Chapter Twelve The Phoenix

They fought well and after it was done it was a gory sight. Harry was better then the others since he no longer had to call out the spells and his reflexes were lightening quick. The werewolves poured through the opening and were simultaneously stunned and killed by the slashing sword. Blood spewed everywhere and the scent of it made Lupin go crazy. He was throwing himself against the bars of his cage. Harry kept one eye on him and one on the door moving quickly to sidestep a claw or the sharp white teeth that snapped at him.

Snape was like a dancer. He held the sword as the old warriors did and moved flawlessly in circles, lopping off heads and being drenched in blood as he did so. He and Harry worked in front of Ron and Hermione, and Ron in front of her.

It all seemed like a nightmare to Harry and yet he found that he was not afraid to be in battle once again, not afraid of getting bitten or scratched or even killed. He was very pleased that he was working efficiently alongside Snape. He didn't really care if the potion's master admired his new talents but he hoped, if they lived through it all, that it might be enough to stop his perpetual nasty remarks towards him. And it was a silly thing to concern him, he realized as he stepped through pools of blood.

"Hermione! Ron! Cover Lupin!" he shouted during the melee. The man, turned werewolf, had managed to get a claw around the edge of the rotten iron cage and was working it free. His sharp white teeth were tearing at it and he was snarling. Just his body weight alone was going to be enough to break him free. Hermione rounded on him and pointed her wand ready to stun him.

Harry turned back to the door. There were bodies lying at their feet and he could feel the wetness of fresh blood spray on his face and arms. Every step he took made him nudge a severed head with his feet and he was fast beginning to find the floor slippery with the gore. Ron was on the other side of Snape who was standing prepared to attack once again, although it seemed that there were no more coming through.

Harry was breathing hard, rocking slightly back and forth on the balls of his feet, ready to go at it again. The only sound now was Lupin snarling and growling.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed.

He turned in time to see a large furry body launch itself into the air directly over his head. And yet, in that instant he felt no crushing blow or weight falling on him. The wolf had jumped cleanly over his head and landed at Snape's feet.

Harry saw Snape turn. There was no time, not a second to lose.

He shot the spell directly at Lupin without hesitating. It was his favorite stinging spell and it was enough to send the wolf twisting up to do a mid-air acrobatic flip and then drop to the ground on four feet. When Lupin landed he was very close to Snape and the white fangs were inches away from his leg. Snape's arms were in the air holding the sword high, but not in a position to attack the werewolf.

"No!" Harry cried. He once again threw a spell sending Lupin rolling across the room towards the opening in the door. Instead of turning to challenge the four human beings, the wolf ran for it through the opening and sped out into the night.

Thank goodness! were his first thoughts. The very thought of Snape lopping off Lupin's head made his head swim. He leaned over grabbing his knees and waited for the dizziness and nausea to stop. His arms ached and he stood knee deep in dead bodies. It made him want to vomit.

When he raised his head he saw Hermione horror-stricken face and Ron sucking in deep gulps of air. He could see in the moonlight shining through the windows that both were drenched in a black liquid substance that Harry knew to be blood. He glanced at Snape who slowly lowered the sword and stared at him.

"Anyone get scratched?" Harry asked. "Bitten?" They all shook their heads. "Good."

"How awful," Hermione mumbled, lighting her wand and staring down at her feet. "These were human beings before they transformed."

Her wand light illuminated the area and Harry surveyed the bodies lying on the floor thinking that even that little bit of light made the scene even more ghastly. He had not considered the issue since the fight had been upon them and they had reacted almost instinctively. Now he looked at the bodies and felt some relief that he had handed the sword to Snape and had not killed all of these people.

"You know Harry," Ron said softly, "It's probably a good thing you didn't kill them. Dumbledore said your soul was pure and good. If you had murdered these people then it wouldn't be would it? It might have got in the way of killing You-Know-Who."

Harry stared at him dumbfounded and a little anxious that without realizing it he may have given away the secret that they knew about the prophecy to Snape. Why not, Harry thought, he knows everything else.

Hermione looked over at Ron. It was clear she was stunned by his insight and then she began to nod and added, "Yes. That's the essence of it although it's not quite his words. I think he's right, Harry. Murder or killing would naturally draw you to the dark side; it would even be seductive. Your innocence is a strong point, a virtue that...Vol...." she stopped and glanced at Snape and continued, "that the Dark Lord has lost completely. I think it's really important that you don't kill anyone." She looked at him and he could see the worry in her eyes.

Snape was watching him and although his face was also covered in blood Harry could see that he was listening and studying the situation. Harry knew that he had saved the man's life, or had at least saved him from being bitten. He wondered how he was going to deal with it. Harry knew from stories that had been told that Snape had not taken kindly to his father, James, rescuing him from Lupin either.

"Are we safe here?" Ron asked.

Snape answered but was still looking at Harry. "We can set the door up again and shore it up until morning. We may find some other material to use in another room that will help. I think that this is all there is," he glanced down at the bodies, " and Lupin won't return tonight. "

Hermione turned her wand on herself and began to clean the substance that was now turning sticky from her face and hands and then did the same to Ron. Harry nodded to her and she did the same for him. It was only then that Snape began to move. He used his wand to levitate the bodies out through the open doorway and into the dark where Harry decided that he was disposing of them in some empty room.

Together, he and Ron and Hermione did the best they could to remove the large quantities of congealing blood from the floor, although it was mixed with the dust and rot of the ages and it was more like removing globs of dough. Snape returned with more wood and once again lifted the door and set it in place with a spell.

When they were satisfied that it was all they could do, they sat on the floor and rested. Once again Snape remained standing, although he placed the silver sword in front of Harry.

Harry noticed that the blade was clean and there was no gore stuck to it. He also knew what was coming next. He watched Snape standing in the shadows and couldn't read his face. He has to wonder, he must want to ask questions, Harry thought.

They remained together for a long time until Hermione fell asleep with her head in Ron's lap and him leaning against a wall. Harry didn't want to disturb them since it was clear that they needed time alone. It gave him a little jolt of remorse that they had each other to lean on in a time like this and once again he was alone without anyone to console him.

He stood and walked to a window and watched the white face of the moon. It seemed to be bigger then usual and he thought maybe it was an illusion created by being in the high tower. He felt Snape's presence next to him.

"Did I hear you right Potter?' Snape asked keeping his voice low. "Did you say Horcruxes?"

Harry didn't turn to look at him but nodded. "Yes. That's what I said." He waited for the next question that didn't come. There was a long silence and he turned to the man. "There are seven. Dumbledore spent years researching Riddle's family history going all the way back to his grandfather and his mother. He was looking for objects that Riddle might have used to make the Horcruxes. He found a ring that belonged to Slytherin and was passed down to the Gaunts which were Riddles mother's side of the family. Dumbledore destroyed that one and it is what ruined his hand."

Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione who was now awake and watching them. " Ive already told you about the diary. Merope Gaunt, Riddle's mother, had a locket. It was her only valuable possession left to her and she sold it for ten galleons just before she gave birth to him. Dumbledore and I went to a place where Riddle hid it and we retrieved it. That was the night that you....that he was killed. The Dark Lord set traps. One of them was a bowl that Dumbledore drank from. The locket was at the bottom and couldn't be reached any other way other than to drink the liquid in it." Harry once again watched Snape's face as he continued, "He became crazy and mad for water and the only way I could give him water was to take it from a lake filled with Inferi."

At this Snape took a deep breath and his face grew even grimmer and yet he remained silent.

"He was very sick when we apparated back to Hogsmeade. He told me to fetch you. But Madam Rosmerta told us about the Dark Lord's mark hanging over the castle and Dumbledore roused himself and we flew to the astronomy tower. He...I think he was very close to death," Harry sighed. He remembered in detail the moments that followed. "He told me to fetch you once again and I was about to do that when we heard noises. With his last ounce of strength he froze me to the wall and I was under the invisibility cloak. Draco came through the door and after that other Death Eaters. Draco was supposed to kill Dumbledore but couldn't do it."

Harry felt a strange sensation rising in his chest. He felt the tears of frustration, and sorrow and anger rising all at one time. When he spoke again he choked a little and then pushed on, "It was when you arrived. You pushed Draco aside. Dumbledore pleaded with you and you killed him without hesitation."

There was a heavy silence and Snape spoke, "I did not kill Dumbledore."

Harry studied the pale face in the moonlight. He didn't care, he told himself. Dumbledore was still dead and it didn't change anything. He turned away and continued, "Dumbledore said there are six Horcruxes and one that remains inside the body. We can account for the ring, the diary and the locket. I understand that there was also a cup owned by Hufflepuff..." he heard Snape inhale abruptly once again and he went on, "....Dumbledore thinks Nagini, his snake, is one and that leaves two."

Hermione had risen and walked towards them. She stood nearby listening and Harry glanced at her trying to keep his face unreadable.

"Do you know what the others are?" Snape asked.

Harry shook his head. He did not want to tell him what he had guessed only a short time before. "It seems that Riddle was choosing objects that he had a special interest in. There was the Slytherin ring, Riddle's diary that he kept while he was at Hogwarts and Dumbledore thought that Riddle wanted an object from the three other Hogwarts Houses, like the Hufflepuff cup; from Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. He believed that Riddle had a sentimental attachment to Hogwarts."

"Therefore the sword," Snape said. "You took it from Hogwarts."

Harry nodded and looked at him once again but remained silent.

"So it is not the sword," Snape mused. His hand rested on the window ledge and he stared at the moon. There were still streaks of blood on his face darkened by the moonshine so that it looked like boot black. It made him look like on of the old Celtic warriors who painted their faces for battle. Harry was sure the muggle reference would escape Snape altogether.

Harry was thinking about that when Snape spoke again. "It is not the snake either."

"Are you sure, Professor......Mr. Snape?" Hermione stuttered.

He nodded, looking a little surprised that she was speaking directly to him.

"Yes, I think I can be sure," Snape answered. "Dumbledore did not confide in me. If he had, I would have told him that his guess was wrong."

"Why do you suppose he didn't confide in you?" Harry asked. "It took him a long time to do all of this research and you never knew what he was doing. That doesn't speak of trust Snape." He squared off to him and they were feet apart. The air thickened with tension.

Snape backed off first. "If you still don't believe me, Potter, then why did you stop Lupin from biting me?" He turned away. "I believe that you will need my help in finding these objects and destroying them. I assume you have the locket?"

Harry nodded.

"Perhaps we should set aside our feelings and discuss them another day. Until then we should focus on getting out of this castle."

Hermione and Harry glanced at one another and back to him. "Why? Is it a problem?" Harry asked. "More werewolves?"

Snape didn't answer. He strolled to the door and peered through cracks in it. Ron joined them watching Snape.

"It's not werewolves Harry," Ron said and looked worried. "We're in Gryffindor's castle."

Harry nodded. "Okay, so what?"

Hermione also looked perplexed. "What is it, Ron?"

Their friend turned to them and lowered his voice. "Weren't you a bit surprised that we couldn't apparate? If you try it now you'll find you can't do it now either; I tried. This castle is like a legend in our world. It's swallowed wizards up so they are never to be seen again. Bright lights are seen in and around it and the Ministry sends wizards out to figure out what they are. Even dad's been out here. Everyone knows about it, it's the castle and the whole area surrounding it, Harry. It's the Hollows. " He glanced over at Snape and back to them. "He's worried that maybe we're in a trap of our own making. It's said that when you enter Gryffindor's castle it's like a time turner and that's why wizards disappear. They disappear into time."

Hermione listened and her frown deepened. "Really! I've never heard of this, Ron. I read the Hogwarts: A History and it never mentioned it and it covers the history of all the founders."

Harry was also listening and once again his eye wandered over the paintings on the walls, although they were now obscured by darkness. "Hermione?!"

"Yes, Harry?" she answered still staring at Ron. "What?"

"You know Hermione I don't think there are ten people in the world that have actually read Hogwarts; A History from cover to cover."

She shook her head and tried not to smile. "I don't see what that's got to do with the situation we're in Harry. If what Ron says is true we should be trying to leave here if we can."

"I don't know about that, Hermione," Ron said quickly. "It might be best if we wait until it's light out. We're not going to be able to figure out a trap in the dark; if there is one." He shivered and surveyed the darkened room and without looking at Harry said, "Go on mate. What were you thinking?"

"Hermione you've read the book and it tells all about the founders of Hogwarts, about their lives and so on?"

"Yes," she answered.

"And you have an excellent memory," he added.

"Well thank you, Harry," she said puzzled, and started to continue until he interrupted.

"There's a woman I met earlier today....oh, well....yesterday," he corrected himself. "Her name was Elizabeth Higgins, and she lived near my parent's house. She gave me directions."

"What 's this got to do with anything?" Ron asked. He was watching Snape over his shoulder.

"Shhh, Ron!" Hermione cautioned, "Let him finish."

Harry was momentarily irritated. It was hard enough to put into words what he was trying to put together in his own mind. He knew that if he reached for it a little longer that the whole idea would solidify. He was also afraid it would vanish into thin air if he didn't put words to it. "She was a strange woman and she had loads of stuff in her house, even a collection of things from Hogwarts."

"Like a junk shop?" Hermione asked.

"What's a junk shop?" Ron asked.

Harry ignored Ron's question and went on, "No, not like that. More like a museum; a collection." He emphasized the word. " I was trying to put together the book Hogwarts: A History and her house and her collection. It seems important." He was biting his lip and trying to make a connection.

"She's like a historian, Harry?" Hermione was knitting her brows together and throwing out suggestions. "Maybe a antique dealer, a museum curator, a...a... an.....archeologist?" It was clear that Ron didn't understand a thing they were talking about since she was using muggle terms. "Who else has collections?" she pondered aloud.

"Yes!" Harry said jabbing a finger at her. "That's it! I couldn't think of the word before but that's exactly what she was- an archeologist- but not a muggle one, she was a witch. Except that she said she wasn't a very good one. But I think that's exactly what she was. Her collection was so weird. Only someone like an archeologist would have one like it or maybe a museum curator."

"Okay," Hermione replied and seemed puzzled. "She collected objects from the four founders of Hogwarts, and?"

Harry turned to the wall he had seen earlier and placed his hands on it. "There's a picture here. It's very dull and worn away. If this was Gryffindor's castle it would have been a scene painted in his time. And there was a golden phoenix in it." Harry pressed his head against the wall straining to understand what he was trying to tell them. "Dumbledore had Fawkes."

"Oh, yes!" Hermione said excitedly. "Hogwarts: A History says that Fawkes once belonged to Gryffindor." She stepped to the wall and looked at it even if it couldn't be seen in the dark. "Wait. What's that got to do with anything?"

Harry turned to her "Can that be possible? Can Fawkes be that old?"

Hermione and Ron nodded and Ron answered, "Oh yes, it's possible. Phoenix are immortal, Harry. They burn up and are reborn in the ashes."

A Phoenix, a phoenix. Where have I seen one besides on this wall? he wondered. Did I see one at Mrs. Higgins, in her collection? Was that where I saw it? A golden figure- a small statue- sitting on a shelf. He could barely remember it. Was it a statue of a phoenix, he wondered. Or am I imagining things.

Hermione and Ron were still watching him expectantly.

Snape was walking towards them and Harry realized that the room was a smidgeon lighter then it had been all night. He glanced out the window and saw that the moon was on it's descent and that the sky was growing lighter as it did just before dawn. He could also see in the dim distance the smudge where his parents house stood although the shape was indistinct.

Did I see it there? he questioned, or at the Higgins house? And at once he knew what he was thinking about. A statue of a phoenix-The Phoenix- Fawkes. And it was in the cottage table next to the stairs at the entryway. It had looked out of place and somehow his mind had caught that bit of trivia and he had remembered it. Perhaps it was because his thoughts about Dumbledores death had yet to fade and anything that was connected to him stood out. He didnt know. What he did know was that he wasnt going to tell anyone until he had a chance to check it out himself.

"We should try to leave now," Snape said.

Hermione was still watching Harry and waiting for him to tell them what their conversation had been leading to. He shook his head a little and followed Snape out.