* Blah, blah, I don't own this, blah, blah. :-) Hope you enjoy this chapter. Its gonna rather be in the style of J.K., so its longer than the others. Strap on your seatbelts guys, 'cause from here on, every little detail matters. The story's really getting going now, and this is the beginning! ;-) *
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CHAPTER 9.
RECIPE FOR DISASTER
The day of the first Quidditch match dawned early for Harry. He found himself waking up prematurely that morning, unable to return to sleep. His whole body was practically on fire with excitement as he thought of the coming match. He had a hard time paying attention to the classes, even D.A.D.A., which was one of his favorite subjects. The day whizzed by, interrupted only once by a frantic stampede of seventh and sixth year students, who were running away from the ultra-enhanced stink bomb that Fred and George had concocted especially for Divination, causing the usually poised Professor Trelawney to lose her composure completely and run from the classroom, leaving Fred and George, breath-masks over their smiling faces, alone.
"Harry, Ron, Draco, will you come up here please?" Rhiannon's gentle voice broke into Harry's reverie as she spoke from her desk. The other students left as the bell rang, leaving Hermione and Artemis, who waited for Harry and Ron outside the door. The three boys trooped up to the desk and Rhiannon gave them a winning smile. "Boys, here's your papers on Apparitions and Wraiths. Mister Potter," She said, turning to Harry. "Mister Potter, your paper in itself was excellent. However, I have marked several spots in red with corrections. Just simple things that could have been worded better. Mister Weasley," Rhiannon said quietly, picking up Ron's paper and handing it to him. "Again, well done! But for most of the examples, they were the same examples you'd already listed, phrased differently." She said gently. Ron blushed a deep red and hung his head.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Rhi-, Professor Flutterae. I couldn't find any more of the examples you talked about and I was running out of time." He murmured.
Rhiannon nodded quietly, but forced Ron to look at her. "If you need help, you can ask for it. You don't have to make things up. I swear I won't kill you!" She laughed. Ron smiled and nodded. "Now, I had to take off points for that, but its not terribly much. You'll still keep a good grade average." Rhiannon said kindly, winking at the boy. Ron let loose a grateful smile and stepped back. "Mister Malfoy," Rhiannon started.
"Well its about bloody time." Draco muttered. Rhiannon's eyes came up quickly, but she did not counter Draco's ejaculation. Then at a sudden noise, all four people suddenly looked down on the ground, then at the black streak that jumped upon Rhiannon's desk.
It was the cat Harry had seen following Rhiannon from Snape's classroom. It's green eyes were narrowed, it's back arched, the inky hairs rising high as it hissed and spat in Draco's general direction. Draco sniffed, but did not look away. He simply glared at it. Rhiannon's hand then came down upon the cat's raised back, slowly petting it with long strokes. Slowly, the cat relaxed and in no time it was sitting contentedly on the desk beside Rhiannon's papers, eyes closed in happiness as it purred loudly. Rhiannon smiled winningly at the boys as she slowly removed her hand from the cat's back. "Sorry about that. My cat, Malificent. Go ahead and pet her, she won't mind. She was probably just startled." Rhiannon urged. Ron, slightly worried by the spitting routine that the cat had performed earlier, warily lay his hand down on the cat's back. The cat's eyes opened momentarily, but remained seated, purring loudly.
Ron smiled and removed his hand, nudging Harry as if to say, 'See! If I can pet her, you can surely.' Harry slowly moved his hand down to the cat, but as he did so, the cat's deep green eyes opened wide and the cat jumped to her feet. She stared at Harry and Harry stared back, his hand raised tentatively in the air. There seemed to be a sort of intelligence in the cat's eyes, more so than others of her species. Her deep green eyes seemed to greet him cordially, growing warmer by the second. Then the cat moved her head under Harry's hand, rubbing up and down his arm. Harry gave a small sigh of relief and petted the cat. Then Malificent lowered herself to the ground and with a leap, jumped onto Harry's shoulder. Harry jolted with surprise, but smiled and moved his neck so the cat could get comfortable. Almost like a bird, the cat perched on Harry's shoulder, her green eyes gazing out over the other people in the room.
"Stupid cat." Draco muttered, but he moved his hand out towards the black cat. A streak of black lightening and a horrendous hiss saw Draco step back with a cry, a scratch on his white hand. Rhiannon quickly stood and pressed a white handkerchief to the bleeding scratch, casting a glare in Malificent's direction.
"I'm sorry, Draco. She obviously doesn't take to you." She murmured as she cleaned the scratch. Draco scoffed and glared at the cat, who demurely licked it's paw and remained on Harry's shoulder.
"Obviously." He muttered.
After Draco's hand was rubbed clean of the blood, Rhiannon sat back down at her desk, once more picking up Draco's paper. "Now, Mister Malfoy, your paper," She started.
"Was awful I know. I'm a Slytherin, therefore I can't get as good of grades as the Gryffindors in this class and I stink at writing." Draco exploded, much to Harry's surprise. Draco's eyes were wide and angry, a faint pink blush covering his usually pale face. Rhiannon's hands settled gently on the desk as she looked at Draco. For once, Draco could not hold his own against someone in a staring match, so he dropped his gaze. When Rhiannon finally spoke, her voice was soft and gentle.
"Mister Malfoy, there is no favoritism in this classroom. All the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins are graded appropriately. What I was going to say is that your paper is extraordinary."
Ron's mouth fell wide open as he stared at Rhiannon. Draco too looked as though his mouth was about to do the same, but he restrained himself as he stared at Rhiannon. "But, I, it wasn't that good and I wasn't sure about all the facts," Draco stuttered.
"Nonetheless, it is a wonderful paper. Your facts, save for a few, are all correct. Your writing style is commendable, your wording clear. It is a fabulous paper. And personally," At this Rhiannon leaned closer to Draco, her tone lowering. "Personally, I think that you are an incredible writer. Please don't squelch your writing talents because of your reputation or perhaps, that your father tells you that you, stink." Draco drew up quickly. "It is a wonderful paper and you should be proud. Don't hold back on me any more Mister Malfoy." Rhiannon said with superiority.
Harry stared at Draco. There was a look in his eyes that didn't show up very often, especially not when he looked at teachers. It was a look of respect. Harry didn't even know if the boy respected Snape, but here he was respecting his D.A.D.A. teacher. It seemed strange and foreign to Harry, and excessively so to Ron, whose mouth continued to hang open. "Now gentleman, I suppose you want to get out of here so you can practice for the big game today." Rhiannon said warmly. Immediately, all three boys drew up proudly. "I hope you'll all be safe and you'll watch for winds. Those can be particularly treacherous." Rhiannon said quietly. Harry cocked his head as he stared at his teacher.
Her eyes were fixed firmly on all of them, but there was something else in her eyes. What she had said was not merely advice. It seemed to be a warning. But a moment later, it cleared and she shuffled the papers about on her desk. "Well boys, get going. I've got things to do if I'm to see the game." Harry nodded, then glanced at the cat, who rubbed up against the black hairs of his head, then jumped down to Rhiannon's desk.
"Bye, Malificent." Harry said quietly, giving the cat one final pat on it's ebony back. He ignored Draco's scoff, but simply smiled at the cat as he turned to leave. Quickly the boys turned on their heels and walked out of the room. When Harry cast a final glance back at his teacher, he was surprised to see her staring hard at his back, watching him, the cat doing much of the same.
Quickly, Harry caught up with the boys and stepped out of the room. Draco didn't stay with the boys as they walked from the room, merely gave a half bow to Artemis and Hermione, who walked up as Harry and the others who emerged. Most likely to Artemis, Harry thought, and quickly walked away. "What was that all about Harry?" Hermione asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"She just wanted to give us our Apparitions and Wraiths papers back." Harry murmured.
"All together? We're not supposed to get those back till tomorrow." Artemis mused. Harry simply shook his head, trying to figure out what his teacher had been trying to tell him.
That week, the week before the first Quidditch match, Harry didn't think much about the ghost's question put to him through Ron. In truth, he hadn't thought anything about ghosts, "The Master's Mirror", or the eyes, or anything. Especially not Martin Wothes. He forgot all about them in his training for the first game, but he was quickly reminded of them when Professor Dumbledore made an announcement before the first Quidditch game. "Students, before this first Quidditch match, I'd like to bring back to our minds a person, a student who has left us. He played Quidditch with a fiery spirit and a will, you can ask any Quidditch player. He played with an inner passion and encouraged others to do the same. Not just in his own House, but in other Houses. He never told anyone, but he was offered the chance to play Quidditch for Britain as soon as he got out of Hogwarts, but he wasn't sure if thats what he wanted to do." There was a relative grumble of surprise at that announcement. Harry frowned. He wasn't sure who Dumbledore was speaking of, but apparently everyone else did.
"Martin Wothes was an excellent student, an excellent friend, an excellent wizard, an excellent being. Now we will have a moment of silence for our dear friend, Martin Wothes." Heads all over the field bowed silently, till only Harry's remained upright. When the name 'Martin Wothes' was called out, it seemed to echo and a furious wind seemed to impart itself over the field in a fit of anger. Something wasn't right. Yes, something was definetly wrong. The atmosphere had suddenly changed. Where the sun had a moment ago shone brightly, it was now covered in clouds. Where the wind had barely been blowing, it now gusted upon the field, blowing hats away and tousling the Quidditch players' hair. Harry looked up over at the Slytherin team across the field. The company's heads were bowed, save one. Draco Malfoy's head was raised and he was looking at Harry, a smug smile on his face, his hands over his pockets. It was only then that Harry remembered his teacher's words:
"I hope you'll all be safe and you watch for winds. Those can be particularly treacherous."
Harry was not surprised to hear a few sobs echo across the field from the stands. It was depressing actually. Sad that possibly he and Ron and the others had been the last persons to see Martin Wothes before his death. "Hey Harry!" Harry blinked out of his thoughtful silence and turned around to face Ron. Ron's face was pale, but he was grinning, which was a good sign. "You okay?" He whispered.
"Yeah, just fine." He whispered back. Ron nodded.
"It'll be okay you know. Nothing's gonna happen. You know that right?" He asked quietly.
"Yeah, but things just got so weird all of a sudden." Harry murmured, before he was cut off by Madame Hooch's loud order.
"UP IN THE AIR! C'mon now! I want a fair game and a good game! NO INJURIES!" She bellowed as they swooped into the air.
"Hey Madame, what happens if I break my arm?" George called out cheerily. Madame Hooch glared at him.
"Then you get detention!" She snapped.
George grinned at Fred who shrugged and grinned back. "READY!! GO!" Madame Hooch yelled when all players were in position. She tossed the Quaffle in the air and Artemis quickly grabbed it and swooped off towards the Keeper. Harry noticed that like Ron, her face was pale, but a small smile was on her face as she dove in and out of the players. As one of the Slytherin players darted for her, she quickly tossed the Quaffle to Alicia Spinnet, who dove down the field to make a score. There was a loud whoop throughout the bleachers and Lee Jordan ejaculated loudly.
"What a fabulous play executed by Artemis Thornshadow and Alicia Spinnet! Take that, you Slytherin scum-bags! Didn't think a couple little girls could keep you on your toes did ya? Oh sorry, Professor. They deserved it. Anyway, the Quaffle is thrown into play once more, Ooh! That was a close one! But thanks to the remarkable FRED WEASLEY, that bludger won't be knocking out Alicia's brains anytime soon. Okay, Alicia's got the Quaffle, going for the goals,.....going, going,........and she's almost knocked out of play by that little mouse-dung, Xander Corpor and his bloody bludger!" At this Lee uttered a horrible stream of swear words, which caused the poor Professor McGonagall to nearly have a heart attack.
"Sorry Professor, needed to get that out of my system. Well folks, the score is ten to zero, with Gryffindor in the lead! And after that performance of TERRIBLY BAD FORM, we're back on schedule. Artemis Thornshadow's got the Quaffle and is speeding down towards the goal. Fred and George Weasley are working as hard as they can to keep the bludgers from going nuts and their brother, LITTLE RON WEASLEY, is gallantly holding down the fort as Keeper! So far, there's been no sign of the Snitch, but don't worry. It's likely to show up. It always seems to whenever Harry Potter is on the field!" Harry smiled and shook his head as he heard the rush of applause and cheers. He watched as Artemis, her face more determined than ever, rushed towards the goal, faked a shot, then scored. Twenty points for Gryffindor.
Harry realized as the Quaffle was thrown into play that the Slytherins were mad. Not mad, furious. They weren't going to let anything like that pass by them again, and they proved it by smacking Artemis in the back with a bludger as she sailed triumphantly by. Artemis jolted and hunched her back in pain as the bludger hit her, her legs slipping from their wedged position on the broom. Harry watched in horror as Artemis slipped from her broom, her face white. From behind him, a whir of red blew past him as he saw one of the twins, George, dive near her, but pull himself up a few feet away from her. Harry quickly saw why. Artemis had managed to grasp her broomstick with one hand and was now holding on for dear life, her face still crumpled in pain. A second bludger sailed towards the girl, aimed at her dangling legs, but George quickly sent it flying in an opposite direction.
Artemis winced and began to pull herself up on her broomstick weakly. Harry looked back at Ron, and his friend returned a frightened stare, one that said, this is getting bad. Harry nodded in agreement before turning back to Artemis. The game was still going on around them. Fred was batting bludgers away as fast as he could, his sweaty red hair falling into his equally red face as he blocked them. Alicia Spinnet whirled around and around the other players, keeping away from them and getting knocked about in the process. George remained a safe distance near Artemis, his face set and intense as he watched her slow ascent. Finally, she reached a sitting position on her broomstick, her face pale and sick. She answered a concerned question put to her by George, then sped off down the field. George watched her, perhaps to make sure she didn't fall off again, then sped down by his twin.
"That was close." Harry muttered as he kept his eyes moving around the field, looking for the golden Snitch. In the confusion of Artemis' fall, the Quaffle had fallen into Slytherin hands. Quickly, the boy that Harry knew only as Craig Hollong, Slytherin's new Chaser, sped down towards Ron, determination in his fair face. Fred quickly sped a bludger his way, but Craig dodged it easily. From the opposite side of the field, George batted a bludger near the boy, who again dodged it. With a fierce look, Fred and George sent bludgers flying from opposite sides of the field. Harry had to admire the boy's skill, for it could not be easy dodging the Weasley twins' crossfire.
He made it down to the goals and hovered in front of Ron, determining his move. "Wait for it Ron. Wait for it." Harry muttered under his breath. Ron's face was pale but determined as he gazed at the Slytherin boy. Craig faked a move, but Ron was not fooled. He didn't have five older brothers for nothing. He snatched the Quaffle out of the air as Craig swooped out of his fake. A roar emerged from the Gryffindor crowd as Ron triumphantly tossed the Quaffle to Angelina Johnson. "Way to go Ron!" Harry called. Ron grinned widely and gave him a thumbs-up that all too quickly vanished as Craig made a second run on Ron. This time he didn't hesitate, but took a chance and tossed the Quaffle at the goals. It barely made it in, but it brushed past Ron's fingertips and slipped into the goal.
Craig whooped loudly and dove away. There was disappointment in Ron's eyes as he saw the score rise: 20-10. Harry shook his head. "Its okay Ron! We'll get 'em!" Harry called. Ron shook his head and nodded half-heartedly. After a series of slick moves, the Chasers attempted to make a come-back, but Craid Hollong was too full of victory to let them. Another goal was made and the Gryffindor crowd let loose moans and groans. As Harry ducked his head in sadness, a glint of gold flashed out of the corner of his eye. He didn't whirl about but simply moved his head about as if scanning the field as he always did. There, only a few feet away, was the Snitch. A slow smile spread across Harry's face as he looked about. Draco wasn't even looking at him. He grinned full-heartedly now and took chase after the Snitch.
The Snitch's wings fluttered wildly as it sensed Harry's dive, and the golden ball swooped from his grasping fingers. Harry pushed his broomstick as hard as it could go, then reached out to grasp the thing as soon as it was in reach. So focused was he that he was surprised to feel a bone-shattering jolt hit him, nearly knocking him from his broomstick. Beside him was Draco Malfoy, and his hand was stretching out for the Snitch. Harry let out a roar of anger and shoved into the boy, causing him to falter in mid-air. But it didn't give Harry much time. The two boys groaned and struggled for an advantage over the other, but to no avail. Their fingertips were just a centimeter close from brushing the fluttering wings of the Snitch when...............it happened.
To Harry, it felt as if the very air began to vibrate with an angry, pulsing energy, then was silent a moment. Then the whole universe seemed to explode. Harry flew back from the Snitch, falling with his broomstick, hurtling to the ground. He tried to pull himself up, but could not, the crushing winds surrounding him, flinging him about. In truth, he would have hit the ground had he not caught an updraft at just the last moment. He was thrust upwards once again and tossed about like a leaf in the wind. As he was flung about in the thrashing winds, he realized that these were not ordinary winds.
Not only were they abnormally ferocious, but they seemed to suck something from him, his fears, his terrors. Its sucked them from him, but at the same time, shoved the horrors before his eyes tauntingly. He could not look, but they entered his mind, his dying parents, Cedric's death, Voldemort. He hung on for dear life, his eyes closed. But finally, as if in defiance of the terror that attacked him, he decided to open his eyes. The entire Quidditch field looked as if it had been ransacked. The field was littered with trash and debris, the stands equally so. But it was only then that Harry realized, that the debris was not trash, but people.
He gasped for breath as he was tossed about angrily in the winds. Then all of a sudden, everything was still. He looked downwards and saw only a few figures standing in the wreck, their black robes waving in the wind. On either sides of the field, stood Rhiannon Flutterae and Severus Snape, both yelling into the air. But Harry did not have time to react, for before he was tossed about once more on the explosion of wind, a hideous sign appeared before his eyes. The sign of Voldemort, the Dark Mark. The skull's hideous eyes seemed to glow green before he was hit with another blast of cold, hard terror. Wind thrust him about, finally slamming him into one of the tall stone pillars surrounding the Quidditch field. As he slipped to the ground, a phrase echoed through his head, along with the horrific vision of the skull and viper, that even now burned into the skies above him. It was not the phrase that had entered his mind in the past, but a different one, but as mysterious as the first, and spelled with equal doom,
Now I do frown on thee with all my heart,
And, if mine eyes can wound, now let them kill thee.
**************
"Harry, Harry hear my voice. Wake up Harry." Harry did not want to listen to the soothing voice that wafted into his groggy mind. But with the gentleness, came an air of authority, one he knew he must, whether he liked it or not, obey. Groggily, he opened his eyes and quickly closed them again with a cry as he saw darkness and felt a white-hot pain burn his eyes. Quickly, something cool was spread over his throbbing eyes with soothing fingers. He waited a moment, then tentatively opened his eyes again. He almost cried out once more, but not from pain, as he saw the dark eyes of Severus Snape staring down at him, his fingers tentatively raised over the bottle in his hand. But then, Rhiannon's face appeared in front of him, her hands gently stroking his hair.
"Its alright Harry. Everything is alright. How do you feel?" She asked, her eyes smiling kindly, though her lips were set in a firm line. Harry froze a moment, sensing what felt wrong and what felt right in his body. Despite the fact that I feel exactly like I felt after after my experience with the Whomping Willow, I feel fine. He thought wryly.
"I think I'm alright, Professor Flutterae." He managed to croak out through parched lips. The younger professor smiled again, then her head darted up as she heard someone call to her. She stood and placed a hand on Severus' arm. "I think he'll be alright now, Severus. Just keep a close watch on him. We must tend to the others." She said firmly, giving a comforting smile to Harry as she quickly rushed away.
Harry glanced at the Professor, who eyed him silently. "Close your eyes." He said suddenly. Harry jolted with surprise, but did as the Professor ordered. Almost immediately, he felt the soothing liquid pass over his burning eyes. He opened them again to find the Professor wiping his fingers on a towel and corking the bottle in his hand, still gazing at him stonily. "Your eyes were still red. They could be infected without proper care, which I alone can give." He said, as if it explained his gesture, before walking quickly away. Harry stared after him for a moment, unsure of what to think before he turned towards the sound of a gasp that was uttered near him.
Rhiannon was bent over a figure that two tall red-headed boys held in their arms. The Weasley twins' heads were bleeding terribly, a long gash on each of their faces, their arms peppered with long stripes as if they'd been whipped. But they didn't seem to notice their wounds, for both their eyes were fixed on the person they held in their arms. Harry tried to sit up as he realized who the person they carried was, but failed, falling backwards with a moan. It was Ron. Rhiannon quickly motioned for a few blankets to be laid down on the ground, then the twins lowered the boy onto them. Harry only caught sight of the boy's pale, bloodied face before the twins' backs hid him from his sight.
Rhiannon drew a bottle from her pocket and spread it over the younger Weasley, feeling his pulse intermittantly. She nodded firmly to herself, running her hand over the boy's head. Then she quickly stood and pulled the closest twin, Fred, to her. She ran her hands over his face, much to his disgust, as she probed his wounds. He cried out in pain as she slipped some of the concoction on his gash, then bit his lip as she quickly wound a bandage over his head. She whispered soft words to him as she put the cooling potion over his other wounds. He rolled up his sleeves to show her to the whip-like lashes, which she covered with the potion.
After she whispered something in his ear, she turned to the other twin and dealt with him in much the same manner. Harry was surprised to notice the utmost gentleness as she dealt with the twins, almost as if it had been Mrs. Weasley herself. He frowned as he squinted at the twins in the oncoming darkness. The twins' wounds seemed seemed strange somehow. Out of place. It was then that he realized that their wounds were identical. Identical wounds for identical twins. He thought to himself, shuddering inwardly, before he slipped into unconsciousness.
When he finally came out of his stupor, he was still lying on the deathly silent Quidditch field. A heavy blanket covered him up to his chin, but even so, he still shivered with cold. Darkness had come to Hogwarts, the last ribbons of light streaming across the horizon. Harry weakly lifted his head to look around him, noticing with surprise that he was not alone. All around him were fallen students, the teachers walking among them cautiously. He heard a moan by his side and he quickly turned. Ron lay beside him, his face whiter than it had been before, his body wracked with shivers and jolts. Harry's breathing quickened as he watched his friend gasp for breath. "Professor! Professor, anybody." He croaked weakly. He could barely speak. His throat felt as though he had swallowed saw-dust.
Professor McGonagall seemed to appear out of nowhere as she knelt beside the youngest Weasley boy, concern apparent in her face. "Professor Flutterae, I think you need to tend to this one!" She called softly, but alarm still creeping into her voice. Rhiannon was by her side in a moment, looking at Ron carefully, feeling his pulse and his sweaty face. She opened one of his eye-lids, then dropped it as if it was on fire. She sat back a moment, then pulled a vial from her pocket, uncorking it and tossing the cork off to the side. Ron began to thrash more violently, and his arms struggled to free themselves from the blankets on top of them. With determination in her stare, Rhiannon placed one firm hand on the boy's chest, then opened his mouth with the other, shoving the contents of the vial into his mouth.
Ron let loose a cry and was still after a moment, his breathing finally becoming normal once more. Rhiannon sighed and sat back on her heels. "Professor, we will need hollyhock potion and fast. Otherwise the whole lot of these children will be going into fits, and many may die." She said softly.
"I understand Professor, but we do not have the means to make that potion for basically the entire school! It is almost impossible." Professor McGonagall explained. Rhiannon eyed the teacher firmly.
"Almost." She said, determination lacing her voice. Professor McGonagall seemed to turn pale, then red as she spoke to the younger teacher angrily.
"I will not allow you to attempt that. Not under any circumstances." She said crisply.
"Professor, its the only way. These students must have it or they," Rhiannon paused a moment, unable to say the words, but finding that impossible. "They could die." She whispered. Professor McGonagall said nothing, but stared at the teacher. "I have already decided. I am going to go into the Forbidden Forest, get the hollyhock, return. It's as easy as that." Harry's blood chilled in his veins. He now understood why Professor McGonagall was so adament against Rhiannon's plan. It was now nightfall and the Forbidden Forest was particularly treacherous at that time. It was suicide.
"It is not as easy as that!" Professor McGonagall hissed. "Does Severus even know about this?" She barked. Rhiannon stiffened, but shook her head.
"No, and I don't want him to know. He wouldn't let me go otherwise." She said quietly.
"And wisely so." The Professor retorted.
Rhiannon did not take heed of her words and instead stood, shouldering a large sack over her back. "I'll be back soon. I'll be alright. The rest of you take care of the children. They need your help now." She said quietly. Professor McGonagall did not respond but instead shook her head, dropping it to look at Ron, who now lay breathing quietly.
`"Professor!" Harry croaked as Rhiannon began to walk away. She paused and turned around to face him, her eyes glistening in the impending moonlight. "Please don't go alone." He whispered.
"You see! Even the boy knows more than you." Professor McGonagall protested. At that Rhiannon chuckled as she stooped by Harry.
"Don't worry Harry. I'll be alright. I'm a good hider and I can sneak around incredibly well, almost like," At this she flashed a grin towards Professor McGonagall before continuing. "Like a cat." She smiled, running her hand across his face. Harry sighed and closed his eyes as Rhiannon stood once more, preparing herself to walk away into the twilight.
Professor McGonagall stood upon hearing her name being called and walked briskly from Ron and Harry's side. Harry's eyes opened wide though a moment later when he heard a soft voice call Rhiannon's name. "Professor Flutterae, where are you going?" Draco whispered. Rhiannon stopped again and turned toward the boy, who walked up to her.
"I will be back. Don't worry." She whispered, preparing to walk off.
"I think Artemis Thornshadow needs some of that potion you have." He said quietly. There was a long silence before Rhiannon spoke again.
"I have no more Draco."
"What?"
Draco's words were crisp and full of disbelief as he stared at the Professor in front of him. Rhiannon was not a tall person, indeed, people like Severus Snape made her look like a midget. Even Draco was close to towering over her, needing only a few more inches to do so. In the darkness that was spread over the Quidditch field, she looked smaller than ever as she stared at Draco. "I have no more." She whispered again.
"Well what are we going to do about it? She has to have more! She could die!" He whispered harshly.
"Don't you think I realize that?" Rhiannon asked coldly. She flinched then spoke again, her voice kinder.
"I'm going to get more hollyhock now. But you can't tell anyone. No one should know. Understand?" She whispered. Draco stared hard at her a moment before nodding silently. Rhiannon lifted her hand and settled it on Draco's arm gently. "Be patient. All will come to pass in the manner you desire." She whispered in an small, wistful tone. Harry stared at the sky now, filled with stars, trying not to look at Draco, who now stood alone, watching Rhiannon slink around the students on the ground for her goal. Draco stood still a moment, then turned to look at Harry.
Harry, seeing that eye-contact was unavoidable, met his gaze. "Did you hear that?" Draco whispered. Harry nodded silently. "Don't tell anyone." Draco whispered. Harry's eyes widened in surprise.
"I know, she told me not to tell." He croaked. Draco nodded.
"Then keep your promise." He whispered, beginning to walk off.
"Draco!" Harry called out weakly. Draco turned and eyed him impatiently.
"What about everyone else? Hermione, Artemis, Fred, George and," Harry was cut off by a wave of Draco's hand.
"Your little Mudblood got hit pretty bad. She's in worse shape than the others. Those Weasleys," He said it like a dirty word. "They'll be alright I guess. One of them had a really bad time of it, but they say he'll be alright." He said with a nonchalant shrug. Harry tried to raise himself, but fell backwards.
"Which one?" He croaked. Draco eyed him curiously and scoffed. "How should I know? Can anyone ever tell them apart? Greg, Griff, Grose," Draco started naming off names, but was cut off by Harry.
George?" He whispered.
Draco shrugged and scoffed again. "Like I said, how should I know? But that sounds like that could be it." He said.
"What about Artemis?" Draco's white face became especially stony, his skin looking a smooth as ivory in the moonlight.
"She'll be fine. Thats what the teachers say. She'll be just fine. I know it." Harry noticed that there was especial conviction in Draco's 'I', and it puzzled him, but he didn't have that much time as Draco raised a lone finger and pointed at Ron. "Whats with him?" He asked. Harry shook his head slowly.
"I don't know. Same thing that happened to the rest of us I guess." He murmured. Draco shook his head in mock sadness.
"They say it happens to the best of us, but I think they made an exception." He said with a cruel smile. Just then another boy walked up to Draco and tugged on his sleeve. "What is it Crabbe?" Draco barked. "
I think Artemis is waking up and you said for me to come tell you if she," He started.
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Draco snapped. "See you around Potter." He said quickly, walking off in another direction, followed closely by Crabbe.
Thoughts swirled through Harry's mind as the groans of his companions and fellow students echoed in his ears. George had taken a turn for the worse, George's eyes had changed mysteriously that day in Flourish and Botts. The same went for Artemis. Hermione was having an awful time of it, as were Fred and Ron and himself. But Draco......Draco was walking around perfectly well. Not a scratch had marred his white face. Harry now realized that the same went for Crabbe. Crabbe too was uninjured. What is going on? His sleepy mind groaned. But he didn't have time to ponder it any further as a dark figure flew down beside him, startling him terribly.
"Mister Potter, tell me where Professor Flutterae went." Harry quickly recognized the cool, harsh voice of Severus Snape that burned in his ear. The Professor knelt above him, his dark hair wild and hanging in his dark eyes.
"I don't know." Harry stuttered. The Professor shook his head and put a hand on Harry's arm.
"Tell me where she is Harry. It's a matter of life and death." He hissed. Harry realized something through his whirling thoughts as he thought of what to tell the Professor. He called me Harry. Thats the first time. He must be really concerned or something. Either that or he's going crazy. Whats going on!? His mind moaned.
"I think, I'm not sure, I think she went in the Forbidden Forest." He muttered. For the first time in Harry's short life, he heard Severus Snape swear. He jumped to his feet without saying anything more and ran away, his dark robes billowing behind him. But then, Harry rubbed his eyes. It seemed as though, well, he thought he saw, but no. He thought he had seen Professor Snape disappear in mid-stride, but then again..........it wasn't possible. That thing, that person in the air on that broomstick, it could not be Professor Snape. But it was and Harry noticed before he slipped back into unconsciousness, that he was heading into the heart of the Forbidden Forest.
**************
For a while after he finally slept, Harry could comprehend the voices surrounding him, could hear the quick footsteps of those who could move, as they ran among the injured, serving them potions that would bring them back from their pain. His own pain was growing immeasurably, throbbing violently in his head and chest, but he didn't wish to call for someone. He didn't think he was that bad off. There were most likely others who were were off than he was.
"Professor, she has not returned yet. She is taking too long." Harry's mind slowly registered the low voice near him as Professor McGonagall's, but he was too weary and too pained to open his eyes.
"I know, Minerva. We are doing alright for now. We will live until Professor Flutterae returns." Harry recognized this voice as well, for it belonged to none other than the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.
"It is not just the hollyhock potion I'm worried about, Albus!" Professor McGonagall said, a frenzied note in her voice. "This is the beginning! Voldemort's first strike! We are running out of time! And with Fudge slowing things down at the Ministry, honestly, I don't know what we shall do! Arthur Weasley is doing his best, but, oh Albus! The children!"
"I know, Minerva. I know." Dumbledore's thoughts were interrupted as Harry felt a slight vibration from a body that stepped up to the two teachers.
"Professors, I searched the whole fron' of the forest, an' there's no hide nor hair of them ter be found." Hagrid's rough voice said quietly. A strangled cry was emitted from Professor McGonagall's throat as she listened, but Harry heard nothing from Dumbledore.
"And Professor Snape has not returned either?" Dumbledore's voice was quiet and composed, but there was a tremor of resolution in it's depths.
"No sir. No one's come back."
"I see. Hagrid, you must push Olympe to work harder. You may even have to leave to help her."
"But Professor! Wha' about the teachin'? The kids'll need their learnin'!"
"I'm afraid this is far more important, Hagrid. You must help her if she makes no progress in the next few days. I cannot allow something like this to befall our children again."
"Yes, sir."
"I have had contact with Sirius Black and Lupin. They are both in hiding, but they have managed to contact the old crowd, all those who are loyal to us and our cause. They are willing to help and will be alert and ready as soon as you and Olympe can bring this to a close."
"It'll be hard, Professor. They're righ' hard ter convince, they are."
"They are worried and unsure of our promises, but you two must convince them. We cannot allow Voldemort on these grounds again."
"Yes, sir. I'll send her an owl righ' now. Professors."
Harry felt the tremor in the ground die away as Hagrid shuffled off away from the teachers. There was an uneasy silence until Dumbledore spoke again.
"Minerva, make sure that we spread the potion out as far as we can. And get me as soon as Severus or Rhiannon return."
"Yes, of course, Albus." There was another pause before Professor Dumbledore's voice sounded again, but this time it sounded as if he was holding back his tears and true emotions.
"These children are in pain, and I refuse to get through this attack unscathed while they lose their lives needlessly. This is Tom's game. Part of the plan, if we can only figure out what it is."
Harry's body trembled as Dumbledore's words echoed about in his brain as his mind swirled. The pain was more intense now, and he wished for someone to help him. But now that he wanted help, he could not longer call for it. His body had frozen, and the material world had vanished.
Harry's body felt as though it was on fire. He seemed to be burning slowly but surely, the agonizing moments dragging him further and further from the life he knew. All the terrifying moments of his life seemed to pass before his eyes. Every agonizing moment seemed to add faggots to the fire that consumed him. Dead eyes stared at him, stared through him as he writhed, trying to escape the fire that licked at his body. He pushed back as hard as he could, seeing the hideous sign of Voldemort resting just beyond the flames, its image reflected in the plain sheet of glass behind it. The Master's Mirror. Just as Harry felt that he was being pushed away from all he'd ever loved, it seemed as though a cooling breeze fell over him.
His ears suddenly began to comprehend the things going on around him. He heard voices, Professor McGonagall's, her cry of disbelief, but her immediate action as she threw herself beside him. He felt his mouth forced open and a substance like ice falling down his throat. The fire writhed and screamed as it fell upon it, destroying the flames with one touch. Before long even the skull and snake began to disappear, but one thing remained. The mirror stood alone, the sign of Voldemort reflecting in its glassy surface. "Potter, Potter wake up now. Wake up, Harry." He did not want to wake up. Though he had been saved from the fire, his eyes were too heavy to open.
"Come now, Harry." Came Professor McGonagall's patient voice. Finally, he opened his eyes to the world around him. Ribbons of light, signifying the coming of the dawn appeared on the horizon, casting light all around him. More of the students had been roused and they sat by their companions, swathed in bandages and continually being pressed to drink potions. They looked around them with sad and weary eyes as if still unable to believe the massacre that had occurred. He looked questioningly into Professor McGonagall's face and was surprised to see her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. But she quickly blinked them back and put her hand on his. "Its good to have you back my dear." She murmured.
Harry blinked repeatedly, trying to understand her. "Back? From where?" He whispered. The Professor shook her head sadly.
"Who knows where you were. Who knows where any of the others were, but they were suffering. You took a turn for the worst and everyone almost gave out hope. And they would have if," Professor McGonagall stopped abruptly as if she'd said too much. Harry leaned up on his elbows, squinting at the Professor.
"Did Professor Flutterae make it back?" He asked. Again, the worried look passed over the Professor's face as she hesitated.
"She did not return, but one of our students brought back the holly-hock from the forest." She said slowly.
"Who was it?" Harry whispered. "Mister Malfoy." Harry fell back on his elbows hard. The Professor saw it and put out an anxious hand to support his back.
"Now then lie down, Potter. You look faint." She said kindly.
"But why? How?" Harry croaked out as she pushed him down.
"He went out after Professor Flutterae and Professor Snape after they didn't return for several hours. He found the sack and Professor Snape who told him to take it." The Professor explained.
"Where was Professor Flutterae?" Harry continued. Professor McGonagall seemed to blanche a moment before she continued again, slowly.
"She was not with him. He was still looking for her." Harry watched her uneasily, suddenly remembering the teacher's conversation with Dumbledore and Hagrid.
"Professor, where's Hagrid?" The teacher's face twitched slightly as she stared down at him. Then she slowly stood and brushed the grass clippings from her robes.
"Hagrid is in the castle on business for Professor Dumbledore. Don't you worry about Professor Flutterae and Professor Snape. They'll be back soon, Potter. Don't you worry about that." She said firmly as she walked away. Harry sat back on the pillow on the ground and stared at the brightening sky in disbelief. He frowned as he felt a brush of fur against his hand, then smiled as Malificent's green eyes gleamed at him in the darkness. The cat settled down beside him, allowing him to rest his hand on her back as she purred.
"Hey Harry." Harry quickly turned towards the gravely, croaking voice and found himself face to face with Ron. Ron gave a weak smile and a half-hearted wave before closing his eyes in exhaustion.
"Hello Ron. How do you feel?" Harry whispered. Ron shrugged as best he could, wincing as he did so.
"Alright I suppose. Got knocked up pretty bad. When those winds came, I kept getting knocked against the goal posts. Was even hanging on one of the goals for a while before I finally fell off. Got knocked against a pillar. Madame Pomfrey told me that I broke my arm in three places and busted my knee-cap, and then some bruises and scratches. Pretty good for all that bashing I say." Ron said weakly.
Harry shook his head. "Unreal." He paused a moment, continuing quietly a moment later. "Did you hear what the Professor said?" Ron was silent, but finally opened his eyes and nodded slowly. "She left hours upon hours ago and she hasn't come back yet. Do you think she's, dead?" Harry whispered, his tone taking on a horrified air. He was tremendously surprised as Ron raised himself up, his eyes blazing as he stared at Harry, his lips in a thin, firm line.
"I've known Rhiannon Flutterae since I was a little kid and I've never seen her not come out of bad situations before. She'll come back." He said fiercely. Harry stared at him calmly as he slowly came out of the fit of anger, slowly settling back on his makeshift bed before he murmured, "She'll come back." Harry nodded and laid back on his pillow.
"Of course she will, Ron." He whispered, but it was hard to believe the words that he said.
"What were you talkin' about before? About Hagrid?" Ron asked quietly. Harry shook his head slowly, trying to ignore the pain.
"I overheard Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall talking with Hagrid. They were talking about Hagrid having to leave and help Oly-, Madame Maxime with something. Somethin' about somebody being hard to convince. Then they started talking about Sirius and Professor Lupin and the old crowd being in hiding." Harry murmured, not wishing to attract any attention. Ron stared at Harry in disbelief.
"Something about somebody being hard to convince?" Ron whispered. Harry frowned and nodded.
"Yeah. Why?" Ron stared at him a moment later, then shook his head slowly, his eyes fixed on the ground.
"There's only one thing he could be talkin' about, Harry. Remember that day last year when Fudge came to see you after the Tri-Wizard Tournament and Dumbledore told him off? Well, Dumbledore told him to make peace with the giants. Gory hell, Harry! Hagrid is tryin' to get the giants to be on our side." Ron whispered devoutly. Harry stared at Ron, his weary brain taking all this information in. It all now made sense. Hagrid possibly having to leave, the situation he was working on with Madame Maxime. Everything. But it was too much to take in. Later, later, after he got some sleep.
Harry had closed his eyes for only a moment when he was awoken once more by the a cool breeze, accompanied by the frenzied talking around him and Ron's sudden jerk of his body as he sat upright. Harry too did the same, after he saw the scene unfolding before him. Severus Snape landed smoothly on the ground, jumping off his broomstick as soon as his feet touched the earth. He rushed through the crowd that had gathered around him, trying to find a spot of clear earth. Harry soon saw why.
Lying in his arms, limp and unresponsive, was Rhiannon Flutterae, her scratched and bleeding head falling back across his arms, her lips open slightly, her eyes staring widely at nothing. Harry tried hard to get to his feet, but he was too weak. He could only watch as the Professor laid the younger teacher at his feet, then knelt down beside her, barking orders to those around him. They quickly brought him the potions and ingredients he asked for, Harry noticing for the first time that the teachers had moved a great deal of the potions and ingredients from Snape's classroom down to the Quidditch field. Harry looked down in time to see Malificent scurry from his hand and rush to the scene where her owner lay on the ground.
The students who surrounded Snape stared with great interest, babbling to themselves loudly until Snape yelled loudly. "SILENCE!" There was infinite quiet before Snape spoke again. "Move out of the way if all you are going to do is stand there and gawk and babble. I need room to work." He said crisply. At the additional urging of the teachers, the students backed off and stood a great distance away. This left a wide open space for Harry and Ron to see what was happening. It was a horrific sight to see Rhiannon's slack jaw and staring eyes, almost like holes in her white face. Professor Snape worked hurriedly, loosening the robes that seemed to choke the girl, and combining several ingredients into a potion. He rested his hand gently on her neck, waiting for some response. For a second time, Harry heard Snape swear. Ron turned and stared at Harry, open-mouthed. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Thats the second time I've heard him swear." He said. Ron shook his head incredulously.
"He's a jolly good swearer." He said in disbelief before quickly turning back to the scene.
Snape angrily brushed away a bit of his robe that got in his way as he fumbled about on the ground among the potions he held. One in particular, one that shone a white-pink, glistened in his hand as he added one last ingredient, watched it smoke, then poured it into the younger teacher's slack mouth. He sat back to wait. Professor McGonagall hovered over him, waiting and watching. Dumbledore, who had been visiting with the children who had recovered, stepped close as well. After a moment, Rhiannon's eyes closed and her lips met each other slowly. Snape nodded slowly, before picking up his wand that lay at his side. He held it over Rhiannon's head, then waved it slightly while whispering, so low Harry could barely hear, "Excito!"
For a moment, nothing happened. Ron and Harry could not take their eyes off the scene, Ron because of his caring for her, Harry for the same reason, but also for another reason. He had seen this happen before, if she did wake up that is. Slowly, her eyelids began to flutter, until she opened them completely and stared at Professor Snape. Immediately, Professor Snape brusquely called for a blanket and pillow, which were hastily brought to him. The cat, Malificent, rubbed around Snape's ankles, then settled down beside Rhiannon. Snape glanced down at the cat, then whispered a few harsh words to the younger professor before tucking the blanket around her and walking off quickly, checking on other students as he did so. Ron slowly turned to Harry, who eyed him seriously. They had both seen that before, a long time ago on the Weasley's kitchen floor.
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Author's Note: I'd like to thank all my lovely reviewers, all of you who took the time to say how much you liked the story or how I could improve it. Your help has been immeasurable and I am so grateful for every single one of you and your input! Input is a great help to me and is a great help in shaping this story.
Sara Minks: Thanks for your faithful reviewing!! I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter to your story!! ;-)
Hollie: Hollie luv, you're amazing! You're usually always my first reviewer whenever I update and you tell me exactly what you think about it! Thank you SO much! I am so blessed to have a great buddy like you! You keep up your stories, ALL of them!!! I really can't wait to see what happens in them all!
Whether Rose: Gosh I love your name, by the way. Don't think I've ever said that, but I do. Thank you for your input! You get into so much detail and I LOVE that! I am so grateful that you take the time to give me such detailed input! It helps me so much to understand what people may be thinking about the story, and what I could change, etc. And also thank you with your help with my format and grammer techniques, etc. I'm still working it out! ;-) Thank you so much! I was so happy to receive all your reviews, and was really glad that you didn't forget about me! ;-) I'm really glad you like Artemis, and I'm really glad that you're trying to take the clues I've been giving (there's quite a few since the beginning) and trying to figure out what's going on. ;-) Hope you can figure it out! Oh yeah, and I did come up with the constrogos on my own. My own creation, they are. Usually if they aren't in the books, then they're mine. Usually. You can ask though, and I'll tell you in this handy-dandy little 'Thank You' section. ;-) Thank you so much for all your input. And don't worry about the length of your reviews! I love long ones! It shows that you're really getting into the story! ;-) Can't wait to see what happens in your story!! And I hope you feel better soon!! Here's some a Get-Well rose for my buddy Whether Rose! @------- :-)
Kora: Kora, my buddy, my number 1 fan, you rock! You are so sweet to review my little story! I hope you feel better and don't have the plague anymore! ;-)
Torrential Zephyr: You are awesome!! I love your stories! The ones I've read are amazing and I can't wait to see what happens! I did read your re-editing of "Harry Potter and the Lost Year", but ff.net wouldn't let me review to tell you how great it was!! Keep up the writing! Thank you for the greatly detailed reviews as well! Your input is so very much appreciated! Thank you!
Thank you guys! You all rock!!