Chapter Seven
The Forest Hunt
Harry awoke in the morning to the downpour of a heavy rain and distant thunder. It seemed that the storm clouds that had arrived the night before were now in full swing.
Harry quickly got ready, noticing that Dean and Seamus were already gone, and headed downstairs to the common room. There were only a few people left inside, all yawning and stretching lazily. Everyone else must already be down at breakfast, Harry thought sleepily.
After making sure he had everything he needed, Harry left through the portrait hole and began to make his way through the maze of corridors and staircases down to the Great Hall below.
The halls of the ancient castle were all lit by numerous candles and torches that attempted to shed some light through the storm-darkened corridors. Antique paintings, filled mostly by dozing witches and wizards, lined the walls, and old, rusting suits of armor were stationed throughout the castle, talking quietly to one another.
Hogwarts had always been the place that seemed most like home to Harry. He felt it was where he belonged, within its impenetrable walls, and despite the terrible danger and dark times that had descended upon the wizard world, Harry was glad to be back. Finally reaching the entrance hall, Harry stepped down the marble staircase and entered the Great Hall.
Four great long tables were arranged next to one another, one for each of the four Hogwarts Houses (Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor). The staff table at the head of the hall was set up facing the four House tables, at which, Harry noticed, most of the teachers were already gathered. The ceiling, stretched high above the Hall, was enchanted to look like the sky outside. The storm clouds cast the Hall into a near darkness that was lit only by the hundreds of candles hovering above the long tables.
Harry walked over to the Gryffindor table where he sat down next to Hermione and a rather tired-looking Ron.
"Hey, Harry," Ron greeted wearily. "Hermione was just checking over our schedules for us, making sure they're right." He paused. "It'd be a shame if we were missing a class."
This comment was rewarded with a glare from Hermione, who was studying three sheets of parchment. She gave one last satisfied sigh then handed Ron and Harry their schedules.
"It looks like we've got Care of Magical Creatures this morning and Herbology this afternoon. Perfect day for it," she muttered, glancing up at the dark sky. Harry began to look over his schedule himself.
"What's this?" he asked. "Study of Magical Artifacts?"
"Yeah, I saw that too," Hermione said between mouthfuls of oatmeal. "I think it's a new subject. I've never heard of it before. I think I might ask Professor McGonagall if I can change it to Ancient Runes, though.magical artifacts have never interested me much and I just find runes fascinating."
Ron turned his snort of laughter into a cough.
Harry turned his attention to the staff table as he began to eat his own breakfast. Professor Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher, was talking to Professor Sprout, the Herbology witch. A couple of chairs down, Harry was surprised to see a very young woman with long silvery-white hair, large blue eyes, and a very pretty smile talking to Professor Sinistra of Astronomy.
"Look, Ron!" Harry whispered. "It's Fleur!"
Ron nearly fell off his chair as he whirled around, craning his neck as his gaze searched the Hall.
"Where?" he whispered eagerly.
"There," Harry said, pointing her out at the staff table. "I guess she got that teaching job after all."
Fleur Delacour had been at Hogwarts last year, competing in the Triwizard Tournament as the champion from Beauxbatons. At the end of last year, she had said she hoped to get a teaching job at Hogwarts. Apparently, she had gotten it.
As Ron continued to stare wide-eyed and dazed at Fleur, Harry continued his look down the staff table. A couple of sets down from Fleur sat Professor Severus Snape.
The sallow-skinned, greasy-haired, hook-nosed potions professor was Harry's least favorite teacher at Hogwarts. His dislike for Snape was unparalleled by anybody (except for maybe Malfoy). But the intense ill- will was mutual. Snape hated Harry.
The potions master sat at the head table talking to no one, his sneering face set in stone as he gazed intensely out at the gathering students.
The chair beside Snape was empty and Harry realized with some surprise that it belonged to Dumbledore. The fact that the headmaster was not present was highly unusual and strangely unsettling. Dumbledore never missed a feast.
On the other side of the vacant chair sat Professor McGonagall. Her usual stern stare had returned, yet there was also a faint tiredness about her. Harry supposed she had had a long night last night.
The last two seats beyond Professor McGonagall were also both empty. He recognized the last seat to be Hagrid's, who was probably out busy with his game-keeping duties.
The Great Hall rang with the talk, laughter, and shouts of the gathered student body, most of whom were still actively discussing the events of the night before.
Harry sat, thoughtfully eating his breakfast, his mind mulling over what had happened the day before. He felt a bit overwhelmed by everything that had occurred on his first day back and was beginning to become a bit apprehensive as to what the rest of the school year would hold.
"What's taking so long?" Hermione muttered impatiently as she glanced up from her schedule and checked her watch. "The announcements should have been made by now."
"Don't worry," Ron said, looking over from the Quidditch conversation he was having with Fred and George. "The longer we sit in here, the less time we have for our classes today."
Hermione scowled but before she could reply, a hush began to settle over the Great Hall. Heads were turning toward the door as everyone lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.
Harry raised himself off his chair a few inches to get a better look.
Professor Dumbledore strode in, his face a grave mask of stone. Behind him walked a student, who Harry recognized immediately as the brown- haired boy with the new broomstick from the train station. His face was very blotchy and his robes were a wreckage. They were torn in several places and hung limply on the slouched, shuddering figure. Following the boy were two more figures, both of whom looked very grim and concerned as they watched the boy stumble in front of them. One of them was Hagrid. He looked very worn and exhausted, his crossbow still strapped across his back. The other man was smaller than Hagrid. He looked elderly but a fierce fire of determination still burned in his eyes. He was tall, nearly as tall as Dumbledore, and was pretty well-muscled considering his age. He was almost entirely bald except for a few wisps of white hair around his ears. The lines in his face suggested that this wizard had seen almost everything that the world had to offer.
Harry suddenly had a sinking feeling of unease in his stomach as he watched the small procession make their way to the head table. Something about the way they walked wasn't quite right.Something about the expressions on their faces.Something about the looks in their eyes.
When they reached the staff table, the old man and Hagrid took the two end seats and Dumbledore turned to the boy. Harry saw Dumbledore, his eyes full of a tremendous sympathy and sadness, whisper something to the student. The student nodded silently and made his way slowly over to the Gryffindor table. Harry saw upon a closer look that the boy was crying. His ragged breathing came in close, frightened gasps and he was stumbling miserably down the aisle.
The entire Hall was watched him intently. A girl with short black hair, about the same age as the boy, stood up at the Gryffindor table.
"Austin!" she cried, her face twisted into an expression of extreme worry and anxiety.
The boy stumbled to a halt, tears still running freely down his cheeks, and looked up at the girl.
Then with a terrible wail of grief, he collapsed on the floor.
The girl ran over to him, putting her arms around him, trying to help him to his feet. She was whispering comfortingly to him, but Harry noticed that she too had begun to cry. The two of them made their way back slowly to the table and took their seats, still sobbing into each other's shoulders.
Harry looked back at the staff table to find Dumbledore standing before his chair, staring out at the students. His eyes were filled with an incredible sadness and grief mingled with an intense remorse and a flicker of fury. It was hard for Harry to look at him. It made him want to start crying himself.
"Last night," Dumbledore began, his deep voice echoing throughout the silent Great Hall, "tragedy struck the Hogwarts Express."
He looked over to the Gryffindor table, where the boy still sat sobbing quietly. Harry noticed that Dumbledore's usually steady voice was shaking slightly as he spoke.
"The train was attacked and destroyed by a group of Lord Voldemort's supporters. Although it was an unexpected and terrible incident, I assume sole responsibility for what has happened."
Harry saw several teachers open their mouths as though to say something in his defense, and Hagrid nearly got to his feet. But Dumbledore continued, unaware.
"It was my responsibility to see that the Express reached Hogwarts safely. I failed."
Dumbledore lowered his head then raised it once more. There were tears in his eyes.
"It is also because of my lack of action that last night, two Hogwarts students were killed."
He bowed his head once more and allowed the effect of these words to ripple through the Hall. Harry heard Hermione gasp beside him. Several students were beginning to look over at the boy at the Gryffindor table, and a shocking realization was beginning to dawn on everyone.
"I regret to inform you," Dumbledore continued once more, and there was a definite tremble in his voice now, "that Gryffindor second-years Natalie McDonald and Tony Lyle were murdered during the attack on the Hogwarts Express."
Harry heard a girl further down the Gryffindor table give a grief- stricken scream, and the Hall was immediately chaos.
Several more screams tore through the air as students who knew the deceased broke down into tears.
Hermione sat there, hand to her mouth and eyes wide, slowly shaking her head as though not wanting to believe Dumbledore's words were true. Ron wore a stunned look on his face as he stared dumbfounded at the headmaster.
Harry's mind was whirling. Two students had been killed? Somehow it didn't seem possible. Not at Hogwarts.not under Dumbledore's protection.
But in a flash, memories, cold and sharp, came flooding back to Harry..
Cedric falling lifeless to the ground.his gray eyes, blank, expressionless, dead..
The Hogwarts Express.lying damaged and ruined on the barren tracks.dark, hooded figures stalking beside the wreckage..
Then the Dark Mark.exploding brilliantly into the night sky.its hollow, empty eyes gazing starkly down upon the scene of chaos below..
It could happen, Harry realized, the reality of it coursing through him like ice. People died here at Hogwarts. No one was safe anymore..
The frantic whispering in the Great Hall slowly died away as Dumbledore raised his head once more. "This is one of the most tragic events to ever occur at Hogwarts. If proper action had been taken on my part, beforehand, then perhaps all of this could have been avoided. And for that, I sincerely apologize with my entire heart."
The other teachers at the staff table were looking mutinous again, as though they wanted to stand up and tell Dumbledore it wasn't his fault. But no one interrupted him, and he continued.
"I would do anything to change last night's course of events, but, since what has passed, has passed, we must continue and look toward the coming school year. But before we begin, let's take a moment of silence to remember Natalie and Tony."
Dumbledore himself bowed his head, and the Hall lapsed into a complete silence. Even the crying boy seemed to have fallen still.
Harry glanced around, looking at all the somber faces staring wordlessly back at one another. The news of the two Gryffindors' deaths had come as an utter shock, and no one seemed able to believe it. Or almost no one...
Harry saw at the Slytherin table at the other end of the Hall Crabbe and Goyle laughing silently to themselves and Malfoy sneering broadly at Dumbledore's words. Harry knew that all three of their fathers were Death Eaters, and he wouldn't have been surprised if they had actually been involved in the attack on the Express.
Harry could feel an intense fury building rapidly inside him as he watched their sniggering faces. He forced himself to look away.
After about a minute, Dumbledore raised his head and began to speak in a much steadier and clearer tone.
"Welcome, everyone, to Hogwarts. Since we are running short on time this morning, I will keep this brief."
"I am pleased to inform you that we have two new teachers here this year. We welcome Professor Delacour as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Fleur gave a polite smile, "and Professor Fletcher as the teacher of our new class here at Hogwarts, Study of Magical Artifacts." The old man who had accompanied Hagrid into the Hall gave a small nod.
"Quidditch will resume as normal, and House teams may begin practicing next week."
Dumbledore's voice took on a more seriuous quality once more. "Although last night's attack was very unfortunate, you are all safe now at school. I assure you that the grounds and castle have been very well- protected, and everyone may continue through the school year like ordinary."
"Once you are finished with your breakfast, I would ask everyone to please begin making your way to your first class. I wish you luck with your studies this year."
The quiet that had descended upon the Great Hall shattered. Students began climbing to their feet and talking once more.
"Why are they leaving already?" George asked incredulously, staring at the students who were already leaving the Hall and headed to their first class.
"I know," agreed Fred in the same disbelieving tone. "It's as though they actually want to go to class."
"Well," said Hermione standing up, "we better get going. We don't want to be late."
Ron stared at her, his eyes wide and mouth open. "You have to be kidding!"
He began piling more bacon and eggs onto his plate. "I'm not through eating yet."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, fine. Stay here all morning for what I care. I'll be in Care of Magical Creatures." And with a sigh of disapproval, she got up and left.
Harry saw Ron watch her all the way out the doorway.
"So your brothers and Ginny made it back okay last night?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded. "Ginny got a few burns but she'll be okay. So what exactly happened when I was out?"
Harry told Ron the entire story he had told Dumbledore the night before. The only part he left out was the walk back to Gryffindor Tower when Hermione had put her arm around him.
"Wow," said Ron amazed, when Harry finished.
"I know," Harry agreed, "but there's a lot I still don't understand."
"Me too," said Ron. "Like why did Neville get so shaken up after the Cruciatus Curse?"
"I don't know," Harry lied. "I mean, it is Neville after all."
Harry had discovered the year before that Neville's parents had been Aurors (Dark wizard catchers). After Voldemort's defeat, they had met with a group of angry Death Eaters wanting to know where they could find their fallen master. The Death Eaters had then extensively used the Cruciatus Curse on both of them, causing them to lose their minds. They were still alive but were in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where they could no longer even recognize Neville. Dumbledore had told Harry once he had discovered the information that it was not his place to tell anyone. So Harry hadn't, not even Ron or Hermione.
He also had a strange suspicion that Neville's reaction to the curse had to do with what had happened to his parents.
"Did you know Charlie was out here with some dragons?" Harry asked Ron.
Ron nodded. "He left two days ago. Some of his buddies from Romania came back with him, and they're supposed to patrol over the grounds this year."
Harry sat, imagining what it would be like to ride a dragon. A lot different from flying a broomstick, he decided.
Ron checked his watch. "We better get going. Even though Hagrid is our teacher, let's not be late."
Harry picked up his bag and, together, he and Ron made their way out into the entrance hall.
"Potter!" a sharp voice called before they had reached the front doors.
Harry turned around to find Professor McGonagall standing at the foot of the marble staircase, beckoning him over.
"I'll just go on ahead," Ron said as he left through the front doors, casting a wary eye back toward the stern professor.
Harry walked back to Professor McGonagall.
"This won't take long," she said, "but I must inform you that you are a prefect." She paused, as though waiting for a reaction.
"Why me?" he blurted out.
Obviously this was not the reaction she was looking for. "Because I chose you," she snapped. "You should be grateful. Being a prefect is an honor. Even with your past of rule-breaking, I realized that you were still a student well-respected and listened to by your peers. Many of them look up to you and some of them even consider you a sort of 'hero'." Professor McGonagall gave a sniff that showed her disapproval of this idea but continued anyway. "Therefore, I decided that you will lead by example. You will become a prefect. You will follow the rules. You will concentrate on your studies. Any questions?"
"But Professor, I don't really want - "
"I don't care, Potter. You don't have a choice in the matter. You will do as I say, and you will follow the rules. If you decide to do otherwise," she paused, leveling her intense stare at Harry, "I will make your school life very miserable."
Harry didn't know what to say. What could he say?
He nodded.
"Good," Professor McGonagall replied shortly. "I'm glad you see things my way. I already have assurance from Miss Granger that she will comply by the rules. She can also be the one to fill you in on prefect duties. Since you are already late for class, I am not going to hold you up any longer. Good day, Potter." She spun on her heel and marched up the staircase.
Harry watched her walk away, a fiery injustice burning inside him.
It wasn't fair, he thought glumly as he exited the front doors. He didn't want to be a damn prefect.
The rain was still coming down determinedly outside. Harry put his bag over his head and took off for Hagrid's cabin at a sprint. He sloshed quickly through the flooded grounds, slipping and sliding in the mud.
"Open up, Hagrid!" Harry roared, pounding fiercely on the door, as he reached the small cabin.
He heard hurried footsteps from within then the door swung open, and Harry leapt inside.
Hagrid's cabin consisted of a single room. An enormous quilted bed sat in one corner and a table surrounded with chairs was in front of the fireplace. The room was already very crowded with the entire Care of Magical Creatures class crammed inside.
"Here yeh go, Harry," Hagrid said, tossing him a large, dry towel.
Harry took it and began to dry his sopping hair and robes.
"I figured we'd jus' stay inside today," Hagrid said, "since it's rainin' an' all."
Harry handed the towel back to him and made his way over to the warm fire. Ron and Hermione were already sitting there waiting.
The Gryffindors had Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins. Most of the Gryffindors were sitting around the table and in front of the fire, listening to some of Hagrid's stories. All of the Slytherins were huddled on the bed in the corner, talking quietly among themselves. Harry saw Malfoy look and eye him darkly as he walked in.
"Wow, Potter," Malfoy drawled so that Hagrid couldn't hear him. "I've seen half-drowned rats that look better than you do right now."
Harry ignored him.
He sat down next to Ron, who was lying down on the rug in front of the fireplace, his head propped on his elbow. He was talking to Hermione who was sitting next to him. Ron was talking.
"Like I said, I don't think you should've gone. What if something had happened to Harry while you were out of the country?"
"Oh, Ron," Hermione snapped. "Stop being stupid. It was just a friendly visit. Nothing happened between us if that's what you're -"
"So what'd you do? Did he teach you how to build a snowman?"
Hermione bristled. "You know, Ron, sometimes you can act really childish."
Ron gave his best look of innocence, but Hermione continued.
"And the reason I think you're so concerned about what happened is because you're jealous."
Ron's mouth snapped shut, and his face turned slightly pink. He opened it again as though to say something but nothing came out.
Harry jumped to Ron's rescue. "Hey guys," he said, drawing their attention to him, "what's been going on so far?"
Ron finally seemed to come back to himself and answered. "Hagrid's just been telling us about some of his hunting adventures in the Forbidden Forest."
Hagrid had taken a seat and was looking around at the small group of Gryffindors gathered around him. "Ah, now, where was I?"
"You were just telling us about the time you were looking for that injured unicorn," Lavender Brown said.
"Oh yeah," Hagrid remembered. "Let's see. That was abou' four years ago. There were unicorn's bin hurt in the Forest, see, an' I figured I'd put 'em out o' their mis'ry if I e'er found one. So one day I did. Me an' Fang were jus' out huntin' in the Forest when I saw it. It wasn' too far off an' I could tell it was limpin' pretty bad. So I followed it a little ways an' jus' as I was pullin' out me crossbow, yeh know what jumped out o' the trees?"
"A flobberworm?" Ron guessed. Everyone laughed, even Hagrid.
"No," he continued, "a werewolf."
Lavender and her best friend Parvati Patil both gave a gasp.
"It's true," Hagrid said. "He come burstin' out o' the trees an' tore the unicorn apart. Now normally, unicorns can' be killed so easily 'cause they're so magical, but this one was so weak an' couldn' hardly get away that the wolf tore it apart."
"Aw, poor thing," Lavender said sadly.
"Yeah, but I was more worried abou' meself then. It was beginnin' ter get dark an' I wasn' really sure which way was the way back so I took off runnin'. Me an' Fang ran as fast as we could but we heard it righ' behind us, an' it was getting' closer."
"Now I ain' one ter get scared real easy but righ' then I was really thinkin' it was gonna be the end. We was gettin' ter the mountains an' there wasn' hardly no place left ter go. But jus' when I though' we were through, someone saved us. An' yeh know who it was?"
"Dumbledore?" Neville ventured timidly.
"Nope. It was a centaur. Now I'd seen centaurs before but somethin' abou' this one was special. He was huge, almos' as big as me. He had long, silver hair an' beard, an' even his horse half was silver hair. His hooves were gold. But he looked really old. An' smart. Somethin' abou' him made me think this guy usually knew what he was talkin' abou'. But anyway, he came out o' this cave an' told me ter follow him. Now usually I wouldn' be trustin' strange centaurs like that but what choice did I have? I followed him."
"He led me a little ways in ter the cave ter this enormous chamber, bigger 'n the Great Hall, filled with dozens o' the other centaurs. It was like a meetin' room or somethin'."
"Wait," interrupted Seamus. "Didn't the werewolf chase you inside the cave?"
"Nah," Hagrid said. "They don' like 'em, caves. Prefer the forest instead."
"But anyway, these centaurs, they were a rough-lookin' bunch. Like a bunch o' rebels or somethin'. An' none o' them were afraid ter speak their mind, none, either. Highly unusual fer centaurs."
"Then the centaur who saved me, told me his name was Vesper. Said that one day, the school'd need their help. Said they saw it in the stars. Don' remember too much after that, must've gone unconscious. Woke up here again at me cabin, but.Oh yeah! They said somethin' abou' not carin' abou' interferin', as long as innocents were saved.whatever that meant."
The class stared at Hagrid in silence as he ended his story.
"Yep, an' it's all true." He glanced out the window. "Looks like it's still comin' down pretty good out there. Who wants tea?"
As Hagrid began making tea for the class, Ron turned to Harry and Hermione. "D'you believe that story?"
Hermione looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean 'do I believe that story?' Of course I believe it. Are you saying Hagrid's lying?"
Ron suddenly was looking as though he wished he hadn't said anything. "No," he mumbled, "it's just that you know how Hagrid likes to drink.I thought maybe he had.never mind." he muttered, looking down, embarrassed.
"Well, be that as it may, I think he's telling the truth." Hermione said in a tone that suggested it settled the matter.
"Here's yeh tea," Hagrid called as he brought over a large pot and a stack of cups.
Everyone began helping themselves, but Harry didn't want any tea. He wanted to talk to Hagrid, alone.
"Hey, Hagrid," Harry said, keeping his voice low so that no one else would hear. "Do you want to step outside where we can talk?"
Hagrid looked up at Harry. He must have seen the meaningful look in Harry's eyes because he said, "Sure, go on ahead. I'll be right there."
Harry made his way to the back door, checking to make sure no one was paying too much attention to him. Ron and Hermione were arguing over something again.
Harry stepped outside, raising the hood on his cloak to help shelter him from the rain.
He only had to wait for about a minute before Hagrid walked out, carrying his pink umbrella. He opened it so he and Harry could huddle beneath it.
"So what's on yeh mind, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
The thing was, even Harry wasn't exactly sure.
"What was my mum like, Hagrid?" he asked suddenly.
Hagrid seemed taken aback at the question. "Well," he began uncertainly, "she was very pretty. Yer father was a very lucky man. She was smart an' made friends pretty easy. In fac' I think her an' Snape used ter be pretty good friends."
"Snape?" Harry asked in surprise. "My mother was friends with Snape?"
"Yep. Why?" Hagrid asked. "Can' picture 'em as friends?"
"I can't picture Snape being friends with anyone," he blurted out before he could stop himself.
Hagrid frowned. "No, Snape had friends. Just 'cause you don' like him doesn' mean nobody ever did. He's a lot colder now than he was back then, but o' course.." Hagrid came to an abrupt stop as though fearful he had said too much.
But Harry really didn't feel like talking about Snape so he didn't press Hagrid to continue. Something was bothering him, and he didn't know what it was. Something was gnawing at him, deep inside..
"Hagrid, did you know the two students who were killed?"
"Yeah," Hagrid answered, looking puzzled at the sudden change of subject. "They were good kids. It was a little gang o' them. There was Natalie and Tony.and Emma." Harry pictured the girl with short black hair at the Gryffindor table, ".an' o' course, Austin. Yep, they were a real gang, kinda like you, Ron, an' Hermione. I talked to 'em one night after the first task las' year. It was righ' after yeh summoned yer Firebolt ter fly past the Horntail. That's all they talked abou', really impressed, they were. An' Quidditch, that's another thing they talked abou'. They all loved ter fly. I think they even said somethin' abou' wantin' ter play fer Gryffindor this year.." Hagrid trailed off, his eyes sad and remembering.
"Austin said their compartment had been one o' the firsts ter be attacked," Hagrid continued. "Said he had gone lookin' fer the snack witch when the train was flipped. He was in the compartment nex' door. Emma hadn' been in it either. She had gone lookin' fer one o' her Ravenclaw friends."
"Austin said he saw the Death Eaters come from the woods an' come inter Natalie an' Tony's compartment." Hagrid's voice lowered to a whisper, his eyes filled with tears. "He said the Death Eaters didn' say anythin' to 'em before they killed 'em. Can yeh believe it? Not a word." Hagrid shook his head sadly.
"Said one o' the Death Eaters told the other they couldn' kill the whole train o' kids like that. Word would get out of it, an' Fudge'd have an impossible time coverin' it up. That's when Austin said he ran, ran straight inter the woods an' found a spot ter hide. That's where I found him early this mornin'."
"He was a real mess, still ballin' his eyes out abou' his friends. We brough' him straigh' back ter the castle. Dumbledore was shocked. Ain' never seen Dumbledore so upset. He blamed himself fer their deaths. Other 'n Cedric las' year, an' there wasn' much he could o' done abou' that, no student's ever died at Hogwarts while he was headmaster. Says he coulda protected the train better, but the thing is, no one was really expectin' an attack on it. Thought You-Know-Who wouldn' dare do somethin' that bold yet. But He's back, Harry, an' it ain' no half-powerful imposter either. It's the real thing, an' I don' guess it won't be long before things is back like they was fifteen years ago.."
The Hogwarts Express.destroyed. Two Hogwarts students.murdered. But why? What had been the point of the attack? What did Voldemort want?
A sudden realization sunk like a chunk of ice in his stomach, and he knew. But he didn't want it to be true.It just couldn't be true.It couldn't be the reason why two innocent students were now lying in their graves..
"Why?!" Harry burst out, defeat in his voice. "Why was the train attacked, Hagrid?!"
Hagrid looked at him, a cold somber look in his eyes.
"'Cause He wants you, Harry. He's searchin' fer yeh, an' He won' rest, no matter how many people or trains get in the way,.until he finds yeh."
The Forest Hunt
Harry awoke in the morning to the downpour of a heavy rain and distant thunder. It seemed that the storm clouds that had arrived the night before were now in full swing.
Harry quickly got ready, noticing that Dean and Seamus were already gone, and headed downstairs to the common room. There were only a few people left inside, all yawning and stretching lazily. Everyone else must already be down at breakfast, Harry thought sleepily.
After making sure he had everything he needed, Harry left through the portrait hole and began to make his way through the maze of corridors and staircases down to the Great Hall below.
The halls of the ancient castle were all lit by numerous candles and torches that attempted to shed some light through the storm-darkened corridors. Antique paintings, filled mostly by dozing witches and wizards, lined the walls, and old, rusting suits of armor were stationed throughout the castle, talking quietly to one another.
Hogwarts had always been the place that seemed most like home to Harry. He felt it was where he belonged, within its impenetrable walls, and despite the terrible danger and dark times that had descended upon the wizard world, Harry was glad to be back. Finally reaching the entrance hall, Harry stepped down the marble staircase and entered the Great Hall.
Four great long tables were arranged next to one another, one for each of the four Hogwarts Houses (Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor). The staff table at the head of the hall was set up facing the four House tables, at which, Harry noticed, most of the teachers were already gathered. The ceiling, stretched high above the Hall, was enchanted to look like the sky outside. The storm clouds cast the Hall into a near darkness that was lit only by the hundreds of candles hovering above the long tables.
Harry walked over to the Gryffindor table where he sat down next to Hermione and a rather tired-looking Ron.
"Hey, Harry," Ron greeted wearily. "Hermione was just checking over our schedules for us, making sure they're right." He paused. "It'd be a shame if we were missing a class."
This comment was rewarded with a glare from Hermione, who was studying three sheets of parchment. She gave one last satisfied sigh then handed Ron and Harry their schedules.
"It looks like we've got Care of Magical Creatures this morning and Herbology this afternoon. Perfect day for it," she muttered, glancing up at the dark sky. Harry began to look over his schedule himself.
"What's this?" he asked. "Study of Magical Artifacts?"
"Yeah, I saw that too," Hermione said between mouthfuls of oatmeal. "I think it's a new subject. I've never heard of it before. I think I might ask Professor McGonagall if I can change it to Ancient Runes, though.magical artifacts have never interested me much and I just find runes fascinating."
Ron turned his snort of laughter into a cough.
Harry turned his attention to the staff table as he began to eat his own breakfast. Professor Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher, was talking to Professor Sprout, the Herbology witch. A couple of chairs down, Harry was surprised to see a very young woman with long silvery-white hair, large blue eyes, and a very pretty smile talking to Professor Sinistra of Astronomy.
"Look, Ron!" Harry whispered. "It's Fleur!"
Ron nearly fell off his chair as he whirled around, craning his neck as his gaze searched the Hall.
"Where?" he whispered eagerly.
"There," Harry said, pointing her out at the staff table. "I guess she got that teaching job after all."
Fleur Delacour had been at Hogwarts last year, competing in the Triwizard Tournament as the champion from Beauxbatons. At the end of last year, she had said she hoped to get a teaching job at Hogwarts. Apparently, she had gotten it.
As Ron continued to stare wide-eyed and dazed at Fleur, Harry continued his look down the staff table. A couple of sets down from Fleur sat Professor Severus Snape.
The sallow-skinned, greasy-haired, hook-nosed potions professor was Harry's least favorite teacher at Hogwarts. His dislike for Snape was unparalleled by anybody (except for maybe Malfoy). But the intense ill- will was mutual. Snape hated Harry.
The potions master sat at the head table talking to no one, his sneering face set in stone as he gazed intensely out at the gathering students.
The chair beside Snape was empty and Harry realized with some surprise that it belonged to Dumbledore. The fact that the headmaster was not present was highly unusual and strangely unsettling. Dumbledore never missed a feast.
On the other side of the vacant chair sat Professor McGonagall. Her usual stern stare had returned, yet there was also a faint tiredness about her. Harry supposed she had had a long night last night.
The last two seats beyond Professor McGonagall were also both empty. He recognized the last seat to be Hagrid's, who was probably out busy with his game-keeping duties.
The Great Hall rang with the talk, laughter, and shouts of the gathered student body, most of whom were still actively discussing the events of the night before.
Harry sat, thoughtfully eating his breakfast, his mind mulling over what had happened the day before. He felt a bit overwhelmed by everything that had occurred on his first day back and was beginning to become a bit apprehensive as to what the rest of the school year would hold.
"What's taking so long?" Hermione muttered impatiently as she glanced up from her schedule and checked her watch. "The announcements should have been made by now."
"Don't worry," Ron said, looking over from the Quidditch conversation he was having with Fred and George. "The longer we sit in here, the less time we have for our classes today."
Hermione scowled but before she could reply, a hush began to settle over the Great Hall. Heads were turning toward the door as everyone lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.
Harry raised himself off his chair a few inches to get a better look.
Professor Dumbledore strode in, his face a grave mask of stone. Behind him walked a student, who Harry recognized immediately as the brown- haired boy with the new broomstick from the train station. His face was very blotchy and his robes were a wreckage. They were torn in several places and hung limply on the slouched, shuddering figure. Following the boy were two more figures, both of whom looked very grim and concerned as they watched the boy stumble in front of them. One of them was Hagrid. He looked very worn and exhausted, his crossbow still strapped across his back. The other man was smaller than Hagrid. He looked elderly but a fierce fire of determination still burned in his eyes. He was tall, nearly as tall as Dumbledore, and was pretty well-muscled considering his age. He was almost entirely bald except for a few wisps of white hair around his ears. The lines in his face suggested that this wizard had seen almost everything that the world had to offer.
Harry suddenly had a sinking feeling of unease in his stomach as he watched the small procession make their way to the head table. Something about the way they walked wasn't quite right.Something about the expressions on their faces.Something about the looks in their eyes.
When they reached the staff table, the old man and Hagrid took the two end seats and Dumbledore turned to the boy. Harry saw Dumbledore, his eyes full of a tremendous sympathy and sadness, whisper something to the student. The student nodded silently and made his way slowly over to the Gryffindor table. Harry saw upon a closer look that the boy was crying. His ragged breathing came in close, frightened gasps and he was stumbling miserably down the aisle.
The entire Hall was watched him intently. A girl with short black hair, about the same age as the boy, stood up at the Gryffindor table.
"Austin!" she cried, her face twisted into an expression of extreme worry and anxiety.
The boy stumbled to a halt, tears still running freely down his cheeks, and looked up at the girl.
Then with a terrible wail of grief, he collapsed on the floor.
The girl ran over to him, putting her arms around him, trying to help him to his feet. She was whispering comfortingly to him, but Harry noticed that she too had begun to cry. The two of them made their way back slowly to the table and took their seats, still sobbing into each other's shoulders.
Harry looked back at the staff table to find Dumbledore standing before his chair, staring out at the students. His eyes were filled with an incredible sadness and grief mingled with an intense remorse and a flicker of fury. It was hard for Harry to look at him. It made him want to start crying himself.
"Last night," Dumbledore began, his deep voice echoing throughout the silent Great Hall, "tragedy struck the Hogwarts Express."
He looked over to the Gryffindor table, where the boy still sat sobbing quietly. Harry noticed that Dumbledore's usually steady voice was shaking slightly as he spoke.
"The train was attacked and destroyed by a group of Lord Voldemort's supporters. Although it was an unexpected and terrible incident, I assume sole responsibility for what has happened."
Harry saw several teachers open their mouths as though to say something in his defense, and Hagrid nearly got to his feet. But Dumbledore continued, unaware.
"It was my responsibility to see that the Express reached Hogwarts safely. I failed."
Dumbledore lowered his head then raised it once more. There were tears in his eyes.
"It is also because of my lack of action that last night, two Hogwarts students were killed."
He bowed his head once more and allowed the effect of these words to ripple through the Hall. Harry heard Hermione gasp beside him. Several students were beginning to look over at the boy at the Gryffindor table, and a shocking realization was beginning to dawn on everyone.
"I regret to inform you," Dumbledore continued once more, and there was a definite tremble in his voice now, "that Gryffindor second-years Natalie McDonald and Tony Lyle were murdered during the attack on the Hogwarts Express."
Harry heard a girl further down the Gryffindor table give a grief- stricken scream, and the Hall was immediately chaos.
Several more screams tore through the air as students who knew the deceased broke down into tears.
Hermione sat there, hand to her mouth and eyes wide, slowly shaking her head as though not wanting to believe Dumbledore's words were true. Ron wore a stunned look on his face as he stared dumbfounded at the headmaster.
Harry's mind was whirling. Two students had been killed? Somehow it didn't seem possible. Not at Hogwarts.not under Dumbledore's protection.
But in a flash, memories, cold and sharp, came flooding back to Harry..
Cedric falling lifeless to the ground.his gray eyes, blank, expressionless, dead..
The Hogwarts Express.lying damaged and ruined on the barren tracks.dark, hooded figures stalking beside the wreckage..
Then the Dark Mark.exploding brilliantly into the night sky.its hollow, empty eyes gazing starkly down upon the scene of chaos below..
It could happen, Harry realized, the reality of it coursing through him like ice. People died here at Hogwarts. No one was safe anymore..
The frantic whispering in the Great Hall slowly died away as Dumbledore raised his head once more. "This is one of the most tragic events to ever occur at Hogwarts. If proper action had been taken on my part, beforehand, then perhaps all of this could have been avoided. And for that, I sincerely apologize with my entire heart."
The other teachers at the staff table were looking mutinous again, as though they wanted to stand up and tell Dumbledore it wasn't his fault. But no one interrupted him, and he continued.
"I would do anything to change last night's course of events, but, since what has passed, has passed, we must continue and look toward the coming school year. But before we begin, let's take a moment of silence to remember Natalie and Tony."
Dumbledore himself bowed his head, and the Hall lapsed into a complete silence. Even the crying boy seemed to have fallen still.
Harry glanced around, looking at all the somber faces staring wordlessly back at one another. The news of the two Gryffindors' deaths had come as an utter shock, and no one seemed able to believe it. Or almost no one...
Harry saw at the Slytherin table at the other end of the Hall Crabbe and Goyle laughing silently to themselves and Malfoy sneering broadly at Dumbledore's words. Harry knew that all three of their fathers were Death Eaters, and he wouldn't have been surprised if they had actually been involved in the attack on the Express.
Harry could feel an intense fury building rapidly inside him as he watched their sniggering faces. He forced himself to look away.
After about a minute, Dumbledore raised his head and began to speak in a much steadier and clearer tone.
"Welcome, everyone, to Hogwarts. Since we are running short on time this morning, I will keep this brief."
"I am pleased to inform you that we have two new teachers here this year. We welcome Professor Delacour as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Fleur gave a polite smile, "and Professor Fletcher as the teacher of our new class here at Hogwarts, Study of Magical Artifacts." The old man who had accompanied Hagrid into the Hall gave a small nod.
"Quidditch will resume as normal, and House teams may begin practicing next week."
Dumbledore's voice took on a more seriuous quality once more. "Although last night's attack was very unfortunate, you are all safe now at school. I assure you that the grounds and castle have been very well- protected, and everyone may continue through the school year like ordinary."
"Once you are finished with your breakfast, I would ask everyone to please begin making your way to your first class. I wish you luck with your studies this year."
The quiet that had descended upon the Great Hall shattered. Students began climbing to their feet and talking once more.
"Why are they leaving already?" George asked incredulously, staring at the students who were already leaving the Hall and headed to their first class.
"I know," agreed Fred in the same disbelieving tone. "It's as though they actually want to go to class."
"Well," said Hermione standing up, "we better get going. We don't want to be late."
Ron stared at her, his eyes wide and mouth open. "You have to be kidding!"
He began piling more bacon and eggs onto his plate. "I'm not through eating yet."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, fine. Stay here all morning for what I care. I'll be in Care of Magical Creatures." And with a sigh of disapproval, she got up and left.
Harry saw Ron watch her all the way out the doorway.
"So your brothers and Ginny made it back okay last night?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded. "Ginny got a few burns but she'll be okay. So what exactly happened when I was out?"
Harry told Ron the entire story he had told Dumbledore the night before. The only part he left out was the walk back to Gryffindor Tower when Hermione had put her arm around him.
"Wow," said Ron amazed, when Harry finished.
"I know," Harry agreed, "but there's a lot I still don't understand."
"Me too," said Ron. "Like why did Neville get so shaken up after the Cruciatus Curse?"
"I don't know," Harry lied. "I mean, it is Neville after all."
Harry had discovered the year before that Neville's parents had been Aurors (Dark wizard catchers). After Voldemort's defeat, they had met with a group of angry Death Eaters wanting to know where they could find their fallen master. The Death Eaters had then extensively used the Cruciatus Curse on both of them, causing them to lose their minds. They were still alive but were in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where they could no longer even recognize Neville. Dumbledore had told Harry once he had discovered the information that it was not his place to tell anyone. So Harry hadn't, not even Ron or Hermione.
He also had a strange suspicion that Neville's reaction to the curse had to do with what had happened to his parents.
"Did you know Charlie was out here with some dragons?" Harry asked Ron.
Ron nodded. "He left two days ago. Some of his buddies from Romania came back with him, and they're supposed to patrol over the grounds this year."
Harry sat, imagining what it would be like to ride a dragon. A lot different from flying a broomstick, he decided.
Ron checked his watch. "We better get going. Even though Hagrid is our teacher, let's not be late."
Harry picked up his bag and, together, he and Ron made their way out into the entrance hall.
"Potter!" a sharp voice called before they had reached the front doors.
Harry turned around to find Professor McGonagall standing at the foot of the marble staircase, beckoning him over.
"I'll just go on ahead," Ron said as he left through the front doors, casting a wary eye back toward the stern professor.
Harry walked back to Professor McGonagall.
"This won't take long," she said, "but I must inform you that you are a prefect." She paused, as though waiting for a reaction.
"Why me?" he blurted out.
Obviously this was not the reaction she was looking for. "Because I chose you," she snapped. "You should be grateful. Being a prefect is an honor. Even with your past of rule-breaking, I realized that you were still a student well-respected and listened to by your peers. Many of them look up to you and some of them even consider you a sort of 'hero'." Professor McGonagall gave a sniff that showed her disapproval of this idea but continued anyway. "Therefore, I decided that you will lead by example. You will become a prefect. You will follow the rules. You will concentrate on your studies. Any questions?"
"But Professor, I don't really want - "
"I don't care, Potter. You don't have a choice in the matter. You will do as I say, and you will follow the rules. If you decide to do otherwise," she paused, leveling her intense stare at Harry, "I will make your school life very miserable."
Harry didn't know what to say. What could he say?
He nodded.
"Good," Professor McGonagall replied shortly. "I'm glad you see things my way. I already have assurance from Miss Granger that she will comply by the rules. She can also be the one to fill you in on prefect duties. Since you are already late for class, I am not going to hold you up any longer. Good day, Potter." She spun on her heel and marched up the staircase.
Harry watched her walk away, a fiery injustice burning inside him.
It wasn't fair, he thought glumly as he exited the front doors. He didn't want to be a damn prefect.
The rain was still coming down determinedly outside. Harry put his bag over his head and took off for Hagrid's cabin at a sprint. He sloshed quickly through the flooded grounds, slipping and sliding in the mud.
"Open up, Hagrid!" Harry roared, pounding fiercely on the door, as he reached the small cabin.
He heard hurried footsteps from within then the door swung open, and Harry leapt inside.
Hagrid's cabin consisted of a single room. An enormous quilted bed sat in one corner and a table surrounded with chairs was in front of the fireplace. The room was already very crowded with the entire Care of Magical Creatures class crammed inside.
"Here yeh go, Harry," Hagrid said, tossing him a large, dry towel.
Harry took it and began to dry his sopping hair and robes.
"I figured we'd jus' stay inside today," Hagrid said, "since it's rainin' an' all."
Harry handed the towel back to him and made his way over to the warm fire. Ron and Hermione were already sitting there waiting.
The Gryffindors had Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins. Most of the Gryffindors were sitting around the table and in front of the fire, listening to some of Hagrid's stories. All of the Slytherins were huddled on the bed in the corner, talking quietly among themselves. Harry saw Malfoy look and eye him darkly as he walked in.
"Wow, Potter," Malfoy drawled so that Hagrid couldn't hear him. "I've seen half-drowned rats that look better than you do right now."
Harry ignored him.
He sat down next to Ron, who was lying down on the rug in front of the fireplace, his head propped on his elbow. He was talking to Hermione who was sitting next to him. Ron was talking.
"Like I said, I don't think you should've gone. What if something had happened to Harry while you were out of the country?"
"Oh, Ron," Hermione snapped. "Stop being stupid. It was just a friendly visit. Nothing happened between us if that's what you're -"
"So what'd you do? Did he teach you how to build a snowman?"
Hermione bristled. "You know, Ron, sometimes you can act really childish."
Ron gave his best look of innocence, but Hermione continued.
"And the reason I think you're so concerned about what happened is because you're jealous."
Ron's mouth snapped shut, and his face turned slightly pink. He opened it again as though to say something but nothing came out.
Harry jumped to Ron's rescue. "Hey guys," he said, drawing their attention to him, "what's been going on so far?"
Ron finally seemed to come back to himself and answered. "Hagrid's just been telling us about some of his hunting adventures in the Forbidden Forest."
Hagrid had taken a seat and was looking around at the small group of Gryffindors gathered around him. "Ah, now, where was I?"
"You were just telling us about the time you were looking for that injured unicorn," Lavender Brown said.
"Oh yeah," Hagrid remembered. "Let's see. That was abou' four years ago. There were unicorn's bin hurt in the Forest, see, an' I figured I'd put 'em out o' their mis'ry if I e'er found one. So one day I did. Me an' Fang were jus' out huntin' in the Forest when I saw it. It wasn' too far off an' I could tell it was limpin' pretty bad. So I followed it a little ways an' jus' as I was pullin' out me crossbow, yeh know what jumped out o' the trees?"
"A flobberworm?" Ron guessed. Everyone laughed, even Hagrid.
"No," he continued, "a werewolf."
Lavender and her best friend Parvati Patil both gave a gasp.
"It's true," Hagrid said. "He come burstin' out o' the trees an' tore the unicorn apart. Now normally, unicorns can' be killed so easily 'cause they're so magical, but this one was so weak an' couldn' hardly get away that the wolf tore it apart."
"Aw, poor thing," Lavender said sadly.
"Yeah, but I was more worried abou' meself then. It was beginnin' ter get dark an' I wasn' really sure which way was the way back so I took off runnin'. Me an' Fang ran as fast as we could but we heard it righ' behind us, an' it was getting' closer."
"Now I ain' one ter get scared real easy but righ' then I was really thinkin' it was gonna be the end. We was gettin' ter the mountains an' there wasn' hardly no place left ter go. But jus' when I though' we were through, someone saved us. An' yeh know who it was?"
"Dumbledore?" Neville ventured timidly.
"Nope. It was a centaur. Now I'd seen centaurs before but somethin' abou' this one was special. He was huge, almos' as big as me. He had long, silver hair an' beard, an' even his horse half was silver hair. His hooves were gold. But he looked really old. An' smart. Somethin' abou' him made me think this guy usually knew what he was talkin' abou'. But anyway, he came out o' this cave an' told me ter follow him. Now usually I wouldn' be trustin' strange centaurs like that but what choice did I have? I followed him."
"He led me a little ways in ter the cave ter this enormous chamber, bigger 'n the Great Hall, filled with dozens o' the other centaurs. It was like a meetin' room or somethin'."
"Wait," interrupted Seamus. "Didn't the werewolf chase you inside the cave?"
"Nah," Hagrid said. "They don' like 'em, caves. Prefer the forest instead."
"But anyway, these centaurs, they were a rough-lookin' bunch. Like a bunch o' rebels or somethin'. An' none o' them were afraid ter speak their mind, none, either. Highly unusual fer centaurs."
"Then the centaur who saved me, told me his name was Vesper. Said that one day, the school'd need their help. Said they saw it in the stars. Don' remember too much after that, must've gone unconscious. Woke up here again at me cabin, but.Oh yeah! They said somethin' abou' not carin' abou' interferin', as long as innocents were saved.whatever that meant."
The class stared at Hagrid in silence as he ended his story.
"Yep, an' it's all true." He glanced out the window. "Looks like it's still comin' down pretty good out there. Who wants tea?"
As Hagrid began making tea for the class, Ron turned to Harry and Hermione. "D'you believe that story?"
Hermione looked at him, shocked. "What do you mean 'do I believe that story?' Of course I believe it. Are you saying Hagrid's lying?"
Ron suddenly was looking as though he wished he hadn't said anything. "No," he mumbled, "it's just that you know how Hagrid likes to drink.I thought maybe he had.never mind." he muttered, looking down, embarrassed.
"Well, be that as it may, I think he's telling the truth." Hermione said in a tone that suggested it settled the matter.
"Here's yeh tea," Hagrid called as he brought over a large pot and a stack of cups.
Everyone began helping themselves, but Harry didn't want any tea. He wanted to talk to Hagrid, alone.
"Hey, Hagrid," Harry said, keeping his voice low so that no one else would hear. "Do you want to step outside where we can talk?"
Hagrid looked up at Harry. He must have seen the meaningful look in Harry's eyes because he said, "Sure, go on ahead. I'll be right there."
Harry made his way to the back door, checking to make sure no one was paying too much attention to him. Ron and Hermione were arguing over something again.
Harry stepped outside, raising the hood on his cloak to help shelter him from the rain.
He only had to wait for about a minute before Hagrid walked out, carrying his pink umbrella. He opened it so he and Harry could huddle beneath it.
"So what's on yeh mind, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
The thing was, even Harry wasn't exactly sure.
"What was my mum like, Hagrid?" he asked suddenly.
Hagrid seemed taken aback at the question. "Well," he began uncertainly, "she was very pretty. Yer father was a very lucky man. She was smart an' made friends pretty easy. In fac' I think her an' Snape used ter be pretty good friends."
"Snape?" Harry asked in surprise. "My mother was friends with Snape?"
"Yep. Why?" Hagrid asked. "Can' picture 'em as friends?"
"I can't picture Snape being friends with anyone," he blurted out before he could stop himself.
Hagrid frowned. "No, Snape had friends. Just 'cause you don' like him doesn' mean nobody ever did. He's a lot colder now than he was back then, but o' course.." Hagrid came to an abrupt stop as though fearful he had said too much.
But Harry really didn't feel like talking about Snape so he didn't press Hagrid to continue. Something was bothering him, and he didn't know what it was. Something was gnawing at him, deep inside..
"Hagrid, did you know the two students who were killed?"
"Yeah," Hagrid answered, looking puzzled at the sudden change of subject. "They were good kids. It was a little gang o' them. There was Natalie and Tony.and Emma." Harry pictured the girl with short black hair at the Gryffindor table, ".an' o' course, Austin. Yep, they were a real gang, kinda like you, Ron, an' Hermione. I talked to 'em one night after the first task las' year. It was righ' after yeh summoned yer Firebolt ter fly past the Horntail. That's all they talked abou', really impressed, they were. An' Quidditch, that's another thing they talked abou'. They all loved ter fly. I think they even said somethin' abou' wantin' ter play fer Gryffindor this year.." Hagrid trailed off, his eyes sad and remembering.
"Austin said their compartment had been one o' the firsts ter be attacked," Hagrid continued. "Said he had gone lookin' fer the snack witch when the train was flipped. He was in the compartment nex' door. Emma hadn' been in it either. She had gone lookin' fer one o' her Ravenclaw friends."
"Austin said he saw the Death Eaters come from the woods an' come inter Natalie an' Tony's compartment." Hagrid's voice lowered to a whisper, his eyes filled with tears. "He said the Death Eaters didn' say anythin' to 'em before they killed 'em. Can yeh believe it? Not a word." Hagrid shook his head sadly.
"Said one o' the Death Eaters told the other they couldn' kill the whole train o' kids like that. Word would get out of it, an' Fudge'd have an impossible time coverin' it up. That's when Austin said he ran, ran straight inter the woods an' found a spot ter hide. That's where I found him early this mornin'."
"He was a real mess, still ballin' his eyes out abou' his friends. We brough' him straigh' back ter the castle. Dumbledore was shocked. Ain' never seen Dumbledore so upset. He blamed himself fer their deaths. Other 'n Cedric las' year, an' there wasn' much he could o' done abou' that, no student's ever died at Hogwarts while he was headmaster. Says he coulda protected the train better, but the thing is, no one was really expectin' an attack on it. Thought You-Know-Who wouldn' dare do somethin' that bold yet. But He's back, Harry, an' it ain' no half-powerful imposter either. It's the real thing, an' I don' guess it won't be long before things is back like they was fifteen years ago.."
The Hogwarts Express.destroyed. Two Hogwarts students.murdered. But why? What had been the point of the attack? What did Voldemort want?
A sudden realization sunk like a chunk of ice in his stomach, and he knew. But he didn't want it to be true.It just couldn't be true.It couldn't be the reason why two innocent students were now lying in their graves..
"Why?!" Harry burst out, defeat in his voice. "Why was the train attacked, Hagrid?!"
Hagrid looked at him, a cold somber look in his eyes.
"'Cause He wants you, Harry. He's searchin' fer yeh, an' He won' rest, no matter how many people or trains get in the way,.until he finds yeh."
