Hallo, dear Readers,
Yeah, it's Saturday and therefore time for the next update. In this chapter you will learn more about the purpose of the Egyptian students and their teacher, while McGonagall is determined to bring some light into the dark.
Thank you so much for the last reviews and you encouragements. I'm glad that I am still portraying the characters close to their original way of acting and thinking, and that you are liking this fanfiction and its story-line so much.
Have fun with the next chapter,
Love you all,
Lywhn!
Chapter 27 – Preventive Measures
McGonagall waited until after breakfast the next morning before announcing the new restrictions to the students, knowing full stomachs would ameliorate the unpleasantness she had to give them. The news still generated groans and murmured protests all over the Great Hall: no one was allowed to leave the immediate vicinity, only visits to the owlery – located by the wall – was excepted. And then the next announcement created a resentful turmoil among all four houses: "And I am very sorry to inform you that, for the time being, there will be no further trips to Hogsmeade."
Minerva cleared her throat, as the volume level increased, and pointed her wand at her throat, murmuring, "Sonorus," then, "Silence, please!" and her voice was projected as if from a dozen speakers around the room.
She had to repeat this several times, and then allowed her irritation to show. "Mr. Morrey? One word more and I will give you Detention. – Miss Granya, please quit screeching. I am certain your make-up supply will last until Christmas. – Mr. Reese, stop that shouting. It will change nothing!" Finally the grumbling settled down, but dark expressions were turned her direction and several, especially Slytherins, scowled openly at her.
Taking a deep breath, the she continued: "After giving vent to your understandable upset, I ask you to listen a moment longer." She paused until she was sure she had everyone's attention. "This decision was not made easily. Minister of Magic Shacklebolt met with me in person and insisted that that this precaution is necessary, not only because of last Saturday's shocking unpleasantness. He thinks I should not worry you further, but I believe my students have the right to know about the whole situation, to make wise decisions about their actions – and not least of all, to understand the reason for their restriction to school grounds." She deliberately folded her hands on the podium, and looked grimly at all four tables, and, it seemed, to each face turned her way.
"Last Sunday evening, Death Eaters were seen in the Forbidden Forest, just beyond the school property." She saw the alarm on their faces and added in soothing tones, "You must not be anxious. I do know that the most of you still suffer from the experiences of last May, not only those who lost friends and family members, but also those who barely escaped before the Dark Lord attacked. Many chose to fight against the Death Eaters. But the protective spells that create the wards established around the boundaries of Hogwarts have been expanded, and Aurors will come this morning to strengthen the Hogwarts' wards. They will also be in Hogsmeade to reassure the citizenry over the next days." Again whispers started and Minerva raised her voice again. "You may be confident that the ministry and I will do all possible to keep you safe, but you must do your part as well. So please, do not leave the school, and if you're going to the owlery, please make sure that friends accompany you. This is especially true for the younger students. As soon we are secure again, you will be informed immediately." She sighed inwardly – would these dark times never be over? "And now you are dismissed to - yes, Mr. Potter?"
Harry had shot out of his seat, hand raised, and everyone heard him ask, "Professor, we all know that you're doing your best to keep us safe, but since we have to stay within the castle, will we be able to go on with the Quidditch match the last weekend in November? Will it still take place?"
Hermione, beside him, sighed and shook her head, while most of the other students nodded vehemently, whispering again.
The headmistress blinked, obviously taken aback by the question which had not occurred to her, then she cleared her throat. "Well, Mr. Potter, Quidditch is important, but…"
"Since I've been here," he interrupted, "the game was cancelled only twice: first after the attack of the basilisk and second the year the field was being used for the Tri-Wizard Tournament." Harry smiled in apology, but stood waiting for her answer.
Minerva sighed, giving Harry a sour look. She definitely had soft spot for the young man, otherwise she would have rebuked him sharply for interrupting inappropriately. Then she saw the eager faces at all four tables. Even the teachers looked at her expectantly. Sweet silver unicorns! What were they thinking? The school was being threatened by revenge-seeking Death Eaters, and everyone's first concern was the upcoming Quidditch game!
It was only the next moment when she remembered that it was the little things that made it worth going on, the Quidditch games, the trips to Hogsmeade, the next concert or competition; those little joys that made it worthwhile facing the harsh, dark times. She couldn't take that away from them.
Therefore ... she would have to come up with a solution. Now.
Rising to her full height, she said: "I will talk to the Chief Auror, Mr. Robards. If he can assure me that he and his aurors can patrol the field during the match, then – of course – the game will go on."
The cheering and applause broke out all over the hall.
"What about the practices?" the Ravenclaw Seeker asked loudly. "If we can't use the field until the match, neither we nor Gryffindor will be able to play our best!" and all Quidditch players around the Great Hall agreed.
Draco lifted his hand and rose, as the headmistress acknowledged him, wondering what was coming next. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Professor, I agree with Potter and the others that the game should continue, and that we need practice. But until the Aurors have made the pitch fully secure, perhaps we can train in the largest courtyard at fixed points of time – or, possibly, here in the Great Hall in a free period. It wouldn't be too difficult to pile up the house tables and benches and to protect them with a charm. So we would be inside of the castle, but still have the chance to skill our abilities for the matches."
Harry glanced over to the Slytherin-Prince and grinned. "I never thought I'd say this, but good idea, Malfoy!"
There was laughter from the rest of the hall, and the Head-Boy gave an exaggerated bow in Harry's direction – two who shared the same passion and finding common ground.
Minerva composed her face, trying not to look amazed by this turn of events, and turned to Filch – who was gaping – and smirked. "Mr. Malfoy, if you can assure me that we will find the hall in the same condition that we left it, you have my permission."
"YEAH!" sounded it from somewhere at the Hufflepuff table, while most students applauded or rapped on the wooden tables.
Shaking her head, she said, "Now that that's settled, you are dismissed to go to your classes, which will begin in one quarter hour!" Tired, she sat back on her chair, still hating the fact that she had restrain her students privileges, but glad to grant them their Quidditch. And maybe Gawain Robards or Hank Trees could come up with methods to secure the pitch for practice.
She pressed her lips shut, loathing this turn of events. As she spoken with Kingsley via the floo-network the afternoon before, both agreed that risks had to be kept to a minimum, and that meant that the students had to stay within the castle. She knew that dozens of them thought this step overdone, but none of those knew of the young centaur's death and how his life had been ended so thoughtlessly, so brutally. And McGonagall wanted to keep it this way. There was no reason to worry the students.
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"What do you make of the new restrictions?" Harry asked, while he, Ron, Hermione and Ginny flowed with the crowd, heading for the first class.
"Over the top!" Ron commented, shaking his head. "At least there is still a chance we can trample Ravenclaw in three weeks!"
Hermione shook her head, exasperated. "Oh Ron! There are Death Eaters around our school, trying to kill us, the ministry sends Aurors to protect us, and all you, Harry, Head-Boy Malfoy and the others can think of is Quidditch?"
Harry shrugged. "Quidditch is important, Mione – not that you would understand," he teased, winking at her. She rolled her eyes, and Ginny giggled. "That was a good suggestion your partner gave Professor McGonagall. I'm impressed," he said.
"That he actually had this particular idea, or that he agreed with you?" Ginny asked coyly, and Harry smirked.
"Both!"
Ron shook his head. "I still think McGonagall and the ministry are overdoing it. The Death Eaters were in the Forbidden Forest, outside of Hogwarts the wards, not inside them!"
"They're being careful," his sister shrugged. "With Death Eaters in Hogsmeade and now near the castle, they're not taking any risks."
"The question we have to ask is, why now? The raid was on Saturday and the Death Eaters were seen Sunday – that was days ago. If the Ministry and McGonagall are so worried about it, why didn't they act on it yesterday?" Hermione mused, outlining the timeline in her mind.
Harry nodded at her. "I agree, Mione. That's what I was thinking as McGonagall gave her speech. And what can we conclude?" He looked his three friends, giving them the answer as he paused. "Something happened that McGonagall just learned of now. Possibly the incident on Sunday was more than just some Death Eaters in the Forbidden Forest."
"After all this isn't the first time that the headmistress didn't know about it," Ron grumbled, shooting Hermione a pointed look she ignored.
But Ginny saw it and snapped, "Well, then be glad that Hermione and Malfoy kept it to themselves, otherwise none of us would have been allowed to go to Hogsmeade last Saturday."
"Oh, and wasn't it a pleasant excursion it was for one and all!" Ron snorted sarcastically.
"Are you saying that the raid in Hogsmeade is our fault?" Hermione challenged him, forgetting she'd decided not to speak to him. Her brown eyes were narrowed, an edge in her voice.
Frowning, Ron retorted: "Well, they wouldn't have come if we'd been forbidden to go to Hogsmeade already, if McGonagall had known that several of the bastards were in the area!"
Red shot into her cheeks while she turned to confront him. "And how long ago was this? Six weeks or more?" Then she frowned. "And now you want to blame me for everything that happened last weekend?" Her voice was rising.
"Hermione ..." Harry began, seeing the argument coming, but Hermione wasn't listening, her temper getting the better of her:
"Maybe you should think about how Lestrange and the others knew about the timing of our trip to Hogsmeade, hmmmm? Or how they could get near the school at all? Or WHY they were in the Forbidden Forest? And while you're considering the really important questions, you might conclude that the latest restrictions have something to do with their sudden departure from the Great Hall yesterday morning?"
Ronald grimaced. "You saying that Hagrid did something that-"
Ginny and Harry moaned, while Hermione exploded. "No, you git! I mean that Hagrid discovered something they'd done in the Forbidden Forest, and that it was awful enough that Kingsley and McGonagall chose to restrict us to the castle!" She huffed impatiently. "Really, Ronald Weasley, instead of thinking up snappy comebacks, you should use your brain for its useful purpose, instead of thinking continually of your next meal!" With those words she stormed off, her eyes blazing, her curls practically electrified.
Ron scratched his head, looking after her, not realizing that many students had halted to listen and watch. "Can someone please tell me, what's got her on her high horse? I mean, she gets…"
"Maybe you should stop harassing her, Weasley. Even I wouldn't treat my own girl friend that way – and am I not the bad boy of this school?" The cool hard voice was directly behind the three. Ginny hid a smile, seeing Malfoy passing them, glancing sharply at her brother.
"You stay out of it, Ferret! You've done enough!" Ron growled, fingering his wand.
Draco paused and turned to face them. His stormy eyes fixed on Ron's petulant blue ones, his face a stoic mask, but his voice was an eerie mixture of iciness and anger: "Yes, I did enough, Weasley – to help your little group and to drag your girlfriend's sweet arse out of danger, which should have been you. But keep pouting. You're really good at it, so why bother to change. And should it be necessary, I will again keep Granger safe, but certainly not for you." He turned, but then looked back. "And one last thing, Weasley: skip the juvenile name calling. You're of age, aren't you? Act like it."
Ron's face had gone tomato red. Harry's "Ron – NO!" came too late. With a snarl, Ron pulled his wand out. "Verdimillious!" he shouted.
But the flash didn't reach the Slytherin-Prince. It glanced off the non-verbal, wandless protective charm suddenly surrounding him. The spell rebounded and struck Ron, who was hurled from his feet, and slid several meters across the hard stony floor, gasping for air.
Harry was between the two rivals in the wink of an eye, wand ready, but pointed at neither. "Stop it! Both of you!" he barked, seeing the number of other students circling them.
Ginny rushed to her brother and bent over him, offering him a hand up. "You okay?"
He ignored her and managed to raise himself on unsteady feet. He glared at Malfoy, who had drawn his own wand now. "Stay put, Weasley, or – on your mother's eyes – you will learn today not to mess with me! Twenty points from Gryffindor for attacking the Head-Boy -" all Gryffindors in earshot groaned – "and Detention this evening. I'm certain Professor Slughorn could use your help cleaning up the Potions-classroom after the first- and second-years take their lessons this afternoon!"
He stalked away. The other students instantly made room for him – hoping not to be the target of his irritation, partly out of respect. He was the Head-Boy, after all. And they all saw how unfair it had been fair for Ronald Weasley to attempt to curse him when he had done nothing but talk to him, and didn't even have his wand ready.
Harry took a deep breath, tucking his wand in his pocket, and stared at his ginger-haired friend. "Superb, Ron! Crackerjack! Twenty points taken from us and you in Detention. And I was hoping to work through some strategies with you this evening for our upcoming match."
"And whose fault is it? Malfoy took-"
"You attacked him, for Heaven's sake!" Ginny snapped. "He asked you to stop calling him names and you hurled a curse at him in return! Get a grip, big brother, before you get us into more trouble than you've already caused!"
" 'I already caused'?" her brother squeaked. "What do you meant? Didn't you hear what he said? He calls Hermione by a nick-name, and that he would rescue again, but not for me! So, who for? For himself! What should I think besides -"
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter, am I mistaken or should you be in class now?" The stern voice was very familiar and as the three turned, they faced an irritated headmistress, while the gathered crowd scattered.
"Sorry, Professor, on our way now," Harry said quickly, hoping to avoid the loss of further points.
The headmistress gave him a short nod. "I trust so, Potter." It was only as she turned away that Harry saw the wry smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth. He chuckled inwardly. He knew by now that beneath that high-necked dress beat a very warm heart.
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"Are you certain that you've never heard of such creatures before, Akay?"
Minerva sat in her private office at the small table, serving the Egyptian wizard hot tea, which he gladly accepted. The flames crackled in the fireplace, warming the large room, but the damp chill of the school's climate was getting the better of him. He wasn't accustomed to the weather and wore two robes now, with a black turtle neck jumper and fur boots. McGonagall thought it a bit overdone when she saw his accoutrements the first time, but remembered that he came from a very hot, dry land, and decided that he must be having difficulty adjusting to the climate.
Professor Akay Abdelghani, visiting Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, sipped at the hot, delicious tea and pursed his lips. "Well, to say the truth, Minerva, the description given by Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger are almost identical with the old legends of two of our ancient gods – Basted and Anubis. However, with due all respect, I do think that the nerves of the two young people must have been laid bare. Being in such an emotional stress like the two were can do something like this to the mind."
McGonagall leaned back in her armchair, brow raised. "What do you mean, Akay?"
A gentle smile appeared on the olive face, and the dark eyes sparkled with amusement. "Do you have another explanation why a cat that helped Mr. Malfoy should have had extraordinary long legs and a longer snout than others he has seen, means that it had to be an oriental pet? Here, in the isles? Or why a black dog suddenly has the appearance of an oversized jackal? The latter sounds to my ears a little bit like a werewolf, but this could not be. After all, it was daylight and there was no full moon."
Looking thoughtful, the headmistress replied slowly: "I have known Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger since their first day at this school. Neither has ever hallucinated nor overstated anything." She fingered the filigreed spoon on the table before her. "I agree that the chance of two ancient gods of your country appearing here is very, very slight," both smiled at this comment, "but they couldn't be the usual pets. Yes, of course, cats do protect the people they are fond of from time to time, and dogs are well known for their undying loyalty, but I never heard of the case where a dog could chase away a werewolf – neither in his human nor animal form." She refilled her cup, adding sugar. "You are a well-travelled man, Akay, and the teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts. You certainly know more about … oh, unusual beings and their behaviour than anyone else in these walls."
Abdelghani emptied his own cup and placed it on the table. "Thank you for such compliment, Minerva, but I am certain that Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape had an excellent knowledge of those things, too – and, after all, their memories are still very much alive in the portraits. Could none of them-"
Shaking her head, she replied, "No, neither have heard of anything like this – except when wizards and witches are Animagis and change into their animal form. I have asked all the portrait inhabitants about this. I know from my own experience that the human mind is capable of amazing imaginary gyrations, and so the only explanation I can come up with is: the two animals were, in reality, Animagi." She watched him. "And after you confirmed that the appearances of those two 'pets' are the animal forms of two ancient Egyptian gods, I must ask myself ... if two of your students have forgotten to inform us that they are Animagi."
'Ghani blinked several times in surprise, then raised both brows and chuckled. "If this really be our case, Minerva, then it presents news to me as well. According to the regulations in both our countries, every witch or wizard who is an Animagus has the duty to confirm this officially and also to indicate the shape he or she takes after such transformation. And none of my four students have done this."
The headmistress nodded slowly, eyes still on him. He sat relaxed in his chair, his expression was open, his eyes were clear, and he looked straight at her. Nothing indicated that he might be lying or trying to keep a secret. If her suspicions were correct, that two of their guest students had come to the Head students' aid in their Animagi form, then Abdelghani probably didn't know about this ability. She carefully changed the direction of the conversation.
"Assuming – only assuming! – that they concealed something like this from you and took the shapes of two of your old gods, what would this mean regarding their ability? Animagi have the basic character of the animal they become, so what would-"
"Minerva," he interrupted her softly. "Even if – and this is truly a very big if – two of my students could take the animal form of Bastet and Anubis, then there is no one who could tell you what they would be like. You see, in the beginning of our civilisations, the people honoured certain animals they encountered in their lives. Not only those with whom they lived, but also those who crossed their paths and brought danger, risk, or fortune with them. Take for example Bastet. At first there was the lioness, the huntress, who works in tandem with other lionesses to slay their prey while the male watches – something unbelievable to the first primitive human hunters. Of course they feared the female lion, but also adored it. Mehit was the name of the first goddess who was described as a lioness. Later, human attributes were added and she was made to draw now as a woman with a lion head, sometimes with the protection of the cobra with her. But as the times went on, and our ancestors grew more civilized, developing the script and the science, a simple war-goddess was not enough for what they had experienced during the centuries. Someone could be at war and be a brutal killer, but could also enjoy family, dance and music when the battle was over. So Mehit was split into Bastet and her darker sister Sachmet. And at that time, Bastet got the head of a house cat and was identified with the easy, joyful private life, while her sister Sachmet still was the lioness, the warrior. But, to make it clearer, both parts were once one goddess and there was the saying that Sachmet will come out of her sister, if Bastet is constrained."
"And she holds both characteristics. And I think the same for Anubis, Sobek and so on," McGonagall mused, and the man nodded.
"Exactly. The jackal is the symbol of death and the netherworld. After all, you can meet them often near cemeteries – in earlier times more than today – and it was not rare that they dug up corpses to feed on them. Those animals were, of course, eerie for our ancestors and the God of Death was quickly 'born'. As far as I know, the Muggle-historians of today are thinking that this is the reason why the Egyptian people of all those millennia ago made Anubis to a judge of the afterlife. Those who had lived evil lives were eaten, having no chance at an afterlife. Well, regarding the fact that in our old religion there was really a demon who fed on those whose souls were forfeit, the Muggles have a good idea about how it began."
Sipping her second cup of tea, Minerva watched him over the top of her spectacles. "So, if someone took the shape of Anubis, he or she would judge, guard the dead, and prefer the night." She lowered her cup. "But why would a werewolf like Greyback flee from him or her? Greyback has born this curse for more than twenty years. He loves it now and even uses it in hunting children, to infect them as well. He has learned much from the other Death Eaters during the last two and a half years, he is skilled in the Dark Arts. He is even able to shift into a black fog as only several very well trained Death Eaters were or are able to. Why should be such a strong creature afraid of an Animagus in form of Anubis?"
"You mean, if there is an Animagus," Akay corrected with a kind smile, then he slowly shook his head. "I would not know, Minerva. There are werewolves in our country, too. To say this truth, the legends of people changing into beasts during full moon are very old in Egypt, but I never heard that a werewolf in his animal form would flee from a dog or a jackal. He or she would slay the other true animal, no doubt here."
Again McGonagall eyed him carefully, keeping to herself that special feeling that he wasn't telling her anything; that he was keeping something from her, or even – which would be worse – lying through his teeth. There was a well known tingling in her neck and her belly warning her to skip the topic for the present, but she wouldn't abandon it. She felt in a very special place inside that the path to the answer was right in front of her, but she was wise enough to know that she must not press it for the moment.
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Edis stretched long legs, hurrying down the hallway toward the library. The weather was causing him difficulties, as well. The chill had crept into the stone castle, and he asked himself again why the staff at Hogwarts seemed to be unable to keep the temperature on a certain level. In the late summer, the heat had been oppressive within these walls, and now the autumn seemed to invade the school, despite its thick walls.
Rounding a corner, he suddenly encountered Akay Abdelghani. The teacher raised his right index finger to his mouth and gestured for Edis to follow him. Curious, wary, the young wizard trailed after him, and together they entered a classroom, Abdelghani closed the door, and sealed it with several charms, making certain that their conversation would not be overheard, before he addressed him in their native tongue:
"You and the others must be more careful. McGonagall is tracking you down, step by step."
Edis cocked his head, his light amber eyes flashed. "Impossible! She cannot know-"
"Since you and Neriman helped Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy, both recognized that something was out of order concerning the strange 'pets'." Akay chuckled when he saw the offended expression on the young man's face at the word 'pets'. "Both stated that a wolf-like creature, looking very much like an oversized black jackal, chased away the Death Eater with name of Greyback – a werewolf, as I now know– and… Edis, calm down!"
"That foul creature!" the student spat. "It's very existence offends me! None of them should…"
He stopped as his professor laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Easy, young friend. We both know that it isn't you who is speaking now – nor who acted back there in Hogsmeade." He watched Edis taking a deep breath and continued. "The young Malfoy indicated further that a black cat attacked one of the Death Eaters – a relative of his, if I understood him correctly – and that it acted as if it knew exactly what it was doing. It even snarled at him, as if sending him away while it took care of the man who tried to kill him. And late Saturday night I had to deal with one of the house-elves that saw you and Neriman in … your other forms passing through the hallways."
Edis' eyes widened, then he uttered an oath, and Abdelghani nodded. "Yes, you can make the portraits and witnesses sleep, slip past the wards, and creep through the hallways in different shapes, but neither the professors nor the students here are stupid. McGonagall is a highly experienced witch with extensive magical abilities, and the two Head Students and Harry Potter and his friends may be young – as you – but they are all very intelligent, surprisingly skilled in many ways. They had to advance in many areas during the war. And among them is a very smart girl, who was raised by Muggles and was (and is) familiar with their forms of fantasy and entertainment – thus she is more willing to believe the irregular, even in the wizarding world, and will decipher more than we want."
The young man sighed. "So, what shall we do? We must locate the artefacts to prevent Penhuibin's rebirth before his followers do. And we're running out of time. We have to act on it now and…"
"But not by becoming careless! As I already told you, a house-elf saw you and Neriman last Saturday night. I was able to put him off, but what if the next time a student sees you?"
Glancing at his professor, Edis replied: "You know that we're putting all in the dormitories asleep before we leave. It is highly unlikely that one of them will see us."
Abdelghani rubbed his forehead. "Hopefully. I don't want to face our headmistress again and explain to her why not only a jackal and a cat are helping her students, but why there are also strangers in the shape of Anubis, Bastet, Uraenus and Sobek roaming the Hogwarts' hallways."
Placing a dark hand on the shoulder of the older man, Edis answered, "We will be careful, Professor, I promise. Thursday, when the moon is again full, Layla will-"
Akay shook his head. "No, not now! Our entire project must be placed on hold until the next full moon." Edis wanted to protest, but his professor lifted a commanding hand. "There is no other way, Edis! Aurors are arriving at Hogwarts this day to strengthen the wards. They may be here for several days. The Minister of Magic and Professor McGonagall are very, very worried about the raid by those so-called Death Eaters. And there is more." He watched the gold amber eyes of the young man, and sighed: "A centaur was killed here on Sunday, just outside the borders. He was a seer, very gifted as I've heard, and he was murdered with an unknown killing curse – an unknown or forgotten one, may I add."
Edis took a deep breath. "A member of the Mushāya'at Penhuibin?"
Abdelghani shrugged. "Possibly. And if so, I am concerned that there is one so near to Hogwarts." He eyed his student who was gifted in so many ways. "Tell Layla and the others that the 'visit' to the British Museum must wait until the Aurors have relaxed their vigil somewhat, and I have learned exactly what was done with the wards. If one of us is caught leaving Hogwarts at night, or seen in other forms because the new security measures gave alarm, we're in a sand trap."
The young wizard frowned again, a snarl showing at his mouth – a signal that his inner 'other' was stronger at the moment. "Why do we not contact Shacklebolt? Why do we not tell him the truth of our purpose here and ask for his help?"
"I already told you why!" Abdelghani responded. "First, this is an Egyptian affair! Second, there are still too many dark wizards and witches in this land, certainly still searching for a replacement for their 'Dark Lord' and would leap at another chance to follow the insanity of the Mushāya'at Penhuibin. And third, if we tell Shacklebolt about our mission, he will have to make certain that we're telling the truth, contacting our minister, and then the Mushāya'at Penhuibin will know where to search for their missing relics. And if they recover them before the time of Penhuibin's rebirth has passed, the world will never be the same again!"
He sighed again and grasped the other's arm. "No, Edis, we have to do this alone. We are entrusted with this from our circle, we who have joined to prevent Penhuibin's ways and his followers for over three thousand years now. And the less our hosts are involved in it the better it is." He stepped back. "I trust that you will inform Neriman, Layla and Abdel about our change of plan, and that none of you will act on your own accord."
Nodding towards him he went for the door and removed the sealing charms. "Wait a minute before you leave. It would not befit us if someone saw us coming out of an empty classroom together!"
Grumbling, Edis nodded, cursing inwardly that the Hogwarts' staff seemed so difficult to deceive.
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That evening, every student entering the Great Hall for dinner saw the two tall wizards clad in dark robes and leather tunics, standing by the double doors, watching them carefully: two of the Aurors from the Ministry. Four more Aurors were patrolling outside in the school yard, the adjacent yards and the open hallways, as well as the gallery bridge. One was also on the Astronomy tower – a great disappointment to the couples who loved to go up there for some stolen moments of privacy – and it was rumoured that a dozen other Aurors were in the area. It was clear that the ministry wanted to demonstrate presence and power, and even Lestrange would have been suicidal to come near Hogwarts or Hogsmeade just now.
"The Aurors will only stay within the school for a few days to help us set the protective spells and test them," McGonagall explained, after the students took their seats. "And before anyone asks about the next Quidditch game, it will take place on the scheduled date, because Minister Shacklebolt was generous enough to assign Aurors to watch the pitch and its surroundings for the last weekend in November." This news was greeted by a round of cheers and applause.
Well, confirmation of the next Quidditch match lightened the mood around the school, but the presence of the Aurors put everyone on edge. They felt watched, and uneasy. They all knew that the Aurors were there to protect them, but that didn't change the fact of their presence, nor the reason for their need. Hermione watched Hank Trees sitting at the teachers' table and grimaced. She didn't like the man. She told herself sternly this hadn't anything to do with the fact that this man threatened her Head-partner and rescuer like a criminal. No, her dislike was based upon ... something else. She didn't know what, but … no, it wasn't because he treated Malfoy unfairly last Saturday. But as her eyes slid carefully over to the Slytherin table, she saw the pale, stoic face of Draco and the cold look he flashed Trees, she felt the impulse to go to him and to encourage him.
'Hermione, get a grip! He would neither welcome nor accept that – especially in the Great Hall!'
McGonagall's next words dragged her attention back to the headmistress. "Now, about the night patrols by the Prefects and Senior Students: for the next seven days, the Aurors will patrol the hallways to search for vulnerable areas left by the wards and to increase the protective spells. Therefore no one should be out of their dormitories after nine o'clock, no matter what. If there is an emergency, then please use the floo-network to contact your House-teacher. The connection of the common rooms and the offices and private quarters will be available around the clock."
The rumbling of murmurs started, and she added with a loud voice: "And I do hope that this extra time will be used for your studies. I shouldn't have to remind the seventh years that the pre-tests for their N.E.W.T.s will be shortly before Christmas and that in January several exams await you. And the fifth- and sixth-years should be preparing as well. The O.W.L.s are no picnic!"
Ginny moaned, remembering. "She's right about that!"
Hermione nodded. "Well, I for one will be working on my Arithmancy and Defense Against the Dark Arts. What about you, Harry?"
Her long time friend grimaced. "I have to buckle down with Herbology." He met her disbelieving look and shrugged: "Hey, I have to pass that if I want to become an Auror! To tell you the truth, Neville was a big help during my sixth year, but now … I'm no gardener!" he joked.
"Yeah, and my finest moments in the garden are spent hunting gnomes," Ron sighed, reaching over the table for some steamed vegetables. "Those were good times…"
"Heads up, Ron, good times will come again," Ginny told him, giving him a quick hug around the shoulders
"You mean, if Trees and his men are good for more than cornering students with stupid questions and even dafter accusations, but do their job, like catching Lestrange and the others," Hermione groused, sipping her pumpkin juice.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, offering Ginny the meat platter.
"Trees thinks Draco had something to do with the raid on Hogsmeade. Completely rubbish! His own uncle tried to kill him twice! Other Death Eaters tried to murder him, too, but he fought at our side, even protected you, Harry! And this Trees wants to put him in Azkaban."
Ginny gaped at her, then glanced carefully over to the Slytherin table, then to Trees and back again. "Idiot!" she grumbled, while her brother mumbled, his mouth again full, "At leas' one more thinks the same as me."
Hermione glared at him, reminding him again of his mother. "For pity's sake, Ronald, drop that schoolboy behaviour!"
"He gave me Detention!" the ginger haired wizard protested, still barely comprehensible.
She threw up her hands. "By Groderic's sword, empty your mouth before you speak! Sweet Merlin, what are you? Six?"
He gulped it down and stared at her. "And what are you? My mother?"
Hermione snorted. "Your mother would give you a piece of her mind now, and I don't think you'd find that very tasty."
Before her brother could respond, Ginny nodded: "She's right, Ron. Watch your manners!"
Ron and Harry exchanged a glance. 'Girls!' Then dessert appeared on the table, and amid the sugar, everything else was forgotten.
They didn't see the cautious glance of Layla wandering over toward them from time to time, nor did they observe the heated glares of Trees and a certain blond wizard.
Nor did they notice McGonagall's worried expression, eyes roaming the Great Hall as if the old walls could give her answers to all the questions troubling her …
TBC…
So, my dear Readers, that the death of the centaur would lead to other things, was for sure, wasn't it? And that McGonagall tries to solve the riddle of the 'cat' and the 'dog' was to expect, too, but neither her nor our heroes are ready for what will come next…
In the next chapter, an encounter for Harry, Hermione and Draco will start that will change a lot. They already saw their guest-students in their 'ancient shape' as shadows, but to see them for real and to cross their path for true, will be more eerie and dangerous as they ever thought…
I do hope you liked the last chapter, including the 'historical' moment of Harry and Draco agreeing at something and even endorse each other (yeah, Quidditch can do a lot of things to people, laugh). Please, please leave some reviews,
Have a nice weekend and week,
Yours Lywhn
