Author's Note: You guys are wonderful! I love you all, and some of your ideas brought a smile to my face. Thanks so much for letting me know how I'm doing. Now that Sylvia is writing again, she is a much easier person to get along with. She actually read over this! Here's the next chapter!
"Run outside." Sensei said. Harry nodded and pulled on his shoes with Rick. It was a Saturday training session and he was already tired, but he was still having a blast.
"Let's go, Evan. Let's see if we can add another lap." Harry followed Rick outside and fell into a steady rhythm of running. "How are your arms feeling? You were a little stiff today." Harry blinked. He had been fighting to hide it.
"They're a little sore, not too bad." Rick gave Harry a look that would have made Sensei proud.
"We don't want you in pain." Rick told him. "I have something for that when we return to the gym."
"Okay." There was absolutely no use arguing with Rick or Sensei.
"Pain, Evan, is okay, because it tells you that something is wrong. Bruises teach you something we cannot. Pain that keeps you from moving is not okay. Tell us in the future." Harry dodged a rock in the road and looked at Rick.
"When did you turn into Sensei?" He asked. Rick blinked and then smiled.
"Sorry. He comes through in me when one of the students is hurt or injured. You can say that he taught me well." Harry smiled.
"That's for sure. I was almost ready to call you Sensei for a minute." Rick chuckled.
"I think that that is what the old man is aiming for." Harry smiled at the nickname the students gave to Sensei. No one ever called him that to his face, but it was a term of endearment for the man who could wipe the floor with his son and still take on the rest of the class without breaking a sweat. At least, Harry thought so. "Oh, by the way, you should duck." Harry had no time to ask why. A golf ball came from nowhere and narrowly missed Harry's head. He ducked as another one almost hit him in his face. "Sensei's in these trees somewhere." Rick said from a branch. Harry wondered when he had managed to climb the tree. "I suggest you start catching some balls to return fire." Nice suggestion. Well, I'm not a Seeker for nothing. This shouldn't be too hard.
Harry caught the next ball and watched where the balls were coming from. He ducked another one and managed to catch it. He decided that he would not get any peace until he hit Sensei back. He dodged and caught three more balls until he figured out exactly where Sensei was hiding. He took one of his golf balls and threw it. Nothing. He ducked; this, well, EXERCISE, was becoming annoying. Quickly. He tossed another one. Nothing. He took a deep breath and let it out. He ducked and threw another ball. "Good!" Sensei popped up from the bushes and came forward. "Very good." Rick came down from the tree and nodded to Sensei. "Gather the balls and return." Sensei turned and walked away. Harry stared after him until Rick tapped him on the shoulder.
"What in the world was that all about?" He demanded of Rick as they started picking up the golf balls. Rick stood and looked at him.
"You haven't figured it out?" He asked, clearly confused.
"No. Figure what out?" Harry snapped, nearly falling over one of the stupid golf balls that he now decided he hated. The stupid little white balls were intent on giving Harry a broken neck.
"Sensei's training you for something, though I don't know what it is. If I say anything more than that, he'll kill me." Rick said with a grin to let Harry know that he was joking. Rick shrugged and picked up another ball. "That looks like all of them. Let's get back." Harry nodded and followed Rick back to the gym. What would Sensei be training for? More importantly, how would it be any help against fully trained wizards? They both dumped the golf balls into a waiting bucket and Rick pushed Harry towards the locker room.
"Showers." Sensei said from his place on the floor. Harry nodded and went to the locker room. He grabbed his towel and toiletries and headed to his favorite shower. He stayed in for a while, allowing the hot water to wash away some of his tension and confusion. He sighed as he stepped out and shut off the water. He cursed himself for not thinking to bring clothes with him and went back to his locker. He had just pulled on his pants when Rick appeared. He was still in his gi and was carrying a small flat tin.
"Take a seat." He told Harry. "I brought the stuff for your arms." Harry eyed him. Oh come off it, Potter! This is Rick, not some Death Eater! Sit down! Harry sat down after he told himself off. Rick stepped behind him and Harry heard him open the tin. Rick rubbed his hands together and placed them both on Harry's right shoulder.
Nothing happened at first. Then, something burned. "Ow!" Harry tried to pull away, but Rick's hands kept him seated. "Ow! Rick, this really-" The sensation changed. "Ah!" Harry felt his previously sore shoulder soak up the heat and the pain in that particular muscle faded away.
"I should have warned you that it burns at first. Sorry." Harry could only nod as Rick moved down his arm. This was amazing! It would be bliss after a Quidditch game, if there was still Quidditch, and the DA. Rick finished with his right arm and started on the left shoulder. Harry kept quiet while Rick did the same thing to the other side. "Whenever Dad worked me too hard, he would use this on me. I turned into putty in his hands." Rick laughed when Harry barely managed to make a sound that sounded like "mm-hmm." "Kind of like I'm doing to you, I guess." Rick finished Harry's left arm and moved to his neck. "This always feels good." Harry found himself agreeing, but not quite capable of speech. "Anywhere else hurt?" Harry shook his head no. "Good. I'll get you some of your own, but for now, you can use mine when you need it."
"Mmm. Thanks." Harry managed. "I feel better."
"That was the intent. You have an appointment to get to. Go on." Harry thanked Rick again, pulled on his shirt and rushed out of the locker room. Rick shook his head and went out to the floor. He sat down next to his father.
"You have a question?" Sensei asked, not opening his eyes.
"What are you training him for?" Sensei smiled and opened his eyes.
"Very good. Very quick." Sensei stood and pulled his gym bag out from under the bench. He opened it and took out something wrapped in black cloth. Rick saw two different things. "Whichever he is better at." Rick looked at the objects sitting on the bench and realized that Evan had to be in considerable danger for his father to actually do this. "We shall see."
Harry walked down to the hallway towards Paul's office. Joe was here again today. That much he did know. "Hi, Evan!" Harry turned to see Bug putting up a sign on the bulletin board.
"Hey, Bug. What's that?" Bug jammed another staple into the paper and smiled.
"They're having a September First picnic. Kind of like a party or something or other. There are going to be games," another staple, "prizes," another staple, "and lots of food." Bug put the last staple in and turned to face Harry. "I'm told it's going to be a lot of fun. Everyone gets to come."
"That's cool." Harry said. Bug looked at him.
"You okay?" He asked. Harry nodded. He was tired, but fine.
"Yeah, didn't sleep too well last night. Must have been the meatloaf." He joked with Bug. The school had served meatloaf a few nights before and no one had liked it. It had now become a floor joke as a way to dismiss little troubles. Bug snorted and closed the stapler.
"Okay. Just be sure to tell Paul if you can't sleep." Harry smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Yes, mother." He said in a simpering tone. Bug gave him a playful push before shaking his head.
"Go on! We both know who the crazy one is on our floor." Bug told him. Harry put his hands over his heart and pretended to faint.
"You've finally admitted it!" He crowed. "You know, Bug, the first step to curing something is admitting that you have a problem." Harry told him seriously. Bug blinked before messing up Harry's hair. "No, not the hair!" Harry wailed.
"You and your acting." Bug said. "Uh-oh." He said suddenly. Harry froze.
"What?" He demanded, ready to pull his wand out.
"There's something I never thought I'd see." Bug said quietly.
"What?" Harry demanded, nearly frantic with his worry, but too scared to turn around. You're a Gryffindor. Suck it up! Harry turned to see Paul coming towards him. He was obviously upset about something. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Hi, Paul." He said.
"Hey, kiddo." Paul said, ruffling Harry's already messed up hair. "You ready?" Harry nodded and said goodbye to Bug. Harry looked at Paul for a few seconds before venturing to figure out what was wrong.
"You okay?" He asked Paul. Paul glanced at Harry before he nodded. "What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"I'm just a little frustrated, buddy. Nothing for you to worry about." Harry frowned.
"Is it about me?" Harry asked. Paul shook his head. "Joe?" Paul stopped and looked at Harry.
"I told you it was nothing for you to worry about. Why are you asking?" Paul asked softly. Harry looked down at his feet.
"Sorry." He told Paul. Paul led Harry to his office and motioned for Harry to take a seat.
"You want to tell me why you asked?" Paul asked, turning on the tape recorder.
"I just do better with more information. Dumbledore always used to tell me that 'It's nothing for you to worry about, dear boy' pat me on the head, and send me on my way with a piece of candy." Harry said. "I hated it." Paul nodded and leaned back in his chair.
"I understand why now." Paul said. "It is about Joe. He's going to be a few minutes late. He has a flat tire." Harry nodded. "I didn't want you to worry, because I know you're prone to it." Harry smiled.
"That's okay. If you want me to butt out, just say so." Paul nodded.
"No problem. I'll make sure to do so, and if something does involve you directly, I'll tell you. So, since we have some time, what's going on?" Harry opened his mouth to answer when a hiss from the corner interrupted him.
"No hello, you never write, you never call. You must not love me anymore!" Zen gave a good imitation of crying and curled around himself. Paul looked at Harry's surprised face with an amused smile.
"Excuse me, Paul." Harry said. He went over to the tank. "I thought you were sleeping." Harry told the snake. Zen looked up at him and flicked out his tongue once.
"A likely story. I will forgive you for your oversight if you let me rest on you a while." Harry turned to Paul.
"May I take him out for a while?" He asked. Paul nodded and then gave an evil grin.
"Joe hates snakes." Harry smiled with Paul and opened the cage. He put his arm down where Zen could reach it. Zen curled around his arm and Harry went back to the couch. Zen settled against Harry's chest. "So, what did Zen have to say?" Paul asked.
"Oh, he just said that I didn't say hello, never write, never call and I didn't love him anymore." Paul blinked. "He said he would forgive me if I allowed him to rest on me for a while." Harry ran a hand down Zen, which caused the snake to hiss with pleasure.
"Oh. I see. So, what's going on?" Paul asked. Harry shrugged, still petting Zen.
"Nothing much. Bug told me about the September first picnic." Harry said. "It sounds like a lot of fun." Paul nodded.
"That's the day you were supposed to go back to Hogwarts. How are you handling your decision?" Paul asked. Harry shrugged and looked out the window for a while before answering.
"I'm a little nervous." He answered truthfully. "I just have this feeling that Dumbledore is going to show up with the entire Order and make me go back to school." He ran another finger down Zen and sighed. "I don't want to." Paul looked at Harry and nodded.
"He can't make you." Paul said. Harry gave him a cynical smile and shook his head.
"You haven't met Albus Dumbledore." He warned Paul. "The Ministry of Magic is probably granting everyone in the Order free reign so that fighting Voldemort will be easier." He told Paul, still petting Zen.
"You've mentioned the Order a couple of times now. What is that, and how are you involved?" Paul asked. Harry smiled a bit and shifted Zen to a better position. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to figure out exactly how to tell Paul what the Order was.
"The Order of the Phoenix is an organization committed to fighting against Voldemort. Dumbledore heads it and uses it to protect me from Voldemort. Their track record isn't too great, but then again, I'm not told a lot, so I don't know how many times Voldemort has tried to attack me and I just didn't know." Harry said. "The security gets lax when I'm at school. Voldemort has managed to get there several times while I was there. It's easy to sneak out of too." Harry told him.
"So, who's in this Order?" Paul asked. Harry shook his head.
"I wouldn't know. I can guess, but then again, I have no idea." Harry told him. Paul frowned. He knew that Harry knew more than he was letting on.
"I'm not going to use the information you tell me, Harry." Paul said.
"I don't know who else is listening. I can't risk it, Paul." Harry told him. "It's safer this way." Paul nodded his understanding. He'd allow Harry to do the spy thing if he must.
"You are aptly named, 007." Paul said with a small smile. "What kind of people are in the Order?" Paul asked. "Just wizards?" He asked.
"Mostly. Some others as well." Harry answered. "I don't know why Dumbledore let some of them in, but he did." Harry said, still petting Zen. "You aren't unhappy with me for not telling you who, are you?" He asked suddenly.
"If you won't feel safe after telling me, then I don't want you to tell me. Remember, I told you that you could tell me whatever you wanted. Knowing who is in the Order won't matter much to me." Harry smiled and relaxed again. "Do you feel safe when you are around the Order?" Paul asked.
"Well, I don't really know who is in the Order, just that they help to protect me." Harry snorted. "Wonder where they were when my aunt brought me here." Harry said with a smile. "Lousy bodyguards at that time." Paul smiled and nodded.
"I'd say. Good thing it wasn't Voldemort." Paul told him. Harry laughed and nodded.
"You haven't seen my aunt when someone tracks mud into the house." He told Paul. "Even Dudley gets a little pale at that point. I get to clean it, of course, but I find it rather funny when she yells at him. She never yells at him." He said with a funny look. A knock on the door startled both of them.
"Come in!" Joe opened the door, smiled at the both of them, and started to come in. He froze when he saw Zen and backed out of the doorway.
"I'll just wait out here until you put him away." He told Harry as he closed the door. Harry snickered and got up from the couch, causing Zen to give an angry hiss. Harry lifted the snake to face him.
"Sorry about that. Joe doesn't like snakes too much and he's uncomfortable around you. I'm going to put you on your warm rock." Zen had frozen and was staring at Harry. "What?" Harry asked.
"You are the lightening child." Zen said with awe in his voice. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"We'll talk about this later." He told Zen, closing the cage. "It's okay, Joe!" Joe opened the door cautiously and looked around. He relaxed when he saw Zen in his cage. "So, you don't like snakes?" Harry asked, returning to the couch.
"No. Not at all." He said with an exaggerated shudder. "Creepy crawly little things with poison in their teeth." Joe said, eyeing the tank.
"Good thing you don't speak snake." Harry said with a mischievous little smile. "I think that Zen would have been very insulted just now." Harry sat back in the couch and felt his wand against his leg. He decided not to do it again, because Joe noticed the last time and he hadn't even told Paul about his wand yet. Joe took his usual seat and looked at the pair.
"You guys like scaring me, don't you?" Joe asked. Harry shook his head.
"Course not. We didn't know what time you were coming exactly. If I had known, I would have put Zen away." Harry was distracted by Zen at that moment.
"I'm so bored! Please take me out again! I promise that I won't bite…much!" Harry smiled and turned back to Joe. He was staring at Zen with a slightly frightened expression.
"I wonder what that's all about." He said, turning back to Harry.
"Oh, he's probably bored." Harry said. Paul snorted and turned to dig in his mini-fridge for some caffeine. Joe looked like he needed it. Harry was in a very playful mood today.
"Please, my lightening child! Please take me out!" Harry glared at the snake and turned back to Joe. "Or, if you cannot take me out, will you give me a mouse?" Harry shook his head at the snake and pulled out his book of lines.
"Can we go over this passage here? Some of this language just doesn't make sense, and Professor Bevington said that we need to know what we mean, just not what we're saying." Harry distracted Joe while Paul managed to hand out caffeinated beverages. Good thing Harry had play practice after lunch. He could let out all that energy on Professor Bevington. Paul watched as the two of them became lost in Edmund's lines while Zen continued to be a noisy participant. Harry glared a few times, but didn't speak back to the snake, for which Paul was grateful. He had no idea how to explain to Joe that Harry could speak snake.
September 1st
Hermione walked between her parents to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. She could see various Order members placed around the train station. Some fit and others, like the one wearing a violent purple coat, did not. She hugged her father and thanked him for pushing her trunk to the gate. Her mother gathered her close and whispered in her ear. "We'll pass along your and Harry's mail, sweetie." Her mother released her with a sad smile.
"Thanks, Mum. I'll be careful, I promise." Hermione took the cart and walked through the barrier. She allowed the waiting Aurors to scan her, though Crookshanks tried to scratch them when they picked up his basket. She patted him absently on the head and pushed her trunk towards the train. Once her trunk was loaded, she took Crookshanks and climbed onto the train. She found an empty compartment and sat down near the window. She rummaged in her bag and let out a little noise of triumph when she found her new favorite book. She opened it, said her password, and wrote.
-Skywalker, you there?
-Yes, I'm here. Where are you?
-In an empty compartment on the train. I suspect that it will fill up sooner or later. What are you doing?
-Soaking up some sun under my favorite tree. Nursing a few bruises. Nothing much.
-That's good. Don't you have class?
-School picnic. We're all outside. They're having a three-legged race in a minute. Bug and I are partners.
-Oh, I'm jealous. How's your meditation coming?
-Better and better. I may actually be getting close to Occlusion sometime soon.
-Great! And Sensei?
-He creates a new torture known as an exercise everyday.
-I was thinking about a name for him in code.
-Oh?
-Yoda.
-Perfect! He even talks backwards sometimes. He said "Up here my face is!" the other day.
-Wow. You don't sound like you're bored. That's good. Have rehearsals started yet?
-Tomorrow. We were just reading lines up until now. We'll start stage directions and stuff like that tomorrow. Sensei and I have been working on the choreography for the fight scene in the last act. The kid who plays Edgar will start with us next week. We kind of look like brothers. We both have black hair.
-Great! I talked to my parents and they're going to spring me from Hogwarts due to a "family emergency". Three front row tickets, please. Have you asked your relatives if they want to come?
-No. Why would they?
-You never know Harry. They might. You did say that your aunt sent you that letter and she apologized for a few things, right? Maybe she's trying to start over with you.
-I don't think I want to start over with any of them.
-Just think about it, Skywalker.
-I'll think about it.
-Good. Oh, Ginny just came in. I'll write you later, okay?
-Sure. Talk to you then.
Hermione looked up from her book and smiled. "Hi, Ginny!" Hermione stopped when she saw the silver prefect's badge on the girl's robes. "Oh, Ginny! Congratulations!" She hugged Ginny, who thanked her and sat down.
"Gred and Forge are devastated, of course. They cried all over me. It was hilarious. Ron's excited about it, because he's got his Protector thing going on and he thinks that I 'will keep the younger kids in line and away from the ever-present danger'." Hermione blinked and looked at Ginny.
"Oh, dear. Has he been like that the entire time he visited home this last week?" Ginny grimaced and hid her face.
"Worse. I hope that Harry has tons of patience, because Ron wouldn't shut up about Harry's safety this year and how he would have to make sure that Harry didn't do anything dangerous." Hermione smirked and shook her head.
"Well, I think that Ron will get a run for his boasting, knowing Harry." Hermione told her. She put her Mini-Messenger away and turned to face Ginny fully. "So, tell me all about your summer. I've been wondering how you kept busy." Hermione said, petting Crookshanks, who had decided that Hermione's lap was the best place for him.
"I worked in Fred and George's joke shop. I had a lot of practice ducking, that's for sure. They were rather good-natured and took me out for ice cream a lot." Ginny smiled. "They forgot that ice cream makes me rather hyper, so I repaid every prank in full." Hermione laughed, knowing that Ginny's temper was inherited from her mother. Both girls jumped when the door slid back. Ron stood there with a rather serious expression on his face.
"Hello, Hermione." He came in and two others followed behind him. Hermione smiled and said hello to Neville before seeing the other person. She eyed him and felt her wand, ready to pull it at a moment's notice.
Draco Malfoy stood there and seemed different. She wasn't sure how. He had a scar running down the right side of his face, from what Hermione had yet to figure out. He looked…tired? She couldn't place it. He stepped forward and extended his hand. Ginny watched from behind him with wide eyes, as though she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. Hermione stood to meet him and took his hand. She blinked in surprise when he turned it and bowed over it, lips almost grazing her knuckles. "A pleasure to see you again, Miss Granger." He said quietly. Hermione took a deep breath and let it out.
"Call me Hermione if you let me call you Draco." He nodded and corrected her with his preferred nickname of "Drake" before turning to greet Ginny in the same fashion. Hermione noticed Ron and Neville watching warily as the scene played out. Ginny looked slightly frightened but smiled at Draco when he stood up again. She scooted aside so that he could sit down. Hermione wanted to pull out her Mini-Messenger and tell Harry what had just happened, but she decided to wait until she was alone. He would react the same way no matter when she told him.
"You better not have any ideas about my sister, mate." Ron growled Draco looked at Ron from his seat next to Ginny.
"Not without your permission, of course." He said, giving off a very charming smile. Well, this was a new development! She couldn't wait to relate all the gory details to Harry. She was sure he would be rolling around with laughter. The teenagers all started speaking about their summers. Neville cornered Hermione on Herbology and almost forty-five minutes passed before the door opened again.
"Here you all are!" Luna said. "I thought that I would find you here." She came in and sat down. She looked around dreamily and then seemed to snap out of it for a second. "Where's Harry?" She asked. Everyone in the compartment stopped and looked around. Ron let out a couple of colorful words Hermione was sure he learned from the Aurors with whom he had trained over the summer.
"Neville, you're with me and Luna. Drake, stay here in case Harry comes. He'll most likely try to attack you. Freeze him if you have to." Draco nodded and settled back against the seat. He looked tired. Hermione figured that Ron was giving Draco time to rest before getting to the school. Hermione checked her watched before standing.
"Prefects' meeting, Ginny." She said, standing up and dusting off her robes. Draco shook his head.
"All prefects' meetings have been changed to this evening at Hogwarts, in the Great Hall, with the Protectors." He told her. "Professor Dumbledore needs to say something, and he doesn't want to repeat himself." He told her. Hermione looked him over before nodding and sitting down again. He wouldn't lie about something like that.
"Anyone want to play Exploding Snap?" Ginny asked, obviously trying to keep her mind off something.
"You're worried about Harry, aren't you?" Hermione asked. Ginny shrugged. "I bet that his relatives just decided that they wouldn't bring him. You know how they are about magic." Hermione told her. "The headmaster will probably send someone to pick Harry up." She gave Ginny a hug and started dealing. "You want to play, Drake?" Hermione asked. He gave her a glance before sitting up and nodding. She dealt him in and they started playing. Ron came back almost an hour later, still swearing. Most of the people accompanying him wore the same badges he wore. Hermione figured that they were in the Protectors thing too.
"We can't do anything more until we get to Hogwarts. Just keep on your rounds. If he's here, we'll find him." Everyone nodded and moved away. Ron came in and watched the game for a minute. "Hopefully, he hasn't been taken by the Dark Lord." Ron said. Hermione rolled her eyes and played a card. She noticed that Draco had grown pale at the name, but said nothing. "Who knows what is being done to him?" He said to himself.
"Oh, Ron! You're not sure that he was kidnapped so please stop saying that. He probably missed the train!" Ginny snapped, losing her temper with her brother.
"Ginny, we were warned that something like this could happen!" Ron countered. Hermione slammed her cards down and pulled her wand.
"So help me, Ron, I will hex you if you don't shut up. You have no evidence, so let's not go looking for trouble. I'm sure that Harry is fine." Ron's brain actually worked at the threat, for he stopped talking. Hermione turned back to her game with Draco and Ginny, content to ignore Ron giving out orders to every Protector who walked through the door.
The Great Hall looked the same as it did every year for the starting feast. Hermione greeted people she hadn't seen on the train and sat down at Gryffindor. A new table had somehow been added (most likely by magic) and everyone who wore gold badges sat there. Hermione relished the silence she found in Ron's absence. She watched the Protectors swarm the Head Table. Dumbledore had yet to appear, so they were talking to every teacher they could. Snape's glare kept a large circumference of free space around him. The only student to approach him was Draco. Hermione watched the exchange with interest. She saw different body language then was normal for the pair. Had something happened between the two of them? Snape nodded and waved Draco away. He sat down at the Protectors table and ignored the Slytherins. Hermione could hear some of the things they hissed at him. She frowned and made a mental note to always have her wand.
Professor Dumbledore came in at the same time as the first years. He nodded to the teachers and motioned that they would speak to them later. Hermione smiled to herself. Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat and the stool. The hat jerked to life and looked around the hall. The rip on the brim opened and he began his song for the year.
Another year had come and gone
And still no one has learned
That Hogwarts school must be one
To find the peace that is earned
One of our number has gone away
Hidden as an ordinary Muggle
Healing and training, waiting for the day
When he will be forced to end our struggle
Marked by evil and wanted by none
His life was changed by an aunt's care
He is protected and will be a new son
Enabling her to give him his share
Now he is missing and missed by all
He has left behind the magic he knew
To embrace his old world this fall
Before he will return to us anew
Listen to me closely, youngest of Hogwarts Four
For a lesson I have for you all
Pride, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination
Will harm you if you listen to the Dark Lord's call
Another year has come and gone
And still no one has learned
That Hogwarts school must be one
To find the peace that is earned
Hermione grew pale. The Hat knew! She only hoped that he didn't know about her. Harry needed her help. She couldn't be found out. How could it have known? More importantly, did it know where Harry was? She itched to get out her Mini-Messenger and ask what Harry thought, but didn't want to draw attention to herself. She clapped when student was sorted to Gryffindor, but her real attention was on Professor Dumbledore. He looked thoughtful. She watched as he gave a quick scan of the Hall and grew agitated. Snape spoke to him and Dumbledore calmed down just the slightest bit. He was still troubled, but seemed not to show it. Dumbledore stood after the Sorting was finished.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts, old and new alike." He paused. "Due to recent events, Hogsmeade weekends have been cancelled until further notice. No one is allowed outside the castle without a teacher present. The Forbidden Forest is expressly forbidden. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that no magic is permitted in the hallways. Almost all of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes are listed as forbidden items. Mr. Filch will be happy to provide a list to any student who requests one." Hermione grinned. She thought that Fred and George's business was doing well. She made a mental note to tell Harry. "I do not think that I need to remind you that Voldemort is indeed back." Several girls screamed and many shuddered at his name. Hermione rolled her eyes. "In light of his return, an old club of students has been returned to Hogwarts. Please stand, Protectors." Hermione watched as the entire table stood. "This club will act like their house. They have their own dormitory if they should wish to use it, but they are still members of their original houses and should be treated as such. Theses students have been trained to defend Hogwarts and her students should trouble find us here. They can easily be identified by the badges they wear. They have as much authority as a teacher in emergency situations. Please remember that." He motioned to one of the teachers. The new DADA teacher, obviously. The man stood. "This is Professor William Zareh. He will be professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Please make him feel welcome." The students clapped half-heartedly, many obviously wondering how long this teacher was going to last.
Hermione turned back to the table as Dumbledore sat down again. He had not said a word about Harry. Hermione did not know if this was a good thing or a bad thing. She frowned. She would have to find out at the meeting later that night.
The professors of Hogwarts all gathered in the teacher's lounge on the first floor. Snape settled into his favorite chair. It was the one farthest away from everyone else with his back firmly settled against the wall. He watched the others mill around, all babbling about the absence of Potter. Snape wanted to tell them that it was good riddance to an unnecessary nuisance, but held his tongue. No need to make anyone think that he had something to do with the boy's appearance. The new professor sat next to Snape and observed the crowd. Snape liked him for the sole reason that he was very taciturn. All conversations he had held with the man (he could count them on one hand) had been straightforward, to the point, and thank Merlin, short. Snape considered those the best kinds of conversations, indeed, the only ones worthy of his time, unless the conversations were with Draco. Those were different. Dumbledore came into the room and motioned everyone to their seats. "Settle down, everyone." He said, sinking into his own chair. "Now, does anyone have any information on the whereabouts of Harry Potter?" He asked. Most of the teachers looked shocked.
"You haven't hidden him away somewhere?" Flitwick asked. Dumbledore sighed and shook his head.
"No, Filius. I haven't. I left him with his aunt and uncle. The blood protections were really strong this year. I couldn't bring myself to remove him when he was so well protected." Dumbledore admitted. He looked around the room. "Someone will need to go to his aunt's home and bring him to school, then. I've heard of some trouble with them in the past concerning Harry and Hogwarts." Snape decided to look very angry about something. Hmm, Longbottom reaching an Outstanding and being in his NEWTS level class would work nicely. "It will have to be someone he knows." McGonagall stood. "No, Minerva. I need you here.' He said. "The prefects and Protectors are gathering in the Great Hall. Please see to them." McGonagall muttered under her breath about the stupidity of certain Muggles and left. "Severus." Snape looked up and scowled.
"I believe that we all know of Mr. Potter's opinion of me, Headmaster. I am the worst candidate for this…mission." Snape told the headmaster. He tried to keep his face sneer clear, but barely managed it.
"He knows you, Severus. You are the best trained." Snape glared. How could the headmaster ask this of him? He knew what Potter thought of him. The feelings were indeed mutual.
"Headmaster, normally I would not deny you, but anyone else in this room would be better suited than I. Why not Hagrid?" He asked. The giant looked very proud of himself. Let him be.
"I am looking for stealth. You need to get in, take Harry, and get out in the shortest amount of time. Hagrid will stick out a little too much,no offense meant,Hagrid. Severus,you and Harry have had several events in your pasts that was just between the two of you, so you can use that as your means of convincing him of your identity." Snape sneered. Oh, yes, he and Potter had several "events". "Take William with you as back-up." Snape spared the man sitting next to him a glance. Dumbledore seemed adamant on making the same mistakes again.
"If he so much as raises his voice to me, Headmaster, I will not be responsible for my actions." Snape warned him. Dumbledore nodded his understanding.
"Use any means necessary to bring him here, Severus. Just don't hurt him." Snape looked hurt.
"You said any means." He reminded Dumbledore. The other teachers all started yelling at Snape. Dumbledore laughed.
"Severus, you must make jokes more often. You have an entertaining sense of humor." He said, standing. Snape looked up. If the headmaster thought he had been joking, that was alright with him. He hadn't been joking. "Go now. Bring Harry back soon." Dumbledore stood and the meeting ended. After the Protectors meeting, he went to his office to wait and watch for when Severus would return.
Almost a halfhour had passed until he heard the revolving stairs start up. He called for Severus to come in when the younger man knocked. He arranged his face into a pleasant and hopeful expression for Harry. The sight that met his eyes was not the one he was expecting. Both wizards came into the office and sank into chairs without waiting for the offer. Dumbledore did not see Harry. "Severus, where is Harry?" He looked over the two men. Both seemed exhausted for some reason. Severus was sporting a black eye, while William looked frazzled. "William, Severus? What has happened?"
"He's not there, Headmaster." Snape announced after taking several deep breaths. "He's not there." Dumbledore's expression faded.
"What do you mean, he's not there?" Dumbledore demanded. William backed away from the rage in Dumbledore's voice.
"Just what I said, Headmaster. He's not there. Getting through the wards was a nightmare. Once we managed to reach the door, that aunt of his refused to let us in. We had to fight our way in. Potter is not in the house. Whatever you do, watch out for her left hook. Lily must have taught her that." Severus reached up a tentative hand and winced when he hit the bruise. He looked up at the headmaster and noticed the stormy expression. He would rather face Voldemort on a bad day.
"What do you mean, he's not there?" The old wizard demanded again.
Author's Note: Okay, that was really long! Hope you all enjoy. Please let me know what you think. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. They've been a big help! The rest of the Hogwarts incident will continue in the next chapter. This chapter was just too long!