Barry Potter - Chapter 6 (Concluded)
That night after dinner, they all trooped up to the common room. Harry and Dean were still moaning about the quiz in Potions, Ron was finishing up his last crumpet, and Hermione was out of breath, lugging her heavy schoolbag up the stairs. When they reached the common room, they all collapsed into chairs. "God," Harry muttered, "How've we managed to get up the stairs all these years?"
"Dunno," Hermione panted back. They were all tired from their first day back, and reluctant to start their homework. Even Hermione was listening to the boys talk, stroking Crookshanks instead of getting out her books. After a while Alden came up, flopping into a chair as well. She had been everywhere all day, constantly poking her head into classes or strolling down a hall. The talk turned from classes to teachers to Quidditch. At this point, as the subject slipped away from her, Hermione pulled out a book and pointedly suggested the others start their work as well. Grumbling, the boys all pulled out parchment and textbooks, settling into their homework. Dean shot a playfully contemptuous look at Alden, who had snuggled down into her chair with a copy of Charmed Chess : The Expert's Guide to Better Chess Strategies.
"What, no homework?"
"Nope. No school for me this year..." Alden smiled sweetly. Dean muttered in mock disgust, and would have said something else, but at that moment Hermione threw a pillow at him. They all calmed down and tried again to do their homework. After about an hour, Harry threw down his Transfiguration homework in disgust.
"I'll never get it!" he complained, glowering at the blank parchment that should have an essay written on it. "It's hopeless."
"You got that right..." Ron sighed, putting down his quill and stretching. Dean nodded, yawning over his Charms notes.
Hermione, who had been done for half an hour, looked up from Hogwarts, A History, which she was rereading for the umpteenth time. She snapped the thick volume shut, saying, "What seems to be the problem?"
"I can't figure out how to write an essay on why Transfiguring a rock into an owl helped wizards during the Dark Ages." Harry explained, scowling. Hermione tutted.
"Well, it's not that hard... here, I'll help you." She crossed over to the couch, forcing Dean off the end as she settled in beside Harry. They were soon chatting in undertones about the sacristy of owls during the Dark Ages. Dean rolled his eyes as he moved his things over to another chair. He leaned over to Ron, whispering,
"Hey, do you think either of us could get Hermione's help?"
"Bet ten Galleons we couldn't."
"Really?"
"Sure."
"You're on. - Hey, 'Mione, will you help me with this?"
"No, I'm busy." Hermione shot back, eyes fixed on Harry. Dean sighed, pulling some coins out of his pocket. Alden smiled over at them.
"Do you really need help, Dean?" she asked, looking pointedly at the money as it was exchanged.
"Well, yeah." Dean grinned sheepishly. Alden put her book aside, stretched, and rose. She walked over to them and leaned on the arms of the chairs Dean and Ron were sitting in.
"What's wrong?"
"This problem, number 5: 'If you want to charm a book into flying across a space greater than 15 meters, is it better to use..."
They all sat in their little groups, musing over homework. At the end of another hour, they were all very tired and very close to being done. Dean yawned loudly, waking Ron and Alden, who had fallen asleep over while pouring over Ron's History textbook. Harry had long finished his Transfiguration essay, and was now working on his Charms homework with Hermione. Alden glanced down at her watch.
"You guys almost done?" she yawned, leaning against the back of Ron's chair.
"Very nearly..." Dean sighed, rubbing his eyes before picking up his quill again. They continued on, finishing the last details of essays and charts. With a sigh of deep relief, they all leaned back in their chairs.
"Welcome back to school..." Alden mumbled, eyes half-closed. Suddenly, they all sat straight up as they heard a sharp tap on the window. Alden was the first to recover her wits, and crossing the room she opened it. In flew Pharaon, looking just as tired as they all felt. The hawk seemed to sigh with relief as it landed on Alden's again outstretched arm. There was a piece of parchment on the leg it held out very lazily. Alden's face fell when she took it off and saw the handwriting on it. The others all watched as she pulled out a saved scrap of bacon, which Pharaon took gently. She stroked the hawk's back as it gulped down the treat, then launched it off, watching it soar up to the owlry.
She turned back into the room, gently closing the window. Crossing toward the fire, she hastily read the letter. Harry watched as her face grew grey and ashen. A single tear appeared in the corner of her green eye. It slid down her face and landed on the parchment with a splat that could be heard in the silent room. Alden looked up at the others, eyes glancing down at the letter once and then up again. They settled on Hermione, who gulped.
"Hermione..." she began, voice quiet so as not to betray emotion. Hermione's eyes grew wide as Alden fought to keep composure. Her hand instinctively sought Harry's. He squeezed it gently. The whole room seemed to be holding its breath.
"Hermione," Alden tried again, her voice a mere whisper, "I believe you knew Viktor Krum, didn't you?"
Hermione's grip tightened on Harry's hand. "Y-yes..."
"You were his girlfriend, weren't you?"
"Yes, I am..."
"You were." Alden corrected, a twang of pain in her voice. Hermione's eyes grew wider.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't want to upset you this morning, when I got the first letter," Alden explained in a falsely calm voice, "That... that letter was from the leader of the Northern Alliance Army, a dear friend of mine. You knew that Viktor was enlisted, didn't you?"
Hermione nodded dumbly, so Alden continued. "He was... injured in the fighting. They didn't think it was too serious, they thought they could save him." A second tear dripped down her cheek. "I've seen it all before. I read the letter again and again, hoping I had misread something. But each time it was the same. That note I scribbled at breakfast, it was to my friend, his leader during the attack. I sent Pharaon because he was recognizable and would get to him faster. But by the time they got my letter..."
Alden stopped. No longer able to speak, no longer able to cry, she silently handed the letter she had just received to Hermione:
"Alden-
I regret to inform you that your dear friend, Viktor Krum, died before your letter could reach me. I hope it comforts you that I was with him to the very last. Viktor was a great man, an honorable soldier. His passing has caused all of us great sorrow. I am sincerely sorry that you couldn't be with him, for he often called out your name. Please, when you are ready, inform Miss Granger, who he so often mentioned in his days of both living and dying. We ask also that you write to inform his mother of the passing, as for us the grief has struck too near to home to bear. If there is any way I can aid you in easing the pain, do not hesitate to let me know.
Yhtapmys Tseped-m,
Jens "
Hermione reread the letter, then burst into convulsive tears. She threw herself into Harry's open arms, sobbing and sobbing into his warm, strong shoulder. Alden, moved far beyond tears, sank into the sofa opposite. Ron quickly crossed over to her, gently pulling her down onto his own shoulder. She shook ever now and then, swallowing the sobs that seemed about to tear her apart, but no longer crying. Dean sat staring into the fire. He had grown quite close to Krum during his visits to Hermione during the end of the year. In the fire, Dean thought he could see himself sitting on the rolling hill behind Hogwarts with Krum and Seamus. They were all laughing and chatting about trivial things, betting who could throw a rock the farthest, wondering why there was a giant squid in the lake, laughing... laughing...
The next morning, Ginny trudged down the stairs. She found Dean asleep before the dying fire, muttering to himself about the giant squid. Next she saw Ron asleep sitting up on the couch. Alden was beside him, head tucked gently between his shoulder and his chin. Last she came upon Harry and Hermione. They were also asleep sitting up, and Harry's arm was draped loosely around Hermione's shoulder. Ginny looked more closely. She saw a letter lying forgotten at Hermione's feet. Picking it up, she scanned it and gasped. She looked around again at the little circle of friends. Deciding not to wake them, she hurried off to find a teacher, letter still clasped in her white hand.
When the portrait hole swung closed, there was a stir in the common room. Harry raised his head, glancing around the sleepy room. He felt Hermione's warm breath on his shoulder, and with a happy sigh closed his eyes again.
Alden woke with a start. Ron sighed in his sleep, his head rolling onto his other shoulder. Alden didn't move, pondering for a moment. Then she remembered what had happened the night before. With a shudder she rose, waking Ron with her movement. She looked him in the eye for a moment as he tried to remember why on Earth he had woken up to find her on his shoulder. Then the memory hit him too, and they smiled sadly at each other. Alden crossed silently over to Dean, and with a nudge and a gentle whisper he was awake. Ron hit Harry on the head as he passed by on his way to the dormitory. Dean and Alden followed suit, quietly climbing the stairs to their rooms.
Harry opened his eyes again. He tenderly patted his head, fancying he felt a swelling from the blow Ron had dealt him. He glanced down at Hermione, still dreaming quietly in his arms. A thrill went through him as she sighed plaintively, tucking her chin more firmly onto his shoulder. It would really be a pity to have to wake her just then...
Fortunately, Hermione opened her eyes just then. She blinked, wondering why she was sitting on the couch in Harry's arms so early in the morning. She vaguely recollected having gotten a letter, a letter about Krum. What had it said?
She couldn't remember. Sitting up straight, she gazed once again into Harry's eyes. They sat there for a few moments, simply being together. Then the others started to come back down. They quickly rose and parted to change, hoping that the glances from their friends didn't mean anything.
When they had all gotten down to breakfast, they found Silvia and Kayla standing again at their table. Alden's face clouded over again as she hurried toward them.
"What now?" In response, Kayla calmly held out the day's copy of The Daily Prophet. Alden skimmed an article with anxious eyes. She stopped, blinked, and throwing the paper onto the table whispered, "Damn."
It was more than Silvia could handle. She burst into tears, falling into Dean's open though astonished arms. Alden sat heavily down backwards at the table. She leaned her arms on her knees and rested her head in her hands. Kayla sat beside her, whispering angrily in her ear. Alden nodded dumbly a few times, then rose. Kayla did as well, though her anger was rapidly turning into fear. Alden motioned to Dean, who helped Silvia, still sobbing, to stand. The four of them swept off to the staff table where Dumledore was just sitting down.
Bewildered, the three remaining friends sat down. Hermione picked up the abandoned paper and read the blurb aloud:
"We would like to point out a misprint in the international news section of yesterday's paper. In reporting the event, we mistakenly announced that the suspect's name was Mon and gave an inaccurate description. Her name is Moone. The suspect has black hair and golden eyes, while her sister has blonde hair and blue eyes. Please forgive any inconvenience this has caused."
That night after dinner, they all trooped up to the common room. Harry and Dean were still moaning about the quiz in Potions, Ron was finishing up his last crumpet, and Hermione was out of breath, lugging her heavy schoolbag up the stairs. When they reached the common room, they all collapsed into chairs. "God," Harry muttered, "How've we managed to get up the stairs all these years?"
"Dunno," Hermione panted back. They were all tired from their first day back, and reluctant to start their homework. Even Hermione was listening to the boys talk, stroking Crookshanks instead of getting out her books. After a while Alden came up, flopping into a chair as well. She had been everywhere all day, constantly poking her head into classes or strolling down a hall. The talk turned from classes to teachers to Quidditch. At this point, as the subject slipped away from her, Hermione pulled out a book and pointedly suggested the others start their work as well. Grumbling, the boys all pulled out parchment and textbooks, settling into their homework. Dean shot a playfully contemptuous look at Alden, who had snuggled down into her chair with a copy of Charmed Chess : The Expert's Guide to Better Chess Strategies.
"What, no homework?"
"Nope. No school for me this year..." Alden smiled sweetly. Dean muttered in mock disgust, and would have said something else, but at that moment Hermione threw a pillow at him. They all calmed down and tried again to do their homework. After about an hour, Harry threw down his Transfiguration homework in disgust.
"I'll never get it!" he complained, glowering at the blank parchment that should have an essay written on it. "It's hopeless."
"You got that right..." Ron sighed, putting down his quill and stretching. Dean nodded, yawning over his Charms notes.
Hermione, who had been done for half an hour, looked up from Hogwarts, A History, which she was rereading for the umpteenth time. She snapped the thick volume shut, saying, "What seems to be the problem?"
"I can't figure out how to write an essay on why Transfiguring a rock into an owl helped wizards during the Dark Ages." Harry explained, scowling. Hermione tutted.
"Well, it's not that hard... here, I'll help you." She crossed over to the couch, forcing Dean off the end as she settled in beside Harry. They were soon chatting in undertones about the sacristy of owls during the Dark Ages. Dean rolled his eyes as he moved his things over to another chair. He leaned over to Ron, whispering,
"Hey, do you think either of us could get Hermione's help?"
"Bet ten Galleons we couldn't."
"Really?"
"Sure."
"You're on. - Hey, 'Mione, will you help me with this?"
"No, I'm busy." Hermione shot back, eyes fixed on Harry. Dean sighed, pulling some coins out of his pocket. Alden smiled over at them.
"Do you really need help, Dean?" she asked, looking pointedly at the money as it was exchanged.
"Well, yeah." Dean grinned sheepishly. Alden put her book aside, stretched, and rose. She walked over to them and leaned on the arms of the chairs Dean and Ron were sitting in.
"What's wrong?"
"This problem, number 5: 'If you want to charm a book into flying across a space greater than 15 meters, is it better to use..."
They all sat in their little groups, musing over homework. At the end of another hour, they were all very tired and very close to being done. Dean yawned loudly, waking Ron and Alden, who had fallen asleep over while pouring over Ron's History textbook. Harry had long finished his Transfiguration essay, and was now working on his Charms homework with Hermione. Alden glanced down at her watch.
"You guys almost done?" she yawned, leaning against the back of Ron's chair.
"Very nearly..." Dean sighed, rubbing his eyes before picking up his quill again. They continued on, finishing the last details of essays and charts. With a sigh of deep relief, they all leaned back in their chairs.
"Welcome back to school..." Alden mumbled, eyes half-closed. Suddenly, they all sat straight up as they heard a sharp tap on the window. Alden was the first to recover her wits, and crossing the room she opened it. In flew Pharaon, looking just as tired as they all felt. The hawk seemed to sigh with relief as it landed on Alden's again outstretched arm. There was a piece of parchment on the leg it held out very lazily. Alden's face fell when she took it off and saw the handwriting on it. The others all watched as she pulled out a saved scrap of bacon, which Pharaon took gently. She stroked the hawk's back as it gulped down the treat, then launched it off, watching it soar up to the owlry.
She turned back into the room, gently closing the window. Crossing toward the fire, she hastily read the letter. Harry watched as her face grew grey and ashen. A single tear appeared in the corner of her green eye. It slid down her face and landed on the parchment with a splat that could be heard in the silent room. Alden looked up at the others, eyes glancing down at the letter once and then up again. They settled on Hermione, who gulped.
"Hermione..." she began, voice quiet so as not to betray emotion. Hermione's eyes grew wide as Alden fought to keep composure. Her hand instinctively sought Harry's. He squeezed it gently. The whole room seemed to be holding its breath.
"Hermione," Alden tried again, her voice a mere whisper, "I believe you knew Viktor Krum, didn't you?"
Hermione's grip tightened on Harry's hand. "Y-yes..."
"You were his girlfriend, weren't you?"
"Yes, I am..."
"You were." Alden corrected, a twang of pain in her voice. Hermione's eyes grew wider.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't want to upset you this morning, when I got the first letter," Alden explained in a falsely calm voice, "That... that letter was from the leader of the Northern Alliance Army, a dear friend of mine. You knew that Viktor was enlisted, didn't you?"
Hermione nodded dumbly, so Alden continued. "He was... injured in the fighting. They didn't think it was too serious, they thought they could save him." A second tear dripped down her cheek. "I've seen it all before. I read the letter again and again, hoping I had misread something. But each time it was the same. That note I scribbled at breakfast, it was to my friend, his leader during the attack. I sent Pharaon because he was recognizable and would get to him faster. But by the time they got my letter..."
Alden stopped. No longer able to speak, no longer able to cry, she silently handed the letter she had just received to Hermione:
"Alden-
I regret to inform you that your dear friend, Viktor Krum, died before your letter could reach me. I hope it comforts you that I was with him to the very last. Viktor was a great man, an honorable soldier. His passing has caused all of us great sorrow. I am sincerely sorry that you couldn't be with him, for he often called out your name. Please, when you are ready, inform Miss Granger, who he so often mentioned in his days of both living and dying. We ask also that you write to inform his mother of the passing, as for us the grief has struck too near to home to bear. If there is any way I can aid you in easing the pain, do not hesitate to let me know.
Yhtapmys Tseped-m,
Jens "
Hermione reread the letter, then burst into convulsive tears. She threw herself into Harry's open arms, sobbing and sobbing into his warm, strong shoulder. Alden, moved far beyond tears, sank into the sofa opposite. Ron quickly crossed over to her, gently pulling her down onto his own shoulder. She shook ever now and then, swallowing the sobs that seemed about to tear her apart, but no longer crying. Dean sat staring into the fire. He had grown quite close to Krum during his visits to Hermione during the end of the year. In the fire, Dean thought he could see himself sitting on the rolling hill behind Hogwarts with Krum and Seamus. They were all laughing and chatting about trivial things, betting who could throw a rock the farthest, wondering why there was a giant squid in the lake, laughing... laughing...
The next morning, Ginny trudged down the stairs. She found Dean asleep before the dying fire, muttering to himself about the giant squid. Next she saw Ron asleep sitting up on the couch. Alden was beside him, head tucked gently between his shoulder and his chin. Last she came upon Harry and Hermione. They were also asleep sitting up, and Harry's arm was draped loosely around Hermione's shoulder. Ginny looked more closely. She saw a letter lying forgotten at Hermione's feet. Picking it up, she scanned it and gasped. She looked around again at the little circle of friends. Deciding not to wake them, she hurried off to find a teacher, letter still clasped in her white hand.
When the portrait hole swung closed, there was a stir in the common room. Harry raised his head, glancing around the sleepy room. He felt Hermione's warm breath on his shoulder, and with a happy sigh closed his eyes again.
Alden woke with a start. Ron sighed in his sleep, his head rolling onto his other shoulder. Alden didn't move, pondering for a moment. Then she remembered what had happened the night before. With a shudder she rose, waking Ron with her movement. She looked him in the eye for a moment as he tried to remember why on Earth he had woken up to find her on his shoulder. Then the memory hit him too, and they smiled sadly at each other. Alden crossed silently over to Dean, and with a nudge and a gentle whisper he was awake. Ron hit Harry on the head as he passed by on his way to the dormitory. Dean and Alden followed suit, quietly climbing the stairs to their rooms.
Harry opened his eyes again. He tenderly patted his head, fancying he felt a swelling from the blow Ron had dealt him. He glanced down at Hermione, still dreaming quietly in his arms. A thrill went through him as she sighed plaintively, tucking her chin more firmly onto his shoulder. It would really be a pity to have to wake her just then...
Fortunately, Hermione opened her eyes just then. She blinked, wondering why she was sitting on the couch in Harry's arms so early in the morning. She vaguely recollected having gotten a letter, a letter about Krum. What had it said?
She couldn't remember. Sitting up straight, she gazed once again into Harry's eyes. They sat there for a few moments, simply being together. Then the others started to come back down. They quickly rose and parted to change, hoping that the glances from their friends didn't mean anything.
When they had all gotten down to breakfast, they found Silvia and Kayla standing again at their table. Alden's face clouded over again as she hurried toward them.
"What now?" In response, Kayla calmly held out the day's copy of The Daily Prophet. Alden skimmed an article with anxious eyes. She stopped, blinked, and throwing the paper onto the table whispered, "Damn."
It was more than Silvia could handle. She burst into tears, falling into Dean's open though astonished arms. Alden sat heavily down backwards at the table. She leaned her arms on her knees and rested her head in her hands. Kayla sat beside her, whispering angrily in her ear. Alden nodded dumbly a few times, then rose. Kayla did as well, though her anger was rapidly turning into fear. Alden motioned to Dean, who helped Silvia, still sobbing, to stand. The four of them swept off to the staff table where Dumledore was just sitting down.
Bewildered, the three remaining friends sat down. Hermione picked up the abandoned paper and read the blurb aloud:
"We would like to point out a misprint in the international news section of yesterday's paper. In reporting the event, we mistakenly announced that the suspect's name was Mon and gave an inaccurate description. Her name is Moone. The suspect has black hair and golden eyes, while her sister has blonde hair and blue eyes. Please forgive any inconvenience this has caused."
