After Lupin had left, Harry tried on the amulet. It made him invisible the moment he placed it round his neck, and he found it more convenient to use than his Invisibility Cloak. He spent the rest of the afternoon with the amulet on, hanging around the landing outside his room, and peering down the stairs through the banisters at the others. He retreated into his room whenever anyone on his level approached, in case they knocked on his door and found he wasn't there. There seemed to be a lot of activity in the castle, people running up and down, owls flying in and out.
He wanted badly to follow the others that evening, but knew his presence would be more of a hindrance than a help.
At around five in the evening, Dumbledore and the others gathered in the hall below. With them was another wizard, whom Harry had overheard was Vladimir Atlasov, another of the wizards at the Institute. He was tall and dark, with shifty eyes and a small black moustache. Harry didn't like him very much.
Harry watched miserably as they started leaving.
"It's not fair," he muttered to himself. "It's even worse being here and doing nothing, than if I had stayed on at Hogwarts."
He started; one of the party had returned. For a wild moment, he hoped it was Lupin, coming back to say he could come; but then he saw it was Atlasov. Tall and shifty-eyed, he came bounding up the stairs.
Harry hastily retreated to a corner. Atlasov looked furtively around, then knocked on a nearby door. The maidservant who had served them drinks opened it.
Harry crept nearer to listen.
"I have decided, I am with you," he heard Atlasov say. "Send an owl to Lord Deorg for me. Tell him, tonight, I will spy on these foreigners and let him know what they are up to. Let me know if I should kill them." He nodded curtly at her, then bounded down the stairs again.
Harry stood petrified for a moment. Then, taking his wand out, he swiftly went and knocked on the maidservant's door.
She opened it, parchment in hand, but was confused to see no one there.
"Petrificus Totalus!" said Harry, pointing his wand at her. She dropped to the floor, unable to move. He quickly dragged her to his room, and put her under the bed where no one would see her. Then he locked the door and sped down the stairs after Atlasov.
Dumbledore and the others were waiting for Atlasov in a truck filled with large turnips. Harry ran, panting, up to it, and managed to scramble in just as the truck rose up into the air.
Professor Bubcek shouted something in Russian to the driver, as the truck rose high above the castle. All at once, the truck and its occupants disappeared. It was eerie; Harry could feel the turnips under him, and the vibration of the truck, but all spread out below him he could see the land that was Kamchatka. Stretches of forest were visible to him, and the shining sea glinting in the setting sun. But the vast majority of land seemed to be smoking volcanoes, stretching in a sharp spine to the horizon.
Lupin must have been looking at the scenery too, because Harry heard his voice over the motor of the truck. "It's as beautiful as I remember it to be."
Professor Bubcek chuckled. "Yes, the view from this truck never changes."
"It's still the same old truck," said Lupin. "I'd have thought you'd have a new one by now."
"I take it that this is your main form of transport here," said Dumbledore.
"No, no, we only use it for missions to the interior," said Bubcek. "Every village is bound to have some turnip trucks around, so we can just leave it and come back later when we're done."
Harry heard Lupin laugh. "It's much better than the coastal missions, though!"
"Yes, indeed," said Bubcek. "We have to use a truck full of fish when we go to the sea coasts," he explained to Dumbledore. "A turnip truck would look out of place there. Remus never liked the smell much."
"I found a spell to remove the smell," said Lupin, "but Professor Bubcek thinks that a truck of fish that doesn't smell would raise suspicion."
Atlasov remained silent throughout the conversation. Harry wondered if he should expose him immediately, but fighting up in the sky when you were in an invisible truck - and when your enemy was invisible too - didn't seem a very practical thing to do, so he decided to wait.
After what seemed like several hours - during which it got colder and colder, and darker and darker - they started to descend, finally landing in a small clearing near the village of Kovran.
The truck rematerialised. The others stiffly got out. Harry waited for them to go first, squeezing himself in a corner and hoping no one would bump into him.
Professor Bubcek was the last to leave. He glanced at Dumbledore and the others to make sure they weren't watching, then looked around the empty truck.
"Harry?" he whispered, "are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here," Harry whispered back from his corner.
Bubcek beamed.
"Excellent! Excellent! Now, just follow along behind us," he said softly.
"Oleg? Are you coming?" It was Dumbledore.
"Coming, coming, Albus," called Bubcek.
Harry followed them into the village. The streets were largely empty, but light issued from the houses and Harry could see frightened faces at some of the windows.
Lupin looked angry.
"I thought the village was to be evacuated!" he said to Bubcek.
Professor Bubcek looked anguished.
"There's nowhere for them to go, Remus," he explained, looking guiltily at Lupin and then at Dumbledore. "No other village will take them in; they're afraid the Dark Lord will follow them there. And the forests here are too cold at night, and full of strange beasts."
Dumbledore looked perturbed.
"We have put protective spells on all the houses," said Atlasov, speaking for the first time.
"That may not be enough - " began Lupin, but Atlasov cut him short.
"It is enough," he said coldly. "Our magic here is stronger than that of you foreign wizards."
"I assure you, Remus, the villagers should be safe," said Bubcek nervously.
Lupin gave Atlasov a hard stare, then turned to Bubcek and said, "Now what?"
"We wait," said Dumbledore grimly. "As I understand," - turning to Bubcek - "there's only one road to the village."
"Yes, yes," said Bubcek. "I had someone look around for me earlier." - pointing - "We can station ourselves at a small clearing over there."
They got in position and waited. It seemed like hours to Harry. He was in an agony of mind, wondering if he should expose Atlasov. But he realised he had no proof - Atlasov could say he was lying.
Then, after what seemed an eternity, there was a faint howling in the distance.
"What was that?" said Lupin, sharply.
Harry's stomach lurched. Coming up the road was a huge figure, hooded and cowled in black. It had a whip in its hand; in its other hand was a leash, which controlled the huge beast it was driving in front of it.
Harry had never seen such an animal before. It was black, and foam issued from its mouth. Harry had a glimpse of gleaming fangs as the creature raised its head in a snarl. Its body was like that of a panther, but more massive. There was a mad light in its eyes. It was thrashing from side to side, as if trying to free itself.
Lupin and the others were watching too, transfixed.
"I think I recognise…" said Dumbledore softly, but Lupin interrupted.
"Look at that!" he said sharply.
The beast had suddenly turned around and leapt at the cowled man. Sparks issued from the man's wand, and the animal howled in pain. It lurched around as if in a fit. Harry felt a surging force in his own mind.
"Did you feel that?" said Lupin softly. "He's controlling the animal. He's possessing it with his mind."
The cowled man and animal passed without seeing them, and entered the village. Harry saw the man raise his wand.
There was a flash, and the houses burst into flames. Harry could hear screams, and the villagers flooded out into the streets in a panic.
The cowled man gave a loud, cold laugh. He removed the leash and slashed at the beast with the whip.
"Kill them!" His voice was cold and deep.
The beast screamed, and bounded at the villagers, swiping at them with its claws. The cowled man lifted his wand and pointed at those trying to flee. One by one, with amazing speed, they were struck down.
"They're being slaughtered!" Lupin shouted, taking out his wand. But Dumbledore laid a hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry, Remus," he said firmly, "but we have to let Kovran go. We cannot let our presence here be known yet. You know that."
Lupin looked Dumbledore in the eye, then turned away, looking rather sick.
It was over in a sickeningly short time. The cowled figure pointed his wand at the beast. It shrieked, but came to him, and the metal collar snapped around its neck again.
"They're coming back," said Dumbledore, suddenly tense. "It's now, or never! Quick, hold hands!"
They joined hands. Professor Bubcek was at one end. He was looking at Dumbledore, but held out his free hand to his side. Harry, who had been keeping near him, hastily took hold of it, and gasped as Bubcek's iron grip closed on it.
He heard Dumbledore saying, "As they pass, choose one part of his person and fix your gaze on it."
Harry locked his gaze on the left shoulder of the approaching figure.
But, as the figure approached, the animal in front of it suddenly shrieked again. Wheeling around, it leapt at the cowled man.
Distracted, Harry's gaze fell on the beast. Too late, he heard Dumbledore saying, "Now…"
The world seemed to whirl around for a second, then when it came to, Harry found himself a few feet off the ground. There was a horrible snarling in his ears.
He glanced down. His own body had disappeared. He seemed to be looking down from the beast's right shoulder. All at once, he became aware of the others' consciousness; Dumbledore seemed to be watching from the top of the man's hood. Lupin was on the left shoulder, Bubcek on the left arm. Atlasov was somewhere on the man's chest.
Harry could hear Bubcek's voice in his mind; he sounded faintly worried.
Do you think he can hear us thinking? The question was obviously aimed at Dumbledore.
No, Harry heard Dumbledore reply, That's the beauty of the Abdovius Charm…it's very subtle. He paused, then - But there's someone else here -
Harry felt Dumbledore's mind reach out to his. So did Lupin's. He steeled himself.
Harry! Lupin sounded furious. What are you doing here?!
It's all right, Remus, I brought him - Professor Bubcek sounded apologetic.
A light flashed, and the world seemed to start spinning. The cowled figure was Apparating from the place.
Professor Lupin, Atlasov is going to betray us! Thought Harry frantically. I heard him say so before you left - you have to believe -
His mind felt a sudden pain, as Atlasov unleashed his mind on him. Then, it was gone. Through the whirling, Harry was vaguely aware of Lupin struggling with Atlasov, and also Dumbledore's mind gently probing his, checking his memory.
It's true, he heard Dumbledore saying, Harry heard a conversation on the stairs -
There was a jerk, and then Atlasov's consciousness suddenly vanished from Harry's mind.
Headmaster, he's gone, he heard Lupin say, he went berserk. I overdid it … I haven't done this for a long time…
The whirling had stopped. They must have reached the cowled man's abode. From his perch on the beast's shoulder, Harry could see stone walls, and stairs leading downward. The cowled figure was whipping the animal, driving it down. Harry could feel the creature jerk with each whipstroke.
They reached what looked like an underground cave, two guards on either side of its mouth, which was fitted with barred metal doors.
The cowled man drove the beast inside.
"You've been disobedient today," he said in a soft, cold voice. "A punishment is in order…but later…I have business to attend to now."
He turned, and strode out of the cave. The guards shut the door with a clang.
Stay there, Harry, he heard Dumbledore say in his mind, We'll come and get you later.
The beast padded to one corner of the cave, and sat down. Harry's heart sank.
"I always seem to mess up," he thought to himself. "Goodness knows how long I'm going to be stuck here."
He was suddenly aware of an odd, shrinking sensation. In the dim light from the door, the beast seemed to be getting smaller…its fur was disappearing…
The shrinking stopped. Harry glanced down, and was startled.
He could see an arm and a leg, and part of a body wearing rags. He glanced up and saw long, black matted hair, and a glimpse of a face.
"It's a girl," he thought in shock. "The beast…it's an Animagus!"
The girl sobbed slightly as she shifted her position, then slowly lifted the metal collar, now too big for her, from around her neck. She threw it to the floor with a clang. Then she suddenly gave a start, as if surprised. She brushed several times at her right shoulder, then gave it a slap. Although Harry knew he wouldn't feel anything, his mind winced. Then, to his alarm, he felt her mind reaching out to his own.
He tried to think of nothingness, to pretend he wasn't there. After a while, she stopped probing. She sat and seemed to be thinking.
It happened very fast. There was a loud pop! and Harry suddenly found himself on the ground next to the girl. The stench in the cave hit him all at once. He scrambled up in alarm, gagging slightly, and retreated a few steps.
She was leaning forward, in a crouching position, looking for him. He realised he was still wearing the amulet.
She looked around.
"Show yourself," she said softly. "I know you're there."
Harry kept silent. If he could just avoid her long enough, till Dumbledore came…
She waited. Then, when Harry said nothing, she moved.
Harry watched, panic mounting within him. She was growing bigger…long, shaggy fur was appearing…two small eyes…
It was a bear. Harry gaped at it. How could she - ?
The bear came toward him, sniffing.
"It can smell me!" he thought in alarm. There was no choice; he quickly took the amulet from around his neck.
All at once, the bear was gone. The girl was there again, instead. Harry stood there tensely, watching her. She must be some sort of shape-shifter. In the darkness of the cave, she looked rather alarming. There was no telling what creature she might turn into next.
She looked at him a while, then asked, "Who are you?"
"Ha - Harry P-Potter," said Harry, stammering slightly.
"Are you?" she said softly. There was a soft, crackling noise, and she was holding a handful of flames. As they illuminated her dirty face, he saw, with some surprise, that she looked Chinese.
She was taller than him. Bending over slightly, she held the flames near his face, looking at his scar. Her face had a slightly sullen and brooding expression, but her eyes were dark and watchful.
"Harry Potter. So you are," she said, lowering her flames. She stood back, and looked at him.
"Why are you here?" she asked, quietly.
All at once, he heard Dumbledore's voice in his head.
Harry, why are you back in your body? Are you all right?
Yes, he thought back. Professor Dumbledore - the beast - it's a girl -
He's coming to whip her, warned Dumbledore. Hide yourself!
Footsteps were approaching the cave. The girl whipped around, then hissed at him, "hide!"
Harry flung the amulet round his neck. The doors opened. The cowled wizard was back.
"Three times, she attacked me today," he said in his cold voice to the guards. "Give her a hundred."
The guards approached the girl. She retreated, then suddenly lifted her arms.
Harry felt the force of the cowled man's mind surge out.
"No, you don't," he said softly. "I want you whipped as a human, not an animal."
She screamed. The guards roughly chained her to the ground, her back to the ceiling. One started whipping her, counting each stroke.
The cowled man laughed as she screamed. "Scream, scream for mercy," he said softly, in a voice that sent shivers down Harry's spine. "I've kept you here three years, and you've never begged for mercy yet. I would like you to, just this once."
Harry clenched his fists. Shape-shifter or not, she was still human. Hands shaking, he felt in his robes for his wand.
Harry! Dumbledore said in his head. Do NOT -
They're whipping her! Thought Harry in fury.
Dumbledore's voice sounded harshly in his head. We must not give ourselves away, or everyone will die, including the girl!
Harry watched hopelessly. Fifty-four - fifty-five - .
She had stopped screaming. She lay on the ground, unmoving.
"Stop!" barked the cowled man. The guard lowered his whip.
"We want her alive," snapped the cowled man. "Milkovo too have resisted me. I need her to destroy them for me tomorrow night."
He turned, and left the cave. The guards unchained the girl, leaving her lying limp on the ground. The doors clanged shut again.
Harry crept over to her. She was still breathing, but blood was running down her back, soaking the rags she was wearing.
Harry took his handkerchief out to staunch the blood. It was soaked in no time. He tore off part of his robe and used that.
"I need to wash the wounds," he thought, looking around for water. He muttered, "Lumos!" to his wand, and light sprang from it. He wandered around the cave, but the pool of water at one end was stagnant. He shuddered, and gagged at the stench, wondering how anyone could stay here. How long had she been here? Didn't the man say three years -
He started at a sound. The girl was moaning; she seemed to have regained consciousness.
Harry went quickly over to her. "Are you all right?"
She sat up, but her wounds were hurting her and she was crying with pain. Harry desperately wished Madam Pomfrey was there.
Harry! It was Dumbledore. Is the girl all right?
She's alive, Harry thought back. But she's hurt -
Help her if you can, said Dumbledore. We're taking a look around here. We'll come and get you when we're ready. And then he was gone.
Presently she stopped sobbing, and looked wearily at him. She started to speak, but stopped, her eyes fixed on something behind him.
Harry turned around. In one far corner of the cave, something was glowing. He turned back to the girl, and saw that she was looking at him.
"The mirror is awake," she said, in a tired voice. "It doesn't wake very often, these days." She started to get up, painfully. "You may come and look at it, if you like."
Harry started forward.
"You're hurt - " he gave her an arm, to support her.
She shrank back. "I'm filthy," she said.
"It's all right," said Harry, gently.
They stumbled slowly over to the mirror.
"Don't worry," the girl said quietly, when he worried about her wounds. "Deorg will heal me before the next outing. It always happens."
"Is that his name -" began Harry, but they had reached the mirror.
It was as tall as a man, and square in shape. It had a simple silver frame, from which a soft sparkling light issued, as if starlight had been trapped within. The mirror itself was glowing, lights in different shades of blue. The slime that covered the rest of the cave had not touched it.
"How did this get here?" asked Harry, almost too surprised to speak. It seemed ludicrous that such a beautiful object could be found in such a stinking cave.
"I don't know," said the girl, wearily. "It was here when I first came. I don't know if Deorg knows about it. Perhaps he allowed it to remain here, to keep me sane."
Harry didn't understand. "What do you mean -" he began, but she had reached out a hand, and laid it gently on the mirror's polished surface.
She held it there for a while, as if listening, then turned to him.
"It wants to show you something," she said, surprise in her voice. She looked at him curiously, then moved aside, saying, "Stand here, and put your hand to the glass."
Harry hesitated, wondering if it was a trap, then did as she said. The mirror felt very cold. It shimmered at his touch, and the lights in it began to spin.
"You may take your hand away now," said the girl softly.
Harry removed his hand. The lights had disappeared. Images began to appear…blurred at first, then clearer. To his surprise, Harry recognised his parents. That was his father…and his mother…they looked very young…and the place…was it Hogwarts?
The images flashed by. Scenes from his parents' lives…their wedding…his mother holding him as a baby…
Harry began to tremble. The scene he feared most was approaching. His parents' death -
"I won't look," he thought, his heart beating fast. "I'll close my eyes -"
But his eyes remained glued to the mirror. Images began to rush as if the mirror were in a hurry. It happened very fast - almost nothing but a flash of green light -
And then he saw three people outside the Dursleys' home: surely - yes, it was Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, - and Hagrid! And there was a basket on the doorstep. What was in it - was it a baby?
Harry felt a lump in his throat. The girl stood next to him, also watching intently.
Scenes from his own life flashed past…escaping from Dudley's bullying…his first meeting with Hagrid…his life at Hogwarts…quidditch matches…himself with Ron and Hermione…
Then the images slowed down and the mirror went dark. He saw a tower, silhouetted against a full moon. Dimly superimposed was the image of a wolf, raising its muzzle to the sky and howling. Then they were rushing inward toward the tower, it seemed as if they would smash into it -
The mirror blurred, then became focussed. It was still night; Harry saw himself standing in a dimly lit corridor with some others: Ron, Hermione, and … was it Neville Longbottom?
Harry watched, transfixed. They looked older; his image self was taller and Neville looked as if he had lost some weight. Something must have happened - Neville was sobbing away. Hermione had tears in her eyes, and Ron looked sober.
As for himself, he was reading a letter. Harry peered closer. The others faded out of the picture, leaving himself alone standing there with the letter. He seemed to be thinking. And then…
His image self took something out of his robes, and looked at it. Then, he turned and looked at Harry, and started walking toward him.
Harry gulped. He shot a glance at the girl, next to him. She was still watching intently, her eyes bright.
Harry's image self had stopped in front of him. He looked gravely at Harry, then held out the object in his hand to him. It looked like a bottle.
Harry felt a stab of fear. Should he take it?
"He's giving you the bottle," said the girl. She looked at him in wonder. "Take it," she urged him softly.
Harry hesitated, then reached his hand out.
But as his hand touched the mirror, the image crackled as if with static, like a badly tuned television set. When it had stabilised, his image was still standing there, looking puzzled.
With a sober face, the image offered the bottle to him again. Harry put out his hand. The image crackled again.
"It's no use," said Harry, shaking his head, "maybe it's a trick -"
His image had settled again. This time, the image turned and looked at the girl. She shrank back a bit, looking frightened.
The image held out the bottle to the girl, and indicated that she should give it to Harry.
Her eyes widened. Then she slowly reached her hand out to the mirror. When she drew it back, the bottle was in her hand.
The image, now empty-handed, looked soberly at them. Then, with a quick nod at Harry, he blurred and faded.
"Wait!" said Harry, but the image was gone. The mirror was flashing its spectrum of blue light again.
Harry turned to the girl. She was looking at the bottle. It was small and round, and it contained a fine, sparkling dust, like tiny stars.
The girl looked at Harry, then held out the bottle to him.
"It's amazing," she murmured, "all the while I've been here, it's never given me anything."
Harry turned the bottle around in his hands. The dust inside swirled around, as if it had a life of its own.
"But - what is it for?" he said, confused. "How do I use it?"
"I'll try asking," she said, placing her hand on the mirror again, her eyes still fixed on the bottle.
She was quiet a while, listening, then slowly removed her hand. The mirror flickered for a few moments, then went dim. Another flicker, and it looked nothing more than a normal mirror again. In the darkness of the cave, it could hardly be seen.
The girl was looking at Harry, puzzled.
"What?" said Harry urgently. "What did it say?"
She stared at him.
"It said," she said slowly, as if trying to remember the exact words, "that 'the dust is a gift for you'." She took a breath. "It said,
'One second chance will this stardust give,
When one lies dead who deserves to live.
If you sprinkle the dust on one who is true
What death has taken will return to you.'"
Even while listening intently to her words, it struck Harry how odd all of this seemed. He had just seen this girl kill a village full of people. And yet here she was now, standing quietly in the dim light of the cave, reciting a poem to him. She seemed to have forgotten about her wounds, and there was a curious expression in her eyes, half-excited, half-fascinated.
He asked her to repeat the verse again, trying to commit the words to memory. A dozen different questions then came into his mind.
"What does it mean?" he asked, staring at the bottle. "Who will die? Why is it for me? Why couldn't I take it from the mirror?"
She looked thoughtfully at the bottle for a while.
"I don't know," she answered. "Perhaps…perhaps the dust will revive any person who has died." She raised her eyes to look at him. "Perhaps the mirror has given a second chance to you…it seems to know the life you've had, - that you've lost your parents…Maybe it's a chance to bring back someone you love, even…"
Her voice trailed off.
"Even what?" said Harry, his mind whirling.
"You might go back in time," she said softly, "to your parents - you know, when they just died…" She shook her head suddenly, and said quickly, "But I'm only speculating - " She stopped abruptly, as if she realised she had said enough.
Harry felt very queer. He remembered the time-turner Hermione used to have. Was it possible? Could he ever bring his parents back?
"But if the mirror never gave you anything, what do you see when you look in it?" he suddenly asked her.
At that moment, he heard a voice in his head.
Harry! It was Dumbledore. It's time to go.
Wait! Thought Harry frantically, Not yet -
But the cave had begun to spin around him. He could see the girl revolving by, a surprised expression on her face...he thought he should reach out and pull her along, but the whirling was too fast -
Harry opened his eyes. He was back outside the Institute. The air was bitterly cold, and the eastern sky was just beginning to brighten. Professors Dumbledore, Lupin and Bubcek were standing around, looking at him.
"Are you all right?" Lupin asked.
Harry jumped up.
"The girl - the girl in the cave - we've got to get her out!" he said to Dumbledore.
The expression in Dumbledore's eyes was kind.
"So we will, Harry," he said. "I promise you we will."
"We can get her out now," Harry said insistently. "You can get her out, like you just brought me here."
Dumbledore looked more sober now.
"No, Harry," he told him, "It's not the right time now."
"But she's hurt!" protested Harry. "Didn't you see how they whipped her?"
Lupin nodded grimly, looking sick.
"Tonight, Harry," he said. "we're going to - "
"But is it wise to save the girl?" a new voice interrupted.
They turned around. A tall, broad-shouldered wizard was standing there, together with a few others. Harry assumed they must be from the Institute, they were all dressed like Professor Bubcek.
"This girl - this shape-shifter…there must be evil in her," continued the wizard. "If what we hear is true, she's the one who has been killing hundreds of villagers, from Siberia all the way to here."
Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Lupin spoke first.
"That may be so, Dorek," he said, "but the girl herself had no say in the matter. Lord Deorg has been controlling her."
The wizard's face hardened. "Be that as it may be," he said stubbornly, "What sort of person can turn into a killing monster like that? Even without the Dark Lord, she can still transform and harm people anytime. I say, we should get rid of her as well."
The other wizards murmured in agreement.
"No, you can't!" said Harry indignantly. "She's just like any of us, I've met her…"
"She's bewitched you, boy," sneered the wizard, but Professor Bubcek hurriedly interrupted.
"I suggest we go back inside, where it's warmer," he puffed, "and Harry can tell us what he saw. We must also discuss our strategy."
Dorek and the other wizards led the way into the castle. Harry stared at them from behind. He decided he wouldn't tell anyone about the mirror yet. The mirror's gift seemed personal, and he didn't really care for any of the Russian wizards to know about it.
"There's nothing much to tell, actually," he said to Bubcek as they entered the castle. "She was hurt and bleeding, and I tried to staunch the flow. I talked to her a bit. She didn't try to hurt me or anything. Then I came back here. That's all."
He looked round at Lupin and Dumbledore as he said this. Lupin looked thoughtfully at Harry.
"What did you talk about?" he asked.
"Oh - er, nothing much," said Harry. "She asked my name, and I told her, and then - then they came to whip her. After that she was bleeding, so we didn't talk much. She just said not to worry about the wounds, that - that person - Deorg - would heal them before the next attack."
Professor Bubcek looked a bit green.
"Barbaric!" he muttered.
"You did very well, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Now, have something to eat, and then take a good rest."
"And then it's back to Hogwarts for you," added Lupin.
"What?" said Harry, appalled. "You're not sending me back after this, are you? Please let me stay," - appealing to Dumbledore - "There must be something I can do, to help."
Lupin and Dumbledore looked at each other.
"I think, Remus, he should stay," said Dumbledore at last. "Opening the Vortex is going to drain me of resources I would prefer to keep for tonight. Besides," he glanced at Harry, who was listening anxiously, "he has struck up a rapport with the shape-shifter. That may prove useful. He could, I should think, provide you valuable assistance when you tackle her, tonight."
"Me?" said Lupin, looking startled. "Tackle the shape-shifter? You mean, together with the others, of course." He indicated the other wizards.
Dumbledore smiled at Lupin, and his eyes were twinkling.
"Actually, Remus, I thought you might do it alone," he said. "The rest of us will be concentrating our efforts on Deorg. Once we have broken his hold on her, it only remains for you to calm her down till her mind is restored enough to transform back."
Lupin was silent a while. "I suppose that can be done," he said, thoughtfully.
"Who is this Deorg?" asked Harry. "It's not Voldemort, is it?"
Professor Bubcek winced on hearing the name.
"No, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Deorg used to be an ally of Voldemort, but broke away because he wanted his own power."
He glanced at Bubcek, who was still looking shaken, then continued.
"While you were with the shape-shifter - I don't suppose you asked her name?"
"Er - no," said Harry, flushing slightly.
"No matter," said Dumbledore, smiling. "Anyway, while you were with her, we had a look around Deorg's fortress. Outside Kamchatka, his magical powers, though strong, are not as strong as Voldemort's, so he has been collecting a physical army. His power, it seems, lies in his mental abilities to possess people. He has collected quite a sizeable army of mostly simple village peasants, over these few years. Once we break his hold on them, the soldiers should come out of their trances, and return to their homes."
"How are you going to do that?" asked Harry.
"Tonight, when Deorg attacks Milkovo, some of us will attack him, instead," said Dumbledore. "The rest will free the soldiers, and destroy the fortress. You and Professor Lupin will handle the shape-shifter."
"If nothing goes wrong," said Professor Bubcek excitedly, "we shall undo, in one night, what it has taken Deorg years to build up."
"If nothing goes wrong," said Lupin.
Harry remembered something.
"What about Atlasov? Won't he betray us?"
Dumbledore looked at Lupin.
"Professor Atlasov has - er - temporarily lost his mind, thanks to Professor Lupin here," he informed Harry. "I sincerely doubt he will regain it until tonight, by which time, hopefully everything will be over. We have also taken care of that unfortunate lady you hid under your bed. And yes, Oleg," he said to Bubcek, "I would like to conduct a scan on all your staff…it would be better to weed out all the spies in the castle, sooner rather than later."
They went on to discuss their strategy. Harry, feeling suddenly very tired, ate some breakfast and then went to bed.
To be continued.......
