Disclaimer: The following characters, settings and referenced events are, and always will be, the property of J K Rowling.

– CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO –

Where Angels Fear to Tread

The next day, Harry allowed himself to sleep in late (he hadn't returned to school until almost dawn) and then, after packing, he had gone downstairs to find the school half empty. Despite McGonagall's warning, several Slytherins – very much in the majority since the departure of large numbers of the other houses – had done their best to cause trouble by staging a re-enactment of the Ministry disaster on the school lawns mid-morning. As a result, several members of that house were now in the hospital wing with cabbages stuffed over their heads, emptying the corridors and grounds even further.

Leaving Ron, Hermione and Ginny playing chess in the common room, Harry wandered listlessly around the school, unable to settle to anything, his head full of Voldemort. By late afternoon, he found himself down by the lake, not far from the spot where he used to sit with Ron and Hermione. Not wanting to return to the castle (and all those morbid faces), it seemed as good a place as any to spend the remaining time until Lupin arrived. He headed down to the shore.

'Oh!' He stopped, surprised, and stared at the person sitting in his spot. 'I didn't know anybody was here.' He turned to go.

'It's OK,' said Luna. 'You can sit here. I don't mind; I could use the company.' She took a final bite of the apple she was eating and tossed the core into the lake, then gazed out across the water, like a lonely eastern god contemplating the world and the way it turned. But where gods attracted flocks of followers, Luna's philosophies of life tended to drive people away. Harry sighed. Perhaps those same crazy views would help him make sense of the jumble inside his head.

'Of course, if you don't want to, I'll understand.' Luna was now looking at Harry, squinting against the glare of the sun slowly lowering behind him. Feeling his face growing warm, Harry sat down.

'So,' said Luna.

'So.' Harry gazed back at her, unsure how to proceed. Perhaps this wasn't such a good idea.

'Do you think you'll manage to destroy Voldemort?'

Harry's jaw dropped. 'You … you just said …'

'His name?' Luna finished his question for him. 'Professor Dumbledore always said fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself. And it is only a name. I wanted to say it, just once, before I die.'

'Die?' A small trickle ran down Harry's spine.

'He's coming here.'

Harry's stomach felt heavy. 'Who's coming?'

'Voldemort, of course.' Luna gazed at him, unblinking.

'How –?'

'Don't treat me like everyone else does, Harry, like I'm stupid or something. I'm in Ravenclaw, so that means I'm pretty smart. I got really good grades last year. Not that you need to be overly brainy to figure out that Voldemort is coming. It's simple logic, really.

'He's terrorising the entire country, he managed to break almost a dozen Death Eaters out of Azkaban and he's just destroyed the Ministry of Magic. The only place he hasn't attacked yet is Hogwarts. I thought he was going to do it last year after Professor Dumbledore died, but he didn't. And then I realised you weren't here. Now that Dumbledore's dead, the only thing here which would really be worth his while breaking through all the security to get at is you. So yes, he's going to try to kill you and he's going to do it here. At Hogwarts.'

Harry stared at Luna, stunned. 'You worked all that out … on your own?'

She gave a small self-satisfied smile. 'Mmm. And both Firenze and Professor Trelawney have said that a great battle shall be joined here.'

Harry's opinion of Luna deflated immediately. 'Well, if they both said so, then it must be true.'

'You know, you're not nearly as likeable when you're having a go at someone.' Luna's tone didn't cool at all but Harry still felt a pang of guilt. 'Besides, Firenze isn't too bad; centaurs are quite intelligent, you know.'

'And Professor Trelawney?' Harry arched a brow, challenging her to defend the person who had thrown his life into turmoil.

'She just lacked faith. She was actually quite good at her subject but she wouldn't let herself believe it. She spent most of her last two months constantly reshuffling her cards because they kept coming up with the same thing.'

'And what was that?' Harry knew this would be good.

'A castle engulfed by fire, and a dark man entrapped in the Dungeon of Death.'

Harry definitely felt ice running down his spine this time.

'She was adamant the reading was wrong,' Luna continued, not noticing Harry's paling face, 'and we weren't to take any notice. The last class we had with her, I heard her tell Colin that she was going into Hogsmeade that weekend to buy a new deck of cards because hers had been corrupted.'

Harry didn't know what to say. He kept thinking about the time he had been an unwitting witness to one of Sybil Trelawney's tarot readings. She had been adamant that the cards were lying then, too, and yet, with the perfect vision of hindsight, he realised she had foretold the scene on top of the Astronomy Tower – the Lightning-Struck Tower; a dark young man who disliked the questioner – she had been talking about the Dark Mark and Malfoy. And now it sounded like she had predicted the attack on the Ministry, as well as Harry luring Voldemort into the Hallows. Did it mean he would succeed?

He swallowed. 'Did she say anything else?' Harry tried to sound casual.

'Yes. Two weeks before she disappeared, she said something strange … at least, everybody else reckoned it was strange. It seemed to make perfect sense to me but, of course, everyone says I'm weird anyway, so odd stuff would seem OK. I'd just gotten down to Potions when I realised I'd left my Advanced Potion-Making up in the Divination Tower so I raced back up to get it. Professor Trelawney was sitting over in front of the fireplace and didn't look up when I came in. I thought she must have fallen asleep so I tiptoed over to where I'd been sitting so she wouldn't know I was there and try to take points off Ravenclaw. I thought I must have made a noise because she suddenly spoke.'

Harry wasn't sure if Luna was winding him up or not. 'What did she sound like?'

'Really deep, not at all like her normal voice. Why?'

Harry didn't reply.

Luna screwed her eyes up tightly, concentrating on the memory. '"Dark approaches, approaches to engulf the light. Many shall perish in the quest to end its reign. One who once was dead shall die once more, another who is dark yet light shall also fall. Four whose youth shall strengthen them shall find their end to good purpose and one who nurtured nature shall forever feed those she tended with care and devotion."' Luna shrugged at him. 'I told you everybody thinks it's weird.'

'And what do you think it means?' asked Harry tonelessly. He felt really cold now.

'I haven't the faintest idea about the first two. I thought the one who nurtured nature might be Professor Sprout, and the four young ones might be Ron, Ginny, Neville and me.'

'Why you four?' Harry was surprised by her choice.

'Well, we were in the DA, we all went with you to the Ministry of Magic and we fought against those Death Eaters last year.

'So did Hermione, so did I. How come you don't think we'll die?' Harry wasn't sure why he was sitting here discussing this.

'You and Hermione won't die!' Luna said matter-of-factly. 'You're too powerful.'

'Hermione, maybe, but not me.'

'Then why has McGonagall got you teaching?' asked Luna.

'Er …'

'You're a great wizard, Harry.' Luna's large eyes seemed to look through him, into his very soul. 'A great wizard.' She gazed out across the lake again. 'And you'll live and I'll die.'

'I wish you'd stop talking about dying like it's so casual.'

'Why not? I'm not afraid. I'll get to see Mum again. Sure, I'll miss my father,' she shrugged, 'but it won't be forever. He'll die too … eventually … one day. Everyone does, you know.'

Harry stared at her in amazement, not at all sure why he was surprised by her attitude. He shook his head slightly.

'And you don't have any regrets about dying so young, other than missing your dad?'

Luna leaned her head on its side. 'Mmm … yeah … I've never kissed a boy before. Not that that was ever likely to happen, not with my reputation. Loony Luna.' She gazed up at the castle. 'The students can be so cruel, don't you think?' She turned back.

Harry didn't know what made him do it. Perhaps it was because her face was so close to his, perhaps it was the way her hair, which was normally a dirty blonde, spun out of his shadow and caught the sun, making it gleam like polished gold. All he knew was that his lips were suddenly pressed against hers, tasting the apple she had been eating. She gave a very small gasp of surprise, then let herself melt beneath his touch, enjoying the lesson he was teaching her.

'I'm sorry,' mumbled Harry when they broke apart. 'I didn't mean to frighten you.'

'What makes you think you frightened me?' Luna sounded slightly breathless.

'You're trembling.'

'Probably because the sun's setting,' she said, rubbing her arms. 'It's getting cold. We should think about getting inside; the feast will be starting soon.' She started to get up but Harry beat her, offering his arm to her. Luna gazed at him a moment, as if gauging the sentiment behind the gesture, then grasped his arm, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

'Did you mean to do that? Kiss me, I mean,' asked Luna as they wondered back up the slope.

'Not really,' said Harry, then covered his face with his hands, going bright red. 'I'm sorry,' he laughed. 'That wasn't very romantic, was it?'

'It's OK,' said Luna. 'You don't have to be romantic. I don't mind. It was just nice to know what it's like to be kissed by someone who's not a relative. Thank you.'

Harry blinked in surprise. 'You're welcome. I think.' He gazed at her in confused astonishment. 'You really don't mind?'

'No,' Luna looked happier than he had ever seen her. 'It was like that date you took me on to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party. We weren't going together; we just went together.'

'So you're saying we didn't just kiss?'

'Exactly. We just kissed. As friends who just like each other. You do like me, don't you?' She sounded ever so slightly unsure.

Harry couldn't help grinning. 'Yes, Luna, I like you. A lot. You're different to any other friend I've got. No matter how bad I'm feeling, you always know the right thing to say to cheer me right up.' They had reached the steps leading up to the front doors. 'You've been a very good friend. I'm going to miss you.'

Luna grinned. 'Well, at least you finally believe I'm going to die.' And she headed up the marble staircase, leaving Harry standing lost at its base.

Gaping after her, Harry shook his head slowly. That wasn't why he had said he would miss her. Why couldn't she get it into her head that she would not be helping him fight Voldemort? And she certainly wouldn't be dying.

Still shaking his head, he slowly made his way upstairs to get ready for the Leaving Feast.

x

'Professor Lupin, what are you doing here?'

Harry was halfway down the marble staircase when McGonagall came out of the Great Hall and saw Lupin and Hagrid crossing the threshold, the setting sun glowing at their backs.

'It's OK, Professor,' Harry hastened to the rescue. 'He's with me.'

McGonagall frowned up at him. 'With you, Potter?'

'Yes,' Lupin drew her attention back to him. 'Tonight is Harry's last night at Hogwarts so we thought we'd make an occasion of it … a Graduation dinner, that sort of thing.' He smiled up at Harry.

'After all,' added Harry, 'if Voldemort had had his way, I wouldn't have seen my second birthday, let alone Hogwarts, so for me to have gotten through the whole seven years here, I'd say that's worth celebrating, wouldn't you?' He gazed pointedly at McGonagall's baffled face.

'Er, yes … yes, you're right, of course. You've had precious few good things happen in your life; who am I to stand in the way of a little happiness?' Harry was sure he saw a tear in the corner of her eye. 'Though it would have been better if you had informed me beforehand – security and all.' She struggled to regain her strict headmistress persona.

Harry exchanged a small grin with Lupin behind McGonagall's back as she turned back into the Great Hall before allowing himself to be shepherded into dinner.

'Where yeh goin', Harry?' asked Hagrid as Harry turned towards the Gryffindor table.

'To sit with Ron and Hermione.' Harry pointed towards them.

'Bu' aren't yeh goin' ter si' with Professor Lupin?'

'Remus is going to be sitting with us.' Harry quickly told Hagrid, stopping him from turning and seeing Lupin twist his wand ever so slightly behind Hagrid's back. 'He was a student here himself … a long time ago … so why shouldn't he sit at the student tables?'

Hagrid gaped from Harry to Ron and Hermione watching them from the far side of the room, up to the teachers' table and back to Harry and Lupin, a small light slowly growing behind his eyes. 'Yeah … yeah, yer right. He used to be student here … an' a Gryffindor … same as me. Yeh wouldn' mind, would yeh Harry if I sat with yeh too, would yeh?'

'No, of course not, Hagrid. The more the merrier.' Harry resisted the urge to glance at Lupin.

'I'll jus' go and get me chair …them seats haven't supported me in years … an' I'll be righ' back!' Hagrid clapped Harry on the back, almost knocking him to the floor.

Lupin steadied Harry as they watched Hagrid make his way up to the teachers' table. He breathed a sigh of relief. 'I wasn't certain if that Hint Tint charm would work or not,' he said quietly. 'Dumbledore only taught it to me this morning.'

'Well, you did extremely well.' Harry was feeling extremely relieved as well that the first step had gone to plan. 'I'd give you an Outstanding for your efforts.'

Just as Dumbledore had predicted, Hagrid's presence saw the other Gryffindor students giving the group a wide berth, ensuring the only people who would be privy to any of their conversations were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lupin and Hagrid. Harry decided to wait until halfway through dessert before steering the conversation towards Horcruxes. Hermione had asked Hagrid over a very thick, juicy steak if he thought Crookshanks might be part Kneazle and Hagrid's study and analysis had lasted until the puddings appeared in front of them. Now patting Crookshanks with one hand and emptying a large tankard with the other, Hagrid's attention was free to wander.

'I would advise against checking tonight, Harry.' Lupin spoke softly but Harry was sure Hagrid was catching every word. 'There are too many people around who could be hurt if something goes wrong.'

'What could go wrong?' Harry raised his voice to a level higher than Lupin's, sounding like a typical teenager focused on what he believed important and forgetting to look at the bigger picture. 'I killed the Basilisk –' (Hagrid's body went very still) '–years ago. There's nothing left in the Chamber of Secrets to hurt anybody.'

'Except whatever curses Voldemort –' (Hagrid jumped – he was obviously still listening) '– might have set around the Horcrux. Assuming, of course, that there even is a Horcrux hidden down there.'

'There has to be. Before he died, Dumbledore showed me a memory where Voldemort came to see him just after he became Headmaster and asked him for the Defence Against the Dark Arts job. He knew Dumbledore didn't like him like the other teachers did so he had to have known that Dumbledore wouldn't give him that job. He'd have been much better off fronting up a few years earlier and asking Armando Dippet. So why did he turn up when he did? It couldn't have really been to apply for a job. No,' Harry took a deep breath, 'it had to have just been an excuse to be here on the school grounds. I'm telling you, he was hiding a Horcrux. And it has to be in the Chamber of Secrets because that was the only place here which he could get to that nobody else could, not even Dumbledore.'

'Fine,' Lupin raised a hand to stem Harry's verbal flow. 'We'll check it out. But, like I said, wait until tomorrow night when there's no one around. Now, might I suggest we talk about something else?'

'Why?' Harry forced a puzzled look. 'Nobody's around to hear.'

'McGonagall's coming.' Lupin managed to mutter quickly as his whole expression changed to one of cheerful greeting.

'Professor Lupin,' McGonagall's eyes roamed over the group, widening slightly at the sight of Hagrid striking up a conversation with Ron about his brother Charlie. 'I've been wondering why you are sitting here with the students and not up at the staff table?'

'I came to spend time with Harry –'

'Potter can join us; he has been working as a teacher, you know.'

'Yes, I know.' Lupin gave Harry a bemused smile at McGonagall's eagerness to get him to join her. He glanced at the others; Hagrid was very deep into a discussion with Ron about Romanian Ridgebacks and Hermione was busily feeding Crookshanks custard. 'I don't suppose it will hurt to join you for a short while. Coming, Harry?'

Not really wanting to desert his friends but also wondering why Lupin was playing along with McGonagall, Harry joined both of them at the teachers' table. Over the remainder of a thick slice of apple pie, Harry allowed himself to become caught up in a discussion about yesterday's attack upon the Ministry, all the while keeping half an eye on Hagrid back down at the Gryffindor table and hoping McGonagall wouldn't notice how tense he was becoming as the feast drew to a close.

'Do you think he took the bait?' Harry glanced over towards Hagrid.

'He'd have to have been trying very hard not to,' Lupin replied.

'But what if he doesn't go to Hogsmeade, or if he goes to the Three Broomsticks?' Harry's anxiety began to creep into his voice.

'He'll go to Hogsmeade, all right. This is the first night in a long time that anyone has been allowed to leave the school unaccompanied, and Hagrid's supply of alcohol will be running dry. And he will be keen to get very drunk. After all, what date is it?'

Harry thought a moment. Of course. 'Dumbledore's anniversary,' he said, nodding slowly. How could he have forgotten? Of all nights to have a celebratory feast.

'OK, so he'll want to get drunk. But what's to stop him going to the Broomsticks?'

'The fact that it's closed tonight.' Lupin grinned at Harry's puzzled expression. 'Snape gave me a potion earlier which made Rosmerta develop a very high fever and sudden extreme stomach problems. Don't worry,' he chuckled softly. 'She'll be all right. Look on it as revenge for her weakness in the midst of students wielding illegal curses. Ron and Miss Bell were very lucky to survive young Mr Malfoy's efforts.' His expression hardened slightly as he glanced across the room towards Ron and Hermione.

'So, when do we bring them in?' Harry was keen to get this over with.

'Go upstairs and get your Cloak and Map, and meet me near the tomb in half an hour. I'm just going to go for a little wander; it's not the full moon, and given what night it is, there would be nothing suspicious in my ending up at Dumbledore's tomb.' And with a wink, he joined the remaining students leaving the Great Hall.

Harry watched as Filch shuffled after him, malicious eagerness on his face; but he pulled up short as Hagrid pushed past, obviously in a hurry to leave. Grinning inwardly, Harry headed up to the dormitory.

Twenty minutes later, Harry was slowly making his way towards the lake, hidden beneath his Invisibility Cloak. He had had several awkward minutes in the dormitory when Ron had tried to argue that he wanted to come too, but Harry had managed to convince him that this would be easier to pull off with as few people as possible.

Passing Hagrid's hut, he noticed that it was very dark, so either Hagrid was extremely tired, or Lupin was right about his plans for the night.

As he neared the lake, he could just make out Lupin's silhouette standing alone, sentinel-style, beside the marble tomb. Harry quickened his pace.

'I'm here,' he whispered as he stepped up to the tomb.

'Any problems?' Lupin whispered back as he glanced around the grounds.

'None.' Harry removed the Marauders' Map from his pocket and gently placed it flat upon the slab. In the dim light, it blended almost invisibly against the white marble.

Removing his wand from his robes, Lupin touched it to the parchment and murmured softly, 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'

Spidery lines began chasing each other across the blank page until, with a feeling like he had come home, Harry was gazing upon the detailed plans of Hogwarts. Quickly searching its contents, he noted that the only being in Hagrid's hut was Fang, lying in front of the fireplace.

'Yes,' Lupin confirmed Harry's suspicions. 'I saw Hagrid going down towards the gates just before. He didn't seem very happy about Filch trying to check everyone, especially teachers. He sounded slightly drunk already, so I would say he is happily taking his fill at the Hog's Head even as we speak.'

'Let's just hope he gets drunk enough to let slip about the Horcrux in the Chamber of Secrets.' Harry could still see too many things going wrong with this plan.

'When have you ever known Hagrid to keep a secret?' asked Lupin.

Harry sighed. 'True. I just feel guilty using him like this.'

'Don't worry about it,' Lupin assured him. 'Voldemort had absolutely no qualms about using Hagrid to suit his own ends years ago when he was trying to get his hands on the Philosopher's Stone. We're just using that lack of conscience against him.' He glanced closely at the map before pocketing it. 'Come on, let's get this over with.' Patting the tomb reverently, he began to lead Harry on a rambling route about the grounds until they were almost to the Whomping Willow.

Lupin once again checked the Map. 'Clear,' he murmured, smiling grimly.

Harry pulled the Cloak back to reveal his head. 'Are you sure this is going to work?' he asked nervously. 'This thing wasn't really made to cover two grown men, let alone three.'

'It will be awkward, true, but we'll manage it,' replied Lupin, as he bent down to pick up a long stick. Ducking slightly to avoid the Willow's waving branches, he prodded the knot which brought the tree to a standstill. He quickly closed the remaining distance to the trunk, waving to Harry to join him.

As Harry stepped up to the tree, he could see a mass of snow-white hair emerge from the hole at the base of the trunk. Leaning forwards, he reached under one of Dumbledore's arms as Lupin grasped the other and together – half-lifting, half-guiding – they carefully raised him out of the tunnel leading from the Shrieking Shack.

Even before they had managed to get Dumbledore out completely, Harry could tell something wasn't quite right. Once his mentor stood before them, he felt his jaw drop. Dumbledore was half his normal size, closer to the height of a first-year than his usual tall stature.

'What happened?' Harry felt cold all over. Had the malady which had afflicted Dumbledore for the past year drastically worsened?

'Don't panic, Potter,' a dry voice rose from beside his feet. Looking down, Harry saw Snape reaching up to grip Lupin's offered hand, then allowed himself to be hoisted upwards until he was standing beside the greatly diminished former headmaster.

'It's all right, Harry,' Dumbledore's voice was barely audible, it was so weak. 'Severus has kindly –'

'Will you stop using energy unnecessarily?' Snape sounded like a frustrated mother scolding a recalcitrant child. He huffed haughtily. 'What the headmaster was about to explain, Potter, is that I have given him a Shrinking Potion. He felt that it would be much easier hiding the three of us under your Cloak if we were considerably smaller.'

Harry raised his brows. 'Us?' he questioned, glancing from Snape to Dumbledore.

'Lupin and I will assist the headmaster into the castle. You, Potter, will wait here.' Harry drew breath to protest, but Snape cut him off. 'You will wait here and guard –' (he withdrew a small phial of blue liquid from his robes) '– this. It is the antidote to return us to our normal size. Professor Lupin will drink a sip upon his return here, then you will join us in the castle, invisible, whilst Lupin completes his sojourn of the grounds. You will guard this antidote better than you would your own life. Do you understand these instructions, Potter?'

Snape sounded like he had never left the classroom. Harry glared at him. Why did he always treat him like an uneducated child, incapable of intelligent thought or comprehension?

'Do you –?'

'Yes,' Harry bit out, seething. The only good reason he could see for agreeing to Snape's demands was he would get to see Snape brought down to size, even if only briefly. Reaching his hand out, he accepted the proffered potion and hid it securely in his robes.

Once he was satisfied his instructions would be followed, Snape removed another phial and took a quick sip. He then passed it to Lupin, who drank the remaining liquid.

For a moment, nothing happened, then, shuddering violently, both men rapidly shrank to half their size. The thing which impressed Harry most was the fact that their robes had also diminished proportionately. Polyjuice Potion certainly didn't do that. Wondering where the Potions master got his recipes, he ignored Snape's waiting hand and surrendered his Cloak to Lupin, allowing himself a grin as he looked down on Snape's angry countenance. He would probably pay for this later, but for the moment...

With an effort, he brought his attention back to the task at hand, stepping back to allow Snape and Lupin room as they passed a hammock-like sling behind Dumbledore and looped it around their shoulders. Holding each of them for support, Dumbledore slowly relaxed back into the sling, which rose slightly, so that his feet hovered a few inches from the ground. Lupin then spread the Cloak over all three of them and they disappeared.

Harry took a few steps to get completely out of range of the Willow's branches, sat down on the lawn, and waited.

About forty minutes later, he heard something sliding through the grass on the other side of the Whomping Willow, and wondered if it was the Cloak being dragged across the ground. A moment later his suspicions were confirmed when Lupin appeared out of nowhere.

'Is Dumbledore all right?' demanded Harry, jumping up.

'He's fine.' Lupin shrugged slightly. 'Or as fine as he can be given his condition. He's currently resting in Snape's old room.' He frowned up at Harry's anxious face. 'Why?'

'You just took so long,' said Harry weakly. 'I thought something must have gone wrong.'

'Mrs Norris was hanging around, so we had to tread very carefully so as not to alert Filch.' He held up the Cloak. 'Shall we swap?'

'What? Oh … yeah.' Harry withdrew the antidote and traded it for the Cloak.

Lupin took a swig, then passed the phial back to Harry, who returned it to his robes. Harry watched, fascinated, as Lupin began spinning very quickly, growing as he did so, until he once more stood before Harry, his normal, full-size self – though a distinct shade of green.

He clutched his stomach and grabbed Harry's shoulder to steady himself.

'Are you OK?' asked Harry anxiously. 'You look like you're going to be sick.' He tried to both support his friend and stay out of the way of any unpleasantness should the situation take a turn for the worse.

'I'll be fine in a moment.' Lupin assured him. 'I just wish there was an easier way.'

Harry suddenly thought of something. 'Is this reaction likely to make Dumbledore ten times worse?' he asked, paling slightly.

'Probably.' Normal colour was slowly returning to Lupin's face. 'But he knew that when he proposed this plan. Snape argued very strongly against it, stressing the risks, but Dumbledore would not be swayed. So we can only cross our fingers, toes and eyes, and hope all this doesn't kill him for real,' he sighed.

Harry tensed. 'You don't think he has very long left anyway, do you?'

Lupin slowly shook his head. 'Much as I hate to admit it – no; I don't think he is long for this world.'

He took a shuddering breath. 'You'd best get that antidote to Dumbledore and Snape. Getting in shouldn't be a problem. McGonagall came out just after me, no doubt planning to spend some time at the tomb. I'll wander over that way again and delay her return. Filch won't lock the door until she is back inside. But don't dawdle,' he added.

Never before had Harry been so reluctant to enter the dungeons. Much as he was eager to return Dumbledore to his true size, he was terrified he would kill the former headmaster in the process. With a rapidly beating heart, he knocked on Snape's door.

The dark eyes which looked up at him when the door opened were filled with distaste. As Snape stepped back to allow Harry admittance to the office, he ordered, 'Stop enjoying this, Potter.'

'I'm not.' Harry tried to match the dry tone. 'Lupin just explained to me how great a risk Dumbledore is taking. I'm just as reluctant to do this as you are.'

Snape's expression froze. 'Do not begin to think that you understand me, Potter.' His voice was like ice, but Harry couldn't help also noticing the infinitesimal shake of his hand as he opened the door leading from the back of his office to what Harry presumed were his private quarters. Dumbledore was right: Snape was easy to read once you knew how.

The candlelight flickering in Snape's bedroom made Dumbledore's face look even paler than it had before. Harry quickly removed the antidote and started to cross to the bed, but a tug on his robes stopped him. Looking down, he saw Snape holding out a hand.

'If you don't mind, Potter, I am the Potions master, so I shall administer the potion.' He waited for Harry to surrender the phial, then crossed to Dumbledore's bed. Gently, he prodded him.

'Headmaster,' (Harry's jaw dropped; he had never heard Snape speak with a tender tone in his voice.)

Dumbledore's eyes slowly opened. He smiled tiredly.

'No, don't speak,' Snape silenced him before he could draw breath. Carefully, he lifted Dumbledore into a sitting position. 'Potter!' (The sharp tone was back.) 'Get under his other side.'

Harry hurried forwards; realising he was too tall, he knelt beside the bed to better position his shoulder under Dumbledore's arm.

Snape unstoppered the phial.

'Er ... sir,' ventured Harry. 'Won't he spin?'

'Not if we hold him firmly enough.' Snape placed the antidote to Dumbledore's lips. 'Just a sip, Headmaster,' he instructed, once again presenting a caring attitude.

Dumbledore shook slightly as he drank and some of the precious liquid dribbled into his beard. Harry wondered for a very brief moment what would happen if there was insufficient antidote remaining to restore Snape, then he was fighting for control as Dumbledore shook so violently, he almost knocked Harry to the floor.

On Dumbledore's other side, Harry saw Snape climb onto the bed, the better to match Dumbledore's height as he grew, and Harry stood up to also keep pace. Once he had stopped growing, they both silently lowered him onto the bed.

Harry looked anxiously at Dumbledore's face. He really didn't look well. He was about to lay him back down, but Snape held him back.

'No, keep him upright,' he ordered, taking out his wand. Puzzled, Harry watched as Snape touched his wand to Dumbledore's stomach. Dumbledore's face turned a deeper shade of green and he closed his eyes as if he were in great pain. Harry panicked – Snape was making Dumbledore worse; but before he could stop him, Dumbledore gave a slight sigh, opened his mouth, and emitted the biggest, deepest burp Harry had ever heard. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and smiled apologetically at them.

'So that's how it's done.'

Harry jumped, and turned to see Lupin entering the room.

Remus hurried forwards to help Snape ease Dumbledore back onto the pillows, then turned to look down at Snape as he raised the phial to the candlelight, examining its contents. Lupin looked questioningly at Harry, who mimed it being spilt down a beard. 'Oh,' he mouthed back, then returned his attention to Snape, who was about to start drinking.

When he realised he had an attentive audience, Snape lowered the potion and growled, 'Do you mind?'

'Not at all,' said Lupin pleasantly.

Harry grinned at Snape. 'Don't mind us.'

Even Dumbledore had turned his head slightly towards him.

Snape glared at all three of them. If looks could kill...

Turning his back on them, he stalked across the room and wrenched open a door. Harry glimpsed a small bathroom as Snape slammed the door behind him, then the room was filled with silence.

Harry knew both Lupin and Dumbledore's ears were straining as much as his but he suspected that Snape would prefer to suffer several moments of nausea than embarrass himself in their presence.

However, a moment later, they heard an even louder rendition of Dumbledore's earlier performance.

'Well, he is much more robust than Dumbledore,' Lupin explained as Harry doubled up with laughter. Dumbledore chuckled softly, but it became much wheezier as Snape returned.

Both Harry and Lupin moved quickly towards the bed, but Snape beat them to it. 'I told you not to exert yourself,' he scolded, pulling the pillows out from under Dumbledore's head so that he was laying flat on his back. He then pointed his wand at the shelf above the wardrobe. Harry just had time to see what looked like an oxygen mask whizz past as he ducked.

Lupin had a hand on the doorknob. 'What do you need?'

'Ventriculum – purple flask, third shelf from the top, left of the desk.' Snape didn't take his focus off Dumbledore.

'It hasn't ... really ... helped –' Dumbledore struggled to draw breath, '– before,' he completed, as if to prove to himself, as much as the rest of them, that he could do it.

'That was because the supply was too fresh.' Snape reached behind him to accept the necessary potion as Lupin rushed back into the room. Harry was surprised to see that the flask was actually filled with gas, not liquid.

Pulling the stopper with his teeth, Snape forced open a slit in the mask now covering Dumbledore's mouth and pushed the neck of the bottle into the gap. He then once more pressed his wand against Dumbledore's front, on the space between the rib cages.

'Potter, hold his nose,' he ordered.

'What?' Harry was certain he hadn't heard right.

'The headmaster's nose - pinch it so he can only breathe through his mouth.' He continued to press his wand to Dumbledore's chest and began to mutter softly, giving a small cough every half minute or so.

This ritual continued for over fifteen minutes, during which time Dumbledore seemed to relax deeper into the mattress and Snape's coughing became steadily worse. It ended when Snape suddenly fell back into Lupin's waiting arms, barking like a heavy smoker. He gave one last wracking cough, then silence fell.

Harry just stood beside the bed, watching – stunned – as Lupin helped Snape to an armchair before the fireplace. Snape was trying to fight off the assistance, but Remus stood firm.

'You've helped me immensely by making the Wolfsbane potion for me. Give me a chance to repay you a little, will you?' he admonished, standing back, watching Snape trying to normalise his breathing.

'I wouldn't try too hard, Remus; Healers make the worst patients,' a soft voice rose from the bed.

Snape jumped up (a little unsteadily), slapped Lupin's hand away, and rushed over to the bed. 'Sit him up, Potter,' he ordered, reaching into his robes and removing yet another phial - this one filled with a pearly liquid. Once Dumbledore was upright, Snape emptied the phial into his mouth.

Harry was a little anxious when he noticed Snape's lip twitch slightly, and his eyes develop an almost malicious gleam, but before he could protest, he felt Dumbledore's weight shift against his arm as he moved to sit up properly, independent of assistance.

'No, you don't,' Snape pressed him back down. 'As you said, I'm the Healer, and I'm prescribing several hours bed rest.' And he stood over Dumbledore, arms crossed, as if daring him to disobey.

Harry picked up the empty phial. 'What did you just give him?' he asked warily, unwilling to believe that Dumbledore's strength could return so suddenly, certain there had to be a catch.

'Phoenix tears.' Snape took the phial from Harry's hand.

'And that's it?' Harry looked from Dumbledore to Snape. 'Why didn't you cure him sooner?'

'Because, Potter, even someone with your lack of intelligence surely knows that you can have too much of a good thing. Whilst phoenix tears effect some miraculous cures, unfortunately there is no cure for the potion the headmaster drank last year. Phoenix tears can only restore his strength temporarily, and less effectively the more he takes. So he decided to reserve his doses for special occasions.' Snape's lips thinned.

'And that gas stuff, ventric-something. You were absorbing his coughs, weren't you?'

'Very good, Potter; five points.' Snape's stance straightened even more, looking very much the schoolmaster. 'Ventriculum works by breaking down toxins within the blood in the lungs. When combined with the correct spell, the result is that the toxins are transferred to the one casting the spell who, providing they are healthier than the victim, are able to employ their own immune system to fight against it.'

Harry glanced from Snape to Lupin, then down at the now-sleeping Dumbledore. 'So what happens now?'

'You, Potter, shall return upstairs.'

Harry looked over at Lupin, who nodded. 'Go on Harry, get some rest; you're going to need it. Severus and I will take turns watching over Dumbledore.' He smiled reassuringly as he held the door open.

Harry thought briefly about arguing, but decided there really wasn't any more he could do down here, and he would need all his strength. Nodding at Lupin, he bid them goodnight, then returned to the dormitory, retrieving his Cloak from Snape's office on his way through.

x

Harry punched a lump out of his pillow and tried to find a more comfortable position. He felt angry with himself – he was going to need all his strength tomorrow for the confrontation with Voldemort, but he couldn't seem to settle comfortably. And judging by the amount of tossing and turning going on in the next bed, Ron was also having a restless night.

When Harry had returned to the Gryffindor common room, he found Neville almost pleading with Ron to spend the night in the seventh-years' dormitory and when Harry came through the portrait hole, he was added to the invitation. Neville had claimed that it was because it was their very last night at Hogwarts and, since they hadn't known that Ron and Harry would be given their own rooms when seventh year started, they hadn't had the chance to have a 'last night' after sharing a room since they were eleven.

Harry had found this argument a little weak – by rights, all the roommates should have been present and both Dean and Seamus had left as soon as their exams were finished. He was more inclined to believe it was more to do with the fact that Neville didn't want to spend a whole night in such a large room all alone, but he couldn't think of a sufficient argument against the proposal.

In frustration, Harry changed position again. Why couldn't he get to sleep? He did feel quite exhausted, after all. But even though his body craved oblivion, his mind was unable to quiet, focused, as it was, several floors below where Lupin and Snape were keeping vigil over Dumbledore's potion-filled form.

Harry thought, for a moment, of getting Dobby to fetch a Sleeping Draught from Snape when –

CRACK!

'AAH!'

'What?'

Neville sat bolt upright in his bed, his round face staring wide-eyed around the moonlit room. His yelp of surprise woke Ron, whose hand whipped his wand out from under his pillow to point at the threat which was crushing Harry.

'Oh, it's only you.' Ron stowed the wand back under his pillow as the threat jumped down from Harry's bed.

'That's a house-elf,' said Neville, rather unnecessarily, as Harry rubbed his bruised abdomen.

Dobby stared up at Harry, his large eyes filled with fear. Harry found this strange – Dobby was usually bursting with excitement at the prospect of doing his bidding, though, come to think of it, Harry hadn't actually summoned Dobby, the idea for the errand having only just entered his mind.

'Harry Potter, sir …' Dobby was shaking like a leaf.

Harry's stomach tightened. Dobby was absolutely terrified. Had Voldemort turned up a day early?

'Harry Potter …' Dobby twisted one of his many hats in his hands.

'What's wrong, Dobby?' Harry knelt forwards on his bed to better look down at the swaying house elf.

'Harry Potter … Dobby was cleaning the forbidden sector this past hour –'

'Forbidden sector?' Ron frowned at Harry, who shrugged.

'It is what we call rooms which the house-elves will not go near, on pain of death. The forbidden sector's master forbade the school house-elves from these rooms and even Professor McGonagall cannot get them to go against the existing order. Great punishment awaits any school house-elf which trespasses upon the sector's sanctity –'

'Great punishments?' Neville stared wide-eyed at Dobby, looking like he, also, was going to faint.

'If house-elves aren't allowed to trespass, what were you doing there?' asked Ron.

'None of the other house elves does any cleaning in the forbidden sector. Nor does Mr Filch. Nobody goes there now, not since the sector's master left. Only dust and dirt. So Dobby has been cleaning these rooms because Dobby was not at Hogwarts when the order was given. But now,' Dobby was shaking violently now, 'the forbidden sector's master has returned and Harry Potter is in great danger. Why else would he be here but to kill again?'

Harry could feel his heart hammering against his ribs. Had Voldemort taken command of the Chamber of Secrets? How would he react when he discovered the Horcrux was missing? Should he alert McGonagall to the fact that the school had been invaded while the students were still here?

'Where are you going?' asked Ron, as Harry jumped up and started pulling on his dressing gown.

'The dungeons. I need help on this.'

'But the dungeons are the forbidden sector,' squeaked Dobby.

Harry's blood turned to ice in his veins. 'Voldemort is in the dungeons?' He grabbed Dobby's shoulders, though whether to stop Dobby shaking, or himself, he wasn't sure.

'Not He Who Must Not Be Named.' Dobby's eyes were so large, they seemed to obscure the rest of his face. 'Pro-pro-fessor …' His voice trailed to a very faint whisper. 'Snape.'

'Snape?'

Harry and Ron jumped at the sound of Neville's shout.

'Snape's here? In the school?'

Dobby nodded fearfully.

Harry didn't like the look in Neville's eyes. The only time he had ever seen that look was when Bellatrix Lestrange escaped from Azkaban and Neville had thrown himself into the DA.

'Neville, no!' Ron made a desperate grab at him as he streaked past but his fingers only grasped air. Quickly grabbing their wands, Harry and Ron gave chase.

'Neville, get back here!' shouted Ron as Neville disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor leading from the Gryffindor common room.

Harry was surprised the whole school wasn't awake. They weren't exactly being quiet about this. Filch would no doubt be upon them any moment but, in the meantime, they needed to stop Neville before he gave the game away. Harry rounded another corner … and landed flat on his face.

'He jinxed me!' Ron was rubbing his back where Harry's foot had connected, causing him to trip.

'It doesn't matter.' Harry helped Ron to his feet. 'Are you OK?'

Ron's hands travelled all over his body as if taking inventory. He nodded shakily.

'Come on! We have to stop him.'

They reached the top of the marble staircase just in time to glimpse Neville disappearing down the Potions steps; even two shortcuts hadn't enabled them to catch him. Jumping the last three steps, Harry still wasn't giving up and put on an extra burst of speed, his long legs causing him to almost trip down the dark stairs leading to the dungeons.

But it wasn't enough. Neville had his wand out and was shouting 'Expelliarmus!' when Harry and Ron ran into the back of him.

Neville didn't seem to notice. He gaped at the two wands which had flown into his outstretched hand, then at the bed behind Snape. As well as disarming Snape, he had also disarmed Lupin, and that extra wand had made Neville aware that the former Potions master was not the room's sole occupant.

Snape's dark eyes flashed as he glared past Neville's shoulder at Harry. 'Telling tales out of school, Potter?' His voice was deathly quiet.

Harry chanced a quick glance at Dumbledore snoring softly near the far wall. 'I haven't been telling tales anywhere,' he replied softly. 'In or out of school. Dobby saw you before when he was cleaning and came to warn me that you were in the castle.' He tried to enter the room, but Neville was blocking the doorway, his chin slightly slack as he repeated, 'Dum … Dum …' over and over in a very squeaky voice.

'It's all right, Neville.' Lupin, roused from his nap before the fireplace when his wand had flown from his pocket, gently led Neville over to the armchair.

Only after he was settled and Lupin had placed himself before him, cutting off his view of Dumbledore, did Neville finally blink and lose some of his dumbstruck expression. He gazed from Lupin to Harry, then Ron and, finally, Snape.

'But you killed Professor Dumbledore,' he addressed Snape. 'Didn't you?'

'Neville,' Lupin dragged Neville's chin down until he was looking at Lupin. 'Does Dumbledore look dead to you?'

Neville's eyes flicked over to the bed. 'Is that a trick question?'

Lupin smiled slightly. 'Admittedly, he isn't in top health, but I assure you he is still very much alive.'

'But if Professor Snape didn't kill him, why did Harry say he did?' His eyes stared questioningly at Harry.

'To trick Voldemort,' replied Harry.

Neville's expression hardened ever so slightly. 'And you've know all this time? Both of you?' He looked between Harry and Ron, who nodded.

'We're sorry, Neville.' Harry meant it. 'But it wasn't our secret to tell.'

Neville gazed at Snape. 'And you've been hiding here and nobody saw you?'

'We've only been here tonight.' Lupin gently removed his and Snape's wands from Neville's hands.

'But why are you here now?' Neville frowned, puzzling over the problem. 'I would have thought Dumbledore would be trying to catch You-Know-Who …' His voice trailed off as a light seemed to spark in his eyes. 'No,' he breathed, again gaping at them. 'He's coming here? When?'

'Too much information, Longbottom,' Snape almost purred as Lupin helped Neville stand. 'The matter does not concern you. All you need worry yourself with is whether you have packed all your belongings ready for your train journey tomorrow morning.'

Neville pulled his arm from Lupin's grip. 'No! No way! You're not packing me off back to my gran when both Harry and Dumbledore need my help. I'm staying right here!' He stepped back out of Lupin's reach and folded his arms.

'And you think you can make all the difference to their fight, do you? What do you intend to do – throw a pot plant at the Dark Lord?' Snape advanced on Neville.

To Harry's surprise, Neville stood his ground. 'I can do a lot more than just garden,' he declared. 'I was in the DA and I went with Harry to the Ministry of Magic. I helped fight against those Death Eaters who were here last year. And Harry's been teaching me even more stuff this year.'

Snape's eyes darted to Harry. 'Is that why you were getting so behind with your teaching duties, Potter? Competent teachers know better than to waste precious hours on worthless, extra-curricular activities.'

Harry clenched his teeth together, forcing his anger down. He didn't want to disturb Dumbledore.

'I'm not worthless!' Neville was almost shaking with suppressed emotion.

Snape's lip curled as he lazily dragged his gaze back to Neville. 'Wake the headmaster, Longbottom, and it will be the last thing you ever do, regardless of how much you think you are worth.'

Again, Harry was impressed as Neville stood his ground, though he did risk a quick glance at Dumbledore as his soft snores caught slightly on his breath.

Neville looked at Harry. 'What was the point of us learning all that stuff in the DA if we're never going to use it?'

'I meant for you to be able to defend yourself properly if you were ever attacked, not to deliberately look for trouble.'

'If You-Know-Who is coming here, it's not me who's looking for trouble. I can help you. You know I can. After all, you're the one who told me I did really well on my prac last week.'

'He does have a point,' said Lupin. 'He's not as bad at Defence as most people believe. When he was in third year, he was the first student to successfully tackle a Boggart; in fact, he did it twice.'

'And in the DA,' Harry joined in, 'he was second only to Hermione to manage a Shield Charm. And like he said, he fought at both the Department of Mysteries two years ago and here at Hogwarts last year.' He felt it wise not to mention that Neville had come off decidedly second-best after both battles; Snape didn't need encouragement with his low opinion of Neville.

Yet the more Harry thought about it, the more he realised Neville had long since left his poor skills at Defence behind. From the first time he had forced that Boggart-Snape into his grandmother's dress, he had exceeded most people's expectations of his abilities, encouraged along the way by the DA and drawing incentive from the Lestranges' escape from Azkaban. Only Harry and Dumbledore knew how close Neville had come to standing where Harry was now and, had Voldemort chosen differently, Harry knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Neville would have been up to the task.

It was this knowledge that made him realise that both he and Snape were not doing Neville any favours trying to exclude him from forthcoming events. Just as that knowledge now made Harry grab Ron's hand and walk across the room to stand beside Neville.

'You didn't have proper friends when you were growing up, so you wouldn't know,' he told Snape, causing his eyes to flash dangerously, 'but this is what friends do. They stand by each other through thick and thin.'

Harry, Ron, Neville and Lupin stood shoulder to shoulder, facing Snape, as a battle raged behind the dark eyes.

'This is not a good idea,' Snape ground out as his gaze finally slipped from Harry to Lupin.

'We'll let Dumbledore be the judge of that, shall we?' Lupin sounded slightly bemused.

Snape's head shot round to look at Dumbledore. For a moment, Harry thought he was going to wake him and drag him into the debate, but when he turned back, his lip was curling again.

'There is no need to disturb the headmaster over such a trivial matter as Potter's lack of sensible judgement. As he has demonstrated numerous times in the past, he delights in taking responsibility for his actions, so it will be interesting to see him try to explain his reasons for this one when Professor Dumbledore wakes.'

As Harry fought to control his anger again, Ron almost shouted, 'Why don't you stop picking on everybody all the time, you old meany?'

Dumbledore jerked in his sleep, making Ron look slightly ashamed of his outburst.

'What did you say to me, Weasley?' Snape whispered dangerously.

Ron dropped his voice to the same level. 'I said you're old and you're mean and I don't care what Dumbledore says. You're a Slytherin, not a Gryffindor, so you're a cowardly snake, not a brave lion.' Ron's ears were bright red. 'And you're jealous!'

As Harry forced the image of the roaring hat Luna had worn to Gryffindor Quidditch matches to the back of his mind, Lupin stepped between Ron and Snape, whose face had gone the colour of sour milk, his fingers flexing as if he was practising squeezing Ron's throat.

'He didn't mean anything, Severus,' he commented, pushing Ron further back. 'He's tired and anxious, as are we all.' (I'm not anxious,' muttered Ron in the background.) 'So if you can give them something to counter the adrenaline, do so. Then I would suggest you try to get some rest yourself; don't worry, I can easily watch over Dumbledore.' He held Snape's gaze, the bemused expression back on his face.

Snape glared back at Lupin for five seconds, then he spun on his heel and stalked out to his office, returning a couple of minutes later. After he had all but thrown three phials of midnight blue liquid at them, he silently held the door open.

'What's this?' Neville wanted to know.

'A good night's sleep,' said Lupin as he herded them towards the door. 'Come on, Neville.' He pushed Neville a little harder to get him to move. 'I'm sure you can't wait to get back to your dorm and ply Harry and Ron with questions.'

As the door closed behind them, Harry heard Snape say, 'I intended for them to get to sleep immediately, not spend the remainder of the night talking their heads off,' but he didn't catch Lupin's reply. Neville seemed to have recovered some of his fury and was struggling against Ron as he dragged him across the office, and Harry hurried over to help his friend.

By the time they had managed to get Neville up to the Entrance Hall, Harry's arms were killing him.

'Will … you … come … on!' grunted Ron as Neville dug his heels in.

'I want to know what's going on.'

'And we'll tell you,' said Harry. 'But we need to get back upstairs first.

Ron pulled out his wand. 'Will you get moving?'

Neville eyed the wand. 'Professor Snape's got you under the Imperius Curse,' he stated as he glanced up at Ron's face, his expression hardening. 'Both of you.'

'Snape hasn't got anybody under the Imperius Curse, Neville,' Harry sighed tiredly. 'Least of all, me. I can fight it off, remember?'

Neville lost some of his conviction. Harry pressed his point.

'Look, do you trust Lupin?'

'Yes,' replied Neville, though he didn't sound very certain.

'And do you trust Professor Dumbledore?'

'Yes.' That one was stronger.

'And what about me?'

'Of course!'

'Then you can trust Snape,' said Harry.

Neville still didn't look convinced though. 'But You-Know-Who ordered Snape to kill Dumbledore.'

'Voldemort ordered Malfoy to murder Dumbledore,' said Harry patiently. 'Dumbledore is the one who told Snape to kill him.

'And Snape didn't want to? He's a Death Eater.'

'He hasn't been a Death Eater since we were born. And no, he didn't want to kill Dumbledore. That's why they planned the fake murder.'

'If you really wanted somebody dead,' Ron joined in, 'and you were trying like crazy to get to them so you could kill them, and then you were suddenly told that somebody else had killed them, would you still try to kill them yourself?'

'No' Neville shook his head (Harry was sure he was thinking of Bellatrix Lestrange). 'They'd be dead. That's the important thing.' He glanced from Ron to Harry. 'And that's what this is all about? Tricking You-Know-Who into not killing –'

He broke off as a mew sounded in the background.

All three of them spun around, Neville's eyes growing as large as Mrs Norris's lamp-like ones staring at them from the top of the marble staircase. And beside her …

Harry tried to swallow past the lump in his throat. How much had Filch heard?

'Breaking one last rule before you leave?' The bloodshot eyes roamed over the three of them, coming to rest on Harry as his normally tight-lipped smile stretched enough to show several yellowed teeth. He stepped to one side of the staircase, his arm moving in a sweeping motion.

'You should know the drill by now. After you,' he all but chuckled as they started to drag their feet up the staircase.

Ron swallowed as Filch banged on the door to McGonagall's office. A kind of doomed silence stretched between them all as Filch shook slightly with ill-concealed delight. Finally, a crack of light appeared as the door opened.

McGonagall blinked, confused, at Filch.

'Argus, do you know what time it is?' She broke off as she spotted Harry, Ron and Neville beyond Filch's shoulder.

'I caught these students out of bed, Professor,' Filch announced smugly.

'Technically, we're not students anymore,' Neville tried to explain.

'That is neither here nor there.' McGonagall was quickly recovering from the shock of being woken up in the middle of the night. 'Inside. Now!' She held the door open and sternly watched the three of them troop past like condemned men.

'Thank you, Mr Filch.' She shut the door on Filch's disgruntled face. Harry was sure he had been looking forward to watching the proceedings.

'Well?' she turned on them. Harry was surprised flames didn't shoot from her nostrils.

Harry, Ron and Neville stared back.

'I would like to know what three Gryffindors are doing out of bed at this time of night.'

Neville glanced at Ron, who shook his head slightly.

McGonagall pounced on the sign of weakness. 'I would confess now, Mr Longbottom. Misplaced loyalty will only get you deeper into trouble.'

Neville stood his ground, although his face had paled noticeably, his lips pressed tightly together as extra determination not to break Dumbledore's confidence.

'Like Neville said,' Ron drew McGonagall's attention away from Neville, 'we're not students anymore.

'I would expect the Head Boy to exercise better judgement in his decisions to follow his friends into trouble. I assume this was your idea?' she said, transferring her fury to Harry. 'You may be a member of staff, but not to the seventh-years. I don't care if the school year is ended or not, you do not have the right to lead students into questionable adventures at any time of the day or night,' she shrieked. Several of the portraits had covered their ears.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

'Come in!' McGonagall rounded on the new entrant. 'Now really, this is not to be borne; I would have expected better of you, Granger.'

Hermione gazed unflinchingly at McGonagall. 'I have a message for Harry, Professor.'

'For Potter?' McGonagall's fire diminished considerably.

Hermione looked at Harry. 'He said to let the cat out of the bag.'

McGonagall flared up again. 'What was that about a cat?'

Ignoring her, Harry stared at Hermione, who answered his unspoken question with a simple nod.

'He said we're to take her to him … now.'

'You're to take me to whom? Potter?' McGonagall gazed from Hermione to Harry, clearly not pleased that she was not being consulted on the matter, her displeasure increasing as Harry held the door for her. 'Who are you taking me to see?'

'You wouldn't believe us if we told you,' Harry informed her. 'After you, Professor.'

Fortunately, their little procession didn't run into Filch again as they made their way down to the Entrance Hall, McGonagall growing angrier by the minute as her attempts to discover their destination were met with stony silence. When they reached the top of the staircase leading down to the Potions classroom, she stubbornly refused to take another step.

'Who could you possibly want me to meet in the dungeons at this time of night?'

'You'll see,' growled Harry, forcing her ahead of him. He slowly took his wand out. After all, there was no telling how she would react.

Hermione, Ron and Neville led her through Snape's office to the door leading to Snape's private quarters. Harry prodded McGonagall in the back to keep her moving.

'Really, it's much too late for these games.' She stopped, stunned, as she spotted Snape standing by the fireplace.

'You!' McGonagall reached into her dressing gown, but her fingers had barely closed around her wand when it soared through the air and landed in Harry's outstretched hand.

'What do you think you are playing at, Potter?'

A frail voice cut through the tension. 'Perhaps I can explain.'