A.N. I hope that you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope that you enjoy THIS chapter as well, and please remember to review! In this chapter we will see someone that you won't be expecting, and Voldemort sends something to Hogwarts… dun Dun DUN!
~Malena~
Ivy and Celeste didn't talk to each other for a week. Whenever one of them entered the room, the other pretended that no one was there. Celeste and Draco were dating now, and whenever Ivy saw the two of them together she glared.
"It's my fault that they're together!" She exclaimed angrily that evening when Harry and her were watching the Gryffindors. "If I hadn't suggested that we play Truth or Dare in order to get Draco to notice her they wouldn't even be together!"
Harry simply nodded, not wanting to argue with anyone at that time. Harry had just received news that Voldemort was getting more Death Eaters, almost as fast as the Order of the Phoenix was killing them. That meant that Voldemort was getting stronger as well.
The next morning at breakfast, after Victoria had dropped off the potions, Snuffles walked up to the Order of the Phoenix table with a note tied to his neck. Harry took the letter and slipped it into his cloak. Then he patted Snuffles on the head and fed him a piece of toast. After Snuffles had munched on the toast he went back over to the teacher's table and sat down next to Remus.
Harry opened the note under the table. It said:
Stealth, meet me at the Shrieking Shack at Midnight tonight. I want to tell you something.
Snuffles
Harry crumpled up the note and made it disappear. He spent the rest of the morning watching Celeste and Ivy glare at each other from the corner of their eyes.
~*~
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Harry said later that night. He had just Molecularized to the Shrieking Shack and found Sirius sitting at the table in the run down kitchen.
"Fudge," Sirius said simply
"Well, I prefer brownies, but if you insist!" Harry joked. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean," Sirius said. "The Minister."
"What about him?"
"I overheard the teachers talking to Fudge. Fudge was saying that if any agent from the Order of the Phoenix screws up, he's calling in Unspeakables to remove you. Now, I don't know much about the Department of Mysteries, but I do know that you do not want to cross paths with a worker from there."
"Don't worry about it Sirius, everyone in the Order of the Phoenix is twice as strong as any Unspeakable. Besides, we have several ex-Unspeakables working for the Order!"
Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Just be careful, and don't slip up. And don't try and threaten the Minister again. That last time was a fiasco…"
"Okay."
"Oh, and Stealth-or should I say-Corwin…" A grin flashed across Sirius's face.
"My, my, my, news sure does travel fast at Hogwarts," Harry said. Sirius gave a laugh and said.
"How did you come up with that name?" Sirius asked through his laughter.
"I didn't my friend Max did," Harry replied. "She came up with my whole name."
Sirius grinned.
"Well, Corwin you should probably be getting back to your post."
"Yeah, yeah," Harry replied. "G'Night Sirius."
"Goodnight Corwin." Harry scowled and Molecularized back to the Gryffindor Common Room.
The next day, when Harry went down to breakfast, he found Will sitting at the Agent's table. He was sitting in a wheelchair, and was talking happily to Angelina.
"Will!" Harry exclaimed. "How are you doing?"
"Could be worse," Will replied, flashing a smile at Harry. "How're you?"
"Good, good," Harry said. "Are you going to be returning to work at Hogwarts?"
"Nope, I'm just staying here for part of the. I missed Jaleesa," Will lifted himself out of the wheelchair slightly and kissed Angelina on the cheek. "Besides, I can't manage all these stairs in this, even if it is magical." Will motioned to the wheelchair.
"Yeah…" Harry said. "Have you talked to Max?"
"A little. She came and visited me in the hospital," Will replied, sipping on some coffee that he had conjured. "Sean came and visited too, but his head rolled away in the middle of the visit and he had to go look for it." Harry gave a chuckle and poured himself some coffee. Then Cedric came out of the Mission Room and sat down. At around 9 o'clock Jimmy came and dropped off the potions. After everyone had drank their potions, Jimmy tapped Harry on the shoulder and said, "Come into the Mission Room, there's something I need to tell you." Harry followed Jimmy into the Mission Room.
"I need to talk to you face to face," Jimmy continued. "Take off the bracelet." Harry magically locked the door to the room and took off his bracelet. He felt his face change instantly.
"Is something wrong?" Harry asked.
"No, not really," Jimmy said. "It's just that… It's just that mom…"
"Is something wrong with Mom?" Harry asked urgently.
"No, she's actually quite happy," Jimmy said. "It's just that… she's pregnant."
"She's what?" Harry asked.
"Pregnant," Jimmy repeated. "Number 5 is on the way! She and Dad just told us this morning. Victoria fainted. It was actually quite funny…"
"How far along is she?" Harry asked.
"About 2 weeks," Jimmy replied. He glanced at his watch. "Listen, I've got to go. I have to go on a Mission in about 20 minutes, and I can't be late."
"Okay, bye Jimmy," Harry said.
"See ya." Jimmy walked through the Transporter and disappeared. Harry stood, stunned, for a moment before he pulled on his bracelet and stumbled out of the room.
"What was that all about?" Ivy asked when Harry had sat down.
"My mom," Harry said in a dazed voice.
"Is something wrong?" Ivy asked in a concerned voice.
"No, she's… pregnant," Harry said slowly. Ivy nearly spit out the toast she had been eating.
"She's pregnant!" Ivy squealed. "That's wonderful!"
"Yeah," Harry said.
"You're going to be a big brother to 4 other people now!" Ivy exclaimed. "By the way, how's Olivia? She is so cuuuute!"
Harry gave a chuckle. "Olivia's fine."
"Good! Well, anyway, have your parents thought of a name for the baby yet?"
"They have a while until they have to choose," Harry replied, looking down at the bowl of oatmeal that he had been eating. "She's only 2 weeks."
"So, it's never too soon to start planning…" Ivy said. Then she started listing names that she favored, Harry kind of droned out after that, thinking what it was going to be like with a new little sister or brother…
~*~
Will had decided to stay for the rest of the day. The teachers all kind of flocked around him, saying how brave he was. The Creevy brothers actually asked for Will's autograph. Right before everyone was excused to go to the Dormitories or to go to their posts, something odd happened. Sarge arrived through the door of the Mission Room. She had only came to Hogwarts twice, once at the beginning to see how they were doing, and the second time to deliver the news about Sean's death. Harry expected to see another Blackie in her hand, but instead she had a vivid green envelope.
"Agent 97," She said. "I think you should take a look at this." She handed the letter to Harry who opened the envelope and pulled out a blood-red piece of paper. A snake picture was the border for the paper, and as Harry stared at it, the Snake slithered around and started to form words.
to whomever it may concern… The snake wriggled again, and if formed the following sentences.
Right now, perhaps right Under your very Nose, hundreds of death Eaters are traveling to places all over this planet. they are Spreading my evil everywhere that i command them to.
Perhaps you think that hogwarts is the safest place to be during this madness, that there is no way that hogwarts could be Obliterated, for they are under the watchful eyes of agents from the Order of the phoenix who's tales of power have Reached even the most remote places of this planet. However, you are wrong. at this very moment a deadly creature is making its way to your precious school. the only way that you will be able to find out what my next move is, you have to kill the beast and recover the clue. or Else. if you Are to fail this task, the school is doomed, as well as everyone in it. play my game. Remember, all the information you need about This beast is in this letter, as well as how to recover the clue. farewell.
l.v.
"Someone needs to work on his punctuation," Ivy said, looking over Harry's shoulder. "I mean, look! He has capitals in places he doesn't need them and-"
"This coming from the girl who skips half of her classes," Harry said. Will then looked over Harry's other shoulder.
"I think that his poor punctuation has something to do with the clue," Will said. "If Brian was here he would be able to figure it out in an instant, because he's the Master of Logic, but now we have to…"
"At least we already know that the initials at the bottom of the page stand for Lord Voldemort," Ivy grumbled. A worried whisper rushed around the Great Hall.
"Professor Dumbledore," Cedric called. "We need you to keep all of the students here as a precaution."
"Of course," Professor Dumbledore said. All of the teachers started muttering to each other.
"What about You-Know-Who?"
"I wonder why we're all supposed to stay here."
"Will they be serving more food?"
Brian was still staring intently at the piece of paper.
"Runespoor," He muttered suddenly.
"Pardon?" Ivy said.
"Runespoor, that's the beast that Voldemort is sending," Will said. He looked up at Ivy. "A Runespoor is a three headed snake. They're orange and black, and about 6 or 7 feet long. The right head is extremely poisonous."
"Well, we've dealt with snakes before, why should this one be any different," Jaleesa said, remembering the extra lessons she had taken about Magical Creatures. "Besides, Runespoors aren't usually that mean are they."
"No, not usually…. But if they are mixed with the Dark Lord, who knows what's going to happen."
"True…" Harry said. "By the way, how did you figure that out?"
"Well, all of the capital letters spell out Runespoor. But then the second word is Heart."
"Heart?" Said the other Agents.
"Heart," Will repeated. "I suppose that is where the clue is going to be."
"Yeah…" Harry said. "So we have to try and not do that much damage to the Runespoor because we don't want to ruin the clue."
"Precisely," hissed three voices that it seemed only one other person heard. Angelina looked up from the paper and stared toward the door (remember, Harry transferred the knowledge of Parseltongue into Angelina). Sitting there was an enormous snake. The vividly orange scales seemed to glow. The three heads swerved around, their red eyes glowing maliciously. Harry was sure that they had had an Engorgement Charm put on them, for Brian had said they were only 6 or 7 feet long. This snake was over 20 feet long, and extremely thick around.
"Oh my god," said Ivy, her mouth dropping open.
"Everyone, get out your wands," Harry said slowly, trying hard to keep from speaking Parseltongue on accident. "Elsa, go put up barriers around the students." Elsa slipped out of her chair and quickly walked over to the closest table, she muttered something under her breath and a force-field appeared around the table. The snake gave an angry hiss and rammed its enormous tail against the barrier. It gave an electrical shock to the Runespoor's tail. All three of the heads gave an angry yell and whipped their tail around. Before Elsa could prepare herself, she was hurled into the wall. She slumped to the ground, her head starting to bleed. Healer ran over to Elsa, while Ivy ran and started to put more force-fields around the tables. She dodged the tail of the Runespoor and put one last force-field around the teacher's table.
"Try and kill the right head first!" Will yelled. "That's the one with the poisonous one!" The remaining Agents scattered around the room, shouting spells at the enormous snake. Harry hit the right head with Avada Kedavra, but the Runespoor's scales were so thick that the spell only made a bit of a dent. That made the enormous snake REALLY mad. His right head shot forward and snapped angrily at Harry. He rolled out of the way and shot another spell at the right head.
"On your right Stealth!" Angelina yelled while sending another charm at another head. Harry flipped out of the way, narrowly avoiding another head that was attempting to bite him.
Harry yelled out the Severing charm, and it did the trick. The head of the middle snake was blown off and fell to the floor, spouting blood everywhere. The two remaining heads gave cries of pain and swung their tail around again. The Gryffindor students screamed as the tail rammed against the force-field. Then the Runespoor flung its tail the other way and caught Eric by surprise. The snake's tale coiled around his waist and he was lifted into the air, kicking and screaming.
"Stop your wailing," Harry heard the right headed snake hiss. Harry watched as the tail tightened around Eric's waist and he heard the cracking of bones. Eric started wailing louder and louder. Suddenly the Runespoor flipped Eric into the air and the left head caught him in his enormous fanged mouth. Harry winced slightly as the head snapped his jaws shut and swallowed Eric whole.
"Eww!" Harry heard Ivy wail.
"Everyone!" Harry yelled. "Severing charms! Now!" They all shouted out Severing Charms and one of the heads was blown off. Finally, the only head left was the poisonous one. It gave a look and Harry heard it hiss, "Finally, I am rid of those two morons…"
Harry aimed his wand at the final head and yelled the Severing Charm. The third and final head was blown off, and the Runespoor's tail went limp.
"I don't like snakes anymore," Ivy whispered.
"Same here," replied Harry.
"It ate Eric!" Angelina mumbled, her hands clamped over her mouth. "Do you think he's still alive in there?"
"Nah," Sphinx said. "If being eaten alive didn't kill him the shards of broken bones inside him will." Angelina gave a whimper.
"Now there's only one thing to do," Sphinx said. She waved her wand and a sword appeared in her hand. She slowly walked up to Harry and said, "Have fun."
"What?" Harry said.
"You have to get the clue," Sphinx said.
"Why me!?" Harry exclaimed.
"Because, this Runespoor has to do with Voldemort, and anything dealing with him is your business." Harry stared at her.
"Can I have someone help me," Harry finally asked.
"Sure, choose someone."
Harry looked around the room, "Ivy."
"What?!" Ivy exclaimed. "Nu uh! No way! I am not butchering up a snake just to get a-"
Harry flicked his wand and a sword appeared in Ivy's hands too.
"This is so not fair!"
"Life's not fair sweetie," said Anna, who was looking at one of the severed heads. "Best do it fast and get it over with."
"But-"
"Come on," Harry said.
"So, that clue is actually in its heart?" Ivy asked, wrinkling her nose.
"Yep."
"Not that sappy, 'oh! It was in your heart all along, but you just had to find out for yourself' kind of thing?"
"Nope." Ivy gave a groan. Harry walked up to the snake and stuck his sword into the body and cut the snake open.
"That smells disgusting," Ivy said, clamping her hands over her nose.
"Ivy, light your wand and see if you can see its heart," Harry said, watching the blood pour out of the body.
"I don't see squat," Ivy said after the wand had been lit.
"Damn," Harry said. He pulled off his cloak and threw it to the side. He opened the bloody wound a little wider.
"What are you doing?" Ivy said. Harry didn't answer, but instead stuck his arm into the snakes still-warm body.
"Oh my god, I think I'm going to hurl," Ivy said.
"Hold the light over the cut," Harry commanded. Ivy squinted her eyes, but moved forward slightly.
"Why the hell do you have to do that?" Ivy said.
"Well, I don't see you doing it," Harry snapped. He felt around and then pulled his arm out. It was covered in goop and blood.
"Ew…" Ivy said, looking at his arm in disgust. Harry looked and saw that the students were looking at the two of them.
"We need to make the wound bigger," Harry said. "Ivy, cut it open some more." Ivy gave him a look. "Now." Ivy took her sword and plunged it into the body too. After the wound was bigger Harry reached in again and finally felt something that Harry knew didn't belong in a body. It was stuck in something. Harry pulled and tugged, but he couldn't get it out.
"Ivy, I can't-"
"Oh for pete's sake, let me," Ivy snapped. Harry pulled his arm out and watched as Ivy raised her wand and said, "Accio Runespoor's heart!" The heart went flying out of the body, and into Ivy's arms. She screamed and dropped it on the floor. Coming out of the heart was a necklace that had a tiny bottle at the end of it. Inside the bottle was a note. Harry reached down and yanked the bottle out of the heart and then walked over to the Agents table. He dropped the necklace into Sphinx's hands.
"Good job Stealth, now go get cleaned up," Sphinx eyed the blood and goop that was still all over Harry's arm. "We'll take care of this."
"I hate to run," Will said, "Well… I hate to roll, but I told my roommate that I'd be home soon. Not that he really cares," he muttered under his breath. He pecked Angelina on the cheek one last time and Molecularized out of Hogwarts.
"That's it," Ivy said, stepping over the enormous heart that was lying on the ground. "I am never going near another snake again. I used to like them but not now…"
~*~
The next day all of the Agents were sitting at their table when the door to the Mission room opened and the two new replacement Agents walked in. Harry instantly recognized the first one.
"Max! You're replacing Elsa?" Harry exclaimed.
"Yep!" Max replied. Even though Harry hadn't seen Max since Sean's funeral, he knew that she hadn't changed one bit. Her curly brown hair was in a high ponytail and she was wearing a shirt that said, "Girls are Angels" on the front, and "Treat them like it" on the back.
Harry then looked at the boy who had walked in after Max. He looked about 19 years old, and had dirty blond hair and a crooked nose.
"Oh my god!" Harry heard Celeste exclaim from the other side of the table. Forgetting that she was mad at Ivy, she exclaimed, "Ivy, isn't that… Alex?"
"Yes," Ivy said coldly.
"But I thought that he was a Muggle," Harry interrupted.
"So did I," Ivy replied. She pushed back her chair and marched up to Alex and hissed, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'm replacing Eric," said Alex coolly.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were a wizard, let alone an Agent?" Ivy asked.
"The same reason you didn't tell me you were a witch," Alex said.
"Hmph," Ivy said.
"Well, I see that you haven't-er- gotten together with someone," Alex said.
"Oh really? How?"
"You aren't your usual spunky self," Alex continued. "And you haven't mentioned your new boyfriend. You always talked about me."
"Well, as a matter of fact, I have a new boyfriend," Ivy said icily.
"Oh really? Who is this boyfriend of yours?" Harry saw Ivy freeze and he instantly knew that Ivy didn't really have a new boyfriend.
"It's…er…" Ivy leaned forward and whispered something into Alex's ear. Alex's eyes flashed over to the Agent's table and he said, "Really? Prove it." Ivy shrugged and walked over to where Harry was sitting, she leaned forward, put her arms around Harry's neck, tilted her head, and kissed him on the lips.
Everyone at the table started cat-calling, and several of the students started clapping.
"Use tongue on me and I'll kill you," Ivy said against Harry's mouth.
"Funny, I was just about to say the same to you," Harry replied. Over Ivy's shoulder Harry saw Alex glare at them and storm out of the room. As soon as the door slammed Ivy and Harry pulled away from each other.
"What the hell was that?" Harry exclaimed.
"Sorry!" Ivy said, "But I had to lie and say that you were my boyfriend."
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Just… because!" Ivy exclaimed. "And from now on, whenever Alex is in the room, we have to pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend."
A.N. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! He he he…. Anyway, please review! The more reviews I get, the faster I'll try and get the next chapter out!
Malena