Author Notes:
Angel-Wing: We're finally back with another chapter! And an apologize for the long delay; and since we decided that being a team means that we will not point fingers, right Psy???
Psy_Girl: Yup, that is right! We wont say who took the longest to finish this chapter *CoughAngelWingsfaultcough* Nop, not gonna say. =P
Hey a big thanks to our wonderful beta Twany Spitfyre!!! And guys don't forget to review please??? It means a lot to us to know what you think about the story!!! So enjoy!!
Chapter 4 - Reaching Out
The sun began to rise, filling with its warm sunlight the grounds of Hogwarts. It was Saturday, so almost no student was awake at that time.
Except, of course, for Harry Potter.
He was sitting on his bed, a parchment lying over his crossed legs. Both Hedwig and Crookshanks were on the edge of the bed, staring at him impatiently, but he didn't seem to be aware of their presence. Harry twirled the quill in his fingers. He was trying to make a decision, but his thoughts were confused. After days of waiting for information, any information about his friends, now he knew where they were going to be in a couple of hours. The problem was, he didn't know what to do with that news.
One thing was for sure: if something wasn't done, and fast, they would be in mortal danger.
Desperation started to arise in his chest and he did his best to bury it in the depths of his brain. Now more than ever he needed to stay calm, to think with cool head. This time he couldn't make rushed decisions. He had to think about what he was going to do carefully, step by step, think about the consequences, all the possible outcomes of this, and find a practical and reasonable solution to save them without risking anyone's safety.
One choice was telling the Order about what Malfoy had said. After all, Dumbledore already knew that Voldemort was planning to take the Prophecy out of them in front of all his Death Eaters. He just needed to know where it was going to happen... But what if Malfoy was lying? Harry wasn't stupid enough to trust him blindly. He was still surprised that the git had given him that information, but considering Malfoy's history, it wasn't likely that he had decided to help Harry and his friends. What if he was following his mother's, or worse, Voldemort's orders? How could Harry be sure that it wasn't a trick, like the last time? What if it was a decoy, and they would be on a goose chase while his friends were somewhere else in danger?
But then again, what if it was true and he was taking them to that cemetery? What if he dismissed Malfoy's information and it turned out to be true? There were so many questions, and so little time. What could he do? He sighed and his eyes travelled through the room. Seamus and Dean were sound asleep. His eyes fell on Ron's empty bed...
He grabbed the quill tightly and started writing.
* * *
"Hurry up! There is not much cleaning a dirty traitor can do! You will never be able to wash the filth!" Kreacher exclaimed with shrilly voice.
"I am done," said Luna with her sing-song voice, as if the words of the little house elf were meaningless to her.
Luna started to walk towards the cell. They had all been "asked" to bathe and clean themselves. They could only wonder why they were supposed to do that. Hermione found herself wondering if the time to meet Lord Voldemort had finally come. She wasn't even sure if he had the intention to `take care' of them personally... Whatever the reason, she had the feeling they would know why they had been taken there in first place, and she had shared that hunch in hushed whispers with the rest. No one seemed very at ease.
Kreacher followed Luna through the hallway; he opened the door of the cell, and magically pushed her in, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the floor with a loud thud.
"Hey, be careful you git!!" Ron said through gritted teeth, while Ginny helped Luna to get up. Kreacher just smirked and said in a low voice more to himself more than to them: "Tonight, tonight! Ohh!! My mistress would've been so proud of me now."
Those words scared Hermione more than anything that had happened since the Death Eaters had showed up at her house. She quickly glanced at the others. They looked confused, except for Luna, who caught her eye and gave her a knowing nod. She was scared too. She knew what it meant.
With a shaky breath, Hermione grabbed the bars of the cell and leaned against them, silently praying. She realized a couple of seconds later that her prayer involved Harry rescuing them and she scolded herself for thinking that way. Harry was safe, and he had to remain that way.
* * *
Harry watched Hedwig fly away and let out a sigh. It was done. He just had to hope they would be able to help him in his plan. He now had a pressing matter at hand. Now that he knew that his friends would be at a cemetery - or at least, that's what he was hoping - he had to find out where exactly that cemetery was...
Hermione always found her answers in the library. Harry couldn't think of any other place to look for the location of that cemetery. He had tried to remember things from that night when he had been taken there... But the only thing he knew for sure was that Voldemort's father's grave was located in there. Nothing else. He barely recollected things from the surroundings of that place. Only the events that had taken place there he remembered vividly and that was something he really didn't want to do now.
He wondered what Dumbledore would do with the information Snape had given him. Dumbledore knew that something was going to happen that night, so he was probably preparing something. But he didn't know where...
"...the prisoners were telling the truth…" Snape had said. Harry didn't know what prisoners he was talking about.
"So now we know for sure what Voldemort wants," Dumbledore had replied. Harry could picture him sitting behind his desk and looking at Snape above his glasses. "He is going to do it in front of everyone?"
"Yes. He is planning to make a big feast. Tonight. He is completely sure that the children know about the Prophecy... We need to do something, Headmaster."
"He didn't say where his feast would take place, did he?"
"No, Sir. He said he would summon us when everything was ready."
"He is being very cautious, indeed. I believe he does not trust his men fully. He once made a mistake that cost him almost everything and he won't do it again. Any information about the children's current whereabouts?"
A pause followed and Harry waited for Snape's answer holding his breath.
"I still think they are at Malfoy's Manor, Sir," he said slowly and Harry's let out a gasp. He covered his mouth quickly.
"The Ministry raided their house two times and couldn't find anything," Dumbledore's voice said. "Of course, you and I know that there are ways to hide things when you don't want them to be found."
"Still, I'm pretty sure the feast won't be there in the same place they have been all this time. The have probably been moved there already."
"Very well. Severus, try to find whatever information you can about tonight. But be very careful."
"I will. Sir, about that other issue-"
Suddenly Snape's voice fell silent. For a second, Harry thought that his extendable ear was failing, but then it occurred to him that maybe Dumbledore had found out that he was hearing behind the door, no that could not be right, otherwise he wouldn't have listened to the conversation in the first place. And besides he didn't want to be caught and he had heard enough anyway.
Harry found himself at the library. He had been so wrapped up in his memory of what had happened the night before, he hadn't realized where he was going. He was glad he had heard all that. As he had suspected, Dumbledore had more information than he had shared with him. The thought angered him. If he and Snape had believed Ron and the others were at Malfoy's house, how could they stay there and not do anything?
* * *
Harry hated Hogwart's library. Well, not really. He just hated how big it was, and how difficult it was to find a book when you needed it the most. Hermione always went to the library when she needed information... How come she always seemed to know what book to look for? He had gone through tons of books, and he was already on the brink of complete madness. He had never thought about how many cemeteries there were in England. How could he know which one Voldemort had chosen? The only thing he knew about that place was that it held Voldemort's father. That portkey could have led him anywhere.
Harry sat at the table Hermione always chose, the one in the farthest corner. While sitting there, alone and sourrounded by old and musty books, he realized that he was at her table. There was something that made it inevitable for him to end up thinking about Hermione in that library. Harry looked at the empty seat in front of him, wishing with all his heart that his best friend was there, with her brows furrowed and biting her lip while helping him look for the information. He was sure that if he tried hard enough, he would see her... He would hear her saying `Don't give up, Harry. We still have to look through Places Wizards Choose to Rest for Eternity and Scariest Cemeterys in Wizardring and Muggle Britain.' Harry shook his head. He had to bring her... them back.
Maybe the information was in the Restricted Section, but he couldn't ask a teacher for permission or they would found out what he was up to in the blink of an eye. He had seen Remus Lupin come to the library twice that day and watch him, but Harry had pretended he was just doing his homework for Transfiguration. If the professor had suspected anything, he hadn't let it show.
No, he would have to use his Invisibility Cloak. It would be a hard task, after all it was day time, and there were a few students and Madame Pince around, but he didn't have time to waste. He stood up and walked to the Common Room as fast as he could without looking too suspicious.
As soon as he entered through the portrait hole, he saw Crookshanks nestled in the chair close to the fireplace. It was their place. He noticed that no one sat there... It was as if they knew that was Hermione's, Ron's and his favorite place to hang out in Gryffindor Tower and left the space empty in a sign of respect. Melancholy washed him over and he approached the cat and sat beside him, petting him lightly.
"What do you think Hermione would do now?" Harry asked in a whisper, feeling a little stupid for talking to a cat. He needed her so bad... He needed her help. She would probably know how to find that bloody place, she practically knew the library by heart. Harry had never realized how dependant he had become on Hermione's skills to find all the answers... "How can I find that place without her help?"
He had just finished that sentence when Crookshanks leapt out of his lap and ran to the girls' dormitory. Harry stared at the cat and shook his head. It was definitely a strange animal, but he could understand now why Hermione was so attached to him. Realizing he had lost time, he quickly went to his room and a few minutes later he went back down with his schoolbag, carrying the cloak inside.
He was about to leave, when he heard steps coming from the girls' room and Lavender came down, carrying a book with a green leather cover and Crookshanks.
"Harry, Crookshanks was scratching Hermione's trunk, so I guessed he wanted something... I opened it and he - and this was creepy, I think this cat has been around Hermione too much - he dove into the trunk and dragged up this book and stared at me - you know how enervating his staring gets after a while - so I took the book and he wanted me to follow him downstairs, and now that I see you here I suppose he wanted me to give you this book..." she said without taking a breath.
"Thanks," Harry said, taking the book and the cat.
"How are you?" Lavender asked.
He sighed. "As good as you might expect me to be."
"We all miss them." She looked back to the girls' staircase. "I might not be Hermione's closest friend, but I do care for her; same goes for Ginny, Ron and Neville." A small silence followed. "They will come back."
"I know they will," Harry said in strong voice.
Lavender smiled slightly. "Well, now that I am up, I am going to head down to the Great Hall... Aren't you coming down for breakfast?"
Harry shook his head no, and thankfully, Lavender didn't ask why.
"If Parvati ever gets up could you tell her where I'll be, please?" He nodded, absent-mindedly. "Thanks! See you later Harry!!" She waved goodbye and disappeared through the portrait hole.
Harry looked around the Common Room. There were three first years in a corner, but no one else. He stared at Crookshanks, who had returned to his position in the chair and then at the book, puzzled. The cover said Diary, and in the bottom, there were the letters H.J.G. marked in gold. He hesitated... Should he open it? This was Hermione's. He didn't want to invade her privacy... But why would Crooshanks want him to see it if he was not supposed to read it?
He knew he should be going back to the library, but, as usual, his curiosity got the best of him. He decided to take a look, just to see what the cat was up to. With apprehension, he started reading the first page and found out it was not her diary, but his, as crazy that might sound. Hermione kept a very detailed record of all the "adventures" - if they could be called that - they had gone through each of the years they had spent at Hogwarts.
There were several pages including their investigation about the Philosopher's Stone, Nicholas Flamel (including his biography. She had included the years of his birth and, Harry noticed with a little pity, death, in October 1992), thier suspicions about Snape, a deep description of how they had found it, including Fluffy and the other traps and how they got past them... She had even included notes about the potions, the chess game and the devil's snare behavior.
He flipped the pages and read about their second year; fragments of "Hogwarts, a History" were attached to the diary, where it described the story of Salazar Slytherin and the other founders. There was a lot of information about the basilisk. Harry remembered with a shudder her petrified face and he shut his eyes, trying to erase that memory from his mind. Imagining her petrified was like picturing her dead, and as soon as he thought about that, he felt a knot in his throat. He kept reading, expecting to see something that would grab his attention. Hermione had included how to make the Polyjuice Potion, its effects, it's flavor... He chuckled a little when he saw she had added a very brief description about the Slytherin's Common Room. `Harry and Ron aren't very keen on details,' it said in the end.
Third year... He stopped as soon as he read his Godfather's name on the page. He would read that part later. It was too soon, he couldn't do it yet... He skipped it and reached fourth year. She narrated a lot of things about the Tri-Wizard Tournament, about Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, how Harry had been chosen the fourth champion... There was a brief description of the other three. Harry started reading the one where she described Fleur and could not help to smile while reading her "politically correct" description. He knew she did not think the best of her, but did a good job describing her anyway. Following Fleur's was Viktor Krum's. He felt a pang of curiosity, Hermione hadn't really talked much about Krum since they had gone to the Brawl together... He was about to read, when Crookshanks purred loudly.
"You're right," Harry said, moving forward in the book. He didn't have time for that now. He flipped through the pages. What could he possibly find there that would help? He was getting too entertained. He had to go back to the library...
He was about to put the book down, when something caught his eye. He stared at it in disbilief and blinked twice just to make sure he wasn't imagining things.
* * *
"You know, I think I have probably grown an inch thanks to these chains," Ron complained glaring at the chains around his wrists, as if he could melt the metal with his eyes. He reckoned it was only past noon, and he didn't understand why they had been chained so early.
"Well, I wouldn't mind growing an inch or two, I think I am shrinking more than growing taller," Ginny said, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think you have the right height, not too tall and not too small," Neville chirped in, with a faint blush.
Ron smirked. "No matter how tall you are Ginny, you will always be a little pain in the--"
"Kreacher is taking too long with our lunch, don't you think?" Hermione interrupted tiredly. She had sense that if Ron ever finished that sentence, Ginny would retort and they would be involved in one of the many Weasley arguments she had had the chance to witness in that cell. She wondered if that was how herself and Ron got... If that's what Harry had to put up with all the time, then she understood him completely.
"Yeah, I am hungry, where is that creep?" Ron growled. He had been expecting Kreacher to come down when the chains appeared, but an hour had passed since then and he was getting impatient.
As if on cue, the doors opened and revealed the house elf followed by several dishes floating in the air. With a snap of his long and thin fingers, a small table appeared and he settled the dishes. Without saying a word he left the cell, and the doors closed again, making the chains disappear.
The five friends stared at the table with their mouths open.
"Oh. My. God!" gasped Ginny, blinking. "This is a feast!!"
"Look at all this food," Neville said, approaching slowly to the table. There were all types of food and drinks there. If he didn't know better, he'd say this was almost like a smaller Hogwart's meal.
Ron was almost on the verge of tears. "This is the most beautiful thing I have seen since we got here!"
Hermione just stared at the table... This was like... But it couldn't... They wouldn't... Why take so much effort to... She felt a tug of her clothes and turned around to see Luna, looking at the table with an indifferent expression. "You know what this is, don't you?" Hermione asked in a whisper.
"Yes, my father always insisted that I learn about everything... including War Protocol."
"What do you mean by that??" asked a very frightened Ginny, who had been waiting for Hermione to give her opinion before doing anything. "What does War Protocol mean? Luna? Hermione?"
"It is a custom to give a last good meal to the condemned prisoners," answered Ron absentmindedly and turned to see the astonished faces of the girls. "Hey, I can read too, you know?" he exclaimed, looking affronted. "After what happened in the Ministry, I went through some of the books my dad had about You-Know-Who and all that so I could help Harry out."
"So this is our last meal?" whispered Neville in a weak voice.
Hermione's mind was working at top speed. "No, no it isn't Neville, I have an idea!!"
She rushed to the bars and grabbed them forcefully. She fell silent as in deep concentration, as if she was preparing to do something, as if she finally remembered that spell that would save them. Everyone stared at her with their hearts filled with hope, filled with faith, maybe everything would be alright, maybe she would do something, maybe she...
"LET ME OUT OF HERE!! I WANT TO CONFESS!! I WILL TELL EVERYTHING!! YOU HEAR ME!? EVERYTHING!!"
After hearing her screams everyone just stared at her with dumb expressions on their faces.
"Hermione have you gone mental?? What are you doing??" Ginny said, while grabbing Hermione's arm.
She let go of her grip and looked briefly at her friends. "I told you, I have an idea," she whispered.
"And that idea involves betraying your friends??" Ron asked with a look of evident confusion.
"Sort of. HEY!! DID ANYONE HEAR ME!?"
"Maybe she's trying to do the same she did with Professor Umbridge," Neville suggested, covering his ears from Hermione's shrilly screams.
A smile was drawn in Hermione's face. She had reached the last part of her plan. "VOLDEMORT" - everyone in the cell flinched - "IS THE BIGGEST PRAT IN THE WORLD!!!" she yelled, marking her words.
A tense silence followed when she shut her mouth. No one dared to say anything or to move for that matter. Hermione was still holding the bars, withe her back turned to them, breathing heavily. It was Ron who moved first, and he walked back to the table and started eating.
"What are you doing, Ron?" asked Neville.
"Well, after what Hermione just shouted, this IS our last meal. So at least I am going to die with my stomach full."
Hermione finally got away from the bars and turned to look at them with a huge smile on her face. She approached the table and started laughing softly. Everyone stared at her as if she had definitely lost it. Ginny and Neville exchanged worried glances when she actually grabbed Luna's hand and started twirling around the cell, exclaiming "I knew it!"
The image of Hermione Granger dancing around a cell, with her hair sticking up everywhere and grinning madly was something that Ron would have never expected to see. But considering that currently his life was pretty surreal (captured by You-Know-Who, locked in Malfoy's house, guarded by Kreacher, talking to Luna Lovegood... Certainly none of which he would have imagined possible) he didn't wonder about that. He just frowned and voiced what Ginny and Neville were also wanting to ask.
"What exactly did you know? Are you going to tell us or do we have to guess?"
Hermione let Luna go and turned to him. "They can't hear us."
"Huh?" Ron asked, not understanding anything.
"When Bellatrix broke into my house and I mentioned Voldemort's" - Ron whined loudly and the rest flinched - "name, she went nuts and used the Cruciatus Curse on me," Hermione explained talking really fast, her face glowing excitedly.
"And your point is?" Ron asked, serving more food in his plate. No matter what Hermione's idea was, he still wasn't going to miss such a feast.
"Ron, you never get anything, do you!" Hermione exclaimed, exasperated.
"Her point is, Ronald," Luna chirped in, in a calm voice, "that we can talk freely and no one will listen to what we say."
"We can come up with a plan to escape... Or at least a strategy to fight back so it won't be that easy for them," Ginny added, grasping Hermione's idea.
Ron looked at the three girls and then exchanged a glance with Neville. "And why did you wait so long to do that?" he asked Hermione. "We could have started planning ages ago!"
"It was too risky... I only did it now because we don't have anything to lose," Hermione said.
Ron exchanged a glance with Neville and nodded. "Well then, let's eat! We are going to need a lot of strength if we are going to think about a way to get out!"
"Ron, you'll use anything as an excuse to eat," Ginny said, rolling her eyes and grabbing a plate.
* * *
Harry checked his watch nervously. He still had a little time. He was walking back to the Common Room with Hermione's diary in his right hand along with a black book that read Maps of Britain. He still couldn't believe his luck. Hermione had already done all the work for him. In that green book, she had written everything about Harry's encounter with Voldemort in his fourth year as he had told her and also things she had researched on her own, like the Riddle family. She had probably spent a couple of days looking for the exact place where Voldemort's father was buried, to point exactly where had Harry been taken to. And she had even pointed in the book where to find an exact map.
Now he knew where to go. He just had to get ready for what he was going to encounter there...
"Harry?"
Professor Lupin's voice made him stop dead in his tracks. He turned around and saw the Defense Againts the Dark Arts teacher standing in the hallway, staring at him.
"Hi, professor," Harry said, trying to hide the title of the book he was holding.
Lupin's eyes stopped only briefly on the two books Harry was holding against his chest. "Studying hard?" he asked, with a smile.
"Yeah... Hystory of Magic essay," Harry stammered. He didn't want to lie to him, but he couldn't risk himself now.
"It's Saturday, you should take it easy for today."
"I need to keep my mind occupied," Harry said hastily. At least he wasn't lying in that.
Lupin nodded. "I was wondering if you'd like to share a cup of tea in my office."
Harry wanted to say no. He still had a lot to do. However, he couldn't think of a good excuse and he couldn't afford to raise Professor Lupin's suspicions. He was sure that if he felt uneasy about him, he would go to Dumbledore right away and Harry's plan would be over.
So he followed Lupin to his office. He sat down in the chair in front of him, carefully placing Hermione's book over the map book. Lupin served the tea and gave a cup to Harry.
"How have you been?"
"Fine." Professor Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Well, not exactly, but I'm holding up."
Lupin took a sip of his tea. "I know you're a strong young man, Harry. But we all need to rely on others every once in a while, you know?"
"I do rely on people," Harry said. "That's exactly my problem. I can't do anything by myself," he said, thinking that if he hadn't been for Hermione's book, he would still have no clue what to do.
To his surprise, Lupin smiled at him fondly. "I knew you would say that. You are not aware of how much you've accomplished at your young age, Harry."
"I don't know why everyone insists on saying that," Harry said, shaking his head. He remembered when Ron and Hermione had tried to convince him to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts to the students using the same argument.
"Maybe because it's true."
"It's not. There's nothing special about me. I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for other people. My mother, Professor Dumbledore, Hermione, Ron, Sirius... "
"A lot of people have helped you on the way, Harry," Lupin said, leaning forward. "But they wouldn't have been able to do anything if you weren't who you are."
Harry looked up with a serious expression. "And who am I? I'm just someone who is living a ridiculous situation, haunted by a Dark Wizard who has killed his parents, his godfather and now is planning to do the same with his friends and all because of a bloody p-" he stopped abruptly. Lupin didn't know about the prophecy, did he? He wasn't ready to share it with anyone yet.
"And all because of what, Harry?" Lupin asked, staring at him intently.
"All because of a bloody... part of my face... you know, my s-scar," Harry blurted, thinking fast. This was taking too long, he feared that if he continued talking to him, Lupin would see right through him. "Look professor, I really appreciate your concern, but I don't feel too well, I think I need to go..."
Harry got up from the chair and went to the door, quickly. Before he could leave, he was stopped by Lupin's voice.
"I know you don't trust me still, well at least not like you trusted Sirius..." Lupin cleared his throat and Harry turned around to look at him. "Tell me the truth, Harry. What is going on?"
Harry felt a lump in his throat. He did trust Lupin. After all, he was the only link to his parents - of course he couldn't think that of the Dursleys. But he couldn't tell him about this. Not yet, at least. He still needed to understand himself what the Prophecy meant... And certainly he couldn't tell him what he was about to do, because he knew Lupin wouldn't allow him.
"I do trust you, Professor," Harry said, slowly. "But I am not ready yet to tell you... anyone actually…what is really going on... But I can promise you that, when the time comes, I will explain everything." He didn't add If I'm still alive by then.
Harry lowered his head, not able to meet the gaze of his professor, his friend, and turned to open the door once again. Suddenly, he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and he looked up.
"I will be waiting right here then... Until you are ready," Lupin said with a smile.
"Thank you," Harry whispered.
Lupin watched Harry leave his office with a strange feeling in his heart. He felt more connected to Harry and now he was sure that Harry was planning something. He should have known it was too strange for him to stay so quiet with all that was going on.
* * *
Harry had everything ready; his broom, his cloak, and his wand, along with the wands of his friends, which had conveniently been put in their trunks when they had sent their things to Hogwarts. He had needed Crookshanks' help to fetch Ginny and Hermione's wands and he was still wondering how the cat had managed to get into the Ravenclaw Common Room to look for Luna's.
It was dinner time and the Common Room was deserted. He had taken a big risk there, he hadn't been sure if every Gryffindor student would go down to the Great Hall at that time, but it was the only chance he had. He was sitting in front of the fireplace, covering the view with his body in case anyone came through the portrait hole early. At his side was a big package Hedwig had brought. The snowy owl was on his shoulder, waiting with him.
At the right time, a noise was heard, and Harry was staring at the twins' heads through the fireplace.
"Coast clear?" George asked, peering into the Common Room.
Harry nodded. "Hedwig just came back with everything. Thanks."
"Good. Now, where are we going to meet?" Fred asked.
"Meet?" Harry asked, confused.
"Yes, meet. We can't Apparate in Hogwart's grounds; we'll have to meet somewhere else to go all together."
"Whoa, hold on," Harry said. "I never said that I would go with you. I'm going alone."
George snorted. "Alone? To a place full of Death Eaters? You know, I'm not so sure that the people in the Daily Prophet were wrong when they said you had something wrong with your head..."
"I won't risk anyone else," Harry said vehemently.
"Bloody hell, don't be so stubborn!" Fred exclaimed. "It's our brother and sister there... And Hermione is our friend too."
"I know, but I need you to stay here and tell the Order where I went..."
"Why not leave them a message?" Fred suggested.
Harry sighed, exasperated. He had already explained that in the letter he had sent them that morning. "I told you. The information about the cemetery came from Malfoy. There's a big chance that is only a lie. I need to go there and check. If you don't hear from me in an hour, you have to tell everything to the Order."
"Right, so you are going to be there on your own for an hour. I'm sure the Death Eaters and You-Know-Who will wait until the Order arrives to kill you, Harry," George said sarcastically.
"Do you think I'm stupid enough to try to take them by myself, George?" Harry glared at him. "I know what I'm doing. It's safer this way. If I go by myself, I'll draw less attention. Trust me, okay? I just need one hour."
The twins exchanged a look. "Fine," Fred said, finally. "Be careful."
"I will. I'll be at the Little Hangleton Cemetery. I'm sure Dumbledore will know how to get there. There's a map in a book in my bedroom. Wish me luck."
* * *
Somehow, he had done it. He had been able to avoid suspicions and got everything ready. Harry was now walking out of the castle, with his Firebolt in one hand, the map he had found in the other, and covered by the Invisibility Cloak. It was dark already, and he hoped he would have enought time to get to the cemetery.
He figured it would be safer to leave the grounds of the castle on foot and then fly from the forbidden forest in case anyone was looking through the windows.
Someone was watching him walk towards the forest from the Tower. He couldn't see his body, but he knew he was there. Another figure approached and stood by his side.
"Headmaster, do you think it is safe to let him go by himself?" asked Remus Lupin.
"Safe? No, it is not safe, but it is necessary." The headmaster turned to face Lupin. "You see, Harry needs his confidence back. When we found out about the disappearances of his friends, I was afraid for him, afraid that Voldemort had weakened his spirit too much. But again, I underestimated our Harry." As he said these words he turned to the window once again. "He needs to do this on his own."
"So are we going to let him face Voldemort??" Lupin asked, with an angry tone. He had suspected something was wrong today, with Harry acting too normal and spending time at the library... He might have fooled everyone else, but he could not fool the last of the Marauders. He knew too well of tricks and hiding the truth. He had gone with these suspicions to Dumbledore. But as usual, the Headmaster of Hogwarts had been one step ahead of everyone.
"No, he is not ready yet," Dumbledore answered, looking at Lupin and putting a soothing hand on his shoulder. "And Harry knows that. I am sure he has a back up plan, we must trust his judgement."
"But he is alone, he might need some help..." Lupin protested.
Dumbledore smiled slightly. "He is never alone, Remus. Don't worry, we will be there, he just needs a little time."
* * *
Harry had reached the edge of the forest and couldn't help but feeling that he was being observed. He turned around on more than one ocassion, but he saw no one. If Ron was here he would probably say that I have been around Moody too long, he thought with a smile. But, still, he did not let his guard down.
He took out the diary, as well as the compass Hermione had given him along with that Quidditch Set on his thirteenth birthday. You are not even here Hermione and once again you're helping me out.
He mounted the Firebolt and took off. As he felt the cold air on his face, only one thought crossed his mind: Wait for me guys, I wont let you down.