This is a bit shorter than I wanted... oh well. Enjoy!
On the 30th of December, 1995, in the middle of the mysterious Black Lake of Hogwarts, something stirred. A faint ba-thump was heard. Something was awakening.
~.~
On the 30th of December, 1995, one of the little currently resident witches of Hogwarts, Hermione Granger, sat at her place in the magical Great Hall, daintily eating breakfast. Christmas and Yule have just passed, but that didn't mean the festivities were over, and she was looking forward to New Year's Eve much more than Christ's birthday because it would honestly be hypocritical of her to celebrate the birth of the man whose religion condemns wizardry. On the other hand, Yule had been fun for the young woman and though she didn't practice Germanic paganism either, it was the more acceptable choice to celebrate. Nevertheless, New Year wasn't really connected to any sort of religion, making it the most enjoyable holiday for the witch. That said, she wasn't really counting on anything to happen just two days before the new beginning. There weren't many people in the castle besides herself and the teachers, and nearly all of them were so cheery, it was almost impossible for anyone to cause trouble. She was still a bit weary, though, of Tom Riddle. She didn't want to trust him; after all, he had been tormenting her for years, but there was this part of her that in the end, really wanted to believe he was a nice person.
But was it really worth the risk?
~.~
On the 30th of December, 1995, in the magical dormitory of the Slytherin Head boy, Tom Riddle was anxiously watching the clock. This was it. It was over. Just a little more time and…
The hand of the clock moved.
If he were to regret anything, Tom pondered, it would be losing his cool and attacking his mate when he first met her. It was ridiculous how much that cost him: his mate, his sanity, light…
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Twelve o'clock. Midnight.
A pained scream tore its way through Tom's throat as the convulsions began. It echoed throughout the stone walls of the castle, startling its inhabitants.
~.~
At the beginning of New Year's Eve, in the magical Head Teacher's chambers in Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore jolted awake, a distant scream ringing in his ears. His eyes widened and he hurried to get dressed. No, no, no, this wouldn't do at all. He would have to round up all the students who had stayed for the holidays and make a response team before the morons in the Ministry wise up to what is happening in the castle and take the matter in their own hands. Running out the door, he almost stumbled into Headmaster Dippet.
"Did you hear that, Albus?"
The younger professor managed to tame down the glee in his voice and said gravely, "Yes, I did, Armando. Round up the students. I'm afraid we have a situation on our hands."
And that's how one gets idiots to do one's bidding.
~.~
At 00:02 on the 31st of December, 1995, the gathering of the Knights of Walpurgis, recently renamed to 'Death Eaters', cheered upon hearing the scream. It meant the battle was beginning. With a cry, they split up, going in all directions to cover more battlegrounds. More screams tore through the air as the other students were taken by surprise. It was all going according to plan.
~.~
A warm gust of wind blew over the frozen rigid ground.
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
Cliffhanger! I hope. Please review!
