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𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬/𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.
Death twitches my ear; 'Live,' he says...'I'm coming
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"...AND YOU LET HIM TEACH HERE AND HE TOLD VOLDEMORT TO GO AFTER MY MUM AND DAD!"
The yell belonged to Harry.
He was shouting at Professor Dumbledore, and Addy was overwhelmed by the amount of his anger she felt. It swept her like wind would do to tumbleweeds, making a comeback stronger than a ninety's trend.
Both Addy and Harry were in the headmaster's office, preparing for their journey to find the horcrux Dumbledore claimed to know the location of. On their way there, they had run into Professor Trelawney, who had gone onto one of her rants, and somehow managed to explain how Snape rudely interrupted her interview with Dumbledore to get the teaching position.
Harry put the pieces together, realizing that Snape had eavesdropped on Trelawney making the prophecy that defined his life. And he described his findings to Voldemort, which led to the end of Lily and James Potter.
"He hated my dad! How can you be sure Snape's on our side." Harry managed to lower his voice slightly, though it was shaking from how he attempted to control his anger.
"I am sure." Dumbledore took a deep breath, "I trust Severus Snape completely."
"Well I don't!" he continued to protest, "He's up to something with Draco Malfoy right now, right under your nose, and you still-"
"We have discussed this, Harry," said Dumbledore, beginning to sound stern, "I have told you my views."
"But they're up to something!"
"Enough. Tonight, when we leave, there will be additional protection. Please do not suggest that I don't take the safety of my students seriously."
Harry fell silent at once, staring feebly down at his shoes. It was obvious he wanted to argue back, but managed to refrain himself from doing so.
"Now, Ms. Stone." Dumbledore turned to address Addy, who had been standing quietly in the corner of the room, "Are you are sure you want to assist us? Tonight will be very dangerous."
"Yes." she said quickly, "I do."
Dumbledore curtly nodded, his face darkening as he began to instruct the two, "You both must understand me. I mean that you follow such orders such as 'run', 'hide', or 'go back'. Do I have your word?"
Addy agreed, and Harry hesitated once before doing the same.
"Good." the headmaster motioned towards the exit, "Harry, I would like you to go fetch your Invisibility Cloak and meet us in the entrance hall in five minutes time. There is something I need to discuss with you, Adelaide."
"Yes, sir." Harry obliged, casting Addy a curious look before quickly disappearing behind the door.
His footsteps faded down the spiral staircase, echoing off the vast corridor he walked upon. Even from their distance, she knew he was anxiety-ridden and had the thick anticipation floating above his head.
Dumbledore didn't speak to Addy, turning away from her as he slowly strode over to his desk, keeping his gaze fixed onto the ground. His blue eyes were narrowed with thought, filling with seriousness.
She shifted awkwardly on her feet as she glanced around his office, wondering what in the world he needed her for. She wasn't sure what to say, so she settled for clearing her throat.
The headmaster glanced up at her, giving her a little smile, "Impatient just like your father, I see."
"Do you know where he is?" Addy questioned, "My mum told me there was- the Dark Mark over our house. No one was found dead, but we..."
She trailed off, not wanting her mind to travel into the darkest thoughts possible.
Dumbledore shook his head, "It is likely that your father has been captured, more or less likely to lure you to the Death Eaters. But they are not aware that he shares the same power-"
"And you didn't tell me?" it was hard to keep the bitterness away from her tone, "When I first came into your office expressing my power, you said that it's not genetic and I was most likely the only person alive to have the power."
"Yes, well-"
"And you kept so many things from me!" Addy was on a roll at that point, clenching her fists that shook with rage, "There's something more to my power, I just know it. How am I supposed to know the truth if no one tells me a damn thing! Mum and Sirius have been so secretive about their past, someone would think they shagged or something."
"They never had a romantic relation, I assure you." Dumbledore almost seemed to crack a smile at his irony, "But that is not what I wanted to discuss with you, Adelaide. Please calm yourself."
She sighed, but knew it would be no use to stand there and argue pointlessly.
"Voldemort is bound to be after you," he began, "He is in the search of strengthening his ranks with powerful witches and wizards, and many other magical creatures. Your power is one that hasn't been researched well, but even with the little reading I have done, it is very influent. You already tried controlling Harry's emotions several months back, but that was just simple. Both of you have a special connection, and you are so close to him that you were able to easily tap into his feelings. There are certain limitations to this however with other people you attempt to try it on, but with the proper training, I assure you that it will go well."
"So what are you saying?"
Dumbledore's chin raised as he examined the Sorting Hat, which was sitting on a shelf near them, "You will need to go into hiding soon. It will be unsafe for you to live a proper life, knowing that Voldemort might infiltrate the Ministry sooner or later. I have a place for you to go to, and a person for protection. She's an ex member of the Order and has moved out of the country after the first war, but she knew your mother, and agreed to help out and return. This woman has dealt with your father and his power in your past, and will know how to train you properly. Callista will go into hiding as well with you, for her safety as well."
"Who is it?" Addy asked curiously, narrowing her eyes, "And when will I need to hide?"
"Those questions will be answered later, I assure you. Come along, we need to meet Harry."
She gritted her teeth as she followed Dumbledore out the exit of his office, seething how secretive and mysterious he was. Would it hurt him to answer her questions?
The two descended down the spiral staircase Harry had gone down minutes earlier; there was a heavy silence that filled the absence of their words.
Addy let her mind wander over her future in the next couple of months. If she really were to go into hiding, she was curious with who and where.
Part of her was disappointed as well, knowing that her and Harry's plan to move into their cottage once he came of age in July wouldn't occur any time soon. Perhaps when the war was over, they'd get the chance to do whatever they wanted without being under the microscope of the world.
Addy and Dumbledore reached the entrance hall, and stood beside the oaken front doors. Her eyes swept the area to see if she could spot Harry, and after several seconds of waiting, they did.
He came skidding out onto the topmost stone step with the Invisibility Cloak in his hands, breathing hard as he clutched a stitch in his side. His face was flushed, presumably from running to meet them there, but he looked determined to start.
"I would like for you both to wear the cloak, please." said Dumbledore, and he waited until Harry had thrown it over both him and Addy before saying, "Very good. Shall we go?"
He set off down the stone steps, appearing calm and undisturbed by the apprehension that weaved into each element of the air. His own cloak barely billowed beneath the still summer air as he walked.
"I gave Ron and Hermione the Liquid Luck." Harry murmured breathlessly into Addy's ear, "Something's gonna happen tonight, I just know it."
She nodded, careful to keep her voice low in a whisper, "It's best we be alert."
The three continued their stroll outside of the school, and it was hard to believe that they were off to do something dangerous soon. Addy detected Harry taking her hand anxiously, indicating that he was clearly dreading the upcoming events of the night.
She inhaled the contenting air, which tickled of smoke burning from Hagrid's hut with the addition of warm grass. The lake water was a bonus of a refreshing, solstice nostalgia which reminded her of the dreary seasons that were spent away from her friends and away from Harry.
They made their way to Hogsmeade in a long, tense silence. The entire ordeal had been surprisingly quick, although Dumbledore, Addy, and Harry were all brisk walkers so it shouldn't've been unexpected.
The scent of butterbeer filled the night atmosphere as they neared the Three Broomsticks, and her mouth watered just with the thought of her favorite drink. But it'll have to wait.
"Adds, your mum." Harry whispered to her, subtly motioning in a direction beneath the Invisibility Cloak.
Addy shot him a wondering look, before following his gaze through the window of the bar. Just as he pointed out, Callista was visible, seated at a table with a mug of steaming butterbeer sitting in her hands.
Her fair hair was tied back loosely with several strands framing her stressed face. She leaned her elbows against the table as she rubbed the temples of her forehead with her fingertips, glancing up to speak with Madam Rosmereta once.
"Makes sense, since she's living right here." Addy murmured back to him, tearing her eyes away from her mum.
She hoped she would make it out of the night alive; she was sure her mum didn't need to lose someone else.
After Dumbledore had greeted Madam Rosmereta and they passed the bar, Harry directed himself and her closer to him to question, "Sir, are we Apparating?"
The headmaster nodded, "Yes."
"But I haven't gotten my license yet."
"Adelaide, you know how to Apparate correct?" Dumbledore said in a hushed tone.
Addy nodded, recalling the Apparation lessons that the sixth year students had taken in the past several months. She and Hermione passed their exam when it came by weeks ago, and Ron failed. Harry was too young to take it, and thus never got the opportunity.
"Then Harry will side-along with you." he finished, glancing around to ensure there was no one nearby, "Alright, trust your instinct on where to go. Three...two...one..."
Harry gripped onto Addy's hand even tighter as she turned, sensing the horrible sensations she felt when Apparating. It felt as if she'd been squeezed into a rubber tube, the wind taken out of her for suffocating purposes.
She couldn't breathe for several moments as her surroundings blurred into mere blackness, and just when she thought she might collapse, the bands that corrupted her in place released.
Her lungs were full of salt air.
Addy hadn't realized she crammed her eyes shut, so she opened them hesitantly. Her sight was greeted with an astral sky which stretched overhead and miles beyond her vision. Everything was caliginous and it took her a moment to adjust to the new lighting.
The dark water beneath the outcrop of the rock she stood on foamed and frothed with the violent waves that crashed against.
She glanced beside her at Harry, who too was examining the view they stumbled across, the wind ruffling the sable strands of his hair. It revealed his scar on his forehead as he intently scanned the horizon.
"Come along," Professor Dumbledore beckoned calmly from several feet away, motioning for the teens to follow him.
Addy squeezed Harry's hand uneasily as they were led to the very edge of the rock, shuddering with the chills that rose upon her skin. Even beneath the fabric of the cloak, she could feel the sharp iciness of the wind.
There were slippery rocks that led to a series of jagged niches, which made footholds leading down to the boulders that laid half submerged in the water.
Dumbledore went first, though it was exceptionally difficult to do so with his crippled hand. He moved slow, careful to avoid skidding on the stones.
Harry's grip on Addy's hand was extremely tight by that point as they trailed behind him, and it didn't help that her shoes slid against the slick rocks numerous times. The Invisibility Cloak over their heads only made matters more stressful.
"Lumos." Dumbledore mumbled once he reached the boulder closest to the cliff face.
The golden light chased away the spreading shadows as it illuminated the bits of water droplets that jumped from the force it was thrown at. Addy blinked several times to regulate her sight, glad to be able to see better.
Dumbledore turned to the couple quietly, "You will not object to getting a little wet?"
"No." Harry shook his head, and there was a ghost of a smile that she witnessed on his face. She knew he would've cracked a joke or two to her in different circumstances.
"Then take off the Invisibility Cloak. There's no need for it now, and let us take the plunge."
Suddenly, as if he were eighty years younger, Dumbledore dived in the water.
Addy's eyes widened as she watched him swim with such agile movements, performing a perfect breaststroke as he swam through the water. His glowing wand was held between his teeth as he slipped inside the face of the rocks.
Harry pulled the cloak off of the two as he stuffed it in his pocket, scoffing, "I suppose we go in."
She sighed with a nod, already shivering at the bitterness of the water, "C'mon."
After a moment of hesitation, Addy plucked up the courage to jump into the aqua, instantly biting back the urge to scream at the iciness that gnawed at her skin. Her fingers and toes numbed as she managed to cross the rough patches of waves.
Her clothes weighed her down, which made it difficult to pass through the currents, but she kept her head low and gritted her teeth.
The fissure she swam across soon opened into a dark tunnel, and she could see Dumbledore's wand continuing to irradiate the grimy walls of the cave.
Harry was just behind her, able to keep up with her pace as he clenched his jaw with the rawness of the water, alert as he calculated every minor detail of their surroundings.
Dumbledore himself was visible rising out of the water ahead, his silver hair and dark robes gleaming. When Addy reached the spot, she discovered steps that led into a large cave.
She gasped for air once she managed to drag herself out of the waves, instantly shivering with the streaming water from her soaking clothes. Harry followed her right at her heels, using a hand to push his damp hair away from his face.
The two were shaking uncontrollably with the patches of the freezing air as they spotted Dumbledore standing in the middle of the cave, examining the dank surroundings
"Yes, this is the place." he murmured, approaching a wall.
Addy could barely feel her legs on account of how numb they were, and even Harry's comforting arm around her shoulders didn't help. She bit down on her tongue as she watched Dumbledore caress the wall with his blackened fingertips, uttering strange words beneath his breath.
He walked around, touching as much of the rough rock as he could, occasionally pausing, running his fingers backward and forward over a particular spot, until finally he stopped, his hand pressed flat against the wall.
"I rather think," Dumbledore began, placing his uninjured hand inside his robes and drawing out a short silver knife, "That we are required to make payment to pass."
"Payment?" Harry asked in disbelief, "You've got to give the door something?"
"Yes," said Dumbledore, "Blood, if I'm not much mistaken."
"Blood?"
Wordlessly, the professor shook back the sleeve of his robes, exposing the forearm of his injured hand. Addy mentally winced at the sharpness of the knife, which gleamed beneath the faint glow of his wand.
"Sir!" Harry protested at once, "I'll do it, I'm-"
"No, your blood is worth more than mine." Dumbledore shook his head, and with a flash of silver and a spurt of scarlet, the rock face was peppered with dark, glistening drops.
Addy felt sick at the sight of the redness, ignoring her insides churning as he took his wand and passed it over his wound, which disappeared instantly.
She watched as the blooded rock vanished from her eyes, leaving an opening into the endless somberness.
"After me, I think." Dumbledore instructed, walking through the archway as he lit his wand hastily.
"Fucking hell." Harry let out a frustrated sigh as he pulled Addy closer to him, following the headmaster quickly.
Her eyes widened again for the second time at the next view that revealed over Dumbledore's shoulder.
It was simply freakish, standing on the edge of a great black lake, which she could describe as so vast and expansive that the distant banks couldn't be seen. Addy frowned as she narrowed her eyes to see the misty greenish light that was visible in the far distance, appearing to be in the middle of the lake.
"Let us walk." Dumbledore said quietly, "Be careful not to step into the water. Stay close to me."
He began to set off around the edge of the lake, and Harry immediately removed his arm from around Addy's shoulders, on account of how narrow the pathway was. He nudged her gently to indicate that she walk in front of him, his hands still lingering upon her waist.
Addy glanced around at their surroundings as her feet shuffled forward, managing to suppress a gasp when the water slapped against the rocks suddenly, sprinkling water upon her ankles.
The three's footsteps were echoing on the narrow rim of the rock as they progressed forward, and their view didn't vary. She felt as if they were walking in place with the same pitch blackness hovering before her eyes and the lake remaining the same, greenish shade.
"Professor," Harry finally whispered, "Do you think the Horcrux is here?"
Without turning around, he answered, "Oh yes. Yes I'm sure it is. The question is, how do we get to it?"
"We couldn't... we couldn't just try a Summoning Charm?"
"Why don't you do it?"
"Me? Oh... okay..."
Addy heard Harry clear his throat once and mumble loudly, "Accio Horcrux!"
There was an explosion, and she could tell something large and pale had just erupted out of the dark water at least twenty feet away from where they were. However, it vanished again with a crashing splash.
She turned to Dumbledore, stunned, "What was that?"
"Something, I think, that is ready to respond should we attempt to seize the Horcrux. I believe it may be located in the middle of the lake."
"So we're going to have to cross it to get to it?" asked Harry.
Suddenly, Dumbledore paused, causing Addy to run into him from the abrupt action and she nearly fall into the water. Harry acted quick and seized her upper arm, never loosening his grip until she had caught her balance.
"So sorry, Adelaide." Dumbledore dismissively said, waving a hand at her, "I should've given a warning. Both of you stand back against the wall, please. I think I have found the place."
Harry and Addy shared a look of confusion as they did what they were told, watching the headmaster thoroughly inspect the nothingness in front of his eyes.
Then, he grasped something in the air, moving closer to the water in doing so. Keeping his hand clenched, he rose his wand and aimed it to his fist, tapping several times.
Immediately, a thick, coppery green chain appeared in their sight, extending from the depths of the water and into Dumbledore's clenched hands. He tapped the chain, which began to slide around in his fist as if it were a snake, coiling itself on the ground.
A loud clinking sound crept into their ears as the chain pulled something from the depths of the murky water.
"Holy fuck." Addy gasped, her brows raised with shock when she saw a boat breaking through the surface.
"Language, Ms. Stone." Dumbledore tusked.
"How'd you know it was there, sir?" Harry interfered, motioning towards the transportation.
"Magic always leaves traces." he replied simply, "Sometimes with very distinct traces. I taught Tom Riddle. I know his style."
"You would think he was talking about fashion based off of his tone." Addy whispered to Harry with a scoff as the headmaster turned to face the boat.
He examined the small floating object, shaking his head quietly as he pursed his frail lips. The Lumos illumination exhibited the shadows that stretched upon his aged features, although his expression showed signs of unfazed.
"I do not think we all will fit here." Dumbledore reported, his eyes fixed down below, "This boat senses the weight of magic, and since both Adelaide and I are of age, it'll be too heavy. Harry, you are still underage and unqualified, a mistake Voldemort has made with this enchantment. He underestimates the ability of the young."
Addy sighed. She truly didn't want to stay back and wait for the two in anxiety, but it was the least she could do for letting her tag along.
However, Dumbledore had a different train of thought compared to hers.
"I will remain here." he said, motioning to the space they stood in, "I want you two to take the boat and travel to the middle of the lake. Find the horcrux. There is a chance that there will be a challenge for one of you to overcome, and I would like for Adelaide to do so."
Harry began to protest at once, "No-"
Dumbledore interrupted, "Ms. Stone is powerful, Harry. There is a good chance whatever Tom has set up in there, it will effect the emotional part of the mind. She stands better in those certain circumstances and therefore wouldn't be as mentally broken compared to you. I need you to listen to me Harry, remember my previous instructions."
"I'll do it, whatever it is." Addy nodded, shooting Harry a stern look, "There's no time to argue."
"Both of you get inside of the boat now." Dumbledore said, motioning towards the wood floating on the bank of the lake, "I want you to shoot red sparks up into the air if you are in any form of grave trouble."
Both Addy and Harry agreed, though he did it reluctantly, and moved away from the wall they stood by.
She went inside the boat first, cramming her knees together while tucking her feet beneath her. He followed, and since he was much taller than her, it was harder for him to fit. His knees rested upon the edge of the boat while their legs pushed against each other.
"Good luck." Dumbledore bid them, coiling the green chain and tossing it into their boat, which began to float away from the bank.
His figure became smaller as they drew farther away, and soon, he was nothing but a mere, faint speck that blended in with the surroundings.
Harry and Addy sat in silence as they travelled over the rough patches of waves, still shivering from their dive in the water from earlier. Her wet clothes stuck against her skin like paper, and she prayed it wasn't transparent.
The stringy strands of her hair was at least half of her chills, the cold water resumed to drip down her shoulders and arms.
Suddenly, Harry jumped, rocking the boat violently. Addy inhaled sharply as she gripped the sides to balance themselves to prevent falling into the grimy water, shooting him a worried look.
"Sorry, sorry." he mumbled meekly, closing his eyes for a moment, "I thought I saw- a human hand."
This time, Addy was the one to jump, and she bit back the loud gasp that threatened to escape her lips as she snapped her head away to avert her gaze.
"There. Is. A. Fucking. Dead. Body. Floating." she muttered to Harry, "Fucking Dumbledore and his reasoning for taking us here..."
"You had the choice to decline." he snapped, squeezing his eyes shut as the body floated closer to the boat, "You could've just stayed back."
"Yeah, but I'm not leaving you here to deal with this shit yourself." Addy scowled, "Just- just don't look at the lake."
He nodded, reaching out blindly to take her hand. The two were completely tense and strained by their surroundings, more frightened than they had been before.
She wondered if they would even get out alive; there were bodies in the lake they were in. There were many people that had died trying to steal the horcrux, so how in the world would a couple of teenagers manage?
Addy focused on keeping herself calm and collected, but the fear kept entering in her pores, unleashing every negative thought she hoped to keep away. She hadn't said goodbye to Hermione, Ron, Ginny, or her mum.
The little warmth she could feel from Harry's hand was the only hope she could run with, imagining anything else other than what their fate could've been that night.
However, if she had one way to die, she'd rather it be with Harry than anything else.
Harry himself seemed even more terrified than she was, biting his lip apprehensively as he stole glances at the water, before wincing at the floating limbs of the deceased.
"Love, I said don't look." Addy warned him, ignoring her own voice trembling, "Stop scaring yourself."
He nodded frantically, biting the inside of his cheek, "Ok. I'll just take deep breaths instead."
"I think we're nearly there." she reported, lifting a hand to point at the greenish light that was glowing brighter, "Hold on..."
Within minutes, the boat came to a halt, bumping gently into an island, she discovered, made of smooth rock. They were completely in the center of the lake.
The entire area was small, no larger than Dumbledore's office, and nothing but the light stood on the stone, in which she needed to squint to stare at, on account of how bright it was. The source reminded her of the Pensieve, which was set upon a pedestal.
"Careful to not touch the water." Harry repeated Dumbledore's earlier instructions as he stood hesitantly from the boat.
Addy took his hand as she climbed out, letting out a tense exhale from escaping the lake. She followed him towards the basin quickly, both eager to not waste any time.
It was full of an emerald liquid, glowing intently as if there was a light bulb lit up beneath it. There was a strange aura around it that hung into the air like clothes to dry, sending shivers towards them.
"What is that?" she whispered.
"Dunno." Harry shrugged, glancing back over his shoulder, "Do you reckon we call Dumbledore?"
Addy shook her head, "No, not yet. But I think the horcrux is in there."
She began to reach out slowly to touch the liquid, but Harry interfered quickly, seizing her wrist.
"Are you mad! Don't touch that." he hurriedly exclaimed, "You don't want your hands to burn off."
"No, but look!" Addy gently pried his fingers off from her as she dipped her hand closer to the potion.
She couldn't touch the water; no matter how hard she forced herself, there was an invisible barrier that blocked her from making contact with the water. The air seemed to be solid.
"See, you try." she moved her hand away and stepped aside so he could do the same.
Harry slowly extended his fingertips to graze the potion, having the same experience she did. After a moment, he turned to look at her, full of curiosity and fear.
"How are we supposed to get the horcrux then," he asked, "If we can't touch the water?"
Addy was silent as she stared at the green liquid, digging her nails against the sides of the basin with thought. Her mind quickly racked through all the possibilities she could find, wishing that Hermione was there to conjure up a solution with that brilliant mind of hers.
She glanced around the rock island they stood on, noticing the faint glow from Dumbledore's wand across the lake. He had told her that there would possibly be a challenge for her to overcome, and this was it.
"Quick, conjure me a goblet." Addy pressed to Harry, "C'mon."
He gave her a strange look, but took his wand from his pocket before doing as he was told. He handed her the object while creasing his brows deeply, flickering his gaze between her and the potion.
"I need to drink this." she stated, motioning towards the basin, "That's the only way."
"No." Harry shook his head firmly, trying to snatch the goblet from her hands, "No, I'm not letting you-"
"We have no time." Addy held it out of his reach, "Dumbledore said it has to be me, please don't argue."
He sighed exasperatedly, searching her expression for any form of backing out. She met his stare sternly, determined to do what she came for and be useful in the journey. Any consequences of drinking the potion didn't matter to her in the instance; she didn't care.
"Fine." he mumbled defeatedly, "Do it then."
Addy turned back to the basin, surprised that he had given in so easily. She thought it would've taken a bit more persuasion, but he knew they didn't have time to get into a row about it.
She gripped the goblet tighter in her fingertips as she brought it down to the liquid, dipping the rim of it in the water to scoop up the potion. Once it was filled, she resurfaced it, examining the greenness.
"It's most likely going to have some effect." she said to Harry, willing herself to hold the goblet to her lips, "You may need to force me to drink it, and even if I protest. Okay?"
Another sigh, but he muttered in reply, "Okay."
Without wasting another second, Addy tilted her head back and poured the contents of the goblet down her throat.
The drink burned her insides, and even if it wasn't enough to choke on, she felt her windpipes closing in on her and detected that her throat was turning raw. The goblet slipped out of her hands as she stumbled forward, her hands gripping the basin to keep her balance.
Harry quickly caught the cup before it could fall, slowly handing it to her, "A-are you-"
"Fine." Addy squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the sharp spikes of the pain stab her stomach, "Just fine."
She accepted the goblet before dipping it in the liquid again for another drink. The second one went down much easier than the first, although the effects were intensified.
Something flashed suddenly in her eyes, and her living room from her house flickered into her sight. It vanished almost immediately before she could properly take in the setting, and her awareness of her surroundings slowly faded.
It was becoming much more difficult to breath, and the murkiness and thin air of the cave wasn't helping. The potion slipped down her throat, accompanied by the familiar stinging sensation that trailed behind.
Harry reached out to place his hand on the small of her back to keep her steady, and she could tell it was taking every muscle in him to not snatch the goblet from her and drink the potion himself.
Wordlessly, she took another drink. The same effects occurred, and her living room appeared in her sight once more, lasting longer than it did earlier before fading quickly.
It wasn't until she was midway through her fourth sip that the cave around her disappeared entirely
She could still feel the basin that she leaned upon digging into her hip, but she couldn't see Harry.
It was her father that replaced him.
Addy was back in her living room, standing face to face with the man that kicked her out. The sun was positioned right in the same spot it had been that very day, except more shadowy and eerie.
Callista was nowhere to be seen however, and everything felt off about her home.
"Traitor." her father uttered to her, blood dripping from his eyes like tears, "A disgrace to our family."
"No...I'm sorry!" she heard herself protest, frightened by his appearance, "No..."
Then he disappeared, replaced by the cave once more.
Harry was watching her frantically, and she hadn't realized she'd fallen down against the rocks on the ground. He was knelt beside her, grasping her chin as he worriedly examined her expression.
He looked as if he wanted to chuck away the cup and take her back to the boat, but he remembered her's and Dumbledore's strict instructions to carry on with the task.
He left her side as he stood to level with the basin, dipping the goblet in to collect some water, before returning to her once more.
Addy shook her head at the sight of the liquid, her eyes and mouth crammed shut.
"No, I don't want it." she stubbornly said, pushing back the goblet Harry tried to give her.
Harry let out a desperate sound as he gave her an apologetic look, prodding the rim of the cup against her mouth, "Please Adds, you- you need to. I promise I'll do as you say- please."
Reluctantly she parted her lips, cringing at the cold liquid that he managed to pour down her throat. The pain blinded her, and the cave quickly was swept out of her vision once more.
The living room returned, and so did her father.
His face was grimly, scratched and gouged with bits of skin burned away. Addy wasn't sure if the scream she heard was hers her not; it was too inhumane to sound like it.
"FUCKING TRAITOR!" her father bellowed this time, his voice demonic and unrealistic, "IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU! ALL YOU!"
She had no idea what he was referring to, but frantically shook her head as she mumbled, "No, I didn't do anything, I swear!"
And Merlin, the aching she felt was otherworldly. Her throat was sore from the potion, or her yells, she couldn't tell, and her limbs were numbing over.
Harry was back into her sight again after several moments of the torture, tears brimming in his eyes as she tried to grasp his wrist from giving her the potion.
He gasped for air as he forcefully brought it closer to her lips, murmuring the words I'm sorry over and over again.
"No- please..." she begged him, "Make it stop."
"This will make it stop," Harry reassuringly whispered, nudging the cup against her lips, "I promise. J-Just drink it."
Addy believed him, so she accepted the liquid down her throat once more, instantly feeling the fiery hot burns scorching her insides. She could feel nothing because of how intense the pain was, and it didn't even feel like pain.
Her fingernails dug into his biceps as she writhed against the rocks, finding the surroundings disappearing once more.
This happened every time he managed to get the potion down her throat; she would see her living room and father more bloody and terrifying than before, and he would accuse her for everything wrong in the world.
Harry and the cave would appear again after the worst had passed, the tears now slipping down his cheeks as she pleaded for him to stop and leave her be. He did as he was instructed however, ignoring her protests and managing to ease and calm her enough to tip the goblet's contents into her throat.
She wasn't sure how long this was going on for; it felt eternity plus more. Her head throbbed and eclipsed her conscious from being rational. Her body cringed with the pain that intensified, curling up into a ball against the rocks as her screams echoed off the cave's vast interior.
Addy's throat was raw, and she recalled begging for Harry to kill her and end all the pain, or do something so that she could remain numb.
"L-Last one, Adds, okay? Then no more, I swear." Harry held the goblet to her lips, "You're doing so amazing, love."
She wrenched herself out of his grip as she turned her head sharply away to avoid the liquid, barely able to keep her eyes open. Feeble protests managed to escape her lips as she ducked her face this way and that to make his task difficult.
"Addy, d-do this for me, please." he whispered shakily, having a firm grip on her chin at last, "You know I love you."
"Butterbeer." she heard herself utter, "Butterbeer."
Harry's mouth fell open as his arm froze from feeding her the liquid, the tears continuing to slip quickly down his face. His gaze alternated between the cup and her, hesitating on what to do.
Addy's eyes flickered close as she felt herself fading, knowing that at this rate, she wasn't sure if she could remain awake for long. Her hand had reached out to firmly grip Harry's to prevent him from bringing the goblet closer to her.
He glanced back over his shoulder where the light Dumbledore had casted from his wand was faintly visible, seeming ready to throw the cup down and listen to her words. In fact, for a moment, he almost did, bringing his arm away.
But instead, he turned back to Addy, gently tilting her head to face him, "I- I'm so sorry, Adds. I'm sorry..."
Harry took the goblet and held it up to her lips, before forcing the contents down her throat once more. She sputtered and coughed as it travelled down her throat, wondering if the sobbing she heard was from her or Harry.
Her father swam into her sight again, yelling things that she couldn't make out entirely. Addy couldn't breathe, choking over the bits of air she managed to take in and tasting the salt from her tears.
The darkness crept into the corners of her irises, fuzzy like her sight often was in the morning. No matter how hard she blinked, it never went away, and she was left groping for nothing.
Then, everything was back to normal.
The flashing and fading disappeared from her and the lights didn't blink. Her mind could process properly and her sensations could be tracked rather than ignored due to the pain. The agony she experienced was gone, although her body was trembling all over.
Harry was right there, instantly tossing the empty cup aside as he moved forward to take her in his hold, letting out a loud sigh of relief. Her arms clung around his neck as she squeezed her eyes shut, focusing to control her shaking.
"I'm sorry." he whispered over and over again, his hand supporting the back of her head as he pulled her close, kissing her hair, "I fucking hate myself, I'm so so sorry..."
"It's okay." she managed to breath out, tightening her grip on him. The last thing she wanted for him to do was let her go, "I understand..."
The past several minutes or so underneath the influence of the potion was a blur to her, and she didn't even remember half of it. It was only her father and Harry's pleading that she could recall.
He kept his arms around her, not bothering to even let go for one second. She depended on him to keep her up, forcing herself to not pass out. Everything was so tiring, and the only thing she wanted to do was collapse onto a comfortable bed and fall asleep.
"Y-You said the safe word and I- I didn't stop, I'm so sorry." Harry gasped to her, "I-"
"I didn't even realize I said it." Addy reassured him, burying her face into his neck, "D-Don't worry about it."
Really, it didn't bother her, since Harry had been forced to keep going despite any circumstances. However, while she wasn't affected by it, he seemed to be disgusted with himself for not listening.
"We need to go back." she whispered to him, "Dumbledore's waiting."
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Dumbledore was dead.
Addy could barely register how the night changed so quickly. Nothing made sense while pieces of missing puzzles clicked. Illicit events had taken place, yet, the ones who committed the sins were out on the run.
The sun was rising, indicating that the crack of dawn had arrived. She was seated in the hospital wing on a bed, leaning back against the rest as she examined the rest of the room.
Most of the Weasley's were present, including Hermione, seated in various locations of the room. Everyone looked tired from the events over the course of the past several hours, rubbing the dark circles beneath their eyes.
Bill was in the cot across from Addy, tending to his werewolf injuries across his face as he watched Fleur and Mrs. Weasley argue stiffly before him.
It was Harry that had saved Bill's life, managing to fend off Fenrir Greyback, the one who scratched him, from doing any more harm. He and Addy had previously witnessed Dumbledore being killed up on the Astronomy Tower, and he was running purely on adrenaline.
Addy shivered as she remembered how one of the Death Eaters had cornered Fleur earlier that night, the killing curse on the tip of his tongue but she managed to interfere and throw the Death Eater aside and save Fleur's life.
It was all too much information to process.
Callista was seated beside Addy on her bed, tending to her own injuries worriedly. She had come up to the school once she realized that the Death Eaters had broken in, helping to fight and protect the younger students.
"Where did you get all of these marks from!" her mother exclaimed, motioning to the deep wounds across Addy's arms.
She shook her head, "I can't say. Dumbledore told me to keep it a secret."
Callista sighed, "Well, he's dead. I'm sure-"
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed suddenly.
Addy turned away from her mother, glad with the distraction as she watched Harry himself slump into the hospital wing, being dragged in by the arm by Ginny, who firmly shoved him into a chair.
He appeared the most exhausted out of everyone, leaning back in his seat and running a hand through his hair. She wasn't sure where he'd been in the past hour or so, but had a hunch he was by Dumbledore's dead body.
After Addy had consumed the entire potion back in the cave, Harry collected the horcrux, a necklace that was in the basin underneath the absence of the water. The two crossed the lake quickly and met up with Dumbledore, before they escaped and managed to Apparate up to the Astronomy Tower.
There, they heard footsteps nearing them, so the headmaster instructed the teens to hide beneath the stairs, and forbid them from doing anything to interfere.
Perhaps they shouldn't've listened to him; Dumbledore died at the hands of Severus Snape, disarmed by Draco Malfoy.
Addy let out a sigh as the bickering between Fleur and Mrs. Weasley grew louder:
"Oh, my precious son." Mrs. Weasley was sobbing into her hands, "He was going to get married!"
"What do you mean by going to?" Fleur snapped her head up furiously.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened as she stared at her, stumbling over her words, but she continued.
"Did you think that I will no longer want to be with 'im?" she questioned challengingly, flipping her long, silvery hair out of her face, "Just because e's been bitten by a werewolf? Just because 'e looks grotesque now?"
Everyone in the room, including Harry, had brought their attention over to the two, sitting on the edge of their seats. Addy expected a blasted argument to occur, based on the tension between them throughout the entire year, though it never came.
"These scars won't change my love for 'im." Fleur said sternly, "These scars prove 'ow brave 'e is. I am good looking enough for the both of us!"
She then snatched the jar of ointment that Mrs. Weasley had been holding in her hands, turning her back on her as she worked to heal Bill's wounds.
Mrs. Weasley watched her quietly for a good while, her mouth hung agape as she watched. The rest of the room were all eagerly listening in to the drama, needing a well enough entertainment to distract themselves from the affairs the night before held.
She spoke up slowly at last, hesitant, "We- we have a tiara that belongs to our Great Auntie Muriel. It would look excellent in your hair for the wedding."
Fleur glanced away from Bill as she caught Mrs. Weasley's eye, no longer displaying a sour look and giving her a warm, tentative smile, "Thank you. I would like that very much."
Addy shot Ginny a pointed look across the room, in which she responded by defeatedly shrugging, knowing that Bill and Fleur were going to get married and she just needed to accept the fact.
Her attention was then quickly brought towards a black dog, which barked loudly from the center of the room.
Sirius.
Instantly, Harry sprang up from his seat as he transformed into his human form, full of surprise that he was present.
Remus entered the doors to the hospital wing at the same time, nodding a greeting towards everyone while ensuring that Madam Pomphrey was well out of the room.
There was no time wasted as Sirius got up from the floor, brushing himself off.
"Is it true?" he questioned, scanning everyone's expressions, "Is Albus-"
"Dead." Harry responded, his face darkening as he slumped back down into his chair, "Yes, it's true."
"Explain please, I'm sure everyone else would like to know."
Harry opened his mouth, but closed it quickly, and Addy could see that he was close to tears again. He had cried for at least ten minutes during their descend down from their hidden location from the Astronomy Tower, and she knew he wasn't completely empty.
"Dumbledore needed me and Harry for a mission." she spoke up for him, addressing everyone in the room, "I'm not supposed to say what it was-"
"For goodness sakes!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, "Dumbledore is dead. I'm sure he won't mind."
Addy shook her head, "I'm sorry, I can't. Harry and I swore to not tell. We had just returned from our mission and Apparated into the Astronomy Tower, where we heard voices and footsteps approaching. Dumbledore- he told us to hide and remain in our location, and to not move if anything were to happen. Once we did, we found out that the footsteps we heard belonged to- to Draco Malfoy."
Hermione gasped as she clamped a hand over her mouth, Ron's eyes widened, and the others reacted in similar ways. Harry continued to stare at the floor.
"He and Dumbledore spoke for a little, and Malfoy revealed that he was a Death Eater, and was instructed to kill Voldemort. He was behind the attack of Katie Bell, using the Imperius Curse on Madam Rosemerta and gave Professor Slughorn the bottle of mead that poisoned Ron." Addy resumed, leaning back against the bed, "Harry was right all along, Voldemort was punishing the Malfoy family. But Draco was stuttering like an idiot up in the Tower, holding his wand and hesitating to cast the killing curse. Then- then..."
"Several Death Eaters came up to join the party." Harry took over, mumbling while avoiding anyone's gazes, "Snape was there as well, and he- he killed Dumbledore."
More gasps. Sirius seemed in disbelief as he settled himself at the foot of Addy's bed, staring at Harry.
"Snape's also the Half Blood Prince." he whispered, "He told me when I chased after him outside."
"Wait." Sirius interrupted, holding his hands up, "Snivellus referred to himself as the Half Blood Prince?"
Once Harry nodded, Sirius cracked a smile, sharing a look with Remus, who also found the situation somewhat amusing, although he tried to hide it well. Quiet snickers emerged from their mouths.
"Not the time, you blithering idiots!" Callista snapped at the two, "What we need to know is, where is Severus now?"
"He escaped." Harry replied with a deep sigh, "I dunno where to, but he's been on Voldemort's side, after all this time. I was right."
A heavy silence overcame the entire room, trickling into each one of their minds and forming a blank space that couldn't be filled. In the timespan of one night, lives had changed.
Addy knew that the death of Dumbledore would have long lasting consequences which would always be there to haunt them, especially when they least expected it. She wasn't sure what the future held for the wizarding world, but this was only the beginning of the long tunnel.
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This chapter was so long and boring with more descriptions than actions, but be sure to not skip it because there are some events happening here that will have a huge impact later in the story!