Thanks to those who reviewed Chapters three and four, the handful of you. Here's to a hope of a more progressive growth in attention, enjoy...
Chapter Five
Memories of Hogwarts Past
Albus looked up as there was a knock on his door. It was five to eight, and Albus smiled at Alatar and Harry's punctuality.
"Come in," he said welcomingly.
"Good evening, sir," Harry replied as the two black haired young men entered.
"Ah, good evening Harry, Alatar. Sit down," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the two chairs in front of his desk. "I hope you both had an enjoyable first week back at school?"
"Indeed is has been, thank you Albus," Alatar replied, while Harry said nothing. Albus glanced at the boy and was disappointed to see a look of cautious aloofness in the vibrant green eyes, a clear indication of a lack of trust. 'So much work to do to repair my relationship with them,' Albus mourned inwardly as he continued.
"So, Harry," the boy returned his attention to the aged Headmaster, "Have you any brilliant ideas to start off your Defense Against the Dark Arts club with?
"Er…" Harry said awkwardly, as it was apparent that the boy had been too preoccupied to give thought to extracurricular activities. "Perfectly understandable," Albus said gently, "but it would be wise to think of some ideas before too long now, as it has been announced school wide… I trust that you are up to the task of leading this student group?"
"Of course, sir, I am." Harry replied.
After a short pause, Albus smiled again, "Well, I have decided that it is now time that you know exactly what prompted Lord Voldemort to try and kill you fifteen years ago, and for you both to be given certain information."
"The whole story this time, you mean?" Alatar retorted.
"You said, at the end of last term, that you were going to tell me everything," Harry said, with a hint of accusation in his voice. "Sir," he added after a brief pause.
"And so I did," Albus admitted, "I told you both everything I know indisputably. From this point on, as far as what information I have, we shall be leaving the foundation of fact and journeying together through the marshes of memory and wildest guesswork. From here on, I admit that I may completely wrong in my assumptions."
"But you think your right?" said Harry, while Alatar smirked.
"Naturally I do, but as you both have so definitely seen, I make mistakes like any other. In fact, being… forgive me… rather cleverer than most, my mistakes therefore tend to be correspondingly larger."
Alatar was the first to bring the subject back to the reason they were gathered, "So," he said, "What will be viewing? A Pensieve I presume…"
Albus smiled, leave it to the Istari to 'drive the nail home' as the muggles would say. It allowed Albus to perfectly set up the intro into the memory of Mr. Bob Ogden and his misfortunate meeting with the Gaunt family. Harry showed an remarkably keen amount insight and observation while they viewed the memory of the Ministry worker, and Albus was very impressed with the skills Harry had learned, even if he himself did nothing but hinder them.
In truth, Albus found himself very grateful to Lord Alatar for taking Harry under his wing, so to speak, and setting him on a much better path. If not for the knowledge he had burning inside him, he would have been content to allow them to fight Voldemort together on their own terms and by their own strategy.
After the memory concluded, and the three of them discussed several of the finer points that had been hidden in context of what occurred, Albus checked the time. It was very late, and Harry was going to need his energy for the next day.
"I think that will do for tonight, Harry," Dumbledore said, "If you would please return to the Gryffindor common room, I have just a few things to talk privately to Lord Alatar about, and he will join you shortly."
Harry looked at Alatar, who nodded, before departing. When the door clicked shut, Albus turned to the mysterious Lord who had attended Hogwarts many times, all under Albus' nose. "I must ask your assistance with this endeavor, searching out memories about Voldemort I mean."
"How many do you want?" Alatar asked, understanding immediately. Albus knew that Alatar had been at Hogwarts, in Slytherin, when Tom Riddle was in school, and therefore had at least somewhat adequate contact with the boy who became Lord Voldemort. "As many as you think would give us an edge over him, and…" Albus paused, reconsidering, before amending "…better still, give me all your memories about Tom, and let me sort through them for what I'm looking for. You have more than enough to deal with, and I will make time for this."
"Agreed," Alatar said, nodding, "also, I have an exciting idea for the Defense Club… an, exhibition of sorts, if you're up to it…"
Albus was intrigued, "I'm listening."
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Harry had anticipated the return to school to be harder than ever before, and was not disappointed. The sixth years had free periods, this was true, but the amount of homework was such that they rarely got to enjoy the periods without classes. And the lessons themselves were more demanding than ever. Over the next week they had all sought help, Hermione even needing extra advice from Professors or to have Faykan reiterate the lectures or explain some theory.
The saddest result of the heavy workload was that the Gryffindors hadn't had any time to go visit Hagrid, and having dropped Care of Magical Creatures, they didn't have lessons to see him at either. It had most likely been noticed also, given that Hagrid stopped coming to meals at the staff table, and the few times they did see him he had blatantly ignored them.
Hermione was adamant that they needed to go talk to Hagrid the Saturday after Harry and Fay's first meeting with Dumbledore, but Ron reminded her that Quidditch tryouts were set for that morning.
"I hate not talking to Hagrid…" Hermione complained, looking upset.
"We'll go down right after Quidditch," Harry assured her. They all missed Hagrid, even if they were happy to be away from the difficulties that being his friend often accompanied, such as Grawp, his 'little' brother. "But trials might take all morning with the number of people that have applied… or that are trying out…" Harry said, looking pointedly at Faykan, who paled.
"What?" he said, feigning innocence.
Harry narrowed his eyes in response.
"No…" Faykan said, voice wavering, "Not Quidditch, I'll do anything else, but I'm not trying out for Quidditch…"
Harry only said two words in final response. "Too bad…"
Fay submitted, putting his head down and sulking. Ron slapped him on the back, "Knock it off Fay, you're at least good at Quidditch…"
But Ron's complaints were silenced by the arrival of the post owls, swooping down through the rain-flecked windows and scattering droplets of water everywhere. Hermione received a copy of the Daily Prophet, which perked Ron's attention, "Anyone we know dead?" he asked, forcing his voice to be casual.
There hadn't, only a few more Dementor attacks and an arrest of someone named Stan Shunpike, who had apparently been the conductor of the Knight Bus. Faykan frowned at learning of Stan's arrest, but said nothing. Hermione and Ron started arguing again, about the safety of Hogwarts over anywhere else, and the mysterious absence of Dumbledore from the staff table.
Harry had noticed this also, but more often than not, if he checked the Marauder's Map, Dumbledore would be in his office most days, only rarely not being anywhere on the map. 'Probably seeking things for your private lessons' Faykan speculated as they departed the hall to prepare for the tryouts that would be held on the pitch within the hour.
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Hermione was very quite as they entered the Quidditch stadium after breakfast, still heavily annoyed with Ron after their argument. Her irritation was further enhanced when they passed Lavender Brown and the Patil twins. Hermione wasn't remotely surprised to see the three together talking in hushed voices; the Patils' parents were threatening to pull them out of Hogwarts for their safety. Neither was she surprised with Lavender's reaction to seeing Ron, flirtatiously smiling at him. The girl had always been rather daft, jumping at the first popular thing that she could. She probably just wanted to be closer to Harry by being with Ron. But what really boiled her blood was Ron's response to the attention, squaring his shoulders and swinging his arms in more of a strut than simple walking.
So, Hermione made her way wordlessly up onto the stands. It seemed that over half of Gryffindor house had shown up for the tryouts, and Hermione wasn't surprised to see members from the other houses in attendance as well. Harry started dividing out the hopefuls into groups based on position, and some of the people waiting to try out for keeper happened to be right next to where she was sitting. Normally this would have been no problem, but one really wide Gryffindor was being a loud and pompous git, which was interfering with Hermione's ability to pay close attention to those nearest to Harry.
Amidst the constant complaints from the boy who Hermione overheard was named Cormac McLaggen, she saw Harry send everyone trying out for Chaser, including the unhappy Faykan, out for a fly around the pitch in groups of ten. Hermione realized the wisdom of the choice immediately. Group after group failed to perform adequately, and were subsequently dismissed from the try outs, coming to join Hermione on the stands.
Around two hours later, the Chasers had all been weeded out to the best three: Katie Bell, the last of the old team from their first year that was still at Hogwarts, Ginny, who had out flown everyone and scored the most goals, and Faykan, who was deeply disappointed to be on the team but had done second best after Ginny.
McLaggen snorted, "Can't believe Potter decided to keep the Weasleys around." Smirking to those around him, he continued, "I mean, they don't even have decent brooms, and their only marginally skilled, must be a bit of charity on Potter's part for the less fortunate…" Hermione frowned.
The Beaters were thankfully much faster. Hermione didn't know who the two boys were that were chosen, but they had performed really well, although one of the did hit Harry rather hard with a bludger, but Hermione thought Harry was more impressed than upset at the boy for it.
Finally, it was time for the Keepers try out. With McLaggen finally away from her, waiting in line, Hermione could focus better on what was happening. None of the first five saved more than two goals apiece. But to Hermione's horror, McLaggen was outperforming everyone, saving every goal. But good player or not, he was not going to be a good fit with Ginny, Faykan or Harry, so she had to stop him from beating Ron.
Just as the last goal shot was made, Hermione whispered, "Confundus," with her wand pointing casually at McLaggen. The snotty seventh year ended up shooting off in the complete opposite direction and missed his save. The gathered crowd laughed and booed at McLaggen as he returned to the ground, clearly frustrated and still confused from the jinx.
Ron was next. He looked ready to pass out as he mounted his broom, a newer model Hermione remember that his mother bought as a reward for him becoming a Prefect. What she also knew, but Ron did not, was the Faykan had subtly supplied the gold for the purchase.
"Good Luck!" screamed a nearby voice. Hermione turned to see Lavender Brown beaming up at Ron. Something inside Hermione turned cold at the unwanted attention the superficial girl was giving to Ron. But Ron apparently didn't need luck; he saved each of his goals with displays of remarkably agility, only nearly stopping a very difficult looking shot from his sister.
The crowd cheered, Hermione joining in. she was happy for Ron, despite his annoying attitude, and he did deserve to be on the team. McLaggen didn't look happy however, as Hermione saw him raging at Harry. But Harry refused to back down, and McLaggen stormed away, scoffing loudly that Harry had chosen three of his good friends for the team, and how biased it was, which Hermione felt was completely unfounded. Ginny, Ron and Faykan had played their best, and were simply more skilled than the rest. Hermione chose to not remember that she had spoiled McLaggen's attempt.
Hermione ran from the stands to join up with the three boys, who were congratulating Ron with the rest of the new team. She noticed that Lavender glared at her as she passed, which made her smirk inwardly. Let her flirt all she wanted, Hermione was Ron's friend, and she wasn't about to let some other girl just butt in.
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Harry felt the trip to Hagrid's after Quidditch try-outs went about as good as it could have. At first, Hagrid was not pleased to see them, ignoring them completely and slamming the door to his hut. It had taken some rather loud knocking and false threats to get him to even open the door, but afterward, Hagrid stood no chance against both Hermione and Faykan's persuasive powers.
Hagrid had been more concerned about his friend Aragog, the leaders of the nest of giant spiders in the forest, than he had about them not taking his class. Aragog was dying, Hagrid had said mournfully. Faykan had gone very quite at this news, gazing out the window at the dark forest with a widened stare. Having gotten that off his chest, Hagrid had brightened drastically, and by the time they had left, he was quite cheerful once again.
Back in the castle afterward, Harry pulled Hermione aside as Faykan and Ron entered the Great Hall. He was about to ask her about what had happened with Cormac McLaggen, when Faykan reemerged from the Hall, being escorted by Professor Slughorn, who beamed as he spotted Harry and Hermione.
"Harry, Harry, just the man I was hoping to see!" he boomed genially, twiddling his moustache and patting his belly. Faykan had a smile plastered on his face, but Harry could see that his friend was dying to laugh at the Professor's antics.
"I was hoping to catch you before dinner," Slughorn continued. "What do you say to a spot of supper tonight in my rooms instead? We're having a little party, just a few rising stars, I've got McLaggen coming and Zabini, Will here unfortunately cannot attend as he is meeting with Severus tonight, I was quite impressed with his flair for Potions, Severus always did have quite the eye for talent… um now where was I… as yes, charming Melinda Bobbin. Her family owns a large chain of apothecaries… and of course I was hoping very much that you and Miss Granger would favor me by coming too."
"Er…" Harry started, but was once again interrupted by a passing Ravenclaw first year, "H-Harry Potter, I have a message for you …" she said, blushing madly.
A quick glance told him that it was another message from Dumbledore, requesting a meeting immediately.
"I'm sorry Professor, but Professor Dumbledore just summoned me for a private lesson tonight." Harry said quickly, which deflated the large Potions Master.
"Oh dear," Slughorn said disappointedly, "Dear, dear I was counting on you, Harry! But I do suppose the Headmaster has a higher claim on your time than I do… Next time then! Yes, I'll see you all later then!" and with that, he bustled away.
Harry watched him go before turning to Faykan, "You don't really have a meeting with Professor Snape do you?" he asked smiling as his best friend faked offense at the notion of making up a lie.
Hermione however, didn't look very excited to be going alone to the dinner, but she was still mad at Ron to ask him to come along. Harry honestly didn't know how they tolerating going on like this constantly. "Well," he said finally, stuffing the note in his pocket, "better not keep Dumbledore waiting…" and together he and Faykan charged up the stairs towards the Head's office.
When they reached the Headmaster's office, entering at the old wizards call, they found Dumbledore cheerily shuffling papers on his desk. Looking up at them brightly, Dumbledore gestured to the two chairs in front of him. "Harry, Alatar, how good of you to be so prompt. Did you have time to eat I hope?"
When the boys shook their heads, Dumbledore waved his wand at the desk and a plate of sandwiches appeared with a tall pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Then it's a good thing," Dumbledore said as they each took one, "that I had intended us to have a little spot of food before getting started then."
They ate in relative silence, which allowed Harry to observe the Headmaster in an entirely new light. Dumbledore, for all his serene expression and calm exterior, had many unspoken emotions lying just under the surface. Finger tapping on the desk indicated anxiety, the slight wince whenever the blackened right hand moved was a clear sign of pain in the limb, coupled with the way the ancient wizard's eyes would dart to and from Faykan showed that he was not completely comfortable in his presence. Seeing these things truly helped Harry himself relax in the Headmaster's office, finally seeing Dumbledore as more of a man like any other.
When the last of the sandwiches were cleared away, the three of them all sat for several moments longer, until Faykan at last broke the silence. "Does it hurt Albus, your hand I mean…"
Dumbledore blinked, caught slightly off guard at the question, "It's no matter, Lord Alatar, just a few twinges here and there." Standing quickly, Dumbledore smiled at them both, "Well, shall we get started with the lesson then?"
He indicated the pensieve on his desk, "I have a few more memories for tonight, about the early life of Tom Riddle."
Harry leaned forward expectantly. "Who's?"
"Ours, Lord Alatar's and my own," Dumbledore replied, his traditional twinkle back in his eyes. Out of his robes came two small vials filled with memories. One after another they each disappeared into the pensive, first to see when Dumbledore met Tom Riddle in the muggle orphanage that he grew up in. Harry didn't want to admit it, but his early life seemed to be very similar to Riddles, yet their reactions were so drastically different to dash any comraderly with the boy-who-would-become-Voldemort and eventually murder Harry's parents.
The second memory was more interesting. They materialized in the scarlet corridor of the Hogwart's Express, its corridors filled with children running to and fro as they stowed their things to depart from platform 9¾. They could see through the windows of the train onto the platform outside, and spotted a sharp eyed, eleven year old copy of Faykan as he came bounding through the crowd toward the Express, strangely lacking a trunk or any other sort of luggage.
As the memory-Faykan climbed into the train, he paused momentarily, glancing in both directions of the hall, before heading off down the corridor, seeming to seek a particular compartment. Glancing in to each as they passed, Harry saw many different and some yet seemingly familiar, all as Hogwarts students. Finally, memory Faykan stopped outside a compartment at the far end of the train, and with a massive grin on his face, pulled open the compartment door and swept inside, with the three viewers of the memory hot on his heels.
The compartment had only one occupant, and Harry stared at the black haired, eleven year old Tom Riddle, sitting cross legged next to the window with a book open in his lap. Riddle looked up as Faykan entered; eyes narrowed in suspicion, but said nothing.
"Hi!" memory-Faykan said happily, flinging himself down on the opposite seat from Riddle, who didn't respond.
After a moment of awkward silence, Faykan extended his hand, still smiling, "I'm Faykan. Faykan Undol…" Riddle scrutinized the offered hand, before slowly taking it.
"And your name…?" Faykan asked helpfully, ignoring the slight frown that Riddle gave him in return. "Tom Riddle…" he said slowly, looking for something in memory-Faykan's eyes as he said it. There was none, but Faykan continued his cheery conversation.
"What are you reading?" looking down at the book; Harry recognized it before Riddle had responded. "Hogwarts, a History." He said, shifting his glance to not meet memory-Faykan's eyes, clearly not wanting to expose his lack of knowledge of the magical world.
"Good book, slightly inaccurate, but still it's a wonderful read…" the other boy said, smile widening even more. "You're… not too familiar with Hogwarts, are you…" he added tentatively.
"What makes you think that…?" Riddle said abruptly, narrowing his eyes again.
"Oh, you know…" memory Faykan said absently, shifting uncomfortable as he realized the thin ice he had stepped on.
"Tell the truth!" Riddle commanded. It was the same tone of voice he had used in the previous memory, attempting to force Dumbledore to tell him why he was meeting him in the orphanage.
Memory-Faykan blinked, the command seeming to brush off him like nothing, before replying slowly, "There's no need for that, Tom, I'm just trying to be friendly. If it helps I haven't been in the loop of Wizarding Britain since the war started…"
Riddle looked confused, and Harry realized that young Dark Lord hadn't known about the wizarding side of the Second World War, or Grindlewald. Memory-Faykan seemed to recognize the look as well, and launched into a long and mildly in depth explanation of the entire event, including details that Harry himself didn't know about. Riddle tried to look neutral during the story, but was clearly hanging on every word, soaking in every fact about the wizarding world as he could.
When memory-Faykan finished he abruptly stood, "Well, I need to go get my things and change, see you later at the Sorting then…" Riddle looked like he was dying to stop him and demand more information, but the young version of Harry's best friend swept from the compartment without another word, and the memory ended.
Rising out of the pensieve and returning to their seats, the three wizards thought in silence about what they had seen before speaking.
"Did either of you know… then?" Harry asked, breaking the prolonged silence.
"Did we know that young Tom was destined to become the most dangerous Dark wizard of our age?" Dumbledore asked. He glanced at Faykan, who shook his head slightly.
"There couldn't have been any idea of that, despite the signs in retrospect," Faykan said finally, "but he certainly was an intriguing person to watch as he grew through Hogwarts…"
"Oh," Harry replied. There was a small part of him that felt better knowing that he wasn't the first to greatest to fall for Riddle's charm in some measure.
"Alas, time is once again making fools of us all," Dumbledore said sadly. He appeared to have desire to discuss the matter further, but he ushered the out of his office with a serene, albeit saddened smile. Harry was also dissatisfied with the abrupt end of their discussion, as he had noticed and wanted to ask many things about Tom Riddle the boy, but reasoned that anything he could have noticed both Faykan and Dumbledore had also seen long before he did, and let it go.
Nevertheless, he decided, he would definitely ask Faykan later on about his time at Hogwarts with the child and teenage Voldemort, when his brain was not fit to burst with information concerning the Dark wizard.
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The first few weeks were some of the hardest Draco had had at Hogwarts. Lucius' disownment held a lot of weight in Slytherin house, and now whenever he was passed by his housemates, the sneers and goads were unrestrained. The first weekend in the common room had been the worst, Nott and his lackeys thinking they could exact vengeance early for their fathers, but unfortunate for them that Draco had been removing Andúril from his trunk to talk with his mentor Eldarion, and the sight of the majestic sword burning with white fire had been a sight to silence even the most vehement of the blood purists at the time.
Draco had taken from that point on; knowing that the novelty of them leaving him be would die away soon, to wearing the sword on his belt, as well as having enchanted his robes to shine with embroidery of the White Tree of the King, boldly declaring his lineage. Many of the students gawked and stared as he came down to breakfast the morning he made the change, and several of the Slytherins, Nott namely, glared at the staff table as if silently demanding the professors to do something.
However, no one at the head table even batted an eye at the drastic divergence from the school uniform. Choosing to break traditions even further, Draco moved immediately toward the lines of red and gold, and seated himself among his friends at the Gryffindor table, Faykan and Harry sliding apart to make room.
Together the five friends ate in relative silence, each just sharing a moment of peace. Draco realized that the first week must have been equally difficult for the others to adjust to as well. Each of his friends seemed to be filled with the same restless energy that he himself felt, as though they needed to do something. Ever since the battle they participated in over the summer, Draco at least had not known what to do with himself, and this feeling was exasperated upon the return to school.
It just felt… unproductive… being cooped up safe and sound in the castle, knowing that the Dark Lord was not resting from trying to take control of their world. Looking at Faykan, Draco felt that there was understanding for their collective worry in the blue orbs, but it was also Faykan who had insisted that they return.
Surprisingly, or perhaps not so the more Draco thought about it, it was Ron that cracked first, tossing his spoon away with a dejected sigh and turning to look at Faykan across the table, "What are we doing here?" he said, and Draco noticed that his close friends hands were shaking with suppressed energy. "We should be out there fighting, you know, stopping You-Know-Who in his tracks, not sitting here in Hogwarts learning spells we don't need and playing Quidditch…"
Faykan looked directly back at Ron, and Draco felt a familiar crackle of energy that the powerful wizard used when he was making an important point, "We're not here hiding Ron," he said calmly, eyes sweeping all of them, and Draco had the impression that Faykan knew intimately what they all felt, "Trust me when I say I would give anything to be on the front lines right now. But right now, it's not us who need Hogwarts, but Hogwarts that needs us."
They all fell silent again, each of them realizing the implication of Faykan's words immediately. They were here, stationed at the school to protect it.
"So," Harry spoke, looking down at his plate, "Aside from Dumbledore's private lessons, the most important thing we can do is push the D.A. as much as possible and prepare as many students for the oncoming war as we can."
Faykan looked up at the ceiling with a sorrowful expression, "As much as I wish it weren't so, yes…" their friend paused for a long moment, as if drinking in the morning before speaking again. "We stand on the precipice of the greatest war this age has seen. It's the deep breath before the plunge. After this point, it will be the end of the Wizarding World as we know it. I suggest that we enjoy it while it lasts, and prepare for the worst."
Silence returned at those words, but not for long, as the mail arrived, and amidst the hooting and ruffling of many feathered wings, a solitary black raven landed with a clatter in from of Faykan.
Taking a crumpled piece of parchment from its beak, Faykan perused the letter, before worriedly looking up at the Headmaster. "What is it?" Harry asked quickly, seeing the worry that spread across their good friend's face.
"Voldemort has made another open move, and a battle is brewing again." Faykan said, standing at the same time that Dumbledore did, a similar piece of parchment clutched in his mysteriously blackened hand.
Harry followed suit immediately, "We'll get out weapons," he started, but Faykan cut across him, "Not this time Harry, you four are needed here, just in case. I can handle this with Albus."
They all started to argue almost immediately. "Enough!" Faykan half shouted, startling other nearby students, "this is not a matter of your preparedness, but time is of the essence, and we cannot wait for you all to get you things and be ready, Albus and I depart immediately."
Softening, he looked down just as the elderly wizard approached, "please understand, it's for the safety of the students."
And without a final word, Faykan and Dumbledore swept from the hall.
"Well," Ron said glumly as they returned to their food, "At least there's Hogsmead to look forward to…"
Harry grunted, clearly still annoyed at being left out of wherever Dumbledore and Faykan had gone, and they sat in relative silence the rest of the meal, before acquiring the rest of their warm clothing and leaving the castle toward the village.
Personally, Draco could see each side of the debate clearly. Not only did both Dumbledore and Faykan have to lead the war effort against the Dark Lord, but they also had a great deal of responsibility to look after those in their care, Faykan having them and the people at Isengard, and Dumbledore with the students of Hogwarts. Just by knowing there were those they could trust here at the castle made all the difference, allowing the two to focus on their battle without fear for the home front. Yet Draco still desperately wanted to be out there, side by side with his friend facing down whatever darkness wanted to destroy all he held dear.
Sighing to himself, Draco held onto hope that maybe they would be able to relax a tiny bit and enjoy their early term visit to the wizarding village, perhaps find something of use to help Harry with his lessons or the D.A. club meetings that would soon begin. 'At least here at Hogwarts there was far less that can go terribly wrong,' Draco mused as he and the Gryffindors started out of the castle to explore Hogsmeade Village.
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Severus was contentedly prepping for both his lessons, and the future Defense Against the Dark Art's club meeting, which Harry had finally set for the following weekend, when Filch came bursting through his office's door, daintily holding a bundle of brown package paper. Raising an eyebrow in concern, he approached and levitated the object that was hidden within so he could examine it closer.
The ornate looking opal necklace pulsed with a dark curse, and Severus widened his eyes at it, "Mr. Filch where on earth did you get this from?" he asked, concern heavy in his voice. Filch must have recognized the seriousness of the question, as he refrained from snide comment.
"McGonagall said to bring it to you immediately, Potter had it when he and his little friends were coming back from the village…" but by the time Filch had mention Harry and his group, Severus had already sprinted for the door, leaving a bewildered caretaker along in the office, just as the delicate necklace smashed on the stone ground, shattering into tiny pieces from the impact.
He burst into McGonagall's office, causing the four students to jump in surprise. Glancing around for any sign of Faykan, Severus looked questioningly at Harry, who shook his head. Severus nodded, understanding that the boy was not with them, and they would explain after, before turning to Minerva, "What happened?" he said quickly, striding up and trying to hide the catch in his side from sprinting up the many staircases from the dungeons to the Transfiguration Mistress' office.
"I was just about to ask just that Severus," Minerva said, sitting and gesturing for Harry to explain. Severus listened with rapt attention as the four of them explained about Gryffindor Katie Bell and the odd package she had been found carrying back to the castle from the Three Broomsticks. Minerva interjected that the girl had been taken to the hospital wing, after having only barely brushed the necklace through a hole in her glove.
"I have to say," Severus said after Harry's story finished, "that we are all very lucky that this was the extent of what happened."
The black haired boy shifted uncomfortably for a second, and Severus quirked an eyebrow, "Something else to add Mr. Potter?" he asked, but Harry flicked his eyes at Minerva. "Ah," Severus said in understanding, before motioning for the four students to follow him, "If you'll excuse us Minerva, we had better go and check on Miss Bell, make sure Madam Pomfrey has everything under control."
The Transfiguration Mistress looked as though she wanted to demand to be let in on the quite obvious information being kept from her, but the door to her office closed behind Severus before she could say another word.
Sweeping through the corridors with the four teens on his heels, Severus led the quartet to an unused classroom, spelling the door shut and warding the room so they wouldn't be overheard or spied on. "So, what is so important that you need to share Mr. Potter?" Severus said, leaning casually on the frame of the door.
"I think Theodore Nott have Katie that necklace, Professor," Harry replied quickly, while his three friends looked somewhat uneasy.
"I don't suppose you have proof to back up that accusation do you?" Severus said. In all honesty, he believed that Nott was behind it, what with the boy having a secret mission from the Dark Lord, but Albus had specifically instructed the boy to be left alone until they discovered exactly what the boy was scheming.
"No Sir," Harry said slowly, "but…"
Severus raised a hand to stop him, "Both myself and the Headmaster are aware of the potential situation with Mr. Nott, and we're working to discover what the boy is up to, however, we need him to believe himself getting away with his plots for the time being."
Harry looked like he wanted to argue the point further, but Hermione chimed in quickly, "We understand Professor."
There was a few moments of awkward silence, with Harry glancing at his friends in irritation, so Severus changed the subject, "Well, with that settled, where's Faykan hiding?" he said, looking around as though the boy would appear from the shadows.
Mr. Weasley spoke up, "he left with Dumbledore, something about a battle with you-Know-Who's forces…"
And again, Severus found himself pausing in confusion at the actions of the ancient boy Istari, "And he chose to leave you all behind?" he asked tentatively. The slight frowns were all he needed to understand that of the four had not wanted to remain. "In any case, it is good that you were here, as whom else would react exactly as you four in this sort of crisis…"
Those words softened them, and Severus quickly departed, mentioning something about preparing note for his next class. But educating his students was the furthest thing on his mind. Descending into the dungeons the Head of Slytherin House made a bee line for the common room, seeking Theodore Nott with purposeful intent. If he could get the boy to talk, perhaps they could minimize the collateral damage the boy's foolish schemes would cause.
Bursting in through the front entrance, Severus scanned the assorted students enjoying the free time of the weekend, but Nott, Crabbe and Goyle were all nowhere to be seen. Of the sixth years, only Mr. Blaise Zabini was even in the room, and Severus strode to him directly.
"Mr. Zabini, a word in my office if you would," he said coolly, nodding as the dark skinned boy looked at him questioningly. He rose without complaint, and they departed quickly, neither speaking until Severus' office door shut with a snap.
"Nott," was all that Severus had to say.
"No idea what he's up to," was Zabini's reply, "He's been very dodgy lately though, avoiding everyone but his goons, and occasionally Parkinson, but I doubt she knows more than I do, as she's preoccupied trying to figure out how to get Draco removed from our House." He rolled his eyes at the thought, but continued, "When they are here, they talk in whispers, and threaten anyone who get too close. That's all I've figured out Sir."
Severus nodded, understanding. If he was in Nott position he'd go about it very similarly. Dismissing Zabini, Severus sat and attempted to work on grading essays, but the mundane task did little to distract him from more important questions. He'd have to wait until Faykan returned to get even a few answers.