Hello, everyone! Here's my actual attempt at a Harry Potter story. The other one was more of a fun fic, but this one is to be taken more seriously.
I feel a bit intimidated to be writing stories from the amazing series by J.K. Rowling, but I'm also excited for this! So please leave a review (no flames please!) and lemme know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter (obviously)
Enjoy the story! :)
Chapter 1:
Harry writhed in his bed as he tried to hold back a cry of pain. His scar felt like it was splitting in two. The last thing he wanted was for everyone in his dormitory to worry about him. If he wasn't careful, the whole school would know instantly that he was having another nightmare about Voldemort. The pain subsided slightly, and Harry took that moment to grab for the glass of water on his bedside table. He took a deep breath and tried to remember what his dream had been about. He laid back down and frowned- not getting a clue as to what it was.
Suddenly he felt a surge of happiness and vengeance sweeping through his stomach. He seemed to slip into Voldemort's mind. He saw several Death Eaters assembling before him. He spoke in a high voice.
"It is settled."
The Death Eaters nodded, understanding.
"Now that Dumbledore is out of the way, this is our chance to attack."
A short Death Eater in the front of the pack shakily raised his hand. "My Lord?"
"What is it, Wormtail?"
He paused for a moment, and then spoke. "How will we get through the protective barriers?"
Harry felt a sly smile spread across his snakelike face. "That is already taken care of."
Bellatrix Lestrange let out a shrill cackle.
"We'll attack first thing in the morning."
The Death Eaters nodded again.
"Good."
Then Harry heard the worst noise he'd ever heard before. It was Voldemort's menacing laugh. His mind swirled as he let out a cry of agony. He opened his eyes and saw that he was indeed in his dormitory, his scar burning fiercely again. He quickly buried his face in his pillow, muffling another scream he could not hold in.
"H-Harry?" a groggy voice came from the bed next to his. He heard the distant squeak of the mattress and Ron pulled open the curtains surrounding Harry's own. His face was full of worry. "What is it?"
Harry tried to shake his head and tell him that it wasn't anything to worry over and go back to bed- but nothing came out.
"Harry," Ron stared at him, waiting for an answer.
Harry finally found his voice. "It's nothing, Ron."
"Don't do that to me," Ron shook his head. "We've been friends for 7 years now. I know when it really is nothing."
"It was just another nightmare," Harry protested.
"About You-Know-Who?" Ron sat on the edge of Harry's bed.
Harry nodded, and reached again for the glass of water, now half-empty on his bedside table.
"What did you see?" Ron asked. "Is anyone in danger?"
Harry only nodded.
"Who is it?" Ron leaned over, desperate for an answer.
"Everyone at Hogwarts," Harry sat up straighter on his bed.
The color drained quickly from Ron's face. He sat there in shock. Finally he said, "We've got to tell-" He quickly closed his mouth again.
Harry knew that he was about to say 'We've got to tell Dumbledore'. They still hadn't gotten used to the fact that Dumbledore was now dead. He had been killed by Snape at the end of their 6th year at Hogwarts.
"Sorry," Ron mumbled, looking at his feet.
"We need to warn everyone," Harry spoke up. "Get together our army."
Ron looked up again. "I think it would be best to tell Professor McGonagall."
Harry nodded, and pulled on his glasses.
"Blimey, Harry! Not right now," Ron said. "It's barely dawn."
"We need to warn everyone. We need to be prepared!" Harry raised his voice.
"What's g-going on?" Dean's sleepy voice was heard from the opposite side of the room.
Harry glanced at Ron and grabbed his cloak. Ron quickly grabbed his own, and they hurried out the door.
They stumbled down the dark corridors until they bumped into someone, and Harry fell onto the floor.
"Who's there?" McGonagall's stern voice was clear in the corridor. "Identify yourself."
Harry scrambled to get up from the floor. "It's me- Harry."
"Mr. Potter?" McGonagall's voice softened. "What are you doing out of bed this early?"
"I had another nightmare, and since I can't tell Dumbledore, Ron decided I should come to you," Harry explained.
"Yes, uh-" McGonagall cleared hear throat and muttered 'Lumos'. The dark corridor got slightly brighter and she motioned for a bench by the wall. The three of them sat down, and Harry faced McGonagall.
"Voldemort is going to attack Hogwarts," Harry said bluntly as Ron winced. "We don't have much time. We have to warn the others."
McGonagall shook her head, trying to comprehend what he had just said. After a minute of silence she whispered, "Are you sure, Harry?"
Harry nodded. McGonagall looked away. "How do you know?"
"It was one of my nightmares. I slipped into Voldemort's mind," Ron winced again at Harry's choice of words. "He was talking to his Death Eaters and he said that they would attack Hogwarts first thing in the morning."
McGonagall flicked her head around. "In the morning? Harry, I want to believe you, but it seems very unlikely for You-Know-Who to show up so soon!"
"You have to believe me, Professor. He said that since Dumbledore was dead, now is the perfect time to attack. I saw it all. I heard everything Voldemort said," Harry protested.
"Will you stop saying the bloody name?" Ron scolded through gritted teeth.
"Harry…" McGonagall paused in thought. "I believe you. But how are we going to fight back? And what will we do with our students?"
"I dunno," Harry sighed. "We've got to act fast though."
Professor McGonagall nodded and stood up. "You boys go wake up the Gryffindors. I'll take care of the other houses."
Ron and Harry stood up as the lit hallway dimmed with every step McGonagall took. Ron pulled out his own wand and said 'Lumos'. He and Harry made their way back to their dormitory to wake their roommates.
They pushed open the door and Harry called out, "Everyone get up. Voldemort's on his way, and we need to be ready to fight!"
Dean sat up. "What?"
"You heard him," Ron backed Harry up.
"You-Know-Who is coming to Hogwarts?" Seamus repeated.
"Yes, hurry up!" Harry turned to warn the boys in the next dorm.
"Harry? Ron? What are you doing?" Hermione's distant voice called.
"I'll take care of it," Ron told Harry. Harry nodded and preceded to the other dormitories. Ron made his way toward the stairs.
"Hermione?" Ron called into the dim common room.
"Down here," Hermione called. Ron carefully stepped down the stares to see three pairs of eyes staring at him. Hermione was standing in front of Ginny and Lavender.
"Look, You-Know-Who is planning an attack on Hogwarts. We've got to warm everyone!" Ron told the three.
Ginny gasped. "He's coming?"
"Yes, I need you to go wake up the girls," Ron commanded.
Ginny nodded, took one last horrified glance at the group, and hurried up the staircase leading to the girls' dormitories.
"You mean we have to fight?" Lavender sounded close to tears.
"Only if you want to help save Hogwarts and Harry," Ron scowled at her.
Lavender squeaked and ran after Ginny.
Hermione looked ghostly white. "Harry saw it? …He had another nightmare?"
Ron nodded. "You can't nag him about his failed Occlumency lessons now. Think of what would've happened if he didn't see the warning!"
"It could be another trick, Ron," Hermione glared.
"I doubt it," Ron shook his head. "It makes perfect sense. Dumbledore is dead-" Hermione winced and closed her eyes. "-so You-Know-Who has nothing to worry about."
Hermione turned away and wiped the gathering tears from her face. "We need to gather the D.A."
Ron agreed as boys and girls poured from the staircases; some chattering worriedly, and others speechless from shock. The young first and second years looked ghostly white under the shock of it all. Some of the sixth and seventh years were trying their best to console them.
Harry made his way to Ron and Hermione. "Everyone's awake. We need to act quickly though. You two lead them out to the Great Hall; I'll double check the dorms."
Hermione nodded and pulled Ron's arm. She tried to get everyone's attention, but no one was listening to her. Finally Ron cleared his throat and everyone turned to him.
"Thanks," Hermione muttered before turning to the crowd. "Look, I know everyone's worried, but we need to figure one thing out. Who is staying to fight, and who is not?"
There was more talking amongst the sea of Gryffindors. Suddenly the conversing died down. Finally, after a long pause filled with silence, Neville Longbottom spoke up. "I'll stay."
Hermione quickly gave him a smile.
"Me too," Dean shouted.
"And me," Seamus said.
There were many more agreements amongst the Gryffindors. They got enough people to group with Dumbledore's Army and fight. Ron nodded, motioning for everyone to quiet down again, and they immediately obeyed.
"Great for you all who are willing stand up to Voldemort and his Death Eaters," Hermione smiled. "Now, we must all make our way to the Great Hall."
The Gryffindors quickly followed Ron and Hermione out into the hallways. They saw some of the other students rushing to the Great Hall too. Harry followed the students, until they were all seated at the Gryffindor table. Many of the students were shaking so vigorously that you'd think they were outside in the snow for hours. There was a lot of talking about what would happen and many of the girls were crying out of fright. Professor McGonagall got up in front of everyone and silenced them.
"Now, as you have all heard, You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters are coming to attack the school," she started.
"Rubbish!" a Slytherin's voice echoed through the room, causing McGonagall to glare at the Slytherin table.
"Git," Ron mumbled.
"We need to get together our army," McGonagall continued. "Those who are of age and want to stay and fight, remain seated. Those who are leaving, Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout are getting the Hogwarts Express ready to head back to London. Follow calmly in a single-file line behind Hagrid."
Hagrid waved his trash-can sized hand so everyone could see. All of the first, second, and third years filed out of the Great Hall, along with many of the girls from each house.
"Ginny!" Hermione hissed. "What are you doing?"
"I'm staying to fight," Ginny replied calmly.
"What would your mother say if she knew about this?" Hermione scolded.
"My mum's not here," Ginny stated. "I can make my own choices."
Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but closed it and turned to Ron. "Ron! Talk some sense into your sister!"
"You're staying too, Hermione. Why can't I?" Ginny protested before Ron could say anything.
"Hermione is older, Ginny," Ron helped. "You're too young."
"I am not leaving!" Ginny yelled.
"Mum wouldn't like this," Ron raised his voice. He glared at his sister, only to have her glare back with equal intensity.
"Well, Mum's not here!" Ginny repeated.
"Oh, yes I am!" Molly Weasley appeared behind her along with the rest of the Weasleys, Tonks, Lupin, Kingsley, and some others who they didn't recognize.
Ginny turned around quickly.
"What are you doing here?" Ron asked.
"All the members of the Order got an owl from Professor McGonagall. We're not going to just let kids try to fight off Voldemort!" Tonks explained.
"Looks like Ginny's planning on fighting too," Ron warned her.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley snapped their heads in Ginny's direction and their eyes were filled with alarm and concern.
"Mum, can't I stay?" Ginny pleaded.
"No, Ginny. It's too dangerous!" Arthur said sternly.
"But I can help!" Ginny yelled. "The D.A. has learned so much! We know how to protect ourselves!"
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but your father's right. It's just too dangerous!" Molly sighed, sitting down next to her and placing an arm on her shoulder.
"But Ron's staying!" Ginny shrugged off her mother's hand. She was close to tears. "I'm only a year younger! I've helped them fight in the Department of Mysteries only two years ago!"
"That was different; it wasn't directly Voldemort you were fighting!" Molly reminded her.
"Remember when the Death Eaters took over the castle last year? I helped then!" Ginny wasn't giving up. Anger and frustration were sparkling her eyes.
"I said NO, Ginny!" Molly yelled. "Fred, George! Take Ginny to the train." She turned once more to her daughter and gave her a quick hug. "I'm sorry Ginny."
Tears of fury were starting to flow out of Ginny's eyes. She stood up and the twins led her out of the Great Hall. She turned around to see Harry shooting her an apologetic glance. She shot an irritated look back at him and she quickly turned around.
"I know how to defend myself, why doesn't Mum trust me?" Ginny complained.
"She trusts you," Fred said simply.
"Then why can't I stay?" Ginny looked up at him.
"It's because you're their little girl," George concluded. "Parents never seem to want their youngest child to grow up. It's just a fact."
"I don't want to be their little girl then!" Ginny wiped her eyes.
Fred and George exchanged looks.
"Tell you what, Ginny," George started. "We won't make you get on the train."
Ginny looked hopefully at George. "Really?"
"But, you still can't fight," Fred continued.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" she sighed, but couldn't help feeling grateful for her brothers' cunning.
"We'll leave you off in the Room of Requirement. That way, the Death Eaters won't find you and but you will still be safe. When we get the chance, we'll update you on what's going on," Fred finished.
Ginny thought for a moment.
"Unless you want to get on the Hogwarts Express…" George teased.
"Fine, I'll stay in the Room of Requirement," Ginny agreed.
The three walked a ways until they reached the 7th floor corridor. The twins stopped and motioned for Ginny to make the door appear. She paced back and forth thinking 'I need to find a safe place from the Death Eaters.'
Finally a door appeared, and Fred and George escorted her inside.
"Promise you'll keep me updated?" Ginny raised her eyebrow.
The twins looked at each other and then raised their right hands. "We promise." They started marching down the corridor, but Fred turned around to Ginny. "And try not to be like us. I know how we can be nuisances at times." He winked and continued after his brother. They quickly went back to the Great Hall where Molly was waiting.
"What's the plan?" George asked.
"Harry's gathering Dumbledore's Army right now," Molly started. "We'll decide on a plan from there."
Harry came back moments later with a group of confident students following him.
"Got the D.A.," said Harry.
"Good," Lupin replied. They made a plan while McGonagall was telling the others what to do. Once everyone worked out where they were to be and what they needed to do, Harry dropped to the floor and yelled.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped, and bent down to where he laid, squirming as if the cruciatus curse was just set on him. Harry's mind swirled, and he saw the outside of Hogwarts.
"Now." His horrid, high voice rang out.
Many Death Eaters charged for the castle, yelling. He heard the laughs of many and moments later Harry's mind swirled again. He was looking up into Molly's face.
"Now," he repeated from his vision. "Voldemort is here."
I already planned this out as a three-shot, so don't think that this is the end! Reviews will help me upload faster! :)
And I know I promised Harry/Ginny. That will come in the next chapter ;) It's not huge romance or anything (how would you put that in a battle scene?) but it's a little somethin'.
Thanks everyone in advance!
~Megan
