Chapter Sixteen: It's the Moment to Live
Draco was back in the morning.
The five boys got ready for the day as though they weren't recovering from a troll attack, with Draco hogging the mirror, Harry patiently waiting for them to be ready, Crabbe and Goyle slugging through getting dressed, and Blaise polishing his wand. Once the five first years were ready, they made their way up where they joined a few Housemates in waiting for the rest of the House. Fifteen minutes later every Slytherin was ready, but Aleksander called their attention quickly.
"Rick, Athelstan, and Terrence were found last night. They are recovering in the hospital wing." There were a few relieved cheers and then they headed up for breakfast.
The entirety of Hufflepuff was already there, and Ravenclaw arrived a few minutes after Slytherin. The Gryffindors trickled in slower, until finally they were all there. Dumbledore himself was at breakfast, and Harry could feel his gaze on him.
He made very sure not to make eye contact with him as he leaned over to Blaise.
"He's going to drive me mad," he hissed.
"Not just you," Blaise replied. "I think he's driving me mad too."
They weren't the only ones whispering. All over the hall, everyone was whispering and throwing frightened glances- especially those that had seen the troll, or knew about the Cerberus.
Which was a grand total of everyone in the hall.
Breakfast was nearing its end when the doors to the great hall slammed open with a great boom and eleven powerful looking people (including Lucius) strode in, followed by a unit of what looked like the magical world's version of policemen, followed by a portly man, a woman obviously related to Jonah, and a woman who could only be Amelia Bones, given her resemblance to Susan.
Dumbledore stood.
"To what, do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, the picture of a wise grandfather. He was apparently unconcerned with the sudden interruption.
Amelia strode to the front.
"I have heard tales about a troll, a Cerberus, and a certain third-floor corridor on the right-hand side," she said, glaring fiercely. "Explain."
"I'm certain that it's just the overactive imagination of some first year," Dumbledore replied, leaning forward, his expression that of calm unconcern.
"Well then you won't mind if we take a look around. Scrimgeour, let's go," Amelia said, striding off and leaving the portly man, the Board members, and the woman related to Jonah. The woman related to Jonah spoke to one of the students at the Ravenclaw table for a moment, and then gestured for the Board members and the portly man to follow.
"Who was that kind of chubby guy?" Harry whispered to Draco. Draco snickered.
"That was the Minister of Magic," Draco replied. Harry made a choking noise.
"That was the British Wizarding World's leader?" he replied, his eyes bugging out. Draco nodded. "He's a little unimpressive."
"I know," Blaise replied, sighing. He had leaned in to the discussion. "The only reason he's in office is that someone wanted a puppet elected."
Whispers continued to sweep the Hall until one of the Board members returned and called for the Slytherin first years, Lily, Rachel, and Hermione. The called students shrugged and followed the man.
"My name is Lev Dvorak," the man said. "I was chosen to retrieve you from the Great Hall so that you may be questioned along with the other students currently up there, and Madame Pomfrey informed us that you were all involved in troll attacks yesterday."
"We'd be happy to help in any way, sir," Draco replied, eyes wide. Harry nearly snickered at the expression of pure innocence on his face. They fell quiet as they continued to the hospital wing.
Upon entering, Daphne gasped and ran ahead, wrapping her arms around a conscious Tracey. Tracey returned the hug, grinning. Theo was also awake, and he smirked at the entering Slytherins. Rachel embraced Undine and Fiona, and Lily joined Sally-Anne and the other first year Hufflepuffs.
"Susan," Harry said, upon seeing the redhead in the hospital wing. "What happened?"
"Well, there was a twelve foot tall troll running wild around the school yesterday…" she replied, smiling. Harry smiled back.
"Glad you're okay," he replied, then turned to all of his friends. "All of you."
"Well, three of us wouldn't be without you," Hermione replied, and Harry blushed. The woman who was related to Jonah rushed back into the room.
"I'm Lisa Sullivan, the Head of the Department of Child Services. Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and her Aurors will be investigating into how the troll entered the school, as well as what is in that third floor corridor. The Hogwarts Express will be leaving from Hogsmeade station in an hour, as the kids in the Hall are being informed. Until we can be certain you will be safe here, you will all return to your homes. The muggleborns are being offered rooms at the Leaky Cauldron in London until the school reopens, and tutors will be available for those who need it. This is all being paid for by the school, so don't worry if you don't think you can afford it. Any questions?" The room was silent. "Good. I am releasing all of you to go get packed. If you need to talk to anyone, just write a letter and we will have people available for you to talk to."
The Slytherins bolted from the room, leaving the rest of the occupants to leave at a more leisurely pace.
"You're still coming to stay at my place," Daphne told Harry, and several of the Slytherins chuckled. "You're staying at Malfoy Manor for Yule, so for this break you get to stay at Greengrass Manor."
"You could probably stay at my place over the summer," Blaise offered, and Harry smiled- no, he grinned. He couldn't stop.
They actually cared about him.
Wow! Almost broke eighty reviews last update! Those of my followers who are American, you have a good Thanksgiving? Those of my followers whom are not, you have a good weekend? Also to the guest reviewer who, last chapter, pointed out that Thanksgiving is a strictly American holiday and therefore would not be celebrated at Hogwarts... Good job not understanding that a) I was asking if you, my reader, celebrated Thanksgiving with your family or not, and b) I already have 30 plus chapters of this written, as is stated on my profile (starting 37 today) and therefore if I had been asking if you wanted to read about Harry and co celebrating Thanksgiving it would not matter because I am not changing 21 chapters of content over something like that. In the meantime, if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to suggest. I am also working on making my chapters longer (36 broke 3000 words), so yeah.
Question: Do you play an instrument? Do you want any of the characters to learn how to play instruments or already be able to play instruments?
Next Time: The Express is brought under scrutiny, parents are met, and Harry learns the names of some Potters whom have come before
