Chapter 13 The Hloke Curse

Professor McGonagall hurried over to the two teenagers and found that Hermione held a large, musty book. Hermione brought it over to Sirius and opened it to the last chapter of the book. When she opened the front cover, a small cloud of dust formed and Harry sneezed, his eyes opening in surprise. "Harry-I'm sorry." Hermione whispered, handing him a tissue. Due to the effects of the fever, Harry didn't reply but tried to get comfortable again.

"Here it is." Said Ron, pointing to the paragraph. "Anyone who manages to stand up to the strong powers of Lord Voldemort..."

Harry sneezed again, and Hermione moved the book over to another empty cot. "It's the dust," She told Sirius with a sigh. "I forgot he's allergic to it."

Sirius patted her on the shoulder and urged Ron to continue reading. "Anyone who manages to stand up to the strong and potentially fatal powers of the dark Lord Voldemort, will be inflicted by Hloke Curse. The most visible sign that the person has been infected is a thin, lightening shaped scar. ("Harry has that!" Hermione cried) The curse may not take immediate effect on the victim and the symptoms may not appear till almost five years following the application. Symptoms include those similar to the common cold or flu: sneezing, coughing, high fever and vomiting, but the illness will progress quickly and eventually seize the life of the victim. (Hermione covered her mouth with her hands) The Hloke curse can only be broken by a special potion, found only in the mountains of Siberia, produced by the enchanter Mercelo Morbin."

Ron sighed when he finished reading the paragraph and wrapped an arm around Hermione, whose eyes filled with tears. "That's that then." He shut the book and set it on the bed. "Voldemort gave Harry the Hloke curse fifteen years ago. It has been contained in the scar on his forehead."

Hermione suddenly felt very sick to her stomach and immediately made a bee-line for the bathroom. Soon after everyone could hear the faint sound of retching, and Sirius rubbed his face with his hand, glancing at Harry. When Hermione came out of the bathroom, she was sweating and trembling, and was immediately comforted by Professor McGonagall. "Not to worry, dear. We'll think of something."

Professor Dumbledore appeared to be in deep thought. "I will not let Harry die this way." Hermione sobbed. "He can't die." She hurried to his bedside and wrapped her arms around his limp body. "Please sweetheart-you have to fight."

Professor Lupin turned to the headmaster. "I have an idea, Headmaster! Perhaps if we sent someone to Siberia using a portkey-they could find the enchanter and get Harry's medicine." He was eyeing Ron and Hermione, and immediately Ron stepped back, his face now very pale with fear. "Ohhhh no. Not us! Hermione and I are just kids-what about you and Sirius?"

The Hogwarts staff continued to stare at him and Hermione gulped.

"If you do not mind my saying so, Mr. Weasley," Professor Lupin began, "Every year the three of you have managed to entangle yourselves willingly into problems surrounding Hogwarts. You rescued the Sorcerer's Stone during your first year, you saved Ginny from the clutches of Voldemort in the Chamber of Secrets during your second year, and you..."

"Rescued me in your third," Sirius broke in with a smile. "And I remember only two well the triwizard tournament during your fourth year."

"The Triwizard tournament was not our fault, Sirius," Hermione defended herself. "His name was put into the goblet without his knowing."

"Well minus that then. But the three of you show a great amount of bravery-that is what Gryffindor is all about after all."

Hermione trembled. "So let me get this straight. You want the two of us to go to Siberia to find this potentially-still-alive enchanter and bring back medicine for Harry?"

"Yes." Said Professor Dumbledore.

"We'll do it." Hermione replied. "It'll be very risky, but we can't loose Harry. We just can't."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "I am glad you agree, Miss Granger."

Ron looked ready to cry and was making rediculous whimpering noises, only to be silenced when Hermione elbowed him in the shoulder. "OW!" Ron snapped.

"Your loyalty will aid you," Professor Dumbledore added. "We will immediately put the quest into effect. You will leave for the mountains of Siberia tomorrow night, so I suggest you pack plenty of warm things."

Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and the two of them bolted for the Gryffindor Common room.

A/N: The word "Hloke" means "Serpant" but is actually a word in J.R.R. Tolkien's Elvish language (Quenya). I thought it fit perfectly because Voldemort was Slytherin's heir (remember Tom Marvelo Riddle in The Chamber of Secrets and the Basilisk?), and the mascot for Slytherin is a serpant.