Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

     Chapter 3

     Trapped

    "Please sit. Harry, I need to ask you about something now that you finally seem stronger," Sirius said. The broad smile that had been on his face watching Harry and Hermione flirting had vanished as quickly as the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes.

    Harry sank into the plush chair that Dumbledore had conjured and sighed, fear gripping his heart. "What do you mean I finally seem stronger? What did you need to tell me?" Harry asked, his hands clenched in his lap so tightly he could feel the Ring of Merlin digging into his palm.

    "Don't you remember what happened when you woke up Harry?" Sirius asked.

    "Besides listening to Ron and Hermione fight and trying to figure out how you could still be alive . . . what else happened?" Harry asked, trying to remember if he had done anything that could cause the worried look that Dumbledore and Sirius now wore.

    "I don't mean the first time Harry. I mean what happened later. First you asked if you could live with me now that the Dursleys were gone and we talked. Then you fell asleep. A few hours later something happened. You woke up screaming and your eyes rolled back in your head. You were clutching your scar and thrashing about. Ron said it looked like the usual nightmares you would have during the school year but before he or Hermione could do anything to bring you around you started convulsing and making some sort of a noise. After a few moments we realized you were . . . well, you were speaking in Voldemort's voice," Sirius said.

    "WHAT?" Harry screamed, standing up to pace in front of the table.

    "Voldemort sensed you were weak from the attack and pushed his way into your mind. He wanted to scare everyone who heard him through you. He let us know that he would kill you Harry, after he let you watch him torture everyone close to you, starting with Ron and Hermione," Sirius said. He wished he hadn't brought this up today of all days, but it couldn't wait much longer. Voldemort had promised first blood would be spilled before school began. The kids needed to go away from Hogwarts for part of the summer to rest. 12 Grimmauld Place would be the perfect hideaway just as it was last winter. It had been far too long since any of them had been able to act like the teenagers they were, Sirius thought.

    Harry was trapped in his own mind watching flashes of people dying one by one. Unlike his previous visions of death, these images had sound. He could hear his friends and the members of the Order screaming as they were killed one by one. His parents, Cedric, Sirius, Remus, Ron, and Hermione died over and over again and he couldn't stop it from happening even though he was right there when each of them died.

    "TAKE ME AND LEAVE THEM ALONE IT'S ME YOU WANT!" Harry screamed, his voice breaking down as he began to sob. Before he knew what had happened a ball of golden light flew from his clenched fist and blasted into the Gryffindor banner over the fireplace turning it into nothing more than black streaks on the stone wall. Next, another blast bounced from one portrait to another sending them all crashing to the ground and causing their occupants some moments of panic.

    "You all think I'm crazy don't you?" Harry asked, his voice small and weak. "Don't come near me Mione. I'll hurt you. Stay with Ron you'll be safe," Harry said. He turned and curled into a ball sobbing loudly as though he couldn't help himself.

    "No! Harry, we both love you," Hermione said, pulling Ron over to where Harry sat on the floor next to an overturned armchair.

    "Bloody hell," Ron whispered. He was frightened watching Harry sitting there, his normally bright green eyes nearly lifeless. Ron noticed that Harry's demeanor did seem to calm when Hermione spoke. Ron squelched his jealousy even though it hurt to lose Hermione. At least she would be with Harry and the three of them would still be best mates. And there was the slim chance that they wouldn't work out and then Ron could maybe try again. Ron stood up and walked over to Sirius. "What are we going to do? He'll wind up in St. Mungo's at this rate," Ron said.

    "You all need a safe place to rest before school starts. Somewhere where you can have some fun or at least not think about this bloody war for five minutes," Sirius said.

    The others present in the room watched the commotion in stunned silence. They had all seen Harry's rage the previous year but never such a total display of emotion as the one they were witnessing now. Lavender and Parvati were silently crying watching Harry breakdown and Neville, Dean, and Seamus couldn't believe how their stoically strong friend, the epitome of a true Gryffindor, was just crumbling in front of them.

    Moody took control of the situation and gestured for the students to follow him. "I think it would be best if you returned home. We'll go to the Headmaster's office and have you Floo from there. Would you come with us please Tonks?" Moody asked his coworker. Tonks nodded, her hair changing to a muted chartreuse to fit the suddenly solemn tone of the room.

    Following the dull thump and clack of Moody's wooden leg the students soon found themselves at the stone gargoyles that marked Dumbledore's office. "Cadbury," Moody said, engaging the door and the spiral staircase within.

    "Never would have guessed a muggle candy," Dean commented quietly to Seamus and Neville who nodded their agreement.

    Tonks ushered everyone into the office before closing the door with a soft click followed by Moody firing silencing spells and a few others that no one recognized. "Please sit. I need to speak with you about what you've witnessed tonight," Moody said gruffly, his magical eye rolling violently in the socket. "I assume that you understand somewhat the threat that Potter is under?" he said in such a way that it made everyone jump. "The event that you've seen tonight is not to be discussed with anyone who was not present. Even among those who were present discuss it, if you must, only when you are at Hogwarts," Moody continued, not waiting for anyone to answer his first question.

    "Of course not Pro . . . Mad-Eye," Neville stammered. "I was with Harry last year. I know how important it is that he not be written about in the newspapers as a nutter again now that the Ministry has finally had to admit they were mistaken about You-Know-Who," he said.

    "Well-said Longbottom," Moody said, pacing the floor in a steady buzz of clanking and whirring. "Does anyone else have anything to add?" he asked the rest of the students.

    "Could you please have someone tell Ron and Hermione to tell Harry that we'll always support him? After all, none of us would have done nearly as well on our DADA OWL as we think we have, without DA last year. And that we'll be here for him whenever and however he needs us," Lavender said, speaking for the rest of the sixth year Gryffindors who nodded their agreement to her words.

    "Well it seems Potter made a mistake in naming his little group last year. It should be Potter's Army. Nonetheless, we'll need an army by the time this is over. Tonks please make sure that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley get that message to give to Potter. He needs to know he has friends," Moody said. "All right now, time to get going. Grab the Floo Powder and CONSTANT VIGILANCE," he growled. The students jumped up, remembering the fake Moody in fourth year cursing them all, and grabbed for the Floo Powder. One by one they left Hogwarts until the start of the term on September 1.

    The rest of the Weasley family stood watching silently, except for the occasional sob from either Ginny or Mrs. Weasley as they watched Harry crumple to the floor of the common room. "We should probably leave them," Charlie said, watching how only Hermione and Ron could even begin to approach Harry in this state.

    "I want to stay mum. He's my friend too," Ginny protested.

    "It would be for the best if we all left as little as I want to leave him the poor dear," Molly sobbed, dabbing her eyes with an already soaked handkerchief.

    "But Ron is staying," Ginny persisted.

    "GINERVA MOLLY WEASLEY you are coming home and that's final. Ron will be staying. He and Hermione are the only ones who can help him right now. Let's go everyone," she said.

    The Weasleys all headed for the fireplace in Dumbledore's office, as it was the only one connected with the Floo Network, and disappeared back to The Burrow.

    Remus stood off to the side with his fists clenched tightly. The primal sounds that Harry was making were calling to his werewolf side while his human side felt as if someone had sucker punched him in the gut. He wanted to go over to Harry and hold him tight but knew that Harry wouldn't be able to deal with the human contact. He and Sirius had a lot to make up to Harry now that they were both taking godfather duty, Remus thought. That piece of Sirius's will was a shock to Remus as he was sure that the Ministry would never allow a werewolf to care for a young wizard, especially not Harry Potter. Remus figured that Dumbledore had something to do with that codicil being passed. Now though, Sirius was here and freed but had told Remus that they would care for Harry together since both of them were sharing Grimmauld Place anyway.

    Dumbledore watched in awe of the sheer magical power that flooded through Harry. It was yet another demonstration of ‘the power the dark lord knew not' which seemed to show itself more when Harry felt that the lives of his friends were in danger. He knew that he would have to train Harry in Occlumency quickly to avoid these occasions when Voldemort would attempt to possess Harry and Dumbledore hoped that the ring Harry now wore would help in making the training easier. It was no ordinary signet ring that Mr. Potter now wore, it was the key to Harry's past, and his future. His thoughts were interrupted by Sirius coming over to see what was to be done with Harry and his friends with everything that was happening.

    "Albus sir, they need privacy and peace," Sirius said.

    "They must not leave the castle. Grimmauld Place is not safe yet even with your wards for Harry. They are not enough since his blood protection from Privet Drive is now destroyed," Dumbledore said.

    Harry's cries increased in volume causing everyone to stop their discussions and look toward where Hermione and Ron were trying to console their friend. "Harry, come on, let me help you up. You need to rest," Hermione said softly, noticing the way Harry's eyes drooped from fatigue even as he tried to keep them open.

    "Please Mione I don't want Voldemort to hurt you. He's going to come through me and I can't be responsible for any more pain," Harry said, fighting the tears back.

    "Let it out Harry. We'll stop this together as we always have ever since the day two loud brash boys knocked out a mountain troll to save a know-it-all bookworm," Hermione said. She pulled Harry closer to her and wrapped her arms around him, ceasing his struggles. Harry laid his head on her shoulder and breathed in her scent, strawberries and vanilla. His eyes fluttered and then closed, he was safe for the time being.

    Everyone let out a breath that they hadn't known they were holding and continued to watch Hermione calm Harry. Already his magical energy was fading back into his body and the portraits stopped crashing to the ground. Everything was still and quiet. "What are we going to do Albus?" Remus asked his brow furrowed with worry.

    "We seem to have recently gained a spare room of requirement. They shall stay there until the term begins and anytime after when they need peace and comfort. No one besides the people in this room will be able to enter. I will also give them a portrait guardian to watch over them and report to myself or Minerva if there is trouble," Dumbledore announced to Sirius and Remus. Ron had been standing close by watching the scene with a heavy heart but smiled when he heard the Headmaster's solution. Trust Dumbledore to have everything solved and calm everyone down in record time. "Miss Granger, do not wake him but let Sirius carry him to your new room," Dumbledore said, his voice quieting at the sight of Harry curled into Hermione's shoulder. He looked much younger than his 16 years, the Headmaster thought. He led the way to a little used corridor near the Gryffindor common room and paced beside the wall hanging three times until the door appeared. "Welcome to the private chambers of HRH I trust I do not need to tell you again how much Harry needs both of you to get through this," Dumbledore said.

    Sirius set Harry down on a scarlet and gold four-poster bed in the centre of the room. Ron and Hermione immediately took their positions guarding him, Ron on the left and Hermione on the right. "It seems you two have things in order. Keep him safe," Sirius said. "Sleep well my godson," Sirius whispered in Harry's ear.

    Remus came over and was no longer able to resist the impulse to hug Harry. "Take care of him Hermione, you as well Ron. Thank you for sticking by his side even when he wanted you to abandon him," Remus said, tears forming in his eyes as he left the room.

    Harry woke up feeling something next to him in bed. He looked over and saw Ron softly snoring on one side and then turned to the other side to find Hermione, her face bathed in sunlight. Harry sat up groggy and sore. He looked up at the enchanted calendar and gasped. It was August 3. The last thing Harry remembered was talking to Sirius at his birthday party, which meant that he had been asleep for three days.

    Hermione felt the bed move and opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw that Harry was finally awake. "It's about time you woke up Harry. Ron and I can't wait to show you what we've found in this room so far," Hermione said with a smile on her face.

    "Where are we?" Harry asked, knowing that they had been in the Gryffindor common room for his party but this place looked totally different. He was also disoriented by waking up with his best friends sharing the bed with him. "Did you sleep here to watch over me?" Harry asked quietly.

    "Yes Harry. We were going to take turns staying awake to watch you. The last nightmare you had was so strong that it took both Ron and I to calm you down and then you kept a hold of us when we tried to go back to our own beds. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you Harry," Hermione said, leaning closer and closer to him.

    "Oh come on and just snog already," Ron said, having woken up.

    "We'll have to work on your timing Ron," Hermione said with a smile, kissing Harry's cheek and hugging Ron. "Come on now you two and get dressed, it's already noon. Maybe we'll finally get our OWL scores today, and we have a lot to explore," Hermione said, picking up her clothes and turning to leave.

    As soon as she had left the room Harry turned to Ron, "I'm sorry mate," he said as he dressed.

    "For what?" Ron asked.

    "Falling for Mione when I know that you've fancied her for the last three years," Harry answered.

    "No I'm happy for you two really. I was jealous at first but then I saw how she was the only one who could get through to you after what happened in the common room. She and I talked and she admitted she's had a crush on you ever since she met us on the train when we were 11. And there is someone I sort of like anyway," Ron said, blushing red almost immediately.

    "Who is she?" Harry asked.

    "Promise not to laugh?" Ron asked.

    "Marauder's honour," Harry said.

    "Luna Lovegood," Ron said.

    "Well I'll help you figure out a way to get her Ron," Harry said.

    They finished dressing and exited the bedroom where somehow Harry's bed had been transported during his three-day nap. He noticed his name on the door in silver letters and two other doors nearby which were Ron and Hermione's rooms. Then Harry noticed at least six other doors around the main room.

    "What are all the doors for? What is this place anyway?" Harry asked.

    "Dumbledore said it's a spare room of requirement that he made into a private chamber for the three of us, but especially for you Harry. You're safest at Hogwarts. The wards Sirius put up at Grimmauld Place aren't very secure yet and The Burrow is a bit crowded to really be peaceful," Hermione said in one breath.

    "Remember to breathe," Harry whispered in her ear, his lips turning up into a slight smile.

    "He also said he would find us a portrait guard in case something happens. I wonder which of these portraits is the main door?" Ron said.

    "I believe you're looking for us," A male voice said from behind them near the fireplace.

    Harry thought he had heard the voice before but he wasn't sure. Hermione gasped as she looked at the people in the painting. The man was tall with dark wild hair and bright hazel eyes and he was holding the hand of a beautiful woman with hair bright enough to be mistaken for a Weasley and familiar deep emerald eyes. "Oh Harry . . . Dumbledore's given us the perfect guard. Harry look, it's your parents," Hermione said, turning him around and gesturing toward the portrait.

    "Mum . . . Dad?" Harry asked in shock.

    "It's us son. Dumbledore found our old Head Boy and Head Girl portrait and moved us here to watch over you three," James said calmly.

    "I have my whole family around me," Harry whispered, more to himself than to the others in the room.

    "That's right sweetie, we're here now and you have Sirius and Remus, not to mention your friends Or should I say guards? Thank you for keeping my baby safe," Lily said, tears in her eyes.

    "We don't mind Mrs. Potter," Hermione said.

    "Please dear, call us by our first names," Lily said.

    "I dare say you'll be family soon enough anyway," James added and then ducked as Lily smacked him upside the back of his head.

    "How is your painting so real? It's . . . you're so . . . alive," Harry said, at a loss for words.

    "It's the way the portrait was made. We chose to leave behind much of ourselves in it when we were taken away from you so soon. It's much like the portraits of the old headmaster's in Professor Dumbledore's office," Lily explained.

    "We'll have plenty of time to chat though son. I believe you three were set to explore your new hangout. Come on let's see what the next generation of Marauders can do. We've already heard plenty of stories from Remus and Sirius last night," James said smiling broadly.

    Harry's own smile soon matched his father's. "What are we waiting for? Lets have an adventure!" Harry said.

    "We won't even need the map or the cloak this time," Ron said.

    "Good because the three of us really don't fit under it anymore at least not when you're still growing like a giant Ron and now Harry is nearly as tall," Hermione said.

    "And no one is trying to kill us either," Harry said.

    "Hush Harry. There's no need to dwell on that," Hermione said smiling. She was all for a little adventure if it meant that Harry would smile more often. "I'm sure it's perfectly safe after all Professor Dumbledore created this room for us and he doesn't want to see us killed, or worse expelled," Hermione said.

    "Are you sure you wouldn't rather study or wait for our OWL's?" Harry asked Hermione teasingly.

    "Of course not. I'm just as curious as you two are," Hermione said, shooting a fake scowl at her boys. "Besides I already finished the summer work we have and you two are nearly done," she added.

    Harry reached for the doorknob on the first door they spotted and pushed the door open. He was surprised to see the stone steps leading from the dormitories to the Gryffindor common room. "Well we've found a shortcut to the common room. I wonder how we'll explain just showing up," Harry said.

    The three retreated to their private space, which they had already christened HRH or The Marauders Lair. Hermione smiled when she noticed the parchment sitting on their table. "How much do you want to bet this explains things?" she said, opening the note.

    Dumbledore's voice broke the silence. ‘Congratulations on discovering one of this rooms many mysteries. I've given you three a discreet way to rejoin your house mates when you wish. As for explaining your absence in the dormitories, I have come up with an explanation. Congratulations to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger on retaining their prefect status for sixth year and congratulations to Mr. Potter for becoming the third Gryffindor sixth year prefect. With the new dangers I have increased the number of prefects and enhanced their responsibilities, but this you will find out in the first meeting. Your badges will be in your start of term letters arriving shortly. What this means for you is that with this privilege and responsibility comes your own room which most people will assume is at the bottom of the tower stairs. Now as you'll notice there are many other doors to explore. Take me with you. I'll explain as you explore,' Dumbledore said.

    "Well with an offer like that," Harry said, linking his arm through Hermione's.

    Ron opened the next door eagerly and stepped inside. ‘Well I see you've found the library, no doubt Miss Granger's favourite door. Don't groan boys. As you'll notice no one in the library is any wiser to your presence, which means no need of your invisibility cloak or the map to make your annual visit to the restricted section. There will be several books of interest there, including Moste Potente Potions, which I believe you three are familiar with from your second year. I trust you will not mess up Myrtle's bathroom too much if you try to make something you find in there again,' Dumbledore said with an unmistakable chuckle. The trio could almost hear his eyes twinkling as the note spoke. ‘Oh and Harry, the book you seek is on the third shelf from the left about four feet up from the floor. Use it as well as your father and godfathers did,' Dumbledore added.

    They returned to their chamber in uncontrollable laughter. "He knows us too bloody well. How did he find out about the Polyjuice potion in second year?" Ron said.

    "You made Polyjuice potion in second year? Did it work?" James asked from the portrait.

    "We had to do it to try to find out who had opened the chamber of secrets. We thought it was Malfoy so we went to the Slytherin common room as Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione was supposed to be Millicent Bulstrode but she ended up not being able to come out of the bathroom stall," Harry said.

    "Why not?" Lily asked.

    "Let's just say we found out why the book said that Polyjuice doesn't work for animal transformations. The hair wasn't from Bulstrode but from her cat," Harry said.

    "Blimey it took Sirius, Remus, and I until fifth year to find that book and we could never get the potion right. We did learn to make Remus's wolfsbane potion from it though," James said.

    "Wolfsbane is in a book of mostly illegal potions?" Harry asked.

    "It's controlled by the Ministry. They don't want to do anything to help the werewolves blend into society," Lily answered.

    "That's terrible. We should probably brew up a batch for Pro . . . Remus in case Snape decides not to do it for some reason. We can send it to him wherever he's going to be . . . Headquarters I would assume," Hermione said.

    "I think that Remus will be a little closer than you think after what's happened," James said.

    "You don't think . . . Dumbledore could have asked him to stay here as the DADA professor," Harry said.

    "Look at what you've done James, you've ruined the surprise," Lily said.

    "Don't worry we would have figured it out anyway as soon as book lists come. He told us what he would assign for reading if he were still our professor so if that book is on the list we would have known anyway," Hermione answered.

    "They're too smart for their own good," James said.

    "By the way Harry, what exactly is that book that Dumbledore pointed out to you?" Hermione asked, sinking down onto the couch as it was starting to get late and she was tired.

    "Wow we spent a long time exploring. It's dinner time already," Ron said, wondering if they should go down to the great hall to eat.

    "It's the book that my dad and Sirius used to become Animagi. I saw it in a dream the night I was attacked and memorized the title. Dumbledore must have used Leglimancy on me and saw that I was thinking about it. Would you two like to learn with me? Yes Mione, we'll register ourselves eventually but I want to learn as they did," Harry said, also sitting on the couch.

    "Of course mate," Ron said, still thinking about his dinner.

    "As long as we register eventually, it will be an interesting way to spend the last month of our summer. Professor Dumbledore must be okay with it since he told us where the book is and gave us a way to get it," Hermione said.

    "He also told us how to get a book of illegal and sometimes dangerous potions. Then he told us only to try not to mess up the off-limits girls bathroom when we tried something from the book," Harry pointed out with a chuckle.

    "Are you three getting hungry?" Lily asked them. She was amused watching the teens interact. It was almost as if they could read each other's thoughts.

    "Yes," Ron said eagerly.

    "Ron, you're always hungry," Hermione said.

    "He has the right idea though. I guess we have to leave our sanctuary and trudge down to the hall or maybe the kitchens to get some food," Harry said.

    "Nope. Dumbledore thought of everything. He connected your table here with the kitchens and left a few menus. It looks like you three can order anything you want from downstairs and stay right in here if you wanted to," James said, gesturing to the previously clear table. It now had three gold plates with matching cutlery and goblets sitting on it.

    "Those poor house-elves they have even more work now," Hermione said.

    "I'll bet Dobby is our personal elf and he is getting paid Mione," Harry said.

    "Haven't you given up on spew yet?" Ron asked.

    "It's not spew Ron its S.P.E.W and no I'm just thinking up new ideas," Hermione said.

    "So let's eat then I'm almost as hungry as Ron," Harry said, trying to stop an argument he'd heard a thousand times already.

    They turned to look at the menus and then pointed their wands at their plates. "Fish and chips and a Butterbeer please," Hermione said.

    "Shepherd's Pie and a Butterbeer," Harry said.

    "Steak and kidney pie and a firewhiskey," Ron said. He frowned when his goblet was filled with Butterbeer but shrugged and took a drink. "It was worth a try," he said.

    After supper the boys finished the four scroll essay for Snape while Hermione read Hogwarts, A History for the hundredth time. Stifling a yawn Harry glanced over where she was reading and smiled. Hermione looked up out of instinct and smiled back, happy to have caught him looking at her. She stood up and walked over to him. Sitting next to him, she kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear. "We should get to bed, especially you Harry you look exhausted. Are you sure you don't need at least one of us to stay with you tonight?" she asked.

    "I'm sure Mione. I don't want to keep you and Ron up anymore than I've already done. I'm sure you'll hear me if I have another dream," Harry said, leaning closer to Hermione, his cheek touching hers. For a breathless moment the two of them sat mesmerized by the sensation. Ron noticed this and silently left the room to go to bed.

    "Goodnight Harry," Hermione said.

    "Night Mione," Harry said, resisting his impulse to kiss her lips and settled for her cheek, his lips lingering against her skin. Then they separated and walked to their rooms for the night.