A Potter Secret

Not so Sneaky

Harry sprints into view just as the same muttering wizard trails his quill out of an empty lift. Harry races inside, hits a button and watches the grilles close. He glances at his reflection in the mirrored wall. Bares his teeth. Hermione's right. They're awful. Just then, the grilles clang open and Ron enters, soaking wet and wild-eyed. "M-morning," Ron stutters.

"Ron, it's me," Harry says.

"Harry! Blimey, I forgot what you looked like. Where's Hermione?" Ron asks.

"She went down to the courtrooms with Umbridge," Harry relays.

The grilles open again and reveal- Arthur Weasley, in the company of an elderly witch, Wakinda. "I understand, Wakinda, but I can't be a party to that," Arthur says. Arthur stops then, seeing Harry, and regards him with utter disdain, then turns his eyes to Ron and softens. "Hello, Reg. Isn't Mary in for questioning today? Try to have faith. If there's anything Molly and I can do for you." Arthur pats Ron's shoulder, stops. Pulls his dripping hand away.

"Let me guess. It's raining in Yaxley's office again?" Wakinda asks.

"Tell him to try an umbrella," Arthur jokes.

Arthur and Wakinda exit. As they go, Ron cranes his neck, watching with a look of longing as the grilles begin to close. Suddenly, Harry reaches out, blocks the doors. "Arthur! You know you're being tracked, don't you?" Harry calls, taking a risk.

Arthur turns. "Is that a threat, Runcorn?" Arthur asks.

"No, Arthur. It's a fact. They're watching you," Harry assures. Arthur eyes Harry with a mixture of suspicion and confusion and perhaps recognition. Harry removes his hand. The grilles close. Ron stares at him. "I'll tell you later. Let's find Hermione."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry and Ron move down a dark torch-lit stone passageway. As they move further along, their breath becomes visible and Ron, soaked to the bones, begins to tremble. "Bloody cold down here," Ron says. Then they see. Swirling outside the courtroom doors like sentinels are tall black-hooded figures. Dementors. Just then, a man comes stumbling out of the courtroom in the company of a pair of death eaters.

"I'm half-blood, I tell you! My father was a wizard! Look him up! William Alderton! He worked here for thirty years-" a man pleads. As Ron watches the terrified man pass, Harry grabs his arm, pulls him toward the courtroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A dark cathedral, possessed of a palpable chill. Dementors float eerily in the gloom. The ceiling stretches high, disappears in darkness. As Harry and Ron enter, unnoticed at first, they move cautiously, taking in their surroundings. Hermione comes into view, sitting with a stack of parchment behind a balustrade alongside Umbridge and Yaxley, while a bright-silver cat, Umbridge's Patronus, prowls up and down, providing warmth to them and them only. Harry's eyes track the cat, then drift to Umbridge herself. Suddenly he falters. Ron notices. Eyes him curiously. "What is it?" Ron asks.

The corners of Harry's eyes contract, his head slightly cocked- as if he can sense the presence of something. "It's here-" Harry assures.

As Ron reacts, deciphering Harry's words, a woman's voice comes their way. "Reg-" Mary smiles.

Ron turns. Below the balustrade, a frail woman, Mary Cattermole, sits alone, wrists chained. Seeing Ron, her wan face brightens. Ron glances at Harry, who nods, urging him on. Ron moves to the center of the room, taking his place behind the woman. Hesitating, he places his hands gently upon her shoulders, then glances up, sees Hermione watching him. "Mary Elizabeth Cattermole?" Umbridge checks.