The Enemy Numbers Grow

"What are you doing?" Neville asked sleepily.

Ron looked over. He was sitting on his bed with the curtains open wide. Dean and Seamus were asleep already, but Ron couldn't relax. Where had Harry gone? And why was it taking him so long? He had noticed that Harry often disappeared on Wednesday nights and didn't come back until one in the morning. But after the First Task, Harry had disappeared to go see Dumbledore for a reason Harry hadn't told them yet. Then Friday he had disappeared all night, and now it was Sunday and he had disappeared again.

"Where does Harry go this late at night?" Ron asked in frustration. "He's staying out more and more often lately."

"If he wanted us to know, he'd tell us," Neville sat up, no longer sleepy. He was still angry at Ron for the way he had acted. Harry had been very brave to tell him a bit about the Dursleys. How could Ron turn on Harry over a stupid competition? He wouldn't even listen when Harry tried to tell him it wasn't his fault. Now Ron wanted to know everything like he had a right to it.

Ron must have read some of this off of Neville's round face because he flushed. "Neville, I'm just worried about him."

"You weren't worried about him when his name came out of the goblet!" Neville glared.

"I said I was sorry about that," Ron snapped defensively.

"Yeah, okay," Neville rolled his eyes and lay down, turning his back to the redhead.

"Look, Neville, I really am sorry for how I acted," Ron leaned forward. His heart was pounding in his chest with both shame and desperation to make Neville understand why he had acted the way that he had. "I was always worried about Harry. I thought he put his name in the goblet to prove something, especially after what he told us about how he grew up. It made me so mad to think he was doing something so dangerous when he shouldn't feel he had to! And then I was so mad he wouldn't even tell me the truth and I felt so helpless. I wanted to help him, but he wouldn't let me. I didn't know what to do."

"But he didn't do it," Neville sighed.

"I know that now," Ron bowed his head in defeat. "Really, I do know that, but I didn't then. I'm sorry. I was stupid."

"Yes, you were." Neville sat up again to face the redhead in the other bed. "Harry's fine, Ron. He just needs time to himself sometimes. When he gets stressed out, he just needs to think and relax. Don't worry about it. He'll tell us when he needs help."

"He might tell you," Ron groused. "I still have to prove that I'm his friend again."

"Well…" Neville shrugged.

"I know. I deserve it and I'm not giving up."

"Yeah, me neither," Neville smiled. "But Harry can take care of himself most of the time."

Ron grinned lopsidedly, "But I still worry."

Neville laughed and they both lay back in their beds. Ron looked over at Harry's empty bed and felt buoyant for the first time in months. It had been hard fighting with Harry. He knew it was all his fault and that made the distance worse. But now he felt hopeful for the first time that things might go back to normal.

Silas chose that moment to come sneaking into the room. He crept to his bed, feeling achy and exhausted. His movements were stiff. Ron sat up with a frown and asked if he was alright. Neville remained laying back, but his brown eyes were filled with concern.

"I'm fine," Silas snapped tiredly. "Go to sleep."

"You look hurt," Ron argued. He moved to get out of bed.

"I just need sleep," Silas glared coldly. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get some."

Ron went red and looked very stubborn.

"If he doesn't feel well tomorrow, I'm sure he'll go see Pomfrey," Neville chimed in.

"Sure thing," Silas drawled sarcastically. He got into bed and pulled the curtain shut firmly.

Ron opened his mouth to say something, to protest most likely, but Neville shot him a meaningful look and shook his head. Ron hesitated. He knew Neville was closer to Harry at this point and he probably knew a lot more than him. Ron really didn't think Neville would let Harry hurt himself. He sighed and lay down. But if Harry still acted hurt tomorrow, he would make sure his friend went to see the nurse, even if he couldn't get Harry to tell him what happened.

xXxXxXx

Harry woke Monday morning feeling like he would pay a thousand galleons to stay in bed. Groaning, he stared up at Ron. The redhead had pulled open his bed curtains and bright morning light was streaming into his face. He sat up and shuffled grumpily over to his trunk to get out his school robes. He was too distracted to notice how his friend watched his every move.

Sy? Are you alright?

Fine, the Slytherin drawled. But Harry could almost feel the waves of fatigue coming off of the Core alter.

Maybe you should get some rest.

I plan to as soon as you leave me alone, Silas growled.

Did it work? Harry asked tentatively.

Yeah, it worked. Silas smiled. And better yet, they were able to change the portkey spell over to Demon. If he comes Out when we don't want him to, we can force him into his werewolf form. And we can send him back In whenever we want with the deactivation phrase. Of course, we'll need someone on the Outside to say them. So we should consider telling Neville what the phases are. Severus and Remus already know them.

I want to tell Sirius as well, Harry said firmly.

I can't stop you, Silas said stiffly. He obviously wasn't thrilled with the idea, but at least he wasn't putting up too much of a fight.

What about Ron and Hermione? Harry felt torn about telling his friends. Hermione hadn't taken the news about Dumbledore's failings very well. And even though he had forgiven Ron for his reaction about the goblet, but he was now weary about telling them more in case they should react badly again.

If you tell them, I'm telling Serpentine, Silas threatened.

Harry frowned deeply and began buttoning up his robes. Sy, if you want to tell him, go ahead. I trust you. That wasn't a good threat. You can even tell him and, if you really think it's a bad idea, I won't tell Ron and Hermione. I was just asking your opinion on how they are likely to react. I know I'll have to explain my condition for them to understand the significance of the portkey and I'm wondering if I should just save all that for the summer.

I don't think you should tell them at all, Silas snapped. He was confused about why he had brought up Serpentine at all. He must be very tired for him to be making such ridiculous mistakes. But he was even more bothered by Harry's acceptance of the mysterious Slytherin. Gabriel would have been yelling and demanding to know who Serpentine was by now. Silas had underestimated Harry's trust in him, and that trust had carried over when Gabriel had merged.

Feeling off balance and not quite up to his normal speed, Silas made a strategic retreat. I'm going to sleep. Don't tell Hermione, at least. She might go running to the Headmaster. Wait for summer.

Alright. Harry smiled fondly. Get some sleep, Sy.

Moron, Silas grumbled and his presence shrank in Harry's mind.

"You alright, mate?" Ron asked worriedly. "I said we have to go if we want to make it to breakfast."

"Oh," Harry smiled. "Sorry about that. I… I had a strange dream and was just thinking about it. Come on. Let's go. I'm starved!"

Ron laughed and followed his friend from the dorm.

xXxXxXx

Ron and Hermione were walking a bit ahead of Harry and Neville. Breakfast was over and they were heading to their first class. Neville tugged at Harry's sleeve and the boys slowed their pace still further. Harry was grinning and talking in a rushed whisper, telling Neville all about last night and how the portkey was retied to Demon. Neville was soon smiling happily back and the two boys went on with an extra bounce in their step.

"What's gotten into you two?" Hermione smiled, looking over her shoulder.

"Yeah, what's up?" Ron slowed to walk beside them.

"Nothing," Harry smiled innocently. "I'll tell you later."

Luckily, they were joined by the Slytherins coming out to Hagrid's for Care of Magical Creatures and the topic was dropped. With the skrewts as the main focus of the class, no one was particularly eager to begin, but now that it was December and the weather had turned decidedly cold and blustery, it was even more unpleasant. Even the Gryffindors were scowling behind their scarves by the time they got to Hagrid's hut.

"I'm not sure whether they hibernate or not," Hagrid boomed over the wind. "Thought we'd jus' try an' see if they fancied a kip… We'll jus' settle 'em down in these boxes."

There were only ten skrewts left. The others having been killed fighting, but their size made up for their lack of numbers. They were about six feet long and their stingers and biting mouths had grown as well. A group of Slytherins ran off to Hagrid's hut to avoid the lesson, and that said a lot about their dislike of the creatures. The Slytherins did refer to Hagrid's home as a filthy hovel, after all. By the end of class, everyone who hadn't run away had nasty burns, bites, and stings - Seamus and Lavender had to be sent to the Hospital Wing - and it was decided that skrewts did not hibernate and they definitely did not like being shut up in boxes.

"Well, well, well… This does look like fun," Rita Skeeter smiled sharply. She was leaning against the end of Hagrid's fence and had ambushed them as they were walking back to Hogwarts.

The group of students all jumped at the sound of her voice. No one had noticed her standing there until she had spoken. In Harry's defense, he was running on little energy, had just battled skrewts for two hours, and was half frozen through. He made up for his lack of attention by whipping out his wand and aiming it right at her head.

"Now, now, Harry. Is that anyway to greet a lady?" Rita cooed sweetly.

Harry had no idea how he had missed the infuriating woman. She was hard to miss, wearing a thick magenta cloak with a furry purple collar and carrying her huge crocodile-skin handbag. He was about to growl something at her, when someone beat him to it.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Skeeter. Is someone else with you?" Draco Malfoy drawled lazily, leaning sideways as if to see behind the woman.

The Slytherins snickered at their leader's wit, but the Gryffindors were too busy staring in shock to make a sound. Rita's face turned a horrible red and her carefully curled blonde hair that had yet to move once in the strong wind began to unravel just a bit. Harry grinned victoriously at the horrible woman. She opened her red-lipped mouth to say something scathing, no doubt, but was interrupted as Hagrid came hurrying over, making the ground quiver under his weight.

"Here, now. What's happenin' over 'ere?" he boomed. "An' who're you?"

Rita's face lost it's ugly look and turned sweet once more, her golden front teeth flashing delicately in the sun. She stepped away from the fence and offered her hand to the friendly half-giant. "Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter."

"Thought Dumbledore said you weren' allowed inside the school anymore," Hagrid frowned.

Rita ignored that, "What are these fascinating creatures called?"

Of course, Hagrid was soon caught up talking about his latest beloved creature. Harry growled and went to interrupt the bitch's manipulation of his friend, but Neville grabbed his arm.

"Don't bother, Harry," his brother whispered. "Hagrid can take care of himself."

"Yeah, come on, mate," Ron said tossed his head at the school and rubbing at his arms for warmth.

"Oh, I hope Hagrid didn't get those skrewts illegally," Hermione fretted.

"Hagrid's been in loads of trouble before, and Dumbledore's never sacked him. He'll be fine," Ron said confidently through chattering teeth. "Worst that can happen is Hagrid'll have to get rid of the skrewts. Sorry… Did I say worst? I meant best."

Neville and Hermione laughed at that, but Harry had a bad feeling about Hagrid going to that interview, so he sent his friends on ahead and waited for Hagrid to get done talking to Skeeter. It didn't take long. Once she got what she came for, she was rather eager to leave. Harry glared fiercely at her back and trotted up to Hagrid's side.

"Be careful, Hagrid. She's a nasty one. Watch what you say 'cause she can twist your words out of context," he said earnestly, looking up at his friend.

"I won' be sayin' anything bad, 'arry. Now you get on up ta school. You got classes and lunch to go to."

"Bye, Hagrid." Harry sighed and waved.

The half-giant waved happily back, his attention already wandering back to his skrewts. Harry had only gone five steps when he heard Hagrid begin to coo and talked to them. Still worried but feeling a bit better, Harry hurried up to the school. His friends chatted happily over lunch and soon Harry forgot about Hagrid and Skeeter.

The boys separated from Hermione to go to Divination and they had a fun two hours, snickering about the loony teacher's predictions. It was times like these that Harry would watch Neville and could almost think his brother was fine. But then his face would lose a moment of animation and his dark brown eyes would turn glassy and haunted. Harry felt a pang in his chest as the fear always hovering at the corners of his mind speared through him. He wouldn't let Neville die. They would find a way to help him.

xXxXxXx

"Do you think we'll find her here?" Ron asked as they stepped into the library after dinner.

"Where else would she be?" Neville asked.

"And what besides books would distract her from coming to eat?" Harry smiled.

But the library was practically empty. Only Viktor Krum was there studying and a group of five girls were hiding behind a bookcase watching him and giggling softly. Madam Pince was watching them very sternly over her small square glasses so they weren't brave enough to make too much noise. Ron went red in the face with embarrassment and excitement as Harry walked calmly up to the Seeker and sat next to him.

"Hey, Viktor," Harry smiled. "What are you studying?"

"Harry," Viktor scowled.

Ron swallowed audibly. Neville rolled his eyes at the redhead and sat across from Harry, forcing Ron to take the seat across from Viktor. Harry kicked Ron under the table and gave him a warning glare. The redhead blushed harder, but he shut his mouth.

"Have you seen Hermione in here? She didn't come down to dinner," Harry asked his friend.

"I 'ave not seen her," Viktor answered without looking up from his book.

"Oh. Have you figured out the egg yet? I haven't really had time to take a good look at it."

"The clue is most difficult," Viktor acknowledged. He looked up from his book and gave a half-smile to the smaller brunette. "I am certain two heads are better van one. Perhaps ve can study it in private."

"That would be great," Harry smiled. "How about this weekend?"

"That is vell," Viktor nodded. "I vill meet you 'ere."

"Alright. Well, we're going to go look for Hermione. See you later." Harry stood and the other two boys followed his lead.

"See you, Harry," Viktor answered with his eyes on the book once more.

As soon as they stepped outside the library, Ron was on Harry, demanding to know when he had befriended the best Seeker in the world and if Harry would get him an autograph. Harry refused, saying that he wasn't going to bother Viktor with something like that since the Seeker hated it. Ron pouted the rest of the way back to the Tower. Leaving Neville and Harry to talk about the Second Task. None of them were expecting to be mobbed by an overexcited Hermione as soon as the portrait swung open.

"Harry! Ron!" She grabbed a hold of them. "Oh, you've got to come quick! The most amazing thing's happened - Oh, come on!"

The three boys shared a curious glance. Harry and Ron allowed her to drag them down to the first floor while Neville trailed behind. Harry began to have an idea what this was about when they stopped in front of a portrait with a bowl of fruit. Hermione released them to tickle the pear and then they were all stepping through.

The kitchen was huge. Ten stoves sat at the back, half of them were cooking. There were cupboards full of food, cold storage containers, tables with knives and bowls and utensils. About a hundred elves were rushing busily and happily about. Hermione ignored them and the elves ignored her. Harry found that curious since every time he had stepped into the kitchen at home, Omi was all over him in a second.

"They are annoyed with me," Hermione admitted easily. "I've been questioning them about their lives and how they could be made better. They feel a bit put out about it."

Ron snorted, but she ignored him.

"Look!" She pointed at the back corner by a huge fireplace.

Harry took in the two elves. The male had on about three shirts, seven socks, and a tea cozy on his head. The female was wearing a shrunken blue pleated skirt and white blouse. She was sobbing her eyes out. They both looked familiar and he narrowed his eyes.

"Is that Winky?" Neville asked.

Yes, it is, Silas answered and his voice was tight with suspicion. What is she doing here?

"Winky? Dobby?" Hermione crouched down before the two elves.

The male elf looked up and had large luminous green eyes. "Mister Harry Potter sir!" The elf jumped to his feet only to come crashing down around Harry's ankles. "Oh, I be so happy to be helping Mister Harry Potter!"

"Ah… Hello, Dobby…" Harry shifted his feet and tried to pry the elf off. "Wait… I remember now. You're that elf that tried to keep me from coming to Hogwarts in Second Year. You're Lucius Malfoy's elf."

"No, Harry Potter sir. I be a free elf. Yous thought up the plan to free me, Master Dumbledore be telling me. Harry Potter be a great good wizard, he is. I be a free elf because of him. So is Winky being! She be a free elf and Dobby found her while he be looking for a job. You see, sir, it is very difficult for a house-elf who has been dismissed to get a new position, sir, very difficult indeed."

Winky's sobs turned into howls of misery. Hermione was hovering over her, pleading for her not to cry and asking what she needed. The brown-eyed elf ignored her completely. Dobby ignored them both and just spoke louder.

"Dobby has traveled the country for two whole years, sir, but Dobby hasn't found work because Dobby be asking for paying now." The other house-elves winced and edged away at this, but Dobby continued on happily. "And then, Harry Potter, Dobby goes to visit Winky and finds out Winky has been freed too, sir!"

Winky flung herself off the stool and lay prostrate as she sobbed into the sooty kitchen floor. Hermione pried at her to get her up, but the elf was stronger than she looked and remained right where she was. Dobby was grinning madly and had to shout to be heard over her noise.

"And then Dobby had the idea, Harry Potter, sir! 'Why doesn't Dobby and Winky find work together?' Dobby says. 'Where is there enough work for two house-elves?' says Winky. And Dobby thinks, and it comes to Dobby, sir! Hogwarts! So Dobby and Winky came to see Master Dumbledore, sir, and Master Dumbledore took us on! And he be even paying both of us!"

Winky sat up, falling silent, and glared furiously at Dobby. "Winky is a disgraced elf, but Winky is not yet getting paid! Winky is not sunk so low as that! Winky is properly ashamed of being freed!"

"Ashamed?" Hermione gasped, horrified. "But- Winky, come on! It's Mr. Crouch who should be ashamed, not you! You didn't do anything wrong, he was really horrible to you -"

But at these words, Winky clasped her hands over her ears. "You is not insulting my master, miss! You is not insulting Mr. Crouch! Mr. Crouch is a good wizard, miss! Mr. Crouch is right to sack bad Winky!"

"Winky is having trouble adjusting, Harry Potter," squeaked Dobby confidentially. "Winky forgets she is not bound to Mr. Crouch anymore."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. They spent the next few minutes just talking to Winky and Dobby. Hermione was doing all she could to make the little elf feel better, she even told Winky about Mr. Crouch sometimes coming to Hogwarts. This did cheer the elf immensely. Neville and Ron watched all this silently. Elves came over and offered tea. Both boys accepted gratefully, but Harry was too busy talking to Silas to notice.

There is something strange about Winky coming here now of all times, Silas was saying. I'm going to look into this tonight.

What are you thinking? Harry asked.

I'll let you know when I found anything out.

Sy, tell me, Harry growled, frustrated.

I think Crouch sent her here, Silas relented.

Why would he do that? Do you think he's working with Voldemort?

Of course, Silas said easily.

You'll let me know what you find out? Harry demanded.

I won't keep you in the dark about something that could be threatening us, Silas glared.

Good, Harry nodded firmly.

xXxXxXx

"What's going on?" Draco asked as he stepped into Myrtle's bathroom. He was curious as hell as to what could have made Silas ask to meet him on Monday instead of their usual Wednesday, especially since they had met last Friday.

"Crouch Sr.'s house-elf has been hired to work here," Silas got straight to the point. He straightened from the wall and led the blonde back out into the corridor. "I want to question her, but don't know interrogation spells for elves. I figured since you are a perfect, spoiled, little Pureblood, you'd be able to help me."

"I am not little," Draco glared playfully. "You're a good three inches shorter than me, Potter."

"Not where it counts," Silas smirked. "Come on."

Draco laughed and followed his friend down to the kitchens. He eyes were bright with excitement. He loved intrigue and secrets. He was never happier than when he was sneaking around and plotting. Silas knew all this, of course, and he smiled fondly to himself. Draco was like a little kid sometimes, but he was also brilliant and inventive. That made his quirky personality tolerable. He wondered when Draco would figure out that this was not a game and that Silas' life, at least, depended on this.

They got to the kitchen and found most of the elves sleeping. Silas crept over to Dobby and Winky. He shook Winky's shoulder and her eyes popped open. Silas placed a finger to his lips and gestured for her to follow him. The little elf didn't seem like she wanted to. Draco stepped in and whispered that Dumbledore needed her and didn't want to alert the other elves so had sent them to get her quietly. Winky's eyes went wide and she stood quickly and followed them out.

They led her to an empty classroom. Draco snapped out spells and the little elf was flung into a chair and bound there. Before she could struggle or bring her magic to bear, the blonde snapped out a third spell. The incantation was long, taking about two seconds to incant, and Draco was almost too slow. The bindings were snapped by Winky's magic before she suddenly stopped and went docile in the chair.

"What was that?" Silas asked lazily. He stood by the door, his arms crossed and watching everything with cool green eyes.

Draco kept his body facing the elf, but turned his head to the side so Silas could see his smile in profile. "The beginning of the geas that binds house-elves to a wizarding family. It neutralizes their magic and relaxes their minds into a impressionable state." Then he was facing forward again, his wand tip making tight circles in front of the elf as he began questioning her.

"Do you serve a Master?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Crouch and Dumbledore."

"So you weren't freed?" Silas spoke up, but didn't move from his position.

"I was freed, but not unbound to my master, Crouch. I wish to serve and make him happy so I obeyed his order to get into Hogwarts. I am now under the service of Dumbledore and still bound to Crouch."

"Why did he order you to come to Hogwarts?" Draco asked, his gray eyes bright and pinned to his prey.

Winky blinked her large brown eyes, her face slack. She did not answer. Draco shook his head and moved on to a different question.

"Does Dumbledore know you are not bound to him?"

"No. Dobby helped me conceal it."

"Why?" Silas narrowed his eyes.

"He is not protected against wizard magic because he is free and unbound. He was therefore able to be placed under the Imperius Curse. My master ordered him to do all he could to ensure my position here."

"Is he still under the influence?" Draco's wand was beginning to quiver in his hand.

"No. It was broken as soon as he was bound to Dumbledore and protected from all magic except for his master's."

"Tell me about Crouch Jr.," Draco demanded tightly.

Again Winky was silent.

"Forget you were ever brought here and questioned," the blonde said through gritted teeth and his wand slashed down.

Winky blinked once more and then with a crack she disappeared.

"Where did she go?" Silas asked. He came away from the door and helped Draco sit in the chair the elf had just left.

"The kitchens, most likely," Draco answered, wiping sweat from his forehead. He looked up at his friend and some of his childish excitement drained away. His face had a serious cast that was rare for him.

Silas smiled grimly in response, "So… Crouch sent his elf to Hogwarts to do something."

"We can't kill it." Draco tapped a long finger on his thigh. "Only an elf's bonded master can kill one."

"Getting rid of it would only tip off Crouch that we know something is up," Silas shook his head, frowning. "No, we need to do something else."

"We need a way of watching it," Draco nodded. "Was that Dobby? My father's house-elf?"

"Yeah. Dumbledore tricked Lucius into freeing it. Why?" Silas glanced down at his friend.

"I think I might have some sway over him still. There should be a faint remnant of the bond that held him to the Malfoy family that I can tap into."

"And he practically worships Harry." Silas' mouth slowly curled in a very devious smirk. But it was quickly wiped clear and neutral as he called out, "Dobby!"

A few seconds elapsed before there was a soft crack and a sleepy, crazily dressed elf stood before them. He blinked his lime green eyes and his face split into a joyful, toothy grin. "Harry Potter sir!"

"Hello, Dobby. I'm sorry for calling so late," Silas said sweetly. Draco covered his mouth to hide his grin. The movement drew the elf's attention and it's eyes got even bigger. "Dobby, this is my friend, Draco Malfoy. I'm sure you know him."

"I do, Harry Potter sir!" The elf quivered with emotion.

"He isn't going to hurt you," Silas reassured.

"I'm not my father, Dobby," Draco agreed. He tried to look as innocent as possible and wasn't sure how well he was succeeding.

"Look, Dobby, I have reason to believe that Winky was sent here by bad wizards," Silas said seriously. "I believe you were made to bring her here and help her hide the fact that she isn't unbound from Crouch. I need your help badly. I'm afraid she might hurt me."

"Winky wouldn't hurt great Harry Potter!" Dobby shouted.

"Even if she was ordered to by Crouch?" Silas countered. The elf didn't say anything. "I just want you to watch her for me. I might be wrong. That's why I don't want anyone else to learn what I fear Winky is up to. Just watch her and let me know if she does anything suspicious. Please, Dobby?"

"It would mean a lot to us, Dobby," Draco chimed in.

The elf looked from one fourteen year old boy to the other. His mouth was down in a frown, but he nodded. "I will watch Winky, sirs."

"Thank you so much, Dobby," Silas smiled at the elf and Dobby seemed to relax at the expression.

"Do you be needing anything else, sir?" Dobby offered.

"No, but thank you." Silas kept smiling.

The elf nodded and left with a crack. Silas' expression melted and he turned to look at his friend. Draco was staring at the place the elf had left. He looked worried.

"Do you think that will be enough?" Silas asked him.

"I don't know," Draco shook his head and met the other teen's eyes. "You'll just have to be extra careful, Silas. And Harry, too."

"I'm always careful," Silas answered as he moved passed the blonde.

"Goodnight," Draco said as they parted ways in the corridor. "You look exhausted."

"Thanks," Silas drawled and waved once over his shoulder.

Chapter end.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I was unsure where I wanted to go with this story and I had summer school. Now I'm with my family in Colorado and don't have regular access to the computer. Chapters will come more regularly, but until August first they will probably come every two weeks. Once August comes, I'll post every week.