The Gathering
The rest of the term came and went. Professor Snape was still avoiding Professor Majere. Sirius Black was back in Hogwarts, much to Harry's delight. Lupin and Black spent much of their time reminiscing and laughing at Snape behind his back. Dumbledore was hardly seen; most believed that he was preparing for the attack.
But the attack never came. As the Christmas holiday approached, nearly everyone planned to leave. It seems no one felt safe at Hogwarts. Ron's father owled him late in the term and told him to come home during break. Ron responded saying he was going to stay with Harry and the others to help fight Voldemort. Mrs. Weasley sent a howler, but Ron, to the amazement of nearly everyone, ignored it and tossed it in the trash.
Harry was glad to have Ron with him during break. Hermoine was going home but felt awful about it. She just couldn't stand up to her parents like Ron did. Harry told her he understood, and Hermoine taught him a couple of hexes she had picked up.
So everyone left. Ron and Harry were the only two students left in the school. On the second evening of break, Ron and Harry were sitting in the Gryffendor common room when the portrait swung open and in walked Professor Majere. Both boys were on their feet quickly as Raistlin looked them over. "Voldemort may attack tonight. If you really want to help, get your wands and follow me."
The boys got up, got their wands, and followed Raistlin out the door. "Professor, how did you get through the portrait without the password?" Ron asked.
"There are few things in this world that can keep me out of places I want to go," Raistlin replied. Harry recognized immediately where they were headed, Professor Dumbledore's office. Up the gargoyle's steps the three went.
When they came into the office, they were greeted by all the visitors that have been in the castle for the past months; Moody, Lupin, Black, along with Professors Snape, Majere, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. Along with these people, they were joined by Ron's brother Charlie Weasley, and Harry's former Quidditch teammate Oliver Wood.
Dumbledore called for silence to the chatter, "Please, my friends, we have so little time. This is what we know: Voldemort is on his way here now, he has half a dozen followers with him, and they should arrive in an hour.
"Now most of you know one another, I'm pleased to see Misters Weasley and Potter have joined us. Boys, the people you see gathered in this room have all pledged their allegiance to me as well as to the cause of stopping Voldemort. We ask if you would like to join us tonight by taking the same vow."
The rest of the term came and went. Professor Snape was still avoiding Professor Majere. Sirius Black was back in Hogwarts, much to Harry's delight. Lupin and Black spent much of their time reminiscing and laughing at Snape behind his back. Dumbledore was hardly seen; most believed that he was preparing for the attack.
But the attack never came. As the Christmas holiday approached, nearly everyone planned to leave. It seems no one felt safe at Hogwarts. Ron's father owled him late in the term and told him to come home during break. Ron responded saying he was going to stay with Harry and the others to help fight Voldemort. Mrs. Weasley sent a howler, but Ron, to the amazement of nearly everyone, ignored it and tossed it in the trash.
Harry was glad to have Ron with him during break. Hermoine was going home but felt awful about it. She just couldn't stand up to her parents like Ron did. Harry told her he understood, and Hermoine taught him a couple of hexes she had picked up.
So everyone left. Ron and Harry were the only two students left in the school. On the second evening of break, Ron and Harry were sitting in the Gryffendor common room when the portrait swung open and in walked Professor Majere. Both boys were on their feet quickly as Raistlin looked them over. "Voldemort may attack tonight. If you really want to help, get your wands and follow me."
The boys got up, got their wands, and followed Raistlin out the door. "Professor, how did you get through the portrait without the password?" Ron asked.
"There are few things in this world that can keep me out of places I want to go," Raistlin replied. Harry recognized immediately where they were headed, Professor Dumbledore's office. Up the gargoyle's steps the three went.
When they came into the office, they were greeted by all the visitors that have been in the castle for the past months; Moody, Lupin, Black, along with Professors Snape, Majere, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. Along with these people, they were joined by Ron's brother Charlie Weasley, and Harry's former Quidditch teammate Oliver Wood.
Dumbledore called for silence to the chatter, "Please, my friends, we have so little time. This is what we know: Voldemort is on his way here now, he has half a dozen followers with him, and they should arrive in an hour.
"Now most of you know one another, I'm pleased to see Misters Weasley and Potter have joined us. Boys, the people you see gathered in this room have all pledged their allegiance to me as well as to the cause of stopping Voldemort. We ask if you would like to join us tonight by taking the same vow."