I am not JK Rowling, I don't own these characters, I don't have any money here.

Hagrid was waiting in Hogsmead station when the Hogwarts Express rolled in. As the students began to disembark, he watched for Harry, Ron and Hermione to greet him, but among the throng of black robes, he didn't see either of them. In fact, it seemed like a large number of students were not present; There were hardly any students from fifth year up. Frowning, Hagrid stepped up to the train, calling out to the conductor who had just stepped down.

"Evenin Jake! Where're all yer pas'engers? Seems yer a bit short."

Jake Abbott looked round at Hagrid's words.

"Hagrid. They all borded in London. But... Perhaps you could fetch Dumbledore? We had an.. an incident. " said Jake.

Dumbledore received the summons just as he was coming down to the Entrance Hall, accompanied by Minerva and Severus. A silvery streak flew into the hall, resolving into the form of a raven which spoke to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster, it's Jake. Can you come to the station. " said the patronus before fading away.

Dumbledore exchanged looks with Severus and Minerva and nodded.

"Sprout can handle the sorting. Come with me. "

The three professors hurried down the stairs to the grounds and towards the Hogwarts gates. Once through the boundaries, they turned on the spot and apparated right to the station.

"Professor Dumbledore sir.. Professor Snape, McGonagall. " said Hagrid, his hairy face pale in the lamp light.

"Hagrid, Jake. What has happened? " said Dumbledore, knowing it wasn't good.

Jake stepped up and said, "It will be easier after you've seen..."

Dumbledore stepped up on the train.. and into a nightmare.

Several students were dead, no two the same. Many of them Dumbledore recognized as being more supportive of Voldemort. In one compartment, three Slytherin students, their parents known Death Eaters, had been torn apart, seemingly from the inside. In another, Dumbledore recognized Vincent Crabbe's and Gregory Goyle's bodies. Ron Weasley was slumped in a seat, but a quick examination showed that he was only stunned. A few compartments down, a group of sixth year Hufflepuffs, identified only by their robes, had been charred beyond recognition. Dumbledore turned to see Minerva quietly sobbing, pale as a sheet and even Severus appeared nauseous.

"What has happened here Jake?" said Dumbledore.

"I wish I could tell you Albus, I really do. I made my rounds after the train left London, and again around two, and everything was fine. A few rowdy students, those Weasley twins for one, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then, about an hour out of Hogsmead, students start panicking. There was a group, dressed in black robes and red masks, they... they did this."

Dumbledore's mind was racing. It didn't sound like Voldemort's supporters, and if it was, they wouldn't have killed the Slytherins. He turned back to Severus, who shook his head.

"What about the rest of the students? The older ones? " Dumbledore asked.

Jake flicked his wand and a scroll of parchment appeared. Dumbledore carefully read the list. Over a hundred students appeared to be missing, among them, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Draco Malfoy.