(A/N: Hello everyone! It's so good to be back! *ducks cups and plates
thrown in her direction* I am so sorry it took me so long to update this
chapter...but honestly, FanFiction.net has been down every time I attempted
to upload this new chapter, and of course I had to come up with ideas. Now,
I changed a few things at the end of chapter 7 because as I was re-reading
"Prisoner of Azkaban" for the 5th time, I realized that the whole fist
fight thing was a rip-off of J.K and also...kind of corny. So things have
changed a bit. And a few things in chapter 8 have also been revised...so
you might want to re-read that too. I also started another fanfic (right
before FF.net went down) called "The way it should have been" and would
appreciate it if you would r/r that. And for everyone that was saddened to
see Hagrid die...well, no...I won't give away my cliffie! Nope! I won't do
it! Enough with my mindless babble! You guys have waited long enough! On
with the story...!)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Green Flame Torch *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was December 15th, and in 5 days was the first Quidditch match of the season. Alicia, the new team captain, had been working them hard. Sometimes it almost felt like Wood was still there. There were 4 practices a week, and with all the homework the teachers were piling on (for they were to take there O.W.L's in only 6 months time), Harry didn't have any time to worry about Voldemort or the Death Eaters. In Harry's opinion, with Dumbledore and all the Order members that visited Hogwarts frequently, he was safe enough.
It was the morning after Quidditch try-outs that Dumbledore had announced to the whole school at breakfast that Hagrid had been killed fightly, noblely, against Voldemort. And ever since then, Professor Grubbly-Plank, the same Professor that had been Hagrid's substitute last year after Rita Skeeter's article had been teaching them. They had learned about Manticores, Pagasus, Chimera, and Gryphons. Shortly after the battle Harry had witnessed, Professor McGonagall pulled Harry to the side after Transfiguration and said:
"Potter, that was a very dangerous thing you did coming with the Order to stop the Death eaters. In fact, it was a very dangerous thing to come in the middle of the battle the first day back from school also. What were you thinking?" she said sharply. Before Harry could even open his mouth in defense, she continued. "I want your word, Potter, that you will stay out of trouble. You will no longer leave the safety of this school except for classes. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Professor" Harry responded heavily. Harry turned to leave the classroom when a thought suddenly struck him, and he turned slowly around. "Erm, Professor?" He said. "I thought you weren't allowed to apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts. How were those people able to do it?" he asked, trying to sound innocently curious. Professor McGonagall cast her eyes to the door for a second to make sure no body was listening, and said in a low voice:
"I suppose there is no use keeping it from you now, Potter. Not after what you've seen," she said distastefully. "Those people are part of a group solely meant for fighting the Death Eaters. And the reason they can apparate in Hogwarts is because of a powerful incantation that initiates them in the Order of the Phoenix, and only order members can apparate in Hogwarts, Potter." she finished. Harry, for some reason, wasn't really surprised by this. Perhaps it was because in his head, it seemed like the most obvious thing to do. If there is an evil lord with an army of followers...surely there would be a good person and their group of supporters to fight them. He had left the class, his head filled with questions, and Professor McGonagall frowning after him. After all, he had just found out he was the heir of his house's creator. But for some reason, rather then be scared of what this could mean...Harry was proud. Now, at least he *knew* he was a true Gryffindor.
"What time is it?" came Ron's voice. Harry was suddenly brought out of his thoughts, and looked down at his watch.
"6:16" Harry answered for what seemed the 50th time in the last 15 minutes.
"Yeah, you reckon we should head down to the Quidditch field and start practicing?" said Ron excitedly.
"Alicia didn't call practice until 7, though. And we only have to be there 15 minutes early" said Harry, grinning at Ron's enthusiasm.
"Yeah, but...you know...it's never too early to get started," Ron answered promptly. Hermione tutted.
"But you haven't finished your transfiguration homework" pressed Hermione.
"I have my priorities in perfect order, thank you very much" answered Ron swiftly.
"Do you now?" said Hermione, a bit of sarcasm in her voice.
"Yes, quidditch before school work. It's the way it was meant to be!" Ron answered matter-of-factly. Hermione scowled. Harry snorted. Sensing an argument, Harry quickly intervened.
"Maybe we can get there a little early," Harry said quickly.
"There you go, mate! That's the attitude you should have." Ron said happily as he got up and followed Harry to the portrait hole and down to the great hall with Hermione frowning after them.
"Mental, she is!" Ron proclaimed as he and Harry passed the Great Hall. "Really, like I'd really do school work before Quidditch".
"So that proves my theory they'll let any one on the house team, doesn't it Weasel." came Draco Malfoy's drawling voice behind Harry and Ron. "They let Potter on because he has no parents, and they let you on because you have no money. Next thing you know, Longbottom'll be joining your team...he has no brains," Malfoy sneered. Grabbe and Goyle sniggered stupidly.
"You better shut your hole, Malfoy" said Ron angrily.
"And what are you going to do, Weasel? Tell your mother on me? Why don't you use your pathetic broom stick to fly back to that shack you call a home," said Malfoy, his eyes flashing maliciously. Harry had a hold of Ron's arm to keep him from diving at Malfoy. "I've gotten a new broom stick, by the way, Weasel. A Rapidor 11, my old Nimbus 2001 just wasn't good enough any more." he said coldly, obviously pointing out that what Ron would have considered a great broom wasn't worth Malfoy's while. But, all the same, no broom ever measured up to a Firebolt.
"That's because it's cheap!" proclaimed Harry. "Like your mother!"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he seemed to be itching to grab his wand.
"What would you know about it, Potter? Your mudblood mother is rotting away six feet under ground, isn't she?" Malfoy spat coldly.
It was as if someone had caught Harry with a fish hook, and pulled him forward. Because when Malfoy had said that, Harry lunged forward and lifted his arm. Harry wanted nothing more then to punch Malfoy as hard as he could in the mouth, but Ron had suddenly grabbed a hold of his arm.
"He's not worth it," said Ron quietly. But his eyes were examining Grabbe and Goyle, who looked menacing. Harry lowered his arm and with one last disgusted look at Malfoy, turned and walked away.
"I swear," Harry said furiously, "one day, I'm going to punch him right in the mouth!"
"Not before I do," muttered Ron.
Finally they had reached the Quidditch field. After a good 20 minutes of plotting ways in which to get revenge on Malfoy (which ranged from expulsion from Hogwarts to hidden beetle eggs in his pudding) Alicia came with the box containing the quidditch balls. She was shortly followed by Fred, George, Angelina, and Katie. Nothing could raise Harry's spirits more then a long, hard quidditch practice. Harry had become very good with the Wronski Feint. And Ron had been doing a surprisingly good job as Keeper. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have given in to Ron's constant begging for a new broom, and bought him a Comet 260 as a congratulations gift.
It was about 10 o'clock when Alicia decided it was too dark to continue, and had finally decided to call it a night. She scheduled one last practice on Wednesday before the first game of the season on Saturday, which would be against Ravenclaw.
"Fancy getting some food from the kitchens before we go to bed?" said Ron tiredly after they had changed into their normal robes, and were heading out of the locker room, their brooms in their hands. "I reckon Dobby is looking forward to seeing you again. We haven't seen him in a few weeks"
"Yeah, sure" said Harry. "But I want to put the Firebolt in my room first. Don't want to risk running into Snape and having him take my broom off of me."
"Good idea!" said Ron. "Take mine too!" he added, shoving his Comet 260 into Harry's hands.
"But..." Harry began.
"I'll see you in the kitchens," said Ron. "Race you to the Entrance Hall!" and Ron took off at top speed before Harry could agree.
Harry tried to keep up as best he could, but it didn't help that he had two 5-feet long brooms in his arms. After running for a couple seconds, Ron was way in the lead and nearly to the Entrance Hall. Harry stepped on the edge of his broom and fell face forward. Panting, Harry got up and began to clean the muddy snow off of his robes.
"Damn it!" he proclaimed. 'If I have to get mud on myself, why couldn't I have gotten it on my quidditch robes? They were already dirty' Harry thought angrily to himself.
But then, as through by instinct, Harry looked up. The hair on the back of Harry's neck stood on end. And perhaps for the third time in his life, he got the feeling he was being watched. Then he saw it, a green light shining in the distance. Harry dropped the brooms, and walked toward the light. Slow at first, and then he sped up. And in no time, he was running. Running until he finally came face to flame with the green light. Harry stared at ittransfixed.
"The Green Flame T..." Harry started. And then a song filled the air. A song that could only be heard by him. The song he had only heard very few times in his life. The song of hope to him. And it said:
"Listen with you heart, you will understand.
Let the love inside you, guide you to the end
Let the hope you hold inside, let you trust again
Listen to your soul, it will show you truth
Powers inside of you, goodness will prevail
Two champions chosen, you are the heir
Listen to this song, you will know the way
Whisper the words you've heard, you must save your life
The Dark Lord has gone through time, to stop you to survive"
A golden metal base appeared beneath the flame. Harry understood. The incantation Godric Gryffindor used to hide the book was the same spell that activated the Green Flame Torch. "Whisper the words you've heard..." the song had said. Harry reached out both bands and placed them around the torch. "Surabon" he muttered.
Bliss. That's what he felt. His insides were melting, freezing, evaporating all at once. He was made of air, of water, of soil. He was the heavens, the oceans, and the earth. And then:
*Flump*
Harry rolled out of the air and onto the group. Exhaustion. That's what he felt. That's what he was feeling. A tiredness beyond that he had ever felt before. Harry tried to stand up, but he couldn't even raise his arms. It was just too much work. Harry lay there on the ground for a minute, watching his breath appear in the bitterly cold air. Harry was becoming very cold now. He managed enough strength to turn his head sideways, and saw mounds of snow all over the place.
"Where am I?" Harry muttered. Hogwarts hadn't been covered in this much snow. It had been a bit chilly, but no where near as cold as this. Or snowy, for that matter.
"Hey! 'Ose there?" came a gruff voice. Harry tired once more to raise his head, but failed and his head fell back to the ground. He could hear foot steps striding toward him.
"Studen's shouldn' be out o' bed. Not during these times, see." Harry didn't move. He just lay there and closed his eyes, wanting desperately for one good nights sleep.
"James?" said the gruff voice. "Wha' are yeh doing outta bed at this time o' nigh'?" asked the man. And Harry realized the person was standing next to him. He opened his eyes, and almost screamed (but even his voice was too tired to do so). It was Hagrid! And he was alive. And...wait a second. Did he just call Harry, James?
"Surprised not to see Sirius with yeh...." Hagrid began in a laughing voice. "Yeh alrigh'?" he asked. It apparently had just occurred to Hagrid that he had found Harry (or thought he had found James) on the ground in the snow. "It's ok, James." Hagrid said, scooping Harry easily into his arms, and carrying him off to the castle. "We'll get yeh into a nice warm bed in the hospital wing. Yeh'll be alrigh'. I'll go an' get Dumbledore, he'll know wha' ter do with yeh. I jus' wonder wha' crazy stunt you were trying ter pull this time..." Hagrid said.
Before Harry could say or do anything, he trailed to sleep. His exhaustion taking over.
(A/N: Ha ha! Whoo! An interesting cliffie! Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And I promise that I'll get the next chapter out a lot sooner then I did this chapter. Please, please, pretty please.... with fudge, nuts, sprinkles, and a cherry on top....Review! Thanks so much! ttyl! *Kara*)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Green Flame Torch *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was December 15th, and in 5 days was the first Quidditch match of the season. Alicia, the new team captain, had been working them hard. Sometimes it almost felt like Wood was still there. There were 4 practices a week, and with all the homework the teachers were piling on (for they were to take there O.W.L's in only 6 months time), Harry didn't have any time to worry about Voldemort or the Death Eaters. In Harry's opinion, with Dumbledore and all the Order members that visited Hogwarts frequently, he was safe enough.
It was the morning after Quidditch try-outs that Dumbledore had announced to the whole school at breakfast that Hagrid had been killed fightly, noblely, against Voldemort. And ever since then, Professor Grubbly-Plank, the same Professor that had been Hagrid's substitute last year after Rita Skeeter's article had been teaching them. They had learned about Manticores, Pagasus, Chimera, and Gryphons. Shortly after the battle Harry had witnessed, Professor McGonagall pulled Harry to the side after Transfiguration and said:
"Potter, that was a very dangerous thing you did coming with the Order to stop the Death eaters. In fact, it was a very dangerous thing to come in the middle of the battle the first day back from school also. What were you thinking?" she said sharply. Before Harry could even open his mouth in defense, she continued. "I want your word, Potter, that you will stay out of trouble. You will no longer leave the safety of this school except for classes. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Professor" Harry responded heavily. Harry turned to leave the classroom when a thought suddenly struck him, and he turned slowly around. "Erm, Professor?" He said. "I thought you weren't allowed to apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts. How were those people able to do it?" he asked, trying to sound innocently curious. Professor McGonagall cast her eyes to the door for a second to make sure no body was listening, and said in a low voice:
"I suppose there is no use keeping it from you now, Potter. Not after what you've seen," she said distastefully. "Those people are part of a group solely meant for fighting the Death Eaters. And the reason they can apparate in Hogwarts is because of a powerful incantation that initiates them in the Order of the Phoenix, and only order members can apparate in Hogwarts, Potter." she finished. Harry, for some reason, wasn't really surprised by this. Perhaps it was because in his head, it seemed like the most obvious thing to do. If there is an evil lord with an army of followers...surely there would be a good person and their group of supporters to fight them. He had left the class, his head filled with questions, and Professor McGonagall frowning after him. After all, he had just found out he was the heir of his house's creator. But for some reason, rather then be scared of what this could mean...Harry was proud. Now, at least he *knew* he was a true Gryffindor.
"What time is it?" came Ron's voice. Harry was suddenly brought out of his thoughts, and looked down at his watch.
"6:16" Harry answered for what seemed the 50th time in the last 15 minutes.
"Yeah, you reckon we should head down to the Quidditch field and start practicing?" said Ron excitedly.
"Alicia didn't call practice until 7, though. And we only have to be there 15 minutes early" said Harry, grinning at Ron's enthusiasm.
"Yeah, but...you know...it's never too early to get started," Ron answered promptly. Hermione tutted.
"But you haven't finished your transfiguration homework" pressed Hermione.
"I have my priorities in perfect order, thank you very much" answered Ron swiftly.
"Do you now?" said Hermione, a bit of sarcasm in her voice.
"Yes, quidditch before school work. It's the way it was meant to be!" Ron answered matter-of-factly. Hermione scowled. Harry snorted. Sensing an argument, Harry quickly intervened.
"Maybe we can get there a little early," Harry said quickly.
"There you go, mate! That's the attitude you should have." Ron said happily as he got up and followed Harry to the portrait hole and down to the great hall with Hermione frowning after them.
"Mental, she is!" Ron proclaimed as he and Harry passed the Great Hall. "Really, like I'd really do school work before Quidditch".
"So that proves my theory they'll let any one on the house team, doesn't it Weasel." came Draco Malfoy's drawling voice behind Harry and Ron. "They let Potter on because he has no parents, and they let you on because you have no money. Next thing you know, Longbottom'll be joining your team...he has no brains," Malfoy sneered. Grabbe and Goyle sniggered stupidly.
"You better shut your hole, Malfoy" said Ron angrily.
"And what are you going to do, Weasel? Tell your mother on me? Why don't you use your pathetic broom stick to fly back to that shack you call a home," said Malfoy, his eyes flashing maliciously. Harry had a hold of Ron's arm to keep him from diving at Malfoy. "I've gotten a new broom stick, by the way, Weasel. A Rapidor 11, my old Nimbus 2001 just wasn't good enough any more." he said coldly, obviously pointing out that what Ron would have considered a great broom wasn't worth Malfoy's while. But, all the same, no broom ever measured up to a Firebolt.
"That's because it's cheap!" proclaimed Harry. "Like your mother!"
Malfoy's eyes narrowed dangerously, and he seemed to be itching to grab his wand.
"What would you know about it, Potter? Your mudblood mother is rotting away six feet under ground, isn't she?" Malfoy spat coldly.
It was as if someone had caught Harry with a fish hook, and pulled him forward. Because when Malfoy had said that, Harry lunged forward and lifted his arm. Harry wanted nothing more then to punch Malfoy as hard as he could in the mouth, but Ron had suddenly grabbed a hold of his arm.
"He's not worth it," said Ron quietly. But his eyes were examining Grabbe and Goyle, who looked menacing. Harry lowered his arm and with one last disgusted look at Malfoy, turned and walked away.
"I swear," Harry said furiously, "one day, I'm going to punch him right in the mouth!"
"Not before I do," muttered Ron.
Finally they had reached the Quidditch field. After a good 20 minutes of plotting ways in which to get revenge on Malfoy (which ranged from expulsion from Hogwarts to hidden beetle eggs in his pudding) Alicia came with the box containing the quidditch balls. She was shortly followed by Fred, George, Angelina, and Katie. Nothing could raise Harry's spirits more then a long, hard quidditch practice. Harry had become very good with the Wronski Feint. And Ron had been doing a surprisingly good job as Keeper. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have given in to Ron's constant begging for a new broom, and bought him a Comet 260 as a congratulations gift.
It was about 10 o'clock when Alicia decided it was too dark to continue, and had finally decided to call it a night. She scheduled one last practice on Wednesday before the first game of the season on Saturday, which would be against Ravenclaw.
"Fancy getting some food from the kitchens before we go to bed?" said Ron tiredly after they had changed into their normal robes, and were heading out of the locker room, their brooms in their hands. "I reckon Dobby is looking forward to seeing you again. We haven't seen him in a few weeks"
"Yeah, sure" said Harry. "But I want to put the Firebolt in my room first. Don't want to risk running into Snape and having him take my broom off of me."
"Good idea!" said Ron. "Take mine too!" he added, shoving his Comet 260 into Harry's hands.
"But..." Harry began.
"I'll see you in the kitchens," said Ron. "Race you to the Entrance Hall!" and Ron took off at top speed before Harry could agree.
Harry tried to keep up as best he could, but it didn't help that he had two 5-feet long brooms in his arms. After running for a couple seconds, Ron was way in the lead and nearly to the Entrance Hall. Harry stepped on the edge of his broom and fell face forward. Panting, Harry got up and began to clean the muddy snow off of his robes.
"Damn it!" he proclaimed. 'If I have to get mud on myself, why couldn't I have gotten it on my quidditch robes? They were already dirty' Harry thought angrily to himself.
But then, as through by instinct, Harry looked up. The hair on the back of Harry's neck stood on end. And perhaps for the third time in his life, he got the feeling he was being watched. Then he saw it, a green light shining in the distance. Harry dropped the brooms, and walked toward the light. Slow at first, and then he sped up. And in no time, he was running. Running until he finally came face to flame with the green light. Harry stared at ittransfixed.
"The Green Flame T..." Harry started. And then a song filled the air. A song that could only be heard by him. The song he had only heard very few times in his life. The song of hope to him. And it said:
"Listen with you heart, you will understand.
Let the love inside you, guide you to the end
Let the hope you hold inside, let you trust again
Listen to your soul, it will show you truth
Powers inside of you, goodness will prevail
Two champions chosen, you are the heir
Listen to this song, you will know the way
Whisper the words you've heard, you must save your life
The Dark Lord has gone through time, to stop you to survive"
A golden metal base appeared beneath the flame. Harry understood. The incantation Godric Gryffindor used to hide the book was the same spell that activated the Green Flame Torch. "Whisper the words you've heard..." the song had said. Harry reached out both bands and placed them around the torch. "Surabon" he muttered.
Bliss. That's what he felt. His insides were melting, freezing, evaporating all at once. He was made of air, of water, of soil. He was the heavens, the oceans, and the earth. And then:
*Flump*
Harry rolled out of the air and onto the group. Exhaustion. That's what he felt. That's what he was feeling. A tiredness beyond that he had ever felt before. Harry tried to stand up, but he couldn't even raise his arms. It was just too much work. Harry lay there on the ground for a minute, watching his breath appear in the bitterly cold air. Harry was becoming very cold now. He managed enough strength to turn his head sideways, and saw mounds of snow all over the place.
"Where am I?" Harry muttered. Hogwarts hadn't been covered in this much snow. It had been a bit chilly, but no where near as cold as this. Or snowy, for that matter.
"Hey! 'Ose there?" came a gruff voice. Harry tired once more to raise his head, but failed and his head fell back to the ground. He could hear foot steps striding toward him.
"Studen's shouldn' be out o' bed. Not during these times, see." Harry didn't move. He just lay there and closed his eyes, wanting desperately for one good nights sleep.
"James?" said the gruff voice. "Wha' are yeh doing outta bed at this time o' nigh'?" asked the man. And Harry realized the person was standing next to him. He opened his eyes, and almost screamed (but even his voice was too tired to do so). It was Hagrid! And he was alive. And...wait a second. Did he just call Harry, James?
"Surprised not to see Sirius with yeh...." Hagrid began in a laughing voice. "Yeh alrigh'?" he asked. It apparently had just occurred to Hagrid that he had found Harry (or thought he had found James) on the ground in the snow. "It's ok, James." Hagrid said, scooping Harry easily into his arms, and carrying him off to the castle. "We'll get yeh into a nice warm bed in the hospital wing. Yeh'll be alrigh'. I'll go an' get Dumbledore, he'll know wha' ter do with yeh. I jus' wonder wha' crazy stunt you were trying ter pull this time..." Hagrid said.
Before Harry could say or do anything, he trailed to sleep. His exhaustion taking over.
(A/N: Ha ha! Whoo! An interesting cliffie! Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And I promise that I'll get the next chapter out a lot sooner then I did this chapter. Please, please, pretty please.... with fudge, nuts, sprinkles, and a cherry on top....Review! Thanks so much! ttyl! *Kara*)