Chapter 16: Voldemort's Return
Once the students woke up the next morning they were escorted back to their dormitories by their heads of house and told to get dressed promptly so they could be taken back to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry, Ron and Hermione were asked to stay behind with Dumbledore due to the fact that Sirius didn't have enough time to hide before they woke up.
" Sirius what would of happened if you had been caught? I know you were a dog, but still they could of easily found out that it was you, we have a feeling Malfoy's dad told him about you being an animagus." Hermione looked at Sirius worriedly.
" Don't worry about it. I am going to remain on Hogwarts grounds for a while. Dumbledore is brewing a Polyjuice potion so I won't be a dog forever. I am not leaving Hogwarts at this time though. I'm staying as close to Harry and yourselves as possible." With this Sirius sat down in a chair in the same small room Remus and Spike had pulled him in.
" What do you mean your staying as close to Harry and us as possible? What is going on? The only time Hogwarts has been this way was when you broke into Hogwarts!" Ron yelled at everyone.
" Though it is against my wishes I must inform you all that Hogwarts is no longer safe, and as of tomorrow parents are welcome to take their children out of school. However those parents that feel that their child is safer here may let them stay. Voldemort broke into Hogwarts the other day, we do not know how. We know it's him because he approached Professor Snape who I may add is still undercover as one of his loyal followers and told him that he was going to hang around. When Professor Snape heard about something one of the students had done he saw that that opportunity was a good way of passing on the information of Voldemort's return to Hogwarts." Dumbledore said looking straight at Harry.
" Is that why there are so many Aurors around? But who are the other people?" Harry asked.
" The other people are collegues of mine from the Watchers Council. Most of them are Slayers though. That reminds me, Buffy and Angel should be here any minute." With that Andrew stormed out of the room and towards his office.
" I guess I should go inform the students as best as possible. They should contact their parents immediately and pack their things." Dumbledore followed the rest of the people and Padfoot out of the room. By this time most of the houses were back in the Great Hall. " Padfoot if you would accompany these three students to their house dormitories. Spike, if you would accompany them also, so they can get dressed and ready for the rest of the day. When you arrive I will start the speech."
" Yeah sure, I'll escort the bits-erm-students." Spike now understood how serious this situation was turning and decided to help than become a burden.
The five of them walked out of the Great Hall, up the steps and into the Gryffindor common room which was now deserted. Spike helped the boys get their things together. Since guys weren't allowed in the girl's dormitories. Sirius remained a dog but waited until Hermione was dressed to go and help her collect her school supplies for the day. They met back up in the common room. " How long do you think its going to take the Aurors to catch Voldemort?" Ron looked over at Harry and Hermione.
" Hopefully not long. Their every good at catching dark wizards, I just hope no one gets killed in the process." Hermione hurried out of the portrait hole after Spike. They then went back down to the Great Hall and sat at Gryffindor table. Everyone was silent waiting to see if Dumbledore would comment on what was going on or if they were going to be left in the dark.
Once everyone was back in the Great Hall, and the teachers and students were done eating with the exception of Spike and Faith whom were guarding the doors from the outside, Dumbledore stood up and the Great Hall went silent. It seemed like everyone was holding their breath.
" I am sorry to say that Hogwarts has become unsafe to all students and teachers. Someone broke into Hogwarts last night and has yet to be found, we know that he or she is still here. The school will be guarded by Aurors, Slayers and members of the Watchers Council. Which will keep it moderatly safe. However any students wishing to go home may contact their parents using one of the schools barn owls or an owl of their own. Those wishing to stay may do so. Your parents will be contacted shortly. Some classes will go on as scheduled, others will be moved or stopped all together. Your teachers will walk you from class to class and straggling in the hallway is off limits to everyone at this time. If you would please follow your heads of house to your dormitories they will inform you there of the classes that have been canceled and moved. At this time any student wishing to contact their parents if you would please follow me I will be happy to take you to the Owlery." With that Dumbledore got up walked around the teacher's table and proceeded through the doors of the Great Hall with what seemed like most of the school.
" If you would all follow me please, I will explain everything back in the Gryffindor Common room." Professor McGonagall said while striding by the Gryffindor table. The other heads of house were doing the same thing.
Once the students woke up the next morning they were escorted back to their dormitories by their heads of house and told to get dressed promptly so they could be taken back to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry, Ron and Hermione were asked to stay behind with Dumbledore due to the fact that Sirius didn't have enough time to hide before they woke up.
" Sirius what would of happened if you had been caught? I know you were a dog, but still they could of easily found out that it was you, we have a feeling Malfoy's dad told him about you being an animagus." Hermione looked at Sirius worriedly.
" Don't worry about it. I am going to remain on Hogwarts grounds for a while. Dumbledore is brewing a Polyjuice potion so I won't be a dog forever. I am not leaving Hogwarts at this time though. I'm staying as close to Harry and yourselves as possible." With this Sirius sat down in a chair in the same small room Remus and Spike had pulled him in.
" What do you mean your staying as close to Harry and us as possible? What is going on? The only time Hogwarts has been this way was when you broke into Hogwarts!" Ron yelled at everyone.
" Though it is against my wishes I must inform you all that Hogwarts is no longer safe, and as of tomorrow parents are welcome to take their children out of school. However those parents that feel that their child is safer here may let them stay. Voldemort broke into Hogwarts the other day, we do not know how. We know it's him because he approached Professor Snape who I may add is still undercover as one of his loyal followers and told him that he was going to hang around. When Professor Snape heard about something one of the students had done he saw that that opportunity was a good way of passing on the information of Voldemort's return to Hogwarts." Dumbledore said looking straight at Harry.
" Is that why there are so many Aurors around? But who are the other people?" Harry asked.
" The other people are collegues of mine from the Watchers Council. Most of them are Slayers though. That reminds me, Buffy and Angel should be here any minute." With that Andrew stormed out of the room and towards his office.
" I guess I should go inform the students as best as possible. They should contact their parents immediately and pack their things." Dumbledore followed the rest of the people and Padfoot out of the room. By this time most of the houses were back in the Great Hall. " Padfoot if you would accompany these three students to their house dormitories. Spike, if you would accompany them also, so they can get dressed and ready for the rest of the day. When you arrive I will start the speech."
" Yeah sure, I'll escort the bits-erm-students." Spike now understood how serious this situation was turning and decided to help than become a burden.
The five of them walked out of the Great Hall, up the steps and into the Gryffindor common room which was now deserted. Spike helped the boys get their things together. Since guys weren't allowed in the girl's dormitories. Sirius remained a dog but waited until Hermione was dressed to go and help her collect her school supplies for the day. They met back up in the common room. " How long do you think its going to take the Aurors to catch Voldemort?" Ron looked over at Harry and Hermione.
" Hopefully not long. Their every good at catching dark wizards, I just hope no one gets killed in the process." Hermione hurried out of the portrait hole after Spike. They then went back down to the Great Hall and sat at Gryffindor table. Everyone was silent waiting to see if Dumbledore would comment on what was going on or if they were going to be left in the dark.
Once everyone was back in the Great Hall, and the teachers and students were done eating with the exception of Spike and Faith whom were guarding the doors from the outside, Dumbledore stood up and the Great Hall went silent. It seemed like everyone was holding their breath.
" I am sorry to say that Hogwarts has become unsafe to all students and teachers. Someone broke into Hogwarts last night and has yet to be found, we know that he or she is still here. The school will be guarded by Aurors, Slayers and members of the Watchers Council. Which will keep it moderatly safe. However any students wishing to go home may contact their parents using one of the schools barn owls or an owl of their own. Those wishing to stay may do so. Your parents will be contacted shortly. Some classes will go on as scheduled, others will be moved or stopped all together. Your teachers will walk you from class to class and straggling in the hallway is off limits to everyone at this time. If you would please follow your heads of house to your dormitories they will inform you there of the classes that have been canceled and moved. At this time any student wishing to contact their parents if you would please follow me I will be happy to take you to the Owlery." With that Dumbledore got up walked around the teacher's table and proceeded through the doors of the Great Hall with what seemed like most of the school.
" If you would all follow me please, I will explain everything back in the Gryffindor Common room." Professor McGonagall said while striding by the Gryffindor table. The other heads of house were doing the same thing.
Once all the students were inside the Gryffindor common room they were told to wait until Professor McGonagall entered before they set out for their bedrooms. " Please do not let anyone into the tower at the moment unless it's a teacher, Gryffindor student, or Professor Dumbledore." McGonagall told the Fat lady.
" Fine, but what's this all about?"
" He-who-must-not-be-named and his followers have broken into Hogwarts. We do not know where he is hiding, but we're having the ghosts look around along with the Aurors and Slayers." McGonagall said quickly and then hurrided through the portrait hole.
" Please listen up, due to circumstances beyond our control the following classes have been canceled. Astronomy, History of magic and Divinations. The only class that has been moved is The Care of Magical Creatures it will now be taught in the room directly across from the Great Hall. Other than that you are not to wander alone in the corridors, if a teacher, head boy or girl, ghost, or a prefect is unable to escort you please walk in a group of three or more. This will provide you with some safety until one of the following people can come to your aid." McGonagall looked at all the horror struck students.
"Professor what's going on? We've never had so many restrictions before, not even when Sirius Black broke into Hogwarts a few years ago. I know someone broke in but who could be more worse than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's right hand man?" Asked a quite third year.
" I know your not stupid, but please use your brain. Who else would have us sending children home?" With that McGonagall turned and walked out of the portrait leaving the students in the Gryffindor Common room.
It took a while for everyone to calm down. Since most of the Gryffindors schedules were based around Divinations, Astronomy, and Defense Against the Dark Arts most of the students had a lot of time to hang around since it would be awhile until their first class. Harry and Ron started to play wizarding chess when the portrait door opened. In walked Spike. " Anyone who has Defense Against the Dark Arts please follow me." With that the third year Gryffindors walked out of the room lead by Spike.
" I'm glad Spike isn't being a burden, usually he refused to help anyone." Zoe looked up from her homework. " I'll be back, I'm going to the library." With that she turned to leave. Outside the portrait door she ran into Sir Nicholas.
" Where do you think your going all by yourself Mrs. Williams?" Sir Nicholas looked at her seriously.
" I was wondering if you would be so kind as to escort me to the library I have to get some homework done and I just can't find what I'm looking for in the books I have in my dorm." With that Sir Nicholas lead Zoe to the library leaving her once she was safely inside.
" Here we are. The Bloody Barren is the watcher of these halls once your done just fine him and he'll help you find your way back." With that Sir Nicholas turned and left.
" Fine, but what's this all about?"
" He-who-must-not-be-named and his followers have broken into Hogwarts. We do not know where he is hiding, but we're having the ghosts look around along with the Aurors and Slayers." McGonagall said quickly and then hurrided through the portrait hole.
" Please listen up, due to circumstances beyond our control the following classes have been canceled. Astronomy, History of magic and Divinations. The only class that has been moved is The Care of Magical Creatures it will now be taught in the room directly across from the Great Hall. Other than that you are not to wander alone in the corridors, if a teacher, head boy or girl, ghost, or a prefect is unable to escort you please walk in a group of three or more. This will provide you with some safety until one of the following people can come to your aid." McGonagall looked at all the horror struck students.
"Professor what's going on? We've never had so many restrictions before, not even when Sirius Black broke into Hogwarts a few years ago. I know someone broke in but who could be more worse than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's right hand man?" Asked a quite third year.
" I know your not stupid, but please use your brain. Who else would have us sending children home?" With that McGonagall turned and walked out of the portrait leaving the students in the Gryffindor Common room.
It took a while for everyone to calm down. Since most of the Gryffindors schedules were based around Divinations, Astronomy, and Defense Against the Dark Arts most of the students had a lot of time to hang around since it would be awhile until their first class. Harry and Ron started to play wizarding chess when the portrait door opened. In walked Spike. " Anyone who has Defense Against the Dark Arts please follow me." With that the third year Gryffindors walked out of the room lead by Spike.
" I'm glad Spike isn't being a burden, usually he refused to help anyone." Zoe looked up from her homework. " I'll be back, I'm going to the library." With that she turned to leave. Outside the portrait door she ran into Sir Nicholas.
" Where do you think your going all by yourself Mrs. Williams?" Sir Nicholas looked at her seriously.
" I was wondering if you would be so kind as to escort me to the library I have to get some homework done and I just can't find what I'm looking for in the books I have in my dorm." With that Sir Nicholas lead Zoe to the library leaving her once she was safely inside.
" Here we are. The Bloody Barren is the watcher of these halls once your done just fine him and he'll help you find your way back." With that Sir Nicholas turned and left.