A New Danger.
Chapter 3: Secrets & a Revelation
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters or anything to do with them. They belong to their respective owners.
"M-Me?" Harry croaked, Shocked as he took a step back. He opened his mouth to speak but there seemed to be something wrong with his voice. Hermione took this as an act of revulsion & fled, sobbing out of the room. "Hermione wait you'll be seen!" Harry cried, finding his voice & running to the door. "Common Ron." He said, throwing the cloak over both of them & running out threw the door & down the hallway. "Parvati, have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked as they came down from their dormitory, Parvati shook her head. "No, she hasn't come in tonight, why?" She asked. "No reason." Harry said as he left for his dormitory, Parvati smiled after him.
the next morning there was no sign of Hermione at breakfast. "Maybe she came & ate before we got here?" Ron said in reassurance, Harry was still worried. When they left the great hall for their first class Professor McGonagall stopped them. "Harry, I need to speak with you." She said in an urgent & sober tone. "Tell Professor Aboule I'm coming." Harry said, Ron nodded & left. He followed after Professor McGonagall, happy that he now could match her stride for stride, they reached her office where Professor Dumbledore stood waiting, a grave expression on his face. "Please, sit Harry." Harry did as he was told & looked around at them nervously, wondering of he'd done something wrong that he didn't know about. "Harry, Miss Granger has. has gone missing." Professor McGonagall said in a strangled voice. "Wha.?" Harry faltered. "Harry, can you tell us anything?" Dumbledore said as Fawkes fluttered into the room & settled himself on the top of one of the bookshelves. "We were checking out the Mirror of Erised & she saw something that. er. made her upset, she ran out, I haven't seen her sense." Harry said,as he brushed a hand over his unruly hair. Dumbledore came around Professor McGonagall's desk & put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I think its time we send a letter to Sirius." Dumbledore said, his face very serious. "You don't think I had something to do with her disappearence!" Harry cried, jumping to his feet. "Of course not!" Professor McGonagall cried, looking utterly shocked at him even mentioning it. "No, Harry of course I don't, but I do think we need some outside help on this." He said, getting out a piece of parchment scribbled something on it, & beckoned to Fawkes. The Phoenix swooped from his perch on the top of the bookshelf & settled himself on Dumbledore's shoulder. "Now, I need you to take this letter to a Sirus Black." He said, Fawkes uttered a low pitched note, took the letter in his beak, they all watched as he flew out of sight.
Harry walked into defense against the dark arts looking utterly miserable. "Whats the matter, Potter?" Professor Moody said, coming over to stand in front of him. "Well, Hermione has gone missing, & Madam Scuie's been poisioned. I havent been any help to enyone on finding out anything on the person or thing behind the attacks." Harry said in a hopless sort of voice, Moody eyed him for a minute before answering. "Potter, you're just a kid. Now I know you don't like hearin' that but you are, & you have taken on tasks of a wizard twice your age. So don't go puttin' yourself down." He said, Harry sat down feeling a little better. "Harry! Harry, I found something!" Ron hissed from behind a bookshelf. Harry hurried around to join him, in sitting on the floor with an enormous red book open in front of him. "Isnt that the book that Hermione was checking out for a 'bit of light reading'?" Harry asked, Ron nodded. "Look there." He whispered. Harry looked to see if Madam Prince was lurking anywhere near, he followed the page down to Ron's finger & started reading out loud in a whisper. "Of all the dangerous potions available none is more debilitating than Arcmanti Ofet Atu (translated as, 'The Drink of the forever Dead'). Symptoms are: coma, short ragged breathing & cold clammy skin. The only antidote is most unusual; Basilisk poison diluted in the blood of a chinese fireball mixed with brandy." He finished. "Well. getting the blood won't be a problem All I have to do is send an owl to Charlie, he'll find it. We'll get the brandy from Hagrid, but the venom." He trailed off. "I think we should show Dumbledore what we found." Harry said, Ron marked the place with his fingers, heaved it off the table & followed Harry out. "Where do you two think you're going with that book!" Madam Prince yelled at them as they rushed to the doors. "We'll being it back!" That called over their shoulders as they ran out of the library & down the corridor. They reached the stone Gargoyle Harry prayed that it would still be the same. "b-butterbeer?." Harry gasped. It jumped aside & they thundered up the stairs & threw open the door. "Professor Dumbledore! We found the answer!" Professor McGonagall started as they came rushing in. "Why are you two making all the racket? What's going on?" She asked, eyeing them suspisoiusly over her spectacles. Ron heaved the huge red book (place still marked with a finger) on to Dumbledore's desk with a loud bang that seemed to shake the whole room. "See?" Harry said, throwing it open & pointing to the passage. Professor McGonagall gasped. "I don't believe it, it's all here! The name, how to cure it. how ever did you find it!" She cried, Harry & Ron smiled. "We just did a bit of light reading." Ron said, Harry grinned. Suddenly Dumbledore appeared in the doorway, looking very worn out. "Albus, where have you been?" Professor McGonagall cried, as he heaved himself into his chair. "I've been at the ministry, seems they want me to resign from my position here if the attacks aren't stopped or If I haven't at least found a way to stop them." He said heavely. Harry smiled, turned the book around & pointed to the passage. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as he read those words was brighter than Harry had ever seen it, when he looked up his face was filled with new determination. "Okay then, this antidote it hard to get. Hard but not impossible & I'm going to need your help." Harry & Ron smiled broadly. "You have our help, just tell us what to do." Dumbledore beamed at them. "Okay, if I'm not mistaken there is a large cave north of the Forbidden Forest that a Basilisk lives in, Harry how well have your lessons been going?" Harry thoght for a minute then grinned, spred his arms & with a faint pop an eagle with gleeimg black plumage & bright green eyes stood where Harry had been, he fluttered on to Dumbledore's desk. "Wh-whoa!" Ron stammered, eyes wide as sausers. Dumbledore clapped admirably, & Professor was wearing a look of pride that none of them had ever seen before. "Well done Harry, a Black Eagle, a very nice snimal form." He said as Harry changed back. "Now let's get going, were late for herbology" Ron said, finally finding his voice.
The next day Harry awoke early & shook Ron. "Common we have to get to Dumbledore's office, it's time." He hissed, Ron nodded & clammered out of bed. They approached the gargoyle, wearing sweaters & khaki pants under their cloaks. After giving the password they rode the moving upstairs where Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall awaited them. "Ah, Harry & Ron right on time. I have a bit of good news, Miss Granger has been found. In the same shape as the others I'm afraid." he said, Harry & Ron's sprit's rose a little, at least she wasn't missing anymore. "Then we're ready, Professor." Harry said, his face very serious. Dumbledore nodded "Good, then you'll need weapons. Harry your capabilities as an animagus is a weapon in itself but in addition to that I'm sending the sorting hat." He turned to Ron. "I believe that you have something to show as well?" Ron grinned, he closed his eyes & with a faint pop, a red fox appeared." Harry was speachless, so was Professor McGonagall. "While Minerva has been working with you, I've been teaching Ron. I still remember a little bit from my teaching days." Dumbledore said with a smile as Ron changed back. "Now you both will recive armor & sheilds, & for your weapon Ron I'm giving you this." He placed a strange flute into Ron's hands; its end was shaped like the head of a rooster. "This The call of the Rooster." "Oh, the crowing of a rooster is fatal to the Basilisk." Harry said. "And, your sheilds have mirrors on the front of them. Now, put these items in these bags & off with you!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. They stuffed ther weapons in their bags (which stayed the size of a ladies' evening purse no matter how much stuff you put in them), put them around their necks & changed into animal forms. As they made their way to the window Dumbledore stopped Harry. "Here, take this whistle also. When you are in grave danger blow it & I will appear immediately." Harry nodded, bent over & spread his wings. Ron climbed onto his back, Ron wasn't a small fox, but Harry could've carried two of him. Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall watched them until they were out of sight. "Do you think they can do it, Albus?" She asked, Dumbledore looked at her. "Well, no one can tell the future, I have fired our divination teacher." He trailed off, Professor McGonagall snorted. "I never knew why you waisted time hiring her Albus, she was nothing but an old fraud." She said stiffly, Dumbledore smiled. "Now I didn't know that did I?" He said, his eyebrawl raised. Professor McGonagall smiled slightly & shook her head. "I still don't know why you hired me, I'm not nearly as good at transfiguration as you were." Dumbledore smiled. "How do you know that? You never saw me teach." He said. "But how did you teach Weasley to become an animagus? Don't you have to be one also?" Dumbledore smiled, he closed his eyes & with a pop a thin, auburn colored great horned owl hovered where the headmaster once stood. It had white markings exactly like Dumbledore's beard & hair. Professor McGonagall wore a look of shock for a split second before putting her hands on her hips. "Just when I think I know everything about you." She trailed off as he changed back. He crossed his arms & smiled. "Well if I told you everything about me there wouldn't be anything to look forward too now would there?" He said, his smile broadening. She walked over to him, wearing a sharp expression her hands still on her hips. "You still should've told me." The said, her tone slightly reproving. Dumbledore stepped forward & put his arms around her waist. "Can you ever forgive me?" He asked, Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrawl at him. "Yes, yes I suppose I can." She said as he pulled her into a kiss.
Harry & Ron reached the cave, they landed & changed. "Well, this is it." Harry said as they entered. "Harry you understand parseltongue, you tell me when it hears us." Harry nodded as they crept over bones & snake skins. They had gotten half way into the cave when Harry froze. "I smell intruders." "What?" Ron said, looking worried. "It's sensed us." Harry whispered. "Get behind that bolder!" They were just in time, something bright green & huge slithered around the corner. "I smell you, I will find you." Harry looked at Ron. "I have an idea, stay there & don't move no matter what happens." Ron nodded, his face ashen as Harry stepped out from behind the bolder & shut his eyes tight. "Hi, my name is Harry Potter & I can speak parseltougue. I mean no harm in coming here & didn't mean to desturb you, we just need er. some of your venom." He said, pulling a vile out of his pocket & held it up over his head without looking up from the ground. there was a silence before the snake spoke again. "Some of my venom? Why?" It asked suspiciously, Harry took a deep breath & started to explain. The students being attacked the only way to cure it, when he was done ther was a moment of awful silence. "I see, you didn't come to harm me?" Harry shook his head. "No, harming you is the furtherest thing from our minds." But he'd said the wrong thing. "OUR?! You brought another in here with out telling? You tricked me!" The snake lunged at Harry before he could explain, he dodged. Instead the basilisk hit the wall of the cave, causing it to shutter. Bolders fell from the roof, Ron was forced out of hiding. "What'd you do insult its mother or something!" Ron cried as they both dodged again. Harry picked up the sorting hat & reached into it, he pulled out the sword of Godric Gryffindor. "I'm going in!" He cried. As the snake struck at him he jumped onto the top of his head, gripping the serpents slick scaly neck with his knees he plunged the sword into both of it's eyes, the monster let out a terrible scream & thrashed it's head, throwing him off. Harry hit the wall of the cave. "Harry, you alright! Ron called from the other side. "Yeah, don't worry about me." Harry said, wincing as he pulled himself to his feet. The basilisk was lunging blindly at them. "I have an idea! He cried, as it lunged toward his voice he rushed to it's mouth & forced it open like one would do in a cartoon. "Hurry! Get the venom!" Harry cried, Ron picked up the vile of the ground & ran to one of the basilisk's fangs, it filled the vile in a second. Ron topped the vile. "Common Harry!" He yelled, stuffing the vile into his bag & running toward the cave's mouth. Harry jumped out of the snake's jaws & ran after Ron, snatching up his bag on the way. Harry almost reached the mouth of the cave when the basilisk lashed at them with it's tail, Harry caught a terrible blow in the back & went flying out the mouth of the cave. He landed hard on the rocky ground & felt a searing pain in his shin. He looked down to see his leg at an odd angle, his bone was poking out slightly through his pants. Blood was pouring freely in to the ground. Ron cursed, looking sick at the sight of it. " It's okay I can still fly, lucky it wasn't my arm. Ron nodded as he transformed into the red fox, they were soon off, the basilisk's screams echoed in their ears as they soared above the trees not daring to look back.
Professor Dumbledore was pacing back & forth behind his desk, Professor McGonagall was standing at the front, drumming her fingers nervously on the serface. Suddenly two figures practically fell through the open window, transforming back into their human forms as they tumbled out on to the floor. "Oh My!" Professor McGonagall cried, as they both ran to them & knelt down. "They're both exausted, unable to keep their animagus forms. Ron looks fine, other than this cut on his arm, but Harry is in bad shape." Dumbledore said. Harry had a broken leg; ankle, cuts all over & a concussion. Dumbledore waved his wand & stretchers appeared out of no where, he floated Harry & Ron onto them & by using his wand, he propelled them out of his office. Half way there, Ron opened his eyes. "Professor, Professor! We have the venom!" He cried as he tried to sit up but Dumbledore gently pushed him back down. "Ron, please lie back you've been through a lot today, I will take the vile you just rest." Madam Pomfrey wore a look of utter shock as Dumbledore magicked them both into the room. "What in the world happened!" She cried, running over to Harry's side. "I sent them on a mission, which the preformed admirably." Dumbledore said with a smile, Madam Pomfrey just shook her head & had them lifted on to hospital beds. "I wonder if Harry could stay out of here for at least one year!" She exclaimed as she tended to Harry's injuries. Dumbledore chuckled. He has been in here every year so far hasn't he? First year is was the dealing with Quirrell, his second it was a basilisk in the chamber of secrets, third it was the run-in with the dementors, & fourth he was in here numerous times because of the triwizard tournament & because of Lord Voldemort. His fifth year it was Voldemort again, he sent us all to the hospital wing that time, & now a basilisk. again." Dumbledore finished counting them off with his fingers. Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I really like Harry, I just wish I didn't have to treat him everytime he set foot in here." The said exasperatedly, glancing down at him with a worried look in her eyes. "Ah, so you do like me then." Harry said weakly, making everyone jump. "I never said that I didn't like you Harry, I just would prefer that you visit me healthy not ill!" She exclaimed, Harry smiled. Dumbledore stood up. "I must inform Severus that we have the venom, the other ingredients are already assembled." He said as he left the room.
It was a week before Halloween, all the students were growing more & more eager about the surprise Dumbledore had promised to anounce at dinner. "Maybe they're letting students teach a class of their choice!" Hermione exclaimed as they headed to charms, Harry & Ron just shook their heads & chose to say nothing. Once in Professor Flitwick's class they practiced using one spell in combination with another on several books he had placed on the edge of his desk. Each student was to stand at the opposite end of the room & summon the books, then at the precise moment say 'Halt' causing the books to fall gently one on top of another in to their outstretched arms. easier said then done. The only people that got it right were Hermione & (to everyone's surprise) Seamus Finnigan who earned 10 points each for Gryffindor. Harry managed to slow the books down, but brought them down in his head instead of in his arms. Ron Stopped them too early & they landed in a pile in front of him, it was pretty much the same with the other students. Neville got pummeled in the face by two rather large books & was escorted to the hospital wing by Dean Thomas with a broken nose. But pretty much everyone else got the hang of it by the end of the lesson. They all felt pretty good with themselves as they walked to herbology. "Hello to you all!" Profesor Sprout greeted as they stepped into greenhouse three. "Now," she said as everyone sat down. "today you will be learning how to doctor a whomping willow." There was a sharp intake of breath around the classroom. "What!" Harry cried. "Whomping willows." Professor Sprout repeated calmly. "Not to worry, we'll be starting on seedlings for now." She pulled out a tray that contained several rows trees no more than a half of an inch thick & a little over a foot tall. They were all flailiong their minute branches. Harry knew it was only a matter of time before they grew to a deadly size. Professor Sprout paired them up & gave each team a plant. "Of course these wont kill yet, but you still can get some nasty cuts from them. I can't hand out gloves, the work is too tedious & delicate." She said as they got started.
Nearly everyone had cuts on their hands & arms as they headed to their classes. Harry & Ron's hands seemed to have gotten a particularly bad beating, they were chafed, & raw with deep red cuts all over them. They tried their best to hide them as they walked into Professor McGonagall's classroom, but unfortantely she took notice at once. "What in the world.!" "baby whomping willows, Professor." Harry & Ron said in unision as they sat down, careful not to bump their hands on anything. Harry quickly dabbed at a rather large lesion on his wrist that was oozing blood as Professor McGonagall came around her desk to stand in front of their table. "I see, maybe you should go to the hospital wing." She said, Harry & Ron shook their heads. "No, we'll be okay." They said, not wanting to listen to Madam Pomfrey go on about how they're always injured. But as the class went on it was plain that their hands was indeed giving them a lot of trouble indeed, it was agony to try & hold their wands or write with their quills. In the end, Professor McGonagall shooed them away to the hospital wing.
The moment that everyone had been anticipating had arrived, Dumbledore stood up. Never before was the great hall quieter than it was now. "As all of you know, I have arranged for something special on Halloween." He said, everyone leaned further forward on bated breath, making sure they wouldn't miss a word. "I usually invite the services of a band for our entertainment, but for a little bit of a twist I'm going to let the students be our entertainment this year." Everyone started muttering at once. "That means, group & solo performances, & yes, I'll even allow people to stand up & tell jokes if they would like. All entries will be run by me before going on to the list of performers." He sat back down. "Can you believe it! We get to create our own entertainment!" Ron cried as they entered the comon room. "I have an idea, it involves me, you & Hermione." "Huh.?" Ron started. "What involves me?" Came Hermione's voice as Harry & Ron stood up from their seats in front of the fire. "Well I was thinking of doing something with the three of us, like a song or something." Harry said, Hermione smiled. "Okay, but can I pick the song?" She asked, Harry looked at Ron who shrugged. "Sure, you're the one who has access to lots of muggle songs, I think that everyone's heard all the songs I know." He said, Hermione beamed at them. "Harry! Ron I think I have our songs, sent an owl to mum & dad last night." Hermione whispered at breakfast. "I've also got Dean playing gutiar, Seamus playing drums & Lavender Brown singing harmony. You guys are the backround." She handed Harry an assortment of papers. Harry flipped through the pages & read each title out loud; 'Get up Offa that thing', 'Ride Sally ride', 'Rollin on a River' & 'Wipe out'. He looked at her with a puzzled look on his face, she smiled. "I want to have a huge show so I thought we'd." They all leaned forward & listened to her idea.
A week later the high table was moved down off to the side against the wall to make room for a kind of a stage. All the heads of houses sat at their respective tables, the other teachers sat wherever they pleased. Madam Scuie took a seat across from Harry, she was wearing electric blue robes over a satin shirt & tie, she wore her usual bell-bottoms, thong sandles & silver hat. Dumbledore was sitting two people down from him, Professor McGonagall was siting at the front of the table closest to the stage. The lights dimmed, Parvati, Lavender & Ginny came into view under magical spotlights that could produce any pattern. They were operated by the fat friar & nearly headless Nick, with Professor Binns standing by to make sure they did everything right. They gave a stellar performance of 'You're a wild one' by someone called Anette Lovita. Harry assumed she was a witch artist. Everyone clapped & cheered, Harry Ron & Hermione stood up to whoop & holler as they sat down. Harry was surprised to find that Madam Scuie had left the table. A single blue spotlight settled on center stage, Madam Scuie rose up from the floor. Smoke leaked out from the place where she had appeared, making an errie effect. In her hands were pink & white checkered bagpipes, the mouth piece & pipes were ivory. She raised them to her lips & began to play a song called Bonnie Dundee. The haunting sounds of the music seemed to swell, filling every corner of the great hall, echoing off the walls. Even the clouds that were passing through the ceiling seemed to stop & listen. When she finished everyone jumped off their seats, Harry could see Professor Moody at the Hufflepuff table stamping his wooden leg on the stone floor & yelling himself hoarse. Professor McGonagall was on her feet, she was actually clapping & crying at the same time. Harry congratulated her as she sat back down. Suddenly the lights cut off & everything went pitch black. Shuffling sounds were heard, someone just scrambled onto the stage. "Hey! Where are we!" A male voice cried. "I thought we were supposed to be at Hogwarts School of witchcraft & wizardry!" Harry looked at Dumbledore, who wasn't making any moves to stop the strangers. "That's the last time we follow YOUR bloody directions! We'd better not be in the Forbidden Forest!" There was a pause & two thumps, the two strangers had appearently jumped off the stage. "Well we might as well see where we are, Lumos." The crowd erupted in cheers, it was Fred & George Weasley walking around below the stage. The spotlights came on, Harry could see that Professor McGonagall didn't look thrilled with this idea. "See I knew I'd get us here." Fred said proudly as he hopped back on the stage. "Yeah, well everyone gets lucky some time in their life." George said dryly. The crowd rumbled with laughter. "Well, lets get this party started!" Fred cried, more applauds & hollers came as Lee Jorden walzed out on to the stage dressed in a black tailcoat with a top hat & cane. "Well hello ladies & gents! Ready to see some magic?" Everyone cheered. Lee waved his hand & a trunk appeared. "Now, watch as I perform this dificult & dangerous task." He said seriously, brandishing his cane at the crowd. He beckoned George to come over. "Now, get in this trunk if you will & we'll begin!" George reluctantly climbed into it; Lee locked it & tilted it so it faced horizontal. then, he pulled a sword from behind his back. "Now watch as I cut this man in half!" Everyone held their breath a little as he sawed through the entire box, Harry assumed that they had never seen a muggle magician's form of magic before. He showed the sword to everyone before making it disapear again, he popped open the trunk & George climbed out unharmed. "Alright, well done!" Fred said, he started to walk over to them when his legs & torso went two different ways. Everyone howled with laughter as Fred froze & looked back. "Er. yes well that can sometimes happen, now on to the next trick!" "Lee, when I pull myself together remind me to clobber you!" Fred said as he struggled to keep his bottom half from running a muck. People in the audience were getting the hiccups from laughing. "Now I will pull a white rabbit out of this hat!" Lee pulled his hat off & tapped it twice, a flower pot dropped out of no where onto George's head. The audience roared as he shot a dark look toward Lee through the potting soil that was running down his face. Lee just gulped nervously as he turned to the audience. "Now, I will make beautiful white doves come right out of this very hat!" He tapped it once & said "Pickled Frog's liver!" Four or five eggs landed on Fred's head with a splatter. "Lee! Don't you think I have enough troubles over here!" He bellowed, holding on to his bottom half by the belt. Even Professor McGonagall, who had been sitting at the table with her arms crossed & wearing a disapproving look on her face for most of the performance, was laughing now. "And, now for my grand finale. He tapped the hat three times. "Hocus Pocus!" His hat burst into flames & disintegrated into ashes. "That's it! Were outa here!" George said as he grabbed Lee by the collar of his tuxedo & dragged him off stage. "Bye everyone! Thank you for a great show!" "Hey! I'm having troubles here!" Fred said as he tried to drag his bottom half off the stage. George sprinted out to help him & together they heaved it off. Suddenly Fred's legs came bounding back out onto the stage for one last bow & then proceeded to do a tap dance before being dragged off by George for good with some difficulty. People were falling off their seats laughing by now, Professor McGonagall was now crying she was laughing so hard, Harry & Ron both were on their hands & knees, slapping the floor. Just as the laughing died down Fred, George, Lee & nearly headless Nick came out for a bow. Apparently Nick had been hovering invisable above them, dropping the objects on cue. Everyone jumped up to give them a standing ovation as they exited once more. Ron nudged Harry. "Common its our turn." He hissed as he, Dean, Seamus, Hermione & Lavender exited out through the back unnoticed. The stage went black again & their was confused murmering from the crowd. Suddenly an electric gutiar was heard, then the drums joined in. Hermione & Lavender stood on opposite sides of the stage, sending multicolored sparks out of their wands that lit up everything. Then, the spotlights came on. Hermione stepped up to center stage. "Get up offa that thing (sorry, that's how the lyrics are written)! & dance til you fell better! Get up offa that thing, try & release the pressure!" Dean stepped up beside Hermione for his gutiar solo. Then right in cue, Seamus joined in with the drums. "Get up offa that thing." "& dance til you fell better!" Harry & Ron echoed Hermione & lavender. "Get up offa that thing." "Try & release the pressure!" Parvati & Ginny ran out & started dancing below the stage, others followed suit including Professor Abdoule & Madam Scuie, Professor Sprout & Professor Sinistra danced as a pair. Professor Dumbledore lead a rather reluctant Professor McGonagall out to dance. There was an instrumental pause & then the whole group joined in with Hermione as the lead. "Everyone around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer's here & the time is right. were dancin' in the street!" "Dancin' in the street." "Now waaaiiit a minute!" "& 1-2, 1-2-3." Levender counted off & they changed tempo immediately. Most of the people on the dace floor had no problem with this what so ever, Professor Abdoule & Madam Scuie were cutting up the floor. Dumbledore was doing a type of dance that definatly would tire out anyone else, Professor McGonagall was trying to follow him but was having trouble keeping up. "Ride sally ride!" Yelled Hermione. "Oh Yeah!" Answered Harry & Ron. "Ride sally ride!" They went into full song. "Dance to the music!" "Common everyone, if you know it sing! We know you teachers have that talent now common don't be shy!" Lavender said, "If you dont know the words you will by the time we get through!" She added. "Now everyone. dance to the music! Dance to the music!" "I said ride sally ride!" Hermione joined in. " Oh yeah." Harry cut in. Suddenly, Harry, Ron & Lavender all got in one line beside Hermione at center stage & started a dance. "Rollin' rollin' rollin on a river!" "Livin my life in the city! Workin for a man every night & day. "Baby better keep in turnin, better keep in rollin'." Lavender & Hermione sang, the guys did backround. "Rollin! Rollin, rollin on a river!" Suddenly Dean Thomas cut in "Hahahahahahahaahaha wipe out!" Everyone else parted to give Dean & Seamus the floor. Harry & Ron, Hermione & Lavender spread out to the four corners of the stage & sent multicolored fireworks out of their wands to the beat of the song, it created a neat looking effect. Just then Ron stepped up. "I feel alllll riiiiiiiiggggght!" "Yeah, Yeah!" Harry joined in, Dean let out a long note from his gutiar & made it wail. Seamus banged a faunally on his drums, they all of the sudden stopped & the stage went black. Everyone stopped dancing & cheered as they came back on for a bow before exiting once more. They all went back to their seats, fanning themselves. "Wow Harry & Ron I didn't know you could sing like that!" Parvati cried as they made their way through the crowd to their table. "Nicely done, Potter!" Professor Moody said. "You guys brought down the house!" Madam Scuie added. Professor Sprout & Professor Sinistra gave them a thumbs-up. "All six of you should be very proud of yourselves. I haven't had that much fun sense a band called the Akhal Teke's back in the early 1940's, they sounded a lot like that." Dumbledore said with an uplifted expression on his face. "Er.what's an Akhal Teke?" Harry said. "The Akhal Teke is an ancent breed of horse that live in the deserts around centeral Asia, where it has been bred by turkmen tribes. They are known for their stamina & magnificent gate, I rode one a long time ago when I was down in the dessert visiting a friend. Their very beautiful & rather hard to handle, kind of like someone else we know." He said with a whisper, glancing at Professor McGonagall. They all sniggered.
The next few weeks they couldn't go anywhere without someone staring, congratulating, or in Harry & Ron's case, a bunch of girls swooning. "Damn, this week's the first hogsmeade visit & I'm looking forward to it, just to get away from here." Ron said as they walked to the re-enlisted class of divination. They stepped out to the courtyard & looked around, their new teacher should be meeting them here. Others from the class had arrived, it seemed that they were having yet another class with the Slytherins. A figure came toward them, taking short strides. It was Madam Scuie, with her broom in hand. "Hi all, well our class is up that tree, one level above my office now common follow me!" "Er. Ma'am? I don't know how to fly on a broom, how will I get up?" Said Pansy Parkinson, with a hint of sercasim. She was trying to desturb the class already. Madam Scuie whirled around to face her. "What did you just call me?" "Ma'am, wh." "You WILL address me as Madam Scuie, is that understood? Miss Parkinson?" "Now, no more of this 'I don't know how to ride a broom' rubbish! Professor Dumbledore told me that all of you knew how, now lets get started." And with that she kicked off the ground, the students followed her. "Man, I think we have another Profesor McGonagall on our hands!" Ron said as they sat down for lunch, Harry just chuckled.
They held their hats & coats on against the bitter cold in Hogsmeade. "Blimey! I reckon we should go to the three broomsticks for a butterbeer? I cant feel my toes anymore." Ron shouted over the wind, Harry & Hermione just nodded through chattering teeth. As Harry put his numb hand on the door handle something pushed it open. "What the." It was a dementor, Harry was feeling weak but took out his wand. "You'd better leave, I'll summon a pantronus!" The dementor paused a moment before gliding away, they pushed open the door & went straight for the bar. "Madam Rosmerta whats with the dementors again?" Harry asked, his knees shaking slightly from the encounter. "You havent heard? Petegrew escaped from Askaban." She said, they all looked shocked. "When did he escape?" Harry said, Madam Rosmerta thought a little before answering. "Hmm, it must've been back in September." Their mouths fell open. "Are you sure?" Harry asked, Madam Rosmerta nodded. "Very, the minister was in here last week talking about it. Hey, where are you three going?" They ran all the way back to Hogwarts & didn't stop until they were at the stone gargoyle. "Butterbeer." Harry choked, they all bounded up the stairs, not waiting for them to take them up & burst through the door.
End Chapter 3.
Chapter 3: Secrets & a Revelation
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the characters or anything to do with them. They belong to their respective owners.
"M-Me?" Harry croaked, Shocked as he took a step back. He opened his mouth to speak but there seemed to be something wrong with his voice. Hermione took this as an act of revulsion & fled, sobbing out of the room. "Hermione wait you'll be seen!" Harry cried, finding his voice & running to the door. "Common Ron." He said, throwing the cloak over both of them & running out threw the door & down the hallway. "Parvati, have you seen Hermione?" Harry asked as they came down from their dormitory, Parvati shook her head. "No, she hasn't come in tonight, why?" She asked. "No reason." Harry said as he left for his dormitory, Parvati smiled after him.
the next morning there was no sign of Hermione at breakfast. "Maybe she came & ate before we got here?" Ron said in reassurance, Harry was still worried. When they left the great hall for their first class Professor McGonagall stopped them. "Harry, I need to speak with you." She said in an urgent & sober tone. "Tell Professor Aboule I'm coming." Harry said, Ron nodded & left. He followed after Professor McGonagall, happy that he now could match her stride for stride, they reached her office where Professor Dumbledore stood waiting, a grave expression on his face. "Please, sit Harry." Harry did as he was told & looked around at them nervously, wondering of he'd done something wrong that he didn't know about. "Harry, Miss Granger has. has gone missing." Professor McGonagall said in a strangled voice. "Wha.?" Harry faltered. "Harry, can you tell us anything?" Dumbledore said as Fawkes fluttered into the room & settled himself on the top of one of the bookshelves. "We were checking out the Mirror of Erised & she saw something that. er. made her upset, she ran out, I haven't seen her sense." Harry said,as he brushed a hand over his unruly hair. Dumbledore came around Professor McGonagall's desk & put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I think its time we send a letter to Sirius." Dumbledore said, his face very serious. "You don't think I had something to do with her disappearence!" Harry cried, jumping to his feet. "Of course not!" Professor McGonagall cried, looking utterly shocked at him even mentioning it. "No, Harry of course I don't, but I do think we need some outside help on this." He said, getting out a piece of parchment scribbled something on it, & beckoned to Fawkes. The Phoenix swooped from his perch on the top of the bookshelf & settled himself on Dumbledore's shoulder. "Now, I need you to take this letter to a Sirus Black." He said, Fawkes uttered a low pitched note, took the letter in his beak, they all watched as he flew out of sight.
Harry walked into defense against the dark arts looking utterly miserable. "Whats the matter, Potter?" Professor Moody said, coming over to stand in front of him. "Well, Hermione has gone missing, & Madam Scuie's been poisioned. I havent been any help to enyone on finding out anything on the person or thing behind the attacks." Harry said in a hopless sort of voice, Moody eyed him for a minute before answering. "Potter, you're just a kid. Now I know you don't like hearin' that but you are, & you have taken on tasks of a wizard twice your age. So don't go puttin' yourself down." He said, Harry sat down feeling a little better. "Harry! Harry, I found something!" Ron hissed from behind a bookshelf. Harry hurried around to join him, in sitting on the floor with an enormous red book open in front of him. "Isnt that the book that Hermione was checking out for a 'bit of light reading'?" Harry asked, Ron nodded. "Look there." He whispered. Harry looked to see if Madam Prince was lurking anywhere near, he followed the page down to Ron's finger & started reading out loud in a whisper. "Of all the dangerous potions available none is more debilitating than Arcmanti Ofet Atu (translated as, 'The Drink of the forever Dead'). Symptoms are: coma, short ragged breathing & cold clammy skin. The only antidote is most unusual; Basilisk poison diluted in the blood of a chinese fireball mixed with brandy." He finished. "Well. getting the blood won't be a problem All I have to do is send an owl to Charlie, he'll find it. We'll get the brandy from Hagrid, but the venom." He trailed off. "I think we should show Dumbledore what we found." Harry said, Ron marked the place with his fingers, heaved it off the table & followed Harry out. "Where do you two think you're going with that book!" Madam Prince yelled at them as they rushed to the doors. "We'll being it back!" That called over their shoulders as they ran out of the library & down the corridor. They reached the stone Gargoyle Harry prayed that it would still be the same. "b-butterbeer?." Harry gasped. It jumped aside & they thundered up the stairs & threw open the door. "Professor Dumbledore! We found the answer!" Professor McGonagall started as they came rushing in. "Why are you two making all the racket? What's going on?" She asked, eyeing them suspisoiusly over her spectacles. Ron heaved the huge red book (place still marked with a finger) on to Dumbledore's desk with a loud bang that seemed to shake the whole room. "See?" Harry said, throwing it open & pointing to the passage. Professor McGonagall gasped. "I don't believe it, it's all here! The name, how to cure it. how ever did you find it!" She cried, Harry & Ron smiled. "We just did a bit of light reading." Ron said, Harry grinned. Suddenly Dumbledore appeared in the doorway, looking very worn out. "Albus, where have you been?" Professor McGonagall cried, as he heaved himself into his chair. "I've been at the ministry, seems they want me to resign from my position here if the attacks aren't stopped or If I haven't at least found a way to stop them." He said heavely. Harry smiled, turned the book around & pointed to the passage. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes as he read those words was brighter than Harry had ever seen it, when he looked up his face was filled with new determination. "Okay then, this antidote it hard to get. Hard but not impossible & I'm going to need your help." Harry & Ron smiled broadly. "You have our help, just tell us what to do." Dumbledore beamed at them. "Okay, if I'm not mistaken there is a large cave north of the Forbidden Forest that a Basilisk lives in, Harry how well have your lessons been going?" Harry thoght for a minute then grinned, spred his arms & with a faint pop an eagle with gleeimg black plumage & bright green eyes stood where Harry had been, he fluttered on to Dumbledore's desk. "Wh-whoa!" Ron stammered, eyes wide as sausers. Dumbledore clapped admirably, & Professor was wearing a look of pride that none of them had ever seen before. "Well done Harry, a Black Eagle, a very nice snimal form." He said as Harry changed back. "Now let's get going, were late for herbology" Ron said, finally finding his voice.
The next day Harry awoke early & shook Ron. "Common we have to get to Dumbledore's office, it's time." He hissed, Ron nodded & clammered out of bed. They approached the gargoyle, wearing sweaters & khaki pants under their cloaks. After giving the password they rode the moving upstairs where Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall awaited them. "Ah, Harry & Ron right on time. I have a bit of good news, Miss Granger has been found. In the same shape as the others I'm afraid." he said, Harry & Ron's sprit's rose a little, at least she wasn't missing anymore. "Then we're ready, Professor." Harry said, his face very serious. Dumbledore nodded "Good, then you'll need weapons. Harry your capabilities as an animagus is a weapon in itself but in addition to that I'm sending the sorting hat." He turned to Ron. "I believe that you have something to show as well?" Ron grinned, he closed his eyes & with a faint pop, a red fox appeared." Harry was speachless, so was Professor McGonagall. "While Minerva has been working with you, I've been teaching Ron. I still remember a little bit from my teaching days." Dumbledore said with a smile as Ron changed back. "Now you both will recive armor & sheilds, & for your weapon Ron I'm giving you this." He placed a strange flute into Ron's hands; its end was shaped like the head of a rooster. "This The call of the Rooster." "Oh, the crowing of a rooster is fatal to the Basilisk." Harry said. "And, your sheilds have mirrors on the front of them. Now, put these items in these bags & off with you!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. They stuffed ther weapons in their bags (which stayed the size of a ladies' evening purse no matter how much stuff you put in them), put them around their necks & changed into animal forms. As they made their way to the window Dumbledore stopped Harry. "Here, take this whistle also. When you are in grave danger blow it & I will appear immediately." Harry nodded, bent over & spread his wings. Ron climbed onto his back, Ron wasn't a small fox, but Harry could've carried two of him. Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall watched them until they were out of sight. "Do you think they can do it, Albus?" She asked, Dumbledore looked at her. "Well, no one can tell the future, I have fired our divination teacher." He trailed off, Professor McGonagall snorted. "I never knew why you waisted time hiring her Albus, she was nothing but an old fraud." She said stiffly, Dumbledore smiled. "Now I didn't know that did I?" He said, his eyebrawl raised. Professor McGonagall smiled slightly & shook her head. "I still don't know why you hired me, I'm not nearly as good at transfiguration as you were." Dumbledore smiled. "How do you know that? You never saw me teach." He said. "But how did you teach Weasley to become an animagus? Don't you have to be one also?" Dumbledore smiled, he closed his eyes & with a pop a thin, auburn colored great horned owl hovered where the headmaster once stood. It had white markings exactly like Dumbledore's beard & hair. Professor McGonagall wore a look of shock for a split second before putting her hands on her hips. "Just when I think I know everything about you." She trailed off as he changed back. He crossed his arms & smiled. "Well if I told you everything about me there wouldn't be anything to look forward too now would there?" He said, his smile broadening. She walked over to him, wearing a sharp expression her hands still on her hips. "You still should've told me." The said, her tone slightly reproving. Dumbledore stepped forward & put his arms around her waist. "Can you ever forgive me?" He asked, Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrawl at him. "Yes, yes I suppose I can." She said as he pulled her into a kiss.
Harry & Ron reached the cave, they landed & changed. "Well, this is it." Harry said as they entered. "Harry you understand parseltongue, you tell me when it hears us." Harry nodded as they crept over bones & snake skins. They had gotten half way into the cave when Harry froze. "I smell intruders." "What?" Ron said, looking worried. "It's sensed us." Harry whispered. "Get behind that bolder!" They were just in time, something bright green & huge slithered around the corner. "I smell you, I will find you." Harry looked at Ron. "I have an idea, stay there & don't move no matter what happens." Ron nodded, his face ashen as Harry stepped out from behind the bolder & shut his eyes tight. "Hi, my name is Harry Potter & I can speak parseltougue. I mean no harm in coming here & didn't mean to desturb you, we just need er. some of your venom." He said, pulling a vile out of his pocket & held it up over his head without looking up from the ground. there was a silence before the snake spoke again. "Some of my venom? Why?" It asked suspiciously, Harry took a deep breath & started to explain. The students being attacked the only way to cure it, when he was done ther was a moment of awful silence. "I see, you didn't come to harm me?" Harry shook his head. "No, harming you is the furtherest thing from our minds." But he'd said the wrong thing. "OUR?! You brought another in here with out telling? You tricked me!" The snake lunged at Harry before he could explain, he dodged. Instead the basilisk hit the wall of the cave, causing it to shutter. Bolders fell from the roof, Ron was forced out of hiding. "What'd you do insult its mother or something!" Ron cried as they both dodged again. Harry picked up the sorting hat & reached into it, he pulled out the sword of Godric Gryffindor. "I'm going in!" He cried. As the snake struck at him he jumped onto the top of his head, gripping the serpents slick scaly neck with his knees he plunged the sword into both of it's eyes, the monster let out a terrible scream & thrashed it's head, throwing him off. Harry hit the wall of the cave. "Harry, you alright! Ron called from the other side. "Yeah, don't worry about me." Harry said, wincing as he pulled himself to his feet. The basilisk was lunging blindly at them. "I have an idea! He cried, as it lunged toward his voice he rushed to it's mouth & forced it open like one would do in a cartoon. "Hurry! Get the venom!" Harry cried, Ron picked up the vile of the ground & ran to one of the basilisk's fangs, it filled the vile in a second. Ron topped the vile. "Common Harry!" He yelled, stuffing the vile into his bag & running toward the cave's mouth. Harry jumped out of the snake's jaws & ran after Ron, snatching up his bag on the way. Harry almost reached the mouth of the cave when the basilisk lashed at them with it's tail, Harry caught a terrible blow in the back & went flying out the mouth of the cave. He landed hard on the rocky ground & felt a searing pain in his shin. He looked down to see his leg at an odd angle, his bone was poking out slightly through his pants. Blood was pouring freely in to the ground. Ron cursed, looking sick at the sight of it. " It's okay I can still fly, lucky it wasn't my arm. Ron nodded as he transformed into the red fox, they were soon off, the basilisk's screams echoed in their ears as they soared above the trees not daring to look back.
Professor Dumbledore was pacing back & forth behind his desk, Professor McGonagall was standing at the front, drumming her fingers nervously on the serface. Suddenly two figures practically fell through the open window, transforming back into their human forms as they tumbled out on to the floor. "Oh My!" Professor McGonagall cried, as they both ran to them & knelt down. "They're both exausted, unable to keep their animagus forms. Ron looks fine, other than this cut on his arm, but Harry is in bad shape." Dumbledore said. Harry had a broken leg; ankle, cuts all over & a concussion. Dumbledore waved his wand & stretchers appeared out of no where, he floated Harry & Ron onto them & by using his wand, he propelled them out of his office. Half way there, Ron opened his eyes. "Professor, Professor! We have the venom!" He cried as he tried to sit up but Dumbledore gently pushed him back down. "Ron, please lie back you've been through a lot today, I will take the vile you just rest." Madam Pomfrey wore a look of utter shock as Dumbledore magicked them both into the room. "What in the world happened!" She cried, running over to Harry's side. "I sent them on a mission, which the preformed admirably." Dumbledore said with a smile, Madam Pomfrey just shook her head & had them lifted on to hospital beds. "I wonder if Harry could stay out of here for at least one year!" She exclaimed as she tended to Harry's injuries. Dumbledore chuckled. He has been in here every year so far hasn't he? First year is was the dealing with Quirrell, his second it was a basilisk in the chamber of secrets, third it was the run-in with the dementors, & fourth he was in here numerous times because of the triwizard tournament & because of Lord Voldemort. His fifth year it was Voldemort again, he sent us all to the hospital wing that time, & now a basilisk. again." Dumbledore finished counting them off with his fingers. Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I really like Harry, I just wish I didn't have to treat him everytime he set foot in here." The said exasperatedly, glancing down at him with a worried look in her eyes. "Ah, so you do like me then." Harry said weakly, making everyone jump. "I never said that I didn't like you Harry, I just would prefer that you visit me healthy not ill!" She exclaimed, Harry smiled. Dumbledore stood up. "I must inform Severus that we have the venom, the other ingredients are already assembled." He said as he left the room.
It was a week before Halloween, all the students were growing more & more eager about the surprise Dumbledore had promised to anounce at dinner. "Maybe they're letting students teach a class of their choice!" Hermione exclaimed as they headed to charms, Harry & Ron just shook their heads & chose to say nothing. Once in Professor Flitwick's class they practiced using one spell in combination with another on several books he had placed on the edge of his desk. Each student was to stand at the opposite end of the room & summon the books, then at the precise moment say 'Halt' causing the books to fall gently one on top of another in to their outstretched arms. easier said then done. The only people that got it right were Hermione & (to everyone's surprise) Seamus Finnigan who earned 10 points each for Gryffindor. Harry managed to slow the books down, but brought them down in his head instead of in his arms. Ron Stopped them too early & they landed in a pile in front of him, it was pretty much the same with the other students. Neville got pummeled in the face by two rather large books & was escorted to the hospital wing by Dean Thomas with a broken nose. But pretty much everyone else got the hang of it by the end of the lesson. They all felt pretty good with themselves as they walked to herbology. "Hello to you all!" Profesor Sprout greeted as they stepped into greenhouse three. "Now," she said as everyone sat down. "today you will be learning how to doctor a whomping willow." There was a sharp intake of breath around the classroom. "What!" Harry cried. "Whomping willows." Professor Sprout repeated calmly. "Not to worry, we'll be starting on seedlings for now." She pulled out a tray that contained several rows trees no more than a half of an inch thick & a little over a foot tall. They were all flailiong their minute branches. Harry knew it was only a matter of time before they grew to a deadly size. Professor Sprout paired them up & gave each team a plant. "Of course these wont kill yet, but you still can get some nasty cuts from them. I can't hand out gloves, the work is too tedious & delicate." She said as they got started.
Nearly everyone had cuts on their hands & arms as they headed to their classes. Harry & Ron's hands seemed to have gotten a particularly bad beating, they were chafed, & raw with deep red cuts all over them. They tried their best to hide them as they walked into Professor McGonagall's classroom, but unfortantely she took notice at once. "What in the world.!" "baby whomping willows, Professor." Harry & Ron said in unision as they sat down, careful not to bump their hands on anything. Harry quickly dabbed at a rather large lesion on his wrist that was oozing blood as Professor McGonagall came around her desk to stand in front of their table. "I see, maybe you should go to the hospital wing." She said, Harry & Ron shook their heads. "No, we'll be okay." They said, not wanting to listen to Madam Pomfrey go on about how they're always injured. But as the class went on it was plain that their hands was indeed giving them a lot of trouble indeed, it was agony to try & hold their wands or write with their quills. In the end, Professor McGonagall shooed them away to the hospital wing.
The moment that everyone had been anticipating had arrived, Dumbledore stood up. Never before was the great hall quieter than it was now. "As all of you know, I have arranged for something special on Halloween." He said, everyone leaned further forward on bated breath, making sure they wouldn't miss a word. "I usually invite the services of a band for our entertainment, but for a little bit of a twist I'm going to let the students be our entertainment this year." Everyone started muttering at once. "That means, group & solo performances, & yes, I'll even allow people to stand up & tell jokes if they would like. All entries will be run by me before going on to the list of performers." He sat back down. "Can you believe it! We get to create our own entertainment!" Ron cried as they entered the comon room. "I have an idea, it involves me, you & Hermione." "Huh.?" Ron started. "What involves me?" Came Hermione's voice as Harry & Ron stood up from their seats in front of the fire. "Well I was thinking of doing something with the three of us, like a song or something." Harry said, Hermione smiled. "Okay, but can I pick the song?" She asked, Harry looked at Ron who shrugged. "Sure, you're the one who has access to lots of muggle songs, I think that everyone's heard all the songs I know." He said, Hermione beamed at them. "Harry! Ron I think I have our songs, sent an owl to mum & dad last night." Hermione whispered at breakfast. "I've also got Dean playing gutiar, Seamus playing drums & Lavender Brown singing harmony. You guys are the backround." She handed Harry an assortment of papers. Harry flipped through the pages & read each title out loud; 'Get up Offa that thing', 'Ride Sally ride', 'Rollin on a River' & 'Wipe out'. He looked at her with a puzzled look on his face, she smiled. "I want to have a huge show so I thought we'd." They all leaned forward & listened to her idea.
A week later the high table was moved down off to the side against the wall to make room for a kind of a stage. All the heads of houses sat at their respective tables, the other teachers sat wherever they pleased. Madam Scuie took a seat across from Harry, she was wearing electric blue robes over a satin shirt & tie, she wore her usual bell-bottoms, thong sandles & silver hat. Dumbledore was sitting two people down from him, Professor McGonagall was siting at the front of the table closest to the stage. The lights dimmed, Parvati, Lavender & Ginny came into view under magical spotlights that could produce any pattern. They were operated by the fat friar & nearly headless Nick, with Professor Binns standing by to make sure they did everything right. They gave a stellar performance of 'You're a wild one' by someone called Anette Lovita. Harry assumed she was a witch artist. Everyone clapped & cheered, Harry Ron & Hermione stood up to whoop & holler as they sat down. Harry was surprised to find that Madam Scuie had left the table. A single blue spotlight settled on center stage, Madam Scuie rose up from the floor. Smoke leaked out from the place where she had appeared, making an errie effect. In her hands were pink & white checkered bagpipes, the mouth piece & pipes were ivory. She raised them to her lips & began to play a song called Bonnie Dundee. The haunting sounds of the music seemed to swell, filling every corner of the great hall, echoing off the walls. Even the clouds that were passing through the ceiling seemed to stop & listen. When she finished everyone jumped off their seats, Harry could see Professor Moody at the Hufflepuff table stamping his wooden leg on the stone floor & yelling himself hoarse. Professor McGonagall was on her feet, she was actually clapping & crying at the same time. Harry congratulated her as she sat back down. Suddenly the lights cut off & everything went pitch black. Shuffling sounds were heard, someone just scrambled onto the stage. "Hey! Where are we!" A male voice cried. "I thought we were supposed to be at Hogwarts School of witchcraft & wizardry!" Harry looked at Dumbledore, who wasn't making any moves to stop the strangers. "That's the last time we follow YOUR bloody directions! We'd better not be in the Forbidden Forest!" There was a pause & two thumps, the two strangers had appearently jumped off the stage. "Well we might as well see where we are, Lumos." The crowd erupted in cheers, it was Fred & George Weasley walking around below the stage. The spotlights came on, Harry could see that Professor McGonagall didn't look thrilled with this idea. "See I knew I'd get us here." Fred said proudly as he hopped back on the stage. "Yeah, well everyone gets lucky some time in their life." George said dryly. The crowd rumbled with laughter. "Well, lets get this party started!" Fred cried, more applauds & hollers came as Lee Jorden walzed out on to the stage dressed in a black tailcoat with a top hat & cane. "Well hello ladies & gents! Ready to see some magic?" Everyone cheered. Lee waved his hand & a trunk appeared. "Now, watch as I perform this dificult & dangerous task." He said seriously, brandishing his cane at the crowd. He beckoned George to come over. "Now, get in this trunk if you will & we'll begin!" George reluctantly climbed into it; Lee locked it & tilted it so it faced horizontal. then, he pulled a sword from behind his back. "Now watch as I cut this man in half!" Everyone held their breath a little as he sawed through the entire box, Harry assumed that they had never seen a muggle magician's form of magic before. He showed the sword to everyone before making it disapear again, he popped open the trunk & George climbed out unharmed. "Alright, well done!" Fred said, he started to walk over to them when his legs & torso went two different ways. Everyone howled with laughter as Fred froze & looked back. "Er. yes well that can sometimes happen, now on to the next trick!" "Lee, when I pull myself together remind me to clobber you!" Fred said as he struggled to keep his bottom half from running a muck. People in the audience were getting the hiccups from laughing. "Now I will pull a white rabbit out of this hat!" Lee pulled his hat off & tapped it twice, a flower pot dropped out of no where onto George's head. The audience roared as he shot a dark look toward Lee through the potting soil that was running down his face. Lee just gulped nervously as he turned to the audience. "Now, I will make beautiful white doves come right out of this very hat!" He tapped it once & said "Pickled Frog's liver!" Four or five eggs landed on Fred's head with a splatter. "Lee! Don't you think I have enough troubles over here!" He bellowed, holding on to his bottom half by the belt. Even Professor McGonagall, who had been sitting at the table with her arms crossed & wearing a disapproving look on her face for most of the performance, was laughing now. "And, now for my grand finale. He tapped the hat three times. "Hocus Pocus!" His hat burst into flames & disintegrated into ashes. "That's it! Were outa here!" George said as he grabbed Lee by the collar of his tuxedo & dragged him off stage. "Bye everyone! Thank you for a great show!" "Hey! I'm having troubles here!" Fred said as he tried to drag his bottom half off the stage. George sprinted out to help him & together they heaved it off. Suddenly Fred's legs came bounding back out onto the stage for one last bow & then proceeded to do a tap dance before being dragged off by George for good with some difficulty. People were falling off their seats laughing by now, Professor McGonagall was now crying she was laughing so hard, Harry & Ron both were on their hands & knees, slapping the floor. Just as the laughing died down Fred, George, Lee & nearly headless Nick came out for a bow. Apparently Nick had been hovering invisable above them, dropping the objects on cue. Everyone jumped up to give them a standing ovation as they exited once more. Ron nudged Harry. "Common its our turn." He hissed as he, Dean, Seamus, Hermione & Lavender exited out through the back unnoticed. The stage went black again & their was confused murmering from the crowd. Suddenly an electric gutiar was heard, then the drums joined in. Hermione & Lavender stood on opposite sides of the stage, sending multicolored sparks out of their wands that lit up everything. Then, the spotlights came on. Hermione stepped up to center stage. "Get up offa that thing (sorry, that's how the lyrics are written)! & dance til you fell better! Get up offa that thing, try & release the pressure!" Dean stepped up beside Hermione for his gutiar solo. Then right in cue, Seamus joined in with the drums. "Get up offa that thing." "& dance til you fell better!" Harry & Ron echoed Hermione & lavender. "Get up offa that thing." "Try & release the pressure!" Parvati & Ginny ran out & started dancing below the stage, others followed suit including Professor Abdoule & Madam Scuie, Professor Sprout & Professor Sinistra danced as a pair. Professor Dumbledore lead a rather reluctant Professor McGonagall out to dance. There was an instrumental pause & then the whole group joined in with Hermione as the lead. "Everyone around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer's here & the time is right. were dancin' in the street!" "Dancin' in the street." "Now waaaiiit a minute!" "& 1-2, 1-2-3." Levender counted off & they changed tempo immediately. Most of the people on the dace floor had no problem with this what so ever, Professor Abdoule & Madam Scuie were cutting up the floor. Dumbledore was doing a type of dance that definatly would tire out anyone else, Professor McGonagall was trying to follow him but was having trouble keeping up. "Ride sally ride!" Yelled Hermione. "Oh Yeah!" Answered Harry & Ron. "Ride sally ride!" They went into full song. "Dance to the music!" "Common everyone, if you know it sing! We know you teachers have that talent now common don't be shy!" Lavender said, "If you dont know the words you will by the time we get through!" She added. "Now everyone. dance to the music! Dance to the music!" "I said ride sally ride!" Hermione joined in. " Oh yeah." Harry cut in. Suddenly, Harry, Ron & Lavender all got in one line beside Hermione at center stage & started a dance. "Rollin' rollin' rollin on a river!" "Livin my life in the city! Workin for a man every night & day. "Baby better keep in turnin, better keep in rollin'." Lavender & Hermione sang, the guys did backround. "Rollin! Rollin, rollin on a river!" Suddenly Dean Thomas cut in "Hahahahahahahaahaha wipe out!" Everyone else parted to give Dean & Seamus the floor. Harry & Ron, Hermione & Lavender spread out to the four corners of the stage & sent multicolored fireworks out of their wands to the beat of the song, it created a neat looking effect. Just then Ron stepped up. "I feel alllll riiiiiiiiggggght!" "Yeah, Yeah!" Harry joined in, Dean let out a long note from his gutiar & made it wail. Seamus banged a faunally on his drums, they all of the sudden stopped & the stage went black. Everyone stopped dancing & cheered as they came back on for a bow before exiting once more. They all went back to their seats, fanning themselves. "Wow Harry & Ron I didn't know you could sing like that!" Parvati cried as they made their way through the crowd to their table. "Nicely done, Potter!" Professor Moody said. "You guys brought down the house!" Madam Scuie added. Professor Sprout & Professor Sinistra gave them a thumbs-up. "All six of you should be very proud of yourselves. I haven't had that much fun sense a band called the Akhal Teke's back in the early 1940's, they sounded a lot like that." Dumbledore said with an uplifted expression on his face. "Er.what's an Akhal Teke?" Harry said. "The Akhal Teke is an ancent breed of horse that live in the deserts around centeral Asia, where it has been bred by turkmen tribes. They are known for their stamina & magnificent gate, I rode one a long time ago when I was down in the dessert visiting a friend. Their very beautiful & rather hard to handle, kind of like someone else we know." He said with a whisper, glancing at Professor McGonagall. They all sniggered.
The next few weeks they couldn't go anywhere without someone staring, congratulating, or in Harry & Ron's case, a bunch of girls swooning. "Damn, this week's the first hogsmeade visit & I'm looking forward to it, just to get away from here." Ron said as they walked to the re-enlisted class of divination. They stepped out to the courtyard & looked around, their new teacher should be meeting them here. Others from the class had arrived, it seemed that they were having yet another class with the Slytherins. A figure came toward them, taking short strides. It was Madam Scuie, with her broom in hand. "Hi all, well our class is up that tree, one level above my office now common follow me!" "Er. Ma'am? I don't know how to fly on a broom, how will I get up?" Said Pansy Parkinson, with a hint of sercasim. She was trying to desturb the class already. Madam Scuie whirled around to face her. "What did you just call me?" "Ma'am, wh." "You WILL address me as Madam Scuie, is that understood? Miss Parkinson?" "Now, no more of this 'I don't know how to ride a broom' rubbish! Professor Dumbledore told me that all of you knew how, now lets get started." And with that she kicked off the ground, the students followed her. "Man, I think we have another Profesor McGonagall on our hands!" Ron said as they sat down for lunch, Harry just chuckled.
They held their hats & coats on against the bitter cold in Hogsmeade. "Blimey! I reckon we should go to the three broomsticks for a butterbeer? I cant feel my toes anymore." Ron shouted over the wind, Harry & Hermione just nodded through chattering teeth. As Harry put his numb hand on the door handle something pushed it open. "What the." It was a dementor, Harry was feeling weak but took out his wand. "You'd better leave, I'll summon a pantronus!" The dementor paused a moment before gliding away, they pushed open the door & went straight for the bar. "Madam Rosmerta whats with the dementors again?" Harry asked, his knees shaking slightly from the encounter. "You havent heard? Petegrew escaped from Askaban." She said, they all looked shocked. "When did he escape?" Harry said, Madam Rosmerta thought a little before answering. "Hmm, it must've been back in September." Their mouths fell open. "Are you sure?" Harry asked, Madam Rosmerta nodded. "Very, the minister was in here last week talking about it. Hey, where are you three going?" They ran all the way back to Hogwarts & didn't stop until they were at the stone gargoyle. "Butterbeer." Harry choked, they all bounded up the stairs, not waiting for them to take them up & burst through the door.
End Chapter 3.