A/N: Thanks for the reviews! This was supposed to be put on the same day
as chapter 6, but unfortunately, things just didn't work out. Please
excuse Hagrid's accent, can't blame me for trying.
Also, as for one reviewer's displeasure at Percy being forgiven so quickly
by Harry, please note that this IS fanfiction, this IS from my twisted
perspective, and also, that part corresponds greatly with some parts of
book 4. Dumbledore clearly states that they MUST all stand together, fight
the same fight, and remain on the same side. Forgiveness is only one small
fraction of what it takes to accomplish this, at least in my eyes. Any
other points of view are welcome, e-mail comments to
lost_spirit_2001@yahoo.com.
-Anna Dearest
Chapter 7
Harry found himself standing in a darkened room, but where was this? He was certain that this wasn't ANYWHERE in Hogwarts. The room was filled with tension, so oppressing that it was hard to breathe. He took in all aspects of the room, knowing that wherever he was, something wasn't right.
Hearing a sigh right behind him, he turned around to see the most unlikely person.Fox. Then he knew that this was another one of his dreams. Or were they hers? 'That's beside the point,' Harry said to himself. Looking questioningly at Fox, she just shrugged. Neither felt that they could have talked if they wanted to do so.
Just then, another sound reached Harry's ears, but Fox was on it first, catching it with her sharp sense of hearing. He followed her quickly down a hallway to a room that had the door flung fully open. Their feet made no noise as they edged into the room over the bare stone floor. They found themselves in another similar room, only this one with a fire roaring in the hearth. However, they weren't the only ones in the room.
Kneeling on the floor before a musty old chair, that at one time must have been highly valuable in its own time, was the figure of a Death Eater, kneeling so low that his head nearly hit the floor. Though his identity was unknown, Harry felt a familiar feeling of hate flow through his veins.
And right in front of the Death Eater, sitting in the once fine chair, was his master, Lord Voldemort, blood red eyes staring down in distaste as he glared at the Death Eater before him. He looked strangely like he was resisting the urge to kick his follower in the head.
"You say you bring news, Wormtail?" Voldemort said lazily, his cold voice as potent as venom.
"Y-yes, M-m-master," the follower replied, suddenly coming out of his overdone kneel. Recognition flowed through Harry's brain as he realized that the piece of scum Death Eater before him was Peter Pettigrew, the one who betrayed Harry's parents and framed Sirius.
"What is it?"
"The at-t-t-tack, the attack on the t-t-train was a f-f-failure, M-master."
"What? How could it fail? I send a good three hundred Dementors to attack the pathetic students from that wretched school, and you bring me news of failure!?"
"M-master, please! They h-had help on the t-train. Fully trained wizards and witches were t-there! And-and, s-s-so was."
"Who Wormtail?"
"C-C-C-."
"Wormtail?"
"C-C-C-C-."
"WORMTAIL?"
"Cand-Candle-f-f-fox, your daughter, the youngest. And J-J-Johnathan, your last son."
Voldemort stood from his chair, anger etched all over his pale face, his slit-like nostrils flaring.
"At Hogwarts?"
"Yes, t-they went to Hogwarts, and the sp-spy says they assembled a d-d- defense team."
"How interesting. Johnathan is no problem, I disposed of his twin, and I can dispose of him if I feel like it. As brilliant as he is, he's a coward and a weakling. Candlefox is another story; she hates me with a passion. Any other 'news' Wormtail?"
"Yes, Lestrange failed in k-k-killing B-Black, according to Lu-Lucius that is."
"Go Wormtail. I have many plans to make. The next attack cannot wait much longer. However, due to YOUR failure at retrieving the one I wanted, I fear I'll have to teach you a lesson."
"Please, M-master!"
"Crucio!"
**********
Harry woke up in his four poster bed, the last thing he remembered being Pettigrew's shrieks of pain. His scar burned painfully as he sat up quickly, drinking in the surroundings with his eyes. He wiped the sweat on his forehead and lay back down. Fox's loyalty was no longer in question; it was only a matter of time before everyone figured that out. What about this next attack? Were they going to attack Hogwarts? And yet again, there was a spy at Hogwarts.
Harry turned over and looked at his clock. It was already seven thirty. He lay in bed for another ten minutes before the rest of the people in the dormitory began waking up from their comfortable slumber. Harry went ahead, changed into his school robes, and made his way down to the Great Hall.
Thoughts still ran through his head until he began working up a terrible headache. He distractedly walked along one of the corridors on the 2nd floor, walking more by instinct than by paying attention. Suddenly, he ran headlong into someone exiting a corridor to his right.
"Oof," a muffled voice said. Both he and the person he'd run into fell to the floor. Harry looked up to see whom he'd run into. He looked directly into the tired, yet smiling face of Remus Lupin. "Morning Harry," he said, offering Harry his hand to help him up.
"Sorry, Remus. I wasn't paying very much attention to where I was going."
"Oh, that's alright. Harry? Are you alright?" Remus asked, taking in Harry's pale complexion and worried expression.
"Fine," Harry mumbled, taking Remus' hand and getting back to his feet.
"Alright. I just hope you know that I know you're lying." A whimper was heard somewhere behind them as Harry's pale face broke into a small grin. "And I think Snuffles knows too."
"What's the holdup?" a voice behind Remus asked, managing to sound amused, worried, impatient, kind, and menacing all at the same time. "This is a very narrow corridor, it's not easy for us to get to breakfast with you in the way."
"Sorry Fox," Remus said, turning around. "Just had a run-in with someone, literally. What's the rush though?"
"It's Tabetha's first class today, I just thought I'd wish her good luck. It will be the first time she's teaching more than three people."
"Candlefox!" a voice called from down the corridor.
"Oh no, not now." Fox moaned. "It's John. Do you mind if I just run past you quickly? Thank you." With that, she took off down the corridor, ignoring John's calls.
"That was quite rude," John said, stopping beside them.
"Sounds strange coming from you," Remus muttered. "So, what IS wrong, Harry?" Remus asked, as they began walking, abandoning Johnathan.
"Just had a strange dream, that's all," Harry mumbled, starting to walk again, Remus and Snuffles in tow.
"Not one like you had when Snuffles here came back, is it?" Remus asked, worry present in his tone.
"Actually, yeah. Fox was there too."
"What happened?"
"Well, I have no idea where I was." Harry started off, explaining the dream.
"Harry, I think you need to tell Dumbledore," Remus said quietly after Harry had talked himself into silence.
"That might be a good idea. In fourth year this kind of thing happened A LOT, and it all turned out to be true."
"Go there after breakfast. The password is 'blood-flavored lollies' to get in."
"Thanks, Remus," Harry said, and then he went to sit at the Gryffindor table as they entered the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall was walking past the students, handing out their timetables for the year. She gave Harry his just as Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny came down to breakfast. He scanned the timetable, hoping for the least bit of hope, but finding none as he found that he still had Potions and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins.
"Harry, why didn't you wake us up?" Ron asked, taking a seat next to Harry.
"I had a lot on my mind," he replied, launching into the dream.
"Harry, you need to tell Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione whispered shrilly.
"I am. Remus told me to go after breakfast."
"Who could the spy be?" Neville asked, looking slightly petrified.
"It could be Malfoy," Ron said. "His dad is on You-Know-Who's inner circle. I bet he's passing information to his dear old dad daily."
"That's obvious Ron," Hermione said, "but I think Voldemort has someone even more secretive, someone who can get the inside look while still being completely inconspicuous. Everyone already knows that Malfoy is a supporter."
"What about that Johnathan git?" Ron asked.
"Please say you're kidding," Hermione snorted. "I'm beginning to wonder if he could hold a wand straight."
"What about the other attack?" Ginny asked, eager to join in the conversation. "Are they going to attack Hogwarts?"
"They didn't say for sure that it was Hogwarts, but since the attack on the train failed, he's furious," Harry whispered.
"I'd imagine," Hermione laughed nervously as she loaded eggs onto her plate. "Can you picture three hundred Dementors failing against only about twenty able fighters?"
"Yeah," Ron said, "we saw it happen, didn't we?"
"What's our first class?" Hermione asked, trying to change the subject.
"Transfiguration," Neville said, studying his timetable quickly. Something about Neville seemed different this year, as though desperate to prove himself and to help fight the good fight.
Just then, the post arrived. Hundreds of owls of all kinds swooped into the Great Hall. Harry continued to eat breakfast, it wasn't like he was expecting anything. He was indeed quite surprised when a barn owl swooped down and landed in front of him, with a letter addressed to a 'Mr. Harry J. Potter, our largest contributor' in large squiggly handwriting. He opened the letter, which was obviously from Fred and George.
Dear Harry, It saddens us greatly that we have left Hogwarts, where we went down in history as great pranksters and fellows. As our largest contributor, we feel we must again thank you for your LARGE donation, as our business has been quite successful. We must also tell you that we hope that we corrupted your mind enough, just enough, so that you may carry on some of our noble work. We also pray that you corrupt little Ronniekin's mind as well. You are also immune to a good deal of our pranks, which we just can't resist still carrying on. Please pass on this letter so that Ron and Hermione can read it as well.
Fred and George Weasley
P.S. Look up at the teacher's table.
Harry quickly handed Ron the piece of parchment and stole a glance up at the front table, to find each of the teachers reading letters of their own. He held back laughs as he saw Snape turn beet red with anger. He was disappointed not to see anything happen.
Ron quickly passed the letter on to Hermione, now thoroughly confused. This didn't last long though. Neville dropped his toast as he stared across the table open-mouthed at Ron's hair. Harry looked up slightly to see color spreading from his roots down to his tips. And not just any color, but bright pink. He didn't even notice.
Hermione also looked confused for a moment as she sat the letter down on the table, but that didn't last long. Her hair started turning pink as well. Neville, out of curiosity, made the mistake of picking up the letter to see what the problem was. Soon, Harry and Ginny were laughing hysterically as Ron looked all around him, trying to find the object of amusement.
Soon the entire Great Hall was laughing as the teachers met the same fate. All of the teachers had bright pink hair, and beard in Dumbledore's case, all of them except for Snape, whose hair turned all colors of the rainbow every few seconds. It didn't stop there though.
Soon enough, Snape's eyelashes started growing to horrendous lengths and his eyebrows began to turn different colors, one hot pink, and the other baby blue. He stomped out of the breakfast, shooting the laughing students a death glare, making some of them stop abruptly.
All of the teachers seemed quite embarrassed, that is, except for Dumbledore, who was eyeing his pink beard with amusement. He soon stood, quieting the Great Hall.
"Now that Fred and George Weasley have provided us with our amusement for today, I wish you good luck in classes." Percy slammed his head onto the table, his hands gripping his hair in fury and embarrassment. "I also wish to ask you not to infuriate Professor Snape if you have Potions on your first day. Thank you, and good day."
"Harry," Hermione said, "You may as well go to Dumbledore's office now."
"Thanks for ruining my good mood Hermione," Harry said, "but I really like your hair like that."
"Someone should have done that to Snape a LONG time ago," Ron said, laughing.
"Someone should have done that to YOU a long time ago," Hermione giggled.
"What are you on about little Ms. Pink Hair?" Ron asked.
"Parvati?" Hermione said. "Do you have a mirror with you by any chance?" Parvati handed Hermione a small hand mirror out of her bag. Without hesitation, she handed it to Ron. "Pink is a really good color on you, Ron."
Ron looked into the small mirror, horror etched on his face. He then cast a dangerous glance at the letter that still sat on the table. He looked positively livid.
"I'll kill Fred and George! I'll teach them to pull a prank on me!" he cried, his face red enough to match his normal hair color.
"Well, maybe I'll see you in Transfiguration," Harry said to the flustered Hermione and the still raging Ron.
Harry walked the familiar path to Dumbledore's office. He stopped only when he reached a large stone gargoyle.
"Blood-flavored lollies," Harry said. The gargoyle hopped aside, allowing Harry to climb the now-ascending staircase that led up to the Headmaster's office. Reaching the oak door, he knocked lightly.
"Come in," he heard the wise old wizard's voice call, muffled through the door. "Ah, hello Harry. Remus told me that I might be seeing you. Sit down. Now what is it you needed to see me about?"
Sitting down, Harry had to fight amusement at Professor Dumbledore's pink beard before he launched into the story about the dream, Dumbledore listening attentively. When he finished, Harry looked up to see the Headmaster's pink eyebrows furrowed as though he were deep in thought. The aged wizard looked older and older with each passing second.
"Er, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Yes? Oh, yes. Well, I think I need to inform the Ministry that there will be an attack on an unknown location and that there is a spy at Hogwarts."
"Where do you think they're planning on attacking?" Harry asked.
"I doubt very seriously that it is Hogwarts. He expected his plan to attack the Hogwarts Express to work, so I doubt that he had a plan to attack the school if it didn't. I believe also that it is not the Ministry, as that would still be too risky. But there are two places where such risks are not so high."
"Where Professor?"
"Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. However, we may not have time to plan to help, as it may already be underway. He said he could not wait. I'll be writing to the Ministry immediately, I just hope it's on time." For a while they sat in thoughtful silence before Dumbledore announced, "Harry, I believe it's best you go back to class now, I must inform the Ministry."
"Yes, Professor."
Harry left Professor Dumbledore's office looking even more downtrodden. He just hoped that the information had been valuable, and better yet.on time. He walked through the corridors to Potions, the class he was supposed to be in now since Transfiguration had just ended. He looked down at the floor as he walked, treading the familiar path that he did not know he was taking. He passed a few last-minute stragglers, but they didn't matter, nothing mattered right now except that the owl get to the Ministry on time.
**********
The rest of the day passed as a normal day would. Potions class was terrible, as Snape insisted on taking countless points from Gryffindor. It was very hard to take him seriously as his hair flashed every color known to man. And Trelawney predicted Harry's death a record number of times. All Harry heard during the day was mindless chatter surrounding him. Didn't they know that as they gossiped away, people they loved and cared for could be in grave danger? Didn't they care?
Harry's mind wasn't with him that day as he breezed though everything on a cold gust of lost hopes and dreams. Hermione and Ron couldn't help but notice, but Harry couldn't talk about his worries to them, they hadn't been the ones there when Voldemort came back, they just wouldn't know.no one would. He put up a shield around himself, blocking all others out just so that he could ponder the ways of the world and the Dark Lord's twisted mind.
It was a restless sleep that Harry fell into that night, scarred with nightmares that wouldn't fade.
**********
"M-Master, they are ready," the trembling Wormtail said.
"Stop your shuddering. You make your public appearance tonight! We shall finally show them just the beginning, this will only be a taste of what they shall receive."
Harry was in the dream world again, with Fox there too. Hate was etched all over her face as she watched her father's cruel plans go into action.
All the Death Eaters were in the same room as last time; dozens of Death Eaters, all cloaked in black with the masks covering their faces. They stood in the same circle, Voldemort in the middle, about to make his big speech.
"My loyal followers, it is time for us to make our presence even more well- known. Those fools will not know what has happened until it is far too late. You are to torture and kill at random from the stores, the houses, everywhere. You will each try for as many as possible, regardless of their identity. Tonight, we begin in Diagon Alley. Some to make our first kill," he said, looking almost fondly at a Death Eater to his right.
With that they all Apparated to Diagon Alley, taking Harry and the enraged Fox with them. They arrived in the familiar streets of Diagon Alley, just as it was getting late. A few shoppers were left behind, while most of the storeowners were beginning to close up shop. Screams were heard as the Death Eaters appeared in the middle of the street. The Killing Curse was heard on every lip, every breath as they marched into stores or towards helpless witches and wizards. Just like Voldemort said, they didn't know what was coming until it was too late.until death took them.
Bodies fell crumpled to the ground or writhing in pain as a Death Eater held them under the Cruciatus Curse. The screams only got louder and more panicked. For what seemed like hours to Harry, but were only minutes, the Death Eaters amused themselves in the torturing and killing of dozens of innocent people. He said this was just a taste.
Finally, Aurors began to appear, nearly one hundred of them, sent by the Ministry. Yes, they had gotten Dumbledore's owl, but for countless witches and wizards, it was already too late. A Death Eater noticed and cast the Dark Mark into the sky. Upon realizing they were outnumbered, the Death Eaters began to Disapparate, and Harry woke up in bed, sweating profusely, the scar on his forehead standing out against his pale skin.
**********
Fox had woken up in a much worse state than Harry had. Hate erupted in her chest, choking her. It was hate that couldn't be suppressed any longer, unstoppable, years of hate. That monster that had killed all those people, had arranged it all, sent out the order to kill.that monster was her father.
Dreams like this had always haunted her, but they were only childish nightmares at the time. He hadn't been in power then, but this was different. The death was real, the pain was real, everything was real.She tried to banish the bodies of the dead from her mind, but it was a fruitless effort. 'That's monster is my father!' she thought, disgust evident upon her face as she began to pace the room where she'd been sleeping peacefully hours before the dream started.
Another battle she fought was of her hate for the Death Eaters, most of who she could identify just by their size and build. She hated that she knew this, that she remembered so much from when she was less than a year old. Sometimes she believed her father had cursed her as a child to remember every detail, every person, every malicious thought he spoke aloud, and every kill he made in front of her.including her mother.
She could identify them easily, but who would believe her? She remembered their names clearly in her head.Malfoy, Avery, Goyle, Crabbe, the Lestranges, Pettigrew, Nott, Macnair, Dolovhov, Farriss.she stopped herself there. She didn't want to remember them. They had only killed mercilessly the loved ones of others, her loved ones, and she had just seen them at work again. They had killed nearly everyone on her mother's side of the family, only a few remained alive.
She'd grown up before her time as she replayed the first year of her life countless times in her head. She didn't have the happy childhood memories that most children have, even though she WAS happy around Tabetha and even John before he became a big headed prat. Part of her blamed herself, she had known so much, yet was unable to do a thing about it. The other part tried time and time again to reason with her, but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
She remembered another Death Eater, one who hadn't been at her father's side at his last rise to power, one who hadn't even held a wand at the time. It was a cold face that made Fox shiver as she remembered the little girl who used to smile wickedly as she cooked up her next brilliant scheme. Her sister had been there. Azalea Riddle had finally joined her father.
Fox couldn't face anyone today, but knew she couldn't stay locked in her room. She changed into pitch-black robes. In a way, she was mourning the loss of her twin, even though she'd lost her long ago. It was time for breakfast now since she'd been thinking and pacing for hours, so hesitantly, she made her way to the Great Hall to face the grief that would no doubt be plastered upon the faces of heartbroken students who'd just lost their loved one.
Her face downcast, she exited her quarters, faking a smile as she ran into a cheery Remus, unaware of the attack.
*********
Harry decided that avoiding breakfast would only set back the time when he had to face the student body, feeling as though HE were the messenger of death. He knew that during breakfast the students would get the news, perhaps even death notices. Faking cheerfulness, he headed down to breakfast with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny.
Seated in the Great Hall, the students were chattering happily as they discussed crushes, classes, and all other objects of conversation. Professor Dumbledore was talking with Professor McGonagall. Even he didn't know of the attack.
Then the post came. An audible gasp was heard as owls carrying large black envelopes fluttered in with the usual post. Most of the teachers and students from wizarding families knew that these were letters of death, the only post more feared than a Howler. About eight Ministry owls flew around the ceiling for a good two minutes before finding their recipient.
Parvati and Padma Patil looked stricken as an owl landed in front of each of them. Then there was another Gryffindor first year, which had just been sorted the other day. Two Hufflepuffs received their letters with shaking hands. Yet another owl landed in front of a Ravenclaw second year. Everyone watched in deadly silence as the last two owls made their descent towards the defense team's table, landing right in front of Fox and Johnathan Riddle.
Parvati and Padma had long since run from the hall, followed closely by the others that received letters. Johnathan carelessly opened the envelope, then tossed it aside and continued eating his breakfast contentedly. Fox however, turned deathly pale and looked as though she was about to be sick.
"What's wrong with you, sister dear?" Johnathan said sarcastically.
"One of the last of our mother's side of the family just died you prat!" she hissed.
"We didn't know her THAT well, plus, we've still got a little bit of fam-," he started.
"Don't even say it," Fox said in a deadly whisper. She was pale, and her hands were visibly shaking. She stood and followed the rest out of the hall.
"Are you that much of an imbecile?" Remus asked Johnathan lazily.
"We honestly never knew the woman that well, even though she did occasionally stop by and visit, but she was still a stranger to most of us," Johnathan shrugged.
By now, all those who hadn't received a letter had received a glance at the Daily Prophet. On the front page was a picture of Diagon Alley, a wreck to say the least. The number of dead or missing was twenty-nine, with more suffering injuries from the Cruciatus Curse.
As breakfast soon ended, people began to exit the Great Hall, and Dumbledore called the defense team to his office. After the recent events, he had decided that patrol duty was necessary. Remus left the Great Hall with a chattering Johnathan behind him.
"I wish someone would just slap him," Remus grumbled.
"Wish granted," a voice said gruffly from the shadows. Stepping out of the shadows, Fox quickly backhanded Johnathan, Alba on her heels. "If what was left of your family meant nothing to you, I thought I'd just get the little message through that not everyone is so self-absorbed as you."
"What d'you mean?" Johnathan asked, rubbing his left cheek furiously.
"That was the last bit of your mother you had that still gave a damn about you, and if that meant nothing to you, I don't know what does. She may not have meant anything to you.but she DIED! If she were a complete stranger, it wouldn't matter. It's a life that was taken cruelly, mercilessly, and without reason. If you were given the chance to save an innocent person's life, or save your own skin, what would you do?"
Fox's face was calm, but the few people standing around could tell that she wanted to scream, cry, and curse her heart out. She waited patiently for his answer, her arms crossed so that her hands wouldn't find Johnathan's throat.
"I don't know," he responded quietly. "I suppose I'd TRY to save them, but if I put myself in too much danger I suppose I'd back out-,"
"That's how you tell the value of human life to you, how much you'd risk for it. John, think for one second and wonder why all of those people in the past risked their lives to keep you alive?"
"They knew my mother."
"But they didn't know you. They knew the risks and took them, simply so that they wouldn't see another human being suffer. Think about this, John. What does a human life mean to you?"
She turned abruptly after a few minutes silence and made her way to Dumbledore's office. Remus easily caught up with her, Sirius padding along beside him.
"I think you made a lot of people think," he said, falling into pace beside her.
"I just can't stand how he places himself before everyone, even those who would, and have, risked everything for him," she replied with a grim smile on her face.
"Mind if I ask who you lost?" Remus asked carefully, treading testy ground.
"My aunt, one of the few survivors of my family. John didn't know her well, but I did, he just never took the time." She looked resolutely at the space in front of her.
"The more you hold in, the worse it comes out, I've lost people too, I know the way of it," Remus stated wisely. Sirius whimpered for emphasis. "And I don't think Sirius wants his 'savior' in too bad a state," he added quietly.
"Well, his savior just might be out of it for a while," she stated, half- jokingly, half-serious. "I'll just have to see."
"Well, if you need someone to talk to." Remus trailed off. Fox stopped, eyeing him warily.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why does it matter to you?"
"You accepted my little condition without hesitance or question, and you just backhanded the next anti-werewolf activist," Remus said simply. This seemed to calm Fox a little, although she continued to cast suspicious glances his way.
"Blood-flavored lollies."
Dumbledore sat in his office, waiting patiently for his defense team. He called the first batch in, Remus, Sirius, Fox, and the wolf, Alba. They all stood in front of his desk, waiting for the rest of them. Slowly the rest of them trickled in to the Headmaster's office.
"I'm sure you all have heard news of last night's events," he began calmly, "which is why I believe that this new plan is necessary. I hope you all agree when I saw that the safety of this school is in even more jeopardy, even though it is a terrible thing. I will now ask that you all patrol the hallways and grounds during the day, I'll ask no more of you yet."
The team nodded. Dumbledore held eleven slips of parchment, with lists of times on them. He prodded the pile with his wand and a schedule appeared beside the names of the people or the times that they were to patrol the school. Also, it had names to watch over Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology. Dumbledore passed the parchment around, everyone taking a schedule.
"Sometimes you will be paired with others to watch over Hagrid and Professor Sprout's classes, and no matter who it is, I ask that you cooperate," Dumbledore said with finality. Everyone made to leave, but the Headmaster spoke up. "Sirius, may I have a word?"
Sirius stayed behind, as those who had duties made their way to their destination. He changed into human form and took one of the seats in front of Dumbledore's desk. The Headmaster eyed him for a second before speaking.
"Sirius, I do have a few questions for you regarding the time of your absence," he began. "I simply have not gotten around to it yet as I have not wanted to take you away from Harry at the time. He did take it very hard when he believed you were dead."
Sirius simply nodded. He didn't quite know where this was going, but listened attentively all the same.
"I need to ask you what happened after you went through the veil," Dumbledore sighed.
"Well, truth be told, I'm not quite sure," Sirius started. "I just remember falling through and hearing a voice calling after me. I tried walking forward and trying to find a way out, but I seemed to be going nowhere. It felt like I was there for an eternity, but I never had to eat, or sleep, or anything really, I just kept going forward. Finally, something just told me I needed to go back, that someone needed me, so I just turned around and went back the other way, not knowing what I was doing. The closer I got to life, the weaker I got, until finally I came back through."
Sirius looked up at the aged wizard, who looked thoroughly frustrated and confused. He looked Sirius over before nodding his head and dismissing him.
Remus was waiting at the bottom of the spiral staircase as Sirius emerged in dog form. He trotted down the stairs and they walked briskly towards the front doors.
"We have Care of Magical Creatures in a little while with Fox, Autumn, and Roselyn," Remus said as they strode out onto the grounds where Hagrid's first class was leaving.
"'Lo there Lupin," Hagrid said as he stood outside talking to their three fellow patrollers.
"Hello, Hagrid," Remus replied. "Which class do you have next?"
"Nex' I have 6th year Gryffindors, which I'm fine with, but with 'em I've got the Slytherins. I'll jus stop complainin' though, I'm glad I still get ta teach!" Hagrid boomed jovially. "There's my class."
Gryffindors and Slytherins were headed down the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. The all waited apprehensively for the lesson to start, remembering too well the catastrophes of previous years.
"All righ' class! Today we'll be learnin' about a newly discovered creature called a Danderfluff. These creatures don' have much magical about 'em, except the ability to detect Dark Magic, or Dark wizards even. Each of you, when I bring the cage out, can get a Danderfluff, name it, and we'll learn to take care of 'em. Be careful though, they can be a bit fragile some o' 'em."
Hagrid went behind his huge hut and came back with a cage full of some of the most odd creatures the class had ever seen. Most girls fell in love on spot, odd as they were; they were downright 'cute.' They looked about the size of a really small lap dog, with no tail or sign of one at all. They were all pearly white with fluffy fur that automatically brought the word 'pillow' to mind. They also had bright purple or blue eyes with slit-like pupils. The face reminded Harry a little of Hermione's cat Crookshanks, with their squished looking black noses.
"You may be wonderin' how to tell them apart. Well, firs' off, females are the ones with the purple eyes, the males 'ave blue. But if they like you, they'll come to you, so there ain't no need to try an' tell um apart. Come on, get one!"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron as usual were the first ones to step forward. It was then that Harry finally noticed the guests in the class. He reached into the cage and picked out one of the small blue-eyed ones, which looked quizzically up at him. He had to admit to himself, they were a little on the adorable side. Hermione and Ron both managed to get two females out and retreated back with Harry to where the rest of the class stood. Seeing that no harm was done, they all followed the lead.
"If there are any lef', you all can take yerselves a look if ye want," Hagrid said to the interested defense team members. "I'm only doin' this with the 6th years, and I've got another whole crate behind me hut fer next class."
The four looked at each other and shrugged. There were about six Danderfluffs left, so they each went forward and got one. The fluffy white creatures seemed overjoyed in their own way at all the attention. Hagrid picked up the two remaining and began to spoil them.
"I think I'll call her Olesia," Hermione said, looking into the creature's eyes. The ball of fluff gave a little chirp, which sounded remarkably like quiet birdsong.
"I don't know what to name this one," Ron sighed.
"What about Lexi?" Hermione said. "It's a perfectly good name for a female."
"Sounds good," Ron responded. "So you're Lexi. What about yours Harry?"
Harry paused for a moment. "What do you think about Faolan?"
"Strangely, it seems to fit," Hermione replied.
"Looks like a Faolan to me!" Ron concluded.
With Remus and the rest, Fox was succeeding greatly at scaring the wits out of most of the class. She sat there talking to the small Danderfluff that she'd taken out of the cage. Scariest thing about it, she acted like it was talking back.
"It would take me forever to get used to that," Remus sighed.
"What?" Fox said, looking up.
"Someone talking to animals, and the animals talking back," Remus smiled.
"Broccoli, er-Hagrid, I think it is? They like broccoli," Fox concluded.
"Broccoli, eh?" Hagrid said. "We-er-we should be able ter arrange that, but are you um.talking to it?"
"Yes, it's quite possible. Most normal humans could probably do it too, they just don't take the time to listen," Fox said, then resumed her conversation with the Danderfluff.
As the class continued naming their Danderfluffs and trying to find out what they would eat, it finally got exciting.
"AHHHH!" Draco Malfoy screamed. Everyone looked up to see a white fluff ball attached to his right ear. The class roared with laughter as Malfoy ran around the grounds, the Danderfluff dangling still from his ear.
"Well, you did say they could detect Dark wizards, didn't you?" Autumn laughed.
"Eh? A Malfoy through and through I'd say," Roselyn said in her somewhat soft Irish accent.
The whole class was in an uproar as Malfoy ran back towards them to have Hagrid pry the ball of fur off his ear. The Danderfluff was whistling shrilly, sounding oddly like a teakettle.
"I guess tha's how ye tell when they detected Dark wizards, eh?" Hagrid asked, sounding innocent enough. Malfoy turned as red as a tomato, contrasting greatly with his silver-blonde hair. He turned on his heel and stormed up to the castle muttering something along the lines of "When my father-."
"That Danderfluff deserves an award," Fox announced.
"If Colin Creevey were in this class, we would have been able to get a picture," Ron joked.
"If Colin Creevey were in this class, we'd all be in St. Mungo's psychological ward," Hermione added.
"True, but we'd still have a picture of a tomato-colored Malfoy to hang on the wall," Ron defended. Another shriek interrupted their conversation. Neville's Danderfluff had been placidly sitting on his shoulder until it decided to take a dive down the back of his robes in what it thought was a playful fashion. Neville hopped around on one foot as the creature crawled down the back of his leg.
Hagrid finally began to calm Neville as the signal to end class sounded across the grounds from the castle. The class hurried to put the Danderfluffs back in their cage so that they could get to lunch. Harry noticed Faolan giving him an almost resentful look as he picked him up off his shoulder. As he reached his hand towards the cage to deposit the creature, he felt his hand being pushed back by an invisible force.
"Hagrid," Harry said eventually, "I can't get my hand near the cage."
"Here, lemme try," Ron said as Harry struggled against the mysterious force. That was a mistake. Ron felt an electric shock run through his hand that was holding the Danderfluff when he tried to pick it up. "OW!" he cried, dropping the ball of fluff, which hurriedly scurried up Harry's side and back onto his shoulder.
"Well," Hagrid said. "I guess they 'ave a little more magic then we thought. I didn't think it'd become tha' attached ta you Harry."
"What do I do?" Harry asked Hagrid.
"I s'pose you'll just have tha' little critter trailin' you everywhere," Hagrid stated simply.
"What?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Well, you best be getting' to lunch now," Hagrid said, make shooing motions with his massive arms.
Harry walked towards the castle with Hermione, Neville, and a snickering Ron, the defense team trailing not far behind.
"Where are you going Harry?" Hermione asked as Harry passed the Great Hall doors without entering.
"I'm going to the kitchens to get some food, I don't exactly feel like walking into the Great Hall with this thing on my shoulders," Harry sighed. "Plus, I'm going to try the broccoli thing."
After lunch, Charms, and dinner had passed, the day ended like any other. Harry began to fear going to sleep that night, not quite knowing if the back of his eyelids would be the only thing he'd see. Also, by the end of the day, Faolan the Danderfluff was still just as attached as ever. The white ball of fluff curled up peacefully at the end of Harry's bed.
Harry had every right to fear sleep that night. However, he now had proper warning.
**********
"M-master, you called?" the kneeling Wormtail stuttered.
"Yes, Wormtail. I'm quite curious about something. Have you ever dreamt of going back to Hogwarts?" Voldemort sneered.
"B-back to Hog-Hogwarts?" Wormtail asked, his voice disbelieving.
"Yes. I need as many eyes at that wretched school as I can get."
"What if-what if I'm s-s-seen?"
"You'll be in rat form. I know that they can probably tell who you are while you're in that form, but sneaking past most of the students will be too easy. You're to set out at once."
"Y-yes, Master."
"Get out of my sight, and do not fail. You can only guess what will happen if you do."
**********
It was a short dream, but quite to the point. Harry decided that the next day, as soon as possible, he'd go see Dumbledore, because Voldemort was right, Wormtail was too good a spy to have around.
Harry woke up the grumpy Ron, who tiredly got out of bed and got dressed. When they were ready, they headed down to the Common Room to find a very peeved Hermione. She was trying to keep a formidable-looking Crookshanks up in the girls' dormitories, without much success though.
"I can't-figure out-what's wrong with him," Hermione panted, running after the cat for what she swore was the fifty-thousandth time.
"I do," Harry said. When he received their questioning glances, he began the story of his dream, explaining every last detail in his memory.
"That's not good at all. You need to tell Dumbledore," Hermione concluded, finally letting Crookshanks go his own way.
"I am, as soon as I get the chance that is," Harry replied quickly.
"Harry? Where's Faolan?" Ron laughed. As if on cue, the white fluff bounced down the stairs and onto Harry's left shoulder.
"Ron! You little jinx!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry! Loyalty like that is hard to find so quickly in an animal!" Hermione scolded. The little fur ball chirped in agreement.
"Whatever Hermione," Harry sighed. "We need to get to breakfast, and I need to talk to Dumbledore."
**********
"I'm worried about him," Sirius murmured, sipping a cup of tea in Remus' quarters shortly after breakfast.
"Harry?" Remus asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes. I'm also beginning to wonder so many what-ifs in my head that I'm suffering a constant headache," Sirius replied, rubbing his temples with his free hand.
"What do you mean, what-ifs?"
"Well, what if none of this had ever happened to Harry, what if he was just a normal boy, what if his parents had never died, what if I was the damn Secret Keeper-."
"Padfoot, stop yourself there. You're not doing yourself OR Harry any good dwelling on the past."
"Thanks for the advice, but it's inevitable, I can't help but blame myself and wonder."
"Sirius, you and I both were so close to Peter, we'd never have thought any different of him. He was our friend, and that blinded us, and James and Lily. However, we can't change the past, can't go back and tell each other we were suspecting the wrong people all along. Concentrate on now, we're here to protect Hogwarts, especially Harry, your godson. James and Lily wouldn't want you to dwell on it, they'd want you to move on and live your life.er.as much as you can in your situation that is, but nonetheless, live."
"Thanks for the advice Moony, but you've in truth had more time to cope than I have, I was forced to relive it everyday of my life for twelve years. However, at your insistence, I'll try."
"That's all I'm asking, all anyone should be asking of you. Now, why the worry about Harry?"
"It's just in the back of my mind today, something's telling me that something is definitely wrong, out of place or somewhere along those lines. Like someone's here, someone who could possibly hurt Harry."
"There are plenty of those, hate to tell you. Who or what do you think it could be?"
"Something or someone serious, that's all I know."
Remus let out a little snort into his raised teacup.
"What?" Sirius asked, looking thoroughly bewildered.
"I never thought I'd ever see you so worried over someone."
"It is my godson in danger, you know."
"Yes, yes. Well, we've got to go patrol the corridors near the Divination tower in ten minutes, we might as well get a head start."
Snuffles quickly stood in the place of Sirius, right by Remus' side as he vacated his small chambers. It didn't take as long as originally thought to reach the corridors near the North tower. They were walking in the same direction as some of the sixth year Gryffindors, heading up towards Trelawney's stuffy tower hideaway from the rest of the world.
It wasn't hard to spot a downtrodden Harry and Ron, making their way despairingly towards predictions of Harry's untimely and gruesome death. A streak of ginger flew between Ron's legs, throwing him off balance and straight in to Harry, in turn throwing them into the wall amid gales of laughter from their fellow Gryffindors. Both boys grinned sheepishly, but the grins faded as they saw Crookshanks speeding down the hall after a gray blur that sent girls up and down the halls screaming "RAT!" continuously until Dumbledore arrived on the screen, shooting sparks at the ceiling of the hall until all was quiet.
"If everyone would please proceed to their classes, I will take care of the- er-rodent problem that we seem to be having here. Thank you for cooperating. Mr. Potter, may I have a word?"
Harry gave Ron a confident grin and turned to face the Headmaster, who now had a bewildered Remus and Snuffles hovering somewhere behind him.
"Is that who I think it is, Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yes, Professor. I tried to come up to your office and tell you, but I found that I couldn't quite get the password this time."
"Hmm.just when we thought you'd become a professional," he cast Harry a grin that twitched his gray beard, no longer pink. He turned to the two behind him. "Well, Remus, that was dear Mr. Pettigrew, sent by his master I believe," Dumbledore paused, looking at Harry, who simply nodded. "Well, I'll ask you two," he pointed at Remus and Sirius, "to gather the rest of the defense team in my office after dinner. For now, we definitely need you all patrolling the halls. Well, I'll let you get back to class Harry, I know how fond you are of Divination."
Remus and Sirius patrolled the hall with vigor for the rest of the time until dinner. However, by the end of the day, they'd had no success. Peter Pettigrew was back at Hogwarts, this time, on his master's orders.
Chapter 7
Harry found himself standing in a darkened room, but where was this? He was certain that this wasn't ANYWHERE in Hogwarts. The room was filled with tension, so oppressing that it was hard to breathe. He took in all aspects of the room, knowing that wherever he was, something wasn't right.
Hearing a sigh right behind him, he turned around to see the most unlikely person.Fox. Then he knew that this was another one of his dreams. Or were they hers? 'That's beside the point,' Harry said to himself. Looking questioningly at Fox, she just shrugged. Neither felt that they could have talked if they wanted to do so.
Just then, another sound reached Harry's ears, but Fox was on it first, catching it with her sharp sense of hearing. He followed her quickly down a hallway to a room that had the door flung fully open. Their feet made no noise as they edged into the room over the bare stone floor. They found themselves in another similar room, only this one with a fire roaring in the hearth. However, they weren't the only ones in the room.
Kneeling on the floor before a musty old chair, that at one time must have been highly valuable in its own time, was the figure of a Death Eater, kneeling so low that his head nearly hit the floor. Though his identity was unknown, Harry felt a familiar feeling of hate flow through his veins.
And right in front of the Death Eater, sitting in the once fine chair, was his master, Lord Voldemort, blood red eyes staring down in distaste as he glared at the Death Eater before him. He looked strangely like he was resisting the urge to kick his follower in the head.
"You say you bring news, Wormtail?" Voldemort said lazily, his cold voice as potent as venom.
"Y-yes, M-m-master," the follower replied, suddenly coming out of his overdone kneel. Recognition flowed through Harry's brain as he realized that the piece of scum Death Eater before him was Peter Pettigrew, the one who betrayed Harry's parents and framed Sirius.
"What is it?"
"The at-t-t-tack, the attack on the t-t-train was a f-f-failure, M-master."
"What? How could it fail? I send a good three hundred Dementors to attack the pathetic students from that wretched school, and you bring me news of failure!?"
"M-master, please! They h-had help on the t-train. Fully trained wizards and witches were t-there! And-and, s-s-so was."
"Who Wormtail?"
"C-C-C-."
"Wormtail?"
"C-C-C-C-."
"WORMTAIL?"
"Cand-Candle-f-f-fox, your daughter, the youngest. And J-J-Johnathan, your last son."
Voldemort stood from his chair, anger etched all over his pale face, his slit-like nostrils flaring.
"At Hogwarts?"
"Yes, t-they went to Hogwarts, and the sp-spy says they assembled a d-d- defense team."
"How interesting. Johnathan is no problem, I disposed of his twin, and I can dispose of him if I feel like it. As brilliant as he is, he's a coward and a weakling. Candlefox is another story; she hates me with a passion. Any other 'news' Wormtail?"
"Yes, Lestrange failed in k-k-killing B-Black, according to Lu-Lucius that is."
"Go Wormtail. I have many plans to make. The next attack cannot wait much longer. However, due to YOUR failure at retrieving the one I wanted, I fear I'll have to teach you a lesson."
"Please, M-master!"
"Crucio!"
**********
Harry woke up in his four poster bed, the last thing he remembered being Pettigrew's shrieks of pain. His scar burned painfully as he sat up quickly, drinking in the surroundings with his eyes. He wiped the sweat on his forehead and lay back down. Fox's loyalty was no longer in question; it was only a matter of time before everyone figured that out. What about this next attack? Were they going to attack Hogwarts? And yet again, there was a spy at Hogwarts.
Harry turned over and looked at his clock. It was already seven thirty. He lay in bed for another ten minutes before the rest of the people in the dormitory began waking up from their comfortable slumber. Harry went ahead, changed into his school robes, and made his way down to the Great Hall.
Thoughts still ran through his head until he began working up a terrible headache. He distractedly walked along one of the corridors on the 2nd floor, walking more by instinct than by paying attention. Suddenly, he ran headlong into someone exiting a corridor to his right.
"Oof," a muffled voice said. Both he and the person he'd run into fell to the floor. Harry looked up to see whom he'd run into. He looked directly into the tired, yet smiling face of Remus Lupin. "Morning Harry," he said, offering Harry his hand to help him up.
"Sorry, Remus. I wasn't paying very much attention to where I was going."
"Oh, that's alright. Harry? Are you alright?" Remus asked, taking in Harry's pale complexion and worried expression.
"Fine," Harry mumbled, taking Remus' hand and getting back to his feet.
"Alright. I just hope you know that I know you're lying." A whimper was heard somewhere behind them as Harry's pale face broke into a small grin. "And I think Snuffles knows too."
"What's the holdup?" a voice behind Remus asked, managing to sound amused, worried, impatient, kind, and menacing all at the same time. "This is a very narrow corridor, it's not easy for us to get to breakfast with you in the way."
"Sorry Fox," Remus said, turning around. "Just had a run-in with someone, literally. What's the rush though?"
"It's Tabetha's first class today, I just thought I'd wish her good luck. It will be the first time she's teaching more than three people."
"Candlefox!" a voice called from down the corridor.
"Oh no, not now." Fox moaned. "It's John. Do you mind if I just run past you quickly? Thank you." With that, she took off down the corridor, ignoring John's calls.
"That was quite rude," John said, stopping beside them.
"Sounds strange coming from you," Remus muttered. "So, what IS wrong, Harry?" Remus asked, as they began walking, abandoning Johnathan.
"Just had a strange dream, that's all," Harry mumbled, starting to walk again, Remus and Snuffles in tow.
"Not one like you had when Snuffles here came back, is it?" Remus asked, worry present in his tone.
"Actually, yeah. Fox was there too."
"What happened?"
"Well, I have no idea where I was." Harry started off, explaining the dream.
"Harry, I think you need to tell Dumbledore," Remus said quietly after Harry had talked himself into silence.
"That might be a good idea. In fourth year this kind of thing happened A LOT, and it all turned out to be true."
"Go there after breakfast. The password is 'blood-flavored lollies' to get in."
"Thanks, Remus," Harry said, and then he went to sit at the Gryffindor table as they entered the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall was walking past the students, handing out their timetables for the year. She gave Harry his just as Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny came down to breakfast. He scanned the timetable, hoping for the least bit of hope, but finding none as he found that he still had Potions and Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins.
"Harry, why didn't you wake us up?" Ron asked, taking a seat next to Harry.
"I had a lot on my mind," he replied, launching into the dream.
"Harry, you need to tell Professor Dumbledore!" Hermione whispered shrilly.
"I am. Remus told me to go after breakfast."
"Who could the spy be?" Neville asked, looking slightly petrified.
"It could be Malfoy," Ron said. "His dad is on You-Know-Who's inner circle. I bet he's passing information to his dear old dad daily."
"That's obvious Ron," Hermione said, "but I think Voldemort has someone even more secretive, someone who can get the inside look while still being completely inconspicuous. Everyone already knows that Malfoy is a supporter."
"What about that Johnathan git?" Ron asked.
"Please say you're kidding," Hermione snorted. "I'm beginning to wonder if he could hold a wand straight."
"What about the other attack?" Ginny asked, eager to join in the conversation. "Are they going to attack Hogwarts?"
"They didn't say for sure that it was Hogwarts, but since the attack on the train failed, he's furious," Harry whispered.
"I'd imagine," Hermione laughed nervously as she loaded eggs onto her plate. "Can you picture three hundred Dementors failing against only about twenty able fighters?"
"Yeah," Ron said, "we saw it happen, didn't we?"
"What's our first class?" Hermione asked, trying to change the subject.
"Transfiguration," Neville said, studying his timetable quickly. Something about Neville seemed different this year, as though desperate to prove himself and to help fight the good fight.
Just then, the post arrived. Hundreds of owls of all kinds swooped into the Great Hall. Harry continued to eat breakfast, it wasn't like he was expecting anything. He was indeed quite surprised when a barn owl swooped down and landed in front of him, with a letter addressed to a 'Mr. Harry J. Potter, our largest contributor' in large squiggly handwriting. He opened the letter, which was obviously from Fred and George.
Dear Harry, It saddens us greatly that we have left Hogwarts, where we went down in history as great pranksters and fellows. As our largest contributor, we feel we must again thank you for your LARGE donation, as our business has been quite successful. We must also tell you that we hope that we corrupted your mind enough, just enough, so that you may carry on some of our noble work. We also pray that you corrupt little Ronniekin's mind as well. You are also immune to a good deal of our pranks, which we just can't resist still carrying on. Please pass on this letter so that Ron and Hermione can read it as well.
Fred and George Weasley
P.S. Look up at the teacher's table.
Harry quickly handed Ron the piece of parchment and stole a glance up at the front table, to find each of the teachers reading letters of their own. He held back laughs as he saw Snape turn beet red with anger. He was disappointed not to see anything happen.
Ron quickly passed the letter on to Hermione, now thoroughly confused. This didn't last long though. Neville dropped his toast as he stared across the table open-mouthed at Ron's hair. Harry looked up slightly to see color spreading from his roots down to his tips. And not just any color, but bright pink. He didn't even notice.
Hermione also looked confused for a moment as she sat the letter down on the table, but that didn't last long. Her hair started turning pink as well. Neville, out of curiosity, made the mistake of picking up the letter to see what the problem was. Soon, Harry and Ginny were laughing hysterically as Ron looked all around him, trying to find the object of amusement.
Soon the entire Great Hall was laughing as the teachers met the same fate. All of the teachers had bright pink hair, and beard in Dumbledore's case, all of them except for Snape, whose hair turned all colors of the rainbow every few seconds. It didn't stop there though.
Soon enough, Snape's eyelashes started growing to horrendous lengths and his eyebrows began to turn different colors, one hot pink, and the other baby blue. He stomped out of the breakfast, shooting the laughing students a death glare, making some of them stop abruptly.
All of the teachers seemed quite embarrassed, that is, except for Dumbledore, who was eyeing his pink beard with amusement. He soon stood, quieting the Great Hall.
"Now that Fred and George Weasley have provided us with our amusement for today, I wish you good luck in classes." Percy slammed his head onto the table, his hands gripping his hair in fury and embarrassment. "I also wish to ask you not to infuriate Professor Snape if you have Potions on your first day. Thank you, and good day."
"Harry," Hermione said, "You may as well go to Dumbledore's office now."
"Thanks for ruining my good mood Hermione," Harry said, "but I really like your hair like that."
"Someone should have done that to Snape a LONG time ago," Ron said, laughing.
"Someone should have done that to YOU a long time ago," Hermione giggled.
"What are you on about little Ms. Pink Hair?" Ron asked.
"Parvati?" Hermione said. "Do you have a mirror with you by any chance?" Parvati handed Hermione a small hand mirror out of her bag. Without hesitation, she handed it to Ron. "Pink is a really good color on you, Ron."
Ron looked into the small mirror, horror etched on his face. He then cast a dangerous glance at the letter that still sat on the table. He looked positively livid.
"I'll kill Fred and George! I'll teach them to pull a prank on me!" he cried, his face red enough to match his normal hair color.
"Well, maybe I'll see you in Transfiguration," Harry said to the flustered Hermione and the still raging Ron.
Harry walked the familiar path to Dumbledore's office. He stopped only when he reached a large stone gargoyle.
"Blood-flavored lollies," Harry said. The gargoyle hopped aside, allowing Harry to climb the now-ascending staircase that led up to the Headmaster's office. Reaching the oak door, he knocked lightly.
"Come in," he heard the wise old wizard's voice call, muffled through the door. "Ah, hello Harry. Remus told me that I might be seeing you. Sit down. Now what is it you needed to see me about?"
Sitting down, Harry had to fight amusement at Professor Dumbledore's pink beard before he launched into the story about the dream, Dumbledore listening attentively. When he finished, Harry looked up to see the Headmaster's pink eyebrows furrowed as though he were deep in thought. The aged wizard looked older and older with each passing second.
"Er, Professor?" Harry asked.
"Yes? Oh, yes. Well, I think I need to inform the Ministry that there will be an attack on an unknown location and that there is a spy at Hogwarts."
"Where do you think they're planning on attacking?" Harry asked.
"I doubt very seriously that it is Hogwarts. He expected his plan to attack the Hogwarts Express to work, so I doubt that he had a plan to attack the school if it didn't. I believe also that it is not the Ministry, as that would still be too risky. But there are two places where such risks are not so high."
"Where Professor?"
"Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. However, we may not have time to plan to help, as it may already be underway. He said he could not wait. I'll be writing to the Ministry immediately, I just hope it's on time." For a while they sat in thoughtful silence before Dumbledore announced, "Harry, I believe it's best you go back to class now, I must inform the Ministry."
"Yes, Professor."
Harry left Professor Dumbledore's office looking even more downtrodden. He just hoped that the information had been valuable, and better yet.on time. He walked through the corridors to Potions, the class he was supposed to be in now since Transfiguration had just ended. He looked down at the floor as he walked, treading the familiar path that he did not know he was taking. He passed a few last-minute stragglers, but they didn't matter, nothing mattered right now except that the owl get to the Ministry on time.
**********
The rest of the day passed as a normal day would. Potions class was terrible, as Snape insisted on taking countless points from Gryffindor. It was very hard to take him seriously as his hair flashed every color known to man. And Trelawney predicted Harry's death a record number of times. All Harry heard during the day was mindless chatter surrounding him. Didn't they know that as they gossiped away, people they loved and cared for could be in grave danger? Didn't they care?
Harry's mind wasn't with him that day as he breezed though everything on a cold gust of lost hopes and dreams. Hermione and Ron couldn't help but notice, but Harry couldn't talk about his worries to them, they hadn't been the ones there when Voldemort came back, they just wouldn't know.no one would. He put up a shield around himself, blocking all others out just so that he could ponder the ways of the world and the Dark Lord's twisted mind.
It was a restless sleep that Harry fell into that night, scarred with nightmares that wouldn't fade.
**********
"M-Master, they are ready," the trembling Wormtail said.
"Stop your shuddering. You make your public appearance tonight! We shall finally show them just the beginning, this will only be a taste of what they shall receive."
Harry was in the dream world again, with Fox there too. Hate was etched all over her face as she watched her father's cruel plans go into action.
All the Death Eaters were in the same room as last time; dozens of Death Eaters, all cloaked in black with the masks covering their faces. They stood in the same circle, Voldemort in the middle, about to make his big speech.
"My loyal followers, it is time for us to make our presence even more well- known. Those fools will not know what has happened until it is far too late. You are to torture and kill at random from the stores, the houses, everywhere. You will each try for as many as possible, regardless of their identity. Tonight, we begin in Diagon Alley. Some to make our first kill," he said, looking almost fondly at a Death Eater to his right.
With that they all Apparated to Diagon Alley, taking Harry and the enraged Fox with them. They arrived in the familiar streets of Diagon Alley, just as it was getting late. A few shoppers were left behind, while most of the storeowners were beginning to close up shop. Screams were heard as the Death Eaters appeared in the middle of the street. The Killing Curse was heard on every lip, every breath as they marched into stores or towards helpless witches and wizards. Just like Voldemort said, they didn't know what was coming until it was too late.until death took them.
Bodies fell crumpled to the ground or writhing in pain as a Death Eater held them under the Cruciatus Curse. The screams only got louder and more panicked. For what seemed like hours to Harry, but were only minutes, the Death Eaters amused themselves in the torturing and killing of dozens of innocent people. He said this was just a taste.
Finally, Aurors began to appear, nearly one hundred of them, sent by the Ministry. Yes, they had gotten Dumbledore's owl, but for countless witches and wizards, it was already too late. A Death Eater noticed and cast the Dark Mark into the sky. Upon realizing they were outnumbered, the Death Eaters began to Disapparate, and Harry woke up in bed, sweating profusely, the scar on his forehead standing out against his pale skin.
**********
Fox had woken up in a much worse state than Harry had. Hate erupted in her chest, choking her. It was hate that couldn't be suppressed any longer, unstoppable, years of hate. That monster that had killed all those people, had arranged it all, sent out the order to kill.that monster was her father.
Dreams like this had always haunted her, but they were only childish nightmares at the time. He hadn't been in power then, but this was different. The death was real, the pain was real, everything was real.She tried to banish the bodies of the dead from her mind, but it was a fruitless effort. 'That's monster is my father!' she thought, disgust evident upon her face as she began to pace the room where she'd been sleeping peacefully hours before the dream started.
Another battle she fought was of her hate for the Death Eaters, most of who she could identify just by their size and build. She hated that she knew this, that she remembered so much from when she was less than a year old. Sometimes she believed her father had cursed her as a child to remember every detail, every person, every malicious thought he spoke aloud, and every kill he made in front of her.including her mother.
She could identify them easily, but who would believe her? She remembered their names clearly in her head.Malfoy, Avery, Goyle, Crabbe, the Lestranges, Pettigrew, Nott, Macnair, Dolovhov, Farriss.she stopped herself there. She didn't want to remember them. They had only killed mercilessly the loved ones of others, her loved ones, and she had just seen them at work again. They had killed nearly everyone on her mother's side of the family, only a few remained alive.
She'd grown up before her time as she replayed the first year of her life countless times in her head. She didn't have the happy childhood memories that most children have, even though she WAS happy around Tabetha and even John before he became a big headed prat. Part of her blamed herself, she had known so much, yet was unable to do a thing about it. The other part tried time and time again to reason with her, but she pushed it to the back of her mind.
She remembered another Death Eater, one who hadn't been at her father's side at his last rise to power, one who hadn't even held a wand at the time. It was a cold face that made Fox shiver as she remembered the little girl who used to smile wickedly as she cooked up her next brilliant scheme. Her sister had been there. Azalea Riddle had finally joined her father.
Fox couldn't face anyone today, but knew she couldn't stay locked in her room. She changed into pitch-black robes. In a way, she was mourning the loss of her twin, even though she'd lost her long ago. It was time for breakfast now since she'd been thinking and pacing for hours, so hesitantly, she made her way to the Great Hall to face the grief that would no doubt be plastered upon the faces of heartbroken students who'd just lost their loved one.
Her face downcast, she exited her quarters, faking a smile as she ran into a cheery Remus, unaware of the attack.
*********
Harry decided that avoiding breakfast would only set back the time when he had to face the student body, feeling as though HE were the messenger of death. He knew that during breakfast the students would get the news, perhaps even death notices. Faking cheerfulness, he headed down to breakfast with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny.
Seated in the Great Hall, the students were chattering happily as they discussed crushes, classes, and all other objects of conversation. Professor Dumbledore was talking with Professor McGonagall. Even he didn't know of the attack.
Then the post came. An audible gasp was heard as owls carrying large black envelopes fluttered in with the usual post. Most of the teachers and students from wizarding families knew that these were letters of death, the only post more feared than a Howler. About eight Ministry owls flew around the ceiling for a good two minutes before finding their recipient.
Parvati and Padma Patil looked stricken as an owl landed in front of each of them. Then there was another Gryffindor first year, which had just been sorted the other day. Two Hufflepuffs received their letters with shaking hands. Yet another owl landed in front of a Ravenclaw second year. Everyone watched in deadly silence as the last two owls made their descent towards the defense team's table, landing right in front of Fox and Johnathan Riddle.
Parvati and Padma had long since run from the hall, followed closely by the others that received letters. Johnathan carelessly opened the envelope, then tossed it aside and continued eating his breakfast contentedly. Fox however, turned deathly pale and looked as though she was about to be sick.
"What's wrong with you, sister dear?" Johnathan said sarcastically.
"One of the last of our mother's side of the family just died you prat!" she hissed.
"We didn't know her THAT well, plus, we've still got a little bit of fam-," he started.
"Don't even say it," Fox said in a deadly whisper. She was pale, and her hands were visibly shaking. She stood and followed the rest out of the hall.
"Are you that much of an imbecile?" Remus asked Johnathan lazily.
"We honestly never knew the woman that well, even though she did occasionally stop by and visit, but she was still a stranger to most of us," Johnathan shrugged.
By now, all those who hadn't received a letter had received a glance at the Daily Prophet. On the front page was a picture of Diagon Alley, a wreck to say the least. The number of dead or missing was twenty-nine, with more suffering injuries from the Cruciatus Curse.
As breakfast soon ended, people began to exit the Great Hall, and Dumbledore called the defense team to his office. After the recent events, he had decided that patrol duty was necessary. Remus left the Great Hall with a chattering Johnathan behind him.
"I wish someone would just slap him," Remus grumbled.
"Wish granted," a voice said gruffly from the shadows. Stepping out of the shadows, Fox quickly backhanded Johnathan, Alba on her heels. "If what was left of your family meant nothing to you, I thought I'd just get the little message through that not everyone is so self-absorbed as you."
"What d'you mean?" Johnathan asked, rubbing his left cheek furiously.
"That was the last bit of your mother you had that still gave a damn about you, and if that meant nothing to you, I don't know what does. She may not have meant anything to you.but she DIED! If she were a complete stranger, it wouldn't matter. It's a life that was taken cruelly, mercilessly, and without reason. If you were given the chance to save an innocent person's life, or save your own skin, what would you do?"
Fox's face was calm, but the few people standing around could tell that she wanted to scream, cry, and curse her heart out. She waited patiently for his answer, her arms crossed so that her hands wouldn't find Johnathan's throat.
"I don't know," he responded quietly. "I suppose I'd TRY to save them, but if I put myself in too much danger I suppose I'd back out-,"
"That's how you tell the value of human life to you, how much you'd risk for it. John, think for one second and wonder why all of those people in the past risked their lives to keep you alive?"
"They knew my mother."
"But they didn't know you. They knew the risks and took them, simply so that they wouldn't see another human being suffer. Think about this, John. What does a human life mean to you?"
She turned abruptly after a few minutes silence and made her way to Dumbledore's office. Remus easily caught up with her, Sirius padding along beside him.
"I think you made a lot of people think," he said, falling into pace beside her.
"I just can't stand how he places himself before everyone, even those who would, and have, risked everything for him," she replied with a grim smile on her face.
"Mind if I ask who you lost?" Remus asked carefully, treading testy ground.
"My aunt, one of the few survivors of my family. John didn't know her well, but I did, he just never took the time." She looked resolutely at the space in front of her.
"The more you hold in, the worse it comes out, I've lost people too, I know the way of it," Remus stated wisely. Sirius whimpered for emphasis. "And I don't think Sirius wants his 'savior' in too bad a state," he added quietly.
"Well, his savior just might be out of it for a while," she stated, half- jokingly, half-serious. "I'll just have to see."
"Well, if you need someone to talk to." Remus trailed off. Fox stopped, eyeing him warily.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why does it matter to you?"
"You accepted my little condition without hesitance or question, and you just backhanded the next anti-werewolf activist," Remus said simply. This seemed to calm Fox a little, although she continued to cast suspicious glances his way.
"Blood-flavored lollies."
Dumbledore sat in his office, waiting patiently for his defense team. He called the first batch in, Remus, Sirius, Fox, and the wolf, Alba. They all stood in front of his desk, waiting for the rest of them. Slowly the rest of them trickled in to the Headmaster's office.
"I'm sure you all have heard news of last night's events," he began calmly, "which is why I believe that this new plan is necessary. I hope you all agree when I saw that the safety of this school is in even more jeopardy, even though it is a terrible thing. I will now ask that you all patrol the hallways and grounds during the day, I'll ask no more of you yet."
The team nodded. Dumbledore held eleven slips of parchment, with lists of times on them. He prodded the pile with his wand and a schedule appeared beside the names of the people or the times that they were to patrol the school. Also, it had names to watch over Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology. Dumbledore passed the parchment around, everyone taking a schedule.
"Sometimes you will be paired with others to watch over Hagrid and Professor Sprout's classes, and no matter who it is, I ask that you cooperate," Dumbledore said with finality. Everyone made to leave, but the Headmaster spoke up. "Sirius, may I have a word?"
Sirius stayed behind, as those who had duties made their way to their destination. He changed into human form and took one of the seats in front of Dumbledore's desk. The Headmaster eyed him for a second before speaking.
"Sirius, I do have a few questions for you regarding the time of your absence," he began. "I simply have not gotten around to it yet as I have not wanted to take you away from Harry at the time. He did take it very hard when he believed you were dead."
Sirius simply nodded. He didn't quite know where this was going, but listened attentively all the same.
"I need to ask you what happened after you went through the veil," Dumbledore sighed.
"Well, truth be told, I'm not quite sure," Sirius started. "I just remember falling through and hearing a voice calling after me. I tried walking forward and trying to find a way out, but I seemed to be going nowhere. It felt like I was there for an eternity, but I never had to eat, or sleep, or anything really, I just kept going forward. Finally, something just told me I needed to go back, that someone needed me, so I just turned around and went back the other way, not knowing what I was doing. The closer I got to life, the weaker I got, until finally I came back through."
Sirius looked up at the aged wizard, who looked thoroughly frustrated and confused. He looked Sirius over before nodding his head and dismissing him.
Remus was waiting at the bottom of the spiral staircase as Sirius emerged in dog form. He trotted down the stairs and they walked briskly towards the front doors.
"We have Care of Magical Creatures in a little while with Fox, Autumn, and Roselyn," Remus said as they strode out onto the grounds where Hagrid's first class was leaving.
"'Lo there Lupin," Hagrid said as he stood outside talking to their three fellow patrollers.
"Hello, Hagrid," Remus replied. "Which class do you have next?"
"Nex' I have 6th year Gryffindors, which I'm fine with, but with 'em I've got the Slytherins. I'll jus stop complainin' though, I'm glad I still get ta teach!" Hagrid boomed jovially. "There's my class."
Gryffindors and Slytherins were headed down the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. The all waited apprehensively for the lesson to start, remembering too well the catastrophes of previous years.
"All righ' class! Today we'll be learnin' about a newly discovered creature called a Danderfluff. These creatures don' have much magical about 'em, except the ability to detect Dark Magic, or Dark wizards even. Each of you, when I bring the cage out, can get a Danderfluff, name it, and we'll learn to take care of 'em. Be careful though, they can be a bit fragile some o' 'em."
Hagrid went behind his huge hut and came back with a cage full of some of the most odd creatures the class had ever seen. Most girls fell in love on spot, odd as they were; they were downright 'cute.' They looked about the size of a really small lap dog, with no tail or sign of one at all. They were all pearly white with fluffy fur that automatically brought the word 'pillow' to mind. They also had bright purple or blue eyes with slit-like pupils. The face reminded Harry a little of Hermione's cat Crookshanks, with their squished looking black noses.
"You may be wonderin' how to tell them apart. Well, firs' off, females are the ones with the purple eyes, the males 'ave blue. But if they like you, they'll come to you, so there ain't no need to try an' tell um apart. Come on, get one!"
Harry, Hermione, and Ron as usual were the first ones to step forward. It was then that Harry finally noticed the guests in the class. He reached into the cage and picked out one of the small blue-eyed ones, which looked quizzically up at him. He had to admit to himself, they were a little on the adorable side. Hermione and Ron both managed to get two females out and retreated back with Harry to where the rest of the class stood. Seeing that no harm was done, they all followed the lead.
"If there are any lef', you all can take yerselves a look if ye want," Hagrid said to the interested defense team members. "I'm only doin' this with the 6th years, and I've got another whole crate behind me hut fer next class."
The four looked at each other and shrugged. There were about six Danderfluffs left, so they each went forward and got one. The fluffy white creatures seemed overjoyed in their own way at all the attention. Hagrid picked up the two remaining and began to spoil them.
"I think I'll call her Olesia," Hermione said, looking into the creature's eyes. The ball of fluff gave a little chirp, which sounded remarkably like quiet birdsong.
"I don't know what to name this one," Ron sighed.
"What about Lexi?" Hermione said. "It's a perfectly good name for a female."
"Sounds good," Ron responded. "So you're Lexi. What about yours Harry?"
Harry paused for a moment. "What do you think about Faolan?"
"Strangely, it seems to fit," Hermione replied.
"Looks like a Faolan to me!" Ron concluded.
With Remus and the rest, Fox was succeeding greatly at scaring the wits out of most of the class. She sat there talking to the small Danderfluff that she'd taken out of the cage. Scariest thing about it, she acted like it was talking back.
"It would take me forever to get used to that," Remus sighed.
"What?" Fox said, looking up.
"Someone talking to animals, and the animals talking back," Remus smiled.
"Broccoli, er-Hagrid, I think it is? They like broccoli," Fox concluded.
"Broccoli, eh?" Hagrid said. "We-er-we should be able ter arrange that, but are you um.talking to it?"
"Yes, it's quite possible. Most normal humans could probably do it too, they just don't take the time to listen," Fox said, then resumed her conversation with the Danderfluff.
As the class continued naming their Danderfluffs and trying to find out what they would eat, it finally got exciting.
"AHHHH!" Draco Malfoy screamed. Everyone looked up to see a white fluff ball attached to his right ear. The class roared with laughter as Malfoy ran around the grounds, the Danderfluff dangling still from his ear.
"Well, you did say they could detect Dark wizards, didn't you?" Autumn laughed.
"Eh? A Malfoy through and through I'd say," Roselyn said in her somewhat soft Irish accent.
The whole class was in an uproar as Malfoy ran back towards them to have Hagrid pry the ball of fur off his ear. The Danderfluff was whistling shrilly, sounding oddly like a teakettle.
"I guess tha's how ye tell when they detected Dark wizards, eh?" Hagrid asked, sounding innocent enough. Malfoy turned as red as a tomato, contrasting greatly with his silver-blonde hair. He turned on his heel and stormed up to the castle muttering something along the lines of "When my father-."
"That Danderfluff deserves an award," Fox announced.
"If Colin Creevey were in this class, we would have been able to get a picture," Ron joked.
"If Colin Creevey were in this class, we'd all be in St. Mungo's psychological ward," Hermione added.
"True, but we'd still have a picture of a tomato-colored Malfoy to hang on the wall," Ron defended. Another shriek interrupted their conversation. Neville's Danderfluff had been placidly sitting on his shoulder until it decided to take a dive down the back of his robes in what it thought was a playful fashion. Neville hopped around on one foot as the creature crawled down the back of his leg.
Hagrid finally began to calm Neville as the signal to end class sounded across the grounds from the castle. The class hurried to put the Danderfluffs back in their cage so that they could get to lunch. Harry noticed Faolan giving him an almost resentful look as he picked him up off his shoulder. As he reached his hand towards the cage to deposit the creature, he felt his hand being pushed back by an invisible force.
"Hagrid," Harry said eventually, "I can't get my hand near the cage."
"Here, lemme try," Ron said as Harry struggled against the mysterious force. That was a mistake. Ron felt an electric shock run through his hand that was holding the Danderfluff when he tried to pick it up. "OW!" he cried, dropping the ball of fluff, which hurriedly scurried up Harry's side and back onto his shoulder.
"Well," Hagrid said. "I guess they 'ave a little more magic then we thought. I didn't think it'd become tha' attached ta you Harry."
"What do I do?" Harry asked Hagrid.
"I s'pose you'll just have tha' little critter trailin' you everywhere," Hagrid stated simply.
"What?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Well, you best be getting' to lunch now," Hagrid said, make shooing motions with his massive arms.
Harry walked towards the castle with Hermione, Neville, and a snickering Ron, the defense team trailing not far behind.
"Where are you going Harry?" Hermione asked as Harry passed the Great Hall doors without entering.
"I'm going to the kitchens to get some food, I don't exactly feel like walking into the Great Hall with this thing on my shoulders," Harry sighed. "Plus, I'm going to try the broccoli thing."
After lunch, Charms, and dinner had passed, the day ended like any other. Harry began to fear going to sleep that night, not quite knowing if the back of his eyelids would be the only thing he'd see. Also, by the end of the day, Faolan the Danderfluff was still just as attached as ever. The white ball of fluff curled up peacefully at the end of Harry's bed.
Harry had every right to fear sleep that night. However, he now had proper warning.
**********
"M-master, you called?" the kneeling Wormtail stuttered.
"Yes, Wormtail. I'm quite curious about something. Have you ever dreamt of going back to Hogwarts?" Voldemort sneered.
"B-back to Hog-Hogwarts?" Wormtail asked, his voice disbelieving.
"Yes. I need as many eyes at that wretched school as I can get."
"What if-what if I'm s-s-seen?"
"You'll be in rat form. I know that they can probably tell who you are while you're in that form, but sneaking past most of the students will be too easy. You're to set out at once."
"Y-yes, Master."
"Get out of my sight, and do not fail. You can only guess what will happen if you do."
**********
It was a short dream, but quite to the point. Harry decided that the next day, as soon as possible, he'd go see Dumbledore, because Voldemort was right, Wormtail was too good a spy to have around.
Harry woke up the grumpy Ron, who tiredly got out of bed and got dressed. When they were ready, they headed down to the Common Room to find a very peeved Hermione. She was trying to keep a formidable-looking Crookshanks up in the girls' dormitories, without much success though.
"I can't-figure out-what's wrong with him," Hermione panted, running after the cat for what she swore was the fifty-thousandth time.
"I do," Harry said. When he received their questioning glances, he began the story of his dream, explaining every last detail in his memory.
"That's not good at all. You need to tell Dumbledore," Hermione concluded, finally letting Crookshanks go his own way.
"I am, as soon as I get the chance that is," Harry replied quickly.
"Harry? Where's Faolan?" Ron laughed. As if on cue, the white fluff bounced down the stairs and onto Harry's left shoulder.
"Ron! You little jinx!" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry! Loyalty like that is hard to find so quickly in an animal!" Hermione scolded. The little fur ball chirped in agreement.
"Whatever Hermione," Harry sighed. "We need to get to breakfast, and I need to talk to Dumbledore."
**********
"I'm worried about him," Sirius murmured, sipping a cup of tea in Remus' quarters shortly after breakfast.
"Harry?" Remus asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes. I'm also beginning to wonder so many what-ifs in my head that I'm suffering a constant headache," Sirius replied, rubbing his temples with his free hand.
"What do you mean, what-ifs?"
"Well, what if none of this had ever happened to Harry, what if he was just a normal boy, what if his parents had never died, what if I was the damn Secret Keeper-."
"Padfoot, stop yourself there. You're not doing yourself OR Harry any good dwelling on the past."
"Thanks for the advice, but it's inevitable, I can't help but blame myself and wonder."
"Sirius, you and I both were so close to Peter, we'd never have thought any different of him. He was our friend, and that blinded us, and James and Lily. However, we can't change the past, can't go back and tell each other we were suspecting the wrong people all along. Concentrate on now, we're here to protect Hogwarts, especially Harry, your godson. James and Lily wouldn't want you to dwell on it, they'd want you to move on and live your life.er.as much as you can in your situation that is, but nonetheless, live."
"Thanks for the advice Moony, but you've in truth had more time to cope than I have, I was forced to relive it everyday of my life for twelve years. However, at your insistence, I'll try."
"That's all I'm asking, all anyone should be asking of you. Now, why the worry about Harry?"
"It's just in the back of my mind today, something's telling me that something is definitely wrong, out of place or somewhere along those lines. Like someone's here, someone who could possibly hurt Harry."
"There are plenty of those, hate to tell you. Who or what do you think it could be?"
"Something or someone serious, that's all I know."
Remus let out a little snort into his raised teacup.
"What?" Sirius asked, looking thoroughly bewildered.
"I never thought I'd ever see you so worried over someone."
"It is my godson in danger, you know."
"Yes, yes. Well, we've got to go patrol the corridors near the Divination tower in ten minutes, we might as well get a head start."
Snuffles quickly stood in the place of Sirius, right by Remus' side as he vacated his small chambers. It didn't take as long as originally thought to reach the corridors near the North tower. They were walking in the same direction as some of the sixth year Gryffindors, heading up towards Trelawney's stuffy tower hideaway from the rest of the world.
It wasn't hard to spot a downtrodden Harry and Ron, making their way despairingly towards predictions of Harry's untimely and gruesome death. A streak of ginger flew between Ron's legs, throwing him off balance and straight in to Harry, in turn throwing them into the wall amid gales of laughter from their fellow Gryffindors. Both boys grinned sheepishly, but the grins faded as they saw Crookshanks speeding down the hall after a gray blur that sent girls up and down the halls screaming "RAT!" continuously until Dumbledore arrived on the screen, shooting sparks at the ceiling of the hall until all was quiet.
"If everyone would please proceed to their classes, I will take care of the- er-rodent problem that we seem to be having here. Thank you for cooperating. Mr. Potter, may I have a word?"
Harry gave Ron a confident grin and turned to face the Headmaster, who now had a bewildered Remus and Snuffles hovering somewhere behind him.
"Is that who I think it is, Harry?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yes, Professor. I tried to come up to your office and tell you, but I found that I couldn't quite get the password this time."
"Hmm.just when we thought you'd become a professional," he cast Harry a grin that twitched his gray beard, no longer pink. He turned to the two behind him. "Well, Remus, that was dear Mr. Pettigrew, sent by his master I believe," Dumbledore paused, looking at Harry, who simply nodded. "Well, I'll ask you two," he pointed at Remus and Sirius, "to gather the rest of the defense team in my office after dinner. For now, we definitely need you all patrolling the halls. Well, I'll let you get back to class Harry, I know how fond you are of Divination."
Remus and Sirius patrolled the hall with vigor for the rest of the time until dinner. However, by the end of the day, they'd had no success. Peter Pettigrew was back at Hogwarts, this time, on his master's orders.