Chapter 11: Trapdoor
Leaving their common room, the four students quietly made their way to the third floor where Fluffy was. Quietly slipping inside the room, they noticed that Fluffy was asleep. However a squeak in the floor, and Fluffy snorted and six eyes popped open.
Harry quickly brought the flute to his mouth and blew a few notes. Fluffy settled down again. With Harry playing the flute, the rest of them moved Fluffy's huge paws from the trapdoor.
Ron heaved up on the trapdoor, looking down into darkness.
Get them through the trapdoor Hermione; I'll be last, thought Harry.
Hermione relayed Harry's instructions to the other two, jumping through just before Harry.
****
Harry landed in something soft. Casting a Lumos spell with his wand, he saw that they had landed on a massive plant. The plant had already begun to ensnare them, wrapping tendrils around their legs and creeping up their bodies. Already Ron was engulfed and couldn't speak. The rest were similarly bound, the plant trying to strangle them.
Think Hermione, we must find a way to stop the plant, Harry thought.
Neville figured it out first. "It's Devils Snare," he said. "It reacts to strong light. We need to start a fire; our wand light won't be enough."
Harry and Hermione knew differently. Hold my hand Harry, Hermione thought to him, our combined power should provide a strong enough light.
Reaching across to Hermione, Harry grabbed her hand and at the same time they both shouted `LUMOS' and pointed their wands. A blinding light filled the cave and the plant let go, shrinking back into a corner.
Regaining their feet, they all raced out through a door.
"Whew, that was close," said Ron. "Thank Merlin, Neville pays attention in Herbology"
****
Entering the next cave, they stared in awe as a thousand fluttering objects filled the air around them. Ron quickly ran across the room to the next door, but the door was locked and wouldn't yield to the Alohomora spell.
"Well, it was worth a try," said Ron.
"I think we have to open it with a key. Those flying things look like winged keys," Hermione said. "What kind of key, though, there must be a thousand flying keys here!"
"Look for an old antique one," Ron observed, checking the lock.
"I see it," said Harry, "but how to catch it?"
"That's how," Hermione said, pointing to a bunch of brooms in the corner.
They each grabbed a broom and the chase was on. Up and around they raced until Harry finally trapped it. Dismounting, he ran to the door and unlocked it.
****
Carefully they stepped through the door and gasped! A large troll lay motionless on the floor.
"I-Is it dead?" asked Neville, shakily.
"Stunned, I reckon," said Ron. "Let's get through here before it wakes up."
****
As they entered the next chamber, a strange sight met their eyes. A gigantic chess set blocked their way. They quickly figured they would have to play across the board and win to gain access to the door beyond.
Since Ron was the chess expert, he took command. These were giant wizard chess pieces that responded to commands. Harry replaced a black castle, Hermione took the place of a Black Bishop, Neville stood for the Black King and Ron mounted a Black Knight.
"White moves first and then we play!" proclaimed Ron.
The tension mounted as play progressed. Many of the black pieces were destroyed by white, but Ron was making good progress, noticing almost at the last minute when Harry or Hermione were about to be attacked. Moving around the board, Ron ruthlessly advanced until he put the White King in check.
Harry immediately noticed the problem: Ron would be taken! "No!" he yelled, but Ron had foreseen this.
"I have to be taken Harry, then you can checkmate the King."
"No, Ron!" said Hermione and Neville together.
"Do you want to win or not!" yelled Ron.
The White Queen advanced and struck Ron's Black Knight, throwing him to the ground.
Hermione and Neville started to run toward Ron, but Harry called, "Stop! We're still playing."
They froze as Harry advanced and checkmated the White King. The game over, they all ran to Ron, who was unconscious.
"He'll be alright," Hermione said. "Neville, you take care of Ron, Harry and I have to go on."
****
The next chamber contained a table with bottles on it. As soon as Harry and Hermione entered, black fire sprang up behind them, also blocking the next door.
Hermione walked to the table and read a note. It was a puzzle and each bottle contained a colored liquid.
Choosing the correct bottle would allow them to pass through or go back.
Carefully reading the puzzle, Hermione figured out which bottles were poison, which ones were plain wine, and which ones would advance them or allow them to go back.
You're sure about this love? asked Harry.
Yes, it's a simple game of logic. Many wizards would be stopped, since wands and magic would be useless here.
We have to drink this? he asked.
Yes Harry, it's the only way through, and I'm going with you!
It could be very dangerous Hermione! We don't know what the next test will be; I couldn't bear it if you were hurt!
I'm going Harry! she reiterated. We're in this together, remember `If one dies, the other will not last long.'
Alright, wands out!
****
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