Chapter 29
Harry and the others watched from one of the high tower windows as the night fell around Hogwarts. With him were Hermione, and Aeria. As well as the four other changed kids that had remained with the hive. They were waiting for the train to pull into Hogsmeade's station, just visible to from where they stood.
"It will be interesting to be among the students again," Harry said, looking from the station out over the open lawns to the forest.
The forest had changed much since his first year here. Before it had stood proud and tall, and every now again a creature could be seen flitting just out of sight between the trees. Holding a kind of mystic feeling to it. One of both power and danger.
Now though, patches of resin could be seen around some of the outer edges of the trees, and a dark air hung over the part where the hive lived. Though there were no visible changes to the trees or leaves without a closer inspection.
As for the animals, not one hung around that part of the castle anymore for fear of the hive. Only a few still dared remain so close to the school. For that matter only one creatures remained untouched so far. That being the Unicorns, which were too fast for many of the Xenomorphs, and had great magical power of their own. Plus, even Jade admitted that to attack them would be chancing death of the hive, thanks to the Unicorn's cursed blood.
"It would be interesting alright," Hermione said, "I wonder what most of them will think of us."
"Probably will be scared or worried, they might even attack us if they feel they can get the upper hand," Harry said, shrugging just a little bit.
"As long as they don't do anything to either of you, I could care less what they think," Aeria said, glancing at Hermione and Harry.
"Same for you to as well," Harry and Hermione said as well.
"I doubt anyone of us wants to lose anyone of your friends," Cho commented, gaining the attention of everyone.
"Yes, it will be something we all will try and avoid to say the least," Harry said, giving Cho a small smile.
"Think they will let us back onto the House Quidditch teams?" Katie asked, as the sun moved still lower, and the station started to disappear into shadow.
"Doubt it," Cho said, glancing at Harry.
"They might, for that matter we have enough people here to form our own team if we wished," Harry said grinning.
"I can think of a few students that would be mad, even teachers for that matter, if we beat all the house school teams," Daphne, said a small smug grin forming on her face, "As the filthy half breeds beating the pure blood elite."
"You were all once part of that group," Harry pointed out.
"Yes once, though none of us really had the point of view," Katie said with a smile.
There was a general nod of agreement among everyone. Before silence over took them again. It was about thirty minutes later when they someone spoke again, just as the lights began to light up in Hogsmeade, and the lights from the train's headlamp showed itself.
"Harry, will we be gathering my sister into the hive this year?" Daphne asked.
"If we can yes, same for a few others as well. I want to get Ginny and Luna into the group as well, maybe even a few other students, though I am not sure if we will be able to," Harry said, looking thoughtful.
"The only problem is the length of time needed for the transformation," Hermione commented, before looking at Daphne and smiling, "Don't worry, we won't let anything happen to your sister. We would be the worst kind of hypocrites if we did not protect your family, when we did what we did to protect our own."
Daphne blinked a little surprised before smiling, "Thanks. I mean I know I have a lower ranking, but it is nice to hear you say that."
Harry nodded, and moved over placing a hand on Daphne's shoulder, "We are family now. If you wish you can even check our minds as proof."
Daphne, Cho, Hannah, and Katie looked a little surprised at this statement. In the hive, only those of equal standing could freely view another own mind, while those of higher standing minds could not be freely viewed. This was done so each class could work together better, though these barriers could be easily remove if the need was there.
Harry smiled, and touched each of their minds, and they felt Harry's own. It was interesting and something they had not done before. But to feel Harry's own feeling, the fact that he was not willing to abandon even a single lowly drone if he could help it, was rather reassuring. They knew it was his and Jade's job to keep the hive alive. Yet the fact he would not allow them to be lose, was reassuring.
The sound of the Hogwarts Express whistle brought their attention back to their surrounds. The train had stopped, and lights were shopping up around the station. Then bellow them only a few moments later students began arriving on the coaches. They watched for a few more minutes before heading down into the school. It was time to return to the wizarding world, at least for now.
