Darkness Falls

Darkness Falls

Act 14

Rescues and Betrayals

EXT. VOLDEMORT'S LAIR - DUNGEON

Harry, Ron, and Neville are slumped unconsciously against the wall of a torch-lit dungeon. Their wrists and ankles are chained to the wall.

A pale hand slowly moves a vial, filled with a strange liquid, underneath their noses, causing them to awaken.

HARRY

Uh...

RON

What happened?

A voice from the shadows startles them out of their stupor.

SNAPE

(angry)

What in the devil did you think you

were doing?

Severus Snape steps out of the shadows and stands before them, scowling at his former students.

SNAPE

(angry)

Of all the foolish...irresponsible...

idiotic...

(pause)

Do you have any idea what would

have happened to you had I not

stopped you?

(pause)

I told you to follow the map

precisely! Exactly which part of

it, told you to perform a frontal

assault?

Harry starts in surprise.

HARRY

You captured us?

SNAPE

You would have suffered a fate far

worse than death had you entered

this castle unaided.

Ron's chains grow taught, as he struggles to break them.

RON

I knew it! He was the traitor all

along!

Snape strides angrily towards Ron, and stops in front of him. Their faces are inches apart.

SNAPE

Traitor? Traitor! Have you heard

nothing that I have said?

(pause)

All I have ever done Mr. Weasley,

was to protect you and your friends

from harm.

(pause)

And how do you repay me I ask? You

brand me traitor!

RON

Sorry.

SNAPE

I am growing tired of your constant

accusations!

RON

I'm sorry! I wasn't thinking!

SNAPE

What a surprise!

Snape whirls and stalks away from Ron in disgust.

HARRY

Please Professor! Will you still

help us?

Snape keeps his back turned to Harry as he considers what to do. After several seconds he turns around.

SNAPE

Yes, but we must make haste. The

others are still stunned but they

will soon revive.

He begins undoing Harry's bonds.

HARRY

What about Voldemort?

Snape flinches at the use of Voldemort's name.

SNAPE

The Dark Lord is away at the moment.

But he may return at any time.

He undoes Ron and Neville's bonds, and hands the boys their wands.

SNAPE

Quickly!

They rush from the room.

INT. VOLDEMORT'S LAIR - PASSAGEWAY

Snape leads Harry, Ron, and Neville through the dungeon passageways of the ruined castle.

Unlike the rest of the castle, the dungeon is newly repaired and well kept. Torches light the hallways.

They eventually come to a large iron door. Snape stops before it and turns to Harry, Ron, and Neville.

SNAPE

(grave)

Your friends are inside. But be

prepared, for there are also four

Dementors in that room.

The three boys go slightly pale.

RON

Dementors?

(disgusted)

Bloody hell!

SNAPE

You've handled Dementors before Mr.

Weasley. Quite easily if memory

serves!

RON

I'm not afraid of facing them. It's

just the thought of the girls under

the Dementors' torment.

HARRY

It was something we hoped wouldn't

happen.

Snape surprises them by frowning sympathetically.

SNAPE

Courage gentlemen.

(pause)

Wands out!

They step forward and pull out their wands. Harry turns back to Snape.

HARRY

One question. Why did you chain us

up earlier?

SNAPE

(smirks)

For my protection, for when you

found out that it was I who captured

you.

RON

I said I'm sorry!

SNAPE

Quit apologizing Mr. Weasley. It

is not a becoming habit.

Harry takes a deep breath.

HARRY

Here we go.

INT. VOLDEMORT'S LAIR - GIRLS' DUNGEON

The door to the girls' dungeon bursts open, and Harry, Ron, and Neville jump into the room. Patronus charms quickly chase the Dementors away.

The boys step forward triumphantly, only to nearly stumble in despair.

The three girls, still wearing the same dresses from Luna's wedding, are curled up on the cold stone floor of the dungeon.

All three are pale, dirty, and thin. They do not move when the Dementors flee.

Harry rushes over to Ginny, while Ron rushes to Hermione's side.

Neville strides over to Luna, while Snape watches from the doorway.

Harry kneels down next to Ginny.

HARRY

Ginny, wake up! It's me!

He gently places his hand on her arm.

HARRY (CONT'D)

Ginny?

(to himself)

Please wake up.

Ginny groans and rolls over. Her bright brown eyes try to focus.

GINNY

(weakly)

Harry?

HARRY

It's me Ginny. I'm here.

She sits up quickly and wraps her arms around his neck. She begins to cry in happiness.

GINNY

Harry, it's you! I knew you'd come!

I knew it!

Hermione cries out in joy and leaps to her feet, nearly knocking Ron down as she jumps into his arms.

Neville helps Luna to her feet and leads her over to their friends.

Harry helps Ginny stand, and they turn to face Ron and Hermione.

HERMIONE

Harry!

She fiercely embraces Harry.

HARRY

'Lo Hermione.

HERMIONE

We knew you guys would find us! It

was that thought that kept us alive!

Hermione cocks her head to the side and looks up at Harry, then over at Neville, and then over at Ron.

HERMIONE (CONT'D)

Nice beards by the way!

Harry grins as tears well up in his eyes at the site of Ginny, Hermione, and Luna, alive and well.

LUNA

How'd you find us?

The boys quickly recount their story, and tell them of their rescue plan.

HERMIONE

(shakes her head)

It's a good thing you stopped them

Professor.

(glares at Ron)

They would have gotten themselves

killed.

Ron starts to protest but Snape cuts him off.

SNAPE

If they had come in through the

correct path however, their plan

might have worked.

The boys look at Snape in surprise at the near compliment.

Snape glances at them and frowns, then quickly clears his throat.

SNAPE (CONT'D)

We cannot linger!

He turns to Harry, Ron, and Neville.

SNAPE (CONT'D)

Get them out of here! Make for the

mountain pass! You still have the

map?

Harry nods, and Snape strides over to the girls. He reaches into his robes and pulls out the girls' wands. They take them with trembling hands.

SNAPE (CONT'D)

Hold to the power that lies inside

of you. It will keep you alive.

They smile weakly and follow Harry and Ron out of the dungeon. Ron stops near the door and turns back.

RON

Thanks Professor.

Ron disappears into the hall as Snape crosses his arms across his chest and watches them go.

EXT. VOLDEMORT'S LAIR - FRONT ENTRANCE - NIGHT

Harry leads his friends out of the dark castle, and out into the pitch black of the dead of night.

HERMIONE

Lumos!

The tip of Hermione's wand LIGHTS UP, casting light in a small circle around her. The others follow suit.

HARRY

C'mon! The brooms are on the other

side of the hill.

They break into a run, except for Ginny, who suddenly stops dead in her tracks. A strange, wooden, expression crosses her face.

GINNY

(dazed)

Wait.

The others stop and look back at her.

GINNY (CONT'D)

(dazed)

There is something that I must do

before I leave.

Harry glances at Hermione, who shrugs. They look up as Ginny raises her wand to the sky. A deep, dark voice emerges from the petite teenage girl.

GINNY (CONT'D)

(yells)

Morsmordre!

A large, GREENISH LIGHT bursts forth from Ginny's wand, and shoots up into the air. The Dark Mark burns in the sky above them.

Ginny's friends look at her in shock.

RON

What the heck are you playing at

Ginny?

GINNY

(dazed)

I am not playing at anything, dear

brother. I am merely calling my

Master.

RON

What?

Harry's hand darts to his scar, as a high-pitched, hissing voice sounds from the darkness.

They turn and behold a tall, dark figure standing before them. LORD VOLDEMORT'S red snake-like eyes burn in the darkness though the eye slits of his black hood.

VOLDEMORT

Well done, my servant. It happened

exactly as you predicted.

Ginny bows woodenly.

VOLDEMORT (CONT'D)

Who was the traitor?

RON

Don't do it Ginny! Don't tell him

anything!

GINNY

(dazed)

It was Severus Snape.

Ron angrily grabs Ginny by the arm.

RON

What are you doing?

VOLDEMORT

Severus...I have long suspected

that his loyalties truly lie with

Dumbledore. I had hoped that it

was not so.

Ginny breaks free of Ron's grip, and walks to stand next to Voldemort.

RON

Crazy girl! What's gotten into

you?

HARRY

She's entranced Ron!

HERMIONE

It's the Imperious Curse! Can't

you see that?

VOLDEMORT

(yells)

Bring out the traitor!

Harry and his friends look around and notice that they have been surrounded by Death Eaters. There are far more than they faced before.

Several Death Eaters emerge from the castle, shoving Severus Snape in front of them, and pushing him toward the other prisoners.

Draco Malfoy steps out in front of Snape and pulls off his hood. A look of accusation is upon his face.

DRACO

How could you? How could you help

them after everything you taught

me?

Snape continues to walk.

SNAPE

I am not ashamed of my actions Draco.

I did what I thought was right. I

pray you understand that someday.

DRACO

But you were my mentor! My hero!

Snape stops and turns back to Draco.

SNAPE

Then as such, I implore you to

listen!

He looks around.

SNAPE (CONT'D)

This does not have to be your

destiny! This life, does not have

to be yours!

(pause)

You are a better man than your

father Draco, I have seen it! Rise

above your heritage before it's too

late!

Lucius Malfoy shoves Draco out of the way and steps in front of Snape.

LUCIUS

You are done poisoning my son's

mind, scum!

He backhands Snape, then turns and walks away as the Death Eaters push Snape towards the other prisoners.

Harry looks over at him as Snape steps up beside him.

HARRY

Sorry Professor.

Snape continues to look ahead.

SNAPE

I've told you before Potter. Do not

apologize for things that are not

your fault.

He looks at Harry sternly.

SNAPE (CONT'D)

And call me Severus.

Harry nods calmly.

Ron on the other hand, is looking around in panic.

RON

I never thought it would end like

this!

HARRY

It's not over yet Ron!

VOLDEMORT

(laughs)

Still the optimist, eh Harry? I

have always found that little trait

of yours quite amusing.

HARRY

You won't find me so amusing when I

defeat you! You're time here is

almost finished.

Voldemort seems to grow taller, and his red eyes glow brighter, causing Harry to grimace in pain.

VOLDEMORT

My reign has only just begun!

(pause)

Since last we met, I have gained

powers that you have yet to

comprehend! None can stand before

me now!

Harry looks past Voldemort and up into the sky, as several LIGHTS appear above the mountains, moving very swiftly in their direction. He comprehends immediately and grins smugly as he again looks at Voldemort.

HARRY

That may be so, Voldemort...

Snape shakes his head in annoyance at Harry's taunting of Voldemort, while the Death Eaters hiss at the use of his name.

The lights continue to grow closer until they become riders on broomsticks, all of them members of the Order of the Phoenix. Their wands are out and the tips are glowing.

The brightest of the wands belongs to the lead rider, Albus Dumbledore.

HARRY (CONT'D)

But at least I have the sense to

look up once in a while.

Voldemort's red eyes narrow and he twists around, just as Dumbledore launches himself from his broomstick.

He lands deftly in front of the Dark Lord, causing Voldemort to trip and fall. Voldemort immediately leaps up and engages Dumbledore in a fierce duel.

The others follow Dumbledore's lead and leap to the ground. Chaos erupts as a battle ensues.

Lucius Malfoy charges Snape and they disappear into the darkness as they engage in battle.

Harry waves his friends over. He pulls out the map and shoves it at Ron.

HARRY

Take the girls and go!

Ron pushes the map back towards Harry.

RON

Not without you!

HARRY

Go! Make for home! I'll catch up!

HERMIONE

Harry no!

HARRY

I'm not leaving without Ginny!

NEVILLE

Then we're all staying!

(pause)

You're not the only one who cares

about her!

LUNA

We're all in this together Harry.

Harry shakes his head wistfully.

RON

It'll be just like old times mate!

HERMIONE

I certainly hope it goes better

than that.

Harry grins and looks around.

HARRY

Well, come on then!

The others grin and follow Harry into battle. They wade into the Death Eaters, and take out dark wizard after dark wizard.