CHAPTER FIVE
THE GOOD NEWS



The tenseness filling the air in Hogwarts castle was thick enough to begin with, what with the stress of school work and pressure being put onto the students. Suddenly, everyone was in a state of uneasy awkwardness, not to mention half of the students sending owls home telling their families to come and retrieve them as soon as possible. Though, Dumbledore had already sent out letters explaining what was going on and that, in fact, Hogwarts was one of the safest places to be in the instance of an Abaddon. No other location housed as many capable witches and wizards and was as highly protected with a wide array of charms and enchantments.
Even so, if it was found that the Abaddon would be passing over Hogwarts, the students would be immediately sent home. That is, if it was found out in time. It was possible that the Abaddon could change its course so suddenly that the only option to resort to would be to keep everyone down in the dungeons, which was the safest place in Hogwarts in the case a natural disaster. Though, this situation wasn't likely to occur, as the chance that the Abaddon would become an incredibly destructive one.
The students continued their fun and games in their dormitories, though it wasn't as if everything had been resolved and their was no more worry of a disaster. No one so much as mentioned the Abaddon, because it always seemed to arouse nervous vibes which made a most unpleasant atmosphere. No one dared to ask the professors on any updates, as they were afraid of hearing more bad news.
"I'm sick of being cooped up in here!" Hermione exclaimed Tuesday afternoon, attracting much attention in the common room. "Haven't they done enough research or whatever they're doing on this Abaddon thing?!" Everyone gawked at her, the tenseness all around growing to a maximum. "Why won't they let us out? It's not like we need chaperones to accompany us everywhere." She ignored the astonished stares from every Gryffindor and proceeded up the stairs to the girls' dormitory, probably to think up more things to rant about. Harry and Ron were sitting with Fred and George, admiring all the new inventions the Weasley twins had conjured up for their joke shop. They weren't half as surprised as the others, seeing as they were used to Hermione's complaints about things that no one would mention. Harry had actually joined in on some of the arguments Hermione got into. He thought her logic was very sensible, but sometimes he would bring up his own opinion. Though, he usually avoided getting too involved as this would give Hermione all the more reason to continue raving. Ron simply stuck his fingers in his ears and hummed whenever Hermione started something. He absolutely loathed these situations and thought Harry was mad for "encouraging" her.
Harry let himself gaze at the staircase that Hermione just climbed and wondered if he should go retrieve her, telling her how silly she's being. He wanted to do something, but another unknown force kept him rooted to the spot and he simply sat and stared. It wasn't until his mouth started hanging open slightly that he felt a nudge in the ribs. Ron had given him a good jab and he snapped awake. Fred and George sniggered at the sudden expression of total bewilderment and Harry felt his cheeks reddening.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Fred asked, smirking.
"Wha-...? What was what?" Harry said, still in a slightly confused state.
"You looked like you'd been walloped in the head with a bludger. Your eyes glazed over and everything." Fred now looked slightly concerned.
"Alright Potter, what are you smoking and how come you're not sharing?" George joked.
Harry grinned in embarrassment and tried to shrug off the questions, but the twins persisted.
"C'mon, Harry! We won't tell anyone if you like Hermione." Fred said out of the blue.
Harry's head jerked up. "WHAT?! Like Hermione? That.. that.... that's absurd! Why-?"
"Why else would you stare longingly after her?" George said, now adding sarcasm into his voice.
"I was not staring longingly!!" Harry shouted, rising to his feet.
"What? Now you're going to go confess your love to her?" Fred asked, grinning wickedly.
Harry glared at the both of them, wishing the few people in the common room who had started staring would stop. He could feel his face burning now.
"Hey, bugger off, will you? Maybe he doesn't want to tell you anything." Harry could always count on Ron to keep people off his back. Fred and George exchanged knowing glances and stood.
"Alright, but I know what I saw and it wasn't nothing!" Fred said shaking his head slowly. "Harry, remember, if you need to tell something to somebody, we've got the biggest mouths in the school!" Fred winked.
Harry sighed and sat back down as the twins went off to find someone else to show their vast array of inventions to.
"They were just joking, Harry." said Ron.
"I know, but they just make it sound like they're going to do something.... bad." Harry said wringing his hands.
"They won't. They're not like that. They'll just bug you about it for a while. Remember when we all found out that you were a parseltounge? And they followed you around shouting 'Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through!'?"
Harry chuckled. "Yeah... they're good for a laugh any day. But some things just... I really don't want them saying anything around anybody. You know how some people here love gossip." he said, glancing in Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown's direction.
"Well, at least you don't have to live with them."
"One more year, Ron. Then it'll just be you and Ginny."
"Yeah! I can hardly wait!" They both laughed. Then Harry's expression turned ever so slightly sad.
"It must be great having siblings."
"Well, you have a cousin."
"Ugh! Don't remind me! I'm ashamed to know that I'm related to that pig!" They laughed again.

At dinner, the atmosphere of the Great Hall was a little more upbeat than it had been. The students were more talkative and the professors looked on a good note, except of course Professor Snape who seemed to have his usual 'stay out of my bloody way!' air about him. The meal was excellent and for the first time in days, Professor Dumbledore seemed to glow.
The house ghosts were chatting merrily at their respective tables with the prefects and once Peeves even swooped in and tried to pelt people with handfuls of mashed potatoes. He couldn't seem to upset anybody, so he eventually disappeared through a wall, swearing to himself. Even the Bloody Baron gave off a grin or two every now and then.
Harry once again sat in between his two best friends as they continued their snide remarks and quick glares at each other. It wasn't as bad as yesterday, but he still wanted to be safe. Fred and George thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world that Harry wanted to sit next to Hermione two days in a row. Harry knew they were just trying to bug the heck out of him, but wished they would shut up all the same. Hermione was starting to give them questioning glances. Harry doubted they wouldn't say anything to her. Probably something like "Someone's got a crush on someone and I ain't saying nothing!", but Hermione was too quick-witted not to figure that one out. He hoped Ron was right, that they would keep their traps shut... yet he couldn't help but worry. He had also been wanting to discuss the events of the previous night with Hermione...
Professor McGonagall tapped her fork on her glass for silence. The Great Hall grew steadily quieter, and the Headmaster stood slowly, beaming. This time, he was sure to say something that would help everyone sleep tonight.
"This last day has been a most stressing one, and I know that all of you have been concerned for what will come of this situation. I now have some good news!" The Great Hall slowly rose into applause and cheering that brandished a feeling of great excitement. Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with radiance towards his pupils. "The storm is staying on its course and will not be approaching our direction. We will not be affected by its wrath!" The cheers grew louder and the professors simply sat and smiled brightly, letting the students rejoice. "Also, your families will not be it its path as it is heading due south and will stay along the sea." His words were barely heard over the echoes of shouts and joyous laughter.
As the noise grew slowly quieter, Professor McGonagall stood and raised a hand for silence. "Classes will be back on schedule and you are to resume them tomorrow morning." No one seemed to mind this. In fact, everyone rose from their seats and the cheers erupted once again. McGonagall was slightly surprised by this sudden change of mind, but certainly didn't say anything.
Heaven knows never to object when a student cheers for more school!

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