Chapter Eighteen

The cart took a wild ride over small rails sometimes suspended over dark ravines and gullies, through black tunnels without light and underground burrows. Harry thought it likely that he had fallen into a rabbit hole by mistake. He closed his eyes and held on as they whizzed around curves and he could sense for a moment that he was suspended in midair over some chasm. He opened them to see a parting in the rails; a set going right and a set of parallel tracks going left, all dimly lit by some ominous light. One tunnel was marked Diagon Alley, the other Godric's Hollow. The cart took the route to Godric's Hollow.

The cart did not slow down as they rolled by other openings. He was moving so fast he had no time to see the markers. Harry was somewhat relieved to discover that the cart holding Neville was ahead of him. In the dim light of some of the passages he could see the cart hurtling along up ahead of him and was thankful for it. He'd tried to use his wand to steer the cart or slow it or stop it and had been unsuccessful. As it was, he was along for the ride and was just happy to know that the person he needed to be with was on the same track.

He was trying to keep his bearings and felt altogether turned around and lost when he saw a sign that he glimpsed along the way which instructed him on the usages of the carts; they were for house elves and the sign was an advertisement.

That's why we never see them come and go, he thought, this is their rail system. It was also why the circulation in his legs was nearly cut off. His legs, which had lengthened over the year, were twisted and crammed into the small foot space. He searched in vain for a brake on the cart, knowing that the elves had their own particular brand of magic; one probably designed to activate and stop the carts.

Sights and smells assailed him as they sped along. There was the typical earthy, moldy smell of a long unused tunnel, but occasionally he got a minute or two of fresh air telling him they were near openings to the surface. A sort of weak filtered light shone in his eyes and then would be gone as they took another dizzying corner.

Harry was trying to think about what he would do when they slowed down or stopped. He new that he had fallen into a trap. If it was Voldemort that had set it, and it most assuredly had to be, then he would be waiting at the end of the line. This time he would have Harry and Neville. Harry had his wand but knew that he couldn't use it. He'd learned that the twin of his wand belonged to Voldemort and the two would not work against each other.

Harry struggled for an idea, any idea, as he both hoped that the carts would stop- and keep going. Neville and I are headed for our deaths, he thought just as the cart began to slow.

Hermione and Ron stood together staring at the carts that were left.

"He took one of them, I just know it," Hermione said. She reached down and touched the track. "See it's warm."

"What do you think we should do?" Ron asked staring into the dark mouth of the tunnel.

"I'm taking one of them and you're going back to Dumbledore," she said firmly.

"I'm not!" he protested.

"You have to Ron," she explained as she climbed into one of the carts. "I don't think he meant for this to happen. He certainly didn't mean for Neville to be down here. I'm pretty sure that if Harry got into one of these it was because he was chasing Neville, which only means he was in one too." She was arranging herself in the very small cart and talking at the same time, "and that can only mean that a trap was set by Voldemort. So Harry and Neville are in real danger!"

"Hermione you don't know what you're doing," he said. "You could apparate instead."

"Ron you can't apparate inside Hogwarts," she moaned. "I'm not leaving Harry and Neville by themselves."

"Then let me go," Ron pressured.

"No," she tapped her wand on the front of the cart. "Go back and tell them what's happened." Murmuring an incantation the little cart rumbled forward at a reduced speed from that of the two preceding it. "Hurry Ron, we don't know what's at the other end!" she shouted back at him and disappeared into the dark.

Ron stood for a moment following the cart until it disappeared, his singular light from his wand seemed small in comparison to the huge room. "You're both mental," he said quietly. "Always have been, always will be." He turned to leave and mumbled, "You're the best friends I've ever had though. Always will be. But you left me here alone and that's not right, not right at all!"

Snape stood in front of Dumbledore, who looked quite like his normal self, no longer frail or weak-looking. "You've sent him to die!" Snape shouted, completely forgetting his normal unemotional pose. "Was this intentional, Albus?" His black eyes were wide with fury.

"Severus," Lupin had him by the arm and was speaking slowly and calmly, although he also looked furious, "let him speak." He was tentatively holding Snape by the arm. Remus knew Snape could be dangerous and he was looking almost lethal at the moment.

"It was inevitable that Voldemort would bring his war here to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said and sat down in his favorite chair in front of his fireplace. "That is why I made arrangements for the map to be delivered to him."

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Snape was breathless and even Lupin turned to stare at Dumbledore.

"Yes," Dumbledore nodded. "The map was mine. It was a way to trap him. We knew that he was at Godric's Hollow after you brought Nadya Potter and Miss Granger back here Severus. This was a means to guide him and his Death Eaters into the school where they could be managed. I think it's better to open the gates then have them storm the walls, don't you? Remus has been training the students," he held up his hands as Lupin rounded on him. "I realize that I deceived you about that Remus. I led you to believe that you were teaching them to defend the school. The youngest ones are safely in the Great Hall and the others have their assigned duties. They are all relatively safe."

"And Mr. Longbottom," Snape asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Safe. He's in the Western Tower in a little room heavily protected and guarded. Nymphadora Tonks has taken his place down in the heart of Hogwarts. Harry is also safe. As safe as is possible given the circumstances." Dumbledore held up his hand when Snape looked like he was about to erupt in another shouting scene. "When he gets to Godric's Hollow, member's of the Order will be there to guide him. After all Severus, we must give him as much protection as well as leeway to allow him to confront Voldemort if that is what is to happen."

"Albus, you think he's ready?" Remus asked standing at the fireplace facing the older man. His face was gray with concern. It was his turn to look like he needed physical support.

"I cannot say whether now is the correct time or not Remus, but the situation suggests we can offer him the opportunity. He is still in school with the support of many friends. He has done something I never thought possible and that has been to unite the Houses. It is a good omen. We can control outside forces that might threaten his success by entrapping them within these walls." He spread wide his hands and gestured at the room as if implying he meant the entire school. He continued, "However, only Harry knows whether he is ready or not and if he will face Voldemort. Now is the time to test that resolve when Voldemort is cornered and almost helpless. Or, we can wait and have more imposters and more infiltrators make attempts and threaten the safety of the school and each of its students." He shook his head and said, "I fear that would be an even worse nightmare." The old man sat quietly, his face relaxed and calm as he watched the two men before him.

"Is Harry aware that Neville, the one he is following, is Tonks?" Remus asked and glanced at Snape who didn't appear capable of asking any questions. He had thrown himself into a chair opposite of Dumbledore and staring at him with cold hard eyes.

"No," Dumbledore shook his head seriously. "If Voldemort can still sense images in Harry's mind it is best that he see only what we want him to see."

"Headmaster," Snape spoke slowly and with great control in his voice. "Potter has a way of changing the rules to suit his purposes. Even the best laid plans have gone awry when he is involved." Snape gripped the chairs arms with white knuckled hands as he continued, "There are too many things that can go wrong with this plan. Why didn't you consult me?"

"It is too late, Severus," Dumbledore said quietly. "The plan is in motion and you cannot be in two places at once. You have taken on the responsibility of Draco Malfoy." Dumbledore continued, "You cannot go to Harry. Need I also remind you that I have put you in the same place I have put Harry many times, even at the almost the same age. Would you have me stop now?"

"I tell you he can not do it, Albus," Snape's said his eyes smoked but his voice was soft. "He is not strong enough to face the Dark Lord."

"He is stronger than you believe him to be, and he will not be alone, Severus," Dumbledore answered. He stood, moved to Snape's side and leaned over, his voice smooth and gentle, "I know how you feel about Harry, Severus. I do not risk his life or his safety easily. You know that I would do this myself or send you; but it is not to be."

The words seemed to shock the man dressed in black. He stared up and shuddered, fear and concern etched in his granite features for a second and then dissolved. He seemed to be reading something in the older man's words and expression.

A knock at the door drew their attention. The three men looked up and Ginny Weasley walked in.

"What is it Miss Weasley?" Dumbledore asked, his brow knitted in sudden concern.

"The real Neville Longbottom is gone sir. My brother Ron is coming back up through the castle and Hermione has left through the tunnel entrance behind Harry and Tonks. It looks like Neville has gone after Harry." She said it quietly and looked at them with frightened eyes. "I don't know how Neville did it, Professor. We were watching him constantly."

Dumbledore stood erect and closed his eyes as if in pain. He then nodded and looked at her. "Very well, Ginny. You've done well. We will talk in a minute. Would you mind waiting outside for Ron?" She exited and pulled the massive oak doors behind her.

Snape stood and faced Dumbledore. He was inches away, glaring. The low voice grumbled like thunder, "Your powers of Sight seem to have failed you, Albus. Now the true Guardian is in danger. Did you anticipate that?"

Dumbledore stared back at him and shook his head slowly. His voice was now filled with tiredness and regret. "I had hoped it would not turn out this way, Severus, but my powers have not failed me. As I have often feared, what I have seen is about to come to pass and we cannot change its' course, no matter how much I would not want it to be so. It is set in motion."

What is set in motion?" Remus asked. He was looking confused, unaware of what was happening.

Dumbledore turned his face slowly away from Snape's and looked at Lupin, "Seventeen years ago, the stepping stones for Voldemort's demise were laid by the Council of Guardians. It was their combined effort's that have guided Harry's destiny."

"Albus, are you saying that this was all planned?" Remus whispered, looking horrified.

Dumbledore nodded and said, "Harry is the instrument of Voldemort's downfall. It was planned."

Snape roared, " So it was more than a prophecy that was to be fulfilled. You and the others manipulated this!"

"He was born with special gifts endowed to him," Dumbledore said. "James agreed. Rather than give up his firstborn to Voldemort and the dark side, he chose to give his son to us. A very ancient magic was used. However, Severus, I did not know that Lilly Potter would die or that Riddle would try and kill their infant son."

Dumbledore suddenly looked like he was crushed by a heavy burden. His shoulders sagged and he reached back blindly for the chair and slumped into it. "I love Harry as much as you do, but I cannot change what will take place nor could I sway the Council as to their plans."

"What will happen to Harry?" Remus slowly moved to stand in front of the old man, his voice filled with urgency. "Who are these men-this Council- that you speak of. Is it possible that all of this has been manipulated by wizards?" Lupin was now as angry as Snape and both stood before the old man. Lupin continued, his voice steely and cold. "Will he defeat Voldemort?"

Dumbledore breathed heavily and finally looked up, "Oh yes, that is almost a…a certain outcome." The blue eyes dulled and his face whitened. "However, he will suffer horribly before it is done."

Snape turned and walked out of the room without saying a word. Remus followed his exit with his eyes and then looked at Dumbledore who had also watched him leave. The old man was sobbing quietly. Lupin knew heart break when he saw it and was still horrified.

He collapsed into the chair recently emptied by Snape, "I thought I knew James, I thought I knew my friends," he murmured to himself. "James sacrificed his own son! What about Lily, Albus? Did she know?"

Dumbledore looked up, his eyes filled with tears, and said, "In the end, just before she died, I think she did."

The cart rolled up a gentle incline and came to a stop. It was completely dark. Harry couldn't see what was on each side of the cart, nor could he see ahead. He waited, holding his breath and listening. He could hear the grunting and heavy forced breathing of Neville in front of him.

With months of training, he slipped out of the cart doing the opposite thing that would be expected of him in this kind of situation. He got on his hands and knees and crawled away from Neville into the dark, trying to be a quiet as he could. He wanted to see what kind of trap he was in and not stumble blindly into it.

Harry could hear Neville's mumbled pleas to be released. He didn't know what was happening because he had expected to be attacked the minute they stopped. His scar had ceased to hurt and he was completely and totally in the dark, desperately wondering how to protect Neville and get them out of wherever they were. He knew they were probably in the dungeons of Godric Gryffindor's castle.

He also knew he was almost as helpless as Voldemort. He could not use his wand against the Dark Lord, nor could he kill anyone else with it; to do so would increase Voldemort's power.

Harry had been taught by a Senseve, Jonas; by Snape a former Death Eater and by many men of the Kumpania. He lay belly down in the moldy earth in the dark drawing on his knowledge. Think, Harry think, he told himself. Using his senses he lifted his head and smelled. They were in a room but the air was fresh. Any movement was reflected in a dull echo, which meant the room was large but not cavernous. There were objects in the room that stifled sounds.

He knew that it must be very similar to a train station, so that there were platforms, or loading docks. He rolled carefully to his right and came across a barrier. Reaching his hand up he felt the walls that ran alongside the tracks. They were short, his fingers touched the smooth surface of the platform. Reaching out with his left hand he could touch the tracks.

Raising himself on his hands and knees he slowly gained his feet and rolled silently onto his back on the platform, then to his belly. He inched forward in the dark, crawling. He tried to keep Neville's moaning on his left side and move away from him to the right. He crawled until he gently bumped his head on a wall. His hand detected the rough hewn wall of the dungeon. Standing upright, he raised his hand to ascertain the height and could not touch a ceiling. He inched along the wall facing outward continuing to stop and smell the air and listen to Neville.

Why isn't anyone here? he wondered. If this were a trap, Harry knew that he should have been met by Voldemort or at least one of his followers, and yet they had been there for five minutes and still no one had shown up.

He felt a cold draft of air on his face and turned his head in that direction. It has to be an opening, he thought. He reached it almost immediately when his hand reached for the wall and met with space. It took seconds to determine that it was a door and from it was a set of stairs.

Retracing his steps he fumbled in the dark and found the rails. He moved along until he came across Neville's solid form in the dark. Harry could hear other noises now, those that sounded like rats scratching along the floor of the platform and the creaking of the iron wheels on the carts as they rocked gently. There was still nothing that suggested anyone but the two of them were there.

Without speaking he touched Neville who jumped and cried out piteously through the gag charm. "Aaareee!" he snorted.

"Shhh," Harry whispered. "FINITE INCANTATUM, he spoke quietly and the binding and gagging charms were lifted. His hand immediately felt for Neville's face and he put the palm against Neville's mouth and hugged his head so that he could speak in his ear.

"Say nothing. Hold onto me and follow." Harry waited for the head to nod in ascent.

He cringed when the cart rolled and squeaked as Neville unfolded his legs and stood waiting in the dark beside him.

Harry used his hands to place Neville's own hands on the floor off the platform, lifted him physically and pushed him into a standing position and then begin to walk forward, counting his steps to the wall. He retraced his steps along the wall pulling Neville with him wishing that Neville would stop breathing so hard and yet, thought that he probably sounded louder then he really was.

He found the opening with ease and began to climb the stairs, feeling each stair with his toes. Harry prayed silently that they had not run into a staircase like the one's at Hogwarts and Grimmauld Place; the kind that led nowhere or into empty space.

He smelled it long before he came to it. The smell was very foul, but not strong. He had reached the top of the stairs and felt the passageway going in two directions. Harry would know the smell, he would remember it the rest of the life because he and Ron had helped save Hermione their very first year at Hogwarts from one of them; it was a mountain troll.

He pulled Neville in the opposite direction. It might not be the right way to go, he thought, but better then going towards that ghastly stench.

Neville was resisting him and made several attempts to talk, although Harry sensed it and once again had his hand over his mouth. "Stop, you MUST stay silent," Harry hissed.

They continued down the hall and then he heard it.

"FIND THEM!" a shouted erupted behind them. "Do not harm them!" The voice was muffled. Harry was pulling Neville along in the dark and they both stumbled over the rough stone floor as they sought another door.

Harry could not risk using his wand for light and was happy when he glimpsed a faint light from the stairwell they had exited. It was enough to show him a faint outline of the passage. There were a number of doors lining each side. Neville stopped resisting, they both ran full-out towards the end of the passage and another set of stairs.

Both were holding their sides and gasping for breath as they reached the last stair. Movement from below warned them that their trail had been found in the thick dust that had covered the rail platform.

"This way, Harry," Neville said and pointed towards an alcove that was almost completely covered in cobwebs. They burst through pulling webs from their face and climbing yet another set of stairs. This time there was a growing dimness as if they were headed towards a source of light.

"Harry," Neville was whispering and breathing heavily. "I've got to tell you something."

Harry grabbed Neville's robe and they did a graceful waltz around a corner and down another passage. "Can't it wait, Neville?" he whispered as quietly as he could through his own gasps of air.

"Harry, I'm not Neville." The boy slowed one step and pulled Harry back. "I'm Tonks."

Harry stopped cold for a second, looked at the face and back behind them. "Okay. I don't care who you are right now, but they are about two seconds behind us. We gotta go!" He grabbed Neville's robe and together they raced down the passage, through a heavy wooden door and directly into Lucius Malfoy.

He wasn't alone.

Harry barely recognized the face, but did recognize the pale blond hair. Malfoy stood with two men, both hooded so that their faces were not visible. Harry made a half turn and extended his wand a second too late. A pair of strong hands held him and his wand was easily removed as the strong sausage-thick finger's of one of the hooded figures pried it from his hand.

Malfoy's eye roved over Harry's face and quickly glanced at Neville. He spoke to the two guards at his side, "These aren't the two. Put them with the others and go search for the rest." The two hooded men dragged Harry and Neville through an open door and into a room where there was a sort of metal cage on wheels. There were three others in the cage; Harry knew them all. They were members of the Order. He and Neville were shoved in with them.

Malfoy stepped into the room and waited until the two men left. He moved close to the cage and spoke to Harry who was crouching down next to Neville/Tonks. She had fallen to the floor of the contraption and was laying there staring at Malfoy.

"I'm doing you a favor, Potter. You may not like it when you get there but you will still be alive. I'm sending you to the slave caves of Basgareth. There you will have anonymity for as long as you live. Chances are that your life will be longer than mine," Malfoy's one eye roved over the contents of the cage and he added, "However, it will not be pleasant one."

With a wave of his wand the cage moved on wheels into a dark tunnel and sped up. This time the ride would take hours.