Chapter Eight
Secrets From Within
Harry couldn't believe that Ron and Hermione didn't believe him, but then, when he thought about it, it did sound a bit farfetched, but he still couldn't believe it. He thought he could count on his two best friends for support, but now he knew otherwise.
Himself, Ron and Hermione were to leave for Hogwarts the next morning. Jake was going with them too, as a representative of Tutankhamen's.
"I can't wait", said Jake at dinner the night before. "I've been dying to see the old castle again, and here's my chance, that's why I volunteered to go with you ive wanted to talk to Fred and George Weasley about something quite important".
About three days before, Ron had gotten a letter from Mrs Weasley saying that Dumbledore had allowed Fred and George to do seventh year again.
Harry was sitting next to Jake at the Anubis table, with his back to Ron and Hermione, who were sitting at the Ra table. Harry's neck prickled every time he sensed them looking at him.
"Harry, are you alright? You've been acting weirdly ever since you got back from seeing Karnac".
Harry turned around in his seat and glanced at Ron and Hermione, who both seemed very interested in a candle wax burn that was in front of them. Anger burning on Harry's face, he turned back around, and said "yes, never been better".
Once they were sure that Harry had turned back around, Ron and Hermione looked up, and continued their conversation.
"I don't know Hermione, why would Harry lie about something like this?" said Ron, glancing over at Harry for the millionth time that night. His back was still facing them.
"I don't know Ron, but I don't see the logic in what Harry said" said Hermione shiftily. "I mean, we've come in contact with death eaters before, and there is no way they acted like Karnac. If Karnac is a death eater, than my name is Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore would never have sent Harry here in the first place".
"You know Hermione, Dumbledore might not know if he is or not", said Ron, as if desperately searching for a way to prove to Hermione that Harry was right. "He might think that Karnac is good, and then, when its too late, Harry is dead, and Karnac is the one who killed him".
"Don't be silly Ron", said Hermione. "Karnac is the model Headmaster. He is cheerful, and helpful, and always looking for new ways to improve magical education. There is no doubt in my mind that he asked Jake to include something about the need for improvement in magical learning in his speech".
"Now I come to think of it, Karnac is a little too cheerful, just a little, said Ron, clearly not listening to Hermione. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"If Karnac was a death eater, Harry would have been handed over to Voldemort (Ron shuddered at the name) before, when he went to see Karnac, but Harry is still here, isn't he?"
Ron was about to reply, but Karnac had gotten to his feet and had told everyone to go to bed. As the scrapping of chairs filled the hall, the rest of Ron and Hermione's conversation ended, and as Harry approached them, Hermione opened her mouth to say something to him, but he just strode past them, without even looking at them.
"Now we've done it", whispered Ron into Hermione's ear.
Hermione, looking worried, followed Ron and the rest of the school out into the Entrance Chamber, and followed the prefect from Ra house to the Ra dormitories, both of them feeling really bad about what they had said about their best friend.
"Harry, Harry, wake up, we're late!"
Harry opened his eyes. The room was brightly lit, and Jake was standing over a large trunk. He was piling robes and equipment into the trunk, and trying to get dressed at the same time, and it wasn't until he lost his balance and fell head first into the trunk that he gave up, and concentrated on straightening his robes first.
Harry, snorting with laughter, got out of bed, and pulled on his robes. Then he grabbed some robes, his books, and the equipment he will need, and stuffed them all into his truck.
"Wingardium Leviosa", Jake muttered, levitating the trunks so they floated just above the ground.
"Come on Harry, we are late enough as it is".
Harry, grabbing Hedwig's cage, and raced out the door, it closing magically behind him, then he and Jake rall all the way up the corridor, and into the Entrance Chamber, the trunks floating steady behind them.
Once in the Entrance Chamber, they stopped, panting, leaning on their trunks for support.
"Ah, nice of you two to finally join us", came a slightly annoying voice.
Harry looked up and found Professor Evans walking towards them, closely followed by Ron and Hermione.
"Where have you two been?" asked Professor Evans stiffly. "You should have been here half an hour ago".
"Sorry dad - I mean, Professor," said Jake, going very red. "I didn't get the wake up bell until fifteen minutes ago. When I saw the time, we got here as fast as we could".
"Damn that accursed chimer", said Professor Evans angrily. "That's it, if she cant do her job properly, she will be replaced, I'm sick of it".
Then he checked his watch, and almost fainted. "We have thirty seconds until the port keys are activated. Quickly now, get into place".
Professor Evans handed each of them a sock each. Harry, held onto his trunk and Hedwig's cage, as he prepared for the port keys magic to be activated.
"Good luck, and take care", said Professor Evans smiling. Five seconds later, Harry felt the familiar jerking feeling behind his navel, and then he was spinning through a swirl of colour, Hedwig's cage in one hand, and his trunk in the other.
Harry's face smashed against the cold stone floor of the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. Hedwig's cage rolled away, Hedwig screeching. Ron seized it, and turned it the right way up. Harry got to his feet and, unlocked it, and Hedwig soared into the air, out of the open oak doors, and headed out for the Owlery.
"Ah, you are here", came Dumbledore's voice.
"Good morning Professor McGonagall sir", said Jake, who had strode over to Dumbledore and was shaking his hand.
"Jake, Jake Evans. How nice to see you again", said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "How is your father? I believe he teaches transfiguration now".
"He is good sir, and yes, he is", said Jake beaming.
"Yes, a lot different from when he taught advanced NEWT level charms here at Hogwarts", said Dumbledore smiling.
"Yes sir, very different, but he enjoys it", said Jake.
"As does Professor Flitwick teaching the advanced NEWTS", said Dumbledore, then he turned to Harry and said, "Why don't you and your friends go take your things up to Gryffindor Tower, and then come down for some breakfast".
"Thank you sir", said Jake, levitating the trunks.
"My pleasure", said Dumbledore, then he went into the Great Hall, and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Jake climbed the marble staircase, Jake looking around the whole time.
"Oh I'm so glad to be back here", said Jake. "Down that corridor is where Professor McGonagall caught me kissing - um, well, lets not go into that". Jake blushed furiously, and was silent the rest of the way to Gryffindor Tower.
When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, it swung open immediately, and they stepped into the Gryffindor Common Room, their trunks following close behind them.
They then put their things in their dormitories, Jake staying in the seventh year's dormitory because they had a spare bed, and then they went down for breakfast.
Harry, sitting next to Ron, didn't even look at him. Jake shook his head and sat on Harry's other side.
Dumbledore must have sensed the tension, so he said, "Professor Snape will be along in time for the start if term feast. He sent me an owl just before you arrived. He has a few things to sort out before he get here".
There was no reply to this, and Dumbledore glanced at Professor McGonagall, who just shrugged, and went back to the paper she was reading. It was a copy of the Daily Prophet.
"Anything interesting in there Minerva?" asked Dumbledore.
"Not really", said Professor McGonagall, folding up the paper, and putting it on the table. "Just silly gossip about Americans claiming to have seen Sirius Black around their homes, which, of course, is ridiculous".
Professor McGonagall glanced at Harry, nervously, then looked away, apparently interested in her eggs.
When Harry had finished eating, he excused himself from the table, and walked into the brightly lit Entrance Hall. He was halfway up the staircase, when a sharp pain shot through his scar. A high pitched scream echoed around the hall, then Harry tumbled down the stairs. By the time he hit the last stair, he had fainted.
Only half an hour before that, when Harry had been safely eating in the Great Hall, Karnac had a visitor. Several in fact. He was sorting out paperwork on his desk, when suddenly, Lucius Malfoy appeared.
"Has Potter left yet?" asked Malfoy.
"Yes, I believe so", said Karnac, checking his watch. "Yes, he and his friends have been gone a while now".
"Excellent, now we can start adding to the plan", said Mr Malfoy. And he waved his wand and a very large piece of parchment appeared on Karnacs desk, so large, that it knocked all Karnac's paperwork onto the floor, and the end of the parchment fell onto the floor.
"Now, what we need to do is -"
"Bow to your master", came the cold, cruel voice of Lord Voldemort.
"Master, what are you doing here?" said Karnac, startled.
"Do you really need to know Karnac", said Voldemort coldly, and seeing the wide eyed look on Karnacs face, he said, "I'm kidding Karnac, lighten up. I wanted to personally make sure Malfoy didn't stuff up, and also to tell you something quiet important".
"What is it master", asked Mr Malfoy.
"Sirius Black is alive", said Voldemort angrily.
Karnac was choking on the coffee he had conjured into his cup, and Malfoy gasped.
"But, how can this be", said Karnac shrilly. "I heard Bellatrix Lestrange forced him behind the veil, he's as good as dead".
"I agree with Karnac", said Mr Malfoy. "I saw it happen with my own eyes. Black fell behind the veil, and was lost forever. This is what was to make the plan work. Potters spirit was to be broken so much that he didn't care if he lived, or died. But now that Black is alive, Potter is sure to be as happy as a pig in mud. The plan cannot proceed master. It cant".
"Oh, but it can Lucius", said Voldemort smugly. "It can indeed".
"What do you mean", said Mr Malfoy confused.
"Our young friend Mr Potter doesn't know Black is alive", said Voldemort, a smile crossing his pale face.
Grins broke out on both Karnac and Mr Malfoys faces too.
"Oh, this is to work to our advantage", said Mr Malfoy.
"Yes, it is", said Voldemort. "Now Lucius, come with me, we need to make a few adjustments to the plan". and with that, he was gone.
Mr Malfoy gathered up the parchment, rolled it up, and with a small pop, he too was gone.
Karnac sighed, rose up from his chair, gathered up his parchments and sat back down, just as there was a knock at door.
"Enter", said Karnac, piling papers on his desk, not looking up, and it wasn't until he heard the voice of the person who had entered the room, that his stomach tied itself into a knot.
"Well well well, what an interesting conversation you had just now", said Snape, his face full of malice.
"Severus, you, you don't understand", stammered Karnac. "The master, he forced me, I didn't want any of this".
"Don't lie to me Karnac", hissed Snape. "No one is ever forced to be a death eater. A person becomes a death eater of their own free will".
"But, The Master, his powers - "
"If I am strong enough to resist the power of Lord Voldemort, you most certainly are too".
And with that, he left the room, but at the door, he turned around, and said, as cold as ice, "Ill be watching you. Very, very carefully". and he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Karnac then raced to the door, locked it, then shouted", Master, can you hear me? I need to talk to you".
"What is it Karnac". I am very busy", said Voldemort.
"Master, its Snape, he was just here. He suspects something".
Voldemort laughed, a cold, cruel laugh.
"Snape? Snape is an incompetent fool. He will never figure out what we have planned, but, just in case, this certain something will make him think twice about saying anything to Dumbledore".
Voldemort waved his wand, and, thousands of miles away, Harry Potter screamed, and fainted, as the curse flowed through him.
"I… I cant believe we didn't believe him Ron".
"Well I did try telling you he could be right, but you were the one who insisted he was a raving lunatic".
"I did not say that he was a raving lunatic".
"No, not in so many words Hermione, but that's the impression you gave".
"Thank you so much Ron, you really know how to cheer a girl up".
"Glad to be of service to you".
Harry opened his eyes just in time to see Hermione glare at him, before she saw that he was awake, and almost strangled him when she threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug.
"ARE YOU MAD GIRL", came the shrill voice of Madame Pomfrey. "THE BOY HAS JUST AWOKEN FROM HAVING FAINTED. HE IS DESTRESSED ENOUGH WITHOUT YOUR ARMS CUTTING OF HIS OXYGEN!"
Hermione, bright red, let him go and hide behind Ron, as Madame Pomfrey took his temperature, checked his pulse, and unnecessarily felt his head.
"Now, you have ten minutes only", said Madame Pomfrey more calmly now that her patient wasn't in danger of suffocating to death. "Professor Dumbledore would like to talk to Mr Potter in private".
"What about?" asked Ron.
"That, Mr Weasley, isn't any of your concern", said Snape, who had just walked through the Hospital Wing Doors. "Madame Pomfrey, may I have a word to you in your office please?"
"Yes, of course Professor", said Madame Pomfrey, and they both went into her office, Snape giving Harry a last sour look, before closing the door.
Hermione immediately resumed her hugging of Harry.
"Oh, I am soooo sorry we didn't believe you before Harry", said Hermione, her voice thick through her tears".
"For goodness sake Hermione, let the poor guy breathe", said Ron, pulling Hermione off Harry.
"So, now you believe me?" said Harry rubbing his neck. "Now you believe that I'm not making this up?"
"Yes, we overheard Snape telling Dumbledore about a conversation he had heard just before you fainted. It made us feel really bad about what we had said to you. We are really sorry Harry. Are you still angry with us?"
"No, I'm not angry", said Harry, who was more relieved than anything now that they finally believed him.
"Right you two.. Out.. NOW", barked Madame Pomfrey.
"See ya later Harry", said Ron, and all Hermione did was wave, and the left the Hospital Wing, just as Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Umbridge walked in. Umbridge looked at Harry, and smiled in her toadyish way. Harry pretended not to notice her, as they approached him, and sat down.
"Now Harry", said Dumbledore, looking at Harry seriously through his half moon glasses. "I am about to use a spell to reveal something to you. A secret. A secret from within".
"What is a secret from within?" ask Harry.
"A secret from within is a secret magically put into someone without their knowledge, or power to resist. Its usually done to prevent someone from using the knowledge for their own purpose. These secrets can be dangerous for the people who have them, so they use someone else to get rid of them. In this case, it was you Harry, and we need to find out what this secret is. Poppy, the pensive please".
Madame Pomfrey went into her office and then returned with Dumbledore's stone pensive, and placed it onto Harry's bedside table. Dumbledore than put his wand to Harry's temple, muttered a spell, and a bright sliver of silver slipped into the pensive. The contents swirled very fast for a few seconds, and then slowed to its usual pace.
"Harry, it is important that you see this too", said Dumbledore smoothly.
Harry got to his feet, looked into the tiny window - like spot in the middle of the swirl, then Harry fell right through it, and onto the green grass of the Hogwarts grounds, Harry got up off the ground, brushed himself off, and looked up, right into the face of his godfather Sirius, but it was Sirius as he looked like as a child at Hogwarts himself.
"Hurry up James", he said "You have to meet Lily in half and hour. You're becoming quite the ladies man now James mate".
"Are… are you talking to me?" asked Harry stunned.
"Well I'm not talking to Dumbledore, who just happens to be standing right behind you", said Sirius, pointing to a point just behind where Harry was standing.
"Hurry along there Black. I don't want to see you in my office today, I am rather busy at the moment", said Dumbledore, frowning at Sirius.
"Yes, but I have to - "
"No excuses today Black, move along, don't make me put you in detention, Professor Dippet is not feeling very well today."
"Oh, yes sir", said Sirius glumly, and he headed for the castle, winking at Harry when Dumbledore wasn't looking.
"Umm… Professor", said Harry. "This is going to sound strange, but - "
"What is going to sound strange Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"Oh, so you know its me, and not dad", said Harry relieved.
"Yes, I know its you Harry. I came through the pensive just after you did, but I must say, it is quite peculiar that we should come back to something like this.. unless I am very much mistaken, this is the day of your fathers sixteenth birthday. How very odd to want to bring you back here unless… oh yes.. I see why".
Harry looked at the place where Dumbledore was looking and his jaw nearly dropped… it was a young Karnac. And a very different Karnac from what he had met… this Karnac was.. Well… there is no other way to put it… but this Karnac was a down right male version of Hermione.
His books were hanging from his shoulders and he even had a prefect badge.
"Ah yes," said Dumbledore. "I remember now. Karnac was the first prefect to ever be, not only score the highest OWLS score in Britain's magical history, but he also was the youngest person to ever be involved with Voldemort".
Harry was thinking about what Sirius had said about having to meet Lily.. He checked his watch. It was half past one.
"Well Harry, I think we should go see you mother. Remember Harry, try not to act so to surprised…. We need to keep this as kind as possible, or the spell will be ruined, and we will both end up with rather nasty bruises after the pensive spits us out."
"But, where will I meet her?" asked Harry. "Sirius didn't tell me".
"Well, when your father and mother were at school here, they spent a lot of time in the library together. I think we should try there".
So both Harry and Dumbledore walked up to the castle, and through the Oak front doors, to be almost knocked over by a very angry Professor McGonagall.
"POTTER… THERE YOU ARE. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, YOUR CLASS STARTED OVER FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO".
Although a lot younger looking than she does now, Professor McGonagall was still as strict as ever, he mouth very thin.
"Relax Minerva, James has been with me this whole time", said Dumbledore, putting his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Oh I'm glad you are here Dumbledore, Peeves has smeared shrieking slim all over the trophy room".
"Hmm. Take this potion and splash it over the slim, then go fetch the Bloody Baron to deal with Peeves. I have urgent matters to attend to".
Professor McGonagall took a bottle from Dumbledore, and then strode off quickly in the direction of the Trophy Room.
Harry and Dumbledore headed to the library, and once they arrived there, they went in searching for Harry's mother. They spotted her in the Astronomy section, and Dumbledore started talking to a student who had asked him a question about something Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher before Hagrid, had set him for homework. Dumbledore helped the student while he carefully payed attention to Harry and Lily.
"Hi Lily", said Harry, in a way he hoped would sound like his father.
"Oh here you are James, I was starting to think you weren't coming", said Lily, as she embraced Harry and kissed his cheek. Clearly James and Lily had began going out even while they were at school. Harry, meanwhile, was finding it difficult to act normal. His face was bright red from being kissed and he was fidgeting.
"Come on James, lets go somewhere more private so we can talk", said Lily, and her and Harry started walking out of the library, but before they could go near the door, Karnac burst through, holding what looked like a wizard cracker. He thrust it at Lily, then ran off. The cracker burst in Lily's face. Lily screamed, then fell to the floor.
A cold cackle filled the room, followed by a voice Harry didn't think would be heard… It was the voice of Lord Voldemort.
"One day you Mudbloods will get what you all deserve, one day you will all bow down to me, or face the consequences. Come Karnac, it is time to leave, but before you do… OBLIVIATE!"
A bright flash of light filled the library as students and teachers minds were erased of what had just happened, but instinct had told Harry to move Lily out of the library, so by the time Voldermort wiped everyone's memory, Harry and Lily were in the corridor. Then, all of a sudden, the corridor disappeared and Harry was thrust into the air, and found himself on his back on the Hospital Wing floor.
He was back. Out of the Pensive. Dumbledore followed shortly afterwards.
"Excuse me Albus, but Fudge is demanding an update", said Umbridge in her false sweet voice.
"You can tell him that Karnac is definitely a death eater," said Dumbledore, walking over to the pensive and taking it back into Madam Pomfrey's office, then returning to sit at the foot of Harrys bed.
"I shall, I'm sure the Minister will want to act quickly", said Umbridge
"No Delores", said Dumbledore sternly. "You will tell Cornelius that he is not to do anything to karnac until I am sure he is a real threat or not. Do I make myself clear?"
"Erm… yes headmaster", said Umbridge, raising an eyebrow.
"You may join Ron and Hermione in Gryffindor Tower to get ready for the beginning of term feast Harry", said Dumbledore. "There are some things I need to attend to".
Harry thought about what he had seen in the pensive as he walked up to Gryffindor Tower five minutes later. What had it all mean? Harry didn't know, but he would know soon enough.
Harry watched from the high table, as the first years came into the Great Hall, most looking scared, and some of them were wearing smiles of glee, as if they could hardly believe that they were actually at Hogwarts.
This was a whole new experience for Harry, as he had never seen what it was like to see the first years from up at the high table, having only ever sat at the Gryffindor Table. Now he was sitting up there however, he could see the whole of the Great Hall. As soon as the first years were lined up in front of the rest of the school, Dumbledore got to his feet, and the low chatter died out.
"Welcome back, I hope that you are all well and rested from your holidays", said Dumbledore smiling. "And welcome new first years. I hope your first year at Hogwarts will be one to remember."
"First, I would like to get a few announcements out of the way, before we dig into our delicious feast".
"I would like to welcome back Professor Umbridge, who has agreed to fill in for Professor Snape while he is away".
There was a mixed response to this. Some of the students, all the Slytherins included, clapped and whistled as Umbridge got to her feet and bowed. The Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws however, looked shocked and stunned to see Umbridge back after what had happened the year before.
"Another addition to our teaching staff should make most of you very happy", said Dumbledore happily.
"After talking with the Minister of Magic, and convincing parents that everything will be safe with him here, I am very glad to announce, that Professor Lupin has agreed to return to Hogwarts this year to teach Defence Against The Dark Arts, and hopefully, many years to come".
The entire hall burst into applause as Lupin came out of the chamber to the side of the high table. Harry had forgotten that there was no Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher this year, and was quite surprised to see Lupin, sitting there, next to Harry.
"Hi Harry, thought it would be a good surprise for you to see me here", said Lupin smiling.
Harry smiled back and then looked back at Dumbledore, but not before he heard Malfoy say, "wait until my father hears about this," and he looked over at Umbridge, who, looked horrified to see him. Professor Umbridge hates half-breeds.
"Now, I have a very important announcement to make", said Dumbledore, and the applause died out.
"It would seem that Hogwarts in the past few years has been very lucky, and very unlucky, but this piece of information can be put in the very lucky pile. I am very pleased to announce that three of our best students are having the wonderful opportunity to go to another wizard school. Overseas."
People at the tables were whispering silently to each other, and the first years looked around at each other, friends talking in hushed voices. Dumbledore cleared his throat, and continued.
"Yes, three of Hogwarts finest students have had the wonderful opportunity to experience what other wizard schools teach, and all the wonderful things they do as well. The school that was chosen, is the Tutankhamen School for the Magic Arts and Egyptian Hieroglyphics".
More whispers followed this. Tutankhamen's got a lot of good reviews".
"The three students are…"
"Miss Hermione Granger, Mr Ronald Weasley, and Mr Harry Potter. Don't their robes just look amazing?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione got the there feet, and looked out at rest of the hall, as they clapped".
"And, we also have the great pleasure of having a student from the school here as a representative of the school. He was also a student here at one stage too. Please welcome Mr Jake Evans."
Clapping started, and obvious friends of Jake clapped hardest, then the applause died out, and the hall was silent again.
"Well now", said Dumbledore. "I think it is time these new students were sorted. Professor McGonagall if you would please".
"Professor McGonagall got to her feet, went into the small chamber off the high table, and emerged again with a stool, and the Hogwarts Sorting Hat, and put them in front of Dumbledore.
Then a rip in the brim opened up, and the hat began to sing: -
She unrolled a long roll of parchment and started reading the list of names, beginning with "Abercrombie, Charles".
Charles Abercrombie was a short, darkly tanned boy, with short blonde hair. He walked up to the hat, pulled on the hat, which completely covered his eyes, and sat there as the hat decided on what house to put him in. Finally, the hat shouted "SLYTHERIN", and the roaring of applause followed as little Charlie went over to the Slytherin Table.
"Atkinson, William".
William went over to the hat, and was soon sorted into Gryffindor. Two more first years went into Gryffindor, before a brown haired girl went into Hufflepuff, and Professor McGonagall started with the C's.
Harry looked around at all the students sitting at the house tables, looking up at the hat sorting the students, and was jerked out of a slight daze, when a familiar name met his ears.
"Edgecombe, Chester"
Chester Edgecombe was a boy from Harry's Primary School, and was to suppose to be going to Stonewall High; the same school Harry was supposed to be going to if he hadn't found out he was a wizard. He was also Harry's only friend when he was in primary school, having kept their friendship a very well kept secret, because if anyone had found out, it would have eventually reached Dudley's ears, and Dudley would have pounded Chester senseless.
Ron, seeing the look of astonishment asked, "Whats wrong Harry? Do you know this kid?"
"Yeah, I do, but I haven't seen him in ages", said Harry, still looking at Chester's face. Chester put the hat on, and a moment later, was sorted into Gryffindor.
"I will also add, to clear up any confusion", said Professor McGonagall. "That Chester is not in first year, he is a sixth year, and has come to Hogwarts from Eton, and had to be sorted.
The few people with confused looks on their faces gave a small, "oh", then continued watching the rest of the first years being sorted.
When Zelinski, Jennifer was sorted into Ravenclaw, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, and carried the stool, and hat out of the hall. Then Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again, and everyone looked at him.
"Now that all of the first years, and Mr Edgecombe have been sorted, I can continue with the normal beginning of term announcements…"
"First of all, I must warn the first years that the forbidden forest is out of bounds to all students, and I mean all students".
Dumbledore's eyes came to a rest on Harry, who was sitting not far from him, then wandered out to the tables in front of him, and swept past Fred and George Weasley, who's lives revolved around doing dangerous things such as tackling the dangerous creatures that lurked inside the forest.
"Also, I must tell you that my office, and the four classrooms that surround it on both sides are out of bounds as well, because they are in great need of redecorating. The entire corridor has been roped off, and anyone caught inside the roped off area will receive three weeks worth of detentions and will be forbidden of visiting Hogsmeade for an entire term. You may think this would be a bit harsh, but I feel you would prefer this type of punishment a lot more than death".
Dumbledore exchanged a look with Professor McGonagall, and then he continued.
"Well, I think I have said what has been needed", said Dumbledore smiling. "Oh, except this. Dig in".
And as usual, the empty plates and goblets filled with food magically, and the sound of chatter broke out in full as students talked about their summer, and what they did over the holidays, and the first years introduced themselves to their fellow house members.
"You know Harry", said Dumbledore over the chatter. "If you want, you can go over to the Gryffindor table and sit with your friends, you too Mr Weasley and Miss Granger".
As soon as that was said, Harry, Ron, and Hermione rose to their feet and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
Harry looked over looking for Chester, and he found him sitting with Neville and Seamus, so he said "I'll see you guys later", and he went over to where Chester was sitting.
"Hi Harry", said Seamus brightly, looking up as Harry approached. "This is Chester Harry, he has some really interesting stories about Eton. It seems like a really cool wizarding school".
"Yeah, its really cool, and I already know Harry Seamus", said Chester slightly red. "How are you Harry?"
"I'm good", said Harry. "But your, a… a… a…"
"A wizard yeah. I found out just like you did. I didn't know you were a wizard until I went to Eton and found your name in quite a lot of books, mostly books on dark arts and stuff like that, but then you started appearing in the Daily Prophet, and it all was kinda weird for a little while, but I got used to it before long".
It seemed that Chester had wanted to say this for so long, because it all came out in a rush of words.
"Why didn't you tell me you were a wizard? Why didn't you send me an owl or something?"
"Ah, you see, I wasn't sure it was such a good idea, with all that is happening and with You Know Who being back, I was afraid the letters may have been intercepted, and You Know Who would find out where you were and stuff, and I thought it might have been a bit of a shock to you if I sent you a letter explaining everything to you, and besides, the muggles you live with might have kicked you out of their house if they knew you were friends with a wizard while at primary school, so I thought it would be better to just leave it.
Then my dad said we were moving, and it would be too far to keep going to Eton, and I would be going to Hogwarts instead, so I thought cool, I will finally see Harry, and he will know all about me".
Chester was speaking a lot in a short space of time, and after a while, Harry got confused at what he was saying. Harry never remembered Chester ever talking this much before.
"Sorry if I was a bit fast Harry", said Chester, and Harry jumped. "But I just wanted to tell you all this".
"Its ok", said Harry. "So, how have you been?"
"I've been good thank you", said Chester brightly.
Harry started eating and was happy and content for a while. But after a while, images started to come up in Harry's head. Images of someone being tortured. It was Voldemort doing the torturing, he was sure of it. But Harry didn't tell anyone about it. He just kept eating silently, Ron and Hermione talking quietly next to him, and the images kept running through Harry's mind. Then something in the visions made Harry actually pay attention to them. (If you want to know what it is, I suggest you keep reading lol)…
"HOW DARE YOU DECIEVE ME! YOU WILLPAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE"
Voldemort was furious. His wand was pointed at the throat of a man that nobody had seen in a long time. That man, was Igor Karkaroff.