Chapter 10:
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Ron immediately. Harry, under a different circumstance, would have been amused to see how fast Ron's anger seemed to evaporate all of the sudden.
"Nothing," she said distantly. "N-nothing. Just- the hospital broke out into battle, and- and… right before I took the Portkey-" Hermione shuddered and walked calmly over to a chair and sat down wordlessly. Harry's stomach began churning uncomfortably.
"What is it, Hermione?" asked Ron with concern, walking over to her and putting his arm around her. But Hermione, to everyone's surprise, wrenched away.
"Get off me!" she yelled angrily.
"What-?" began Ron, surprised.
"You accuse me of cheating on you when I didn't even do anything, embarrass me in front of everyone, and make me nearly more upset than I've ever been before, and now try to comfort me? Without an apology? Get away from me! You are disgusting!" With that, Hermione sat down in another chair, looking extremely angry and upset.
"What happened, Hermione?" asked Harry quietly. "A battle broke out?"
She nodded quietly and suddenly began sobbing loudly. "He just- I saw, but I didn't want to! The both of them… MacNair threw the- the killing curse at me, and T-tonks jumped at the last moment and we were both knocked down- and then… MacNair just turned around and threw- Avada Kedavra," she whispered before breaking into sobs again. Harry suddenly felt as if his heart was being drained.
"Not Tonks?" he whispered fearfully. Hermione nodded.
"B-but he didn't hit Tonks… he hit- Kingsley Shacklebolt! And he just died… right in front of us all… he looked so- so surprised- like he never guessed anything was coming… it was horrible- and then Tonks killed two Death Eaters that were standing there in less than an instant- and yelled for me to find the portkey…"
"Shacklebolt's dead?" asked Snape sharply. Hermione looked at the floor, nodding mutely. Calli and Snape exchanged significant looks. "Did you see which Death Eaters died there?" asked Snape again. Hermione shook her head.
"They were all in masks-"
"I know what they were wearing, Granger- you're not that much more brilliant than the rest of us," he snapped.
"Severus," warned Calli. He looked over at her, straight into her eyes. Harry had before noticed that these two people had perhaps the hardest to read eyes- Calli's ice blue, almost mirror-like, and Snape's a hateful black. But, evidently, they could understand each other's body-language somehow. It almost seemed as if they respected each other. Yes, that seemed to be it- they far from liked each other- but Harry knew they didn't hate each other- so what was it? Regard for each other's feelings and accept that each had their own life to fulfill? After a moment's thought, Harry went over to Hermione. She was a deathly pale. Harry knew exactly how she felt, even if she hadn't know Kingsley very well… he was dead. How could some twisted fate allow someone to be alive and healthy and emotional one second, and the next- gone! Never to be seen again. Kingsley would have moved on- no ghost of him. Harry suddenly felt a horrible pang where his heart should have been- that veil! That horrible, horrible piece of fabric- what if Sirius was trapped there eternally? What if he, Harry, could have saved him-? He had only just fallen through. If Lupin hadn't stopped him-
"Legilimens!" cried Snape suddenly. A burning acid seemed to be eating Harry's mind- melting it into righteous hatred at Snape- how dare he enter Harry's mind at a time like this? Sirius was falling- falling- through the veil- Bellatrix was running, laughing- anger, confusion, spinning- Cedric- lying eagle-spread on the ground… Mrs. Weasley's boggart- dead Ron. Dementors- everywhere… "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" burst Harry so loud that a candlestick tipped precariously off of a nearby desk. It fell to the floor, omitting a loud- CLUNK. The noise echoed for a moment, leaving thje room in silence, and then- "STAY OUT OF MY MIND! I HATE YOU! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! THOSE DAMN MEMORIES REPLAY IN MY HEAD ENOUGH WITHOUT YOU, SITTING THERE AND LAUGHING! YOU- YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE- EVERYOEN YOU CARE ABOUT DYING, WHILE YOU KEEP LIVING, DO YOU?"
Snape seemed quite taken aback. HE looked at Harry in a peculiar manner, before, rather than yelling, which was what he looked like he was going to do, he spoke in barely more than a whisper. "You don't have any idea, Potter. You're swimming in dangerous water- I would not continue if I were-"
"NAME ONE PERSON! ONE! ONE PERSON YOU EVER LOVED, THAT YOU EVER CARED ABOUT- THAT WAS JUST- TAKEN FROM YOU!" For a moment, Snape's face was emotionless. Everyone was staring at Harry and Snape with awe. Hermione had stopped crying, Ron looked as if he didn't know whether to congratulate Harry or run from him, Calli's eyes darted between Harry and Snape dangerously, and Draco and Ginny had walked in to see what the commotion was about. "See?" began Harry, running out of breath, "You can't do it! You don't care about anyone!"
"Lily Evans," whispered Snape in a voice which was barely audible. "My mother. My godfather- who, like yours, fell through the veil, in the Ministry of Magic. My best friend, Fabian Prewett- and when all of these people seemed to have left me forever- it was then that I turned to Lord Voldemort. And then- that rat- that traitor, that damn traitor Pettigrew had to get your mother killed- Albus Dumbledore. Are you happy now, Potter? Just because I don't parade every little emotion on my sleeve seeking attention and pity does not mean that I am not capable of an ounce of humanity!"
Harry was absolutely fuming. "I DO NOT wear every emotion on my sleeve! And I most certainly do not want PITY AND ATTENTION! It's NOT my fault that people are so obsessed with my fucking SCAR! I don't want it! What's your hardship, Professor? The fact that all of your students hate you and know you favor Slytherin and are greasy and unfair and cruel, and have a huge temper-? What is hard in your life? Name ONE burden on your shoulders! Having to fulfill your quota of 75 points from Gryffindor every day? I don't see you being left out of information you need to do what YOU have to do, and kill VOLDEMORT! So tell us, Sev! What is it? Your-"
"ENOUGH!" yelled Calli violently. Snape had turned white and was shaking a bit.
"POTTER!" Everyone stilled tensely. "SEE ME IN THE KITCHEN!" Harry chanced a look at Hermione, who was very pale with anxiety, Ron, who looked quite frightened, Ginny, who mouthed be careful, and Draco, who looked nothing short of amused. Harry then looked at Calista.
"Go, Harry," she said calmly. "I would like you to know that I am extremely appalled at your behavior. Go." Snape had already stomped from the room, robe billowing out behind him. Harry couldn't truthfully say that he wasn't nervous- all he could do was tighten his grip on his wand and hope that if Snape threatened him, the Ministry of Magic could somehow deem it life-threatening. As Harry tried to walk calmly from the room, the chandelier on the ceiling suddenly exploded. He turned around.
"Go!" snapped Calista. "I can clean this."
"Are you-" began Harry, but Calista yelled,
"I CAN BLOODY DO IT!" Harry then slinked from the room, angry. Before he reached the swinging door he could only assume was the kitchen, Harry paused for a moment, a bit nervous about going in. His Gryffindor bravery finally kicked in, and Harry boldly opened the door and stepped inside. Snape was sitting at the table, sipping tea. It looked as if he were there for a quaint tea, only when he looked at Harry, Harry saw that his eyes were out to kill. Harry sat down at the table with an unpleasant feeling. Several moments passed, as Snape took a rather large sip of tea. Finally, when the silence was nearly exploding in Harry's ears, Snape set down his cup.
"Potter."
"Yes?" ventured Harry."You have never been my favorite student, and hopefully you are bright enough to have grasped this quite a while ago. And I, by no means, go out of my way to treat you with the admiration and adoration as many others in the wizarding world, but-"
"Are you joking?" asked Harry hollowly.
"I don't joke, Potter- sarcasm is as far as I will go, and-"
"The wizarding world treats me with adoration? That's about the most inaccurate thing I've ever heard! My first year was all right, I suppose- but after that everyone thought I was crazy, a liar, or delusional- I opened the chamber, I helped a criminal escape, I entered myself into a tournament to kill myself, returned with Cedric's dead body from a tragic accident, told nasty, attention-seeking lies, was feared by the wizarding world, would randomly disappear for hours at a time- oh, yeah! Everyone's crazy about me! Especially the Daily Prophet, I swear, they couldn't get any more truthful-"
"Potter. We are not having a contest to see whose lives have been worse! You already know why I dislike you- you're exactly like your father, and-"
"I'm not," whispered Harry. Snape raised an eyebrow.
"You're not? And I thought you were proud to be a James double who-"
"No! Listen, you know as well as I that I am not remotely like my father was- I look like him and get in trouble like him, yes, but that doesn't mean anything! HE grew out of what he did- And Sirius doesn't think I am that much like him when he was my age- and Lupin said I acted like my Mum- but I don't care! Either way- I would be proud to be like my Dad! It is NOT my fault that he didn't like you- and you didn't like him either, so I don't see your argument. And my Mum loved him- not you!"
"I didn't love your mother that way, Potter! She was a dear friend."
"Just like- what's his name? Fabian Prewett? You sure don't give a damn about any of his nieces and nephews, that's for sure! Do you hate all the children of those you once 'loved'?" demanded Harry. "I think you hold grudges a bit too long and don't give people a chance!"
"You are weak, Potter! Weak! You get so upset when someone dislikes you- everything has a reason, in your world, doesn't it? Would you like me to give you my life story? Ask! Just ask! Remember when you saw into my Pensive? Remember when you did Legilimens on me? THOSE are my memories, Potter. That was my life! My life died a long time ago- but here I am. Paying off my damn debt to everyone! Your father- saving your ass in your first year. Prewett- saving the Weasleys from Voldemort's hit list last time around- Don't you get it? After my debt to Dumbledore is over I can die in peace-"
"You won't kill yourself?" asked Harry, quite surprised. Since when did Snape save the Weasleys?
"No, I won't kill myself. But I am not going to be teaching damn Potions anymore- I hate Potions! Once that curse is lifted, I can teach Defense again…"
"What curse?" asked Harry curiously.
"The one on the job. That's why two people split it this year- so neither would receive the curse. An unknown Death Eater placed it on the castle-a very powerful one, I can tell you- and he did it because he obviously knew Voldemort would come back- he wanted you to not receive a proper defensive education- of course, that plan was foiled quickly. But-"
Suddenly, there came a knock on the door. "Come in!" yelled Harry, annoyed still. The door swung and Lupin walked in solemnly.
"I just wanted you both to know- Hagrid-" Lupin swallowed. Harry froze. "He's at Headquarters. He is barely alive- we need all the Healers as possible. And Bill and Fleur's baby is- dead."
"Dead?" asked Harry blankly. Then, "What happened to Hagrid? Where was he attacked?"
"We don't know," said Lupin gravely. "But he may not make it- Be brave, Harry- St. Mungo's has almost been successfully evacuated. But Death Eaters are running amok there. Headquarters has been temporarily moved to Evelyn's house, but you're welcome to stay here. Grimmauld Place has been turned into a hospital- will you come, Severus?"
"Of course," said Snape gravely. He stood up to leave.
"Can I come to, Remus?" Lupin sighed.
"We'll send for you in a bit, Harry. I just hope that moving the hospital wasn't a mistake…" He then turned and exited the room.
"Good-bye, Potter," said Snape curtly.
"Bye," said Harry fearfully, wondering what had just happened. He then exited the room to find all of the Weasley's gathered with the exception of Fred, George, and Percy, as well as Calista, Hermione, Draco, Tabby, Asher, and Blaise.
"We're going to the burrow," said Mrs. Weasley immediately as Harry entered the room. "How are you, dear?" she asked him as an afterthought. Without waiting for a reply, she went on. "Are you sure you'll be all right?" she asked Calli. Calli nodded.
"I've just got to Floo to Evelyn's. She needs me right now… do you need me to bring anyone over so the Burrow won't be quite so crowded? Fleur, dear, you should come with me… Evelyn's house will be nearly empty… and Blaise, you'd better come, too. We need to get you over to Severus' house, and it will be easiest if you come along now." Blaise nodded, as did Fleur.
"Yes, I will come… Bill? Can I 'ave Adele? Will you please come, too, dear?" Bill sighed. "Of course, Fleur… but then I need to get to Gringotts- I'm afraid the perfect time for a bank robbery is a time of confusion and panic like this…" Fleur nodded.
"Molly," began Arthur tiredly, "I'll be needing to get to the Ministry- can you hold down the fort while I'm gone-?"
"Of course," said Mrs. Weasley. But suddenly the flames in the newly-lit fireplace turned emerald, and the head of Tonks appeared in them.
"Tonks!" said Charlie immediately. "Are you okay? Any news?"
"I'm at the old Headquarters- I'm fine right now- but we need Mundungus's damn Griffin out of here- and why is Mango here? She's causing a bit of fuss, and we have three dragon burns already!" Charlie sighed.
"I'm going to help," he said. "I'll be over in a few minutes. Why don't you give the Griffin back to Mundungus?"
"We can't find him!" explained Tonks angrily. "And Rita Skeeter's escaped—"
"What?" groaned Mr. Weasley. "She'd better not raise any accusations at a time like this-"
"Here," said Charlie in a problem-solving, very concentrated, voice. "I'll go get the griffin and bring it to Hogwarts- It should be okay for a few days- the House elves will be able to handle it- and then I'll take Mango and bring her to my flat in Romania with me-"
"Charlie, I don't like the idea of you guarding that thing alone!" said Mrs. Weasley frightfully. "If Death Eaters attack, you'll be greatly outnumbered and could die, and to make thing's worse, they'll have an open door to immortality or whatever than potion makes!"
"Fine, Mum," sighed Charlie. "I'll take Mango to Evelyn's manor and take care of it in the basement or something…"
"Fine," sighed Mrs. Weasley. Tonks' head disappeared a moment later, leaving the fireplace free for Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Draco, Asher, and Tabby to Floo to the Burrow. Harry stepped into the fireplace, and after a full minute spinning through the fireplaces began to wonder whether he had gotten lost. However, immediately after thinking that, he landed hard on his feet and fell into the kitchen of the Burrow.
Harry groggily stood up. Hermione and Ron were already on the floor. A moment after Harry, Draco fell in, followed by Ginny, Tabby, Asher, and, finally, Mrs. Weasley. Everyone brushed themselves off for quite a long moment. Then, Mrs. Weasley broke the silence. "It's been a long, sad day, everyone… you should all get a bit of rest. Go on upstairs- I'll let you know if any word comes…" Harry and the others obeyed, filing silently up the stairs. Right before beginning his ascent, Harry chanced a look at the Weasleys' clock- and sighed in relief to see that nobody was on "Mortal Peril". He then followed everyone upstairs, and they all ended up in Ginny's room. Ginny sat on her bed, and Harry sat down next to her, placing a comforting arm around her shoulder. Hermione sat on the other side of Ginny, carefully avoiding eye contact with Ron. Asher and Tabby sat together on a large bean-bag chair, Ron hoisted himself onto a desk, and Draco sat down on the floor.
"So, what d'you reckon?" asked Ron finally.
"About what?" asked Harry, Draco, and Tabby together.
"All of it- St. Mungo's, Kingsley- Snape, Hagrid, Laela- the animals…. All of it…"
"It sucks," said Ginny loudly. Harry couldn't help but agree. After a few hours and dinner, everyone was sitting in the living room quietly, when the fireplace lit up. A moment later, the head of Remus Lupin was sitting in it.
"Hi, everyone," he said tiredly.
"Hello," mumbled everyone. Mrs. Weasley tried, and failed, to smile.
"I have good news and bad news," began Lupin quickly. "Hagrid was attacked by twelve Death Eaters who were looking for the dragon- and he would've died if it weren't for Fang. He is doing a little better right now, and is conscious, at least. Last I saw he was playing with Buckbeak for the first time in years. They're both very happy… anyway, we've had unconfirmed reports of Laela's death- and we just received information that none other than Penelope Clearwater, Percy's girlfriend- just tried to get into St. Mungo's, in labor. She's in Headquarters now and has been in labor for four hours… she says the baby is Percy's, but it seems… Percy is missing. Penelope says she hasn't seen him since they found out she was pregnant- they had gotten into a fight…" Mrs. Weasley seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown. "Arthur says he'll be home as soon as possible, but he may not get a break until well into tomorrow- the Ministry is going a bit wild…. I'm really sorry, Molly. Is there anything I can do?" Mrs. Weasley shook her head.
"I'll be okay…" she said tiredly. Ginny walked over and embraced her mother tightly.
"And," continued Lupin awkwardly, "we need Asher back at the pyramid. Hermione, your parents want you to stay here. They think it'll be safer, with more qualified witches and wizards…" Hermione nodded. "Oh, and you, too, Tabby…"
"Okay," said Tabby. "Shall we Portkey?" Lupin nodded. "Do you have one, Molly?" he asked. Mrs. Weasley hurriedly composed herself.
"Yes, yes, it's around here somewhere," she said pleasantly. She bustled over to her stovetop and pulled away a towel, which had something inside it.
"Just touch it, Asher and Tabby," said Remus. "I'll check in later, Molly, to see how it's going."
"Thank you so much, Remus," said Mrs. Weasley appreciatively. He smiled and his head disappeared. A moment later, Tabby and Asher said goodbye and disappeared as well, leaving everyone else in an enveloping, helpless wait.
A/N: Hi! Thanks so much for all the reviews! Tell me what you think! Please keep reviewing, and I'll keep writing! I hope you liked the chapter! Sorry the last chapters were really short, I'll try to do better now! I like long chapters, too. :-D
Cheers,
Jinglez