Harry appeared back at Hogwarts looking like a different person. In fact he felt like a different person. He had gone to get his hair cut; now it was just long enough to allow his bangs to hide the scar that was on his forehead but long enough to still look cute and uncontrollable, get cleaned up and get new robes. Now he stood at the entrance to Hogwarts castle debating with himself whether or not he should a) turn and run or b) go inside and face every one.
In the end he let his Gryffindor courage tell him what to do. Taking a deep breath Harry opened the doors to the entrance Hall but not before turning invisible.
"Just in case," he muttered as he went in.
The whole school was seated in the Great Hall and were preparing for dinner. The Hall was filled with talk of what happened during classes, talk in general, or the main topic, what happened in Care of Magical Creatures that morning.
At the Head table things were looking a little bit different; the Headmaster looked like something was bothering him and the staff had not been slow in noticing it. In turn, the headmaster looking uneasy made them feel very on edge.
To Headmaster Dumbledore something didn't feel quiet right. It wasn't the fact that the boy-who-lived had been almost right under his nose or that he was back but it was an uneasy feeling of dread. It was one that wouldn't leave; it was one that filled him with fear.
It was when he began to stand up that the events took place.
Dumbledore stood up to give a small speech and before he knew it he couldn't move. It wasn't like the I'm-frozen-in-fear sort of not being able to move it was more the something-is-stoping-me-from-moving sort of thing.
As Dumbledore stood up the Hall went respectfully quiet waiting for the Headmaster to speak. It was when every one started to get worried that the Hall was filled with movement.
At least fifteen black hooded figures appeared and started rounding up students and teachers alike.
As the hooded figures appeared Ron felt a hand grasp his tightly and heard a small intake of breath from his right. Looking around he saw the panicking faces of the younger students and the looks of confusion from many of the older students. It was as he looked around that Ron started to notice the few faces that were looking to him for a signal.
Getting a determined glint in his eyes Ron bent down to Hermione and whispered a few words in her ear. As she looked up, her look of fear and uncertainty diminished and were replaced with a look not unlike Ron's; a look of determination.
Giving each other a small nod they slowly reached for their wands but they didn't notice that all of the students and teachers had been herded together and the hooded figures were in the middle of placing anti-magic wards around that group.
It was as they realised this that they head a deep throaty laugh that sounded menacing coming from that figure that looked to be the leader.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here," He reached up and removed his hood.
As he did so all of the other hooded figures took their hoods off as well. Although it was clear that they were all DeathEaters the shock that they were in the school was still there.
"Well, Dumbledore. It seems that Hogwarts isn't the safest place to be after all," he said with a laugh.
"I would seem so Lucious," Dumbledore replied calmly, "How did you manage such a feet?"
"It was quiet simple old man. But I will spare you the details," Malfoy Senior turned to a man on his left and muttered a few quick words to him.
Turning back to face the school population he spoke again, "what was it you told Potter at the end of last year? I believe that it was the prophecy."
The Great Hall seemed to be dead silent, so silent that you could hear everyone breathing.
"Yes, it was that Lucious."
"I demand you to tell it to me." Malfoy paused for a moment and seemed to be looking for something and it seemed he found it when a shocked Hermione went flying into his arms. "Tell it to me old man or the mudblood gets it."
Dumbledore remained quiet and looked defeated. It was clear that Lucious was getting impatient because he was jabbing Hermione in the neck. Slowly taking a deep breath Dumbledore gave a regretful nod.
It was at the nod that Malfoy's eyes seemed to shine with triumph. But when Dumbledore remained silent he started to get impatient once again.
"Now Dumbledore! This mudblood might not have too much longer to live. Now tell me the prophecy!"
It was then that a new voice added itself to the conversation.
"Now, now Malfoy. That is private information. We cant have your master knowing something he wasn't meant to now can we."
Every one was looking around trying to locate this mysterious new comer but no one could.
"Show your self!" shouted the furious Malfoy into seemingly thin air.
To his merit Malfoy received no response.
"What is the meaning of this trickery Dumbledore!"
"I can assure you that I do not know."
After frantically looking around once more Malfoy spoke.
"Show your self or the mudblood dies!" he shouted.
"As you wish," came the reply.
Before their very eyes a figure appeared clad in an emerald cloak with the hood covering his face. Even without being able to see his face or and other place of his form better it was obvious that he was well built.
"Reveal yourself are or face the consequences.
"Well I wouldn't want to face the consequences now would I," he said and with that he took off is hood to reveal a grinning Harry Potter.
In a flash Malfoy's eyes went wide as his eyes darted up to his forehead to the famous scar.
"No, it can't be."
"It can and it is, now leave them all alone Malfoy," Said Harry, his voice becoming serious.
By now all of the students, teachers and DeathEaters alike were craning their necks trying to see who this mysterious person was.
"Hah, you think that because you show up after, what was it nine months, that I will let them go?" Malfoy said laughing.
Taking a look around Harry met the eyes of Dumbledore and they shared a small smile and a knowing wink.
"If that's how you feel about it then what do you say to a duel? If I win you leave and you will not harm any of the teachers or students. But if you win I'll tell you the prophecy."
Ha! I'll take you up on that Potter," snarled Malfoy.
A gasp went around the Hall as the identity of the stranger was revealed.
Hermione's eyes went wide and started to desperately search out Harry's.
"So Potter, I'm guessing that you want your precious mudblood back?" with that he roughly pushed Hermione into Harry.
"You just made another mistake Malfoy," said Harry as he guided Hermione to the side where Dumbledore met them, "You degraded her and if you ask you spineless son you will find out that degrading her is not a good idea."
Malfoy just smirked.
Harry moved back in front of Malfoy and with a wave of his hade erected shields to stop any spells that missed hitting anyone.
Facing Harry, Malfoy got into his stance with an evil grin on his face.
"Sorry Potter but you don't have much chance of winning this one."
Standing in a normal position Harry responded with a grin.
The next thing that the people in the Hall were aware of was Malfoy calling out spells.
"Crucio."
Harry dodged to the left and gave Malfoy a big grin.
Before he knew it Harry was dodging a stunner and another crucio.
"Damn you Potter! Fight like a man."
This comment wiped the grin off Harry's face as he took up a duelling stance.
"How about we make this interesting Malfoy? You don't hold back and neither will I?"
"Well then prepare to taste defeat Potter," he snarled.
Harry's only response was a smirk that would have been worthy of Malfoy himself.
(AN/ ok guys, this is where you will find out a bit more on Harry's new powers that were mentioned last chapter)
Raising his hand into the air Harry called out,
"Mione!" and the next second in his hand was a staff.
The staff was magnificent. It stood at about 5 feet high, it was made of mahogany with gold prints that seemed to wrap themselves around the staff from the bottom to the top. At the very top of the staff sat a large stone that was white with a gold lightning bolt in the middle. The staff seemed to have a white light coming off it.
Malfoy's eyes widened in shock at the staff but he quickly shook it off and took up a duelling stance once again.
Once again it was Malfoy who started things off.
"Crucio," he yelled.
Harry brought up his staff in a some what diagonal position and watched as the Unforgivable simply bounced off an invisible shield and shot back at Malfoy.
Taken by surprise Malfoy jumped to the side at the last moment only to look up and see a red spell coming right for him.
Thinking quickly he rolled to the side and got back to his feet to see a smirking Harry.
Letting out a growl Malfoy let out a stream of curses that went directly towards Harry. He erected another shield only to have the spells hit it followed by a large amount of smoke fill the area in which they were fighting.
As the smoke approached him, Malfoy was looking around wildly for an escape but found none. Slowly coming to his senses he erected a shield and waited for the smoke to go away.
When it did the population of the Hall was shocked to see that Harry was not anywhere to be seen. Cautiously Malfoy let down his shield as he looked around.
Hermione was getting distraught; she had only just got Harry back and she didn't even have time to talk to him before he disappeared again. She turned to Ron as he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting gesture; his face looked grim as he too looked for his best friend.
Their attention was reverted back to the centre of the Hall by a low laugh that seemed to increase as it continued. Lucious Malfoy stood in the middle laughing and as he did so the DeathEaters joined in.
"I fail to see what's so funny Malfoy," came Harry's voice from somewhere no one could locate.
Heads once again where swivelling around trying to find where the voice was coming from.
Suddenly Harry seemed to materialise out of nowhere only about three meters in front of Malfoy. His face was still supporting the grin that was on it earlier.
"Now it starts Malfoy, but I take my word back; I wont give my all but you will."
"What ever Potter. That's your foolish mistake and now you will pay for it!"
What happened next was almost too fast for Harry to follow, and that was saying something. Malfoy had pulled down the shields and then used a summoning charm.
It wasn't long before a squealing Hermione Granger was once more pulled into the duel.
As soon as Hermione was in reach Malfoy grabbed her and got her in a tight hold with his wand at her throat. He now had yet another smirk on his face but this time it was one that said 'I've-won-Potter'.
"Leave her out of this Malfoy," growled Harry.
"Or you'll do what," Malfoy snarled back.
"Things that would make Voldermort cringe."
"Try your best Potter. If you so much as move an inch toward us then the mudblood dies."
Harry lowered his head towards the ground with a frown on his face. Even though he had trained he had never trained for a situation like this. If Razor was here he would be disappointed in me, thought Harry. It was then that he knew what to do. It would probably hurt like hell but it would save Hogwarts for the moment, Hermione would be safe and the DeathEaters would leave. But that was if it worked.
Taking a chance Harry looked up and faked a look of defeat and self-pity.
"I guess this is the end."
Malfoy smirked.
"Indeed."
"I give. Just let me walk out of the Hall and I'll leave you be."
There were gasps in the Hall at the thought of their hero forfeiting and leaving them all to slavery, torture and death.
Malfoy was quiet for a moment and then a smile came over his face.
"Ha! Does this mean that I have beaten the Great Harry Potter?"
"Yes," said Harry but under his breath he added "but not for long."
"Then get your muggle loving self out of my site!"
Harry walked over to the solid doors and then the next thing that they all heard was a call, a wolfs call. With this Harry turned back to the occupants of the Hall and gave them a smirk (smirking seemed to be happening a lot) before appreating right beside Malfoy and giving him a strong elbow in the side, which caused him to double over and release his hold on Hermione. Harry then delivered the DeathEater a knee in the face which in turn broke Malfoy's already unattractive nose.
By this time the Deatheaters surrounding the Hall had snapped out of their shock and were making their way to Harry and Malfoy. But they didn't get too far before the Hall was filled with howls and every body turned to see a pack of wolves in the entrance.
A look of relief came over Harry's face as he saw them. He quickly called out to them.
"Attack the ones in the plain black robes, or the ones that you can sense evil in."
He received a howl in reply and then the wolves ran into the battle.
Turning his attention back on Malfoy he saw him standing with his wand pointing at Hermione.
"Sorry Potter but it looks like she dies anyway."
Harry's eyes went wide as he put together what Malfoy was going to do. He then looked at Hermione and saw the look of sadness in her eyes and knew that he couldn't let her die.
By the time Harry had thought through what was happening around him Malfoy was starting to speak.
"Adva…"
Harry didn't even think about it, he ran forward and sent a spell that would allow Dumbledore to do magic again.
"Kavada"
At this Harry jumped forward in front of Hermione and took the spell that was meant for her and he hit the ground as blackness surrounded his mind.
All of the fighting stopped as Hermione Granger screamed as she watched her best friend and possibly more get hit by the killing curse and hit the ground hard.
Hermione watched as Harry hit the ground and slowly she let herself slip to the ground and cried for the-boy-who-lived. She crawled over and wrapped her arms around him as she pulled him into one last hug and begun rocking him gently back and forth.
Everyone watched Hermione rock the dead body of their hero. All around the Hall different people were reacting in different ways. The students were shocked and some were crying as were most of the Teachers and the Deatheaters were smirking.
There was one man who had a different emotion in him and that was Albus Dumbledore, he was angry and it was frightening. He slowly walked over to Malfoy without him seeing and then spoke in a voice like ice.
"Leave now Lucious. Take your Deatheater's with you."
Malfoy knew that this was his time to leave and leave he did. As all cowards do he turned and ran with the rest of the Deatheater's following him.
Looking weak Dumbledore walked over to Harry and the still crying Hermione. Reaching down he extracted Hermione from Harry and into the arms of Ron who didn't even knew how he got there. In Ron's arms she continued to cry, not caring who saw.
Bending right down beside Harry, Dumbledore searched for a pulse. After about thirty seconds he found one, it was very light, almost not there but there was one none the less.
Trying to keep track of Harry's pulse Dumbledore called for the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey.
"Poppy! Poppy! I found a pulse!"
As soon as he said that almost every head in the Hall looked up at the Headmaster hoping that it wasn't his idea of a sick joke. Once they saw his face and the school matron running over towards him, they knew that it was true; Harry was alive.
When Hermione heard Dumbledore call out to Madam Pomfrey, she turned her head so that she was now looking up at Ron instead off crying into his chest. The look in her eye was all that Ron needed to see to be able to answer he question.
"We will have to wait and see," he told her in what he hopped was a strong voice.
On the inside Ron knew that he was just as nervous as Hermione was. To him Harry was just like a big brother and he couldn't lose him, if he did he knew that every thing would fall apart and so would Hermione.
Everyone watched as Madam Pomfery quickly looked him over before she conjured a stretcher and she walked briskly off to the infirmary with Dumbledore looking lost behind her.
Every one was still as they were left in their own thoughts about what had happened with the Deatheaters and Harry. After what seemed like hours but was really only five minutes Dumbledore got to his feet and walked over to the rest of the student and staff body.
He opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to form the words. Still looking shocked he took a moment to regain his thoughts before trying again.
"I think that you all should return to your dormitories after such an eventful night."
It took them a moment but they slowly the students started to walk in the direction of their common rooms. The only people not moving were Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley and a few of the Professors.
All of them were facing Dumbledore just hoping that he could give them some answers.
The silence was long before Ron opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the Headmaster.
"I know what you are going to ask and I'm sure that a) Harry will recover, b) He will explain everything in good time. Now I must as you all to head to your respective beds."
There were some different looks at the Headmaster but he was too deep in thought to really notice.
Hermione's body was numb and she didn't even notice Ron directing her in the direction of the Gryffindor common room. So many things had happened to her and they were all starting to take there toll on her body and mind. Hermione didn't remember anything of the journey to the common room but came to again when they arrived outside the portrait hole. She looked at the fat lady and the next thing she knew was blackness as her body gave out under the stress of the nights events.
In the Hospital Wing things were rushing. Harry was now lying on a bed while Madam Pomfrey ran around feeding him potions and casting spells over his body. With the matron running around and the only other person in the Wing unconscious, no one saw the silver wolf sneaking into the room and then under Harry's bed.
After some time the Matron whispered some words under her breath and then left to retire for the night. It was then that the wolf got out from under the bed and instead climbed up on it. After moving around a bit he found a comfortable spot and fell asleep beside his human friend.
AN/
Howday guys!
I hope you liked it. I know that you don't know much about Harry's new powers but I promise that in the chapters to come you will find out more about them.
If you have anything that you want to happen in the coming chapters you are welcome to tell me and I'll see about it. Thanks for the reviews and hopefully I'll update again soon but I won't guarantee it.
Please review the story cause it does help.
