TSS: Chapter 28: Mounting Tension

> *“I’m not saying Hagrid would ever want us to get hurt. But… well, he doesn’t really think about dangerous things the same way we do. I mean, last year, he was raising a dragon in a wooden hut.”*
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— Hermione, pointing out Hagrid's unique scale when it comes to dangerous situations.

## Plot:

Albus Dumbledore arrives at Potter Manor and has a talk with James Potter. Ares emotionally manipulates Harry. Charlus' training under Lockhart intensifies. Harry finds the Marauder's Map. Charlus and Hermione venture into the Forbidden Forest and are rescued by a car.

## Summary:

**March 12th, 1993:** The three adults, Harry and Hagrid depart the Hut. On the way back to the castle, Harry ponders on the implications of Dumbledore's removal and how it all ties to his efforts — now unshackled — of investigating the actions of the Heir of Slytherin.

After the departure of everybody else from Hagrid's Hut, Charlus and Hermione stop hiding under the Invisibility Cloak and discuss the revelations of the night. Eventually, they decide not to follow the spiders right away and to keep the Cloak on them at all times so that they might be able to spy on Harry — as they suspect him even more of either being the Heir of Slytherin or working for them.

Later that night, Albus Dumbledore arrives at Potter Manor, there he asks for lodging for the night whilst explaining to James Potter the happenings of the evening. He reveal to him that he has never believed Harry to be in fact the Heir of Slytherin, but at most a puppet in their machinations. They conversation ends with Dumbledore announcing his plans to travel outside the British Isles to discover exactly what is attacking the students — as such information has been wiped from the British Isles centuries ago.

**March 13th, 1993:** At breakfast, the Daily Prophet publishes an article revealing Dumbledore's expulsion as Headmaster of Hogwarts and Hagrid's banishment to Azkaban.

After breakfast, Harry departs the Great Hall. He is followed by Ares and shortly afterwards the two have a private conversation in which Ares emotionally manipulates Harry into allowing her entry into that night's meeting pertaining to the end goal of unmasking the Heir of Slytherin.

Later that day, after leaving from another duelling session with Lockhart, Charlus is thinking on the letter that he received at breakfast from Albus Dumbledore. Letter that asks him to keep his cloak on him at all time, look closely at his brother's actions whilst ensuring that he is not detected while doing so, and keeping in touch with the former Headmaster.

**March 27th, 1993:** Later in the evening, on Knockturn Alley, Harry — who has managed to sneak out of Hogwarts — goes to acquire some snakes to act as spies for him in the castle.

**April 9th, 1993:** At night, under the protection of the Potter Invisibility Cloak, Charlus and Hermione leave the castle into the Forbidden Forest, following the spiders. Some minutes later, one the spy-snakes inform Harry of his twin departure, so he decides that for the night he can investigate in peace. Thus, while exploring the castle, Harry stumbles upon the Marauder's Map.

In an abandoned classroom, Jugson and Mulciber are retelling their suffering at the hand of Charlotte Weitts to an older boy. After they finish, they are informed that they will no longer be a part of the plan and that instead, he will deal with Charlotte and Harry Potter.

Some hours later, Charlus and Hermione manage to make their way out of the Forbidden Forest, after they have been rescued by the Ford Anglia. Charlus knows that even though he does not understand the significance of what they've learn, Dumbledore will find the information useful.