Harry Potter and the Cult of Shadows

by chadsgirl824

AFTER HOGWARTS Harry now works at Hogwarts and has his hands full as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. But Voldemort's fate is still a mystery and dark forces are closer than anyone imagines. Written before OotP

14. Chapter 14

"Alright," Sirius began after everyone was seated. "I know some of you only have about an hour, so I'll try to go through this quickly."

Harry and Sirius had been the last to arrive in the headmistress' office, finding Minerva, Marzia, Ron, Hermione and Mel already there. After brief hellos and everyone asking Harry how he was, they settled down into the soft chairs and couches to hear what Sirius and Marzia had to say.

"Do you remember what Thurston's story was?" Sirius asked. "His version of what happened the night Simone and Travis were murdered?"

"Sure," Ron said crisply. "He accused Albus of killing both of them…and then said Ewan saw the whole thing…"

"Right," Sirius nodded. "But his exact story was this. Albus kills Travis first, however, Simone happened to see him do it. She tried to stun him at the exact same moment he used the killing curse on her, to make sure she couldn't tell anyone. Both spells hit at the exact same moment, so Simone was dead, and Albus was knocked unconscious, and never knew there was someone watching the whole thing."

"Which we all know is a lie," Harry said darkly.

"Right," Marzia spoke up, "it's proving it that's going to be hard. Though we're a step closer now…" she trailed off, smiling. "We now know, and can prove, that the mark on the wall that had been hidden by the painting came from Simone's wand. It was a stunning charm."

"What does that prove?" Ron inquired, arching an eyebrow. "Thurston said she used a stunning charm…"

"It proves she missed," Hermione said quickly, a glimmer of excitement in her tone. "She fired a stunning charm but she didn't hit anyone."

"She could've just tried again," Ron pointed out.

"Right, but if someone were trying to kill her," Harry began. "They wouldn't have waited for her to try again."

"Besides," Hermione started, "someone obviously hid that mark for a reason. They didn't want us to know Simone missed."

"Well what do we know for certain?" Mel spoke up. "Dumbledore told us he saw the blue light and found Travis dead…then when he was in the office, he heard a noise, but was knocked out before he could see anyone. How does Simone fit in?"

"It had to have been Oren who knocked him out," Harry said quickly, trying to think this through. "So maybe Simone came in right after…saw what he'd done…"

"And tried to stun him!" Hermione exclaimed, continuing quickly. "He must've dodged though…"

"And that explains the mark on the wall," Sirius finished. "Then he killed her before she could try again."

"But Dumbledore's wand was tested…" Mel pointed out, "Proving the killing curse had been shot from it last."

"Then Oren had sense enough to grab it when he dodged," Harry said quietly. "He must've ducked, stooping low enough to grab Albus' wand…which he'd taken out of his robes earlier…and then used it to kill Simone."

"It all makes sense!" Hermione said happily.

"It does indeed," Minerva spoke up for the first time throughout the discussion. "Though it still may not be enough to prove Albus' innocence."

"But-" Hermione began.

"She's right," Marzia nodded. "We can prove two things…that the mark on the wall came from Simone's wand, and that Travis wasn't killed by Avada Kedavra. That's our biggest defense right now. The fact that Dumbledore's wand fired the killing curse last doesn't help us any…we can tell them what we believe is the truth, but it's just our word against theirs."

"Wait," Ron spoke up, his eyes narrowed in confusion. "Go back a minute…if we can prove Travis wasn't killed by Avada Kedavra…isn't that enough? Dumbledore didn't do it, obviously!"

"For most wizards, it would be enough…" Marzia said quickly, "the problem is, we don't have the real murder weapon…the Orb, and it's highly unlikely we will have it for the trial. Once we show them the killing curse wasn't used on Travis, they'll try to say it was something else. Dumbledore has a reputation, after all…he's known for defeating one of the darkest wizards ever to threaten the wizarding world…and doesn't need a wand for everything."

"Without the Orb we can't prove he didn't do it then," Hermione said glumly.

"So then we're still back at square one," Mel added miserably.

"Not entirely," Sirius spoke up. "We have enough right now to make any jury doubt. Thurston won't be handpicking them either, so we have a fighting chance. If they aren't fully positive it was Albus who committed these crimes…"

"A confession still wouldn't hurt," Ron stated flatly.

"Don't hold your breath for that," Harry said with a quiet sigh. "Even if you threatened Thurston with death I doubt he'd tell us the truth…"

"You know, that might not be a bad-" Ron began, grinning mischievously.

"Ron, don't even start," Hermione said warningly, glancing briefly towards the clock in the office before standing quickly. "Sorry to leave in such a hurry, but I have class in twenty minutes…finals are next week, so…"

"Don't worry about it Hermione," Sirius grinned.

"I have to go too," Ron added, standing as well.

"Both of you take care," Minerva said evenly.

"We will," Ron grinned. "See you later."

They all called out their goodbyes, before Minerva finally stood as well.

"I have to get down to the dark arts room, classes begin again shortly," she said quietly. "Glad to see you're feeling well, Harry."

"Thank you Minerva," Harry nodded. "And also…thank you again for taking over the lessons this week…"

"Just make sure you're well rested and ready to return next week," she replied evenly, but gave him a small smile just the same, before finally exiting the office.

"We need to get going as well," Sirius spoke up then. "We promised Arthur we'd meet him back at the ministry after lunch. I'll be back later on though, Harry. And we can find a suitable map."

Harry nodded faintly, still not entirely happy with the idea of not leaving the school…but again, not having any real reason to fight about it for the moment. The four walked down the stairs and into the corridors again, before saying their goodbyes. Sirius and Marzia started off down the hallways together, while Harry and Mel were left alone.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Mel asked, a hint of concern in her voice as her eyes searched his. "Draco told us what happened with Troy last night…after you asked us to leave…and you seemed so…down…"

"No, I'm fine," Harry assured her. "I just didn't want you there for the…well…when the sun set…"

"You know, I'm probably going to see it sooner or later," Mel began quietly.

"Then I'd rather it be later," Harry finished for her quickly, almost apologetically. "It's not pleasant Mel…you shouldn't have to see that."

"And you shouldn't have to experience it," Mel shot back evenly. "But you do…every month, you go through it…"

"I don't exactly have a choice," Harry said quietly, dropping his gaze to the barely visibly bulge showing through Mel's robes. It was a fear that had slowly been building within him, but he couldn't yet voice it. How could he live with Mel…and raise a child…with this curse? What if something ever went wrong? He would never forgive himself…

"I can tell this is bothering you," Mel's voice broke through his thoughts, and he once again raised his eyes. "And after all that's happened, I won't ask you to have this conversation just yet…but we're going to have to have it…soon."

"I know," Harry nodded.

"C'mon," Mel said after a moment, grinning lightly. "I don't know about you, but I'm positively starving."

"Well we can't have that, now can we?" Harry said teasingly, before going on. "Seeing as how lunch is over…I guess our next stop is the kitchen."

Later that evening, Sirius returned, as he promised, to get the location of the apartment Adrik, Lilith and Oren were using. After finding a map of Hogsmeade, Minerva enlarged the image, and Harry showed Sirius the exact building.

"Good," Sirius nodded stiffly. "If the crystals are there, we'll have them back to you in no time."

"When are you going?" Harry asked, feeling a twinge of worry. His godfather was definitely capable, but the Lestranges weren't like other death eaters.

"Tonight," Sirius replied quickly, "the sooner the better."

"And who's going with you?" Harry pressed, glancing towards where Marzia and Mel stood just a few feet away. He doubted Sirius would risk letting his wife come given her present condition…

"Arthur Weasley," Sirius replied. "There will also be several ministers standing by that we can signal to if we need their help…but only Arthur and I will go in to start."

Harry nodded quietly, feeling uneasy, but hiding it. Sirius thanked Minerva for the map as he handed it back to her, and the four wished her good night, before exiting the office.

"Just don't do anything stupid, alright?" Harry said as they reached the hallway below, letting a small grin cross his face. Sirius' smiled wanly.

"I think you definitely qualify as someone not allowed to ask that of anyone," he said, looking pointedly at his godson.

Harry laughed, knowing his godfather was right, but not letting him have the last word.

"So you're telling me, if that had been you, and you had seen Troy in Hogsmeade, and you had the feeling he was sneaking around…"

"Alright, I would have followed him," Sirius conceded, rolling his eyes and sighing lightly. "Point made."

"Thank you," Harry nodded, grinning smugly.

"We're doomed, Mel," Marzia said, shaking her head in mock sadness. "We both ended up with stupidly headstrong men…"

"Hey!" Sirius cried, feigning indignation.

"I can see that," Mel nodded in agreement, hiding a smile as Harry pretended to be insulted. She took a step closer and slipped her arms through one of his. "Oh don't look so shocked," she admonished teasingly. "You were on the verge of saying it yourself just a few seconds ago…"

"So when were you going to tell me you thought I was stupid?" Harry asked, glancing down at Mel as the two began walking, Sirius and Marzia following a few feet behind.

"I don't think you're stupid," Mel said quickly. "Just…well, maybe a bit…pigheaded…sometimes."

"Ah, much better," Harry replied, sardonically, before shaking his head glumly.

"Oh stop," Mel laughed, waiting until he met her gaze before continuing. "I also think you're very brave. Sometimes a little too much for your own good…but brave nonetheless."

Harry smiled, seeing she was being serious, before leaning down and kissing her softly.

"Will you be back tomorrow?" Harry asked as he pulled away.

"Not during the day," Mel said quietly. "I have work…and then there are a few things I need to stop at the store for. But I might be able to come by for dinner…" she trailed off squeezing his hand tightly.

"Good," Harry grinned, kissing her once, before slowly and reluctantly stepping away. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Take care of yourself Harry," Sirius spoke up then, as he and Marzia caught up.

"You better do the same," Harry shot back pointedly, feeling another knot of worry in his gut. He could only hope his godfather would be alright…

After the four exchanged goodbyes, Harry watched them for a moment as they started off the rest of the way down the corridor; he turned down the closest hallway, and made his way towards the great hall for dinner.

Hagrid was quite glad that Harry was finally back, and proceeded to talk his ear off throughout the meal, but Harry didn't mind. He looked out over the tables of students, glad to be there, and not minding the occasional curious stares.

After hearing all about Hagrid's latest pets, which always worried Harry to no end, he asked how classes had been going.

"Same as always," Hagrid replied with a grin. "By now most'a the kids are jes' itchin' to be ou'side…now tha' the weather's gettin' nice."

"How about Hadley?" Harry asked, unable to resist. He'd spoken with her parents just before everything had happened recently, and hadn't had any chance to talk with her since then. Looking out over the crowd of students, he spotted her near the far end of the Slytherin table, eating quietly.

"She's Hadley," Hagrid shrugged with a sigh. "Ain't no other way teh explain it. Been actin' kinda funny toward Devon Murrt lately. Though I don' know what he done teh deserve it."

"Probably nothing," Harry said, rolling his eyes at Hadley's tendency to lash out due to jealousy. His gaze swept over the great hall until he found the Gryffindor table, and Devon. He was sitting with a group of first years and they all seemed to be chatting and laughing. Then, as if he knew Harry was looking at him, Devon's head suddenly turned towards the head table. His eyes met Harry's, and the two remained that way for just seconds, before a small smile spread across Devon's face, and he gave a faint wave, a gesture that Harry returned, before the young boy turned back to his friends.

"How is Devon in your class, Hagrid?" Harry asked suddenly. "Does he say much?"

"No, e's more on the quiet side," Hagrid replied. "But e's smart, that one. Listens teh yeh, and understands."

Harry nodded, not truly surprised. Devon was very similar to Hermione when it came to school, just without the voice.

These thoughts went silent in Harry's mind, however, as he caught sight of a black cloak moving swiftly away from the head table. He turned to see Snape moving quickly down the far aisle, his face expressionless as he went. Harry glanced up and down the table. Everyone was here, the students were all still eating, and would probably heading back to their dorms afterwards…this was a chance to speak with the potions master undisturbed.

"Excuse me Hagrid," Harry said apologetically, standing quickly from his seat. "There's something I have to do, but I'll see you in the morning, alright?"

Hagrid wasn't upset, and wished Harry a good night before the young wizard made his way quickly to the back of the great hall as well, and exited into the corridor.

Starting immediately towards the dungeon area, Harry half jogged down the hallway, wanting to speak with Snape as soon as possible. When he turned the last corner, he saw the door to the potion master's office was just closing, and quickly ran the short distance.

Rapping his knuckles rapidly against the hard wooden door, Harry didn't wait for a reply, and pushed it open. Snape, as usual, was not delighted to see him, and stood halfway across the office, glaring at the younger man who had just burst into his office. Harry opened his mouth to apologize at once, knowing what he just did was rude, but the anger in Snape's eyes…for which he saw no real reason, caused him to harden.

"We have to talk about the crystals," Harry said evenly, his own eyes narrowing in determination; he was not going to be deterred this time.

"What gives you the right to simply barge into my office unannounced and demand my attention Potter?" Snape hissed, his eyes flashing. "Still think of yourself as above the rest of us, do you?"

"You know I don't," Harry stated evenly.

"Get out," Snape spat icily, "I don't have the time for-"

"Professor Snape I won't let this go any longer," Harry stated crisply, refusing to sway as he stood in front of the still-open door. Their eyes were locked together, both filled with determination and anger. "Sirius has gone to look for the crystals…"

"Of course he has, stupid ignorant man…he'll probably get himself killed."

"He isn't stupid," Harry said angrily, but caught himself before he could get into that argument, seeing the tiny grin cross Snape's lips. "If he finds them, I'm going to start using them again, no matter what you say…"

"And you always know what's best for yourself, don't you Potter?" Snape asked, jeeringly. "Never made a decision that got you into trouble…"

"Then help me!" Harry said loudly, suddenly feeling a rush of furiously mixed emotions and not holding them back. "Why won't you help me with them? You've done nothing but avoid the subject for nearly a year! Tell me what I'm doing wrong…why couldn't I get them to work half the time?" Snape made no reply, and started to turn away, but Harry rushed on recklessly, "I'm sorry you weren't offered the position for the dark arts…I'm sorry you didn't get along with my father…I'm sorry I remind you of him…" he paused, his tone softening, "But I'm not him…this is my life…and I need your help Professor Snape…" he trailed off, never dropping his eyes.

The potions master kept a stony glare fixed upon Harry throughout his outburst, and it faltered only slightly, near the end. Nevertheless he still turned away, walking silently across the office towards his desk, and lowering himself down into the chair behind it. Harry watched him stiffly; Snape was just going to ignore him again…

"Sit down, Potter," Snape said so quietly that Harry thought he might have misheard, until he saw the potions master gesture to a chair on the opposite side of the desk. Pushing the door shut behind him, Harry crossed the room quickly, and lowered himself into the seat.

"I can't help you," Snape said quietly.

"What?" Harry asked before he could think. "Why not? You're the only one who…"

"Potter," Snape cut in sharply. "Listen to what I'm going to tell you, because I will not repeat it." Harry just nodded, feeling a terrible knot in his stomach, but remained silent.

"When we began our lessons with the stones," Snape began, "after what happened last year, it didn't go well from the start. Our minds are connected now, Harry…but I have the control over that power…I can hear your thoughts, but you cannot hear mine unless I allow it. That is the gift of the instructor. The stones, however, are yours and yours alone. Anything I say will have no influence over them unless you wish it."

"I know," Harry said quietly. "I remember hearing you…in my mind, but not when I had control of the crystals. They won't listen to me when you're there…and I could never get around that…"

"I was quite aware of that, yes," Snape nodded stiffly. "I too, could not get past the barrier they would form, I couldn't read your thoughts…it was only silence."

"Why though?" Harry asked quietly. "I don't understand…I heard you with perfect clearness during the fight with Voldemort last year…why can't I anymore? Is something wrong with the stones? Am I doing something wrong?"

"No," Snape shook his head faintly, an unreadable expression on his dark features as he sat rigidly in his chair. If possible, he looked paler than usual. "You were doing nothing wrong…I was the reason the crystals would no longer respond properly."

"But…how?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

"Don't you understand?" Snape asked, obviously frustrated. "We're connected…mentally…the crystals can sense…" he trailed off, and his eyes dropped to his hands, which were clenched together tightly; it was in that moment that Harry understood. The crystals didn't obey him when Snape was around, because there was a part of the potions master that always had, and always would hold feelings of dislike…and hatred, against Harry…and his father. The stones couldn't work through the conflict.

This wasn't what Harry was expecting, not in the least. If it had been some outside force blocking the crystals…something possessing them…they could have worked together to overcome the obstacle. But the obstacle was the instructor.

"Professor…there must be something we can do…to…to…" Harry trailed off, searching for words. "I need to use the crystals…"

"You still can," Snape said quietly. "But I can't help you." He was silent for a long moment, looking as if he wanted to go on. After several more minutes, he finally raised his eyes to meet Harry's once more. "Despite what your godfather seems to think…I don't want you dead, Potter. When you have the crystals again, tell them to cut me off…everything you need to know will be given to you then…"

"That's it?" Harry asked weakly. "Just tell them to-"

"If you want the powers they can offer you…and complete control, then it is the only way. I don't know what you'll feel, but it shouldn't take very long…you won't know what's going on around you when it happens, but when it's finished, they will be yours."

"Why…" Harry began, feeling a twinge of anger, but keeping his voice calm. "Why didn't you tell me this before? I could've used the crystals all this time…"

Again Snape made no reply…either he wouldn't…or he couldn't, but just as before, Harry understood as he looked back into the potions master's black eyes, and saw guilt. Snape never intended for any harm to come to Harry, but that's exactly what it took for him to be able to say even this much. He simply couldn't before…whether it was pride, or hate…he just couldn't have voiced it before now.

"What if Sirius doesn't find the crystals?" Harry asked quietly. "How do I track them then?"

Snape was silent for a long moment, before shaking his head just barely.

"Let us hope he does."

Several hours later, Harry was sitting wide-awake in his office. He had tried to sleep, but found it was impossible, as all he could think about was Sirius and Arthur. If anything happened to them…

His thoughts were interrupted however, when the flames in the fireplace rose up, and Sirius' face appeared within them.

"Sirius!" Harry cried, feeling a sudden rush of relief as he jumped up from his seat, running to the fireplace and dropping to his knees before it.

"I thought you might be awake," Sirius said, half grinning, though Harry could tell he was forcing it.

"What's wrong?" he asked at once. "Was someone hurt?"

"No," Sirius replied at once, shaking his head glumly. "No one was hurt, because there was no one there…the place was deserted."

Harry nodded slowly, disappointed, but glad his godfather was safe.

"We'll have to find them some other way then…" he said quietly.

"We're going to find them, Harry," Sirius replied, determinedly.

Harry nodded again, knowing his godfather was right. Seeing how drained Sirius looked, Harry told him they could finish speaking tomorrow, and told him to get some rest, before the face disappeared from the flames.

Harry had no doubt he would see Adrik and the others again…they wanted him dead, didn't they? And it was only a matter of time before they realized, if they didn't know already, that he'd escaped from the cult. What he wanted to know, however, was how they'd gotten in to get the crystals in the first place…and how they intended to use them if he was dead.

He slept uneasily that night, questions and worries racing through his mind, not letting up, and when the sun was finally stinging his eyes as he lay, exhausted, on top of his covers, he groaned and rubbed sorely at his eyes, before forcing himself to sit up.

He didn't necessarily need to be awake for anything, but he honestly couldn't relax with all that was going on…especially since there was so little he could do about any of it.

Making his way down to the great hall, Harry realized classes had already begun for the day, so when he entered the large room and found it full of half the first year students, he was a bit surprised.

Hadley was closest to him, sitting once again near the end of the Slytherin table, a glass of milk and a book in front of her, and Harry immediately started forward, stopping just near her seat.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?" he asked, as she realized someone was standing beside her and glanced up.

"Does it matter?" Hadley asked, shrugging casually. "If I said no you'd do it anyway."

"If you want to be alone I'll leave," Harry said, sincerely, taking a step back.

Hadley seemed to consider this for a moment tilting her head to one side, before speaking again.

"You can sit…I don't mind."

"Thank you," Harry said, crossing to the opposite side of the table and lowering himself onto the bench. "Why aren't you all in class?" he asked curiously.

"Transfiguration was cancelled this week," Hadley replied quickly. "Professor McGonagall said Professor Ryan is sick…and since she's doing your lessons this week, I guess there's no one with the time to do his. But she said if he's not better by next week, she'll be taking over for him until he comes back."

"Oh," Harry said quietly. He hadn't even thought about it. Hadley went back to the book she had been glancing through, looking bored, and bending the page corners unevenly.

"Why are you sitting by yourself, Hadley?" Harry asked, seeing a group of Slytherin first years midway up the table.

"Because I'm reading," Hadley replied stiffly, lifting her book away from the table and holding up in front of her face, as if to emphasize that fact.

"Really?" Harry asked, skeptically, glancing at the title. "What book is that?"

Hadley was silent for a long moment, before quickly lowering the book and flipping it shut to see the title, obviously not having been reading at all.

"Not like it matters," she muttered indignantly. "I won't be here next year anyway…"

"Not like what matters?" Harry asked.

"Them," Hadley said stiffly, nodding faintly towards the other Slytherins. "They won't talk to me anymore…"

"Why not?" Harry asked, softly.

Hadley simply shrugged, setting the book down on the table before folding her hands over it and resting her chin on them. "They hate me."

"Hadley," Harry began, gently. "I'm sure they don't hate you…" though part of him actually doubted that statement. He remembered how Draco had actually turned a good number of his housemates against Mel for befriending him last year…but Hadley didn't need to hear that now. "Have you tried talking to them?"

"They said I might lose them the house cup," she said indifferently, "because I lose so many points…I don't try to, though!"

Harry glanced up the table at the other Slytherins, some of whom were noticing he and Hadley speaking, and watching with interest, though they were too far up to hear.

"Hadley," Harry began, not wanting to offend the small girl, and trying to think of how to say this. "Most of the time when you get in trouble, it's because of fighting with other students…"

"You used to get into fights all the time," Hadley shot back quickly, before Harry could continue, causing him to visibly pause, before regaining his voice.

"Hadley…how do…how would you know anything about me getting into fights or not? You weren't here when I was in school," he said quietly.

Hadley went silent then, her eyes fixed intently on her fidgeting hands.

"Hadley?" Harry prompted after a few moments of silence, but keeping a firm tone. "Answer my question please."

"Just from things I've heard," Hadley shrugged at last. "From the older kids in my house…they said you and someone named Draco used to fight all the time…"

Harry looked at her carefully. While the excuse was, in fact, one he could believe…he didn't. She'd seemed to know far too many things about several of the other students in the school…things she couldn't have been told.

"Are you going to have any more extra lessons?" Hadley asked suddenly, in an attempt to change the subject. "I think I can do a good Patronus now…I really do."

"I'm sure you could," Harry nodded. "I'm not sure about the lesson though, if I can I will."

Hadley nodded faintly, before once again flipping the book on the table open, and gazing blankly at the pages. Harry watched her for a few moments…she was so young, and a good deal of the time acted as immature as any child he'd ever known. But there had been occasions, when the look in her eyes made her seem as old as Dumbledore.

Her mention of the Patronus Charm made Harry think of the night that started those lessons…the night Hadley was attacked. They still had no idea why someone had tried to do that to her…and why they had given up so easily. But whoever it was, they couldn't have just been trying for nothing could they? She didn't even remember leaving the school so someone must've gotten inside to get to her…just as someone had gotten inside to get the crystals.

"Hadley," Harry began, the faintest glimmer of hope building inside of him as she looked up to meet his eyes. "I want to ask you something, and if it bothers you let me know, and we don't have to talk about it, alright?"

"Alright," she replied warily.

"On the night that you were in the dark forest," he began, seeing a hint of fear pass over her face as he said this. "I know you don't remember much about that evening, but is there anything you can tell me…no matter how small you think it is…about what happened while you were still in the school? Do you remember anyone strange in the halls? Or how far you made it before you blacked out?"

"I don't remember professor," Hadley replied in a small voice. "I didn't see anyone…"

"You didn't notice anything out of place…even slightly?" Harry prodded, but knowing it was no use as she shook her head slowly. She couldn't help him. "Alright," he said, nodding resignedly. "Thank you."

Hadley looked across at him for a long moment, before speaking quietly.

"What's wrong?" she asked, barely above a whisper.

"Nothing," Harry replied, giving her a reassuring grin. "Everything's fine."

Hadley nodded quietly, and Harry could tell she didn't believe him, but she seemed to shrug it off quickly enough. She reached out for the glass of milk then, and Harry would swear she flicked at it, causing it to tip. But she jumped up immediately as if it were an accident, looking startled.

"Sorry!" she said quickly, reaching for the glass at the same time as Harry did. He felt a small shiver run through his blood as their skin brushed, but it was gone the second he pulled away.

Harry eyed the small girl curiously as he set the empty glass right again, only to see she was looking back at him in much the same manner, as they both took their seats again.

Hadley glanced immediately towards the clock then, and jumped right back up from the bench.

"I have to go, Herbology is starting in a few minutes," she said quickly.

Before Harry could utter a word, Hadley was already at the door, and stepped quickly out of sight into the hallway beyond.

The next hour passed by so slowly, Harry felt as if time were standing still. He had tried to eat after Hadley had left in such a hurry, but found he wasn't hungry. So he waited. Waited and paced and checked his watch well over thirty times. Hadley had done something…he knew it…and he wanted to know what it was.

When it was nearing time for the Herbology lesson to be getting out, Harry made his way to the greenhouses and waited outside the one for first years. The moment he spotted Hadley, walking by herself, he stepped forward from his place beside the door, and she jumped when he called her name.

"I didn't see you…" she said, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Sorry," Harry apologized quickly. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"What do you want?" she asked bluntly then, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"To talk," Harry replied quickly.

"Well, I have lunch now…and then…"

"Good," Harry cut her off, a small smile on his face. "Then we'll talk over lunch…we can eat in my office."

Hadley went noticeably pale at the suggestion, but made no argument.

"We can stop at the kitchen first…" Harry began.

"I'm not hungry," Hadley replied flatly.

Harry looked down at her, intending to argue the matter, but saw the look in her eyes, and said nothing. It was one of her rare moments…when she looked like the weight of the world were resting on her shoulders…and she was resigned to holding it up, until someone else took over. Her penetrating blue eyes stared at him, and into him…

The two made their way up to his office quietly, and Harry led her over to the couch, sitting down a few feet to her left, before starting.

"Hadley, what did you do this morning? When the glass fell over…?"

"It was an accident," she replied quietly.

"Hadley, that's not what I meant. What did you do when our hands touched?"

Hadley's eyes dropped to her feet, looking at them with such intensity one might believe they were the most interesting items in existence.

"I don't know how your crystals were stolen," she said finally, still refusing to raise her gaze.

Harry could feel his jaw dropping, and quickly clamped it shut.

"How do you know about the crystals?" he finally managed to ask.

"That's why you were asking me about that night, wasn't it?" Hadley replied quickly, lifting her eyes to meet his. "You wanted to know if I'd seen how the person had gotten in…that way you'd know how they got to your crystals too."

"Yes that was why I was asking," Harry said, nodding, still in a state of shock. "But how do you know that?"

"Because I read you," Hadley said quietly. "I can do it…when I touch people."

"Do what?" Harry asked, wanting a better explanation.

Hadley sighed, shaking her head slowly.

"I'm not supposed to tell anyone…" she said quietly. "My parents said it's not good to be able to read people."

"Then I promise I won't tell them about this conversation," Harry said seriously. "But it's very important that you tell me what's going on."

Hadley nodded softly, and when she began speaking, her voice was calm and even.

"I can see other people's thoughts when I touch them," Hadley explained. "The longer I hold on, the stronger the thoughts come through."

"Every time you touch someone this happens?" Harry asked.

"Well…when I want it to," Hadley said slowly. "When I was younger…I couldn't control it…so then it was every time. As I got older I was just able to start blocking it off…" she trailed off for a minute, her eyes looking far off at something Harry couldn't see, before she spoke again, softly. "It was so horrible when I was younger though…"

"So this is how you knew about Ariele…and Samantha…and everyone else you had an argument with," Harry said, quietly.

"Yes," Hadley nodded faintly.

Harry shook his head in wonder.

"Hadley," he began gently. "What you have is a gift, and you shouldn't abuse it by using it against your classmates. There are certain powers that only a few wizards and witches are born with…and you were lucky enough to have been granted two, since you can speak Parseltongue as well. Don't keep using this other gift…this ability to read people, only to snoop around, and steal secrets that aren't yours…"

"I know…I'm sorry…" she said quietly, trailing off.

Harry only felt sadness for Hadley then. She had enormous powers that could be easily misused, but had no idea what to do with them. And after just one meeting with her parents, he doubted very much they would offer much in the way of guidance. It sounded like they'd rather she ignore the powers.

He felt better knowing though…and wanted to help her if he could, to understand the responsibility that came with such power…

Glancing at his watch, however, Harry realized there was only fifteen minutes left before lunch was over, and he didn't want to make her late for her next class, as she hadn't even had time to stop back at her dorm to drop off her books from Herbology.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Hadley," he said sincerely, and glad to see her smile a little at this. "I won't keep you any longer right now…"

"Thank you professor," she said hurriedly, looking relieved to be allowed to go as she grabbed her books and started immediately for the door. But just before stepping out into the hall, she stopped. Harry looked on curiously, watching and waiting for Hadley to do something…until finally, she slowly turned back around.

"There is something else," she began reluctantly. "Something I think you might want to know…"

"What is it?" Harry asked curiously, seeing the conflict in the girl's eyes.

"I don't even know how much it would help you…" Hadley said quickly, looking as if she very much regretted saying anything now. She glanced out into the hallway, and said nothing for a long moment.

"Hadley," Harry began, not wanting to pressure her but very curious to know what she had been planning to tell him. "Maybe if you just tell me-"

"I didn't hold the connection long enough," Hadley interrupted, shaking her head. "I only got a glimpse…you probably don't even care about him anymore."

"Him?" Harry repeated, now almost anxious to hear. "Him who?"

Hadley seemed to teeter for a moment, unsure if she wanted to answer, but suddenly spoke so quickly it was as if she wanted to get it out before she could change her mind.

"Jared Graham. I heard the name in your head…but I was only looking for why you wanted to ask me about the night someone snuck in, so I didn't pay much attention…"

"What do you know about Jared Graham?" Harry asked, shocked.

Hadley shrugged.

"Nearly everything, I suppose. Anything that my parents knew…and my grandparents…and my great-grandparents. He was my great-great-grandfather."

For a moment, Harry could not even speak, never once having expected this.

"My parents told me I shouldn't talk about him either, though," Hadley said quietly.

"Do they talk about him?" Harry asked, wondering how she would know nearly everything about him, as she claimed.

"Never," Hadley said quickly. "They won't."

"Then how would you know…?"

"I know because they know," Hadley said, realizing what he was asking. "When I was a baby, any time one of my parents…or anyone else, held me…I had no way to control my power then. Everything they ever thought or knew became part of what I knew…" she trailed off, smiling a little. "They thought I was really smart at first, I learned how to talk so quickly…but they figured it out later on…" she trailed off glumly.

"Hadley…will you tell me about Jared?" Harry asked, eagerly. "It's very important that I know more about him…"

"Will you show me why?" Hadley asked quietly, and seeing Harry's puzzled look, she finally set down her things, and crossed the room back to where he stood. She slowly reached out a hand, letting it hover near one of his, and looked up at him, hopefully.

"Hadley, I'm not sure that's a good-" Harry began.

"I've already seen most of it," Hadley interrupted quietly.

"Most of…? How?" Harry asked, taken aback.

"The night we were both in the hospital wing…you fell asleep on my bed. I can't control it when I sleep…" she trailed off, a barely visible shiver running through her, and Harry suddenly understood. That's why she had woken up trying to push him away, seeming so frantic. She'd been dreaming, but reading his mind…

"I didn't like those dreams," she stated quietly.

"I'm sorry," Harry stated, sincerely. Hadley could have relived any of his own horrible experiences throughout his life. "If I had known that would happen…"

"It's alright," Hadley replied quietly, before her eyes dropped once again to their hands, still near each other. "Can I?" she asked.

Harry still didn't like the idea, but after a moment, found himself nodding faintly. He needed to know about Jared…and if this was the only way she would tell him…

Hadley moved her hand forward, and wrapped her small fingers partially around his wrist. Harry felt the same brief coldness as before, and waited, thinking Hadley looked perfectly normal while she was doing this…and he realized no one would know she was ever reading their minds…if someone were to walk in to the office right now it would look like she was holding his hand, and that's it. Her eyes were open, she was breathing regularly, and at one point she even cleared her throat.

After three or four minutes, Hadley finally released her grip, and took a step back.

"I don't know what you need to," she said apologetically. "I don't know anything about any Shadow Walkers…"

"Will you tell me what you do know?" Harry asked, not sure if it would help any, but feeling the more he did know…the better.

Hadley seemed to consider for a moment, before glancing towards the clock.

"I'm late for class," she said, not sounding as if it were terribly important to her.

"Which one?"

"History of Magic."

"I'll speak with Professor Binns," Harry said quickly. "I'll tell him I needed to speak with you, you won't get in any trouble."

Again, the thoughtful expression crossed Hadley's face, though it didn't take long to decide between sitting through a boring lecture or remaining here, and finally she nodded.

"Alright," she said quietly. "I'll tell you what I know…just promise you won't tell my parents…" she trailed off, looking suddenly worried.

"I promise," Harry nodded, as the two once again took seats on the couch.

Hadley was silent for a long moment, and Harry waited patiently, before finally she started to talk.

At first, she told Harry some of what he already knew…what Caleb had told he and his friends several months back. She knew when Jared had gone to school, and who his friends had been. She knew of several incidents during which he'd had spats with his instructors…and with his father…but nothing that seemed to be of much relevance to anything Harry needed to know.

"What about when he was out of school?" Harry asked during one pause. "Do you know anything about that time for him?"

"Well…I know he stayed with Victoria…they married, and my great-grandfather was born…Leto. Then it was another ten years before my great-aunt Jessica was born, but I never knew her…and then right after she was born, Victoria died."

"Does anyone know how she died?" Harry asked, gently.

"My great-grandfather thinks his father killed her," Hadley said quietly.

"Jared killed Victoria?" Harry asked, his eyes going wide.

"That's what Leto thinks," Hadley replied evenly. "He was ten years old when it happened."

"But why would he think that?" Harry asked.

"Because Jared was always angry at Victoria from when he can remember," Hadley said. "Leto always saw them fighting…I think Victoria was stronger than Jared…and Leto thinks that's why Jared always wanted her around."

"Was Jared jealous?" Harry asked.

"No…well, maybe," Hadley said, uncertainly. "But he didn't seem to mind when they were getting along…it was when Victoria was going to leave that he got angry."

"Did he…wouldn't he try to talk to her about it? Instead of just killing her?"

"He didn't kill her right away," Hadley said, shaking her head. "That's why Leto saw them fighting so much…they stayed together for years, and even had another child…Jessica. But Victoria wasn't happy, and wanted to take both children…"

"So Jared made sure she couldn't."

"Right," Hadley nodded solemnly. "After that, he took Leto and Jessica…and moved up into the mountains…teaching them magic and raising them without anyone else's influence…except for two of his friends…Adrik and Lilith, they were there a lot…Jared actually had them showing Leto and Jessica magic, teaching them and stuff…and he would go away all the time. No one knows where…but each time he came back, he was stronger…and Leto hated him for it…"

"What about Jessica?" Harry asked, feeling sorry for the poor girl despite that he'd never even met her. This must've been the only way of life she'd known for a long time. "How did she feel about all of this?"

"I don't know much about her," Hadley admitted quietly. "I know during the time she and Leto were getting lessons from Adrik and Lilith, they started off getting along…but Jessica didn't hate everything as much as Leto did…he just wanted to leave. Which he did, as soon as he was eighteen..."

"Jared let him go?" Harry asked.

"He didn't care," Hadley replied. "At least Leto doesn't think he did…he didn't try to stop him from leaving though. And that's the last time he saw his father…I don't know much about what happened to Jared after that…but everyone in my family says he's dead."

Harry nodded, though he was wondering how valid that fact really was, he wasn't going to bring it up now though, Hadley wouldn't know anything her relatives hadn't known…

"Did Leto ever see Jessica again?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yes," Hadley nodded slowly. "They saw each other…but not for a long time…over thirty years had gone by. Jessica was married…and pregnant…but her husband was a muggle, and Leto didn't like that at all…" she trailed off, an air of foreboding in her tone.

"What did he do?" Harry asked, tensely.

"He wanted to kill him…the muggle," Hadley said quietly. "But he still loved Jessica, despite who she was with, and so he wouldn't murder her husband. When Leto finally met him…he did all he could to scare him away…and it worked. Jessica's husband was…well…horrified, to find out what she'd been keeping from him…I don't think he even gave her a chance to explain herself before he left…then, a few months later, her son was born…and she died soon after giving birth…" she trailed off, looking sad for a moment. "Leto hated her son…because he was part muggle…and because she died having him. He refused to take him in…and sent him off to an orphanage instead…"

Harry listened to all of this in utter silence, feeling there was something horrifyingly familiar about this tale.

"Hadley…do you know the name of Jessica's husband…or her son?" he asked quietly.

"Um…" she paused, trying to remember…when a light seemed to dawn in her eyes. "Tom, I think…yes, they both had the same name…Tom Riddle."

Harry felt his stomach flip. Hadley was related to Voldemort…and not only that, but she too, was an heir of Salazar Slytherin. She would have to be…the question was, did that make Jared an heir as well? Or Victoria? The relation only could have come through one of them. And aside from that, it meant Grindelwald and Voldemort were related…but they had never known each other, they couldn't. Tom Riddle was sent away from his relatives, to live with muggles, so he never would have known Jared…

"That's all I know," Hadley spoke up then, drawing him out of his thoughts, looking almost apologetic.

"No, that's fine," Harry said quickly, feeling horribly for her all of a sudden. How terrible to have grown up, having this knowledge forced upon you, before knowing anything else. "Hadley, thank you," he said sincerely. "I appreciate this more than you know."

Hadley looked up at him uncertainly, her piercing blue eyes searching his, before she smiled faintly.

"You're welcome, professor," she said quietly.

Harry smiled weakly back at her, wishing he would've known this long ago, but there was no way to change that now. What he had to do from here, was tell the others what he'd just been told…he didn't know if it would help anything, but it was more than they knew before.

"Hadley, why don't you head back to your common room for now," Harry said gently. "There's something I have to do."

Hadley nodded faintly, before gathering up her things, and quietly exiting the office. Harry waited until he heard her footsteps fading away up the corridor, before going to the hearth. He didn't know where Sirius and Marzia were, but he had to try to find them now. Hermione wouldn't be home, neither would Ron…and Mel was at work. So after throwing in a half a pinch of floo powder, Harry waited, hoping someone would answer at his house.

After several minutes of nothing, Harry ended the summon, and tried the ministry instead. Mr. Weasley's office was the only channel he knew there besides Dumbledore's, but that line went unanswered as well. Feeling it couldn't hurt to try, Harry next attempted to reach Ron and Hermione, but as expected, neither one picked up, both out at work and school.

Harry sighed, not wanting to wait much longer to tell someone, but realizing he was going to have to. But as he was placing the powder back above the mantle, he decided on the spot to try Mel's job anyway. He didn't want to disturb her, but this way, if she saw Marzia or Sirius at least, she could tell them to contact him.

Harry waited…and waited…and waited…but there was no answer. Cold worry immediately began to settle in…as he wasn't calling an empty house…he was calling a place of business…one that should be very much open and running at the moment, but yet no one was answering.

Maybe they're just really busy, he thought to himself, entirely unconvinced, and his feelings of worry only increased the longer the line remained dead.

Ending the summon abruptly, Harry turned and moved quickly across his office. The last class for the day had ended not too long ago…and he needed to speak with Minerva. She would be able to contact someone…anyone…to find out what was going on.

As he reached the first corner, however, he heard voices…arguing. The person talking stopped abruptly, just as Harry turned into the hall, and he spotted Hadley halfway up the corridor, looking intently at Devon, who was outside the Gryffindor common room again, his toad, Les, on the floor nearby.

"Professor," Devon said, looking up at Harry as he neared them. Hadley, who hadn't seen Harry coming, spun around, a confused look on her face.

"Professor," she began as well. "I was just…"

"Listen, both of you," Harry cut her off, feeling horribly for doing so…but he had to get to Minerva now. "There's something very important that I have to take care of, so I need both of you to get into your common rooms now. If there's something either of you need to talk about, I promise we'll do it later."

"But-" Hadley began, earnestly.

"Hadley, please, just do as I ask," Harry said, trying to sound firm, and hating himself for it. He knew it seemed as though he were brushing her off, and under any other circumstances, he would never behave this way.

"Yes sir," she replied, a hint of anger in her tone as she turned away and quickly stalked down the hall. Harry looked to Devon, who didn't seem to be causing any trouble, keeping to himself with his toad, and nodded faintly, getting ready to continue on his way, when he heard a noise behind him.

Both Harry and Devon turned, seeing nothing at first, but hearing something, as it grew louder, Harry would swear it sounded like rushing air.

"Wait here," he said firmly to Devon, starting back up the hall towards the sound. He only made it halfway there, however, when a massive silver flash shot out of the wall, crossing directly in front of him. Nearly falling over backwards, Harry staggered to keep his balance as he turned to see the light had vanished, it came from the wall to his right, and disappeared into the one on his left. After he waited a few more moments, entirely still, but there was nothing more, Harry turned and started quickly back down the hall.

"Devon, I think you need to get inside, now," he said quickly, not wanting the young boy out in the hallway after whatever it was he'd just seen. Something very wrong was going on here… Devon, whose eyes were fixed on the spot that the light had disappeared into glanced quickly up at Harry, and nodded.

"Yes sir," he replied in a small voice. Harry waited until the young Gryffindor was safely through the portrait hole, making sure it was shut tightly behind him, before taking off through the halls, heading for the headmistress' office.

When he reached the stone gargoyle only minutes later, he spat out the password through quick breaths, and raced up the stairs.

"Minerva!" he called out as he pushed through the door. "We need to-" he cut off abruptly seeing her standing stock still in front of an opening in one of the office walls. It had slid sideways to reveal what reminded Harry of a television, similar to the one he'd seen at Ron and Hermione's apartment. Minerva turned her head towards him abruptly, her features were etched onto her face like stone, and she was horribly pale.

"What is it…?" he asked, feeling fresh dread building in his gut.

"Harry…" she said, sounding uncharacteristically frail. Her voice was shaking. "Maybe you better…"

"Minerva, what's going on?" Harry demanded, feeling she was going to ask him to wait…or leave…two things he was not about to do. His head was racing with everything happening, seemingly out of nowhere, and moving so quickly. As he stepped further into the office, he caught a glimpse of what was on the screen. It was showing several images at once, on each of the four corners, and he realized easily enough, that whichever one you looked at was the one you heard sound for.

The one that caught Harry's attention however, and the one that suddenly made his blood run cold, was the one showing an image he immediately recognized as part of Diagon Alley.

"Harry wait," Minerva said at once, seeing him step closer.

"That's Madam Malkin's," Harry said, surprisingly calm, but unable to move his eyes away from the image. The building he was looking at had been utterly destroyed…and when the words of the news reporter finally came through, Harry felt a wave of stunned, horrified, shock and disbelief.

There had been an attack, centered on the small shop alone…several people had been injured…and one employee had been found…dead.

The moment the words had a chance to sink in, Harry felt an overwhelming wave of sickness wash over him, and had to take hold of the nearest chair back to remain standing.

"Who?" he asked, his voice barely audible as he looked pleadingly at Minerva. "Who's dead?"

"I don't know Harry," Minerva replied sadly, coming to his side, and putting a hand on his arm. "They won't give the name until the family has been notified."

"Oh God," Harry muttered weakly, his hands were shaking terribly, and he didn't think he could stand for much longer. "It was Adrik, I know it was…he was there for Mel…"

"Harry we don't know anything yet," McGonagall said, trying to force reassurance into her tone.

Harry wasn't listening though. His head was spinning, as was the world around him. He couldn't think, he could barely even breathe…Mel…the woman he loved, the woman carrying his child…the thought of her dead was almost too much for him to take…but he forced his breathing to steady, and blinked fiercely against the tears stinging his eyes, threatening to unleash his grief.

"Harry, come here…you need to sit down," Minerva said quickly, leading him around to the opposite side of the chair and lowering him into it. She, too, was obviously holding back against tears

"We have to get down there," Harry said evenly. "I have to know…"

"No Harry," McGonagall began, "You have to stay here until-"

"Minerva, I won't just-" Harry started to interrupt, but cut off abruptly as the door to the office swung open with a bang.

"Harry!" Sirius cried in relief, rushing across the room to his godson's side.

"Sirius, we have to get to Diagon Alley," Harry began quickly.

"I was just there," Sirius said grimly. "I came here as soon as I could."

Harry's eyes went wide as he jumped out of his chair.

"Is Mel alright?" he asked at once. "The news said someone died, Sirius please…tell me she's alright…" he trailed off, staring intently at his godfather.

"She wasn't there," Sirius stated solemnly. "When the report of the attack came in to the ministry and I heard where it was, Arthur and I got over there as fast as we could. One of the women working there was killed in the attack, and according to several witnesses, Mel was there when it started but…they…they took her, Harry. Whoever it was…they were there for Mel, and if I had to guess, I'd say it was Adrik Lestrange."

Harry stared back at his godfather in blank shock. There was a part of him that was so relieved he wanted to laugh aloud…Mel was alive! But the dread and panic over what Adrik could possibly want with her quashed any relief he was feeling, leaving him utterly helpless as to what he could do.

"We have to find her," Harry said determinedly, his eyes becoming steely and hard. "Who knows what Adrik will do to her, we have to ger her back now."

"We will, Harry, I promise," Sirius said at once, glancing at the door quickly. "I have to get back, Arthur's waiting…we'll see if we can get any leads at the scene…"

"I'm coming," Harry said at once.

"No Harry, you're staying right here," Sirius replied evenly.

"Sirius, you can't expect me to-"

"Harry, think about it…why would someone take Mel?" Sirius asked quickly. "To lure you out…no, you're staying right here and that's final."

"Not this time," Harry replied stubbornly, matching Sirius' glare evenly. "I won't sit here and do nothing."

Sirius' stony expression softened then, and he looked almost regretful as he stared back into Harry's eyes, before he glanced at Minerva and nodded. Harry turned to see she had her wand out, pointed at him.

"Vincio termino Hogwarts."

Before Harry had a chance to react, he was hit with a spray of light from the tip of her wand, and staggered backwards from the heavy, weighted feeling that accompanied it. When it had settled, he looked up, glancing back and forth from his godfather to the headmistress.

"What did you do?" he asked, stiffly.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," Sirius replied, earnestly. "It's for your own good…"

"Sirius what did you do?" Harry asked loudly, trying to control his anger.

"I have to go, Arthur's waiting," Sirius said quietly. He turned away, and quickly made it through the door, leaving his godson staring after him in stunned silence. Harry turned to look at Minerva, who's expression was grim, but stern…though he could see regret as well, and only felt cold dread closing over him. Without a word, he ran towards the door of the office, ignoring her calling after him, and sprinted after Sirius, who had obviously been moving quickly through the halls, as he only caught up with him near the entrance.

"Sirius!" he shouted as he his godfather finally came into view, and he sprinted the last few meters.

"Harry, I have to go…the longer we delay this…"

"Sirius please, just…whatever you did…whatever Minerva did…" Harry stammered, fearing he already knew, and praying he was wrong.

"I'll be in touch the second I know anything," Sirius said quickly, a guilty gleam in his eyes, before pushing the door open and stepping through into the early evening air. Harry reached out to stop him from leaving, but his hand hit something…something he couldn't see, and his fears were confirmed in that second. He was trapped…he couldn't leave the school.

Harry glanced up at Sirius, feeling saddened and betrayed, and his godfather could only look back at him regretfully, from just outside the invisible barrier.

"Don't do this…please Sirius," Harry said evenly, a dead, cold, anger building in his gut. If the situation had been reversed…and it was Marzia that had been taken, and not Mel, he would never try to stop Sirius from helping…

"I'm sorry," was all Sirius could say in reply, and despite his obvious sincerity, Harry found he didn't care. Without another word, Sirius let the door go, stepping fully outside, and let the door slam shut in Harry's face.

For a moment, Harry could only stare at the cold, heavy door before him, in stunned disbelief, until the anger building within him suddenly rose. Lashing out with reckless abandon, Harry swung at the door in front of him, kicking and punching and pounding, his breathing becoming quick and uneven, and angry tears stinging his eyes. He had never been so furious in his life, and wanted so badly to get rid of the hateful feelings filling him…

Finally, however, feeling spent and weary, Harry turned his back to the door, leant up against it, and slid slowly to the floor. He was shaking from his outburst, and his hands were scraped and bleeding. Choking back against the misery howling to be let out, he tried to concentrate, looking for a way around this. He had to escape…he had to. If Adrik was only using Mel to get to him, he wouldn't think twice about taking her place…but he couldn't do anything while stuck inside the school.

At a loss for where to start, but knowing he couldn't just sit there, Harry forced himself to stay calm, and slowly pushed himself up from the floor. He walked quickly back up the hallway, and into the first room he came to. Moving immediately to the window, Harry raised a hand towards the early evening sky, and felt the tips of his fingers meet with the invisible barrier once more. Cursing under his breath, he left the room and continued on his way up the hall.

Deciding it was useless to try every window he came to, Harry made his way back up to his office, moving swiftly through the silent corridors. It was a weeknight, so not many students were out, and it was nearing time when they all needed to be in their dorms for the night anyway.

As Harry stepped into the dark office, he shivered, but didn't bother starting a fire. Instead, he crossed to the couch and lowered himself onto it, at a complete loss for ideas, when there was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Harry called out flatly, assuming it would be Minerva coming to apologize…or explain her actions…two things he didn't care to hear right now. He was shocked however, to see Snape step into the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

"Minerva told me what happened to Mel," the potions master said quietly.

"Is that all she told you?" Harry asked stiffly, wondering if he also knew what Sirius had done to him. "Because I'm sure you'd see this as a perfect opportunity to rub my problems in my face so if it isn't too much to ask, can we skip that for now?"

"I didn't come here for that," Snape stated evenly.

"Then what do you want?" Harry asked curtly.

"Why do you think someone would want to take Mel?" Snape asked quickly.

"To get to me, I suppose," Harry said flatly. "If it was Adrik or Oren, that would probably be why…"

"Yes, everything is always about you, isn't it?" Snape said, rolling his eyes, continuing before Harry could say anything to that. "Has anyone ever explained the bloodlines to you?"

Harry paused for a moment. Saaneeraa had told him some about the bloodlines, though he hadn't really thought of it again up until right now.

"Yes," he nodded faintly. "I know a little bit…I know if I die…then Mel's child is the next Psion."

"But if someone else wants the powers, she must be killed as well," Snape added.

"I know," Harry said darkly. "They tried to kill her last year…but that still doesn't make any sense," he rushed on. "If they want control of the crystals, then someone with Faerunian blood has to kill me, if anyone else does it, the powers are dormant until the next Psion is born."

"That's right," Snape nodded.

"Well then what do they want?" Harry asked in exasperation. "If the Shadow Walkers killed me, the powers would've been dormant, so they must not be after them. But then why would they need Mel? Because if they kill her before the baby is born…the powers still won't belong to them…"

"True," Snape nodded. "The powers won't belong to the child until after it is breathing air on its own. And if you were to die from someone without Faerunian blood, and she were to die before giving birth…the powers would simply continue through the bloodlines, waiting for the next Psion to be born."

"So one way or the other, they don't gain control of them," Harry said quietly, before shaking his head in defeat. "I have no idea what they're after…"

Snape was silent for a long moment, until speaking up, very quietly.

"I imagine we'll find out soon enough. Just try to keep out of trouble for the time being," he said, before turning back towards the door, and pausing quickly. "And light a fire in here for Merlin's sake…" and with that, he went through the door.

Harry shook his head slowly, and sat back with a sigh, before a chill ran through him, and he forced himself back up. Snape was right; it was freezing in here. Moving towards the hearth, Harry pulled out the replacement wand and gave it a skeptical glance, before aiming it at the cold embers. To his relief, after the hole near the tip fizzled momentarily, it again worked as it was supposed to, and a warm, crackling blaze was now alight before him, causing the shadows splayed on the walls to dance.

Harry knelt down on the hardwood floor, watching the flames flickering in the hearth, and feeling a cold emptiness inside. Everything else that had happened meant nothing to him right now…not while he was forced to remain in the school…made a prisoner by the people he called friends…and unable to help the woman he loved. The only thing he could even concentrate on, was trying to figure out ways of escaping, though his options were virtually non-existent.

Glancing away from the flames, Harry let his eyes wander blankly over the office. He wondered if the spy were here now…watching him…maybe they'd report back to Voldemort that he was unable to leave… Harry let out a humorless laugh, thinking of how ironic that would be, but it frightened him to an extent as well. If something were to happen…he couldn't get out…

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt however as his eyes passed over the jar of floo powder. Would the barrier work in front of the fireplace? Or did Minerva already expect that, perhaps? Not that it mattered, he thought dismally. She was the only one who could open up floo channels within Hogwarts…it was too dangerous to leave them open all the time…

But then another thought crossed Harry's mind…a memory…and at last he found a glimmer of hope.

Dumbledore had opened a channel…directly to his office, and his office alone. And the protection had been a password, one Harry had chosen. Moontrimmer.

Jumping up eagerly, Harry hastily grabbed the jar from above the mantle and scooped a bit of it into his hand. Glancing from the powder, to the flames, and back again, he took a deep breath, and tossed it in.

The fire instantly burst into a dazzling green shade, and Harry smiled hesitantly. Only one thing left to do. Reaching out cautiously with his right hand, Harry stepped forward, expecting to feel the invisible barricade to halt his movement at any second.

The fact that Minerva had never known about this channel worked to his advantage, however, and seconds later, Harry had made it into the hearth, standing fully in the flames, and smiling with enormous relief. His problems were far from solved, but now he'd be able to do something about them. Calling out the password quickly, Harry was immediately whisked away into the swirling of colors, and for the first time in his life, he didn't mind the feeling.

As he stepped out of the hearth into Dumbledore's dim, empty office, Harry felt uneasiness begin to settle in. He hadn't exactly thought this far ahead…but he just couldn't stay at the school…not while Mel needed him.

Hoping he could remember the back route Draco had taken him through to get him out of the ministry last time, Harry started quietly for the door, squinting to see in the darkness but not daring to conjure a light. He barely made it two steps, however, when he realized there were people just outside the door, talking. Glancing around quickly, Harry ducked down behind the large desk only a few feet from where he stood, and held his breath.

Whoever the voices belonged to, Harry didn't recognize them, and to his relief, they didn't sound as if they were intending to enter the office, though he also got the impression, they weren't moving past either.

Thumping the back of his head softly against the desk, Harry let out an inaudible sigh, realizing with disdain that he was now stuck here, in this room, until the two men left. He hoped they had only run into each other in the hall, and would be moving along quickly…but as the minutes ticked by, Harry began to feel they were guards of some sort, probably stationed outside Dumbledore's office to prevent anyone from entering.

Letting his eyes wander around the office, Harry tried to occupy his mind with anything to keep his thoughts off of Mel for the time being…worrying about the situation wouldn't fix anything…

He saw the still-frozen paintings, looking shocked and confused, and could just make out the one that had hidden the burn mark. How would they prove that mark was intended for Oren…how would they even prove there was an Oren? Thurston had written a file for Ewan Norwood, and as of this moment, it didn't seem that anyone was disputing the fact.

This trial was going to be hard…no doubt about it. They had only found so much that could help them, when what they really needed was a confession. But how to get one? Thurston would never tell the truth, not in court at least. And even if someone was able to make him tell the truth elsewhere, he would only deny it later.

Harry felt a sudden rush of anger towards the manipulative minister…Travis and Simone had been innocent, and didn't deserve to die just so the power-hungry man could become head minister. And while Simone's death had been more due to the fact that she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time…he was sure Thurston didn't mind the fact that Travis had been caught in the crossfire as well. He'd hated Dumbledore's nephew, that much had been clear to Harry from the very first time he'd met Travis…he could even remember feeling a little mistrustful towards him at first as well, until Dumbledore explained who he was.

Harry smiled thinking of how curious Travis had been about everything and anything magical…again thinking back to that first day…but this time, he paused.

The item Travis had been fooling with…the one Thurston had yelled at him for touching…the vrid. He remembered researching it with Ginny now…it could record voices, near or far, whether you could hear them or not…it could.

If Sirius or Arthur had it with them next time they spoke with Thurston…and could somehow get him to slip up, they would have a solid, undisputable piece of evidence proving Dumbledore's innocence!

Harry pushed away from the desk slightly, moving around so he was on his knees, looking at the drawer that, if he remembered correctly, Dumbledore had placed the vrid in all those months ago. Pulling on it quietly, he discovered it was still locked. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he drew out the wand once more, but looked thoughtful for a long moment. The chances of getting Thurston to slip up…especially in front of Sirius or Arthur…were so slim they almost didn't exist, in Harry's opinion. Nevertheless, it couldn't hurt to try…and it might come in handy for something else, if not for this…

Glancing briefly up at the door, hearing the men still speaking with one another, Harry brought the wand up to the drawer, and whispered.

"Alohamora."

The tip of the wand fizzled, but a second later, he heard the lock spring open, and easily pulled the drawer out. He looked doubtfully at the wand, which was still sputtering and fizzling away, before placing it on the floor just beside him, and turning his attention to the drawer.

Expecting to have to rummage through the contents of the drawer, Harry was surprised and glad to see the vrid was exactly where he'd seen Dumbledore place it, not having been moved since that day. He scooped it up quickly, before sliding the door shut.

The small, dark, flat item was just as he remembered it, and Harry again thought back to the book he'd read with Ginny as he continued hearing the voices of the men in the hall. Deciding to test the recorder, he laid the small, paper-thin object against his left hand, before placing his right hand over it, and putting the smallest amount of pressure against it.

For a moment, the vrid simply softened, molding into the form of his palm, and Harry figured he was doing something wrong, when only seconds later, he realized he could see through it. The vrid sunk numbly through his skin, and Harry felt only the faintest tingling, until it was completely submerged.

Flexing his fingers and examining his palm, he felt no difference at all, and let a small grin cross his face, before he glanced up at the door again. He'd never used anything like this before, and from what he remembered in the book, the vrid recorded whatever you wanted it to…sort of a mental connection, and he wondered if he'd feel it working…or if he had to hold his hand a certain way…though he couldn't remember there being specific instructions such as that.

Before he could attempt to experiment, however, he heard a loud crackling from just beside him. Glancing down, Harry felt his breath catch in his throat…the wand hadn't died out this time…something wasn't working right…and it looked like it was about to explode.

Tendrils of gray smoke were pouring from the hole in the wand tip, and sparks were sputtering all around it as well…which, to Harry's immense alarm, only grew louder. He reached down at once, not sure what to do, however, knowing he couldn't just watch…but he pulled his hand back at once. The wand was scalding…it was like trying to touch red-hot metal, and Harry could see blisters instantly forming on his fingers.

The talk just outside the door had stopped now, and Harry once again ducked down behind the desk, just as the wand finally gave out…which it did with an intensely loud bang, leaving behind withering purple flames, and a rather large black scorch mark.

The door to the office flung open and Harry froze, cursing vehemently under his breath. He knew they couldn't see him yet, as he was hidden from view by the massive desk, but that wouldn't last long…and he had nothing left to use for defense.

All at once, the lights in the office came on, and Harry heard a stern voice.

"Who's in here? Show yourself!"

Considering his options, and realizing that there was no way to move without being seen, Harry slowly stood from behind the desk. If he ran, they more than likely would have stunned him anyway…

"What do you think you're doing in here?" the closer guard asked, his eyes narrowed suspiciously at Harry.

"I apologize, it was a mistake on my part," Harry said quickly, deciding it was not a good idea to tell them the truth. "I was looking for Arthur Weasley."

"Arthur Weasley, ey?" the guard replied, disbelievingly. "Well you're not even on the correct floor…and that still doesn't explain how you got in here, or what you were doing…" he trailed off, his eyes shifting towards the scorched floor and back to Harry.

"I don't want to cause any trouble," Harry said quickly, feeling the anxiety twisting in his gut. "I'll just come back another time…" he trailed off, starting to step forward.

"No you don't," the second guard said, moving to block Harry's path. The first guard came up beside him, roughly taking hold of his arm. "We have direct orders from Mr. Thurston…anything or anyone suspicious near this office, and we're to bring them to him immediately.

"That's really not necessary," Harry said quickly, trying to pull away while forcing his voice to remain calm, but the second guard immediately took his other arm. Despite the sinking feeling in his gut, he didn't fight after that, knowing it would only make things worse at this point, and went with them as they led him out of the office, and through the silent halls.

Harry expected them to go to Thurston's office, which he knew was on the same floor as Albus', but instead, they brought him to the floo grates. Pushing him forward, the two guards stepped in, signaled through the number two, and seconds later they were pulling him back out again on the second floor.

"I'll get Mr. Thurston," the second guard spoke then, releasing Harry's arm as they came to a split in the corridor and veering off to the left. The first guard only nodded, tightening his grip as if he expected Harry to make a break for it or something, and pulled him further up the hall, until they came to a set of double doors.

They descended a narrow, dark stairway, to an area Harry never knew existed in the ministry, passing by the doorway that would lead to the lobby, and continuing on to a sub-level of the large building.

Harry looked around tensely, realizing it looked like a jail or even a dungeon. There were two rows of cells and heavy chains ending in manacles on the walls, but the guard forced him past all of that, and down another long corridor, to a dead end, with two doors on either side.

The guard opened the door on the left, and pushed Harry forward into the pitch-blackness. He stumbled into what felt like a very large chair, before a candle was lit, and the room came into dim view.

There was a small wooden table, and several chairs around it, but the chair he'd caught hold of was different, there were restraints attached to it. Harry started to step away quickly, when the guard pushed him back towards it. Harry spun around, to see a wand pointed straight at his chest.

"Sit down, Mr. Thurston will be here in a moment."

Having no other choice, Harry reluctantly lowered himself into the heavy chair, and the guard immediately crossed to his side. He grabbed Harry's right arm, and slipped his wrist through the restraint before tightening it sharply, and crossing to his other side.

"Is this really necessary?" Harry asked, trying to conceal his dread over the situation, inhaling sharply as the guard tugged harshly on the second restraint and moved to his ankles.

"You're not that hard to recognize, you know," the guard said, smirking up at Harry as he finished securing his legs to the chair. "And you were trespassing in the head minister's office, which was also the scene of a murder not that long ago…Mr. Thurston was very explicit on what to do if you or your friends were ever found there. You're under arrest, Mr. Potter."

Harry stared at him in stunned disbelief, before quickly regaining his voice.

"If I'm under arrest, than what are we doing here?" he asked, forcing calmness into his tone. "I know what my rights are…"

"You're here to answer a few questions," Thurston's voice spoke up then. Harry's gaze shifted immediately to the door, to see the tall, thin minister smiling maliciously back at him.

"I'm not going to answer anything for you," Harry stated evenly, glaring up at the older man.

"Yes, I assumed that would be your response," Thurston said casually, stepping into the office. The second guard followed closely behind, as did two more people whom Harry couldn't see clearly as the robes they were wearing hid their faces.

Thurston glanced at the second guard and nodded faintly, and Harry could only watch uneasily, as the large man started towards him. The guard raised his right hand as he reached the chair, and Harry saw a vile filled with clear liquid as the man pulled out the cork. Feeling a sudden rush of panic, Harry tried hopelessly to turn away as the man thrust the small bottle towards him, but the other guard forced his head to face forward, and painfully wrenched his jaw open, seconds before what Harry knew had to be Veritaserum was poured down his throat.

He began choking at once, but the guard holding him in place forced his mouth shut, keeping his hand there until the fit subsided, and Harry had swallowed every last drop.

Breathing heavily, Harry looked warily up at Thurston, a hateful gleam in his eyes, while the older man only smiled back at him, looking quite pleased.

"You know," Thurston began, a sickening cheerfulness in his tone, as he pulled one of the closer chairs over near Harry and sat down in it, facing him. "You and I have never really had a good, long talk, Harry. I've been meaning to change that for a long time, as well, so I'll start by thanking you for coming this evening, it makes things much easier for me."

Harry only glared back at him, remaining silent, since he realized there was little chance of him keeping his mouth shut for the rest of this discussion. He doubted that pointing out to Thurston how very illegal doing this to him was, would actually help matters any, and could only hope they asked the wrong questions.

"So tell me, Mr. Potter," Thurston began pleasantly. "How did you manage to get into the head minister's office, without the guards noticing?"

"Albus opened a floo channel connecting his office to mine at Hogwart's several months ago," Harry said stiffly, for the first time in his life wishing someone would just gag him as the words poured out against his will.

"Really?" Thurston said, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Wouldn't that be unsafe?" he asked, tauntingly. "Anyone who found out could use it to get into the school. Was there any protection against that?"

"A password," Harry replied.

"And what is this password?"

"Moontrimmer."

"Of course it is," Thurston replied, smiling in wicked amusement. "Now, on to the more important questions. "Why did you come tonight?"

Having no control over his words at all, Harry started talking, telling Thurston what he knew about Mel's kidnap and then being trapped in the school, with the floo channel as his only means of escape.

"How touching," Thurston replied mockingly. "Risking your life to save the woman you love. Too bad you did it all in vain…"

Something about the way Thurston had said it made Harry's stomach twist sickeningly, as he glared intently at the old minister.

"Do you know something about it?" he asked icily. "Where is she?"

"I might now something, yes," Thurston grinned. "But it's not for me to decide what you should be told…there'll be time for that later. For now, I have a few more questions…"

Thurston proceeded to ask Harry what he knew of the evidence Arthur, Sirius and Marzia were collecting to use in Dumbledore's defense. Unable to stop himself, Harry told him everything he knew, including that they suspected it had been the Orb to kill Travis, but that it was meant for Albus.

"We know you're behind it all as well," Harry stated crisply at the end. "We know Ewan Norwood is really Oren Alcott…and that you did something for he and several other death eaters, so that they helped you get Dumbledore out of office."

"Interesting," Thurston replied, noncommittally, a hint of nervousness in his tone. "And how would you know that?"

"Oren told me," Harry replied evenly, and a relieved smile passed over Thurston's face.

"Well than you have no proof, do you?" he laughed.

"So it's true then," Harry stated, accusingly. "What did you do for them?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Thurston replied, tauntingly. "It doesn't matter though…even with all you do know, you won't be able to stop them. Adrik Lestrange is too smart for you…and your friends."

"Does it have anything to do with Hadley Thurnes?" Harry asked quickly, not wanting to give up. "Hers was the file you were after at the beginning of the year, I remember…what did you want with it?"

Thurston shrugged almost casually before replying.

"Adrik had mentioned her name several times…I got the impression they wanted her out of the way…I was simply curious to learn more about her, as it's not quite common for such powerful men to want a child dead…but you did a fine job of ruining that for me…"

"They still want her dead?" Harry asked, feeling sudden worry for Hadley's safety. Why would Adrik have let him save her if that was true? Why hadn't they tried again?

"Yes, you ruined that too, didn't you?" Thurston chuckled. "Don't worry, she'll be taken care of soon enough."

"How can you let that happen?" Harry exclaimed angrily, suddenly fighting against the restraints. "She's just a child!"

"I'm not the one who wants her dead," Thurston replied as pleasantly as if he were talking about the weather. "You can ask Adrik, when he arrives."

Harry only glared back at him, hatefully, powerless to do anything at the moment.

Thurston stood from his seat then, and looked to the two men in the hooded robes.

"Take him back up to my office," he said quickly. "I don't want to leave him down here, I'd rather keep him where I can see him. Adrik and Oren should be here to collect him shortly."

Harry watched as the men nodded, before crossing to where he sat, and loosening the restraints. As they pulled him out of the chair, Harry felt a sudden wave of fatigue, and his knees nearly buckled beneath him, though he struggled to keep his footing, and prayed that Thurston hadn't noticed. If he asked Harry anything about it…Harry would be unable to stop himself from telling Thurston about the vrid. He had been concentrating throughout the entire conversation on recording everything that had been said, and the energy it took to do so was leaving him ready to collapse. Not that it mattered at the moment, however, as he didn't know how he could show the recording to anyone given the current circumstances.

Thurston seemed to be paying little attention to him at the moment, however, busy speaking with the first two guards, in hushed tones.

Harry barely caught a glimpse of the taller man nearest him drawing a pair of gold manacles from his robes, before he was forced around, and he felt the cold metal clamped over his wrists.

As he was pushed roughly out into the hallway, and the men took hold of his arms, half dragging him along as he stumbled between them, Harry thought dismally that he was completely out of options. He was without a wand, without the crystals, and all of his friends assumed he was safe at Hogwarts as of this moment. No one knew of his real location, or that Adrik and Oren were coming for him. He wondered if they would try to give him to the cult again…and prayed fervently that Troy would get to them first.

The long corridor finally gave way to the opening that revealed all of the cells Harry had seen before, and the moment they'd completely cleared the hallway, he felt the man on his left suddenly release his arm.

Looking to his side, curiously, Harry felt a stab of fear as the man drew his wand from the dark robes he wore, but he didn't aim at Harry, instead he turned back to the hallway entrance, which Thurston and the guards had nearly reached the end of, and conjured a barrier, trapping them within.

Harry looked on, entirely confused, as the man didn't hesitate, before spinning to face him. He raised the wand and Harry closed his eyes, but the shot didn't hit him, the stunning spell flew past, and into the second man, who had just managed to pull out his wand when the curse hit him.

Having nothing to support him any more, Harry's knees finally buckled, and he fell awkwardly to the stone floor. He could hear the angry cries of Thurston and the other guards, and was dimly aware of their attempts at escaping the barrier, but paid little attention as the man in the black cloak knelt down beside him, and helped him into a sitting position.

"Harry, what's wrong?" came a familiar voice…sounding uncharacteristically worried for the question he was asking.

"Draco?" Harry asked quietly, smiling with relief. "Can you get me out of these?" he rushed on, nodding over his shoulder at the handcuffs and realizing there most likely wasn't much time.

Draco quickly leant over, lifting Harry's wrists and raising his wand, and in the next second, he was free.

Wasting no time, Harry immediately brought his hands together in front of him, ignoring the insane look Draco was giving him, and concentrating. If he didn't get the vrid out now…his energy would be entirely spent, and the last thing he wanted at this moment, was to lose consciousness.

It didn't take long, however; within seconds, Harry was holding the vrid in the palm of his hand, and his strength came rushing back to him. An enraged cry from the opposite side of the barrier brought his eyes up though, to find Thurston staring furiously back at him. He had seen the vrid…and obviously recognized it.

"Come on!" Malfoy hissed anxiously, grabbing Harry's arm and dragging him to his feet. Harry quickly slid the tiny object into his pocket, before turning and making a break for the door on the opposite end of the room, Draco right at his side. The two of them raced up the stairs to the lobby doors, and made a mad dash across the enormous room to the front entrance. Once glance at the floo grates told them they'd been shut down for the evening, so there was no chance of using them to get away. Instead, they darted out into the chilly night air, and paused for just a moment to catch their breath.

"The barrier won't hold long," Draco said quickly. "We need to get out of here now."

"I don't have any wand," Harry shrugged helplessly. "I can't apparate."

"There's a floo station not far from here…" Draco began.

"We can take that to Ron and Hermione's!" Harry cried suddenly, and without another word, they were off again, through the well-lit streets of the city, as fast as they could run.

They barely made it to the floo station just over fifteen minutes later, as the attendant was closing the door, and pleaded with him for another five minutes to allow them access to a grate. Harry had no money on him, so Draco stiffly shelled out the toll for both, along with the extra galleon the guard was asking for the favor.

After the brief journey through the swirling colors, Harry's feet connected again with hard ground, and he lurched forward out of the hearth in his friends' apartment. Draco was just behind him, and stepped out only seconds later.

"Harry!" Hermione cried, having been in the room already as he arrived. She ran up to the two wizards, her face as white as a sheet, before she threw her arms around him in relief. "Oh Harry, what did you do?" she asked, gloomily.

"What did I…? What do you mean, Hermione?" Harry asked, confused.

"Sirius told Ron and I you agreed to stay at the school…" she began.

"Agreed?" Harry asked darkly. "No, that definitely wasn't…"

"How did you get into the ministry? Why would you go there?" Hermione rushed on.

Harry stared at her, his eyes narrowing in puzzlement.

"How did you know I…?" he trailed off as she took hold of his arm, and led him across the room. Draco followed quietly, and the three came to a stop near the object Harry had originally thought to be a television. It was playing wizarding news, just as McGonagall's had been, but the coverage of the attack in Diagon Alley was no longer even showing. Instead, all four corners of the screen had either someone talking about him, or a picture of his face.

"What's going on?" Harry asked, feeling an overwhelming wave of dread slowly washing over him.

"They're saying you did it," Hermione said, miserably. "That you killed Travis and Simone…and attacked Dumbledore."

"What?" Harry cried, feeling a sudden stab of panic. "How? I never even…"

"They claim to have found your wand at the scene of the crime…and that there's a secret floo channel connecting your office to Dumbledore's, which you used to sneak in. They said they caught you there earlier tonight, trying to tamper with evidence…they're even making up stories about you getting into fights with Travis, and having arguments with Dumbledore…"

"But…that…they can't…" Harry stammered, his head filling with questions too fast for him to voice any of them. "I wasn't even there on the night of the attack!" Harry cried finally. "It was the night of Sirius and Marzia's wedding…everyone there saw me!"

"But you left early," Hermione said quietly. "And if everyone there was asked, that would be their honest answer. Both you and Mel left early."

"But we didn't leave the camp grounds…" Harry said weakly, knowing that fact did him little good at the moment. The only one who could confirm it was Mel, and he didn't even know where she was.

"If they're accusing Harry," Draco spoke up suddenly. "Then what are they planning to do with Dumbledore? Obviously this would prove his innocence, and his story of what actually happened that night will count for a lot more when it's not being heard as an alibi…"

"Thurston would never let him take the stand on that," Hermione said grimly. "Which means Dumbledore's in danger. Thurston will want to make sure something happens to him, to stop the truth from coming out…" she trailed off, shaking her head. "But I can't figure out…why would he bother changing the story like this in the first place?" she asked, looking up to meet Harry's eyes. "Why is he suddenly blaming it on you?"

"Probably because of this," Harry replied quietly, slipping his hand in his pocket and drawing out the vrid. "He didn't come straight out and confess anything, but he didn't deny working with Adrik and Oren…and he knows I recorded him…"

Hermione looked down at the vrid solemnly, before speaking resolutely.

"Then that's our only defense against this. We have to make sure we get it somewhere safe…because if they get a hold of it, we're back to nothing…"

"I don't really think it matters at this point," Draco said calmly, and the other two immediately turned to look at him. "Think about it…Thurston is throwing evidence against Harry together too quickly…it would never hold up in court. He's not planning on taking this to trial…he's doing it so that the entire wizarding world believes Harry to be a criminal as of right now…and he's depending on them to help catch him again.""You're right," Hermione said faintly. "He'll make sure something happens to Harry and to Dumbledore…"

"Accidents are all too common in prison," Draco said darkly.

"You have to hide, Harry," Hermione said suddenly. "There'll be people out looking for you…ministry guards…and let's face it you have one of the most recognizable faces in the wizarding world, anyone on the streets that sees you…"

"Alright, I see what you mean," Harry cut her off, not wanting to think about it. "But I can't just hide…not with everything else going on…and besides, where would I go? Thurston knows I work at the school…and they have my home address on file…"

"You can't stay here either," Hermione said worriedly, obviously fearing for his safety. "Thurston knows we're friends…and our address is listed as well."

"No, you're right," Harry nodded grimly, feeling only cold dread in his gut. But he shook the feeling away, and looked Hermione evenly. "I'll go now, I don't want them barging in here on you…but before I do anything, I have to get to the school…they're planning on going for Hadley again, and no one knows she's in danger."

"Harry, you can't," Hermione said worriedly. "I'll call Minerva…or I'll go myself…"

"Yeah it isn't a good idea for you to be there right now," Draco spoke up then. "They'd know as soon as you got there."

"Who would?" Harry asked, uneasily.

"Who do you think?" Draco replied sardonically. "Adrik, Lilith and Oren. They've had spies there all year…"

"Do you know who they are?" Harry asked immediately. "And how long have you known about this?"

"I only just found out, right before I saw you at the ministry."

"Who told you?" Hermione asked.

"The unconscious guard whose robes I'm wearing right now," Draco smirked. "Thurston has two that he trusts more than any of the others…and as he hasn't exactly trusted me since my unexpected visit to Nabakza," he paused looking pointedly at Harry, "I've gotten to know one of them relatively well."

"And he just told you what you wanted to know?" Harry asked, skeptically.

"Not sober, no," Draco grinned. "But in his defense, he didn't know he'd be getting drunk this evening, as I'm sure he'd never knowingly do in my presence."

"What did he tell you?" Hermione asked, anxiously.

"I asked him about what Thurston did for Adrik and Oren," Draco began quickly. "But even drugged, the stupid git was good at keeping secrets, so he wouldn't tell me everything. What I did manage to get from him, was that Thurston made it possible for the death eaters to get three spies into the school. He had to do a lot of sneaking around over the summer, but McGonagall was so busy and stressed with the new responsibilities and not exactly a lot of time, that she didn't catch on to what he was doing."

"Did he say who any of the spies are?" Harry asked.

"No, just that we'll never figure it out," Draco said flatly. "He passed out sooner than I thought though…hope I didn't give him too much…" he trailed off shrugging. "Then when I heard you were there," he continued, looking to Harry, "I threw his robes over mine, and met up with Thurston.

Hermione sighed in exasperation, and shook her head slowly.

"Well, at least we know now that there's more than one spy," Draco pointed out.

"I have to get there," Harry said, with sudden urgency.

"Harry, you can't-" Hermione began, but Harry wasn't paying attention. He'd already started for the hearth, when a sudden thought struck him, and he turned.

"Where's Ron?" he asked quickly. "Shouldn't he be home by now?"

"He went with Sirius and Arthur to look for Mel," Hermione replied at once. "I agreed to wait here, and Marzia is back at your house, in case any news comes in, or in case somehow Mel is able to contact one of us."

"Well then that means no one's around at the school to help, and Minerva as of this moment doesn't know Hadley's in danger…I have to get there now, Hermione."

"No, Harry," Hermione said sternly, her eyes flashing.

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked quickly. "Lock me in your apartment like Sirius and Minerva tried to do at the school? That'll be great for when the ministry guards stop by…"

"They did what?" Hermione asked, a look of shock washing over her face.

"Put a barrier around the school so I couldn't get out," Harry said darkly. "But they didn't know about the floo channel open to Dumbledore's office…so I got out."

"Which didn't help matters any," Hermione said evenly, though she still looked upset about what had been done to him.

Harry paused for a moment, nodding. He knew he'd made a bigger mess of things…and that his going back to the school might only make it worse…

"Hermione," he began quietly, a strange sense of calm coming over him, as he looked straight into her deep brown eyes. "If something happens to her…if they hurt Mel in any way…I will never forgive myself. I need you to understand that…I don't care what happens to me…I'd die for her, and nothing you or Sirius or anyone else does, is going to stop me from trying to find her. Now I'm going back to the school, I'm going to make sure Hadley is safe, and then I'm going to look for Mel…you can do whatever you like."

Hermione stared back at him for a long moment, and Harry could see tears forming in her eyes, but she blinked them back and nodded.

"I'm coming with you then, to make sure you get there alright…"

"You don't have to do that, it'll only mean…"

"Harry, don't argue with me," Hermione interrupted curtly. "You don't have a wand and there's a warrant out for your arrest, I'm coming."

"So am I," Draco spoke up quietly, and Harry looked at him with surprise. "I don't think Thurston will be welcoming me back to the ministry anytime soon," Draco stated sardonically. "And I don't fancy the idea of sitting around waiting for him to find me either."

"Oh good," Harry joked, "as long as we're clear on why you're doing this," but he could see Draco was acting out of more than just his own self interest this time, he didn't have to risk his neck to save Harry before, but he did.

They gathered near the hearth, and Hermione threw in a pinch of powder, before they all stepped in, and took the grate down to the ground floor. Walking quickly through the foyer, Harry reached the door first, and opened it onto the silent streets of residential Hogsmeade.

It looked just as peaceful and calm as any other night. The weather was chilly, but relatively nice, and windows were alight here and there across the buildings, indicating the families living there were home and spending time together before bed. It was a weeknight, so not very many people were out and about, which is why a group of three men coming up to them from Harry's left, immediately caught his eye.

They were still a good ways down the street, but something about their walk…their robes…felt out of place. Hermione and Malfoy noticed them too.

"Quick, this way," Hermione whispered hastily, motioning for both Harry and Draco to follow her to their right. The three made their way hurriedly up the sidewalk, and Harry kept glancing back to see if the men would follow. He felt a chill run down his spine as he watched them stop at the steps that led to the building Hermione lived in, realizing how close they'd been.

As he turned back around however, his friends both next to him on his right, he was startled to see someone step out in front of him just as they reached the corner.

Harry barely had time to recognize the small form of Mr. Steckler, the shop owner he'd met while with Ron on Halloween, the one who refused to take his money, before the scraggly old man grabbed him by the arm, a vicious sneer on his face.

"He's over here!" the man yelled out at once, screaming up the street to the men about to enter Hermione's apartment building. "Harry Potter is right here!"

Harry's jaw dropped in shock, and for a split-second, he was too stunned to react as the three men looked quickly towards the sound of Steckler's voice. It was only when Draco reached out and pushed the old man off of Harry that he finally snapped to the present.

"Run, just run!" Hermione cried fearfully, as the three took off, chased by the swiftly moving footsteps of the three men, and the old shop owner's hysterical laughter.

Racing through the streets of Hogsmeade, trying to make it to the shops, the three stayed close together, taking streets and alleys they weren't familiar with, but not caring, in an attempt to lose their pursuers.

As they neared the corner of one street however, one of the men suddenly jumped out in front of them, having gone around to cut them off.

"This way!" Draco shouted, ducking into the alley on their left. Harry and Hermione raced after him, only to slow to a halt several seconds later as they came to a dead end. The two buildings, which were on either side of the alley, apparently connected near the back, so the small group couldn't even, climb over the obstacle.

Spinning around, Hermione and Draco both drew their wands, and they waited, only the sound of their breathing echoing back through the passage at them.

Not even half a second passed, before a flash of light came barreling down the alley, moving straight for Harry. He instinctively dropped to the ground, and the curse passed over his head by mere inches, before splattering harmlessly against the wall behind him.

"Where is he?" Hermione cried out, her eyes narrowed as she searched the blackness in front of her. "I can't see him!"

"Well obviously he can see us," Draco replied grimly.

"I'll make a light then…"

"Are you mad!" Draco hissed at her. "You want to give him a clearer target?"

"Then how do we-" she began, cutting off abruptly as another flash of light sped down the alley, this time coming from a much closer location, and moving straight at her. Harry watched as if in slow motion, trying to scramble to his feet as it didn't look as though she could get out of the way in time, when Draco lunged forward, knocking both he and Hermione to the hard ground, but successfully evading the curse.

"Enough of this," Draco said irately, jumping to his feet without wasting another second and raising his wand. "Magnus incendia!" he stated fiercely, and in an instant, an enormous burst of flames issued forth from the tip of his wand, taking up the entire width of the alley as it rushed mercilessly towards the street. Harry and Hermione got slowly to their feet, exchanging wary glances, before coming up beside the fair-haired wizard.

For several moments after the flames died out, no one spoke, and they waited tensely…but no further attack came. Starting forward slowly, Harry began moving silently back up the alley, and Hermione at last lit a light at the tip of her wand so they could see clearly. They made it less than ten feet, before coming to a charred, smoking corpse lying face down on the hard cobblestones of the alley.

"He was closer than I thought," Draco stated flatly.

"You killed him," Hermione said, faint shock in her tone.

"Would you rather he have killed us?" Draco shot back, defensively.

Harry made no comment, however, and stooped down beside the dead body, before reaching forward, and plucking the blackened wand from the man's grasp.

"Good idea," Draco smirked, seeing what Harry was doing.

"Stunning spells, Malfoy," Harry replied flatly, looking disgustedly at the wand before slipping it into his pocket, turning and continuing up the alley. "Try not to kill anyone else…"

Continuing on quickly, trying to reach the shops of Hogsmeade, Harry, Hermione and Draco crept back to the corner of the street. There were lights coming on in more windows now, people wanting to see what all the commotion in the alley had been about, so they left the street as quickly as possible.

"Stop!" Hermione hissed suddenly, grabbing both wizards by the sleeve and pulling them to a halt. The three ducked down behind the nearest stairway, and Hermione pointed towards the end of the road.

The two men were passing by, each moving in the opposite direction, seeming to be guarding the only way out of the housing area.

"Splendid," Draco remarked sardonically. "What now?"

"Let's just stun them," Harry said quickly, drawing the wand out of his pocket. "There are only two of…" he trailed off slowly, feeling his heart sink. Six more men, all wearing ministry robes apparated into the clearing, and the two men already there rushed to meet them immediately. "Nevermind," Harry said in defeat, lowering the wand. "Any ideas?" he asked, looking back to the others.

"We could disapparate," Draco suggested.

"But we can't get into Hogwarts that way," Harry replied.

"Just to the shops," Draco shot back.

"But if there are more men there, we won't see them until it's too late," Harry said quietly.

"Then I have no idea," Draco shrugged, shaking his head slowly, but Hermione's expression was etched with concentration.

"Draco…how much do you really want to help us?" she asked slowly.

"I can already tell I'm not going to want to do this," Draco replied stiffly.

"I'm not saying we have to do this," Hermione stated quickly. "If one of you has a better idea, I'm definitely up for hearing it…"

Harry and Draco exchanged brief glances, before turning their eyes again on Hermione.

"Alright out with it," Draco said stiffly. "What's your brilliant plan?"

"Well, it would sort of be like you two switching places…we don't have any Polyjuice Potion, so it won't be exact, obviously, but I can temporarily change the color of both your hair. If you don't get too close, it'll be enough to confuse the guards…and Harry can get passed them…"

"And while he's getting passed the guards, what am I doing exactly?" Draco asked, skeptically.

"Leading them elsewhere," Hermione stated evenly. "You have to get them to follow you."

Draco looked at Hermione for half a second, his eyes betraying how clearly insane he considered that idea to be.

"It's alright," Harry said to him quickly. "I won't ask you to do it, we'll find another way."

"No, she's got a point," Draco said, reluctantly. "We'll never get passed all of those guards…not together anyway." A look of resolve crossed his face and he raised his eyes to Hermione's. "Alright, just do it…quick…before I change my mind…"

"Are you sure?" she whispered.

"Look Granger, do you want them to catch us all?" Draco asked curtly. "Hurry up!"

Hermione nodded once, before raising her wand at Draco, and a few seconds later, at Harry. A moment later, Malfoy's hair had gone from pale, to jet-black, while Harry's had done the opposite. And Hermione raised her wand again.

"If you're conjuring a mirror, then don't," Draco said quickly. "Because I'd really rather not see this."

Hermione only gave him a withering look, before continuing with what she was doing, forming a pair of black, round glasses in the air, and handing them to Draco.

"If they do get a good look, this will at least help the disguise," she said flatly.

"You don't miss a thing, do you?" Draco said sardonically, slipping the glasses over the bridge of his nose, and slowly rising to his feet.

"Be careful," Harry said quietly, as Draco stepped past him.

"Just make sure you get to the school Potter, because I swear if I'm doing this for nothing…"

"I'll get there," Harry said, exuding much more confidence than he truly felt, and watched tensely as Draco crept along the sides of the houses, nearing the group of guards. There were only the six now, and Harry wondered where the other two had gone, but didn't think on it long as Draco finally reached the end of the street, and stepped into view.

As expected, it took only seconds for one of the guards to see him, but he'd already set off at a run before they could begin to follow. The guards set off after him, half directly following and half running in the opposite direction, most likely to cut him off. Harry watched worriedly, praying Draco was able to get away, before he felt Hermione's hand on his arm.

"Let's go," she whispered, and he rose to his feet alongside her. The two moved silently up the remainder of the street, before finally crossing over into the shopping area of Hogsmeade.

"I suppose we could use the passage through the Shrieking Shack…" Hermione began, when suddenly a curse flew past between them, narrowly missing them as it sped by. Setting off again, Harry glimpsed the two men he had seen at first having been waiting for them to enter the town, before shifting his gaze forward, and concentrating on getting away. When they reached the nearest shop, Hermione swung around behind the corner, and immediately began shooting stunning spells. Harry skidded around to a halt as well, and began to do the same, when she turned to face him.

"I guess they got a good look at me," Harry said dismally, wishing he'd seen wherever they'd been hiding.

"Just go Harry, I'll keep them busy."

"Not a chance," Harry replied evenly, firing another spell that missed by half an inch. The men had taken shelter behind a shop across the street.

"And what happens if we're both caught?" Hermione asked fiercely. "You can't help Hadley in jail…and you can't help Mel either."

"Hermione…" Harry began, but feeling her words in his gut. She was right, he had to get to the school…and he had to find Mel. "Please, please be careful," he said fiercely.

"I'll be fine," she nodded, attempting a half smile, before turning her full attention back across the street. Harry stepped back, feeling torn and numb, watching her for just a second more, and finally turned away, moving further down the alley. He came to the back of the shop and went right, knowing the men would see him if he went the opposite direction.

Running by the empty, closed shops, the sounds of the fight behind him grew fainter with each step…and Harry finally found the backdoor he'd been looking for. Honeydukes.

Raising the wand, he quickly unlocked the entrance, and slipped silently inside. He hadn't used this passage in a long while, but remembered it perfectly, moving behind the counter and immediately made his way downstairs, taking care not to make too much noise. He found the trapdoor easily, wrenched it upwards with a showering of dust, and slipped down into the darkness.