An; thanx for your reviews, and here's a note, I JUST JOINED A PLACE CALLED
FICTION ALLEY. It's especially for Harry Potter fanfics. It's called
fiction alley. www.fictionalley.org it's pretty cool. I've just started
uploading a couple chappies of my last story, but it takes em longer to put
em up, but it's a pretty cool place. If u wanna see what some of the guys
look like if they are drawn the anime/manga way take a look. I recognize
Harry and draco, but no one else!!!
Anyway, here we go.
Chapter 9. Aftermath
It was raining when Harry landed, and had been for the last ten minutes. He was soaked, but managed to hurry into the deserted school, heading straight for the kitchens.
Dobby was delighted to see him, even more delighted to see his badge and was in raptures when Harry told him of the impending arrival of the students and teachers. He immediately set the house elves in action.
Harry, not sure as what to do now, wandered back to the main entrance hall, and waited rather impatiently there for the rest of the students and teachers to arrive. He heard steps behind him and turned to see Dumbledore descend the great stairs. "Professor? How did you get here?" "Port key, Harry. I think you should go to the kitchens and dry off in front of the fire, you'll catch cold if you're not careful and Madame Pomfrey will have enough to do otherwise."
Harry nodded and turned to go, but Dumbledore added, "Congratulations on the new position Harry." Harry smiled, "thank you, Professor."
Dobby flicked his fingers when Harry returned and Harry was dry. Then there were plates in front of him full of delicious food. He ate until he couldn't eat anymore, and then thanked the elves and headed up to the dormitory. There was students in the corridors now, slowly wandering around, looking rather shocked and cold. When he got to Gryffindor common room he found about half the house standing there, looking lost.
"What's going on?" he asked Neville, who, seeing his badge let out a squeak and drew the attention of the others. "We can't get in." said Ginny, staring at his badge. "Oh, I can fix that." He pushed his way forward and said hello to the portrait of the pink lady. "Password Potter?" "Sholen Sinulae." Professor McGonagall had told him on the train, what seemed a lifetime ago. The portrait swung open and admitted the students to the warmth of the room. Harry wondered where Hermione was, as if she'd been there they would have gotten inside quicker. "What about the banquet?" asked one of the second years, "my brother is going to be Sorted!"
"The banquet will take place once everyone is dry and calmer." Said Harry, and one of the cockier third years snorted, "And how would you know?"
Harry returned his insolent stare and said quietly, "I talked to Professor McGonagall earlier."
The boy flushed and turned away. Harry told the prefects (Ron and Ginny) to take care of things, and went looking for the members of the house that were missing. He found Seamus leaning against the wall outside of the hospital wing, looking very dejected, and Harry persuaded him to go warm up, and left him after telling him the password.
Hermione was in the hospital wing, helping out. The wing was full of activity, and teachers as well as students were hurrying about, Snape almost trod on him, but forgot to make a sarcastic comment. Harry helped for a bit, and then found McGonagall to ask what was happening. She confirmed what she had told him earlier and asked him to get all the Gryffindor's he could find down to the Great Hall as quickly as possible. He hurried back to the tower, which was now a little more crowded and said "McGonagall wants everyone down to the Great Hall now."
They moved, slowly as they were all tired. But once in the hall everyone seemed to cheer up. Madame Hooch was there, with the first years, who were all looking the worst for wear, but calmer than they had been at the Crash site. The Gryffindor's sat, except for Harry, who ran here and there doing Madame Hooch's bidding, and sending as many other Gryffindor's as he could find at the same time to the Hall. He bumped into McGonagall and she told him to send anyone he saw to the Hall, and he did so, with the exception of Malfoy who refused to obey him. Harry, spying Professor McGonagall heading their way, shrugged and left.
By the time he returned to the Hall, almost everyone was there. A sea of pale faces stared up at Dumbledore and the teachers. Harry sat next to Ron, and yawned. Ron gave him a look of amazement and Harry protested that he couldn't help it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" called Dumbledore, and a ringing silence filled the room. "A tragedy has occurred. The Hogwarts Express was attacked by an agent of the Dark Lord." A sliver of chatter ran around the room. "As such, many of you have sustained some injury. The Hospital wing is over crowded, and the worst of the injuries will be sent to St Mungo's for treatment." Dumbledore's eyes, devoid of any amusement or glitter looked around at them. "It is imperative that we continue with school as normal. No other event has ever stopped this school's running smoothly, and it is important that we show the world and Voldemort" (here the crowd gasped and muttered) "that Hogwarts is still a school to be reckoned with.School will not start until noon tomorrow so go and rest after the Sorting."
There was a stutter of claps. Very half hearted claps. Harry wondered why hearing the headmaster talk in such a grandiose manner made him uncomfortable, some how it just didn't suit him.
"Now, to continue with what would normally happen on the first day of school after arrival." Continued Dumbledore.
The Sorting followed, with the Sorting Hat singing an eerie song, telling of approaching darkness, Harry felt a prickling sensation as the Hat woefully told of something akin to "the light at the end of the tunnel" theory and turned, meeting Malfoy's malevolent stare.
Then it was time for the new Gryffindor's to be led to the Dormitory, but as Harry tried to draw their attention Dumbledore stood and called, "would our new Head Girl and Boy please stay behind." Harry shot a worried glance at Hermione and they sat and waited for the rest of the students to file out. When all was empty except for Dumbledore and them Harry and Hermione went up to where the Headmaster was sitting rubbing his face in the ornate chair.
He stared up at them for a second and Harry had to resist the urge to fidget.
"I'm going to tell you two the truth. The time at which you have taken on this activity of leading the school is the most dangerous time at which anyone has taken it on in perhaps the entire history of the school." Dumbledore sighed and Harry, glancing at Hermione saw the shock on her face as she took in the haggard expression on her headmasters face. Harry had seen it a couple of times before, but couldn't get over how transformed that face could be.
"Unless I am very much mistaken, and I hope that I am, there will be a few attacks on the school this year. That means there will be times when there are no teachers around and it will be up to you two to dispel any panic that occurs and to keep order. At such times it is imperative that you all stay together, to gather everyone in a secure place, like this hall for example. It has two entrances, and therefore can be guarded well."
"At such times your word will be paramount to every student, and you will have the power to deduct points. Up to thirty at anyone time. I warn you not to use this privilege often. And, I feel impelled to remind you both, especially you Harry, at such times when the school may be under attack that heroics are totally out of the question."
Harry flushed but smiled at the elderly gentleman.
"You will have to delegate tasks to those students you trust, might I recommend your DA friends? To send them to a teacher nearby and inform them of any goings on, say, if you see someone sneaking around that shouldn't be."
Harry and Hermione nodded. Harry, remembering something he had meant to ask last year, "Sir, this year would we be able to set up DA again? Not that we need it to pass Defense, but it would make some of the students I had a chat to on the platform more comfortable if they knew more. Perhaps we could even start a dueling club again? Perhaps with out an insensible git at the head?"
Dumbledore smiled at Harry and nodded, "I believe Professor McGonagall was a rather good Duelist in her- ah- younger days. I shall ask her to set it up. Of you go, and remember, no heroics this year Harry."
Harry pulled a face and he and Hermione left the hall.
On the way up to the common room Hermione had a frown on her face and Harry asked her what was wrong.
She thought for a second and then said, "Harry, does Dumbledore often look like that? I mean, sad and tired?"
"Sometimes." Harry answered truthfully, skipping over one of the trick steps. "Too often lately, but only when he is under a lot of stress. Oh I can't wait to see what the daily profit is going to say about today."
Hermione ignored that for the moment. "Harry, I'm beginning to think that we aren't going to win this war."
Harry stared at her, nonplussed, "what do you mean?"
"Well, the Hogwarts Express was attacked. That's never happened before, even at the height of Voldemort's powers ten ears ago. And Dumbledore expects attacks. Harry even you must see that as foreboding!"
"Even me?" asked Harry, slightly insulted, "what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, never mind. I'm just saying that Voldemort must be supremely confidant to attack the train. He must know that the Ministry's retribution will be swift. "
Harry thought she was placing too much trust in the Ministry, but didn't say so.
"Hermione, I don't know what's going to happen this year. Or the next. But remember what the Sorting Hat said, we have to stick together. Even if it does mean teaming up with Slytherin." He pulled another face.
"Do you think it will come to that?"
"Who knows? Sholen Sinulae." The portrait hole swung open and admitted them into the noisy room. There was silence for a second, and then Ginny said, "Well you might have told us Harry."
"sorry." Said Harry, and flung himself into a chair, not in the least repentant.
"What did the Headmaster want?" asked one of the newbies.
"Just warning us about our new duties." Said Hermione as she sat next to Ginny.
Harry was getting uncomfortable now, as almost everyone was staring at him. "And I wanted to know if we could set up DA and a dueling club this year."
That certainly set the cats among the pigeons. The First years wanted to know what DA was, and were soon entertained with stories of Fred and George fly out, Umbridge's banning of Quidditch and all the other injustices the woman committed two years ago. Harry was the first to spy the sun creeping through the Forbidden Forest.
"RIGHT!!" he bellowed suddenly, startling everyone. "BED! This minute. Lights out in five! You have until noon to sleep, and unless I'm very much mistaken, some of you will sleep past that." He eyed a couple of sleeping first years in the corner.
He and Hermione ushered everyone up the stairs, and there was a CLICK sound as Harry turned to check the room for any sleeping students.
"Hi Colin." He said wearily as the boy greeted him warmly.
He went to bed but couldn't sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning he threw back the covers, dressed and wandered outside. He was staring at the lake when a voice said;
"Hiya Harry."
Harry turned.
An; tired and crabby and needing sleep. That's me. Any typo's? have I kept everyone in Character? Tell me what you think. Good night *snore* #wake# oh! Are you still here? Of you go, do. something .. Else..*snore*
Anyway, here we go.
Chapter 9. Aftermath
It was raining when Harry landed, and had been for the last ten minutes. He was soaked, but managed to hurry into the deserted school, heading straight for the kitchens.
Dobby was delighted to see him, even more delighted to see his badge and was in raptures when Harry told him of the impending arrival of the students and teachers. He immediately set the house elves in action.
Harry, not sure as what to do now, wandered back to the main entrance hall, and waited rather impatiently there for the rest of the students and teachers to arrive. He heard steps behind him and turned to see Dumbledore descend the great stairs. "Professor? How did you get here?" "Port key, Harry. I think you should go to the kitchens and dry off in front of the fire, you'll catch cold if you're not careful and Madame Pomfrey will have enough to do otherwise."
Harry nodded and turned to go, but Dumbledore added, "Congratulations on the new position Harry." Harry smiled, "thank you, Professor."
Dobby flicked his fingers when Harry returned and Harry was dry. Then there were plates in front of him full of delicious food. He ate until he couldn't eat anymore, and then thanked the elves and headed up to the dormitory. There was students in the corridors now, slowly wandering around, looking rather shocked and cold. When he got to Gryffindor common room he found about half the house standing there, looking lost.
"What's going on?" he asked Neville, who, seeing his badge let out a squeak and drew the attention of the others. "We can't get in." said Ginny, staring at his badge. "Oh, I can fix that." He pushed his way forward and said hello to the portrait of the pink lady. "Password Potter?" "Sholen Sinulae." Professor McGonagall had told him on the train, what seemed a lifetime ago. The portrait swung open and admitted the students to the warmth of the room. Harry wondered where Hermione was, as if she'd been there they would have gotten inside quicker. "What about the banquet?" asked one of the second years, "my brother is going to be Sorted!"
"The banquet will take place once everyone is dry and calmer." Said Harry, and one of the cockier third years snorted, "And how would you know?"
Harry returned his insolent stare and said quietly, "I talked to Professor McGonagall earlier."
The boy flushed and turned away. Harry told the prefects (Ron and Ginny) to take care of things, and went looking for the members of the house that were missing. He found Seamus leaning against the wall outside of the hospital wing, looking very dejected, and Harry persuaded him to go warm up, and left him after telling him the password.
Hermione was in the hospital wing, helping out. The wing was full of activity, and teachers as well as students were hurrying about, Snape almost trod on him, but forgot to make a sarcastic comment. Harry helped for a bit, and then found McGonagall to ask what was happening. She confirmed what she had told him earlier and asked him to get all the Gryffindor's he could find down to the Great Hall as quickly as possible. He hurried back to the tower, which was now a little more crowded and said "McGonagall wants everyone down to the Great Hall now."
They moved, slowly as they were all tired. But once in the hall everyone seemed to cheer up. Madame Hooch was there, with the first years, who were all looking the worst for wear, but calmer than they had been at the Crash site. The Gryffindor's sat, except for Harry, who ran here and there doing Madame Hooch's bidding, and sending as many other Gryffindor's as he could find at the same time to the Hall. He bumped into McGonagall and she told him to send anyone he saw to the Hall, and he did so, with the exception of Malfoy who refused to obey him. Harry, spying Professor McGonagall heading their way, shrugged and left.
By the time he returned to the Hall, almost everyone was there. A sea of pale faces stared up at Dumbledore and the teachers. Harry sat next to Ron, and yawned. Ron gave him a look of amazement and Harry protested that he couldn't help it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" called Dumbledore, and a ringing silence filled the room. "A tragedy has occurred. The Hogwarts Express was attacked by an agent of the Dark Lord." A sliver of chatter ran around the room. "As such, many of you have sustained some injury. The Hospital wing is over crowded, and the worst of the injuries will be sent to St Mungo's for treatment." Dumbledore's eyes, devoid of any amusement or glitter looked around at them. "It is imperative that we continue with school as normal. No other event has ever stopped this school's running smoothly, and it is important that we show the world and Voldemort" (here the crowd gasped and muttered) "that Hogwarts is still a school to be reckoned with.School will not start until noon tomorrow so go and rest after the Sorting."
There was a stutter of claps. Very half hearted claps. Harry wondered why hearing the headmaster talk in such a grandiose manner made him uncomfortable, some how it just didn't suit him.
"Now, to continue with what would normally happen on the first day of school after arrival." Continued Dumbledore.
The Sorting followed, with the Sorting Hat singing an eerie song, telling of approaching darkness, Harry felt a prickling sensation as the Hat woefully told of something akin to "the light at the end of the tunnel" theory and turned, meeting Malfoy's malevolent stare.
Then it was time for the new Gryffindor's to be led to the Dormitory, but as Harry tried to draw their attention Dumbledore stood and called, "would our new Head Girl and Boy please stay behind." Harry shot a worried glance at Hermione and they sat and waited for the rest of the students to file out. When all was empty except for Dumbledore and them Harry and Hermione went up to where the Headmaster was sitting rubbing his face in the ornate chair.
He stared up at them for a second and Harry had to resist the urge to fidget.
"I'm going to tell you two the truth. The time at which you have taken on this activity of leading the school is the most dangerous time at which anyone has taken it on in perhaps the entire history of the school." Dumbledore sighed and Harry, glancing at Hermione saw the shock on her face as she took in the haggard expression on her headmasters face. Harry had seen it a couple of times before, but couldn't get over how transformed that face could be.
"Unless I am very much mistaken, and I hope that I am, there will be a few attacks on the school this year. That means there will be times when there are no teachers around and it will be up to you two to dispel any panic that occurs and to keep order. At such times it is imperative that you all stay together, to gather everyone in a secure place, like this hall for example. It has two entrances, and therefore can be guarded well."
"At such times your word will be paramount to every student, and you will have the power to deduct points. Up to thirty at anyone time. I warn you not to use this privilege often. And, I feel impelled to remind you both, especially you Harry, at such times when the school may be under attack that heroics are totally out of the question."
Harry flushed but smiled at the elderly gentleman.
"You will have to delegate tasks to those students you trust, might I recommend your DA friends? To send them to a teacher nearby and inform them of any goings on, say, if you see someone sneaking around that shouldn't be."
Harry and Hermione nodded. Harry, remembering something he had meant to ask last year, "Sir, this year would we be able to set up DA again? Not that we need it to pass Defense, but it would make some of the students I had a chat to on the platform more comfortable if they knew more. Perhaps we could even start a dueling club again? Perhaps with out an insensible git at the head?"
Dumbledore smiled at Harry and nodded, "I believe Professor McGonagall was a rather good Duelist in her- ah- younger days. I shall ask her to set it up. Of you go, and remember, no heroics this year Harry."
Harry pulled a face and he and Hermione left the hall.
On the way up to the common room Hermione had a frown on her face and Harry asked her what was wrong.
She thought for a second and then said, "Harry, does Dumbledore often look like that? I mean, sad and tired?"
"Sometimes." Harry answered truthfully, skipping over one of the trick steps. "Too often lately, but only when he is under a lot of stress. Oh I can't wait to see what the daily profit is going to say about today."
Hermione ignored that for the moment. "Harry, I'm beginning to think that we aren't going to win this war."
Harry stared at her, nonplussed, "what do you mean?"
"Well, the Hogwarts Express was attacked. That's never happened before, even at the height of Voldemort's powers ten ears ago. And Dumbledore expects attacks. Harry even you must see that as foreboding!"
"Even me?" asked Harry, slightly insulted, "what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, never mind. I'm just saying that Voldemort must be supremely confidant to attack the train. He must know that the Ministry's retribution will be swift. "
Harry thought she was placing too much trust in the Ministry, but didn't say so.
"Hermione, I don't know what's going to happen this year. Or the next. But remember what the Sorting Hat said, we have to stick together. Even if it does mean teaming up with Slytherin." He pulled another face.
"Do you think it will come to that?"
"Who knows? Sholen Sinulae." The portrait hole swung open and admitted them into the noisy room. There was silence for a second, and then Ginny said, "Well you might have told us Harry."
"sorry." Said Harry, and flung himself into a chair, not in the least repentant.
"What did the Headmaster want?" asked one of the newbies.
"Just warning us about our new duties." Said Hermione as she sat next to Ginny.
Harry was getting uncomfortable now, as almost everyone was staring at him. "And I wanted to know if we could set up DA and a dueling club this year."
That certainly set the cats among the pigeons. The First years wanted to know what DA was, and were soon entertained with stories of Fred and George fly out, Umbridge's banning of Quidditch and all the other injustices the woman committed two years ago. Harry was the first to spy the sun creeping through the Forbidden Forest.
"RIGHT!!" he bellowed suddenly, startling everyone. "BED! This minute. Lights out in five! You have until noon to sleep, and unless I'm very much mistaken, some of you will sleep past that." He eyed a couple of sleeping first years in the corner.
He and Hermione ushered everyone up the stairs, and there was a CLICK sound as Harry turned to check the room for any sleeping students.
"Hi Colin." He said wearily as the boy greeted him warmly.
He went to bed but couldn't sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning he threw back the covers, dressed and wandered outside. He was staring at the lake when a voice said;
"Hiya Harry."
Harry turned.
An; tired and crabby and needing sleep. That's me. Any typo's? have I kept everyone in Character? Tell me what you think. Good night *snore* #wake# oh! Are you still here? Of you go, do. something .. Else..*snore*