Oh God! It's been far too long i'm so sorry! But I am alive and I think although this chapter is kinda boring in my opinion its an important one. We have reached the half way mark in the story may the next update be more swift than this!!
Disclaimer: Come on I wish...
Reviewers:
SHocked!: Thanx for the review! The next chapter is here despite the long wait you've had for it! Thanx so much for the feed back! Now on with the story!
Anon: Thanx for the review! The long wait for an update is simply because i havent had the time for any of my fanfics and so i'm only just getting round to updating them all i hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Now with nothing more to say here is chapter 12!
Dumbledore's Secret
Chapter Twelve: Help on the horizon
Harry was setting a gruelling pace tearing through the forest. He knew that Draco was possibly flagging but he didn't care after that performance in the woods he knew he had to put as much distance between them and the Death Eaters as was humanly possible.
"Harry you have to slow down!" Draco called. He could see that Harry was struggling and was sure that Harry was still hurt from his time in the dungeons. "We can't slow down Malfoy!" Harry said looking back. "The Death Eaters are likely to be all over the place. We need to get away from here. Voldemort won't be happy we have escaped him."
"BUT WE HAVEN'T ESCAPED HIM!" Draco exploded his doubts plagued him again. "We can't out run him Harry it's just impossible!" Harry turned and stopped. He hadn't realised how much this was probably costing Draco. He could see the fear in the Slytherin's eyes and the disbelief at what was happening to him.
Harry was afraid of course he was, he would be stupid not to be afraid he had been in this situation often enough now to know what it could mean. But he also knew that he had to fight. He knew that he couldn't let Voldemort win.
Not if he could help it. He would not let that happen. He knew that even if he didn't have the Prophecy hanging over his head that he would want him gone because of all the fear and pain he had caused people.
And so Dumbledore had taught him that he still had the choice and it was his choices that were driving him forward. He looked at Malfoy and went and put his hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Draco you have to believe we have to get out of here. I know what Voldemort is and what he can do more than anyone and I want him gone. We can beat him but you have to believe that you can."
Draco looked at Harry he looked to be on the verge of collapse but there was an aura of power that seemed to be pulsing round him. "How can you been so sure?" Draco asked. "Because I've escaped him before. And now I think I can do it again and I know if I can I'm going to get rid of him."
"Don't give up now Draco it's what he wants. We can't give up now besides if he catches us now we're both as good as dead. We have to keep moving I'll drag you all the way if I have too."
Then as if proving he would keep his word Harry physically tugged at Draco's arm and pulled him along with him. "We have to stop soon we can't keep going at this pace. You can't keep going at this pace." "When I think we've gone far enough we'll stop." Harry snapped.
He was very aware that they were in the wide open and Voldemort could be tracking them at the very moment and though he knew it was making him extremely paranoid he couldn't help think that It was a good thing. They had to keep moving.
He was not about to die now. Not when he had just managed to get the hell out of there.
When he fought Voldemort he was going to do it on his terms and he was going to make Voldemort come to him he was sick of being thrown into a fight he was in no way ready for.
More than a hundred miles away Herminone and Ron were pacing the headmaster's office telling Dumbledore everything they could possibly remember to try and give a clue, any clue to where Harry could have gone. Herminone was physically shaking from the effort not to cry. This was worse than when Harry had disappeared without a trace in fourth year.
It was worse because now they all knew the true danger of what Harry was likely to be facing and it scared both Ron and Herminone more than they could explain.
"I can't remember anything else!" Herminone finally exploded losing the battle to keep her tears in check. Ron hugged her tightly as the tears slid down her face. "Miss Granger," Dumbledore said gently. "You've helped us more than you know already so thank-you." "You have to find him professor." Herminone said desperately. "I have every intention of doing that Miss. Granger."
Herminone buried her head in Ron's shoulder. "I can't believe I didn't see him coming. I can't believe this is happening again! Hasn't Harry been through enough?" She sobbed while Ron simply hugged her and tried to control his own emotions.
At that point Beck and Myra appeared again and Hermione had to bite her tongue so not to verbally attack her and Ron's arms tightened around her proving that he was terrified she'd attack her. But she knew she wouldn't. Not now. She just wanted to find Harry and if Myra and Beck could do that then she would put up with her presence if it were only for that reason.
"We think we found their trail Dumbledore." Beck was the first to speak and Hermione was thankful for that as it gave her chance to haul in her emotions before she was required to think coherently or speak her thoughts.
"Where?" Dumbledore said sharply. "One hundred miles south of the castle. As far as I can tell it's a moving trail and a fast paced one at that." "Harry." Herminone whispered unable to keep silent any longer. "He's alive." She whispered. "So it would seem." Beck said gently. "We have to help him." She said. "We have to help him. Here. Now." "Hermione we can't!" Myra snapped looking distraught at the idea but not backing down either.
"And why the hell not?" Hermione said getting in Myra's face despite Ron's attempts to make sure she didn't. "Because my senses tell me that Death Eaters are in the vicinity and for the moment Harry is safest moving through the trees. The slightest magical disturbance could trip an alarm the area surrounding the boys are riddled with them" Beck said running a hand impatiently through his hair.
"In case you haven't noticed," He said sternly. "Myra and I are not wizards and out core magical reserve closer to the surface than yours if I was to get Harry now I could put him in more danger and draw the Death Eaters right to him before I got the chance to get him out!" "Then what the hell good are you?" Hermione screamed.
"We were here to make sure the school was safe against an attack and find the mole in the school." Myra snapped. "But thanks to the fact we've had to look after Harry as well we didn't find the mole in time and the school was attacked. "Yeah and Harry had to defend it." Hermione snapped. "And how did you repay him? He was snatched right out from under our noses! Now he's out there and he might die but that's not enough! No you still can't go and get him because you think that if you do the disturbance could kill him before you get to him. It isn't good enough!"
"Hermione!" Dumbledore said at last. Herminone stared at Dumbledore. "There is no one more worried about Harry than me but we have to be patient. For the moment Harry is out of our reach."
"Sir can you do nothing?" She asked desperately. "For the moment it is up to Harry and I shouldn't have to remind you that Harry has proven himself worthy where many wizards have failed. Beck will track him and once we can get within range Myra and Beck will go and get him out."
"Do you trust them?" Hermione asked throwing doubtful looks at the two immortals. "I do Hermione." Dumbledore said folding his hands. "And for the moment I need you too to."
Hermione nodded and because she trusted Dumbledore and knew he would never put Harry in danger if he could help if she did as he asked and pt her trust in the immortals.
Dumbledore looked at Myra and Beck, "Go to Harry's last known location and trace him back from there. Use glamour and twist your magic levels Voldemort has an uncanny ability to know things before we wish him too."
Myra knew all this but she didn't mind Dumbledore reminding her of it. In fact she felt like she needed the guidance, everything had gone so wrong since she had come here she was starting to wonder if it had actually been a good idea to come in the first place.
Dumbledore looked at her. "The consequences of you not being here could have been much worse. You helped Harry believe in himself and you're going to help him again."
Myra nodded and then she and Beck disappeared intent on correcting their mistakes while Ron ad Hermione were left to deal with the fall out of losing their friend all over again.
Harry was hurting he knew he had to get away but even he didn't know how much more of this pace he could take. "Harry!" Draco called grabbing his arm. "We have to stop! For Merlin's sake stop!"
The touch had Harry spinning round and standing off with Draco his eyes wide and wild. Draco backed off a step and it took a moment for Harry to realise that it was Draco he was seeing and not another threat. "Sorry." Harry said quietly.
He rubbed his arm as Draco let go. They both collapsed against a tree Harry breathing hard. Draco looked at him. He didn't look good. "Harry what is it?"
"We're gonna have to fight again!" Harry whispered. "I don't think I can."
Draco looked at Harry and realised how gaunt he looked his green eyes were dead and his breathing was harsh. "How do you know that?" Draco asked looking at Harry in amazement.
"I just do." Harry said quietly. Draco continued to stare at Harry but if he had learned anything in this short space of time it was that he didn't dare distrust Harry's judgement it had kept them alive and he had to be thankful for that.
But he also wondered whether Harry could withstand another attack he was weakening and it didn't take a genius to see that. "What can I do to help you?" Draco asked taking in Harry's pale face and heavy breathing. "Keep going and help me get us out of here." Harry said quietly.
Draco didn't quite know what to say to that so he did the best thing he could and nodded hoping that he could keep his promise. Harry had quite frankly saved his life he just hoped that he was brave enough to return the favour.
"I'll do what I can." Draco said softly. Harry smiled. "Thank-you." At that moment Harry's head snapped round and his eyes narrowed. "Get ready." Draco went pale. "Again? Harry we can't fight again. Both of us are not strong enough!"
"We'll do what's needed Draco." Harry said staggering to his feet seat dripping from his body and his teeth gritted to ward off the exhaustion he was feeling.
"I'll do what I need too to keep us safe." Harry said looking around the place they had stopped and immediately thinking about how he could make it safer. "At least until someone has the brains to come and get us though I'm really not sure when that will be just now."
Draco looked at Harry surveying the area and knew what he was doing he just didn't see how they could use any more magic Draco was exhausted and he knew Harry had to be worse because he had used more magic and had lost sleep since his capture at Malfoy Manor.
"I haven't got the energy to do anything magical." Harry said looking round the clearing and for the moment I think that's probably a good thing. Draco nodded. If Death Eaters were in the vicinity then it was likely a magical signature would make them aware of their presence.
"I agree." Draco said softly looking around. They still needed a place to hide, that didn't change. But before they could even move they heard movement in the undergrowth and Harry motioned for Draco to get behind him and move into the shadow and under the plantation it was brilliant but it was the best they had for the moment.
Harry had his wand pointed in the direction he was sure they were coming and Draco pulled his wand and pointed it in that direction as well though he knew that if it came down to another duel he didn't think he'd survive it this time.
There was another snap and Draco felt Harry tense beside him. "It's a Death Eater." "How do you know?" Draco asked. "I don't know but you're gonna have to trust me." Harry gripped his wand tighter sure enough three hooded Death Eaters came into the clearing and Draco shrank back inspite of himself.
He couldn't go back now, he knew what happened to traitors he had made his choice and if Voldemort, his father or any other Death Eater got hold him for making that choice he knew Death would be a blessing.
"Stay still." Harry said gently barely moving his lips. Draco could see he was shaking from exhaustion but his wand remained steady and then without warning a jet of red light shot out of Harry's wand and hit a Death Eater squarely in the chest. Harry had moved to the second before the Death Eaters had time to react but he wasn't so lucky with the third a green beam blasted through the under growth just missing his shoulder he flattened himself on the grass taking aim again.
This time Draco was ready and his spell combined with Harry's as they winged across the clearing and hit the Death Eater in back. Harry didn't even wait he broke cover and began moving again and Draco had no choice but to follow.
"They'll be attracted to that spot now we've got to move again." Harry dashed into the trees exhaustion marring his every movement they sprinted as fast as they were able though in reality they were probably no more than fast walking and eventually they collapsed by an old oak tree to tried to keep going.
Harry fell to his hands and knees and retched. He knew they couldn't keep this up they'd drop from exhaustion sooner rather than later at this rate but this was the only chance they had. They had to keep moving. They had too.
This time it was Draco that heard the movement and was on his feet with his wand pointed around him though he couldn't figure out which direction the sounds were coming from he knew it was foot falls though and that could only mean one thing.
Death Eaters.
Harry heard them too and he couldn't tell whether it was friendly or not. He couldn't tell whether he needed to fight he was just too tired. He felt Draco move to stand in front of him and felt gratitude for the blonde something he thought he would never feel not in a million years.
He struggled to his feet half blind from the pain that was now consuming him but he wouldn't let Draco stand alone. He pulled his wand and waited. The noise stopped and Draco and Harry turned their heads at the same time to try and listen but everything had gone quiet. There were animals moving around in the forest but nothing to suggest they had been disturbed yet Harry couldn't help think there was something wrong with that.
It was then a hand touched his shoulder and he spun already firing off a spell when he turned and faced his opponent he recognised his mistake.
Myra simply brushed the spell aside and looked at Harry. "We thought we were never going to catch up with you." She said softly as Beck stepped out of the undergrowth. Harry's legs almost gave out with relief.
He was safe.
"Thought you were never going to get here." He slurred and then the pain and exhaustion that he had been keeping at bay consumed him and he welcomed the numbing black abyss that unconsciousness brought him.