Chapter 2
The New Generation
Rating - T
(A/N: This whole story takes place before The Half-Blood Prince book)
Harry slumped further down into one of the big red, leather chairs in the Gryffindor Common Room. He watched the fire burn and crackle, watching the black smoke rising out towards the chimney. Hermione was sat opposite him in the other chair, observing the letter and photo. Ron was looking over Hermione's shoulder, also observing the items closely. Hermione broke the silence.
"So, Harry, you are saying that you were transported back to Hogwarts in a different time zone and there you found a mystery box with the name 'Burton Creech' on it. Inside that, you found this photo and this letter. You think that something went wrong on June 13th and you are going to find out who these people in the photo are and who Petravix is. Am I correct?"
Harry sighed. "Yes, Hermione. Well done."
"It makes no sense, Harry" said Hermione criticizing Harry "How can the Floo Network take you back in time?"
"Look, Hermione, I don't know. It was an abandoned old shop and I had to get out of where I was somehow. I thought it was a fireplace, but I think it must have been a Portal". Harry stared back at the fireplace. His memory of when Sirius had spoken to him in the fire was haunting him.
"Bloody hell!" cried out Ron, still transfixed at the photo.
Harry jumped up. "What is it? Do you have an idea? Do you recognise anyone? TELL me Ron!"
"That redhead in the photo, she's fit!"
Harry put his hands in his head. "Ron, I thought you had something important to tell me..."
"When was this photo taken?" asked Hermione
"No idea" Harry replied.
Hermione grabbed the photo off Ron. She peered carefully at the photo.
"Hmm... This is obviously in the grounds of Hogwarts. They don't look like they were at school in the time that your parents were, Harry. They look...younger. I'm guessing, maybe around the eighties? 1982. They are probably in their sixth year at Hogwarts".
Harry and Ron both stared at Hermione, flabbergastered at the way she interperted the age of the photo.
"Blimey! Since when did you become an expert on photography?" Ron asked, stunned.
"The date is on the corner of the photo, Ronald..."
"Where?" Ron snatched the photo away and squinted at the corner of the photo. Yes, as clear as day, it said in small black letters '1982'. Ron went pink, chirped out a small 'O' and sat down again. "So, Harry, it is Quidditch practice tomorrow, are you coming along?"
Harry stared at the fire again, still transfixed by the flickering fire...
"HARRY!" Ron shouted, "Are you listening?"
Harry jumped and turned to look at Ron. "Sorry, I got distracted. What did you say?"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. Harry had always been distracted since Sirius's death, not really tuning into reality. They both thought that the photo and letter was just an excuse to stop him grieving. Harry hadn't even shown his emotions either.
"Doesn't matter, mate" Ron replied, giving a weak smile. Harry sat up properly and glanced at the photo and letter again.
"Right" Harry began "I think we should talk to Hagrid. He will know who Burton Creech might be, as he has been here for donkeys years and he will most likely be able to know who the names on the back of the photo are. As for the letter...well, he might know, but then again, he might not. Its worth a shot".
Harry got up from his seat and took the photo and letter with him. Ron and Hermione followed suit, walking behind him.
Students were all around the Hogwarts grounds today. It was bitterly cold, yet for some reasons, the cold seemed to bring out the students. The buildings in Hogwarts with no fireplaces were like ice-blocks, so there was no real difference in temperature inside or out. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked down the steep bank to Hagrids hut. Frost lay thick on the grass and Harry could see smoke rising for Hagrid's hut. All three students arrived at the hut door and Harry knocked on the door three times. Hagrid answered the door, wearing an apron with a teapot in his hand.
"Ah! 'Allo 'Arry! Ron, 'Ermione! Come in before you all shiver to death!" Hagird gave a hearty smile and Harry, Ron and Hermione walked through into the toasty warmness of Hagrid's hut. Hagrid shut the door quickly. He smiled at Ron, Hermione and Harry, who were all rubbing their cold hands near the fire. Hagrid placed three teacups onto his wooden table, which was cluttered with all sorts of odds and ends.
"So, Who wants tea?" Hagrid asked. Ron smiled and shook his head, as did Hermione. Harry sat staring at the walls, his eyes lifeless and instead of his usual happy nature: a glum disposition.
"HARRY!" Hagrid boomed. He smiled again at him. "Do yer want some tea?"
Harry nodded his head and gave a half-smile back to Hagrid. Hagrid poured the hot steaming tea into two cups. He walked over to Harry, giving him the tea and gave Harry a pat on the back. Harry clasped his hands around the warm tea and drank small sips. Hagrid sat back down again, taking a big gulp of his tea.
"So, what can I do for yer, today?" Hagrid smiled
Harry sat bolt-right up. "Hagrid, I found this photo and letter. It was in a box belonging to a boy called 'Burton Creech.'
Hagrid spat out this tea into his cup, leaving him coughing and spluttering. His face looked grey now. "Who did yer say it belonged to?"
"Burton Creech" Harry repeated "Do you know him?"
"Pass me the foto" Hagrid asked. Ron passed down the photograph to Hagrid. Hagrid stared out the photo. His eyes scanned the photo and he stared at each person on the photograph. He turned the photo over and saw the names.
"Ah, yes!" Hagrid laughed, "I remember these lot. Good bunch of students. The best of friends, they all were! Yes, Luella was very bright at school. A very advanced Witch. Robert was on the Quidditch team for Gryffindor. A Beater, I think he was. Dominic was a brilliant student, you know, Auror material. Olivia was one of the top students in her year! Maggie was a very sweet girl! Very sweet! And Burton... Very powerful Wizard..." He paused and didn't continue about Burton.
Ron, Hermione and Harry looked at Hagrid as if they were asking him to continue. Hagrid stared at the photo again, shook his head and looked back up at Harry.
Hagrid's look changed when he mentioned Burton's name. The fear in his eyes stuck out like a sore thumb. Harry stared at Hagrid. Hagrid was looking down to the floor. Memories were flooding back to Hagrid. The happy days when they were all friends. Innoccent. But that night. THAT night. The terror. The screams...
Hagrid closed his eyes and gave a sniff. Harry watched Hagrid closely. Something wasn't right.
Harry's mind raced with questions.
'Is Hagrid keeping something from me?' '
'Is Hagrid just withholding information from me because of Sirius's death?'
Hagrid beamed a weak smile at Ron and Hermione. "Anything else yer wanna know, now yer 'ere?"
Harry's mind went crazy. Flashbacks of what happened. The battle. The fighting. The Imperius Curse. Sirius...SIRIUS...
Harry kicked his chair out of the way and stormed out of Hagrid's hut, nearly knocking over the table in his wake. " 'Arry?" cried Hagrid "Come back!"
"HARRY!" Hermione called out as he ran outside, pushing past several students. Ron ran outside and caught up with Harry.
"HARRY!" Ron panted, "What was that for? You are acting like a complete loony!"
"SHUT UP, RON!" shouted Harry, turning towards Ron, "LEAVE ME ALONE! OK?"
Harry pushed past Ron, nearly knocking him over. Ron grabbed Harry's shoulder.
"HARRY! Look, why won't you talk to us anymore? We are your friends, Harry! Tell me what's wrong, Harry!"
Harry pushed Ron onto the floor. Ron's head smacked the frosty grass as he hit the ground. Harry's eyes menaced at Ron. Several students crowded around Ron and gave evil looks towards Harry. Harry stared back and then walked off. Hermione and Hagrid ran to the scene.
"Are you alright, Ron?" Hagrid asked, kneeling down to Ron on the ground.
"We saw what happened. Why is Harry acting like this?" Hermione pondered in thought.
Ron moaned as he touched his ankle. He sat up and looked around. Most of the students had evaporated away from the scene now that Harry was gone. 'Vultures' Ron thought to himself.
"You two best come in my hut" Hagrid said in a somber tone. The bitter sting of the cold hit their faces and made them shiver. They trekked back through the thich snow to the hut. Hermione walked close by to Ron, helping him walk. Ron hopped on one foot and grabbed Hermione's hand. They both looked into each other's eyes. Hermione flashed a half-smile to Ron. Ron did the same, looking deep into Hermione's eyes.
"Come on, you two!" Hagrid shouted "Yer don't wanna stay out in the cold, now do you?"
Hermione and Ron carried on walking again.
Ron and Hermione were sitting in Hagrid's hut. Hagrid had the fire burning and each of them nursed some hot cocoa. The fire raged like an angry tiger, the flames flying madly in and out of control. Fang sat in the corner, dozing off to sleep in a warm basket near the fire. The daylight outside was almost fading away. Hermione stared at the window, watching the sun set far away. 'Harry...' she thought to herself. Ron had a bandage around his foot and meekly, sipped his cocoa, rubbing his arms to get rid of the cold. 'Why would Harry do that to me?' he thought to himself 'I'm his best friend...'
Hagrid breathed a heavy sigh. "How has Harry been since...you know?"
Hermione sighed. "He hasn't really been in touch with reality. He hasn't accepted Sirius's death, he hasn't been focusing in lessons, he's missing Quidditch Practice. To be truthful, he's a mess. He won't talk to us about his feelings".
"He's gotta get his act together" Ron chirped "He's shutting himself away from everyone. Loads of people have been trying to talk to him, but he simply won't listen. God knows what he was like during the summer..."
Hagrid got up from his chair. "Sirius's death has hit him hard. It has just been one death too many... Anyway, how did he get that photo?"
Hermione put her hands in her lap. "Apparently, on the trip to Hogsmeade, he found a box belonging to this 'Burton Creech' and inside was the photo and letter-"
"Letter?" Hagrid cried "What letter?"
"He found a letter from Burton Creech to this woman", Ron said sarcastically "She had a weird name. Something being with P. P-et something. I dunno".
"Do yer still have this letter?" Hagrid asked
Ron had the letter crumpled in his pocket. He passed it to Hagrid. Hagrid scanned the letter. His eyes widened with every word that he read.
"I know", Ron sighed "Bit of a dodgy letter. Harry seems obsessed with what he found. Its all he talks about. I think he is just emersing himself into the whole saga because he wants to take his mind of Sirius".
Hagrid closed the letter. "Look, its best if you just forget the whole letter thing. Its just a stupid letter. A STUPID BOY GETTING HIMSELF MIXED UP INTO THE UNKNOWN!" Hagrid clamped his hand over his mouth.
"What? So, the letter does mean something!" Hermione cried
"I should not have said that..." Hagrid murmured "Look, its best if you two go back to your dorms, now"
"Hagrid, please tell us!" Ron whined
"Come on" Hagrid shooed Hermione and Ron out of his door "Out yer go. See you tomorrow".
Ron and Hermione were back out in the cold. Left in the dark... In more than one way...
FLASHBACK
Spring 1982
Hogwarts Grounds
Burton, Dominic, Luella, Maggie, Richard and Olivia were all posing for a photo on the centre lawn at Hogwarts. All were dressed smartly in their robes, they were all chattering amongst themselves. The sun shone down on the students on the lawn. A perfect picture. A boy with a camera set up was waiting for them to stop talking. The boy was about their age and had his arms folded. His eyes rolled as the chatter got louder and louder...
"OUIET!" shouted the boy "Come on, guys! I have better things to do than take your picture!"
"Yeah, like gelling his hair!" whispered Richard to Maggie.
"Rich!" Maggie laughed, tossing her black hair over her shoulder.
"Sorry, Kevin" shouted Luella sympathetically. Dominic was kissing her neck as she talked. "Oi! Enough, Dom!" she said playfully. She grinned at him.
Dominic smiled back at her and they both looked into each other's eyes lovingly.
Burton swaggered over to Olivia with a suave look on his face. He smoothed his brown hair down and gave a cheesy grin. Olivia gave a forced smile back to him. She took one step back from him as he came up close to her.
Burton sighed sweetly. "Liv, I think it is right for us to declare our love for each other, in this photo. You and me. United we stand! I think we should pose together." He put his hand on her shoulder. Olivia grabbed his hand off her shoulder.
"For Pete's sake, Burton!" Olivia shouted, "We are NOT a couple! Now, you stand over there, while I stand here!"
Burton walked back over to his original place, rejected yet again by Olivia. Kevin tapped his foot impatiently while the banter continued.
"LOOK!" shouted Kevin, "I HAVE TRIED MY BEST WITH YOU PEOPLE! NOW FOR GOD'S SAKE, PLEASE LET ME TAKE THE PICTURE!". All faces glanced on Kevin. Kevin's face had gone to a shade of beetroot. Richard raised an eyebrow at Kevin.
"Sorry..." mumbled Kevin, "Now, everyone, say cheese!"
All faces stared at the camera, brimming with hope and enthusiasm. Burton gave a suave look to the camera, with a slight twinkle in his eye. A twinkle to show the hope for the future. The glory. The power. The success. Or maybe, it symbolised something else...
"Right" sighed Kevin, "Thank-you, people". Kevin rushed off, taking his camera with him. Kevin tripped up on his robes while carrying his camera. Everyone let out a slight giggle and sniggered. Kevin went red and ran off to The Common Room.
Richard laughed. "Did you just see how Kevin got so uptight? Blimey! Talk about overreacting!"
Olivia smiled. "Well, he is the best photographer in school. Amateur photographer."
They all got up off the grass, dusting the grass off their robes. It was a photograph to commemorate their sixth year at Hogwarts. To symbolises being grown-up and for their friendship group to have lasted for four years.
"Well, at least we got the photo taken" grinned Dominic, "What lesson do we have next?"
"Ask Brainbox" replied Richard, "Burton?"
"Potions" said Burton smugly. He always liked the fact that he could out-smart his friends. Burton was what you call 'gifted'. His looks didn't get him by like Richard or Dominic, but his knowledge impressed everyone. Except Olivia. Olivia was the only person who could out-think him, yet Burton has had a whopping four-year crush on her. Her red hair fascinated him and her bewitching green eyes entranced him. Although, Burton just wanted someone on his arm to look good. He had already tried it on with Luella and Maggie... and failed miserably. The three girls had flocks of boys gawping at them, but now, Luella, Maggie and Olivia were all taken. Dominic beat Burton by asking out Luella, whom he had always fancied and admired. Then, Richard plucked up the courage to ask out Maggie, with complete success, and then last but not least, Olivia finally accepted Gerard Morecoombe's proposal of a date. Gerard was a good-looking 7th year Ravenclaw. This crushed Burton's spirit, but netherless, he still tried to win Olivia over.
All six students walked across to the buildings of Hogwarts. Luella and Dominic were holding hands, as were Richard and Maggie. Olivia was caught up in a conversation between Luella and Maggie, while Burton lagged behind.
"What do you have now?" asked Dominic to Luella, giving her a loving smile.
"Astronomy" smiled Luella
"God, you are mad!" laughed Richard, "I can't believe you want to work in the Mysteries department for the Ministry!"
Luella rolled her eyes. "At least I know what I want to be, unlike some people..." She turned to look at Richard and Dominic.
"You know I want to be an Auror!" laughed Dominic.
"What?" Richard questioned, "I want to be a pro-Quidditch player!"
"In you dreams, dear" replied Maggie, "Anyway, Professor McGonagal said that you and Dominic would be perfect Aurors. You took the same required subjects, so there is no reason why you shouldn't!" Maggie grinned. "Ah. My boyfriend. An Auror..."
"Aww, that's sweet honey" smiled Richard and planted a kiss on Maggie's cheek.
Suddenly, Richard trod on a copy of The Daily Prophet. He picked it up looking at its front heading. It was today's paper.
'ANITA FAWCETT DECLARED FOURTH STUDENT TO HAVE GONE MISSING THIS YEAR'
'Anita Fawcett, 15, has been declared legally missing after a recent trip to Hogsmeade with her class. Anita went missing on Saturday 15th March when she wandered away from her group. Nobody has seen her whereabouts since that day two weeks ago. Her parents are devastated over her disappearance. She is the fourth Hogwarts student to have gone missing this year. Stuart Murray, 16, Janet Vice, 17, and Debbie Wells, 17 have all disappeared this year and none of them have been found. If you have any information on Anita's or any of the students whereabouts, please call...'
Olivia sighed. "Professer Dumbledore is apparently baffled about how they went missing. It was all when they went out somewhere, although Janet Vice was apparently snatched away from inside the school".
"Who would want to snatch these students?" shaked Luella.
All six students stood staring at the picture of Anita in the paper. None of them had any idea who was doing this.
"Do you think it's... You-Know-Who?" asked Maggie hugging her arms.
"Don't be silly, Mag" scoffed Richard, "After that business with James and Lily Potter, he's long gone. Come on, we better get to class".
All students carried on walking in silence. Burton still lagged behind them, but something wasn't quite right...
END OF CHAPTER 2