Sorry about the delay with this one. I've had quite a busy day. I've decided to give a preview of the next chapter at the end of the previous one. It'll start with this one so give me your opinions on whether you prefer it or not. Anyway, here's chapter 6…
The Redemption of Severus
Three weeks went past in The Burrow without much commotion. The usual days of playing Quidditch up on the hill and degnoming the garden took up most of the time until late august. There were visits from Fred and George, Charlie and Bill and even a brief visit from Percy who came to inform the family that he is being considered for the new headmaster place at Hogwarts. 'I could be the youngest ever master of Hogwarts!' he had said, expecting a response of 'oooh's' and 'ahhhh's' but such reaction only came from Mrs Weasley who welcomed Percy by suffocating him in a deep hug.
After that not much happened; a welcome surprise for Harry. His spirits rose high and all thoughts of Snape and Voldemort flew out of his mind. He was at peace for the first time of his life. He only dreaded the day Ginny returned to Hogwarts. The little time that had already past was coming to an end His feelings for her had been repressed ever since they broke up but Harry still felt the same as he had back then, if not stronger.
It was two weeks before term started that Hermione received the news that Professor Flitwick had indeed planned to stay on as Charms teacher for one more year. Hermione took the news better than Harry had expected, seeing it as extra time to spend with Ron. Their relationship had blossomed in since leaving Hogwarts despite their continual bickering.
"But with Flitwick staying that means he won't be going for headmaster" Ron brought up one day after dinner. "That leaves only Percy, McGonagall, Snape and that Turban fella"
"Mr Turpin Ron! It's not that hard of a name to remember!" barked Hermione with a sudden bout of annoyance.
"Sorry, Your Majesty! Who is he anyway?" asked Ron, looking at Harry.
"No idea. I'm sure I've heard his name before though… can't place it." Harry once again racked his brain. The recent news had brought all thoughts off Snape back to the front of Harry's thoughts. He spent days waiting on the Daily Prophet, scanning it for any news on the Governors decision.
No news had appeared by the time they were setting off to Kings Cross Station to see Ginny off on the Hogwarts Express. Platform 9 ¾ brought back many memories for Harry, especially when Mrs Weasley had helped him onto the platform in his first year. In no time at all Harry was bidding Ginny farewell and was reduced to a mere wave as she was pushed on the already moving train.
He could see her flame-red hair receding into the distance as the train sped off. It felt weird for Harry to see the train leaving the platform without him on it. He turned around and left with the rest of the Weasleys and Hermione.
It was only that night when they first heard from Ginny again. The letter was brought by a large barn owl owned by the school and was addressed to Mrs Weasley.
"Oh my!" she stated after reading the later. She passed it along the table, each reader giving an audible gasp, until it reached Harry. He stared down at the hurried writing and read,
Mum,
It's Snape! He is the new headmaster of Hogwarts! It was terrible when we arrived. The castle seemed much colder, physically and emotionally. The Slytherin's all seem ecstatic at seeing Snape in Dumbledore's old chair. He stood just to welcome everyone and to give rules. I can see this school going right downhill if he stays here. It's already changed. Anyway I have to go. Snape has insisted we all rest after our long journey and I'm not sure I'm meant to be out of our dormitory. See you over Christmas. Say hi to everyone for me and I'll write again soon. Bye, Ginny. XXX
Harry read the letter again, his worst fears confirmed. He looked up at the concerned eyes all staring at him.
"I can't believe this. How could they?" Harry asked quietly. He stood up and walked out the kitchen up to his room. As soon as he entered he kicked his case in anger.
"Ow!" he muttered, regretting the outburst. He flopped down on his bed, feeling the blood pound through his head. 'Sirius would agree with me… Sirius wouldn't accept Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts… no… Sirius wouldn't…' and with that he dozed off into a deep sleep.
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He was on top of the astronomy tower yet again. There was Malfoy, his wand pointed at Dumbledore. He heard the footsteps coming up the stairs and watched, unable to do anything, as death eaters burst through the door. The seconds passed but felt like years to Harry and eventually Snape came running up the stairs. He stepped in front of the helpless Dumbledore and for the first time Harry could sense communication between them.
They were communicating through legimens, and as Snape raised his wand Harry felt something brush past his cheek. Something strangely like a wing, flying towards the exact point between Dumbledore and Snape's wand tip. Just as the bird would have reached the gap, Snape muttered the killing curse. As the green light flashed Harry was sure he saw, illuminated in the light, Fawkes flash past, taking the curse himself.
Harry watched as Dumbledore rose and fell over the edge, again… and again… and again. Te memory was repeating itself over and over and made it look as though Dumbledore was on strings, and then….
"Arghhhhh!" Harry woke with a start, drenched with sweat yet again. This was the first time he'd had that dream. The reality of it frightened him slightly and he tried his hardest not to believe what he had dreamt, not wanting to raise his hopes of the possibility of Dumbledore being alive.
He stood up and walked to the mirror. His face was flushed and he could see a thin layer of sweat reflecting the moonlight from the window. He wondered what the dream meant and finally came to the conclusion that it was time. He would call the members of Dumbledore's Army as soon as he woke up. At that he walked back to his bed and eventually fell asleep.
Harry woke at the crack of dawn the next day and went down to find Ron and Hermione talking in hushed whispers in the kitchen. They stop talking when they saw Harry and he had the distinct feeling that they were talking about him.
"Harry. Good morning. Have a good sleep?' Hermione asked almost too nicely.
"Uhm… yeh it was fine thanks Hermione" said Harry warily. "Actually, I was thinking it was time to do what Dumbledore said." He said, looking warily at his best friends. "I think it's time to call the DA".
"Are you sure Harry? Maybe we should wait until Christmas. I mean, Ginny and Luna are still at Hogwarts" said Hermione, always finding a problem in the plan.
"I'm sure, Hermione. There must be a way of getting Luna and Ginny here. There an important part of this" said Harry, thinking of extreme ways of getting to Luna and Ginny.
"I've got it!" shouted Hermione suddenly, jumping out of her seat. "Just give me two minutes" and with that she ran up the stairs and out of sight. Harry and Ron just rolled their eyes at each other, used to Hermione's sudden disappearances.
She returned a while later, clutching a piece of parchment in her hand and walked over to Errol, the useless family owl.
"We can hold the meeting in the Hogs Head again. There's no one to hide form this time. I just need to ask Ginny when her next Hogsmeade trip is. We can all meet up then" she said with pride at her intelligence.
"Excellent, Hermione. Just use Hedwig, she'll get there quicker" replied Harry, having had many an experience of Errol's abysmal skills.
Harry ran upstairs to fetch Hedwig and by that evening they had a reply.
Hey Hermione,
Our next Hogsmeade trip is on the 15th of September. Snape has reduced the number of Hogsmeade trips to 2, one at the beginning of the year and one at the end, after exams. I'll tell Luna about the meeting. We'll meet you at midday and we'll save a table for everyone. See ya then, Ginny XXX.
After receiving the letter Hermione grabbed a bag of floo powder and a list of various DA members' addresses from a cabinet and passed them to Harry. They had given up on the coins after they left Hogwarts. It had no way of telling where the meeting was going to take place and Harry felt the floo network to be more efficient.
Harry bent down in front of the fire place and looked at the first name on the list… Neville Longbottom. It had been a year since Harry last saw Neville, but Harry still considered him one of his best friends. Harry through a pinch of the powder into the flames and shouted Neville's address.
His head flew through the flames and came out in an old, musty living room of large house. Harry looked around and spotted an elderly lady sitting in an armchair, and instantly recognised her as Neville's grandmother. Harry cleared his throat to get her attention. She jumped at the sudden fright and looked towards the flames.
"Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to shock you. I'm here to speak to Neville. Is he here?" Harry asked, looking around the room.
"It's ok my dear. I'll just get Neville for you now. I must say, it's not often he has any visitors, Mr Potter. He'll be glad to see you" she said, getting up from her chair.
"NEVILLE!" she shouted up the stairs. "SOMEONE HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU!"
Harry heard the thudding of footsteps coming down the stairs. He saw the familiar chubby face coming round the corner.
"Harry!" Neville said, surprised at seeing his friend. "What are you doing here?"
Harry looked at Neville's grandmother who was standing at the door listening in. She took the hint and left the room.
"Hi, Neville. I can't talk long. I'm just here to tell you we're having a DA meeting soon. It's on the 15th in the Hog's Head. Be there for midday. It's really important." Harry said, knowing Neville's tendency to forget.
"Ok, Harry. I'll definitely be there. I was wondering when we were going to meet up again. I suppose you have other people to tell though, so I'll let you go. See ya on the 15th, Harry."
Harry saw Neville wave at him as he fell back through to the Weasley's kitchen. He saw the expectant faces of Ron and Hermione waiting for him when he returned.
"Neville can come. Who's next?" asked Harry
"Dean" Hermione told him and they carried on until finally Harry pulled back after speaking to Katie Bell, the last on the list.
"That's it then. Everybody but Cho can make it. Apparently she has an appointment in London. Don't believe her though. I expect she just wanted to forget about it all" said Harry, his past feelings for Cho long gone.
They stood up together and walked back into the kitchen to join Mr and Mrs Weasley for dinner. Harry managed to forget about the upcoming meeting and it's topic that night. It was a whole week away, after all. Little did he know how quickly that week would pass.
Chapter 7: An Army Reunited – The DA members meet in the Hog's Head and are joined by an unexpected guest. The chosen 6 get ready and set out on their long journey…
