Ch 35:- School's Out

The last two days of term were a whirl of activity, at least for Harry. He was finishing reports and essays, hunting down and handing books back to the library, and fielding repeated questions from his DADA classes about the new teacher. He was so tempted to tell them who it would be but discretion prevailed, both as to the nature of the teacher and the fact that he, Harry, would be teaching fourth and fifth years. In retrospect, Harry did wonder why Dumbledore had kept quite about that, but decided the Headmaster must have had some reason or another.

Harry saw Snape several times, but the potions master seemed to be deliberately ignoring him, staring anywhere but at Harry when their paths crossed in the corridors. Hermione reported that her potions lesson was a good deal less hard work, as Snape seemed to be treating everyone with equal disdain, barely opening his mouth except to describe the details of the potions and their preparation. The ritual humiliation of the Gryffindors and the cosying up to the few Slytherins in the class was a thing of the past. Hermione reckoned she'd almost enjoyed it, but then, as Ron had reminded Harry, Hermione always enjoyed the most bizarre things.

Fortunately for his friendship with Ron, Harry didn't say the first thing that came into his head.

- o -

The end of term feast was, as usual, a sumptuous spread. All manner of warming soups to begin, followed by roasts, pies - fish meat and vegetable, - roast potatoes, masses of magical vegetables - magical, because even the sprouts were delicious, - and fruit pies and cakes to follow.

Harry was feeling thoroughly full but was nonetheless tucking into a second helping of Cherry Pie when The Headmaster decided to make an announcement. The hall quieted eventually, Dumbledore apparently not feeling this was an occasion when a silencing spell was necessary.

'And so we reach the end of another term,' pronounced the Headmaster, at last. 'A term that has taught us many things about the dangers that we now face - both without and within the school. I hope that next term we will see the school begin to work together as a single entity for the benefit of all, not the few.'

'Eh?' muttered Ron.

'He's still talking as though he's going to amalgamate the houses.' murmured Hermione.

'He wouldn't dare!' hissed Ron. 'Would he?'

'Dumbledore'll dare anything to keep this place safe, Ron.' confirmed Harry.

'For that is what we must do if the School is to survive,' continued Dumbledore, 'if we are to survive - if the world as we know it is to survive.'

Squeaks issued from one or two first years.

'I promised additional training a few weeks ago. Something I omitted to mention last weekend is that having an additional Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher will allow an extension of Mr. Potter's practical defence classes, up to and including fifth year.' Dumbledore smiled, 'The new teacher will also participate in teaching these classes, but you may not notice the difference as, for the first time in many years, a metamorphmagus will be joining the staff. Those of you who know the term will recognise that such a wizard, - or witch, - may change their appearance to match that of another person, including another staff member. I look forward to the possibilities.'

Faces were once more glancing in Harry's direction, as he sat guiltily, with a spoonful of cherry pie halfway to his mouth.

'Tonks?' whispered Hermione.

'Yeah.' mumbled Harry from behind his spoonful of pie.

'Oh-boy!' muttered Ron. He was grinning from ear to ear.

'Forget it, Ron!' hissed Hermione.

Dumbledore was winding down now.

'And so,' he finished, 'it only remains to wish you all a happy Christmas, on behalf of the staff and myself, and we look forward to seeing you when you return in the New Year.'

With that, the Headmaster rose and swept out of the hall, followed by the rest of the staff. Before the noise level returned to its usual level however, the disembodied voice of the Headmaster boomed through the hall,

'Would Mr. Potter please see me in my study - when he has finished his pie.'

'He's got the measure of you, Harry.' laughed Seamus.

'Yeah.' added Dean, who had been sitting two places down the table. 'Just watch out he hasn't got the measure of you so he can fit you out with a coffin.'

- o -

Still feeling stuffed with dinner, Harry hurried to the headmaster's study as soon as he could. Dumbledore was sitting before the fire, apparently contemplating the flickering flames.

'Please be seated, Harry.' instructed the Professor, waving at the other armchair. Harry sat and almost immediately the soporific effect of the flickering light and a heavy dinner began to make him sleepy; he struggled to remain alert.

'Well, Harry? And what do you think of the expulsion of Draco Malfoy?' murmured Dumbledore, suddenly.

Harry started slightly and dragged his wavering concentration back on line in a desperate attempt to work out just what the Headmaster was getting at.

'Erm- I'm surprised?' he tried.

Dumbledore snorted. 'You are being extraordinarily intelligent or extraordinarily dense, Harry, which is it?'

'Probably dense, Professor.' admitted Harry, sadly.

Dumbledore glanced at Harry out of the corner of his eyes as he stared into the fire. The flames continued to flicker, giving an illusion of cheerfulness to the Headmaster's study. Harry could just hear the sound of the gale outside blowing across the top of the chimney. Dumbledore finally smiled slightly.

'Very well, so why are you surprised?'

Harry considered; with the Headmaster the truth usually seemed to work.

'Because I never thought you would do it, Professor.'

'No? – not for anything at all?'

'Well, - no. – Not if you were hoping Professor Snape could get information from him.'

'Not even if he killed someone?'

'I've never believed Malfoy had the guts to kill anyone, Professor.'

Dumbledore glanced at Harry sharply.

'And could you kill someone, Harry?'

'I – don't - know – Professor.' whispered Harry, eventually.

'Hmmm.' mused Dumbledore. 'So you do not think ganging up on a few Gryffindors, hexing them insensible and leaving them to freeze, is sufficient to merit expulsion?'

Harry thought carefully. He remembered the Headmaster's words of a week ago.

'I doubt Malfoy even thought about them freezing, Professor.'

'Then just ganging up on them and hexing them countless times?'

'Well - '

Harry had an uncomfortable memory of himself and several members of the DA hexing Malfoy and his friends into insensibility on the Hogwarts Express, at the end of the previous term.

'So you have a conscience, Harry?'

'It was self-defence, Professor. – Malfoy and his cronies tried to ambush me on my own, going home at the end of last year. My friends turned up in the nick of time.'

'You have no idea how much trouble that caused, when Narcissa Malfoy and the other two mothers found their children on the train.' Dumbledore frowned. 'Yes, I suppose that is the difference, Harry, you were attacked first - fortunately for you, as I would have had difficulty defending you otherwise. That is the second time you have claimed self-defence for hexing Draco Malfoy and his friends. There are only so many times that reason can be used before suspicion grows that all is not as it seems. I hope you will remember.'

Harry nodded in a semblance of contriteness. 'Yes, Professor.' he mumbled.

Dumbledore stood and turned to Harry. 'Very good,' he said more jovially. 'I take it you will be returning to Grimmauld place for Christmas?'

Harry sighed. 'Yes, Professor.'

'And Professor Moody will be escorting you from Kings Cross?'

'Him and about half the Order, Professor.'

Dumbledore smiled at the disgust in Harry's voice.

'That remains a necessity, Harry, at least for such a well known event as the Hogwarts Express. Even the train will be patrolled this time'

Harry remained silent. He wondered who would be doing the patrolling.

Dumbledore picked a letter up from the desk.

'It seems Molly Weasley is hoping you will be able to visit the Burrow this Christmas.'

'So am I, Professor.' Harry decided that there was no point in pretending otherwise.

The Headmaster looked from the letter to Harry and back.

'I promise nothing, but it may be possible, depending on the reports I receive closer to the time.'

Harry smiled for the first time that evening.

'Thanks, Professor.' he said.

Dumbledore dropped the letter on his desk and sat down behind it. Harry had to crane his neck round to see the Headmaster and he belatedly realised it was a signal to leave.

Dumbledore glanced up as Harry stood and turned to go.'

'Have a good holiday, Harry, wherever you are, and I'm sure I'll see you before next term'

'Thanks, Professor, said Harry again, and he was halfway to the door before Dumbledore called him.'

'I believe this book is yours. It was the portkey I made that brought you here from Grimmauld Place.'

Harry turned and saw a large, rather tatty book from his library on Dumbledore's desk. He smiled and whispered 'Accio Book', then caught the tome as it leaped off the desk and into his arms.

'Bye Professor.' he said and hurried out.

Later, as he was packing, Harry wondered at the Headmaster's choice of that book. The title was 'The use and control of Dementors.' He decided it might be worth reading.

He also realised the Headmaster had neatly avoided another facet of Malfoy's expulsion. Had Snape actually been getting information from Malfoy? And had Malfoy ceased to be a useful source of information?

- o -

A cold wind was sweeping the greensward in front of the castle as the three friends waited for the coaches to take them to the station. Harry was once again amazed by the sight of the horse like black Thestrals in the shafts of the coaches. They looked so incongruous, with their lizard faces and wings folded neatly across their backs. Ron and Hermione were desperately trying to see them, squinting this way and that, and muttering to each other. As the queue shuffled forward to board each coach as it reached the doors, Harry noticed Firenze trot round the corner of the castle and stand facing across the lake, looking to the Forbidden Forest beyond.

'Hang on you two, I'm just going to talk to a Centaur.' said Harry, excusing himself. He hurried along the front of the castle, but hesitated when the centaur turned and fixed him with a sombre stare.

'Harry Potter.' said Firenze, eventually.

'Firenze.' replied Harry.

'Your little friend Ginevra is not with you?'

Harry sighed, 'No, she - er - had to return home early.'

The centaur snorted. It had a certain equine sound to it, despite the obvious human features of the Centaurs upper torso.

'I heard, Harry Potter, that she attacked the members of Slytherin house.'

Harry nodded. 'They attacked some Gryfiindors first though!' he replied, rather vehemently.

'I heard that also.' confirmed the Centaur. 'She was foolish, but brave.' He turned to look across towards the Forest once more.

Harry shivered as he saw a look of longing flicker across the centaur's features. 'Will they ever let you back?' he asked.

Firenze shook his head sadly.

'Never. They could not stand the shame of having to admit they were wrong.'

'It's a pity the nearest enchanted forest is so far away.'

'The nearest large forest is indeed many, many hundreds of miles away, though there is a small forest somewhat closer.'

Harry pricked up his ears.

'Could you go there?'

Firenze gazed out over the Forest, to the hills beyond. The wind tugged at his mane and tail, giving him a ragged, blurred look. He didn't look at Harry as he spoke.

'There would be little point, there are no centaurs there any more. They were driven out fifteen years ago by the horror of the Dark Lord.

'Harry!'

Hermione was calling.

'Where did they go?' asked Harry.

'HARRY!'

Ron, this time.

Firenze looked infinitely sad.

'It is not known where they went, or even if any remained alive after the slaughter.' He looked past Harry. 'You must go, Harry Potter.'

Harry glanced back and waved at his two friends where they waited for him. He had them - Firenze had no one.

Only a couple of coaches remained.

'You're right, I must go. What slaughter was that, though? It must have been close to when my Parents were killed.'

Firenze looked Harry squarely in the face. Eventually he spoke.

'You are correct, there was great slaughter at that time - not just the Centaurs were attacked. - You should know, Harry Potter, that the forest took it's name from the hamlet that nestled up against it's southern flank, - Godric's Hollow.'

'HARRY!'

Hermione and Ron.

Harry turned to wave again; there was only one coach left. When he turned back to say goodbye, the centaur was already cantering away.

- o -

'Godric's Hollow? That's where your parents were when-' Hermione faltered. They'd been the last to climb aboard the Hogwarts Express, still shutting the door as the train began to move. Now they were sitting with Luna and Neville in the only compartment that had been available, right at the back of the train.

'Yeah,' said Harry, tonelessly.

He was still trying to work out why no one had told him about the slaughter of the forest creatures, on the night Voldemort killed his parents. But then, he didn't even know where Godric's Hollow was, exactly. He'd never wanted to. Every time he'd thought of it before, his mind had simply shied away from the implications and the empty space where his parents should have been.

'But why drive them out, or kill them all?' asked Hermione.

'To stop them coming to the aid of Lily and James Potter.' said Luna. Her appearance had benefited no end from her liaison with Neville. Her hair was clean and swept back into a ponytail and her clothes were not only clean but appeared to be almost new. She wore a necklace that Neville had given her for her birthday and a bracelet featuring bats and sickle moons, but the effect was still slightly spoiled by the wand stuck behind her ear. She was starting at Harry with her misty eyes wide.

'Really?' asked Ron, dubiously

'Really?' asked Harry breathlessly.

'Really.' confirmed Luna. 'Father was looking through the old files at the Quibbler offices at the end of last holidays, for an article about Nundus, from around that time. I was helping and I came across lots of reports of magical creatures fleeing from the Godric's Hollow area. There were even interviews with some of them.'

Hermione seemed perplexed. 'Interviews? – With Centaurs?' I didn't think they were the type to give interviews.'

Luna stuck her nose in the air. 'Well, the reporters were from the Quibbler, so of course the Centaurs gave interviews.' She looked at Hermione, who was now regarding her with a mixture of annoyance and revulsion.

Suddenly Luna's tone altered, her voice becoming softer and tinged with sadness. She seemed to be looking inwards. 'Several were badly wounded, actually. I think they were trying to let the world know what had happened, before they died.'

'Didn't help much, did it?' muttered Ron.

Hermione's features had softened as Luna changed from arrogance to humility in one sentence. 'At least the wizarding world knew they hadn't just stood back to allow Voldemort to attack – well – you - well - ' she finished, glancing apologetically at Harry.

Harry sighed. 'Yeah. I know. Thanks Luna, it's a pity no one thought to tell me. Still,' he reflected bitterly, 'that's just about par for the course, isn't it.'

A thought struck Harry. Something Luna had said. He racked his brains. Someone had used the same word, not so long ago. Dammit, it was on the tip of his tongue...and there it stayed.

Harry sighed again, and stared morosely out of the window as the train rattled down the valley towards the lowlands. Hermione was reading the inevitable book, Luna the inevitable magazine and Ron and Neville were playing the inevitable chess - which Ron inevitably won.

Harry glanced at the spare seat beside him and thought about the one who was missing; he could just imagine her leaning sideways just so - and his arm sliding round her thus...

- o -

The journey back to London was remarkable only for its uneventfulness. No Malfoy and his rotweillers parading up and down the corridor indulging in a little casual bullying here, a little extortion there. No major fights, possibly because the prefects were taking turns to patrol the corridor, stamping hard on any boisterous behaviour before it got out of hand. No alarms or frights - nothing at all.

Harry was wondering who had been patrolling from the Order and had decided that Dumbledore had been telling tiny lies to reassure him, when the face of Lupin appeared at the compartment door as they were approaching Kings Cross.

'Had a good trip?' he asked, but continued without waiting for an answer. 'We're nearly there, the others will be getting ready to disembark'

'What others?' asked Harry. 'We've seen no one at all!'

'That's because Tonks has been patrolling the train in disguise, and the rest of the team are in the guards' section of the coach at the other end of the train.'

'Tonks? She's back in action?'

Lupin smiled disturbingly. It must be getting close to full moon, thought Harry.

'Yep, moving carefully, but back.'

'She must be mad, after the way she was hurt.' muttered Ron. He'd been somewhat surprised to see Lupin.

Lupin shook his head. 'Tonks is an Auror, first and foremost, and she insisted. You should have heard the argument she had with Charlie.'

'Charlie's on the train?'

'He's at the other end too.'

Harry had a sudden feeling of jealousy. It seemed everyone had a partner except him.

'He might have come up to say hello to us!' complained Ron.

'Oh hush, Ron.' said Hermione, 'You'll be seeing him at Kings Cross.' she hesitated and glanced at Harry.

'Who was Tonks disguised as?' she asked Lupin casually.

Lupin grinned. 'You didn't look too closely at the witch pushing the food trolley, did you!'

- o -

As the train descended through the series of tunnels leading to Kings Cross, the group gathered their luggage together, put away the books and games, and hauled themselves into the corridor.

At last the tunnels gave way to the approach to the station, where the tracks spread out to the platforms and the rails glittered in the platform lights and the red and green lights of the signals. It was strange to think that the station was actually bustling with people and trains but until they passed through the wall only the station itself was visible.

The train finally drew to a halt at platform 9¾ in a haze of steam and smoke, the doors were flung open, and the students flowed onto the platform. It was already getting dark and Harry found the inside of the station a nightmare of light and shadow. After the warmth of the train he shivered, and it looked like the rest felt no warmer. Of course, just to cap Harry's discomfort, being at the end of the train meant a long walk through the huge train shed to the wall for the transfer to the muggle section of the station.

Lupin was standing alone by the wall. Most of the other students had passed through, some with parents who had waited on the platform. One or two were still greeting their parents or friends and Harry had another twinge of jealousy at the sight of the happy faces of both parent and child.

Lupin halted Harry and his friends.

'The rest of the team have gone through, Harry, so they'll be waiting for you on the other side. I'm just waiting for the all clear from Moody.' He looked vague for a couple of seconds.

'Right, through you go. You won't see most of them, so don't go looking around. Just follow Mad Eye to the car.'

Harry nodded then waited whilst Luna and Neville pushed through the barrier first. Ron and Hermione followed, with Harry and Lupin close behind.

The station concourse was not as full as Harry had expected. He could see Artemis Lovegood and Neville's grandmother standing waiting side by side with Neville and Luna hauling their luggage towards them. Molly and Arthur Weasley were standing with Hermione's parents watching their children approach, with open arms. Alison and Stephanie Linney were just leaving the main concourse amongst the last groups, smiling happily and chatting to their parents. Alison waved at Colin Creevey then disappeared towards the escalators to the underground station. The twinge of jealousy returned, redoubled.

Lupin and Harry stopped beside the Weasleys. Hermione and Ron were now talking to her parents and Madeye Moody was just stumping over to them from the main entrance as Molly Weasley gave Harry a hug.

'Harry, I've asked Albus to let you come to us for Christmas.' she gushed. 'But I still haven't had an answer.'

'Yeah, I know Mrs. Weasley, he's still deciding. - He told me.'

'Well, as soon as I hear anything at all, I'll be sending someone to collect you, Alright?'

Harry grinned mechanically. Mrs.Weasley was doing her best to put a good spin on it, but Harry didn't have too much hope - and he really was having trouble faking enthusiasm.

Ginny seemed to still be in disgrace as well, since she wasn't there to meet Ron. Harry decided asking about her would only make things worse for her.

'Thanks Mrs. Weasley.' he muttered. 'Fred or George could bring me over if necessary, when they get back after work.'

Mrs. Weasley looked slightly puzzled for a second or two, then the look on her face changed to a mixture of pity and sorrow.

'I'm sorry, Harry, Fred and George said they were staying with friends in Diagon Alley for the week before Christmas, not at Grimmauld place.'

Harry deflated. 'Oh. – Yeah well, - I suppose that makes sense – '

He sighed. This last week would be the busiest of the year for the joke shop- and the busiest of the year for parties. Fred and George would be in clover. He wondered how they would manage a week without sleep. Knowing them, he reckoned they'd give it a good try.

Mr and Mrs. Weasley were looking slightly uncomfortable. They were probably having much the same thoughts as Harry.

Moody scowled sourly.

'Better be getting along, Harry.' he growled.

Harry sighed again. He glanced round the concourse. Only a few students were still visible and just for a second he glimpsed Charlie and Dora behind a magazine kiosk. Ron saw them too and waved, but they seemed to be ignoring him - they were looking round carefully, but Charlie had his arm protectively round Dora.

Another surge of jealousy threatened to choke Harry completely for a second. A sense of sadness and injustice felt like a hand squeezing his heart. He turned away and took a deep breath. There was no reason to linger.

Goodbyes were said and Christmas gifts were exchanged. The presents had already been bought during term and these were exchanged, still wrapped, amongst the friends. Harry wasn't expecting anything from Mr and Mrs Weasley this year. He wouldn't be at the Burrow and they wouldn't want to come over to Grimmauld place; and he knew how pressed for money they still were.

Ron and Hermione were having to split up for Christmas too and Harry could see it was a real wrench for them. At least they would have family with them at Christmas though. He wished them well.

He was almost relieved when Moody and Lupin shepherded him away from the group and out to a waiting Ministry car. His trunk was loaded into the back and the short journey to Grimmauld place began.

Harry sat back in the car seat and pondered. Dora was with someone far more suitable, Ginny was in disgrace, and all his friends were back in the bosom of their families.

For all that he would have a member of the order watching over him, he was on his own now. It was time to go back to the prison of his notoriety.