Chapter 11: A Somber Ride
Harry stared at Snape. Timidly, he approached the crumpled heap of his professor. Cautiously, he reached out his right hand. He poked Snape with his index finger. Getting no response, he grabbed hold of Snape's shoulder and shook. This resulted in a low moan, but no movement.
Stepping back, Harry's eyes widened. He continued backing up until he hit the door. His hand found the knob; opening the door, he turned and ran down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time, before bursting through the door to the kitchen.
"Mrs. Weasley! Mrs. Weasley! Hurry!" Harry called frantically. "You have to contact Dumbledore. Snape's passed out. He said to hurry." Harry panted, leaning against the wall until he caught his breath.
Everything in the kitchen came to an abrupt halt. Mr. Weasley and Ron were paused mid-play in their chess game, their pieces still wrestling madly. Ginny and Hermione looked up from their conversation to stare at him, and Mrs. Weasley held a mug up from the soapy water where she had been doing dishes.
"What, Harry?" Mr. Weasley was the first to recover from his dramatic entrance.
"Professor Snape, sir." Harry responded. "He's injured. He clutched his side, asked for help and then passed out. We've got to get a hold of Dumbledore. Hurry!" He persisted.
Something seemed to click into place. Everyone began moving at once. Mrs. Weasley grabbed Harry's hand. "Come with me, Harry. Ginny, grab the medikit from the mantle. Arthur, contact Albus. You two," she fixed her eyes on Ron and Hermione, "stay and help Arthur." Harry and Ginny mutely followed Mrs. Weasley up the steps.
She knocked lightly on the library door. Hearing no response, she pushed through. Ginny gasped. While Harry had gone for help, Snape had managed to pull himself off the floor. He was now draped awkwardly in the carved wooden chair in front of the desk in the far corner.
Mrs. Weasley took the cloth tote from Ginny. "You two, sit." She commanded. They did, both staring intently at Mrs. Weasley. She dropped to her knees in front of Snape.
"Severus." She said softly. Snape moaned lightly. "Severus, it's Molly. I'm just going to patch you up a touch before Albus arrives." She kept talking in hushed tones, as though to a frightened child, as she eased him back in the chair.
Carefully, as Harry and Ginny watched, Mrs. Weasley pried Snape's hand loose from his side. Ginny turned away from the sight-Snape's hand was covered in blood. Quickly, Mrs. Weasley pulled a sponge from the kit and washed off his hand. She pulled some gauze out next and was placing it on the wound when Harry felt a surge of electrical energy pass through the room.
He moved his eyes to the doorway. There, framed by the doorjamb, stood Dumbledore. Mr. Weasley on his heels, as the headmaster stepped purposely forward. Harry felt waves of energy pulse from Dumbledore. Mrs. Weasley backed away as he approached Snape.
Lifting the professor as if he weighed no more than a child, Dumbledore turned to face them. His eyes were overbright, his face stern. He nodded and left the room. In his wake, the four of them let out a collective sigh and looked at one another.
"Come, Harry, Ginny. Let's go back downstairs to Ron and Hermione. I'm sure they're anxiously awaiting us." Mr. Weasley ushered them out of the library, sending a look to Mrs. Weasley.
"What happened?" Hermione asked as they reentered the kitchen.
Harry turned back to see what he could get away with in front of Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. He was puzzled to find they weren't behind him. He turned to Ginny, who wore the same puzzled expression.
"But your dad was right behind us," Harry said.
"I know. He must have gone back to help mum with cleaning up." Ginny shrugged.
"Harry. Ginny. What happened?" Hermione asked again, her tone growing louder. Ron was still seated the table, his chess pieces in disarray before him.
Harry and Ginny took seats across from Ron. Hermione joined them, looking anxiously from one to the other, studying their faces. Harry turned to Ginny, then started speaking. He told them of sitting on the sofa, clearing his mind, of waking and finding Snape in a heap, of Dumbledore coming into the rood.
"Wait, wait, wait." Ron broke in. "Dumbledore was here? When?"
"Just now." Answered Ginny. "Didn't you hear him come in?"
They both shook their heads. Harry looked at Ginny. "I don't understand." She said.
"I don't either." Said Harry.
"So, let me get this straight. You injured Snape when he tried to break into your mind. Then, Dumbledore somehow manages to get into Headquarters without Hermione or me hearing him, and leave again, holding Snape, without making any noise?" Ron sorted out loud, moving his hands over his bishop.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Although, now that I think about it, I don't think I was the only reason Snape was hurt."
"What do mean, Harry?" asked Hermione. All their eyes were on him.
"Well, his face was already really white, and he was moving stiffly. He wouldn't have been stiff if I had just hurt him, right? That'd only happen if he'd been hurt by someone else, earlier." He said.
They all thought about that for awhile. Ginny was the first to break the silence. "Do you think the Death Eaters, or You-Know-Who did it?"
Harry shrugged. Of course, that's what had been going through his mind, but he no proof. He tried focusing on the split second after Snape had muttered Legimens, because for that brief moment Harry had felt something. What was it? He wasn't able to decipher it at the moment.
Hermione's eyes were wide when she spoke a few moments later. "You don't think they were torturing them, do you?" she sounded horrified at the prospect.
"That's what they generally do, Hermione, if they suspect someone's been keeping something from them." A soft voice came from behind Harry and Ginny.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry turned round immediately. There stood Remus, dressed in his normal robes, looking very tired.
"Where have you been, Remus?" Harry said, getting up and going over to him. They shook hands. A smile broke across Lupin's face.
"No where important. Is Professor Snape injured?" he inquired, sitting down next to Harry at the table.
"Yep." Said Ron, clearing away the chess pieces, figuring the game he and his father had started would be better abandoned for the moment.
"Do you know what happened, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"No more than do you, Hermione. Far less, I'd wager, in fact. I've been out of touch with the world since last night. Sorry I can't be of more help." He said.
"Professor." Ginny began.
"All of you, please, call me Remus. Or, if that feels too strange, call me Lupin." He said, smiling at all of them.
Ron piped up, "What about Moony?" he said, smiling.
Remus smiled back. "Moony would be fine."
Mrs. Weasley came bustling back into the kitchen. "Ah, Remus, you're back. Good to see you. There's a bit of dinner left in the pantry if you're hungry. It'll make good sandwiches. I suppose the children have told you about Professor Snape. Dumbledore's got him now. He'll be fine." She told them. She looked around the room. "Where's Sofia? Is she upstairs?"
"Ah, no. She actually went straight on to Hogwarts. Said she was needed there immediately. At first I didn't understand, but now I do." Lupin informed her.
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Well, she'll have to come back at some point to collect her things. I need to talk to her about something before the year starts; I'll do it then. Now," she said, turning her eye onto her two children and their friends, "I think there has been enough excitement for the night. Off to bed with you."
Amidst groans and protests from all four, Mrs. Weasley got them into their rooms and turned off the lights within fifteen minutes. Harry and Ron lay awake for quite awhile. Neither had any fresh ideas about Snape or Dumbledore, and Harry was still curious why Professor Calabrone had gone off to Hogwarts right away.
The next few days continued on. There was no Occlumency to continue with, as no word had been sent about Snape, but Mrs. Weasley and homework for the coming year kept them busy. Before Harry knew it, it was September 1st and time to travel to King's Cross Station to take the Hogwarts Express.
Once on platform 9 3/4, Harry, ladened with his trunk, looked around. Students were everywhere, saying goodbye to their parents. More parents were there than usual. Harry suspected it was due, in part, to the not-entirely-unfounded fear that Voldemort might make an attempt on the school After all, Harry was at the school, and where Harry went, Voldemort was sure to follow.
Following Hermione's lead, Harry followed Ron and Ginny onto the train and into the last compartment. Moments later, Ginny left to find the fifth-year Gryffindors. Meanwhile, Neville, closely followed by Luna, found his way to their compartment. Taking the empty seat next to Harry, he pulled Trevor from an inside pocket.
"How was your holiday, Neville?" Hermione said easily, making conversation.
He shrugged. "All right, I suppose. Gran wouldn't hardly let me out on the house the entire summer."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"Once the reports of the missing muggles started coming in, she got a little overprotective of me. I, I told her about facing Bellatrix Lestrange at the Department of Ministries and what she said about remembering my mum and dad. Gran got this odd expression on her face and said it would be best if I didn't go out of her sight for the summer."
They all nodded in agreement. Bellatrix Lestrange had, fifteen years ago, tortured Neville's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, into insanity. Mrs. Longbottom, Neville's grandmother, had raised him since then. Although she was a formidable witch, Harry expected he could understand her fear of losing her only grandson to the same witch who lost her her son and his wife.
"It wasn't all bad, though." Neville said, brightening. "Gran did let Luna here visit, and we spent of few days in London. My Great-Uncle Algie took me to a shop in Knockturn Alley where they have all sorts of illegal plants. It was fantastic!"
Although Neville failed miserably at most subjects at Hogwarts, Herbology seemed to suit him perfectly. Harry reckoned it was probably because there were no spells to remember. Neville had an atrocious memory.
"No, Neville," began Ron, "how'd you do on O.W.L.s?"
"Not too bad, considering. Gran was pleased. I got an O in Herbology. And an E in Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I did, however, get D in Potions. I'm not that bothered by it. Gran said my father wasn't all that good at potions, either." Neville informed them.
Harry was glad that, for once, Mrs. Longbottom seemed satisfied by her grandson's performance. He looked over to Luna, who, quite of out of character, hadn't said anything yet. She was gazing dreamily around the compartment, dividing her gaze between Neville and Ron. She caught Harry's eye and smiled gauzily at him.
"How was your summer, Luna?" Harry asked politely.
"Oh, fine." She answered. "Father had to cancel our expedition for Crumpled-Horn Snorkacks because of all the fuss Voldemort made by coming back, but he promised we go as soon as possible."
Harry snorted. All the fuss indeed. Only the darkest wizard to come about in ages. It was nice to see Luna hadn't changed.
"On the bright side, though," she continued, "there were four sightings of Willy-Bellied Bintus in northern Africa this summer. Father thinks it's a sign of a growing army of wizards down there. He's very excited."
Everyone in the compartment looked at Luna and shook their heads. Conversation then veered to what the trio had been up to for the summer. Harry carefully left out Snape's injuries, and was grateful to see that Ron and Hermione picked up on it and steered clear of if as well.
When they were nearly there, Harry realized that hardly anyone had been to see them. Usually the train rides to Hogwarts were filled with visits from their fellow housemates.
"Neville," Harry asked, "Have you seen Seamus or Dean on the train?"
Neville nodded. "Yep. Dean's sitting with Ginny and the rest of the fourth years. Seamus is up near the front, sitting with the Lavender and Parvati. He didn't seem very interested in what they were talking about. I asked him to join us, but he seemed very quiet and not keen on moving."
"I heard," Luna spoke up, "that several muggle farmers have gone missing. Father says it's something to do with Stubby Boardman, but it can't, can it, Harry? I mean, didn't Stubby Boardman disappear in the Department of Mysteries?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at Luna, but answered, "Sirius Black disappeared at the Department of Mysteries. And I've heard about the missing farmers, too." this comment earned him glances from their companions, "but I think that has more to do with Voldemort than with Sirius."
"Isn't Seamus' uncle a farmer?" Ron asked. No one knew, but that might explain why he didn't feel like socializing. Harry wondered how many other families had already been affected once by Voldemort.
They fell back into silence for the remainder of the trip. There wasn't even a disruption from Malfoy and his cronies, "Dad says since Malfoy's dad went into Azkaban, Mrs. Malfoy hasn't been seen or heard from, and even considered sending Draco to Durmstrang. Maybe the git's not even on the train."
"No, he's here," came Ginny's voice from the door of their compartment. "I just saw him, sitting about three compartments up with Pansy Parkinson and some of the older Sytherins. He didn't seem as smug as usual." she flounced over and sat next to Luna. "Hello, Neville, Luna. How was your holiday, Luna? Did you get to go anywhere with your father?"
The two fifth years started to chat animatedly about the upcoming year of school, though, in truth, it was more Ginny talking and Luna gazing about. Harry and the others remained quiet for the rest of the ride.
Soon enough, they were pulling into Hogsmeade station. Harry heard Hagrid's voice booming through the windows for all first years to follow him. Their group made their way to the carriages and up to the castle. The Great Hall, while filled with everyone but the first years, seemed quieter than usual to Harry.
A number of students looked very pale and worried, talking quietly to their housemates. The second war had already started taking it's toll on families, Harry affirmed. He looked around at all the tables before Ron tugged him down.
His eyes traveled over the teacher's table. McGonagall was still in the hallway, but Dumbledore was present. He caught Harry's eye and gave a small nod. Harry returned the gesture and continued looking over the professors.
Snape was seated between Madame Pomfrey and Professor Calabrone. As Harry watched, Madame Pomfrey seemed to be insisting that Snape take a small vial of potion. Harry thought he still looked pale and sitting stiffly, as though still in some discomfort from his injuries. They hadn't heard anything more about their potions master since the night Dumbledore came to collect him from headquarters.
Grimacing, Snape took the vial from the mediwitch and swallowed it in one go. Even as he was taking a sip of water to clear the taste from his mouth, Harry saw Professor Calabrone start in a conversation with him. The look of pure loathing on Snape's face brought a smile to Harry's face.
Snape seemed to sense his happiness, because he suddenly lifted his head and glared at Harry. Rather than shut him up, it only caused Harry to give a small giggle. Calabrone touched Snape's arm to bring his attention back to her. Breaking the gaze, Snape moved his eyes sideways and murmured a response.
Calabrone looked up brightly, her eyes widening as she saw Harry watching her. She gave a small wave, which Harry returned. He had been thinking about the new professor quite a bit. They had never found out where she and Remus had gone the day they all went to Diagon Alley, and he'd missed when she came to headquarters to collect her things.
Trelawney was still there, he noted. He wondered where Firenze was, but figured he probably wouldn't want to join them for dinner. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Sinistra were talking with their heads together further along the table.
The doors opened and Professor McGonagall walked through, followed by all the little first years. There didn't seem to be as many as usual, Harry thought. Hermione made a comment to the same effect. One by one, McGonagall placed the sorting hat on their head. By the time the sorting hat sorted Jack Braun, Elise Hansen, Tane Hummell, and Janice Jenson into Gryffindor, Harry felt himself slump in his chair.
Immediately he was being pulled down the aisle between the Gryffinor and Hufflepuff tables to the room just off the Great Hall where he had gone after his name had been pulled from the Goblet of Fire. Inside were shelves upon shelves of books. Looking around, Harry again spied the book that had originally been in the library at 12 Grimmauld Place. He reached his hand out to pull it from the shelf, and almost had it when his eyes opened.
"Harry?" Hermione asked carefully.
Harry shook his head. "Yes?"
"Are you all right? You fell asleep. Dumbledore's about to introduce Professor Calabrone. Are you sure you're all right?" she asked again.
"Yeah, fine. I, I" he began, "I think Professor Calabrone may have brought that book to Hogwarts." he said finally.
Ron's head whipped around, "Why do you say that, mate?"
Harry noticed Neville and Dean look over, "I'll tell you later. It was, er, just a dream I had." he said, emphasizing the word dream. Hermione and Ron nodded to show they had understood.
Soon enough, Professor Calabrone had been introduced, Dumbledore had given his beginning year speech and they had tucked in. Now, bellies full and eyes droopy, they were shuffled off to bed, ready for the next day. Harry didn't have time to tell Ron and Hermione about his dream when they got to the Gryffindor common room.
They were both talking to the first years. By the time he heard Ron come into the sixth year boy's dormitory, he was too exhausted to mumble a goodnight. It could wait. That thought in his head, he drifted off to sleep.
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Author's notes:
Another chappie!
Willy-Bellied Bintu: A Bintu is a divine antelope in the mythology of the western Sahara region and is often associated with the invention of agriculture....this ties in with the missing farmers and Luna's father....you'll find out more about both of them later. BTW--I do not know what willy-bellied means, but I liked the way it sounded.
Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know. I had problems writing Luna, and I wasn't feeling up to writing Malfoy yet. No worries, he'll appear soon enough.
Harry stared at Snape. Timidly, he approached the crumpled heap of his professor. Cautiously, he reached out his right hand. He poked Snape with his index finger. Getting no response, he grabbed hold of Snape's shoulder and shook. This resulted in a low moan, but no movement.
Stepping back, Harry's eyes widened. He continued backing up until he hit the door. His hand found the knob; opening the door, he turned and ran down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time, before bursting through the door to the kitchen.
"Mrs. Weasley! Mrs. Weasley! Hurry!" Harry called frantically. "You have to contact Dumbledore. Snape's passed out. He said to hurry." Harry panted, leaning against the wall until he caught his breath.
Everything in the kitchen came to an abrupt halt. Mr. Weasley and Ron were paused mid-play in their chess game, their pieces still wrestling madly. Ginny and Hermione looked up from their conversation to stare at him, and Mrs. Weasley held a mug up from the soapy water where she had been doing dishes.
"What, Harry?" Mr. Weasley was the first to recover from his dramatic entrance.
"Professor Snape, sir." Harry responded. "He's injured. He clutched his side, asked for help and then passed out. We've got to get a hold of Dumbledore. Hurry!" He persisted.
Something seemed to click into place. Everyone began moving at once. Mrs. Weasley grabbed Harry's hand. "Come with me, Harry. Ginny, grab the medikit from the mantle. Arthur, contact Albus. You two," she fixed her eyes on Ron and Hermione, "stay and help Arthur." Harry and Ginny mutely followed Mrs. Weasley up the steps.
She knocked lightly on the library door. Hearing no response, she pushed through. Ginny gasped. While Harry had gone for help, Snape had managed to pull himself off the floor. He was now draped awkwardly in the carved wooden chair in front of the desk in the far corner.
Mrs. Weasley took the cloth tote from Ginny. "You two, sit." She commanded. They did, both staring intently at Mrs. Weasley. She dropped to her knees in front of Snape.
"Severus." She said softly. Snape moaned lightly. "Severus, it's Molly. I'm just going to patch you up a touch before Albus arrives." She kept talking in hushed tones, as though to a frightened child, as she eased him back in the chair.
Carefully, as Harry and Ginny watched, Mrs. Weasley pried Snape's hand loose from his side. Ginny turned away from the sight-Snape's hand was covered in blood. Quickly, Mrs. Weasley pulled a sponge from the kit and washed off his hand. She pulled some gauze out next and was placing it on the wound when Harry felt a surge of electrical energy pass through the room.
He moved his eyes to the doorway. There, framed by the doorjamb, stood Dumbledore. Mr. Weasley on his heels, as the headmaster stepped purposely forward. Harry felt waves of energy pulse from Dumbledore. Mrs. Weasley backed away as he approached Snape.
Lifting the professor as if he weighed no more than a child, Dumbledore turned to face them. His eyes were overbright, his face stern. He nodded and left the room. In his wake, the four of them let out a collective sigh and looked at one another.
"Come, Harry, Ginny. Let's go back downstairs to Ron and Hermione. I'm sure they're anxiously awaiting us." Mr. Weasley ushered them out of the library, sending a look to Mrs. Weasley.
"What happened?" Hermione asked as they reentered the kitchen.
Harry turned back to see what he could get away with in front of Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. He was puzzled to find they weren't behind him. He turned to Ginny, who wore the same puzzled expression.
"But your dad was right behind us," Harry said.
"I know. He must have gone back to help mum with cleaning up." Ginny shrugged.
"Harry. Ginny. What happened?" Hermione asked again, her tone growing louder. Ron was still seated the table, his chess pieces in disarray before him.
Harry and Ginny took seats across from Ron. Hermione joined them, looking anxiously from one to the other, studying their faces. Harry turned to Ginny, then started speaking. He told them of sitting on the sofa, clearing his mind, of waking and finding Snape in a heap, of Dumbledore coming into the rood.
"Wait, wait, wait." Ron broke in. "Dumbledore was here? When?"
"Just now." Answered Ginny. "Didn't you hear him come in?"
They both shook their heads. Harry looked at Ginny. "I don't understand." She said.
"I don't either." Said Harry.
"So, let me get this straight. You injured Snape when he tried to break into your mind. Then, Dumbledore somehow manages to get into Headquarters without Hermione or me hearing him, and leave again, holding Snape, without making any noise?" Ron sorted out loud, moving his hands over his bishop.
Harry nodded. "Yeah. Although, now that I think about it, I don't think I was the only reason Snape was hurt."
"What do mean, Harry?" asked Hermione. All their eyes were on him.
"Well, his face was already really white, and he was moving stiffly. He wouldn't have been stiff if I had just hurt him, right? That'd only happen if he'd been hurt by someone else, earlier." He said.
They all thought about that for awhile. Ginny was the first to break the silence. "Do you think the Death Eaters, or You-Know-Who did it?"
Harry shrugged. Of course, that's what had been going through his mind, but he no proof. He tried focusing on the split second after Snape had muttered Legimens, because for that brief moment Harry had felt something. What was it? He wasn't able to decipher it at the moment.
Hermione's eyes were wide when she spoke a few moments later. "You don't think they were torturing them, do you?" she sounded horrified at the prospect.
"That's what they generally do, Hermione, if they suspect someone's been keeping something from them." A soft voice came from behind Harry and Ginny.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry turned round immediately. There stood Remus, dressed in his normal robes, looking very tired.
"Where have you been, Remus?" Harry said, getting up and going over to him. They shook hands. A smile broke across Lupin's face.
"No where important. Is Professor Snape injured?" he inquired, sitting down next to Harry at the table.
"Yep." Said Ron, clearing away the chess pieces, figuring the game he and his father had started would be better abandoned for the moment.
"Do you know what happened, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"No more than do you, Hermione. Far less, I'd wager, in fact. I've been out of touch with the world since last night. Sorry I can't be of more help." He said.
"Professor." Ginny began.
"All of you, please, call me Remus. Or, if that feels too strange, call me Lupin." He said, smiling at all of them.
Ron piped up, "What about Moony?" he said, smiling.
Remus smiled back. "Moony would be fine."
Mrs. Weasley came bustling back into the kitchen. "Ah, Remus, you're back. Good to see you. There's a bit of dinner left in the pantry if you're hungry. It'll make good sandwiches. I suppose the children have told you about Professor Snape. Dumbledore's got him now. He'll be fine." She told them. She looked around the room. "Where's Sofia? Is she upstairs?"
"Ah, no. She actually went straight on to Hogwarts. Said she was needed there immediately. At first I didn't understand, but now I do." Lupin informed her.
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Well, she'll have to come back at some point to collect her things. I need to talk to her about something before the year starts; I'll do it then. Now," she said, turning her eye onto her two children and their friends, "I think there has been enough excitement for the night. Off to bed with you."
Amidst groans and protests from all four, Mrs. Weasley got them into their rooms and turned off the lights within fifteen minutes. Harry and Ron lay awake for quite awhile. Neither had any fresh ideas about Snape or Dumbledore, and Harry was still curious why Professor Calabrone had gone off to Hogwarts right away.
The next few days continued on. There was no Occlumency to continue with, as no word had been sent about Snape, but Mrs. Weasley and homework for the coming year kept them busy. Before Harry knew it, it was September 1st and time to travel to King's Cross Station to take the Hogwarts Express.
Once on platform 9 3/4, Harry, ladened with his trunk, looked around. Students were everywhere, saying goodbye to their parents. More parents were there than usual. Harry suspected it was due, in part, to the not-entirely-unfounded fear that Voldemort might make an attempt on the school After all, Harry was at the school, and where Harry went, Voldemort was sure to follow.
Following Hermione's lead, Harry followed Ron and Ginny onto the train and into the last compartment. Moments later, Ginny left to find the fifth-year Gryffindors. Meanwhile, Neville, closely followed by Luna, found his way to their compartment. Taking the empty seat next to Harry, he pulled Trevor from an inside pocket.
"How was your holiday, Neville?" Hermione said easily, making conversation.
He shrugged. "All right, I suppose. Gran wouldn't hardly let me out on the house the entire summer."
"Why?" Ron asked.
"Once the reports of the missing muggles started coming in, she got a little overprotective of me. I, I told her about facing Bellatrix Lestrange at the Department of Ministries and what she said about remembering my mum and dad. Gran got this odd expression on her face and said it would be best if I didn't go out of her sight for the summer."
They all nodded in agreement. Bellatrix Lestrange had, fifteen years ago, tortured Neville's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, into insanity. Mrs. Longbottom, Neville's grandmother, had raised him since then. Although she was a formidable witch, Harry expected he could understand her fear of losing her only grandson to the same witch who lost her her son and his wife.
"It wasn't all bad, though." Neville said, brightening. "Gran did let Luna here visit, and we spent of few days in London. My Great-Uncle Algie took me to a shop in Knockturn Alley where they have all sorts of illegal plants. It was fantastic!"
Although Neville failed miserably at most subjects at Hogwarts, Herbology seemed to suit him perfectly. Harry reckoned it was probably because there were no spells to remember. Neville had an atrocious memory.
"No, Neville," began Ron, "how'd you do on O.W.L.s?"
"Not too bad, considering. Gran was pleased. I got an O in Herbology. And an E in Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I did, however, get D in Potions. I'm not that bothered by it. Gran said my father wasn't all that good at potions, either." Neville informed them.
Harry was glad that, for once, Mrs. Longbottom seemed satisfied by her grandson's performance. He looked over to Luna, who, quite of out of character, hadn't said anything yet. She was gazing dreamily around the compartment, dividing her gaze between Neville and Ron. She caught Harry's eye and smiled gauzily at him.
"How was your summer, Luna?" Harry asked politely.
"Oh, fine." She answered. "Father had to cancel our expedition for Crumpled-Horn Snorkacks because of all the fuss Voldemort made by coming back, but he promised we go as soon as possible."
Harry snorted. All the fuss indeed. Only the darkest wizard to come about in ages. It was nice to see Luna hadn't changed.
"On the bright side, though," she continued, "there were four sightings of Willy-Bellied Bintus in northern Africa this summer. Father thinks it's a sign of a growing army of wizards down there. He's very excited."
Everyone in the compartment looked at Luna and shook their heads. Conversation then veered to what the trio had been up to for the summer. Harry carefully left out Snape's injuries, and was grateful to see that Ron and Hermione picked up on it and steered clear of if as well.
When they were nearly there, Harry realized that hardly anyone had been to see them. Usually the train rides to Hogwarts were filled with visits from their fellow housemates.
"Neville," Harry asked, "Have you seen Seamus or Dean on the train?"
Neville nodded. "Yep. Dean's sitting with Ginny and the rest of the fourth years. Seamus is up near the front, sitting with the Lavender and Parvati. He didn't seem very interested in what they were talking about. I asked him to join us, but he seemed very quiet and not keen on moving."
"I heard," Luna spoke up, "that several muggle farmers have gone missing. Father says it's something to do with Stubby Boardman, but it can't, can it, Harry? I mean, didn't Stubby Boardman disappear in the Department of Mysteries?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at Luna, but answered, "Sirius Black disappeared at the Department of Mysteries. And I've heard about the missing farmers, too." this comment earned him glances from their companions, "but I think that has more to do with Voldemort than with Sirius."
"Isn't Seamus' uncle a farmer?" Ron asked. No one knew, but that might explain why he didn't feel like socializing. Harry wondered how many other families had already been affected once by Voldemort.
They fell back into silence for the remainder of the trip. There wasn't even a disruption from Malfoy and his cronies, "Dad says since Malfoy's dad went into Azkaban, Mrs. Malfoy hasn't been seen or heard from, and even considered sending Draco to Durmstrang. Maybe the git's not even on the train."
"No, he's here," came Ginny's voice from the door of their compartment. "I just saw him, sitting about three compartments up with Pansy Parkinson and some of the older Sytherins. He didn't seem as smug as usual." she flounced over and sat next to Luna. "Hello, Neville, Luna. How was your holiday, Luna? Did you get to go anywhere with your father?"
The two fifth years started to chat animatedly about the upcoming year of school, though, in truth, it was more Ginny talking and Luna gazing about. Harry and the others remained quiet for the rest of the ride.
Soon enough, they were pulling into Hogsmeade station. Harry heard Hagrid's voice booming through the windows for all first years to follow him. Their group made their way to the carriages and up to the castle. The Great Hall, while filled with everyone but the first years, seemed quieter than usual to Harry.
A number of students looked very pale and worried, talking quietly to their housemates. The second war had already started taking it's toll on families, Harry affirmed. He looked around at all the tables before Ron tugged him down.
His eyes traveled over the teacher's table. McGonagall was still in the hallway, but Dumbledore was present. He caught Harry's eye and gave a small nod. Harry returned the gesture and continued looking over the professors.
Snape was seated between Madame Pomfrey and Professor Calabrone. As Harry watched, Madame Pomfrey seemed to be insisting that Snape take a small vial of potion. Harry thought he still looked pale and sitting stiffly, as though still in some discomfort from his injuries. They hadn't heard anything more about their potions master since the night Dumbledore came to collect him from headquarters.
Grimacing, Snape took the vial from the mediwitch and swallowed it in one go. Even as he was taking a sip of water to clear the taste from his mouth, Harry saw Professor Calabrone start in a conversation with him. The look of pure loathing on Snape's face brought a smile to Harry's face.
Snape seemed to sense his happiness, because he suddenly lifted his head and glared at Harry. Rather than shut him up, it only caused Harry to give a small giggle. Calabrone touched Snape's arm to bring his attention back to her. Breaking the gaze, Snape moved his eyes sideways and murmured a response.
Calabrone looked up brightly, her eyes widening as she saw Harry watching her. She gave a small wave, which Harry returned. He had been thinking about the new professor quite a bit. They had never found out where she and Remus had gone the day they all went to Diagon Alley, and he'd missed when she came to headquarters to collect her things.
Trelawney was still there, he noted. He wondered where Firenze was, but figured he probably wouldn't want to join them for dinner. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Sinistra were talking with their heads together further along the table.
The doors opened and Professor McGonagall walked through, followed by all the little first years. There didn't seem to be as many as usual, Harry thought. Hermione made a comment to the same effect. One by one, McGonagall placed the sorting hat on their head. By the time the sorting hat sorted Jack Braun, Elise Hansen, Tane Hummell, and Janice Jenson into Gryffindor, Harry felt himself slump in his chair.
Immediately he was being pulled down the aisle between the Gryffinor and Hufflepuff tables to the room just off the Great Hall where he had gone after his name had been pulled from the Goblet of Fire. Inside were shelves upon shelves of books. Looking around, Harry again spied the book that had originally been in the library at 12 Grimmauld Place. He reached his hand out to pull it from the shelf, and almost had it when his eyes opened.
"Harry?" Hermione asked carefully.
Harry shook his head. "Yes?"
"Are you all right? You fell asleep. Dumbledore's about to introduce Professor Calabrone. Are you sure you're all right?" she asked again.
"Yeah, fine. I, I" he began, "I think Professor Calabrone may have brought that book to Hogwarts." he said finally.
Ron's head whipped around, "Why do you say that, mate?"
Harry noticed Neville and Dean look over, "I'll tell you later. It was, er, just a dream I had." he said, emphasizing the word dream. Hermione and Ron nodded to show they had understood.
Soon enough, Professor Calabrone had been introduced, Dumbledore had given his beginning year speech and they had tucked in. Now, bellies full and eyes droopy, they were shuffled off to bed, ready for the next day. Harry didn't have time to tell Ron and Hermione about his dream when they got to the Gryffindor common room.
They were both talking to the first years. By the time he heard Ron come into the sixth year boy's dormitory, he was too exhausted to mumble a goodnight. It could wait. That thought in his head, he drifted off to sleep.
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Author's notes:
Another chappie!
Willy-Bellied Bintu: A Bintu is a divine antelope in the mythology of the western Sahara region and is often associated with the invention of agriculture....this ties in with the missing farmers and Luna's father....you'll find out more about both of them later. BTW--I do not know what willy-bellied means, but I liked the way it sounded.
Hope you enjoyed it. Let me know. I had problems writing Luna, and I wasn't feeling up to writing Malfoy yet. No worries, he'll appear soon enough.