Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [186]
“What about Ron and Hermione? Will they be in trouble?”
“Oh, I’m sure they will be fine as well,” chuckled Dumbledore. “But come now, we must leave quickly! Voldemort could return any minute.”
“Um, professor,” said Harry, “I am a little… stuck here…”
“Oops!” said Dumbledore, “Sorry there Harry!” He pointed his wand right at Harry, mumbled something, and three bright spheres came out. They revolved around Harry for a few seconds, each time making the shield around him dimmer and dimmer, until finally, it was gone. The three spheres went back inside Dumbldore’s wand.
“Now come quickly,” said Dumbledore, “we have to be fast! Oh, and don’t worry about Lupin and Sirius, I’ll get them.” He picked them up, and slung them over his shoulder, then signaled to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to follow him. He dashed ahead quickly, appearing to hover rather than run. Harry, who hadn’t walked for more than an hour, rubbed his legs, and ran right after him, throwing away the leaves and brushes that got in his way. As fast as he went, though, he was no match for Dumbledore.
“Professor Dumbledore!” yelled Harry. “Please slow down! I can barely see you or keep up with you!” Harry waited for Dumbldore’s response, and heard some faint words, but could not make out any of them. Still, he continued running forward.
“Why is he going so fast!?” yelled Ron, quickly avoiding a large stump.
“I don’t know,” said Hermione, trying to catch up with them. “Arg! For once I wish I had a broomstick!”
“Don’t worry,” said Harry, “I can see the end of the forest just ahead!” He pointed forward, and indicated a single beam of light flowing into the forest. Harry sprinted now, feeling that Voldemort was all around him, just waiting for him to slow down.
Seconds later, Harry reached the end of the forest, quickly followed by Ron and Hermione. They exited it, out of breath and panting. When he had caught his breath, Harry stood up, and looked around.
Where were they? This wasn’t the way they came in! Where was Hagrid’s hut? All that was around them was just more green grass, like a giant meadow. Most importantly, where was Dumbledore?
“Professor Dumbledore!” yelled Harry, cupping his hands over his mouth.
“I’m right here, Harry,” whispered Dumbledore. He was leaning up against a single tree that was right next to the outskirts of the forest. He didn’t look his usual self. He had one foot up against the tree, and was cleaning his fingernails. Lupin and Sirius lay there, on the ground next to him. But that didn’t matter right now, they just had to get out of here.
“Professor, we have to go!” said Harry. Dumbledore looked at him for a second, and stood up from leaning against the tree. He reached into his pocket, and took out his wand, holding against his side.
“Harry…” he said. His voice was nothing like it used to be, it was colder now… it sent chills through Harry’s spine. “Do you remember my motto?”
“No professor…” said Harry, extremely confused. He looked Dumbledore over. He was still standing very far away from him, but now that he was standing still, there was something different about him… what was it? Harry looked allover him, scanned him like a robot would. Shoes, robe, wand, beard… everything seemed to be in order…. Then, it hit him! The eyes! They were big, with tiny black pupils surrounded by a red iris. Completely different from how he normally looked.
“Remember…‘Always have a backup plan, or three?’” he hissed. Now Harry knew what happened. Somehow… Voldemort had changed into Dumbledore!
“Well, I have another motto,” he hissed, still keeping his distance, “If I can’t have it… no one can! AVADA KEDAVRA!”
The green bam flashed out of his wand. Instinctively, Harry fell to the ground, to avoid it. He felt the warmth of the beam soar over him, like a small phoenix.
BAM!
What was that sound? Even with his hands over his ears, Harry knew he heard something.