A/N: Hey. So if anyone is mad at me for a few details that are different, let me say that I wrote these first few chapters immediately after reading DH and whatever details were not present in those first few months afterwards I didn't know at the time. Some of the details, such as the color of Rose's hair, are important in the story and since I didn't know her actual hair color until Thursday night at the premiere, I'm sticking with this. So, sorry.
Diclaimer: Same as last chapter.
Chapter 2: The Darkness at Dawn
Harry had just been getting out of bed when he heard the announcement. He quickly dressed and rushed out of the guest chambers, grabbing his wand, which had been the only possession he had brought with him when he brought Dudley's son.
When he arrived at the entrance to the Slytherin Common Room, Professor Zarin was there, a grave expression on his face as he let the teachers in and held back curious Slytherin students who had already left the common room and were now trying to get back in.
"Mr. Potter," Zarin said with mild surprise, "I don't believe you are a teacher here."
Harry frowned, but McGonagall's voice came through the doorway. "Let him in, Roal."
Zarin grudgingly let Harry enter the room. The teachers were standing around Professor McGonagall, whose expression was grim.
"What's happened?" Harry asked, looking around at the teachers standing there. This was only his second venture into the Slytherin Common Room, his first being during his second year at Hogwarts. It looked much the same now as it had then.
"See for yourself," McGonagall said, and she led Harry and the teachers through the room into where the dormitories were. Harry noticed that the boys' and girls' dormitories were not in separate areas here like they were in Gryffindor Tower. They were merely across a hall from one another.
McGonagall led them into a dorm where a number of scared-looking students were huddling around a bed. "Out, all of you," she barked. "This is the last time I will tell you."
The students filed out silently. Harry noticed a couple of the girls were crying. He looked over to the bed they had been hovering around and saw a boy there. At first glance he looked to be asleep, but his chest wasn't moving. Harry knew instinctively that he was dead.
"Jonas Zabini," McGonagall said, identifying the dead boy. "A third-year."
Blaise Zabini's son, no doubt, thought Harry. The boy looked just like his father.
"Madam Bell," McGonagall said, and Harry looked around to see none other then Katie Bell standing there, wearing a healer's gown. "We need to get him to the hospital wing. We need to know how this happened."
Katie nodded solemnly, looking at the boy with a frightened expression.
"Heads of houses," McGonagall continued, "Please go to your Common Rooms and ensure the students that everything is alright. For the time being they don't need to know what happened. And make sure they stay in their common rooms."
McGonagall withdrew an invisibility cloak from within her robes and carefully wrapped the dead boy in it, before drawing her wand and muttering, "Wingardium Leviosa." She moved the invisible body out of the dorm, heading for the hospital wing. Katie, Harry, and some of the teachers followed.
Harry knew the hospital wing better than most of the other parts of Hogwarts, seeing as he had spent rather a lot of time there during his time as a student. It looked the same as it had then. McGonagall laid the body down on a bed at the far end of the wing and removed the invisibility cloak, stowing it back in her robes.
Katie at once set to work trying to identify the cause of the boy's death. Harry watched solemnly for a moment, then turned to McGonagall. "Is there a fireplace I could use quickly?" he asked.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "I think I'd rather you remained here right now, Harry. We really could use you, at the very least for moral support."
"I know," Harry said. "I just need to tell Ginny…" His voice trailed off as he glanced at the body. He had sent her an owl last night that he would be spending the night at the school and would come home after breakfast the next morning.
McGonagall nodded. "You may use the one in my office. You remember the password from last night, no doubt."
Harry nodded and turned on his heel. He made his way to the gargoyle and muttered "tabby cat."
"Hello again, Harry," said Dumbledore cheerfully from his portrait, oblivious to what was happening in the school. Harry nodded at him as he rushed to the fireplace. He had chatted with Dumbledore last night while Dudley's son was being sorted. It had been strange talking to Dumbledore without some grave matter to discuss. They had merely talked about Harry's life since the war, an abnormally normal conversation.
He threw some floo powder into the fire and said "home." He then stuck his head into the flames.
Lily was there, sitting on the couch with Persia, the cat that Ginny had bought a few years back. "Daddy!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Just then Ginny came into the room. "Harry," she said, "Aren't you coming home soon?"
Harry looked at his daughter. "Lily, dear, would you mind letting your mum and dad talk for a moment?" Lily nodded reluctantly and left the room.
"What is it?" Ginny asked, her voice becoming quiet as she kneeled down in front of the fire.
"A boy is dead," Harry said gravely. Ginny gasped, her hand coming up to her mouth.
"How?"
"I don't know. Katie's examining him now. I figure I better stay here for a little."
Ginny nodded. "Be careful," she admonished.
"I will. I'll floo later. I love you." Ginny responded in kind, and Harry withdrew his head from the flames. He quickly left the office and returned to the hospital wing.
Katie was the only one left there. McGonagall was probably off somewhere in the castle trying to manage the students with the rest of the teachers.
Katie sat down dejectedly on the bed next to the dead boy's. Harry joined her.
"I'm new at this," Katie muttered. "It's only been a few years since Madam Pomfrey retired, and Professor McGonagall offered me the job here. I had been working at St. Mungo's, but I had been in pediatrics, not working with serious injuries or…this." She gestured hopelessly at the dead boy. "Now that doesn't mean I don't know how to examine him, or what to look for, but I can't find any trace of any cause of death."
"The Killing Curse doesn't leave any trace," Harry said, rubbing his scar gently, although it hadn't bothered him.
"But who in this school could have used that?"
Just then Professor Zarin came into the hospital wing, accompanied by another teacher Harry did not know.
"Have you found anything?" Zarin asked Katie. Harry looked at the other teacher, who was looking at the boy with an expression that seemed to convey curiosity more than anything else.
Katie shook her head somberly. Just then McGonagall entered and asked Katie the same question, and got the same answer.
"The Killing Curse doesn't leave any trace," Harry repeated. The unknown teacher swung around and looked at him, before his gaze moved up to the scar and held there.
McGonagall drew a long, drawn out breath, which turned into a sigh. She addressed Zarin without looking at him. "Get all the veritaserum you have. Every Slytherin student must be interrogated."
Zarin frowned at this, but left without a word.
McGonagall, for the first time that morning, seemed not to know what to do next. She hesitated for a moment, then turned and followed Zarin out of the wing.
Harry turned his attention to the unknown professor, who immediately introduced himself. "Edwin Brant. Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Harry shook his hand. So this was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry knew he was new because McGonagall had come to him about the job this past summer. Harry had seriously considered it. His job as an auror had been rather dull lately. There was hardly any dark magic happening in the world today, at least in Europe. But Harry had declined McGonagall's offer because he knew it would be awkward for his children to have their father as a teacher.
The previous DADA teacher, Havez Shahim, had held the position for eighteen years. Apparently the curse on Defense Against the Dark Arts had ended with the fall of Voldemort. Or, to be honest, with the death of Severus Snape.
At first glance, this man Brant seemed to remind Harry of his first two incompetent DADA teachers, Quirrell and Lockhart. Brant looked miserably inexperienced. He was a short man with a round face. He didn't look very intelligent at all. But McGonagall must have seen something in him for her to give him the position. Either that or she had done so resignedly after Harry had declined.
Deciding he didn't want to talk to this man, Harry turned and left the wing.
Up in the Gryffindor Common Room, Albus and Rose sat quietly on the floor. Most of the younger students had been left on the floor as all of Gryffindor's students had flooded into the Common Room and the older students took the couch and chairs. Some sat on the tables.
The first-years were against the back wall. There were nine of them in total, as there were four girls besides Rose. Rose was talking to a pretty girl with long black hair named Allison Levin. The other three girls, Becky Bluestein, Leanna Filman, and Nina Holdwin, were huddled in a separate group.
Albus, for his part, was keeping one eye on Neville, who was scanning the Gryffindors nervously. Neville had come up a while back, but hadn't told them much, just that everything was fine and they just had to stay put for a while. He hadn't done a very good job of answering anyone's questions.
Just then Albus's father came in. Harry scanned the room and found James first, who was sitting near the fireplace, casting dark looks at the seventh-years who had taken the couches.
Harry talked to James for a few minutes, then scanned the room again. He found Albus and moved over to him.
"What's going on?" Albus asked immediately.
"Er…it's complicated," Harry said hesitantly.
"We can handle complicated," said Rose.
But just then Victoire appeared. "Uncle Harry."
Harry greeted her.
"What is the problem here?"
Harry had apparently decided that it was okay to tell the Head Girl, because he stood and gestured for her to come with him. They stepped out through the portrait hole, and Neville followed them.
A minute later Victoire came back in. She had her hand covering her mouth, and looked close to tears. Immediately she was swarmed by students asking the obvious question, but it didn't look like she was telling any of them.
Outside, Neville was beginning to babble somewhat as he spoke to Harry. "I'm no good at this. This is my first day as Head of Gryffindor. McGonagall named me it after Professor Shahim left. But I can't handle everyone, not when this is happening."
"Neville," Harry said firmly. "I'm certain you can. McGonagall named you Head of Gryffindor for a reason. You can handle this entire school, trust me."
Neville seemed to calm down a bit. "Thanks Harry."
It wasn't until dinner that the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were allowed to leave their common rooms and head to the Great Hall. There they gazed eagerly at the somber-looking staff at the Head Table, wondering what had happened. All the teachers were present except Professor Zarin, and the Slytherins were not there either.
Professor McGonagall said nothing. She merely gestured at the tables, and food appeared on the plates.
The students then followed two different strategies. Some ate slowly, carefully watching the teachers for any clues. Others ate quickly, eager to hear what McGonagall would say when dinner was over.
Albus chose the former, keeping an eye on his father. Throughout the afternoon Harry had sat with him and Rose, and James and Victoire had remained close by as well. Harry hadn't really told his sons and nieces anything during this time, just that they were all safe and everything would be uncovered in due time. Victoire had kept her mouth shut as well, though a sad expression had remained on her face throughout the day.
Well, actually, Harry had done something. He told everyone about the separate Defense Against the Dark Arts classes that he himself taught in his fifth year, for anyone that wanted to attend. Then he began going over some basic defense spells with the younger students, such as disarming. Though Harry hadn't said it outright, Albus could tell he didn't think much of the new DADA teacher, Professor Brant.
Albus glanced at Rose, who, to his surprise, was looking over his shoulder at the Ravenclaw table. Following her gaze, he turned and immediately saw who she was looking at. It was Theo Leonus, the Head Boy. Like Victoire, Theo wore a grim expression, and was remaining silent as nearby Ravenclaws barraged him with questions.
After dinner McGonagall, to everyone's disappointment, said very little, and nothing unexpected. She merely gave everyone the usual assurances.
As everyone got up to leave Albus saw Rose's eyes still following the Head Boy. He left the hall quickly, and she ran after him. Albus followed her.
They caught up with him near the library. Albus knew from his mother, who had been Head Girl during her seventh year, that the Head dorms were near the library.
"Er…Mr. Leonus," Rose asked tentatively.
Theo stopped walking, but did not turn around. Rose and Albus exchanged a quick glance.
"What?" Theo asked, finally turning around to face them. His voice was laden with weariness, and was slightly harsh.
"What happened?" Rose asked immediately.
"That's not for me to say," Theo replied.
Rose gestured at Albus, "This is Harry Potter's son," she said. Theo glanced at him curiously. Albus fought the urge to glare at his cousin. "If anyone can help him, he can," Rose continued.
"He's a first-year," Theo replied automatically.
"Harry Potter defeated Voldemort once in his first year at Hogwarts," Rose reminded him.
Theo was silent a long time. Albus could tell Rose's plan of attack was working, as the Head Boy seemed to be on the brink of telling them what was going on. No one could argue when Harry Potter's legacy was brought up.
"A student has been—"
"Theo!"
It was Victoire, who had appeared around the corner behind her cousins. Rose groaned.
"What are you two doing here?" she demanded, in a tone that rather reminded Albus of Professor McGonagall. Not even bothering to wait for their answer, she looked up at Theo. "What would Professor McGonagall say?"
The Head Boy was silent.
"Please, Victoire, just tell us what happened," Rose said.
Victoire moved forward till she was directly in front of Rose, then bent down and placed her hands on her shoulders, bringing their faces level. In a suddenly gentle tone, she said, "It is nothing for you to worry about."
Albus temporarily seemed to have lost his urge to find out what had happened. Rose apparently had too, because she nodded immediately in reply to Victoire.
"Now," the Head Girl said, "you two had best get back up to your common room before a teacher finds you."
Down in the Great Hall, Harry was also failing to get any helpful information. McGonagall had informed him that every Slytherin student had been interrogated with veritaserum, and none of them knew anything about the supposed murder. He didn't know what to do next. He found himself wishing Hermione was here. She would know what to do. But she was dealing with problems of her own right now, on the other side of the world…
Harry decided he had better head home. There was little more he could do here. He informed McGonagall of his decision.
The headmistress sighed. "Very well. I will leave the floo network open from Gryffindor Common Room for the next thirty minutes." She pulled some floo powder out of a pocket in her robes and gave it to him. He bid his farewell and left.
Albus and Rose had just managed to find the way back to Gryffindor Tower when Harry came up behind them.
"What are you two still doing out here?"
Albus and Rose swung around simultaneously. Albus stared at his father, who was frowning down at him.
"Please, Uncle, we were just trying to find out what had happened," Rose said timidly.
After a moment Harry's frown softened slightly. He kneeled down so that his face was just about level with theirs. "I would have done the same thing," he admitted. "But there are some things that it is better to wait to find out. I don't think you two should be wandering about the castle by yourselves illegally just yet." He looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper. "At the very least not without the invisibility cloak."
"There's no way James is going to let me borrow it," Albus replied.
"He might," Harry said, standing up. "Having a strong urge to solve mysteries is a natural part of being true Gryffindors. He understands that as well as any."
Harry led them back to the common room. There he sought out James.
"Well," he said, addressing both his sons. "I'd better be heading home. I don't need your mother worrying about me as well as you two. I'll give her and Lily your love, shall I?" He looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper only they could hear. "And I strongly advise you two not to go looking for trouble just yet. You'll find out everything in time. As much as you both hate the idea, for the time being you need to stay put. Keep the cloak well hidden, keep it safe."
With these final words and a farewell Harry pulled out the floo powder McGonagall had given him and disappeared into the fire. All the Gryffindors watched the Savior of the Wizarding World leave. They had all felt decidedly safer with him there, in light, or rather in the dark, of whatever the staff was hiding.
Albus and Rose knew instantly what they would do next. The fact that the Slytherins hadn't been at dinner tonight meant that they knew what had happened. After all, whatever had happened had apparently happened in their house. And there was a Slytherin who Albus felt would tell them, and help them solve the mysteries that might follow.
