However, the peace was quickly disrupted.

As soon as (Y/N) gathered her bearings, a snakelike tendril made haste for her ankles. It curled around her quicker than she could resist, and before she knew it, more and more branches were bounding her to where she stood.

Her friends were in the same predicament. Poor Hermione was already covered up to her neck and Harry was struggling to wrench his arms free.

"Stop moving, all of you!" Hermione commanded. For someone so submerged, she sounded remarkably calm. "This is Devil's Snare! You have to relax. If you don't it'll only kill you faster."

"Kill us faster?" Repeated Ron, not doing anything in the slightest to heed Hermione's words. "Oh, now I can relax!"

Hermione still managed a thin smile before she was whisked away. (Y/N) yelped in surprise while the two boys cried, "Hermione!"

"Now what're we gonna do?" Cried Ron.

Hermione's voice came from somewhere down below. "Just relax!" She said.

(Y/N) wildly looked about. "Where are you?" She called.

"Just do what I say!"

(Y/N) tried her hardest to remember what she learned about Devil's Snare in Herbology. She didn't think it could mimic voices, but she didn't want to give in to a fake Hermione.

Before she could truly mull it over, Harry was pulled under, too. Ron screamed and squirmed, and even (Y/N) grew more panicked.

"Harry!" She shouted over Ron's cries. "What happened?"

"Hermione was right, (Y/N), just relax!" Harry called.

She looked to Ron, who was surely about to cry, and hoped that if Hermione's words didn't get through to him, Harry's would.

"Did you hear him?" She tried. "Relax, Ron!"

But he shook his head frantically, gazing at her through teary eyes. (Y/N) was running out of time, and so was he. She allowed herself to ease, even though her heart was still pounding. Before she knew it, she was a few feet down below, landing harshly on the ground.

Harry was quick to race to her side. "Are you alright?"

"Never mind me!" She still took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. "Ron isn't calming down!"

"We've got to do something!" Said Hermione.

"What?" Harry called over Ron's laments.

"I remember reading something in Herbology," Hermione said desperately. "Um... Devil's Snare Devil's Snare..."

(Y/N) suddenly remembered, clasping her hands together. "It's deadly fun--"

"But will sulk in the Sun!" The girls said together.

"Devil's Snare hates sunlight!" (Y/N) felt like she could sing. It seemed Hermione was right, all that studying did have a payoff for something. However, her pride in herself was shortlived, as Ron was still in trouble.

Hermione reached for her wand and pointed it up at the plant looming above. "Lumos Solem!"

Ron came tumbling down in the darkness, screaming as he fell. He collided hard with the ground, nearly bringing (Y/N) down with him. She staggered backward but Harry and Hermione raced to help Ron stand.

"You okay?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Ron sounded like he was still in a daze. He got to his feet, brushed himself off, and then put his hands proudly on his hips as if he'd just accomplished something grand. "Whew! Lucky we didn't panic!"

(Y/N) and Hermione shared an incredulous look. "You're joking, aren't you?" (Y/N) managed.

"Lucky these two pay attention in Herbology," Harry corrected.

From somewhere far down the cavern, there was a fluttering sound that startled the four of them to attention.

"What is that?" Hermione asked.

"I dunno," Answered Harry. "It sounds like wings."

They pressed on. (Y/N) tried to ignore the eerie sounds bouncing about the hall. She kept close to Harry and made sure her wand was gripped tightly in her hand.

At the end of the passageway, they reached a dimly lit chamber. It's ceilings stretched high above them, packed with winged golden keys idly fluttering about. All the way on the other side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door; their way into the next room.

"Curious," Hermione looked all around them. "I've never seen birds like these."

"They aren't birds, they're keys." Ron said.

"And I'll bet one of them fits that door." Harry nodded across the chamber.

They stopped in front of an old broomstick suspended in the air. It seemed as if it was waiting for them.

"What's this about?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know,"

Ron fetched his wand and bravely marched across the room. He pointed his wand right at the door, cried, "Alohomora!" but nothing happened. The door remained securely locked. "Well, it was worth a try," He shrugged.

"Ugh, what are we going to do?" Hermione shouted. "There must be a thousand keys up there!"

"We're looking for a big old fashioned one," Ron said. "Probably rusty, like the handle."

Harry took in a sharp breath and pointed a finger high up in the air. "There! I see it! The one with the broken wing!"

"Right," Nodded (Y/N). "And how do you suppose we get it?"

"Oh, I dunno," Ron pretended to think it over. "Fly! There's a broom right there!"

"Yes, but that's too easy!" She argued. "It has to be a trick."

"Oh, go on! If Snape could catch it on that old broomstick, Harry can!" He looked at his friend. "You're the youngest Seeker in a century!"

Harry nodded and despite (Y/N)'s expression of worry, he reached out for the broom. As soon as his fingers locked around it, the keys above went wild. They picked up their pace, surrounding Harry. A few roughly nicked (Y/N)'s shoulder as they rushed by.

"What did I tell you?" (Y/N) shot Ron a glare.

He swallowed a lump in his throat. "You were right... this complicates things a bit."

But Harry was a brilliant flyer, and he wasn't the youngest Seeker in a century for nothing. Ron was just as right as (Y/N) was, for in no time at all, Harry had the right key and was flying back to them.

"Catch!" He shouted, throwing the key with all his might down.

(Y/N) had to jump to reach it before it could return in line with the other keys. Once it was in her grip, she wasted no time turning back to the door and shoving it into the lock.

"Hurry up!" Shouted Ron.

"I'm trying!"

She managed to unlock the door in all her haste, and as soon as it was open, she Ron, and Hermione raced through. Harry followed them moments later by broom. Together, (Y/N) and Hermione slammed the door shut just before the keys lodged themselves into the thick wood.

(Y/N) wheeled around, casting her eyes on Harry, who'd fallen to the ground. "Are you alright?" She and her two friends ran to meet him and as they helped him up, Harry gave his answer.

"Fine,"

"Where are we?" Hermione asked, looking about the room.

"Is it a graveyard?"

"It's no graveyard." Said Ron, and (Y/N) thought she might've seen him smile. "It's a chessboard."

The lights lifted as soon as Ron stepped forward. On either side of the board were chess pieces, black on their side, white on the other. They each stood tall over them. (Y/N) felt a shiver run down her spine, for all of the pieces were faceless and cold.

"There's the door," Harry pointed across the way, behind the white chess pieces, to the door carved from black stone.

Together, the first years started forward but were quickly stopped by a row of pawns brandishing their sharp swords. (Y/N) hurried to back away. There was no way of getting around that.

"Now what do we do?" Hermione looked around for another solution.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" Said Ron. "We've got to play our way across the room." He paused for a moment, deep in thought. (Y/N) and her friends stayed quiet; he was the best at chess of all of them, and truthfully, the only one she trusted to get them through safely.

"Right," He said. "Harry, you'll take the bishop's square. Hermione, you'll be the queen's-side castle. And (Y/N), you'll take the king."

Her heart faltered, but she still nodded and took her place on the board.

"As for me, I'll be a knight,"

Hermione nervously looked around the board as Ron took his place. "What happens now?"

"Well, white moves first. And then, we play." (Y/N) didn't think she'd ever seen Ron look so serious before. It made her a bit nervous.

"You don't suppose this is like the real game, do you?" She asked to no one in particular.

Ron pointed to the pawn closest to Hermione. "You there, d5!"

The pawn obediently moved forward, right in front of the white piece that'd moved before. The white pawn brandished its swords and gave a mighty slash straight through their peace. (Y/N) thought she might pass out. If that was what happened to a stone chess piece, just what would happen to her if they lost?

"Yes, (Y/N)," Ron stared ahead, just as horrified as (Y/N) felt. "I think this is going to be exactly like Wizard's Chess."

Every time one of their men were lost, the white pieces showed no mercy. Soon, there was a pile of black rubble stacking up around the board. There were two times when Ron noticed Harry and Hermione were in danger just in the nick of time and saved them from being beaten down just like their chess pieces. When he wasn't keeping his friend's alive, Ron darted around the board, taking as many white pieces as they had lost black ones.

"Wait a minute!" Said Harry, just when (Y/N) thought they might've had a chance.

Ron gave a very solemn nod. "You understand, right Harry? Once I make my move, the queen will take me. Then you're free to check the king."

"No," Insisted Harry. "Ron, no!"

"What is it?" Asked Hermione, looking in between the boys.

"He's going to sacrifice himself!"

(Y/N)'s breath caught in her throat. "You will not!" She shouted.

"There must be another way!" Tried Hermione.

Ron turned from high up on his piece's back. "Do you want to stop Snape or not?" He looked so sure and calm, (Y/N) almost felt silly for being so worked up. If he could be brave, surely she should not have been scared. "Harry, it's you that has to go on. I know it! Not me, not Hermione, and not (Y/N). You."

She didn't like it at all, but (Y/N) knew Ron was right. And Harry did, too, for he reluctantly nodded, even though (Y/N) could tell he was shaking.

With a pale yet determined face, Ron adjusted his grip on the stone reigns. "Knight to h3!"

He moved forward and without hesitance, the queen made her move. She struck the piece clean through with her staff and Ron tumbled off the back of the horse. When he hit the ground he didn't move; he lay perfectly still, from what (Y/N) could see, not even breathing.

Hermione started to go to him, and (Y/N) was of a mind to do the same thing, but Harry called out. "No! Don't move! Don't forget, we're still playing!"

Once he was sure that they weren't going to go anywhere, Harry took three steps forward and stopped before the tall king. "Checkmate!"

He released his hold on the sword and let it clatter at Harry's feet. As soon as they'd registered they had won, Harry, (Y/N) and Hermione raced to Ron's side.

(Y/N) was more than relieved to find he was breathing, after all. He could have even been sleeping but it didn't make it any less scary.

"Take care of Ron," Said Harry. "Then go to the Owlery. Send a message to Dumbledore... Ron was right, I have to go on."

"You'll be okay, Harry," Hermione assured him. "You're a great wizard, you really are."

Harry averted his gaze. He almost seemed embarrassed. "Not as good as you."

"Me?" Hermione laughed. "Books and cleverness? There are more important things. Friendship and bravery... And Harry, just be careful,"

With that, Harry nodded and rose to his feet. (Y/N) followed.

"What're you doing?" Harry asked.

"It isn't fair to make you face the rest on your own and leave me and Hermione with the easy things. She can handle writing a letter without me, you know."

"But it's dangerous!" Harry insisted. "You should--"

"If it's dangerous, that's more reason for me to go!" She argued. "I've said it before. We don't know what's on the other side of that door. It could be another trial or even Snape. Whatever it is, we'll face it together." She tried to look more sure than she felt, for she figured if she showed even the slightest bit of her anxiety, Harry would insist that she stay with Hermione and Ron.

However, he didn't see through her. Either that, or he really did want help, but didn't want to admit it. She hurried past him before he could change his mind and threw open the heavy stone door.

(Y/N) was hit with an awful smell that made her eyes water. She pulled the fabric of her shirt over her nose, but it didn't do much to help her. Laying flat in the middle of the floor was a troll even bigger than the one they'd seen earlier that year. He had a big bloody lump on the top of his head and didn't show any signs of waking soon.

Harry peered over (Y/N)'s shoulder. "I'm glad we didn't have to fight this one," He stepped over one of the troll's massive legs. "Come on, I can't breathe."

They hurried through the room with ease and right into another. (Y/N) hardly dared to look at what awaited them, but it was nothing alarming at all. Seven differently shaped bottles stood straight in a row. (Y/N) cracked a smile.

"Potions!" She exclaimed. "This must be Snapes!"

"What do we have to do?" Harry asked.

They stepped closer to the table and as soon as they were past the threshold, a wall of fire sprang in between them and the doorway. It was no ordinary fire but burned bright purple. Just as quickly, black flames shot up before the doorway leading onward. They were trapped.

"Maybe this will help," (Y/N) reached for a roll of parchment beside the bottles. "Maybe we have to brew something with these ingredients?"

But as she unrolled the paper, she found that was the furthest thing from true. Harry stood close beside her to read.

"Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,
To help you with this choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly, the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight."

As he read the riddle, (Y/N) felt her heart sink. Brewing and naming potions was no problem at all, but to solve something completely based on logic? They'd be stuck there forever.

She put her head in her hands, at a loss of what to do. "Hermione should've come with you instead." She groaned. "She's better at practical things like this!"

"But you're great with potions, (Y/N)! You're the best at it in our year!"

"None of that will help with solving this riddle!" She eyed the bottles, hoping the answer would only present itself to her.

Of course, she wasn't nearly that lucky. The bottles only stared back at her, almost like they were taunting them.

Harry went to the other side of the table and picked up a vial. It's contents were clear, but it had crushed up white petals floating about, a telltale sign of bloodroot flowers. "How do we know which to drink?" He began to uncap it, but (Y/N) dove across the table and snatched it from his hands.

"Not that one!" She cried. "That's bloodroot poison! It'll kill you in an instant!" She clasped it safely in her hands.

Of all things, Harry smiled. That was about the last thing (Y/N) felt like doing right then.

"(Y/N), you're brilliant!"

"Am I?"

He reached for another bottle filled halfway with a soft blue liquid. "What potion is this?"

"It isn't a potion, that's just nettle wine." Just as the words passed her lips, she realized what he was on about. "Oh! We don't have to solve the riddle at all!" She reached for another bottle, uncapped it, and smelled the sweet scent of Moonseed berries. "This one is poison, too!" She never thought she would be so happy to find something that could kill her.

They set aside those they already deemed unhelpful, then started on the rest. After another bottle of wine and a red potion that smelled of Death-Cap mushrooms, they were left with two vials sitting on the table. (Y/N) was unsure which one would put them through the black flames, but Harry suggested they check back with the riddle.

"Here, it says the ones on the end won't help us go forward," He pointed to the parchment.

"That means the one to get us forward is this one!" (Y/N) reached for the smallest bottle, feeling quite victorious. "We did it!"

Grinning, Harry took the bottle from her hands. "I knew you could figure it out!"

"Not without you!" She laughed. "Now, go on, drink it! We can't waste any more time."

Harry nodded and popped off the lid. In an instant, his smile was replaced by a look of dread. "There's only enough for one of us. That's hardly one swallow."

(Y/N) didn't like the sound of that one bit. "So what do we do?" Her voice was smaller than she meant for it to be.

His eyes fell on the round bottle left alone on the table. "That'll bring you back?"

She nodded.

"You drink that," Said Harry. (Y/N) opened her mouth, but Harry hurried to speak before her. "No, listen, get back to Ron and Hermione. You can use the brooms in the flying key room to get past Fluffy. First thing when you're done get to the owlery. We need Dumbledore here. I can hold Snape off for a while, but I'm no match for him, really."

More than anything, (Y/N) wanted to argue, but there was no use, and certainly no time. Her eyes began to sting, even though it made her feel silly, and she reached for the final potion on the table.

"And if it's not just Snape? If... If You-Know-Who is there, too?"

"Well, I was lucky once, wasn't I?" He smiled and pointed at his scar. "I might get lucky again."

"Oh!" (Y/N) threw her arms around Harry, hugging him tightly. "I'll get Dumbledore here as soon as I can. Please, just be careful!"

"I'll try," He said.

When (Y/N) pulled away, Harry's cheeks were a bright shade of red. She took the lid off of her bottle and raised it to her lips.

"You are sure which is which, aren't you?" Harry asked warily.

"Yes," She answered. And to prove her point, she downed the potion in her hands in one gulp. It was like ice going down, and she shuttered, but other than that, nothing came.

"It's not poison?" Harry's eyebrows knit together in concern.

She almost felt exasperated. "Of course it isn't."

"Quick, go before it wears off!"

(Y/N) started towards the purple flames, then hesitated. "Harry--"

"Go!" He urged.

Though she didn't want to, (Y/N) passed through the flames, leaving Harry to face whatever lay ahead alone.