CHAPTER 20: ILLUMINATIONS IN THE DARKNESS
As Ron stealthily made his way to the Great Hall, his mind raced with the implications of what he had overheard. Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott, and Tracey Davis—all Slytherins, all seemingly serving the Dark Lord. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Hogwarts harbored more than just innocent students; it was also home to the Dark Lord's spies.
Taking a different route to avoid detection, Ron pondered the significance of his discovery. It was imperative to inform the others immediately. From that moment forward, they would need to exercise extreme caution in their words and actions.
"In a way, it's lucky I thought of coming down this corridor," Ron mused, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor as he distanced himself from the area.
Meanwhile, in the library, Hermione sought out Ginny, finding her engrossed in her research. Approaching her friend, Hermione gently touched her shoulder, prompting Ginny to look up with a weary expression.
"How are you doing?" Hermione inquired, concern etched into her features.
Ginny sighed, her fatigue evident as she gestured to the stack of books before her. "As usual, I've been staring at this book for two hours," she admitted. "I'm finishing up the one from 1972. I still have these two left."
"Let's leave it for tomorrow. I think that's enough for today," Hermione suggested, reaching for the two books Ginny indicated.
As Hermione reached for the top book, it slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor with a soft thud. Anxious about the noise in the library, Hermione quickly retrieved the fallen book, her eyes scanning the open page. What she saw made her heart race with excitement.
The name on the page—R.A.B.—captured her attention in an instant. It was a name they had been searching for tirelessly, a key piece of the puzzle in their quest against the Dark Lord. By a stroke of luck, they had stumbled upon the elusive identity they had been seeking.
When the others learned of this discovery, they would be astonished beyond belief.
Meanwhile, Ginny observed her friend crouched down, her expression one of shock and disbelief, unaware of the monumental revelation unfolding before them.
"Are you alright, Hermione? You seem preoccupied," Ginny asked, peering over Hermione's shoulder at the book she was clutching.
Hermione blinked, tearing her gaze away from the worn pages. "Ginny, we've stumbled upon something monumental."
Ginny's curiosity piqued as she examined the book. "What do you mean? What's so significant about this book?"
Hermione's excitement bubbled over as she gestured towards a particular name on the page. "Look, Ginny, it's R.A.B. We've finally found him!"
Ginny's eyes widened in disbelief. "R.A.B.? But that's... unbelievable! Are you certain?"
With a determined nod, Hermione affirmed, "Positive. It's right here, plain as day. This changes everything. R.A.B. must have been onto something crucial."
Ginny's mind raced as she pieced together the implications. "He must have known about Voldemort's secrets. We need to share this with the others, immediately!"
The urgency in Ginny's voice spurred Hermione into action. "You're right. Let's not waste a moment."
As they made their way to the library door, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration coursing through her veins. This discovery marked a turning point in their quest, and she couldn't wait to see the reactions of their friends when they revealed what they had uncovered.
"Miss Granger, that book cannot leave the library," Mrs. Pince's stern voice echoed through the quiet space.
"I understand, Mrs. Pince, but I implore you to make an exception. It's of utmost importance," Hermione pleaded, her eyes earnest.
"I'll return it promptly, and I'll safeguard it with my life, I assure you," she added, hoping to sway the librarian.
Mrs. Pince regarded the two girls. Hermione and Ginny were known for their responsible and studious nature, and she held a soft spot for them both.
"Very well, but it must be back on its shelf by the end of the day," Mrs. Pince relented, her tone firm but understanding.
"Thank you so much! We won't let you down," Hermione said gratefully as they hurriedly left the library, their precious find in hand.
As they strode towards the Great Hall, anticipation thrummed through them. They were on the brink of revealing a breakthrough to their friends, a discovery that could alter the course of their mission.
Meanwhile, Harry entered the Great Hall to find Ron sitting alone at the table, looking unusually tense.
"Where are the girls?" Ron asked, his gaze flicking anxiously between Harry and the entrance.
"Not yet, but I've got something important to share," Harry replied, noticing Ron's unease.
"What is it?" Ron leaned in, his voice lowered.
"Do you remember what you mentioned on the train? About suspicious Slytherins?" Harry reminded him.
"Yeah, I do."
"I decided to take a walk around the castle before dinner, and I overheard Parkinson, Zabini, Nott, and a few others talking. It sounds like they're working for Voldemort," Ron revealed, his expression grave.
Harry's interest was piqued. "That's serious. But are you sure? After the incident with Malfoy and the increased security—"
"Shh! I know it sounds crazy, but I heard them myself," Ron insisted, his eyes wide with urgency. "We need to be careful."
"I heard them! They mentioned 'our lord' and 'spying on Potter and his friends to pass him information.' I swear I'm not imagining it!" Ron insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.
Harry furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "If they are Death Eaters, sooner or later, they'll make a move. I think we should inform Lupin and the Headmistress. They need to be aware of this."
"They might discover something about your training," Ron pointed out, his concern evident.
"That's a possibility. Until the Order instructs us otherwise, we'll need to stay vigilant," Harry agreed, his mind already formulating a plan.
A heavy silence descended between them as they contemplated the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, the girls burst into the Great Hall, their faces flushed with excitement and urgency. The boys turned towards them, their expressions a mixture of surprise and concern.
"What's going on? Is everything alright?" Ron asked, scanning their faces for clues.
Gasping for breath, Hermione thrust the book towards Harry. He took it, puzzled by their distress.
"What's this?" Harry asked, flipping through the pages, his confusion growing.
"Look at the marked page," Hermione urged, her voice trembling with anticipation.
Harry's eyes landed on the list of names, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. He glanced up, realization dawning in his eyes.
Beside him, Ron watched in confusion, still struggling to understand the significance of the book.
"What's wrong? Did you find something important?" Ron asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Ron, we found it! We found R.A.B.!" Ginny exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.
"What?" Ron leaned over Harry's shoulder, his eyes widening as he took in the revelation.
"There's no doubt about it; it's him!" Harry confirmed, his tone filled with certainty. "Regulus Arcturus Black. Sirius's brother."
Ron felt a jolt of surprise at the mention of Sirius. His brother had mentioned Regulus briefly, indicating that he had joined... the Dark Lord, and then later regretted his decision. That explained why they killed him.
"That means they killed him because they knew he had a Horcrux," Ginny deduced, her mind racing with possibilities.
"No, Ginny, think about it," Hermione interjected, her brow furrowed in thought. "If Voldemort suspected Regulus of betrayal, he would have ensured all his Horcruxes were secure. Regulus must have discovered the truth about one of them and decided to act."
"In the note, he mentioned destroying it as soon as possible," Harry added, his expression grave. "He knew the risks and likely attempted to weaken Voldemort by destroying a piece of his soul."
"But we can't be certain he destroyed it in the end," Hermione pointed out, her mind already working on the next puzzle. "If he chose to hide it, where could he have done so?"
Harry reached into his robe pocket and pulled out the fake Horcrux locket, studying it thoughtfully. Somewhere in his memory, he recalled seeing a similar locket, but the exact location eluded him.
"What if he hid it at the Black mansion?" Ron suggested, his eyes lighting up with realization. "It would be the perfect place, filled with dark magic and protected by powerful enchantments."
As if a bolt of lightning had struck him, Harry's memory snapped into focus. "I remember now! That locket... it was at the Black house!"
"What!" echoed around the group, their eyes widening in disbelief.
"Wait, do you remember when your mother had us clean the mansion before our fifth year?" Harry turned to Ron, seeking confirmation. Ron nodded, his expression dawning with recognition. "There was this incredibly heavy and mysterious locket we couldn't open."
Ron's face fell as realization washed over him. "I remember that! But... we ended up chucking it away. Merlin's beard! If only we'd known! We had one of the Horcruxes right in our hands, and we just tossed it aside," he lamented, a tinge of regret coloring his voice.
"Now it's going to be nearly impossible to track down," Ginny sighed, her shoulders slumping with disappointment.
"But it doesn't have to be that way!" Hermione interjected, her eyes sparkling with newfound hope. They turned to her, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Kreacher was always sneaking around, picking up things we didn't even notice. It's entirely possible that when we threw out all that clutter, he salvaged the locket and stashed it away somewhere."
A flicker of optimism danced across their faces as they contemplated Hermione's suggestion. Maybe, just maybe, their hunt for the Horcruxes wasn't quite as hopeless as they had feared.
"And as soon as he returns to Grimmauld Place, I'll make him give it to me," Harry declared with determination. "This afternoon, I'll tell him that I want it at home during the holidays."
Hermione's brows furrowed with frustration. "Harry, I understand your reasoning, but it's risky. What if Kreacher slips away and warns the Malfoys? They could uncover Grimmauld Place and everyone within it."
"We have one Horcrux now; we just need to find the rest, and then we can finish him," Ginny chimed in, her eyes alight with determination. "Hermione and I will continue scouring the library for information about the founders."
"I can't wait to tell Nymphadora," Ginny added, her gaze flicking towards the professors' table. But her excitement faltered when she noticed Tonks's absence, along with a few others. "Where's Nym? She wasn't at lunch."
"Probably in the infirmary getting that potion," Ron suggested casually.
But their conversation was interrupted by a fellow student, who approached with a worried expression. "Don't you know what happened?"
They shook their heads, their concern mounting.
"Professor Tonks fainted in class, and the fifth-years took her to the infirmary," the student explained.
Hermione's nerves flared up instantly. "I don't like this; I have a feeling something's wrong."
"Relax, Hermione, I'm sure it's nothing serious," Ron attempted to reassure her.
But Harry's instincts kicked in, overriding any attempt to calm the situation. "Hermione, sorry, but something's not right," he interjected, placing a hand over his chest. "I have to find out what's happening."
And with that, he bolted from the hall, his friends trailing behind him.
At that moment, Lupin entered the hall, scanning the Gryffindor table for the missing students. Approaching those who remained, he inquired, "Where is everyone?"
"Have you seen Mr. Potter or any of his friends?" Lupin inquired as he entered the hall, his gaze scanning for any familiar faces.
The same student who had spoken with Harry and his friends earlier stepped forward. "They just left, Professor Lupin. I told them Professor Tonks was in the infirmary, and they rushed off," the student informed him.
With a sense of urgency, Lupin hurried in the same direction, intent on catching up with them as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the group of friends reached the infirmary in record time. Before they entered, Ron placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder, attempting to quell his friend's anxiety.
"Calm down, mate," Ron urged gently.
"I can't, Ron. If something happens to her..." Harry's voice trembled with worry.
"Nothing's going to happen, but remember, you're just her student," Hermione interjected, trying to assert control over the situation. "You've come to inquire about your teacher, nothing more. Got it?"
Though he was consumed by nerves, Harry understood the importance of maintaining composure. "I won't make any promises," he admitted reluctantly.
"Fair enough. Let's go," Hermione said, leading the way into the infirmary.
Once inside, they quickly scanned the room for any sign of Tonks. There were only a couple of students with minor ailments occupying the beds, leaving no trace of their missing professor. Madam Pomfrey approached them, her expression curious.
"What brings you here?" she inquired, eyeing them with suspicion.
Struggling to find his voice, Harry allowed Hermione to take the lead. "We heard Professor Tonks was unwell, and we wanted to check on her," Hermione explained, her tone somewhat strained with nervousness.
"We'll see if that's possible," Hermione added, her nerves palpable.
Before Madam Pomfrey could respond, Remus Lupin appeared behind them, his presence commanding attention.
"I'll handle this, Poppy. Carry on with your duties," Lupin instructed, his tone decisive.
As Madam Pomfrey nodded and retreated, Lupin turned to the group, his expression grave.
"Not here. Follow me. The Headmistress is waiting for you," he said, his words tinged with an ominous tone that sent shivers down their spines.
As they ascended the stairs to McGonagall's office, Harry and Lupin felt the weight of curious stares and whispered speculation from their fellow students. What had they done this time? Why was Professor Lupin accompanying them to the Headmistress's office?
Upon their arrival, Lupin whispered the password and led them up the stairs to the office entrance.
"You'll wait here; only Harry can go in," Lupin instructed before disappearing into the office.
The group of friends exchanged worried glances, growing increasingly uneasy with the situation. What could possibly be going on? They settled into the chairs lining the room, anxiously awaiting Harry's return with answers.
Inside the Headmistress's office, Harry found McGonagall seated in her usual spot, with Professor Sprout comforting Tonks nearby.
As soon as Harry laid eyes on Tonks, his heart clenched with concern, and he instinctively moved towards her.
"Mr. Potter, sit down," McGonagall instructed firmly. "Thank you, Pomona; we'll take it from here."
As Professor Sprout left the office, her gaze met Harry's with a mix of astonishment and worry. Harry obeyed, taking a seat in front of Tonks, his eyes never leaving her.
Once alone with Tonks, Harry's worry spilled out in a rush of questions. "You don't know how worried you had me. What's wrong with you? Please, tell me," he implored, taking her hands in his.
Tonks met his gaze, her expression filled with concern. "I'm fine, Harry. It's just... well, as well as one can be in my situation," she replied cryptically, casting a meaningful glance towards McGonagall.
Confusion knitted Harry's brow as he turned to McGonagall for answers. "What's going on? I don't understand..."
McGonagall interrupted him gently, her voice softening with a hint of amusement. "Harry, Miss Tonks is perfectly healthy. In fact, she's about to deliver some rather unexpected news..."
Harry's eyes widened in disbelief as McGonagall's words sank in. "What do you mean? I don't understand..."
McGonagall smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling with joy. "Harry... Miss Tonks and Remus are expecting a child. You're going to be a father."
Stunned into silence, Harry sat there, his mind reeling with the realization that he was about to embark on a journey he had never imagined—fatherhood.
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