A/N) I would like to address two things that two people put to me in a review for the last chapter: the reason why I'm replying like this is so that if I get any other questions like it, then all I need to do is point people to these explanations.
First: in regards to the Weasley family being safe, they aren't safe but the Death Eaters do not know for sure that Ron is with Harry, so they are keeping an eye on his family. They know Ron hasn't turned up at Hogwarts and they know his family have no idea where he is, but they can't do anything until they know for sure that Ron is with Harry. That is why that the Weasley family can continue with their jobs at the Ministry and why Ginny is at Hogwarts, at present.
Secondly: in regards to Hermione not receiving the Tales of Beedle the Bard from Dumbledore, Sirius and Harry already know the tale, having already been told by Dumbledore earlier in the story about the Deathly Hallows, so there was no need for that book to be passed on. Unlike in the book, Dumbledore is not trying to slow Harry down. Sirius being there has changed a few things in regards to what information Harry receives. :)
Please read the notes about the Christmas update at the end of this chapter :)
Chapter Seventy-Three: On the Run
"Why would Dumbledore leave me a snitch?" asked Harry warily, as he held the golden snitch that he had very nearly swallowed in his first Quidditch match ever, up higher in the dim light projected by the mini fire. "I don't understand why he's left me this..." He frowned, turning to Sirius. "Do you think there could be something hidden in here?"
Sirius shrugged. "I really don't know. It seemed an odd choice of gift for you. Ron being left the Deluminator is equally bewildering. Hermione not receiving anything is odd as well, but maybe whatever Dumbledore had in mind for her, he's already told us about? He wouldn't give out these objects unless there was a very good reason behind it." He grinned tiredly. "Albus has always worked in mysterious ways. This is one we will have to work out on our own without his guidance."
"I was afraid of that," groaned Harry, slipping the golden snitch into his shirt pocket and zipping it shut. He lay back on his camp bed and closed his eyes, wondering if anything would ever be simple again.
Saturday 27th September 1996
With Hermione now of age she could now help Sirius with the protective charms with the use of her own wand. It also sped up their packing when they left a specific area. It was still frustrating that neither Harry nor Ron could perform magic without being detected by the Ministry but if they were to stay safe out of the grasp of the authorities, they had to play it safe. However that didn't stop Sirius or Hermione lending Harry and Ron their wand's to keep up the practice of all they had learnt under Sirius' tutelage.
Some nights they stayed in the same barren wasteland, or fields they crossed avoiding populated areas like the plague, but only moving a few miles away from the last encampment. Once or twice Muggle country-walkers came passed them as they trailed cross country, and for fear of discovery, Sirius and the others had Apparated away, leaving no mark of them having tread there.
You could never guess who would be watching. They were governed by fear, not wanting to take any risks. Contacting and liaising with Bill Weasley was as far as they could go. Even then, that was risky.
That night, under cover of darkness, Sirius left the camp, moving outside of its protective boundaries, but not before informing Hermione to lower the enchantments after an hour for five minutes and then replacing them for another hour before taking them down again so that he had a window of five minutes to return to the camp every sixty minutes. This would continue for six hours and if he had not returned, the trio were to leave, and Sirius would find them when he could.
He arrived within the Yorkshire Wolds, near to the small market town of Driffield. Sirius knew little about this place, only that it was a Muggle community and that no witch or wizard lived near here. He stood on a bit of farm land just outside of the town, keeping close to the fence and hand in his pocket, wrapped tightly around his wand.
Bill should be arriving soon, he thought, his Auror senses stretched out. It was too quiet, even if he was on the edge of the countryside. Something was wrong, very wrong... His stomach clenched in fear and he began to pace as the time for the Weasley boy to arrive passed, his mind going over all the scenarios that could have happened. Could Bill have been discovered? Why was he late? Had he put all of Ron's family in danger by just getting in contact with Bill?
I have to leave, but I can't. What if he shows up?
He could hear the sounds of rattling breath and coldness suddenly chilled him to the bone. Fumbling in his pocket, he pulled out his wand, casting the light charm, only for its beam to fall directly upon a hoard of Dementors coming straight at him. Trap! his mind screamed, even as his worst experiences began to flow through his head. The image of the Dementor's face coming into kiss him at the Ministry sprang to mind...
"Crucio!"
The curse struck him in the back. Roaring in pain, Sirius swivelled to see five figures walking towards him amongst the field of black robes that marred his vision. Cackling laughter echoed in his ears as the memories continued to swim through his head. He knees buckled as the torture curse was withdrawn and he fell. How did they find him? What had happened to Bill?
He was completely surrounded by the foul soul-sucking creatures. What is it with Voldemort and Dementors? He had to get out of here before it was too late...
A face swam in his vision: Harry.
And strength poured into him. Scrambling to his feet, Sirius stumbled back, trying desperately to stop the recollections. He raised his wand and cast the Patronus Charm, warding them off far enough to allow Sirius to close his eyes and spin on the spot, instantly Apparating, before the full effects of the Dementors could descend upon him once more.
Even as he disappeared he heard the yell of fury from his insane cousin's mouth.
As soon as he landed, gasping for breath, and shuddering from exhaustion, next to the barriers of where their camp lay, he collapsed, darkness pulling at his vision and everything faded.
He opened his eyes to find Hermione sitting beside him, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. He squinted as the light hurt his eyes and he blinked rapidly trying to clear his vision. "I see you found me then..."
"Ron did, it wasn't me," she answered quietly. She glanced over her shoulder and Sirius' followed her gaze to where Ron and Harry were sitting on the edge of the bed at the far side of the tent. "When we found you, you were pale as a ghost... What happened?"
Grudgingly, Sirius sat up, wincing at the throbbing headache that seemed to have materialised out of nowhere. "Bill never showed up. Dementors and Death Eaters did instead."
Ron was on his feet instantly. "What? Why didn't he turn up? I knew I shouldn't have let you drag him into this!" It was almost an accusation at him.
"Ron," started Harry, reaching out towards his best friend.
"No, don't Harry! He doesn't know what it is like to have family out there! Every day I wonder if the Death Eaters will realise I'm with you and target my family to get back at me for that! And now he's dragged Bill into this and probably the rest of my family!"
"You knew the risks," said Sirius quietly, "when I asked for your permission. I cannot change what has happened tonight, nor do I know why Bill didn't show up. It doesn't mean our liaisons have been discovered, we cannot jump to conclusions just because a few Dementors showed up." He folded his arms, staring hard into Ron's face. "You are wrong when you say I don't have family out there. I do, Harry and Remus are my family and Harry is directly involved in this war. Do you think I'm happy about that?" Sirius voice was quiet, almost frightening. "Do you believe that I want Harry fighting? I wish I could change everything that has happened so that James and Lily never died and that Harry grew up with a proper family and wouldn't have to deal with the burden he has to now. James' parents became my family when I was twelve, the first proper adults who even cared about me. They didn't die because of the war, but the stress brought on by it contributed to their deaths. I have lost people that I have loved in this war, many more then you would know, Ron Weasley, and I understand your pain."
Ron was silent, Sirius clearly having argued him down. He turned away and flung himself on the bed, arms covering his face. Hermione looked towards Sirius, but moved away, sitting on the edge of the bed Ron occupied and took his hand in her own, climbing up next to him.
Sirius ran a hand down his weary face. "It's been a long day. Do you mind taking first watch?" he asked his godson.
"Sure," said Harry, reaching out to retrieve Sirius' wand. "You gave Neville your mirror for a reason. Why don't we see if he knows anything? We're cut off from everyone and he's at Hogwarts, in the realm of the 'Death Eaters'. Neville's bound to have got some news as to what is going on that is not getting onto the Wizarding wireless."
"That is a very good idea," said Sirius. "I'm surprised I didn't think of that myself."
Harry snorted. "If coming up with that idea makes you big-headed, I'm glad I'm the one who did."
Sirius scowled but couldn't suppress a smile. "Your father used to say that to me all the time. Pity," his eyes twinkled, "James never understood how big-headed he really was until seventh year when he calmed down and realised what an utter idiot he had been."
"And I'm sure you were just the same," said Harry slyly, crossing his arms knowingly and smirking.
Sirius did not reply, just scowled.
The following day was a Sunday and by mid-afternoon they were packed and ready to leave. They set up camp at the bottom of a deserted field in the dull countryside of Kent, near enough to a public road, but far enough away that any passerby would not be suspicious. Thankfully, their protective charms would help them remain unnoticed.
Ron had been very quiet since he had shouted at Sirius; the concern he clearly felt for his oldest brother marring his features and thoughts. As soon as camp was set up he lay back on the bed from which he had hardly moved from the night before.
"I think it's time we contacted Neville," said Harry quietly to Sirius.
Sirius nodded and moved across the tent area to a chair and sat down upon it. Harry rummaged in his rucksack, pulling out the mirror that he had placed within there. He wiped a bit of dust from its surface before moving over to Sirius and sitting on the floor, so that his godfather could watch from overhead. Hermione was busy in the small kitchen, cooking up lunch from the meagre supplies they had left.
Harry took a deep breath. "Neville Longbottom!"
Minutes passed before the round, plump face of his dorm-mate appeared in the mirror. Neville was dishevelled and there was a cut on his cheek that looked like that it had been made with a knife. His right eye was swollen but the grin that spread across Neville's face was one of pure delight.
"Harry! You're okay!"
Harry couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, I am."
"Is Sirius with you? The Ministry is spreading the story that he's dead and that you've been severely hurt," exclaimed Neville.
"They are doing what?" said Sirius leaning over Harry's shoulder so that the other boy could see him. "I'm very much alive and Harry has been safe the last few weeks, I've been the one leaving where we've been hiding. Scare-mongering tactics, that's all it is. I'm guessing that You-Know-Who is coming against resistance?"
Neville nodded. "I think that must be why the story was in this morning's paper. To try and make people feel that there is no hope left. Everyone knows you are on the run but don't know what you are up to. Ginny has been questioned about it several times... but they've found no evidence to prove that she's in contact with you..."
Harry frowned. He didn't like the idea of Ginny being interrogated about him. If Voldemort ever suspected that she meant more to him... He closed his mind down, not wanting to think about that possibility. "Neville, Sirius was supposed to meet with Bill Weasley yesterday... but he didn't show..."
"Instead there was a load of Death Eaters and Dementors waiting for me," interrupted Sirius. "We need to know if he is safe or if something worse has happened? The attack on me wasn't a coincidence."
Neville was chewing his bottom lip. "They've been clamping down upon it but there was a small announcement in the Daily Prophet this week... very small and easily missed if I hadn't been reading it from front to back. Bill is in Azkaban, charged with conspiracy against the rightful government and for aiding fugitives on the run. He was taken in three days ago."
"Oh no," whispered Sirius. He could see that Ron had sat up on his bed, white as a sheet. "I sent Bill a message four days ago to meet me. I thought I had encrypted it enough so that if it fell into the wrong hands they wouldn't be able to decipher who it was for. Clearly the Death Eaters are smarter then we think." He glanced at Ron. "Sorry Ron."
Ron shrugged. "At least he's not dead," was his bitter reply.
"The paper also said that they had to build a case against him. He'll be put on trial, but I don't know when that will be," continued Neville, hesitantly.
"Hmm, that sounds like that at least one of my counter-charms did work. I programmed the message to scatter and destroy after it had been read. If they've lost that, there might be hope for Bill to not be in Azkaban for long."
"What else is going on?" spoke up Ron, loud enough so that Neville could hear. "Are my family alright?"
"As far as I know," began Neville, "but they are being watched. Ginny is, at least. They've questioned her a few times to find out where Ron is since he didn't return, but since she knows nothing they can't really do anything about it. She's not very safe here. I don't know about me. We've been rebelling a bit, you see, causing trouble. That's why I have all these injuries. The Professors that are Death Eaters give out physical punishment if we don't do as we're told. We are being taught how to kill Muggle-borns and Muggles, and to recognise 'scum' when we see it. All the half-bloods here are being treated with more disdain then the pure bloods though. They don't want to spill untainted magical blood. It's horrible here."
Sirius leaned back in his chair. It was worse than he had been expecting. "What about Snape?"
"Vile as ever," replied Neville. "He keeps to his office mostly. I was sent to see him the other day for 'un-pure behaviour' which consists of talking favourably of Muggle-borns. I was expecting a worse punishment then I've had before but he gave me a warning: that I need to be careful if I still want to be of a fighting stature when the time comes to fight for our world and that we need people like me to stand up for what I believe in."
"Wise advice for someone who is supposedly a traitor to us all," commented Sirius, smiling lightly. He had been right. Snape was still Dumbledore's, always would be. He wouldn't hint to Neville that a battle is coming if he belonged to Voldemort.
"But he killed Dumbledore," said Neville. "Everyone knows that. He rarely deals with students, he only saw me because I'd been causing so much trouble."
Sirius bit his lip. Neville was an astute boy and he had already said too much. "Perhaps things aren't what they seem," he suggested. Before the boy could say another word, Sirius continued: "We did meet with Bill as I asked him to do something for me. You might be able to help me. Do you know of anything about any goblins that have gone on the run due to the take-over of the bank?"
"There hasn't been much mentioned in the papers about that, other than they have been going on the run. Rumours put them in the North of the country... Dean is on the run too. He's Muggle-born, he thinks."
"Thinks?" said Hermione, raising her voice so that it projected to Neville.
"Yeah, he contacted Seamus before going on the run that he didn't know whether his dad was a wizard. For all we know, Dean could be a half-blood."
"What was Dean's last name again?" asked Sirius, curiously.
"Thomas," replied Neville.
"There was a Thomas a few years ahead of me in school. Bright kid, James and I used to prank him a lot."
"Sirius!" scowled Hermione, crossly.
"What? We were immature brats. Anyway," Sirius hurriedly continued, seeing the pointed look on Hermione's face, "there was a Thomas, I think he was Muggle-born himself as it's not really a Wizarding name, but he could have been a half-blood... If he left his wife while Dean was still young and never told her about being a wizard, then it's very possible Dean is a half-blood. He can't prove it though." He stroked his chin. "If we get through this, I'll track down Dean's father if we can. No child should have to grow up without knowing where they come from." Just like Harry did, and that was all down to my stupid decisions.
"What else have you been doing to disrupt the teaching anyway?" questioned Harry.
"Other than open rebellion, Professor Lupin is secretly getting into the school. We've seen him twice so far. He's been teaching us Defensive spells."
Sirius' eyebrows rose in surprise. "I never thought he had it in him. He was always the good one of our little group. I guess this might be what Bill was hinting about when he told me that Remus was disappearing to do some work for McGonagall. Didn't think old Minnie would sanction that kind of action, unless that is just the excuse he is giving Molly. I'd doubt she'd approve of him sneaking into Hogwarts and teaching students how to fight."
"It's quite good. I'm already doing better than I was in my spell work," beamed Neville. He was obviously pleased (and startled) about how much progress he was obviously making under Remus' tutelage. "The club is only open to students in fifth year or above. We're calling ourselves 'Dumbledore's Army' as a memory to him. It was Ginny's idea. It was difficult to get everyone together we could trust at one time but we are managing."
"Where are the lessons taking place?" asked Sirius.
"There's a place on the seventh floor, called the Room of Requirement. We didn't know about it before but it is a fantastic place! You ask it anything you want and it appears! Apart from food though, otherwise we could just camp out there all the time and rebel from there. The way I'm going the Death Eater's will soon be sick of me! But I don't care," explained Neville. "We're not learning anything of use, just bigotry against anyone who isn't pure enough to be acceptable into our society."
Harry flushed with anger. "It's all wrong. It shouldn't be happening." He glanced at Sirius. "We can't allow Hogwarts to carry on like this! We have to do something!"
Sirius sighed. "We can't, at least not yet. We've got other things to do first."
Harry growled but he understood.
"Will you be coming back to, you know, fight?" Neville questioned, his voice quite low and fearful. A remarkable change from the boy he had been moments before. He was scared and worried that his last two years of Hogwarts would be ruined if something was not done.
Sirius swallowed. "We hope to, but we don't know when. You'll have to stick with it until we can get to you. What we've got to do is more important."
"Like tracking down goblins you mean?"
"Very astute," praised Sirius.
"You did ask if I knew of any news about them," frowned Neville. "I have an idea. I might be able to help you with your goblin problem, but I don't know if it will work."
"What is it?" asked Sirius nervously, exchanging a glance with Harry.
"Cedric!" replied Neville happily. "He's here to. I know he's left but he turns up when Professor Lupin does. He's like his partner or something, the dummy that we test on when practicing. Cedric has good connections, maybe I can ask him for some help?"
"I don't want to put any more people in danger," said Harry instantly.
"No, no, you misunderstand me! Cedric is working for the Ministry. He's been assigned to follow Professor Lupin around! But he's really helping him! If Cedric enquires at the Ministry about any known whereabouts of goblins it wouldn't be suspicious! The Minister thinks he is on their side but he isn't!"
"That is still risky," glared Harry. He didn't like this one bit but what choice did they have? They had to get into Gringotts and for that they had to track down a goblin that was on the run. They couldn't just keep Apparating up and down the country hoping to stumble across one. It could take months! They needed a more definite location. He ran a hand through his messy black hair, sighing audibly. "I don't like it. I really don't but we have no choice, do we?"
Sirius shook his head sadly. "No, we don't. It's your decision, Harry. Do we involve Cedric or not?"
Harry nodded firmly. "Yes."
"It might be difficult to get into contact with him," explained Neville, "but next time I see him I'll ask him. I'll try to call you in a few days with a progress update."
A small smile crossed Harry's face. Everyone was risking their lives to help him. How could he sanction that? Few more words were spoken and the connection was cut, silence falling all about them as they considered everything they had heard.
Sunday 5th October 1996
"James Potter!"
Harry's pocket vibrated and he jumped. Sirius burst out laughing and his godson glared at him. "Shut up Sirius, just shut up." He reached into his pocket and retrieved the mirror, saying 'Neville Longbottom' into it. But it wasn't Neville's face that appeared. It was, "Remus!"
Sirius leapt up from his chair and scrambled over, snatching the mirror from Harry's hand. "Remus! What are you doing with my mirror?"
Remus chuckled, shaking his brown hair out of his eyes. It had grown long since Sirius had last seen him, but then so had Sirius', Harry's and Ron's hair. "I'm borrowing it from Neville you over-grown mutt! I'm at Hogwarts, in the Room of Requirement, with the students who are actively rebelling against You-Know-Who."
"How did you get into the castle?" asked Hermione. "They wouldn't just let you in, would they?"
"No. There is a portrait in The Hog's Head that links directly with the room. The owner of the bar is Dumbledore's brother. He's been letting me sneak into the castle through his pub. He doesn't like me risking my neck for a cause he thinks is lost but I'm refusing to listen and he can't deny me my right to help these students."
"Well, if you've got to teach them things, you'd better get to it then, Professor Moony," grinned Sirius.
"Shut up, Padfoot," Remus rolled his eyes. "The only reason I'm calling is because I have a friend here who has news for you. I know you are planning something to do with Gringotts otherwise you wouldn't be so desperate to learn about goblin whereabouts would you, or talk illegally with Bill?" His eyebrows rose as if Remus had managed to guess without knowing what they were up to, the full facts of the story. "Oh, and Sirius, Molly is very angry with you. When this is over, run for the hills."
"I've already made the necessary arrangements," joked Sirius.
Remus shook his head. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I ask myself the very same question every day," added Harry.
"Hey! Is this pick on Padfoot day?"
"Must be," a new voice said over the mirror. Remus had handed the mirror to an older boy with floppy brown hair, and a kind face. Intelligent brown eyes shone out at them and a wry grin was across his features.
"Cedric!" yelled Harry. At last, progress!
"Well, I've done some digging for you and have learnt that the Snatchers –"
"Snatchers?" sniffed Ron. "What are they?"
"Low ranking Death Eaters who traverse across the country searching for travellers; mostly looking for Muggle-borns that didn't turn up for registration and they have caught a few recently. They can home in on you instantly if you say You-Know-Who's name. But they still find ways of tracking those that don't," explained Cedric. "I've managed to uncover that the Snatchers are tracking a goblin called Griphook who is rumoured to be with a Muggle-born called Dean Thomas. They haven't brought them in yet because they know Dean is the same age as Harry, a former Gryffindor student and believe Dean may lead them to Harry."
"Dean is with a goblin?" Harry was surprised at that. And they didn't even have a clue that they were being secretly followed. "Where are they now?"
"The last piece of information on their paperwork, dated yesterday was in the north of the Yorkshire Dales and that they are travelling westwards. They were sighted near Clapham, close to the river that runs through it. They couldn't have gone far from there. That's all I can give you. The Ministry is careful to not completely trust everyone, but father and I decided to pretend to be loyal in the hopes that we could aid those in need. It's risky but worth it. My job is to keep track of Remus. I've been feeding them false information, but with enough truth so that my true allegiance isn't suspected," smiled Cedric.
Hermione was frowning. "If they are keeping track of this goblin and Dean, if we show up, the Snatchers will attack us, won't they?"
Cedric nodded. "Yeah, but that's the only goblin whose location I can get for you. The others that have fled aren't being tracked. The only reason this one is, is because of Dean's connection to you, Harry."
Harry sighed. "Great. No matter what I do, people are always going to be in danger because of me."
Sirius gripped his shoulder and squeezed. "We'll have to risk it. It's the only option we have."
"If it helps, if you get them to a different location once you've found them quickly, you can probably escape right under their very noses. If you are sighted, Harry, and, to an extent Sirius, You-Know-Who will be alerted and he'll appear, but it might be enough of a gap so that you can vanish," suggested Cedric.
Harry exchanged a glance with his godfather. He didn't like the plan one bit, but Harry did have an advantage. No one knew that Sirius had been training them. Perhaps, if they were caught in the trap, they'd be able to give the Death Eaters – and Voldemort – a big surprise.
Monday 6th October 1996
In the early hours of the morning, the Horcrux Hunters packed their tents away, dismantled the wards and shields and Apparated together to the outskirts of Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales. While Harry, Ron and Hermione stayed hidden underneath Harry's Invisibility Cloak (albeit difficultly), Sirius scouted the area, looking for any signs that showed that people had passed by this way.
He returned less than an hour later, a grim expression his face. "I've found some tracks heading to the west and further into the barren country, but I have the feeling we are being watched."
Harry threw off the cloak. "Snatchers?"
"Almost positive," nodded Sirius, frowning. "Do you want to continue?"
"I think we have to, don't we?"
"Much as I don't like it, yes, we do," sighed Sirius. "Come on, take the cloak off all of you and follow me. Wands at the ready. We all know what this could to lead to."
They all knew. They were all prepared. The chances of them reaching Dean and the goblins without getting involved in a fight were low. If they were being watched, then Voldemort would probably have already been alerted Harry was in the vicinity.
If I opened my mind, maybe I'd know where he was? Harry had kept his mind shielded, preventing any form of contact with his or Voldemort's mind. He had often wondered if, in extreme cases – like now - , if the connection would ever come in handy.
It was a cloudy, chilly day, and it had clearly rained recently, causing the ground to be wet and slippery as they trudged through the mud. The tall grass was drooping and the hills ahead of them did not look promising; nevertheless, they follow the tracks.
They caught up with Dean's group the next day, after a brief rest. They came over a hill and saw a group of five people walking together across the Dales.
"We're nearly there," said Sirius, raising his hand to his forehead and peering into the distance. "I think there are two goblins there. Dean is there, I can see him. Tall and lanky. I'm not sure on the other wizard with him, but I think the last member of their party is Ted Tonks. What is he doing out here? Isn't he meant to be with Andromeda back at their home?"
"He's a Muggle-born, isn't he?" said Hermione, stepping up beside Sirius. "Maybe he had to leave, when the Ministry came to inspect the house the day we left? Ted couldn't stay..."
"I didn't think of him when we were leaving... I forgot, and now I'm dragging him into this," growled Sirius, angry more at himself then anything. "I can't do anything about it now, but Andy will kill me if Ted is killed."
"So that would be two witches you'd be running from then?" replied Ron, lightly.
"Very funny." Sirius took off at a jog, knowing what was about to happen. They had need of the goblins but they might stand a chance of getting out of here in time. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed; wands out and in their hands as they sped across the field towards the other group of travellers.
Sirius skidded to a halt first. They had seen them coming, but it was Ted who greeted him, a wide, beaming smile on his face. He was fair-haired but the pot-belly that he had once sported was now gone. He had clearly been on the run for weeks, judging by the state of his attire and the mud across his face.
"Sirius, my boy!" he bellowed, even as the other others crowded around him.
"HARRY!" That was Dean Thomas.
"We have to get out of here now," said Sirius quickly and urgently. He swept his gaze around the group, stopping at Dean who was shaking Ron's hand with vigour. "The Death Eaters know we are here. You are being watched, and have been for a while, in the hope that we show up, but we have to leave now if we stand any chance of escaping."
Ted's face paled. "They've been watching us?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes. We wouldn't be here if we didn't need to talk to someone." His eyes flickered quickly towards the goblins before returning to Ted. He stretched out his hands. "Grab hold, quickly!"
Ted lunged forward grasping Sirius' hand, even as the other wizard who Sirius could now identify as Dirk Cresswell grabbed Ted's other hand. Harry grasped Sirius' shirt, with Dean grasping Hermione's hand, whose other one was in Sirius' right palm. His grey eyes searched around spying the goblins. "You two as well! I'm not leaving anyone behind!" The two goblins lunged forward, each grabbing a leg and finally Ron clutching Harry's spare hand.
Sirius twisted, thinking where he wanted to go, but nothing happened. He couldn't move. His breathing stilled and he opened his eyes. The air crackled with magic.
"Anti-Apparition wards," whispered Ted, nervously.
"I'm sorry." Sirius swallowed as all around them Death Eaters began to appear.
They were boxed in Anti-Apparation wards, small enough to contain them and keep them trapped there unless they could bring them down. As the Death Eaters glided forward, their ranks opened up and a figure in dark robes stepped forward, his laughter echoing all around them.
The red eyes pierced them all.
Lord Voldemort stood before them.
To be continued...
Erm, please let me know what you think?
I know it is a bit of a cliff-hanger... I cannot say when the next update will be. The next chapter is already written and the one after that is nearly finished, however I am supposed to be going away on Wednesday, however because of the amount of snow we've had the trip might be put off. If that is the case, I will be updating as normal on Thursday. If not, I will be updating next Monday instead.
Next chapter: Griphook - in which things just get worse.
If I don't update on Thursday, have a Merry Christmas! If I do update, then I'll see you then!
the-writer1988