"How do you expect me to remember how the hell this feletone works? It has so many-"
"It's telephone, Ron" interrupter Harry with a sigh and rolled his eyes.
-yeah, well whatever! Anyway you can't even blame me because it has too many keys and they have these weird sign and they are meaningless." Ron was speaking in his animated form. "Anyway, now that you are here do you mind helping with this feletone, I wanted to talk to Hermione, to make sure she has packed up and is coming over."
Harry shook his head muttering "telephone" and dialed Hermione's number. On the second ring she picked it up, "Hello Harry, how are you? Also I'm sorry if Ron caused you the trouble to call me by threatening the telephone dangerously."
Harry smirked seeing Ron's blush and embarrassed expression. "I'm fine Hermione, and yeah Ron's been something like that" Harry gave Ron a big dazzling grin. "So are you done with the packing and ready to come over?" asked Harry, "because that is the very reason the telephone nearly got Ron-Rolled," chuckled Harry.
Both of them could imagine Hermione rolling her eyes, perfectly.
Ron grabbed the phone from Harry;
"Hey Hermione! How are you? And are you ready?", Ron asked without stopping for break.
Hermione sighed into the phone,
"Yeah Ron I will be on my way soon."
"Are you coming now?"
"Yeah in about 2 minutes and I will-"
"Ok, I'm waiting". Ron hanged up before Hermione could say anything more and ran to the mirror checking his reflection, adjusting his tie and pasting a smile on his face.
Harry just sighed and smiled. He was thinking how self-conscious Ron could be when it came to girls…or maybe it was more like when it came to Hermione.
With a soft "pop" Hermione apparated in Ron's room. She shook out the dizziness from her head; (side effects of apparating and disapparating) then smiled and hugged both Harry and Ron.
"How have you been?" Ron asked.
"Didn't you just ask that on the phone about 2 minutes ago?" Hermione replied with a little amusement and lots of smugness in her voice.
Ron flushed red then finding all his scattered dignity he answered,
"But if I remember well you didn't answer my question."
Hermione rolled her eyes and then in a mock innocence she said,
"Oh! I didn't? Well…I'm more than fine, thank you."
This made Ron flush even harder because the idea of Hermione mocking him…..well, that was a bit too much, in front of Harry. So he hurried on to suppress his embarrassment and said in the coolest voice he could,
"Hey, let's hurry down because mom doesn't want us late for tea and also I'm sure she would love to welcome Hermione."
"Yeah,sure" was all Hermione said before heading down stairs.
And as for Harry he just shrugged in the I-Don't-Know-What-To-Say-About-It manner; and then both of them climbed downstairs together, where they were greeted by many types of aromas of delicious food items which had prepared.
"Mmmmm….." was Ron's reaction after taking a long and satisfied sniff of the air. Harry smiled seeing his food-lover friend sniffing again and again.
"Oh, c'mon! c'mon! Harry dear!" said , rushing towards Harry and dragging him towards a chair, "I have made all your favorites" she said serving about 6-8 different dishes onto Harry's plate; which made Harry think twice before taking on this Mission-Impossible-to-Eat-the-Whole-Thing but, one glance at Ron confirmed him that he was sure to have back-up to finish it all.
They all were eating, talking and laughing at the jokes cracked by George, when suddenly a chocolate brown owl landed on their window-sill. got up a bit confused and curious to see what the owl had come with. As she opened the window the owl flew in and landed next to Harry. It had a thick brown envelope in its beak. got up to pry it out of its beak and see what was there in the envelope; but the owl wouldn't open up its beak, and moved closer to Harry. Then checked the envelope, which read:
For :Mr. Harry James Potter All the eyes turned towards Harry who just shrugged (for the hundredth time that day) and looked like he had no clue ( which he didn't have any).
"I think as its clear that this stupid owl won't let me touch it, Harry dear go on take and open it" said with a mixture of irritation and curiosity. With a little fear and a lot of curiosity Harry picked the envelope and ripped it open. He put his hand inside and pulled out a parchment neatly folded along with a thick book which had the title "Greek gods and Legends". He placed the book on his lap and opened the parchment to find that it was a letter. The letter read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
This is to inform you that you along with your three friends are to leave on a very long journey as soon as possible. This is a very highly confidential matter; hence, I would appreciate if you keep it from being leaked out. The information about the journey along with its cause will be given to you by me personally. I have sent this letter and book before my arrival because I want you and along with (Ronald) to read, understand and learn all you can and as fast as you can. You can expect me to arrive at The Borrow (Weasley's house) by tomorrow.
Regards,
Prof. McGonagall Headmistress,
Hogwarts.
Shock and silence filled the room. Everyone was looking expectantly at Harry waiting for him to explain; and Harry looked at all of them with a poker face, (a genuine one) trying to find answers on their faces. Then, finally, found his voice and asked the question which was raging in everyone's mind;
"What is all this? And what does it mean?"
"I don't have the slightest idea" mumbled Harry, and then picking up the book he said,
"But why this book? I mean why Greek myth out of nowhere?"
"I dunno why Harry but I have an uneasy feeling about it all. Like—like something has happened-something dangerous." This was Ron speaking in a confused and fear mingled voice.
"Stop with the crap about danger! What danger do we have now to fear?" asked .
"What if….what if Voldemort is back?" asked Hermione in a chocked voice.
There was dead silence, then said in a half sarcastic voice,
"what then we kill him completely this time".
"Arthur! This is not something-" began , but Harry cut them off and said,
"Why is everyone making up theories? What is its nothing? Just some problem?...so please calm down."
Then he got up and got up, "I think I want to be alone right now, so that I can check out this book" he said picking up the book and letter. Then he walked away heading for the stairs.
After some time Ron also got up and followed him with Hermione right behind him. After reaching his room [which he and Harry were sharing, Ron signaled Hermione that she must let him do the talking, she nodded after considering it for 2 seconds. As he opened the door Harry looked up from the book and said,
"I don't know why Professor. McGonagall has sent us this…because all I seem to understand from this is a bunch of fantasy and rubbish about Greek gods and all that."
All three sat silent. Then very slowly Hermione said,
"Harry what if all this is real?...I mean this Greek gods myth? If we can be real, then why not them?"
The silence that followed after this was more deadly than the previous one. Horror and fear was seeping through Harry, because if all this was true then all he had read within the past few minutes was too terrible to be true. He broke out of his horror stuck thoughts when Hermione asked him for the book.
"You are not going to like it" said Harry handing over the book, with shaky hands.
They read for some time and then were soon called for dinner. After dinner they couldn't sleep a wink, the worry of all the Greek history horrified them. All those stories had terrible creature with terrible powers. They kept thinking about all the terrible things they were capable of. And then the gods, well God forbid if they ever have to face one of the bad ones. The very thought of all these kept the trio awake for very long time, but soon sleep washed over them and they were snoring, with terrible faced creature evading their dreams.
The next morning when there was a knock on the door, both Harry and Ron woke up with a start and opened the door to find Hermione; grim- looking and visibly upset.
"Good Morning, why the face in -" started Ron in a mocking manner and his sly grin, but went silent when the previous day's happenings hit his brain.
"Morning, dress up and come downstairs as fast as possible, because Professor. McGonagall is here. Hurry!" said Hermione, and then hurried back downstairs.
"Awww…man, why is it always us? For every problem that seems to happen in Wizardry World, we seem to be pulled to it like magnet!" grumbled Ron, after Hermione had gone.
Harry didn't answer but just pressed his lips together in a thin line and dressed up quickly, and then they both hurried downstairs.
As expected they were met by the aroma of the delicious breakfast, and their moods lifted, only to be punctured in seconds, i.e.; at the sight of Prof. McGonagall. She looked so tired, worked up and her usually stern and sharp look had vanished. Trying to lift up spirits of everyone else gathered for breakfast Ron greeted her in a very jolly manner, and so did Harry. They both sat down for breakfast. Then, plucking some courage Harry began asking,
"So, Professor, what is all-" but he went silent when Prof. McGonagall lifted her hand for him to stop and said,
"Let it wait until after breakfast, Potter."
So they had the breakfast in dead silence, which was broken only by George, who tried at feeble jokes, but gave up when no one responded. "Please get that book, Potter which I had sent yesterday" said Prof. McGonagall after the breakfast was over. Harry used the retrieving spell and the book flew out of Ron's room and placed itself on the table.
"Am I to assume that the three of you at least tried to read the book?" she asked looking at the three of them.
"Yes Professor, we read it till the last page", answered Hermione, and the other two nodded.
"I appreciate that, because knowledge is the only weapon you will have, for the task you are going on", said Prof. in a grim tone.
"Wait -what?... Professor, if you don't mind could we please get the details about what task? And why have we been read about crazy Greek gods and weird creature? And why-" Ron was interrupted by Prof. ,
"All in good time, …." then she stopped, thinking about something, then went on "time…is something which we don't have. Anyway the answer to your first question, as to what all this is about is, that few days ago, we got news from the Ministry that some weird happenings have been going on around somewhere in Manhattan, USA. They say that it is something magical, i.e.; something from our world. After a lot of search and inquiry we got information that it is not something but someone" , she paused for breath and saw frozen look on everyone's face. Taking another breath she continued,
"They said that the person is a wizard, but- but then something is wrong, because whoever it is has some kind of unusual power."
"Unusual power? Like in what sense?" asked Harry.
"Unusual in the sense that…when the Ministry tried to track him down, they couldn't. They say that whenever they go to that particular place where they get the news that he was spotted, he is never there," she replied, and now she looked at the point of breaking down.
"So why is it a big deal for the Ministry? Sooner or later they will catch him. And I still don't understand how does the Greek gods crap fit in?" asked Ron, a little irritated now.
"It is more than a big deal, Ronald, because, about 2 days ago we got a Howler which had a message telling that, Hogwarts and the whole Ministry would soon be under the dark side, and the dark side would prevail, because now he is more powerful and invincible than before, because he has a soul mate who has the power to slow down time here is where the Greek gods theory fits in, because after a lot of searching we came to know that in Ancient Greeks there is a Titan god who had the power to slow down time it self. And do you know from whom it was? Or whose voice it was in?" she asked, visibly shaking now.
A chill ran down everyone's spine. "No! NO! IT CAN'T BE….HOW CAN IT? I KILLED HIM MYSELF…I SAW HIM TURN INTO NOTHING….THEN HOW? NO! NOT POSSIBLE…..MAYBE SOMEONE ELSE " thinking all this, with a little hope Harry asked,
"Wh-who was it Professor?"
There was such a dead silence that anyone outside The Burrow , would think that there wasn't a soul inside it. Then in a low whisper Prof. McGonagall answered,
"Lord Voldemort…..he is back."
"BLOODY HELL! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN WE ALL SAW HIM-" Ron stopped talking mid-way. He was too shocked just like others.
"It wasn't supposed to be possible, but he somehow seems to have combined himself with this Greek god power. And now…..he threatens us….. I know it is too much to ask…..but will you help us again?" Prof. McGonagall asked looking at the three of them. "We will provide you with all the support we can, but Harry you know it, that it is you who is prophesied to defeat him." She kept looking at them expectantly with guilt and regret in her eyes, but hope also resided somewhere in those tired eyes.
Coming out of his shocked state Harry started saying, "Yes, Professor if we can do it once why not twice? And-" but he stopped speaking when an owl flew right in and settled near Hermione. It was a snowy white owl, just like the one Harry had. It had a small envelope in its beak. Hermione took the letter from its beak and read the address. Strangely it was addressed to her. She ripped it open still a little confused and was about to put her hand -
"STOP!" screamed Professor. McGonagall. But it was too late Hermione had put her hand inside, and a red orb of light covered her, and she stood frozen then sagged to the floor. Ron rushed forward and so did others but everyone was slowed down like they were moving in slow motion. Their hands and legs felt heavy, they applied more force to move, and suddenly it all ended like it never happened, and everyone collided with each other because of the force they had been applying to move.
"Herm—Hermione" gasped Ron and ran beside her, propping her up on his lap he shook her, but she lay still breathing.
"Wha-what is wrong with her? What was that red light?" Ron looked at Prof. McGonagall, in a pleading manner.
"Let me look," she said moving towards Hermione.
After examining her for few minutes, she said,
"It's a very old, dangerous and forgotten spell that hit her. She is in a coma…..a very, very deep coma. If we don't get her out of it within time limit then-"
"NO! There has to be a way…..there is one isn't it?" asked Ron, in a freighted tone. "Yes there is one…..a potion…and it will take nearly 2 weeks to make it. And- and I don't know whether she will hold up till then. But we will try our best, Ron."
"You have to do it! I' m more than sure that she is strong enough to hold up till then. Please Professor, please," said Ron in a pleading tone.
"We will do all that we can," is all she answered.
Ron carried Hermione, and laid her down on the couch. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see it was his mother; she hugged him, crying.
"Ronald, I'm sorry to ask you to leave now. But as you can see how important it is that you and Potter-" Prof. McGonagall stopped to look around for Harry and noticed that he was not standing among them.
"Where is Harry?"
They all scanned the room for him and saw that he was sprawled on the floor, clutching his forehead; his face a mask of agony and pain.
"HARRY!" Ron went and knelt next to him. "Harry, are you okay?"
Harry groaned and opened his eyes and said in a painful tone,
"It is him, Ron, it is him. I felt my scar burning when that red light went off."
Ron pulled him up and Harry stood shakily on his legs, and sat down on the nearby chair. "We have to go, Ron, we have to! NOW!" said Harry.
"Yes, you have to….now it is up to only you two….and Ronald don't worry about Miss. Granger, we will do our best. Go now, I have got your luggage packed. We don't have much time. And….. all our fates depend on you two." Then, surprisingly she hugged both of them.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hugged both of them and so did the rest of the family. "I want you both back in one piece and that nose-less-now-freak back into nothing, gottit?" asked George punching them both lightly.
They both gave a feeble smile, and picked up their packs. Harry went towards Ginny and hugged her.
"Promise me you will be back with my brother" she looked him in the eye and said.
"Promise," is all he said and joined hands with Ron, who giving one last glance at Hermione, disapparated with Harry; to Manhattan, on a task which no one knew about, and the dangers it had in store for them.