-CHAPTER TEN-
The first snowfall, December first
For the next few weeks Malfoy never let anyone forget Slytherin had won the Quidditch match, surprisingly, it did not seem to bother Harry as much as he thought it would. And looking back on it, he would realize it was because there were other things running wild in his mind. On the last week of November, Professor Dumbledore announced that the 'Weird Sisters' (A famous wizarding band) would be returning to Hogwarts for the Celebrational Ball, which was open to fourth years and up.
Harry was instantly reminded of the Yule Ball the year before, and he felt his heart sink. He had asked Cho Chang to go with him but she had gone with Cedric Diggory instead. And it turned out Cho was a good friend of Skye's, which seemed to complicate things even more for Harry.
The thought of having to find a partner for the Ball brought out the queasy feeling in his throat and stomach, which he only ever got before a Quidditch match. Unfortunately, there probably wouldn't be any broom flying at this year's Ball.
"It's not as if you have to go with someone," Said Ron, as he stood next to one of the Aitruses, brushing out it's silvery coat. It was their last day of detentions, and Harry felt almost sad. Caring for the Aitruses had certainly been different from when they saw them in their class.
"The Celebration is always so much fun," Said Skye carrying over a large bucket of water. "Everyone gets dressed up and have a good time. Plus, the Weird Sisters are playing!"
"She's only excited because the lead guitarist is the son of the captain of her favourite Quidditch team," Amy explained.
"You're bloody right!" Said Skye proudly. "Go Prides! What about you Alexa?"
The other blond blushed deeply, "I dunno. Everyone has to get all dressed up and, I just don't-" Her voice trailed off, and so shrugged and looked away.
"That's like Ron," Said Hermoine. "He doesn't like them either,"
"Hey, maybe you two could go together," Suggested Skye. "You know, if you decide to go," Ron had told Harry that he did fancy Alexa, but after that he had promptly changed the subject.
Harry chuckled to himself as both Ron and Alexa turned a bright shade of crimson and began to mumble incoherently.
"What about you Hermoine?"
"That's really none of your business Skye,"
"Yeah Her-my-own-ninny," Said Ron eager to divert everyone's attention from himself. "How is Vicky?"
Hermoine scowled, Viktor Krum who had been competing in the Tri-Wizard Tournament against Harry had asked her to the Yule Ball and they had been going out ever since. Or so Harry thought, he truthfully was not quite sure. After the third task Hermoine had not really spoken about Krum, or gone to visit him in Bulgaria like he had offered. Harry made a mental note to ask about that later, but Ron was now making wild eye gestures to Amy. Summoning up all the courage he had, looked to Amy and asked,
"What about you Amy? Are you going to go?"
Amy looked up from the Aitruse she was brushing and Hermoine stood very still watching, although Harry was too nervous to notice. "I err... I don't really know," She replied quietly. "I've never actually gone to a ball before... You?"
Harry felt a jolt of excitement, and trying to remain calm as he opened his mouth to reply-
"Who would want to go with Potter to a ball?" Drawled Malfoy as he approached them, his arms folded across his chest. Crabbe, Goyle and Chang all stood behind him each holding a large shovel, Crabbe held an extra one in his bulky arms which Harry realized must have been Malfoy's.
"Second thought, who would want to go with any of you to a ball?"
Harry felt his temper rise, and grasping to keep it under control he gripped his wand from inside his robe pocket. "Go back to the rock you crawled out from under Malfoy,"
"As long as you take you take the puffy haired mudblood and orphan with you. And Weasley too. They've got no place at Hogwarts,"
"Everyone's got a place at Hogwarts!" Said Alexa. "Unfortunately, even the likes of you Malfoy,"
"It's hard to believe how different you family can be Shermwood," Malfoy drawled, a knowing smile krept up onto his pale face. And looking over to Alexa, if he had not known better Harry would have thought she had seen a dementor.
"Go away Malfoy," Harry said darkly.
"Who's going to make me?" He said with a sneer. "Certainly not the likes of you, Potter. You're worse than all of this lot put together,"
"Mudusabuilia!" Amy shouted.
Harry watched as blue light erupted from her wand and Malfoy's pale blond hair began to move. Harry blinked and watched closer. It was not just moving, it was wriggling! All of Malfoy's hair had been turned into little snakes!
Malfoy gave a horrified screech and then desperately tried to get them out of his hair, but it was no use. "Get it out! Get it out!" But Crabbe and Goyle were both to afraid to touch the snakes. Chang, looking disgusted with Malfoy pulled out her wand.
"Stupefy!" Hermoine yelled, and Chang froze in place.
Malfoy glared at them, and holding out his wand shouted, "Cru-"
"FINITE INCANTATEM!" Harry jumped as he heard Skye yell, intercepting Malfoy's spell.
Malfoy stood still as his hair returned too normal, (although it was severely out of place) and Chang was no longer stunned.
"Whas' the matter over there?" Came Hagrid's booming voice from inside the Forbidden Forest. Minutes later he appeared, Fang by his side. "I heard shoutin',"
"Nothing Hagrid," Said Skye, before anyone else could even open their mouths. "Malfoy was just telling us they were going to leave. Isn't that right, Malfoy?"
Malfoy stood glaring at them all while Hagrid approached them. He seemed relieved, although obviously still not quite sure if Skye was telling the truth. "Ahh, well that's good. I was jest' about to come an' tell yeh that yeh were done,"
The Slytherins strode past him, leaving their shovels where they had dropped them minutes ago. Meanwhile Harry stood staring at Skye in disbelief.
*
"Why didn't you tell Hagrid?!" Asked Harry as they sat in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Malfoy was going to use the Cruciatus Curse on us! We really should have told Hagrid!" Said Hermoine.
"It wasn't the Cruciatus Curse ," Said Skye. "Not even Malfoy has the guts to use that,"
"Or the years of experience," Added Amy. "It was the Crulatis wasn't it?"
Skye nodded, "He was using a much simpler spell. I'm surprised you didn't reconize it Hermoine,"
Hermoine scowled at her, but Alexa spoke first. "What's the Crulactis spell?"
"Crulactisubmersiona," Skye replied. "It's a fairly advanced spell. It's used to turn someone liquid,"
"I remember my Dad telling me once that they'd found a mirror that did somethin' like that," Said Ron.
"We still should have told Hagrid," Said Hermoine.
"What could would it have done?" Said Alexa. "Just gotten Gryffindor into more trouble,"
"And besides, what if it had been Snape there instead of Hagrid? With the ball coming up the lousy git probably would've convinced Dumbledore to not let us go," Said Amy. Harry looked to her, and blushing her shrugged her shoulders as she looked into his eyes. "And... And there would've been points deducted," She added hastily, never breaking Harry's gaze.
"So that settles it," Said Skye with a curt nod. "We tell no one,"
*
The next day, when Harry awoke he was intent on asking Amy to the ball. He had sat up half the night, debating with himself whether he should ask Amy, Cho or Skye. And when he had asked Ron for his opinion, Ron simply grumbled something about Hermoine and flying quills before turning over in his bed. It had been obvious Ron could be of no help in this matter.
While he did still fancy Cho, when ever Harry even thought of Amy he began to feel anxious. He could never get her silky dark brown hair, and mysterious chocolate eyes out of his mind. One smile from her and Harry felt as if he could catch the fastest Snitch in the world....
But then with the thought of Quidditch came Skye, and yet another odd feeling. She was quite different from both Amy and Cho... While Amy was quiet and refined, Cho was happy and popular, and Skye was... Well, Harry was not quite sure about Skye. He fancied her, that much he knew, but so did a few other lads. He had not even realized it until he had seen the article in Teen Witch Weekly. Every time she even so much as spoke to another fellow he felt his blood begin to boil. But when he thought about asking her, he was reminded of look of sadness in her eyes that he had seen the night she had snuck into the Hospital Wing.
When he went down to the Great Hall for breakfast he was surprised to learn Skye was not there. Whenever he looked over to Amy to speak, he felt his throat swell up and no words came out. They went to Herbology first, and still she was not there. Then came time for Transfigurations, and still no Skye.
"Maybe Dumbledore found out," Whispered Ron in a hush voice during Divination. "And now she's in trouble. You know, for lying to Hagrid,"
"If Dumbledore knew, we would all be in trouble," Harry replied, pretending to look through his book.
"Dumbledore knew what?" Asked Alexa curiously, leaning over.
Harry looked around the room to make sure no one was listening, then replied. "About what happened with the Slytherins yesterday,"
It wasn't until Alexa blushed and hung her head that Harry recalled the remark Malfoy had made to her. "Alexa, what did Malfoy mean when he said your family was so different?"
"Well, you see...." Her voice went so low, Harry could not even hear.
"What?"
"Here," She pulled out a piece of spare parchment and wrote;
Professor Snape is my uncle
"Galloping Goblins!" Ron said loudly.
"What seems to be the problem Mr. Weasley?" Asked Professor Trelawney looking over to them from her conversation with Jade Strattus.
"Oh nothing Professor," Said Ron, his ears turning a shade of deep pink. "I just found out my dream means that I'm going to... Err... I'm going to forget my homework next week,"
"He's your uncle?!" Harry practically hissed out in astonishment. Alexa nodded mournfully, "I would've told you lads sooner but, I was, I don't know.... I guess afraid you wouldn't like me,"
"We like you Alexa," Said Ron comfortingly. "Trust me, we like you," Harry could tell Ron's emphasis on 'we' meant 'he', even when Harry took a quick glance at Amy, she seemed to clue into it. Alexa seemed to be the only one who did not. "But bloody hell! Snape? I mean, could you have chosen any other-"
"Ron I don't think that helps much," Harry pointed out.
"Right," Said Ron with a small frown. "The point is, we still like you. Even if your uncle is a lousy, slimy prat who-"
"Ron!" Alexa said stuck between relief and astonishment. "That's my uncle you're talking about!"
"Right then," Said Ron, the tips of his ears turning pink once more. "Sorry, bout that,"
"Miss Shermwood," Alexa jumped up as Professor Trelawney called her.
"Yes Professor?"
"Could you take Miss Dumbledore her assignments for today? The Headmaster told me why she was not present today,"
"Yes Professor," Said Alexa with a nod, and then she sat down.
"Where is she? Asked Harry. "Skye, I mean,"
"You mean you don't know?" Asked Amy surprised. Ron and Harry both shook their heads, more confused than ever. "She's back in our dorm. Today is the first of December,"
"So?" Asked Ron.
"So, today is the day she was supposed to marry Cedric,"
*
As Harry, Ron and Hermoine all made their way to Hagrid's hut after their last class, small snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Harry looked up to the sky, "December first," He said aloud, although intending it to be to himself.
"You could still ask her you know," Said Ron.
"Ask who what?" Asked Hermoine.
"Skye; to the ball," Ron explained. Hermoine's faced suddenly twisted, as if she had just eaten a bogey flavoured bean. She turned to Harry abruptly, "You're asking Skye to the ball?"
Harry shrugged, examining the snowflake he had caught in his hand as it began to melt. "I was thinking about it. But now with her skipping all of class today-"
"She skipped all of her classes?!" Hermoine's eyes went almost bug-eyed. "You don't know where she was all day and you're thinking of asking her to the ball?"
"Give her a break Hermoine. She was supposed to get married today," Said Ron, making it sound casual.
"She was supposed to get married?"
"Yeah," Said Ron slowly. "Today. To Cedric,"
"What is she mad? But I supposed it was one of those pre-arranged things, wasn't it? Just like her to-"
"But now I'm thinking more of asking Amy," Said Harry, too wrapped up in his conversation with Ron to realize he had interrupted Hermoine.
"Amy?!" Hermoine said almost in a squeak.
"She'd probably say yes," Said Ron before knocking on the door to Hagrid's hut. "What do you think Hermoine?"
"I think you're both-"
The massive door to the hut swung open. "Ello Harry! Ron, Hermoine! Come on in, was jest about to make meself some tea,"
Inside Hagrid's hut, the warm fire was blazing. Fang sat next to it, snoring. Hagrid made them tea and offered them stoat sandwiches, which they refused.
"How've you been Harry? Haven' really had a chance ter talk with yeh since the quidditch acciden',"
Before Harry could reply Ron was on his feet, and walking over to the fire mantle. "Hagrid," He said and then pointing to a photograph asked, "Is that you and..... your mum?"
Hagrid rushed over, and stuffed the photograph into one of his pockets. "Yeh didn't see that,"
"It is! Isn't it?" Said Ron excitedly, now looking to Hagrid pocket. "C'mon! Let us see it!"
"But I thought your mum left a long time ago Hagrid," Said Hermoine. "Seeing as she was a giant,"
Suddenly Harry was struck with a memory of the end of the last school year, after Harry had escaped from Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore had asked Hagrid to do something for him over the summer, and now, recalling Hagrid's abstract letters, it seemed he had been re-united with his mother. Hermoine seemed to be thinking this as well when she asked, "Dumbledore sent you to make amends with the giants, didn't he Hagrid?"
"Yeh not s'pposed teh know abou' that," Said Hagrid pointing a finger at them. "Yeh didn' hear it from meh,"
They drank their tea all the while trying desperately to pry more information out of Hagrid. But all he would say was that they were not supposed to know and that they did not hear it from him. (Well that and that Madame Maxime, a half giantess who happened to be a teacher at one of the schools that had visited last year had come with him. Although he was quite bashful about admitting it...)
"Yeh better get goin'" Said Hagrid after looking out the window. "The weather isn' gettin' too good out there,"
Once stepping out of Hagrid's hut Harry realized he was right. The cold wind blew fiercly, whipping the snowflakes into their faces. His glasses where no use in the hazy darkness, and so he took them off and shoving them into his pockets, tried to stay warm as they made their way back to the castle.
"I can't believe Hagrid didn't tell us he saw his mum," Said Ron.
"Well it's not as if he had much choice," Hermoine pointed out. "He was on strict orders to tell no one,"
"But Hagrid? He keeps secrets about as good as Neville remembers pass-"
"MORSMORDRE!"
A vast blue light, glittering in the night erupted from a patch of the darkness in front of them. Harry covered his eyes as it shot up high into the sky, shooting past the treetops of the Forbidden Forest.
"What the-" Ron gasped staring up into the sky.
Harry watched horrified as the blue light became an image. A massive skull, composed of shiny blue clusters, with a serpent protruding from it's mouth.
Harry realized immediately what it was. They had all seen it last summer at the Quidditch World Cup. The Dark Mark. It was the symbol of Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters.
Below it words were now forming, as if dripping blood it read;
The Dark Lord has returned. May his enemies beware his heir...
"Hurry!" Said Hermoine. "We've got to get back to the castle!"
Harry had never run so fast in his entire life. Even when he had attended primary school, and he had always had to run away from Dudley and his gang of bullies. The cold air seeped into Harry's lungs, feeling as if it was lined with ice. He squinted and then pushed himself faster.
When they arrived at the castle entrance it seemed as if the whole entire school was already outside. Professor Dumbledore stood at the head of the crowd, with Professor McGonagall, Snape and Moody on either side of him.
"Potter! Did you have something to do with this?" Snape glared.
"We could ask you the same thing," Harry replied, sounding surprisingly calm. As he caught his breath he felt every nerve in his body shaking, and he worried his legs would give out.
"We-We were on our way back from Hagrid's," Said Hermoine through her panting. "When we saw it,"
Snape opened his mouth to reply, but Dumbledore raised a hand to silence him. "That will do for now Severus," He turned to face the mass of terrified students. In less than half a second it was so quiet that if not for the howling wind, Harry could have heard a pin drop.
"Everyone will report to the Great Hall immediately,"
Everyone in the Great Hall spoke at once. Hundreds of voices each speaking out,
each in the same hurried yet hushed manner. Professor Dumbledore had already
spoken with Harry, Ron and Hermoine and was now at the head of the hall
speaking with the teachers.
"What happened?" Asked Amy rushing over to them. "I was in the library when we were told to come here,"
Harry pointed up to the enchanted ceiling which still portrayed the Dark Mark that remained in the night sky.
"Oh my God," Amy gasped, her eyes wide in shock.
"This can't be happening," Said Alexa, her face almost as pale as the ghost Nearly Headless Nick who passed by them. "This just can't be happening,"
"Harry!" Someone called his name from the crowd. Harry looked around, then spotted Skye, her curls pulled back in a ponytail, her face flushed with colour from crying. "Ron! Hermoine! Are you lot alright? Albus told me what happened!"
Bright purple sparks erupted from Professor Dumbledore's wand at the head of the hall while Professor McGonagall and Moody closed the doors. "The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle and grounds. I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will all be required to spend the night here. The Prefects will stand guard over the entrances, and the Head boy and girl will be in charge while we are gone. Any disturbances are to be reported immediately," With a casual wave of his wand the long house tables flew to the edges of the Hall, standing themselves against the walls. There was another wave, and the floor was covered in red, blue, yellow and green sleeping bags.
"Sleep well," Said Professor Dumbledore, and then closed the door behind him.
The Hall was once more filled with the buzz of different conversations.
"Everyone into the sleeping bags!" Shouted the head boy, Ryan Mills. "Lights out is in fifteen minutes!"
Harry grabbed his sleeping bag, and with the others, dragged it to a corner. Harry explained the whole story (minus what they spoke about with Hagrid) to the others.
"You were lucky you didn't see who casted the spell," Said Alexa. "Otherwise you might not of made it to the castle,"
"Whoever casted the Dark Mark must've known precisely how and when to do," Commented Ruby Starlest, a fifth year Ravenclaw.
"Isn't it obvious who casted it?" Said Seamus. "The heir casted the Dark Mark. You-know-who's heir,"
"You-Know-Who had a child. Well that's not something you heard everyday," Added the other Ravenclaw, Jade Strattus.
"That's something I'd prefer to not think about," Replied Ruby.
"But if it's you-know-who's kid that means, that he's the same age as us," Said Dean Thomas, looking around nervously. "That means there's a powerful dark wizard in this very room...." The Ravenclaw girl, Jade's eyes seemed about to pop out of her head and she looked around terrified.
"Not necessarily," Fred interjected. "They might've slipped out when no one was looking. All they'd have to do is slip in to the castle after they cast the Dark Mark, and then slip right on out before-"
"The lights are goin' out now!" Ryan Mills shouted. "Everyone must be in their sleeping bags and there will be no more talking,"
The candles were suddenly extinguished at once, the only light was coming from the ghosts who swept by routinely to check up on the students.
Once ever hour a teacher would come to the Hall, to check in and see that all was well. It was around four o'clock in the morning after McGonagall left that Harry heard a sniff from the sleeping bag next to him.
"Skye?" He whispered quietly.
Skye's face emerged from her sleeping bag, her eyes puffy from the tears that trickled down her face.
"Are you okay?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She shook her head, trying to wipe away the tears.
"Don't worry," Said Harry. Without much thought he moved closer and wiped away some of the tears. "Everything's okay," He told her, although not believing it himself. "Everything's alright,"
Chapter 11: A not so welcome reminder
