Chapter 14 - The Riddle Among Us

In the morning Harry found no one around yet an again. He wondered down the halls till he came to the great hall and came in and found the whole school here. He stood there and watched Dumbledore get up to speak.

"I would like to say that there is no reason to worry," Dumbledore said. " I rest assure that Voldemort can not get into this school without my barriers coming down. As for the green lettering in the sky, I'm sure its nothing to worry about. If there was a Riddle in the school, we would know for the school would shake if danger was in here."

Harry continued to stand where he was as people walked by him. He looked over at Clara and found Draco talking to her very fast. Then he noticed how Clara's face changed from happy, to sad and she turned and ran out of the great hall. Harry walked up to Draco.

"What was that about?" Harry asked.

"Nothing," Draco said. " None of your concern."

"Draco," Harry said.

"Just leave it," Draco said leaving him standing there.

Harry looked for Ginny and found her not around and then left the great hall. He could here whispers all over the place. Most of the people were watching him like a hawk. He walked outside and found Clara just standing around. He walked up to her.

"What happened in there?" Harry asked.

"He was just being a dick," Clara said.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked. " I know he said something."

"Harry everything's fine," Clara said.

"I didn't ask if anything was wrong," Harry said. " Can I ask you something?"

"Yes, what?" Clara asked.

"Is Rose your real last name?" Harry asked.

"Yes, why would you ask me that?" Clara asked.

"Because, you sort, sort of remind me of him," Harry said.

"It's Rose," Clara said. " Like my moms was before she married my father."

"Clara," Harry began.

"I have to go," Clara said.

Harry was about to say something but Clara shook her head and walked away. He wondered how he never questioned it before. He did notice that there was some sort of spell around her. He wondered if it was so she could go into the school grounds. Dumbledore would know, but he probably wouldn't tell. Sighing he walked back into the school. After he had gone through all of his classes, he finally said Clara again and this time he felt it. When she walked by, he could feel the charm or spell around her.

"Clara," Harry began but then Draco came into view down the hallway.

"What Harry," Clara said turning to him

"I can feel it," Harry said before he walked away before Draco got to them.

He then set out in finding Hermione and Ron but had no luck. So he went and sat in the great hall. He just sat there as people walked around him. He looked over at Dumbledore and saw him looking at him. For some reason he became angry. If he knew, he should tell him. I mean he had a right to know, if there actually was a Riddle in the school. His heir. Closing his eyes and banging his head on the table he sat there, till he heard some people yelling and coming into the great hall. He lifted his head and found Hermione, Ron, Draco, and Clara walking into the great hall.

"ITS YOU," Ron yelled. " I KNOW IT IS, I CAN TELL."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Clara said.

"YOU DO SO," Ron yelled. " YOUR A RIDDLE."

"Fuck OFF," Draco yelled back at him. " GOD YOU HAVE KNOW BRAINS AT ALL."

"I do so," Ron said.

"WELL US THEM," Draco yelled.

"I AM," Ron said. " I KNOW ITS HER."

Harry got up and slowly walked towards them. He felt an odd power wash over him. He felt like he should protect her for some reason. He knew Dumbledore, Snape, and Remus were walking down towards them.

"WEASEL I MEAN IT," Draco said.

"WHAT," Ron said. " AFRAID I KNOW YOUR LITTLE SECRET, I BET THEY ALL KNEW AND WERE KEEPING IT FROM US ALL. THAT YOU'RE THE FUCKING HEIR OF THE FILTH OFF THIS WORLD. I GUESS THAT MEANS YOUR FILTH TOO, DOESN'T IT. DOES EVIL BLOOD REALLY NOT RUN IN THE FAMILY, I GUESS I'LL NEVER KNOW AFTER MY FATHER FINDS THIS OUT.

Harry didn't know what had come over him then. But he walked right up to Ron and grabbed him by his collar and slammed him up against the wall. He heard Hermione scream as windows and the chandelier came tumbling towards the ground. Harry didn't even hear anything Dumbledore was saying.

"GO NEAR HER AGAIN OR SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT," Harry said. " AND I'LL PERSONELY MAKE SURE YOU NEVER SEE THE SUNRISE AGAIN."

"Harry," Hermione said.

WHAT DON'T THINK I COULD DO IT," Harry said. " TRUST ME, AFTER THIS SUMMER, I COULD KILL HIM RIGHT NOW IF I WANTED TO."

"Mr. Potter," Dumbledore began.

"And you, " Harry began. " Stay the fuck away from me, come near me and I'll bring that barrier of yours down with a flick of my wrist, and Voldemort wouldn't be the only thing you'd have to worry about."

"Harry," Clara said.

Harry looked at Clara for a moment and then left the great hall. Draco and Clara silently followed him. No one moved, not even after ten minutes since Clara, Harry, and Draco left the great hall. Hermione let out a long breath, Ron finally gulped. Dumbledore shook his head. Snape rolled his eyes and walked away and Remus just stood there staring right where Harry had been. Then with a wave of his hand, all the glass that had been shattered was fixed and Dumbledore silently left to his office. Remus along with him. Hermione looked over at Ron and then the two of them headed up to bed

The next morning Hermione found Harry nowhere to be seen. She sat down beside Ron at their table and began to eat her breakfast. Then she saw Draco and Clara come into the great hall. She got up and went over to them.

"Guys have you seen Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No, not since yesterday," Clara said.

"I think he was with Luna," Draco said." They were talking very low and acting really weird."

"Wonder where he went," Hermione said.

"I'm sure he's fine," Draco said.

Meanwhile Harry and Luna walked towards the gates of Hogwarts. Along with them was two Thestrals.

"Harry," Luna said. " Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," Harry said. " I decided if I can't have him back, then I'd get that door open."

"How do you think it opens?" Luna said.

"I just know it will," Harry said.

Luna nodded at him and then got up on her thestral and Harry got on his. Then without looking back they lifted up into the air and set of for The Department of Mysteries.

"Something's not right," Hermione said leaving the great hall.

"What?" Clara asked running after her.

"I.I can't feel him," Hermione said. " I can't feel his power."

"So," Draco said. " I'm sure he's fine."

"Why do you keep saying that?" Hermione asked looking at Draco." You know something."

"No we don't," Clara said. " We just know what he's been doing these days."

"What?" Hermione asked.

"The veil," Clara said.

"Why would he...no"

"I guess we should have told you before," Draco said.

"We have to tell Dumbledore," Hermione said.

"No, " Draco said. " He needs to do this, he needs to know Sirius can't come back for sure."

"Why?" Hermione asked.

"He just needs to know," Clara said.

"We still have to tell Dumbledore," Hermione said. " That's probably where he is."

"We can't," Draco said. " He doesn't want him to know."

"But," Hermione said. " I. I need to go."

"Hermione," Clara said. " He only took Luna cause she wants to know more about the veil, otherwise he'd go by himself."

"I DON'T CARE," Hermione yelled." I'm going to find him and bring him back."

"Hermione," Draco began.

"No," Hermione said. " He's my best friend, I need to be there for him."

With that she walked down the hall towards the doors. Draco and Clara ran after her. Hermione ran outside and looked around everywhere, till she found Ginny.

"Ginny," Hermione said. " I need your help, you can see thestrals right?"

"Yeah," Ginny said.

"Can you get me one," Hermione said.

"And us too," Draco said.

"I'll make it four," Ginny said. " I want to go after him too."

Within minutes Ginny had got them all a thestral and they were all on their way.

"Where was it?" Luna asked.

"I don't really remember," Harry said walking through doors.

"It's close though," Luna said. " It was somewhere past the veil."

"Yeah, I know," Harry, said and then they saw it.

The door stood at the end of the hall. Light was coming from behind it. They walked up to it and stood there just staring at it when Harry finally walked forward and raised his hand, opening it towards the door.

Hermione ran through door after door. Never looking back, she didn't care if the others got in the right door, all she could think of was Harry. She knew her way to the one door and just ran. She barely could breath in air once she came to the last door. She took a deep breath and opened it and walked through. She turned to the left and was blinding by a bright light. When she opened her eyes she could make out a figure walking towards the light.

"HARRY," Hermione screamed but by then it was to late and Harry had gone through the door.