*******************************************************************************************
Harry Potter and the Black Unicorn (part 3) - Harry's new timetable
*******************************************************************************************
Harry, Ron and Hermione reached Dumbledore's office and looked at each other blankly.
"Well?" said Ron, "do we just wait here?"
Harry shrugged at him and just turned to face the door again. After about 2 minutes it opened of its own accord and Harry led the other two into Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore wasn't the only one there though. Snape was standing in the corner nearest Harry and MgGonagall, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and the new teacher Hidellbank were all gathered in the room too.
"Hey Harry, Ron, Hermione" Spoke up the new teacher, "you okay?"
"I see you've already been introduced then?" questioned Snape coldly.
"On the train" said Hermione, her voice was almost snappy with him. To this though, all she received was a piercing glare.
"Indeed" Cut in Dumbledore. "Now you three, your routine will be a bit different. As well as your three Defence against the Dark arts lessons a week you will also have an evening lesson with both Professor Hidellbank and Professor Snape. You will also have an extra duelling lesson with Profssor Hidellbank and Professor Lupin. These extra lessons will be on your timetable in you rooms. Oh and also, Nevile Longbottom will be joining you for your extra duelling lesson"
"Neville!" exclaimed Ron "why on earth?"
"Never you mind Ron," said Dumbledore conspiratorially "Now, Ron, Hermione could you return to your rooms please"
Ron and Hermione slumped off looking thoroughly unimpressed about being left out of the loop yet again.
Once Ron and Hermione where out of earshot Harry turned back to Dumbledore.
"Are Neville's parents missing?"
"Yes," replied Dumbledore "very observant Harry"
Dumbledore turned to Snape, "Tell Harry Serverus, tell him about what you know"
Harry swung round to face Snape, who avoided eye contact with him.
"Potter" he muttered "At the moment you don't appear to be under threat. He's more interested in revenge killings, scare tactics and gaining supporters. Soon though, once he has become more powerful, he will turn on you and Hogwarts. He does want to capture Hogwarts but he wants you dead first. I suppose he thinks he'll have less problems then"
"Could you have not put that in a more appropriate way Snape" snapped Sirius Black from behind Dumbledore.
"Its okay" said Harry calmly, trying to defuse the situation, "I needed to hear it straight"
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, which was broken by the new teacher.
"Well, Harry, we're all here to try and prevent that happening and I tell you now, each of us would rather die than let him get to you or this school, even Snape"
Harry raised his eyebrows at that last comment and glanced across at Snape and wondered if it was really aimed at himself or as a hint to his potions master.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When Harry reached the Gryffindor tower he found himself face to face with the fat lady who wanted the password before he could enter.
"I don't know it" said Harry, starting to worry, "I've been in Dumbledore's office and no one has told me it"
The fat lady closed her eyes for a few seconds, as if she where thinking.
"Oh go on then, if I get into trouble I'll be very upset with you though"
With that she swung open the door.
Ron and Hermione walked over to him immediately, so they just inside the doorway, slightly away from everyone else.
"What did he say Harry?" said Ron in a whisper.
"Snape has been spying on Voldemort" Harry started "Apparently Voldemort wants to get back to full strength before launching a proper attack on Hogwarts and...well...me."
"So were safe, for now at least" muttered Hermione, "but Harry, how does Dumbledore expect to fight him?"
"I don't know," said Harry, he looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "I guess he's trying to keep Voldemort's old allies away from him, weaken his power base and all."
Ron looked slightly sick, both Harry and Hermione watched him shift uneasily.
"What's wrong Ron?" Said Hermione finally, breaking the silence.
"Well" said Ron "The ministry of magic will have to try and deal with the death eaters along with other wizards help. I'm guessing Figg, Lupin and whoever will be part of that. I suppose though, they'll be preparing to double back if it all gets too bad, and focus on keeping Hogwarts as the main defence point"
Ron paused briefly and continued.
"I mean, there are other towers with spare rooms here in which hundreds of them could stay. It just makes me sick knowing my brothers and my dad and mum will be out there fighting."
Harry and Hermione were silent; they had no idea what to say to him. Harry closed his eyes and tried to think of something comforting to say but nothing came. He was relieved when Hermione spoke up.
"We're all worried Ron, but it will be ok. We've defeated him before, we can do it again."
Ron gave her a look that stated that he doubted she really believed that but said nothing.
Ron shifted uneasily again then nodded towards the stairs and turned away. Harry watched Ron walk away and go up the stairs towards the dormitory. Hermione gave Harry a worried glance,
"What are you going to do?" she asked quietly.
"Go for a walk and clear my head" Harry paused seeing her expression "In the castle, not in the grounds don't worry"
"Oh. Oh okay" she said, "Well still, be careful. Harry smiled at her to assure her he would be and turned and left the Gryffindor common room.
******************************************************************************************
Please please please review!
******************************************************************************************
Harry Potter and the Black Unicorn (part 3) - Harry's new timetable
*******************************************************************************************
Harry, Ron and Hermione reached Dumbledore's office and looked at each other blankly.
"Well?" said Ron, "do we just wait here?"
Harry shrugged at him and just turned to face the door again. After about 2 minutes it opened of its own accord and Harry led the other two into Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore wasn't the only one there though. Snape was standing in the corner nearest Harry and MgGonagall, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and the new teacher Hidellbank were all gathered in the room too.
"Hey Harry, Ron, Hermione" Spoke up the new teacher, "you okay?"
"I see you've already been introduced then?" questioned Snape coldly.
"On the train" said Hermione, her voice was almost snappy with him. To this though, all she received was a piercing glare.
"Indeed" Cut in Dumbledore. "Now you three, your routine will be a bit different. As well as your three Defence against the Dark arts lessons a week you will also have an evening lesson with both Professor Hidellbank and Professor Snape. You will also have an extra duelling lesson with Profssor Hidellbank and Professor Lupin. These extra lessons will be on your timetable in you rooms. Oh and also, Nevile Longbottom will be joining you for your extra duelling lesson"
"Neville!" exclaimed Ron "why on earth?"
"Never you mind Ron," said Dumbledore conspiratorially "Now, Ron, Hermione could you return to your rooms please"
Ron and Hermione slumped off looking thoroughly unimpressed about being left out of the loop yet again.
Once Ron and Hermione where out of earshot Harry turned back to Dumbledore.
"Are Neville's parents missing?"
"Yes," replied Dumbledore "very observant Harry"
Dumbledore turned to Snape, "Tell Harry Serverus, tell him about what you know"
Harry swung round to face Snape, who avoided eye contact with him.
"Potter" he muttered "At the moment you don't appear to be under threat. He's more interested in revenge killings, scare tactics and gaining supporters. Soon though, once he has become more powerful, he will turn on you and Hogwarts. He does want to capture Hogwarts but he wants you dead first. I suppose he thinks he'll have less problems then"
"Could you have not put that in a more appropriate way Snape" snapped Sirius Black from behind Dumbledore.
"Its okay" said Harry calmly, trying to defuse the situation, "I needed to hear it straight"
There was an uncomfortable silence for a few seconds, which was broken by the new teacher.
"Well, Harry, we're all here to try and prevent that happening and I tell you now, each of us would rather die than let him get to you or this school, even Snape"
Harry raised his eyebrows at that last comment and glanced across at Snape and wondered if it was really aimed at himself or as a hint to his potions master.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When Harry reached the Gryffindor tower he found himself face to face with the fat lady who wanted the password before he could enter.
"I don't know it" said Harry, starting to worry, "I've been in Dumbledore's office and no one has told me it"
The fat lady closed her eyes for a few seconds, as if she where thinking.
"Oh go on then, if I get into trouble I'll be very upset with you though"
With that she swung open the door.
Ron and Hermione walked over to him immediately, so they just inside the doorway, slightly away from everyone else.
"What did he say Harry?" said Ron in a whisper.
"Snape has been spying on Voldemort" Harry started "Apparently Voldemort wants to get back to full strength before launching a proper attack on Hogwarts and...well...me."
"So were safe, for now at least" muttered Hermione, "but Harry, how does Dumbledore expect to fight him?"
"I don't know," said Harry, he looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "I guess he's trying to keep Voldemort's old allies away from him, weaken his power base and all."
Ron looked slightly sick, both Harry and Hermione watched him shift uneasily.
"What's wrong Ron?" Said Hermione finally, breaking the silence.
"Well" said Ron "The ministry of magic will have to try and deal with the death eaters along with other wizards help. I'm guessing Figg, Lupin and whoever will be part of that. I suppose though, they'll be preparing to double back if it all gets too bad, and focus on keeping Hogwarts as the main defence point"
Ron paused briefly and continued.
"I mean, there are other towers with spare rooms here in which hundreds of them could stay. It just makes me sick knowing my brothers and my dad and mum will be out there fighting."
Harry and Hermione were silent; they had no idea what to say to him. Harry closed his eyes and tried to think of something comforting to say but nothing came. He was relieved when Hermione spoke up.
"We're all worried Ron, but it will be ok. We've defeated him before, we can do it again."
Ron gave her a look that stated that he doubted she really believed that but said nothing.
Ron shifted uneasily again then nodded towards the stairs and turned away. Harry watched Ron walk away and go up the stairs towards the dormitory. Hermione gave Harry a worried glance,
"What are you going to do?" she asked quietly.
"Go for a walk and clear my head" Harry paused seeing her expression "In the castle, not in the grounds don't worry"
"Oh. Oh okay" she said, "Well still, be careful. Harry smiled at her to assure her he would be and turned and left the Gryffindor common room.
******************************************************************************************
Please please please review!
******************************************************************************************
