Chapter 13 – Breaking the News
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Reviewers
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idea just hit me over the head so I used it!
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The self defence classroom was silent. 13 people stood looking at each other, all waiting for someone else to speak. Eventually Goyle got impatient,
"Are we here for a reason or shall we just leave?" He turned slightly as if about to make for the door. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of Draco Malfoy, trade mark smirk on his face however somehow this smirk seemed somewhat different. Were his eyes deceiving him or was that smirk directed at him?! "Draco, you don't have to wait for us, we'll see you at lunch."
Draco smirked even harder at the two Slytherin's in the room, "Don't worry. I wasn't waiting for you two." He turned to Lily and James, "I'm guessing you told him." He said motioning towards Harry.
"Yes we did, I must say he reacted much the way you said you thought he would" Lily answered her nephew.
Around the group everyone except Harry looked thoroughly confused at the interaction going on between the young Malfoy and the Potters. Finally after another few seconds of silence Jen decided it was time to take control of the situation. She turned to Crabbe and Goyle,
"You two will both receive a week of detention and 50 points each from Slytherin for those comments. I shall be talking to your head of house and seeing that a letter is sent home to your parents. Now I suggest that you go to lunch. We'll let you know when and where your detentions are to be served."
It was obvious from that that Crabbe and Goyle were expected to leave and that
was exactly what they did, casting one last curious glance at Draco before they left.
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Ten minutes later the eleven remaining people in the self defence room were sat around a small table eating lunch. Dumbledore had seen one step ahead and had the house elves send something to the classroom for the group to eat together away from the rest of the students. It was Hermione who first gained the courage to broach the subject.
"So does someone want to explain what is going on then?"
Harry laughed. 'Trust Hermione to be straight to the point.' He thought. He looked at his parents who were both giving him looks that clearly said 'your friends, you explain it'. Harry took a deep breath and began to retell a simplified version of what his parents had told him for the sake of his friends.
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At the end of his tale Ron and Hermione both sat gaping at him. Caz and the four professors all looked shocked yet accepting and Malfoy just looked smug. Ron took a leaf out of Harry's book and sat doing a goldfish impression for a few seconds before speaking.
"So you……..and him……..are……related?!" he asked incredulously. "Please tell me that you're kidding and this is all some really evil joke. He's evil! You know that Harry, how many times have you said it?!"
Draco smirked and rolled his eyes at Ron. "Look Weasley, get it through your head. I'm not evil. I am not, despite popular opinion, anything like my father. I never have been and I never will be. Deal with it!"
Lily looked at her nephew, "Draco, calm down. Give them a chance to get used to the idea ok? You said yourself; you've been pretty evil to them the past four years." He seemed to relax a little at that, sitting back in his chair. Lily continued to speak. "now I remember you making us a promise Draco and since those exact circumstances have arisen I suggest you go and speak to the headmaster." She gave him a look that simply said 'no arguments' and Draco left the room whilst pulling a face.
Once Draco had left Sirius looked at Lily. "so that's what Malfoy senior wanted you for that summer?!" he stated. Lily just grinned at him.
"Exactly." She said. "he wanted his daughter back. He killed my whole family in order to get it as well."
Jen looked at Lily kindly. "It's great to have you both back." she said.
James grinned when she said that. "You lot should have seen the looks on your
faces when we showed up last night……."
~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~
Sirius, Remus, Jen and Abbi sat round in their new rooms. Dumbledore had given them their own suite, rather than separate rooms. It was like a scaled down version of Gryffindor tower. There was a shared living room in the middle with nine doors leading off of it. Dumbledore had told them that two led to bathrooms, one to a small library and the other six to sleeping chambers. At current they were all discussing the events due to take place on the upcoming Halloween. They were all looking forward to seeing their friends again but they also knew the risks. The slightest miss-calculation or slip-up and they could wipe out everything within a five mile radius.
They were interrupted from there conversation by a knock at the door. None of them were expecting visitors and naturally just presumed that it would be Caz and Harry come to see what on earth was going on. The reaction they'd gotten out of them at the feast had after all been hilarious.
Sirius yelled for their visitors to enter and none of them bothered to look as the portrait they were hiding behind swung open. The first thing that caused them to take any notice was when one of their visitors spoke.
"Alright guys? Moony, Padfoot, I see some things never change. You two are still as idle as ever!" the visitors laughed as four heads snapped round to stare at them; four gaping mouths hung open before them.
The second visitor spoke. "you can all shut your mouths now. I think we've established that you're shocked to see us. Now are you lot going to say something or do we have to sit here all night?"
~~~~END FLASHBACK~~~~
"We wouldn't have been so shocked if you two weren't so mean. I mean fancy! Just waltzing in there and expecting us to act like that sort of thing happened every day!" Abbi declared indignantly.
"At least none of you passed out!" Exclaimed Harry, "Not like me. You'd think after everything I'd seen in the past few years I'd be able to stay conscious but noooooo…"
There was a chorus of laughter around the room. Already the group was feeling perfectly comfortable with each other. Harry was relieved that his friends had accepted all these changes so well. It was a lot for him to cope with, he could only imagine how Ron and Hermione were feeling about it all, and after all, they had heard the very simplified tale of events, not the full story.
They were pulled from there laughter by a knock on the door. They all yelled for the person to come in at the same time and the door swung back to reveal professor Dumbledore and Draco stood behind it. The two entered the room and Dumbledore shut the door, magically locking it after himself.
He noticed the enquiring gaze of the group before him and smiled a reassuring smile. "we don't want interrupting whilst we're having this conversation." He told them.
It was Lily who broke the silence that descended on them, "Did you tell him Draco?" she asked of her nephew.
Draco smiled at her and nodded. "Yes auntie Lily, I did, that's why we're here."
Everyone turned enquiring looks back towards Dumbledore. He smiled at them again. "I think we should talk." He stated. "everyone make yourselves comfortable."
Dumbledore sat himself down in an empty seat, Draco resuming the seat he was occupying earlier. Once they were all comfortable Dumbledore began.
"I should start by telling you, Miss Granger, Miss Black, Mr Weasley, Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy, that I have arranged for you to be excused from this afternoon's lesson." Seeing the look on Hermione's face he laughed inwardly, "Not to worry miss granger, professor McGonagall has told me that she is willing for you to make up the class with her at some point later in the week."
Hermione visible relaxed at this and James, Sirius and Remus all looked to each other, obviously suppressing laughter. Dumbledore continued, "Now to address the problem at heart. It is not going to surprise you when I tell you that over the past few months Voldemort has been gathering followers from every corner. It pains me to say that we have to be aware of the fact that it is wholly possible, and indeed likely, that some of the students here have already taken or will in the near future take the dark mark." Dumbledore paused to allow his statement to sink in. after studying everyone's faces for a few seconds he continued.
"Sirius, Remus, Jen, Abbi, have any of you taken the opportunity to look in the spare rooms of your quarters?"
The four professors looked at each other and shook their heads. Sirius answered, "We all took the time to look at our own rooms and the library and bathrooms, James and Lily took one of the spare rooms when they arrived last night but we haven't looked in the other one yet."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Then you will most likely be thoroughly surprised by my latest revelation."
"I had this planned as a list minute resort in-case of emergency, however after mister Malfoy's revelation to me today I have decided to use this now, rather than wait for later. At current I have some of the house-elves doing a little moving for me. Lily and James, you shall remain at Hogwarts throughout this academic year, for your own safety as well as to give you a chance to get to know your son."
Dumbledore next turned solely on the students. "You shall all be undergoing a change of house or the rest of the year." The students all gasped. Surely this could not be happening. "Don't look so worried." Continued Dumbledore. The house I shall be moving you to is not one usually used within Hogwarts. Indeed, it has not been used since Hogwarts first opened it's doors to students all those years ago. The house I shall be putting you in is the house of the Phoenix."
Remus was the first in the room to regain the power of speech. "but I thought that the house of the phoenix was just a myth. Surely it cant be true. Can it?" he asked.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Oh but it is. The sorting hat does not possess the ability to distinguish a true member of the house of the Phoenix. That is left at the discretion of the schools headmaster. I have decided to open this house until the end of the war to protect those most at risk from this war. It will offer us the ability to protect them from anyone who may be holding any grudges or who may be working for the Dark Lord. The house of the Phoenix shall operate slightly differently to any other Hogwarts house however I shall explain that when we have the final member of the house present."
"Who's that professor?" Asked Hermione
"That, Miss Granger," he replied, "Would be Miss Weasley."
Ron Paled. "My sister? How come?"
"Another issue, Mr Weasley, which shall be addressed once she is present."
At that there was another knock on the door. Dumbledore looked up. "Who is it?" he called.
"It's Ginny Weasley." A tentative voice on the other side of the door replied. "Professor Snape gave me a message that I was to come here."
Dumbledore waved his wand and the door flew open. Ginny stepped into the room and no sooner was she inside than the door swung shot and re-locked itself behind her. She looked terrified as she stood in the doorway. Dumbledore motioned for her to join the group and she walked hesitantly to take a set next to Ron, looking at him for reassurance.
Dumbledore decided that since Ginny was now present he should continue his explanation. After a quick recap of what he'd just said, receiving similar reactions from Ginny that he had received from the rest of the group, he continued.
"Now we're all present we can sort out the arrangements. I have selected the six of you from the rest of the school because as it appears to me you are the ones in the most immediate danger. I also put the proposal to Misters Fred and George Weasley however they both declined and I accepted that. They have a valid point when they say that at the end of the year they are no longer under Hogwarts protection and therefore should also look after themselves this year. On your parts though, this is non negotiable." He paused there to let that statement sink in. eventually continuing his speech when he realised none of them were about to argue with him.
"You shall all be moving into new dormitories this afternoon. You will find your things have already been moved. You will find your new dormitories near to the staff quarters. Your area is not as big as that of Gryffindor tower or of Slytherin's dungeons however you have a small shared common room, a girls and a boy's dormitory and two shower rooms. Access to your area requires you to go through the shared lounge of those adults present here, I'm sure that you will get a great deal of use out of their library as well, I would rather you use that than the school library if at all possible."
Dumbledore paused as recognition crossed the face of his new professors while they began to understand the size of their suite. They had already thought it was much too big for just the four of them. Taking a breath Dumbledore continued;
"As well as your change in living environment there will also be a change in your class schedules and in where you eat at mealtimes. Obviously you will no longer be members of your old houses so it would not make sense for you to follow their timetables or to continue to eat with them. I have had some house elves prepare a sixth table in the great hall. It is smaller than the other house tables, just big enough for the six of you, and it is next to the staff table, the only place we could fit it in comfortably. Your lessons shall take place with just the six of you. Miss Weasley, you shall be following the fifth year syllabus and picking up the fourth year things as you go along. As it is the syllabus shall be somewhat adapted for all of you. I shall arrange for you to receive your new timetables at breakfast tomorrow."
The group of students sat reeling from these new revelations. It was too much to take in really it was. They were all excited though, each supposed they should have been scared because of the changes but they couldn't wait. The main apprehension came from wondering how the rest of the school would take the news. As if sensing their apprehension on this Dumbledore spoke again.
"I shall make an announcement to the rest of the school at this evening's meal. Now you have an hour before it is time for that and I suggest you get yourselves acquainted with your new rooms and I'll see you all later."
With that said Dumbledore released the locking charm on the door and swept out of the room. The group sat looking at each other for a minute before Remus shrugged,
"We'll show you to your rooms
then shall we?"
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The six new members of the house of the Phoenix sat in their common room. Draco looked by far the most uncomfortable of the lot however Lily had left Harry with instructions to look after him and Draco with instructions to be nice. They had all been sat in silence for the past ten minutes contemplating their new situation. Eventually it was Ginny who spoke up:
"I wonder what Dumbledore meant when he said we were the ones in the most immediate danger?" The phrase was more of a question than a statement and one that everyone realised she wanted answering.
Draco eventually spoke up in answer to her question, "Simple really." he began, "I mean think about it. First we have Potter. Mouldy Voldey's been after him for years, why should he let up now. Dumbledore's had every protection spell possible on him since he was a baby.
Then we have the Weasley's. Their family is so into the light that Voldey just wants rid. Plus there's the added bonus that by getting rid of them he comes one closer to Potter.
That brings us onto Granger. By doing her in or capturing her Voldey's got himself closer to the Weasley's and the Potter's. Danger by association.
Then there's me. I just turned traitor. We all know what Voldey does to traitors don't we? I for one don't fancy ending up on the wrong end of one of their wands.
As for her," he indicated Caz, "I don't know."
Caz looked at them all. "I do." She said quietly. "It's probably about time I told you all, after all, we're in the same boat and we're going to have to live together for a while. My father…….he's. he's……Lucius Malfoy."
Draco's jaw dropped. "But… he can't be! He would have told me! That makes you my sister! You have to be kidding! How is that possible??!!"
"Do you want me to draw you a diagram?" Ron scoffed.
Draco glared at him, "That's not what I meant and you know it." He sneered. "I mean why would my father have had an affair?"
"He didn't." stated Caz. "Surely you know about the many ways the death eaters inflict torture on their captives. My mum was kidnapped by them in an attempt to get to Auntie Lily. Think about it."
Draco gasped, "The Bastard! I hate him!
How could he do that! I knew it
went on but I guess… I dunno, I just
could never see him being like that."
Caz shook her head "I know. Mum didn't even know she was pregnant until the day I was born. Thankfully I look nothing like him." She paused for a minute in thought, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell mum I told you this. I don't think she ever told anyone about it. Uncle Remus and Uncle Sirius know, but I don't think anyone else does."
Harry looked at her. "Course we wont. And don't worry, it doesn't matter who your father is, your still the same person you were half an hour ago. Now, I think it is time for us to go to dinner."
"Thanx." Said Caz. "You have no idea how big a relief it is to hear you say that.
Everyone smiled. Slowly the group rose to their feet and began to move out of the common room and down towards the great hall.
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The great hall was buzzing. After the first day of classes everyone was extremely hyped up. The first years telling anyone who'd listen all about the spells they had performed, the older students still attempting to catch up on two months of summer fun spent away from their friends. The group of six student, four professors and two guests halted in the doorway, apprehension oozing from them all. They all looked at each other before taking a mutual deep breath and walking towards the front of the hall.
Although the four professors had nothing that they themselves should be worried about, they were apprehensive for their friends. James and Lily were about to present themselves to a room full of people who thought they were dead and the six students were just going to be set up for a lot of singling out by other students.
As they reached the front of the hall the new members of the house of the Phoenix sat down slowly. Already all speech in the hall had stopped and everyone was looking at them, James and Lily found themselves somewhat relieved. As long as everybody was looking at the students no one was looking at them.
As all twelve of them sat down Dumbledore rose. He coughed to get attention from the rest of the school. As everyone looked to him he began his speech,
"I see you have all noticed a change in the set up of the great hall." He began, "It is my pleasure to announce the addition of a further house to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore waited a few seconds for the hum of whispers to die down before he continued.
"The house of the Phoenix is one of the original Hogwarts houses. It has not been occupied since the beginnings of Hogwarts and selection for the house is based purely on the discretion of the head teacher. The house cup competition will be adapted slightly this year to accommodate the new house. As there are only six members of the house of the Phoenix when it comes time to announce the winning house at the end of the year the number of house points shall be divided by the number of people in the house to give an average, just to be fair."
Dumbledore paused again. A few people looked indignant at this suggestion. Many of them were unsure how exactly that would work but took Dumbledore's word for it when he said it would be fair. Eventually Dumbledore decided to move on to his final point.
"Now I'm sure that some of you have noticed or heard about the arrival of two rather surprising visitors at Hogwarts this year. James and Lily Potter have come to Hogwarts and shall be remaining here throughout the school year. I ask that you do not be too nosey in asking questions and do not pester either our guests or the members of the new house. With that said, enjoy your meals."
There was clattering around the great hall as everyone picked up cutlery and began to pile their plates with food. However before the first person could lift their forks to their mouths all the lights went out in the great hall. As the lights went out an ear-splitting scream erupted from Harry's mouth as his scar erupted in intense pain.
Dumbledore turned to those sat at the staff table. "Voldemort." Was all he needed to say.
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A/N – Well there we go. I did it! 2 chapters by the end of Easter! Woo hoo!!! So who expected that then? Suspense! Yay! So review and I'll try to get another one out next week.
