The Weight of the World

Chapter 22 - Introductions

Harry lit his wand and took the lead through the cave. It was a long walk, and they weren't sure if there would be anyone waiting for them at the other end. Harry suggested that he and Hermione take the lead again, and the others stagger behind them a bit. His thinking was that if there was some sort of trap, at least they all wouldn't be trapped at the same time, and possibly the ones behind could turn back around, or come forward and help them, depending on the situation. Everyone seemed to agree with him; he had in fact gotten them this far.

Harry and Hermione went ahead, and when they were out of sight, Meagan and her mom paced behind them, followed by Ron and Fudge.

"Harry, you've been really unbelievable today,” Hermione said.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"I mean the things you did today. Professor Livingston said that you stopped three Death Eaters all by yourself. How did you do it?"

"Hermione, I'm not sure. It's strange, it's like I knew exactly what to do somehow. Hermione, there are things in my head, things I don't understand,” he said.

"Like what?" she asked.

"I mean, I know hundreds of spells Hermione. They're in my head. Some of them, I didn't think I knew what they did, but today, when I went into Dumbledore's office, it was like everything slowed down. I knew exactly what spell to use, I don't even remember what I used now. I really couldn't tell you. It was like an instinct. I looked at the first wizard and I somehow felt that he should be the one I should hit second, because for some reason, I knew he was probably slower than the other one. I knew that after I hit the first one, that the second would probably try to block whatever spell I threw at him. So I hesitated just a bit before I threw a spell at him. It confused him because he was expecting me to throw something at him immediately and when I didn't he was wide open. How can I know all these things Hermione?"

"Harry, it's obvious, isn't it? The knowledge you have been given Harry, the power; you're starting to learn how to use it," she said.

"But I wish it was just clearer. What happens if someone jumps out at us when we get to the Shrieking Shack and I freeze up? What if I can't remember these things next time and I just sit there and let them kill us?" he asked.

"Harry, you won't. For some reason I think that the only way you are going to really learn is by experience. Remember the dreams you were having? The ones you told me about? In most of them, you were fighting dark wizards weren't you?"

"Yeah, I guess. I mean I wasn't really fighting, but I had either just finished or was about to start."

"See Harry? That's how you, I mean, that's how Godric, or whoever's memory you had, learned their skills. Harry we learn by experience. Look at me, all the things I learn in books, they just get me good grades now, but when we are done with school, I'll probably have a chance to use it all. Ever since our first year Harry, the things we have done together, I am way ahead of a lot of seventh year students, just because of the things you and me and Ron have done. You know how small some of the problems I have now seem when I look at what we have been through..and what you still go thorough."

Harry didn't say anything. He knew she was right. Godric had told Harry that the power had always lived in him. He told him that he should spend some time with himself and learn his limits. That statement was beginning to make some sense. Harry couldn't expect to be as powerful as Dumbledore overnight and there was a chance that he may never become that powerful. There was also a chance, however, that he may become more powerful than even Dumbledore in the end. He had to learn his limits. He had to test them. He had to rely on his friends for strength as he always had, and he had to make sure that he used his strengths to protect them.

"Hermione, let's not talk anymore. Let's keep an ear out for anyone in here waiting for us. If someone is there, get behind me and run and warn the others," he said.

Hermione grabbed his hand and brought it up to her face and kissed it.

"What was that for?" Harry asked smiling.

"For keeping me safe," she said whispering.

Ron and Fudge were trailing behind the others. Fudge was in front of Ron and the two hadn't said a word to one another so far. Ron kept looking at him and then would shake his head with contempt. This was the guy that hadn't given his dad a promotion all these years. This was the guy that sacked Dumbledore. This was the guy that had catered to Lucius Malfoy. This was the guy who thought his best friend was mentally disturbed. But this guy was also the Minister of Magic. Ron imagined in his head how funny it would be if he knocked him out with a stunning spell and left him in the Shrieking Shack and put a dress on him. He imagined how great it would be to call the Daily Prophet and have one of the reporters go in there and find him and get pictures. He had a few little funny ideas like this.

It was Fudge that finally broke the silence however.

"So Mr. Weasley, that was some quick thinking back there. You got a good head on your shoulders,” Fudge said.

"Thank you sir. Can you call me Ron? Mr. Weasley makes me think you're talking to my dad," he said.

"No problem at all Ron,” Fudge said laughing. "So where exactly does this path lead again?"

"Hogsmeade, to the Shrieking Shack,” Ron said.

"Well.. that place his haunted! Surely you're kidding?"

"No sir, I'm not kidding. And I promise you it isn't haunted. It's just one of the villager's tales. I've been in there before."

"Really? Well I must say Ron you are surely braver that most wizards I know."

"Thank you sir. But it's really because of Harry that I got this way."

"Harry? What do you mean?"

"Well sir. There is always someone trying to kill him, and it's usually Voldemort."

"Would you please quit saying his name! Honestly. How can all of you know possibly know that he is back?" Fudge asked.

"Sir, like we've all told you, Voldemort never really died, he was just really weak the whole time. First he tried to return using the Sorcerer's Stone, but that failed when Harry and Dumbledore stopped him. Then Lucius Malfoy slipped my sister one of Tom Riddle's old diaries and tried to use dark magic to bring him back. Then Peter Pettigrew finally succeeded last summer when he and Barty Crouch put Harry's name in the goblet and then turned the cup into a portkey that sent Harry and Cedric Diggory to a place where Voldemort was waiting. Pettigrew used some old dark magic to bring him back to life. He used a knife and cut Harry's arm and got some of his blood. The spell brought Voldemort back to full strength according to Harry. Harry said that when he came back the Death Eaters tattoos all glowed and they then apparated to him."

Fudge's heart rate had suddenly increased to twice its normal rate. He couldn't believe that he was hearing this. The story was coming out of this boy's mouth just like it was some sort of casual story about his day at school. Ron continued.

"Voldemort gave Harry his wand back and told the Death Eaters he was going to let them watch him kill Harry. He dueled with Harry and toyed with him for a bit. He even hit him with the Cruciatus Curse a couple of times."

"He did what?" Fudge said outraged.

"Yes sir, you heard me. But Harry got away. Something happened with their wands and it gave Harry a chance to get away. That's when you saw him come back that night with Cedric. That's when that happened,” Ron said.

Fudge didn't say anything. He had to take it all in. How could these kids have been through so much? If this was all true he would go down in history as the blindest Minister of Magic ever. He still had huge doubts as to the validity of the story. They were after all, just kids and kids had a habit of blowing things out of proportion. Fudge decided to change the subject.

"Son I'd say that you and your friends just might be in line for the Order of Merlin. No one has ever saved my life before so I'm not sure what that will merit, maybe second class," he said.

Ron shook his head at this. Some wizards would kill to have that award, but right now he was just interested in surviving.

"Mr. Fudge, can I ask you something?" Ron said.

"Sure you can."

"When we get to an owl, are you going to send word to the Ministry that Voldemort is back?" Ron asked.

"Ron, I don't think I can do that. There is evidence that the Death Eaters are causing trouble again, but right now I can't start wide-spread panic on the hunches of some kids and Dumbledore, who I can't say has all of his wits these days,” Fudge said.

"Look here, you thick-headed.." Ron stopped himself from saying something really bad. "I don't care if you are my dad's boss and the Minister of Magic, you don't talk about Professor Dumbledore that way. He's twice the wizard you'll ever be. I don't know what it's going to take for you to realize that Voldemort is back. I can tell you that you would have known right away if Harry hadn't saved you today, I promise you that."

"Now you look here" Fudge said, "You don't talk to me that way. You have no idea what it takes to do my job. You have no idea what would happen if I went to the Ministry and told them that Voldemort was back. They'd..well...they'd probably throw me right out of there! So you just watch your tongue. There is only so much slack that saving me back there will get you."

"That's fine. That's just fine. I don't care. You're going to find out for yourself real soon. You're going to feel like the biggest ass in the world when you find out the truth. It's just lucky that Dumbledore has been doing your job for you these last few months. It's good that some wizards don't care if they put their job in danger to do the right thing,” Ron said.

Fudge didn't say anything. The kid was just confused that's all. He's just like his dad, just has his head all mixed up that's all. They'll catch these Death-Eaters and these people will all be the ones that feel stupid.

Harry and Hermione reached the door to the shack. When they got there Harry motioned Hermione to stand back while he opened it.

Harry carefully went inside, but didn't see anyone. He checked the small shack over until he was absolutely sure that it was empty before he went back and let Hermione know it was okay to come in. Harry then went in and sat down on the bed to wait for the others. Hermione sat next to him.

"What now?" she asked.

"I guess we'll figure out a way to get outside then head for the cave,” Harry said.

Hermione grabbed his hand again and smiled and pulled him into a hug. "I think we are going to be okay Harry. I think you did it. You got us out."

"Hermione we aren't done yet. But you're right, if we can get outside the village, we'll be a lot safer. I was thinking..you and Ron need to take Meagan and her mother and you guys can catch your train. Meagan and her mom can stay here in Hogsmeade until this all clears up. The Death Eaters aren't looking for you all, just Fudge and me,” Harry said.

"I can't leave you Harry. Ron and the others can go, but I'm not leaving you. Not anymore. This morning I made myself say that you were right. I made myself say that leaving was for the best, but not anymore," her voice began to crack.

"Hermione, you have to."

"Harry no! I won't do it."

"Hermione, listen to me."

"No!"

Harry grabbed both of her hands and then waited until she looked him in the eye.

"Hermione, listen to me please. I love you," he said softly.

"What?" she asked.

"I love you Hermione."

Her bottom lip started to tremble after he said it the second time and tears started to well up in her eyes.

"Hermione, you mean so much to me. I really mean it when I tell you that I could have never made it this far without you. I'd be dead, really. So you have to understand that I couldn't go on living if something happened to you."

Hermione had a single tear fall from her eye. "Harry, please don't ask me to leave you."

"Hermione, if it were me, if you were in my shoes, would you want me to come? Would you risk putting me into danger if I didn't need to be?"

"No."

"Then, will you please do something for me?"

"Yes."

"Can you stay here in Hogsmeade tonight, and then tomorrow, if we don't have anything figured out, we'll need some food and supplies and you can bring them to us. Can you do that?"

"Yes, of course,” Hermione said letting go of his hand and wiping her eyes.

"Thank you,” Harry said and then leaned in and kissed her.

Hermione closed her eyes and absorbed that kiss like she had been underwater for five minutes and it was a breath of fresh air. After the kiss was over she kept her eyes closed and only opened them when she heard the door to the passage way open.

Harry walked over and let them know it was okay to come inside.

Fudge and Ron followed shortly and then Harry told them of the plan.

"I'm not leaving you up there alone Harry,” Ron said.

"Listen Ron, you need to get home and find your dad. You have to tell him what's happened. He'll probably be able to get hold of Dumbledore,” Harry said.

"Okay Harry, but we're coming directly back for you,” Ron said.

Harry nodded at him.

It was decided that Hermione, Megan and Professor Livingston were going to get a room in Hogsmeade and lay low until the next morning when Hermione would bring some food to the cave. Harry then pulled out his wand and uttered a spell causing the boards blocking the door, to neatly fly off giving them access to the outside world. Hermione and Ron walked out first and saw that no one was around, and then signaled for the others to follow them out.

When they were outside, they split up and went their separate ways. Harry and Fudge walked towards the cave, and the others went to the inn.

All of the walking was taking its toll on Fudge. Several times they had to stop and let him rest.

It was taking its toll on Harry as well. They had walked miles and the path to the mountain cave wasn't just a walk, but a hike. They sat down in the shade of a tree to rest.

"Harry, Ron told me that you've seen You-Know-Who,” Fudge asked.

"Yes, I have. Dumbledore already told you remember?" Harry said.

"Ahh, so he did,” Fudge said. "So the story hasn't changed any?"

"Story? What do you mean story? You think we're all making this up? Do you think we are blowing this all out of proportion?" Harry stood up and faced him.

"You do don't you? You think that a bunch of kids and an old wizard are exaggerating what we've seen. You think that Dumbledore is just out to cause trouble in his old age don't you?"

"Harry, you don't understand. I just think that you all may be jumping."

"I do understand sir. I understand more than you know. It's okay though. You are going to find out soon enough. I have a feeling that before this little adventure we are having is through, you'll get the proper picture,” Harry turned and started walking up the path.

Fudge didn't respond. He took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his brow, then got up and continued walking up the path.

After another short break to rest, they had reached the entrance to the cave. When they got close, Harry help up his hand to stop Fudge from walking. He could hear noises coming from inside, strange noises that sounded like chains.

He crept up to the cave and peeked inside. He saw a man lying on the floor of the cave bound by ropes and chains. He pulled his wand out and then turned and signaled to Fudge to come to him.

"What is it Harry? Is there someone there?" Fudge whispered.

"Do you still have that Death Eater's wand?" Harry asked.

"Yes, it's here,” he said, handing the wand to Harry.

Harry took the wand in his hand and whispered "Lumos." He then leaned in and threw the wand as far back in the cave as he could and watched as the cave lit up.

Harry didn't see anyone else there, and the man stopped struggling against his chains when he saw the wand thrown past him.

"It doesn't look like anyone else is there,” Harry said.

Harry walked into the cave and was followed by Fudge. They both walked towards the man that was bound on the floor of the cave.

"Who in God's name is this?" Fudge asked.

"This sir, is Peter Pettigrew,” Harry said smiling.