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Chapter 30: Bring Your Broom.
It only took Harry a few minutes to find all of his Quiddich things, within his trunk and to change from his street cloths and school robe to his Quiddich training uniform. He pulled on his boots and his gloves quickly and hoisted his broom over his shoulder before he left the room.
Down in the common room Harry found the six other members of his team dressed and ready. The case that contained the quiddich balls laid in the middle of the floor under a pile of brooms and they all sat around the fire waiting.
“This just came for you,” Ginny said as she handed Harry a scroll of parchment.
“I hope it’s not to cancel quiddich or a note saying that the pitch is already booked,” one of his Chasers said.
“Oh the pitch is already booked,” Harry said, “I already knew that. Professor Beck promised to find us a different practice space,” he added as she unrolled the parchment.
There was but a single line of text scrolled on the parchment, ‘meet me in the room of requirements, bring your brooms and balls.’
“Well Harry, what does it say?” Ron asked.
“We are going to the room of requirements,” he said as he stuffed the parchment into his pocked and motioned for everyone to take their brooms with them.
Walking quickly and in the lead Harry made his way toward the room of requirements followed closely by his team, many of which had never seen the room before. When they reached the sixth floor they found the door in place and Ron, looking at Harry a little strangely wondered what was going on.
“Come on,” Harry said in response and pushed open the door.
Inside the were amazed to find the room looking bigger and higher then it had ever looked before. On the floor of the room were the markings of a regulation size quiddich pitch and at either end were the poles and the hoops that marked the goals. The walls were covered in very high peaking windows that let the after noon sun flood in and the ceiling looked to be endless.
“Wow,” most of the players said as they looked around the room.
Harry walked into the middle of the pitch and was followed by Ginny and another chaser. They placed the box filled with the quiddich balls at the center of the pitch and looked to Harry for instructions.
“We may as well warm up!” he said as he mounted his broom and kicked off the ground.
It felt amazing to be in the air, though it was not the freedom of the open sky, Harry felt a freedom that he longed for. The rest of his team followed him and flew laps around the pitch. Some of them shot up toward the ceiling and came plummeting to the ground.
“There is no end to it!” Ginny said from high above them, “it’s like as soon as you get close it jumped away from you again.”
“It’s this place, it’s always changing,” Harry said.
“The only problem will be the near perfect weather conditions that we will have in here,” Ron said as he flew over to Harry, “but this place is going to be perfect.”
Suddenly the door at the end of the room opened and Professor Beck walked in with a group of people that were not all familiar to Harry. They were all dressed in old quiddich robes, but they were not all professors or even members of the order. Each one of them carried brooms and looked ready for a match.
“Hello everyone,” Beck said as the students landed and lined up, “I’d like you to meet some friends of mine. The are all former Gryffindor Quiddich players. All have at one time or another won the house cup and are here to help you with your game. But for now we have a little challenge for you.”
“Oh really?” Ron said as he rested his arm on his broom, “what do you have in mind?”
“A friendly game,” Beck smiled, “you’re gryffindor team against mine,” he added as he looked at Harry.
“That sounds fair,” Harry smiled.
“But go easy on us,” Beck said, “we are old and out of shape.”
Some of his members laughed heartily as he spoke.
“Wait,” Ron said after he scanned the team that Beck had brought, “I know you from somewhere,” he said as he pointed at a man with bright red hair and who was just about as tall has he was, “you look so familiar.”
“Ah, this is Gustav Harbist,” Beck said as he introduced his team mate.
“The Gustav Harbist?” Ron asked stunned, “keeper of the Cannons.”
“One in the same lad,” he smiled.
“I’ve died and ended up in the Quiddich hall of fame,” Ron said giddily.
“So you’ve stacked your team,” Harry laughed as he looked to Professor Beck.
“The best way to learn to win is to loose and take it like a man, or woman,” Beck said as he noticed the annoyance on Ginny’s face, “we are here to offer our assistance, and by request of some former Gryffindor students we have been asked to allow for some spectators if that is alright with everyone?” he asked.
“I don’t mind,” Harry said as he looked around to his team and they agreed that it would be just as well to have the spectators if a match was to be played.
Minutes later, as the two teams flew their warm ups, Madame Hooch walked into the room of requirements followed by a line of order members who carried chairs and a few very large portraits. Dumbledore’s portrait from the Gryffindor common room was among them and he seemed torn between the team he was read to support. Sporting a large lion head hat that looked rather warn out and that has ceased its roaring for a faint, more kitten like meow, he seemed ready to be entertain.
Among the other portraits were other older wizards and witches that no one but Beck’s team seemed to recognize until the last frame was graced by its occupants. Harry stopped in mid air and staired into the frame. He flew down to get a better look, convinced that his eyes had been playing tricks on him, but to his great surprise Serious, James and Lily filled the frame.
“I can’t believe that you are here,” He said as the joy spread across his face.
“Serious told us how good you’ve played,” Lily smiled, “we are just happy that we could be here for you.”
“Do me proud, son,” James said, “you are playing against some of my fellow team mates. They are good men.”
“And old,” Serious added, “you should have no trouble beating them. Even with the newest brooms they have to be slow as slugs! You get that snitch, but not to soon, I want to see something before I have to get back to work.”
“I can’t believe Dumbledore still has that hat,” James whispered to Harry, “he got it for the final game of my last year at Hogwarts, it was for the match that Gryffindor won, and it was as annoying then as it is now.”
“More so now as it only whimpers now,” Serious laughed, “the whining, pathetic beast.”
“You two will never change,” Lily scolded, “you sound like it is your match all over again. Don’t listen to them Darling, you try your best and know that we are proud of you no matter what,” she smiled and James and Serious nodded in agreement.
“Harry are we going to get started?” Ginny asked as she flew down to meet him, “oh I am sorry for interrupting,” she said as she noticed who he was talking to.
“Not to worry young lady,” Lily smiled kindly.
“Oh, mum, I’d like you to meet my girl friend, Ginny Weasley,” Harry said as Ginny blushed as red as her hair, “Ginny this is my mum, and my dad, who is not paying attention.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Potter,” Ginny said timidly.
“And you,” Lily smiled happily, “I am happy Harry has found someone that shares in his passion for Quiddich, do keep him in line,” she added with a wink.
“I will try, Mrs. Potter,” Ginny giggled and watched as Harry blushed as well.
“Oh, my boy you best get to them before they completely tire themselves out with laps of the pitch,” James said still not paying attention to the introduction that had just occurred, “nice to meet you by the way Miss. Weasley, I am sure you are a fantastic Chaser, we had this one young lady on the team back in my day, could she ever fly, there were times I felt she would take my pace as seeker,” James raddled on.
“Oh yeah, that blond one,” Serious said as he nudged James, “I think she had a thing for you.”
Lily cleared her throat loudly.
“But she was nothing compared to Lily,” Serious said hastily.
“Never, no, nothing at all,” James said.
“Shall we get back to our son, and his game,” she asked with a very disappointed look on her face, “I for one would like to see my son play for once, but if I must remove the two of you from the pitch, as I have had to do in the past, I will,” she added.
“No ma’am we’ll behave,” James and Serious said together.
“I am taking lessons from your mother,” Ginny giggled, “it’s the only way Hermione and I will keep you and Ron in order,” she said and mounted her broom, “shall we play now?”
“Yes!” Harry smiled, waved to his parents and shot up into the vastness of the rooms ceiling.
“So, I am your girlfriend then?” Ginny asked as she flew over to him to take her place in the starting formation.
“Yes,” Harry blushed a little again, “why would you not think so?”
“Oh, just because of the things you’d said last year,” she said, “what if I choose not to accept such a title?”
“Um.. I... guess I should have asked you first,” Harry said as he suddenly felt his heart drop to the pit of his stomach.
“Don’t worry,” Ginny said and winked at him, “I forgive you, but don’t you ever say something that hurtful to me again, or I may never forgive you.”
“I promise,” Harry smiled.
“Good,” she said and the game began.
Madame Hooch’s whistle sounded sharp and clear off the stone walls of the room of requirements. The game had started and the bludgers were released as well as the snitch and right off the start the Gryffindor Alumni were in fine form, scoring the first point. A great cheer rose from the gallery of spectators followed by the minuscule meowing of Dumbledore’s hat and followed by a double by the Gryffindor students. Ron was caught off guard by the first goal by the Alumni but it was enough to force him into is groove and soon nothing was getting past him. Ginny, after scoring the second in the double had gained bragging rights for scoring on her brothers hero.
“It is no wonder the cannons keep losing,” She whispered to Harry after the point was marked by Dumbledore.
“I know,” Harry laughed, “but they are putting up a good fight, don’t you think?”
“Oh yes, their chasers are great, but then again that might be because none of us want to tackle our Professor and head of house,” she said.
“Just go for it,” Harry winked, “it’s just a game.”
The whistle sounded again and the bludgers game very close to smashing the windows. A loud gasp rose up from the gallery as a flash of blue stop the bludger before it hit the window.
“The castle will protect itself,” Beck hollered over the cheers and the oos, “just keep on them!” he sounded out of breath.
“Point Gryffindor Students,” Hooch shouted and the gallery cheered.
“You’re not paying attention Professor!” Harry laughed as he taunted Beck.
“It’s still anyone’s game,” Beck said as he flew by, “you don’t have the snitch yet,” and with that he was passed the quarfel and score the Alumni’s second point.
“Don’t worry Ron,” Harry yelled as the whistle blew again, “we’ll get it back!” he shouted as a flash of gold crossed his view. He was off like a shot and Serious and James cheered over everyone. Within seconds the snitch was in his hands and the match, though fast paced was over in a very short time. The bludgers were stunned and put back into their crate alone with the other quiddich balls and it was locked once more.
“Thank god for that,” Beck huffed, “I’m not as young as I used to be,” he said as he walked over to Dumbledore.”
“I told you they would win!” Dumbledore laughed and his lion hat meowed.
“That was brilliant Harry,” James said as Harry and his team landed and walked over to the gallery, “you can really fly, I mean that snitch moves faster then I can remember. Good show my boy, good show!”
“Thank you,” Harry smiled, “but it wasn’t that great, we will have to really work on endurance if we want to keep the cup in Gryffindor this year,” he added and a chant of ‘Gryffindor’ rose from all around them.
“Well now that I know what you are like,” Beck said as he wiped his brow with the back of his hand, “I know where to work you. I also know that I need a younger team to pit you against because I am getting to old for this!”
“You played very well professor,” Ron said as he reached out to shake his professors hands.
“Same to you Mr. Weasley and Miss. Weasley bravo for that lovely score on Gustav!” Beck said.
“Thank you sir,” Ginny blushed, “all in a days work.”
“Speaking of that, I’ve got more to do,” Beck said as he rallied the spectators and the portraits began to move even though the occupants didn’t want to leave, “next Sunday we shall run a better practice. One with more structure and whatnot. What do you think of the practice space?” he asked.
“It is perfect,” Harry said, “minus the weather conditions.”
“What is wrong with the weather?” Beck asked.
“It’s too perfect,” Ron answered, “there’s no tempest to test us as there always seems to be when Gryffindor ends up on the pitch,” he added and the rest of the team laughed with him.
“Well that can be changed,” Beck smirked just before he left the room and with a wave of his want the ceiling of the room of requirements clouded over and rain began to pour to the ground.
The students screamed at the chill of the rain the pelted them inside the castle and rushed after Beck who could still be heard laughing as he left the room, “that is for beating us,” he said as they all arrived in the hall soaked through, “we are even,” he said and walked down the hall way.
“He’s a sore looser,” Ginny said as her teeth chattered.
“Come on lets get back to the common room before we get in trouble for dripping all over the hall,” Ron said as he hoisted his broom over his shoulder.
The team headed off together as Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny, who shivered with cold.
“So, spending all night in the library?” she asked.
“I’m sure I could find some free time for you,” he smiled and they head for the common room arm in arm.

Chapter 32: Practice Patience.

With morning came the knowledge that only classes separated Harry from a long and unpredictable evening ahead. He had another meeting with the order to endure as well as the first DA meeting of the year; a meeting that was shaping up to be more popular then he had first thought it would be. Aside from the number of coins Hermione had first made, she was constantly being asked by her recruiters, as well as Professor Beck, for more. Harry wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to deal with such a number of students.
He passed his morning half paying attention in class and half dreading what was to come. When potions had ended and Snape had taken every opportunity to hassle Harry about his lack of attention, even going as far as taking ten points from Gryffindor, Harry slammed his booked into his bag and proceeded to leave, but before he could reach the door Snape called him back.
“How can it be that your mind should be elsewhere when you know perfectly well that I am teaching you the things that will be imperative to your survival and the survival of your friends?” Snape asked from his desk.
Harry sighed, knowing that Snape was right, and walked back into the room, his stomach growling with hunger and his mind running circles around him, “I’m sorry sir,” he said slowly trying to keep his anger in check and not wanting to let the block in his mind slip.
“Something is bothering you more then usual,” Snape said after a long pause, “have a seat Mr. Potter and tell me what it is.”
“I’m overwhelmed I guess,” Harry said as he slumped into a chair, “how do you manager everything? Deal with students all day, planning for the next day, trying to piece together puzzles that are missing way to many pieces, all while you know you are marked for death?” he asked extremely quickly as his anger rose.
Snape chuckled a little and leaned back in his chair, “you work to get used to it and don’t worry about the future so much, just worry about the day, this one day and how it leads to the next,” he answered.
“One more thing to add to my ever growing list of duties that I have to work around,” Harry sighed.
“We also rely heavily on each other as professors to help wherever we may need it,” Snape said.
“Everyone is doing so much already. I don’t want to ask for more help,” Harry sighed.
“Sometimes you just have to,” Snape said as he stood and began to pace the length of the room.
“Would you be willing to help with the DA?” Harry asked after a long period of contemplation
“Yes,” Snape said, “there will be much I can teach you that will benefit the group.”
“Really?” Harry asked practically jumping out of his seat,
“Yes,” Snape said as he looked at him strangely, “much of what you and your army will face, I’ll know a lot about. There will be curses that no other professor will think to teach you, aside from maybe Mad Eye Moody, whom I believe tried to teach you the unforgivable.”
“Well, that wasn’t actually Moody,” Harry said, “but yes there are a few of us who know of the unforgivables.”
“I dare say you are the only one who has tried one?” Snape questioned.
“Yes,” Harry said guiltily.
“Don’t worry yourself to much about them, Harry, you are going to have to use them if you want to survive. A stunning charm is only going to get you so far.”
“I know,” Harry sighed, “there is so much I still need to learn. Why should I be running such a class as this?” he asked, honestly looking to Snape for guidance.
“It is so that you can practice patience and learn to be a good and fair leader,” Snape said as he walked over to where Harry stood, “whether you light it or not people are looking to you to lead them. We are here now for the purpose of setting you on the right path.”
“Thank you professor,” Harry said as he began to really believe that Snape was working with him, “I really do appreciate everything you are doing. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”
“Just do your best to restore peace to our world and I will know this has not all been in vain,” Snape said as the stern looked returned to his face, “were you going to tell me when and where your little club will be meeting?” he asked.
“Here,” Harry said as he reached into his pocket and pulling out one of Hermione’s coins, “it will summon you when we are assembling and turn to ash if something bad happens. To stop the summon if you are around any one of a questionable nature toss the coin in the air and catch it saying ‘break the bank’ and it will just look like any other regular coin, as it does now,” Harry said.
Snape took the coin and turned it over in his hand. Aside from the small, almost invisible ruby that was the lions eye on the face side of the coin, it looked just like any other, “and how am to know not to spend it?” he asked.
“Put it with other coins and see what happens,” Harry smiled.
“Snape pulled out a small leather purse that he hung on his belt and placed the summoning coin among them. The summoning coin turned a dull rusty color and if one looked closely enough, they could see that the coin actually repelled the real coins.
Snape’s eye brow rose as he examined the coins, “someone has improved on my method,” he said and tucked all of the coined back into the purse.
“Hermione took a summoning potion as well as the same kind of spell that was placed on the marauders map and crossed it with a repelling charm and a camouflage transfiguration. I’m very surprised she got them all to work so well together,” Harry said.
“She is very bright,” Snape whispered, “I am very impressed. For this coin I will give you back the ten points I took from Gryffindor but you cannot tell anyone why,” he said.
“Not even Hermione?” Harry asked.
“Well just her because I am sure she had professors like myself in mind when she created the repelling part of these coins,” Snape said.
Harry laughed at the comment and nodded, “yes, that is true sir. She put all that work into it, only to have me hand one over to you. Some friend I am.”
Snape smiled at the thought and was happy to see that Harry’s mood had changed but he had to bring the conversation back to the serious. After a moment he cleared his throat and asked, “do you have any idea as to what you will be teaching tonight?”
“Not really,” Harry answered truthfully, “but I was thinking I would try to put together a lesson plan on my study break.”
“Good call, “ Snape said then added, “if I may suggest a review of summoning, stunning, reversal and repelling charms as well as a basic patronus spell to those who don’t know it may be a good place to start.”
“I agree,” Harry said, “we’ll work our way up to more difficult things as we go.”
“Just be patient,” Snape said, “like potions, it takes time to train an army.”
“Let’s just hope we have time,” Harry said with a shrug.
“That is the one thing working against you, I suppose,” Snape said, “and now you have even less time to eat before your next class. Time is against you already,” he added and shooed Harry out of the class room.

Chapter 34: Dumbledore’‘s Army.

When classes were over for the day and the students had been well fed, Hermione tested her DA coins. For each person who held a coin they would feel the summon of the coin, then they would remove it from its hiding place, when it was safe, and it would begin to react to its location and soon it would draw for them, in mid air, a map to where they would have to go. They would have a very short time to read and memorize the map before the red trial would disappear and the coin would return to its original form. It the coin holder got off track the coin would react in a negative way, shocking the student and sending them back on the right track.
Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves in the room of requirements, joined by all the coin holders of the DA and including a hand full of Order members and professors.
“These coins work extremely well,” Professor Beck said as he stood near the students.
Soon Snape arrived and, though the displeasure of the students was voiced, he took his place at the table with the other senior members of the DA.
Harry watched from his place at the table as the students began to settle themselves on the benches that had appeared in the room . Silence fell quickly all around them as the candles began to light themselves with the setting of the sun.
Suddenly the door swung open once again.
“Sorry we’re late,” Fred Weasley shouted.
“You weren’t going to start without us, were you?” George asked.
“You know we can’t apparate onto the ground and so we had to run,” Fred added.
“What are you doing here?” Ron asked looking at his brothers a bot shocked that they had come all that way.
“We are original members of the DA aren’t we?” George asked.
“Just because we aren’t students anymore doesn’t mean we don’t want to fight,” Fred answered.
“I sent them the new coins,” Hermione said, “they deserve to be here as much as any of the new members and they want to be here, that has to say something.”
“I agree,” Harry said from his place at the table, “anyone who wants to join our side is welcome here. They need not be students and so after tonight we will send the order out to anyone that they know and they will be able to invite whomever we can get.”
“I second that motion,” Beck said.
“I with also agree with Harry,” Snape said.
“Whoa, Snape is here?” George jumped at the sound of his voice.
“It’s a long story,” Hermione said as she grabbed George and Fred and pulled them to the benches, “I’ll explain everything, just come and sit down.”
“Now that we are all here I think it is time we begin,” Harry said and unrolling a piece of parchment before him on the table he stepped out in front of the students and alumni and began. “So, um, this has to be strange and I am as uncomfortable up here giving orders as I can imagine you are taking them from a fellow student, but I suppose it has to be done,” he said as he nervously paced in front of the students, “for those of you who are returning DA members, things are going to be run a little differently as we will have... mentors... yes that is what we shall call the professors and the members of the Order of the Phoenix, for this club. They will be here to help you. To answer your question and to teach you but they are all under the understanding that this is not to be run as a teacher student relationship. In this club, this army or sorts, we are here to fight for a common goal and to share all the knowledge we can with each other. We are basing this one equality and unity or else we will never succeed in our mission. To the new members of the DA, I say welcome and thank you for stepping up to the challenges of such a task as those that we face. This is a very serious and dangers business we are undertaking but it is for the good of our kind and the reestablishment of peace. I cannot pretend that I am not scared of what may happened but at least we can provide you with some additional training and knowledge so that if ever you are called to battle you do not enter in to it blindly. I understand that if you choose, after tonight, to not return because of your own personal reason or because you do not agree with how or why we are doing this then that is fine I do not blame you. I would never lie and tell you I was not scared of this. I am terrified. I cannot pretend that I do not want to turn around and run away but I cannot. I have no choice in the matter but you do and I thank you for make a choice to come here tonight. This is a great opportunity for all of us to learn and experience what it may be like for the mentors, who have lived through much more of this then we have. I look forward to having them all here and learning from what they have to show us. Please join my in welcoming the mentors to the DA.” Harry stopped for a moment and an applause rose from the students.
“Thank you Harry,” Professor Beck said, “and thank you to all of your for coming. I am sure I speak for everyone here when I say we are happy to be able to provide you with whatever knowledge and experience we can. You are the future of our world and hopefully you will be able to fix the messes that we have made.”
Another applause rose from the students. Harry smiled to know that he was being backed one hundred percent by the men and women who had come to mentor him and his friends. He could also feel the pride in himself in knowing that he was gaining the trust and the encouragement, by his peers and his mentors, and was no longer just some kid. He was evening out the playing field and opening up his friends and his generation to an equality that they would need to make a difference in the world.
He had gained everyone attention and could fell the respect that was building. He looked to the mentors, who urged him on. Pausing still he put together his final thoughts and addressed his peers once again.
“I am very proud to see some familiar faces tonight,” he said with a smile, “I know of your dedication and I thank you for everything. I am also very proud to see all of you new faces. I thank you for having the courage to accept this invitation and the danger that may face you. Though I know some of you will not stay with the DA, I have confidence that those that do will add a strength to our numbers and a passion to the cause that we have yet to know. So I welcome you all and invite you to take up your wands and be at the ready to learn.”
He concluded his speech and was met with great applause once again. The gathering of students were in high spirits and determination. There was a sense of the urgent in them all but it was a mood that came upon them that radiated the determination to do good and make right what was going wrong. They listened as they were divided and separated around the great room for their first activities.
Harry was calm for the first time all day. He believed the hardest part was over. He had gained their trust and won their respect and could now work to mold their skills and his own. And yet there was a sinking feeling in his heart as he looked around at the room full of people all working for the same cause. He wondered for a moment how many of them would actually die for this cause. Who of them would end up like the Longbottom’s and who among them would parish like his parents in cold blood. But most of all he saw the determination in their faces that he had seen in the faces of those who had fought before and he remembered looks in the faces of the members of the order when they first battled Voldemort in the Ministry of Magic. There was a determination and a fear on all of their faces, that same look was on the faces of his peers now. He wondered who among them would slip through and be lost forever and who would live and what would be the better if things did not improve in the world of magic.
The students were set to refresh their skills and while paired up, and told to stun each other, they were divided into advanced and beginner groups. Snape worked with Moody and the advanced students, while Beck and Tonks helped the younger students to catch up. The other members of the order or professors that had joined them worked with all levels moving about the room, correcting stances and healing any wounded students. Harry wandered around the room praising the students for their efforts and taking the time to perform demonstrations with the mentors.
By the end of the meeting Harry and Snape did a demonstration for the whole class using unspoken curses and Harry even volunteered to she the students the effects of the Imperious and Cruciatus curses. He did so well that he was even able to break out of both unforgivables, by closing his mind so completely, before Snape could release him. As a final show Harry produced a perfect Patronus and so did Neville to beet back the dementors that Snape and Beck conjured our of mid air. Neville was praised for his techniques and beamed with pride to have done something so difficult so well.
When the three hours of the meeting were over Harry released the students to return to their common rooms while Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny and the Weasley twins stayed behind to take part in the Order meeting that was to follow.

Chapter 36: The Pharaoh’s Tomb.

With the expectation of their dangerous exhibition looming, Harry, Ron and Hermione became extremely over worked and nearly impossible to locate. The DA meetings for the week were minus their leader and ran completely by aid of Hermione, Ron and the rest of the mentors. The Gryffindor Quiddich team was unable to practice and Harry was spending all of his free time with Professor Snape in the Dungeon, brewing the potions that would be needed.
Bill Weasley had arrived within hours of his summon and was put up in the castle as one of the members of the order. Every night, after the students were safely tucked away in their snug little beds, Harry, Ron and Hermione were escorted, by Beck, to the room of requirements, where they were put through intensive training and testing for the exhibition.
Through their exhaustion they worked their way through the week and by the time Saturday arrived they were ready to crash completely.
Harry spent Saturday morning in the dungeon bottling potions that needed the rest period of twelve hours before they could be used. He then spent lunch with his friends and they prepared for their final lessons before the exhibition.
“I’m so tired I can’t eat,” Ron said as he yawned.
“Don’t whine,” Hermione scolded, “at least you got to sleep in this morning.”
“When did you get up?” Harry asked, “you were still snoring when I left this morning.”
“About fifteen minutes ago,” Ron said as he looked at his watch, “and as soon as we are finished with Bill, the slave drivers and Beck the looney, I am going back to bed,” he said.
“I think it would be smart if we all got some rest tonight,” Hermione said as she picked at the food on her plate, “we’ll need to be as alert as possible tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, and eat as well,” Harry said, “we’ll need all of our strength tomorrow,” he said as he finished his meal.
“Do we know what time we’ll be heading off on this exhibition,” Ron asked.
“Dawn was decided, was it not?” Hermione asked.
“Yes,” Harry said, “which means we will need to be awake well before dawn to be in McGonagall’s office and I believe that we will not be returning until after most of the school has gone to bed.”
“It’s just wrong to be awake before even the sun has risen,” Ron whined.
“You wanted to be involved in this, you volunteered remember,” Hermione said angrily, “so don’t complain because you brought this on yourself.”
The three friends entered into their last practice feeling the pressure of the task and exhaustion that weighed them down. Beck and Bill were ruthless in their tactics and before the lessons were over Madame Pomfrey was called to cure and bandage many wounds. Silently they ate an early dinner and found their way back to the common room. All three of them climbed into their beds before the sun had set and remained there all night.
There was no signs of the sun on the horizon when Harry and Ron were shaken awake by Beck and given orders to be quick in their dress and report to the common room. Quickly they moved and rushed down the stairs together to find Dumbledore in his portrait and Bill, Beck and Snape all seated around a coffee table that had been covered with an early breakfast. Dobby served coffee to the three men as McGonagall came down the girls dormitory stairs followed by Hermione.
“Harry Potter will promise Dobby to be very careful,” Dobby said as he hands shook and he handed Harry a plate of eggs.
“I will promise you that,” Harry smiled taking the food.
“And Hermione Granger?” Dobby asked.
“Of course Dobby,” Hermione smiled.
“And Ron Weasley?” Dobby asked his great big eyes filling with tears.
“Yes, we’ll be careful, Dobby, you don’t have to worry,” Ron said, “our professors are coming with us, we should be just fine.”
“Dobby does not know what he would do if Harry Potter and his friends do not come back from Egypt!” Dobby said as he began to sob, “watch out for the elves of the Pharaoh’s,” Dobby added, “they are mean and they are very strong and will fight for their masters.”
“Is that true?” Hermione asked.
“Oh yes,” Bill said, “of all the curse and mummies and spells that protect the tombs of the Pharaoh’s the ancient elves that serves them are the most viscous you will find anywhere.”
“Thanks for the tip Dobby,” Harry said as he sipped his coffee, “we will be careful and we will come back so you had better make sure that you have something waiting for us in the common room when we finally do get back.”
“Dobby will do that for Harry Potter,” Dobby said happily, “Harry Potter has honored Dobby with such a request!”
“As long as you are happy Dobby,” Harry said with a laugh.
“Oh very sir,” Dobby said and scurried off.
When they had finished their quick breakfast, the whole party followed McGonagall back up to the Headmistresses office.
“You will have twelve hours to complete your task,” McGonagall said as she unwrapped the silver amulet that was the portkey, “if you do not get back to the portkey in time you will have a long way to travel to get back to the school.”
“The six of you will have to be very careful and make sure you come back with Ravenclaw’s Spectacles,” Dumbledore said from his frame in the headmistresses office, “Severus you can destroy the horcrux when you get it back to Hogwarts.”
“Yes, sir,” Snape said.
“You best be as quick and as careful as possible,” McGonagall said, “it’s almost dawn now, step up and take hold of the portkey.”
With a flash and a pop and a movement that would turn even the strongest of stomachs, the six travelers were transported at the speed of light farther then any of the young people, aside from Ron and Bill, had ever traveled before in their lives.
They landed with a thud in the middle of the desert, sand blowing everywhere on a strong wind that burnt. The sun shown brought and hot as they arrived. It was so uncomfortably hot that it burnt to breath and the sand whipped so violently that their eyes stung and their skin felt as thought it would be blasted off their bodies.
“What kind of curse is this?” Ron yelled as he tried to cover his face with the edge of his cloak.
“It’s not a curse,” Bill yelled back as he transfigured a large tent in the middle of the desert and rushed the rest of his companions into it, “it’s a sand storm and unless we are very close to the entrance to the tomb we’ll have to wait till the storm is over,” he yelled over the sound of the wind against the thin tent.
“We don’t have time to wait,” Harry yelled, “there has to be something we can do.”
“I have an idea,” Hermione said as she knelt onto the sand and pulled her summoning coin from her pocket, “show me the entrance to the Pharaoh Auckmagi’s tomb,” she said to the coin. With a flash of red the coin sprang to life and traced the shape of a rock door beneath their feet, “oh Professor McGonagall is very good,” she said as she straightened up and put the coin back in her pocket.
“Why doesn’t my coin do cool things like that,” Ron asked.
“Because I made them and so I keep adding to mine,” she answered.
“Well done Miss. Granger,” Beck said and pointed his wand at the ground, “alohamora,” he said.
The stone that covered the entrance to the tomb and as it did a blast of light met them. A sweet humming sound filled their ears and drew them forward into the cavern.
“Wait,” Snape said as he grabbed Bill and Ron by the backs of their shirts, “drink this before you enter,” he said and passed a shining gold vile of liquid to each of them.
They drank and before their eyes the light turned to darkness and the sweet sound to screaming.
“What is going on?” Ron yelled as he covered his ears.
“What was the first effects of the greed and glory potion that was pained all over the tomb,” Beck said as he illuminated his wand, “that is probably the only thing that we were really prepared for. Be on your guard now,” he added and headed into the darkness of the tomb.
“They all slowly descended a long stone stair case before they came into view of anything. It was dark and hot in the stairs of the ancient tomb. Even by the light of their wands they couldn’t see their feet thought the thick darkness. A sinking, despairing feeling came over Harry as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
“Wait,” he said over the screaming that rose all around them.
“Silencio,” Beck yelled. His wand flashed and silence fell finally on the stairs.
“What is it?” Snape asked from the back of the line.
“Don’t you feel it?” Harry asked.
“What?” everyone asked at the same time, as they tried to see through the darkness.
“Stand aside,” Harry said and pushed his way to the front of the line. The feeling followed him like fingers on the back of his neck, “Expecto Patronum,”he yelled and a silver stag burst from his wand and cut through the darkness, pushing back the juvenile dementors that occupied the cavern.
“Good call,” Beck said as he resumed the lead.
“Here,” Snape said as he pulled a chocolate bar out of the bag he carried over his shoulder.
“Thank you,” Harry said as he took the chocolate and continued to follow Beck.
When they finally reached the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves looking out on a giant room filled with things. There was a think, path lead through the mountains of objects that were piled high. The walls could not be seen at all and the darkness in the room was complete as the stag stood at in the middle of the room, still pushing back the juvenile dementors.
They stopped in a group, their wands lighting as much as they could and looked around them. There were jugs and furniture all around them. Pots that glowed and all kinds of other thinks that would have belonged to the Pharaoh.
“That is the greed and glory potion,” Snape said as he walked over to a glowing jug, “I am very surprised it has lasted this long.”
“It has probably been replaced,” Harry said as he looked around.
“Do you think Voldemort monitors this place?” Hermione whispered.
“I don’t know,” Bill shrugged, “it looks very untouched, which is good.”
“What is this place?” Ron asked as he continued to look around.
“It is the anti chamber,” Bill said as he took the lead, “it is full of all the things that the Pharaoh would need in the next life. All of his magic, potions, any tricks he would use, I can understand why Voldemort would choose a place like this. He would want something like this for himself.”
“I agree with you,” Snape said as he looked around, “he sees himself as a king.”
“It seems fitting doesn’t it,” Beck added, “but there is something not quiet right in here.”
“Don’t touch anything,” Bill said, “we don’t know what kinds of things could be haunting this place.”
Slowly they moved along, careful to stay on the path and soon they all reached the next door. The lock was met with a charm from Beck and the heavy door moved aside. A sick green stench moved through the air as they walked into the next room. It was a darker room but empty compared to the anti chamber and much smaller in comparison.
“Where are we now?” Ron asked but was quickly shushed by his bother.
“Who dares interrupt my slumber?” a voice growled from the darkness.
“Oh no,” Bill whispered.
“What is it?” Harry asked.
“Who dares to interrupt my slumber?” the voice asked again more angrily this time.
Snape stepped forward and reaching into his bag he pulled out a glowing potion. It was so bright against the darkness that everyone squinted from its brightness. He through the vile, violently at the floor and it smashed. The liquid from within the bottle did not stop glowing when it hit the floor, in fact it spread and began to light the room. Soon the whole room was bathed in light and before them stood a giant sphinx, its eyes glowing red with anger.
“We mean no harm,” Bill said as he stepped forward.
“You are not to be trusted, grave robber,” the sphinx hissed, “I can smell it on you. You are the greedy that have robbed the tombs of the pharaoh before this. You will perish in this tomb.”
“I’ll just stand over here now,” Bill said as he backed away.
“You will all perish here,” the sphinx said as it started to stand the sick stench of its breath filled the room.
“What do we do?” Ron asked.
“There is another door behind him,” Hermione whispered to Professor Beck and pointed to the door at the far side of the room.
Before anyone could say anything else the sphinx sprang into the air and bounded toward them.
“Run!” Harry yelled as he ducked out of the way.
“The door,” Hermione yelled and headed across the room.
The sphinx laughed manically.
“Stupify,” Harry and Snape yelled at the same time.
The sphinx cowered back, shaking its head and blinking its eyes but was otherwise unaffected by the stunning charm.
“Any other ideas?” Harry yelled as he and Snape ran to catch up with the others.
“Yes one,” Snape said as he stopped, turned and aimed his wand at the sphinx, “Avada Kadavra!” he yelled and a bolt of green shot from his wand.
The spell hit the sphinx and in seconds it had crumbled to a pile of rubble at one end of the tomb.
Everyone stared for a moment as the dust settled around in the room. Suddenly there was a movement by the anti chamber door and in rushed a group of elves.
“You’ve killed it,” the elves screamed, “you’ve killed the masters pet!”
“Not good,” Bill said as he rushed to Snape’s side, “Stupify!” he yelled but there were to many elves.
Beck ran to the next door and after trying the alohamora charm and that didn’t work he turned back into the room, “I don’t think this is the door,” he said in a bit of a panic.
“It has to be,” Hermione said as she pushed him aside, “expelliarmus,” she yelled and with a blast the huge rock flew out of the hole, “quick,” she said as she ran into the room. The rest followed her before the elves could catch them, “reparo!” she yelled next and the huge rock replaced itself before the elves could catch them.
“Nicely done,” Bill said as he looked around.
This new room glowed bright gold all around them. It wasn’t as bright as the potion that snape had used in the previous room but it was very brilliant.
“Has that potion worn off already?” Ron asked as he rubbed his eyes.
“No this is really the treasury,” Bill said as he looked around, “the gold is probably cursed, I would suggest not touching it unless we have to,” he added and pointed to the other end of the room.
There was another door on the other side of the sea of gold. It looked pretty plain compared to the richest that were all around them. Just a plain wood door on plain iron hinges.
“That is probably where we will find the body of the Pharaoh and the horcrux,” Bill said pointing to the end of the room.
“Protected by the mummy no doubt,” Beck said.
“Isn’t it rather odd to see a wooden door on hinges in an ancient tomb?” Ron asked after a moment.
“Yes,” Bill said, “you’re right Ron, that is very odd.”
“Odd is good,” Harry said, “it means some one more modern then the Pharaoh has been here and has reenforced that room. I think it will be our best bet.”
“We will probably find far more modern curses and spell through there,” Beck said as he followed Harry to the other side of the treasure.
Everyone, with wands at the ready stood around the door and watched as Harry and Beck tried the lock on the door. It was unlocked, unlike all the other doors in the tomb.
“That’s not a good sign,” Harry said as he looked at Beck, “it just means that something far more dangerous is waiting for us on the other side.”
“Well we have to go in,” Beck said as he motioned for Harry to stand aside, “I’ll take the lead.”
They all watched as he stepped into the room and they soon followed. Inside the room was dark and all around them were the star like glints of hundreds of thousands of little lenses. Like a starry sea before them rose thousands of pairs of unused, discarded spectacles.
“Oh this is going to be hopeless,” Ron said as he looked around.
Once again he was shushed by his brother.
In the middle of the room, high on a stone pedestal was the golden sarcophagus of the ancient magical pharaoh.
“Why don’t you just accio the spectacles?” Ron asked after a moment of them simply staring at the sea of glasses all around them.
“I am sure that as soon as you touch them something is going to happen,” Harry said remembering what happened the last time he went in search of a horcrux, “and that is probably the only way to get them.”
“Yes, there will be but one way and it will be the most obvious and it will be cursed all at the same time,” Beck said as he looked around, “so you best be ready for everything.”
“Well lets get it over with then,” Harry said as he stepped forward, “be ready for anything. Accio Ravenclaws spectacles!” he yelled and a shudder ran through the room like an earth quake.
Suddenly the spectacle sprung out for the sea and flew at Harry.
“Don’t touch them!” Beck yelled as he dove in front of Harry and grabbed the spectacles out of mid air and he fell to the ground choking.
“Professor!” Hermione yelled as she raced to him and pulled the spectacles out of his hand and wrapped them in her cloak before she too began to choke.
“What’s happening to them?” Ron asked.
“It’s desert fever!” Snape said as she pulled the vile of the antidote out of his bag.
“But if they are already choking how are they going to take the antidote?” Ron asked as he watched Hermione turn blue, her eyes full of fear and her breath completely stopping.
“They can’t swallow it!” Snape said as he pulled a syringe out of his bag as the ground began to shake.
“Now what?” Harry asked as he looked around.
Suddenly the sea of spectacles began to move, like waves on an angry sea, and soon they rose from around them. Mummies, hundreds of thousands.
“We’ll hold them off!” Harry yelled to Snape as he pulled Ron away from Hermione, “you administer the antidote and get them as far away as possible.
“Stupify!” Bill yelled at the first of the mummies that came close to him and then with a silver dagger he drove it into the mummies heart. It melted to sand and fell to the floor, “there are just to many of them!” he yelled as he stabbed the next one.
“We have to get out of here,” Harry yelled.
Snape filled the syringe as best as he could though the shaking of the floor and jammed it into Hermione’s leg. She began to breath properly but passed out from the effects of the antidote. He then did the same to Beck with the same effects, “we have to get them out of here and back to the castle for Madame Pomfrey to curse the effects of the antidote.”
“What do you mean the effects of the antidote?” Ron yelled as another mummy became dust by his hand.
“They are in enchanted sleep now,” Harry said, as he went to Ron, “we have to get them out or they will sleep forever!”
“You will never get out of hear!” a loud booming voice filled the burial chamber with a manic, horrific, laughter.
They all turned suddenly to look at the sarcophagus that stood in the middle of a sea of mummies. There before them stood the spirit of the magical Pharaoh Auckmagi.
“You who have disturbed my after life will perish to my fury, you will never see the light of another day!” he screamed and with a loud bang disappeared. In his place was a dark humming cloud.
“What is that?” Ron said as he grabbed his brothers arm.
The buzzing grew louder as the cloud began to move and the ground began to shake more violently.
“They’re bees!” Bill yelled.
“Run!” Ron screamed as the swarm flew down on them.
With a wave of his wand Snape lifted Beck and Hermione and levitated them out of the burial chamber and back into the treasure, Ron, Harry and Bill ran after them stunning mummies as they ran.
As then reentered the treasury they noticed the change that had happened to the gold, it was no longer the brilliant treasure that they had first seen, instead in its place were cockroaches, and ocean of coin sized cockroaches.
“What is with all the bug!” Ron yelled.
“Bug are big in Egypt!” Bill yelled.
“Yeah they are huge!” Ron practically screamed.
“No, they are mythically big in Egypt!” Bill said, “they believe that they have magical powers.”
“I don’t want to find out if they do or not!” Harry yelled back but they were met with the huge door that Hermione had replaced.
“The elves, they are still behind that door!” Harry yelled to Snape just as a huge bolder fell from the ceiling and smashed to the floor only feet away from them.
“We are doing to die in here,” Bill screamed, “if not by the bees by the collapsing of this chamber!”
“What do we do?” Ron asked turning to Snape.
Snape handed his wand to Harry and pulled his out of his hand. Flicking it once to make sure it would react to his magic he crumbled the rock with a destruction charm. He motioned for Ron, Bill and Harry to follow him and they did. In front of them were an army of Egyptian elves. Behind them bees, cockroaches and mummies and from above the weight of the desert was bringing the tomb down all around them.
Never losing his cool Snape flicked Harry’s wand once more and a huge pile of snakes appeared before him, “Harry tell them to attack the elves!” Snape yelled as he pulled Harry toward the wriggling pile of Snakes.
Harry whispered to the snakes and before the elves knew what had happened they were running from the serpents that began to chase them.
Bill screamed as the bees finally hit them. They were stung by millions of bees all at once and still the mummies were closing in on them.
A sudden pop and a blast like a scream filled the tomb with fire. The bees eased up enough for the four still conscious to see what had happened. Fawkes flew in a great circle around them casting fire in rings around them and pushing back the bees and the mummies.
“He’s a handy pet,” Snape said as he grabbed his wand from Harry and gave him back his own, “can you move?”
“Yes,” Harry said as he grabbed Bill and Ron, one by each arm and started to run after Snape.
The pain of the pee stings was intense as any sting normally was but these bees were enchanted and as they ran the sight faded from their eyes. The poison of the bees rushed through their blood and slowed them down. Harry forced his way onward but could feel that he was losing Bill and Ron. He spun around to see them fall over. Fawkes let out a great cry as the rocks around her began to tumble to the ground.
“Get out!” Harry yelled at the Phoenix and a great bang saw her disappear. He flicked his wand suddenly at Bill and Ron causing them to levitate and continued to run up the staircase as the walls fell in around them.
“We’re almost their!” Snape said from a few paces ahead.
They reached the top of the stairs and fell to their knees as Snape replaced the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb. The wind still whipped all around them.
“We need to get them all back to Pomfrey,” Snape said as the sweat rolled off his forehead and his hands shook.
“We have to get to Pomfrey too,” Harry said as he could tell that he and Snape were both very near passing out.
“Take the portkey!” Snape said as he held out the amulet and grabbed both Hermione and Beck’s hands.
Harry did the same and with a flash, a swirl and a pop they returned to Hogwarts castle just before everything went dark.

Chapter 38: You have no choice.

Owls came daily from Draco to his mother as he passed many a unhappy day in seclusion in the small town of Godric’s Hollow but there was nothing the loving mother could say that would make things any better. Draco had been given orders by the dark lord himself and they were so indebted to him that there was no way any of them could refuse him now. Narcissa continued to write back to her son in praise of his task and to keep him in his place, rather then defy the man who ruled over their lives and Draco knew that he took his life in his own hand and only marked himself for death if they disobeyed the dark lord again. So he sat quietly and keeping watch over the small town, sending the same complaints to his mother every morning and getting the same responses back every night. Nothing of any interest was happening in their lives. It almost seemed like they had been forgotten.
The rest of her time was spent alone. Bellatrix was now gone on her journey’s and put to many, many more exciting tasks and bragged in her letters to her sister as her adventures had freed her from that house, but Narcissa had been ordered to remain at home and so she did. Long hours were her companions as she paced the halls of the huge empty house but it was what she was charged to do that was always on her mind.
The dark lord hadn’t given her any indication, other then quiet muttering and the odd sentence that meant nothing to her. She tried very hard to put things together, in her mind, but nothing seemed to make sense. The dark lord was a mysterious man and the only real proof that she had a task to prepare for was his continued utterance that she was to be apart of his plans.
Finally, on a very warm night for October, as Halloween drew nearer, she paced between her bed and the fire on a very clear night when suddenly the fire erupted in a flash of green and Voldemort walked into her bedroom. From his looked and his manners she could tell that he was not in a good temper and she walked slowly to an arm chair and sat down as he took up the pacing of the bed chamber.
“You know what is happening?” he asked her in a low angry tone.
“No my lord I do not,” she answered as he walked past portraits on the walls and turned them around. The occupants of the portraits didn’t dare make any rejections to the moves and even those within them were terrified and awed by his powers.
“That boy, Potter, is getting on my nerves,” he said, “really, really getting on my nerves.”
“You’ll defeat him my lord, there is no one stronger then you,” She whispered in praise to try and calm him.
“He’s been building an army,” Voldemort said as he walked to her, motioned for her to get out of the chair and took the seat himself.
Narcissa gave out a little, wicked giggle and looked back at the man that was in her most intimate space, “and he thinks an army of his little friends could defeat you and your army of dark wizards, how droll and naive, who would have put a silly idea like that in a child’s mind,” She asked, “surely he could not be using you for his example, my lord, he is so pure of heart.”
“I believe it is Dumbledore,” Voldemort said, “you do not think that in death he would leave me be.”
“Oh of course not, but what can he do? He’s dead,” Narcissa said as she shrugged off the idea, “he will build up his Order and they will die. How could they even think they could win?”
“You know someday I will die,” Voldemort said, “and then who will carry on in my name?”
“Surely all of your followers,” Narcissa said as she knelt down beside him and looked up into the snake like eyes of the man she idolized, “surely you of all people can cheat death, you’ve done it once.”
“Yes with the help of my horcruxes,” he answered.
“Then we should not be worried about you passing on, my lord, you will live forever,” Narcissa said as he stroked her cheek with his long, grey fingers.
“The horcruxes have been compromised and as that boy has a very strong ancient magic protecting him I fear that I need to find another way to live forever,” Voldemort said as he looked into her eyes.
“Send someone to kill him my lord, his army cannot be well developed, yours is strong and ready, send them and they will save your horcruxes and kill the boy and you will never have to worry about them again.”
“It cannot be done,” Voldemort said, “there are to many protections for them at Hogwarts and that is were they are assembling.”
“Curse that place, and curse all that dwell within it,” Narcissa said as she angrily got up from her place at his side and kicked one of her slippers into the flames of the fire.
“Be calm my pet,” Voldemort said as he tented his fingers and looked at her in the light of the fire, “I do have another plan.”
“And they will be sorry when they come to cross you,” She said as she walked back across the room to him.
“I know you are anxious,” Voldemort said softly as he motioned for her to sit down in the chair that he had produced for her next to his. She sat. “I am confident that everything that is to happen now will work to my advantage but I am keeping it as secret as I possibly can.” he said as he reach over and took her hand from where it rested on the arm of the chair, “you are to be the only person to know of this plan as it is by you that it shall be accomplished and I believe you to be ready.”
“I am, for anything you bid of me, my lord,” she answered as she held his hand and looked into his eyes.
“Yes, I knew you would say that,” He said, “but your body was not ready until now.”
“What do you mean?” she asked as she pulled her hand away.
He sniggered at her as he stood from his chair and began to pace again. He removed his heavy robe to reveal his bare torso and his trousers, “you see my pet, I am quite fond of ancient magic. It is so much stronger then any other magic and so much harder to master. But sometimes it is very simply done. You know there is an ancient magic that protects Potter, a magic his mother passed to him through her death. Now I cannot do such a thing because I do not love as people ought, perhaps that is because I have split my soul, a consequence to living forever, one I have gladly taken, but you see my soul is in danger because of that boy and his army and that crazy old man that continues to plaque me in death. Yes, so I cannot count on my soul, but I can count on yours.” he said as he rushed across the room and grabbed her by the arms pulling her to him.
She screamed as he pulled her across the room, his face so close to hers she could feel his breath on her neck. It was cold like the wind and she shivered in his ice like hands.
“What are you saying?” she asked fearfully as he whole body began to shake in his grip.
“I am saying you are to give your soul to me and my seed,” he whispered in her ear, “I will live forever through you and you will die for my child giving it what Lily Potter gave to hers.”
Struggling against his grip she managed to push herself away from him and put space between the two of them, “why me?” she cried, “is there not another way?”
“What, you think of refusing me?” he asked, “Lord Voldemort, the greatest Dark Wizard of all times. I have chosen you because of your devotion to your child and your will to destroy all that stands in your way. You are a strong woman and think of the glory you will receive when it is known that you were chosen among thousands to be the mother of my child.” he said as he walked toward her.
The fire flashed in her eyes as he spoke and so did the benefits of his demand.
“You are to be the most important woman in the world, do you not understand the honor I place upon you. You are ready to night, your body calls to me now. Take my seed and I will give you all my powers. You are the most powerful woman in the world stand at my side.”
Her breathing grew quick as the colour ran to her face. She stared at him the fire light, half naked, the most powerful man and he wanted her.
A smirk crossed his face as she moved out from behind the chair.
“That’s it, my pet, you have no choice but to accept me,” he said as he reached out his hand.
She walked slowly across the room, their eyes had locked and he caressed her arm. His touch was no longer like ice, but warm and full of lust. She backed him toward the bed and there he leaned in and kissed her. She felt his power, and it pulled her forward. Suddenly she could not withstand him any longer. She pushed him with all of her strength onto her husbands bed and pounced onto his chest as he ripped from her the dressing gown and kissed her with all the passion of a lover.

Chapter 40: Family Sword.

Thankfully Ron and Bill only remained in the hospital wing a few more day and even though Hermione and Beck had been woken from their sleep they had a long wait before Madame Pomfrey would allow them to leave. Bill stuck around the school, however and enjoyed his time with the order of the Phoenix. Harry and Ron managed to spend most of their free time catching up as Hermione had urged them and a meeting of the DA that was rescheduled went extremely well, with Professor McGonagall taking Professor Beck’s place and showing them some very advanced transfigurations that would aid in their not being detected. Harry was even more pleased when Friday rolled around and all they had to worry about was the quiddich match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. It was a long and fast game, Raelyn flew well and scored most of the points for Ravenclaw before the snitch was caught marking a loss for Slytherin. Harry, Ginny and Ron waited by the quiddich pitch gates to congratulate Raelyn on the win and compliment her on her flying.
“You were fantastic,” Ginny said as Raelyn came out with the rest of the team.
“Thank you,” Rae beamed, “I was so nervous I was sure I was going to drop the Quarfel.”
“If you were in Gryffindor we would absolutely have you on the team, you are going to be a force to reckon with in the finals,” Harry said.
“That’s so nice of you,” She beamed as her friends came over.
“Gryffindor will still beet you,” Brindalette said as she heard Harry’s comment.
“We’ll see if they make it that far,” Allisonelle said as she to had to get in on the conversation, “you never know what hufflepuff has up their sleeves.”
“That is our first match this season,” Harry said to Ginny and Ron, “we’ll be up against Hufflepuff first.”
“The Hufflepuff team is the best they have had in years!” Allisonelle said.
“It’s true, we’ve seen their practice this week, they are going to be tough competition,” Raelyn said.
“That’s exactly what we want,” Harry smiled and before he could get another word in Raelyn was hoisted up by her house and carried off to the castle to celebrate. Her two friends ran after the crowd leaving Ginny, Ron and Harry standing the sunlight of the beautiful autumn day.
“What shall we do now?” Ron asked as he watched the leaves in the whomping willow fall to the ground in a violent shake of its branches.
“I think it is too nice to be inside. I mean this weather can’t hold out forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have snow before morning,” Ginny said as a cool northern wind blew her firey red hair out of her face.
“I agree,” Harry smiled as they walked toward the lake, “we should enjoy it while we can.” he added but before they could reach the lake to sit under their favorite tree, professor Flitwick came scurrying across the grounds.
“There you are Mr. Potter,” Flitwick said as he came up to them, “Professor McGonagall wishes to see you in her office as soon as possible. May I escort you to her?” he asked.
“Sure,” Harry said as he turned to his friends, “I’ll be back as soon as I can I promise!”
“We’ll be here,” Ginny smiled.
“Yeah,” Ron added, “you can’t be in trouble you haven’t done anything. It shouldn’t take long.”
Harry nearly had to run to keep up with little Professor Flitwick. They moved quickly across the grounds and even faster up the stairs of the entrance hall until they reached the giant stone statue of the phoenix that led to the head mistress office. Flitwick whispered the pass word and the stone statue began to move.
“Go on, go on, she’s waiting for you,” he squeaked and rushed off in the other direction.
Harry practically ran up the stairs, two at a time until he reached the silver knocker on her door. Taking it in his hand he knocked once and the door opened.
The office looked just as Dumbledore had left it only a wee bit tidier and Dumbledore’s bowl of sweets was missing and replaced with a large bouquet of red roses and an old gramophone played the Bach Goldberg Variations and McGonagall stood by a window over looking the lake. It was out on this tower balcony that Dumbledore was killed and that had been the last time Harry had been in the office.
“you know, Professor Dumbledore loved chamber music, Bach was one of his favorites,” McGonagall said as she turned to face Harry, “the Goldberg variations were a gift from Dumbledore last year before he died, I must say I had never had such a love for music as I do now. It is a magic far beyond our comprehension.”
Harry sat for a moment as the first movement came to a close, “it is very beautiful,” Harry said as the second movement started much faster and more cheerfully.
McGonagall walked to the gramophone and lowered the horn to make the volume softer. “I’ve asked you here today because Dumbledore has requested that I return something to you. He believes you may need it more then the school does,” she said as she walked to a large case on one wall where the sword of Godric Gryffindore was hung, “you know, Dumbledore believes that if Voldemort could have gotten his hands on this artifact it would have been one of his Horcruxes. It would have been a great insult to Godric Gryffindore and I am happy that Dumbledore was able to keep it so safe.”
A flash of fire and a cry brought Fawkes back into the head mistresses office. The perch that had once been its constant home was still where it had been but was avoided by the bird and she preferred to take up her place on Harry’s shoulder.
“It must be very difficult for you to be in here,” McGonagall said as she looked at the bird and at Harry and returned the record to the beginning aria movement. The light, delicate piano filled the office in a mournful way once again, “I can only imagine what it is you have been though, as I am not an Occlumentic like Dumbledore and do not wish to be I would never see into your memories. A lot of bad has happened to you at this place, I almost regret ever allowing you to live this life. Some time I believe that you would have been better off a muggle but it was Dumbledore’s decision as your legal guardian to bring you back to this world.”
“But the Dursley’s were my legal guardians weren’t they?” Harry asked.
“No,” McGonagall answered, “Petunia was a blood relative of you mothers and the ancient magic would only work with her and therefore you protector she was to be, but on the day that you were born and your godfather Sirius Black as named your guardian, but only in half, you see you have two godfathers. Dumbledore was also a godfather to you and the keeper of all of your family belongings. It was one of the reasons he was unable to be your family’s secret keeper. He feels that it is now time that you knew all of the truth.”
Harry’s mind raced with the knowledge that he had just been given. What else was there that was kept from him. What more was he to find out. Were their more secret?
“What else have I not been privy to knowing?” Harry asked angrily as the music took a sudden change in variation and McGonagall looked at him sadly.
“There are things I wish you should never know,” McGonagall said with a tear in her eye, “things I cannot tell you as I have been sworn to the secrets. But you must know that someday I have the hope that you will be able to look back at this life and be happy.”
Harry sighed trying to stifle his anger, “I would not have ever been happy with the Dursley’s. Please don’t ever regret my being here. It has made me happy to know who I am.”
“Then it should make you very happy to take this artifact back to where it belongs,” McGonagall said as she reached into the glass case and pulled out Gryffindor’s sword and placed it in a long mahogany box that sat on the desk, “it rightfully belongs to an heir of Gryffindor, that which you are,”she said and Harry’s eyes went wide, “the Gryffindor name has long died away but the heirs live on in you. Your great, great grandmother was a Gryffindor, your great grandmother married a Potter and so sons have carried on the Potter name.”
“And why would Dumbledore keep all this from me?” Harry asked as McGonagall placed the long mahogany box in Harry’s hand.
“Because the Potter’s asked him to, until a Potter was ready to tell you,” she said.
“But there are no Potter’s left and so he left it to you,” Harry said sadly.
“No, it was my decision to tell you. It did take a long time but it was one of the secrets that we’ve kept for a very long time. As far as anyone knows the Potter’s are dead and Dumbledore was keeping a family secret that I had made him promise to. You see my brother was a potter, your grandfather,” she said.
“But then that would make you,” Harry stuttered.
“My husband Marku McGonagall died long before you were born, fighting the good fight as we always say. It was with his death that the Potter prophecy’s came to be public and so my family secret was guarded by Dumbledore and your parents. I was born Minerva Melody Perja Potter. I am your great aunt, Harry.”
Harry dropped the mahogany box into a chair and ran to Minerva, tears welling up in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her.
“I wanted to tell you,” she whispered through her own tears, “but you have to understand why I couldn’t,” she said as she held his face and looked into his eyes.
“We are in to much danger,” he whispered. She nodded. “The secret is safe with me,” he said as a band of silver flew from his wand binding their secret to one another but for the first time Harry knew he was not the only one.

Chapter 42: Helena’s Secret.

Hermione and Beck were released from the Hospital wing by the Sunday morning and all talks of DA practices and Halloween feast resumed by that evening. Harry had apologies to Ginny and Ron up and down for not returning to the lake on Friday afternoon and they had forgiven him with the knowledge of his having such a great artifact in his possession. Hermione saw it differently though and encouraged Harry to have the sword on hand whenever possible as he did not know when he would be called away to use it, but it would not be an easy article to hide. Harry began wrapping his invisibility cloak around the sword as tightly as he could and strung it from the belt of his trousers but it was still a burden to have it always with him weighing him down.
No one was privy to the knowledge of Harry’s family connection. Even though he had wanted terribly to say something he was unable to bring the words to his lips and he felt the true power of his promise to his professor. He wanted to believe he saw something different in her as he watched her at the staff table at the feast on the eve of Halloween, but as she avoided his stare he felt that he would have to relinquish his hold on the idea of any kind of a family bond, besides what had happened to any of his family that he believed he may be happy with? They ended up dead and he knew that this was Professor McGonagall’s biggest fear.
When the feast was over and all the students were stuffed to the brim Harry found himself moving slowly from the great hall with the hoards of other students. Hermione was, even beyond her fatigue, determined that she needed to make a final stop in the library before returning to the common room to try and catch up on all the work she had missed with her stay in the hospital. Harry heaved a heavy sighed as he fell back behind Dean Thomas and Ron who had gotten into a overly heated debate about the Chudley Cannon’s winning streak.
“It is the best team they have seen in years with the addition of their new seaker!” was the last thing Harry heard Ron said as they walked on.
The sword at Harry’s side was becoming increasingly heavy as he walked, dragging his feet up to the common room, he wanted nothing more then to fall into the soft fold of his bed and leave the sword in the bottom of his truck for a whole.
“Hello Harry,” he heard a voice from behind him as he walked.
He looked over his should to see Brindalette and her two friends following him, “oh hi,” he said then stopped in his tracks, “why are you two coming to the Gryffindor common room?” he asked as he turned to face the three of them.
“We aren’t going to the Gryffindor common room,” Raelyn smiled, “the Ravenclaw common room is this way too,” she said as she motioned up the stairs.
“Ok, but the Hufflepuff common room is in the dungeon, is it not?” he asked as he instinctively moved his hand toward his wand while he staired at Allisonelle.
“Don’t do anything stupid Potter,” Brindalette said as she moved behind him.
“We don’t want any trouble,” Raelyn said as the hall cleared and they were left behind the crowd of sleepy students.
“It wouldn’t be wise to try and mess with us,” Allisonelle added a she drew her wand and Harry watched as their charms began to glow together.
“What do you want?” Harry asked as he lowered his voice to a whisper and glared at Brindalette, “you want me to trust you and you do stuff like this?”
“My parents are dark wizards what do you expect?” she laughed.
“Then what is it you really want from me?” he asked.
“Oh you know, a little of this and a little of that,” Brindalette said in a sing song voice as the three of them began to herd Harry up another stair case.
“Where are we going?” he asked as he was forced deeper into the school.
“We are going to be asking the questions tonight Potter,” Raelyn said as she rubbed the charm around her neck and a strange light began to cast itself around them.
“Yeah, first of all we want to know if you have that wonderful sword with you tonight,” Brindalette asked.
“What if I do?” Harry said.
“Then you probably have your invisibility cloak too,” Allisonelle smiled, “which may or may not prove useful for to nights little excursion.”
“You are expecting me to help you?” Harry asked his grip tighter on his wand, “go with you somewhere and break school rules by being out of bed?”
“It’s not like it stopped you before!” Raelyn laughed.
“Yeah and you don’t have much of a choice as to whether you come with us or not,” Allisonelle smiled.
“You aren’t going to need that either tonight,” Brindalette said motioning to his wand with her own. As she did it flew from his hand and landed in hers, “if you survive tonight I’ll give it back, for now you best keep a hand on your sword and a ear out for snakes.”
“Snake?” Harry asked.
“Yeah,” Allisonelle said, “you are a parselmouth aren’t you?”
“You don’t need to answer we know the truth,” Raelyn smiled.
“What does that have to do with anything?” he asked as they stopped by a large door that seemed to appear in a solid wall.
“Knew it was hear as long as he was with us,” Allisonelle said happily as she pushed open the door and Harry was ushered inside.
“What do you want with the DA room, you knew it was hear,” Harry said as the girls through their cloaks onto the table never taking their eyes off Harry.
“Yeah, but there is something else in here that we think you may find interesting,” Brindalette smiled, “a very dear friend of ours.”
“Helena,” Raelyn called, “are you present tonight?”
The curtain at the end of the room fluttered as hundreds of candles appeared on the floor all around them. The heat from all of the candles was extreme and the light that they gave off was blinding. Helena walked ghost like up to Harry. Her eyes were black as the darkness that had been around them, not even the whites of her eyes could be seen in the dark blackness that had taken over. She circled the girls for a moment and then sat in the middle of the floor crossed her legs and remained as if she were meditating.
Suddenly he hair began to swirl in the invisible wind that took over in the room and her body began to float above the ground.
“Who dare’s disturb me on this, my most holy of nights?” a strange voice that was not her own escaped from Helena’s mouth.
“We three weird sisters,” the girls answered.
Helena closed her eyes and when they opened again her appearance had completely changed. She was dress all in white, the gown that she was now wearing floated on the wind. Her hair was a mass as to whirled and twirled around her. She floated in mid air looking at the girls and then to Harry.
“I am pleased my darlings you have bought the boy who lived,” the voice said as she walked toward Harry. It was a strange and frightening sighed. She moved like a ghost, her feet never touching the ground.
“What do you want with me?” Harry asked.
“Is it not you who has been seeking me?” Helena asked.
“Who are you?” Harry asked.
“I am the greatest witch of all time,” she answered.
“Greater then Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?” Harry asked with a sudden burst of bravery.
“Those women feared me, they would not speak my name. They would never dare as many would not,” she answered.
“Then what makes you so great?” Harry asked, “what have you done.”
“I have seen kingdoms rise and fall, I have build armies and crushed them with one whisper, I am the great, the ancient, the most powerful Hecate!” she said as flames burst beneath her feet and the temperature in the room burned Harry’s skin.
“Then who are you?” Harry yelled over the violence that had taken over the room as he moved toward Brindalette who was bathed in a soft golden glow from her charm and looked like nothing around her mattered.
“We are the sisters,” Brindalette answered.
“The witches three,” Allisonelle sang.
“We are RAB” Raelyn laughed as their charmed glowed and their clothing changed.
“You are RAB?” Harry asked as he fell to his knees. He felt like his clothing would burn off him.
“Yes they are my daughters,” Hecate said with a morbid laugh as the fire and the heat died away, “I work by a much greater power, and ancient magic that is the root of all magic. There is no good or bad with this magic only balance,” she added as she finally set a foot on the floor and for the first time she looked like Helena had looked, “Harry for now we are working along the same path, you need to go with these girls if you wish to defeat the dark lord.” she said the voice that was finally familiar to him.
“Why should I trust you?” Harry yelled into her face.
“Fool!” the angry voice burst back at him, “you have no choice in the matter, I command you now!” she screamed and forced Harry, with a movement of her hand, to his knees nearly pressing his face to the floor, “take him through the door, to the grave of the riddle and there you will find her.” said the voice as she pointed at the three girls.
“Yes mistress,” they answered.
“Bring me back its head!” Hecate laughed another morbid laugh.
“And the boy?” Brindalette asked pointing at Harry.
“If he lives he lives. If he dies leave him there,” Hecate said as the wind died down and Helena was left her eyes black as the darkness once more.
She turned silently and walked back along the room of requirements and back through the curtain and the room fell completely silence except for Harry’s gasping for air.

Chapter 44: Serpents Rage

The night wore on, the stars were high in the sky, but they were veiled in a strange moving fog. Minutes pasted like hours as they sat in silence on the hard ground at the base of the Riddle grave. Harry felt so tired and sore from all that he had been through, his skin was burned, he was swore and bruised and yet, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor girl that sat by his side shivering constantly, as her tears has dried and streaked her face with blotches.
“Are you ok?” he whispered beneath the cloak.
“I will be,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Stay under the cloak when the snakes return,” Harry whispered, “they wont see you and I’ll keep them away from you.”
“Thank you,” she said, “I’m really sorry it all came down to this.”
“It’s not your fault,” Harry said as he moved his eyes from Allisonelle to her friend who sat angrily apart from each other, “do you fight like this all the time.”
“Nearly constantly,” Allisonelle sighed, “it’s because Brin and Rae have really strong leadership qualities and I am a coward,” she said as tear dripped down her cheek again.
“I don’t think you are a coward,” Harry said as he conjured a handkerchief out of thin air and handed it to her.
“Oh but I am,” Allisonelle said, “I would be just pleased to simply move through life in a simple way but I have been caught up in this mess.”
“You can quit can’t you?” Harry asked.
“Now that would really be cowardly of me,” she said, “but I would if I could. We’ve been bound to serve Hecate since we were infants. Our mothers presented us to her when we were born as the ones to carry on the line. It’s all very old magic. I can only hope that I never have a girl to put through this horror. I will die serving this witch, as every woman in my family has done before me. It’s a terrible cures.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Harry whispered.
“I can’t believe I just told you all of that,” Ally said with a sigh.
“Your secret is safe,” Harry said as he tried to smile.
“Thank you,” she said sadly and pulled her knees up to her chin and the silence fell between them once more.
Finally, as dawn began to show itself on the horizon and the strange fog drifted off to the terrible heat that had been scorching the days, even in October, the black snake returned to where it had been created. It coiled itself in the middle of the clearing and waited for Harry.
Harry slipped out from beneath the cloak into the fading darkness and hissed softly at the snake, he then turned and returned to the invisibility cloak.
“What is going on?” Brindalette asked as the black snake slithered away into the undergrowth.
“I set it free,” Harry said as he watched the snake disappear.
“Oh that’s brilliant, and what are we to do now?” Brindalette asked angrily.
“We wait for Nagini to return from her hunting,” Harry said, “my serpent tells me that she is not within the house and that she has not been there all night. It is whispered from within that she is hunting on her masters orders and she will have to be returned to him by sun up. Which will be soon, so be at the ready.”
Allisonelle trembled beside him as she drew her wand and watched the ground where the black snake had fled.
“Maybe you should go back through the door,” Harry whispered to her as she trembled beside him.
“I can’t we all have to do it together,” Allisonelle said as her voice dropped and they stared into the darkness.
A hissing unlike anything the girls had heard before filled the small clearing. It was harsh and agitated and Harry understood every heart stopping word.
“He knows,” Harry whispered as his face went white, “Voldemort knows we are here,” he said as he through the cloak off of himself, “go back to the school,” he ordered angrily as Nagini entered the clearing and a dark evil laughter filled the graveyard.
“So we meet again,” Voldemort’s high voice echoed off the tomb stones.
“Show yourself!” Harry ordered as the girls huddled behind him
“I think not, I will leave Nagini to finish the girls,” the voice said and hissing followed as Nagini began to coil herself up and strike at the girl, “then I will come for you Potter.”
Harry drew the sword of Gryffindor and held it shakily out before him. He hissed at the great snake who hissed back in a manic kind of laughing way and continued, forcing herself toward Allisonelle who was nearly faint from the terror of the ordeal.
“Harry please stop her,” Allisonelle begged as tears streamed down her face.
“Stun her,” Harry said to Ally, “you can do it.”
“No I can’t,” Ally sobbed fear taking control of her entire self.
“Stop being a baby,” Brindalette said in a panicked tone as her charm began to glow faintly, “we can’t protect ourselves if you don’t fight your fear.”
“I can’t,” Ally sobbed again and the light from her charm went out.
“We’ll loose her!” Raelyn screamed as she watched Nagini coil and strike more violently then before.
Ally fell to the ground, blood gushing from her side as he face drained of all color. Nagini recoiled and began to strike again before Raelyn could break from her paralyzed fear. The two girls watched as again the great Snake sank its teeth into Allisonelle while Harry tried his hardest to stun her.
“Fawkes!” Harry screamed as Allisonelle’s eyes rolled back into her head. Her uniform was covered in blood. A sick hissing from the great snake filled the air as she turned on Raelyn.
“Ally no!” Raelyn sobbed as she watched her friend fall limp on the ground and her own charm secede its glowing.
Like a crack of thunder something split the sky and the snake recoiled in fear. Fire erupted from all around them and with one great swipe Nagini’s head was separated from her body. A sick black smoke issued from the wound as the snake lashed and twitched until all the life had left its body. Harry stood breathing heavily, the sword held tightly in his hand, as an angry yell filled the night air.
“Quick!” he yelled, “back through the door.”
“We can’t go back that way!” Brindalette said, shock on her face unable to move.
“Voldemort is coming!” Harry panicked as he gabbed the charm from around Allisonelle’s neck and grasped it tightly. Fawkes landed on his shoulder as he scooped Ally into his arms, the sword hung at his side still drenched in the snakes blood.
Suddenly light burst forth from Harry’s hand, but not one of the other charms and the door appeared in the tomb stone. He kicked Nagini’s head with all his might and it flew through the opening and into the tree and he rushed past the two girls that stood staring at him.
They were still paralyzed when he turned back to them, grabbed them by the hems of their cloaks, and pulled them back through the door. The last thing he saw before the door finally shut were the terrible red eyes and a blast of green, then there was darkness and it was at that moment that he felt the searing pain that came from his scar.