A/N Been having issues getting chapters to update. I'll keep trying to get them out for you all.
Harry and Draco sat across from the Weasley twins. It was just days before Halloween, but no more pranks had been done.
"We called you here today to discuss the prank war that you started." Fred gave the first years in front of him a heavy glare.
"We feel that we need to reign in our efforts, to cut back on innocent causalities." His twin continued.
"And further punishment." Fred finished. The Blacks exchanged looks.
"So what do you suggests then?" Harry asked. The twins paused. The kink in their plan.
"Well, see… we don't have an alternative. Yet."
"We're working on something, but it's hard to find a good two on two competition." George shrugged. Harry nodded.
"I understand. How about a temporary truce? Just until we find a better way to direct our efforts." Draco suggested. The twins agreed. This was acceptable.
"We'll game back on after Christmas, whether we have an alternative or not." Harry shocked everyone. But, it was a fair idea. More nods, a few hand shakes, and the truce was set. They parted ways, The twins off to find a new way to prove their worth over the cunning Black Brothers and their sneaky friends. Harry and Draco returned to the common room. When they got there, Harry saw Anthony holding Hedwig, who had a letter tied to her leg.
"What you got there, girl?" He asked, taking her from his friend.
"She wouldn't let me take it, but it's got the symbol of the DMLE on it. You aren't in any trouble, are you Harry?" Anthony seemed rather worried. Harry shrugged and tore open the letter.
Dear Mister Black,
It has come to my attention that you are one of many victims of the abuse Professor Severus Snape has been doling out on his students. We at the DMLE are investigating this matter officially, and throughly. We request a pensive memory of your first day in class with the Professor. A representative of the DMLE will be arriving on the 1st of November to collect this memory and the statements of any students willing to come forward with their own memories. We will get justice.
Sincerely,
Madame Amelia Bones
DMLE Head.
Harry stared at the page for several long moments.
"You guys wont believe this, but the DMLE is after Snape. They're going over Dumbledore's head for it too. " He said,slightly dazed. He was overheard by more than just his friends.
"What? Snape is under investigation? Are they taking anybodies statements?" Many of the older students gathered around, all trying to see the letter or asking if they can help. By the next day, every member of the Ravenclaw house was set to give memories of Snape's classes. Word had also spread to the other houses, who's students were also preparing for the arrival of the DMLE. Only the Slythrins seemed unhappy about the predicament. Them, and Dumbledore. He called Harry to his office the night before Halloween. Harry was surprised to see Susan and Snape already there.
"You should expel these brats! They've slandered my name and the name of Hogwarts as a whole!' Snape ranted. Susan glared furiously at Dumbledore, but refused to speak.
"Now, Severus, I'm sure this is all just a great misunderstanding. Ah, Harry, you're here. Now we can begin. It's come to my attention that the DMLE will be sending an Auror to the school, to collect a memory from you, Harry. May I ask that I be the first to see it? I might be able to save the DMLE a bit of trouble, if I can quell this disagreement here and now." Dumbledore gave the children a grandfatherly smile. Susan wasn't buying. She did what any responsible 11-year-old girl would do. She stuck her tongue out at Snape and settled back into her chair, arms folded caroused her chest. Harry tried not to laugh at her antics.
"No." He said, sitting next to Susan. She shot him a winning smile. His loyalty to her and her aunt made her very pleased about her friend selection. Dumbledore suppressed a frown.
"Now, Harry. Surely you don't want to waste the valuable time of the people set to protect us on a silly squabble? Just give me the memory, and this can be ended here." a quick silence charm kept Snape from adding his input. Dumbledore knew this would take great tact, and the potions master was a polite as a brick to the face.
"No, I don't. But since they've decided to come here without me or Sue asking, then I guess they don't consider it a waste of time. I'm sure Madame Bones doesn't think the safety of her niece and only heir to the Bones Family, an Ancient and Noble family I might add, is a waste of time. I mean, if she can't trust the teachers here not to abuse their power, and in turn their students, then She should know about it and have the chance to remove her niece completely and enroll her in a better school. I know Sirius feels the same. Maybe that's why he donated so much money to the DMLE last month. To ensure they had the resources to investigate Hogwarts." Harry spoke like a boy many years older, as a boy nearly ready to take over as the Head Of the Potter family. Dumbledore's twinkling eyes went dull and harsh. He took a breath to calm his anger at the boy and his hufflepuff friend.
"Severus has my upmost confidence, Mister Potter. I am sure this is just a great misunderstanding." He said carefully. Susan laughed.
"If that Death Eater has your confidence, then I'm sure Aunt Amelia will find nothing wrong with those memories. Harry sin't the only one contributing, you know. Most of the student body is putting in a memory or five. In fact, the only ones not putting anything in are the Slythrins." She said standing. "Come on Harry. We don't need to be here anymore. Not without our House Heads." She turned to leave. Harry stood and followed. Dumbledore wanted to insist that they stay until they handed over the memories, but apparently that wouldn't help anymore. And they were right about needing a House Head to escort them. So he watched them go. Snape's face was purple with rage. Dumbledore sighed and pinched his nose, knowing that Severus's coming rant would be a doosey. He released the spell and braced himself.
Harry and Susan could hear Snape's screaming from the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the Headmaster's office. Susan was too angry for words, and stomped off to her common room, Leaving Harry to his own devises. He wanders about the castle for a while, getting himself hopelessly lost. After a few hours of going in circles, Harry decided to start trying doors. Maybe one would be a short cut back to humanity. He followed long, twisty halls, checked behind dusty banners and tapestries. Nothing. He'd nearly given up hope when he came to a locked door. Putting his ear to the door, he could hear a slow, loud breathing coming from inside.
"Alohomora." He whispered. A light thunk told his the door was open. He pushed the door a little and peered inside. Three giant canine heads lay on the floor, resting. Drool pooled by the mouth of one head, body parts of what Harry hoped to be an animal by the other to. Harry's chest tightened. Fear coursed through him as he racked his brain for an answer. It was a cerberus. He slammed the door shut and ran. He didn't look back to see if he'd woken it up. He didn't stop either. He just ran. He didn't even care if he got more lost than he was before. Just so long as he got as far away from the monster behind that door as possible. He ran and ran and ran. Right into a giant. Rather, a half giant.
"Wha' yeh doin' on the third floor? It's dangerous fer a kid. You don' seem to be more than a firs' year? Lemme help you up." The huge man lifted harry from the spot on the floor he'd ricochet to. "Why, Harry! Harry Potter! I knew yer folks, I did. It's good ter finally meet yeh, lad. How's old Sirius holdin' up?" The giant bombarded the still dazed Harry with questions.
"C-c-cerberus." He stuttered. The Giant stopped.
"Fluffy? Wha yeh interested in Fluffy, fer? Is tha' why yeh're up here, lad? Don' you know that Fluffy isn' all tha' safe fer a kid?"
"You named it?" Harry squeaked in disbelief. "Who are you? Who names a cerberus? Fluffy?" Harry couldn't quite wrap his mind around the idea. The giant looked a little put out.
"Yeh don' know who I am?" He asked sadly. Harry racked his brain again, having difficulty due to adrenaline. He did remember stories Sirius would tell him a drake about a loony, but lovable, half giant that had an affinity for dangerous animals.
"Hagrid?" Harry asked. The half giant brightened.
"Yeh do know me! Or o' me. Oh Harry, it's so good to see yeh again! I haven' seen yeh since yeh were a wee little thin'!"
"You… you knew my parents?" Harry asked, Hagrid's words setting in.
"Righ' you are, Harry. They was some of me bees' friends, they was." He sniffled a bit, fat tears rolling down a furry face. Harry's heart nearly jumped out of his cheat. He'd had a great childhood, but still had dreams where is parents had lived, had raised him themselves.
"Could….could we meet up sometime? I.. I really want to know about them." Harry expected Hagrid to say no. The man obviously had better things to, other than entertaining a little boy's wishes. But Hagrid smiled and pulled Harry into a bone crushing hug.
"O' course yeh can! You jus' come by me cabin, it's near the forrest. Anytime after your classes let out. We'll have tea, you and me, lad." Harry nearly cried with the huge man. Hagrid released the boy, and lead him back to the entrance hall.
"Yeh need ter be more careful, yeh hear? Don' go getting los' no more. Come see me soon, Harry." Hagrid turned a left eh caste. Harry nearly skipped back his common room. He couldn't wait to tell Draco about this new link to his parents.
Halloween Day
The day itself was fairly boring. The boys went to classes, Snape being suspiciously absent from his. Thankfully the sub was a 6th year Hufflepuff, rather than Percy Weasley again. After potions class, Ron caught up with Harry and Draco. Several other Gryff were loitering around in this particular hallway as well, as their next class was potions.
"Dear God, Granger is a pest. Know it all little tat, no wonder she doesn't have any friends." Ron said. Harry turned to yell at him for being a tat himself, but he was run over by a sobbing Granger. Draco just glared at Ron.
"Good going, Weasley. You made a girl cry. I hope you feel like a big man. Come on Harry." Draco pulled Harry up to his feet and the pair got as far away from the red-headed fool as possible. The rest of the school day was quiet. They didn't see hide nor hair of Weasley, which put them in a great mood. That, coupled with the grand Hogwarts Feast in their immediate future, set them high off in the clouds. They met up with Anthony and TErry in the great hall. Like at the beginning of the year feast, the great hall was decorative heavily. Floating pumpkins and candles danced over their heads, ghost flews around scaring the crap out of people, and the twins had several punch bowls spiked with god knows what. Over all, it was a great time. Until Hagrid came bursting through the doors, screaming for back up.
"There's a Troll! In the Dungeons!" Teachers and students began to panic. A well cast sonorous charm made Dumbledore the star of every one's focus.
"No one is to leave this hall. Professor Lupin, Hagrid, and Professor Flitwick, you follow me to the troll. We will handle this. The rest of you, stay here. Enjoy the feast. But do not leave. " He glared at the Weasley twins." Minevra, I leave you in charge. Keep them safe." And with that, the three professors and Hagrid left the hall. A hush fell over the students, most too terrified to continue eating. The younger girls clung to their friends or older siblings for comfort. McGonagall and Sprout patrolled along the tables keeping an eye on as many students as possible. Sadly, they missed two.
Neville Longbottom was not a brave little boy. Not by a long shot. But as he and Ron Weasley searched the halls for little Hermione Granger, he had to keep telling himself the opposite. After all, it was only because he insisted they had to find her that they were even out here. But he felt Ron was responsible for the girl, so here they were. They's reached 2nd floor bathroom before they heard her sobs. The boys pushed open the door to the girls bathroom, Ron complaining loudly that they couldn't be seen in a girl's bathroom.
"Hermione?" Neville called out.
"Go away!' She shouted though her tears. Ron started for the door.
"There's a troll, Hermione, we have to get back to the great hall!" Neville refused to give up. He grabbed Ron's arm. Ron screamed.
"Ph, come on Weasley, I didn't grab you that hard." Is what Neville wanted to say. But it's rather hard to say anything when you've been smashed through a wall by a large blunt weapon. Neville didn't even see the troll before his world went dark.
Ron was not as lucky. The troll lifted the boy by his hair and held him at eye level. The stink that came of the beast was enough to make Ron's eyes water. He whimpered pitifully. Hermione chose that moment to leave the stall she'd been hiding in. Maybe if she' hadn't left, or hadn't screamed when she saw the troll, she'd have had better luck. Sadly, her screams caught the attention of a very hungry troll. It's only reason for being in castle anyway was for a quick snack. And little girls are much tastier than little boys. Boys tended to be a little gamey. So the troll tossed the red haired boy aside and snatched up the girl. Ron's vision fades some, but he was still awake enough to be horrified by the Troll's table manners. It didn't help that the troll was messily evoking the one girl who'd ever tried to help him with anything, other than his mother. Blood spattered the walls, but the dazed Ron didn't have the energy to be disgusted. All he wanted now was sleep. He closed his eyes, voices of rescue echoing in his head.
Flitwick nearly lost his dinner when he saw the mess in the girls bathroom. They'd been too late. The girl's scream hadn't alerted them in time. Lupin and Dumbledore quickly dispatched the troll, while Flitwick began vanishing the blood and gore. Hagrid wasn't quite as strong as the professors, and was vomiting and crying in one corner. They found the Weasley boy alright, unconscious and probably concussed, but alive. The Longbottom boy was less alive, but breathing. Rushing them to hospital wing became a priority for Hagrid and Flitwick. Lupin and Dumbledore headed back to the Headmaster's office, to contact the girl's parents. Thankfully, they were muggles, and could be obliviated into believing they never even had a child. Hagrid carried Flitwick and the two injured boys to the infirmary. It was going to be a long night of wait and see.
Madame Pomfery was rushing back and forth. The Weasley boy had been incredibly fortunate, having only received a concussion. She had him awake and fit again in mere minutes. The Longbottom boy, however, wasn't so lucky. Nearly every bone in his body was broken, or shattered. She'd had to vanish so many, she lost count. Regrowing bones was nasty business, and this child had to regrow almost his whole skeleton. The internal damages were almost as bad. Rupture spleen, collapsed lung, bruising everywhere. He might need a new kidney before the night was over. If he lived that long. Madame Longbottom would not be pleased about this. Pomfery shuddered at all the nasty press this would bring down on Hogwarts. A muggleborn girl dying was one thing. A sad, but mostly unimportant thing. The death of a pure blood from an Ancient and Noble house, however, could end with the closing of Hogwarts. She had a 7th year who was working as her apprentice floe St. Mungo's. It was the only shot this child had left.
Dumbledore returned to the Great Hall. The air was think and tense, no one saying anything above a whisper. Dumbledore sighed.
"I regret to inform you all, that there has been a great tragedy in our school tonight. Three Students, all Gryffindor 1st years, were attacked by a troll that had found it's way into he castle." Dumbledore paused, the students giving a collective gasp. Many of the Gryffindores were counting heads, trying to figure out who was missing. "Mister Weasley was teh least injured, and shall be returning to his common room in the morning. Mister Longbottom is being rushed to St. Mungo's for further treatment. And, most unfortunately, Miss Granger has already succumb to her injuries. A memorial service shall be held tomorrow morning, in her honour." And with that, Dumbledore left through a back door. The House Heads hurried their students to their dorms, calling an early curfew. No one minded. Harry, Draco, Anthony, and Terry all set on Harry's bed. They's all had a good cry over this mess, privately. Now they sought each other's comfort. They talked about nothing for several hours, just trying to put the night behind them. Just before Sleep took them, Draco spoke up.
"I... I know I never liked her. None of us did. But... I never wanted her dead." He said sadly. Harry frowned.
"Do you think that she'd still be dead, if we'd stopped her in the hall ways this morning? That's why she missed the feast..." Even as the words left Harry's lips, the guilt settled into their bones. Only Terry was unaffected by it.
"No. You didn't do this. You didn't insult her, you didn't make her cry, and you certainly didn't let a troll in. You didn't do anything wrong." Terry said, standing. He gave Harry and Draco awkward hugs that they appreciated more than they'd ever say. With Terry's last reassuring words on their minds, The boys eventually fell asleep, still sprawled out on Harry's bed.