Disclaimer: Same as before.
Chapter Seven: The ASPC
Harry was about to spread jam on his toast when the doors of the Great Hall swang open letting in a cool breeze. He turned his head around quickly and saw a group of ten or so people entering, all of who were wearing silver robes with black letters written clearly on their backs. ASPC.
He was not the only one to notice the arrival of these strange visitors. Almost every student in the Hall had stopped eating to gape at the newcomers.
When all of the witches and wizards had filed inside and had travelled to the staff table, the wooden doors were closed, creating a loud thud that silenced all in the Hall.
The students were now staring expectantly at Dumbledore, obviously waiting for some kind of speech. Their Headmaster rose slowly and smiled at the group of people in front of him.
"Welcome," he greeted warmly. "On behalf of the staff and students of Hogwarts, we appreciate your presence at the school."
When he finished the Hall broke out into mild whisperings.
"It's them," Hermione whispered to the three of them. "They must be the Aurors."
Dumbledore resumed his speech instead addressing the student body.
"Students, these admirable wizards and witches are part of what is called the Auror's Squad of the Protection of Civilians. Their stay at Hogwarts is indefinite and they will be present at all times, including Hogsmeade trips and school functions."
"Even though it is requested that you do not ask them for additional information on the approaching war, the Ministry have recently informed me that any suspicious activity you may have observed may be passed on to any member of the squad." At this point, their Headmaster paused and surveyed them seriously. "However, anyone who intentionally gives any misleading information shall be punished severely."
At his words, the quiet dim of murmuring stopped and the students looked at each other nervously.
When Dumbledore finished, the ASPC dispersed into two equal groups (with exception of two) and quietly, yet quickly, left the Great Hall. One of the Aurors that remained posted himself next to the doors and the other next to the staff table.
Harry watched this all with great interest. He looked over to Leia who was also very interested in the proceedings. He was about to lean over to talk to her when Professor McGonagall stood up and hurried them all to class.
The four of them quickly left the Great Hall and joined the throng of excited students who were travelling to their own respective classrooms.
"Do you think they shall be here for very long?" Harry heard Leia ask Hermione.
She just shrugged and indicated that they should be getting to class.
"I really don't know, Leia," she answered as they entered into Charms. With that, they took out their quills and began writing notes.
Through out the week, Harry did a little research on the ASPC but found nothing. He was very curious, as he never heard of them, and apparently, neither had Hermione, which was saying something. Harry had only seen three different Aurors in the entire two weeks since their arrival. Two, who were always present at meals and one that took her post on the Quidditch pitch, whom he had observed during Quidditch practises.However, he was wondering why the Ministry would waste Aurors for the protection of what was deemed as an impenetrable school. He expressed his confusion to Hermione who answered, "When Sirius escaped they employed Dementers for our protection, why shouldn't they employs Aurors now?"
Harry accepted this but was not satisfied. Deep down Harry thought that the more Aurors on the frontline, the less change Voldemort would have of outnumbering them. Yet Harry also knew this to be foolish. Voldemort has an unimaginable number of dark creatures in his service; ten more Aurors would not have much effect. However, another voice in his head also told them that everyone counts in a fight for survival. That was what it was now, to survive.
Harry found that his thoughts often wondered in dark worlds of misery and anger. Ever since his encounter with Remus on that windy morning, he found the pain of Sirius' loss more bearable. Yet, his grief for his friend was still there, ever existent on his mind. What frightened him the most was his hatred for Voldemort, it was like a poison. He would often lie awake at night pondering his fate. To kill or be killed, to murder or to be murdered. It was an endless cycle of thoughts which all originated back to the same concept; fate. An idea which left him feeling powerless over his own actions.
School took his mind off some things, and ever since his re-instatement on the Gryffindor Quidditch team as their seeker, his life became very busy. But being pre-occupied made him forget, numb the pain.
It was a gloomy Saturday morning when Harry walked down the stairs into the common room and was greeted with the familiar sight of Hermione sitting at the table with a mountain of large books. Yawning, he sat down next to her and picked up the first book of the pile.
The Dark Years- A War to Forget by John Wilmer
"Cheery Hermione," Harry said grinning though he opened it up to read it.
Hermione started, obviously unaware that Harry had joined her.
"I thought I would look into this ASPC, yet there seems to be no information about them," she explained while skimming through another large book.
Harry suddenly found himself interested. He too had wondered of the origins of this new organization. He was about to reach over to grab the book Hermione had just put down when he heard loud thumping coming down the stairs, obviously an insane person who had enough energy on a Saturday morning to run.
Harry was surprised to see that it was Leia who was hurrying into the common room. She was changed and holding a thin black book, in which she was waving furiously.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed. "I think I've found it!"
Leia,noticing that Harry was awake, quickly bid him good morning.
Harry was about to reply but she had already walked to Hermione to hand her the book.
"It is nothing specific, however, this book (Previous Bills and Policies Rejected and Suggested in the Ministry 1977-1980) it mentions something of interest."
Hermione took the book and read aloud the section that Leia had indicated.
June 1st 1978- in the times of the First War, in which the terror of He-who-must-not-be-named reigned, the protection of the innocent was of highest priority. So much so that a Bill was issued in the Ministry suggesting that an organization of highly trained wizards should be employed to ensure the safety and security of areas such as schools and hospitals. However, this Bill was rejected, despite its popularity. The Ministry decided that all Aurors and trained personnel were required on the frontlines,in the fight against one of the most evil wizards of our time. However, two months after this decision the Diagon Alley Disaster of 1978 occurred killing hundreds of shoppers and store workers. Many have also questioned why the Bill wasn't again introduced, yet it was a complicated political issue in which the current world events..."
Once she had finished reading, she looked from Leia to Harry.
"I bet it was Dumbledore who introduced that Bill, yet it was rejected because the Ministry needed as many Aurors at hand and then..."
"The Diagon Alley Disaster happened," Harry finished for her. "But why didn't they introduce it afterwards. They would have wanted a squad to protect people after that disaster surely."
Leia picked up the book and read on. She looked up after a few minutes to explain.
"Well, it just explains about the politics behind the decision, not much about why it wasn't re-introduced." She sighed. "It is really strange, yet obviously the Ministry agree that it is needed now."
The three friends sat in silence in which a sleepy looking Ron, who was dressed in his scarlet Quidditch robes, joined them. Harry sighed and walked upstairs to change for practise.
A/N- sorry for not updating for a very long time. I have been impossibly busy... thanks to those that reviewed.