Chapter 3 - Warnings
By ~ Zero Star (zrostar)
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~ A shadow befell the world and everything ceased to exist. Once long ago, there was light, maybe even sounds other than this endless rushing. For now, the world was dark and enclosed in swaying pools of twilight. This dank circle of emptiness soaked into his skeleton, creating pits of ice that travelled through his body. It destroyed his spirit and his will. The ebony shadows took hold of his mind. The small awareness was eclipses into its prison once more. ~
Harry snapped awake with a harsh gasp, he felt as if he had been drowning. His eyes blurred and mind panicked, he reached out for anything to touch. Something to tell him this world was real. Something to help him breath again.
In his fury of panic he reached outward. He touched soft fabric. It was Draco's collar. "Help me," Harry choked, "Help me!"
Draco was so surprised by Harry's sudden grab, the Slytherin screamed. It was high pitched, like a little girl's pitiful cry for help. Draco's eyes became wide with fright as he attempting vainly to fight off the attacking Harry Potter. Crabbe and Goyle ran, afraid a Gryffindor attack would be planned for them as well, leaving Draco behind.
Finally, Draco had pulled himself free, the door slammed shut, and Harry slumped, panting on the floor. Ron and Hermione rushed to his sides, shouting a frantic "Harry! Harry!"
"I'm fine..." he whispered, his mind waking up from his terrifying dream. He shook himself and righted his glasses. Ron guided him back to his seat.
"Harry!" Ron was worried and it showed clearly in his voice. "What was that all about?! What happened?"
"I told you," Harry grumbled, "I haven't been sleeping well."
Hermione butted in, "If that's how you've been sleeping, I would say you have a bigger problem than insomnia! We're here to help you Harry, you know that!"
Harry Potter rubbed his scar absently with a sigh.
"Alright... I've been having this strange dream... I don't know how to describe it. I don't think I can put it into words. Each time I have one, it gets worse. Sometimes, all I see is darkness, other times it's like I'm trapped in it. Once I think I saw something trapped with me, a light, I think..." He hesitated to continue, but looking into the faces of his worried friends, he knew he must tell them. "They aren't like normal nightmares, I've had plenty of those! No, these are like a message that's slowly being spelled out."
"What kind of sick message is that?!" Ron blurted out.
"I don't know..." Harry sighed again.
Ron and Hermione sat silently, trying to process this new information. Shock and horror showed on Ron's face, but Hermione's eyes gazed inwardly, as if she were pondering it's unknown message.
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The mighty Hogwarts Express pulled into the station with much a clang and clatter. Engine steam fogged the pathway to the lake, hanging in the strangely crisp air.
"First years! First years follow me!" Hagrid's great form crowded the walkway as he swung his lantern over the heads of the students. "Alright there, Harry?" The gentle giant asked.
There was an instant rush of whispering from the new students.
"Harry? Harry Potter?!"
"I think I saw him in the luu."
"You did NOT!"
"I want to see Harry Potter!"
He was used to it by now, and greeted Hagrid.
"Harry, I want ye to come and see me as soon as possible." His tone was very serious. "There's a lot planned for this year that I needs to tell yer about. Bring yer little friends too."
Hermione and Ron moved a bit closer together. This year was already starting off oddly. Something told the trio, it would only get worse.
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Ron moved closely to his friends. The many moving shadows cast by student were playing tricks on him. He was having frightening visions of a serpent-headed dagger slipping from the darkness, held by Professor Snape who had been waiting to kill the three Gryffindors. With that in mind, Ron jumped with terror at the smallest sounds from the night. Hermione hadn't stopped her thinking since Harry told them about his dreams. And Harry, trudged zombie-like to the castle. He hoped he wouldn't fall asleep in his meal after the sorting ceremony. In fact, he was fairly oblivious to everything until they were seated at the Gryffindor table, in the great hall.
The sorting ritual was about to begin, and he thought back to the day he himself had sat on the stool and the hat debated if he should be placed in Gryffindor or Slytherin. That day still troubled him. What Slytherin quality did he own? A part of his worst enemy. The heir of Salazar Slytherin himself. Within him he held part of the inhuman monster that murdered his parents and caused Harry's tragic life. To have such a dark thing in a child's soul was a nightmare, worse than any he has ever had. Including the current series of them.
An elbow in the ribs got Harry's attention. A loud PSSST, got Ron's.
"Look!" Hermione whispered. "There are new teachers this year."
The High Table was suddenly very interesting to the two boys. Next to Albus Dumbledore sat a tall tanned man with extremely gray hair. His features looked noble and he seemed to radiate dignity. Black and gold were the dominating colors of his robes.
"I think he's Egyptian!" Ron exclaimed quietly. "Certainly looks like the ones I saw when we won that trip."
"There are place settings for at least two others. I wonder which one is our next Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Hermione puzzled.
"Who cares, look at Snape!" Ron sounded the happiest he had been all day.
Professor Snape looked paler and thinner than usual. He rested his forehead in one hand and clenched the other in a tight fist. Snape's contorted face remained hidden from view, due to the black strands that had fallen astray. He looked like he was in a great deal of pain, or perhaps about to be sick. Save for Ron, the other two were worried.
Harry's thoughts instantly moved to Voldemort. Snape was the closest one to the Dark Lord among the Hogwarts staff. If something were up, Snape would know. On the other hand, maybe he did test one of his own poisons... there was a benefit to Snape being ill after all, he couldn't stare down at Harry with those cold black eyes.
The first years burst into the room and Harry decided to push those thoughts into the back of his mind for the moment.
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After several revisions, this chapter still feels rough...
email me for ideas if you have them.
10-27-02