Harry Potter and the Arch of Hades

By: Merusa

Chapter 5: Prediction Again

"Oh, but I didn't. And I still don't have to." Ginny pushed the ring over the tip of one gloved finger and held up her hand as if she planned to wield its power.

Malfoy gave her a fleeting look that was half plea, half murder.

-After the End by Arabella and Zsenya, found at the Sugarquill

"Minnie, Severus- I wish to speak with you."

Albus Dumbledore did not have much time. That evening, the students were arriving, and he'd planned to have his two closest confidents in the loop of the knowledge that had presented itself to him at the end of last term.

Unfortunately, his memory had been slipping, and he'd only remembered to tell them that day.

Without hesitation, the two professors stood from their midday meal and exited the Great Hall. Severus gripped Minerva's elbow immediately. Even with her walking stick, Minerva McGonagall found herself leaning heavily on the Potions master for support.

The three friends made their way out of the Great Hall and to the Headmaster's office. Albus murmured the password to the gargoyle. As it scampered out of the way, it sent concerned looks at the headmaster and headmistress. Severus scowled fiercely at it, and it returned to its original state. They stepped carefully onto the moving staircase without words, Severus supporting both of them, although none of them would admit it. They arrived at the door, Albus stepping forward. He drew a long finger down the heavy wooden door, imitating the goblins at Gringotts. It shivered, and opened wide.

The three of them stepped inside and mostly collapsed into their habitual places: Albus in his large chair, Severus in the straight-backed seat that faced Albus from across the desk, and Minerva on the soft couch, her bad leg stretched out across the cushions.

She sighed as she sank into the couch. "That's much better. Albus, what did you wish to speak to us about?"

Severus raised his eyebrows at his mentor. After a quick nod of confirmation, Severus crossed the room to the liquor cabinet and grabbed shot glasses and brandy. He placed a shot glass in from of each of them, and filled them up. Minerva smiled slightly. It was tradition, after all.

"Albus..." Severus said carefully, "This wouldn't have anything to do with our- ahh- little problem in the Hospital Wing?" He sneered. The mention of it never failed to make him feel like a failure.

Albus shook his head. "Actually, it's something I've been meaning to tell you since the end of last term. However, it's rather slipped my mind. Unfortunately, it's rather important...I'm rather disappointed in myself that I've forgotten to tell you."

Severus grabbed his shot glass and drank it in one swallow. He filled it back up. "Go ahead."

The headmaster withdrew a piece of paper from his desk. He cleared his throat and read the familiar words aloud:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord is here.

That power lies in the demise of a girl.

She will face her death with little or no fear,

At the time when the snow may fall,

In a darkened place where the evil would unfurl,

And people go when they are called.

And though there will be one who will try,

The one who loves the Boy-Who-Lived must die."

He reached for his own glass and took a sip. Minerva downed hers.

Severus was sneering again. "Another prophecy about Potter?"

Albus nodded. "Given by Parvati Patil in the presence of her sister Padma and myself. However, Parvati is a Messenger, not a Seer."

They both nodded. "Potter's girlfriend heard it?" Severus asked.

Albus nodded back. "Yes. Naturally, she assumed that it was about her."

Minerva sighed. "Naturally. But it could be someone else?"

Severus gave a harsh laugh. "We all know who the other option is."

Minerva straightened. "I'm not going to sit back and let Miss Granger die!"

The two men stared at her.

"What? Isn't it obvious how they care for each other?"

Severus shook his head. "No. However, it is obvious that there is something between her and Weasley."

Minerva shook her head. "I just don't see it."

Albus smiled gently at her, before focusing his attention once more on the piece of paper. "It can't hurt to protect all three of them."

"Who is the third girl?"

Severus and Albus ignored her. "Well, Patil's probably the most urgent, and Granger the least..."

Minerva grabbed the bottle of brandy and poured herself a full glass. It was going to be a long day.

The train ride to school was oddly uneventful. Draco Malfoy was no where to be found. Harry found himself spending time with Hermione and Ron, making the rounds as Head Boy, Head Girl, and Prefect. Ginny would normally have been with them, but since the night Harry had tried to leave the Burrow, there was an awkwardness between the two of them that Harry didn't want to identify. She had chosen to ride with Dean, whom she was still dating, Neville, and Luna. Things had been very rocky between Padma and him, and she had chosen to ride with some Ravenclaws.

Because of the uniqueness of the journey, Harry found himself uneasy when they got off on the platform. It had been enjoyable enough, of course- it seemed like the three of them hadn't been just the three of them for a very long time- but Harry was so used to good things going sour that he almost expected them to.

It was that worry's fault that Harry's heart was heavy when they passed the Thestrals and hopped into the carriages. Hermione was shivering uncontrollably, and Harry finally understood why. Since the end of his fifth year and Sirius's death, she could see the thestrals as well. Harry had been so wrapped up in his grief the year before that he hadn't even noticed. Ron hadn't been in the room at the time, and so was unaware.

It appeared that Harry's fears were unfounded. They arrived at the school without incident, and Harry felt considerably better when they sat down at Gryffindor's table in the Great Hall, chattering about everything and nothing.

The Sorting Hat repeated the same song it sang at the beginning of his fifth year, warning the school about division and telling that unity was the only way. The shocked silence from the first years drove home the point that while the Ministry acknowledged Lord Voldemort's return, it prevented the true horrors of war from hitting the newspapers. Harry shook his head. They'd find out soon enough.

The sorting passed by quickly, as the number of first years had lessened. No one was surprised; many people were beginning to believe home schooling was the safest route.

When Dumbledore stood, Harry's alarm reigned anew. The headmaster, while visibly an elder, had never before appeared to be weak. But now, before his eyes, the wise man was...old. His back was stooping slightly, his hands were shaking, and he appeared to be leaning against the staff table for support. It was only his eyes that looked young; they retained the sparkle and excitement of a youth discovering something new, they twinkled honestly at all the students as he viewed them, beaming, looking ready to burst from happiness.

"Welcome. Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." His face shone. "Though our numbers may have diminished slightly, we are all still here. We can enjoy each others company now." He smiled, softly this time. "I hope you will all do your most to make this year wonderful." He paused. "You all know of the war....but you all know that you are safe here. Do not hesitate to speak to any of the Prefects or the Head Boy and Head Girl-"

He paused as Ron grabbed Hermione and Harrys' hands and held them in the air, grinning triumphantly and jerking his head towards their badges "-yes, Mr. Potter and Miss Granger are Head Boy and Girl. Thank you, Mr. Weasley." He chuckled. "Also, do not hesitate to speak with any of the professors, no matter what your house is-" At this Snape paled slightly "-or indeed, speak to myself. We are all here for each other." He surveyed the hall, and Harry had a feeling that the Headmaster was looking through all of them. "Since it appears that you are all quite famished from the train ride, I'll finish up. No students are to enter the Forbidden Forest under any circumstances." His beard twitched. "Although it seems that that rule is less enforced every year." The trio exchanged looks filled with laughter. "Also, I'd like to welcome the new Defense teacher- Miss Kyree Seymour!"

There was scattered, polite applause. The woman stood up. She was built like Mrs. Weasley- tiny, but with curves. She had brown hair and brown eyes, and, while not spectacularly beautiful, was pretty in a quiet way. She waved jovially and took her seat.

Harry frowned. There was something familiar about her.

Dumbledore's voice boomed out again. "I've kept you waiting long enough. Tuck in, all!" He sat back down slowly, gripping his chair arms all the while.

"That was odd," commented Hermione, "Professor Dumbledore always waits for after the feast to speak."

Ron swallowed a huge mouthful of chicken. "He isn't looking too good, either. Taking the strain, I suppose."

Harry nodded, frowning. "Does that new teacher look familiar to either of you?"

They shook their heads.

Harry looked around the hall. His eyes settled on the Slytherin table. "And where's Malfoy?"

At the end of the feast, Harry was most surprised, after Dumbledore's dismissal, to hear the Headmaster summon Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the front. They exchanged curious glances and left the first years in the hands of the sixth year Prefects, before going up to the front. When they arrived, Dumbledore smiled at them. "Once the Great Hall is empty, Professor McGonagall and I have something to show the three of you. It was agreed that the Head Boy and Head Girl should be made known of a certain- ah- situation. Of course, we knew the two of you would tell Mr. Weasley immediately, so we summoned you as well, Ron." He surveyed the Hall. Once satisfied that it was empty, he motioned for them to follow him. Harry noticed how pale McGonagall was, and that she held her walking stick in an iron grip. The group walked out of the Great Hall and took a turn that Harry knew would take them to the Hospital Wing. Hermione and Ron both sent him quizzical looks, but he only shrugged in return, as he was just as unaware as they were.

They were shocked, however, when they arrived at the Hospital Wing and heard distinct screaming. Dumbledore turned to them. "It is better that you see this now, when we're here to show it to you. You've seen worse, and you'll see worse. You'll hear rumors. However, he's been demanding to see you, Harry, and we think he won't settle down until he does."

Harry's confusion peaked. He didn't have much time to think, nonetheless, because that was when the door opened, causing the screaming to get louder and revealing a frazzled looking Madame Pomfrey. She was shaking. "Oh, Albus, thank god!" The trio stared in shock as the normally composed nurse threw herself at the Headmaster, who caught her. She shook her head. "Albus, there's got to be a way-"

He shook his head. "St. Mungo's isn't safe. That's the way it is."

He motioned to the trio with his head and walked into the room. McGonagall followed after them, wincing at the shrieks.

Ron grabbed Hermione's hand. "No point in waiting." He muttered. He walked into the room, tugging Hermione after him. Harry followed.

What he saw would haunt him for the rest of his life. His schoolboy enemy, the boy who he'd fought with, the boy whose strength and sneer never wavered even when his courage did, now sat trembling on a hospital bed, hair messy, eyes wide and frightened, and screaming his head off and babbling nonsensically.

Draco Malfoy was insane.

Review Responses

Intercedo Circu- grin I can't wait to here what you think of this one.

Greek Mione- Yes! You will come back to H/G! Abandon the Pumpkin Pie and bask in the Orange Crush!

From Chapter 4:

Greek Mione- No story is complete without a foot fetish, as we know to well. Thank god Ron's decent, though, otherwise we would have had a problem of hedgehog-like proportions....and then I would have had to delete the story. Uh-oh! That was close!

Intercedu Circu- I need the good luck x.X I've been having awful writer's block...

From Chapter 3:

Phoenixpadfoot89- It's so good to hear from you! Note: In this story, Singing!Harry WILL have an appearance!

Phillip- Yes, I have a dirty, dirty mind. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

Bluetiger94- Yes, Strip Poker is quite the worthy pastime!

From Chapter 2:

Intercedu Circu- This chapter should have helped out with the Head Boy confusion.

PhoenixPadfoot89- Yes, Miss Aphrodite Waers is sticking around for a while. There's more to her than meets the eye.

Twilight Moon- Naturally, Harry would be attracted to a pretty woman, but the uniqueness of Harry is that he resists without thought. Don't you just want to tackle-hug him?

From Chapter 1:

Twilight Moon- Yes, 17 year-old mouths aren't that clean. Especially Ron's. Oh, this is going to be fun!

Elementcontroller- Yes, Bill has the long hair. However, we really know next to nothing about Charlie's appearance, and I decided that long hair would work for him, too. However, it's not nearly as long as Bill's.

Intercedu Circu- I'll start updating more often when your new story comes out!

Bluetiger94- I don't like Hilary Duff much. Her acting is good, but her songs all sound the same to me. That new one (Fly) is pretty good, though.

Niftysweet- Thank you! ;

We Hate Piggiears20- Thanks for the warning, I'll keep an eye out. In turn- watch out for Borg. He's horrible as well, and he doesn't even have the courage to link to his own stories- if he writes them.

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

-Merusa