Harry Potter and the Auror Palace
Chapter 6: A Terrible Accident
The Great Feast soon broke up all puzzlement. Students were soon bustling about wondering about classes or really what's to come. Mostly, people were showing off their Mini Species. Harry did notice that some people didn't own them. Hermione's still had to hatch. She became rather angry and felt she was cheated.
"Honestly, I didn't pay that man 30 galleons for a reason!"
Since the Sorting was already finished, the food was awaiting everyone. And as usual, Harry looked for the New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Harry wasn't surprised to see Mr. Mundungus Fletcher sitting at the staff table.
Ron was helping himself to Angel Fruit Cake, topped with lush strawberries. He was getting a little angry, as the cake didn't want to stay on the plate. Hermione was munching on asparagus. Harry took yet a third helping of ham before poking at fudge-swirled brownies with French Vanilla ice cream. Life was good at Hogwarts.
Pretty soon Dumbledore rose to announce the new staff members along with forbidden places to go and any other necessary notes. Harry was hoping on hearing more about the "new sport" which Charlie Weasley claimed there would be. Ron had ensured himself a broom for it as well.
"Welcome to Hogwarts! You know, every year there seems to be some great excitement. I can assure you that there will be a lot of that going around. There's already been a big event! The power of the founders has been unleashed! Voldemort will be having some trouble getting to anyone."
Several winces and foul faces sounded. They were scared.
"No need to worry though!" continued Dumbledore. "I ask that before everyone leaves, that they take off their rings and just place them on your tables.
"The next order of business is to remember that the Forbidden Forest is simply a place where no one will be going. This is extremely important! Hogsmeade visits are granted to any student third year and above with permission.
The thing I'm most excited about is our new athletic department has been set up. Our Athletic Director is Mr. Mundungus Fletcher!"
The man with the tan robes and short hair stood up. Harry was surprised. He thought for sure that he would be teaching Dark Arts. Oh well, he was foiled again.
"But that isn't the least of my excitement," cried Dumbledore. "Another sport will be introduced to Hogwarts students above fourth year. It's called Blitz Ball. Some of you may know about it. The game comes from the Americas. No, it's not Quidditch. Some extremely loyal Quidditch fans say that the Americans are trying to copy their beloved sport.
"More explanation will be given on Thursday, when it will start up. Please note that the games will be played in a regular season, then move on to a tournament. Blitz Ball will only be played against Houses in the first semester. The second semester will be devoted to Quidditch.
"One final note about Blitz Ball, please. Since the game is new to many of us, Professor Fletcher and the staff have decided to make a new student league where students from all different Houses will form teams and can play unofficial games during the Quidditch season. This will allow for more chances to get accustomed to the game."
Many people were extremely excited. Harry was too. But he would never abandon Quidditch. Harry wasn't going to play Blitz Ball this year. Dumbledore wasn't finished.
"I have some other extremely important news. Defense Against the Dark Arts class will not be held this year. I know many of you have bought new books. Please keep them for other years. If you do want refunds, they're available. There are going to be some special replacements for that class, according to your ability. More information will be given as usual."
Puzzled students sounded throughout the Hall. Harry was equally excited along with Hermione. Ron was ecstatic.
"WOW! I can be in my own sport! I can help stop Slytherin! This is going to be awesome!" screamed Ron. Hermione even agreed. They seemed to be on the same terms of agreement.
"Ok," said Dumbledore. "We have some new teachers that will help out wherever they're needed. Miss Arabella Figg will be replacing Professor Snape when necessary. Miss Judith Youngberg will be teaching Magic Literature." The whole room applauded.
"One more note on your schedules you will be receiving tomorrow. On Thursdays, special time has been allotted for any student interested in learning Blitz Ball (remember this is only for fourth years and above)."
Everyone was ready to explode in amazement. This year at Hogwarts was going to be really cool, Harry thought. Dumbledore had yet one more thing to say:
"Snibbet, bop, fluffo, pop!"
Harry raised an eyebrow.
Soon the teachers rose and headed toward their dorms. The students followed.
* * *
Since the next day was Sunday, no classes were held. Hermione was mad, however, first that she only had seven classes, and second that Defense Against the Dark Arts was cancelled for the year.
"Honestly, Harry! How can you even be glad about these schedules?" Hermione was loathing.
Harry looked at his own:
Monday
1st Period- Charms
2nd Period- Magic Literature (Double with Ravenclaw)
LUNCH
3rd Period- Transfiguration
4th Period-Library/Study time
5th Period- Herbology
Tuesday
1st-Period-History of Magic
2nd- Charms
LUNCH
3rd Period-Transfiguration
4th Period- Potions
5th- Open
Wednesday
1st Period-Herbology
2nd Period- Magic Literature (Double with Ravenclaw)
LUNCH
3rd Period- Care of Magical Creatures (with fourth years)
4th Period- Open
5th Period- Potions
Thursday
1st Period- Magic Literature (Double with Ravenclaw)
2nd Period- History of Magic
Lunch
Open Afternoons except for those interested in playing Blitz Ball
Friday
1st Period- Transfiguration
2nd Period- Charms
LUNCH
3rd Period- Potions
4th Period- Herbology
5th Period- Care of Magical Creatures (with fourth years)
Hermione was pleased that both Ron and Harry dropped Divination and decided to take an easy class, Magic Literature. She took that too.
It was very odd, noticing that Malfoy was not around, neither was Snape. Dumbledore did mention that Professor Figg would be substituting for potions. Things were going smoothly. Of course, Harry could only guess that he was speaking too soon.
One night Harry had a dream about the creation of Socodyn. Voldemort was there, all right. The Death Eaters were all there, except for Snape and some others. They were all chanting something and waving their arms. Soon, blackness emitted from their arms. Voldemort began to form the darkness. Soon, the creature was complete. It was extremely agile and was performing flips and high leaps. Voldemort was laughing and said, "Socodyn will be impossible to destroy. All evil has been used to create him. There will be no way to finish him off!"
Harry wanted to wake up from the nightmare. The only problem was that he wasn't sleeping, he was awake! When the "nightmare" was over, Harry found himself sitting in his bed. Was he daydreaming? He wasn't dreaming though, he was sure about that. The other thing that bothered him was the whole fact that his scar wasn't hurting either.
As days passed, Harry found that Hagrid just wasn't talking. Something terrible had happened. How could he not talk to him? Hermione had her usual convincing.
"You know, Harry. I think Snuffles was serious about his warning. I mean why else would they tell you. Hagrid's told some things to us that are very confidential. What if he slipped some very confidential information?"
Ron was on Harry's side, "I think that we'll find out what's going to happen anyway, why not figure it out now? I guess our best bet is to talk to him during care of magical creatures."
Harry nodded. Hermione knew she couldn't argue the point any further. In fact, Harry had a sinking feeling that she felt the same way as Ron did.
So on Wednesday afternoon, the three had decided to talk to Hagrid, regardless of the very powerful Auror's warning.
"Oh good! I only got fourth 'n' fifth years! Don't need those Sly'thrins messin' up ev'rything!" said Hagrid. "Terday, we're gonna learn 'bout tigretores. Does 'ennyone know a thing 'bout them?" Hagrid walked over to the paddock.
This time, timid Ginny Weasley raised her hand. Hagrid called on her. "I think they are the first magically synthesized creature made by wizards."
"Yer right! Five points fer Gryffindor!" said Hagrid, bringing the most beautiful tiger, whose fur was blue. His stripes were silver. Harry thought it was amazing. "These fellers actually can't have any harm done to them! No magic can ever effect them. Think they're pretty. But very physical. These, guys'll hurt when they swipe ya with them claws."
Most girls (and some guys) gasped in delight. They were very strong and large, and beautiful. As Hagrid brought the tigretore toward the group, he fell and tripped over a small rock. The leash was pulled tightly and made the creature lunge toward the ground. It became very mad. Everyone panicked. Soon, there was blood. Hagrid was tough, but it was very dangerous.
"I don' wanna end like me Mum!" cried Hagrid. The two Gryffindor classes ran to the castle. Unfortunately, Snape just had to be there.
"Potter! What is the meaning of this?" Snape hissed.
"Professor, Hagrid is being attacked by a tigretore! We need to tell Dumbledore! He could die!" answered Harry.
"I think that Hagrid can take care of himself. He's big enough to handle these sort of things!" Snape said.
"No, it's bad!" Hermione squealed.
"Yeah!" Ron said. Soon, an outburst of Gryffindors argued with the head of Slytherin. It was not a good thing to do. But Hagrid was in trouble. He could be seriously injured.
Professor McGonagall walked by the front doors. "What's going on here, Severus?"
"These kids are talking about the Creatures Professor. He seems to be in a bit of a bind. I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle," said Snape.
"Are you sure?" Professor McGonagall said, looking very disappointed.
"See that blue thing out there?" said Dean Thomas.
"Yeah," McGonagall answered.
It was coming closer with Hagrid by the collar. "Severus! This is serious! We must do something!" She got out her wand and yelled, "STUPIFY!" It did no good.
Hermione got out her wand and thought about the best charm for Hagrid. "GLACIOUS IMMOBUIS!" Hagrid froze and became ice.
Professor McGonagall howled, "What do you think you're doing, Miss Granger! You just attacked a Professor!"
"Professor, the tigretore isn't affected by magic! We had to do something to Hagrid instead of the blue beast!" Ginny answered.
"Everyone go to your dorms. We'll take care of this business immediately!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
The saddened Gryffindors sulked as they climbed toward Gryffindor Tower. What would happen to Hagrid? Harry felt he needed a talk with Dumbledore. Hagrid had mentioned his Mum. That was what triggered Harry's trip to the Gargoyle statue.