Disclaimer: Harry Potter and associated characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Chapter 22: Mortuorum
December soon came around and Hogwarts found itself covered in thick layers of snow. The holidays would start in another week and all the students were anxious to go home, however Harry would stay at school over the holidays like he always did each year since he knew he wouldn't be welcome at home.
The dungeons were freezing as always during this time of year and that made their potions and Dark Art classes somewhat unbearable. At least in potions, they were able to huddle near their hot cauldrons, but their Dark Arts class was another matter since there weren't any forms of heating. On occasion though, Walter would be nice enough to warm up the room a little by creating a small fire in the centre of it and skeletons would stand around the room carrying the red fireballs that they used in the Halloween performance.
One particularly chilly morning, Harry, Ron and Hermione were spending their time down in the dungeons for potions with the Slytherins. Even though Malfoy was still in prison away from everyone else, that didn't stop Snape from giving Harry a hard time and taking points away from Gryffindor. Today they would be learning how to brew a Mortuorum Potion.
"Can anyone tell me what the Mortuorum Potion does?" Snape asked, looking around the room.
Hermione's hand naturally went up but he ignored it, turning his attention to Harry who was partnered with Lavender Brown since Parvati hadn't shown up to class.
"POTTER!" he said suddenly.
Harry looked around uncertainly, glancing at Hermione who was mouthing something that looked like vampires.
"Uh - vampires," he whispered.
"I expected better from such a - ," Snape paused. "unique student. I can see that Professor Sepet's special treatment of you has made you complacent. Five points from Gryffindor for not answering properly Potter, and an additional five for helping him Miss Granger."
"WHAT!?" Hermione exclaimed exasperatedly. "I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"
"An additional five points from Gryffindor for that outburst," said Snape and Hermione immediately gave up all attempts to try to argue with him. "Now let's try again. Can you answer what ingredients are needed for the potion?"
Hermione's hand once again went up and Snape disregarded it, calling on Lavender instead.
"Miss Brown. Answer the question."
Lavender began to wry her fingers nervously as she attempted to pick her brain for the non-existent answer.
"I don't know," she stuttered.
"Disgraceful. Ten points from Gryffindor."
Snape shifted his unfeeling gaze around the room while continuing to lecture in barely a whisper. "Since Miss Brown wasn't able to answer the question, I will inform you that Mortuorum potion is used to repel or kill vampires. You mix a pinch of powdered Unicorn's horn, ground garlic, ten milliliters of quick silver and finally the blood of a human. The blood is a very important part of the potion. The more of it you put in, the more likely it will affect the vampire."
The students furiously wrote down their notes on parchment as Snape continued his lecture for the first hour of class, giving them more information about the effects of the potion on vampires and how it would kill them if they drank too much of it. Then during the second hour of the class, Snape paired them up, so they could make the potion.
Snape handed out a dagger to each pair of students so they would be able to add the blood to their potion. Afterwards, he return to sweeping around the classroom as usual, looking over their shoulder and watching them measure out each ingredient, scrutinizing over the Griffindor's every now and then.
Harry worked with Lavender and he measured out the ingredients before dumping them in their cauldron while Lavender stirred. However when it came time to add the blood, Lavender was looking pale in the face.
"I can't do this," she told Harry, holding the dagger over her other hand, chewing on her lower lip.
Harry wasn't paying attention though; he was looking over at Hermione and Ron. Hermione had taken out her own dagger and cut her hand with it, letting her blood flow into the potion.
As her blood flowed into the potion, Ron's face grew more and more concerned, as did Harry's but then Hermione did something very strange. She wiped her dagger and brought it back to her hand. Ron put out a hand to stop her but she shook it off and pressed the flat side of the dagger's blade to her injured hand that was still hovering over the potion, muttering some words that Harry couldn't hear. Her blade started to glow a blue-silver colour and when it rescinded, her hand looked the way it was just before she cut it.
"Harry," he heard Lavender's voice say, snapping him out of his trance.
"What?" he replied, making a mental note to ask Hermione about her dagger later.
"Add your blood, I don't want to cut myself."
Harry sighed and took the dagger from her, preparing to cut himself with it.
"POTTER!" Snape snarled. "Give the dagger back to Miss Brown and have her add her blood to the potion."
"But she doesn't want to do it," he protested.
"That will be five points from Gryffindor for your impertinence and it'll be ten more if Miss Brown doesn't add her blood."
Harry handed the dagger back to a fretful looking Lavender, who took it. She looked away, holding the dagger near her other hand over the cauldron. He could see her hand was shaking and she let out a cry when she cut herself, dropping the dagger into the cauldron at the same time. Nothing happened but that didn't stop Snape from chastising them.
"MISS BROWN!" Snape snapped. "You were only supposed to add your blood to it not your dagger as well. Ten points from Gryffindor."
"HOW COULD YOU BE SUCH A COLD PERSON!" Hermione shouted exasperatedly. "CAN'T YOU SEE THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO ADD HER BLOOD?"
Snape paused for a reply, apparently taken aback by her outburst but his face twisted in anger at her words. "That will be thirty points from Gryffindor for your outburst Miss Granger. NOW SIT DOWN!"
Hermione sat down defeated and Ron attempted to comfort her.
*I should be the one cheering her up. * He thought, disheartened at watching his two friends interact.
Harry felt Lavender fall to the floor and he quickly turned his attention to her. Pulling out his wand, he healed her injured hand and revived her.
"What happened?" Lavender asked when she came to.
"You fainted from losing too much blood I guess," Harry explained, helping her up. "I healed your injury so you won't pass out anymore."
"Oh - Thanks," she giggled.
Harry rolled his eyes and continued to work on his potion for the rest of the class, lost in his thoughts as they drifted to Hermione.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After potions class, the three of them went to the Great Hall for lunch.
"UGH!" Hermione exclaimed huffily. "I can't believe we lost thirty points my outburst but Snape shouldn't have forced her to add her blood to that potion."
"Calm down Hermione," said Harry. "I took care of it and everything turned out alright, didn't it?"
"But Lavender fainted."
"Listen to Harry. He said he took care of it so why are you so worried?" Ron chimed in.
"Oh I don't know. Probably I'm still vexed about losing those points."
"C'mon Hermione, you can easily gain those back by answering a few questions in Transfiguration," Harry reassured her. "It can't get as bad as first year when we lost 150 points for Gryffindor and look on the bright side, you didn't get detention from Snape."
Hermione's mouth turned up in a cheerful smile at his words. "Thanks Harry."
"You're welcome," he said, grinning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Great Hall was full of laughter and voices when they entered it. The trio made their way over to the Gryffindor table where everyone was already eating.
"Hermione - Harry!" they heard Ginny call. "Over here!"
They went over to Ginny who handed Harry a letter and Hermione a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"What's this about?" Harry asked, looking at the letter which bore a red seal on it that looked unfamiliar.
"I don't know - two school owls came and dropped them off," Ginny answered.
"Let's open it and find out," Hermione suggested.
Ginny moved over slightly so they could sit down and look at their mail.
"What's the letter about?" Ron asked. "Open it."
"Nothing," Harry replied, attempting to put away the letter, but Ron snatched it away from him and read it aloud.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please meet me in the dungeons with Miss Granger at 9:00 this evening. Come alone. There is something I wish to discuss with you both.
Count Sepet
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does Sepet want to see you two alone?"
"How are we supposed to know?" answered Harry as Ron gave him back the letter.
Harry quickly put away the letter and gave Hermione a questioning look. "Do you think we should go?"
"I don't know. It could be a trap," she pointed out.
"Sepet hasn't done anything yet," said Ron.
"Nothing?" she scoffed. "You think attacking Alicia counts as nothing? What about Parvati?"
"Hey, Alicia's almost fully recovered but you're right. I'd bet Sepet probably has something to do with Parvati's problem too. So you think we shouldn't go?" Harry said.
"We have to go because Sepet is a professor but we should be careful," Hermione warned. "If Sepet decides to hurt us, we'll need to have our wits around us. I expect Walter might know something about this. We should go see him."
"Sure," Harry agreed. "We can talk to him later, after Care of Magical Creatures"
"We're having that with the Ravenclaws right?" Hermione asked.
Harry took out his schedule from his bag and looked at it. "Yeah, we do. I wonder what kind of creature Hagrid will be introducing us today."
"Probably something dangerous. His idea of a tame creature is something that hasn't bitten or eaten anyone in a month," said Hermione sarcastically.
Ron and Harry laughed at her comment but they were rudely interrupted by a voice from behind that sounded all too familiar from its accent.
"Hullo Herm-own-ninny," they heard Viktor say.
Harry and Ron gritted their teeth at the sound of Viktor's voice and Hermione turned around to face Krum.
"Hullo Viktor," said Hermione, forcing a smile.
"I vos vondering if you vould like to join me for a vaak this effening after dinner," Krum said, coming to sit down in between Hermione and an increasingly miffed Harry.
Hermione put on her best apologetic face. "I'm sorry Viktor but I have a meeting to go to."
"Does it haff anything to do vith Dumblydore?"
"No - for your information Harry and I need to see Sepet," Hermione stated while trying to stop Ron from pounding Krum into the ground with his fists.
"Then it has somesing to do vith our duelling class. Vhy don't I come vith you?"
"Because Sepet wanted to see only us," Hermione explained, giving Harry a look that clearly said 'get me out of here.'
"Hermione - " Harry interrupted. "We need to go to class or we'll be late."
"All right," Hermione said, putting the Daily Prophet in her bag and gathering her books before exiting the Great Hall with Ron and Harry.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Thanks Harry," said Hermione once they were outside. "Really - I wish Viktor would leave me alone."
"No problem Hermione. Ron and I enjoy keeping Viktor away from you - Right Ron?" Harry said, giving Ron a little nudge with his elbow.
"Huh? Oh - Right," Ron agreed and Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes.
"What?" Ron asked with a clueless expression on his face.
"Nothing Ron," Harry laughed and they continued to walk down the sloping lawns, which were now covered with snow, towards Hagrid's hut near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
They could see Hagrid standing outside his hut long before they even reached it due to his large stature and several students were already gathered around him.
"Hullo yeh three," Hagrid greeted them loudly. "Gather 'round."
Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat on the grass, huddling close together so that they could stay warm. The other students joined them soon and Hagrid led them around the back of his hut.
"Right, follow me! This way, quickly!" he yelled loudly as they went around his hut towards the Forbidden Forest.
Harry hoped that Hagrid wouldn't lead them into the forest since his experience in it during his years at Hogwarts wasn't at all pleasant, especially Harry and Ron's encounter with Aragog their second year.
They stopped just short of the forest where two fires were roaring, providing warmth. Many students breathed a sight of relief when they stopped since none of them wanted to enter the forest at all.
A large grayish-purple creature standing on four thumbed feet with two horns. The creature looked fierce and menacing, and yanked at its chain that was tethered to a tree trying to get at the students so it seemed, but Hagrid went over and stroked it gently.
The creature snapped at Hagrid's hand but Hagrid only chuckled merrily. "Bless my soul, he knows his mummy."
"Uh, Professor Hagrid," one of the Ravenclaws said. "What is that?"
"Oh I'm sorry - this 'ere is a Graphorn," Hagrid explained happily. "beau'iful, isn't he?"
"Will it attack us?" another student asked, eyeing the Graphorn fearfully.
" O' course not. He's about as 'armless as a field mouse," said Hagrid only to receive awkward looks from several students. "Firs' thing yeh should know abou' Graphorns is, their skin is thicker than a dragon's and they're incredibly resistant ter magic."
If the students weren't panicking before, they were now and many of them found themselves going for their wands, just in case.
"I've read about those," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Don't they live in the mountains of Europe?"
"That's right, know yer stuff Hermione," Hagrid roared. "Ten points ter Gryffindor."
"But aren't they dangerous? I've read that even mountain trolls can get hurt from them."
"Yeh've got your information wrong," Hagrid insisted. "They're not gonna hurt anyone."
Hagrid had spoken too soon for at that moment, the Graphorn broke free of its chain and attacked the nearest student, which happened to be a female Ravenclaw. She let out a shriek and rolled aside as the Graphorn impaled the ground where she was with its horns.
The other students were now scattering quickly but the Ravenclaw Order members made an attempt to stop it.
Cho and Terry Boot both cast stunning spells, but the spells just rebounded off the Graphorn's tough skin and went off into the air.
Engraged by the attack, the Graphorn tackled Terry Boot, breaking his ribs just as Hagrid grabbed it around the neck and tried to pull it off Terry.
"Ron - Hermione," Harry commanded. "Get everyone out of here."
"What about you?" Hermione called back.
"Don't worry about me - now GO!"
Ron and Hermione quickly went off to help the students, who were too shocked to move, leaving Harry to help Hagrid.
By then, Hagrid had lost his struggle with the Graphorn and was thrown off but Terry was free, being dragged away slowly by Cho who was trying to avoid being attacked.
Harry drew out his wand and pointed it at the nearest fire. "Accersitus Vulcanus!"
A red beam of light shot out of his wand and into the fire. The fire roared increased in intensity as the spell summoning the fire guardian took effect. Eventually it rose to a height of about 6 feet before taking a humanoid figure made entirely of flames.
*Your commands master? * it said.
"Keep the Graphorn away from the students," Harry commanded.
The fire guardian walked through the snow, melting it as it went towards the Graphorn.
Feeling the warmth coming from the fire guardian, the Graphorn's natural instincts kicked in and it slowly backed away from it, ignoring the other students.
Helping Hagrid up, who was scratched in various places from having wrestled with the Graphorn, Harry allowed the fire guardian to care of the Graphorn while making sure there weren't any other students in immediate danger.
"HARRY!" Hermione shouted, coming back to see if anymore students were left behind. "Are you alright?"
Harry nodded. "I'm fine - take care of Hagrid."
"What about you?"
He didn't respond and just pointed at the fire guardian who was still driving the creature back towards the forest.
"Won't that burn the forest?" Hermione asked, using a levitation spell to help make Hagrid easier to drag to his hut.
"Nope, I'll make sure it doesn't - just take care of Hagrid and go get McGonagall."
"Oh all right," Hermione conceded, dragging Hagrid away.
The fire guardian had now driven the creature close enough to the forest where it wouldn't do anymore harm so Harry cast force field spells around it, containing the enraged animal.
"Enough - return," Harry ordered the Fire Guardian.
The fire guardian obeyed and turned into a swirling pillar of flame, which streamed back to the fire from whence it came.
The Graphorn was grunting and banging its head against the force fields, but unlike Harry's previous encounter with Nobert, Harry felt his barriers strain under the impact of each blow. Fortunately, the quadruped animal soon tired itself out and collapsed in exhaustion, much to Harry's delight since no more students were in danger and he could relax without the pain inflicted on him each time the Graphorn had attacked the barrier.
Since the force fields could only be maintained while he was within a certain distance of the creature, Harry didn't have much of a choice but to remain there for a few hours with the sleeping creature.
*I wish Hagrid would find a creature that wasn't nearly so dangerous like the Hippogriff, Buckbeak wasn't too bad, or those Blast-Ended Skrewts. Then it wouldn't be so much work trying to keep them under control * Harry thought, sitting in the snow near one of the fires which was dying down since no firewood had been added.
A chilling breeze blew through the area and Harry drew his robes tightly around him, trying to keep warm. The snow where the fire guardian had melted and sunlight from the setting sun was reflecting off of the pools of water surrounded by mounds of snow.
Not wanting to be alone, Harry pointed his wand at the nearest pool of water and summoned the water guardian. The water shot up like a fountain from the pool and started to form the shape of a head with long wavy hair that fell down to where the waist would be. Following this, the figure filled out, forming a shapely woman and finally two slender legs took shape, completing the water guardian.
*Good afternoon Harry * the water guardian said. *Any success? *
"With what?"
The water guardian giggled slightly *Why Hermione of course. *
"No, I haven't. I think Ron is still trying to go for her and I think she likes him too."
*But you won't know if you don't try anything *
"I guess, but this morning in potions, Ron was trying to comfort her after one of our classmates refused to add her blood to a potion and it looked like she was responding to him."
*That may not mean anything. Ron is her best friend too, wouldn't you be appreciative if your best friend tried to console you when you needed it? *
"You're right," said Harry, smiling weakly.
*Well, if you're not willing to date Hermione, you could always date me. * the guardian said playfully.
Harry was shocked by the suggestion but found it very amusing that the guardian would even consider such an idea. "How does that work? I wouldn't be able to hug you or anything."
*Oh its not that hard, you just summon all the guardians and just combine us. *
"That easy? No incantation or anything?" Harry asked.
*Oh, you'll have to tell us which one is in control when we're in our human form. Just say the word 'Dominatus' then the name of the element. *
"I'll keep that in mind if I can't find a date at the next ball, whenever that is," said Harry mockingly.
*I bet you I'm better looking than most girls at this school are in my human form. * the guardian challenged.
"For a guardian that is supposed to be obeying her master, you sure are rebellious."
*I'm only trying to help. You can't always be so self-sacrificing for the good of others. You deserve to be as happy just as much as everyone else. *
"Thanks."
Eventually, he saw the familiar shapes of Ron and Hermione followed by Professor McGonagall running towards him and the water guardian took her leave, disappearing back into the pool of water.
"Mr. Potter - how - did you," McGonagall said, almost speechless from shock but she quickly gathered herself and became torn between anger and concern. "Why are you still out here? You very well know that the Dark Lord has risen. It's not safe out here. Get to the Hospital Wing and have Madam Pomfrey take a look at you. Mr. Weasley - Miss Granger will accompany you. I'll take over from here."
"But - "
"Don't question me. Go before I dock fifty points from my own house," she threatened. "I trust I don't need to remind you that we need the points."
*The barriers will go down once I'm out of range but I suppose it doesn't matter anymore since it's asleep. * he reasoned, looking back at the Graphorn which wasn't moving at all within its little pen.
Harry nodded and headed back to the castle with Ron and Hermione who immediately started grilling him for answers.
"That was a great show mate!" Ron exclaimed. "What was that thing you summoned?"
"A fire guardian."
"Harry - you could have been hurt," said Hermione, her voice full of concern.
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "Hey it turned out alright, didn't it?"
"Still - McGonagall has a point, you shouldn't be out, especially this late at night," she insisted.
"What could possibly go wrong? Vol - I mean You-Know-Who isn't going to attack Hogwarts."
"There's a death eater at this school remember?"
"Yeah mate, you should be careful," Ron concurred. "That death eater is good, whoever it is."
"Great - now I get to spend the rest of the day in the Hospital Wing," Harry said unenthusiastically.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was about 5:00 by the time they arrived at the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey went over to meet them and they saw Terry's figure lying on one of the beds, asleep.
"Mr. Potter," she said. "Back again? Have a seat on one of the beds. I'll be with you shortly. Your friends may stay this time since you won't be here for long from the looks of you."
Harry groaned but nevertheless walked over and sat down on the nearest bed. Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office with several potions soon enough and came over to administer to Harry.
"Your wrists are like ice," she commented, holding his wrist so that she could take his blood pressure. "Where were you?"
"Outside, battling a Graphorn," Hermione explained for him.
"How on Earth did you ever survive?"
Harry sighed. The 'million-questions' routine was getting a little redundant. "I had a little help from a friend."
"I don't think I'll ever get the truth out of you so I'll just treat you and you can go to dinner since there's no need to keep you in here."
Harry couldn't help from smiling just a little. He was just glad that he didn't have to spend the night in the hospital wing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Soon dinnertime rolled around and Madam Pomfrey released him so he could go to the Great Hall to eat. The students were just starting to file in and Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Dean and Seamus who were engaging in a conversation about Quidditch.
"No, you're not supposed to fly like that. The 'Hawkshead Attacking Formation' is where you fly in a v formation with one chaser ahead of the other two," Dean was saying.
"Shut up Dean, you don't know what you're talking about," Seamus said.
"Dean is right," said Ron, taking sides. "I've read 'Quidditch Throughout the Ages' and that's what it says."
Harry looked around to the teacher's table where two skeletons carrying swords and shields were flanking it on each side. Dumbledore was chatting merrily with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick was trying to tell a joke that he heard a long time ago to Professor Sprout but at the end of the table, Snape and Walter were conversing seriously about something though Harry was wondering more about where Sepet was.
After about five minutes, Walter stood up and motioned to his skeletons who fell into formation as he walked through the centre of the room towards the two large doors of the Great Hall, getting several stares from the students. However, the doors burst open before they got to them, revealing Lucius Malfoy, Sepet, and several ministry wizards with their wands drawn.
All the chatter in the Great Hall ceased as all of the students turned to look in their direction.
"By order of the Ministery of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, I hereby place Headmaster Albus Dumbledore under arrest for the crime of attempting to free the Death Eaters of Azkaban and committing a serious act of treason against the Wizarding world," Lucius announced. "Arrest him."
Sepet strode through the center of the Great Hall towards the teacher's table, his long cape flowing behind him as he walked.
"My lord?" Walter questioned as he passed.
"Not now Walter. Business comes first," Sepet replied quickly, continuing forward.
Sepet walked up to Dumbledore at the teacher's table. "Headmaster, I must place you under arrest for your attempt to free the Death Eaters of Azkaban."
Dumbledore nodded and stood up. "Very well, I shall accompany you Professor. I never expected you to follow them, but I was mistaken."
"That no longer matters headmaster," said Sepet, looking at Dumbledore with a cold, unfeeling gaze. "Now come along."
Dumbledore, escorted by Sepet, walked around the teacher's table and to where Lucius was standing at the entrance. "Now that you have me, what can I do for you Lucius?"
"You know very well what I'm here for," Lucius spat. "I'm here for you and my son, Draco. I hear that this.. 'thing,' he said loathingly, pointing at Walter, "put him in the dungeons and tortured him for killing Karkaroff."
"Overwhelming evidence was found incriminating him of the murder," Dumbledore pointed out. "but we didn't torture him, no."
"I don't care for your lies - you will release him immediately."
"As you wish - Professor Laikov, please see that Mr. Malfoy is released from prison then I will accompany Lucius peacefully."
If looks could kill, Lucius would have been vaporized into thin air as Walter was giving him a vengeful look that clearly said that he would get his comeuppance when the time came but Walter bowed to Dumbledore and left through the door near the teacher's table.
"Chain him," Lucius commanded and two wizards shackled Dumbledore's hands and took his wand.
"I told you Lucius three years ago - " Dumbledore said. "Those who believe in me will still be able to receive my assistance and I assure you that you will never get rid of me completely. That has been my promise and I shall fulfill it."
"Bold words Albus, but where we're sending you - not even Merlin would be able to find you."
At that moment, Walter returned with Draco, who looked eagerly at his father.
"Go back to your classmates Draco. You're safe now without this - traitor - around. I will be replacing him."
Draco smiled evilly at Dumbledore. "I knew you wouldn't last old man. Now we'll finally get a headmaster who'll teach us what we need to know."
Dumbledore glanced at Malfoy as he walked back towards the Slytherin table, "Mr. Malfoy, I doubt Headmistress McGonagall would allow you to learn the Dark Arts in class if that's what you were referring to. The Dark Arts is dangerous magic and delving too deeply into them could have dire consequences."
"Enough of your high strung speeches Albus," Lucius said. "It's time to go - take him away."
Dumbledore walked out of the Great Hall escorted by Sepet and the group of wizards before disappearing around the corner with Lucius close behind. Meanwhile, the Great Hall was silent but McGonagall eventually got the nerve to stand up and speak.
"In Professor Dumbledore's absence, I will be your new headmistress and Professor Flitwick will be the new deputy headmaster, however, we will still teach our respective classes so you will still be having them with us," she said. "I ask that we all remain strong and I give you my assurances that the headmaster will return once this mistake has been sorted out. Please continue your meals."
The students slowly went back to eating but the entire hall was silent as none of the students wanted to think of what would happen next. McGonagall and the other teachers looked very melancholy with the departure of their headmaster and Walter resumed his seat, the skeletons returning to their former positions. With Dumbledore gone, the order would have more trouble than ever trying to defeat Voldemort.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After dinner was concluded, Harry, Ron and Hermione went back in silence to the Gryffindor tower with the rest of the students and upon arriving in their common room, Ron burst into a fit of rage.
"I can't BELIEVE they would let someone like Lucius Malfoy remove Dumbledore," Ron shouted angrily. "and why didn't Walter do anything to stop Sepet?"
"Ron, it can't be that bad," Harry said. "At least McGonagall is our headmistress and Walter can't just attack his employer."
"Employer or not, Walter should have done something," Ron countered.
"OH! Why didn't I think of that before!" Hermione exclaimed, causing both boys to look at her as if she had just lost her mind. "The Daily Prophet this morning. That's why it was delivered."
She took out her copy of the Daily Prophet and sat down at one of the tables so that they could all read it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dumbledore Replaced as Headmaster
This morning, the board of school governors approved a motion to remove the snide headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, until an investigation can be conducted regarding his illegal activities in freeing the Death Eaters of Azkaban.
"The board of governors have chosen me to take Albus into custody and I shall carry out the task honourably," says Lucius Malfoy, a member of the Ministry of Magic's Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. "It is unfortunate that such a ...dreadful..thing should happen to him but it is a prudent move that we thought was necessary."
As for the former headmaster, he comments that he had every intention of freeing the Death Eaters but not because he wishes to overthrow our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Instead he says that they deserve every chance they can get however, it is in the record that these former Death Eaters were all tried and found guilty of their charges.
Lucius Malfoy is scheduled to deliver the notice this evening and, with the help of Professor Sepet, the newest teacher and official of the International Ministry, remove the charlatan from his prestigious office.
- Rita Skeeter
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No wonder we didn't know about it," said Hermione. "It was all in the paper and we forgot to read it this morning."
"Hey Hermione," Ron said. "I thought you took care of Rita Skeeter, so why is she still reporting?"
"I let her go in London but apparently she's back to writing," said Hermione, putting away the Daily Prophet. "I'm thinking of spilling the beans on her now."
"Sure, why not," Ron agreed. "She deserves to be ratted on."
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the word, catching Hermione's attention. "Something wrong Harry?"
He shook his head. "I don't like to be reminded of rats."
"Oh come off it Harry, doesn't Pettigrew owe you some type of debt now since you spared his life?" Hermione asked.
"I guess, but it still makes me uncomfortable."
"Hey, it's almost 9:00 and we need to meet with Sepet," Hermione said, changing the subject quickly. "We should be going."
"But that traitor betrayed Dumbledore," Ron fumed. "He'll probably turn Harry in to You-Know-Who too. Why should you even go?"
"If we don't show up, he'll know we're on to him and he'll start watching us even more," she prompted.
"Hermione's right," Harry agreed, getting up from the couch and stretching.
"Fine," Ron pouted. "Go and get yourselves harmed while I stay here and worry about my best friend."
"Don't you mean best friends?" Hermione asked, perking up slightly at Ron's statement.
"Yeah - just go," said Ron, and he walked up to the dorm.
Harry knew what Ron meant and it hurt him that he was more concerned about Hermione than him, yet considering Ron's crush on her, it wasn't surprising.
Checking for their wands, the pair exited the common room and strolled down to the dungeons.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The halls in the dungeons were still cold and Harry and Hermione wrapped themselves tightly in their robes to keep warm. The torches lining the halls were lit and burning brightly but there didn't seem to be any warmth emitting from them.
"I wonder where Sepet's office is. The torches don't seem to be giving off any heat," he commented, his hand fumbling with his wand in his robe pocket.
"I remember that Walter said something about his office being further down this hall."
"I just realized that we never asked Walter about Sepet," Harry said ruefully.
"It's too late for that now. I guess we'll just have to find out what he wants for ourselves."
The pair continued down the hall, the firelight lighting up the grey walls along the way. However in their attempts to find the door to Sepet's office, neither of them noticed a ripple in the walls behind them as if it were made of liquid.
The ripple grew and a black portal formed at the center of it and a man wearing a black cape and a full black quilted jacket stepped out of it. The man's right hand reached for the sword that he carried at his side and he drew it quietly as he stalked the pair down the hall.
Harry and Hermione were chatting about what would happen now that Dumbledore was gone when they sensed that there was someone following them.
"Should we go vis - " Hermione was saying when Harry's hand went to his sword, drawing it and turning around just in time to deflect Sepet's heavy broadsword coming down on him.
Seeing that his blow was deflected, Sepet smiled evilly and prepared to swing again while Hermione screamed and hastily fumbled for her wand and dagger. Harry went on the offense, trying to hit the Count but the Count brought his sword down low to block Harry's attack, aimed at his legs.
"Harry - here catch," she said, throwing him his dagger, which flew through the air and Harry put out a hand to catch it but the Count was faster.
The dagger flew into the Count's hand and he quickly used it to halt a sweeping blow coming at him diagonally across his chest. The Count followed up immediately and kicked Harry hard in the chest causing him to fly up against the wall, his sword falling to the ground at the same time.
"Good reflexes Mr. Potter, but not fast enough. Ten points from Gryffindor," Sepet said, handing Hermione her dagger and sheathing his sword.
"How come we didn't see you?" Hermione asked. "This hall was clear a moment ago and apparating isn't possible in Hogwarts."
"Tsk tsk Miss Granger, for someone who reads as much as yourself, you should know there are more forms of magic than what you learn here," said the Count, who started walking down the hall again. "Follow me to my office if you please."
Rubbing the area where the Count kicked him, Harry picked up his sword and sheathed it before running after Sepet with Hermione.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Count's office was a lot larger than Walter's was and there were two armed skeletons standing guard on the inside of the chamber, next to the entrance as they entered.
There was a large desk sitting off to the right and another large mirror, much like the mirror of Malikith, was facing them as they entered. However, Harry noted that only he and Hermione were visible in the mirror and that the Count's figure wasn't casting any form of reflection.
Other than this, the chamber was scarcely furnished and the only other piece of furniture in the room was a four poster bed with the curtains drawn shut.
Leading them to his desk, Sepet sat down and immediately began to address them.
"First I would like to congratulate you on figuring out how your dagger works, Miss Granger, but the main reason I have called you here is that I have noticed something wrong with one of the students in the Gryffindor tower. Am I correct in saying this?" he asked.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and nodded.
"Being the only two Order members in that house, I would like you to ask you a few questions, the first being who she is," said the Count, looking deeply into Hermione's eyes.
Hermione's face softened slightly and her eyes glossed over as she answered. "Parvati Patil."
"Good - now describe to me what type of behaviour she has shown or that you've noticed."
Now it was Harry's turn to answer. "She's been sleeping in later than usual and rarely eats anything."
"I see," the Count mused. "When does she wake up?"
"Usually sometime before evening but after noon," Hermione said softly.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Harry asked curiously.
"That - Mr. Potter - is a very important detail for in my field of experience, even the smallest of details can be significant."
"Why did you arrest Dumbledore earlier? He was innocent."
"Whether or not the Headmastser is innocent, he is charged with a very serious crime and my orders were to arrest him. All cases of this sort must be treated alike regardless of my personal beliefs if justice is to be served. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to," Sepet said, standing up. "Thank you for your time - Good night."
Hermione gathered herself and they stood up. The Count bowed them out of his office and started down the way they came, in the same direction that they were travelling.
"I wonder what Sepet is up to now," Hermione said, bemused.
"Should we follow?" asked Harry. " I'd guess that he's up to something since he hasn't been acting straightforwardly."
"All right, let's follow," she agreed and the two Gryffindor students silently followed their Duelling Professor down the hall and up to the third floor where they had been several times their first year, trying to stop Snape from stealing the Sorcerer's Stone.
Unfortunately, following Sepet was harder than it looked since he continuously made quick turns and they were trying their best to run as quickly as possible without being heard. Sepet turned another corner and Harry and Hermione jumped; startled by the sight that was before them.
Filch was lying unconscious on the ground, blood flowing freely from his neck, with a gash that looked similar to the one that was inflicted on Alicia. Sepet was holding Parvati by the neck, up against the wall with one hand and blood was trickling down from her mouth.
"Miss Patil, why are you here? Where is he?" Sepet asked angrily, as Parvati was struggling to break out of his hold by clawing at his arm.
Not receiving an answer Sepet tightened his grip on her neck, causing her to scream and kick even more, but to no avail since he had a very strong grip on her.
Harry and Hermione drew out their wands and fired Ice Bolts at Sepet in order get him to let go of Parvati. Two bolts of ice shot forth from the wand and the Count, not expecting the attack, was hit in the side by both of them. However, unlike previous uses of the spell, the Count was not frozen and the bolts dug into him deeply, until they were halfway embedded into his side.
The Count cursed, dropping Parvati, who landed on her feet and ran past Harry and Hermione towards the Gryffindor tower clutching her throat. Looking at Harry and Hermione, the Count's red eyes flashed in anger as he pulled the bolts out of his side, causing blood to flow from the gaping hole in his side.
"MR. POTTER - MISS GRANGER!" he hissed furiously, ignoring the blood. "YOU LET HER GET AWAY!"
Harry was wondering what he meant by that but Hermione had other ideas.
"YOU WERE HURTING HER!" she yelled, with equal ferocity.
"HOW DARE YOU! GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!" he shouted, drawing his sword with a bloody hand and advancing on them, his blood continuing to flow onto the stone floor along the way.
"PROFESSOR!" a shrill voice exclaimed from behind. "PUT THAT SWORD AWAY!"
They turned around to see that Professor McGonagall was behind them with Percy, who appeared to be patrolling the halls as was the practice at night.
"As you wish headmistress," Sepet acknowledged grudgingly and sheathed his sword again, continuing to ignore the blood.
"Mr. Potter - Miss Granger, get yourselves back to the Gryffindor tower immediately," McGonagall ordered with a stern look on her face. "I'll take care of this."
Not wanting to figure out what would happen to them if they stayed, Harry gave Hermione's sleeve a tug and pulled her away from Filch's body in the same direction that Parvati had gone. Once the professors and Percy were out of sight, they ran as fast as they could towards the tower.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They ran until they arrived at the Gryffindor tower, causing the fat lady to ask them where they were.
"Never mind that," Hermione panted. "Pig tail. Pig tail."
"Okay deary - no need to be in such a fuss over it," said the fat lady and the portrait swung aside, allowing them to enter.
"THAT was close," Harry said, as they entered the common room, receiving some stares from students that were still studying. "Sepet was very angry about that, but we shouldn't have left Filch there."
"It should be fine. McGonagall will take care of it. Besides, I don't want to spend the night in detention," Hermione said.
"How did you figure out what your dagger did earlier?" Harry asked as she started up the stairs to the girls' dormitories.
She turned around and smiled. "I found it in a book from the restricted section of the library. You just say 'expletus salus' and it does as good a job as the healing spell. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on your sword."
"Say - where's Parvati?" Harry questioned, looking around at the students in the room.
"Oh, I don't know," said Hermione, her face becoming serious again. "She's probably upstairs by now. It looked like Sepet hurt her badly."
"Yeah and as much as I don't like Filch, he didn't deserve to get attacked by Sepet and neither did Parvati with her illness and all," said Harry.
"Did you notice how Sepet didn't seem affected by our bolts?" Hermione asked. "He did lose a lot of blood."
"No, I was too worried about what he would do to us to think about that. But I wonder why he wasn't casting a reflection in that mirror when we entered his chamber," said Harry.
"I noticed that too. He said something about other forms of magic than what we learn here. That could explain why we didn't see his reflection in the mirror and how he was able to appear behind us in the hallway. Then there's also the matter of why he didn't die after losing so much blood."
"Well, I'm going to bed. Good night Harry," she said and continued upstairs to the girls' dorms, leaving Harry in the common room thinking about what Sepet could possibly do next.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Damn schoolwork. It only gets heavier and heavier. Sorry it's taken me so long to get these chapters posted lately and my apologies to those people who thought the previous chapter sucked. I know it wasn't the best but I had to stick Quidditch in there somewhere. What's a Harry Potter book without Quidditch? Anyway, once the workload goes down, I hope to post everyday like I was doing previously. For those who are wondering when this fic will be finished: I'm guessing I'll have it done in time for Christmas.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Now for a small poll:
Basically I'm getting mixed opinions about the Quidditch chapter so I'll leave it to popular vote on this. Do you guys like Quidditch enough that you want more of it and what do you think about Krum vs Harry? If no one likes Quidditch, then I'll keep it down to a minimum as I did until that chapter.
Finally, a special thanks to those who beta-read this chapter and to everyone who supported me despite what the flamer said, especially Juna, EssenceofPower, and Vixen.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Chapter 22: Mortuorum
December soon came around and Hogwarts found itself covered in thick layers of snow. The holidays would start in another week and all the students were anxious to go home, however Harry would stay at school over the holidays like he always did each year since he knew he wouldn't be welcome at home.
The dungeons were freezing as always during this time of year and that made their potions and Dark Art classes somewhat unbearable. At least in potions, they were able to huddle near their hot cauldrons, but their Dark Arts class was another matter since there weren't any forms of heating. On occasion though, Walter would be nice enough to warm up the room a little by creating a small fire in the centre of it and skeletons would stand around the room carrying the red fireballs that they used in the Halloween performance.
One particularly chilly morning, Harry, Ron and Hermione were spending their time down in the dungeons for potions with the Slytherins. Even though Malfoy was still in prison away from everyone else, that didn't stop Snape from giving Harry a hard time and taking points away from Gryffindor. Today they would be learning how to brew a Mortuorum Potion.
"Can anyone tell me what the Mortuorum Potion does?" Snape asked, looking around the room.
Hermione's hand naturally went up but he ignored it, turning his attention to Harry who was partnered with Lavender Brown since Parvati hadn't shown up to class.
"POTTER!" he said suddenly.
Harry looked around uncertainly, glancing at Hermione who was mouthing something that looked like vampires.
"Uh - vampires," he whispered.
"I expected better from such a - ," Snape paused. "unique student. I can see that Professor Sepet's special treatment of you has made you complacent. Five points from Gryffindor for not answering properly Potter, and an additional five for helping him Miss Granger."
"WHAT!?" Hermione exclaimed exasperatedly. "I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!"
"An additional five points from Gryffindor for that outburst," said Snape and Hermione immediately gave up all attempts to try to argue with him. "Now let's try again. Can you answer what ingredients are needed for the potion?"
Hermione's hand once again went up and Snape disregarded it, calling on Lavender instead.
"Miss Brown. Answer the question."
Lavender began to wry her fingers nervously as she attempted to pick her brain for the non-existent answer.
"I don't know," she stuttered.
"Disgraceful. Ten points from Gryffindor."
Snape shifted his unfeeling gaze around the room while continuing to lecture in barely a whisper. "Since Miss Brown wasn't able to answer the question, I will inform you that Mortuorum potion is used to repel or kill vampires. You mix a pinch of powdered Unicorn's horn, ground garlic, ten milliliters of quick silver and finally the blood of a human. The blood is a very important part of the potion. The more of it you put in, the more likely it will affect the vampire."
The students furiously wrote down their notes on parchment as Snape continued his lecture for the first hour of class, giving them more information about the effects of the potion on vampires and how it would kill them if they drank too much of it. Then during the second hour of the class, Snape paired them up, so they could make the potion.
Snape handed out a dagger to each pair of students so they would be able to add the blood to their potion. Afterwards, he return to sweeping around the classroom as usual, looking over their shoulder and watching them measure out each ingredient, scrutinizing over the Griffindor's every now and then.
Harry worked with Lavender and he measured out the ingredients before dumping them in their cauldron while Lavender stirred. However when it came time to add the blood, Lavender was looking pale in the face.
"I can't do this," she told Harry, holding the dagger over her other hand, chewing on her lower lip.
Harry wasn't paying attention though; he was looking over at Hermione and Ron. Hermione had taken out her own dagger and cut her hand with it, letting her blood flow into the potion.
As her blood flowed into the potion, Ron's face grew more and more concerned, as did Harry's but then Hermione did something very strange. She wiped her dagger and brought it back to her hand. Ron put out a hand to stop her but she shook it off and pressed the flat side of the dagger's blade to her injured hand that was still hovering over the potion, muttering some words that Harry couldn't hear. Her blade started to glow a blue-silver colour and when it rescinded, her hand looked the way it was just before she cut it.
"Harry," he heard Lavender's voice say, snapping him out of his trance.
"What?" he replied, making a mental note to ask Hermione about her dagger later.
"Add your blood, I don't want to cut myself."
Harry sighed and took the dagger from her, preparing to cut himself with it.
"POTTER!" Snape snarled. "Give the dagger back to Miss Brown and have her add her blood to the potion."
"But she doesn't want to do it," he protested.
"That will be five points from Gryffindor for your impertinence and it'll be ten more if Miss Brown doesn't add her blood."
Harry handed the dagger back to a fretful looking Lavender, who took it. She looked away, holding the dagger near her other hand over the cauldron. He could see her hand was shaking and she let out a cry when she cut herself, dropping the dagger into the cauldron at the same time. Nothing happened but that didn't stop Snape from chastising them.
"MISS BROWN!" Snape snapped. "You were only supposed to add your blood to it not your dagger as well. Ten points from Gryffindor."
"HOW COULD YOU BE SUCH A COLD PERSON!" Hermione shouted exasperatedly. "CAN'T YOU SEE THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO ADD HER BLOOD?"
Snape paused for a reply, apparently taken aback by her outburst but his face twisted in anger at her words. "That will be thirty points from Gryffindor for your outburst Miss Granger. NOW SIT DOWN!"
Hermione sat down defeated and Ron attempted to comfort her.
*I should be the one cheering her up. * He thought, disheartened at watching his two friends interact.
Harry felt Lavender fall to the floor and he quickly turned his attention to her. Pulling out his wand, he healed her injured hand and revived her.
"What happened?" Lavender asked when she came to.
"You fainted from losing too much blood I guess," Harry explained, helping her up. "I healed your injury so you won't pass out anymore."
"Oh - Thanks," she giggled.
Harry rolled his eyes and continued to work on his potion for the rest of the class, lost in his thoughts as they drifted to Hermione.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After potions class, the three of them went to the Great Hall for lunch.
"UGH!" Hermione exclaimed huffily. "I can't believe we lost thirty points my outburst but Snape shouldn't have forced her to add her blood to that potion."
"Calm down Hermione," said Harry. "I took care of it and everything turned out alright, didn't it?"
"But Lavender fainted."
"Listen to Harry. He said he took care of it so why are you so worried?" Ron chimed in.
"Oh I don't know. Probably I'm still vexed about losing those points."
"C'mon Hermione, you can easily gain those back by answering a few questions in Transfiguration," Harry reassured her. "It can't get as bad as first year when we lost 150 points for Gryffindor and look on the bright side, you didn't get detention from Snape."
Hermione's mouth turned up in a cheerful smile at his words. "Thanks Harry."
"You're welcome," he said, grinning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Great Hall was full of laughter and voices when they entered it. The trio made their way over to the Gryffindor table where everyone was already eating.
"Hermione - Harry!" they heard Ginny call. "Over here!"
They went over to Ginny who handed Harry a letter and Hermione a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"What's this about?" Harry asked, looking at the letter which bore a red seal on it that looked unfamiliar.
"I don't know - two school owls came and dropped them off," Ginny answered.
"Let's open it and find out," Hermione suggested.
Ginny moved over slightly so they could sit down and look at their mail.
"What's the letter about?" Ron asked. "Open it."
"Nothing," Harry replied, attempting to put away the letter, but Ron snatched it away from him and read it aloud.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please meet me in the dungeons with Miss Granger at 9:00 this evening. Come alone. There is something I wish to discuss with you both.
Count Sepet
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does Sepet want to see you two alone?"
"How are we supposed to know?" answered Harry as Ron gave him back the letter.
Harry quickly put away the letter and gave Hermione a questioning look. "Do you think we should go?"
"I don't know. It could be a trap," she pointed out.
"Sepet hasn't done anything yet," said Ron.
"Nothing?" she scoffed. "You think attacking Alicia counts as nothing? What about Parvati?"
"Hey, Alicia's almost fully recovered but you're right. I'd bet Sepet probably has something to do with Parvati's problem too. So you think we shouldn't go?" Harry said.
"We have to go because Sepet is a professor but we should be careful," Hermione warned. "If Sepet decides to hurt us, we'll need to have our wits around us. I expect Walter might know something about this. We should go see him."
"Sure," Harry agreed. "We can talk to him later, after Care of Magical Creatures"
"We're having that with the Ravenclaws right?" Hermione asked.
Harry took out his schedule from his bag and looked at it. "Yeah, we do. I wonder what kind of creature Hagrid will be introducing us today."
"Probably something dangerous. His idea of a tame creature is something that hasn't bitten or eaten anyone in a month," said Hermione sarcastically.
Ron and Harry laughed at her comment but they were rudely interrupted by a voice from behind that sounded all too familiar from its accent.
"Hullo Herm-own-ninny," they heard Viktor say.
Harry and Ron gritted their teeth at the sound of Viktor's voice and Hermione turned around to face Krum.
"Hullo Viktor," said Hermione, forcing a smile.
"I vos vondering if you vould like to join me for a vaak this effening after dinner," Krum said, coming to sit down in between Hermione and an increasingly miffed Harry.
Hermione put on her best apologetic face. "I'm sorry Viktor but I have a meeting to go to."
"Does it haff anything to do vith Dumblydore?"
"No - for your information Harry and I need to see Sepet," Hermione stated while trying to stop Ron from pounding Krum into the ground with his fists.
"Then it has somesing to do vith our duelling class. Vhy don't I come vith you?"
"Because Sepet wanted to see only us," Hermione explained, giving Harry a look that clearly said 'get me out of here.'
"Hermione - " Harry interrupted. "We need to go to class or we'll be late."
"All right," Hermione said, putting the Daily Prophet in her bag and gathering her books before exiting the Great Hall with Ron and Harry.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Thanks Harry," said Hermione once they were outside. "Really - I wish Viktor would leave me alone."
"No problem Hermione. Ron and I enjoy keeping Viktor away from you - Right Ron?" Harry said, giving Ron a little nudge with his elbow.
"Huh? Oh - Right," Ron agreed and Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes.
"What?" Ron asked with a clueless expression on his face.
"Nothing Ron," Harry laughed and they continued to walk down the sloping lawns, which were now covered with snow, towards Hagrid's hut near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
They could see Hagrid standing outside his hut long before they even reached it due to his large stature and several students were already gathered around him.
"Hullo yeh three," Hagrid greeted them loudly. "Gather 'round."
Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat on the grass, huddling close together so that they could stay warm. The other students joined them soon and Hagrid led them around the back of his hut.
"Right, follow me! This way, quickly!" he yelled loudly as they went around his hut towards the Forbidden Forest.
Harry hoped that Hagrid wouldn't lead them into the forest since his experience in it during his years at Hogwarts wasn't at all pleasant, especially Harry and Ron's encounter with Aragog their second year.
They stopped just short of the forest where two fires were roaring, providing warmth. Many students breathed a sight of relief when they stopped since none of them wanted to enter the forest at all.
A large grayish-purple creature standing on four thumbed feet with two horns. The creature looked fierce and menacing, and yanked at its chain that was tethered to a tree trying to get at the students so it seemed, but Hagrid went over and stroked it gently.
The creature snapped at Hagrid's hand but Hagrid only chuckled merrily. "Bless my soul, he knows his mummy."
"Uh, Professor Hagrid," one of the Ravenclaws said. "What is that?"
"Oh I'm sorry - this 'ere is a Graphorn," Hagrid explained happily. "beau'iful, isn't he?"
"Will it attack us?" another student asked, eyeing the Graphorn fearfully.
" O' course not. He's about as 'armless as a field mouse," said Hagrid only to receive awkward looks from several students. "Firs' thing yeh should know abou' Graphorns is, their skin is thicker than a dragon's and they're incredibly resistant ter magic."
If the students weren't panicking before, they were now and many of them found themselves going for their wands, just in case.
"I've read about those," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Don't they live in the mountains of Europe?"
"That's right, know yer stuff Hermione," Hagrid roared. "Ten points ter Gryffindor."
"But aren't they dangerous? I've read that even mountain trolls can get hurt from them."
"Yeh've got your information wrong," Hagrid insisted. "They're not gonna hurt anyone."
Hagrid had spoken too soon for at that moment, the Graphorn broke free of its chain and attacked the nearest student, which happened to be a female Ravenclaw. She let out a shriek and rolled aside as the Graphorn impaled the ground where she was with its horns.
The other students were now scattering quickly but the Ravenclaw Order members made an attempt to stop it.
Cho and Terry Boot both cast stunning spells, but the spells just rebounded off the Graphorn's tough skin and went off into the air.
Engraged by the attack, the Graphorn tackled Terry Boot, breaking his ribs just as Hagrid grabbed it around the neck and tried to pull it off Terry.
"Ron - Hermione," Harry commanded. "Get everyone out of here."
"What about you?" Hermione called back.
"Don't worry about me - now GO!"
Ron and Hermione quickly went off to help the students, who were too shocked to move, leaving Harry to help Hagrid.
By then, Hagrid had lost his struggle with the Graphorn and was thrown off but Terry was free, being dragged away slowly by Cho who was trying to avoid being attacked.
Harry drew out his wand and pointed it at the nearest fire. "Accersitus Vulcanus!"
A red beam of light shot out of his wand and into the fire. The fire roared increased in intensity as the spell summoning the fire guardian took effect. Eventually it rose to a height of about 6 feet before taking a humanoid figure made entirely of flames.
*Your commands master? * it said.
"Keep the Graphorn away from the students," Harry commanded.
The fire guardian walked through the snow, melting it as it went towards the Graphorn.
Feeling the warmth coming from the fire guardian, the Graphorn's natural instincts kicked in and it slowly backed away from it, ignoring the other students.
Helping Hagrid up, who was scratched in various places from having wrestled with the Graphorn, Harry allowed the fire guardian to care of the Graphorn while making sure there weren't any other students in immediate danger.
"HARRY!" Hermione shouted, coming back to see if anymore students were left behind. "Are you alright?"
Harry nodded. "I'm fine - take care of Hagrid."
"What about you?"
He didn't respond and just pointed at the fire guardian who was still driving the creature back towards the forest.
"Won't that burn the forest?" Hermione asked, using a levitation spell to help make Hagrid easier to drag to his hut.
"Nope, I'll make sure it doesn't - just take care of Hagrid and go get McGonagall."
"Oh all right," Hermione conceded, dragging Hagrid away.
The fire guardian had now driven the creature close enough to the forest where it wouldn't do anymore harm so Harry cast force field spells around it, containing the enraged animal.
"Enough - return," Harry ordered the Fire Guardian.
The fire guardian obeyed and turned into a swirling pillar of flame, which streamed back to the fire from whence it came.
The Graphorn was grunting and banging its head against the force fields, but unlike Harry's previous encounter with Nobert, Harry felt his barriers strain under the impact of each blow. Fortunately, the quadruped animal soon tired itself out and collapsed in exhaustion, much to Harry's delight since no more students were in danger and he could relax without the pain inflicted on him each time the Graphorn had attacked the barrier.
Since the force fields could only be maintained while he was within a certain distance of the creature, Harry didn't have much of a choice but to remain there for a few hours with the sleeping creature.
*I wish Hagrid would find a creature that wasn't nearly so dangerous like the Hippogriff, Buckbeak wasn't too bad, or those Blast-Ended Skrewts. Then it wouldn't be so much work trying to keep them under control * Harry thought, sitting in the snow near one of the fires which was dying down since no firewood had been added.
A chilling breeze blew through the area and Harry drew his robes tightly around him, trying to keep warm. The snow where the fire guardian had melted and sunlight from the setting sun was reflecting off of the pools of water surrounded by mounds of snow.
Not wanting to be alone, Harry pointed his wand at the nearest pool of water and summoned the water guardian. The water shot up like a fountain from the pool and started to form the shape of a head with long wavy hair that fell down to where the waist would be. Following this, the figure filled out, forming a shapely woman and finally two slender legs took shape, completing the water guardian.
*Good afternoon Harry * the water guardian said. *Any success? *
"With what?"
The water guardian giggled slightly *Why Hermione of course. *
"No, I haven't. I think Ron is still trying to go for her and I think she likes him too."
*But you won't know if you don't try anything *
"I guess, but this morning in potions, Ron was trying to comfort her after one of our classmates refused to add her blood to a potion and it looked like she was responding to him."
*That may not mean anything. Ron is her best friend too, wouldn't you be appreciative if your best friend tried to console you when you needed it? *
"You're right," said Harry, smiling weakly.
*Well, if you're not willing to date Hermione, you could always date me. * the guardian said playfully.
Harry was shocked by the suggestion but found it very amusing that the guardian would even consider such an idea. "How does that work? I wouldn't be able to hug you or anything."
*Oh its not that hard, you just summon all the guardians and just combine us. *
"That easy? No incantation or anything?" Harry asked.
*Oh, you'll have to tell us which one is in control when we're in our human form. Just say the word 'Dominatus' then the name of the element. *
"I'll keep that in mind if I can't find a date at the next ball, whenever that is," said Harry mockingly.
*I bet you I'm better looking than most girls at this school are in my human form. * the guardian challenged.
"For a guardian that is supposed to be obeying her master, you sure are rebellious."
*I'm only trying to help. You can't always be so self-sacrificing for the good of others. You deserve to be as happy just as much as everyone else. *
"Thanks."
Eventually, he saw the familiar shapes of Ron and Hermione followed by Professor McGonagall running towards him and the water guardian took her leave, disappearing back into the pool of water.
"Mr. Potter - how - did you," McGonagall said, almost speechless from shock but she quickly gathered herself and became torn between anger and concern. "Why are you still out here? You very well know that the Dark Lord has risen. It's not safe out here. Get to the Hospital Wing and have Madam Pomfrey take a look at you. Mr. Weasley - Miss Granger will accompany you. I'll take over from here."
"But - "
"Don't question me. Go before I dock fifty points from my own house," she threatened. "I trust I don't need to remind you that we need the points."
*The barriers will go down once I'm out of range but I suppose it doesn't matter anymore since it's asleep. * he reasoned, looking back at the Graphorn which wasn't moving at all within its little pen.
Harry nodded and headed back to the castle with Ron and Hermione who immediately started grilling him for answers.
"That was a great show mate!" Ron exclaimed. "What was that thing you summoned?"
"A fire guardian."
"Harry - you could have been hurt," said Hermione, her voice full of concern.
Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "Hey it turned out alright, didn't it?"
"Still - McGonagall has a point, you shouldn't be out, especially this late at night," she insisted.
"What could possibly go wrong? Vol - I mean You-Know-Who isn't going to attack Hogwarts."
"There's a death eater at this school remember?"
"Yeah mate, you should be careful," Ron concurred. "That death eater is good, whoever it is."
"Great - now I get to spend the rest of the day in the Hospital Wing," Harry said unenthusiastically.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was about 5:00 by the time they arrived at the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey went over to meet them and they saw Terry's figure lying on one of the beds, asleep.
"Mr. Potter," she said. "Back again? Have a seat on one of the beds. I'll be with you shortly. Your friends may stay this time since you won't be here for long from the looks of you."
Harry groaned but nevertheless walked over and sat down on the nearest bed. Madam Pomfrey emerged from her office with several potions soon enough and came over to administer to Harry.
"Your wrists are like ice," she commented, holding his wrist so that she could take his blood pressure. "Where were you?"
"Outside, battling a Graphorn," Hermione explained for him.
"How on Earth did you ever survive?"
Harry sighed. The 'million-questions' routine was getting a little redundant. "I had a little help from a friend."
"I don't think I'll ever get the truth out of you so I'll just treat you and you can go to dinner since there's no need to keep you in here."
Harry couldn't help from smiling just a little. He was just glad that he didn't have to spend the night in the hospital wing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Soon dinnertime rolled around and Madam Pomfrey released him so he could go to the Great Hall to eat. The students were just starting to file in and Harry, Ron and Hermione took a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Dean and Seamus who were engaging in a conversation about Quidditch.
"No, you're not supposed to fly like that. The 'Hawkshead Attacking Formation' is where you fly in a v formation with one chaser ahead of the other two," Dean was saying.
"Shut up Dean, you don't know what you're talking about," Seamus said.
"Dean is right," said Ron, taking sides. "I've read 'Quidditch Throughout the Ages' and that's what it says."
Harry looked around to the teacher's table where two skeletons carrying swords and shields were flanking it on each side. Dumbledore was chatting merrily with Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick was trying to tell a joke that he heard a long time ago to Professor Sprout but at the end of the table, Snape and Walter were conversing seriously about something though Harry was wondering more about where Sepet was.
After about five minutes, Walter stood up and motioned to his skeletons who fell into formation as he walked through the centre of the room towards the two large doors of the Great Hall, getting several stares from the students. However, the doors burst open before they got to them, revealing Lucius Malfoy, Sepet, and several ministry wizards with their wands drawn.
All the chatter in the Great Hall ceased as all of the students turned to look in their direction.
"By order of the Ministery of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, I hereby place Headmaster Albus Dumbledore under arrest for the crime of attempting to free the Death Eaters of Azkaban and committing a serious act of treason against the Wizarding world," Lucius announced. "Arrest him."
Sepet strode through the center of the Great Hall towards the teacher's table, his long cape flowing behind him as he walked.
"My lord?" Walter questioned as he passed.
"Not now Walter. Business comes first," Sepet replied quickly, continuing forward.
Sepet walked up to Dumbledore at the teacher's table. "Headmaster, I must place you under arrest for your attempt to free the Death Eaters of Azkaban."
Dumbledore nodded and stood up. "Very well, I shall accompany you Professor. I never expected you to follow them, but I was mistaken."
"That no longer matters headmaster," said Sepet, looking at Dumbledore with a cold, unfeeling gaze. "Now come along."
Dumbledore, escorted by Sepet, walked around the teacher's table and to where Lucius was standing at the entrance. "Now that you have me, what can I do for you Lucius?"
"You know very well what I'm here for," Lucius spat. "I'm here for you and my son, Draco. I hear that this.. 'thing,' he said loathingly, pointing at Walter, "put him in the dungeons and tortured him for killing Karkaroff."
"Overwhelming evidence was found incriminating him of the murder," Dumbledore pointed out. "but we didn't torture him, no."
"I don't care for your lies - you will release him immediately."
"As you wish - Professor Laikov, please see that Mr. Malfoy is released from prison then I will accompany Lucius peacefully."
If looks could kill, Lucius would have been vaporized into thin air as Walter was giving him a vengeful look that clearly said that he would get his comeuppance when the time came but Walter bowed to Dumbledore and left through the door near the teacher's table.
"Chain him," Lucius commanded and two wizards shackled Dumbledore's hands and took his wand.
"I told you Lucius three years ago - " Dumbledore said. "Those who believe in me will still be able to receive my assistance and I assure you that you will never get rid of me completely. That has been my promise and I shall fulfill it."
"Bold words Albus, but where we're sending you - not even Merlin would be able to find you."
At that moment, Walter returned with Draco, who looked eagerly at his father.
"Go back to your classmates Draco. You're safe now without this - traitor - around. I will be replacing him."
Draco smiled evilly at Dumbledore. "I knew you wouldn't last old man. Now we'll finally get a headmaster who'll teach us what we need to know."
Dumbledore glanced at Malfoy as he walked back towards the Slytherin table, "Mr. Malfoy, I doubt Headmistress McGonagall would allow you to learn the Dark Arts in class if that's what you were referring to. The Dark Arts is dangerous magic and delving too deeply into them could have dire consequences."
"Enough of your high strung speeches Albus," Lucius said. "It's time to go - take him away."
Dumbledore walked out of the Great Hall escorted by Sepet and the group of wizards before disappearing around the corner with Lucius close behind. Meanwhile, the Great Hall was silent but McGonagall eventually got the nerve to stand up and speak.
"In Professor Dumbledore's absence, I will be your new headmistress and Professor Flitwick will be the new deputy headmaster, however, we will still teach our respective classes so you will still be having them with us," she said. "I ask that we all remain strong and I give you my assurances that the headmaster will return once this mistake has been sorted out. Please continue your meals."
The students slowly went back to eating but the entire hall was silent as none of the students wanted to think of what would happen next. McGonagall and the other teachers looked very melancholy with the departure of their headmaster and Walter resumed his seat, the skeletons returning to their former positions. With Dumbledore gone, the order would have more trouble than ever trying to defeat Voldemort.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After dinner was concluded, Harry, Ron and Hermione went back in silence to the Gryffindor tower with the rest of the students and upon arriving in their common room, Ron burst into a fit of rage.
"I can't BELIEVE they would let someone like Lucius Malfoy remove Dumbledore," Ron shouted angrily. "and why didn't Walter do anything to stop Sepet?"
"Ron, it can't be that bad," Harry said. "At least McGonagall is our headmistress and Walter can't just attack his employer."
"Employer or not, Walter should have done something," Ron countered.
"OH! Why didn't I think of that before!" Hermione exclaimed, causing both boys to look at her as if she had just lost her mind. "The Daily Prophet this morning. That's why it was delivered."
She took out her copy of the Daily Prophet and sat down at one of the tables so that they could all read it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dumbledore Replaced as Headmaster
This morning, the board of school governors approved a motion to remove the snide headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, until an investigation can be conducted regarding his illegal activities in freeing the Death Eaters of Azkaban.
"The board of governors have chosen me to take Albus into custody and I shall carry out the task honourably," says Lucius Malfoy, a member of the Ministry of Magic's Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. "It is unfortunate that such a ...dreadful..thing should happen to him but it is a prudent move that we thought was necessary."
As for the former headmaster, he comments that he had every intention of freeing the Death Eaters but not because he wishes to overthrow our Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Instead he says that they deserve every chance they can get however, it is in the record that these former Death Eaters were all tried and found guilty of their charges.
Lucius Malfoy is scheduled to deliver the notice this evening and, with the help of Professor Sepet, the newest teacher and official of the International Ministry, remove the charlatan from his prestigious office.
- Rita Skeeter
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No wonder we didn't know about it," said Hermione. "It was all in the paper and we forgot to read it this morning."
"Hey Hermione," Ron said. "I thought you took care of Rita Skeeter, so why is she still reporting?"
"I let her go in London but apparently she's back to writing," said Hermione, putting away the Daily Prophet. "I'm thinking of spilling the beans on her now."
"Sure, why not," Ron agreed. "She deserves to be ratted on."
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the word, catching Hermione's attention. "Something wrong Harry?"
He shook his head. "I don't like to be reminded of rats."
"Oh come off it Harry, doesn't Pettigrew owe you some type of debt now since you spared his life?" Hermione asked.
"I guess, but it still makes me uncomfortable."
"Hey, it's almost 9:00 and we need to meet with Sepet," Hermione said, changing the subject quickly. "We should be going."
"But that traitor betrayed Dumbledore," Ron fumed. "He'll probably turn Harry in to You-Know-Who too. Why should you even go?"
"If we don't show up, he'll know we're on to him and he'll start watching us even more," she prompted.
"Hermione's right," Harry agreed, getting up from the couch and stretching.
"Fine," Ron pouted. "Go and get yourselves harmed while I stay here and worry about my best friend."
"Don't you mean best friends?" Hermione asked, perking up slightly at Ron's statement.
"Yeah - just go," said Ron, and he walked up to the dorm.
Harry knew what Ron meant and it hurt him that he was more concerned about Hermione than him, yet considering Ron's crush on her, it wasn't surprising.
Checking for their wands, the pair exited the common room and strolled down to the dungeons.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The halls in the dungeons were still cold and Harry and Hermione wrapped themselves tightly in their robes to keep warm. The torches lining the halls were lit and burning brightly but there didn't seem to be any warmth emitting from them.
"I wonder where Sepet's office is. The torches don't seem to be giving off any heat," he commented, his hand fumbling with his wand in his robe pocket.
"I remember that Walter said something about his office being further down this hall."
"I just realized that we never asked Walter about Sepet," Harry said ruefully.
"It's too late for that now. I guess we'll just have to find out what he wants for ourselves."
The pair continued down the hall, the firelight lighting up the grey walls along the way. However in their attempts to find the door to Sepet's office, neither of them noticed a ripple in the walls behind them as if it were made of liquid.
The ripple grew and a black portal formed at the center of it and a man wearing a black cape and a full black quilted jacket stepped out of it. The man's right hand reached for the sword that he carried at his side and he drew it quietly as he stalked the pair down the hall.
Harry and Hermione were chatting about what would happen now that Dumbledore was gone when they sensed that there was someone following them.
"Should we go vis - " Hermione was saying when Harry's hand went to his sword, drawing it and turning around just in time to deflect Sepet's heavy broadsword coming down on him.
Seeing that his blow was deflected, Sepet smiled evilly and prepared to swing again while Hermione screamed and hastily fumbled for her wand and dagger. Harry went on the offense, trying to hit the Count but the Count brought his sword down low to block Harry's attack, aimed at his legs.
"Harry - here catch," she said, throwing him his dagger, which flew through the air and Harry put out a hand to catch it but the Count was faster.
The dagger flew into the Count's hand and he quickly used it to halt a sweeping blow coming at him diagonally across his chest. The Count followed up immediately and kicked Harry hard in the chest causing him to fly up against the wall, his sword falling to the ground at the same time.
"Good reflexes Mr. Potter, but not fast enough. Ten points from Gryffindor," Sepet said, handing Hermione her dagger and sheathing his sword.
"How come we didn't see you?" Hermione asked. "This hall was clear a moment ago and apparating isn't possible in Hogwarts."
"Tsk tsk Miss Granger, for someone who reads as much as yourself, you should know there are more forms of magic than what you learn here," said the Count, who started walking down the hall again. "Follow me to my office if you please."
Rubbing the area where the Count kicked him, Harry picked up his sword and sheathed it before running after Sepet with Hermione.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Count's office was a lot larger than Walter's was and there were two armed skeletons standing guard on the inside of the chamber, next to the entrance as they entered.
There was a large desk sitting off to the right and another large mirror, much like the mirror of Malikith, was facing them as they entered. However, Harry noted that only he and Hermione were visible in the mirror and that the Count's figure wasn't casting any form of reflection.
Other than this, the chamber was scarcely furnished and the only other piece of furniture in the room was a four poster bed with the curtains drawn shut.
Leading them to his desk, Sepet sat down and immediately began to address them.
"First I would like to congratulate you on figuring out how your dagger works, Miss Granger, but the main reason I have called you here is that I have noticed something wrong with one of the students in the Gryffindor tower. Am I correct in saying this?" he asked.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and nodded.
"Being the only two Order members in that house, I would like you to ask you a few questions, the first being who she is," said the Count, looking deeply into Hermione's eyes.
Hermione's face softened slightly and her eyes glossed over as she answered. "Parvati Patil."
"Good - now describe to me what type of behaviour she has shown or that you've noticed."
Now it was Harry's turn to answer. "She's been sleeping in later than usual and rarely eats anything."
"I see," the Count mused. "When does she wake up?"
"Usually sometime before evening but after noon," Hermione said softly.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Harry asked curiously.
"That - Mr. Potter - is a very important detail for in my field of experience, even the smallest of details can be significant."
"Why did you arrest Dumbledore earlier? He was innocent."
"Whether or not the Headmastser is innocent, he is charged with a very serious crime and my orders were to arrest him. All cases of this sort must be treated alike regardless of my personal beliefs if justice is to be served. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to," Sepet said, standing up. "Thank you for your time - Good night."
Hermione gathered herself and they stood up. The Count bowed them out of his office and started down the way they came, in the same direction that they were travelling.
"I wonder what Sepet is up to now," Hermione said, bemused.
"Should we follow?" asked Harry. " I'd guess that he's up to something since he hasn't been acting straightforwardly."
"All right, let's follow," she agreed and the two Gryffindor students silently followed their Duelling Professor down the hall and up to the third floor where they had been several times their first year, trying to stop Snape from stealing the Sorcerer's Stone.
Unfortunately, following Sepet was harder than it looked since he continuously made quick turns and they were trying their best to run as quickly as possible without being heard. Sepet turned another corner and Harry and Hermione jumped; startled by the sight that was before them.
Filch was lying unconscious on the ground, blood flowing freely from his neck, with a gash that looked similar to the one that was inflicted on Alicia. Sepet was holding Parvati by the neck, up against the wall with one hand and blood was trickling down from her mouth.
"Miss Patil, why are you here? Where is he?" Sepet asked angrily, as Parvati was struggling to break out of his hold by clawing at his arm.
Not receiving an answer Sepet tightened his grip on her neck, causing her to scream and kick even more, but to no avail since he had a very strong grip on her.
Harry and Hermione drew out their wands and fired Ice Bolts at Sepet in order get him to let go of Parvati. Two bolts of ice shot forth from the wand and the Count, not expecting the attack, was hit in the side by both of them. However, unlike previous uses of the spell, the Count was not frozen and the bolts dug into him deeply, until they were halfway embedded into his side.
The Count cursed, dropping Parvati, who landed on her feet and ran past Harry and Hermione towards the Gryffindor tower clutching her throat. Looking at Harry and Hermione, the Count's red eyes flashed in anger as he pulled the bolts out of his side, causing blood to flow from the gaping hole in his side.
"MR. POTTER - MISS GRANGER!" he hissed furiously, ignoring the blood. "YOU LET HER GET AWAY!"
Harry was wondering what he meant by that but Hermione had other ideas.
"YOU WERE HURTING HER!" she yelled, with equal ferocity.
"HOW DARE YOU! GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!" he shouted, drawing his sword with a bloody hand and advancing on them, his blood continuing to flow onto the stone floor along the way.
"PROFESSOR!" a shrill voice exclaimed from behind. "PUT THAT SWORD AWAY!"
They turned around to see that Professor McGonagall was behind them with Percy, who appeared to be patrolling the halls as was the practice at night.
"As you wish headmistress," Sepet acknowledged grudgingly and sheathed his sword again, continuing to ignore the blood.
"Mr. Potter - Miss Granger, get yourselves back to the Gryffindor tower immediately," McGonagall ordered with a stern look on her face. "I'll take care of this."
Not wanting to figure out what would happen to them if they stayed, Harry gave Hermione's sleeve a tug and pulled her away from Filch's body in the same direction that Parvati had gone. Once the professors and Percy were out of sight, they ran as fast as they could towards the tower.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They ran until they arrived at the Gryffindor tower, causing the fat lady to ask them where they were.
"Never mind that," Hermione panted. "Pig tail. Pig tail."
"Okay deary - no need to be in such a fuss over it," said the fat lady and the portrait swung aside, allowing them to enter.
"THAT was close," Harry said, as they entered the common room, receiving some stares from students that were still studying. "Sepet was very angry about that, but we shouldn't have left Filch there."
"It should be fine. McGonagall will take care of it. Besides, I don't want to spend the night in detention," Hermione said.
"How did you figure out what your dagger did earlier?" Harry asked as she started up the stairs to the girls' dormitories.
She turned around and smiled. "I found it in a book from the restricted section of the library. You just say 'expletus salus' and it does as good a job as the healing spell. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on your sword."
"Say - where's Parvati?" Harry questioned, looking around at the students in the room.
"Oh, I don't know," said Hermione, her face becoming serious again. "She's probably upstairs by now. It looked like Sepet hurt her badly."
"Yeah and as much as I don't like Filch, he didn't deserve to get attacked by Sepet and neither did Parvati with her illness and all," said Harry.
"Did you notice how Sepet didn't seem affected by our bolts?" Hermione asked. "He did lose a lot of blood."
"No, I was too worried about what he would do to us to think about that. But I wonder why he wasn't casting a reflection in that mirror when we entered his chamber," said Harry.
"I noticed that too. He said something about other forms of magic than what we learn here. That could explain why we didn't see his reflection in the mirror and how he was able to appear behind us in the hallway. Then there's also the matter of why he didn't die after losing so much blood."
"Well, I'm going to bed. Good night Harry," she said and continued upstairs to the girls' dorms, leaving Harry in the common room thinking about what Sepet could possibly do next.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Damn schoolwork. It only gets heavier and heavier. Sorry it's taken me so long to get these chapters posted lately and my apologies to those people who thought the previous chapter sucked. I know it wasn't the best but I had to stick Quidditch in there somewhere. What's a Harry Potter book without Quidditch? Anyway, once the workload goes down, I hope to post everyday like I was doing previously. For those who are wondering when this fic will be finished: I'm guessing I'll have it done in time for Christmas.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Now for a small poll:
Basically I'm getting mixed opinions about the Quidditch chapter so I'll leave it to popular vote on this. Do you guys like Quidditch enough that you want more of it and what do you think about Krum vs Harry? If no one likes Quidditch, then I'll keep it down to a minimum as I did until that chapter.
Finally, a special thanks to those who beta-read this chapter and to everyone who supported me despite what the flamer said, especially Juna, EssenceofPower, and Vixen.