Disclaimer: JK Rowling and Warner Bro's hold all rights to Harry Potter
Chapter Sixty Three:
Authors Note: Apologies to everyone who has been waiting for the latest chapter in this story. I've had an unfortunate case of writers block combined with work tiring me out.
Please let me know what you think of this chapter by giving a review, I'd love to know how you think I'm doing. Regardless, thank you all for the support so far.
The first of September had rolled around once again but unlike previous years this year felt different to Harry. For one thing his Godfather Sirius, Uncle Remus and Uncle Jacob would all be based at the castle alongside Tonks in dual roles as staff and protecting the students and for another it was his last year as a student.
As Harry stood on Platform Nine and Three Quarters gazing at the gleaming scarlet steam engine known as the Hogwarts Express he heard footsteps nearby and Ron murmured, "feels weird doesn't it. Our last year at Hogwarts".
"It's like the end of something", Neville added as he joined them.
"Or the beginning of something", Hermione said thoughtfully as she slipped her hand in to Ron's and the redhead kissed her brow.
The philosophical conversation was cut short by someone shouting, "Harry!". Harry felt someone slam in to him and gazed in to the face of his girlfriend, someone he had seen in weeks. Daphne's eyes were twinkling and a broad smile lit up her whole face.
"Daphne", he breathed word as he held her feeling relief he'd not felt in awhile. He was so glad she had got there safely.
Harry pulled back from the hug but held his girlfriends hands as he gazed about the crowded platform. "Where are your parents?".
Daphne sighed. She seemed sad. "They said if they were to maintain the idea that they had disowned me they should start now to make it more realistic". She shook her head as tears formed. She took one her hands from Harry's and wiped her eyes, "Mum was crying. She said she loved me and would miss me, Dad said he'd never been so proud of me and he hated the idea of doing this. They tried to persuade me again but I talked them round".
Harry sighed. He knew what his girlfriend was doing was the right thing and that it would keep her family safe for a time, perhaps even until Voldemort fell, but that still didn't make it easy for her.
"I know it's hard love but I think you're doing the right thing for what it's worth", Harry said encouragingly.
Daphne smiled sadly, "it means everything coming from you. I just wish it wasn't so hard. I couldn't stop crying when I hugged Astoria goodbye", she gazed in to Harry's eyes, "when will I see them again Harry?".
Harry smiled sadly, "I wish I knew love, I really do".
With help from Jacob and Sirius the group of friends got their belongings on to the train and in to a compartment where they settled down.
The group was soon joined Ginny who had just said goodbye to her parents. Her eyes were red and she was ashen faced as she entered the compartment with her trunk.
Millicent entered just behind the redhead.
Ginny sat down next to Lauren saying nothing not even a greeting, it was clear she was upset about something. "Ginny", Lauren began cautiously as her best friend sat next to her, "are you...alright?".
Ginny sighed heavily. She seemed to be trying to hold back tears. It must have become too much for her as she sniffed once and the tears began to fall. "It's Luna", she murmured between sobs, "according to Dad...she's been taken!".
There were many sharp intakes of breath from those around her and Neville voiced the obvious question, "by Voldemort?".
Ginny shook her head. "Not directly, no. She was taken by Snatchers, no one knows where she is now".
The first prefects meeting went off without incident with Harry surprised but delighted to learn that Daphne had been named Head Girl for that school year. He grinned as he recalled that the Head Boy and Head Girl had separate quarters from the other students and he and Daphne would be able to get more alone time at last. He had missed her so much.
The train ride went off without incident and before Harry and his friends knew it the train was pulling in to Hogsmeade Station.
After getting their luggage off of the train Harry and the others found a number of scared and worried looking first years. "I'm the Head Boy", Harry told them, "my names Harry Potter".
Most of the first year students eyes widened in amazement and Harry rolled his eyes at the familiar reaction and informed them, "this is Daphne Greengrass, she's Head Girl. If you have any problems come to us or one of the other prefects, we won't bite I promise".
"We're all about helping each other at Hogwarts", Daphne said to them with a reassuring smile and a soft voice that put many of them at ease.
Harry gestured to them, "follow us and we'll take you to the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, he escorts first years across the lake".
The first years followed Harry and his friends up the platform and soon the familiar voice of Remus could be heard shouting the words that Hagrid previously used, "first years over here. First years this way!".
"Remus", Harry smiled at the sight of his uncle as the brown haired man continued to gather first year students near him.
Remus, lamp in hand, looked over at Harry and smiled. "Harry thank goodness, got here without incident?", Harry nodded.
"Good. Lauren", Remus said with a smile.
"Hi Uncle Remus", Lauren replied.
Remus greeted the others as Harry explained to the first years in his group, "this is Remus Lupin, he was the Groundskeeper I spoke of. He'll see you safely across the lake, ok?".
Just as Harry and the rest of his friends were leaving Remus called out, "Harry do you and your friends want to come to tea on Saturday?".
Harry grinned, "sounds great Remus, see you in a bit".
The group of students just about managed to catch the last two carriages heading up to the school. Harry, Daphne, Ron, Neville and Hermione found themselves squeezed into one alongside Draco Malfoy who had come with Harry and Lauren from Grimmauld Place but kept to himself on the platform and the train.
"Malf...Draco", Harry said politely to his former rival.
"Pott...Harry, Draco replied back almost slipping up. Old habits died hard on both sides.
"Will you be playing on the Slytherin team this year?", Harry asked conversationally not able to think of anything else to say.
Draco nodded, "I missed it last year what with...I missed it last year", he said cutting off the last part of his sentence.
Harry noticed the scowls on the faces of his friends and knew they were thinking about Draco's role in the Death Eater attack on Hogwarts. He still held anger over Draco's role in that himself but to be fair to Draco he didn't harm anyone personally, he could have done but didn't and in Harry's mind that redeemed him even if just a little.
Draco cleared his throat and said to the others, "I apologise for the way I used to speak and act with you all, you especially...Hermione, my insults were uncalled for and vile. I promise to just keep my head down this year and not cause any trouble".
Harry's friends seemed stunned by this apology and Draco's admissions. Harry had to admit that he too was surprise. He'd never have believed such a level of contrition possible from his former rival. 'Then again', he mused, 'people can change'.
The carriage pulled up at the steps below the front doors of Hogwarts Castle and as Harry stepped out he noticed that two wizards were guarding the front of the castle. The first one was Kingsley Shacklebolt who worked with his uncles and the second man was someone Harry had met briefly at Bill's wedding, Elphias Doge a good friend of Dumbledore.
Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table and as he gazed around he saw the great emptiness on the Slytherin table and the gaps at the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. The atmosphere felt completely different this year even compared to the previous year. With a jolt, Harry realised why this was, it was because the Wizarding World truly was at war.
Once all staff and students were seated and the sorting ceremony had been concluded Dumbledore stood up for his start of term speech. The old wizard gazed at the witches and wizards assembled and started in his usual upbeat tone as he announced, "it is wonderful to see so many of you again this year and to see so many new faces as well".
He smiled, "I have a few start of term notices to start with. First of all we sadly lost Professor Rubeus Hagrid who was also our Keeper of Grounds and Keys, as a result of this great loss I have been forced to appoint a new staff member in Professor Hagrids positions, so please welcome Mr Remus Lupin as the new Keeper of Grounds and Keys at Hogwarts and his wife Mrs Nymphadora Lupin nee Tonks who will serve as Professor of Care of Magical Creatures".
There was wild applause from the Gryffindor table and polite applause from the Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaws while many of the remaining Slytherins such as Daphne and her friend Millicent Bulstrode also applauded happily.
"In addition to this, due to the...err...rather unfortunate circumstances in which our last Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher left the school I have appointed Mr Sirius Black as our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, I trust you shall give a warm welcome".
The applause from the majority of students was deafening. Sirius Black was very well regarded.
Sirius stood up grinning widely. He seemed over the moon to be back at Hogwarts and passing on his knowledge to a new generation. He winked at Harry and his friends and they grinned at him in response.
"And to help Professor Black this year will be esteemed Head Auror Mr Jacob Black who will be teaching the first, second and third years".
The applause were, on the whole, polite for Harry's uncle and Lauren's father but Harry, Lauren and their friends all clapped enthusiastically over his appointment.
"And now one last important announcement before the rather routine notices", Dumbledore said, "you may well have noticed witches and wizards stationed at the gates to the grounds, outside the castle and in the Entrance Hall. The reason for their presence is simple, we are resisting the new Voldemort controlled Ministry which seeks to interfere with our school, make unnecessary changes and ultimately push the agenda of the madman known as Lord Voldemort. I hope I do not speak for only myself when I say such attempts will not stand!".
A great roar went up from staff and students alike. There may be inter-house rivalry and rivalries between students themselves but it was clear that Hogwarts was united against the forces of evil and darkness.
"The witches and wizards you have seen and may have spoken to are members of an organisation known as the Order of the Phoenix which seeks to strike back against Voldemort and are here to protect you all. If any among you are sixteen and over and wish to join this organisation then speak to either Sirius Black or Jacob Potter who will be more than happy to talk to you".
Dumbledore now smiled again. "And now on to the more mundane notices...",.
As Dumbledore continued to speak Ron leaned towards Harry and asked, "did you know he was going for mass recruitment?".
Harry shook his head. He'd had no knowledge of it. "Makes sense though I suppose", he replied, "I mean we need all the help we can get whether it's people on the frontlines fighting, researchers or people with medical training".
"Harry's right", Lauren backed up her cousin, "the more of us there are the better we can take the fight to Moldy Shorts".
Harry and the others sniggered at the nickname, leave it to Lauren to lighten the mood.
For Harry the two months of the school year went by in a flash taken up by classes, Head Boy duties and trying to spend time with his friends and girlfriend while also juggling homework and attending Order of the Phoenix meetings.
He and his group of friends were more subdued due to the unknown fate of Luna who had not been seen since being snatched by Ministry Snatchers on the first of September.
On the ninth of November Gryffindor's first Quidditch match of the season took place against Hufflepuff.
The game had been ludicrously one sided compared to the previous year and had seen Gryffindor prevail by four hundred points to fifty.
After the game had been the usual exuberant party atmosphere that would make you think the team had already won the Quidditch Cup.
Harry was drinking his second goblet of butterbeer when he felt someone grasp his hands, "hello handsome". He looked in to the smiling face of his girlfriend and wiped his mouth grinning back at Daphne, "hello yourself gorgeous", he replied. The pair of them locked lips passionately and stayed like that for a long while.
When they pulled apart Daphne tugged him away from the crowd of students towards the portrait hole. Harry was confused. 'Where is she taking me?', he thought in bemusement.
As they reached the portrait hole Daphne leaned in and whispered in his ear. The suggestion she made caused him to turn bright red and splutter. "It's too noisy in here, what do you say to some 'private time'?".
Now Harry wasn't stupid. He knew what "private time" meant in the context of two adults who were in a relationship. What was surprising was that Daphne, who came from a Pureblood family, wanted to be alone with him in that sense.
"Daphne love, are you sure you're ready?", he asked her seriously feeling responsible even despite the beer he'd been drinking.
Daphne smirked, "never been more ready in my life lover boy", she replied, "we're adults, we love each other and we're planning to get married. What's wrong with having sex?".
Harry gaped. Seeing his reaction Daphne chuckled, "unless you don't want to that is?". She reached down and rubbed him through his Quidditch robes, "but judging by this erection I'd say you're as up for it as I am".
Harry gulped and nodded, feeling unable to respond verbally other than releasing a groan.
"Come on then", Daphne pulled him through the portrait hole and did not stop pulling on his hand until they reached the Head Boy and Head Girl Quarters on the seventh floor.
Using one hand Daphne opened the doors to their quarters before pushing Harry through the doorway and slamming the door shut behind them. In moments the pair were kissing and caressing each other, enjoying the sensations that they were bringing each other.
Two hours later the couple lay exhausted and satisfied in bed, Daphne's head resting on Harry's shoulder as she snuggled in to him.
Daphne had a smile on her face while Harry's face was plastered with a wide silly grin. Suddenly, Daphne's became solemn as she said, "have your family heard anything about my parents?".
Harry shook his head sadly, "sorry love, Uncle Jacobs last letter said that they've not heard from your parents since we came back to Hogwarts. My uncle thinks they're being extra careful and he's almost certain they're being watched".
Daphne was silent for a long moment. When she opened her mouth to speak again there came a loud, urgent knocking that sounded like it was coming from the outer door.
Harry glanced over at the magical alarm clock which said to him, "the time is three o'clock in the morning".
Harry sighed and groaned in frustration, "who the hell is that at this time of night?".
The knocking continued and Harry shouted, "alright hold on! I'll be there in a sec!".
Harry pulled on his pyjamas and a dressing gown. He then grabbed his wand wanting some security just in case and he headed out of the bedroom as Daphne called out, "don't be too long darling".
Harry reached the sitting room to hear the knocking still going on. He threw the door open and was lucky not to be accidentally hit in the face by the raised fist of Blaise Zabini.
"Potter", Zabini said politely.
"Zabini, what the hell are you doing here at this hour?", Harry demanded stifling a yawn.
If Harry's irritation fazed Zabini he didn't show it as he replied calmly, "it's Millicent, she's in floods of tears in the Slytherin common room. Been like it for two hours now, ever since she was called up to Professor Dumbledore's Office".
Harry was nonplussed. 'What on earth could have upset her so bad?', a terrible thought pushed it's way in to his mind and he shuddered. There would be only one reason why brave, tough, Millicent Bulstrode would be so devastated.
"Wait here", Harry instructed as he turned around and headed back through the Head Quarters towards his bedroom.
He heard soft footsteps behind him but was too focused on speaking to Daphne. "Babe you'd better get dressed and come quickly", Harry told his girlfriend.
Daphne must have recognised the serious tone of voice for she was up out of bed and getting dressed in an instant. "I know that look and tone of voice Harry. Somethings happened...what is it?".
"Millicent won't say but I can take a guess", said Zabini.
Harry turned and glared at the Slytherin prefect. "I thought I told you to wait outside?".
The black boy shrugged and smirked, "not very good at following orders I'm afraid, never have been".
Harry rolled his eyes. How Zabini had become a prefect was beyond him, but then he supposed there wasn't really much choice given how few Slytherins there were in seventh year this year.
"Lets go", Daphne strode ahead of them and called back, "and we'd better stop by Gryffindor Tower on the way and let Neville know what's going on...assuming it's not his fault, I reckon he'd want to be there for her".
The three of them walked with purpose out of the Head Quarters and all the way up to Gryffindor Tower finding themselves lucky not to bump in to any Professors on the way as there would be a lot of awkward questions to answer if they were.
As they reached the landing on which the entrance to Gryffindor Tower resided Harry strode confidently up to the painting of the Fat Lady that guarded the tower and said in a clear, loud voice, "Godric's Sword", which was the password for that month.
The painting continued to slumber on and Harry growled in irritation, running a hand through his messy hair, "wake up!", he shouted eventually after several calm attempts at rousing her.
The Fat Lady awoke with a start and shouted in alarm, "oh my lord, you frightened the life out of me!".
"Uh...you're a painting", Zabini pointed out from next to Harry.
"Oh a comedian", the Fat Lady commented sarcastically, "I may be a painting young man but I still have feelings!".
Harry sighed, "Godric's Sword", he repeated the password.
The Fat Lady blinked for a second and then said, "oh yes, the password, you may enter". The portrait swung aside to reveal the entrance to the tower.
"Follow me", Harry waved them through the portrait hole and on through a small passageway that led to the circular common room.
"Might be best if you wait here Zabini", Harry said to the dark skinned boy, "I doubt Ron, Neville, Seamus and Dean would be any too happy to see a Slytherin in their dorm room, old habits and all that".
Zabini snorted with laughter and flopped down lazily on one of the sofas, "don't be too long" he said as Harry headed to the staircase.
"This is it", Harry said as they reached a door with a sign that read "seventh year boys". Harry turned to his girlfriend, "do you mind waiting out here?".
She shook her head. Harry turned the handle and pushed the door open. He was assailed by a wave of snoring, grunting and farting wizards. He shook his head with a smile. 'Good to know some things don't change', he thought as he walked over to Neville's bed that lay next to Dean's.
He paused for a moment wondering how on earth he could wake Neville up without disturbing the others. In the end he decided it would be best to just pull open the hangings of the four poster and close them quickly. He only hoped Neville wouldn't wake up suddenly, from what Ron, Dean and Seamus had told him Neville was more on edge at night times lately.
Once the hangings were shut Harry didn't delay as he stood by Neville and shook him gently. He gulped, feeling shocked as he found a wand tip pressed to his throat, "who are you?".
"It's me. It's Harry", Harry identified himself and then murmured, "Lumos". The bed and it's occupant were illuminated.
"Oh Harry thank god it's you!", Neville shuddered, "just had this awful dream about Bellatrix. She...", he shuddered again and stopped speaking as a frown appeared on his face, "Harry why are you in here?".
Harry sighed. "It's Millicent, she's been crying in the Slytherin common room for two hours now apparently. Zabini came to let me and Daphne know, it's no one can cheer her up".
"Give me a moment and I'll get dressed", Neville promised looking serious.
Harry moved the hangings aside and stepped out before closing them again. The other boys were fast asleep.
He had no idea how long he'd been waiting there but Harry jumped as a voice said, "we'd better get downstairs". It was Neville. Harry patted his chest and felt foolish for having been startled, I mean what were the chances of a Death Eater or some other hostile individual getting in to the dorm room?.
Once Harry and Neville had met up with Zabini and Daphne the four of them headed down from Gryffindor Tower to the Dungeons.
They approached the entrance to the Slytherin common room to find an unusually subdued Draco Malfoy standing near the hidden door. His face was grim as he informed them, "Millicent's parents were killed by...by Death Eaters and her brother has been taken, she's unsurprisingly devastated", he gestured to the hidden doorway and said "the password is Salazar's Serpent".
Harry raised an eyebrow at the password and commented, "couldn't Slughorn come up with anything better?".
Draco shrugged, "guess not".
Daphne gave the password relayed to them and the four students waited as a door emerged from the smooth stonework.
Harry found it surreal to back in the Slytherin common room as they entered and had a hard time not mentioning the previous time he, Ron and Hermione had been there back in their second year in their ultimately futile attempt to interrogate Draco on the Heir of Slytherin.
Harry heard Millicent crying before he even set eyes on her. When he did see her the first thing he noticed were that the plump girls eyes were bloodshot and her face red.
"Oh Millicent", Daphne rushed over to her best friend. Upon seeing Daphne, Millicent's crying intensified as Harry's girlfriend pulled the crying girl in to a hug.
Harry watched as Neville hurried over and then walked over at a slower pace feeling it better for Daphne and Neville to handle things for the moment given they were closer to her.
Both Draco and Zabini hung back whispering to each other. Draco must have got annoyed by something the other boy said because as Harry started to walk over to his friends Draco told Zabini to "shut up and stop being so damn insensitive".
To the Harry of even a year ago the notion of Draco caring about the feelings of others would have been supreme irony but right now he was glad of the blond boys words.
Harry dropped down to his knees as he reached Millicent and looked at her kindly as he softly asked, "Draco told me what happened to your parents and your brother Millicent, I'm so sorry. Who did it?".
Millicent gulped, hiccupped and sniffled before wiping her nose and answering, "it was that bitch Bellatrix Lestrange, her along with Crabbe and Goyle, the younger Crabbe and Goyle that is".
Harry closed his eyes. Bellatrix he could well believe but the fact that Crabbe and Goyle had aided her shocked him. He couldn't pretend to have been close to the two Slytherins, hell he couldn't even stand them! but nevertheless to help kill innocent people put them beyond the point of redemption. Not to mention the kidnapping of poor Bertie Bulstrode, god alone knew what they were doing with at that moment.
He growled low as he thought on Bellatrix Lestrange and all she had done to ruin the lives of others. So many people she had killed and tortured, all in the name of her twisted association with a psychopath. Something had to be done about her and Harry resolve right then and there to speak to Dumbledore the very next day about that evil witch.
"That evil bitch will get what's coming to her and soon if I have my way", Harry replied after Millicent explained everything.
Millicent smiled at Harry through her tears, "you are such a caring person Harry", she grabbed his hand and squeezed it before taking one of Neville's, "no wonder my Nev is one of your best friends".
Harry grinned, "he's one of the best and one of the brightest". He clapped Neville on the shoulder and added, "I'm proud to call him a friend".
Neville smiled and declared, "the feeling is mutual" and clapped Harry on the shoulder in return.
True to Harry's word, after he finished breakfast the following morning he hurried over to the Staff table and said to Professor Dumbledore, "Professor, please can I have a word".
Dumbledore stare at Harry shrewdly, "of course Harry".
Harry gazed around at the other teachers including his Godfather Sirius and his Aunt by marriage Tonks, both of whom were looking on with interest.
"I'm private please Sir, if possible", Harry said hopefully. He didn't want to speak on such an important matter in public. Oh he knew he could trust Remus, Sirius and Tonks without question but could he trust Slughorn? could he trust Professor Trelawney? and what if a student overheard?. No, it was too important to take chances.
Professor Dumbledore finished the last bite of his toast, took a drink from his goblet, set it back down and then replied, "alright Harry, we'll speak in my office".
Harry waited as the Headmaster got up from his seat and the two then set off down from the platform and through the Great Hall as many pairs of eyes looked on with interest.
"Well then Harry", Dumbledore gestured to a bowl on his desk as he sat down, "have a seat. Sherbet lemon?".
Harry shook his head, waving away the bowl as he paced and ignored the invitation to sit. "I was in the Slytherin common room last night...well early this morning really but I don't see what difference the time actually makes".
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. The twinkled in his eyes was absent. Harry had the distinct impression that the old wizard knew what he was planning to speak about.
"Ah indeed", Dumbledore said, "no doubt yourself and young Mr Longbottom were visiting Miss Bulstrode...terrible business what happened to her parents, her younger brother has gone missing apparently. He was due to start Hogwarts next September".
Harry dug his nails in to his palms and gazed intensely in to Dumbledore's face. "Something needs to be done about Bellatrix Lestrange", he said, feeling surprised at how calm he was being.
"I am of the same mind Harry", the Headmaster assured him seriously. "Just this morning I spoke to your Uncle Jacob about volunteers to scout Bellatrix. Watch her, note her movements and prepare to capture her. Shortly afterwards I was approached by a rather surprising volunteer in the form of your old rival, Draco Malfoy".
Harry was stunned. He knew Draco had changed somewhat after everything that had happened to his mother and his exposure to the Voldemort and his Death Eaters but even so he had never expected Draco to make such an offer.
Harry knew then what he had to do. He had to do it for his Aunt Mandy, for Neville's parents, for Hagrid, for Millicent and for the countless others who had had their lives torn apart or ended by Bellatrix Lestrange. He stared at Dumbledore and said in a tone that brooked no argument he announced, "I'll keep watch on her too during my free time".
Dumbledore nodded as if he had expected such a thing and given his wisdom and knowledge Harry would not be surprised if he had. "I'll let your uncle know, though I must tell you he is bound to have reservations".
"I have no doubt he will", Harry replied, his voice like steel, "but he will understand more than most just why I have to do this".