Chapter 12
Monday evening came round fast and Harry anxiously made his way to the Great Hall to help with the lower years Defence Club. He found that it was organised pretty much the same as his had been, with six students to a coloured mat and Harry was given two mats to watch over. Among his twelve students for the year were three Gryffindors; Amelia Diggle, Gabby Finnegan and Mark Evans. All twelve students looked nervously at Harry when they saw that he'd be watching them, particularly Mark.
After the students were given some instructions and a demonstration from Bill and Lupin of a shield charm and then a summoning charm; Harry was left to himself and his charges. At first all the students just stood and watched Harry silently, waiting for instructions and Harry thought to himself that there was no way when he was their age that he was that timid.
"Well off you go then, start with the summoning charm" he said smiling encouragingly. The charms that they were starting with were charms that Harry had used many times and had gotten him out of quite a few tricky situations so he was quite happy to give pointers.
The results of the twelve of them trying to summon a cushion were hysterical and Harry had to try very hard not to laugh. In twos they then had to take it in turns summoning the cushion and then repelling it at their partner who had to deflect it with a shield charm. Amelia Diggle managed to send hers flying in to Selene Aversham on the next mat creating a domino effect as all the students on that mat toppled over one by one. Only Gabby Finnegan actually managed it successfully on her first attempt, and Harry could tell she was definitely going to be another Hermione.
As Harry was stood watching Rose Zeller on his blue mat, he heard a voice grumbling behind him. As he turned round he heard Louis Bennett complaining to Mark Evans that as hard as these charms were, there was no way they'd be of any use against a gang of deatheaters or Voldemort; though he only got halfway through saying Voldemorts' name as he saw Harry was looking at him.
"Right everyone come over here" Harry said to his twelve students and they all trotted over nervously and stood around him in a semi circle.
"Now all through school you are going to get shown hundreds of spells and taught how to use them; some will be easy and some will be hard. You may think that some of the stuff is so simple and mundane and isn't worth learning; you may be itching to get on to the hard, complicated ones and that some of the spells you'll be taught here are nothing to do with defence but I'm telling you straight … in a panic or if you get cornered it will only be the simplest spells that you remember".
At which point Louis Bennett snorted disbelievingly. "Like we're going to knock a deatheater out with a cushion!"
"Maybe not" Harry replied "But you can throw a chair at them to get away, or summon a broom"
"Like your triwizard task" Gabby added enthusiastically "Seamus told me all about it; was the dragon really fifty feet tall?"
"No" Harry laughed "but the best advice I can give you is this … it doesn't matter how many charms or curses you learn; the most important thing you can teach yourselves is how to deal with fear. Its fear that'll make you panic and forget things, and its fear that makes you freeze. Just remember that no one is invincible; not me, not any of you and not Voldemort".
"Yeah but you fought him four times now and you're still here" Selene pointed out.
"But not because of my own magic skills. All those times I survived because of luck and the people around me. Don't think for a second that I managed it on my own because I didn't. When I was a baby I survived because my mum died, all the other times I had help from my friends, Dumbledore and the Order".
Each of the students stood silently for a moment, contemplating what Harry had said; a few looked disappointed and Louis in particular still looked unconvinced. Harry sighed to himself as he always seemed to get this reaction when he told people the truth; no one seemed to believe that he wasn't the next 'Great' Dumbledore.
Looking round Harry noticed that the next two mats and Lupin had also been listening to him.
"Okay people … I think we have done enough for today!" Lupin called out loudly and clapping his hands together all the cushions that were mid-air, tumbled down on to the mats.
As the students scrambled off their mats and made their way out of the Great Hall, Harry waved his wand and summoned all the cushions off his mats into one pile while Lupin and Bill stood by the doors speaking to the students as they exited.
Harry made his way over to them as the last of the students started heading up the marble staircase to their common rooms.
"Shattering the illusions of the young and innocent I hear!" Bill grinned at Harry.
"Nothing wrong with giving them a more realistic version of events … they have to be prepared, they have to know how dangerous things are … toughen them up a bit" Harry shrugged
"Sometimes innocence is a good thing … stops you doing silly things" Lupin smiled.
"Maybe, maybe not" Harry replied thinking about all the shocks he'd had when he'd learnt about what had really happened to his parents over the years. If he hadn't have been put with the Dursleys' and brought up as a muggle he might have been better prepared when he came to Hogwarts.
"Right!" Bill said cheerfully "I'm off to Hogsmeade for a drink, are you coming Remus … I know a certain person is going to be there tonight". Harry looked at Bill curiously as Bill winked at Lupin, then he turned to look at Lupin who had gone bright red.
"Well … I suppose one drink wouldn't hurt!" Lupin stuttered, nervously twirling his wand.
"What have I missed?" Harry grinned watching Lupin squirm.
"Nothing … absolutely NOTHING!" Lupin stated giving Bill a distinctly disgruntled look.
"Well I'd better head back to Gryffindor Tower then" Harry smirked as he walked past Lupin, wondering who Bill had been referring to.
"See you first thing Harry!" Bill called happily at which Lupin turned and looked at him warily.
Two weeks flew by and the first Quidditch match against Hufflepuff arrived. Harry and Ron had been unable to get any information out of Bill about Lupin's crush, but more annoyingly it appeared Hermione knew but wouldn't reveal anything either. So they had thrown themselves in to training instead.
Sitting in the Great Hall, Harry tried to force down some toast as everyone around him chatted about the new teams. The whole team was excited and no one felt like eating much breakfast so they went back to Gryffindor Tower to get their things and then started to make their way down to the Quidditch stadium.
As they headed down the stairs into the Entrance Hall, however, they were greeted by a huge crowd as it seemed everyone else was eager to get to the stadium for the first match as well. What surprised Harry however was seeing Professor Trelawney stood near the door with Firenze, the centaur. Both teachers were now teaching Divination and from what Harry had heard from Parvarti Patil, Professor Trelawney was not happy about it at all; and which was perfectly clear as Trelawney kept giving annoyed, irritated glances to the blond, palamino centaur on her right.
"Are you coming Sybil?" Professor Mcgonagall asked agitated "Or are you going to hover here for the whole afternoon. It's perfectly safe you know; Professor Dumbledore is already there!"
"Maybe she's had a vision she's going to get hit by a bludger" Ron grinned as they got closer.
"As it flies threw your hoop, you mean" Hermione added smirking at which Ron's grin turned quickly to a glare.
"Knock it off" Ginny muttered as Professor Trelawney teetered on high bright green shoes and peered out through the door whilst pushing her glasses back up her nose. "No my dear Minerva I don't think so. I cannot be among crowds; too many people to read, too many dark thoughts and doomed spirits!"
As they passed by Harry distinctly heard Professor Mcgonagall snort fairly loudly but her expression never changed. "Yes well you stay then but I must get going and take my seat".
"I wonder if Firenze is coming" Ginny asked peering round to look back up the path.
"I doubt it" Hermione replied. "He doesn't leave the school these days; I suppose its not safe for him anymore".
"Sad though isn't it that the others all turned on him, just because he came to help us" Ron added.
"Now, now" Professor Mcgonagalls voice came from behind them as they reached the wooden entrance to the Quidditch stadium. "Gloomy talk is not going to win Gryffindor this match; I want happy thoughts!" she said clapping her hands enthusiastically.
"Yes Professor" Harry replied and as Mcgonagall left them to make her way to her place in the stands, Ron peered around and muttered "I'll have some of whatever she's been drinking!"
Harry laughed and turned to make his way down to the changing rooms with Ron and Ginny while Hermione and Neville followed their Head of House up the stairs.
The first half of the match went incredibly well. At half time Gryffindor were eighty points up with Ginny having scored sixty points all on her own and Ron was doing particularly well at stopping all the Hufflepuff chasers attempts at scoring so far; the other house really was taking a hammering. It was three minutes in to the second half that all the students lost concentration on the match.
As Erin Dowill was streaking towards the Hufflepuff goalkeeper, Quaffle under her arm and dodging bludgers, a loud piercing siren went off and from the air Harry could see little red flashes coming from the pockets of the aurors that were patrolling inside the stadium and the outside. It took him a few seconds to click what he was seeing as he watched all the aurors save ten, go pelting down the driveway and out through the school gates. The remaining aurors positioned themselves around the stadium though two went out in to the grounds.
Everyone had stopped and had been watching the events on the ground. A few students were already heading for the steps, while others shuffled round unsure of what to do. Harry of course realised that none of the other students would have known what the alarm was or the red light.
Almost immediately after the large group of aurors had left, Professor Mcgonagall amplified her voice and told all the students to remain calm and stay where they were. Harry looked and saw that Professor Dumbledore was no longer in his seat. As Mcgonagall assured everyone there was no problem at Hogwarts and that the match would resume momentarily, Harry saw Professor Dumbledore emerge at the gates of the stadium with Professor Snape. They spoke briefly with the auror guarding the gates, and after a brief glance up at Professor Mcgonagalls stand, Dumbledore turned and swiftly made his way down the drive, pursued closely by Professor Snape.
The alarms had made everyone nervous and as the game continued there were quite a few clumsy passes as the players were watching for events on the ground as well as in the air. Gryffindor had its first Quidditch victory of the season however and in the end, beat Hufflepuff by 210 points to 90. As the Gryffindor team was doing a celebratory lap around the stadium, however, a loud voice boomed out over the shouts of the crowd.
"Would all students please return to their common rooms immediately. Do not rush there is no need for panic. Players if you could go straight back as well, you will all be informed of events on your return". Harry looked round and saw Professor Dumbledore standing next to Mcgonagall in the Gryffindor stand. He had quietened his voice and was now whispering something to her.
Hermione met them by the gate as they queued to make their way back up to the castle. Usually they made their way back up to the castle to cheers and backslaps but this time students wandered up whispering in hushed voices in little huddles, staring at the aurors that lined the pathway back up to the school.
Harry didn't say much but he noticed that a few looked a bit upset and a few had rips in their robes and hazy eyes. He also noticed Ginny a bit further up talking to Professor Snape a little way from the Entrance Hall door.
As Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville and Luna made their way in to the Entrance Hall Professor Mcgonagall stepped in front of them and took them to one side. "Harry … Neville" she said sombrely trying very hard to look composed and Harry panicked; something was wrong. Where was Lupin? Harry hadn't seen him at the match.
"You are both to come to Professor Dumbledore's office immediately; the rest of you return to the common room and I will be with you shortly".
Walking down the corridor that lead to the stairs to Dumbledores office, Harry felt physically sick. Professor Mcgonagall had refused to tell them another word and walked silently in front of them. Looking at Neville, Harry could see that he too was just as worried as Harry was and had gone a spectacularly pale shade of white.
The air was heavy as they passed the statue and rose up the winding staircase and on reaching the landing at the top Professor Mcgonagall directed Neville to take a seat on a small wooden chair that had been placed to one side of the large oak door.
Hesitantly Harry followed Professor Mcgonagall in to Dumbledore's office and relief rushed through him as Lupin turned around from the fireplace to face him as they entered. From the purple armchair Professor Dumbledore raised his wand to close the door that Harry had left open and then called him to take a seat opposite him whilst Remus remained standing at Dumbledore's side.
"I am afraid I have some unfortunate news for you Harry but I can not go in to great detail at the moment. Remus will be able to tell you more on your way back to the common room as I must speak with Mr Longbottom. Now as you are aware there was a bit of a commotion at the Quidditch match earlier when some of the aurors were called away". Harry nodded but said nothing.
"Well they were called away because of a number of attacks today on muggle and magic families" Dumbledore paused and removing his glasses he wiped them on his robes before replacing them and continuing. "Unfortunately your Aunt and cousin were one of the targets today though they are safe and well so there is no need to panic".
Confused Harry looked round at each of the Professors faces unsure how he was supposed to react. He had spent most of his life hating the Dursleys with a vengeance and had been looking forward to the day that he was free from having to live with them but all the same they were family and he supposed he should be worried for them.
"What happened?" Harry asked "Why them?"
"I am afraid I am going to have to leave your questions with Remus Harry as I must speak to Mr Longbottom now".
"Come Harry" Lupin said walking forward, gesturing for Harry to get up before Harry could ask about why Neville was called too. "I'll explain the rest on the way".
Leaving Dumbledores' office, Harry smiled weakily at Neville as he and Lupin passed, sensing that maybe his was not the only family attacked today. Professor Mcgonagall came out behind them and called Neville in to the office and as Harry looked back over his shoulder as he started to walk down the stairs he saw Neville shuffling in nervously and the door closed with a loud bang.
The corridors were silent as all the students were now waiting in their common rooms and as Harry and Lupin made their way back top Gryffindor Tower, Lupin explained about what had happened to the Dursleys that afternoon. Petunia and Dudley had been to the doctor's surgery on the High Street in Little Whinging as Dudley had a cold when a death eater used the imperius curse to lure them in to an alleyway. Luckily Arabella Figg had been following them and was able to raise the alarm before they had been tortured to badly.
"From what the Ministry has been able to work out the death eater's orders were to kill only you Aunt and cousin but he decided to have a bit of … fun with them beforehand".
"The cruciatus curse" Harry mumbled "Who was it … the death eater I mean. They caught him then if you know what his orders were".
"Ah well that's where it gets a bit confusing Harry. The death eater was Randall Zeller".
"The ministry worker who went missing in the summer?"
"Yes. He is in St Mungos at the moment under Ministry guard having tests run as he's not quite right … the healers think he's been under the Imperius curse and forced to do what he did but the Ministry wants to be sure. By all accounts he was acting completely mad when they first found him. Tried to physically take a few chunks out of the aurors after they had de-wanded him and he used to be such a calm, placid man Harry. The curse has addled his mind if you ask me; he would never have hurt a fly before".
"Why attack the Dursleys though?" Harry asked.
"Dumbledore thinks that Voldemort has worked out how to break your protection spell by removing your blood bond by killing your only living blood relatives. He was worried this might happen which is why he has still had the Order keeping an eye on your Aunt".
"Dementors and death eaters were in Little Whinging over the summer" Harry added thinking aloud.
"That was when Dumbledore realised they weren't just looking for you. He tried to warn Petunia but she wasn't having any of it, she was always stubborn".
"Does this mean I don't have to go back to the Dursleys next summer?" Harry grinned hopefully and Lupin smiled back.
"No you will have to spend a little time with them it just wont be at Privet Drive anymore. The house was protected to a certain degree before so you were safe while you were there and that why there were sightings all over the town as they couldn't find you. But now they are looking for your family as well its not safe for any of you to be there anymore".
Harry's face was turned looking at Lupin and as they wandered round a bend in the corridor he walked straight through Nearly Headless Nick who was patrolling the hallway. The sudden icy blast made him shiver as Nick tutted and moaned to Lupin about the perils of being non corporeal then floated away down the corridor.
"Nothing changes" Lupin smiled softly and they continued towards the Tower. The Dursleys had been moved to another house but Dumbledore was not saying where, just that Vernon Dursley had not been very happy about it. Harry was very curious as to how they had been able to convince his Uncle to move in the first place but was unable to ask as they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Everyone is inside waiting" she announced solemnly to Lupin as she swung open to let them in.
Usually after a Quidditch match when Harry entered common room it was to loud bangs and cheers but this time there were just odd whispers then silence as everyone stopped talking and looked to Harry and Lupin for news.
"Professor Mcgonagall will be here shortly" Lupin announced to the room. "You are all to remain here until she arrives and you will be told more then". Turning to face Harry he spoke in a lowered voice. "I have to get back; I will see you later but don't worry about your Aunt they are fine just a bit shocked".
As Lupin left the room Hermione, Ron and Ginny rushed over as Gryffindor students started shouting out questions. "What's happened Harry?" "Why did they want you and Neville?" "Is the rumour true has there been another attack and a whole wizard family is dead?" "You haven't got any family left have you?"
"What?" Harry replied completely confused. "What rumour? Who's dead?"
"Euan overheard Professor Snape telling Hagrid someone was dead but he didn't hear a name" Hermione explained. "Everyone is panicking because we aren't allowed to go and send any messages and it wasn't just you and Neville called either. A couple of Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were called out too".
"Surprisingly no Slytherins though" Ron added sarcastically. "Why were you called anyway?"
"The Dursleys were attacked but they are okay" Harry explained.
"Pity" Ron added.
"Ron!" Hermione said slapping his arm.
"Where's Neville?" Ginny asked.
"With Dumbledore I think … he went in after me".
"Did Dumbledore mention why Neville was there too?" Ginny added quietly.
"No and I didn't get a chance to ask".
"Shush" Hermione hissed as the portrait swung open and Professor Mcgonagall came in followed by Professor Lupin. All the Gryffindor students had stopped talking and were looking at Mcgonagall waiting for her to speak.
"She's been crying" Hermione whispered.
"As you have all heard already, I am sure; there have been a number of attacks today within the magical community. The Aversham family in Ravenclaw are currently in St Mungos as are a number of aurors" Professor Mcgonagall paused and looked sadly around the room and Harry noticed she never mentioned the Dursleys'.
"Unfortunately one of our own has also been touched by these tragic events today and it is my sad duty to inform you that Neville's Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle have been killed defending a muggle-born friend. I have ask you all to be supportive and compassionate when Neville feels able to return to classes and Gryffindor Tower as he is on his own now and is going to need all his friends. Seamus and Dean could you go and put Nevilles things in his trunk and bring it down for me please?"
As Seamus and Dean rushed up the stairs closely followed by a number of other boys who wanted to help, Hermione went over to talk to Professor Mcgonagall.
"The poor thing…" Ginny kept muttering over and over again.
"I wonder where he'll go." Ron asked Harry.
"Haven't got a clue" Harry replied sadly "But I know just how he's feeling right now and I don't think I'd want to come back here either".
"He's still got his parents though" Ginny added quietly.
"Has he?" Harry sighed. "We all saw them in St Mungo's they don't know he exists. He may as well be an orphan now".
A few minutes later Hermione pushed her way back over to the corner to let them know she was going back to Dumbledore's office with the professors to see if Neville wanted her to stay with him for the night. Ron didn't look to happy but he didn't say anything. As the portrait door closed and students started drifting off towards the dormitories Harry made his way upstairs. The Quidditch victory was now a vague memory that no one now felt like celebrating and he suddenly had the urge to sit down and go through his trunk and look at Sirius' belongings that he had brought with him from Grimmauld Place.