The Last Act Must Be Carried Through (I)

Jon leaned weakly against the rooftop, his back resting against the raised ridge Hog had thoughtfully prepared, watching Hog and Peeves wait hand and foot on Helga... as though it would do them any good.

Of course, even if there were nothing in it for them, they would still do it.

That was Helga, after all.

But Jon did not even want to speak right now. He only wanted to lean here quietly and wait for Dumbledore to return.

Clearly, he got his wish.

By the time he saw Dumbledore, Dumbledore had already crossed the bluntly crenellated castle wall and was climbing down from his broomstick.

A few seconds later, Harry landed beside him and looked around.

The area within the walls was desolate. The doors leading to the spiral staircase inside the castle were all shut.

There were no signs of fighting or desperate resistance anywhere, nor was there a single body in sight.

"What does this mean?"

Harry asked Dumbledore, looking up at the green skull in the sky, its serpent-like tongue flickering with an evil light above their heads. "Is that Mark real? Has someone really been—Professor?"

In the dim green glow cast by the Dark Mark, Harry saw Dumbledore clutching at his chest with his blackened hand.

"Go wake Snape,"

Dumbledore said weakly but very clearly. "Tell him what has happened and tell him to come see me at once.

"Other than that, do nothing. Do not speak to anyone, and do not take off your Invisibility Cloak.

"I will wait here."

"But—"

"You swore to obey me.

"Harry—go!"

Harry hurried toward the door to the spiral staircase, but just as he grasped the iron ring handle, he heard running footsteps on the other side.

He turned to look at Dumbledore, who signaled for him to