Hogwarts: Through the War

by Rain Darkwood

Chapter 5

The Trials

Turning his back on Godric's Wall, Zero concentrated on what he would see next. There was no telling what defenses the teachers of Hogwarts would have set up to protect their home - and he was not disappointed. As the four of them advanced past Godric's Wall, the dirt path they walked upon curved upward into a wide, open area of land, with a straightforward view to Hogwarts itself. Zero examined the land ahead of him carefully, as the entire area was filled with the light of torches which had been set up to allow enough light for the many people there to work carefully. As he watched, at least 30 wizards were gathered around a gigantic wooden pen - trying desperately to control a roaring dragon.

It was a fearsome sight; the dragon reared back several times as Zero watched, writhing its neck and attempting to shake off the giant leather muzzle that covered its mouth and kept it from breathing fire. Lupin seemed to recognize one of the me, and waved to him, calling for him to come over. The burly young man waved back and hurried over, smiling jovially and gesturing to the beast behind him, as if to say, Look at the size of THAT one! The young man was shortish and stocky, but packed with muscles and rough, calloused skin as if he were molded out of lumpy clay. His hair was a bright red, and he kept the sleeves of his robes rolled up around his elbows.

"Hello, Charlie. So you're setting up a, uh... well it looks like a Chinese Fireball!"

Charlie seemed only too excited to respond and talk about the beast. "Indeed it is, Mr. Lupin, sir! Thing's gotta be, well... blimey, it's gotta be 55, 60 feet!" Charlie was rubbing his chin while he said this, scrutinizing the dragon carefully while it reared once again, knocking one of the wizards over.

"Call me Remus, please. How many is that, then, Charlie?"

"That's 8 in all, Mr. Lup - erm, Remus, and a fine set if I may say so myself!"

Lupin watched the dragon for a moment more, a look of solemness etched across his face. He turned to Zero before he spoke again. "Zero, This is Charlie Weasley, he's one of Arthur and Molly's. He's been working with dragons up in Romania, but with the current events, he has come here to help us secure the castle. Charlie, this is Hogwarts' new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Mr. Zero Finnigan."

Zero reached forward and shook Charlie's hand, still mesmerized by the fiery beast growling in the torchlight ahead of them. As expected, Charlie had a firm grip, his hands were literally covered with blisters and callouses. Zero broke his gaze at the dragons to look at Charlie with admiration. "It must be difficult dealing with these creatures so closely!"

Charlie laughed; it was a booming, hearty laugh. "You bet it is! But I love the buggers, so help me... powerful creatures too, I guarantee nobody will get through that field without Hogwarts' permission alive."

Zero thought this over for a moment. "They seem so wild, how can you possibly control at which point they discover an enemy and advance on them?"

Charlie was beginning to get intense on the discussion. He made frequent hand gestures as he spoke, explaining the system. "All of the dragons are contained within magical barriers 24 hours a day, but are released the moment an unexpected guest shows up on the lawn. Within the area these dragons are occupying, magic cannot be cast. Wands will simply flicker faintly, making you easier for the dragons to spot, if anything. See, their vision is based on heat, for the most part. Any warm body entering this area can be seen by the dragons, even in pitch darkness. You can say heat is their thing," he finished impressively.

Zero thought momentarily. "It really seems as though you've thought of everything..." he said thoughtfully.

Charlie clapped him on the back. "That's our job, Zero."

Lupin interrupted, steering the group away from Charlie and his dragons. "We'll have to let you get back to your game, Charlie, we have one more barrier to get through before we can call it a night." Charlie laughed and waved them off, sprinting away to rejoin the dragon controllers.

They walked on toward Hogwarts, which was looming ever closer. Darkness crept back around them as they grew farther and farther away from the torches and the Chinese Fireball, and the air felt significantly colder. Zero suddenly spoke up, voicing a concern that had, peculiarly, not occured to him until just then.

"Remus?"

"Yes, Zero?"

"Forgive me if this is a silly point, but what if an intruder is flying to Hogwarts, on a broom, for example?"

"Naturally, that would be one of our first concerns. There is a dome of protection around Hogwarts now, which repels broomsticks. Of course, we need to be able to mail things, so flying animals of a small size can go in and out of the dome quite freely. Broomsticks, however, will be struck as though they have flown directly into concrete. Not a good feeling, as you can guess. Animagi would have no better time of it, either; magic runs through the veins of all witches and wizards, and neither an animagi or a transfigured wizard could escape the same treatment by our protective spell."

"So even a hawk animagus, or a swallow animagus, would be repelled the same as a broomstick? They would be flattened the same way?"

Lupin nodded. "Quite the same. The dome expands from the point at which one enters from Godric's Wall, therefore an animagus would have to have gotten past that obstacle first. From that point on, however, they could transform and stay within the dome. However, they would have three obstacles to pass before reaching Hogwarts, three obstacles we are quite sure would stop them. The first of which, as you've seen, is a full squadron worth of dragons."

"I don't doubt that the dragons would be effective in most cases, but there seems to be one more flaw with Godric's Wall."

Flitwick responded this time, in a nearly offended tone. "What's that?"

Zero was scratching his chin carefully. "Couldn't a person wearing an invisibility cloak escape Godric's Wall? They would show no reflection!"

Flitwick laughed, relieved. "Zero, as Remus just said, magic flows through the veins of every witch and wizard, and magic knows magic. Godric's Wall will show the reflection of an approaching witch or wizard, no matter what. A creature that was invisible may pass, given it had no magical ability. A house elf, for instance, would be recognized just like any witch or wizard. And even then, what creature, magical or otherwise, can become invisible? That is complex magic!"

Zero felt better. "Yes, I see your point. Very good, I think you've done a fantastic job with just these first two trials. I'm anxious to see the last one."

Lupin pointed ahead. "That's good, because we've arrived."

Zero looked at the field they were approaching. Fog covered the grass, so that it was difficult to see anything close to the ground; but ahead a ways, Zero could make out a somewhat human shape. They approached and, growing nearer, he discovered that it was not human at all, not exactly. It was a full, yet empty, suit of blackened armor, which looked as though it might date back to the middle ages. The suit of armor had a broadsword in its sheath attached to its belt, and stood rigidly straight until the group got near to it. Creaking loudly, the suit of armor placed one glove on the handle of the sword, and used the other to gesture for them to stop. They stopped, and stood before the suit of armor. Professor Flitwick squeaked merrily, he seemed to enjoy the display immensely.

The helmet opened like a mouth and an eerie, echo-like voice was emitted. "Visitor, you will be asked a riddle. Answer me correctly and you will be allowed onward. Fail to answer, or answer incorrectly, and you will face the wrath of Hogwarts' ancestor guardians."

Flitwick squeaked again.

"Are you prepared to answer the riddle?"

Lupin stepped forward. "Normally in the interest of testing, I would ask you to try it out Zero, but if you couldn't do it we'd have to face our own defenses. Let me speak, I know the answer."

The suit of armor spoke before Zero could reply to Lupin. "Then be prepared! Here is your riddle: At birth I sift, but give me heat and I'll provide a view from which you can see the outside from the in."

Zero was stumped. He thought for a moment, but found it difficult to even follow the rhythm of the riddle. He listened carefully for Lupin's reply.

"You are sand."

The suit of armor removed it's glove from the handle of the sword, and bowed low before them. "You are correct, honored friend of Hogwarts. Proceed."

They moved on, Zero thinking quietly for several seconds. "Ah! Sand! It sifts, but if you melt it, it forms glass, which you use to make windows!"

Lupin laughed softly. "Yes. Not the best riddle ever, perhaps, but it should work enough to repel enemies who aren't very smart."

"I couldn't think of the answer!"

Tonks replied this time. "Ah, well... there you go."

They laughed merrily, now approaching the main doors to Hogwarts castle itself. Little professor Flitwick, leading the way, pushed open the giant front doors and bowed them all inside. Zero looked around, his mouth open in amazement. The Huge hall they had entered had several staircases leading down or up off of it's sides, and another large set of doors leading forward. The floors were beautiful stone, and the ceiling was so high that he could not find them in the darkness. He looked around, entranced, as the rest of his group led him forward to the large doors ahead of him.

Tonks spoke again. "We really should hurry Zero, the feast will begin soon. I'm dying of hunger... Wotcher, Harry!"

Harry Potter himself had just stepped down from a staircase leading upward on their right. He waved at Tonks, smiling, and then at Lupin and Flitwick and Zero. Zero stepped forward, smiling and offering his hand.

"Mr. Potter. I apologize, I didn't have a good opportunity to present myself before."

Harry grasped his hand and shook it. "Good to meet you in person, Mr. Finnigan, and thanks again for your help at King's Cross. I've been, er, wondering... I know Finnigan is a fairly common name but I have a friend in Gryffindor with me, he's the same age as me. Would you be related?"

"Related?" Zero was confused, and thought for a moment. "Seamus! My god! He's the son of my cousin, Brian! I had forgotten how old he is, I haven't seen him since he was a boy!"

Harry smiled, he looked pleased at this information. "That's great, I don't know if his family is here... But if they are, I'm sure we'll see them in the Great Hall during the feast! Afterward, you'll have a good opportunity to speak with them. If they have chosen to stay, of course." He didn't seem so sure that they had stayed.

Zero hoped to himself that they had. Teaching a relative was an interesting concept to Zero. He imagined Seamus as having grown to be a strapping lad, one who was proficient in Defense Against the Dark Arts, of course. He imagined Seamus, with Zero's help of course, growing to have even more magical ability than Zero himself, and all the looks and charm Zero couldn't quite keep. Zero looked down at his outfit, pretending to brush himself off. His cossack and cloak were smudged with dirt and small stains. As they moved on toward the doors, Harry with them now, he covertly sniffed himself, horrified to find that he smelled softly of alcohol and a certain herbal weakness of his. He popped his neck uncomfortable and brushed himself off yet again, more roughly this time. He made an oath to himself to lay off those intoxicants a bit.

The doors to the great Hall opened, and Zero found himself, for the second time that night, momentarily stunned by the architectural beauty of Hogwarts. He silently thanked whatever gods there were for affording him an opportunity to live in such a fine environment. The Great Hall was absolutely packed with people, all chattering amongst themselves as a steady stream of them continued to seat themselves.

Lupin spoke, frowning slightly. "We've had to pack in a lot more tables than normal. As you can see, We are catering to a large crowd now."

The crowd was large indeed. Wizards and witches of every shape, size, and age were in the crowd, some in packs of similar types, which were obviously families. One clan in particular was a set of many redheaded people, all with fair skin and freckles. He was reminded briefly of Charlie, whom they'd seen outside.

"Ginny!" Harry had stepped around Zero and was gesturing to one of the redheaded people Zero had, a very pretty girl who jumped up from her seat to gesture Harry over. Harry turned quickly to Zero. "Great to meet you, Mr. Finnigan, really."

"You can call me Zero."

Harry smiled and turned to Lupin and Tonks, shaking Lupin's hand and hugging Tonks briefly before departing to join the redheaded clan, all of whom cheered happily as he joined them. One tall, gangly boy in particular shook Harry's hand vigorously, patting him on the back and laughing.

Zero began to scan the crowd for the Finnigan family, as Flitwick excused himself to take his seat at the teacher's table and Lupin and Tonks waved to a grizzled looking man, and hurried over to speak with him. Zero examined each table carefully, finding no signs of his relatives. He started to wonder how different they might look, seeing as how he had not met with them in quite a few years.

"Zero! Over here! Zero!"

Zero turned so quickly he nearly tripped. At a nearby table a woman and a man, each with reddish-blonde hair, were waving to Zero happily. He hurried over. It was indeed his cousin and his wife. "Brian! There you are!" As he reached their table, he embraced his cousin. Brian Finnigan was a very large man, with short hair and a wild beard. Brian hadn't been born with the same gift as his wife and Zero - he was a muggle. It was an interesting coincidence that magic was in his family with Zero and Zero's parents, and his own wife happened to be a witch. Brian was a gentle man despite his size, a man who worked hard and loved his drink. Zero imagined it must have been difficult to convince him to leave his job to live in the safety of Hogwarts. There was probably a lot of drinking involved.

Brian grasped Zero's shoulders and laughed with joy. "Ye've not gotten any larger since I last saw you! Still a runt, that's what Zero means!"

Zero raised an eyebrow and laughed daringly. "You've gotta be better than me at something, Brian, might as well be size!"

Brian roared with laughter, and collapsed back into his seat. Zero noticed that there was a large tankard in front of him at the table, full of mead which sloshed merrily as the table shook. "Seamus!" Brian said, grasping the shoulder of his son next to him, who looked considerably less powerful than Zero had imagined. "How long's it been since ya saw old Zero?"

"Old?" Zero laughed. "I'm twenty seven, you oaf."

Seamus smiled back at Zero and raised his own goblet, which was full of a yellow, sweet smelling liquid. "Hey, Uncle Zero."

Brian motioned to his wife. "And Annie, my wife! We've celebrated our twenty-first anniversary this year!"

Annie Finnigan was a woman with whom Zero had a feeling he did not ever want to argue. She was smiling now, looking very sweet, but she had an appearance about her that hinted she was a very protective mother, and possibly a very suspicious wife. "Hello, Zero. I remember you at our wedding, as a matter of fact. You stole your father's wand and set the cake on fire when we were doing our 'I do's.' Always were the sort to grab everyone's attention."

"That was an accident! I was six, for cryin' out loud!" They laughed loudly. Before the laughing had finished, however, a hush fell over the crowd and Zero seated himself quickly beside them as a wizard ahead turned and shushed them.

Minerva McGonagall, new Headmistress of Hogwarts, had stood up from her seat at the center of the teacher's tables, and now waited rigidly for them to quiet down and pay attention.

"Welcome back, Hogwarts students and newcomers."

Brian leaned over and whispered into Zero's ear. "Normally there's a ceremony before welcoming feast for First Years, but they performed it in private this year. From what I hear, there were no students placed in Slytherin House this year - and all of the students from Slytherin house have neglected to show up." He chuckled softly. It seemed despite Brian's lack of magical birth, he was well-informed of magical news.

"I think it is correct to say that we face our most trying years yet. Times are before us that will surely test our wills as nothing else before has. We have tried time and again to unify ourselves against the threat that Voldemort poses ..." At Voldemort's name, McGonagall seemed to have steeled herself and a ripple of gasps came through the audience. She continued as if nothing had happened.

"...And yet we have failed to become one. The time is now, we must become a true community, and that is why Hogwarts has offered it's shelter to the magical public. We salute every one of you who has chosen to join us here, we salute every one of you for taking up your part of the load and accepting the responsibility of knowledge, the knowledge that we are in danger and must stand together. The fact we must all face is that the greatest among us, The only man Voldemort - Yes, Voldemort," she said sternly, for another wave of gasps had come from the crowd. "The only man Voldemort has ever feared, is dead. He has died at the hands of a traitor, a man who could not take up his load and fight for the good of his fellow man. We have learned from this lesson! We are a new people, a people that will fight the darkness, and we will win!"

This rousing speech conjured applause from the audience. They stood up, clapping loudly and cheering as McGonagall waited for them to finish. Brian Finnigan had gotten to his feet beside Zero, along with his wife and son. They roared triumphantly with applause continuously until Professor McGonagall motioned for the audience to be seated again.

"We welcome into our home two new professors this year, to take up the positions of Defense Against The Dark Arts, and Transfiguration. We welcome back Professor Remus J. Lupin," at Lupin's name there was polite applause from the crowd and enthusiastic applause from the teachers. Lupin, who had meanwhile left Tonks to take his place at the teachers' table, stood graciously and bowed. It occured to Zero suddenly that if he were to be announced, he had made the mistake of not taking his proper seat. He wondered quickly if it would be wise to quickly sneak to his chair.

There was no time, however. "And we also welcome a personal guest of mine, Professor Zero Finnigan." There was an awkward moment during which the crowd waited for one of the teachers to stand. McGonagall turned elft and right, searching the teachers' table. After she failed to find Zero, she began to quietly scan the audience.

Zero felt himself lifted right out of his seat, as Brian picked him up around the legs and lifted him into the air. Before he knew it, Zero was sitting on Brian's broad shoulder as the audience laughed and clapped gratefully. Zero smiled weakly and waved to the audience around him as Brian roared with laughter. From his high spot, he could see Harry and Tonks laughing. Brian set him down again and Zero felt himself blushing slightly. He didn't like attention very much.

"Right. Thank you very much Mr. Finnigan, for making Mr. Finnigan visible." the crowd laughed again. "Though we live in hard times, it is brotherhoods like this that will keep us strong. Nothing can stop us now, except ourselves. And we certainly won't be letting that happen!" As she finished, the crowd applauded loudly again, Cheering proudly at McGonagall's inspiring words. She motioned once more for them to silence. "And now, let's eat!"

The tables were suddenly covered with incredible looking food, the likes of which Zero had never seen before. He saw slabs of roast beef, whole hams and turkeys, vegetables and fruits of all kinds, soups and breads and pitchers orange and yellow liquid. He didn't know what to try first, but thought a good start might be a chicken leg. As Zero gnawed happily on his dinner and drank goblets of mead and butterbeer (the latter of which he'd never tried before) all thoughts and worries of his first day teaching left his mind. Hell, he thought. What's to it? All I gotta do is show these kids what I know. Don't know how I'm gonna spread it out over an entire school year, but we'll get to all that later.

The food was just as good as it looked. Before a half hour was up, Zero was kicking back in his seat and rubbing his stomach tenderly. Brian was still eating, working his way through dessert, but most everyone else in the vast room was in the same position as Zero. The night had been overall, quite satisfying. Zero pondered to himself how he could have led his life so far without doing anything like this. It seemed to him at the moment that teaching was just his game.

After the feast, Lupin and Tonks, looking considerably full and tired, showed Zero up a few flights of stairs to his room, which was accessible from a door inside his office. The office itself was entered from within his classroom, so he wouldn't need to walk anywhere in the morning to get to his classroom. He smiled to himself and wondered again where this profession had been all his life. As Lupin and Tonks left him to his room, he unpacked quickly and began to put his things in various spots around the classroom, placing first his beloved muggle device, his CD player, on his teaching desk to play as he unpacked.

Music is playing in the darkness,

and a lantern goes swingin' by

Shadows flickering,

my heart's jittery

Just you and I...

Freddy Mercury's voice sang to piano tunes as Zero carefully formed the first impression his students would have of his classroom. When he was finally content with his work, he climbed into his new bed and with a flick of his wand, put out the lamps lighting the room dimly. He was never sure how he would dream in a night, except sure that the dreams would be strange - but he knew that the next day would be interesting for sure.

End of Chapter 5

So in this chapter we learn that the three trials protecting Hogwarts are pretty solid indeed, and that Zero Finnigan is related to Seamus Finnigan, a friend of Harry's. The next chapter will cover Zero's first day teaching and it's sure to have some interesting moments. Will Zero do well as a teacher? I'll get started on it soon, so for now, Read and Review!