Harry moved silently down the corridor in his invisibility cloak. It was past midnight, thus dark and gloomy, even somewhat eerie. Even so, he felt at home.
The seventeen year old was technically sneaking around, but unfortunately, he had permission. Nowadays the teachers had enlisted prefects to help patrol the halls; Aurors patrolled outside the walls. A few Order members monitered the school through other means.
He often wandered around at night anyway, so he didn't mind the job. Most didn't -the idea that they were helping to protect the school instilled a sense of pride within them, made them feel useful. There was only so much that the students could do, after all.
A buzzing in his head, which he had initially taken for a inconsequenscial, swiftly intesified; His steps faltered. He staggered to a wall and leaned against it, no longer seeing with his eyes.
A small voice saying, "Hey watch it mister!" went unheard.
During the confusing experience, he got the impression of a jungle, just briefly.
The blurred image filled with green and brown imprinted itself in his mind.
Unbeknownst to him, his eyes glowed a bright green.
When the feeling passed, he found himself staring at the wall he was leaning against, once gain aware. He didn't move for a moment, dispite the pervasive chill of the stone. He glanced around, checking to see if anyone or anything else was around. Only a few portraits, one of which was giving him a death glare.
All was quiet.
Now, suddenly, Hogwarts did seem eerie.
He swept off down the hall, deciding to see the Headmaster.
He didn't see anybody else on his way to Dumbledore's office, and soon found himself in front of the familiar stone gargoyle. For once he actually knew the password –his own personal password. "Riddle."
Instead of knocking on the office door when he reached the top of the stairs, he turned left. When he found himself in front of a tall portrait of Merlin, he took off his cloak and folded it over his arm. "Sir, are you awake? It's Harry."
After a minute the portrait swung back, and Dumbledore beckoned him inside. The man was too clear eyed for him to have been asleep when Harry called, despite the fact that he was wearing his cheerful nightclothes.
Dumbledore took a chair by the fireplace, which was already burning brightly. Harry sat across from him on the plush couch and waiting for the Headmaster to speak, as he seemed to know why Harry was here. "I assume you felt that?"
"What was that?"
Ever the teacher, Dumbledore answered. "In a way, magic connects everything. Major events make –ripples, if you will. That is what makes prophecies possible. Those with a great deal of power can feel major magical events."
"So you felt it too –but what exactly was that?"
Dumbledore frowned, "I truly don't know. However, I think I do know where it happened."
"I got the impression of a jungle."
"Whatever it was, I hope to find out. I've already contacted some operatives, and they should get there before noon –I think it would be best that they find whatever is to be found before others do."
"Such as Death Eaters," Harry said knowingly. "How many people would have felt that?"
"There is no way to know, but we felt it despite the distance involved. Perhaps that made a difference, perhaps not."
Knowing he wouldn't be able to learn any more about it tonight, Harry asked, "How are the Beauxbatons students?" Only three weeks ago the French school had been brutally attacked in a successful attempt to demoralize the French wizard community.
Voldemort was so secretive that he kept most of his plans a secret from his own Death Eaters, making it all the harder for the Order of the Phoenix to anticipate him.
"As well as can be considering the circumstances. I hear you've been learning French."
Harry smiled slightly. "Yeah, Fleur, her sister, and Hermione have all been trying to drill some of it into my head. I thought it would be a good idea, seeing as I'm Head Boy." He hadn't wanted to accept, but Dumbledore had convinced him; He took his responsibilities to heart, not wanted to disappoint Dumbledore.
"Indeed." Dumbledore stood and Harry took the cue. "Now go and get some sleep. I seem to recall that there is a Prefect meeting in the morning." The Headmaster could see the signs on the boy's face that he wasn't getting enough sleep. Harry hadn't been getting enough sleep, in fact, for years.
Nor had Dumbledore, truth be told. But he was the Headmaster and leader of the Order, and so few dared to suggest he get more sleep. Those that did were easily put off the matter, as he had his ways.
Harry winced, but it was pointless to argue, so He picked up his cloak and moved to the door. He paused, and added pointedly, "Goodnight, Sir."
Dumbledore smiled fondly after him.
