:D I love the below so much that I had to include it even though I didn't need to :D
A few days later, the Weasley twins took their flight to freedom, having summoned their broomsticks and left a swamp on the fifth floor as a reminder of their mischievousness. Their broomsticks had left two gaping holes in Umbridge's door, much to the amusement of the entire school and Harry's own Firebolt had been moved to a secret place in the dungeons where it was rumored a troll guared it. New mischief makers were now trying to fill the Weasleys' positions and nifflers were getting released into Umbridge's office while Dungbombs and Stinkpellets were being dropped nearly every few minutes in the corridors and halls. Filch and the Inquisitorial Squad were doing their best to stop the troublemakers, but odd things kept happening to them. Skin compaints and sprouted antlers and overgrown ears or noses were among the many things that sent members of the Squad to the Infirmary. Harry was amazed to learn Fred and George had created something known as a Skiving Snackbox, which enabled students to eat candy and face some kind of ailment. Many of these were used to skive off Defense Against the Dark Arts with Umbridge, who had no choice but to let them. Furthermore, Peeves, acting under a command from Fred, reigned terror over the school with his even crazier antics, from upending tables to toppling statues to shutting Mrs. Norris inside suits of armor. He smashed lanters, snuffed out candles, juggled burning torches over the heads of screaming students, topped piles of parchment into fires or out windows, flooded the second floor, let loose a bag of tarantulas into the middle of the Great Hall, and would follow Umbridge around, blowing raspberries whenever she tried to talk. None of the staff, except Filch, helped Umbridge. Some, in fact, encouraged Peeves, such as McGonagall, who instructed Peeves on how to loosen a crystal chandelier, and Snape, who supplied Peeves with a small pewter cauldron to throw at Umbridge's back when she wasn't looking (after she had insulted Snape for his lack of support). Meanwhile, Montague was still out of commission, which caused the Slytherin Quidditch team to lose to Hufflepuff and put them out of the running for the Quidditch cup.
Than, during the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw match, Hagrid asked Harry and Hermione to join him while the match continued. Theodore, who accompanied the games because of Harry, insisted on tagging along. The three had then witnessed Grawp, Hagrid's half brother. He wanted them to look after Grawp in case he got sacked, which he figured would happen at some point because of Umbridge. They agreed and then had to scram because the centaurs, who were angry at Hagrid for stopping them from killing Firenze, were even more angry now as they had apparently "banished" Hagrid from the forest as well. Furthermore, they were mad at him for keeping Grawp in their forest, saying that their tolerance was waning.
When they reached the Quidditch Pitch once more, they found that Gryffindor won, much to the disgust of the Slytherins.
The next day found Harry and Theodore by a tree (the same tree Snape had sat by in his memory after the O.W.L. testing) studying while at another tree (the same tree the Marauders had occupied under in the same memory) Ronald was boasting about his winnings with Seamus, Finnigan, Dean, and Neville while Hermione and Ginny tried to coax the boys to study.
"Stupid idiot half-breed." Theodore cussed as he caught the look Hermione cast them. "Why'd he have to bring back a giant?"
"It's his brother." Harry sighed, shifting uncomfortably around some roots.
"Wants us to teach it English." Theodore gave Harry an incredulous glare.
"Him," Harry muttered. "You know, I'm picking up your prejudices. I almost said 'Mudblood' in front of Snape."
Theo snorted amusement. "Well, at least, you're smart enough to say it to the right person."
"He doesn't like that term either. It cost him a friend."
Theo shrugged, seeming indifferent. "Friends come and go."
"Is that how you see it?"
The taller Slytherin ignored the question and instead stated, "Can't do this thing for Hagrid. Have exams and Umbridge is watching us, especially you."
"We promised."
"You did. I lied."
"Of course you did."
Neither spoke again as they studied, feeling the extra pressure of the exams weighing down on them. This stress wasn't helping Harry with his Occlumency lessons and he was so tired at night that he often collapsed before he had an opportunity to clear his mind. Soon the examination schedule was given to them and Snape detailed the process during their Potions Class after dismissing the Gryffindors.
Soon the examiners had arrived and the examinations began. Charms came first and he and Theodore both felt they had passed the test excellently and then they waited their turn for their practical. Theodore did excellently and then Harry had been called. He didn't fret over being outperformed by Theodore, he knew fairly well this was a likely outcome, and felt he did extraordinary in his own light. The next day was Transfiguration and, while he had been sure he knew everything for the test, he didn't do as well on it as he had expected. Thankfully he made this up in the practical as he was asked to reveal his Animagus form, since the teacher had heard he could turn into a falcon. This seemed to settle the teacher's mind that he was good at Transfiguration. Apparently, Theodore had undergone the same treatment, though he seemed more confident in his test results. Herbology hadn't gone nearly as well as these other classes as he hadn't thought to focus on the subject and Theodore, who was usually good at everything, seemed to be making the same complaints. During Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry felt sure he had passed as his Patronus was asked to be revealed by the examiner in much the same way as his Animagus form. Theodore had also showed off his Patronus, but felt he hadn't done particularly well in the practical otherwise. Friday, Harry had off while Theodore took his Ancient Runes exam and Harry spent the day in Snape's classroom, studying, which seemed to please the Professor as he gave Harry two toffees in passing. When Theodore found him, he was practically gloating because he was sure he passed every bit of the exam while Granger had been complaining afterwards about making a mistake. The Potions exam had gone well for both and the examiner had commented to both of them about how amazing of Potioneers they were, which had caused the boys' chests to swell with pride. Harry didn't do nearly as well in his exam for Care of Magical Creatures, but didn't bother to tell Theodore this. Only Theodore did well on the Astronomy written exam and Harry was absolutely positive he didn't pass Divination, though Theodore had apparently done better in Arithmancy than Granger, beating her again at a difficult subject.
That was the same day that things went terrible. During their Astronomy practical, Hagrid had been attacked by Aurors and McGonagall had been stunned by four Stunners. Hagrid had run as Umbridge had screamed after him. Harry didn't want to go to the Common Room after that, knowing that Malfoy would be gloating and he stayed with Theodore in Professor Snape's classroom until his Head of House forced him to leave.
His final exam was History of Magic and he knew without a doubt he was going to fail this one much like he had Divination. While Theodore sat a few seats ahead of him, scribbling away excitedly through the questions, Harry searched his exam for questions he knew he could answer instead of struggling over those he felt unsure about. The exam was boring and brain numbing and he was constantly weaving in and out of focus. Feeling groggy and frustrated, he put down his quill, closed his eyes, and tried to clear his mind, hoping it would help him regain his focus.
Abruptly, he was in the dark corridor to the Department of Mysteries and he was walking, purposefully towards his destination.
I'm not supposed to be here. The thought was like fire in his mind and went against the determined emotion raging inside of him.
He tried to wake up, but instead the dream took him past the door and into a room full of more doors. He went through the third one and he found himself in a cathedral-sized room full of shelves and glass spheres, taking him further than he had ever gone before.
No! He fought harder to wake up, struggling against the dream. "NO!"
His eyes were opening as he awoke with a start and noticed with horror that he had called out aloud. Everyone was looking at him, including the examiner and Harry sheepishly admitted he'd fallen asleep and had a nightmare.
"Well, the exam is nearly over." The man nodded to him. "If you'd like you can round off your answer and have yourself a nice lie down."
"I think I've answered as much as I can." Harry handed the man his test and the man gave him a pleasant nod before dismissing him. Harry left the Great Hall as quickly as he could and then broke in a run to Snape's office.
He arrived, interrupting a sixth year class of assorted Houses, and told his Head of House that he didn't care if he got himself a year's worth of detentions for saying this, but Professor Snape was dismiss his class now and give him the rest of his time.
Murmurs exploded around the classroom at this and Snape called for silence, which he received instantly.
"Class dismissed."
The roar of awe escaped the class and it took the man's shout to finally bring everyone to their senses enough to pack up and leave.
Snape spelled the door shut and locked and then looked at Harry cynically. "You had better explain fast."
"I need an Occlumency lesson now." Harry ordered. "I had a dream in my last exam that took me well beyond any point I had ever been before."
"Sit." Snape ordered and Harry obeyed quickly. "Legilimens!"
Harry wandered down to Slytherin House feeling weary and broken. Their Occlumency lesson had been interrupted by Professor Umbridge who accused Snape of performing illegal spells on students and tried to have him removed by the same Aurors who attacked Hagrid and McGonagall. Snape hadn't fled nor resisted, instead coming quietly until they reached the door, in which moment he had caused a distraction of brilliant light and escaped who knew how. When he had gone to the Infirmary to inform McGonagall of this, he had instead learned that she had been transferred to St. Mungo's.
And now Harry's allies, whom he knew he could trust, and remaining Order members were gone.
He reached the Common Room where everyone was whispering about Snape's escape from the Aurors, some with pride, others with disgust. Harry ignored them and looked for Theodore, only he wasn't there. Too exhausted to be concerned with this, he crawled into bed and fell asleep.
In the morning, he slipped out of bed and stood there, feeling very alone. It took him several minutes to get dressed and look for Theodore, who was up, enjoying his first day off from studies as today was for Muggle Studies. He gave Harry a peculiar glance when Harry entered and then the two of them left the Common Room together.
They wandered through the castle that day, chatting about Harry's dream and sudden Occlumency lesson and Snape's run for freedom, before they settled down under a tree and Harry, exhausted still from the night before, cleared his head before settling into a nap.
The corridor rose before him again and he was running along it, through the many doors until he reached the great room. All the while he struggled to wake, but couldn't. His eyes rested upon a dark figure and he gasped as it began to be tortured upon the floor. Words were being spoken by himself as he told the man lying there being tormented that he did not like traitors, that he required the man to fetch it for him, that he would undoubtedly kill the man in the end, regardless of whether or not he obeyed...
He awoke with a start, Theodore holding onto him with worry in his eyes.
"Harry?" He asked as the shorter Slytherin tried to orient himself. "What's wrong?"
"He has Snape!" Harry gasped, clutching onto Theodore. "He has Snape!"
"Who has Snape?"
"You-Know-Who!" Harry felt as if his scar was gashed open it hurt so badly. He felt at it, but there was no blood.
"How do you know?"
"I saw it! Just now."
"Where? How?" Theodore's face was white and his eyes bewildered.
"I dunno how." Harry was forcing himself to stop quivering, demanding his body to regain control over itself. "But I know exactly where. There's a room in the Department of Mysteries full of shelves covered in these little glass balls, and they're at the end of row ninety-seven...he's trying to use Snape to get whatever it is he wants from in there...he's torturing him...says he'll end by killing him..."
"Snape is on his side..." Theodore started, but Harry interrupted him.
"He thinks he's betrayed him." Harry remembered the cackling laughter and forced down his fear. "How are we going to get there?"
"Get there?"
"Get to the Department of Mysteries, so we can rescue Snape!"
"Can't go there!" Theodore argued. "He can't be there, Harry! How did he get there without anyone noticing?"
"I don't know!" Harry yelled, now on his feet. "The question is how are we going to get there!"
"But...Harry, think!" Theodore rose to his feet as well. "Is past five in the afternoon! The Ministry is still full of workers. How could You-Know-Who and Snape gotten themselves inside without being seen? Harry...You-Know-Who is the most wanted wizard in the world and Snape...people would recognize Snape and he's on the run as well. Is simply no possible way for them to get into a building full of Aurors undetected!"
"They probably used an Invisibility Cloak or something and the Department of Mysteries is always completely empty when I see it."
"Is just a dream, Harry." Theodore insisted. "Have never been there."
"They're not normal dreams!" Harry shouted. "How d'you explain Ron's dad then, what was all that about, how come I knew what had happened to him?"
Theodore took a step away from him. "Is...unlikely though, Harry. How did he get hold of Snape?"
"Probably when Snape went to report he had left the school." Harry replied quickly. "Snape probably had to reply to both his "masters" and so he told Dumbledore and then You-Know-Who and that's just how it ended up."
"But why Snape?" Theodore persisted. "Why would he use Snape to get this weapon, or whatever the thing is?"
"Snape had an inside to Dumbledore! He probably figured out that Snape knew something and hadn't told him! Snape knows how to get to the weapon! He's been caught!"
"Is...is...is just your saving-people-problem." Theodore suddenly accused as if he was resorting to his last possible option to keep Harry from doing something stupid. "For instance, last year, you got a bit carried away...sure it was great and all...but it was Gryffindor foolhardy bravery, wasn't it?"
"Oh, so that's what it is, is it?" Harry was shaking so hard his glasses began to slip down his nose. "You think I'm trying to play 'hero'?"
"No." Theodore took another defensive step back as if he had sensed he'd said the wrong thing. "Is not what I meant..."
"Well, spit out what you've got to say, because we're wasting time."
Theodore hesitated and then spoke quickly, voice lowering. "Look. You-Know-Who knows you. Knows you'll save people like the Weasley girl and he knows you'd come to the aid of your favorite Professor. What if he's just trying to lure you into the Department of Mysteries..."
"Theo, it doesn't matter if he's done it to get me there or not. They've taken McGonagall to St. Mungo's, there isn't anyone left from the Order at Hogwarts who we can tell, and if we don't go, Snape is dead!"
"But what if your dream was just that, a dream?"
Harry couldn't help it. He was frustrated and he'd had enough of trying to convince him.
"You don't get it! I'm not having nightmares, I'm not just dreaming! What d'you think all the Occlumency was for, why d'you think Dumbledore wanted me prevented from seeing these things? Because they're REAL, Theo! Snape is trapped! I've seen him! You-Know-Who's got him, and no one else knows, and that means we're teh only ones who can seave him, and if you don't want to do it, fine, but I'm going, understand? And if I remember rightly, you didn't have a problem with my saving-people-problem when it was you I was saving from the dementors!"
"Have just said it, Harry!" Theodore was almost whispering now. "Dumbledore wanted you to learn to shut these things out of your mind, if you'd learned Occlumency you'd never have seen this..."
"IF YOU THINK I'M GOING TO ACT LIKE I HAVEN'T SEEN..."
"Snape has told you time and time again that nothing was more important than you learning to close your mind!"
"WELL, I EXPECT HE'D SAY SOMETHING DIFFERENT IF HE KNEW WHAT I'D JUST SEEN!"
"Resorting to screaming nowadays, Potter?"
Ron's voice brought Harry's wand up and he spun around to see the gang of Gryffindors along with Hermione and Ginny and Luna.
"What are you yelling about?" Ron asked, ignoring Harry's wand.
"Never you mind." Harry spat.
"No need to take that tone with us." Hermione cut in. "We were only wondering if we could help."
"Well, you can't."
"You're being rather rude, you know." Luna spoke serenely.
"Wait..." Theodore suddenly spoke. "Wait...they can help."
Harry spun to look at his friend dismally.
"Listen." Theodore gave Harry a stern look. "Harry, we need to establish whether or not your Headquarters knows Snape is in peril or not."
"I've already told you, I saw..."
"Please, listen!" Theo seemed at the end of his rope of patience. "Let's just check that Snape isn't at Headquarters and that the Order doesn't know where he's at before we go off to London. If we find out he's not there and they haven't heard from him, I won't try and stop you."
"SNAPE IS BEING TORTURED NOW!" Harry bellowed. "We haven't got time to waste..."
"If it's a trick, you will be sorely sorry." Theodore reprimanded him. "Have to check."
"How?"
"You can use Umbridge's fire." Hermione interrupted, even though she looked absolutely terrified. "It's the only fire in the entire castle that's not guarded. We can draw her away and post lookouts while you're there."
"Only if you can do this quickly." Harry demanded.
The plan was set into motion with Ron offering to inform her that Peeves was smashing up the Transfiguration department with the intent to persuade Peeves to do it if he met him along the way. Luna, Ginny, Dean, and Seamus offered to stand at either ends of the corridor with their respective friends while warning away people with the threat of Garroting Gas. Theodore told Harry they'd use the invisibility cloak to sneak into the office after Hermione, accompanied by Neville, walked by and discreetly cast the spells needed to open the office.
The plan worked as Harry was able to get to the fire, but it was only Kreacher waiting for him on the other side. Kreacher informed him that neither Sirius nor Lupin were there and that he hadn't seen Snape come or go. Than Harry was dragged out of the fire by his hair and found himself face to face with Umbridge. Theodore was on the floor, blood coming from his nose and Goyle pinning him down. Filch and the Inquisitorial Squad was there and each was pulling in a member of the group who had tried to help Harry with his plan.
She began to question him about what he was doing there, but when he refused to answer, she decided she was going to use the Cruciatus Curse to get her answers, revealing, after objections raised by the captured students, that it had been her who sent the dementors after Harry. She raised her wand to curse him.
Hermione and Theodore shouted at almost the same time, the former with "We have to tell her!" and the latter with, "Know where it's hidden!"
Umbridge didn't know at first who to interrogate first and this gave each of the two students a chance to collect their stories and start talking at once.
Hermione rattled on about how Harry was trying to reach Dumbledore to tell him about something important and that something was ready while Theodore spoke hastily that they'd been hiding something for Dumbledore, a weapon, in the forest which was now ready for him to use.
This seemed to answer Umbridge's questions. She decided to take the three of them (Harry, Hermione, and Theodore) with her into the forest where the weapon was supposedly hidden. Harry had caught on that they were going to Grawp, but things took a different turn when they were instead surrounded by centaurs. Thankfully, Umbridge insulted them enough to attack her, but then they had turned on the three Hogwarts students. It was thanks to Grawp that they were saved from the centaurs and then they were running through the forest, Harry cussing at the other two for their stupid plan.
"Snape is probably dead!"
They suddenly ran into the group, who had apparently escaped their captors with several of the jinxes and hexes they had learned from the D.A. After some squabbling and the arrival of Thestrals, they were finally about to be on there way.
"Come on, Theo." Harry said, sitting on the back of his Thestral. "You know how to ride a horse better than anyone else here."
"Am not coming."
"What?" Harry gaped at his friend. "Are you serious?"
"Am not going to risk my neck." Theodore spat. "Don't even know if he's there, Harry. Don't know if it's true or not. Have done enough damage. Don't need things getting worse for me at home. Won't stop you, but I'm not coming."
Harry swallowed down his anger and disappointment. "Fine. Be a coward."
He didn't even look back as his Thestral took off into the air.
Hope you enjoy this! Review if you want.