Evelyn Riddle: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 5

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

The four dashed away from the courtyard, urgency propelling them forward. The weight of what they'd seen and the knowledge of what could happen if they delayed drove them through the crowded hallways of Hogwarts. The castle's familiar corridors blurred around them as their focus narrowed to one thing: reaching Sirius before it was too late.

"Harry, you're sure?" Hermione asked again, breathlessly, her voice strained as she struggled to keep up with their brisk pace.

"I'm sure!" Harry snapped, his voice taut with emotion. "It was the same as Mr. Weasley—it's the same door I've been dreaming about for months, only now I know what's behind it. Sirius said Voldemort's after something he didn't have last time, and it's in the Department of Mysteries!"

Hermione slowed to a stop, forcing the group to pause. Her face was tight with concern, her eyes pleading as she placed a hand on Harry's arm. "Harry, please, just think about this for a second. What if Voldemort wants you to see this? What if this is just a trap to lure you there? He knows how much Sirius means to you. What if he's only hurting Sirius to get to you?"

Harry jerked his arm free, his frustration boiling over. "And what if it's real, Hermione?!" he shot back, his voice rising. "What am I supposed to do—just sit here and hope he'll be fine? He's the only family I've got left!"

The desperation in Harry's voice silenced Hermione for a moment, and Evelyn stepped forward, her expression grave. "I saw it too," she said firmly, her gaze locking onto Hermione's. "If this was just a vision meant to trap Harry, I don't think I would've seen it. There's something real about this, Hermione. I can feel it."

The weight of Evelyn's words hung in the air like a heavy fog. Hermione's eyes darted between Harry and Evelyn, searching for a counterargument, for something that would convince them to pause. But she found none.

Ron, standing slightly behind Hermione, broke the silence with a determined voice. "So what do we do, then?" His gaze was fixed on Harry, his loyalty and resolve shining through.

Harry nodded, his frustration easing slightly as he drew strength from his friends. "The portkey in Dumbledore's office is locked up," he said, his tone more measured now. "We'll have to use the Floo Network."

Evelyn, her mind racing, frowned. "But Umbridge has all the chimneys under surveillance! We'll never get away with it."

Harry's lips curved into a small, determined grin as he began walking again. "Not all of them," he said cryptically.

Ron and Evelyn exchanged a curious glance, but Hermione caught on almost immediately, her eyes widening with realization. "You mean... the fireplace in her office?" she asked, her voice hushed.

Harry nodded sharply. "Exactly. It's the only one connected to the Floo Network that she isn't watching. We just need to get in and use it before she notices."

The group resumed their hurried pace, their footsteps echoing through the stone halls as the plan began to take shape. Evelyn's mind buzzed with possibilities and dangers, but one thing was clear: whatever risks they faced, they couldn't let Sirius fall into Voldemort's hands.

They quickly gathered their closest friends of the DA, urgency leaving no time for detailed explanations. Ginny and Luna nodded in silent agreement as they took up positions outside Umbridge's office to stand guard. Hermione, her nerves steady despite the chaos, moved swiftly to unlock the door, her wand flicking with practiced precision.

The group hurried inside, their footsteps muffled against the thick rug as they crowded around the ornate fireplace dominating the far wall. Evelyn grabbed a handful of Floo powder from the pink jar on the mantle, her heart pounding as she tossed it into the flames. The fire roared to life, its green hue casting an eerie glow across their faces.