Chapter 6 – Of Songs and First Week Back
"Go jogging? What, and get hit by a meteor?" Robert Benchley
Killian deposited Remus and herself to the ground. Together they unwound the rope from the trees and slowly pulled the train backwards a little more. Remus knew that they stopped in a nick of time. Had they been unsuccessful many students would have lost their lives.
Painstakingly they pulled the train at least a quarter of a mile backwards. Not only did they pull the train, but also the weight of the students which made the train infinitely heavier.
Killian flew them back to the back of the train where Tonks and a few of the other students were waiting. Tonks looked like she wanted to cry but held back. Remus could still feel his muscles burning. They all made their way to the front, wading past students who threw questions at them from every angle.
The prefects were sent to patrol the corridors, and the professors made their way to the drivers' compartment.
"I don't think it's time to celebrate just yet," Moody growled in the way of greeting.
Tonks looked confused. "What's wrong now?"
Moody asked Killian to fly them to the bridge. The professors had left the Head Boy and girl in charge, and told them to spread the word that they'd obviously be late for the Feast.
Arriving at the bridge they saw the others waiting near the tracks.
Remus turned to see Killian frown as she looked down. He followed her gaze but couldn't figure what was wrong now.
"Do you see it?" asked Moody.
Killian nodded. "But it might be a problem for now. If we cast one of the temporary strengthening charms then that should suffice for now."
"What's the problem?" asked Tonks as they landed near the other four.
"The spells used on the tracks have been tampered with. I know you've fixed the bridge itself," added Moody as he saw Gallagher trying to interfere. "The whole bridge was tampered with. You've managed to fix the physical part, but the age old spells have been negated somewhat."
"So what do we do?" asked Remus.
Moody looked at Killian. "You said it wasn't going to be a problem. Explain."
Everyone turned to look at Killian who had gaze fixed squarely on the bridge.
"Who here can cast the Trengus Charm?" she asked instead.
Remus recognised the charm- it was of the strongest strengthening charms, meant to be cast for a short while as they required a lot of power.
Nicolas and Perenelle nodded, as did Kingsley and Moody. Remus also nodded though more hesitantly than the others.
"I can cast it, but it won't be particularly strong." Said Gallagher.
Tonks told them that she couldn't cast the charm at all.
"Will it work though?" asked Gallagher.
"As I said, it will only be temporary. But if you all combine it long enough for the train to pass that should be enough. There's nothing much else we could do. Frankly, we should be glad that the damage is only confined to the bridge and not the rest of the tracks to Hogwarts. The whole track will have to be re-warded from scratch, and the drivers' compartment will have to looked over as well."
Gallagher seemed pacified with this.
Moody instructed Tonks to apparate back to the train. She was to tell the driver to start the train full steam ahead.
"Ready?" asked Killian.
Remus found himself once again levitated into the air. It was a very different sensation from riding a broom, he decided. At least with a broom he knew he was in control, that he had something to hold onto. A reassurance of solidity.
However, being levitated by Killian, especially over a fifty foot drop, plus the depth of the river meant his life was literally in her hands… well her mental hands, he amended. But he trusted her. And not just because she was a member of the Order.
Thanks to his sensitive hearing, he could the start of train engine. Killian levitated them all and positioned them through out the bridge.
Nicolas, Perenelle and Gallagher were on one side, whereas Remus, Moody and Kingsley were on the other. Killian on the other hand positioned herself above them all. He saw the others raise their wands, raised his own and heard his voice ring with the other in the familiar incantation,
"Treasio- Angus!"
Pale blue coloured lights emerged from the wands and hit the bridge.
Remus kept his wand trained on the bridge.
He heard the gathering speed of the train. He kept his wand steadily aimed at the bridge even as it grew warm in his hand. He knew it would grow warmer still, the longer he kept the spell active. But his energy was waning. He didn't know how long he could hold the spell, even as he gritted his teeth and gripped tightly at his wand. The train thundered closer and closer, and finally it reached the bridge.
He felt his energy depleting even more and his wand grow hot between his tightly clenched palm. He gritted his teeth as the train entered the bridge track and thundered past him. He felt his robes billowing around as the wind rushed past him and he squeezed his eyes shut from the wind and dust from the rushing train. He kept his wand on the track as the final carriage left the bridge completely. He saw the train disappearing into the thick of the forest and finally released the spell.
He was levitated higher and joined the others. Killian levitated them after the train. Remus found it very peculiar to be flying after the train as opposed to actually being on it. Sitting in a comfortable compartment, with lots of food.
He was suddenly very hungry and felt he could especially do with some ice cold pumpkin juice to unstuck his dry and parched throat.
Suddenly he felt his feet touch the top of the train. He hadn't even been aware that they were above the train; lost as he was in thoughts of the feast awaiting them. He hoped they arrived soon.
"Everyone alright?" Killian asked over the roaring the train after everyone had the feet firmly planted on the train. They all nodded. He looked around to see that they all looked pale and tired as he felt. He didn't think he looked any better.
The Trengus Charm took a lot of power to cast and just as much more to maintain. Remus felt like sleeping for a year or two. He was extremely grateful that he had a feast to look forward to and the weekend to recuperate. Remus thought he was going to hex anyone who dared interrupt his sleep.
"Are we going to stay on the roof all day or are we going in?" growled Moody over the wind.
A hatch door on the top of the last compartment opened behind them. But they all seemed reluctant to move their feet on the speeding train. Killian grinned at the glares she received but didn't do anything.
"Will you please take us down?" asked Gallagher bitingly.
"Of course," she said sweetly.
She levitated them up and then down inside. She floated in after serenely them and closed the roof with a resounding bang.
"Good job guys," she called to the students who were occupying the last compartment.
They trudged wearily to the front of the train.
Remus sincerely hoped that there were no more visions from Killian and no other emergencies that had to be handled immediately. He couldn't believe that Voldemort and his Death Eaters could be so bold as to actually attack the train.
He sighed tiredly and walked into the front of the train where Tonks was waiting, surrounded by Harry and his friends and much to Remus' delight; food. Remus collapsed opposite Tonks and closed his eyes.
"Why don't lot have something to eat and try sleeping the rest of the journey? Tonks and I will recruit the prefects and handle anything else. We'll wake you up when we get to the school."
Remus saw Gallagher bite into a chocolate frog. He ate one and apparently decided that chewing was too much effort. He fell asleep with the card still in his hand. Remus decided to wait till the feast and closed his eyes and drifted off.
Harry recognised the landscape and got to get his robes out of his trunks. The girls took their robes and went to change in a different compartment.
Getting off the train, Harry looked towards the lake and saw Hagrid's great gait called to the first years. Harry smiled. He'd be visiting Hagrid a lot this year.
Harry stared at the thestrals as he approached a carriage. He quite liked the grotesque creatures. They sort of grow on you, he thought.
As they entered the Great Hall Harry was greeted by many of the students. Mainly those who were in the DA last year.
Luna headed towards the Ravenclaw table and Harry noticed that most of the students sat slightly away from her. Not that she noticed, or maybe she didn't care, but Harry felt angry on her behalf at this sort of treatment. It had happened to him more often than he had wanted to remember when he was at primary school.
But, Harry thought guiltily, he also treated Luna the same way last year. Even when she believed him about Voldemort's return, he hadn't really been grateful for her support. Harry took his seat at Gryffindor table and talked to Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
All the students were seated when the professors who were on the train walked in. The Great Hall rand with applause and cheers, Harry and his friends loudest among them.
The teachers looked stunned at the welcome but smiled their gratitude, pleased at the reception.
Professor McGonagall walked in with the first years as Professor Flitwick placed the Sorting Hat in front of the Head table.
The Sorting Hat woke, looked around at the silence for a moment or two and burst into song;
Appearances can be deceptive,
Don't judge on what you see;
Show you are perceptive,
Let your heart set you free.
I'll look into your mind,
And tell you your House-to-be-
Open your eyes- oh you blind
And look around to see…
Danger from all corners;
Unless you join in unity.
Plenty will there be mourners:
Such is Death's specialty.
All Houses – join as one
Or there will chaos be;
Great Hogwarts will be gone
If there is no equality.
Take you place at Gryffindor
Be you brave at heart.
Take your place at Ravenclaw
Use you mind; be smart.
Take you place at Hufflepuff
Loyal to the end.
Take you place at Slytherin
They'll leave you not for yourselves to fend.
You should have listened last year;
You very nearly did.
Without Hogwarts existence I cannot bear:
Oh, listen to me – do as I bid.
Gather your courage
The time is near
Together you'll flourish
Or your end here.
One more house to include-
One more house to reunite.
This is merely a prelude
It is now your turn to fight.
Treat them all the Same;
Treat them all as One.
All your Houses make only of name
Or Great Hogwarts will gone.
The occupants of the halls were silent. The first years nervous. Harry saw many students glance towards the Slytherin table, giving them scowls and glares, the Slytherins returning them with interest. It was obvious that neither wanted the Slytherins as part of Hogwarts.
Slowly the Great hall resounded with sparse clapping, subdued as it was, punctuated with whispers here and there. He saw Killian smirking slightly as she talked to the Flamels.
Professor McGonagall called out the names of the first years.
After the Sorting Dumbledore stood and addressed the occupants of the Hall,
"Welcome new students, and welcome back to the old ones. I have many notices and explanations but they can wait. For now, enjoy the feast."
The tables groaned with the weight of the food. Harry, who had a surprisingly big appetite, loaded his plate with whatever was within his reach.
Finally, when the last of the puddings had disappeared, Dumbledore stood up, and gave the usual welcoming speech, and also added his thanks to the professors and students who had saved the train.
Monday came way too quickly for the students. Harry and his friends spent most of it visiting Hagrid. He couldn't believe he was in his sixth year already. It didn't seem like long ago when Hagrid had rescued him from the Dursleys and had given him hope. And now he was the hope.
Monday morning they all received their timetables, and they didn't have all that many classes apart. Their core subjects were taken together, and any one didn't do well enough to get into NEWTs classes had the option of attending remedial classes.
Of course, Harry discovered that the first week wasn't really that hard. Most of the time they were told to do review work from their last five years, plus also a general overview what was to come.
Harry collapsed in a chair near the fire in the Common Room. Neville joined soon after but Ron ran off to use the loo.
"Say, Harry," Neville started hesitantly. "Do you think, that maybe, I could, you know, try out for the Quidditch team?" Neville finished timidly.
Harry looked from pretending to read his Transfiguration notes and stared at Neville. Unnerved, Neville looked down and blushingly mumbled "Never mind."
"No, Neville, I'm sorry," Harry snapped himself out of it. "Of course you should try out. Do you know what position you want to try out for?"
"Well, the Chaser and Beater positions are free. I wouldn't mind either one of them," said Neville still mumbling.
"You have a broom?"
"Yeah, Uncle Algie bought me a Nimbus 2000 for my birthday."
"That's a good broom Neville. Katie and I are going co-captain this year, so you'll have to work real hard to impress us," Harry joked. "Don't worry about what other people think. Just concentrate on doing your job, and you'll be fine."
"You don't think they'll laugh me off the pitch?" asked Neville, still nervous.
"Of course not. You try out if you want. Don't let what other people think of you effect how you play. Remember my first match? I nearly swallowed the Snitch, but they didn't laugh me off the pitch."
Neville nodded, but asked Harry not to tell anyone else that he might try out.
The boys went back to pretending to read their notes, but instantly gave up when they decided to talk about Quidditch instead. Harry got cut off in mid sentence when he heard the moaning and groaning coming from the third years who literally stumbled into the Common Room.
Looking sweaty and hot the girl stumbled upstairs to their dorms, whilst the boys collapsed onto the sofas, unable to move.
"What happened to you lot?" Neville asked as he and Harry approached them.
"Defence… with… Killian… hurts… breathe…" one of the boys panted out.
"What did she make you?" asked Harry curious as what could have made the boys so hot and bothered.
"Not – allowed" the boy took a deep breath. "Killian… wants to… everyone to experience they joys" Harry couldn't believe the sarcasm coming out of the near comatose third years mouth "of her lesson only when it's time for their lesson."
The third years forced themselves to their feet and walked slowly up to their dorms.
"Killian didn't come across as the sadistic type," Neville said nervously, still staring after the boys.
Ron came back down as Hermione walked in behind some more third years.
Harry told them about his conversation with the third years.
Hermione was thoughtful. "You know I think I saw the seventh years come in looking all hot and bothered as well. I think they had Killian this morning."
Together they made their way down to the Great Hall for dinner. On their way down Harry noticed the seventh and third years from all houses wince with every movement they made.
He made a beeline for Katie Bell as they entered the Great Hall.
"Hey, Katie, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Had Killian's class this morning, and I'm still aching all over," she said. "I couldn't believe how sadistic she turned out to be. It's probably the reason she saved from the train wreck, so she could torture us to death herself." She looked up towards the Head Table and threw them a dirty look.
"What exactly did she make you do?" asked Neville. Harry hid his smile by bringing the goblet to his lips, as he saw Katie threw up another dirty look in Killian's general direction.
"We're not allowed to say. Killian threatened us with retribution if we even breathe a word of the lesson. When is your first lesson with her?"
Hermione checked her timetable, which she always carried around with her. "We have her for a double period last thing in Fridays," she said and put it away.
"Lucky you, you lot have the weekend to recover."
"Recover from what?" Ron burst out finally.
"Sorry Ron, I like living too much to tell you. She'll spill our guts if she finds out. She said surprises are good for the soul."
They all looked up to the Head Table to see Killian talking to Nicolas Flamel. As if she sensed their combined gazes, she broke off to turn towards them, Nicolas following her line of vision. She looked towards Katie and raised her goblet as if in toast and winked at her. Katie flushed and looked away. He saw Nicolas shake his head and smile at Killian.
To distract Katie he asked when they could start holding Quidditch tryouts, and they passed dinner talking about Quidditch as Hermione got out a book and immersed herself in it. Harry knew she was probably feeling left out of the conversation, but Quidditch was important. Harry couldn't wait to get back on a broom.
Katie's parting words after dinner were, "Try not to get detention."
No chance, Harry thought as he made his way up to Killian's office for his occlumency lesson. Killian had left well before dinner was over.
He knocked on the door and waited till he heard Killian's "Come in".
Harry knew that all the previous Defence professors had decorated the office with their own choices. Remus with his collection of dark creatures, Moody's collection dark detectors, which he could spot around the room, and Harry was glad to see that there was no remaining traces of Umbridge whatsoever.
Instead the office seemed to be a clash of everyone's choices. The room had been magically expanded to fit in five desks and many, many book shelves.
There were unpacked boxes everywhere, and bits and pieces of unknown objects that Harry couldn't even guess to. He saw swords and daggers and knives scattered on three desks, and books piled to the ceiling. Harry saw bookshelf behind Killian being stocked, presumably with Killian's telekinetic powers. He wondered what other powers she has.
"So, how did it go?" Ron asked, when he arrived back to the Common Room after his lesson.
"Better than Snape's ever did. And no, I didn't ask what we had to do in her Defence lessons," Harry said before Ron could open his mouth. Ron slumped his shoulders. "I'll have lessons once a week."
"I have her tomorrow," Ginny piped up. "Do you think I should be worried?"
"No of course not. I bet it's all nothing really. It's all just exaggeration. Killian can't be as bad as everyone's making her out to be." Hermione assured her.
Getting ready for bed afterwards, Harry thought his lesson with Killian went extremely well. Much better than Snape's did. Killian had answered all of Harry's questions, and he had learnt much more about clearing his mind than he did from Snape. For one thing, Killian actually told him what she meant when he was supposed to clear his mind. His homework from her was to use the odd moments of peace to try to clear his mind, by concentrating on thinking about nothing. He remembered trying to do that last year, before his lesson with Snape, but Hermione had always interrupted him, asking him why he was so quiet.
Harry thought it was possible to learn occlumency very quickly this year, perhaps before Halloween even. He wondered if the goal was feasible. He hoped so. But his thoughts then drifted to what Killian had said before he left.
"To be honest Harry, I don't think it's really necessary for you to learn occlumency at all. At least, not to keep out Voldemort."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused.
"Professor Dumbledore told Nicolas, who told me, of when you were possessed by Voldemort at the Ministry. He told me you pushed him out somehow, maybe not intentionally, but you did, and it hurt him a lot. It is my opinion that Voldemort won't even try to access your mind. Dumbledore thinks so as well, but teaching you occlumency is just a precaution."
Harry remembered back to when Voldemort had possessed him at the Ministry. The feeling of constant intense pain in his forehead. The tightness around his chest, the humiliation of his own mouth being used to taunt Dumbledore. He remembered the feeling of wanting to end it all. It was his love for Sirius, his desire to be with Sirius that forced Voldemort from his body. His love for his godfather saved him from Voldemort's intrusions. It was true, that Harry hadn't felt the constant twinges from Voldemort like he had last summer. This summer had been virtually pain free. He hoped what Killian said was true.
"Guys, ever think of taking up running?" Asked Harry the next night, watching Ron's knight pummel Neville's castle.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked. She had Killian's lesson that day, and was currently lying on the sofa near them, wincing every time she stretched. At Harry's words she looked up in interest.
"You know, going jogging in the morning. Before class. I took up jogging in the morning at the Dursleys. I was thinking of continuing here. There are plenty of places to jog around Hogwarts. It helps to keep in shape. Get some fresh air early in the morning."
"Early in the morning?" Ron's face, which had a questioning look at the thought of jogging, drooped when he heard that he'd have to get up early. "Why don't I use the mornings to sleep Harry."
Hermione told him that she didn't she want to get up for jogging either. Personally Harry thought that Hermione didn't like any physical activities, other than lugging around a ton of books.
But he let it pass; disappointed that he'd have to get up early on his own.
He nodded and looked down at the book he was reading, before Neville's voice piped up. "I wouldn't mind Harry. That is if you don't mind me joining you. I thought getting fit might help me lose some weight."
Harry grinned, happy that someone was going to be with him.
The next morning saw Harry, Neville and Ginny, who had decided to turn up in the morning when Harry and Neville entered the Common Room, at breakfast in the Great Hall.
Hermione and Ron walked down together, and saw their friends faces, flushed with a healthy amount of colour.
The rest of the week passed quickly, to Harry it felt as if the week passed with excruciating slowness.
Finally, at last lesson on Friday. There had been plenty of speculation of what Killian would make them do, and slowly each year group took their turn for her lessons, and dropped out of the ridiculous stories that were being hatched about what possible thing Killian could make them do. It left the sixth years stunned as they wondered what misfortune could befall them, and here they were; standing on the Quidditch pitch, waiting for Killian to start her lessons.
"Everyone here? Good," she carried, without waiting for an answer.
"First of all a few ground rules. I don't want any house rivalries in my class. Anyone who kicks up a fight will find themselves out of all their Defence classes. There will be no messing around. Once we get settled into a routine, I will be bringing in dangerous equipment. If I find anyone messing about, you will face the consequences. Understand?" She waited for everyone to nod.
"Now all your classes with me will be purely on physical activities. We are going to work about getting you into good physical shape. We are about to enter a war; no one will be coming out the other side unscathed. If you think you can get away because you're pure blood, or because you're muggle born, you are very much mistaken. If you can't fight, you can at least defend. Defend yourselves, and your families. Moving on, you can't always defend yourselves with your wand. Sometimes, you have no choice but to run. One of the purposes of these lessons is to prepare you for the eventualities of the war. Your enemy has your wand, so your choices are to either run or fight to get it back. But how do you fight, with no wand? Hopefully you will learn this in my lessons. Anyone who disagrees and does not want to participate is free to leave…"
She waited for someone to walk off the pitch. No one did.
"Good, now off to the changing rooms. Boys that way, girls down there. You have five minutes to change and get yourselves out here. Off you go."
They all scrambled to their respective changing rooms to get dressed. The boys had all been provided with the same black t-shirts, and black jogging pants.
When they finally came out to the pitch where Killian was waiting, they saw the girls trickle out one by one, wearing the same as the boys.
Once they all gathered round Killian gave her instructions. "These clothes are yours to keep. You will wear them for all of my lessons unless I say otherwise. An extra set of clothes have already been delivered to your dorms, your uniform also includes shorts if you wish to wear them instead of you jogging pants…" and with that they were subjected to their most gruelling Defence lesson ever. Killian made them run laps around the Quidditch pitch. Of course Harry and Neville already ran laps around the pitch in the morning, but that was peanuts compared to the number of times she made run. Barely giving them five minutes to rest, she then asked Dean to demonstrate a series of jumps, cartwheels and flips. Handstands, headstands, jumping jacks, star jumps, everything Harry could remember from primary PE classes, they were made to do. Sit up and press up also featured in during the first lesson, and Harry who only used the simple stretches to warm before his morning runs, felt like he'd discovered every muscle in his body. He now understood why all the other year groups looked like they could barely move. Katie was right. If Harry could muster an evil glare he would have, but at the moment he felt like collapsing. His measly laps in the morning felt like nothing compared to this. He heard Lavender and Parvati complain about the dirt between their nails. But Harry knew what their reaction would be when they saw the dirt smeared across their cheeks, the state of their always clean hair.
However, collapsing into bed after his long hot shower, with his muscles still aching, Harry thought he couldn't wait till his next lesson.