Hi everyone... Apologies for the slight delay. Apologies also for the change of plans. Earlier, I had promised Chapter 70 to be set in the future with Lily heavily involved in the story. But, I had a small change of heart. I decided to push it to Chapter 71.

So, here we are... Chapter 70 is here. It begins right where Chapter 69 lets off. Enjoy!

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," apologised Harry as he came back to his senses. Ron got up and brought Harry water to drink from a jug that was on the table.

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Ron. "What happened?" he added, hastily.

Harry sat on the floor and stared around for a few seconds before speaking up. "I haven't had anything to eat since the morning... I should have probably grabbed something to eat after the quidditch practice," replied Harry, wearily.

"Harry, my boy, you should go to Poppy. Mr Weasley will help you to the hospital wing," said Slughorn, looking a little spooked.

"Oh no, Professor, it is quite alright. I'm fine," replied Harry. "I shall leave then," he added, uncomfortably.

Ron, stood silently, opposite Harry.

"There's no way he just fainted," he thought to himself.

And somehow, Harry escaped without much opposition.

The moment he got out of Slughorn's office, Harry walked away a few steps before dashing towards Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Snape is with Voldemort... Snape is spying on us for Voldemort... Snape is a death eater... Snape is going to betray us... Just like Lockhart did... Snape is with Voldemort... He's a death eater..." repeated Harry to himself as he breathlessly ran towards Dumbledore's office.

"Voldemort is going to attack. It looked like... an old castle? Snow... there was snow... God, I wish I was able to hear them speak. This was another gathering. Voldemort is going to attack again... With Snape on his side... How can he do this? When did he become one of Voldemort's men?"

And just as Harry reached the 7th floor, his sprinting legs came to an abrupt halt. From the opposite side, came walking Professor Dumbledore along with Snape.

"He's here? How can he be here? I just saw him..."

"Harry," exclaimed Dumbledore, surprised.

"Professor Dumbledore," acknowledged Harry in response. However hard he tried, his eyes couldn't help but stare at Snape, in shock and disgust.

"Mr Potter, you are not supposed to be roaming this part of the castle at this hour," remarked Snape, coldly.

Harry stood there clueless for a few seconds.

"Harry? Is there something you'd like to talk about?" asked Dumbledore, curiously.

However, before Harry could respond, Dumbledore continued. "Tomorrow evening sound good to you?" he added, with a glint in his eye.

"Yes," replied Harry and hurriedly left the scene.

The following morning, Ron narrated the events of the previous night to Hermione.

"... here's the thing though. The watch did not go off," remarked Ron, confused.

"We are getting late for class, Ron," retorted Hermione, tired of continuing the conversation.

"You said this watch tells us when someone is in danger? Are you sure this still works?" asked Ron, pointing to John's watch that was now in his possession.

"Yes, Ron... I don't see any reason why it won't. Yes, some types of magic wither away with the caster's death. But this one isn't like that," replied Hermione, patiently.

"I swear I haven't seen anyone faint as Harry claims. He was out of it for a moment, and then suddenly he was up and moving about. It's just another lie to add to everything," reiterated Ron for the hundredth time that morning.

And with that, the conversation got dropped and the pair continued with the rest of their morning.

That evening, the moment Harry's classes got over, he dashed away to Dumbledore's office.

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore," greeted Harry the moment he walked in.

"Good evening, Harry... yes, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" asked Dumbledore.

"Professor... I had another vision last night," replied Harry.

Dumbledore's eyes widened ever so slightly.

"I saw Snape with You-know-who... He is one of them," said Harry, earnestly. "We cannot trust him... They were talking about the next attack, I'm sure of it... There was this castle..." continued Harry, but got interrupted by Dumbledore.

"Harry... Harry, calm down," interrupted Dumbledore, calmly. "It's not what you think," he continued. Harry stared at Dumbledore in disbelief.

"Wh... what?" retorted Harry, confused. "You knew that Severus was... What?"

"Yes, I did," replied Dumbledore. "I cannot however tell you more about this... Some other time, perhaps," he added.

Harry stood rooted to his spot. He wasn't sure how to react anymore.

"There are things that you are not made aware of... We are at war, Harry... I do not wish to involve you in it," remarked Dumbledore. "As much as we can help it," he added with an air of inevitability.

After a couple of minutes, Harry broke his silence. "So, you know about You-know-who's next attack? Snape was right there with him when they were planning," asked Harry.

"No, we do not... Severus is aware of the details but has not shared them with us," replied Dumbledore.

"Why not?" asked Harry, confused. "Is he not supposed to?" he added.

Dumbledore stared back at Harry with a smile.

After a few seconds, it clicked in Harry's mind. "He can't... because, if he does, then Tom would realise that Snape is spying on him," remarked Harry.

"We know that he's planning something big. We don't know what, when and where," replied Dumbledore. "However," he added and stared at Harry. "You might be of help in that regard," he added.

Harry stared back at Dumbledore, confused.

"Your vision... what did you see?" asked Dumbledore. And Harry chuckled in response. For a second, he had forgotten that he had more information to share.

"Right... Last night, I was at Professor Slughorn's office," began Harry. Dumbledore responded with a smile and Harry continued. "I was about to leave when it happened. It was quite dark, looked like some dungeon. And You-know-who was giving some speech," he added. "There was something different, though. When he was talking, I saw another flash. I can't remember it well... It was of some castle... had a lot of snow around it," he added with a puzzled look. "And then I saw Snape and another death eater say something to him," he finished.

Dumbledore remained silent for a few seconds.

"How are your classes with Professor White going along?" asked Dumbledore, taking Harry aback for a moment.

"Uh... Yes, they are going well," replied Harry, bewildered.

"I think you're getting late for your session with him... If you remember something more, let me know," remarked Dumbledore, coldly. Harry nodded in response and made his way out of Dumbledore's office, a little confused.

"Why do I feel like being kicked out of his office? No, that can't be... Did he recognize a castle matching my description? There wasn't much I described, anyway... No, that can't be either..." Harry's thoughts trailed away.

Late that evening, Harry returned from his session with White. It was fairly milder than usual for Harry had requested it to be that way. Gryffindor's first quidditch match of the year was almost upon them and Harry wanted to be in the best shape for that. The moment he arrived, his eyes fell on Hermione sitting alone near the bookcases, reading a book. After a brief hesitation, Harry decided to make his way towards her. And as a sight to his sore eyes, he watched Hermione's eyes light up seeing him walk towards her.

"Hi, Harry," greeted Hermione, warmly.

"Hi, Hermione," greeted back Harry and took a seat beside her. A comfortable silence persisted between the couple for a couple of minutes before Harry spoke up.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"It was alright... how about you?" she replied.

"Mine as well," replied Harry.

"How was your session with Professor White?" asked Hermione as she closed the book, focusing her attention on Harry.

"It was pretty good," replied Harry. "It was light, for a change..." he added. After seeing a quizzical look on Hermione's face, he continued. "Got a game in the weekend," he said.

Hermione gave a big smile of realisation. "I can't wait to see you in action," she remarked, making Harry's cheeks go a shade of red. Harry scooted over a little closer to Hermione as the couple remained in comfortable silence with each other.

After a while, Hermione spoke up. "I heard something happened yesterday," she said, almost in a whisper.

"Hmm..." responded Harry.

"Wish to comment?" asked Hermione.

"What did you hear?" retorted Harry, cautiously.

"That you fainted," replied Hermione.

"And?"

"And that you didn't really faint"

Harry smiled in response.

"I trust Ron," added Hermione and gave Harry a glance.

"You'd be right in doing so," replied Harry.

"May I ask what happened?" asked Hermione, a little concerned.

"Some other day, Hermione... not today," replied Harry, calmly.

"You really are doing fine, right?" she asked.

"I think I am," chuckled Harry in response.

After a few minutes of serene silence, Hermione spoke up. In the interim, the couple had gotten a lot more comfortable and closer to each other.

"There's something I have been meaning to tell you, but never got the chance to," began Hermione.

Harry responded with a curious look on his face.

"It's about Professor White," continued Hermione, intriguing Harry further. "Remember the other day, he made me duel with Lavender?" she asked.

Harry nodded in reply. "I couldn't believe my eyes when she defeated you," he remarked.

"She did not," shot back Hermione, fiercely. "She had an unfair advantage," she added.

"Sorry... I remember now. White used dark magic to shift the momentum in her favour," retorted Harry, apologetically.

"Dark magic?" wondered Hermione, curiously. However, she continued with her story. "It's more than that..." whispered Hermione. "He's a powerful Legilimens... and he left me a message as he did," she added.

"He did what?" asked Harry, befuddled.

"He wanted me to lose the duel against her... And also wanted me to know that he knew I had some experience with Occlumency," replied Hermione.

"That feels like something he'd do," wondered Harry to himself. "He did this telepathically?" asked Harry.

"Yes..." replied Hermione. "And what more? He lied to everyone there... The trick he used to make my magic temporarily unstable, he did not revert it till the end of the duel," she added, sounding more hurt than before.

Harry stared at her in disbelief. Somehow, this happening, right after Ron and Hermione confronted him outside the room of requirement, did not seem coincidental.

"He isn't exactly what he seems... There is something different behind all that warmth, friendliness and charm isn't there?" asked Hermione.

Harry nodded in response as he put his arm around her. Hermione in return rested her head on his shoulder. And with the evening came to a peaceful end.

Meanwhile, in another part of the castle.

"He had another vision yesterday," sighed Dumbledore.

"What was it this time?" asked White, calmly.

"He knows about Severus," replied Dumbledore, gloomily.

"He is capable of keeping it a secret if that is what you are worried about," replied White.

Dumbledore chuckled in response. "I just remembered, I never told him to keep it a secret... He's not going to tell anyone that's a risk, so that's a relief," remarked Dumbledore.

"Yes, he is capable of judging that as well... I don't understand... what else did he see?" retorted White.

"Nothing of note... But he said something that has me worried," replied Dumbledore. "He said he saw flashes of some castle... But, this one wasn't where Tom and his death eaters were. This was someplace else," he remarked.

White responded with a bewildered look. "Some place else?" he asked.

"Harry thinks that it is the next target," replied Dumbledore.

"And how did he see this place?" asked White, curiously.

"He does not know," replied Dumbledore.

White shook his head furiously. "You should have let me teach him Occlumency... Or at least, let me place him under my supervision," he remarked angrily. "The Dark Lord is playing him like a fiddle... and he's just getting started," he added.

"Tom has no idea that Harry is a Horcrux... He does not know that he shares a connection with Harry. Harry's visions are not his doing. It's just a side-effect of Harry getting older and stronger," retorted back Dumbledore confidently.

"Either way, it doesn't matter... Harry has just read the Dark Lord's thoughts, one way or the other... This is a path that is not going to end well," warned White.

"And that is why I am taking you up on your suggestion... Harry has to learn to control his thoughts... He's going to have to," replied Dumbledore.

"I'll see to it," replied White.

"One more thing..." remarked Dumbledore.

"Yes, Albus?"

"I have given you some freedom in the way you train Harry... but that's where your freedom ends. You are not to use necromancy against my students," said Dumbledore, authoritatively.

"I was just making a point," replied White.

"She's a 5th-year student," retorted back Dumbledore, with a disgusted look.

"Not just any 5th year, is she? The best and brightest for her age" remarked White. "She needs to learn to lose..." he added.

"Ensure it never happens again," glared Dumbledore.

White nodded and left Dumbledore's office.

"The boy-who-lived... the prodigal son returns to the field after a year-long suspension as the team in the red face the mighty Hufflepuff, reigning quidditch champions..." announced Lee Jordan. "Harry Potter replaces Colin Creevey, another young star from Gryffindor... Colin had a shaky start last year, but ended the season in fantastic fashion as he helped Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw in a sensational turnaround..."

The whole school had gathered for the first quidditch game of the year. There was a buzz around the crowd, for not only Harry, but the firebolt was also making its first appearance on the Hogwarts quidditch field after a year-long break. Surprisingly, Harry's last competitive game with Gryffindor was also against Hufflepuff. And it was one that Harry remembered fondly. Though the game ended in a tie, Gryffindor still lifted the trophy for they had already 2 wins under their belt. In what was a one-sided game, Hufflepuff ran riot around the team in red. Harry catching the snitch brought parity between the teams.

The game kicked off with Madam Hooch's whistle. Right away, the vibrant Hufflepuff side put immense pressure on the Gryffindor team. Their beaters were all over the bludger and their chasers started showing off their fluid movements. Hufflepuff started off like champions and was 30-0 in no time. A story similar to Harry's previous competitive game was beginning to unfold.

However, this Gryffindor side was a lot more spirited than that one. Gryffindor brushed aside the initial setback and got into their groove immediately. Angelina, Alicia and Katie, the 3 chasers of the team took the game by the scruff of its neck. A few minutes went by and Gryffindor had started to blunt Hufflepuff's high-intensity game. The score, however, still remained 30-0 against them.

Hufflepuff chaser Zacharias Smith intercepted the Gryffindor chasers and stole the quaffle. The other 2 chasers bombed forward as Zacharias dribbled and deceived the bludger aimed at him. Just as all hope seemed lost, Ron Weasley made an incredible save and kept the gap at 30 points.

The momentum had well and truly swung in Gryffindor's favour as Ron's save sparked a counter-attack and Angelina scored the first goal for the team in red. It was a fast-paced game from there onwards. Both teams showed some slick movement between the chasers, while the beaters managed to keep the other team on their toes. Both sets of keepers were kept extremely busy and they seemed to rise to the occasion. Ron, who was playing his first game as a keeper for Gryffindor had a poor start to the game but quickly managed to turn it around with an incredible save. He seemed to grow in confidence with that save. In the next phase of play, Ron came up with a few decent saves and seemed to have the knack for a good distribution to the chasers. His distribution alone sparked multiple counter-attacks for the Gryffindor team.

The high-quality game stood poised at 90-80, in the favour of the Hufflepuff team when the dormant superstars from both sides came to the forefront. Harry and Cedric were playing a cagey cat-and-mouse game, while the rest of their teammates were engaged in a high-intensity affair. Both of them were experienced players and were wary of each other throughout the game. Harry started off the game away from the limelight. A few brisk flights around the pitch, high above in the sky got him in the mindset. Cedric meanwhile did not fall for Harry's trap. In their previous meeting, Cedric had kept a close eye on Harry. However, this time, Cedric let Harry roam around as he pleased.

"You don't ever use the same trick against someone that good..." Cedric had decided. Besides, he had a much better broom this time around. This time around, Cedric resorted to a couple of cheap tricks. What was a game of quidditch without one of the seekers duping the other by faking a snitch spot? It was one from the training ground, where Cedric pretended to race after a snitch and one of Hufflepuff's beaters was ready to take out Harry the moment he would come chasing after Cedric. Unfortunately, Harry's superior control over the firebolt ensured he dodged the bludger. Harry and Cedric shared a chuckle at the failed trick. However, this manoeuvre from the Hufflepuff side jeered up the Gryffindor crowd and they started another round of Harry's chant.

And then Harry spotted it. The score was 120-130 in Gryffindor's favour. Harry was flying across when he spotted the silver wings of the golden snitch. It was a fair bit away and swooshing further away at top speed. Harry swiftly changed course and sped after the snitch. Cedric and the rest of the Hufflepuff team quickly spotted Harry chasing after the golden snitch. The beaters tried their luck with the bludger but to no luck. Cedric was after Harry, trying to destabilise him, but to no vain, for the firebolt reigned superior.

The snitch was trickier than Harry had anticipated, or maybe it was all the twists and turns he had to put in to avoid getting hit. Harry had his heart in his mouth when he realised that the snitch might be slipping away. Harry pushed harder with his broom and kept after the snitch.

The snitch was right there, almost in his grasp. It was a split-second decision. Everybody was on the edge of their seat. The game was right there for the taking. Harry dove right out of his high-speeding broomstick, with his fists open. That was the extra bit that was required to grab hold of the snitch as a flying Harry snatched the golden snitch.

Harry was airborne and back on his broomstick in one motion as he emerged with the snitch. For a moment, he blindly stared at his own broomstick, in a mixture of awe and shock. Harry dove at the snitch accepting that he was going to crash land on the ground and end up with a few broken bones. But the broom seemed to have followed his trajectory and he managed to gain back a stable seat on his broomstick.

And the crowd went berserk. Gryffindor had managed to win their first game of the year and it was thanks to some brilliant quidditch play from each and every one in the team.

The entire Gryffindor quidditch team and the substitutes instantly were on top of Harry as he landed on the ground. The crowd of Gryffindor supporters were chanting Harry's name, Gryffindor's name and every team member's name followed by a burst of loud applause.

"Oh my God, Harry... how did you pull that off?" screamed Colin as he grabbed Harry into a tight hug.

"That was insane..."

"I could never..."

One by one, the squad got together in a hug.

"Katie... you beauty," exclaimed Angelina as she almost lifted Katie into the air.

"Brother..."

"Brother..." exclaimed Fred and George together, both of them glancing at Ron.

"You made the Weasley family proud today..."

"We have a keeper..." exclaimed George. "WE HAVE A KEEPER..." exclaimed Fred and George, together, as loud as they could and dove at Ron, who was simply beaming with all his teeth visible.

"You were outstanding... That save to deny Smith..." exclaimed Harry as he joined in with the Weasley brothers.

"Mate... that was a blinder..." retorted Ron. And somewhere, the boys forgot what had transpired between them, just a few days back.

It was a long weekend to party for the Gryffindor students as their game against Hufflepuff was on a Saturday and the following day, they were going to visit Hogsmeade. Celebrations lasted late into the night on Saturday. Fred, George and Lee Jordan had done their part in getting the snacks and beverages into the common room. Harry, however, had disappeared in the evening.

After celebrating with his team for a while, Harry disappeared from the crowd and made his way to the chamber of secrets. Unlike the other days where he'd spend his time reading the Prince's book or practising something from White's session, Harry spent his evening in the chamber trying to remember the flashes of the castle he had in his vision. After tiring himself out, without any fruits, Harry carefully made his way out of the chamber and to the library he went.

"Voldemort is going to attack this castle. Surely it must be important. And definitely old," he thought to himself. Harry searched through various books on the history of magic, monuments of significance and anything else he could think of. However, none of the books seemed to help his cause.

"I used to know someone read and read all his life... How I wish he was still around," he thought to himself. While John might not be around anymore, Harry did have Hermione's help, though he chose not to use it.

"Searching through books randomly is not going to help me. Somehow, I need to remember what this castle looked like... I could then show it around and ask about it," he thought.

After failing to gain any insight from the library, Harry made his way to the great hall and get some dinner. He was planning on going to the chamber post that and getting some reading done.

"Where did you disappear to?" asked Colin, the moment his eyes fell on a strolling Harry.

"Uh... Just getting some homework done," replied Harry coolly.

"What's happened to him? Who did this to you, Harry?" chuckled Colin. "You've finally done it," he remarked, swiftly turning his head towards Hermione.

"Enjoy your life while you can, Creevey... 5th year comes to us all," retorted Harry.

"Yeah, right..." remarked Colin sarcastically. "You might be missing out today, but you're joining us tomorrow, right?" he asked. Harry had no intention of going to Hogsmeade. Well, he did have one reason, but he wasn't sure yet. On the other hand, he was getting nowhere with his search for the identity of the castle.

"Yeah... I will," replied Harry.

"Get in... that's what I'm talking about," cheered Colin.

The Hogsmeade turned out to be a nice change of pace for Harry. He realised pretty soon that he actually missed being around his friends. 5th year hadn't been kind to Harry. Harry wasn't being kind to himself and a trip to Hogsmeade was what it took for him to realise that.

"Are you two good then?" asked Hermione as the golden trio got some time to themselves. Harry who was sitting beside her glanced at Ron opposite him. Ron and Harry had the exact expression on their faces. An apologetic expression and a smile to go with it.

"It was never bad, was it?" chuckled Harry. Ron chuckled with Harry.

"Nev... I don't believe this... That was the stupidest fight. Do you know how angry I was when you two went at it?" retorted Hermione, punching Harry in his shoulder in the process.

Harry and Ron burst into laughter in response.

"Ouch, Hermione... that hurts"

"I'm glad you came to Hogsmeade today... Knowing you, I thought you'd rather be holed up in the room of requirement," remarked Ron.

"I was going to..." retorted back Harry, chuckling.

"What changed your mind?" asked Ron, curiously.

Harry gave Hermione a quick glance. "Colin bloody Creevey..." he chuckled in reply. "Hey Creevey, leave some butterbeer for the rest of us," he shouted at the top of his voice, as his eyes fell on Colin chugging a large goblet of the good stuff.

"Hey, Colin... you are supposed to be 18 to drink butterbeer. Did no one tell you that?" yelled Ron from the back of the pub.

"Weasley... How stupid do you think I am?" retorted back Colin as he placed his goblet on the table with a thud.

Harry hoped to sneak in some alone time with Hermione and managed to achieve it later in the afternoon when Hermione asked for someone to accompany her to the bookshop. If either of them was trying to hide the change in the dynamic between them, they weren't doing it very well. You would see them together and you'd know that something had changed, and for the good that too. It was the subtle differences. The way they looked at each other when the other was speaking, their failed attempts at keeping their eyes off each other, the smile on their faces, the subtle physical contact while joking around and so much more.

Harry and Hermione roamed around Hogsmeade for a while before making their way to Tomes and Scrolls. Harry left Hermione to do her shopping and began strolling inside the shop. In one section, there were specialized books on Arithmancy, Alchemy, Potion-Making and more. On another, there were books that looked older than anything he had ever seen, that had supposed accounts of great historic events, the last chapter of one of which was about the battle between Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. Harry skimmed through it and kept the book back on the shelf. He moved across to another aisle and found a separate shelf that held newspapers and magazines.

And then Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Harry picked up the magazine and stared at the cover. He flicked through the pages and found another picture of the castle inside, this one had a big title and an article below it.

"On this day: 70 years ago"

"Hermione," called out Harry, hurriedly. After hastily looking around, he found Hermione on one the other end of the shop. He dashed towards her and tapped her shoulder.

"Hermione," he called out. "I'm sorry but I have got to return to the castle..." he said.

"Harry," exclaimed Hermione, taken aback. "What happened?" she asked, a little alarmed. She noticed the magazine that Harry was holding.

"Something has come up... I really cannot tell you," replied Harry. Harry kissed Hermione's cheek, apologised for a couple of times for leaving her alone and dashed away to the entrance of the shop.

"Harry..." called out Hermione, but there was no stopping him.

Harry urgently paid for the magazine and sprinted away to the castle.

Panting for breath, Harry arrived back at Hogwarts. Wasting no time, he headed to Dumbledore's office.

"Acid Pops," he muttered hurriedly and entered the office.

"Professor Dumbledore," he called out.

"Harry... is everything alright?" asked Dumbledore as he stood up, a little alarmed.

"I know where You-know-who is planning to attack next. It's called... the... Nurmengard castle" exclaimed Harry. "It's near..." he added and ruffled the pages of the magazine he was holding.

"Nurmengard?" retorted Dumbledore, alarmed. "Nurmengard... He's going to free the prisoners..." he mumbled to himself. "Harry, are you certain, this is the place you saw in your vision?" he asked.

"Yes, Professor. I'm 100% certain. And look... it says, it'll be 70 years since it was created. On the day of Halloween," replied Harry and handed Dumbledore the magazine. Dumbledore, however, was not interested in the magazine. If Voldemort was planning to storm the Nurmengard castle, then he definitely needed to be stopped.

"Harry, thanks for letting me know... Now, if you wouldn't mind..." retorted Dumbledore and took out his wand. A swish and a flick later, a blinding, dazzling, silvery Phoenix burst out of his wand and flew away right out of sight.

Halloween was the day after.

So... There goes 70. We are officially 10 chapters into 5th year's worth of story. Hope you are enjoying the journey. Keep your reviews coming, I enjoy them quite a lot. Chapter 71 will be set in the future. Hope to publish it this week, fingers crossed.

PS - We will pick up the thread of 70 in Chapter 72... If I were in the habit of giving my chapters titles, I'd name it, "The Battle of Nurmengard" *wink* *wink*

Ciao!