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Chapter 2: Discussions and Travel
"Ron...are you...are you sure about this?" said Harry tentatively, not wanting to offend him in any way. Harry knew better than anyone that Ron's wizardry was not always safe or full proof, and never both. But Ron merely smirked and gave Harry a silent nod.
Harry, Ron and Hermione, along with all of their belongings, were stationed in the center of the Durlsey's living room, with a pot belonging to Aunt Petunia centered in between them. Ron and Hermione had spent the last month or so attempting to convince the Ministry of magic to allow them to establish a Portkey in Uncle Vernon's home, so they could get to Bill and Fleur's wedding in France. All of them now legal to apparate, would much rather do so than use a Portkey. Yet they were wisely heeded by Mr. And Mrs. Weasley that distances like that for newly legalized apparationists could result in severe splinching. So, after a months worth of background checks, some pulled strings by Tonks, Kingsley Schakelbolt and Mr. Weasley (none from the ever distant Percy), and a bit of luck, they were able to establish a Portkey for that afternoon.
"From what it says in the book," started Hermione, her head poking into the center of a book. "We should do a Portus Charm, and then treat it as a usual Portkey. One finger is all it we need to put on it says-"
"We know Hermione, we've used one before, let's just do it okay?" said Ron, with an exasperated look on his face. And with that, Ron pulled out his wand and bellowed "Portus!", which made the pot clank a little, though showed no other physical alteration.
They all put their hands onto the Portkey, waited for a second, and then allowed Hermione to say very clearly, "Le Chateaux Rose." Harry could feel his feet get pulled up from underneath him and knew the Portkey had been successful, as he flew into a distant blue light, whirling and whisking about.
"Minerva, oh Minerva what are we going to do?" said the voice of Professor Slughorn, sounding both desperate and anxious. "No one is coming to Hogwarts, no one!"
Professor McGonagall handed Slughorn some biscuits, and ran her hand through her tight-knot hair. She sighed, also desperately, and seemed at a loss for words. They were seated in her newly acquired office as Headmistress. She had left it just as Dumbledore had kept it arranged. All of the odd instruments and machines that smoked and puffed and made irregular noises were left untouched. She and Professor Slughorn, along with Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout all looked at each other glumly. This was usually the part where Dumbledore would say something that would settle the matter that would fix everything.
"I think that we have agreed," said Professor Flitwick earnestly. "That if any student wants to come back to Hogwarts, knowing the possible dangers of staying in the castle, then we should teach that person! Although, we should not accept first years this year. They do not understand the dangers that lie here, and nor do their parents if they are muggles. Anyone above first year should be accepted though, and taught."
"Mmm...I agree," said the voice of Professor Sprout, who was now adjusting her hat and looking at Professors Slughorn and McGonagall. They both, after what looked like a lot of time in deep thought, also nodded.
"I also have some grave news," said Professor McGonagall quietly. "Because of the fact that I was not able to find a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I will have to take the role as Transfiguration teacher and we will have to rotate between each of us as Defense against the Dark Arts. We will have to leave the school without a Headmaster or Headmistress.
They all nodded solemnly, Slughorn reaching for his handkerchief to wipe his eyes, which were now spilling tears. "Great man he was Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of them all," he said, now beginning to sob.
"I have more bad news," said Professor Mcgonagall. "We thought it was a given that Potter and his friends would return to the school, that he had no other place to go, and his friends were to loyal to abandon him."
"But?" questioned Professor Flitwick.
"But I have just received a letter from Potter, Granger and Weasley, all saying that they will not return to Hogwarts next term. But Potters letter was the...well it was the one that stood out the most, here read it." She flattened out a slightly crumpled piece of parchment, with a very familiar scrawl on it.
