Chapter 19
Harry's Second
The prospect of learning about Hagrid's whereabouts from Fred and George on Friday got Harry through the week rather quickly. Ron decided to hold Quidditch practice in the morning on Wednesday and Thursday in addition to their normal Friday practice. Adding that to the DA group meetings and their homework, there was quite enough to keep them all busy.
"What are you reading?" Harry asked Hermione. It was Thursday night and they were all sitting in the common room after another meeting of the DA. Lupin had taught them a charm, which enabled them to shoot ice out of their wand. It was a good spell because it could be used to limit mobility of an enemy in a duel. Lupin also told them that when they got good enough at it, they could produce a large enough block of ice to serve as a barrier.
"A Wizard's Guide to Crimes and Punishments?" Ron questioned as he snatched the book out of Hermione's hands. He attempted to read the page that it was turned to but she quickly summoned it out of his hands.
"You don't take things from people without permission." Hermione replied with a bitter expression after the book was back in her hands.
"Sorry." Ron responded. He gave her a sharp smile and a wink and she couldn't help but smile back.
"So what is the book for Hermione?" Harry said breaking up the silent moment that was going on between his friends.
'I'll explain everything soon. I promise." Hermione said. "In fact, the five of us should have a meeting on Saturday. Remember we said that we were going to train on our own? Well I think I have a good first lesson."
"The six of us." Ginny chimed in. "We can't forget Luna."
"She's right, the six of us." Harry agreed. He felt guilty that he hadn't really seen or talked to Luna since school had resumed and this would be a good opportunity to include her. After all, she had been as loyal as anyone last year in the Department of Mysteries.
"It's settled then." Hermione said. "We'll meet on Saturday night."
"Neville!" Harry shouted because he was sitting across the room, nose buried in a book. "Neville!" Neville wasn't responding at all, so Harry walked across the room and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Neville." He said one more time and finally got his attention. "We are going to meet on Saturday night for a bit of private training."
"Alright Harry, I'll be there." Neville answered quickly before going straight back to his reading. Harry couldn't help but feel that something wasn't exactly right with him.
"I'll let Luna know." Ginny said with a smile as Harry made his way back towards the group. "I have Transfiguration with her tomorrow."
"Actually, I'd like to tell her if you don't mind Ginny." Harry said. Ginny smile faded a little.
"Okay." She replied. Harry gave her a slight smile and then began to gather his things together.
"I'm going to bed." Harry said to the group. "Remember, tomorrow night, Fred and George." They all nodded and he made his way to the dormitory.
Harry woke up the next morning and couldn't remember his dreams, but for the second time, he thought they might have had something to do with Dumbledore. It was certainly time for him to check in on him again and he figured he would do it before the weekend was over.
At breakfast, Harry sat with Ron, Hermione and Ginny as usual. He had intended to talk to Luna, so he looked over at the Ravenclaw table to see if he could spot her. Sure enough, she was sitting at the end of the long table by herself.
"I'll be right back." Harry said as he made his way over towards her. She spotted him in advance and had a curious smile on her face when he sat down across from her. Harry heard a lot of whispers and noticed people looking his way as he addressed Luna.
"Hi Luna, how are you?" Harry asked trying to ignore the stares he was getting. He wasn't sure if people were surprised that he had come over and sat at a different house table or if they were surprised by his company.
"I'm fine." She replied. "I was starting to think you forgot about me." She said with a sort of vacant expression on her face.
"Of course I haven't" Harry replied. "In fact, I was hoping you would come join us for breakfast."
"Alright." She replied as she got up and followed Harry to the Gryffindor table.
"Hi Ron." She said as she sat down at the table.
"Uh hi Luna." Ron replied uncomfortably. Hermione scowled a little as she exchanged pleasantries with the odd Ravenclaw.
"Luna." Harry interrupted, trying to get her attention back. "We are having a small group training session tomorrow night and we were wondering if you wanted to join us?"
"Sure." Luna replied. "Well I hope I have my wand back by then."
"What happened to your wand?" Ginny asked.
"A couple of Seventh year Ravenclaw boys stole it last night in the common room."
"Who did it?" Ron asked. "Me and Harry will get it back for you."
"Oh don't worry." Luna replied as she got her things together and got up from the table. "I'll see you tomorrow night. What time?"
"Nine." Harry replied. "After our Quidditch practice." Luna nodded and made her way out of the Great Hall.
"Crazy that one is." Ron said after she was gone. "I don't think I'll ever understand her." Harry had to agree with Ron's sentiments; there was definitely something about Luna that made her different from the rest of them.
Harry couldn't concentrate at all in class that day. He was too excited to find out what Fred and George had learned about Hagrid. In fact, he was so distracted that during Quidditch practice he lost his balance trying to catch the snitch and ended up crashing hard into the ground. He wasn't hurt badly, but his shoulder was stinging harshly.
"All right there Harry?" Ron called from the air. He swooped down on his broom and settled next to Harry.
"Yea, but I think something's wrong with my shoulder." Harry responded. Ron scanned his shoulder and it was clear that he agreed.
"Yea, you better get that looked at." Ron said. "I'd better take you to the hospital wing."
"I can make it okay." Harry said. "If I'm not back in time, go meet Fred and George without me. I will meet up with you guys." Ron nodded and flew back up into the air to join the rest of the team.
Harry made his way to the hospital wing holding his left shoulder in place with his right hand. He had had worse injuries before so he was used to the pain. He thought that it probably wouldn't take much for Madam Pomfrey to heal him up, but the tough part would be getting her to let him leave. He really didn't want to miss the meeting with Fred and George.
As he approached the door to the hospital wing, he saw one of his two least favorite people in Hogwarts walk out.
"What's wrong scarhead? Fall off your broom again?" Malfoy hissed as he came face to face with Harry. This was one of the few times Harry had ever seen Malfoy without his two cronies attached to his hip.
"Malfoy." Harry replied with a nod. "I haven't heard much from you this term. Laying low huh? I guess you wouldn't want to draw too much attention to yourself now that everyone knows you are the son of a Death Eater." The truth was, Harry hadn't spoken with Malfoy at all this term with the exception of the incident in the owlery. But if Snape had done his job, Malfoy shouldn't have any recollection of that.
"Not laying low." Malfoy said cringing as he starred at Harry. "More like biding my time."
"I'd expect as much." Harry replied not loosening his gaze at all.
"You know Potter, I'd bet it would be pretty hard for you to grab your wand right now in your condition." Malfoy said. "It would be a shame if someone took advantage of that." Harry dropped his shoulder and pulled out his wand as quickly as he could and saw Malfoy do the same.
"What is going on?" Madam Pomfrey said as she came out of the hospital wing door. "Mr. Potter what happened to your shoulder?" Obviously his injury was evident even though he wasn't showing any signs of his shoulder hurting at the present moment.
"Quidditch accident." Harry responded still not taking his eyes off Malfoy.
"Get in here right now Mr. Potter so that I can treat it." Madam Pomfrey said. "And don't you have somewhere to be Mr. Malfoy." Malfoy looked back at her and then began to walk away stopping briefly as he crossed paths with Harry.
"Tonight, midnight, trophy room." Malfoy said in a low enough tone so that Madam Pomfrey couldn't hear.
"You gonna show up this time." Harry responded in an equally soft voice. Malfoy just starred coldly at him for a few more seconds and then continued down the hall. Harry entered the hospital wing thinking that tonight he would be able to take out six years of frustration on Malfoy.
Madam Pomfrey did heal Harry up quickly enough, but as he expected she made him lie down on a bed and rest a while. When he finally convinced her that he was fine enough to leave it was nearly 9:30. Harry quickly made his way to the room of requirements, which was on the seventh floor along with Gryffindor Tower.
When he got there, he found Ron, Hermione, and Ginny along with Fred and George sitting on a couple of couches that were arranged around a fireplace. The room was significantly smaller than it had been when Harry held the DA meetings in there last year, and now had a close resemblance to the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey guys." Harry said loudly to alert them that he was here.
"Hey Harry." The twins said in unison as they got up and took turns shaking his hand.
"Hey mate, thank God you're here." Ron said. "They wouldn't tell us anything until you got here."
"Couldn't get old Poppy to let you leave huh?" Fred said with a smile. Harry just nodded and sat down on one of the couches next to Ginny.
"So what's going on?" Harry asked. "Do you have any news on Hagrid?"
"Well formally, we have been told by the Order that there is no news yet." George spoke up.
"But we have our ways of finding things out." Fred continued. "We heard a private conversation between Moody and Lupin the other night. It seems that they have reason to believe that Hagrid is being held at Malfoy Manor. You see, they think that Malfoy Manor is being used as a sort of headquarters for the Death Eaters. Like Grimmauld Place is for the Order. Apparently a few newer members of the order, these two blokes name Greg and Tom Ramesfeld, were told to stake out Malfoy Manor. But when they went there, they couldn't find it."
"The Fidelius charm." Harry said.
"Exactly." George replied.
"Has there been any sign of Malfoy's father or the rest of the escaped Death Eaters?" Hermione asked.
"No. But if they are staying at Malfoy Manor under the Fidelius charm then it's no wonder no one's seen them." Fred answered. "Their secret keeper is probably Voldemort himself." They all nodded.
"Well we should get going." George said glancing in Fred's direction.
"Yea we've got places to be." Fred replied. "But we'll keep our eyes and ears open Harry."
"Thanks." Harry said as they all exchanged goodbyes.
"Hey guys." Ron said as the twins approached the door to leave. "What's your secret assignment?" Ron had a hint of excitement in his voice and a smile on his face.
Fred and George just looked at each other solemnly. "We're trying to find Percy." Fred answered as they walked out the door. Ron sunk down into the couch and Hermione patted his hand gently.
"So what are we going to do now?" Ginny asked, trying to break the tension in the room.
"There's not much we can do." Harry said. "We keep training hard, and we hope that Fred and George come up with some more information."
"Bloody git Malfoy." Ron snickered. "We should go beat some answers out of him." Ron had a look of Malice in his eyes.
"Well that won't do any good." Hermione said. "Unless he is the secret keeper, which I highly doubt, he won't be able to tell you anything anyway."
"She's right Ron." Harry said. He actually agreed with Ron but he didn't want to clue Hermione in that there was to be an encounter with Malfoy that night. "We are just going to have to hope someone slips up and we find some new information."
Ron did not look pleased at all and he headed towards the door. Hermione and Ginny followed quickly behind him.
"Ron wait." Harry shouted. "I need to talk to you a minute." Ron stopped and made his way back towards Harry. Hermione and Ginny did the same.
"What is it Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry looked over at Hermione and Ginny. "If you guys don't mind, I'd like to talk to him alone it's a guy kinda thing." Harry flashed a smile at Ginny and the two girls giggled a little to themselves before leaving.
Harry brought Ron over to the other side of the room and sat down. Ginny had grown up with Fred and George and he wouldn't put it past her to try and hear their conversation.
"If this is about you liking my sister Harry, you don't have to tell me. It's painfully obvious." Ron said.
"No it's not about that Ron." Harry replied in a whisper. "I just didn't want the girls to know."
"Know what?" Ron asked.
"I ran into Malfoy on the way to the hospital wing." Harry started. "He challenged me to a duel at midnight in the trophy room." It seems like this news actually served to lift Ron's spirits.
"Alright." Ron replied. "I'm your second."
"I knew you would be." Harry said as the two boys headed back to the common room to get ready for their duel.
Author's note: I hope you like the new chapter. In the next chapter we will have a duel and Halloween is coming up. And we all know that nothing good ever happens to Harry on Halloween. Thanks for all of your reviews. Keep them up!
Harry's Second
The prospect of learning about Hagrid's whereabouts from Fred and George on Friday got Harry through the week rather quickly. Ron decided to hold Quidditch practice in the morning on Wednesday and Thursday in addition to their normal Friday practice. Adding that to the DA group meetings and their homework, there was quite enough to keep them all busy.
"What are you reading?" Harry asked Hermione. It was Thursday night and they were all sitting in the common room after another meeting of the DA. Lupin had taught them a charm, which enabled them to shoot ice out of their wand. It was a good spell because it could be used to limit mobility of an enemy in a duel. Lupin also told them that when they got good enough at it, they could produce a large enough block of ice to serve as a barrier.
"A Wizard's Guide to Crimes and Punishments?" Ron questioned as he snatched the book out of Hermione's hands. He attempted to read the page that it was turned to but she quickly summoned it out of his hands.
"You don't take things from people without permission." Hermione replied with a bitter expression after the book was back in her hands.
"Sorry." Ron responded. He gave her a sharp smile and a wink and she couldn't help but smile back.
"So what is the book for Hermione?" Harry said breaking up the silent moment that was going on between his friends.
'I'll explain everything soon. I promise." Hermione said. "In fact, the five of us should have a meeting on Saturday. Remember we said that we were going to train on our own? Well I think I have a good first lesson."
"The six of us." Ginny chimed in. "We can't forget Luna."
"She's right, the six of us." Harry agreed. He felt guilty that he hadn't really seen or talked to Luna since school had resumed and this would be a good opportunity to include her. After all, she had been as loyal as anyone last year in the Department of Mysteries.
"It's settled then." Hermione said. "We'll meet on Saturday night."
"Neville!" Harry shouted because he was sitting across the room, nose buried in a book. "Neville!" Neville wasn't responding at all, so Harry walked across the room and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Neville." He said one more time and finally got his attention. "We are going to meet on Saturday night for a bit of private training."
"Alright Harry, I'll be there." Neville answered quickly before going straight back to his reading. Harry couldn't help but feel that something wasn't exactly right with him.
"I'll let Luna know." Ginny said with a smile as Harry made his way back towards the group. "I have Transfiguration with her tomorrow."
"Actually, I'd like to tell her if you don't mind Ginny." Harry said. Ginny smile faded a little.
"Okay." She replied. Harry gave her a slight smile and then began to gather his things together.
"I'm going to bed." Harry said to the group. "Remember, tomorrow night, Fred and George." They all nodded and he made his way to the dormitory.
Harry woke up the next morning and couldn't remember his dreams, but for the second time, he thought they might have had something to do with Dumbledore. It was certainly time for him to check in on him again and he figured he would do it before the weekend was over.
At breakfast, Harry sat with Ron, Hermione and Ginny as usual. He had intended to talk to Luna, so he looked over at the Ravenclaw table to see if he could spot her. Sure enough, she was sitting at the end of the long table by herself.
"I'll be right back." Harry said as he made his way over towards her. She spotted him in advance and had a curious smile on her face when he sat down across from her. Harry heard a lot of whispers and noticed people looking his way as he addressed Luna.
"Hi Luna, how are you?" Harry asked trying to ignore the stares he was getting. He wasn't sure if people were surprised that he had come over and sat at a different house table or if they were surprised by his company.
"I'm fine." She replied. "I was starting to think you forgot about me." She said with a sort of vacant expression on her face.
"Of course I haven't" Harry replied. "In fact, I was hoping you would come join us for breakfast."
"Alright." She replied as she got up and followed Harry to the Gryffindor table.
"Hi Ron." She said as she sat down at the table.
"Uh hi Luna." Ron replied uncomfortably. Hermione scowled a little as she exchanged pleasantries with the odd Ravenclaw.
"Luna." Harry interrupted, trying to get her attention back. "We are having a small group training session tomorrow night and we were wondering if you wanted to join us?"
"Sure." Luna replied. "Well I hope I have my wand back by then."
"What happened to your wand?" Ginny asked.
"A couple of Seventh year Ravenclaw boys stole it last night in the common room."
"Who did it?" Ron asked. "Me and Harry will get it back for you."
"Oh don't worry." Luna replied as she got her things together and got up from the table. "I'll see you tomorrow night. What time?"
"Nine." Harry replied. "After our Quidditch practice." Luna nodded and made her way out of the Great Hall.
"Crazy that one is." Ron said after she was gone. "I don't think I'll ever understand her." Harry had to agree with Ron's sentiments; there was definitely something about Luna that made her different from the rest of them.
Harry couldn't concentrate at all in class that day. He was too excited to find out what Fred and George had learned about Hagrid. In fact, he was so distracted that during Quidditch practice he lost his balance trying to catch the snitch and ended up crashing hard into the ground. He wasn't hurt badly, but his shoulder was stinging harshly.
"All right there Harry?" Ron called from the air. He swooped down on his broom and settled next to Harry.
"Yea, but I think something's wrong with my shoulder." Harry responded. Ron scanned his shoulder and it was clear that he agreed.
"Yea, you better get that looked at." Ron said. "I'd better take you to the hospital wing."
"I can make it okay." Harry said. "If I'm not back in time, go meet Fred and George without me. I will meet up with you guys." Ron nodded and flew back up into the air to join the rest of the team.
Harry made his way to the hospital wing holding his left shoulder in place with his right hand. He had had worse injuries before so he was used to the pain. He thought that it probably wouldn't take much for Madam Pomfrey to heal him up, but the tough part would be getting her to let him leave. He really didn't want to miss the meeting with Fred and George.
As he approached the door to the hospital wing, he saw one of his two least favorite people in Hogwarts walk out.
"What's wrong scarhead? Fall off your broom again?" Malfoy hissed as he came face to face with Harry. This was one of the few times Harry had ever seen Malfoy without his two cronies attached to his hip.
"Malfoy." Harry replied with a nod. "I haven't heard much from you this term. Laying low huh? I guess you wouldn't want to draw too much attention to yourself now that everyone knows you are the son of a Death Eater." The truth was, Harry hadn't spoken with Malfoy at all this term with the exception of the incident in the owlery. But if Snape had done his job, Malfoy shouldn't have any recollection of that.
"Not laying low." Malfoy said cringing as he starred at Harry. "More like biding my time."
"I'd expect as much." Harry replied not loosening his gaze at all.
"You know Potter, I'd bet it would be pretty hard for you to grab your wand right now in your condition." Malfoy said. "It would be a shame if someone took advantage of that." Harry dropped his shoulder and pulled out his wand as quickly as he could and saw Malfoy do the same.
"What is going on?" Madam Pomfrey said as she came out of the hospital wing door. "Mr. Potter what happened to your shoulder?" Obviously his injury was evident even though he wasn't showing any signs of his shoulder hurting at the present moment.
"Quidditch accident." Harry responded still not taking his eyes off Malfoy.
"Get in here right now Mr. Potter so that I can treat it." Madam Pomfrey said. "And don't you have somewhere to be Mr. Malfoy." Malfoy looked back at her and then began to walk away stopping briefly as he crossed paths with Harry.
"Tonight, midnight, trophy room." Malfoy said in a low enough tone so that Madam Pomfrey couldn't hear.
"You gonna show up this time." Harry responded in an equally soft voice. Malfoy just starred coldly at him for a few more seconds and then continued down the hall. Harry entered the hospital wing thinking that tonight he would be able to take out six years of frustration on Malfoy.
Madam Pomfrey did heal Harry up quickly enough, but as he expected she made him lie down on a bed and rest a while. When he finally convinced her that he was fine enough to leave it was nearly 9:30. Harry quickly made his way to the room of requirements, which was on the seventh floor along with Gryffindor Tower.
When he got there, he found Ron, Hermione, and Ginny along with Fred and George sitting on a couple of couches that were arranged around a fireplace. The room was significantly smaller than it had been when Harry held the DA meetings in there last year, and now had a close resemblance to the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey guys." Harry said loudly to alert them that he was here.
"Hey Harry." The twins said in unison as they got up and took turns shaking his hand.
"Hey mate, thank God you're here." Ron said. "They wouldn't tell us anything until you got here."
"Couldn't get old Poppy to let you leave huh?" Fred said with a smile. Harry just nodded and sat down on one of the couches next to Ginny.
"So what's going on?" Harry asked. "Do you have any news on Hagrid?"
"Well formally, we have been told by the Order that there is no news yet." George spoke up.
"But we have our ways of finding things out." Fred continued. "We heard a private conversation between Moody and Lupin the other night. It seems that they have reason to believe that Hagrid is being held at Malfoy Manor. You see, they think that Malfoy Manor is being used as a sort of headquarters for the Death Eaters. Like Grimmauld Place is for the Order. Apparently a few newer members of the order, these two blokes name Greg and Tom Ramesfeld, were told to stake out Malfoy Manor. But when they went there, they couldn't find it."
"The Fidelius charm." Harry said.
"Exactly." George replied.
"Has there been any sign of Malfoy's father or the rest of the escaped Death Eaters?" Hermione asked.
"No. But if they are staying at Malfoy Manor under the Fidelius charm then it's no wonder no one's seen them." Fred answered. "Their secret keeper is probably Voldemort himself." They all nodded.
"Well we should get going." George said glancing in Fred's direction.
"Yea we've got places to be." Fred replied. "But we'll keep our eyes and ears open Harry."
"Thanks." Harry said as they all exchanged goodbyes.
"Hey guys." Ron said as the twins approached the door to leave. "What's your secret assignment?" Ron had a hint of excitement in his voice and a smile on his face.
Fred and George just looked at each other solemnly. "We're trying to find Percy." Fred answered as they walked out the door. Ron sunk down into the couch and Hermione patted his hand gently.
"So what are we going to do now?" Ginny asked, trying to break the tension in the room.
"There's not much we can do." Harry said. "We keep training hard, and we hope that Fred and George come up with some more information."
"Bloody git Malfoy." Ron snickered. "We should go beat some answers out of him." Ron had a look of Malice in his eyes.
"Well that won't do any good." Hermione said. "Unless he is the secret keeper, which I highly doubt, he won't be able to tell you anything anyway."
"She's right Ron." Harry said. He actually agreed with Ron but he didn't want to clue Hermione in that there was to be an encounter with Malfoy that night. "We are just going to have to hope someone slips up and we find some new information."
Ron did not look pleased at all and he headed towards the door. Hermione and Ginny followed quickly behind him.
"Ron wait." Harry shouted. "I need to talk to you a minute." Ron stopped and made his way back towards Harry. Hermione and Ginny did the same.
"What is it Harry?" Ron asked.
Harry looked over at Hermione and Ginny. "If you guys don't mind, I'd like to talk to him alone it's a guy kinda thing." Harry flashed a smile at Ginny and the two girls giggled a little to themselves before leaving.
Harry brought Ron over to the other side of the room and sat down. Ginny had grown up with Fred and George and he wouldn't put it past her to try and hear their conversation.
"If this is about you liking my sister Harry, you don't have to tell me. It's painfully obvious." Ron said.
"No it's not about that Ron." Harry replied in a whisper. "I just didn't want the girls to know."
"Know what?" Ron asked.
"I ran into Malfoy on the way to the hospital wing." Harry started. "He challenged me to a duel at midnight in the trophy room." It seems like this news actually served to lift Ron's spirits.
"Alright." Ron replied. "I'm your second."
"I knew you would be." Harry said as the two boys headed back to the common room to get ready for their duel.
Author's note: I hope you like the new chapter. In the next chapter we will have a duel and Halloween is coming up. And we all know that nothing good ever happens to Harry on Halloween. Thanks for all of your reviews. Keep them up!