Chapter 22
"What's happening?" asked Harry from behind me, "what's going on?"
I turned to see my twin pushing through the crowd towards me. True to the twin's word, the left wing on the third floor was filled by a miniature swamp. As a member of the Industrial Squad, I had been given shared responsibility to catch the perpetrators…..I didn't feel too guilty. Rules were made to be broken….
I
"You two done yet?" I hissed from where I was keeping watch.
Turning to face the twins, I found them standing at the edge of a very realistic swamp - they were taking notes on a pad. The swamp before them spanned from one end of the corridor to the other - though it was a main walkway of the school it could only be accessed by set of stairs leading upwards so the water couldn't drain away - and even included a set of lily pads. I also could have sworn I saw a frog leap into the water!
"Guys!" I hissed again, "lessons end in a minute! We need to get out of here!"
They turned, Fred stuffing the notepad into the pocket of his robes, and walked over.
"Quite impressive don't you think?" he commented.
"I think we should expand into a range of gardening products Fred," George told his twin.
"GUYS!" I exclaimed, slightly louder, "We need to get a move on!"
Suddenly, the bell went. The next moment, hundreds of students were piling into the corridor - all heading for the one we had just left.
"Hay!" someone shouted, "This place 'as bin turned into a bleeding swamp!"
I nodded to the twins before disappearing into the crowd, heading towards the Defence classroom. Next stage of the plan - alert toad face.
However, it seemed she had already been told and came hopping out of her classroom, looking rather annoyed. I watched, slightly amused, as she pushed though the crowd towards the water's edge. The next thing I knew, the entire crowd was hurriedly pushing backwards.
"What happened?" I asked one of the students.
"She tried to vanish it," replied a Ravenclaw, "but instead it got bigger!"
/I
After I had successfully told Harry the tale of what dangers we had gone through to prank the school, my thoughts wafted back to the scene before us. The twins were standing, grinning proudly, before the open entrance doors. Umbridge and the caretaker were throwing threats of punishment around like confetti; the rest of the school - students, teachers, ghosts and the resident poltergeist (Peeves) - were watching with rapt attention. All smiling gleefully at the woes of the headmistress.
Both Harry and myself turned back to them as a loud crash echoed around us. The noise had come from the breakout of the twin's brooms from Umbridge's office - they had been confiscated after the twin's had attempted to plant dung bombs there. They came hurtling over the heads of the students before gracefully landing in their owner's outstretched palms.
They shot each other a look before turning to the crowd before them.
"We're off," commented Fred, in a voice commonly used for discussing the weather.
"Lovely knowing you all," explained George, in the same tone, "but we really have outgrown this fine establishment.
After mounting their brooms, Umbridge frozen to the spot with rage, they turned once again to the crowd.
"If any of you fancied playing more pranks on this toad face - please owl us," said Fred in a pleased sort of voice, "we'll be at our place in Diagon Alley."
Umbridge then decided to jump into action as the twins rose into the air, however, her words of 'Stop them!' were completely ignored as they ordered Peeves to continue the work they had started. Then, after a final farewell, they sped off towards the Scottish mountains. The applause from the facility reverberated around the castle walls long after they had disappeared from sight.
"Can't believe it all happened a week ago," I murmured to Montague as we heard yet another 2nd year threatening to pull a 'copy cat' stunt.
"This week has gone rather fast," he replied, leading me to a sun bathed patch of grass beside the lake, "it was a good piece of magic."
I nodded in agreement as we settle ourselves down, my head lying comfortably in his lap, "No one's been able to remove it. Though Fitwick also told me at the end of Charms club yesterday Umbridge is furious."
"Though that probably isn't helped by the fact Peeves is following her constantly," he commented, "I saw him trying to lock her out of her office yesterday."
I giggled lightly as the image of Umbridge trying to break into her own office floated though my mind, before admiring the scenery.
The warm sun was reflecting off the lake's surface before us. Students, also taking a break from revision, were sat in twos and threes on the castle grounds around us. The sky seemed to be void of clouds and the clearest blue I had seen in a while. However, I was careful to check there was nothing of any danger in the vicinity - students had taken to pranking Inqustrail squad members.
"You looking forward to the summer Love?" asked Montague suddenly.
I smiled, "of course. It's the light at the end of the tunnel."
"Do you really want to leave your friends and family for me?" his voice was wavering slightly, giving me the impression that he'd been worrying about this for a while.
I sat up and turned to face him, "I love you, you idiot. Someone told me that I should follow my heart - it's telling me to follow you to the ends of the earth."
"Really?"
I kissed him in reply, I think he got the message.
Time seems to be moving so quickly at the moment. Plans for the summer are being steadily drip fed to me and I've been having to convince the Weasley's and Harry that I'll be returning to the Burrow for the summer. I feel so guilty, lying to them all. The Weasley's took me in and cared for me as their own - even when I was sorted into Slytherin. However, I was going to follow mum's advice. This year was passing quickly really, I can't believe it's been a year since I spoke to her in the graveyard.
My OWL exams are starting tomorrow. Can you believe it? I've been studying for nearly 5 years…. I've done loads of work though, I should be ok.
I looked up from my books, hearing the laughter from the Griffindors on the next table. First years doing homework, they never appreciate that some of us are trying to do some real work! They're still gloating that they beat us in the Quidditch cup, they obviously cheated. Though Ron did actually save some of the goals - he'll make a good keeper in a few years.
When I woke up next morning I looked over to the other beds. It didn't surprise me that I wasn't the only one up early. Pansy was sat cross-legged on her bed with her Charms notes in her lap - fingers in her ears. The other beds were empty, I guessed they'd be doing their last minute revision over breakfast. Personally, I was fully prepared for the written Charms exam this morning; though I was a little nervous about the practical later.
I met Montague in the common room. He was revising for his Potions NEWT. Even from where I was standing on the opposite side of the room, I could tell he was nervous. He needed to pass this exam with good marks.
"You'll be fine Love," I murmured, walking over.
He turned to look at me, smiling softly, "I know, but I do need to pass these exams."
"Well, lets go get some breakfast then," I suggested, "we both know that you can't think on an empty stomach."
After breakfast, which I'd picked at because my stomach had erupted in butterflies, I bade farewell to Montague and walked over to stand with Draco and my other fellow 5th year Slytherins.
"You all ok?" I asked as I entered the circle.
Pansy nodded nervously, "Yes, I think so. I really hope I pass."
Draco smiled in his normal confident manner, "I'll be fine. I'm brilliant at Charms. Father will be so pleased when he gets my results in the summer."
"No need to be over confident!" I exclaimed, laughing, "we've all done the revision though, so we'll all be fine."
A small wizard, not much taller than me, appeared from the great hall. He smiled at us and called for the entire crowd of students to enter and take their seats. The hall's long house table had been replaced with singular desks. The written NEWT potions exam was on the right side of the hall and our Charms exam on the left. My seat was just behind my twin, who smiled at me reassuringly before we were told to begin.
"How'd it go?" I asked Montague, when I met him outside the hall after the exam.
He nodded and pecked me on the lips, "I couldn't have asked for a better paper! I'd looked over most of the answers this morning!"
Beaming at him, I took his arm and we walked up to the common room. However, about half way there, we turned because we heard someone coughing for our attention.
"Hello Headmistress," I greeted warmly, "How are you?"
She smiled and giggled in her girly way, "Fine thank you, how was your exam Miss Potter?"
"Fine headmistress, I think I passed it."
"Brilliant!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together, "and you Mr Grey?"
He nodded, "same I believe."
The practical after lunch went well. I swear, I owe Professor Fitwick the largest box of chocolate frogs! Without his help, well….I don't want to think what could have happened!
The end of exams was now close on the horizon. All I had left was History of Magic, which I was almost sure to fail no matter how much I revised. Though there was something to be thankful for, at least it was only a written paper. The other exams had gone alright I think. However, in the Astronomy practical - which had been in the middle of the night on the Astronomy tower - we all got a bit distracted.
The entire 5th year had watched Professor Umbridge, along with a small team of Aurors, go after Professor Hagrid. His hut now lay scattered across the grounds - the ashes being carried by the summer breeze. We all knew he wouldn't last to long. He wasn't a teacher that worked within Ministry Regulations.
I spent the morning of my final exam revising, Montague was sitting his last exam (Transfiguration) at the moment, though the notes were now starting to blur before my eyes. Eventually, I found myself sitting at one of Hogwarts exam tables for the final time.
I
Q1: Name the year that House elves were first recorded to be in the service of wizards.
/I
I hastily scribbled down a number that popped into my head. This was going to be very long two hours. However, it was not to be as uninterrupted as I had hoped. My train of thought, which was almost not there anyway, was broken when Harry collapsed onto his desk.
"Professor!" I called, raising my hand as I did so, "Harry's just collapsed!"
One of the exam marshals raced over and told me to continue my exam. I nodded, seeing that they were trying to wake him. He was woken up quickly - though he left the exam early, complaining of a headache.
When the order was called for us to put our pens down for the final time, the entire hall erupted in cheers of celebrations. They were over! I couldn't believe it! My first port of call was the common room. It was filled with 7th years drinking butterbeer and eating chocolate. All thoughts of worry for my twin were extinguished as I settled myself beside Montague and a drink was thrust into my hands.
The worry though came back while I was eating dinner that evening. I couldn't see Harry anywhere. Ron and Hermione had disappeared as well - I guessed that they were in the hospital wing or something. However, when I went to check, Madame Pomfrey told me she hadn't seen any of them. Umbridge was missing as well, which was weird because she usually appeared at least every half hour.
Scowling lightly, I had headed back to the common room. Though, to my surprise, I found my head of house waiting for me. He turned as I entered the room, he looked relieved.
"Thank Merlin!" he exclaimed as I approached, "we'd thought you'd gone with…."
"With who Professor?" I asked urgently, "is this about Harry?"
"He and a bunch of fellow DA members have gone to the Ministry. He received a false vision from the Dark Lord that showed your Godfather being tortured for information. Your brother is on his way to retrieve a Prophecy that will tell of your destiny."
"I've got to get him out of there!" I exclaimed, "He's going to get himself killed!"
However, my way was blocked by Montague. His arms were now around my waist and holding me to the spot,
"That's not possible," he whispered in my ear, "what happened to staying neutral?"
"He's my brother!" I shouted, tears starting to run down my cheeks, "you can't just expect me to watch!"
"That's exactly what we expect you to do Miss Potter," hissed Snape, "Mr Grey, make sure she doesn't leave your sight. She is not to leave this common room."
The two men nodded to each other as tears of fury and helplessness ran down my cheeks.
Hours past without a word being passed between us. The moon was now high in the sky and my tears had long ago run out. The communication mirror was in my hand, even after numerous failed attempts to get hold of the Dark Lord. Montague guessed that he had blocked it for the evening. Tonight plans were obviously enough to deal with, a distraught teenage girl would only complicate manners.
My eyes had started to drift shut. However, out of nowhere, I had a feeling that Harry was home. It was a tug at the back of my mind, but I knew it was real. Turning to look at Montague, I discovered my boyfriend had given in to the urge to sleep. Gently slipping out of his arms, I ran to grab the Invisibility cloak from my trunk before disappearing from the common room.
I followed the niggling instinct like a mouse after cheese. Eventually I found myself outside Dumbledore's Gargoyle. For some reason, it seemed to sense my urgency and allow me entry without a password. I wasn't sure why I was following this route, after all, Dumbledore couldn't be in the castle - could he? However, as I neared the top of the stairs, I heard a women's voice...
"The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"
Silence seemed to ring around the room behind the great oak door that separated us. I wondered who was inside. Then I heard Dumbledore's voice - but how did he get in?
"That Prophecy is made about you Harry," he was explaining, "it was made the year before you and your sister were born by Sybil Trelawney."
"But both me and my sister were marked," I heard Harry point out.
I pressed my ear closer to the door so I could hear the answer.
"Indeed," Dumbledore replied, "for many years I believed the prophecy referred to both of you. However, I believe that after last year in the graveyard he saw her as something he could nurture. She is no more an equal than I."
I paused. So he didn't need me? The old coot had lied to me! This meant I could truly stay neutral in this war! I would not have to fight. They didn't need me…but….they needed Harry. My brother would have to fight to the death. Either he, or the Dark Lord, would die - be murdered! Harry was a lot of things, but he wasn't a killer.
"Would it bring Sirus back?" asked Harry, he sounded small and helpless.
What had happened to Sirus? He was meant to be at Headquarters, where he lived. He'd probably run away or something. I wouldn't put it past the idiot after all…
"No Harry," answered Dumbledore sadly, "I'm afraid your Godfather is truly dead."
"I'm going to kill her!" screamed Harry, "I'm going to get Bellatrix back for what she did."
Sirus was dead? My godfather was dead? My brain seemed to stop working for a second, it couldn't decide whether I should be sad or happy at the news. I was free of the miserable idiot at last! However, he must have cared about me slightly….we were just as bad as each other. I had thought we'd grow out of it - learn to like each other - but now that wouldn't be possible….
I wondered what had happened at the Ministry. Something inside me desperately wanted to know. There must have been Death Eaters, that would explain why Bellatrix was there; perhaps the Dark Lord had made an appearance? I hope neither were harmed….
Having let my thoughts transport me somewhere else, I was shocked to hear the door opening. I saw Harry standing in the doorway. His green eyes were filled with tears. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, studying the boy that would one day be his weapon, not really caring that the boy had feelings, that he had just lost one of the few parent figures left in this life. I pulled off the invisibility cloak, grinning as I watched the shock pass over Dumbledore's face, and throw my arms around Harry - who cried into my shoulder, he was used to people appearing from no where by now. Over his shoulder, I sent Dumbledore a death glare.
The next morning I found a distinct unrest in the Slytherin common room. Draco's father, along with a few others, had been arrested last night at the ministry. They had been found in their Death Eater robes in the Department of Mysteries - which was strictly off limits. Even Voldermort's rebirth had been made public; he had also been caught at the Ministry and seen by the Minister himself, along with a few others. It also turned out that Ron and Hermione, along with the other members of the DA had survived not to worse for wear - thank Merlin!
Montague was looking slightly worried for Draco, who looked distinctly upset about his father.
"What's going to happen now?" I asked, suddenly feeling very small.
Even though Montague was still annoyed at me for running off last night to see Harry, he gave me a hug.
"I don't know," he whispered, "you'll be ok with my parents. They have no public relationship with the Dark Lord and they openly oppose him. Draco's going to live with his mother at home and they're going to deny knowledge of his father's business. Once you're home the Order can't remove you either. Your guardianship was finalised yesterday morning."
I smiled, at least I could stop worrying about that. 5 days until I was free of Dumbledore, forever.
Of course, many people asked that day why I had publicly denied Voldermort's rebirth. I just replied that a pressure from the ministry had meant that I had been scared into silence - my brother had used his Gryffindor courage and had been able to take a stand. Umbridge had been found in the forbidden forest, though I had no idea how she had got there, and Dumbledore had been reinstated as Headmaster. The swamp was quickly vanished by Flitwick - though he roped a little off as a memorial to Fred and George's brilliance.
Harry missed the end of term feast, he was still mourning over Sirus' death and I wasn't much help to him. I had tried to spend as much time as possible with my twin though, I had no idea when I would next set eyes on him.
Dumbledore had finished the speech, telling us how we should all stick together in such dark times, and the buzz of conversation was slowly beginning again. This was my last end of term feast. I had no intention of coming back to this castle as a student. By this time next year, I would have taken my NEWTs at the Ministry and finished my education. Looking up at Montague, I could tell he was going to miss this place, but looking forward to the challenges that faced him. Faced all of us.
My trunk was packed long before the sun rose above the Scottish mountains. The rest of the girls were in bed. However, I couldn't sleep. The idea that I was finally escaping the Order's clutches was something so brilliant, so exciting, that sleep held little importance. I could sleep on the train if I wished. Walking down to the common room, I noticed that I wasn't the only one up.
"Morning Kirsty," greeted a voice from the sofa.
"Morning Draco," I replied gently, "get much sleep?"
He shook his head, "I can't sleep Kirsty. Not now. This summer's going to be big and you can almost be certain that either I or my mother are going to be punished for my father's arrest."
"There's nothing you can do Draco, what's done is done. We're all in for a difficult summer."
"Not you," he hissed, "going off with the Weasleys, playing happy families! You've got no idea!"
However, I was stopped from replying by a voice from the stairs that lead to the boy's dormitories.
"Don't speak of things that you do not understand Draco," growled Montague, "the world is more complicated then you realise. A walk Kirsty?"
I nodded, letting him lead me out of the common room - leaving Draco to his thoughts in front of the fire.
We sat with the other Slytherins on the train ride home. All watching despondently as Hogwarts drifted from view. Few of us were adults yet, I had just other a year to go, but we would all face adult's problems and difficulties this summer. We'd all faced to much already. Everyone's eyes told stories darker than their smiles.
The station was full of people. However, this was good. Montague and I slipped past the Weasleys and Order members easily. The Greys were waiting in the muggle world and we found them in the café drinking coffee in smart business suits.
Both smiled warmly at us before finishing their drinks and walking us to an apparition point. With me side along apparating with Montague, all four of us - plus luggage - disappeared with a small 'pop'.
A/N: She's finished her 5th year! What could happen to Kirsty now? Don't worry the story isn't over yet. However, you'll have to wait a bit longer for the next chapter - I need to finish writing it.
Please tell me your thoughts in a review!
TBC…….