CHAPTER SEVEN
THE SECRET OF LORD VOLDEMORT

Before Harry could look around, Hermione and Neville were flying out of the fireplace. They landed with a crash on the floor. Moody, Tonks, Luna, and Ginny arrived, brushing bits of dust and ash off their robes. Then McGonagall and Lupin arrived, holding an unconscious Narcissa Malfoy in their arms. Hermione and Neville stood up and brushed off the dust and ash, moaning slightly from the pain.

Harry knew they should move quickly. After all, Hogwarts was almost completely abandoned, except for the people who lived in the portraits. No enchantment guarded it now that Dumbledore was dead. Anything could be lurking in the halls.

Harry turned to McGonagall.

"Do you know where his stores are?"

"Yes" said McGonagall. "I'll lead the way. Just a moment, though."

McGonagall raised her wand and pointed it at Narcissa, who was unconscious on the floor

"Mobilicorpus!"

Narcissa was lifted into the air, her head hanging.

"All right" said McGonagall, "all of you follow me."

Harry followed McGonagall. Hermione, Neville, Ginny and Luna walked with him. Tonks, Moody and Lupin took up the rear. Narcissa continued floating along right behind them.

They made their way across the hallways, up staircases, and through corridors.

"It's freezing in here" said Hermione, shivering.

Harry couldn't argue. It definitely was much colder than before. However, Harry had his mind on Ron.

"Hermione" said Harry as they continued walking, "You and Ron have been the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I didn't think I could make it when Ron died. But I knew I still had you as a friend. I just"

"Harry" began Hermione, her eyes swimming with tears. "You don't need to thank me. You've been through too much. I love you so much, Harry. I should be thanking you for being such a great friend even through all the things going on."

Harry nodded, trying to keep back the tears that were threatening to spill.

"I'm stupid" said Harry, wiping his eyes, "How could I have let that happen to him? He had so much to enjoy."

"Harry, don't blame yourself" said Hermione sternly, though tears were starting to blind her. "It's no one's fault. He chose to be with you to the end" Hermione broke off, unable to say more.

"Don't blame anyone, Harry" said Luna, who had been listening in on the conversation from behind. "Hermione's right."

Harry looked at her.

She smiled, yet there was something in her eyes that questioned her sanity.

"And don't think I've lost my head, Harry" she said, sidling up between him and Hermione, sniffing back tears. "Ron was a dear friend to me too."

Harry nodded.

"Luna, you don't have to do this. I mean, it's really dangerous."

"You're just as much of a fried to me as he was, Harry."

Harry smiled, and looked down at his feet.

Neville and Ginny joined them.

"We are too, Harry" said Ginny, looking at him and smiling.

"Yeah, mate" said Neville, who was now walking beside Luna.

Harry smiled.

"How far away is Snape's store anyway?"

No sooner had he spoken than they had all stopped.

McGonagall was facing them, and standing beside a large wooden door with a lock. She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the lock.

"Alohomora!"

The lock clicked and the door swung open, revealing a small cupboard with several shelves on which were various bottles and flasks of potions, juices, and ingredients.

"Here you are, Potter."

Harry felt slightly awkward, as everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to proceed. He walked towards the open door and proceeded inside.

He saw many odd potions, with all types of colors and textures. Some of them he'd rather not know what they were. There were bezoars, unicorn horns, piles of gillyweed, and many other things even Harry didn't know of after the all the Potions classes he had. He began to look at the small cordials on the bottom shelf. "Amortentia… Draught of Living Death… Felix Felicis… Polyjuice Potion…" Harry went down the rows until, at last, he found a row of tiny little bottles labeled 'Veritaserum'. He took one of them, and looked at the clear liquid inside. Shocked at how easy it had been, Harry exited the store.

"Harry, you've found it!" piped a delighted Tonks.

"Well, let's get on with it, then" said McGonagall briskly as she closed the door and locked it with a wave of her wand. She quickly turned to Narcissa, who was still floating in mid-air. With a flick of her wand, McGonagall sent Narcissa floating to the ground. She had barely hit the ground when McGonagall muttered, "Ennervate!"

Narcissa opened her eyes slowly.

Harry quickly opened the bottle of Veritaserum and poured three drops into her mouth before she saw where she was. She blinked hard.

"Where are the rest of the horcruxes?" said Harry.

Narcissa looked at him. It almost seemed like she wasn't going to reply, but then she opened her mouth.

"The Dark Lord sent us to retrieve them. We couldn't find any of them. We knew where they had been located, but when we went to find them, they weren't there. They weren't anywhere near their hiding places. Of course, his pet snake is still with him. But still, he fears someone has destroyed all the rest."

Harry looked at Hermione. She looked back at him, awestruck. All the horcruxes were destroyed? But this meant his way to Voldemort was nearly clear! But… it didn't make sense! When he and Dumbledore went to the cave only a few months ago, there were still several to destroy. Who would have destroyed them?

"Who's destroyed them?"

"No one knows, even the Dark Lord does not. Whoever it is must be an extremely accomplished Occlumens, for even the Dark Lord cannot discover who it is."

Harry's mind was racing. Who could it be? Then, he remembered Draco.

"Where's Draco?"

Narcissa's eyes sparkled with tears as she spoke.

"Once Snape had killed Dumbledore, he and Draco fled directly to his home in Spinner's End. Snape had been blocking Voldemort's thoughts, but Draco was not strong enough. Voldemort discovered where he was and headed them off. He insisted that Snape give Draco to him. Snape was reluctant. But he gave in, and left immediately. I don't know where he went. I don't know what's happened to my son. I don't" She suddenly broke off, tears now streaming down her face.

Harry actually felt sorry for her.

"After Snape left, he and Wormtail left straight to Hogwarts. They are waiting for Harry Potter to come. They are acting on the prophecy. 'Neither can live while the other survives'…"

Harry's insides froze.

"My God" said Lupin softly.

McGonagall, Tonks, Hermione, Ginny and Luna gasped.

The corridor had gone extremely cold.

Hermione and Ginny grasped Harry's arm. They were shaking, both with cold and fear. Neville and Luna were standing behind Professor McGonagall. They looked absolutely terrified.

Suddenly, Harry heard slow, rattling breath coming from around the corner.

A dementor, gliding along, had turned the corner and was heading right towards him. He backed away, but suddenly Lupin leapt in front of him.

"No one here will be kissed by you, dementor." He said, raising his wand.

The dementor continued towards Harry.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A silver werewolf erupted from Lupin's wand and attacked the dementor. It flew backwards and soared away, becoming lost in the swarm of at least twenty dementors that had rounded the corner. Lupin and Tonks leapt in front of Harry, their wands raised. Moody and McGonagall guarded the others.

The dementors didn't seem to care. They wanted Harry.

The room was full of silver animals as they erupted from Lupin's wand and the others'. Dementors were flying this way and that, trying to get away from the animals.

Harry suddenly felt happy. "I'm going to save Draco." He thought. He's here. I know it. I'm going to save him from death…"

Before he could stop himself, he leapt to his feet, and raised his wand.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

An enormous silver stag burst out of Harry's wand, charging the dementors. One had nearly reached a petrified Hermione when it was struck in the face by an antler. The stag continued attacking all the dementors until they had all retreated away.

"Harry… that was the best Patronus I've ever seen!" Lupin exclaimed.

Harry didn't have time to reply. For another voice had spoken: A high, cold voice.

"Indeed, how impressive!"

Harry turned around.

Voldemort was standing at the end of the hall, hooded in a black cloak. His red cat-like eyes were still visible. Next to him, a short, balding, water-eyed man was standing, whimpering silently.

"Stop it, Wormtail" said Voldemort dangerously. "Potter, this is a pleasant surprise! I had expected you much later than this! Of course, Draco's torturing can wait." His eyes narrowed slightly and Harry thought he saw a smirk on his face. "I see you have brought others. Let me tell you that they were extremely foolish to come here tonight. No one will escape the wrath of Lord Voldemort while they are here. But, of course, I will not be alone. My faithful servants, Peter and Severus are here. And, I think I see one of them with you. That could not be dear Draco's mother, now, could it?"

Narcissa looked at him, mortified.

"I see you have spilled our secret, my dear" he said quietly, raising his wand. "Goodbye…"

No one could stop him.A jet of green light burst from his wand, striking her directly in the chest. She was blasted back through the air, landing with a crash at the end of the hall. Her eyes were wide open. She was dead.

"NO!" shouted Harry, except he was not the only one.

Draco had rounded the corner. He didn't look at all like the sneering Malfoy Harry remembered during school. Instead, his face was stained with tears. His face was paler than it had ever been. His hair was completely unkempt. Standing beside him was the greasy-haired Snape, who was determinedly not looking at Harry.

"Severus, what are you doing?" said Voldemort, extremely fiercely.

Snape bowed.

"I apologize, my Lord" he said silkily. A new wave of anger came over Harry. "He wanted to come see who the dementors were feeding on. He had hoped it might be Potter here."

Harry noticed Snape sounded extremely truthful. He actually believed him at first, until he looked at Draco. He was looking at Harry, his eyes wide with shock.

"Unfortunately, Potter has managed to create a Patronus unlike any other and none of them were able to feed on him. But, now you will take him away, Severus, while I finish these fools off. As soon as I am finished, I will torture him."

Snape made one more bow and grabbed Draco by the collar and hauled him away. Harry watched them go, angered terribly. Looking back at Voldemort, he took a step toward him and spoke.

"You filth" he said, through gritted teeth. "How could you torture him? He's completely innocent! How do you expect a 16 year-old to just kill his headmaster like that? When he's never had any experience?"

Voldemort smiled.

"Surely, you know I have no emotion, Harry. But of course, I seek power, and that is all."

"You're sick!"

"I think it is you who are sick, Potter. Have you not seen the full extent of my powers? No? My goodness, what a surprise this is!"

Voldemort raised his wand.

"Crucio!"

Harry screamed in pain. Voldemort relinquished the spell as a streak of silver light flashed from McGonagall's wand. He deflected it in an instant, leaving a crater in the wall beside him.

"NO!" screamed Hermione as she fell to the ground by Harry, who was panting and twitching.

"You fool" said Lupin softly, taking a step towards Voldemort. "You are blinded"

"'Love is the most powerful thing'" interrupted Voldemort . "I always knew Dumbledore was out of his mind. Oh, yes, I always knew."

"Oh, don't worry" said Hermione in a shaky voice, turning her eyes from Harry's to Voldemort's, "He wasn't the only one who made us see."

"Yes, I'm sure your dear blood-traitor friend Ronald Weasley taught you a thing or two. Perhaps you have learned that not everyone can achieve what I have. Indeed, your love for him has blinded you. Of course, you will find the truth of your actions in hell."

"STUPEFY!"

A jet of scarlet light burst from Ginny's wand. Voldemort watched lazily as it missed his head by several inches. Ginny advanced on Voldemort, her wand raised, her eyes both sparkling and burning, and her teeth clenched.

"YOU FOUL BEAST! WHAT REWARD HAVE YOU FOUND BY ALL THIS?"

Voldemort merely smirked.

"Dear girl, you are looking at it now! And if I were you, I would not come within ten paces of me, lest you dare risk your life."

Harry had had enough. With help from Hermione, he got to his feet. He picked up his wand from the ground and pointed it directly at Voldemort.

"I've had enough of you" he said. "Ron was the best friend anyone could have. You are the one who is blinded."

Hermione began to sob.

"KILL HIM!" she shrieked.

Everyone else did not need telling twice. The whole corridor echoed with shouts and bangs as spells streamed in all directions. Luna, McGonagall, Neville and Moody were knocked unconscious. Voldemort still stood in the exact same position he had been before, seeming rather bored with what had just happened. Wormtail still stood by his side, now moaning. Harry raised his wand –as did Hermione, Ginny, Tonks and Lupin – at Voldemort.

"My friends, is it really any use to attack me?" said Voldemort in a high voice. "You know that it will only hurt you."

Harry laughed.

"I'd like to see if you can survive the Avada Kedavra curse."

"Do I detect a hint of pride in your voice, boy?" said Voldemort, smiling, but clenching his wand a little tighter and shifting slightly.

"I'm not perfect" said Harry, "But I want peace in the world. And without you is as peaceful as it will get, as far as I'm concerned."

Voldemort smiled, and took a few more steps closer to Harry.

"I do not deny it would. But don't you know that the world is nothing with others in it? To control the world, to have it all your own, wouldn't that be so much more rewarding?"

"ENOUGH!" bellowed Moody.

A jet of red light shot from his wand. The spell glanced off Voldemort's hand, and struck Tonks in the face. With a moan of pain, she fell backwards, unconscious. Lupin fell to his knees beside her.

"HARRY! GO!" cried Hermione, raising her wand. Ginny, Moody and Lupin did the same. Voldemort sighed with boredom.

"EXPE"
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Ginny dodged the jet of green light just in time.

Hate arose in Harry that he had never known. He threw himself upon Voldemort with all the strength he could muster, and miraculously, Voldemort was not prepared. Harry knocked Voldemort to the ground. He fell on top of him, but was blasted off him immediately. He hit the wall hard, and fell on his stomach.

"HARRY!"

Jinxes were flying like fireworks from Hermione's wand. Voldemort deflected all of them he could and leapt up, deflecting the others. His face was now twisted with anger, and maybe a bit of disbelief.

"HARRY! GO! GO!" Hermione cried, dodging a killing curse from Voldemort. Ginny was firing all the hexes she could think of, dodging other hexes in turn. Lupin had bound Wormtail in ropes, and was just performing the Stunning spell. Harry scrambled to his feet.

"NO!" cried Voldemort.

"IMPEDIMENTA!" bellowed Moody.

"Incendio!" shouted Lupin.

Harry didn't see if the spells had struck their target: He was running as fast as he could in the opposite direction; he didn't stop running until he was completely out of sight.