At dinner that evening, Draco did indeed join the Gryffindors at their
table, much to the chagrin of the Slytherins from across the way. They
were sending icy glares their way and pretty much daring any Gryffindor to
say a word. Needless to say, the Gryffindors weren't exactly backing down
or anything. You could smell the hate between the tables.
The tension was building as the meals were about to be served. Dumbledore chose that moment to come racing into the Great Hall, flanked by Professors McGonagall and Snape. The three of them looked very harried and made their way to the front of the room as quickly as possible. Instead on sitting, they stood in front of the faculty table and waited for attention to be drawn to them, and it wasn't long.
"I hate to interrupt the festivities students," he said, glancing between the crimson and gold and the green and silver, "But I am afraid that I come with terrible news." The quiet chatter that accompanied them to the front of the room died at once. Dumbledore looked to Minerva and Severus before continuing. They both gave him small nods.
"We have just been informed that Voldemort has struck again, all across England. The details are just beginning to flow in, but it seems that he is targeting Muggles and Wizards alike, anyone in he and his followers' path."
Draco's heart stopped beating in his chest for a five-count. "Busy?" he asked himself. "Oh my God!" his mind screamed at the information. "That is what he was doing…"
Dumbledore continued, "We fear that Voldemort is beginning his big push, and we have to push back [[A/N--if anyone can tell me where that line came from (without Voldemort in it, of course, you get 1000 points. A hint- -a great 80's movie. Another hint--a cartoon. Anyway….]] Severus and myself and a few other professors are leaving to do what we can to stop them. Until my return, Professor McGonagall shall be in charge. I shall expect you to respect her as you would me, and hopefully we shall return quickly."
"We shall do what we can to re-staff the classes the professors are vacating as quickly as possible," McGonagall spoke after Dumbledore finished. "Also, feel safe in Hogwarts. We are re-doubling our already nearly impregnable defenses before they leave, so there will be no chance of them getting in here, if they were so brazen as to try." she looked at a few of the senior years who about to jump out of their seats and volunteer to go with the professors. "As much as I respect your abilities, you all will remain here until this is over."
"There will be no trips to Hogsmeade in the immediate future," Snape said and a few groans echoed back at him. "I know you aren't thrilled about that, but it is for your own good. Now, if you will excuse us, we have a lot to do and very little time in which to do it."
Chatter erupted again as the three made their way back out the front door of the Great Hall. Draco was looking about as pale as he possibly could and looked to be about to fall out of his chair. Thankfully, Harry was on one side of him and he reached an arm out to steady his former enemy.
"Draco, are you alright? You look terrible."
"Harry, I had the information in front of me the whole time. I could have stopped this."
"What are you talking about, Draco?" Hermione asked from his other side.
"The letter I received earlier…" Draco trailed off. "I think I'm going to be sick." he jumped out of the seat and raced for the bathrooms. Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances and Harry decided that it was best if he check on Draco.
"Draco?" Harry called as he stepped into the restroom. He heard a retching sound from one end and decided to wait a moment to give the yakking Slytherin a little dignity. A minute later, Draco came from the stall wiping his mouth and looking very pale. "Are you okay?"
"I guess."
"Now, what were you talking about out there, about knowing something all the while?"
"Harry, I got a letter a earlier from my father and he said that he couldn't come here and get a personal explanation of what I've been up to because he was very busy at the moment. I never thought about what that might mean, but now I know that he was busy planning Voldemort's next move. Dammit Harry, I had the information sitting in the palm of my hand and I did nothing with it."
"Draco, there is no way that you could have known what your father was going to do. It isn't your fault."
"In a way it is, Harry. I don't know if I can get you to understand why it is, but I know it's true."
"Draco, it isn't, but I won't argue with you on it, just don't beat yourself up over it."
"I won't Harry, I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do yet, but beating 'myself' up is not in the equation."
"Don't get in over your head, Draco. I'll help you if you need it."
"Thanks Harry, I appreciate that. If I need assistance, I'll let you know first."
The two boys walked back out of the restrooms and returned to dinner. Neither ate much, but that isn't really that surprising considering the news they'd just heard.
Sunday passed and Monday rolled around again, bringing a little difference in the schedules. Potions had been cancelled until after the break and very few students missed it. Transfiguration classes had been combined into one lesson per year, so all houses were in the same room, crowding even the largest classroom in Hogwarts. There were a few other changes but none of them directly affect the tale I tell, so I shan't go into them.
Ron sadness continued to grow, and he oft found himself in odd places. His trips to Surtain were coming on a nightly basis now, but he left feeling almost as bad as when he went in.
Ron stepped outside the tower dressed in his warmest robe since the air had picked up a knife edge as December was drawing near. "Surtain?" he called. The familiar figure coalesced in the center of the room.
"Yes Ron. I am here." He waved a hand towards the floor and Ron unconsciously walked to the spot.
"It happened again today, Surtain. I was in some supply closet. I sort of woke up and then before I knew it, I was back in my common room again."
"It appears that you might have a form of amnesia or perhaps you are sleepwalking, Ron." Surtain clouded his face to hide the huge smile he was wearing.
"It is starting to scare me, Surtain. I don't know what I'm doing half the time anymore."
"Oh, Ron, but I do…" Surtain thought. "Perhaps you might want to speak with a medical professional." he told Ron, knowing that was the last thing that Ron would do.
"No, they might lock me up or something, saying that I'm loony. I'm not, at least I don't think I am."
"No Ron, I don't think you're loony. Maybe a bit confused, but not loony. I expect everything will work out soon."
"I hope you are right, Surtain, this just has to stop."
"Oh it will. I promise." Surtain spoke that aloud, not really focusing on Ron, but sort of looking into the sky. Ron was a little spooked by that.
"I uh, I think I'll go on back to the tower now. I'll see you later, I'm sure."
"Goodnight, Ron. Have pleasant dreams." Ron couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong, but he just had one of those feelings. Once he'd closed the door to the Astronomy Tower behind him, he began a quick jog back to the common room, sparing a glance behind him once or twice.
Back in the tower, Surtain was positively glowing. He had nearly reached a solid form now, but was a radiant blue-grey at the moment. "Ron, things are so close now. You've brought me almost everything I need. So soon. I can't have you messing it up now though, so I'll have to be a little rougher on you." Surtain squeezed his left hand together and back in the Gryffindor common room, Ron had a pain behind his eyes similar to an ice cream headache.
"So close. I will have form again. It's been so long." he laughed quietly into the wind.
Days passed. News from the battlegrounds reached Hogwarts. It was difficult going for the good guys. It seemed that as soon as they found the Death Eaters, they'd simply disappear. Dumbledore and company were stymied as how fight an enemy you couldn't find. This is not to say that there weren't any successes, because there were. They'd stopped a half dozen attacks on Muggle families and taken or killed three dozen Death Eaters so far.
In the passing days, Draco was trying to decide his course of action. So far, he'd gotten no further than deciding that he had to do something. The only thing was what to do and when to do it. Term was over in a few days, so it would likely be over break.
Hermione and Harry continued their worries over Ron. He seemed even less himself than he'd been all term. Even Colin, who had only recently really started talking to Ron again without Harry around mentioned it to him. Ron told him nothing aside from that he was just sad. Hermione was determined to figure it all out before the year was over, she just couldn't take anymore of this angst-y garbage.
Seamus and Neville continued to remain cute as hell together, like anything else was possible. They had begun hanging around Draco quite a bit, and since then the other Slytherins had almost left him alone. Seamus was sure that it was because they were terrified of El Shamrocko and never got tired of telling everyone else. They, on the other hand, did get tired of it.
All the students were studying hard for their midterms, happy that there was no Potions class. The end of term finally rolled around and after many days of tests, the first half of the year was over. McGonagall wished all the leaving students, nearly all of the total, a safe trip home and assured them that they would be protected in their absence from Hogwarts. She then bid those staying (which just so happens to include all the main characters- hah!) welcome to Holiday Hogwarts. It was two weeks till Christmas and they'd have the entire school to the forty or so of them.
I can't believe it took me almost a month to update this story. I'm such an irresponsible author. Bad energy. Bad. Well, in my defense, I've been looking into colleges over the last few weeks and that takes so much time it about makes me sick. Yuck. Back to school. Yuck. I've also been working on my next two stories a lot in my free time - Halo2 and the HP/SW crossover as well a Digimon fic. With my school search, my typing time is limited. I can freehand a lot at my boring job and then between jobs, but I seriously need a laptop computer to type on.
Now, I've reached the term break and everything is going to come to a head in the final three or four chapters. I hope to put this thing to bed by the end of may, and I will update more frequently, I promise. Get ready for deaths, betrayal, fire, love, hate, darkness, anguish, the whole nine yards… thanks for reading.
energy
The tension was building as the meals were about to be served. Dumbledore chose that moment to come racing into the Great Hall, flanked by Professors McGonagall and Snape. The three of them looked very harried and made their way to the front of the room as quickly as possible. Instead on sitting, they stood in front of the faculty table and waited for attention to be drawn to them, and it wasn't long.
"I hate to interrupt the festivities students," he said, glancing between the crimson and gold and the green and silver, "But I am afraid that I come with terrible news." The quiet chatter that accompanied them to the front of the room died at once. Dumbledore looked to Minerva and Severus before continuing. They both gave him small nods.
"We have just been informed that Voldemort has struck again, all across England. The details are just beginning to flow in, but it seems that he is targeting Muggles and Wizards alike, anyone in he and his followers' path."
Draco's heart stopped beating in his chest for a five-count. "Busy?" he asked himself. "Oh my God!" his mind screamed at the information. "That is what he was doing…"
Dumbledore continued, "We fear that Voldemort is beginning his big push, and we have to push back [[A/N--if anyone can tell me where that line came from (without Voldemort in it, of course, you get 1000 points. A hint- -a great 80's movie. Another hint--a cartoon. Anyway….]] Severus and myself and a few other professors are leaving to do what we can to stop them. Until my return, Professor McGonagall shall be in charge. I shall expect you to respect her as you would me, and hopefully we shall return quickly."
"We shall do what we can to re-staff the classes the professors are vacating as quickly as possible," McGonagall spoke after Dumbledore finished. "Also, feel safe in Hogwarts. We are re-doubling our already nearly impregnable defenses before they leave, so there will be no chance of them getting in here, if they were so brazen as to try." she looked at a few of the senior years who about to jump out of their seats and volunteer to go with the professors. "As much as I respect your abilities, you all will remain here until this is over."
"There will be no trips to Hogsmeade in the immediate future," Snape said and a few groans echoed back at him. "I know you aren't thrilled about that, but it is for your own good. Now, if you will excuse us, we have a lot to do and very little time in which to do it."
Chatter erupted again as the three made their way back out the front door of the Great Hall. Draco was looking about as pale as he possibly could and looked to be about to fall out of his chair. Thankfully, Harry was on one side of him and he reached an arm out to steady his former enemy.
"Draco, are you alright? You look terrible."
"Harry, I had the information in front of me the whole time. I could have stopped this."
"What are you talking about, Draco?" Hermione asked from his other side.
"The letter I received earlier…" Draco trailed off. "I think I'm going to be sick." he jumped out of the seat and raced for the bathrooms. Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances and Harry decided that it was best if he check on Draco.
"Draco?" Harry called as he stepped into the restroom. He heard a retching sound from one end and decided to wait a moment to give the yakking Slytherin a little dignity. A minute later, Draco came from the stall wiping his mouth and looking very pale. "Are you okay?"
"I guess."
"Now, what were you talking about out there, about knowing something all the while?"
"Harry, I got a letter a earlier from my father and he said that he couldn't come here and get a personal explanation of what I've been up to because he was very busy at the moment. I never thought about what that might mean, but now I know that he was busy planning Voldemort's next move. Dammit Harry, I had the information sitting in the palm of my hand and I did nothing with it."
"Draco, there is no way that you could have known what your father was going to do. It isn't your fault."
"In a way it is, Harry. I don't know if I can get you to understand why it is, but I know it's true."
"Draco, it isn't, but I won't argue with you on it, just don't beat yourself up over it."
"I won't Harry, I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do yet, but beating 'myself' up is not in the equation."
"Don't get in over your head, Draco. I'll help you if you need it."
"Thanks Harry, I appreciate that. If I need assistance, I'll let you know first."
The two boys walked back out of the restrooms and returned to dinner. Neither ate much, but that isn't really that surprising considering the news they'd just heard.
Sunday passed and Monday rolled around again, bringing a little difference in the schedules. Potions had been cancelled until after the break and very few students missed it. Transfiguration classes had been combined into one lesson per year, so all houses were in the same room, crowding even the largest classroom in Hogwarts. There were a few other changes but none of them directly affect the tale I tell, so I shan't go into them.
Ron sadness continued to grow, and he oft found himself in odd places. His trips to Surtain were coming on a nightly basis now, but he left feeling almost as bad as when he went in.
Ron stepped outside the tower dressed in his warmest robe since the air had picked up a knife edge as December was drawing near. "Surtain?" he called. The familiar figure coalesced in the center of the room.
"Yes Ron. I am here." He waved a hand towards the floor and Ron unconsciously walked to the spot.
"It happened again today, Surtain. I was in some supply closet. I sort of woke up and then before I knew it, I was back in my common room again."
"It appears that you might have a form of amnesia or perhaps you are sleepwalking, Ron." Surtain clouded his face to hide the huge smile he was wearing.
"It is starting to scare me, Surtain. I don't know what I'm doing half the time anymore."
"Oh, Ron, but I do…" Surtain thought. "Perhaps you might want to speak with a medical professional." he told Ron, knowing that was the last thing that Ron would do.
"No, they might lock me up or something, saying that I'm loony. I'm not, at least I don't think I am."
"No Ron, I don't think you're loony. Maybe a bit confused, but not loony. I expect everything will work out soon."
"I hope you are right, Surtain, this just has to stop."
"Oh it will. I promise." Surtain spoke that aloud, not really focusing on Ron, but sort of looking into the sky. Ron was a little spooked by that.
"I uh, I think I'll go on back to the tower now. I'll see you later, I'm sure."
"Goodnight, Ron. Have pleasant dreams." Ron couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong, but he just had one of those feelings. Once he'd closed the door to the Astronomy Tower behind him, he began a quick jog back to the common room, sparing a glance behind him once or twice.
Back in the tower, Surtain was positively glowing. He had nearly reached a solid form now, but was a radiant blue-grey at the moment. "Ron, things are so close now. You've brought me almost everything I need. So soon. I can't have you messing it up now though, so I'll have to be a little rougher on you." Surtain squeezed his left hand together and back in the Gryffindor common room, Ron had a pain behind his eyes similar to an ice cream headache.
"So close. I will have form again. It's been so long." he laughed quietly into the wind.
Days passed. News from the battlegrounds reached Hogwarts. It was difficult going for the good guys. It seemed that as soon as they found the Death Eaters, they'd simply disappear. Dumbledore and company were stymied as how fight an enemy you couldn't find. This is not to say that there weren't any successes, because there were. They'd stopped a half dozen attacks on Muggle families and taken or killed three dozen Death Eaters so far.
In the passing days, Draco was trying to decide his course of action. So far, he'd gotten no further than deciding that he had to do something. The only thing was what to do and when to do it. Term was over in a few days, so it would likely be over break.
Hermione and Harry continued their worries over Ron. He seemed even less himself than he'd been all term. Even Colin, who had only recently really started talking to Ron again without Harry around mentioned it to him. Ron told him nothing aside from that he was just sad. Hermione was determined to figure it all out before the year was over, she just couldn't take anymore of this angst-y garbage.
Seamus and Neville continued to remain cute as hell together, like anything else was possible. They had begun hanging around Draco quite a bit, and since then the other Slytherins had almost left him alone. Seamus was sure that it was because they were terrified of El Shamrocko and never got tired of telling everyone else. They, on the other hand, did get tired of it.
All the students were studying hard for their midterms, happy that there was no Potions class. The end of term finally rolled around and after many days of tests, the first half of the year was over. McGonagall wished all the leaving students, nearly all of the total, a safe trip home and assured them that they would be protected in their absence from Hogwarts. She then bid those staying (which just so happens to include all the main characters- hah!) welcome to Holiday Hogwarts. It was two weeks till Christmas and they'd have the entire school to the forty or so of them.
I can't believe it took me almost a month to update this story. I'm such an irresponsible author. Bad energy. Bad. Well, in my defense, I've been looking into colleges over the last few weeks and that takes so much time it about makes me sick. Yuck. Back to school. Yuck. I've also been working on my next two stories a lot in my free time - Halo2 and the HP/SW crossover as well a Digimon fic. With my school search, my typing time is limited. I can freehand a lot at my boring job and then between jobs, but I seriously need a laptop computer to type on.
Now, I've reached the term break and everything is going to come to a head in the final three or four chapters. I hope to put this thing to bed by the end of may, and I will update more frequently, I promise. Get ready for deaths, betrayal, fire, love, hate, darkness, anguish, the whole nine yards… thanks for reading.
energy