to the floor. Hermione rushed in, thinking he had been hit by a curse. He hadn't. Sirius was kneeling on the floor in front of a wizard lying awkwardly on the floor. Hermione caught a glimpse of bright red hair. The rest was obscured by Sirius' large form.
"Fred. Fred," said Sirius, shaking the still form.
Weasley? Hermione wasn't sure but judging by the bright red hair that she had seen, it probably was.
"Ennervate."
The wizard, Fred, moaned and opened his eyes. He looked up and saw Sirius looking down at him worriedly.
"Sirius? Oh Merlin," said Fred, remembering what had happened. "I'm so sorry Sirius. I tried to stop him but he'd surprised me and knocked me to the floor. We fought and I think he took my wand."
Sirius placed a hand on Fred's shoulder, holding him still.
"Calm down Fred. Please. Now, what are you talking about? Was it Pettigrew?"
Fred nodded.
"Yeah. He turned into a rat. I didn't know he could do that."
"I know. I knew what he could do. So do James, Lily and Remus. No one else I don't think."
"We do," interrupted Hermione.
"Yeah, but you don't count."
Hermione stuck her tongue out at him childishly. Sirius ignored her and talked to Fred again.
All four of us completely forgot about warding the cell against an animagus. It's been so long since he changed, we clean forgot. I'm sorry Fred. Are you alright?"
"Apart, from a splitting headache and a bump the size of a watermelon on my head then yeah, I'm fine."
Fred always seemed to make the best of a bad situation. He was so cheerful all the time.
"I'm so sorry Fred. Here."
Sirius put his arm around Fred and tried, unsuccessfully, to pull him to his feet.
"Hermione. Help please."
"Oh right. Yeah, sure."
Hermione stepped forwards and put Fred's arm over her shoulder.
"Right then," said Sirius. "One. Two. Three."
Sirius and Hermione locked their knees and hauled Fred to his feet. He cried out in pain.
"We'd better get you to the infirmary," said Hermione.
"Who are you?" asked Fred bluntly.
"Hermione Granger."
"Oh. You're one of those kids Remus and him found," said Fred, indicating his head towards Sirius.
Hermione nodded.
"Sirius, where's the infirmary?"
Sirius didn't answer.
"Sirius?"
Sirius was staring straight ahead, his face blank.
"Siri-" Hermione and Fred followed Sirius' gaze.
"Oh no," whispered Hermione.
"Um this could be a problem," muttered Fred.
Sirius was silent.
In front of them, blocking the doorway stood six black robed figures wearing masks. Their wands pointed directly at Sirius, Hermione and Fred.
Ron and Harry raced through the passage following, or at least, trying to follow Kingsley Shaklebolt. They needed to because the two boys had been completely and utterly lost. Harry had just wandered aimlessly down passages, not looking where he was going and Ron had followed him.
Dozens of witches and wizards had passed them. Each one had their wand out and looked alert and ready for trouble. Nobody said anything. It wouldn't have mattered anyway because the alarm was still screeching so they couldn't have heard what was said.
The alarm had by now changed from a high pitched squeal to and ear-piercing wail. Harry's hands flew up to his ears, trying to block out the noise. He looked over to Ron and saw that his friend had done the same. Whoever had come up with a warning siren that deafened people deserved to be cursed. Badly.
Kingsley led Harry and Ron through a small side door and into a large, brightly lit room. He slammed the door closed and the wailing abruptly ceased. The silence was a welcome relief.
"Thank Merlin," breathed Ron in relief. "Kingsley, why did it stop?"
Kingsley turned to Ron. There was shock on his face when he heard his name but the Auror hid it quickly. Kingsley hit the wall with his hand.
"Soundproofing," he said simply. "No sound in or out."
Harry gazed around the room. After all he had seen, he didn't think that anything could amaze him. He was wrong.
The walls shone brilliant white. Harry was immediately reminded of the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. There were seats roughly cut out in the wall, scattered unevenly about the room. Several of these seats were occupied by witches and wizards. In the middle of the room was a large stone table that could easily have fit thirty people. Most of those seats were occupied as well. James and Dumbledore sat at the head.
"Kingsley. Do you know what happened or why the alarms went off?" asked James immediately, standing up.
Kingsley walked towards the table, shaking his head.
"No. By all rights they shouldn't have even gone off."
"I know. In twelve years it's the first time." James was worried. Everybody was.
James sat down.
Albus sighed.
"What in Merlin's name could have happened?"
"What are you two...? I thought you were with Sirius," said James, noticing Harry and Ron for the first time.
Ron let Harry answer.
"We were. I just um...needed to talk to Ron and we got a bit lost. Hermione's with Sirius in the library."
"Okay then." James looked back at Kingsley. "Thanks for bringing them here."
"No problem," replied Kingsley, taking one of the empty seats at the table.
"James, shouldn't we be finding out what happened?" asked a young witch from one of the wall chairs.
"Yes Penelope. Where do you suggest we start?" asked James, a little sarcastically.
"Just a thought," she said, folding her arms. She glowered at James.
Harry tugged Rons arm and indicated for them to sit down on one of the empty wall chairs. They silently walked over and sat down, whispering in hushed tones because they didn't want to disturb the adults or listen to what they were saying.
"So, what do you think happened?" asked Ron quietly.
"I don't know," replied Harry. "Where do you reckon Hermione and Sirius are. I thought he would have brought Hermione here."
I don't know. Oh bloody hell!" swore Ron.
"What? What is it?" asked Harry quickly.
"I've just thought. I think I know what happened."
"What?"
"Pettigrew. Wormtail. He must have transformed and released the other prisoners from the train attack."
"Oh no!" moaned Harry. "Not again. Don't these people ever learn?"
Harry stopped. He was uncomfortably aware that the entire room had gone silent. He looked up. Everybody in the room was staring at him and Ron.
"What?" asked Harry loudly, trying his best to sound innocent.
"Do you mind?" said a rather large wizard with a straggly brown beard. "We're trying to talk."
Harry stared at the wizard who had spoken. He looked familiar but Harry couldn't place a name to the face.
Harry jumped to his feet and pulled Ron up too.
"We'll go."
"Harry," said Ron urgently. "We have to do something and quickly."
"I know," hissed Harry. Then to the large wizard, James and all of the other people in the room, Harry said, "Ok. If we're gonna go can one of you take us down to where you're holding your prisoners?"
"Why do you want to go to the cells?" asked the large wizard suspiciously.
"Be quiet Amos," said Lily, glaring at the man. "Now, Ron, Harry. Why do you want to go down to the cells?"
Amos. Now Harry remembered who it was and why he looked so familiar. It was Amos Diggory. Harry had first seen him at the Quidditch World Cup, when he was fourteen, and then later on at school when both Harry and Cedric, Amos' son, were entered into the Tri-Wizard tournament.
"Because," said Ron. "We need to see a man about a rat."
Harry's head spun around and stared at Ron. Ron grinned back. What a strange answer to give them.
"Wh–OH BLOODY HELL," cried Remus, comprehension dawning on his face.
Harry's eyes widened. He had never heard Remus use strong language; but then again, this Remus had had a different life to the one that he knew.
"Right. You understand. Can you take us down there?"
Remus nodded slowly and stood up.
"Rem, wait a sec. What's this about 'cause I'll be blowed if I understand," asked James.
Remus uttered just one word.
"Wormtail."
James swore very badly, enough to make Lily say 'James!" he jumped to his feet.
"Lily, Albus, Amos, Sarah. Come with us."
The people in question stood up, confusion evident on their faces. Remus and James went swiftly out of the door, followed closely by Harry and Ron. The four others glanced at each other and then raced after Harry and Ron.
The small door flew open and eight people ran through. The spell Sirius had cast earlier was still in place so there was no need to cast another.
They raced through the corridor and crashed through the door at the end that had been carefully drawn closed.
The six adults spread out, wands drawn and ready for trouble. Lily made Harry and Ron stand between then and the door.
The room was empty. The cells in the room were empty. They hadn't been half an hour before.
"Oh no!"
"Where are they?"
The six adults started whispering nervously.
Ron saw something on the floor ten feet away. It was a scarlet lump. Ron tugged on Harry's robes.
"Look," he whispered, pointing.
Harry looked over to where Ron was pointing.
"Let's go and see what it is," said Harry quietly.
Ron and Harry darted forwards and squeezed through a small space between Dumbledore and Remus. Nobody noticed. The two boys dropped to their knees to look at the bundle. Ron picked it up and both stood up. Ron opened the bundle and immediately both boys swore VERY loudly. The nervous whispering ceased.
"Harry! Ron! Watch your mouths," admonished Lily.
Harry and Ron whirled around and Ron held out the bundle.
"What's that?" asked James, who stepped forwards to look at it.
"She would never leave this anywhere. Not like this. She knows what we'd think if she did.
Ron held out a book and what looked to be a long scarlet cloak.
"It's the book Sirius gave us in the library. And this," Ron thrust the cloak in James' face. "This is Hermione's cloak."
Yay! I got 100 hundred reviews.
Firstly, thanks Dadaiiro, Emma Ackroyd,1mill23, Jeanne2, dacuycuy, Miss Anonymoushp, moonfyre for reviewing.
Secondly, thanks guys for telling me about the Thestrals. It's been ages since I read OOTP and I kinda forgot about it. I altered the last chapter slightly so that Ron and Ginny had their eyes covered up because they were afraid. I think that should sort out the problem.
Once again I need your opinion on something. I'm debating whether or not to do a chapter showing what's going on in the other reality. What do you think?
