Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 46 - And So It Begins

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The wind whistled against the window of Harry's room as he rolled over in his bed. The weatherman had said a disturbance was moving in, promising to dump a blanket of snow across the whole of Great Britain. It would be a white Christmas, thought Harry as he pulled the covers up over his head trying to get another few minutes of rest. She would be pounding on the door if he slept much longer, but the darkening clouds made it seem earlier than it was, and the wind made him feel cold.

They were going to have breakfast with Duncan this morning, before he started on his way to Heathrow Airport to pick up Emma who wasn't leaving Paris until later in the afternoon. Ridiculously early as far as Harry was concerned, but Duncan was insistent that he have plenty of time should something happen on the way. The wind howled again and Harry shivered, curled up into a ball and drifted back to sleep.

In what seemed like less than a moment later, Harry found himself jarred awake. He had heard something, a knock? Then, there was another banging sound from downstairs and the curse of what was unmistakably a male's voice. Or was it two? Yes, there were two men downstairs and they were arguing in hushed whispers. Instantly, Harry grabbed his glasses and picked his wand from off his dresser. Slowly, quietly, he slid to the corner of the room, providing a better attack position, but no ability for escape. They were definitely moving up the stairs now.

"He's in there," came a whisper from beyond the door.

"I know that, stupid!" was the hushed reply. "Don't wake the whole bloody house!"

The handle began to turn and the door slowly opened. Noting that the best defense was a strong offense, Harry began his spell. "Stupef...f-f-f," he stalled. If they would have had hair of any color other than red, they'd be splattered on the far wall already.

"Hello, Harry!" whispered Ron, staring curiously at his best friend who looked like a spider hunched in the corner waiting for its next victim. His brother Fred was at his side, wearing a scowl and obviously in a foul mood. It took Harry a second to realize that they must have come through the fireplace. Slowly, he uncoiled himself from the wall and walked over to the two Weasley brothers.

"Hey, Ron. Hey, Fred," said Harry slipping his wand away. "What happened to you?" he pointed at Fred who looked nearly as bad as Harry did the night before. Fred narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to Harry looking down menacingly on the younger Gryffindor.

"Mum thought it would be a smashing idea for Ron's big brother to watch out for him on his first trip alone to Harry's. Need to make sure the fireplace is safe for my baby brother, don't I? So I go first to find the Potter living room in a disaster. I draw my wand and yell for him to wait, but no. Two seconds and he's falling down on top of me pushing me into a mixed pile of ash and semi-dried vomit. And this!" Fred held up his wand, splintered into two pieces. I am never coming to this dragon pit again."

The dragon insult prickled the hairs on the back of Harry's neck and he didn't know why. Comparing the Dursleys to dragons was an insult to dragons everywhere. As far as he was concerned, the Dursley home was a--

"I told you not to come," Ron shot back a bit miffed. "I don't need you, or George, watching my every move."

"If this wasn't shattered I'd--"

"You'd what?" Ron challenged stepping nose to nose with his older brother. Harry never really realized that Ron had grown so much over the last year. There was silence as Ron and Fred glared into each other's eyes, their faces only inches apart. Seconds ticked by; neither speaking, neither blinking, then Ron cracked a smile, and the two began to laugh.

"Got you, little brother," Fred quipped victoriously. "Harry, keep an eye on the little boy, will you? He's been a right mope waiting for..." Ron poked Fred in the side to silence him. "Yeah, yeah, okay. Look, Ron's due back about ten tonight and I don't want to have to come get him." He turned to go then stopped in the hallway. "Er, Harry, could you start the fire?" he asked, holding the shards of his wand in his hand.

Harry had just lit some paper with matches when there was a familiar knock on the front door. Without waiting, the door opened and in walked Gabriella.

"Fred! Ron!" she said brightly, walking over and giving them both hugs. "Merry Christmas!" She took her hand and dusted Fred's sleeves. "What happened to you?"

"I hope Olivander's is still open," muttered Fred. He reached into his pocket for floo powder and a look of realization filled his eyes. "Oops! Almost forgot, Harry." He reached into his other pocket and pulled out a small box. "It's too much to be hauling around." Harry took the box as Fred turned to his girlfriend. "Gabriella, you're as stunning as ever and when you come to your senses about Harry... I'll be waiting!" This time he took the floo powder into his hand. "Remember, little brother, ten tonight!" He called for Diagon Alley and vaporized in a puff of purple flame.

"Ron, Harry didn't mention you'd be by today."

"Thought I'd surprise him," replied Ron. "Things back home are a bit... dull." Hearing his words and seeing the look on his face, Gabriella knowingly smiled. Harry, however, paid little attention as he unwrapped the small box. Inside was a key, a Gringotts key. "They've started you an account, Harry. We know you don't like the thought of spending Sirius' money. This here is for your share of the shop's profits, money you should be happy to spend." Harry held the key up and turned it in his fingers. He had helped create something that was bringing happiness during these dark times and a smile crossed his face.

"Tell Fred and George thanks, when you get back tonight, okay?" Ron nodded as Harry started to tuck the key into his pants, and then realized he wasn't wearing any.

"Yes, Harry, you need to get dressed," said Gabriella briskly, slapping her hands together. "We only have about fifteen minutes, so get going!" Ron had to smile as Harry hopped up the stairs without saying a word. "You are going to clean this place up today, right?" she yelled as he disappeared into the hallway.

"Er, yeah. I swear!" Harry called back.

Harry drove Gabriella's car to the breakfast shop where they found Duncan standing on the curb waiting. He had a great grin on his face as he saw Harry at the wheel pulling up to the curb.

"Not a bad parking job, mate," said Duncan with a grin, "for an incurable criminal." Harry shook his hand and made quick introductions as Duncan was eager to get breakfast over with and be on his way.

"You know, Dunc," said Harry. "You've got plenty of time."

"Sure, if I don't get a flat tire or, run into some other problem. The weather's supposed to take a turn. I don't want Emma waitin' at the gate wonderin' where I am." Duncan's hand was in his jacket pocket and Harry figured he was thumbing the little box that held the band of gold that would be around Emma's finger tomorrow morning.

"Is that where you got the idea?" Ron asked Harry, pointing to Duncan's earring of thorns. Harry shrugged stroking the now worn silver lighting bolt.

"Yeah, I guess," he said. "Well, it was really her idea." Gabriella smiled, and then stroked the side of Harry's nose.

"You know, we could add one right here." She tapped his nose with a grin and Harry shook his head taking her hand in his.

"I think I'd do it," Ron said pensively, "but she doesn't want me to." He held his own ear. "Maybe a diamond er something."

"Or a ruby!" said Gabriella excited. "With your hair, it would be..."

"She?" Harry asked, putting his fork down on his plate. Ron glanced out the window, and took another gulp of juice. "Your Mum?"

"Don't be silly," Gabriella said, poking at Harry's ribs. "Hermione of course."

"Hermione?" Harry stammered. It was as if he was picking up a box that was too large. It wasn't that it was too heavy, he just couldn't seem to get his hands around it.

"Certainly, Ron, you've told him that you and--" she stopped herself sensing the emotions roiling out from Ron as he just continued to look through the window, his ears reddening. "Oh, dear...."

"Who's this, Herminny, eh?" Duncan asked taking a last sip of coffee. "Certainly she's got nothin' on our Gabriella here." Ron turned, almost defensive.

"Duncan, let me walk you to your car," said Gabriella slyly. "We don't want Emma waiting now, do we?"

"No, no we don't!" he said slapping the table and standing. "Ron, damn good to meet you. Always great to see the kind of criminals Harry here hangs with." Ron shook Duncan's hand as the blonde ruffled Harry's hair with the other. "See you guys tonight, and we can compare the ladies." He winked and walked with Gabriella out of the shop. Ron turned to Harry. It seemed like the first time all year they had a moment alone together.

Harry was still in a trance. "Hermione?" he asked in a weak whisper. In his mind, the box was becoming a bit more manageable.

"Well, we... we tried to tell you, Harry," Ron said apologetically. "Well, more me than her. I was hoping you'd figured it out at Hogwarts, but she didn't want to press it. I thought if I told her about Gabriella she'd change her mind. But she was still worried you'd get mad, or lose focus. I guess... the scar and all...." There was a long silence as Harry said nothing. "Maybe she was right," Ron muttered pushing his plate forward. But then a warm smile broke out on Harry's face and his eyes lit bright.

"Brilliant," he whispered. "Since when?" he asked. But then, "No, wait... Germany." His smile grew broader. He could tell by Ron's reddening face he was right. "Watching whales, eh? You went to be together in Germany... to be together." Harry shook his head. "Nitwit, Potter," said Harry, and he had to laugh at himself. He pushed his chair back and stood from the table saying, "Come on, stand up." Hesitantly, Ron obliged. Harry wrapped him in his arms. "It's perfect, Ron, absolutely perfect." The redhead grinned himself as a great weight had just evaporated into the ether.

"I told her you'd understand," he said as they both returned to their chairs, "but nooo, I have to tiptoe all year long just to..." he stopped himself short. Ron had been aching to talk to Harry about Hermione since last summer and now that they'd broken the ice he still wasn't sure how far he should go.

"So," Harry stepped in, thirsty for more information from his friend, "is she a good kisser?" Ron instantly reddened and then a sly glint crossed his eyes.

"Is Gabriella a good kisser?" Harry leaned in close. "She's a goddess, Ron. The things she can do with her fingers! Just last night... AYE!" Ron had been watching as Gabriella stepped up behind Harry.

"I can do this with my fingers," she said between her teeth as she briefly clenched a nerve in Harry's neck that sent spasms down the right side of his body, "to little braggarts who can't keep their mouths shut!" Ron burst out laughing, as Harry crumpled in his chair.

"She's a goddess of war, Harry!" joked Ron. "You better watch yourself." Harry stood, rubbing his neck and apologized, a deed for which he received a kiss. Ron turned toward the window. "Wow, look at it come down!" Outside the snow was starting to fall heavily.

"We'd better get back," said Gabriella handing Harry his jacket. "Maybe Duncan was right to leave early. I hope they make it back okay."

As the sky darkened, the three made their way back to Gabriella's driveway, the snow already clinging in the street. Harry no sooner stepped out of the car than a majestic owl swooped down in front of him. Harry watched it turn for another pass and this time it dropped a parchment directly in Harry's hands. The great owl then climbed until it disappeared into the falling snow. Harry looked down to find a wax seal bearing the Malfoy crest.

"Who's it from, Harry," asked Ron, holding his jacket tight around his neck.

"Malfoy," Harry responded before thinking. They were under the eves of Gabriella's house, the snow now over an inch deep on the front lawn.

"Malfoy!" exclaimed Gabriella as she brushed the snow from her coat. "Draco Malfoy?" Harry looked at her in surprise. How could she possibly... "Isn't that the boy that nearly killed Cho?"

"He's an evil git is what he is," Ron jumped in. "He's got the mind of a snake and the heart of a... well, he doesn't have one of those. Don't open it, Harry! I'll bet you a galleon to a knut it's probably hexed."

Harry looked at the scroll carefully. He knew it wasn't hexed. There was red and green trim on the edges and Harry's name was in rather elegant gold-leaf script. Harry thought it a Christmas card, but he wasn't going to open that in front of Ron. "Er, yeah, probably," he agreed with Ron. "Hang on." He ran across the street into number four and tossed the scroll on the living room table. He'd read it later. Then, looking at the mess, he made a mental note that he'd definitely get to that tomorrow too.

They entered the Darbinyan household and found Soseh tinkering with an ornament on the Christmas tree. Gabriella called her name, but she seemed entranced with the shiny red orb of glass that hung at the side of the tree. "Asha," Soseh muttered under her breath, and then something else Harry now understood to be Armenian, but still couldn't translate.

"What's she saying?" Harry whispered to Gabriella. She shook her head and slipped off her coat hanging it from a hook near the door. Ron and Harry followed suit, wiping their feet on the mat by the door.

"She thinks she sees my brother, Antreas," Gabriella said sadly, "wrapped in a chain of thorns." Gabriella sighed and walked over to her mother.

"Mama?" Gabriella said softly as if gently waking a baby from its slumber. "Mama? Antreas is fine; he's safe with God now. Come on, I'm home. Sorry we took so long." Slowly, Soseh seemed to realize they were in the room. "Have you seen the snow, Mama? We'll have a white Christmas, just like you dreamed of!" A large smile spread across Soseh's face as Gabriella walked her to the window.

"A white Christmas!" Soseh beamed, looking out onto the front yard. And then, as if nothing had ever been wrong, she turned to Harry. "This is your friend, Harry, is it not?" She strode over to Ron pinching his cheek. "Yes! Perhaps you can teach our Harry here how to eat! What's your name my child?"

"Ron... Ron Weasley, ma'am." He reached out his hand to shake, but Soseh wrapped him in her arms, and then patted his stomach.

"Have you had lunch?" she asked. "No... no, of course, I forgot, you just had breakfast with Duncan. A fine boy like yourself, Ron! Perhaps just a snack then." Soseh went into the kitchen and started preparing a plate for the three teenagers. Ron followed her to the kitchen and began suggesting items she might add. The gesture seemed to fill Soseh with pure joy.

"Gab... is she okay?" Harry asked. It was the first time he'd really seen Soseh so unresponsive and it was a bit frightening.

"Another bout of senility," Gabriella sighed. "I was hoping by now...." She looked at Ron working with her mother in the kitchen and tried to smile, but instead shuddered as she covered her face. Harry took her in his arms and she wept for only a moment on his shoulder. Holding her in his arms it suddenly occurred to him.

"Gabriella, what if... when I get back to Hogwarts... you know... I could use the stone." She pulled back looking at him blinking. She looked so tired and Harry wanted nothing more than to make her better... to make Soseh better. The vivificus stone was a tool for good, and he'd start as soon as he returned. Happiness wiped the tears from her eyes and she held him tight in her arms.

"I'm sorry, Harry, but--"

"What's this?" Ron asked, pointing to a television in the living room. Gabriella turned and flicked it on to reveal a parade in South Benton that was being covered by the local station. "A picture frame?" he asked.

"A television, Ron," answered Harry. "It shows pictures of what's going on around the world." Ron's eyes lit up.

"My dad's always wanted to see one of these!" he exclaimed. "Can you make it look wherever you want?"

"No. There's a guy like Colin taking pictures at the other end. He gets to pick what you watch." Ron shook his head in disappointment taking a slice of cheese from the platter Soseh had prepared. They were all watching the tube, when Gabriella burst out.

"It's Emma's team!" The University track team was wearing heavy jackets in the snow, walking in a loose formation and waving at the crowd. She turned up the volume.

"Yes John," a woman's voice announced, "the team was extremely successful at the European Championship. Nearly a dozen members were selected to attend; three men and four women earned medals this year, including the first gold in the women's 100 meter dash by Emma Slate." Gabriella squealed. "They should return from Paris this afternoon, if Heathrow stays open."

"Yes indeed, Mary," a male voice answered back, as the team passed from view followed by a marching band. "Most airports around Great Britain are announcing delays. For more on the weather we turn to..." Gabriella turned down the volume.

"Did you hear that?" she radiated. "A gold medal!" Soseh stood with her hands twisting the back of the couch tightly as she stared at the television. Only Harry noticed, and his heart filled with sadness. He was sure he heard her mutter her son's name.

Finally, they all migrated to the platter of food at the kitchen table and before long all four were assembling a puzzle of Big Ben. They were nearly done when for no reason Soseh stood up, walked over to the silent television that was now showing a commercial, and gripped the back of the couch once more.

"It can't end like this?" Soseh questioned the television. "My sweet... can it?"

"Mama?" Gabriella asked standing and moving to join her. No sooner had she reached Soseh's side, the television flashed SPECIAL REPORT. Harry and Ron both came over to see what was up. Gabriella turned up the volume.

"... your regular broadcast to bring you this special report. At approximately 4 pm, GMT, multiple explosions rocked the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The airport was packed with holiday travelers and early reports have many dead and countless injured. Officials refuse to comment if this was another terrorist attack. Here is the first footage of the scene."

The picture, taken from a helicopter flying overhead, showed three large pillars of smoke rising into the evening air. A tremendous blaze roared up from one location and the camera zoomed in. "What you're seeing there, Bill, is, or was, Terminal 2D. Air France, Brit Air and Luxair all used that terminal for..." There was another huge explosion, the camera frame flashing white. "My god! Did you get that? It's gone... it's all gone." The camera pulled back to show the entire length of the terminal engulfed in flames.

"Emma!" Gabriella breathed, squeezing Harry's hand. "What airline was she flying, Harry?"

"I don't know," he replied dumbstruck. "Duncan never said." The scene on the television changed to the front of the airport where rescue workers were carrying the injured out of the building. In the same picture, policemen armed with rifles stormed into the building. It was utter chaos.

"I've got to call her mother!" She ran to the phone and quickly dialed. "Damn! It's busy!" Gabriella began to tremble and Harry went to console her.

"I'm sure she's fine, baby. She should have left there over an hour ago."

"Didn't you hear? They said delays! What if... what if..."

"She's fine. She's probably on the phone right now with her mum, that's all." Tears began to stream down Gabriella's eyes. She was having none of it.

"Don't you see, Harry?" she quietly moaned in anguish burying her head in Harry's neck. "She's never wrong. Mama's never wrong." Soseh, seemingly oblivious, returned to the kitchen and began washing some plates.

Ron, however, was transfixed with the television. His mind watching every detail, looking for any clue. "Why? Why would he do this?" he whispered. "They're innocents, for Merlin's sake." He turned to see Harry still holding Gabriella in his arms. "We need to go," he said with a tint of urgency in his voice. Harry looked at Ron as if he were a madman.

"You can't be serious?" he said, glaring through his glasses. Gabriella, however, heard something in the tone of Ron's words, wiped her tears from her face and walked over to the couch.

"Why, Ron?" she sniffed. "What is it?"

"The opening move, Gabriella," he explained turning back to the television. "King's Cross was the warm-up. This... this is his flashy, bloody murderous, opening move." Harry stood behind Gabriella and listened trying to follow Ron's thinking.

"Who's he?" Gabriella asked. Ron shot Harry a glance, and Harry shook his head. Ron continued.

"The point is that he's waiting for our counter move, and when we--" There was a knock on the door.

"That's probably Emma and Duncan right now," said Harry with hope in his voice as he went to answer the door. He pulled it open to find Fred standing on the stoop. For a moment, Harry just gaped, unable to say a word. "Er... come in, Fred." The redhead stepped in through the door. There was no humor in his eyes. Instead, his face wore a look of worry and his hand remained in his pocket, where Harry knew his new wand lay.

Fred's eyes surveyed the room before he fully entered. Ron seemed unsurprised. Gabriella looked to Harry for an explanation. Soseh, hummed quietly to herself as she continued to clean the kitchen. Ron narrowed his eyes at his brother, reading his thoughts, and then opened them wide.

"The Ministry!" Ron exclaimed. "Where's dad?"

"I told you not to--"

"Where's dad?" Ron yelled.

"He and Percy went to France. Half the Ministry's there."

"A feint," said Ron, still trying to assemble the strategy in his mind. "Draw them to Paris, and attack the Ministry." He grabbed his coat and slipped it on. "How many?"

"About three dozen rogue goblins," Fred answered. "When I left, they'd already broken through the first defenses. Seems they brought a couple giants with them."

"Goblins?" Harry asked. "What about..." he looked over his shoulder, but Soseh seemed oblivious as she arranged food in the icebox. "What about Death Eaters?" he whispered.

"Oh, no." Ron breathed not waiting for the answer. "Where's Dumbledore?" he asked excitedly.

"That's why I'm here." Fred turned to Harry as Gabriella reached for his arm. "Tonks finally convinced him to go to the hospital. He was admitted this afternoon for a check-up exam at St. Mungo's. It takes twelve hours to complete, and the Healer there says the test can't be interrupted. Something about a measure of his life force; stopping now could kill him." He stepped closer to Harry. "Before Dad left to France, he told me to come get you if there was any change."

"Change in what?" Harry asked.

"Change at Hogwarts," replied Fred. "Dumbledore's gone and now the two Aurors Dad had watching Hogwarts are fighting at the Ministry." Ron, hearing these words, assembled the moves and planned two ahead as if playing a game of wizard's chess.

"They're at Hogwarts, Harry," he said, seeing the strategy for what it was. "No students, only a handful of professors, and Dumbledore is gone. They want the school."

"The stone," said Gabriella in a clear voice. "Harry, do you think...?"

"We've got to find out," Harry said, reaching for his jacket. But Ron, the better chess player, grabbed his hand.

"Don't you think that's what he wants you to do? Come save the school? Harry, it's another trap." Harry shook his head.

"No, Ron, he wants something of mine, and he's gone to Hogwarts to take it from me." He grabbed his coat, and hastily put it on. He turned to Gabriella who was still trying to figure out who he was. "Baby, I've got to go find out if the stone is safe. I'll be back as soon..." Harry swallowed, losing the words in his throat. "I... I love you." They kissed as Gabriella stroked his face, her hand shaking. He began to follow Fred and Ron out the door, then turned back. It was odd he thought. They were to be eating a grand meal this evening, and Soseh hadn't even started cooking. Did she know? He took a deep breath. "Emma will be fine. I know she will." He offered as best a smile as he could muster and closed the door behind him.

The snow had stopped falling, leaving behind about six inches of fresh powder. Harry looked to the darkening sky and found it still spotty with clouds. Already, Fred and Ron were calling for him to hurry; Ron insisted that the Death Eaters wanted Harry, not some stupid stone. When they entered the Dursley living room, Harry looked down to see Draco's scroll. Christmas greetings would have to wait, he thought. Right now they needed to go. The three stood at the hearth.

"Well," Ron began, "we can start at the new shop in Hogsmeade first, maybe fly from there, or we can try to jump straight to Hogwarts into Tonks' office."

"Hogsmeade," Harry answered without hesitation. "We need to know what we're walking into."

"Agreed," Ron nodded. "Hopefully nothing but Christmas cheer."

Brandishing his new wand, Fred started the fire and was first to go... "Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes of Hogsmeade!" Ron followed close behind. Harry, however, hesitated. He scanned the room regretting that he'd never taken the time to clean it. He felt as if, somehow, he was saying goodbye. For no reason, he grabbed Draco's scroll, shoved it in his jacket, and disappeared into a swirling flash of fire, only to reappear in Fred and George's new shop. Emerging from the ashes, he swiped the dust from off his coat sleeves.

"That's far enough, Mr. Potter," sneered a male's voice to Harry's right. He turned to find George out cold on the floor, Ron and Fred bound and gagged sitting next to him, and a cloaked figure pointing a wand straight at Harry. "And they said this would be difficult. Now... slowly... hand me your wand. We wouldn't want an accident now, would we?"

"Mahogany?" Harry said coolly. "It didn't serve you well when we met last in the Ministry, Mr. Nott." The Death Eater recoiled at his name. "Taken down by a fifteen year-old witch. Tsk. Tsk," Harry clucked his tongue.

"I've been waiting for this for a long time, Potter," smirked Nott with a scratchy voice, raising his wand. Harry made no attempt to reach for his own. Instead he watched and waited. He remembered Tonks' words earlier in the year. So he let his vision look for the smallest hint of what was to come. Nott seemed to be enjoying his upper hand, dropping his defenses ever so slightly. And then Harry heard the breath, a distinct inhale. Instantly, he reached for his wand at the pivot point of Nott's concentration.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

A beam of red light ricocheted straight back at the caster, and Nott flew backwards into the wall.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry called out, and Nott's wand flew out of his hand. "Incarcerous." Moments later, it was Nott who lay bound, while Ron and Fred were free. Rubbing his own right arm, Harry went to George's aid just as he was coming to.

"George, you okay?" Harry asked. George reached and grabbed Harry's jacket, and pulled himself up to a sitting position. His eyes seemed to float about in their sockets, and he was unable to clear his mind.

"Harry?" His voice was unsteady. "Nott, he's--"

"Tied up at the moment, brother," Fred cut in, handing George a green candy. "Go on, eat it." George popped it in his mouth and immediately his eyes began to clear. Fred looked at Harry. "It's the counter-candy to our new line of knock-out nougats."

"Harry," George said more clearly, getting to his feet. "They're all over town waiting for you. They've got every fireplace covered."

"Waiting for him?" Ron asked. "Harry, if they had wanted something from Hogwarts, they wouldn't be waiting in ambush for you to arrive. They'd grab it and run. Let's go."

"Maybe," Harry said looking out the front window of the shop. "We still have to be sure."

"It's a trap, Harry!" said Ron sternly. "There's nothing at Hogwarts that's worth..."

"I said we have to be sure!" snapped Harry. He wasn't going to hide here and wait for Voldemort to take the stone. And if it was a trap, perhaps it was time for that too. He was ready to be done with it. "Fred, I need a broom."

"You mean we need brooms," corrected George. "Honestly, Harry, if you're going to ruin the Queen's English, you might just as well ship off to America."

It wasn't long before the four Gryffindors found themselves in the air above the frozen lake heading toward Hogwarts. The snow was deeper here, and as Harry looked up, he could see stars breaking through the clouds and Mars looming large, a brilliant bright red as it approached the full moon. Perhaps, tonight, Grigor would get his wish after all.