You know, surprisingly enough, I don't really have anything to say this time around, aside from the fact that I feel this might be the halfway mark. Enjoy!
ETA: Ok, so I do. I thought this chapter was going to be longer, but it ended up being much less material than I thought it would. Sorry about the length, you have my word that next week's (two weeks, w.e) will be longer.
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Chapter 14: Round Two
"Is it really necessary to go through the woods when we're disillusioned?" asked Ron as he struggled to get over a bush.
"Of course it is," said Remus, walking ahead of them. "I'm sure that by now Voldemort knows we captured Bella and her husband, so he's probably sent people to find you."
"Who picked them up anyway?" asked Harry.
"I think it was Moody," replied Tonks, grunting as she tripped over a tree root protruding from the earth.
"Merlin knows he'll give us hell for making him walk a mile and a half through the anti-apparition field," chuckled Remus. "We're almost at the graveyard."
"Good," said Ron. "I'm sick of stumbling through all this shrubbery."
"I think you mean undergrowth," smiled Hermione.
"Yes, ma'am," grumbled Ron as the trees ended, a large iron fence surrounding a vast graveyard now clearly in view.
"We should probably go around to the front," said Lupin. "There are probably security wards to prevent people from entering any other way."
The five of them walked around the perimeter of the fence until they found themselves standing in front of a large gateway, the doors rusted open. The most distinct feature, however, was two iron snakes coiled around the respective sides of the arch, each with glinting emeralds for eyes.
"What are we waiting for?" asked Ron stepping forward. "Let's shove off then."
"Wait," hissed Lupin, grabbing Ron's collar and pulling him back. "Watch."
Slowly, Lupin bent down and picked a stone up off the ground. After tossing it to himself a few times, he wound up and pitched the rock at the open archway.
As the stone passed through the threshold, the eyes of each of the snakes came to life and fired bolts of green magic at the stone, which disintegrated instantly.
"Whoa," breathed Ron, stepping back.
"How did you know?" asked Hermione.
"The Blacks were a greedy family," said Lupin. "Aside from the fact that they would have wanted to keep their burial grounds safe from intruders, no one would never have left four emeralds just sitting in the arch like that for no reason."
"So how do we get through?" asked Ron.
"Well," said Tonks. "There's got to be a way in somehow."
"Dumbledore once told me that magic always leaves traces," said Harry softly. "Do you know how to look for something like that?"
"Traces of magic?" asked Hermione. "Like residue?"
"I think more like footprints in sand or snow," said Harry. "But I would have no idea how to find something like that."
"Dumbledore was very powerful," said Lupin. "It would take a very powerful wizard to be able to feel the flow of magic in the air and determine where it was used."
"The flow?" asked Ron.
"Sure," said Tonks. "Magic, like anything else in this world, has energy to it. Some of our kind can feel places where the energy is greater, like where charms have been put up and such."
Harry walked slowly towards the sides of the arch, looking up at it as he did so.
'Waves of energy,' he thought to himself. 'How can I find them?'
In answer, the pendant around his neck glowed softly, bringing a warmth and comfort to Harry's mind. Slowly, he closed his eyes.
As he did so, it was as if he could suddenly feel the presence of the vast untamed energy in the air. He felt as if he could raise his hand and bend the energy to his will, forcing it to do whatever he wanted.
But as suddenly as the feeling came, it stopped, and he opened his eyes to see the other four staring at him intently.
"Er, right," said Harry sheepishly. "Let's see about this then."
Kneeling down beside the arch, he placed his hand at the base of the metal and ran it slowly up the side until he felt something strange about waist high.
"What is it?" asked Hermione, coming over him.
"I don't know," said Harry, peering at the spot where his hand had stopped. "I can feel something strange...something familiar."
"Do you remember where you might've felt it before?" asked Remus.
Harry thought for a while and then suddenly it dawned on him.
"Yes," he said, transfiguring a rock on the ground into a knife. "Yes I do."
Before anyone could speak, Harry had made a quick, but small cut along the palm of his hand, which he then placed on the cold metal. The emeralds in the eyes of the snakes shone brightly in the moonlight for a moment, then faded away.
"Do you think it's safe?" asked Ron, peering up at the snakes tentatively.
"Let's find out," said Lupin, picking up another stone.
This time, it flew right through the arch and landed with a dull thud on the ground beyond it.
"Well done, Harry," smiled Tonks. "How'd you figure it out?"
"I think there's going to be much more to this graveyard than meets the eye," he replied. The other four turned and looked at him. "That was how I got into the cave with Dumbledore."
"You mean...the cave where the locket was supposed to be?" asked Ron.
"Yeah," frowned Harry, looking at the eerily silent graveyard. "With the lake full of inferi."
"You think that Voldemort might have a hand in this?" asked Hermione.
"I wouldn't put it past him," said Harry.
"Will they attack us?" asked Ron.
"I don't think so," said Harry. "Not yet, anyway."
"Why do you say that?" asked Tonks, her wand out.
Harry's mind flitted back to the scene in the cave with him and Dumbledore those many months ago, and he couldn't help but feel a little unnerved at the similarities that were taking place.
"Because Voldemort would have wanted to reach his horcrux without being attacked," replied Harry.
"You think...you think the locket is in there?" asked Hermione.
"It would make perfect sense," said Harry. "Think about it. Regulus found out about the horcruxes and stole the locket. Voldemort found out about it and killed him, but now he needed a new place to hide the locket, since the old one had been compromised. Why not bury it alongside an army of ready-to-go inferi, in the absolute last place anyone would look, with the body of the one who betrayed him in the first place?"
"It's plausible enough," said Tonks. "But we don't even know if that's true. It could just be a coincidence."
"I suppose," sighed Harry, as they each walked through the gate carefully. "But from what I've seen, there really isn't such a thing."
The moment they all passed through the arch, the emeralds in the eyes of the snakes turned back to a bright green.
"Alright," said Ron. "Now what?"
"If I'm right about all of this," said Harry. "I doubt we'll be able to continue on straight forward."
"And if you're wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Then I'm wrong," shrugged Harry. "Still, let's be careful."
Harry took a step forward and looked around to see if there was anything out of the ordinary. Satisfied for the moment, he made to take another step but found himself barred from proceeding by an invisible barrier.
"What is it?" asked Ron, coming up to him.
"It's an invisible wall," said Harry, placing his hands flat on the air. "See for yourself."
Ron and Hermione moved forward and reached out to touch the air, and just like Harry met an impenetrable barrier.
"Let me try some spells," said Lupin, stepping forward. Harry didn't pay attention to what his former teacher was muttering, he was too busy running his hands along the barrier, looking for an open spot.
"Here," said Harry, finding a gap to their left. "It corners around to the left..."
"What?" asked Tonks.
"I get it," frowned Harry, stepping back to survey the land. "It's a maze."
"A what?" asked Hermione.
"We don't even know where in here Regulus' grave is," complained Ron. "How the hell are we supposed to find it if we can't move freely?"
"It makes sense," sighed Lupin. "The walls can't be changed in any way, and if we get too close to a wrong grave we're sure to be attacked. Voldemort would, of course, have memorised the way so he wouldn't have to worry about anything."
"Exactly," said Harry.
"So what now?" asked Tonks.
"Now," said Harry, drawing his wand. "We find out which grave is Regulus'."
"And how do we do that?" asked Hermione.
"Like this. Accio Horcrux!"
There was a loud thud from somewhere ahead of them, and a mound of earth rose slightly before returning to its normal surface.
"Looks like we're in business," smiled Harry. "Let's go."
"I'll go first," said Lupin, stepping forward.
Over the next ten minutes, the group spent their way treading carefully through the transparent maze, until finally they reached their destination.
"You know," said Ron as Harry bent down to investigate the grave, "why is it that no one's noticed this place before? I mean, couldn't a muggle just walk up and get vaporized by those snakes?"
"There are probably anti-muggle charms around here," said Tonks. "And most wizards not careless enough to try and trespass on one of the original families' grounds."
"So what do you make of this?" asked Harry pointing at the headstone.
Regulus Augustus Black
1961-1979
The Last and Most Noble Son
Underneath the inscription, at the very bottom of the stone near the ground, was another small inscription that looked as if it had been scratched on with a rock.
The secret lies within.
"Well...does that mean the horcrux is buried with him?" asked Ron.
"I think so," said Harry. "But that's not what it really means."
"It's a clue," nodded Hermione.
"Why on earth would Voldemort give someone clues to getting his horcrux?" asked Tonks.
"It's a test," said Harry. "More than likely when we solve it, we'll gain access to the horcrux, but something will happen to incapacitate us in some way."
"So how would Voldemort get it?" asked Ron.
"Probably some secret way that only he knows about," sighed Lupin.
"Couldn't we just try digging it up?" asked Harry.
"Worth a shot," said Tonks, aiming her wand at the grave. "Portium."
The soil flew from the earth and off into the distance, but was instantly replaced with more of it's kind.
"Some kind of replenishing spell," she sighed. "No good."
"Looks like we'll have to solve this," grumbled Ron.
"So where to start," said Hermione, sitting down. "The secret lies within...within what?"
"The grave?" asked Remus.
"No," said Harry. "Ourselves?"
"I doubt it," pondered Hermione. "What secret?"
"The horcrux?" suggested Ron.
"Probably the way to get to the horcrux," said Tonks. "Like a password or something."
"Bloody riddles," grumbled Ron. "Hate 'em to death."
"What did you say?" asked Harry, turning around slowly."
"Riddles," repeated Ron, raising an eyebrow. "I hate them."
"That's it," said Harry, standing up, and motioning for Hermione to do the same.
"What are you on about?" asked Tonks.
"The secret lies within," said Harry. "Within the words themselves...it was a riddle, and you just know Voldemort is conceited enough to use his own name as the answer." Smiling he pointed his wand at the grave. "Ready?"
"Whenever you are," replied Remus, standing with the other three, all with their wands drawn.
Harry took a deep breath and pointed his wand at the grave.
"Riddle," he said clearly to the headstone.
The ground began to rumble and the dirt in front of them began to rise as if something from underneath was pushing it up. A minute later a coffin appeared, the wood warped and deteriorated from decades underground.
"Nothing out of the ordinary?" asked Tonks, looking around.
"Don't let it fool you," said Harry. "We might be safe for now, but something else could be the trigger...opening the coffin perhaps."
"Let me check it," said Hermione, stepping forward. After a series of complicated swishes, flicks, and muttered words, she pronounced it safe.
"Who wants to open it, then?" asked Ron appraisingly.
"I will," said Harry, undoing the rusted latches. "Ready then?"
The other four nodded and with one quick motion Harry swung the lid open.
The thick stench of decaying flesh immediately permeated the air, causing the five of the to step back and cough violently for a minute.
"Cor, that is ripe," said Ron, disgusted.
"Any luck?" asked Hermione, her face turned away.
Harry covered his mouth with his hand and ventured a look inside the wooden box.
A maggot-infested body was lying within, the clothes chewed up and torn, and around what was left of the neck, a golden locket with the letter 'S' lay glimmering peaceful on the decaying corpse.
"Bingo," said Harry. "What do you think? Should I take it?"
"No," said Hermione, trying not to open her mouth and let the smell in. "It's an inferi...it would've decayed to just a skeleton by now if it wasn't."
"I'm too dizzy from the stench to think of any reasonable solution," said Ron. "Just grab it, Harry."
"I promise you it won't be that easy," said Hermione. "And the stench will be the least of your worries if the rest of this place is festering with inferi too."
"So what now?" asked Tonks.
"Summoning Charm?" asked Lupin.
"Might not be any better than just taking it," said Harry.
"We can't sit around here debating this forever," groaned Ron. "At least I hope we can't."
"Summon it," said Hermione. "But we all need to be ready."
"Agreed," replied Harry, raising his wand. "On three. One...two...Accio Horcrux!"
The locket detached itself gracefully from body of Regulus and flew into Harry's open hand. Everyone tensed for the brief instant the gold touched his skin, but then relaxed when nothing happened.
"See?" asked Ron. "No harm at all."
"I'm surprised," said Harry, looking at the locket. "I mean, it makes almost no sense - GAH!"
The body of Regulus had just reached up and seized him by the arm, and was attempting to get out of the coffin.
"Relashio!" cried Hermione, causing the corpse to recoil for just enough time to allow Tonks and Remus to get off an excellent pair of Repelling Charms.
"We have a problem," said Harry, looking around as mounds of earth began to rise all around them.
"Shite," said Ron. "How's that saying go? Never count your chickens before they're hatched?"
"Excellent Ronald," grumbled Hermione as several inferi burst from the ground near them. "You get an O for Muggle Studies."
"I think the maze is down," called Remus. "Either that or they're walking right through it."
"Hermione, do you know any spells that can create a portable wall of fire?" asked Harry quickly.
"Er...I don't know," she replied as one of the inferi got too close to Tonks and she blasted it backwards. "There's one...but I've never practiced it and probably can't get it right -"
"Can you please give it a try, woman!" yelled Ron as the corpses began to form a tight ring around the group.
"Demos Infernus!" cried Hermione, raising her wand above her head and bringing it vertically down towards the ground. A thin red line appeared in the air as if her wand had drawn it, and seconds later spread out into a thin square of flame about ten feet wide. "It should be thicker," sighed Hermione.
"We'll worry about that later," said Harry, nudging her forward. "Let's get the bollocks out of here."
Led by Hermione's shield, the five of the barreled through the mass of undead until they finally reached the fence.
"We're jumping it!" called Lupin.
"Are you mad?" bellowed Ron, turning as the wave of corpses closed in on them.
"Ascendio!" bellowed Lupin, causing all five of them to soar into the air and land very unceremoniously in a heap on the other side.
"What now?" asked Harry as the mass of pale bodies began reaching through the bars, trying to claw at them.
"You three run," said Tonks. "We'll stay here until backup arrives."
"Like hell," said Harry. "We're staying too."
"You're too valuable!" yelled Remus. "We'll be fine until the Order can get here."
"But -"
"GO!" bellowed Remus. Harry let out a frustrated growl and took off into the woods, Ron and Hermione hot on his tail.
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"Wait..." huffed Ron, some time later. "Let's take a breather, come on."
"Out of shape much?" asked Hermione, raising her eyebrows.
"Sod off," replied Ron. "And since when could you run?" Hermione shrugged.
"Using a hovering charm really takes the edge off," she said.
"You tell me that now," wheezed Ron, sitting down.
"I've seen this place before," said Harry, looking around.
"Huh?" asked Ron.
They had long since reached the end of the woods and were now standing on a run down muggle block, the pale orange light of the street lamps casting an eerie glow over the lane.
"You know...you're right," said Hermione, coming up beside him. "I have been here before."
"Blimey mate," said Ron, causing Harry and Hermione turn and face him. "Look at the bracelet."
Harry looked down at his wrist where the bracelet still hung securely, and was astonished to see the three runes to the left of the ones that were diamond glowing blood red.
"What the...?" muttered Harry, looking around. "I know I've been here before...but for the life of me I can't remember where here is."
"Despair..." mumbled Hermione. Harry looked at her.
"Bloody hell," he whispered, turning around to scan the street as the realization hit him. Finally seeing what he was looking for, Harry sprinted off, Hermione close behind him and Ron shouting all the while for them to slow up.
"A telephone box?" asked Ron as he caught up with Harry and Hermione, who were standing in front of a very beaten-down and very familiar phone booth.
"I never thought it would be here," frowned Harry, looking at the bracelet, which was glowing brighter.
"Wait...I recognise this box," said Ron, looking at it carefully. Suddenly his eyes widened, and his jaw went slack.
"The Ministry of Magic," said Hermione, looking at it.
"And I'll bet you any money that our destination is the Death Room," added Harry, opening the door and stepping inside the phone booth.
Once everyone was inside Harry dialed 6-2-4-4-2 and the familiar voice was heard.
"Name and purpose of visit?"
"Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley, on official business of the Ministry," said Harry. Three badges immediately dispensed themselves.
"You don't think they're just going to let us waltz in there, do you?" asked Hermione as the lift began to descend.
"Not in the slightest," said Harry. "Which is why you, Ronald, are going to create a nice little distraction for us."
"What?" asked Ron. "Why me?"
"Because it's in your blood," smiled Harry.
"Fair point, but what am I supposed to use?" asked Ron.
"These," replied Harry, handing him a pair of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes flash bombs. "I always carry around a couple for precautionary measure."
"How very convenient," muttered Ron, taking them.
They reached the atrium and the door opened, letting them out. Thankfully, the area was empty due to the time of night, and the guard on duty wasn't paying enough attention to notice them.
"Alright," said Harry, as he, Hermione, and Ron hid behind the fountain. "Go set those off, just give us enough time to get on the lift."
"Sure thing, boss," sighed Ron. "The things I get myself into..."
Harry smiled as Ron ran off in one direction, waved his arms madly in the air to get the attention of the guard, and promptly set off one of the bombs.
"Brilliant," grinned Harry as the man took off after Ron who dodged into the offices. "Let's go."
Harry and Hermione quickly made their way to the lift, and the moment the door pinged open at the Department of Mysteries, they sprinted down the long corridor that had once haunted Harry's dreams to find themselves in the familiar circular room lit by blue flames.
"Well here we go," said Hermione, as the door behind them closed and the walls began to rotate, just as they once had. A minute later they came to a stop, and Harry smiled softly at Hermione.
"I never thought I'd be back here, you know," he whispered, looking at her.
"I never thought I'd actually be with you," she countered. "Let's get it over with." Harry nodded.
"Show me where death lives," he spoke loud and clear to the room. The door to their immediate right swung open, and taking Hermione's hand tightly in his, they both stepped forward out of the chamber of blue fire.
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I was having trouble finding a good piece of wisdom for this week, so I decided to revisit some of my earlier works to see if I could come up with anything, and as it so happens, I did manage to find a good piece of wisdom in my EASILY most hated fic among all of my readers out there.
Nothing is just, we simply have to battle on, enduring the never-ending struggle of life so that one day, when our children's children's children walk this earth, they can look around and see that there is no unfairness, that there is no cruelty. So that they can see a world without race, without color, without prejudice. So that they can look up to us, or their parents, or their grandparents and say, "I really like this place."
And we can smile back at them and say, "Well, we did our best."
Recently I've been reminded how very tough life is. It's during these times that I think of the people I love the most, and remember that I'm living for them, for the future, not for myself. Hell, I write to give all you loyal H/Hr shippers a reprieve from the harsh reality that's canon. I think it's very important that when the world is dark and the misery is overbearing, that we all remember that it's not what we strive to do, but who we strive to do it for.
Until next week!