something different

part twenty-one

"Oh, yes, sir!" Dobby grinned. "One is on the grounds hiding until coast is clear."

"We have someone out there," Harry nodded. "Remus will smell him."

"Yes, Mr. Wolfie is good at that," Dobby smiled. "Oh, one is in down below."

"The dungeons?" asked Ginny. Dobby nodded. "Dad will get that one. Any more?"

"Yes, Mrs. Ginny. The bad teacher who looks like a bat is up on the seventh floor in the Come and Go Room. If he locks it you can't get in, but Dobby can."

"Then, by all means, Dobby, lead the way," Sirius grinned at the little house-elf.

"Yes, sir!"

In a matter of minutes, they were standing outside a large oak set of double doors. Sirius tried the door, but couldn't open it. He nodded at Dobby, who disappeared with a pop. There was a click just before the doors opened. Dobby grinned as he waved them in.

"Holy Mother of Merlin," Sirius breathed as they looked around the room.

Piles upon piles of things were stacked in long aisles that stretched farther than any of them could see. The piles of junk were mountainous and comprised of everything imaginable. Ancient things were mixed with newer things all heaped and cluttered around the room. Swords with what looked like rust, but Harry was sure wasn't, were strewn about with all manner of other weapons. Harry suddenly had an uneasy feeling as he looked at the center aisle.

"Dobby, wait here. If Snape comes back this way, stun him," Sirius ordered in a whisper. "Take an aisle, send each other a message if you spot him. I'll send Dobby to you if I see him." Harry and Ginny nodded as they split up.

Sirius had been walking for at least five minutes when he spotted movement ahead of him. He whispered for Dobby. The little elf didn't appear, just tapped Sirius on the leg to stay quiet. Sirius told him to get Harry and Ginny. Dobby tapped his leg again. As Sirius moved forward, his waistcoat caught on a protruding arrow, ripping loudly. Sirius cursed as he ducked a reddish-purple spell.

"Give it up, Snivillis! There's no way out of here!"

"Arrogant as always, Black," Snape shouted before the things above Sirius exploded.

Debris rained down around Sirius as he lunged forward. He looked up to see Snape climbing the pile of junk toward the center of the room, toward where Harry and Ginny were. Sirius fired a Tripping jinx, making Snape slide about ten feet down the pile on his face and stomach. Snape sent another Reductor at Sirius, hitting the pile just behind him as he flung himself into a front roll. He came out of the roll firing Bludgeoning curses at Snape, but Snape was scrambling up the side of the pile again. By the time Sirius corrected his aim, Snape was over the top of it. Sirius cursed again and started climbing.

Harry felt drawn to the aisle he was cautiously walking down. It was like his scar was attracted to something in the room. Ginny felt his unease and was trying to send him comforting thoughts. The problem was the feeling was just too strong to shake off. He realized that it was the same feeling he had about the diary and the locket. He cursed under his breath. Harry slowly rounded a large cabinet that looked vaguely familiar. He saw a broken table with three legs supported by a large stake of books for the fourth leg.

The tabletop was covered with several odd and hideous looking things, including a bust with a face somewhere between a Goblin and Hagrid. It was repulsive. There was an old grey box sitting beside it. It was the box Harry felt pulled to. Harry approached it slowly, wand raised. He slowly opened the box, and Harry's scar exploded in pain.

The same time Harry cried out, he vaguely heard spell-fire being exchanged from his left. Harry tried to fight the pain as he grabbed for the lid to close the box, but the thing inside it jumped, unbidden, into his hand. Harry collapsed in pain, trying to throw the tiara thing away from him. He heard someone crashing down the pile to the floor, but couldn't see who it was through the table.