Unofficial Portkey Archive

The Unfolding Plan-Chapter 13

The commotion in Dumbledore's chambers was heard throughout Hogwarts. Rumors started with absolutely no basis in fact. These rumors benefited both sides. Dumbledore, and to a lesser extent, Pappy could let them think what they wanted in order to give themselves time to let Harry heal and prove the most ridiculous rumors false. The opposite side was that Voldemort had begun the terror he loved so much without any rumor control to squelch rumors of Harry's death and Luna's disappearance and death.

With the help of Skele-gro and the excellent care offered by Madame Pomfrey Harry was recovering very quickly. The second year Defense against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Gilderoy Lockhart whose unsuccessful attempt to repair Harry's broken arm resulted in all the bones disappearing from his arm offered a better solution than trying to fix the nasty fracture he'd suffered in the fall. The arm had nearly been shattered at the wrist so magical means of simply repairing the break may not have been enough. Removing them all and growing them back ensured that his arm would be healthy and as good as new.

Hermione had hurt Harry's feelings the morning they'd taken off the bandage. "The bald look isn't flattering, you know; don't worry Harry we'll fix it like this." She used a very simple charm to put a bushy mop of hair on his head for the mean time. She laughed and he felt silly and hurt. They'd had to shave his head to make sure he was sorted out properly. But no harm was done since he eventually told her he didn't like it and she'd apologized for not realizing that it had seemed cruel to him at the time.

"So, Professor Dumbledore, I realize the Quidditch match for this weekend is canceled but going to Hogsmeade isn't, is it?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked at Harry as if he were still in shock from the blow to his head or hadn't understood what had happened the past few days. "Harry, do I need to remind you that Voldemort was in my chambers not two days ago?"

"No, but now that you know about the Map he can't sneak up on us, right?" Harry said.

Dumbledore and Pappy exchanged a glance that seemed to indicate that they both realized how young and indestructible teenagers thought they were. It was followed by a wry smile. Looking back at Harry, Dumbledore said "Harry, you're underestimating his power? You can't just pretend that he has gone away. There was a more menacing tone in Voldemort's voice than I have ever sensed before. He wants you and everyone you love dead, Harry." Dumbledore's earlier smile toward Pappy had changed to a grave visage of intensity.

"I know Hermione doesn't like it when I talk like this, but I can't play it safe the rest of my life, no matter how long that is. Other than the time she and I spend together, I am not living. I felt so satisfied outside just before I was attacked. I knew or thought she was safe, I looked at the stars like I had my life ahead of me, I saw my best mate and his girl…or what I thought was them, I'm still confused…and then…how can I live like that?" Harry said.

"Harry, you know there is no answer to that question, because no one knows what is in store for you if Voldemort is defeated nor how you will meet your end if he is not. There is no way to determine what you've lost by playing it safe." Dumbledore said sadly. "You have choices Harry. You can choose to do what we, your elders, think is best or take your own path, but recognize you will then have both Voldemort and us to answer to. We are not going to let Voldemort make us live in fear either. We are going to do what is necessary to defeat him. If that requires holding one or two people against their will, then so be it." Dumbledore's expression had an air of a challenge to it. It almost said, `take your chances, but live with the consequences.'

Hermione sat listening quietly and expressionlessly. She felt the pain on both sides. The fatherly figure wanted to do what's best for the son. The son was saying if you have taught me anything you have taught me to think things through and make my own decisions. "Professor, Harry would do anything to repay you and Pappy for your kindness. Everyday, maybe not everyday, I hear him say that he accepts his fate but he can't live in fear of it. His desire is that he and I want to go to Hogsmeade the weekend before Christmas. If he asks me to go, I will go with or without the schools blessing. He has a right to be happy. And, if you must stop us, then you must."

Harry looked into Hermione's sad eyes. She wanted him to play by their rules, but she loved him and would stand by him. "Thank you Hermione."

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Voldemort stood before Bellatrix and Wormtail seething in anger. "Nearly a week you had with the boy and all you did was fuck him." Voldemort looked at Bella closely and said, "Crucio." She bent backward in pain and fell to the ground. Wormtail was sure that she would break her back as she arched it in pain. She arched her back in pain again and again until finally she balled up into the fetal position screaming in agony. She would alternate positions of agony constantly for what seemed time-immeasurable.

"Wormtail, you have done nothing but sit here with the girl. I should punish your laziness and lack of resolve. Where is their copy of the Marauder's Map? Surely, Bella didn't let Weasley put it back into Potter's trunk. Was the sex that good you old crow that you couldn't remember your mission?" Voldemort seemed like a coach who had relied on is assistants long enough and had lost the biggest game of the year. He was now taking over all aspects.

No one dared speak but Voldemort.

"The Cruciatus Curse is painful, isn't it, Bella? Lucius Malfoy could have gotten better results and he is a failure and worthless swine. WHERE is Potter's copy of the Marauder's Map? We did not leave them a copy to duplicate, DID WE?"

Voldemort let up the pain enough for a response.

"Yes, Lord Voldemort, we had to hide after we were discovered, because we could not see who surprised us. We dropped him. The best place was in our respective houses. Weasley took it back, I am sure." Bella answered painfully.

"You fled when you had the prize in your hands! You are a cowardly old hag. CRUCIO!" Voldemort cursed her again. This time the veins and came so nearly to bursting though her skin from the convulsing muscles and hyper stimulated nerves that she was bleeding and bruising herself when she thrashed on the ground as her limbs hit the ground crushing the blood vessels. "You will feel this until I am satisfied it has taught you to whom your loyalty should belong."

Luna watched in terror lying on her stomach tied to the stone table as Bellatrix slowly grew bruises and bleeding wounds from the force of the trashing. Luna could only see part of Bella's body with her tilted head placed in a retainer to hold her head in one position. Pain in every sense and in every part of her body it seemed. Luna was naked on the table. Luna wanted to turn away, but could not.

"Wormtail, why is the girl naked? Was Bella enjoying her or getting ready to gain some advantage?" Voldemort continued to question each of their motives.

"I do not know, Master." Wormtail said.

"He spoke to Bella. What were you going to do?" Voldemort asked.

"I was going to use the whip. I don't think she is telling us all she knows. She has had no reason to tell us anything." Bella gurgled through blood collecting in her throat and mouth as she writhed in pain.

"Excellent idea. I should enjoy this myself. Her skin will feel the pleasure of it all from the very beginning." He grasped a seven foot long whip with a steel tip and looked into Luna's eyes. "You are going to die one way or the other. This may be more fun than just killing you." He raised his hand and swung. "SNAP." Luna saw white and felt the skin on her back sliced open.

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Ron had woken often the past two days thinking of Luna after horrible dreams of her torture. He couldn't help her now. He remembered nothing of where they'd been since just after he had his first sexual experience. Dumbledore had told him it was those thoughts that Voldemort would leave to continue to torture him.

Because of the possession, Ron had been left out since helping to clean the clutter of Voldemort's escape. He was allowed to see his sister anytime there was not a strategy meeting in progress. They would be moving her to the hospital wing on Saturday so he could sit with her uninterrupted. He would not owl his parents until then, even though he was sure they were on their way.

Ron walked to the Slytherin Common Room and asked for permission to enter as a guest. A voice announced his presence. Pansy Parkinson answered wearing pink pajamas and a scowl. "Weasley, what do you want? I suppose you want the traitor. You're wanted by your trashy girlfriend's brother." Parkinson said jealously.

"What do you want Sleasely?" He was nervous. Ron could tell.

"Don't pretend with me. I saw Voldemort explode out of Ginny. He probably possessed her because she grew a black heart associating with you." Ron yelled. Draco's demeanor changed immediately. He closed the portrait.

"The rumor was that she'd fallen in Dumbledore's quarters and they were leaving her there for a few days to recover. She should be back tomorrow. What are you saying?" Malfoy tensed up again.

"First off, relax mate. If I were here to create trouble I'd have already done it when you opened the door. She's in bad shape Malfoy. That explosion-like sound you heard two days ago was Voldemort exploding out of her head as he was leaving. First he enjoyed the process of possessing her. Imagine the fun she had with that nutter in her head." Ron said.

"You're full of it. There is something else going on here. You're trying to trick me for caring about your sister." Malfoy backed off like the wimp everyone said he was.

"No, I am not. I was told that it was your love for each other that exposed Voldemort and that love kept his power low enough so that when he departed her body, he didn't kill her.

"Weasley if you're lying." Malfoy threatened.

"Meet me tomorrow at noon outside the hospital." Ron walked off feeling both good and an urge to have grabbed him by his scrawny throat and told him, "So you think I'm here because I like you. I am here for Ginny. That's all." He was glad he felt more of the good feelings of caring for Ginny than the angry feelings toward Malfoy.

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By Saturday, Harry had the bandage off and through the miracle of magic he'd grown back his naturally untamed mop of hair. His arm ached still, but Madame Pomfrey assured him it was good as new. He and Hermione sat looking though some of Dumbledore's books from past classes. Harry had found one of his father and the Marauders their last year at Hogwarts. He'd also dug deep to find one of Pappy and Francine in front of the school with the name clearly displayed, Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"Hermione, have they moved Ginny yet?" Harry said, hoping they had not.

"No, but he's preparing to now." Hermione said from Ginny's bedside. "Ginny sweetheart, we're here for you. Sh, tell us both. Harry's coming." Hermione added as Ginny began to speak.

He's here Ginny. "I never meant to hurt you guys. Harry, forgive me for getting involved with Draco; I know you hate him. He really isn't like his father, you know. He wants to be good like you. That's why he hates you so. He wants to be rid of the burden of being a tough, evil bloke. I love you guys. I love him too. Talk to him." Ginny wept even though it was impossible to see the tears beyond the bandages, the sobs were unmistakable.

"Ginny, I don't know what Hermione said, but if it is love what you have for Malfoy…you will help him overcome his past. I am certain of that. Hermione has done that for me. Get some rest and get better." Harry took her hand, kissed it sweetly and laid it on her stomach. He felt a stab of pain in his heart and confusion on the issue of Malfoy.

Dumbledore looked at Hermione and Harry with pride as he levitated the bed and sent it ahead as he walked the corridor. He was moving her personally to ward off any curious onlookers. They saw Ron and Malfoy waiting in the corridor as the bed floated out.

Harry and Hermione continued through his collection. They stopped and admired the Weasleys in their graduation year. The books seemed so full of promise for each of the graduates. They looked at each other frequently sharing a smile. Each trying to think what the caption and picture would look like for them.

"So, I hear that the Harry Potter look-alike contest begins tonight." Hermione said with a tone of glee.

"What?" Harry hadn't heard most of the plan and would get all of it tonight. `Well, at least the part of it they've finished,' she thought.

"Oh don't worry about it, you aren't going to be left in the dark, I promise." Hermione said with certainty.

The afternoon ended with a wonderful meal brought by Dobby. It was roast chicken adobo with Harry's favorite vegetables, mashed potatoes and a custard pie for dessert. Shortly after Dobby cleaned up from the meal, people began filling the library chambers. All the members of the Order and the staff were there. Then he noticed that Neville, Fred and George who weren't part of the Order yet, Seamus, Tonks, Parvati, and nearly everyone from the core group of the DA were present.

"Good evening," began Dumbledore. This unprecedented meeting of students, Dumbledore's Army as they'd like to be called officially, faculty, and Ministry Aurors is called to order. The purpose is to identify the roles and requirements for everyone involved. The DA members have gone through two days of training with Remus Lupin on the function of The Marauder's Map and other defensive techniques. This meeting will be very short as most of you have been informed of these duties individually."

For a moment, everyone looked around at the others in attendance. It was really a rather large group to keep such a secret. "There are nearly thirty of us. Some of you have volunteered to take on the appearance of Harry Potter and others have volunteered to take on the appearance of Hermione Granger. This is for the sole purpose of deception and to determine which version of the Map is in the clutches of the Dark Lord or his followers. Additionally, we will be able to let Harry and Hermione free from their captivity here in my quarters and allow me some rest from their constant laughing and carrying on." Dumbledore laughed with everyone.

"Do not mistake the danger involved in our mission. One night, in the not too distant future we will attempt something we have never attempted before. We will attempt to assault the fortress, if it can be called that, of Voldemort himself. We must prepare Harry for this assault. For reasons, I will not and cannot divulge he is the cornerstone to our success. We are trying to give our families and generations to come the hope that we'd thought we'd gained fifteen years ago. Are there any questions?"

A hand shot up from the rear barely visible above Snape's cloak. "Yes, young Mr. Crevey." It was Colin's younger brother by two years. He was thirteen.

"I was wondering, how much like Harry and Hermione do we have to act? All that kissing and stuff, I'm not so sure I can do that everyday." Colin said seriously. "We've all seen it. Sometimes it's disgusting."

Everyone in the room choked back a laugh, because even though the reason for the question was funny-it was a good question.

"You must act as most like them as possible within your limits of respectability, Mr. Crevey." Dumbledore answered. "Remember, you can leave all the mushy stuff to them. They'll be doing enough for everyone. Each night someone resembling Harry and Hermione will sleep in their beds. There will be others walking the corridors in other parts of the castle at the same time. No one using one of the counterfeit maps will be able to tell who the real Harry and Hermione are and who isn't."

"What happens if they use the real map?" asked Fred Weasley for the benefit of everyone else.

"Good point Mr. Weasley. We have devised a means of communication that must not be shared with anyone. If a member of the Death Eaters, Voldemort or Wormtail is spotted anywhere on the map, Fawkes will fly through out the castle singing the Phoenix song." Dumbledore explained. "You will maintain your positions so that Aurors may be dispatched to protect you." He turned and beckoned Fawkes to demonstrate.

With the demonstration complete, George asked another question for everyone's edification. "Are there not times that Fawkes will not be available such as burning time?"

"Again thank you. When this method is not available, we will call a meeting again and suspend operations. Fawkes has just gone through that process recently. We will not face that problem for some time to come, we should hope." Dumbledore looked for more hands.

"Look around you. Memorize as many faces as you can. Do not discuss our plans outside of this room or the Room of Requirement without me or Professor Lupin present. That is most important. Good night." Everyone took a good look at one another. There were only a few unfamiliar faces in the crowd, mostly the Aurors from the Ministry who were allowed to participate by Minister Fudge. The Order of the Phoenix were generally comprised of all the others so only Mundungus was a strange face.

Harry and Hermione sat quietly as everyone filed out. There seemed to be a couple of holes in the plan, but Harry was sure that they would be divulged to him shortly.

"Harry, there are a few things we didn't tell the others because it doesn't affect them at all. You will be given a copy of the counterfeit map so that you can avoid coming into contact or too close to your stand-ins throughout the periods they're there. The remade original will stay here where we will monitor it night and day." Dumbledore said. "Other than that, the same applies to you two."

"Professor, what exactly are we trying to do?" Hermione asked.

Harry thought, `My question, exactly.'

"It is nothing but a diversion. If Voldemort wants to strike or send Wormtail it will be difficult to monitor the whole map at once. However, he will not be so likely to do so if he has to check out five or six Harry's and Hermione's to get to you. Deterrence is probably a better word until we devise a more elaborate plan. We will be watching you two closer than anyone else. Anyone suspicious who comes near you will be dealt with by Aurors who will be following you under the Disillusionment Charm to let them blend into the surroundings. You remember that charm, don't you Harry?" Dumbledore said.

"Why don't you just use it on us no one will see us?" asked Harry knowing the answer.

"What, so that the only thing we know is that you're in a certain corridor or on the road to Hogsmeade, hiding anywhere you please?" Dumbledore said jovially.

"It will slow down those teenage hormones of yours too Harry," joked Tonks as she looked at Hermione and him holding hands.

"Mine! What about hers? She's just as bad!" Harry joked.

"Harry!" Hermione slugged him with her free hand. "Another one of those comments and I'll do Voldemort's work for him." She had a scowl on her face that slowly changed to coquettish smile.

"Well, are we all lovey-dovey again? You are free to leave. Take the fake map, Harry, and check it often." prodded Dumbledore. He smiled at them. He didn't like intruding on their private lives but he'd done a fair amount of intruding on their thoughts over the past few days to see where they'd been and to determine the depth of their relationship. He was shocked, yet proud of them. He knew all he needed to know and promised himself to never do it again.

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The knowledge that they were under constant surveillance didn't stop them from going to the Astronomy Tower or to the owlery. But any thoughts of a repeat of their massage therapy or clothed lovemaking had been put on hold. They knew that things were coming to a head and that they needed to love each other the best they could and not worry. In some ways the constant surveillance made it easier, because they knew when the time came they'd have some warning. Otherwise, the details of the assault would be such that they could prepare for it as a reality they couldn't avoid.

"So far so good," said Harry as they shivered together on the Astronomy Tower opposite the direction of the cold December wind. "We haven't scared any students with two pairs of us walking into the same classroom or the loo yet. Better yet we haven't had two pairs jump in bed together yet. And, the deterrence portion must be working." They laughed.

"Yeah, only I wish we could send one of our replacements up here to the cold and they could snog while we enjoyed it vicariously in some warm remote part of the castle." Hermione hugged him a little harder. He sighed, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Well, are you and I going tomorrow or not? The school is not going to allow the students into Hogsmeade, even though the hideout for You-Know-Who, I hate saying that, is way on the other side." Harry asked.

"Of course, why would I change my mind after promising?" Hermione said looking into Harry's red, wind-chapped face.

"I just don't want to rebel without it being a joint decision. This isn't really about me having freedom and a life as much as it is about having those things with you. And having them with you without fear," Harry said with a slight smile that would have been bigger if he weren't freezing.

"Did we come here just to talk about that?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. I've gotten pretty good at spotting the Aurors who are shadowing us. I noticed that they stay pretty far away up here. It seems like maybe Dumbledore or Pappy told them to let us talk without eavesdropping. Besides they can't hide their footprints in the snow." He laughed. Hermione didn't stare, but she knew what he meant. They had to stay close to the stairs to avoid giving themselves away.

"I want you to tell me that you want to spend a romantic day with me in Hogsmeade tomorrow. If you would rather do the same here, then we won't go." Harry said.

"It's not going to be me telling you that we're going if you're not comfortable."

"That's sweet Harry. Let's go. But we'll just have a late lunch and a Malted Milk Shake….brrrr….well maybe coffee, tea, or butter beer." We won't leave ourselves exposed for a long time. We'll go mid-afternoon as the commotion at the end of the Quidditch match begins. We can be back by five o'clock or five-thirty. Does that sound fair?" Hermione asked.

"Imminently," Harry said just to be a smart aleck.

The rest of the day and the morning the next day were exciting because they went to the Quidditch Match. The Match was one between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw that was moved up to make room for the Slytherin and Gryffindor Match after the Christmas Holidays. Hufflepuff took the early lead, but after nearly three hours Hufflepuff was finally overcome by Ravenclaw when their seeker caught the snitch.

Harry and Hermione slid into the crowd and started dashing in and out of people so that their pursuer, the Auror, had to run at full speed. They knew they might not elude him but they had to try. Since the Quidditch pitch was on the opposite side of Hogwarts and they had to go around the lake they could make good time if they kept running. The combination of the long run and the excitement of eluding the Auror gave them both a rush of adrenaline.

"Well, we made it." Harry said. "So much for being a romantic day after we finish huffing and puffing from running almost two miles in the snow." Hermione was standing next to him with her hands on her knees not believing how much trouble it was to get here.

"Well, the family who runs together…well, I don't know what the hell I was thinking!" Hermione said with a gasp.

Harry was shocked to hear her say the word `hell.' "Hermione, watch the potty mouth," he smiled. She wasn't smiling at the moment. She saw the footprints of the Auror not twenty feet away.

"He or she caught up to us." She said. "Oh, well."

They walked toward Madame Rosemerta's and had lunch with tea or nearly two hours. They spent that time talking like they couldn't do in the school. It was relaxing and very much worth the time now that they'd done it. "We still don't know what Dumbledore will do when we get back though, do we?" Hermione asked. She had a good idea, but wouldn't share it.

The couple finally decided that to cap off the day they'd get a big lollipop to walk home with since the day was warmer than expected and their tongues wouldn't stick to the surface of them. Harry waited until Hermione was looking at the chocolate when he asked for some sugar quills to surprise her later. He had planned on getting her a real Pheasant-feather quill, but it was late. He quickly stuffed them in his pocket and returned to where she was looking at the chocolates. "So, chocolate for you?" he asked innocently.

"No, I was just looking. They have all the Christmas chocolate out now and the figures and sculptures are beautiful." Hermione said. There was an entire sleigh of reindeer made entirely of chocolate on the display behind the counter.

The walk back was fun. They threw snowballs at one another and tackled each other in the snow. They'd wished they'd been able to play around like this on the way there, but such was life as Hermione had said as they walked later on. "Harry, have you ever thought of doing anything outside of the magical world?" Hermione asked.

"It's funny that you ask. I did think about it when I spoke with Pappy. He looked like he had so much fun doing what he did. You know, he and his wife restored people's broken or rejected things to things of value for someone else. I liked that. I didn't even know for sure he wasn't a muggle then." Harry said.

"I've thought about being a Medi-Witch but going to muggle medical school too. I like what my parents do. They're not medical doctors, but they help people and are respected for what they do." Hermione said.

They'd arrived at the front of the castle. They turned toward where they thought the Auror was and mouthed, "Thanks for not bringing us back."

Kingsley Shacklebolt smiled even though they couldn't see him. `Those two are a pain in the royal…,' he laughed to himself. `They sure are in love though. No doubt about that.'

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Harry quickly checked the map to make sure he wasn't walking into himself as they entered through the front door. They'd just walked through many other kids out having snowball fights in the courtyard, but now they were getting back to reality. The nearest impostors were on the other side of the castle for the moment and one more on the Astronomy Tower. They moved through their laughing and joking classmates just like they'd been in the courtyard with the others.

Dinner time was the only real vulnerable time. There couldn't be two Harry's and Hermione's eating in the Great Hall at once. So security was increased at dinner and shortly after to allow Harry and Hermione as well as the volunteers to eat dinner. Harry and Hermione were supposed to be the ones in their own beds tonight for the first time since it started. They sat in the Common Room studying.

"So, did you have fun today?" Hermione asked.

"Why wouldn't I? I just wish we had the freedom to go whenever we felt like it." Harry replied.

"You didn't look like you were having fun wrestling around in the snow." Hermione said flirtingly.

"No. Damn jackets and cold snow. I wanted to lie there and kiss you. It wasn't the jackets so much as the fact that it was cold." Harry said.

"I know better you randy little liar. You were upset that you couldn't feel me up through the jacket. You don't try to help someone up under the armpits three times without trying something." She giggled and slapped his hand.

Harry blushed. "I thought I was past that stage in my life but I guess not."

"Well, did you feel anything?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, what was that flat thing you had in your jacket?" Harry asked.

Hermione pulled out a light green envelope with a card with his name on it calligraphy. The card's picture was a little white house and a fenced in yard with a couple sitting on the swing on the porch. On the front it said, "Home is Where the Heart is." And, inside, Hermione had put a photograph from several weeks back that she'd begged him to take with her, Colin Crevey screwed it up four times. They sat facing each other at a table each with their chin on the palm of their hand and kissing like a couple of goldfish.

Her note to Harry said, "I know I'll catch you off guard with this card, but I love you so I had to say it in a unique and loving way. No matter where you are, you will be in my heart. Love always, Hermione."

Harry sat there speechless for several moments whether it was a minute or two neither knew. Hermione could see the love in his eyes as he looked at their picture and could feel the love emanating from his side of the table. "Hermione, I don't have…," he paused. "Hold on, just a minute." He'd remembered the sugar quills. He ran up to his room.

At that moment he had a sense of déjà vu as he heard the Phoenix song in his head. He looked down the stairs and the lights were off. He could feel the dream becoming reality. He ran down the steps. As he reached the last five steps he heard a scream from below. He emerged from the staircase to a voice, "Where's Potter? He was just here." Harry yelled, "Leave her alone. Leave her alone or I'll kill you." Harry dove to the center of the Common Room as he saw a green light develop in the area where he'd left Hermione. He came up with his wand at the ready. He yelled, "Stupefy." He heard something fall to the ground. It sounded like a body. Yet seconds later, he had to dive toward the large sofa to avoid another green bolt of light. It seemed surreal. He could sense the curses coming. "Expelliarmus," Harry yelled. He heard a grunt, an `eek eek' and then felt something cross-over his left foot. He ran to the light switch on the other side. On the floor in the direction of his attack lay Hermione. Harry's heart began pumping fast. He had been calm in battle, but now seeing his love on the Common Room floor, he felt tremendous fear.

It had played out exactly as it had in the dream. He ran to Hermione and lifted her onto his thigh, she was breathing. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Through the door burst the Auror on duty, Shacklebolt. "Harry put her down; the intruder is still here." Shacklebolt ordered as he put out the light.

"No, I'm not leaving her unprotected." Harry said.

"Suit yourself." Shacklebolt turned to Hermione and said, "Ennervate." Harry saw Hermione open her eyes slowly. She looked like she had a headache. "Now, Harry, turn the table up and hide her behind it. Then you need to help me!"

Harry did as he was told. Her bag was on the ground to her left and she couldn't reach her wand. She remained still and quiet. The Phoenix Song sounded like an air raid siren throughout the castle. The doors to the dorms slammed shut as did the portrait.

"Damn you, Potter. You should have let Black and Lupin kill me that day in the Shrieking Shack." The familiar voice of Wormtail echoed in the Common Room in a half-joking and half-serious tone.

Another voice joined in. "Don't you wish you'd hated me enough now. The Curse would have left me for Dumbledore, but you are just a boy sent to do a man's job." Bellatrix sounded vicious. "Does your boyfriend screw you as well as Ron screwed me, Hermione? Is he a big man? If you don't know, you won't find out now?"

"You foul bitch. You have to have young boys because a real man wouldn't touch you." Hermione screamed. The bolt of light crashed into the lights above Hermione's head spraying her with glass. She could feel the blood trickle from her forehead from it a moment later.

"Shacklebolt, what do we do?" asked Harry as they sat protected at the end of the long sofa.

"What do we do? What do we do?" cackled Wormtail and Bella in unison trying to sound like a little boy. "You are no match for the Dark Lord asking some common Auror for instruction."

A red flash set the leather sofa and carpet near it on fire. "We'll kill everyone in Gryffindor if we have to tonight? You are going to die tonight, Potter? If you come with us, we'll let you fuck her before Nagini has the two of you for dinner. But not as guests," said Bellatrix.

Shacklebolt began using charms to put out the fires that were forcing them into the corner. `If we're trapped in the corner we have no where to go but at the enemy.' Shacklebolt then thanked his Special Forces training. He yelled, "Sonorous. If you can't beat them at their game, CHANGE THE GAME." He hoped the diversion worked for the second he needed.

His voice boomed throughout the castle. "Lumos." The distraction had been enough. Shacklebolt saw Bella clearly, "Avada Kedavra." The green light flashed toward Bella and she fell silently and motionlessly from her perch high in the rafters of the Common Room. Just as quickly he put out the light from his wand. The entire castle had heard the Unforgivable Curse and the lighting of his wand.

"Hermione, recover your wand and both of you come with me." Shacklebolt said in his normal voice as he grabbed Harry's hand and put it on the back of his robe. Harry did the same with Hermione's hand to his robes.

"Accio wand," said Hermione. Her wand returned to her hand.

"Wormtail," Shacklebolt said in an even tone. "You were always the one for deception not murder. You couldn't even stand to watch the Potter's die, could you? You must have the other authentic Marauder's Map or you wouldn't have found them without the alert being sounded earlier." They listened.

Shacklebolt slowly moved toward the Fat Lady. He had noticed the silver arm of Wormtail. Shacklebolt's mind went into tactical mode again, `The silver metal arm would not allow the freedom an Animagus who turns into a rat what it needed to get under these base boards. He either entered through the door or he thinks we are still blocking his exit.'

"Sonorous." Shacklebolt wanted the news spread. "Wormtail, so leave the original map and go back to the Dark Lord. We'll let you go. That way Nagini will still get her meal." He laughed. His laugh was malevolent as any Harry or Hermione had ever heard. "Voldemort, the lazy prat, sent a rat with the name of a spineless worm to do his bidding. How powerful can he be Wormtail? Just go back and tell him you're sorry and you made a mistake. I mean, you know now that you made a mistake don't you?"

Shacklebolt could hear the crying from the far corner of the room. "I should just kill you all right here, I am dead anyway." Wormtail cried. "I hid the original map from him, we needed to get Potter or he'd kill us. Yes, yes I have it."

The door at the front of the Common Room opened and everyone inside was blinded for an instant. "Crucio," a voice yelled.

"Expelliarmus, Stupefy," a booming familiar voice countered. The room went dark again as the door shut. Harry and Hermione hid in the dark shaking and holding each other for dear life.

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