After The War - FORSAKEN MAGIC (HP8)

Chapter 46 - Ancient Magic

It was 9 o'clock when Harry, Ron and Hermione carefully snuck out the portrait hole and made their way to the seventh floor corridor undetected with the help of the Marauders map.

The common room had a few students huddled by the fire who didn't notice Harry, Ron and Hermione leave but corridors were deserted. Harry pulled out the maurauders map.

"The 7th floor corridor is clear. Neville isn't there yet." Harry said.

"He isn't in the Gryffindor tower either." Hermione added, scanning the map from over his shoulder.

"Let's just go before someone catches us standing here." Ron said urgently. They didn't hesitate and began to make their way to the seventh floor.

They had just turned into the corridor where the room of requirement used to be when Ron suddenly pointed at the map which was spread out in Harry's hands and said "Flitch is on his way."

"Where is Neville, he said to wait for him here." Hermione said looking around desperately.

"We need to hide." Harry said finally leading them down the corridor a little before they found large wooden double doors which wasn't there before.

"Is this what I think it is?" Harry gasped, staring at the doors with his mouth open. "What is?" Ron asked as he checked to see if anyone was coming. "let's hide here till Flitch goes away." Ron said and then stepped forward and pulled open the doors and went in. Hermione and Harry followed hesitantly.

"Harry!!"

"They are here, they found the place!"

Behind the wooden double doors was a room very similar to a regular classroom but without the desks and a high ceiling. Instead there were chairs placed in a circle. Most of the chairs were even occupied except for three next to Neville which were clearly meant for Harry, Ron and Hermione. Neville smiled at broadly at them as everyone turned to see the new arrivals.

The low chatter in the room died immediately as every face turned to look at them. "Brilliant, isn't it?" Neville said gesturing the room.

"What is this place?" Harry asked as he closed the door behind him, looking around. "It isn't on the map."

"I believe this is the room of requirement's final service to us." Neville said happily. "A way for it to live on after the fire that destroyed it."

"A room of requirement created by the room of requirement?" Hermione asked curiously "I didn't know such magic was possible."

"Neither did I. But I think it might have something to do with how ancient this magic is. Sometimes they develop over the years to become more powerful and sometimes they fade." Neville said. "The room has sensed our need for it and created another before it could get destroyed."

"The fiend fire is a powerful curse. I don't think any magic could survive it." Hermione said sitting down.
Harry noticed that the first year students, Seth, Sarcona and Henry, who they met at the first Quidditch tryouts were also there, grinning broadly.

"What is this meeting about?" Harry asked when he finished gazing around the room and moved into the seat next to Neville and in front of the fireplace.

"Terrence Conner." Neville said immediately. "We believe he is planning another attack." The others seemed to have already been informed of this and did not look as shocked as Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Would he dare? So soon?" Hermione asked giving Ron a worried look.

"That's exactly why nobody would see this coming." Dean said and Hermione pursed her lips.