Harry Potter and the Guardians of Power
Usual Disclaimers apply, folks – They belong to J.K. Rowling but I like to twist the plots and play with their minds, but all in fun, so if you recognize it, it isn't mine!
AN: Please read and review and thanks especially to those of you who have reviewed every chapter and added this story to your favorites list. This chapter was originally the second half of 'Bowling for Gerbils', but that chapter was just too long so I split it up and 'Guess Who's Coming for Breakfast?' will be the next one. Remember that reviews are what feeds my muse and keeps my fingers typing!
Chapter 28: Testing Harry
Harry sat with his friends in his chambers that afternoon, ostensibly studying for his O.W.L.'s, but in actual fact, helping his friends with their homework, something that he still felt strange doing especially with Hermione.
They had finished their transfiguration assignments and were beginning potions. Harry had helped Neville with his assignment for his intuitive brewing class, but in actual fact he had needed much less help than Ron, who was still in general potions. It seemed that Ron just wasn't a brewer at all, intuitive or scientific!
'Oh well, after this year I can drop potions if I don't pass my O.W.L.'s in the subject.' Ron thought as he let his mind wander off his parchment to think about what he had seen last night while capturing gerbils. Ron was sitting beside Harry so he looked over and snorted, "I saw Snape's animagus form… so he…really… is… a …BAT…!" He was almost unable to talk because he was choking with laughter as he kept nudging Harry with his elbow. Ginny, Hermione and the twins had heard him and began giggling into their hands.
Harry sent to Severus, 'I think you need to do something or you will have your bat form known all over school by morning. Ron's just told everyone here that you were the bat last night. What should we do?'
'Did Ron actually see me transform or is he assuming that the bat was me?' asked Severus in a snide tone. Harry thought idly that the man must really practice to send snide over a mind link, how in the world did he manage that?
"Are you sure that was Severus, Ron? I think there might be a real bat or two living in the attic in that house, you know." Harry asked innocently.
"Well, I didn't actually see him transform, but I didn't see him catching gerbils otherwise, I mean; where was he then? Do you know what his animagus form really is, he does have one, doesn't he?" Ron was skeptical, but just the beginnings of doubt could be heard in his voice. The twins contributed the information that Severus had been in the ballroom, transferring captured gerbils into the plastic tanks, but they had been to busy to notice anything else, or exactly when he had come into the room
Harry called over to his father who was in the next room talking to Salazar's portrait; discussing rare potions, "Dad, do you think you could show Ron and the others why you didn't use your animagus form to catch gerbils? I thought I saw you go up towards the attic to look for escaping gerbils, but I don't think I saw you climb up the stairs after that bat came down, I was just too busy myself to notice." Well, all of that was technically true, he had seen him go up the stairs which eventually led to the attic, and he hadn't seen him climb the stairs.
Severus stood directly in front of Ron and the other Gryffindor students, and with an evil smirk on his face he transformed into a fifteen foot long Peruvian Viper Tooth dragon. George called out in surprise, "That was you, Professor Snape! That was a good trick on Hagrid!"
"As you can see, my dragon form is much too large to have been of any use in an enclosed space. I checked that the house elves had the attic secured, and came back to the ballroom to assist. However, if the information about my animagus form were to spread around the school, I could see about making some people the same color as their hair. Breathing fire can be so much fun, sometimes!" Severus had transformed back and left the teens to their studying once more after repeating more dire consequences if they revealed his secret to anyone, particularly Hagrid. He snarled to himself, 'That big oaf would want me to come to every class he gave about dragons after all!'
Life settled down over the next three days, well as much as it ever did, until it was Monday morning and Harry was scheduled to begin his O.W.L.'s. Hermione couldn't believe he was eating and talking with everyone as if it was any other morning and nothing was out of the ordinary. "Harry, here's some notes I took about charms that you might need for your test since I overheard Professor McGonagall say that charms was going to be first." Blimey, she sounded as stressed and nervous as if she was the one taking O.W.L.'s today!
"Its okay, Hermione, I'm fine, just take a deep breathe and relax. I don't need to revise, remember I'm certified to teach the subject and have been for over a thousand years!" He had whispered into her ear so no one else could hear. Harry flinched as she reached over and slapped him lightly on the back of the head. She looked embarrassed about forgetting about his trip to the past.
She reached for the plate of pumpkin scones that was too far down the table for him to grab. She offered it to him as an apology, since she knew they were his favorite, and that he and Ron had already devoured any they could reach. He leaned over and pecked her cheek, "Thanks, 'sister'. I know you just want me to do my best, and I will. I just don't want you to worry about me."
Ron glared at him until Harry leaned over and whispered to him, "She's the sister I never had; I don't feel that way about her at all. Snogging her would be like you kissing Ginny. Just not something I would ever want to try!" Ron actually looked green for a moment, before smiling and going back to stuffing his mouth. "Thanks mate! Then you won't mind if I…uh…well…you know?"
Harry grinned, "Be my guest. I heard Father talking to Professor McGonagall about a Valentine's Ball this year. You might want to ask her before anyone else beats you this time."
Ron turned a little green again, and then summoning up every bit of his Gryffindor bravery he leaned around Harry to touch Hermione on the shoulder. When he had her attention, he motioned to her to follow him out to the entrance hall. They were gone only a couple of minutes when they returned. Harry had scooted over so they could sit together. Ron had a stunned expression on his face, but Hermione looked a lot like Crookshanks when he had caught a particularly fat rat.
Lucius felt the familiar burning of his mark and smiled as he apperated with his eight fellow former prisoners back to the presence of his Lord. He hoped they would seek revenge on that blasted muggle-loving old fool and the Potter brat soon. His insides teemed with rage as he thought about his son, 'I have no son!' he grimaced as he disappeared only to reappear in a dank and dripping cave.
Voldemort was as excited as he could ever get; as he welcomed back his recently freed death eaters; although he was very disappointed that only nine of them had actually made it back to him. He was so drunk with the magic and life force he could drain from them, that he didn't even punish them when they told him they would be unable to find any of the others they had left behind because the location was too heavily warded against discovery. There was a flash of anger across his face as he heard their tale of life as a gerbil but he praised them for their escape.
All of his remaining death eaters had also apperated in at his call, and since none of them were stupid enough or brave enough to tell their Lord about the press conference the day before or the full page stories about Salazar Slytherin's repudiation of him and then his naming Snape as his legitimate heir in every wizarding newspaper and over the wireless this morning, he was still unaware of what had happened.
Lucius and his fellow escapees knew nothing of the latest news, so his mood remained good as he quickly planned his revenge on Dumbledore, Potter and Snape. He wanted to hit them hard and soon so no more of his followers would be captured. He cursed foully and creatively to himself as he pondered who could be leaking information to the thrice cursed Order. Unfortunately there was no way Rita could get close enough to the bowed heads of Lucius and Voldemort as they planned together without being noticed.
Harry was surprised to find that his tests were to be watched by all the Professors as they were administered by the oldest witch he had ever seen. She had been introduced to him as Madam Marchbanks and she looked to be several hundred years old! The Hogwarts professors had set up the order of testing so that each could witness their particular subject during a free period, or while having another professor substitute for them.
He was quietly pleased that all of his tests were being given to Harry James Potter-Snape Dumbledore; his grandfather confided in him that the Ministry tests and records all automatically updated any change in name or status, and that all of his class sheets and records at Hogwarts already reflected the changes. He told Harry that a quiet announcement would be issued to the Order and anyone else he wanted to know tonight, and then tomorrow evening; it would be announced to the school. They could not keep it secret since there were too many documents and people that knew his full name.
As Hermione had predicted, charms was first. He completed the written test in only thirty five minutes even though he had been allowed up to two hours. For the practical he had to disillusion himself, demonstrate cooling and heating charms and show proficiency in about three dozen different useful charms, Madame Marchbanks wanted to hear all about his brilliant use of a sticking charm during a duel. She laughed heartily and praised him on his creativity. He was able to do everything flawlessly and quickly, but no one seemed surprised.
Transfiguration was next and was just as simple. The transfigurations he was asked to do started simple with third year's things like changing a beetle into a button and progressed to more and more difficult spells. After conjuring a magnificent silver and gold tea service complete with Hogwarts crest which he happily gave to Professor McGonagall when she gazed at it longingly; he demonstrated his ability to transform his chair into a peacock that actually flew around the room, and then transformed himself into his wolf animagus for extra credit. McGonagall spoke confidentially to Madame Marchbanks who looked with outright astonishment at the boy sitting calmly in front of her. "Mr. Potter-Snape Dumbledore. Minerva tells me you have managed to not only learn the animagus transformation yourself, but also taught ten of your classmates, including a fourth year, to become animagi themselves? How, I've never heard of such an accomplishment, let along from a fifteen year old boy!"
Harry shrugged, slightly embarrassed, and looked at Professor McGonagall. "Do you trust me, Professor McGonagall?" He was looking deeply and openly into her eyes as he spoke, his gaze completely innocent and sure.
She looked at him sharply, and then nodded without hesitation. "Why, Mister Potter?"
Harry looked intensely through her eyes into her mind, and saw the ghostly image of a magnificent and stately silver unicorn. He smiled at her and said, "Your magical form is a unicorn. Would you let me demonstrate to you how I helped the others change? It will only take a few minutes, since you already know how to transform into a non magical animal."
She looked astonished but hurriedly agreed. Harry had her stand away from any obstacles, reached towards her and touched her temples delicately with his fingertips speaking directly into her mind. 'Let me feed you the power the first time, Professor. Just relax and when I say 'now' just let the magic flow free and transform.' He felt her agreement and sent her power channeled from Hogwarts. He could sense her magical core of brilliant crimson swirled with deep emerald green, flare and fill completely. When he sensed she could hold no more magic, he said softly, "Now, Professor, let your magic free and become the unicorn you were always meant to be." He felt the magic all around them flow and coalesce into the being he was touching. He never noticed that the two of them glowed luminescent with pure power before a beautiful, fully grown silver unicorn stood with its head still cradled between his hands. Everyone observing in the room gasped once, and then was completely silent in astonishment and wonder.
Harry smiled shyly at Madam Marchbanks and shrugged modestly, "See, that's all you have to do. It's harder when they don't have a non magical form yet, but it still only takes about half an hour or so." He opened his senses to make sure the elderly witch wasn't going to have heart failure, but she seemed to be fine, just highly surprised.
Professor McGonagall gracefully strode about the room, shaking her golden mane and tail, then transformed back and Harry carefully led her over to the testing area so she could sink back into her seat, gratefully accepting the large mug of spiced tea that Harry conjured effortlessly and urged into her slightly trembling hands. She sipped without even knowing what she was doing. Madam Marchbanks had to call her name several times before her eyes showed any awareness of where she was and that someone was talking to her.
"Yes, Griselda?" She finally managed to say around her bracing cup of steaming hot tea. Harry considered adding a calming potion to it, but decided maybe he should let someone else do that. Professor Dumbledore apparently had the same idea; as he bent over, eyes twinkling almost at a deadly rate, to slip a clear blue potion into her cup. He pushed her hands holding the cup up to her face once again and she drank without realizing what she was doing.
"What happened, could Mr. Potter-Snape Dumbledore teach that to others, how many students could learn this skill?" Dumbledore had never heard Griselda talk so quickly or excitedly in years. He smiled at the old witch gently and moved her away from his still shaky transfiguration professor. They spoke quietly for several minutes before returning to sit at the table in front of Harry.
Madam Marchbanks smiled at the teen. "We have decided to combine your O.W.L.'s and your N.E.W.T.'s into one test. There is no reason to duplicate any testing and you have demonstrated your abilities adequately, well beyond the N.E.W.T. level!" She shuffled the papers in front of her, looking for something that she had missed testing Harry on. Finding nothing, she released him early and reminded him that he should return after lunch for potions and then to report to the astronomy tower after supper for his astronomy practical. He left leaving the old witch still muttering to herself, shaking her head as she made copious notes on her parchments.
Harry went back to his quarters to continue on the brewing of the werewolves' cure and to call Winky to bring him some lunch. It was another one of his favorites and he had a suspicion that all of the house elves were serving him his favorites this week to support him in his testing. He like their shepherd's pie, but no one made it as well as Molly Weasley! He felt his father's mental touch a moment before the tall man entered the dining room in their quarters, where he sat down with a relieved sigh before beginning to eat his own lunch.
Harry grinned before his father could say a word and touched his temple, sharing his memories of the morning. Severus laughed at several of the testers, and especially Professor McGonagall's, expressions and muttered at the ease at which his son had passed every test given to him. "It's not really fair; I remember studying for months to pass those tests, brat!" But the warm ruffling of his hand on Harry's hair made the words a tease rather than a rebuke.
Harry did a wonderful impression of Snape's old smirk as he answered, "Yes, and think how Hermione's going to react. She's been studying for O.W.L.'s ever since she first heard about them! And now she's going to find out they are just skipping some of them for me. She'll probably kill me when she hears. Hmm, maybe I can bribe her by helping her study, or teaching her how to transform to her magical form, or maybe wandless magic, I can sense the ability in her." Harry was rambling by now, wondering how his friends would react. Especially Ron who could be so jealous at times, though he hadn't been lately, he thought in wonder. He turned to Severus, "Ron was always so jealous of me, do you know why he hasn't been lately?"
Severus pushed away his now empty plate, "I think he grew up a lot while you were missing, and I know that both Albus and Minerva talked to him about it while you were gone. He has also been in here several times to talk to the Founders and Merlin. George mentioned that Ron has reread your journal to them several times, so that probably helped quite a lot. It also might be that he was always subconsciously worried that Hermione would turn out to be your girlfriend and I suspect he has always liked her, though he probably never admitted that even to himself. I understand he has already asked her to the ball even though it hasn't even been announced yet."
Harry looked at his father thoughtfully, "You are probably right; he has always been rather awkward around Hermione. It also helps that I can't play Quidditch any more, so we aren't competing there, and I've never been any competition with him at chess, though I haven't played him once since we returned, and after a year of both Godric and Sal I might surprise him. I don't have any classes with him any more so only Hermione is in there with him, and she isn't helping me any more with homework. I hope he is finally over it. I really hated him being so jealous all the time, when actually I used to be so jealous of him; because he had a family that loved him."
Severus barely watched his son through the curtains of his long black hair, "Used to be?" he almost whispered, holding his breath.
With a tight but short hug, Harry whispered back, "Yeah, Dad, used to be!" They broke apart and finished their pudding before walking back companionably to begin the afternoon of Harry's testing.
Severus was very pleased he had finally stopped crying at everything; like he had when they had first been through the rituals in the past. Helga had explained that the rampant emotionalism they had both suffered from would gradually fade, but his thirty odd years of repressing every positive emotion had not made those emotions disappear, they were just buried after all, they had to work their way out eventually. Severus was just very glad they had worked their way out while the two were in the past, and he no longer broke out in tears at the slightest provocation any more, that had been just too embarrassing! Though he had to admit he actually enjoyed both giving and getting a touch or a hug from Albus and particularly Harry now.
He shrugged and left to go pace with Albus while Harry had his potions test. He knew as Harry's father he would not be allowed to watch even though as his professor he should have been there to observe. Maybe he and Albus could slip in unnoticed at the end? After all being the Headmaster's son had to count for a little special treatment, especially when the one being tested was the Headmaster's grandson.
The ten specially selected students were meeting in a heavily warded area of the forbidden forest, safe from prying eyes and ears. They felt pleased and proud that they had been chosen to help in the most magnificent battle to maintain the purity of wizardry forever. They were the true pride of pureblooded wizards; they had been carefully cultivated and nurtured since before the rebirth of their Lord and now the time had come to fulfill their destiny. They came from every house, mostly fifth and sixth years, but some younger, all ready to stand firm for their beliefs.
They received their instructions and carefully made their way back into the castle, being careful to slip in unnoticed and unobserved as they had been taught. Soon it would be their turn to be famous; soon the name of Harry Potter would be replaced by their names! They would be the subject of books, people would point at them in wonder and awe, they would step up beside their Lord and be his most trusted servants and all would bow down before them!
Harry quickly finished his written potions test, his greatest difficulty being in not making his answers too complete and complicated. He was surprised to find his practical test had been scheduled in his own chambers in the lab he shared with his father. He was further amazed to find an extra ten unknown people crammed around the edges of the large room, all eagerly watching him. His examiners were an older wizard with a scarred and pockmarked face partially hidden behind his stringy grey hair and a still very pretty witch, with her long blonde hair tied back into a practical bun, a dragon hide apron covering her stylish green robes. She looked to be in her late fifties while the wizard looked to be eighty at least. They took turns firing questions at him as he worked on the gently bubbling cauldron of the werewolves' cure as he had been instructed to.
He was directed to set up another cauldron and brew a batch of standard Wolfsbane as well. He moved deftly and confidently between the two tables of ingredients and the bubbling cauldrons, precisely and swiftly preparing ingredients and tending to the two very complicated and complex potions without hesitation or consulting any instructions. He answered the rapid fire questions being thrown at him; without stopping to think as he continued to never miss a step in his brewing.
He didn't even notice when the others around the periphery of the room started to ask questions instead of just observing him. He calmly answered, keeping most of his attention on his careful brewing. He only noticed when the complicated and complex Wolfsbane was done after four and a half hours of brewing, ready to simmer unattended for the rest of the evening; that everyone had left the periphery and were standing as close as they could; to clearly watch him work without interfering or disturbing him. Many of them had an expression of awe at the young teen. Harry looked at his father and raised an eyebrow in question as he shrugged his shoulders. Severus and Albus had entered quietly just half an hour ago and Harry had not even noticed their presence.
All twelve of the adult wizards and witches in the room left for a few minutes as Harry meticulously cleaned up his workstations and replaced his unused ingredients, being careful to note which ones were running low or looking old. The group of wizards reentered the room, and all of them bowed formally towards Harry. The grey haired wizard that had been in charge of the testing spoke, "Harry Potter-Snape Dumbledore, it has been our honor and privilege to test and observe you at your brewing. We have combined the requirements for O.W.L.'s, N.E.W.T.'s and your Mastery certification. As you brewed, your written test was graded and it is our pleasure to welcome you into our guild as the youngest Potion's Master ever. The second youngest was your own adopted father, Master Severus Snape."
"We would be most pleased, Master Snape, if you would formally perform the induction ceremony for your son as soon as it can be arranged, probably during the Easter holidays so as not to interrupt your classes. Master Potter-Snape Dumbledore you are now certified to teach and prepare potions without restriction. Thank you for allowing me to observe the remarkable werewolves' cure, I am sure I speak for my colleagues when I tell you I stand in awe of your skill and knowledge, especially in one so young. You missed not one single question, either written or oral, no matter how difficult you're brewing or the obscurity of the answer."
As the potion's masters filed out of the room, Albus couldn't help chuckling at his two boys. He wasn't sure which of them was more surprised. He had felt the astonishment radiating from Severus when he had realized exactly who was in the room, testing his son and then his astonishment when Harry had answered every obscure question posed to him, apparently not really paying too much attention as he concentrated on his brewing.
Severus was explaining to Harry who some of the people were that had been asking him questions, and what they had each developed and then brewed successfully for their own mastery certification. Albus was soon lost as the conversation became more and more technical. He doubted either noticed him slipping out of the room, stopping only to ask Winky to bring them supper and make sure that Master Harry rested before his appointment in the astronomy tower later.
Rita attached herself to the back of Malfoy's robes as he left the cave, hoping he would discuss the practical aspects of the new plan in time for her to warn Dumbledore. She knew that Voldemort wouldn't speak to anyone but his blasted snake and in his paranoia he had stopped speaking to Nagini in English and only used parseltongue now. 'Blast! I know something big is up and it's coming soon, but I have nothing but vague suspicions to take to Dumbledore. I hope Malfoy finds someone to give orders to or to discuss this with.' She muttered to herself as they apperated back to Malfoy Manor. Unfortunately, Malfoy only wanted to eat and sleep. She flew up to the top of a curtain in his overly ostentatious bed chambers and went to sleep herself, too tired to notice when he quietly rose and left the room less than four hours later.
Harry's Astronomy practical was totally uneventful and almost boring in its simplicity. He simply filled out a star chart, then did several complicated but straightforward calculations and filled out another chart showing the constellations' rotations after five hundred years. After having learned the different stars both today and a thousand years in the past, it wasn't very difficult to extrapolate their position in 500 years. He yawned as he headed down to his chambers on the third floor, looking forward to a peaceful night's sleep before more tests tomorrow.
He had written tests for both Arithmancy and ancient runes in the morning and was pleased that he had forgotten nothing that he had learned from his tutelage with the Founders. He couldn't understand why the observers to his Arithmancy test were chattering excitedly amongst themselves until Professor Vector confided in him that he had just solved two formulas that were given as examples of unsolvable equations. They would have to revise the textbooks and the tests in the future because of him.
He had finished his ancient runes test so quickly that the observers and examiners started talking to him in several ancient languages. He was so pleased to have someone to talk to in them once again, that he was more open and bubbling in his answers than he normally would have been. He didn't notice the odd looks he was getting from several of the observers as they had tried to find an ancient language that he didn't understand fluently. They had failed miserably; the boy was more proficient and fluent than many who had been studying the language for years!
After a quiet lunch with all of his friends in his chambers, Harry reported to greenhouse number five. He had been taught herbology by Helga Hufflepuff and Artemus so there were no surprises in his testing and Muggle Studies after that was almost laughably easy. He wondered if his grandfather had ever actually considered hiring a real muggle or at the very least a muggle born to teach the subject. It would probably improve the class and at least make it more useful!
After a supper break, he went to the infirmary to demonstrate his knowledge of healing with several medi witches and wizards from St. Mungo's. After the ruthless teaching and drilling from Lady Helga; Madame Pomfrey and the others were pushovers! He only had to diagnose every student currently in the infirmary, heal them and then answer a battery of questions.
He was tired but still sure that he had passed all of his classes so far as he climbed the stairs to fall into his bed. And tomorrow he had divination and history in the morning followed by his last O.W.L. tests in DADA and Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon. Maybe they would accept his duel with Dumbledore and all the others as his practical in DADA; after all he had defeated three Dueling Masters and several aurors in the tournament already!
Harry looked slightly tired but still quietly confident to Severus' eyes as he surreptitiously watched his son joking with his friends at breakfast the next morning. He hoped Harry would take the time to rest after his tests were over. He contemplated the problem as he quietly ate his pancakes and sausages. 'Hogwarts are you there?' he called.
# Yes, Father, I am always here and waiting for you. Do you have a question for me?#
'Harry is taking some strenuous tests while brewing a critical potion. Can you renew his energy and magical levels without him noticing too much? I don't want him to know, because he would probably consider it cheating in some way, but I don't want to see him stretched so thin.'
# I agree, Father. Harry is doing more than any other student would be required to do while taking his tests. I can energize him without him knowing and be sure that his magical levels are as high as they can be. Thank you for your care of my Master, Father. #
'Yes, I love him too, Hogwarts. Thank you for caring for my son.' Severus went back to eating, feeling much better about Harry. Harry barely noticed his feet getting warmer as magical and physical energy flowed up through the stones of the castle and into his body. He sat up straighter and became livelier as breakfast continued. Harry thought briefly, 'I must have been a lot hungrier than I thought. I feel a lot better after eating.', before going back to his heated conversation with Seamus and Ron about their favorite Quidditch teams awful performances.
Marietta Edgecombe watched her watch nervously as she waited by the fireplace in the anteroom next to the Great Hall. 'Soon, soon… it will soon be time…just a few more minutes…' She bit her nails in anticipation. Back in their common room, her fellow Ravenclaw 5th year, Mandy Brocklehurst, waited beside the fireplace, wand ready in her hand as she watched the minutes count down.
Sixth year Cormac McLaggen stood ready at the Gryffindor common room fire, as his fellow Gryffindor, little third year Romilda Vane mimicked his stance in the infirmary.
The fireplace in the Hufflepuff common room was manned by 5th year Ernie McMillan; while his fellow 5th year Hufflepuff, Wayne Hopkins, stood wand out, eyes gleaming and ready by the huge fireplace in the back of the library.
The Slytherin's had the most students ready and willing to serve the Dark Lord, even with the loss of four of their members because of the interference of the old coot and that big headed show off Potter. The common room was manned by Montague, and Theodore Nott had been taught how to slip through the wards on Snape's classroom without Snape noticing. He appreciated the irony that the traitor's own fireplace would be used in his downfall. Nott couldn't help smiling evilly at the thought. The final two Slytherins, Millicent Bullstrode and Adrian Pucey were stationed by the fireplaces in two unused classrooms, one three floors above, and one two stories over the Great Hall.
The watches all reached 8:13 and all ten students said "Incendio!" and all ten fireplaces burst into flame. The normal red and yellow flames started glowing green as the ten watches ticked off 8:15 exactly. Hooded and masked figures flowed silently out of each fireplace. The silent figures assembled together in each location, before beginning their surreptitious advance on the Great Hall of Hogwarts, ready to time their arrival at exactly 8:45, so as to catch all of the students in the Great Hall for morning announcements. The fireplace in the antechamber was the last to glow green as a tall, skeletal, barely human figure smiled malevolently. Marietta bowed down to the floor and whispered, "Welcome back to Hogwarts, Lord Voldemort!"
AN: Oh, I know, I am so-o-o evil. This was originally part of "Bowling for Gerbils", but I decided to split it into two as it was 22 pages long. Also the first half of the chapter contained a lot of fluff with the catching gerbils that I didn't want to spoil with the suspense of the second half, so the next chapter will be "Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast?" I haven't even begun to type it, so I don't know yet when it will be posted. Please read and review and remember; I can't finish this if you kill me!