Chapter 314 - The Dark Mark (2/2)

”I am not worried, Harry,” said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger despite the freezing water. ”I am with Christina and you. I have nothing to be worried about.”

Despite the situation, hearing this Chris felt proud. Only then a thought occurred to her.

”Harry, there's no way we could climb the waterfall,” she said urgently.

”But then —” Harry looked equally panicked.

”The enchantment — it is —” Dumbledore tried to say something but failed.

”The enchantment must have been lifted by now,” suggested Chris. ”Harry, try to Apparate.”

For a second Chris thought Harry was going to argue but he didn't show any sign of protest or self-doubt. In the middle of the water, with full determination, he gripped Dumbledore and Chris then closed his eyes.

Chris knew it had worked before she opened her eyes: apart from the horrible feeling of Apparating, she could feel the strong firm ground under herself. She opened her eyes. She, Harry and Dumbledore were shivering and dripping in the middle of the dark High Street in Hogsmeade.

”We did it!” Harry's voice sounded very tight. He caught Chris' eyes and they both smiled with relief. For a second Chris imagine running into his arms and —

”Professor!”

Dumbledore staggered against the back wall of the Hog's head, his face, paler and damper than ever in the distant light of a streetlamp.

”Sir, are you all right?” said Chris trying to support Dumbledore.

”I've been better,” said Dumbledore weakly, though the corners of his mouth twitched. ”The ring. . . is no lucky charm. . .”

”Then, why did you —” Chris began but to her horror, Dumbledore sank onto the ground.

”Sir — it's okay, sir, you're going to be all right, don't worry —” said Harry desperately.

”I will need the Gryffindor Sword. . . and Severus,” said Dumbledore very faintly. ”I need to destroy it before — but I don't think. . . I can walk just now. . .”

”I will wake others up,” Chris said quickly. ”Gin, Colin, Luna, please be awake.”

”What?” Harry stared at her.

”I can talk to them,” said Chris pulling the talisman, which was still hanging from her neck. ”Through this. We all have one.” Holding the talisman in her palm Chris repeated, ”Colin! Luna! Gin! Wake up!”

”Chris?”

”What happened?”

Ginny and Luna's sleepy voices came at that moment.

”Good. Gin, Luna, we need help. Dumbledore is not right. He needs to see Snape and also the Gryffindor sword. We are out in the Hogsmeade,” Chris spoke rapidly but she knew Luna and Ginny were already out of bed before she finished. ”We will try to find a way to —”

Chris stopped pacing as she saw it.

There it was, hanging in the sky above the school: the blazing green skull with a serpent tongue, the mark Death Eaters left behind whenever they had entered a building . . . wherever they had murdered. . . .

Chris went stiff. Harry noticed her and followed her gaze.

”Chris? What else?” Ginny's voice came.

”Gin, wake Hermione, Ron, and Colin —” she mumbled staring at the mark.

”I'm awake. What is it?” Colin's voice said.

”Then inform the others,” Chris said in an awfully steady voice. ”There's a Dark Mark above the school. There are Death Eaters in school.”

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To be continued. . .