Chapter 26
Headmistress McGonagall could not help but smile as the year ended without any more seemingly big problems. There were the normal ones of Gryffindor fighting with Slytherins, and other small ones of being kids. And there was always the occasional magic accident that would lead to more than a few headaches before the mess was fixed.
But that came with running a school that was as old and set in its ways as Hogwarts. And this was something McGonagall was more than willing to take in stride. Besides it could be much worse all things considered. Especially when compared to last year, when students were kidnapped and changed into dangerous alien creatures in a personal battle against the Headmaster of the time Dumbledore.
For that matter no one had heard anything from Harry's group since about midwinter. It was making some of the teachers more than a little nervous. But McGonagall who knew Harry, well enough, felt that it was a sign they had either left however unlikely that was. Or they were playing things safe for a while longer.
"You seem to be in a good mood, Minerva," Professor Flitwick said walking by her on his way down to the Great Hall.
"Just enjoying the peace and normal life that has settled over Hogwarts," McGonagall replied.
"Since when is a school for magic considered normal," Flitwick asked.
"Normal for the school," McGonagall replied.
Flitwick chuckled as suddenly the ground seemed to shake beneath their feet, and dust began to fall from the walls and ceilings above them. Flitwick tumbled to the floor as crashing and bangs were heard all up and down the halls. Students began yelling as the shaking became worse and the very ground the stood on seem to rise and fall.
"What in the name of Merlin is going on," Flitwick said getting back to his feet.
"No clue but get all of the students out of the school, or into reinforced rooms now!" McGonagall shouted, running off down the Halls to try and help those she could. Flitwick took off in the other direction with the same intention in mind.
Soon the shaking stopped as a low rumbling was heard throughout the entire school. Students hid under desk and anywhere that they thought might offer protection. Then as McGonagall sprinted past a window she stopped as she saw something she never saw before.
The Great Lake had formed a massive whirlpool in the center, and the whirlpool was only growing larger with each passing second. Till finally it had turned into a gapping tunnel in the center of the lake. A loud roar was heard that echoed out over the fields and grounds of Hogwarts as a creatures head rose out of the hole in the lake.
"The Worlds Serpent," McGonagall breathed, realizing just what was going on, Harry had finally decided to unleash the beast.
She drew her wand, as she got ready to run and battle the creature in what would likely end up being the fastest battle of her life and soon to be death. But before she could move away from the window the creature rose rapidly out of the hole in the lake and flew into the sky revealing its full size to the entire school.
The creature was a dragon from the eastern world. But this one was even more massive than those beasts. It easily stretched out over hundreds of feet in length, and it was floating and flying about with only it's on magical powers. And once it was completely out the hole, McGonagall would very well agree with the name that legend had given the creature.
It floated about above the school, its entire length hidden just from its massive size as it curled and moved about above them. It looked about the world slowly before finally looking to the east, and took off. And even for its size the creature did not lack speed either, as it unwound its body in moments and was quickly disappearing off into the horizon in the distance.
McGonagall could not keep stand as it finally vanished from view and sank to her knees as Snape and Flitwick came around the corn a few moments later. They stopped when they neared her not sure just what to do or say.
"Minerva are you okay," Snape asked after a few minutes.
"That… thing was bellow this school the entire time," Minerva said, still to stun to stand.
"Yes, now we need to do something, before we have a school wide panic," Flitwick said.
Minerva nodded after a few moments, "Get everyone to the Great Hall at once. I don't care where they unless they are injured. I want to make sure everyone is accounted for, and explain what just happened. Or at least keep the calm."
Snape nodded, before point out the window to a spot by the lake. McGonagall stood back up and looked where he pointed. The lake sealed up, soon looking much like it had on a windy day, but this was not what Snape was pointing at. Across the lake sitting on a long stick was a head, and not just any head either. It was Dumbledore head on a spear.
"I think we found the source of our troubles… again," Snape said.
"Have… someone remove that, as well, and don't let anyone know," Minerva said before turning and walking off.
"Where are you going," Flitwick asked.
"To find and talk with Harry and the hive, I want to know what brought this on, this time," Minerva said, before disappearing around the corner.
Snape looked at Flitwick, and said, "Why can't life ever be simple for once?"
"I wish I knew, but let's do what she said, I don't fancy having my head placed on spear," Flitwick said running off to get the job done.
Snape took once last glance out of the window before doing the same. This was one of the craziest endings to a year that he had would ever remembered.