Chapter 7 begins!
Well, I'm updating this story reasonably, I can say. I generally suck at the art of updating. But here I'm actually not that bad…let's hope it stays that way!
Current song: Illuminated by the Hurts. I don't know how this matches this chapter really…but listen to it and decide for yourself. It's a beautiful song! Oh and from now on, "current song" will be conducted by my shuffled iTunes library so yeah…I'll try my best to find a way to relate it.
And I just want to clarify that Hogsmeade is not PART of Hogwarts, but it is owned and ruled by Riddle. But it's still its own little town. Mainly because Riddle's main priority at the moment is getting Harry's head off.
I love writing Romione fluff but I'll try my absolute hardest to try and write some Harry/Ginny fluff…I was never a big fan of them or Ginny so I still need to get used to it. And they're apart so it's kind of a long distance relationship in a way. I think the song "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" definitely describes their relationship. As for Romione, well… that's yet to be decided.
One more thing. My ultimate goal is to reach 20 chapters or higher but…we'll see out how it ends!
And now, ladies and gentlemen, chapter 7 of "Freedom Fighters"!
"Hogsmeade can't be that far ahead," Hermione said to Ron. The horses were now walking; it had been only a couple of hours since their meet with Sir Lovegood and they had been travelling straight from his odd house in search for Hogsmeade village.
"Are you sure we are travelling the right way?" Harry asked.
"Of course," said Ron. "This is straight, and it's the only way there is."
"Yes! Yes, I can see it!" Hermione called out, pointing ahead. "Over there!"
Harry had to squint to see the gate she was indicating, but it was visible; it was a snowy white shade. It had a dozen or more houses and shops with snowy rooftops. But why was it covered in snow? The last time Harry checked, it was only November.
"Hermione, why is there snow?" asked Harry.
"Hogsmeade receives snow almost a month before Hogwarts does, Harry," she said. When Ron looked at her questioningly, she continued, "I learned it back at Lapifors."
"How convenient. We came unprepared," Ron said. He and Harry were wearing a tunic, pants and knee high leather boots, while Hermione supported a warmer looking outfit; a white dress that covered her feet and came up to her wrists, with a brown corset set in place.
"We won't be outside long," Harry said. "All we're here to do is find this Sybil woman and then set off to find the key."
"Fine," said Ron. "Let's run, then."
He kicked his horse and Harry imitated his movements; both were running wildly towards the snowy gates of Hogsmeade. As they grew closer and closer to the gate, Harry noticed that the town was bustling with shoppers, probably foreigners. People were bribing on the streets, but in a friendly way, not in the way Harry would see in Diagon or Knockturn, villages right outside of Hogwarts. "It looks…so happy."
"Any place away from Riddle looks happy," Ron commented.
Harry turned to him. "No, I mean…look at the people. They seem … free."
Hermione knew what Harry was talking about. She looked to him and smiled.
"We should find a place for somebody to look after our horses," Ron said, breaking the silence.
Harry eyed the gate entrance. Surely enough, there was a shed of some sort, with different stalls, all empty, for horses. Harry mounted off his horse. "I think that is the answer to your question."
Ron and Hermione mounted off after Harry, and the pair took their horses by the reins and walked with them towards the shed. There were stacks of hay, and Harry noticed a young boy – most likely 12, or younger – sleeping on the very top, his arms folded, his head lolled downward.
"He's doing his job well," Ron pointed out sarcastically.
Harry stepped forward and gently said, "Excuse me. Excuse me. OI!"
The boy jumped up, now fully awaken; he eyed Harry up and down and jumped off the hay stack. "What do you want?"
"To get into Hogsmeade," Harry said. "But you see, we need our horses looked after - do you mind if we use two of your stalls?"
He looked at Ron, then back at Harry. "No can do. My businesses require payment."
"We haven't any money," Hermione said, walking up to the boy from behind Ron.
"…But suddenly a lucky customer has received a free stall," he finished, eyeing Hermione up and down, one eyebrow raised.
Harry suppressed a chuckle. Ron's ears were bright red and he cut in. "How old are you?"
"I do have a name," the boy said, ignoring Ron's question. "It's Colin, but if you prefer –"
"We need your stalls. It's urgent!" Ron added, or rather growled.
"Rules are rules," Colin said simply, folding his arms. "No money, no stall."
"Listen here you little –" Ron began, running towards the boy, one hand in the air – Hermione ran in front of him and blocked him from smacking the child.
"All the more reason to say no!" Colin said, watching as Ron struggled to get out of Hermione's surprisingly strong grip.
"Harry – reason with him," Hermione said, still pushing Ron back.
Harry nodded, and turned back to the child. "Look here, er – Colin. My name is Harry Potter. Do you know who I am?'
Colin's jaw dropped, as did his arms, and he stared at Harry in awe. "You…you're Harry Potter? The one who is finally going to rid us of King Riddle?"
Harry looked around silently, and nodded.
Colin gave a sound of utmost triumph and shook Harry's hand vigorously. "Oh, take as many stalls as you want, Sir Potter, no payment required!" he said, not taking his eyes off Harry's face. "I…I can't believe it…"
Harry smiled. "I can't either." He turned around to see Hermione whispering to a still red-faced Ron. "Stall your horse, we're going to Hogsmeade."
-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-
"…and so that's what the Order does at my parent's house every night," Ginny finished. The sky was darkening and she was still on the trail back to Muggle & Burrow with Neville, walking slowly but not minding her pace at all. She was using the carrying spell she used at Lapifors, so her books were floating and following behind her.
"Interesting," Neville said. "And you are not allowed in any of the meetings?"
"No," Ginny sighed. "I do enjoy eavesdropping, though. But that's about it."
Neville laughed a bit. "Neither am I. But it seems as if King Riddle will never stop for power."
"Do not call him 'King' in front of me," Ginny suddenly said, her face stern.
"I don't mean to offend," Neville said. He paused. "You are just like Harry."
"Y-you know Harry?" Ginny said, looking at him, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Of course. I go to school with him and Ronald, your brother," Neville said. He paused again, then said, "I vowed not to speak of this, but I trust you, Ginny. A week ago, the Order was at my house, for a secret meeting with my grandmother…Harry, Ron and Hermione are still out there, and King – I mean, Riddle – Riddle knows it. He won't speak of it, however. But he knows it."
"I knew they were all still alive!" Ginny said in triumph. She thought of Harry. "This is wonderful, a chance to finally fight! Will Harry return?"
Neville shrugged. "That's as far as I heard."
Ginny nodded. As they reached the gates of Muggle & Burrow, she said, "He will fight…we all will. I just know it."
-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-
The village of Hogsmeade was indeed very cheerful. Harry wished he could visit it every day. He was, with Ron, however, still freezing under his un-layered tunic, and desperate to find the home of Lady Sybil for warmth and information on the key.
"I suggest we ask for help," Hermione said.
"Nonsense," Ron retorted. "It cannot be that hard…just look for a shop that says Lady Sybil."
"She wouldn't be stupid enough to label her shop that," Hermione said. "Obviously, Riddle will find out and she would be executed."
"I say we rest for a while, in there," Harry said, pointing at a small and shabby shop that was labeled 'The Marauders'. Before they entered, Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, his voice suddenly stern. "Do not, under any circumstances, reveal me to be Harry Potter. Riddle's spies could be anywhere…and I don't want to attract attention."
Ron and Hermione silently agreed, nodding.
They entered it. It was full, and there was a folk band playing on a wooden stage. Many people were chattering and dancing, and drinks were floating in mid-air. As Harry walked around it, he saw many waitresses, and a large bar filled with whiskey of all sorts. Ron seemed to be enjoying the environment they were in and Hermione seemed scared.
"There," she said, pointing at an aging table in the corner, away from all the commotion. The trio made their way towards the table and sat themselves down. Ron seemed to be enjoying the music, and Hermione was looking around their area.
Suddenly, a blonde-haired and rather curvy waitress walked over to them, notably winking at Ron. "Anything I can get you?" she said.
Ron smiled a bit, but his ears turned red again. Hermione simply looked furious.
"Not right now, thank you," Harry said, and the waitress walked away to another table. Hermione still looked upset, while Ron looked smug. "What do we do now?" Harry continued.
"Well, we obviously need to find and ask somebody about Lady Sybil," Hermione said, her voice matching her previous expression.
"I don't think just anybody knows her headquarters," Ron said. "She seems…secretive."
Harry, who was sitting in a position where he could see the rest of the bar, eyed two suspicious-looking men who seemed to be watching his movements. He broke eye contact. "Ron's right. We need to ask somebody who knows what they are speaking about."
"That could be anybody. The way I observed Sir Lovegood, he spoke of Lady Sybil as a mother of the village of some sort."
"You observed Lovegood?" Ron asked, taken aback. "Why in Albus's name would you do that?"
"I pay attention," Hermione said haughtily.
"Personally, I don't believe anything that old lunatic says," Ron said. "What do you believe, Harry? Harry?"
"I…I don't know," Harry said. He was eyeing the suspicious men again. They were big and bulky, and wore armor Harry was genuinely afraid of; these men did not look incapable of magic, but they more physical than magical. The blonde man whispered to the bulkier looking one, and they both nodded; slowly, they rose from their table and walked towards Harry, Ron and Hermione with murderous expressions.
"Harry?" Hermione said. "What's wrong?"
"Run," Harry said, rising from his table. "Run!"
It took Ron moments to realize it before one of the men used his hand to shoot a stunning spell where Harry's head had just been – before they knew it, and against their will, another chase had begun.
DUN DUN DUN! Cliff-hanger, again, sorta, LOL.
This chapter is incredibly short, and I apologize. But I do like it. Chapter 8 might take a while, but a huge part of that is because I am really occupied.
Can I just say that this chase scene is hugely inspired by Inception? Really, the part where Cobb realizes there's a guy from Cobal in the pub he's in and he starts running around the streets, that highly influenced this scene. So these mysterious men are indeed looking for Harry and lucky for them, they found him!
I also like outlining Ginny and Neville's relationship. I feel that's never explored a lot in fanfiction.
I hope you guys like this chapter –please review, as always!