PART 27

THE hours passed by in absolute blur , the sickeningly sweet voice of Umbridge , her faux smiles and triumphant look - and the distress of the D.A. members. Evanna and stood by , quiet along with the other Inquisitorial Squad members - as she interrogated the Boy-Who-Lived. And just as the deranged lady was about to whip her wand out to utter the torture curse , Hermione spoke up about Dumbedore's 'hidden weapon.'

It was an obvious sham , with the looks of assurances that passed between the boy with raven tresses , and the intelligent Gryffindor. But a good lie , for Umbridge seemed to believe them. She lowered her wand , frantic as her curls went in a disarray - which made Evanna wonder if it was a wig she wore.

Hermione and Harry were untied , both leading the toad clad in pink - and Hermione and Evanna only shared a nod. Moments of nothing but silence passed , occasional murmurs of conversation ringing around the circular room as they stood with all the captives tied. The drag of shoes against the stone floor , a few yawns and whispers filled the eminent silence - and , Evanna's eyes flitted towards Draco , whose nose was scrunched slightly in disgust , as though he were wishing his soul would leave his body at the very moment. Truth be told , anything was better for the Slytherins than having to watch over some children who thought it would be wise to open a secret society with the risk of the Ministry knowing. 

Just then , a shuffle caught her eyes - and she looked towards Neville - who shoved his hands into his pockets , producing some sweets. Evanna watched , as almost immediately , Crabbe and Goyle looked at him - both holding the Gryffindor within their tight grasp.

And Evanna knew what Neville was planning to do.

She watched as Crabbe and Goyle hoarded the sweets from him , even trying to offer some to the others. Theo caught her gaze , and she shook her head ever so slightly - which was enough to warn all those who saw her shake her head. Some took it , and the effect of the sweet was tremendous. They clutched their stomachs in pain , doubling over onto the ground - a putrid stench polluting the air as those who had been held captives by the taker of the sweets fell to the ground.

"Puking Pastilles", Blaise whispered ,"Some new creation of the Weasley twins."

Evanna nodded , saying ,"Let them go."

Admittedly , Ginny - who had been held back by Blaise , Parvati and the anonymous Hufflepuff were surprised when their comrades and themselves were given a green card to escape. Evanna dusted her hands on her robes , ushering them to go.

They left ,  running out through the door - as the remaining members of the Inquisitorial Squad followed. Evanna swiftly walked away from the scene , before she felt a hand wrap around her fingers.

"Where are you going ?", Draco asked. "We should go back to the Common Room in case Potter and Granger fail , and the toad comes back."

She only smiled , slightly shaking her head - as she spoke ,"I will meet you in the Common Room , I just have to meet Professor McGonagall to turn in some extra credits essays."

With those words , she walked away - and the boy with stardust hair only nodded.

                                                                       __________________________

She knocked upon the mahogany door , a door that held McGonagall's office within. Cold bricks pattered the wall around the door , and she heard a faint "Come in" , ring through them. Her fingers curled around the door handle , and she opened it to reveal the Transfiguration teacher , almost hidden behind the stack of parchment pieces on her table , although she seemed quite composed.

She peered at Evanna through her glasses , and greeted ,"What brings you here , Miss Frey ?"

Keeping down her quill , she folded her palms upon the table as Evanna walked forward , saying ,"Good Afternoon , Professor McGonagall , I wanted to turn in my essays."

The witch nodded , emerald hemmed velveteen robes brushing against her ankles , as she stood up and gestured the Ravenclaw to keep her homework upon her table - before motioning her wand towards the cupboard that embellished the corner of the room , summoning another pot of cerulean ink.

As she kept the bundle of parchment onto her table - she spoke ,"Professor , may I ask you something ?"

"Right away , Miss Frey", The aged witch replied , standing still as she waited for Evanna to enquire , the streaks of silver in her hair scintillating against the light of the torches that irradiated light into the otherwise melanoid room. Evanna drew in a breath , as though she were afraid to ask , and then said ,"Why does Harry receive visions in the form of dreams ? Why is that You-Know-Who can easily infiltrate his mind and implant whatever memories he wants ? As though it is easy for him because the two have some sort of connection."

A few moments of silence followed , enunciated by the crackle of the scarlet flames twirling majestically upon the brass holders. In the light of the dancing fire , Professor McGonagall looked aged beyond her years , each wrinkle of her eyes bearing proof to her wisdom that she had ordained through experience. At first , the entire ordeal had seemed quite pointless to Evanna - asking her Transfiguration Professor about Harry Potter's connection with Voldemort , but she was the best chance of confirming the Ravenclaw's suspicions.

"I really should not tell you", McGonagall whispered - her eyes flickering towards Evanna's azure gaze. Taking a few steps forward again , the latter pressed on ,"Why was it that out of all possible victims - You-Know-Who was after the Potters ? What was so different about them that he personally had to go and to do it when it is his minions who commit those horrifying crimes ?"

"Miss Frey , it is not in me to inform you."

"Is it because Harry is a horcrux ?"

It was a surprise that the aged witch composed herself , not losing her temper at the audacious question. She merely nodded , a glint of an unknown emotion in her eyes as she said ,"Precisely so. Why have you come to me if you have already figured it out ?"

"Because I don't know why Harry became a horcrux. His scar is what links him to You-Know-Who. But why Harry ? In the entirety of Britain - Harry became the human horcrux of him", the Ravenclaw argued - only to be met with a defeated sigh that escaped the cranberry lips of Professor McGonagall.

"Muffliato", the latter whispered - and when the silence solidified into whole , the witch spoke ,"It was because of a prophecy. A prophecy made my Professor Trelwaney herself. She has , what we call , the Sight. Although , it is difficult for her to interpret her visions. The prophecy , however , was a different case."

The Professor lit a candle on her table with the end of her wand , putting the intricate mahogany into her robe pocket - before facing Evanna once more.

"The prophecy spoke of a child born as the seventh month dies , that is the absolute end of July - one born with the power to kill He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He came to know of the prophecy , and of all the wizarding children - only Harry Potter , and Neville Longbottom fit the prophecy. They came to be known as the prophecy children."

"Neville Longbottom ?", Evanna questioned incredulously.

The Professor nodded , before saying ,"I'm afraid that's all I can tell you."

Evanna nodded , loose strands of mahogany hair escaping her ponytail as she gathered her bag , making her way towards the door at the end of the room. The echoing voice of the Transfigurations teacher made her halt in her steps.

"Why is that you are so very interested about this matter ?"

She whirled around , a pleasant smile on her lips as she spoke ,"No reason , Professor. I happen to know them well , and they told me of all the irregular fragments of seeming vision Harry received occasionally. And it made me question , is all."

"Make sure this information is not revealed to anyone."

"Of course , Professor."

                                                                    __________________________

As she leaned onto the corridor walls , enshrouded in the melanoid darkness through which the amber hue of the flames brought forth a golden sharpness to it , she exhaled slowly. These exhaled breaths slowly drifted to fragments of irregular breathing - the beginnings of a hysterical laugh. She doubled over ever so slightly , laughter escaping her throat like the untamed waters of the Nile. A single tear escaped her eye , which she swiftly wiped away with the brush of her slender fingers.

It was an oblivion , a tremendous labyrinth even Daedalus could have not constructed - a maze of lingering , unanswered questions. And as long as she was kept in the dark regarding the bigger picture , she would hardly get any sleep.

Her fingers slipped into her pockets , producing the coruscating packet of ivory pills - and she tore open one , popping it into her mouth. To kill Voldemort , she would have to destroy the horcruxes.

Which meant she would have to kill Harry Potter. But he was a valuable asset ; admittedly , he knew only one or two spells - but he used them very well , his luck shining in every duel. So , she would have to destroy the horcruxes without killing Harry. A challenge , but she enjoyed challenges.

"So it was Harry Potter all along , the last horcrux I need."

[ A/N : THAT WAS THE SMALLEST CHAPTER IN THIS BOOK , I THINK. ANYWAYS , EXAM SEASON IS AROUND THE CORNER - BEGINNING NEXT WEEK ITSELF. SO I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UPDATE. IF I DO , THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE DAY BEFORE MY LITERATURE EXAM.  VOTE AND COMMENT.

WITH ALL MY HEART ,

ORPHIC_MOON ]