Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter related belong to J.K. Rowling, and all things "Aliens" and "Predator" related belong to 20th Century Fox and such. However the plot belongs to me. Also my friend Katie and my friend Writer Chica were kind enough to beta read my story.
Harry Potter and the Alien HiveChapter 7: Infestation
Albus Dumbledore sat back in his chair, and sighed heavily. This infestation had to be one of the greatest disasters that had ever struck Hogwarts. Each of these black creatures were as dangerous as the Basilisk. Sure they lacked eyes that could kill in a single glare, but their teeth and claws and spiked tails took care of that with almost as much ease, and worst of all there were a lot of them.
Why? Why did he let those explorers bring the big, black creature here? To prevent Voldemort from getting his hands on it, that's why. But at what cost? The events that had taken place hours ago where precisely what he had feared Voldemort would use the creature for. Death and devastation. Ironically the death had occurred in the house the Dark Lord had belonged to when he was in school. Slytherin. Those poor children, they did not deserve that end anymore than any Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.
Dumbledore sighed again and pulled out a large book. It was an album of pictures, both photograph and paintings. He turned immediately to one page in particular. The picture was painting Dumbledore had painted himself, but like all the others it moved. The picture was of Dumbledore at the ripe age of 120 and a very unusual acquaintance he had made. The picture resurfaced memories of the actual event that had taken place.
He walked into the back of his office and stopped at a small bookcase and pulled out a book titled "Extraterrestrial Muggles and More." In response to the book being removed, the bookcase moved aside to reveal a short flight of steps that led to an old wood door. He opened it. Inside a small room, mounted on a wall was the skull of a dragon, one of the two he and his acquaintance had slain. Directly below it on a small table lay a broken, metal mask. Dumbledore picked up the mask and looked at it wondering if his "acquaintance," or another of his kind would come back to hunt a different kind of dragon. The black creatures that now resided in the House of Slytherin.
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10 hours. That's what it took to get the other students scanned and evacuated, and set up a barrier around the entire castle so that none of the black creatures could get out. For the scanning, Madam Pomphrey had a medical spell that sort of worked like and x-ray machine, and in this particular case, it could be used to see if someone was infected or not. Harry was relieved that despite his dreams, he was not infected.
Before the evacuation had started he asked his fellow students if anyone would stay behind with him to look for survivors in Slytherin, and if they should, to meet him in front of Dumbledore's office when the evacuation was complete. Harry took a seat in front of the Gargoyle at the entrance to Dumbledore's office and waited. He doubted very much that anyone in Slytherin would still be alive by this time, but still he did not feel right leaving until he had at least checked.
He was not sure whether to be surprised or not when he saw Ron and Hermione walking down the hallway toward him. They had always accompanied him on his adventures, so it was no surprise that they would accompany him now, but even still this mission was unlike anything they had faced before.
Ron looked none too happy as he approached, Harry could see why when he saw the person walking behind Hermione. It was Ron's little sister Ginerva "Ginny" Weasely.
Behind them was Luna Lovegood looking almost ecstatic about the whole thing. She was followed by Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Justin Finch-Fletchly and Neville Longbottom.
However, Harry felt his jaw drop slightly when behind the rest of them walked Cho Chang, his former object of affection, and Michael Cornor the person she was now seeing. Behind the students were Professor Snape and Professor Lupin.
Harry greeted everyone and thanked them for coming, he said the password, and the passage to the Headmaster's office was open. Dumbledore was just putting what looked like a large photo album away when they came in.
Dumbledore looked tired and weary, Harry couldn't help feeling pity for him.
"I must make it clear I still do not fully approve of this, however it must be done, we must attempt to rescue any student that may still be alive. Even if I was to alert the Ministry of Magic this moment, it would be too late by the time soldiers from the ministry arrived. It may be too late already." Dumbledore said quietly.
"We have to try." Harry said. "At least we'll know we've done all we can. And you have to warn the ministry of what has happened. They'll believe anything you say since Voldemort has returned."
The other students nodded in agreement.
"I still don't like the idea of the children going into the lions' den with us." Snape spoke coldly.
"For once Snape and I agree on something." Lupin spoke in a less harsh tone, but was still serious
"Going in there by yourselves is no good. You would surely be overwhelmed, caught and killed." Luna stated with as much calm as one would announce what time it was.
"Sound point." Lupin nodded.
"Before I leave for the Ministry, I will strengthen the outer barriers of this castle to ensure that these creatures do not escape. My fireplace will be the only one open to the network. Once you have searched Slytherin you must come back here immediately and get out of this castle." Dumbledore said gravely.
"Now that sounds like the best idea I've heard all day." Justin Finch-Fletchly spoke.
"However," Dumbledore continued as if Justin had not spoken. "strengthening of the outer barriers will result in weakening and lowering of the inner barriers, allowing the creatures access to the rest of the castle. "
Everyone was silent from that point on.
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Hikate stepped off the ship and looked at the enormous ooman building ahead of them.
"I did not know oomans built dwellings like that." Ajka came up from behind Hikate and looked at the castle. "A perfect maze to hunt the Hard Meat."
"Remember we're on a mission, not a hunt." Hikate reminded his fellow leader of the pack.
"I know, but my mouth waters at the possibility of a hunt without being responsible for ten hot headed youngsters." Ajka stretched his arms back behind him as far as his armor would allow.
"Ah yes, lucky you. But then no one has turned out better Hard Meat hunters than you." Hikate almost chuckled.
"It's not so bad all the time. In fact it's kind of fun to guess who's going to be the best of the class." Ajka looked back at the other yautja double checking their armor and weapons, the young warrior named Katja caught his eye. It had been Katja who had informed the clan about the stray kainde amedha, Hard Meat, queen on the ooman planet. "However, sometimes I wish I could go solo. But as we know it's forbidden to set out hard meat on a planet just for yourself. By the way didn't you hunt giant lizards on this planet, Hikate?"
"Dragons. Yes, I hunted them not long after my blooding ceremony."
"You were allowed to go to ooman that young? How many did you kill?" Ajka turned back to face Hikate.
"Two." Hikate answered hesitantly.
"Then why is there only one dragon in your trophy case?" Ajka challenged.
"The other one was destroyed in the battle." Hikate lied.
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Okay this is just one of those chapters that's the aftermath of an action sequence and the build up to one. These are always the hardest chapters for me to write.
Anywho, next chapter we're going to find out that Draco isn't as dead as we all think is. And we get a part from a perspective you'd never think to see.
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Till Next Time!
-Vega Sailor