The Other Side of the world
"So Harry, how do you feel now that Dumbledore is too sick to protect you anymore?" Ron was eager of his friend's safety.
"Not really much feeling. I know I can defend my self against Voldemort, but I don't know what's she going to do about Dumbledore being ill."
"Harry! Didn't you hear?" asked Hermione. "She has sent out for all these wizards and witches from around the world to come out and protect the students here. Only the strongest in their classes, and only wizards between the ages of 16 and 100. She calls them scouts and I think yours, Harry, is a seventh year too."
"How do you know?" asked Ron
"I heard McGonagall and Snape talking. They said that the strongest was to protect you Harry, because it is you that you-know-who wants."
"A seventh year?"
On the other side of the world, in Sydney, Australia, Faith Ryers was at the airport.
"It isn't fair Hope! She had to pick three days before Christmas to bring the scouts in, didn't she?"
"Faith, you know they wouldn't send you if they really didn't need you. You have to go. You got the letter."
Faith pulled out the Hogwarts letter and read aloud:
"To Faith Ryers, You are being informed that you among millions of others have been selected as one of the best witches/wizards in the world. You must come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at once. Your flight and train schedules have already been selected for you. You must watch after the students at Hogwarts until our current headmaster, Albus Dumbledore recovers from a serious and recent injury. Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall."
"So what? You know that you are the best. You have a 4.0 in every subject and you understand magic better than anyone in Australia does! McGonagall was right! You are the best in the world."
"I won't be here for Christmas."
"I don't care Faith. You were chosen. You must go. Have faith, Faith."
They both giggled. They were often made fun of because their names were Faith and Hope. They didn't seem to care very much about it though.
"Would all passengers flying Outback Express flight 317 please board on platform 7? I repeat: Would all passengers flying Outback Express flight 317…" The hallow and thin voice cackled over the intercom.
"That's your flight Faith"
"I know" The friends looked sadly at each other and gave one last hug.
"See you this summer!" Faith boarded the plane and disappeared from sight.
As she flew away, she watched the coast of Australia fade beneath the clouds. She was leaving her home, her friends, her family, and for what? All for a small boy who needed to be protected from the followers of the demented wizard of the present, Lord Voldemort?
"Only a Lord to his followers. Good thing he is gone…"
About a month earlier, Lord Voldemort had tried to kill Harry Potter, reason unknown. Harry and Albus Dumbledore had finally finished him off.
However, before he died, he aimed a curse at Harry. Dumbledore dodged in front of it and diminished Voldemort's powers. Voldemort died then, but left Dumbledore seriously ill. It was all over the news headlines, TV shows, magazine articles…there wasn't a wizard who didn't know.
Even though Voldemort was dead, his followers remained and they vowed to kill Harry in memory of their master. They vowed to kill Harry in memory of their master. This was why the scouts were needed: This was why Faith was going to Hogwarts.
