Harry Potter and the Elements of Valor

Chapter Ten - The Conspiracy

Harry didn't pay attention to the amount of noise he was making as he ran down the dormitory stairs and across the common room, banging into furniture and tipping over a table as he passed. He charged furiously through the portrait hole, causing the Fat Lady to shriek in terror. Out in the corridor Harry streaked through the chill darkness of the castle, wheeling along down staircases and hallways, toward the front doors. All he knew was that he had to reach Ginny before she reached that tiny light outside the castle gates.

Why hadn't he called Dumbledore at once? If she died, if she was taken again, it would be entirely his fault. He had been so sure he could manage the curse on his own. Harry swore at himself repeatedly as he ran. Why, he asked himself, didn't he learn? Either he trusted in his own competence too much, or not enough.

In the entrance hall, the front doors were slightly ajar, and he slammed through them and out on to the lawn. Clad in his pajamas, his bare feet met crunchy, frost-covered ground, but he did not feel the cold. The wintry air met his sweaty tee shirt and set his teeth chattering. He gritted his teeth and just kept pelting toward the gates, now gasping to take in the freezing air, a sharp pain piercing his side.

Where were the house elves, Harry wondered? Shouldn't someone be on duty in the grounds? Surely the gates were being guarded.

As he pounded toward the entrance to the school grounds, he raised his wand. The iron gates were standing open, and in the watery moonlight, Harry could see a form moving steadily toward them. Ginny had not reached the gates yet. There might still be a chance to stop her. Harry tried to call out Ginny's name but couldn't summon enough breath to make a sound, so he continued to run as fast as he could, gasping as he went, toward the serenely moving figure.

Ginny stepped through the gates before Harry could reach them. Silhouetted in the dark road beyond was a tall, cloaked figure with its wand raised. To his horror, Harry saw Ginny walking calmly toward the hooded wizard. Anger roared up in Harry's chest. "No!" he exhaled, his throat burning, and he plunged forward.

The hooded figure raised its gaze from Ginny, staring into the darkness. The unmistakable features of Lucius Malfoy met Harry's gaze. "Ginny, stop! Wake up Ginny! STOP!!!" Harry rasped breathlessly as he too crossed the boundary of Hogwarts' lawn and out into the road. Harry felt his feet knocked out from under him as he entered the lane. Instinct and Quidditch training took over, and he tumbled, scrambling back to his feet.

Malfoy flicked his wand in Harry's direction and Harry instinctively dropped to the ground and rolled, as a spell shot past him. It missed him somehow. With difficulty, Harry breathed, "Stupefy," still barely able to give voice to the spell. Malfoy parried with a shield charm, and although his spell missed its mark, it still had the effect that Harry wanted. Ginny had stopped moving, and stood stock still in the road about twenty feet from Malfoy.

Harry clambered back to his feet, intent on putting himself between Malfoy and Ginny. He charged forward, pushing Ginny behind him.

"Expelliarmus!" shouted a voice from the trees next to the road, and before Harry could react, his wand flew from his grip. Harry was standing with his hands empty facing Malfoy and watching as a second black hooded shape emerged from the darkness into the moonlight.

"Now we have two captives, my friend! Potter and the Weasley girl too," said Malfoy with a sneer. "In fact, this could be just the thing we were hoping for."

Harry had no idea what this meant. He just wanted to get his wand and get Ginny back safely inside the castle. His choices tonight were going badly wrong.

"Your master doesn't need Ginny," said Harry. "Let her go, and I'll come along without a fight." Harry was desperate and this seemed the best ploy.

"As you can see, Lucius, even when he is unarmed and helpless, Potter still thinks he has a bargaining position," said a dark and dangerous voice from the second cloaked figure. Harry recognized the voice immediately and a thrill of dread swept through him. Severus Snape slowly lowered his hood.

"Voldemort will want me more than Ginny. Just let her go," said Harry, knowing how desperate he sounded.

Snape had inclined his head toward Malfoy, and whispered something, not taking his eyes off Harry. Malfoy nodded at whatever Snape had said.

"Severus makes a fine point, Potter. We can serve you up to Lord Voldemort again and receive warm congratulations from him," said Malfoy. "Voldemort's inability to kill you has proved a good diversion."

"Yes, so much power and he squanders his time trying to work out what a filthy teenage boy could possibly do to him," sneered Snape.

"What are you on about," asked Harry still panting.

"If we learn the prophecy from this one," Malfoy said, pointing his wand toward Ginny, who remained still as stone. "It will be the key to bringing down Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord will have another chance at killing you, while we have the real information."

Harry was not sure what they meant. It seemed obvious that Death Eaters would want to take him to Voldemort, but Malfoy was talking of destroying Voldemort. He was sure he had misunderstood. "Why not let Ginny go. She doesn't know anything. I'm the one who knows the prophecy," said Harry, certain they would not agree.

"Why, Potter, you really are dense," said Snape. "You have been strolling around the castle like a moon struck calf. No one could miss it. It was not difficult to find out the object of your affection. Knowing you, we surmised that you would have told Ms. Weasley the prophecy," smiled Snape. "The Dark Lord was quite interested in this and we thought he would solve our problem for us. But Ms. Weasley here proved much more difficult to break than anticipated."

"Solve your problem?" asked Harry, completely confused by the entire conversation. "What problem?"

"We don't know the contents of the prophecy either, Potter. We need to know what it reveals before we strike down the two wizards in our way," said Snape.

"Potter, do you think we've done this on behalf of the Dark Lord?" Malfoy laughed a cold cruel laugh.

Harry was only half listening. He was much more concerned with how to get hold of his wand. "What do you mean?" he asked, not really caring about the answer. If he could get Malfoy to talk, he would have time to think about how to get Ginny out of this predicament.

Lucius Malfoy apparently wanted to explain. "The Dark Lord is obsessed with you Potter, and with that damned prophecy. It eats away at him constantly. It distracts him and causes him to make errors in judgment. For example, it was nothing short of foolishness to send Death Eaters into the heart of the Ministry in the hope of laying hands on the prophecy."

"It will be his downfall," spat Snape.

Malfoy inclined his head toward Snape, "We, that is Severus and I, have a clear and achievable goal. It does not hang upon divination."

"Oh ya?" said Harry. "What is it you two want?"

"Why, we want wizard kind to dominate muggles and non-humans. That was the original point of the Death Eaters and we are still true to that vision. We have not lost our focus, as the Dark Lord has," said Malfoy.

"And you think your boss is going to let you go on with that, on your own? I thought he was in charge of everything," taunted Harry, knowing how hollow it sounded as his teeth chattered uncontrollably in the cold. He had managed to move slightly and now was blocking Ginny from Malfoy.

Malfoy laughed, "Not so. In fact, Severus recently killed one of the Dark Lord's loyal supporters."

"Ahh, yes," said Snape casually. "Poor Peter. He thought he was rescuing me on the Dark Lord's orders. Lucius had sent him to do it of course, so I killed him once I was freed."

"So the two of you are working together against him?" Harry said.

"Severus and I don't need the Dark Lord to achieve our ends," said Malfoy, imperiously. "We are quite powerful wizards on our own," bragged Malfoy. "The Dark Lord, powerful though he is, can be reckless and rash. He pushes his minions too far. He holds himself in too high a regard, and I did not reach my position in the wizarding world without hedging my bets."

"What position have you reached, Malfoy? You've been in and out of Azkaban for over a year now. You're wanted by the Ministry, and you're on the run. You're nothing without your master tugging on your leash," Harry retorted. "And you," he said looking at Snape, "You're a traitor. Dumbledore trusted you and you betrayed him."

"Now, now, Potter," said the soft, dangerous voice that made Harry go cold. Snape spoke into the stillness, "We don't need Lord Voldemort or Albus Dumbledore to get what we want. They are but a means to an end. Lucius and I had always imagined, and actually counted on the fact that the one would annihilate the other. Then we could simply remove the remaining one and have a clear field."

Snape crossed his arms and continued, "Strangely enough, Dumbledore refused to engage the Dark Lord. No matter how ugly the situation became, Dumbledore would do no more than simply hold him at bay. It took us a while to realize that this prophecy was somehow connected to his unusual reaction. We always believed him powerful enough to vanquish Voldemort, but he never seemed to try. He also never disclosed his reasons, the batty old fool. He was more than willing to send his loyal Order members, myself included, into danger. And although Dumbledore made quite a show of saying he trusted me, he never divulged the prophecy to me, or even brought it up. Since he would not broach the subject, I could not ask. I gave him ample opportunity, too," said Snape with a sneer. "Still it hasn't been easy playing two games at once. Of course it had to be you, Potter, who stepped in the path of our perfect little plan. Escaping St. Mungos and giving Dumbledore evidence against me has proved...inconvenient."

It was difficult not to appreciate the fact that Snape had deceived two of the greatest wizards of the age and avoided detection completely up until being unmasked by Harry. Even then, everyone had gotten it wrong. Snape and Malfoy had their own agenda.

"Yes," said Malfoy evilly. "I was forced to show my hand a bit and demonstrate the mark. It's a bit of really clever and ancient magic, don't you think, Potter? I had intended to get the prophecy from the Weasley brat when we were alone, so I could decide how to use it, but Wormtail was set to watch her day and night, and report to Lord Voldemort. The little blood-traitor never gave it up." He said this almost admiringly, "Amazing, really."

"So now we have a new plan, Potter," said Snape. "We'll turn you over to be killed. Whatever the prophecy says will not matter, since once you are dead, Dumbledore will have to face the Dark Lord. If the Dark Lord dies in the attempt to kill you, then so much the better."

"That's your plan, then?" asked Harry. "You think if you turn me over to him that I wouldn't give your little side arrangement away to him? You don't think he'll know I'm telling the truth when I do?"

"Potter, you are so very short sighted," said Snape, obviously enjoying this immensely. "There are several ways we can present you to the Dark Lord whereby you would not be able to communicate with him. By the time we hand you over, your mind will be worthless to him. But first, some fun I think. I've always wanted to do this, Potter, since the first day you stepped foot in my classroom." Snape screwed up the side of his face into an ugly sneer and yelled, "Crucio!"

Harry was hit full on by the Unforgivable curse. He dropped to the ground and rolled on to his hands and knees, trying to fight off the blinding pain that was coursing through his body. It felt as though sharp blades were stabbing him from every direction. When Snape lifted the curse, Harry slumped to the hard cold ground, breathing with difficulty. Malfoy and Snape were both laughing.

Harry could not let this happen. He had to get his wand back and he had to fight them. He had to save Ginny. Harry gritted his teeth and got slowly back to his knees.

"Crucio!" came the curse again, before Harry could gather his wits about him. He writhed on the ground unable to escape the pain of it. It stopped again, and Harry struggled to rise on to his knees. Ginny was right there behind him as still as stone. Then he felt it... a jab in his arm... the one closest to Ginny. The jab came again. Harry moved to block Ginny's hand from view. He took a deep steadying breath and moved his hand, unseen toward hers. Her hand was warm as his fingers closed around hers; she moved her hand slowly away, leaving her wand in its place. His hand clasped tightly around it in the darkness. Harry willed his mind to clear. He rocked back to sit on the ground, trying to block out the lingering pain.

Malfoy and Snape were conversing in lowered voices. Harry reckoned they thought they had both he and Ginny completely under their control.

"Finish it Lucius. I don't fancy standing here in the cold any longer," Snape was saying. "Just make her give us the prophecy, then we can break Potter's mind and take him to the Dark Lord. We still have another job to do tonight."

"Yes," Malfoy replied. "We may as well take her with us, too. She'll be no threat as she won't be able to recall any of this conversation. She'll come along quietly, and he can waste his energies trying to break her." Malfoy let out a laugh like a hiss.

Snape laughed too. "The Dark Lord is a great fool."

Harry took a deep breath and waved Ginny's wand. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted.

Malfoy's wand flew suddenly into the air. Snape managed to hang on to his, but only just. "Accio!" said Harry, and his own wand flew into his left hand. Harry quickly shoved Ginny's wand back into her hand and waved his own again. "Protego!" he said knowing Snape would not wait to strike, and indeed a spell from the potions master was deflected.

Harry felt Ginny move away from him. He wanted to get her down on the ground but Snape was advancing on him, fire in his black eyes. "Petrificus Totalus," Snape growled. Harry ducked and the spell missed him. He sprang forward, but his foot skidded on something in the dirt that snapped in two. Harry got his footing and brought his wand down to curse Snape, but his spell hit empty air. Snape had disapparated. He was gone.

Harry spun toward Ginny who had closed on Lucius Malfoy. "You filth!" she was screaming, but Malfoy was looking wildly around for something. It must have been Malfoy's wand that Harry stepped on in the grass. Ginny slashed her wand through the air crying "Diffindo." Then without a pause she repeated the action slicing in the opposite direction. Purple fire slashed across Malfoy's chest in a huge "X" that remained there fading slowly in the darkness. Harry saw Malfoy, slumping as if in slow motion to his knees and clutching at his chest. Then he fell forward onto the ground, a look of utter surprise gracing his pale grey eyes. Ginny stood motionless with her wand pointed at him.

Harry was panting hard, still not recovered from his sprint from the castle nor the effects of the Cruciatus curse. He bent over with his hands on his knees and tried to get breath enough to speak. There near his foot was Malfoy's wand, snapped in half. Harry realized he must have stepped on it as he battled Snape. Ginny seemed frozen in space, staring at Malfoy's body. In a moment, Harry straightened and approached Ginny, "You...you alright?" he asked.

Ginny turned toward him looking as though she were emerging from a dream. She shook her head slightly and looked into Harry's eyes. "Did I...kill him?'" she asked.

Harry stepped to the side of Malfoy's prone body and crouched down beside him. The Death Eater did not move nor did he have a pulse that Harry could detect. Looking up at her, he rose to his feet. Harry took her shoulders and turned her around gently, then lifted her pajama top a bit until he could see her back. There was no mark. Harry checked more carefully. Only an hour before the mark had been clearly visible, its reddish symbols raised on Ginny's skin. Now, nothing of it remained; no scar, or mark of any kind. Ginny twisted to see, "Is it gone?" she asked excitedly. "That's it then, I killed him and it's gone!"

Harry smiled at her and pulled her close to him. Only now did he realize that the chill air was making his exposed skin numb. His feet hurt from running barefoot. Ginny was barefoot too and was now shivering. "What exactly happened?" he asked. "I mean, you gave me your wand. I thought you were under the curse."

"Well," she began, pulling back from him a little. "I sort of woke up and found myself out on the lawn like this," she picked up the collar of her pajamas. "I could feel him calling me," and she looked down at the body at her feet. "I don't know how it happened, perhaps because you had started lifting the curse, but I could tell that I could resist him, if I wanted to. It was easy to just go where he was willing me, but I knew I could fight him. I was going to pull away and run back to the castle, when I realized it was my chance to capture him, and maybe get the curse lifted. So I let him summon me."

Harry's face probably showed his opposition to her having engaged in such a dangerous move, because she continued, "I know it was probably foolish, but I thought if I kept my wand concealed until I got in front of him, I could do it. I didn't count on Snape...or on you following me." Ginny got a hard, fierce look on her face. She poked a toe at the lifeless body. "He's dead, and he won't be able to curse anyone else ever again. I'm glad."

Harry could not help smiling at her. "No, he definitely deserved it. Still, Ginny, you heard the two of them. They know about us, and Voldemort used that against you. I have to try to finish Voldemort and I have to do it soon."

She hugged him tightly and he felt her shiver.

"It's cold, let's get back to the castle," said Harry. "Snape could be bringing Death Eaters back for all we know." She nodded and they turned back to the gate. It was hard to see in the dark and Harry almost trod upon two small limp bodies near the gate. Bending down, he found two house elves. "They must have been the guards," he said sadly, for they were certainly dead.

Harry lifted them up and moved them off the road and under the trees. Then Harry and Ginny approached the gate. It wasn't until Harry actually pushed against it that he realized Snape must have locked the gates behind him. No doubt, he had felt it cut off the escape route. Harry knew they wouldn't easily get back onto the grounds, not at this time of the night. They were locked out and it was still hours until sunrise.

"Damn," said Harry.

"What should we do?" asked Ginny.

Harry thought for a second, but the cold was beginning to sap his energy and his ability to think clearly. "I guess we could get ourselves into Hogsmeade. We could wake someone up there." Ginny nodded, her teeth now chattering. Harry put his arm around her and they jogged off miserably down the dark road in hopes of finding shelter and warmth.

Hogsmeade did seem like the only option. He and Ginny slowed quickly to a walk as the combination of frost, rocks and brambles bruised and cut their bare feet. Their breath was forming mist in the chill air. This was no good, thought Harry. As they groped their way down the dark road, an idea occurred to Harry. There was an old abandoned cabin along the road into Hogsmeade. Harry had noticed it many times, as he had passed by on the way to the village. It stood back from the road and was completely overgrown with vines, and mostly hidden from view by wild looking, bushy, un-pruned trees.

He knew Hogsmeade was still a long walk and they needed heat now. In fact, they were not talking to each other as they tried to conserve their own body heat. Harry squinted in the darkness until he found the narrow path to the old house. He grabbed Ginny's hand and pulled her along behind him. Trees had overgrown the path and now snagged their clothes as they hurried forward. The battered old building loomed black as they climbed two rickety steps. The warped wooden door was difficult to push open. Inside was a dry dusty room that was nearly empty, save for a stone fireplace, some broken furniture, and some old rags. One small grimy window allowed a pale ray of light in toward the rear of the cabin. The whole thing was covered in about an inch of dust.

Harry threw a few sticks of wood into the fireplace from a small pile stacked near the hearth, and then ignited them with his wand. The warmth felt wonderful and they both huddled in front of it. There was no sound in the dark cabin but the crackling of the fire. Harry wished he had his communication mirror on him, or even a bit of floo powder. He did not fancy waiting here for hours until they could find someone to get them back inside the school grounds. However, the fire soon thawed them out, and as they rubbed their sore, cut, frozen feet, Harry relaxed a bit.

Ginny looked over at him. "I think we'll be ok here," she said, a bit of a question in her voice. As he was about to answer, he picked up a noise beyond the cabin walls. It sounded like distant shouts.

Harry immediately suspected the worse. What if Snape had returned bringing reinforcements? After all, the man was still playing the part of a loyal Death Eater. Using his earth spell, Harry waved his hand around the room and the accumulated dust within the cabin flew into the air and fell upon the fire, smothering it. Harry and Ginny dived behind an old, overturned table where they laid, waiting.

They didn't have long to wait. Harsh voices were heard through the thin boards of the cabin. Someone was searching the area. Harry heard the name Potter several times. Suddenly, with a bang, the door of the cabin burst open. Harry could see the doorway through a small crack in the table. Two figures were silhouetted there. "They haven't come in here, it's empty," said a voice that that Harry recognized, although he was amazed to hear it here and amongst a group of Death Eaters. It was the voice of Ludo Bagman. Harry strained to see more clearly.

"I can see it's empty," said Snape's voice, a second pair of boots making the steps creak. "We'll never find them in this infernal darkness. Well, never mind about Potter. We need to get into the village and...." His voice was muffled.

"I can't be seen with this raiding party, Snape," said Bagman.

Harry wanted to leap up and curse the both of them. Ginny must have known what he was thinking for she held Harry back by the shoulder. The Ministry itself was infiltrated with Death Eaters. Harry needed to get this information to the Order, and fast.

"You'll do as you are told," said Snape, "as I do," he added softly.

What a liar, thought Harry.

Bagman started to object and the cabin door slammed shut.

As the sound died away, Ginny made to rise but Harry pulled her back down. There were more sounds outside. "I asked if you bothered to look inside." The speaker was unknown to Harry.

The door was opened again, and heavy boots stepped into the room. Whoever had entered seemed to be sniffing the air. A voice out in the lane called, "Get to the village, now! And be quick about it." The door closed again.

Harry exchanged a look with Ginny. They couldn't go back to school and they couldn't go out onto the road to Hogsmeade, not yet. They'd have to stay put for a while. Harry whispered this to Ginny who nodded in the darkness. They huddled together, taking what warmth they could from each other as they waited for the lane to clear.

Harry snapped awake with a start. Ginny was sleeping with her head against his chest and her hands up under his tee shirt for warmth. He moved his arm, bringing his wrist close to his face so he could check the time on his watch. They had been hiding here for half an hour. Dawn was not too far off. If they could get to the Hogshead, Harry knew Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother, would be able to let them into the workroom and they could get back into Hogwarts from there. Harry wondered if the bar would be open at this hour and if the Death Eaters had given up yet.

They couldn't wait here forever. They had important information for the Order. Harry looked down at Ginny, even now, with dust in her hair and wearing dirt stained pajamas, she was a vision to him. He was worried though. She had killed a man tonight, a man who had tortured and cursed her. While he reckoned she could handle almost anything, he wondered how she would feel about the killing once the reality of it sank in. He himself did not like to re-live the moment when he had been forced to kill two Death Eaters the previous year.

He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. Ginny stirred and blinked up at him, questioningly. "Let's try to get into the village," he whispered. Ginny nodded and got up to her knees. Harry stood and offered her his hand, pulling her up next to him. She brushed herself off and shook back her hair.

"Ready," she said bravely.

The walk into the village was not pleasant. The air was still very cold and they were still barefooted. In the pre-dawn darkness, it was difficult to avoid the tree roots and potholes along the rutted road. They stumbled often. At one point, Ginny fell, ripping the knee of her pajamas as they hurried toward the village. A strange orange glow had appeared over the trees, and as they drew near to Hogsmeade, Harry heard screaming voices being carried on the night wind.

Coming out of the wooded area into the clear at the edge of town, they saw to their horror that Hogsmeade was on fire. Harry stood, with his mouth open as he watched people running, water being sprayed from wand tips onto burning buildings, and Death Eaters cursing those who they caught in the street.

"What now?" asked Ginny in a whisper.

"I'm so stupid!" said Harry, hitting himself on the forehead. "We can apparate! I completely forgot! We can both do it, can't we?"

Ginny looked astounded. Of course they could. Ginny had been taught at the end of summer even though she was not yet seventeen. "But... not back to Hogwarts," she said slowly.

"No," said Harry. "We need to tell the Order about this right away." He tossed the possibilities around in his head. "The Burrow," he said with finality. "Your dad is who we can tell."

"Let's go, then," said Ginny immediately.

Raucous voices penetrated the darkness. They were coming from behind Harry and Ginny, from down the dark road. "C'mon, we have to move. Can you manage?" asked Harry.

Ginny said, "Of course. You go first and I'll follow."

Harry did not like this arrangement, however he knew it would be easier for Ginny to end up in the right location, if he went first. "Alright, but go immediately, ok?" She nodded. Harry apparated and almost instantly found himself in the familiar yard in front of the Burrow. Ginny was a split second behind him, but the brief pause before she materialized was agony. Without further words, he grabbed her hand and they ran toward the house.

Harry held the door for Ginny and they entered the warm Weasley kitchen. A candle burned on the scrubbed wooden table, and the smell of cooking permeated the room. "Mum! Dad!" yelled Ginny. Harry dropped down into a chair letting the comforting smells wash over him. A sound of rustling and of feet on the stairs proceeded Molly and Arthur Weasley. The elder Weasleys were dressed in nightclothes and wrapped in dressing gowns. Mrs. Weasley shrieked in shock as she looked upon her daughter and Harry. They were both cut and dirty, their pajamas torn and snagged. Harry was sure they looked a frightful mess.

"What...happened to you?" she spluttered, rushing forward.

"Ginny, Harry," boomed Mr. Weasley, "why are you here? Is something wrong at school?"

Taking it in turns, Ginny and Harry related the events of the night very quickly. Mrs. Weasley kept gasping and exclaiming as they talked. Both Harry and Ginny ignored her. The point was to fill Mr. Weasley in so he could contact the Order. "Mr. Weasley," said Harry rushing on to the conclusion, "the main thing is that Hogsmeade is on fire. The Death Eaters are burning everything."

Mr. Weasley spun on the spot and grabbed up a small square mirror from the counter. He spoke into it. "Dumbledore!"

A second later, a voice could be heard issuing from the small mirror. Arthur walked into the next room, out of earshot. Harry was too exhausted to care. Mrs.Weasley was bustling around, trying to heal Ginny's cuts and scrapes.

"I don't understand," she began as she fussed to repair a tear in Ginny's pajama leg. "Lucius Malfoy is dead? That means one of you...," she trailed off. "Oh dear...," she cried, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh dear." She hugged Ginny tightly, who looked over at Harry with a pained and fatigued expression. Harry suspected that the reality of the life she had taken was catching up with her. They had glossed over the killing of Lucius Malfoy in their rush to fill Mr. Weasley in on the situation in Hogsmeade. They had not said which of them had accomplished it.

Harry pushed himself heavily up from the table and went into the next room where Mr.Weasley was standing, talking into the mirror. "Mr. Weasley," said Harry in a low voice. "You should know that Lucius Malfoy's body is just outside the gates of the school. There are two dead house elves near the gate too. Also, Ludo Bagman was with the Death Eaters. He was taking orders from Snape."

Arthur Weasley was looking at Harry with his mouth open. "The Minister of Magic?" he said incredulously. "Did you get all of that?" he asked the mirror.

"Yes," was the response.

Mr.Weasley pocketed the mirror. "I must go to Hogsmeade immediately. The Ministry aurors are on their way now. First though Harry, I must know, is Ginny free of Malfoy's curse?"

"Yes sir, I think she is. The mark was back earlier tonight and it was really strong, but once Malfoy died, it completely disappeared," said Harry. "Sir, it was my fault she got out of the castle. I thought I could..."

Mr. Weasley cut across him. "I thank you Harry, for getting Ginny back here safely. Whatever happened tonight, she is alive. It's more than poor Percy... Well...I'm very grateful to you." Mr. Weasley patted Harry on the back in a fatherly sort of way. Harry thought he detected tears listening in Arthur Weasley's eyes. He coughed and cleared his throat. "In five minutes, you and Ginny will be able to take the floo network to the fire in Dumbledore's office. It is all arranged. The Order will take care of everything else," said Mr. Weasley. "Now I have to go."

Molly Weasley was most reluctant to allow Ginny and Harry to leave the Burrow in their condition. She kept going on and on about how it was a miracle they had both survived. However, Mr. Weasley was quite firm about the arrangements and she relented, grudgingly. Mr. Weasley stuck his wand in his cloak pocket and after kissing his wife and daughter on the forehead, apparated with a pop.

Harry and Ginny moved wearily to the fireplace taking a pinch of floo powder each, from the flowerpot on the mantle. "You two look completely done in," fussed Mrs. Weasley. "I don't see why you can't stay here and have a good sleep at the very least." Harry registered her anger but was too tired to comment. The warmth of the kitchen had made him very groggy.

Harry smiled weakly at Mrs. Weasley, tossed the powder into the flames, and then stepped into the fire and saying, "Dumbledore's office." He spun past many darkened rooms finally sliding out into the headmaster's office seconds later. Ginny arrived in short order and they were met by Dumbledore, who was dressed in a traveling cloak.

"Very good," he said, his blue eyes twinkling. He looked old and more wrinkled than ever. There was tension in his eyes, but he did not look tired or ill. "Do you know, Ms. Weasley that you have a twig in your hair?" Dumbledore smiled down at her. "I hope I am right in thinking that the curse placed upon you has now been lifted?" Ginny nodded and Harry shook his head almost imperceptibly in agreement. "I will return within the hour, please do not leave this office until I return." Dumbledore conjured two camp cots complete with blankets and pillows then left through the door, which he closed softly behind him.

The frosty windows of the office showed an uncommonly orange sky to the south. It was too early for sunrise, thought Harry and entirely in the wrong direction. He strode to the casement, pressing his face against the glass for a better view. The orange light was coming from the fires in Hogsmeade. He looked over to mention this to Ginny and saw she was already curling up on one of the camp beds. Harry went over and perched on the edge of her bed.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she replied, although she didn't smile. "Really I am."

"You killed an evil wizard tonight who had cursed you and who would have killed you," Harry said to her.

"I...I know," she said, pulling a blanket around her. Harry bent and kissed her cheek, then brushed her hair from her face.

"I just wish I had killed Snape," he said. Ginny did not answer but pulled the blankets closer around her. Harry flopped down on the second cot and was asleep almost before he pulled the blankets over himself.

The closing of the door brought Harry back out of an uneasy sleep. How many minutes or hours had passed, he did not know. Harry rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses. The sky was now light. Dumbledore was hanging his traveling cloak away behind the door, looking weary.

He sighed loudly as he sunk heavily into his chair behind the great desk. "I am not as young as once I was," said Dumbledore, looking over at Harry.

Harry got up and walked to the window. The orange glow was gone on the horizon, replaced by black smoke hanging like a cloud over the village. "What happened, sir?" asked Harry.

"The Death Eaters made quite a mess. Not only did they light fires but they brought Dementors with them. The village sustained many losses. At this time, we feel that perhaps five people are dead and many buildings were burned or destroyed," said Dumbledore. "Ministry wizards are there trying to sort everything out."

"Harry, Arthur told me what you told him at the Burrow, but I have several questions as there were a number of holes in the story, owing, I am sure, to the need for haste." Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles and began to clean them on the fabric of his robes. "Can you tell me how this all started?"

"It was all my fault, really," said Harry, glancing over at the sleeping Ginny. "I made a mistake sir, and it could have cost Ginny her life."

"That is very dramatic, Harry," said Dumbledore. "She is here, and appears to be fine. Perhaps you should let me judge whether you made a mistake or not."

Harry, smiled weakly at this, and then told the entire story to the headmaster.

"The mark gone, that is excellent news!" said Dumbledore, when Harry had finished. "Sometimes, a man must rely on himself and sometimes he must trust in others. You made a decision. Do not second-guess it now. I respect your choice."

For some reason, this did not bring Harry comfort. It was certainly true that he had made a decision and that Ginny had escaped unharmed, but Dumbledore's words were neutral; they provided neither relief nor guidance. He decided to leave the entire subject of Ginny. "What about Bagman?"

"Are you quite sure it was him, Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"I am, sir," said Harry. "I could see him pretty well, even though it was dark. He even told Snape he shouldn't be seen there."

"It would explain a lot," said Dumbledore.

"I could testify before the Wizengamot, or something," said Harry.

"That would not be safe at this time, and I doubt you would be believed," replied Dumbledore, steepling his long fingers and staring off into space. "Bagman has been accused before, and was determined to be innocent."

"But sir...?" began Harry.

Ginny stirred and sat up. "We can discuss this later, Harry. Why don't you two go back to Gryffindor tower and get some sleep. I will inform your teachers that you will be missing classes today."

Harry knew he would not get anywhere with the headmaster now. Ginny and Harry proceeded back to Gryffindor tower, receiving strange looks from the few students they passed on the way. The common room was empty. Ginny gave Harry a quick kiss and headed toward the stair to the girls dormitory. Harry made his way gratefully to his own bed, which looked very inviting.

When Harry had slept a few hours, he got up wanting to find Ron and Hermione to tell them what had happened. As Harry was about to leave the dormitory, Ron came through the door.

"Where have you been?" asked Ron with concern.

"Let's find Hermione and I'll tell you everything," said Harry. It was then he noticed that Neville's trunk was no longer standing beside his bed. Ron must have spotted him looking at Neville's bed.

"Neville's gone," said Ron sadly.

"What?" said Harry. "Why?"

Ron quickly filled Harry in. Neville's mother had come into Hogsmeade for a visit with Neville. Neville had permission to go down to Hogsmeade to meet her and to stay overnight at the Three Broomsticks. When the fires had broken out, she had fled and taken Neville with her. An owl had come in the morning and Professor McGonagall had come to collect Neville's things and send them on to his home.

"Do you think he'll be back?" asked Harry.

"Dunno," said Ron. "There aren't many of us left, are there?" The dormitory room was down to two occupants now. Harry looked around feeling empty.

"Harry!" said a voice from the doorway. Hermione rushed in looking relieved. "Where have you been? Oh! We were so worried."

"Ginny and I..." began Harry.

Hermione chimed in, "Yes, Ginny wasn't at breakfast and I heard she missed her classes..."

"What about Ginny?" demanded Ron suddenly sounding worried.

"She's ok," said Harry. Then he spent the next half hour recounting the events of the previous night. Ron and Hermione gasped as Harry told them about Malfoy and Snape. Harry noticed Hermione clutch Ron's hand as he told the story.

"My mum must have been raving when you told her," said Ron.

"We didn't exactly tell her everything," said Harry, "but I told your dad."

"You're both lucky to be alive. Good thing Ginny had her wand," said Ron.

"Good thing she fought off that curse," said Harry.

By the end of the week, another few students had departed for their homes. The burning of Hogsmeade had been the main topic in the Daily Prophet and had convinced more parents that Hogwarts might not be a safe place for their children.

It became apparent that a half dozen aurors, who had been set to guard the village, had been killed or knocked out during the attack. Professor McGonagall pronounced the Death Eaters to be cowardly scum.

Lupin pulled Harry aside and talked to him about the night of the attack. It seemed that Dumbledore had told the Order members about his and Ginny's little adventure. Lupin was of the opinion that Harry should be extra cautious. He was most interested in Snape and Malfoy's plan to overthrow Voldemort and Dumbledore. "They must have been mad," was all he could say.

"If it gets back to Voldemort, Snape's life won't be worth a sickle," said Harry. "I'd still like another go at him."

"Harry, forget Snape," said Lupin sternly. "He's not worth it."

On Friday there was to be the regular discussion of current events during pudding. As the main course disappeared and various desserts appeared in front of them, the buzz of talk increased. Dumbledore called for quiet and asked if anyone had a topic to discuss. Parvati's hand shot up. Hermione looked annoyed. Harry knew she thought Parvati a bit shallow. Hermione had a load of questions to bring up about the fires in Hogsmeade, and had raised her hand high in the air. She had even made notes, which she was now fingering. Harry looked around and saw Ernie Macmillan's hand waving toward the headmaster, as well.

"Mr. Macmillan," said Dumbledore nodding in Ernie's direction.

Ernie got to his feet, snapped open a copy of the Evening Prophet and began to read the headlines out. "TWENTY SUSPICIOUS DEATHS IN THE WEST COUNTRY. THE TRAGIC TOLL THAT FIRE HAS TAKEN ON THE VILLAGE OF HOGSMEADE - SEVEN BURNED TO DEATH. THE IMPERIUS CURSE: FOUR WIZARD FAMILIES BECOME THE LATEST VICTIMS. TWO MINISTRY OFFICIALS REMOVED TO ST. MUNGO'S AFTER EXPERIENCING THE DEMENTORS KISS." Ernie laid down the paper. "What do you think of that?" he asked.

Harry's stomach clenched. Seldom had there been so many attacks reported in one day. He looked over at Hermione who was shaking her head. Ron was looking worried and Ginny looked positively angry.

Dumbledore sounded very old and very sad as he replied, "This was, I am afraid, a very grim week for the wizarding world and the world in general, as many muggles died in the attacks reported here. What do you make of the news?"

There was silence. Then Ernie spoke up, "Who's going to stop him? I mean the Ministry isn't succeeding are they? So who's going to stop him?"

"A very good question, but a better one is how will he be stopped," said Dumbledore pensively. "I hope to see the day that he is stopped...for somehow, at some time, he will be stopped."

Murmurs broke out as students all around were talking about various curses they thought might do in Lord Voldemort. Ernie, still feeling he had the floor, talked over everyone, "Won't it have to be the Avada Kedavra curse sir?"

"That is of course, one way to kill a wizard, Mr. Macmillan." Dumbledore turned away from Ernie and motioned Parvati to take the floor. Harry was a bit surprised he had brushed off Ernie's question as casually as he had done. It was unlike the headmaster. Perhaps he did not want students guessing about other powerful magic, such as the Elemental Spells. Harry could not help but feel guilty for his own lack of action.

"Yes," said Dumbledore, "Miss Patil? What would you like to discuss?"

"Thank you sir," said Parvati, standing and smoothing down her robes. "I was just wondering what everyone was hoping to do once school is done. I mean it's exciting, isn't it, finishing school? When I finish I'd love a bit of adventure."

What a great fool, thought Harry quickly and before he even raised his hand, he was on his feet. "So you think life outside this castle is all an interesting adventure, do you!" he said heatedly. Parvati looked shocked.

"Well...we could travel and meet people, when we leave here," said Parvati, looking angry. "What would you call it?" she asked.

"Death, chaos and torture? Does it really need other names?" he asked crossly.

"I wasn't talking about You Know Who," she said arrogantly. "I only meant that once we're out of school we'll be on our own and we can have little fun adventures. I wasn't talking about being captured by Death Eaters or anything," she said dismissively.

"Well, lucky you!" said Harry, and with that he grabbed up his cloak and stalked from the room.

Harry wandered down the sloping lawn to the side of the lake. He was miserable and he wanted to be away from everyone. He wanted silence. He wanted to be able to think. Harry stole a quick glance back toward the castle. There was no one in sight. He wrapped his cloak tightly around himself to block out the damp cold blasts of wind eddying across the blackened surface of the water.

Harry sighed and moved along the bank to a group of large rocks. He climbed over several and then settled upon a low one where he could lean his back against a larger one behind it. The rocks blocked the wind a bit, but they too were icy cold.

The rest of the students in his year were wondering about travel and adventure. They were seeing the end of school as their opportunity to go out into the world and have exciting experiences. Of course, they envisioned those experiences as fun ones. Well Harry had had enough of the world, thank you very much. He hunched over and regarded his shoes.

No, Harry thought sardonically, the last thing he needed in his life was more excitement. Excitement had come to him regularly in the form of danger and death. He'd escaped Voldemort and his Death Eaters six times now. He'd fought dementors to save his own and others lives twice. He'd killed a Basilisk and then last year, two Death Eaters. Truth be told, he'd been responsible in large part, for the death of Professor Quirrel. He'd been chased and cursed so often that he'd lost count. He'd been hit more often with Unforgivable curses than anyone he knew who was still alive to tell the tale. He'd even been inside the head of Voldemort. He'd suffered the loss of his parents and of his godfather, and it wasn't even over yet. He still had a murder to commit or die in the attempt. Excitement...adventure? You could have it, he thought bitterly.

What am I to do he thought dismally? Voldemort and his followers were now killing, torturing and taking over at will. The Ministry were fools or in some cases, in league with him. What else could explain their bumbling and their lack of a plan? The wizarding community was too afraid to really stand up to the monster, and that gave him infinitely more power than he actually possessed.

The longer it went on, the less chance that Voldemort would wish to risk his own personal safety to treat with Harry. Harry's one fear had always been a confrontation with Voldemort, but now he had a growing sense that Voldemort might simply ignore him and not agree to take him on. What did he have to gain, fighting Harry, if he had everything else he wanted?

Harry scrubbed his forehead with the heels of his hands. No, no, it was all mixed up. He didn't want to face Voldemort and probably die, yet it was clearly his fate. How else could he avenge the people who had loved him and died to protect him? If only he felt more sure about his air spell. It was strong, but it was so uncontrollable. Once he set it in motion there was no telling if it would hit its intended mark. Once he set it loose, he'd be drained and he'd not get a second chance. There was, however, nothing else in his personal arsenal likely to vanquish the Dark Lord, and he knew it.

He often lay awake nights now, playing out fierce battles where he wielded spells in such a way that Voldemort was killed, captured, mortally injured, and the like. But they were pipedreams and imaginings. Harry felt painfully that the time for him to face Voldemort was approaching. He could not tolerate for much longer, the litany of deaths and destruction Voldemort was leaving in his path.

Harry wished that Dumbledore knew the answer, but he did not. Dumbledore knew a great many things and was a wizard as powerful in his own right as Voldemort; however, he apparently was not fated to be the one to unseat this evil.

Harry shifted uncomfortably on the hard rock. What DID he want after school? Parvati's question had been an innocent one. He should not have taken it so badly. The answer was simple; to live in a Voldemort-free world, and have Ginny with him, and for all his friends to be safe. His thoughts streamed over the possibilities. To have Ginny with him...He'd like to just climb on his broom with her behind him and fly off to Godric's Hollow and let the world spin round outside its gates.

That wasn't exactly all. He wanted a life and contact with people, but more than anything, he wanted to belong to someone and for that person to belong to him. Never had his lack of a proper family come home more solidly to him than when his aunt had stormed out of the cottage last summer. Harry felt a great gaping void where the tangle that was his "family" used to be. However horrible, cold and uncaring they had been, still they had been the sum total of most of his life. He hated to admit that they had been all he had, apart from his friends. Harry longed most desperately for someone to belong to fully, for his own family.

Harry dropped his head back on the rock and closed his eyes. A memory floated to the front of his thoughts, unbidden. The night Ginny had been brought to Godric's Hollow...Ginny lying in his arms, naked, but for the blanket he had wrapped around her... her white neck... the one bare leg he had finally wrapped within the blanket. In his mind, he was holding her against him again in his room in Godric's Hollow. In his daydream, she didn't remain unconscious as she had that night. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. She was all healed. She told him she loved him, and he kissed her fiercely as the blanket slipped from his grasp. Harry sighed.

He brushed the thought away, flicking his hair out of his eyes. He had no right to those dreams until he had his go at Voldemort. Once it was over, after it was done with, then life could go forward.

Harry focused on the lake surface, willing himself not to allow emotion to overcome him. What good were tears? They wouldn't wash away his fate.

Harry realized that he had to figure out how to step off the easy path and get on with the hard job that he knew he had to do. After all, how could he ever rest knowing his parents' killer was at large? How could he rest if there was a chance that he had the ability to kill an evil wizard responsible for countless deaths? There were plenty of questions and not many answers.

It was still all on him...all his choice. Dumbledore had made it clear enough that no one was going to push him into a fight with Voldemort. Here he was in the relative safety of Hogwarts castle, waiting to be ready. That's what he was really doing, wasn't it? Waiting to feel ready? Did he feel ready? The answer was no... however, when would the answer ever be yes?

A few random and scattered raindrops hit the lake, causing circular ripples to spread across its choppy, cold surface. Still the sky refused to dump rain down. It was conflicted too, it seemed.

Harry pulled his cloak tighter around him. The sky was dark and Harry stood to return to the castle.

He felt stiff from sitting on the ground amongst the rocks. Moving felt good. As he strode back across the lawn toward the castle an idea hit him hard. It landed on him as though it had fallen from the heavily clouded sky. Harry stopped still in the lawn as the idea washed over him and filled him up. It wasn't an easy plan, but it was an answer to his feeling of inaction and stagnation. Harry clenched his fists. He needed information and then he needed Ron. He moved quickly toward the castle as the light faded.