Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Damaged Bridges	By : Gandalfs-Beard Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Harry/Hermione Views: 46870 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, all rights belong to Rowling and Warner Bros, nor do I make any money from the production of this work.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
The Changing of the Guard

As March approached and the weather became a bit dryer, Harry was glad to see that Ron appeared to be gradually getting over things.
Ron was spending much of his free time with Neville, whenever he wasn’t begging Ernie MacMillan to help him with his homework or snogging Lavender Brown - which Ron continued to do frequently and publicly. Harry had also spied Ron exiting empty classrooms on several occasions with Lavender, grinning and looking extremely pleased himself as he and Lavender straightened out their rumpled robes.
On the latest occasion, as Lavender smoothed her skirt, apparently looking for signs of cleanliness, she turned a bit pink and bit her lip with embarrassment when she spotted Harry and Hermione walking by. Ron turned around to see who had caught Lavender’s attention.
“Oh, hi Harry! Didn’t see you there,” said Ron, looking almost insufferably smug and puffed up like a peacock.
Hermione smiled at Lavender and rolled her eyes at Ron. Harry arched one eyebrow and found himself once again hoping that Ron wasn’t just exploiting Lavender’s affections.
But with all of his extra homework, trying desperately to catch up in Runes and Arithmancy, practicing Occlumency and Legilimency, and spending his free time with Hermione, Harry was far too busy to make the time to see how things were really going with Ron.
It was during Quidditch practice that Harry reckoned Ron’s extracurricular activities with Lavender were at least having some positive effects on Ron. Ron’s aggressiveness had ebbed a fair bit during the weeks following the Christmas holidays, and he was no longer yelling at Demelza Robbins and making her cry.
Harry was thankful that tensions between Ron and Ginny also seemed to have diminished, and that Ron was performing better than ever during practice. The worst thing that could be said about the situation was that Ron’s newfound self-confidence was accompanied by a bit of an inflated head.
Ginny smirked and shook her head when Ron swaggered off the pitch and swept Lavender off her feet with a kiss steamy enough to melt an iceberg.
“Filthy hypocrite!” Ginny snorted mirthfully, rolling her eyes. “I wonder how far he’s got his tongue down her throat.”
“I really don’t need to know,” said Harry, grinning as he waved at Luna who was waving and sitting in the stands with Hermione. Dean took off when he spied Seamus at the edge of the pitch.
“So, how’re things with you and Dean?” Harry asked as Ginny beamed and waved back at Luna. “Er... everything alright? I haven’t seen you two together as much lately.”
“Hunh?” said Ginny, who seemed to have been briefly distracted. Inexplicably, Ginny reddened, her eyes flicking up to the stands again when she registered Harry’s question.
“Oh... er... We’re sort of taking a break,” said Ginny vaguely, looking distracted again as Luna and Hermione came down from the stands to meet them.
Harry’s own thoughts were interrupted when he caught a flash of green and silver out of the corner of his eye; the Slytherin Quidditch team had just entered the pitch with their new Seeker, who had been training since the Christmas holidays.
Blaise Zabini caught Harry’s eye as he strode past. This was the closest they had been to each other since Slughorn’s Christmas party, as they were usually on opposite sides of the classroom during Potions. Much to Harry’s puzzlement, Zabini briefly halted.
“I really ought to thank you, Potter,” said Zabini, smirking. “I never stood a chance of getting on the team with Malfoy hogging all the glory.”
“Er... what?” Harry muttered, his stomach knotting as he wondered what Zabini had heard. “I didn’t have anything to do with that...”
“Sure you didn’t!” Zabini retorted skeptically. “Whatever you say! Don’t sweat it too much though, Potter! ... Whatever happens between us on the pitch stays on the pitch, alright?” Zabini gave Harry a wink and smirked again as he stalked off, following the rest of the team.
“What’s up Harry?” asked Hermione, looking a bit worried when she spotted Harry gaping in bewilderment at the Slytherin team. “Did Zabini say something to you?”
“Er, yeah,” said Harry, still looking surprised. “I think it’s alright though. Zabini thanked me... and I think he meant it.”
“He did? What did he thank you for?” asked Hermione, her own eyebrows shooting up.
“He seems to think I had something to do with Malfoy leaving Hogwarts,” Harry replied. “And he seems okay with it... okay with me.”
“Oh!” Hermione bit her lip and looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging and half-smiling. “Well, he’s not entirely wrong, is he?”
“No! ... S’pose not,” Harry agreed.
“I expect he’s happy to be out from under Malfoy’s shadow,” Hermione added.
“Yeah!” Harry nodded as Hermione took his arm and they followed Ginny and Luna - who were whispering and giggling to one another - off the pitch. “That’s more or less what Zabini said to me.”
The rest of the day continued smoothly enough until after dinner when Dora escorted Harry and Hermione back to their quarters. Dora seemed a bit quiet and moody again, as she had on the occasions Harry and Hermione had seen her during the school-term before Christmas, her hair a muted shade of violet and listless.
Hermione bit her lip sadly and glanced at Harry, catching his look of silent agreement.
“Er... Do you want to hang out a bit tonight?” Hermione asked Dora.
“Oh... er... Sorry! I don’t wanna spoil your evening,” Dora replied, reddening when she realised that she’d been telegraphing her mood. “I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be silly,” said Hermione. “If you’re feeling sad or lonely, you can tell us about it. We’re your friends.”
“Er... You sure you don’t mind?” Dora glanced at Harry uncertainly. Harry shook his head.
“Of course not,” said Harry. “Hermione’s right. Why don’t you join us for a bit?”
“Okay.” Dora nodded. “Ta guys. I could do with a bit of company I suppose.”
Soon enough, the three of them were seated in front of the crackling fire in Harry and Hermione’s sitting room, bathed in its orange glow and sipping steaming mugs of cocoa. Hedwig blinked, peering down at them from the top of a wardrobe, and Crookshanks purred, curled up Dora’s lap, soft music playing in the background on the wizard wireless.
There was mostly quiet for a while, occasionally interspersed with bits of innocuous conversation. Harry mentioned the almost amiable exchange between himself and Zabini earlier that afternoon. Finally, Dora seemed to have worked up the nerve to talk about what was bothering her when she finished her cocoa and took a deep breath.
“It’s Remus,” Dora sighed. “I’m really worried about ‘im.”
“Oh!” said Harry, unable to avoid looking surprised. “I thought... er, Sirius...” Harry trailed off, feeling very embarrassed.
“Nah!” Dora shook her head, a brief wry smile crossing her lips as she caught on. “I mean, yeah... I do think about Sirius a bit still. He used to come over a lot to visit Mum and Dad when I was little, before ‘e got thrown in Azkaban - so we were close, but he was more like an uncle than a cousin. I always ‘ad a hard time believin’ he’d done... er... it.
“Anyway, it’s Remus... I guess I’ve just got it bad for him,” Dora continued, blushing. “I dunno why really. I know ‘e’s a lot older than me, but there’s just somethin’ about him... something real sweet! I asked ‘im out a couple o’ times last year - the first time before everything that happened at the Ministry.
“He tried to let me down easy, but he didn’t sound a hundred percent, so I just reckoned I’d wait a bit and give it another go. But when I asked Remus again, later in the summer before school term started, he flat out said no! ... said he was too old and poor, and too dangerous.
“I know that mostly he’s just worried ‘cause he’s a werewolf, and he thinks ‘e might hurt me, but he was pretty adamant. It kind of crushed me and I’ve been tryin’ my best to just forget about him...”
“Oh!” said Hermione. “Is... is that why your Patronus changed? Harry told me about what Snape said to you at the beginning of term, after you found Harry on the Hogwarts express.”
“Snape!” hissed Dora, scowling furiously. “I know he’s Dumbledore’s spy and all, but I hate that arsehole! I dunno what Snape’s fucking problem is! He always was a right bastard, but I don’t remember him treating me that bad when I took Potions with him back in my Hogwarts days.
“Somethin’ about my Patronus set ‘im off. I suppose it has something t’do with Remus - they never seemed to get on - but I dunno why...”
“My dad,” Harry muttered, flushing guiltily. “Because Lupin and Sirius were good friends with my dad. Snape hated all of them when they were in school together. My dad was a real arsehole to Snape once, and Sirius was egging my dad on... Lupin was there too, kind of just watching... letting it happen...”
“Oh!” Dora’s expression changed to one of surprise. “I knew Sirius and Snape hated each other’s guts, but I didn’t know that was why.”
“I think there’s more to the story though,” said Hermione a bit sharply, frowning at Harry. “Harry’s mum was there too, and Snape called her a ‘Mudblood’ when she tried to stick up for him... so I don’t think Snape can have really been an innocent victim.
“Maybe your dad was bullying Snape that day, Harry, but if Snape was calling your mother a Mudblood, it can’t have been the first time he’d ever been horrid to muggleborn. Snape had probably bullied muggleborn students before, and that might be why your father picked on him that day.”
“I suppose,” said Harry quietly. “It was still pretty horrible though - what my dad did to him. I know it’s obvious that Snape hated muggleborn, even back then, but Snape wasn’t even doing anything. Sirius just said he was bored, and my dad just seemed to think it would be a laugh to have a go at Snape.”
Dora looked perplexed for a moment.
“Well, I can’t say anything about your dad Harry - I never knew him,” she said, “but Hermione’s got a point. I can tell you from my own school-days, and my mum and dad’s, not all Slytherins are rotten to the core - Mum wasn’t, after all - but the ones ‘oo ran around calling all the muggleborn - like Hermione and my dad - ‘Mudblood,’ were all nasty little bullies.
“Those sort almost all joined up with Voldemort after they left school, like Snape and the Malfoys. So Snape was probably one of that lot, runnin’ around with a gang of junior Death Eaters...”
“That’s more or less what Sirius told us during fourth year,” said Hermione, nodding.
“Yeah... he did say that,” Harry agreed uncertainly.
“There you go then!” said Dora. “I’m not sayin’ what your dad did was right, Harry, mind you. But even if he was picking on Snape for no good reason on that particular day, a lot of muggleborn who were going to school at the same time who had been bullied by Snape and his mates would’ve probably reckoned Snape had it coming. So try not to judge your dad too harshly without knowing all the facts.”
“I suppose...” Harry still looked very uncomfortable. “But all Sirius and Lupin told me was that my dad eventually grew out of it. Either way, I just can’t see treating anyone that badly unless they were doing something really horrible to deserve it right then... in that moment.”
“That’s because you’re a really kind person Harry,” said Hermione, smiling wanly at him and taking his hand.
“Too true!” said Dora, shooting him a quick grin. “You’re a real sweetie Harry - a lot like Remus in that regard...”
Harry flushed again, this time with embarrassment; did everyone think he was a Goody Two Shoes?
“Anyway, to get back to what I was saying,” Dora went on, “my Patronus used to be a stupid Jackrabbit. It changed into a wolf sometime around the time Remus turned me down flat - I didn’t know it had changed until after it happened. ... I didn’t even know they could do that! But apparently they can after a particularly emotional event or something... like fallin’ head over heels.”
Dora sighed. “Nothin’ I can do about it though! So I just keep trying to let it go and not get too upset, but every time I hear something, I can’t help worryin’ about him...”
“What do you mean, ‘hear something’?” asked Harry, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling as a chill ran up his spine; Hermione’s grip on his hand tightened. “Has something happened to Lupin?”
“Oh... No!” Dora’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No! Nothing’s happened... at least that I know of. Sorry Harry! ... It’s just, Remus is on an undercover mission hanging out with other werewolves, finding out who’s on Voldy’s side and who’s not - stuff like that. He’s been gone a while - since the Christmas holidays - and... and I just asked Dumbledore if he’s heard from Remus recently, but... nothin’... So that’s why I’m a bit down at the mouth right now.
“I’m sure ‘e’s alright though,” Dora added unconvincingly.
“Yeah!” Harry nodded, trying to believe it himself, feeling a dead weight in the pit of his stomach at the idea that the last link to his parents was on such a dangerous mission. It suddenly struck him that Lupin was as much his family as Sirius had been - not an official godfather maybe, but as good as.
“Yeah...” Harry repeated hollowly, “Lupin... Remus, he can look after himself - he’s a great wizard.”
Hermione let go of Harry’s hand and gave Dora a hug, squeezing her tightly.
“I’m sure he’ll be alright, Dora,” she murmured.
There was a bit of silence as the three of them sipped fresh mugs of cocoa and nibbled on chocolate covered digestives. When it came time to call it a night, Dora felt a bit guilty seeing Harry and Hermione in such a somber mood.
“Thanks loads guys,” said Dora as she stood in the doorway. “It feels good to get that off my chest. Sorry to bring you both down though...”
When Harry had finished cleaning his teeth that night, he was surprised to find that Hermione had brought her Hello Kitty nightie back to Hogwarts with her; he hadn’t seen her wearing it since the Christmas holidays. Hermione’s cheeks took on a rosy hue when she noticed Harry staring at it, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Er... I just brought it back with me because it’s sort of comforting, in case I felt a bit depressed - it was always my favourite - but I haven’t really needed it with you to cuddle at nights,” she said matter of factly.
“Oh!” Harry turned a bit pink himself, but he couldn’t help grinning. “Well I love it too! You look really cute in it.”
Hermione bit her lip and batted her eyelashes shyly, her cheeks growing even warmer. She snuggled next to Harry feeling more cheered, her arm wound around him tightly. In no time, Hermione was fast asleep, a smile creeping to her lips as she slumbered, bespeaking of happy dreams.
When she woke the following morning, the gentle rise and fall of Harry’s chest, his pulse slow under the palm of her hand, told Hermione that he was still asleep. But she caught the tent in the bedclothes out of the corner of her eye; a little flutter in her tummy and a tingle of arousal made her think.
Finally reaching a decision, and before she could change her mind, Hermione tugged off her nightie and flung it to the end of the bed, then snuggled back into the crook of Harry’s shoulder.
Harry stirred, feeling loads better than he had last night. He wondered if he was still dreaming when he felt his hand pressed against bare skin. But as he blinked his bleary eyes, Hermione’s nervous little giggle suggested that he was properly awake.
“Blimey Hermione!” He gasped, his eyes nearly falling out of his head, jerking his hand away from her upper back.
“Wh...what’s going on?” Harry dragged his eyes away from Hermione’s naked breasts, but he was unable to avoid the sensation of her nipples still poking his side.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, fixing Harry with a determinedly neutral stare and answering his query with a question of her own.
“How long has it been, Harry?”
“Er... what?”
“Since you last masturbated,” said Hermione bluntly.
Harry’s face grew hot and he groaned, surmising that Hermione must be feeling guilty for exciting him every night with her cuddles.
“Hermione, really... you don’t have to...”
“How long Harry? Come on... answer the question!”
“Er... a couple of days ago,” said Harry, seemingly relenting. “...in the shower,” he added shiftily.
“Liar!” Hermione retorted with a smirk, poking him in the ribs with a forefinger. “The water is always like ice after you use it - I always have to run the hot water for a bit. You’ve been having cold showers for months, haven’t you?”
Harry groaned again, flushing like a ripe tomato, feeling guilty, knowing that he’d been caught out.
“Come on, admit it Harry!”
“Okay... Yeah!” Harry sighed. “I’m sorry Hermione! ... Look, really... you don’t have to...”
“It’s alright Harry,” said Hermione, managing to look earnest despite letting out a nervous little giggle. “I... I’m not sure I’m quite ready to go all the way yet. But I definitely think I’m ready for a bit more than cuddles now. I want to!”
“Er... if you’re sure,” said Harry, gulping anxiously.
“I am... I’m sure! And I’ve still got some vials of calming draught - just in case I do have a nasty reaction.”
“Er... okay then!” Harry squeaked.
He let out a gasp as Hermione slipped her hand under his pyjama top and felt her trailing her fingers across his chest.
“You can touch me too, Harry,” she urged, gently flicking one of his nipples.
Harry felt a surge of excitement, still not quite believing that this was actually happening. He reached out his own slightly shaking hand and cupped one of Hermione’s breasts, giving it a tentative squeeze.
When Hermione responded with an amorous look and a wet snog, Harry felt a bit bolder and captured her nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, giving it gentle tugs. Hermione bit her lip, letting out a moan of pleasure.
Feeling even braver, Harry cradled and kneaded one of Hermione’s bottom cheeks, while he continued to lavish attention on her little hills and tender peaks.
Elated that Harry’s touch was triggering nothing but ever greater desire, her pulse racing, Hermione slid her hand down across his lower abdomen, reaching under the waistband of his pyjama bottoms.
Taking the hint, Harry’s breath quickened as he followed Hermione’s lead, gradually sliding his hand across her taut, smooth belly, his fingers finally brushing the delicate wisps adorning the triangular mound at the apex of her thighs.
Hermione gently grasped Harry’s erection; feeling her warm hand encircling his hardness, rhythmically moving up and down its length, Harry ventured further, slipping two fingers between the lips of her dampening fold. Finding Hermione’s entrance, Harry’s fingers delved into her heated wet sheath, his thumb grazing a fleshy button.
Hermione quivered, biting her lip even harder, brows furrowed with burning desire. Harry knew he’d found her sweet spot and toggled the little button while his fingers burrowed deeper into her slick, clasping channel.
She pumped Harry’s shaft more vigorously, striking the rim of his crown. As their mutual ministrations increased, Hermione’s senses were overwhelmed, flooded, squeaking as a torrent of ecstasy coursed through her body. Hermione felt Harry’s sticky seed spilling over her fingers and knew he was climaxing as well.
Intoxicated by Hermione’s passion wrought features, framed as they were by her tawny mane of hair, and the surging tide of euphoria, Harry lost himself. Hermione quivered, then, giddily, with a blissful squeal, she slumped nearly atop Harry, peppering his face with kisses, nuzzling his neck affectionately.
Grinning, after he’d recovered somewhat, several minutes later, Harry peered at Hermione questioningly.
“So... er... alright then?”
“Better than alright!” Hermione gushed, beaming back at Harry. “And you?”
“Fantastic!” said Harry, unable to wipe the grin off his face. “Even more amazing than I’d imagined...”

~o0o~
Harry spent the rest of Saturday feeling slightly dazed. But he nonetheless managed to remember that it was the first of March, and thus Ron’s birthday. Harry reckoned that despite everything, he ought to at least wish Ron a Happy Birthday and give him his present. He went to look for Ron by the Quidditch pitch where he was supposedly hanging out with Lavender, Neville, Seamus and Dean after Ginny mentioned that was where she had last seen him.
Harry left Hermione with Ginny and Luna, who had seemed to be hanging out with each other an awful lot lately. As it turned out, Seamus, Neville and Dean were still there, but mentioned that Ron had headed up to Gryffindor Tower. Armed with the latest password, Harry eventually found Ron up in the sixth year dorm where Ron was sitting on his bed amidst his pile of presents.
“Er... Hi Ron,” said Harry, feeling a bit awkward. Ron seemed a bit startled when he looked up.
“Hey Harry,” he said with a grin. “What’s up?”
Harry relaxed, the tension in his middle draining away, and he felt a surge of hope that Ron was well and truly over things. He’d wished Ron a Happy Birthday at breakfast, but hadn’t been entirely certain if things were really back to normal.
“Just thought I’d bring you your present,” Harry replied, returning Ron’s grin.
“Oh, cheers Harry!” Ron looked a bit surprised. “I was just checking out my other presents - great haul this year,” he added, holding up a solid gold watch. “From Mum and Dad.”
“Cool,” said Harry. “You can add another one to the pile then.” Harry handed the colourfully wrapped parcel to Ron.
Ron ripped through the paper with abandon, and gaped at the present.
“Wicked Harry! Nice one!” Ron brandished the Quidditch Keeper’s gloves excitedly. “I’ve been dying for a pair of my own.” Ron peered at Harry, seeming to notice something a bit different about him.
“So,” Ron began, a knowing smirk on his face, “you and Hermione then... you finally did it?” Ron made a circle with his thumb and forefinger, thrusting his other forefinger into the ring, just to make sure that Harry got the point.
Harry turned beet-red; he hadn’t realised how obvious it might seem. But he rolled his eyes at Ron’s vulgar hand gesture.
“Blimey Ron! You don’t really expect me to give you the details, do you?”
“Oh go on Harry! You gotta give me something!” Ron retorted eagerly.
Harry shook his head, half-smiling. “Well, if you must know, we didn’t really go all the way! But that’s all you’re getting out of me.”
“Good enough Harry,” Ron chortled, looking chuffed, as if he still had one up on Harry...
Sunday was as bright and clear as Saturday had been, heralding Spring which was just around the corner, soon to arrive in a few weeks, though there was still a biting chill in air. Dora seemed in a much better mood than she had the night before last, her bubblegum-pink hair several shades brighter, much to Harry and Hermione’s delight.
“Dumbledore got a message from Remus, late last night,” Dora told them when Hermione asked. “And he also said he’s got a line on you-know-what,” she added with a conspiratorial whisper, glancing around to make sure no-one was listening. “We’re to meet him by the gates after lunch. He’s pretendin’ to go to Hogsmeade, so he’ll be leaving a bit sooner than us.”

~o0o~
Harry and Hermione both felt a tingle of anticipation as they strolled through the grounds of Hogwarts, Dora trailing behind them keeping a sharp eye out to make sure that nobody noticed them when they eventually veered towards the woods and took the path down to the gates. Dumbledore appeared out of nowhere, startling them all when they reached the entrance.
“Bloody ‘ell!” Dora grumbled, “Could’ve given us a bit of notice.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as the wrought-iron gates opened. “My apologies, Tonks. Unfortunately there was little opportunity as I was under a Disillusionment Charm. In any case, if you are all ready, we shall be apparating quite a distance, but I know you two are more than up to the task Harry, Miss Granger.”
Harry, Hermione, and Dora all peered at the map that Dumbledore had handed them. Then, destination firmly in mind, the lane to the village echoed with four loud pops as they all vanished.
The smell of salt was carried by the bitter wind from the blue sea stretching towards the horizon as the wizards took in the sight. The grassy bluff at the top of the cliffs looked like a nice place for a day-trip. Hermione giggled, glancing at Dora who looked stunned.
“I was just jokin’ about the seaside,” said Dora. “Still, no sand, so I suppose Voldy in swimming trunks was definitely out.”
“So this is where they brought the orphans,” Hermione mused aloud, her bushy hair billowing in the wind, the rays of the sun catching her golden highlights. “It’s a nice place for a picnic. They really did do their best to give the orphans a halfway decent life.”
“Indeed they did, Miss Granger,” Dumbledore agreed, his long silvery beard whipping over his shoulders. “It was one of the better orphanages of its day.”
“Blimey!” said Harry, peering down the craggy cliffs at the waves crashing on the rocks below as he was buffeted by the strong gusts. “How on earth did young Tom Riddle get down there with two other kids?”
“Very likely Tom climbed down with them, using magic to keep all three of them from slipping and falling to their deaths,” Dumbledore replied. “Of course we shall be apparating to one of the rocks near the entrance of the tunnel. But be careful not to slip, lest the current carry you away.”
Moments later, the foursome were clambering over slick rocks and were quickly soaked by the spray from the surging tide. One by one they dove into the icy water by the entrance of the dark crevice in the side of the cliff and swam inside, fighting the eddies which threatened to sweep them out to the sea.
The crevice eventually widened and they continued swimming until up ahead the channel appeared to rise from the water. Dumbledore stood up on solid ground. Sputtering, Harry dragged himself onto the ledge and grabbed Hermione’s arm, hauling her up alongside him; she was followed up by Dora.
“Blimey! That water is bloody freezing!” said Dora, shivering as the seawater dripped from her hair and clothes. Indeed they were all half-frozen and soggy. Hermione’s wand was already out as she performed a Drying Charm on herself.
“Harry?” she raised her eyebrows questioningly at him.
“Er... y...yes please,” said Harry, his teeth chattering, wishing now that he had read next year’s Charms textbook as well.
Harry felt a warm summer breeze and his clothes rippled, his hair fluttering as if blasted by Aunt Petunia’s electric hair-dryer. Dumbledore waited until Hermione had performed the spell and Dora had followed suit, drying herself.
Carefully, the four of them watched their footing as they traipsed across the slimy, rocky floor of the tunnel, which opened up into a larger cave.
“Yes... yes! This is the place,” said Dumbledore as he held his wand aloft, lighting up the cave.
“How can you be sure?” asked Harry.
“Ah, well, take a moment Harry to reach out with your senses. I believe your recent Occlumency training should do the trick.”
Harry and Hermione both did as they were told as Dumbledore and Dora watched, concentrating; the booming crash of waves against the cliffs faded and their skin begin to tingle, prickling, hairs rising as if with static electricity. Hermione gasped.
“I can feel it...”
“Yeah, me too,” said Harry, “the magic. A wizard definitely enchanted this place. But there’s something about it...”
“...something creepy,” said Hermione, shivering as if still wet and cold.
“It’s Dark magic, isn’t it?” Harry asked the headmaster.
“Quite so Harry.” Dumbledore nodded, and began to slowly rotate.
Harry moved forward instinctively toward a stretch of craggy wall and placed his palm on the rock.
“Sir... Professor Dumbledore, the magic feels stronger here.”
Dumbledore’s bushy eyebrows rose as he peered at Harry, looking quite impressed. He touched the wall himself.
“Very good Harry! Well done! Your finely attuned senses picked it up faster than me. This is the entrance to another chamber, concealed by magic.” Dumbledore held his hand against rocky wall for several more minutes as everyone patiently watched with bated breath. Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. “It would seem that we must make payment in blood to pass - unfortunate, but unsurprising for one such as Voldemort.”
“B...blood?” Hermione squeaked, looking shocked.
“Yes, Miss Granger.” Dumbledore nodded. “Blood rituals are a common component of many Dark magic spells.”
“Yeah... Of course. That makes sense,” Harry muttered. “Voldemort needed ‘blood of the enemy,’ to reconstitute himself. I suppose if he hadn’t had me kidnapped he would’ve been forced to take someone else who was opposed to him.”
“Quite so, Harry,” Dumbledore agreed as he retrieved a silver dagger which glinted in the wand-lights from within his robes, and placed the blade against his palm. “In any case, I shall make the payment so that we may pass...”
“Like hell you will! You’ve already got one injured hand,” snapped Dora, snatching the dagger from Dumbledore’s hand.
The headmaster looked a bit taken aback to be countermanded so forcefully. Before he could stop Dora, she had already sliced her palm and pressed it against the wall. As the blood trickled down the rocks, Dora healed her hand with her wand.
A brightly silver luminescence formed an archway in the rock-face, and the wall within the boundaries of the light shimmered and vanished, revealing an enormous cavern within. Harry, Hermione, and Dora nervously followed Dumbledore inside. Dora kept her eyes peeled for any obvious booby traps or obstacles.
The foursome crept cautiously along the edges of a large black lake, its surface glimmering in the sinister green light which appeared to be emanating from a small island in the middle. Harry clutched Hermione’s hand, reaching out with his senses, blocking the link to Voldemort within; he frowned.
“Er... I’m not sure Professor,” said Harry. “I don’t feel a horcrux in here.”
Dumbledore halted in his tracks and looked disconcerted for a moment. His bushy brows knitted in thought.
“Hmm... Be that as it may Harry, I believe that we should still investigate. Voldemort clearly intended to hide something within this chamber, and I suspect it is on the island.
“Er, yeah!” Harry agreed. “That makes sense.”
“I am glad you think so,” said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. “In any case, Voldemort must have had some means of reaching the island. Let us continue on, and keep your senses sharp, Harry... And be careful all of you - do not disturb the water.”
At that, Hermione’s eyes widened, and she peered at the still water of the lake, looking for signs of Kelpies, Sea Monsters, and Water Demons. They carefully picked their way over rocks and slimy patches of algae until Harry and Dumbledore both came to a halt again.
“There’s something here, sir, isn’t there?”
“Ah, yes indeed Harry. I believe so.” Dumbledore reached his good hand out, groping in the midair until he clasped something invisible which jangled in his grip.
He tapped his clenched fist with his wand and a chain of coppery-greenish hue became visible. Slowly, Dumbledore reeled in the chain. Hermione gasped as a tiny little boat bathed in an etheric green light rose from the depths.
“How are we all going to get across in that?” she asked. “It looks too small for more than one person.”
“‘We’ are not,” Dumbledore replied. “Though I do believe that at least one of you might accompany me...”
“Won’t two be too heavy though?” Harry asked.
“And which one of us should go with you?” asked Dora, raising one eyebrow.
“Well, my best educated guess is that Voldemort would not have considered weight, but the power of the wizard - I doubt that Voldemort would have thought an underage wizard would have made it this far. So I would suggest that you should join me, Harry...”
“Yeah, okay...” Harry began.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Dora interjected. “Look, if Harry’s the Chosen One - the one with ‘Power he knows not’ accordin’ to the Prophecy - then I don’t think the boat will hold the both of you ‘cause Harry is obviously magically powerful enough to defeat him.
“If what you’re saying is true, then I don’t think age would make any difference - only the fact of someone that Voldy believes to be as powerful as himself would make a difference...”
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully again as he considered Dora’s words. “That is a very fair point, Tonks. But then...”
“Then I should be the one to go,” said Hermione. Harry shot her an anxious look and opened his mouth to object, but Dora beat him to it.
“No! You oughta stay here with Harry,” Dora said insistently. “There’s no way I’m as powerful as Voldy or Dumbledore - so I should be alright, and you’ll be safer here if there’s any traps over there, or somethin’ in the water.”
All three of them peered at the headmaster questioningly, Dora with her eyes narrowed in a fixed glare. Finally Dumbledore seemed to reach a decision.
“Very well, Tonks it is then. If you would be so kind...” Dumbledore gestured towards the boat, indicating that Tonks should go first. Dora nodded and climbed in, and once she had settled, Dumbledore followed suit.
As the boat began moving of its own accord across the flat, glassy surface of the lake with barely a ripple, Dumbledore could be heard to say, “It would seem that your hypothesis is correct. Voldemort is quite mistaken to overestimate the value of Power above all other considerations. Clearly, you have proven more worthy than Voldemort himself...”
Harry and Hermione couldn’t see Dora’s face, but they had no doubt that she was blushing furiously at Dumbledore’s high praises. They both fidgeted anxiously as they watched the boat draw nearer to the island. Hermione kept glancing at the water, her grip on Harry’s hand tightening.
“I don’t like this Harry,” she moaned.
“Me neither,” Harry sighed.
“I’m sure there’s something horrible lurking in the water,” Hermione added. “What if something happens to Professor Dumbledore and Dora? There’s no way to rescue them.”
As Dumbledore and Dora clambered out of the boat onto the island, Harry squinted.
“I wish I could see what was going on,” he muttered.
“Oh! Of course! I can fix that, Harry,” said Hermione eagerly. “Give me your glasses.”
Looking hopeful, Harry handed Hermione his glasses.
Hermione pointed her wand at his glasses. “Oculus Augmenta,” she murmured; then she handed them back to Harry. “Try them now!”
Excitedly, Harry put his glasses back on.
“That’s brilliant Hermione!” exclaimed Harry, grinning as his vision zoomed in on the island. “This is almost as good as having Omnioculars. Where did you learn that spell?”
“Erm...” Hermione hesitated, the expression on her face slightly embarrassed, as if she didn’t want to toot her own horn. “I... er... just invented it this minute,” she squeaked.
Harry’s jaw dropped in amazement. “Are you joking?”
“No! I just applied a bit of Charms theory, focused my Intent, and used a bit of sort of Latin for the incantation. I really wasn’t sure if it would work.”
“Wow!” Harry was flabbergasted. “You’re a bloody genius Hermione!”
Hermione turned pink and bit her lip. “Thank you Harry!”
“Anyway,” she said, trying to divert Harry’s attention back to the task at hand, “now that you can see, what’s going on?”
“Er... They’re standing next to some sort of podium with a basin on top,” Harry replied. “They seem to be arguing about something - I think Dumbledore’s winning this time - Dora looks kind of put out. Now she’s dipping some sort of cup- a crystal goblet - into the basin and giving it to Dumbledore, and she really doesn’t look happy about it.
“Blimey! Dumbledore’s drinking whatever it is... Dora’s filling the cup up again...” Harry paused for a moment as he watched Dumbledore drink the second goblet of unidentifiable liquid. What the...?” Harry muttered, frowning when Dora filled the cup again. “How much of that stuff is there?”
“NO!” Harry gasped; his heart thudded against the wall of his chest in panic when Dumbledore fell to his knees. “He’s ill - something’s wrong with him - but Dora’s still making him drink that stuff...”
A scream echoed across the cavern after the fifth goblet-full.
“Oh no!” Hermione squealed, gripping Harry’s arm tightly. “Why won’t she stop?”
“I think Dumbledore told her she had to make him drink it. There must be something at the bottom of the basin - it must be the only way to get to it. Blimey! Dumbledore looks awful - he’s crying.”
Harry couldn’t bear to keep looking, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away either. Hermione bit her lip, her features anguished as her eyes filled with tears when another scream carried across the still, black surface of the lake.
“I... I think it’s over!” Harry gasped, “Oh fuck! He’s collapsed... Dumbledore’s down. Dora’s waving her wand over him...”
“Oh no! ... Oh no!” Hermione cried. “Is... is he dead?”
“Wait... wait.. He’s moving... I think he’s asking for water... Oh crap! Dora’s trying to cast an Aguamenti Charm, but it’s not working! Fuck... she’s getting water from the lake!”
And that was when all hell broke loose; the surface of the lake which had been as smooth as a mirror churned, frothing and bubbling like a cauldron boiling over. Hermione let out an ear-piercing shriek - even she could see the figures emerging from the water, silhouetted against the luminous green glow coming from the island.
There were hundreds of them, rising from the freezing depths and bursting to the surface, swimming toward the island; as they staggered to their feet, lurching, clambering over rocks, water pouring from their sodden clothes, it was more than apparent what they were.
“Inferi!” Harry shouted, wand in hand as he saw dozens of pale water-logged corpses in various states of decay already ashore staggering towards Dora and Dumbledore.
A burst of yellow-orange flame leapt from Dora’s wand, engulfing at least twenty of the Inferi, but most of the Dead were too wet to catch alight, and those which were burning lurched even closer. A number of them slipped back into the water, apparently to escape the flames, but another swarm ignored the fire as they clambered up the craggy island from the other side.
Dora sent another incendiary spell - a fireball - which exploded in their midst sending them flying, splashing back into the lake. But there were too many, and as the flames sputtered out, they kept coming.
Both shaking with terror, Harry and Hermione reacted, yelling, “Incendio... Incendio...” shooting their own fireballs across the lake towards the island. The island was too far from the rocky ledge at the side of the lake, and more of Living Dead floated to the surface, their attention caught by the fireballs plunging into the icy water around them.
“LUMOS SOLEM!” Hermione screamed as the Undead Corpses swam towards her and Harry. The cavern lit up with a burst of golden light as if the ceiling full Stalactites had opened up to let the sun in.
“Th...that should have worked,” Hermione stammered, when they kept splashing towards the shore. “They sh...should have submerged to avoid the light.”
“They must have some other sort of enchantment on them,” Harry groaned, racking his brains for another spell which might work against the Inferi while Hermione shouted, “Incendio!” again and again. At least that seemed to dissuade some of the Inferi.
“Hermione,” gasped Harry; a crazy thought had entered his head, but he was desperate to try anything at this point. “Our Patronuses!”
Hermione’s eyes, already wide with terror, turned towards Harry with obvious surprise. Patronuses were generally employed against Dementors and Lethifolds - but perhaps their light would have effects on Dark beings such as the Inferi as well.
“It’s w...worth a t...try Harry,” she said through chattering teeth. “B...but there are so m...many!”
Harry tried to ignore his fear, one arm around Hermione who was trembling like a leaf, and as one, both with their best memories - their best feelings - at the forefront of their minds, they bellowed, “EXPECTO PATRONUM!”
Hermione was astounded when the silvery light blazed - even brighter than the golden light of the Lumos Solem - illuminating the cavern with pulses of dazzling, almost blinding brilliance. Their etheric Corporeal Patronuses charged across the lake, becoming indistinct as they were swallowed up by the radiant bursts of throbbing luminosity.
Hideous shrieks filled the enormous underground chamber, emanating from the horde of Undead thrashing about in the water, sending a tidal surge splashing over the ledge which swirled around Harry and Hermione’s ankles.
The young wizard and witch could just make out the flames shooting out of the eye sockets and mouths of those Inferi nearest them, as the flesh withered and blackened, turning to ash which floated on the eddies in the roiling water, skeletal remains sinking to the bottom of the lake.
And most astonishing of all, as the pulses of Patronus light faded, the Corporeal Patronuses which had stormed the island turned around, their task completed, and padded across the surface of the lake, appearing for all the world as if they were walking on the water.
Harry and Hermione both gaped at the ethereal glowing lion and lioness before their Patronuses faded, shocked, having expected to see a stag and an otter in their stead.
- 9
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- 11
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Damaged Bridges