Author's Note: In honor of my beta's return, I've made some corrections (some of them long overdue) to previous chapters (including the last one, which I posted on Wednesday), so I thought I might as well tell you good Portkey readers about it. Also, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the next chapter, "An Army of Keepers". Please do enjoy!
Harry Potter's eyes opened slowly, his bleary eyesight and pounding head making him doubt what he saw once his eyelids fluttered open. After donning his glasses, however, there could be no doubt: Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were standing over him with their wands drawn. "Don't take this the wrong way, mate," Ron advised him in a tone that was guarded but friendly. "We have to be sure it's you."
Groggily, Harry began to remember what had happened. The three of them, Luna and Snape had been inside the Chamber of Secrets when he had suddenly felt Voldemort's presence inside of him, as though the Dark Lord might be trying to possess him. He supposed he must have lost consciousness soon after. But he felt fine now; he could no longer sense the evil presence of Lord Voldemort in his mind. "I understand, Ron. Besides, turnabout's fair play, right?"
Ron smiled at that, well remembering how Harry had greeted Ron once he mentioned the Emerald of Edessa upon waking up from a coma. His smile vanished as Hermione shot him a 'get serious' look. "Ask him a question," she whispered audibly in his ear.
"Alright," Ron said smugly. "What's four times four?"
Harry looked puzzled at Ron's choice of a question. "Sixteen."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think Voldemort can do simple math, Ron. Let's try something only Harry would know." Hermione thought about this for a moment. "The first time that we, erm…"
"Made love?" Harry guessed with a waggle of his eyebrows.
"Kissed," Hermione corrected him forcefully as Ron looked very uncomfortable. "Where were we?"
"In the master bedroom at Grimmauld Place," Harry answered matter-of-factly. Just as Ron heaved a sigh of relief, he added, "The same place where we were when we first made love."
Hermione blushed a deep shade of red and Ron let out an exasperated groan. "This is exactly the sort of thing that you don't find out when you ask math questions," the redhead pointed out.
More will come soon! Thanks again for reading!
ITL