Chapter 14
The Feast
"Come on," Hermione cried from the doorway of Harry's bedroom, "We're going to be late."
"Give me two minutes," Harry cried from the bathroom. He was putting on a black tie. It was very hard, because Harry kept tying it in a knot.
"I'm giving you one."
Harry looked into the mirror and started to fix his untidy hair. But as usual he was having a hard time. Harry had recently had a terrifying nightmare about he was Voldemort and he was going around Hogwarts killing everyone. Harry then remembered the conversation he had with Dumbledore that day.
FLASHBACK
Harry stood in front of Dumbledore's office. He lifted his arm to knock on the door, but a little bit of nervousness was trying to stop. His arm was a few inches from the door neither moving closer or farther. Finally Harry made up his mind. He needed to talk to Dumbledore. He knocked on the door and waited a few seconds for Professor McGonagall to open the door. When she did and saw Harry, she asked sternly, "Another detention Mr. Potter?"
"No," Harry said nervously, "I need to talk to Dumbledore, it is very important."
"Fine, follow me."
She brought Harry to Dumbledore's office. When Dumbledore saw him, he gave him a warm and comforting smile. Harry smiled back and sat in the soft leather chair across from Dumbledore. "Cookie?" Dumbledore asked.
"No thanks," Harry said. He exhaled nervously and then said, "The feast we are having tonight is for no reason."
"I know," Dumbledore smiled, "You thought you ha killed Voldemort…."
"I really thought I did," Harry interrupted, "But now I question myself about his death, because of my recent nightmares."
"You are saying, You Know Who could still be alive?" Professor McGonagall gasped.
"Very possibly," Harry said, "How else would explain these nightmares?"
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. Harry knew he'd feel like a midget sitting in that chair. Dumbledore stroked his silver beard and then said, "We will have the feast as planned. As far as we know, we are the only ones who know that Voldemort could still be alive."
"Okay," Harry said standing up.
"Oh if you want to tell Ron and Hermione, that is okay. But make sure no one else finds out," He said with a twinkle in his eye.
END FLASHBACK
Harry walked out of the bathroom and walked over to his bed where his wand was laying on his pillow. He picked it up and shoved it in the wand pocket in his tuxedo. Hermione looked at him confused. "Just in case," Harry said.
Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed Harry's hand pulling him downstairs. When the walked out of the Gryffindor tower, Harry pulled Hermione close to him and said, "You look beautiful."
Harry gave her a passionate kiss. He felt her tense up in the beginning and then loosen up near the end. Harry broke apart to breath. "Let's go or we'll be late," She said giggling.
"I don't want to go," Harry said.
Hermione looked at him shocked. Harry just smiled at her stupidly. "Not showing up to your own party is pretty low," She said.
"Do you think we could stay here and……?"
Hermione interrupted, "Just be quiet and let's leave."
Hermione dragged Harry into the Great Hall. Harry walked off with Ron. Ginny ran up to Hermione. "So this is the white dress you told me about," Ginny teased, "Does it symbolize anything?"
"Maybe," Hermione said thoughtfully.
Harry was about to sit down when rough hands clamped him in the shoulder. Harry turned around and saw Snape standing next to with his lip curled. "What?" Harry asked annoyed.
"Dumbledore would like to see you," Snape said with his lip curled in disgust as usual.
"Fine."
Snape walked away. Hermione walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "What did he want?" She asked.
'Dumbledore wants to speak to me," Harry sighed unhappily.
"Why?"
"No clue."
Hermione kissed Harry and said, "I'll be waiting for you."
Harry turned around and walked to the front table. "You called for me?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Dumbledore said handing Harry a small golden cup. "I want to make a toast with you."
Harry smelled the contents in his cup and made face. "A little bit of whiskey won't kill you."
"I'm still against it," Professor McGonagall said unhappily.
Dumbledore motioned for Harry to raise the cup. Harry did so and Dumbledore said, "For Harry's upcoming defeat."
Harry drank the whiskey and immediately started coughing. Lupin laughed when Harry's face turned red. Harry gave Dumbledore the cup back. He started walking away back to the Gryffindor table. He saw Cho Chang staring at him. She stuck her hand by her private area and then pointed to Harry. Harry looked away and continued walking to the Gryffindor table.
Harry sat near Hermione who asked, "What did he want?"
"He gave me whiskey."
"How does it taste," Ron asked, "I've always wanted to know what it tastes like."
"Mum would kill you, if she knew you drank whiskey," Ginny said sarcastically.
"It burns your insides when you drink it," Harry said.
The Great Hall became quiet. Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat. Hagrid laughed at a joke. Dumbledore ignored him and said, "16 years ago, a boy entered this world. His parents were really happy. But a certain wizard wanted his death. This boy's parents were murdered. The wizard tried to kill this boy, but was unsuccessful. I know everybody knows this boy is our dear Harry Potter. I also know everybody knows of Voldemort's defeat. So I just wanted to male a toast toward Harry," Dumbledore said raising his goblet, "To Harry's defeat."
Harry took a quick drink. Hermione put her cup down and then gave Harry a tight hug. Harry smiled and then gave Hermione a long French kiss. The food appeared on the table. Ron gasped as he saw all the different foods. Steak, ribs, barbequed chicken, fried chicken brisket, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, yams, boiled carrots, cream corn, corn on the cob, and green beans.
Harry put some brisket on his plate. He looked at Ron's plate and saw it was just filled with meats. "Didn't your mom ever tell you to eat your vegetables?"
Ron looked at Harry and said seriously, "I want to eat everything, so I'm eating everything in a specific order."
Harry gave Ginny a retard look and she burst out laughing spewing pumpkin juice out of her mouth and nose. Professor McGonagall leaned over and said, "I think it is still a bad idea, what is everyone going to think when You Know Who returns?"
"Don't worry," Dumbledore said looking at Harry, who was laughing along with his friends, "Everything will turn out to be good."
Professor Snape stood up and walked out of the Great Hall. He needed to see how his Master was doing. He knew his Master would have something for him to do.
Suddenly a wave of nervousness and fear passed throughout his body. Would Master accept him? He hoped he would. Snape went to his room and quickly packed his things. He left Hogwarts, but would return, not as a teacher.