Power of Love

CHAPTER 7 - GODDESS ON TRIAL

"Where's Harry?" said Hermione, sliding in to the seat next to Ron. "I thought he'd come down to dinner with you or Ginny."

"He had a les - er, detention with Snape until five o'clock. He should be here soon," replied Ginny from Ron's other side.

Hermione poured herself some pumpkin juice and launched into a recap of their Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson earlier in the day. Somehow it always helped her to reinforce what she'd learned if she was able to discuss the concepts with others. It was a habit that routinely drove Ron mad. As she prattled on, she stopped only long enough to observe to the others that Snape had arrived at the Staff table and Harry had not.

* * * * *

Harry headed through the portrait hole on his way to the Great Hall. His Occlumency lesson had gone very well for the first time in weeks, and he had succeeded not only in keeping Snape from his thoughts without resorting to using his wand, but also in feeding Snape false ideas that were totally believable. Despite his success, he left the lesson with his head pounding, and he thought it best to spend a few minutes in his quiet dormitory out of the din of the Great Hall until the pain passed. He was hungry, though, so he didn't dally for long.

He heard a noise in the stairwell as he approached it, and glanced at his watch to see if it was so late that students were finishing their meals and returning to their dormitories. But it was only 5:20. Harry jumped when he looked up and saw three boys facing him with their wands drawn ready to duel. It was Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, well, well..." said Malfoy, his eyes shining with malice, "if it isn't the famous Harry Potter, all alone in a deserted seventh floor hallway."

"Get out of my face, Malfoy," said Harry, warily. He drew his wand instantly with a move that surprised the three Slytherins with its quickness. If he was going to be attacked by these three, he wanted to make sure he did some damage before they took him down.

Malfoy sneered, "You know, I don't think I'll get out of your face. I think I'll curse it into oblivion. Boys?"

But before they could utter their curses, Harry shouted, "Stupefy," and waved his wand, sending a bolt of red light towards them, trying to stun all three at once. Crabbe and Goyle immediately collapsed to the ground, but Malfoy, showing grace like a cat, had dived out of the way and escaped intact and on his feet. Harry and Malfoy faced each other, wands extended, neither boy daring to blink.

"They're going to expel you for attacking another student, Malfoy," said Harry, trying to stall for time while he quickly concocted a plan of attack.

Malfoy let out a mirthless laugh. "Do you really think I care about school and how many NEWTs I'm going to earn? Not when I can report back to the Dark Lord that I've killed Harry Potter."

Harry raised his eyebrows, trying to remain calm. Shit, kill me? And knowing Malfoy, he's not kidding! "So you're doing Voldemort's bidding now? What's the problem - the old guy's getting soft and, since he can't seem to kill me himself, he's sending in the new recruits?"

Malfoy started moving, as did Harry, so that they were circling away from the stairway where Crabbe and Goyle lay unconscious and Malfoy now had more room to maneuver. "Something like that. The Dark Lord can't get into the castle, but there are those of us who are more than willing to do what he asks."

Malfoy suddenly pointed his wand at Harry and shouted "Expelliarmus," but at almost the same instant, Harry shouted, "Protego." Once again, Malfoy showed his quickness, and he stepped aside as his own hex reflected back to him.

"Serpensortia," shouted Malfoy, and a large fanged snake shot out of the end of his wand. Harry dodged it and cried, "Evanesco," vanishing the snake even before it hit the ground. Harry tried to "Accio" Malfoy's wand, but he was able to hold on to it.

Harry and Malfoy dueled in this way for more than five minutes - Harry had lost track of time. They had continued to move away from the staircase and increased the distance between them. Harry started attacking offensively, afraid of giving Malfoy the upper hand in their battle, and was surprised by some of the defensive moves Malfoy was able to use. Evidently he had been practicing for this moment for a long time, and he was determined to keep up the battle until he won.

Malfoy had hit Harry with an Impediment Jinx that he had not been able to fully avoid, and it knocked him backwards off his feet. He cast another Shield Charm to deflect Malfoy's next curse, which he knew would follow quickly, and sure enough, Malfoy ended up having to dodge his own Stunning spell. This gave Harry enough time to get back to his feet. He saw a look of terror come over Malfoy's face, which was not looking at Harry, but staring beyond him at the stairway. Without thinking, he turned to see what had upset Malfoy, but saw only the slumped bodies of Crabbe and Goyle. Wheeling around, he faced Malfoy just in time to be hit with a Jelly-Legs Jinx that sent him crashing to the floor. Before he could move, Malfoy had cast a binding spell, which now left him completely vulnerable.

"You see, Potter," said Malfoy, breathing heavily, "I spent my Christmas holidays preparing for the moment when I would exact revenge for what you did to my father. I did warn you, didn't I, that I would kill you?"

Harry looked around for something - anything - that might help him, but they were in an empty hallway and he had dropped his wand when Malfoy's binding charm caught him unexpectedly. "Go on then," he said dully. "Kill me now and be done with it. I'm not afraid to die."

The smirk had vanished from Malfoy's face, and pure hatred had replaced it. He squinted and flashed Harry a thin, evil smile. "Before I've had a chance to hurt you? Potter, I'm going to cause you so much pain, you'll be begging for death."

Harry knew what that felt like, and began to panic. He vividly remembered the blinding pain of Voldemort possessing him, and how he had wanted nothing more than to die and be with Sirius. Malfoy was raising his wand, savoring the moment of inflicting unspeakable pain on his archenemy. Suddenly Harry remembered the amulet and cried out, "Isis!" He thought desperately of Ron, hoping beyond all hope that the amulet would work, and that there would be no harm done to Ron because of it.

"Crucio." Malfoy's voice echoed clearly through the empty hallway, and Harry braced for the assault. It didn't come. Harry watched the maniacal glee erode from Malfoy's face as he realized that Harry wasn't feeling so much as a prickle. Stunned, he cast the spell again. Still, there was no cry of torment from Harry.

Malfoy watched Harry close his eyes, but he did not know that Harry was focusing every last bit of energy on his feelings of love for Ron. In his thoughts he was telling Ron where he was and what was happening, saying over and over how much he loved him. It was working - he was feeling no pain. Oh, Isis, thank you! Oh, Ron, mate, it's working!" The faint smile that passed his lips in relief only incensed Malfoy more. In pure frustration, he kicked Harry with his outrageously expensive pointy-toed boots. Harry felt nothing, and didn't move; it was as if he were made of stone. It must have hurt Malfoy quite a bit, though, because he winced in pain and Harry watched the expression of fury change to one of anguish.

As the pain in his toe subsided, Malfoy was nearly apoplectic. "What is this magic, Potter?" he screamed. "I will not let you defeat me! I will not let you live!" He raised his wand and, gathering the strength of his will, loudly said, "Avada ..." Harry heard a quiet voice from out of nowhere and watched Draco Malfoy drop to the ground.

* * * * *

Harry still hadn't shown up at dinner, and Ron was worried, hoping he hadn't developed another one of those headaches he frequently got after having the pleasure of Occlumency with Snape. He was trying to decide what Harry might like if he nicked a plate of food for him, when he felt a surge within him and slumped over on to Hermione's shoulder, nearly about to faint. This, of course, caused heads around them at the Gryffindor table to turn, and Ginny cleared away his empty plate just before his body fell forward on to the table from Hermione's shoulder which could no longer support him.

Ron was fully conscious, however, and was able to speak to Ginny. "It's...Harry. In...trouble... Gryffindor Tower... Needs help... I can't...move."

Hermione had no clue what was going on, but Ginny had a pretty good idea. That amulet was working, and somewhere Harry was in trouble and needed protection. She scrambled out of her seat and grabbed Hermione by the robes, pulling her from her seat as well. "Harry needs us. Come on. You too, Neville." Although Neville had been passively observing the scene, he did as he was told and quickly followed the other two out of the hall. Anthony Goldstein had seen Hermione yanked out of her seat and ran after them as well.

Seamus was shouting across the table, "Ron, are you okay? Should we get Madam Pomfrey?"

"No," Ron said. "I just... can't... sit ... up... No ... strength." He closed his eyes, and saw an image of Harry, crouching on the floor with his hands and feet bound. In his mind, he could hear Harry calling out, "I love you, Ron. I love you." He answered back in his thoughts with all his might, "I love you too, Harry. I'll protect you."

Parvati Patil had gone to fetch Professor McGonagall from the Staff table, and Susan Bones was sitting down next to him, gently asking if he was sick and wiping the beads of sweat off his forehead. "Can't... talk..." said Ron, and Susan nodded. Ron felt he needed to focus on Harry, on his love for Harry, for as long as this feeling was upon him.

Then as suddenly as it began, the feeling passed and Ron regained all his strength. He wasn't sure if it had been two minutes or ten, but when he sat up at last, he felt like he had just run a marathon. Actually, he felt as if he'd just won the marathon, because he was euphoric. It had worked! He was surer of that than anything in his whole life. He knew that his amulet and his magic had just saved Harry's life. He looked around sheepishly at the small crowd that had gathered around him. He'd never be able to explain the truth, and he wasn't sure he wanted to. Professor McGonagall asked Seamus and Dean to escort him to the hospital wing and, with Susan holding his arm, he went without protest. It was a small price to pay for the knowledge that he'd successfully fulfilled his role as Harry's Protector.

* * * * *

Harry turned his head and saw Professor Dumbledore coming towards him. With a flick of his wand, he removed the bindings from Harry's feet and hands. Some green sparks shot out from it again, and the Jelly-Legs Jinx had been reversed. Harry retrieved his wand and approached Dumbledore, who was now standing next to a stupefied Draco Malfoy.

"I can see that you are not the only student to receive extra tutoring this year," said Dumbledore calmly. "Mr. Malfoy seems to have picked up a few spells that are not a part of the approved Hogwarts curriculum." He gazed down the hall where Crabbe and Goyle lay motionless at the head of the stairs. "Is that your handiwork, Harry?"

"Yes, sir," answered Harry. "I was trying to get all three of them, but Malfoy was too fast." Harry was quiet a moment, and then he asked, "Professor, how did you know to come here?

Professor Dumbledore peered at him over the top of his half-moon glasses. His blue eyes were sparkling as usual, but there was little joy in his expression. "I have known for some time that young Mr. Malfoy was in training to become a Death Eater. You may not have heard that his father was released from Azkaban last November, and he has no doubt been teaching Draco the Unforgivables. Therefore, I have been keeping a rather close watch on him."

"But how is it that you got here just in time, though? Another few seconds and he might have finished me off."

"Or he might not have. You seemed to have things well under control as I watched," said Dumbledore. "I only stepped in because I was not absolutely certain that the protection of Isis would withstand the killing curse, and I have no doubt that Mr. Malfoy has been taught how to use it very effectively."

"So you were watching the whole time?" asked Harry, amazed. "But I didn't see you!"

Dumbledore smiled. "I believe I have mentioned before that I do not require an Invisibility Cloak in order to hide myself from view."

Harry stared at his feet, feeling a bit ashamed. "So, then, you saw me fall for the oldest ploy in the book - the old 'Look behind you' trick."

Dumbledore nodded and said, "Yes, it is common for inexperienced duelers to fall victim to that tactic. However, I am sure that as a result of this experience, you'll not do it again. Sometimes we learn better by our failures than our victories."

Just then they heard the pounding of running footsteps echoing in the stairway, and soon, four students appeared. They stopped short when they saw Crabbe and Goyle, and heaved sighs of relief when they recognized Dumbledore and Harry standing over Malfoy's limp body.

"Ah, here comes the cavalry," muttered Dumbledore quietly, so that only Harry could hear it. It made him laugh.

Ginny, Hermione, Neville and Anthony continued down the hall to where Dumbledore and Harry stood. Hermione was the first to speak. "Ron just sort of collapsed in the Great Hall and all he could say was that you were in trouble and you needed help," she said, breathlessly. "What happened?"

"Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle tried to jump me on my way down to dinner. Fortunately my friends are more powerful than Malfoy's." Harry noticed that Anthony seemed stunned that Harry would take this so calmly.

Dumbledore pointed his wand at Malfoy. "Ennervate," he said. Malfoy awoke to the horror that six people were standing over him, one of whom was the headmaster. He started to speak, but Dumbledore interrupted him. "I think it best, Mr. Malfoy, that you do not say a word until we arrive in my office. Miss Granger and Mr. Goldstein, would you be so kind as to find Professor Snape and ask him to join me and Misters Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in my office?"

Hermione and Anthony hurried back down the stairs while the others stopped at the spot where Crabbe and Goyle rested. Dumbledore revived them as well, and then suggested that Harry, Neville and Ginny return to the Great Hall to finish their meal.

As the three of them descended the stairs, Harry grilled them about Ron, and was amazed to learn that Ron had been able to communicate his location and situation to Ginny, even if he was unable to do anything about it himself. Harry noticed that Neville was shaken, and he went out of his way to thank him for coming to his aid, even though it was not needed. Neville seemed pleased to be appreciated.

"How did Ron know you were in trouble, though, Harry?" asked Neville.

Harry swallowed. "Er...it was a telepathic spell Ron and I taught ourselves when we were goofing around over Christmas. I wasn't sure it would actually work, but I thought I'd give it a try." Harry deliberately avoided looking Ginny in the eye.

Ron had already been escorted to the hospital wing by the time they arrived in the Great Hall. Harry found he was ravenous, and he enjoyed listening to all the speculation about what had happened to Ron to cause him to nearly faint. When asked, he was vague about what had happened upstairs, preferring to let Professor Dumbledore cast whatever spin on the episode he wished.

"Ginny, let's go see if Ron's okay," said Harry finally. She nodded and they left the Great Hall together holding hands. Once they were in the hallway, Ginny started probing Harry to find out what happened to make him invoke Isis, but he refused to say, mentioning only that Malfoy had been prepared to kill him. They met Dean, Seamus and Susan in the hospital wing corridor, who told them that Madam Pomfrey had just kicked them out. "She likes me," said Harry, grinning, and he dragged Ginny past them and through the door.

"No visitors," said Madam Pomfrey. "He needs rest."

"I'm family," said Ginny. "You have to let me see him. I'm worried. And Harry's with me, and he's Ron's best friend and he promises not to say a word, don't you Harry?" Harry nodded convincingly.

Madam Pomfrey sighed. "Five minutes, and I mean it."

They pushed past her and found Ron lying on one of the beds in the dormitory wearing a huge grin across his face. "I keep telling her I'm fine," he said quietly, "but she won't believe me."

"Ginny, will you please keep watch for Madam Pomfrey a minute?" asked Harry.

Ginny was about to be annoyed, but then it dawned on her that she might not want to witness the two of them, so she turned her back and complied with Harry's request.

Immediately their lips joined together and the kiss they shared expressed their collective relief, joy and unwavering love. "It worked!" whispered Harry excitedly. "Just like you told me it would. I called out to Isis and then I thought of you..."

Ron pulled him close, aching to feel Harry's lips again. They kissed some more, and he hugged Harry as if he were a lost child who had just been found. "I want to hear exactly what happened," said Ron. He looked over at his sister and said, "Oi, Gin, it's safe now. Come sit over here by me. "

Ginny sat on one side of Ron while Harry sat holding his hand on the other. Harry told them exactly what had gone on between Malfoy and him. Harry had already gathered, from what he heard from the crowd at dinner, that his cry for help to Isis happened at the exact time that Ron collapsed in the Great Hall. "It was so strange," said Harry, "that I didn't feel anything different, well, except the Tyet of Isis became very hot around my neck. But then when Malfoy tried the Cruciatus curse on me, I couldn't feel any pain at all. It was like he hadn't even done it. At first I thought he messed it up, but when he got so mad that he kicked me, and I didn't feel that either - well, I knew it had to be the amulet."

Ron was sitting up now, his eyes gleaming at Harry and a cheerful grin on his face. Harry stopped speaking and dropped his hand as they saw Madam Pomfrey approach. "It's time for your visitors to leave now, Mr. Weasley," said Madam Pomfrey. "If you rest here for a while, I'll allow you sleep in your own bed tonight."

Harry was anxious to have Ron back in the dormitory, so he left without a fuss. On the way back to Gryffindor Tower, Ginny was very quiet. When Harry finally noticed this, he asked, "Are you upset about something? I think Ron's going to be fine. Madam Pomfrey is always overly cautious."

"It's not Ron," said Ginny timidly. "It's you. It was another close call for you and you're acting like it was this big experiment that happened to work right the first time. But you could have been killed! I'm sure Malfoy would have killed you if he could have."

They had reached the Fat Lady and Harry said the password. Hermione must have gone off with Anthony, because she was nowhere to be seen. Harry pulled Ginny to a vacant corner and sat down next to her on a couch. Ginny's emotional outburst reminded Harry all too much of the way Ron had reacted to his last near-death experience this past November. He was already concerned that she cared too much about him, and this reaction seemed to confirm his suspicions. He could tell it was time to have the conversation he'd been dreading; he could no longer let things go on the way they were.

"Ginny, we need to talk. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep up this pretend romance with you." There, he said it. He felt terrible, but at least they'd get things out in the open.

Ginny was in shock. She had not expected anything like this to come out of his mouth, especially not tonight. She thought it was going well. She didn't think he hated spending the time with her. In fact, she was enjoying the fact that they were closer than they'd ever been. Harry was finally starting to treat her as a person and not just Ron's little sister. "What's wrong with things the way they are?" Ginny asked.

Harry took a deep breath. She was making this difficult. Maybe he was reading her emotions incorrectly and she was fine. He'd have to find out. "Things between us are great, as long as you overlook the fact that they're based on a total lie. Ginny, I like hanging out with you, and you're beautiful and funny. But I don't feel the same way for you as you do for me."

"How do you even know how I feel?" she snapped back, eyes narrowed accusingly.

"Dean told me why you two broke up," said Harry, who was suddenly finding his fingernails very interesting.

Ginny laughed unconvincingly. "He believed what I told him then? That's good. I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I thought it would be kinder than to say he just didn't thrill me anymore."

Harry examined her skeptically. He didn't believe her for even one moment. True, she was a much better liar than Ron, but she still got the telltale red ears when she was under pressure, and hers were flaming right now. He put his arm around her chastely, and said quietly, "You deserve better than this. You being my pretend girlfriend is great for me, but what is it doing for you? You should be with someone who will treat you like you're the most special person in the universe. Ginny, I can't be that person for you. My heart and soul belongs to Ron. I see so many of the things I love about Ron in you, but I just don't have the same feelings for you as I do for him. You'll never find the one who can capture your heart if everyone thinks you're dating me."

Tears welled up in Ginny's eyes. How could he be breaking up with her when they weren't actually going out? How could this happen? It mustn't happen. She heard the words he was saying, but she didn't want to accept them. For five years her world had revolved around him. Didn't Harry see that her heart and soul belonged to him? He may not love her like she deserved, but he liked her, and they had fun together. For five wonderful weeks she had been the first-ever girlfriend of The Boy Who Lived. She wasn't about to give that up, feeling the way she did about him. She'd have to lighten up a bit.

Ginny took a few deep breaths and said calmly, "Harry, you are so sweet to care about my feelings. You're right - we probably should break it off. It's just that there is no one who really interests me right now. And if I do this for you, and for Ron too, then I feel like I'm being useful and am doing my small part for the war effort. You know...you fight You-Know-Who, Ron keeps you safe, and I help keep Ron happy. As for what's in it for me... I like the attention of being Harry Potter's girlfriend. You're fun to be with, and a fair kisser too. Plus, it keeps Justin Finch-Fletchley from asking me out every week."

Harry laughed. "Well, Ginny, think about what I said. I have no intention of pushing you away if you want to continue this farce. Like I said, it's great for me. But the second you want out, you say so, okay? I'll even let you dump me loudly in the middle of the library."

Deep down, Harry knew it wasn't right to drag this relationship on. But he didn't have the heart to press the issue. He'd been honest, and he'd told her in no uncertain terms that he wasn't in love with her. If she wanted to continue to act this out, how could he stop her?

* * * * *

Professor McGonagall called him into her office that evening to tell him that Draco Malfoy would not be expelled, but would have a week's worth of detentions for attacking another student. Dumbledore believed that it would be to their advantage to allow Malfoy to stay where Dumbledore could keep an eye on him. Malfoy's memory had been modified so that he had no knowledge that he had been unable to penetrate Harry's protective force with the Cruciatus curse (or his foot). This would keep him from passing the information back to his father and the Death Eaters.

"We must ask you to refrain from mentioning anything that happened in the hallway to the other students. And, even though it is within your rights to demand justice for what Mr. Malfoy did, Professor Dumbledore asks that you consider the impact of such a move on his plan. Is this acceptable to you, Potter?" she asked in her stern and business-like manner.

"Er, yeah, I'll do whatever Dumbledore wants." Harry thought for a moment. "Is Malfoy going to be allowed to play Quidditch?"

"The Headmaster did not discuss denying any privileges to Mr. Malfoy except for the detentions. I assume he will still be allowed to play," said Professor McGonagall. "And since Hufflepuff has a strong team this year and the point spread between the houses is very close, I would suggest you do not make an issue of it."

Harry decided she had a fair point. What if the person Slytherin put in the Seeker position to replace him was actually good? Slytherin might still be able to win the Quidditch cup due to higher points. "I guess you're right. Er, did Professor Dumbledore say anything else he wants me to do, Professor?"

She looked at him over the top of her glasses. "Yes. He would like you to focus your efforts on your lessons, and on enjoying your friends and the rest of your time at Hogwarts." She smiled. "That is all."

* * * * *

With NEWTs rapidly approaching, nearly all the seventh-years stayed at Hogwarts for the Easter holidays. Most of the Gryffindor Quidditch team was there, so Harry booked the field for every afternoon just so they would have a good excuse for a study break. Fortunately, the weather was cooperative so they were able to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, which helped everyone's mood.

Ron burst into the circular dormitory one afternoon with so much enthusiasm after an excellent Quidditch practice that he startled Neville, who knocked his book bag off his bed. Its contents went flying all over the floor of the dormitory, and he looked forlornly at Ron.

"Sorry, Neville," said Ron, bending down to pick up several books and papers that landed in front of his bed.

Neville got up in search of a bottle of ink that had rolled underneath Harry's bed. As he reached under the bed to pick it up, he felt something thin and squirmy and alive. He wrapped his fingers around it and his hand emerged holding up a rat by its tail. "We're going to have to let Crookshanks up here to keep the rats away," said Neville. Ron made a disgusted face as Neville examined the rat more closely. "Hey Ron, look!" exclaimed Neville. "Doesn't this rat look just like Scabbers? But it can't be - he died, didn't he?"

Ron turned on his heel to take a look just in time to see Scabbers begin to transfigure into a man. As he started to change, Neville flung him away, and Peter Pettigrew appeared, looking somewhat disheveled, in the center of the room. Ron and Neville were paralyzed with shock, giving Pettigrew a chance to collect himself and draw his wand before they could react. Neville's wand was across the room on his bed, and as Ron reached in his pocket, he heard Pettigrew yell, "Accio wand," and it flew to him. Pointing one wand at each of them, he motioned for them to stand together, and they saw no other alternative than to comply.

"Well, if it isn't my old master Ron," said Pettigrew in his squeaky, rat-like voice, "it seems we meet again after all. I was hoping to collect Potter and get out of here without being spotted, but I suppose it's always nice to visit old friends."

Ron could hardly believe the audacity of this man - the despicable vermin that was responsible for the death of Harry's parents - calmly having a conversation with him in the middle of his dormitory, as if they had just met in a shop. He eyed Pettigrew contemptuously. "What do you mean, 'collect Potter'?" asked Ron, stalling for time. He knew that Harry couldn't be that far behind him, and would hopefully not burst in on them as he had done to Neville. "He's not going anywhere with the likes of you, and if you're smart, you'll be long gone by the time he gets back or you'll be begging for your pathetic, miserable life."

"Pathetic, am I? Well, maybe I was pathetic the last time I saw you, but that was before my real Master returned. We'll see how well I am rewarded when I finally fulfill my mission and deliver the last Potter to my Lord! In the meantime, I just need to figure out what to do with the two of you. I can't very well have you spoiling things now, can I?" Pettigrew raised his wand, and Ron and Neville glanced nervously at each other as they prepared for the worst.

"Stupefy!" echoed Harry's voice from the doorway. Pettigrew fell to the ground, stunned.

Ron looked up at him with relief. "Brilliant timing, Harry. Thanks!"

Harry looked at them with concern. "You're all right, then? He didn't hurt you?"

"No, he was about to when you stunned him. How much did you hear?" asked Ron.

Harry bent down and picked up Ron's wand from the floor where Peter Pettigrew had dropped it. Harry handed Ron his wand, while he tried to express his relief to him with his eyes. "Just long enough to recognize the voice and figure out you were in trouble. Why, what did he say? "

Ron quickly relayed what Pettigrew had told them. "Look, we'd better get someone. McGonagall, do you reckon, or Dumbledore?" asked Ron.

Harry thought for a moment. "Both. I'll stay here and guard Wormtail. No offense, but I'm the best one here at Defense Against Dark Arts. Would you find them, Ron? Hermione was in the common room a minute ago - she's Head Girl, she'll know where they are."

"Yeah, I'll go. Be careful, though, Harry. He's a slippery git, that one." Ron raced out of the room leaving Harry pointing his wand at Pettigrew and anxiously watching a cowering Neville. Neville had said nothing and looked to be in complete shock. He, of course, had known nothing about Scabbers' being an animagus or anything about Pettigrew either.

"Harry, what's going on?" asked Neville, hesitantly. "Do you know this man?" He sat down on the end of his bed, and Harry could see he was trembling.

"Yes, Neville," said Harry. His eyes were as cold as steel as they stared at the slumping figure of Pettigrew. "This man was one of my dad's best friends at Hogwarts, and he repaid my dad's trust in him by selling my parents out to Voldemort. He was a spy for Voldemort and told him where my parents were after they went into hiding from him. And he's an animagus, and went into hiding as Scabbers the rat after killing twelve Muggles, faking his own death, and framing Sirius Black for the crime." Harry's rage was bubbling up to the surface, and Neville could see that his knuckles were white from gripping his wand so tightly.

Neville spoke timidly. "So he wasn't joking when he said he was going to deliver you to You-Know-Who. I thought he might be one of those weirdoes who follow around famous people and make threats..."

He was interrupted by the sound of trampling feet bounding up the stairs, and soon Ron entered the room followed closely by Professor McGonagall and Hermione. Hermione gasped when she saw Pettigrew lying on the ground as if dead. Professor McGonagall stood next to Harry and immediately took charge in her usual stern manner.

"Potter, did he see you before you stunned him?"

"No, Professor, I don't think so," stammered Harry. "I just..."

Professor McGonagall cut him off. "Good. I don't want you anywhere near him while he is on the castle grounds. Professor Dumbledore is away, and I have summoned him, but until he arrives, I will not take any chances with your safety, Potter. Do you understand?"

Harry said nothing. Should he tell her that he had been just seconds from killing Pettigrew as he lay there, exacting the revenge that he was too naive to carry out four years ago? She interpreted his silence as awaiting instructions, however, and the next thing he knew she was speaking again.

"You shall go to Professor Dumbledore's office and wait for him there. You know the password?" she asked, looking him in the eye. Harry nodded.

Before she could continue, Ron interrupted, "Professor, may I wait with Harry? You don't know how long it's going to be, and I could keep him company..."

Professor McGonagall definitely didn't want to debate the matter. "Very well, Weasley. Now, Miss Granger, I would like you to gather all the remaining Gryffindors in the Great Hall - tell them they need to leave the tower immediately to wait for an important message. Once the coast is clear, Professors Snape and Flitwick will help me escort our prisoner to a holding area to wait for Dumbledore's instructions." She looked at them gaping at her and said suddenly, "Well, what are you waiting for? Everybody move."

Harry, Ron and Hermione left the circular room and began to gather all the Gryffindors to send them away. After Ron had searched the boys' dormitories and sent everyone downstairs, he and Harry disappeared through the portrait hole. On their way down the stairs, they passed Flitwick and Snape, the latter of whom glared at Harry with contempt, as if this had been another stunt Harry pulled to try to get around the rules. When they were well out of earshot, Harry muttered something under his breath that sounded like "I'll get my revenge on you too" to Ron.

When they reached the stone gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office, Harry spoke the password and he and Ron climbed onto the moving stairs. The office was deserted, and was uncharacteristically untidy, as if Dumbledore might have left in a hurry. Ron noticed the portraits sneaking glances at them, keeping an ever-watchful eye on whoever might have just arrived.

Harry was strangely quiet as they sat side-by-side in the wooden chairs opposite Dumbledore's desk. Ron was sure this meant that Harry was contemplating his next move in the war effort. It was one thing to wait patiently for Dumbledore's plan to come to fruition as long as he was safely tucked in the castle, but after the second attempt on his life in a month, Harry was obviously considering how best to persuade Dumbledore to let him get on with it. Ron wanted to say something comforting to him, but he could think of nothing to say that Harry would be able to take seriously. He reached over and took Harry's hand, and Harry smiled at him, obviously pleased that Ron had talked his way into joining him. Still he said nothing, though, and it was a long while before Ron broke the silence.

"What do you reckon Dumbledore is going to do with Wormtail?" Ron asked.

"If there's any justice in the world, he'll see that he has a drawn-out, painful, violent death," answered Harry with a sigh. "But knowing Dumbledore, he'll cave in and give him a second chance to redeem himself. Isn't that what he always does? Gives second chances when no one else will?"

Ron shook his head in horror. "But he sold out your parents, and they were friends of Dumbledore's. Even he couldn't forgive that, could he?" Ron looked around at the portraits and saw that their occupants were no longer bothering the feign sleep but were peering down at Harry and Ron with much interest.

"I don't know what to think anymore, Ron," said Harry. Ron noticed for the first time that he looked easily twice as old as his seventeen years. "All I know is that I'm tired of waiting for something to happen. We should just get on with it." He let go of Ron's hand and stood up to pace the floor. There would be no reasoning with Harry while he was in this particular mood. Better to be quiet than become the recipient of Harry's bad temper.

They were startled when an ancient house-elf appeared bearing a large try of food and pumpkin juice. They ate, more for something to do than because they were hungry, and Harry seemed to be in better spirits once his stomach was full. They bantered lightly about Quidditch, and Ginny and Susan and girls in general. Ron wondered aloud why they couldn't wait in a different room that might have everything they required. Harry cast him a disapproving look, but grinned nonetheless.

They were well into their third hour of waiting when Dumbledore entered the office. He seemed quite amused to find them lounging in large upholstered armchairs, having transfigured Dumbledore's straight-backed wooden chairs into something a bit more comfortable. Harry stood up to switch them back, but Dumbledore raised his hand and said, "No, no, by all means leave them as they are. There's no reason you shouldn't enjoy all the creature comforts you can."

"Well, Harry, from what I understand, Mr. Longbottom accidentally discovered Voldemort's latest plot to set the timing of your next battle. Once again the fates have smiled on us. I must admit that, although I considered the possibility, I never expected him to be so bold as to try to snatch you from under my nose." Dumbledore had seated himself behind his desk and was looking vaguely at the papers strewn about it. For a minute, Ron felt that he had completely forgotten they were there, but Harry seemed quite content to wait, as if this were a regular occurrence when consulting with Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape is learning what he can from Pettigrew's mind as we speak, and we shall see if our intruder has any information for us about Voldemort's new, unexpected strategy."

Ron answered Professor Dumbledore's questions about the events that transpired in the dormitory prior to Harry's arrival. As they spoke, Dumbledore kept rising from his chair and pacing behind his desk, as if highly agitated about something. After Ron had shared everything he knew, Dumbledore lapsed into another silent spell.

Several minutes later, the door to Dumbledore's office flew open, and Snape rushed in, looking as if he had dashed all the way from the dungeons at full speed. He made no apology to Dumbledore for interrupting, but said quickly, "Sir, I have learned something quite surprising, and I thought you ought to know at once." Snape looked down and noticed Ron and Harry, sitting comfortably in their conjured armchairs, and he sneered at them with a good deal of distain. "Shall I...wait...until you are finished here?" he asked, sweeping his gaze at Ron and Harry.

"No, Severus, tell me now. I trust Misters Potter and Weasley to keep all they hear in strict confidence."

Snape hesitated, but only for a moment. "It appears we were incorrect in assuming that the Dark Lord sent Pettigrew here to capture Potter. Pettigrew is nearly beside himself with fear that the Dark Lord will find out that he disobeyed orders and came here of his own accord in hopes of becoming some kind of a hero. He is correct to be afraid, too, as those who disobey are dealt with most harshly - especially if they are compromised in the process."

Suddenly Dumbledore caught Harry's eye, and his aspect changed from one of bewilderment to triumph. Harry sat up straighter in his chair, as if understanding that the next words to be issued from Dumbledore's mouth would be important. "This news of Peter Pettigrew's motives changes everything, Harry," he said purposefully. "I would not have thought it possible to have such a stroke of luck cast before us, but the opportunity is upon us to act, and we must do so hastily."

Ron watched as a dim smile crossed Harry's face. He knew that - more than anything - Harry wanted to get on with his task, and it sounded as if the time had come. Ron felt a rush of anxiety in the pit of his stomach, but Harry looked exhilarated.

Dumbledore rose from his seat once again. "It will take a while to pull everyone together. Severus, please return to our captive and see if you can learn anything more. I will meet you there in half an hour." Snape nodded and disappeared out the door. "It's too late to do anything before tomorrow morning. We will meet in the Great Hall for breakfast at seven o'clock, Harry. You should bring with you a change of clothes, your wand, of course, and your Invisibility Cloak. Everything else you'll need is at Headquarters." Harry nodded, excitedly.

"What about me?" asked Ron.

Dumbledore stared at him for a moment, and then said gently, "We will be needing you to stay at Hogwarts, Ron." Ron's face distorted with anger at the idea of being left behind while Harry got to fight, but the expression on Dumbledore's face silenced the protest that was about to emerge from his mouth. "I believe we discussed your role in this battle at some length," said Dumbledore sternly. "Now that we know exactly how the Tyet of Isis will work to protect Harry, we can't risk having you collapse at a place where we will be unable to protect you. I need not remind you that without you safe and strong, Harry's protection is useless." Dumbledore stared at Ron until he nodded. He hated it that Dumbledore was right.

Dumbledore scribbled a short note and magically sealed it. He handed it to Harry. "If you would please deliver this to Professor McGonagall and ask that she make arrangements to discreetly cover your sudden absence... No need to alert the Malfoys that you're no longer in the castle. Then, once that task is done, you are free to say your goodbyes. If I need to contact you, I'll send Fawkes, who will be able to find you wherever you happen to be." His eyes twinkled over his half-moon glasses. "Make sure to enjoy your friends and your remaining time at Hogwarts."

"So does this mean, sir, that I should plan to be gone a long time?" asked Harry.

He smiled. "You will be gone for as long as it takes to vanquish Voldemort. You know the risks, Harry, but until we get close enough to him to learn the extent of his power, I cannot predict whether it will be one day, one week or one month. He may have forces about which I know nothing, but we have had too many things go our way for me to have anything but complete confidence in the eventual outcome."

Ron and Harry got up to leave, changed their chairs back to their original condition, and shook hands with Professor Dumbledore. As he shook Ron's hand, Dumbledore said with the utmost sincerity, "Harry has reminded me on more than one occasion that it is miserable to be the one left behind while others perform their appointed tasks. Let me say in no uncertain terms that I consider your role to be nearly as vital to my plan as Harry's. I have grown quite fond of him over the years, you see, and I would be most distressed if anything happened to him."

Ron nodded. "I'll do everything I can, Professor." The portraits called out words of encouragement to Harry as he and Ron left the room in search of Professor McGonagall.