Harry Potter
And the
Green Flame Torch
Chapter 6
Harry forced himself awake as his internal alarm sounded and with tiredness he felt to the depths of his soul, crawled out of bed. Getting the students on the train had been trying enough, especially when it had come to dealing with the students that had attended Hogwart's previously and what they thought about the changes that were occurring. However it had nowhere compared to the difficulties the staff had had to deal with when it came to the new seating arrangements or getting them to their rooms after dinner.
Just thinking about the possible problems he faced this morning was more than enough to make him cringe he thought to himself as he made his way from his room and down the corridor for breakfast.
"Morning." Harry mumbled to Alex as he sat down next to her and quickly filled his plate. Ignoring the curious looks coming from the students.
"I hope today is a lot better than yesterday." Alex said tiredly.
"I think I may reconsider having children after all." Sirius said as he joined them.
"Sirius Orion Black!" Alex exclaimed at his comment, as she turned to glare in his direction.
"It is not the children that cause the problems, it's the parents who abuse, neglect or spoil them." Alex insisted.
"I'm sorry honey your right." Sirius immediately apologized sheepishly as he leaned over to kiss her cheek.
Harry said nothing as he watched the display of affection despite the pang of jealousy he felt. All his life all he had ever wanted was a family, however it seemed as if that was the one thing he would never get. Sighing with resignation, he quietly finished his breakfast and left the hall to prepare for his first class. He had decided to test the students before attempting to teach them.
Hermione Granger was absolutely miserable. The train ride had been unbearable and then to find she could not even sit with Ron or Ginny at the feast had topped it off. Add to that, the amount of students that now seemed to crowd everywhere was astounding in itself she thought as she ignored the other students at her table and quickly gathered her things to head for her first class.
"Excuse me, but you were a Hogwart's student right?" A small girl seated across the table from Hermione asked as she frowned down at her schedule.
"So?" Hermione snapped not at all in a friendly mood after everything that had happened.
"I was just wondering if you could tell me where the Potions class is being held. I'm sorry if I offended you in someway." She whispered as big tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over.
"Hey! Just because you are in bad mood, you don't have to take it out on everyone else." Kyle said as he immediately left his chair and went to comfort the little girl, swearing he was going to hex the bushy headed girl into the next century at the first given opportunity.
"I am not in a bad mood you moron! If I was you would damn sure know it!" Hermione stated in a cold deadly tone as she glared at the boy.
"Is there a problem here?" Alex asked as she silently approached, after having watched everything from her spot at the teacher's table.
"Ms. Granger, I would like to speak with you in the headmaster's office. Now." Alex stated when it seemed as if the petulant girl was going to ignore her.
"Kyle, could you please see to it that Jenny finds her way to the Potions class? Just tell Professor Black you were doing an errand for me." Alex said as she gave Jenny a quick hug and sent the two on their way, before sending Hermione a glare and spinning on her heel.
"Ms. Granger, please wait here." Alex instructed as they arrived at the outer office of the Headmaster and after a quick knock, she stepped through the door leaving Hermione alone.
"Please tell me that you're here for a social visit." Godric pleaded not at all sure he could deal with another crisis so early in the morning.
"Unfortunately not, it seems as if Ms. Granger is determined to make everyone around her just as miserable as she is." Alex said as she quickly explained what had happened in the great hall only moments before.
"Send her in, and then you can go." Godric sighed glad he only had to deal with the headmaster problems one day out of the week.
"Ms. Granger, would you please explain why you seem so determined to make everyone around you not only dislike you, but as miserable as you seem to be yourself?" Godric asked as Hermione stepped into his office.
"Excuse me sir, but where is Headmaster Dumbledore?" Hermione asked wondering just what was taking place at Hogwart's.
"Ms. Granger, let me explain a few things to you." Godric stated coldly as he rose from his chair and locked eyes with Hermione.
"From the very moment you stepped onto the platform yesterday, you have done nothing but cause problems according to my staff. Normally I am a very patient and understanding man however I am quickly reaching the end of my patience with you and the other students that previously attended this school. There are now over six thousand students attending this school because it is the safest place in the world from Voldemort at this time and if you think for one moment that I or any one else cares a damn about what you think in the way we are running things here then you are seriously mistaken." Godric stated angrily.
"It is our job to not only teach you, but to defend you as well. I understand your confusion and anger at the changes that have taken place however that understanding only goes so far." Godric stated as Salazar entered the room and rolled his eyes, not at all surprised to see Hermione had already managed to piss off the most passive man in the world.
"Do we understand one another Ms. Granger?" Godric grated out between clenched teeth.
"Yes sir, but." Hermione protested.
"No buts Ms. Granger now get to your class and you should be very grateful that I have not given you the month's detention that you deserve for causing so many disruptions in such a short amount of time." Godric stated as he waved his hand and the office door flew open.
If Hermione had been angry before, she was now absolutely furious at the treatment she was getting from the new staff she thought to her self as she made her way to the class room assigned for Defense. On the way she made up her mind that no one was going to continue on with treating her like a stupid child; and on that thought, flung the door open and marched into the room, not caring at all that she was already late and most likely disrupting the lesson already in progress, instead walking right up to her best friend Ron and sitting down in the vacant chair at his side.
"I need to talk to you after class." Ron whispered desperately, hoping that the Professor did not catch them talking while a test was in progress.
"Mr. Weasley, is there something you would like to share with the class?" Harry asked as he dropped his feet from where they had been resting on the top of his desk and then stood.
"No sir." Ron squeaked out as he turned his eyes back to the test they were supposed to be taking.
"Then I would suggest that you finish the task at hand and not concern yourself over the fact that Ms. Granger will be receiving a 0 for her grade since she cannot concern herself enough to be on time for my class." Harry stated as he sent Hermione a look, daring her to argue over her punishment.
Ten minutes later, Harry ordered them all to pass their tests to the front and quickly gathered them and placed them on his desk.
"Here's the deal people." Harry began, deciding it best to get a few things straight from the beginning.
"Due to the large student population, a few things have changed. Actually quite a bit has changed." Harry mused aloud as he perched on the edge of his desk.
"First of all, concerning the students that have previously attended Hogwart's; it was decided over the summer that the sorting into houses be abolished and the houses themselves be disbanded. There will be no more house points given or taken away." Harry explained.
"Now everyone should take note of this next part as it concerns you all. The purpose here is to promote unity and trust, not just between previous school mates, but among all students. Since the student population is so large, it was decided that if any of you have a problem you will bring it too me. If you get detention, it will be served with me. If you cause problems with another professor, they will inform me and I will deal with the problem as I see fit. So make sure that your on time for your other classes and that you act accordingly, because I promise to make your life a living hell if I receive any complaints from any one because you lack the ability to control yourselves." Harry stated calmly ignoring the glares being sent his way.
"Also, everyone fifth year and above will have a curfew of 9pm. This means in your rooms with the door closed alone. Everyone fourth and below has a curfew of 8pm. There will be a professor patrolling the corridors so I would suggest you make sure you're in your rooms. Anyone caught out after curfew, no matter what the reason may be, will be sent to the Headmaster and a meeting will be set up that will require the presence of your parents." Harry stated as he glanced down at the note in his hand.
"Quiddith players, you will find a sign up sheet at the end of the corridor. Anyone interested in playing should write their name and desired position on the sign up sheet. The players will then be randomly selected and grouped into teams; any questions?" Harry asked after he had finished outlining everything on the list that had been given to him.
"Professor Evans why all the changes?" A tall dark haired young man called out from the back of the room.
"Mr. Jamison, these changes have taken place because we are attempting to keep you all alive long enough to graduate. In case you have failed to notice, Voldemort would like to kill each and every one of you and would do so without a second thought. I believe each and every one of you should have a chance to live in a world without fearing that at any moment some pathetic moron who only cares about himself and the power he thinks he has will come along and drop you in your tracks." Harry answered as he turned and waved his wand at the chalk board.
"Make sure you write down your homework as it will be due the next time we meet. Class Dismissed." Harry sighed wondering how he was going to make through the rest of the day without killing someone for asking a stupid question such as the last one he had answered.
Sirius Black walked along the first year's corridor doing his final check of the evening. It was past midnight and he had yet to find anyone out and about; which was a good thing, as he hated to get any one in trouble, but with the times like they were, he would do it in a New York minute if it kept them safe. It was as he was nearing the end of the corridor, that the soft sounds of a piano reached his ears. The music flowed smoothly and he could not help but think whoever was playing was truly talented. Rounding the corner, Sirius blinked in surprise to find several professors sitting on the floor with their eyes closed listening as the music drifted from the room nearby.
He was just about to join them when the music ended yet before he could say anything it began once again, only this time it was accompanied by a soft husky voice.
Have you ever been in love
You could touch the moonlight
When your heart is shooting stars
You're holding heaven in your arms
Have you ever been in love?
Have you ever walked on air, ever
Felt like you were dreamin'
When you never thought it could
But it really feels that good
Have you ever been in love?
Have you ever been in love
You could touch the moonlight
When your heart is shooting stars
You're holding heaven in your arms
Have you ever been in love?
The time I spent waiting for something
That was heaven sent
When you find it don't let go
I know...
Have you ever said a prayer
And found that it was answered
All my hope has been restored
I ain't looking anymore
Have you ever been...
Some place that you ain't leavin'
Somewhere you gonna stay
When you finally found the meanin'
Have you ever felt this way?
The time I spent waiting for something
That was heaven sent
When you find it don't let go
I know...
Have you ever been in love
You could touch the moonlight
You can even reach the stars
Doesn't matter near or far
Have you ever been in love?
Have you ever been in love?
So in love
Sirius was astounded by what he was hearing and slowly sank to the floor. The flow of the music, the words of the song were incredible, but the voice that hit every note perfectly was beyond description and he sat there entranced letting music flow over him and heal his soul until the last note finally faded and he found that nearly everyone on the staff was there, sitting along the corridor enjoy the impromptu concert.
No one spoke as they all scrambled to their feet and quickly headed back to their own rooms. Thinking back, Sirius knew that no words were necessary. Each of them had their own reasons for being there and if it helped them get through the night, then so much the better.
Harry leaned forward and rested his forehead on the top of the baby grand piano. His mind blank and his soul finding a bit of peace in the music he played. It was his release when things began to get to be too much to handle. It helped to lose him self in something so beautiful that not even the death and destruction of Voldemort could touch. It was his salvation, Harry thought to himself as he rose to his feet and made his way to his bed, falling across its comforting surface, asleep before his head touched the pillow.
Severus Snape growled softly as his alarm sounded and he reached blindly for the offending object to turn it off. It had been only two hours earlier that he had fallen into bed exhausted, but for the first time in many years feeling a sense of peace in his heart and more importantly in his soul. Unfortunately it had cost him several hours of much needed sleep, Severus thought as he forced himself out of bed taking care not to wake his wife and stumbled to the bathroom.
After a long hot shower, Severus felt just a bit better but not much and it was only after a double dose of pepper up potion that he felt able to even think of making it through the rest of the day. With this thought in mind, Severus stopped by his office and grabbed several vials of the potion and headed up to the great hall for breakfast.
Severus paused by each of the professor's sitting at the table and wordlessly placed a small vial beside their plate before taking his own seat, while ignoring the strange looks from the students. After picking at his own food while watching the students, Severus decided a quick walk before his first class would be just the thing he needed and quietly slipped out of the hall via a side door and headed for the lake.
As he neared his favorite spot he found that he was not alone and that Harry was standing balanced on a small rock in the middle of the lake with his eyes closed as if in meditation. He was just about to turn and leave him to it, when without warning two swords appeared out of thin air and Harry began to dance. Severus knew immediately what he was seeing, although it had been several centuries since anyone did the dance of death.
There were two dances that the ancient wizards used to do in preparation of battle. One was the dance of life and the other the dance of death. The difference in the two were that while both was intended to prepare the person for battle, the dance of death meant that the person cared not if they lived or died as long as they took out the evil that they were fighting. It meant a fight to the death, whether it be their own or the other person.
In this case, Severus knew beyond any doubt that Harry was preparing for the final battle with Voldemort and that he Severus Snape would be at Harry's side when the time came. Leaving Harry to finish in solitude, Severus made his way back up to the castle and down to his class room with many thoughts rushing through his mind.
Harry sat at the head table with the rest of the Professors, not really eating, but watching the students and was somewhat surprised when Severus passed by and dropped a note in his lap before moving on as if nothing had happened. After briefly skimming through the note, Harry rose to his feet and slipped out of the hall through a hidden door and made his way quickly down the corridors to his office where he found Severus waiting outside the door.
"What's up?" Harry asked after they had entered the office and all the usual privacy charms were in place.
"Several things, but first and foremost, the Order of the Phoenix is in chaos. With Albus gone, they are doing everything half haphazardly and it's starting to cause a lot of distrust and accidents." Severus sighed tiredly as he quickly updated Harry on everything that had happened during the meeting a few hours earlier.
"Who is second in command of the Order? Surely there is someone else to take over I can't see Albus not making sure other plans would take effect if something happened to him." Harry asked.
"Actually there is someone else who should be taking control, however at this time, that person is not in the right frame of mind to be assigning dangerous missions to anyone." Severus sighed not sure how to tell Harry that it was his father they were talking about.
"What's wrong with this person?" Harry asked as a feeling of dread came over him.
"He is currently devastated over the loss of his son. He is trying to find the answer in the bottom of a bottle." Severus said, hoping that Harry would realize he was not trying to make fun of James or hurt the man in way, only state the truth of the matter.
"Where can I find him?" Harry asked realizing the person they were talking about had to be his father.
"I'm not exactly sure, but this portkey will take you to him. Your mother gave it to me to give to Sirius when she came to seek his help before going to stay with Neville's grandmother. Apparently they are having a few marital problems and she could not deal with what is happening to him at the moment." Severus explained as he withdrew a small diary from within the folds of his robes and handed it to Harry.
"All you have to do is say your father's name and it will take you too him." Severus added.
"Thanks, can you find someone to cover for me for a few days and tell Salazar and Godric that I will be back as soon as I can?" Harry asked as he rose to his feet.
"Not a problem and good luck." Severus said as he turned and left Harry alone.