CHAPTER 23
NOT LONG NOW
Sirius paced the cold hard floor of his empty classroom, listening as the clock struck midnight. He had been awake for hours, he couldn't remember the last time he had had a proper nights sleep. An air of unease had settled around his head, a thrill of anticipation coursed through his tired limbs and the heavy weight of dread had settled in his stomach.
The cold air was thick with dread as he walked the well-worn path around the classroom, something wasn't right: it was too quiet. No one had heard nor seen the death eaters for weeks, Voldemort was up to something.
He ran his fingers through his shoulder length dark hair and sighed deeply, he had everything he wanted at that moment, Harry, Destiny, a job, his friends around him. Everything he had wanted for a very long time and now with the threat of war growing stronger by the day he knew that it was too much to ask to be allowed to keep them all. He knew that it was too good to be true and that something would come and take it all away from him, just as it always did when he ever had a good thing going from him.
He knew it wouldn't be long now, Dumbledore was gathering alliances from all over the wizarding world, the castle was full to bursting with wizards and witches ready to fight and die for their children and their children. To protect the future generations from this evil that was threatening to consume them all.
He sat down heavily into a chair behind one of the desks in his classroom and started down at the desk tracing the grain with his fingers. He thought back to the time when he had been in school, in this very classroom sitting behind that very desk, in what had been the old History of Magic classroom then. He had been sitting with James and Destiny and Lily were sitting in front of them, he shut his eyes tightly and he could imagine it all, the fiery glow of Lily's hair, the shine of Destiny's hair and the rough sound of metal scraping wood next to him. He opened his eyes and smiled, letting his fingers travel to the edge of the desk, to one of the drawers that was underneath and still there was the carving James had made all those years ago. He traced the letters with his fingers. "L.E" If only James were still with him now, things would seem so much easier, James had always made things better for him. After the countless arguments with his family James had always been there to cheer him up and make him feel better. If only he were here now.
He listened as the clock struck two, and sighed he had done it again, got so caught up in the past, wishing it was still like that, wishing that they were all young and carefree again that he had completely lost track of time. He pushed himself up out of the chair and slowly started to make his way back to his room. He walked past portraits and tapestries not seeing the faces that had become so familiar over the years, not pausing to look out of the windows at the clear night sky and the silver new moon.
That is not until something caught his eye, he peered out across the lake over to the far boundaries of the castle, wondering what it was that had just caught his gaze, he stared out uneasily, it must have been something. His ears were poised, the dog that resided in him listening carefully for any sound that was out of place and then he saw it, the moonlight reflecting of something white just outside the castle boundaries. Something white that was moving back and firth, seemingly afraid to move any closer. Sirius recognised the figure immediately, it was a Death Eater, obviously to wary of the many wards around the castle to come any closer. A scout, sent by Voldemort to see how strong the wards were and to try and find a weak point in Hogwarts defences.
He trained his eyes on the glint of white in the distance and saw that it was accompanied by two other masked figures, and he guessed that there were more placed all around the castle. It was happening, it wouldn't be long now.
He spun about and changed direction entirely, heading directly for the headmasters quarters, they were safe for now, it was plain that they wouldn't attack tonight, not until they had sufficient back up. But Dumbledore had to be warned that there were Death Eaters in the area. He had to know that the castle was under threat.
**********************************////////******************************
Hermione was exhausted, she had spent almost all of the day in the library researching the most complex Arithmancy that she had ever seen, she had even missed dinner because she had been so caught up in the problem she had been trying to solve, it was nine o'clock by the time she returned to her room and although she was exhausted she was filled with a great sense of pride and achievement, she had done it and she had done it correctly. She dropped her immensely heavy book bag onto the floor and crossed the room and flopped down onto her bed, staring up at the red canopy that covered her bed. She lay there for a while slipping in and out of sleep until she finally mustered up enough energy to get up and wash and change into her pyjamas to go to sleep properly.
She walked out of the bathroom her hair pulled up away from her face and her dressing gown wrapped tightly around her, and crossed the room to her bed and for the first time since she had walked in that night she noticed a folded piece of parchment placed onto her pillow, she picked it up curiously and opened it up, smiling to herself as she saw who it was from.
*Mione,
I just wanted to let you know that I am missing you madly and I can't wait until we can be together properly again. I miss holding you in my arms before we fall to sleep,
I miss kissing you in the morning and I miss just being able to kiss and cuddle you whenever I want to.
Night love, sweet dreams.
Ron
x x x x x x x x x x x*
She smiled to herself as she read the note again and clutched it into her chest as she climbed into bed, Ron Weasley could be the sweetest person she knew at times and she loved him for it, it wasn't often he said sweet things to her but when he did it made it ten times better.
**********************************///////////*****************************
"You say there were actual Death Eaters outside the boundaries of Hogwarts.'' Molly questioned nervously wringing her hands in her skirt.
"Yes Molly that is what he said.'' Arthur answered soothingly, placing a comforting arm around his wife's shoulder.
"There were three that I saw.'' Sirius stated. "But I have a feeling that they were positioned all around the castle, looking for a weakness or a gap in the defences or something.'' Sirius said, smoothing back his hair that had been tied into a tight knot at the nape of his neck. His hand scratched on the unshaved stubble on his chin.
"Does Dumbledore know about this?'' Molly asked anxiously.
"Of course he knows, I told him straight away.'' Sirius snapped, but noticing the hurt look on Molly's face he immediately softened his tone. "I told him as soon as I'd made sure that they were Death Eaters.''
"When was this you say?'' Arthur asked, lowering Molly into a chair. "Last night?''
"Early this morning, around two o'clock. I was walking back to my room and something out of the window caught my eye, there's no mistaking it. It was definitely a death eater.'' Sirius answered, looking directly into Arthur's pale blue eyes, lined with wrinkles but deep with concern.
"And what has Dumbledore said about all this?'' Arthur questioned, his voice betraying no signs of the worry he felt for his wife and children.
"He just nodded and started writing a letter and that was it he just thanked me for informing him and made it clear that nothing was to be said to any of the students yet.'' Sirius replied his brow furrowed.
"Who was the letter to?'' Molly asked quietly from her seat in front of the fire of the room that she now shared with Arthur.
"I haven't got a clue.'' Sirius answered honestly. "We'll have to wait and see.''
"So it's finally happening then?'' Molly said quietly. "I knew it wasn't over, I knew that this day would eventually come, I just didn't expect my children to be so caught up in it. And think of Harry, poor Harry as if he hasn't already gone through enough these past few years and now this.'' Molly said tears welling up in her hazel eyes and slowly trickling down her cheeks.
"Shhh love, it'll be alright, he's always landed on his feet. He can take care of himself.'' Arthur said gently, kneeling down before his wife and wiping the tears from her eyes.
"But he shouldn't have to take care of himself.'' Sirius said quietly, talking to no-one in particular just voicing what had been building up inside him for weeks. "He's only a boy, it's not fair.''
"We know Sirius we know, but that's the way it is now, and all we can do is be there for him when he needs us.'' Arthur said calmly to the tall man standing before him. "This war is going to affect us all and we'll all suffer our loses but what's important is that we stick by each other and be strong for each other and hope that we get through it.''
**************************************///////***************************
"How many?'' Ginny gasped, listening raptly to Hermione.
"Twenty.'' She answered quickly. "There are twenty strong wards around the castle and hundreds of other charms and spells on various objects and in the air around us.''
"Bloody Hell Moody has been busy hasn't he.'' Ron gasped. "I heard old Mcgonagall has transfigured the trees around Hogwarts to turn into sirens as soon as the first ward is breached.''
"I've heard that too.'' Ginny said, her eyes widening. "When do you think it'll be?''
"I don't know.'' Hermione answered honestly, as she leaned forward in her seat in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room and stared absently into the flames, she had sent a letter to her parents a few days ago and was anxious to get a reply, there had been no news of Death Eater activity in the area that she lived but she still wasn't reassured, she needed to hear from them soon. Just so that she would know that they were alright.
"I don't think it'll be long now.'' Ron stated.
"What?'' Hermione said breaking out of her reverie and looking into his deep blue eyes.
"The attack, I don't reckon it'll be long now.'' He stated, looking back and forth from his sister to his girlfriend, both of their eyes held traces of fear but that was overshadowed by a look of steely determination. Voldemort had affected all of their lives and they had all had to grow up more quickly than they should have. "I can feel it.'' He said gravely. "There's something in the air.''
Ginny looked away from her brother, she had sensed a change in the atmosphere around Hogwarts as well, and the teachers knew something, something that was going to affect them all. The war was coming and all they could do was wait, wait and wonder. When Voldemort struck them everyone was going to be affected, some more so than others.
She instinctively looked up as she heard the portrait hole creak open and watched as Harry walked into the common room, something which she knew that he avoided above all things else. Lately he had become very withdrawn and the bags under his beautiful green eyes were becoming ever more prominent.
For weeks she had wanted to talk to him, to ask how he was, to hear about the new spells that he had learned to just be in his company, that was what she missed most about him. Just being able to talk to him about absolutely anything and everything. She wished it had been a different way, wished that he still loved her and that nothing had changed between them. But it had, irreversibly and she knew that he would never love her again. She looked up to see him once more and saw that he was walking directly towards her, his eyes were trained on the floor and she noticed the flush of red in his cheeks. He stopped in front of them all and Ron looked nervously up at him, not sure what to say or do.
"Hi Harry.'' Hermione said brightly, abandoning the serious tone of their last conversation. "You alright?''
"Yeah…uh…I don't know.'' Harry said slowly, lifting his eyes from the floor and looking directly at Hermione.
"Harry. What's the matter?'' Hermione asked, Concerned standing up and standing right in front of him placing her hands on his arms soothingly.
"Sirius and your parents want to talk to us all, they said there's something that we all need to know about.'' Harry said quietly. "I think its about the war.''
"Lets go.'' Ron said quickly, raising from his seat and marching over to the portrait hole followed closely by Hermione.
Ginny stood up slowly from her seat, her hands were shaking slightly, and they had just been saying it wouldn't be long now and now this. It had started the fear that they would experience every time there was a scrap of news, the dread upon finding out one of your loved ones had been killed. She looked up and saw that Harry was still standing awkwardly in front of her, watching her intently with his dazzling green eyes.
"Are you alright?'' He asked quietly, taking a step closer to her.
"I honestly don't know.'' She replied quietly, her hands still shaking.
"Your not alright, your shaking.'' He said, moving closer to her yet again, breathing in the flowery scent that seemed to radiate from her, the smell that he had suffered without for so long. He took her hands in his and held them tightly. "You'll be alright I'll make sure of it. I won't let anything happen to you angel.'' He said softly.
He looked down and saw her hands in his and looked up into her face and saw that in her eyes was confusion and sadness, he dropped her hands quickly, he couldn't do this to her not now, not ever, she wouldn't be made to suffer because of him, he wouldn't put her through it.
"Come on we'd better go.'' He said gruffly, walking out of the common room his head spinning and his mind reeling. He wanted her so badly that it hurt that they couldn't be together not even for a minute longer.
Ginny followed behind him in a daze, what had just happened there? What did that mean? But whatever it had meant was pushed out of her head by the time she had heard what her parents had to tell her, the Death Eaters were getting closer and it would be a matter of days before the first attack was made on Hogwarts.
**************************************************************/******
At supper the next day Ron looked around the Great Hall at the people that had become like a second family to him and the place that had become like a second home to him over the years, and to hear that the threat on them had increased tenfold over the past two days was just unthinkable, to think that in a month the castle may not even be standing was unbearable.
He looked across the table at Hermione whose concentration was placed entirely on her food, yet he knew her mind was elsewhere, off with her parents somewhere, he knew that no reply from them had made her painfully aware of the full implications that this war had on them all, even those not part of the wizarding world.
The clatter of knives and forks soon died down and everyone in the Great Hall had started talking, signalling the end of another delicious supper at Hogwarts, when an unearthly wailing filled the air around them.
The sirens had sounded; the first ward had been broken.
"This is it everyone.'' Dumbledore shouted above the speakers. War is upon us.''
******/******/******/*****/****/********/*******/******/****/******/*****
AN Sorry for the time it took for me to update again, I'm so so sorry I will try harder next time to ensure that you get the next chapter a lot faster, I've got back into the story now so the next one shouldn't take too long. I've just been mad busy these past few weeks though, honestly it's been crazy. Well as always drop me a review and let me know what you think ta very much.
NOT LONG NOW
Sirius paced the cold hard floor of his empty classroom, listening as the clock struck midnight. He had been awake for hours, he couldn't remember the last time he had had a proper nights sleep. An air of unease had settled around his head, a thrill of anticipation coursed through his tired limbs and the heavy weight of dread had settled in his stomach.
The cold air was thick with dread as he walked the well-worn path around the classroom, something wasn't right: it was too quiet. No one had heard nor seen the death eaters for weeks, Voldemort was up to something.
He ran his fingers through his shoulder length dark hair and sighed deeply, he had everything he wanted at that moment, Harry, Destiny, a job, his friends around him. Everything he had wanted for a very long time and now with the threat of war growing stronger by the day he knew that it was too much to ask to be allowed to keep them all. He knew that it was too good to be true and that something would come and take it all away from him, just as it always did when he ever had a good thing going from him.
He knew it wouldn't be long now, Dumbledore was gathering alliances from all over the wizarding world, the castle was full to bursting with wizards and witches ready to fight and die for their children and their children. To protect the future generations from this evil that was threatening to consume them all.
He sat down heavily into a chair behind one of the desks in his classroom and started down at the desk tracing the grain with his fingers. He thought back to the time when he had been in school, in this very classroom sitting behind that very desk, in what had been the old History of Magic classroom then. He had been sitting with James and Destiny and Lily were sitting in front of them, he shut his eyes tightly and he could imagine it all, the fiery glow of Lily's hair, the shine of Destiny's hair and the rough sound of metal scraping wood next to him. He opened his eyes and smiled, letting his fingers travel to the edge of the desk, to one of the drawers that was underneath and still there was the carving James had made all those years ago. He traced the letters with his fingers. "L.E" If only James were still with him now, things would seem so much easier, James had always made things better for him. After the countless arguments with his family James had always been there to cheer him up and make him feel better. If only he were here now.
He listened as the clock struck two, and sighed he had done it again, got so caught up in the past, wishing it was still like that, wishing that they were all young and carefree again that he had completely lost track of time. He pushed himself up out of the chair and slowly started to make his way back to his room. He walked past portraits and tapestries not seeing the faces that had become so familiar over the years, not pausing to look out of the windows at the clear night sky and the silver new moon.
That is not until something caught his eye, he peered out across the lake over to the far boundaries of the castle, wondering what it was that had just caught his gaze, he stared out uneasily, it must have been something. His ears were poised, the dog that resided in him listening carefully for any sound that was out of place and then he saw it, the moonlight reflecting of something white just outside the castle boundaries. Something white that was moving back and firth, seemingly afraid to move any closer. Sirius recognised the figure immediately, it was a Death Eater, obviously to wary of the many wards around the castle to come any closer. A scout, sent by Voldemort to see how strong the wards were and to try and find a weak point in Hogwarts defences.
He trained his eyes on the glint of white in the distance and saw that it was accompanied by two other masked figures, and he guessed that there were more placed all around the castle. It was happening, it wouldn't be long now.
He spun about and changed direction entirely, heading directly for the headmasters quarters, they were safe for now, it was plain that they wouldn't attack tonight, not until they had sufficient back up. But Dumbledore had to be warned that there were Death Eaters in the area. He had to know that the castle was under threat.
**********************************////////******************************
Hermione was exhausted, she had spent almost all of the day in the library researching the most complex Arithmancy that she had ever seen, she had even missed dinner because she had been so caught up in the problem she had been trying to solve, it was nine o'clock by the time she returned to her room and although she was exhausted she was filled with a great sense of pride and achievement, she had done it and she had done it correctly. She dropped her immensely heavy book bag onto the floor and crossed the room and flopped down onto her bed, staring up at the red canopy that covered her bed. She lay there for a while slipping in and out of sleep until she finally mustered up enough energy to get up and wash and change into her pyjamas to go to sleep properly.
She walked out of the bathroom her hair pulled up away from her face and her dressing gown wrapped tightly around her, and crossed the room to her bed and for the first time since she had walked in that night she noticed a folded piece of parchment placed onto her pillow, she picked it up curiously and opened it up, smiling to herself as she saw who it was from.
*Mione,
I just wanted to let you know that I am missing you madly and I can't wait until we can be together properly again. I miss holding you in my arms before we fall to sleep,
I miss kissing you in the morning and I miss just being able to kiss and cuddle you whenever I want to.
Night love, sweet dreams.
Ron
x x x x x x x x x x x*
She smiled to herself as she read the note again and clutched it into her chest as she climbed into bed, Ron Weasley could be the sweetest person she knew at times and she loved him for it, it wasn't often he said sweet things to her but when he did it made it ten times better.
**********************************///////////*****************************
"You say there were actual Death Eaters outside the boundaries of Hogwarts.'' Molly questioned nervously wringing her hands in her skirt.
"Yes Molly that is what he said.'' Arthur answered soothingly, placing a comforting arm around his wife's shoulder.
"There were three that I saw.'' Sirius stated. "But I have a feeling that they were positioned all around the castle, looking for a weakness or a gap in the defences or something.'' Sirius said, smoothing back his hair that had been tied into a tight knot at the nape of his neck. His hand scratched on the unshaved stubble on his chin.
"Does Dumbledore know about this?'' Molly asked anxiously.
"Of course he knows, I told him straight away.'' Sirius snapped, but noticing the hurt look on Molly's face he immediately softened his tone. "I told him as soon as I'd made sure that they were Death Eaters.''
"When was this you say?'' Arthur asked, lowering Molly into a chair. "Last night?''
"Early this morning, around two o'clock. I was walking back to my room and something out of the window caught my eye, there's no mistaking it. It was definitely a death eater.'' Sirius answered, looking directly into Arthur's pale blue eyes, lined with wrinkles but deep with concern.
"And what has Dumbledore said about all this?'' Arthur questioned, his voice betraying no signs of the worry he felt for his wife and children.
"He just nodded and started writing a letter and that was it he just thanked me for informing him and made it clear that nothing was to be said to any of the students yet.'' Sirius replied his brow furrowed.
"Who was the letter to?'' Molly asked quietly from her seat in front of the fire of the room that she now shared with Arthur.
"I haven't got a clue.'' Sirius answered honestly. "We'll have to wait and see.''
"So it's finally happening then?'' Molly said quietly. "I knew it wasn't over, I knew that this day would eventually come, I just didn't expect my children to be so caught up in it. And think of Harry, poor Harry as if he hasn't already gone through enough these past few years and now this.'' Molly said tears welling up in her hazel eyes and slowly trickling down her cheeks.
"Shhh love, it'll be alright, he's always landed on his feet. He can take care of himself.'' Arthur said gently, kneeling down before his wife and wiping the tears from her eyes.
"But he shouldn't have to take care of himself.'' Sirius said quietly, talking to no-one in particular just voicing what had been building up inside him for weeks. "He's only a boy, it's not fair.''
"We know Sirius we know, but that's the way it is now, and all we can do is be there for him when he needs us.'' Arthur said calmly to the tall man standing before him. "This war is going to affect us all and we'll all suffer our loses but what's important is that we stick by each other and be strong for each other and hope that we get through it.''
**************************************///////***************************
"How many?'' Ginny gasped, listening raptly to Hermione.
"Twenty.'' She answered quickly. "There are twenty strong wards around the castle and hundreds of other charms and spells on various objects and in the air around us.''
"Bloody Hell Moody has been busy hasn't he.'' Ron gasped. "I heard old Mcgonagall has transfigured the trees around Hogwarts to turn into sirens as soon as the first ward is breached.''
"I've heard that too.'' Ginny said, her eyes widening. "When do you think it'll be?''
"I don't know.'' Hermione answered honestly, as she leaned forward in her seat in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room and stared absently into the flames, she had sent a letter to her parents a few days ago and was anxious to get a reply, there had been no news of Death Eater activity in the area that she lived but she still wasn't reassured, she needed to hear from them soon. Just so that she would know that they were alright.
"I don't think it'll be long now.'' Ron stated.
"What?'' Hermione said breaking out of her reverie and looking into his deep blue eyes.
"The attack, I don't reckon it'll be long now.'' He stated, looking back and forth from his sister to his girlfriend, both of their eyes held traces of fear but that was overshadowed by a look of steely determination. Voldemort had affected all of their lives and they had all had to grow up more quickly than they should have. "I can feel it.'' He said gravely. "There's something in the air.''
Ginny looked away from her brother, she had sensed a change in the atmosphere around Hogwarts as well, and the teachers knew something, something that was going to affect them all. The war was coming and all they could do was wait, wait and wonder. When Voldemort struck them everyone was going to be affected, some more so than others.
She instinctively looked up as she heard the portrait hole creak open and watched as Harry walked into the common room, something which she knew that he avoided above all things else. Lately he had become very withdrawn and the bags under his beautiful green eyes were becoming ever more prominent.
For weeks she had wanted to talk to him, to ask how he was, to hear about the new spells that he had learned to just be in his company, that was what she missed most about him. Just being able to talk to him about absolutely anything and everything. She wished it had been a different way, wished that he still loved her and that nothing had changed between them. But it had, irreversibly and she knew that he would never love her again. She looked up to see him once more and saw that he was walking directly towards her, his eyes were trained on the floor and she noticed the flush of red in his cheeks. He stopped in front of them all and Ron looked nervously up at him, not sure what to say or do.
"Hi Harry.'' Hermione said brightly, abandoning the serious tone of their last conversation. "You alright?''
"Yeah…uh…I don't know.'' Harry said slowly, lifting his eyes from the floor and looking directly at Hermione.
"Harry. What's the matter?'' Hermione asked, Concerned standing up and standing right in front of him placing her hands on his arms soothingly.
"Sirius and your parents want to talk to us all, they said there's something that we all need to know about.'' Harry said quietly. "I think its about the war.''
"Lets go.'' Ron said quickly, raising from his seat and marching over to the portrait hole followed closely by Hermione.
Ginny stood up slowly from her seat, her hands were shaking slightly, and they had just been saying it wouldn't be long now and now this. It had started the fear that they would experience every time there was a scrap of news, the dread upon finding out one of your loved ones had been killed. She looked up and saw that Harry was still standing awkwardly in front of her, watching her intently with his dazzling green eyes.
"Are you alright?'' He asked quietly, taking a step closer to her.
"I honestly don't know.'' She replied quietly, her hands still shaking.
"Your not alright, your shaking.'' He said, moving closer to her yet again, breathing in the flowery scent that seemed to radiate from her, the smell that he had suffered without for so long. He took her hands in his and held them tightly. "You'll be alright I'll make sure of it. I won't let anything happen to you angel.'' He said softly.
He looked down and saw her hands in his and looked up into her face and saw that in her eyes was confusion and sadness, he dropped her hands quickly, he couldn't do this to her not now, not ever, she wouldn't be made to suffer because of him, he wouldn't put her through it.
"Come on we'd better go.'' He said gruffly, walking out of the common room his head spinning and his mind reeling. He wanted her so badly that it hurt that they couldn't be together not even for a minute longer.
Ginny followed behind him in a daze, what had just happened there? What did that mean? But whatever it had meant was pushed out of her head by the time she had heard what her parents had to tell her, the Death Eaters were getting closer and it would be a matter of days before the first attack was made on Hogwarts.
**************************************************************/******
At supper the next day Ron looked around the Great Hall at the people that had become like a second family to him and the place that had become like a second home to him over the years, and to hear that the threat on them had increased tenfold over the past two days was just unthinkable, to think that in a month the castle may not even be standing was unbearable.
He looked across the table at Hermione whose concentration was placed entirely on her food, yet he knew her mind was elsewhere, off with her parents somewhere, he knew that no reply from them had made her painfully aware of the full implications that this war had on them all, even those not part of the wizarding world.
The clatter of knives and forks soon died down and everyone in the Great Hall had started talking, signalling the end of another delicious supper at Hogwarts, when an unearthly wailing filled the air around them.
The sirens had sounded; the first ward had been broken.
"This is it everyone.'' Dumbledore shouted above the speakers. War is upon us.''
******/******/******/*****/****/********/*******/******/****/******/*****
AN Sorry for the time it took for me to update again, I'm so so sorry I will try harder next time to ensure that you get the next chapter a lot faster, I've got back into the story now so the next one shouldn't take too long. I've just been mad busy these past few weeks though, honestly it's been crazy. Well as always drop me a review and let me know what you think ta very much.