Harry Potter and The Last Horcrux
Kathryn’s Proposition

Snape almost dragged Slughorn into his master’schambers. The Potions master had startedto blabber as his fear was starting to overtake his senses. It was getting very annoying to Snape and hecouldn’t wait to deliver this pathetic thing to his master and leave.

“Severus please,” the older man begged, “I can make yourich! Just let me go and I’ll give youanything!”

Snape speared him with a cold glare and knocked twice on thelarge wooden door. It opened immediatelyand Snape grabbed Slughorn by the collar and half-pushed, half-threw the man inthe room.

“Master,” Snape said, “I have what you asked for.”

Slughorn looked and saw the black-clad figure of evil anddropped to his knees in fear. Voldemortstood from his chair and looked down at the man kneeling in absolute terrorbefore him and smiled.

“Excellent Severus!” Voldemort exclaimed, “You have donevery, very well.”

“Thank you Master,” Snape inclined his head in a bow.

“You were being followed Severus,” Voldemort said evenlywatching his apprentice’s reaction.

Snape’s eyes widened in surprise, “By whom?”

“Potter and an Auror,” Voldemort said, “I was able todistract them long enough for you to get away. Were there any problems in the castle?”

“Only one,” Snape replied, “I ran into Hermione Granger.”

“Ah yes,” Voldemort said, “I remember hearing abouther. And?”

“She tried to stop me and I killed her.”

“Be careful Severus,” Voldemort warned, “She may just havesurvived if Potter was there.”

“Yes Master.”

“You have done well as usual Severus,” Voldemort waved hishand towards the door, “You may leave us now.”

Once the door had closed, he looked down at the whimperingman in front of him, “Now, my old professor. I am hoping that we might catch up about old times and,” he leanedforward and smiled, “horcruxes.”

Slughorn looked up and saw the face of evil smiling at himwith glowing red eyes and screamed in pure terror.

Harry and Kathryn apparated in front of St. Mungo’sHospital. The entrance was the frontentrance for Purge and Dowse, Ltd. clothiers. The sidewalks in front of the ever under-renovation store were crowdedwith tourists and residents alike bustling about. Kathryn leaned in and muttered to one of thedummies, and with Harry right behind her, entered the building.

They approached the main information desk and saw an olderpolite-looking witch sitting reading The Daily Prophet.

“Good morning,” Kathryn said.

The older witch looked up with a smile. Her smile faded at the sight of the twoslightly grubby and bloodied people in front of her.

“Emergency?” she asked.

Kathryn looked at Harry in confusion then looked at themcovered with blood and grime, “Oh, not us,” she said quickly, “We’re lookingfor Hermione Granger’s room.”

The witch cocked an eyebrow at them in suspicion and flippedthe pages of the register.

“Yes, Miss. Granger is here and she’s in roomfour-thirteen,” she said and pointed down the hall, “Take the ‘lift there tothe forth floor and it’ll be in the west wing fifth door on the left.”

Kathryn and Harry turned and walked quickly to the liftknowing the witch was watching them from her desk. The doors opened and those inside looked atthem with the same confused looks as from the witch at the front desk. The ride up was quiet, as no one wanted toengage the two in conversation. Theyexited the ‘lift with relief, which Kathryn remarked on.

“Thank God. That wasa little uncomfortable.”

Harry grunted his agreement and they turned down the westwing corridor. They saw a crowd ofpeople in the hallway as they approached room four-thirteen.

“Harry! There you aredear!” Mrs. Weasley nearly shouted when she saw them, “Goodness Gracious! Are you hurt dear?” she asked seeing the bloodon him.

He shook his head, “No, it’s Hermione’s,” he looked ateveryone there, “How is she?”

“The healers are in there now,” Mr. Weasley said, “Theydon’t seem to hopeful.”

“Where’s Ron?” Harry asked looking for him.

“He’s inside,” Charlie Weasley said, “He wouldn’t leaveher.”

Harry nodded and he looked back at Kathryn, who nodded, andhe walked towards the door and opened it.

“Harry!” Ron’s voice said. He leapt up from the bench he was sitting on and grabbed his friend intoa bear hug and pulled back, “Are you ok mate?”

“Fine, how’s ‘Mione?”

Ron looked at the curtain that separated them from her andshook his head, “They’ve put up a silence barrier and I can’t get it down.”

The door opened and a nurse walked in and Harry stopped her,“Excuse me, how’s our friend?”

The nurse looked at Harry with surprise before replying,“She’s not good.”

The nurse went behind the curtain and the two friends satdown on the bench.

“Harry what happened?”

“Snape returned to the castle,” Harry said.

“Snape? He did this?”Ron asked pointed in Hermione’s general direction.

Harry nodded, “He came for Professor Slughorn.”

“Why?”

“The horcruxes,” Harry said, “It was Slughorn who toldVoldemort about the horcruxes in the first place.”

Ron sat back, “I….”

The curtain flipped open and a tall dark wizardemerged. He looked at saw Ron and Harrysitting in the room.

“I’m Healer Loren,” he said in a deep bass voice, “And youare?”

“Ron Weasley, Hermione’s boyfriend,” Ron said standing withHarry.

“And you?”

“Harry Potter.”

The healer’s eyebrows went up in surprise and his eyesflashed to the scar on Harry’s forehead.

“Nice to meet you both,” he said, “I would assume you’d liketo know how she’s doing?”

They both nodded and the doctor jerked his towards the door,“Then let’s go outside and talk.”

They walked out and the doctor paused momentarily at thenumber of people who turned, stood or otherwise.

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, “I see Miss. Granger has manypeople here.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Weasley said and stood in front of the healer,“Her parents are being brought here as soon as we locate them. How is she?”

“Not good. The spellused against her nearly killed her,” he sighed heavily, “It still isactually. We can’t stop thebleeding. We’ve used every spell orcounter-spell we know. The spell usedmust have been a very special spell considering the amount of damage itcaused.”

“Are you saying she’s going to die?” Ron asked looking panicstricken.

“Yes,” the healer said quietly, “Unless we know what it wasthat was used on her.”

“It was a version of a cutting spell,” Harry said frombehind them, “The spell was invented by an old student from Hogwarts. It’s called Sectumsempra.”

The healer looked at him the same as everyone else, withsurprise, “How do you know this young man?”

“I learned it from the student and used it myself,” Harrysaid, “The counter spell I don’t know, but it can be healed.”

“I see,” the healer said, “Now that I know that I have abetter idea about how to help her. Please remain out here. I willsend word when things change.”

He turned quickly and entered the room again leaving therest of them in the hall. After a fewmoments Kathryn cleared her throat.

“Harry can I see you a moment please?” she whispered fromnext to him.

Harry and Kathryn walked down the hall a little ways andinto an empty room.

“Ok Harry, who was this student?” Kathryn asked.

“Snape,” he replied, “He invented several spells when he wasin Hogwarts many years ago.”

“How’d you learn them? Did he teach them to you?”

Harry shook his head, “No, I was given his old Potions textbook two years ago. He had invented thatspell, plus several others and had written them in there.”

“Well if Snape was behind Professor Slughorn’s abductionthen it’s good we know what he knows, at least in some aspect,” she said, “Ihave to go report this to Filmier and I’ll let you get back to Hermione, butplease stay with the Weasley’s here or at your home until Kingsley and Ireturn.”

Harry nodded, “I will.”

Kathryn quickly turned and left. Harry sat down and put his head in hishands. He began running througheverything that had happened today. Hemust have fallen asleep because he was jolted awake by a gentle touch. He looked up and saw Mrs. Weasley smilingdown at him.

“I’m sorry for waking you Harry dear,” she said, “I didn’tmean to startle you.”

“That’s ok,” he said.

“The doctor came out a few minutes ago and says Hermione’sdoing much better,” she said, “She’s awake now and asking for you.”

Harry stood quickly and practically ran into her room. He closed the door and saw his friend lyingpropped up and very pale. She turned herhead and smiled at him through dropping eyes. He smiled back and quietly approached her bed.

Ron stood and went to leave, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Harry looked in confusion as he left and turned back toHermione, “Why’s he leaving?”

“I asked him to,” Hermione’s tired and weak voice replied,“Please sit.”

Harry did so on the edge of her bed, “You certainly lookbetter ‘Mione.”

She nodded and licked her lips, “Harry, I want to thank youfor coming for me.”

Harry’s anger returned, “I wasn’t quick enough to get toyou.”

“No Harry,” she whispered, “Don’t think that. You did what you could.”

Harry nodded his head, knowing that Hermione was right, asalways. She put her hand on his and gaveit the tightest squeeze she could muster.

“Harry, Snape kidnapped Slughorn,” she whispered.

“I know,” Harry said, “Slughorn has a lot of knowledge abouthorcruxes, that’s why Voldemort sent Snape to get him.”

“Harry, Voldemort maybe trying to gain more horcruxes,” shepaused to take in a breath, “After all you and Dumbledore have destroyed, he’sonly has one left. Please be careful.”

“I will,” he said and lightly patted her hand, “Get somerest. I’ll be back.”

“Harry,” she called out weakly stopping him, “Please don’tgo after Snape in revenge. Voldemortwill be hoping for that.”

Harry nodded and left. He quietly closed the door and Ron came over to him.

“Tell you later,” Harry said quickly and Ron nodded, “Ishould get changed. I’ll see you back athome?”

Ron nodded again, “Later.”

Harry turned and was speaking with Mr. Weasley when Ginnyand Bill came rushing from the ‘lift.

“What happened?” Ginny asked.

“Hermione was injured at Hogwarts,” Mrs. Weasley said,“She’ll be ok now.”

Ginny turned and her eyes went wide at Harry’s appearance,“Harry? Are you ok?”

Harry looked down at himself and then back up at her, “Fine,its Hermione’s,” he quickly finished speaking with Mr. Weasley and went toleave.

Ginny caught up with him near the ‘lift, “Harry!”

Harry stopped and turned.

“Harry what happened?” she asked.

“Snape attacked Hermione and Slughorn’s gone.”

Ginny was surprised at that, “But why did Snape attack her?”

“She was trying to stop him.”

“Did you catch him?”

“No,” Harry said, “but I will.”

“Why did he take Slughorn?”

“I don’t know,” he lied.

Harry turned to leave, but was stopped by her hand on hisarm.

“I’m just glad you’re ok,” she said.

“Thanks,” he replied and then he was gone.

Two hours later a knock sounded on his bedroom door. He put down the journal from Regulus Blackand opened the door. He was surprised tosee Kathryn standing there.

“Oh Harry Potter,” came the voice from below. Harry looked down and saw Dobby looking up athim with a severe case of anxiety.

“Oh master,” Dobby said, “I’s is very sorry HarryPotter. Winky tolds me this lady waslooking for you so Winky broughts her here.”

“That’s ok Dobby,” Harry said and looked back at Kathryn,“Why don’t we go to the study.”

Harry led Kathryn down into the study and offered her aseat. He sat down across from her.

“Hermione’s doing better,” he said.

“I know. I stopped bySt. Mungo’s on my way here,” she said, “Harry, I’ve talked with Shacklebolt andboth of us have a proposition for you.”

Harry sat up straighter in his seat.

“I’m due back at Hogwarts soon and I’m missing my teachingassistant,” she said, “Hermione maybe out of extreme danger now, but she’s notgoing to be back for quite a while,” she paused, “Plus, if I’m going to bethere and I need someone who knows all about that castle. Secret passages and all.”

Harry nodded as she talked. He had a feeling where this was going.

“I suppose the bush I’m beating around is this,” she pausedand leaned forward in her chair, “I’d like you to join me at Hogwarts. I need help and you seem to be interested inwhat goes on there. So I figure we canhelp each other. If that’s ok with you?”

“So I’d be your student then?”

“Yes and no,” Kathryn said, “Just consider yourself ontemporary assignment.”

“What about Professor McGonagall?”

“Cleared it with her already,” Kathryn said, “She seemsenthusiastic to have you there.”

Harry though about it for a few moments. This would be great for him as he could snooparound the castle without raising suspicion.

“Ok,” he said finally.

“Great!” Kathryn exclaimed, “Bring whatever you needtomorrow. We’ll talk then about theclass schedule as well as other things.”

Kathryn stood and went to leave, “Oh, one more thing,” shestopped in the doorway, “With Slughorn’s kidnapping we, you and me, will needto figure out why he was taken, so we’ll search his office as well.”

Harry took a deep breath and exhaled noisily, “I all readyknow why he was kidnapped.”

Kathryn looked at him incredulously, “Really? How do you know?”

Harry indicated to the seat she just vacated and said, “Ithink I should start at the beginning...”

Harry spent the remainder of the night telling her about thelast seven years.