Chapter Fifteen: Order
The cheers surrounded Harry just like they did twenty years before. It didn't take too long until Minerva McGonagall walked into the courtyard, her green robes floating around herself when she straddled stubbornly towards Harry, offering her hand, which he took with a clear expression of respect for his former teacher.
"It seems like you are doing marvellous with your new occupation, Eames." Said Harry. "The students are truly excited with your new tactics."
"Potter," The Minister replied, a fake air of superiority on his grin. "As head Sof the Aurors Department, you should consider to abstain from the higher Ministry's business. As you see, as Minister, I-"
"You have the right to dismiss members of the school's staff." This voice belonged neither to Harry or Minerva, but the red haired Percy Weasley, who also walked towards Shaw, positioning himself between the wizard and the half giant. "However, as the High Inquisitor, Minister, I remind you that you don't have the right to ban them from this place." All eyes were on them as Shaw looked sideways, insecure. "This decision lies with the Headmistress only. And reminding you of what happened last time someone tried to subdue this rule, and came face to face with Albus Dumbledore himself." His voice was as sharp as a blade.
No wizard in right mind would dare to cross Dumbledore's legacy.
Eames made a disgusted face for Hagrid, right before turning on his heels, heading out of the courtyard.
"Thanks, Percy," Harry said, shaking his hand before turning on his heels to greet the half-giant, who nearly crushed the Auror in a bone cracking hug. All the students remained where they were until Professor McGonagall spoke.
"All of you, head back to classes."
#
There was a dark mood creeping up the castle. McGonagall was furious, everyone knew that, but when Harry Potter showed up in the castle, then things went down right frightening. The whispers were everywhere, some were excited, some were scared. A few remained alert. It was clear that Potter was furious with the overall situation. The spot for Care of Magical Creatures was yet to be filled, and Hagrid hadn't been seen out of his hut for days.
Four new Aurors arrived at Hogwarts that same afternoon. Black vests and hard expressions, standing still at every entrance. For weeks, blocking Hiccup's final hopes of ever going out with Toothless. The small dragon became unquiet on the headboard.
"I'm sorry, bud," Hiccup muttered one Saturday, when the snow would lazily fall over the windows. "I wanted to get you out."
There were small dragon-like grunts coming from Toothless throats, and Hiccup gave an unhappy smile. The boy would carry the small dragon everywhere as much as he could, even though most classes would not allow him to keep the creature.
Hiccup pulled the Labyrinth from his pocket, and even on Saturdays, all the entrances were guarded by Aurors. Jack's name was still near the entrance of the Great Hall, but neither Astrid's or Aster's names were near him. Hiccup ran right to him.
Jack was still waiting when Hiccup got there, but instead of the usual mischievous or plain happy look, all he saw was a dark frown that surely meant no good.
"What's up?" Hiccup asked once he got near him.
"Thank God, you showed up." Jack said, his voice sounded annoyed as well. "Hide him!" Jack said, quickly but gently picking Toothless from Hiccup's shoulder.
"Wait, what are you-?!" Hiccup was both confused and scared.
"Shush, no time to explain!" Jack gingerly placed Toothless on the inside of Hiccup's vests, earning a small screech from the creature. "We got to get to Hagrid, immediately." He practically whispered.
"Hagrid-?!"
"SHUSH!" The taller boy actually hissed as he squeezed Hiccup's wrists, earning a silent yelp from the other boy.
Both boys walked to the entrance, trying their best to act casually as they walked between the two Aurors that guarded that entrance until they were out of sight, snow pouring on their heads when they started to sprint their way to Hogwarts' Grounds until they began their descent to Hagrid's hut.
"How do you even know Hagrid?" Hiccup asked.
"Long story," Jack replied. "We've been in touch ever since third year." He explained.
As they stepped near the hut, though, they heard the voices. They were not alone.
"I'm asking you one last time," A grave and pompous voice rose from inside the hut's walls, and Jack had this sinking feeling forming in his stomach. "I know Potter has been warned of your demission, who have you been spyin' on?"
"I have no' spied on anyone!" Hagrid's voice sounded annoyed, impatient. "Don' yeh think this is the firs' time someone tries ter take information from meh, but this is bloody nonsense!"
There was a sharp sound when the other's wand sliced through the air and most certainly pointed at Hagrid's face.
"Your insolent thief, you disgusting half-blood- "
It was either bravery or stubbornness that made Jack rise from his place, knock on the door harshly and stand at the entrance, proudly announcing that he could listen.
"Hagrid, are you in there?" Jack sang, sounding overly confident when immediately, there was a loud CRACK and the door swung open, revealing the Auror, now seemingly small, concealing his wand behind his cape.
"I see you have visitors, I'll leave you alone for now." The wizard spoke, slightly harsh to the half-giant as he stepped out of the hut and bumped his shoulder against Jack's, walking out to the snowy grounds back to the castle.
#
"I'm glad yeh two came now." Hagrid spoke as he served the tea in the two overly big cups for the two boys. "Although I still think it is stupid from yer par' to cross an Auror, Jackie, especially now tha' they seem so keen on takin' out every undesirable creature."
"I'm sorry Hagrid, but I had to keep him away from you." Jack spoke, noticing how Hagrid's hands would shake the teapot. "That's fine, thank you."
Hiccup noticed how Hagrid was loud and careless as he fixed the mess on his hut. "You seem to have everything packed." Hiccup spoke.
"Aye, now that the Ministry nearly took me out of my own home, I need ter keep things at hand, now, don' I?" Hagrid turned back to the smaller boy, that near him felt even smaller than usual. "What is yer name again, by the way?"
"Hiccup." The boy rushed to answer. "I'm in your classes."
"Oh righ', the little Toothpick, righ-?" Hagrid seemed to remember, but Jack hit a well-aimed kick on the edge of the Giant's foot. "I'm sorry, I should not have sai' that..."
"It's fine," Hiccup coughed, suddenly awkward as Jack pulled him by the wrists to the chair.
"Hagrid, we needed to talk to you." Jack said, putting down the cup of the horrible tea and trying his best not to make a nasty face at it. "What was that auror doing here?" He cocked his eyebrow.
Hagrid stopped moving, looking over his shoulders before whispering. "There's nothin' I can say if I'm not sure they won't hear."
To that, Hiccup, who was still trying to climb the tall chair, took out his wand, swinging it once. "Abbafiato." He said, and suddenly it was as if a deafening bubble formed inside the hut. Jack widened his eyes at Hiccup, once again amazed at the boy's skills, and such stare did not go unnoticed to Hagrid.
"Very well, then," He started. "Le's not act shocked a' the news tha' the dark wizards are joinin' again."
"You mean Death Eaters?" Hiccup spoke, and there was a collective shiver up everyone's spine.
"Yes. And even thou' it's been twenty years since the fall of Yeh-Know-Who, many wizards and witches that were pro the Muggle Born Commission Registry 'ave been investigated by the Ministry, and some of those investigations are goin' on even today."
"Like the Malfoys?" Jack said, and there was a strange nod.
"Don' even remind me of this name, I taugh' personally ter a Malfoy, yeh see? Still remember his firs' class, tha' little bastard. Face to face with Buckbeak, arrogant and shown off like he was… yeh should've seen how the creature knocked 'im out!" And the giant started laughing at the seemingly hilarious memory.
"Most people think Death Eaters went hiding after the Second War." Jack said.
"Aye, but yeh, more than anyone knows better now, don' yeh Jackie?" Hagrid had a soft tone as he said that, but even so, Hiccup looked worriedly at his friend.
"So they've gone back to active now?" Hiccup said.
"Imma'fraid so, lad, but probably by a different name and leader, if they even have one." Hagrid spoke, now very serious. "For years there hasn' been a single wizardin' act that was as frightenin' as the ones back on those days, and now all the sudden, twenty years later, here we ah," And Hagrid sounded deeply tired, shaking his head. "It was just like this the las' time. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named acted silently, joinin' recruits for his cause, but never endin' his attacks. Yeh do understand his goal, right? Ter wipe out any member of the Wizardin' Community that is not considered a pure blood or anythin' else."
"Muggleborns." Jack said. "And that's why they're after you? Because you're not entirely a wizard?"
"Fancy way ter call me half-giant, but yes, that's why." Hagrid did not sound offended at all, but still Jack muttered sorry. "It migh' not be long until I have ter ge' the hell out of here…"
"But, you can't leave!" Jack nearly screamed in shock. "I mean, Hogwarts would-"
"-be just fine without me." Hagrid calmly added, and Jack's shocked expression slowly died to a more concerned one. "It's not like it hasn't happened countless times before, lad, besides," Hagrid threw a big piece of meat to a hungry Fang. "I migh' be more useful outside the castle, especially now that they all started lookin' for it."
Jack and Hiccup looked at each other before turning back to Hagrid with meaningful stares.
"And I should not have said that…"
"Oh, no, you already did." Jack said, leaning in to the table. "Wait, what do you mean by that?"
Hagrid cursed under his beard, grunting before looking back at the two boys.
"How good is this spell yeh just casted, lad?"
"Good enough." Jack replied for Hiccup, and the small boy just nodded with an awkward grin.
"Okay, hear this, for I'm not repeatin' myself: The Order is formin' again. And yer too young to even participate, but know this, if the Ministry is compromised, then yer better get the far away from here, especially yeh, Haddock." The two boys had their eyes nearly enlightened with what they heard. "Now, ya never heard that from me, but if I was yeh, I'd get the biggest number of friends I could to prepare all sorts of mess we could." He leaned back, and lowered his dustbin lid sized hand to pet Fang. "Hogwarts could certainly use a li'e mischief."
"Wait, Hagrid," Jack pleaded. "What are they looking for? You said they were looking for something."
"I can't tell yeh, lads." Hagrid tapped his hand on the table, not angrily, but still enough to make the cups shake. "This is the Order's business, I should not even be talkin' tha', now off yeh go."
"Hagrid-" Jack asked again.
"I said, off yeh go."
#
Hagrid's words kept hanging on the boys heads as they made their way back to the castle, Hiccup hugging himself to prevent the shivers that crept up his body. Jack blew air into his hands to warm himself, and their noses were very red with the cold. The velocity that the snow grew to cover the majority of Hogwarts' grounds was shocking, and a blizzard was sure to form in moments.
"Here," Jack muttered, his arms reaching around Hiccup's shoulders, and the boy gladly curled himself into Jack's chest, just like it was back on Hogsmead. Oh, what they wouldn't do for another round of butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks…
"What do you think that was all about?" Hiccup asked, his eyes wandering sideways through the castle's grounds. "That whole thing about the order, what do you think he meant, like building an army?"
"Shush." Jack looked around them, searching for Aurors. "I'm not sure if it's the best thing to discuss this here."
Just then, as they were near the stone circle that rose up before the wooden bridge, three wizards appeared. Call it luck that both boys stopped dead on their tracks before they could have been seen, but they immediately retreated a few steps until they got to actually see the scene before them:
What seemed like three wizards crossing the bridge turned out to be two Aurors half scouting, half dragging a tall wizard, with hair as red as fire.
"Is that…?" Hiccup could never finish his sentence as Jack's hand tapped his mouth, pulling the smaller boy by his vests and nearly throwing Hiccup on the floor behind the bridge entrance. The boy yelped, silently though, as the three wizards dragged Percy Weasley, nearly unconscious through the grounds, walking down past the Stone Circle and heading towards the school entrance.
"Let's go." Jack hissed as he pulled Hiccup back up, and both boys sneaked in to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the trees concealing them. As they followed the Aurors, they could hear no words, keeping their heads down and tripping on their way through the woods.
Only when the Aurors dragged Percy to the very entry of the School territory, after the gates that signalised the edge of the magic shield, they could hear the words, briefly.
"Should we end him?" One Auror asked, gesturing his wand.
"Not us, and not here. The Obscurus will want him." The other replied, twisting himself with a loud CRACK, the sound muffled by the reforming shield before they disapparated.
