CHAPTER FOUR: THE RAMIFICATIONS OF LOSS
The end of September came turning into October and Harry was still refusing to patch up his tattered relationship with Paris and Hermione. The girls had made a habit of sitting at each of the house tables in turn and even Hermione was beginning to be accepted by the Slytherines. It wasn't just Hermione and Paris though, they had organised a small group of friends to accompany them at the different tables. Ron was still trying to talk Harry around while the teachers continued to pair Harry with either of the girls when group work came about. It was none of this, however, that made Harry apologize.
The Gryfindor sixth ears were getting ready to head down to the Great Hall for dinner when professor McGonagall came through the Fat Lady. Students greeted her but she seemed far too upset to acknowledge any of them, instead making a beeline for Hermione and Paris. Professor McGonagall exchanged a few words with the girls after which Hermione stood up and followed her over to Neville who also stood and went with her outside the common room. Harry and Ron had been watching them and went over to Paris to ask what was wrong.
"Professor McGonagall said that she wanted to speak to Hermione and Neville for a few moments and then she told me to sit at the Gryfindor house table during dinner. She didn't say anything else but she did look worried about something." Paris said addressing Ron but ignoring Harry completely.
She excused herself and went in search of the group members that usually accompanied her to the other house tables.
"I wonder what it's all about?" Ron said as he and Harry began the walk to the Great Hall, "Maybe it's just about the subjects they are taking or something."
Harry shook his head, not convinced with this explanation.
"Doesn't explain the worried look on McGonagall's face though, does it? Whatever it is I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. We'll ask Neville at dinner." Harry said as they found seats along the Gryfindor table.
But Hermione and Neville did not return to the Great Hall and when they returned to the common room, Neville was huddled in a chair looking as though he had just received shock treatment. His face was puffy and uncharacteristically ugly, as though he had just been forced to eat a slug. His mouth was set in a hard line and his eyes were cold and venomous.
"Neville! What on earth is the matter?" Paris asked, seeing him in the chair as she came in after Ron and Harry.
Neville made a grumbling sound in his throat and clutched the armchair with such force that his knuckles turned white.
"Neville, are you okay mate?" Harry asked, stepping a little closer cautiously.
"Does he look alright?" Paris asked aggressively as she knelt beside Neville with concern.
"I don't remember asking your opinion!" Harry retorted, his voice rising.
Neville's grip on the chair tightened and Ron intervened before Paris could respond.
"Now is not the time!" he said, his voice rising above them, "Neville, what did professor McGonagall tell you? Is that what this is all about?" he said more calmly as he turned to Neville.
"Dead... all dead..." Neville whispered in a constricted voice.
"What? Who's dead?" Harry asked, forgetting completely to be sympathetic.
Paris shot him a warning glare and he shrugged his shoulders, focusing on Neville.
"Everyone... there is no one left..." Neville mumbled.
Ron crouched down beside Paris and gazed up at Neville in confusion.
"Neville, you're not making any sense. Why don't you start at the beginning?" Paris asked kindly.
Neville nodded his head but didn't say anything. Paris pattered his hand soothingly until he found his voice.
"Professor McGonagall came up to me," he began shakily, "she told me she had bad news and I should sit down." Neville stopped, gulping in some air to continue, his face was going red as though he was holding his breath, "Professor... she... McGonagall said..."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, clearly worried if Neville was capable of finishing. He seemed to be having trouble speaking and he had just started shaking uncontrollably.
"You-Know-Who... my family, everyone was at Gran's...Voldemort..." Neville squeaked.
Harry felt the colour drain from his face as he put what Neville was saying together. Voldemort had killed his family, all of his family.
"Sshh Neville, it's alright. We understand." Paris said, her own voice shaking.
Harry concluded that she had also put the peaces together and she stood up and gave Neville a hug. This was all too much for Neville because as soon as Paris wrapped her arms around him he broke into quivering sobs that rocked the common room. Most of Gryfindor had returned from dinner and some had turned to see what all the commotion was about.
Harry began to feel defensive of Neville as he saw people stand up, craning their necks to get a better look and openly pointing. He could not understand why they all felt it necessary to gawk at a person who was obviously very distressed. Harry gave a meaningful look at Ron and together they sent the students up to their dorms. Most went quietly but a few argued that Harry and Ron couldn't tell them what to do.
"You don't own this common room. I have every right to be here!" one boy said looking over at Neville, obviously quite interested in what was going on.
"Show some respect you nosey twit. Get out of here!" Harry bellowed using his height advantage to intimidate the boy.
When the common room was empty, Neville began to settle down and Paris pulled back, a look of horror spreading across her face.
"Neville, what about Hermione? Is she alright?" Paris asked.
Harry had almost forgotten about Hermione but now he turned his concern to her. Neville shook his head and pointed to the girls' dormitories. Paris stood up with such speed that Neville was almost knocked back, and she ran up to find Hermione. Neville decided to go to bed after that and Ron and Harry took seats by the fire, neither of them speaking until Paris returned.
She came down the stairs slowly, her shoulder looking as though it had weathered a flash flood during typhoon season. Her face was also tear streaked and Harry, forgetting their row, stood up immediately to comfort her.
"It's terrible." She sniffed, taking Harry's seat gratefully, "Hermione's parents... their gone."
Ron, who had also stood up, took Harry by surprise when he punched his hand through a wall.
"Damn it!" he growled angrily but Harry made no move to stop him, he felt like punching something himself.
At that moment he wanted to get to Voldemort and hurt him more that he ever wanted to before. Two of his dearest friends had had their lived torn apart and it was all Voldemort's fault. He deserved to suffer. Harry could think of nothing ghastly enough and gave up, collapsing into another chair, staring blankly at the hole in the all Ron had made.
X
A week passed and Harry and Ron saw nothing of Hermione and could not entice Neville downstairs. The two of them only emerged when Dumbledore went and saw them, insisting they come down stairs and prove that they could be strong, even in times of trial and tribulation. The day they returned to the Great Hall, Harry and Paris, who had forgotten their squabble, were sharing the Daily Prophet.
The pair didn't notice Hermione or Neville until Ron gave a surprised greeting to them, shaking Neville's hand and giving Hermione a hug. Harry and Paris had just been reading a large article about some escaped Death Eaters who were suspected of their family's killings when they sat. Paris made rushed movements to hide the article but Hermione saw it before she could dispose of it properly.
"What's that?" Hermione asked, her voice sounding strangely empty.
"Oh nothing, just some silly little newspaper. I don't even know why I bother getting it!" Paris said a little too quickly, "How are you anyway? It's good to see you out and about again."
"Don't hide things from me, I'm strong enough to handle a newspaper article. I can't be worse than everything is already." Hermione said putting her hand out.
Paris handed the newspaper over reluctantly and Neville sat beside Hermione as she began to read, looking over her shoulder at the pictures of the Death Eaters Harry and Paris had wanted to hide most. When Hermione finished she passed the paper to Neville. She sat still, looking over at the Slytherine table for a moment, her face screwed up as though debating something with herself and then she relaxed and resumed eating. Neville put the paper down soon after and also looked over at the rival table.
"I'm going to kill them." He pledged violently, balling his hands into tight fists.
Harry, Ron and Paris knew exactly whom he was referring to. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, as well as a few others Harry had not heard of before had all had their fathers named as Death Eaters responsible for the recent deaths.
No one even bothered to stop these thoughts of violence, they had decided that Hermione and Neville both deserved to react how they saw fit and as long as they only spoke about it, and didn't act out any fantasies, then it was alright.
X
The first period of the day was Defence Against the Dark Arts, which was taught by a kindly old witch named professor Knights. The new teacher had proven to be a great success with the school who were only too glad to be rid of professor Umbridge from the Ministry of Magic who had served them as teacher and principal for a short time last year. Professor Knights was a welcomed change as she brought promises of practical magic lessons and an exciting year learning about all the things that would be important for next years NEWT exams.
Harry, Ron and Paris sat surrounding Neville and Hermione during this lesson. After coming back from such a horrific period in their lives and only been given a week to heal, they didn't need people's empathy or nosey questions.
Harry had been most surprised at the children on the named Death Eaters. It seemed people everywhere were throwing snide comments at them but together they remained strong and didn't even bother replying. Harry could have sworn that, at one point, Malfoy even looked slightly embarrassed and apologetic as they passed him the corridor. Hermione and Neville had just passed him as though he was part of the wall and none of them got a chance to have a second glance back to see his reaction.
Harry had to hand it to Hermione and Neville. They seemed to handling the news of the named Death Eaters relatively well. Not once had they spoken about the article in the Daily Prophet and both seemed intent on hiding their pain, at least for the moment. Ron and Paris had both voiced their concerns over this. They were convinced that hiding the pain would only make the realization worse latter on when they finally accepted the truth.
Harry and Ron had adopted Hermione and Neville's stance and had refused to acknowledge the Slytherines presence. Paris, on the other hand, had taken a more direct approach. She was seen on a number of occasions with the Slytherines as though she was trying to figure out whether or not they were trustworthy. This had almost sparked another row with Harry but Ron had managed to squash it before it escalated. If Paris wanted to keep up her relations with the Slytherines, she could.
Harry had been more concerned at how Hermione and Neville would take the news of their friend socialising with the people related to those who had killed their parents and families. To Harry's surprise though, Hermione seemed to encourage the friendships. Even in the light of her parents' death, she could still be seen promoting inter house relations.
X
Another week had passed since the return of Neville and Hermione and the Hogwarts students were beginning to think that there was a light at the end of this dark and depressing tunnel. Hermione changed this popular belied one afternoon just after lunch.
Harry and Hermione were making there way to transfiguration. Paris and Ron had gone ahead without them just before the end of lunch. Hermione was acting unusually quiet. After many attempts at a conversation starter, Harry had resigned to the silence and was daydreaming as the pair passed a large group of Slytherines. Malfoy, who had abstained from taunting Harry and his friends since the public embarrassment of having his father named as an escaped convict of Azkaban Prison and Death Eater, gave an almost hopeful glance at Hermione.
This glance must have been enough to set Hermione off because as soon as Draco looked away Hermione whipped out her wand, advancing upon him with her arm raised. Draco was far too late with his reflexes and the power of Hermione's spell knocked him back with such force that he flew across the hallway, slamming up against the opposite wall. Harry made a grab at Hermione but, with strength he had never seen before, she flung him off and stood threateningly in front of Malfoy, her wand pressed to his heart.
Firenze, who had been making his way to his makeshift forest classroom, stopped as he saw Hermione with her wand pressed into Malfoy. He paused for a moment and Harry had a fleeting thought that he was just going to pass by and let Hermione continue.
"To kill this young man would achieve nothing. He will be of use to you later." Firenze said finally but he did not wait around to see if Hermione would follow his advice, instead continuing on his way.
Hermione lent closer to Draco and pushed her wand harder into his chest, so much so that he winced, before stepping back and walking away. Harry stood rooted to the spot unsure of what to do. Pansy Parkinson had run forward, as soon as Hermione had stalked away, to check Malfoy was alright but he brushed her off. Standing up straight, he locked his gaze on Harry but didn't say a word; instead, he turned around and headed in the opposite direction. Not knowing what else to do, Harry also turned, following in Hermione's footsteps.
X
Harry had to wait until Hermione had gone to bed before he could tell Ron about the day's drama. Harry had been bursting to tell someone and was quite surprised that it wasn't already around the school.
"And then Firenze came and told Hermione that she would need him later or something. Hermione was really crazy... I think she really did want Malfoy dead." Harry said, "She could have too, if she set her mind to it." He added, thinking of Hermione's O's in the OWL examinations.
To Harry's surprise, Ron burst out laughing.
"I wish I had of seen it! He must have been so scared, Hermione being such a powerful witch and all. In front of everyone as well... wonder why it isn't around the school yet?" Ron sniggered.
Harry was quite taken aback by Ron's response. He had thought that he would have been more sensitive to the issue as he had been acting differently lately. We all have though, Harry reminded himself. It wasn't as though he cared for Malfoy or his safety; it was the effect of bottled anger inside Hermione that worried him.
"It really wasn't particularly funny. I seriously thought Malfoy was a goner." Harry said, becoming impatient with Ron's continual laughter.
"Oh, lighten up Harry! When was the last time we actually had something to laugh about? And since when had you jumped on the 'Draco Malfoy' bandwagon? You were so against Paris having anything to do with him not so long ago." Ron replied, his laughter subsiding.
"I haven't jumped on any bandwagon, you of all people should know that. Life... well it just doesn't seem so funny anymore. The sooner people realize that the better off everyone will be." Harry said rather brusquely.
"There's nothing like a good mood killer, eh Harry?" Paris's voice came from the bottom of the dormitory stairs.
"I thought you had gone to bed." Harry replied.
"Well I haven't."
"How's Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Still the same. She told me about today... she really wanted to cause Draco some grievous bodily harm." Paris said with a sigh, dragging a chair over to them and sitting down.
"Wouldn't you? If it had been me I would definitely not have waited this long. I would have done it as soon as I found out." Harry said, trying to defend Hermione's actions.
"You're so narrow minded, Harry!" Paris scolded, "You would never think to consider that Draco didn't play a role in these deaths. He could not have predicted the coming events. In fact, he hasn't corresponded with any of his family since the beginning of school, except food packages."
"How can you be so sure? You don't know the Malfoys like we do, okay? You haven't been threatened by them, they haven't gone out of their way to make your life a living hell and they most certainly haven't jeered at you while you almost died." Harry replied, his temper flaring.
"That was-" Paris began but Ron cut her off before a full-blown fight erupted.
"How can you be sure Malfoy hasn't been talking with his family? You can't just take his word for it." He said.
"Professor Dumbledore is having the school mail checked after it leaves the castle and before it comes in." Paris informed them, he know-it-all side seeping through.
"How do you know that?" Harry asked.
"Of course it's being checked, anyone with common sense would have guessed that already. Besides," Paris said, "Hagrid has been helping Filch with the owls. He told me when I went to see him the other day."
Harry and Ron were silent for a moment. Since returning to school that had been to preoccupied with the goings on that they had almost forgotten Hagrid.
"I didn't know you and Hagrid were good friends." Harry finally said because he couldn't think of anything better to say.
"Well we are. Have been since he helped me back to the castle that day. He's a bit disappointed that you haven't gone to see him yet. He's been expecting the three of you since the beginning of term." Paris informed them.
Harry wasn't sure if she was trying to make them feel guilty but it was working.
Ron went to bed soon after with Paris following close behind him. Harry, however, decided to stay beside the common room fire for a little while longer, thinking about Hogwarts.
Harry could remember life without magic only too well and he was glad for this escape from the Dursleys, his guardians, even though, at times, his life at Hogwarts had been unbearable. The taunts from the Slytherines, having to face Voldemort in his first and second year, finding out about Sirius Black and then witnessing the return of Voldemort the following year, being branded by the wizarding world for his story of Voldemort only to turn around and prove them all wrong with the death of Sirius...
Life could be cruel, but to Harry, it seemed he had been dealt an unfair hand. How could so many catastrophes happen to a person who had only just turned sixteen? Wizards and witches lived long, happy lives tainted only occasionally by the odd mishap.
And how could Harry forget the revelation of last year? His life must either end in or involve murder. If he did manage to kill Voldemort, then maybe he could start afresh with a clean slate. Even now the thought seemed ridiculous. There was no way he, Harry Potter, could escape death again. Even if he did, his life would once again be placed in the spot light. Everyone would want to know about the boy who had rid the world of Voldemort. Everyone would want to know about the boy who lived.
XXX
[A/N]: please review, even if it is a flame. There is nothing worse then thinking that no one reads your work. Thanks.
