- CHAPTER THIRTY -
The Book of Thoth
Stepping out of the chamber with the golden circlet on his arm and the scroll in his hand, the pyres died, and the blue candles that lined the corridor snuffed out, as if a non-existent gust of wind carried off their flame. Harry was plunged into darkness and his nervousness increased tenfold. He cast a Lumos spell, but in the short interval of darkness, he could hear things moving around in the chamber—reminding him of the spiders from the Forbidden Forest.
Harry was very careful as he looked about, and examined the walls and floor around him. Things appeared to be alright, but the sound of tiny insects and slithering continued to come from all around him. His worry was already high enough for his friends outside the corridor; he turned towards the way out, and began walking out quickly.
The noises persisted, and he quickened his pace as heard the sound of stones moving and larger, more frightening things coming from the chamber behind him. He continually turned around to see if anything was there, but only the hissing and screeches of whatever was behind him persisted. That is, until what had to be the fifth time he was checking, he turned around and found what was chasing him.
Harry could see the outlines of his chasers, turned back quickly to run up the corridor, and screamed as he found long, curved fangs right in front of his face, dripping with spit.
'You're going to die!' the creature hissed, Harry refocusing to see it was a yellow snake, coming from a hole in the ceiling—its body curving around and coming at Harry's eye-sight.
The snake lunged at Harry, but Harry dodged the snake's deadly jaws, and ran up the corridor with his wand light guiding him. It was clear now that snakes, and other creatures were chasing him. Turning back, he regretted it instantly, seeing thousands of snakes of various sizes all climbing up the corridor and along the walls. Black insect-like creatures—no doubt spiders, scorpions, and a mix of other wonderful insects—were also in the mix, screeching all the while and causing the panic in Harry's mind to push him into franticness.
The door seemed to be miles away as Harry panted and continued running with all possible speed. The serpentine circlet glimmered gold in his wand light, and with one look at it he found his mind again flashing with thoughts and memories of Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and other people he cared for deeply. Looking away from the bracelet, his heart leaped at the sight of the black, heavy door at the end.
Reaching the door, he turned and found the mass slithering in his light. He was forced to choose between keeping the light and being attacked or firing off spells, but being thrown into darkness.
The snakes would not wait for an answer, and Harry chose to fight.
'Aflatus!' he bellowed. The blue light of his Blasting Curse lit the corridor for a moment and his eyes grew wide as he saw thousands of snakes and other creatures—with many legs—down the corridor. He could not even tell if his Blasting Curse worked because of the darkness, so he continued to throw spells into the abyss of hissing, clicking, and slithering.
The curses were having some effect, but the sheer number of black, insect-like beings just pushed closer and closer together, while more and more snakes continued to slither forward with their fangs raised, and their voices hissing the word "die."
His back right against the wall, Harry was sweating and his voice growing rasp as he continued to volley curse after curse. He knew he could not keep this going. He tried focusing on the snakes and yelling in parseltongue to stop, but they continued ferociously.
Sending another spell off and hearing the creatures in the darkness hit the corridor walls, a sharp and stabbing pain struck Harry in the arm, and he screamed in anguish. Reaching over, he was horrified to find a snake biting into his arm, its fangs pressed deeply into his muscle and not letting go.
Not thinking over the pain, Harry took the snake and pulled its fangs out, throwing it in the direction of the corridor. The noise in the corridor grew to a sickening anthem, and Harry held onto his bleeding left arm preparing for the worst. He would not even make it out of the corridor, and be attacked by thousands of disgusting creatures in the darkness.
But the sounds of the slithering snakes and crawling insects quite suddenly stopped. Harry could feel, all around him, the presence of the creatures. Several scorpions were crawling across his shoes, and the feeling made him gag and tremble with the fear of not knowing what was going on.
Harry waited for a moment, wondering why they stopped their attack, and lit the corridor.
The snakes were gazing at the bracelet. It was now facing them since Harry was holding his still bleeding arm. Harry was petrified with fear as he found thousands of black eyes and slithering tongues looking at him, and the idea they were just waiting to kill him in the most awful way passed through his mind with sickening reality, all while he was trying to remain conscious.
Harry wondered why the snakes were staring at the bracelet, and moved it a little. The heads of the snakes moved with it, and very slowly, Harry moved the scroll to his eyes. He knew Topher said not to use the Book, but had Topher mentioned thousands of snakes and other things trying to kill him?
Unraveling the scroll slowly, hearing the slithers and whispers of the snakes, he found a clear sentence printed on the parchment.
Banish them, add cunctus
Harry had to think for a moment, since he could feel the slow acting venom of the snake in his blood, but it dawned on him what to do. Letting go of his arm, the blood now running down freely, he pointed his wand at the mass of terrifying snakes and creatures. Some of the snakes reared their heads and looked ready to strike.
'Expello Per Sentia Cunctus!' Harry shouted, thinking of the only place he felt all these creatures belonged—in the tomb in Egypt. The corridor went dark, and a wind funneled around him for a moment, then died down, and the corridor was quiet. He opened his eyes hesitantly, and cast a light.
All the creatures had vanished. Harry was careful to check every side of him a few times before he relaxed a bit, and checked his arm in the wand light. The cuts were deep and the loss of blood was making Harry feel even worse with the mix of the snake's venom.
The Banishing Spell worked easily for Harry, even in his mental state. He figured it had to be because of Topher's wand. It was not as powerful as his own, he could tell, but it seemed to let him perform more complicated magic with greater ease.
Putting Topher's wand tip to the door face, Harry expected the door to burst open, but it did not move.
Harry tried again and again, but nothing happened. He began to wonder if perhaps the way in was not the way out, but was not willing to go back into the chamber to find out. Time was limited, and the more he was on that side of the door, the more time Hermione, Ron, and the others had against all the Death Eaters.
Harry felt horrible about thinking of using the Book to help him again. He knew Topher said not to use any spells it may present, but how was he to get out? He tried the wand over and over again, and he tried using various spells—including a Blasting Curse—but the door remained. He tried pushing the door, pulling it, kicking it—nothing seemed to work.
After several stumbling paces about the corridor, his head beginning to pound and his eyesight beginning to dizzy with more and more severity, Harry concluded there was no way out but to use the Book. He hoped in only using one tiny spell, it would not cause much damage or worry with Topher. The first spell did not seem to cause much harm, and it was actually just an add on to one he already knew.
Taking a breath, he took the scroll, and slowly unraveled it. It already had writing on it, and Harry read it under the light from his wand.
The way out is in front of you
Glittering on your right, before your eyes,
Be quick to use this route young Harry
Before another friend dies.
Harry finished, and swore loudly with his rasp voice, which echoed down the chamber. 'Bloody riddles! I swear, if I see another one' he threatened to his surroundings. Perhaps the Book was listening and would not do that to him again.
But he used the advice given. He could not imagine many repercussions from reading a riddle. He had to read it over a few times before understanding it though.
'In front of me, but on my right?' he asked. He was facing ahead, but to his right was the wall. He began to wipe away the dust and cobwebs that covered the wall, but could not find anything shiny, and looking up made him feel so dizzy he almost fell over. He gave an angry sigh when he found nothing but blank rock face, but he paused for a moment when he reached higher.
'Glittering on my right' he whispered, lowering his arm and turning his wrist to see the Circlet reflect the wand light into his eyes of the snake.
Looking forward, he pushed the Circlet against the door, and the door sprang to life, opening towards him. He stood back, rolled up the Book of Thoth, and exited the corridor to find—to Harry's surprise—the Veneforbis Guard still there.
The door closed with a deafening thud, Harry turned back to the Veneforbis Guard to find them taking positions around the chamber. The old man, whom Harry now figured was the leader, walked up slowly, and bowed in front of Harry, while the other Guards turned inwards, and bowed as well. Harry was wondering why they were still there, but he resolved for the time to bow back, still clutching his bleeding arm. In the bow, he almost fell forwards onto the floor.
'Sn- . . . sn- . . . snakes' Harry panted, feeling like he would pass out. The old Guard took a step forward, and with a sweep of his wand the deep, gauging bite was sealed, feeling cool like it had been under an ice pack. He continued in giving Harry a goblet, which was full of a clear substance. Harry wondered for a moment, but was too tired to question it, and drank. It was just water.
'I thought you would have left' Harry remarked oddly, giving back the cup. His head was still light, but he felt a bit better. Harry's right arm was itchy, and he scratched it while the old Guard remained quiet. Having this bracelet device on his arm was something to get accustom to.
'We will help your escape from this level, but no further. You are now a part of what we are bound to protect, and we must see to your well being, but beyond these walls it is up to you, and your loved ones to protect the Book, and the Oroborus Circlet' the old Guard said. Harry took notice of the name, and let the other troubles wait a moment.
'So this will show me how to perform the Oroborus Light? The bracelet?' Harry asked, looking at it as it shone in the dull firelight of the chamber. The old man shook his head.
'No my boy, any magic you wish to perform will come from the Book. The Circlet will bind you to whatever magic you perform from the Book.'
'Bind me? What do you mean? I had to use magic inside-'
'It does not matter now, and I cannot say. We do not have the time; but young Mr. Terrwynebas may know. You must leave this place now, along with your companions. Call his companions to the Circle Chamber' the old man ordered to his other comrades. They all tapped their respective door with their wands, and stood back—their blue cloaks billowing slightly.
Harry wondered if it would work, but all of a sudden Remus, Kingsley, and Draco came through one door, Aberforth, Tonks and Ron through another, and finally Topher, Snape, and Hermione through another. They all closed their doors quickly, and where startled by all the old, blue cloaked Guards standing around Harry.
'How did we all- . . . Harry, did you- . . . ' Remus tried to ask as he looked about the room, his befuddlement clearly showing.
'The Guards summoned you all here. They're going to help us escape' Harry informed the group. The group of Harry's companions surveyed the Guards carefully while Topher took a step forward and looked at Harry seriously.
'Harry, did you get into-'
'Yes Topher, I got in, and I have the Book' Harry asserted, lifting up the parchment scroll.
'Harry, what's on your arm?' Hermione asked worriedly, her eyes fixed on the Circlet.
'All of you must leave now before it's too late. We will escort you out of this level' the head Guard told the group.
'There are Death Eaters everywhere, how will you old geezers help us? You'll probably just slow us down' Draco put in with his usual enthusiasm. Ron lifted his fist behind Draco, but luckily Tonks pulled it back down before he could strike.
'You're a Malfoy, aren't you? Kings of Whiners are easy to notice. We will get you to the lifts, but further we can not go. We must remain here and protect the other artifacts' the old Guard stated.
'That should work. Getting out of here I think was supposed to be the hardest part. If we can get to the Atrium, we can all Apparate back to Hogwarts without worry' Kingsley affirmed to the group.
'That's a long run though, even just from the lifts' Tonks admitted dejectedly.
'Harry, what is that on your arm? And are you sure you're alright' Hermione asked again as she came closer to him. She looked very worried at the bracelet, and also at his face. The loss of blood and stark terror of the dark corridor made Harry's face blanched, and his forehead drenched in a cold sweat.
'I'm alright, just a bit lightheaded. This is the seal that was around the Book, it latched on when I put Topher's wand on it. Oh, by the way' Harry exclaimed, taking a few steps towards Topher, 'here's your wand, worked like a dream.' Topher smiled, and returned Harry's wand to him.
'It was my job Harry, and besides, your wand was interesting to use. Quite a bit of spunk in it for sure' Topher quipped.
'Harry, is that affecting you?' Hermione questioned again, not daring to touch the bracelet.
'I'm alright Hermione, it was the snakes that wore me out' he assured, looking into her worried eyes.
'Snakes?' Hermione asked, Topher batting down before Harry could respond.
'We'll discuss it at Hogwarts. Right now, we have to leave. Are you alright to travel Harry?' Topher asked, Harry nodding. Hermione was still very concerned about it all, as was Ron and some of the others. Hermione looked at Harry, and he took hold of her hand and could feel it shaking.
'The Circle Chamber will not move now, so Death Eaters caught in the rooms will not be able to escape. Is everyone of your party here?' the old Guard asked as he surveyed the group.
'Where is Baldric?' Remus questioned quietly the old Guard, the death being reminded to everyone.
'His body was sent to Hogwarts, to be given respects' the old Guard informed. Harry and the others looked at each other with grim faces. Again, they had left the castle, and come back one short.
'Then we are all here Durward' Aberforth voiced to the old Guard.
'Thank you Aberforth, it is good to finally meet you here. I must apologize for my previous masters' choice about the rumour and such, though you do hope you understand their reasoning' the old Guard, whose name Harry now knew was Durward, said.
'I understood, though I was not pleased with their choice' Aberforth declared gruffly, as one of the Guards opened up one of the doors opposite Harry to reveal the corridor that led to the lifts.
'Well, at least I helped you a little in the early days, right?' Durward pointed out as several of the Guards moved into the corridor, followed by Tonks, and Kingsley. Luckily Aberforth just nodded without a word, and they could all focus on the task at hand.
As Harry, Hermione, Topher, and Durward brought up the rear of the group, the door to the Circle Chamber closed, and everyone was now in the corridor leading to the lifts.
'Did you know Eleanor Terrwynebas?' Topher asked Durward quietly. Harry could understand his asking, even at a time like this. The time was available, and it was not too often that you could meet someone who knew your parents. Harry remembered his inquisitiveness with Remus about his parents when they first met.
'Yes Topher, most of us knew your mother, and your father. They were wonderful people. Your mother was the first woman to Guard the Ninth Room.'
'You mean-'
'Yes' Durward continued, 'she guarded the room the Book of Thoth was in. We understood with her death that Voldemort was looking for what lay behind the Locked Door, as Grindelwald was trying before him. At the time, our reports had Voldemort looking for an object called the Sekhem Scepter however, not the Book of Thoth. We believe that Voldemort thought—and still thinks—that this scepter is in Room Number Nine.'
As the group reached the outer door, the Veneforbis Guard members performed an elaborate spell on the door, and opened it with ease. Remus and the others warned them frantically about the Death Eaters outside before they opened it, Draco almost shouting it before Snape slapped a Silencing Spell on him, but the Guards remained calm, and stepped outside.
'So Voldemort is after this Sekhem Scepter? Does he know about the Book?' Topher asked in succession as the group began walking out of the corridor under protection of the Veneforbis Guard. Harry was expecting to hear shouts and spells ricochet down the corridor, but instead heard nothing but a few shoes upon stone floor.
Durward stopped just a few feet from the exit, and turned to Topher, along with Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
'Yes, and probably yes. Such a powerful magical object, myth or not, would not be unknown to him. But do now worry yourselves with Voldemort's intentions, because you now have greater concerns.' Durward came over to Harry, and placed an old, wrinkled hand on his shoulder. 'Be careful young Potter with the Book of Thoth. With the magic it brings, the power, the visions; it can destroy you, and your loved ones. Use it wisely, and we shall see you again.'
'We have to go Harry' Remus voiced loudly from the other side of the doorway, Harry seeing the group all waiting in the lift, except for Hermione, Ron, and Topher, who were with Harry.
'Just remember young Harry; the Book does not work in straight lines, but circles. What you use from the Book, will be brought back upon you. An eye for an eye, a death for a death' Durward spoke gravely.
'Harry, we have to get back' Hermione insisted, pulling his left arm. Durward bowed once more, and Harry returned it quickly, with an extremely puzzled and frightened look on his face, before leaving out the doorway. As he, Hermione, and Ron moved across towards the lifts, Harry could see the dozens of Death Eaters along both sides. The Guards had some sort of semi-transparent blue barrier on both sides that was not allowing any of the Death Eaters to do anything but watch their prey slip by. Harry could imagine a lot of good uses a spell like that could have for Hogwarts.
'Do you remember what your mother told you?' Durward asked Topher, who was just leaving in the doorway.
'I never forgot, and if needed I will do so' Topher responded seriously. Durward gave a smile that tripled the lines on his old face, and bowed.
'Post Tenebras, Lux Topher Terrwynebas, Progeny of the Veneforbis Guard' Durward said to Topher, rising back up with a smile not unlike the ones Professor Dumbledore gave to Harry when saying something insightful. Topher, even from Harry's vantage point on the lift, was noticeably affected by the goodbye, looking at Durward for a moment before glancing down at the floor and taking a breath.
'Post Tenebras, Lux' Topher responded confidently, bowing to the Guard, and giving Durward one last look before walking to the lifts quickly.
'What was that about?' Ron asked, receiving a jab from Hermione. Even Harry knew not to ask so quickly.
'Not now, we still have the Atrium to handle. Once we are back at Hogwarts' Topher ordered to the group. The iron gates on the lift shut with a clang, and the lift began to move. Harry saw the Veneforbis Guard continuing their hold on the Death Eaters until the lift blocked his sight. If they had not stuck around, Harry and the others' escape just from that level would not have happened without injuries, and he was sure more deaths would have taken place.
Rising up, Hermione held on tight to Harry's left arm. Harry could feel her swaying a bit, and asked if she was alright. She did look a bit flushed, but everyone sort of did with all the running. Plus, Harry did not know exactly how long he was in the Room, and felt bad that he could have kept the group running around for a long while.
'I'm fine Harry, I was just worried about you. Does it hurt?' she asked, pointing to the Circlet. Hermione was always worried about unknown magical objects, ever since what happened with Ginny and Tom Riddle's Diary. The idea of there being a mysterious bracelet of unknown nature on Harry's arm did not inspire confidence.
'No, it's fine. Snake bite hurt more, but that old Guard fixed it, though it's still sore. Are you sure you're alright?' Harry asked again. Remembering Topher's voicing what could happen to loved ones with the Book, his worry was entirely focused on Hermione. It did not matter if they made it out of the Ministry, Hermione had to be alright.
Hermione reached up and gave Harry a kiss, and Harry relaxed for a moment, even with Draco's sounds of disgust about the exchange. Harry heard Ron say something along the lines of Draco wished he could be kissing Hermione, and a little scrap broke out on the packed, amber-lit lift. Harry and Hermione had to smile a bit at Ron, even in this situation, knowing he had been aching to have at Draco. The fight was short lived as Snape told both of them he would turn them both into frogs, and leave them for the Death Eaters if they kept it up. Harry had to wonder by the look on the sinister man's face who he would have more enjoyment turning into a frog: Ron or Draco.
'Level Eight: Atrium. Have a nice day' the lift voiced.
The grills for the lift opened, and Kingsley, Tonks, Remus, and Snape walked out with their wands raised with lights cast. They began to quietly move forward, but told the others to wait in the lift.
'Something is amiss' Aberforth exclaimed, Topher nodding.
'Really?' Draco questioned sarcastically, Harry seeing Ron's eyes bulging in anger.
'Even if we got past the Department of Mysteries, Voldemort should have lots of Death Eaters up here just in case. Something isn't adding up' Topher maintained, looking ahead at the others.
'You know, you people are the worst at trying to predict the Dark Lord, you know that?' Draco questioned to the others in the lift, Ron's temper visibly beginning to flare up again. 'No wonder we're not going to make it out of here alive. I should hav-'
Draco's voiced stopped, and Harry turned expecting to see him lying on the floor with Ron's fist print on his face, but Draco was gone, Topher's wand pointing at where he was a moment before.
'I swear' Topher admitted, 'that boy would not shut up, no wonder he thought we would die. Don't worry Hermione' he continued, seeing Hermione's look at his rash action 'I sent him back to Hogwarts, though he isn't in the best of places. The protection in the Forbidden Forest has been weakened the past few days, probably from Voldemort, so I should have placed him near Hagrid's Hut. I told Hagrid, because he warned me of Malfoy before we left, to be ready to snatch him up from the forest if he hears a girly scream. If Malfoy has a brain, he'll go with Hagrid and wait until we return.'
'Malfoy with a brain, ha! At least he's gone now' Ron praised, smiling for the first time on their trip. Harry looked ahead, and found Tonks walking back quickly.
'Come quickly, it's best if we stay together. Our wand-light dies quickly, so we can't tell who is out there. Just be careful' she advised. Aberforth stepped out first, then Harry, Hermione, and Ron followed, Topher coming last.
Walking past the old guard station, where Harry had to surrender his wand when he first came to the Ministry, they entered the vast emptiness of the Atrium, finding it even darker than before. In Harry's memory, it seemed that at least before there were the shadowy outlines of the walls, and one could only just see a few feet in front of oneself. Now however, it was perpetual darkness everywhere. The black hollow that surrounded the closely knit group seemed to be pressing in on them, as it trying to snuff out their collective wand light.
A scuffle from the darkness near Tonks made the group shift as they slowly walked. They were in a circle formation, trying to move closer to where they Apparation area was. They needed to get far enough away from the entrance that it would pose no problems, since they were sure the Death Eaters would have put spells to not allow Apparation.
Another noise came from the opposite side, and the group again shifted. Harry could hear and feel everyone's collective breaths as each noise came, knowing it was caused by someone—or something.
'Crucio!' came from the darkness near Ron, and the group turned suddenly.
'Protego!' Ron shouted, and the curse seemed to deflect enough to not cause him much pain.
'Expelliarmus!' Remus yelled, his spell flying into the darkness. The black surrounding was so deep, Harry lost sight of the spell before it even hit a wall. It seemed like it vanished in a cloud, and they heard an echo of its effect.
Hermione helped Ron up, along with Kingsley, and the darkness was back to silence, everyone's wands raised.
Harry's nerves were getting to him now, not being able to see the enemy, and having such darkness surrounding them. Reminders of the corridor came back to him, and he swore he could hear the slithering of snakes and the pattering of insects, and moving around his feet.
It seemed everyone felt the same way about the black surroundings, and tried to move quicker. In the darkness, it seemed the distance was ten times what it was when they first arrived. As they shuffled around, more scuffles could be heard coming from the darkness, coming in more directions. Just as Harry was sure they had found the Fountain of Magical Brethren, since his leg bumped into something, he turned to find the guard's desk. Everyone turned, and the group sighed collectively.
'We went in a circle?' Ron whispered.
'It must be the darkness. Com'on, we have to find our way out' Tonks insisted. The look on Ron's face was no doubt the same expression on Harry's. The Atrium had become a labyrinth of darkness and hidden enemies.
The group started out again, when suddenly another curse flew at the group.
'Aflatus!' came from the darkness, and Ron, Remus, and Tonks where thrown back into the others.
'Reducto!' came from a totally different angle, and blasted the floor that the group was just standing on. Bricks and tiles blasted up into the darkness, and the group tried desperately to gain control while the debris rained down on them from the darkness above.
'Impedimenta!' Topher yelled, taking his wand and slashing it through the air. Again the darkness hid any effect, so all the group could do is throw random spells into the darkness.
'Crucio!' came again from the dark, hitting Ron straight in the chest.
'NO!' Harry shouted as the curse ran through Ron, making him yell in agony while Remus and the others tried to fight back against the darkness and their hidden foes.
'Finite!' Hermione expounded, her wand pointing at Ron. Ron relaxed, and slowly got up with Harry and Hermione's help.
'Diffindo!' came from the darkness, and the spell hit Tonks right in the hand. She screamed, and Harry watched in horror as he saw her fall to the ground, trying to stop the bleeding. Her left hand had been completely severed.
Remus tried desperately to help out, but just as he knelt down to help, he himself was hit with a Body Bind Curse and fell over, hitting the stone ground hard.
All around them, spells were flying from the darkness and Topher, Kingsley, Aberforth, and Snape were trying to fight back and protect the group.
'We need to get out of here now!' Kingsley yelled back, dodging a curse that just misses Hermione.
'Avada Kedavra!' came loudly out from the darkness. The green light pushed through the darkness, and was heading directly at Harry.
Snape tackled Harry's legs and pushed him to the ground with him. The Killing Curse just missed the group, and flied through, and back into the darkness.
'Use the bloody Book Potter! We're all going to die unless you use it!' Snape ordered him with rage, as he got back up and continued firing blindly into the darkness.
'No Harry, don't use the-AHH!' Topher screamed, as a Cruciatus Curse pulsed through him and he fell over onto the floor. Hermione quickly lifted it, while Ron stood up and took his place.
'Stupefy!' Ron yelled, as Harry took the scroll, and unrolled it enough to see the writing. There were spells written, two of them. Hermione threw spells into the darkness with her wand, while her other hand was on Harry's forearm, and he raised his wand upwards.
'Caecus Columeni!' Harry read loudly. He suddenly felt the snake turn hot on his arm, but not to the point of burning. He kept his wand aloft, and could see a beautiful funnel of pure white light come out of the tip, and cascade all around the group, and through the darkness. The light was so strong, it overtook the darkness, and surrounded, wiping around and creating a solid wall, with a wind that funneled around in the centre. The spells ceased to enter the circle, from the outside and Topher and the others shielded their eyes as they turned inwards.
The spell was complete, and Harry lowered his wand. The light stayed, and everyone gathered themselves and turned to Harry. Hermione was looking even worse now, and Harry knew they had to get back to Hogwarts right away. Harry looked down, and went ahead with the second spell that was put on the parchment. It was the same one he read earlier.
'Concedo Apparecum' he charmed. Nothing appeared to happen, but Harry had this internal feeling that it would all work now. He could tell, somehow, that the group could Apparate directly to the Great Hall, or anywhere in Hogwarts.
'Apparate back to Hogwarts, right to the Defense Classroom' Harry ordered everyone above the roar of the wind. Remus and Kingsley had stopped Tonks' bleeding wrist, and she sadly carried her dismembered hand in the other hand along with her wand.
'Will it work? What about the barriers?' Kingsley asked loudly over the roar of the wind.
'It'll work, trust me!' Harry yelled back. Kingsley looked at Harry for a moment before nodding, and turned quickly, making a loud crack. Remus held on to Tonks tightly as she put her head on his shoulder, and the two of them together turned on the spot.
'Off we go, everyone Apparate!' Topher yelled. Harry looked and found the white walls around them beginning to fade. Hermione was still holding onto his forearm, and looking at her, Harry began panicking. Her face was pale, and her eyes were lulling. She looked like she was about to faint.
'Hermione?' he asked.
'Go Potter!' Snape yelled as their surroundings turned grey, like a morning fog.
Harry took a tight hold on Hermione, Ron helping him out, and the three of them turned just as Aberforth turned on the spot, along with Snape and Topher, heading back to Hogwarts.
In the Atrium meanwhile, the blinding light that had surrounded and incapacitated the numerous Death Eaters had died finally. The regular torch lights were brought back up, and the glowing light showed at least two dozen Death Eaters all around the area Harry and the others had just vacated, none of them injured.
'They escaped' a short female Death Eater told a tall and slender man with silver eyes. He furrowed his brow in frustration, and paced across the empty place in the centre, just near the Fountain of Magical Brethren. He took his hood off, showing his russet hair, and he gripped his wand tightly.
'REDUCTO!' he yelled. The wizard in the Fountain blasted into thousands of tiny pieces that rained down across the Atrium floor. He was fuming in rage at having lost the group.
'Lesath-' a Death Eater, a young woman, started.
'AVADA KEDAVRA!' Lesath bellowed, killing the woman instantly. The green light enveloped her before she could even scream, and her body fell to the stone floor with a sickening thud. Lesath was still breathing tensely, and the others kept their distance.
He knew the Dark Lord would not forgive him for failing at this. Harry Potter escaped, and he saw the shining gold in his hand. He had the Sekhem Scepter.
--
Landing in the Defence Classroom, Harry grasped her quickly as Hermione passed out. She was covered in a cold sweat, and her face was pale, her lips loosing their usual warm pink colour. Harry did not even notice if everyone else made it, it did not matter at the moment. Keeping hold of her and Ron still helping, the two bolted out of the room with Hermione between them, heading directly to the Hospital Wing.
'Hermione? Hermione! Hermione, wake up!' Harry talked to her, as they moved through the halls.
'Make a hole! Move!' Ron yelled out at students as they went. The students quickly moved out of the way, and along the way Luna and Neville saw them, and started after.
'Ron, Harry, what happened? We saw you back on the map-' Neville asked as he tried to catch up.
Harry did not even hear Neville. His eyes never left Hermione's face as they moved through the various passageways and stairwells. He was so entirely focused on her, he did not even notice the change in the Oroborus Circlet.
'My goodness, don't tell me the attack has begun!' Madam Pomfrey said in mild hysterics. Harry and Ron placed Hermione on one of the beds carefully, and Harry took hold of her hand, still looking her over.
'Mr. Potter, please, I need to look at her' Madam Pomfrey told him. Harry, with the help of Ron's hand on his shoulder, moved back and let the school nurse examine Hermione. Neville and Luna had come in a few moments after Harry and Ron. Luna had given Ron a hug once they lay Hermione down, and Neville was still trying to understand what happened.
'So that was what you went for?' Neville asked, pointing to circlet on Harry's arm.
'Yeah' Harry answered abstractly, still looking at Hermione. Merlin, let her be alright.
This was the thing he wanted to avoid, and the worse thing that could happen. He promised himself months ago to keep Hermione out of harms way, and now look what happened. He knew it had something to do with the Book, there was no other answer.
Those implications of having the Book that they worried about months before were now at the forefront of Harry's mind. He had to figure out what was going on, and he needed to find out how to keep Hermione safe—and more importantly—alive. If what Durward said was true, Harry would not end Hermione's life to end Voldemort's. If it had to be that, it was not worth it.
'Harry? Harry, she'll . . . she'll be alright, you'll see' Neville encouraged. Ron and Luna had come closer, and were looking on at Hermione and Harry.
Harry was watching every move Madam Pomfrey was making; every wave of her wand, every "hmm" and every pause. He just wanted her to turn around and say she was resting, but he knew it was not something that simple. Harry had used magic from the Book, and what the old Guard told him was coming true: it was coming back on him.
Coming in through the doors, Remus and Kingsley brought in Tonks, who was still holding on to her hand. Harry did not even question how he and Ron had made it to the Hospital Wing first, but even if he did, it did not matter. Tonks was alright, though in some pain. Madam Pomfrey was starting towards her, but Tonks put up her still attached hand and shook her head.
'Take care of Hermione first, I'm alright' she insisted. Madam Pomfrey looked at her for a moment, but nodded, and turned back to Hermione. Harry mouthed thank you to Tonks, and she nodded, a tear escaping as she glanced at Hermione on her bed on the other side of the Wing.
After stooping over her a few more tense moments, Madam Pomfrey turned around and walked over to Harry, Neville, Ron, and Luna.
'My dear, I'm not sure what has come over her, but I will keep working on her. It appears to be Dark Magic affecting her, but I don't know enough about it.'
Harry looked at Ron, and he nodded, giving Luna a quick kiss and running out of the Wing.
'Use the cloak!' Harry yelled after him.
'Where is he going?' Luna asked.
'Getting someone who knows enough about the Dark Arts' Harry answered darkly. Madam Pomfrey went ahead and tended to Tonks, reattaching her hand. It looked like it was more painful to have it reattached than severed, but Tonks was tough and worked through it. Remus was right there next to her, holding her other hand while she squeezed hard against the pain. Harry in the mean time walked back to Hermione, and held her hand—which was horrifyingly cool to the touch—and looked over her with extreme precision.
He could not believe it was happening. All the time he had wasted not thinking of what could happen to Hermione over this, and now she was here. Harry could give the world to be the one on the bed dying, and Hermione watching over him.
Looking at a shine of silver, Harry reached over and held Hermione's locket, which she had never taken off since Christmas. It still had the inscription, but no pictures yet. Hermione had mentioned they would have to go and get some for it after things settled.
It was with this memory that tears threatened Harry's eyes. He could not loose Hermione, he couldn't. He had to find some other way aside from the Book. He was now regretting even trying to find the Book, and felt like taking the bracelet and tearing it off, just to make sure Hermione would be safe. Voldemort could have the castle, he could have Britain—but death could not take Hermione. It couldn't.
'Harry, what's going on?' Neville asked, looking right at him.
'We had to go to the Department of Mysteries. I had to go and get this scroll, and the bracelet locked onto my arm' Harry informed quickly. He did not want to get into the entire story, since it would take too long.
'So what happened to Hermione?' Luna asked quietly. Harry saw she was as worried, since Hermione was probably very close to a best friend for Luna, after Ginny.
'It's the bracelet, it's making her sick. If I don't get it off soon, she might-'
Harry could not say it.
Ron came back in panting heavily. He stooped to gain his breath, but nodded to Harry quickly before he could ask. Harry moved around and closed the doors to the Hospital Wing, and locked them with a charm.
'Mr. Potter, what are you-'
'Madam Pomfrey' Harry interrupted, 'I need you not to get worried over who is in the room.'
'Well I'm not, so why-SNAPE!' she shrieked, taking her wand up and pointing it at the greasy haired man who had just appeared from under an invisibility cloak.
'Poppy, he is on our side! Put your wand down and listen' Remus insisted. Harry had never seen Madam Pomfrey look so on guard with someone, she looked fierce with rage against this man whom a few years before she looked to for help.
Harry came up and placed his hand on her arm, and her head jerked towards Harry. She glanced at Snape again, and back at Remus, before lowering her wand.
'If you hurt her-' she warned with such anger in her voice Harry never thought she could possess.
Snape nodded shortly as he always did in his smug way, moved towards Hermione without a word, and Harry's worry began to rise again. Having the fate of Hermione in Snape's hands was not something Harry would have even pictured in his nightmares.
Walking over next to her, Harry watched Snape closely. He ran his wand over her from her head to her toe and back again. Harry looked at her face and found it peaceful in her sleep, but the reality of her condition pushed through how she looked.
'I think she's under a Necolentus Curse.'
'What is that?' Harry asked.
'She's dying, if I'm correct.'
'You don't know?' Harry questioned heatedly.
'Well Potter, I have never encountered one before, but it is clear she is dying' Snape pointed out.
'Can't you do anything?' Ron asked, coming up with Luna and Neville.
Snape stood up, and was in thought for several moments. The time being wasted did not make Harry any less tense.
'Well, can you?!' Harry yelled. Luna jumped at his outburst, but Snape merely glanced at Hermione again, and then at Harry.
'I may be able to revive her for a time, but the Curse will continue to work against her. You need to take that bracelet off' Snape informed.
'How do you know it's the bracelet?' Remus asked.
'Because a Necolentus Curse is only caused by magical objects that could be used for dark purposes. If what I heard is correct about this scroll, it is most definitely old, and most definitely cursed. You've gotten yourself into another mess Potter, and you need to take that bracelet off, or Miss Granger will die.'
'You said you could revive her, do it!' Harry ordered. Snape did not give a smug expression or quip, rather he took the cloak, threw it over himself, and went out of the Hospital Wing.
Harry was in a mix of anger and worry over everything. He looked at Remus, Tonks, and Kingsley.
'I'm sorry Harry, but we have to see what's been happening. We'll go and tell Minerva about what's happened, and what happened to Baldric. We'll all come by as soon as possible' Tonks insisted, looking at Hermione and again her eyes glistening. Harry nodded slowly, and she continued in giving Harry a hug. Her hair had turned so pale, the pink was almost a light rose colour.
'Be strong Harry, for Hermione. We'll all pull through this' Remus insisted with confidence. He clapped Harry in the shoulder, closest to what Harry would think a father would do, and Harry looked at the old Marauder and nodded. Kingsley and Harry just looked at each other for a moment in silent understanding, and nodded to each other. As the three of them were leaving, Ginny, Seamus, Dean, and numerous other students came into the Hospital Wing, along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, George, Bill and Fleur, and Charlie.
'Oh Ronny dear, thank Merlin!' Mrs. Weasley expounded, giving her son a massive hug. Mr. Weasley just looked at Harry, and gave him a hug, which Harry embraced warmly.
Mrs. Weasley was going to come and hug Harry, but then she saw Hermione on the bed, and her face fell quickly. Hermione was surrounded by over a dozen people.
'How . . . how is-' Ginny tried to ask.
'We don't know. Snape has gone to get something that might help' Harry answered.
'Snape! Why is that traitor here?' Seamus asked angrily.
'He's on our side' Ron told everyone. Harry was expecting everyone to question it, but they all stayed quiet.
'What's been happening here?' Ron asked. Harry had forgotten about the impending attack on Hogwarts, with all his worry focused on the person in front of him.
'Nothing. They have the town, but haven't moved in. Oh, they found Draco Malfoy screaming through the Forbidden Forest with about twenty centaurs on his tail. He's being kept in one of the classrooms in the Dungeons right now under guard' Charlie told everyone.
'Why didn't they attack?' Harry asked quietly.
'We don't know. We thought it might have been because of our extra people' Bill told Harry.
'What extra people?' Harry asked. Bill pointed to the window, and Harry begrudgingly walked over and looked out at the Black Lake. The Sun was on the verge of rising, and it was only when he saw how it was early morning and that they had been at the Ministry all night, that Harry's drowsiness became apparent. He could still focus enough to see what Bill was motioning to.
'The Durmstrang Ship?' Harry asked, several people nodding.
'After they had a service for Viktor, they came to help. Their High Master told Professor McGonagall that if one of their own is killed, it is up to the entire school to avenge them. They got here late last night after you bunch left' George told Harry and the others.
'We've been going over the rotations with the Guard on the floors. The Durmstrang students know a bunch of different spells, so we mixed them all in with the Guard groups. Everyone is ready, and with two minutes notice, everyone will be in place' Neville informed Harry. Harry walked over to Neville, and pat him on the shoulder.
'That's great Neville, it really is. I'm so glad you've been helping out' Harry admitted, glancing again at Hermione.
'It's like Hermione said, we're doing it for Hogwarts' Neville said, Harry smiling slightly at being reminded of Hermione's rant in the Room of Requirement.
The doors to the Hospital Wing opened again, and a few moments later, Snape appeared after taking off the Invisibility Cloak. Harry could see everyone reaching for their wands, and many of them looking vengeful, but Snape disregarded their reactions and went straight to Hermione. For once, Harry was approving of Snape's harshness.
He took a silvery-blue, luminescent potion, and gave it to Hermione. Everyone held their breath for a moment as Hermione's chest continued to rise and fall slowly. Then she took a quick breath, and her eyes fluttered open. She remained lying down, and Harry, along with Mrs. Weasley, Ron, and most of everyone else, rushed to the side of the bed.
'Hermione? Hermione, are you alright?' Harry asked anxiously. Hermione closed her eyes tiredly, nodded, and Harry's heart was lightened beyond belief. Hermione was still there, he hadn't lost her. Harry made a quick decision, and told her of it.
'Hermione, I'm going to get this bracelet off, and bring the Book back. It has to be the Book that's doing this, and I won't-'
'No' she whispered, everyone leaning in closely to hear her. 'Find the Light Harry, you have to find the Light.'
'But Hermione . . . you could- . . . you could- die' Harry muttered darkly. She lifted her hand with great difficulty it seemed, and took hold of Harry's hand.
'If you don't, then we all die. Find it Harry, I'll be alright.'
'Is she awake? Everyone shoo!' Madam Pomfrey ordered. The group moved out of the way, and everyone except Harry gave the school nurse room.
'Mr. Potter, please, I need to ask her some questions, and she needs her rest' Madam Pomfrey told him, compassionately, but still with some force. Harry looked at Hermione once more, and she smiled up at him brightly.
'I'll be fine Harry, go' she insisted again. Harry gave her a kiss, letting it sit for a moment, then got up and let Madam Pomfrey talk to her. They spoke in whispers, and when Madam Pomfrey left, Hermione was fast asleep.
'I need everyone out. One person can stay with her, but that is it' Madam Pomfrey informed. Mrs. Weasley was elected to stay first, and accepted, since she was planning on helping out with Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing any way.
'Besides, I can make sure Percy is alright too' she explained, motioning towards the other end of the ward, where a head of stringy red hair was visible. He was still pale, but Mrs. Weasley explained he was getting better. The times he was awake, they found out he had been under and Imperious for a long while. He thought Moody put it on him back in Harry's fourth year, but it was actually Barty Crouch Jr.
Most of the students left the Hospital Wing and went back to their dormitories, or to breakfast. Meals were being taken in the Room of Requirement, since it could be made identical to the Great Hall, and everyone knew where it was.
'She'll be alright mate. Com'on, I need some food. Not point in fighting a war on an empty stomach' Ron reasoned as he, Harry, Ginny, and Luna walked away from the Hospital Wing. Harry was doing better now that Hermione was at least conscious, and he chuckled at Ron's comment. He could always be trusted on to think about his stomach first.
'What about the bracelet?' Harry questioned, looking down and his eyes growing. 'Hey, it changed colour.'
It had indeed changed colour—well, shade to be precise. The old snake had dulled as if from age, and was now a dark golden shade. It worried him, but since he did not know what it could mean, he could only assume the worst.
'Just put your cloak over it' Ron suggested, starting up the steps to Gryffindor Tower. 'I'll meet you in the Room of Requirement!' he boasted, turning the corner.
'Don't worry Harry, Hermione will pull through' Ginny insisted, giving a smile to Harry, and a hug. He embraced her warmly, and was thankful she was there as a friend for him. She too left, and Harry was left walking with Luna. The way to Ravenclaw Tower went by the East Tower, so they went together.
'You know, some bracelets mean things. My father once went to a Muggle shop, and they had something called a "Friendship bracelet". Quite an odd thing to find, but he got me two. I'm guessing it's one of those strange Muggle traditions were you give one to your friend, and it sort of reserves you.'
'Uh huh' Harry answered. Harry wondered as they walked through the halls with the morning sunlight shining through, if Luna had a book on how to randomly mention the oddest things.
'I'm going to give my other bracelet to Hermione, she's a good friend' Luna added. Harry smiled at her, seeing she was wearing what appeared to be asparagus earrings. They parted near the library, and Harry went ahead to the empty East Tower. Evander was quite heartbroken to hear Hermione was not doing well, but as always, was optimistic about the outcome.
'Oh don't worry Harry m'boy, she'll pull through. Trust me, she'll be back here telling me about your strange habits in no time!'
'Strange habits?' Harry asked accusingly, Evander's eyes darting from side to side.
'Oh, it's nothing. Password?' he asked quickly. Harry was too tired to question it, and went ahead, changed and got his cloak on—which had the Guard's silver shield with the imprinted "H" on his shoulder—and went to the Room of Requirement. He wanted to sleep, and he knew sooner or later he would fall asleep while walking, but he managed to get to the Room, talking to a few students along the way about what was going on.
Getting to the Room, Harry entered, to see the Great Hall, with its four house tables. Something was different though, and it took a few moments of scanning to find Ron to realize it. Ron was sitting at the Ravenclaw table.
'Harry, over here!' he shouted. A few students noticed him, and waved or said hello, and Harry quickly walked over to Ron. A few people asked about Hermione, but he reassured them, since he did not want people worried about her as much as he was.
'Ron, why are you at the Ravenclaw table?' Harry asked. It was when he got there that he realized that people of all houses were sitting at the Ravenclaw table, and all the others. All the houses were mixed up, and no table was devoted to a specific house.
'Something the DA cooked up Harry. All the students—sorry, Guardians—all the Guardians are sitting with their groups, and all the groups are made up of different houses' Ron explained.
'Yeah Harry' Ernie Macmillan chimed in, who was sitting across from Ron, 'we thought mixing them all up would help. Some of the Slytherins gave us some trouble-'
'Hey, not all of us; we're not all that immature' Daphne Greengrass asserted.
'But everyone seems to be getting along alright' Ernie maintained.
Harry was quite inspired by this co-mingling of houses. It was so strange to see Slytherins sitting next to Hufflepuffs, yet there it was. He sat down next to Ron, and had some food, though it did not sit well due to the lack of sleep he was experiencing. Harry actually found some of the Slytherins around him decent, though sometimes rude or excessively arrogant or sarcastic.
After finishing quickly, Harry decided he had to get sleep. He was still debating about the Book, since he knew what could happen and did not feel ready to make such a huge decision that could result in harm to Hermione. After eating, he decided the least he could do was get some sleep, and then decide.
Harry talked to some of the Professors before going however. Professor McGonagall told Harry that Baldric was returned safe and sound, and that he would be buried after all the chaos. She was still trying to get the Minister to listen to her, but he would not take it. The only thing she really knew was that they had no idea why the attack hadn't happened yet.
Hagrid told Harry about Malfoy. Evidently, he had shown up in the Forbidden Forest as Topher mentioned, and went about screaming for his life. Hagrid was able to get him however—even though he confessed to Harry he would have been happy to hear the centaurs stopping his screams—and he was, as Harry already knew, in the dungeons. Allowing Malfoy out was not yet totally agreeable, so for the time, he would stay to the side.
Topher was not there for breakfast, but Harry assumed he had been smart and went right to bed. Tonks was sitting with the staff as well, and told Harry that Kingsley had Ministry business to do, and Remus was busy in the dungeons. Harry hoped he was not picked to watch Malfoy.
Getting back to the East Tower, Harry took his robe off, and sat down in front of the quiet fire while the sunlight moved through the windows. It felt like ages since he had sat in the chair, and the quietness of the room reminded him again of Hermione. He looked at the bracelet, and began trying desperately to get it off, but of course it would not budge.
Looking to the ceiling, he sighed, and decided he should get some sleep. He wanted to make sure of one thing however.
'Dobby?' Harry asked the room, and with a crack, the small house-elf appeared.
'Oh yes Harry Potter! I is sorry to hears about your missies, as is the other elves' Dobby professed.
'Thank you Dobby. Have the house elves worked out how they will be helping the students?' Harry asked tiredly, rubbing his already messy hair.
'Oh yeses sir! Dobby has been a good house elf, and has told all the other elves what theys should do! Help tell messages, bring the sick masters to the Crosses Wing, and helps the masters!'
Harry smiled at Dobby, and got up from his chair. 'Good work Dobby. I have one more job, if you're willing. It's just for you, and I don't want you telling anyone else.' Dobby's eyes grew wider and wider as Harry spoke.
'Oh Harry Potter can trust Dobby! Dobby would do anything for Harry Potter!'
'Can you, without being seen, come get me, regardless of where I am, if something happens to Hermione. If she gets worse, or better, I want to know.'
'Harry Potter can count on Dobby!' Dobby expounded proudly. Harry bid him good-day, and the enthusiastic house elf left with a crack. Harry was just about to start up his stairs when the portrait opened, and Harry—thinking for habit's sake it was Hermione—looked to see a very tired Topher coming up.
'What's wrong Topher?' Harry asked, his eyes lulling.
'You need to find out how to make the Oroborus Light, you need to read the Book Harry' Topher insisted. Harry sighed in a mixture of frustration and tiredness.
'I need to think whether or not I should do this Topher. Hermione could die if I use it. Maybe there's another way-'
'There is no other way Harry!' Topher argued. 'I know you are tired, but this is no time to be taking nap! Voldemort is right outside the bloody gates, you need to know how to do this magic, and you need to know now! Baldric did not die so you could just sit on the Book!'
'Oh, so now I'm responsible for him too, just like Viktor!' Harry yelled. There were so many things going on, and he was so tired and frustrated with everything and all the pressure of being the savior for everyone; being responsible for everyone and everything.
'No Harry, you're not-'
'Oh no, I am Topher! I'm responsible for all the deaths! For my parents, for Sirius, for Dumbledore, for Viktor, for Baldric, and if I use this Book, then I'll be killing Hermione!' Harry shouted in rage.
'You don't know it will kill Hermione!' Topher spat back, but that did not help.
'You heard those bloody skeletons, the worst thing will come to happen, and for me, that's Hermione dying!'
'How do you know it's not Voldemort taking over everything?' Topher asked.
'I don't know!' Harry screamed back, turning and walking away from Topher. All he wanted was to go to sleep and decide later, and yet Topher would not let him.
Harry walked over and slumped himself into his chair again, and he could hear Topher walking up. Why did he have to have all these decisions to make? Why is it him that had to work out the Guard, get the Book, fight Voldemort?
'Harry' Topher started cautiously, 'I'm trying to help.'
'Yeah, well, you're not helping' Harry retorted bluntly. Topher took a breath for a moment, then sat down in Hermione's chair.
'If you don't use that Book, Hogwarts will be destroyed, and you along with it Harry. What will be the point of having a clear conscious when you're dead, along with all your friends and loved ones—including Hermione.'
Harry put his head in his hands—feeling the cold metal of the bracelet against his ear—and he leaned over.
'I don't want to loose her' Harry whispered to himself.
'And you won't Harry. The Kas told us that you could possibly save yourself and Hermione from such a fate.'
'But we don't know how!' Harry professed, tears now falling from his eyes over all the pressure and torment ripping at him.
Topher stood, and walked over next to Harry. 'I'll make a deal with you Harry: you read the book and learn how to use the Oroborus Light, and I will make sure Hermione lives.'
He waited for a moment to let Harry think, and he extended his hand. Harry realized that whether he used the Book or not, Hermione would die. It was a heart-wrenching reality, but Topher's promise to make sure Hermione lived struck something with Harry.
Topher had given and told Harry everything he asked for in the past year. Harry had no idea what the Book of Thoth was, or what the ancient magic could be, yet here he was, with the Book in his hands, and the magic just a read away. Topher had delivered on everything he said he would, and Harry remembered to what he said when he asked what he was there for: to help him in any way he could.
Harry stood up and realized he had to do this. Something told him that Topher would do everything he could to keep Hermione alive, and part of him pleaded for it to come true. Harry needed this Oroborus Light to defeat Voldemort. If Harry did not have it, he knew he could die.
Harry wiped his eyes, and looked Topher straight into his pale green eyes. 'If you promise to keep her alive' he said, giving a sniff, 'then I'll read the Book.'
Topher took a step forward and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. 'I won't let her die Harry, you have my word. You won't see me anywhere but the Hospital Wing the whole time. I'll protect it from Death Eaters, and keep Hermione alive. I promise Harry, more than I've promised anything else.'
Harry looked down and nodded, and the two men embraced in a hug. Topher was no longer a professor to Harry, and in a sense, he really never was. Topher had become a true friend, and had helped Harry so much. Harry actually owed Topher for making him admit he loved Hermione.
'Thank you Topher' Harry expressed heartily. The two men retracted, and chuckled.
'We're not done yet Harry. Voldemort still has to attack, the Ministry is still being stupid, and we have that Malfoy boy in the dungeons.'
'Is Remus guarding him? Tonks told me Remus had to go to the dungeons' Harry maintained. Topher shook his head.
'No, it's a Full Moon tomorrow night, so he had to get ready for- . . . what is it?' Topher asked. Harry's eyes grew wide when he heard this information.
'They'll attack tomorrow night. The Full Moon, Werewolves' Harry voiced grimly.
'If they attack tomorrow . . . you need to start reading that now Harry. I'll go tell the Order and professors about it, but I want to make sure the Book has the magic you need.'
Harry looked at the scroll in his hand, and Topher gave him an encouraging smile. Harry took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and thought as hard as possible of the picture of the Oroborus, the characters he saw on the old scrolls, and what he wanted to do: to force Voldemort's own magic on him.
Harry unraveled the scroll, and hesitantly opened his eyes. Topher was watching his reaction, and Harry's face—when he saw what was written—fell almost instantly.
'What, what is it?' Topher asked, looking at the Book.
Harry's heart jumped and his fingers tingled when he opened his eyes and found the Oroborus in the middle of the page, with the red and blue figures on either side, but the rest of it instantly brought his thoughts to darkness.
'It's written in Runes!' Harry boasted.
'Runes? Do you know Ancient Runes?'
'No, do you?' Harry asked, Topher shaking his head.
'I'm terrible at it' Topher admitted, looking at the scroll for a second. 'Why would the Book give you the spell you want, in a way you can't read?' Topher asked, turning around and pacing about the common room.
'Maybe I'm supposed to learn Ancient Runes?' Harry proposed, Topher shaking his head.
'No, you need this tomorrow. No . . . no, it has to be-' Topher stopped suddenly, and turned to Harry.
'What?' Harry asked, Topher coming up quickly.
'Hermione.'
'What about her?' Harry asked, getting a bit nervous.
'She has to teach you it! No one can read this except for you. I look at it and see a blank scroll, but what if the person who gives you the power to use it, like the Kas said, can read it too? Why else would it give the spell to you in Runes!'
'So you're saying' Harry ventured, 'that the Book put it in Runes so that Hermione would have to read it?'
'Think about it' Topher said, some enthusiasm seeming to come in. He was proud he figured this out so quickly. 'If Hermione is sick from you using the magic, her teaching you the magic you want to know the most is amazingly ironic, and very circular.
'I'm telling you Harry, she has to teach it to you. She'll be awake in a while, I suggest you get some sleep. When she is awake, you have to get her to teach you the spell. We only have until tomorrow night. After that, it'll be too late.'
A/N - Don't forget folks, please review!
Spell / Name Meanings:
Expello Per Sentia Cunctus - L. Expello Per Sentia: banish through thought, cunctus - L. all, all collectively (Expello Per Sentia Cunctus banish all through thought)
Durward - Old English: door guard
Caesus Columeni - L. caecus: to blind, co: with, lumen: light (Caesus Columeni To blind with light)
Necolentus Curse - L. lentus: slow, slowly, neco: to kill, put to death (Necolentus Curse to put to death slowly curse)