Ok, sorry I haven't updated as often as I should. I'd like to thank all the readers who've stuck with me. I think I'm pretty close to wrapping it up. The next couple of chapters will be the confrontation with Voldemort, and his subsequent demise. We'll also here more about this prophecy Dumbledore mentioned (I'd like to know myself).
Urrgggghh….my comp crashed and I lost half of this story. I had to re-write it all. I apologize if it sucks. The original was better, but I guess this one is okay. It was kind of like an editing thing. Oh well, on with the story.
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"Headmaster! What do we do?" McGonagall was almost white with fright. The Dementors were drawing closer, and Lupin had taken the lead in the formation.
"When they get closer, yell expecto patronum! And think of a happy moment!" He readied his wand, and the others did the same. Harry prepared himself, and as the Dementors came nearer, he heard it.
"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off –"
A high-pitched cackling, then a scream.
Harry tried to think of a happy memory, but could not. The only thoughts running through his mind were of the third task only months before. Snape turned his head to check on the students, but Harry's eyes were glazed over. He reached over and shook the boy's shoulder, jostling him from his trance. Harry blinked and turned to Lupin.
"Moony! I can't think of anything!" Remus turned immediately and flew to Harry's side. He nodded infinitesimally at Snape and laid his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"What about the Quidditch final your third year? You won the Cup, do you remember?" The Dementors closed in on them, and Remus rounded on them. The nine closed in, as Dumbledore had sent Mike straight to the Tower. Harry nodded and turned his attention back to the attackers. There were so many of them, and so few of them. With all the force he could muster, and completely concentrating on his elation after catching the snitch his third year, he yelled. But he wasn't alone. A chorus of voices rang out, and several silvery-white strands leapt from the wands.
The stag, larger than ever before, galloped toward a cluster of three Dementors, sending them scattering. From Remus' wand shot forth a silver wolf, and it attacked two of the nearer Dementors. He watched as a panther emerged from Snape's side, and over his head soared a silvery-white phoenix. A tiger joined Snape's panther from McGonagall's wand and the two large silver cats began pouncing on Dementors. Streams of light shot from Damon's wand, knocking over one of the dark creatures. A faint dragon, no doubt from Draco, swooped in and flew through one of the Dementors, dissipating in the process.
The Headmaster flew over to Harry's side. "Go cast with Draco. Trust me," he added at Harry's skeptical look. Harry glided back to Draco and grabbed his wrist.
"On three! One, two, three!" he yelled.
"EXPECTO PATRONUS!" Both fifth-years were knocked backwards off their brooms, and the blast that ensued threw everyone in its way aside. The orb engulfed most of the Dementors, and drew in the ones that were outside it. As it shrunk, all heard ear-piercing shrieks coming from inside. As it finally collapsed in on itself, there was nothing left to indicate the dark creatures had even been there.
Draco and Harry had picked themselves up off the ground, and were gaping in disbelief at the area where 20 Dementors once stood. The others simply stared, wide-eyed, at the two boys.
"Professor, what just happened?!?" Draco shouted.
"How did you know?" was all Harry could manage.
Dumbledore merely smiled, "Sybil, will you please go and fetch Mr. Baker from the tower and join us all in the Great Hall?" He said nothing more, just turned and walked into the castle. The others quickly followed him into the Great Hall.
The ten sat in silence, munching on their chocolate. Harry and Draco inhaled theirs, and turned to the Headmaster expectantly. Dumbledore smiled and finished his quickly. Once everyone was done, Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Minny?" The house-elf popped up next to the Headmaster, "Go into my study and retrieve the blue book from my desktop."
The house elf bowed and popped away, returning a few seconds later with the item. Dumbledore looked up.
"Maybe I should explain a few things before I show this to you. Many years ago, before the name Voldemort was ever uttered, there was a True Seer who only went by Fireget. He foretold of an evil so great, that not even death could stop it. He told that the ones to stop the evil," he turned to Draco and Harry, "were you two." Harry and Draco gaped at the old wizard, and the others merely sat stunned. Dumbledore began sifting through the book, looking for the passage. When he found it, he cleared his throat.
The love of a flower saves, and the evil fades into shadow. Many years will pass before blood and mark will restore it to power, and the souls of the past can give only passing safety. The merger long feared will come to pass, and terror will strike the hearts of even the most valiant. Only the union of lion and dragon can defeat the evil, but can only succeed with the strength of a true alliance. The legacy of the eagle reigns high, and will aid in a time of need.
Dumbledore finished and looked up at the group. Harry and Draco were staring at each other, and everyone else was gaping at them. Of course, Trelawney spoke up.
"I had the good fortune of speaking with Fireget's son. Poor dear's blinder than Miss Granger. Fireget is no doubt one of the most accurate seers of the times. Not quite as accurate as myself, but not everyone can be as gifted as I."
A snort came from the head of the table, and she whirled, hunting for the perpetrator. Harry was suspiciously interested in the fruit basket on the table, and Draco was scowling at him. Dumbledore was trying (and failing for his giggles) to look cross, Snape was smirking, and McGonagall didn't even attempt to hide her grin. Remus just shook his head.
Nodding her departure, she stood and swept out of the room defiantly. Dumbledore recomposed himself and looked sternly at Harry.
"5 points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter," he made sure Trelawney heard it, then turned back to the group. "Do not mock professors of this school in front of them." That ever-present twinkle was shining brightly.
"Now that the unpleasantries are over with, I would like to discuss our course of action over the next weeks as we await the return of the students." Damon raised his hand, "Yes, Mr. Sonati?"
"Well, as tomorrow is Boxing Day, I was thinking we could carry out the Muggle tradition. Just between the students and teachers of course." Snape looked up in horror, and Remus grinned. This one was clever; but then again, he was a Ravenclaw. Harry looked a little confused, as did Draco, but for two different reasons. Harry had never really been exposed to anything growing up, while Draco was raised avoiding the "stupid Muggle garbage."
Dumbledore's twinkle grew tenfold, and Snape knew he was doomed. McGonagall was looking a little confused herself, and Remus was now grinning like a lunatic.
"Very well," Dumbledore said calmly, "starting midnight tonight, and lasting through eleven fifty-nine pm tomorrow night, the teachers and students shall switch places." He waved his wand and two hats appeared. "This is the teacher hat, and this is the student hat. Slips of paper numbering one through five are in each of the hats. Everyone will draw from their respective hats and match up with your counterpart. This is who you will switch places with for a day. Have fun." Everyone came forward, some more eager than others, and drew from the hat. Harry paired up with Snape, and Draco with Dumbledore. Remus switched with Mike, McGonagall with Damon, and Jennifer defaulted to Trelawney.
"I will inform Sybil of tomorrow's events. Now please, go to your beds. Today was trying, and tomorrow proves to be its equal. Good night." The lights in the Great Hall dimmed to faint candlelight and the nine occupants broke off to their dormitories or chambers.
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Ok, this just reached a whole new level of interesting. Boxing Day!! Inspired by an episode of MASH. Thanks to Alan Alda and the Gang. Well, gotta go now. Please review and tell me what you think!