Labyrinth of Illusion

"I don't want to talk to that jerk!" Ron insisted, jerking him thumb behind him. He turned, walking stiffly across the snow covered ground. His body was still mending after his near-death experience.

Harry frowned as he slipped farther behind Ron and Hermione. It was the final Hogsmeade trip before the Christmas holiday. They were currently trudging down towards village. Harry felt his heart sinking deeper and deeper as Ron let out a slough of expletives directed towards him.

"Ron! Voldemort is trying to *control* him! It's not his fault!" Hermione insisted, tugging on the sleeve of Ron's robe. "Come on! You know Harry wouldn't do anything like that!"

"He doesn't care, Hermione," Ron seethed. "It's Gwendolyn, she's controlling his mind. And he can't get enough of it! He's going to go see her today, I bet."

"He wouldn't do that." Hermione said. She grabbed Ron, making him stop. She turned back to Harry. "You wouldn't go see Gwendolyn, right?"

"WellÉ" Harry shifted uncomfortably. A blush entered his cheeks.

"Well?" Hermione repeated. She put her hands on her hips, eyes narrowing. "Are you insane? You're actually going to go see Gwendolyn."

Blowing the air out of his cheeks, Harry stared at Hermione and Ron. "I promised Gwendolyn I'd see her. Besides, she's. Not. Hypnotizing. Me."

"And I supposed you're just acting like a prick for fun?" Ron snarled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's Sakura! I swear! She's a lot more suspicious than Gwendolyn." Harry's voice strained with desperation.

"What has Miss Tsukino done that's suspicious?" Hermione asked, narrowing her gaze. "Except, of course, for saving our lives."

"She talks to herself!" Harry nodded. "All that murmuring in Japanese... She's insane! I bet she's talking to Voldemort."

"Harry, just don't go to see Gwendolyn." Hermione begged. She grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. "Please. Don't go."

Eyes becoming cold, Harry pulled his hand away from Hermione. "I made a promise."

"And here I thought you were showing a shred of sanity," Hermione murmured sadly. She grabbed Ron's arm, her eyes filled with despair. "Come on, Ron. Obviously Harry doesn't care that Voldemort is turning his brain to jelly."

Hermione stalked off, leading Ron. Harry stood back, throwing his hands up in the air. "I do care! Why do you think I'm avoiding Sakura? You two are insane. Who needs you anyway?"

He lowered his head, running a hand through his dark, unruly hair. "Who needs you?"

**

Hermione held tightly onto Ron, her cheeks flushed pink. Her fingernails dug into Ron' robes.

Ron put his hand on top of Hermione's. "Hermione, you're going to put little holes in my robe. I can't afford to buy a new one if you ruin it."

She eased up her grip. "I'm sorry. I'm just--"

"--Worried about Harry. I know. Hermione, he doesn't care anymore. If he doesn't care there's nothing we canÑ"

Ron suddenly let out a yelp, falling to his knees. He pulled Hermione down with him, who hit the ground with a dull thump. She blinked in surprise, staring at Ron.

Knelt on the ground, Ron put his hands over his face. He cried out, pain lacing every holler.

"Ron?" Hermione grabbed Ron by the shoulders, shaking him. "Ron?"

He moved his hands. His eyes had gone white. "Hermione... I see..."

"What do you see?" Hermione asked.

"Harry. He's standing by Voldemort's side," Ron rasped. He didn't even flinch as he used the Dark Lord's name. "Harry is standing over our bodies. He's killed us."

Ron gasped as his body surged. The pupils returning to his eyes. He put a hand to his forehead, rubbing it gently.

"Was there anything else?" Hermione asked. "It might have been a vision. Now, I don't put much stock into those sort of things..."

"Gwendolyn." Ron replied, letting Hermione help him to his feet.

"I knew it!" Hermione exclaimed. "I knew she was behind--"

"She was dead, Hermione. Gwendolyn was dead. So were Sirius, Hagrid, Remus, Professor Snape and Miss Tsukino. Harry had slaughtered us all."

"He wouldn't."

"He did," Ron stressed, "Or, he will. I don't know. This has never happened to me before. Hey, why am I getting visions? I'm not some Trelawney freakshow."

Hermione put her arm around Ron's shoulders. "Go back up to the castle. Get some rest."

"Where are you going?"

"What else? I'm going to spy on Harry."

**

"Rosmerta, another ale," Hagrid announced loudly. The Three Broomsticks was packed with patrons. The weekend before Christmas was always a busy time for the pub. Hogwarts students, teachers and residents of Hogsmeade flocked there after a day of last minute Christmas shopping.

Fred and George were in the corner, negotiating with some fourth-years on the price of some dung-scented incense they had invented.

"The perfect gift for an older sister!" Fred declared theatrically.

Harry made his way through the crowds, looking for Gwendolyn. He hoped she was there. Could she have been scared off by all the teachers? McGonagall was in the corner, sipping a mulled cider. No doubt she would report to Dumbledore if Harry met with Gwendolyn.

Something clasped over Harry's mouth. He tried to yell, but the force that bound him was too great. He was hauled outside quickly.

Once outside, Harry was let go. He whirled around, pulling his wand out. He searched vainly for his assailant.

"Calm down," Gwendolyn pulled the invisibility cloak off of herself. "It's just me."

"What? Gwendolyn?" Harry put his wand away, crossing his arms over his chest. "What are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't risk anyone seeing me inside the Three Broomsticks." She put the cloak over her shoulder. "McGonagall would have ratted me out in a heartbeat."

"Where did you get an invisibility cloak?"

"This?" Gwendolyn held up the cloak. "It was my mum's. The Potters have always had a thing for invisibility cloaks. I think they were kind of paranoid."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Considering they were all murdered, they had good reason."

Gwendolyn smiled gently. "Come on, take a walk with me."

Nodding, Harry started to walk with Gwendolyn. They started up the main street, not speaking for a long time. Harry looked down, wringing his hands together. "You didn't tell me Snape was your lover."

"Does it matter?" Gwendolyn asked coolly. "I didn't marry him."

"But it's *Snape*, Gwendolyn! Why? How?"

Gwendolyn shot Harry a wicked grin. "He used to be really cute. All tall, dark and handsome."

Harry put a hand over his mouth. "Gwendolyn, if you don't shut up I'm going to vomit."

"Forget about that. It's not important. I got you a Christmas gift." Reaching into her pocket, Gwendolyn pulled out a small red box. She placed it in Harry's hand. "Happy Christmas."

"You're not going to talk to me about this Snape thing, are you?" Harry asked ruefully, undoing the ribbon on the box.

Gwendolyn shook her head. "I have nothing to say about that traitor. Now open your gift."

Harry opened the box. Inside was a small silver key, emeralds decorating the handle. It hung on a delicate chain. Harry's eyes went wide. "Wow, GwendolynÉ. What is it?"

"It's a key, silly." Gwendolyn hooked her fingers under the chain, pulling it up. She placed it around Harry's neck.

Picking the key up between thumb and forefinger, Harry examined it closely. "What does it open?"

Gwendolyn raised Harry's chin, looking deeply into his eyes. "You'll know when you see it."

She moved away, grinning. "Have a good holiday."

"Wait!" Harry started after her. "Where are you going?"

"I have to go." Gwendolyn turned around. "Besides, there's someone else you have to talk to." She pointed towards a bush. The bush shuddered and a small squeal escaped.

Harry's eyes glowed. He strode to the bush. Grabbing the spy by the back of the shirt, he dragged Hermione out. He growled, shoving her against the wall of the Three Broomsticks. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I wasÉ worried," Hermione replied while gasping for breath. "Can'tÉ breath "

"You were worried," Harry hissed, pressing Hermione harder against the wall. "So you decided to spy on me? You know, this conspiracy thing is really unattractive."

He let Hermione go. She slid to the ground, rubbing her throat. "Weird things are going on," she rasped, looking up at him.

He stared down at her, eyes cold. "I'm going to lay this out simply, so you understand." Grabbing her by the shoulders, he hauled her to her feet. His lip was curled in a snarl. "Stay out of my business. I know you have some stupid little crush on me. Well, I'm sick of it. What? Do you think you can save me from danger? That I'll fall into your arms and express my undying love for you? Grow up!"

Hermione felt the tears sting her eyes. She wasn't going to cry. "Harry, you know Voldemort is doing something to youÉ Your dreams."

"He can bring it!" Harry snarled. His nails dug deeper into Hermione's flesh. "I've faced him four times! I've walked away every time! This time I'll kill him!"

He let go of Hermione, eyes sparkling with a cruel glint. "Times are changing, love. There's a new power in town."