Undercover Maneuvers

Harry quickly picked up the Marauder's Map, as well as the invisibility cloak before heading out the chamber. While his Disillusionment Charm was fairly decent, he was not interested in putting it to the test just yet, particularly not in broad daylight. The cloak was much, much better, and would likely remain so.

After making his way out of the chamber, Harry quickly greeted Myrtle before heading down to the dungeons at a quick pace.

"Tempus." muttered Harry, waving his wand before him slowly. He smiled slightly upon seeing that it was still lunch time; with any luck, he would be able to enter the Snape's classroom without the potions master being present.

Sure enough, the potions classroom was void of human life when Harry entered. He quietly made his way past the many desks and cauldrons, quickly heading into the storage room.

The room was covered in cobwebs and dust, something rather odd considering that it was used practically every class. Harry quickly searched through the 'M' section, which was where all his ingredients were supposed to be placed.

There was quite a bit of Murtlap essence, and a single Moke skin; Snape would probably notice them having vanished, not that Harry cared. He did care, however, that there were no Mandrake leaves in the storage. Harry had forgotten that the Mandrake leaves were not kept in the potions ingredient cabinet, but rather the greenhouses.

It was likely to be a hindrance for Harry, considering that he wouldn't be able to get the ingredients without stealing them. Harry had no problem stealing from Snape, but he felt slightly guilty about doing it from others.

Professor Sprout's been acting more like Snape than anyone else, though.

The thought suddenly weakened the guilt that Harry was begging to feel. Harry once more covered himself in his invisibility cloak before walking out of the storage room.

" - it's growing stronger, don't pretend you haven't seen it!" said a voice from somewhere behind the door.

Shit.

Harry quickly flattened himself against the wall before checking the Marauder's Map. There were currently two people making their way towards the potions classroom: Severus Snape and Igor Karkaroff.

A moment later, the door to the room swung dangerously open, revealing the professor and the Durmstrang Headmaster. They were quite clearly arguing about something, although Harry was not yet sure what.

"And so what if it grows stronger?" said Snape, turning around to face Karkaroff, "I have nothing to hide, nothing to fear. The same can not be said for you."

Karkaroff angrily shoved his left sleeve upwards, revealing what appeared to be a burnt print on his skin. It was a ginormous skull with a majestic yet lethal snake pouring out from it's jaw. Harry paled drastically, knowing exactly what that was.

The Dark Mark.

Did this mean that all Death Eaters were branded with the Dark Mark? Was this perhaps a way to distinguish them from others?

"You can see it strengthening!" Karkaroff muttered angrily, shoving his arm towards Snape, "He's coming back, don't deny it!"

Harry quickly and quietly made his way out of the room, keeping to his thoughts. It appeared as though Salazar had been correct about Riddle's resurrection attempts. Harry was thankful to have heard it a while ago from the portrait; he was not sure he could have remained calm if he had not already known of Voldemort's potential resurrection.

Harry eventually arrived outside the greenhouses about five minutes later, where he entered into the tier three greenhouse (the one which housed the Mandrakes). Harry could have sworn he heard muffled cries as he removed the few leaves he needed, though he paid them no heed. Once done, he departed from the area.

Harry was unsure of where to go next. It was true he had all the necessary materials for the ritual, and could likely have the ritual done within a few hours if he returned to the chamber immediately.

There was the minor setback, however, of Harry not yet having a date to the Yule ball, which was set for a few days from now.

Harry was beginning to get slightly desperate now, even if he was not willing to admit it. He had asked Alicia if she was interested in going with him yesterday when he went to get food from the kitchens, but she had informed him that she would be going with George. Angelina and Katie had given similar responses as well. He was fairly certain that at least Katie had been lying, but had no way to prove it.

Sighing in annoyance, Harry made his way into the courtyard, which was filled to the brim with people. Judging from the way people were currently acting, something rather interesting was going on at the moment. It would be pointless to wear his cloak, seeing as he would likely crash into someone. Harry quickly rolled up his cloak, placing it in his pocket before pulling up his hood. Once he was certain no one could possibly recognise, he begun his walk over to the courtyard.

.....

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