Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound	By : goldhorse Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 44179 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. That lucky duck JK Rowling does. I don't make any money from this fanfic. I just play with her toys and put them back in relatively good condition.

Chapter List
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“Do we have everything?” Hermione asked for the twelfth time in ten minutes. She was understandably nervous, considering their next destination.

“One more time,” Harry said with a sigh and dumped out their bag one more time. He knew that going through the checklist again was the only way to appease her. She’d done the same thing when they infiltrated the Ministry to get Slytherin’s locket from Umbridge...and that had ended in disaster as well.

“First, the cockatrice,” Hermione called.

“Mirrors and a dozen bottles with rooster crows, not to mention eau de weasel,” Melody called.

Severus frowned and walked out of the room, returning moments later with ten vials. “Essence of mandrake, just in case.”

Hermione nodded and looked at her list. “Cockatrice, check. Next up is the devil’s snare on the turret walls.”

“Sunlight spell, easy peasy,” Melody called.

“Walls, check.” Hermione marked off that item with a flourish and continued. Next is the moat.”

“I have both potions to counteract the Black Death and flesh eating tonic, enough for all of us,” Severus said and packed them in the bag.

Hermione nodded again in approval. “Moat, check. What about the drawbridge and wards?”

“One obnoxious dragon to ride upon, check,” Harry said as he lightly slapped Draco on the back.

Hermione bit back her snicker and checked it off. “Okay, so that will get us to the door. The spells?”

“All up here,” Celeste said, tapping her temple. Then she took out a notebook and threw it in the bag. “And in there, just in case.”

“Door, check. The inside?” Hermione turned expectantly.

Harmony smiled. “Ten sets of muggle night vision goggles.”

“And the Hand of Glory,” Draco said softly and produced a gnarled old hand. “Just in case.”

Hermione sighed gratefully. “That’s it…until we reach the dungeons. It’s all spell work after that.”

“Not to mention brute force,” Alex said softly. “Is everyone ready?”

“No,” Harmony said softly. “We haven’t updated our wills yet.”

Draco’s stomach plummeted to the floor. It was something that was tradition now, but it didn’t make it any less terrifying. They decided before their very first foray for the Gods that they should leave behind a will with explicit instructions on how everything should be handled in a worst case scenario. Saying it like that was less painful than saying they’d all die, but it was still in the back of their minds. Before each mission, they’d update it to include the newest accruements, be it children, property, money, or heirlooms that seemed to turn up in the oddest places. That way, their children would be taken care of.

With shaking hands, they all read over their respective wills, signed the newest date, and sent copies out in triplicate to each guardian of the children, Dumbledore, the American government, and the U.K. Ministry. They also left a copy in their home. This way, all possible bases were covered. Once that was done, they piled outside to join in the field where the blood circle used to lay. Nemesis always appeared before particularly dangerous assignments. They were never certain, but afforded her the opportunity to come nonetheless. It also gave them a chance to gather themselves.

She showed up like clockwork, a bright light and a crack sounded out. “Pure couple, phenoms, fated twins, and the good doctor…your mission tonight is a grave task indeed. We have been watching you and not even the fates can see the outcome of this one. Therefore, I have brought you a gift.”

Another crack sounded out and lightening flashed revealing a woman standing beside Nemesis. She had hair as dark as night and eyes like the sky. She held a veil in her hands.

“Fuck me,” Melody breathed. “Fortuna?”

“It is I,” the raven haired beauty said with a small bow of her head. “Normally Nemesis handles the balancing of fate on her own. However, under the current circumstances, a bit of good fortune might be needed to tip them in the correct direction. Therefore, should you find yourselves in trouble, call for me and I will lead you into the light.”

“Thank you,” Harmony said, speaking when everyone else was too dumbfounded to move.

“You are most welcome, fated twin,” Fortuna said softly.

“Good luck and be well fated ones,” Nemesis said before they flickered out with a loud booming thunder.

“Wow,” Melody said, still a bit taken aback. “Never thought I’d see Fortuna again.”

“You’ve seen her before?” Alex asked.

“Only once. You need a bit of luck to come back from the dead after all.”

“Well, that’s a happy note to begin a mission,” Alex said dryly.

Melody grinned. “Life is always happy. Anyway, how are we getting there?”

Celeste cleared her throat and held out a small black piece of paper in the shape of a wagon wheel. “I worked with Zandra for a long time to get the coordinates correct. I believe we should disillusion ourselves before we arrive. There’s only so much that Harry’s cloak can do, after all. It’ll leave us undetected for at least a few moments longer.”

“One more thing,” Severus said with a frown. He handed vials to Harry, Ginny, Harmony, and Philippe. “This potion enhances the senses, most noticeably hearing. I wish to remain as quiet as possible.”

After the potions were consumed and the proper spells were in place, the ten individuals all laid a hand on the portkey and were off with a whoosh. They landed quietly, all the occupants quite used to landing by now. The ground was marshy and smelled like sulfur and decay. Fog seemed to roll over them, making the disillusionment flicker as it hit them.

“No detection spells,” Melody muttered under her breath. “Strange.”

A quick silencing charm later, the group took out their mirrors and moved as one toward the direction of the dark castle looming ahead. They each had two mirrors, one to look ahead, the other to reflect off of it in case the cockatrice happened upon them. If it was anything like the basilisk, it was silent while hunting. Before they knew it, they were at the moat, careful not to touch the edges.

‘Something doesn’t feel right,’ Draco thought to his wife. ‘It shouldn’t be this easy.’

‘I know. I can’t help but feel that we missed something.’

Draco was stopped from bending to get a closer look at the ground by a soft hand on his shoulder. He felt a privacy bubble being erected around their group.

“You’re right,” Harmony breathed. “There are several of them…all waiting for us to make a move.”

“Shit,” Melody hissed, her eyes wide. “There’s more than that. There’s a glamour up…almost as powerful as you know what.”

“How many is it hiding?” Severus asked tersely.

Melody gulped. “Oh, maybe a dozen…for each of us?”

“Oh you have got to be shitting me,” Alex said with a modicum of dread.

“Uh uh,” Melody said helplessly. “But they aren’t right.”

“What do you mean not right?” Philippe asked.

“They’re-“

“Oh my goddess,” Harmony gasped, interrupting Melody. “They’re the creations. They’ve been…broken.”

“Broken?” Severus asked softly.

“Like little brainwashed zombies,” Melody said sadly. “No thoughts at all. They…they are a lost cause…every last one.”

“Oh Gods,” Ginny said, her breath hitching. “We have to…oh no. How old are they?”

“Best not to think on it,” Melody croaked. “There are three cockatrices though. Keep at the ready.”

“They aren’t going to move until we do,” Harmony said gravely.

“But we need Draco to get over,” Harry said worriedly. “He’ll be a sitting duck.”

“Not if he’s blind,” Melody said. “Draco, keep your eyes firmly shut and enter Hermione’s mind to see. Hermione, you keep looking through the mirrors. Don’t let yourself stray. We’ll try and get them all with the crows but we’ll draw fire.”

“We’ll shield,” Harry said.

“On three,” Severus said softly. “The faster we move, the better.”

Draco was supremely glad in that moment that he could transform in seconds. The quicker he was, the faster they could get across the moat and ward boarders. On three, he crouched down and transformed, counting the dips he felt in his back to make sure he got everyone. He screwed his eyes shut and focused on Hermione’s thoughts before jumping into the air and gliding across. He could feel the magic tingling around him, threatening to pull his charges away from him.

He flew up so high the air started thinning before curling his wings around his passengers and diving through the wards. His wings would take the brunt of the spells, leaving them relatively unharmed. He pulled up at the last possible second, happy to be within the borders of the wards. He could sense the cockatrices not too far away, the scent of brimstone burning his sensitive nose. It would be better to fight them from the ground.

He landed as gently as he could and waited impatiently for everyone to scramble off his back before transforming back, his eyes still squeezed firmly shut. Only when he felt two mirrors placed in his hands did he open them. The cockatrices were close, their scaly tails showing up in the mirror. Thankfully, the disillusionment charms held and they were still invisible to the monsters who looked rather confused. All three were out and about, looking and sniffing around. They started snapping at the air.

“Now,” Melody snapped.

They all summoned a bottle with a rooster crow in it. Draco took care to get the bottle with the weasel scent in it as well…just in case. They waited a few seconds before they threw the bottles, cracking them open on the ground and launching a cacophony of rooster crows. The cockatrices seemed to writhe around in pain, each subsequent crow weakening their bodies. Yet, they were still marching forward. This time, horrible cries filled the air and the smell of sulfur overwhelmed them.

Ginny coughed and gagged, falling to the ground. In her haste to grab a fresh breath of air, she caught one of the cockatrice’s eyes in her mirror. She immediately went rigid and fell, the disillusion spell melting away as she lie still as death. Harry threw his cloak on top of her, trying desperately to keep his head. Draco threw the weasel scent out of desperation and was pleased when they stumbled further away.

Melody cursed a blue streak and summoned the last two bottles of crows. Handing one to Alex, they waited a beat before throwing them. The bottles shattered against the monsters’ scales. The crows seemed to echo off the walls and encompass the enraged abominations. With a grand show of twitching, the three cockatrices fell into a heap on each other, not a breath between them.

“Ginny,” Severus breathed and whipped the invisibility cloak off of her. He summoned a bottle of mandrake juice out of their bag and carefully tipped it down her throat. Her eyes fluttered open, causing everyone to let out a breath they didn’t know they were holding.

“That was easier than I thought it’d be,” Alex said a bit cautiously.

“Still too close for comfort,” Harry said quietly.

“And we have the army next,” Melody cut in. “They might not be so easy to defeat.”

“They’re just standing there,” Celeste said in frustration.

“No they aren’t.” Severus said slowly. “Look at their eyes.”

Hermione took a good long look at the opposition facing them. They looked wild, feral even, and yet strangely blank. Their eyes were darting back and forth from the now dead cockatrices to the place where the phenoms were standing. It was obvious they knew where they were but not what to think about that.

“Their brains are fried,” Harmony said softly. “It’s pure instinct and orders now.”

“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Ginny asked desperately. “Some of them aren’t any older than Lily.”

“I’m afraid not,” Harmony said sadly. “There is no hope left for them. If we don’t destroy them, they’ll be used to destroy others. It is a dead end fate, no alternatives.”

“That’s horrible,” Hermione croaked and then resigned herself to their charge. Fate was never kind to them, not really. They were tools and they knew it. They all had blood on their hands, most of it at the request of fate. She only hoped they would be so kind when this life ended.

“Come on then, best hit them before their maker orders a charge,” Melody said gravely.

“Wait,” Celeste cried. “Remember what Whorple said about monitoring magical strength? You don’t think that’s the purpose of this, do you?”

Melody shook her head. “No. There are no monitoring spells.”

“Still,” Draco said with a frown. “Best to use wands.”

“Your call,” Melody said and drew her mesquite wand.

“Which curse?” Ginny asked.

“They’re like super humans,” Melody said with a frown. “Their mortality is their one weakness.”

“I’m not casting the killing curse,” Harry said darkly.

“No one is asking you to,” Severus snapped. “There are other…decidedly dark curses we can use that aren’t unforgivables.”

“And they all result in death,” Harry snapped.

“You think we have a choice?” Draco asked darkly. He was already tired of Harry’s hero complex. He had taken an oath as both a doctor and a healer not to do any harm and he still wouldn’t hesitate to end the lives of those unfortunate souls. The thought made him decidedly sick but there was no choice.

“I’ve got it,” Melody said softly. “Cast a finite and then an electric shock.”

“End the link to whoever is controlling them and stop their heart,” Philippe said softly.

“They’re so weak without their master, it wouldn’t take but once,” Melody said sadly.

“Something tells me this isn’t right,” Ginny said.

“It’s not right,” Harmony said softly. “It’s most definitely some sort of test or puzzle. I just can’t see why.”

“Will you walk into my parlor said the spider to the fly,” Melody said ominously. “Tis the prettiest little parlor that you ever did spy.”

“Doesn’t’ matter,” Draco said softly. “The longer we wait out here, the longer they can study us.”

“Agreed,” Severus said and pulled his wand.

Resigned to their fate, everyone else followed suit and cast a powerful wave finite spell they’d been perfecting for years. It ended every spell within a kilometer radius of its cast. Once it hit the half-werewolf army, it left them blinking in confusion and scratching their heads. A second later, they all cast the shockwave spell.

It was like watching paper being crumpled in slow motion. The wave hit the army and caused them to crumble to their knees. Then their eyes widened, their faces going ashy, body shaking until they finally fell forward, never to move again. Melody had been right. They weren’t strong enough to resist a simple shock to the heart. It was a low level spell, one that any healthy individual could recover from and more than once had encouraged a heart to beat again. This time, the victims weren’t so lucky.

Once their enemy was felled, they flew across the ground as fast as they could go. A shaken Celeste had arrived before them and was already reciting the proper spells. When the door clicked open, it was black as tar. They all took a hesitant step inside and jumped as the door slammed shut behind them. They felt the disillusion spell fall but it didn’t matter now. No one could see them anyhow.

“Now what?” Harry asked.

“The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, and I've a many curious things to show when you are there,” Melody breathed.

“So how do we see the stairs?” Ginny asked, figuring that Melody’s weird recital was her way of coping.

“I can see them,” Celeste breathed. “Must be part of the spell.”

“So can I,” Melody cut in. “But that’s for a different reason. Anyone else?”

“Give me a second,” Draco muttered and dug around in the bag for a moment before pulling out the gnarled hand. The inside of the castle came into focus immediately. “Got it.”

“Everyone else don the muggle gear,” Melody ordered.

While the others were busy taking out the night vision goggles, Draco took the opportunity to look around. They were standing in a circular entryway which looked to be a grand sight back in its time. The floors were marble, an oddity for a castle that was normally made of stone. The walls had been painted once upon a time. He couldn’t tell what color since everything was in sepia tones, but he could see places where the paint had peeled. Directly ahead of them lay a marble staircase, a giant spiral one with wrought iron hand rails baring intricate scrollwork, vines and flowers. It would have been lovely in its time.

To the right and left were archways leading deeper into the castle. He could make out a sitting room on one side with ornate couches. The other side contained a small tea room complete with china place settings for tea. He didn’t dare stray any further without the group. Instead, he peered up the staircase as far as he could. It looked to be at least three levels tall but he guessed it was closer to seven or eight. Khrones, while smaller than Hogwarts, looked to be the same height. He wondered if this staircase moved as well. If Melody could see it, then it had to have been erected with magic.

‘I have a horrible feeling about this,’ Hermione thought to him, startling him a bit. He reached out and took her under his arm.

‘Me too love, me too.’

‘Stay close?’

‘As if you could pry me away.’

Hermione sighed and snuggled further into him. She hated the muggle night vision goggles. They were large, clunky, and uncomfortable. Still, even if everything was green, she could see. It seemed that magical darkness didn’t keep muggle technology at bay. It was the first comfort she’d been offered. She was afraid she would need to share vision with Draco, which was troublesome as she could only see from his perspective if they separated.

“Everyone ready?” Melody asked.

“Ready,” the group answered as a whole.

“Remember,” Melody warned, her voice slightly hoarse. “No heroes among us. If one gets caught, the others keep going.”

They knew the rules quite well. It wasn’t one they wanted to follow but it was one Nemesis insisted on them following. She’d told them long ago that they were to complete the mission at all costs. Only after completion could they return to find fallen comrades. It was a harsh rule but one they were sworn to obey. After all, Nemesis might be the goddess of destiny, but she was also in favor of fairness and they were pushing it as it was. Cutting their strings wouldn’t make her blink twice. They played by her rules or they didn’t play at all.

Draco snorted and gave a bitter reply. “Who could forget?”

“Just a precaution,” Harmony said sadly.

“Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain, for who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again,” Melody sighed.

“I really hate that poem,” Severus said gravely.

“Fitting though,” Harmony said. “Stick close.”

The group traveled more like a herd upstairs than a bunch of seasoned warriors. No one was willing to lose contact with the others though. It was disconcerting enough to have to result to muggle technology to be able to see. Knowing they were walking into some sort of trap was worse. It wasn’t the first time they’d been cornered but it was the first time they didn’t have full advantage.

“How far do we go up before we go down?” Severus asked.

Celeste sighed. “Up three flights, down a hall fifty paces, down two flights, around three corners, and then down another two flights.”

“And how did you gather that?” Philippe asked.

“I asked Zandra to let me in her mind. It was…horrible… for both of us but I learned the pattern.”

“Thank Merlin you did,” Alex said softly, “or we’d be wandering around in here forever.”

“Does anyone else feel like we’re being watched?” Ginny asked.

“Don’t worry, we most definitely are,” Melody said dryly.

“Oh, good to know I’m not crazy,” Ginny muttered back.

“That’s debatable Red,” Draco teased.

“She is a Weasley,” Harry joined in.

Somehow, ribbing each other seemed to calm them. They kept it up until they reached the third floor where the stairs seemed to run into a wall. Celeste pointed to the right and they inched forward. It dead ended at a lavishly decorated bedroom complete with a canopy bed and silks. However, it all looked long since used, dust gathering on the faded sheets. The curtains surrounding the bed were decayed and hanging by threads.

Melody shook her head. "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed, said the Spider to the Fly. There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin, And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in! Oh no, no, said the little Fly, for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

“Truer words never spoken,” Severus said darkly.

“Come on then, down the stairs,” Celeste said, obviously spooked.

“Where exactly are the stairs?” Harry asked.

“In the spider’s bedroom,” Melody said in irritation. “Weren’t you listening?”

“Why are you speaking in riddles?” Harry growled.

“Actually, it’s poetry,” Melody said. “But listen to the words Potter. I’m not repeating them for my health.”

Now curious as to Melody’s reasons, the band of wizards ran through the bedroom and into the back corner where there was another flight of stairs. Not wanting to dally any longer, they practically ran down two flights. Celeste threw her hand up when they started to go down another.

“No, we go three rights, at twenty, forty, and sixty paces.”

“Wouldn’t that put us going left?” Harry asked.

“It does, but we’ll be in another wing entirely by that point.”

“Why not just turn around,” Ginny asked.

Draco snorted. “I don’t fancy getting lost, do you?”

“Suppose not,” Ginny mumbled and started counting her paces.

The first two halls were lined with paintings, or what used to be paintings. They all looked like they either had thick black paint covering them or had turpentine thrown on them. Either way, they were silent as the grave. The frames were overly ornate with carvings of Gods and Goddesses and what looked to be precious stones. They had plaques under them depicting the subject, all members of the Khrone family along with dates from as early as the 1200’s. The last portrait had the names of Vanguard and Marguerite smeared in what looked like blood. They all shivered at that revelation.

“Fourty,” Celeste called. Beside the painting was a room. It resembled a kitchen but it only contained counters and a wood burning stove.

“Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, Dear friend what can I do, To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you? I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice; I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice? Oh no, no, said the little Fly, kind Sir, that cannot be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

“Melody,” Severus growled.

“No, look,” Harry said and pointed at the back of the kitchen. Sure enough, there was a small passageway. “Any bets on how long that is?”

“Let’s go,” Alex said and started strolling cautiously through the room. “Love, is there a reason you’re reciting a very creepy poem you read when you were young?”

Melody sniffled. “It’s a very recent reading.”

“Mother fucker,” Harmony hissed. “It’s etched.”

“Afraid so.”

No one dared to ask for a clarification, just in case someone was listening in on their conversation. Besides, they didn’t need one. The poem was somehow woven into the magical spells on the castle. Realizing that the end of the poem was not a happy one, each couple stepped even closer together.

Sixty paces later, they were facing a large mirror. It didn’t look magical but there were no reflections in it. It could have been from the spell but they seriously doubted that. There weren’t any stairs either, just a wall. Celeste had clearly said down another two flights. Dumbfounded for a moment, they all helplessly turned to a now quietly sobbing Melody.

“Sweet creature! said the Spider, you're witty and you're wise, How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! I've a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf, If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself. I thank you, gentle sir, she said, for what you 're pleased to say, And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day.”

“Looking glass?” Harmony asked. “As in, through the looking glass.” Then she stepped through the mirror, which fuzzed out to reveal another staircase. This one looked more ominous. Made from heavy stone, it weaved back and forth with no rails to hold onto.

Once everyone was through, Melody cleared her throat. She was obviously more disturbed by the next verse. “The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den, For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again: So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly. Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing, Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing; Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

“Wands at the ready,” Harmony said softly when they reached the last stop before they would hit the dungeon. In fact, they could see light again.

Draco put the Hand of Glory in his pocket and despite the world being grey again, he could see quite well “Goggles off,” he commanded. He was about to continue on when Melody whimpered.

“Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by; With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue -- Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast. He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, Within his little parlor -- but she ne'er came out again!”

“That’s not going to happen,” Severus said gravely.

“Because?” Melody asked, her voice thready.

“Because we aren’t thinking only of ourselves... and we’ll be doing the grabbing.”

On that note, the ten charged down the stairs. The sight that met them was something out of a horror novel. It hadn’t been this bad in Zandra’s memories. Instead of a few prisoners in each cell, they were filled with dozens of naked and dirty children, most younger than Lily. The worst part was that a large percentage of them were dead, lying in broken heaps with large glassy eyes staring sightless into the abyss.

The ones who weren’t dead were huddled towards the back, whimpering or rocking back and forth stoically in an effort to comfort themselves. A few were reaching around to the walls in between where several of the older children were strung up in manacles. They looked to be freshly tortured, bright red rivulets of blood pouring out from wounds all over their bodies. They were too weak to do anything but hang there.

“This isn’t right,” Philippe breathed. “Where are the guards?”

No sooner had he spoke when a dozen jets of green light came hurdling toward them. They had no choice but to throw up a blocking spell. The first guard’s eyes could only widen in surprise before he was struck down with the rebounded curse. The others behind him scattered, throwing hexes as fast as they could flick their wands.

They continued fighting, picking them off quickly and forcing them back further into the alcove they came running from. They had to hurry it up. There was no telling when the other occupants of the castle would decide to descend upon them. As soon as the thought ran through their head, eerie green mists oozed from the walls.

“Split!” Severus barked.

At once, they peeled off into groups. He, Melody, Alex, and Celeste charged into the fray, throwing blocks up and taking down the Master’s men as quickly as they could. More and more seemed to be materializing from absolutely nowhere. Draco and Hermione sent a powerful stunner out, immobilizing them. The four then set their sights on the Rakshasas that were coming out of hiding. Alex and Melody challenged them to a duel as Severus quickly banished a demon that appeared behind him.

Harry, Ginny, Harmony, and Philippe began freeing the children from their bonds, beginning with those strung up on the outside. They’d be the easiest to get to. Since the bars were magic resistant, they each had a set of lock picks. It was a good thing they’d trained earlier. They ushered the children into the stair well, each taking turns guarding them from the spirits of the castle.

Draco and Hermione saw to it that everyone was fine before they tore off for the experimentation room. It was a room that had haunted their dreams ever since they’d witnessed Zandra’s memories. They still had a mission to fulfill: get the books. Luckily, the room wasn’t too far from the cell block. It was an exact mockup of the hospital-like lab at Voldemort’s castle.

They took a moment to look over everything in the lab. The manacles had fresh blood and hair on them, evidence of a recent turning. It didn’t make any sense though. The full moon wasn’t for another few weeks. Why would they try and turn more when the moon was the key? Were they really that bloodthirsty to try it without that?

They flew over to the podium and quickly breezed through the books with wands, not wanting to touch them just in case. When they found the one with phenom information, they carefully warded it, shrunk it, and put it in a magic cancelling case they’d thought to take with them. This book might be different from all the others and they’d need to see the notes if there were any. The other books, notes, diagrams, and several of the necklaces were quickly scooped into another bag with a warded lining before being spelled to fit snugly into their pockets.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

Draco and Hermione spun around, wands pointed in the direction of the deep voice. A cloaked figure approached slowly from a darkened corner, his gait smooth and steady. He wasn’t the least bit affected by being held at wandpoint. He chuckled as they steadied their shaking wands.

“You know, that Melody woman is quite clever. That’s why I wanted her though. She discovered the secret of the labyrinth, a muggle child’s poem. Too bad she didn’t get a chance to reach the end. Shall I enlighten you?”

The figure let out a deranged laugh and stepped into the dim light, close enough to detect that he was as tall as Draco. He carried a cane with a suspiciously familiar silver snake head on it. It made their blood run cold but they refused to cower.

“Who are you?”

“All in good time.” As his voice washed over them, they felt a distinct feeling that they’d met before. “And now dear little children, who may this story read, To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed: Unto an evil counselor, close heart and ear and eye, And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.”

Draco couldn’t help his snort. “Yes, yes, a lovely little poem. Your point?”

“I would have thought that clear by now,” the figure said smoothly, reaching up to lower his hood. “Never take the bait.”

Draco and Hermione’s hearts stopped as the mysterious figure’s face came into light.

AN: Dun dun DUN! MUAHAHAHAHA! How do you like them apples? So, I'm feeling much better. Thanks for your well wishes. I wish I could say the same for my family, but beggars can't be choosers. As always, thanks to everyone for your amazing reviews. They really make my day. Keep them coming, let me know how I'm doing, and if you find any errors. Until next time...love you guys!

Oops, forgot. The poem Melody recites (in italics) is "The Spider and the Fly" by Mary Howitt
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Fooling Fate *sequel to Bound*

Fooling Fate sequel to Bound