Playing with Fire

Chapter 17

"Do you know where Harry Potter is?" Barty asked as soon as Neville had swallowed the Veritaserum that would force him to speak the truth.

"N-no," Neville croaked.

"Does the Order of the Phoenix know?"

"No."

"Do you have ways to contact people outside the castle?"

"Y-yes..."

Now Barty's eyes were practically glistening with pure excitement. He was getting somewhere. Which Hermione didn't like at all.

"How?"

"The... Room of Requirements," Neville said quietly.

"Finally we are getting somewhere. Show me where this room is," Barty smiled.

Neville shook his head. Of course, Barty could get the truth out of him now, but he couldn't force him to do anything. But Hermione had the feeling that he would get it out of Neville anyways.

"Fine, my fault, I should have been clearer... Where can I find this room?"

"In Hogwarts."

"Where in Hogwarts?"

"The seventh floor..."

"Where on the seventh floor?" Barty asked impatiently.

"It is hidden."

"Then how do you find it?"

"You can't."

"How do you enter it?"

"Through the door."

"And where is the door?" Barty asked, growing more and more irritated.

"Hidden."

Hermione shrieked when Barty suddenly grabbed Neville and slammed him down on the desk in anger. He was not the most patient man, and he seemed to be ready to murder Neville.

"What is the name of your contact, boy?" Barty hissed.

"D-Dumbledore."

"First name?"

"Aberforth."

"And how does this Aberforthcontact Potter?"

"I- I don't know..."

"Where does he live?"

"On the other side of the corridor," Neville answered.

But that was not the answer Barty wanted to hear.

"Do you think being a smartass will bring you anywhere? It won't. If you don't tell me where this man lives right now, then I will go to your parents, and I will torture them again."

"St Mungo's is protected, you bastard. So don't try to threaten me."

"My dearest Hermione," Barty said silkily, turning around slowly. "Where exactly is this Room of Requirements?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I have never been there."

"Are you lying to me?"

"No."

"Longbottom... is she lying?"

"Y-yes."

Barty let go of Neville, and he started advancing on Hermione until she couldn't walk any further backwards. She was trapped again.

"You know it is a bad idea to lie to me, don't you, girl? Let's try again. Where exactly is this Room of Requirements?" Barty snarled, his eyes burning.