Disclaimer:
J.K. Rowling is the owner of Harry Potter. Stories she has written and characters that she created are not mine. I don't take credit for any of her work. I do thank her for providing such a wonderful universe to dream about and write in.
Harry Potter and the Shadow of Evil
By: Starwin
Chapter 7 – The Sorting Hat's Sorting
The shores of Avalon vanished behind them as the boat move swiftly into the night. The boat didn't bounce up and down or sway side to side as it should, instead it seemed to keep perfectly still. If Harry had not seen the island vanishing into the distance behind them he would have thought they weren't moving at all.
"What do you think he meant by a debt long owed." Harry asked looking from Hermione to Solaris. Hermione shrugged.
"It means I am free of my bondage to Avalon," Solaris said. "That Oberon is my master no longer." Solaris looked down at Harry. "Thank you, Mr. Harry Potter."
"Uh, just Harry," Harry said. Solaris nodded.
"So," Hermione asked, "Where are we going?"
Solaris took a long breath before answering. Now that Solaris was sitting he somehow seemed far less invincible.
"Our destination is Hogwarts." Solaris said at last. "We should arrive there soon." Harry and Hermione shot each other apprehensive looks.
"Please, Mr. Solaris," Hermione began. Solaris's head turned suddenly his eyes wide. Hermione closed her mouth unsure what she had said.
"Just Solaris," Solaris said, "I have never liked titles."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said apologetically. "Solaris, why are we going to Hogwarts now, term won't start for another few weeks." Solaris seemed more surprised. He looked up at the sky as if he was asking it a question.
"We will arrive there when we need to." Solaris finally replied, he sounded tired. "For now I need to rest" Solaris lay back in a sitting position against the inside of the boat and closed his eyes. When he did not stir Harry turned to Hermione
"So," Harry said. "How long do you think this boat trip will take?" Harry was suddenly remembering the globe of the world he had seen when he had arrived on Avalon. "And how do you think we'll travel the rest of the way to Hogwarts, I mean unless this boat can fly I don't see how we are going to get there."
"Maybe Solaris will fly us there, like he did to Avalon?" Hermione said thoughtfully. Harry nodded absently. Solaris didn't seem in any condition to fly at the moment.
"I think, maybe we should get some sleep too 'mione." Harry said looking at the bright moonless sky he was suddenly feeling very tired. Hermione smiled weakly at him and curled down into the front of the boat so that Harry was left with a space just a bit too small to fit comfortably in.
After many tries at positioning himself so as not to collide with Hermione or Solaris, Harry finally gave up. He rested his head against Hermione's and stretched out his legs.
Harry let out a long sigh and with the heartstone beating softly against his chest and the warm leg against the back of his head. Harry closed his eyes listening to the sounds of the night air.
---
When Harry awoke he found it was still night, for a moment he thought he had only slept for a few minutes but above him he could see a half moon.
Harry hadn't been exceptional in astronomy but he knew the basics. When he had gone to sleep there had been no moon.
Astrologically it was impossible for the moon to be like this, unless of course it was days latter. That could only mean he had been asleep a longtime.
Solaris was awake and he was watching the moon. Harry could hear Hermione's soft breathing still and feel her heartbeat against the back of his head. Harry sat up slowly.
"How long was I asleep?" Harry asked hopping Solaris had the answer.
"We have slept for days," Solaris said. "The mists of Avalon have carried us far." Solaris' eyes turned forward. Harry turned his head to see what it was Solaris was looking at.
Upon the water in the distance Harry could make out faint glowing lights, dancing above the surface of the water. At first he couldn't figure out what they were but as they drew closer he began to realize that beneath the lights were people. People in… row boats!
"We… we can't be!" Harry said looking at Solaris. Harry reached down and shook Hermione. She turned over bleary eyed.
"Uh.. Hu? What?" Hermione moaned. She sat up and rubbed her face. "I feel like I have been asleep forever!" She said. Hermione looked to her side, next to them now was a boat filled with four people. A lantern hung from a metal pole at its front and the oars rowed by themselves.
"Harry!" Hermione cried in surprise, "Were on the black lake!" In the boat at the front of the cluster was Hagrid and that meant that around them were first-years crossing the black lake to the castle. But none of the people in the boats seemed to have noticed their arrival.
At last the boats reached the shore, and high above them they could see the glowing windows of Hogwarts.
They disembarked from the boat, the first-years around them seemed only now to be noticing them as Harry, Hermione and Solaris were much taller than anyone else save for Hagrid.
"I will inform Dumbledore that we have arrived," Solaris said with a nod and hurried off along a different path than the rest of the students.
"First 'ears over 'ere. Dis' way now!" Hagrid roared over the crowed of uncertain students. "Oy, whos dat?" Hagrid said raising his lantern to illuminate the students better. Harry felt the bright light upon him.
"'Arry? Hermion'e? What'ca doing down 'ear now?" Hagrid asked in a puzzled voice. The first-years parted as Harry worked his way up to the front and Hermione followed along behind him.
"It's a long story Hagrid." Harry said.
"Well yah can tells it ta me later, gotta get dis bunch up ta da great 'all, Come'on now you lot!" Hagrid boomed. He turned and began to walk off up the dirt path that led from the black lake and up to the castle gates.
Harry could remember walking this path his first night. He could remember how frightened and excited he felt. Harry could feel Hermione close behind him, her warm breath against the back of his neck in the cold night air.
They passed through the front gates and into the castle. To Harry's horror it was not Professor McGonagall waiting to take the first-years to the great hall, it was Snape.
Snape eyed Harry and Hermione with suspicion.
"All your Professor Snape, Sir." Hagrid said. "a'll see these two off ta da great 'all then." Hagrid said placing a palm against Harry and Hermione's backs and moving them off from the crowed. To Harry's great surprise Snape did not make any comments about him, possibly because of the first-years. As they turned the corner Harry could hear Snape began to speak in cold, commanding voice and Harry was thankful that this was not his first-year.
Finally they reached the doors to the great Hall. Filch the caretaker was standing like a guard at the doors.
"Ooo, you seem to be a little late, Mr. Potter." Filch said in his falsely friendly voice, his eyes fixed on Harry. Miss Norris, his cat, stared up at them with unblinking yellow eyes as though waiting for them to speak so she could hiss at them.
"I'm afraid I can't let you in until after the ceremony." Filch said nastily.
"Ah come'on now," Hagrid said, "They are only a few 'intues late." Filch shot him a scathing look. "In yah go now." Hagrid said holding the door open for them. Harry, desperate to just get inside, nodded at Hagrid and moved quickly past.
If Harry had wanted a discreet entrance he was sadly disappointed. All eyes were fixed on the doors as Harry and Hermione entered. Whispers began to fill the room. Unable to avoid being detected now, Harry walked as nonchalantly as possible over to his seat at Gryffindor table.
Ron was already seated across from them as Harry and Hermione took their places. Ron was staring at them his face a mixture of confusion and relief.
"Bloody hell Harry!" Ron said. The whispering was still prominent in the background. "We didn't think you were gona make it, we weren't sure what happened to you when you didn't show up on the train. I tried to call you on the mirror but you didn't answer."
Harry felt a ping of guilt, the mirror, they had left it in Avalon.
"I sort of forgot to bring it with me," Harry said. Ron's jaw dropped but before he could get a word out Hermione broke in.
"Where's Ginny?" She said looking up and down the table.
"Oy!" Ron said, "That's right you don't know! Ginny's a Prefect!"
"What?" said Harry his mouth falling open in disbelief.
"Yeah Professor McGonagall wanted a word with her after we got off the train. I guess they're still talkin." Harry was just about to ask another question when the doors to the great hall sprang open and Snape, followed by the group of first-years, moved down the center isle to the front of the great hall.
On a stool the sorting hat sat, battered and torn with time. The first-years crowed around watching the hat, all of them seemed to be uneasy.
'Who would blame them?' Harry thought. 'After all who would want to be greeted by Snape?'
Suddenly the hat sprang into song that echoed off the walls of the great hall.
"And so another year is here, more have come to stay.
They will quickly find, that here is not a place for them play!
Upon their heads I will sit and decide where they should go
Not only on their merit but on strengths they don't even know
I shall find the house they'll fill and send them on their way
Be warned tonight shall be like none other sorting day
For when at last it all is done and each is in their place
You will see a difference, something not common place!"
"What a strange song," Harry said as he clapped with the rest of the hall, some of the other claps seemed to be less enthusiastic than normal and there was much whispering.
"As I call your name you will step up, I will place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your house." Snape said looking at the first-years, who, Harry could see were shaking a bit.
"William Cirs." Snape called, a young boy with bright blond hair and fair skin emerged from the crowed, he walked up to the stool and sat upon it. The child's eyes shifted around the room and Harry could see in the child's face the fear he had felt during his own sorting.
Snape lowered the hat onto his head. It took only a moment and then. "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted. Harry clapped loudly as Snape pulled the hat from the boy's head. Looking as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders, the boy scurried to the Gryffindor table and found a seat near the front.
"Moric Dello." Snape called. A girl with dark skin and black hair stepped up to the stool. Snape lowered the hat but it hadn't even touched her head when it exclaimed, "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped his hands together with increased force, the first two had been Gryffindors.
Snape called the next name and again the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" This time Harry and many other students clapping was a bit diminished.
'Three Gryffindors in a row?' Harry thought. Even though Harry had only managed to make it to three of five sortings, he had never seen so many people sent to one house in a row before.
Other students at other tables seemed to be uneasy as well. Snape called the next name and again the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" Clapping was uneasy now. Four in a row? Sure there had to be eighty or so first-years but still. Snape shot the Headmaster an uneasy glance but called the next name on the list.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat cried as it was placed upon the head of the brunette child. Snape lifted the hat from her head as she moved uncertainly to the Gryffindor table.
Snape did not call the next name, instead he looked expectantly at Dumbledore. Harry watched not sure what to make of this. The professors didn't seem to know what was going on ether.
"Continue, if you please Professor Snape," Dumbledore said in a kind voice that cut through the silent air. Snape nodded and called the next name.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat cried. "GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR!"
All clapping had stopped, there were now so many first-years that there was no space left at the Gryffindor table for them to sit. The last student sat on the stool. Snape placed the hat upon his head. There was a long pause. The boy had his eyes closed tightly. Seconds seemed to pass like minutes. Breathing in the hall had all but stopped as everyone waited for the hat to speak.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat shouted at last. Whispering broke out around the hall, some confused shouts others cries of protest. Professor Dumbledore rose, his hands outstretched for quite, when it did not come he spoke in a loud booming voice that reverberated off the walls and seemed to drowned out all other sounds.
"If you will please quite down for a moment," Dumbledore said. As he finished speaking the hall became silent once again. "It is an unusually sorting but it is the sorting none the less. For the moment I ask that our new Gryffindors take seats at the other house tables until seating arrangements can be made." Dumbledore waited for the standing first-years to find places.
"I have a few, brief, start of term announcements and then we will begin. Firstly I would like to introduce our new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Solaris." Harry looked at Hermione who had let out a gasp. Sitting next to Snape was a man in a white cloak one hand raised in the air to identify him from the rest.
Ron seeing the looks on Harry and Hermione's faces spoke up.
"You know him?"
"Yeah," said Harry uneasily, was Solaris going to follow him around all year long? "Later." Harry said fixing Ron with an unmistakable stare. Ron nodded.
"Secondly I would like to remind you that the dark forest is off limits to all students, many of our older students would do well to heed that warning." Dumbledore's eyes came to rest on Harry before flicking away. In that brief instant Harry felt a sharp pain. He bit his tongue to keep from shouting out.
"Lastly, and most unfortunately all trips to Hogsmead have been cancelled this year." Moans and cries of protest came from the crowed of students. Dumbledore waited for the sounds to subside. "Now I think a good feast in is order." And with those words the plates filled with food.
---
"So," asked Ron as he began to fill his plate, "what happened to you? And who's that bloke?" Ron said nodding to Solaris who was talking to Snape.
"It really is a long story Ronald." Hermione said as she cut into a roll she had taken. "And I don't think this is the place…" Hermione leaned to her side in surprise as arms entangled themselves around Harry.
Harry seemed just as surprised, looking over his shoulder he found Ginny embracing him in a hug.
"Uh," Harry stammered his brain failing, "Hi Ginny!" Harry said. She glared at him. "I mean Gin!" Harry corrected quickly. She gave him a peck on the top of his head and then sat down next to him.
Ron's eyes were budging out of his head.
"Gin? Harry, have you gone mad?" Ron cried. "I think you had better explain this too!"
"Oh push off Ron!" said Ginny curtly. "It's none of your business!"
"None of my business, I'm… Ouch!" Ron cried looking at Hermione awestruck. "What'ca step on my foot for 'mione!" Ron protested. "I swear the whole lot of you are nutters sometimes."
Harry became uneasy as attention from other tables seemed to be drawing to them.
"Later." Harry hissed. Ron's eyes flared, obviously later wasn't good enough. Harry was about to say something else when Neville, of all people broke in.
"Harry," he said in almost a whisper, "some of us have been wondering, about, you know." Neville said looking around as if to see if anyone was listening in. Harry didn't know he couldn't fathom what Neville was talking about.
"I," Harry began but stopped as Hermione shot him a threatening look.
"Harry will contact you by the normal means when we are ready to start again." Hermione said coolly. "Until then keep quiet." Neville looked from Harry to Hermione, nodded and moved back down the table.
"Hermione?" Harry asked as she was reaching for her pumpkin juice. "What was that all about?" Hermione seemed to swallow some of the drink the wrong way and gave a cough.
"The DA," she said simply.
"What about it?" He asked stupidly.
"I wrote back to a lot of those people that sent you letters about resuming the DA." She said. Harry wasn't sure what to make of this. Why hadn't Hermione talked to him about it? "Look all I said is that you would think about it. If you decide to resume it we can contact them via the Gallons and tell them that the DA will continue. If not you can tell them that it's over."
Harry nodded dully. That made sense. A part of him very much wanted to continue with the DA, but a part of him wanted nothing to do with it at the same time. Why had they picked Dumbledore's Army, of all the names?
The rest of dinner was spent with Ron shooting Harry uncertain looks and Ginny's hand often wandering uncomfortably onto Harry's leg.
---
When at last the plates cleared Ginny kissed Harry on the check and went off to help round up the first-years. Harry was still off balanced by this and Ron didn't seem to be taking it too well either.
Harry, Hermione and Ron moved out of the hall with the rest of the students. Harry was ready for bed despite the fact he had been asleep for who knew how long.
Harry felt a hand push him from behind and he stumbled forward into a group of third-year girls. People cleared away in a circle as Harry regained composure and turned to see who had pushing him. But he knew the answer already.
Malfoy stood his wand out pointed at Harry.
"How dare you attack me Potter!" Malfoy shouted, "Marillos Embraon!" Fire erupted from the end of Malfoy's wand. With very little time to think Harry held his hands as if to catch the fire. The ball of flame impacted with something reflective and few off towards ceiling.
People were shouting in panic as ash rained down from the burn spot, Malfoy had already vanished into the crowed of people. Shocked Harry could do nothing but stand there, his hands still out in front of him.
'I didn't even draw my wand,' Harry thought, 'How could I have possibly deflected that attack?' Snape reached the crowed of students forcing them aside.
"Out of my way, out of my way! Potter," Snape said, shock on his face. "What have you done?"
"It wasn't me!" Harry said, "It was Malfoy he…" Snape shot Harry a poisonous look and then turning to everyone he said.
"Back to your dormitories, now!" Snape stood watching as the students dissipated. Harry was still in shock looking at his hands. His palms had been burned, blisters were forming on them and blood was oozing out from charred flesh.
Harry felt a hand grab him sharply under the arm and pull him through the crowed. They were on the far side of the hallway now. Snape was still shouting at students to disburse. They moved slowly as though they were afraid that once they left his sight they too might be attacked.
"Come on Harry," Hermione said, her eyes filled with fear. She took hold of Harry's wrist to look at his burnt hands. "We need to get you to Madam Pomfrey." Harry would have normally protested that he was fine, but he thought that his might be one of those times where Hermione knew far better than he did what needed to be done.
---
Harry sat on the hospital bed his hands wrapped in bandages. The pain he had begun to feel on the way to the hospital wing was receding a little.
Hermione and Ron were sitting with him, not talking. The disgruntled gleam in Ron's eye seemed to have subsided for the moment.
Harry heard the doors of the hospital wing open and in marched Professors Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey tried to intercept them but with a quick few words from Dumbledore, she let them pass with no further protest and a look of surprise on her face.
Dumbledore stood at the foot of Harry's bed flanked by Snape and Professor McGonagall.
"I understand," Dumbledore said in a kind voice, his eyes not meeting Harry's. "That there was an attack outside the great hall."
"It was Malfoy!" said Harry in a panic. Something was wrong but he didn't know what.
"It could not have been Mr. Malfoy." Snape hissed coldly. "He was at the head table at the time of the attack." Harry couldn't believe this! Snape was going to cover Malfoy? He knew Snape was a slimly git but this was a step to far, even for him.
"It was Malfoy!" Harry shouted angry. "He pushed me from behind and then attacked with some kind of fire spell!"
"I am afraid Professor Snape is correct Mr. Potter." McGonagall said in a pained voice. "I was speaking with Mr. Malfoy. He could not have been in two places at once."
"How exactly did you say you deflected this alleged attack?" Snape said his eyes narrowing. Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing now, was he a suspect in his own attack?
"Look," Harry said, "It was Malfoy, I saw him, Hermione saw him! Ron saw him!" Harry looked over at Ron. Ron looked sheepish. "Tell them Ron." Harry said. Ron fidgeted in his seat. "Well!"
"I… I didn't see Malfoy." Ron said his voice apologetic. "I didn't see anyone Harry." Harry looked at Ron as though he had gone crazy.
"Hermione?" Harry said turning to face her, she was looking at the floor trying to avoid Harry's gaze.
"Let me paint a different picture for you, Mr. Potter." Snape interrupted as his hands gripped the end of the bed, his knuckles turning white. "You attacked someone you thought was Malfoy."
"What?" Harry gasped in shock. "Why would I…"
"I don't know why," Snape said cutting him off, "do not expect me to know how your mind works, Potter. But it is the only logical explanation." Harry looked quickly to McGonagall, she wasn't looking at him ether. He looked at Dumbledore, surly he of all people would understand.
"Professor," Harry pleaded. "You believe me?"
"I am afraid, Harry, that I must agree with Professor Snape." Dumbledore said sadly. Hermione let out a cry of protest.
"But Harry would never have done it on…!"
Dumbledore held up a hand and the room was silent.
"I am afraid I have no choice but to take 500 points from Gryffindor and give you detention for the rest of the school year." Dumbledore said. Harry couldn't believe this, how could Dumbledore be so blind, the fool! The arrogant, stupid fool. Harry's heart exploded in his chest his hands burned his scar boiled on his head.
Snape released the end of the bed and stepped back as though he could see the rage that was building in Harry.
"It's open Headmaster!" Snape said his eyes fixed on Harry.
"You will die, old fool." Harry's voice hissed and without knowing what he was doing Harry launched himself at Dumbledore. The bandages burned from Harry's hands as they reached for Dumbledore's throat.
Authors Notes:
Dun dun dun...
And well that's the end of that, so now I will be on my way and…what? What happens next you ask? I dono how about… we'll say, they all get it on?…is popped in the back of the head by Alex ouch okay, okay I guess I could keep writing.
Thus is Chapter 7, I hopped you liked it and didn't find the cliff hanger too unnerving, don't worry the next chapter should be ready in 3 to 4 months at which point another 7 to 8 weeks to proof and thwack
Ahhh my head, it burns… next chapter coming up tomorrow.
A note from Alex, no Starwins were seriously injured in the making of these authors notes.
Extra Notes:
Chapters 7 and 8 are more or less one chapter however, since this makes for a mighty nice cliff hanger I decided to break them apart here.