Harry Potter and the Voldemort Resistance
By Bado
Disclaimer: I own none of the Harry Potter franchise.
Chapter 4 The Death of Another
"Hello there Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said as she stepped in through the doorway, her pointed hat brushed the top of it. "Professor Dumbledore told me I'd probably see you here. No, no, go ahead and stay." She said as Harry got up to leave. "There's nothing I have to say that you are forbidden to hear. I'm just here to explain out world. There's even some things you can help me explain." She then turned to Anna and Mark.
"Hello, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts as well as the Transfiguration professor." She then held out her hand to shake Anna's then turned to Mark and shook his hand as well.
"Hello Professor McGonagall. I am Anna Evans, Mark's mother."
"Nice to meet you Ms Evans. Now, straight to business. Am I right in concluding that Harry here has already explained much of the magical world to you." Both Mark and Anna nodded their heads in unison.
"And as I can assume there was probably some Mr. Potter couldn't explain. Do either of you have any questions?" And Anna and Mark were off. They asked every question imaginable, from the Hogwarts curriculum, to the different shops in Diagon Alley. When McGonagall finished her speech Mark interjected.
"Ms McGonagall," He was interrupted by the transfiguration professor, correcting him, saying that when at school he was expected to address her by Professor, so he should get used to it now.
"O, sorry professor. I was wondering if you could give us a demonstration of what I will be learning." McGonagall smiled then replied. "Of course. I was expecting you to ask." McGonagall then whipped out her wand in an impressive manner, then said "Wingardium Leviosa!" as she pointed her wand at a window. It slowly rose up. Then she exclaimed, "Avis," and a small flock of birds came out of the tip of her wand.
"These are just a couple novelty spells. Like I have explained, we teach all the defense curses, transfiguration, many, many charms, potions, and studies of the various magical animals and plants. After your second year, you will be able to choose a couple extra classes as electives. All classes we offer at Hogwarts will aide in some way to a magical career you wish to pursue after graduation." McGonagall finished as Mark began to ask another question about the magical world.
"And what kind of careers do wizards and witches hold in your world?" Asked Mark interestedly.
"Well it really all depends on what things take your interest. Take Mr. Potter here for example. He has always done exceptionally well in his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. So he has decided to try and become an Auror, an employee at the Ministry of Magic who chases down dark wizard and witches. Other available choices are the countless other positions at the Ministry Healers, the equivalent to doctors in the muggle world, it's possible to open shops in Diagon Alley. Like I said, it's really depends on whatever subject you fancy. You could find a job dealing with every subject." McGonagall said as Anna started another question.
"I would also like to hear more about the laws that the Ministry enforces. It would be extremely helpful."
"Yes, Ms Evans, I completely understand. I will send you a copy of the short version the Ministry publishes. It should be here in no less than five days."
"Ok and about Mark's school materials. I remember you mentioning that most magical places are hidden from non-magical people. If this is so, how am I going to take Mark to Diagon Alley get his wand and cauldron and any thing else he needs if I can't even find the place?"
"We actually have muggle born students along with their parents escorted to Diagon Alley before their first year of school. We've found that once a muggle has been able to find it and see it once they have no problem finding it times after that." She stopped for a moment. "Has Harry mentioned the Order of the Phoenix?" After acknowledging the two nods, she continued. "A few members will be escorting all muggle families to do their shopping." Now that the subject turned to Diagon Alley, Harry once again joined the conversation.
"Sorry to interrupt Professor, but has Professor Dumbledore mentioned anything about when I will be able to go?" McGonagall turned to Harry.
"Umm yes, he did actually." Harry leaned in closer to hear his head of house. "Professor Dumbledore said you will be going the same day you will leave to Hogwarts to begin your training. You, the other students going for summer training, and several Order members including myself will all go together. We will also be escorting the Evans' there. But this should've all been explained in the letter Dumbledore sent back with that brilliant owl of yours very early this morning. Hasn't she arrived back yet.?" Harry must've went pale. He was very worried now. Hedwig had never once failed a delivery. His loyal and always faithful friend surely should've been home by now. Harry excused himself to the bathroom.
O no! Harry thought. Please let Hedwig come home ok. She's always been such a great friend. My only company while with the Dursleys for the past six years. No, Voldemort couldn't have gotten to her. Please make it home girl. Please, please, please…
Harry regained his composure. He opened the door and started towards the stairs. As he reached the first step, he head a crash followed by what he was sure, was Anna's scream. Harry ran half way down the stairs and jumped off the other half. In mid jump, Harry unsheathed his wand.
Harry turned a corner, ready to duck any curses thrown at him He was surprised to see, not several Death Eater like he had been expecting, but three owls who had seemed to smash through the Evans' front picture window. The first owl on the far right, Ron's owl Pig, let out a small low key note (very strange compared to his usual high pitched and ever present hoot). The other owl on the very left was a strange hawk owl. The owl flanked by the other two was barely recognizable as he it was bloody and one wing was mangled. Professor McGonagall practically leapt off of her seat. She quickly said an incantation and the poor bird was clean. The blood being removed revealed snow white feathers speckled here and there with black. Harry took a closer look only to realize which bird it was.
"O my god! Hedwig! Professor you have to do something. Take her to Hagrid straightaway. We gotta…" Harry was cut off by Professor McGonagall.
"Harry dear. Please calm down. I know this owl is your friend, and you'd like to do anything you can for her. But Harry, sadly there is nothing we can do. She is too badly injured to make the journey to Hogwarts, or any magical creature specialist for that matter. I don't even see how it was possible for her to make it back here." Harry lowered his head as he came to the understanding that his pet owl, no friend, for the past five years was now surely going to die. Tears began to trickle steadily down his cheeks. The lights in the house flickered several times.
"Mr. Potter would you like maybe to say a few words to her. She may not be absolutely conscious, but she more than likely can recognize your voice. Like I said, she always was such an exceptionally smart owl." Said McGonagall as she plucked the letter from the owls talons and handed it over to Harry. Loyal bird Harry thought fondly as he stuffed it in his back pocket. The he then knelt in the same spot McGonagall had.
"Hey there girl." Harry said solemnly. "Well I guess this is goodbye. You've always been loyal to me Hedwig. You've always been a great friend. My only companionship during the summers." Harry started sobbing madly. He could barely choke out a short, "Love ya girl." Hedwig opened her eyes for one brief second and with one last hoot she closed them again. She was gone.
Later that evening Harry sat at his desk, thinking over the events of the previous afternoon. After Hedwig had passed, Professor McGonagall conjured a cloth and wrapped up the dead bird. Harry then said goodbye to the Mark, Anna, and Professor McGonagall. He walked home with the tears still steadily flowing from his bright green eyes. When Harry got back to the Dursleys' house, he was thankful no one was home yet. Harry got a shovel and buried Hedwig in the back yard, amongst the bushes so she wouldn't be disturbed in her final resting place. As he placed the last scoop of dirt on the small unmarked grave, he proceeded to say a short prayer.
Harry was sitting at his desk when he suddenly remembered the letter, the last letter Hedwig ever delivered. Must be the one McGonagall mentioned. He thought. Harry turned over the envelope to see Ron's handwriting. He then opened the envelope, unfolded it, and began to read.
Dear Harry,
Hey Harry! Hope your summer's been going good. Mine hasn't been to bad. I've just been hanging out here at the Burrow. Fred and George have been coming by and showing off some new products. Man, they're going to making a killing. They're giving mom and dad galleons to buy our school things this year. I told them thank you so much my jaw's going to fall off. They said they plan on having an entire catalog out by the time we're back in school. It's also been rather quiet, what with me and Gin being the only kids left here.
Anyways, did you hear about Dad's promotion? Well if you didn't, he's been promoted to head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. With the huge raise, dad's planning on doing some major remodeling on the Burrow.
Speaking of school things, Dumbledore stopped by the Burrow this morning and asked me to add a few things in this letter from him. He told me that yes he has confirmed it, I don't know what he's confirmed though. We (when I say we I mean the students going to train at school) are going to Diagon Alley this Saturday. From Diagon Alley we are going straight to Hogwarts and are to begin training Monday. Then I guess we'll just stay there until end of next semester. You'll be Flooing here, the Burrow, from Mrs. Figg's house. Then from here we'll go to Diagon Alley. Be here by ten o'clock in the morning.
Well that's it for now. See you Saturday Harry.
Ron
Harry thought he wouldn't be able to smile for days after Hedwig's death. But hearing this news about him leaving to be with his other friends made Harry want to dance. He couldn't wait to go to Diagon Alley. He hadn't been in the magical community since his hearing last summer. He was also more motivated to learn, so for the first time ever Harry was very eager to buy a few extra books. He didn't only want books on curses, but every subject. Harry was more than motivated, he was dedicated. Another shop he definitely wanted to stop by was the twins' store. He of course was the sole investor and wanted to see how good their business was going. He was also pretty sure he could find more useful things in the interesting shops he'd never been to before. Harry could definitely go for a double scoop over at Fortescue's parlor right about now. Harry, to tired to got on with his fantasies of Diagon Alley, went over to his
twin bed.
Harry's eyelids closed. An image of a large snowy owl flying majestically over the mountains near Hogwarts was the last thing he saw as he drifted off to sleep.