Chapter 8 – Brewing Hatred
To Harry's great surprise, Ron had quite a good idea as to what was happening outside Hogwarts. Originally he'd supposed that he was just being ignorant of what was going on, like everyone else. But when asked, Ron was quick to say what he'd learned from his father, and from Hermione. Harry silently cursed Hermione for letting Ron in on what was happening in the greater scheme of things, for he promptly began to badger Harry about everything he knew. But Harry was still reeling over having broken his promise of silence to Dumbledore in the first place.
Ron however, felt slightly more optimistic about the possible outcome of everything.
'Nothing will come of it!' he spoke boldly during lunch the next day. 'You just watch, Dumbledore will have things sorted out in no time. I guarantee it.'
Though Harry felt happy to hear that there was some essence of hope to be found, it did cross his mind to put Ron right about what he'd heard from the headmaster himself. But he couldn't seem to muster the courage to dampen his friend's overly bright spirits. Ron had that spark in him that Harry had never managed to find, what with everything he'd seen and done. To have him around was pleasing, and Harry found himself living through Ron's happiness, despite suffering terribly himself.
Ron somehow knew that Harry was hurting inside, but even he was unaware of Harry's dreams. Just the previous night he'd had another, but it was nothing but a grisly repeat of his second, driving him to near insanity at the thought of it. Dinner that same night though, saw concern extend it's grasp just that bit further, when Dumbledore organized an assembly in the Great Hall, to confused remarks from a number of students.
'May I have your attention.' Dumbledore spoke that evening, to the masses of dark robed children. 'Some of you may be feeling unease and confusion at the sudden appearance of so many unfamiliar witches and wizards currently billeting in Hogwarts.' Several students nodded in response, a brief murmur started to hiss it's way about the hall. 'Others among you though, already know quite a deal about this matter. So as to clarify any false rumors that may be circulating about the corridors, I have come to the decision that you should know all that you must, lest someone give you a misinterpretation of outside events.' Dumbledore wistfully gazed at the hundreds of students that were eying him with peculiar suspicion. His concerned demeanor made some students feel uneasy, and several had the urge to leave the room, yet stayed, compelled to as if by some mysterious force. Harry and Hermione gave each other worried looks. Neither felt that this could be confidence building for everyone else. The other teachers seemed to be feeling the same thing, though none of them raised this with the aging wizard.
'Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous reported cases of wards failing everywhere outside of Hogwarts. Those among you who have been closely following the Daily Prophet should already be aware of this. But for all who don't, it has become an irreparable problem that we have not as of yet been able to fix. Wards you see, are an ancient magic that we can only imitate in crude forms. There are few among us, if any, who have the sufficient knowledge to create new wards, and this leaves the wizarding world in an inexplicable dilemma…' Dumbledore looked to the confused faces of the students, a familiar low mumbling noise started to circulate the hall again. Dumbledore cleared his throat.
'Wards protect the wizarding world from outside interference. In essence they are protective spells that wizards have used for generations, sometimes for travel, but more often to ensure our invisibility from the muggle world, to considerable success I might add. Unfortunately however, this is no longer the case. Dissolving wards have left their mark on our world. They have exposed it in it's entirety!'
There was a great intake of breath about the hall. Everyone was shocked, no one had ever even considered that magic could fail them in this way. Wards were a part of magic society that was rarely thought of because of their dependability. Quite simply, they were always there, always functioning right, always keeping the muggles away. Many of the students were pure bloods and saw their revealed world as a source of ultimate scorn. Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle were to be seen exchanging furative glances with each other, while members of the other houses merely sat in wonder at what would happen if their world was truly, as Dumbledore had said, revealed for all muggle eyes to see, when the headmaster cleared his throat again.
'Due to this dilemma, the wizarding world has found the possibility of change very difficult to cope with. Most witches and wizards reacted out of fear at the prospect, as I have seen in your eyes tonight, which is why Hogwarts is playing host to so many witches and wizards. They are staying here out of fear. No one, not even myself has seen a failure of wards so massive in our entire lifetimes, which gives indication as to how rare such an event is. Hogwarts is now officially the only place left in Britain that is still protected by working wards. It is the safest place at this point of time, since it still remains invisible…'
Confusion cut it's way through the students like a hot knife through butter. The shock of it all muted many in the crowd, but those who were not as easily intimidated shouted their displeasure at everything, one of whom was singled out by Dumbledore.
Malfoy, who'd been intently listening to the speech, leapt to his feet in protest.
'What do you mean this is the safest place left?! You think we're afraid of the muggles or something?!' he shouted aloud. McGonagall stood up immediately to silence the teen, but was instantly calmed by a wave of Dumbledore's hand, who made to answer him personally.
'Young Malfoy has a point. Why are we hiding here from muggles? In fact, why have wards at all, why shouldn't we live in the open without the need for such petty barriers? To answer your question Mr Malfoy, we need only look at our life style. Muggle borns among us will understand the complex differences between the wizard world and the muggle world. The foremost of which is the lack of magic. Muggles are not atoned to the idea of levitating, resizing or moving objects with magic. There are no wands, or potions or magic of any kind. Simple things like moving photographs do not exist either. This is but the start of a long list of differences that given enough time, I still would be unable to explain adequately.
And it is our differences that have brought about weakness within the wizard world. Muggles have developed a culture similar to our own, but based on very different rules. Our inability to understand these and other aspects about the muggles has given us a very limited knowledge indeed about their world, just as they are unfamiliar with ours. I say this to you now because of an incident that occurred very recently due to our combined culture's lack of understanding of each other.
Yesterday, the muggle repelling charms that guard the magical entrance to platform nine and three quarters suddenly dissolved. The significance of this is plain enough in it's result. The platform unexpectedly materialized in the center of King's Cross Station, to the horror of bewildered muggles nearby. Naturally Obliviators sent from the Ministry arrived to clean up the mess, but far too many muggles had seen far too much, and the wizards panicked, firing several reductor curses into a crowd of frightened muggles, killing many in the process.'
An eerie silence consumed the crowd. Malfoy took his seat once more, still livid, but nonetheless very surprised along with the rest of the students.
'The reason we know of all this,' Dumbledore continued, 'Is because of the muggle newspapers that recorded the event soon after. We, in positions of authority keep tabs on the muggle world from time to time so as not to be completely oblivious as the what occurs. And it is with regret that soon after those innocent people were killed, platform nine and three quarters swarmed with armed muggles, and the Obliviators that had made such a fatal mistake to begin with, were slaughtered in retaliation. Out of fear we reacted without thought to the consequences. Out of fear, the muggles did what they could do to protect themselves.
Sadly however, such monumental events cannot be undone so easily. Our platform is no longer under our own control. Muggles now patrol the area on an hourly basis, making sealing it off from their world an all but impossible task without risking further exposure of our own world, but even then, that will be inevitable in the end. Every ward that has kept us divided from the muggle world has dissipated into nothing, except that is, for those at Hogwarts. This is why Hogwarts is the only safe place left for you. But as time goes on, I'm afraid that the ancient magic that protects Hogwarts, will also fail, as it's counterparts have done in so many places before. We will be in contact with muggles soon enough, and it may just be under far more aggressive circumstances.'
Dumbledore finished and sat himself down calmly, the crowd however, fell into a mass of frightened hysteria. Screams echoed throughout the great hall, and an unorganized mob of students leapt from their seats, dropping plates, knives and forks in the process, everyone just trying to escape the hall and run.
'SILENCE!' boomed an angry hissing voice above the noise. Peace once again gripped the crowd, heads turned to see who'd struck such a chord in the atmosphere.
Harry spun around with the others, and saw to his foreboding, the powerful figure of professor Marius standing in a very authoritive manner.
'There WILL be order, I say!' and he turned to Dumbledore with a seemingly controlled voice reverberating under his shadowy hood. 'Forgive me old friend, but I feel I must speak.' Dumbledore nodded with slight anxiety, and Marius turned to the crowd once more. 'The teaching staff and myself have reason to believe that with our world exposed, muggles will sweep through all previously sealed locals.
This will take a very short time, and soon enough Hogwarts will also be revealed, which puts this school in danger. Muggles are far more capable and intelligent than anyone in this room truly believes. I know through my experience that our absence from their world for so long, will be considered as an invasion. In any event, Muggles will attempt to destroy our world out of fear of what we may conceivably try to do to theirs…'
And with some reluctance, Marius brought his hands up to his hood, and uncovered his head to the sound of over a hundred shocked breaths. Before them all, stood an elderly mage. His old face, didn't betray the weariness someone of his age should have had, there was clearly a hard personality behind him. His face bore what looked to be the scars of over a hundred battles. Cuts were abound, and there were many deep gashes struck through his flesh beneath the eyes. The overall sight was more horrifying then Harry had ever imagined, and he strongly wished for it to be pulled back over his head. But looking past the gauntness of his iron exterior, he could see a faint flicker of evil flash behind his penetrating eyes, which apart from sending a shiver down his spine, made his scar sting in pain.
'With your permission Dumbledore,' he began, 'This school will be locked down, effective immediately. All classes are herby cancelled! NO ONE may leave school premises for whatever reason unless with consent from either myself or professor Dumbledore. All able bodied teachers are to assist with casting protective spells on the castle walls and interiors. Hence, all students not assisting teachers will be expected to practice defensive spells, hexes, jinx's and any other worthwhile magic that may be used in the event of armed combat!…'
Harry's breath caught in his throat, as Marius mentioned those final words. Was he really expecting a war?!
'In addition, I would like to remind you all of the seriousness of this matter. Negotiation is still a possibility. But the likelihood of it succeeding is almost nil. Our world has been segregated from that of muggles for far too long, and I assure you all that they will seize control of our world, or see it burned to ashes around them. Your studies are now to be focused on defending yourself. Therefore I leave ALL of the library's resources at your disposal, including the restricted section… This is not the Dark Arts children, but possibly something far more sinister. I would rather see you all live to see the end of the year, for those who don't study will surely perish. Now… to bed. ALL OF YOU!'
Marius finished with a jolt. And everyone headed to their dormitories looking far worse for ware. Harry and Hermione had taken it all in reasonably well, but were still shocked that it could really come to war.
Later that night however, in the privacy of Dumbledore's office, Marius entered in his stealth like motion, to the headmaster's piercing gaze. Both stood locked together by eyesight alone, until Marius broke the silence.
'Clearly this is out of hand. I've just spoken with Fudge through the fire. It's as we've feared. Diagon Alley has also been overrun. He believes that it's only a matter of time until they target this school. Have we not discovered weakness in our wards already?'
'Yes Marius, I am aware.' Dumbledore answered, the stress of everything clearly taking it's toll. 'What are you planning to do?'
'All that we can old friend. This castle will be all that is left of our world once the muggles have stripped it of everything. We have an obligation to resist… Pity though, if someone had done something sooner, we may never need to resort to such mindless bloodshed.'
'Yes indeed. Regardless of everything however, I've been thinking hard about the wards. And I believe I've discovered the precise reason for their failure, though I've had reason to believe this earlier…' Marius looked sternly at Dumbledore, still not quite sure what he'd meant.
'And what, may I ask, is the problem?' he asked.
'Voldemort…'
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And now it begins. How will the Hogwarts be affected, who will suffer the most, what exactly is causing the wards to fail? You'll only find out in chapter 9, coming soon.
To Harry's great surprise, Ron had quite a good idea as to what was happening outside Hogwarts. Originally he'd supposed that he was just being ignorant of what was going on, like everyone else. But when asked, Ron was quick to say what he'd learned from his father, and from Hermione. Harry silently cursed Hermione for letting Ron in on what was happening in the greater scheme of things, for he promptly began to badger Harry about everything he knew. But Harry was still reeling over having broken his promise of silence to Dumbledore in the first place.
Ron however, felt slightly more optimistic about the possible outcome of everything.
'Nothing will come of it!' he spoke boldly during lunch the next day. 'You just watch, Dumbledore will have things sorted out in no time. I guarantee it.'
Though Harry felt happy to hear that there was some essence of hope to be found, it did cross his mind to put Ron right about what he'd heard from the headmaster himself. But he couldn't seem to muster the courage to dampen his friend's overly bright spirits. Ron had that spark in him that Harry had never managed to find, what with everything he'd seen and done. To have him around was pleasing, and Harry found himself living through Ron's happiness, despite suffering terribly himself.
Ron somehow knew that Harry was hurting inside, but even he was unaware of Harry's dreams. Just the previous night he'd had another, but it was nothing but a grisly repeat of his second, driving him to near insanity at the thought of it. Dinner that same night though, saw concern extend it's grasp just that bit further, when Dumbledore organized an assembly in the Great Hall, to confused remarks from a number of students.
'May I have your attention.' Dumbledore spoke that evening, to the masses of dark robed children. 'Some of you may be feeling unease and confusion at the sudden appearance of so many unfamiliar witches and wizards currently billeting in Hogwarts.' Several students nodded in response, a brief murmur started to hiss it's way about the hall. 'Others among you though, already know quite a deal about this matter. So as to clarify any false rumors that may be circulating about the corridors, I have come to the decision that you should know all that you must, lest someone give you a misinterpretation of outside events.' Dumbledore wistfully gazed at the hundreds of students that were eying him with peculiar suspicion. His concerned demeanor made some students feel uneasy, and several had the urge to leave the room, yet stayed, compelled to as if by some mysterious force. Harry and Hermione gave each other worried looks. Neither felt that this could be confidence building for everyone else. The other teachers seemed to be feeling the same thing, though none of them raised this with the aging wizard.
'Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous reported cases of wards failing everywhere outside of Hogwarts. Those among you who have been closely following the Daily Prophet should already be aware of this. But for all who don't, it has become an irreparable problem that we have not as of yet been able to fix. Wards you see, are an ancient magic that we can only imitate in crude forms. There are few among us, if any, who have the sufficient knowledge to create new wards, and this leaves the wizarding world in an inexplicable dilemma…' Dumbledore looked to the confused faces of the students, a familiar low mumbling noise started to circulate the hall again. Dumbledore cleared his throat.
'Wards protect the wizarding world from outside interference. In essence they are protective spells that wizards have used for generations, sometimes for travel, but more often to ensure our invisibility from the muggle world, to considerable success I might add. Unfortunately however, this is no longer the case. Dissolving wards have left their mark on our world. They have exposed it in it's entirety!'
There was a great intake of breath about the hall. Everyone was shocked, no one had ever even considered that magic could fail them in this way. Wards were a part of magic society that was rarely thought of because of their dependability. Quite simply, they were always there, always functioning right, always keeping the muggles away. Many of the students were pure bloods and saw their revealed world as a source of ultimate scorn. Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle were to be seen exchanging furative glances with each other, while members of the other houses merely sat in wonder at what would happen if their world was truly, as Dumbledore had said, revealed for all muggle eyes to see, when the headmaster cleared his throat again.
'Due to this dilemma, the wizarding world has found the possibility of change very difficult to cope with. Most witches and wizards reacted out of fear at the prospect, as I have seen in your eyes tonight, which is why Hogwarts is playing host to so many witches and wizards. They are staying here out of fear. No one, not even myself has seen a failure of wards so massive in our entire lifetimes, which gives indication as to how rare such an event is. Hogwarts is now officially the only place left in Britain that is still protected by working wards. It is the safest place at this point of time, since it still remains invisible…'
Confusion cut it's way through the students like a hot knife through butter. The shock of it all muted many in the crowd, but those who were not as easily intimidated shouted their displeasure at everything, one of whom was singled out by Dumbledore.
Malfoy, who'd been intently listening to the speech, leapt to his feet in protest.
'What do you mean this is the safest place left?! You think we're afraid of the muggles or something?!' he shouted aloud. McGonagall stood up immediately to silence the teen, but was instantly calmed by a wave of Dumbledore's hand, who made to answer him personally.
'Young Malfoy has a point. Why are we hiding here from muggles? In fact, why have wards at all, why shouldn't we live in the open without the need for such petty barriers? To answer your question Mr Malfoy, we need only look at our life style. Muggle borns among us will understand the complex differences between the wizard world and the muggle world. The foremost of which is the lack of magic. Muggles are not atoned to the idea of levitating, resizing or moving objects with magic. There are no wands, or potions or magic of any kind. Simple things like moving photographs do not exist either. This is but the start of a long list of differences that given enough time, I still would be unable to explain adequately.
And it is our differences that have brought about weakness within the wizard world. Muggles have developed a culture similar to our own, but based on very different rules. Our inability to understand these and other aspects about the muggles has given us a very limited knowledge indeed about their world, just as they are unfamiliar with ours. I say this to you now because of an incident that occurred very recently due to our combined culture's lack of understanding of each other.
Yesterday, the muggle repelling charms that guard the magical entrance to platform nine and three quarters suddenly dissolved. The significance of this is plain enough in it's result. The platform unexpectedly materialized in the center of King's Cross Station, to the horror of bewildered muggles nearby. Naturally Obliviators sent from the Ministry arrived to clean up the mess, but far too many muggles had seen far too much, and the wizards panicked, firing several reductor curses into a crowd of frightened muggles, killing many in the process.'
An eerie silence consumed the crowd. Malfoy took his seat once more, still livid, but nonetheless very surprised along with the rest of the students.
'The reason we know of all this,' Dumbledore continued, 'Is because of the muggle newspapers that recorded the event soon after. We, in positions of authority keep tabs on the muggle world from time to time so as not to be completely oblivious as the what occurs. And it is with regret that soon after those innocent people were killed, platform nine and three quarters swarmed with armed muggles, and the Obliviators that had made such a fatal mistake to begin with, were slaughtered in retaliation. Out of fear we reacted without thought to the consequences. Out of fear, the muggles did what they could do to protect themselves.
Sadly however, such monumental events cannot be undone so easily. Our platform is no longer under our own control. Muggles now patrol the area on an hourly basis, making sealing it off from their world an all but impossible task without risking further exposure of our own world, but even then, that will be inevitable in the end. Every ward that has kept us divided from the muggle world has dissipated into nothing, except that is, for those at Hogwarts. This is why Hogwarts is the only safe place left for you. But as time goes on, I'm afraid that the ancient magic that protects Hogwarts, will also fail, as it's counterparts have done in so many places before. We will be in contact with muggles soon enough, and it may just be under far more aggressive circumstances.'
Dumbledore finished and sat himself down calmly, the crowd however, fell into a mass of frightened hysteria. Screams echoed throughout the great hall, and an unorganized mob of students leapt from their seats, dropping plates, knives and forks in the process, everyone just trying to escape the hall and run.
'SILENCE!' boomed an angry hissing voice above the noise. Peace once again gripped the crowd, heads turned to see who'd struck such a chord in the atmosphere.
Harry spun around with the others, and saw to his foreboding, the powerful figure of professor Marius standing in a very authoritive manner.
'There WILL be order, I say!' and he turned to Dumbledore with a seemingly controlled voice reverberating under his shadowy hood. 'Forgive me old friend, but I feel I must speak.' Dumbledore nodded with slight anxiety, and Marius turned to the crowd once more. 'The teaching staff and myself have reason to believe that with our world exposed, muggles will sweep through all previously sealed locals.
This will take a very short time, and soon enough Hogwarts will also be revealed, which puts this school in danger. Muggles are far more capable and intelligent than anyone in this room truly believes. I know through my experience that our absence from their world for so long, will be considered as an invasion. In any event, Muggles will attempt to destroy our world out of fear of what we may conceivably try to do to theirs…'
And with some reluctance, Marius brought his hands up to his hood, and uncovered his head to the sound of over a hundred shocked breaths. Before them all, stood an elderly mage. His old face, didn't betray the weariness someone of his age should have had, there was clearly a hard personality behind him. His face bore what looked to be the scars of over a hundred battles. Cuts were abound, and there were many deep gashes struck through his flesh beneath the eyes. The overall sight was more horrifying then Harry had ever imagined, and he strongly wished for it to be pulled back over his head. But looking past the gauntness of his iron exterior, he could see a faint flicker of evil flash behind his penetrating eyes, which apart from sending a shiver down his spine, made his scar sting in pain.
'With your permission Dumbledore,' he began, 'This school will be locked down, effective immediately. All classes are herby cancelled! NO ONE may leave school premises for whatever reason unless with consent from either myself or professor Dumbledore. All able bodied teachers are to assist with casting protective spells on the castle walls and interiors. Hence, all students not assisting teachers will be expected to practice defensive spells, hexes, jinx's and any other worthwhile magic that may be used in the event of armed combat!…'
Harry's breath caught in his throat, as Marius mentioned those final words. Was he really expecting a war?!
'In addition, I would like to remind you all of the seriousness of this matter. Negotiation is still a possibility. But the likelihood of it succeeding is almost nil. Our world has been segregated from that of muggles for far too long, and I assure you all that they will seize control of our world, or see it burned to ashes around them. Your studies are now to be focused on defending yourself. Therefore I leave ALL of the library's resources at your disposal, including the restricted section… This is not the Dark Arts children, but possibly something far more sinister. I would rather see you all live to see the end of the year, for those who don't study will surely perish. Now… to bed. ALL OF YOU!'
Marius finished with a jolt. And everyone headed to their dormitories looking far worse for ware. Harry and Hermione had taken it all in reasonably well, but were still shocked that it could really come to war.
Later that night however, in the privacy of Dumbledore's office, Marius entered in his stealth like motion, to the headmaster's piercing gaze. Both stood locked together by eyesight alone, until Marius broke the silence.
'Clearly this is out of hand. I've just spoken with Fudge through the fire. It's as we've feared. Diagon Alley has also been overrun. He believes that it's only a matter of time until they target this school. Have we not discovered weakness in our wards already?'
'Yes Marius, I am aware.' Dumbledore answered, the stress of everything clearly taking it's toll. 'What are you planning to do?'
'All that we can old friend. This castle will be all that is left of our world once the muggles have stripped it of everything. We have an obligation to resist… Pity though, if someone had done something sooner, we may never need to resort to such mindless bloodshed.'
'Yes indeed. Regardless of everything however, I've been thinking hard about the wards. And I believe I've discovered the precise reason for their failure, though I've had reason to believe this earlier…' Marius looked sternly at Dumbledore, still not quite sure what he'd meant.
'And what, may I ask, is the problem?' he asked.
'Voldemort…'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And now it begins. How will the Hogwarts be affected, who will suffer the most, what exactly is causing the wards to fail? You'll only find out in chapter 9, coming soon.