Harry Potter and the War of Souls

Chapter 26

Traitorous Consequences

On Ron's first night back with the Gryffindors, there was a party celebrating his near miss with death. A large sign had been hung in the room with words reading, "Welcome back Ron. Save us from Hermione!" It was meant in good fun and Hermione claimed to have thought it was rather funny, although she did attempt a quick lecture about the importance of keeping up with their studies before Ron quieted her with a kiss. Harry felt happy too. Aside from some minor scarring which Ron claimed was "wicked cool," his leg and life had been saved.

When the party began winding down, Harry sat Ron, Hermione, and Ginny down and told them about what he had found in his mother's diary.

For the first time in Harry's memory, he had the answer to the puzzle before Hermione did. She had studied the golden trinket for several minutes before agreeing with him that it couldn't be anything other than a key.

"Maybe it was to your home in Godric's Hollow," she suggested.

"Maybe it's something to do with Gringott's," Ron offered. "Maybe the gold you know about is only part of it."

Ginny chimed in that "you can't be positive it's a key at all. It could be a lucky charm or something."

"Remember when we were all in the Department of Mysteries and we tried to get into the Locked Room?"
"I remember," Ron said. "You even had that knife which was supposed to open any lock."

"Dumbledore told me there was love behind that room. I think that's where my mum worked, and I think this is a key to that room."

Hermione smiled. "Of course! Harry, what do you think you'll find in there?"

"I hope I'll find the answer to why I survived that night."

"I wonder if Dad can get you down there," Ginny said.

Ron shook his head. "He told me they're more restrictive about it ever since the battle we all had down there. It was a bit of an embarrassment for the Ministry that a bunch of kids and a group of death eaters had gotten so far in there."

"It wouldn't hurt to ask your dad though," Harry said. "I can't think of any better way."

"I'll send an owl right now," Ginny said, popping up.

Harry was watching her walk away with that attractive bounce in her step when he was distracted by Euan Abercrombie trying to walk towards them. He was being held back by a boy Harry knew only as Liam.

Ron and Hermione heard the commotion and turned to see what was happening. Finally, Euan broke through and walked straight up to Harry. As he got close, Harry could see by his red-blotched face and swollen eyes that he had been crying.

"So what is it you have that He wants?" Euan asked. "I think I have the right to know."

Harry would have told him to shove off if he didn't look so sad right now. "Whatever it is, it's not going to stop the things that are happening out there."

"Yeah? Well it might have stopped Him from going after my family! My whole family, Harry. They're dead! Maybe you ought to think about giving Him what he wants. Or will you only care when it hits closer to you?"

Harry stood and realized how much taller he was than Euan. "It's hit plenty close to me," he said, holding the reins on his temper. "I'm sorry about your family, but blaming me won't bring them back."

He pushed past Euan and watched Liam stand aside for him. He was nearly to the stairs to his dorms when he heard Euan yell at him, "Just give it to Him, Harry! Whatever He wants, give it to Him so he'll leave the rest of us alone!"

----------------------------------------

Harry dreamt of the locked room that night. He dreamt of finding answers to questions he'd never thought to ask. He dreamt of finding memories of his parents and of finally discovering a hope for tomorrow, for victory.

And when his dream was invaded, he felt the change like a knife cutting inside him. He was speaking to a group of hooded death eaters. He spoke very few words for only the few were necessary. "Tomorrow, we attack. I believe, Dolores, that you have singled out for us a fine pair of targets."

"I've been waiting for months to get my revenge," a woman said. "They were the ones who ruined my hold on that school. It's time to make them answer for what they've done."

"Then let them see you before they die," Harry said. "Let them know why they must die. Let them suffer."

Harry pulled away from the dream and awoke, sitting straight up in bed, and with a burning sensation across his scar.

"Harry? You okay?" That was Neville's voice.

"Uh, yeah I guess. I've just got to think."

"Sure. I was laying here thinking too."

There was an obligatory question now just hanging in the air. Finally, Harry took it. "What were you thinking about?"

"About you, actually. I was thinking about the way Euan yelled at you tonight, and about the things people say about you. They're always staring at you and spreading horrible rumors about you, and they either seem to hate you or they wonder why you haven't won the war for us yet."

Harry paused. "Oh. Well, thanks for telling me that, Neville."

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I guess I was just thinking that I'm glad it's not me who has to go through all that. I don't think I could handle it."

Harry well remembered Dumbledore's explanation that Neville could have been identified by Voldemort as the threat to him. "What if it had been you? What would you do in my place right now?"

There was a long silence. Harry wondered if Neville might have gone back to sleep, but then he said, "If I were you, Harry, I'd try to forget about what everyone else thinks because it doesn't really matter, does it? I'd just stay focused on what needs to be done."

"Yeah." Harry got up and pulled a robe around himself. "I'll be back in a bit. I've got to go see Professor McGonagall."

----------------------------------------------

"Fred and George Weasley?" McGonagall looked as if she hadn't slept in days, but as Harry had described his dream to her, she quickly became fully awake. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Voldemort's targeted them next."

"Is there any chance it was only a dream?"

"I can tell the difference. They were making plans. It's Dolores Umbridge's idea to attack them."

McGonagall's face tightened. "Ah, I wish I were more surprised to hear she's one of them. Any chance this was planted in your head, like it was before? Could this be a trap?"

"I don't think he's seeking me out anymore, Professor. I've had the feeling for most of this year that it's my brain getting into his head. I think if it were the other way around, he'd know what I've been doing this year."

"That makes sense."

"And even if it was a trap, it doesn't matter to me because I'm not going to let Him hurt them. They're like brothers to me."

"Of course. Naturally, we'll contact those two and get them to safety. I'll have members of the Order watch the place and see who shows up."

"If we pull them out of there, they might figure out how we knew about the attack," Harry said. "I think we need to let them know to be prepared, then be ready to fight whoever shows up."

"Too dangerous, Potter."

"What's dangerous is to let Him suspect how connected I still am to Him. Professor, if He tries to read my mind, it's all over."

She pursed her lips, then nodded. "Alright, I'll contact them immediately. We'll talk more in the morning."

"Professor, I want to go there with the Order to fight."

"Absolutely not."

"I'm of age, Professor. I'm not asking your permission to go, because I'll be there anyway. I just want you to let me fight as a member of the Order."

McGonagall tilted her head at him. "You'll become a member after you properly finish your time here at Hogwarts. But until then, since you're coming anyway, we welcome you to fight with us."

The next morning as Harry filled them in on what happened, Hermione, Ron, and Neville all informed him they were coming. Luna and Ginny wanted to come too, but McGonagall immediately vetoed their plan, telling them they were both underage and not allowed to make that decision.

"Fred and George have said they're well prepared for whatever happens," McGonagall said. "But just in case, we have Order members hiding all over the area around their shop. You four are to remain in hiding unless you are absolutely needed in the battle. Don't create any unnecessary risks to yourself."

"Who else will be there?" Ron asked.

"Your parents, Bill, and Charlie are there. So are Lupin and Tonks. Shacklebolt is there, and a few others you may not have met yet."

Once off Hogwarts grounds, they each apparated to the specific hiding place where McGonagall had assigned them to be. Harry was in a clothing shop directly across from Fred and George's and was supposed to stay hidden amongst the many robes near the window. But he had brought his invisibility cloak with him and wasn't about to remain in the clothing shop.

He wrapped the cloak around himself and when someone opened the door to come in, he slipped out.

He stationed himself just outside the Weasley's door. He could see through the window that they were trying to conduct business as usual, only strangely enough, there were no customers today. He was glad for that. At least no matter what happened, no innocents would be caught in the crossfire.

At one point, Fred and George began laughing about something. Whatever it was they were discussing, they thought it was hysterical.

Harry waited and watched throughout the day. It was an early spring day and warmer than usual. The heat became trapped in his invisibility cloak and he knew he was sweating heavily, but he didn't dare move for fear he'd give himself away. They may not be able to see me, but if it doesn't cool down soon, they'll smell me, he thought wryly. Fortunately, the sky became more clouded in the mid-afternoon and the temperature cooled. He continued his watch this way until the sun began to go down, and then he saw it.

To his right, three hooded death eaters had apparated about ten feet past the Weasley's door. Four death eaters came in at his left, one of them so close to Harry he could have reached out his hand and touched them.

Harry studied each one carefully, trying to determine which one was Umbridge. He hoped to see her face to face before this was done.

He continued waiting, holding his breath until they had gathered near the door. When should he strike? Why weren't the others attacking? When a death eater reached to open the door, Harry decided he could wait no longer. He stood back, threw off his cloak and began firing spells.

He took two of the death eaters down before the others had even reacted. A couple went inside the store and the others turned to fight him.

Harry turned, expecting to see the other Order members running out for the battle. But there were none. He heard one of the Death Eaters yell "Avada Kedarva" inside the shop and saw the flash of green light.

"No!" he yelled, as he continued sending spells out of his wand as quickly as he could. He exchanged Incarcerous spells with a short death eater who had moved behind him but was able to dodge out of the way before he was hit.

Two death eaters stood before him now. Finally, one grabbed the other by his cloak and pulled him down the street in retreat. Harry contemplated letting them run and going after the two inside the shop but there was smoke inside and spells were firing. Whoever was left between Fred and George was still putting up a fight. He couldn't let these two get away.

He ran down the street. The taller death eater was still pulling the other along. Finally, the shorter one broke free and lowered his hood. Harry was so caught off guard, he was hit with the first blasting spell.

"Draco Malfoy," Harry said, firing a blast back. "Shouldn't you be joining up with your father by now?"

"My father is free," Malfoy said. "Sectumsempra!"

Harry put up a shield spell and cast a Silencio charm back at him, which Malfoy also shielded successfully.

Draco tried a Langlock while Harry shot off an Expelliarmus spell. Both were dodged by the other. Harry was slightly confused by the second Death Eater who was only standing there. Was it Lucius, monitoring his son's dueling abilities?

Harry dodged another blasting spell but turned suddenly as a loud explosion sounded in the street behind him. Smoke billowed into the sky directly over the Weasley shop. He felt a sharp pain on his shoulder that knocked him forward and realized Draco had successfully hit him. His wand fell from his hand.

"Accio wand," he called out, but before he could grab it, Draco ran to him and stepped on his hand, holding his wand to Harry's neck. "Give me a reason to do it," Draco said. "I've dreamed of this moment."

"Draco, stop!" The death eater behind them lowered his hood, but it was unnecessary. Harry recognized Snape's voice at once. "Potter does not belong to us. Leave him."

"We left him at Hogwarts and you and I both suffered for that decision," Draco said. "If the Dark Lord wants to deal with him, fine. But we're taking him with us."

"No."

Without breaking his focus on Harry, Draco said angrily, "Are you on His side or ours, Snape?"

"If you need to ask, then you're not worthy of the mark you wear."

"Help me, then." Draco pressed his wand into Harry's back. "I've been practicing this one just for you!" He must have nonverbalized the spell however, because without hearing any words, Harry felt something like ice begin to flood his body. It spread into his limbs and he felt them stiffen with pain. He looked at his hand, almost expecting the skin to split apart from the pressure. He tried to cry out, but he was choking on his breath in his throat.

"Stop this," Harry heard Snape say. "We have other business to attend to."

"I'll stop it," Draco said. "But I'm bringing him back with us."

"You are not."

The feeling had not yet returned to Harry's body when he was suddenly torn with something that felt like a fire inside. He screamed as if being burnt alive and wondered how it was possible to feel this way and see no flames.

"Keep this up and you'll kill him," he thought he heard Snape say.

"He can take it."

I won't die like this and I won't be killed by him, Harry thought. "Accio wand," he said, forcing every spare bit of energy he could into making his spell work. The wand flew into his hand and as he aimed it at Draco, a light shot from his wand that launched Draco back in the street and slammed him against the side of a building.

"Run, Potter," Snape said.

"I won't," Harry said, breathing hard. Even if he could have, he never would. He stood and balanced himself unsteadily on both feet.

Draco stood as well but began looking around. He's lost his wand, Harry realized. He saw it immediately, only a foot away from him. He reached out and picked it up then aimed his own wand at Draco.

He wanted to Crucio him, to cause him pain to the point of death. But Draco had begun whimpering and there was a terrified look in his eyes.

"If you do it, you become just like Him," Snape said in a low voice. "The Dark Lord wants you to do it."

Harry held his position for several minutes before lowering his wand. "I've got to go back to the battle," he said, still unable to catch his breath. "Take Draco to the Order and explain things. You can make them understand what happened." As he handed Snape the wand, he heard Draco yell, "Expelliarmus." With the wand instantly in his hand, Draco began to yell, "Ava- "

Snape darted between Draco and Harry and with a speed he'd rarely seen before, said, "Avada Kedarva," and in a flash of green light, Draco slumped to the ground.

Harry felt stunned. "Why did you do that?"

"All he talks about is the glory he'll receive when he kills you. Eventually, he'd be successful."

"You said you took a vow-"

Snape's eyes darted away. "Yes, well my life-debt to your father is fulfilled."

"What's going to happen to you?"

"You'll never see me again," Snape said. "I won't survive the night. Nor should I."

Harry stood up straight. "Professor Snape. Sir-"

"Don't go about pretending we have a friendship, Potter. I made my choices. Remember them as you make yours. Now go."

"Professor Snape, thank you. For everything." Harry nodded respectfully, then ran back to the joke shop. The smoke inside was beginning to clear but there was absolute silence within. He almost couldn't bear to go in. He looked inside and saw two redheaded bodies laying face down on the ground.

"No!" he yelled and kicked open the door. He saw one death eater on the ground behind him. He was coated in a blue-colored goo that seemed to tighten around him whenever he moved.

He heard sounds of movement above him and, despite the terrible situation, couldn't help but smile a little. Dolores Jane Umbridge was hanging upside down with her robes coming down almost to the floor. She was gesturing wildly at him and her mouth was moving but no sound was coming out. She must have had some sort of silencing charm placed upon her. She seemed to be asking Harry to help get her down, but he had no intention of doing that. She was the least of his concerns right now.

He ran to Fred and George's still bodies on the floor and wondered how he could ever explain this to their family, how he could tell Ginny he wasn't good enough to protect them. He knelt down between the two bodies and took a few deep breaths. But as soon as he touched them, he knew something was up. These were fakes.

"Where are you two?" he called.

He heard explosive laughter coming from the back room, then the twins poked their heads out.

"We kept the joke going as long as we could," George said.

"We were hoping you'd cry for us or sing some sort of lament," Fred added.

Harry smiled. "I was planning what to say to your parents that wouldn't get me permanently hexed by them, actually."

"They don't think they'd miss us," George said. "But after a few months without our jokes, they're realize how boring their lives are. Do you like our "Imitation You Dolls?" They don't last more than a few minutes, but they do a great job while you've got them."

"I think that goo is the best," Harry said.

Fred dropped a handful of what looked like gumballs into his hand. "That's them. We'll put 'em on your tab. You just have to give it a lick before you throw it at your enemy."

"Did we get all the death eaters?" George asked.

"Yeah, but I'm worried. We had Order members and a few people with me. I don't know what happened."

We do. That fat-mouth Umbridge told us," Fred said. "A death eater scout thought the place seemed a bit too quiet today so they became suspicious. One of them-"

"That git there-" George said, pointing at the man in the goo.

"-transfigures himself into a cat. He set to slinking around until he found them all. He'd transform, jinx them, then go on to the next. Got every one but you. Never did find where you were hiding out there."

"Are they okay? He didn't-"

"He didn't want the green light and he was in a hurry. Let's go." Fred opened the door for them. "Where's everyone hiding?"
One by one, Harry and the twins found each wizard who was still in their hiding place. Each had been hit with the same Petrificus Totalus spell and every one expressed embarrassment at having been taken so easily. That is, except for Mrs. Weasley who hugged Harry even before her twins.

"You did give birth to us," George said. "And we were the targets here."

"There's room to love you all," she said, pulling them into hugs.

Of Harry's friends, Ron was clearly the most ashamed at having been caught. "My own brothers in danger, and I was taken out before it even began."

"Everyone turned out all right though," Neville told him.

"Not everyone," Hermione said, looking at Harry's back. "What's that wound on your neck? It looks terrible."

"I uh, got hit pretty close up."

"By what?"

"I dunno. It was something I've never encountered before. Sort of Fire and Ice spells."

"That's what it looks like, too," Ron said. "Particularly the fire. It looks like a nasty burn back there."

Just then, Professor McGonagall came running up to them. "We've rounded up the captured death eaters," she said looking sternly at Harry. "I found Draco Malfoy. Who did that to him?"

"Snape."

McGonagall's eyes widened, but before she could ask, Harry added, "He did it defending me. And because of that, he broke the terms of a vow he made to protect Draco. He's going to die."

McGonagall closed her mouth and nodded curtly. "I see."
"Before Draco died, he said his father was out of prison," Harry continued. "Is that true?"

She nodded again. "Azkaban was emptied last night in a mass breakout. The Ministry lost several of its guards and naturally, the whole of the prisoners returned to their master."

Harry began to answer, but he was cut to the ground by a pain in his scar. It wasn't the usual sting. Someone - Voldemort - was trying to hurt him. He felt blind to everything but his scar.

"What on earth is the matter?" McGonagall asked.

Ron and Neville hurried to Harry's side and braced him from falling.

"He knows - we've won - here," Harry said in gasping breaths. "He knows - Snape betrayed." He tried to say more, but the pain overtook him. He saw McGonagall wave her wand at him and the pain faded as he drifted into unconsciousness.