Harry Potter and Dumbledore's Secret

by chadsgirl824

YEAR SEVEN Harry's 7th year at Hogwart's, and the hardest he's yet to face. New enemies and tough challenges await him, as well as the discovery of incredible new powers. Written PRIOR to OoTP

26. Chapter 26

"It's a trick!" Malfoy hissed, grabbing Harry's arm as he stood and took a step towards the inner wall of the shield. "They're trying to make us lower the barrier so they can attack!"

"Well I'm not going to lower it," Harry replied, shrugging Draco's hand away. "I'm just looking." He turned away and continued forward, until he was right up against the shield, searching the hallway for any sign of movement. His eyes had become well adjusted to the view from inside the dome at this point, and he moved all along the wall, until he came back around to where he started, turning to face his friends.

"Hermione let Ron take over for you…" Harry began immediately, seeing the strained expression on her face. "You need to rest."

"Yes that's a good…" Ron began.

"Does he need to though?" Hermione interrupted, visibly shaking with exhaustion and sweat running slowly down the sides of her face. "Are they gone?"

"I don't know…" Harry began, trailing off as a sudden rush of color swirled in front of him. The crystal's copper mist had returned.

"What is it?" Draco asked eagerly.

"The resolve crystal. I can see it again," Harry replied, feeling a tremendous flood of relief sweep through him. "C'mon, let's get out of here while we have the chance."

"Are you sure?" Draco spoke up. "What if they're still…?"

"I wouldn't be able to see the stone's mist if a Fleshcrawler was nearby," Harry cut him off. "So instead of waiting around for them to come back, I say we get out of here while we have the chance."

He turned away from Malfoy and crossed to where Hermione still knelt, with Ron just beside her, holding her to him as she struggled to hold up the barrier.

"Let it down Hermione, we need to get you to the hospital wing," Harry said gently, kneeling down next to her.

She nodded faintly, swirling her wand around once quickly, and they watched as the green barrier was sucked back into the tip. Without a moment's hesitation, Harry took hold of Hermione's right arm, while Ron took her left, one arm behind her back, and together they helped her to her feet. The energy she'd used to hold up the shield had been hard on her, but when she'd been struck by Draco's curse, it had only worsened the strain. Hermione lacked the strength to stand on her own, and her knees buckled the instant in which she stood.

Ron tightened his grip around her immediately, keeping her from hitting the hard floor.

"I've got you," he whispered gently in her ear. Hermione tried to nod in response, but could barely stay awake now. As soon as the pressure of holding up the shield was relieved, her energy was spent. Her eyes rolled up into her head, and she slumped limply against Ron's chest.

"We have to get her to the hospital wing now," Ron said urgently as he leant down and lifted Hermione fully into his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder.

"Agreed," Harry nodded. Looking once at Draco to make sure he was moving with them, the three set off towards the hospital wing, as quickly as possible.

In no time at all they had pushed open the double doors to the hospital wing, drawing strange looks from several students for the last two halls. It was barely past lunchtime, and Harry felt anything but hungry at this moment. He wanted to make sure Hermione would be taken care of first off, then straight to the headmaster to let him know what had happened.

Madam Pomfrey appeared quite alarmed at Hermione's condition, and had Ron set her down on the nearest examination table. She immediately set to work, ripping the sleeve of the torn and tattered shirt to gain clear access to the wound. Harry inhaled sharply when he saw the burn had slowly spread almost the full length of her arm.

"Alright, out with the three of you," Madam Pomfrey said briskly, still carefully inspecting Hermione's arm. "I need to take care of this straight away."

"Can't we just…" Ron began.

"Mr. Weasley she will be fine," Pomfrey cut him off, knowingly. "But I can't have you three hovering about while I'm working. You can wait in the front if you'd like, but not back here."

"Thank you Madam Pomfrey," Harry said, taking hold of Ron's arm before he could speak again.

"Harry I can't leave her…"

"Ron we're not leaving her," Harry said quickly. "But we're not going to be able to do anything while we're just standing here. Let's go tell Dumbledore what's happened…we'll come straight back here, I promise."

Ron looked from the now closed curtains around the examination table to Harry and back, before nodding.

"Alright, but we have to make it quick," he said firmly.

"If you're both finished do you think we could get started here?" Draco spoke up suddenly. "I want to know what just happened down there…and make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Ron spat as they headed out through the double doors once more. "You're the reason Hermione's hurt…"

"You heard Madam Pomfrey, she'll be fine," Draco interrupted with a shrug.

"That's not the point!" Ron cried angrily. "If you would've stopped thinking about yourself for just a minute down there and realized what you were really doing this could have been avoided! You were so worried about getting caught that you almost killed all of us!"

"I did not!" Draco shot back, arrogantly. "One burnt arm hardly classifies as…"

"Alright enough! Both of you!" Harry interceded at last. "We just got out of a situation that we probably never would have and it's all thanks to Hermione. Let's stop fighting about it and just worry about stopping these things." He turned away as he finished speaking and quickened his pace up the hall, indicating he wasn't going to listen to any further bickering. Glaring darkly at one another but remaining silent, Ron and Draco sped up as well and soon enough they reached the stone gargoyle that lead to the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore was the only one in the room when the three students finally entered the office; he was in the far corner, going through a very dusty bookshelf when he heard the door swing open.

"Harry, Ronald, Draco," the headmaster spoke up curiously, taking immediate note of how anxious they all seemed and crossing the room to his desk. "What has happened?"

"There are Fleshcrawlers in the school!" Draco said quickly. "They came after us downstairs and tried to take us…"

"Draco!" Ron said, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

"Please," Dumbledore began, suddenly serious. "Come in and sit. I need you to tell me exactly what happened."

Harry, Ron and Draco ran through the frightening experience once more for the headmaster, telling him all that they could remember up until the mysterious disappearance of the creatures at the end. Draco had tried to skim quickly past the explanation of his panicked attempt at cursing the Fleshcrawlers, but Ron was having none of it. He made sure everything was explained fully, and when they told of the shield being lowered, he let Dumbledore know where Hermione was at present time.

Several long moments passed when they'd finished telling the story of what had happened, and Dumbledore remained silent, a calculating expression on his face as he stroked his beard.

"I need the three of you to wait here," he began at last, his tone firm, "for a few moments…"

"Can't we wait downstairs?" Ron interrupted eagerly. "In the hospital wing?"

Dumbledore glanced at him briefly; recognition in his eyes, and with a faint smile nodded once. "Very well, but you are not to leave the hospital wing until I come for you…all of you. Is that understood?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Yes sir," the three replied in unison.

"I shall escort you down now then," he said, standing up silently and coming around the desk.

The four left the office together, no one speaking much on this trip, and Dumbledore left them at the hospital wing, before turning and walking determinedly back up the hall.

Wasting no time whatsoever, Ron sprinted the length of the hospital wing to the examination table where he had left Hermione, and yanked back the curtains to find the bed empty.

"Where is she?" he asked, looking up sharply, a twinge of panic in his voice.

"I'm sure she's fine," Harry said, trying to sound calm. "She's probably just in a different room…"

"Correct, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey's voice floated over to them from a door only a few feet away. "Miss Granger is resting soundly."

"Can we see her?" Ron asked, taking one tentative step forward. "Please?"

Madam Pomfrey eyed them skeptically for a moment and opened her mouth to reply, but Harry spoke first, sensing that she would be denying his friend's request.

"Professor Dumbledore said we could wait here until he returns. He'll most likely want to talk to all of us about….what happened…"

"I bet he will yet," Pomfrey nodded once with a smirk, before sighing softly. "Oh alright, this way then. You can wait upstairs but none of you is to disturb her…she needs rest."

"We promise," Ron said eagerly, already across the room to where Madam Pomfrey stood, holding the door open for them. Harry and Ron ascended the steps quickly, with Draco bringing up the rear, a sour expression on his face. It was quite obvious that he'd rather be anywhere but here at this moment, and it was only his want to know what he could do to stop the Fleshcrawlers that was keeping him here without complaint at this moment.

Madam Pomfrey followed them upstairs and showed them to a room about midway down the hall. She opened the door gently and told them again to keep their voices down while in the room, before turning and heading back downstairs.

Once the door was shut behind them, Harry and Ron started towards the room's only bed, taking seats on either side of it. Hermione was in the bed, her breathing deep and even. The relief in Ron's eyes was evident, and Harry grinned as he watched his friend reach for his girlfriend's hand, and hold it in his own. Sitting back in his chair with an inaudible sigh, Harry glanced up to see Draco finally deciding to come over to the bed, taking the empty chair next to Harry and sinking into it with a huff.

"What's taking him so long?" he asked somewhat irately.

"Dumbledore's only been gone about ten minutes," Harry spoke quietly. "We don't even know what he's doing…it might be a while before he returns."

"Well did we have to wait here?" Draco replied glumly. "I mean at least in the office we'd be able to use the kitchen…I'm starved!"

Harry noticed Ron's head jerk up sharply at Draco's words, but he didn't say anything, controlling his temper so as not to wake Hermione. Harry glanced down at her again, ignoring Draco as well and looked at her wounded arm. It was bandaged heavily from wrist to shoulder, and Harry hoped it wouldn't cause her too much pain later on. He remembered how Madam Pomfrey had told him she could easily heal broken bones…so a burn shouldn't be anywhere near as bad.

"Why do you think they left?" Ron spoke up suddenly, keeping his tone low.

"Who?" Harry asked.

"The Fleshcrawlers," Ron replied. "What do you think made them leave? You told us that when you ran into one, an entity had called it off before it could hurt you or Mel. Well I didn't hear anything or anyone while we were in the dome…so…why would they have just turned and left?"

"I don't think," Harry began, "that they would've just given up. I suppose it's possible that they were called off while we were trying to avoid the fireball, and we just didn't hear the person who called to them."

"Maybe," Ron replied, looking back to Hermione. Harry could tell Ron didn't really believe that was what had happened…he didn't even believe it himself…but what other explanation could there be?

"What I want to know," Harry spoke up quietly, "is why does everything keep happening down near the dungeon area? There was the Dementor that Ginny and I ran into, Lucius attacked Draco and I…and now this is the second encounter with Fleshcrawlers. Why always there?"

"I don't know," Ron shrugged. "It's not as if you're normally found there…and well…we know that you're probably who they're looking for. They must know by now, if they didn't before, that you don't stay anywhere in the dungeon area."

Harry nodded, before speaking again quietly.

"But Draco does."

"What do you mean?" Malfoy piped up suddenly, looking up sharply as he heard his name.

"Well we know Voldemort is after the defender," Harry explained quickly. "And if he does know that it's you…"

"How could he?" Draco exclaimed. "The only person that knows I'm the defender that would ever consider telling Voldemort is my father…and you made sure he couldn't say a thing now, didn't you? He's locked up somewhere in the school and no one will even let me see him!"

"It all comes back to Saaneeraa," Harry said, sighing inaudibly. "If she knows…you can bet Voldemort does too."

"Then why not just go for Malfoy directly?" Ron asked. "I mean it seems like every time someone gets in down there they're always after you."

"I'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Harry said, shaking his head.

"No…that doesn't fit…" Hermione's voice floated up to them weakly.

Harry and Ron both turned their heads quickly, looking down at Hermione's eyes, which were barely open.

"We woke you, didn't we?" Ron asked apologetically. "I'm sorry, you need your rest and…"

"No, I was awake," Hermione smiled faintly.

"Eavesdropping, were you?" Ron joked, brushing a few stray hairs away from her face as he spoke.

"Can I help it if you have a discussion right next to me? I didn't tell you to sit here," Hermione replied with a smirk.

"We just don't want to stop you from resting," Harry spoke gently, smiling down at his friend. "Madam Pomfrey said it was important not to disturb you."

"Well I don't think a little talking will hurt me," Hermione said lightly. I promise I won't get up or anything."

"Good, alright…now get back to what you were saying before," Draco spoke up sharply, having been waiting impatiently while they talked. "What doesn't make sense about the intruders coming after me?"

"Malfoy…" Ron began angrily, stopping as Hermione closed her hand over his wrist. She shook her head faintly, and Ron nodded once, understanding she didn't want him to fight here, but it didn't stop him from glaring darkly at Draco.

Hermione pushed herself up into more of a sitting position and turned to face him as well. Taking a deep breath, she began to speak softly.

"To start off, the Dementor was in the school long before we knew anything about Harry's powers. At that time, no one knew you were the defender, so Voldemort had no way of knowing. Then when Lucius came you found out soon enough that he had no idea either, and he only learned of your identity when you told him. The Fleshcrawlers I can't be sure about…but they're definitely not only interested in you…and it's obvious they do know who you are."

"Obvious…how?" Draco asked, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Well…they didn't try to kill you today, now did they?" Hermione spoke, her voice very quiet. "Didn't you see what they shot at us…yours and Harry's were blunt…" she trailed off, shuddering involuntarily at the thought of what could have happened. Ron stood up from his seat and moved gently onto the edge of the bed, letting her lean into him, trying to comfort her.

"Why would they…" Harry began, trailing off immediately, not sure how to ask his question. "Why would they only want to take Draco and I?" he said at last.

"Harry you're the Psion and he's the defender," Hermione replied softly. "Why do you think?"

"No I know that," Harry said quickly, "but…I mean…"

"Why'd they try to kill you two?" Draco piped up suddenly, earning him an angry glare from Harry, which he ignored.

"I guess they didn't need us," Hermione shrugged softly under Ron's embrace.

"Yeah," Ron added, "they found who they were looking for with you two…why bother keeping us?"

"The first one didn't kill Mel though," Harry said. "Well I mean…with the tether it didn't."

"Maybe this time they were in a hurry," Hermione said. "Or maybe they didn't need to replenish themselves or maybe…maybe someone told them to kill us…I don't know what the reason is. But you said it yourself, you felt that first time that the Fleshcrawler went after Mel for a reason…"

"So someone's trying to…to hurt…or kill…my friends," Harry stated solemnly, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

"Or maybe just anyone who you happen to be with…that they don't need," Hermione said. "There's no way to be sure really…not with the information we have anyway. Right now we have to worry more about who they didn't try to kill immediately. The Fleshcrawlers were leaving Draco alive."

"Then he definitely knows," Harry spoke quietly. "Voldemort knows that Draco is the defender."

"Maybe he knows…maybe not," Hermione said slowly. "I mean to be honest, I would think if it had been Voldemort who sent the Fleshcrawlers he probably wouldn't have tried to leave Draco alive…he does want the defender dead, right? It would have been the easiest way to dispose of him if the Fleshcrawlers had been successful."

"Well then someone else was probably controlling them," Harry said quietly. "If it was Draam…or any of the other entities, then you can bet Voldemort does know. That's what they're here for, right? To get him the information he needs…"

"If that's really the case…I wonder how long they've known for," Hermione mused softly, pulling her head away from Ron's shoulder and looking back and forth from Draco to Harry. "They would probably tell Voldemort right away, wouldn't they?"

"That would be my guess," Harry shrugged.

"Well let's think about this," Hermione began. "What are the ways that they could have found out? Either one of the entities overheard someone here talking about Draco being the defender, or at least one of them is among us…disguised…like what we originally thought of Marzia."

"You mean what we still do think of Marzia," Ron added quickly. "Dumbledore wouldn't have made her leave if he trusted her."

Harry had to bite his tongue to keep from saying anything. The headmaster had asked that he and Sirius to tell no one of the real reason for asking Marzia to leave, and that included his closest friends.

"Alright lets say one of the entities is in disguise," Harry spoke quickly, moving the discussion along. "Who is it then? I trust mostly everyone right now; the only person I'm…unsure about…is Cole…and maybe Allison. But it makes no sense at all that it would be one of them…because they're helping me with the stones. I doubt someone working for Voldemort would want me to learn my powers…" he trailed off as the door to the room opened once more and the headmaster walked in, followed by Sirius and Remus.

"What have you found?" Draco asked immediately, jumping up from his seat at once, a demanding tone to his voice. "How do we get rid of the Fleshcrawlers?"

"Calm down Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore spoke gravely. "We know little more than we did earlier, but thankfully we know that a shield can be used as a defense…one that they can't break through easily."

"That's it?" Draco cried, angrily. "So if we run into them we just put up a shield and hope they decide to leave again?"

"No that is not it," Dumbledore spoke evenly. "However at this moment I do not have any further information. I want the three of you to return to your dorms for the evening, Miss Granger will remain here until the morning."

"But…" Ron began, straightening up in his seat and looking ready to argue.

"Not tonight, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore spoke firmly. "I need you all back in your dorms, Miss Granger will be quite safe, I promise you." He turned to look at Sirius and Remus, who were waiting quietly near the door. "Remus, please take Draco back downstairs, Sirius, bring Harry and Ronald back to their tower. Then I'll need both of you to meet me back at my office…I shall get Cole and Allison."

"Do you think they'll know anything about what happened?" Harry asked.

"That is what I hope to find out," Dumbledore replied, a dark expression crossing his face. "Come now, it's time you three get going, I will speak to you when I know more."

Harry nodded once while Draco huffed loudly as he stalked across the room to where Remus stood waiting. Without a backwards glance he strode through the door, Remus behind him, shaking his head in exasperation. Harry said goodnight to Hermione and waited for Ron to do the same, before both boys joined Sirius. They left the room together and headed back downstairs to the main floor of the hospital wing. When they were back out in the hall, they started immediately for the Gryffindor tower.

Sirius started in immediately, questioning them and looking them over to make sure they were truly alright and unharmed. Harry could tell his godfather had been holding this back in the hospital room to allow Dumbledore to say what he'd needed to say, and was now practically falling over himself with worry…and anger.

None of the precautions they were implementing seemed to be helping anymore, not when creatures like the Fleshcrawlers were about. Who knew how many more Faerunian monsters could get inside the school…or if they were already there. The only two people who truly knew about these things seemed to be helping very little when it really came down to it.

"Is Dumbledore angry?" Ron asked quietly as they walked.

"Yes," Sirius replied with a curt nod. "Very much so, but not at any of you."

"At Cole?" Harry suggested, not really asking.

"Yes," Sirius replied again.

"What is he going to do about it?" Ron asked, somewhat anxiously.

"I guess I'll find out tonight," Sirius replied slowly. "He wants to speak to both Cole and Gazten…so we'll see."

"He can't ask them to leave though, right?" Harry asked, now feeling nervous. "I'll never learn how to use the crystals if they go."

"Harry," Sirius began, turning to meet his godson's gaze. "Professor Dumbledore will do whatever he feels is in the best interest of you and all the other students."

"He wouldn't close the school…right?" Ron asked, apprehensively.

"He might," Sirius replied quietly. "As I said…we'll have to wait and see."

When at last they'd made it to the portrait of the fat lady, Ron gave the password, and turned to say goodnight.

"See you later, Ron," Sirius nodded with a grin. "Don't worry about Hermione, she'll be well protected."

Ron nodded, smiling faintly back at Sirius, before looking to Harry.

"Coming?"

"In a minute," Harry said, motioning for his friend to go on without him. Ron nodded once again, before stepping through the portrait hole and letting it shut behind him.

"Something on your mind?" Sirius asked immediately, looking curiously at his godson.

"I was actually just wondering…" Harry began quickly, "if you'd heard from Marzia at all…I know Professor Dumbledore told us not to let anyone know, but I didn't know if you'd spoken to her since that day…"

"Everyday," Sirius replied firmly. "If I can't tell her that Dumbledore still trusts her, I at least want her to know that I do, as I'd never made a secret of it to begin with.

"Where is she?" Harry asked.

"At our house," Sirius answered. "I told her she was welcome there…no matter what."

"Is she mad at us?"

"You mean at Professor Dumbledore?" Sirius asked. "No, she isn't. She understands why he asked her to leave…or at least why she thinks he asked her to. The only thing bothering her is why her wand lit up when I performed the charm to find the map. She can't remember being without it at any point…and didn't let anyone use it."

"Well someone must've taken it," Harry said, wishing he had any idea who it could've been. He was sure it must've been the same person who really stole the map, but besides suspecting it was one of the entities, he had no clue who it was.

"Yes I agree," Sirius nodded, gravely. "However, we don't have any proof of anything right now, so we'll just have to wait it out. I have to get going right now though, Professor Dumbledore will be waiting and I don't want to be late for this particular discussion. Get a good night's rest and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright," Harry nodded, grinning faintly. "Goodnight Sirius," he said, turning towards the portrait hole. Giving the password, he stepped through into the common room, knowing his godfather was waiting until he was fully in to start off to the headmaster's office.

Glancing once around the common room, Harry saw Ron and Ginny in their usual corner, and waved at them once, indicating he was going to head up to bed early. They nodded back at him and Ron turned back to Ginny, most likely explaining what had happened that evening to his sister.

Harry walked into the seventh-year boy's dorm and made his way over to the crystal's trunk first. He knelt down in front of it with an inaudible sigh, preparing to open the chest and put the stone away, when for the first time since he'd begun using it, the resolve crystal began to speak.

We should have disposed of the Fleshcrawlers this evening; it was the only rational option.

What? Harry replied, moving back from the trunk. Where have you been all week? And what do you mean the only rational option? I think staying alive would be more important.

I've been with you every day, the crystal said in a casual tone. We could have disposed of the creatures very easily earlier and stayed alive in doing so…as I said, the only rational option. Pity you didn't take the chance while you had it.

What chance? Harry shot back angrily, clenching his hands into fists at his sides. We were inside a shield and two of my friends would have died if one of them hadn't cast it! When did I have any chance to do anything to the Fleshcrawlers?

Hermione could have given you an opening, the crystal replied flatly. She's the one who put up the shield and it was in her power to do so. Surely if you'd just asked her she would have.

Maybe so but I don't see why I would want to have done that…

What I don't see is why you didn't! the crystal interrupted sharply. We know that the Fleshcrawlers are affected by normal spells and curses in the same way a human would be…so why not take advantage of the situation? If you'd had an opening, you know they would have come to it, and you could have eradicated them on the spot.

Or I could have given them an opportunity to shoot one of their tethers at us again! Harry replied, tersely. We also know they have precise aim, they would only need a small target to take their aim…

They don't want you dead, you would have been fine, the crystal cut him off. If they were able to take hold of you, there would have been no way to take you out through only a small hole in the barrier, and your friends could have freed you.

What if they didn't aim for me? Harry asked, curtly. What if they went for one of my friends, instead?

Then you could have freed them.

That's not what I mean, Harry thought, darkly. They could have shot at one of my friends with one of the sharp tethers…what then?

Then one of your friends would have died, the crystal said, emotionlessly. Would that be so high a price to pay if everyone else was kept safe because of it?

Yes it would be, Harry replied, moving quickly back towards the trunk, intending to end this conversation. One I would be entirely unwilling to pay, as a matter of fact. I will never endanger my friends for any reason. Not to mention, we also have no way of knowing that those are the only Fleshcrawlers in the school, there could be dozens more for all we know!

Or those could have been the only ones, the crystal spoke firmly. You have to take the chances while you have them…don't let them pass you by.

Yeah sure, thanks for the advice, Harry snapped, calling the crystal back into stone form before it could utter another word. He glared at the gem in disgust as he plunked it back into its place in the chest, before closing the lid with a snap.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, he moved slowly back towards his bed, thinking over what the crystal had said. This time everyone had made it out alive, but would it always be that way? Would he ever be forced to let one of his friends die if it meant saving others? Harry could only pray that it would never come to that. Changing silently into his nightclothes, Harry slipped into his four-poster, and drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

When Harry awoke the next morning and drew back the curtains from around his bed, the first thing he noticed was that Ron's bed was empty. Feeling his friend had probably gone down to see Hermione, Harry changed quickly and left the dorm, deciding to do the same. No sooner had he stepped through the portrait hole, however, then he heard someone call his name. Smiling as he recognized the voice, Harry turned to see Mel coming up from behind him.

"What're you doing all the way up here?" he asked as she caught up to him and they began walking together.

"Well good morning to you too," she replied, feigning insult as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Oh, forgive me," Harry said mockingly with a broad grin. "Good morning Melanie, how are you on this fine day? I hope very much that you slept well and please…do let me know if you need anything, won't you?"

"Oooh, much better," Mel grinned, scrunching up her nose and sticking her tongue out at Harry, who rolled his eyes and laughed at her. "And to answer your question, I'm on my way back from the owlery."

"Writing to Jack?" Harry inquired gently.

"Yes," Mel nodded. "I'm going straight to his house after graduation…to…you know…spend more time with him…" she trailed off, a sad gleam in her eyes.

"Mel, I'm sorry," Harry spoke softly, putting an arm around Mel and drawing her to him. "I shouldn't have brought it up…"

"No, no…it's alright," she spoke hastily. "I'm actually looking forward to spending time with him…"

"I'm sure it'll be a wonderful summer," Harry nodded, smiling down at her warmly.

Mel returned the grin, before looking away, visibly shaking the thoughts from her head, before speaking again.

"So…Draco seemed very…irritated last night," she began slowly. "He was escorted into our common room by Professor Lupin who looked quite relieved to be leaving Draco there…have any idea what happened?"

"As a matter of fact I do," Harry replied seriously. "There was another attack by the Fleshcrawlers."

"What?" Mel exclaimed, pulling away from Harry and stopping in her tracks. He could see the fear that had immediately sprung up in her eyes at the mention of the creatures' name. "Where? What happened?"

Harry explained, as quickly as possible, the events of the previous night, including how upset the headmaster seemed when they'd last seen him in the hospital wing.

"I was just on my way to check on Hermione now…I'm sure Ron's already there," Harry finished.

"Well then let me save you the trouble," a voice called out to them from a short distance away. Harry and Mel looked up to see Ron and Hermione walking towards them.

"Hermione," Harry said happily, moving forward to meet up with his friends, Mel just behind him. "Are you alright? How's your arm?"

"It's fine," Hermione laughed, smiling at his concern. "I've already been through the third degree, however, thank you. Just ask Ron for the answers to all your questions…he's asked them several times already…" she trailed off, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Hey," Ron said, pulling Hermione closer. "It's only because I care, you know." He kissed her on the top of her head gently and she rested her head against his chest.

"Well," Harry smiled, "I'm glad you're alright."

"I am," Hermione nodded, "and starving as well. I haven't eaten since last night."

"Neither have I," Ron added, bringing his hand up to his stomach.

"Same here," Harry added with a laugh.

"Well then, shall we head downstairs?" Mel spoke up, glancing around at the other three.

"As soon as I get changed," Hermione said, glancing down at her robes from yesterday.

"I'll go with you," Ron said quickly. The two moved on, up towards the Gryffindor tower, and Harry turned to Mel once more.

"I guess it's you and me then," he grinned, taking her hand in his. She smiled up at him warmly and they continued down the corridor, towards the great hall.

The day past quickly and classes flew by. The resolve crystal had gone back to silence, and Harry had no complaints about that at all, he preferred it to stay quiet, as he so far had never liked what it had to say.

When it was time for dinner, Harry and his friends filed once more into the great hall, making their way to the Gryffindor table and taking their seats. Harry looked up to where Dumbledore sat, looking deep in thought, as if something was disturbing him. He could think of any number of things that could be on the headmaster's mind, and wanted badly to talk with him, to see what, if anything, he'd found out from Cole and Allison.

But by the time the meal was over, Dumbledore had exited the great hall swiftly, a determined expression on his face, and Harry had the strong impression it would be best not to bother him tonight. He headed back up to his tower with the others for the night, deciding to try again the next day.

By this time Neville was aware that something was going on, and he nearly jumped on Harry the moment he entered the common room, grilling him for information. Harry explained what was going on as best he could, and in turn, asked Neville for anything he knew about Cole and Allison, and if he'd spoken to them recently. Neville, however, hadn't seen either of them for an even longer period of time than Harry, with the exception of potions class.

As it grew later, and students started to drift off to the dorms, Harry decided to do the same. He said goodnight to his friends, and made his way upstairs, wanting badly to know what was going on, but having no way to get any immediate answers.

The next day went by quickly as well, and as Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to their common room after their last class, getting ready to head down to dinner, they were surprised to find Ginny, and several other sixth year students, mulling around leisurely.

"How'd you get up here so fast?" Ron asked as they made their way to where Ginny was reading in their usual corner. "Didn't you have potions last today? You beat us here from the dungeon when we were only one floor down!"

"No I didn't," Ginny laughed, looking up at her older brother. "Class was cancelled today. We all went down there and Sirius was waiting for us at the door. He told us that we were dismissed for today, and that we should head back upstairs," she finished with a grin, before adding, "can't say I was upset to hear this…"

"Why would it be cancelled though?" Harry asked, exchanging worried glances with Ron and Hermione.

"Maybe Gazten's ill?" Ron suggested.

"She's a healer," Hermione said quickly. "If she's sick I don't even want to know what she has…"

"Can anyone remember if Allison was at breakfast this morning?" Harry asked suddenly, uncertain if he'd seen her there or not.

"No, she wasn't," Neville spoke up from just behind Harry. The others turned to look at him as he spoke. "I wanted to speak with her after our talk yesterday, so I went down to her office early this morning, but she wasn't there. So I looked for her at breakfast too…but again…" he trailed off.

"Do you think she left?" Ron asked.

"All her stuff was still in Snape's office," Neville said. "I doubt she'd just leave it there."

"Unless she was asked to leave," Hermione spoke, thoughtfully.

"C'mon," Harry spoke suddenly, turning and heading for the door. "I want to ask Dumbledore what's going on, now. The others scrambled to catch up to him and they left the common room together. Harry could feel a knot forming in his stomach as the copper haze of the crystal caught his eye, and he quickened his pace.

The five students rounded the last corner and the stone gargoyle came into view, just as Dumbledore was stepping into the hall. A faint smile crossed his face as he caught sight of them, but Harry could see the headmaster was not in a good mood.

"Good evening," Dumbledore spoke quietly.

"Sorry to bother you professor," Harry spoke quickly. "But I was hoping you might tell us…if you've learned anything more about the Fleshcrawlers. Have you spoken to Cole or Allison?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Dumbledore replied gravely.

"Why not?" Hermione whispered. "What's happened?"

The headmaster looked at the five students for a long moment, before taking a deep breath and starting to speak.

"When I went the other night, to look for both Cole and Allison, I found them in Professor's Snape's office…"

"Well that's good!" Ron said suddenly. "Did they not want to talk with you, or…?"

"Let me finish, please, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore spoke firmly. "When I entered the office I found both Cole and Allison on the floor, unconscious. I brought them immediately to the hospital wing for Madam Pomfrey to treat them, but it soon became quite clear, that they were under the same curse as Professor Snape, Percy and Mr. and Mrs. Chang. We can't wake them up."

Harry felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach. Here he'd been, on the verge of complete distrust for both Cole and Gazten, only to find out they'd become victims as well…victims of an unseen and dangerous enemy.

"But…but…" Harry stammered. "How? Who's doing this? There must be some way to wake them!"

"Harry," Dumbledore began, "I promise you if we can do anything…anything at all, to help them or wake them, we will do it. But as of right now, nothing we've tried has worked."

"What about…the crystals?" Harry asked in a quieter tone, glancing again to the copper haze surrounding him. "How will I finish with them?"

"For now, I have no answer to that question," Dumbledore spoke gravely. "I think it would be best, if you stop working with them for the time being, until we learn more."

"But…but I'm…" Harry began.

"Harry, I know how close you are to finishing this first stage of your training," Dumbledore spoke gently, as if reading Harry's mind. "And I can understand that this is frustrating, but without Cole or Allison, I don't feel safe allowing you to continue using the stones. Please don't ignore my request, I don't want you using the crystals again until I know more."

Harry nodded glumly, lowering his gaze as he did so. He knew Dumbledore was right. If anything happened there'd be no one who would know how to help him…if only he had started his training earlier.

"What happens," Hermione spoke softly, "if we can't find a way to wake up Cole or Professor Gazten?"

"We will deal with whatever comes," Dumbledore began solemnly, "as it comes, Miss Granger."

The weekend came and went, uneventfully, which was both a good and bad thing. Harry was quite thankful that no more unexpected visitors had shown themselves, but they were also no closer to having the answers they needed.

He'd stopped using the crystals, as Dumbledore has asked, though he barely noticed the difference. None of the stones he'd used for the last few weeks had said much of anything, with the exception of the resolve crystal for a few moments on one occasion, and he wanted to know why. If it had been the Fleshcrawler's presence, it would mean they had been close to him for weeks now, but had made no move to attack until just a few days ago. But he'd always seen the stone's haze, so that reason didn't quite fit. The other thought he was mulling over, was that the crystals' simply had nothing to say to him. The fact remained however, that he had no idea what the real reason for their silence was, and the only person who could probably give him the answer, was lying in a coma in the hospital wing.

Dumbledore was very obviously uneasy, and Harry was not the only one to notice this. The entire student body was feeling nervous over their headmaster's behavior, and Harry couldn't blame them. It was more than unusual for Dumbledore to act this way, even in the past when he'd been upset over something; it was a rare occasion that he let this emotion show through.

Sirius and Remus were stressed as well, though they tried to hide it in Harry's presence, not wanting to worry him any more than he already was. There was a rumor circling around that the school might be shut down, and Sirius and Remus didn't deny it. Dumbledore was, in fact, considering doing just that. All they could tell Harry was that a decision would be made by the end of the week.

By the end of the week, Harry was dreading any announcements from the headmaster. Classes had been all but a joke for the past few days; no one able to concentrate on any of their assignments, even the professors seemed to not have their minds on their work. Despite all of this however, Harry did not want the school to close. It couldn't…it would mean their enemies had won.

Saturday night was one of the most dismal to date in the Gryffindor common room. There was none of the usual chatter taking place, no games being played. Groups of students were spread about, chatting quietly about what they believed was really going on, and from the little bits Harry overheard, none of them were close to the truth. As far as he was concerned, however, it was best they didn't know. No use in scaring them more than they already were.

The four friends were in their usual corner, but for once, none of them were talking. They sat in silence, not sure what to feel or say. Harry thought briefly that this was supposed to be the big night before their next quidditch match, they should have been out on the pitch, having fun and laughing, not sitting in this gloomy environment, hoping their school would still be open the following morning.

Quidditch hadn't officially been cancelled, but it was assumed by the students that no further games would be played. Madam Hooch had stopped the practices, and for once, there was little complaint. Everyone was scared.

They stayed awake long into the night, until they could barely keep their eyes open. The common room began to empty little by little, everyone deciding to head off to bed.

Harry tossed and turned most of the night, unable to rest properly with so much on his mind. His head felt ready to burst and he drifted in and out of sleep for hours, before finally giving. He pushed himself into a sitting position, blinking in the darkness of the dormitory. Reaching for his glasses, he slipped them on before sliding out of bed and crossing to where his regular trunk sat at the end of his four-poster. Having no idea what he was intending to do, but feeling he had to keep his mind occupied, he shuffled through several items, before finding what he was looking for.

The Marauder's Map.

Harry closed the trunk gently, not wanting to wake any of the others in the dorm with him, and stood up slowly. He crept silently across the room and slipped through the door, making his way down to the common room. Once there, he crossed to the fireplace, settling down on the plush carpet in front of it, feeling the warmth against his face. Here it was the first day of May, and he still loved to sit in front of a fire, letting it warm him no matter what the temperature outside.

Spreading the map out in front of him, Harry pulled his wand from his robe pocket and aimed it at the parchment.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The familiar swirling of shapes filled the map at once, until settling into the outline of Hogwart's, and all the names of those within its walls.

Harry studied it carefully, looking over each and every name for at least an hour, but there were none that seemed wrong, or out of place. And certainly none of the entity's names appeared, that he could see anyway.

Figuring it couldn't hurt any; Harry decided to ask the map for help.

"Hello?" he said quietly, "can you hear me?" He hadn't spoken to the map in a long while, and hoped that the marauders would still speak to him. Watching and waiting, feeling slightly apprehensive, Harry prayed to see even a small response…he didn't even care who it was from.

Another moment passed, and the map began to shift, the school's outline was sucked into the parchment slowly, to be replaced with a statement.

"Yes, I can hear you."

"Padfoot?" Harry asked, sure he recognized the scrawl.

"Harry?" came the reply.

"Yes, it's me."

"Haven't heard from you in a while…"

"I know, I've been busy," Harry explained, feeling silly over the fact that this map was making him feel guilty.

"Well, c'mon then…you never call on us for a good chat. What is it you want?" Padfoot asked.

"I wanted to know if Saaneeraa is in the school…" Harry said hesitantly.

"Did you see her in the school?" came the reply.

Harry shook his head; it could never be easy, could it?

"No I didn't," he replied calmly. "That's why I asked. You've shown me names on the map before that I couldn't see originally."

"That name isn't showing at the present time," another script appeared, and Harry recognized it as his father's…Prongs.

"Oh you're no fun, Prongs," Padfoot admonished.

"Trust me, neither are you."

"Thanks," Harry said, sincerely, before leaning back on his elbows and trying to think. He knew Saaneeraa had been in the school before, and apparently so had Draam. Who knew if any of the others had gotten in somehow as well? He wished Allison were awake, to ask her about the entities once more. He could remember the basics of what she'd explained to them, but wanted to hear all the specifics…to really think them through.

Suddenly an idea came to Harry, and he sat up slowly. It just might work, though he was hesitant to try, especially knowing that Dumbledore would most definitely not approve.

"Oh what harm could it do…it's only one of them," he whispered to himself, coming to a decision and standing up. Moving back towards the door to the dorms, Harry ascended the steps quietly and moved to the trunk containing the crystals. Glancing around once, to make sure no one was awake, he knelt down and unlocked the chest.

Raising his hand, he moved it along the stones until he found one that glowed a bright yellow, and called on it quickly, before closing the lid once more, and heading back down to the common room, the glowing mist of the memory crystal surrounding him.

Harry entered the common room once more, crossing to where he left the map and sitting down beside it once more. It had reverted back to the outline of the school, and Harry barely paid it any attention as he began to concentrate on the crystal.

Um…hello? he thought, not sure how to start a conversation with one of the stones. In the past, it had always been one of them to start talking and he would only reply.

Hello, came the reply a mere second later.

Sorry to bother you…I wasn't sure how to…

We are the same, the crystal interrupted softly, you aren't a bother.

Harry nodded absently, still feeling weird about working with one of the stones like this.

I'm trying to remember, he began eagerly, what I was told about the entities…

Everything we were told?

Well…everything that could be important, Harry replied. I can remember the descriptions that Allison gave…and that they don't work together. I don't know I'm really just trying to figure out if they're in the school…and if they're not now then at least how they're getting in unnoticed.

Well the best place to start would be with the ones we know have been in the school, Saaneeraa, and most probably Draam too. We know Menetor and Fenestraal can pass for human, and we know Rolisch'kah and Elri'kah can't.

Right, Harry said. But I want to know…or see if we can find anything on who they were controlling…or impersonating…while in the school.

The Shadow Behind.

Huh?

Allison told us Saaneeraa was called the Shadow Behind. When Sirius told us of what happened during his encounter with Menetor, he called her the Shadow Behind. We know the entities don't get along, and he certainly seemed to want to hurt her…

Harry's jaw dropped, unable to believe he'd never made that connection before.

But it can't be Marzia…he thought imploringly.

These facts would suggest otherwise.

No, Harry thought, determinedly. Someone was setting her up…that's what we have to figure out, who did that. Menetor tried to hurt her but then Fern healed her…I'm sure she would have recognized Marzia as Saaneeraa too, if that's who she truly was. Plus when we got the map back…Sirius, Dumbledore and I looked on it. We saw Marzia's name. I've seen Saaneeraa's name on the map before so I know it would show up if she were there…

Would it though? the crystal spoke softly. The only time we saw Saaneeraa's name was when we were looking at a memory of the map, to show us the past. We never saw Saaneeraa's name while observing the map in a present view.

So…so you think…she can hide her name from the map when we're looking at it regularly, but not when we're looking at the past?

It's a possibility.

Harry turned his gaze immediately back to the Marauder's Map, still lying open on the floor. Not wanting to waste any more time, he pulled out his wand, trying to remember the words he'd heard Remus use that night.

Exhibeo Vetustas

"Exhibeo Vetustas," Harry spoke at hearing the crystal's voice, and the picture vanished immediately, asking for a date, time and location.

Thinking hard, he tried to remember a time when he knew exactly where Marzia was at a specific time, when again the crystal's voice filtered through his thoughts.

Halloween…

"October 31st, seven o'clock in the evening, the fourth floor guest quarters," Harry said hastily, anxiously awaiting the new image that began to form on the parchment. It closed in immediately on the room Harry had specified, and as it came into complete focus, Harry let out a relieved sigh.

Marzia's name appeared before him, and from where it seemed to be located in the room, she was resting on her bed from the events of the day, just as Sirius had said she'd been.

You were wrong, Harry thought with a small hint of amusement.

No, the stone replied calmly, what I told you was the truth, this merely rules out Marzia for the time being.

Harry nodded, looking back to the map once more. He raised his wand, hearing the memory crystal in his head, knowing again what spell he was looking for right away.

"Adaperio," Harry said quickly, using the other charm Remus had shown him that night. The map spread out once more, giving him a full view of the school, but remaining in the past. Harry immediately spotted what he'd been looking for. He found his own name, along with Ron's and Neville's, in the guest quarters they'd been taken to that night. Shifting his gaze slightly, he found the other name he'd been searching for. Percy Weasley.

"Not Percy either," he spoke aloud. "He may have been under someone else's control that night…but he was still himself."

Sighing inaudibly, Harry began scanning the map quickly, hoping to catch sight of anything that might be helpful to him. He spotted Remus and Sirius walking side by side, moving towards the headmaster's office. Harry lifted his eyes slightly to that area, inhaling sharply as he did so.

Dumbledore's name was there, as well as McGonagall, Hermione and Ginny's…but standing in the office with them…
"Saaneeraa," Harry barely whispered.

He immediately began searching the map again; looking for the one name he didn't see…

It's Allison, the crystal said gravely.

"But that makes no sense!" Harry said aloud, still looking fervently for her name. "She's done nothing but help me! She taught Neville how to use his powers! She helped him save me from Voldemort…she…she…no it can't be her! Why would she do all of that if she wasn't on my side? Not to mention where is she now?! I doubt that it would be easy to put someone as powerful as Saaneeraa in a coma!"

He continued to scan the map, a knot in the pit of his stomach, but it was in vain. He couldn't find the name Allison Gazten anywhere.

"It can't be her," he said again, sitting back weakly.

Her name is the only one missing.

Yes, I can see that, Harry thought back irately, before realizing what he was doing. Taking a long, deep breath, he tried to calm himself…to think.

"I have to see Dumbledore," he said suddenly, grabbing the map and starting for the stairs to the dorms. "I have to talk to him."

He walked back into the room where his friends were still sleeping and headed for his closet. Changing faster than he'd ever done before, he threw on a pair of shoes and started for the door, before he remembered he still had the crystal. Turning so quickly he almost lost his balance, Harry backtracked to the chest containing the stones, and unlocked it.

Wait, the stone said urgently. At least keep one of us with you…

But Dumbledore… Harry argued, he'll be upset if…

He won't know…please. Just one.

Harry hesitated, feeling very uneasy about this request. He didn't know if this was a trick or not, but he found it very strange that this was being asked of him by the memory crystal. The resolve crystal he'd expect it from…but not this one.

Alright, he replied at last, still feeling uncertain. I'll keep one of you with me.

He called the memory crystal back into gem form without waiting for an answer and placed it back into the trunk. A moment later, he slid his hand towards the bottom corner and let it hover above the stone with the golden glow. Harry called on the courage crystal, the one of the lot he felt he could really trust. When its haze was around him, he again grabbed the map and his wand, shoving them into his pockets and heading for the door.

The sun was rising now, and Harry hoped the headmaster would be awake, as he stepped into the corridor, feeling a slight chill in the early morning air, as he began the walk to the office.

He'd barely turned the first corner, however, when his eyes began to water. Wiping at them absently, Harry continued to walk, quickening his pace, but a familiar tingling sensation began to come through all too clearly, and it took only a moment more for him to realize what was happening.

He was having another vision, the first one in a great long while. As his normal sight faded out, Harry stopped moving, knowing another image would come into view soon enough. He only hoped it would be quick, it was imperative that he speak to the headmaster now…but when the new image finally did come into view, all of his previous thoughts were wiped from his mind. Harry could feel his breathing begin to quicken, as he realized where he was in this vision…it didn't take long for him to get all the information he needed, and the picture faded quickly.

Harry could feel his heart racing as his sight returned, and he set off again, running, running as fast as his feet would move him…but he was no longer heading for the headmaster's office.

Sprinting recklessly through the corridors, Harry barely even thought about which way to turn. He'd taken this path more times than he could count, and right now all he could concentrate on was reaching his destination.

Do you realize what we're doing? the crystal's voice asked demandingly.

Yes, Harry replied without hesitation. Saving her.

Do you even know what we're up against?

I don't care!, Harry screamed in his head, gritting his teeth as he tried to more faster still. Mel's in trouble and I'm not going to let anything happen to her! If I thought I had time to go get help, I would.

You realize what was following her…

It was Draam, wasn't it? Harry asked, cutting the crystal off.

From the looks of it, yes.

Harry didn't reply, but put on a final burst of speed as he rounded the last corner. The vision he'd had playing over again and again in his head as he raced for the end of the corridor.

He'd seen Mel walking through the halls, recognizing immediately that she was once again on her way to the owlery. Knowing there had to be some reason for the vision, he'd begun looking around frantically, waiting…and less than a moment later he'd seen it.

A hunched, rotting body, its skin appearing to be melting away and steadily regenerating as it moved, was creeping along, several feet behind Mel, its dark eyes fixed almost hungrily upon her. Harry didn't know why it was after her, but he couldn't let it reach her before he did.

Reaching the doors to the owlery at last, Harry thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out his wand, before bursting through the entrance with a rush of energy.

Glancing around frantically, he set off down towards the edge, where Mel's owl usually rested.

"Mel!" he yelled, trying not to sound panicked as he glanced up each aisle. "Where are you?"

"Harry?" he heard Mel's voice call out inquiringly, coming from exactly where he expected she would be. He reached the last row just as she poked her head out of the aisle, a curious grin on her face.

"What are you doing up…?" she began.

"We have to get out of here," Harry cut her off quickly, taking hold of one of her arms, and starting to turn.

"Wait…what?" Mel said, her smile fading. "What's going on?"

"Someone was following you," Harry said. "We have to leave…I don't know how I made it here before they did but…"

"I'm afraid you did not," a layered voice spoke up, floating down to them. The two students looked up at once and Harry heard Mel gasp in fear. She gripped his arm, her eyes wide, as the entity known as Draam came to a halt only a few feet away.

Harry recognized the voice as the same one from the night he and Mel were first attacked by the Fleshcrawlers, though he still couldn't place what was familiar about it, and at the moment he didn't care. They were trapped. Draam was blocking the path to the door, and the ledge of the owlery, with a drop that would prove fatal, was just behind them.

"What is that?" Mel asked tensely, taking a step back, instinctively. Harry made sure he was holding her tightly, fearing she might walk too far.

"Don't worry," he whispered back, trying to sound confident, while feeling helpless. "We'll get out of this."

"You'll be coming with me," Draam hissed, the pits that were his eyes bored into Harry as he spoke. "And you," he continued, shifting his gaze slightly to stare at Mel, "will not be."

Harry heard the threat in the entity's voice, and immediately stepped in front of Mel, protectively.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Harry said evenly, sounding far more menacing then he felt. "And I won't let you hurt her."

"You…can't…stop…me…" Draam spoke slowly, annunciating each word in turn, a wicked smile on his red lips. Harry felt his stomach twist, knowing what had been said was the truth. He didn't know how to fight one of the entities…

Trying to keep a tight grip on his wand in his sweaty palm, Harry looked around, trying frantically to think of a way out, knowing any spells would most likely prove useless, when he saw Draam raise his arms.

Black smoke began to seep from the entity's fingertips, swirling around in thin tendrils, but building up quickly.

"What's it doing?" Mel whispered fearfully, her eyes fixed on the black haze in front of them.

"Just stay back," Harry replied, holding his wand up in front of him. The last time he'd encountered the black mist it seemed to recoil from his wand, hopefully this time would be the same. "Get out your wand," he spoke hastily, glancing briefly at Mel. "If the smoke comes near you just…just swing at it…" he said, not sure what else to do.

Mel didn't question him, and immediately reached into her robes, extracting her wand from her pocket. She raised it up in front of her, around Harry's side.

The smoke had completely blocked their vision of the rest of the owlery by now, and was moving ominously towards them.

Seeing no other option, Harry lunged forward, swiping at the smoke, feeling a brief swell of relief as it backed away from his wand. He tried to cut through it, as he did last time, but it was too thick. Backing up once more, he did all he could to keep it away from both of them, but soon enough his efforts proved in vain. They stood on the edge of the wall, with nothing behind them except air…and the cold, hard ground below.

Mel was taking short, quick breaths, not having made any move to attack the smoke yet. When it became clear to her that there was no choice left, however, she finally drew up her courage and swung at the haze. Instead of recoiling from her wand however, the smoke wrapped itself around her wrist, and she cried out in fear.

Harry turned at the sound of her voice, feeling his stomach lurch as he saw the smoke actually trying to force her backwards. Swinging violently at the mist that had begun to creep around him in his moment's hesitation, he reached out for Mel's arm, and missed.

The smoke had at last overpowered her with a sharp thrust, and with a panicked cry, she was forced over the ledge.

Harry's heart lurched, but he didn't stop to think, he flung himself forward, landing on his stomach as he grabbed frantically for Mel, catching her right hand just above the wrist with his left one.

"Hold on," he barely managed to get out, his voice shaking from the strain of trying to keep his grip. He could hear Draam laughing wickedly behind the wall of smoke, and felt hot hatred building up inside him, but he couldn't dwell on it…he had to save Mel first.

The smoke was now swirling around him, past him, and Harry was horrified to see it snaking around her ankles, it began to pull down, trying to pry her from his grasp, but Harry refused to let it happen. Looking into Mel's terrified eyes, he brought his other arm around, gripping her wrist in both of his hands.

This proved to be a bad idea, however, as the smoke increased the pressure on Mel's ankles, and Harry had no free hands to hold on with. He could feel himself sliding forward, his chest grating against the stone floor of the owlery. Trying to catch hold of anything, Harry brought his knees up awkwardly, pushing the front of his shoes into the floor, but it was no good. He had been pulled too far along now, and before he even realized what was happening, he heard Mel scream, and they began to fall.

Harry heard the wind rushing by as they dropped at breakneck speed, barely able to think. He knew Mel's wrist was still in his hand, and she was screaming in fear, when suddenly the crystal burst through his thoughts.

Hold onto her.

Harry hesitated for a moment, his head reeling from shock.

Now! the crystal demanded urgently.

Harry reacted instantly, having no other choice, he lifted his arm with great resistance from the air pushing against him, and barely managed to get it around Mel's waist, pulling her to him and holding her tightly as she grabbed hold of him as well, clinging to him in terror.

The moment he had a hold on her, Harry felt a hot rush of energy flowing through him, filling his being and regulating his breathing. He suddenly felt entirely calm and at ease, as the ground grew closer. Surely there was barely more than thirty seconds left, when the mist of the crystal swirled around them violently, slowing their movement…but gradually.

Mel looked up abruptly, a hopeful expression on her face as she felt the change in their momentum, but did not ease her grasp around Harry's neck any. He didn't think about that for the moment however, as he realized he now had some control over what was happening. Concentrating with all of his strength, he willed them to slow down…to land softly.

The wind that was rushing past them had lessened greatly as the ground came up to meet them, and at last, Harry felt his feet connect with the meadow floor, harshly.

Stifling a cry of pain, Harry let go of Mel, and struggled to keep his balance as pain shot up both of his legs. He barely heard a dull cracking sound as a flash of hot agony seared through his left ankle.

"We're…we're not dead…" Mel whispered, shock and fear registered on her face. She was looking around in awe, before her eyes came to rest on Harry and a concerned expression replaced the amazed one.

"Are you alright?" she asked, stepping close to him, as he looked ready to fall over. But as he glanced up to meet her gaze, she gasped in surprise. "Your eyes," she began, sounding scared, "they're…"

"They're what?" Harry asked, anxiously.

"They…they were…" she stammered, hesitating another moment before continuing slowly, "well...they looked almost gold…fully gold…but not anymore." She seemed to visibly shake the image from her head, before looking into his eyes once more and repeating her question.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Harry nodded stiffly, trying not to show the pain he was feeling. "How are you?" He asked, genuinely concerned. "I'm so sorry that…"

"Don't," she said quickly, shaking her head. "Don't apologize…we're both alive…though I don't know how…" she trailed off; glancing back up to the ledge they had just fallen from. Harry glanced up as well, seeing nothing out of the ordinary…the smoke was gone, and it seemed, so was Draam.

"You saved us, didn't you?" Mel asked quietly, turning her attention back to Harry. "With those powers you have now…you slowed us down."

"Obviously not enough," Harry spoke through clenched teeth as he tried to put pressure on his right leg, only to feel another surge of pain run through it.

"You're not fine at all," Mel said, seriously. "We have to get you to the hospital wing."

"I…don't know…" Harry began, testing his ankle by stepping down gingerly. "Maybe I should wait here…" he began

Run! the crystal's voice cut through urgently.

What? Harry asked, looking up suddenly to see what the problem was. There at the far corner of the school, were three Fleshcrawlers, who spotted them immediately.

Glancing down, trying not to panic over the fact that the courage crystal had just told him to run, Harry spotted their wands which they'd dropped as they landed and scooped them up in his grasp, before looking worriedly at Mel, who'd just spotted the creatures.

"C'mon!" he said firmly, once again grabbing her by the wrist as she turned her terrified gaze upon him. "We have to run!"

Barely nodding in reply, Mel started to move alongside Harry, as he ignored the pain in his leg entirely, and they took off, away from the Fleshcrawlers…and the school.

Trying to move quickly but unable to shut out the throbbing pain in his ankle, Harry had to limp along to keep from stumbling, but he feared he was slowing Mel down, and knew that it would only be a matter of moments before the creatures tried to shoot at them.

"Don't wait for me," he said breathlessly, sweat standing out on his forehead from exhaustion. "Just go…"

"No," she replied with finality, shaking her head. She glanced down quickly, plucking her own wand from Harry's grasp, and spinning around.

"Insectatio Aegis," she spat out impatiently and an instant later there was a wall of energy behind them.

"You said the shield worked last time, right?" she asked, glancing back at Harry and looping her arm around him, helping him to remain steady.

"Yes," he nodded as they moved along hastily.

"Well then this buys us some time…let's go."

Harry glanced back once more to see the shield following them as they moved. Turning back to face front, he saw nothing nearby that could help them out of this situation. Hagrid's hut was too far from where they stood, and they'd have to go through the Fleshcrawlers to reach it, the same went for the school entrance. The only choice they had, in order to lose the creatures, was to go forward…

Into the forbidden forest.

Not daring to look back again, for fear that the Fleshcrawlers would be upon them, Harry and Mel streaked across the grounds as fast as they could go, not hesitating for even a moment as they reached the forest, and entered.

Deeper and deeper they went, the light growing dim as the thick, dark branches of the ominous trees blocked it out. But neither one spoke, trying to remain as silent as possible as they moved through the undergrowth.

After a short while, Harry came to a stop, breathing heavy as this walk was doing little to help his ankle, and Mel stopped alongside him.

"Something's following us," Mel whispered fiercely, looking behind them and squinting to see in the darkness. The shield had faded away by now and there was nothing left to protect them.

"I hear it," Harry breathed back, gripping tightly to his wand. "It's probably the Fleshcrawlers…we should keep moving.

"But where? How far?" Mel asked apprehensively.

"Until we lose them," Harry replied evenly. "It's the only choice we have."

Mel nodded, determination evident in her eyes, as they began to move again. Harry had no idea how deep they'd gone into the forest but in the brief moment they'd stopped and he'd glanced around, he found the school grounds to be completely out of sight. Gritting his teeth in grim resolve and ignoring the pain in his leg, Harry forced himself forward, praying that they didn't run into something even worse while in the forest.

Pushing further still into the darkness, Harry remained alert, glancing around often, and seeing nothing but shadows. They moved on in haste, pushing aside bushes and dead shrubs blocking their path, knowing they were making their own route quite obvious, but could do little to prevent it. Finally, after another agonizing stretch of time, Harry could go no further. His leg buckled beneath him and he was barely able to catch his balance with Mel's assistance.

"Just go," he said breathlessly as he pulled his hand away from her, letting himself drop to his knees. "Run…don't let them get you…"

"No," Mel said firmly, lowering herself to the ground and taking his hands in her own. "I'm not leaving you here."

"Mel don't you understand?" Harry cried, trying not to sound panicked. "They might be trying to catch me but they're trying to kill you! You have to get out of here! I can't…not again, please Mel just…" he trailed off, feeling his heart stop, as the sound of their pursuers became clear once more, rushing through the path Harry and Mel had left for them.

Mel stood up immediately, her wand raised in front of her, ready to curse the first thing that moved.

"Mel please!" Harry whispered loudly, feeling his stomach knotting in worry for her safety. He started to pull himself up but the very moment that even the slightest pressure was applied to his left ankle it sent a fierce bolt of pain through is leg and up his spine, causing him to crumple back to the ground. Huffing in frustration, he looked up at her again. "They outnumber us…please run!"

"I'm not leaving you here alone, Harry," Mel said stubbornly. "So stop making noise and attracting more attention."

Harry glared at her, angrily; feeling helpless as she stood in front of him, ready to face the danger that was growing steadily closer. Why wouldn't she just leave? Didn't she realize it was much more dangerous for her to be found by these creatures at the moment?

Bringing up his wand in front of him, Harry was debating whether or not he should try to force Mel to leave, when he heard a familiar voice.

"What did they think they were doing?" Malfoy's voice floated through to them, sounding annoyed. "Going clear through the forest?"

"Oh shut up, Malfoy," Neville's voice replied. "If Fleshcrawlers were chasing you I'm sure you'd do the same thing. I heard all about your attempt to curse them…from inside a shield. Brilliant that one."

"Look who's talking!" Malfoy shot back indignantly. "Before this year you couldn't tell a curse from a charm…let alone perform any of them."

"Will you lower your voice already?" Neville whispered back fiercely. "I just want to find them and get out of here. Who knows what they might've run into…and Harry was limping…"

"You say this as if I don't know already," Draco spoke sardonically.

Harry and Mel were listening to the conversation in shock, as the voices grew closer, glancing at one another in confusion and hopefulness, as the other two students came into view at last.

"Harry!" Neville cried out, relief in his voice as he shot forward. Draco stood where he was, his arms crossed over his chest, an impatient look in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" Neville asked as he knelt down beside his friend, glancing briefly at Mel who squatted just beside him.

"How did…what about…" Harry stammered. "The Fleshcrawlers…they were following us…"

"I know," Neville replied, nodding quickly. "Draco and I saw them as we came out of the school. He knew you were hurt…and he came to get me. I felt that you were outside the school, and so we left. We saw Mel put up the shield just before you ran into the forest, and started after you. The Fleshcrawlers had a head start, but they didn't see us, and well…" he trailed off, glancing hesitantly at Draco.

"What?" Harry prompted, anxiously.

"I killed them," Malfoy spoke, quietly, a smug grin on his face.

Harry stared evenly at Draco for a long moment, before nodding once. Somehow, it didn't surprise him that Draco would know how to perform the unforgivable curses, and to be honest, it was much better this way. If they'd left them tied up or in a body bind, there was always a chance that they'd escape or that the curse would wear off.

"C'mon," Neville said, hastily. "We need to get out of here"

"I don't think he can walk," Draco piped up as he started towards the other three, and Harry noticed then, that he was limping.

"But you can," Harry said. "So at least something came from all your lessons, right? You used to feel the pain worse than I did."

"I felt it when it first came, trust me," Draco said as he knelt down across from Neville and Mel, reaching for Harry's ankle. Harry winced slightly as Draco's fingers closed over his ankle, but he pulled his hand back after less then a minute.

"It's broken…swell," Malfoy said, rolling his eyes.

"I thought it might be," Harry admitted, shifting his position slightly and putting his hands on the ground just behind him for support.

"Well you've only been hurting it more with all this running," Malfoy said, sounding inconvenienced. "And I know that I haven't the slightest clue how to heal something like that."

"Neither do I," Mel said quietly, and Neville shook his head as well.

"I, however, know exactly how to help you, if you'll accept my assistance," a new voice spoke up from just a few feet away.

The four students looked up abruptly, all gripping their wands tightly, and Harry's jaw dropped in shock as he saw who stood before them.

"Tytros!" Harry cried in surprise. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried.

"Hello Harry," the Zlam nodded in reply. "I've been trying to contact you for quite some time now."

"You!" Malfoy cried suddenly, hot anger flashing in his eyes as he stood up and raised his wand. "I remember you!"

"And I remember you," Tytros replied crisply. "But this is no time to argue about the past, there are much more important matters at hand."

Harry knew Draco was remembering their detention together, when Tytros had appeared and caused him to fall asleep. Harry had ended up nearly losing his life that evening, as the Zlam had wanted him dead to regain control of their knowledge, but he'd escaped at the last minute, and just barely made it back to Hogwarts.

"Draco just calm down," Harry said hastily, before turning to meet Tytros' eyes. "What do you mean you've been trying to contact me? You've known that I've been at the school…"

"Of course I've known," Tytros replied, stepping forward. Draco tensed up noticeably but the Zlam ignored him, kneeling down at Harry's feet and gently wrapping his long, slick fingers around his ankle. "I haven't been able to get anywhere near the school for many months now," he spoke as a soft glow began to emit from under his hand. Harry felt a comforting tingle in his ankle and a moment later, the pain was gone entirely. Tytros removed his hand and stepped back as Harry started to get to his feet. He pushed down gingerly on his injured leg to find it completely healed, before looking up at Tytros once more.

"Thank you," he said quietly and the Zlam nodded in reply. Harry looked him up and down, feeling much more at ease around him than he would have expected, before continuing. "So…what happened then? Why couldn't you get near Hogwarts?"

"It appears that the school is swarming with Fleshcrawlers," Tytros began. I can sense them…I can see their dark aura…and I cannot get near them. No living being has any power near them…with the exception of humans."

"Yes, I know," Harry nodded gravely. "You've been trying for months, though? How many? Have they really been here that long?"

"Since the beginning of winter," Tytros replied. "I promised I would let you speak with our keeper and I wanted to notify you as soon as he was ready. Forden has even given permission to allow you a short amount of time to speak with him, but that is all."

"Where is he?" Harry asked, anxiously. "Have you brought him with you?"

"No," Tytros replied, shaking his head. "But I can take you to him."

"Don't trust him," Draco spoke up suddenly, looking fixedly at Harry. "Who knows where he'll really take us…"

Harry stared at Draco for a long moment, before shaking his head.

"I have to go," he said firmly. "There are questions I need answered…and the keeper is the only one who can do that."

"As long as he's taking all of us," Neville spoke up stubbornly.

"You may all come, if you wish it," Tytros said evenly.

"Where are we going?" Mel spoke finally, looking very confused.

"To my home," Tytros replied simply. "If you will all stand near each other, we can be on our way.

Harry immediately took a step closer to Mel, as she did the same and he felt her hand slip into his own. Neville moved in as well and after a brief moment Draco did the same, a skeptical expression on his face.

Tytros moved nearer to them, and brought his arms up, his palms facing outward, and a small red light began to pour from them, forming a bubble around them. As it the sphere was completed, it began to shrink, closing in on them. Harry felt Mel's grip on his hand tighten as she inhaled sharply, and he gave her a reassuring squeeze, feeling that if Tytros were going to try anything, he wouldn't do it while he was in here with them.

The Zlam lowered his hands then, and closed his eyes. The sphere stopped moving and for a moment, nothing happened, when suddenly, Harry felt a jolt and had to put a hand out to keep his balance, as the bubble began to move, at an incredible speed.

Harry looked down, seeing the forest below him, but it was gone in an instant as they flew through the air. Everything became a blur, and he shut his eyes tightly, to keep the dizzy feeling that was rising within him away. He prayed the journey wouldn't be long, but no sooner had the thought crossed his mind then they came to an abrupt halt.

The four students all nearly lost their balance at the sudden change, but remained standing, and looked around to see the sphere was gone. They were in very high up, on what Harry knew had to be a mountain but he had no idea where. There were scatterings of snow here and there, and the ground was hard and dead.

"This way," Tytros spoke hastily, motioning with his hand for the students to follow. The four exchanged uncertain glances, but nobody spoke as they began to walk, Tytros leading the way to a very small crack on a nearby wall of rock.

He lifted his hand to the stone pressing against it firmly, and to Harry's surprise, it moved as easily as if it were a feather. When Tytros lowered his arm, a dark entrance stood before them and he turned to them swiftly.

"Come," he said curtly, not waiting for a reply and stepping through the crevice. Harry glanced at Mel, who was standing just beside him, and she nodded once. He could see she was shivering slightly and realized it was very cold where they were now. Looking over to Neville and Draco, he saw they were waiting for him to move as well.

Taking a deep breath, and glancing around once more at the utterly silent land around them, Harry moved forward and stepped through into the darkness.

Once inside the cavern, Harry's eyes widened in awe of the sight before him. Mel stepped in just behind him, and he heard her gasp of surprise that mirrored his own feeling so well.

The Zlam had created a lush, living environment for themselves in the hollow of the mountain they were in, much like the one Harry had been to during his last encounter with them, there was even what appeared to be sunlight shining down on them, though Harry had no idea how. Birds were chirping and fluttering from tree to tree, and the grass was lush and green.

"This is…amazing…" Neville stammered from behind Harry and he turned briefly to look at him. "How did they do this?"

"I wish I knew," Harry shrugged with a small grin. "If I could even do half the things the Zlam can do…"

"But you can," a deep voice spoke up from beside them and the four turned to see who it was. Harry recognized Forden, the Zlam's leader, standing before him, with Tytros and another Zlam just a pace behind.

"Hello Forden," Harry said cautiously, feeling a twinge of nervousness at his presence. Forden had been quite adamant about ending his life last year, and he couldn't easily brush off the feeling of discomfort that had settled in his stomach now that he was back in the Zlam's presence.

"Hello Harry Potter," Forden replied evenly. "I see Tytros was able to locate you at last. I'm sure you're quite anxious to speak with Xondis, our new keeper, so I will not make you wait long. If you'll just come this way…" he trailed off, gesturing with his hand which direction he wanted them to go.

Harry looked over his shoulder at his friends, before beginning to step forward, holding Mel's hand and leading her as he did so. There was a long, descending stairway just a few feet away, which they went down quickly, each step feeling softer as they moved. When at last they reached the bottom, they found themselves to be fully in the forest atmosphere, which Harry wouldn't have believed to be a replica had he not been outside the cavern first.

Forden, Tytros and the third Zlam, who Harry assumed must be Xondis stepped down just behind them, and Forden nodded to one of the nearby Zlam.

"Take them to the back," he said evenly, "Tytros and Xondis will be joining them momentarily."

The Zlam nodded stiffly and gestured for the students to follow him. They walked in silence for several minutes, across the long field. Harry could even feel a summery breeze against his face and could see it gently lifting Mel's long blonde hair as they moved. When at last they came to a thick, lush willow tree the Zlam came to a halt and pointed at it.

"Wait here," he said curtly, before turning and marching away, not waiting for a reply.

Harry looked after him for a brief moment, before turning back to the tree and moving towards it. Mel went with him, and the two lowered themselves down into the lush grass to wait.

"Well this is just marvelous," Draco commented, sardonically. "We're who knows how many miles from Hogwarts with nobody who knows where we are, surrounded by a group of creatures who wanted you dead and you're just gonna calmly wait for them to get here?"

"That's right Draco," Harry replied casually. "Maybe you should do the same, as standing around and complaining will get you nowhere."

Neville snickered at the remark and smirked at Malfoy as he moved across to where Harry sat, and lowered himself down nearby. Shaking his head in irritation, Draco crossed to them as well, and did the same.

Barely five minutes went by, as the four students sat in silence, each caught up in their own thoughts, when Harry noticed Tytros and the Zlam from before walking up to them.

"I'm glad we were able to find you at last," Tytros spoke first as they walked up to Harry and the others. "I wasn't sure how I would be able to with the Fleshcrawlers all over the school grounds."

"I bet you're the one who set all this up then, aren't you?" Draco spat, snidely. "Just so you could talk to Potter, you…"

"Malfoy!" Harry hissed, glaring darkly at him. "Will you just shut up? He's telling the truth about the Fleshcrawlers, Dumbledore told us that only humans aren't affected by their powers."

"But your Psion powers are…I know, I know…" Malfoy muttered, rolling his eyes.

Harry started to nod and turn away, when suddenly a new thought struck him. During the first two encounters with the Fleshcrawlers, the crystals had been unable to make contact with him in any way, but just a short while earlier, he was able to both see and hear the courage crystal, when three of the creatures were very nearby.

"Your Psionic powers are hindered by the Fleshcrawlers?" Tytros asked, seeming perplexed.

"Yes," Harry nodded, before cocking his head curiously. "You know I'm a Psion?"

"I do," Tytros replied with a curt nod. "I've known since the night your friends tried to cure you of the Pyromus."

"How?" Harry asked. "I only found out a few months ago."

"Well your headmaster has known about it for a great deal longer than that, it seems," Tytros began. "He was quite worried about how the knowledge that you held last year would affect your Psionic abilities. Apparently, he feared that the knowledge might possibly overtake the power a Psion possesses which allows him to live through any situation in which another would surely perish."

"He told you this?" Harry asked, incredulously, feeling the beginnings of resentment that Dumbledore would share this information with Tytros before he would tell Harry, himself.

"No," Tytros replied, a faint grin on his face. "I'm sure you remember the ability of a Zlam when it comes to…thought reading."

"Yes," Harry nodded, having only just remembered as Tytros spoke. "You can hear thoughts when someone is thinking deeply about a particular topic."

"Correct," Tytros nodded. "And that evening, when it appeared as though you would not make it through, your headmaster was thinking of little else, silently praying it would, indeed, come through."

"But it didn't," Harry replied. "You had to save me."

"The knowledge has a strange affect on humans," Tytros shrugged in the slightest. "Be glad you don't have it any longer."

"Believe me, I am," Harry nodded in complete seriousness.

Tytros smirked at Harry's response, before turning to the Zlam standing beside him.

"This is Xondis, our new keeper," he said evenly. "Forden has granted us a small amount of time in which you can ask any questions you may have, before I must bring you back."

Harry nodded eagerly, shifting his gaze to look at Xondis.

"Hello," he began, unsure how to start.

"As Tytros said," Xondis replied curtly, "we have little time. I suggest you ask what you need to as quickly as possible."

Harry nodded again, getting a most unwelcome feeling from the new keeper, but made no comment about it.

"Alright," he began again. "Can you tell me what exactly the spell that Wormtail used on Voldemort at the beginning of last summer was for?"

"The Rejuvenation," Xondis began. "He needed to extract your blood from his being, as it was affecting him negatively, yes?" he asked, continuing without waiting for a reply. "He also knew at that time that you were a Psion. He was transforming his life force, most likely to be able to take your ability and make it his own. He knows that he must kill you in order to claim your powers, but he would have been unable to just take them by that alone."

"Because of the defender?" Harry asked, uncertainly. He noticed Tytros give him a bewildered look before Xondis began speaking again, and he turned his attention back to the keeper.

"No," he said curtly. "Because the first Psion ever born was a Faerunian. Each person that has ever been one can trace his or her bloodlines back there, no matter how far it may go. Before the ministry became fearful of the inhabitants of Faerun, they were allowed to come and go in the wizarding world as they pleased, and some of them chose to stay and live their lives among the humans. By the time the two realms were forcefully separated, too many of the original Faerunians had been living among the humans to get rid of them all, so the ministry allowed them to stay. The older ones, for the most part, had all but passed away, but many of them had, through the course of nature, come to live with humans…and breed with them. While you are born of two humans, Harry, you have Faerunian blood in you, one of your parents is a descendent of Faerun."

"But…what does that have to do with Voldemort?" Harry asked.

"Voldemort wants your abilities," Xondis spoke quickly. "But as he has no Faerunian blood in him, it is most impossible for him to take them from you. He had hoped by taking some of your blood, it would enable him to do exactly as he wished, but instead it merely acted as a virus, a deadly disease which was slowly spreading through him, killing him. The spell Wormtail used was not to extract your blood, but to transform his body to let it accept your blood as if it were his own. The spell was entirely successful, and he not only has Faerunian blood in him, but it is belonging to the Psion whom he wishes to steal the powers from. If he succeeds in killing you, the crystals will accept him without fail, and he will possess all the strength and power he desires."

Harry could feel his stomach turning sickeningly slow. This was worse than he thought it would be.

"What about Wormtail?" Harry asked quietly. "I know that the spell killed him…but I saw him as a ghost. He couldn't seem to get far from wherever I happened to be…and then one day he just vanished. I haven't heard from him in months."

"Wormtail would have been unable to make it far from your location, correct," Xondis began. "But the moment the knowledge was extracted from his body that hold would be broken immediately."

"So, I wouldn't be able to see him anymore?" Harry asked.

"No you'd still be able to see him," Xondis replied, impatiently. "But he would not be confined to the same area as you. He could wander feely as he chose."

"You must've gained control of the knowledge in October, right?" Harry asked. "I saw him for the last time during that month."

"Then I would assume that is most likely correct," Xondis said evenly. "We do not keep track of time in the same manner as you."

"I can't believe Wormtail would just take off like that," Harry mused, more to himself. "I mean, I know he didn't want to hang around longer than he had to…but I would think he might at least tell me, knowing I would believe he was still around."

"Are you kidding?" Draco spoke up snidely. "Peter was the biggest coward I've ever met. Of course he would…the second the opportunity arose I bet he couldn't get out of the school fast enough."

"And somehow it doesn't surprise me that you've met him," Harry replied, shaking his head.

"I don't see why it would," Draco snapped. "Though I'd much rather I hadn't ever met him."

"If you two are finished," Xondis cut in loudly. "There is not much time left, so I suggest you use it wisely, unless you have no further questions."

"Sorry," Harry replied quietly, while Draco merely looked away, an arrogant expression on his face.

"What else did you need answered?" Xondis asked, in a demanding tone. Harry's mind raced to think of what else he needed from the Zlam, but all he could think of was Wormtail. Even though it was quite easy to believe he would simply take off without a trace, it didn't feel right. He tried to shake the thought from his head, however, needing to focus on the matter at hand, when Tytros spoke up.

"There is something I need to ask you, Harry," he said evenly.

"What is it?" Harry asked, curiously.

"When Xondis was telling you of the spell, you mentioned the defender as the one that would be stopping him from getting your powers."

"Right," Harry nodded, noticing the dark look in Malfoy's eyes as his title was mentioned. "I was told that the defender's life was linked to mine…I can't die while he's alive."

Tytros and Xondis exchanged bewildered expressions and Harry looked on, anxiously.

"Is…is something wrong?" he asked, hesitantly.

"I should think so," Tytros nodded seriously. "You know that a Psion has both a defender and a guardian, yes?"

"I know," Harry nodded, gesturing to the two students across from him. "Neville is the guardian and Draco is the defender."

"And what do you know of their powers?" Tytros pressed.

"I know that Neville has the ability to…track me, basically. He can find me no matter where I might be. Draco knows when I'm in pain, because he feels it too, and if he's alive then I can't be killed," Harry explained quickly. "Why?"

Tytros looked at him for a long moment, before replying slowly.

"Harry, it is true that the guardian can find you and the defender knows when you're in pain…but his life is not linked to your own."

"But Cole said it was," Harry replied stubbornly, feeling that his admittedly strange instructor would know more about this from having done it for thousands of years than a Zlam would, no matter how much of this information was part of their knowledge.

"Harry," Xondis spoke up bluntly, "What you were told is inaccurate."

"Wait, so I don't have to die for him to be killed?" Draco asked, sounding happier than Harry could honestly remember ever hearing him sound.

"Correct," Xondis nodded, and Malfoy let out a triumphant laugh before the Zlam continued. "The life link is not from Psion to defender…it is from Psion to guardian."

"What?" Harry and Neville cried in unison.

"There must be a mistake!" Harry said, holding his hands out in front of him.

"Cole told us that the link was from Harry to Draco," Neville added earnestly. "Why would he lie about that?"

"Yes, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Harry asked.

"I am positive," Xondis replied in measured syllables.

"Who is this Cole person you keep talking about?" Tytros asked curiously. "What ever happened to Severus?"

"Professor Snape?" Harry asked in shock and confusion. "What does he have to do with any of this?"

"Weren't the bloodlines explained to you?" Xondis asked impatiently.

"No," Harry said weakly, shaking his head ever so faintly.

Xondis rolled his eyes in annoyance as Tytros sighed heavily.

"Harry, I don't know who this Cole person is, but he has been telling you half-truths, it seems. He is not the one who should be training you. Severus Snape is your Psionic instructor…why hasn't he said anything about this to you?"

Harry stared at Tytros in shock, barely able to find his voice to reply.

"Snape's in a coma," he whispered.

"Since when?" Tytros asked.

Harry closed his eyes as he remembered the night Cho died, and Voldemort had tried to kill him. Gazten had sent Neville to save him and it had worked. The next morning is when everything had been explained to him…by a stranger who he thought he could trust…

"Since the night Cole arrived," Harry answered, feeling a cold sickness in the pit of his stomach. He remembered Dumbledore telling him Cole had arrived that evening, and later when he'd asked about Snape, he'd found it was the same night he'd gone into his coma, after his mysterious illness.

"Well it seems this Cole is not exactly trustworthy," Xondis spoke quietly. "He got Snape out of the way to take his place."

"But why?" Harry asked. "He's still been training me…and working with Draco. He seems to only want to help us!"

"He's shown you everything else then?" Tytros asked. "Besides lying about your life link, he's completed your training with the crystals?"

"Well…no," Harry replied. "He told me I had to work with one a week until I'd gone through all fourteen of them, because if I'd used them all at once they would over power me…or something. It almost happened once, actually…but he saved me…" Harry trailed off as he saw the shock and bewilderment on the two Zlams' faces.

"He stopped you from using the crystals all at once?" Tytros asked slowly.

"Like I said," Harry replied. "They tried to over-power…"

"He lied," Xondis spoke up sharply.

"No," Harry said, shaking his head. "It's true! I had all the stones at the same time…only once…and I couldn't hear anyone at all…"

"Of course you couldn't," Xondis said hastily. "And if your true instructor had been present he could have told you that was going to happen!"

"Wait…what do you mean?" Harry asked, his hands shaking slightly. He felt nauseous and scared from all he was being told. "I'm supposed to be using all the crystals at once?"

"Exactly," Xondis said impatiently. "What else would you do with all of them? The only way you'll learn your powers is to use them!"

"Why would Cole lie?" Neville spoke up quietly. "Why would he show Harry how to use some of his powers but not all of them? Why would he want Snape out of the way?"

"I don't know," Tytros replied, shaking his head slowly. "But it does not seem as if his intentions are good."

Harry looked down at his hands, trying to comprehend all that he was being told. He didn't know who to trust. Dumbledore had told him he'd known Cole for many years…and that he was a friend. However, from what he was hearing now, it seemed as if Cole were anything but.

Looking up again, he stared fixedly at Tytros for a brief moment, before asking his next question.

"Do you know anything about the six entities?"

"What do you need to know?" Tytros replied.

"We know they're working with Voldemort," Harry spoke quietly. "To help him find the defender…eh…I mean…" he paused, shaking his head, before going on. "Voldemort believes he has to find the defender, he told me so as I was standing right before him…but I guess they're really looking for the guardian…"

"So Saaneeraa has sided with the dark lord then?" Xondis asked.

"And the others as well," Harry nodded.

"Well of course they would, if Saaneeraa has done this, the others must follow," Xondis said matter-of-factly.

"But…I thought…" Harry stammered, feeling confused again. "I was told they didn't get along…"

"Well, they don't," Tytros replied. "The five lower entities, that is. Saaneeraa is the force behind them, however. They must listen to her…and obey."

Harry nodded, feeling more frustrated with each passing moment.

"I suppose you were told otherwise?" Tytros asked, knowingly.

"I was told they all fought amongst each other…Saaneeraa included," Harry replied flatly.

"Who told you that?" Tytros asked.

"Allison…Cole's niece," Harry replied.

"Cole's niece?" Xondis asked, skeptically. "So this person claiming to be your instructor brought help with him?"

"Yes," Harry nodded.

"Another sign that he is not the real trainer," Xondis replied stiffly.

"Well how is it that Snape is the true instructor then?" Harry asked suddenly. "Did he know about any of this?"

"He would have known as much as you did to begin with. It all goes back to the bloodlines," Xondis replied.

"Well what are the bloodlines then?" Harry asked.

"When you were told about your powers, by Cole I'm assuming," Xondis began, "did he tell you how you came to be a Psion?"

"He just said you never knew who was going to be one…but that the Psion, defender and guardian were all born on the same day…and that basically decided it."

Tytros and Xondis exchanged another skeptical glance, looking almost ready to laugh.

"No I'm afraid it doesn't work that way," Tytros explained gently. "There are four bloodlines for each of the four stations: Psion, defender, guardian and instructor. Now it's true that the three younger stations will be born on the same day, but the fact that they are is pre-determined. Your blood, your heritage decided your station."

"Why would Cole not tell us that?" Neville asked.

"Probably because he'd already told us he'd been doing this for five thousand years," Harry said flatly. "From what it sounds like, each Psion has a different instructor."

"Correct," Xondis nodded. "Cole could very well have been an instructor for a past Psion, but he is certainly not yours."

"Well if he was a past instructor," Malfoy spoke up hastily. "Then why does he not know what he's talking about?"

"Or if he does, why is he lying?" Harry added.

Before anyone else could speak, however, a new voice entered the conversation.

"I'm afraid your time is up," Forden spoke firmly. "Tytros, please bring them back to their school…now."

Tytros nodded immediately and turned to the four students who were already beginning to stand.

"Thank you," Harry said, looking at the three Zlam before him. "I appreciate you doing this for us."

"Just don't expect anything further," Forden said with curt nod. "We have helped you as much as we're going to. I will allow no further interaction between my people and yours."

Harry nodded, having no response for this statement, and began to follow Tytros who motioned for them to follow him.

The trip back to the school grounds was much easier knowing what it was going to feel like and in no time at all, they were back in the forbidden forest. Tytros could take them no closer, as he could still feel the presence of the Fleshcrawlers, but he took them as near to Hogwarts as possible.

The four students wasted no time at all, without any hesitation they started off through the woods, back towards the school. They needed to speak with someone…anyone…to tell them of what they'd learned. Harry didn't know how they were going to figure this out, but they had to get on it as soon as possible.

Just under half an hour later, they reached the edge of the forest, and sprinted across the empty grounds to the school entrance, taking no notice of the utter stillness in the air.

Racing up the steps the four of them burst through the double doors, pausing for a just a moment.

"Headmaster's office?" Neville asked, expectantly.

"Yes," Harry nodded once, and the four again set off, up the long corridor.

They barely slowed down as they turned the corners, racing from hall to hall, and nearly collided with someone coming at them from the other direction who happened to be rounding that particular corner.

"Harry!" Remus cried when he'd realized who'd nearly run him over. "We've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Remus…we have to get to Professor Dumbledore now!" he said, breathlessly.

"What's happened?" Remus asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Where have you been all morning?"

"We've been with Tytros," Harry explained hastily as Remus' eyes widened. "He answered so many questions…but there's still so much…we just have to tell the headmaster…"

"Alright, we will," Remus spoke in a calm voice. "I need you two to go down to your common room, however," he said, looking to Draco and Mel. "All students have been sent to their dorms and you need to check in."

"But…what about," Mel began.

"No arguments about this," Remus said firmly. "I want you both to get down there with the rest of your house, everything will be explained later."

"Is something wrong?" Harry asked suddenly, noticing Remus seemed tense.

"Possibly," Remus replied quietly, nodding his head once. He waited for Draco and Mel to start on their way downstairs, before turning back to Harry and Neville. "Alright you two, let's go."

"Are we going to see Dumbledore?" Neville asked, noticing the strange behavior as well.

"Yes," Remus nodded.

"Why did you have to send Draco and Mel away?" Harry asked.

"Draco needs to be in his dorm where there is a guard stationed," Remus replied. "We know Voldemort will go for him first if he knows he's the defender…"

"Wait…Voldemort would go for him…what's going on?" Harry asked, apprehensively.

"We have found that Voldemort might try an attack on the school," Remus spoke quietly, quickening his pace. "If that's true we need to protect the defender if only to…"

"But Remus, wait!" Harry said, coming to a halt. "We've only just found out…Draco's life isn't linked to mine…Neville's is!"

"What?" Remus asked, uncertainly. "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that," Harry replied quickly. "Neville is the one Voldemort would have to go through to get to me…not Voldemort."

"How did you find this out?" Remus asked in disbelief.

"Tytros," Harry replied simply. "He told us much more too…we have to speak with Dumbledore."

Remus simply stared at Harry for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face, before he spoke again.

"So what we were told…it was all a lie?"

"Yes," Harry nodded. "Cole lied about that…and about the crystals…"

"The crystals?" Remus said in shock. "Do you have any of them with you now?"

Harry hung his head for a moment, knowing he wasn't supposed to have been using any of the stones, but nodded slowly.

"Call it back now," Remus said firmly.

"Okay…why?" Harry replied.

"If he lied about so much I don't want you to use the crystals any more until we know what's going on."

Harry nodded and immediately called the crystal back, watching as it formed once more into a gem and he grasped it in his hand.

"There," Harry said, holding up the stone to show Remus what he'd done, only to see his instructor reach forward and rip it from his grasp.

"Hey…Remus!" Harry yelled in shock and confusion. "What are you…?"

"Here you go, Lucius," Remus called out, looking away from Harry, just up the hall behind them. Harry and Neville both spun as Remus tossed the stone up the corridor, into Lucius Malfoy's waiting hands.

"Hello Potter," Malfoy sneered at Harry, turning the gem over in his hands, admiring it.

Harry could only feel hot anger as he stared at Malfoy, turning as he heard movement behind him. Remus was no longer there, but in his place…was a shapeshifter. He gritted his teeth in frustration, angry at himself for not realizing what was happening sooner. He knew Remus was acting strange, but had assumed it was because of what was happening with Voldemort.

"How did you get out?" Harry asked icily, turning back to Lucius.

"My master always repays his loyal servants," Malfoy replied. "And I could offer him the defender. But thanks to you…I know I don't have to kill my own son."

"But you would have," Harry snapped. "I don't think you would've given it a second thought."

"Who knows," Lucius shrugged, his eyes falling darkly on Neville, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Harry began to slip his hand slowly towards his pocket, when Lucius raised his arm suddenly.

"Stop right there, Potter!" he called. Harry had no choice but to do as he asked, as Lucius' wand was trained on him. "Keep your hands up." Harry lifted his hands slowly and felt the shapeshifter reach into his pocket, pulling out his wand, before doing the same to Neville."

"I suppose there's no point in wasting any time then," Lucius continued pleasantly, as Harry and Neville stood before him, unarmed. "My master will be so pleased."

"What are you going to do?" Harry asked, defiantly.

"Oh…just wait," Lucius replied darkly. "You'll see."

Before Harry could utter another word, Lucius had yelled out his curse, and Harry was out before he hit the floor, seeing nothing but black.