Chapter 80 - Becoming

[pokecharm]

Harry was sleeping soundly in Hogwarts again; it was like nothing had changed. He could feel Ginny’s soft breathing next to him. He had kicked his trainers off some time during the night, but was otherwise still fully dressed. The first thing that came to his mind was the relief he felt knowing that Ginny was okay.

He had been out with Tom, trying to bolster that connexion when he’d gotten that feeling, first of warmth and a surge of energy, then a blackness that he knew all too well. He hadn’t even asked permission, but Apparated to Hogsmeade, jogging most of the way to the school. He spotted Hagrid on the way back from the pitch and didn’t have time to ask any more substantive questions save Ginny’s whereabouts. Hagrid seemed shaken, but indicated she was okay, staying in the hospital wing. He thanked Hagrid and hurried over.

Hermione and Draco were there, almost waiting for him. Hermione led him into the hospital wing, telling him what had happened and although he was trying to listen, all he could think about was the stabbing coldness that wouldn’t abate. Once he saw Ginny, lying asleep in the hospital bed, he was able to relax a little.

She seemed stronger than the last time he’d seen her, but her face was thinner. He caught Hermione standing worriedly nearby, but not saying much and guessed that Ginny had fared no better in gaining Hermione’s trust back than he had. Countless letters had gone unanswered and Harry could only stare at her bitterly, wondering why he was finding his girlfriend in the hospital wing again.

His mind came back to the present as Ginny shifted next to him. He felt utterly exhausted and the beds were no where near large enough for two people. She kept scooting onto his side of the bed, forcing him to try to balance to stay on the bed. He smirked as he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her onto his body to move them both closer to the centre.

After doing this he noticed she was looking at him with an amused expression. She asked quietly, ‘Having trouble sleeping?’

He smiled at her and rested his cheek against her forehead. ‘This bed isn’t nearly as large as it needs to be…and you keep coming on my side!’

She laughed softly, almost fearful to make too much noise, and said, ‘I’m sorry, Harry, I like you is all.’

He grinned. ‘I more than like you, but I don’t fancy ending up on the floor right now.’

She sat up slowly and wiped her face. ‘Merlin, I must look like hell.’

He smirked. ‘No…well, your hair is…’ He reached up and ran his hand through her hair, trying to flatten it.

She laughed. ‘Stop, you’re only making it worse!’

He gripped her shoulders gently and said, ‘You look like you could use some more rest.’

She continued to try to bring her hair to some sort of presentable state and said, ‘No, that’s the best sleep I’ve gotten in weeks.’

He grinned at her. ‘Really? How flattering.’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Harry…like that isn’t the case for you too…’

He sighed. ‘It would have been better if you’d let me use more than a quarter of this bed.’

‘Oh, I’m so sorry; Harry,’ she said mockingly. ‘I was the one who broke her leg…next time I’ll be more cognisant of your needs.’

He leaned up and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Could you? I would be a lot more help to you if I could sleep properly.’

She let him kiss her across her cheek and their kissing would have gotten more heated had Hermione not come in. ‘You two! Merlin! This is really…I was…’

She was fuming and Ginny pushed Harry off, sitting up. ‘Come to check up on us?’

Hermione nodded, sitting down at the end of the bed. She looked nervously across the room and said, ‘I was afraid to come up here…rumour has it Harry had it out with Dean.’

Ginny turned to Harry shaking her head. He smiled innocently at her and said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

Hermione glared. ‘Harry, as Head Girl, I should warn you, fighting is not something we encourage, or challenges or duels, so don’t even think about it.’

‘You didn’t challenge him did you?’ Ginny asked incredulously.

He smiled and didn’t answer. Hermione shook her head. ‘Harry! That is totally out of control! If you’re jealous or whatever you cannot go around taking it out on any guy who looks at Ginny! You’ll never have time for a job; you’ll be fighting all day.’

‘Hey!’ Ginny exclaimed, not caring for Hermione’s tone.

Harry sat up. ‘I didn’t challenge him, I just made it very clear that I did not appreciate the way he was looking at my girlfriend, or the way he was making her feel and if he did anything to upset her I’d be sure to let him feel that pain ten times as much.’

Ginny’s eyes bolted wide and she said quietly, ‘Harry! You can’t be serious! You didn’t?’

‘I did,’ he answered confidently, as if what’d he’d done was good.

‘Harry…’ Ginny looked at Hermione, but the latter gave her a helpless look as if to say, ‘He’s your boyfriend.’

Ginny started again, ‘Harry…Hermione’s…Hermione’s right…I mean, Dean’s our friend…’

Harry sat up, looking her in the eye. ‘He is, but he was also leering at you…practically undressing you with his eyes. I’ll not stand for it.’

‘Stand for it?’ Ginny ventured. ‘Harry, you’re getting insanely jealous. Seriously. What am I supposed to do with this? What am I supposed to do with you?’

He looked at her with a confused expression. ‘Should I not have told him to leave you alone?’

‘That isn’t what it sounded like,’ Ginny stated harshly. ‘It sounds to me like you threatened his life for looking at me…that’s two totally different things.’

Harry crossed his arms. ‘I may have been a little…harsh…but I didn’t like him parading in front of you with his shirt off either.’

‘What?’ Hermione asked, startled. ‘That is one part of the story I hadn’t heard!’

Harry glared, and Ginny looked between the two of them, exasperated. ‘Yeah…he was ‘showing’ me the scars from the fall…but it didn’t feel like it was going to stop there…so…’ She shut her eyes for a moment and continued, ‘Thankfully, Harry came along when he did…not that I think Dean would ‘do’ anything…’

‘But you never know,’ Harry finished, a smug smile crossing his lips. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, signifying he wasn’t upset over her reaction. ‘Besides, you’re gorgeous and unable to move…flirting with a non-moving girl is much easier.’

‘Tell me you don’t have any experience in that area,’ Ginny replied, laughing.

Hermione sighed loudly. ‘This is all well-and-good, but we have some stuff we need to sort out, and we’ve all been all over the place…Malfoy’s…not really helping as much…or maybe just two isn’t enough to bounce ideas off.’

Ginny pulled away from Harry, looking at Hermione fully. She arched an eyebrow at her friend and asked slowly, ‘So you’re trusting us again, are you?’

Hermione fidgeted with the book in her hands before looking up. ‘I’m sorry…it was stupid and I over-reacted…a little.’

‘A little!’ Ginny exclaimed.

Harry put a hand on her back and said quietly, ‘Ginny.’

‘No, Harry, she didn’t talk to me for almost a month!’ Ginny replied, sounding rather upset.

Hermione sat up. ‘I said I was sorry, Ginny, it isn’t like you haven’t done something similar when you were feeling out of sorts.’

Ginny leaned back against Harry and commented, ‘That did turn out for the best.’

Harry could feel his heart rate quicken as she said this. She nudged him suddenly. ‘Right, Harry?’

‘Right,’ he responded without really knowing what he was responding to.

Hermione crossed her arms. ‘You can be angry at me some more after we figure this out.’

‘I’m not angry at you,’ Ginny said quietly. ‘I’m disappointed you’d take Malfoy’s side over ours.’

‘This group-think thing you both are doing is really peculiar,’ Hermione commented with a smile.

Harry sat up straighter, trying to clear his head. ‘We at least agree about Malfoy not being entirely trustworthy.’

Ginny looked at Hermione and asked, ‘So, what is it you have? That you and your new greatest friend can’t figure out? And incidentally, does Ron know about this?’

Hermione opened her book and shot Ginny a glare before saying, ‘Whatever is happening, it is going to happen soon. It has to. I think it might be in a few days.’

Harry put his hand up. ‘What? You can’t be serious? What signs are you following? That’s utterly mad!’

Hermione set the parchment out that Ginny had seen before, but now there were far more numbers and figures. Hermione slowly explained, ‘It’s all here, the dates from the past with the first time the magical wards were jarred from the school and the things that followed, never anything we want to be around for, mind you.’

Ginny was trying to move and Harry was forced to wrap his arms around her waist and help her. The parchment was filled with various numbers, dates and ranges and an image of a room that looked unfamiliar to Harry. He looked over Ginny’s shoulder and could smell the sweet flower scent that was still emanating from her room at Grimmauld Place. He sat back a little, trying to create some space between them, but she leaned back against his chest.

He sighed and she turned. ‘When was the last time you ate?’

Hermione smirked. ‘When was the last time you showered?’

Ginny ran a hand through her hair. ‘Give me a break, I’m a little immobilised right now.’

Harry laughed. ‘I ate last night…do you want me to get us something to eat?’

Hermione commented, ‘Breakfast is almost over in the Great Hall, so if you want to head there, we shouldn’t have much of an audience.’

Ginny nodded, stretching. Harry had to force himself to look away as to not gaze at her indefinitely. He got up, unfolding his body from Ginny’s. ‘Are you going to need any help getting upstairs?’

Hermione stood up. ‘Harry, you are not permitted in the Girl’s side of Gryffindor Tower.’

Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed his jacket from the nearby chair. ‘Are you going to carry her?’

Ginny cleared her throat. ‘I can move…’

‘You just said you were motion impaired,’ Harry commented.

She arched an eyebrow. ‘Not in so many words…but there’s this crutch I was using…where is it?’

Hermione looked around the room. ‘It’s under the bed. One of you must have knocked it over.’ She looked at Harry. ‘I’ll get her upstairs and back in a bit, why don’t you head over to the Great Hall and stay under the radar a bit…read over that parchment.’

Harry groaned and took the ream. ‘I would much rather trade with you.’

Ginny laughed and smiled. ‘I bet! Harry, this may take a while…I feel bad keeping you here…especially when you probably shouldn’t be…’

He bent down and kissed her softly. ‘I’m right where I’m supposed to be.’

Hermione grumbled in the background. ‘Stop it! Both of you! Harry…why don’t you clean up and come back when you can. We’ll wait for you in the Great Hall.’

He touched his head. ‘Do I look or smell bad?’

Ginny reached a hand out to him, which he grasped quickly. ‘I don’t think so, but I just woke up with you…I doubt I smell good either.’

He felt the heat rush onto his face and he grinned at her. ‘You tasted fantastic…but I can check again.’

Harry’s arms wrapped easily around Ginny and he was kissing her all over. Ginny pushed him gently on the chest, though one of her hands was creeping across his shoulders. ‘Harry…love…I…Merlin…’

Hermione walked away. ‘Let me know when you come up for air.’

Harry was leaning over Ginny and felt her stiffen. He got up suddenly, and she winced. He pulled her upright, relieving the pressure he put on her leg. ‘Sorry…maybe I should…head out…’

She kept her hands in his. ‘I’ve really missed you.’

‘I know,’ he replied. ‘I’ve been missing you, too.’

He reached under the bed and handed her the crutch. ‘Do you want me to come back?’

‘Of course!’ she exclaimed. ‘I always…I feel better having you around…but I’m having trouble thinking straight with you so close…’

She smiled at him and he smiled back. ‘Yeah, me too…you’re bloody gorgeous, you know?’

She poked him playfully. ‘Is it just my looks that get you?’

He rolled his eyes. ‘Must we argue about this?’

She leaned back. ‘Fine…do you think it’d be okay to come back? Or do you want me to owl you about this?’

Harry grinned at her. ‘Well, Hermione said she wanted me to be here…I’ll go take a cold shower and be back. I’ll meet you two in the Great Hall.’

She pulled the crutch in front of her and started to get up. He furrowed his brow, watching her labour to get up. He put his hand out and said, ‘Let me…this is painful to watch.’

She laughed softly. ‘Thanks…’

He helped her to her feet and she rested a good amount of weight on him as he helped her to the front of the hospital wing. Hermione was there waiting for them, an angry look on her face. She pushed the door open a crack and the outside chatter filled the hospital wing. She pulled the door shut and looked at both Harry and Ginny.

Harry shook his head. ‘Hermione, what was that all about?’

She turned away. ‘I didn’t think they’d still be here…give me five minutes, then you’d best get out of here, Harry.’

Ginny grabbed Hermione’s arm. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘The rumour I mentioned…it’s taken on a life of its own…everyone’s dying to see the madly jealous Harry Potter and his…well, you,’ Hermione shrugged.

Ginny gripped Harry’s arm. ‘Still feel like coming back?’

He nodded and kissed her softly. ‘I’ll be here.’

She reached for her crutch, which he slowly offered to her. He hated seeing her exert all this energy. He turned to say something, but she stopped him, ‘Harry, no, Hermione’s right. You can’t carry me…I’ll be fine.’

They could hear Hermione giving everyone a piece of her mind. Harry leaned in. ‘Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I know I’d feel better if I could get you around myself.’

Ginny smiled at him. ‘I’m sure you would. I would, too, but we can’t, Harry…I think we need to just figure this thing out with Hermione…’

He nodded. He slowly pulled his arms away from her and watched as she used the crutch. It did seem like the weight of her bandaged leg was gone in moments and he turned his attention to the door as Hermione came back through looking rather flustered.

She started. ‘Ginny, maybe you should stay put. Come on, Harry. I think if you really run, then you won’t have an issue.’

Harry crossed his arms. ‘I’m not running out of here like a criminal.’

Ginny looked between the two of them and asked, ‘Are they here because of what Dean said?’

Hermione shifted from one foot to the other. ‘Somewhat. There is also a lot of talk about what happened. Another reason I’m trying to get you out is so Ginny can get out…’

‘A distraction? You’re using me as a distraction?’ Harry asked in disbelief. ‘You do know I own an Invisibility Cloak?’

Hermione rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, thank you, I know, but if I walk out of here with no one, then what?’

‘Ginny can use it,’ Harry stated.

Hermione groaned and pleaded, ‘Ginny…please, reason with him.’

Ginny looked at her friend and slowly brought her eyes to Harry’s. ‘Harry, I get what you’re after here, and I think I’d like nothing more than to have you with me, but this sounds like we need to control this…better.’

There was a loud crash outside that stopped Harry from arguing further. Professor McGonagall came flying through the door, nearly knocking Hermione over. She stopped in a moment with Professor Flitwick on her heels.

‘There you are!’ she exclaimed. ‘Mr. Potter! What are you still doing here? And Ms. Weasley, are you alright?’

Ginny nodded, clearly thrown by the questions. ‘I’m fine. And I think Harry was just leaving.’

Harry started to argue, but Professor Flitwick stated, ‘Excellent idea, Mr. Potter, this will allow us to get both Ms. Weasley and Ms. Granger out of here.’

Hermione stated flatly, ‘Ginny needs to rest some more. I don’t think she’s up for another long meeting.’

‘I’m afraid she’ll have to oblige,’ Professor McGonagall replied. ‘I’m sorry, but we really must.’

Hermione planted her feet squarely. ‘Really, Professor, I’ve spoken with both of them and they don’t know anything about the attack…I think it may have to do with Malfoy.’

Ginny’s eyes bolted open and Harry reached a hand out to her. He whispered as quietly as he could, ‘I’d better…has she gone mad?’

Ginny tried to repress a smile. ‘I often wonder…’

He pulled her close and kissed her softly. ‘Maybe I’ll use the cloak to get back in…’

She gripped his shirt and pulled him towards her. ‘Just don’t do anything foolish!’

He grinned at her and started for the door. Professor Flitwick walked in front of him. ‘I’ll get you to Professor McGonagall’s office, you can Floo from there.’

He nodded and shot Ginny one last look before heading out the door. He saw the crowd outside of the hospital wing and hoped Hermione would be able to get Ginny out with no fuss. They hurried to the Headmistress’s office. Harry could feel the eyes of much of the school on him, but ignored them.

Professor Flitwick kept a close eye on him until he disappeared into the grate. Kreacher was there waiting for him and nodded at him. ‘How is Mistress doing?’

‘She’s okay, broke her leg though…’ Harry conceded. ‘I need to get back over there. Hermione’s got something she wants to tell us…or get our help with; I’m not sure which…’

Kreacher nodded. ‘Mr. Tom was about earlier. I did not let him in, as per your request, but he would like to see you.’

Harry could hear the distaste in Kreacher’s voice and agreed, ‘I don’t like it any more than you do, but Gaunt thinks there’s something going on. Remember that last file I got? He said something was happening…a new piece would be coming in he wanted.’

‘These dates do not coincide with the ones Miss Hermione is working from?’ Kreacher asked.

Harry looked at Kreacher thoughtfully. ‘I’m not sure. She has some more information, but all from Malfoy. I don’t think he can be trusted at all.’

Kreacher looked at him grimly. ‘Young Mister Malfoy seems conflicted, Master Harry. I would not so easily count him out.’

Harry nodded absently. Kreacher always believed Pure Bloods should be trusted. Malfoy’s family was as Pure Blooded as you could get. Harry knew it would be pointless to try and defame Malfoy’s character to Kreacher. ‘I guess I’d better clean up…’

Kreacher nodded. ‘I’ll draw you a bath, Master Harry.’

‘No need, Kreacher,’ Harry said, getting up. ‘I need a nice cold shower…especially if I’m going to be seeing Ginny again…Merlin, she’s…’

Kreacher nodded. ‘Yes, Master Harry, I know.’

Harry took the stairs two-at-a-time, showering and changing quickly. Not twenty minutes later he was back in the kitchen, a hot cup of tea waiting for him and a letter. Harry grabbed the letter and was disappointed to see it was from Hermione.

Harry,

I was able to get Ginny out of the hospital wing and out of that meeting. I know you both thought I was mad for not wanting her there, but Professor McGonagall is after information about the Dementors more than with the other strange things going on. She doesn’t see those as an issue at all. I need you and Ginny to help me with this schematic.

I enclosed an image of what I’m talking about. It’s a room like the Room of Requirement. It appears when a series of things happens. Not unlike what Ron told us about the sacrifice or what-have-you.

I think Ginny could use a break from negative attention today, so please don’t come by. Although I would love to have you here, really, people are harassing her as it is. We’re holed up in my room and I’ll probably have Winky bring us some food later. Ginny’ll probably send you a letter this evening.

Please, go over your notes in conjunction with the schematic and let us know what you think.

Thanks!

Hermione

Harry stared angrily at the letter. He thought about sending Ginny a Patronus, but thought better of it. She was probably trying to get some rest; much-needed rest. He stared at the image Hermione had included and turned it over and upside down. It didn’t make any more sense than anything else Hermione had shown him.

It was a plain square with a series of symbols across the top, a square, then a triangle, then another square repeated. It didn’t mean anything to him and he doubted it meant anything at all. He tried to think about all the rooms he’d seen, hidden or not, and this seemed small, as if it would be in a tower. Although the room was square, there was something about it that made it seem that it shouldn’t be.

He spent the afternoon poring over his files, finding nothing of note. He did receive a letter from Ginny, but didn’t allow himself too much time to daydream over it, as he felt he’d already gotten an unusual treat. He knew he could spend all day thinking about Ginny and knew that wouldn’t get him any closer to sorting things out.

Another owl arrived in the evening and Harry was surprised to hear from Tom so soon. He agreed to meet him later that night. He quickly replied to Ginny, telling her where he was going and what little he’d discovered.

He met Tom at the pub they’d first met at and Tom ribbed him over the previous night. ‘Potter, she has you on a short leash, doesn’t she?’

Harry smirked, mentally cursing Tom. ‘Hey, it’s all about that ‘one thing’ I keep telling you about. She needed me, I had to go.’

‘But how do you know?’ Tom asked. ‘I mean, it’s like what Muggles call a sixth sense.’

Harry chuckled. ‘Tom, one day, you’ll have a girl that you would do anything for, it’ll be great.’

Tom shook his head. ‘You’re mad, Potter. Why one? You could have lots.’

Harry sighed. ‘You wanted to meet up for a reason, I’m guessing?’

Tom grinned. ‘Yeah, you doing anything this weekend? Or should I owl Ms. Weasley?’

Harry tried to smile. ‘I’m free, what’s going on?’

Tom clapped him on the back. ‘You know me, I like to tease. I’ll owl you later. Just be ready.’

He turned and in a moment had Apparated out of the pub. Harry tapped the counter with his finger before paying the tab and heading out. Tom was a peculiar person. Harry still felt awkward trusting him, but he seemed genuinely trustworthy. He also didn’t think Gaunt would pair him with someone inherently dishonest.

The week dragged on and Harry got a letter from Ginny, in response to his, telling him that that weekend seemed to be of concern to both Hermione and Draco. She also noted that the match was that weekend and she would, most likely, not be allowed to play. He replied to her letter, telling her about his meeting with Tom and asked her to stay safe and to try not to play if she wasn’t allowed to.

He wanted to go to Hogwarts for the match, but had a feeling his popularity would do little for Ginny, and she’d most likely be under enough stress without his presence. Harry got a letter from Tom that Friday, and he dressed casually to meet his friend. He headed out of Grimmauld Place and landed outside of Diagon Alley. He sauntered past George’s shop and saw him emerge and wave at him.

‘Harry! It’s been too long! How’s Ginny doing? I heard about the last…’ he trailed off.

Harry nodded. ‘I think she’s okay; better, according to her last letter. How are things with you?’

George nodded. ‘Ron’s been a bit of a mess lately….what happened between you two?’

Harry ran a hand through his hair nervously. ‘George…nothing…Ron’s just over-reacting over nothing.’

George looked at him seriously. ‘I’ll be the first to admit Ron’s not the best about a lot of things, but he’s a loyal friend…I’d’ve expected better from you, Harry.’

Harry took a deep breath. ‘I know…George, I’m sorry, but it’s safer for him to stay away from me right now…I know I can patch things up with him…’

George shrugged. ‘I’m not going to let anything happen to my brothers, Harry, so you’ve been duly warned.’

Harry gave George a curious look and took a step back. ‘I’m not sure what Ginny will think of that, but I’ll take that under advisement.’

George gestured down the street. ‘I’m glad we got that sorted, you want to get a drink?’

‘I can’t…’ Harry said slowly. ‘I’ve got…I can’t.’

George nodded. ‘Now I see what Ron was talking about. I’ll see you, Harry!’ He started to walk away and stopped. ‘I know I don’t have to say this, but you’d better take care of Ginny. She probably trusts you more than she should.’’

Harry didn’t get a chance to respond and hurried down the street to Knockturn Alley. The darkness that started at the street ebbed into Diagon Alley. Harry pulled his coat closer and headed down the unsavoury street.

A dark pub at the end of the street was where Tom had asked Harry to meet him. He entered and the smell practically knocked him over. It was like something had died in the room and it had not been cleaned. Everyone in the room turned to look at him and Harry could have sworn he was face-to-face with all the Death Eaters that had never been caught.

He shifted back a few steps and felt someone stand behind him. ‘Nervous much, Potter?’

Harry started and turned to see Tom grinning at him. ‘Uh, I don’t come down Knockturn Alley much…’

‘No, of course not,’ Tom agreed. ‘Why don’t we head out of here? I’m feeling like storming something…’

‘Like what?’ Harry asked, only slightly amused.

Tom dragged Harry out of the room through the back. ‘Won’t it be more fun to find out once we get there?’

Harry felt a strange un-nerving feeling and didn’t know why. He followed Tom to the grate and Tom said, ‘Just follow my lead.’ He stepped to the grate, turned and shot Harry a strange, unsettling grin and called out, ‘Hogsmeade Station.’

Harry felt his stomach drop and grabbed the Floo powder and followed after him. He landed in Hogsmeade Station, but didn’t see Tom anywhere. He bounded down the steps of the platform and started to run towards Hogsmeade. He could see the town was barren and the only sound he heard was his feet pounding the ground. He spotted Tom walking towards the school, the Quidditch pitch lit from afar.

The sky was clear, yet Harry couldn’t see the stars and suddenly realised why as he caught up with Tom. ‘Hey! What the bloody hell are you on about?’

Tom turned faster than Harry thought he could and grabbed Harry’s collar. ‘Wouldn’t you like to know, Potter?’

He threw Harry forward towards the school. ‘You’ve been playing me, haven’t you, Potter? Well, I’ve been playing you, too.’

He pulled his wand out and pointed it at Harry. ‘Start walking. We’re going to have a little fun tonight.’

Harry tried to reach for his wand, but Tom Apparated in front of him. ‘No, Potter. Keep that where it is.’

He waved his wand and Harry felt his hands pulled to his back and tightened, invisible cords holding them in place. He struggled to free himself, but Tom dragged him to his feet. ‘Stop that, Potter. You don’t want to make me make a mess of you before we collect your girl.’

Harry felt horror rake his insides as Tom’s cold voice threatened Ginny. ‘Don’t even think about touching her. I’ll kill you!’

Tom laughed. ‘Not much of threat, you’ve never killed anyone, nor could you. Let’s go.’

Tom pushed Harry forward and Harry’s mind reeled as he tried to put the pieces together that had seemed so fractured for months. There was no reason Tom should be here, there was nothing in the school he wanted, unless the ring and locket were going to be removed forcefully. He tried to breathe normally and plan, but it was hard to plan when he had no idea what was going to happen.

They walked through the school grounds and no alarms sounded. Harry looked around, confused, and Tom pushed him hard. ‘Keep moving. We got a little help, now that we’re in, no one else can come in, or get out.’

Harry could see a slight shimmer around the school and this did not include the Quidditch pitch. Harry hoped and prayed Ginny was there, ignoring his request not to be there. A loud crash from the front of the school froze Harry, but Tom pushed him hard and he fell to the ground.

A voice called out to Tom, ‘You brought him? And in one piece? I’m surprised.’

The voice was very familiar, but Harry felt like he hadn’t heard it in years. He struggled to turn over, but felt Tom’s foot in the small of his back.

‘Just as you asked. You know you can count on me more than…you know…’ Tom finished, pushing Harry into the ground hard again, throwing his glasses askew.

‘Well, leave him in the courtyard. I want him to see, but not be seen.’ There was a general shuffling and Harry was pulled upright again.

Tom smirked. ‘You heard the man.’

‘Who-’ Harry started, but a hard punch to the stomach stopped his question.

‘Shut it, Potter. You’ll know soon enough.’ Tom dragged him to his feet, gasping for air.

They shuffled through a few corridors and Harry felt Tom throw him near the base of a set of stairs that led to one of the towers. Harry fell to the ground hard. Tom stood over him and started to rifle through Harry’s pockets. ‘I know it’s in here somewhere…I learned this trick from Malfoy.’

He pointed his wand at Harry and called, ‘Petrificus Totalus!’

Harry felt his body freeze. Tom grinned, holding Harry’s Invisibility Cloak. ‘By the time anyone finds you, it should be too late. The Chosen One…’

Tom shook his head and bent down, picking something up Harry couldn’t see. He felt a stabbing pain across the back of his head and the world went dark.