Buried Secrets

"Bring some more cherry preserves, Charlotte. Oh, and anything else you can grab from the kitchens. Remember we've got a special guest today!"

Cho sat on a large sofa covered with a thick tiger skin, her stiffened hands pressing on her knees, her face plastered with a fake smile. She now concluded that Narcissa Malfoy was keeping her here on purpose. Anxiety ran through her body, the intensity increasing every minute. But it was essential to leave; she must get to Harry quick. Cho finally made her decision.

"I hope you're not too worried about your grandmother, Cho? Last time I saw her, she looked pretty healthy to me."

The elder woman looked confused and somewhat suspicious. "Mind what, child?"

"This." Cho silently said occaeco exanimo in her head.

Narcissa Malfoy uttered a loud shriek as a flash of blue lightning hit her on the head from behind, and slumped on the carpet.

Seeing her success, Cho wanted to jump for joy. But instead, she sank onto the floor. The furniture blurred before her, and strength seemed to be oozing from her body. She knocked a fist on her temple, and gradually things came back to focus. She went over to Narcissa Malfoy to check if she really was knocked out.With a pounding heart, she lifted Mrs. Malfoy's right arm and released it. No sign of consciousness; the arm simply fell back on the body.

Cho decided that Mrs. Malfoy was now 'dead' for sure. She pushed herself up to stand upright. "Now what?" she said aloud.

Feeling much braver, Cho gripped her wand tightly and proceeded to the door of the parlour. Before she could open it, her keen Seeker eyes had detected the knob of the door turning. Someone was coming in.

Cho Chang quickly ducked behind the door and held her breath. It was lucky that she was small, for it gave her advantages of being able to be concealed completely and being light and speedy.

Charlotte the maid entered, pushing a trolley of food. When she saw her mistress lying on the ground, the maid was speechless for a second.

Cho panicked. Without thinking, she uttered the Unvigilence Spell. A second later, Charlotte was hit on the back with the Dark magic, and slowly sank to the floor in a heap.

Cho's world was spinning. Her knees were shaking badly, the room seemed to have dissolved into a swirl of colours. She couldn't help it; Cho sat down on the floor. She put both hands on her head, trying to steady herself both physically and mentally. The feeling was horrible--because she was so anxious to get up, but her body wouldn't cooperate.

Finally the girl recovered her wits. A quick look at Mrs. Malfoy and her servant told her that she must take careful steps. Worried that Narcissa might wake up from the blow any time, Cho raised her wand and issued a Stunning Spell on Mrs. Malfoy. She even added a Full Body Bind, a Freezing Charm, and several other hexes she'd learned. She stifled a giggle, when she perceived the result of too many curses used. Narcissa Malfoy's lustrous blond hair had turned blue, large pimples have sprouted all over her face, and her aristocratic nose became flat.

Now what? Cho pondered her next step as she performed the hexing on Charlotte. Even if it was ensured that both women would stay unconscious, there was no telling when Draco would return, and that black-haired, shy young wizard was still missing...

Cho stood up. She had got to get going, no matter what. Charlotte's petite frame had given her an idea, and she needed to reduce her risk of getting caught while searching for Harry.

Using a simple Switching Spell, Cho transferred the maid's outfit onto herself and her own simple robes onto Charlotte. She went over to a large mirror on the side of the room to see herself, and giggled, the maid's outfit was rather loose on her. Cho pulled the maid's bonnet over her head and did her best to hide her countenance. She took a final look at the mirror. Since there was no Polyjuice Potion, it was impossible to be an identical twin to Charlotte, but she might pass if no one was looking closely.

Now for the concealment of the two women. Cho used the Hovering Charm to transport Narcissa and Charlotte to the space behind a long sofa at the edge of the room. It was hard work, as they usually practiced on feathers and lighter stuff before. Narcissa and Charlotte fell on the floor a few times with hard bumps. Cho hardened her heart; who cares if they got bruised? I have to save a man's life! The sound of that seemingly mighty task boosted her confidence, and she managed to finish the work without getting discouraged.

Thinking that she would have to wheel the trolley out to help her disguise, Cho turned to the untouched trolley, and it dawned on her that it might be a pity to waste the food. They were quite tasty, with those fresh pasty tops adorned with fruit and chocolate, and Harry might be feeling hungry by now. So the young Ravenclaw conjured a large piece of clean cloth by Duplicating the tablecloth on the dining table, and used it to wrap up a few pies and cakes. She stuffed them into her apron and carried the rest to the long sofa where Narcissa and her servant lay, and dumped the food on them.

Then Cho tiptoed to the door, and pressed her ear on the door for any sound. She took a last look at the room, and thought that she had done the best she could. "Harry, please be all right," she whispered. Then she gently opened the door, and stepped outside.

* * *

"So what shall we do with him?" Lucius Malfoy was eyeing Harry as though he was a hungry tiger and Harry was a particularly juicy morsel.

"I'll take him to Master," Crouch began, but Nott interrupted.

"No, it was I who Petrified the boy! It should be me--"

"But it was I that made him appear from his cloak!" Another Death Eater spoke up.

"I think we'd better question him first," Lucius Malfoy proposed.

The Death Eaters glared at each other; it was too obvious--everyone couldn't miss the honour of bringing Harry Potter to their dear master. Voldemort had been raging since Harry Potter escaped his clutches again; it was too much an insult for him to let a fourteen-year-old boy get away from him, the terrible, powerful Dark Lord.

Lucius Malfoy looked at Crouch for consent. Crouch seemed to hesitate at first, but eventually he gave in. "All right." Crouch cleared his throat. "We'll hear what this little brat has to say."

Crouch raised his wand and pointed it at Harry. With a powerful incarnation, the unfortunate victim rose slowly in the air, bathed in an orange light, and was carried to the back of the room. Another wave of the wand, and shackles appeared, pinning Harry onto the walls. Then Crouch crossed over to the boy, and reached into his robes, bringing out a small vial. He forced open Harry's mouth and poured a few drops down his throat. Then he stepped back, and used his wand again. "Enervate!"

Harry stirred and opened his eyes. His expression was blank, and he stared at the menacing crowd before him with a dull, lifeless look. The Death Eaters all regarded him now with savage eagerness.

"Can you hear me?" Crouch leaned forward, his eyes glittering.

"Yeah," mumbled the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Very well. What's your name?"

"Harry Potter."

"How old are you? Which school do you go to? What house are you in?"

Harry answered the questions correctly in a monotonous tone. Crouch then started to ask what they all really wanted to hear about.

"Why did you come to Malfoy Manor? How did you find this place?"

A collective breath of anticipation ran through the Death Eaters. Harry, still under the power of Veritaserum, was propelled to tell the truth. "I wanted to save Sirius Black, my godfather. He's been poisoned by Lucius Malfoy. I came here with the help of a friend."

"Who?"

"Cho Chang. I met her on the way to Mrs. Figg's house."

The Death Eaters emitted sounds of astonishment and interest. Lucius Malfoy's face was very ugly--he hadn't in the least suspected that the childhood friend of his son had came and lied right under his nose. Had Cho a chance to see him now, she would have nightmares.

"And she agreed to come with you?"

"I told her about Sirius. She insisted on helping us."

Crouch paused a moment, appearing to be in deep contemplation. Finally he turned around.

"Lucius, I believe it's necessary to find the girl. She knows too much. Besides, when she discovers the boy is gone, she may seek help."

Lucius Malfoy did not answer directly. He wanted to find Cho too, but the thought of handing her over to ruthless Dark wizards was not pleasant, either.

"But we do not want any trouble from the Changs," Crouch continued in the silence. "They are still a large, well-known family in the wizard world. I suggest putting a Memory Charm on her after we find her and transport her back to where she came from."

"As you wish, sir." Crouch's proposal settled Lucius Malfoy's uneasy fears.

"Then," Crouch swept a cold gaze around the room. "Any volunteers for the capture of Cho Chang?"

A few Death Eaters came forward. There were a couple of reasons: Most of them were just interested in Harry, and also they did not want any problems with the Changs. Those who volunteered had notions of pleasing Crouch and Malfoy, or trying to gain some credit for a contribution.

"But the boy!" a Death Eater ventured.

"Right. He must be kept under heavy confines. Any suitable place, Lucius?" Crouch asked.

"Yes, this way, please."

Crouch swept a withering look over the Death Eaters. "I want to ensure that no one takes pity on the boy, or quarrel over him. We will settle the matter after taking care of Cho Chang."

He let Lucius Malfoy lead the way out. Before this, he had conjured thin, snakelike cords out of his wand, and made them twist around Harry's body, so he could not escape when he regained his senses. Then by pointing his wand at Harry, he forced the boy to rise, suspended in the air, and with a slight flick, Harry drifted forward, his head lolling about. Not a pleasant sight at all.

Lucius Malfoy opened the door of the room next to the dungeon, and urged them inside. It was a small, circular room with a messy clutter consisting of pieces of furniture that were all broken or scratched. Lucius Malfoy went to the center of the room, and moved aside a mahogany table that lacked a leg, revealing a black hole. He motioned for Crouch to come forward, and lower himself into the hole. Although the hole was only twice the size of a dinner plate, they climbed through without difficulty.

Inside the hole was a tiny cellar, filled with small boxes and shelves. Lucius Malfoy picked up a slender black crystal bottle from a box, and gave a sinister smile. "This is what they're looking for," he smirked. "All the ingredients have been brewed and mixed into the counter poison that would save Sirius Black. He deserved his fate. I never liked him at school."

He glanced at Harry, hesitated, and put the bottle in his pocket. "Just in case," he muttered.

Then the Death Eaters climbed out of the portrait, and Crouch spoke out. "Now, Lucius. Tell us how to conduct the search. There's no time to lose."

Five minutes later, they parted, each holding their wand out before them, their ink-black cloaks billowing like clouds behind.

* * *

Cho Chang hurried down a long winding passage, her heart beating madly. Her palms were clammy, covered with sweat, and she had to bite her lip to keep her cool. She had met Draco Malfoy on the way, and kept her head down when passing him. She heaved a sigh of relief when he was out of sight. After some time, she destroyed the trolley with her wand.

"Back to the dungeons." Cho registered the thought firmly in her mind. The only place she could think of was there, since it was where she last remembered Harry went.

But unfortunately, Cho had forgotten the way back. After wandering around a few corridors and staircases, she came close to tears with frustration.

Footsteps sounded on the floor, and a tall blonde man cloaked in velvet black appeared. It was Crouch, but Cho did not recognize him. She assumed him to be a visitor to the Malfoys, as Lucius Malfoy had come home and could have brought guests.

Afraid of being found out, Cho quickened her pace and attempted to walk past the stranger, her head bowed.

"Wait up a bit, woman, have you seen a Chinese girl around? About fifteen or sixteen?"

So there were people looking for her! Cho shook her head violently. Had Lucius Malfoy already caught Harry? Had they discovered she Stunned Narcissa Malfoy and the maid?

Suddenly a hand grabbed her arm, and Cho's first instinct was to scream. She looked up into Crouch's glittering, fathomless eyes.

"Let me go!" Cho tried to pull her arm out of his grasp.

Crouch instead tightened his grip. His eyes narrowed, and a horrible smile formed on his pale face. "Clever, but--you should have watched your step, Miss Chang."

Another hand clamped on her mouth to keep her from screaming. And the next thing Cho knew, was a sudden blur of images around, making her feel giddy and dizzy. Crouch had Disapparated.

Crouch Apparated to the tiny cellar where Harry was imprisoned. Cho almost cried out when she saw him lying in a heap on the ground, bound in a tangled web of thin cords. A muffled sob escaped her, though, despite Crouch's efforts to make her quiet.

The spell hit Harry on the head, and the boy woke up. He took in the view of Crouch towering over him, of Cho held captive, and his expression changed into extreme anger. He made a huge effort of lunging forward to strike Crouch, but the cords binding his legs and arms created narrow red marks on his skin instead.

"We don't have much time," Crouch said. He released Cho after Immobilizing her and threw her on the ground, beside Harry. "I guess you came to get the counterpoison for Black. I wouldn't have minded--but now we're on the same boat--"

Harry glared at him; the most furious, lethal glare it was.

"What are you playing at?" he hissed, in a voice barely more than a whisper. "You were given the dementor's kiss, how did you come back? The same boat? Never! If you think I'd be tempted join Voldemort--"

"You got it wrong!" Crouch snapped back, with a gesture of his hand. "I am not Bartemius Crouch. I--I am Severus Snape!"

"WHAT?" Cho thought that Harry looked out of his mind right then. This greatly irritated Crouch, and he reacted straight away.

"Who forgot to put a bezoar in his potion last year? I wanted to give you zero for that, but Dumbledore wouldn't let me," Crouch snarled, his eyes slanted into slits. For that moment, his expression truly resembled the notorious trademarks of Severus Snape. "And you, Miss Chang, that imprudent picture you drew in class. You have not forgotten the three months' detention you received for it?"

His words struck waves in Harry and Cho. It was impossible, insanely impossible. But what he said was true. Seeing them still looking Stupefied, Crouch could not but take a final shot.

"Now listen, you two great morons," he spat. "If I were on the dark side, I would have long ago handed you over to Voldemort. If you two are not careful--" Here he shot Harry a murderous glare "--we won't get out here alive."

Harry was convinced. He remembered last year Dumbledore had told him that Snape indeed was a spy under great risk, and besides, Crouch couldn't be revived after the dementor's kiss. Anyway, with he and Cho both captured, there was nothing to do but to believe that this man was truly Snape.

"I believe you," he said, and gave a short nod. Cho's large, almond eyes still held a sceptical stare, but she showed no sign of rebellion.

Snape broke into a rare smile. Raising his wand, he freed them from all the confines he used. "I could have used the Imperius Curse if you don't. Now, there's no time to lose. Har--the counter potion is in Lucius Malfoy's hands."

Harry and Cho exchanged alarmed glances. "Where is he?" Cho asked.

"Searching for you," Snape said in the familiar sarcastic tone.

Cho flinched. Draco Malfoy must have found out she was lying to him, and went to tell his father. A shiver ran down her spine; she couldn't imagine his face now. However, the fear subsided, as help had come, and anger at Draco Malfoy rose. She began to think hard.

"I suppose you'd rather die, Potter, than go back without the antidote," said Snape, sneering as though the idea of being noble was loathsome. "But the courage of Gryffindor cannot be ignored."

Harry flushed slightly, but knew it wasn't the time to argue. "Do you have a plan?"

Snape hesitated. "Any way would include risking your skin, with the hell of people after you. Here's your filthy cloak,"--he took out a bundle of silvery material and tossed it on the ground--"Perhaps you could make use of it."

Cho's eyes lighted up at the sight of the Invisibility Cloak. "That's it!" she exclaimed. "We can go find Malfoy under the cloak, get the damned thing, and escape!"

There was a brief silence, and Snape's mouth twitched. "Very clever, Miss Smarty Ravenclaw," he remarked. "But there is a tiny--er--flaw in your brilliant plan. How you're going to get the poison from Lucius Malfoy, and how you plan to escape. I believe, the five years in Hogwarts may not have provided you enough power to empower a grown-up wizard and--"

"I know--" Cho was about to blurt out the Unvigilance Spell, but Harry intervened.

"Summoning Charm. That'll do the job."

"Yeah, of course." Cho gave Harry a grateful smile and continued, "And I've brought some Floo Powder." She reached inside the apron pocket, and fished out a small package. Luckily she had emptied her satchel before coming out.

"But if there's no fireplace?"

"There are plenty in the house." Cho was getting miffed by now. "Well, that's all this smarty Ravenclaw can think of. If you don't like it, fine." She shrugged her shoulders, and raised her eyebrows at Snape, as though asking, so what intelligent plan have you got, Slytherin?

Perhaps because of the urgent pressing of time, Snape did not suggest an alternate. He had turned around, back facing them, so Cho and Harry could not imagine what was going in his head. Finally, Snape bent down and yanked a strand of black hair from Harry. He brought out a small vial, and deposited the hair into the frothing liquid inside. Then he drank the potion, which in a few minutes, transformed him into the physical form of Harry.

"Polyjuice Potion?" Cho uttered.

Snape's response was a hard shove. "Turn around, Miss Chang," he snarled. "Potter, give me your filthy Muggle clothes. NOW!"

Cho heard the rustle of clothing behind, and the mutter of an incantation. When she was allowed to look, she recieved a most peculiar scene. Except for their expressions and positions, she could make no difference between the two Harry Potters before her. Snape had used the Duplicate Charm on Harry's clothes.

"You're going to divert their attention by masquarading as me?"

"No time to waste." snapped Snape, gathering up his own black robes. Somehow he had managed to stuff them in his pocket with the aid of his wand. "Not another word, just get yourselves out of here!" He threw the Invisibility Cloak at Harry, and prepared to leave. "Use your heads, I'm not risking my skin to save you again!" Then he disappeared through the hole above, using a ladder.

"Harry?" Cho waved a hand before his eyes.

"Oh--right," he said, and stood up. "I'm really sorry--"

"No time to waste," she interrupted, mimicking Snape's voice.

Harry managed a slight smile. She was right, this was no time to apologize.

"Let's go." He started towards the hole. However, Harry suddenly turned and asked, "Why are you--I mean--what's with this outfit?"

Cho could see the amusement he was trying to conceal in his eyes, but she was in no mood to joke with him now. "It's just--I wanted to disguise myself," she said, ripping off the frilly bonnet and tossing it on the floor. "I'll explain later."

When they had climbed up to the room above, a string of yells arose from somewhere outside. "He's escaped!" "Quick, catch him!" "Hurry!"

Harry and Cho swapped a worried look. The sound of footsteps made Harry throw the Invisibility Cloak around them quickly. "Get out your wand," he whispered.

Cho felt his breath on her ear, and her cheeks grew warm. It was hot and stuffy in the cloak, but what made her breathe uneasily was the wizard beside her.

They moved to the door, when it suddenly burst open. Several Death Eaters poured inside, squabbling loudly. They were quarreling over the miraculous appearance of Harry Potter. "That was just a servant you saw! Harry Potter was brought here!" "Shut up and come on, suppose he really escaped..."

Harry and Cho flattened themselves on the wall beside the frame of the door. Cho got so nervous that she had to stick her wand into her pocket, because her palms were sweating profusely. Harry also had a hard time taking long, deep breaths. If they got caught this time, there would be no way out...

"What if Snape is caught?" Harry wondered. But he was not allowed the luxury to ponder over the question. He had his own problems to worry about.

They watched the Death Eaters fight for the first entry down the hole. Cho felt Harry's hand clasp on hers, giving it a warm, sticky squeeze. She looked up at him, and he mouthed the words, "Let's go."

"Lucius Malfoy." she mouthed back, reminding him.

Harry nodded. Without the antidote, all their efforts would still end up worthless.

"Outrageous!"

It was the voice of Crouch. The same thought flashed through Harry and Cho's minds: Snape has transformed back.

Crouch appeared, his wand pointed out before him, sweeping on the cold hard floor like a whirlwind. And following right behind him, was Lucius Malfoy. He looked astonished and angry, and also had his wand out ready to attack.

"He can't have escaped! There must be a mistake!"

"Harry Potter is no ordinary boy, sir." Lucius Malfoy ventured, doing his best to calm the seemingly furious 'Crouch'. "He might have possessed some strange arts we don't know. Last year--"

"INSULTING!" Crouch fumed. He passed through the doorway, and Lucius Malfoy was about to do the same--

"Father!"

Four pair of eyes watched a pale, pointed-faced boy run toward them. Were it not for the situation he was in now, Harry would have dearly loved to take a snapshot of Draco Malfoy. The latter looked shocked, inflamed, and scared.

"Draco!" Lucius Malfoy looked murderous. "I told you not to come down! Go back to your room!"

"But Father, I found Mother and Charlotte knocked out, and Cho's gone--"

"You don't mean it!" "Cho Chang? How could she--impossible!" The Death Eaters that had gone down the cellar had come over, one by one.

"He's really gone, Harry Potter..."

Harry and Cho pressed their bodies hard on the stony wall. Cho blinked her eyes furiously. She couldn't help it; she was so worried and frightened that a torrent of tears came spilling out, no matter how hard she chided herself. Without thinking, she clutched Harry's arm and buried her head in his chest. Harry had experienced great danger before, but with Cho beside him and Sirius's life at stake, he felt this was the worst.

"Now," Crouch began in a firm, clear voice. "We don't know if they've escaped the house, but the chances are slim. Lucius, did you tell the servants to lock the doors when we searched for Cho Chang?"

Lucius Malfoy nodded. Crouch then started to assign different floors and rooms for them to conduct the search, adding, "Take extra caution, it is extremely strange that these two have managed to escape--there may be a third person here helping them--"

Harry and Cho heard that Lucius Malfoy was going back to the sitting room to check up his wife and the maid. There's a big fireplace, thought Cho. But--I can't help feeling scared.

When the Death Eaters had disappeared in various directions, Harry and Cho procceeded on to the sitting room.

On their way up a staircase, Avery and Macnair came rushing down, and nearly knocked them over. Avery glanced back, as though he was suspicious of something there, but Macnair had told him to stop staring at thin air and get on to report to Crouch.

Cho heaved a sigh of relief as their feet touched the red carpet on the top of the stairs. But things had gone too smoothly since Snape came to their rescue. She was unsure which way to go, and in a forced decision, she led them down the wrong passage.

Another Death Eater had come in their way. He was an uncommonly large-built man, and two-thirds of the passage was taken up by his bulky figure. Harry and Cho did their best, but the Death Eater's cloak had whipped on the Invisibility Cloak, and the sound of cloth rustling against cloth was unmistakable. The Death Eater stopped. He scratched his head, trying to figure out if he was dreaming or if there was really someone hiding. He decided on the latter.

"What's that?" he growled, and brought up his wand to Harry and Cho's direction.

"Duck!" Harry whispered, and threw his arm over Cho, bringing them on the carpet. There was a boom like a cannon ball had been fired over their heads, and a sizzling sound of magic sparks. They had barely missed an awful attack.

Just then, Lucius Malfoy came running over to see what happened, and when seeing him, Cho realized that they were on the wrong trail. They should have taken the right-hand fork, but since they hadn't, there was still a long way to go.

"Did you find them, Crabbe?" Lucius Malfoy said.

"Not sure, Mr. Malfoy, I thought I heard a sound--"

"We'll make sure."

Lucius Malfoy flicked his wand, and two black masks appeared. He made Crabbe wear one, and he put on the other.

Thick smoke billowed out of Lucius Malfoy's wand, filling up the room. With horror, Harry and Cho realized that Malfoy was trying to smoke them out just like hunters smoke wild animals from caves!

"Shall we take the cloak off and run?" Harry whispered.

Cho considered a moment, and whispered back, "No! The moment they see you, you'd be targeted. It's too risky."

They continued creeping on the carpet, but it wasn't long before a horrid acid smell reached Harry, and his eyes began to water. He ignored it, but Cho knew that he was doing his best not to choke or cry out. She was holding her nose, but she also knew that it wouldn't last long--

An idea suddenly dawned on her. Cho aimed her wand at Lucius Malfoy, and cried, "Accio!" Instead of the antidote (as Harry had expected), the black mask Malfoy was wearing flew to them and hit the Invisibility Cloak. Cho quickly retrieved it and gave it to Harry. Lucius Malfoy caught a fresh draught of his smoke and coughed, missing the golden opportunity to attack Harry and Cho. Crabbe was shocked by Malfoy and therefore was too slow to sense where Harry and Cho were.

Once Harry was forced to strap on the black mask, he immediately took the chance to get the other one. Within a few seconds, Crabbe's black mask and the little bottle of antidote came whizzing into their hands.

"Quick!" Cho gasped, pulling at Harry's arm. Fortunately, the two Death Eaters were too caught up with the sudden happenings that they didn't hear. "We must go back to that sitting room, and use Floo Powder to escape!"

But the sitting room was still a corridor away, and they couldn't move fast under the cloak. By the time Lucius Malfoy had re-created two masks, he had gone almost crazy--that Harry Potter should have disrupted his plans and escape under his clutches--Malfoy was firing hexes and curses that exploded and banged all about the corridor. Many Death Eaters had heard the commotion, and appeared in the middle of the corridor, blocking their way.

"COME OUT!" Malfoy thundered. "YOU CAN'T ESCAPE!"

Bang! The porcelain vase fell off its lofty position and came hurtling down onto the carpet, where it crashed into a thousand pieces. It was even more difficult to pass with the sharp little pieces scattered on the floor. Even Harry could have cried.

Suddenly, when every hope seemed to have gone, the pieces of porcelain rose slowly from the floor, and pelted with great speed at the Death Eaters. There were so many of them, and flying from different directions, that it was impossible to figure out who made the porcelain pieces become a violent hailstorm. Lucius Malfoy assumed that Harry Potter or Cho Chang had something up their sleeves, while Harry and Cho knew that Snape had done this for them. Using the precious opportunity between outcries of pain, they crept forward and on and on...

Harry and Cho had finally reached the sitting room. Once they entered, Cho shut the door and locked it with an advanced charm. Then they took off the cloak and hurried to the fireplace, hearts beating as though trying to jump out of their chests. Attacks like darts and firecrackers were raining on the door, accompanied with maddened shouts and threats. They paid no attention, when suddenly the sound of a most angry woman reached their ears.

"It's Mrs. Malfoy!" Cho exclaimed. "Quick, light a fire!"

Harry had already drew out his wand, and had barely sent a stream of dancing blue flames (He learned it from Hermione) into the hearth, when he heard Cho scream. Wheeling around, he saw Narcissa Malfoy had leapt from behind a sofa, with a very peculiar physical appearance, and was pointing her wand at Cho. Cho hadn't expected her to spring out suddenly as though out of thin air, and was too late to defend herself.

"Leave her alone!" Harry shouted, everything forgotten except for Cho's safety.

"Filthy little liar!" Narcissa Malfoy shrieked. "To hell with you! Prosper--ahh!"

Mrs. Malfoy was again struck with the Unvigilance Spell and fell down. Cho staggered a few steps, fighting to stay upright, but eventually she collapsed. She had used up every ounce of her strength from casting the Unvigilance Spell three times. Harry ran to her side and took her by the shoulders, shaking her gently. The rosiness on her cheeks had drained out completely, and her flesh was flabby and soft and cool, like a puppet.

"Sorry, Harry," Cho whispered. Harry hesitated a second, then picked her up and carried her to the fireplace. "The powder's in my apron pocket...I'm sorry I can't move..."

Harry shook his head, telling her not to blame herself. He found the Floo Powder and sprinkled it into the fire. "I wonder if Mrs. Figg's house is connected to the Floo Network..." On a second thought, he stepped into the flames and said, "To the Burrow."

At the same time, the door burst open. In fact, it had fallen on the floor with a loud bang. The Death Eaters crammed inside like a herd of ants, only to see Harry (with Cho in his arms) disappearing in a whirl of emerald green flames.

It seemed like a long, long time to Harry before he arrived. He had tightened his hold on Cho, straining to keep her safe in his arms. Finally the whirling came to a stop, and he stumbled out into the Weasley's kitchen. Naturally, his arrival created a sensation.

"HARRY!" said eight voices.

Harry blinked. There was no mistaking the group--Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione--all were staring at him with the biggest, roundest eyes ever.

"I can explain," Harry said. Apparently they were having lunch in the tiny kitchen, no wonder he felt shocked with so many people in so little room at first.

He was immediately beleaguered with various voices. How he managed to make himself heard he didn't know, but he did. Mrs. Weasley insisted that he sit down and have something down his stomach, but Harry was worried about Sirius. Hermione and Ginny helped to carry Cho to the living room sofa, and tended to her needs. Mr. Weasley, after hearing that Sirius was in perilous danger, offered to accompany him back to Mrs. Figg's house, along with eager offers from Fred, George, and Ron (but they were refused). Finally Mr. Weasley Disapparated with Harry holding his hand.

Meanwhile, Cho gradually recovered her strength. Hermione had made a cup of strong tea, and Ginny had brought a towel to wipe away the sweat. The young Ravenclaw couldn't help being rather shy, as they had saw her in Harry's arms first, out of the fireplace. From Harry's brief explanation, they knew she had been a great help, and did their best to show the 'patient' kindness and support. Hermione refrained from asking a lot of questions, to which Cho answered truthfully but concisely, after the adventurous experience. When Harry had disappeared, the boys hung at a distance, brimming with curiosity but didn't dare to come forward.

Two hours later, Harry and Mr. Weasley returned. With a wide grin on his tired face, Harry announced that Sirius was saved.

"Hurrah!" whooped Ron.

* * *

That night, the Weasley household had the addition of two guests. Everything had been arranged, with a note to Dumbledore. Cho was half-forced, half-encouraged to stay. She accepted in the end; she was worn out, and too tired to think of any excuses for her aunt and mother yet.

Cho became friends with the Weasleys. She liked them very much, finding them cheery and kind and friendly. Dinner was especially enjoyable. Everyone made a united point not to mention any Dark stuff, and with Fred and George's jokes and inventions, she found herself joining the fun and conversations easily and heartily. For the night, she was to share Ginny's room with Hermione.

"So you used that charm to lock the door? I remember reading it in Conjuring Neat Tricks in a Wink..." Hermione remarked, sitting on a bed. Ginny was already lying on her bed. She was friendly towards Cho, but lacked Hermione's enthusiasm.

Cho smiled and nodded. "Harry's right; you really are a top student." She quickly changed into a night gown, borrowed from Ginny. Actually, she had changed to her Muggle clothes earlier, as it was stranger walking around in Charlotte's clothes. When she folded her T-shirt and jeans into a neat pile, she suddenly remembered that she had left quite some things in the maid's outfit. Cho grimaced, thinking of the pies squashed and untouched for so many hours. She reached into the big apron pocket, and brought out the bundle of food, the little package of Floo Powder, and--her fingers met something soft while feeling the bottom of the pocket. She drew out a small brown pouch.

"What's the matter, Cho?" Hermione asked. "Aren't you coming to bed?"

"No, it's just that--I can't remember bringing this." Cho held up the little pouch.

"Where did it come from?"

"The apron pocket. I know! This must be Charlotte's; I hadn't discovered it when I changed clothes with her."

"Mrs. Malfoy's maid?" Hermione came over for a look. Ginny followed.

Thinking that she wouldn't be likely to return to Malfoy Manor, Cho opened the pouch. In it was another bag, which she could feel was waterproof. Cho puckered her lips, and undid the knot on the waterproof bag. She lifted out a large silk handkerchief, yellowed with age. There was no pattern on it.

"Isn't it strange? I thought there might have been jewellery in it." Cho remarked, handing the handkerchief to Hermione.

The astute top student of Gryffindor frowned. "I've a feeling this isn't just an old piece of cloth. It must be kept in such security for some reason--I wonder why."