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ESMIE GASPED FOR AIR AS SHE BROKE THROUGH THE SURFACE OF THE WATER, HER CHEST HEAVING AS SHE TRIED TO STEADY HER BREATHING.

The icy cold of the lake contrasted sharply with the adrenaline surging through her veins. She glanced around quickly and saw Enzo, Hermione, and Ron emerging from the water as well. Enzo's eyes locked onto hers, and he grinned, "I can't believe that plan actually worked."

Esmie's relief was evident in her smile. "I'm just glad we managed to free the dragon," she said, her voice tinged with excitement. She began to swim toward the edge of the lake, her strokes strong and purposeful. However, her smile faded when she noticed that Harry was not with them. Panic set in as she realised he was still underwater. Without hesitation, she dove back into the cold depths, her heart racing as she searched for him.

When she spotted Harry struggling, she reached out her hand. "Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"He knows, Esmie," Harry panted as she helped him up to the surface. Together, they swam back to the shore. As they emerged from the water, Esmie wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chill and looked at Harry with a mix of worry and confusion. "What do you mean he knows?"

"He knows, You-Know-Who. He knows we broke into Gringotts, he knows what we took, and he knows we're hunting Horcruxes," Harry explained, his face taut with anxiety.

Esmie's eyes widened. "How do you know?"

"I saw him," Harry said gravely.

"You let him in? Harry, you can't do that!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice rising with panic. Esmie glanced between them, feeling a shiver run through her as the gravity of the situation sank in.

"Hermione, it's not always under my control! Maybe I could have done something different, but I didn't know," Esmie said defensively.

"Never mind that for now. What happened?" Ron asked urgently.

"He's furious and scared. He knows that if we find and destroy all the Horcruxes, we'll be able to kill him. I'm sure he'll do everything in his power to prevent us from finding the rest," Harry said, as they climbed the hill and started stripping off their wet clothing. "And there's something else. One of the Horcruxes is at Hogwarts."

"What? You saw it?" Hermione's eyes widened in shock.

"I saw the castle and Rowena Ravenclaw. It must be connected to her. We need to go there immediately," Harry urged, his tone leaving no room for argument. Esmie glanced over at Enzo, who had just removed his shirt. When their eyes met, he gave her a smirk that made her blush. She quickly looked away, embarrassed by the unintended distraction.

"Wait, what? Snape is headmaster now. There's no way he'll let any of us just walk back into the school," Esmie said, realisation dawning on her as she processed what Harry was suggesting.

"We can't do that! We need a plan," Hermione insisted, her voice shaking slightly.

"Hermione, when have any of our plans ever actually worked? We plan, we get there, and everything goes wrong," Harry said, frustration evident in his tone. Esmie nodded in agreement as she took the dry clothes Hermione handed her and began changing. Enzo moved to stand in front of her as she dressed, offering her a semblance of privacy. She smiled to herself before pulling on the dry clothes.

"Esmie is right. With Snape as headmaster, we can't just waltz in," Ron said. As Esmie finished dressing, she looked up at Ron, surprised by his agreement.

"I'm sorry, did Ronald Weasley just agree with me?" Esmie asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Don't get used to it, Grisky. It won't happen again," Ron retorted with a roll of his eyes.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" Harry asked, taking control of the situation.

"We'll go to Hogsmeade and use the secret passage in Honeydukes' cellar."

"There's a secret passage in the cellar?" Enzo asked, glancing back to ensure Esmie had finished dressing. He stepped aside so she could rejoin the group.

"Yes," Esmie confirmed, her voice steady.

"How do you know about this passage?" Enzo inquired, curiosity evident in his gaze.

"The Marauder's Map," Esmie shrugged, her tone nonchalant.

"There's something wrong with him," Harry continued, his voice tense. "I used to be able to follow his thoughts, but now everything feels disjointed."

"Maybe it's the Horcruxes. Maybe he's growing weaker, or perhaps he's dying," Ron suggested, his expression worried.

"No, it's more like he's wounded. If anything, he feels even more dangerous," Harry said, shaking his head. Esmie sighed softly, feeling the weight of their situation press down on her.

"Well, then I guess we have to go to Hogwarts if we want to find the last Horcrux," Esmie said quietly, determination in her voice.

"I thought you said—" Enzo started to say.

"I know what I said, Sweets, and I still believe Snape won't just let us walk through the front doors. He's probably got people watching for us, but if we want a chance at killing You-Know-Who, we need to find the last Horcrux, even if it means going back to Hogwarts," Esmie explained. Enzo nodded in agreement and took her hand, lacing their fingers together in a gesture of support.

"Then let's go back to Hogwarts," he said firmly.

"Alright," Hermione agreed, taking Esmie's other hand. Ron grabbed Hermione's free hand, and Harry took the last hand as the group prepared to Apparate. In a flash, they found themselves in Hogsmeade. The dark, snowy night greeted them with an eerie silence that was quickly shattered by loud screeches. Esmie's heart sank as she realised the Death Eaters had been alerted to their presence.

"They're here! Spread out! Search everywhere!" a Death Eater's voice shouted from somewhere nearby.

"Come on, this way," Enzo said quietly, grabbing Esmie's hand and leading them toward an empty restaurant where they could hide. They ducked inside, the cold air of the room biting at their exposed skin. Enzo put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Esmie nodded and pressed close to him, their bodies huddled together for warmth.

"Potter!" a Death Eater's voice echoed through the streets, growing closer.

"We need to get out of here," Esmie whispered urgently. The group nodded in agreement and carefully slipped out of their hiding spot, sprinting through Hogsmeade with a sense of desperate urgency.

"Here!" Esmie called out as she spotted a gate. She tried to open it but groaned in frustration when she realised it was locked. "Damn it, it's locked!"

"Try this one," Enzo said, guiding her to another gate nearby. As they worked together to find a way through, the urgency of their situation made every second feel like an eternity.

"In here, Potter," a gruff voice called out, breaking the silence as the group gathered at the entrance to a concealed passage. They turned to see a stern-looking man, his face partially obscured by shadows, beckoning them with a wave of his hand. Without hesitation, the group followed him down a narrow staircase, their footsteps reverberating through the stone walls. As they descended into the depths, Ron, Hermione, and Esmie exchanged glances, a mix of uncertainty and determination etched on their faces.

"Did you get a good look at him? For a moment, I thought he was—" Ron began, but Hermione cut him off with a curt nod.

"I know, Dumbledore," Hermione said quietly, her gaze shifting to the man who led them. The group shared a silent moment of understanding before they walked across the room to where the man had stopped. As they did, Esmie's attention was caught by a painting of a young girl. She paused, her eyes drawn to the delicate features and the wistful expression of the girl in the painting.

"Who is she?" Esmie asked, turning to Enzo, who had joined her and was now standing close by. His hand rested gently on her back as he studied the painting.

"She looks familiar," Enzo remarked, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to place the girl's face.

"Harry? I— I see you in this," Hermione's voice broke through, her eyes fixed on a large mirror that stood prominently in the room. To Esmie's surprise, Harry's reflection appeared in the mirror, even though he wasn't standing directly in front of it. She turned her attention to the mirror, her eyes widening in astonishment as she saw Harry's image clearly reflected, even though he was off to the side.

"You bloody fools. What were you thinking coming here?" a harsh voice interrupted their thoughts, snapping them back to the present.

"It was you who sent Dobby," Harry said, his tone sharp as he turned to face the man. The group stiffened, the atmosphere suddenly charged with tension.

"Where have you left him?" the man demanded, his voice laced with concern.

"He's dead," Harry replied flatly, his expression hardening with grief.

"Sorry to hear it. I rather liked that elf," the man said, his voice softening slightly as he spoke of Dobby.

"Who gave you that mirror?" Harry asked, pointing towards the mirror that had just revealed his reflection.

"Mundungus Fletcher, about a year ago," the man answered nonchalantly.

"Dung had no right to sell that to you. It belonged to—" Harry began, but the man cut him off with a dismissive gesture.

"Sirius. Albus told me. He also mentioned you'd be quite upset to find out I had it, but ask yourself, where would you be if I hadn't?" the man said, his tone both challenging and dismissive. He turned to walk away, leaving Harry and the others to process his words.

Esmie looked back at the mirror, then at Harry, who seemed to be grappling with his emotions. "Harry, he does make a point. I know you're upset that Mundungus stole Sirius' things, but if it wasn't for that mirror being here, we might all be dead right now," she said earnestly. Harry's gaze flicked to her, a mixture of frustration and contemplation crossing his face. Esmie sighed softly, realising that continuing this discussion might not be productive.

Soon after, the man returned, carrying a tray with steaming mugs of hot drinks. He set them down on a nearby table, and Esmie eagerly grabbed one. She took a long sip, the warmth of the drink spreading through her and offering a moment of comfort amidst the tension.

"Do you hear from the others much? From the Order?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with concern as she took a sip of her own drink.

"The Order is finished. You-Know-Who has won. Anyone who says otherwise is deluding themselves," the man said flatly, his tone heavy with resignation.

"He hasn't won yet," Esmie muttered under her breath, taking another sip of her drink. Her resolve was unshaken; she wasn't about to let Voldemort win.

"We need to get into Hogwarts tonight. Dumbledore gave us a task," Harry said, his voice filled with urgency.

"Did he now? A nice, easy job, I suppose?" the man replied, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"We've been hunting Horcruxes, and we believe the last one is hidden inside the castle. We need your help to get in," Harry explained. Esmie felt a flutter of anxiety at the thought of returning to Hogwarts, but she knew how crucial it was to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes to ultimately defeat Voldemort.

"That's not a task my brother gave you; it's a suicide mission. Do yourself a favour, boy, and go home. Live a little longer," the man advised sternly.

"Dumbledore trusted me to see this through," Harry said resolutely.

"What makes you think you can trust him? Did he ever mention my name? Or hers?" the man asked pointedly.

"Why should he—"

"Keep secrets? You tell me."

"I trusted him."

"That's the boy's answer, chasing Horcruxes on the word of a man who wouldn't even tell him where to start! You're lying, not just to me, but to yourself as well. That's what a fool does. You don't strike me as a fool, Harry Potter, so I'll ask you again. There must be a reason."

"I'm not interested in what happened between you and your brother. I don't care that you've given up. I trust the man I knew, and we need to get into the castle tonight," Harry said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"You know what to do," the man said, turning to the painting of the young girl. Esmie watched as the girl in the painting nodded and then turned to walk away.

"Where has she gone?" Ron asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

"You'll see soon enough," the man replied mysteriously.

"That's your sister, Ariana, isn't it?" Hermione asked, her gaze following the painting. "She passed away very young, didn't she?"

"My brother sacrificed many things in his quest for power, including Ariana. She was devoted to him, and he gave her everything but time," the man said solemnly.

"Thank you, Mr. Dumbledore," Hermione said as the man retreated into another room. Esmie turned to Hermione, who shrugged.

"He did save our lives twice and kept an eye on us through that mirror. That doesn't seem like someone who's given up. She's coming back," Hermione said with conviction.

"Who's that with her?" Ron asked as the group saw Ariana returning. The painting opened to reveal a hidden tunnel, and Esmie's face brightened when she saw who was waiting behind it.

"Neville!" Harry exclaimed, relief evident in his voice.

"Hi," Esmie greeted Neville warmly, her smile a beacon of hope.

"Oh, you look—"

"Like hell, I reckon. This is nothing; Seamus is worse. Hey, Ab, we've got a couple more coming through," Neville said, signaling to the others as they began to emerge from the tunnel.

"Don't remember this on the Marauder's Map," Ron commented, glancing around the unfamiliar passage.

"That's because it didn't exist until now. The seven secret passages were sealed off at the start of the year. This is the only way in or out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors," Neville explained as they made their way through the tunnel.

"How bad is it with Snape as headmaster?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with worry.

"Hardly ever see him. It's the Carrows you need to watch out for," Neville replied, his tone grave.

"Who are the Carrows?" Esmie asked, noticing Enzo flinch slightly at the mention of the Carrows.

"Brother and sister, in charge of discipline. They revel in punishment, the Carrows," Neville said, his voice heavy with disapproval.

"Yeah, they do," Enzo confirmed with a nod, his expression grim.

"They did that to you? Why?" Esmie asked, her concern deepening as she noticed Neville's injuries.

"Today's Dark Arts lesson had us practicing the Cruciatus Curse on first-years. I refused. Hogwarts has changed," Neville said, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"The Cruciatus Curse? That's one of the—" Esmie began, her voice trembling with shock.

"Unforgivable Curses," Enzo finished quietly, his tone somber.

"Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?" Neville said with a determined grin as he reached the end of the tunnel and opened a concealed door. "Hey! Listen up, you lot! Brought you a surprise."

"Not more of Aberforth's cooking, I hope. It'd be a surprise if we can actually digest it," Seamus joked, eliciting a few chuckles from the group. Esmie smiled as she followed Neville into the room, her heart lifting as she saw the familiar faces of Hogwarts students, gathered and ready to fight. The room was filled with a sense of camaraderie and determination, a stark contrast to the grim reality outside.

As the room buzzed with excitement and cheers, Esmie felt a surge of relief and happiness. The tension that had been weighing on her shoulders for so long seemed to melt away, replaced by the warmth of familiar faces. She scanned the room, catching glimpses of old friends reunited, their expressions a mix of joy and disbelief.

"Harry!" Elsie Potter's voice cut through the noise, and Esmie turned to see her friend pushing through the crowd with a look of sheer relief. Elsie's eyes found Esmie's, and she moved swiftly toward her. Esmie's heart skipped a beat as Elsie's arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace.

"You're alive. I've missed you so much," Elsie said, her voice trembling slightly.

"I've missed you too, Elsie," Esmie replied, hugging her friend tightly. The embrace felt like a lifeline, a connection to a world that had seemed so distant and uncertain.

As Elsie released her, she immediately turned to Harry, enveloping him in a heartfelt hug. Esmie's gaze drifted across the room, and she spotted Josie making her way through the throng of students. A smile spread across Esmie's face, and she hurried forward, her heart racing with anticipation. When she reached Josie, she pulled her into a warm, tight hug.

"I've missed you so much, Josie," Esmie said, her voice filled with emotion.

"I've missed you too, Esmie. There's so much to catch up on," Josie replied, her eyes shining with joy.

"Yeah, I heard," Esmie teased, her gaze flicking toward Enzo, who had joined them. He smiled at Josie before stepping a little closer to Esmie.

"He told you?"

"That you and Draco are together? Yes, he did, but I want to hear all about it from you later, Jos," Esmie said with a playful grin.

"Okay, okay, let's not kill him before You-Know-Who gets the chance. What's the plan, Harry?" Neville interjected, his voice cutting through the moment of reunion. Esmie and Josie joined their friends, and Enzo moved a little closer to Esmie, causing her to smile at him.

"Okay, there's something we need to find, something hidden here in the castle, and it may help us defeat You-Know-Who," Harry said, his expression serious.

"Right, what is it?" Neville asked.

"We don't know," Harry admitted, "and we don't know where it is either. I realise it's not much to go on."

"That's nothing to go on," Neville replied, his frustration evident.

"I think it has something to do with Ravenclaw. Um, it'll be small, easily concealed. Anyone, any ideas?" Harry asked, scanning the group.

There was a moment of silence before Luna stepped forward, her face illuminated with a spark of recognition. "Well, there's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem," she said thoughtfully.

"Oh, bloody hell, here we go," Ron muttered, his frustration evident.

"Lost diadem of Ravenclaw? Hasn't anyone heard of it? It's quite famous," Cho Chang added.

"Yes, but Luna, it's been lost for centuries now. There isn't a person alive today who's seen it," Cho continued.

"Great, so we're looking for something that hasn't been seen in centuries," Enzo whispered to Esmie. She shrugged in response, her own uncertainty mingling with a sense of determination.

"Excuse me, can someone tell me what a bloody diadem is?" Ron asked, his confusion clear.

"It's a sort of crown, you know, like a tiara," Cho explained.

Just then, the door burst open, and Esmie turned to see Ginny running into the room. "Harry!" she shouted, her face flushed with urgency.

"Hi there," Harry greeted her, his tone relieved.

"Six months she hasn't seen me and it's like I'm Frankie First Year. I'm only her brother," Ron grumbled.

"She's got lots of those. There's only one Harry," Seamus chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shut up, Seamus," Ron retorted.

"What is it, Ginny?" Neville asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Snape knows. He knows that Harry was spotted in Hogsmeade," Ginny said breathlessly. The gravity of her words hung in the air, and Esmie felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her chest. From the look on Ginny's face and the sudden tension in Harry's expression, it was clear that it was time to confront Snape. Esmie took a deep breath, preparing herself for the inevitable confrontation.

As the group began to process Ginny's alarming news, Esmie's mind raced with thoughts of the past and the friends she had been separated from. The reunion with Elsie and Josie had been a beacon of hope, but now they faced a new, daunting challenge.

Before Esmie could fully grasp the situation, she heard a familiar voice from the crowd. Her heart leapt as she turned to see Danielle and Mattheo making their way toward her. Danielle's eyes met Esmie's, and a look of pure relief crossed her face. Without a word, she rushed forward and enveloped Esmie in a tight embrace.

"Esmie! I've been so worried," Danielle said, her voice trembling.

"I'm here, Dani. I'm safe," Esmie reassured her, hugging her friend tightly. The warmth of the embrace was comforting, and Esmie felt a wave of gratitude for having her friends by her side.

Mattheo approached, a mixture of relief and concern etched on his face. He extended his arms, and Esmie moved to hug him as well. "We've missed you, Emmy," Mattheo said softly.

"I've missed you both," Esmie replied, her voice choked with emotion. "I was so worried about all of you."

Theo, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward, his eyes meeting Esmie's with a look of genuine relief. "Esmie," he said, his voice filled with emotion as he joined the group hug. "I'm glad you're okay."

Esmie's heart swelled with gratitude as she embraced Theo. The connection she felt with her friends was a reminder of the strength and support they provided each other. In that moment, she felt a renewed sense of determination to face the challenges ahead.

As the group settled back into the room, Ginny's words hung heavily in the air. "Snape knows about Harry being spotted in Hogsmeade," she repeated, her voice urgent.

Esmie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The thought of facing Snape, especially with the weight of the current situation, was daunting. But she knew she couldn't let her fear overwhelm her. She glanced around at her friends, their faces reflecting a shared sense of resolve.

"We need to be ready for whatever comes next," Harry said, his voice steady despite the tension. "We need to get into Hogwarts and find the diadem."

The group nodded in agreement, their expressions serious. Esmie felt a sense of solidarity as they prepared to face the challenges ahead. She knew that they were stronger together, and that unity would be their greatest weapon against the darkness.

As they discussed their next steps, Esmie felt a renewed sense of purpose. The reunion with her friends had reminded her of what they were fighting for—their hope, their courage, and their determination to protect each other and defeat the dark forces threatening their world.

With a final, determined glance at her friends, Esmie braced herself for the confrontation with Snape. She knew that the path ahead would be difficult, but with her friends by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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They're back at Hogwarts, now it's time for the final chapters of part two 🤍

Enjoy! Xo

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