Chapter 3
Silence is Deadly
Rating - T
(A/N: This whole story is set after the Order of the Phoenix book, but before The Half-Blood Prince Book)
Harry lay on his bed, his head nuzzled into his pillow. He closed his weary eyes into his pillow and sank into deep thought. 'Why did I shove Ron?' he thought to himself, 'Ron is my best friend. Why can't I tell anyone how I feel?' Harry raised his head to look out of the window. The rain had come again and Harry watched the rainwater drizzle down the window. He was alone in his dorm and he sighed a relief. At least no-one is in here. His pyjamas irritated his skin and he scratched away to make himself feel better. It didn't work. 'Ron is going to hate me. Everyone thinks now that I am a crazed idiot. Even my pyjamas seem to hate me'. Harry collapsed back onto the bed. He thumped his pillow, trying to expel his anger out of his body. It was no use. He heard the chattering of students coming into the boys dorm. Harry leapt underneath his bedcovers and pretended to be asleep. Chatters flooded into the room. Harry peered out from the corner of his eye to see people in the dorm. And just like that, tiredness overtook him and he fell to sleep...
Harry woke up from his sleep, his head throbbing with memories. Outside, it was pitch black. Harry shook his head and looked out. Everyone in his dorm was asleep. He looked at Ron. Ron was sprawled out of his bedcovers, snoring away, with his feet draping out of the end of the bed. His one foot was bandaged, Harry noticed. 'I'm guessing that I'm responsible for that...' he thought. Harry climbed out of his bed, putting on his glasses. Harry potted over to Ron's bed. He knelt by the side of his bed. The pale moonlight leaked through the window and shone like a light against Harry. 'Its now or never' Harry thought to himself. He took a deep breath and looked at the sleeping Ron.
"Look, Ron" Harry whispered, "I know that you probably can't hear me now, but I wanted to talk to you when you were alone. I am so sorry that I lost my rag with you today. It was out of order, I agree and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to speak to me ever again. I know you were just trying to help me. God knows I need all the help I can get now. There IS something wrong with me. I am a human wreck. I can't think straight. I can't have a normal conversation. I can't even sleep. I blame myself for Sirius's death. I do. I know I could have stopped him before it was too late. Now, all I am doing is taking out all my anger onto other people. My friends. You. Nethier you or Hermione deserve it and for that, I apologize. I'm just so backwards at the moment. Maybe, you are right. Maybe, the letter and photo don't mean anything and that I am just making a mountain out of a molehill. I am just screwed up. I can't even express my emotions right. I hope you can take this in and forget about it tomorrow. I'm sorry, Ron. For everything".
Harry rubbed his eyes and wandered back to his own bed. As soon as he hit the pillow, he went out like a light. Ron opened his eyes and looked at the sleeping Harry. "I forgive you, mate" Ron whispered.
The next morning, The Great Hall was filled full of students for breakfast. Harry sat on his own, picking at the pancakes on his plate. Ron and Hermione walked into the Hall. Hermione gave Harry a frosty stare while Ron gave Harry a sheepish smile. They both sat down opposite Harry. Harry gave a brief look at Ron and Hermione, then continued to look down at his pancakes. Hermione gave Harry a cold glance while Ron wolfed down two pancakes. Harry looked up at Hermione. She was still giving him hard looks. Harry put down his fork with a clatter.
"Look, Hermione" Harry sighed, "I know you hate me for my behaviour over the past couple of months. I hate myself too and I'd just like to say that I'm sorry. Ok?"
Hermione had a look on her face like she had been sucking lemons all day. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to, Harry. Yes, you have acted like a hormonal bag the last couple of months or so, but I just want to say that..." Hermione's face softened and she looked up at Harry. "I know what you are going through. I understand that you are hurt. I don't hate you, ethier. I accept your apology, Harry". She gave a half-smile to Harry. She couldn't be mad at Harry for long.
Harry looked at Ron. "Ron...words can't describe how sorry I am..."
Ron looked up at Harry. He had pancake stuffed in his mouth and had only just realised that Harry had been talking to him.
"Its okay, Harry" he smiled, "I kinda forgave you anyway".
Harry, Hermione and Ron all smiled at each other. Friends again, like it should be.
Hermione motioned for Harry and Ron to move closer so that she could talk to them. "Harry, what you didn't find out last night was the letter. It does mean something. Hagrid blurted out that Burton Creech was a 'stupid-boy getting mixed into the unknown'. Now, thats not the kind of talk someone would say if the letter didn't mean anything, would it?"
Harry shook his head. "Something happened that night. I want to know what happened. Hermione, what year was the photo taken again?"
"1982". Hermione put her hand over her mouth. ' I need to get out more...' thought Hermione
Harry sighed. "Well, I don't think it is related directly to Voldermort. He was gone by then...but that doesn't mean we can rule him out of the picture".
Harry, Ron and Hermione ate their meal in silence, thinking about the letter. Just then, Malfoy and his cronies entered the Dining Hall. Malfoy gradually made his way over to Harry's table. Harry stared at Malfoy while Hermione kept her head down. Ron was giving Malfoy cold stares.
"So, if it isn't Mr. Nutcase. Back from St. Mungo's are we after our crazy outburst on Weasel?" Malfoy sneered while his friends sniggered.
Ron grabbed Malfoy's robes. "Sod off, Malfoy!"
"Careful now, Weasel. Just because my robes are new, doesn't mean you have to get exicted over them. After all, 'new' is a phrase not often heard at the Weasley household, now is it?"
Harry stood up from his seat, looking ready to challenge Malfoy. "ENOUGH WITH YOUR CHILDISH INSULTS AND LEAVE RON ALONE!"
Malfoy glanced at Harry with disgust. "Careful now, Potter. It seems as if your medication isn't working!" Malfoy and his friends turned away to walk back to their other table.
"What a stupid git" muttered Hermione
Malfoy whipped around to Hermione. "What did you just say, Mudblood?"
"Nothing. I was just saying how 'git' season has officially started" said Hermione sarcastically. She gave Malfoy a sarcastic smile.
Malfoy's face reddened with anger. "I would hurt you if I wanted to..." spat Malfoy, "but then again, you're not worth it". Malfoy stormed off away from the Great Hall with his friends trailing behind him.
After breakfast, Harry, Hermione and Ron walked up to Gryffindor Tower. They all sat in silence in the Common Room, thinking to themselves. For Harry, thinking to himself was like walking through hell, because then, Sirius and his memories would haunt him silently without anyone knowing...Making his mind the most dangerous threat to himself...
Later that evening, Harry took a long walk around Hogwarts. Students were pouring themselves into bed around about that time, but Harry knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep. Sleep would bring along his nightmares. Even worse, his memories. Harry sat down on an isolated bit of grass and basked his face in the moonlight. 'Full Moon' Harry thought to himself. Cloudiness crept over Harry's mind and made his vision foggy. His vision of the future was foggy enough without his head adding to it. Harry took of his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He ran his hands over his face and through his hair. At least he had cleared his conscience by making up with his friends, but something still didn't feel right. A piece was missing. Like a jigsaw, Harry was only half-complete. Now, the only person close enough to his family was gone. Harry put his head in his lap. He was hell-bent for revenge against Bellatrix Lestrange, but yet, he knew that he would be stooping down to their level. Acting like one of them. Sirius was gone, Harry knew that. The trouble was that, there was nothing he could do about it. 'I need Sirius'. 'I am lost without him'. Harry couldn't admit how he was feeling. It was physically impossible. 'I bet Ron and Hermione still think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. None of them can possibly comprehend what I am going through. But they have stuck by me and I am grateful for that. Still, something is missing...' Harry dug his nails into his arm, thinking about Bellatrix. Deeper. Deeper. Deeper. DEEPER. Harry dug his nails so deep that it broke his skin. Harry looked down at the cut. Blood seeped to the surface. Harry stared at the scarlet liquid and thought about Sirius. 'This is for your pain, Sirius' Harry thought to himself. He winced at the cut in his arm. 'How stupid am I!'
The only light that was left in the sky had now disappeared. Harry kicked some stones out of his way and watched to see how far they would go. His invisibility cloak lay next to him, just incase a teacher was lurking around. Harry looked around at the Hogwarts buildings and stared with ore. He then turned to see Hagrid's hut. The lights were all out, indicating that Hagrid was asleep...
Suddenly, Harry could see a lantern light coming in his general direction. Harry quickly shoved the invisibility cloak over himself and moved backwards. Some sticks crunched as he crouched backwards and Harry stopped. He felt something dig into his foot. Something sharp. Harry tried not to yelp as the lantern light came further forward. Harry peered closer to see who the face was. It was Mr. Filch, on the prowl out for students out of bed. Harry held his breath as he came closer to the bank in which he was sitting on. Mr. Filch walked away from the bank and slowly slipped away into the darkness. Harry sighed and then took the sharp object away from his foot. He picked it up. It looked like a stone, but it didn't seem like an ordinary one. Harry rubbed his foot. It was black and grey in colour and had a very sharp point. It was quite big and Harry couldn't understand how something that big could have done virtually no damage to his foot. He brought the stone closer, so he could get a better look. He touched the stone and it felt smooth and polished. Like someone had been caring for it. Harry ran his finger over the stone's surface and felt a slight dip. Something was engraved, but he couldn't quite see what it was. It looked like a paragraph of small, engraved writing. Harry shoved the stone in his pocket, so that he could examine it further. Harry yawned. Tiredness was now finally sinking in, banishing his insomnia for another night. Harry pulled the invisibility cloak on and walked back to Gryffindor Tower.
FLASHBACK
May 1982
Unknown Location
The room was damp, cold and drafty. The walls were bare and the room lacked sunlight. The floor was covered in cobbles and moss surrounded them, making it hazardous to walk on. A thick smog filled the air in the room, making it hard to breathe. The room didn't have much inside it. A set of spiral stairs led you into the room. It was underground, which explained the lack of light. There in the corner of the room was a trail of green sludge, which looked toxic. Some water leaked in drops from the ceiling, adding an eerie effect to the room. Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop. That never-ending sound. You see a rat scurry by, running away. At the far end of the room, there is a black curtain. Surely, but steadily, you walk over to the curtain. You hear sounds as you walk closer to it. The black velvet curtain lies straight ahead of you. You touch its smoothness and see that it is slightly moth-eaten. You pull back the curtain, and this is what you see...
You see pitch-black darkness around you. You see nothing but shadows. It is a long, black corridor and at the very end of it, is a figure, sitting down. You make out another figure, standing up. Then the conversation begins:
"My Mistress, are you well?"
A woman's voice laughs. "What do you think, loyal Squire? Do you think that I am fine and dandy? OF COURSE NOT!"
"I know, my love. I feel your pain..."
"NO YOU DON'T! YOU HAVE NO IDEA, YOU PETTY FOOL!"
You hear the Squire sigh. "I thought that they would help your strength..."
"Oh, yes. They have helped. But it is not enough... I need something more...But then again, my time will come... The ancient prophecy...When is it due?"
Rustling noises come from the Squire's general direction. "Not yet, my love"
The woman sighs. "I see. For now, I will need more, do you understand?"
"Yes! Yes! Of course, my dear. I will get more recruits".
"Come hither".
The Squire walks over to the woman. You still can't see who they are. The Woman offers her hand to the Squire. You see the Squire kneel down and kiss her hand.
The woman gives something to the Squire.
"Now, my soldier. Take this with you and hide it. It is essential for my reign. I do not need it now, but I will do in the future. Keep it safe. Remember, if you EVER lose it, then your days will be numbered. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Y-yes, mistress".
"Good. Now away with you!"
The Squire runs out of the run, carrying a black object in his hand...
FLASHBACK
That Month - 1982
Hogwarts
Luella, Maggie and Olivia are all sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room. Luella is studying from a book, Maggie is writing an essay, while Olivia is moping about the room. Her eyes are all red and her hair is a mess. Dominic, Richard and Burton enter the room.
"Hey all!" announced Richard
"Hey" answer Luella and Maggie in mono-tone voices, still keeping their eyes on what they are doing. Dominic goes and sits by Luella, looking over her shoulder at what she is doing. Burton stands meekly in the corner. Olivia bursts into a fresh set of sobs. Richard kneels down and places a friendly arm around Olivia.
"I know, Olivia. I know" Richard sighed, "Break-ups are tough. Look, that Gerard doesn't deserve you!"
Olivia wailed harder. "B-but h-he s-said I w-w-was the o-only g-g-girl for him!" She breaks down again and bawls like a baby.
"How long as she been like this?" whispered Dominic to Luella.
Luella sighed. "Well, ever since we last had Potions and that was...three hours ago. Yep. She has been crying for three hours, now. That new Professor Snape gave her detention for crying too much in the lesson. We have tried to make her feel better, but she is just inconsolable".
Maggie stopped writing. "Liv, is there anything we can do?"
"CURSE HIS THINGY!" shouted Olivia, pulling at her red hair.
"Err..." Richard stammered, "Maybe later..."
"How exactly did he break-up with you?" Dominic asked
"W-well, h-he said 'Olivia. y-you are a nice g-girl, but...but...I have f-found someone else. I'm s-sorry' WHY! WHY! WHY!" Olivia cried.
Luella went over to Olivia and gave her a hug. "Shhh...It's okay, Liv".
Burton stood in the corner, smiling. He could now make his move on Olivia freely. Burton put his serious face back on and opened his mouth to speak.
"I'll go and fight that prat, Gerard!" Burton said, pulling out his wand. He had a mean streak in his eye.
Dominic ran over to Burton and lowered his wand over from him. "I think best not, eh Burton?"
Richard suddenly jumped up. "What time is it?"
Maggie looked at her watch. "3.20"
"Damn it! Dominic! We're late for Quidditch Practice!"
Dominic and Richard raced around grabbing things. They finally were ready with their brooms. Dominic kissed Luella and ran out of the door. Olivia's face began to wobble. Public Romance was not what she wanted to see right now.
"Bye!" said Richard, kissing Maggie on the cheek. "Remember, Liv. We are all here for you... Just not now, 'cause of Quidditch practice. See ya!"
'This is it!' thought Burton 'Time to go in for the kill...'
Burton walked over to Olivia and put her hand in his. "Liv, I know how it feels to be rejected. Alone. We are two souls, lost in the sea of loneliness...but when two soul mates come together, the loneliness disappears. You, Olivia, are a beautiful girl. We could spend many happy nights together. You and me. What do you say? Will you be my girlfriend?"
Olivia stopped crying and pulled her hand away from his. She stared at Burton with her mouth open. "Y-you're asking m-me to be y-your girlfriend after f-four hours of me being d-dumped? That's a wonderful idea! DO YOU REALISE HOW HURT I AM AFTER MY BOYFRIEND OF SIX MONTHS HAS LEFT ME! DO YOU?" Luella and Maggie stopped what they were doing and stared at Olivia. Olivia had gone bright red with anger.
Burton sighed. "I know. The timing wasn't perfect -"
"ITS MORE THAN THE TIMING, BURTON!" shouted Olivia "I...I..." She brakes down into more tears. Maggie and Luella walk over to Olivia and hug her.
"Real smooth, Burton" sighed Maggie, glaring at Burton.
Burton kicked some books out of his way and stormed out of the Main Common Room into his dorm. He entered the room and slammed the door shut. He sat down on his bed and punched his pillow. 'Rejected yet again, am I? Who does she think she is, shouting at me like that? Stupid cow. Burton swung his legs down from the bed and opened up his bedside cabinet. Inside, was some shower gel, a photo of his mum and dad, lots of socks and underwear. Stuffed to the back of the draw, was a small black, leather wash-bag. Burton threw several socks onto the floor and pulled out the bag. He unzipped it. Inside were several pieces of paper with random sentences and names scribbled on them. Also inside the bag was some newspaper cuttings. Burton picked up the clippings and examined them. They were all from the Daily Prophet and they all headlined the missing students. The first student to go missing: Stuart Murray. Then, Janet Vice and Debbie Wells. Then last but not least, Anita Fawcett. All their stories were there. But why? Burton placed the clippings on his bed. He was looking at something else. Burton put his hands in the bag. 'Should I?' Burton stared hard into the bag. 'No. I won't do it...Yet..." Burton stuffed the clippings into the bag and zipped it up. He shoved the bag to the back of the draw and threw the pairs of socks in as well. He closed the draw shut, making sure no one was around. Burton took a deep breath and walked out of the dorm. 'Not yet' Burton repeated to himself, "Just not yet"...
Later that evening, Luella and Dominic were in the empty Common Room. They were both meant to be writing essays for Professor Snape, yet kissing seemed to get the better of them. Olivia had gone to bed, after the shock proposal from Burton and Richard and Maggie seemed to have disappeared. Dominic and Luella were locked in a passionate embrace whilst kissing.
"We are meant to be writing these essays!" laughed Luella, wriggling away from Dominic.
"Oh, well!" laughed Dominic throwing their essays in the air. He playfully grabbed Luella and the pair began kissing again. Dominic ran his fingers through Luella's brown hair. He stared into her hazel eyes.
Luella pulled away. "That Professor Snape is a real weirdo. He will have our necks if we don't finish them! Plus, any spare time we have, should be spent revising for our O.W.Ls!"
Dominic gave a hearty sigh. "Ok, if you insist".
The pair settled down and started to write their essays. Dominic stared at Luella while she was writing her essay. From the corner of her eye, Luella could see Dominic's green eyes staring at her.
"You're staring at me" Luella laughed as she wrote.
Dominic pretended to be writing again. "No, I am not!" he protested.
Just at that moment, Richard and Maggie barged through the Common Room door. Richard had his arm around Maggie and the pair of them were laughing uncontrollably. Luella and Dominic were staring at them both. Maggie's hair had several leaves poking out, while Richard's robes looked like a dog had been eating it.
"Where have you been?" asked Dominic inquisitively
Richard laughed and rolled his eyes. "D-don't be silly, matey! I have been in here all the time!" he laughed, slurring his words. Maggie threw her hair onto her shoulders and the pair broke into a giggling fit.
"You're drunk! The pair of you!" said Luella accusingly, "Richard, you should be setting a good example as you are a prefect. And Maggie... well you should know better!"
"Only 'cause YOU want some!" laughed Maggie, her breath stinking of alcohol.
"Where on earth did you get alcohol from?" Dominic asked Richard, standing up to him.
Richard tapped his nose. "Our little secret!"
Luella rolled her eyes. "I think it is best you two should go to bed. I'm surprised none of the teachers didn't catch you!"
A sound of a scream came from outside. All four of them ran towards the window. Several students were now awoken by the scream and were out of their beds. Olivia was one of them and she came into the Common Room, looking dazed and confused. Outside, there were lots of people crowding around an area on the grass. More students were pouring themselves out of bed. An ear-piercing scream stifled outside. Students began to chatter amongst themselves. 'What has happened?' 'Who screamed?' 'Has something bad happened?'. Olivia walked over to her friends. She was wearing her 'comfort' teddy-bear pyjamas. She rubbed her eyes and finally came up to her friends, who were all trying to see out of the window.
"What's going on?" Olivia yawned.
Lots of Gryffindor students were rushing in to look outside the window.
"Oi!" shouted Richard "G-go back to your beds. Nothing to see here! I'm a Prefect!". Richard started shooing some first-years away from the window. Luella pressed her face against the window. She still couldn't see much. 'I hope it isn't anything serious...' she thought to herself...
Outside was a completely different story. On the Centre Lawn, several students were crowding around.The moon was out and it shone on the students.It was a cold night and many of the students were in their pyjamas. A terrified third-year girl was still screaming. She was still dressed in her robes. A light was coming closer to the students. Mr. Filch made his way to the scene, with Mrs. Norris in tow behind him.
"WHAT ARE YOU STUDENTS DOING OUT OF BED?" boomed Filch "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING O-". He pushed through the crowd of frightened children. He stared at what all the other students were staring at. At that point, Mr. Filch's face turned white. Mrs. Norris stared meowing strangely. Beads of sweat started to trickle down his face. He held his lantern up high and he looked like he was going to be sick.
Professor McGonagal was walking over to Mr. Filch with a lantern. She looked almost ready for bed and she had an angry look on her face. "Is everything in order, Mr. Filch?
The look of anger on her face grew. "WHAT ARE THESE STUDENTS DOING OUT OF BED? BACK TO YOUR DORMS, NOW!" Professor McGonagal pushed pass the students and looked at what was causing all the fuss. She let out a cry of horror and clamped her hands over her mouth.
She stood staring, stuttering the word 'I' over and over again.
"Back to your dorms, NOW!" she cried and most of the students disappeared. "Mr. Filch, go and fetch Albus!"
Mr. Filch nodded and ran off to the main Hogwarts building. Professor McGonagal's knees collapsed to the ground. For what before them was a horrible sight. An awful atrocity.
...Something sinister...
...because before them lay the body of Anita Fawcett. Anita's face had been manipulated into something which cannot even be described. Her body was blue all over. She was still in her Hogwarts robes. The figuire of Albus Dumbledore came closer...
Nothing but silence.
Deadly silence.
END OF CHAPTER 3
A/N: I hope you liked it! Please read and review and I will get writing on chapter 4. All helpful reviews are welcome :) xxx