Professor Dumbledore walked calmly to where Harry sat on the platform, waving a hand to stem the flow of questions the Aurors had for him. Harry looked tiredly at his Headmaster.
"Are you alright Harry? Do you feel up to magical travel?" Professor Dumbledore asked with a concerned frown. Harry tried to stand but his left leg protested painfully. He sat back down and nodded.
"Dumbledore, we must know what happened here!" A bold Auror exclaimed, sweeping his hand out to indicate the now spotless train station. The Auror was tall, though not as tall as Dumbledore, and broad shouldered. His red cloak was tight at the arms where bulging muscles stuck out.
"And you will, John. Let me see to Harry first. He is injured." The headmaster knelt to Harry's level and took out a gold watch from one of his voluminous robe pockets. He touched his wand to the watch and it glowed blue for a moment. "This is a portkey Harry. Have you ever used one?"
Harry shook his head and looked curiously at the watch. Dumbledore continued. "Taking hold of this will transport you to the Hogwarts hospital wing instantaneously. It will be a jarring experience, but you can handle it. Are you ready?" Harry nodded and reached for the watch.
"Okay, one, two, three." And Harry suddenly felt like something grabbed him by his spine and pulled him toward the gold watch. His vision was a sea of color and loud sounds assaulted his ears. There was distinct feeling of falling and spinning. Then just as quickly, it was over. Harry pocketed the watch with a grimace and looked around.
"Why is magical travel so uncomfortable?" He muttered rhetorically as he took in the familiar sight of the Hospital wing. White walls of stone and a high ceiling surrounded lined beds with white sheets and pillows. A smell of disinfectant permeated the room. Harry ambled painfully to a bed and sat on it, resigning himself to an extensive check up with the school nurse, Madam Pomfrey. At that thought, the nurse office door opened and out came the woman herself.
Madam Pomfrey was an older woman with white hair tied into a bun under a nurse's bonnet. She wore a black nurse robe with a white apron that held most of her potions and salves she needed on hand. She looked around curiously and when she saw Harry she bustled over to him with a roll of her eyes.
"Mister Potter the school year hasn't even started and yet here you are, already injured!" She motioned for Harry to lay down and with a wave of her wand his torso was free of his ruined shirt. At the sight of Harry's wounds she gasped and her hands went for her salves.
"What happened? Professor Dumbledore told me you may need assistance but for it to be this bad, what attacked you Mister Potter?" Harry winced as her gloved hands applied the salve to the burns on his chest.
"It was some sort of monster. I've never seen something like that before, not even in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Huge, purple with massive horns carrying a sword of fire." Harry described the beast and saw Pomfrey's countenance become grimmer at every word. "It stood on two feet like a man, and could run very fast. Everything it did burned. Even when I wasn't near it."
"A demon of fire. I'll let Professor Dumbledore tell you properly, but demons were used as weapons in the last war." The nurse went back to her ministrations and Harry was momentarily lost in thought. A demon? How did a demon even get here? Why did it know Harry's name and come after him?
"Let me see your hands." Madam Pomfrey ordered and Harry lifted his burned hands. Pomfrey applied the salve on his hands and bandaged them. She looked down at Harry with a kind smile as she applied a salve to Harry's face.
"You'll make a full recovery Mister Potter. Those burns aren't any worse than what a dragon can do and this salve," she held up the bottle filled with blue gel, "will fix it right up. Your left leg is bruised but nothing major, and your eye can be fixed with this. Episkey!" Harry felt the strange sensation of his eye restoring skin and opening up properly. "You'll miss the Starting feast and the Sorting I'm afraid, but I can have some food brought to you. Stay in bed and get some rest." And with that Harry was alone again.
After an uncounted amount of time of Harry going over his encounter with the demon and worrying about Hedwig who was stuck in her cage the whole time, the Hospital wing doors opened to a visitor.
Professor Dumbledore walked in and went straight to Harry's bed. His eyes, usually holding a merry gleam, were grim and serious. His mustache was turned down in a frown. Harry started to sit up but the headmaster held up a hand.
"That won't be necessary Harry, lay down and rest." Dumbledore said and clasped his hand behind his back. "I'm here to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are making a full recovery at St. Mungos and all the injured muggles found at King's Cross will be healed as well as obliviated of the incident."
"That's great sir. Without Ron's parents I would have been killed for sure." Harry replied, looking down at his hands sullenly.
"I was given a short report on the beast that attacked you by the Aurors that arrived on the scene," Dumbledore continued with a nod at Harry's statement. "However, I would like to have your account as well Harry. You were there from the start were you not?"
Harry nodded and thought back to the beginning. "The barrier to Platform 9 ¾ was blocked. I couldn't get through. Then a heard a woman scream. When I turned to look there was a loud crash and a train compartment flew right at me. I jumped out of the way but then it exploded and I got thrown into the air. When I was able to get back up I saw the demon." At the mention of the demon Dumbledore leaned forward and his eyes locked with Harry's.
"What did the demon look like? What was it doing?" He asked pointedly and Harry found he couldn't look away from the headmaster or even blink.
"The demon was standing on two feet and had big, muscled arms. It had to be over three meters tall and carried a huge black sword. It was bald with horns coming out of its forehead, with a flat nose and a mouth that opened too wide and had too many teeth." Harry shuddered in spite of himself. Curse that demon for making him fear it! "It was killing muggles at random. There was fire everywhere. Black fire. When it saw me, it ran straight at me."
Dumbledore broke eye contact with Harry and started to pace around the bed. Harry realized his eyes held tears and told himself it was because it didn't blink for so long. Dumbledore looked back at Harry and motioned for him to continue.
"I ran toward the entrance as fast as I could. By the way sir, is Hedwig okay? I left her there at the station." Harry asked and Dumbledore smiled slightly at his concern.
"Your magnificent owl is currently asleep in the owlery, completely fine. It seems she suffered no injuries and I had her cage and your trunk brought to your bed in Gryffindor tower already." Dumbledore replied and his eyes held a ghost of a twinkle. Harry felt like a weight was lifted from his shoulders at the news. He took a deep breath and continued his tale.
"I ran but the demon caught up to me. I turn around to try a spell but it grabbed my arms and lifted me up. I was about to get ran through by its sword when Ron's dad showed up and stopped it." Harry grinned at that part of the memory. "Molly, I mean Mrs. Weasley pulled me away from the demon's grip with a spell and Mr. Weasley started fighting it. Then Mrs. Weasley did something called Protego Maxima Radii and a shield formed around us. She also did this spell that made Mr. Weasley faster and stronger."
"Amicus Auxillium. The ally support spell I taught her so long ago." Dumbledore said and Harry nodded.
"Yes, that was it. Mr. Weasley fought a bit more before the demon hit him into the ceiling and he didn't get back up. Then it started attacking the shield we were under. It broke through the shield and Mrs. Weasley was knocked unconscious. But then I did something." Harry hesitated and Dumbledore's bushy eyebrows rose curiously.
"What did you do Harry?" He asked and Harry looked away to gather his thoughts.
"I shot a Disarming charm and it fell down. Then I grabbed its sword, which was a mistake," he said with a rueful scowl down at his bandaged hands and missed the sharp look Dumbledore shot him. "And I slashed the demon's stomach. It burned my hands a lot and the black blood that came out the demon got on me hurt and so bad! After that the Aurors showed up and hit the demon with a spell that made some weird tentacles wrap around it but before anything else happened it just vanished."
"Thank you Harry. This explains almost everything about what happened. However I have one more question that I don't believe you'll know the answer to. Why and how was the barrier blocked?" Dumbledore began to pace again and his long nose touched his beard as his eyes became clouded in contemplation. "Who else was there? Was the demon being assisted by a wizard or was that its own magic?" Harry knew these questions weren't for him and kept silent.
"You see Harry, in the war against Voldemort, the war your parents helped end," He added with a nod, and Harry beamed. "In that war Voldemort would use various evil ways to terrorize muggles and muggleborns. One of those methods was demonic invocation."
"Demonic invocation?" Harry tried out the words and grimaced as he felt a phantom pain in his hands.
"Yes Harry. He would take people, usually muggles and possess them with demons. They would become monsters that Voldemort would unleash upon muggles and muggleborns. But they were hard to control and so were rare. I believe this demon was a product of demonic invocation. I also believe one of Voldemort's followers were the ones to summon it."
"It wasn't Voldemort himself?" Harry asked and Dumbledore shook his head.
"He is not currently strong enough for it. If Voldemort had the power for invocation he would most likely use it to gain a body for himself."
"The demon knew my name. It said it several times." Harry said and Dumbledore looked at him sharply before returning to contemplation.
"So definitely a Death Eater then."
"Death Eater?" Harry asked.
"Voldemort's followers called themselves that. Foolish name if you ask me." Dumbledore answered and Harry silently agreed.
A quiet fell upon them both after that as Headmaster and student became lost in thought. Harry looked at his hands and wished they were already healed so he could practice wandless magic. Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore and had a sudden moment of curiosity.
"Sir, could I ask you a question?" Dumbledore chuckled.
"Of course you can. You may even ask me another if you like." He answered and Harry's eye twitched.
"Sir, why isn't wandless magic taught at Hogwarts? If first years can learn it as easily as wand magic, it would make sense to teach it to everyone wouldn't it?" Harry asked and Dumbledore looked at Harry for a long moment.
"You know wandless magic Harry?" He asked finally and Harry nodded, feeling strangely like he was caught red handed. Dumbledore chuckled again. "You did nothing wrong Harry. In fact, I ought to congratulate you on your initiative. Most wizard kind are aware of wandless magic but few start young enough to learn, and even fewer master it. I hope to see you master the art one day Harry."
Harry blushed at the praise and inside he resolved himself to master wandless magic, not for Professor Dumbledore, but for himself.
"But that doesn't answer your question, does it?" Dumbledore continued. "First year curriculum does not include wandless magic due to a number of factors, but mainly because of how prevalent wands are in our society." At this, Dumbledore took out his own long, bone white wand with a black handle and inspected it. Harry sat transfixed, staring at the wand of the most powerful wizard of the age and let his words wash over him.
"Wands have been around for over a millennium in this land and before wands wizards would use runes and staves. Wandless magic is by contrast much newer since it has only become mainstream in the recent centuries. Hogwarts teaches wand magic due to its traditional nature and the ability to have a clear list of what can and cannot work when it comes to spells. There are tons of books and scrolls on wand magic passed down through the years and anyone with the power and intuition can learn it."
Dumbledore put away his wand and sat at the edge of Harry's bed. At the disappearance of the wand Harry felt an odd sense of loss and frustration that was gone before he could rest on it. "Wandless magic is more difficult to teach since everyone's body reacts to pure magic differently. Did you know Harry, that without wands some wizards wouldn't be able to do magic at all?" He asked and Harry started.
"Seriously? I mean, no sir. I didn't know that." Harry answered, surprised. Dumbledore shrugged and smiled.
"Indeed. It has nothing to do with power or the magical capacity of the wizard, but how magic flows in his body. Wands focus the magic in a wizard's body and give him an easy opening to release it. Spells are the same for every wand and usually quite simple to learn. However, if we were to teach wandless magic here along with wand magic, we may approach the problem of alienating certain students that couldn't learn it."
"They would think they weren't as good as the others even if their wand magic was up to par." Harry explained and Dumbledore nodded.
"Exactly Harry. And electives at Hogwarts start in third year which is when it's already too late to learn wandless magic. Though maybe we can implement an elective for first years to learn it if they desire. I could bring that up with the board of directors." Dumbledore said thoughtfully, rubbing his bearded chin. Harry agreed with that idea since he knew Ginny learned wandless magic quickly and other first years would do the same. Harry believed every wizard and witch who could learn wandless magic should, even if it were just a few mantras for self-defense.
"Now Harry I believe you should get your rest. The Hogwarts Express should be pulling into Hogsmeade station in a few hours and if you take it easy, your hands may be healed by that time. Take care." The headmaster got up from the edge of Harry's bed and made for the door.
"Thank you Professor. I will." Harry said and laid back down, suddenly feeling exhaustion take him. His eyes closed and before he knew it he was dreaming.
He was running through the darkened halls of Hogwarts. The torches along the walls were unlit, but Harry could see without trouble. The corridor seemed unending with frozen portraits and suits of armor lined like soldiers glaring down at him grasping their swords. Harry had an odd sense of urgency as he rushed along the hallway.
The hallway came to an abrupt end and a stairway leading up became Harry's only option forward. He started to skip up the stairs two at a time, his need becoming near overwhelming. The stair led up higher and higher and it seemed Harry went past the height of the castle itself. Then finally at the end of the stairway in the distance there was a door.
Harry reached for the handle and was met with a burning heat, the same he felt when he took the demon's sword. He pushed past the pain to open the door. Beyond the door was a dense forest that defied all logic. Harry stepped through the doorway and looked around, not noticing the door disappear.
The forest was thicker than the forbidden forest that surrounded Hogwarts and seemed even more malevolent. The trees grew unendingly high with thick branches that obscured all skylight. The ground was a mass of treacherous roots and poisonous looking plants. Sounds and whispers of malice echoed throughout the impenetrable wood.
Harry was apprehensive, but moved forward resolutely; his urgent calling filled him. He tripped over roots and was nearly strangled by low hanging vines, but soldiered on until the dense trees opened to a meadow of dark grass. Harry looked up to see the blood red moon shine above and cast light on something that slithered across the grassy plain. Harry was almost overtaken with fright, but schooled his emotions and stood straight as the slinking thing came closer.
It was a snake. A large serpent with poisonous spots lining its lithe body and venomous fangs coated with death. It glided closer and bent its neck up to eye level with Harry.
"You have it?" It hissed with a sibilant voice that carried an intent of pure evil. Harry felt himself nod frantically.
"Please, please master. Take it from me!" Harry's voice was a low, whimpering gasp that left him revolted. He saw his hands reach to open his robes. On his chest was a pulsing, black orb that made Harry want to retch. There were runes etched along the sphere and the skin was burned and sickly green. The serpent laughed a hissing sound without humor.
"The seed was planted in you? My servant always did love a good joke." It hissed.
"Please Master, take it and heal me!" The man Harry was dreaming as moaned but the snake did not appear to hear him. It was gazing at the black orb that was lodged so haphazardly in Harry's chest and moved side to side like it were thinking of how to proceed.
Then without warning it attacked the man, biting him at the neck over and over. Harry screamed as he saw from the man's eyes as he was bitten painfully. Then Harry watched through the glassy eyes of the dead servant as the snake unhinged its jaw and grasped the black orb with its teeth. The serpent struggled with the sphere but it finally dislodged itself and rolled along the blood painted grass. The snaked coiled itself around the orb and hissed its malicious laugh.
"At long last the seed has found its way to me. Soon it will grow and with its power, Lord Voldemort will rise again!" The snake hissed. It looked directly into the dead man's eyes and Harry knew somehow that the serpent was smiling with malicious triumph.
Albus Dumbledore exited his spiral staircase at a brisk pace toward the Great Hall of Hogwarts, though he wanted nothing more than to return to his office for quiet contemplation. Professor Minerva McGonagall fell into step next to him as he neared the hall and stole curious glances at every corner they turned. He didn't need legilimency to know what she wanted.
"It was Potter. The barrier at King's Cross was blocked and a demon of fire attacked him. He will miss the Sorting and Welcoming Feast." Albus said in a dull voice.
"Was he hurt?" Minerva asked and Albus didn't answer immediately.
"He was burned by its blood. It got on his chest and face," Dumbledore said and then in a more quiet voice to himself, "and his scar." Minerva almost stopped walking in surprise but caught back up with Dumbledore's long strides.
"Albus! Demon's blood directly on his skin? Was he not in pain?" Minerva wanted to stop walking so quickly but Albus seemed determined to get to the Great Hall.
"Harry didn't seem to be in much pain. He will make a full recovery I'm sure, Minerva. I will answer your questions along with the other teachers as we wait for the students to enter. Come along Professor! This only happens once a year!" Albus said as he quickened his pace, a jolly smile overtaking the serious countenance he had a moment before.
The Headmaster opened the great doors of the hall and made his way toward the massive seat at the end. The other teachers were there all except the Potions professor Severus Snape and the Divination professor Sybil Trelawney. The professors spoke quietly amongst each other at the head table. All of them stopped and watched as Albus walked toward them and sat. Then as one, they all bombarded him with questions.
"What happened at King's Cross?" Professor Filius Flitwick, the Charms professor asked urgently. The only thing the other professors were informed from Dumbledore of the attack was that it happened at the train station
"Were any muggles hurt?" The young Muggle Studies professor Charity Burbage questioned in her kind voice.
"Did the Aurors handle it well? I heard it might have been a demon." Aurora Sinistra, professor of Astronomy stated in her deep, sultry accent. Her dark eyes gazed at Dumbledore with an almost sensual intensity.
"A demon?!" The Arithmancy professor Septima Vector squeaked in her high voice. "But the probability of a demon just appearing in the middle of London is almost impossible! The odds are-"
"Astronomical?" Aurora provided with a wink, causing professor Vector to blush and falter. Albus listened to his colleagues for a moment with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes before holding up a hand, effectively stopping all questions.
"Where is Severus?" he asked and the other professors looked around as if the Potions master would walk through the door at that moment. Minerva answered for them.
"Severus should arrive shortly. In the middle of August he started on a task for his N.E.W.T. students that is taking most of his time. He wanted to forgo the Feast altogether but I informed him of his mandatory attendance."
"I have not forgotten our conversation Minerva," The silky voice of Severus Snape filtered into the Hall as he made his way from a side door to the Head table. His dark eyes peered at the Deputy Headmistress. "I am present to see the new Slytherin students sorted, even if putting my costly brews in stasis will temper their potency."
"You must eat sometime Severus." Septima put forth in a quiet voice, her freckled face still pink and her pale green eyes watching the dark man. The potions professor didn't seem to hear her and looked down at his empty plate.
"I am here am I not?" he muttered softly after a moment and glanced swiftly at the Arithmancy teacher. Septima smiled shyly and nodded as the Astronomy instructor gazed at them with a smirk. The other professors looked anywhere but at them.
"Severus, do you have any more information about what happened?" Albus asked, piercing the playful atmosphere of the Head table. Severus shook his head and grimaced, his hair a sheet of black covering half of his pale face.
"I know nothing about it. Not who could have invoked the demon or why it targeted the Potter boy." He answered and the Head table gasped as one.
"Little Harry Potter was attacked by the demon?" Aurora queried with a worried bite to her full bottom lip.
"He will make a complete recovery before the night is over, but he will stay in the hospital wing through the Sorting." Albus stated, calming the professors' concerns. "Arthur and Molly Weasley rescued him and fought the demon. It escaped by portkey after the Aurors arrived."
"Molly fought the demon?" Filius asked with an incredulous smile breaking out on his diminutive face. "If she were still a student I'd award her enough points to win the Cup!"
"Who knew Arthur had it in him." Professor of Care of Magical Creatures Silvanus Kettleburn commented in his gravelly voice, his eyepatch slipping down his face to expose a dark and empty socket. He absentmindedly pushed it back up with a wooden hand. The instructors closest to him shuddered.
"I know who was most talented at invocation but they couldn't have done this. The reason being they're in Azkaban or dead." Severus continued with a scowl, the concern his colleagues shared for Harry and the Weasleys making his mood even dourer.
"Were they the only ones in the Inner Circle able to invoke one this powerful?"
"As far as my knowledge goes, yes. Though I entered the Inner Circle after the time of demons, as you well know Headmaster."
Albus nodded solemnly and motioned to Minerva to retrieve the Sorting Hat. The students were arriving soon. He looked up at the ceiling of the Great Hall where the rafters disappeared and faded into the night sky above. The stars shone brightly, but none as bright as Mars. Its angry red speck of light dampened Albus' enthusiasm for the Sorting and the desire to return to his office became an almost physical pain. He tapped his golden goblet in front of him and it filled itself with brandy. Albus took a large gulp amongst the amused and perturbed gaze of his colleagues.
The students started to pour in, bringing with them loud conversation and a sea of bright eyes and black robes. Albus' eyes unconsciously located Harry's friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who looked worried and anxious. They were looking around at the Gryffindor table in an obvious search for their best friend. The Granger girl looked up at the Head table and locked eyes with Albus. He nodded imperceptibly to her and she started before giving him a beaming smile and turning to her red headed friend and guided him to a seat, talking excitedly.
After a moment of contained pandemonium, the older students sat and lowered their voices as the first years entered through the giant double doors. Scared and excited faces looked around in awe at the floating candles and enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. There was a low hum of magic in the air, heard by all but acknowledged by none.
Professor McGonagall placed a three legged stool in front of the line of first years and sat the ancient Sorting hat upon it. She stepped back and instantly the Sorting hat came alive and sung its song.
As the song commenced, Severus leaned over to speak to Albus in a low voice that didn't carry. "Was Potter harmed by the demon's weapon?" he asked and Albus shook his head.
"No, unless you count burns from his attempt to wield it against the demon itself." he answered and Severus whispered a curse.
"Idiot boy. There's no telling what the outcome of that will be."
"Indeed. Touching a demonic tool always has unforeseen circumstances. I will keep a close watch on the boy. I would like you to do so as well, Severus." Albus said softly, looking pointedly over his half-moon spectacles. Severus cursed again.
"Of course I will be watching him. He would die several times over if not for me getting him out of all the trouble he causes for himself." He muttered unhappily and Albus chuckled, making Severus' scowl even more severe.
The Sorting Hat was finished singing and everyone clapped politely. Professor McGonagall started to call out names of first years to be sorted.
"Look at Ginny, she looks so nervous!" Ron whispered to Hermione with glee. Even at eleven years old it was hard for Ron to ever catch Ginny less than self-assured. Now the redheaded first year was looking around nervously and almost hiding behind a blond haired girl next to her. Hermione looked sympathetic.
"Everyone is nervous to be Sorted Ron, don't make fun." She whispered back reproachfully. Ron smirked.
"Right, like you last year muttering spells under your breath." He grinned and Hermione smacked his arm, her face going red.
"I wasn't the one thinking we had to wrestle a troll to get in, Ron." She fired back. Ron laughed loudly, causing everyone in Gryffindor to look over at him. Percy shushed them and pointed with a thumb to the Sorting still in session. They quieted but not without Ron sticking his tongue out at Percy immaturely.
"Ginny Weasley" McGonagall called finally after most of the first years were sorted. There was only her and another black haired boy left. She rushed to the stool and put the hat over her head.
There was a moment of silence as everyone in the Hall watched, broken only when Ginny suddenly shouted "NO!" and almost ripped the hat off her head. Several students laughed disbelievingly. Then shortly after her outburst the hat sorted Ginny with a loud "Gryffindor!" and she took her seat across from Ron.
The applause of the Gryffindor table was always the loudest and it was as flamboyant as ever when the last of the Weasleys was sorted into its ranks.
"That's all of us lions!" Ron shouted with a bright smile at Ginny as she ducked her head, embarrassed at her loud reception. The twins made a scene of congratulating her. She whipped strands of hair from her eyes and pouted when they finished.
"That stupid rag wanted me in Slytherin! Can you believe that!?" She complained fiercely in a low voice. Ron looked shocked and the twins faked like they were stabbed with daggers.
"Not our Ginny!" Said George with an overly anguished sigh.
"She couldn't be a slimy snake!" Fred retorted and put a protective arm over Ginny's shoulder which she instantly pushed off.
"Not even if she used our brooms and lied to Mum when she didn't return them to the shed."
"Or when she stole my wand and hexed me when I demanded it back!" Fred said, his voice going hard. Ginny looked unabashed.
"Get over it. That was an age ago." She said dismissively with her head held high.
"It was last week!" Fred replied hotly. Hermione giggled behind her hand.
A hush fell over the Hall as Dumbledore stood after the last boy went to Ravenclaw. He opened his arms wide, as if he desired to embrace every student at once. A feeling of warmth swept through everyone and none could fight the content sensation that rested upon them. The Headmaster's beaming smile took in every wizard and witch in attendance.
"Welcome to Hogwarts to all first years! Welcome back to everyone else! I have a few things to say, but first I need you all full so you won't listen too closely. Tuck in!" He shouted and everyone laughed and cheered as the Feast began.
"I hope Harry's okay." Hermione said again as she put mashed potatoes onto her plate. Ginny stopped eating and looked up sharply.
"What happened to Harry? Does anyone know? I didn't see him on the train." She asked and Hermione shook her head.
"I think Dumbledore knows he's okay. I got the feeling he knows exactly what happened." She replied, but her voice betrayed her worry. Ron ate quickly as ever, loaded his plate to capacity and emptying it just as quickly. Then suddenly, he pushed his plate away and started to get up from his seat.
"What are you doing?" Hermione whispered but Ron just nodded his head up at the Head table and stood. All the Gryffindors and some other students watched as Ron walked to the where the teachers were seated. The professors stopped and peered at him as one. Ron's apprehension spiked, but he kept his head high and his eyes on Dumbledore.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley?" The Headmaster asked softly with a knowing smile. Ron swallowed, realizing that he just gathered the attention of almost everyone in the Hall.
"Sir, is Harry alright? Do you know where he is? And my parents?" He asked and winced when his voice hitched. He was determined not to look at Professor Sinistra who hid a laugh behind her hand.
"Mr. Potter is in the Hospital Wing. He is recovering and will be back to normal with a little rest. It is good that you came up here Mr. Weasley, not everyone is so brave to shamelessly garner the attention of so many." Dumbledore said and Ron's ears went as red as his hair. Now most of the instructors were hiding laughter. "I wish to see you and all of your siblings visit the Hospital Wing after the Feast. I have news."
Ron's eyes widened in confusion but he nodded and went back to his seat. He relayed the message to the others with mixed reactions. Percy nodded and continued eating, unperturbed. Ginny looked shocked and the twins looked at each other worriedly.
"Why does he want to see us?"
"We didn't do anything!"
"Yet."
The Feast dragged on to Ron who uncharacteristically wasn't hungry after the second plate. When desert appeared it looked completely unappealing and he nibbled on a peanut butter cookie if only to seem too anxious. Hermione kept muttering to herself and missing her mouth with her fork full of treacle tart. Ginny was stealing glances at a blond haired girl who was sorted into Ravenclaw and waved when the distracted looking girl noticed her and smiled vaguely.
Soon the desert vanished and Dumbledore stood again. This time his countenance was more serious and wave of disquiet brushed against the minds of the students that watched him.
"I'm sure some of you already know that King's Cross was attacked just as the Hogwarts Express left Platform 9 ¾ ." He began and whispers of unease answered him. With a wave of his hand silence returned. "I will give you the good news that no wizard kind were seriously hurt, and all of your parents and guardians have been accounted for. More updates will be provided as details become available." Dumbledore watched as students looked around in confusion and some whispered to each other with worry.
"Now on to other, less interesting news. The Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students..."
Harry woke from his unsettling dream to the worried faces of his friends and Professor Dumbledore. He tried to master his shaking body and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. A quick inspection showed his bandages were gone and he felt much better than he did when he arrived. Harry tried to remember the nightmare he woke up from, but it was fading from memory fast.
"A snake, some guy with an orb in his chest, a forest, damn I can't remember." Harry muttered to himself and shook his head.
"Language Harry!" Hermione scolded which brought a smile to everyone.
"How're you feeling mate?" Ron asked. Harry could see the strain on his face and the other Weasleys.
"I'm fine. How are your parents?" Harry answered causing an unexpected reaction. All of the Weasleys present blanched and turned to look at Dumbledore with questions on their lips. The headmaster preemptively lifted his hand.
"Your parents saved Harry's life but only sustained minor injuries." He explained calmly in the face of shocked redheads. "They are resting at St. Mungos and will make a full recovery. The reason I brought you all here was not only to see young Harry here, but to transport you to St. Mungos to visit your parents. Time is limited, but you will all be allowed to see them."
The Weasley children's fears were assuaged and they looked ready to leave at that moment. Dumbledore took them to the fireplace of the Hospital wing and soon they left. Dumbledore returned to Harry's bed and looked at the boy from behind half-moon glasses.
"Is everything alright Harry? Do you feel well enough to join classes tomorrow?" He asked and Harry looked down, deep in thought.
"I feel good, great even. I just want to get out of this bed." he replied with a laugh. Hermione smiled slightly and smoothed his bed sheets nervously, looking down at her hands.
"You don't feel any adverse reaction to the flame?" Dumbledore pressed and Harry looked up and locked eyes with the elder wizard. He wanted to say no, that there was nothing out of the ordinary, but he couldn't. For a moment Harry hesitated, and then looked at his hands that were now devoid of dressing.
"My hands feel tingly. Like I'm using wandless magic even when I'm not. It's not as bad as before and it doesn't hurt at all. It actually feels good, like I'm putting my hands in front of a warm fire after being in the cold." he replied and Hermione reached out and held his right hand in hers. Harry looked her and she smiled softly. Harry almost started to explain his dream to Dumbledore but thought better of it. He didn't know what it meant and it couldn't have been more than just a nightmare. He couldn't remember it all anyway.
"Demonic tools are created by chaos magic, the magic of demons. Handling those tools can have consequences that go beyond understanding. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to return here or inform a staff member. I am happy to see you well Harry." Dumbledore explained and then quickly swept from the room as if longing to be away. Harry looked at Hermione and shrugged.
"Too much has happened today and I don't understand half of it. What happened after I couldn't get through to the platform?" Harry asked and Hermione tilted her head in thought.
"I was already on the train by that time Harry, but Ron came into my compartment looking more shook than I'd ever seen him. He said you didn't come through and his parents went back to see what was going on, but then there was a crash and I looked out the window. The whole platform wall was destroyed! I had to jinx Ron to keep him from running back out onto the platform. Then the train started moving and the rest of our time was spent worrying about you and Ron's parents." Hermione finished and was looking at Harry as if he were still injured and unconscious. Harry squeezed her hand gently.
"They're okay, Ron's mum and dad. I got lucky, and they were awesome!" Harry thought back to what Molly and Arthur did in amazement. "Ron's dad kept the demon from stabbing me and then his mum disarmed it and did something that brought me to her."
"The summoning charm," Hermione muttered and Harry nodded.
"Yeah probably. But then Arthur started fighting it and he made his wand into a sword and jumped like ten meters into the air!" Harry said excitedly and Hermione gasped.
"How?" she asked curiously but Harry shrugged.
"They were doing so much advanced magic I couldn't keep up. Molly did this charm that made a dome of light protect us from the demon. It must have hit the shield as hard as it could at least five times before it broke through."
Hermione listened as Harry recapped the event until Madam Pomfrey checked on him and, seeing that he was healed, let him go with a warning to return if the pain returns. They walked back to Gryffindor tower talking about the magic the Weasley parents used and how quickly they would be able to learn it themselves.
The common room was nearly empty when they entered. Only a sixth year Harry didn't know was there looking to be finishing up some homework. He gave Harry a nod of greeting that Harry returned. Hermione wished Harry a goodnight and retreated to her dorm almost immediately. No doubt tired from worry and exhausted with relief.
Harry stayed awake, energized due to waking up so soon from a long nap. He tried to remember more of his dream but couldn't. It seemed much less sinister than it did when he first woke up. He went up to the second year dorms and went straight to his bed. His trunk and belongings were all at the foot of his four poster, and Harry hurried to jump in and close the curtains. He fished his book The Hands of Gods from his trunk and resigned himself to a night of reading.