Here's the next installment to the story!! Thanks to everyone for their reviews....sorry to leviyl if I seem to be getting off topic lol...I hope this is better!
Disclaimer: I'm Not JK Rowling....I don't own Harry Potter.....I don't take claim for any of the characters created by JK herself.
Chapter 13: A Plan Revealed
Soon, before Harry knew it, Halloween was just around the corner and as usual, the Great Hall was festooned with Hagrid's giant pumpkins, while dozens of black bats swooped through the hall's enchanted ceiling. Two weeks had passed since he had gotten his mirror fixed and yet, as busy as his days were, Harry had no time at all to attempt to contact Lupin. In addition to his load of homework every night, Ron (and perhaps the rest of the Quidditch team), hungry for victory, had agreed to practices every Wednesday evening after dinner, and on every Saturday in preparation for the match against Slytherin taking place on the second week of November.
Although it had been a while since Harry had tried to contact Lupin, he didn't feel that anything severe had happened yet to the world outside of Hogwarts, due to the fact that there were no breaking news articles on the front page of the Daily Prophet and no urgent letters being sent to him. Yet, at dinner that night, Harry as well as the entire student body, received some shocking news.
As everyone indulged themselves with plenty of food, out of nowhere came a most delicate noise. Looking up from their meals and turning their heads in the direction of the head table where the sound had originated, they noticed that none other than Percy Weasley, the Official School Patroller was holding a goblet in his hand and was gently tapping it with his knife in hopes of attracting the students' attention. Once aware that he had everyone's undivided attention he began to speak.
"Now I am quite aware that tomorrow is Halloween and usually you students are accustomed to visiting Hogsmeade on such an occasion. However, given the circumstances, no one will be permitted to leave the school grounds for safety purposes." Percy said pompously as he gazed out through his horn-rimmed glasses.
Groans of disappointment erupted from the sea of students. "I know you were all looking forward to the small outing, but the teachers and the head master have all decided that it would be best for the time being that we avoid any activities that have you leaving the safety of the school walls," Percy replied.
Although Harry felt everyone else's pain, inside he knew that it would probably be for the best. "Hopefully in the future, there will be a chance for village visits seeing as how I did promise at least one at the start of term feast." Percy added, trying to cheer the students up. At last Percy took his seat and slowly, everyone had eaten to their fullest and were beginning to retire back to their common rooms. In his mind, Harry decided that tonight would be the night he would finally try to reach Lupin.
Back in the common room, Harry had told his friends his idea and they too wanted to be there to witness what Lupin had to say. Thus, Harry and Ron pretended to be deep in thought as they read the pages that Professor Granita had assigned, waited for the room to empty. Hermione though, didn't have to pretend to be working. Now that Ron and Harry knew about her attempt at tutoring Artemis in Transfiguration, there was no need for secrecy so her and Artemis sat at the other end of the table, writing study notes for their upcoming test. And at the moment, Parvati and Lavender were staring dreamily at Artemis, probably imagining themselves in Hermione's place.
Ron caught this and scoffed. "What does everyone see in that guy?" Ron asked Harry. "I mean, sure, he's got that blonde hair and those bright blue eyes that any girl could fall for." Harry laughed at Ron as he continued to blab on about Artemis.
Finally, Seamus and Dean stood from their spot and made their way to the staircase. "G'night," Seamus said as he gave a big yawn and soon, Artemis too, had to give in. He gathered his belongings and just before ascending to his room, took Hermione's hand and like before in the Great Hall, kissed her hand. "Good night everyone," he said and then left the trio alone, in front of the nearly extinguished fireplace.
When Hermione turned to her friends, Ron's mouth was wide open. "What was that all about?" he asked.
"Oh nothing, he was just saying good night," Hermione answered, slightly flushed. "Why? Are you jealous?"
"Me? Certainly not! Why would I be jealous?....There's no reason for me to be jealous of any sort!" Ron crossed his arms in disgust. "Besides, we're not here to discuss this. We're here for Harry," he looked towards his friend. "So what are you waiting for mate, where's your mirror?"
Harry dug into his pocket and pulled out the mirror. Staring directly into the silvery glass, he spoke. "I wish to speak with Lupin." Again as before, Harry's image in the mirror blurred out of view to reveal Lupin's face staring back at him. Ron and Hermione quickly stood and took the position at Harry's side.
"Hello Harry....Ron....Hermione," Lupin greeted and smiled. "How have you all been?"
"Oh we're fine....Percy just told us that they're canceling our Hogsmeade visit tomorrow," Harry informed.
"Oh yes, that's right," Lupin replied. "Cornelius Fudge suggested the idea to Dumbledore and I suppose they're going through with it.....we can't risk anything at the moment you know."
"So has anything happened lately, Lupin?" Harry inquired.
"Well, no news on You-Know-Who right now," Lupin frowned. "No one was willing to go to his hideout after what happened to Mundungus."
"Well who wouldn't," Ron blurted out.
"Yes, that's right Ron," Lupin gave a small smile. "But I think we've found a solution to that problem....I don't think I can tell you it just yet though....well that's about it for now I suppose, so I think I better turn in for the night....you three should get to bed too, it's getting late...and Harry, don't forget to--"
"I know, I know....clear my mind before I go to sleep."
Lupin chuckled, "Yes....well good night everyone and pleasant dreams." The mirror blurred once again and then resumed the reflection of Harry's face.
The next day, since Hogsmeade was canceled, the students spent their day by roaming the castle grounds. Harry, Ron and Hermione kept to themselves as they sat in the courtyard, discussing the events of the night before.
"So what do you reckon this new plan is that Lupin was talking about?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione.
"I haven't the slightest clue," Harry responded as he stared blankly off into the distance. "But I hope it works."
"Whatever it is," Hermione began. "I hope v-Voldemort can be stopped soon."
Ron shuddered, "I don't understand how you can say his name Hermione!....It's just--too horrible!"
"Oh Ron. You've got to start saying it sometime....How can you go on fearing a thing that's as simple as a name?" Hermione asked.
Ron opened his mouth to protest but right at that moment, Ginny came running up towards them. "Harry--Professor--McGonagall--wants to see you. She said Dumbledore--wants to speak--to you--it's urgent," Ginny managed to say in between gasps for air.
"What?" Harry exclaimed as he stood from the stone bench. "Did she say why?"
Ginny shook her head as she took the now empty seat next to her brother. "She just said it was very important."
"Alright, I guess I'll catch up with you all later," Harry said as he made his way to the large wooden doors, leading to the Entrance Hall. He then ascended the grand staircase as quickly as he could, until he reached the second floor of the castle. At once, Harry began searching for the gargoyle statue that marked the secret entrance to Dumbledore's office. Harry had no difficulty spotting such a statue, one reason was because he had been to Dumbledore's office quite a few times before, the second reason was because just outside the statue stood Professor McGonagall.
"Potter," she called out to him. "I suppose Miss Weasley has informed you of this urgency?"
"Yes Professor, but why--"
"There's no time for explanations right now. Acid Pop." And the passage hidden by the grotesque statue was revealed and both Harry and McGonagall climbed up the stairs. Once at the top, McGonagall knocked on the door.
"You may enter," came Dumbledore's gentle voice from within.
As the door swung open it was made known that inside this room was being held a secret meeting. Harry was surprised to see many familiar faces staring back at him. Seated in the room were Mr Weasley, Lupin, Cornelius Fudge, Moody, Snape, Dedalus Diggle, Shaklebolt, and to Harry's utmost shock, the past Headmaster of Durmstrang, Karkaroff. They all smiled and greeted him (all except Snape) as Harry entered the room.
"Welcome Harry," Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you Minerva...you may both have a seat." And he gestured towards two chairs at the end of the room. "Now Harry, I have decided it would be wise to have you included in this meeting, just so that there is no confusion....I am aware that Remus has spoken to you about a new plan that we are devising?"
Harry nodded in agreement.
"Well, then I believe you remember Igor Karkaroff from the last time he visited Hogwarts during the Triwizard tournament." Dumbledore's hand led Harry's eyes to where Karkaroff had been sitting, next to Moody.
"Yea, where did you find him? I thought he fled the minute he heard Voldemort returned." Harry said with curiosity.
"You see Harry," Mr Weasley took the floor. "We never found Karkaroff. In fact we think he left the continent completely, hiding."
Harry was sure Mr Weasley had lost it. "But--then--" Harry was definitely confused as he stared at Karakoff...or was it? At that moment, Karkaroff's face became distorted as it slowly transformed. Karkaroff's dark hair was now lightening to a light shade of pink and soon, sitting among them was Tonks. Harry gaped in amazement.
"See Harry, Tonks and Severus have both agreed to become our eyes and ears inside of You-Know-Who's hideout. Tonks, disguised as Karkaroff along with Snape will pretend to have returned to the Dark Lord's side." Lupin explained. "They can help us with information in His progress."
Harry now understood. "Are you sure it will work?"
"We certainly hope so." Dumbledore spoke again. "Severus has already been instructing Tonks in the art of Occlumency so that Lord Voldemort cannot read their minds."
Yet, Harry couldn't help but question Snape's loyalty. What made everyone so sure that he was definitely on their side? Harry knew that everyone appeared to have trusted him, but Harry wasn't going to easily forget how much hatred Snape showed towards him for the past five years.
As soon as Harry was dismissed from the meeting, he looked everywhere for his friends, finally finding them out by the lake--Ron, chucking stones into the cool waters and Hermione seated under the large tree.
"Harry!" Hermione called out to him from under the beach tree. "What happened?"
Harry went into full detail of what had just happened--the secret meeting, Dumbledore telling him their new plan and when he explained how Tonks had transformed into Karkaroff, Hermione let out a big gasp of shock.
"Bloody brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "I never would have imagined!"
Ron and Hermione obviously weren't as concerned about Snape as Harry was or perhaps they trusted Snape to be on their side. However, at that moment, Harry chose not to let Snape bother him. He decided to wait and see if Snape would prove his loyalty. As he contemplated these thoughts in his mind, Harry joined Ron and threw a large stone into the lake and watched as it made a large splash, the ripples slowly moving outward, causing a small disruption of the lake's calm waters.
Alrighty!....another chapter finished! A little shorter, but that's ok. Please Review and offer up some suggestions to make the story better! Thanx