/
Chapter thirty six
A test for loyalty
/
Sitting in one of the kitchen chairs, Harry was patiently waiting for a tall man in Muggle clothes to attach a tiny black device inside his sleeve. He saw something similar in action movies his cousin Dudley used to watch in the Dursley's living room. Of course, only when he was lucky enough to be allowed to sit on the floor in the corner, trying to catch a glimpse of TV screen over his cousin's massive frame…
It seemed so damn long ago. Harry would have never imagined back then that he himself would carry something like that, acting a spy from secret agency.
The forty-year-old man, who had been assigned to this task by the Prime Minister of Great Britain himself, seemed rather nervous. He was controlling himself only thanks to the training he had received as an MI5 special agent, and also thanks to his daughter, who was quite calm even though she was there on that weird place with him. Agent Cohen would never have thought that a nice girl like Hermione Granger, who had been Bridget's friend ever since they were only small kids, could have anything to do with these strange people.
It was hard for him to believe that everything around him was really happening, that it was not only a crazy dream. Until that moment, he had not managed to fully recover from a rather wild transfer through the fireplace to this dark wannabe kitchen yet. First of all, some strange pet that looked like a very ugly gnome spat on the floor in front of him, and then a scarred man tapped his precious and very expensive computer several times with a wooden stick. Cohen was not able to find any meaning to those happenings.
Agent turned away from the silent boy, whose expressive eyes behind the round glasses were making him even more anxious and sat down at the table behind his computer device. He was somewhat unnerved by the amount of stares fixed on him. His daughter approached and squeezed his shoulders.
"Just try it, Dad," she encouraged him.
As per Hermione´s advice, Bridget was the first whom they convinced about the urgency of the whole situation. Then together with Aberforth Dumbledore, they focused on her father, conveniently freaked out by a phone call from the Prime Minister. And in the end, they all gathered on the Grimmauld Place.
Incredulously, Agent Cohen tried to turn on the black computer, even though it was not plugged in anywhere. He stared blankly as Windows lit up in front of him without any problems.
"See?" Hermione Granger noted with a smile. "I told you it would work."
Not exactly happy about being lectured by a mere girl, Agent Cohen started the search program frowning. He connected to the designated satellite and a greenish map of the British Isles appeared on the screen. After a tense moment, a tiny red dot started flashing in the southeast of London. The signal was weak, but still persistent.
Agent Cohen finally nodded: "It´s all right," he confirmed.
Hermione could not be more relieved and the others breathed out as well.
"So, if we pick up the signal from such a well-protected place as this house is, it's almost certain that we'll see it from… hum, Voldemort´s base," the young witch spoke rather uneasily, eyeing the zoomed-in map of London. "Well, at least I hope so..."
Without a word, Ron moved to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist in a reassuring gesture.
"It's also one of the most modern transmitters available to MI5 now, isn't it, Dad?" the slim blonde girl showed off proudly.
Her statement made her father once again regret that she had ever figured out what his job was and convinced him that she wanted to do in the future as well.
Harry Potter looked at the large clock on the wall, which showed eight o'clock in the evening. Then he moved his meaningful gaze to Remus Lupin, who was sitting across from him. The serious werewolf returned his look for a moment, before he got up from his seat and walked out of the kitchen. Harry watched him leave, but remained seated.
Hermione dragged her friend Bridget to the corner of the kitchen, where they started whispered something. Ron sat down next to his brothers, who were probably thinking of their sister and mother who were both in hospital at the moment and Aberforth Dumbledore was looking at the quietly humming machine on the table with considerable disbelief. Agent Cohen shifted nervously in his chair again.
Hermione returned to the table with Bridget.
"Harry… What if it doesn't work out?" Hermione spoke suddenly, doubting the Muggle convenience. "What if we won't pick up the signal from over there, what if they catch you, what if…"
"Our plan will work," Harry cut her off quietly. "Believe me, Hermione."
She still looked disapproving, but did not raise more objections.
"Why someone else cannot do this?" Tonks complained then as well. "Why must you go, Harry?"
"Because I've already been there once," Harry reacted firmly. "Not to mention that I won't let anyone else to take risks for me. Not anymore."
"You rely on a mere chance too much," Remus Lupin spoke seriously then, as he had already returned, clutching an extra wand in his hand.
Harry looked up at him. "And on luck, too," he responded determined. "But I just have to try."
Everyone was looking at him now, each worried or anxious.
Harry stood up and walked over to his former teacher and current friend. They exchanged a long look. Remus was once again painfully reminded of how much Harry resembled his parents… And not just in appearance. While Harry stared intently at the man, who meant so much more to him, than just a link to his late parents and Sirius.
Then Remus finally reached out and Harry took the precious wand from his hand without the slightest hesitation. He felt much better, holding it again.
Then he took a deep breath, walked around Remus and headed up the stairs. The others followed him quietly, as if they had agreed on it in advance. Only Lupin lingered a moment longer, as he took something from one of the kitchen cupboards first. In the kitchen, only Agent Cohen, his daughter Bridget, and Kreacher were left, who was watching the two Muggles with quite a hateful expression.
Up in the main corridor, Harry pulled on a black hoodie over his shirt and dark jacket. He tucked his wand deep into his jeans pocket and turned to those who had come to see him off. All the other wizards and witches were already waiting at the gathering place, where they would probably be waiting for a much longer time.
Arthur Weasley approached him first and squeezed his hand tightly. He had already heard what happened with Ginny, but he did not blame Harry for it. He did not say anything even in that moment. Harry nodded his head, wordless as well. Fred and George each grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Good luck, Bro," they both said at once as usual, only unusually serious and stepped back.
Bill, Charlie, and Percy also shook his right hand, though each in a different way. Molly Weasley did not come to say goodbye. She stayed with Ginny, who was in an induced sleep. Harry was not surprised. He could tell from her behavior that she was blaming him for what happened with her daughter .
Hermione threw herself around his neck with tears in her eyes and clung to him as if she never wanted to let him go. Harry´s throat was so tight at that moment that he did not even notice that she had discreetly attached something to the hood of his sweatshirt.
"Take care, Harry…"
He was not able to react, so he just nodded. Hermione pulled away from him and quickly lowered her eyes so he would not see how hard she was trying to hold back the tears. Aberforth Dumbledore handed him the silvery cloak he had kept with him until now. Harry slowly folded it and stuffed it into his jacket.
"My brother trusted you, Mr. Potter," the old wizard stated calmly. "And I believe you too."
Harry nodded his head solemnly. Then he was already lost in the arms of recently arrived Hagrid, whose eyes were shining and he was hugging him with his paws in such a way that Harry thought he might break every bone in his body. Tonks, on the other hand, hugged him tenderly and kissed him on the cheek for good luck.
Then Ron approached him. They watched each other for a while. They did not need words. They already told each other what needed to be said. They squeezed each other's hand firmly, and then Ron gave him a pat on the back and managed to add a small smile, which Harry did not return.
Lupin was the last to stand before him. He grasped both Harry´s shoulders and looked into his eyes. He returned his gaze seriously. He could see in his tired face how much Remus was worried about him. And how much he probably meant to him. Anxiety gripped his throat again as he realized that what he was planning to do, would probably hurt this man the most.
"Don't take any chances, okay?" Lupin urged. "Wait until we arrive."
Harry just nodded again; Remus squeezed his shoulders hard once more and then let him go. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial of bright orange liquid.
"I suppose this is what you wanted…" he remarked curtly, handing it to him.
Harry gratefully took it from him and carefully stowed it deep in his pocket. Then he took one last look around, trying to remember the people he cared about and believed he would never see again.
And that's just because you want to play the hero again... his inner voice commented.
Harry did not know what he should or could say, so he preferred to stay silent. The only thing that gave him some comfort was that they would be safe. He looked over at Hermione, Ron and Remus again and managed to pull out an encouraging smile on his face.
"I'll see you soon," he said with firm self-control in his voice and quickly turned away from them.
Harry opened the door and without turning back, he walked out into the dark. The door slammed behind him with a heavy thud.
The deafening silence ruled over the hall. Everyone blamed themselves for letting him go alone, but they also knew that there was nothing they could do about it now. They had to trust Harry and focus on being able to help him later.
Without a word, Bill, Charlie, and Percy made their way downstairs to the kitchen, to use the fireplace to transfer to the assembly area. Aberforth took his leave to arrange something else and apparated as soon as he was out the door. Hagrid slid into the single armchair near the fireplace across from the faded outline of Mrs. Black's painting.
"We'll probably be waiting for a long time," Mr. Weasley finally broke the silence in the hall. "Maybe you should go get some sleep," he turned to the younger generation present, including his sons.
Fred, George, Ron and Hermione looked at him.
"Will Harry be resting?" asked Ron quietly.
His father remained silent, realizing there was no proper answer.
Hermione took Ron's hand and the two also made their way down the stairs to the kitchen, back to Bridget and her father, with the twins following them. Mr. Weasley and Remus Lupin looked at each other quietly, with sudden understanding.
/
The borrowed Invisibility Cloak from Alastor Moody's estate fitted Harry quite well. He did not even have to care about keeping its ends together much since it was big enough to cover him completely.
Shady Knockturn Alley looked even more terrifying than usually – dark, dirty, crammed with various junk, the freezing wind blowing through it. Only night pubs were open yet, yellowish light and clouds of smoke seeping outside each time some door opened.
Harry walked through the entire street back and forth several times before he was satisfied with a few places where he could possibly hide unseen even without his cloak, in case things would have gone awry.
He also found out how most wizards usually got to the infamous alley. There was a special Apparition spot for these needs, right next to the pub called ´Black Boar´. It was covered like yard of a mushroom shop.
Including the Boar, Harry checked four other not-so-clean pubs, always waiting for someone to go in or out, in order not to raise suspicion of the door opening on its own. He was also glad that it was not snowing so he would not leave wet footprints on the floor.
However, he was not lucky. Maybe Lupin was right. He relied on chance too much. But from various rumors, they were told that Voldemort's followers appeared quite often on the Knockturn Alley. But before a spy brought it to the Order, either they were already gone, or someone had warned them.
Harry decided to wait by the mushroom shop. When no one was in sight, he threw a couple of old boxes and three broken chairs, which for some reason were lying around, on the shapeless pile, so that everyone had to pass under the dimly glowing lamp on the wall near the exit.
He waited an hour. Then two. The clock was already ticking toward midnight. The wind stopped and it started to snow. Only three pubs remained open on the street, where all the persistent people flocked. He was hungry, tired, his legs were already tingling from standing for a long time, but he did not care. He was going to wait there for the whole day if necessary.
And then… Finally, some luck stuck to him. He held his breath when he saw a familiar face under the black hood. He slowly made his way behind the small group and also noticed three other figures following them.
The hooded wizards walked into the Black Boar, which did not surprise Harry at all. He slipped in there too, along with the other three. Five – to him quite familiar faces, not only from the warning posters on the Diagon Alley, sat down in a dark corner at a larger table and ordered Firewhiskey. The tall and hulking bartender with a bushy beard almost bumped into Harry as he rushed to fulfill their wish.
Harry stood in the empty dark corner and braced himself for more waiting.
/
Angela Rosier Black was sitting on her heels, staring at her hands with broken nails folded in her lap. The pretty ring was faintly sparkling on her left middle finger in the gloomy light. She kept swaying slowly back and forth, the strands of long disheveled hair covering her face with wide-open and distant eyes.
The Dark Lord was gripping his wand a little tighter than was necessary. It was more than apparent that he had just enough of dealings with the rebellious girl. His servants standing on both sides of the black throne watched him with great caution, not eager to become the target for Voldemort´s discontent. Besides them, there were only four other Death Eaters in the room.
"Severus…" the Lord hissed the name curtly.
The addressed wizard limped forward from the line.
"Yes, Master?" he asked with his head quite low.
"Veritaserum. Now," the long awaited order came.
Voldemort´s words caused a stir among his followers, who kept observing that wreck of a human being in front of them with disbelief and skepticism. Only Merlin knew if the potion of truth would still have an effect on her.
It was shocking how much someone could change in a single day... The formerly lively and pretty witch did not react at all. She just kept rocking her whole body on her heels.
Snape pulled a small vial of clear liquid out from his robes and gave a meaningful stare to the other two present Death Eaters. Surprisingly without question, Crabbe and Goyle lifted the girl up to her wobbly legs and grabbed her face to prevent her from moving. Snape roughly opened her mouth and poured the entire content of the vial into her throat until she gagged. Her eyes darkened and turned even more absent then before.
Snape retreated, but the other two kept holding the young Black. Lord Voldemort stood up. He walked right up to the girl and turned her face to him with the tip of his wand until she finally looked at him.
One of the last present figures in black watched the whole scene motionless from a place next to his father, glad that nobody was paying him an attention in the moment…
"What is your name?" the Dark Lord asked coldly.
Only an indeterminate grunting escaped the girl´s bitten lips.
Voldemort hissed something impatiently and gave the wordless order to Bellatrix Lestrange. She quickly approached and attached her wand to the girl's throat. For a moment, the warm blue light covered the girl´s neck, before it went out. The Death Eater promptly backed away again.
"What's your name?" repeated Voldemort impatiently.
"Angela Mary Rosier Black," the girl replied in a clear, but very strange voice.
The wizard smirked contentedly, before he continued: "Did you kill your mother Mary?"
"Yes, by accident."
Voldemort swirled with his wand slowly, obviously calmer now.
"Who is the Secret Keeper of Fidelius Charm that protects the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Harry Potter," Angela replied immediately.
Under his mask, Draco blinked in surprise. So, it was really Potter in the end...
"Describe me where it is."
"I can't say that," Angela replied somewhat shakily.
The Dark Lord looked displeased, but not surprised. "Is it a house?"
"Yes."
"Whose?"
"My father's."
Draco had to admit that the Dark Lord was no fool. He was smart about figuring that information out.
"Black? So, they settled in the Black´s mansion…" Voldemort turned to Lucius Malfoy. "Do we know its location?"
"Unfortunately not, sir," Malfoy shook his head. "But we can look through the old records at the Ministry."
"Later…" Voldemort hissed, turning back to the girl. "Who taught you the Occlumency?"
"My aunt Marion."
"My former servant… But that's not all. How were you able to defend yourself for so long?"
"I have… certain powers," passed Angela's lips.
"What do you mean? What powers?"
"To see…" the girl whispered and stopped.
"See what?" Voldemort urged.
The girl remained silent.
If the Dark Lord did not know how to control himself well, he would start to grind his teeth in rage. She was starting to resist it. It was unbelievable, but after all that, she was starting to resist the potion's pressure.
"Where did you get these powers?" the Lord asked harshly.
"I am the successor…" Angela began, and then stopped again.
"Of whom?"
The Dark Lord did not get a reaction anymore.
"Answer me, you little chump!"
"Elessandra…" Angela whispered helplessly.
Voldemort frowned. He had heard this name before...
"That Seer…" the Lord remembered.
Nott burst into the room unexpectedly and hastily made way to his boss.
"What is it?" Voldemort snapped at the newcomer.
"Something is happening, Master!" the Death Eater blurted as he fell to his knees. "Wizards and witches have been on the move. We found that they´re gathering somewhere, and that it´s most likely organized by the Order of the Phoenix."
Draco Malfoy raised his head in his father's shadow.
"So… Are they up to something?" Voldemort smirked.
"Most likely, Master. There isn't even a foot on Diagon Alley. Even the bank is closed, although it is normally open twenty-four hours. The office of editors of the Daily Prophet the same. And they're over-strengthening the hospital security."
There was silence in the room. Anyone, who dared to look up at that moment, would see a smug smile on the face of the Dark Lord.
"Whatever it is, they have no chance against me," Voldemort said coldly. "Nott, take the Mulciber and find out as much as you can about their activity. I'll call others in the meantime. Now go!"
The Death Eater trotted away with a bow.
"Now, back to you my dear…" Voldemort turned to Angela.
The short pause allowed the girl to gather the bits of her resistance. She was able to recover a little and was starting to control herself. Draco could tell; she was not slouching nearly as much anymore.
"Elessandra was a Seer," the Lord started the interrogation again. "She could see the future. Does that mean you can see it too?"
"Yes," Angela replied. "In my dreams."
Voldemort snorted in contempt. "And you didn't see that you´ll be captured? Then what good are they to you?"
"Those dreams don't come on command. I can't control it," the girl explained quietly.
Voldemort heard defiance in her reply. She was looking at him differently, with her eyes more clear. He recognized that Veritaserum was useless. It was unbelievable, but she was able to stand against him again.
Upset, he cast the Cruciatus Curse on her. In a fit of pain and scream, Angela broke free from the Death Eaters' grip and fell to the ground, where she kept shaking helplessly.
"No matter how hard you fight," Voldemort hissed leaning above her. "You will lose yourself in the end, little Black."
The poor witch did not have the strength to react.
"Take her away!" Voldemort snapped at Crabbe and Goyle.
They immediately rushed to carry out his wish.
"Severus! Your arm!" the next order came and the Death Eater rolled up the sleeve of his left arm.
/
His head was starting to ache from the lack of fresh air and his hands were stiff in spasm from holding the Invisibility Cloak close to his body. Yet, Harry was still waiting patiently. He was almost afraid to believe it, when it seemed that his moment finally came.
All the Death Eaters, so far apparently having a great time, somewhat stiffened suddenly and two of them subconsciously scratched their left arm. Harry was greatly relieved to notice that small gesture. This was exactly what he needed – for Voldemort to call them. Otherwise, it would be useless to follow them.
The drunk wizards threw several Sickles on the greasy table and stood up hastily. Reacting on it right away, Harry reached for the tiny transmitter inside of his sleeve and released the clips holding it on the spot. Without the slightest hesitation, he tossed the tracking device to the ground and stomped on it ruthlessly. It broke with a quiet crunch. That sound paradoxically calmed him down. He meant what he had told his friends – he was not going to risk any more lives, except his own.
The wizards quickly headed for the exit, with Harry on their heels like a shadow. As soon as they were outside, he stuck as close to them as was only possible. They could even hear his breathing, if they focused on it. Harry knew they would not go far, so he risked it.
They threw the hoods over their heads and headed into a darker alley next to the mushroom shop. He had to catch up the right moment; there was no other way to do it. He tensed up as the wizards in front of him slowed down.
Harry took a deep breath, reached out and gently grabbed one Death Eater for his cloak, but in a way that the wizard did not notice. He held his breath tensely, when they stopped. Harry focused only on the man within his reach and firmly grabbed his arm right in the moment when the dark wizard decided to apparate…
/
There was stifling silence in the underground kitchen, interrupted only by cooler of the personal computer humming on the table, or by the occasional creaking of some chair or by nervous footsteps.
The huge hearth lit up with bright green flames twice already, the eager head of someone from the secret gathering place of wizards peeking out of it. The first time it happened, both Agent Cohen and his daughter Bridget nearly had a heart attack. It took a while before Hermione managed to calm them down.
Apart from two Muggles, Ron with Hermione, Remus with Tonks and Fred with George were still there. Mr. Weasley was at the hospital with his wife and daughter, while his two oldest sons were at the meeting place. Percy was somewhere with Council Chairman Merogh and Hagrid was still working out the details with the centaurs.
Margaret Shiernov, Professor McGonagall and Aberforth Dumbledore also joined those nervously waiting in the kitchen an hour ago. Neville and Daria, who could not stand it any longer at the gathering, also came there through the fireplace.
Some were sitting, while others were standing or leaning against the wall, and the rest pacing nervously either around the kitchen or up and down the stairs. Everyone was tense and kept squinting at the glowing screen. Everything was arranged; they could only wait now. They were waiting if Harry would be able to carry out his crazy plan.
The signal from the young wizard´s transmitter had not moved for a long time. Even though the Knockturn Alley was well hidden in front of Muggles, they were able to capture his location via the satellite.
"Hermione!" the blonde girl suddenly breathed out in surprise. "We lost that signal…" she announced from her spot next to her father.
Dismay fell upon the underground kitchen. Everyone huddled around the Muggles and their device.
"What?!" Ron let out heavily, piercing the monitor with a reproachful look, though Hermione looked strangely calm. Daria, on the other hand, turned completely white.
"How do you mean you lost it?" asked Aberforth impatiently.
"You're not serious!" Ron snapped at Mr. Cohen before he could even react to Dumbledore's question.
"Calm down, Ron," Hermione soothed him. "All of you as well. I suspected that much…"
"How can you be so calm, Hermione?" Tonks could not understand her behavior.
"I made some precaution," the young witch replied.
"What do you mean?" Lupin turned to her.
"Mr. Cohen?" she turned to the adult Muggle instead of answering. "Switch the tracking to your spare radio transmitter, please."
Quite reproachfully, Mr. Cohen turned to his daughter.
"What?" Bridget shrugged innocently. "Hermione begged me for it. Dad, please… Just try it."
Her father sighed again and typed a new command on the keyboard.
Everyone waited tensely, but at first, nothing appeared. Agent Cohen intensified the search by adding the supporting satellite. And then finally – a faint signal appeared on the screen somewhere far in the north of Britain. Everyone present breathed out in relief.
"I gave the second tracking device inside Harry's hood, so he couldn't get rid of it," satisfied Hermione explained.
Her boyfriend gave her an approving and admiring look. "I didn't like that plan of his either," Ron remarked quietly. "Now I know why. We´re lucky to have you, Hermione," he kissed her lovingly on the cheek.
"Can you zoom this in?" Lupin urged Cohen. "We don't have much time and we need to find out the exact location."
"Of course," the man nodded.
Bridget, knowledgeable in geography, leaned toward the screen.
"Northern Scotland," she murmured as she focused on the greenish outlines. "The Caledonian Mountains. There´s nothing around there, it´s inhabited territory."
"I don't see where the signal could be coming from either," muttered Mr. Cohen confused. "Bridget's right when she says there's nothing. It's just an arid mountain range and no place to…"
"Great position," Aberforth Dumbledore muttered, oblivious to Cohen's objections.
The Muggle looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"But how can we be sure it's the right place?" professor McGonagall spoke up.
"It is," Lupin answered her with certainty. "If Harry wasn't sure he would be able to apparate to Voldemort's mansion with them, he wouldn't have destroyed that transmitter."
"I´m sure you're right about that," Hermione agreed. "Bridget, you need to be more specific. Isn't there a waypoint nearby? Anything at all."
The blonde girl was already peering on the monitor, trying to figure out the geographical location of the place from where the signal was still flickering weakly.
"Well… It's about two miles from the top of Ben Nevis," she concluded then.
"Someone will have to check it out first," said Ron gloomily.
"While others will have to stay here…" Remus remarked, meaningfully staring at Tonks, but the witch pretended not to see it.
"Let´s do it then!" stated Dumbledore sharply. "Harry's out there alone and he's relying on us."
"No, he´s not…" Hermione mumbled, getting up from the table after the long sitting. "On the very opposite – he assumes that we will remain sitting here safely."
They all knew it was true and were all the more determined to help him.
"Margaret, please go to the Aurors commander. Let him give the order to attack as we had planned," Dumbledore addressed Shiernov. "Then follow us to the assembly hall."
The former Hogwarts professor nodded and ran up the stairs and outside to apparate.
/
As soon as Harry felt the fresh air and solid ground under his feet again, he let go of his guide and, still hidden under the Invisibility Cloak, he stepped aside and crouched down. He managed it barely in time. Rodolphus Lestrange turned around and the Stunning spell flew through just where Harry had been a moment ago.
"Are you out of your mind!?" the Death Eater guarding the apparition area in front of the castle bristled as the ugly spell nearly hit him.
"What's going on?" asked Avery, who was the second Death Eater to apparate.
"Someone tagged along with me!" Lestrange snapped angrily. "Grabbed my arm in the alley, just before the apparition! And they´re here!"
"What!?" the patrolling Rookwood yelped, pulling his wand out, just like the others. "You can't be serious!"
"Why should I be kidding?!" Lestrange retorted, looking around intently.
The five Death Eaters who had just arrived and the two patrollers stood in a circle back to back and systematically began searching the entire area. Harry backed away from them as far as he could to the high, stony wall and moved along it cautiously.
"How can you be so stupid? Why did you apparate here?" Avery fumed, throwing another curse in front of him. He almost took down the Death Eater who had just appeared on the square.
"Hey! What the hell?!" the new incomer growled.
"Have you ever tried to stop mid-apparition!?" Rodolphus snapped at Avery grumpily.
While they were arguing like this, Harry kept moving on sneakily to the closed gate. In the dense darkness that prevailed everywhere, only the distant outline of the castle could be seen. He remained standing out of the torch light even though he was under his cloak, just to be sure. He checked the group of angry Death Eaters behind him first, before he closed his eyes for a moment.
Angela? Angie? Please… Can you hear me?
Even though he thought it would be probably useless, he had to try. He focused even more and sent his calling forward again.
Angela…!
There was nothing but silence on the other side. A handful of Death Eaters behind him had grown more intense, as they were constantly searching the entire area in front of the gate.
Harry did not know what Voldemort had been doing to his love all that time, but he could imagine Angela would not have the strength to reply even if she heard him. But he still hoped. He stared intently at the wall, concentrating on keeping his mind clear and open.
Harry…?
He winced in surprise. That voice was faint and terribly distant, but it was definitely his girl.
Angela! Darling, it's me!
Harry… Why?
Where are you? Harry asked quickly, ignoring Lestrange who was heading in his direction suspiciously.
No… he just got a clear rejection. In her voice, in addition to terrible fatigue, Harry also heard pain and something else, something strange that he did not like at all.
Please! Where are you? he pressed on.
Angela did not reply. Harry finally noticed slow footsteps and he turned his head.
Rodolphus was right behind him, looking suspiciously right at the place where he stood. Harry stopped his breathing. The Death Eater raised his wand and uttered a sharp incantation. Harry resisted the urge to apparate away and waited with his wand ready.
The bluish haze of the spell fell on everything around, but nothing happened. Finally, Lestrange turned back to his colleagues who were still systematically searching the grounds. Harry let out an inaudible exhale. It was a Revealing charm and that only applied to the conjured invisibility, not on the Cloak.
Avery spoke urgently to two other Death Eaters and then they headed for the gate. They obviously wanted to go inside, probably to report this issue to Voldemort.
Angela, please… Harry tried again.
Down there… Where… Lupin…
All right. I'm coming for you, he said encouragingly, following the Death Eaters. At the same time, he pulled a miniature broom out from his pocket. The gate was high enough, so it should work out.
Harry…
Conserve your strength, he stopped her forcefully and with a non-verbal incantation made the broom grow to its normal size. The Invisibility Cloak tightened around him, but still covered him well enough. Two Death Eaters were arguing with the guard at the gate, who had their wands drawn.
Harry knew how much he was risking when he mounted the broom. If they happened to look up, they would surely see him. But there was no other way.
The gate opened, Harry slowly rose up, moving through the air just above the heads of the Death Eaters, who were backing into the gate and still pointing their wands, from which they kept sending more revealing spells.
The Death Eaters stepped through to the other courtyard and the gate immediately slammed shut behind them. The figures turned to head across the second courtyard to another large and guarded entrance. But they almost ran into rushing Nott and Mulciber.
Harry flew to the ground as slowly as he could, quickly shrinking his broom and standing a short distance behind them.
"Where are you going?" Rabastan asked.
"That ten- time cursed Order is up to something!" Nott hissed. "We're tasked with investigating."
Harry gritted his teeth. How did they figure it out?
"I'd say they're planning something!" Rabastan interrupted him. "Someone just broke into the castle."
"What?" Nott gaped at him.
"Invisible, tagged with us. They're still searching the first courtyard."
"You´re idiots," commented Mulciber.
"Tell it to my brother. We must report it," snapped Rabastan and was already rushing to the door with his colleague.
Nott and Mulciber cautiously headed in the opposite direction. And they almost ran into another hurrying person, who just passed through the gate.
"Shit, what are you doing here?" Nott snapped at Macnaire, as Rabastan and his colleague turned back. "You're supposed to be on Ministry-"
"They attacked us!" Macnaire didn't let him finish. "We need reinforcements!"
"What?! Who?"
"The Aurors!"
"Damn it, what's going on today?" Mulciber cursed.
Macnaire ignored them and rushed after Rabastan and Rookwood, who were already hurrying to the next patrol. Harry followed them cautiously, frowning. Why did the Order launch the attack when they did not receive his signal?
"What the hell is going on there?!" one of the guards hissed at the newcomers.
"Looks like we've been infiltrated," Rabastan growled gruffly. "Lestrange took someone invisible here as he apparated."
"That's just stupid!"
"And they also attacked the former Ministry. They probably want to retake it!" Macnaire hissed. "Move aside, damn it!"
"And keep a close watch," Rabastan warned.
Before Harry could even blink, three Death Eaters walked right through the gate, which looked definitely real at first glance. His eyes widened at that.
What now? Will he pass through it too or will it not let him go? Or it will set off an alarm… Well, he will have to risk it.
Two guarding Death Eaters once again stood just outside the false door. He would have to lure them away somehow and then…
/
Remus Lupin hastily stumbled out of the huge fireplace. He appeared in the vast hall, where all those willing to help the Order against Lord Voldemort were gathered. He was startled by strange silence, broken only by one, unpleasantly familiar voice.
Ron was already scrambling out of the fireplace behind him and turned around to face it, waiting to help the others.
All the wizards present, whether members of the Order or those who had been persuaded, had their eyes turned to one certain spot in the hall.
Charlie Weasley turned to uncomprehending Lupin.
"We have a problem," the redhead said curtly.
Remus focused his gaze on the raised area, where the tables full of food for everyone were placed and he understood why. Council Chairman Merogh stood there in all his glory, speaking fierily to wizards´ assembly.
"...why should you risk your lives in vain!" proclaimed Merogh.
Lupin growled angrily, making Ron subconsciously flinch in fright. The former Hogwarts teacher looked around the huge hall with many chairs, armchairs and benches, on which almost two hundred wizards, witches and their descendants were sitting with drink or food forgotten in their hands. Everyone watched Merogh with tense expressions.
"He's totally against this 'madness' happening," Bill, standing next to his brother, noted unnecessarily.
"Only because of some crazy scheme of a barely-aged boy who has proven to us all several times that he rarely knows what he's even talking about!" Merogh continued.
Lupin forced his way through the crowd. Meanwhile, Aberforth, Neville, Daria, Fred and George came out of the fireplace, along with Hermione. McGonagall and Tonks, after a long, heated discussion as they both wanted Hermione or Daria to stay there instead, remained guarding the headquarters with the two Muggles for the time being.
"So… It looks like our dear chairman just pretended to agree with the proposal..." assumed Aberforth quite calmly as he observed the situation.
"Our famous Harry Potter thinks everyone will do as he says! He's just a spoiled brat and you want to launch a suicide attack on You-Know-Who because of him!" in the heat of his speech, Merogh was sputtering saliva around him, oblivious to the fury of Lupin charging toward him.
"I advise you well! Everyone – stay safe with your families! They need you! The boy, whose sanity is quite questionable, will only lead you to destruction! We cannot listen to a brat who—"
Remus Lupin had finally made it past everyone gathered, he literally leaped onto the ridge and before Merogh or his henchmen including Percy could react, he punched the man right in the chin, making his teeth clatter. The chairman stumbled back, fell on one of the tables with the food and overturned it with glass crashing.
Everyone, including the last arrivals, stared in surprise at enraged Lupin. Merogh looked up at the werewolf above him, apparently enraged and terrified at the same time.
"Don't you ever dare to talk about Harry like that!" Remus threated him, his voice full of icy rage.
Percy and another wizard slowly helped Merogh back to his feet.
"Get out!" Remus Lupin snapped.
Merogh shook off the helping hands and massaged his chin.
"I'll deal with you later," he sputtered menacingly.
"As you wish!" snapped Lupin. "Now get out of here!"
Merogh straightened up: "Of course that I´ll go! I've had enough of your naivety! Feel free to let everyone get killed!" shouted the chairman and walked away with his head high.
Lupin saw him off with a murderous glare and clenched fists. The chairman's minions followed, but serious Percy stayed.
"Nothing the Chairman has said about Harry Potter is true!" Lupin exclaimed into a moment of suffocating silence. Everyone focused on him now. "Harry's risking the most of us all right now! You all know what we were planning, but you don't know that it is Harry, who was supposed to find out the location of Voldemort's mansion!"
Half of present wizards winced, not only because of the dreaded name, but also thanks to Lupin's tone.
"I know very well that you are afraid! We are all afraid! But wasn't that enough already!? Enough of dying, enough of suffering! Haven't you lost enough of your loved ones?! We have to stop it! We can't just leave it at that! I know we don't have much of a chance, but if we don't try now, then when?"
Everyone was silent, but the gloomy expressions on their faces were changing.
"We know the place where Voldemort is hiding! The centaurs promised to help us! The Aurors already attacked the Ministry occupied by Voldemort to lure some of his followers away, so that they won´t have such an advantage over us. And Harry… Harry is in mortal danger right in this moment!"
Remus took a breath and looked over at Aberforth, who nodded slowly.
"And there's something else I'd like to tell you about Harry… What everyone is only whispering about is true. Harry is the Chosen One."
Everyone gasped in surprise. Ron and Hermione looked at each other wordlessly.
"It was determined by the prophecy that he would be able to defeat the Dark Lord. That he can kill him. But if we don't help him, if we don't support him, how can he ever get to him on his own? Alone against his Death Eaters and Dementors! We won't leave him alone! I won't lie to you. Even if we try with all our might, each of us can die there. But I will go, whatever it costs me! What you decide to do is up to you. But if any of you were persuaded by Merogh's speech, I ask them to leave now."
No one moved.
"All right…" Lupin breathed out. "Thank you…"
Meanwhile, Aberforth Dumbledore climbed up to Lupin.
"Fifty men will remain here as backup," he began quickly. "We will divide the rest into groups of six, so that each group has at least one person who can conjure the physical Patronus. Voldemort is likely to use Dementors against us. We also need volunteers for the survey group…"
The small group of Harry´s closest friends did not hear the rest. Flames erupted from the fireplace behind them again and Mrs. Weasley emerged.
"Ron! Fred! George! What are you thinking?!" she called loudly. "I won't let you all go!"
Behind her, worried Mr. Weasley appeared in the fireplace as well.
"Ron!" cried Molly desperately. "Back to the headquarters! Immediately!"
"No, Mum," her youngest son answered calmly. "I'm going to help Harry."
There was immense determination in his voice. Started, Mrs. Weasley glanced at the twins hopefully.
"But… but… Fred… George…"
"We're going too," they answered the unspoken question in unison.
She looked at her two oldest. They just shook their heads and turned away.
"Molly, dear, come on…" Mr. Weasley hushed her. "You know you can't stop them."
Tears welled up in Molly's eyes and she let her husband hug her. Nymphadora Tonks appeared in the fireplace behind them as well and advanced toward them. Lupin pushed his way back towards them. Meanwhile, Dumbledore was explaining the plan in detail to everyone.
"How's Ginny, Mum?" Ron asked.
"Sleeping…" his mother sobbed. "Healers don't know what's wrong with her yet."
Hermione squeezed Ron's hand tighter.
"What are you doing here?" Remus snapped at Nymphadora once he reached them.
Tonks nodded her head in the husbands´ direction: "Molly will stay there instead of me."
"But Nymphadora…"
"Don't call me that," Tonks interrupted, putting a finger to his lips.
That gesture made Lupin forget any objections.
"Arthur… Will you watch over them for me, please? You're not going to let them run headlong into danger, are you?" Molly pleaded her husband.
"You know that I will…" Arthur Weasley promised firmly.
/
"Lord!"
"My master!"
The Death Eaters shouted as soon as they entered the chamber. Lord Voldemort was sitting on his excessive throne, discussing something with Lucius, hi son and Bellatrix Lestrange.
"What now?" the dark wizard asked annoyed.
The Death Eaters knelt in front of his throne.
"Sir… We don't know how this could happen, but…" they stammered over each other.
"To the point!" the Dark Lord cut them off.
"Lestrange apparated in tow with someone invisible," Rabastan blurted out first.
Covered by the shadow of his hood, Draco allowed himself to smirk knowingly.
"What…?" Voldemort glared at his servants.
"It was Lestrange, sir!" reminded Rookwood fearfully.
"And also..." continued Macnaire, remaining on his knees and shaking all over.
"What else?" Voldemort narrowed his dark eyes.
"We were attacked at the former Ministry, Master."
"By whom?"
"Aurors and a few members of the Order," Macnaire provided more details anxiously.
Voldemort stood up. "How did they get past my defenses?"
"We don't know..." Macnaire shook his head.
There came icy silence, which was broken only by a strange sound that pierced everyone's ears. It repeated itself one more time and fell silent.
"We have a visitor," Lucius Malfoy stated with a frown. "They didn't lie."
"Summon Dementors," the Dark Lord commanded. "They'll help you find the intruder."
"Yes, Master. Sure. Right now," Rabastan and Rookwood stumbled out of the room, still bowing deeply.
Then Voldemort turned to Lucius and Bellatrix. "Wait for them and search the lower floors thoroughly."
Both Death Eaters nodded and promptly walked away.
"Draco, join the guards on duty in the dungeons," the wizard turned to the youngest of his servants. "I'll send two more after you, but you vouch me for that little bitch with your head."
Draco wordlessly nodded and headed after his father and aunt.
"Macnaire, go back to the Ministry. I'll send you some reinforcements."
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir, I'm on my way, Master," stammered Macnaire, storming off.
"Severus, bring in everyone else from outside, wherever they're hanging out! Divide them into groups and take patrols on the upper floors."
"Yes, Master."
"And if you don´t catch them, you will regret you were ever born…" Voldemort growled before the door slammed behind Snape as well.
/
Draco stood behind the shadow of ugly armor in the long, cold corridor.
Both Macnaire and Snape rushed past him without looking left or right.
Right in front of him, the corridor led a new passage, which continued to the stairs down to the dungeons. Behind him, there was a stone staircase leading up to various, secret chambers. He knew what useful things were in each of them. And he could get in there…
Draco Malfoy stood there on the spot motionlessly, looking at the ground. He knew that important moment had come. He had to make a decision.
He was supposed to decide, if he will try to help his former friend or not.
There was a lot at stake and Draco hesitated.
All his life he was taught to be loyal to the Dark Lord and his leadership. He had deep respect for his father, whoever he actually was. He loved his mother deeply. He wanted to get revenge on Snape at any cost. However, he would have that option on both sides.
He hated the idea of helping Potter and his cocky friends. He was sure that the mysterious intruder who had managed to get inside the castle was him – Potter. Who else would be such a nut to try?
And Angela Black? She betrayed him back then. She left him in all this shit alone and she did not look back. She did not care what it would mean for him, so why should he care now? Though, she did it for love and she regretted it a lot. She never stopped apologizing to him…
Then, another name popped up in his mind. Daria.
Draco had not seen her for so long, but he still could not get rid of thoughts surrounding her. He still cared for her. Surely, she already knew what happened to her best friend… What would she think if she saw him here, in this very moment?
Draco Malfoy was still standing still, even though it was so clear. He knew what he had to decide for. What was more important…
He turned on his heel and briskly started running up the stairs. He had to manage it before the Dark Lord would send more Death Eaters to the dungeons.
/
A/N: Sorry for the long pause, the reality caught up and prevented me from translating. I hope you still enjoy the story, not many more chapters to go...