Title: Holding Court
Rating: PG-13
Summary: WARNING: this story is an unabashed celebration of Harry Potter's uniqueness and powers. Anyone who would prefer to see another character glorified, turn away please!
Hogwarts is divided amongst the four Houses. As physical violence increases, a Hufflepuff fourth year watches as her hero fulfills his destiny. Set in Harry's seventh year, doom approaches. But where is the real war; between the Houses or against the Dark Lord?
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
"Where am I?"
Minnie had fallen asleep, but now looked up at Martina's shaky form. The poor girl looked utterly confused, but at least she wasn't trembling and whimpering as she had been last night.
"You're in the Slytherin dungeons. They captured you last night," Minnie explained softly. Martina's brow furrowed in confusion. "Don't you remember?" Oh dear, Minnie sincerely hoped that Martina hadn't lost her memory.
"I was captured? … Oh! … Last night, you say? In the library…" Martina seemed to be in a different world, reliving past experiences. But at least, the memories that she had still corresponded with that of Minnie's reality, something for which Minnie was extremely thankful.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Minnie asked gently, hoping that exercising her memory would bring Martina back fully.
"Well, after the battle with the Hufflepuffs, Harry ordered us all the Gryffindor Tower… And he explained that the teachers had barricaded themselves… They'd had enough of our fighting and were going to let us settle everything the old fashion way. We were on our own." The loss of the authority of the teachers seemed to be a big blow for Martina because she choked down a sob before continuing. "The Seventh Years began organizing everything. Harry knew what to do and we all followed his orders. So we… so we organized… from food to medicine… and that's when Hermione said we'd need to get a book from the library on Healing in case anything happened. I'd done a special project this year, so I knew which book we needed, and… and I went with them…. I found the book and gave it to Christopher… And that's when the Slytherins arrived. They were so big and angry! We ran for it… Ginny was in the back. But she tripped… so Hermione and I turned back while Christopher and Marissa ran on ahead to put the book in a secure place… But when the three of us tried to run, I got caught." All of a sudden, Martina grew agitated, she grabbed Minnie's upper arms and began shaking them. "Did Hermione and Ginny get away? Did they?"
"Yes, they're fine, I think," after all, Minnie had no way of knowing for sure or not whether they'd fallen into enemy hands later. "They weren't brought in, at least."
Martina sighed and let go of her. "Then they're all right. They only had to go as far as the infirmary to meet up with Ron and Dean, they're all right." She breathed in deeply and curled up into fetus shape.
"Martina?" Minnie asked tentatively.
But Martina was asleep.
The day passed slowly. Minnie tried to measure time by the shadows of the trees outside. Around noon, someone had unlocked the door and pushed in a plate of food. Having roused Martina who'd swallowed a few mouthfuls before falling asleep again. Minnie dozed and daydreamed, wondering what was going to happen to everyone. She was worried about herself. She was worried about Martina. She was worried about Tyler, who still hadn't come down. She was worried about the other Hufflepuffs. She was worried for the Gryffindors who were probably going to take this conflict to its end, regardless of the casualties. She was even worried for the Ravenclaws who were going to be caught in this mess. She had a few twinges of worry for those Slytherins who had to suffer a leader like Draco, for those who might be too young to understand what was going on.
She was thinking about Owen when she heard a noise coming from the other side of the door. Something was feeling its way up the side of the door. There were no voices, but it was as if someone was scratching the bottom of the door and working his way up to the handle. Then it stopped for a moment. A long scaly object came through the keyhole. It was a snake, brightly colored and incredibly thin; it couldn't have more than two centimeters in width. Minnie remembered that brightly colored frogs were poisonous, she assumed the same thing would apply to snakes. Terrified, she pressed herself against the wall.
The snake slithered down the door and came to rest on the ground. It looked around the cell slowly, its gaze coming to rest on Martina's sleeping form. It slithered over to her, stopping only inches from her face. Minnie wanted to run at it and scare it away, but she was afraid it would attack her then. Though she didn't think it fair to Martina that she had to suffer the Cruciatus Curse and then die from a snake bite. Or maybe she wouldn't. The snake apparently lost interest in Martina because it began to slither over to Minnie. She tried to back pedal, but the snake kept coming. Finally she stopped, reasoning that if she had to die, she might as well not try to put it off. The snake kept coming at her. It climbed up her leg and over her chest, bringing its eyes to the same level as hers. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look at it.
This was it. She'd never become a Charms Fellow. She'd never have a family of her own. She'd never have a real boyfriend… Oh Merlin, what was happening to Owen? She'd never have to fight. She'd never see the death and destruction that were inevitable in this war. She'd never… a vision of Harry in a Hogwarts garden, standing close to her and raising her chin… she'd never get to experience real life. She'd never be able to take responsibility for anything. She'd never be confronted with choices.
She waited for the pain of the bite. It never came. When she opened her eyes, it was to see the snake's end disappearing back through the keyhole. What were the Slytherins playing at? Sending a snake in like that?
Minnie waited for the snake to be sent back in to kill the both of them, but the Slytherins had apparently lost interest or else they thought the job completed. Minnie was beginning to be seriously worried about Tyler. The sky was darkening outside and she still hadn't come back. The Slytherins didn't seem surprised that they weren't dead because someone came to bring them food. Minnie tried to ask about her whereabouts, but the sixth year made no answer, merely motioning that she should feed Martina.
Waking Martina in order to feed her was no easy task, but finally, Minnie managed to get her to sit up.
"Come on, just a little bit more broth! You're almost done!"
"I … don't … want any!" and Martina tried to push the spoon away.
"You need to eat, you haven't eaten anything since this morning! Come on, open wide!"
"Stop it!" Martina began to take deep breaths, apparently, she was able to speak again. "I don't want to eat!
"Of course you don't mean that! You'll die if you don't! You're weak enough already, you're wasting away!"
"Dying? Of course I'll die! You have no idea how serious this is!"
"What do you mean… 'serious'? How bad can this be?"
"This isn't a game anymore! This is total warfare. There are going to be casualties! And we're top on the list!"
"Of course not!" Minnie tried protesting though this made sense, in a way.
"I'm only surprised they haven't tried to kill us outright," Martina said softly.
"Well, they sent in a snake earlier-"
"A snake?" Martina looked up for the first time, a wild light in her eyes.
"Yes, but all it did was look around the cell. It didn't bite, don't worry!"
Martina was shaking now, seeming incredibly feverish, muttering things such as "snake" and "cell" and "looking." She eventually fell into a trance, starting up every now and then before falling back.
The sky had darkened completely and there was no moon or stars to bring any light into the dark cell. Minnie supposed it was enchanted because she hadn't felt the need to relieve herself. She stood slightly aside of the window, as close as the Imperturbable Charm allowed her to get.
It was as she was studying the dark shadow of the Forbidden Forest that she heard another noise behind the door. Certain that the Slytherins were going to try to send in another snake to finish the job the other was supposed to have done, Minnie sprang across the room to where Martina was dozing.
"Martina! Wake up! They're doing it again!" Martina jerked awake but Minnie still shook her shoulders while thoughts of I'm gonna die! ran through her head. But suddenly, Martina leapt up, hauling Minnie with her and slapping her across the face.
"What-" began Minnie, not understanding why Martina had slapped her after all the care she'd given and why she seemed awake for the first time since she'd been tossed in with Minnie.
But Martina was staring avidly at the door, where somebody was fiddling with the lock. Had she gone crazy to be so gleefully anticipating a Slytherin's arrival? But when the door swung open, it revealed not Crabbe or Goyle, not even Malfoy himself. No, it swung open to show two black clad men, of approximately the same height and build. Both tall, both strong, but one of them looking into the cell while the other watched the stairs. The one watching the stairs turned and Minnie realized what this was. They were both striking and outlined in the light from the stairs, they seemed like angels. Martina gave a strangled cry and sprang for the door.. She lept into the arms of the black haired man, burying her face in his shoulder, laughing and crying hysterically and envelop her into his arms, holding her tight.
"You came! You came, you came!" Martina sobbed over and over. The red-head had taken one cursory glance at Minnie's shocked face before turning back to his friend and taking Martina from him. He picked her up, one hand under her shoulders, the other behind her knees, but when Harry looked at him, Ronald frowned and jerked his head in Minnie's direction. Harry's grin faded and he turned back to where she stood. His look had become a scowl and it frightened Minnie so much that she took a step backwards and tried to press herself into the wall.
"We ought to leave her here," Ron muttered angrily.
"After all the trouble she's caused, she should be left to stir in her own juices," Harry acquiesced.
"Besides, there's no place to keep her."
Harry shook his head. "Hell, I'd love to, but I won't stoop that low. She'll have to stay in the Tower with us. We can't leave any hostages to the Slytherins, not with what we're taking." Abruptly, his face went back into a neutral that Minnie knew so well. He nodded his head at her and asked contemptuously, "Well then, are you coming or not?"
Mutely, Minnie nodded and left her cowering position by the wall. Harry's Gryffindor tie seemed rather odd now that she stood next to him. Come to think of it, those shades of red and gold were oddly reminiscent of the snake that came in earlier. Oh, of course! Harry was a parseltongue, so he'd probably sent the snake! But then, why had it come so close to her face if all it needed to do was report back? Right! Susan and Ernie were complaining about Harry being able to possess others! So he'd probably come down to the dungeons in his pet snake's mind! It was rather ingeneous of him, she thought as she followed as the two young men went up the stairs, Ronald carrying Martina in his arms.
They emerged at the top of the stairs to a darkened Slytherin Common Room. The place seemed shrouded in silence, the candelabras that had bathed everything in golden light had been extinguished. The only light permissible was the soft silvery sheen of the moon. IT suited the aristocratic setting just as well as the gold firelight had. But in the mysterious silence several black shapes were moving around. Some were obviously watching the stairs leading to the dormitories, others were searching for something. As soon as their little group had emerged, a figure hurried over to them. Minnie could hardly make out Ginny's face beneath her hood, but she recognized the voice as she took Martina from Ron, setting her on her feet and patting her back reassuringly.
"We've found a couple of maps as well as a few interesting looking items, but no passwords or plans," she reported before facing Harry while gazing at Minnie. "And what is she doing here?" she asked accusingly, pointing a finger.
"We found her with Martina and Harry wouldn't let me leave her there-" growled Ron.
"- I know, I know, my hero complex," Harry cut in aggressively and the others quieted. "Now, we need to fold back. Ginny, take Dean and these two girls back to the first point. We'll meet you there in ten minutes." Harry left them where they were and headed to one of the persons who was standing watch and closely observing an old piece of parchment he held in front of him.
"Wait!" said Minnie, slightly too loudly. Everyone present whirled around and Ginny's hand whipped out, covering her mouth and muffling her word.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" she whispered angrily.
"Tyler!" Minnie remembered her being led up to the dormitories now. "They have her, but I don't know where!"
"There's another Hufflepuff in here? Damn it!" Ginny swore.
"We're gonna have to leave her," said Ron as he and Harry came back from the stairs.
"We can't!" softly exclaimed someone who had dashed towards Minnie after her outburst. "Her own House won't be able to come for her! She's only a poor fourth year! Harry, you have to do something!"
Harry ran a hand through his hair, he and Ron were the only ones not hidden beneath hoods. "Neville, come over here!" he ordered. The boy who had been holding the old piece of parchment walked over to where the group was standing. Harry stepped towards him and began to examine the parchment, effectively shielding it from Minnie's sight. He sighed and stepped back.
"She's in here," he said.
"Where?" asked Ginny.
Ron had been looking over Harry's shoulder. "Oh that's great. She's outside Malfoy's bloody bedroom." He turned pale, "Oh Merlin!"
Ginny's face went green. "Harry! You've got to get her out! Forget the problems we have with that House. No one deserves to be stuck even near a bedroom with Draco Malfoy!"
"All right," said Harry, apparently deep in thought. "But I'm going after her alone." A few protestations were uttered but Harry silenced them with a look. He continued issuing orders, "Neville and Ron, you stay here, hide behind that pillar, near the door. Keep an eye on the Map, if Malfoy moves, you guys leave immediately. Understood?" The two boys nodded. "Good. Now the rest of you, take Martina and Minnie and retreat. Pick up the ones at the checkpoint and go all the way back to the Tower. No one," and at this Harry looked specifically at Ginny, "No one is to stay behind. Got it?"
The others nodded mutely and began to split up. They all headed for the Slytherin exit except for Harry who was looking through his pockets for something. Ginny opened the Slytherin wall, and stepped out, wand at the ready. Two more followed her, before Ginny signaled that Martina and Minnie could follow. Seamus and Dean were still inside, Dean was saying something to Neville and Ron, and as he stepped out of the Slytherin Dungeon, Minnie heard the end of his conversation.
"Take care of him, all right guys?"
"'Course," said Ron, even though he looked worried.
Neville merely nodded.
"Come on," ordered Ginny, and their small group moved down the corridor.
Minnie knew where they were, she'd seen some of these corridors before. What amazed her was the way the Gryffindors were moving. If left to herself, she'd simply have headed as fast as she could to Hufflepuff Chambers and she supposed that, had she been a Gryffindor, she'd have run to the Tower. But there was an aspect she had to be missing. The Gryffindors moved like… well, like lions and snakes. It was evident even in their walk. They went slowly but deliberately, making no noise where they placed their feet, moving lightly. But the group would stretch out, then regroup, just like a snake. And they obviously had strategy. Dean Thomas was always ahead, scouting out the corridors before returning to give an all clear to the main group. Ginny held back also, hiding in nooks and crannies so that Minnie hardly noticed her. At first, she wondered why Ginny would go through all this. But after a while she was able to put Dean and Ginny's behavior together. Dean was the advance guard. Ginny was covering their rear. They were at war.
Seeing people hardly older than she was acting so maturely and seriously suddenly brought Minnie back to herself. It wasn't a game anymore. They had gone too far. They had played at being Kings and Queens with Courts. with hierarchies and honors. They had taken pride in belonging and in doing so had so divided up the school that no conciliation was possible. To admit defeat or to call for a stop to this madness would be weak. And no one wanted to do that. Gryffindors had to much pride. Slytherins would continue plotting even after having publicly admitted defeat. Ravenclaws would never consent to step down a level. And Hufflpuff… well Hufflepuff was out of the running, wasn't it? And even if they weren't, Hufflepuffs always went along with the general game, always striving to make a place for itself.
And so, instead of being fought out in a world that might fight back against it, the war against the Dark Lord was being fought by schoolchildren, slinking around an old castle. Instead of being a place of learning, Hogwarts was a battlefield. How long would it be until it be until someone died?
"Colin? Dennis?" Dean's voice filtered down to them.
"Aye," came an answer as the two brothers materialized out of what seemed like thin air. In fact, Minnie realized a second later, they'd merely been hidden under an invisibility cloak.
"Did you see anyone?" asked Ginny, coming up to the group, though still watching down the corridor.
"We did," said Colin.
"A group of Ravenclaws," continued Dennis. "We didn't try to attack them though."
"Right, they were seventh years," finished Colin.
"Who were they?" asked Dean interestedly.
"Eloise Midgen, Padma Patil, Mandy Brocklehurst, and Lisa Turpin," said Colin slowly, matching names with faces drawn out of his memory.
"Harry'll want to know that," said Ginny. "But we need to get going."
"Yeah, where is Harry? And Ron and Neville?" asked Dennis nervously. "And who's she?" he added, pointing at Minnie.
"We'll explain later," said Ginny. "Is the corridor clear?"
"Yeah, up to the statue of Humperdinck the Ninth. The wards through that way haven't been touched," said Colin confidently.
"Right," said Dean authoritively, "Let's go."
The group moved out with Dean and Colin in the lead and Ginny once again watching their backs. Soon enough, they arrived in a corridor that was so devoid of anything else that it must have been an entrance to something. A single portrait was hung in the middle of the corridor. Dean walked up to it and poked it with his wand. A head leaned out of the side of the frame, seizing up all those who stood before it. Deciding that they weren't possible hostiles, a very fat lady in a gaudy pink dress walked out.
"Password?" she asked.
"Generosity," murmured Colin. The fat lady swung open, allowing them to pass through and into the Gryffindor Common room.
A/N: Okay, I'm extremely sorry for the huge wait. As I wrote last time, I was taking my baccalaureat, which meant that I've spent the past month studying, stressing and taking exams every three or four days. I have no idea how I've done and I know that if it weren't for fanfiction, I'd probably have done better. As it is, I've discovered a bunch of really excellent fics that I feel anyone who considers themselves well read in the domain out to have read: "Mirror of Maybe" by Midnight Blue (archived at PSA), all of Telanu's "Tea" series, and "Hunting the traitor" by FairyTale. I think the stories are incredibly well written with fantastic plots and I fell in love with them.
So, now that all my tests are over (and I'm desperately waiting for my results), I'll be updating much, much faster and more frequently! I'm also starting a story on the Dursleys seven years after Harry graduates which I think will be fun to write. I won't post it though until I'm nearly done (but the outline's already finished!).
Thank you to those wonderful people who reviewed: Nightwing 509 (sorry if I didn't make it clear; the kidnappers were Crabbe and Goyle), Mimmi, Fang Three-Claw (simply being crushed would be too good for Leonard, th bastard deserves much worse!), Mature Immaturity, mart (it's more fun if I scare Minnie first this way), yellowpages (I've seen PoA twice now. I love Gary Oldman and David Thewlis in that movie! - and hey, Tom Felton is definitely looking better!), keebler-elmo, Manic the Herinacius (this update is all for you! ::grins::)