Harry Potter and the Orb of Slytherin

Chapter 19: The Ministry Gala

"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione whispered in fear.

"Granger has fooled you, Harry," Lucius said behind Harry who was still looking viciously at Hermione. "They all fooled you into betraying your true master. You can feel it, can't you? Your heart knows you were tricked!"

"I do now," Harry said confidently, "but I am fine. It is time I go to the Dark Lord's side, where I belong."

"Harry, what on earth are you doing?" Worthwhile hissed worriedly.

"Stay out of this, Worthwhile. You once believed in the Dark Lord as I do now. We were tricked, but no longer!"

"You were just struck by the Cadarius Curse! Your heart has been turned to evil! Can't you see it?"

"Don't get in my way or your fate will be the same as this Mudblood's!"

Worthwhile squeezed Harry's neck fiercely, and Harry shouted in pain, but he finally pried the viper off of him and threw it across the room, where it cowered in the corner. Harry paid no attention to Worthwhile, but rather kept his staff pointed at Hermione, who stood glaring at the Malfoys.

"I WAS NOT TURNED!" Harry shouted, his hair standing on end. "I was tricked and those who did this to me will pay for it!"

"Yes, exactly!" Lucius put in, wearing a look of complete victory. "I performed the Cadarius curse on you Harry, but it helped your heart recover from being tricked for so many years by Dumbledore. The Dark Lord has only ever tried to help you see that!"

"So you were the one who stole the spell from the Library in Alexandria!" Hermione accused.

"Actually, no. I am not as clever as the one who did. You know who I mean."

"Snape," Hermione answered darkly.

"Yes. He found a way to break into the Library for the Dark Lord, and in turn, I was given permission to try and 'free' Potter from your slave-like grip on his conscious, so I set this trap. The Dark Lord knew Potter's mind was just too strong and too well-deceived by Dumbledore, so he had to free Potter's heart, which was weaker."

"You are so full of it. Harry hated Voldemort. He killed his parents! Harry, don't you remember?"

"Don't you dare speak the Dark Lord's name with your filthy tongue!" Harry said, his voice shaking in anger as he moved closer to her, his orb dangerously close to her chest. Hermione's mind was racing. She didn't know what she was going to do: there was no way she could actually fight Harry when he was at his full power, even if she managed to grab her wand, which had been dropped. To actually defeat three wizards would be even more impossible. Not only that, but she had no idea where Ron was... her worst fears could only imagine. She decided to do the only thing she could think of: stall.

"How did you even escape Azkaban, Malfoy? You know, the one Harry put you in because he knew you deserved it!"

"I escaped because the time was ripe for the Dementors to make a more suitable deal. You honestly did not think that I would not be able to get past Dementors as rich as I am, did you? I had purchased a small item a very long time ago that keeps a spell inside capable of distracting Dementors from their duties and I was able to bribe them with the promise of more souls to feed off than they could ever dream of, including..." There was a scream that came from outside the house and everyone recognized it as the cry of a Dementor. Lucius laughed out loud and pointed at Hermione. "Including yours!" Harry smirked while Draco looked sullen.

"How did you get your little trinket inside Azkaban?" Hermione persisted, ignoring Malfoy's taunts and keeping her head. Lucius' face contorted into anger when he realized her courage was not waning.

"I swallowed it," Lucius consented. "It was the only way."

"I'll have to remember that when you go back," Hermione taunted. "I'll make sure to remind Ministry guards to flush your stomach - I'm sure it will be painful, even if they use magic."

"That won't be happening again, I can assure you. With Harry Potter, the second most powerful wizard in the world by the Dark Lord's side, there is nothing that can stop us and you will die tonight!"

"You're wrong!" Hermione shot back angrily. "Harry knows something is wrong. He feels it! He will find his way back and then you will be the first to fall!"

"Ah!" Lucius said knowingly, putting his finger to his lips. "You're in love with him... aren't you?" Hermione's silence told him he was right.

"She sure is. That much I know," Harry said with an evil grin. "Pathetic, isn't it?"

"Oh how marvelous!" Lucius said, clapping his hands together. "Then I have an even better plan than giving your soul over to the Dementors. I think that Harry should be given the opportunity to kill you. What do you think, my Lord?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Harry said. "Revenge will never have been sweeter." He lifted his staff and levitated Hermione, backing her against the wall. She cried silently, unable to move at all. All she could do was stare at Harry, who advanced on her threateningly. Harry took his staff and switched ends, bringing the extremely sharp end of it to her neck. He was going to slit her throat so he could watch as she died. Lucius laughed viciously, Harry's muscles tightened and...

He stopped.

Something doesn't feel right...I...it feels like...something is wrong...but she tricked me! Everyone tricked me...she should die, so I can go to the Dark Lord's side. Do it, Harry...end her life and be done with it.

"What's wrong, my Lord?" Lucius asked.

"Nothing!" Harry shouted angrily. Lucius backed away from Harry in trepidation... he knew that even under the spell, if he angered him, he would be killed by Harry instantly. "Stay away from me. I will handle my own business!"

"Harry..." Hermione whispered, crying in pain from the sharp edge that was digging into her neck. "Please don't do this. You know me."

"STOP IT! YOU LIED TO ME! EVERYONE LIED TO ME! I CONTROL MY OWN DESTINY!"

Harry, something isn't right here. It doesn't add up! Think, think, THINK...

"STOP!" Harry shouted to no one, putting his hand to his head.

Suddenly, he felt another presence inside him. It was Voldemort, his master.

"Potter, finish her!" he commanded cruelly. Harry's forehead felt like it was on fire, but his eyes remained on Hermione who had her eyes shut in fear. "Show me your allegiance by doing this and you will be the greatest under my empire. Together, we will rule the world!"

Harry wanted to obey his master. His heart told him to kill her... no it didn't. He was torn. His mind was being blown to pieces as he stood in a moment in time.

Why can't I kill her?

His hands began to shake and he had trouble maintaining his composure. Sweat trickled down his face and his scar continued to blaze in pain. Do it. Kill her. Be done with it.

"That's it!" Harry heard Voldemort tell him. "Finish her. You know it must be done and then you will have nothing standing in your way!"

Hermione opened her eyes...

Harry... saw something... a sparkle... he was taken away by its allure and he looked into her eyes as if he saw something there he had never seen before.

Where have I seen that before? That look... those eyes!

"Kill her Harry!" Voldemort screamed into his head, making his scar flash like fire. "You are my faithful servant! You will do what I order you to!"

"Yes, my Lord!" Harry shouted in fear. Lucius and Draco Malfoy looked at each other in puzzlement as they listened to Harry who seemed to be talking to himself. Harry, meanwhile could barely hear himself think. He was so close.

I will... kill Hermione, I mean Granger! End this...end her deception...she is a liar...Hermione...

Hermione began to bleed from her neck as his staff dug deep and it seemed almost offensive to Harry.

Harry couldn't do it... could he? It just didn't feel right. Why? He continued to look into her eyes, which were pleading with his. He couldn't understand why he was having trouble killing a simple witch, but for some reason, he felt that if he did, he would regret it forever.

His scar began to bleed profusely from the utter pain Voldemort's possession was causing. It ran into his eyes, but he did not tear them away from hers... he couldn't.

"KILL HER!" Voldemort shrieked.

"YES MY LORD!"

"Harry..."

He looked at her... Hermione was looking back at Harry with a serene look... almost a smile. It was the most calm and comforting face he had ever seen, despite the blood that was pouring from her neck.

"Harry... I love you."

Lightning struck with a ferocious clap, illuminating the sky in a flash of brilliance; all was changed. Harry's heart exploded into focus and all empty or malcontent nature left and he knew... he knew his true enemy. Voldemort was expelled instantly with a shout of hatred and Harry's heart, in turn, expelled all malice - there was no effect... no evil in him any longer. He removed the staff from Hermione's neck and took her into his arms gently. Tears mixed with the blood still streaking down his face, but his face was stern as he gently performed a spell on Hermione that closed her wound. She looked up at him as the blood on Harry's face dripped onto hers, but she smiled slightly and nodded as he laid her down with the utmost of care, kissing her lips softly before standing, his damp hair covering his eyes and revealing nothing.

"Potter," Lucius Malfoy said uncertainly, "what are you doing?" The lights went out suddenly and only the glow of the moon and Harry's orb lit the room. Harry turned and faced the Malfoys, who stepped back in uncertainty. They could barely see anything.

Lightning flashed once more and Harry's intentions were revealed in its blinding light. His face was pure fury. Lucius and Draco both jumped and stepped back in horror as Harry slowly advanced on them, his eyes burning with the fire of a thousand torches. They raised their wands and Harry stood still.

"There is no way you could overcome that curse!" Lucius shouted in fear. "Who are you! I demand you tell me!"

"To you, I am the reaper, for tonight you are going to die." Harry calmly advanced on them again. Draco had cowered on the floor, whimpering while his father flashed his wand.

"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Dimentia Reloquias," Harry countered calmly.

A green flash rushed towards Harry, but in the blink of an eye, it stopped, disappearing into the darkness. The lights suddenly came back on and Lucius stared at Harry, horrified. A kind of dark void into nothingness was fixed in front of him and his curse had shot into it. As suddenly as the portal had opened, it closed, and Harry smiled in contempt of Lucius Malfoy.

"You... y-you can block Avada Kedavra?"

"No..." Harry replied, "but I can redirect it."

Another kind of black dimension hole opened up directly behind Lucius and a green flash of light rocketed out of it and hit him directly in the back. His eyes widened in surprise before he fell to the ground, spread-eagle, his wand rolling out of his hand and across the floor.

Draco looked up, terrified at seeing his dead father lying in front of his mortal enemy. He backed away into the corner as Harry advanced on him.

"How do I get to the Valley of Fire?" Harry demanded.

"I don't... I can't..." Draco began to mumble incoherently as the fear of Harry and the death of his father overtook his mouth, making him unable of any real speech.

"You will tell me or you will meet the fate of your dad, Draco!"

"I can't tell you!" Draco shouted, putting his hands in front of him and crying. "The Dark Lord has a curse binding us. If we even attempt to tell anyone he doesn't want to know, we die instantly! I swear!"

"How unfortunate for you, then," Harry said, raising his staff.

"Wait! Please! I didn't even want to be here. I swear! I hate serving You Know Who. I do! Please, Potter! Spare me! I want to change!" Harry looked at the pitiful excuse of a human being before him and instantly thought of Myrtle. Perhaps...

"Stupefy," Harry whispered. Draco was knocked out instantly. Harry turned to where Hermione lay. She had sat up and was looking at Harry sadly. He went over to her and held out his hand. She took it and he gently took her up and into his arms, caressing her hair as she cried softly.

"I thought I had lost you..." she said in a small voice.

"You never will, Hermione... ever."

"How can I know that?"

Harry took her arms and looked into her eyes. Taking one of her hands, he placed it over his chest.

"Because you are the one who has my heart. That will never change. You are the only one who can decide what happens to it and you can do anything with it you like - no one else."

"Oh Harry!" She clutched to him again as Worthwhile slowly approached them. Harry spotted him and knelt down.

"I'm sorry my friend," he said, apologetic. "I was corrupted. Please forgive me."

"It was not your fault, Master. I see now that you truly are a wanted man - hated for everything you stand for, and yet still you are stronger than anything they throw at you. Lucius said your heart was weaker than your mind, but, in truth, both your heart and mind were too strong, even for the Unforgivable Curses."

"Voldemort simply does not understand matters of the heart. I remember Dumbledore once told me something... the night at the Ministry when I went after the prophesy. He said, 'You possess in such quantities that which Voldemort has none at all. That power took you to save Sirius tonight. That power also saved you from possession by Voldemort because he could not bear to reside in a body so full of the force he detests. In the end, it mattered not that you could not close your mind. It was your heart that saved you.' I think he meant that Voldemort not only doesn't understand matters of the heart, but he refuses to acknowledge them. Tonight, he underestimated my absolute love for Hermione... and for that, he failed once again and his fourth general has been defeated."

Hermione smiled as Harry looked at her. Worthwhile nodded and accepted Harry's arm when he offered it, climbing up to his rightful spot on his shoulders. Harry felt slightly more relieved, but it didn't last long. A bang issued from downstairs and they heard a ferocious roar and the heavy footsteps of a large animal charge through the house.

"Now what?" Hermione asked, picking up her wand from the floor and raising it in readiness. The pounding footsteps reached the stairs and charged up. In seconds, there was a blue flash as a large cerebrus burst through the door, roaring furiously with its two heads and looking around the room wildly. It had serious cuts over its body, and blood seeped from its fur.

"Ron!" Hermione shouted, going over to him. The cerebrus began to sparkle, and in a moment, a very tired and bleeding Ron took its place. He was breathing heavily, but he smiled when he saw Harry and Hermione.

"Ron, what happened?" Hermione asked, gently applying pressure to one of his larger cuts.

"I was fighting about ten trolls and twenty Dementors out there! Where were you guys? And bloody hell, Harry, what happened to your face?" Ron stopped short when he saw the bodies of Lucius and Draco Malfoy on the floor. "Oh... I see."

"Are they still there?" Harry asked quickly, going to the window and looking outside.

"No, I took care of them," Ron answered simply, watching as Hermione applied a charm to heal his cuts.

Harry's eyebrows lifted to the ceiling. "Well alright then!" he chuckled.

* * *

April 10^th

"There's nothing, Harry," Hermione said, looking exhausted. "With the new access to the Ministry I gained in thanks to our coming to Hogsmeade's rescue, I was able to interview every person staffed, but the very mention of the word 'Lomboc' drew either ridicule or blank expressions!"

Harry looked out the window overlooking Hogwarts. He, Ron, and Hermione were inside the Gryffindor common room, enjoying a lazy spring afternoon. The Ministry Gala was in just a few hours and Hermione had rushed back from the Ministry after researching everything they could think of on Lomboc and the Valley of Fire.

"This is going to be difficult," Harry said, aggravated. "There must be some way to locate the Valley of Fire. I've already re-questioned Draco, who was taken to Azkaban yesterday - I think he's telling the truth about the curse Voldemort has placed on his Death Eaters so I convinced Scrimgeour not to administer Veritaserum. We just have to think of something else."

"Well, the Valley of Fire was known to be one of the most well-guarded secrets of the Slytherin family. We may have to just crack down and ask Voldemort himself."

"Har har," Harry quipped, looking lamely at Hermione, who smirked in self-amusement. "If there really is nothing else we can do, then we might have to concentrate our efforts on his last general: Snape."

"I think that might be good," Hermione speculated. "We all want to bring Snape to justice, I think."

"Yes we do!" Ron said empathically from the couch he was sitting on across the room and raising his hand. Harry laughed at Ron's answer.

"Okay, well I have very little time to get ready for the Gala, so I am off." Hermione peeked around to see if anyone was looking, and quickly kissed Harry before running off towards the girls' wing of the Gryffindor tower.

"I saw that," Ron teased. Harry smiled, but then suddenly, something caught his eye - a small flash in the fire that was blazing in the common room fireplace. He looked at it intently to see if anything else would happen, but nothing did and he shrugged it off, going up to his room to prepare for the Gala himself.

The Ministry Gala was actually held in a grand theatre near the south side of London. It was a beautiful building located among spacious gardens; vines crept gracefully up the marble walls, giving the very large building an ancient, but welcoming feel. Harry and Hermione, and Ron and Luna were pulled up to the event by thestral-driven carriages that Professor McGonagall had allowed them to use for the night.

Harry stepped out first. He had chosen to wear a black velvet turtleneck and a nice pair of slacks along with a long, pure black overcoat that shimmered in the moonlight. It had a high collar lined with silver buttons that accentuated his black attire nicely.

He helped Hermione out of the carriage and gazed on her, still stunned, even though he had been looking at her since they pulled away from Hogwarts. She had chosen more traditional dress over robes, like Harry had. It was also velvet - sleeveless; a flowing black dress with crystals embedded into the material, making her sparkle brilliantly in the soft light. Topping off the ensemble were black stilettos and a black pearl necklace.

Ron and Luna joined them from their carriage, evidently enjoying themselves as much as Harry and Hermione were. They had chosen matching wizard and witch dress robes that had thin, fine silver lining running through the seams. Luna had decided to wear her bottlecap necklace, but Ron didn't seem to mind one bit as they smiled at them. All four of them looked at their best, although Harry completely failed at trying to make his hair work. (Hermione was secretly glad.)

"Ready, love?" Harry asked Hermione, as they stood before the stone steps leading up to the building.

"I think so," Ron said nervously, "but I may need a few minutes to get the butterflies out." Harry rolled his eyes and Luna and Hermione giggled. They ascended the stairs to the open doors where several attendants were there to greet them. Harry handed one of them the invitation and when he read it, his eyes darted up to Harry's forehead before smiling a toothy smile and bowing.

"Mr. Potter and most honored guests, of course."

They walked past into a glorious ball room. The walls were covered in black, gold and white tapestries that depicted many very famous historical scenes Harry was sure Hermione recognized. The ceiling was truly amazing - it was all gold and dome-shaped with various points of light seemingly hanging in the air below it like stars, making the environment above seem almost heavenly.

Various witches and wizards in elegant black dresses and costumes were scattered throughout the theatre; some were dancing to music played by a large band and still others were mingling among the crowds. Many of the dignitaries present seemed very important, and Harry, Ron, and Hermione felt quite intimidated - they had to be among the youngest people there. One of the attendants came up to them as they stood near the entrance and faced the guests, putting his wand to his throat.

"Announcing! Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Luna Lovegood!" His voice rang out over the voices. Suddenly a hush went through the crowd as everyone turned to look at the new arrivals. Harry could have heard a pin drop as everyone's concentration turned towards the front of the room. Then, almost in unison, a cheer went through the gathering of people coupled with hurrahs and slaps on the back from many adoring fans who had apparently heard of their heroics at Hogsmeade. After a while, the four of them were able to relax a little bit. Various important wizards often approached Harry, Ron, and Hermione, wanting to talk with them while Luna happily watched. Minister Scrimgeour introduced them to other Ministers; some greeted them warmly while a few didn't seem to take too much of a liking to Harry.

Harry, overall, though, found he was having a good time. He realized it was because he was able to relax. It had taken him some time, since he felt uncomfortable without his staff (He had only brought his wand and left his orb with Professor McGonagall.) but he was soon enjoying the fine night he was spending with his friends.

"Care to dance?" he asked Hermione as they broke from speaking with yet another couple who wanted to meet them.

"I would love to!" Hermione said ecstatically. "But I thought you weren't big on dancing?"

"Perhaps I was just nervous the last time," he said, taking her hand and leading her out onto the dance floor. "Or maybe I was just with the wrong girl."

They began stepping to the light music, Harry confidently leading her around the floor. He wasn't a terribly fantastic dancer, but all he knew was that having Hermione in his arms was exactly what he wanted. They smiled and laughed and talked as they danced to song after song. Ron and Luna soon joined them and the night was turning out to be just what they needed.

"I'm glad we came," Hermione said hours later, laying her head on his chest as they swayed on the dance floor.

"Me too. You know, I'm sure I've said it a dozen times already, but you truly do look absolutely beautiful tonight."

"Harry... you make me feel... like I'm dancing on the clouds. I -" Hermione was cut off suddenly as they were slowly lifted into the air. Hermione clutched to him in fear as they rose gently towards the ceiling, but she realized other couples were also rising with them.

"Just keep dancing," Harry winked. After a few moments, they were whirling through the air as if they really were dancing on the clouds. It became natural to them and they loved it... Harry, especially, because he knew he wouldn't be stepping on any toes. It must have been some kind of magic prepared by the wizards who put the Gala together. Harry and Hermione laughed as they glided gracefully among the small starlets that made everything shimmer against the golden dome and the midnight black clothing the dancers were wearing. Harry held Hermione close, never wanting the night to end; he saw Ron and Luna dancing a little ways from them. Ron was taking longer to get used to the floating, but Luna was laughing and so was he. Harry breathed deeply as Hermione laid her head back down on his chest and hugged him; they didn't want the night to end.

The song played by the band eventually came to a stop and they floated gently back to the floor. Everyone clapped and Harry and Hermione parted from the dance floor for a break. They walked amongst various groups of people who had congregated for various conversation.

"Harry, my boy!" a loud voice called behind them. Harry turned to see a squat and overdressed Horace Slughorn beckoning him over. He was dressed in glamorous black robes that were bedecked with large gold studs. Harry grimaced inside and he and Hermione grudgingly joined a group of wizards he was speaking with. Among them was Viktor Krum.

"Harry, it has been too long," Krum said, offering his hand in welcome, "and Hermione." Krum smiled warmly at Hermione as he shook Harry's hand and she flushed a crimson red.

"Yes, well you know how it is Viktor!" Slughorn boomed as he put his hand on Harry's arm. "My star pupil has been out doing all of the dirty work for the Ministry of Magic. I daresay he's been using a few tips I've passed to him along the way!"

Harry smiled politely as he looked at the other people who were with them. His jaw dropped to the floor when a short wizard joined the group, standing next to Krum.

It was Gyasi Mahaado.

"Hello everyone! May I join you?" he said, beaming his characteristic smile. Harry looked at Krum, who shrugged - he didn't expect to see him at the Gala either.

"My name is Bolo Terkheart," Gyasi continued, not looking at Harry or Krum, "and I am from the land of Egypt as a representative of the Library at Alexandria."

"The Royal Library?" Slughorn scoffed, fiddling with his large mustache in amusement. "Are you here to offer an explanation as to how it was broken into?"

"I am afraid not. I am just here to enjoy a party at your Ministry's expense and what a fine party it is!"

"Terkheart?" a very tall, thin man with a top hat asked skeptically. "I've never heard of that name before and I am well-associated with the Library in Alexandria."

"I have," Harry said, matter-of-factly. Hermione looked at him in surprise.

"Oh..." the man stammered, surprised. He turned to Gyasi and bowed. "Of course. Forgive my skepticism. If you are known by Harry Potter, then of course, you are most welcome here."

"Aye, thank you my man. I guess it's pretty swell to be in Harry Potter's good graces, wouldn't you say?"

Everyone laughed, skewering the awkward silence. Slughorn cleared his throat and continued a conversation he had stopped when he had spotted Harry.

"So, as we were saying, this new magic is suspect, because we do not know where it came from. It should be kept under lock and key for the time being."

"My dear Mr. Horace, be reasonable!" a large woman replied. She had short, puffed hair and carried what looked like a jeweled scepter in her hand. "This could change so many things in our world for the better!"

"Or for the worse!" Slughorn scoffed. "Listen to me Madame Bergdorf! A rift is something we have no knowledge of! It could be dangerous to open something like this. It must be kept from public knowledge until intelligent and responsible wizards, such as ourselves, are given time to test its properties!"

Krum had sidled up to Harry and Hermione as Slughorn and Bergdorf traded arguments.

"A rift is a magical vormhole," he stood between them and whispered, "that is opened venever two opposite ends of magic collide."

"Yes," Hermione said quietly, as if reading his mind, "like Priori Incantatem, it happens when magic can't resolve itself because another kind of equal, similar, or greater magic is working against it. But I thought, according to theory, that they were supposed to be invisible?"

"Not anymore," Krum said gravely. "A neoteric spell was given just yesterday by an unknown source that can make these rifts appear... one might even be able to enter them. It has the Ministry of Magic here in England nervous, because the implications are enormous."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because under the old theory, a rift was a zone unaffected by outside magic - vat if it ver possible to enter a rift and perform a magic someone else, like say an authority or guard of the Ministry of Magic, had previously blocked with protective spells?"

"They could bypass many destructive or protective wards," Harry answered, catching on. "So there are some who debate whether it should be released as common knowledge?"

Krum shook his head. "Not really, but the Minister of Magic here in England vas given the spell by an unknown source, and others who know of what the Ministry vas given, such as the Minister of Magic of Norway..." Krum pointed to Madame Bergdorf, "vant access to such a powerful possibility. It would seem, however, that the Ministry in England has put the magic avay into their Department of Mysteries."

As Harry was thinking, he saw Mahaado looking at him. He smiled and winked at Harry before returning his attention to the others.

"Well, I would like to mingle some more," he said casually, interrupting the conversation the others were so raptly interested in by then. He said his goodbyes and Harry looked to Hermione and Krum and nodded off in Mahaado's direction.

"Hermione, do you want anything to drink?" Harry asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, but I think I will pick it out. You're terrible at picking my drink," Hermione replied, following Harry as he walked off.

"I vill come with you," Krum said suddenly and the three of them were away and following Mahaado, who had ducked out a door to the left.

"Gyasi, it is good to see you," Harry said as they met Mahaado in the dimly lit empty room. Krum nodded. "This is Hermione Granger. Hermione, this is Gyasi Mahaado - he aided me while I was in Egypt." Hermione offered her hand, and Mahaado shook it warmly.

"Aye, I know who you are Ms. Granger. It is an honor. However, there is little time, I am afraid. The Ministry has been given a key to our little dilemma and you must obtain it, Harry."

"What dilemma?" Hermione asked.

"Why, the location of the Valley of Fire, of course."

"How did you..." Harry began to ask, when suddenly it clicked. "You were listening to us in the Gryffindor common room earlier today, weren't you?"

"Aye, sorry Harry. I wanted to remain conspicuous for the time being. However, it is imperative that we act quickly now. I have learned from a source that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is planning an all-out war. He knows he is getting weaker while you get stronger."

"Vat is this Valley of Fire?" Krum asked.

"It's the location of Voldemort's lair - in a world that can only be reached by magic," Harry replied, "but if the Ministry was aware of how to find it, surely they would have come to me, wouldn't they?"

"They don't know how," Mahaado replied with a sneaking smile, "but they have a way to find out."

"They do?"

"Aye... the spell we were just discussing inside the ballroom."

"The one that makes rifts become visible?"

"Aye."

"I'm lost."

"A rift is a way to avoid very powerful magic lad. If one were able to bypass protective magic, it would be very easy to find the Valley of Fire."

"But that doesn't make much sense. Even if I were to enter a rift, I don't know how to get there!"

"Unless..." Hermione said excitedly. "Unless you're with someone who does!"

"Aye... smart girl Ms. Granger. Very smart."

"I see," Harry said, beginning to place the pieces together. "And we now have someone in Azkaban who does know the location of the Valley of Fire, but he's under a curse that prevents him from telling anyone before being killed instantly..."

"Vich is where the rift comes in," Krum finished.

"Aye, but be warned Harry. A rift does not stay open for very long - once the magic fully resolves, it closes and no one knows what will happen if it does and you are still inside. You must get the spell that reveals the rift from the Ministry. Once you have it, you must go to Malfoy and perform a spell that directly conflicts with a local magic at work and open the rift. Perform the revealing spell, put Malfoy inside and extract the location. You must be swift and you must be careful. It is a lot to ask, but the entire world must rest on your shoulders once more, because you are the end to the prophesy! Your duel with Voldemort must come to fruition!"

"I understand."

"Now, I must go," Mahaado said gravely. "I am still being hunted. It will not be long before they find me."

"Gyasi, I can protect you."

"Do not worry about me Harry," Gyasi said, chuckling, as he donned his hood. "You have little time." A bang issued from behind the door and Gyasi's attitude melted into concern. "Now, go! You cannot be seen with me or you will be suspect!"

Harry, Hermione, and Krum left him and went through the door back into the hall. Many wizards had poured into the ballroom wielding wands. They were Aurors by the looks of them and they were rapidly opening doors and searching under tables while blocking all of the exits - all under protests from Minister Scrimgeour, who had confronted them. Three of the Aurors ran up to the door Harry, Hermione, and Krum stood in front of and pointed their wands.

"You there, out of the way!"

"There is nothing behind this door," Harry said forcefully. "We just came from inside." The Aurors' eyes all shifted to Harry's forehead and then backed a step away, looking at each other. They nodded.

"Very well." They moved on and opened another door. Hermione opened the door they had just exited, but Mahaado was gone. Ron and Luna ran up to join them.

"What the blazes is all this?" Ron asked, bewildered.

"Go get Minister Scrimgeour. We'll tell you on the way."

Draco Malfoy sat in the corner of his dingy cell, huddled for warmth, but still shaking in cold and fear. What did he have left? His mother was his only close family and she would have to disown him once she found out he had denied his master in front of his enemy. Malfoy knew the real truth.

Here in Azkaban, I'm probably the safest. How did I get myself into this?

The cell was extremely dark. Only the moon outside a window high in the ceiling above provided any light. The rest of the cell was pitch-black. He was filthy and miserable, but his fear pushed aside any thoughts of physical ailment. Will he come for me?

Two tiny flashes of light suddenly flickered in the darkness, answering his question, and he screamed - they were two eyes looking directly at him. Malfoy dove to his knees.

"Please! M-my Lord! Have mercy! I have told him nothing. I have not said anything to anyone! PLEASE!" Malfoy shook and lowered his head to the ground while clasping his hands together.

"I know, Draco," a voice said from the dark, "and that is going to change."

A man stepped into the moonlight and revealed himself - it was Harry. Malfoy backed away in fear.

"What do you want?" he shouted.

Harry revealed his staff, the orb of which had been covered by his cloak. He pointed it at the lock on the door.

"Alohamora," he whispered. After a pause to allow Azkaban's magic to counter his simple spell, Harry waved his staff in the air once more. "Finis inreligatus." Malfoy's eyes widened when another kind of black hole opened before him.

"NOOOOOO!" he screamed shielding himself with his hands and closing his eyes. "Not again!" Instead of being struck by a spell, however, he felt hands being placed on his robes. In seconds, Harry had picked Malfoy up with his free arm and thrown him through the dark hole before stepping into it himself. The inside of the rift wasn't any kind of real place. It was just a world of darkness with no visible floor or walls or ceiling. Malfoy lay on some kind of ground, completely disoriented, unsure of any real direction except for the hole leading to the outside world and Harry, who went around him and pointed his staff at Malfoy's head.

"Draco, listen very carefully. If you do not answer me, I will kill you here and now." Malfoy could feel the heat burning inside the orb. "How do I get to the Valley of Fire?"

"I told you, I can't tell you!" Draco screamed, covering his head. "It will kill me!"

"Not in this place!" Harry said calmly, but commandingly. "I have opened an area where Voldemort's magic cannot affect you. Now, tell me how to get there!"

"I can't.... I can't, I can't!"

"NOW!"

"It's..." Draco hugged his arms and rocked back and forth. "You have to say..."

"TELL ME NOW!"

"DOMUS INFERNUS!" Malfoy shouted at the top of his lungs. He looked up at Harry in terror, before there was some kind of explosion and Malfoy was knocked clear out of the portal and back into the cell, where he slid before being stopped by his head, hitting the wall with a nasty crack. Harry leaped out and the rift closed. Harry wiped his forehead with his sleeve before walking over to Malfoy. He checked for a pulse and discovered he was still alive. After closing up the cut on his head, Harry walked over to the cell door and tapped it with his staff three times. There was a click and the door opened. He was met by Ron, Hermione, and Krum, who waited expectantly.

"I have it," he said victoriously. Ron and Hermione high-fived each other while Krum shook Harry's hand.

"Then ve must prepare!" Krum said excitedly.

"For what?" Ron replied.

"War," Harry said as they walked out of the inner areas of Azkaban prison.

END Chapter 19