Chapter 16 – It Starts

Harry felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently. He was enjoying a deep sleep, although he could not figure out why his pillow was so hard or why he had forgotten to take off his glasses. They were pressing painfully into his nose and temple. He groaned as he felt the hand shake him again.

"Mr. Potter," the hushed voice said.

Harry pried his eyes open and blinked hard, trying to bring his gaze into focus. Peering into his face was Professor McGonagall.

Harry pushed himself up and realized he had fallen asleep in the common room. He looked down at the table and saw a pool of drool blurring the words he had written on a piece of parchment.

"Sorry, Professor," Harry mumbled, wiping the corner of his mouth on his sleeve. "I'll go up to bed now."

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry sadly. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Potter. I've just come to wake you."

Harry looked up at McGonagall in surprise. Concern was etched in her face and Harry felt his stomach plummet. Something had happened.

"What is it, Professor?" Harry asked, struggling to find his voice.

McGonagall pressed her lips into a thin line. She suddenly looked much older. "Please go up and get Mr. Weasley. I will meet you down here after I wake Miss Granger and Miss Weasley. I imagine they would like to know as well."

Harry's mouth had gone dry. He nodded to his professor and went quickly to his dormitory. He pulled back the hangings around Ron's bed and shook Ron's shoulder.

"Ron!" Harry whispered urgently.

Ron groaned and swatted his hand at Harry.

"Ron!" Harry repeated, shaking Ron a little harder.

"Geroff!" Ron groaned, pulling the covers over his head.

Harry yanked the covers off. "Get up, Ron!" Harry hissed, thinking desperately for something to convince Ron. "Hermione's waiting for you."

Ron sat up so quickly that he nearly cracked his head into Harry's. If Harry hadn't been so worried about the expression on McGonagall's face, he would have laughed relentlessy at Ron. Instead, he grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him off his bed.

"Where are we going?" Ron mumbled, fumbling with his robe.

"McGonagall's downstairs. She's got something to tell us."

Ron was suddenly fully awake. His eyes widened as he looked at Harry.

"What did she say?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Harry shook his head. "Nothing yet, other than for me to wake you up. She's gone to get Hermione and Ginny."

Ron followed Harry down the stairs. The common room was empty.

Ron ran his fingers through his hair and looked at Harry. "What do you reckon happened?"

Harry's stomach twisted. He shook his head, saying hoarsely, "I don't know."

The sound of footsteps on the stairs leading to the girls' dormitory caused Harry and Ron to stare at them anxiously. Professor McGonagall appeared, followed by Hermione and Ginny, both looking rather frazzled.

"Come. Sit down," Professor McGonagall said, motioning for the chairs in front of the empty fireplace. She walked over and flicked her wand, causing a roaring fire to appear instantly.

Hermione, Ron, and Ginny sat down on the couch, while McGonagall and Harry settled into two of the armchairs. The students stared at their professor silently.

Professor McGonagall clasped her hands in her lap and peered at them gravely. "Professor Dumbledore asked me to come and give you the news. He didn't think it appropriate for you to find out from the Daily Prophet."

McGonagall paused, surveying her students. "There's been an attack in London. The casualties have not yet been determined. However, both Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt are missing."

Harry doubled over, feeling as though a sledgehammer had been swung heavily into his stomach. He heard Hermione and Ginny gasp. Harry stared at the floor, willing himself not to vomit. He raised his eyes to his professor.

"What happened?" he croaked.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "I can't tell you much. Shacklebolt and Tonks were following a lead the Ministry received on Death Eater activity. Apparently, it was a trap."

Harry held his head in his hands, the enormity of the situation overwhelming him. He took a deep breath. "It has started then."

McGonagall nodded her head slowly. "Yes, Mr. Potter. It appears it has."

The second war had officially begun. Perhaps the incident on Harry's birthday had been a warning, although Harry wouldn't put it past Voldemort to think it just a game. However, a deliberate attack, a staged leak of information, and a calculated trap … the war had definitely begun.

Professor McGonagall stared into the fire. "I know the four of you were acquainted with Shacklebolt and Tonks. I imagine you're quite close to Tonks especially, having spent most of the summer with her."

Harry's thoughts moved to Remus. He must be worried sick, and he was all alone at Grimmauld Place. Harry stood up. "I've got to go see Remus. He's all alone … he'll be –"

Professor McGonagall raised her hand. "Don't worry, Harry. Professor Dumbledore has gone to be with Remus."

Harry' body shook involuntarily. His knees felt weak as his stomach continued to tie itself into knots. He returned to his seat.

Professor McGonagall stood and addressed the four students. "I imagine it would do me no good to tell you to get some sleep." She paused, looking at them sadly. "I will let you know as soon as we hear anything." She swept out of the common room, leaving Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione stricken.

Harry raised his eyes as he heard a small whimper from Hermione. She had her face in her hands as she cried softly. Ron put his arm around her and pulled her into his chest.

Harry glanced at Ginny. She had her arms wrapped around herself as she stared into the fire, her expression blank. Her face was pale and her jaw was clenched. Harry walked over and kneeled in front of her, looking into her eyes. She blinked her eyes and then focused them on Harry. She opened her mouth and whispered, "Tonks."

Harry nodded as he felt his breath catch in his throat.

Ginny's eyes filled with tears. She leaned forward as Harry wrapped his arms around her. Harry's mind raced as he held Ginny, the unknown seeming worse than an absolute truth. Not knowing where Shacklebolt and Tonks were allowed his mind to imagine horrible fates. Harry hoped his imagination was nowhere near the truth.

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione sat red-eyed and somber at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. They pushed their breakfast around their plates absent-mindedly, their thoughts far from Hogwarts. The Great Hall was nearly empty as it was still quite early. They had not returned to bed, but sat silently comforting each other until morning. They had dressed quickly and quietly, and walked to the Great Hall together.

Harry pushed his plate away, realizing that trying to eat was futile. His stomach had not stopped its twisting, and adding food to the mix was not a good idea.

"You should eat, Harry," Hermione said automatically.

Harry raised his eyes to her. She was staring at the tabletop, her plate untouched. She met Harry's gaze and attempted a small smile. Her bottom lip trembled.

"I hate not knowing!" she whispered frantically.

Harry reached his hand across the table and set it on top of Hermione's. Ron lifted his hand and rubbed Hermione's back soothingly. Ginny set her hand on top of Harry's. They sat in silence, waiting.

The Great Hall filled around them. The cheerful chatter of students seemed misplaced. Harry felt like yelling at everyone to be quiet, but realized that they did not know. No one had told them that the war had begun.

"Hey, Ginny! There you are!"

Dean strode across the hall, smiling broadly. His smile faded as he approached the group.

"What's up with you lot? You all look as though your best friend has died."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny glared at Dean, who was oblivious to the inappropriateness of his comment.

"What's going on?" he asked.

The hoot of owls caused everyone's focus to be diverted. They watched silently as hundreds of owls swooped through the air. A large brown owl landed in front of Hermione, carrying the Daily Prophet.

Hermione stared at the owl apprehensively. It was not until it nipped her sharply on the hand that she jumped and slipped a coin into its leather pouch, and untied the newspaper from its leg.

The newspaper unfurled in front of them. A large picture covered the front page. Harry felt nauseous. Glittering in the sky above a muggle-filled street was a distinguishable Dark Mark.

Hermione pulled the newspaper in front of her and read aloud:

Attack leaves Ten Dead, Dozens Injured

Our own Daily Prophet correspondent, Alice McNab, has confirmed the shocking news of a Death Eater attack in the heart of London late last night. McNab arrived at the London location early this morning to find the street in ruins.

"I have not seen devastation like this in years," McNab reported. "It reminded me of the years when You-Know-Who was at the height of his power."

While there have been no confirmed sightings of You-Know-Who since his appearance at the Ministry of Magic this spring, the attack this morning is reminiscent of his past actions of nearly fifteen years ago.

"There is no indication why the Death Eaters chose this street as their target," McNab reported. "The area is a quiet neighbourhood, populated mainly by muggles."

The Ministry has not confirmed the rumours that several Ministry aurors were on duty in the area at the time of the attack. Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, has refused to comment on the incident…

Hermione pushed the paper away from her and put her face in her hands.

"Well, of course Fudge wouldn't comment," Ron said bitterly. "He'd actually have to take a stand."

Dean sat down beside Ginny. "Did you already know about this?" he asked quietly.

Ginny nodded, glancing at the others. "McGonagall woke us to tell us."

Dean frowned. "Why?"

Ginny shifted in her seat, unsure of what information to give Dean. None of the students knew about the Order of the Phoenix, never mind the connection that Ginny, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had with it. Ginny swallowed. "We know one of the aurors that was there. She's a friend of the family … and she's … missing."

Dean's face fell. "I'm sorry, Ginny."

Ginny nodded as she leaned stiffly on the table. Harry looked at Ginny sympathetically, knowing full well the difficulty of keeping secrets.

Hermione raised her head from her hands. "This didn't really tell us anything new," she said, frowning at the paper. "We're no further ahead now than we were hours ago."

They stared at the image of the street in ruins with the Dark Marks dancing overhead on the front of the newspaper. Whatever solace they were hoping the newspaper would bring, they had not found it. Instead, they were filled with more dread, more anxiety, and more frustration.

Hermione crumpled the paper in her hand and threw it across the table. Harry stared at Hermione, stunned. Other than the time she stormed out of Divination class, Hermione was usually so level-headed. It was rare for her to show such frustration.

Ron reached over and grabbed Hermione's clenched fist with his hand. He squeezed her hand gently. "It will be okay, Hermione," Ron said softly.

She turned her eyes on him, her voice shrill. "How do you know? How can everything be okay?" Her eyes burned into his, filled with anger, fear and pain.

Ron shook his head and said quietly, "I don't know. I just have to believe it."

Hermione sobbed and wrapped her arms around Ron's neck. Ron stroked Hermione's back, whispering words of comfort softly into her ear.

Dean seemed unnerved by Hermione's behaviour. Harry heard Dean whisper to Ginny. "So this is quite serious, then, this attack?"

Ginny turned to face Dean. "Are you seriously asking me that question?"

Harry swallowed. If Dean had never experienced a Weasley temper before, he was about to.

Dean seemed to be frozen in his seat, unsure whether he'd be better off replying or staying quiet. Ginny didn't give him the opportunity.

"Did you hear the headline, Dean? Ten muggles were killed. KILLED, Dean! And dozens more injured. V-voldemort's back, Death Eaters are attacking innocent people, and you're asking if the situation is serious? What's wrong with you?"

Dean stared at Ginny open-mouthed. Ginny's face was red and her eyes glinted dangerously.

"Excuse me. I need to be alone." Ginny stood and stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving Dean gaping after her.

Harry's lessons were particularly painful that morning. Snape seemed exceedingly hateful towards Harry during his Potions lesson. Harry imagined it had to do with the events in the training room, but he couldn't be sure. Snape's behaviour did not go unnoticed by Harry's fellow classmates, especially when Snape took twenty points from Gryffindor for Harry's quill scratching too loudly as he wrote. Parvati had opened her mouth to protest, but Harry put his hand on her arm and shook his head. Snape didn't need excuses to deduct more points from Gryffindor.

The rest of the morning was only a slight improvement over Potions. Flitwick had assigned another essay to be done over the weekend, dealing with very complicated shield charms. Even Care of Magical Creatures was a nightmare. Harry had not noticed when the rain had started, but by the time they were heading to Hagrid's hut for their class, the rain was coming down in sheets. Hagrid, however, couldn't have been happier. He was overjoyed that the students were able to see the Augureys leave their nests as they escaped to enjoy the rain. The sight of the pathetic birds only depressed Harry more.

The students clambered up the hill toward the castle at the end of class, dispirited and drenched.

Harry allowed Hermione to perform a drying spell on his robes before he headed to the library at lunch. He still had no appetite, and he had yet to finish the homework he had drooled all over the previous evening. Despite Ron and Hermione's protests that he should eat something, Harry ran up to the library to take advantage of the time to work uninterrupted. He threw himself down in a chair and pulled his books out of his bag. A shadow fell across him.

"Hi, Harry."

Harry looked up and saw Ginny standing in front of him. He smiled weakly. "Hey, Gin."

She sat down beside him. "Have you heard anything yet?"

Harry shook his head.

Ginny sighed. "Do you mind if I work beside you?"

"Of course not," Harry replied..

Ginny leaned over her bag and pulled two large books out and plopped them on the table. She opened the top book and began poring over it. Harry stared at Ginny as her forehead crinkled in concentration. Despite the circles under her eyes, Harry marveled at how pretty she looked.

Harry shook his head. Where did that come from? He turned back to his homework, trying to ignore the odd sensation he was feeling in the pit of his stomach. Maybe I should have eaten, Harry thought to himself.

Harry stared at his drool-smudged parchment and began to recopy it. He then turned to his Transfiguration text and researched the information he needed to complete the assignment. He wondered if McGonagall had noticed that it was homework for her class that he had fallen asleep on last night. He wrote quickly and hastily. It was definitely not his best work, but it would have to do.

Harry glanced at Ginny and noticed that she had fallen asleep. Her head rested on her arms on top of the open book, and her hair fell all around her. Harry reached over and brushed her hair away from her face. She looked so peaceful with her eyes closed and her face relaxed without the stresses of the day weighing on her mind. Harry smiled. Merlin, she's beautiful.

There it was again. A completely foreign thought had passed through Harry's mind unwittingly. What's wrong with me? Harry's mind raced, trying to find answers to his own questions flying through his mind. You haven't slept and you haven't eaten. Your body's gone mad. It's malfunctioning. There could be no other reason.

Harry leaned over and touched Ginny's arm, ignoring the jolt it sent through him. He shook her arm gently. Ginny jerked upright, her eyes wide. Harry grinned at her.

"Harry! How could you let me fall asleep?" she scolded, her cheeks burning bright.

Harry laughed. "Oh, you're blaming me, are you?"

Ginny blushed deeper and punched Harry playfully on the arm. She groaned as she surveyed her open book, "How does anyone stand a chance in History of Magic. It's so boring!"

"Don't let Hermione hear you say that," Harry warned teasingly.

Ginny wrinkled her nose. "Hermione can shove it up her – "

"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed laughing.

Ginny sighed. "Honestly, do we have to love all of our subjects and all of our teachers all of the time?"

Harry shook his head. "Definitely not. Right now, I pretty much hate every one of them."

Ginny grinned at Harry, causing his stomach to flip. "Thanks, Harry. I needed to hear that."

Harry smiled and gathered his books together. "I'm going to grab something to eat. Do you want to come?"

Ginny shrugged. "Sure. I guess I should try and eat something today. I am feeling a bit strange."

You're not the only one.

"Have you heard anything, Professor?"

Professor McGonagall stared down at Harry, Hermione and Ron. They had rushed into their Transfiguration class before the other students in hopes of receiving new information.

"I'm afraid not," she frowned. "As I said this morning, I will let you know as soon as I can."

Harry, Ron and Hermione moved slowly to their desks. Harry sat behind Ron and Hermione, slouching in his chair. He hadn't noticed Parvati sit beside him.

"Harry?"

Harry looked up and saw Parvati eyeing him curiously. Her forehead wrinkled as she asked, "Are you okay?"

Harry straightened in his chair and nodded.

She stared at him. "You've seemed distracted all day."

Harry looked at Parvati. He noticed how concerned she looked.

"Did you hear about the Death Eater attacks in London?" he asked.

Parvati nodded.

Harry sighed. "I know a couple people that were there at the time. They're still missing."

Parvati's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, Harry. Are you close to them?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. One of them is a good friend of mine."

Parvati laid a hand on Harry's arm. "Let me know if I can do anything."

Harry smiled at her kindness. "Thanks."

Harry would not have been able to tell anyone what happened during the remainder of class. While his books were open and his quill poised above his parchment, Harry stared blankly at his desk. He was becoming increasingly worried. If Tonks and Shacklebolt were all right, shouldn't they have heard something by now?

Harry jumped to his senses as the sounds of scraping chairs met his ears. The students around him were packing their bags and leaving the classroom. Harry looked down at his blank piece of parchment.

"Here," Parvati said, holding a piece of parchment out to him. "You can copy my notes."

Harry stared at her. "You don't have to -- "

Parvati smiled. "I want to. I'll get them back from you over the weekend."

Harry nodded and smiled at her gratefully. That was the second time she had helped cover for him in class.

Harry placed the parchment and his text in his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He turned to Ron and Hermione. "Ready to go?"

They nodded and followed Harry and Parvati in the direction of Professor Pandoran's classroom. They had a double Defense Against the Dark Arts class to end the week. Normally, Harry would have been pleased. But the prospect of sitting through another class was not appealing.

"Have you got any Skiving Snackboxes on you Ron?" Harry asked wearily.

"Harry!" Hermione scolded.

Ron grinned. "I wish I did, mate."

Hermione frowned and clicked her tongue.

Parvati turned to Ron. "Aren't Skiving Snackboxes those things that Fred and George were testing out last year?"

Ron nodded. "Yeah. They've got all kinds now. They're a top seller in their shop."

Parvati smiled. "So they're doing well then?"

Ron shrugged. "Yeah, they seem to – "

"Mr. Potter!"

All four students turned at the sound of Harry's name being called. Professor McGonagall was rushing towards him. Harry's stomach dropped to his feet.

"Mr. Potter, I've just received word. You're to come with me to the Headmaster's office," Professor McGonagall said as she approached him.

Ron stepped forward. "We're coming too."

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said sternly. "Only Mr. Potter will be coming with me."

Ron and Hermione stared at McGonagall angrily.

"I'm sorry," Professor McGonagall said, softening her expression. "Please inform Professor Pandoran not to expect Harry for class today."

Ron and Hermione's faces frowned with worry. Harry swallowed, waved a goodbye to Ron, Hermione and Parvati, and turned to follow Professor McGonagall.

They walked in silence to Dumbledore's office. Harry felt his heart pounding in his chest. He tried frantically to prepare himself for whatever news he was about to hear, fearing the worst. They stepped onto the revolving staircase, and soon faced the large oak door. McGonagall knocked softly and then opened the door. Harry's heart leapt into his throat.

"Remus!"