Hey everyone,
So, I know that next chapter will be the big reveal, but I just realized something. The whole reveal of who Scabbers is and who the real culprit is and all that – actually takes place over multiple chapters. However, once Pettigrew has been revealed as Scabbers will the readers take another break – to read the file.
And once they do, will Jeffrey make his realization, will Pettigrew face justice and other things will happen. However, the readers will read all of the revelation chapters, maybe the whole book, before the end of the day – for them, that is. However, I do have one important question and it will be a poll after this update:
Where should this story end? Should the epilogue be at the end of the 3rd book, the 4th or the 7th book? Why do I skip over the 5th and 6th book? The 5th, I hate its guts and the 6th is practically – in my eyes – a filler for the 7th, so I just can't have them end it there – it'd be like buying a whole cake and only eating a single slice.
Please vote the poll,
Venquine1990
Chapter 12
Silence Follows
Fudge's POV
The atmosphere that is at Hogwarts upon my arrival is more or less exactly what I expected, yet at the same time the intensity of curiosity and confusion that hangs around the Great Hall is so strong it's almost tangible and while Amelia gets a thorough update from the Hit Wizard in charge of the others, do I move over to the teachers.
Amelia, however, doesn't join me as she seats herself with her niece and once I am seated, Snape of all people being the one to offer me a seat next to him, does Albus stand up and move over to the Owl stand, sending me a look that proves his gratitude to me being here before he catches the attention of the students and says:
"As promised will those that I conversed with yesterday before dinner now inform all of you what they witnessed when Headmaster Cornell's magic merged with Harry Potter's Patronus and helped us partially break the Magical Mind Block that effects everyone here older than the Seventh years. If no one disagrees, I will start."
The students all nod, yet Amelia and I are wide-eyed beyond belief as none of her Hit Wizards had told us of a Magical Mind Block when reporting yesterday's events and while I wonder if I should really be here for a reading instead of at the Ministry to check my people's minds for charms, does Albus continue and say:
"My returned memory was of New Year's Eve in 1980, which I celebrated together with Minerva and which is also a memory I shared with Minerva yesterday. The memory revealed to me that there were ten people very dear to me who all bonded, got married, had kids or were expecting to have kids within the following year.
I do not know all of these five pairs, but I do know that one of them was 22 years old at the time as they were apparently third years when James first came to Hogwarts. I am also confident that James and his own partner were another of the five pairs, which leaves the last three to be a mystery my co-workers were able to uncover."
And with that does the man walk away, only for Severus to stand up from beside me and move to replace his leader and boss, many eyes wide as they wonder how he could be connected to this all. Yet the man speaks with the same hypnotizing effect as I remember from him as a teenager as he is only one year younger than me.
"My memory revolves around someone we all, until yesterday, believed to be James Potter's partner. However, my memory proved different. It also proves the Headmaster's earlier words correct as I remember Lily Evans coming to inform me of her engagement, though I will not yet reveal as to who she engaged herself to.
I remember my past self asking whether James himself would not be the better option for her request, yet she told me that James had already called dips on being her own partner's best man. Therefore I am certain that, whoever is Lily's partner, the two of them are indeed one of the three remaining mystery couples.
However, it is the fact that Professor Dumbledore's words about my friendship with Lily having been proven true by this revealed memory makes me actually feel quite certain that I and – as I now remember – my own mystery partner are also one of the three remaining pairs, making only one last pair still a mystery."
And while I am shocked that this Magical Mind Block can go so far as to make us believe James and Lily married to each other when they are really with others, do I then feel slightly alarmed to see Sirius Black be the next to stand up, yet it seems as if Amelia and I are the only ones worried for this as everyone else seems excited.
The man keeps standing for just a moment and looks from his supposed target to one of the girls sitting with the so-called Misfit gang and when said girl gives him wide eyes before nodding in consent, does the man move over to the owl stand and face the entire excited student body, his voice emotional yet clear as he says:
"My returned memory is one I am actually glad I forgot, because if I had remembered it while incarcerated than the memory would have either been taken from me by the Dementors or used by them to drive me completely insane with pain, anguish and heartbreak. My memory – concerns James Potter – and my own child."
Instantly the air around us gets taken by practically everyone around us, my jaw almost hitting the table under me as it drops while some of the students who had gone to sit closer to the man now fall off their seats in shock. Black himself keeps quiet, his eyes constantly roaming over Potter and the Misfit Gang before he goes on:
"I remember the day my – my son was born and I remember this having happened in rooms that are actually somewhere here in this very school. I also remember having held my little boy, having reveled in the fact that he had been carried to term and born and having loved to see James feeding our child for the first time."
The man's voice had been layered with emotions so strong I almost feel them growing in my own heart, making it easier for me to get past my shock and while his voice had lost strength and become softer and more caring with each word passing, does the man then look up with determination on his face and he says:
"I discussed this memory with the ones I shared Albus' office with yesterday and we all came to a conclusion. Whoever my son is – and I do have my suspicions, but I want other matters settled first so I can be assured his safety – will be revealed when the long-awaited chapter is read as I feel confident that his birth certificate – is in that file."
And while his words make practically everyone turn to the same girl Black himself looked at before speaking, do my eyes instead move to someone else as I can't help but notice how Harry Potter suddenly seems rigid with startled shock, his eyes proving me he realized something others might have actually missed.
Yet I don't really get the time to ponder over this as Black moves away from the Owl Stand and gets instantly replaced by Remus, the man sharing a warm hug with his one-time friend as they switch places and while Sirius seems apathetic to his friend's tale as he sits with Harry and looks at him concerned, does Remus speak:
"My memory is actually similar to Sirius' and yes, this means exactly what you think. Sirius is not the only one who was memory wiped and who lost their kid. I myself did as well, only my case is even worse. Sirius lost his son – I lost both of mine as my wife, I am sad to say I don't know her identity – gave birth to twins."
This instantly makes many eyes turn to a few familiar twins, yet when eyes get turned to the Weasley duo, does Remus say: "I may not know who they are, but I do know they are Harry's age as apparently my wife and James got pregnant at the same time, yet my wife birthed my twins sometime before James birthed his son.
I know nothing more, only that Sirius was with me when the twins were born and James was not due to his hormones truly acting up during his own pregnancy. I will not bore you with anymore details, but I will tell you this. I know who stole my kids from me and I have already claimed the first mark on his person when we find him."
And while many eyes widen in shock at hearing the feral tone coming from the man, can I personally not blame him as he must, for the first time ever, actually agree with the werewolf inside him and I can only bless my lucky stars that I am not the person responsible for this man's sense of rage and anger as he leaves the stand.
Yet many students become excited as the mysterious woman that was seated with Harry Potter and the apparent Misfit Gang decides to take his place and after silently promising the man that she will help him find the culprit through her eyes, does she seem to walk with an air of excitement that seems even greater than that of the students.
She stands herself behind the Owl Stand and says: "The Time Sand was very, very generous to me. Not only did it give me a returned memory, it also allowed me something I will reveal in due time. The only thing I will reveal now is that it has made me closer with the second youngest member of our Misfit Gang, Jeffrey."
Many eyes look at the boy, who seems to only need a second to understand her words as his eyes widen before she grasps everyone's attention yet again, yet the way that she does not only makes me feel quite close to her for some reason, it also strangely enough reminds me of the man seated next to me as she says:
"However, my returned memory is the last bit of confirmation regarding our fine Headmaster's words. I remember a party that had been organized for all those on either the Light or Neutral side of the war and in which I mostly conversed with these ten people we now know to be James, Lily, Remus, Sirius, Severus and five others.
I cannot say I remember who these others were, but I do remember that one of them looked younger than the rest, while two others did indeed look two years older than Severus and the others. The last two, I only remember that they were male and female and that they were sharing a single seat when I approached them.
However, the highlight of my memory was at the end when I dashed into a side room of the dance hall and found 9 babies, two of which were 2 years old, 1 one of which was 1 year old and the other six being newborn and of various months of age. However, none of them, I now recall, were any older than 4 months old."
This makes many of the girls around the room coo, all of them probably imagining seeing babies at such young age and then one of the girls sitting with Amelia asks: "Do you remember any of their looks, Mss. Rosie?" But the woman sighs and says: "Yes, I do, however, I am certain that such looks are no longer important."
Everyone looks at her and she says: "Think very clearly, all of you. Whoever is behind the Mind Block is also behind the kidnapping and anyone proficient enough to hide such valuable information from such a large group of people as all of Magical England – would have no trouble glamouring a simple group of kidnapped infants.
Therefore, do I hereby request you all to do two things. Rely on what I just told you regarding myself and Jeffrey and on Lord Black's words regarding the file. No doubt will these two pieces of info lead us to what we want the most; the culprit caught and our memories – and with that these children – returned to us all."
And under the applause of the students and the approving smiles of the teachers does the woman return to her seat, but then I notice something that shocks me. Throughout her entire speech had Potter been silently talking with two teenagers who sit near him and by now do they seem determined about something, something big.
Harry seems to be the first to notice that the woman has left the owl stand and stands up as he says: "I just want to say that, thanks to Sirius Black and the Trio meeting I had with my friends the other day, we are almost certain we have figured out everything that needs to be solved, yet we will keep this to ourselves for now.
This is not because we feel ourselves above you, but because it would prove the effort of my friends, when they came back in time to help us change the future through the books we are supposed to read, to be meaningless and I have just too much loyalty to them to see that done. Therefore, would we like to continue reading now."
To this everyone nods and while Amelia and I share a glance, both of us shocked at how this morning started and what has already been revealed to us, do we then see Professor Flitwick raising the stand behind the Owl stand before he takes place himself and lies one of the books down, scraping his throat to clear it before he reads.
Filius' POV
That there could be nine students amongst the third to Fifth years who are actually related to two people I thought I had lost so long ago. That Lily is actually the wife of someone other than James and that Severus is actually married as well. Great Gringotts, what a day, what a day indeed." Do I think as I start to read.
Professor Trelawney's Prediction
At this the woman in question perks up, yet her wide eyes prove that she too is shocked at the title and then it seems as if Albus has yet to forgive her for yesterday's revelation about her classes as I can hear a honing undertone to his voice as he says: "My, my, Sybill, that makes your total of true prophesies be two now, doesn't it?"
And while the woman looks the man wide-eyed, some of the students who take her class muttering about what the first could have been about, do I notice how Severus, for some reason, is looking at Harry with a hint of pity hidden underneath his suddenly returned mask of indifference yet I drown all of their voices out as I read on.
Harry's euphoria … a week.
"Who was it against?" Amelia asks and Severus answers: "Slytherin and it was a close one. Mr. Potter and Draco were neck-a-neck when Potter caught the Snitch, though it had been Draco who had seen the Snitch first, which is quite a feet seeing Potter's personal record." And with such double-sided praises, do I read on.
Even the … the windows.
"That's not right. The more you enjoy studying, the more you remember." One of the strange twins suddenly protests and his brother then goes on and say: "So studying somewhere you enjoy being will only improve your focus and concentration. So why keep students that love being outdoors indoors like that?"
Many of the teachers look at each other shocked and Severus mumbles: "This makes no sense indeed. Even I did my O.W.L.s studying outdoors. That's how I got my friends in the first place. I studied for my Charms O.W.L. after my Defense O.W.L. got into an argument and then solved that and became friends with nine others."
It's just until yesterday that I have always believed that this argument made me make the worst decision I could ever have made, one that made me, as far as I believed, lose the only friend I actually ever had." And while many are shocked that the man's memory of that day had been changed so drastically, do I read on.
Even Fred … top grades.
This makes both Cornelius and Amelia look at the boy with interest, Percy himself a little red in the face at being outed in front of two very important Ministerial officials, but then one of the Weasley twins says: "Trust us, Fudge." And the other goes on: "Because we know." And together they chorus: "Percy's the best of the best."
And while those around the twins and their elder brother nod in agreement, Penelope going even further by scooting closer and kissing him on the cheek, does Percy's face now resemble his hair with how red it is, while both Amelia and Cornelius are now sharing smiles that prove they believe the two pranksters before I read on.
He was … was Hermione.
This instantly brings back all of my and my coworker's worry for the girl as it reminds us of what we discovered about her and her use of her secret little help yesterday, yet it seems we are not the only ones to remember as Harry moves himself around Sirius to lie an arm around the girl's shoulders and worriedly asks:
"Are you even using that secret of yours?" But the girl gulps and says: "I – I'm sure that I am, at this point, but – well –." And it seems as if her loss for words is understood by her friends as Ron says: "With your beliefs on when to and when not to use it." And the girl cringes before nodding, worrying us all as I read on.
Harry and … the sixth."
This seems to shock the two Ministerial officials and then suddenly Harry stands up and says: "Minister, I would like a Private meeting with you, whoever is in charge of the investigations regarding this and Madam Bones at earliest convenience. I know you have one side of the story, but I would like you to have more."
The man seems shocked and then Amelia asks: "Mr. Potter, I understand your desire to help a friend, but what evidence do you think you can bring in that hasn't already been brought to our team?" And Harry actually makes Malfoy whiten as he smirks and retorts with a question: "How about what Malfoy said before he got attacked?"
Instantly the woman turns to the white-as-snow blonde and asks: "Mr. Malfoy, is Mr. Potter telling that what you told us is not entirely accurate, because your father informed us that you only got a chance to scream in pain when attacked. He never mentioned you speaking out before this event occurred. Care to explain?"
Yet when the blonde keeps quiet, his face a strange mix of shame-red and frightened-white complexion tones, does the woman nod and say: "Mr. Potter, you and I can meet once this chapter has been read." Harry nods, yet he himself had not even once glanced at Malfoy during this entire talk and while wondering why, do I read on.
"That's the … an executioner."
"That is just unfair!" Susan shouts angrily and she goes on: "Sending an executioner to an actual appeal? That's like telling the defending body not to even try and defend themselves! How is that fair to either Hagrid or Buckbeak?" Yet while Malfoy glares at her, do I give the bright, angry girl right before I read on.
Hermione looked … it about.
This makes Cornelius look at the boy in shock, yet Amelia seems less shocked as she stands up and says: "Mr. Malfoy, should I conclude from this paragraph that you don't care if people or creatures are killed as long as you get your way? Because that is what I am getting out of this." The boy turns red at this and then Amelia says:
"Pride is one thing, Heir Malfoy, but arrogance does not suit someone who has no claim over other people, their possessions or their pets." And with that does she leave the sputtering boy in her shadow, sitting back down with her back turned to him and while many of the students around her look at the two in shock, do I read on.
It was … one-eyed witch.
This seems to shock the two Ministerial members yet again, making me know they will need some time to get used to sudden news being read to them, yet suddenly Mss. Granger gasps and says: "The cloak! It – it belonged to James Potter, but – but with everything the teachers and – and what Sirius told us. Does – does that mean –?"
But while she can't seem to get herself to actually ask the question, does Sirius smile and say: "Like I said, the truth is in the file and, between you and me – and this hall – I think the best decision for now is for Harry to keep it with him, so that we know where it is once the truth comes out." The girl nods and I read on, feeling anxious.
Exam week … against me?"
This makes quite a few of my coworkers as well as those who have already done their third year exams smile in reminiscence and then Sirius snickers as he says: "Jamie was just like Hermione. He had actually turned his into a really rare kind of tortoise and annoyed us because he thought it would make him lose points.
In the end it made him break the record for best Third Year Transfigurations Exam, which took us four hours to then convince him he actually deserved. Boy, what a guy." This makes those around him smile at him, yet I wonder what he is talking about as I remember James to be quite the proud young man, but then gasp and say:
"Sirius, you remember something different from how I am, your memory of James is coming back." The man looks shocked and Albus says: "It must be because of Cornell. Him weakening the Block must have given Sirius' Inner Veela the chance to regain his memories of his mate." To this I look shocked, but nod and read on.
Then, after … one hour.
At this all of my coworkers cringe and then Cornelius says: "We really should have put more time between the exams and the appeal. It's just unfair to make a new teacher worry about two such important events at the same time." And while Malfoy and a few Slytherins seem to disagree with the man, do I read on.
As Flobberworms … the other –"
"That's just horrible. He already feels as if he lost his pet. How could anyone make someone feel so awful?" A Hufflepuff asks in pure agony and this seems to be the final stroke for Malfoy as he rears up and shouts: "Shut up, filthy MUDBLOOD! THAT STUPID FRIED CHICKEN ATTACKED ME, REMEMBER?"
But while the girl squeaks in shocked fear at hearing the blonde suddenly shout at her, do several of her Year Mates and almost all of the Third Year Gryffindor shoot out of their seats with their wands aimed at the blonde, yet they all get shocked when a calm voice speaks from their very midst and to my shock, does Harry say:
"You know, I could use my powers right now – or even tell Madam Bones that your insult to Buckbeak sounds pretty similar to what you said to him before he attacked you, but before I do either of the two – you might want to look to your left, Malfoy." Yet while others looks at the boy confused and shocked, do I do as he says.
And instantly, without fully turning around, do I understand what the boy is talking about because Severus has also shot out of his seat and the look of pure rage he is currently giving his godson would be enough to even make Voldemort die on the spot, the blonde whitening worse than the Dementors can cause him to when he sees this.
Like me, more and more students also see the man's fury, many of the Hufflepuffs and younger years starting to whimper and moan in fear for the look they see on the man's face and then Harry says: "Yeah, I think I'd rather let him deal with you. He'll probably leave a better mark than I could, even with my little powers."
And while many of those who had been furious at the blonde before now smirk in glee over the trouble the boy is in, do they all sit back down, those that had been sitting with the Hufflepuff that got insulted now sitting down to comfort her before Severus speaks so softly, he sounds as if he's hissing and whispering at the same time:
"Mr. Malfoy, I would like you to know that it was exactly that disgusting curse word that, until yesterday, I believed to have cost me the one friendship I had since I was 8 years old. It is a word, if I recall correctly, I tell my entire House every single year at the start of the year that it will result in a personal punishment.
And just because I believed you my godson for the last 13 years, does not exempt you from this rule and I say believed, because the Magical Mind Block made me believe different on practically everyone I saw as either my friend or enemy, so I no longer feel safe to assume that, anything I knew before yesterday, is still true today."
And while I have no doubt that several other of my coworkers agree with the man's words, does he then seem to pull back on the actual rage he must be feeling, his face becoming a passive mask once again as he says: "From this day forward, until I say so, you will only use your wand when you are in practical classes.
At all other times will your wand be in either my or Mr. Zabini's possession and that includes when in the Great Hall. Mr. Zabini, you will be charmed to make sure that nothing Mr. Malfoy does, whether by himself or others, will convince you to give him back his wand, also we'll both be charmed to only give it back by own free will."
This entire speech shocks everyone silent and then the man sends one last stare at the boy that tells beyond anything just how furious and disappointed the man is in the boy as he goes on: "This is the punishment that befalls all of my House who use that word, as you well know, Mr. Malfoy." And with that, do I read on.
They had … moving away.
"You most probably did a miscount of an ingredient at the start of your process, Mr. Potter. That is the only thing that can keep such a Concoction from thickening, however this has never been reason for me to grade anyone with a score lower than 65 out of the full 100, I can assure you." And while the boy seems astonished, do I read on.
Then came … new Boggart.
"Now that sounds – so awesome!" Is the first reaction to this description and while all of the Third years are now looking at each other with excitement, do other years look at them with envy, especially the fourth and second years, Ginny glaring at her older brother, while a blushing Remus accepts praises for his idea as I read on.
"Excellent, Harry," … failed everything!"
This shocks practically everyone in the room, but Remus seems to understand as he says: "And that is what happens when you become too stressed and don't divide your time between fun and studying in a proper manner. It makes you worry too much about something and that something then becomes your Boggart, your greatest fear."
And while some of the other students had started hiding snickers and giggles behind their hands, are their eyes now wide and do they look at each other shocked, while Hermione still looks slightly ashamed of herself, yet she also smiles gratefully at the man, obviously for saving her from being laughed at as I read on.
It took … the grounds.
This shocks the man in question, while many other students and even a few of my coworkers look at him, yet it seems as if everyone already knows why the man has suddenly been mentioned as an atmosphere of sadness and worry starts to settle over everyone, especially Hagrid, who slightly begins to sweat as I read on.
He started … get off!"
This makes Malfoy, who had grudgingly handed his wand over to Blaise, who had then actually gone one step further in the punishment by going to sit at the other end of Slytherin Table, glare at the redhead, but then Amelia says: "Seeing the current information given to me just by this chapter, am I inclined to agree.
However, I will hold back on my official judgment, which I will pass onto the Committee at earliest convenience, until I have had my conversation with Mr. Potter and whoever he considers a worthy witness to this meeting." And while many of the Misfit Gang and Harry's friends look excited, does Harry say:
"I would like Professor Sprout to be my witness, Madam Bones. She is Head of the House of the Honest, yet neither Malfoy nor I are part of her house, so she is both an honest person as well as a objective witness." The elder Hufflepuff nods, while Malfoy grumbles and many others smile at the boy's reasoning as I read on.
Before Fudge … shining axe.
"A tall and strapping man with broad thumbs?" Rosie asks, her face down to the table and a glare of though on her face before she gasps and turns to Fudge as she asks: "That's not Walden Macnair, is it?" Yet is seems as if Cornelius doesn't realize that there is a strong reason behind the woman's shock and disgust as he says:
"Yes, Miss. He is; a very, very fine –." But then the woman stands up and shouts: "Bastard who has a restraining order in practically all of Surrey for several attempts of rape of Muggle women and men in several towns and cities there! He's a right bastard and he even attempted to rape me four months after I moved into Little Whinging!"
This shocks the man senseless, while several of the older male students look a mix of angered and disgusted and the elder females all look ready be sick, students sitting next to them changing the plates in front of them into bowls or buckets to help them. Then Amelia stands up and asks: "Mss, would you mind reporting this to me later?"
"Will he be arrested if I do?" The woman asks and when Amelia nods in resolve, does she suddenly have to catch a roll of paper that doesn't look like parchment and Mss. Rosie says: "I handed a copy of that in two days after it actually happened, but some sick-mind argued my claim and actually had my case be revoked.
I kept the original for years, though, just out of pure instinct and as a motivation to never let such a thing happen to those around me." The Misfit Gang around her look shocked at hearing that this almost happened to her, tears showing in the eyes of young Rosaline and Elena, yet Amelia nods with pride and sits down as I read on.
Ron opened … isn't justice!"
"Nothing what that monster does is justice." Rosie then growls and many of those around her nod, Harry and the other males in the Misfit gang now all glaring as they look at her, their rage at what almost happened to her so many years ago very clear, yet while Cornelius still seems shocked at what she told him and us, do I read on.
"Ron, your … offhand voice.
"You know, the crystal ball really wouldn't be a good way to test the compatibility of the students for the Divinations subject, seeing how even some Muggles use it to make money and all that." Irma then says, her voice proving me she just wants to distract everyone from the dark subject regarding Hagrid's case.
Yet it seems as if her comment hasn't just distracted the students from Hagrid's problems as Mss. Rosie also smiles at her and says: "Not exactly, dear. Most of the fortune tellers in the Muggle World are actually Squibs who have learned to focus their magic into one specific art and that allows them to be considered Seers."
The black haired girl seems shocked to hear this and she asks: "Really? what about that –?" But Mss. Rosie interrupts her as she says: "Oh no, she was a total fake. I said most of them are Squibs, I didn't say all of them." And while the rest of the Gang seems to snicker in remembrance of this event, do I continue reading.
He kept … the landing.
"That's just plain wrong! Neville has been worried and frightened in this class since the first lesson. She is just using that to keep him quiet because she knows he has friends and great loyalty to those. She's using his darker traits against his better traits – and she's doing it knowingly." Irma growls, obviously furious and then Ron asks:
"Wait, are you a Seer?" But the girl shakes her head and says: "No, I'm not, but when I was four, my happiest memory was of a circus trip that Aunt Rosie took me on and we met an actual Seer – yes, Aunt Rosie recognized her as one – and she told me I would find great bliss in union triple the time. Three weeks later I met Jeremy."
This shocks both Ron as well as Hermione and several of those around them, while Irma smiles at the boy that is the leader of their gang as she says: "Glee triple the time will come to you through union of bonds of nine. Truer words never spoken, but I didn't believe in them until I met Jeremy. After that the rest of the gang came together."
To this, while many of those around them smile at hearing such an amazing tale, does Harry get up from his seat and does he take a seat with the rest of the group, who are all equally sitting on both sides of Gryffindor Table, Jeremy at the corner closest to me on the right while Jeffrey is closest to Harry on the left.
Looking at the team of ten teenagers as they sit together like that, do I feel my eyes widen slightly as their looks are quite different from each other, yet the way that they sit together actually makes you think as if a family not unlike the Weasleys is sitting there and while truly gleeful with this knowledge, do I read on.
"That's convenient," … old fraud."
"Not really, just someone who doesn't recognize the difference between real prophesies and a bunch of words based on personal observations." Irma snarls silently, Edena and one of the Misfit Twins on either side of her, while his brother is closer to the Head Table on the other side of the table and while some agree with her, do I read on.
"Yeah," said … good luck!"
At this the female Water Elemental looks at the tanned Third Year and asks: "You know, after realizing that the Seer was telling the truth, did I dedicate my life to – well, actually what Professor Trelawney is doing, only I always tell people I can do this and I do it through water – but I also studied True Seer Traits.
Would you mind if I test you as well? I really have great respect for true Seers and I just want to do my best to honor the Seer that predicted I meet my friends by helping newborn or newly discovered Seers develop their talent." The tanned girl looks really excited at this and nods in acceptance, making Irma smile at her as I read on.
She hurried … its head?"
"Excuse me!?" Several girls shout and scream and a few of those then indeed do lean over their bowls or buckets to lose their breakfast, Severus using his wand to let several bottles of potions fly out of the Antechamber before Irma says: "It's really her own fault, though. She's adamant in the belief that Seers only see dark things.
She's so confident that there is only death and pain in Harry's future, due to her so-called predictions over the course of the year, that she is now expecting Harry to have grown to see the same, but Harry's no Seer, so she's pretty much just wasting both of their time." And while Sybill looks ruffled as she glares at the girl, do I read on.
"Yes," said … behind it?"
"Sybill! That is not something you ask someone Mr. Potter's age, no matter what they've been through or what they've seen or not seen!" Minerva then snaps at the woman in raging fury, while many more Stomach Relief potions are now going round the Great Hall as even some of the guys are now hanging over bowls as I read on.
"No!" said … your best."
"I cannot believe you, Sybill, just because you love predicting death and pain, which in and of itself makes you a danger around kids, does not mean you can say that a student is failing just because he doesn't see the things you want him to see. You always say that no one can control what they see, so don't you dare be biased now!"
By now the woman looks red with shame as well as smaller than I have ever seen her as she has shrunken further and further down her seat the longer the rant took and then Albus says: "Sybill, I'm sorry, but the minute I have found someone who can properly teach your Art to those with the Gift, do I want you out of this school.
You will have until that time – and I intend to have that done before the upcoming match – to contact your family, perhaps Gringotts and get them to help you relocate to a new home. Do I make myself clear, Sybill?" The woman nods and while I am slightly shocked that the woman has been living here year-round, do I read on.
Relieved, Harry … HAPPEN TONIGHT."
This silences me, my eyes wide and many of those around me gasping before Albus says: "Her second prophesy. The one Harry spoke off. The one he said he didn't feel hurt or broken about, but that would not have come to be, had the file been read before it was spoken." And this makes everyone look at me with great alert as I read on.
Harry wheeled … HIS MASTER…"
By now the entire hall is so silent I wonder if I am not just reading to myself out loud as not even the breathing of a single person can be heard, everyone so shocked they seem petrified, turned to stone by what I just read to them, yet the words have caused for my heart to completely freeze over with intense, blood-curling fear.
"Voldemort – he – he wouldn't have – wouldn't have – come back if – if the file had – had been read – before this exam?" Minerva asks, but Albus shakes his head and says: "Voldemort is too determined. I think it's more that, had the file been read before, it would have been someone other than this servant who would have helped his return."
Yet while this does nothing to quell the fear that many of those around me, both the Minister as well as several of my fellow teachers and at least half the student body, are feeling, do I then notice something. Harry doesn't seem troubled by what he just heard, but he does seem troubled by something else.
The boy has his eyes aimed between the two who are sitting opposite of him, yet they seem to gaze into nothingness while he has his left hand clasped over his right fist and his hands in front of his mouth, the way that he is frowning proving that the boy is deep in thought and then Rosaline asks: "Did you hear something, Harry?"
Everyone looks at the boy and Harry says: "It's one of those sentences that actually worries me more than it probably did my future self." This makes several of those sitting away from the boy move closer and he recites: "Greater and more terrible than he ever was. Those – those words – they prove something."
He then looks at the girl, his eyes finally focused once again, but gleaming with anxiety as he says: "It proves that, whoever Sirius is after, he will probably be caught in the book, but – he will also escape. And – and we know that, that this is the same person as the one to cast the Magical Mind Block, so – future me never knew these truths."
The boy then looks down, while others are shocked and he says: "He never knew. He never knew that Lupin was married and had kids. He never knew that, through his godfather, he had a nephew. He never knew that Professor Snape was never supposed to hate him. He never knew this – and still he lost so many people."
By now many faces have turned sad with loss and grief and then Harry sighs and says: "And worst of it all; he never knew of that actual location. The one where Sirius was actually arrested. He never knew about that, Rosaline. He never knew." Yet while this confuses me, does it make the anxiety of the Gang grow even more.
They all look down, each of their faces aligned with worry and fear over something that apparently only they know about and while I wonder if it's something they discussed during that incredible event that was the meeting they had just yesterday during lunch, does Jeremy then prove himself the leader as he boldly says:
"You're right, Harry. Your future self never knew any of this. But that's only better, because the broken friend that we met when he came to get us proves he should have never found out anyway. It would have killed him, but instead Time Sand send us back here. So that we could help you find out before things ran out of control.
And now we know. And once we know everything else, everything that your future self read in that file, will we do what we always do and make sure that those we care about are close, healthy, safe and loved. That's what our Gang does and that's what family does. And mysteries or no mysteries, we are family – you know that."
To this all the other Gang members nod in agreement, my eyes wide at the strength and truth I could hear coming from that speech and while worrying for future Harry, do I also worry for Present-day Harry as the boy again has his face aimed for the table, but this time do I notice a big smile on his face as he says:
"You know what?" The others look at him, his voice soft and filled with so much emotion I can barely distinguish one from the other before he says: "I really missed those heartwarming speeches. They sure are better than my We-have-to-save-the-school speeches." And while the Gang laughs at this, do I happily read on.
Professor Trelawney's … as that!"
This, to my shock, actually makes Sirius and Remus as well as Albus and Severus share such a quick glance with each other, I'm not sure if I saw them glancing at their respective partners or just looking past each other and while hoping beyond hope that these glances do not mean what I actually fear they mean, do I read on.
Harry climbed … the test?
At this many students who don't take Divinations look at the woman in question, yet Sybill herself seems much too out of it herself to really notice anything and while I have no doubt that the woman has been like this since I recited her second-ever prophesy, do I then clear my throat to get everyone's attention once more and read on.
Five minutes … sent this."
"Can things get any worse?" A Gryffindor Sixth year shouts, but Amelia is quick to respond and says: "First of all, young man, this is only taking place in the book and we are on the brink of the – as you call it – long awaited chapter. Surely once we reach that, things might just start to look up once again, I do believe."
The teenager nods and then Amelia goes on: "Second of, as Member of the Ministry can I easily make verdict regarding this case right here and now, yet I intend to wait on this until I have had my conversation with Mr. Potter and Professor Sprout, so I can make a verdict based on all bits and pieces of information, rest assured."
The Sixth year nods, now sitting back in his seat, while he had actually risen out of it when he shouted and then the girl next to him pats him on the back as she says: "You know what they say, Alden, things must always get worse before they get better." And while I believe that the Gang is the living proof of this, do I read on.
Hagrid's note … the executioner!"
"You should really learn to listen to your superiors, Potter." One of the Slytherins growls, but Harry glares and asks: "Would you want to be alone when you know they're going to break your broom in half because you flew it over a Muggle town, Flint?" The boy cringes at this before he continues glaring at Harry, yet I just read on.
"Sunset, though," … from sight.
This shocks practically everyone in Hermione's year, along with a few students from other years such as Flint and one of my own Ravenclaws Chang, but Hermione seems not at all ashamed of her actions and mutters: "Hagrid's worth it." Turning many shocked looks into proud smiles while Hagrid smiles at her gratefully as I read on.
"She hasn't … Professor Trelawney –"
"She's turning into a real teenage girl. Kind of surprised she grows the rebellious streak first though. I was expecting that to be Harry." Sirius kids with the others seated around him and then Harry says: "I did, I've been breaking the rules to save the school since first." Yet this doesn't seem to be what Sirius wants to hear as he turns stern.
But Harry seems to get why and stubbornly says: "Hogwarts is worth it. It was either breaking the rules, watch as Voldemort returned and broke the school down or watch Voldemort return, Hogwarts get closed and Ron's sister get killed. If I have to break rules to prevent that, then so be it." And with that he glares at the man.
Sirius glares just as hard back, but then sighs and asks: "And where, during any of this, were the teachers?" But Albus sighs and says: "I am truly sorry for this, Sirius, but I believed that if I grew close to Harry, I would endanger him, so I willingly fell for a trap the first time and the second time I got banished from the school."
Sirius looks at this shocked and then Harry sighs and says: "And during the first time, none of the other teachers that I actually trusted wanted to believe me and the second time they were all so busy already closing the school and preparing us for an early leave, they didn't do anything. I had no other choice, neither time."
Yet while my colleagues and I look stricken with guilt, Minerva the worst of us as she must have recognized herself when Harry referred to the teachers he trusted, does Sirius look stricken with shock before he sighs and says: "Let's just read the book, then the file, and then meet up so you can tell me more." And with that I read on.
Hermione looked … than tears.
This actually makes Malfoy hide a small cringe behind his usual mask of arrogance, yet the mask seems the wrong thing to show to the school at the current moment as practically everyone who sees it glares at the blonde, the protective glares they get from the boy's friends doing nothing to make them look away before I read on.
"Wan' some … beside him…"
"That man shouldn't be allowed near anyone, not human, not animal." Rosie then mutters, her earlier anger at Macnair back at just the mere mention of the man's name and while Cornelius gulps softly at this, does Amelia nod, obviously intent on seeing justice done for both the young female and the Hippogriff as I read on.
Hagrid swallowed … man, Dumbledore…"
"I would never let one of my own workers be alone when losing something as precious as a personal pet and I can tell that Buckbeak means more to you than anyone else in the herd, Hagrid, so I have every intention of helping you through all of this, no matter the outcome." Albus then says and Hagrid gets teary-eyed and says:
"You're right, sir. Beaky – he – he does mean more to me. But – but that's because – well, he's born on the same day as that Charlie came to Hogwarts and – and Charlie and I – we bonded as friends over raising him during that first Christmas. Only – because that winter was the coldest in years – did poor Beaky almost not make it that year."
This shocks practically everyone in the Hall, even Malfoy slack jawed at hearing this and Albus nods as he says: "It must have meant the world to you to see him survive such a terrible winter. And then to lose him just when you are in the prime of your own career, it must have felt like that winter all those years ago all over again."
Hagrid nods and says: "Harry and Ron can testify that – that I haven't seen Charlie in years and – and it was Charlie that – that made me truly proud to love rare and special creatures so much, so – by raising and caring for Beaky like I do; it reminds me of all Charlie taught me, even when he was just a meek little first year."
This makes many of his coworkers nod in understanding, Albus and Minerva smiling at the man with pride, which is shared with all five of the Weasley siblings sitting at Gryffindor Table and while, from the corner of my eye, I can see Amelia writing all this down on a small notepad with tears gleaming in her eyes, do I happily read on.
Hermione, who … it's Scabbers!"
This, for some reason, makes Ron stiffen his arms on his lap and only then do I realize that the boy has not moved an inch from his seat the entire time and that he has kept his arms down on his lap throughout the entire reading, yet the only other sign of shock the boy gives is sharing a look with Harry and Hermione.
"That idiot." Sirius then says and we all look at him, shocked to see him smirking in victory as he says: "He must have been forced to let Hagrid catch him. He couldn't actually do anything too obvious to Hagrid, because of what was going on with Buckbeak, but Hagrid is friends with Harry, so this was just bound to happen.
Does make things easier for my book-self, though." This shocks and confuses me and Percy asks: "Okay, I think we all want to know by now – what the heck do you want with Scabbers?" But the man shrugs and asks: "Why answer that when next chapter will do it for me." And while our Head Boy grumbles at this, do I read on.
Ron gaped … doing here?"
"Or maybe he hid himself there, hoping that because everyone was so busy with Buckbeak something as small as a milk jug wouldn't be noticed if something happened to it. Does sound a little more like what he would do, actually." Sirius mutters, his voice almost soft enough I can't even hear it, yet when he quiets down, do I read on.
He grabbed … "They're comin'…"
Those two words are enough to make the strange behavior of the suddenly returned rat and the even stranger connection between him and the supposed mass-murderer in our midst flee from everyone's minds, many guys and girls again grabbing onto their bowls and buckets and with that sight, do I read on, feeling weary for my colleague.
Harry, Ron … executioner, Macnair.
This last word causes for a soft growl to escape Rosie's throat, her growl being the only sound other than my reading voice in the entire hall as everyone wants to hear me read what will happen before the long-awaited chapter, yet at the same time none of them want to hear of the execution and with that knowledge, do I read on.
"Yeh gotta … "Don' listen…"
By now several faces around me seem to agree with these words and then Albus offers the Hall the same thing he did when we read about the Dementor and this time more students come over to him before sitting back down, all of them looking a lot calmer and bathing in relief not to have to hear this before I read on.
And he … bear it…"
The girl in question seems to agree with her book-self as she had not gone along with her Year Mate Lavender when the girl had gotten herself charmed not to have to hear about the execution and the Weasley twins who had gone to sit on both her sides this morning each wrap an arm around her, pulling themselves close to her form.
At this Hermione reaches out with one of her hands to the twin on her right while slightly hiding her face in the shoulder of the other and while the twin on her right takes her hands in his free one and gives them a reassuring squeeze, does the twin on the left move his head closer to hers to offer her comfort as I look at others.
All of the Gang of Misfits have gone to sit even closer to each other, the twins, Jeremy and Jeffrey now practically having the ones sitting on their sides in their laps, even though Isaac, with the way that his face looks passive and unbending like a bar of steel, looks just as old as his leader, yet it is Harry that confuses me.
The boy has Rosaline and Jeffrey on both his sides, yet instead of looking at his female Gryffindor friend in concern is the boy looking at his male Lion friend instead, Ron actually catching his gaze and sending him a short, but reassuring nod back, the message shared between the two of them completely lost to me as I read on.
They started … Ron's hand.
"Does that crazy rat actually want to see a creature get executed?" Percy asks, his shock proving that this is something completely new to him in regards to his old pet, yet Sirius seems to determined to bring more mystery to the story as he calmly shrugs as he says: "Sure sounds like something he'd enjoy." Before I read on.
"Scabbers, it's … did it!"
But while this statement makes several of those that didn't get themselves charmed again reach for the bowls and buckets to give new use to them and makes others hide themselves in the shoulders of those sitting next to them, do I then pinch my face together as I lie the book down and say: "The – the chapter ends there." Silence follows.
Holy crap!
This chapter was amazingly intense! It helped me further develop some of the OC's characters, it helped me create a bit of back story for some OC and some Canon characters, it helped me create a few more OC characters and it helped me bring out parts where things happened during the reading, without anything being said.
Now, about the prophesy. I have an important question regarding that: Do you want prophesies to stay out of the story – the 1st prophesy being the only one ever – or do you want a prophesy to come out stating that Peter – using his powers of deception and raw magic – to overthrow Voldemort and become a new Dark Lord?
Please vote for either of these, I will make sure to make a sub-box in my email specifically for this set of choices and make sure you vote before the Third Book has been read. Also, please remember the poll I mentioned to you all at the AN at the top and vote on that as well. The WHOLE story sort of depends on your answers and vote.
Thanks in advance,
Venquine1990
