(A/N: I'm really sorry, but I wasn't able to update lately… anyway here we are and I'd like to thank all my faithful readers, like Pottergirlajg, mione291, Hdawne, Destroyerdrt, Godsowndevil, The DivineMsD, Jen KenLee and also the new readers like Justin_1402, Nanopy, Swinchick1614, 3Punky3 and eekii. I strongly hope that you'll like the next chapter. )
Chapter 12. THE RIDDLE HOUSE
...
What do you know about a child
Who was stealing
And only in the dark was playing
And about the sun, which pierces through the attics, what do you know?
About a world, all closed in a street
And about a periphery cinema...
What do you know about our railroad,
What do you know?
...
"Thoughts and Words" by Lucio Battisti
The thestral was flying very fast and was soon at a great height; thousands of lights from the Muggle cities were shining far beneath Harry.
During the trip, he tried to figure out a good way to get into the house without being captured... at least not too quickly. He was so nervous and excited however, that his thoughts were chasing each other without rest. First, he thought of getting inside with the thestral, crashing thought a window on an upper floor, but he realized that this plan was too risky and not very practical.
Then he thought of landing on the roof, hoping that nobody would notice him, but the roof probably wasn't practical either.
Suddenly, the thestral started to descend, and Harry realized that they were already there. He shuddered all over when he saw the large dilapidated mansion. It was just like in his dreams: the same broken windows, the same unkept garden, the same gate. There was still something strange though, and Harry couldn't figure out what.
Then he realized that the temperature was suddenly getting colder; his teeth started chattering and his mind was flying to the moment when Sirius was falling behind the veil.
No... it isn't possible... they can't be here....
Harry looked more closely at the mansion and, horrified, he saw two very tall hooded dementors flying around it. Surely they were waiting for him, confirming Ron's suspicions that it was a trap. But Harry already knew that he was going to risk everything in this quest.
Cautiously, he decided to land on a nearby hill. As soon as the thestral touched down, Harry got off and patted the magical creature on its head. Then, he turned to the Riddle House and mentally prepared for what he was about to face.
He put on the Invisibility Cloak and headed toward the mansion. As for the dementors, he hoped to not be forced to use the Patronus Charm, so as to not attract the Death Eaters' attention.
The closer he got, the more he felt the dementors' devilish influence on him. Harry felt an endless sadness, and the confusing images of the night in which Sirius lost his life were starting to float through his brain.
Trying to fight against his feelings, he reached the surrounding walls and peeked inside, waiting for the right moment. The two dementors were slowly flying around the mansion, their paths crossing in front of the main entrance.
As soon as they're far enough away, I'll run as fast as I can and get inside... he thought, while starting to feel sick and weak.
I have to think something happy. I'll think about... the moment I go back to Hogwarts with Hermione... yes... when I finally rescue her. The more Harry's strength abandoned him, the more he tried his best to concentrate on a happy thought.
Suddenly, he felt his legs trembling and he leaned against the wall for support, breathing heavily, his face sweaty.
He glared at the dementors and realized that they were both turning behind the mansion.
Here we are... now's the time... he thought as he passes through the huge gate which was wide open. He ran across the garden as fast as he could and stopped in front of the main entrance, which was tightly closed.
"ALOHOMORA!" he whispered, and the door opened. Once inside, he looked around him; the main entrance was just like in his nightmares, huge and dark, lit only by the moonlight coming through the large windows. A few candles were lit here and there.
Then, as in his visions, he headed to the right stairway and climbed it slowly, his ears ready to listen for any noise; he stopped abruptly on the second floor. In the third floor corridor above, Harry saw two hooded Death Eaters standing in front of one of doors in the middle of the corridor.
He shuddered all over, but then he realized that nobody could see him, as he was still wearing the Invisibility Cloak.
"Hey, Nott... You're on guard for the whole night?"
"Yeah... Malfoy just told me. He also said that we should be ready, in case the young Potter shows up."
Harry gasped. They're ready to give me a nice welcome, he thought, and tried to listen more.
"Anyway, he couldn't pass the dementors' guard. They'll surely catch him first."
A revolting laugh followed, and Harry's hand went off his wand. Then he heard the sound of steps coming from the left stairway, and turned to see who was coming.
"Nott, you should come down!" called a third Death Eater worriedly.
"What is it?"
"The dementors... they're trying to tell us something, but you're the only one who can understand them."
"Yeah, I'm coming!"
The three Death Eaters went down the stairway and exited the house. Harry couldn't wait for a better chance, so he ran up the stairs and reached the door they were guarding, hoping that Hermione was inside.
"Alohomora!" he whispered again, and the lock opened with a CLICK. When he entered the room, the darkness weighed heavily on his eyes, as there was only the moonlight coming through the window.
As soon as his eyes adjusted to the dark, Harry looked around. Finally, he saw a small figure squatting in a far corner, just beneath the window. Hermione was holding her legs against her chest, and her head was resting on her knees.
Harry couldn't keep from running to her; his heart was so full of emotion. When he reached her, he bent over and grabbed her hand tightly.
"Hermione... it's me!"
Hermione jumped in the surprise and suddenly raised her head; Harry could see that her cheeks were streaked by tears, but she didn't seem injured, aside from a small cut on her forehead, close to her left eye.
"Harry? It's really you?" she whispered, searching around for her friend; Harry then took off his cloak, and Hermione smiled before throwing her arms around his neck.
"I knew you were going to come! But how did you manage it?"
"I'll tell you later... Are you OK? Did they hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine... I'm fine... but you are in real danger, Harry! We must leave immediately! I've seen Lucius Malfoy and he asked me about the prophecy over and over again... as if he was sure I knew something about it. I told him that the prophecy broke, and... oh, NO!"
Hermione stopped herself abruptly, and looked horrified at something behind Harry's back.
When he turned his head, he jumped in surprise; a group of about ten hooded Death Eaters was staring at them with lit wands in their hands. Nott, the Death Eater who was guarding Hermione, was standing in front of the others with his arms folded.
"Well... well... well... the dementors were just telling me... they saw you sneaking inside the house, but didn't attack you, obeying the Dark Lord's order. This way, you'd be able to fall into our trap."
Nott burst into a disgusting laughter, while Harry and Hermione slowly got up, staring at him, horrified. Then, Harry had a sudden idea and put on the Invisibility Cloak again, disappearing from his enemies' sights.
"What are you trying to do, Potter? Do you want to play hide and seek with us? All right, then... let's play! Go and catch him!"
On Nott's order, the others started to swing their arms through the air, as though they were trying to catch flies.
"STUPEFY!"
A jet of red light came out of nowhere, hitting the first Death Eater directly in his chest; he fell backward, hitting the ground. Then came another jet of light, followed by many more; one after another, most of the Death Eaters had fallen down to Nott's disbelief. Hermione was looking at the scene in shock.
"Stop it now! And you idiots, go and catch him... come on!"
The remaining Death Eaters were now casting spells in every direction hoping to catch Harry, but it seemed an impossible task for them.
Suddenly a new hooded Death Eater showed up on the door, and remained still, looking at the scene in front of him.
"What's happening here? Nott, how can you let this stupid young man humiliate you!"
Harry turned toward the new Death Eater, and recognized Lucius Malfoy's clammy voice.
"Now, I'll show you how to take care of underage wizards who think they are too smart! Come on, catch the girl!"
On Malfoy's order, Nott reached for Hermione, grabbed her by the hair, and then pointed his wand on her throat. Harry felt his anger rising as he stared at Nott with deep hate, tightening his fists.
"Now, stop playing and show us where you are, Potter, or your friend will have a most painful death."
Nott pulled Hermione's hair even harder, and she screamed in pain. Then Malfoy spoke again.
"Come on, Potter, I'm losing my patience! You know Nott is a very violent wizard. Besides, we don't need your mudblood friend anymore. I will count to three... ONE... TWO..."
Nott and the other Death Eaters were watching the scene with great attention, ready to jump into action. Harry had no other choice; resignedly, he took off the invisibility cloak.
"ACCIO WAND!"
Instantly, Malfoy took Harry's wand, and two Death Eaters grabbed his arms so tightly it stopped his blood circulation.
Nott then pushed Hermione down with all his strength, and she fell heavily to the dusty ground.
"Very good, Potter... You're starting to understand who gives the orders here!"
Then Malfoy turned to the others.
"You may go now. And you two, tie his hands and then tie him and the mudblood together. I must go to the Dark Lord, and give him the good news."
Malfoy headed to the door and exited the room, followed by the other Death Eaters. Some were carrying those who had been stunned by Harry.
Then, the two who were still holding Harry's arms cast a spell on his wrists, and he felt them being bound tightly. They then exited the room and sealed the door with another spell.
Harry moved closer to Hermione, who was still lying on the ground, glaring at the door in anger. He then sat at her side, and sighed.
"I'm so sorry Hermione... I didn't..."
"Shhhh... please don't say anything..."
Hermione raised her hand to his mouth, staring at him with a look of comprehension. Even if he wanted to, Harry wasn't be able to say a word; he felt a big knot in his throat.
A deep sense of guilt and endless desperation was rising in his heart. It was just like that terrible night in the Department of Mysteries, when Sirius died; Harry had again fallen into Voldemort's trap. He hated himself for this and for his wanting to play the hero at any cost.
If Hermione also was risking her life, it was all his fault.
Then she gently brushed his forehead without saying a word; he gazed deeply into her eyes, thinking that they might be spending their last moments together.
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