* * * *
Wham Bam Boom
Harry, Icicle, Hermione and Ron were walking down the hallway and all four of them must have looked like a mess. Hermione had the gash on her arm from the death eater, both Ron and Harry had black eyes and split lips from when the girls punched them to wake them up and Icicle had a dog bite on her arm. As they approached the entrance to Dumbledore's office, they saw that the door was already open. Icicle motioned to them to follow silently.
They all started climbing the stairs quietly and when they reached the door they heard yelling, "What do you mean that you have fired Dumbledore?!" rang the familiar voice of McGonagall.
"He was an unstable old fool! I could not allow him to remain headmaster of this school while making wild accusations that the Dark Lord is back." coolly replied Minister Fudge.
"He is back and you know that. All those people that have died……," started Flitwick.
"They died several months ago and had no connection to You Know Who. I bet that it was Dumbledore who went out killing people just to prove his point."
"Never insult Dumbledore in front of me if you want to live till tomorrow." bellowed Hagrid.
"I will not tolerate threats! I am now acting as the Headmaster of this school and if anyone does not do as they are told you will not only find yourself fired but also charged with threatening the Minister of Magic." There was a long silence, "I want to know everything that goes on in this school especially with Harry Potter and his friends. I heard that the girl that Dumbledore adopted is now one of Harry's friends. If she is anything like what I have heard she could cause problems. If you find them wandering the hall at night, in the hospital wing or anywhere else suspicious I want to know. Harry Potter is a menace and I can't have him harming any of the other students in this school."
"Potter is perfectly sane and as much as I hate to admit this he has never done anything against the rules that wasn't for the greater good." snapped Snape.
"Watch your step Severus."
Harry could practically see the daggers that Fudge and Snape were glaring at each other, "You are all dismissed."
Icicle grabbed Harry, Hermione and Ron and threw them into a secret passage that allowed them to see the teachers but without being seen themselves. Sure enough all the teachers including Madam Pomfrey and Madame Prince were in the office and all of them stomped down the stairs looking incredibly pissed. After they had all passed, Harry kicked something and looked down; there was a roll of parchment. Picking it up and opening it Harry saw that it was the Marauder's map with a note attached.
Icicle,
Fudge has banished me from the school and has forbidden me to contact you or anyone else because he feels that I may manipulate the staff. Any owls that you send me will not find me because the Ministry has blocked all of my mail. Yes, I know it is unfair and I know that you don't like it but DO NOT get yourself expelled and DO NOT insult Fudge. He is your elder and no matter how ignorant he is you have to tolerate him and pretend to respect him. If you or Harry or anyone else that normally gets into trouble needs help, think long and hard about who you go too because it sounds like the rest of the staff will be kept under a close watch. I will be okay so don't worry about me and take care of yourself.
Love,
Dumbledore
P.S. Harry will know what to do with the other piece of parchment.
Dumbledore is really gone…Harry held out the letter and Icicle took it and read it, "We are in for a rough couple of days…"
Ron ran his hand through his hair, "What are we going to do? I mean obviously we can't go to sleep…… ever again."
"Well I suggest that we all go to the common room, heal our wounds the best that we can and finish all the homework assignments we have. The only solution that I can think of is researching till we have an answer and we can't start till tomorrow so lets get all the distractions out of our way," sighed Icicle.
* * * *
Harry didn't know how he made it through the next day without passing out. In the morning Icicle had made everyone drink coffee, eat chocolate and anything else that included caffeine and sugar, "This is what I would have to do when I would pull an all-nighter for muggle school."
The school itself was in a general uproar that Fudge had taken over the school. No one was happy, not even the Slytherins because Fudge was nosing around in everyone's business.
It was evening and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Icicle were all heading down the defense corridor to find Professor Figg. "She is leaving after the end of this year so she won't care if they fire her," stated Hermione as they all walked down the halls. "Also, since she is an ex- auror she'll know where to start looking."
They reached Professor Figg's office door and Harry knocked followed by Professor Figg yelling, "Come in."
Harry tentatively opened the door and walked in with his friends following. "Harry, Ron, Icicle and Hermione how nice to see you four," chirped Professor Figg, "Now what can I help you with?"
Harry pulled at his robe uncomfortably, "We need to ask you a favor; a really big favor that involves saving our lives."
"That is a bit dramatic Harry but I will help you if it is within my power to do so."
Harry took a breath and started telling Professor Figg everything that happened last night. "My God! Why didn't you come get help last night when he attacked you?"
"We did," spoke up Icicle, "But Dumbledore had just been banished from the castle and Fudge was being a dick. There is no way that Fudge would help us."
Professor Figg stood up and walked over to one of her shelves, "Let's see, what you'll have to do is research day in and day out because I have no idea what spell Voldemort is using. He has never been known to use common spells in his big plans. Each of you needs to drink this. It will allow you to remain awake for a solid week."
"What if we don't find the answers we need in a week," asked Hermione as she grabbed one of the bottles.
"Then you guys will need to stay awake on your own for 24 hours before you can take the potion again or else you will slip into a coma the next time the potion wears off."
Ron took a swig of the potion, "There always has to be those nasty side effects to these types of potions."
Professor Figg pulled out a piece of paper and started writing down a note of some sort, "Take this to Madame Prince having her give you some books that I think would be a good place to start. I'll research on my own when I can but Fudge is breathing down my neck. Not that I really care. What is he going to do…fire me?"
Ron shrugged, "True."
"It is getting late, go grab the books I wrote down and hurry back to your common room before you break curfew."
* * * *
It was now the first week in April and Hermione, Ron, Icicle and Harry hadn't made any progress. "My head hurts, I think the potion is wearing off, and we are so screwed," moaned Ron.
Icicle rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had given up on her contacts and was wearing her glasses, "The potion HAS worn off and we are not screwed until we fall asleep."
Harry rubbed his eyes I am so unbelievably tired. These past seven days had been hell. All the teachers were in a bad mood, all the students were in a bad mood and even all the animals and ghosts were in a bad mood. "Everyone should be up soon so we need to pack it up."
"Grrr… We are so close I can just feel it. Why can't we find anything about the Land of Dreams that Be……" mumbled Icicle as she stuffed a book she was reading into her book bag.
That day at school, Icicle introduced the group to a miracle food called Lucus. "It is a Mexican candy that is basically 50 percent salt and 50 percent lemon. If you need a perk me up take a big swig of this stuff."
Ron tried it out and started coughing, "Ahhh it burns!"
"Well duh that is the point, to be so sour that we are able to stay awake."
Hermione looked at her watch, "We have 5 minutes to get to Herbology."
"Great, I wanted to kill several plants today."
Herbology was uneventful besides Icicle re-potting her plant upside down. (She claimed that the roots looked just like the leaves) Now the Gryffindors were found in Transfiguration and Harry could feel himself slipping off to sleep. I am going to fall asleep if McGonagall doesn't stop giving notes and spice up the class.
"……the length that your transfiguration spells will hold can not be improved through practice. It is the wizard or witch's strength that dictates how long and how well the spell will hold. Mr. Weasley wake up!"
Harry turned and looked at Ron; he was pale and definitely sleeping, "Shit."
"Potter! Language," chastised Professor McGonagall.
"Sorry professor," said Harry as he checked Ron's pulse; he was alive for the time being.
The class screamed when there was a snap as one of Ron's ribs broke.
Icicle jumped into action, "He is not going to wake up if we beat the crap out of him this time, Voldemort has a hold on him that is too strong to break. You can feel the magical hold radiating off his body. Professor McGonagall watch him and heal his wounds. Dean, go to Madam Pomfrey, tell her to get ready for us."
"Miss Vera, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter what is going on," demanded Professor McGonagall.
"Voldemort and his followers are beating the crap out of Ron in the Land of Dreams that Be," said Icicle as she pulled out the book she had packed earlier and motioned to the others to do the same.
Ron started screaming and fell on the ground twitching, "Cruciatus curse," mumbled Hermione.
McGonagall was trying to soothe Ron as Icicle flipped through her book, "I hate Latin, I hate Latin, I hate Latin. Why does it have to be so hard to translate? The spell has to be under another name or we would have found it by now….."
"Icicle hurry up!" yelled Hermione as Ron was hit with another round of curses.
"Translating is not my strongest subject……. I found it!"
Harry looked up and he saw Icicle frown, "I don't know if I can do this."
McGonagall got up and looked at the page Icicle was reading. "I forbid you to attempt that. That is one of the most dangerous spells I have ever seen; even more so than animagus transformation."
"Well we don't have a choice now do we. At least I can say the spell in any language I choose." McGonagall looked at Ron; he wasn't going to last much longer.
"You are going to need help."
Icicle set down book and looked over at Harry, "Help?"
"Me? What makes you think I can do the spell?"
"The spell is a combination of song charms, transfigurations and defense spells. You are the only one that I know who can sing."
"I haven't been trained!"
"We don't have time Harry! We are losing Ron! You will have to sing this part of the spell since it is too low for me. If we are not in perfect time we might destroy the school. Just count the measures 4/4 and we will be fine."
"4/4?"
"Damn it you don't know how to read music. You will just have to match me and follow along."
Harry nodded 'I better do this right for Ron's sake.'
They both pulled out her wand and started singing.
Protect us from the dreams that haunt us at night.
Protect us from horror, from the evil at night.
We call upon the guardians of souls to come protect us
From the dreams that our nights and days hold.
Order of the Phoenix, rise and come protect your children.
There was a burst of light from both Icicle and Harry that filled the room. Harry felt his magic begin to build as he heard the Phoenix song in the distance. Then the light and music stopped and Harry looked down at Ron who was breathing calmly.
Icicle sank to the floor, "It worked it actually worked……"
Just then a sickening feeling hit Harry in the stomach, "I don't feel that well."
Energy started radiating from Harry and Icicle began to laugh, "He is going to have a power surge. Harry we need to work on your timing of bringing about disastrous events."
Just then something that felt like fire started pouring out of Harry's body. Snape had just shown up and paled.
"Severus help us!" shouted McGonagall.
Harry faintly saw Icicle, Snape and Professor McGonagall surround him and then a purple net was wrapped around him. Harry felt the power inside of him start to drain and then the surge suddenly stopped.
Harry fell to the ground causing Snape, McGonagall, Hermione and Icicle to surround him. "Good try Harry, but I still have you beat," spoke up a tired looking Icicle.
"Don't you feel like you just want to pass out?" asked Harry
"Yeah, passing out sounds like a good idea. Let's go, Hermione would you like to join us?"
Hermione merely nodded and McGonagall dismissed class.
As the class filed out of the room with excitement because of everything that had happened in class, Icicle bumped into Pavarti, "Sorry," apologized Icicle.
"Sure you are you insensitive little bitch" shrieked Pavarti.
Icicle turned around in astonishment, "I said sorry! What is your problem? It isn't like I am aiming out of my way to hit you."
"Yeah right, you are just jealous of my good looks and you want to get rid of the competition! You have always been jealous of Lavender and I."
Icicle burst out laughing and held onto the wall to support herself, "Jealous? Yes I am so jealous since my goal is to look like and porcelain doll. You wear too much makeup and look anorexic. Guys only go for you because you are easy. I am so jealous because deep down inside I want to be an easy one-night stand too."
All of a sudden Pavarti attacked Icicle. Icicle stumbled away from where Pavarti had scratched her on her face.
"Oh no you didn't……"
Icicle lunged at Pavarti and pinned her to the ground with a sickening thud. She then started punching Pavarti in the face. Students were yelling in both fear and words of encouragement.
"Icicle let her go!" yelled Hermione.
"No use Hermione, Pavarti brought this one on herself," sighed Harry who was leaning against the wall amazed that Icicle still had the energy to fight.
Out of no where Lavender jumped on Icicle's back and started choking her. "Leave Pavarti alone!"
"Okay," grunted Icicle as she elbowed Lavender with all her might and grabbed one of Lavender's arms and twisted. There was a snap when Icicle broke Lavender's arm causing her to scream and pulled her arm out of Icicle's grip.
"What is going on here?" bellowed Professor McGonagall who had just appeared with Ron's body on a stretcher.
The scene didn't look good. Pavarti was unconscious on the floor, Lavender was clutching her arm bawling like a baby and Icicle stood there with claw marks across her face and a nice bruises appearing around her neck.
"Professor," spoke up Neville who looked a bit sick, "Icicle bumped into Pavarti so she apologized. But Pavarti snapped and called Icicle some inappropriate things. Icicle verbally retaliated and pretty soon Pavarti attacked her. Icicle then pinned her and knocked her out when Lavender attacked her from behind and choked her. Icicle then elbowed Lavender and grabbed one of her arms and twisted it so that it broke."
"I see, thank you Mr. Longbottom. Would you and Miss Granger help Lavender and Pavarti to the hospital wing? Mr. Potter make sure that Miss Vera comes along with you. All of you need medical attention and we will not be able to hide this from Minister Fudge. Voldemort attacks a student, Potter and Vera perform some magic that should have destroyed the school because was too complicated for anyone, Mr. Potter has a power surge that once again severely damages the school, and Miss Vera then gets into a fight with two other students and comes out on top of the fight. What are we going to do with you? Severus would you please make sure that the rest of the students get to their next class safely."
Snape nodded and everyone started dispersing. "I am not going to the hospital wing." stated Icicle.
"Yes you are," stated Harry as he pushed her forward. "The four of us haven't slept in days and you have to get those wounds healed."
"They are mere flesh wounds, nothing really serious."
"Sometimes you are impossible," sighed Harry as he grabbed Icicle and dragged her with him as he trudged upstairs to the hospital wing.
"No I am fine, really I am fine!"
"I might not be fine. Remember what happened to you after your power surge. The longer it takes for me and you to get to the hospital with the greater the chance I may pass out here."
Those words had hit a spot and worked in making her get to hospital wing. Apparently Icicle didn't want her friends to suffer because of her.
"Mr. Potter! How in the world did you get Miss Vera in her with out knocking her unconscious? She is terrified of medical people and the only way we have ever gotten her here was having Dumbledore drag her in by her ear and staying with her to make sure that she doesn't escape," said Madame Pomfrey as she pointed each of them to a bed near to the window.
Icicle blushed and tried to hide her embarrassment, "I want out now."
"Not until I have fixed your cuts, bruises and you sleep all weekend. But I have to check Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, and Miss Brown too so it may take a while."
The next hour or so was fairly quiet as Madam Pomfrey rushed around the room tending to the students.
Icicle had walked over and was sitting on the window ledge, Hermione was reading a book and Harry felt like he was about to fall asleep. Before Madame Pomfrey was able to finish healing some internal damage that Harry had, the door flew open revealing Professors Snape, McGonagall, and Figg, and Minister Fudge.
Seething, Fudge advanced on Harry, "What have you done?"
Harry just stared at him. Yes I wanted to be attacked by Voldemort and I wanted to destroy the school by having a power surge.
"Headmaster, I have already told you what happened. Why must you come harass him when he hasn't slept for a week," spoke up Professor Figg.
"It isn't only him; all four of them are problem children. They are all destructive and disrespectful."
Hermione looked appalled that he would speak that way of her and could not hold her tongue anymore, "Excuse me Minister or Headmaster, what ever title you choose to use, I do not recall ever disrespecting you or even breaking a rule while you were here."
"You are in possession of several restricted books, Harry has destroyed the school, Icicle got into a fight and all of you are running around claiming that Voldemort is back. Are you trying to throw the wizarding world into chaos?"
Hermione tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "A teacher gave us permission to use those books, Harry or anyone for that matter can't control when their power surges come, the fight was not Icicle's fault, and Voldemort is back. People have seen him; people have died because of him. All we want to do is give the wizarding world a fighting chance."
"People die every day Miss Granger. Just because a few wizards and muggles have died does not mean that the Dark Lord is back."
Icicle looked over at the group with sad eyes, "How many people have to suffer before you are going to be able to see the truth. Are your very own children going to have to die before you will believe us? You have to know that we would never make some thing up like this. Harry, Ron, Hermione, the rest of the staff and I have better things to do with our free time."
"Harry is a parselmouth and his scar causes him pain; he can not be trusted. And then there is you, a supposed pureblood. My problem with you is that the name Vera does not ring a bell to any family. Who are your parents? Where have you come from? All questions that no one can answer."
"Harry is perfectly sane and can be trusted just like you can trust me. My past, on the other hand, is none of your business."
"Everything in this world is my business and I intend to find out what you are hiding. You used to show up to breakfast early and have breakfast with the headmaster every morning. Well I am now the headmaster and I expect you to join me every morning from now on."
Icicle stood up and glared at Fudge with a hatred that should only be reserved for Voldemort himself, "You can not demand that of me. I ate with Dumbledore because he is basically my father and I enjoy his company. You are not related to me and I do not like you."
Fudge did not back down, "You will join me for breakfast or you will be expelled on the grounds of insubordination."
"I hate you and I hope you burn in hell for what you are condemning your people to," spat Icicle.
"Headmaster I have to ask that you leave and come back at a later date. My patients need rest so that they will be able to be back in classes on Monday," butted in Madam Pomfrey when she saw the shade of purple that Fudge was turning.
Fudge turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.
The four remaining adults started at amazement at the four students. McGonagall, Figg and Snape started walking out of the door but then Snape turned around and looked at Harry, "Potter I have to say that I am impressed that you were able to perform the Order of the Phoenix spell with Miss Vera today. Perhaps if you were able to concentrate in my class on that level you may pass."
When the teachers were out of hearing distance Icicle grabbed her wand and summoned a book. "Fudge thinks that he can out do me so easily. I am going to make his life a living hell and he won't be able to touch me because I am going to follow the rules to a 'T'. This is going to be one hell of a prank fest Icicle style."
* * * *
