Disclaimers and Notes: Good Gad, you get it by now!
IMPORTANT NOTE(S): As of this point in the story, Harry, James, Sirius, EVERYONE has read or had an overview of "The Shaman's Voice", which was posted in the last chapter.
(whistles) Weeell, a lot of you didn't like the fact that Fred got nabbed, and in such a horrible situation.... And I can't say that no one would come out unscathed.
If you're also wondering about Neville... Well, you'll see, but you'll have to wait.
There are a few questions asked in reviews that won't be answered in the story until the next chapter. However, I wouldn't mind chatting about it. AIM = LadyGeuna Feel free to AIM sometime, I guess.
Happy reading (hopefully)! I've been waiting to post this chapter for about a year. The last part I've had written and finish for the longest time, though I got the names of the twins mixed up, so that took a while to fix.
Read and Review!
Geuna~
This chapter is dedicated to bookwrm580 for being the first to figure out that James (and others) was going to be "Dementized" as she put it. ^__~
A/N: I've been reading Doctor WHO BBC British novels and have been picking up lingo. "Lark" in other words, though I'm not exactly sure what they mean, is used in context. ^_^' I just thought it would be cool to have it. (Reads more Dr. Who) To any of you who like Dr. Who and the eighth Doctor I recommend "The Scarlet Empress." It's like Dr. Who meets Lord of the Rings. (lol)
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Author: Lady Geuna
Official Editor: Giesbrecht
This Chapter Rated: PG-13 for the usual scariness
Summary: You should know by now. ^__~
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"..." - speech
'....' - thoughts
/..../ - with italics means a part of a flashback.
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The Final Game
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"I wouldn't let it kill them… I wouldn't let it bite them, I wouldn't… I can remember it… But then… Neville …"
~ Remus Lupin, Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", Body Tag: Part 2, by Lady Geuna
"I picked this [The Shaman's Voice] up off the stairs. Return it to Mr. Ron Weasley, we'll all need it eventually."
~ Albus Dumbledore, Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", Body Tag: Part 2, by Lady Geuna
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The trouble had immediately started with James and Snape's announcement that Fred Weasley was nowhere to be seen in the Gryffindor Common Room and with the discovery of what they believed to be the boy's wand laying next to his twin brother's unconscious body. James, of course, did not know the severity of this statement as well as Snape did. Though Snape was not fond of the two, he knew as well as any other Hogwarts professor who ever taught the boys that where one twin was, the other couldn't be far off, and not without good reason.
But Fred Weasley wasn't there. Fred Weasley had disappeared all together.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
It was long after midnight just outside the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, where the Burrow lay calm and quiet. However, not all there were asleep at that hour.... And at that moment, one Percy Weasley wished his brother would just go back to Egypt!
"You right little sod," Bill chided, "I thought you'd be taking a break from work, eh? But here you are, at this hour slaving."
Percy rolled his eyes. Surely, that day a few weeks ago had changed him and all, but Percy was Percy, and he, unfortunately, was falling behind at work. He had just entered the kitchen to refill his mug with tea before returning upstairs, only to find Bill searching the pantries for snacks wearing only a pair of plaid Muggle pajama pants as slippers. It was rather indecent. To Percy the house was freezing, so he worse a heavy robes over his own night clothes. "Do you have anything better to do than annoy me at this time of night?"
Bill smiled wolfishly. "Hardly. Charlie went to bed hours ago."
"That's because mother told you both to go to bed."
"He still listens to mother now and then, you see, unlike me. And it would be awfully rude of me to stay up with the light one with Charlie in the room. Terribly rude indeed! And mom would murder me if I pulled that lark. But ah, she told you just the same," a big grin lit up his face as he found an old box of Bloomweed Cookies, "I'm surprised you haven't rushed to obey or anything, you seem so used to it by now. Proud of you for that, Perc, really I am. You make your brother proud." He winked at Percy as he stuffed a few cookies in his mouth, made a face at the taste before grabbing for a few more, shrugging it off.
"I am not," Percy protested, making a face at his brother as he ate. Surely he could find something a bit healthier to eat than that. And who was he to contradict their mother!? To sense of authority or respect... "And you just watch it, or--"
"Charlie!" A voice from the living room made them both jump, startled. It came so unexpectedly that Percy felt his heart stop for a moment and nearly dropped his mug, his other hand flying up to clasp over his chest. "Hello, Bill? Charlie?"
Percy and Bill glanced up at each other quickly, recognizing the voice instantly. 'Dad? What on devil-'
"Charlie," Mr. Weasley's voice called again from the living room. He wasn't shouting, hardly that, but rather letting out a hushed whisper, like he didn't want the sound to carry very far. However the downstairs of the Burrow was very quite at this time of night, and only the pipes up stairs and the ghoul in the attic really caused much commotion. "Percy, is anyone there?"
Percy set his mug down and Bill threw aside the nearly empty cookie box as they both hurried into the next room to be greeted by their father's head floating in the fireplace. Luckily their mother had forgotten to put out the fire that night.
"Boys," their father exclaimed, "thank goodness it's you. Is your mother up?" Before either of Percy or Bill could response he was speaking again. "I don't want you to tell her anything, keep this to yourselves for now." Neither Percy nor Bill missed the wild look in their father's eyes, the strained, choked quality of his tone as if he was trying to speak as clearly as possible though quickly and have difficulty doing both.
Percy didn't like how this seemed to foreshadow something awful. His father's voice made him recall something not long ago, a sort of sick nostalgia. This look, this tone... This was all the same as when his father had been faced with the thought of Charlie being dead. But of course that couldn't possibly be the situation! That was all taken care of, and Charlie was upstairs, asleep in the room be and Bill share while they were back home. Nothing was wrong, it couldn't be again!
"I need you to check the clock," Mr. Weasley began again. "The grandfather clock, boys, tell me if Fred is at school, or missing, or... or..."
Bill didn't seem to like being left in the dark, frowning. "What's this about, what happened to F-"
"Just check it!"
Percy were struck dumb, but only for a short moment before following Bill, who had somehow hurried off without him noticing. Mr. Weasley seemed to be muttering so someone apologetically over his shoulder. Percy rushing across the small room until he reached Bill's side, where the family grandfather clock stood against the wall between two acquiredly shaped windows. There were nine golden hands glittering faintly in the firelight, and on each hand was a name. He had to squint in the poor lighting to actually read it.
The longest hand, Mr. Weasley's, pointed toward "school", as did Ron's, and Ginny's.
The second longest hand, Mrs. Weasley's, pointed toward "home", as did Bill's, Charlie's, and Percy's.
Though the two final hands stood elsewhere.
George Weasley
Hospital
Fred Weasley
Mortal Peril
Bill cursed softly but passionately to himself, and Mrs. Weasley could be heard calling down the stairs, demanding to know what all the noise was about, why they weren't in bed. Bill, seemingly taking their father's request to heart, left Percy's side to intercept his mother on the stairs before she had a chance of seeing the fire and her husband's head floating there. Then she would know and worry. A worried Molly Weasley was a Molly Weasley of the worst sort.
Percy, after starring at the clock for a few more seconds, turned around and went back to the fire to tell his father...
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Elsewhere, within Hogwarts...
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"Mr. Weasley? Mr. Weasley, are you alright?"
Arthur turned away from the fire wearily to look Professor McGonagall in the eye. "Yes... Yes, or course-"
***Flashback***
"Father!" Percy had come back to the fire, his head appearing in the flames. "The clock says Fred... is in moral peril."
"... Thank you..."
"What can I do? How did this happen? Is George in the Hospital Wing? Can I do anything to help?"
"No Percy... Just don't tell you mother. Not yet."
***End Flashback***
Arthur sighed. "I'm just... rattled..." He shook his head. "George isn't taking this well, either..." Arthur gave a small smile. "Maybe it doesn't feel like it, but it's certainly hardest for him..."
***Flashback***
George stomped around the Hospital Wing, taking no notice of anyone else in the room. Even as Hermione sob hysterically into Ron's shoulder, he didn't care if his actions were making the situation worse.
"Fred!? Where's Fred!?"
"Calm down, George." This was Harry, speaking in a soothing tone, trying to get him to hold still but failing. "Everything will be all right, we'll look-"
"But we're not! My brother, he-he's going to be turn into a DEMENTOR and-"
"George," Arthur yelled, sounding a bit more demanding than intended. "Listen to Harry and clam down, young man. This is no time to panic like this-"
"Then why didn't you tell Ginny, eh!?"
"She-"
"Why haven't you told her!? And mom! Why haven't you told them, dad!? If it isn't that bad why are you hiding it from them."
"I'm not hiding anything for them!"
"LIAR!"
***End Flashback***
"What did your family say, Arthur," Dumbledore asked, coming into the room wearing a heavy purple night robe with gold tassels at the waist. On his head was adorned his nightcap, giving the impression that he had been ready for bed when the news reached him. "Were you able to make contact?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, sir... The clock says Fred is in mortal peril... And that George is in the hospital."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, George is still there, until he is escorted elsewhere." He looked to McGonagall. "Minerva, I trust you have already made the announcement?"
McGonagall nodded. "Yes, Albus. No students are allowed to leave their presents locations. I am about to begin the search myself. Mr. Potter is waiting for you in the hall, sir."
"I want to help," Arthur said quickly, hands unconsciously clinching. "There must be something more I can do?"
"Certainly, Arthur," Dumbledore said patently. "Then please do assist Minerva." Then he had left to met Mr. James Potter in the hallway...
Arthur hated this... Why did this have to happen again?
McGonagall put a comforting hand on his arm as they headed out into the halls, ready to begin the search. If only they knew where to look... "Don't worry, Mr. Weasley, I'm sure we'll have Fred in safe hands again shortly..."
Those were empty words, Arthur felt, but it could only be considered courteous is he humored her. "I hope so..."
'Merlin, I hope...'
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Elsewhere, just outside of Hogwarts...
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At Hogwarts, those found unconscious in the Gryffindor Common Room possessed no memory of what had happened to them, only remembering Neville Longbottom entering the common room and all going black. The students (Though thoroughly confused) were released from the Hospital Wing long ago and escorted back to the Common Room.
Hours ago, by order of the Headmaster and Headmistress, all students were to remain in their common rooms. All students who were elsewhere and present with a teacher were immediately escorted to the common rooms. Passwords had been changed immediately so that no students were able to enter the common rooms with a teacher present. Those students who were alone in the castle were to remain where they were until found by a teacher, then escorted to their common rooms.
Any teachers that weren't escorting students where searching the castle or guarding the exits. As a result, the number of individuals actually searching were cut down and concentrated mainly indoors. Hagrid seemed to be one of few exceptions, patrolling the woods, and a few professors who had gone out to scan the Quidditch field and stands.
Though more help was coming.
"Remus, you should be in bed-"
"Will you be silent, Sirius," Remus hissed peevishly at his friend insistence, striding along in a careful manner so Sirius couldn't see that the other man could his limp. "I want to help, and I will, I don't care what you say. As you can see I'm not bleeding or bruised or have any mortal wounds." Then calmly he said, "Madame Pomfrey fixed me up as good as new."
The two was them were heading outside. James had gone with Dumbledore to check out the lower floors of Hogwarts. Remus and Sirius were now walking down the front steps of the castle, heading toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Remus wasn't about to sit back and let everyone else work on finding Fred Weasley. Not after all the trouble he had already caused...
***Flashback***
Remus had enough of it. He hated being in this bed, in the Infirmary. He needed to help, he couldn't just lay there. Madame Pomfrey had left the room and he was alone. She was escorting Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville elsewhere. Sirius had left as well.
He swung his legs off the bed carefully before getting on his feet, wincing at a sharp pain in his side but ignored it, finding his cloak and shoes, putting them back on while minding his own injuries. The blood on his cloak had long since dried, though he could barely smell it either way. His senses were shot, though he wasn't sure why. Maybe Remus was in need of a good rest after all, but he wasn't willing to allow himself that.
As he neared the door, he heard voices...
"We have no way of knowing..." 'Sirius...?'
"We have no time to check right now, do we?" This was Snape. What were those two doing...? Could they not hold a conversation without throwing insults like petty adolescents?
"It doesn't matter," Sirius said quickly, sounding unsure, "it wasn't his fault. Don't you dare hold this against him, Snape. Truce or not, I swear to Merlin I'll never let you live it down, never."
What were they talking about...?
"You don't seem to get it," Snape said, sounding horribly annoyed, "or perhaps your too busy trying to be an antagonist." There was a grunt in response. "If Longbottom is indeed a werewolf, than we have yet another tragedy on our hands."
Remus thought he felt his heart explode... The worse echoes in his mind.
/If Longbottom is indeed a werewolf.../
He had to have heard wrong... This couldn't be happening...! He was so caught up with this denial that he had almost missed it when Snape continued to speak.
"I'm sure you don't wish to see your werewolf friend in Azkaban. I doubt he would fair well there." Sarcastic. Venomously so, as always.
Remus head spun so badly that he had to he support himself with a hand on the wall. He heard Sirius growl. "Is that a threat?"
Snape snorted. "For once, Black, actually listen to what I say to you." He spoke slowly, carefully, as though making sure Sirius understood the meaning of each and every word. "I'm stating a fact, if you would actually care to listen?"
"Out with it then!"
A long pause.... 'Please, say something, this is killing me!' Remus had to know everything. Remus knew that he'd run into Neville, but the boy had been released from the Hospital Wing! His injuries were minor; easily cleaned and healed, he was fine! Just Fine!
"If Longbottom is a werewolf," Snape repeated, "then intentional, accidental or beyond his control completely, Lupin will be apprehended by werewolf control and sent directly to Azkaban."
'Azkaban...'
"He will have a trial, of course," Snape continued, "however, due to general public dislike, I very much doubt it will be a fair one. The verdict will not he in his favor. If he's lucky he won't receive the Kiss."
"No," he heard Sirius whisper... He didn't sound angry now, but still denied it all.
"I am not threatening you," Snape said again, calmly. " I believe ("for once") you should start thinking with your head, Black."
There was no snide remark, no bitter words.
Only footsteps fading into the distance...
It was a while later when Madame Pomfrey returned to find Remus sitting against the wall just inside the door, starring calculatingly at the wall across from him. For a moment she had been worried Remus had hurt himself, but he was just fine. Sirius had been standing just outside the door the whole time, but he had no idea that Remus had heard any of his conversation with Snape.
***End Flashback***
Sirius had never known that Remus had hear them... And for now Remus was going to keep it that way.
By now they had reached the edge of the forest. It was a good place to hide, surely, and hardly as perilous as the heart of the forest. No one had bothered to search there in the first place. Though at the moment Remus couldn't catch the scent of the forest ahead of him, couldn't pick up any sounds. His senses were still shot, dulled, and they wouldn't be of any use to him for a while.
He could feel Sirius eyes on his, see him starring in his peripheral vision, and it make Remus turn to him. "Are you sure you're alright," Sirius asked again, looking determined to get an honest answer from him. "I can tell when you're lying, you know."
This time Remus didn't respond right away... Then he smiled back at his friend. "Liar... And yes, of course I'm fine... But don't worry about me, worry about Fred, okay?"
Sirius nodded slowly and smiled as well. "Whatever you say... Moony."
'Thank you, Padfoot...'
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Elsewhere within Hogwarts...
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"Every other teacher in this whole bloody school is out searching, aren't they," Harry growled, pacing back and forth along the room just as George has been not long ago. "Why shouldn't we help?"
He, Ron, Hermione and Neville had been moved to another room nearby just down the stair from the Infirmary. Madame Pomfrey had escorted them there herself to make room in the Infirmary, just in case... She certainly thought the situation was bad enough that some sort of catastrophe was bound to take place. Though for some reason they hadn't been taken back to their Common Room, they otherwise weren't allowed to walk the halls on their own.
Of course Harry had other ideas.
When he had returned with Dumbledore to the stairwell to find Sirius, his father and Lupin, none had noticed him retrieve his Invisibility Cloak from the steps.
"I don't like this," Hermione mutter, lying on a small bed Pomfrey had conjured up for her. Other than feeling exhausted, Hermione was recovering splendidly. Most of the color had returned to her flesh, though the dark circles under he eyes would probably take a few days to fade away. She had finally stopped blaming herself for all that she had done, as Hermione couldn't remember doing any of it (Except part of the incident on the stairwell a few hours ago.). It was totally beyond her control, and she was will to accept and live with that fact. Hermione wasn't crying anymore, but even now she held Ron's hand tightly, though Harry thought that perhaps that wasn't just for security....
"Sorry, 'Mione," Ron said firmly, "but I think the teachers could use all the help they can get. And no one will bother us if they don't see us."
"Y-Yeah," Neville said, his chest puffed up in an effort to appear braver than he obviously felt. He reminded Harry oddly of a bird who had puffed up his breast feathers. "We've got to help! And this is partially my fault..." He hung his head, sighing deeply.
Ron rolled his eyes. "Neville, if you don't stop blaming yourself I'm gonna-"
"Oh, HUSH," Hermione snapped, exasperated. "I'm not telling you it's dangerous, I'm telling you there's a much easier way to find Fred!" All suddenly went silent as all three boys turned their attention toward her. Hermione nodded to herself in satisfaction, trying to suppress a smirk as she used her free hand to gesture. "The Marauder's Map, of course!"
Harry and Ron's faces fell. "But-But we have no clue of where it is," Ron cried. "Lupin lost it, then-"
"He didn't loose it," Hermione interrupted. "I don't remember everything, or even half of it, but I do remember a little bit during the time that thing was inside me, and that map is one of them!"
"Where is it," Harry asked, not bother to hide his anxiousness. If they could get that map their problem could be solved! Just as long as they got to it before "It" managed to leave the Hogwarts ground with Fred.
Hermione sighed. "I honestly don't remember, but it must be in my things in the dormitories." She looked to the boy sitting next to her. "Ron, you'll have to look."
"Me," Ron gulped, glancing from side to side for some reason. "Why me?" "Honestly, what's he getting so flustered about...?'
"Because I trust you to take care in searching my personals, Ron."
Ron didn't seem at all flattered. "What if the other girls are there? They'll eat me alive!"
"In that case," Harry said, "Ron and Neville," Neville let out a gasp of horror to this announcement, "you two look for the map. I'll take you to the Gryffindor Tower, and then I'll go ahead and look for Fred. There's no guarantee that you'll even find it, so two people looking is better than one. And Hermione," he smiled softly when addressing her. Like Ron, he was more than pleased to have the old Hermione back with them. "After a bit go to Madame Pomfrey, then... well, tell her you couldn't stop us?" Hermione nodded, smiling proudly. "Do you think you can make if on your own?"
"I think so." Then, with a little help from Ron, she got to her feet, stumbling a little before righting herself. "Yes... Yes, I think I can make it. Don't worry." Ron couldn't help but be worried, it seemed, fawning over her as Hermione insisted she was alright, gently slapping his hands away.
"The girls dormitory," Neville whimpered. "Lavender... Parvati... I've seen them angry, they'll-"
"We can get Ginny to invite us in," Ron said quickly, getting a bit more into the "mission" Harry and Hermione had assigned to him. "Maybe she's not a Fifth Year, but she's girl, right...? We'll say we're getting something for Hermione. Special permission."
Neville weakly agreed, muttering, "If they believe us," under his breath. If Harry didn't know any better he would say the two were more afraid of the girls wrath than the entity.
"Right then," Harry said, unfolding his torn cloak and draping it over himself, only leaving his head visible. He held it open for Ron and Neville to follow. Neville looked at him in wonder. Neville, Harry had forgotten, hadn't known of or seen his Invisibility Cloak before.
"Harry," Hermione said quickly as Ron joined him under the cloak, dragging Neville along with him by the sleeve, "Ron, Neville, please be careful. Who knows what this things can do to you if you-"
"But we know already, Hermione," Ron insisted, with the same sense of exasperation Hermione had displayed a moment ago. "I've read that book myself probably ten bloody times, I would know."
Hermione shook her head furiously. "No, that's not it. That text may be correct in many ways, but it's missing some information." 'Missing?' "Why doesn't it say anything about switching bodies? It did that with me as well as others-and remember the boy Adam? The one in the book? He stayed unconscious at one time, and even though people touched him it-"
"Alright," Harry interrupted. "We understand, but it can't be dealt with at the moment."
Ron nodded, as did Neville. Harry had to admit it to Ron, he was handling the situation very well compared to the rest of his family. Or maybe it was because he'd had the experience once to often.
The three of them now stood, there low bodies invisible as they moved as one to the door. Raising up the hood and covering them, Harry took out his wand and tapped at the locked door.
"Alohomora!"
The lock clicked, and they swung the door open. Harry looked up and down the hall, and when he saw no one he quickly tugged the other two along so that they could close the door and lock it again without risk of anyone hearing them.
"Bye, Hermione," Ron called quietly before the door closed.
"Good-bye, Ron. Good luck to you all..."
Click
'Good luck to us indeed...'
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Another is coming, but this time they'll be next, the next host. Enough of this.
Not many about now, they've given up, they've lost hope. This makes It so much stronger...
Everyone was looking for this boy, so It couldn't be this boy anymore.
Yes, they won't see It coming...
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Harry seemed upset that he was left out," James muttered as he walked along the halls with Dumbledore, wand drawn and ready. The school was unnerving with the dead silence... He didn't know why he was thinking Harry at a time like this either. He wondered if that made him selfish...
"Of course Harry is usually the one to save the day," Dumbledore replied with a note of humor. "But then, what sort of Headmaster would I be if I allowed by students to easily walk into danger?"
James chuckled. "Yes, of course I can understand that... Though he does have quite of a background, doesn't he?" Almost too much of a background...
"As do you?"
"Yes... well." He scratched the tip of his nose, trying not to smirk. Of course the Headmaster was referring to James' old expeditions with his friends. Perhaps, then, the old man hadn't been as in the dark as they had assumed? "It's not something I'm altogether proud of, thought there is very little I regret."
Dumbledore nodded. "Of course."
They had just left the Great Hall, where about three other teachers were patrolling. The where walking through the corridor that led to the front of the castle. Even at this time of night (morning?) the torches made the castle look as if it were day. The houselves had been instructed to keep the fires and torches burning all night long rather than dimming or snuffing them as usual. But still the air felt incredibly chilling.
"What now, sir," James asked. "I don't see how we're possible going to find Fred now." 'In the end there are too few of use and too many places to look,' he thought.
Dumbledore nodded, shaking his head in dismay, his long beard sweeping from side to side. "I understand, James, however I am out of options. I have sent word to the Ministry, telling them all they need to know," to this he gave James a knowing look, "and assistance will be sent as soon as it is available. Though I dare say I sense that you are less than optimistic?"
James didn't answer to that..."Did you tell them about... About Remus, sir? And Neville...?"
"That... is something they do not need to know," Dumbledore pointed out easily.
James nodded, frowning. Sometimes he wondered how Dumbledore could make these sorts of decisions so easily... Or perhaps they weren't as easy as he made them seem?
His train of thought was suddenly interrupted as Dumbledore came to a vicious halt beside a large painting in the corridor. His head snapped up, his ward pointed in the direction of the painting. The young woman that occupied the painting --who had been sitting leisurely sewing a quilt-- immediately let out a loud shriek and dashed from the painting, leaving her crafts behind.
James, who had raised his own wand as well, slowly let down his guard. He saw absolutely nothing there. "Albus, what is it!?"
Dumbledore lowered his wand, taking a deep breath before shaking his head. For a moment he saw that Dumbledore was perhaps truly angry. Or maybe that was fear? Frustration? It was something, but James couldn't put a word to it with this man. "Oh, do come out my boy, this is no time to be playing ghost in the hallways..."
James was utterly confused until suddenly a head appeared there in midair. It was...
"Harry!?"
Harry, with the most sheepish and fiery red expression imaginable, carefully slipping his heirloom cloak from his shoulders. The boy's eyes were wild with shock, like he'd just been frightened out of his wits. But it was Dumbledore who muttered quietly, "Oh dear, you did give a poor old man a fright..."
"Harry," James said again, eyes narrowing and he crossed his arms, trying to physically show his disapproval.
The boy flinched, showing just how well that position affected him. "W-Well," Harry spoke up after a while, his voice creaking oddly as though very worried as to how James was going to react. He looked up and down the hallway nervously. "I..."
Oh this was pitiful... He could tell somehow that Harry wasn't half as intimidated by Dumbledore as he was of James at that moment. 'Bloody hell...' James wasn't expecting to have this sort of parental "power" over his son for another five year at least when he turned seven! But here James was... Was he supposed to ground Harry? James would be sure to ask Arthur Weasley later on once this all was over...
Weasley... They couldn't very well stand around here like this now! James was about to say something with Dumbledore piped in. "Well? Explain yourself, boy." It might of been James' imagination, but they man seemed almost amused.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said cautiously, eyes adverted to the floor, "I-I was just..."
"Roaming the halls after hours? During a time of crises, no less, where all students are thereby ordered to stay in their rooms."
"Y-Yes sir..." He hung his head even lower.
James frowned down at his son, his arms still crossed. He was incredibly disappointed though not at all surprised. After all, he would have done the exact same thing in his situation and in his day, if his friends were in danger. Unsure of what to say to him James for now left that up to Dumbledore. He hoped it would be quick, then they could be on their way.
"Very well, Harry," Dumbledore said, sighing. "I am afraid I will have to deduct twenty points from Gryffindor and assign you two weeks detention with Professor Lupin," at this Harry raised his head a little and James flinched. How could he think Remus would be willing to teach now? "You understand I cannot allow this to go unpunished?" Oh, there was that little twinkle in Dumbledore's eye, after all these years James found it impossible to miss. "Though I must also report to your Headmistress. Other points deduction and punishments I shall leave to Professor McGonagall."
"Of course, sir," Harry said quickly, straightening a little, seeing as he wasn't in too much trouble. This was Dumbledore after all.
Dumbledore sighed again, his face being hard and serious. "I have forgotten. It is my responsibility to contact the parents of all students involve." Responsibilities? Dumbledore and he were supposed to be checking the Greenhouses. He never mentioned anything about sending letters. Though, on the other hand, contacting the parents was just as important. "And since the Gryffindor Tower is so far off from your predestination, James, I suppose you will simply have to take your son along with you. You shall continue your search for young Mr. Weasley without me."
James could see Harry's eyes light up, to his own great astonishment. What was it about this highly dangerous situation the he could possibly be excited about? "Are you sure, sir?" He didn't want his son in on this, and he knew Dumbledore knew this. He didn't want this son to be put in harm's way.
"Of course I am sure, my boy. Now, I shall be heading off to my office," Dumbledore continued turning to leave, "and I shall trust the both of you to stay out of trouble. Be safe. And please be sure if you run into George to take him along, if not send him back into the school immediately. It is dreadfully confusing for the professors with both of them running about."
"George," Harry spoke up quickly, confused. Dumbledore stopped immediately to listen. "What do you mean, I thought he'd gone back to the dormitory?"
James frowned, shaking his head. "No, Harry. George Weasley went off on his own to find Fred..."
Yes, this situation only seemed to be getting worse...
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Do they really know what it's like to lose a twin...? Their other half? Their best friend from their first moment of existence, the first time they drew breath...?
No, try as they might, they would never understand.... How could they...?
That's exactly why he had gone off on his own. Who better to find a Weasley Twin than a Weasley Twin?
George had taken the route toward the lake, alone, while the others looked elsewhere. Where, he had no idea. George had made sure not to run into anyone for risk of them forcefully sending him back inside, and he wasn't about to go anywhere until he had searched himself.
But the faculty members had grown exhausted with fatigue. He knew this, of course, because he had run into a few, but of course they hadn't seen him. George had used the tunnel to the Shrieking Shack
George didn't know why he'd chosen to search the lake of all places. Why would Fred--or at least the thing inside him--chose to go to such an open area? But call it a feeling, call it a magical pull, call it what you will, but George followed it blindly. It wasn't like he knew where to look to begin with, assuming... Damn, he didn't know anything... He didn't know where to look or where to start and it was killing him.
He had circled the lake, twice, though George had no idea what he was looking for. The November air was biting and his feet sunk slightly into to moist ground surround the lake, with some areas frosted or frozen over. 'Fred... I swear, if that thing does anything to you...'
Then he heard it. What seemed like a tiny slash, possibly from the giant squid surfacing, but nevertheless it was enough to grab his attention and George's eye turned to look over the lake. The sun wasn't due to fully rise for a few hours still, before beginning is long trek across the sky to sink behind the Forbidden Forest. Nevertheless, that little bit of light there was caused an odd yet beautiful effect over the water, which was rippling ever so slightly in the light, chilling breeze.
George shivered, both from the cold and his own dread, and he watched the squid surface slowly--agonizingly so--roughly thirty feet away.
Wait..... The squid was much smaller than usual... The color was wrong, and it wasn't moving at all. But it couldn't be one of the lake creatures, couldn't be, it....
"Oh bloody.... NO! NO! NO!"
It was Fred. Fred, laying face down in the water, and there was no bubbles, no air visibly rising to the surface around him.
Sheer panic and instinct took over from there and George dived straight into the icy water. The second his body was submerged with water his skin began to sting from the cold and then everything began to go numb. But that wasn't about to stop him. He should've, however, thought to take off some of his school robes, which were weighing him down and slowing his progress.
He was within feet of his brother's body when Fred seemed to disappeared from view. For an instant George assumed that his own vision was impaired due to the water or the bad lighting, and he came to a temporary halt, sputtering water and trying not to chock. He forced himself to treed water, whipping a hand over his eyes and blinking repeatedly.
Fred had disappeared.
"Damn!" George realized that he must've sunk below the surface once more, so he followed in suite, taking a deep breath beforehand before becoming as stiff and straight as a board, allowing he already heavy robes to aid in his decent.
During the short time he was under, George saw nothing. Attempting to control his panic now, he allowed himself to surface again to take another breath of air, then dived straight downward head first; so far down that the water became cloudy and the little light coming from above became very dim. He was about to rise up from yet a third breath of air when he saw a movement. A large shadow, then a flash of a tie, red and gold, red hair. It was Fred! His body was drifting nearby, neither sinking nor rising, his back turned to George, arms floating stiffly outward.
By now George's limbs were exhausted, but he struggled forward, toward his brother, joy and relief along with horror and dread ran through his veins; and he finally was able to grasp the body, turning it to face him.
He let out a strangled gasp/scream.
Or at least he tried to. Only air came from his mouth, and he ended up swallowing a mouthful of dirty lake water.
This-This thing wasn't his brother. Its eyes lay sunken, open and focused, but showed no traces of his brother. It smiled wickedly at him in a way his brother wasn't capable. Had they been on the surface on dry ground, George wouldn't have turned running, but he would rather scream at it, angry. Demand that it leave his brother, leave he and his friends alone. George was no coward by any means.
It was the need for air that really frightened him at the moment, the fact that the water around him seemed to he freezing against his skin, and it made George turn to swim upward as fast as he could.
But George wasn't fast enough as a hand grasped his ankle and yanked him roughly back into the misty darkness.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sirius and Remus hadn't been searching long before they both heard the yelling. The sound came from a distance, but there was no doubting it was the young man they were searching for, though why he would be calling for them they didn't know. He was calling to them from the direction of the lake, sounding extraordinarily terrified. They were lucky to have heard it, had they not walked as far as they had Sirius and Remus might've missed it all together. They both were off in a flash with all the speed of someone being chased by a hungry hellhound and arrived at the lakeside within a minute.
There, they couldn't have feared a direr scene...
George (?) was leaning over his brother, pumping his chest rhythmically, then moving to breathe air into Fred's mouth. He was sobbing, his movements clumsy, uncoordinated. They were both soaking wet. It was obvious that Fred had been found in the lake. Wet dirt clung to both of them.
When they reached the boys, Remus quickly took off his own out cloak and wrapped it around the freezing, hysterical boy, then carefully tried to move George aside to let them through. When he refused to leave his twin, Remus was forced to yell and half drag him aside, "Move aside, boy!"
Sirius checked the body, and was relieved to find that his heart was still beating, though very slowly. Another quick examination, however, showed that no air was passing though his lungs, and his chest was very still. His lips were faintly mauve, face pale.
"Don't let him die," the redhead sobbed loudly in a fashion that most would consider unexpected, coming from the Weasley boy. "Please, don't let him die! Fred, wake-up, please!"
Sirius wasn't listening and was already pinching Fred's nose, opening his mouth slightly. "Remus!"
Of course Remus knew what needed to be done. There was no spell complex enough to remove water lodged in a person's lungs. As of yet there wasn't a process the delicate human lungs could handle. He dropped heavily to his knees on the boys left side while Sirius sat, leaning over him on the right. Remus positioned his hands where he thought it to be correct (He feared breaking the boys ribs...), pumping rhythmically when Sirius said to do so.
During the ordeal George just stood, babbling brokenly, "Please don't let him leave me-H-He tried pulling me under-Don't let him die-Don't let Fred die, Mr. Black, please!!"
Remus was very close to loosing all hope after the first minute, knowing that the heart would surly stop beating at any moment, and not long after that the lack of air might cause damage to the brain. But it was just as Sirius sat up from breathing in another breath of air that Fred's body suddenly jerked. His shoulders rose, his back arching as though he were having a seizer, and then finally he coughed violently with his head turned to the side, greenish lake water spilling from his mouth.
Remus forced Fred into a sitting position, grabbing the front of the boys robes and yanking him up, allowing him to cough and wretch up more water as he tried to catch his breath desperately. Attempting to assist, Remus patted the boy on the back, whispering words of encouragement, assurance that he was safe, that he would be alright.
Sirius was breathing multiple sighs of relief, falling backward until he laying on the ground, his hands trembling as he pressed a hand to his forehead. It had been so close... So close. If they'd gotten there a moment later it might've been to late.
Remus was laughing now, barely able to restrain himself from embracing the boy. It never really occurred to either of them that the "entity" might still be within Fred, or that their contact with him could have easily made them hosts. The thought had barely registered before Fred opened his eyes wide, looking confused. His eyes alone were enough to prove that he was in fact Fred Weasley (Or at least for the moment.). Remus could sense no other presence about him, though he wasn't sure if he even able to again. "It's okay, Fred, you're okay now..."
"Bloody children," Sirius muttered shakily, though crossly, still laying comfortably on the wet, rocky ground.
But Fred wasn't smiling and didn't look at all relieved. He only looked around wildly, while shivering violently in his sopping wet robes. "W-W-Where..." His teeth were chattering loudly, shaking so fiercely that he looked to be having difficulty speaking.
Remus had to make sure... "Is the thing gone," he asked sternly. "Can you tell, is it still inside you? Fred, is it inside you!?"
Fred opened his mouth to say something else when his body slumped forward, his eyes rolling upward. Remus caught him in his arms while Sirius sat back up to help hold the boy steady. Fred's head lolled forward for moment before rising back up. He was coughing again, bringing out more water. "D-Dizzy..."
"Fred-"
"N-N-Not F-Fred," the boy choked, shivering even harder.
Both Sirius and Remus froze of these words... "What do you mean, boy," Sirius demanded, turning the boy's head with a hand to his chin, forcing him to make eye contact and focus. "Explain yourself!" Remus was meanwhile looked around for the other twin.
"I'm not F-Fred," he said again, a little clearer this time. "L-listen t-to me, I'm George."
Sirius was the first to realize from the clothes the boy wore... Distinctly peeking up from beneath the partially closed robes was a hand knit blue sweater, on which the initial "G" had been embroidered.
This entire realization was obtained in an instant, and Sirius spun around to face Fred, the one who had tricked them, the entity, only to discover what Remus had already.
Fred was gone...
He must have run off while they had been concentrating on reviving George. Remus' tattered brown cloak now soaking wet lay in a heap on the muddy lake bank where Fred had stood a minute ago, his footprints disappearing as soon at they hit the grass...
Sirius, however, was able to sum it all up in one, simple word.
"Damn."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Harry had succeeded in getting them inside the Greenhouse. Professor Sprout had put some very complicated locking charms on her doors, not to keep people from stealing or vandalizing, but rather for the intruder's personal safety. Breaking the glass to get in was an option, but it would possible that Professor Sprout would never forgive them if they hurt and of the plants inside (Even if those plants were likely to respond in kind...). James, it would seem, was surprised that Harry even owned such a thing as a Penknife, but Harry explained it simply my saying, "Sirius gave it me for my birthday."
The only response to this had been, "I'll have to talk to him about that later..." Harry didn't really know what he had meant by that, but it almost sounded like Sirius had just gotten himself in trouble... 'Woops...' On the other hand, a Penknife was a common gift for a teenager. After all, what was it supposed to promote but unjust behavior and criminal acts? Or maybe that's how his father saw it. He really didn't know. Now that he had a parent, he really had no idea how he thought about such things.
"Two more left," James muttered as he cautiously opened the now unlocked door to Greenhouse Three.
Harry nodded, following close behind, his wand lowered but gripped firmly in his right wand hand. "You'd like to think he'd find somewhere safer to hide," Harry whispered as he closed the door behind him but not bothering to lock it again, feeling momentarily disoriented by the scent of fresh flowers. The Venus Man-Traps must be in full bloom. "These greenhouses aren't the safest places to go alone, especially this one…"
"Who knows," James replied, examining the foliage around him in a manner that showed to be overly cautious. Though one couldn't be too careful in Greenhouse Three. "This thing doesn't think like we do," he continued a few seconds later.
Harry thought about it, and figured that this "thing" didn't care about the physical well being of any of its victims as long as they weren't killed while it was inside the host. Considering what happened to Professor Lupin…
They had nearly reached the middle of the greenhouse when James pointed to the right and said, "You check over there, but keep your wits about you. If you see anything-hear anything, just yell, okay?"
Harry nodded, though inside he was grinning like an idiot. To have your friends worry for your well being was one thing, but to have your FATHER worry about you felt like something totally, completely, utterly different! The Dursleys in contrast would wish him a horrible, slow and bloody end.
After they had separated Harry didn't notice much, nothing that seemed unusual. Greenhouse Three was much bigger than the others, and had even been extended that year to make room for all the new species (The plants needed more space, otherwise they would eat each other…). He couldn't see James through the thick foliage, which had grown higher than normal (Or maybe it was normal and he didn't know it...?). But there wasn't anything that looked very dangerous, all Harry could see were flowers with… ... teeth.
Okay, perhaps they were very dangerous.
He was so focused in his search, minding the plants around him that Harry barely heard the Greenhouse door shutting…
Had his father left?
"Harry?"
He jumped and spun around, eyes widening at discovering his father there, the man looking somewhat perplexed by Harry's reaction.
But if his dad was here, then who was…
"I heard..."
Harry never finished his sentence before an ear-shattering noise pierced though the air.
This was the last thing either of them were aware of before they collapsed as though lifeless to the greenhouse floor.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
To be continued in... Noble Sacrifices Part 1 of 2
0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Next time:
BWAHAHAHAHA!
Trust me, no matter where else I could've ended this chapter, it would've been a cliffie one way or another. Some serious stuff is about to happen.
Though I can honestly saw I have more confidence in the end of this chapter and they next, as I've had then written for a LONG time. For over nine months! I'm getting that "old feeling" back when it comes to writings these chapters, like in the old days! ^_^ I love drama! (Crosses fingers)
One a more serious note:
Okay, the first half of this chapter was a lot harder to write than I thought (As the last half I've had written forever.). I honesty wrote it maybe 5 times, then trashed half the stuff I did, and finally came out with the end result that you just read, totally different from what I intended. I hope the grammar didn't TOTALLY suck, because I actually never got a response from my dear G-chan beta this time, and I wasn't sure who to contact one on really short notice, so I decided to take a nose dive and so it myself... (bad idea)
Geuna~