𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞 | 𝐇.𝐏.

𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟕 - 𝟏𝟐

The second we Apparated into Hogsmeade, a millions screeching alarms went off in unison.

I'd known it was a bad idea. When we'd finally agreed that the only way to get into Hogwarts was through Hogsmeade, more specifically Honeydukes, everyone except Potter was a little reluctant. He'd seemed to have gained a new sense of purpose since he saw the latest vision from Voldemort. Even more worrying was that I could tell he wasn't relaying the entire thing to us, which couldn't mean anything good.

Against all doubts, the four of us still packed up the remaining food and the wet clothes we had changed out of, made sure we were completely alone and the dragon was long gone, and Apparated. 

Our feet had barely even touched the cobbled street before those alarms set off, just like I'd expected. Voldemort would be mad not to have placed extra protection everywhere within a million mile radius of Hogwarts, even if he couldn't reach the actual school just yet.

Instantly the lights went on in a building a few feet ahead of us, illuminating the windows and bathing the street in a yellow glow. Just as quickly, a door banged open.

"They're here!" A man, one who could only be a Death Eater, shouted into the night.

"Spread out! Search everywhere!" Another echoed.

Potter grabbed my hand, Weasley grabbed Hermione's, and the four of us ran for it. We bolted into one of the abandoned shops and hid behind the biggest piece of crumbling wall left. The terrible alarm continued, covering the footsteps of the Death Eaters. 

My heart was pounding in my throat, and I only realized how close a couple of them were to us when one said, "You see anything yet?" I grasped Potter's hand impossibly tight. They had to be just on the other side of the wall.

"Nothin'," a second grunted.

I knew all they would have to do was crane their necks, and they would spot us. Not even daring to breath, I slowly pulled my wand out of my jean pocket and sent a couple rocks on the opposite side of the street tumbling down from another wreck of a building.

Suddenly a dozen pairs of footsteps thundered to where my wand had been directed, and I allowed myself a deep breath. I heard the three of them breath identical sighs of relief beside me.

Making sure the coast was clear, we didn't wait another second to jump up and scramble to the end of the street that we knew led up to Hogwarts. But when we got there we found our path blocked by a heavily enchanted gate, and I felt my spirits plummet. We were really cornered now.

I whipped my head around frantically, searching for another means of escape, before the raspy voice of an old man whispered, "In here, Potter."

It was coming from the Hog's Head.

We should have hesitated, but we didn't. We only glanced uneasily at each other before slipping inside and hastily shutting the door behind us. We followed the stairs right in front of us leading down into what I assumed was the basement of the pub, and when we emerged into a room that was finally lit, I thought I was going crazy.

For half a second, I would have sworn on my life that Dumbledore was standing in front of us. Then my eyes adjusted, and I noticed minor differences. This mans beard was slightly darker, his nose wasn't broken, and he was rather dumpier. The real reason he looked like Dumbledore was his eyes. Blue so bright they were nearly white, and they had the same constant effect that they were X-raying you.

It suddenly hit me. This was Aberforth, Dumbledore's brother.

"You bloody fools," Aberforth grumbled. "What were you thinking, coming here? Have you any idea how dangerous it is?"