Well I think I best first start off with my rant. Now I know there is a chance to review and I understand that some people may not totally get the idea of a story – and please correct me if I'm wrong- but I thought the whole idea was for creative criticism and if there is a question or something you don't get or think is right, shouldn't you ask the writer why they put that in; instead of just using negativity against what has been written. Anyway though thank you for everyone who has read my story, and also to those who have took the time to review! Much Love
They were sitting in the great hall, eating at the tables. A mixture of meats, side dishes and practically anything you could have thought of was in front of Harry, but he just didn't feel like eating. He'd earlier sent an owl to Ginny, anxious for her reply he felt his hands fidget and before he could reach to extract another piece of gammon from the plate, he found the remains absorbed into the golden serving dishes, to be replaced with the usual sweet pies, cakes and desserts. Harry took a small slice of carrot cake from a tray in front of him and began to very slowly eat the cake- taking the up most care to concentrate on the chewing and swallowing.
Though Harry understood why they hadn't made it to the Forbidden forest, it still angered him. For Tonks, Lupin and Teddy had wanted to be together and well it came down to the fact, they were all pretty hungry and could do with some sleep. So Harry had grudgingly walked away from the forest back up the castle's steps. He'd tried to visit Al in the hospital wing but looking at him curled on his side in a magically enforced sleep had been too much to bare- so he'd found himself in the owlery, watching the owls on their perches.
That was when he had thought of Ginny- his wife. It had only been hours since they had parted but so much had happened, deciding for the better of his judgement. Harry had wrote a simple letter;
Ginny,
Its time, bring who you can tomorrow morning. We're no closer but Al is worse than I thought. Voldemort is stronger than I thought. Reply if you can.
I'm sorry.
Love, Harry.
He had not wanted to put much in the letter in case of it being disturbed in flight, though he had expected a reply by now of his wife's plans. He sat chewing his piece of carrot cake, many more times than actually needed before swallowing and taking another bite. He was just about ready to push away his plate when an owl's hoot echoed in the hall.
James's owl. Harry thought.
The owl landed in the middle of the table, standing on the plate which had held the carrot cake picking with its beak at remnants of the dessert. Harry fumbled with the string holding the letter to the owl's leg, finally releasing the thick piece of parchment Harry recognised from the burrow. With shaking hands, he opened the scroll to find Ginny's neat handwriting. Knowing everyone was watching, he looked at parchment and read:
Harry, no apology is needed, I was hasty without cause. If Al is worse then I will be at Hogwarts at sunrise. I'll try to find who-ever I can in that time- I know we will need them.
But Harry don't forget I trust you- I know we can fight this. For Al. For us.
Love Ginny.
Harry felt his heart race, he still had his wife. "They'll be here at sunrise; she'll see who can come." Harry spoke to the people surrounding him. Looking at Dumbledore Harry began. "We best find places for people to sleep; I can't promise this will be quick."
Dumbledore nodded his wizened head. "Of course Harry, help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who deserve it." And with that he stood from his chair, exiting from the wooden doors into the hall- every eye in the room watched him.
"So…" Tonks began. "Who's Ginny bringing?" This again brought hush to the table.
Harry took a breath. "Anyone from the first time really. There isn't many of us but we know enough- getting others involved now would mean a full scale pandemic."
"We discussed back at the burrow; we were thinking that my family should be here along with the old ones from back at Hogwarts- Neville and Luna, Dean, Seamus, Oliver… and the original order… see if we can get Kingsley on board." Ron continued as Harry ended.
"Hm." Tonks replied. Lupin watched her very carefully. The way she played with her hair, twirling it around her finger in a careless manner.
"What is it?" Lupin asked her, concern in his voice.
"It feels like last time. The way he would return. Too weak and feeding off other people." Tonks ran her hands through her hair. "I'm not sure but maybe this will be last time- but played again twenty-one years later."
That left the table in silence. Harry saw each of them look into the faces of everyone who sat at the table. It was several minutes before any of them spoke.
"Alright you lot! We have not much time and far too much to do… bed!" Mad-eye croaked. So one by one like children they made their way up the stairs until they all stood on the second floor, realising they had nowhere to sleep.
"Anyone?" Harry asked. Each shook their heads, waiting patiently for some… magic. Before Harry could speak the word he saw the patronus of a phoenix come in to view, waiting for each of them to follow. Silently they all followed the patronus until they were standing on the seventh floor facing the…
"Room of requirement!" Hermione spoke in surprise.
"Bloody hell! I thought Crabbe had scorched the place after the last time." Ron exclaimed.
I love magic! Harry thought to himself.
He walked into the room filled with comfortable beds and compartments and living space big enough to hold them all. He found a comfortable double bed for him and Ginny and fell onto the mattress instantly absorbed in sleep.
He woke un-rested in the morning; having dreamt of dark underground caves, children's laughter and his mothers screams.
What hurt more was knowing Albus had felt the same.
He saw someone watching him. Greasy hair, curtained around his face. Snape.
"Harry, there is things you need to know- join me?" He indicated to the chairs sitting around a crackling fire. Harry just nodded and sat up in the bed, rubbed his face and padded bare foot to the seat. Upon sitting he found Dumbledore also around the fire.
"The beginning of the end…" Dumbledore began.
"The boy who lived." Snape finished.
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