A/N: Continuing with the story.I thank all the reviewers. I would've
stopped earlier otherwise. You all keep me from the insanity of boredom.
To answer e-mail, yes this has a plot, yes this is progressing, slowly but
surely, and yes, the characters do continue to develop.
To answer another e-mail, I'd just like to say thank you for the
constructive criticism, it's quite welcome, and very useful.
Again, anyone who would like to e-mail questions, comments, anything of the
sort.send it to lost_spirit_2001@yahoo.com.
WARNING: This chapter is told from many points of view. I would like to apologize ahead of time if it becomes confusing. However, it's not at all hard to tell whose eyes you're looking through.
TO THE REVIEWERS! I would like to thank my two favorite reviewers, who I've seem return and leave reviews, which I admit I love. And thank you Ice Queen, cousin dearest, for your review! -Anna Dearest
Chapter 8
The first week back at Hogwarts was just as it had always been, nearly. There were the usual aspects of the life of a teenage student at Hogwarts.the gossip, catching up after the long summer, and getting acquainted with new people for starters. Then there was the black cloud that hung over the school. As much as they tried to ignore it, it was still there, like a fog of death, engulfing the student body and strangling their very souls in the attempt to find peace, love, and for some, solitude.
Some students found that life had changed, for the worst. It was very subtle at first, until seeing the Ministry owls carrying the burden of death notices became the most unwelcome sight anyone could possibly set eyes on. In the young lives of the students, few had experienced such grief and fear as that that now surrounded the castle, their safe haven. While the Headmaster and his defense team could protect them from physical harm, they couldn't do a thing to save their minds as their eyes scanned the sorrowful letters of regret that the black envelopes of death produced.
To some, the regular sight of the defense team lingering in the shadows of the halls was a Godsend, to others it was a burden. Many girls swooned over Johnathan's handsome face as he cast them a smile in the corridors, obviously not having a care in the world, while the boys followed Fox, Autumn, and Roselyn's every move. Then there was Remus, or Professor Lupin still to most of them. They all knew he was a werewolf, but some didn't seem to care. However, they were the minority. The former professor seemed to grow fatigued as a small first-year skittered past him quickly after hearing of his lycanthropy through one of the older students. Most of the Gryffindors, and some Ravenclaws, stood up to those who'd dare to insult the kindly Remus Lupin.
Poor Harry was looking pale and shaken as the dreams began to increase, no matter what he did. Even if they gave him a Dreamless Sleep Potion, the second his eyes closed, he was in a hell created by his enemy. Sometimes Ron was woken up by Harry thrashing in his bed and moaning, sometimes muttering, or trying to yell for someone only he could see to run away.
Eventually Madam Pomfrey insisted on his staying in the hospital wing for the night so that she could monitor him. Of course, Sirius insisted on being there too in the form of Snuffles, and that did seem to help. Harry sank into the mattress with the large Grim-like dog curled up at the foot of the bed. As the dreams began, the large black dog would start to nuzzle Harry, seeming to remind him that it was just a dream.
Others were having more problems. Among them, Fox, Johnathan, and Autumn spent their nights waking up in terror. Fox saw the same things Harry did, making it far worse for her. After a few nights waking up in a cold sweat and running to the restroom as she literally became sick, she decided that sleep wasn't that necessary. She started sleeping just two hours at the most each night, and then patrolling the corridors, taking her mind off of anything she'd seen.
To his sibling's great annoyance, Johnathan put on a happy face and flirted dangerously with some of the sixth and seventh year girls, even as his own nightmares persisted to haunt him. It was amazing how it didn't seem to have the same affect on him. He'd admit that it was due to his ignorance on the whole matter. He knew what was going on, he just didn't particularly care at the moment.
Like the wrath of the Dementors, poor Autumn Zallner relived her mother's death in her head, along with the deaths of all those close to her. It was the same throughout the castle.
Everyone in Hogwarts could feel the pain somehow, except the Slytherins, who rather seemed to be enjoying all of the suffering, for they felt none of it. Not one in the first two weeks of school did the happy Slytherins receive a Death Letter, and the rest of the school was fast to notice. The students in that particular house just smirked widely as the black envelopes shook in the hands of some poor fellow student.
"Are they ever gonna realize something's up?" Ron asked, as Malfoy openly laughed at a first-year Hufflepuff who fled the Great Hall at breakfast.
"Who knows? It took the wizarding world a full year to realize Voldemort- oh, get used to it Ron-was back," Hermione replied.
"I agree with Hermione on the second one," Harry said. "Ron, you're around us too much to flinch every time we say Voldemort."
"Can't you please say You-Know-Who?" Ron pleaded.
"No," Harry and Hermione said shortly. Ron let out a soft whimper, but then continued with his breakfast.
**********
"Stupid imbecile.filthy rat," the high cold voice muttered. "I send him to get that Potter, and he brings me news of failure. Failure! Honestly, I should just kill the rodent.good riddance. For once, I'd be doing the world a favor!"
Lord Voldemort paced his chambers, agitation and disgust evident on his face. So, the Potter boy had slipped away again, away from three hundred Dementors sent to attack the train. He had even helped fight them off!
The worst news yet was that his spy was unable to get a significant amount of information. Not that they'd been completely useless. One of his loyal Death Eaters spying on Hogwarts was a blessing in the least. They'd even managed to slip Thresian Blood into his traitorous daughter's food, making her ill, not that she'd come under the effects yet. But the thing that bothered him most was Harry Potter, always there, yet still out of reach.
"I'll have them make his life a living Hell," he sneered. "I don't care what it takes. I'll degrade him; I'll bring him down slowly. He'll want me to kill him in the end!"
The menacing Dark Lord continued to pace until he looked up triumphantly. He'd get out other faithful followers from the cells of Azkaban. There were still a number of loyal Death Eaters locked away in the fortress, and thanks to that fool of a Minister the Dementors still retained a good amount of control.
"Let's see.there are many there who'll bow again at my feet. Dear Houton Wise, always faithful, Bethany and Thomas Farriss, always killing together...the lovely married couple. Ah, I remember so many whom once served me, and will serve me again. They'll become additions to my inner circle."
**********
Percy Weasley couldn't believe what a mess Hogwarts was after that Delores Umbridge had her reign as Headmistress. Defense Against the Dark Arts was in a horrid state, with many of the students being terribly behind. At least Tophirk knew her subject, and she taught it well.
Well, the third oldest Weasley, who'd only planned on staying at Hogwarts a week, was still there at the beginning of the third week into the term. You could say he was trying to redeem himself for his actions. He was doing a top-notch job working side by side with Albus Dumbledore as they sorted through all the problems and solutions needed to get Hogwarts back into tiptop shape this year.
The Minister occasionally came to oversee the process, not that they needed any help from HIM. Somewhere in him, Percy was thoroughly ashamed for siding with the Minister, just for his damn reputation! Either way, he swore to himself that he'd make it up to Hogwarts, Harry especially, the wizarding world, and to all those affected. He'd try to heal the wounds that unless tended to, would bleed.
**********
"Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you in the Entrance Hall?" the stern Professor McGonagall asked Harry at breakfast. Knowing he hadn't done anything troublesome yet, he apprehensively followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall. "Now, Mr. Potter, as I'm sure you know, the Quidditch team has been greatly.er, reduced, shall we say? Along with needing someone to fill the position of Captain, we also need two Beaters, and three Chasers. Now, as the players last year were less than favorable, we'll hold tryouts again. Here's the big question: Would you take the position of Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor?"
Harry was speechless for a moment. Then it sunk in.
"Me?"
"Yes, you Mr. Potter. It's either you or Mr. Weasley, and he hasn't had but a year on the pitch."
"Of course I'll do it!" Harry cried, a bit more loudly than he'd have liked, but all the same. Then, McGonagall flashed one of her rare smiles and continued.
"Very well then. How about tryouts at the end of this week? We'll have a sign-up in the Common Room."
"Sounds great, Professor," Harry breathed. He was Captain of the Quidditch team! Professor McGonagall left, leaving Harry standing in the Entrance Hall until Hermione and Ron emerged, talking with Remus, who had Snuffles trotting at his side.
"What's up, Harry?" Ron asked, still chewing a piece of toast.
"We need to tell Ginny that tryouts for Quidditch are this Friday. She said she wanted to be a Chaser," Harry replied, still in a bit of a daze.
"And let me guess who Quidditch Captain is." Ron laughed.
"Congratulations, Harry," Hermione said, giving Harry a quick hug.
"Way to go, Harry!" Ron cried, clapping his friend on the back.
"Good job, Harry," Remus beamed. Sirius gave a loud yip and bounded up towards Harry, wagging his tail. "Er, I think Snuffles says good job, too."
Harry laughed out loud. This was definitely good for him. After all the dreams and worries, being made Quidditch Captain had the desired effect and took his mind off of his problems. He was in a wonderful mood until he realized with a jolt that Hagrid was standing before the front doors, blocking the way out.
"Summat's goin' on in the fores' today," he called loudly. "We're gonna cancel all yer Care o' Magical Creatures and 'Erbology lessons fer today."
"Well look at that!" Ron exclaimed. "The first two classes we had today are cancelled!"
"Care to join Snuffles and I for a cup of tea then?" Remus asked. "We don't get much company when we've got nothing to do. Perhaps Neville too, as he seems to have changed quite a lot and I haven't had much a chance to talk to him."
The trio agreed quickly and picked Neville out of the crowd that was streaming out of the Great Hall. They made their way to the 2nd floor where the defense team's quarters were located. They turned into the long corridor that no student had yet ventured down. There they met a wall in their path, seemingly a dead end.
"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Remus said with a smile. Harry and Ron snickered behind their former professor. What had appeared to be a wall then disappeared, revealing another long corridor lined with doors on either side. "An illusion charm, you see," Remus explained.
They walked down nearly to the end until they reached the second to last door on the right. Remus quickly opened the door, leading into his and Sirius' cozy quarters. Comfy armchairs surrounded a small tea table near the fire. He led the four Gryffindors over to the table and conjured a few more chairs. Sirius then proceeded to change into his human form.
"Finally," he sighed, "no patrolling today."
"It's not that hard," Remus laughed, "And I think Ms. Riddle's about to kill herself in her nightly patrols. You, my good friend, are just lazy."
"So be it," Sirius laughed. "I'm a little lazy." Harry's godfather let out his dog-like bark and shrugged his shoulder, ushering the students into the armchairs.
"Nothing wrong with a little rest," Ron agreed readily with Sirius, "I'm just glad they cancelled classes."
"Yes, but why did they?" Hermione asked.
"Hagrid said something was going on in the forest, but then again, when ISN'T something going on in there," Harry replied.
"Between Giants and giant spiders, I think I'll stay inside," Ron shivered.
"Giants spiders?" Remus asked, bringing them all tea.
"Yes, giant spiders," Ron shivered again, mumbling something that distinctly sounded like 'follow the spiders.' Sirius laughed again.
"Let me guess. Ron, you are mortally afraid of spiders, aren't you?" Sirius asked innocently enough. Hermione giggled as Ron turned the color of his hair.
"It looks strange when you blush like that," Remus said. "Perhaps we could get the twins to turn it pink again." Ron grumbled at the smiling Remus, who quickly changed subjects. "But good point Hermione, I too am wondering what could possibly cause them to cancel classes."
"Things in the forest." Sirius mumbled. "Giants spiders now, a Giant, Unicorns, Centaurs, Banshees, Nightmares, someone said they saw a Firebird once.all sorts of things really.Of course during our wanderings around the Hogwarts grounds, we had a werewolf with us. Most creatures gave us our personal space."
They all let out a hearty laugh, but stopped abruptly as Harry's hand moved swiftly to his forehead, rubbing the scar painfully. Sirius immediately went to Harry's side, as everyone else got up quickly and crowded around.
Harry thought he was about to lose consciousness, and as he was leaning forward at the time, he nearly fell off the chair. Sirius swiftly caught Harry and pushed him as gently as possible back into the chair. The teacup fell from his had and shattered as darkness almost took him. All he could see was Sirius' face swimming before him, genuinely concerned.
"Harry? Harry? Can you hear me?" Sirius quickly inquired.
"That rat's near here," Harry mumbled softly. He felt Sirius stiffen, but that stopped quickly when Harry nearly fell forward again, still clutching his scar.
"Pettigrew?" Sirius asked harshly.
"Yeah, that's him. He's nearby, too close." Harry murmured.
"I'll go alert Dumbledore," Remus said quickly. "Sirius, stay here with Harry and the others," he ordered firmly. Sirius just nodded in response, still half-supporting his godson.
"Harry, are you alright?" Sirius asked quietly, looking into Harry's brilliant green eyes, which seemed just somewhat dulled at the moment.
"I'm fine," Harry said, finally letting his hand drop from his scar, revealing bright red irritated-looking flesh. Sirius finally gave Harry his space as the boy began to regain his sense of balance.
"We need to find that rat."
**********
'This is disgusting,' Peter Pettigrew thought idly as he scurried along the floor. 'Why did I have to became a rat.so I could reach the Whomping Willow.I can feel the joy rushing through me now.'
Suddenly he felt guilty.Whomping Willow.James, Sirius, and Remus..The Marauders.Lily, James, and Harry.They weren't vague memories, they were quite clear. However, they were eating away at the ex-Marauder known as Wormtail.
Why had he done it all? Fear.
It was fear of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord.Peter shivered. He continued to live in fear, the fear that consumed all the Death Eaters who served the dark Master. He was working for him now, trying to spy on Harry Potter, his old friend's son. Harry was an orphan because of him.
'Quite complex thoughts for a rat,' he mused. Then he saw one of his great fears.with the exception of his Master and his former friend Sirius Black. It was Remus Lupin, walking briskly out of a corridor on the second floor.
Peter hurriedly scurried behind one of the nearby suits of armor. He was unlucky though.Remus spotted him. With a frightened squeak, Peter took off down another corridor, the man hot on his trail. Looking every which way, Peter found a small, yet strangely suitable hole in the wall and dove into it, barely fitting.
Remus lunged at the disappearing traitor, missing him by a tail.literally.
**********
Sirius and the others sat nervously awaiting Remus' return, Sirius especially. He paced the room with only one thought on his mind. 'That traitor won't touch Harry. I swear it he won't.'
The exhausted looking Remus finally reentered the room to see all eyes on him. He sighed and shook his head. Some people never change.
"I saw him," Remus mumbled.
"You what?" Sirius asked sharply.
"I saw dear Peter, but he crawled through a hole in the wall," Remus raged, and crumpled a piece of parchment in his hand. He then turned to Harry. "You alright?"
Harry blushed and looked down. "Yes, I'm fine," he mumbled.
"Well, I think it's time you lot got back to class," Remus told the students. "And we've got patrolling to do," he nodded to Sirius, who stood up from his place and transformed.
The two groups parted on the 4th floor and Harry, Ron, and Neville headed to Divination, while Hermione made her way to Arithmancy. Sirius and Remus began to patrol the 4th floor corridors with a steely determination second to none.
**********
Due to abysmal O.W.L. results, they were back to gazing into the lovely clouded crystal balls. Professor Trelawney edged around the shadows of the rooms, her eyes seeming to bulge behind her round spectacles. The scent of the room was no less sickening than all the years previous, and seemed to put those who weren't determined to possess 'the Sight' into a sleepy stupor.
Harry and Ron were barely paying attention as they rested their heads on their hands, gazing dazedly at the swirling mist contained in the glass orb at the center of their table. Neville had already drifted off to sleep.
"Mr. Longbottom," Trelawney said in her misty voice from behind Harry, thoroughly startling him, "I would suggest you pay attention. While my lessons may not seem as interesting as Firenze's, rest assured, you do need to pay attention. Would anyone like me to interpret theirs?"
She hastily took a seat between Harry and Neville at the round table, not waiting for an answer. She seemed desperate to prove herself since the wonderful Umbridge had put her on probation last year.
"Ah, I see it now," Trelawney began. Harry shot Ron and Neville a pleading look, but they too looked positively annoyed at her presence. "The Dark approaches, with many servants at Hogwarts I fear. I see a rat, a traitor in the form of a black shadow, and a hawk. Very curious indeed."
Harry looked stunned. Was she actually SEEING something? A rat? That could be Wormtail. A traitor? He already knew about a spy. But a hawk? That was new.
Finally, the end of class came, relieving Harry of his thoughts. He, Ron, and Neville met Hermione and Ginny at the Gryffindor table for dinner, but Harry was distracted. Could it have been real?
**********
As dinner came to a close, the defense team and a few late students were the only ones left in the Great Hall. Remus sat back for a second to let his food settle, and Snuffles stretched and yawned somewhere near his feet. He felt content until he noticed the person next to him.
Fox was in a terrible state. Before today, she'd been looking quite sickly, possessing the aura of someone strong who was masked with pain. Her normally bright blue eyes were dull and close to looking lifeless, and beneath them were dark circles, clearly showing her fatigue. It was obvious that just in the few weeks at Hogwarts, she had lost a significant amount of weight. She seemed for the first time, to be weak.
However, today was even worse. Her normally pale skin was the color of death, and she seemed parched, yet at the same timed she had no will to drink. She occasionally seemed to be shaking, the tremors spreading throughout her whole before coming to a stop as sudden and surprising as their beginning. She seemed relieved around large inanimate objects, throwing her weight onto them for support. She had not even the strength to retaliate against John, which unnerved him.
"Are you alright?" Remus asked, concern on every inch of his face. Fox didn't even acknowledge him, and a cold sweat began to form on her forehead. Remus reached out a hand and shook the girl lightly, and she responded with a soft moan.
"R-Remus?" she said, suddenly realizing he was looking intently at her, his hand shaking her shoulder.
"Fox!" he cried quietly. "Can you hear me?"
"Y-yes," she responded, shivering slightly.
"Are you alright?" he asked again.
"I'll be fine. I just need a little rest," she cast a weak grin his way. At these words, Alba rose up from her spot under the table, waiting for her mistress. Unless Remus was much mistaken, even the wolf seemed generally concerned.
Fox got shakily to her feet and walked slowly, yet with an air of confidence, out of the Great Hall. Remus placed his head in his hands. Hogwarts was falling apart from within. He could see it written on every face. They'd lost hope, and it seemed that the very people protecting them were in a similar state, or worse in Fox's case.
He looked at the plate of her uneaten food and sighed exasperatedly. He'd try to be strong for everyone, and he'd try to get to the bottom of as many problems as he could. That was the Remus everyone knew and loved.
**********
The spy stood in the shadows of the Entrance Hall, watching Candlefox Riddle and her faithful companion exit. The Dark Lord's daughter seemed in an even worse state. The Master had said to put Thresian Blood in her food and drink for a week, so the faithful servant of Lord Voldemort had done so. According to the Master, Thresian Blood was fatal to her species. Now, the eyes of the spy peered out of the darkness. There was also Harry Potter to tend to now.
The Death Eater smiled inwardly as Fox stumbled up the stairs, but that faded as soon as that pesky werewolf Lupin emerged with Black the Animagus at his heels. However, another smile curled inwardly at the thought of making Black fret over his PRECIOUS godson. It was a satisfying thought.
As the last students exited the Great Hall, the plan went into action. With the blood of some unfaithful Death Eaters, who had paid the price, words were painted on the wall of the Entrance Hall, the crimson letters a tribute to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
**********
The next morning, Ron beating a pillow against his head awaked Harry, where his scar was already aching. As you could guess, this only made him more irritable. He shot up, grabbed the pillow and smacked Ron swiftly across the head before sitting up.
"Is it time for breakfast?" Harry yawned.
"Yes, and I'd suggest you get out of bed. It's starts in a little while," Ron replied sourly.
They dressed in their Hogwarts robes and left on the familiar path to the Great Hall, followed by Hermione, Ginny, and Neville. When they reached the top of the staircase in the Entrance Hall, the sight that greeted them was shocking.
It seemed as though the whole school was crowded into that space, all of them gazing raptly at the same place. Remus and Snuffles joined the five students at the top of the steps seconds later, and they all looked to the cause of the disruption to Hogwart's daily life.
Painted on the large wall in the Entrance Hall, in what shockingly appeared to be blood, were words written that made Harry's blood run cold. The crimson words seemed to stare back at him, mocking him. He was frozen to the spot, he couldn't have moved if he felt he knew how.
Written on the wall were the words:
HOW LONG WILL YOU BE THE BOY WHO LIVED? NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES THE WIZARDING WORLD'S SAVIOIUR SHALL FALL AND THE DARK LORD WILL REIGN!
Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. Professor McGonagall strode briskly from one of the side corridors, just as Snape was exiting his dungeon haven. He immediately noticed the words, but the Transfiguration professor was more distracted by the crowd.
"Honestly! Good heavens, what could keep you ALL from going into the Great Hall? Breakfast should have started-," but she never finished, having finally caught sight of the words written in blood. Everyone's eyes were on Harry, and Remus quickly led him away, for which he was thankful. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny seemed to snap from their trance and followed them.
"Come on, Harry," Remus whispered. "I'm sure I could fix up something in my quarters for you lot. I'm pretty sure you don't want all that attention right now." Harry nodded and thanked him. He was right, because at that moment, he couldn't have faced half the school.
They followed the path that was quickly becoming familiar to all of them except Ginny. They all sat around the same tea table and Remus soon brought over some quickly made breakfast. Sirius took a seat nearest his godson and they all ate in silence for a while. However, Harry soon noticed their eyes stealing glances at him.
"I'm not going to keel over any second, you know," Harry smiled.
As one, a muffled 'sorry' was heard.
"Don't be," Harry continued to smile. "If I were in your position, I'd be likely to do the same."
"Harry," Hermione spoke, "What did that mean?"
Harry froze. He still hadn't told them about the prophecy that he'd only learned of last year.
"Wasn't that from the prophecy?" Remus asked timidly, putting down his utensils for a moment.
"Yes," Harry said. "I just haven't gotten around to telling anyone about that."
"What prophecy?" Ron asked. "What haven't we been told?"
Harry slowly began the explanation of the prophecy. By the time he was finished, four mouths were wide open, and the only ones not in shock were Sirius and Remus, who had no doubt heard it all before. However, Sirius looked weary as his godson spoke. There was a tension in the room that carried on with them as they left to go to their classes.
**********
"Well Harry, here's to the tryouts!" Ron said at dinner on Friday evening.
"Yeah," Harry mumbled. "I wonder how they'll go?"
"They'll go fine, and you know it!" Hermione said.
"I s'pose," Harry said, glancing at a nervous Gryffindor table, many of which were the ones trying out.
"Oy! Ginny, are you trying out?" Ron asked his younger sister.
"Yes," she replied, "Chaser."
"Good, and we have back our seeker too!" Neville beamed.
"Best there is!" Dean exclaimed, clapping Harry on the back. Harry turned red and concentrated on his food. This would be his first duty as captain.
***********
The tryouts went well, considering how terribly some of the youngest students did. It was very helpful though, that Remus and Snuffles had come and cheered everyone on through all the pressure. Everyone looked up expectantly as Professor McGonagall strode into the Common Room, the final decision made by her, Harry, and Ron in her hands.
"I will now announce the official positions for the Gryffindor Quidditch team for this year!" she called so that they all could hear. "Our current Captain and Seeker, a Mister Harry Potter." She allowed time for everyone to cheer. "Keeper, a Mister Ronald Weasley,"-more cheers-"Chasers, a Miss Ginny Weasley, a Mister Scott Wilson, and a Miss Jessica Chavers." She paused to let the roar die down. "Our two beaters are a Mister Dean Thomas and a Mister Seamus Finnigan." The roar at the calling of the complete Quidditch team was deafening.
"Well mate," Ron said, "turned out well, don't you think?"
A/N: Yes, it's shorter than usual, but I couldn't think of anything else to end with. Please review! It keeps me going.
WARNING: This chapter is told from many points of view. I would like to apologize ahead of time if it becomes confusing. However, it's not at all hard to tell whose eyes you're looking through.
TO THE REVIEWERS! I would like to thank my two favorite reviewers, who I've seem return and leave reviews, which I admit I love. And thank you Ice Queen, cousin dearest, for your review! -Anna Dearest
Chapter 8
The first week back at Hogwarts was just as it had always been, nearly. There were the usual aspects of the life of a teenage student at Hogwarts.the gossip, catching up after the long summer, and getting acquainted with new people for starters. Then there was the black cloud that hung over the school. As much as they tried to ignore it, it was still there, like a fog of death, engulfing the student body and strangling their very souls in the attempt to find peace, love, and for some, solitude.
Some students found that life had changed, for the worst. It was very subtle at first, until seeing the Ministry owls carrying the burden of death notices became the most unwelcome sight anyone could possibly set eyes on. In the young lives of the students, few had experienced such grief and fear as that that now surrounded the castle, their safe haven. While the Headmaster and his defense team could protect them from physical harm, they couldn't do a thing to save their minds as their eyes scanned the sorrowful letters of regret that the black envelopes of death produced.
To some, the regular sight of the defense team lingering in the shadows of the halls was a Godsend, to others it was a burden. Many girls swooned over Johnathan's handsome face as he cast them a smile in the corridors, obviously not having a care in the world, while the boys followed Fox, Autumn, and Roselyn's every move. Then there was Remus, or Professor Lupin still to most of them. They all knew he was a werewolf, but some didn't seem to care. However, they were the minority. The former professor seemed to grow fatigued as a small first-year skittered past him quickly after hearing of his lycanthropy through one of the older students. Most of the Gryffindors, and some Ravenclaws, stood up to those who'd dare to insult the kindly Remus Lupin.
Poor Harry was looking pale and shaken as the dreams began to increase, no matter what he did. Even if they gave him a Dreamless Sleep Potion, the second his eyes closed, he was in a hell created by his enemy. Sometimes Ron was woken up by Harry thrashing in his bed and moaning, sometimes muttering, or trying to yell for someone only he could see to run away.
Eventually Madam Pomfrey insisted on his staying in the hospital wing for the night so that she could monitor him. Of course, Sirius insisted on being there too in the form of Snuffles, and that did seem to help. Harry sank into the mattress with the large Grim-like dog curled up at the foot of the bed. As the dreams began, the large black dog would start to nuzzle Harry, seeming to remind him that it was just a dream.
Others were having more problems. Among them, Fox, Johnathan, and Autumn spent their nights waking up in terror. Fox saw the same things Harry did, making it far worse for her. After a few nights waking up in a cold sweat and running to the restroom as she literally became sick, she decided that sleep wasn't that necessary. She started sleeping just two hours at the most each night, and then patrolling the corridors, taking her mind off of anything she'd seen.
To his sibling's great annoyance, Johnathan put on a happy face and flirted dangerously with some of the sixth and seventh year girls, even as his own nightmares persisted to haunt him. It was amazing how it didn't seem to have the same affect on him. He'd admit that it was due to his ignorance on the whole matter. He knew what was going on, he just didn't particularly care at the moment.
Like the wrath of the Dementors, poor Autumn Zallner relived her mother's death in her head, along with the deaths of all those close to her. It was the same throughout the castle.
Everyone in Hogwarts could feel the pain somehow, except the Slytherins, who rather seemed to be enjoying all of the suffering, for they felt none of it. Not one in the first two weeks of school did the happy Slytherins receive a Death Letter, and the rest of the school was fast to notice. The students in that particular house just smirked widely as the black envelopes shook in the hands of some poor fellow student.
"Are they ever gonna realize something's up?" Ron asked, as Malfoy openly laughed at a first-year Hufflepuff who fled the Great Hall at breakfast.
"Who knows? It took the wizarding world a full year to realize Voldemort- oh, get used to it Ron-was back," Hermione replied.
"I agree with Hermione on the second one," Harry said. "Ron, you're around us too much to flinch every time we say Voldemort."
"Can't you please say You-Know-Who?" Ron pleaded.
"No," Harry and Hermione said shortly. Ron let out a soft whimper, but then continued with his breakfast.
**********
"Stupid imbecile.filthy rat," the high cold voice muttered. "I send him to get that Potter, and he brings me news of failure. Failure! Honestly, I should just kill the rodent.good riddance. For once, I'd be doing the world a favor!"
Lord Voldemort paced his chambers, agitation and disgust evident on his face. So, the Potter boy had slipped away again, away from three hundred Dementors sent to attack the train. He had even helped fight them off!
The worst news yet was that his spy was unable to get a significant amount of information. Not that they'd been completely useless. One of his loyal Death Eaters spying on Hogwarts was a blessing in the least. They'd even managed to slip Thresian Blood into his traitorous daughter's food, making her ill, not that she'd come under the effects yet. But the thing that bothered him most was Harry Potter, always there, yet still out of reach.
"I'll have them make his life a living Hell," he sneered. "I don't care what it takes. I'll degrade him; I'll bring him down slowly. He'll want me to kill him in the end!"
The menacing Dark Lord continued to pace until he looked up triumphantly. He'd get out other faithful followers from the cells of Azkaban. There were still a number of loyal Death Eaters locked away in the fortress, and thanks to that fool of a Minister the Dementors still retained a good amount of control.
"Let's see.there are many there who'll bow again at my feet. Dear Houton Wise, always faithful, Bethany and Thomas Farriss, always killing together...the lovely married couple. Ah, I remember so many whom once served me, and will serve me again. They'll become additions to my inner circle."
**********
Percy Weasley couldn't believe what a mess Hogwarts was after that Delores Umbridge had her reign as Headmistress. Defense Against the Dark Arts was in a horrid state, with many of the students being terribly behind. At least Tophirk knew her subject, and she taught it well.
Well, the third oldest Weasley, who'd only planned on staying at Hogwarts a week, was still there at the beginning of the third week into the term. You could say he was trying to redeem himself for his actions. He was doing a top-notch job working side by side with Albus Dumbledore as they sorted through all the problems and solutions needed to get Hogwarts back into tiptop shape this year.
The Minister occasionally came to oversee the process, not that they needed any help from HIM. Somewhere in him, Percy was thoroughly ashamed for siding with the Minister, just for his damn reputation! Either way, he swore to himself that he'd make it up to Hogwarts, Harry especially, the wizarding world, and to all those affected. He'd try to heal the wounds that unless tended to, would bleed.
**********
"Mr. Potter, may I have a word with you in the Entrance Hall?" the stern Professor McGonagall asked Harry at breakfast. Knowing he hadn't done anything troublesome yet, he apprehensively followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall. "Now, Mr. Potter, as I'm sure you know, the Quidditch team has been greatly.er, reduced, shall we say? Along with needing someone to fill the position of Captain, we also need two Beaters, and three Chasers. Now, as the players last year were less than favorable, we'll hold tryouts again. Here's the big question: Would you take the position of Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor?"
Harry was speechless for a moment. Then it sunk in.
"Me?"
"Yes, you Mr. Potter. It's either you or Mr. Weasley, and he hasn't had but a year on the pitch."
"Of course I'll do it!" Harry cried, a bit more loudly than he'd have liked, but all the same. Then, McGonagall flashed one of her rare smiles and continued.
"Very well then. How about tryouts at the end of this week? We'll have a sign-up in the Common Room."
"Sounds great, Professor," Harry breathed. He was Captain of the Quidditch team! Professor McGonagall left, leaving Harry standing in the Entrance Hall until Hermione and Ron emerged, talking with Remus, who had Snuffles trotting at his side.
"What's up, Harry?" Ron asked, still chewing a piece of toast.
"We need to tell Ginny that tryouts for Quidditch are this Friday. She said she wanted to be a Chaser," Harry replied, still in a bit of a daze.
"And let me guess who Quidditch Captain is." Ron laughed.
"Congratulations, Harry," Hermione said, giving Harry a quick hug.
"Way to go, Harry!" Ron cried, clapping his friend on the back.
"Good job, Harry," Remus beamed. Sirius gave a loud yip and bounded up towards Harry, wagging his tail. "Er, I think Snuffles says good job, too."
Harry laughed out loud. This was definitely good for him. After all the dreams and worries, being made Quidditch Captain had the desired effect and took his mind off of his problems. He was in a wonderful mood until he realized with a jolt that Hagrid was standing before the front doors, blocking the way out.
"Summat's goin' on in the fores' today," he called loudly. "We're gonna cancel all yer Care o' Magical Creatures and 'Erbology lessons fer today."
"Well look at that!" Ron exclaimed. "The first two classes we had today are cancelled!"
"Care to join Snuffles and I for a cup of tea then?" Remus asked. "We don't get much company when we've got nothing to do. Perhaps Neville too, as he seems to have changed quite a lot and I haven't had much a chance to talk to him."
The trio agreed quickly and picked Neville out of the crowd that was streaming out of the Great Hall. They made their way to the 2nd floor where the defense team's quarters were located. They turned into the long corridor that no student had yet ventured down. There they met a wall in their path, seemingly a dead end.
"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Remus said with a smile. Harry and Ron snickered behind their former professor. What had appeared to be a wall then disappeared, revealing another long corridor lined with doors on either side. "An illusion charm, you see," Remus explained.
They walked down nearly to the end until they reached the second to last door on the right. Remus quickly opened the door, leading into his and Sirius' cozy quarters. Comfy armchairs surrounded a small tea table near the fire. He led the four Gryffindors over to the table and conjured a few more chairs. Sirius then proceeded to change into his human form.
"Finally," he sighed, "no patrolling today."
"It's not that hard," Remus laughed, "And I think Ms. Riddle's about to kill herself in her nightly patrols. You, my good friend, are just lazy."
"So be it," Sirius laughed. "I'm a little lazy." Harry's godfather let out his dog-like bark and shrugged his shoulder, ushering the students into the armchairs.
"Nothing wrong with a little rest," Ron agreed readily with Sirius, "I'm just glad they cancelled classes."
"Yes, but why did they?" Hermione asked.
"Hagrid said something was going on in the forest, but then again, when ISN'T something going on in there," Harry replied.
"Between Giants and giant spiders, I think I'll stay inside," Ron shivered.
"Giants spiders?" Remus asked, bringing them all tea.
"Yes, giant spiders," Ron shivered again, mumbling something that distinctly sounded like 'follow the spiders.' Sirius laughed again.
"Let me guess. Ron, you are mortally afraid of spiders, aren't you?" Sirius asked innocently enough. Hermione giggled as Ron turned the color of his hair.
"It looks strange when you blush like that," Remus said. "Perhaps we could get the twins to turn it pink again." Ron grumbled at the smiling Remus, who quickly changed subjects. "But good point Hermione, I too am wondering what could possibly cause them to cancel classes."
"Things in the forest." Sirius mumbled. "Giants spiders now, a Giant, Unicorns, Centaurs, Banshees, Nightmares, someone said they saw a Firebird once.all sorts of things really.Of course during our wanderings around the Hogwarts grounds, we had a werewolf with us. Most creatures gave us our personal space."
They all let out a hearty laugh, but stopped abruptly as Harry's hand moved swiftly to his forehead, rubbing the scar painfully. Sirius immediately went to Harry's side, as everyone else got up quickly and crowded around.
Harry thought he was about to lose consciousness, and as he was leaning forward at the time, he nearly fell off the chair. Sirius swiftly caught Harry and pushed him as gently as possible back into the chair. The teacup fell from his had and shattered as darkness almost took him. All he could see was Sirius' face swimming before him, genuinely concerned.
"Harry? Harry? Can you hear me?" Sirius quickly inquired.
"That rat's near here," Harry mumbled softly. He felt Sirius stiffen, but that stopped quickly when Harry nearly fell forward again, still clutching his scar.
"Pettigrew?" Sirius asked harshly.
"Yeah, that's him. He's nearby, too close." Harry murmured.
"I'll go alert Dumbledore," Remus said quickly. "Sirius, stay here with Harry and the others," he ordered firmly. Sirius just nodded in response, still half-supporting his godson.
"Harry, are you alright?" Sirius asked quietly, looking into Harry's brilliant green eyes, which seemed just somewhat dulled at the moment.
"I'm fine," Harry said, finally letting his hand drop from his scar, revealing bright red irritated-looking flesh. Sirius finally gave Harry his space as the boy began to regain his sense of balance.
"We need to find that rat."
**********
'This is disgusting,' Peter Pettigrew thought idly as he scurried along the floor. 'Why did I have to became a rat.so I could reach the Whomping Willow.I can feel the joy rushing through me now.'
Suddenly he felt guilty.Whomping Willow.James, Sirius, and Remus..The Marauders.Lily, James, and Harry.They weren't vague memories, they were quite clear. However, they were eating away at the ex-Marauder known as Wormtail.
Why had he done it all? Fear.
It was fear of Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord.Peter shivered. He continued to live in fear, the fear that consumed all the Death Eaters who served the dark Master. He was working for him now, trying to spy on Harry Potter, his old friend's son. Harry was an orphan because of him.
'Quite complex thoughts for a rat,' he mused. Then he saw one of his great fears.with the exception of his Master and his former friend Sirius Black. It was Remus Lupin, walking briskly out of a corridor on the second floor.
Peter hurriedly scurried behind one of the nearby suits of armor. He was unlucky though.Remus spotted him. With a frightened squeak, Peter took off down another corridor, the man hot on his trail. Looking every which way, Peter found a small, yet strangely suitable hole in the wall and dove into it, barely fitting.
Remus lunged at the disappearing traitor, missing him by a tail.literally.
**********
Sirius and the others sat nervously awaiting Remus' return, Sirius especially. He paced the room with only one thought on his mind. 'That traitor won't touch Harry. I swear it he won't.'
The exhausted looking Remus finally reentered the room to see all eyes on him. He sighed and shook his head. Some people never change.
"I saw him," Remus mumbled.
"You what?" Sirius asked sharply.
"I saw dear Peter, but he crawled through a hole in the wall," Remus raged, and crumpled a piece of parchment in his hand. He then turned to Harry. "You alright?"
Harry blushed and looked down. "Yes, I'm fine," he mumbled.
"Well, I think it's time you lot got back to class," Remus told the students. "And we've got patrolling to do," he nodded to Sirius, who stood up from his place and transformed.
The two groups parted on the 4th floor and Harry, Ron, and Neville headed to Divination, while Hermione made her way to Arithmancy. Sirius and Remus began to patrol the 4th floor corridors with a steely determination second to none.
**********
Due to abysmal O.W.L. results, they were back to gazing into the lovely clouded crystal balls. Professor Trelawney edged around the shadows of the rooms, her eyes seeming to bulge behind her round spectacles. The scent of the room was no less sickening than all the years previous, and seemed to put those who weren't determined to possess 'the Sight' into a sleepy stupor.
Harry and Ron were barely paying attention as they rested their heads on their hands, gazing dazedly at the swirling mist contained in the glass orb at the center of their table. Neville had already drifted off to sleep.
"Mr. Longbottom," Trelawney said in her misty voice from behind Harry, thoroughly startling him, "I would suggest you pay attention. While my lessons may not seem as interesting as Firenze's, rest assured, you do need to pay attention. Would anyone like me to interpret theirs?"
She hastily took a seat between Harry and Neville at the round table, not waiting for an answer. She seemed desperate to prove herself since the wonderful Umbridge had put her on probation last year.
"Ah, I see it now," Trelawney began. Harry shot Ron and Neville a pleading look, but they too looked positively annoyed at her presence. "The Dark approaches, with many servants at Hogwarts I fear. I see a rat, a traitor in the form of a black shadow, and a hawk. Very curious indeed."
Harry looked stunned. Was she actually SEEING something? A rat? That could be Wormtail. A traitor? He already knew about a spy. But a hawk? That was new.
Finally, the end of class came, relieving Harry of his thoughts. He, Ron, and Neville met Hermione and Ginny at the Gryffindor table for dinner, but Harry was distracted. Could it have been real?
**********
As dinner came to a close, the defense team and a few late students were the only ones left in the Great Hall. Remus sat back for a second to let his food settle, and Snuffles stretched and yawned somewhere near his feet. He felt content until he noticed the person next to him.
Fox was in a terrible state. Before today, she'd been looking quite sickly, possessing the aura of someone strong who was masked with pain. Her normally bright blue eyes were dull and close to looking lifeless, and beneath them were dark circles, clearly showing her fatigue. It was obvious that just in the few weeks at Hogwarts, she had lost a significant amount of weight. She seemed for the first time, to be weak.
However, today was even worse. Her normally pale skin was the color of death, and she seemed parched, yet at the same timed she had no will to drink. She occasionally seemed to be shaking, the tremors spreading throughout her whole before coming to a stop as sudden and surprising as their beginning. She seemed relieved around large inanimate objects, throwing her weight onto them for support. She had not even the strength to retaliate against John, which unnerved him.
"Are you alright?" Remus asked, concern on every inch of his face. Fox didn't even acknowledge him, and a cold sweat began to form on her forehead. Remus reached out a hand and shook the girl lightly, and she responded with a soft moan.
"R-Remus?" she said, suddenly realizing he was looking intently at her, his hand shaking her shoulder.
"Fox!" he cried quietly. "Can you hear me?"
"Y-yes," she responded, shivering slightly.
"Are you alright?" he asked again.
"I'll be fine. I just need a little rest," she cast a weak grin his way. At these words, Alba rose up from her spot under the table, waiting for her mistress. Unless Remus was much mistaken, even the wolf seemed generally concerned.
Fox got shakily to her feet and walked slowly, yet with an air of confidence, out of the Great Hall. Remus placed his head in his hands. Hogwarts was falling apart from within. He could see it written on every face. They'd lost hope, and it seemed that the very people protecting them were in a similar state, or worse in Fox's case.
He looked at the plate of her uneaten food and sighed exasperatedly. He'd try to be strong for everyone, and he'd try to get to the bottom of as many problems as he could. That was the Remus everyone knew and loved.
**********
The spy stood in the shadows of the Entrance Hall, watching Candlefox Riddle and her faithful companion exit. The Dark Lord's daughter seemed in an even worse state. The Master had said to put Thresian Blood in her food and drink for a week, so the faithful servant of Lord Voldemort had done so. According to the Master, Thresian Blood was fatal to her species. Now, the eyes of the spy peered out of the darkness. There was also Harry Potter to tend to now.
The Death Eater smiled inwardly as Fox stumbled up the stairs, but that faded as soon as that pesky werewolf Lupin emerged with Black the Animagus at his heels. However, another smile curled inwardly at the thought of making Black fret over his PRECIOUS godson. It was a satisfying thought.
As the last students exited the Great Hall, the plan went into action. With the blood of some unfaithful Death Eaters, who had paid the price, words were painted on the wall of the Entrance Hall, the crimson letters a tribute to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
**********
The next morning, Ron beating a pillow against his head awaked Harry, where his scar was already aching. As you could guess, this only made him more irritable. He shot up, grabbed the pillow and smacked Ron swiftly across the head before sitting up.
"Is it time for breakfast?" Harry yawned.
"Yes, and I'd suggest you get out of bed. It's starts in a little while," Ron replied sourly.
They dressed in their Hogwarts robes and left on the familiar path to the Great Hall, followed by Hermione, Ginny, and Neville. When they reached the top of the staircase in the Entrance Hall, the sight that greeted them was shocking.
It seemed as though the whole school was crowded into that space, all of them gazing raptly at the same place. Remus and Snuffles joined the five students at the top of the steps seconds later, and they all looked to the cause of the disruption to Hogwart's daily life.
Painted on the large wall in the Entrance Hall, in what shockingly appeared to be blood, were words written that made Harry's blood run cold. The crimson words seemed to stare back at him, mocking him. He was frozen to the spot, he couldn't have moved if he felt he knew how.
Written on the wall were the words:
HOW LONG WILL YOU BE THE BOY WHO LIVED? NEITHER CAN LIVE WHILE THE OTHER SURVIVES THE WIZARDING WORLD'S SAVIOIUR SHALL FALL AND THE DARK LORD WILL REIGN!
Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. Professor McGonagall strode briskly from one of the side corridors, just as Snape was exiting his dungeon haven. He immediately noticed the words, but the Transfiguration professor was more distracted by the crowd.
"Honestly! Good heavens, what could keep you ALL from going into the Great Hall? Breakfast should have started-," but she never finished, having finally caught sight of the words written in blood. Everyone's eyes were on Harry, and Remus quickly led him away, for which he was thankful. Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny seemed to snap from their trance and followed them.
"Come on, Harry," Remus whispered. "I'm sure I could fix up something in my quarters for you lot. I'm pretty sure you don't want all that attention right now." Harry nodded and thanked him. He was right, because at that moment, he couldn't have faced half the school.
They followed the path that was quickly becoming familiar to all of them except Ginny. They all sat around the same tea table and Remus soon brought over some quickly made breakfast. Sirius took a seat nearest his godson and they all ate in silence for a while. However, Harry soon noticed their eyes stealing glances at him.
"I'm not going to keel over any second, you know," Harry smiled.
As one, a muffled 'sorry' was heard.
"Don't be," Harry continued to smile. "If I were in your position, I'd be likely to do the same."
"Harry," Hermione spoke, "What did that mean?"
Harry froze. He still hadn't told them about the prophecy that he'd only learned of last year.
"Wasn't that from the prophecy?" Remus asked timidly, putting down his utensils for a moment.
"Yes," Harry said. "I just haven't gotten around to telling anyone about that."
"What prophecy?" Ron asked. "What haven't we been told?"
Harry slowly began the explanation of the prophecy. By the time he was finished, four mouths were wide open, and the only ones not in shock were Sirius and Remus, who had no doubt heard it all before. However, Sirius looked weary as his godson spoke. There was a tension in the room that carried on with them as they left to go to their classes.
**********
"Well Harry, here's to the tryouts!" Ron said at dinner on Friday evening.
"Yeah," Harry mumbled. "I wonder how they'll go?"
"They'll go fine, and you know it!" Hermione said.
"I s'pose," Harry said, glancing at a nervous Gryffindor table, many of which were the ones trying out.
"Oy! Ginny, are you trying out?" Ron asked his younger sister.
"Yes," she replied, "Chaser."
"Good, and we have back our seeker too!" Neville beamed.
"Best there is!" Dean exclaimed, clapping Harry on the back. Harry turned red and concentrated on his food. This would be his first duty as captain.
***********
The tryouts went well, considering how terribly some of the youngest students did. It was very helpful though, that Remus and Snuffles had come and cheered everyone on through all the pressure. Everyone looked up expectantly as Professor McGonagall strode into the Common Room, the final decision made by her, Harry, and Ron in her hands.
"I will now announce the official positions for the Gryffindor Quidditch team for this year!" she called so that they all could hear. "Our current Captain and Seeker, a Mister Harry Potter." She allowed time for everyone to cheer. "Keeper, a Mister Ronald Weasley,"-more cheers-"Chasers, a Miss Ginny Weasley, a Mister Scott Wilson, and a Miss Jessica Chavers." She paused to let the roar die down. "Our two beaters are a Mister Dean Thomas and a Mister Seamus Finnigan." The roar at the calling of the complete Quidditch team was deafening.
"Well mate," Ron said, "turned out well, don't you think?"
A/N: Yes, it's shorter than usual, but I couldn't think of anything else to end with. Please review! It keeps me going.