A/N- This is my first fic on Fanfiction.net. Let me tell you, it is HARD!!! They are so friggin' confusing on this site! Anyway, this chapter is probably going to be one of my short ones, b/c it is basically outlining what will happen in the rest of the story. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue it (although I would love to!). Based on the amount of reviews I get and your responses, I'll see. I already have the next chapter written so if you want to read it, REVIEW!!!
On to the story.
And Then There Were Six
"Professor, are sure this is necessary, I mean, it sounds a bit extreme!" exclaimed the famous Harry Potter, fashioning a look of concern.
"Yes Harry, I, along with the other professors believe that this is by all means necessary," sighed Dumbledore, bearing a look a distress. The twinkle in his eye, was gone. "You six shall reside here, in the Room of Requirement, until this disease dyes out, for if it doesn't, the wizarding world may loose a whole generation of wizards. You six may be the last survivors."
"Surely you don't mean that professor! There has to be some cure for it!" cried Hermione Granger, who after that became silent, in the midst of a deep thought.
The children all had looks of small children before going to bed during a thunderstorm, all minus one, Draco Malfoy. He stood in the corner looking like his usual self minus the sneer. He had been brought up to bear no emotions and intended to keep it that way, even in the midst of a life threatening disease that was rapidly spreading. Harry was protectively holding Cho in his strong arms, afraid to let her go. She, with her head laying his chest was lost in thought. Her roommate had developed a bad case of this unknown illness and she had no way of knowing if she still lived. Ron and Ginny Weasley were sitting on arm chairs staring intently at Dumbledore.
"Oh my gods!" shouted Hermione as she snapped out of her trance, "Will this become another Bubonic Plague sir? The last one wipe out more that half of Europe's population in the fourteenth century!" Hermione stood up, her eyes wide with fear. When she had said this, the five other looks up at Professor Dumbledore, trying to find the answer hidden in his eyes.
"I don't know Hermione, this can be anything for all we know. It can be as deadly as the Black plague or it can just be a very contagious form of influenza. Nobody knows for sure."
A small voice from the back of the room asked, "Professor, if this disease is so contagious, how come you nor the other professors have been infected by it?"
"Good question Ginny, I was wondering who would be the first to realize that. I will tell you, but first let me ask the rest of you to join the Weasley's in sitting down, there are also more things I have to explain," said the dear old Headmaster while gesturing towards the couches and arm chairs. "Whenever a professor comes to work at Hogwarts, he or she is given many charms to give them immunity to diseases, lest they be absent from classes," the twinkle in his eye returned as he said that. "Those charms must include this disease that is quickly infecting Hogwarts. As you know, all of the hospital beds are full and Poppy, excuse me, Madame Pomfrey, hasn't slept in days because of all the sick children. Thankfully, you six were not present when the disease spread, which took a mere four hours to happen. Therefore, for the duration of this new catastrophe, you all shall be residing here, in the Room of Requirement. You will find that everything you could possibly need or want shall be given to you at a moment's notice. There are two bedrooms, on the left for the girls, on the right for the boys, and two separate bathrooms. Any questions?"
At Dumbledore's last statement about the sleeping arrangements, Draco could not hold back. "Do you mean to tell me that I, Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, am supposed share a room with Potter and Weasley?!?"
"That is precisely what I mean Mr. Malfoy," said Dumbledore, in the same tone he had used to speak with Harry. "Unless, you would prefer to sleep on the couch?"
"Hey, I got a brilliant idea!" said Draco in his usual sarcastic tone, "How about Potter and Weasley sleep on the couches, Lord knows Weasley probably sleeps on one at home."
At this comment, Ron clenched his fists, but realizing Dumbledore was present, said nothing.
"Mr. Malfoy, I will also ask for minimal name calling and a truce to be called while you stay here."
Harry, Ron, and Draco looked harshly at each other, both sides wanting dominance in staring contest. Harry, deciding for the girls' sake and Dumbledore's peace of mind to be the one to call the truce. He stuck his hand out to Draco and simply said, "Truce Malfoy?"
At first, Draco had been sure he was kidding, but moments later, the look in Harry's eyes told him otherwise. For a minute further, he contemplated this. Harry Potter, my archenemy, the one person who bests me in everything I do, wants to make a truce with me. Harry had been watching these emotions running through Draco's eyes, first amusement, then realization, then deep thought. He patiently waited
"Alright Pothead, err..sorry Harry, I accept." Draco then proceeded to shake Ron's hand and make eye contact with Ginny, Hermione, and Cho.
Besides himself, Cho was the only other person acceptable here, thought Draco, but then again, she had gone to the side of Golden Trio in their fifth year, one year ago.
After viewing the past occurrences with a smile, Dumbledore continued, "When you want food, you need only ask for it and it shall be served. I am happy to announce that the house elves weren't effected by the disease and there will be no shortage on food. We shall correspond with you once a week by means of a diary very similar to the one used by Tom Riddle four years ago."
At this, Ginny cringed. "But not exactly the same, right Professor?"
"No, no Ginny, not in that sense. The similarity is that I will write to you in my book, and you shall see it in your book. You can write back to me and I shall see your writing in my book. Nothing shall inhabit that book"
"What are we going to do all day long?" asked Cho, finally snapping out of her trance, "We could be here for months, right? We'll go crazy, not to mention how fat we'll get."
"You can speak for yourself, Cho, Malfoy's don't get fat, they stay perfect," spoke a very self consumed Draco.
"Oh Malfoy, will you shut the...."
"Ronald," Dumbledore looked at him sternly, "to answer your question, yes you could possibly be here for many months, which is why I have included these." The Headmaster pointed to two brand-new-muggle-made treadmills. Everyone looked at them questioningly besides Hermione and Harry, being muggle born themselves.
"What on Earth?" asked Ginny
"Hermione, would you care to explain?" asked Dumbledore.
"Sure, this is a piece of exercise equipment called a 'treadmill'. You push a button to command the cloth on the bottom to start moving in a circle motion around the bottom. You walk on top of it as if you are taking a walk outside. You can even increase the speed to make it seem as if you are running. There is also an inclination...."
"Thank you Hermione, I think they get the general gist of it. I believe that is all you will need to know. Ah yes, how could I forget?! Your teachers were kind enough to leave some homework for you on the table," he pointed to the table by the bookshelves, "lest you feel the urge to do some homework. And I beg of you, to remain civil to each other and let at least five out six come out alive. I have also informed your parents of your current condition and why you have to stay at school. Leaving to go home would require you to walk through the school and we cannot have that. This is a dire situation indeed. Until next time!" Dumbledore walked out, but not before he gave a wave and wink to the group, and sealed the door behind him.
The six, sitting on the armchairs and couches proceeded to stare at each other, wondering what the future would bring...
A/N- As I said before, you may recall, that my continuing the story depends on YOU!! yes you in the back row, so click that perriwinkle button and review!!
Yes, there will be pairings and it will get more exciting than this. Was this disease natural or created? If so, who could be behind this disease? Voldemort?
Tune in next time for the next episode in.........And Then There Were Six!!! dun dun dunnnnnnn
~Sarah