DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They are the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros, etc. No money was made from the creation of this story.
Chapter Seventeen: The Cup and the Kidnapping
Like many nights before, Harry had trouble sleeping. However this time, he didn't go to Hermione for comfort.
Despite his insomnia, Harry was usually able to sleep after talking with Hermione. She was always able to soothe the tension in his mind and he enjoyed the deep conversations that they shared. However, his insomnia was taking a worse toll on her than it was on him. No matter how long he stayed awake and how little sleep he managed to achieve, his body never seemed to get tired. He wanted her to sleep well tonight. She, unlike him, deserved it.
When he was sure that everyone in his dormitory had fallen a sleep, he slowly rose out of bed and sat on the floor by the window. He stared into the night sky and saw that the stars were out. He gazed at them for what seemed like hours, simply allowing his mind to wander. A smile grew across his lips whenever his mind focused on Hermione, Ron, and Nancy, a warm feeling filling his body.
He slowly drifted in and out of sleep but his body and mind refused to let him. Whenever his eyes felt heavier than cement blocks, his scar would slightly throb causing them to open again. He felt something incredibly eerie that night. His scar had throbbed every now and then, but never to a serious degree. He knew that Voldemort was planning something, but he didn't have the slightest idea of what.
Harry noticed the night sky turning into a dark shade of blue and he knew that the new day was about to begin. He got off the hard floor and slowly made his way to his trunk. He quietly took out everything he needed for his day and quietly crept towards the boys' bathroom.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Harry stood by one of the windows in the common room, fully dressed in his school uniform, and watched the sun slowly start to rise. He raised his arms in the air and stretched his back, releasing a soft yawn. He looked towards the fire and noticed that it was still burning as brightly has it done the night before. He made his way towards an armchair and relaxed in it, noticing how comfortable it was compared to the hard floor by the window.
He crossed his arms and released another soft yawn. He stared into the fire and images of everything that had happened to him that year started to flash through his mind. He smiled as his thoughts focused on the day that Hermione and he spent in London. He remembered her white blouse, her blue skirt, and even the soft scent of her vanilla perfume. He sighed softly feeling that he could melt into the chair.
"You were up all night again, weren't you?" he heard a soft voice from behind him. He turned and saw Hermione, also fully dressed in her uniform, looking at him with a concerned expression. She slowly made her way to him and snuggled in his lap, his arms wrapping around her.
"Yeah," he replied softly as he rested his head against hers, softly taking in her perfume. His smile grew when he realized that it was the same vanilla perfume that she wore on the day of their outing.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione asked softly as she turned her head and looked into his eyes.
"You needed some sleep," Harry responded as he kissed her forehead. "You've been having trouble staying awake in class."
"Still," Hermione protested as she sat up on his lap. "You should of told me. You sure you feeling okay?"
"I just have this nervous feeling," Harry sighed as he looked into her worried eyes.
"Nervous about the match today?" Hermione asked. Harry looked at her with a confused look that caused her eyes to grow wide. "Harry! You have a Quidditch match today…you know, the final match for the Quidditch Cup."
"Oh yeah…almost forgot about that," Harry snickered, causing Hermione's eyes to grow even wider.
"Harry, you're really starting to scare me," she said in a worried voice as she started to move her hands around his forehead and cheeks to see if he had a fever. "What are you nervous about?"
"I don't know," he replied as he took her hands in his and started to kiss them tenderly. "Don't worry about it. It's just a weird feeling…it's probably nothing."
Hermione's concerned look soon disappeared when she saw Harry give her a soft smile. He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly, his arms tightening around her. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, softly deepening their kiss.
"You'd tell me if something is wrong, right?" Hermione asked softly as she broke their kiss, her forehead resting on his.
"You know I would, Hermione," Harry replied softly as he leaned forward and kissed her again, his arms tightening around her. He did know that something was wrong, but it had nothing to do with the Quidditch game. He gently ran his hands along Hermione's arms and softly settled them on her cheeks.
"Oh come off it, you two," Ron groaned. "Don't you two ever sleep?"
The two broke their kiss and looked to find the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team standing in front of them. Hermione's face turned a deep red as she slowly got off Harry and straightened her robes. Ginny giggled softly as she walked over to Hermione and nudged her gently with her shoulder.
"What are you all doing up so early?" Harry asked as he stood from the armchair, causing the team to look at him with a confused looks on their faces.
"Harry," William started as he placed his hands on his hips, "you told us meet you in the common room at seven o'clock so we would be able to make it down to the pitch for a quick practice before the final game."
"You feeling okay?" Ron asked as he walked over to Harry and placed his hand on his forehead.
"I'm fine," Harry replied as he grinned at the team. "I was only joking. Let's go then."
The team looked at each other and shrugged as they slowly made their way out of the common room. Harry quickly walked over to Hermione and gave her another soft kiss before hurrying after the team. He turned and watched the Gryffindor portrait door close, the nervous feeling forming again in his stomach.
"Wish me luck," he muttered to himself as he pulled out the golden snitch that Hermione had given him for his birthday. He squeezed his good luck charm and placed it back in his pocket.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"You sure you're feeling okay?" Ron asked Harry as he tightened the straps of his armguards. "You've been quiet all day."
The Gryffindor team was dressing for their final match. Their early morning practice went by smoothly enough, however Harry wasn't his usual encouraging self. During other practices, he would clap and yell compliments, a never ending supply of encouragement; however, today, he simply hovered over the pitch, only calling out to the team to end a drill and then again to start a new one.
"Just nervous about the match, I guess," Harry lied as he pulled on his red robes. Quidditch was currently the last thing on his mind. The eerie feeling was tying his stomach in knots and he had to bite his lip on several occasions to keep from screaming about it. "It's the final game, after all."
"You really that nervous about it?" William asked as he stepped into his boots. "We're eighty points ahead of Hufflepuff. I mean…there is no way they can get eighty points if we play our game."
William had unexpectedly grown friendlier with the rest of the team after his defeat to Harry at the Dueling Tournament. He volunteered to help Seamus and Jack with their Beater practices, showing a surprising amount of patients towards the two. He had even grown friendlier to Ginny, the two now able to pass and work with each other without hostility brewing between them. Ron, against Nancy's peculiar feelings about the situation, had also become friendly with William; the two constantly chatting about their favorite British Quidditch teams.
"I don't know though," Harry said as he pulled on his padded gloves. "I just have a funny feeling."
"Stop it, Harry," Ron shuttered as he pulled on his robes. "You're starting to make me nervous."
"There is no reason for us panic," Ginny sighed as she walked over to the three, fully dressed in her uniform. "Even on our worst day, Hufflepuff couldn't beat us."
"I wouldn't say that," William objected as he picked up his Nimbus Two-thousand-one. "You've seen them play. They're Chasers aren't half bad and their Seeker is just as crazy as Harry."
"Plus, they haven't lost a game either," Ron added as he picked up his Clean Sweep. "Now, I'm all nervous."
The team made its way towards the pitch and once again found themselves behind the large wooden door that separated them from the pitch. They stood in their standard "V" formation again, with Harry at the point. They all started to fidget in their spots, adjusting their gloves and making sure that their robes were securely tied. Harry could tell that they were all nervous, and mainly because of his odd behavior.
"Sorry about acting funny today," Harry said as he faced the wooden doors. "Playing with you guys have been really great."
"You make it sound like we're going off to war," William snickered softly.
"Your head finally in the game?" Ginny asked as she patted Harry's back gently.
"Where else would it be?" Harry replied as he turned to face his team.
"Oh I don't know…" Ron started, trying to hold back his laughter. "Where's Hermione?"
Harry walked over and gave Ron a soft hit in his arm, causing the team to laugh. Harry couldn't help but grin at them, watching them smile and laugh, the tension disappearing. He slowly turned and faced the door, taking in a deep breath as his grasp on his Firebolt tightened. They heard the door start to creek and they all got back into their positions, smiles still covering their faces.
"Okay…" Harry said as he took another deep breath, "Mount your brooms." The team did as they were instructed as the door swung open, they squinting their eyes as they adjusted to the sunlight. Harry looked behind him and gave his team a large grin. "Let's win that Cup!"
"Welcome to the final game of Quidditch season!" Collin shouted into the microphone as the Gryffindor Quidditch team took flight. "Here comes the Gryffindors! They will be facing Hufflepuff!"
Harry flew around the Gryffindor half of pitch and watched the Hufflepuffs fly around their half. His body started to tense and his breath started to get short. He gripped his Firebolt firmly as his scar started to throb. Harry shook his head several times, wondering why he would have a panic attack now. He took several deep breaths and was relieved to have his nerves settled.
"You okay Harry?" Ron shouted from behind him as he flew into his keeping position.
Harry turned and nodded at Ron, his fingers starting to grow numb from his grip on his Firebolt.
He shook his head several more times and watched Madame Hooch walk towards the center of the pitch where the chest holding the Quidditch equipment was placed. He looked over towards the three Gryffindor Chasers; they were all wearing their prepared looks, their eyes moving from Madam Hooch to the Hufflepuff Chasers.
"Madam Hooch is ready!" Collin shouted as he leaned over the edge of the tower, looking down towards the center of the pitch. "The snitch and the bludgers have been released…there goes the quaffle!"
Harry immediately pulled up on his Firebolt, flying high above the pitch, his eyes already moving around to find snitch. He noticed the Hufflepuff Seeker fly up to his level, slowly moving around in small circles, his eyes also trained on the pitch. Harry ignored him and looked back down at the scrambling Chasers.
"Weinstein has the quaffle…dodges the bludger…passes to Weasley…Weasley flies around Hamilton…around Cameron…passes back to Weinstein…SCORES! Did you see that teamwork! Gryffindor ten, Hufflepuff zero!
"Hufflepuff recovers…Allen moves around Thomas…OH! Allen is struck by the bludger! Thomas recovers…passes the quaffle to Weasley…she beats Winston…SCORES! Gryffindor leads twenty to zero!"
Harry clapped his hands, a bright smile on his face. He started to look for the snitch and his smile grew when finally saw it. The snitch settled itself right next to the left hoop on Hufflepuff's side of the pitch. Harry looked at Hufflepuffs Seeker and noticed that he was a lot closer than he was. He took a deep breath and gripped his Firebolt quickly. He is only on a Comet…if I go now, I will be able to beat him to it.
Harry was off, his eyes squinting as he made his way towards the golden ball. He watched it move randomly around the left hoop and hoped that it didn't move from that spot. Harry suddenly noticed something coming from the corner of his left eye. He quickly climbed and saw the Hufflepuff Seeker fly menacingly close to him. Harry pulled himself to a halt and looked at the Hufflepuff Seeker with a surprised look. The seeker looked over at Harry and gave him a large grin.
"Trying to knock me off my broom, huh?" Harry muttered as he looked over towards the left hoop. The snitch was gone.
"Hamilton carries the quaffle! He ducks under Weinstein…out of reach for Weasley…throws…WOW! Weasley knocks the quaffle down…Newman recovers! He moves around Finnigan…around Slopper…Throws…SCORES! Weasley didn't guard the right hoop! Score…Gryffindor twenty, Hufflepuff ten!
"Thomas recovers the quaffle…brings up the right…passes it to Weinstein…Weinstein passes to Weasley…Weasley flying right through the Hufflepuff chasers…throws back to Thomas…throws…SCORES! The Granger One Time Fake Out Pass gets another goal! Gryffindor thirty, Hufflepuff ten!"
Harry observed the Hufflepuff's bring the quaffle back over towards the Gryffindor side of the pitch. Harry's eyes focused on the center of the pitch, hoping that something would attract his attention. His eerie feeling started to resurface and he felt the need to fly over towards Ron. Without thinking about the snitch, Harry slowly made his way over.
"Allen brings the quaffle…throws…Weasley blocks the quaffle! Thomas recovers…stolen by Winston! Winston passes to Newman…throws…Weasley catches the quaffle! Weasley passes to Weinstein…OH! Weinstein barely dodged that bludger…HITS WEASLEY IN THE STOMACH!"
Harry gasped as he saw Ron's body tremble, the bludger against his stomach. The bludger dislodged itself from Ron's stomach and flew away, causing Ron to collapse onto his broom, which thankfully lowered him gently to the ground. Harry heard the Gryffindor students booing at the Hufflepuff Beaters, who looked at each other with confused looks on their faces. Neither they nor the Gryffindor Beaters had made contact with that bludger recently.
Harry looked over the Hufflepuff Seeker and knew that the snitch could wait. He quickly gripped his Firebolt tightly as he quickly maneuvered himself in front of the three hoops, taking over Ron's position. Seamus gave him a curious look with his mouth hanging open. Harry gave him a reassured nod and pointed towards the attacking Hufflepuff Chasers.
"Potter is holding as the keeper! Newman passes to Allen…Allen drops back to Hamilton…dodges Weasley…passes to Allen…Allen dodges Thomas…passes back to Hamilton…Hamilton drops it to Newman…throws…SCORES! Potter was nowhere close! Gryffindor leads thirty to twenty!"
Harry cursed himself as he watched the Gryffindor Chasers take the quaffle back towards the Hufflepuff end of the field. He released a sigh of frustration and looked down to see a motionless Ron. His eyes grew wide when he saw the snitch only a few yards below him. He looked towards the quaffle game and saw that the Hufflepuffs were bringing the quaffle back. He looked back down and watched the snitch descend towards the ground. He knew that he couldn't let an opportunity like this go.
He instantly dove towards the ground, ignoring Collin screaming that Hufflepuff has tied the game at thirty points each. He took his right arm off the broom and reached out as far as he could, when he felt something slam into his right side, causing him to veer off into the middle post.
"Potter is hit by the bludger! This is not good for the Gryffindor team…they now do not have a Keeper or a Seeker! Weasley takes the quaffle…passes it to Weinstein…Weinstein moves around Hamilton…passes Allen…passes to Weasley…throws…SCORES! Gryffindor takes the lead…forty to thirty!"
Harry took in a deep breath as he pushed himself off the ground. He looked up towards the Quidditch game and watched how the Gryffindor team was struggling unbelievably. He looked around and found his Firebolt was lying on the ground next to an unconscious Ron. He looked up again at the quaffle game and gritted his teeth when he saw a Hufflepuff chaser score another goal, tying the score at forty.
"Ron!" Harry shouted as he knelt down to his fallen friend and shook him violently. "Wake up! We need our Keeper, you git!"
Ron opened his eyes and looked up towards the sky, but Harry could tell that he was still completely dazed from the bludger. Harry had to act quickly if he were to get Ron back up in the air, so he pulled out his wand and aimed it at him. "Sorry about this…Aquula!"
A small stream of water left Harry's wand, splashing over Ron's face. Ron immediately sat up, trying to shield his face and coughing from the water that managed to go up his nose. He looked up at Harry and shouted, "Quit it, Harry! What's going on?"
Harry placed his wand away and helped Ron to his feet. Ron moved somewhat slowly, but Harry was glad to see that he had enough of his senses to be able to stand again. Ron looked up towards the game and his eyes went wide as he suddenly realized where he was.
"Oh no!" Ron gasped as he leaned down and picked up his Clean Sweep. "What's the score?"
"It's tied at forty," Harry replied as he picked up his Firebolt and looked up at a Hufflepuff Chaser score another goal. "Well, now it's fifty to forty."
"Bloody hell!" Ron shouted as he mounted his broom and flew as fast as he could towards his keeping position.
Harry mounted his Firebolt and flew up above the quaffle game and started to around again for the snitch. He noticed the Hufflepuff Seeker flying irritatingly close to him and knew that he would need to move away from him if he wanted a better chance at the snitch. However, no matter where Harry moved, the Hufflepuff Seeker followed, always maintaining a relatively close distance to him.
"Want to play that way?" Harry said to himself as he watched the Hufflepuff seeker follow him. "You asked for it."
Harry gripped his Firebolt tightly and immediately dove towards the pitch, moving as fast as he could. He looked behind him and watched the Hufflepuff Seeker dive after him. He decreased his speed slightly to allow the Hufflepuff seeker to catch up, grinning softly to himself.
"Both Seekers are diving towards the ground!"
Harry quickly glanced over his shoulder and noticed that the Hufflepuff Seeker was gaining on him. He looked towards the ground again and suddenly saw the golden snitch fly up towards him. Unfortunately, Harry didn't have enough time to reach out for it. He looked behind him again and was glad to see that the Hufflepuff Seeker didn't see the snitch move by them. Harry waited a split second longer and immediately placed his feet on the back of his broom to give him the leverage to pull up.
He was able to accomplish it and immediately climbed up towards a fluttering snitch. The Hufflepuff Seeker didn't expect Harry's sudden stop and tried his best to do the same, nearly crashing into the ground. Harry saw the snitch was within arms reach, causing him to slowly take his right arm off the broom and reach for it.
With all of his strength, Harry swatted his arm and a smile grew on his face when he felt the snitch in his grasp. He suddenly noticed an object fly over to him. He looked towards it and saw that it was a bludger.
"I've got it Harry!" Jack shouted as he quickly made his way to Harry and swung his bat at the iron ball. However to their incredible shock, the bludger broke through the bat and continued its rampage towards Harry.
Harry immediately dove towards the ground as the bludger grazed his shoulder and crashed into the middle hoop post on the Gryffindor half of the pitch, wedging itself into it. Harry released a sigh as he slowed his descent to the ground. He looked up towards the Hufflepuff beaters and knew that neither of them would have the strength to hit the bludger that hard.
Harry landed on the ground and looked around again to make sure nothing else was being launched at him. Couldn't of been another rogue bludger, he thought as he looked back towards the center of the pitch. His eyes grew wide and when he realized that the quaffle game was still going. He quickly raised his right arm into the air with the snitch tightly in his grasp, screaming towards Madame Hooch.
Madame Hooch noticed Harry's cries and looked down towards him to see the golden ball in his hand. She was completely surprised that she didn't see the catch, and quickly blew her whistle. The Chasers turned towards her with a confused look. She pointed towards Harry and the Gryffindor team immediately began to howl and clap.
"HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE QUIDDITCH CUP!"
Harry heard the students roar at an unbelievable volume. The Gryffindor team soon landed and rushed over to him, giving each other hugs and jumping into the air.
"We did it!" Ron shouted as he gave Harry a tight hug. "We've won the Cup!"
Harry's grin grew wide and he was glad that his nervous feeling had finally left him. For the first time that day, he felt all the tension leave his body and he too started to jump with the Gryffindor team, howling at the top of his lungs.
He and Ron stopped jumping when they noticed the crowd of Gryffindor student's running towards them with Hermione and Nancy in the lead. Harry opened his arms and Hermione gladly jumped into them, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and pulling him into a warm hug. Nancy gave Ron a tight hug that completely startled him, his body suddenly tensing when he felt her kiss him on the cheek.
"You were great!" Hermione smiled as beamed at him.
"We all were great," Harry replied as he turned his head towards his team, which were now being hoisted onto students' shoulders and being carried around like royalty. He turned back towards Hermione and kissed her softly, his arms wrapped around her, the snitch buzzing softly in his right hand.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Harry and the Gryffindor team made their way back towards the common room after they had finished changing. They were all laughing and smiling as they stopped in front of the Fat Lady's portrait. Harry noticed that William wasn't with them and figured that he must have gone ahead.
The portrait door opened and they were greeted by the Gryffindors each with a mug of butterbeer in their hands. They started to cheer and shout again as the team made their way into the common room. Harry shook as many hands as he could, trying to look around for signs of Hermione or Nancy. He looked back towards Ron and found him with an incredibly large smile on his face as he started shaking hands with several Gryffindor students.
Several minutes had passed before Harry was able to make his way towards the staircase that led to the dormitories. He turned and faced the smiling Gryffindors, his eyes narrowing as he searched the crowd for the two girls, his stomach starting to regain his nervous feeling when he wasn't able to locate them.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Ron asked as he walked up to him.
"I can't find Hermione or Nancy," Harry replied as he started to look through the crowd again, hoping that he had accidentally missed them.
"I'm sure everything is all right," said Ron as he too started to look through the crowd. "They're probably in the loos or something."
Suddenly, Harry and Ron's wristwatches started vibrating violently, causing them to look down towards them. They're eyes grew wide when they saw Hermoine's initials emerge on the face of their watches. Harry's heart filled with utter terror as he looked at Ron.
"Harry…Ron!" they heard a voice called from the behind them. They turned to find a worried Nancy, trying to squeeze her way through the crowd of students.
"Nancy, where's Hermione?" Harry asked as she reached them at the foot of the staircase.
"I don't know," Nancy said frantically as she looked at him with scared eyes. "She said that she needed to help Madame Pince with something after the Quidditch game. When she didn't come back, I really got worried. I went over the library to check on her and on my way there, I found this on the floor."
She held out Hermione's wand and Harry took it in his hand. His body started to tremble as he looked at Ron, unsure of what he should do.
"Harry, use the Marauder's map!" Ron exclaimed as his eyes lit up.
Harry nodded and the two ran towards their dormitory, a puzzled Nancy following close behind them.
Harry pushed the door open and quickly ran towards his trunk, but immediately stopped, causing Ron and Nancy to bump into him. He slowly walked over to his bed cautiously and pointed towards the contents on it. Ron and Nancy looked towards his bed, and found a skull and a black envelope on his pillow.
Harry cautiously picked up the black envelope and opened it, his eyes moving towards the skull and back towards the envelope. He pulled out a small parchment and took a deep breath as he unfolded it. The parchment was addressed to him and he slowly read it.
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Harry Potter,
I never hoped that I would have to resort to such barbaric means, but it seems that your girlfriend was too smart for her own good. If you wish to save her, touch the skull. It is a portkey and it will take you to us. Be sure to have Keung with you if you wish to stand a chance. Don't worry. Your girlfriend is still alive. However, if you make me wait too long, I will have no choice but to terminate her life in the most horrible way possible.
Magnolia Reins
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Harry immediately crinkled the letter and looked at Ron and Nancy. They're eyes also wide for they too had read the letter.
"What are we going to do?" Ron asked as he looked at Harry.
"We need to take the portkey," Harry replied as he reached out his hand towards the skull.
"Wait!" cried Nancy as she took him by his arm, causing him to turn to her with a confused look. "We can't just go charging off without telling Dumbledore and the other professors."
"But, Hermione could be dead by the…" Harry argued, but was cut off by Nancy.
"They won't hurt Hermione until they have you," she insisted, pulling Harry away from the skull. "You can't do anything to save her if you walk right into a trap."
Harry tried to say something, but he knew Nancy was right. If they did walk directly into a trap and without anyone helping them, saving Hermione would have been impossible. He placed Hermione's wand into his pocket and the three quickly made their way out of the dormitory.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Albus," Professor McGonagall said as she walked through the door of Dumbledore's office. Harry, Nancy, and Ron had just finished informing him about Hermione's kidnapping. "All the Gryffindor students are in the Great Hall. All of them have been accounted for, except for William Weinstein and Hermione Granger."
"William's gone too?" Harry muttered as he looked at Ron and Nancy, his worried expression turning into one of complete bewilderment.
"It seems that my assumptions were correct," Dumbledore sighed as he rose from his chair and looked at the three students.
"What is it?" Harry asked as he also rose from his chair, unable to ignore the grim look on McGonagall's face. "Professor Dumbledore, what is going on?"
"I cannot permit you to go after Hermione Granger," Dumbledore said with a firm voice as he looked at Harry.
"What?" Harry cried, unable to believe what Dumbledore had just told me. "If I don't go after her, she is going to die."
"Harry…" Dumbledore started as he tried to explain. Harry, however, wouldn't have it.
"How could you tell me not to go after her?" Harry roared as he slowly started to back away from Dumbledore, a look of betrayal on his face.
Ron looked at Nancy and back at Professor Dumbledore, his rage slowly emerging on his face as he, too, rose from his chair.
"Potter, please calm down," Professor McGonagall said as she tried to stop Harry from moving towards the door.
"Calm down?" Harry retorted as he glared at McGonagall. "How can I just calm down when Hermione has been kidnapped?"
"It will be taken care of," Dumbledore said, his voice calm. "We will not let Hermione die."
"Do whatever you want!" Harry shouted as he continued to make his way towards the door. Professor McGonagall tried to gently place her hand on his shoulder, but he abruptly moved his shoulder away from her. "I'm going after Hermione!"
"I'm going too!" Ron exclaimed as he quickly moved to Harry's side. He looked at Nancy and was somewhat startled because she hadn't left her chair.
"Mr. Weasley…" Professor McGonagall started, but before she could finish her sentence, the two boys had already walked out of the door.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Can you believe them?" Harry growled as he and Ron burst into their dormitory. "I mean…not…"
Harry stopped when he realized that Keung was sitting on his bed, examining the skull carefully. He turned to Harry and Ron and gave them a weak smile as the two boys quickly made their way over to him.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, his heart suddenly filling with hope.
"Professor Dumbledore knew that he wouldn't be able to stop you from going after Hermione," Keung started as he stood from the bed.
"You're not going to stop us?" Ron asked in a fearful voice.
"Me? Oh no," Keung replied as he shook his head. "I'll be going with you."
"You are?" Harry asked, his eyes widening.
"Dumbledore knew he wouldn't be able to stop you," he started again as he turned and looked at the skull, "so he called on me to help you."
"When did he do that?" Harry asked as he took a spot next to Keung and, too, looked at the skull.
"He had Fawkes bring me a letter and I came as soon as I read it," Keung answered as he pulled out a parchment from his robes and handed it to Harry.
Ron walked up to Harry and the two quickly read through the letter.
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Keung,
Hermione Granger has just been kidnapped by Magnolia Reins. I fear that no matter what I may do or say, Harry will not stand idly by. He and his friends will attempt to rescue her. They are full of courage and they may feel that they can overcome any obstacle to save her. I have the greatest confidence in them, but I fear what may possibly lie at the destination of the portkey is far worse than anything they can imagine. Please accompany them on their journey and watch over them. Our greatest fear is approaching and I don't know if I will be able to send members of the Order to assist you. The portkey is located in Harry's dormitory in the shape of a skull. The password that grants safe passage into the Gryffindor common room is `Rectatis Ignoramus'. Godspeed.
Albus Dumbledore
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Harry sighed softly as he looked up at Keung. His heart filled with guilt for the way that he reacted towards Dumbledore and McGonagall. I need to apologize to them when we returned…if we return. He swallowed hard as he placed the letter on the bed.
"Shall we go then?" Ron asked the two.
They nodded to him and they all extended their hands towards the skull when they heard the door of the dormitory open.
"Don't go with me!" Nancy cried as she quickly made ran over to them and took her spot next to Ron, trying to catch her breath.
"I thought you weren't coming?" Ron asked, incredibly happy to see her.
"Sorry," Nancy said with a sincere voice as she looked at Harry and Ron. "I panicked when we were in Dumbledore's office. Though after you left his office, I got up and ran out too."
"It's all right," Harry said as he gave her a thankful smile.
"Let's go then," Keung said as he held out his hand towards the skull again. The three did the same and with a deep breath, they all touched the skull.
Harry felt this indescribable feeling in his stomach as he felt himself being lifted off the ground. This didn't feel the same as the other portkeys that he has taken before, and his heart started to pound uncontrollably. He knew that they could be walking directly into a trap and if they did, it would have been his fault. A bright light soon flashed causing Harry to close his eyes.
When the light had vanished, Harry felt a gust of heat hit him, causing him to take a few steps back. He opened his eyes and soon realized that the four of them were at the base of a mountain. Harry observed their surroundings, hearing nothing for the exception of their footsteps and the sound of something boiling. The sky was dark and large volumes of smoke filled the air from what looked like an opening from the top of the mountain.
Keung held the skull in his hand and he carefully placed it on the ground in between two large boulders. He pulled out his silver wand, and with a flick of wrist and a small enchantment, the skull transfigured itself into a blue rock. He covered the blue rock with several small ones before he got up and dusted himself off. He smiled at the three and they cautiously made their way towards the mountain.
Harry, Ron, and Nancy loosened their ties as they continued their advancement. The heat the mountain was emanating was horrendous, causing the four to sweat. Harry tried to take in a deep breath but stopped himself as the hot air started to fill his lungs. He then noticed something. The closer they walked towards the mountain, the stench of sulfur and brimstone got stronger.
"Look over there," Nancy said as she pointed towards an opening in the side of the mountain.
Keung looked at the three and nodded as they started to walk towards it, Keung in front.
They walked inside the opening and found that it was an entrance to a large cave. They quietly made their way into the mountain and were somewhat surprised to find a large staircase. Harry and Ron looked at each other with confused looks as they proceeded to climb the stairs. The stairs were made out of soft dirt and slightly deformed as the four stepped on them. Their leg muscles started to ache, but they didn't mind, for the temperature slowly dropped the higher they climbed.
The four stopped when they reached a large metallic door. The door stood at least twenty feet tall, covered with strange inscriptions and markings. Keung walked towards it and placed his hand on the door only to retract it quickly.
"It's burning hot," Keung exclaimed as he waved his hand, trying to cool it down.
"Is that a keyhole?" Ron asked as he pointed towards a large hole in front of him.
"Looks like it," Harry replied as he examined the hole a bit closer.
"Reins really did want me to be here," Keung said softly as he pulled out his silver wand. "Stand back you three. This lock doesn't need an ordinary key."
The three backed away and gave Keung plenty of room to do what he needed to do. He held his silver wand firmly in his hand and ignited it, his Flamora blade taking its shape. Keung pointed it at the keyhole and slowly pushed the sword into it. They heard several loud clicks, as if a lock had just been sprung, and the door slowly started to open, causing the ground to shake slightly.
"You sure about this, Harry?" Keung asked as he extinguished his blade. He turned and watched the three approach him. "I know that you and Ron have been through situations like this during your first five years of Hogwarts…but this is different. This situation will be far more worse that anything any of us can imagine."
Harry gave him a firm nod as he looked over at Ron and Nancy. Ron was shaking slightly, but he kept a determined look on his face. Nancy stayed completely motionless, her eyes staring into at the long passageway that the giant door had revealed.
"You told me to never let her go," Harry answered as his gaze moved by to Keung.
Keung smiled at him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. He gave Harry a reassured nod and the four cautiously made their way inside.