Escape: Into the Potterverse [18+]

Chapter 31

As the last of the Weasley twin's magic fireworks fades from view, Harry seems overcome and looks like he is about to faint. As you and Hermione look over towards him, he staggers and drops to the ground. Hermione rushes over to check he is okay. Then Ron steps forward to join her, and they both help him back to his feet.

"Let's get you inside," says Hermione.

The four of you head inside and start climbing up the stairs towards the Gryffindor common room. As you climb higher, Harry gets more animated.

"I had another vision," he says. "Sirius is in trouble."

"It could be a trap," says Hermione.

"I don't care. He's the only family I've got left," says Harry. "I have to do something."

"What can we do to help him?" you ask.

"The floo network," Harry says. "We can travel there to save him."

"But they are all being watched," says Hermione. "We will get caught."

"No, I know one that isn't," says Harry. "Umbridge's office."

Harry runs up to his dormitory and grabs a bag of floo powder from his trunk. Then the four of you sneak through the castle and into Umbridge's office. Once you are though the door, Harry steps quickly to the fireplace and tosses in some of the floo powder. You see the fire turn green as the magic takes effect.

"This could be dangerous," says Harry. "I should go alone."

"You might need us," says Hermione.

"No, you should all stay here," he says.

You are about to argue further, when the door bursts open behind you. When you turn around, you see Professor Umbridge walk in.

"What's going on in here?" she says angrily.

She pulls her wand out and points it at Harry.

"Were you trying to contact Dumbledore?" says Umbridge. "Tell me."

You all look at each other and say nothing.

Umbridge turns slightly to talk to one on the Inquisitorial Squad who are standing outside, and tells him to fetch Professor Snape. Then she turns back to glare at the four of you while waiting for Snape to come.

After a few minutes, Snape enters the room.

"You summonded me?" he says with his dismissive tone.

"Yes," says Umbridge. "I need some more Veritaserum."

"I'm afraid you have already used all of it," says Snape, sounding slightly annoyed. "So if that was all, I will return to what I was doing."

"Wait," says Harry. "He's got Padfoot, at the place where it's kept."

"What is that?" Umbridge demands.

Snape looks thoughtful for a moment then raises an eyebrow. "I have no idea," he says, then walks out the door.

"Very well, there are other ways of making you talk," says Umbridge angrily. "I'll just have to use the Cruciatus Curse."

"You can't," cries Hermione. "That's illegal."

"It's only illegal if they find out," says Umbridge, then she lifts up her wand and points it at Harry.

"Stop," shouts Hermione.

Umbridge pauses just as she is about to curse Harry. "Yes?" she says. "You have something to say?"

"I can show you Dumbledore's secret weapon," Hermione says.