An Unfortunate Miracle: Part II

Chapter Four

September 1st, Again

Author's Note: Oh, an interesting bit of information for you. In the last chapter, I originally had George turning into a Bluberry (a reference to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as a result of testing a new product, Bluberry Bubbles (no typos there). I really liked the idea, but it didn't really fit in with the story. Having Snape show up in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was cool though. Maybe I'll fit the Bluberry Bubbles in later.

Also, there was a slight change at the end of the last chapter. It's nothing too drastic, it's just that Ivy will not betaking the train to Hogwarts. I had too many problems with the course of this chapter, that I just gave up and altered chapter three. So, hope you enjoy.

I was sitting in band the other day, minding my own business. Then, all of a sudden, I think: "Snape is the head of Slytherin House! Wouldn't Dumbledore have told him about the books as well, since Scott was in his house?" Yes, I know that this is a very stupid thing to realize, this far into the story. So, since I don't feel like going back to alter chapter five of part one, as I'm sure you don't want to go back and reread it, I'll tell you right here.

When Dumbledore came to Lee's house to sort Ivy and Scott, Ivy specifically asked Dumbledore not to tell Snape about the books, because she was afraid that Snape would pass the information on to Voldemort. Dumbledore has not told Snape, and doesn't plan on it. At this point in the story, no other witches or wizards (including those that Ivy does not know about) know about the Rowling books except Ivy, Scott, Dumbledore, and McGonagall.

Here's a quote from Futurama that I found rather interesting: "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."

"Wait." I pulled Scott to one side away from the other students and their families.

"Can't it wait?" he asked, looking back at the train. "I'd like to get a good compartment."

"I need to talk to you about something very important." I lowered my voice. "Very bad things are going to happen this year, Scott." He started to speak, but I stopped him. "You know I can't tell you what. You may think things are bad now, but they're only going to get worse. Stay away from Draco Malfoy and anyone who hangs out with him. They're bad news."

"Is that all?" Scott asked impatiently.

I sighed. "Just promise me you'll be careful?"

"I will. Bye, Ivy."

"Bye." I watched him get on the train, hoping he'd be safe at Hogwarts.

I decided to stick around until the train left. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys showed up with only minutes to go. I watched as Mrs. Weasley said goodbye to Harry.

"Now, dear, you're coming to us for Christmas, it's all fixed with Dumbledore," she said. Harry closed the door as the train began to move. Mrs. Weasley began to run alongside the train as it gathered speed. "You make sure you look after yourself and be good and stay safe!" She fell back and waved as the train turned a corner.

At exactly five-fifteen, the Hogwarts Express rolled into Hogsmeade just as Tonks appeared next to me.

"Sorry I'm late, Ivy," she said. "I lost track of time." She looked much different than the last time I'd seen her. Her bubblegum pink hair had turned mousy brown, her face was thin, and she looked slightly ill.

"That's okay," I said, not mentioning her appearance. "Better late than never." She didn't respond.

As students began getting off the train, I began watching for Harry. I recognized a lot of people, but none of them were Harry.

"Well," said Tonks, as what seemed like the last person got off the train, "that's everyone, isn't it?"

"Wait, where's Harry?"

"Didn't he get off?"

"I didn't see him." I was getting worried. So much for hoping I had changed it. "Should we check the train?"

"Why would he still be on the train?"

"I don't know!"

"Is something the matter, Ivy?"

Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Neville had appeared at my side. "Have any of you seen Harry?"

"We did," said Ginny. "We were invited to Professor Slughorn's compartment, and on the way back, Harry said he'd see us later and disappeared under his Invisibility Cloak. We haven't seen him since them."

"We were going to look for him on the train," said Neville.

I looked at Tonks. "We should search the train," I suggested, and she nodded in agreement. "You guys go on to the feast, and we'll find Harry." They looked hesitant. "Don't worry, we'll find him."

As they headed for the carriages, Tonks and I headed for the train. "You start in the back and I'll start in the front," began Tonks. "Check all the compartments. Since he has his Invisibility Cloak, you may not be able to see him. Feel around in the luggage racks and on the floor. Got that?" I nodded, and we headed for opposite ends of the Hogwarts Express. I wasn't sure which compartment Malfoy's little gang had been in, but one of us had to find him before the train left.

Luckily, it didn't take me long to find Harry. I knew I had the right compartment when I found a wand on the floor. When I picked it up, I recognized it as Harry's. I felt around on the floor until I found Harry's Invisibility Cloak and pulled it off him.

"Harry!" I performed the counter-curse for the Full-Body Bind. "Are you all right? What happened?"

He sat up quickly and wiped the blood off his face with the back of his hand. "Draco Malfoy happened." He looked up at me. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for you." I stood up and offered a hand to Harry, which he accepted. "But now that I've done that, I suppose we should find Tonks before the train leaves." I led him out of the compartment and toward the front of the train.

"Tonks is here?" He sounded surprised.

I nodded. "She can fix your nose." I smiled when I noticed the skeptical look on his face. "Don't worry, she's pretty good at it."

After locating Tonks and getting a thrill from jumping off a moving train (at least I did, not so sure about Tonks and Harry), Tonks fixed Harry's nose, and we headed down the street leading to Hogwarts.

"So what are you two doing here anyway?" asked Harry.

"I've been stationed in Hogsmeade with a couple other Aurors," said Tonks, not really looking at Harry.

I was suddenly curious. "So why did Dumbledore want me here too?"

She shrugged. "Dumbledore seemed to think it was a good idea." Harry and I shared a look at her unenthusiastic response, but neither one of us commented.

We continued on to the school gates, where we were met, unfortunately, by Snape. After criticizing Tonks's new Patronus, Snape escorted Harry back to Hogwarts, and Tonks and I headed back up the lane to Hogsmeade. I made an attempt at conversation after a few minutes of silence.

"So...Anything interesting happen to you this summer?"

She shrugged. "Not much. How about you?"

"Well, I think the most interesting thing would be that one of my Muggle friends dropped out of high school and moved to Australia."

I succeeded in getting a decent reaction from her. She looked at me incredulously. "Australia?"

I laughed lightly. "That's what I said." I explained what Kailee had told me had happened with Justin. "Guys can be really stupid, can't they?"

"Yeah," she said quietly, looking away, "they can."

A slightly awkward silence followed. I knew she was thinking about Remus Lupin. I only knew basic facts about what going on between them. Tonks is in love with Remus, but Remus thinks he's too old for her, and because he's werewolf, he thinks it's too dangerous for him to be involved with someone. I could understand Remus's viewpoint, but I was pretty sure they would end up together, as they would be holding hands at Dumbledore's funeral.

This thought, of course, put me in a very depressed mood. Not that Remus and Tonks would be holding hands, but Dumbledore's funeral. I realized how close it was, and wished that fateful night in June would never come.

"Well," said Tonks, and I realized we had reached the village of Hogsmeade, "we're done for tonight. Tomorrow, our shift starts at eight o'clock. See you tomorrow." With a half-hearted wave, she Disapparated.

I turned back to look at the castle. Just before I Apparated back to London, I smiled.

Boy, I wish I could see their faces when they find out that Snape is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year.

Author's Note: Sorry about the really long Author's note. Got carried away. Anyway, kudos to me, as I passed my driver's test today! Woo! Yeah. Very cool GoF soundtrack. My personal favorite was "Do the Hippogriff". Can't wait to see the movie tomorrow! Now, review!