Harry felt like he had been ran over by a dozen raging Hippogriffs. He opened his eyes and the world swam into view,
but where was he? He slowly sat up and looked around. He saw that they were somewhere outside. Harry slowly got to his
feet and noticed that
Ron was doing the same. Harry looked over to the left of him and saw that Ginny was awake and was trying to untangle
herself from Draco, who in turn was trying to do the same.
Ron walked over to Ginny and helped her up.
"You alright, Gin?" asked Ron.
Ginny nodded.
"Harry, are you alright?" asked Ron turning to Harry.
"Yea, I'm fine, but where are Hermione and Lavender?"
Draco ,who was rubbing his head with one hand, pointed with his other over Harry's shoulder.
Harry turned around to see Hermione and Lavender on the ground still unconscious.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny hurried over to the unconscious girls. Ron went immediately to
Lavender, as Harry and Ginny bent down to check on Hermione.
"Hermione, are you okay? Wake up…Please?" asked Harry, gently shaking Hermione.
Hermione opened her eyes and looked up at Harry and Ginny.
"What was that? Where are we?" asked Hermione as she sat up.
Harry helped her to her feet and replied, "I have no idea, but we seem to be somewhere outside."
"Is everyone okay?" asked Hermione as she dusted off her robes.
Harry looked around and saw that Lavender was now standing up.
"Everyone seems okay," said Ginny as Lavender and Ron walked over to join them.
Everyone seemed to be surveying their surroundings. They seemed to be in a clearing in the middle of a forest. There was one huge tree in the clearing and by it one large round rock Harry slowly came to the realization of where they were.
"We're in the dueling circle," said Harry.
"What are you talking about, Potter?" asked Draco who had come over to join the group.
"The dueling circle, I've read its the last place Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin
were ever seen alive."
"What happened to them?" asked Ron.
"Well, in the books Harry reads, I believe it says that they cursed each other into oblivion, but that's not really reliable. I mean the dueling circle is suppose to be just a legend." said Hermione walking closer to the huge tree.
"Legend or not Granger, it seems that somehow we are here," said Malfoy as he folded his arms across his chest.
"So where exactly is this dueling circle supposedly located?" asked Lavender.
"I'm not really sure, as I said before I didn't even believe it really existed, I mean the myth is so…"
"What have you read about it ,Harry?" asked Ron cutting Hermione off.
"Well I did read that the dueling circle was once located in the Forbidden forest, but its never been found."
"So we are nowhere, perfect," said Lavender turning to Ron, "I knew I should have stayed away from you Ron Weasley."
"How in the hell can this be my fault?" asked Ron angrily
"If I hadn't been your partner, I could be in the common room now eating chocolate frogs and doing my horoscope. Now, because I had to practice with you, I am in a place that doesn't bloody exist."
"You know Lavender, you could have just told Professor Figg to pair you with someone else, but you just can't get enough of me, can you?" said Ron with a sly grin.
Lavender opened her mouth to reply, but Ginny cut her off.
"Will you two stop it? Look we are god knows where, we don't know how we got here or how long we will be here. We have got to work together," said Ginny looking pointedly at Draco, "And I mean everyone."
"Miss Weasley is exactly right."
Everyone turned around and looked at the boulder by the large tree. Underneath the tree, next to the large rock, stood Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore!" exclaimed Harry. "How, I mean where are we?"
"Well Harry that's not an easy question to answer. From what I know, I believe you are in a forgotten land, one that is not quite the present, but also not quite the past. Many things can be seen here, and many different paths can be chosen."
"Oh great we are stuck somewhere, and all we've got is some crazy riddle from an old crazy man," said Malfoy.
Dumbledore chuckled a little and said, "Mr. Malfoy, I believe it is more than you knew before."
"Professor, how exactly did we get here?" asked Hermione.
"Only a powerful transport spell could have brought you here, so I am guessing that is what it was."
'But how or who could have cast it. We were all alone in the Dark Arts room and none of us did it," said Harry.
"A spell can be cast in many different ways. I think we know who could have been capable and who had a reason to do such a thing."
"But why would Voldemort want to send me here? He could just as easily kill me in the real world."
"Harry, I think those are questions that can only be answered by time, but perhaps you were always meant to find yourself here."
"How do we get out of here, Professor?" asked Harry.
"Choose your future, Harry, you have to choose your future," said Dumbledore as he disappeared.
"That's great. You know, Draco, for once I agree with you. He is a crazy old man," said Lavender angrily.
"Well, we can't just stand here all day," said Hermione looking around.
"There's a path over there," said Harry pointing to their left. " I think we should start there."
"What reason do you have for that, Potter?" asked Draco.
Harry shrugged his shoulder and replied, "Just a hunch, really."
"So, I am just suppose to follow a bunch of Gryffindors into a dark forest without knowing where exactly we are going?"
"Who better to follow than, Gryffindors? I mean we are suppose to be adventurous right?" said Ginny throwing up her hands.
"Do you really want to know what it means to be a Gryffindor, Weasley? They tell you its because you are brave, loyal, and adventurous, but do you know what the real reason is?" asked Draco staring down at Ginny.
Ginny just stared back without saying a word.
"Gryffindors are just students who are too loud for Hufflepuff, not smart enough for Ravenclaw, and not ambitious enough for Slytherin," said Draco folding his arms and giving Ginny a cold stare.
"I like how you exchanged ambitious for evil there, Malfoy," said Ron.
Draco turned his cold stare towards Ron, but Hermione spoke up before Draco could say anything.
"Okay ,sure Harry has no idea where we are, or where that path leads, but does anyone have a better idea of where we should go?"
No one answered so the group headed quietly for the path Harry had pointed out.
"Why do I feel as if I'm being led to slaughter?" asked Draco as they entered the dark forest.
Not many words were exchanged as the group pressed on through the forest. Several times Harry had to cast spells to move obstacles such as tree limbs, or bushes from their path. The group walked on for several hours as the forest grew darker and darker.
Soon not only the darkness was a problem, but a heavy fog had settled in as well. Before long, sight of any kind became impossible. Not even the light coming from each group member's wand could penetrate the fog. The group kept running in to trees and each other.
"This is ridiculous," cried Lavender. "I can't even…. Ouch! Ron, watch were you put your hands. What do you think you are doing anyway?"
"I was trying to feel my way around," replied Ron somewhere next to Lavender.
"Feel you way around what, my bra? I honestly don't think if you squeeze my breast a hidden path will open up in the forest."
"No one wants to hear about your and Weasley's sex fantasies, Lavender, said Draco. " I knew this was going to happen. Leave it to Potter to lead us to our deaths."
"I didn't see you with any brilliant ideas, Malfoy," said Ginny.
"Who am I to go against the wishes of the great Harry Potter," said Draco viciously.
"By all means Draco, if you have a better idea, why don't you go on ahead and lead us," said Harry.
"Will you all stop it!" yelled Hermione as everyone fell silent.
Harry then felt himself being pushed aside. A bright glow that came from Hermione's wand that cut through the darkness and fog.
Everyone watched silently as Hermione walked a little ways up the trail. She suddenly turned around towards them. The group shielded their eyes as they were all blinding by the light coming from Hermione's wand.
Suddenly Hermione's voice broke through the silence booming with ancient words Harry couldn't understand. Suddenly the fog around the group lifted and the darkness dissolved into a late afternoon light.
The group blinked their eyes and looked at Hermione, all shocked.
"Bloody hell, Hermione," said Ron, wide eyed.
"Hmm, nicely put, Weasley. Granger, what the hell was that?" asked Draco.
Ginny and Harry both approached Hermione who was looking very troubled.
"Hermione, are you okay?" asked Ginny.
Hermione looked down at her feet and did not reply. Harry walked closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Hermione?" said Harry questionably.
"Harry, I don't know how I did that. I don't even know why I tried. It was like something just came over me and sort of took over.," said Hermione now looking at Harry with tears in her eyes.
Harry pulled Hermione into his arms and hugged her while she cried softly.
"I think we have more important things to do than to watch you two cuddle, Potter, " said Draco rolling his eyes.
Hermione immediately broke away from Harry. Harry rounded on Draco giving him a look of pure hatred. Ginny however was the one who spoke up.
"Couldn't you have just left them alone for a second? Can't you see Hermione's upset?"
"You know, Weasley," said Draco to Ginny. "I would think that if anyone would be upset at that disgusting scene we just witnessed, it would be you. Aren't' you the one with feelings for the famous Harry Potter?"
Ginny blushed a little but she regained her composure quickly.
"I didn't think you even knew what feelings were, Draco," said Ginny angrily.
Draco stared at Ginny for a moment with a strange look on his face, but he said no more.
"I think we better go," said Hermione. "It will be dark soon and we need to find a place to sleep for the night."
"I just realized we really are stuck here for a while, aren't we," cried Lavender.
"It seems that way, but we can't lose our heads. There has to be a way out of here, we just have to find it," said Harry starting to walk again.
Draco rolled his eyes, but said no more. The group walked on through the forest. As dusk was approaching, Harry suddenly stopped.
"What is it," asked Hermione who stopped right next to Harry.
"I think I see a clearing up ahead."
"Thank God," said Lavender as she pushed through Harry and Hermione. "My feet are killing me."
Harry and Hermione looked back at Ron who shook his head and ran to catch up with Lavender.
"Lav, wait up. You don't know what could be up there. We need to stick together," said Ron as he grabbed Lavender by the arm.
Lavender jerked her arm away from Ron, took out her wand and said, "The way I feel right now, I feel sorry for anything that comes across my path.
Ron shook his head again and turned around to face Harry and Hermione who shrugged. The rest of the group followed Lavender into the opening up ahead.
As the group entered the opening, they all stopped and looked around wondrously. The found themselves in the most beautiful place any of them had ever seen. The clearing looked huge. It was completely covered in lush green grass. Every inch seem to hold either bushes or vines of multi colored roses.. A waterfall sat on the left side of the clearing with a wall of ivy next to it. The waterfall fell into a perfectly cleared pool surrounded by rocks and ferns.
"This is amazing," whispered Ginny. "I can't believe it."
"What is it, Gin," asked Ron.
"Do you remember those stories Grandma Frances used to tell us, Ron?"
"You mean those fairytales about Rowena Ravenclaw? Oh Gin, don't tell me you actually believed that bull."
"Of course not," said Ginny shortly. "But in one of those books she used to read from, there was a story about a large garden. It was Rowena's private sanctuary. There was a picture of it in the book and it showed exactly were we are now."
"So you're telling me where in another place that doesn't exist? Sounds about right," said Draco looking around.
"I remember reading about Rowena's garden in one of your books, Harry," said Hermione as she bent down to examine a bush of roses.
"Really? I don't remember reading anything about this," said Harry looking puzzled.
"That doesn't surprise me, Harry. You always focus on the adventures, and anything to do with Gryffindor. I doubt that anything about a garden would actually provoke your attention at all."
Harry shrugged and nodded his agreement.
"What do you remember reading, Hermione," asked Ginny.
"Well, besides that it was completely legendary. I mean this place as been searched for by many of the best witches and wizards for centuries. The idea that it actually exist is just totally…"
"Hermione, I don't think that matters anymore. It seems that we are here now, so can you just get to the point and tell us if you remember anything useful from reading about this place?" asked Ron irritably.
Hermione glared at Ron and then began eagerly, "Well I believe that this garden was suppose to possess clear pools of water that contain healing properties. It was also famous for its whispering roses…"
"Whispering roses, what's that suppose to mean," asked Lavender.
"It never really said. It could be a certain type of rose or it could be literal."
"You mean these roses might be able to talk?" asked Ron looking closely at a pink rose.
"Its possible, yes," said Hermione.
"Hmm, doesn't seem to unordinary in anyway," said Ron as he prodded the rose with his
finger.
Suddenly the rose shuddered slightly and then made a noise that could only be a sneeze. Water and a yellow substance shot from it, covering Ron's face with its gooeyness.
"Keep you're hands to yourself, buddy," whispered the rose.
"I guess that answers that question," said Lavender with a smile on her face.
"Do you remember anything, Gin, from what your grandmother told you about this garden?" asked Hermione.
"Not much more than what you just said. Except something about it being a gateway into other parts of the world," answered Ginny as Hermione nodded in agreement.
"We'll finally some information that could be useful," said Draco. "How exactly does that work."
"I think I remember that only Ravenclaw herself could actually perform the task. She was the only one who held the spell," said Hermione.
"So we're still stuck here without a plan then. Great," said Draco.
Ron who was wiping his face trying to get rid of the icky yellow substance suddenly
rubbed his stomach as it gave a mighty rumble.
"I think we should find some food. There has to be some berries or something around here."
The other members of the group turned and stared at Ron.
"Alright, fine, go on, tell me how I always think with my stomach, or something to that effect," said Ron with a sigh.
"Actually, I was about to say I agree with you and your stomach, " said Harry sheepishly.
The rest nodded their heads, so it was agreed that the boys would find food while the girls washed up in the pond by the waterfall. Then the boys would wash up as the girls found firewood.
Harry and Ron walked off to the right, as Draco walked off to the left.
"I'm horrible at Herbology. I'm afraid I'll poison the whole group. How am I suppose to know which of these plants are edible?" said Ron as he examined a yellow plant.
"I know," said Harry. "We should have sent Hermione after food. She'd know right off which of these we could eat," said Harry as he picked a bunch of green berries. A yellow rose slapped his hand, causing Harry to drop the green berries. The rose then gestured with its bloomed head towards some purple berries on Harry's right. Harry looked at Ron who shrugged and both boys walked over to pick the purple berries.
"Harry?" began Ron tentatively. "Do you know what's going on with Hermione?"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry as he transformed a small rock into a little basket.
"Well, she's been acting strange lately, and I don't think she's been eating or sleeping much. Then there was the whole scene in the forest. I'm just worried about her."
"I know, Ron. I am too. She won't tell me what's going on either. She came up with the rubbish about being scared that she would be alone after school was done, but I had a suspicion it was something else. Now I know it is."
"Maybe you should ask her again. I mean if she's going to tell anyone what's going on with her, its you," said Ron as he filled Harry's basket with berries.
Harry looked at Ron and opened his mouth to ask what he meant by that, but Harry stopped himself. He knew what Ron meant. Ron had thrown out little comments about Harry and Hermione's closeness all year. Harry had always denied these claims as had Hermione. Harry couldn't bring himself to deny it anymore; he wasn't sure he wanted to.
Harry and Ron finished filling the basket and walked back towards the clear pool of water. The reached a small clearing next to two trees to find Lavender and Ginny looking quite refreshed as they threw pieces of wood down on the already large pile.
"How was the water?" asked Ron as he popped a berry into his mouth.
"Unlike anything I've ever experienced. It was just the right temperature and the moment I stepped into it, I felt like I had just started the day. It was wonderful," said Ginny as she
spun around to show her abundant energy.
"I imagine anything feels great next to that slop you probably bath in at home," said Draco as he entered the campsite the girls had set up.
Ron whipped around and glared at Malfoy, looking like he was about to jump on him, but Ginny laid a hand on Ron's arm as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. Ron sulkingly sat on the ground and popped a couple of the purple berries into his mouth.
Draco deposited several long strands of what looked like tree bark next to the basket of berries and then sat down across from Ron.
"So, what's the deal with the tree bark, Malfoy. I thought you were going to bring back some food," said Ron as he picked up a piece of the bark.
"Do you actually pay attention in class, Weasley. Or are you too busy trying to flirt with Miss Brown over there? This is from a Whistle Tree. This bark will give you more energy then a thousand nights of rest could give you and it doesn't taste too bad," said Draco as he pulled the bark out of Ron's hand, wiped it on his robes and took a bite out of
it.
Ron glared at Malfoy and then picked up a piece of bark and headed towards the clear pool. Harry followed and they both stripped out of their clothes and enjoyed a nice soak in the clear water. Harry had never experienced anything so invigorating. He noticed all the scratches he had received from walking through the forest were now healed. After ten minutes of floating contently in the water, Harry and Ron exited the water, performed a drying charm and a cleaning charm on their robes as they dressed.
Harry and Ron made their way back to camp, where everyone but Hermione was sitting down and eating the berries and bark. Harry picked up a batch of berries and looked around the group.
"Where's Hermione?" asked Harry.
"She said she wanted to walk around a bit, clear her head I think," said Ginny.
Harry became lost in thought about Hermione. He wanted to go look for her, but he thought she might have wanted to be alone for a while. Harry was becoming extremely worried about Hermione. What had happened in the forest? Did it have something to do with them being here?
Harry was taken out of his thoughts by Ron's yelling. Evidently Draco had taken another stab at the Weasleys
"Malfoy, why can't you just leave my family alone!"
"Maybe because they are so pathetic its just too easy. Your father is a low life Ministry worker who will be stuck in the same insignificant job until he dies and your mother is nothing but a dumpy baby making machine," spat Malfoy with a malicious grin on his face.
"At least my mother is more than just a stuck up trophy wife and my father isn't some evil jerk who spends all his time sniveling around the most evil wizard that ever lived!" yelled Ron as Malfoy's grin faded. "You're going to be just like him. Aren't you Malfoy? You'll be nothing but some pawn in you know who's evil plan."
Malfoy stood up and started walking away from the group. He suddenly turned around and looked directly at Ron.
"You know nothing about my family, Weasley. And you sure the hell don't know anything about me."
With that said Malfoy turned around and walked off into the night.
"Slimy git," snorted Ron as he sat angrily back down. "Of course he can't take what he dishes out."
Lavender nodded as she chewed on some bark, but Ginny looked very upset.
"Ron, why did you have to say that about his family?"
"Gin , don't tell me you're actually defending him? You hear what he said about our mum and dad," said Ron.
"I did, but why can't you just ignore it? Don you think he knows how his life is without you throwing it in his face?"
Ron looked puzzled at Ginny.
"Think about it. Everyone knows his father is one of you know who's strongest supporters. Everyone expects Draco to become the same thing. How would you feel if everyone thought you were nothing but evil?" asked Ginny looking at Ron.
"Well, he doesn't do much to make us see otherwise now does he?"
"Can you just try, Ron? Just try to ignore his snide comments and be civil?" asked Ginny pleadingly.
"I don't know why you care Gin. What do you expect me to do? Just ignore him when he starts in on our family?"
"I thought maybe you could be a bigger person, Ron, but I guess I was wrong," said Ginny angrily as she stood up and walked off into the darkness.
"What's with her? You would think she wants me to be friends with Draco Malfoy." said Ron with his eyes wide.
Lavender and Harry just shrugged. Harry didn't voice his opinion, but he though maybe Ginny had a point. Harry didn't feel like sitting around listening to Ron complain about Malfoy.
"I think I'll go check on Hermione. She's been gone for a while," said Harry as he got up and picked up some bark and berries.
************************************************************************
"There was only suppose to be two, Wormatil. But six are here instead. Can you not do anything correctly?"
"Master, I did just as you commanded. How was I too know the spell would transport them all here?
"Crucio," said Voldemort in his cold voice.
Wormtail screamed and writhed on the floor. Voldemort released the curse.
"Do no talk back to me," said Voldemort as he turned back to look in his bowl that held the substance that let him see what ever he liked. Voldemort watched a red haired boy and a blonde hair boy argued. "A Malfoy? That's Lucious Malfoy's son. Perhaps your mistake can be corrected , Wormtail. I have another job for you."