10. The Locket
Tall dark shadows loomed in on Harry as he pulled off the cloak. Tucking it back into his pocket, he pulled out his wand and lit it.
The vast room looked entirely different. The first time he had visited it, light had streamed through the tall windows that looked out over the grounds. Now only the waning moons light, obscured by gathering cloud, pierced the mass of paraphernalia that filled the room.
Harry made his way slowly in the direction he had run; book in hand, desperately searching for a hiding place last year. Impatient, but sure he had turned right at some point, he passed the mountains of broken furniture, books and banned substances, waiting for a sign of recognition; something that might trigger his memory and point the way.
He felt like he had been walking too long, and his anger, which had been simmering below the surface in the Common Room, threatened to boil. The distant rumble of thunder accompanying the outside cloud adding to his growing frustration. The openings in the alley he followed meant nothing to him. He was beginning to think he must have missed what he was looking for when an enormous, ugly and fierce looking stuffed troll came into his wands circle of light. This is it! With renewed confidence he turned right and continued on, the occasional flash of far away lightening illuminating the high arched ceiling as he searched for another familiar landmark.
Then his stomach lurched painfully. The vanishing cabinet Draco had spent most of last year restoring stood on the corner of the isle that Harry stumbled into months ago.
Harry walked slowly up to it; regarding it darkly as if it might suddenly spring open with Death Eaters spewing forth from it. But it lurked silently in the shadows now forgotten, having served its purpose. His mouth went dry as a nurtured and unrealised anger born of guilt swelled within him. How had he forgotten that he had seen it the first time he came through? He should have stopped to look at it more closely then, maybe he could have prevented... He stopped the thought angrily. He dragged his eyes away from its dark bulk as he turned into the alley and started searching for the marker he had left behind.
Using his wand light, he scanned the isle until its light fell upon a bust sitting atop a blistered cupboard. It was the ugly warlock bust wearing the scraggy old wig and tiara Harry had put there. He stopped in front of it as another searing flash of lighening flickered across the room. Reaching a hand up, he turned the cold brass handle. The door creaked loudly in the quiet darkness as it opened, and pointing the glowing wand tip inside, he bent down and pulled the book from its hiding place behind the cage.
Harry turned it over in his hands as another, louder rumble of thunder rolled overhead, rattling the contents of the room; it was just as he had left it. This was the first time he had looked upon the book since discovering the identity of the "prince". The thought that the prince had turned out to be Snape sickened him. If he had shown Dumbledore the book, if he had turned it over to him, would he still be alive? He would have recognized Snapes handwriting. Would it have been enough to prove his trust in Snape was horribly wrong?
Slamming the cupboard door shut, he headed back in the direction he had come. The anger and guilt that he had harboured for so long seethed restlessly in his body, heightened by the sight of Dumbledores doom as he passed the cabinet, unconsciously giving it a wide birth, and traced his way back along the alley, breathing heavily as his insides shook. The troll lit up briefly as another more severe flash of lightening illuminated the surroundings, and as he rounded it he spied a glint of silver out of the corner of his eye.
He stopped, just as a rumble of thunder vibrated the windows, and looked down at a large, heavy steel instrument. He paused for only a moment before picking it up and turning back into the alley he had just come from.
He strode with purpose; his mind now set on one all consuming course of action, unable and unwilling to stop himself. When he came upon his target, he stowed the book and his wand mindlessly onto the nearest surface, and in the gloom, eyeing the vanishing cabinet vengefully, Harry lifted the huge silver axe back behind him. He drew breath angrily through his teeth before he swung the bloodied blade with all the strength that his gathering hatred could muster.
The booming crash of the blow echoed in the high ceiling as the cabinet's side buckled with the force. Harry put his foot against the treacherous wood and levered the axe out. A brilliant flicker of lightening forked across the sky outside as he leaned back, pulling it behind him again. His eyes stung and his face contorted with pain as a thunderous clap shook the windows.
He brought the axe forward with incredible force, sinking it into the cabinet again. The wood folded in on itself as it shattered, sending stabbing splinters in all directions, one scoring him across the face, but Harry barely felt it. Again, he pushed his foot against the broken wood; his arm muscles straining and beads of sweat dripping down his forehead as he pulled the axe head free.
All of the anger, all of the hatred, and all of the guilt he had clung to and silently nurtured since Dumbledores death, coursed through his veins as he stepped away and brought the axe back behind him again. He threw his weight forward and let the silver blade fly crushingly into the now bent cabinet, again … and again, with a strength he hadn't known he possessed.
The harsh sounds of shattering wood were mixed with the deafening cracks of thunder until finally the cabinet hung broken and defeated. The axe came easily free of the limp wreckage as Harry pulled it to him one last time. Hot, bitter tears were running down his face as he lifted the axe above his head, and with both hands he delivered the final devastating blow as the last clap of thunder rang out.
Finally, Harry was spent. The storm was passing, leaving behind a gloomy stillness. Panting in fury and pain he dropped to his knees still clutching the axe. His body was racked with weariness, and his mind was dark and torturous. And his heart was desolate. He hung his head low and his shoulders slumped forward as his grief overwhelmed him.
He thought of all those he had lost … the people he had loved and who had loved him back.
Of the struggle that awaited him … the impossible task he was left to do.
And of the fears he had for those he loved … the thought of losing them too much to bear. His pain poured out silently in the dim quiet.
He might have knelt there for an hour or more, alone with his pain, but when he finally lifted his head in the darkness, it was with the resolve that he could wait no longer. He would find out what Kreacher knew about the locket and he would hunt down the first of the four Horcruxes. He would not stray from his path again; he would not give in to the temptation of ignorance. He had been selfish to think he could stay. More people would die the longer he hesitated.
He stood up, feeling utterly drained, and steeling one last look at the shrapnel he had vented himself on, he collected his wand and book, and headed for the Common Room.
Blaise Zabini was slouched with Pansy Parkinson under the unicorn tapestry deep in conversation when Harry appeared through the portrait hole. They both stopped immediately and stared at the sight of him. Colin Creevey was finishing a game of exploding snap with Neville at one of the study tables; they too eyed Harry with uncertain, even frightened looks as he moved passed them.
'Harry!' Hermione had been pacing by the fire, a worried expression on her face. 'What happened?' she rushed over to him in alarm and grabbed his arms to study him. 'Oh Harry,' she breathed on the verge of tears 'are you alright?'
'I'm leaving … tonight. But I need everyone out of here so I can speak to Kreacher before I go.'
She looked at him curiously for a moment, but his demeanour moved her into action unquestioningly. She nodded, frowning and turned on the others. 'Alright, bed!' she said, her voice slightly squeaky.
'What?' scoffed Blaise 'You can't tell us when to go to-' But he stopped suddenly as Hermione drew her wand out and pointed at him.
'Now!' she commanded, her voice suddenly stern.
He threw his book down angrily and Pansy scowled as they both stood and headed to their dormitories. Colin had mounted the stairs hastily the moment he had seen Hermione reach for her wand, but Neville stood staring at Harry.
'I can help Harry.' he said as he swallowed nervously 'Whatever it is, I-I want to help.' Harry had a growing respect for Neville over the past two years, but he didn't want to involve him if he didn't have to.
'Thanks Neville … but not this time.' He said gravely. Neville nodded and walked to the stairwell. He put a foot on the first step then turned back to Harry.
'If you change your mind, I've still got my DA coin' he flashed a crooked smile and disappeared up the stairs.
'Where's Ron?' Harry just realized he wasn't in the room.
'He started rounds and told me to wait here in case you returned. I'll go and fetch him.'
'Okay' Harry lifted his head to call the house elf 'Krea-'
'Harry!' Hermione bumped his shoulder and motioned her head at the large, high-backed armchair facing the fire before she crossed the room and clambered through the portal to find Ron. Harry frowned and took a few steps to the side, and then bowed his head, reigning in the feelings that flared at the sight of Ginny.
Because Ron and Hermione were worried, she had waited for him. She had not let go to the extent he thought. When he finally looked up again, she was standing before him. She lifted her hand to Harry's face and brushed it lightly across his cheek, turning the palm towards him with questioning concern.
Harry looked down at the blood on her fingers. 'Not too subtle, am I?'
'You're leaving.' She said frowning slightly.
'Yeah' he spoke gently.
She took a deep breath and turned her eyes to the ceiling in a bid to hold back the tears that threatened. 'I'm with Neville.' She said quietly, bringing her eyes back to his. 'Dumbledore knew you could not do this completely alone. You'll need help, Harry.' Then she added 'If you need someone, call … your friends will be there for you.'
Harry brought his eyebrows together. She spoke almost as if she knew what he was leaving to do. She continued 'Whatever you're up to, he asked you to involve Hermione and Ron didn't he?'
'Yes … but how did you know-'
'they're your best friends Harry. The three of you are regularly off talking about things you don't want anyone else to hear.' Harry relaxed a little 'Just remember they are here, Harry. Remember they have a right to be involved even if you don't want to involve them. Its not fair to shut out the people who care about you.'
Harry watched her as her eyes swam with tears; he knew she was no longer talking about just Ron and Hermione. He reached up and put his hand to her cheek, moving in close until their bodies touched. Her frown deepened as she looked up at him.
'You're strong Ginny. You'll come through all of this and be happy in the end.' Harry wanted to believe this more than anything else. He could forgive her betrayal of him; he could forgive her turning to Dean, if only she would be happy.
Without being aware of what he was doing, his mouth came down to meet hers as she closed her eyes, spilling her tears. Their lips met sadly and tenderly, caressing softly as they played gently across one another before Harry pulled himself back, still unable to control the need he had for her. He reached around his neck and unhooked the pendant belonging to his parents, which he had worn almost continuously since coming upon it. He lifted her hand and placed it in her palm, gently closing her fingers over it.
'Keep this for me. I'll be back for it … I promise'
Her eyes were full of doubt as she searched his face. She kissed him quickly before turning from him and heading up the stairs. As he watched her go, his whole body ached for her. He turned to the fire and stared at the dying flickers of light. He could not bear to see her unhappy. He would let her go completely when she was ready. He would spare her the pain of being with him.
'Hey' Ron and Hermione were coming towards him; both looking painfully worried. Harry nodded in acknowledgement.
'Why the sudden change mate? I thought you'd be happy here for a bit.' Ron said with concern.
'I cant sit around and wait while more people are being killed.' Harry stayed staring at the glowing embers. 'I can't pretend that I can go on like normal. None of this is going to go away until I do something about it.'
'We'll go with you, Harry. There's a be-'
'No!' He cut Hermione off abruptly in his urgency, but then added 'you're both needed here. You'll be able to keep an eye on things and at least I'll always know where you are if I need help.'
'Harry, I've told you before, we're go-'
'If I thought it was the best thing to do, I'd agree with you Ron.' He had to convince them to stay 'we still haven't worked out what one of the Horcruxes is, and we have no idea where to find the Hufflepuff cup. You two have to find the answers, or we're already lost...' Harry's voice faded as he looked back into the fireplace.
There was a long silence before Ron spoke 'What are you going to do?'
Harry looked at them 'Call Kreacher and find the real Slytherin locket.'
Ron nodded with his eyes on the floor. 'Alright'
'Check the stairwells first just in case.'
'Good idea,' At Harry's instruction, Hermione mounted the stairs that led to the female dormitories and Ron disappeared up the boy's entrance. They came back moments later with the all clear.
'Kreacher!' The house elf appeared before them with his arms flailing as if in the middle of a fight.
'What? What's this?' it croaked, looking about. The trio stared down at him in silence. Kreacher was splattered with wet, slimy looking black mud and the cloth he draped over himself, which was already shabby, appeared to have fresh tears in places.
'Have you and Dobby been fighting again?' Ron shook his head as he raised an eyebrow. But as Kreacher gave Ron a scowl, Harry grabbed his arm and swung him round to face him, summoning all his anger as he looked into the little elf's eyes.
'I'm going to ask you some questions Kreacher and I want straight answers, do you understand me?' He was stony faced as Kreacher squirmed.
'Master knows Kreacher is-' Kreacher was about to launch into his usual routine when Harry cut him off.
'Don't, Kreacher. I'm warning you. I'm not in the mood!' Harry was eyeing the elf darkly. He waited until Kreacher stopped trying to wriggle free before adding 'Just answer my questions.'
The wrinkled old elf smirked oddly as he bowed. 'Master is more worthy than Kreacher has guessed. Kreacher will hear what Master has to say.'
Harry let go of the elf's bony little arm and perched on the edge of a nearby chair. He held the gaze of Kreacher's bloodshot eyes as he asked 'Did you accompany Regulus when he visited a cave to retrieve something very secret?' Kreacher's face dropped immediately. He stared at Harry for a moment then placed his hands over his ears.
'Kreacher cannot! Kreacher is bound to keep Masters secrets.' The little elf shook his head.
'I am your master now, Kreacher' Harry said aggressively 'and you willanswer me!' then because Kreacher did not speak though his eyes widened, he snapped 'Answer me!'
'Yes!' the elf hissed.
'Did either of you manage to retrieve the locket?' Harry was careful with his wording so Kreacher could not twist it.
The elf let out a nervous squeal before answering 'Yes!'
The elf was extremely agitated, but it appeared as before, Kreacher was forced to answer. 'Has the locket been destroyed?' Harry kept his voice cold and hard. Kreacher looked like he wanted to dissolve into the floor.
'No!' he squawked, terrified.
Harry, Hermione and Ron all looked at each other.
Harry continued 'Do you know what happened to the locket?'
'Yes!' the elf looked shocked at his own words.
Harry frowned 'W-What happened after you obtained locket?' he asked slowly, aware the answers he sought lay with the right questions.
'Master Black was unable to open it before the Death Eaters tracked him down.' Kreacher's mouth appeared to be speaking almost independently of him. He dropped to the floor and started to wriggle on his back.
'What happened to the locket after Regulus died?'
'Kreacher took it!' Wide-eyed with shock, Kreacher's hand whipped up to cover his mouth in an effort to restrain himself as he struggled on the floor.
'What did you do with it?' Harry's heartbeat quickened as he pursued him determinedly.
'Kreacher gave it to his mistress as a present.' Kreacher started to writhe around on the floor, smearing mud all over the ornate, faded rug. Hermione watched with a mixture of horror and pity.
'What did Mrs. Black do with it?'
'She counted it amongst her finest possessions. She kept it in a glass cabinet in the drawing room.'
'Of course!'
Harry spun round to look at Hermione as she spoke 'I remember! When we were cleaning Sirius's place there was a locket, none of us could get it open. That must have been it! Oh…' her face suddenly paled 'Harry, we threw it away.' She breathed.
Harry's stomach dropped. Now that she mentioned it, he did vaguely remember something like that. But they threw everything from the cabinets away. He buried his head in his hands, not wanting to think about what they had done.
'Harry,' Ron said gravely 'Ask Kreacher if he's seen the locket since we chucked it.'
'Why?' Harry sounded defeated as he spoke 'We disposed of it Ron, it'll be long gone-'
'Just do it.'
Harry looked back at Kreacher who was positively thrashing about 'Kreacher, have you seen the locket since we threw it out?' he asked expecting a resounding No.
'Yes!' Harry looked at Ron who motioned the elf. Kreacher was getting more and more urgent in his effort to stop himself from speaking.
'How did you know?' Harry turned to Ron.
'Just a guess. He was trying to sneak stuff away all the time, remember? If it meant so much to the old bat, he would've made a bee-line for it.' Harry smiled appreciatively at Ron then turned his attention back to the elf still struggling on the floor.
'Do you know where the locket is, Kreacher?'
'Yes!'
'Where is it?' Harry hurried on
'In … Kreacher's … spot.' He panted.
'What, its here?' said Ron
'Stupid blood traitor-'
'Where is your spot Kreacher?' Harry said through gritted teeth.
'Kreacher's bed at his mistresses house.' the elf exhaled, his body going limp. It appeared he had told them all he knew for he stood up looking exhausted, having fought a losing battle, and scowled at them 'Kreacher will go now!' before vanishing.
Harry stuffed his backpack with everything he thought he might need and hastily wrote a note to McGonagall, leaving the Marauders Map with Ron, and then the three of them met back in the Common Room.
'Stay out of trouble.' Ron said 'I know that's asking a lot' he smiled awkwardly.
'Wherever possible,' he said quietly
'How are we going to stay in touch?'
'via these' Hermione handed Harry one of two small emerald books.
'What's this?' Harry opened it and flicked through the blank pages.
'It's a message log. Whatever you write on the front of a page will show up on the back of the same page in this book' she waved the one she held in her hand 'and vice versa'
'That's brilliant' Harry shook his head 'How did you do it?'
'I didn't. I took them from that box of test stuff Fred and George brought round over the holidays.' Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows at her. Hermione flushed 'Well, they really do have some extraordinary magic, and I thought these would come in handy.' Harry stowed the book away and swung his cloak over him.
When he reached the large iron gates, he pointed his wand from under his cloak. McGonagall had included the gate password on the list she had given him for the Heads, with the understanding that he would need to use it on occasion. The enormous lock clunked open and the chains dropped away noisily. Harry opened the gate quickly and slipped through it, turning to lock it again.
He concentrated and found himself outside thirteen Grimmauld Place. Once he was back inside his temporary home he lit several candles and went from room to room looking for any sign of someone staying there, but there was no one about, and it looked as if Lupin hadn't been back since his last transformation just after Diagon Alley. So Harry dumped his pack on the bed and returned to the kitchen. Getting down on his hands and knees, he lit his wand and crawled into the small space that Kreacher called home.
With a sense of urgency, he rifled through the bedding, pulling out old photos and clothing that used to belong to Sirius's mother and father, then his hand hit on something small, smooth and cold. He closed his hand around it and backed out of the tiny space. Even before he opened his palm he knew this was it. It had an unnatural heaviness to it as the chain dangled through his fingers.
Harry turned it over and traced the outline of the "S" shaped serpent on the front. It seemed incredible to think he held a piece of Voldemort's soul in the palm of his hand. He finally stood and walked over to the kitchen table. Sitting down he pulled a candle close, tucked his wand back in his pocket, and rested his elbows on the table, turning the locket over in his fingers. His eyes narrowed and mouth curled in distaste. Harry knew Voldemort had killed to make it and the thought repulsed him. Though he knew it was pointless, he tried to open it, and as suspected, it proved impossible.
Suddenly the fireplace burst into roaring green flames. Expecting that Lupin was finally returning, Harry quickly tucked the locket away in his pocket. But as he watched the figure emerge from the flames Harry's heart began to pound in his chest.
All in one move he leapt to his feet, whipped his wand out and aimed it at Snape 'Petrificus Totalus!'
The spell bounced off Snape and collided with the wall; the sound of cracking stone tore through the kitchen as Snape glared at Harry.
'Stupefy!' Harry yelled as he backed away, trying desperately to put some distance between them. Again, the spell ricocheted off him as Snape flicked his wand, sending the iron candelabra that hung from the roof crashing down onto the table. The candle Harry had been using was thrown from the table by the force of the impact and rolled onto the chair he had been sitting on, its light flickering eerie shadows across the room. Snape snarled as he moved his wand.
'Protego!' Harry instantly blocked the spell as the ropes that unfurled from Snapes wand uselessly dropped to the floor. There was another flick from Snape. Harry dived into the sitting room, narrowly avoiding a beam of light.
'I see your skills have not improved.' Snapes voice goaded as Harry scrambled to his feet. Harry aimed at the doorway, his heartbeat racing as Snapes silhouette emerged, distorted by the flickering light.
'Expelliarmus!'
The curse hit Snape's shield and was deflected as he immediately sent a white light streaking towards Harry, throwing him backwards into the cold dark fireplace. His hand slammed painfully into the stone arch, sending his wand flying to the floor, disappearing as it rolled under an armchair. The ash and soot flurried around him in his panic to find his feet. His mouth and nose were choked and his eyes were being inundated as he struggled to open them. He spluttered as he pulled himself forward, temporarily unable to see, his heart pounding in his chest as something was thrust into the flesh under his chin, forcing his head up.
'I can still read you like a book.' Snape pressed his wand tip further under Harry's chin 'You are no better off than you were two years ago.' Harry was trying to keep his eyes open though they stung with ash. 'Do you delude yourself that you can take on the Dark Lord like this?' Snape leaned in close 'to him you have the powers of insect. And he will crush you under his foot just as easily.'
Harry cringed in revulsion at Snapes nearness, the panic rising in him. Then the wand tip was gone, allowing him to lower his head. His eyes had sufficiently watered to get rid of most of the grit as he watched Snape put a few paces distance between them, eyeing Harry suspiciously and keeping his wand directed at Harry's chest.
Harry glanced down out of the corner of his eyes to where his wand had disappeared 'Don't bother going for it,' Snape said, looking down his hooked nose at him. 'Unless you want to be incarcerated again.' He raised and eyebrow 'My last visit should put you off repeating that particular little stunt.'
'What do you want?' Harry said savagely, his chest heaving with anger. This was the second time Snape had got the better of him. There would not be a third.
'I've come to give you the information I promised.' Snape voice was silky as he pulled a small scroll from his robes and held it aloft. Harry eyed it for a moment, frowning dubiously. 'It wont bite,' Snape said sarcastically and narrowed his eyes 'not if you do as instructed.' Harry reached a hand up and took the scroll, all the while wondering why he was listening to this traitor.
'What is it?' Harry did not attempt to hide the loathing in his voice.
'It is your key to Bellatrix LeStrange.' Snape said. 'However, if you try to open it before six pm on All Hallows Eve, it will ignite.' Harry stopped fumbling with the seal on the scroll and looked back at Snape 'After six pm on Halloween, you will have a window of five minutes with which to read it, and memorize it.'
'Memorize it?' Harry eyed Snape distrustfully.
'You will find out what I mean on Halloween, not before.' Snape said unhelpfully.
Harry narrowed his eyes and scowled 'It's a trap, isn't it? If you think I'm stupid enough to-'
'I could easily force you to come with me right now.' Snape said threateningly.
'I wouldn't go without a fight!' Harry spat. Snape sneered mockingly as he shook his head. Then suddenly, his face was stony.
'You'd follow me like an eager little puppy if I wanted you to.'
Harry's chest was heaving as the anger coursed through him.
'If you want Bellatrix, you will be in the Great Hall at the Halloween feast, opening that at precisely six pm.' Snape pointed his wand at the scroll in Harry's hand.
'Why do I have to be at Hogwarts?'
'Don't ask pointless questions, Potter' he snapped angrily 'you will know only when you read the note.'
'I'm not going to endanger the school.' Harry said with his jaw clenched.
'If you do not do as I have instructed, believe me, the school will be under threat.' A knot formed in Harry's stomach as his mouth went dry.
'What are talking about?'
'Just do as your told for once in your life!' Snape growled, then he added silkily 'Do nothing until Halloween, as I've said, and remember' Snape took a step closer to Harry 'do not breathe a word of this to anyone in the meantime. Your revenge on Bellatrix depends on it.'
Harry struggled with his loathing and distrust for Snape, and the feeling of dread that had overcome him. He could not afford to ignore Snape's warning.
Snape was staring at Harry questioningly through narrowed eyes, and as Harry stood there, the image of him destroying the cabinet suddenly flashed across his mind, followed speedily by McGonagall's stern figure in the Head Office. Harry was suddenly aware of what was happening and he desperately tried to close his mind. Ginny's face appeared with tears in her eyes as Harry's heart lurched painfully. NO! He thought savagely, NOT HER!
'STOP IT!' He yelled as he tried to think of something else, anything else. Gabrielle's tear filled, horrified eyes swam in his mind, and before Harry could stop it, a sudden flash of gold streaked through his thoughts. 'NO!' Harry felt a sharp pain in his knees as they hit the floor. He lifted himself to his feet, panting from the effort of throwing Snape out of his mind, and glaring at Snape, he asked furiously 'What the hell are you doing?'
Snape was even paler than usual and his eyes looked almost possessed as he spoke.
'You are still hopeless at Occlumency.' He said, his voice dripping with contempt. 'You will fail Potter, because you are clueless and lazy.' Then he flicked his wand, but Harry was ready for it. He threw himself behind the chair. The curse hit the back of the fireplace, sending soot billowing into the air as Harry desperately felt for his wand. Snapes snide voice rang out 'Luck will not save you in the end.' It sounded as though Snape had retreated back to the kitchen. 'Only a great wizardcan defeat The Dark Lord!'
Harry's fingers pulled the stick like thing towards his palm, closing over it firmly. He darted out from behind the chair and raced towards the kitchen, arriving just in time to see Snapes twirling black robe disappear up into the chimney. Harry slowly lowered his wand and breathlessly sunk into a nearby chair, surveying the damage.
It was early morning before he collapsed into bed after cleaning up the mess. There were still some telltale marks on the walls, which Harry could not mend with magic, but that was the least of his worries. Snape had made it clear something terrible was going to happen, something that might be averted by capturing Bellatrix. But it confused Harry as to why Snape was so willing to share this information.
Why was he sabotaging his master's servant's errand? Was it possible that Bellatrix was acting alone and Snape had caught wind of it? No, Harry could think of no reason why Snape wouldn't just kill her himself. So why had he come to Harry? Then a thought occurred to him. Snape wanted rid of Bellatrix because she was competition, she was as evil and as cruel as he was.
Harry had seen the Death Eaters cower before Snape on theAstronomy Tower, so he was counted as someone to be reckoned with, and Bellatrix had described herself to Harry over a year ago in the Ministry of Magic as Voldemorts "most loyal servant". It made sense; that was why Snape had tipped him off, he wanted Bellatrix out of the way.
Harry felt a certain amount of satisfaction at the thoughts that they were fighting amongst themselves, though there remained of course, the possibility that this was still an elaborate trap of some kind. But he could not take the risk and try opening the parchment now, nor could he ignore the possibility that Snape was telling the truth, not if Hogwarts was in danger.
Snapes words repeated, over and over in Harry's head as he lay in the dawn's light. He knew Occlumency was important for him, especially now. He was hiding such an incredible secret, that should it get back to Voldemort, all hope would be lost. If Voldemort knew someone had successfully destroyed the ring Horcruxe already, and that the locket was currently in Harry's possession, then he would reinforce his security around the remaining ones, making them impossible to obtain, not to mention he would hunt Harry down with a renewed urgency.
It bit deeply that Snape was right about him. Harry had none of the power Voldemort had. Luck was the only reason he had escaped him in the past. He still struggled with the most basic of things, non-verbal spells. As he rolled over trying to shut out the morning's light, he came upon a decision; after he had destroyed the locket he would return to Hogwarts and work ruthlessly to become the wizard everyone believed him to be.
Over the next few days Harry stayed in contact with Ron and Hermione via the message log. The speech was necessarily cryptic in case someone should come across one of the books, though Harry had nothing of importance to report since finding the locket. As each day passed his notes were becoming shorter and more impatient sounding, until on the fourth morning all he wrote was one sentence to say nothing new had happened. Hermiones notes on the other hand were far more detailed.
It seemed she and Ron had started the Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons at McGonagall's instructions, but had found they were struggling to keep order amongst so many students. In fact, Hermione had sounded rather flustered upon returning from a two-hour session on his third day at Grimmauld place, saying that they were only still doing it because McGonagall wouldn't let them quit. As for the shared Common Room, Hermione had written that things had taken a turn for the worst since he had left and Blaise Zabini in particular had become extremely antagonistic.
Harry felt a pang of sympathy for his two best friends, but he found little time to wonder at the goings on at Hogwarts. He had bent all of himself to the task of figuring out what to do next. He had tried to open the locket by force and failed miserably, even resorting to throwing it in the fire to see if it might magically spring open. But nothing prevailed, so his mood sank deeper with each passing day out of frustration and impatience.
The Order members who dropped in from time to time to check on him during their guard would not discuss why Lupin had not yet come back, though Harry began to suspect he was working undercover amongst the werewolves once more, an extraordinarily risky thing to do after he had been present at the struggle with the Death Eaters at Hogwarts; a fact Harry would bring up with him the minute he returned.
The fact that Snape had seen Ginny in his thoughts when he had invaded his mind, also weighed heavily on Harry. It was exactly the kind of thing Harry had desperately hoped to avoid and yet because of his lack of skill, and his increasing need for her, it had come to pass anyway. The more Harry thought about it the darker his thoughts became, and his growing unease and frustration meant sleeping was becoming more and more difficult.
On the fourth day Harry was sitting in the kitchen as he did everyday, staring at the locket on the table before him, feeling utterly useless, when he heard Sirius's mothers portrait start up. He hastily snatched the locket up and placed it in his pocket before hunching himself over his cold, half empty mug of tea. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and as they neared Harry resentfully hoped whomever it was would drink their tea quickly and leave. He didn't look up as they stopped at the foot of the stairs. Mrs. Black was still ranting in the distance as whoever it was made their way over to the table, and then Harry felt a slender hand on his shoulder.
He looked up expecting to see Tonks, but instead he looked straight into Fleur's slightly watery eyes. It was a meeting Harry had been silently dreading since the morning after her and Bills wedding. Even though Harry knew he wasn't responsible for what happened to Gabrielle, he couldn't help think that it wouldn't have happened if not for him. He had wondered if she would ever be able to bring herself to be in his company again, and part of him almost hoped that she wouldn't.
She leant down and kissed him gently on the cheek. 'Eet 'as been too long 'Arry' her voice was soft though heavy with emotion. Her smile as she looked down at him did not reach her eyes 'You 'av been avoiding me perhaps?' Harry quickly looked down at the table 'No' he forced. Mrs. Black was finally silent again as Fleur continued.
'Arry, we 'av been friends for a long time now, and I feel I can be honest weeth you.' She pulled out a chair next to Harry and swung it round to face him. He stared at the table intently and did not look up.
'Theengz were very 'ard for my family after what happened, and eet was eezy to blame you because we needed someone to blame.' Harry's swallowed the pain that leapt from his stomach 'But it did not take us long to realize our mistake, and Bill 'as been working very 'ard to find zee culprit, zee real person oo deserves our 'atred.' Harry's head swung round as he looked at Fleur 'Dis … Bellatrix,' she almost spat the name 'she will feel zee consequences of 'er actions very soon.'
Harry frowned 'What d'ya mean?' he asked cautiously.
'You will zee,' Just then Bill appeared through the doorway and smiled crookedly at Fleur through his scarred face. 'And when 'ee catches up with 'er she will wish she never crossed a Delacour.' Her eyes glittered with revenge. Harry was frowning intently as he turned his attention to Bill.
'What's going on? Have you found Bellatrix?'
'Cant say, Order business.' He said flatly. Harry dropped his eyes searchingly to the table. He knew the Orders hatred of Bellatrix was likely to place them all in a great deal of danger, and he was already sitting on a way of getting to her. But he had no way of convincing them of that without telling them about Snape, which would then render the plan useless. He stood up and looked Bill in the eye, determined to get an answer.
'I have to know Bill' he said slowly 'How close are you to getting to Bellatrix?' Bill sighed and closed his eyes for the briefest moment before answering him.
'I know what this means to you Harry, but I cant-'
'No you don't! You don't have a clue what this means to me.' Harry said loudly. 'I will not be pushed out of the loop on this one. Tell me how long until you move in on her?' Bill looked taken-a-back by Harry's aggressiveness, but it was Fleur who spoke first.
'I theenk ee deserves to know.' She said to Bill as she lifted her hand and touched it to Harry's arm 'Ee 'as suffered as much as anyone else 'as because of 'er.' Harry stared stony eyed, waiting for Bill to speak.
'I can't tell you Harry, you know the oath I took.' He said gravely 'Though I promise to bring it up with Lupin when he gets here tomorrow.'
Harry knew it was useless to push the point, so he slumped back in his chair and rubbed his face in his hands.
'You look terrible,' Fleur said as she took his cup away. 'You 'aven't made yourself a proper meal the whole time you've been 'ere, I expect.' She stood up and walked to the cupboards 'I'll make us some lunch.'
'I'm not hungry, I already ate'
She turned and eyed him shrewdly 'I theenk dis eez not true'
'She cooks an excellent shepherds pie' Bill chimed in hopefully.
'No, really,' Harry got up and walked to the stairs 'I'm not hungry.' then he turned and made his way up the stairs and into the drawing room, closing the door behind him.
He removed his obsession from his pocket, holding it before him. The lack of sleep and sheer frustration he had experienced over the past few days proved a volatile mix and he squeezed the hateful Horcrux in his fist, turning his knuckles white.
Why had Dumbledore entrusted this task to me? He thought angrily. What could he do against such magic? He wasn't a great wizard as Snape had so eagerly pointed out. His chest heaved as the heat in him rose. He didn't have the experience or the knowledge to deal with this. He thought savagely. If it wasn't enough that Dumbledore had made the unforgivable mistake of trusting Snape, he had also erred beyond the ridiculous entrusting the destruction of Voldemort to him.
Harry let out a heated roar, and with the strength that could only come from utter rage, he pulled his arm back and threw the locket across the room. It hit the Black Family tapestry hard and bounced off, falling to the ground as solid as ever.
Harry yanked out his wand and pointed it at the locket. How could the fate of the wizarding world be resting on his shoulders? 'Alohomora!'Harry said through gritted teeth, feeling utterly useless. Nothing happened. How could Dumbledore have been stupid enough to believe in him? 'Open!' he said angrily as he walked up to it. He eyed the serpent engraving, repulsed by its link to Voldemort. He was going to fail. Harry knew in his heart that Snape was right. He was beyond caring who heard him as he yelled with blind fury at the golden snake'OPEN!'
A hissing sound came out of Harry's mouth and a rumble like thunder grew from the locket, shaking the room. It reached a deafening level as Harry backed away from it, before there was an enormous boom and the locket sprang open.
There was a blinding flash of pale pink light and an unbearable wave of heat as Harry was lifted off his feet and flung backwards. He was slammed into the wall behind him with incredible force, and then just as helplessly, he was dropped onto his stomach like a rag doll, barely conscious.
His skin was painfully blistered and burned as he struggled to get breath into his lungs. He was unable to move as his eyes looked across the floor and found the locket lying open and blackened under the burnt shell of a chair. His ears rang and his head pounded, and he spluttered as the air returned to his lungs, finally giving in to the encroaching darkness.