War of the Ages
By: The Ferret and the Weasel
Disclaimer: WE DON'T OWN HP!
A/N: This is our first joint fic ever... so, may as well get on with the fic. Enjoy.
________________________________________________________________________
'For there is nothing lost that may be found, if sought.'
-Spenser's 'Fairie Queene'
Chapter 1
"Can you believe it, Harry? Seven years at Hogwarts!" Ron exclaimed, turning to face Harry. "Can it really be over?"
Harry wheeled around to face Ron, a broad grin plastered on his face. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" Harry replied in acquiescence. "Course you might discover you have to stay at this place another year when you get your N.E.W.T results back."
"You're one to talk." Ron shot back. "I can't wait to find out what you got on your potions final. Which do you think it will be, a "P" or a "D"? Or maybe even a "T"."
Harry threw the freshly laundered roll of socks he had just retrieved from his trunk at Ron, hitting him hard on the forehead.
"Hey, watch it Harry, you're going to give me a bruise and ruin my good looks for the dance!" Ron bellowed indignantly, staggering slightly from the impact.
"What good looks?" Harry asked innocently.
"Oh, shut up!" Ron retorted in a tired, defeated voice. Turning back to look in the mirror he was standing in front of, Ron now started to pull his robes over his head and smooth them self-consciously.
Harry retrieved his socks and proceeded to pull them on. Tonight was the night that Harry and his fellow seventh-years would be attending an end-of- school dance to celebrate their seven years of magical learning at Hogwarts. They had just come from their feast, and were now changing into dress robes for the highly anticipated dance. Looking around at the other boys in his dorm hastily pulling on robes and frantically combing their hair or tying their shoes, Harry couldn't help remembering that this would probably be the last time he would be in this dormitory together with Dean, Seamus, Neville and Ron.
"Harry, mate," Ron interrupted his thoughts "what do I say to her?" he asked his friend nervously.
"Ron," Harry laughed "you've known Mione for 7 bloody years. Say what you always say to her."
"Hermione, you're a know-it-all. Nope, don't think that would go over too well."
"Then tell her she looks pretty. She's your girlfriend, not mine."
"Yeah, but it's graduation night and I don't want to screw anything up with her."
"Ron, chances are, if she's put up with you for this long, she's not leaving now."
"I guess you're right. I'm just nervous."
"Hey, you can't possibly be more nervous than me. I don't even know who I'm going with. You're the one that set me up, remember."
"Don't worry. Hermione helped me find somebody."
Harry let out a pretend sigh of relief. "That's reassuring. Now at least I know she's not an airhead."
"Hey!" Ron chuckled "That's not nice."
"Oh keep your knickers on. Geez, how long do girls take to get changed anyways?"
When the five boys were finally ready, they surveyed themselves one last time. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, Harry scowled as he took in his bottle green robes, glasses and messy hair; he had never really given much thought about his image, but now he found himself wishing he were more attractive. Sighing regretfully, Harry averted his attention from his unsatisfactory reflection and glanced around at his friends. Seamus, Dean and Neville were all shifting from foot to foot, looking extremely apprehensive yet excited. Ron whirled around, a determined sort of grimace on his freckly face, and spread his arms wide so they could all clearly see his navy blue dress robes.
"So, what do you think?" Ron asked, revolving in a slow circle so they could get a better look from all angles.
"Your hair's messy." Seamus said, sniggering slightly.
Harry chuckled softly as Ron hastily ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up even more; this movement was Ron's idea of an attractive hair style, one he adopted in his fifth year. While Dean, Seamus and Neville snickered openly at Ron's hair, Harry usually kept his comments to a bare minimum, remembering how his dad had had the same unconscious habit.
"Reckon it's good enough now." Ron announced, striding briskly towards the door. "Let's go."
"Are you sure, Ron?" Dean asked, as though genuinely concerned. "Course you know, Hermione might think an hour gazing enraptured at your reflection in the mirror isn't enough."
Ron went bright red at the mention of Hermione, but otherwise he appeared to be trying to ignore everyone laughing at him as he wrenched open the door and stalked off down the stairs. Still laughing at Ron, the rest of the residents of the boys seventh-year Gryffindor dormitory headed down to the common room after Ron.
"Well Gin, what do you think?" Hermione spun around for Ginny to see.
"Oh Hermione. It's beautiful! My brother's not going to be able to keep his hands off of you."
Hermione blushed. "He will if he knows what's good for him."
"Well, are you going to go meet him or what?"
"Of course I'm going down." Hermione smiled and exited her dorm.
When she reached the common room, she made her way to the portrait hole to wait.
Emerging suddenly into the luminous common room, Harry came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. He had forgotten what a stunning collage of colours everyone made when they weren't wearing the usual mass of black Hogwarts robes. Realizing Dean, Seamus and Neville had left his side and vanished in the crowd, Harry quickly scanned the sea of different colours, looking for Ron and Hermione. He spotted Ron's flaming red hair sticking up above everyone's, over by the portrait hole, and made his was through the jostling crowd towards him. When he finally approached him, he saw Ron staring transfixed at Hermione, who was standing before him with an almost glowing smile on her face. She was wearing flowing robes of deep silky red, and her hair fell to her shoulders in a mass of brown curls. Resisting the urge to laugh out loud at the look on Ron's face, Harry hastily cleared his throat and stepped forwards.
"Wow. Hermione, you're so gorgeous." Ron complimented.
"Thanks Ron." She blushed again. "You look good too."
"Harry!" Hermione squealed happily as she spotted him. "Harry isn't this so exciting?"
"Yeah," Harry breathed, "yeah it is."
Ron suddenly seemed to come back to his senses. "Hey Harry, what took you so long? Come on, what do you say we go down to the Great hall?"
They climbed through the portrait hole, chatting excitedly about the dance and repeating constantly that they couldn't believe they were about to graduate from Hogwarts. Harry couldn't help noticing that Ron and Hermione were holding hands, and although they had been going out for over a month now, Harry still couldn't prevent a tinge of jealously and loneliness from pulsing through his veins; now, at the end of this years at Hogwarts, when everyone had somebody to celebrate their graduation with except him, he felt especially lonely. Harry snapped out of his trance when he realized they were at the entrance to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall had been decorated exactly like the Yule Ball. Circular tables replaced the normal seating. A stage was set up for the band, and gaudy "graduation" balloons filled the area.
The trio sat down at one of the many tables.
"Ron, do I get to meet my date now?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, yeah." Ron chuckled. "Hold on. I'll go get her."
Ron wandered off in search of "her".
"Mione, what do you know about this girl?"
"I picked her for you. Ron had no clue what he was doing, so I took over for him. Don't worry, she's lovely."
"Well, what's her name then?"
"That's a surprise."
Ron reappeared with a pretty brunette beside him. She had shoulder length hair and blue eyes.
"Harry, this is Mandy Brocklehurst, Ravenclaw. Mandy, this is Harry."
"Hi" she said sheepishly.
Harry, sensing her nervousness, quickly asked her to dance.
A few hours later, the four teenagers were laughing so hard they were practically crying.
"Ron, what are we laughing about?" Hermione managed to ask.
"I really have no idea."
"Harry, do you want to go dance some more?" Mandy asked.
"Sure." Harry took a sip from his goblet. "Be sure to save me the next dance, Mione."
He took 2 steps onto the dance floor and collapsed to the ground, clutching his forehead and screaming in pain. Ron and Hermione were at his side in seconds.
"Harry, mate, what is it?!"
Harry screamed again. "It's Voldemort! Something horrible has happened." Harry started breathing rapidly through clenched teeth, trying to hold back the pain.
"What has happened Harry?" Hermione pleaded.
"He." Harry fell unconscious before he could finish.
The doors to the Great Hall burst open and Professor Snape staggered in. He was covered in blood.
"Severus!" Professor Dumbledore ran to him. "What's the matter? Are you hurt?"
"No, Headmaster, I am not, but I can not say the same for a small village just east of here. A band of 12 Death Eaters attacked and killed 50 witches and wizards this night. This was only the first to be destroyed sir. The war has finally begun, and I must say, it is not going to be pretty."
Professor Snape collapsed to the floor as well, from sheer exhaustion.
"Everyone back to their dormitories!" Dumbledore yelled. "Ron, Hermione, don't forget the meeting tomorrow. There is something important we must discuss."
"Yes, sir." The two followed Mme. Pomfrey, who was levitating Harry and Professor Snape, up to the hospital wing.
A/N: chapter updates depend wholly on the number of reviews we get. I'd say five reviews before the next chapter... hope you guys enjoy..
By: The Ferret and the Weasel
Disclaimer: WE DON'T OWN HP!
A/N: This is our first joint fic ever... so, may as well get on with the fic. Enjoy.
________________________________________________________________________
'For there is nothing lost that may be found, if sought.'
-Spenser's 'Fairie Queene'
Chapter 1
"Can you believe it, Harry? Seven years at Hogwarts!" Ron exclaimed, turning to face Harry. "Can it really be over?"
Harry wheeled around to face Ron, a broad grin plastered on his face. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" Harry replied in acquiescence. "Course you might discover you have to stay at this place another year when you get your N.E.W.T results back."
"You're one to talk." Ron shot back. "I can't wait to find out what you got on your potions final. Which do you think it will be, a "P" or a "D"? Or maybe even a "T"."
Harry threw the freshly laundered roll of socks he had just retrieved from his trunk at Ron, hitting him hard on the forehead.
"Hey, watch it Harry, you're going to give me a bruise and ruin my good looks for the dance!" Ron bellowed indignantly, staggering slightly from the impact.
"What good looks?" Harry asked innocently.
"Oh, shut up!" Ron retorted in a tired, defeated voice. Turning back to look in the mirror he was standing in front of, Ron now started to pull his robes over his head and smooth them self-consciously.
Harry retrieved his socks and proceeded to pull them on. Tonight was the night that Harry and his fellow seventh-years would be attending an end-of- school dance to celebrate their seven years of magical learning at Hogwarts. They had just come from their feast, and were now changing into dress robes for the highly anticipated dance. Looking around at the other boys in his dorm hastily pulling on robes and frantically combing their hair or tying their shoes, Harry couldn't help remembering that this would probably be the last time he would be in this dormitory together with Dean, Seamus, Neville and Ron.
"Harry, mate," Ron interrupted his thoughts "what do I say to her?" he asked his friend nervously.
"Ron," Harry laughed "you've known Mione for 7 bloody years. Say what you always say to her."
"Hermione, you're a know-it-all. Nope, don't think that would go over too well."
"Then tell her she looks pretty. She's your girlfriend, not mine."
"Yeah, but it's graduation night and I don't want to screw anything up with her."
"Ron, chances are, if she's put up with you for this long, she's not leaving now."
"I guess you're right. I'm just nervous."
"Hey, you can't possibly be more nervous than me. I don't even know who I'm going with. You're the one that set me up, remember."
"Don't worry. Hermione helped me find somebody."
Harry let out a pretend sigh of relief. "That's reassuring. Now at least I know she's not an airhead."
"Hey!" Ron chuckled "That's not nice."
"Oh keep your knickers on. Geez, how long do girls take to get changed anyways?"
When the five boys were finally ready, they surveyed themselves one last time. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, Harry scowled as he took in his bottle green robes, glasses and messy hair; he had never really given much thought about his image, but now he found himself wishing he were more attractive. Sighing regretfully, Harry averted his attention from his unsatisfactory reflection and glanced around at his friends. Seamus, Dean and Neville were all shifting from foot to foot, looking extremely apprehensive yet excited. Ron whirled around, a determined sort of grimace on his freckly face, and spread his arms wide so they could all clearly see his navy blue dress robes.
"So, what do you think?" Ron asked, revolving in a slow circle so they could get a better look from all angles.
"Your hair's messy." Seamus said, sniggering slightly.
Harry chuckled softly as Ron hastily ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up even more; this movement was Ron's idea of an attractive hair style, one he adopted in his fifth year. While Dean, Seamus and Neville snickered openly at Ron's hair, Harry usually kept his comments to a bare minimum, remembering how his dad had had the same unconscious habit.
"Reckon it's good enough now." Ron announced, striding briskly towards the door. "Let's go."
"Are you sure, Ron?" Dean asked, as though genuinely concerned. "Course you know, Hermione might think an hour gazing enraptured at your reflection in the mirror isn't enough."
Ron went bright red at the mention of Hermione, but otherwise he appeared to be trying to ignore everyone laughing at him as he wrenched open the door and stalked off down the stairs. Still laughing at Ron, the rest of the residents of the boys seventh-year Gryffindor dormitory headed down to the common room after Ron.
"Well Gin, what do you think?" Hermione spun around for Ginny to see.
"Oh Hermione. It's beautiful! My brother's not going to be able to keep his hands off of you."
Hermione blushed. "He will if he knows what's good for him."
"Well, are you going to go meet him or what?"
"Of course I'm going down." Hermione smiled and exited her dorm.
When she reached the common room, she made her way to the portrait hole to wait.
Emerging suddenly into the luminous common room, Harry came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. He had forgotten what a stunning collage of colours everyone made when they weren't wearing the usual mass of black Hogwarts robes. Realizing Dean, Seamus and Neville had left his side and vanished in the crowd, Harry quickly scanned the sea of different colours, looking for Ron and Hermione. He spotted Ron's flaming red hair sticking up above everyone's, over by the portrait hole, and made his was through the jostling crowd towards him. When he finally approached him, he saw Ron staring transfixed at Hermione, who was standing before him with an almost glowing smile on her face. She was wearing flowing robes of deep silky red, and her hair fell to her shoulders in a mass of brown curls. Resisting the urge to laugh out loud at the look on Ron's face, Harry hastily cleared his throat and stepped forwards.
"Wow. Hermione, you're so gorgeous." Ron complimented.
"Thanks Ron." She blushed again. "You look good too."
"Harry!" Hermione squealed happily as she spotted him. "Harry isn't this so exciting?"
"Yeah," Harry breathed, "yeah it is."
Ron suddenly seemed to come back to his senses. "Hey Harry, what took you so long? Come on, what do you say we go down to the Great hall?"
They climbed through the portrait hole, chatting excitedly about the dance and repeating constantly that they couldn't believe they were about to graduate from Hogwarts. Harry couldn't help noticing that Ron and Hermione were holding hands, and although they had been going out for over a month now, Harry still couldn't prevent a tinge of jealously and loneliness from pulsing through his veins; now, at the end of this years at Hogwarts, when everyone had somebody to celebrate their graduation with except him, he felt especially lonely. Harry snapped out of his trance when he realized they were at the entrance to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall had been decorated exactly like the Yule Ball. Circular tables replaced the normal seating. A stage was set up for the band, and gaudy "graduation" balloons filled the area.
The trio sat down at one of the many tables.
"Ron, do I get to meet my date now?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, yeah." Ron chuckled. "Hold on. I'll go get her."
Ron wandered off in search of "her".
"Mione, what do you know about this girl?"
"I picked her for you. Ron had no clue what he was doing, so I took over for him. Don't worry, she's lovely."
"Well, what's her name then?"
"That's a surprise."
Ron reappeared with a pretty brunette beside him. She had shoulder length hair and blue eyes.
"Harry, this is Mandy Brocklehurst, Ravenclaw. Mandy, this is Harry."
"Hi" she said sheepishly.
Harry, sensing her nervousness, quickly asked her to dance.
A few hours later, the four teenagers were laughing so hard they were practically crying.
"Ron, what are we laughing about?" Hermione managed to ask.
"I really have no idea."
"Harry, do you want to go dance some more?" Mandy asked.
"Sure." Harry took a sip from his goblet. "Be sure to save me the next dance, Mione."
He took 2 steps onto the dance floor and collapsed to the ground, clutching his forehead and screaming in pain. Ron and Hermione were at his side in seconds.
"Harry, mate, what is it?!"
Harry screamed again. "It's Voldemort! Something horrible has happened." Harry started breathing rapidly through clenched teeth, trying to hold back the pain.
"What has happened Harry?" Hermione pleaded.
"He." Harry fell unconscious before he could finish.
The doors to the Great Hall burst open and Professor Snape staggered in. He was covered in blood.
"Severus!" Professor Dumbledore ran to him. "What's the matter? Are you hurt?"
"No, Headmaster, I am not, but I can not say the same for a small village just east of here. A band of 12 Death Eaters attacked and killed 50 witches and wizards this night. This was only the first to be destroyed sir. The war has finally begun, and I must say, it is not going to be pretty."
Professor Snape collapsed to the floor as well, from sheer exhaustion.
"Everyone back to their dormitories!" Dumbledore yelled. "Ron, Hermione, don't forget the meeting tomorrow. There is something important we must discuss."
"Yes, sir." The two followed Mme. Pomfrey, who was levitating Harry and Professor Snape, up to the hospital wing.
A/N: chapter updates depend wholly on the number of reviews we get. I'd say five reviews before the next chapter... hope you guys enjoy..