Dumbledore's face was carefully blank as he magicked the Stunned Death Eaters onto stretchers. Snape helped, his face becoming paler with each hood he lowered. All of the Death Eaters were sixth and seventh year Slytherins, and it clearly came as a shock that members of his House would attempt something like this. Snape was still bitter about James rescuing him, but he was faithful to Dumbledore and avoided any pockets of Dark wizards left in England. His face twisted as he carelessly conjured up a stretcher for Crabbe.
Ginny, who was leaning on Harry weakly, gave a little gasp of pain as one of the stretchers bumped into her injured hands.
Professor Dumbledore, Harry said quickly. Ginny needs to go to the hospital wing.
Ron and Hermione, why don't you go with them? Dumbledore suggested, and as they left, he muttered something to Snape, who nodded in agreement.
Are you okay, Ginny? Ron asked as they hurried through the snow. She shook her head, biting her lip as she stumbled. Harry grabbed her shoulders quickly to prevent her from falling. Hermione hurried to open the huge oak doors for them, and they continued the trip up to the hospital wing in silence.
Madam Pomfrey? Harry called, knocking on the locked door. Madam Pomfrey!
She's coming, Ron said, pressing his ear to the door. The doors creaked open, and the nurse, wearing a nightgown and looking flustered, peered out at them.
What do you want, then? she demanded, stifling a yawn. Ginny, who was almost crying, held up her hands.
Oh, poor dear. Come in, darling. Madam Pomfrey's whole demeanor changed immediately, and she opened the doors wider to admit them. She led Ginny to a bed, and bustled around collecting bottles of potions. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood around awkwardly until she shooed them back from the bed. What happened? Madam Pomfrey asked as she bandaged Ginny's hands.
Harry shook his head. You'd better have Professor Dumbledore explain, he said, his mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. The nurse peered at him carefully, but seemed to accept his answer, and merely handed a potion to Ginny.
Drink this, dear, she directed briskly, and set about putting away the bottles. Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't have anything to say to each other. They stood there in silence, watching Madam Pomfrey clear up, and didn't speak until Dumbledore came into the hospital wing, Snape close on his heels.
Are you three all right? Dumbledore asked, and visibly relaxed as he got a nod from each of them. Are you all right, Miss Weasley? Ginny set down the cup that had contained her potion and gave a small nod. Dumbledore said. He seemed about to say something else, but at that moment, Professor McGonagall burst into the room, clutching a robe around her nightgown.
Ah, Minerva, Dumbledore said, good. I'm glad you're here. Violet informed you, I suppose?
Professor McGonagall nodded, breathing hard. She had clearly run all the way from her office to get to the hospital wing. She had the most wild story, Albus. Something about the Slytherins . . .
Snape's face contorted, and he said quickly, Would you like me to wake the other teachers, Headmaster?
A meeting in the staff room, I think, Dumbledore replied, and Snape left, walking very quickly. Could you wait for me there, Minerva?
Professor McGonagall nodded and exited, looking rather shaken.
You four, Dumbledore said, pointing at Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Go back to your common room and try to get some sleep. Please do not talk to anyone about all this; the school will be informed in the morning.
Ginny began timidly, but Dumbledore cut her off.
Yes, you too, Miss Weasley, he said briskly. I think that Madam Pomfrey will agree that what you need right now is some rest, and there is no reason why you can't get that in your dormitory.
Ginny nodded, looking intimidated, and the four of them left the hospital wing. They could hear Professor Dumbledore talking to Madam Pomfrey in a low voice.
He seemed very angry, didn't he? Hermione said nervously, as they walked up a staircase.
What, angry with us? Harry asked.
She nodded, looking frightened. I hope we're not in trouble.
You won't be, Ginny said, choking back a sob. I'm the one who was being nice to Malfoy.
He used a Persuasive Charm on you, Hermione soothed. It's not your fault.
Ginny shook her head, looking about to burst into tears at any moment. Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Harry jabbed him in the ribs, motioning for him to drop it. They climbed silently into the common room and headed up to their dormitories, all feeling a bit awkward. As Harry slid into bed, he wondered if Dumbledore really was angry with them. After everything else we've done here, he thought wryly, it's really about time, isn't it?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At breakfast the next morning, all the teachers looked very pale and tired. Ron gulped as he looked at Snape, who had an unpleasant smirk on his face.
He certainly looks happy enough to expel us, Ron whispered, but at a look from Hermione and a glance at Ginny, he turned his attention to his cereal. Harry noticed many people glancing over at all the empty spaces at the Slytherin table, and guessed that an incredible number of rumors would be spreading if Dumbledore didn't explain what had happened last night.
Halfway through breakfast, Dumbledore stood up and motioned for silence. I have some unpleasant news, he began. I am sure by now that many of you have noticed the empty spaces at the Slytherin table. There was a quiet murmur of assent. Last night a newly formed group of Death Eaters attempted an attack on some of our students. Harry stared at his plate and tried to pretend that he wasn't turning red. Those Death Eaters, Dumbledore continued, were all Slytherin sixth and seventh years. A collective gasp swept through Great Hall, and people began muttering to each other in furious whispers. Do not be alarmed, Dumbledore said loudly over the buzzing. They have been turned over to the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts has nothing to fear from them again. However, I must ask that if any of you have information about them, to bring it to my attention immediately. He sat back down again, and conversations erupted.
Harry said. He's angry with us.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ron, Harry, and Hermione were pulled out of Potions by Professor McGonagall, who informed Snape that Dumbledore wanted to talk to them. Normally they would have been very happy to miss Snape's class, but Harry would have rather suffered through that have to face Dumbledore's anger. They walked silently up to his office, where they were met by Ginny.
Dumbledore said, motioning them to seats in front of his desk. Professor McGonagall hovered in a corner, wringing her hands. I want you to tell me everything, Harry, Dumbledore said, his piercing blue eyes trained on Harry's green ones. Absolutely everything.
With a nervous glance at Ginny, Harry began to talk. It was nearly half an hour later when he finally reached the end of his tale, and sat back, exhausted.
Dumbledore nodded slowly. I understand now. All right, you may be dismissed. However, I must ask you that if anything like this ever happens again--anything out of the ordinary, like Mr. Malfoy acting nice--please tell me at once. Harry nodded fervently, and they backed out of the office. At the bottom of the staircase, they stared at each other.
So he wasn't mad, Harry said in relief.
He might as well have been, Hermione said in a whisper.
He doesn't blame me, Ginny said happily.
Oh, let's not go back to Potions, Ron said. Can't we just stay here a little while longer?
Hermione scolded.
Oh, stop it, you two, Harry said, unaware that he was sounding vaguely like Hermione, which Ginny, giggling, pointed out. He teasingly yanked at one of her locks of hair, and she punched him in the arm, smiling flirtatiously as she did so. Looking at her, Harry couldn't believe that he had let her go for so long.
he said quietly, ignoring Ron and Hermione's bickering, I'm really, really, really sorry about everything.
I'm really, really, really sorry, too, she told him. But that's all over now. Come on, Mr. Potter, she teased, reaching up to ruffle his hair. Live for the moment, not the past! With that, she linked her arm in his and started off after Ron and Hermione, who had begun meandering aimlessly down the corridors, laughing about something.
And all was well . . . until Mrs. Norris popped up from behind a tapestry, glaring at them.
Filch is gonna kill us, Ron muttered, but Harry had just seen Filch going up the stairs to Dumbledore's office . . . he couldn't very well run out on the Headmaster, could he?
With that in mind, Harry whispered something to Ron, who was able to finally give Mrs. Norris the long-awaited kick that she deserved.
