Chapter 38
For the rest of the day until dark fell, they just fucking sat there doing things. Calypso had never been so glad that she never emptied her bag, it gave her a LOT of things to do
When it was about nine o'clock, the sun had set completely and it was pitch black except for the full moon that was outside.
Draco moved closer to her. "Er- Calypso?"
"Yes?"
"It's the full moon tonight".
Calypso frowned at the moon. "So…?"
"Werewolves" he snapped.
"Yeah...we should go then" she stood up quickly, stuffing her homework into the bag. "Where though?"
Draco thought for a moment. "Diagon Alley..the ministry…"
"My mum said to stay in the muggle world though"
"WEREWOLVES" shouted Draco.
"I know- shhh"
"Send her a letter" suggested Draco after several deep breaths.
"She doesn't have a cellphone! I can send Theo a letter though. That's about it"
"How will sending Nott a bloody letter help?" Draco shrieked.
Calypso glared at him. "Because he's better at keeping his cool and getting out of sticky situations" As she spoke, Calypso pulled out her phone. "Where are you?"
Surprisingly, Theo responded. "Nott manor, why?"
"Do you know if the meeting is over? It's the full moon tonight, there'll be werewolves everywhere"
"Meetings not over. Is Malfoy there?"
Calypso frowned, "Yes?"
"You'll be fine then. Werewolves won't attack if they're outnumbered unless you make any threatening moves"
"So you're telling me to stay where I am in the middle of the muggle world?" typed Calypso incredulously.
"If you want, go to somewhere with a lot of wizards."
"Why?"
"Then you'll have a backup plan if a werewolf does come"
Calypso had just started typing again "Aren't werewolves more likely in the wizarding world?" when Theo sent another message. "Father's here, meetings over bye"
"Oh! Draco!"
Draco, from where he was pacing the bench looked up. "What?"
"The meetings are over! We can go back now"
"That's great" hissed Draco sarcastically. "Do you know how far the station is from here?"
"What- oh yes. What do you think we should do then?"
"Doesn't Nott know?"
Calypso rolled her eyes. "Don't be a jealous prick. Which way is the train station now?"
Draco ignored her and instead looked around. "I'm staying here. No werewolves as far as I can see"
Calypso huffed. "This isn't a game of hiding and seeks Draco, I-" She glanced behind Draco where a lean grey shape was creeping forward. "Oh my lord- Draco!"
Draco pulled out his wand. "What?"
The shape was creeping forward and Calypso could just barely make out its pointed ears. "B-behind you!"
Draco glanced behind him. "AHHHHH! Do something help someone-"
Calypso aimed her wand at the werewolf, "Stupefy!"
A beam of red light shot forward and out of her wand and hit the werewolf directly in the chest. It merely stumbled back though for a moment before jumping forward once more.
And- bless Draco- he was in front of Calypso. "GAHHH- Stupefy!" The werewolf collapsed this time, under the burden of being hit by two stunning spells.
"He brought friends" Calypso muttered, looking around as more werewolves crept toward them. Theo's message flashed in her mind, "Werewolves won't attack if they're outnumbered unless you're making threatening moves"
Why the fuck hadn't they just slowly back away?
"CALYPSO!"
Calypso turned just in time for a werewolf to see a wolf leap at her from behind. "Ahh!" Stumbling back, she could feel her old injury in her back again.
There was no way she could stop the werewolf- but Draco stepped in front of her, the werewolf sinking its fangs into his shoulder. "OH MY GOD- BOMBARDA MAXIMA!" Calypso pointed her wand at a nearby wall where two more werewolves were standing.
Poor muggles if they were in there- wait what was Calypso was saying? But anyway, the explosion knocked a few more werewolves off their feet but it wasn't enough. There were at least 10 now, surrounding her.
Then angels dropped out of the sky. Well not really, it was a bunch of ministry officials. "Alright, who- WEREWOLVES! CODE 391!" shouted one of the officials, gripping onto Calypso and Draco before apparating away.
They appeared in where a few healers rushed forward, taking Draco.
Official looked at her. "Alright miss, what happened?"
"Werewolves" breathed Calypso.
He pulled out a notepad. "We've got Aurors on the scene."
"So you don't care if I did magic?" Calypso frowned.
He looked at her, surprised. "No! Self defense! Dolores will be so very thankful for you to get those werewolves. She might even see you today daresay. But completely out of hand everything at the Ministry is. Would've been there sooner but there was a block up. Stupid Dumbledore" he muttered the last part but Calypso still heard him. "What- sir?"
He looked up, "You heard that didn't you?"
Calypso hesitantly nodded, slowly sitting down to rest her back.
"Ahhh" he frowned. "Well, no point in hiding it. Potter cast a Patronus charm- and he's already been heavily suspected mind you of something that happened earlier today. Don't know if you heard of it, Fudge was all about expelling him but Dumbledore came in- demanded a trial"
"Oh"
"Yes, yes. Nasty business he is"
Calypso didn't know if he was talking about Dumbledore or Potter so she kept quiet.
"Can't believe people are believing the crackpot stories" he rambled before pressing his mouth shut, "No repeating anything miss- are you okay?"
Calypso had just gasped as her spine hit the cold edge of the bench. "Er-"
"No you're not" he summarized, levitating her past the welcome witch into a room. "She's hurt her back I think"
Calypso waved off the healer. "It's fine, old injury. I'll be fine"
Healer-something frowned. "I suppose then. Quidditch?"
Calypso nodded, "How'd you know?"
"It's always Quidditch with kids your age. Who's your guardian?"
"Er- Narcissa Malfoy"
"Alrighty miss. Wait here."
Calypso nodded and looked next to her on another stand where a healer was carefully cleaning Draco's wound.
"Silly boy" Calypso muttered, "Why'd you have to jump in front of me?"
Draco stirred a bit and opened one of his eyes groggily. "You're welcome" before collapsing his head back on the pillow.
Calypso had no response to that and watched the healer hum as she worked. Half an hour later, Narcissa walked into the room. "Oh dear, are you okay?"
Calypso nodded, as Narcissa hugged her and turned to Draco. "Will he be a-"
The healer looked up. "Yes, sorry madam. It's the full moon, he got bit"
Narcissa clapped her hand to her mouth before kissing Draco's forehead. "Poor boy. I told Lucius-" she muttered angrily before regaining her composure. "Calypso? I'll take you home now. Come on"
It was amazing how Narcissa kept her composure as she apparated Calypso to Lestrange Manor.
Bellatrix was waiting for them out front. "Thank you, Cissy"
Narcissa nodded before turning on the spot again, apparating away. Bellatrix took Calypso's hand once Narcissa had disappeared and stomped into the Manor.
"Wha-"
"I TOLD GREYBACK TO HAVE A BETTER CONTROL OVER HIS WOLVES" her mum shrieked once they were in the safety of the manor.
"Er-"
"Oh yes, dear. You go lay down. Then greyback is going to apologize! And the Dark Lord will here about this I tell you!"
Calypso just smiled weakly, and with great difficulty, got into her bedroom. She hadn't even realized, but she was still carrying her bag and barely removed it before sleep claimed her.
The next few days were extremely frustrating. Her mum demanded that she not get out of bed once she found out about the injury and ordered one of the house-elves to bring everything she needed, to her.
The only exciting if you didn't count a house-elf spilling porridge on her and getting dismissed was her prefect badge.
On September first, she met up with Altaira, Theo, Helena, and Draco to get to King's Cross together. Her mother had told the Dark Lord about greyback, and now, they had a guard to the train station which was kind of useless seeing as it wasn't the full moon but she didn't complain.
They all boarded the train and soon, it picked up speed. Calypso glanced around, "Who's the other prefect for Slytherin?"
Altaira giggled. "Nott"
He glared at her, "Am not. It's Blaise."
Altaira frowned, "Oh. I thought it'd be you. Everyone was betting on Theo or Draco."
Helena grinned, "You owe me 5 galleons"
"No, I don't! You said it would be Draco!"
"Yeah well he's a werewolf now, nobody would pick him"
"Oh I thought that would increase his chances, seeing as Dumbledore's the headmaster"
Draco glared at all of them. "If you'll excuse me, I'm off to find Crabbe and Goyle"
Calypso nodded, "I should go to, where's the prefect compartment again?"
"Upfront- Zeren told me" Theo added when everyone looked at him. He had a cut on his lip that Calypso had just noticed now and she raised an eyebrow but didn't mention it. "Oh alright, see you guys later"
The head boy and girl this year, a Ravenclaw and a Slytherin surprisingly, gave them their instructions. It was the first time since Zeren that a Slytherin was chosen. "Patrol the corridor, then you're free" the Slytherin prefect, Justin Bridget told them grudgingly. Calypso had seen him at the Quidditch World cup last year.
Everyone nodded and headed back out. Blaise looked at her, "So. You're prefect huh?" his face was slightly pink and Calypso remembered what Draco told her in their third year about Blaise fancying her.
"Yeah…"
"Right. Well I- I can patrol the corridors. You can go back"
"Really?"
"Yeah! I heard that you got hurt in the Prophet- you go get rest"
Calypso smiled at him, "Oh thank you"
She slid open the compartment where Daphne and Theo were sitting.
Daphne looked at her eagerly, "Who're the other prefects"
"oh...Zabini-"
"Awww he likes you" cooed Daphne. Though Calypso couldn't help noticing that her eyes were tinged with red and there could be slight tear tracks on Daphne's face.
"What?" asked Calypso, confused.
"Well you're back early" explained Daphne. "Who else is there?"
"Oh! Granger and Weasley for Gryffindor-"
"Not Potter?"
Calypso shook her head.
"Well, even Dumbledore can only take so much of his stories, who else?"
"Macmillan and Abbot from Hufflepuff"
Daphne frowned, "Who?"
Calypso shrugged, "A bunch of nobodies. From Ravenclaw, there's Goldstein and Patil"
Daphne nodded and once again, her eyes landed on Theo's cut on his lip. "Why don't you heal it?"
"What? Oh," he glanced down at his bottom lip. "It's cursed." but didn't offer any explanations.
"Ahhh," Daphne said awkwardly, breaking the silence. "Well, how's your back Calypso?"
Calypso gingerly touched her spine. "It's fine. Not supposed to play Quidditch though. Narcissa took me to the other day" Calypso braced herself for Daphne's 'I told you so' but surprisingly, it never came. Instead, she just nodded and handed her a magazine. "Have you seen the Prophet?"
Calypso shrugged, "Not really, why?"
"Dumbledore's been sacked from the WIzengamont. You wanted to work there right? My fa- someone told me that the Ministry'll be taking control of Hogwarts"
"Oh" Calypso didn't know how Daphne could manage to remember that little bit of information Calypso had said in their first year.
"Mhm. Do you want any candy? You missed the trolley"
Calypso nodded and took a chocolate frog. "Thanks"
At last, the train began to slow down and they heard the usual racket up and down it as everybody scrambled to get their luggage and pets assembled, ready for departure. Theo extended a hand to her luggage. "We can carry Artemis. Has Snape told you about Apollo's letter?"
Daphne frowned. "What?"
"Oh!" Calypso had forgotten to tell Daphne, she had been distracted with everything that happened at the end of the Triwizard tournament. "Yeah, someone stole my letter from Apollo. Professor Snape's looking into it"
"Hmmm. Well, we'll carry your stuff. Go on"
Calypso nodded gratefully and once she finished supervising all the first years onto boats, she went to find Professor Snape.
"Yes, Miss Calypso?"
"Sir- I was wondering about my owl"
He looked at her for a moment. "You see Miss Calypso. You will find out in due time about its contents. Someone is tampering with dangerous things that should not be tampered with. Send will you?"
Calypso frowned but thanked him and hurried off to find Theo.
When she entered the Great Hall, the hat had just started singing its song. Calypso carefully made her way to the Slytherin table.
"The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning,
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning-"
"Theo!" Calypso hissed.
Theo glanced at her, "What?"
"Professor Snape wants to see you"
"Oh, I was wondering why he wasn't at the staff table"
"-For were there such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor?
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?
So how could it have gone so wrong?
How could such friendships fail?
Why I was there and so can tell
The whole sad, sorry tale.
Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those
Whose ancestry is purest."
Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose
Intelligence is surest."
Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those
With brave deeds to their name,"
Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same."
These differences caused little strife
When first they came to light,
For each of the four founders had
A House in which they might
Take only those they wanted, so,
For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor.
Good Hufflepujf she took the rest
And taught them all she knew,
Thus the Houses and their founders
Retained friendships firm and true.
So Hogwarts worked in harmony
For several happy years,
But then discord crept among us
Feeding on our faults and fears.
The Houses that, like pillars four,
Had once held up our school,
Now turned upon each other and,
Divided, sought to rule.
And for a while, it seemed the school
Must meet an early end,
What with dueling and with fighting
And the clash of friend on friend
And at last, there came a morning
When old Slytherin departed
And though the fighting then died out
He left us quite downhearted.
And never since the founders four
Were whittled down to three
Have the Houses been united
As they once were meant to be.
And now the Sorting Hat is here
And you all know the score:
I sort you into Houses
Because that is what I'm for,
But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still, I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still, I wonder whether sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our, Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within.
I have told you, I have warned you. . . .
Let the Sorting now begin.
When the song finished, everyone broke into applause.
Soon, Professor McGonagall stood up, waiting to read off the names of the students. With a last frowning look that swept the four House tables, Professor McGonagall lowered her eyes to her long piece of parchment and called out,
"Abercrombie, Euan."
A terrified look boy stumbled forward and put the hat on his head; it was only prevented from falling right down to his shoulders by his very prominent ears.
The hat considered for a moment, then the rip near the brim opened again and shouted,
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Calypso huffed but thought it wasn't a great loss, Slytherin hardly needed newcomers right now. At times like this, they needed to stay together against the other three houses as Salazar had once.
Slowly the long line of first years thinned; Finally, "Zeller, Rose" was sorted into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and marched them away as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
It was strange to not have seen Celestia this year, even though Calypso knew she was in France.
"To our newcomers," said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, "welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech-making, but this is not it. Tuck in!"
There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder to keep it out of the way of his plate — for food had appeared out of nowhere so that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice.
When all the students had finished eating and the noise level in the hall was starting to creep upward again, Dumbledore got to his feet once more. Talking ceased immediately as all turned to face the headmaster.
"Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices," said Dumbledore. "First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are several other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door. We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Calypso looked excitedly at the new DADA professor. "She was at the hearing in our first year, and a ministry official said she's a great woman"
Daphne grinned, "Goodness knows we need some quality education now"
Dumbledore continued, "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"
He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge.
As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, "Hem, hem, " and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.
Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."
She had a soft, girly voice, it reminded Calypso of her favorite house elf when she was younger, "Wendy.
She gave another little throat-clearing cough ("hem, hem") and continued: "Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!"
Calypso was one of the few that smiled back at her and even she could not hold the charade much longer. She much preferred for Professor Umbridge to give the speech tomorrow morning.
"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!" Dolores Umbridge continued. "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching." she gave a little bow and paused.
Calypso lightly clapped, though she was one of the only to do so. Many were just staring at her in disbelief.
Umbridge gave another little "Hem, hem" and went on with her speech.
"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation . . ." she was now talking in a more business-like tone.
". . . because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."
She sat down. Dumbledore clapped again along with the rest of the students.
"Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating," he said, bowing to her. "Now — as I was saying, Quidditch tryouts will be held on the twenty-fifth. Those wishing to sign up may talk to your head of houses. Good night!"
"Who's the captain?"
Calypso jumped several feet in the air, Theo had just come back. "Oh er- I dunno."
Daphne crossed her arms, "it doesn't matter Calypso. The healer ordered you to not play Quidditch anymore and-"
"She suggested" Calypso corrected. "And I'm still going to"
"Fine whatever" snapped Daphne, huffing and stomping down to their dungeon common room.
Theo stared at her retreating back. "She's fine. Just upset"
Calypso raised an eyebrow. "I can see that?"
"Yeah…"
"So what was it that Snape wanted to talk to you about?"
"Oh...this," he said softly. Pulling out a small-time turner. "It can go back to anytime, only for five minutes though. He wants to confiscate it"
"What, why?"
"It's dangerous, blah blah blah. Anyway, he let me keep it though. Along with the school provided one"
"That's- nice?"
"Sure. What's the password?"
"What? Oh, Justin told me- boomslang" the brick wall in front of them melted to reveal their common room.
"Good night then"
"'Night"
