Harry Potter and the Black Secret

Chapter Seventeen

When Will I see you again?

August 2nd

I've never really written a diary before, to be honest I always thought is was a bit silly, writing your innermost thoughts and feelings down on paper where anyone can read them, but when you can't bear to tell your friends what your thinking, it's the only way to stop yourself going crazy.

It was Hermione who suggested I wrote one. Sweet of her really, advising me to vent my feelings onto paper rather than forcing more to tell her or someone else. I just couldn't bear to do that. Sirius is just as devastated as I am, but at least he's out there doing something about it. I'm stuck here. I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to get away from Hogwarts. Ron's mum has invited me to The Burrow for a couple of weeks, says I need to be away from the castle.

It's not like I've been alone. Ginny and Ron stayed here with me; even Hermione postponed her yearly trip to France. She left yesterday, that's when she gave me this advise. I guess I should stop avoiding the subject, that kind of defeats the point of me writing in the first place doesn't it.

It all started at the Summer Ball. I didn't even notice her slip out, I was preoccupied talking to Ginny and, well, I never expected this to happen. I have to write her name down, but I know that as soon as I see it I won't be able to keep it in. I'll just keep it as 'she' for now. You know whom I mean.

I have no idea how long she'd been gone when I noticed that I couldn't see her in the room. I didn't feel panicked then, I thought she'd just slipped out for some air. She probably had.

I looked all over for her and couldn't find her so I went back into the Hall to ask if anyone knew where she was. Ron said that she had been talking to him after that dance with Malfoy, but didn't see where she went. That's when it hit me. Malfoy. Where was he?

Then I panicked. Malfoy was missing, and so was Kristine. There, I've written it. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I'm not sure how I got to the gardens, it was just another place to look, and then I saw it. The stone bench was smashed, broken right down the middle. The rose bushes were burnt, some still smouldering. And there on the ground, hidden amongst the rubble, was a watch. Smashed, but I knew who it belonged to. She was gone.

I should have been more careful, should have remembered that it wasn't just me Voldemort wanted anymore. He wanted her and now he had her. That thought makes me feel sick inside I have to try not to throw up. I did, on that night after the castle was searched.

Someone had been through her room, and nothing could be salvaged. Everything that belonged to her was destroyed. It was an act of rage, anyone could see that. What could have made him so angry?

I speculate over all the possibilities I can think of, but none of them seem likely. I know he's involved though, somehow I know it. I can't be too harsh on the little git though; he's been registered as missing just like she has. Lucius Malfoy is doing the bereaved parent bit, but anyone can see that it's a front, especially when compared to Sirius's behaviour. I almost feel sorry for Malfoy. He can't have a great family life if his own father doesn't care if he's dead or alive. Haven't seen that bitch of a Mother of his anywhere either. There's something not right about it. I can't prove it, but I know Malfoy has something to do with her disappearing.

Ron of all people has been defending him! Says that we don't know anything for sure. He's beginning to sound like Dumbledore, says I shouldn't make accusations. I think he knows something I don't, but I don't want to ask him. If it was that important he'd tell me, and I don't want to make him suffer any more.

The visions, they're getting less painful for him, but coming more frequently. He's nearly always got a migraine, and the light hurts his eyes. It isn't fair. Ron's the nicest person you'll ever meet and he has to suffer this. Ironic really considering the crap we feed Trelawney every week, and Ron was a Seer the whole time. But that's not the point. He keeps seeing the same thing, the final battle, but its never any clearer. Dumbledore says that there must be something important about the particular moment he's seeing to have visualised so many times, but Ron is new to this vision thing and can't hold the connection for long. Part of him probably doesn't want to. The longer a vision is the greater the after effects. I don't blame him from cutting the connection short.

He hasn't seen anything to help with the search though. For all I know, she could be dead already, and that hurts more than I ever knew possible. I can't loose her, she's my sister, her and Sirius are the only real family I've ever had, that I can remember anyway.

There is something else I should probably mention about this incident, and that is Snape. He was nowhere to be found at the end of term, and I was suspicious even if Dumbledore wasn't, but after what happened last week I just don't know. He's a spy, I had pretty much guessed that much, but it seems that he's been found out. His body was found just outside Hogwarts grounds.

He's alive, barely. He can't remember anything after throwing Fred and George out of his office (they were repeating some N.E.W.T's and had snuck into the ball). He came out of his coma, but was blind in his left eye. He's in a bad way. If Voldemort can do this to him, then what about Kriss?

I wish I knew where she was. How she was. I hate sitting around here doing nothing. I guess there's nothing I can do but wait.

I feel so useless.

August 31^st

I'm writing again. I have to get this out of my system and I can't say it out loud. I have to seem like I still have hope, but I don't. I hate to say it, but I've given up on finding her alive. Shit, I'm crying, I hate crying.

It's been two months and ten days and there has been no word. No ransom note, no letter saying 'Hi, I'm fine, just popped of to Barbados for a few months with my mortal enemy', and no body. I don't know what to think.

Part of me really wants to believe that she'll walk through that door any moment and be fine, the more practical part of me hopes that they'll find her, hurt, unconscious, but alive and that she'll be fine in the long run. The most part of me thinks that she's dead.

I wish I didn't think that, but I can't help it. None of this makes any sense to me. I thought writing might help clear my thoughts, make them linear somehow, but I just feel sad. I miss her so much.

It probably seems silly, I've only known her for year, but she's become such a huge part of my life. First a friend, then she was like a close cousin, then a sister, and more recently, like a twin. I could tell her anything and know she wouldn't laugh. Ron is my best mate, I can talk to him about guy stuff, but I still feel awkward talking about personal stuff with him, like my parents. Hermione I love, she always knows what to do, but again, we're not close enough to tell each other everything. Ginny, she's great. I love her so much even if I haven't said it to her face yet. She's been so supportive of me these last few weeks. Without the three of them, I wouldn't have made it this far. It doesn't stop me missing Kristine though.

I miss her laugh, and her jokes. The way she makes me feel at ease with everything, and feel confident that together, we can beat everyone. Even the threat of Voldemort seemed insignificant because I knew we'd be together in the fight. Now I'm just scared. If he can take her away from me, then what else can he take? I've lost so much to him. First he murders my parents and ruins any chance of me having a normal life, then Sirius is imprisoned for a crime committed by one of his Death Eaters, and now Kriss is no where to be found.

I don't know how I'm going to get through the day tomorrow.

Hermione came back a day early, she's head girl this year, and Ron, Ginny and I have been here for a couple of days now. The time I spent at The Burrow helped a little, took my mind off of what has happened. That's good right? Everyone says so, but isn't it wrong that I can forget about her for even a few minutes. I don't know where she is or what she's been through.

It's going to be so hard with everyone back at school and having to notice that she isn't there. I knew seventh year would be hard, but I never knew it would be this bad.

Kristine, if you're out there, still alive by some miracle, then let me know. I don't care about anything you have kept from me, any secrets that may have prevented this had they been told. Just come home.

Please.

September 1^st

"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts," Professor Dumbledore said to a room full of students who were sitting back at their house tables after a summer away from the castle. The sorting had been uneventful, at least Harry assumed it had, he hadn't really been paying attention.

"Before we start the feast, I have a few announcements to make," Dumbledore said, echoing the same speech Harry had heard seven years ago. It dawned on him that this was the last time he'd hear Dumbledore's start of term speech. A wave of nostalgia surged through his system. This was his last year at Hogwarts. He concentrated on what the headmaster was saying.

"First of all, I would like to welcome our first years to the school and to assure them that they are in excellent hands with out new prefects and this years head boy, Justin Finch-Fletchly and head girl, Hermione Granger.

I would like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds and due to circumstances this year, no student will be allowed to visit the village of Hogsmeade until I announce otherwise."

This statement aroused several outraged cries, which were promptly silenced by Dumbledore's hand.

"I appreciate that this is an unwelcome notice, but as I am sure you are all aware, security of the castle has had to be upgraded since the end of last term. Two of our students are missing and have been all summer. Some of you were knew them, some of you were friends with them. Some of you were more," he said looking in Harry's direction.

"It is for your own safety that these measures have been taken, and I hope that I can count on..." Dumbledore trailed off. He was staring at the entrance to the hall, eyes wide and all trace of colour gone from his face.

Harry turned confused at what it was that had left the headmaster lost for words. All breath left his body as he gazed upon the figures in the doorway.

A girl stood there, jagged black hair cascading down her back contrasting with her ashen skin. Dark glasses hid her eyes, but a thin chilling smile was settled on her lips.

She was clad head to toe in black. An off the shoulder, low cut top hugged tightly to her skin, revealing more than Harry was used to seeing. Long black trousers, chunky black boots and her left had dressed in a black fingerless glove that revealed her sharp black nails added to the gothic guise. Around her waist was a belt, but Harry didn't register what was sitting behind the strap.

He stance exhibited her confidence and composure.

Kristine.

It was definitely her, but not her at the same time.

Standing next to her was another familiar face, familiar, but different just as hers was. He had short spiky hair, gleaming white in colour and porcelain skin to match hers. His eyes were visible and that sparked dangerously, spitting ice.

He, like his partner, was dressed in black, although he wore a long leather coat that touched the heels of his heavy buckled army boots. An amused scowl played on his face.

Harry would recognise that Malfoy scowl anywhere, but it had never seemed so...threatening before.

The Great Hall was still, silence thick in the air. No one knew what to do, shock had paralysed everyone to the spot. The teachers and students looked towards Dumbledore who made no move towards the pair. Harry couldn't take his eyes of the girl and neither could Ron. Hermione looked horrified at her gaze darted between her friends.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes.

She was here, in the same room as him, just metres away, but he didn't dare move towards her.

Her entire being radiated of power, darkness and death. She was frozen from the core outwards. What had happened to her?

Before Harry realised what had happened he was knocked back against the wall. Each of the house tables had flung themselves at the wall, taking students with them, knocking several out of the way. The floating candles were thrown aside, plunging the Hall into a state of half darkness. All accomplished by a careless flick of Kristine's wrist.

Deafening screams filled the air and Harry began to gather himself up, only to be pulled to the ground again by a bleeding Hermione.

She looked terrified, a cut close to her eye dripping blood down her nose, but determined to keep Harry out of sight. One look at her face made him comply with her wishes, and he stayed on the ground, desperately trying to see what was going on.

"Quiet!" Draco bellowed, triggering immediate silence from the frightened students.

Harry scanned what little of the room he could see. Ginny was lying further towards the teachers table. She wasn't moving, but a scared look from Colin Creevy told Harry that she was still alive.

Students were in varying states of distress, the younger ones whimpering, and the older one unsure of what to do. In any other situation they would have drawn their wands, but this was different. Two of their own were the perpetrators, the enemy. The teachers seemed to be in the same sate as they were, unwilling to attack two of their students. Except Dumbledore.

Harry could see the old wizard clearly, a new look of determination on his face mixed with a sort of sadness. It was this look that scared Harry most. He wouldn't hurt Kristine, would he?

"Stop right there," he shouted, "Both of you."

Neither Kristine nor Draco seemed particularly bothered at being faced with Dumbledore, the only wizard Voldemort had ever feared. If anything they seemed entertained.

"Well, we could do that," Kristine said pleasantly, her voice concentrating all Harry's fear in his stomach, "But then again, we could do this," and without a moments thought she grabbed an arm and jerked its owner to his feet.

In a flash she kicked him sharply on the back of his shins and he dropped to his knees. In the second it took Harry to register the flame red hair of her victim she had drawn the object out of her belt and now held it tightly to his throat.

A dagger. Thin, pointed, deadly, and it was being pushed against Ron's skin. Even from this distance Harry could see that half a millimetre deeper and she would draw blood.

"Here's the deal," Kristine said austerely, "We have a very simple task to complete. Cooperate and no one needs to get hurt. The injured students can be taken and dealt with swiftly by the nurse and life can carry on, we just want one thing."

Harry felt the familiar sinking feeling in his chest. The decision he had to make, that didn't need to be made at all. There was only one answer as far as he was concerned.

Dumbledore clearly knew what it was, or rather whom it was, that they had come to collect. No need to ask whom for.

"You will not be taking any student out of the Hall," he said calmly, but severely, "You are out numbered and out skilled. Leave now, or I will be forced to take action, and that I can assure you Miss Hail, is something I don't wish to have to do."

Kristine looked towards Draco and a silent agreement was made between them.

She whispered something cruelly in Ron's ear and the look on his face was one that would haunt Harry's dreams forever.

The lethal blade sliced effortlessly through flesh and gullet and a bloodied body collapsed to the floor.

Harry vaguely heard Hermione scream, but his ears were filled with the sound of his own heartbeat. Not like this. Not like this.

That one paralysing action was all the time the blonde needed to grab another student from the ground. Harry didn't recognise her, but he saw the Ravenclaw insignia on her cloak. She could only be a fourth year at most.

Now Dumbledore acted. His wand was in his hand in a second and a jet of green magic headed for Kristine. The powerful spell diminished into nothing by a sweep of Kristine's hand as if it had been nothing more than a fly in her way.

"Bad move old man," she said callously, and a sickening snap could be heard from Draco's direction. The girls slipped inertly to the ground. A broken neck. Dead.

Dumbledore fired another spell, this time at Draco.

Harry briefly deliberated that Draco didn't have the power Kristine had; he would not be able to knock the spell away. He was right, but not right enough.

Harry stared in amazement as the woven cerulean magic pelted for Draco and the blonde held up a hand. A spell normally vanishes as soon as it has been cast, faster than a speeding bullet. It slowed and stopped in front of Draco's open palm, gathering together in a ball of fatal energy. Everyone stared at this act, and gaped harder at what the new and improved Slytherin did next.

His eyes sparked, becoming amber and bright as they focussed on the magic that he held in the palm of his hand. Fire interweaved with the magic, the orb of power increasing in magnitude. Then he threw it.

It sailed across the room, retracing the path it had just taken. No one acted fast enough. It hit square on his chest. Dumbledore fell.

Harry couldn't focus on what was happening. Chaos engulfed the Hall and nothing made sense. People were screaming, crying, panicking. Some ran for the door only to be thrown back by an invisible cord held by Kristine. The doors slammed shut heavily and Draco's voice echoed above the sound of the pandemonium.

"Potter," he shouted, causing everyone to silence, "You have exactly ten seconds to get up from wherever it is you are cowering and come with us, or I'll kill all of them off, one by one. How many people have to die until you give up Harry?"

Harry started to get to his feet and he felt a hand on his arm.

"Harry please," Hermione said, tears falling down her face, "I can't loose you too."

Harry looked into her eyes and kissed her hand.

"Get to Ron, there's still a chance," he said, and then stood up and walked into the centre of the Hall.

His footsteps echoed in the room as he walked towards his fate.

He stood face to face with the blonde, not shifting his gaze from his opponent. They had stood like this in challenge a hundred times and more, but this was different. Harry was giving him self up to the Slytherin.

"Hands," Draco said simply, and Harry obeyed, holding his wrists out in front of him.

A black nailed hand waved over them and bound his hands together with silver, impenetrable magic.

"Nice doing business with you," Draco said to the remaining teachers and marched Harry toward the back of the Hall.

Kristine, standing by the doors smiled contentedly and opened the doors.

Draco took her hand in his and standing in the doorway, in a final act of combined destruction, a translucent wave of energy was sent back into the room. Harry didn't have time to register the strike across his head, which plunged him into darkness. He just knew one thing.

The Great Hall was no more.