Author: Azeroth
Author E-mail: mrlindberg3h@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery, Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance
Keywords: Harry, Ginny, Voldemort, Chalice
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: For all four books
Summary: Harry begins his fifth year at Hogwarts with a female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, feelings of guilt for Cedric Diggory's death, and looking for someone to share his emotions with. Voldemort has steadily begun to build his reign of terror as a sense of urgency and vigilance goes through Hogwarts and the rest of the wizarding world.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: Answers to questions in reviews will be found at the end of each chapter from now on. Thank you so much for all the great reviews that are keeping me writing.
The Sides of Fear
Chapter 5
New Arrivals
The Burrow was alive with commotion as preparations for the beginning of the school year were taking place. In less than 24 hours they would be on their way to Hogwarts for another year at Hogwarts. The twins were busy finding all their order slips as well as trying to figure out how to sneak them past Mrs. Weasley. Harry and Ron had decided to break their tradition and actually pack most of their things a day before.
"Books, books, and more books," groaned Ron as he threw his Divination book into his trunk.
"At least we didn't have to buy any of Lockhart's books," said Harry throwing one of his socks in Ron's face.
"Hey!" Ron yelled picking up a pair of his own socks aiming for Harry, but missing his mark.
"It's a good thing you're not going to try out as a Chaser," laughed Harry.
"Let's just get all this packing done so we can play some Quidditch," said Ron turning his attention back to his pile of books. "At least I have a new dress robe," said Ron smiling, "and it's a lot better than the one with lace."
"I don't know about that," Harry said, "I thought it looked cute on you."
Ron spun around, slightly red, only to see Harry with a giant grin on his face.
"That's not funny Harry," grumbled Ron. "We didn't have enough money to buy a new one," Ron continued, "but I'm glad that Fred and George bought me this one."
"Come to think of it," paused Ron, "I wonder where they got the money?"
Harry remembered how he had given Fred and George the money from the Tri-Wizard tournament, and he had made them promise to buy Ron a new dress robe. Of course the experiments that the twins had done during the summer really left Harry thinking it might not have been such a good idea.
"They probably got it from selling some of their stuff last year," said Harry flatly.
"Yeah, you're probably right."
"Well, I'm done. What about you Ron?"
"Just one more book," Ron muttered throwing in his copy of The Dark Arts: A History.
They ran down the stairs clutching their brooms in one hand, and a Quaffle in the other. They spent the rest of the evening giving Ron some practice, and when it was time to eat supper they were sweating and starving.
"I think I'll go take a shower," panted Harry as he walked up to the bathroom feeling tired, but content.
"Hurry up! I'm starving," yelled Ron as he went into the kitchen to steal a piece of food only to find his mother's watchful eye on every morsel of food.
***
"I have called you here today to make sure everything is going according to plans," said Voldemort looking around at his circle of Death Eaters.
"I have made sure that nothing will stop us this time, by recruiting an insider at Hogwarts."
"I am ready my lord," said a figure wrapped in a black cloak.
"Come here," hissed Voldemort.
The figure made its way from the circle into the middle where Voldemort was waiting.
"Bow to your master," said Voldemort.
"Yes my lord."
"Now feel the pain," added Voldemort as he raised his wand. "Crucio!"
The dark figure let out a scream as the pain seemed to make its way through every limb. After a few seconds of agonizing pain Voldemort lowered his wand.
"Beg me not to do it again," hissed Voldemort his red eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"Please do not do it again my lord," gasped the figure. "Please...my lord."
"Hold out your arm," commanded Voldemort.
Voldemort grabbed a hold of the outstretched arm and began to murmur an incantation. He let his wand glide across the arm, which was followed by another scream. As he let go of the arm, what looked like a searing wound, was the Dark Mark. The dark figure was still bowing down when Voldemort turned around.
"You are part of us now," said Voldemort, "and you know what is expected of you."
"Yes my lord."
"Now leave! And remember," Voldemort snarled, "I have people watching you."
"Yes my lord. I will not fail you."
The circle opened as the figure walked into the woods. Mars was shining brightly and all that could be seen of the figure was a silver fang glistening in the darkness of the forest.
***
They arrived at Kings Cross and walked through to platform nine and three-quarters with ease. Harry remembered his second year when he and Ron had been forced to take Mr. Weasley's flying car to Hogwarts.
"Harry! Ron! Gin!" came a familiar voice.
Hermione was standing by the train waving madly trying to get the trio's attention.
"Hurry up so we can get a compartment!" yelled Hermione trying to get her bags on the train.
They managed to find a compartment and settled down just in time before the train began to move. Harry looked out to see Mrs. Weasley standing at the platform waving with a worried look on her face. She had been very concerned with all that had happened last year, and Ginny's nightmares hadn't made it easier for her to see her children leave home. A few nights before it was time to leave for Hogwarts she had asked Harry to try to keep an eye on all of them, but especially Ginny. Harry had promised her that he would try to keep all of them out of trouble, especially the twins.
The door slid open and Fred and George popped their heads in.
"Mum thought she got all of it," grinned Fred, "but she didn't know about our secret compartments in our trunks. OW! What did you do that for," shouted Fred.
"Well it's not a secret anymore thanks to you," said George glaring at his brother.
"Oh, well we can trust all of them not to tell Mum," said Fred scanning the compartment. His eyes stopped at Ginny who obviously had no intention of letting an opportunity like this go idly by.
"Gin, my favorite sister," smiled Fred. "What do you say? You won't tell Mum about our little secret will you?"
"That all depends," said Ginny smiling.
"We'll do anything," said the twins in chorus.
"Anything?" asked Ginny.
"Well, almost anything," said George hesitantly.
"Promise me you won't give me any trick gifts for twoyears," said Ginny, "or else I'll tell Mum."
"TWO YEARS? Ginny that's not..."
"Fine," snorted Ginny turning away.
The twins looked at each other for a brief moment before they agreed on the terms, and left to go harass someone else.
"Gin, you just keep on surprising me," said Harry smiling at her.
"Well, you learn a lot when you grow up with six older brothers," giggled Ginny.
Hermione was absorbed by her copy of The Dark Arts: A History while Ron was absorbed by Hermione. Harry exchanged a glance with Ginny only to find that she was having trouble holding back her laugh. Harry was about to give Ron a nudge when the compartment door slid open again. This time an unwelcome guest was standing in the doorway.
"If it isn't Potty, Mudblood, and the Weasels," sneered Draco.
Ron started to take out his wand, but Harry held him back.
"Not now Ron. He's not worth it," growled Harry.
"What do you know about worth Potty?" snapped Draco.
"I know you're nothing but a little ferret," said Harry still trying to keep Ron from jumping Draco.
Draco's lips formed into a thin line as he quickly withdrew a dagger from his robe.
"I warned you before Potter. You should've chosen your company more careful to begin with," said Draco angrily, "and now you'll have to pay the price."
"What are you going to do Malfoy? Use your knife on me?" said Harry feeling his anger building inside.
"When the time comes, I won't have to," said Draco smugly. "I warned you. Watch your back Potter."
Draco turned around and slammed the door shut.
"Just once I would like to turn him back into a ferret," scowled Ron taking his hand off his wand.
"Don't worry about it Ron," said Hermione letting her hand touch Ron's arm. "Like Harry said, he's not worth it."
"I don't care," said Ron blushing, "nobody treats my friends or you that way."
Both Harry and Ginny had noticed what Ron had just said, but decided not to make things worse for Ron who was already looking like he was going to explode any minute unless Hermione removed her hand from his arm. To everybody's relief she did so, but not before brushing her hand against his hand.
Ginny spent the rest of the journey looking out the window as she started thinking about her nightmares. They were getting worse. It had begun with her remembering small fragments of what had happened during her first year, but lately the dreams had become very real, and sometimes the outcome had been different. She shuddered to think that Harry and her would have died in that chamber. What scared her the most was not Voldemort or the Baselisk. She knew that Dumbledore had said that older and wiser wizards had been fooled by Voldemort, but she had done everything he had commanded. She had followed the orders of a book. "I'm so stupid," she thought to herself. "If a book can do this to me, then imagine what he could do if..." she broke of her thought shuddering.
Harry had been watching Ginny as she had been staring out the window apparently fascinated by the green pastures. He had seen her wince and shudder, and he knew what she was thinking about.
"Gin," he said softly startling her, "do you want to go with me and pick up something to eat?"
"Um, sure Harry."
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione.
"Do you want anything?"
"A couple of chocolate frogs wouldn't be bad," said Ron looking at his corned beef sandwich with a twisted expression.
"I just want something to drink," said Hermione taking her eyes out of her book for a second.
Harry and Ginny made their way out into the corridor and went to find the cart.
"Gin," started Harry, "what were you thinking about in there?"
"Oh, nothing," said Ginny keeping her eyes lowered.
"C'mon Gin, I know something's bothering you. Is it your nightmares?"
"Harry, I don't want to talk about it," snapped Ginny stopping and turning to face Harry.
"Gin, I'm here if you need to talk about it."
"I said I don't want to talk about it!" yelled Ginny glaring at Harry.
"Gin, I'm worried about you. Besides I think it's my time to do something for you," added Harry. "It's the least I can do."
"Harry, I..."
Harry grabbed a hold of Ginny's arms and pulled her close to him.
"Gin, please let me help you. Please talk to me," begged Harry.
Ginny felt unable to talk as Harry was pressing her against himself.
"I...I..."
She felt her resolve melt away only to be replaced with a feeling of bliss.
"I will," she whispered.
"Promise me you'll talk to me when you have another nightmare," said Harry still holding on to her.
"I promise," she said leaning closer to Harry.
"Thanks Gin," said Harry taking her into his arms and hugging her.
Ginny had closed her eyes as she couldn't believe what was just happening. Harry was actually hugging her and she didn't want the moment to end.
"Ahem!"
Harry and Ginny whirled around only to find Fred and George staring at them.
"What do you think you two are doing?" said Fred smiling.
"Yeah, if I didn't know any better I'd say something was going on," added George with a suspicious smile.
"Nothing's going on. We were just..." started Harry.
"Oh give it up!" yelled Ginny. "You won't be able to blackmail me with that," said Ginny trying to keep a straight face.
"We'll just see about that sis," said Fred turning around and grabbing George.
"For some reason I feel like you're at war with those two," said Harry scratching his head.
"If there's one thing I've learned it's not to give those two an inch," said Ginny calmly. "If you do, they'll take advantage of you."
"I guess you're right," said Harry remembering his birthday. "Let's get back to the compartment before Ron starts to suspect something," chuckled Harry.
***
As they pulled into Hogsmeade Harry could make out the enormous shape of Hagrid waiting to take care of the first year students.
"How are yeh Harry?" boomed Hagrid's voice scaring the first year students. "How was yehr sommer?"
"Well, it was the same old story at the Dursleys," said Harry, "but I spent the last month or so at the Burrow with Ron."
"Nice family them Weasleys," said Hagrid pushing a student in the right direction. "I'd best be off. Got's lots o' business ter take care of."
"I'll see you later tonight," said Harry watching Hagrid make his way through the students almost knocking one down onto the tracks.
When they finally reached the Great Hall Ron's stomach was making loud noises as they sat down at the Gryffindor table. Harry could hear the girls around each table giggle and look at him. Apparently it hadn't gone unnoticed that he had built up quite a physique during the summer. The goggling and drooling was interrupted as the doors opened to let in the first year students who would be sorted into their respective house. When the last two new students entered the Great Hall Harry's mouth dropped with the rest of the students'. In walked Fleur Delacour followed by Viktor Krum.
***
The Sorting Ceremony became a long tense affair for Harry as he watched Hermione and Ron taking turns glaring at the Fleur and Viktor. Ron was furious that Viktor Krum was here at Hogwarts, and Hermione was shooting daggers at Fleur with her eyes. "If looks could kill," thought Harry, "we'd have two bodies on our hands right now." It didn't make matters better when both Viktor and Fleur were sorted into Gryffindor. Fleur immediately made her way in between Ron and Hermione, who gave her a glare that could've rivaled the petrifying glance of a baselisk. Ron, on the other hand, almost jumped out of his seat when Viktor sat down next to Hermione, and leaned in and whispered something to her. Whatever he said made Hermione giggle and blush profusely.
"It is so nice to see you again 'arry," said Fleur, "and it is vairy nice to see you Ronald," added Fleur smiling.
"Call me Ron," blushed Ron.
"Oui, I will call you Ron zen," said Fleur happily grabbing hold of Ron's hand.
Hermione had turned her attention back to the girl from Beauxbatons. Harry could almost see the smoke coming out of Hermione's ears. He was just happy he wasn't sitting between the two of them.
"Herm-own-ninny," said Viktor. "I'm so glad to see you again."
Hermione turned around, her face still red with fury.
"Viktor," she said leaning in towards him, "I've missed you."
"I have missed you too," said Viktor letting his arm go around Hermione.
If Hermione had looked furious then Ron was looking like he was about to explode. Harry could see Ron clenching his fists as if ready to start a fight.
They were interrupted by Dumbledore who stood up from his chair as the Great Hall fell silent.
"My dear students. It is with great pleasure that I see all of you return for another year. The rules are the same as before. The Forbidden Forest is, of course, forbidden. Visits to Hogsmeade will be limited to third year students and above. The Inter-House Quidditch Cup will of course be taking place this year as there is no Tri-Wizard tournament."
At this the Great Hall erupted into cheers only to die down as Dumbledore continued.
"I am also pleased to be able to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I am sure she will provide each and every one of you with...interesting lessons," said Dumbledore with a smile curling on his lip.
At that moment the doors to the Great Hall opened and in walked a silver haired woman wearing tightly fitted black robe. Her blue eyes were focused on Dumbledore as she made her way up to the table. The boys looked like when they had seen Fleur walk into the Great Hall. Most of them were staring at her with their mouths wide open. She moved so swiftly that it almost looked as if she was floating in mid-air. When she reached the table she turned around to face the Great Hall. There was a stunned silence as the first female Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was surveying her new students.
"May I introduce to all of you, Miss Kaye Miala," said Dumbledore gesturing towards her.
There was no clapping, not a sound.
"Well, after that warm greeting, I think it's best we sit down and eat our meal," said Ms. Miala walking up to the empty chair and sitting down.
WIth slight hesitation the Great Hall broke into applause, but it was obvious this was something very unexpected. Even from Dumbledore.
The rest of the meal went smoothly and as the students filed out of the Great Hall to find their quarters, there was a buzz about the new teacher.
"She's a woman," Harry could hear Draco complaining.
"She looks fairly young," said George looking at Fred.
"And she's really good looking. Did you see the way her..." added Fred only to receive a hard punch accompanied by a glare from Angelina Johnson.
As they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady Hermione stepped up and with a worried expression said, "Slimy Snape." The door flew open to the giggling and chuckling of the rest of the Gryffindors. The discussion about the new teacher went on until it was time for everyone to retire to their respective dormatories. As Fleur made her way up to her room the Gryffindor boys stared at her climbing the stairs. Their adoring looks were of course accompinied by the less than enthusiastic glares from the girls. The same procedure, but with roles reversed, followed as Viktor went up to his room.
As Harry laid down to sleep he gently rubbed the pendant.
"This is going to be another interesting year," he thought as he closed his eyes listening to Ron snoring.
End of Chapter 5
A/N: Pronunciation guide: Miala (Me-ah-la)
Amanda: I loved the poems and thanks for writing your reviews. Keep your chin up and keep writing.
Ruth: I usually just jot down some notes every now and then. The actual story is not set in stone, but I have certain things I want to happen. Most of the time I just let the story develop itself. I was really sloppy with punctuations and commas to begin with, but I think I'm doing a better job right now...I hope.
Allison: Thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoy the new chapters.
Brynn: Mr. Weasley was there to pick up Hermione because of what is going on in the wizarding world. They didn't want to take any chances as Hermione is a "Mudblood."
To everyone else: Thank you so much for the reviews and I'll try to keep my promise and post at least one chapter every week. I've been a little busy the past weeks, but nothing can stop me from writing. Well, a few things would, but that's beside the point.
