Chapter Nine- News Harry already Knew
Harry, Ron, Kevin and Professor McGonagall entered her office. She was beaming at them with looks of disgust. She summoned three chairs opposite her desk and they sat down. She walked behind her desk and sat down wearing a look on her face that Harry thought should be fined.
"None of you realize how disgusted I am with you" she said, beaming at all three of them. "Mr. Weasley. As a Prefect, you should have stopped this argument before it escalated into-"
"I did try to stop-"
"Do not interrupt me while I am speaking or that will be fifty points from your house," she said, her voice cracking like a whip. Ron went quiet. "Mr. Potter, I will ask you what happened, and I want only Mr. Potter to answer me" she continued.
"Kevin was talking to Colin Creevy and Dennis Creevy and he called me an Attention Seeking Idiot, and I said 'excuse me' and he started talking about how I think I'm cool because I have this scar" said Harry, growing angry with each word that came out of his mouth.
Professor McGonagall turned to Kevin, who sat there, not looking nervous or scared. He simply looked comfortable. "Is that true Mr. Davidson?"
Kevin blinked and said "No. Harry started to attack me with harsh comments saying I was nothing but a stupid first year with no brains to fill an eggcup" said Kevin.
Harry and Ron's jaws fell open.
"I DID NOT SAY THAT!" Harry yelled.
"Mr. Potter! Control your temper!" snapped Professor McGonagall. She turned back to Kevin. "Is that all, Mr. Davidson?" she asked calmly.
"Yes Professor" he said, as he blinked once more.
"Well, I cannot express how disappointed I am with you Mr. potter. That will be a detention for you, and Mr. Weasley, I will have to strip your Prefect privileges for two weeks. Kindly hand over your badge" she said.
Harry couldn't believe his ears. Professor McGonagall believed Kevin, when he was lying with every word that came out his mouth. Harry didn't understand what was going on. Harry watched as Ron took his Prefect badge off of his robes and handed it to Professor McGonagall, who kindly took it, and placed it inside her desk drawer.
"You all may return to the feast, quietly" said Professor McGonagall as she took out a piece of parchment and quill. She was scribbling Harry's detention down on it. Harry and Ron quickly left the office, leaving Kevin to follow in their footsteps. Harry waited until he was out of earshot- to speak. They both decided to head to the Gryffindor Tower instead of downstairs.
"That lying Prat!" Harry said.
"And did you see Professor McGonagall fall for his story! It was like she was under some sort of trance or something!" Ron said, as they reached the fat lady.
"Coconut Clusters" he said as the portrait hole opened. They climbed inside.
The Gryffindor Common room was the most comfortable place in Hogwarts. It was comprised of many sofas and good seats, and there were two tables in which some students did Homework. The fire was crackling madly. Harry couldn't even bare to stare into the fire, because it reminded him so much of Sirius. He remembered that just last year, Sirius's head was poking through the fire. He then suddenly recalled his dream again, but he remembered that he couldn't tell Ron.
They sat down by the fire.
"What am I going to do now? I can't have a reason to wander the halls anymore for two whole weeks" said Ron, sounding furious. "And I cant torture Crabbe and Goyle" Ron continued. Harry wasn't even listening. His mind was wandering elsewhere.
During Ron's rampage about how unfair Professor McGonagall was, his scar prickled with a white-hot pain, Harry only felt when Lord Voldermort was feeling angry. Harry closed his eyes, and instantly he found himself somewhere far, in the body of someone else.Lord Voldermort.
He was in a room of hooded wizards and witches, all of whom were no doubt Death Eaters, and for the first time, Harry hadn't recognized a single person there. When he spoke, it was through the voice of Voldermort.
".No one wanted to tell me that he was at Hogwarts, now did they?" Voldermort said, sounding irritated and upset. All of the death eaters shuffled nervously.
"M-Master" said a witch with a high pitched voice. "We weren't sure t-to alert y-you, because you were v-very busy at the m-moment" she continued, sounding as though something was caught in her throat. Voldermort raised his wand and said "Crucio". The spell hit the witch and she began to scream in pain. Finally she ceased, and turned silent.
"No one should dare not pass along news to me" said Voldermort. He looked at everyone. "Now, I would like to know who it is that is at Hogwarts School" he demanded.
No one seemed to want to answer, fearing the same fate as the witch whom was now whimpering lowly.
"WELL!" shouted Voldermort.
"It-" said a Wizard with a deep voice, but suddenly, Harry felt a tapping at his arm. The tapping continued, until Harry opened his eyes, and was staring up at Ron. Harry hadn't realized he was on the floor.
"W-What happened to you?" Ron asked, looking as though Harry was going to jump up and attack him. "You clutched your head, and fell to the floor"
Harry stared around. The room in which the death eaters and Voldermort was gone. Harry looked at Ron and then spoke.
"He's stationed someone at Hogwarts" said Harry.
"Who has?"
"Voldermort"
"What?"
"I just saw a meeting through his eyes.someone said that they had placed someone at Hogwarts"
"But who was it?"
"I don't know.I didn't hear the wizard's name" said Harry.
"Wait Wait, you mean Voldermort recruited more Death Eaters?"
"It looks like it"
"That cant be good. Maybe you should tell Dumbledore"
"No, No. I don't want to trouble him. Let's just keep this between us ok?"
"Right.okay"
Harry now fought with himself. He had two big secrets to keep quiet. One from Ron and Hermione, and the other from Dumbledore. Harry thought to himself.
"How can you ever live with yourself?".
* * * * * *
The first day of lessons arrived. Harry and Ron dressed into their robes, and headed down to the Great Hall with Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus. They sat down at the head of the Gryffindor table, and immediately looked at their schedules.
"Damn it, we're with the Slytherins in Transfiguration" Ron spat.
"And they've insisted on giving us Divination again" Harry said, frowning.
"I told you two years ago" said Hermione, frowning at something. "You should have given it up. Ron, where's your badge?"
Ron dropped his fork with a loud clatter, which made everyone look.
"I er."
"You what?"
"I lost it"
Hermione didn't look thrilled. "How could you loose it?" she said, angrily. "You'll just have to get a new one!"
"I am" said Ron quickly. "In two weeks. That's what McGonagall said. She also said that I have to lay off my duties until then"
"Why?"
Ron didn't answer.
"Come on Harry, we have to get to Divination quickly" Ron said, standing up and grabbing his bag.
"What? Its only eight-fifteen. You have thirty minutes" Hermione said, her eyes flashing.
It was too late. Ron was gone. Hermione quickly turned to Harry.
"What's going on with him?" she asked.
Harry shrugged. He watched Hermione gather her things and follow behind Ron. When she had left, Kevin had entered the hall, followed by a group of first years to whom Harry thought were Gryffindor's but when he peered at their chests, they wore Slytherin badges. They were laughing about something.
"-And my dad says he is full of cock and bull stories" said Kevin, as the others stopped laughing to hear his words.
"Yeah, so does my dad" said a Black first year girl with light brown eyes and long Black shiny hair.
"Mine too. They say they can't wait 'til Voldermort kills him" said a boy, with untidy blonde hair.
"Well, we'll see you later" said another first year boy with Blonde hair. They headed off to the Slytherin table, while Kevin walked to the Gryffindor table and straight up to Harry.
He surveyed Harry. "I see you were listening to us, Potty" he sneered.
"And what if I was" said Harry, coolly.
"It doesn't matter to me. I mean, as you can see, I'M more popular with the Slytherins than you are. You're nothing but a -"
"Nothing but a what?" came a familiar voice. Draco Malfoy had wandered over and stopped Kevin from finishing his sentence. He stared at Kevin as though he were a pile of dung.
Kevin looked at him, then at the Prefect badge. ".Nothing but.a cool kid" said Kevin nervously, as he slouched off to sit down between some first years.
Draco turned to Harry. "Here" he said, dropping a letter on the table. "It'll explain everything"
Draco walked back to the Slytherin table.
Harry looked at the Parchment envelope. It said;
Mr. Harry Potter
Gryffindor House
Harry wasn't sure whether or not to open it, or to leave it. A strong surge of feeling told him to shelve his pride and open it. He did so, and began to read the letter in Draco's handwriting. (Which was surprisingly neat)
Dear Harry,
I know how surprised you are to be receiving a letter from me, and there's no doubt in my mind that you have been questioning my behavior since yesterday. Its because I'm sick of my father! I'm sick of him always pushing me to carry on the family legacy and remain a 'pureblood' family, and worst of all, he wants me to join in the league with You-Know-Who. I don't want to do that, so I decided that we should start over, and become friends, and I promise you. This is NOT a joke! I've ditched Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. They're nothing but a bunch of stupid prats! If you want to respond, send an Owl post.
Draco
Harry's jaw fell open. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps Dumbledore's words sank in, at last nights sorting ceremony. Had Draco really changed sides? Harry wasn't entirely sure of what to do at this point, but he knew he had to keep his guard up. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was nearly time to get to class. He bit a few more pieces of his jam spread toast, gathered his things and set off for the North Tower.
When he entered Professor Trelawney's room, he was hit with a surge of hot air. The familiar sweet perfume spreading from the fire met his nostrils as he emerged from the stepladder. As always, the curtains were closed, blocking the sunlight out but keeping the dreaded heat in. The room was bathed in a crimson red, as many of the lamps were draped with scarves of that color. Ron was sitting at a table near the closed window, alone and nervous. Harry walked over, as students began to file in behind him.
Ron looked a deep shade of red up close. "She knows, doesn't she?" he asked, in a squeaked frightened voice.
"I reckon she doesn't" Harry said, taking out his copy of The Future is clear by Julia Kingsley. "What are you so nervous about?"
"She's my girlfriend" said Ron, gaining a little bit of his original deep voice back.
"Its harder for me to lie to her now"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't fret" he said.
"Good Day" came a misty voice from the thin air. A very thin woman with glasses to big for her face emerged into the room. It was Professor Trelawney, draped in her many beads and chains. She cast a mournful look at Harry. "My dear, you are much too troubled" she said. Harry rolled his eyes. She swept past him and to the round puff in the center of the room. The class settled in. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown sat very close.
"What happened to Firenze?" asked Neville, loudly. Both Lavender and Parvati cast wondrous looks at Professor Trelawney.
"He is still teaching my dear, do not worry" she said. "He teaches the First and Second years"
"Shoot! I wanted to stare into those amazing Blue eyes, and manly chest-"
"As I was about to say" said Professor Trelawney, cutting Lavender's sentence in half. "Welcome Back to Divination. I was very impressed with this class, due to your excellent O.W.L grades" she continued, as she eyed Harry and Ron. "Many of you possess abilities that you are unaware of, and it is time they awaken"
"Professor Trelawney" called Lavender, raising her hand.
"Yes?"
"Did you see anything over the summer about any of us?"
"Of course my dear child" Professor Trelawney said, but before she could continue, there came a knock at the trap door. "You may enter"
The door opened, and Draco Malfoy entered the room. Most of the class seemed frightened. It finally occurred to Harry that Draco had gotten taller over the summer.
"Yes?"
"Professor McGonagall would like to see Harry Potter ma'am," said Draco.
"Very well. Harry, please follow this young man. You may take your things if you like. I am not sure how long you will be in her office"
Harry put his book in his bag, stood up and descended the stepladder, followed by Malfoy. The door closed as the set off for McGonagall's office. The silence was unbroken by Malfoy as they reached the stairs.
"Had a good summer?" he asked.
Harry wasn't sure whether to answer him, or pretend he hadn't heard him. His gut told him to be respectful and answer. "It was ok"
"Heard about your results. That's really good. I only got a few decent grades. Looks like Potions aren't one of my best subjects. I only scraped an 'acceptable' " he grinned. Harry grinned lowly. Within due time, they had reached McGonagall's office.
"Well, see you" and Draco was off. Harry didn't even bother to see where he was going. He entered McGonagall's classroom, and found her sitting at her desk humming happily to herself. When she saw Harry enter, he saw her face light up.
"Potter, there you are!" she said. "Professor, he's here!" she said towards the closet. The door opened and Harry saw Professor Kevin emerge from it, smiling.
"Hello Harry" he said, as he surveyed Harry up and down.
"Er.Hi Professor"
"Potter, we have some news for you.Your godfather is back!"
Harry, Ron, Kevin and Professor McGonagall entered her office. She was beaming at them with looks of disgust. She summoned three chairs opposite her desk and they sat down. She walked behind her desk and sat down wearing a look on her face that Harry thought should be fined.
"None of you realize how disgusted I am with you" she said, beaming at all three of them. "Mr. Weasley. As a Prefect, you should have stopped this argument before it escalated into-"
"I did try to stop-"
"Do not interrupt me while I am speaking or that will be fifty points from your house," she said, her voice cracking like a whip. Ron went quiet. "Mr. Potter, I will ask you what happened, and I want only Mr. Potter to answer me" she continued.
"Kevin was talking to Colin Creevy and Dennis Creevy and he called me an Attention Seeking Idiot, and I said 'excuse me' and he started talking about how I think I'm cool because I have this scar" said Harry, growing angry with each word that came out of his mouth.
Professor McGonagall turned to Kevin, who sat there, not looking nervous or scared. He simply looked comfortable. "Is that true Mr. Davidson?"
Kevin blinked and said "No. Harry started to attack me with harsh comments saying I was nothing but a stupid first year with no brains to fill an eggcup" said Kevin.
Harry and Ron's jaws fell open.
"I DID NOT SAY THAT!" Harry yelled.
"Mr. Potter! Control your temper!" snapped Professor McGonagall. She turned back to Kevin. "Is that all, Mr. Davidson?" she asked calmly.
"Yes Professor" he said, as he blinked once more.
"Well, I cannot express how disappointed I am with you Mr. potter. That will be a detention for you, and Mr. Weasley, I will have to strip your Prefect privileges for two weeks. Kindly hand over your badge" she said.
Harry couldn't believe his ears. Professor McGonagall believed Kevin, when he was lying with every word that came out his mouth. Harry didn't understand what was going on. Harry watched as Ron took his Prefect badge off of his robes and handed it to Professor McGonagall, who kindly took it, and placed it inside her desk drawer.
"You all may return to the feast, quietly" said Professor McGonagall as she took out a piece of parchment and quill. She was scribbling Harry's detention down on it. Harry and Ron quickly left the office, leaving Kevin to follow in their footsteps. Harry waited until he was out of earshot- to speak. They both decided to head to the Gryffindor Tower instead of downstairs.
"That lying Prat!" Harry said.
"And did you see Professor McGonagall fall for his story! It was like she was under some sort of trance or something!" Ron said, as they reached the fat lady.
"Coconut Clusters" he said as the portrait hole opened. They climbed inside.
The Gryffindor Common room was the most comfortable place in Hogwarts. It was comprised of many sofas and good seats, and there were two tables in which some students did Homework. The fire was crackling madly. Harry couldn't even bare to stare into the fire, because it reminded him so much of Sirius. He remembered that just last year, Sirius's head was poking through the fire. He then suddenly recalled his dream again, but he remembered that he couldn't tell Ron.
They sat down by the fire.
"What am I going to do now? I can't have a reason to wander the halls anymore for two whole weeks" said Ron, sounding furious. "And I cant torture Crabbe and Goyle" Ron continued. Harry wasn't even listening. His mind was wandering elsewhere.
During Ron's rampage about how unfair Professor McGonagall was, his scar prickled with a white-hot pain, Harry only felt when Lord Voldermort was feeling angry. Harry closed his eyes, and instantly he found himself somewhere far, in the body of someone else.Lord Voldermort.
He was in a room of hooded wizards and witches, all of whom were no doubt Death Eaters, and for the first time, Harry hadn't recognized a single person there. When he spoke, it was through the voice of Voldermort.
".No one wanted to tell me that he was at Hogwarts, now did they?" Voldermort said, sounding irritated and upset. All of the death eaters shuffled nervously.
"M-Master" said a witch with a high pitched voice. "We weren't sure t-to alert y-you, because you were v-very busy at the m-moment" she continued, sounding as though something was caught in her throat. Voldermort raised his wand and said "Crucio". The spell hit the witch and she began to scream in pain. Finally she ceased, and turned silent.
"No one should dare not pass along news to me" said Voldermort. He looked at everyone. "Now, I would like to know who it is that is at Hogwarts School" he demanded.
No one seemed to want to answer, fearing the same fate as the witch whom was now whimpering lowly.
"WELL!" shouted Voldermort.
"It-" said a Wizard with a deep voice, but suddenly, Harry felt a tapping at his arm. The tapping continued, until Harry opened his eyes, and was staring up at Ron. Harry hadn't realized he was on the floor.
"W-What happened to you?" Ron asked, looking as though Harry was going to jump up and attack him. "You clutched your head, and fell to the floor"
Harry stared around. The room in which the death eaters and Voldermort was gone. Harry looked at Ron and then spoke.
"He's stationed someone at Hogwarts" said Harry.
"Who has?"
"Voldermort"
"What?"
"I just saw a meeting through his eyes.someone said that they had placed someone at Hogwarts"
"But who was it?"
"I don't know.I didn't hear the wizard's name" said Harry.
"Wait Wait, you mean Voldermort recruited more Death Eaters?"
"It looks like it"
"That cant be good. Maybe you should tell Dumbledore"
"No, No. I don't want to trouble him. Let's just keep this between us ok?"
"Right.okay"
Harry now fought with himself. He had two big secrets to keep quiet. One from Ron and Hermione, and the other from Dumbledore. Harry thought to himself.
"How can you ever live with yourself?".
* * * * * *
The first day of lessons arrived. Harry and Ron dressed into their robes, and headed down to the Great Hall with Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Dean and Seamus. They sat down at the head of the Gryffindor table, and immediately looked at their schedules.
"Damn it, we're with the Slytherins in Transfiguration" Ron spat.
"And they've insisted on giving us Divination again" Harry said, frowning.
"I told you two years ago" said Hermione, frowning at something. "You should have given it up. Ron, where's your badge?"
Ron dropped his fork with a loud clatter, which made everyone look.
"I er."
"You what?"
"I lost it"
Hermione didn't look thrilled. "How could you loose it?" she said, angrily. "You'll just have to get a new one!"
"I am" said Ron quickly. "In two weeks. That's what McGonagall said. She also said that I have to lay off my duties until then"
"Why?"
Ron didn't answer.
"Come on Harry, we have to get to Divination quickly" Ron said, standing up and grabbing his bag.
"What? Its only eight-fifteen. You have thirty minutes" Hermione said, her eyes flashing.
It was too late. Ron was gone. Hermione quickly turned to Harry.
"What's going on with him?" she asked.
Harry shrugged. He watched Hermione gather her things and follow behind Ron. When she had left, Kevin had entered the hall, followed by a group of first years to whom Harry thought were Gryffindor's but when he peered at their chests, they wore Slytherin badges. They were laughing about something.
"-And my dad says he is full of cock and bull stories" said Kevin, as the others stopped laughing to hear his words.
"Yeah, so does my dad" said a Black first year girl with light brown eyes and long Black shiny hair.
"Mine too. They say they can't wait 'til Voldermort kills him" said a boy, with untidy blonde hair.
"Well, we'll see you later" said another first year boy with Blonde hair. They headed off to the Slytherin table, while Kevin walked to the Gryffindor table and straight up to Harry.
He surveyed Harry. "I see you were listening to us, Potty" he sneered.
"And what if I was" said Harry, coolly.
"It doesn't matter to me. I mean, as you can see, I'M more popular with the Slytherins than you are. You're nothing but a -"
"Nothing but a what?" came a familiar voice. Draco Malfoy had wandered over and stopped Kevin from finishing his sentence. He stared at Kevin as though he were a pile of dung.
Kevin looked at him, then at the Prefect badge. ".Nothing but.a cool kid" said Kevin nervously, as he slouched off to sit down between some first years.
Draco turned to Harry. "Here" he said, dropping a letter on the table. "It'll explain everything"
Draco walked back to the Slytherin table.
Harry looked at the Parchment envelope. It said;
Mr. Harry Potter
Gryffindor House
Harry wasn't sure whether or not to open it, or to leave it. A strong surge of feeling told him to shelve his pride and open it. He did so, and began to read the letter in Draco's handwriting. (Which was surprisingly neat)
Dear Harry,
I know how surprised you are to be receiving a letter from me, and there's no doubt in my mind that you have been questioning my behavior since yesterday. Its because I'm sick of my father! I'm sick of him always pushing me to carry on the family legacy and remain a 'pureblood' family, and worst of all, he wants me to join in the league with You-Know-Who. I don't want to do that, so I decided that we should start over, and become friends, and I promise you. This is NOT a joke! I've ditched Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy. They're nothing but a bunch of stupid prats! If you want to respond, send an Owl post.
Draco
Harry's jaw fell open. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps Dumbledore's words sank in, at last nights sorting ceremony. Had Draco really changed sides? Harry wasn't entirely sure of what to do at this point, but he knew he had to keep his guard up. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was nearly time to get to class. He bit a few more pieces of his jam spread toast, gathered his things and set off for the North Tower.
When he entered Professor Trelawney's room, he was hit with a surge of hot air. The familiar sweet perfume spreading from the fire met his nostrils as he emerged from the stepladder. As always, the curtains were closed, blocking the sunlight out but keeping the dreaded heat in. The room was bathed in a crimson red, as many of the lamps were draped with scarves of that color. Ron was sitting at a table near the closed window, alone and nervous. Harry walked over, as students began to file in behind him.
Ron looked a deep shade of red up close. "She knows, doesn't she?" he asked, in a squeaked frightened voice.
"I reckon she doesn't" Harry said, taking out his copy of The Future is clear by Julia Kingsley. "What are you so nervous about?"
"She's my girlfriend" said Ron, gaining a little bit of his original deep voice back.
"Its harder for me to lie to her now"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't fret" he said.
"Good Day" came a misty voice from the thin air. A very thin woman with glasses to big for her face emerged into the room. It was Professor Trelawney, draped in her many beads and chains. She cast a mournful look at Harry. "My dear, you are much too troubled" she said. Harry rolled his eyes. She swept past him and to the round puff in the center of the room. The class settled in. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown sat very close.
"What happened to Firenze?" asked Neville, loudly. Both Lavender and Parvati cast wondrous looks at Professor Trelawney.
"He is still teaching my dear, do not worry" she said. "He teaches the First and Second years"
"Shoot! I wanted to stare into those amazing Blue eyes, and manly chest-"
"As I was about to say" said Professor Trelawney, cutting Lavender's sentence in half. "Welcome Back to Divination. I was very impressed with this class, due to your excellent O.W.L grades" she continued, as she eyed Harry and Ron. "Many of you possess abilities that you are unaware of, and it is time they awaken"
"Professor Trelawney" called Lavender, raising her hand.
"Yes?"
"Did you see anything over the summer about any of us?"
"Of course my dear child" Professor Trelawney said, but before she could continue, there came a knock at the trap door. "You may enter"
The door opened, and Draco Malfoy entered the room. Most of the class seemed frightened. It finally occurred to Harry that Draco had gotten taller over the summer.
"Yes?"
"Professor McGonagall would like to see Harry Potter ma'am," said Draco.
"Very well. Harry, please follow this young man. You may take your things if you like. I am not sure how long you will be in her office"
Harry put his book in his bag, stood up and descended the stepladder, followed by Malfoy. The door closed as the set off for McGonagall's office. The silence was unbroken by Malfoy as they reached the stairs.
"Had a good summer?" he asked.
Harry wasn't sure whether to answer him, or pretend he hadn't heard him. His gut told him to be respectful and answer. "It was ok"
"Heard about your results. That's really good. I only got a few decent grades. Looks like Potions aren't one of my best subjects. I only scraped an 'acceptable' " he grinned. Harry grinned lowly. Within due time, they had reached McGonagall's office.
"Well, see you" and Draco was off. Harry didn't even bother to see where he was going. He entered McGonagall's classroom, and found her sitting at her desk humming happily to herself. When she saw Harry enter, he saw her face light up.
"Potter, there you are!" she said. "Professor, he's here!" she said towards the closet. The door opened and Harry saw Professor Kevin emerge from it, smiling.
"Hello Harry" he said, as he surveyed Harry up and down.
"Er.Hi Professor"
"Potter, we have some news for you.Your godfather is back!"