Disclaimer: The same as the previous chapters.

Chapter 61

Severus and Harry walked through the door without much of a trouble with their wands held in their hands, but when It was Draco's turn things did not go so smoothly. No sooner had he stepped in, the door swung behind him and something grabbed him from all sides. The others tried to fire spells but nothing worked. They watched in horror, as something dragged him up the door close to the ceiling. Severus and Harry helplessly watched with ashen faces as the sight of Three Knights of the Undead, hovering around the frightened man plastered against the wall. One ghost was holding him up by the end of his robes and the two below had their axes, oh, yes axes trained on his neck.

"Hobs, I say, we must have his head."

"Knobs, I was telling all along, this blondie here was the ferret."

The ghost holding him up chortled," and he does weigh like a ferret. Beats me! Lads, Missy's got the hots for him, geez!"

"Fobs, I tell you, again and again, Love is stone blind, can't see a thing. Fall for a ferret, pine for a ferret, and what's he end up like, A flossy peacock! Stop fluttering out there. Now, Now, no point crying like a whiny baby, you get to go and join those gents down there if you answer the question right. Nod, if you heard me, lad?" Knobs stated gruffly.

Both Harry and Snape watch Draco nod desperately gulping down hard, trying not to yell out. Harry noticed that unlike all the other ghosts these were stout and shorter in stature. He also noticed how Snape was just standing by him, with his wand lowered and watching the ghosts with a tiny curl creeping up his lips. When he noticed Harry looked up at him, he mouthed the word, "Dwarves."

Harry snapped his head back at the scene in front of him and bit his cheek, trying hard not to laugh. Only Fobs, the brutish ghost, who was keeping Malfoy hoisted up against the wall, winked back at him, making him laugh and cough both.

Severus rolled his eyes and snapped at Draco," Stop fidgeting, its unbecoming of you, think first and then answer."

Knobs bobbed his head and turned half to offer the Headmaster a toothy smile," Yay! That's a bit of advice this lad should count on," turning back, he cleared his throat and the action made his bones rattle, making the three alive wizards shudder. On a serious tone, he asked," Now, here's your riddle Lad:

I can break, I can be clogged, I can be attacked, I can be given, I can be kept, I can be crushed, yet I can be whole at the same time. What am I?

The house went eerily quiet and it seemed after an eon had Malfoy managed to utter with fresh tears falling down his eyes, "Heart, the answer is a heart." Fobs gently lowered him to the ground while Snape and Harry rushed to his side. Panting hard, Malfoy tried to catch his breath, wiping his face at his sleeves.

But his eyes went wide, and he pressed against Snape with renewed dread. Harry did not have much time to act, because the three dwarf ghosts were now surrounding him and raising their chin on the long handle of their axes, they were looking back at him thoughtfully. It was Hobs who spoke with forlorn look on his face," Took you too long, Lad, too long I say, and you call yourself friend," spitting at his feet," but Missy warns us to be considerate, so answer to the question, boy,

'You can't keep this until you have given it'."

Draco had stood up but was still holding on to Snape, who had sucked his breath. Potter lowered his head in shame and mumbled the reply," A promise. You need to give a promise to keep it in the first place."

Knobs patted his shoulder and encouraged," From now on remember that."

The three stout ghosts then turned to stand in front of Severus and bowed their head with respect. Fobs stepped forward and asked," Honourable Headmaster, ya, son, I watched you grow with these very hollow eyes. You were so full of promise and also horribly misunderstood and misguided. And see, Have far you have come. And young Miss, it is an honour to serve her. I can only let you all pass when all three of you have answered our riddles."

Tilting his head towards Draco, he chuckled," ferret or not, that's a keeper I say."

Looking over his shoulder, motioning towards Harry, he huffed," Slow, but dotting, comes to his senses in time."

Turning back, he stubbed his axes twice on the ground in between his feet and addressed Snape," Remember you will have many tests to pass through, but we have only one riddle for you. And of course don't miss the lilies, pretty very pretty, I say. Now, Now, tell me,

If you have me, you want to share me. If you share me, you haven't got me. What am I?"

The stoic headmaster closed his eyes, trying hard to rein his thoughts. These ghosts were hinting at so many things, that he was sure the Grangers' residence would be nothing less than an emotional rollercoaster. From here, he would have to go to the ministry, visit Hermione office, and then the archives as well, where Remus would be waiting for them. And he had a premonition, that once again he might have to go back to the hospital tonight.

Slowly opening his eyes, he kneeled before the dwarves and nodded in admission," It is a secret. But I am proud to recognize Hermione as my daughter." The dwarves who were strategically blocking their way stood apart and gestured them to walk through the hallway.

Draco noticed they were following the three of them and once they entered the living area, the wizards were forced to stand still, mesmerized. Right next to the fireplace, sat a tall Knight of the Undead. But this one was a woman with long flowing hair that poured out in abundance. She sat polishing her long sword. Without even turning at the newcomers, she spoken is a singsong voice," Love is a bittersweet song, what do our three guests have to say about this painting, here, Ay?"

Standing up, she hovered away. She gestured at Snape to step forward and study the large painting hanging over the Granger fireplace. Harry and Draco on the other hand noticed how sparely the space was furnished. As if instead of a loving family, here lived a griefing and hopeless individual who was not happy memories to frame. Granger was a name synonymous with books. And even the long bookshelves on both the sides of the fireplace were bare. The was just a rug below their feet and Harry noticed, strained rings of coffee mug next to the edges. All to himself, he mumbled," Where have all the furniture, books, and knickknacks gone?"