A Harry Potter fan fiction by Pottergirl
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling! (Except the plot – the plot belongs to me – I worked very hard on it :) )
Chapter 20: End of PeaceHarry had a very long day. It wasn't easy to concentrate in Charms, Potions or Care of Magical Creatures when varying thoughts of Ginny and what had happened that morning troubled him. What had he seen in her eyes? Fear? Of what? It had been terrible for her even if it had been an accident…he was quite used to objects flying in the magical world. But still…
And if that wasn't enough, there were rumors and whispers spreading throughout the school already. Many students in the Great Hall that morning had witnessed the aftermath of the incident, especially when a crying Ginny had run out of the Hall. Most of the rumors that Harry happened to hear by the end of school hours made absolutely no sense. Some said he had broken up with her and other said she had broken up with him. As if there was even anything going on right now! But then, people would say anything. Some were even whispering Ginny Weasley was not too sane of mind. It angered Harry…he did admit she had definitely been acting a bit strange lately…she had snapped at Hermione at breakfast…and personally, Harry felt he himself had triggered it.
Thus, it was with a guilty heart that he passed through the day, strangely feeling he was the cause of all the stupid rumors being made about Ginny and her irritated mood those days. It made sense, a little, he thought. He hoped Hermione would talk to Ginny. He knew by an experience in the summer holidays that girl talks, however weird they were made out to be by other boys, turned out to be helpful – he hoped.
When Harry reached the Gryffindor table for lunch, he looked out for Ginny but she wasn't there and feeling very guilty and terrible, he sunk into his seat. He knew how it was to get strange stares at you, people gawping at you and whispering about you – it was happening right then and Harry ignored it. People could think whatever they wanted.
Ron and Hermione had both noticed Harry was very quiet that day and in view of the events that had taken place in the morning, they did not say anything.
'…didn't come out of the dorm…Professor Vector asked me…'
Harry looked up from his barely touched lunch – two of Ginny's friends were conversing quietly right across him. It came to him as quite an unpleasant surprise that she still upset. He glanced at Hermione. When would she talk to Ginny? Hermione looked up at the same time and Harry realized that she had heard Ginny's friends too. She nodded reassuringly and Harry nodded, though apprehensively in return.
Evening came and Harry and Ron were in the Commonroom, hurrying up with their homework so that they could spend the later part going over Quidditch tactics for the match, the next morning. But Harry couldn't keep his mind much on his work. Hermione had gone upstairs and he knew she'd be talking to Ginny just about then.
He couldn't take the tension anymore and went upstairs to get his Firebolt, telling Ron he'd be out flying for sometime. It was one thing that relaxed him.
When he saw the slightly burned tail twigs of his Firebolt, which he had tried to cure the previous night with his Broom Servicing Kit, he felt more miserable. When he reached the Commonroom, he spotted Danielle Shaw, the seventh year who had found his broom in the fireplace the previous night. Danielle looked up from his book. Harry and his gaze locked for a fraction of a second and Harry was a little bewildered when Danielle turned his gaze back to his book quickly. He was a little strange, Harry guessed.
Once Harry was in the air, the sky royal blue at dusk, his worries seemed to have left him momentarily. He closed his eyes against the thrill of being in the air that rushed all around him and through his hair, giving an exhilarating feeling.
For a long time, Harry remained in the air, guiding his Firebolt to nowhere in particular and occasionally flying low across the surface of the lake that now reflected the stars and the moon in the sky above. Just when he was deciding he'd better go back in and seek out Hermione to ask her what had happened, his scar suddenly began to throb painfully. The pain was increasing rapidly and Harry hurriedly turned his broom around and raced to the castle. He touched down near the steps of the castle, his head spinning with the pain in his scar. He tried to balance himself and leaned heavily on his Firebolt, pressing his hand to his scar. And then –
There was the sound of a loud explosion. Harry's head snapped up and within seconds he was atop his broom. It hadn't come from the castle and to his horror and shock, he saw smoke rising from the distance.
The village of Hogsmeade.
His heart skipped a beat and he froze in horror as a distinctive emblem appeared in the sky, disgusting and frightening. The Dark Mark. There were more explosions and the pain in Harry's scar increased manifold. He had to get back into the castle…he had to do something…tell Dumbledore…and Harry realized something else, which caused his heart to come up to his throat. Dumbledore wasn't in Hogwarts! He was at his meeting with Cornelius Fudge. Without turning to look in the direction of the loud explosions that still sounded through the air, Harry raced back into the castle, blood rushing through every inch of him.
Behind him, there were endless explosions growing louder and more intensive. The castle had found out too. People were hurrying around in the Entrance Hall – their faces ash white and they stared at Harry as he sprinted past them. In the face of such sudden and immediate terror, every face turned to him, hoping for the Harry Potter to do something.
Harry hurried to Professor McGonagall's office and was about to open the door when she emerged herself, looking dead serious and quite pale. Harry had hardly ever seen her like that.
'Professor – '
'I know, Harry,' McGonagall said gravely. 'I want you to go to Gryffindor Tower. Stay there and none of you is to step out of your Common room. I'm sending the Slytherins to you – both the houses are to adjust there for as long as I tell you. Now go!'
Harry didn't argue. He went off in the opposite direction, back to Gryffindor Tower. As he approached the Tower, dragging his Firebolt hurriedly, he saw Ron and Hermione coming up from the opposite direction.
'What's happening?!' Hermione asked frantically.
'Attack – at Hogsmeade…we've to stay inside and the Slytherins are going to be with us…' Harry rushed, while giving the password to a rather pale faced Fat Lady and scrambling in.
In the Commonroom, people were all up on their feet and in an uproar – asking each other what was happening. Gryffindor Tower was at the opposite side of the castle – facing away from Hogsmeade and they could not see the attack – they could only hear it.
Harry announced McGonagall's order and was immediately flanked by students asking what was happening. When they were told, they fell silent, looking pale. Harry felt a feeling of fear rise within himself but it was matched by an equal measure of confidence and the will to do whatever he could and fight till the end when faced with danger.
There was silence in the Commonroom, interrupted by explosions sounding from outside. Harry's scar was no burning more fiercely than ever and he was having difficulty standing straight. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the intense pain. Ron and Hermione were standing by a corner and Hermione, looking paler, was being comforted by Ron who had his arm around her.
Harry felt very strange. What would they do if the Death Eaters attacked the school? True, the school was protected by wards and enchantments but there was a very big risk to it, which could not be ignored.
Harry caught sight of a tiny figure, curled up in a corner seat. He immediately recognized the red hair and hurried to her.
Ginny's eyes were closed and she was huddled in a corner – and she was sobbing. Harry sat down beside her on instinct, wrapped his arms around her. She tensed, looked up at him, her eyes growing wide but he held her gaze steadily. It seemed for a moment she was going to jump away from him but when he tightened his arms around her, she relaxed and didn't say anything.
Harry pulled Ginny closer to him so that her head was resting on his chest, hidden from view of anyone else. Harry lightly stroked her hair, not feeling awkward but slightly comfortable in comforting her. She was breathing peacefully and silently. There was the sound of more explosions. Harry's scar was hurting him terribly and he even felt Ginny jump slightly in his arms. He looked up and saw Ron looking back at him, from the other end of the room. Ron only smiled slightly until there was the sound of more explosions and his smile faded.
Harry's scar burned and he closed his eyes, holding Ginny firmly against him, wishing for all the trouble to end. Why couldn't Dumbledore have been there? What would happen?
There was the sound of what seemed like many people appearing suddenly and Harry looked up to see the Slytherins had arrived. The prefects at the portrait of the Fat Lady were letting them enter and they stepped into the Gryffindor Commonroom, looking only slightly scared and staring at their new surroundings.
Draco Malfoy entered and Harry and his gaze locked. Harry didn't think Malfoy looked scared in the least – he looked very smug – his father was probably out there rampaging through Hogsmeade.
But when Malfoy saw Harry, he pouted slightly and if Harry wasn't wrong – he saw bewilderment and extreme surprise in Malfoy's statement. Harry was surprised himself at the way Malfoy seemed to be staring at him but then, he narrowed his eyes and looked away. When he looked up a moment later, Malfoy was still staring at him. Harry narrowed his eyes and strangely, Malfoy turned away quickly. The silent exchange somewhat troubled Harry.
There was silence soon in the room once again. The Gryffindors were quite anxious and scared and didn't care to notice the look of relative content on the faces of the Slytherins. What did the Slytherins have to worry about? Voldemort had been a Slytherin himself.
Time seemed to have slowed down to the point of stopping. It seemed there were explosions to no end and the scar on Harry's forehead burned on. It seemed like hours when finally, the explosions came to an end. Harry looked down at Ginny who was now clinging to him, her face paler than so many others. Her eyes were wide and she looked terrified. Harry comforted her, stroking her back and pulling her even closer against him. Finally, as the explosions came to an end and even Harry's scar stopped hurting, he noticed she had somehow drifted off to sleep.
Harry didn't move. It seemed a strange bond that had never been there, was now between them. He felt so fiercely protective of her that the feeling surrounded him like a powerful aura. He'd keep her safe.
The clock struck twelve. It was now five hours since everything had started- since the appearance of the first of many Dark Marks. Harry wondered when some teacher would come to them. He wondered if there had been any casualties – he couldn't wish this fate on even Professor Snape.
People all around the Commonroom were mostly quiet – some whispered amongst themselves now that the explosions had finally stopped. The prefects who were sitting by the entrance of Gryffindor Tower immediately got up, Hermione among them as Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher stepped in looking extremely haggard. Everyone looked up as he entered – he didn't look as if he had been anywhere near Hogsmeade.. He had probably been guarding the school.
'Slytherins are to return to their tower and everyone is to go up to their dormitories…the danger is over and all teachers – and Professor Dumbledore are now inside the school!'
At the announcement, the Slytherins got up and began leaving in a line behind Professor Vector. Harry scanned the crowds for Malfoy and saw him, getting up from a sofa where he had apparently been sitting with the seventh year Gryffindor Danielle Shaw.
The Slytherins left and the Gryffindors went up to their dormitories, talking quite loudly amongst themselves. Harry waited until most of the people had gone upstairs leaving only himself, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George.
Fred and George waved, smiled slightly and then went upstairs. They too, like the others did not seem too cheerful – the ever-present laughter and mischievousness in their eyes was momentarily absent.
Harry got up from his place. Ginny had already moved apart once the people had begun to empty the Commonroom. She looked tired, weary and quite dazed. Ron went over and ruffled his sister's hair. She gave him a half smile.
'You look like you need a lot of sleep, Gin,' he commented warmly.
'I know,' she said, glancing at Harry for an instant.
'And you need it even more,' said Ron, more seriously. Harry clearly looked more tired and exhausted than any other student. He had suffered hours of extreme pain in his scar and head. And there had been the tension and worry that had been building up inside him and the tensing of his nerves.
Harry nodded at Ron's comment and closed his eyes wearily.
'Whatever happened out there today?' he wondered aloud.
'Whatever it was, I hope no one was hurt,' Hermione said worriedly. Ron nodded seriously.
'Coming up?' Ron asked, turning to go.
'In a moment,' Harry said after a moment's thought and a glance at Ginny who was looking at her hands now.
Hermione and Ron went upstairs with a quiet 'Goodnight' and Harry glanced at Ginny again. She looked up at the same time and smiled slightly. Harry thought she looked quite weak and tired but nevertheless very pretty. He reached out and placed his fingers on her cheek gently, smiling slightly. Ginny's smile widened only slightly and she looked back at him, their gazes locked. Harry forgot for the moment all the dark events of that night and all the tension and worry. Her gaze seemed so magical, so enchanting that all he could do was gaze back at her. He moved a little closer and gently moved his fingers over his cheek. She closed her eyes in response but when her eyelids lifted again, Harry was surprised to see tears lining her eyes; her smile had vanished. Before Harry could say anything, her tears grew and flowed down her face. She stood up, now sobbing and ran up the stairs to her dormitory.
Harry stared after her, pouting slightly in surprise, her name catching in his throat.
~to be continued~
Author's Notes:
Yay, chapter 20 was out earlier than expected. It so happened that my exams are almost over and I got a break before English – enough time to write this chapter. I hope it was okay and sounded fine. As I said in the last chapter, the climax is close – about 4-5 chapters away. So you'll be able to work out the mystery soon if you haven't already. :)
The next chapter will be out soon – I hope it will this coming weekend, that is by Saturday evening. My exams are over by then.
In the mean time, do keep reviewing and giving me your comments and views. And I won't mind if you drop a line or two at ameerak86@abba.zzn.com :)
Until Saturday, then,
See you!
Pottergirl (ameerak86@abba.zzn.com)