HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TWILIGHT IN THE CASTLE
TIMELINE: FEBRUARY 1 – 2, 1998


(Feb. 1)

“Why won’t Severus come out of his office?” Remus asked.

“He would only speak to Dumbledore.” Minerva answered. “I haven’t got the foggiest clue why.” She sat down on a chair overlooking the window of the east side hospital wing. Hestia was already conscious and doing better even by Pomfrey’s standards though she was still bedridden. They took this opportunity to discuss current adversities concerning their plight. It was very seldom that the Order would be gathered like this, nearly complete. Every single event was taken into consideration and most of them agreed that some other hand was at work – something evil and blasphemous.

“The portals are all closed?” Remus asked.

“We destroyed the main one, Remus. All the others follow suit.” Emmeline answered.

“So Diagon Alley is no longer accessible through the Leaky Cauldron, Platform 9 ¾ is no longer accessible through Kingscross station. All entrances within London no longer function through their muggle entrances.” Remus recounted. “Looks like Ron has run out of doors.”

“What about the Floo Network?” Elphias asked.

“All the Floo Channels are guarded by the Ministry.” Moody said.

“What about Portkeys?” Remus asked.

“Well, we can always make Portkeys, but they’ll be monitoring that as well. We can’t use a Portkey more than three times before they discover it.” Moody answered. “Also we need to find Ron to give him a Portkey first.”

“Why is it that they never discovered the Portkey used by the Dark Lord then? The one he used to transport Incubi over from New York, and the same one used to get to Hogwarts?” Remus asked.

“Because there is a traitor inside the Ministry. He would be working inside Level Six to get access to the Portkey watchers. Possibly been working there for a long time, perhaps even during Fudge’s term.” Minerva said.

“Speaking of traitors, Alex McBride has declared himself Minister and has forced all those who follow Dumbledore to resign as Aurors. We are no longer allowed entrance to the Ministry.” Moody informed them and everyone heaved a sigh of exasperation on the announcement.

“What a fool!” Rolanda Hooch said. “He’s always been daft. I never thought he’d be this blind! Can’t he see that this is more than all of us? Why, the surge of werewolves alone, that should’ve been enough.”

“Power corrupts, Rolanda.” Minerva said taking her glasses off and rubbing her eyes. “He’s probably the snake we’re looking for.”

“Or one of them, there might be others within the Ministry that were in cahoots with the Dark Lord. Now that both he and Aveddon have joined forces that should be enough reason for them to come out into the open, as some of them have already done. McBride might have been waiting in the wing.” Shacklebolt added.

“Imagine Aveddon and Voldemort in one war?” Remus said rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve never seen him nor heard of him before all this happened. From what I’ve heard from the Knights, he’s cunning, and has only one magical ability – He can acquire the image of the person who receives his kiss.” There was a general shaking of heads and comments about how perverse the magical ability was.

“Well, he used to be an Incubus, what did you expect?” Shacklebolt said.

“Could it be that they planned this so that Ron would not be able to return to Hogwarts?” Arthur asked.

“Why would they stop Ron from coming to Hogwarts?” Emmeline asked.

“Aveddon is on Ron’s list,” Arthur said.

“So are ten other wizards and they seem to be distancing themselves from him,” Remus said.

“But they do not know the Parley, at least I don’t think they know about it, but who’s to tell?” Arthur said. “Ron opened that gate, that was Dark Magic,”

“Ancient Magic, Arthur, there’s a difference.” Minerva corrected.

“Well, I still say it’s a questionable kind of magic. It’s this dabbling with the ‘Ancient Arts’ as you call it that got Ron into that Asylum in the first place.” Arthur said.

“Maybe Aveddon knows about the deal?” Elphias asked.

“How could he? Unless someone made an announcement somewhere or unless he has subscribed to the Daily Prophet I don’t see how.” Remus said.

“Well, something made him come over here. I mean why now, why not before when Harry was still alive?” Elphias asked. “He sent Uriel but when that failed, he never made any additional effort, and just left everything to Voldemort. Then now, now that Harry is dead, and the chance to get what he really wants is hanging by a thread, he comes over and joins forces with him? Don’t you think that’s a little odd even for a former demon?”


Everyone nodded their heads. Elphias had made a fine point. There was a missing link that they could not placed their fingers on. For a time there was silence and everyone brooded on what could be the answer to the riddle.

“Tonks is out there looking for Ron right?” Arthur asked.

“That’s right. She took her broom and Ron’s before leaving.” Emmeline said.

“Where did she plan to go?” Arthur asked again.

“Well, all the usual places since Ron does not know that the portals are closed.” Emmeline said.

“Maybe I should help her,” Arthur said.

“Not a good idea, Arthur. We have to get the Ministry’s attention away from your family for a while.” Remus said.

“Also there is now a manhunt for Ron. He’s wanted for the Murdow’s death. If they see one Weasley out they’ll know you are looking for him and they’ll follow you.” Moody warned.

Arthur surrendered. He nodded then stood placing both hands inside his pockets. “What about Molly and George? Are they still in Saint Mungo’s?”

“They’ll be here later today.” Elphias Doge said. “I’ve arranged for their transfer. George is doing fine, just a bad knock on the head. Molly is…well...”

“What do you mean?” Remus asked.

“You see, there’s nothing physically wrong with her, she was stunned but she’s alright now. She has stopped talking Arthur, and she has stopped eating as well. She just keeps crying all day.” Elphias said.

“She’ll get better once all her children are alright and by her side.” Arthur said.

“Ginny’s recovering from the poison,” Madam Pomfrey added.

“Were the potions tested for it?” Remus asked.

“Severus would not have given it if they were not good.” Moody replied. “Someone added an extra ingredient that caused the poisoning.”

“It’s sad that the Knight Jigger could not be saved.” Elphias said. “That young man didn’t stand a chance.”

“Hermione’s been hitting herself in the head for his death too, Remus would you talk to her please? Convince her that it’s not her fault.” Minerva said.

Remus nodded. “What about Draco and the Pronciers?”

“Charlie and Hagrid have not returned yet.” Shacklebolt said.

“I hope they are still alive.” Minerva said.

“They have only two robes with them, and both are not thick enough.” Shacklebolt said. “I hope at least one of them makes it out alive.”

There was a mournful silence that followed. Remus decided to break it when he noticed how morose they’ve all become. “Let’s go over the plans again, shall we?”

***


(Feb. 1)


“Hagrid! Do you see them?” Charlie bellowed.

“NO!” Hagrid cried in answer.
Knossos was now flying incredibly low yet not one trace of Draco, Martha, or Candice could be found. Charlie was now getting anxious and even suggested that he and Hagrid separate for a while so that they would be able to cover more ground. The sun was now high in the sky and Charlie felt a bit easy knowing there was some source of heat.

Below them, Draco and Martha sat shivering under a patch of sunlight that had escaped the towering trees that surrounded them. Draco was now suffering from hypothermia and Martha knows a few more hours and he’ll follow Candice. Then she heard a flapping sound; she looked up and saw a large white lizard fly above them. Horrified, Martha wanted to run away from that place but she was so stiff her legs were no longer responding. She tried shaking Draco to wake him but he just groaned and continued chattering through gritted teeth.

Martha reached out her trembling hands towards Draco and pushed the hood of the cloak so that the sun would kiss his face. His eyelashes had frost in them and his lips were now bluish in colour. Then she heard a voice. She looked up again and another lizard flew by – this one was green. As it swooped down she heard the voice again, and this time the words were distinct. “DRACO! DRACO!” It bellowed. Martha realized it was the rescue party that they have been waiting for. She tried to cry out but her voice cracked. They were going to pass them by and she knew another night in this forest would be their last.
Martha remembered the wand. What was she supposed to conjure? She wondered. She does not remember any spells that were not for attacking someone and at the moment her mind’s main concern was survival. She looked at Draco and realized he had to wake; he’s the only one who knew spells that would get the attention of those flying above. She shook him – rather violently this time though her stiff limbs ached terribly.

It took a while but slowly Draco opened his eyes with difficulty; the large round black patches making him look even sicklier as his deep blue dilated eyes fought hard to focus on the blur before him.

Martha’s words were unintelligible but she kept pointing at the skies and waving the wand in front of his face. Draco’s tired mind seemed to understand what she mimed to him and so he answered, “In…Incen…Incendia…” Then he closed his eyes and Martha could not wake him anymore no matter how she shook him.

Martha began to cry, she could hardly say a word let alone conjure a spell. Draco was no longer responding to anything she did and the possibility that he is dead began to grow in her mind. The rescuers were now moving further westward, and soon they’d be too far away.

Martha swallowed hard several times before pointing the wand on the group of trees before them. “Incendia!” She cried. Nothing happened for the words would not come out at all. “Incendia!” She cried again. Still nothing happened. Her mouth was too dry. She swallowed one more time. Then she thought of Candice and Draco and how she needed to survive this so she can avenge their deaths. She looked at the skies and saw the lizards growing steadily smaller. She slowly stood and with all her strength she cried aloud.

“INCENDIA!”

***


(Feb. 1)


Wizards surrounded the Burrow when Tonks arrived. They were acting as though they owned the place and Tonks found it really appalling that Ministry Wizards would behave this way. She slowly walked towards them and the moment she stepped into the pathway she was halted by and Auror named Bartus Waite.

“You have no business being here, Nymphadora,”

“And you do?” Tonks asked.

“We have been sent by the Minister to watch the estate,” Bartus answered.

“The Minister’s dead.” Tonks said.

“There’s a new Minister,” Waite informed her.

“Who?”

“Alex McBride.”

Tonks scowled at him. “What? That’s preposterous! He’s not qualified to be one,”

“And who would you like to take that office? Albus Dumbledore?” Bartus asked.

“Why he’s more capable of course,” Tonks answered and she later on regretted it. Slowly wizards were closing in on her with their wands pointed. “What is this?”

“We have been warned by the Minister that should there be any who would question his leadership, especially those who would rather see Dumbledore in power, are enemies of the state.” Bartus said.

“This is madness! I am an Auror!” Tonks said.

“Not anymore.”

“What?”

“Nymphadora Tonks from this day you are no longer to serve as an Auror for the Ministry. You, and all those who serve with Albus Dumbledore have been terminated from office.” Bartus said.

“This is an outrage!” Tonks cried.

“Take her out of the premises,” Bartus commanded the other wizards.

“I found my way in here, I can find my way out, thank you very much!” Tonks cried angrily. She slowly walked away from them noticing that even the Cottage was occupied by wizards. Then she took her broom and the other that she hid in the trees and flew off.

At around noon, Tonks reached London. Her next stop was the Leaky Cauldron. She went in and noticed that the whole place was nearly deserted. She got a room upstairs and kept Ron’s broom there then headed back down and waited for a couple more hours.
But Ron did not come and so she decided to head off to other possible entrances.

At around 3:00 pm she has scoured the entire London area and nearly all of the South Hampton entrances and she could not find one trace of Ron. She was beginning to panic and decided to head back to Hogwarts to report.


***


Hermione and Fred stayed at the Gryffindor common room that night. Neville and Dean were with them and they told them that everyone in the castle knows what had happened at the Weasley’s place.

“The people talked about nothing else all morning.” Neville said.

“What?” Hermione asked.

“It was the biggest news all over the castle,” Dean added. “They said Ron was amazing! He was able to fight off all those hit wizards all by himself. Course he killed one of them, but then again…”

“Harry,” Hermione said looking at Fred nervously. She stood and ran towards the Southern Tower. Once she got there she slowly walked towards Harry’s room. She opened the door and took a deep breath then said, “Harry? Harry I know you’re here.” There was no answer but Hermione could feel the hair at the back of her neck standing on end. “Harry…”

Fred came up just behind her, and so did Neville and Dean. She motioned for them to stay where they were and to keep quiet.

“Harry…”

“Harry?” Neville asked. “Harry’s dead.”

“Shut up!” Hermione said. “Harry, please, I know you can hear me. I know that you heard them talking this morning but the Order are gathered today and they are working on getting Ron here.”

“Has she gone mad?” Dean asked Fred.

“Come here,” Fred said. He took Dean and Neville to the other room. “I think its time everyone knows what is going on.”

The two just looked at him. Fred knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but he needed to explain things if the DA were ever going to be of any help.

“Remember when we were taught that no magic can re-awaken the dead?” Fred asked.

“Are you saying there is magic that can re-awaken the dead?” Dean asked him back.

“Yes, Dean, there is. Its an ancient kind of magic that unfortunately our ancestors decided to forget all about.” Fred said.

“Why would they decide to forget all about that kind of magic? It could have saved many good wizards from dying.” Dean said.

“I don’t know the answer to that Dean, only that they all decided to forget about it one day and unlearn it. Though not all wizards unlearned it. There were those that kept the old teachings alive. Ron was able to get a hold of that ancient magic, and he used it,” Fred explained.

“But Harry is still dead.” Neville said. “We buried him.”
“He’s not properly dead, in fact he’s roaming around the castle, he might just be with us in this room right now.” Fred said. Neville and Dean began to look around them. “Stop it! Its not funny.”

“So if he’s here, why can’t we see him? Or hear him?” Dean asked.

“Can he hear us?” Neville asked excitedly.

“Yes, Neville he can hear us. There is only one person who can hear him though and that’s Ron.” Fred answered. “And the answer to that riddle is simple – Ron used ancient magic to make a deal with the Keepers of the Dead. He signed a contract with them to bring Harry back to life. And to ensure Ron that the contract was indeed made they gave him proof. That’s why he can hear Harry.”

“So those talks about the Parley, that was real. Ron was not mad wasn’t he?” Neville said.

Fred nodded. “The other wizards just would not accept it.”

“Ron should have never been sent to that Asylum then.” Neville said.

“But they did, and so we had to get him out. He doesn’t belong there, he belongs here with us,” Fred said.

“With Harry,” Dean added. “That is so romantic!” Fred and Neville looked bewildered at Dean’s sudden outburst. It made him so uncomfortable that he decided to leave the room. The two followed close by.

Hermione was still inside Harry’s room and she was still explaining to him. “Please Harry, don’t make any decisions. At least give him until Sunday.” Then she turned to Fred and the others then she said her goodbye to Harry and they left.


***


It was already dark when Tonks got back to Hogwarts castle. She ran towards Dumbledore’s office thinking the Order would be there but when she found it empty she ran back down only to bump into Hermione, Fred, Dean, and Neville who had just come from the Southern Tower.

“Tonks!” Hermione cried.

“Where are they?” Tonks asked.

“They’re in the hospital wing.” Hermione answered. “Where’s Ron?”

“I have no clue.”

They all ran towards the hospital wing. When they got there, Tonks immediately went into an account of what had happened in her search.

“There are wizards all over the Burrow, sent by McBride who, by the way, is the new Minister of Magic, if you can believe it!” Tonks announced.

“Yes, Alastor told us.” Remus said. “We also know that both you and he are no longer Aurors.”

“What about Shacklebolt?” Tonks asked.

“They think I’m dead. So naturally I’m no longer on the list.” Shacklebolt answered.

“Well, Ron can’t use the floo network there, He can’t use the Leaky Cauldron, there’s no other way to Diagon Alley, and Kingscross station is swarming with Aurors.” Tonks enumerated.

“We know that Nymphadora,” Arthur said.

Tonks looked at them with her mouth wide open. She looked as though she was gagging but shut her mouth and turned around and started walking out of the room.

“Where are you going?” Remus said.

Tonks started whimpering. “I couldn’t find him. I don’t know where he is,” Hermione ran to her and hugged her.

“You can try again tomorrow,” Remus said walking closer to her. “We have until Sunday to make this work. As long as Ron gets his day, everything will be fine.”
Tonks nodded and smiled through her tears. Then she headed off again, but this time she had Dean and Neville helping her. All three rode brooms and flew into the air just as Hagrid and Charlie were reeling their dragons down to the ground.

***

The forest was now catching fire and though at first Martha found the change in temperature healthy it was now getting too hot for comfort. She tried to drag Draco out of the way and it was a very difficult business since she was too weak. The fire was now getting bigger and soon they’ll be surrounded by it. Martha was now coughing from the smoke and her lungs were slowly collapsing. She looked at Draco again and heaved she was able to get him a bit out of the smoke but she could go no further.

Just when Martha thought it was their end, a huge shadow came over them and carried her out of the infernal as though she was made of straw. She was given to someone and moments later they were flying through the skies. She kept telling them that Draco was still there but exhaustion was taking over and soon her mind gave in to weariness.

When she woke up she found herself inside a rather large room. The sun was shining brightly and she was upon a very comfortable bed. Thinking she was back in her flat she sat up yawning loudly only to stop midway because Charlie was sitting right in front of her laughing madly.

She quickly reached for the blanket and pulled it to her chest. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be! I’m the one who should apologize.” Charlie said.

“Oh…Oh my…” Martha gasped.

“I came by to give you your breakfast.” Charlie said.

“Breakfast?” Martha echoed, then looked around and realized she was back at the castle again. Then she remembered Draco. “Draco…did he…?”

“He’s fine. He’s in the other room. We almost lost him, but Madam Pomfrey was able to pull him back in.” Charlie said.

Martha felt like crying; she was relieved to find out that both she and Draco made it out alive. “Thank you…”

“I’m sorry about your sister.” Charlie said.

“So am I.”

***


(Feb. 2)


“Draco?” Hermione whispered softly. She and Fred just finished going from room to room visiting George, Molly, and Ginny who has fully recovered from the poison and was already up and about when they found out that Draco and Martha have been recovered from the Cambrian Mountains. Hermione insisted on seeing Draco alone.

Draco opened his eyes and when he saw Hermione he sat up immediately. “Where am I?”

“Hogwarts,”

“Why am I here?”

“What do you mean, why are you here? You nearly died,Charlie and Hagrid rescued you.” Hermione said.

“What day is it?”

“It’s Saturday, why?”

Draco brushed his hair in exasperation. He took several deep breaths and lots of grumbling before he’d even turn to Hermione who looked at him confusingly. “Is Ron here?” Hermione sighed and before she could answer, Draco already got the point. “You mean he has not seen Harry yet? It’s almost over, the seven days!”

“We know that!” Hermione said.

“Where is he? Why isn’t he here yet? Did something happen?” Draco asked.

“Yes, the exchange didn’t go according to plan.” Hermione said.

“Well, we should go look for him then.” Draco said.

“They are, what’s wrong with you? Why are you so troubled?”

“I have to go.” Draco said.

“You just got well, Draco, you can’t go out.” Hermione insisted.

“I have to get out of here. I gave Dumbledore my word that I will not return, not unless Harry’s back…alive.” Draco said.

Hermione knew what frightened him though and as he moved around panicking she thought of a plan. Having made up her mind she stops him. “Draco,”

“What?” Draco glared at her.

“You want out of here?” Hermione asked sarcastically.

“Of course, as far as possible. I don’t want to be here when Weasley comes.” Draco said.

“Then wait here, I’ll take you somewhere you can stay in for a while.” Hermione said.

“Where?”

“I won’t tell you where, not here, not where there are paintings all over the walls that could blabber your whereabouts.” Hermione said pointing at several paintings that were disgruntled at her accusation. They all turned around and muttered angrily. “But you have to promise me something,”

“Anything, what?” Draco said.

“Whatever happens never tell Ron what happened during the ritual.” Hermione said.

“How do you know…?”

“I’ve seen your pensieve Draco,” Hermione answered to the half finished query. “I know what you did and why you did it.”

Draco’s face became deathly white. “And you’re not…you’re not going to tell…”

“No. I won’t. This kind of thing is not good for Ron. Not in his current state of mind. If he finds out you’ve been forgiven by Harry after what you have done…”

Hermione said. “He’ll feel betrayed, I know I will. He may not continue with the task.”