jouve25, jeklsmom, SheWolfe7, Dan, Ikazo, jouve25, Alamarang, Numba1, I don't think the review alerts are working, don't know why, but I didn't get any yesterday either! Also I couldn't log on this morning.
Doma the Angel of Silence, Loose and lose is one of those mistakes I make all the time so thanks I'll recheck the new story and change it where I can, though I'm not sure I can change the next step because I may have deleted it after I printed it out. But the Prophesy and Prophecy thing always gets me! I'm never sure which way round it is, I thought it was, Prophesy- to predict with mystic knowledge and Prophecy- an inspired utterance of a prophet. If I've gotten them backwards let me know! Cheers. Thanks for reviewing and putting me in your favorites list.
Chapter 13 Answers
The Trio knocked on the Headmaster's door and smiled when he called. "Well come in you three."
Hermione showed Dumbledore the muggle news paper and said, "We were wondering if you thought there might be a connection between the Restoration Party and Voldemort?"
"Why would you think that?" Dumbledore read through the article, as Hermione explained the similarities between Voldemort and Hitler and Grindlewald. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and said, "Miss Granger, you never cease to amaze me."
Hermione blushed lightly and waited for Dumbledore to finish reading.
"Well this is a far more in depth report than the one I read this morning," Dumbledore smiled, "I don't get this particular Muggle newspaper." He put it on his desk and looked seriously at them. "We believe, like Miss Granger, that Voldemort is somehow behind the Restoration Party. We cannot find enough proof of this for the ministry to become involved, though we have placed a few wizards within the party to report to us."
"What do you think he intents to do with this party?" Harry asked.
"Cause problems," Dumbledore replied sadly.
"What can we do to stop him?" Hermione asked.
"Unfortunately the problem has also spread to Europe; there are branches of the Restoration Party in France, Germany, Italy and Austria. The Wizengamot have suggested that we set up a political party in opposition, but we do not have the resources at the moment. We are working on some pamphlets to urge the muggles to reject the Party and their Agenda."
Harry was surprised to hear that the wizarding world took so much interest in Muggle politics. But then he remembered that a long time ago Fudge had told him that there was an envoy who worked specially with the muggle Prime Minister.
Harry asked, "Does the Prime Minister know about the situation?" Dumbledore nodded in reply.
"We still have some time to work out a solution to this; they are still a small minority in the Parliament. Hopefully we will be able to force them out before they can gain a proper foot hold." Dumbledore told them, adding, "You should not worry about this too much, you all have enough on your minds this year. Now why don't you go and enjoy your Sunday off, before you go back to lessons tomorrow." He smiled at them as they bid him goodbye and left.
"Well, what did you think?" Ron asked.
"He seems worried," Hermione said.
"But you heard what he said, they told the Prime minister guy, is that like the Minister of Magic?" Ron said. Harry nodded.
"I wonder if I should have asked Dumbledore to let my Dad have one of those pamphlets," Hermione said. "He really doesn't like this Parties propaganda."
"I suppose that's actually a good guide, I mean if your Dad follows the politics and he noticed they were a bit suspect, then other muggles might have noticed it too," Harry said.
Suddenly they were at the portrait of the fat lady, "Truffles," Hermione said, and they went in to the common room.
"Harry, Hedwig is here," Ginny called to him.
Harry took the letter from her, and gave her a drink of water before he let her go to the Owlery. "It's from Moony," He told the other two.
Dear Migizi,
Nice to hear from you, thought you might
not have time for an old wolf. Well your
lessons sound like fun, I wish I was back at
school. I might have a surprise for you this
holiday, have to see if I can pull it off though.
About the girl, I say go for it, you'll never know
unless you ask her. Let me know what happens.
Write soon, take care and say out of trouble!
Yours
Moony.
"Migizi?" Ron asked.
"Yeh it's what Moony calls me, it Anishinabe for Eagle," Harry replied.
"Did you tell him about Megan?" Hermione asked.
"Well it doesn't really matter now anyway, does it?" Harry replied morosely. "Why do I only attract strange girls?"
"No you don't," Hermione tried to reassure him.
"Okay, name one girl in this school that is interested in me that's normal?"
"Well, I don't pay much attention when they start talking about stuff like that," Hermione admitted.
"See, you can't," Harry replied.
"Face it mate, you're too weird to have a girl-friend," Ron teased.
"Cheers mate, I know I can always count on you to make me feel better!" Harry laughed in reply. Ron made a mock bow.
"What are you doing today?" Ron asked him.
"Nothing, why?" Harry answered.
"Well Hermione has homework and I thought we might go do something," Ron said.
"Sure, you want to go now?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded and they said goodbye to Hermione, after they left the common room, Harry asked, "What is this about? Where do you want to go, that you don't want Hermione to find out about?"
"Actually I thought we might go out for the day, what do you think?" Ron asked.
"Out? Where exactly," Harry asked his friend, and received a small, "You'll see."
They walked along the corridors to the statue of Gunhilda, the humpback witch, that hid the passage to Honeydukes, when Ron finally said, "We borrowed your cloak, hope you're not mad."
Opening the statue Harry saw Dean, Seamus and Neville, all hiding inside. "All four of you can't fit under that cloak," Harry remarked.
"Well I thought you might have an idea how we could do it," Ron smiled sheepishly.
Harry laughed and then walked over to Ron, tapped him on the head and muttered the disillusionment charm. Ron disappeared and the others gasped. He repeated the spell on Neville, leaving Seamus and Dean to hide under the cloak and then said, "Meet you at the turn style. Ron, you'll recognise me." With that he snuck back out of the statue and onto the grounds. He transformed into an eagle and flew towards Hogsmead.
A short while later Harry heard Ron mutter, "Is that you mate?" Harry smiled and when his four friends reappeared he asked, "Well, what are we going to do?"
"Three broomsticks, I think," Ron grinned.
They began walking and noticed the other three were still staring at Harry, he laughed and said, "It's me guys, don't you recognise me?"
"But Harry, you're blonde," Neville said.
"You're taller," Dean added.
"Where's you're scar?" Seamus finished.
"It's a glamour charm, lets me go about without being recognised," Harry laughed and they all started to walk to the pub. Harry went to the counter and ordered five butterbeers and took them back to his friends.
"So why are you four suddenly sneaking out of school?" Harry asked.
"We thought we'd earned a break," Seamus replied. "Besides you never get to come here anymore."
"How did you get here so quickly anyway?" Neville asked.
"That's a secret, but I will tell you, the same way I've been coming here for the last few weeks," Harry laughed at their shocked expressions. "Well you didn't think I was going to stay in school, whilst everyone else got to come here."
"You never said," Ron remarked, looking a little hurt.
"Well you've been busy with …other things," Harry replied.
"Hermione? Well I can see why you wouldn't want to tell her, she might report you," Ron conceded.
The friends stayed for a while and had another round of Butterbeer, their laughter and chatter earning some looks of disapproval from the other customers. Just as they were about to leave the door swung open and Professor Snape walked in.
"Quick hide," Neville muttered.
"Too late," Muttered Harry.
"What do you lot think your doing here?" Snape demanded. "You do not have permission to be here."
"We, uh, wanted to celebrate our win yesterday," Seamus answered. But this was possibly the worst excuse he could have come up with, Harry thought, considering they had beaten Slytherin.
"You all face sever punishments for this one," Snape was almost grinning, then he asked, "Where's Potter? You lot wouldn't have come without him!"
Seamus and Dean exchanged a puzzled look; they had forgotten that Snape wouldn't recognise Harry. Before Neville could speak and possibly blow his cover, Harry said, "Well I'll see you four another time, nice to meet you all." Harry tried to speak with a different voice. Then he stood up and made his way towards the door.
Snape glared at him and grasped his arm, preventing him from leaving, "Who are you boy?"
Harry swung around and snapped, with as much bravado as he could muster, "Get your hands off me, who the hell do you think you are?"
"My name is Professor Snape, and these boys are students of mine," Snape replied.
"Then they have my sympathies, shouldn't you be escorting them back to school, instead of provoking people?" Harry growled.
"If I find out that you were in someway involved with helping these boys sneak out of school," Snape threatened, pulling Harry closer.
Harry drew his wand and pointed it directly under Snape's chin, as he said very quietly, "I advise you to release me this instant, if you know what's good for you."
Snape looked at the threat emanating from Harry's pale blue eyes and let him go, "I'm sure you will not mind telling me your name, stranger."
"Thomas Greywind," Harry drew the name out of mid air, he nodded to the other four and stormed out of the pub. He waited until he was well out of sight before transforming to an eagle and flying high above Hogsmead. As he passed the Three Broomsticks he noticed Snape pushing his friends roughly out the door, and the same instant two men in dark cloaks passed them. Harry saw Snape hand them something, before leading the boys up the path towards Hogwarts.
Torn between trying to find out who the two men were and getting back to Hogwarts before the others, Harry lingered overhead for several minutes. Then turning he flew to Hogwarts, careful not to let Snape catch a glimpse of him. Transforming quickly, he rushed back up to his common room, and breathlessly plopped down next to Hermione. Grabbing one of her books, he tried to look as though he had been there for hours.
Hermione was still looking at him in surprise, then the portrait hole opened and Professor McGonagall walked in.
"Mr Potter, please come with me," she said.
"What's going on?" Hermione whispered.
Harry shook his head slightly as he stood and followed the Professor back out of the portrait hole. She led him silently to the Headmasters office and allowed him to precede her into the room. Unsurprised to see, Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus standing to one side and Professor Snape looking very displeased, stood on the opposite side of the room.
"Ah Professor, you found him then," Dumbledore smiled pleasantly.
"In the common room Headmaster, studying with Miss Granger," McGonagall answered.
"Did you ask how long he had been there?" Snape sneered, "They had his cloak, and I refuse to believe any of this lot would dream up a scheme to slip out of school without Him."
"Harry, were you involved in planning this unauthorised trip to Hogsmead?" Dumbledore asked.
"No Sir," Harry answered honestly, he hadn't planned the trip, his friends had.
"Do you know anyone by the name Thomas Greywind?" Dumbledore continued.
"No Sir, I don't remember ever meeting anyone of that name," Harry replied.
"Very well," Dumbledore smiled slightly as he turned to Professor McGonagall and said, "I believe it is up to you to assign suitable punishment to these four students."
"Ten points each from Gryffindor, and a week's detention, to be served with Mr Filch," McGonagall eyed them all sternly. "And if I ever hear that you have left the school grounds without permission again, I will be writing to your parents."
"Alright boys, off you go. Harry, I would like a word with you first." Dumbledore said. "Thank you, Professors." The office emptied leaving Harry alone with Dumbledore.
"Do you have anything you wish to tell me, Harry?" Dumbledore asked him.
"Well, I guess you should probably give me a detention too," Harry admitted, realising that Dumbledore had not been fooled for a moment. He had worded his questions carefully so that Harry had not needed to lie.
"I think that I will let you off with a warning this time, I am aware that this is not your first visit to Hogsmead. But I must caution you to be careful, Professor Snape was meeting Death eaters there today, had they recognised you, he may not have been able to bring you or your friends safely back here." Dumbledore said quietly. "I do understand however your frustration at being carefully watched all of the time. That is why I have not mentioned your trips before. But I am asking you not to take anymore."
"Yes Sir, I'm sorry I put them all in danger," Harry replied. "I will serve detention with them, it's only fair."
"I think that they would be disappointed in you, they went to great lengths to insure you appeared innocent in this," Dumbledore smiled.
"It won't happen again Professor," Harry felt terrible, he had let his friends take the punishment; he would have to make it up to them.
"You may go Harry; I suggest you keep this conversation between us."
Harry left the office and went to search for his friends; he owed them some major grovelling. Harry caught up with them, as they were heading down to dinner.
"Thanks guys," Harry muttered. "I'm sorry about letting you all take the blame."
"Well it was our fault anyway," Ron replied. "We took you remember, I'm sorry we almost got you caught, by Snape of all people."
"I just feel really bad, ditching you all in it," Harry looked from one to the other, "I'll take the blame for you."
"Relax Harry, I thought it was brilliant the way you yelled at Snape," Seamus said.
"Yeh, it was worth a week's detention, just to see you poke your wand at him," Dean said.
"Did you see the expression on his face," Neville laughed nervously, "I thought he was going to blow a gasket."
The boys all laughed and gradually Harry joined in. They entered The Great Hall for dinner, proud of their little adventure, even though they had gotten caught. The fact that they'd tricked Snape just a bit outweighed the detentions. Ron however rolled his eyes as he saw a very angry Hermione heading in their direction.
"Uh oh," Ron muttered, "this is even worse than facing Snape and McGonagall."
The other boys laughed and then smiled at the angry girl as she sat down next to them. Ron smiled at her and said, "Hey there, did you get all your homework done?"
"Ronald Weasley, what have you been up to this time?" She demanded in an angry whisper.
"What?" Ron tried to sound innocent.
"Don't you give me that, you and Harry have been up to something," Hermione leaned a little closer, "I can smell the butterbeer from here."
The other boys all seemed to find something else to look at, as Ron blushed and tried to explain to his girl friend. Trying hard to ignore their quiet argument, Harry couldn't help hear "Detention! You're a Prefect!" he also heard something to the tune of, "Hermione, we didn't tell you, cause we wanted to take Harry for a day out, since he's not allowed any other time."
"Well that's because it's not safe!" Hermione exploded.
Harry leaned over and said, "Why don't we talk about this later, in the common room, unless of course you enjoy being the evening's entertainment." Harry indicated with his head.
Looking around they finally noticed that apart from Dean, Seamus and Neville, all the students were watching with interest. "This is not finished," muttered Hermione, before reaching to fill her plate.
Dinner was a little tense after that, Hermione refused to be drawn into any conversation, glaring at Harry and Ron between mouthfuls. The other three ate quickly and stood saying to Ron, "Come on, we've got detention now." Ron actually looked relieved to be going to find Filch. And Harry thought, oh great, I get left to explain to his girl friend. Ron was right; Filch probably would be more understanding.
Harry went with Hermione to the common room and after finding a quiet spot they sat down.
"Well?" Hermione asked.
"Look, they felt sorry for me, you know, the whole being stuck in the castle thing and then what happened with Megan," Harry said, "They just wanted me to feel better. Ron knew I could do the glamour charm so no one would recognise me."
"But Harry, it could still be dangerous," Hermione reasoned.
"Hermione you're my friend, and I care what you think," Harry started carefully, "But I'm not a little boy anymore. Don't tell Ron and the others but Dumbledore knew I was with them, but he didn't punish me because he understood why I need to have some freedom to do normal things with my friends."
"I know it's not easy for you Harry," Hermione conceded. "But I still worry about what could have happened to you."
"Hermione, the only one to threaten us was Snape, and you already know I can take him if need be," Harry grinned at her.
Eventually she grinned back and said, "Alright, I'm not mad at you, I guess it was a sweet thing Ron and the others tried to do." Harry smiled at her as she added, "besides I did promise not to nag him so much."
Harry remembered about the two death eaters but decided not to mention it to Hermione, since she had forgiven them, he didn't want to start her off again. The rest of the boys trooped in a few hours later, muttering loudly about Filch and his rotten detentions. Ron and Neville had been scrubbing the toilets, and Seamus and Dean had been polishing the armour.
"Hey you, had a nice time?" Hermione asked Ron sweetly. Ron did a double take at her voice and then nodded. She kissed him lightly on the lips, then said, "I have to get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight everyone." The boys all waved a hand in her direction as she left Ron sitting staring after her in amazement.
"Alright, who was that girl and what have you done with the real Hermione?" Ron asked Harry.
"I just explained the situation to her and she mentioned something about not nagging you so much," Harry grinned.
Ron laughed and replied, "Well nice one mate, I hope she remembers that next time I get caught out of bounds!"
All the boys laughed at that then gradually went of to their own beds, Harry stayed for a while, then headed up to bed. He was still thinking what a close call he had with the death eaters. If he had not been disguised, maybe all of his friends would have been injured or killed that day. Suddenly it didn't seem so funny anymore; he should never have let them convince him to go along. Resolving never to do anything like it again, he tried to sleep.