Dark Daughter

Chapter 8: A Few Days of Truth

(January 31^st)

Harry opened his eyes. For a moment he thought of the night before. He couldn't tell anyone, only Ron and Hermione. He was supposed to talk to Dumbledore after breakfast. This was going to be a long day. Madam Pomfrey came bustling over to him.

"You're awake," she commented. "Professor Dumbledore want to talk to you straight away. But first, eat."

She handed him a tray with eggs, bacon and biscuits. Harry ate silently. He looked down at Sirius, who was still sleeping in his dog form. Madam Pomfrey said that she'd made him drink a strong sleeping potion in the night.

"How's Remus?" Harry asked.

"He'll be ready to go home by tomorrow," said Madam Pomfrey.

"Good," said Harry as put on his shirt.

When he was dressed, Harry made his way up to the headmaster's office. Using the password that the nurse had given him, he passed the stone gargoyle and knocked on the polished oak door. Dumbledore opened it immediately.

"Harry, come in." he said.

Harry came in. He didn't hesitate, "Professor, I need to know the truth!"

Dumbledore put his hands on Harry's shoulders and looked in his eyes.

"Do you think that I have ever lied to you, Harry?"

"No," said Harry slowly. "But there is a lot that you haven't told me--that no one's ever told me--I know it! I want to find out what I don't already know."

"What is it that you want to understand?" Dumbledore asked.

"I want to know everything," said Harry. "Why did Voldemort want kill my parents? What happened that night? I just want to know!"

Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses.

"It is time," he said, "for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything."

Harry sat down in the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk and watched as the headmaster sat wearily at his desk. For a moment, Harry wondered if he should help him into his chair. But Dumbledore managed easily alone.

"It begins, Harry," he said, "With the four great founders of Hogwarts--Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. As you know, Voldemort is the only heir of Slytherin. He set off, fourteen years ago, to kill the other heirs of the school founders; they are also known as the Heirs of Hogwarts. He killed the Bones--heirs of Hufflepuff. Also, he killed the McKinnens, the most direct descents of Hufflepuff. The Bones are not direct descendants of Helga Hufflepuff, however. And the Prewetts--heirs of Ravenclaw. And two of three the Potters, that would be your parents, Harry. That is why Voldemort wanted to kill you and not your mother, because you and your father were the only living descendants of Gryffindor. And that is also why you were able to pull Godric Gryffindor's sword out of the Sorting Hat in the Chamber of Secrets."

"But why would he want to kill the other Heirs of Hogwarts?" Harry asked, deeply puzzled.

"It was the only way to kill him," said Dumbledore. "Only the strength of the four founders, or their descendants, could defeat someone so powerful and evil as Voldemort. The four founders' powers are not well known to the wizarding world, but they were possibly the most powerful magical people of all time."

"But," Harry was confused, "if you needed the Heir of Slytherin, how would the others defeat him? Voldemort wouldn't turn his wand on himself, would he?"

"That is one thing that I still do not understand," said Dumbledore heavily. "No, he wouldn't kill himself. This is a mystery that I have been trying to solve for many, many years."

"Why, other than for revenge, does Voldemort want to kill me?" Harry asked. "I mean, he can't be putting all of this energy into getting me if it's just for revenge, can he?"

"No Harry, he is not doing it just for revenge," said Dumbledore. "The Heirs of Hogwarts are all attending this school and by killing you, he can disturb the connection that the three of you have. The other Heirs have sisters and brothers, but you, Harry, you have no siblings or family that are living on your father's side, therefore, without you there is no other Heir of Gryffindor to take your place."

"But, I thought that they were killed . . . "

"Not all of them, Harry. I will not give you their names, for that is their business alone. But the heirs of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor (that's you) are all at this school."

"What about Slytherin?" Harry asked.

"I have a feeling that there is another descendant of Slytherin in the world and he or she is currently attending Hogwarts."

"But we have to get them out!" Harry exclaimed. "They could turn against us!"

"What makes you say that, Harry," asked Dumbledore.

"Because--because," Harry couldn't believe that the wise old headmaster didn't understand. "Because if they're related to Voldemort, they most definitely are evil. They could betray us."

Dumbledore seemed very startled at Harry's reaction and said, "Harry, I told you in you second year that you have Slytherin power in your blood, from when Voldemort accidentally transferred some of his powers into you when he lost them. So, you are, in a way, related to Voldemort and Slytherin. Are you evil?"

Harry shook his head. Dumbledore continued. "I also told you, that same night, that it our choices that determine who we are and not our bloodlines. That person could very well make different choices than Lord Voldemort. As you will and have."

Harry gazed fixedly into the headmaster's eyes, still full of doubt.

"What happened to my dad's side of the family?" he asked.

"They were killed by old age and other ailments. Your grandfather died when your father was at school here. It broke his heart."

Harry looked down. "Is that everything?" he asked, not looking up.

"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore said. "I have told you everything that I know. If you wish, you may leave."

Harry nodded slowly and got up. He left as quickly as he could. Looking at his watch, he realized that it was time for lunch.

* * *

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table. He'd just told Ron and Hermione about the night before. He and Ron had decided to tell Amy's friends about her being a Death Eater. They had just finished telling Fred and George, who were both outraged that she hadn't told them and very upset at the thought that she might have betrayed their side.

Harry and Ron had agreed that she was no good. They were sure that she had probably saved Harry in order to make Dumbledore trust her but was truly still on Voldemort's side. He made his way over to the third years that were her friends.

"Hey, can I have a word?" Harry asked, gesturing that they go somewhere secret.

"Er . . . okay," said Abbott.

Harry and Ron led them into an empty classroom. The third years looked curious, Black looked tired and faintly annoyed.

"What is it?" asked Davies, toying with her lovely hair.

"You know that friend of yours, Amy Evans?" said Ron.

"What about her?" asked Fletcher defensively.

"We just thought you should know that, well . . . " Harry stopped for a moment, wondering for the first time whether he was doing the right thing; he decided to continue, "She's a Death Eater!"

"Who told you?" Black growled, shaking slightly.

"Dumbledore told me," said Harry. "That's a very dependable source."

"We know! She told us straight away," said Davies, whose voice was rising a little.

"And we all know that she's a spy for Dumbledore," said Abbott.

"And," Black was still shaking with suppressed rage and practically snarling. "We know that she saved your neck last night. She got hurt real bad for you. Dumbledore told you that she was his spy; I know that for a fact. If I were you, Potter, I'd keep secrets for someone who just saved my life. Do the world a favor and keep to your own business for change, right?"

Harry froze for a second. A voice in the back of his head told him to say sorry, but instead he said, "If you guys are too afraid of the truth, that's fine; I just thought that you would like to know if you're staring a desk with a Death Eater, that's all!"

Black started forward but the others held him back and pulled him out of the room, all glaring at Harry in hate.

* * *

Jason was so furious that he was trembling and clenching his fists.

"How could he do something like that?" he shouted.

"I don't know," said Joanne in a passive voice. "But it was very wrong."

"He's probably already told Fred and George," said Derek.

"They'd keep it secret, wouldn't they?" asked David hesitantly.

"We've got to talk to them!" Joanne said quickly and all of them hurried back into the Great Hall.

Fred and George were sitting there, talking in whispers. The four tried to talk to them, but it was no good. After a lot of conversing, they finally persuaded the twins not to tell anyone, but they couldn't talk any more sense into Fred and George.

"Great," said Jason. "Just great! That'll be a marvelous surprise for Amy when she gets back. Fred and George hate her because they think she's something that she's not. All because of Potter! Yeah," there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice now. "He's some hero!"

"Maybe we should tell her, so it won't be a surprise," suggested Derek and David nodded.

"NO!" shrieked Joanne. "We can't worry her more. You heard Madam Pomfrey. She needs rest! How's she going to sleep with that on her mind?"

"You're right Joe," said David looking at his feet and taking a deep, hopeless breath.

"Lets go visit her," said Jason.

All of them agreed and set out for the hospital wing. But Madam Pomfrey forbade it entirely.

"Aw . . . c'mon, Miss," begged David.

"No, no," said the nurse. "She's just too fragile for visitors. I'm sorry, maybe when she wakes. If we're lucky, that'll be by nightfall. Now, go on, off with you! The bell's about to ring any second."

No sooner had she said that did the bell ring. All of them hurried off to Potions.

Snape was particularly terrible to Gryffindors and Slytherins alike. David had a strange suspicion that it had something to do with either exhaustion or maybe, just maybe, worry for Amy. After all, she was his partner when they went to meet You-Know-Who. Perhaps they helped each other a little more than Amy led them to believe.

* * *

Remus Lupin opened his eyes. There was an exited and strangled murmur as he did so.

"Remus!"

Everything was blurry. Remus moaned as he tried to sit up. A hand pushed him back down.

"Take it slow, mate," said Sirius' voice.

"Mmmph . . . Padfoot?"

"I'm here," said Sirius.

Everything came into sharper focus. Sirius was sitting next to Remus' bed. He seemed concerned but slightly relieved.

"Where were you last time?" asked Remus.

"What d'you mean?" Sirius asked bemusedly, but then he seemed to remember. "Oh, yeah! Last time you woke up. Well, there was some--stuff--going on."

"What kind of stuff?" Remus asked. "C'mon Padfoot, tell me. I can handle it! I'm feeling much better. Whatever you might tell me, it's not going to give me a heart attack or anything." Remus paused and decided to have some fun. "But I might have one if someone else tells me."

"Okay, okay," said Sirius quickly. Remus grinned. "Well, Harry was--was kidnapped last night--"

Remus gasped. Harry? Is he okay? Remus wondered.

"He's absolutely fine though," Sirius reading his mind. "It's Amy Evans I'm worried about. You see--she saved Harry at an awful price. She pretended that she accidentally let Harry go--that's what Arabella tells me anyway. She was tortured for it. I think she was thrown through a window or something. And cursed--cursed beyond belief."

"Is she all right now?" Remus inquired.

"Still hasn't come 'round yet," Sirius said. "That's all I know. Pomfrey won't tell anyone anything else. Not even Amy's friends."

"You've really taken a liking to that kid haven't you?" said Remus amusedly.

"Well," said Sirius, looking embarrassed. "She did save my life twice and my godson." He changed the subject quickly. "Moony, Madam Pomfrey wants you to leave as soon as possible. She says that it's not a good idea if a student sees you. Could be a problem if some of them tell their parents that there's a werewolf in the infirmary. You know."

Remus nodded. "Yeah, s'pose so."

At that moment, Madam Pomfrey came to shoo Sirius out, saying that Remus needed rest. And moments after Sirius had left, Remus fell asleep.

* * *

Hours later, Amy Evans was beginning to stir. Everything was dark. Where was she? The numbness was leaving. Her body felt beat up.

Memory began to creep like fog back into her mind. Voldemort. The torturing. Someone had brought her back to the dungeon. It had been Snape--hadn't it? Amy remembered how worried he had looked. He had spoken gentle words to her. Then Dumbledore's face had loomed close to her own. Speaking more gentle, unclear, words.

Where was she now? There was a scraping sound, like something hard on stone. Terror filled Amy. Maybe she was back with Voldemort! She felt something warm and soft squeezing her hand and someone was speaking from far, far away, and it wasn't Voldemort.

"Amy," said a quiet voice. "Amy can you hear me?"

After awhile, Amy opened her eyes.

Dumbledore's face was visible in the mist.

"Amy?" he whispered.

Amy tried to sit up, but had barely gotten and inch off the place that she'd been lying on before she whimpered and fell back again.

"Take it easy," said Dumbledore pulling something unclear off the bedside table. "Just relax, you're safe now."

"Where am I?" Amy whispered.

"You're in the hospital wing," said Dumbledore in a matter-of-fact tone. He slipped Amy's glasses onto her nose. "You're perfectly safe, I assure you."

Why did he keep saying that? Amy didn't have a very clear idea of what had happened the night before, but obviously, she had been in danger of some sort. Everything was coming into clearer view, though the glasses hadn't had much effect.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"It's three in the morning," said Dumbledore, checking his watch. "On January the twenty-first. You've been here for nearly twenty-four hours."

"Why're you up so late?"

"You had a rough night after you saved Harry," said the headmaster. "You may not remember much, but you came very close to death; I will not hide that fact from you. Your four friends, Miss Davies, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Black and Mr. Abbott will be delighted to hear that you have come around. I cannot put to words how worried they have been."

Amy grinned a little. At least her friends were safe.

"What happened?" she asked. "Did Harry get back okay? Is he all right?"

"He is just fine, Amy," said Dumbledore soothingly. "You saved his life. He went back to classes this morning and understands that he is supposed to act like he does not remember the event at all."

Amy nodded slightly. She was cautious in moving her body too much, for fear of the terrible aching. She was aware that there was a large bandage around her forehead and other bandages covered the places that had hurt very badly the night before. They did not hurt so terribly but she could still feel them. She supposed that they were hard to magically mend.

"What exactly happened that night, Professor?" Amy asked.

"Many things happened Amy," he said. "Ah . . . well, I will try to sum it up for you. When Professor Snape brought you back, you weren't doing well. Maybe you remember, but you were coughing blood. Professor Snape took you to Madam Pomfrey for treatment and I called another meeting of the Order. Your friend, Mr. Jason Black, helped me do so. I could not allow him to attend the meeting but he proved very worthy of my trust.

"You see, I sent him to try and stop Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley from roaming the castle. I thought he would know, because I didn't tell him that that was his mission. He was unsure if he should reveal himself to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, so he stayed put. He stopped two Death Eaters from killing Harry and Sirius Black. He stunned Lars Lestrange, who is currently tied up in one of the dungeons."

"He's in the castle?" Amy asked, horrified, and after seeing Dumbledore nod she explained, "Headmaster, I don't know if that's a good idea. I mean, Lestrange--he's creepy, and mad, too. I have a bad feeling about him. He'll do something crazy to get free."

"Amy," said Dumbledore. "I assure that he is heavily guarded and any activity in his cell will be reported immediately. The Minister of Magic still hasn't arrived to question him, but once the Ministry arrives, they will take him away from the castle."

Amy had a strange suspicion that no one from the Ministry of Magic was going to look into the capture of Lestrange, because she was sure that Fudge hadn't told anyone about it. Something floated up. She had to tell Dumbledore--now. This was the time. She had to tell him.

No! said a voice in her head. You can't risk your secret. He won't understand!
I have to, said another stronger voice that was Amy. He won't trust me at all if he finds out another way!

Amy fought with herself for a moment before she said, "Headmaster, I need to tell you something."

* * *

Dumbledore studied Amy's pale face for a long time. She sounded very serious.

"What is it Amy?" he asked quietly, moving close to her.

"I can't tell you when so many people can hear," she muttered.

Dumbledore cast an eavesdropping ward on the curtained area, so that no one outside the curtain could hear what Amy and Albus were saying. Amy gazed out the window while he did this.

"Can you tell me now?" Dumbledore asked and Amy nodded, still looking out of the window.

"I--I--" Amy turned her head to look Albus carefully in the eyes and stammered, "I'm V-Voldemort's daughter, Sir."

The headmaster simply stared at her. What was the meaning of this? Was it a joke? Something in Amy's voice made told him that what she had just said was true.

"Is that true, Amy?" he asked. "How?"

"My mum was a Death Eater, Professor," Amy told him. "She was powerful, too, and loyal. He wanted an heir, so she--got pregnant right before he was--before he lost his powers, Sir."

"How long have you known this?" asked Albus.

"Since September," Amy told him. "I've been trying to tell you since then, but I kept loosing my nerve. I'm sorry."

"Why?" Dumbledore asked quietly.

"I thought that--that maybe--maybe you would hate me," Amy choked. "I know so many people--who like me now--but if they found out--even if I told them myself--they would hate me. They'll think I'm evil, like him. You don't hate me, do you?"

Albus looked into Amy's eyes. He could see that she was telling the truth. She was afraid that world would hate her.

"I do not hate you, Amy," he said honestly. "I think you are brave, and intelligent and you certainly have a good sense of humor. I see none of Lord Voldemort in you, except for perhaps your cleverness and power, and I assure you, those things will come in handy. You are not evil. You are no more evil than I. And I will tell no one else of this secret unless, of course, you tell me that I can do so. You may choose to tell whom you will, but most certainly, trust you."

Amy smiled. She had obviously gotten something very huge off of her chest. Maybe she just needed to tell one person. Dumbledore lifted the eavesdropping ward and seconds later Madam Pomfrey came around the curtain.

"Headmaster," she said. "I think it is time that you leave. I'm sorry, but Amy needs rest."
She did seem tired. Albus put a hand on her shoulder, thanked her and left.

* * *

"How are you feeling, dear?" Madam Pomfrey asked once Dumbledore had left.

"I've felt better," Amy confessed. "But I feel a whole lot better than last time I was awake."

The nurse smiled warmly down at her, but she still looked concerned.

"You gave me quite a fright, dear," she said. "Many times I thought that I'd lost you."

"Thanks for taking care of me Madam Pomfrey," Amy said.

"You're most welcome dear. But now, you need sleep," said Pomfrey, jumping back to her professional manner, but her voice was still gentle. "Just drink this, it's a dreamless sleeping potion."

She held out a bottle of purple liquid. Amy nodded. Madam Pomfrey helped her sit up. Amy was very surprised that her head pounded when she did so and she was sure that she was going to faint. The nurse tipped the potion down Amy's throat and instantly she fell into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

Harry sat, doing his Transfiguration homework. He noticed that every time he met the third years' eyes, which were Evans' friends, they scowled heavily at him.

"What's with them?" asked Harry.

"You did tell Amy's secret, Harry," said Hermione, reasonably. "Right after she saved you. I understand why they would be angry. They obviously knew before you told them."

"They have to know," said Harry, feeling angry. He didn't want to admit that what he did might have been wrong.

"But she should have the right to choose who she wants to tell!" said Hermione defensively, almost angrily.

Harry was silent for a long time. He glanced at Ron. What if they had acted wrongly? Ron was stubbornly saying that everyone they told had a right to know. Harry agreed--or, he wanted to.

* * *

A few days later, Amy woke in the hospital wing on a bright, frosty morning. She was feeling by far better. Madam Pomfrey came bustling in.

"You need to eat, Amy," she said. "I don't care if you're not hungry, you must eat."

For the first time, Amy ate her breakfast without protest. Strangely, Amy's stomach was too restless to except food willingly. She tried to explain this to Madam Pomfrey she just insisted that Amy needed food and didn't listen. When she had finished, the nurse came back in.

"You have some visitors," she announced. "They've been trying to visit you for a long time but you weren't well enough. I'm sure that they'll be happy to see you."

Amy had a good idea who it was that wanted to see her and, sure enough, her four best friends entered.

"Amy!" cried Joanne.

"Joanne," said Amy.

"We were so, so, worried!" said Joanne. Amy had a nasty feeling that her friend was about to cry, but, surprisingly, Joanne held herself in.

"How're you feeling Amy?" asked Jason in and uncharacteristically serious voice.

"I'm fine, Jase," said Amy. "I'm just tired and a bit weak. Don't be so serious. It's not like you."

Jason grinned. "I have news," he announced.

The others giggled.

"What?" said Amy.

"This time," began Jason importantly. "Yesterday, Mordicus Flint, arch enemy of the Cavillors," (that was what Amy and her friends called themselves), "Had his cauldron blown up by an unknown force that came in the form of his own idiotic sidekick, Marley Jacks."

Everyone was paralyzed with laughter. Amy knew that, with her friends, she could never feel better, with Voldemort on the loose or not.

* * *

Amy returned to school on a freezing Friday in February, about six days after the night of chaos. She sat down at the breakfast table with Joanne.

David was reading the newspaper with a furrowed brow.

"People goin' missing all over the place," he said. "Not just in Britain, but all over the world. Fudge's still telling the Prophet that You-Know-Who never regained power and all that rubbish. Wonder if anyone believes him."

"There's still a lot people here who do," said Derek, looking around at the emptying Great Hall. "Just don't want to face the facts."

"Either that or they think that Potter killed Diggory," said Amy. "David, if you're done, will you give me that paper."

David hesitated but handed over the copy of The Daily Prophet. Amy read it for a while. Fraises jumped out at her:

Reports of kidnappings unconfirmed. Fudge continues to deny rumors of You-Know-Who's return to power. Amy couldn't believe how Fudge could ignore the situation. But what she read next made her feel sick to her stomach.

Fudge expresses beliefs that Sirius Black has rallied Death Eaters to spread panic everywhere.

"The muggle torturing at the Quidditch World Cup," Fudge explained. "The death of Diggory last year, and disappearances. All of this began after Black escaped from Hogwarts over a year ago. He is obviously trying to spread terror again and the magical community is falling for it."

But many in Britain are beginning to loose faith in what the Minister of Magic tells us.

She passed it to Joanne. They all agreed for the first time, that there was nothing that they could do. Amy didn't like the idea of doing nothing, but she knew that there truly was nothing she could do . . . not now.

"Potions today," said Jason in disgust.

"Oh, yeah," said Amy.

When Amy and her friends walked into the dungeon, Amy was sure that Snape had dropped the empty phial in his hand in surprise. However, he cleaned up the mess and his surprise throughout the lesson. They were making an Engorging Potion that would make the drinker (it was supposed to be a baby animal, because it wouldn't work on humans) older.

Amy kept her eyes down and noticed that Snape didn't sweep past her and Jason, as usual, even though Jason was obviously doing it wrong.

When the bell rang, Amy slipped to Snape's desk and deposited a note. She left in a hurry, before he even noticed that she had been near his desk. She ran to catch up with her friends, wondering how she was ever going to repay her Wizard's Debt.

* * *

Snape sat down at his desk. Why had he acted so strange in class today? Why? He knew that Evans had noticed. Severus to got grading essays.

The shrinking potion causes the drinker to shrink in size, depending on the amount of the potion he con--

Zero.

The shrinking potion causes the drinker to--

Zero.

The shrinking potion--

Zero.

The--

Zero.

Snape looked up from his work. This was no good. He couldn't concentrate. He searched his desk for something else. A piece of parchment was lying on the edge of his desk. He picked it up lazily, it read:

Thanks.

Snape knew who had left it. Somehow, this made him happy.

* * *

Amy sat down next to Fred and George at lunch, but automatically, they got up and left her. Joanne and Derek, who were the only ones with her, looked uneasily at one another.

"You guys," said Amy, she hurried over to them. "What's going on? Why--"

"We know," said Fred shortly. "We know what you are--who you're working for."

"What are you talking about?" Amy asked, bewildered, and then it hit her. But before she could say another word, Fred and George left the hall.

Amy followed them at a run. Joanne and Derek did not do the same; they stayed put. The Weasley twins entered an empty classroom. Amy hurried in and closed the door behind her.

"What are you talking about?" Amy asked angrily.

George didn't answer. He strode forward and forced Amy's left sleeve above her elbow. The red Dark Mark stood out like a tattoo on her arm. Both twins raised their eyebrows wordlessly.

"That's what we know about!" said George, pointing at her arm.

"Who told you?" Amy asked shakily.

"Does it matter?" asked Fred.

"Yes."
"You betrayed us!" yelled George.

Tears began to form in Amy's eyes and she choked, "You--you don't think that I'm really a Death Eater, do you?"

"Damn it, we know!" shouted Fred.

"You don't understand," Amy said. "I'm a spy for--"

"You-Know-Who," Fred finished. "We already know."

"NO YOU DON'T!" Amy yelled. "You don't. I'm a spy for Dumbledore. That was what I was in the beginning and that's what I'll be in the end."

"That's not what we heard," said Fred. "We trust that person more that you now. He said that you lied to Dumbledore, and he said not to trust you. He said that you really are a spy."
"What?" Amy whispered. She paused and looked mournfully up at the two seventeen-year-olds that had been her friends. They didn't believe her! After all of the years that she had been their friend, they were going to let it end just like that? Amy took a deep breath and said, "Fred, George, if you refuse to listen to me then--fine. I can't force you--I won't. You are my friends--"

"Were," interjected George.

"You will always be my friends, even if I'm not yours. Please don't tell anyone, because it could kill me. I know who told you. I trusted him. But now I see that there is no one I can trust. If you really don't want to listen to me then I guess this is goodbye to you as my friends. Goodbye."

And she left without another word.

Amy walked down the halls in a towering rage. She didn't attend any of her afternoon classes. She considered going to Dumbledore but decided against it. She didn't want to talk to anyone but Potter. To her surprise, she got a chance to do just that. She walked briskly up to him as he made his way down to dinner.

"Potter," she said. "I need a word. Weasley and Granger can come too," she added hastily, because the other two were looking doubtful.

"Er . . . okay," said Harry uneasily.

He followed Amy into an empty classroom. He didn't know that Amy, Fred and George had been talking in this same room.

"Who else did you tell?" Amy asked without hesitation.

"Tell what?" Harry asked. This made Amy furious.

"Tell what?" she repeated in a deadly whisper, as she always did when she was exceptionally angry. "You know just what!"

"He didn't tell anyone other than Fred, George, and your friends," said Hermione.

"Why?" Amy demanded. "I saved your neck by nearly giving mine and while I'm out of it you go and tell everyone! You could at least tell me why!"

"They had a right to know!" Harry shouted.

"I should be able to choose who I tell!" Amy shrieked back.

"You wouldn't have told them!" Harry bellowed. It was strange for the both of them to be fighting with someone they barely knew.

"And there's a good reason for that!" Amy retorted.

"What, then?"

Amy lowered her voice in anger and frustration and said, "Voldemort can't know that I'm against him, he would kill me, or put the Imperious Curse on me so that I'd do terrible things--"

"I'm sure you've already done terrible things!" Harry yelled.

"WILL YOU STOP ASSUMING SO MUCH?" Amy screamed, but then she lowered her voice again. "That's what got us into this mess and into this room, shouting at one another. Harry I trusted you, I really did. Do the world a favor this year and stay in your own business. I am doing all I can to keep you and everyone safe. I can't believe that you would do something like that when you don't even understand what's going on. And if I hear that you've told anyone else about my being a spy, for Dumbledore or Voldemort, spreading rumors, I will go straight to the headmaster. Do you understand?"

"Fine," said Harry, and he left, Hermione and Ron trailing behind him.