Wow! 11 reviews for the last chapter! Thank you.

Xxxxxxxx

Poppy was running her wand over him, she didn't say a word as she concentrated on Potter who was resting in the currently locked Hospital Wing. Minerva couldn't rid herself of the horrible feeling creeping through her as her and her colleagues stood around his bed.

"What happened?" Pamona asked, her voice shaking as all the other teachers listened carefully.

"Snape called me to his office" She barely managed to reply "I...he, Potter was barely able to stand, Snape just told me I was responsible for him" She finished quietly, her eyes unable to look away from here Harry lay.

"He's been with the Dark Lord all this time?" Fillius asked sharply.

"He must have been taken." Minerva said horsely. "The night the Order tried to move him from his relatives."

"Minerva, there would have been nothing we could have done" Fillius said his voice strong as he tried to reassure her. "If he was with You Know Who we would have been unable to help"

This didn't comfort her as she tried to piece her thoughts together. Everything was so wrong, it shouldn't be like this.

They all stood awkwardly around Harry's bed as he tossed gently, sweat forming on his brow. Minerva couldn't even contemplate what horrors Harry might have been subjected to.

"He'll have to be moved out of the castle" Pamona said firmly, breaking the short silence.

Minerva nodded as all of their gazes drifted to the small band of light wrapped around his left arm just below where the dark mark had been scorched into his skin.

"I should be able to transfigure the parameters and then we can move him to a safe house in Hogsmede" She replied quietly.

"No" Poppy cut across , not even glancing up as she continued to examine Harry with her wand "He should not be moved, not until I am completely certain he's healed" She instructed firmly. "Potter is suffering from exhaustion, he would not have the strength"

Minerva shook her head forcefully "We have to get him out of here as soon as possible, we should act now. We do not know the circumstances for why Potter is here. We don't have time" She argued, she could do nothing to still the uncomfortable twisting sensation in her stomach.

"No, Potter needs urgent attention" Poppy stressed as she continued to run her wand up and down him.

"Then you shall go with him" She argued.

Poppy shook her head, "If Potter has been sent to Hogwarts, why would he be removed straight away?" She asked "We have the time to heal him"

"Is it worth risking his life?" Minerva demanded staring at them all. She was starting to get angry, why couldn't they just understand.

"Poppy's right Minerva" Fillius agreed softly "We can protect him here for the time being"

"How can we keep him here?" She said trying to control her shaking voice. "Just look at him?" She gestured desperately. "We have to get him to safety, now"

"We will not let the Carrows or Snape touch him" Fillius said firmly. "We will keep him safe"

"How?" McGonagall asked again, now getting agitated. "The castle is under his control. How can we protect him?"

Fillius answered quietly "We know you care about Potter a great deal, as do we all. But he is not strong enough. You know that changing the parameters would be a huge effect on his health. " He continued. "We cannot move him, not yet. He has to recover first, then we can act."

McGonagall looked down at Potter, desperately trying to contain her emotions. She had no choice but to agree. Transfiguring the parameters would be dangerous enough, it was really unthinkable with Harry so wounded.

"Everyone must protect him with their lives" She said firmly, making her decision. Nods ran around the circle as they all agreed, however she didn't relax.

Her colleagues fell once again into a short silence, only broken my Potters odd murmurs. It was apparent his sleep was disrupted.

"We'll have to wake him up" Poppy said after awhile.

"We can't, he barely had enough energy to stand" McGonagall said quietly.

"I doubt he's had a decent nights rest in months" Poppy scowled "He's completely exhausted, he's nearly starved, a dreamless sleep potion would do him wonders" They all held horrified as Harry continued to turn.

"What did they do to him?" She only now dared ask, her voice was choked as the extent of the damage was becoming clear.

No one dared answer, they all knew the torment the dark lord was capable of.

There was complete silence as Poppy raised her wand. "Enervate"

Harry's eyes snapped open instantly and the confusion was apparent as he jerked himself up into a sitting position, his eyes darting around. He was panicking as he attempted to push himself away from the group of people.

"Careful Harry" Poppy said calmly as attempted to rest hand on his shoulder.

Harry flinched back quickly and she withdrew it slowly.

"You're safe" She said gently "You're at Hogwarts"

Harry didn't say anything as he observed the people surrounding him. It took him a moment to realise they weren't a threat.

Poppy held a potion out to him. He hesitated before slowly moving his arm up to take it. He didn't meet anyone's eyes as he held onto it without drinking it.

"Ron and Hermione?" He asked. He sounded so tired, as if he was struggling to hold his thoughts straight.

The other teachers looked around to Minerva uncertain.

"They are not at Hogwarts" Was all she could answer. She was surprised when Harry only nodded without saying a word. It was as if he expected this answer. She couldn't help but notice how nervous Harry was in their company, he looked agitated, however he held his gaze locked on his own hands holding the potion.

Minerva cursed Voldemort. She would make sure he would suffer for what had happened.

"Drink Potter" Poppy said gently but Harry seemed lost in his own thoughts.

"Hagrid, he fell?" He asked bluntly.

"Hagrid is alive and well" She answered quickly. If Harry was relieved to hear the news he didn't show it, instead he only nodded as he finally took a few gulps of the potion.

It seemed the next question, Potter was afraid to ask as they waited around him quietly. He opened his mouth a few times before closing it. It took awhile before he seemed to gain the courage.

"What's the date?" Harry asked quietly.

There was a long silence.

"What date do you think it is?" Poppy asked gently.

Harry didn't answer at first, and Poppy prompted him.

"September" He said.

Minerva felt her heart skip a beat and she was thankful that Harry was looking down at the half drank potion in his hands. How could they tell him it was already nearing the end of October. Her colleagues also failed to hide the look of shock on their faces.

"Drink up" Poppy said quickly under the suffocating silence.

Distracted, Harry finished his potion. It didn't take long before he lay back as his eyes blinked rapidly before he quickly sank back into a now peaceful sleep.

McGonagall looked anxious, around her her colleagues also shifted. It was already apparent that Potter was distressed, he clearly hadn't acted normally.

"I will have the house elves set up accommodation in a room just off my office" McGonagall said firmly. Around her everyone agreed. It was important that the Carrows have no contact with Harry, the hospital wing was not a safe place. Poppy could not give her full attention in guarding and protecting him and if other students were there it would be impossible.

Xxxxxxxx

"What the hell is up with the professors?" Seamus asked, frowning as Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were huddled close together, speaking hurriedly to Professor McGonagall. It was breakfast time and the great hall was packed as students set about getting their breakfasts. Neville was currently stirring round his cereal, he wasn't feeling particularly hungry as his mind was focused on other things.

Neville shrugged turning his attention towards them confused. "I don't know, they've been acting weird all morning. I don't think any of them have eaten any breakfast yet" He added.

They all watched as Alecto Carrow walked past them slowly. It seemed as if she was trying to listen in, however McGonagall only turned sharply and stared at her. Neville didn't think he had seen his Professor look that coldly at anyone before. Carrow froze aware she had been caught in the act, before she only twisted her head and grinned at them as if mocking them. She then left the great hall with no further actions. As if on queue, Professor McGonagall nodded to her colleagues before rushing out after her.

"What the-" Neville started.

It seemed that they weren't the only ones who noticed.

"It's not just the Professors that have been acting weird" Parvati said, sliding up the bench to speak to them both.

"What do you mean?" Neville asked curiously.

"I went to the hospital wing this morning" She paused, as if for dramatic effect before continuing. "It was closed" She stated.

Neville couldn't help but feel surprised. "It's never closed" He stated.

"I know" She said, obviously pleased with all the information she had. "But what makes it stranger is that they didn't bother getting a replacement. I mean normally a professor covers for Madam Pomfrey whenever necessary, but it's like they are all too busy to bother"

"So where is Madam Pomfrey?" Neville asked confused as they glanced over at the small huddle of teachers, still whispering together.

It was at this point that Professor Flitwick raised his wand and began shooting sparks out of it. Students turned surprised, normally when announcements were made they were done by Snape.

He pointed he wand to his throat and said promptly.

"All transfiguration classes have been cancelled for today" And without further ado, promptly turned back to his conversation with Professor Sprout.

Talk began buzzing loudly through the hall as Neville turned his attention back to his friends.

"What's going on?" He questioned puzzled.

"Something really has them distracted" Parvati mumbled.

Seamus nodded, but he clearly had other things on his mind. "So what are we going to do with the next couple of hours now class is cancelled?" He asked.

Neville cottoned on at once. "Well we can either work on that essay Slughorn gave us or head up to the room of requirements and go over our next set of plans" He said lowering his voice slightly.

Seamus grinned as Parvati nodded in agreement. "I'll go tell Lavender" She promptly got up and left.

Seamus smiled and leaned forwards to grab a slice of toast, leaving Neville to ponder their plans for the coming week.

The DA had been going strong since the disaster at the start of the year. Although they had failed with getting the sword out of Snape's office, they had been recruiting heavily. Despite some of the unpleasant punishments everything had still been moving forwards. The Carrows had been struggling to take control, they had already attempted to encourage students to use the cruciatus curse but that had immediately been shot down. Neville couldn't help but smile slightly, the DA had directly targeted any other student that even thought about using the curse. It was as if they were the aurors of Hogwarts. It had been odd at first when they had had first years coming to them in tears over the Slytherin's, but their methods had been quite effective.

Ginny had single handedly sent three Slytherin's to the Hospital Wing for a week when she had come across them practising the curse on a second year Ravenclaw.

Of course she had spent nearly every night in detention since but it was worth it, students weren't afraid to speak out.

They had initially attempted to target Snape, as he was there key focus. But the headmaster always seemed a step ahead them. He would never be in one place regularly so pinning him down to attack him had been frustrating. He had only occasionally appeared in the great hall and whenever he did he was always talking to another Professor and not the Carrows.

So for now the DA had focused their attention on someone else.

Their next task was a simple one, but they were planning every last detail. It was time to get some payback on a certain Slytherin.

Xxxxxxxxxx

A bed had been prepared in the side room adjacent to Minerva's office in which Potter had been resting in for a couple of days. Minerva was currently sitting at her large office desk staring blankly at the papers she was supposed to be marking, sighing heavily she took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes as she tried to ignore her pounding headache. The last few days had been busy and challenging to say the least, she had already cancelled a number of classes or rearranged them with her colleagues and her work was beginning to pile up. But that wasn't important, what mattered most right now was the messy haired boy asleep in the room beside her.

Her fellow teachers had all agreed to constantly watch Harry, and at any given time one of the Professors would always be in her office, they had created a temporary barrier against the Carrows.

Poppy had left not long earlier after spending the night tending to Harry's wounds, if Minerva felt busy it was nothing compared to the healer. Poppy had kept tight lipped as she tended to Harry, it wasn't until she was out of his earshot that she couldn't help but burst out in anger towards Voldemort and his death eaters.

It had already been a worrying start, Potter had barely spoken to any of them. It was if he had shut himself off from the outside world as he already had spent most of his time back at Hogwarts staring out the large window in her office.

Minerva didn't mind at all when Harry sat on the window sill, he normally was there when she was either marking papers or preparing for a class. If anything Poppy had said this was already an encouraging sign as he had to start interacting with people.

It had been surprising at first though to see her student so quiet and unresponsive. She had wanted to press Harry for answers but Poppy had strictly forbidden asking him anything. Until it was clear what sort of torment Harry had been through it would be unwise to act without caution. Unfortunately they all knew the Dark Lord was particularly fond of tampering with his prisoners minds and until they understood the damage, if it was lasting or not they had decided to do everything by Harry's pace.

Poppy had already arranged for a large number of potions which would help him recover as quickly as possible and had dedicated hours to reading about advanced mind healing when it had first become apparent that Harry had suffered unthinkable torment. Nothing else would have turned the Gryffindor they all knew so well to someone who looked constantly agitated and anxious.

Minerva sighed heavily, placing her glasses back on her face carefully. She was about to focus on marking again when she was distracted by the door creaking open behind her. She turned surprised to see Potter standing in the doorway. Her heart twisted painfully as she observed him carefully, he looked exhausted.

She stood immediately but didn't move towards him, she had already made that mistake the other day when Harry had flinched back away from her instinctively.

Harry remained silent as he glanced around her office.

"Sorry" He muttered. "You don't mind?" He added, as he glanced towards the large window.

McGonagall looked on, hiding her concern at Harry's behaviour. He was a completely different person from the student who had left at the end of last year. She suppressed her anger and frustration, she would personally take on the Dark Lord if it wouldn't risk her status as a teacher.

"Of course not" She answered, she didn't smile, how could she feign happiness when everything was so wrong.

Harry didn't show any further reaction as he just moved towards the windows. Immediately he sat down on the large window sill, lifting his legs up in front of him as and lent back against the wall and stared outside. She held her expression still, hiding her own discomfort from Harry. She had never seen him look so vulnerable before. This wasn't right.

Potter didn't notice her staring as he gazed out the window. She knew the view well. It looked out onto the training grounds, just beside the greenhouses. Beyond the lake spanned out before them, it's large size reflecting the sky beautifully when it was still, creating an illusion of such a large open space.

She had first expected Harry to ask if he could out onto the grounds the first time he had sat there, however for once he seemed to obey Poppy completely, as she had strictly informed him he needed rest and shouldn't go wandering about.

It was apparent Harry was desperate to be outside, Minerva briefly wondered if he had even seen the sun in the last few months, he just looked so pale it was truly worrying.

Taking a steadying breath she decided to address him.

Xxxxxxxx

"Harry" Harry looked up surprised by being called his first name, he hadn't been called that in a long while. McGonagall was looking at him calmly from where she now sat once more at her desk. "How are you feeling?" She asked gently.

"Better" He answered, his scar wasn't burning nearly as much now he was in the castle, but his body still ached, particularly the wound on his chest. He still felt tired, his thoughts still were confused, however everything was now slightly clearer through the haze.

She only nodded her head briefly before summoning a house elf who came fully laden with a tray of hot tea and breakfast.

Harry remained sitting on the window sill as the elf promptly poured the tea and left with a deep bow.

McGonagall remained beside her desk for which he was grateful. He was still adjusting to company and the noticeable lack of death eaters.

The breakfast smelled amazing but Harry could not find his appetite, instead he just moved off the window and picked up a cup of tea. It felt amazing against his skin, even though it burned slightly, it was almost as if he had forgotten the pleasure of his senses.

Harry returned to the window. It was by far his favourite place in her office, the lake looked wavy today as a large tentacle of the giant squid roamed the nearby shore.

McGonagall resumed marking her papers, allowing them both to sit in silence for some time.

Harry took a sip of tea and immediately found himself relaxing. It was comforting to have company that didn't demand anything from him.

Harry leaned back, grimacing slightly from the pain shooting through his body.

As if noticing his discomfort McGonagall stood up and stepped over to him. Harry stiffened at once, but froze as he noticed the potion she was holding out to him.

"It will help with the pain" She said.

Harry couldn't help but reach out. It was odd that McGonagall was being so protective over him, she had hardly left her office even though Harry knew she must have classes to attend to.

"You should eat" She prompted gently, clearly noticing the lack of appetite. Harry couldn't even remember if he had eaten over the last few days.

Harry didn't respond.

She continued when it was apparent he wasn't going to eat anything.

"We're going to move you from the castle as soon as you've recovered" She said firmly.

Harry didn't answer, instead he only looked down at the small band of light that was wrapped around his wrist. He knew he wasn't going anywhere.

"I can transfigure the parameters" McGonagall explained "We should be able to move you to a safe house in Hogsmede."

Harry stilled, he couldn't help but let the shock and relief cross his face as he finally met her gaze.

"You can get me out of here?" He felt hope begin to stir inside him for the first time in months. He was finally getting away.

"As soon as you're well" She said with a thin smile, her eyes serious.

But Harry froze. His world came crashing down, in his moment of relief he had forgotten about the one crucial thing he had to do at Hogwarts.

The Horcrux. He was sure there was one in the castle. It took all his restraint to remain here, he couldn't leave, not yet.

"I can't" He said, he couldn't keep the rising pain and fear out of his voice.

Harry had never seen McGonagall look so concerned as she did now, her brow furrowed as she looked at him, worry clearly in her eyes. "We have to get you out" She insisted firmly.

Harry shook his head urgently.

"There's something I have to do...something in the castle" He tried to explain, despite the daunting feeling spreading through him.

McGonagall observed him carefully. "You're not safe here" She said firmly, as if he hadn't understood.

Harry avoided her gaze, once again staring down at the tea. "I can't leave" He said bluntly.

"Potter, this is your life you are talking about" She argued "Is this worth dying for?" Harry could hear the pain in her voice as he looked at her, his eyes full of determination, he had never been more sure of anything. There was no other way forward.

"Yes"

"I can take care of it" She insisted immediately. "We have to get you away from here. Nothing else matters"

But Harry shook his head stubbornly. He had to do this.

His mind was swimming, his thoughts unattached from each other but he still came to one clear conclusion.

He could not do this alone. He needed Ron and Hermione, only they would be able to help him finish this. There was something McGonagall could help him with. He thought quickly, assessing whether to confide in her or not. At last he decided that he had to, there was no other way, he needed to contact them urgently.

"I need to get a message to Ron and Hermione" He said quickly, watching her reaction.

McGonagall surveyed him carefully, she only nodded, listening with her full attention.

"This has to be kept secret" Harry insisted. "No one else must know, no one."

"I understand" She said firmly, her eyes locked on his.

Harry shook his head "I need you to tell them personally"

McGonagall looked at him before nodding determinedly. "I will find them"

Harry felt reassured at her expression as she asked calmly "What message?"

Harry took a deep breath as he said clearly, trying to piece his thoughts together. There was one crucial piece of information he had learned when he had woken up in the darkness before Voldemort and his death eaters. One crucial thing that Ron and Hermione had to know. "There is one hidden inside Bellatrix's Lestranges vault in Gringotts"

Immediately McGonagall's eyes sharpened as her lips thinned, however she didn't comment. Harry looked away, he couldn't hold her penetrating stare. He thought she was going to refuse at first, as if she understood what he was asking his two best friends to do. He wanted to tell her to forget it, that it didn't matter, but he couldn't. He wouldn't have asked otherwise, he never wanted to put Ron and Hermione in danger, but there was no other way.

"I will find them and pass on your message Potter" She replied at last, and Harry turned his gaze back to her surprised. With a slightly relaxed sigh he nodded.

Xxxxxxxxx

Neville was out surveying the corridors. It was completely dark as he quietly sneaked down a corridor in the Defence Against the Dark Arts tower, his wand raised in front of him. There was no moon light shining into the corridor tonight which was lucky as it gave him more cover.

Malfoy normally patrolled with his fellow Slytherins around this time so it had been pretty easy to establish where his movements would be.

He was accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle, which wasn't surprising to say the least, they still followed him round everywhere. Neville paused, hesitating as he pushed himself back quietly behind a suit of armour. The Slytherins were in front of him and it was unlikely they would turn around and notice him.

He followed as they chatted loudly continuing on their patrol. They were complaining loudly about the amount of homework Flitwick had set them that day.

Malfoy had been completely obnoxious and unrelenting in his torments about Harry over the past few weeks, and it was time for payback.

It had been Ginny's idea, she had a whole arsenal of untested Weasley products she had gotten into the castle and it was time to set them to full use and Malfoy was going to be the unfortunate person on the other end.

They knew they would get the blame regardless of if they were caught or not, but they were taking extra caution in setting this up.

Ginny didn't want to risk losing her brothers products. They were already banned from the castle and the number they wanted to set up on route for Malfoy would be devastating if they were discovered before the Slytherin was intended to find them.

This was why Neville was scouting now. They didn't want any other Professors to get caught in their trap. Malfoy fortunately seemed to patrol this side of the castle on specific nights of the week. Although his route wasn't always the same, there were a number of corridors he always walked down. They had put the last pieces of their plan together and soon they would be ready to set everything up. Tomorrow night wouldn't work as Malfoy would be on the other side of the castle. It would have to be the day after. Neville couldn't help but grin, they had waited too long for this.

Ginny had promised them it was going to be something they would never forget.

He followed Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle for about ten minutes as they circled the tower. This was something Malfoy always did, which wasn't that surprising, Snape wanted it on guard after they had blown it up.

The defence classroom was still offline thanks to the fireworks, the damage had been permanent. Another room had been cleared out and set up near it, however it was apparent they were expecting further attacks and by watching it carefully they had created a perfect route to set up.

He turned back to the common room, satisfied with tonight's scouting. He had only just stepped around the corner from the direction he hadn't previously been down, when he felt his legs give way beneath him as his feet locked themselves together suddenly.

He had no time to react, no time to think, as his knees slammed onto the floor painfully, his wrists twisting on the ground to support his fall. His wand fell out of his grasp and landed a couple of metres away on the floor.

An alarm sounded deafeningly above his head.

Trying not to swear loudly Neville pulled himself forwards with his arms, his feet still bound tightly together as he attempted to reach his wand as quickly as possible. He cursed his own stupidity, they should have guessed the Slytherin's would have set traps. After all they knew DA were always sneaking around at night, he should have checked every corridor for curses.

Neville barely had a head start as he reached his wand from his awkward position lying on the floor. He spun round and countered the bind on his feet, before he scrambled up hurriedly, he could hear people running directly towards him, shouting excitedly.

Neville had to get out of here fast. Turning quickly he quickly sprinted as quickly as he could away from them.

He was too late, as he made to turn the corner a curse exploded by his head. His heart was hammering as he ducked and disappeared from their view.

The alarm was still screeching on as he hurtled away, firing his own curse back at them as they appeared at the end of the corridor.

Knocking over a suit of armour in his haste, he cast a spell at the nearest painting. The occupant screamed loudly as they went soaring off the wall directly towards the yelling Slytherins.

Neville had bought himself a minute as he ran on. He could hear them struggling to move forwards, it wouldn't stop them for long. They would soon remove the huge painting from their path. He had to hide and fast.

He decided quickly, McGonagall's office was at the bottom of the tower. It was almost guaranteed she would be out patrolling, and the Slytherins wouldn't dare break in.

He hurtled down the stairs, as he heard the Slytherins scramble past the obstacle. Her door came into view as he unlocked it quickly with his wand.

He hurried inside, gasping for breath as he locked it shut with a loud click. He held his breath, he couldn't tell if they had seen him enter or not, he didn't relax as he turned briefly to observe the surprisingly lit room. He hardly had time to react as his mouth fell open and he almost dropped his wand in shock.

Thanks for reading, as always!

This chapter was a little slow paced compared to normal. I must have completely re-written McGonagall's talk with Harry about three times, still not sure I got it right so I hope it's okay.