Author: Her-mee-o-ninny (call me Danni, though)
A/N: Wow…I figured that you people had just given up on me, but over the past few months, I've received reviews on this story, and you guys keep asking for more. Well, your wish has been granted. I really have no excuse for not continuing with this story, I just wasn't feeling it for some time, I guess. Buuuut, you guys want more, so here's more! (BTW, I will probably go back to the first chapters and edit and tweak it a bit (or a lot, hehe) before beginning to post it on so hopefully I will be able to get back into my "writing groove" and you all will hopefully be pleased, haha) Without further ado…Chapter Nine: Changes.
Chapter Nine: Changes
"What do you know so far?" Neville asked slowly.
"Well, Dumbledore told us that he sent everybody home except for…for everyone that was alone," Harry answered, the last part hard to say. Silence fell among the group for some time.
Luna nodded sadly, "My Dad was attacked about a month ago."
They turned to Neville. "Gran's fine. She's home, safe for now. I chose to stay, to…to help. There's no point in me staying home when I'm able to help here." Neville paused before saying, "Is that all you know?"
"Practically," Hermione said. "We just know that everyone is being trained here on different days."
"Yeah," Neville snorted, seemingly annoyed at something.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"Oh, nothing. He's just been annoyed with the training. Even though there's a fair amount of people here who want to be trained, most just don't seem to care," Luna said sadly.
"Why don't they care? Don't they realize what's going on?" Harry asked in an angry tone.
"Yes…and no," Luna answered. "They obviously know that You-Know-Who's back, but I've overheard a lot of people complaining about being 'Dumbledore's Army'. Many people think that Dumbledore is forcing them to fight for him. They believe he doesn't care what happens to them if they go into battle."
"That's ridiculous," Hermione spat, rolling her eyes.
"Tell me about it…" Neville piped in. "Dumbledore would never use us as a line of defense. He's trying to train us in case we find ourselves alone and in danger. He's not going to line us up for attack. Using our training should be our last resort. It's better to be safe than sorry, but these thickheads just don't understand."
"So what HAS been going on, though?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Besides our fruitless attempts at training, nothing. Everything is so different. We're all cooped up in Gryffindor Tower most of the time. We can go onto the grounds, but it gets pretty monotonous after a while. The only thing that really makes life interesting is our training, but like I said, no one seems to care," Neville explained.
There was a moment of silence before Luna started, "We better head off. It was good to see you two. I'm glad you've come back to us." She smiled before turning, with Neville close behind.
"Uh, yeah, thanks. Bye Luna. Bye Neville," Harry said before the portrait closed.
Harry and Hermione just stood there in silence.
"M-master, I h-have news that may be significant to you…W-we have j-just been…been informed that…P-Potter and the girl have awakened," came a hesitant voice in a darkened room.
The messenger waited cautiously for a response.
Finally, a cold, sharp voice penetrated the room, "Thank you, Wormtail, however I had come to this conclusion mere hours ago. Perhaps next time you will not underestimate my connection with the Potter boy. I have been tirelessly attempting to make a further connection in his still weakened state, but with no avail," he finished, letting out a sigh, more like a hiss, while rubbing his temple with a spidery hand.
"W-What are you planning, My Lord?" said Wormtail, even more cautiously.
Voldemort raised an eyebrow, turning his attention directly to Wormtail in the darkness, before hissing, "Never you mind, Wormtail. You will be informed when I am in need of…a slimy rodent."
"Y-Yes, My Lord."
Silence echoed throughout the room before Voldemort shouted, "Well, what are you standing there for?! Out!" A panicked gasp escaped Wormtail's throat as the grown man scuttled away.
Harry and Hermione had silently resumed their earlier position in their living room, Harry sprawled across the couch, while Hermione sat beside him on the soft carpet. Harry was absentmindedly running a hand along Hermione's left arm, as she leaned back against the foot of the couch, staring into the crackling fireplace across from them. They were both lost in thought until Hermione, left out a soft gasp and brought her arm to her chest. She left out a pained sigh as she massaged the pain away. Harry had sat up and was now kneeling beside her, now pulling her into his embrace.
"Are you alright? I thought your bumps and cuts were gone?" he asked concernedly.
"Yeah…they are. Madame Pomfrey's potion was probably what took care of that," she answered, still in obvious pain.
Harry, looking more worried asked, "Then what's wrong? It's…oh Merlin…it's not your injury from the…Department of Mysteries, is it?"
He watched as the girl in his arms nodded slightly. "Oh God…Hermione…I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. Why was I so STUPID? I should've listened to you…I should've—"
"Harry!" Hermione interrupted him abruptly, "It's OK! I'm fine, Madame Pomfrey told me that it would act up now and then. I just have to deal with it. It was happening all the time last summer. Really, it's—"
"Hermione!" Harry interrupted, gaining his ability to speak again, "It's not OK!" Harry sighed, before standing up. "It's all my fault. If I wasn't so thick, you wouldn't have been injured…we wouldn't even have gone. I lost Sirius…I…I almost lost you."
Harry stood before Hermione, who had stopped massaging her chest and looked up into Harry's tear-filled eyes.
"Harry," she began, but he had already dashed from the room, toward one of the presumed bedrooms, before shutting the door behind him.
Hermione let out a sigh, before climbing onto the couch, legs tucked underneath her, and allowing the tears to flow.
"Dumbledore, a word please."
"Certainly, Severus," answered the ancient wizard with a smile that never truly met his saddened eyes. "What seems to be troubling you?"
"These students, Dumbledore! I will not stand to remain here baby-sitting these ungrateful maggots!" Snape shouted through gritted teeth.
"Severus, you are needed here," Dumbledore replied unphased by his companion's anger.
"And HOW is that, Dumbledore? You couldn't possibly find another person who would watch over these children other than myself? I am needed by the Order to gain more in-for-ma-tion, Dumbledore, not put these…things…in time out when they get cranky!"
"The Order has been well informed of any changes in Voldemort's actions, Severus. You are needed here. You are the most capable in defense in the school. The children need you," (Snape scoffed at this) "to help prepare them for the worst. Apart from this, I cannot let you risk getting close to Voldemort's ranks. You are not particularly on his good side at the moment," Dumbledore finished with a hint of a smirk.
"I know how to take care of myself, Dumbledore! I don't need your protection," Snape retorted scathingly.
"There, you sound like your own students, Severus," Dumbledore said, with a twinkle in his eye.
Snape glared slightly at Dumbledore before letting out a sigh, "How am I supposed to get across to these students that they are not to be lined up for battle? This is what they all think Dumbledore! They think you wish to kill them off in battle to save Hogwarts Castle!"
"I do believe this attitude will change soon once Mr. Potter and Miss Granger approach the lot. Please, Severus, for now, continue to assure them that safety is our ultimate goal in this war, as I certainly will, as well. That is all we can do for now. A strong bridge between generations cannot and will not be built until this is clear."
Snape, nodded slightly, "Yes, Dumbledore." And with that, he left, leaving Dumbledore feeling far beyond his many years, indeed.
A/N: Short, I know, but I promise there will be more to come. Please review! Thanks a bunch!
Danni