They had looked for almost four hours without any luck when Hermione remembered something. ‘Of course, how could I be so stupid?’ she said.
‘well what happened?’ asked Ron.
‘If I were Voldemort and I had to keep my soul somewhere, I would do it in Slytherine’s room. Not in these filthy places. Let’s go, we need to go down.’
And they ran downwards. There was no elevator so they had to go through the slippery, congested stairs which hadn’t been cleaned for years. There were trolley’s like gringotts, but they knew they’ll be caught if they use them. So they reached the bottommost floor. it was locked. There were no dementors there. haryy had also noticed that there was no death eater in Azkaban. The dementors were so efficient for Voldemort that he did not need any more security. They tried penetrating the door to Slyhterine’s room but failed. Even snuid could not help here.
‘what do we do now?’ asked Ron.
‘Break it, I guess’ said Harry.
‘No we can’t.’ said Hermione. ‘because it will tell the dementors that there are imposters in the jail and secondly, the door is magically protected so it can’t be broken.’
‘then what do we do?’ said Harry.
‘You do Harry. Use parseltongue.’ She said.
‘Oh yeah! Said Harry. But before he could say anything, Ron hissed something. and the door opened. Harry was shocked. When did Ron learn parseltongue? He thought, but Hermione was scandalized. It was as though she was counting the last minutes of her life.
Ron looked back and said, ‘what? Harry always makes this noise when he asks something to open up in parseltongue. I just imitated him.’
Harry relaxed, even took a sigh of relief. For a moment Harry had thought that Ron was Voldemort in disguise. They went inside the room. It was totally different from the other parts of Azkaban. It was not chilly, but Harry could sense pure evil in there. He was getting evil vibes from there. It was a big room which was brightly lit by fire torches. The room had a lot of cupboards which had things that looked like dark magic. In the middle of the room was a huge bed. But there was nothing special in the room. Nothing that could be a horcrux. And then Harry looked at the corner of the room. There was a fire place which had fire burning. Inside the fire was something shiny. He pointed it to Ron and Hermione. They decided to go there. Harry had just taken one step, when he was thrown back.
‘What do we do now?’ Hermione asked.
Harry knew what was now to be done. Sacrifice. He rubbed his hand with the sharp edge of the wall. It started to bleed. He dropped the blood on the floor and took another step. I worked. Ron Hermione also had to cut their hands and drop some blood on it. Then they walked inside. They walked near the fireplace, and saw what was inside it, it was a bone, a very old bone. Harry said, ‘Accio Bone’ but instead of the bone coming out, the whole room was engulfed in the fire for a second. The fire, Harry felt, was not hot, but ice cold indeed. Hermione had also felt the same thing. She tried to touch it with the tip of her finger.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ she screamed. The portion of her finger that had touched the fire had been cut completely.
‘Hermione’, said Harry ‘are you okay?’
‘no I’m not.’ She said, ‘but this can wait. We need to find out a way to take the bone out. Try parseltongue, Harry’
Harry tried, but nothing happened. What is it, he thought that can stop this kind of a fire? He tried to think hard and then he remembered… he had seen the speel before but never tried it. Grindelwald had used it on Dumbledore. Harry thought of giving it a try. He pointed his want at himself and shouted, ‘aqualter’ nothing happened. He tried again, this time, he felt his other hand had become liquid. He looked at his hand, it was water. He put his water hand in the fire. He felt a deep burning sensation inside him. The evil fire was penetrating him, it was unbearable. He took his hand out. It was not working. He then tried another spell, the one Dumbledore had used. He somehow felt he knew how to use this spell, he thought of his mother and father and of all the people who had died for him. He then pointed his wand at himself and shouted, ‘Blazio Patronum’ he felt the transformation, even though he could not figure out what he was but he knew the spell had worked. He was fire. He then mixed himself with the fire where the bone was kept. He could now move freely inside the fire. He held the bone and took it out.
He came out of the fire. He was still transformed into fire when Hermione was saying, ‘wow Harry, you did it.’
Harry looked at Ron and saw pure loathing on his face. And then Ron spoke, in a voice that Harry hated the most, in voldemort’s voice , ‘very good potter, but too bad your plan failed. I am coming there potter, and till then, my servants will take care of you.’
Harry was scandalized on what he heard. Just then the door opened and dementors entered. The caught Ron and Hermione but couldn’t come near Harry as he was still all fire. Then, Ron came back to his senses and started shouting for help. Somehow the dementors were not harming Ron, but they were moving closer to Hermione, and Harry knew that they were about to give her the dementor’s kiss.
Just when one of the dementor was about to do it and the distance between Hermione’s lips and it’s mouth was very less, Harry got the idea, he ran and put the bone between the mouth and her lips. The dementors mouth touched the bone and a loud cry erupted from the bone. Harry knew that dementors suck the soul and the bone had voldemort’s soul which was now destroyed by the kiss.
The dementors seemed to have realized what they had done and so they were backing off. Hermione got her wand and produced a patronus. The dementors left the room. Hermione said, ‘we need to get out fast. Harry, hold Ron. We can’t leave him here.’
Harry realized that he was now in his normal form. He and Hermione helped Ron in walking because he was extremely tired after being possessed by Voldemort. The snuid was still working, as they could move through the doors. Soon they were in the sea. Hermione found the boat through magic and soon they left, before Voldemort could come. Inside the boat, when Hermione saw Ron sleeping, she told Harry, ‘Harry, he’s it, Ron’s it… Ron is a horcrux.’
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Chapter 28: The Coldest Christmas
That morning, Harry Ron and Hermione left for Azkaban. They left a note for Neville so that no one would wonder where they had gone. They had lied in that note. They wrote that they are going to meet some old wizard Dumbledore had told them to meet, who can teach them real advanced magic. Once they left the castle, they entered Hogsmede. There they apparated. Hermione helped them as she had seen the sea coast which was closest to Azkaban. There, Hermione conjured a boat, a simple boat, except for the face that it was unsinkable. It was a small boat that when put in water looked undistinguishable .They went in the boat and covered themselves with the cloak. Hermione also produced a small patronus inside the cloak so that they will be safe from the dementors. They left the shore. The boat was magically moving towards the direction of Azkaban.
It took them three hours to reach Azkaban. They could feel the chill. Even Hermione’s patronus wasn’t too much of a help.
‘okay, we’re about to hit the island. But we need to prevent it. If we hit, they’ll know someone is here.’ Said Hermione.
‘but how do we stop it?’ said Harry.
‘are you a wizard or not?’ she said. ‘and don’t worry. I already did it. It will stop before hitting. As soon as it stops, we’ll jump in the water and cast the air bubble charm we’ve been practicing. Oh and before we jump, Harry, can we have the snuid?’
They took out the snuid from the shell and ate it. It tasted like the most disgusting thing Harry had ever had. Even worse than Burty Bott’s vomit flavored beans. Eating it made none of them feel any different. They jumped and casted the air bubble spell which created an air bubble around their face and helped them breathe inside water.
And they went inside the sea. It was the coldest thing Harry had ever experienced. It was as if all his body except his face was frozen. They swam deeper into the sea until they could see pipes coming out of the island rock. These were the sewage pipes that came from Azkaban. They had to get into the castle through them. As Harry got inside the pipe, what he smelled made him puke. It was the rotting sewage of years stuck to the pipes. He started fainting. Even Hermione was about to faint. Ron then, shouted ‘Aromour’ and both Harry and Hermione came back to their senses. They smelled pleasant things. They moved further. Even though they could now no more smell the sewage, it was disgusting to be walking through it. Soon they came to a place where the pipes started distributing to separate toilets. They went to one of the toilets and through it they entered Azkaban. The snuid helped them come out of the toilet. From there the task became more difficult. Even though they could move through and wall, they were afraid to be seen by anyone. So they had to move under the cloak.
But there was a bigger problem than this. The castle was full of dementors. And their aura was making them sick. They couldn’t even produce a patronus as they would be seen. The breeze was sucking all the happiness out of Harry. It was his gloomiest Christmas ever. But then Harry remembered Sirius, and how he fought the dementors by memories. And Harry remembered his memories, his friends, his parents, Dumbledore. All this strengthened Harry. It wasn’t too much, but still it at least made him able to move. He told Ron and Hermione also to think of positive things. And they moved in search of the horcrux.
It took them three hours to reach Azkaban. They could feel the chill. Even Hermione’s patronus wasn’t too much of a help.
‘okay, we’re about to hit the island. But we need to prevent it. If we hit, they’ll know someone is here.’ Said Hermione.
‘but how do we stop it?’ said Harry.
‘are you a wizard or not?’ she said. ‘and don’t worry. I already did it. It will stop before hitting. As soon as it stops, we’ll jump in the water and cast the air bubble charm we’ve been practicing. Oh and before we jump, Harry, can we have the snuid?’
They took out the snuid from the shell and ate it. It tasted like the most disgusting thing Harry had ever had. Even worse than Burty Bott’s vomit flavored beans. Eating it made none of them feel any different. They jumped and casted the air bubble spell which created an air bubble around their face and helped them breathe inside water.
And they went inside the sea. It was the coldest thing Harry had ever experienced. It was as if all his body except his face was frozen. They swam deeper into the sea until they could see pipes coming out of the island rock. These were the sewage pipes that came from Azkaban. They had to get into the castle through them. As Harry got inside the pipe, what he smelled made him puke. It was the rotting sewage of years stuck to the pipes. He started fainting. Even Hermione was about to faint. Ron then, shouted ‘Aromour’ and both Harry and Hermione came back to their senses. They smelled pleasant things. They moved further. Even though they could now no more smell the sewage, it was disgusting to be walking through it. Soon they came to a place where the pipes started distributing to separate toilets. They went to one of the toilets and through it they entered Azkaban. The snuid helped them come out of the toilet. From there the task became more difficult. Even though they could move through and wall, they were afraid to be seen by anyone. So they had to move under the cloak.
But there was a bigger problem than this. The castle was full of dementors. And their aura was making them sick. They couldn’t even produce a patronus as they would be seen. The breeze was sucking all the happiness out of Harry. It was his gloomiest Christmas ever. But then Harry remembered Sirius, and how he fought the dementors by memories. And Harry remembered his memories, his friends, his parents, Dumbledore. All this strengthened Harry. It wasn’t too much, but still it at least made him able to move. He told Ron and Hermione also to think of positive things. And they moved in search of the horcrux.
Chapter 27: Snuid
For the next few days, they had been wondering how to get into Azkaban. There would be dementors and even death eaters guarding that place. Again they decided to take Hagrid’s help in finding out more about Azkaban. He had after all been there, twice. But this time, they had decided not to tell him about their intentions, because then he would want to come with them. They were speaking to him about that place generally when he asked Harry suddenly about the birthday present Hagrid had given him. Harry had almost forgotten about it. He told Hagrid honestly that Harry didn’t know how to use it.
‘But anybody would know how to use a Snuid’ said Hagrid. There is a gel inside it. You have to eat it. And then you can penetrate anything. You can walk through walls, walk under water. But it only works for seven hours. After that you are visible and can’t penetrate a thing. And if you are inside a wall when the chant goes off, you are stuck there forever.’
And Harry knew how to get into Azkaban. They will be going through the pipelines and using the snuid, they’ll get inside in a way so that no one sees them. After that, they’ll have to find the horcrux and bring it as fast as possible.
But just a little bit of fluid won’t help. Harry knew that there were other dangers too. Ever since Voldemort had become powerful, Azkaban was full of dementors. Harry had fought many dementors before. He had even fought a group of demontors, but this time, it would be about a thousand dementors. And there will be other spells too. Not to forget Voldemort ‘s obstacles. He knew it would be difficult. So Harry, Ron and Hermione started practicing spells for Azkaban. Soon Ginny and Neville started asking questions as to what were they doing. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide their motive from their friends. But soon they were ready to go for their last horcrux hunt.
Christmas was coming. And Harry decided that they will do this on Christmas. It was an auspicious day and they will enter Azkaban on that very day.
‘But anybody would know how to use a Snuid’ said Hagrid. There is a gel inside it. You have to eat it. And then you can penetrate anything. You can walk through walls, walk under water. But it only works for seven hours. After that you are visible and can’t penetrate a thing. And if you are inside a wall when the chant goes off, you are stuck there forever.’
And Harry knew how to get into Azkaban. They will be going through the pipelines and using the snuid, they’ll get inside in a way so that no one sees them. After that, they’ll have to find the horcrux and bring it as fast as possible.
But just a little bit of fluid won’t help. Harry knew that there were other dangers too. Ever since Voldemort had become powerful, Azkaban was full of dementors. Harry had fought many dementors before. He had even fought a group of demontors, but this time, it would be about a thousand dementors. And there will be other spells too. Not to forget Voldemort ‘s obstacles. He knew it would be difficult. So Harry, Ron and Hermione started practicing spells for Azkaban. Soon Ginny and Neville started asking questions as to what were they doing. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide their motive from their friends. But soon they were ready to go for their last horcrux hunt.
Christmas was coming. And Harry decided that they will do this on Christmas. It was an auspicious day and they will enter Azkaban on that very day.
Chapter 27: Snuid
For the next few days, they had been wondering how to get into Azkaban. There would be dementors and even death eaters guarding that place. Again they decided to take Hagrid’s help in finding out more about Azkaban. He had after all been there, twice. But this time, they had decided not to tell him about their intentions, because then he would want to come with them. They were speaking to him about that place generally when he asked Harry suddenly about the birthday present Hagrid had given him. Harry had almost forgotten about it. He told Hagrid honestly that Harry didn’t know how to use it.
‘But anybody would know how to use a Snuid’ said Hagrid. There is a gel inside it. You have to eat it. And then you can penetrate anything. You can walk through walls, walk under water. But it only works for seven hours. After that you are visible and can’t penetrate a thing. And if you are inside a wall when the chant goes off, you are stuck there forever.’
And Harry knew how to get into Azkaban. They will be going through the pipelines and using the snuid, they’ll get inside in a way so that no one sees them. After that, they’ll have to find the horcrux and bring it as fast as possible.
But just a little bit of fluid won’t help. Harry knew that there were other dangers too. Ever since Voldemort had become powerful, Azkaban was full of dementors. Harry had fought many dementors before. He had even fought a group of demontors, but this time, it would be about a thousand dementors. And there will be other spells too. Not to forget Voldemort ‘s obstacles. He knew it would be difficult. So Harry, Ron and Hermione started practicing spells for Azkaban. Soon Ginny and Neville started asking questions as to what were they doing. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide their motive from their friends. But soon they were ready to go for their last horcrux hunt.
Christmas was coming. And Harry decided that they will do this on Christmas. It was an auspicious day and they will enter Azkaban on that very day.
‘But anybody would know how to use a Snuid’ said Hagrid. There is a gel inside it. You have to eat it. And then you can penetrate anything. You can walk through walls, walk under water. But it only works for seven hours. After that you are visible and can’t penetrate a thing. And if you are inside a wall when the chant goes off, you are stuck there forever.’
And Harry knew how to get into Azkaban. They will be going through the pipelines and using the snuid, they’ll get inside in a way so that no one sees them. After that, they’ll have to find the horcrux and bring it as fast as possible.
But just a little bit of fluid won’t help. Harry knew that there were other dangers too. Ever since Voldemort had become powerful, Azkaban was full of dementors. Harry had fought many dementors before. He had even fought a group of demontors, but this time, it would be about a thousand dementors. And there will be other spells too. Not to forget Voldemort ‘s obstacles. He knew it would be difficult. So Harry, Ron and Hermione started practicing spells for Azkaban. Soon Ginny and Neville started asking questions as to what were they doing. It was becoming more and more difficult to hide their motive from their friends. But soon they were ready to go for their last horcrux hunt.
Christmas was coming. And Harry decided that they will do this on Christmas. It was an auspicious day and they will enter Azkaban on that very day.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin
Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin
Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin
Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
Chapter 26: The Fifth Secret: The House Of Slytherin
Harry was proud of the fact that he, Ron and Hermione were doing great. They were now quiet close to finishing Voldemort. Just one more horcrux and he will be mortal again. But this was the most difficult thing to do. Not only was he unaware about the whereabouts of the horcrux, he didn’t even know what the horcux was. But still, he was certain that they will find it.
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
From then onwards they started spending most of their time in the library. Harry had been hearing the news of the outer world through the teachers of Hogwarts. Things were bad. Muggles were dying. So were good wizards. But there was one change since their fight at the ministry, the death eaters seemed to be a little less active. They surely had not expected themselves to be almost defeated by kids. Had Voldemort not asked them all to leave the ministry that night, they would have had a very shameful defeat.
Hermione was reading a book to Ron and Harry one afternoon when Ginny came running towards them. ‘They attacked the burrow’ she said, ‘the death eaters. No one knows what’s the condition of everybody there.’
‘We’ll have to go there and see. Come we’ll go now’ said Ron.
‘Yeah’ said Hermione.
‘No.’ said Ginny. ‘we can’t go. There are other ways of finding out. Harry – ’
‘I’ll get it’ he said, and at once he left for his dormitory. Ginny hadn’t told him what to get, but he knew. He went to his dormitory and took the Burrow’s man that ginny had given him. He ran back to Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They opened the map. There Harry could see, Mrs. Wheasley, Mr. Wheasley, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Fred and George. They were all moving. This gave Harry a sigh of relief. They were all there. And all in the conditions of moving. Later that evening Professor McGonagall told then that all was well in their home. Even Percy had rejoined the Whealsey family. It happened after they left the burrow.
One day when they were discussing the place where the last Horcrux could be hidden, it just occurred to Harry. He said, ‘hey, we know it must be hidden somewhere special. Some place Voldemort would be proud of. So what are the things that will make him proud?’
‘Slytherin’ said Ron. ‘he was proud to be his heir.’
‘Well yes,’ said Harry. ‘But where is the place that’s related to Slytherin anyways?’
‘The Slytherin common room.’ Said Ron.
‘No. I don’t think so’ said Harry.
‘Actually there is a place…’ said Hermione very slowly. ‘Oh gawd! I got it. It’s in Azkaban. The horcrux, is in Azkaban.’
‘Hermione,’ said Ron, ‘I don’t think you know who would like to hide his soul in a prison.’
‘I think Ron is right’ said Harry.
‘But don’t you know,’ she said, ‘Azkaban used to be the house of Salazar Slytherin.’
And Harry knew, that they had got the final hiding place. But how on earth were they supposed t go there?
Chapter 25: The Fourth Secret: Horcrux Redemption
‘Hermione, what is wrong with you? this is not something to be happy.’ Said Harry, although he didn’t know why he said it. After all Wormtail was the reason his parents were dead but still he felt sorry for Peter.
‘I know, but well, it’s something… I can’t tell you – wait, I can tell you now… okay, stil all of you, there something I want to tell you.’
Nobody knew what she was about to say, Harry was even scared that the truth might be disturbing. He could see the same fear on Ron’s face.
‘Well, it’s called the horcrux redemption you know, well, you don’t know, I’ll tell you. you see horcrux are termed the ultimate evil because they demand sacrifice. To create them, you need to kill someone. But in order to finish off a horcrux, someone should actually commit suicide or get himself killed in the hope that the maker of the horcrux dies. Only then can the horcrux be destroyed.’
Everyone was silent. Harry looked mortified. Ron was pale. But none of the two were even close to Hagrid who looked so shocked that he might die of shock any moment.
‘But Hermione, it’s not possible, we have destroyed so many horcruxes. No one sacrificed himself at that time.’
‘Even I wondered about this when Snape had told me about this, yes Harry, we spoke that day. And I thought of all the times when a horcrux was finished. Some things fell into place, like the ring and Nagini. But what about the diary, or the locket? But in the past few days, I got answers to all of them.’
‘So who? who sacrificed themselves for all the horcrux we finished?’ asked Ron fearfully.
‘For the locket, Harry said that Amy Benson’s husband died in the attempt to finish the horcrux. That was the redemption of the locket. Then Mrs. Black died of grief after the loss of her son, Regulus. She knew the Voldemort had horcrux. And she must have known that in order to finish it, some sacrifice must be given. She knew that she did not have the strength to finish the horcrux, so she decided that she will give the sacrifice herself.’
‘My god!’ said Ron, ‘and we cursed her so much’
‘Then Sirius Died’ this made Harry’s heart crunch. His godfather had died like this? He had an option to live. But he choose death? Hermione continued, ‘Dumbledore told Sirius about the horcrux, and said he will sacrifice himself for the cause, but Sirius was adamant on the fact that he himself will give the sacrifice. When Dumbledore said no, he purposely lost the battle so that he could give the sacrifice.’
It was unbearable to Harry, but Hermione continued, ‘then died Dumbledore. Yes, he asked Snape to kill him. Snape hated Dumbledore for telling himto do this, but Dumbledore had made his mind. He wanted snape to kill him before Draco could have done it. He wanted to protect Draco from tearing his soul.’
‘And who were the other two?’
‘Snape went next. I did not kill him, he killed himself. After telling me all this, he killed himself as a sacrifice. And that’s why we could finish of the cup. And now, Pettigrew died, our last and final redemption. So you see, I was happy that I don’t have to kill myself.’
‘KILL YOURSELF?’ barked Ron.
‘well,’ said Hermione apologetically, ‘yes, I had thought when we find the last horcrus, I will offer myself – ‘
‘bullshit’ said Harry, ‘you thought we would have let you go?’
‘Well, that’s why I wasn’t telling you. And anyways, you would have done the same thing.’
She was right, Harry, Ron and Hagrid would all have done the same thing. Then Harry realized something and said, ‘you know, Dumbledore was right. He said I would be glad to save wormtail one day. I sure am glad now.’
‘I know, but well, it’s something… I can’t tell you – wait, I can tell you now… okay, stil all of you, there something I want to tell you.’
Nobody knew what she was about to say, Harry was even scared that the truth might be disturbing. He could see the same fear on Ron’s face.
‘Well, it’s called the horcrux redemption you know, well, you don’t know, I’ll tell you. you see horcrux are termed the ultimate evil because they demand sacrifice. To create them, you need to kill someone. But in order to finish off a horcrux, someone should actually commit suicide or get himself killed in the hope that the maker of the horcrux dies. Only then can the horcrux be destroyed.’
Everyone was silent. Harry looked mortified. Ron was pale. But none of the two were even close to Hagrid who looked so shocked that he might die of shock any moment.
‘But Hermione, it’s not possible, we have destroyed so many horcruxes. No one sacrificed himself at that time.’
‘Even I wondered about this when Snape had told me about this, yes Harry, we spoke that day. And I thought of all the times when a horcrux was finished. Some things fell into place, like the ring and Nagini. But what about the diary, or the locket? But in the past few days, I got answers to all of them.’
‘So who? who sacrificed themselves for all the horcrux we finished?’ asked Ron fearfully.
‘For the locket, Harry said that Amy Benson’s husband died in the attempt to finish the horcrux. That was the redemption of the locket. Then Mrs. Black died of grief after the loss of her son, Regulus. She knew the Voldemort had horcrux. And she must have known that in order to finish it, some sacrifice must be given. She knew that she did not have the strength to finish the horcrux, so she decided that she will give the sacrifice herself.’
‘My god!’ said Ron, ‘and we cursed her so much’
‘Then Sirius Died’ this made Harry’s heart crunch. His godfather had died like this? He had an option to live. But he choose death? Hermione continued, ‘Dumbledore told Sirius about the horcrux, and said he will sacrifice himself for the cause, but Sirius was adamant on the fact that he himself will give the sacrifice. When Dumbledore said no, he purposely lost the battle so that he could give the sacrifice.’
It was unbearable to Harry, but Hermione continued, ‘then died Dumbledore. Yes, he asked Snape to kill him. Snape hated Dumbledore for telling himto do this, but Dumbledore had made his mind. He wanted snape to kill him before Draco could have done it. He wanted to protect Draco from tearing his soul.’
‘And who were the other two?’
‘Snape went next. I did not kill him, he killed himself. After telling me all this, he killed himself as a sacrifice. And that’s why we could finish of the cup. And now, Pettigrew died, our last and final redemption. So you see, I was happy that I don’t have to kill myself.’
‘KILL YOURSELF?’ barked Ron.
‘well,’ said Hermione apologetically, ‘yes, I had thought when we find the last horcrus, I will offer myself – ‘
‘bullshit’ said Harry, ‘you thought we would have let you go?’
‘Well, that’s why I wasn’t telling you. And anyways, you would have done the same thing.’
She was right, Harry, Ron and Hagrid would all have done the same thing. Then Harry realized something and said, ‘you know, Dumbledore was right. He said I would be glad to save wormtail one day. I sure am glad now.’
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Chapter 24: The Servant’s Debt
They reached Hagrid’s hut next afternoon. By the time they reached that place, they were all so tired that they went straight to the dormitories and slept. The cup was still with Harry. He kept it next to his pillow and slept. It was then that he saw it, another vision of what Voldemort was doing. He was in the ministry of magic. There was Cornelius Fudge there along with some officials and a few death eaters. Harry was again, Voldemort. Voldemort said, ‘Wormtail, how many times you want me to forget your silly mistakes? If you hadn’t helped me in my rising to power I would have killed you long ago.’
‘I – I am s-s-sorry m-m-master.’ Said the panic-stricken Wormtail who was lying on the floor.
‘Wormtail, do you now don’t like to serve your master?’
‘It’s n-n-not like th-that master’
‘then what is it? Are you worried about that potter boy then?’
‘master, he saved my life once’
At this Voldemort’s anger was at it’s peak. ‘Fool! He hissed. Why didn’t you told this to me before? You are in Harry’s debt. I can’t keep you with me anymore. Wormtail, you have to die. I will have to kill you.’
Harry was astounded to see what Wormtail did, he had expected Wormtail to beg, plead for dear life, but wormtail stood up, still quiet insignificant and said, ‘Then I wish that I give my life willingly so that my sacrifice can help bring your end.’
‘Fool!’ Harry Hissed. ‘No one can kill me. I am immortal’
And wormtail, from his silver hand, helt his neck and broke it into two pieces. His held fell down and Harry woke up.
‘quick’ he told Ron and Hermione. ‘we need to destroy the cup now.’
He took out his cloak and went to the headmasters office. There was the Gryffindor’s sword. He took it out of the shelf and brought it Hagrid’s hut, where he had told Ron and Hermione to take the cup. Hagrid and others were waiting for him there. Harry asked Ron to pierce the cup with the sword. Ron took the sword in his hand, he was just about to cut it when suddenly his whole body started paining. He fell on the floor. it was as if he was suffering from the crusiartus curse. There was no ending to the pain. So, quickly, Hagrid took the sword and pierced it in the cup. A loud scream came from the cup which died soon. Even Ron’s pain stopped. The horcrux was finished.
‘There’s just one left’ they were shouting in happiness.
‘well, I have something to tell you’ Harry told them, and he told them about the vision he had. Everyone was confused, but Hermione was immensely happy.
‘I – I am s-s-sorry m-m-master.’ Said the panic-stricken Wormtail who was lying on the floor.
‘Wormtail, do you now don’t like to serve your master?’
‘It’s n-n-not like th-that master’
‘then what is it? Are you worried about that potter boy then?’
‘master, he saved my life once’
At this Voldemort’s anger was at it’s peak. ‘Fool! He hissed. Why didn’t you told this to me before? You are in Harry’s debt. I can’t keep you with me anymore. Wormtail, you have to die. I will have to kill you.’
Harry was astounded to see what Wormtail did, he had expected Wormtail to beg, plead for dear life, but wormtail stood up, still quiet insignificant and said, ‘Then I wish that I give my life willingly so that my sacrifice can help bring your end.’
‘Fool!’ Harry Hissed. ‘No one can kill me. I am immortal’
And wormtail, from his silver hand, helt his neck and broke it into two pieces. His held fell down and Harry woke up.
‘quick’ he told Ron and Hermione. ‘we need to destroy the cup now.’
He took out his cloak and went to the headmasters office. There was the Gryffindor’s sword. He took it out of the shelf and brought it Hagrid’s hut, where he had told Ron and Hermione to take the cup. Hagrid and others were waiting for him there. Harry asked Ron to pierce the cup with the sword. Ron took the sword in his hand, he was just about to cut it when suddenly his whole body started paining. He fell on the floor. it was as if he was suffering from the crusiartus curse. There was no ending to the pain. So, quickly, Hagrid took the sword and pierced it in the cup. A loud scream came from the cup which died soon. Even Ron’s pain stopped. The horcrux was finished.
‘There’s just one left’ they were shouting in happiness.
‘well, I have something to tell you’ Harry told them, and he told them about the vision he had. Everyone was confused, but Hermione was immensely happy.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chapter 23: Retrieving The Horcrux
One minute after Hermione’s curse, things seemed to become visible once again. Harry felt calmer and he could see that the others were calm too. Everyone but Ron. He was still looking furious. He raised his wand and pointed at Hermione, he shouted, ‘Crusio’
Hermione screamed. She was floating in midair, howling with pain. Hagrid pushed Ron and made him fall. His wand fell. Ron got up and started fighting with his hands.
Harry asked Hagrid, ‘What happened to him?’
Hagrid said, ‘It’s the effect of this place. Has he been close to or attacked by something evil lately?’
‘Well yes, Voldemort attacked him.’
‘sure than, the corazio spell has no effect on him.’
Meanwhile, Hermione said, ‘Oh! Stop chit-chatting and look for the Horcrux. The spell only works for five minutes.’
‘But where could it be?’ asked Harry.
‘Under the monolith, off course. All evil things are hidden under the Devil’s commandments.’ She said. She couldn’t still move because of the pain and this was the major drawback. Harry didn’t know what to do.
‘But how on earth are we supposed to get to it?’ he asked.
‘We can’t’ said Hagrid. ‘only something evil can do that.’ It was really hard for Hagrid to talk because Ron was constantly hitting him.
‘there’s one option’ said Harry, ‘Ron is right now under the effect of something evil, so we can ask him to get the monolith removed.’
‘Yeah that’s likely’ said Hermione.
Ron had found his wand and he was picking it. ‘Hagrid, move’ said Harry. He took out his own wand and shouted at Ron, ‘hey, redhead, come and fight me’
Ron looked furious. He pointed his wand at Harry and shouted, ‘Avda KeDavra’
Harry ran at the right moment, avoiding the curse by inches. The curse then hit the monolith. The monolith broke into two pieces and fell. Hermione just in time did the body binding curse on Ron. Harry went close to the hole that was now created where the monolith stood a few minutes ago. There were a lot of things there. Books, trophies, etc. Harry knew that these were to confuse anyone who comes here. He knew that touching the wrong object would mean a painful death. But he knew what he needed. Hufflepuff’s cup was kept in one corner of the mound of objects. He took his wand, pointed it at the cup and said, wingardiun leviosa, it flew in the air. He held it in his hand. His scar burned like fire. But he did not loose the grip. The didn’t have time. The sense of anger was starting in him again. As fast as possible they went out of the circle. Hagrid was carrying Ron on his shoulders. As soon as they left the circle, the monolith was intact again and everyone was calmer, even Ron.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Chapter Twenty Two: The Third Secret: The Devil’s Commandments
Harry didn’t know weather to take Hagrid’s help or not. He did not want to tell anyone what he was up to. But he decided that he will take his help. After all, there were no chance that they would find the monolith without his help. As they went to Hagrid, he said, ‘Now wait a minute, what for do you want to go to the forests now? It’s dangerous out there.’
‘But Hagrid, we need to find something. We know it’s there. In the forest.’
‘What’s in there?’ he asked.
‘Hagrid,’ said Hermione, ‘Dumbledore left us a task. Now Voldemort had left some things hidden in different places. These things are important to him. We don’t know what they are, they could be a weapon he had saved for later or something that he values… we don’t know what they are. But Dumbledore told us that we need to destroy it before we can destroy Voldemort. So you see –‘
But Hermione stopped. Hagrid was looking horrified. ‘Horcrux’ he said. ‘you people have been looking for horcrux. And I know that you know what they are… where is it? Where is it in the forest?’
‘there is a barren area in the forest where there is a monolith. It’s – ‘ said Ron but Hagrid cut him midway.
‘The devil’s circle’ he said, ‘I know that place. The scariest place I’ve ever seen. Apart from Azkaban. You folks are not going anywhere. I will go there with professor McGonagall and Flitwick, you thre–
Harry interrupted, ‘NO HAGRID, it’s my fight, my battle. I have to do it. And Ron and Hermione are in it with me. I know they won’t back out either’
‘But it’s a horcrux you are dealing with Harry, you have no idea’ he said.
‘Hagrid, after destroying two of them if you feel we have no idea, then I don’t know what you –‘
What do you mean?’ Hagrid said. ‘destroyed two? How many are there?’
‘Six’ said Ron. And at this Hagrid looked absolutely stunned. Harry had never seen Hagrid look so horrified.
Hermione said, ‘But four of them have already been destroyed.’ And they told him about all the other horcruxes. As soon as they finished, Hagrid said, ‘let’s go then’ and they were off to the forbidden forests.
The had been walking for hours and hours without reaching anywhere. Harry could sense that it was night by now. They were so deep in the forest that there was no natural light. This was place Harry had never seen. There were magical creatures that he never knew about. There was big black curtain like thing hanging from a tree. Harry thought it was a cloak of someone, some student of Hogwarts perhaps but was frightened to death when he went closer and saw that it had eyes.
‘There’re Dropes, magical creatures you’ll not find anywhere but this forests.’ Hermione said. Harry was a bit fed up of Hermione as she showed so much interest in seeing these creatures. She made them all stop for half an hour when she sat chatting with a cat with three heads of which one head spoke intellectual stuff, the other said rubbish and the third said nothing at all. Later she told them that “Porgota” (that’s what the 3-headed cat liked herself to be called) had seen the whole world and was five hundred year old. She had now come to the forbidden forest to make it her final resting place, after all, she was about to die in just hundred years.
“Hundred years, and that mental cat thinks she has no time left? Well look at us. With you-know-who after us, it would be a miracle if we could live for another year’ said Ron.
Twelve hours had passed since they had left. And now the density of trees was decreasing. Hagrid said that they were about to reach the Devil’s Commandments.
‘Hagrid, why do they call it the devil’s commandments? I mean strange name for a place.’ Asked Ron.
‘well’ he replied, ‘it’s no ordinary monolith there. that monolith contains powers of turning pure hearts into evil.’
‘But then, how are we supposed to save ourselves?’ said Hermione.
‘just a moment.’ said Hagrid.
They had finally reached the barren land. It was like a crop circle, with a monolith at it’s centre. The monolith had things written on it. Some symbols. Harry felt a sudden surge of hatred in him. He felt like hitting Hagrid. He had even raised his had when Hagrid pointed his umbrella at the monolith and shouted, ‘CORAZIO’
But nothing happened. Then, Hermione pointed her wand and shouted ‘The DEVIL’S COMMANDMENTS, CORAZIO’
And everything went white. As if they were in between two parallel worlds.
‘But Hagrid, we need to find something. We know it’s there. In the forest.’
‘What’s in there?’ he asked.
‘Hagrid,’ said Hermione, ‘Dumbledore left us a task. Now Voldemort had left some things hidden in different places. These things are important to him. We don’t know what they are, they could be a weapon he had saved for later or something that he values… we don’t know what they are. But Dumbledore told us that we need to destroy it before we can destroy Voldemort. So you see –‘
But Hermione stopped. Hagrid was looking horrified. ‘Horcrux’ he said. ‘you people have been looking for horcrux. And I know that you know what they are… where is it? Where is it in the forest?’
‘there is a barren area in the forest where there is a monolith. It’s – ‘ said Ron but Hagrid cut him midway.
‘The devil’s circle’ he said, ‘I know that place. The scariest place I’ve ever seen. Apart from Azkaban. You folks are not going anywhere. I will go there with professor McGonagall and Flitwick, you thre–
Harry interrupted, ‘NO HAGRID, it’s my fight, my battle. I have to do it. And Ron and Hermione are in it with me. I know they won’t back out either’
‘But it’s a horcrux you are dealing with Harry, you have no idea’ he said.
‘Hagrid, after destroying two of them if you feel we have no idea, then I don’t know what you –‘
What do you mean?’ Hagrid said. ‘destroyed two? How many are there?’
‘Six’ said Ron. And at this Hagrid looked absolutely stunned. Harry had never seen Hagrid look so horrified.
Hermione said, ‘But four of them have already been destroyed.’ And they told him about all the other horcruxes. As soon as they finished, Hagrid said, ‘let’s go then’ and they were off to the forbidden forests.
The had been walking for hours and hours without reaching anywhere. Harry could sense that it was night by now. They were so deep in the forest that there was no natural light. This was place Harry had never seen. There were magical creatures that he never knew about. There was big black curtain like thing hanging from a tree. Harry thought it was a cloak of someone, some student of Hogwarts perhaps but was frightened to death when he went closer and saw that it had eyes.
‘There’re Dropes, magical creatures you’ll not find anywhere but this forests.’ Hermione said. Harry was a bit fed up of Hermione as she showed so much interest in seeing these creatures. She made them all stop for half an hour when she sat chatting with a cat with three heads of which one head spoke intellectual stuff, the other said rubbish and the third said nothing at all. Later she told them that “Porgota” (that’s what the 3-headed cat liked herself to be called) had seen the whole world and was five hundred year old. She had now come to the forbidden forest to make it her final resting place, after all, she was about to die in just hundred years.
“Hundred years, and that mental cat thinks she has no time left? Well look at us. With you-know-who after us, it would be a miracle if we could live for another year’ said Ron.
Twelve hours had passed since they had left. And now the density of trees was decreasing. Hagrid said that they were about to reach the Devil’s Commandments.
‘Hagrid, why do they call it the devil’s commandments? I mean strange name for a place.’ Asked Ron.
‘well’ he replied, ‘it’s no ordinary monolith there. that monolith contains powers of turning pure hearts into evil.’
‘But then, how are we supposed to save ourselves?’ said Hermione.
‘just a moment.’ said Hagrid.
They had finally reached the barren land. It was like a crop circle, with a monolith at it’s centre. The monolith had things written on it. Some symbols. Harry felt a sudden surge of hatred in him. He felt like hitting Hagrid. He had even raised his had when Hagrid pointed his umbrella at the monolith and shouted, ‘CORAZIO’
But nothing happened. Then, Hermione pointed her wand and shouted ‘The DEVIL’S COMMANDMENTS, CORAZIO’
And everything went white. As if they were in between two parallel worlds.
Chapter Twenty Two: The Third Secret: The Devil’s Commandments
Harry didn’t know weather to take Hagrid’s help or not. He did not want to tell anyone what he was up to. But he decided that he will take his help. After all, there were no chance that they would find the monolith without his help. As they went to Hagrid, he said, ‘Now wait a minute, what for do you want to go to the forests now? It’s dangerous out there.’
‘But Hagrid, we need to find something. We know it’s there. In the forest.’
‘What’s in there?’ he asked.
‘Hagrid,’ said Hermione, ‘Dumbledore left us a task. Now Voldemort had left some things hidden in different places. These things are important to him. We don’t know what they are, they could be a weapon he had saved for later or something that he values… we don’t know what they are. But Dumbledore told us that we need to destroy it before we can destroy Voldemort. So you see –‘
But Hermione stopped. Hagrid was looking horrified. ‘Horcrux’ he said. ‘you people have been looking for horcrux. And I know that you know what they are… where is it? Where is it in the forest?’
‘there is a barren area in the forest where there is a monolith. It’s – ‘ said Ron but Hagrid cut him midway.
‘The devil’s circle’ he said, ‘I know that place. The scariest place I’ve ever seen. Apart from Azkaban. You folks are not going anywhere. I will go there with professor McGonagall and Flitwick, you thre–
Harry interrupted, ‘NO HAGRID, it’s my fight, my battle. I have to do it. And Ron and Hermione are in it with me. I know they won’t back out either’
‘But it’s a horcrux you are dealing with Harry, you have no idea’ he said.
‘Hagrid, after destroying two of them if you feel we have no idea, then I don’t know what you –‘
What do you mean?’ Hagrid said. ‘destroyed two? How many are there?’
‘Six’ said Ron. And at this Hagrid looked absolutely stunned. Harry had never seen Hagrid look so horrified.
Hermione said, ‘But four of them have already been destroyed.’ And they told him about all the other horcruxes. As soon as they finished, Hagrid said, ‘let’s go then’ and they were off to the forbidden forests.
The had been walking for hours and hours without reaching anywhere. Harry could sense that it was night by now. They were so deep in the forest that there was no natural light. This was place Harry had never seen. There were magical creatures that he never knew about. There was big black curtain like thing hanging from a tree. Harry thought it was a cloak of someone, some student of Hogwarts perhaps but was frightened to death when he went closer and saw that it had eyes.
‘There’re Dropes, magical creatures you’ll not find anywhere but this forests.’ Hermione said. Harry was a bit fed up of Hermione as she showed so much interest in seeing these creatures. She made them all stop for half an hour when she sat chatting with a cat with three heads of which one head spoke intellectual stuff, the other said rubbish and the third said nothing at all. Later she told them that “Porgota” (that’s what the 3-headed cat liked herself to be called) had seen the whole world and was five hundred year old. She had now come to the forbidden forest to make it her final resting place, after all, she was about to die in just hundred years.
“Hundred years, and that mental cat thinks she has no time left? Well look at us. With you-know-who after us, it would be a miracle if we could live for another year’ said Ron.
Twelve hours had passed since they had left. And now the density of trees was decreasing. Hagrid said that they were about to reach the Devil’s Commandments.
‘Hagrid, why do they call it the devil’s commandments? I mean strange name for a place.’ Asked Ron.
‘well’ he replied, ‘it’s no ordinary monolith there. that monolith contains powers of turning pure hearts into evil.’
‘But then, how are we supposed to save ourselves?’ said Hermione.
‘just a moment.’ said Hagrid.
They had finally reached the barren land. It was like a crop circle, with a monolith at it’s centre. The monolith had things written on it. Some symbols. Harry felt a sudden surge of hatred in him. He felt like hitting Hagrid. He had even raised his had when Hagrid pointed his umbrella at the monolith and shouted, ‘CORAZIO’
But nothing happened. Then, Hermione pointed her wand and shouted ‘The DEVIL’S COMMANDMENTS, CORAZIO’
And everything went white. As if they were in between two parallel worlds.
‘But Hagrid, we need to find something. We know it’s there. In the forest.’
‘What’s in there?’ he asked.
‘Hagrid,’ said Hermione, ‘Dumbledore left us a task. Now Voldemort had left some things hidden in different places. These things are important to him. We don’t know what they are, they could be a weapon he had saved for later or something that he values… we don’t know what they are. But Dumbledore told us that we need to destroy it before we can destroy Voldemort. So you see –‘
But Hermione stopped. Hagrid was looking horrified. ‘Horcrux’ he said. ‘you people have been looking for horcrux. And I know that you know what they are… where is it? Where is it in the forest?’
‘there is a barren area in the forest where there is a monolith. It’s – ‘ said Ron but Hagrid cut him midway.
‘The devil’s circle’ he said, ‘I know that place. The scariest place I’ve ever seen. Apart from Azkaban. You folks are not going anywhere. I will go there with professor McGonagall and Flitwick, you thre–
Harry interrupted, ‘NO HAGRID, it’s my fight, my battle. I have to do it. And Ron and Hermione are in it with me. I know they won’t back out either’
‘But it’s a horcrux you are dealing with Harry, you have no idea’ he said.
‘Hagrid, after destroying two of them if you feel we have no idea, then I don’t know what you –‘
What do you mean?’ Hagrid said. ‘destroyed two? How many are there?’
‘Six’ said Ron. And at this Hagrid looked absolutely stunned. Harry had never seen Hagrid look so horrified.
Hermione said, ‘But four of them have already been destroyed.’ And they told him about all the other horcruxes. As soon as they finished, Hagrid said, ‘let’s go then’ and they were off to the forbidden forests.
The had been walking for hours and hours without reaching anywhere. Harry could sense that it was night by now. They were so deep in the forest that there was no natural light. This was place Harry had never seen. There were magical creatures that he never knew about. There was big black curtain like thing hanging from a tree. Harry thought it was a cloak of someone, some student of Hogwarts perhaps but was frightened to death when he went closer and saw that it had eyes.
‘There’re Dropes, magical creatures you’ll not find anywhere but this forests.’ Hermione said. Harry was a bit fed up of Hermione as she showed so much interest in seeing these creatures. She made them all stop for half an hour when she sat chatting with a cat with three heads of which one head spoke intellectual stuff, the other said rubbish and the third said nothing at all. Later she told them that “Porgota” (that’s what the 3-headed cat liked herself to be called) had seen the whole world and was five hundred year old. She had now come to the forbidden forest to make it her final resting place, after all, she was about to die in just hundred years.
“Hundred years, and that mental cat thinks she has no time left? Well look at us. With you-know-who after us, it would be a miracle if we could live for another year’ said Ron.
Twelve hours had passed since they had left. And now the density of trees was decreasing. Hagrid said that they were about to reach the Devil’s Commandments.
‘Hagrid, why do they call it the devil’s commandments? I mean strange name for a place.’ Asked Ron.
‘well’ he replied, ‘it’s no ordinary monolith there. that monolith contains powers of turning pure hearts into evil.’
‘But then, how are we supposed to save ourselves?’ said Hermione.
‘just a moment.’ said Hagrid.
They had finally reached the barren land. It was like a crop circle, with a monolith at it’s centre. The monolith had things written on it. Some symbols. Harry felt a sudden surge of hatred in him. He felt like hitting Hagrid. He had even raised his had when Hagrid pointed his umbrella at the monolith and shouted, ‘CORAZIO’
But nothing happened. Then, Hermione pointed her wand and shouted ‘The DEVIL’S COMMANDMENTS, CORAZIO’
And everything went white. As if they were in between two parallel worlds.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Chapter Twenty One: Hogwarts, The Hidden
Next morning the all went to Hagrid’s hut. Hagrid was surprised to see them all. Although they had met last night, he expected them to be in their classes at that time.
‘Hey, what are ya folks doin out here at this time? Don’t you have classes?’
‘We are not studying at Hogwarts this year. Not now when the term is half over.’ Said Harry.
‘So what brings you here?’
‘Hagrid, do you know any place in Hogwarts where Voldemort always went? Like some secret hideout?’ asked Hermione.
Hagrid looked shocked on being asked such a question, even offended. ‘what do you think I was his friend or something?’ he said.
‘Hagrid, it’s okay. We know at school he was everyone’s favorite. The most talented. It’s really important for us to know if he had any such place where no one else went.’ Said Harry.
‘well you know if there was some place he wanted to hide from someone, then he would make sure no one would ever get to know about it. But you can still try the secret room of Hogwarts. The room of requirements, I mean.’
‘But we’ve been there’ said Ron.
‘No, I think he is right, Ron.’ Said Harry. ‘When last year I went there to hide something, there were hundred’s of things there. Maybe, one of them was the –‘
‘Harry’ stopped Ron.
‘I think we should go and have a look.’ Said Hermione.
And they ran towards the castle. Hagrid behind them kept shouting,’ NEVER MIND TELLING ME WHAT YOU’RE UP TO’
They looked throughout the room of requirement but couldn’t find anything. It made Harry angry that their efforts were going in vain. Then suddenly, Ron jumped and said, ‘Harry, the chamber of secrets, it must be there. If Voldemort wanted to hide something anywhere, it would be in the chamber.’
‘Ron, you’re a genius’ said Hermione. And she hugged him.
Together they ran towards the girls bathroom that had the door to the chamber of secrets. Harry spoke in parseltongue and the door opened. They all went inside the chamber. The searched the pipes and passages, but found nothing. The main chamber, where Harry had met the young riddle some years ago still had the remnants of that fight. The basilisk had only it’s bones remaining. But there was nothing that could be a horcrux. Disappointment had filled Harry completely. He realized that he had been mistaken. That Ron and Hermione were right. That Voldemort wouldn’t dare keeping a Horcrux in close proximity of Dumbledore.
‘It’s not in Hogwarts’ he said. ‘we’ll leave tomorrow morning.’
And then, he heard a voice, a girl’s voice, ‘I would look in the forbidden forests if I were you’
Harry look back, surprised and said, ‘Myrtle, what are you doing here?’
Moaning Myrtle, the ghost of the girl who died when the chamber was first opened, was standing in front of Harry.
‘Well, Harry, I am here to help you. I know that you were looking for a place where he who must not be named used to spend a lot of time. I know that place. After my death, when I was floating in the lake I saw Tom Riddle going in the forests. Naturally, I followed him. He went deep into the forests, where no one had ever gone before. It was a place where there was a monolith. And there was a barren circle around the monolith. He sat there for quiet some time. And he kept coming back, yes he did. If I were you then I would go and see there. although I wouldn’t guarantee you that you will reach that place. It’s difficult, you know, to go there.’
‘Thanks, Myrtle. You were a great help.’ Said Harry. And within minutes, they were off to the forbidden forests.
‘Hey, what are ya folks doin out here at this time? Don’t you have classes?’
‘We are not studying at Hogwarts this year. Not now when the term is half over.’ Said Harry.
‘So what brings you here?’
‘Hagrid, do you know any place in Hogwarts where Voldemort always went? Like some secret hideout?’ asked Hermione.
Hagrid looked shocked on being asked such a question, even offended. ‘what do you think I was his friend or something?’ he said.
‘Hagrid, it’s okay. We know at school he was everyone’s favorite. The most talented. It’s really important for us to know if he had any such place where no one else went.’ Said Harry.
‘well you know if there was some place he wanted to hide from someone, then he would make sure no one would ever get to know about it. But you can still try the secret room of Hogwarts. The room of requirements, I mean.’
‘But we’ve been there’ said Ron.
‘No, I think he is right, Ron.’ Said Harry. ‘When last year I went there to hide something, there were hundred’s of things there. Maybe, one of them was the –‘
‘Harry’ stopped Ron.
‘I think we should go and have a look.’ Said Hermione.
And they ran towards the castle. Hagrid behind them kept shouting,’ NEVER MIND TELLING ME WHAT YOU’RE UP TO’
They looked throughout the room of requirement but couldn’t find anything. It made Harry angry that their efforts were going in vain. Then suddenly, Ron jumped and said, ‘Harry, the chamber of secrets, it must be there. If Voldemort wanted to hide something anywhere, it would be in the chamber.’
‘Ron, you’re a genius’ said Hermione. And she hugged him.
Together they ran towards the girls bathroom that had the door to the chamber of secrets. Harry spoke in parseltongue and the door opened. They all went inside the chamber. The searched the pipes and passages, but found nothing. The main chamber, where Harry had met the young riddle some years ago still had the remnants of that fight. The basilisk had only it’s bones remaining. But there was nothing that could be a horcrux. Disappointment had filled Harry completely. He realized that he had been mistaken. That Ron and Hermione were right. That Voldemort wouldn’t dare keeping a Horcrux in close proximity of Dumbledore.
‘It’s not in Hogwarts’ he said. ‘we’ll leave tomorrow morning.’
And then, he heard a voice, a girl’s voice, ‘I would look in the forbidden forests if I were you’
Harry look back, surprised and said, ‘Myrtle, what are you doing here?’
Moaning Myrtle, the ghost of the girl who died when the chamber was first opened, was standing in front of Harry.
‘Well, Harry, I am here to help you. I know that you were looking for a place where he who must not be named used to spend a lot of time. I know that place. After my death, when I was floating in the lake I saw Tom Riddle going in the forests. Naturally, I followed him. He went deep into the forests, where no one had ever gone before. It was a place where there was a monolith. And there was a barren circle around the monolith. He sat there for quiet some time. And he kept coming back, yes he did. If I were you then I would go and see there. although I wouldn’t guarantee you that you will reach that place. It’s difficult, you know, to go there.’
‘Thanks, Myrtle. You were a great help.’ Said Harry. And within minutes, they were off to the forbidden forests.
Chapter Twenty: Back to Hogwarts
There was no place in the world like Hogwarts. Now that Harry was back there, he realized how much he had missed it. He was back in the great hall. They were all discussing the fight. On the staff table, the teachers were discussing something. after some time, professor McGonagall stood up and started speaking.
‘I am very disappointed tonight.’ She said, ‘three lives have been lost because of this stupid stunt of yours. I don’t know what on earth prompted to you to do such a thing. WHY?’
Luna stood up and said, ‘Professor, I know what we did was unforgivable, that the loss is irrecoverable. But still, it’s a war professor. We saw Professor Trelawney being killed in front of us. We know people are being killed everyday, everywhere. We decided that we can’t let the death eaters go away. They must remember that we are still fighting, that the war is not over. And all those who died, they knew what they were into. They were brave and we should be proud to have such great people amongst us. It was a mutual decision, Professor. We are sorry to disappoint you but we still feel that this fight was a necessary evil. So please Professor, instead of feeling gloomy about our stupidity, it would be better that we celebrate our victory.’
Professor McGonagall looked a bit taken aback by Luna’s reply. She said, ‘Well, I think you are right Luna, it’s a war. And wars are nasty. But we are responsible for whatever happened to those children. Their parents sent them here so that they will be safe, and if they start dying here also, no one would trust Hogwarts. But having said that, I must say that it was a very brave fight indeed. Congratulations to you all, for your bravery. Congratulations.’
The newspapers next day were filled with news of the death of Umbridge. Of course, the reporters, Rita mainly, were making the children of Hogwarts as culprits. The death of the three Hogwarts students was completely ignored. Back at Hogwarts, a small funeral was kept for those children. None of their parents were complaining for the loss of their children. They were proud, proud that their own flesh and blood was so brave, so talented. At the ministry, they had decided to make Cornelius Fudge the minister for magic. His picture also given in the prophet. He was under the imperious curse, professor McGonagall had said. She could make it out in the picture.
Later that night, Hermione asked Harry why they were staying there. Harry said, ‘because of the horcrux.’
‘But Harry, it can’t be here. Right under Dumbledore’s nose. He would never dare to do it… never’ she said.
‘But I saw it in the memory, Hermione. This was the only place he ever called home. If he is keeping his horcruxes at places that mattered to him, then it must be here.’
‘Fine’ said Ron, ‘so if it is here, where in Hogwarts could it be?’
‘We need to talk to someone for this, someone who knows every inch of Hogwarts’ said Harry.
‘Fred and George’ said Ron.
‘No. someone more experienced someone who knew Voldemort.’
‘Who?’ asked Ron
‘Hagrid’ said Hermione. ‘tomorrow morning we are meeting Hagrid.’
‘I am very disappointed tonight.’ She said, ‘three lives have been lost because of this stupid stunt of yours. I don’t know what on earth prompted to you to do such a thing. WHY?’
Luna stood up and said, ‘Professor, I know what we did was unforgivable, that the loss is irrecoverable. But still, it’s a war professor. We saw Professor Trelawney being killed in front of us. We know people are being killed everyday, everywhere. We decided that we can’t let the death eaters go away. They must remember that we are still fighting, that the war is not over. And all those who died, they knew what they were into. They were brave and we should be proud to have such great people amongst us. It was a mutual decision, Professor. We are sorry to disappoint you but we still feel that this fight was a necessary evil. So please Professor, instead of feeling gloomy about our stupidity, it would be better that we celebrate our victory.’
Professor McGonagall looked a bit taken aback by Luna’s reply. She said, ‘Well, I think you are right Luna, it’s a war. And wars are nasty. But we are responsible for whatever happened to those children. Their parents sent them here so that they will be safe, and if they start dying here also, no one would trust Hogwarts. But having said that, I must say that it was a very brave fight indeed. Congratulations to you all, for your bravery. Congratulations.’
The newspapers next day were filled with news of the death of Umbridge. Of course, the reporters, Rita mainly, were making the children of Hogwarts as culprits. The death of the three Hogwarts students was completely ignored. Back at Hogwarts, a small funeral was kept for those children. None of their parents were complaining for the loss of their children. They were proud, proud that their own flesh and blood was so brave, so talented. At the ministry, they had decided to make Cornelius Fudge the minister for magic. His picture also given in the prophet. He was under the imperious curse, professor McGonagall had said. She could make it out in the picture.
Later that night, Hermione asked Harry why they were staying there. Harry said, ‘because of the horcrux.’
‘But Harry, it can’t be here. Right under Dumbledore’s nose. He would never dare to do it… never’ she said.
‘But I saw it in the memory, Hermione. This was the only place he ever called home. If he is keeping his horcruxes at places that mattered to him, then it must be here.’
‘Fine’ said Ron, ‘so if it is here, where in Hogwarts could it be?’
‘We need to talk to someone for this, someone who knows every inch of Hogwarts’ said Harry.
‘Fred and George’ said Ron.
‘No. someone more experienced someone who knew Voldemort.’
‘Who?’ asked Ron
‘Hagrid’ said Hermione. ‘tomorrow morning we are meeting Hagrid.’
Chapter Nineteen: Halloween At The Ministry
Within seconds they were on the floor of Umbridge. There were around seven death eaters there; they were fighting ten DA students. Harry Ron and Hermione joined the fight. Neville and Luna were fighting near them. Harry realized that Neville was right they were all damn good. Neville and Luna were talking while fighting.
‘Luna, I thought it would be right to tell you now that, Stupify’ said Neville.
‘what? Petrificus Totalus’
‘I – I like you, I mean, I – I leviocorpus’
‘What? About time. I thought you will never say that. Sectumsempra.’
‘that means you love me too? Annihilato’
‘Oh Yes I do. Even more that I love looking for Crumple Horned Snor- Reducto.’
The death eater they were fighting fell, and Neville and Luna kissed.
‘Oh come on!’ said Ron, ‘Not here.’
‘Oh! Sorry’ said Neville, ‘got carried away. Anyways, you know we have been joined by the order and the Hogwarts teachers. They are fighting on the floors above.’
‘And we just fought Voldemort.’ Said Harry.
‘How dare you take the dark lord’s name?’ it was Bellatrix.
‘Crucio’ shouted Neville, suddenly. The curse hit Bellatrix in her chest. She started to scream. Harry knew that you really need to feel the hatred to say this curse. But he wasn’t surprised. After what she had done to his parents, Neville was bound to feel the pain and hatred. The floor was now deserted. Most of the death eaters were now unconscious. And the students had moved to the floors above. There was Neville Luna ginny Harry Ron and Hermione and Dennis Creevey. Umbridge was still howling in pain. Neville was not ready to lift the curse, when from behind him came a shout, ‘stupefy’. It was Umbridge. Her spell hit Neville on his head and he fell on the ground. Bellatrix was now unconscious.
‘You mad old hag’ said Dennis. He was just raising his wand when Umbridge shouted, ‘AVADA KEDAVRA’ green light flew from her wand and hit Dennis on his Stomach. Everyone froze for a second. And when they realized what had happened, Ginny and Hermione went towards Dennis whereas Harry Ron and Luna went for Umbridge. ‘Expelliarmus’ shouted Ron, her wand flew from her hand. ‘Stupefy’ shouted Harry, she was stunned. ‘CRUCIO’ shouted Luna.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ Umbridge’s scream was deafening. Harry felt as if she was in extreme agony. She was trembling on the floor like a fish take out of water. ‘KILL ME, PLEASE, HAVE MERCY, KILL ME’ she was shouting.
‘Okay professor’ said Luna, ‘as you wish, SECTUMSEMPRA’
Blood started to come out of Umbridge’s body. Her screams became even louder. And Luna started to leave. She went towards Dennis’s body and started crying. And on the other side, Umbridge was dying in agony.
The lift door opened and professor Flitwick came out and said ‘The fight is over everyone. Let’s go back. The death eaters have all gone. I think they were ordered to come back. Harry, Ron, Hermione you were here too? Good to see you. now come with us to Hogwarts.’
‘No but professor – ’ Hermione started to say when Harry interrupted, ‘Okay. We’re coming.’
‘Luna, I thought it would be right to tell you now that, Stupify’ said Neville.
‘what? Petrificus Totalus’
‘I – I like you, I mean, I – I leviocorpus’
‘What? About time. I thought you will never say that. Sectumsempra.’
‘that means you love me too? Annihilato’
‘Oh Yes I do. Even more that I love looking for Crumple Horned Snor- Reducto.’
The death eater they were fighting fell, and Neville and Luna kissed.
‘Oh come on!’ said Ron, ‘Not here.’
‘Oh! Sorry’ said Neville, ‘got carried away. Anyways, you know we have been joined by the order and the Hogwarts teachers. They are fighting on the floors above.’
‘And we just fought Voldemort.’ Said Harry.
‘How dare you take the dark lord’s name?’ it was Bellatrix.
‘Crucio’ shouted Neville, suddenly. The curse hit Bellatrix in her chest. She started to scream. Harry knew that you really need to feel the hatred to say this curse. But he wasn’t surprised. After what she had done to his parents, Neville was bound to feel the pain and hatred. The floor was now deserted. Most of the death eaters were now unconscious. And the students had moved to the floors above. There was Neville Luna ginny Harry Ron and Hermione and Dennis Creevey. Umbridge was still howling in pain. Neville was not ready to lift the curse, when from behind him came a shout, ‘stupefy’. It was Umbridge. Her spell hit Neville on his head and he fell on the ground. Bellatrix was now unconscious.
‘You mad old hag’ said Dennis. He was just raising his wand when Umbridge shouted, ‘AVADA KEDAVRA’ green light flew from her wand and hit Dennis on his Stomach. Everyone froze for a second. And when they realized what had happened, Ginny and Hermione went towards Dennis whereas Harry Ron and Luna went for Umbridge. ‘Expelliarmus’ shouted Ron, her wand flew from her hand. ‘Stupefy’ shouted Harry, she was stunned. ‘CRUCIO’ shouted Luna.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ Umbridge’s scream was deafening. Harry felt as if she was in extreme agony. She was trembling on the floor like a fish take out of water. ‘KILL ME, PLEASE, HAVE MERCY, KILL ME’ she was shouting.
‘Okay professor’ said Luna, ‘as you wish, SECTUMSEMPRA’
Blood started to come out of Umbridge’s body. Her screams became even louder. And Luna started to leave. She went towards Dennis’s body and started crying. And on the other side, Umbridge was dying in agony.
The lift door opened and professor Flitwick came out and said ‘The fight is over everyone. Let’s go back. The death eaters have all gone. I think they were ordered to come back. Harry, Ron, Hermione you were here too? Good to see you. now come with us to Hogwarts.’
‘No but professor – ’ Hermione started to say when Harry interrupted, ‘Okay. We’re coming.’
Chapter Eighteen: The Very Secret Sand
Within the next few minutes they were all inside the ministry. The ministry was quiet deserted. Then malfoy said, ‘I think her office will be on level one. two. They had shifted the office there some time ago when the original room wouldn’t open for her.’
‘how do you know?’ asked Ron.
‘well, after you freed that elf of ours, father got a new one. When I left, he still kept coming to me to see if I am fine. I had taken all the information from him.’
‘But then your father must have killed him for telling you everything.’ Said Hermione in shock.
‘No. After I got all the information, I freed him. Anyone from the family of the elf’s master can free him.’
‘Well, good.’ She said, ‘you really have changed.’
‘you don’t know how it was, Hermione.’ He said. ‘it’s okay to talk about all that, but when you see all that cruelty, it’s horrible. At least for me it is.’
While walking, they came towards the fountain. Next to the fountain was a huge statue of Umbridge. Looking at that, fred and george said, ‘okay folks, time to have some fun.’
And with one swish of their wand, the statue shattered. Pieces of it flew all over. They kept running and entered the lift. The lift started going down when malfoy said ‘there are rooms of other death eaters too on other floors, would you like to see them?’
And one by one on each floor some DA members kept getting out of the lift and and going to the rooms malfoy had mentioned. On the second floor Neville Ginny and Luna left. Ron and Hermione were about to leave too when Harry stopped them.
‘I have some work at the department of mysteries. I want you to come with me’ he said. And they left.
When they reached the department of mysteries, Harry told them about a door that never opened. And that Dumbledore said that it had the power of love. He wanted to see that place again. They started looking for that door. From the floors above, they could hear loud bangs. Apparently, their ministry destruction campaign was a success. They reached the door. They tried to open it with all the jinxes they knew but nothing happened. But Harry knew it will not open. It had the power of love. So something strong and full of love could only open it. Something pure and full of love. He thought of Ginny and tried opening the door. Still it didn’t open. Then from behind Harry a cold voice said, ‘Harry Potter, we meet again’
Lord Voldemort was standing there. As scary as always looking with those slit-like eyes staring at Harry. Then Harry listened to the sounds above them, they now also had screams with the bangs. There was a fight going on above. The death eaters were there.
‘You’ll have to fight us before you can even touch Harry.’ Said Ron and Harry was shocked and yet grateful to Ron for saying such a thing to Voldemort. Ron had gathered so much courage that he was now standing between Harry and Voldemort. And Harry realized what Ron was thinking. He was trying to sacrifice himself to save Harry, just like Lily. Before Harry could say anything, Voldemort said ‘interesting, very intresting indeed.’
But Harry saw that there was fear in voldemort’s eyes. For the first time, Lord Voldemort was afraid. And then, voldemort raised his wand and pointed it at Ron, a peacock blue light came from Voldemort’s wand and hit Ron straight in the chest. Ron rose in the air and fell on the ground away from the door and away from Harry and Hermione, screaming in agony. Seeing him suffer like this Hermione shouted to scream too. She went backwards and unknowingly touched the door. The door vanished. The secret door was opened. From inside the door, came cold dusty wind that made Harry forget everything that was there. Even Hermione had forgotten her pain. Ron on the other side was calm now. But Voldemort on the other side was not well, he was behaving as if he was choking. He was sweating trying to breathe. And then came a breeze of chilled air full of silver dust, it was going towards Voldemort. But before it could touch him, he was flying. And within seconds he was out of the room. Harry and Hermione went towards Ron. Hermione hugged Ron and started kissing him. Harry thought he should not interfere at that moment so he went inside the room. It was full of dust. Sliver duse. It made Harry feel happy. Harry knew it will help in his battle against Voldemort. By this time he was joined by Hermione. She took her watch and transformed it into a bottle and filled it with that sand. They then decided to go out and help thief friends. As soon as they left the room the door reappeared.
‘how come I don’t get to go in there?’ said Ron who was fine now. They all headed towards the upper floor, to fight.
‘how do you know?’ asked Ron.
‘well, after you freed that elf of ours, father got a new one. When I left, he still kept coming to me to see if I am fine. I had taken all the information from him.’
‘But then your father must have killed him for telling you everything.’ Said Hermione in shock.
‘No. After I got all the information, I freed him. Anyone from the family of the elf’s master can free him.’
‘Well, good.’ She said, ‘you really have changed.’
‘you don’t know how it was, Hermione.’ He said. ‘it’s okay to talk about all that, but when you see all that cruelty, it’s horrible. At least for me it is.’
While walking, they came towards the fountain. Next to the fountain was a huge statue of Umbridge. Looking at that, fred and george said, ‘okay folks, time to have some fun.’
And with one swish of their wand, the statue shattered. Pieces of it flew all over. They kept running and entered the lift. The lift started going down when malfoy said ‘there are rooms of other death eaters too on other floors, would you like to see them?’
And one by one on each floor some DA members kept getting out of the lift and and going to the rooms malfoy had mentioned. On the second floor Neville Ginny and Luna left. Ron and Hermione were about to leave too when Harry stopped them.
‘I have some work at the department of mysteries. I want you to come with me’ he said. And they left.
When they reached the department of mysteries, Harry told them about a door that never opened. And that Dumbledore said that it had the power of love. He wanted to see that place again. They started looking for that door. From the floors above, they could hear loud bangs. Apparently, their ministry destruction campaign was a success. They reached the door. They tried to open it with all the jinxes they knew but nothing happened. But Harry knew it will not open. It had the power of love. So something strong and full of love could only open it. Something pure and full of love. He thought of Ginny and tried opening the door. Still it didn’t open. Then from behind Harry a cold voice said, ‘Harry Potter, we meet again’
Lord Voldemort was standing there. As scary as always looking with those slit-like eyes staring at Harry. Then Harry listened to the sounds above them, they now also had screams with the bangs. There was a fight going on above. The death eaters were there.
‘You’ll have to fight us before you can even touch Harry.’ Said Ron and Harry was shocked and yet grateful to Ron for saying such a thing to Voldemort. Ron had gathered so much courage that he was now standing between Harry and Voldemort. And Harry realized what Ron was thinking. He was trying to sacrifice himself to save Harry, just like Lily. Before Harry could say anything, Voldemort said ‘interesting, very intresting indeed.’
But Harry saw that there was fear in voldemort’s eyes. For the first time, Lord Voldemort was afraid. And then, voldemort raised his wand and pointed it at Ron, a peacock blue light came from Voldemort’s wand and hit Ron straight in the chest. Ron rose in the air and fell on the ground away from the door and away from Harry and Hermione, screaming in agony. Seeing him suffer like this Hermione shouted to scream too. She went backwards and unknowingly touched the door. The door vanished. The secret door was opened. From inside the door, came cold dusty wind that made Harry forget everything that was there. Even Hermione had forgotten her pain. Ron on the other side was calm now. But Voldemort on the other side was not well, he was behaving as if he was choking. He was sweating trying to breathe. And then came a breeze of chilled air full of silver dust, it was going towards Voldemort. But before it could touch him, he was flying. And within seconds he was out of the room. Harry and Hermione went towards Ron. Hermione hugged Ron and started kissing him. Harry thought he should not interfere at that moment so he went inside the room. It was full of dust. Sliver duse. It made Harry feel happy. Harry knew it will help in his battle against Voldemort. By this time he was joined by Hermione. She took her watch and transformed it into a bottle and filled it with that sand. They then decided to go out and help thief friends. As soon as they left the room the door reappeared.
‘how come I don’t get to go in there?’ said Ron who was fine now. They all headed towards the upper floor, to fight.
Chapter Seventeen: Reunion of The Army
As Harry returned from the memory, he told Ron and Hermione that the memory was not related to the fight. But it was his mother’s memory. He did not tell them what he had seen. It was too private for him to share to anyone. But after seeing that, his did not know what to feel for Snape after this. His mother loved Snape. And Snape loves his mother… but he betrayed Dumbledore. He killed him. Harry was confused.
For some weeks Harry Ron and Hermione stayed at Dumbledore’s house. It was safe and comfortable. They kept thinking about the places where the horcruxes could be hidded. There were still two of them out there. One was the cup, the other was the unknown object. Also, they kept practicing some difficult jinxes and spells, specialy the ones they had seen in the pensive. Although they still didn’t know about the Corazio spell.
On Halloween day they were sitting in the house when a patronus came to them. It was a bunny. Coming there it said in the same misty dreamy voice Harry knew to be Luna’s, ‘hi Harry Ron and Hermione. This is Luna. We are all fine here. We are at Hogwarts. Neville and Ginny and other say hello. Actually we are trying to do something. We are… ar – trying to break into the ministry. Just to make things difficult for the other side. And we plan to er- leave some Halloween presents for Umbridge. The whole DA is coming. Plus we now have malfoy. He has told us some real good secrets about the ministry to make things much easier. We haven’t told the teachers about it because – you know – they will try to stop us. But we are doing this anyway. If you would like to join us come and meet us at the telephone booth tonight. We are doing this at night so that there won’t be anyone at the ministry. We can cause as much destruction as we want without being interrupted. So see you tonight. But if you don’t come, it’s fine. We’ll understand.’
‘they’re mental’ said Ron.
‘it’s insane. They’ll get caught within minutes’ said Hermione.
‘we need to go and stop them’ said Harry.
Before dark they were ready to go. They apparated from outside the house. Apparating together under the cloak was difficult. The squeezing feeling was bad and there was the fear of being seen. When they reached the ministry entrance it was deserted. There was no one. Then they heard some music from behind. They turned. It was a small pub.
‘let’s go in there’ said Hermione.
And they went inside. As they went there they saw some familiar faces. The room was full of the DA members. They immediately removed the cloak and showed themselves. There was a huge applause as everyone saw them. People started hugging them. Then Hermione shouted ‘silence’ there was pin drop silence immediately. She continued, ‘what are you guys doing? Are you insane? It’s suicidal to go to the ministry like this… most of you are already wanted by the ministry-
‘Hermione’ Ginny interrupted, ‘we have thought about all this. Trust me we have a plan. We are going to drink poly-juice potion and going to get into the ministry. We have already drank some felix felicus to give us luck. And we are going to destroy Umbridge’s office and her supporters’ too. We know there is no one there tonight-
Hermione interrupted, ‘but they’ll know. They’ll come. And when they do come, how can a bunch of kids fight death-eaters? We have tried doing it before and we lost. Remember?’
‘But Hermione, we all are damn good’ said Neville. ‘we have been practicing some really good jinxes and spells in the past few months. And trust me Hermione we are really good. And all the death eaters are already out scaring muggles so we will be alone.’
Harry knew there was no point arguing. Even Ron and Hermione understood this. It was a choice they had to make, weather to be with their friends or not. They decided to go with them.
‘okay then, let’s make this the scariest Halloween for them’ said Harry.
And they all drank the poly-juice potion. Harry Ron and Hermione also drank the felix felicus.
For some weeks Harry Ron and Hermione stayed at Dumbledore’s house. It was safe and comfortable. They kept thinking about the places where the horcruxes could be hidded. There were still two of them out there. One was the cup, the other was the unknown object. Also, they kept practicing some difficult jinxes and spells, specialy the ones they had seen in the pensive. Although they still didn’t know about the Corazio spell.
On Halloween day they were sitting in the house when a patronus came to them. It was a bunny. Coming there it said in the same misty dreamy voice Harry knew to be Luna’s, ‘hi Harry Ron and Hermione. This is Luna. We are all fine here. We are at Hogwarts. Neville and Ginny and other say hello. Actually we are trying to do something. We are… ar – trying to break into the ministry. Just to make things difficult for the other side. And we plan to er- leave some Halloween presents for Umbridge. The whole DA is coming. Plus we now have malfoy. He has told us some real good secrets about the ministry to make things much easier. We haven’t told the teachers about it because – you know – they will try to stop us. But we are doing this anyway. If you would like to join us come and meet us at the telephone booth tonight. We are doing this at night so that there won’t be anyone at the ministry. We can cause as much destruction as we want without being interrupted. So see you tonight. But if you don’t come, it’s fine. We’ll understand.’
‘they’re mental’ said Ron.
‘it’s insane. They’ll get caught within minutes’ said Hermione.
‘we need to go and stop them’ said Harry.
Before dark they were ready to go. They apparated from outside the house. Apparating together under the cloak was difficult. The squeezing feeling was bad and there was the fear of being seen. When they reached the ministry entrance it was deserted. There was no one. Then they heard some music from behind. They turned. It was a small pub.
‘let’s go in there’ said Hermione.
And they went inside. As they went there they saw some familiar faces. The room was full of the DA members. They immediately removed the cloak and showed themselves. There was a huge applause as everyone saw them. People started hugging them. Then Hermione shouted ‘silence’ there was pin drop silence immediately. She continued, ‘what are you guys doing? Are you insane? It’s suicidal to go to the ministry like this… most of you are already wanted by the ministry-
‘Hermione’ Ginny interrupted, ‘we have thought about all this. Trust me we have a plan. We are going to drink poly-juice potion and going to get into the ministry. We have already drank some felix felicus to give us luck. And we are going to destroy Umbridge’s office and her supporters’ too. We know there is no one there tonight-
Hermione interrupted, ‘but they’ll know. They’ll come. And when they do come, how can a bunch of kids fight death-eaters? We have tried doing it before and we lost. Remember?’
‘But Hermione, we all are damn good’ said Neville. ‘we have been practicing some really good jinxes and spells in the past few months. And trust me Hermione we are really good. And all the death eaters are already out scaring muggles so we will be alone.’
Harry knew there was no point arguing. Even Ron and Hermione understood this. It was a choice they had to make, weather to be with their friends or not. They decided to go with them.
‘okay then, let’s make this the scariest Halloween for them’ said Harry.
And they all drank the poly-juice potion. Harry Ron and Hermione also drank the felix felicus.
Chapter Sixteen: Message through the Patronus
Once recovered from the grand battle they had just witnessed, they moved towards the third memory. There was a note on this memory that said, “Harry, watch it alone.” Ron and Hermione were disappointed.
‘you can come with me if you want’ said Harry. ‘as it is I’m going to tell you what it contains once I’m back.’
Ron was about to say yes when Hermione stopped him. ‘No, Dumbledore must have had a strong reason for saying this. Harry you go alone.
Ron looked scandalized. But Harry understood. He then went into the pensive completely unaware of what he might find there. When Harry landed he was in his father’s home. There was his mother sitting near the fireplace. Along with her was Dumbledore.
‘I just don’t know what’s wrong with him. We used to be friends. Severus and I.’ said Lily.
‘Love, Lily, love’ said Dumbledore. ‘It makes you do stupid things. And Severus loved you. Yes Lily, he did. And when you fell in love with James, he got jealous. He got jealous, extremely jealous. His frustration took him towards the dark arts. It’s all very sad. But now he is in grave danger. By telling about the prophecy to Voldemort he had put you and your family in danger. He never expected that Voldemort would choose your son as the boy mentioned in the prophecy. And now by joining our side at the last moment, he has also put his own life in danger. In fact, he is in more danger than anyone else right now. You can imagine how difficult it is to stay at all times near Voldemort and keep lying to him.’
‘But that’s insane. He-he’ll die. I want to talk to him. Where is he?’
‘He is at spinner’s end right now’ said Dumbledore.
\
‘I am going there, right now’ said Lily.
‘No. it’s dangerous. Why don’t you use a patronus?’ said Dumbledore.
Lily took out her wand and took out a patronus. Her patronus was a doe, she said ‘Severus, I forgive you for what you have done. Dumbledore had already told me why you did it. Why didn’t you ever tell me what you felt for me? I always waited for you to say that. I – I loved you too. But you were always busy with your death eater friends. And that’s was why I stopped talking to you. Then I James proposed to me. And I said yes. I knew you were too much interested in the dark arts to love anyone. and now I love James. But that doesn’t means I hate you. You will always be special to me. And I want you to stop risking your life now. Stop this two-timing. You might die any moment. I don’t want you to. So just come to out side. We have Dumbledore, you will be safe with him. Please, come back.’ And the patronus left, carrying her message.
Just as she had sent the patronus, Dumbledore said, ‘I have to go now. But may I please borrow James’s invisibility cloak for some time?’
‘Yes, sure. But what do you need it for? You can cast the best invisibility spell I have ever seen.’
‘Well, it’s a special cloak,’ he said, ‘Voldemort can detect all kinds of spells. but this cloak is the only thing that can deceive him. And I must say I will be going quiet close to him tonight, quiet close.’
‘you can come with me if you want’ said Harry. ‘as it is I’m going to tell you what it contains once I’m back.’
Ron was about to say yes when Hermione stopped him. ‘No, Dumbledore must have had a strong reason for saying this. Harry you go alone.
Ron looked scandalized. But Harry understood. He then went into the pensive completely unaware of what he might find there. When Harry landed he was in his father’s home. There was his mother sitting near the fireplace. Along with her was Dumbledore.
‘I just don’t know what’s wrong with him. We used to be friends. Severus and I.’ said Lily.
‘Love, Lily, love’ said Dumbledore. ‘It makes you do stupid things. And Severus loved you. Yes Lily, he did. And when you fell in love with James, he got jealous. He got jealous, extremely jealous. His frustration took him towards the dark arts. It’s all very sad. But now he is in grave danger. By telling about the prophecy to Voldemort he had put you and your family in danger. He never expected that Voldemort would choose your son as the boy mentioned in the prophecy. And now by joining our side at the last moment, he has also put his own life in danger. In fact, he is in more danger than anyone else right now. You can imagine how difficult it is to stay at all times near Voldemort and keep lying to him.’
‘But that’s insane. He-he’ll die. I want to talk to him. Where is he?’
‘He is at spinner’s end right now’ said Dumbledore.
\
‘I am going there, right now’ said Lily.
‘No. it’s dangerous. Why don’t you use a patronus?’ said Dumbledore.
Lily took out her wand and took out a patronus. Her patronus was a doe, she said ‘Severus, I forgive you for what you have done. Dumbledore had already told me why you did it. Why didn’t you ever tell me what you felt for me? I always waited for you to say that. I – I loved you too. But you were always busy with your death eater friends. And that’s was why I stopped talking to you. Then I James proposed to me. And I said yes. I knew you were too much interested in the dark arts to love anyone. and now I love James. But that doesn’t means I hate you. You will always be special to me. And I want you to stop risking your life now. Stop this two-timing. You might die any moment. I don’t want you to. So just come to out side. We have Dumbledore, you will be safe with him. Please, come back.’ And the patronus left, carrying her message.
Just as she had sent the patronus, Dumbledore said, ‘I have to go now. But may I please borrow James’s invisibility cloak for some time?’
‘Yes, sure. But what do you need it for? You can cast the best invisibility spell I have ever seen.’
‘Well, it’s a special cloak,’ he said, ‘Voldemort can detect all kinds of spells. but this cloak is the only thing that can deceive him. And I must say I will be going quiet close to him tonight, quiet close.’
Chapter Fifteen: The Distinguished Duel
Without wasting any time, they decided to move on to the next memory. This time when they went in, they landed at a unfamiliar place. It was a cold and less crowded city. They were on a road. On one side of them was a tall, old man.
‘It’s Grindelwald,’ Hermione said.
On the other side, was Albus Dumbledore. They were coming towards each other. All the men present there had raised their wands, but they were pointing it towards Dumbledore. And then, Grindelwald said, ‘Albus, you are alone. I have my men all around. You have got just chance, for old times sake Albus, come to my side. After all, we were friends.’
‘Our friendship had ended on that very day when you showed your interests in the dark arts by performing that curse on Ariana. Now there is only war.’ Was dumbledore’s reply.
‘well then, if you wish,’ said Grindelwald. ‘CRUCIO’
Dumbledore deflected the curse. His jinx made Grindelwald fall. Grindelwald’s men tried to jinx Dumbledore but with just one flick of his wand and the word, ‘folevitato’ all of them rose in the air and were thrown away.
By that time, Grindelwald had thrown another curse on Dumbledore, Dumbledore was trapped in a giant bubble and started spinning. Dumbledore shouted ‘relivio’ and the bubble vanished, Dumbledore landed on the ground and shouted, ‘hoarfrost’ from under the ground pieces of pointed ice started coming out and started crashing Grindelwald’s body. He was shouting in pain. Grindelwald shouted, ‘corpucus’. Three translucent figures appeared. In no time, they became solid. They were Ariana, Kenedra, and a man whom Harry thought must be Dumbledore’s father. They were screaming in pain. Shouting, dying. Even Dumbledore started screaming with them. Then Grindelwald shouted ‘lashiea’ and the doors on the houses on the two sides of the road transformes into rope and started tying Dumbledore.
Then Harry couldn’t believe his eyes as in front of him, Dumbledore shouted, ‘Blazio Patronum’ and Dumbledore transformed into a giant Lion on fire. The ferocious fire-lion moved so fast that even Grindelwald couldn’t react. He was trapped in the fire that was Dumbledore. Grindelwald was screaming in agony. Then he shouted ‘Aqualter’. He too transformed into water. The water extinguished into fire.
Within seconds, they were back in their original form. Pointing his wand towards the house on the side of Grindelwald, Dumbledore shouted ‘animato’ the house started moving towards Grindelwald and started crushing him towards the house on the other side. Grindelwald blasted the house. Grindelwald shouted, ‘Avada kedavra’ with a flick of Dumbledore’s wand, a house came between them and the curse hit it. The house was shattered. Dumbledore raised his wand and shouted, ‘GRINDELWALD CORAZIO’
A flash of pure white light hit Grindelwald in his chest. There was a loud band and Grindelwald was covered in golden mist. When the mist vanished, he was on the ground. Dumbledore went to him. They looked at each other and then Grindelwald said, ‘You won, Albus. You won.’
The place faded and Harry, Ron and Hermione came back to the present time, clearly awed by what they had seen.
‘It’s Grindelwald,’ Hermione said.
On the other side, was Albus Dumbledore. They were coming towards each other. All the men present there had raised their wands, but they were pointing it towards Dumbledore. And then, Grindelwald said, ‘Albus, you are alone. I have my men all around. You have got just chance, for old times sake Albus, come to my side. After all, we were friends.’
‘Our friendship had ended on that very day when you showed your interests in the dark arts by performing that curse on Ariana. Now there is only war.’ Was dumbledore’s reply.
‘well then, if you wish,’ said Grindelwald. ‘CRUCIO’
Dumbledore deflected the curse. His jinx made Grindelwald fall. Grindelwald’s men tried to jinx Dumbledore but with just one flick of his wand and the word, ‘folevitato’ all of them rose in the air and were thrown away.
By that time, Grindelwald had thrown another curse on Dumbledore, Dumbledore was trapped in a giant bubble and started spinning. Dumbledore shouted ‘relivio’ and the bubble vanished, Dumbledore landed on the ground and shouted, ‘hoarfrost’ from under the ground pieces of pointed ice started coming out and started crashing Grindelwald’s body. He was shouting in pain. Grindelwald shouted, ‘corpucus’. Three translucent figures appeared. In no time, they became solid. They were Ariana, Kenedra, and a man whom Harry thought must be Dumbledore’s father. They were screaming in pain. Shouting, dying. Even Dumbledore started screaming with them. Then Grindelwald shouted ‘lashiea’ and the doors on the houses on the two sides of the road transformes into rope and started tying Dumbledore.
Then Harry couldn’t believe his eyes as in front of him, Dumbledore shouted, ‘Blazio Patronum’ and Dumbledore transformed into a giant Lion on fire. The ferocious fire-lion moved so fast that even Grindelwald couldn’t react. He was trapped in the fire that was Dumbledore. Grindelwald was screaming in agony. Then he shouted ‘Aqualter’. He too transformed into water. The water extinguished into fire.
Within seconds, they were back in their original form. Pointing his wand towards the house on the side of Grindelwald, Dumbledore shouted ‘animato’ the house started moving towards Grindelwald and started crushing him towards the house on the other side. Grindelwald blasted the house. Grindelwald shouted, ‘Avada kedavra’ with a flick of Dumbledore’s wand, a house came between them and the curse hit it. The house was shattered. Dumbledore raised his wand and shouted, ‘GRINDELWALD CORAZIO’
A flash of pure white light hit Grindelwald in his chest. There was a loud band and Grindelwald was covered in golden mist. When the mist vanished, he was on the ground. Dumbledore went to him. They looked at each other and then Grindelwald said, ‘You won, Albus. You won.’
The place faded and Harry, Ron and Hermione came back to the present time, clearly awed by what they had seen.
Chapter Fourteen: Of Love and Friendship
For some time, the memories that Dumbledore had given them were forgotten. First they kept talking about what had happened last night and then they all slept heavily. Then when they were awake, the first thing they did was to takeout the pensive and see the memories of Dumbledore. They first took out the bottle number one, and emptied it into the pensive. They all went inside the pensive. They had entered the memory of the young Dumbledore. He was tall, handsome and thin, with the same bright blue eyes. He was sitting with another man, young and handsome. Hermione screamed, ‘Oh Harry! It’s Grindelwald’
Harry could not believe this. What was the connection between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. They were looking very happy, immersed in conversation. And then everything faded.
They entered a new scene. There was Dumbledore again. This time with a woman.
‘But mother,’ Dumbledore said, ‘we are friends. If there is one person here who understood me, it’s Gellert. And I don’t know why you think I should be away from him.’
‘I know everything. Everything. You-you are, in love with that man. Yes I know. You think we don’t know. Why do you think your father went to Azkaban? Those muggle boys – they were gay. He knew they were trying to influence you. And when he tried to stop them, they abused him. And he jinxed them.’
‘But they were not trying to influence me. You can’t make someone walk the other side of hedge. And yes I love Gellert. But it’s not my fault if I am like this.’
‘I am telling you that boy is no good. He is a lunatic. And you are not gay. I am sure you aren’t’
‘Mother, I love him’
His mother, Kenedra knew she had lost. She left the room crying.
The room faded. They entered a new place. It was garden. Dumbledore was walking in the garden when found a body lying. ‘Ariana,’ he screamed. He went close to her. She was dead. She was a small and young girl. Her body was bleeding. Harry saw dumbledore’s mother and brother aberforth coming. Aberforth was shouting, ‘He did it, he did it, Gellert did it. He was practising a curse when it hit her. I saw it.’
The view faded. They were now in Dumbledore’s house. A heated argument was going on.
‘I told you, he was no good. That’s why he ran away. Practicing the killing curse.’ Said Kenedra.
‘It’s because of you she died. I’m not going to leave you.’ said Aberforth.
And he hit him. He had hit Dumbledore with hard on his nose. Dumbledore started bleeding. Behind them Kenedra was shouting, trying to stop Aberforth.
The room faded again. Another scene began. It was a funeral. But not Ariana’s, it was Kenedra’s funeral. She had died. The room faded and Harry Ron and Hermione came back to the present.
Harry did not know what to say. He never thought Dumbledore’s own life was so sad and lonely. Ron looked sad too. But it was Hermione who was sobbing uncontrollably. ‘Oh! It’s all so sad. I never thought he was so lonely. So much in love, so much betrayed.’
‘He was – was gay,’ said Ron.
‘So what, that doesn’t makes him a lesser human being. Or a lesser wizard.’ said Harry.
‘yeah.’ Said Ron.
Harry could not believe this. What was the connection between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. They were looking very happy, immersed in conversation. And then everything faded.
They entered a new scene. There was Dumbledore again. This time with a woman.
‘But mother,’ Dumbledore said, ‘we are friends. If there is one person here who understood me, it’s Gellert. And I don’t know why you think I should be away from him.’
‘I know everything. Everything. You-you are, in love with that man. Yes I know. You think we don’t know. Why do you think your father went to Azkaban? Those muggle boys – they were gay. He knew they were trying to influence you. And when he tried to stop them, they abused him. And he jinxed them.’
‘But they were not trying to influence me. You can’t make someone walk the other side of hedge. And yes I love Gellert. But it’s not my fault if I am like this.’
‘I am telling you that boy is no good. He is a lunatic. And you are not gay. I am sure you aren’t’
‘Mother, I love him’
His mother, Kenedra knew she had lost. She left the room crying.
The room faded. They entered a new place. It was garden. Dumbledore was walking in the garden when found a body lying. ‘Ariana,’ he screamed. He went close to her. She was dead. She was a small and young girl. Her body was bleeding. Harry saw dumbledore’s mother and brother aberforth coming. Aberforth was shouting, ‘He did it, he did it, Gellert did it. He was practising a curse when it hit her. I saw it.’
The view faded. They were now in Dumbledore’s house. A heated argument was going on.
‘I told you, he was no good. That’s why he ran away. Practicing the killing curse.’ Said Kenedra.
‘It’s because of you she died. I’m not going to leave you.’ said Aberforth.
And he hit him. He had hit Dumbledore with hard on his nose. Dumbledore started bleeding. Behind them Kenedra was shouting, trying to stop Aberforth.
The room faded again. Another scene began. It was a funeral. But not Ariana’s, it was Kenedra’s funeral. She had died. The room faded and Harry Ron and Hermione came back to the present.
Harry did not know what to say. He never thought Dumbledore’s own life was so sad and lonely. Ron looked sad too. But it was Hermione who was sobbing uncontrollably. ‘Oh! It’s all so sad. I never thought he was so lonely. So much in love, so much betrayed.’
‘He was – was gay,’ said Ron.
‘So what, that doesn’t makes him a lesser human being. Or a lesser wizard.’ said Harry.
‘yeah.’ Said Ron.
Chapter Thirteen: The Second Secret: The Muggle’s Revenge
Harry waited for the orphanage to open. At eight in the morning he knocked. The room was opened by a slim young woman. Harry asked if he could meet Mrs. Rosetta. He was taken inside to Rosetta’s room. The orphanage had changed. It was not grim anymore. It was bright and more positive. When he went inside, he found a very old woman, who had a very pleasant face. She asked Harry to sit down. He sat.
‘Yes, my dear, how may I help you?’ she said.
‘I want to know if you know anything about R. A. B.?’
Her face changed. She looked scandalized. ‘How do you know about that? You have read that note, haven’t you? Who are you?’ she said.
‘I am Harry, Harry Potter. I want to know where the locket is. I want to destroy it. And I want to know how you came to know about the Horcrux.’
‘Well, I knew him, Tom Riddle, you know. He used to share this orphanage with me. He was strange. Very strange, demented if you ask me. And then he took me to that place, that c-c-cave.’
Harry could see just how the mention of the cave had changed her. She was no longer the amiable woman who had welcomed Harry a minute ago. But she was a scared petrified and even sad woman.
‘He spoke to snakes. I was petrified. I was never the same after that day. But then he left. He went to Hogwarts. He used to come every year during holidays, and he became scarier every year. There was something sinister about him. And then, after seven years he left for good. Never returned.’
She took a sigh. The woman who had opened the door came with a cup of coffee. Amy took a sip and started again, ‘and then after some years, I met Gordon. Gordon was a wizard, an auror. For some years, we lived happily. But then dark times began. Voldemort came to power. Things were dark and dangerous. And on one night, Albus Dumbledore came to our house. I heard him tell Gordon that he suspects Voldemort to be actually a former Hogwarts student called Tom Riddle. I was shocked to hear that name again. That night I told Gordon about Tom. He asked me about Tom, I told him about the cave incident. He decided that we go to the cave.’
Again that fear was on her face. She continued, ‘we went to the cave. It was dark and cold. There was a lot of hidden magic out there. At one point, he had to give some of his blood. It was all so evil. Then we went on a boat. Gordon said that the boat was meant for only one wizard. But since I was a muggle I could come to. There on the goblet, a locket was lying. He said it was a horcrux. He told me what it was and what it could do. He asked me to take out my locket, the one I was wearing at that time. He them transformed it to copy of locket in the goblet. He said that he is going to drink the whole potion. And after he has finished it I should swap the two lockets. And then he drank that awful potion. He had told me to make him finish the whole potion.’
As she was saying this, Harry could visualize the scene between him and Dumbledore in the cave. Even he was scared of what he might hear next next.
‘And then,’ she continued, ‘he became thirsty. I told him to drink some water from the lake. He was in terrible pain. I could see that. He told me to take the locket. He then drank some water from the lake. And then, b-b-bodies came out. They t-t-took him with t-t-them. I had taken the locket from the goblet. But before keeping the fake locket in the goblet, I decided that I will write a note in it. I took out a parchment and wrote a note to him. And then I came back. I tried to break that locket, burn it but nothing happened. And then, one night, when I was defeated, sad on my incapability to finish the locket, I cried. Ever since my husband’s death I had kept the tears in my eyes. But that night, they came out. The tears of pain, of agony and of love. And they fell on the locket. My tears fell on the locket. And a scream came out of it. It was destroyed. The locket was destroyed. What knives, fire and guns cannot do, the tears did it. Even I don’t know how, but it happened.’
‘I know,’ said Harry. ‘Dumbledore always said that love if the most powerful magic. It was your love for your husband that the horcrux couldn’t bear. But I don’t understand one thing. I thought your name Amy Benson. Where did Rosetta come from?’
‘Gordon gave this name to me. After his death I left that world forever. I have no news of what’s happening there for the last fifteen years. I had heard of you, destroying Voldemort. Is everything in the wizarding world fine?’ She said.
‘Everything will be fine. I am glad you destroyed the locket. The two things that thought were of no good are the two things that finished a part of him. Muggles and Love.’
There was silence for some time. Harry finished his coffee. And said, ‘I must go now, M’am. It was really good to see you. just one more thing, can I apparate from here?’
‘yes, off course’
And Harry dissapparated. He went to Dumbledore’s house and told Hermione and Ron everything. When he finished, they jumped in joy. They were now one more horcrux down.
‘Yes, my dear, how may I help you?’ she said.
‘I want to know if you know anything about R. A. B.?’
Her face changed. She looked scandalized. ‘How do you know about that? You have read that note, haven’t you? Who are you?’ she said.
‘I am Harry, Harry Potter. I want to know where the locket is. I want to destroy it. And I want to know how you came to know about the Horcrux.’
‘Well, I knew him, Tom Riddle, you know. He used to share this orphanage with me. He was strange. Very strange, demented if you ask me. And then he took me to that place, that c-c-cave.’
Harry could see just how the mention of the cave had changed her. She was no longer the amiable woman who had welcomed Harry a minute ago. But she was a scared petrified and even sad woman.
‘He spoke to snakes. I was petrified. I was never the same after that day. But then he left. He went to Hogwarts. He used to come every year during holidays, and he became scarier every year. There was something sinister about him. And then, after seven years he left for good. Never returned.’
She took a sigh. The woman who had opened the door came with a cup of coffee. Amy took a sip and started again, ‘and then after some years, I met Gordon. Gordon was a wizard, an auror. For some years, we lived happily. But then dark times began. Voldemort came to power. Things were dark and dangerous. And on one night, Albus Dumbledore came to our house. I heard him tell Gordon that he suspects Voldemort to be actually a former Hogwarts student called Tom Riddle. I was shocked to hear that name again. That night I told Gordon about Tom. He asked me about Tom, I told him about the cave incident. He decided that we go to the cave.’
Again that fear was on her face. She continued, ‘we went to the cave. It was dark and cold. There was a lot of hidden magic out there. At one point, he had to give some of his blood. It was all so evil. Then we went on a boat. Gordon said that the boat was meant for only one wizard. But since I was a muggle I could come to. There on the goblet, a locket was lying. He said it was a horcrux. He told me what it was and what it could do. He asked me to take out my locket, the one I was wearing at that time. He them transformed it to copy of locket in the goblet. He said that he is going to drink the whole potion. And after he has finished it I should swap the two lockets. And then he drank that awful potion. He had told me to make him finish the whole potion.’
As she was saying this, Harry could visualize the scene between him and Dumbledore in the cave. Even he was scared of what he might hear next next.
‘And then,’ she continued, ‘he became thirsty. I told him to drink some water from the lake. He was in terrible pain. I could see that. He told me to take the locket. He then drank some water from the lake. And then, b-b-bodies came out. They t-t-took him with t-t-them. I had taken the locket from the goblet. But before keeping the fake locket in the goblet, I decided that I will write a note in it. I took out a parchment and wrote a note to him. And then I came back. I tried to break that locket, burn it but nothing happened. And then, one night, when I was defeated, sad on my incapability to finish the locket, I cried. Ever since my husband’s death I had kept the tears in my eyes. But that night, they came out. The tears of pain, of agony and of love. And they fell on the locket. My tears fell on the locket. And a scream came out of it. It was destroyed. The locket was destroyed. What knives, fire and guns cannot do, the tears did it. Even I don’t know how, but it happened.’
‘I know,’ said Harry. ‘Dumbledore always said that love if the most powerful magic. It was your love for your husband that the horcrux couldn’t bear. But I don’t understand one thing. I thought your name Amy Benson. Where did Rosetta come from?’
‘Gordon gave this name to me. After his death I left that world forever. I have no news of what’s happening there for the last fifteen years. I had heard of you, destroying Voldemort. Is everything in the wizarding world fine?’ She said.
‘Everything will be fine. I am glad you destroyed the locket. The two things that thought were of no good are the two things that finished a part of him. Muggles and Love.’
There was silence for some time. Harry finished his coffee. And said, ‘I must go now, M’am. It was really good to see you. just one more thing, can I apparate from here?’
‘yes, off course’
And Harry dissapparated. He went to Dumbledore’s house and told Hermione and Ron everything. When he finished, they jumped in joy. They were now one more horcrux down.
Chapter Twelve: Godric’s Hollow
Finally they reached Godric’s Hollow. They had arrived inside Harry’s house. Harry had seen this place in his visions. So he concentrated on that place itself. Finally when he was at that it was a completely different feeling. It was as if he was in his dream. The place was battered now, but it still made Harry feel at home. The home that he had always longed for. There were spiders in the house, and beetles, flies. Dust covered every inch of the house. Harry had a mixed feeling walking through the house. He was happy and sad a the same time. The house was half broken now. They started going out.
Once out all of them started looking for dumbledore’s home. And soon they found it. It was in front of Harry’s house. Harry went inside the house. Ron and Hermione followed.
The inside of dumbledore’s house was as dirty as Harry’s but it was intact. Harry went inside. There were a lot of things. There was also an old trunk kept there. There was a note on that trunk that said, To Harry. Harry opened that trunk and saw that there was the pensive inside it. Also, there were three bottles of memories with numbers labeled on them. There was also Griffindor’s sword in the box. Harry took the pensive out. And took the bottle labeled one, when Hermione screamed.
‘Harry, look out’ Ron said. Even Ron looked almost dead. And Harry saw outside. It was Voldemort. He was looking all over. It seemed that he could not see the house.
‘Harry’ we need to apparate. Right now!’ said Hermione.
‘We can’t. I haven’t even visited my parents’ grave’
‘But he is here. He’ll surely find out’ said Hermione.
‘No. he won’t’. It was Ron who said that. ‘It’s dumbledore’s house. He has protected this house with all the magic he knew. This is probably the safest place for us to be.’
Hermione thought for a moment. Then she looked outside. Voldemort still couldn’t see the house. She then said, yes I think you are right. But still, we need to be ready to leave. If he is able to come inside, we need to be prepared to apparate. So they got ready. But nothing happened. Perhaps this place was also protected by fidilius charm. After some time, Voldemort left. They all took a deep breath. By the time he left, it was midnight. They all took the invisibility cloak under which they were hiding. All, except Harry.
‘Harry where are you?’ asked Ron.
‘I am going to visit my parents grave’ he replied.
‘But Harry, it’s too dangerous. He might be out there’ said Hermione.
‘I don’t know. I am ready to take this risk.’
And he left the house. Ron and Hermione kept looking for him in the house but he was not there. Harry was walking down the road looking for sign of a graveyard. Finally after walking for ten minutes he found it. He found the graveyard. He entered the graveyard. There were a lot of graves there. Harry started looking for his parent’s grave. He was looking when he found the graves of Ariana Dumbledore and Kenedra Dumbledore. Harry stared at it for some time. Were these the relatives of Dumbledore? They were bound to be. But who were they? He then moved forward.
Next to their graves were the two graves he was looking for, James Potter and Lily Potter. Still inside the cloak, he bent down and touched the tombstone. He was crying. But he dared not make any noise. He kept sitting there for a long time. He kept thinking about his parents and how they died. He thought of Voldemort and how than small boy called Tom Riddle became the man who killed his parents.
Then, when the sun was about to rise, he stood up, went to a corner and plucked two flowers. He had just put them on his parents grave when he heard the same high pitched voice, ‘Hiding under the same old cloak, Potter?’
Terror was spreading through Harry. What could he do? Where should he run? Where? Without thinking anything, Harry apparated.
It had just come to his mind instantly. When he was going, he heard Voldemort scream. He knew he was safe. Voldemort didn’t knew where he went. It was the spontaneity of Harry’s plan that made him escape. He himself didn’t know where he was going. It was only when he had disappeared that he thought of the place. It was a building in London. Harry felt he has been here before. But when? He then saw a sign. The New London Orphanage. And Harry knew where he was. It was the same orphanage where he had seen the young Tom Riddle. But it was different from the orphanage he had seen. It had changed. Even the name, Harry thought was different. But it was closed. It was just dawn. He went close to the orphanage board when he saw a name, the head of the name was Mrs. Rosetta Amy Benson. Harry had heard the name Amy Benson before. It was the guy whom Voldemort had scared in the cave. He decided that he will wait for the office to open and that he will speak to Amy.
Once out all of them started looking for dumbledore’s home. And soon they found it. It was in front of Harry’s house. Harry went inside the house. Ron and Hermione followed.
The inside of dumbledore’s house was as dirty as Harry’s but it was intact. Harry went inside. There were a lot of things. There was also an old trunk kept there. There was a note on that trunk that said, To Harry. Harry opened that trunk and saw that there was the pensive inside it. Also, there were three bottles of memories with numbers labeled on them. There was also Griffindor’s sword in the box. Harry took the pensive out. And took the bottle labeled one, when Hermione screamed.
‘Harry, look out’ Ron said. Even Ron looked almost dead. And Harry saw outside. It was Voldemort. He was looking all over. It seemed that he could not see the house.
‘Harry’ we need to apparate. Right now!’ said Hermione.
‘We can’t. I haven’t even visited my parents’ grave’
‘But he is here. He’ll surely find out’ said Hermione.
‘No. he won’t’. It was Ron who said that. ‘It’s dumbledore’s house. He has protected this house with all the magic he knew. This is probably the safest place for us to be.’
Hermione thought for a moment. Then she looked outside. Voldemort still couldn’t see the house. She then said, yes I think you are right. But still, we need to be ready to leave. If he is able to come inside, we need to be prepared to apparate. So they got ready. But nothing happened. Perhaps this place was also protected by fidilius charm. After some time, Voldemort left. They all took a deep breath. By the time he left, it was midnight. They all took the invisibility cloak under which they were hiding. All, except Harry.
‘Harry where are you?’ asked Ron.
‘I am going to visit my parents grave’ he replied.
‘But Harry, it’s too dangerous. He might be out there’ said Hermione.
‘I don’t know. I am ready to take this risk.’
And he left the house. Ron and Hermione kept looking for him in the house but he was not there. Harry was walking down the road looking for sign of a graveyard. Finally after walking for ten minutes he found it. He found the graveyard. He entered the graveyard. There were a lot of graves there. Harry started looking for his parent’s grave. He was looking when he found the graves of Ariana Dumbledore and Kenedra Dumbledore. Harry stared at it for some time. Were these the relatives of Dumbledore? They were bound to be. But who were they? He then moved forward.
Next to their graves were the two graves he was looking for, James Potter and Lily Potter. Still inside the cloak, he bent down and touched the tombstone. He was crying. But he dared not make any noise. He kept sitting there for a long time. He kept thinking about his parents and how they died. He thought of Voldemort and how than small boy called Tom Riddle became the man who killed his parents.
Then, when the sun was about to rise, he stood up, went to a corner and plucked two flowers. He had just put them on his parents grave when he heard the same high pitched voice, ‘Hiding under the same old cloak, Potter?’
Terror was spreading through Harry. What could he do? Where should he run? Where? Without thinking anything, Harry apparated.
It had just come to his mind instantly. When he was going, he heard Voldemort scream. He knew he was safe. Voldemort didn’t knew where he went. It was the spontaneity of Harry’s plan that made him escape. He himself didn’t know where he was going. It was only when he had disappeared that he thought of the place. It was a building in London. Harry felt he has been here before. But when? He then saw a sign. The New London Orphanage. And Harry knew where he was. It was the same orphanage where he had seen the young Tom Riddle. But it was different from the orphanage he had seen. It had changed. Even the name, Harry thought was different. But it was closed. It was just dawn. He went close to the orphanage board when he saw a name, the head of the name was Mrs. Rosetta Amy Benson. Harry had heard the name Amy Benson before. It was the guy whom Voldemort had scared in the cave. He decided that he will wait for the office to open and that he will speak to Amy.
Chapter Eleven: Another Letter
Inside Hogwarts, were the other teachers patrolling the corridors. Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Hagrid, Sprouts, and Slughorn were patrolling together instead of spreading around as they knew there was nothing to worry. The children were all safe in their dormitories as Hogwarts itself was protecting them. It was the letter Dumbledore had written to Hagrid before his death that had all the details about Hogwarts and it’s hidden magic. Hagrid had taken the letter at once to Professor McGonagall who was astonished to see it. And they had sent letters to all hogwats students… well almost all Hogwarts students and had asked if they would like to continue their education. All of them came back to Hogwarts, which was now hidden by magic. All that she had to do was to go in front of the main gates and ask for help and the rest of it happened itself. The whole castle vanished. It was only when you said to the doors that you mean no harm to anybody inside that the doors opened. But even that was not sufficient. You actually had to be good from inside. Only then, will the castle show itself to you.
It was the twentieth of August when the unfortunate accident with professor Trelawney had happened. But most of the students were there. Due to the danger that lied outside, most parents had already sent their children to Hogwarts. A funeral was help for professor Trelawney and she was buried near the lake. The Patil twins and lavender Brown had done all the preparations for the funeral. Everyone was sad. Even though most of them did not believe in divination, but still, it was an unfortunate accident. A few students had seen what happened as they were wandering outside when this had happened, Ginny Luna and Neville among them. And they couldn’t believe that their divination teacher could be so brave. They couldn’t hear the prophecy though.
Back in Number 12, Harry still was still gloomy about the whole R.A.B. incident. He thought he had solved the mystery, but he was wrong. Now they did no know anything about that person. One day when he was sitting in Sirius’s room, he spotted an owl. The owl was carrying a letter. Harry opened it and saw the same hand writing, Dumbledore’s hand writing. He couldn’t believe his eyes. It said,
Dear Harry
I might be dead and buried before you get this but what I am writing in this letter is crucial for Voldemort’s defeat. I have left some things for you Harry. And I want you to collect them from my house. I want you to go to Godric’s Hollow and there, you will find my house just in front of your house. There you will find all those things. Please go and see all that as soon as you can.
Yours truly,
Professor Dumbledore
Harry read that letter and showed it to Ron and Hermione. They exclaimed in joy. Finally there was something to work on. A clue. But there was something else in the letter. The very first line said that Dumbledore that he might be dead. He knew, he suspected… but trusted Snape. Why? Anger was burning inside Harry once again. Snape was dead now, and Harry was happy. He hated Snape.
‘so when are we going there?’ asked Ron.
‘tonight’ ansered Hermione.
And they packed their stuff. By the time it was dark, they were ready to go. They decided that they would not take kreature with them. They cannot risk his life. But kreature insisted on going. It took them an hour on persuading him to stay. Finally they apperated and left Grimmauld Place.
It was the twentieth of August when the unfortunate accident with professor Trelawney had happened. But most of the students were there. Due to the danger that lied outside, most parents had already sent their children to Hogwarts. A funeral was help for professor Trelawney and she was buried near the lake. The Patil twins and lavender Brown had done all the preparations for the funeral. Everyone was sad. Even though most of them did not believe in divination, but still, it was an unfortunate accident. A few students had seen what happened as they were wandering outside when this had happened, Ginny Luna and Neville among them. And they couldn’t believe that their divination teacher could be so brave. They couldn’t hear the prophecy though.
Back in Number 12, Harry still was still gloomy about the whole R.A.B. incident. He thought he had solved the mystery, but he was wrong. Now they did no know anything about that person. One day when he was sitting in Sirius’s room, he spotted an owl. The owl was carrying a letter. Harry opened it and saw the same hand writing, Dumbledore’s hand writing. He couldn’t believe his eyes. It said,
Dear Harry
I might be dead and buried before you get this but what I am writing in this letter is crucial for Voldemort’s defeat. I have left some things for you Harry. And I want you to collect them from my house. I want you to go to Godric’s Hollow and there, you will find my house just in front of your house. There you will find all those things. Please go and see all that as soon as you can.
Yours truly,
Professor Dumbledore
Harry read that letter and showed it to Ron and Hermione. They exclaimed in joy. Finally there was something to work on. A clue. But there was something else in the letter. The very first line said that Dumbledore that he might be dead. He knew, he suspected… but trusted Snape. Why? Anger was burning inside Harry once again. Snape was dead now, and Harry was happy. He hated Snape.
‘so when are we going there?’ asked Ron.
‘tonight’ ansered Hermione.
And they packed their stuff. By the time it was dark, they were ready to go. They decided that they would not take kreature with them. They cannot risk his life. But kreature insisted on going. It took them an hour on persuading him to stay. Finally they apperated and left Grimmauld Place.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Chapter Ten: The resistance of Hogwarts
Delores Umbridge was a happy woman. She had finally become what she had always dreamed of, the Minister of Magic. True it was that she was working under some people, that before she made any change in the ministry rules she had to consult Bellatrix Lestrange, who consulted The Dark Lord. But still, most of the changes that she made were evil enough to be passed. Her personal favorite was the legalization of hunting of Centaurs. She had passed a decree that said that centaurs were dangerous, evil animals and supported in the fall of Rufus Scrimgeour. And so now she will be sending people from the ministry to find and kill them. She personally wanted the Hogwarts herd to be killed first. She was sending some highly efficient Aurors to kill them. another of her favorite decrees was removal of mudbloods from the magical community. Even though the decree said that mudbloods are to leave the magical world and go and live with muggles, she had ordered many of her workers to get them secretly killed. About a hundred mudbloods were already dead. And then there was the tournament, the muggle-hunting tournament to be held in a few months. Now there was just one thing that wanted, and that was to kill the members of the order.
But it was difficult. Whenever in the past one week they tried to kill anyorder member, they ended up getting their death eaters killed. But it was not the order that concerned Umbridge now, it was Hogwarts. The Dark Lord wanted his servents to be in hogwarts. He wanted Lucius to be the Headmaster, after the courage he showed by fighting his own son... he deserved this honour. Also, his loyal death eater Elizabeth McDowel, will take the job of the new Defence against the Dark Arts Teacher. She had always been good at luring people towards the dark arts. This would turn out more Death Eaters that anyone could imagine. He remembered how he met lisa, as everyone called her. she was in Albania when he met her. She had brought the maximum number of people there to change their minds. and now she will change the minds of the students. And of course, Fenrir Greyback will be the Gamekeeper and the Care of Magical creatures teacher, to take care of the mischievious lot... yes. So Umbridge signed the orders of appointment of these teachers, happily.
And so they were all ready. Ready for taking over Hogwarts. There were a few students who Umbridge would make sure get punished. The longbottom and that lovegood will be the first in the list. Within two days the new staff will reach Hogwarts. She would personally accompany them to the castle, just to see the horror on Minerva McGonagall’s face. It was a pity she wasn’t proved a member of the order, that she could still walk freely in the magical world. It would have been good to see her get killed, thought Umbridge.
Two days later the death eaters left for Hogwarts. Umbridge couldn’t leave because of some work. But she was happy nonetheless. It was only some time later when her happiness vanished. All the death eaters returned, claming that they could not find Hogwarts. She sent a whole staff of aurors to see what’s the matter but even they returned, saying that Hogwarts had vanished.
It was bellatrix who told this to the dark lord. He decided that this was magic these mediocre people will not know off. That he himself will have to go and solve this mystery. And so he left. He flew towards Hogwarts. He reached Hogsmede and went towards the castle. But there was no castle. He could sense some very strong magic. But he did not know what was it. He moved forward but was stopped. Where the gates used to be, there was now a barrier that he could not penetrate. He tried using all kinds of magic but couldn’t get through. It was then that he heard something. someone was coming towards him. It was professor Trelawney. She looked lost, in her own world. She didn’t even notice anyone was there but kept moving forward. It was again that barrier that stopped her. She looked up and said, ‘Oh no! not again. Now how will I get in? I hope someone come out from that side soon or else-’
She finally saw Voldemort standing in front of her. ‘the- the- D-D-Dark Lord…’
‘I presume you don’t know how to get past this door?’ he said
‘N-N-N-No, sir I d-d-don’t’ she said.
‘I can see you are not lying, I have great respect for teachers at Hogwarts hence I am leaving you alive’ and he started to leave. He was a little further away when he herd her making some odd sounds. He turned. She was on the ground breathing fast and then she said, in a voice that was not like her own., ‘THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AS LONG AS THE BOY WHO LIVED DOESN’T COMES TO KNOW ABOUT THE VERY MYSTERIOUS SAND. BUT THIS MOMENT WILL COME SOON WHEN THE BOY WILL KNOW ABOUT IT. AND IT WILL MARK THE FALL OF THE LORD. THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IS TO TURN FRIENDS INTO FOES.’
And then she was back to her normal self. But as she regained consciousness, she found the dark lord close to her. ‘what did you just say?’ he asked
‘I –I don’t know, w-w-what are you t-t-talking about.’ She said
Voldemort could sense the truth in her. But still it would be dangerous now to leave her alive. ‘I will have to kill you know’ he said raising his wand.
‘n-n-not without a d-d-d-duel’ she said.
And the dark lord laughed. But suddenly a red light came out from professor Trelawney’s wand and hit voldemort in the chest. He fell, but stood up again.
‘HUMMETI’ she said, and a purple light came out from her wand and encircled Voldemort.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ he shouted. It was agony beyond measure that he felt. But somehow, he gathered the strength to raise his wand and point it at Professor Trelawney. And he shouted ‘AVADA-KE-DAVRA’ the pain stopped. As the caster of the painful spell was now dead. And he left that place, wondering about the prophecy he had just heard.
But it was difficult. Whenever in the past one week they tried to kill anyorder member, they ended up getting their death eaters killed. But it was not the order that concerned Umbridge now, it was Hogwarts. The Dark Lord wanted his servents to be in hogwarts. He wanted Lucius to be the Headmaster, after the courage he showed by fighting his own son... he deserved this honour. Also, his loyal death eater Elizabeth McDowel, will take the job of the new Defence against the Dark Arts Teacher. She had always been good at luring people towards the dark arts. This would turn out more Death Eaters that anyone could imagine. He remembered how he met lisa, as everyone called her. she was in Albania when he met her. She had brought the maximum number of people there to change their minds. and now she will change the minds of the students. And of course, Fenrir Greyback will be the Gamekeeper and the Care of Magical creatures teacher, to take care of the mischievious lot... yes. So Umbridge signed the orders of appointment of these teachers, happily.
And so they were all ready. Ready for taking over Hogwarts. There were a few students who Umbridge would make sure get punished. The longbottom and that lovegood will be the first in the list. Within two days the new staff will reach Hogwarts. She would personally accompany them to the castle, just to see the horror on Minerva McGonagall’s face. It was a pity she wasn’t proved a member of the order, that she could still walk freely in the magical world. It would have been good to see her get killed, thought Umbridge.
Two days later the death eaters left for Hogwarts. Umbridge couldn’t leave because of some work. But she was happy nonetheless. It was only some time later when her happiness vanished. All the death eaters returned, claming that they could not find Hogwarts. She sent a whole staff of aurors to see what’s the matter but even they returned, saying that Hogwarts had vanished.
It was bellatrix who told this to the dark lord. He decided that this was magic these mediocre people will not know off. That he himself will have to go and solve this mystery. And so he left. He flew towards Hogwarts. He reached Hogsmede and went towards the castle. But there was no castle. He could sense some very strong magic. But he did not know what was it. He moved forward but was stopped. Where the gates used to be, there was now a barrier that he could not penetrate. He tried using all kinds of magic but couldn’t get through. It was then that he heard something. someone was coming towards him. It was professor Trelawney. She looked lost, in her own world. She didn’t even notice anyone was there but kept moving forward. It was again that barrier that stopped her. She looked up and said, ‘Oh no! not again. Now how will I get in? I hope someone come out from that side soon or else-’
She finally saw Voldemort standing in front of her. ‘the- the- D-D-Dark Lord…’
‘I presume you don’t know how to get past this door?’ he said
‘N-N-N-No, sir I d-d-don’t’ she said.
‘I can see you are not lying, I have great respect for teachers at Hogwarts hence I am leaving you alive’ and he started to leave. He was a little further away when he herd her making some odd sounds. He turned. She was on the ground breathing fast and then she said, in a voice that was not like her own., ‘THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AS LONG AS THE BOY WHO LIVED DOESN’T COMES TO KNOW ABOUT THE VERY MYSTERIOUS SAND. BUT THIS MOMENT WILL COME SOON WHEN THE BOY WILL KNOW ABOUT IT. AND IT WILL MARK THE FALL OF THE LORD. THE ONLY WAY TO SURVIVE IS TO TURN FRIENDS INTO FOES.’
And then she was back to her normal self. But as she regained consciousness, she found the dark lord close to her. ‘what did you just say?’ he asked
‘I –I don’t know, w-w-what are you t-t-talking about.’ She said
Voldemort could sense the truth in her. But still it would be dangerous now to leave her alive. ‘I will have to kill you know’ he said raising his wand.
‘n-n-not without a d-d-d-duel’ she said.
And the dark lord laughed. But suddenly a red light came out from professor Trelawney’s wand and hit voldemort in the chest. He fell, but stood up again.
‘HUMMETI’ she said, and a purple light came out from her wand and encircled Voldemort.
‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH’ he shouted. It was agony beyond measure that he felt. But somehow, he gathered the strength to raise his wand and point it at Professor Trelawney. And he shouted ‘AVADA-KE-DAVRA’ the pain stopped. As the caster of the painful spell was now dead. And he left that place, wondering about the prophecy he had just heard.
Chapter Nine: Kreacher’s Mistress.
By evening, Harry, Ron and Hermione were ready to leave. Mrs Wheasley was sobbing like mad while Mr Wheasley was helping them pack. The tears of Mrs Wheasley were making Harry feel guilty. As if he was taking Ron to his death. He tried to speak to her and say that he didn’t force Ron and Hermione to come and that they can stay but he only increased her sobs by doing that. ‘Harry’ don’t think I am blaming you for all this. You are all fighting. We are all fighting. But its – its just that, where will you go?’
‘Don’t worry Mrs Wheasley,’ said Hermione. ‘I have a plan.’
Before sunset they had packed up all gathered in the burrow’s kithen to say goodbyes. Hermione had an enchanted bag that could take in things the size of a Hungarian horntail. And then they left. They apparated from the front gate of the burrow.
Harry Ron and Hermione apparated together. It was hermionee who was leading them. when they reached, it was in front of a familiar, but unfriendly place called Grimmauld Place. They had apparated under the invisibility cloak so they were not seen by anyone. and then in front of them, number twelve appeared, pushing the other buildings aside.
‘Hermione, why are we here?’ asked Ron.
‘R.A.B.’ said Hermione, ‘come.’
They went into the house. ‘regulus,’ said Hermione. ‘his full name was Regulus Arcturus Black. I read about him in a book. And that locket, u remember when we were cleaning this place, we did get a locket?’
‘yes,’ said Harry, astonished. ‘but – but we had thrown that locket, hadn’t we? Where is it now? Wait a minute. He must be knowing it. Kreature, come here.’
And with a loud pop, kreature arrived. Bowing low and muttering things under his breath. And Harry asked him, ‘do u know anything about a locket kreature? That we had thrown two years ago while cleaning?’
‘yes’ said kreature. ‘can you bring it?’
‘yes’ said kreature. And he went. He then brought a box. Harry took the box and opened it. But it was only disappointment that filled his heart when he saw an ordinary locket lying in the box.
‘this is not the one.’ Said Harry. He could see the same frustration on the other’s face as well. And then Hermione asked Kreature, ‘Kreature, how did, master Regulus die?’
And kreature burst into teares. Hermione tried to pat him but he pushed her hand away. He then said, ‘Horcruxes. Master knew about the horcruxes of the Dark Lord. He was regretting being a death eater. And somehow, he – he knew it. The Dark Lord knew it. And he killed him. he killed Master Regulus.’ And he sobbed. Harder than ever. ‘and my poor mistress. Kreature knew the reason of master’s death. He told that to his mistress. And she sobbed. And one day, she killed herself. She told kreature that her death will one day help bring the Dark Lord down.’
It made Harry feel sad. After all, Regulus and Mrs Black were not that bad. He looked at Ron and saw a similar expression on his face. But Hermione looked triumphant. ‘Kreature, your mistress’s death was not a waste. We have finished three of the six horcruxes.’
‘but kreature, why did you helped the Malfoys when Sirius died?’ asked Harry. ‘they were also on the dark lord’s side’
‘Kreature didn’t know. He thought they were good people. And they were very good to kreature. Master Sirius had never been good to kreature. He hated kreature and kreature hated him.’
‘Kreature’ said Hermione, ‘we are sorry. Extremely sorry for what you have gone through. But we need your help. We want to destroy the horcruxes. We want to complete the task that Master Regulus started. Are you with us on this task?’
‘yes’ kreature said. And he started sobbing. And Harry hugged him.
‘Don’t worry Mrs Wheasley,’ said Hermione. ‘I have a plan.’
Before sunset they had packed up all gathered in the burrow’s kithen to say goodbyes. Hermione had an enchanted bag that could take in things the size of a Hungarian horntail. And then they left. They apparated from the front gate of the burrow.
Harry Ron and Hermione apparated together. It was hermionee who was leading them. when they reached, it was in front of a familiar, but unfriendly place called Grimmauld Place. They had apparated under the invisibility cloak so they were not seen by anyone. and then in front of them, number twelve appeared, pushing the other buildings aside.
‘Hermione, why are we here?’ asked Ron.
‘R.A.B.’ said Hermione, ‘come.’
They went into the house. ‘regulus,’ said Hermione. ‘his full name was Regulus Arcturus Black. I read about him in a book. And that locket, u remember when we were cleaning this place, we did get a locket?’
‘yes,’ said Harry, astonished. ‘but – but we had thrown that locket, hadn’t we? Where is it now? Wait a minute. He must be knowing it. Kreature, come here.’
And with a loud pop, kreature arrived. Bowing low and muttering things under his breath. And Harry asked him, ‘do u know anything about a locket kreature? That we had thrown two years ago while cleaning?’
‘yes’ said kreature. ‘can you bring it?’
‘yes’ said kreature. And he went. He then brought a box. Harry took the box and opened it. But it was only disappointment that filled his heart when he saw an ordinary locket lying in the box.
‘this is not the one.’ Said Harry. He could see the same frustration on the other’s face as well. And then Hermione asked Kreature, ‘Kreature, how did, master Regulus die?’
And kreature burst into teares. Hermione tried to pat him but he pushed her hand away. He then said, ‘Horcruxes. Master knew about the horcruxes of the Dark Lord. He was regretting being a death eater. And somehow, he – he knew it. The Dark Lord knew it. And he killed him. he killed Master Regulus.’ And he sobbed. Harder than ever. ‘and my poor mistress. Kreature knew the reason of master’s death. He told that to his mistress. And she sobbed. And one day, she killed herself. She told kreature that her death will one day help bring the Dark Lord down.’
It made Harry feel sad. After all, Regulus and Mrs Black were not that bad. He looked at Ron and saw a similar expression on his face. But Hermione looked triumphant. ‘Kreature, your mistress’s death was not a waste. We have finished three of the six horcruxes.’
‘but kreature, why did you helped the Malfoys when Sirius died?’ asked Harry. ‘they were also on the dark lord’s side’
‘Kreature didn’t know. He thought they were good people. And they were very good to kreature. Master Sirius had never been good to kreature. He hated kreature and kreature hated him.’
‘Kreature’ said Hermione, ‘we are sorry. Extremely sorry for what you have gone through. But we need your help. We want to destroy the horcruxes. We want to complete the task that Master Regulus started. Are you with us on this task?’
‘yes’ kreature said. And he started sobbing. And Harry hugged him.
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