Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Italics: thought or emphasis

Bold: dream or flashback

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Chapter 10: Danger Awaits

Harry, after watching his beloved disappear, vanished under the invisibility cloak. Moving as swiftly and quietly as possible, he rounded the corner in an empty corridor, watching as Peeves passed. Then, just as quickly, he made his way down to the first floor. If he was to find Voldemort, he had to look everywhere: every empty classroom, every secluded corner, every closet and bathroom. But, for now, he made his way down to the entrance hall.

Start from the bottom and work my way up, he thought to himself. He crept into the Great Hall and gasped, covering his mouth just in time to mask the sound. Death Eaters. Everywhere. Voldemort has to be here! Harry thoughtwith a hint of triumph.

Looking around, he mapped his situation. He wanted to get to the portrait room. The house tables were pushed to the two walls without doors (the ones to his left and right), and two Death Eaters paced each one. There was a small group of about half a dozen in the middle while four paced along the sides of the bare square. If he could make it past the pacing man that passed him, around the middle without being detected, past the one pacing at the other end, and through the door without being heard he'd be safe. He sighed--inaudiably, of course. That was a lot of "if"s.

Still, with a deep breath and the thought of Hermione's, Ron's, and Draco's encouragement, he waited for the man to pass. Slipping by just after he did, he crept closer to the middle, coming within feet of the nearest one before slipping to the side via the narrow passage between the group and the pacing guards. He waited for the last man to pass, watching the group out of the corner of his eye. Upon watching him pass, Harry slipped past him and quietly, carefully climbed the stairs leading to the teacher's table. Once up, he made his way to the door and took the knob.

He took a deep breath. This would be the hardest part, he knew. He turned the knob, flinching at the tiny click as it hit its furthest-in point. Looking over his shoulder, he pulled the door open just enough to slip inside the portrait room. Once inside, he pulled the door shut wincing at the sound. He pressed his ear to the door.

Ruffling of clothes, people jumping to the floor, and racing up stars. Harry's eyes widened. Quickly, he locked the door before turning to run away. He tugged on his leg, but it didn't budge. His pant's leg was caught in the door. He breathed deeply, wondering what else could go wrong when he heard, "Alohomora!" Tugging his leg loose just before the knob turned, Harry ran to a secret passage behind the back tapestry.

"Don't even think about it," came a voice Harry knew from the shadows. Next came a Stupefy spell.

"Protego!" Harry said instinctively. The Stupefy spell bounced off a shield and hit a portrait of a sleeping old man, who screamed and ran out when his chair caught fire.

Harry continued to run, Lucius Malfoy's voice traveling after him in a flurry of spells and demands. Upon reaching the tapestry, Harry disappeared behind it. "Colloportus!" he panted, sealing the door behind him.

He slowed to a quick-paced walk, heading for the other end, which he knew was the kitchens. Looking over his shoulder, he entered.

"Harry Potter, sir!" came Dobby's voice immediately. "Hurry!"

Harry looked at the elf. "Dobby?"

The elf was frantic. "The Dark Ones are coming! Hurry, Harry Potter, go!" His green eyes were utterly huge as he pleaded. Harry sighed and nodded, running through the elves at work and to the door. He pushed out and pressed himself to the opposite wall as, just like Dobby said, the Death Eaters pulled open the door to the kitchens.

After Malfoy, with one last look over his shoulder, appeared in the kitchen, Harry dashed out of the corridor and headed in the direction of the entrance hall.

"Not so fast, Potter," said a voice with a familiar hate in his name. Harry's eyes widened as Severus Snape blocked his path. He stopped, stripping the cloak to reveal a set of flaming emerald eyes and a ready wand. Snape's lips curled into a smirk. "So, you're just as sneaky and stupid as ever, eh, Potter?" he sneered, spitting said boy's name from his lips.

Harry simply glared. He wouldn't waste his breath insulting one to whom his hate couldn't be put into words. He simply tightened his grip on his wand concentrated on his Occlumency lessons, knowing Snape would try to get to him through his mind.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape yelled, his wand pointed at Harry in an instant.

"Protego!" Harry shouted, concentrating on the spell he knew wouldn't have a chance if he didn't. "Expelliarmus!" he summoned as soon as the former professor's spell was deflected.

Snape easily dodged the spell without saying a word. Harry gritted his teeth, knowing his opponent was a master at silent spells.

A Stupefy spell shot out of the tip of the opposite wand. Harry dived out of the way and closer at the same time, looking for a way to get away.

Snape's smirk widened and he shot an Expelliarmus spell at the boy. Harry dodged again, moving so he had room to escape. No matter how badly he wanted to kill Snape, he knew he had no chance.

One more spell from Snape, and Harry was off, running full speed, which wasn't that fast after running so much before. He hated to think that Snape let him escape, but he did.

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Oh my, I'm sorry about the mistakes in this chapter! I must have written it in a hurry. Well, I fixed what I could! Thanks for reading! The next may be just as short, but the one after that will probably be longer. R & R!

Next Chapter: Draco's barely holding out. How much longer can he stand it?