A dead silence descended the Potions lab, it seemed to consume every one of
them. Although McGonagall's booming voice had long since silenced, the
magnitude of her words weighed on every one of them. Beside him, Harry
heard Hermione let out a whimper, as if she were a frightened child. All of
them, every one, stood where they were, an odd glazed look in their eyes.
Gryffindor's and Slytherin's alike stood motionless.
There was a click and the small door that led into Snapes office opened, letting his tall figure back into the classroom. Harry saw his face, his eyes were bloodshot and his mouth was drawn down, as if in eternal bad taste, Harry thought he wore an odd expression, even for him. When he spoke, it made most of the students jump, although it was in a soft voice, everyone seemed to be off in their own world and Snape's voice brought them crashing back down into this one ... the one where the invincible died.
"If you will all follow me, I will escort you back to your Common Room's," He said, some of the girls took this as a sign to let go and began crying. Harry was beyond tears. Dumbledore was like his father, more importantly, he was a friend. He was Harry's protector, along with everyone else. How could someone like that ...? He couldn't even bring himself to think it, the word was dirty, it was horrid. Death.
Harry was aware of hot streaks going down his cheek and knew he was crying, he threw a defiant look at Draco, as if daring him to make light of this situation. But to his surprise, Draco cast his eyes downward at his glare, as if ashamed.
The students were all filing out of the classroom now, up the stone corridor and towards the Great Hall. Somehow, the school seemed different, less attractive. Ron was walking beside him, his face streaked with tears too. Harry suddenly stopped, breaking out of his reverie. This wasn't right, Dumbledore couldn't be dead, he was ... is the most powerful wizard of all time, he couldn't be dead. They were passing the corridor Harry knew to lead off towards Dumbledore's office and without a second thought, he tore across the hall and towards it, Ron let out a cry and followed, as did Hermione.
Harry hoped the others hadn't noticed him, in truth, he hoped Hermione and Ron hadn't either, but he could hear their feet padding along behind him. How could this happen? It was his sixth year, the death of his Godfather had just lessoned it's vice like grief and he was able to think of Sirius without tears, now this? It wasn't right. It wasn't right.
"Harry!" He heard Hermione pant behind him, her and Ron were running fast to try to catch up, but Harry put on another burst of speed and tore down the hallways towards Dumbledore's office. He was going to prove this was wrong, he would open the door and Dumbledore's cool, blue eyes would look up from his work, a sparkle lighting his half moon glasses.
And there it was, the entrance to the Headmasters office. Harry slowed and stopped, standing before the great brass statue. Behind him, Ron and Hermione caught up, panting and clutching their sides.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron managed. Hermione was looking at him with a mixture of fear and pain. Harry hated that look, he didn't know why, but he did. "Harry," She pleaded "It's dangerous, whoever . killed him could still be here," Ron nodded vigorously at the sentence and cast a nervous glance around, as if a hidden Death Eater might spring from the shadows. But instead of answering them, Harry turned back to the statue and began to spout off words.
"Cockroach clusters, Bertie Bots, Fizzing whizbies!" This was familiar, he had gone through something similar in his fourth year, but never under such grave circumstances. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other and stepped forward towards Harry; Ron laid a hand on his shoulder as Harry continued to shout words at the statue. The words, however, began to run together and become undistinguishable, Harry's shoulders shook with the effort of holding back great sobs. He beat his fists against the statue, yelling for it to open up.
Hermione turned away from the scene, covering her mouth from her own tears. Ron propped Harry up as he shook with rage and grief. How could he do this to him? How could he leave him like this? Harry began to hit the statue as hard as he could, sending little metallic noises bouncing off the corridors walls, Ron let go of him and stood back, almost afraid of this primal behavior, Hermione let out another cry and put her hand to the icy wall, steadying herself.
Harry's fists were bloody from hitting the harsh statue but he didn't care, he had to get in, he had to prove Dumbledore was alright. A firm grip was on his shoulder, pulling him back from his objective. Harry struggled against it. No, he had to get in he had to prove the Headmaster was alright!
"Potter, get a grip!" It was Snape, he must have dropped off the other students and noticed he wasn't there. That must have taken a long time, how long had he been pounding this statue?
"NO! HE'S IN THERE, WE HAVE TO HELP HIM, HE NEEDS HELP!" Harry bellowed into Snapes face. He didn't realize, but Draco stood behind Snape, an expression of fear mixed with uncertainty. Snape just held Harry's arms at his side, the kind of thing nice men in white coats would do. But he wasn't insane, Dumbledore was alright . wasn't he?
"Potter, calm yourself or I shall have to use calming methods." Snape said through gritted teeth as he struggled to hold a writhing Harry.
"No! Listen, he's alright . he's alright" Was all Harry could manage. Snape looked worried, as if searching for what to do. Finally, after some thought, he seemed to come to a conclusion.
"If you calm down, I can tell you what happened" He said quickly, and Harry understood. He slumped down onto the wall and slid, until he was in a sitting position on the floor. His hands went up to his face and he removed his glasses, wiping his eyes. Great, now Malfoy had seen him cry.
Hermione and Ron walked over to join him, sitting on either side of Harry.
"This is what I've just been told by Professor McGonagall," Snape began, Draco stood next to him, waiting to hear this explanation first hand. "Apparently, a group of Death Eaters along with . The Dark Lord,"
"Why don't you call him Voldemort?!" Harry spat to his friends and Snape wincing "He's your master, isn't he?" He knew he was being mean and unfair, but he was beyond any sense of politeness. Snape recovered and chose to ignore this little outburst, but when he resumed, his voice was strained.
"Apparently, they managed to get in through a secret tunnel located directly above the Headmasters office. He was, at the time, feeding his pet Phoenix when they dropped in. From what I've heard, it wasn't a fair fight," Harry turned his head away and closed his eyes, not really wanting to hear the rest, but in a sense, needing to. Snape went on: "They took no time in breaking his wand, leaving him defenseless, but the Headmaster does know magic that does not transfer to wands, he killed four Death Eaters before the Dark Lord managed to . kill him."
Hermione looked up at Draco and searched his face for any kind of remorse, but found only his stoic nature and hard features. She looked back at Harry. Oh Harry, he had been through so much, and now this? Tears swarmed her eyes and burned her throat, but she had to stay strong, for Harry, for all of them.
"P-professor?" She managed "Where are the Death Eaters and V-v-voldemort," The word made her cringe but she plowed on nonetheless. "Where are they now?"
Snape opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, the statue began to move. They all looked up, expecting to see their Headmaster, alive and well. Instead, there stood Professor McGonagall, her face haggard and worn. She looked down at them, but there was not much surprise on her face. Hermione thought perhaps there wasn't room for it.
"Oh," McGonagall said softly "I was just coming for you, Potter, and I suppose all of you can come too ." She seemed to be in a dream state, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. They all stood up and began to follow her when there was a cry from farther down that hall, the party turned to see a streak of red careening down the hall towards them. After a moment, it hit Ron and began to sob.
"I thought something had happened to you!" Ginny Weasley cried, holding onto her last sibling at Hogwarts. Snape looked down at her, somewhere between amusement and anger. No one made a move for her to leave so she followed them in. Harry was rather happy she was there, he didn't quite know why, but she made him calmer.
The group entered the office in single file, Professor McGonagall first, then Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny Snape and finally Draco. There was a large context from the office Harry had been in the previous year and this one, for one thing, items were strewn on the floor like toys, and there was red on one wall. His stomach turned as Harry realized it must have been blood.
Professor McGonagall motioned for them to sit and most of them did, except Draco who was standing in the shadows, looking uncomfortable. McGonagall stepped behind the desk that had belonged to their dear Headmaster, but now resembled a war zone.
"As I'm sure Professor Snape has told you, Albus Dumbledore has been attacked and is now dead," She said this as if it were merely fact, and Harry hated her for it. Why was she not more upset? "He has, however, planned for this, if just such an occasion might arise. Hogwart's students will be sent home and the school will close until his brother, Answorth Dumbledore arrives."
"I thought his brother was named Aberfroth, or something," Draco offered from his corner, the group turned to look at him and he scowled.
"Well, yes, but he has more than one, the brother I am referring to is more, ah, reliable" McGonagall went on "But he did leave explicate instructions that you, Harry, are to receive something no later than an hour after his death." Harry almost jumped at his name, he was in such a stupor. And now Professor McGonagall walked from behind the recent Headmasters desk and to a cabinet in the corner. She opened the lock with a small key and Harry recognized the Pensive. The Professor removed a small parcel and walked to Harry, standing before him she looked down.
"He has never told me or anyone else what this is, but it is indeed meant for you." And with that, she dropped it into his hand. It was small, and round. A small tag hung from the common brown paper it was wrapped in, Harry recognized Dumbledore's loopy cursive. It read "Mr. Harry Potter, upon my death"
He looked up at McGonagall, then at Ron, then at Hermione, each was looking expectantly at the parcel. Harry looked back down at his new treasure and began to remove the paper. At first, Harry was sure it was a Remembrall, it was about that size, and made from spun glass that seemed so thin, if he pressed too hard it would shatter. Inside, and Harry had to strain to see, was a tiny Hourglass, spinning faster than he could make out. It was supported by nothing and spun directly in the middle of the sphere. When he held it, Harry felt a great warmness come over him, as if everything would be alright.
Finally, he noticed a note that had fallen out of the wrapping, he gingerly picked it up, careful not to hurt the glass.
Harry, Only in dreams shall men be truly free, thus it has always been, and thus it
shall always be.
Use it well.
He read it over twice before lowering it. Fresh tears rolled down his face as he looked back up at McGonagall. She was talking again, but not with him, she was facing Snape.
"You'll need to get the students out of the castle, Severus, whoever did this is surly still here," And as if by some terrible cue, an explosion could be heard in the office. It rocked the very ground where Harry's feet rested, making him clutch the note in fear of dropping it with his new perfect sphere. McGonagall had a look of intense panic on her face but she suppressed it.
"Get the children out, NOW!" She called as another great boom sounded. Immediately they were ushered out, Snape in the lead and Draco again trailing. Harry turned back in time to see Professor McGonagall race off in the direction of the Great Hall, wand raised.
The corridors shook as they ran, sending little sprays of gravel at them. Snape was leading them out, but Harry wanted to stay, he wanted to go help. Before he could do anything, though, Snape seemed to know what he was thinking and grabbed his robes, pulling him forward.
Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Draco ran behind them, past a crumbling staircase as another giant crash sounded.
"What's happening?!" Harry could hear Ginny call, though he couldn't see her for the film of crumbling dust was a thick as smoke.
"The Death Eaters, they must be attacking the castle!" Ron called.
"Oh, is that just a hunch, Weasley?" Draco shouted sarcastically, a life and death situation not spoiling his witty remarks.
Finally Snape led them to the great oak front doors and threw them open, standing beside them as the group pelted out, when Draco ran through, he followed, ushering them onto the Quidditch Pitch. Then, and only then did they realize the gravity of the situation. Death Eaters had somehow obtained dragons and were in the process of flying around the school, attacking it from all sides. Harry realized that they were the only students outside and knew the rest of them, including the faculty, were still in there.
He watched as Gryffindor tower fall almost gracefully and crashed onto another part of the school, they were all too shocked to do anything but stare as this happened.
Big fireballs shot out of the dragons mouths as the Death Eaters swooped in and out of the many turrets of the castle. This couldn't be happening, Harry thought feverishly, Hogwarts was the safest place in the wizarding world, nothing could touch it.
They watched as the castle gave one last shudder, and collapsed. The Death Eaters flew off towards the Forbidden Forest, not noticing the small group of students and one teacher. Ginny let out a scream as she watched the school crumble to the ground. All those lives, all those people, dead.
The air was still again, and the deafening sounds of explosions had ceased. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry lay in ruins.
There was a click and the small door that led into Snapes office opened, letting his tall figure back into the classroom. Harry saw his face, his eyes were bloodshot and his mouth was drawn down, as if in eternal bad taste, Harry thought he wore an odd expression, even for him. When he spoke, it made most of the students jump, although it was in a soft voice, everyone seemed to be off in their own world and Snape's voice brought them crashing back down into this one ... the one where the invincible died.
"If you will all follow me, I will escort you back to your Common Room's," He said, some of the girls took this as a sign to let go and began crying. Harry was beyond tears. Dumbledore was like his father, more importantly, he was a friend. He was Harry's protector, along with everyone else. How could someone like that ...? He couldn't even bring himself to think it, the word was dirty, it was horrid. Death.
Harry was aware of hot streaks going down his cheek and knew he was crying, he threw a defiant look at Draco, as if daring him to make light of this situation. But to his surprise, Draco cast his eyes downward at his glare, as if ashamed.
The students were all filing out of the classroom now, up the stone corridor and towards the Great Hall. Somehow, the school seemed different, less attractive. Ron was walking beside him, his face streaked with tears too. Harry suddenly stopped, breaking out of his reverie. This wasn't right, Dumbledore couldn't be dead, he was ... is the most powerful wizard of all time, he couldn't be dead. They were passing the corridor Harry knew to lead off towards Dumbledore's office and without a second thought, he tore across the hall and towards it, Ron let out a cry and followed, as did Hermione.
Harry hoped the others hadn't noticed him, in truth, he hoped Hermione and Ron hadn't either, but he could hear their feet padding along behind him. How could this happen? It was his sixth year, the death of his Godfather had just lessoned it's vice like grief and he was able to think of Sirius without tears, now this? It wasn't right. It wasn't right.
"Harry!" He heard Hermione pant behind him, her and Ron were running fast to try to catch up, but Harry put on another burst of speed and tore down the hallways towards Dumbledore's office. He was going to prove this was wrong, he would open the door and Dumbledore's cool, blue eyes would look up from his work, a sparkle lighting his half moon glasses.
And there it was, the entrance to the Headmasters office. Harry slowed and stopped, standing before the great brass statue. Behind him, Ron and Hermione caught up, panting and clutching their sides.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Ron managed. Hermione was looking at him with a mixture of fear and pain. Harry hated that look, he didn't know why, but he did. "Harry," She pleaded "It's dangerous, whoever . killed him could still be here," Ron nodded vigorously at the sentence and cast a nervous glance around, as if a hidden Death Eater might spring from the shadows. But instead of answering them, Harry turned back to the statue and began to spout off words.
"Cockroach clusters, Bertie Bots, Fizzing whizbies!" This was familiar, he had gone through something similar in his fourth year, but never under such grave circumstances. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other and stepped forward towards Harry; Ron laid a hand on his shoulder as Harry continued to shout words at the statue. The words, however, began to run together and become undistinguishable, Harry's shoulders shook with the effort of holding back great sobs. He beat his fists against the statue, yelling for it to open up.
Hermione turned away from the scene, covering her mouth from her own tears. Ron propped Harry up as he shook with rage and grief. How could he do this to him? How could he leave him like this? Harry began to hit the statue as hard as he could, sending little metallic noises bouncing off the corridors walls, Ron let go of him and stood back, almost afraid of this primal behavior, Hermione let out another cry and put her hand to the icy wall, steadying herself.
Harry's fists were bloody from hitting the harsh statue but he didn't care, he had to get in, he had to prove Dumbledore was alright. A firm grip was on his shoulder, pulling him back from his objective. Harry struggled against it. No, he had to get in he had to prove the Headmaster was alright!
"Potter, get a grip!" It was Snape, he must have dropped off the other students and noticed he wasn't there. That must have taken a long time, how long had he been pounding this statue?
"NO! HE'S IN THERE, WE HAVE TO HELP HIM, HE NEEDS HELP!" Harry bellowed into Snapes face. He didn't realize, but Draco stood behind Snape, an expression of fear mixed with uncertainty. Snape just held Harry's arms at his side, the kind of thing nice men in white coats would do. But he wasn't insane, Dumbledore was alright . wasn't he?
"Potter, calm yourself or I shall have to use calming methods." Snape said through gritted teeth as he struggled to hold a writhing Harry.
"No! Listen, he's alright . he's alright" Was all Harry could manage. Snape looked worried, as if searching for what to do. Finally, after some thought, he seemed to come to a conclusion.
"If you calm down, I can tell you what happened" He said quickly, and Harry understood. He slumped down onto the wall and slid, until he was in a sitting position on the floor. His hands went up to his face and he removed his glasses, wiping his eyes. Great, now Malfoy had seen him cry.
Hermione and Ron walked over to join him, sitting on either side of Harry.
"This is what I've just been told by Professor McGonagall," Snape began, Draco stood next to him, waiting to hear this explanation first hand. "Apparently, a group of Death Eaters along with . The Dark Lord,"
"Why don't you call him Voldemort?!" Harry spat to his friends and Snape wincing "He's your master, isn't he?" He knew he was being mean and unfair, but he was beyond any sense of politeness. Snape recovered and chose to ignore this little outburst, but when he resumed, his voice was strained.
"Apparently, they managed to get in through a secret tunnel located directly above the Headmasters office. He was, at the time, feeding his pet Phoenix when they dropped in. From what I've heard, it wasn't a fair fight," Harry turned his head away and closed his eyes, not really wanting to hear the rest, but in a sense, needing to. Snape went on: "They took no time in breaking his wand, leaving him defenseless, but the Headmaster does know magic that does not transfer to wands, he killed four Death Eaters before the Dark Lord managed to . kill him."
Hermione looked up at Draco and searched his face for any kind of remorse, but found only his stoic nature and hard features. She looked back at Harry. Oh Harry, he had been through so much, and now this? Tears swarmed her eyes and burned her throat, but she had to stay strong, for Harry, for all of them.
"P-professor?" She managed "Where are the Death Eaters and V-v-voldemort," The word made her cringe but she plowed on nonetheless. "Where are they now?"
Snape opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, the statue began to move. They all looked up, expecting to see their Headmaster, alive and well. Instead, there stood Professor McGonagall, her face haggard and worn. She looked down at them, but there was not much surprise on her face. Hermione thought perhaps there wasn't room for it.
"Oh," McGonagall said softly "I was just coming for you, Potter, and I suppose all of you can come too ." She seemed to be in a dream state, somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. They all stood up and began to follow her when there was a cry from farther down that hall, the party turned to see a streak of red careening down the hall towards them. After a moment, it hit Ron and began to sob.
"I thought something had happened to you!" Ginny Weasley cried, holding onto her last sibling at Hogwarts. Snape looked down at her, somewhere between amusement and anger. No one made a move for her to leave so she followed them in. Harry was rather happy she was there, he didn't quite know why, but she made him calmer.
The group entered the office in single file, Professor McGonagall first, then Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny Snape and finally Draco. There was a large context from the office Harry had been in the previous year and this one, for one thing, items were strewn on the floor like toys, and there was red on one wall. His stomach turned as Harry realized it must have been blood.
Professor McGonagall motioned for them to sit and most of them did, except Draco who was standing in the shadows, looking uncomfortable. McGonagall stepped behind the desk that had belonged to their dear Headmaster, but now resembled a war zone.
"As I'm sure Professor Snape has told you, Albus Dumbledore has been attacked and is now dead," She said this as if it were merely fact, and Harry hated her for it. Why was she not more upset? "He has, however, planned for this, if just such an occasion might arise. Hogwart's students will be sent home and the school will close until his brother, Answorth Dumbledore arrives."
"I thought his brother was named Aberfroth, or something," Draco offered from his corner, the group turned to look at him and he scowled.
"Well, yes, but he has more than one, the brother I am referring to is more, ah, reliable" McGonagall went on "But he did leave explicate instructions that you, Harry, are to receive something no later than an hour after his death." Harry almost jumped at his name, he was in such a stupor. And now Professor McGonagall walked from behind the recent Headmasters desk and to a cabinet in the corner. She opened the lock with a small key and Harry recognized the Pensive. The Professor removed a small parcel and walked to Harry, standing before him she looked down.
"He has never told me or anyone else what this is, but it is indeed meant for you." And with that, she dropped it into his hand. It was small, and round. A small tag hung from the common brown paper it was wrapped in, Harry recognized Dumbledore's loopy cursive. It read "Mr. Harry Potter, upon my death"
He looked up at McGonagall, then at Ron, then at Hermione, each was looking expectantly at the parcel. Harry looked back down at his new treasure and began to remove the paper. At first, Harry was sure it was a Remembrall, it was about that size, and made from spun glass that seemed so thin, if he pressed too hard it would shatter. Inside, and Harry had to strain to see, was a tiny Hourglass, spinning faster than he could make out. It was supported by nothing and spun directly in the middle of the sphere. When he held it, Harry felt a great warmness come over him, as if everything would be alright.
Finally, he noticed a note that had fallen out of the wrapping, he gingerly picked it up, careful not to hurt the glass.
Harry, Only in dreams shall men be truly free, thus it has always been, and thus it
shall always be.
Use it well.
He read it over twice before lowering it. Fresh tears rolled down his face as he looked back up at McGonagall. She was talking again, but not with him, she was facing Snape.
"You'll need to get the students out of the castle, Severus, whoever did this is surly still here," And as if by some terrible cue, an explosion could be heard in the office. It rocked the very ground where Harry's feet rested, making him clutch the note in fear of dropping it with his new perfect sphere. McGonagall had a look of intense panic on her face but she suppressed it.
"Get the children out, NOW!" She called as another great boom sounded. Immediately they were ushered out, Snape in the lead and Draco again trailing. Harry turned back in time to see Professor McGonagall race off in the direction of the Great Hall, wand raised.
The corridors shook as they ran, sending little sprays of gravel at them. Snape was leading them out, but Harry wanted to stay, he wanted to go help. Before he could do anything, though, Snape seemed to know what he was thinking and grabbed his robes, pulling him forward.
Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Draco ran behind them, past a crumbling staircase as another giant crash sounded.
"What's happening?!" Harry could hear Ginny call, though he couldn't see her for the film of crumbling dust was a thick as smoke.
"The Death Eaters, they must be attacking the castle!" Ron called.
"Oh, is that just a hunch, Weasley?" Draco shouted sarcastically, a life and death situation not spoiling his witty remarks.
Finally Snape led them to the great oak front doors and threw them open, standing beside them as the group pelted out, when Draco ran through, he followed, ushering them onto the Quidditch Pitch. Then, and only then did they realize the gravity of the situation. Death Eaters had somehow obtained dragons and were in the process of flying around the school, attacking it from all sides. Harry realized that they were the only students outside and knew the rest of them, including the faculty, were still in there.
He watched as Gryffindor tower fall almost gracefully and crashed onto another part of the school, they were all too shocked to do anything but stare as this happened.
Big fireballs shot out of the dragons mouths as the Death Eaters swooped in and out of the many turrets of the castle. This couldn't be happening, Harry thought feverishly, Hogwarts was the safest place in the wizarding world, nothing could touch it.
They watched as the castle gave one last shudder, and collapsed. The Death Eaters flew off towards the Forbidden Forest, not noticing the small group of students and one teacher. Ginny let out a scream as she watched the school crumble to the ground. All those lives, all those people, dead.
The air was still again, and the deafening sounds of explosions had ceased. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry lay in ruins.