Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 10 Outbreaks
"What happened, is everyone alright?" Harry asked with a fearful glance at his friends.
It was Bill Weasley who spoke up first. "I am pretty sure everyone is okay. There was an attack in Diagon Alley a little while ago. There were several explosions, but we were able to react quickly enough to prevent any severe injury or damage from being done." he looked around for a second trying to account for everyone. "It looks as if Lupin was the only one injured."
"What?" exclaimed the group of teens. "No! Where is he? What happened?" Harry demanded.
"Nothing lasting I am thankful to be able to tell you." came a calm voice from the doorway behind them. "I cannot however say as much for the effects of the attack however." Albus Dumbledore moved toward the table in his usual manner and motioned for everyone to have a seat. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, the twins, Bill, Moody, Mundungus, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, and several wizards Harry had met only briefly all took their seats as Dumbledore continued. "I instructed Hagrid to accompany Remus to Hogwarts to see Madam Pomfrey. He was hit by several stunning spells, however he should be up and about later this evening I believe. As for the reasoning behind the attack I am awaiting Severus and Kingsley for their reports. However, unless I am much mistaken, the attack on Diagon Alley was only a cover to allow for a breakout from Azkaban. With the Auror's being pulled away to defend the civilians at Diagon Alley, there would be no one left to help prevent the escape from the prison. Unfortunately I expect that the guard at the prison is where the heaviest casualties will be." With that most everyone in the room sighed.
After a few minutes of silence passed Mr. Weasley stood up. "Well I suppose I should get back to the office. They'll probably be needing some extra help regardless of the outcome of the attacks." With that He kissed his wife on the cheek gave his children a squeeze, and disapparated. Bill shared similar thoughts and also left. A shaky Molly Weasley started to make tea but Hermione took over when Molly began to spill the water. Fred and George helped their mother to her seat both looking quite solemn. Harry on the other hand sat brooding on the events. Was the attack planned to get at him and his friends as well, did Voldemort somehow expect that they would be in Diagon Alley today. What if this was another attempt to get Harry, and now Lupin was now hurt. Was this his fault too? He could feel the rage coursing through his veins. He cursed Voldemort inwardly. Nothing but a coward who attacks when people are weaker than he is, Harry thought savagely to himself. Slowly his eyes wandered around the room until they met with Dumbledore's. He nodded his head slightly to confirm Harry's fear, aside from freeing Death Eaters from Azkaban, the attack had been planned with the hopes of capturing Harry.
"Sir if it is okay I think I would like go upstairs and think." Harry spoke in a low detached murmur.
Dumbledore gazed quietly at Harry for a moment; the shimmer in his eyes was still present but very much subdued. "Certainly Harry, if you feel you must. However, I wish for you to return for dinner. Afterwards I believe we will be having a meeting that you should attend." Harry nodded his head in agreement and left the room without a second glance. Had he turned for a moment he would have seen the concerned looks passing among his friends. However he did not, and once he stepped into the hallway he made sprinted up the stairs, hoping to outrun the dread that was filling him. But there wasn't very far he could run inside the house. He couldn't escape the responsibility he felt. Here he was, the reason that someone else he cared about had been hurt. Only recently had he begun to understand that it was not his fault, but it was too easy to fall back into blaming himself. On the third floor as he stopped running a door opened on his right, and Kreacher stepped out into the hall. "The young master is out of breath, and he looks upset," the house elf mumbled to himself. "Perhaps someone else has died."
Kreacher had found the exact words that Harry had been fighting against at precisely the wrong moment. The words had not finished leaving Kreacher's mouth and Harry's anger burst forth. He grabbed the aged elf by the throat and pinned him to the wall. "You were told to stay in this room and keep your foul mouth closed!" Harry roared as he squeezed tighter.
"Yes Master." gagged Kreacher. "I must do as master commands, even though poor Kreacher has done nothing wrong." The statement only managed to further enrage Harry. Tears forming in his eyes he cast the traitorous elf down a flight of stairs. Kreacher landed with a dull thud, but continued to speak as if no one else was present. "Master is just like his Godfather, so cruel to poor Kreacher, but my mistress would be proud at how I dealt with him." Kreacher spat malevolently. Harry didn't need any further provocation and advanced down the stairs to seize the elf again. His eyes burned as the salty fire streamed down his face. Just as Harry reached the landing and drew back his fist to strike the now cowering form of the elf somebody yelled and rushed in front of him pushing him bodily backward. Struggling to free himself from the tangle of red hair and arms he began to breakdown, but heard Kreacher's voice vaguely from across the hall, and it didn't matter what he had said. With renewed ferocity Harry pushed his way toward the loathsome creature.
Ginny's voice broke somewhere from underneath Harry's chin. "Kreacher get back to your room now!" she shouted at him.
"Must I take orders from the blood traitors now as well? Poor Kreacher, what would my mistress say now if she could see her home?" He said audibly to himself. Nonetheless he was already mounting the stairs.
He hadn't moved quick enough though and Harry was able to catch him with a kick in the rear end sending the elf up a few extra steps and out of reach. "You will do whatever she tells you, and don't ever let me hear your filthy mouth again." Harry growled. Ginny managed to pin Harry to the wall with great difficulty as the house elf finally retreated around the corner.
She looked questioningly into his eyes, "What the hell was that all about Harry? What's gotten into you?" she asked.
Harry couldn't respond, realizing what he had just done. He looked fearfully into her face. How could he explain what he was feeling? The tears in his eyes renewed themselves. He shook his head before completely breaking down; he pulled Ginny into a hug. "I- I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, but he said-" Harry had at least started to try to explain himself, but the disturbance had drawn the attention of the crowd downstairs and a few of the people had come to investigate, and he stopped short, looking quickly in the other direction.
Ginny continued to cradle him and tried to shoo the others away. Everyone else took the hint, but Ron and Hermione continued walking up to them. "It's okay Harry," she said, "Professor Dumbledore asked me to make sure you were alright. He thought that you might be blaming yourself."
As Ron began to speak Harry buried his head deep into Ginny's shoulder seemingly impersonating an owl. "What is going on up here? Is everything alright Harry?" he questioned, but received only a glare from his sister.
"Kreacher said something to upset Harry, and Harry, reacted badly." Ginny replied trying not to make it sound too terrible. The look of horror on Hermione's face told her that she didn't do a good job.
"Oh Harry, you didn't?" said Hermione disbelievingly.
"Oh yes I did." Harry retorted rather louder than he had meant to. "You didn't hear him, you don't know, you can't." Harry began but fell short again, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He still hadn't lifted his head. He didn't want anyone to see him like this.
Ron spoke next trying to reassure his best friend. "Okay Harry, just forget about it, I'm sure that whatever happened he deserved it. Come on, it's about time for dinner now anyway. You'll feel better after you eat." he said while he pulled on Hermione's hand before she tried to respond.
"Alright, go ahead and I'll be down in a few minutes." Harry replied. His friends turned to leave but as Ginny turned to follow them Harry grabbed her around the waist and held her close. "Please," he whispered in her ear, "Just wait until they are downstairs." he said in a pleading voice. "They can't see me like this."
"It's okay Harry. I'll stay." she said in a soothing voice and put her arms around his neck, gently running her fingers through the hair on the back of his head. "So do you want to tell me about what happened? If you prefer to wait it's no problem, I'll understand."
Harry was calming down. Perhaps it was the lack of a target for his frustrations, or maybe the comfort he felt as Ginny held him, he wasn't sure. Quietly he looked up, and stared into her eyes, "If it's okay I'd rather wait to talk about it. I wasn't quite myself when I ran into that little monster." he said lowering his eyes as his breathing returned to normal. "Besides, I'm dead hungry. I haven't eaten since breakfast." Harry finished, forcing a hollow smile spread across his lips.
Ginny surveyed him for a few minutes, making sure that he was truly alright. "Well then, let's go eat. But you better tell me tomorrow, or I'll hex you into next year." she replied in a mock serious voice. With that they headed down to the kitchen for dinner.
Chapter 10 Outbreaks
"What happened, is everyone alright?" Harry asked with a fearful glance at his friends.
It was Bill Weasley who spoke up first. "I am pretty sure everyone is okay. There was an attack in Diagon Alley a little while ago. There were several explosions, but we were able to react quickly enough to prevent any severe injury or damage from being done." he looked around for a second trying to account for everyone. "It looks as if Lupin was the only one injured."
"What?" exclaimed the group of teens. "No! Where is he? What happened?" Harry demanded.
"Nothing lasting I am thankful to be able to tell you." came a calm voice from the doorway behind them. "I cannot however say as much for the effects of the attack however." Albus Dumbledore moved toward the table in his usual manner and motioned for everyone to have a seat. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, the twins, Bill, Moody, Mundungus, Dedalus Diggle, Hestia Jones, and several wizards Harry had met only briefly all took their seats as Dumbledore continued. "I instructed Hagrid to accompany Remus to Hogwarts to see Madam Pomfrey. He was hit by several stunning spells, however he should be up and about later this evening I believe. As for the reasoning behind the attack I am awaiting Severus and Kingsley for their reports. However, unless I am much mistaken, the attack on Diagon Alley was only a cover to allow for a breakout from Azkaban. With the Auror's being pulled away to defend the civilians at Diagon Alley, there would be no one left to help prevent the escape from the prison. Unfortunately I expect that the guard at the prison is where the heaviest casualties will be." With that most everyone in the room sighed.
After a few minutes of silence passed Mr. Weasley stood up. "Well I suppose I should get back to the office. They'll probably be needing some extra help regardless of the outcome of the attacks." With that He kissed his wife on the cheek gave his children a squeeze, and disapparated. Bill shared similar thoughts and also left. A shaky Molly Weasley started to make tea but Hermione took over when Molly began to spill the water. Fred and George helped their mother to her seat both looking quite solemn. Harry on the other hand sat brooding on the events. Was the attack planned to get at him and his friends as well, did Voldemort somehow expect that they would be in Diagon Alley today. What if this was another attempt to get Harry, and now Lupin was now hurt. Was this his fault too? He could feel the rage coursing through his veins. He cursed Voldemort inwardly. Nothing but a coward who attacks when people are weaker than he is, Harry thought savagely to himself. Slowly his eyes wandered around the room until they met with Dumbledore's. He nodded his head slightly to confirm Harry's fear, aside from freeing Death Eaters from Azkaban, the attack had been planned with the hopes of capturing Harry.
"Sir if it is okay I think I would like go upstairs and think." Harry spoke in a low detached murmur.
Dumbledore gazed quietly at Harry for a moment; the shimmer in his eyes was still present but very much subdued. "Certainly Harry, if you feel you must. However, I wish for you to return for dinner. Afterwards I believe we will be having a meeting that you should attend." Harry nodded his head in agreement and left the room without a second glance. Had he turned for a moment he would have seen the concerned looks passing among his friends. However he did not, and once he stepped into the hallway he made sprinted up the stairs, hoping to outrun the dread that was filling him. But there wasn't very far he could run inside the house. He couldn't escape the responsibility he felt. Here he was, the reason that someone else he cared about had been hurt. Only recently had he begun to understand that it was not his fault, but it was too easy to fall back into blaming himself. On the third floor as he stopped running a door opened on his right, and Kreacher stepped out into the hall. "The young master is out of breath, and he looks upset," the house elf mumbled to himself. "Perhaps someone else has died."
Kreacher had found the exact words that Harry had been fighting against at precisely the wrong moment. The words had not finished leaving Kreacher's mouth and Harry's anger burst forth. He grabbed the aged elf by the throat and pinned him to the wall. "You were told to stay in this room and keep your foul mouth closed!" Harry roared as he squeezed tighter.
"Yes Master." gagged Kreacher. "I must do as master commands, even though poor Kreacher has done nothing wrong." The statement only managed to further enrage Harry. Tears forming in his eyes he cast the traitorous elf down a flight of stairs. Kreacher landed with a dull thud, but continued to speak as if no one else was present. "Master is just like his Godfather, so cruel to poor Kreacher, but my mistress would be proud at how I dealt with him." Kreacher spat malevolently. Harry didn't need any further provocation and advanced down the stairs to seize the elf again. His eyes burned as the salty fire streamed down his face. Just as Harry reached the landing and drew back his fist to strike the now cowering form of the elf somebody yelled and rushed in front of him pushing him bodily backward. Struggling to free himself from the tangle of red hair and arms he began to breakdown, but heard Kreacher's voice vaguely from across the hall, and it didn't matter what he had said. With renewed ferocity Harry pushed his way toward the loathsome creature.
Ginny's voice broke somewhere from underneath Harry's chin. "Kreacher get back to your room now!" she shouted at him.
"Must I take orders from the blood traitors now as well? Poor Kreacher, what would my mistress say now if she could see her home?" He said audibly to himself. Nonetheless he was already mounting the stairs.
He hadn't moved quick enough though and Harry was able to catch him with a kick in the rear end sending the elf up a few extra steps and out of reach. "You will do whatever she tells you, and don't ever let me hear your filthy mouth again." Harry growled. Ginny managed to pin Harry to the wall with great difficulty as the house elf finally retreated around the corner.
She looked questioningly into his eyes, "What the hell was that all about Harry? What's gotten into you?" she asked.
Harry couldn't respond, realizing what he had just done. He looked fearfully into her face. How could he explain what he was feeling? The tears in his eyes renewed themselves. He shook his head before completely breaking down; he pulled Ginny into a hug. "I- I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, but he said-" Harry had at least started to try to explain himself, but the disturbance had drawn the attention of the crowd downstairs and a few of the people had come to investigate, and he stopped short, looking quickly in the other direction.
Ginny continued to cradle him and tried to shoo the others away. Everyone else took the hint, but Ron and Hermione continued walking up to them. "It's okay Harry," she said, "Professor Dumbledore asked me to make sure you were alright. He thought that you might be blaming yourself."
As Ron began to speak Harry buried his head deep into Ginny's shoulder seemingly impersonating an owl. "What is going on up here? Is everything alright Harry?" he questioned, but received only a glare from his sister.
"Kreacher said something to upset Harry, and Harry, reacted badly." Ginny replied trying not to make it sound too terrible. The look of horror on Hermione's face told her that she didn't do a good job.
"Oh Harry, you didn't?" said Hermione disbelievingly.
"Oh yes I did." Harry retorted rather louder than he had meant to. "You didn't hear him, you don't know, you can't." Harry began but fell short again, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He still hadn't lifted his head. He didn't want anyone to see him like this.
Ron spoke next trying to reassure his best friend. "Okay Harry, just forget about it, I'm sure that whatever happened he deserved it. Come on, it's about time for dinner now anyway. You'll feel better after you eat." he said while he pulled on Hermione's hand before she tried to respond.
"Alright, go ahead and I'll be down in a few minutes." Harry replied. His friends turned to leave but as Ginny turned to follow them Harry grabbed her around the waist and held her close. "Please," he whispered in her ear, "Just wait until they are downstairs." he said in a pleading voice. "They can't see me like this."
"It's okay Harry. I'll stay." she said in a soothing voice and put her arms around his neck, gently running her fingers through the hair on the back of his head. "So do you want to tell me about what happened? If you prefer to wait it's no problem, I'll understand."
Harry was calming down. Perhaps it was the lack of a target for his frustrations, or maybe the comfort he felt as Ginny held him, he wasn't sure. Quietly he looked up, and stared into her eyes, "If it's okay I'd rather wait to talk about it. I wasn't quite myself when I ran into that little monster." he said lowering his eyes as his breathing returned to normal. "Besides, I'm dead hungry. I haven't eaten since breakfast." Harry finished, forcing a hollow smile spread across his lips.
Ginny surveyed him for a few minutes, making sure that he was truly alright. "Well then, let's go eat. But you better tell me tomorrow, or I'll hex you into next year." she replied in a mock serious voice. With that they headed down to the kitchen for dinner.
