Taming The Beast
Chapter 19
Tangerine Trees and Marmalade Skies
It wasn't just Hogwarts and Hogsmeade affected that terrible night.
"Gringotts bank was damaged," Dumbledore said sadly the next morning. "Mr. Ollivander was killed. The Apothecary and Leaky Cauldron were both destroyed. An attempt was made, thankfully without sucess, at the Ministry of Magic. The Parliament building was attacked. Two bombs went off at King's Cross Station, killing at least forty, three exploded at Victoria Station with the loss of 120. I have recieved reports from Beuxbeauton, Durmstrang, the United States, Russia, and Japan, all reporting severe damage and injury. At this time, Cornelius Fudge and myself are convinced that Voldemort has allied with muggle terror groups. Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a strong possibility that the wizarding world is or will no longer be anonymous."
The student body of Hogwarts was sitting in stunned shock and anguish, but unified. Green and scarlet sat together with gold and blue.
Draco Malfoy sat at a centre table, head in his hands. "So this is what it comes to, is it," he asked himself. "So this is the glorious reign of Lord Voldemort! Well, to hell with him and what he stands for then!" He no longer had a father to answer to, maybe he never had one to begin with. He rubbed his eyes and stared ahead blankly. What a fool he'd been.
"Funerals for Stewart Ackerly, Lavender Brown, Roger Davies, Parvati Patil, and Kevin Whitby will be conducted tomorrow afternoon. Those who have lost family members shall speak to the heads of their houses, and we will ensure that necessary actions are taken."
"I must ask all staff and students to restrict their movements to the dormitories, Great Hall, Library and rest rooms until otherwise notified. Classes are suspended indefinately." He scanned the faces of the students and his staff. "My friends, my dear and precious friends. Words cannot express how sorry I am for what has happened. We face a peril now unmatched since 1940, exceeding even the first reign of Tom Riddle. I ask that you abandon any thoughts of interhouse competition, the gravity of the situation is too great for such frivolity. With cooperation, we shall defeat this evil and restore order to both the wizarding and Muggle worlds." With that, Professor Dumbledore was seated, looking weary and saddened, but determined.
The Great Hall remained silent. Slowly, very slowly, conversation began again, intermixed with sobs from all houses.
"...she could be such an airhead, yeah both of 'em, but they were so sweet."
"...so he put in TWO pinches of nightshade, 'stead of one. I think Snape took ten points or so, plus detention."
"...wouldn't put it past the Provos, if You-Know-Who offered them enough incentive"
"...no....well, yes they were both good on the broomstick, but it was Kevin that had the real potential."
"...I think it was the first time we saw Trelawney really angry with that Uranus crack..."
"...if it was Moscow, they probably would attack the Underground...well, the 'subway' is what they call it."
Padma Patil sat with Cho Chang ,Ginny, and Professor Flitwick, feeling empty, desolate. Their worlds felt like they were coming apart.
Hermione's parents sat off to the side, feeling completely out of place. They had learned so much about it from their daughter, but mere words and letters couldn't convey the grandeur of the place, which made the sadness so much more poingent. John Granger turned his said and saw a handsome young man in a green robe, with a pointed face and hair that was so blonde it was almost white.
"You must be Hermione Granger's parents." He extended his hand. "I'm Draco Malfoy." John Granger took his hand quizzically. Hermione had spoken to him often about Malfoy, was this the same person? "I'm sure that Hermione has talked about me, probably not very kindly." Draco looked at them both. "Whatever she said was probably the truth...and what you see here, its likely that I'm partially to blame. I'd like to welcome you both to Hogwarts. I'm sorry the situation couldn't be happier."
"Hermione, isn't that Malfoy talking to your parents??" Hermione's head whipped to the side. Yes, it was Malfoy...and both he and her parents had smiles on their faces?? "Hold on," she said, getting up. Harry and Ron got up with her.
"Mom? Dad? Malfoy?"
Draco Malfoy pulled himself up to his full height and bowed. "Miss Granger, I was just telling your parents that everything you have said about me was most likely true. I know that I have no right to ask for your forgiveness. I have called you horrible names, I have implied terrible things about you, your parents, and your friends. Hermione...Ron...Harry...Mr. and Mrs. Granger I am truly sorry for being such a fool."
Draco had assumed that what he was saying was just between himself and the five people he was addressing. He turned and saw that half the Great Hall was staring at the six, mouths open. He looked back at the other five, a sheepish expression on his face.
Ron was the first to speak. "What you just said hardly makes up for all the SHIT you've put us through for the past five-odd years." He offered Draco his hand. "But its a start!"
Draco turned to Harry. "You were right, Potter. You CAN tell who the wrong sort are for yourself after all." Harry reluctantly shook Malfoy's hand, grinned and shook his head. "My scar isn't hurting, I guess it's all right."
Hermione couldn't believe what was going on. "Look, this sounds all very nice and everything, and I'm pleased to see Malfoy talking like a decent human being for a change; but may I remind you that this IS DRACO MALFOY!" She turned to him seriously. "Malfoy, I still remember that you wanted me dead after all." She bowed her head, shaking it. "It's going to take time," she said softly.
Draco nodded sadly. "I understand...Miss Granger."
"......Draco....you may call me 'Hermione.'"
They stood awkwardly for several moments, then Draco said, "I guess I'm going to offer what sympathy I can. I confess I'm not used to it. Look....uh...see you around OK?" He turned to Hermione's parent's, "Sir...ma'am...nice to meet you at last", and slowly walked away.
Harry turned to the Grangers. "Mrs. Granger, what do you make of that?"
Her eyes widened. "Me? I only know Draco by what Hermione has told us. Offhand though, he seems rather sincere."
Hermione sighed. "I'd like to believe him, but after all that time, I find it hard to see it as anything but a trap. His father IS a Death Eater after all, and he MAY be out of Azkaban by now.
Ron shrugged. "Well, maybe we can be pleasant with him and be wary at the same time. The fact that we are talking of the possibility of a trap is a safegaurd against one, isn't it?
"A wise precaution Ron." John Granger grinned. "I think I'll like having you as a son-in-law after all."
THE NEXT AFTERNOON
"It is always a tragedy when we lose one so young, just starting their lives. More tragic still when we lose several to needless violence. Hogwarts and indeed the world have met and faced such tragedy before, and will do so again, but let us always know, keep and cherish the memories of Kevin, Parvati, Lavender, Stewart and Roger..." Dumbledore spoke compassionately. Harry, sitting between Ron and Ginny, thought warmly of the two friends he'd lost.
"It wasn't his fault professor-"
"Ohh, professor. I have an unaspected planet!"
"Yes, all right then, Harry"
"Oh, I've always loved that owl, he's so beautiful!"
Sure, thought Harry, sure they were a bit goofy at times. Despite their giggling though, they had always liked him, and he liked them. No.....no come to think of it, he loved them. Parvati was wonderful to dance with even though, he thought guiltily, he'd been thinking of Cho most of the time. Lavender's always shone when he had seen her. And now I'll never see them again, he thought miserably. I was never able to tell them what good friends they were, and how much a appreciated them for....for being Parvati and Lavender. He looked up and saw the Patils in traditional Indian garb, sad but stoic. The Brown family was sitting with Professor Flitwick and Minerva McGonagall who were comforting them. Professor Albus Dumbledore nodded and twenty or so Hogwarts students rose and began to sing softly:
Is it a kind of dream, floating out on the tide
Following the river of death downstream, oh, is it a dream?
There's a fog along the horizon, a strange glow in the sky
And nobody seems to know where you go, and what does it mean
Oh, oh, is it a dream?
Bright eyes, burning like fire
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale? Bright eyes...
Is it a kind of shadow, reaching into the night,
Wandering over the hills unseen, or is it a dream?
There's a high wind in the trees, a cold sound in the air,
And nobody ever knows where you go, and where do you start,
Oh, oh, into the dark...
Bright eyes, burning like fire
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale? Bright eyes...
Bright eyes, burning like fire
Bright eyes, how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale? Bright eyes...
Authur's Note - Bright Eyes was written by Mike Batt in 1976, sung by Art Garfunkel.