Disclaimer: I Don't Own Anything to Do With Harry Potter.
Chapter 10: Dumbledore and Found Out
Sunday, December 4th, 1994
Hospital Wing
Even though Ginny only got stunned and nothing happened to Harry when the Killing Curse struck, Hermione still insisted that they go to the Hospital Wing. Since she was a witness to the incident their plans to keep Rathera hidden in the Chamber of Secrets fell apart. When Madame Bones and Professor McGonagall came to question them, Luna was able to at least save them from having to reveal her Dragon origins.
"Who are you and what school do you attend, Miss…?" asked Madame Bones.
"My name is Rathera. I'm…" started Rathera.
"She's my cousin. My father's sister and her husband recently passed away and she was sent to live with us. My father has been too busy with the Quibbler and so he sent her to meet us in Hogsmeade so she could come to the castle and request to be enrolled in Hogwarts." said Luna.
"So, Rathera Lovegood?" asked Madame Bones.
"Yes, ma'am." said Rathera.
"Where did you attend school before now?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"She was homeschooled, Professor." said Luna.
"I'd appreciate it if your cousin would answer for herself. How old are you?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"I'm 14 years old. My birthday is August 14th, 1980." said Rathera.
"After you are finished with Madame Bones I want to see the five of you in my office." said Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor." They all said.
Madame Bones had just finished taking their statements when the doors to the Hospital Wing burst open and a team of Aurors followed by Kingsley came in and levitated a figure onto a bed.
"We have him!" said Kingsley.
"Why didn't you take him to St. Mungo's?" asked Madame Bones.
"He said this is where he wants to die." said Kingsley.
"Is he…?" asked Madame Bones.
Kingsley nodded at the unfinished question and Madame Bones approached the bed along with Madame Pomfrey. Albus Dumbledore was once a great Wizard. If anyone were to see him now they would not be able to believe that. He was emaciated, his beard and hair disheveled and matted together and his eyes no longer held that twinkle of life in them.
"Albus. Please let us try to save you." said Madame Pomfrey.
It was difficult for him to speak, but he said, "My dear, Poppy. It's time for my next Great Adventure, but if I may speak with Mr. Potter…" Albus started coughing. "Please, Poppy, I don't have much time."
"Lord Potter?" asked Madame Pomfrey.
Harry walked over to the bed. It was strange seeing Dumbledore like this after just seeing him outside of Hogsmeade.
"Professor?" asked Harry.
"Harry, I haven't been your Professor for over two years now. Call me Albus." said Albus.
"How did this happen, Albus?" asked Harry.
"I don't have the time to give the whole story, let's just say I made a mistake and leave it at that. You must go to the Department of Mysteries and listen to the prophecy. You must not let Grindelwald win. He used to be a good boy, and I loved him, but he has become a very dangerous man." said Dumbledore.
"What about Voldemort?" asked Harry.
"You are a powerful Wizard, Harry. Voldemort will be easily taken care of once you rid him of his Horcruxes. In my office, I guess Minerva's office now, there is a hidden drawer in the desk with some memories I collected for when you would be ready for the burden put upon you. Watch the memories if you wish, but with them is a list of possible items that Voldemort used for Horcruxes and probable locations. Tap your wand on the desk and say Arianna and you'll find them." said Albus.
Albus started coughing again and then his breathing became shallower.
"Grindelwald is a very charismatic person. He will play with you and use others against you. Where Voldemort uses fear to gain followers, Grindelwald preys on what the person wants most and will promise them it for joining him. He also posse… he possesses the… elder…"
"He's gone." said Madame Pomfrey.
Harry turned to Madame Bones.
"I need to know everything about the war with Grindelwald." said Harry.
"Lord Potter, I understand you've been through a lot today, but you're a child and I'm not about to let you…" said Madame Bones.
"Did you listen to a word he said? You have two Dark Lords out there who apparently have it out for me and you want to talk about my age! Madame Bones, you can do what you want and I can't stop you, but I've been in this war since I was a baby. I don't know whether you believe Voldemort will return or not, but I know he is still out there. I don't fully understand what Albus just said, but if we work together we have a better shot at all of us surviving what is to come." said Harry.
"I don't know everything, but I will get you in contact with someone who does since you have to go to the Department of Mysteries anyways. I don't know what to think about what Albus just said, but I understand you want to fight and agree that you might even have to. But you are still in school and there's no turning back from this tournament now. Aurors will be placed at the school for the foreseeable future and I will leave it to you, Professor McGonagall, but I would suggest that Hogsmeade trips be cancelled immediately and that the school's full wards be brought up." said Madame Bones.
"Agreed." said Professor McGonagall.
Headmaster's Office
After Madame Pomfrey finally gave Harry and Ginny a clean bill of health the group headed up to Professor McGonagall's office.
"Miss Lovegood, I've been a Professor for a long time and heard some pretty good lies from the students here, but I can always tell. I'm sure that if I contact your father that Xenophilius will no doubt back up your story and swear that this girl is his niece, but then I can also remember some of the fantastical stories that he came up with as a student here." said Professor McGonagall.
"Did he tell you the one about…" said Luna.
"Miss Lovegood, all of you, I am giving you this one chance to tell me who this young lady is and what she is doing here." said Professor McGonagall.
"Her name is Rathera, Professor. She is the Hungarian Horntail from the first task." said Luna.
"Miss Lovegood…" started Professor McGonagall, but Harry and Rathera looked at each other and he nodded so Rathera turned into her hybrid form.
"Merlin's beard." said Professor McGonagall.
"I didn't think you would want her to turn into her full Dragon form in your office, Professor." said Harry.
"Explain please, Lord Potter." said Professor McGonagall.
Harry told her everything that had happened from the events of the first task and showed her his hybrid form as well.
"Professor, I hope we can count on your keeping this between us. We feel that it is beneficial to not have many people know what we are." said Harry.
Professor McGonagall gave her oath to keep their secret.
"Lord Potter, I was a new Professor when the war with Grindelwald was going on. If you need any information about his followers or the attacks during that war I am available to you." said Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you, Professor. I know it's a lot to ask, but is there any way to get Rathera enrolled as a student?" asked Harry.
"We will keep with the story you told Madame Bones and I will have her enrolled as Rathera Lovegood after the New Year. Temporarily she will be housed in the 4th year Gryffindor girl's dorm, but at dinner when the students return she will be sorted into a house. You mentioned that you've been hunting in the forbidden forest? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the ritual you mentioned changed you to your current form and your hybrid and Dragon forms are secondary?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor." said Rathera.
"So you are human? Have you eaten regular food, yet?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"In Hogsmeade today was the first time." said Rathera.
"I would suggest that you start eating in the Great Hall as well. If it's anything like an Animagus form it would be best not to eat in your Dragon form. Will you also be joining Lord Potter and Miss Granger for the Holidays?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Yes, Professor." said Rathera.
"While you are away make sure that you visit Diagon Alley. I will have a letter sent out to you at the Granger's, although I'm sure Miss Granger will tell you everything you need. You will also need to pick at least two electives in addition to your required courses." said Professor McGonagall.
"Thank you, Professor." said Rathera.
"Well the five of you missed dinner, but if you stop by the kitchens the house elves will see that you are fed. Have a good night." said Professor McGonagall.
As they were leaving the office Rathera turned to Harry.
"Does this mean I don't get to sleep with you anymore?" asked Rathera.
Professor McGonagall sighed and let them go. The day had been stressful enough.
Author's Note: This chapter could've been better and when I finish the story I will most likely come back to it and fix it. Not to change the story or the general content, but to have it flow better. I'm removing my rant from the top of chapter 9, but if I get another guest review that is nothing but pure hatred to me or to the people who like this story I will be turning off guest reviews. I thank the guests and the member reviewers who have liked the story and the ones who didn't and gave constructive criticism. Let's keep it respectful. Please follow, favorite and send reviews. Thank you.