A/N: Spiffy! I am so glad that everyone is enjoying this! And, of course, phox has made his chapterly prediction...let's see what happens, shall we?
LoonyMoony: Thank you for your comments! I'm not really sure who was Headmaster at what time. I know Dippet was around in Voldemort's time, I'm not really striving for too much historical accuracy, as we can't really be sure what happened unless the books have told us it happened. I want everything to fit my storyline, and Dumbledore had to be there. As for my grammar, no one had noticed. Thank you for pointing it out. I shall have to watch myself more carefully...
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More Than Yellowed PagesChapter Twelve
Dumbledore twisted his beard around his index finger and paced around his office. On several occasions, he would look up and glance at Hermione with a "Hmm..." but would then quickly lower his head again. After several minutes of such activity, James cleared his throat.
"Dumbledore, what I don't get is how one of the Malfoys is supposed to attack Hermione. They are both in prison, are they not?" he asked.
Dumbledore stopped pacing. "Supposedly. Was it Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked Hermione.
Hermione shook her head. "There's a Mrs. Malfoy? I don't think it was her. It was a man. It sounded like Draco, but I can't be sure...it didn't look like him..." she racked her brain a moment. "I really don't know, Headmaster. I'm sorry."
"It's all right," he smiled. "We shall just have to pay Mrs. Malfoy a visit. We'll see if she's harboring any escaped convicts." He smiled at his joke, but no one else did.
"Wouldn't the Daily Prophet report if someone had broken out of Azkaban? It was really big news when Sirius did it..." Harry rationalized.
"I don't see how they could," Dumbledore shrugged. "None of the Malfoys are registered as animagi, but of course we probably shouldn't rule that option out either..." Dumbledore smiled at Sirius and James.
Sirius blushed, and retreated to safety, which meant hiding behind James. James looked shocked. "All those years...you knew?" he gasped.
"Not until Harry's third year, actually. I overheard Lupin explaining to Harry the reason his patronus took the form of a stag...I couldn't help but listen in, you know..." he admitted.
It was Lupin's turn to blush as James and Sirius wheeled on him. "I didn't know he heard!" Lupin yelped. "For crying out loud, he hasn't said a word about it, and it was four years ago!"
"Never mind that. Harry, Hermione, Ron, go back to your common rooms. I will call for you after we have gone to talk to Mrs. Malfoy. I would appreciate that you not wonder around campus until after we have returned..."
"But, why?" demanded Ron.
"Just do as I ask, Mr. Weasley..." Dumbledore implored.
"Who's going?" asked Harry.
Dumbledore thought a moment. "Sirius and I shall go. Your parents can help you prepare for those N.E.W.T tests. After all, they've already taken all theirs..."
"Yes. If I remember correctly, your father failed Muggle Studies that year..." Lily laughed. James went scarlet. Lily smiled and wrapped him in a hug. "It's okay, sweetie. I'm sure Harry knows what a toaster oven is used for..." she giggled. Glancing at Dumbledore, she cleared her throat. "Well, come on guys, we must get cracking on those tests..." she said seriously.
The five of them left with Lupin only seconds later.
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"This is the Malfoy residence..." Dumbledore whispered.
"Do we knock?" asked Sirius. Dumbledore nodded, and Sirius banged on the door several times. It was several minutes before Mrs. Malfoy finally opened the door.
She gasped. "Dumbledore? It's so good to see you!" she smiled, wrapping him in a tight hug. "To what do I owe this visit?" she asked.
Sirius's eyebrow rose in suspicion. Mrs. Malfoy appeared to be a hundred times nicer than her husband, and Sirius had only known her for three seconds. Could it be possible that he and Dumbledore had called upon the wrong house? He frowned deeply, deciding he'd find out. "Are you...Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked her quietly.
Her face went dark. "Yes. Is it him you've come to ask me about? I don't want to talk about him...that stupid git. Got what he deserved, I dare say. Shouldn't have been meddling with things that ought not to be meddled with. But he had to bring Draco down with him..." her expression saddened.
"I...don't understand..." Sirius's face was blank. "I thought you'd be...err...angry with us, at the least. I mean, he was your husband, after all..."
"Yes, well, it was all arranged by his father. He always scared me so...I met him my third year at Hogwarts...you remember, Dumbledore?"
"Yes." He smiled, turning to Sirius. "Linda was in Ravenclaw, Sirius." He paused. "She never was involved in much concerning the dark arts..."
"It made him furious...my loyalty to you..." she admitted.
Sirius's jaw was now hanging open. This woman...Lucius Malfoy's wife, was loyal to Dumbledore? Why had he not heard of it? He scratched his head. "Well, the reason we came..." he began.
"Oy! So sorry! Do come in!" she smiled.
Dumbledore cleared his throat once he had been seated inside. "Linda, we have some very serious business to discuss with you. I hope you don't mind, under the circumstances, but I'm afraid we must..."
"Not at all. What is it?" she asked.
"It is concerning the rest of your family. I know that they were taken to Azkaban, but we have information that has led us to believe that one of them may soon find his way out. We need to know if you know anything about it?" he finished.
Mrs. Malfoy paled. "But Dumbledore...if he gets out..."
"He will do nothing to you, Linda." He assured her. "Now, you need to tell me..."
"I haven't heard anything," she shook her head. She paused, as if she were thinking about something. Her expression turned sad. "You know...there was a time I loved that man. But now...what did he do?"
"Beg your pardon?" blinked Sirius.
Dumbledore took a sip of his tea. "A seer has revealed herself amidst our seventh year Gryffindors, and she, as well as Harry Potter, have seen something very disturbing. According to what we know, Linda, the girl will be attacked the night of the Graduation Ball. Both Harry and the girl reports the suspect as being a Malfoy, although neither can identify which one..." Dumbledore took another sip of his tea, longer this time. "You have no information at all? Anything would be helpful..." he sighed.
"I'm sorry, but no, I don't..." she frowned. "I wish I could be of more help."
"You could." Smiled Sirius.
Both Dumbledore and Mrs. Malfoy glanced at Sirius. Dumbledore looked just as confused as Mrs. Malfoy was. "How could she help, Sirius?" asked Dumbledore.
"We'll need more chaperones for the dance." Sirius frowned. "Apparently, the Marauders don't make very good chaperones. Maybe we could post Mrs. Malfoy outside near the entrance or something? And if we asked Hagrid and Snape to stand guard as well, maybe we could avoid it happening all together..."
"Would you be up to that, Linda?" Dumbledore asked. Linda, after a few moments of hesitation, nodded. "Good. We still have about three weeks until the Ball. Would you like to visit the castle?" he smiled.
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"It's not the potions part that makes me angry...just the teacher," Harry admitted. "Don't worry, mom. I swear I won't fail it. Snape just doesn't like me because of that joke dad pulled on him when you were in school..."
Lily frowned and glared at her husband. "All right. Well, what about Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"My best subject."
"Herbology?"
"Err...well...I'm passing, if that's what you mean..."
"You were almost strangled by a plant first year, and last year...need I tell them about the incident with the fly trap?" Hermione joked.
Neville walked slowly through the portrait hole. Behind him was Luna. "I think we forgot to give her the new password," Neville sighed, "she's been standing out there for a while now..."
Harry's cheeks reddened. "Sorry Luna."
"It's all right. I came with a message. Dumbledore and Sirius are back, and they brought Mrs. Malfoy with them. Apparently, she's a good guy..."
"When did they get back?" asked James.
Luna shrugged. "About an hour ago, but I haven't been able to get in here to let you guys know. Dumbledore says he's still not sure which Malfoy it is that shows up at the ball, but Mrs. Malfoy has agreed to chaperone and keep her eyes open..."
"Poor Linda. That must be awful..." Lily sighed.
"Actually," Luna turned to Lily, "Sirius was pretty surprised. He told me the whole thing between them was arranged...I do feel bad for her, though."
Ron yawned. "Now that my head is full of information that I'll probably forget by tomorrow, I think I'm off to bed. Night, 'Mione." He waved. "See you in the morning!"
"Night Ron." Hermione smiled. She paused. "Wait! Why are you going to bed? Come on, Ron...it's only eight o' clock!"
"I'm sleepy. Learning makes me tired..." he whined.
"For crying out loud..." Hermione groaned.
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"Have you decided what you're going to do when we leave yet?" asked Hermione.
Ron blinked several times. "I've been offered a position working under my dad in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office, but I think that scares me. After all, I already spend all my time at home with him..."
"Well, either way, Ron...that's great." Hermione smiled.
"What about you?" Ron asked. He shielded his eyes as they walked out into the courtyard. "Think of all the things you could do, Hermione!"
"Dumbledore wanted me to teach here, but I've been offered a job in the Department of Mysteries." Hermione revealed. "The funny thing is, they don't want me to be one of those Unspeakables. I think they're interested in me because I'm a seer..."
"Well, that's good though, isn't it?" Ron smiled.
Hermione nodded. "I think so, yes...if I can survive that long..." she frowned.
"Don't talk like that." Ron growled. Up ahead, Harry and Luna were sitting on a bench. His face brightened. "Harry! Luna! What's up?" he called.
"Are you excited?" Harry asked. "Those N.E.W.T tests are next week, and then the Ball, and after that..."
"Freedom!" Ron danced.
"Yeah, I think he's excited..." Luna whispered.
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"Please, dad...just kill me now..." Harry groaned. His head hung, and he looked mildly depressed. "Are we ever going to get a break in-between tests?"
"No. That would take the pressure away. They want to see how you operate under pressure. I'm sure you'll find that your qualifying tests to be an auror are even more stressful than these..." he smiled. "Try not to think about it so much. It'll make you feel better..." he advised.
Harry looked up. "Any word about..." he began.
"No. Nothing's happened at Azkaban yet." He replied before Harry could finish.
Harry's face was nearly resting in his cereal bowl when Hedwig flew in through one of the windows in the Great Hall. She dropped a recent edition of the Daily Prophet in his lap, nibbled affectionately at his finger, and then flew off to the owlery. Harry unfolded the paper with interest.
Second Azkaban Breakout in Five Years
Azkaban Prison Officials Baffled!
At around midnight last night, it is reported that the Dementors counted only seventy-four prisoners on the grounds. The count earlier that day had been seventy-five. The breakout is being attributed to dark witches or wizards unknown. The escapee, Lucius Malfoy was a former big-wig at the Ministry of Magic, and one of You Know Who's right hand men. Malfoy was taken into custody two years ago, after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named resurfaced at the Ministry of Magic. The Minister of Magic commented about the breakout earlier today, saying, "I'm not exactly sure how he did it. Quit asking me questions that I can't answer!" It is the widespread belief that Malfoy may have broke out of Azkaban with the intentions of taking revenge for You Know Who's capture. Ministry officials warn that Malfoy is probably armed, is very knowledgeable in the dark arts, and should be considered very dangerous.
"Dad! Look at this! It was Lucius! It had to be him! He's broken out of Azkaban!" Harry announced.
"Yes...but how?" his father wondered. He studied the article with interest. "And of course, Fudge doesn't know anything..."
"Fudge only pretends to know nothing," smirked Lily as she appeared suddenly behind James. "He refuses to admit that even he sometimes needs help, and he could really use it now..."
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Lily, James, Sirius, and Lupin waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs leading to the boys' and girls' dormitories. Each of them was armed with their own camera. There was a creaking sound, almost eerie in nature, which warned them that someone was coming down.
Lily held the camera up, and began to focus it on the bottom of the stairs. Ron and Hermione were coming slowly down the stairs. Harry was behind them. Lily took several quick snaps as they came into view, smiling at each of them.
"Harry, where's Luna?" she frowned. "I need a picture with both of you into it."
"She's at the Ravenclaw tower. Doesn't want me to see her yet. Says it's bad luck," Harry groaned as if this made no sense to him.
Harry's father blinked. "Really? I thought that was only when it came to weddings?"
"I don't know..." Harry shrugged.
Lupin smiled. "Well, we may want to be on our way. You'll want to meet her there, won't you? Don't want to keep her waiting..."
"Remus was always the polite one..." laughed Sirius.
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Harry, Ron, and Hermione waited outside the hotel for nearly ten minutes. On one side of them stood Harry's parents. On the other side (looking as if he was trying to imitate a statue of some sort) stood Hagrid, stiff and expressionless, holding his pink umbrella as if it were a club.
Hermione shivered. She squinted, turned to Harry, and whispered, "Luna's coming!"
Harry stared. Luna was in a black, sparkly dress with spaghetti straps and a shiny pearl necklace. She wore a shawl, made of some sort of black lace, which she draped about her shoulders. She smiled. "Hey Harry."
"Hi Luna..." Harry stared. He took her hand. There was a succession of blinding flashes. When Harry could see again, he realized that everyone around them had just snapped a picture.
Harry glanced around the inside of the hotel fearfully. Everything seemed normal, but then again, that's how everything had seemed when the journal had shown it to him. Hermione was staring nervously at the double doors. Ron would occasionally glance in this direction as well. Harry was sure he was probably wondering exactly what was supposed to happen, as Hermione had refused to tell him.
Hermione took a deep breath. "I just won't go outside. I'll just stay here until it's time to go, and we'll leave when everyone else leaves..." she was saying to herself.
"'Mione?" whispered Harry. "You all right? Why don't you and Ron just go have a nice time? When you're ready to leave, me and Luna will come with you, right?" he turned to Luna, who quickly nodded.
Hermione mustered a smile, and turned to Ron, who eagerly took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Harry sat at a table with Luna, watching the various seventh years dance across the floor. From where he sat, he could see his parents standing there with Sirius and Lupin. They were laughing at something. An hour passed. Then two. Maybe nothing's going to happen? Harry thought to himself.
Just when Harry thought they were in the clear, the grandfather clock in the corner rang midnight, and from outside, several people began to scream. Harry watched the Marauders dislodge their wands and head for the door. Harry, Luna, Ron, and Hermione quickly followed suit.
"What happened?" screamed Harry, nearly running into his father as he ran out the door. He paled. "Oh...my..." Harry gasped, trying not to scream. He lost the battle with his emotions as his blood began to boil. "Hagrid! Oh, god! Dad! Is he all right? Where is Mrs. Malfoy?" he demanded.
There was a pop, and Dumbledore was suddenly standing in front of them, cloaked in the moonlight. He pivoted on his heel, facing Harry's parents. "Call St. Mongo's. Lucius has used one of the Unforgivables..."
"The Unforgivables?" squeaked Hermione. She stared at Hagrid's face. His eyes were wide with surprise. Hermione blinked. He hadn't had time to react. Lucius Malfoy was much too cunning for the friendly giant. Horror-stricken, Hermione turned her attention to Mrs. Malfoy, who looked just as surprised as Hagrid did. She felt as if her voice was stuck in her throat. "He...killed her. He used an Unforgivable curse on his own wife..." Hermione's cheeks paled. "It would've been me..."
"Hagrid..." whispered Luna.
"Get back, kids..." choked Lily, staring at Hagrid and Mrs. Malfoy. "Go back inside. It isn't safe to walk back to the castle right now. Inside, I said! We have to find him."
"Calm down, Lily..." frowned Remus. "You will need your wits about you..."
"What? You guys can't go out there!" Harry yelled. "He just killed two people! What if he..." Harry couldn't finish. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his parents again.
Lily hugged him. "Don't worry. We'll come back."
Harry stared at her. How could they be sure they'd be coming back? Lucius Malfoy had just killed two people in a crowded area. Wouldn't it be easier for him to hurt them if they were alone? He shivered at the thought. With the death of Voldemort, the threat of that prophecy had seemed to melt away...but recently, Harry had started to wonder whether or not there was an even bigger problem on the horizon. He watched his parents disappear into darkness with Sirius and several of the Hogwarts teachers. Lupin, who had stayed behind, ushered the group (which had grown quite large by this point) back into the building.
Lupin shook his head sadly as he stared at Hagrid and Mrs. Malfoy lying on the ground as they were. He looked towards the woods. He could no longer see anyone that had been going in that direction. "Good luck," he whispered to the darkness, "be safe, my friends..."
Closing the double doors tightly, Lupin surveyed the group of seventh years. Many seemed, for some reason, excited about the prospect of being attacked. Others hung near the windows, peering out suspiciously with their wands drawn. Harry and his friends sat in a corner. Hermione, Lupin saw, was sobbing. He approached the group.
"Are you going to be all right?" he asked her.
She shook her head. "He killed them! That was supposed to be me!" She growled as if she was angry with him. "Hagrid didn't have a chance...but his own wife?" Hermione gasped.
"Hermione, dear, calm down. I know you're upset. I understand, believe me. But you have to understand, too. Hagrid and Linda knew what might happen. They were prepared. Hagrid protected the students, Hermione, because he loved you all. Neither Hagrid nor Linda wanted harm to come to any of you. Their deaths have nothing to do with your deciding not to go outside, Hermione. Had you gone, I daresay there would have been three dead bodies out there. It wasn't your fault at all. You can not blame yourself for circumstances that are out of your control..." Lupin smiled weakly and wrapped Hermione in a hug.
"Professor?" whispered Harry.
Lupin turned, and smiled at Harry, who along with Luna, looked rather cool and collected, despite the circumstances. "Yes?" he asked.
"What if..." Dare he say it? "What if they can't find Malfoy?"
Lupin seemed to think on this a moment. "I don't know what will happen, but I doubt that it will be anything good..." he admitted.
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A/N: Sorry for:
Leaving it hanging as I have...and...
Killing Hagrid
Don't hate me. I have plans for where this is heading. Remember what I told you guys in an earlier chapter? There will be more, so don't freak out on me yet. Please review and let me know what you think...even if it is that I should be slapped for killing the lovable Hagrid...just do me a favor and don't like, hold a boycott or anything. I'm not done yet...