Chapter 2

Morning sunlight flowed through the dormitory windows, signaling the beginning of the day. Wordlessly, the girls all dressed and left the room at high speeds, fearing the reprisals of being late for class.

Down in the Great Hall, the Heads of Houses were busy distributing schedules to their students. Not surprisingly, 6th year Gryffindors and Slytherins had Defense Against the Dark Arts first thing in the morning, followed by History of Magic for Gryffindors, and finally, Muggle Studies with Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, now a compulsory class.

Ginny read and reread her schedule with disdain, not overjoyed at all to find out what Amycus had for a lesson plan. She placed the schedule not-so-carefully in her bag and promptly began wolfing down breakfast, while reading the Daily Prophet.

HARRY POTTER: WANTED FOR QUESTIONING OVER THE DEATH OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Harry J. Potter, 17, a student at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, needs no introduction. Nearly convicted 2 years ago for illegal underage magic, he has now disappeared to avoid consequences, suspected to be acting alongside school friend Hermione Granger.

As everyone is now aware, the supposed fraud Albus Dumbledore was killed some months previously during a Death Eater invasion of the school. No word now on who or what murdered the former headmaster, but a reliable source has indicated that Mr. Potter had left the school earlier that night with Professor Dumbledore and returned later supporting the severely weakened teacher.

We now issue a formal invitation to Mr. Potter so as to discern the exact causes of Dumbledore's death, and of course the purpose of the duo's mysterious disappearance during the abject time of crisis.

More on Professor Dumbledore can be found on page 16, as well as an excerpt from Rita Skeeter's intriguing biography The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore.

Ginny stowed the paper and quickly made to leave, bored and annoyed by the Prophet's horrible description of the two, when yet another distraction approached with the title Colin Creevey.

She didn't know the aspiring photographer well, even though they were in the same year, however the DA had formed a bond in the previous year, and she knew he could be trusted.

"Hey Ginny, have you seen my brother Dennis anywhere," Colin questioned her, obviously a little worried about his sibling. "I haven't seen him since the feast"

Sure he was just overreacting, but not wanting to hurt his feelings, she replied, "I'm sorry Colin, I haven't seen him since dinner last night either, but if I spot him anywhere, I'll let you know right away."

Colin looked a little more calm, "Thanks Ginny." He opened his mouth as if going to ask her something else, but thought better of it and said nothing but, "See you in 1st class, yeah."

"See you"

The Clock chimed, and chaos emerged, with all the students rushing to and fro, dropping books, spilling ink, etc.

The 6th years, having experienced 1st day ruckus many times, calmly weaved their way through their peers and off towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts tower.

The classroom was dark, dingy, not at all like in previous years. Amycus Carrow stood by the blackboard, inscribing the subject of the day with white chalk.

The small class finished choosing their seats, and the door closed behind them without warning. Amycus turned around.

"Welcome to my class," he said, "I trust you had enjoyable summers"

He quickly gestured to the blackboard, "Our topic for today is unforgivable curses."

"So, Harper, how many unforgivable curses are there?"

Harper, the former Slytherin reserve Seeker, looked simply delighted to display his knowledge of the Dark Arts.

"Three sir, The Killing Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Imperious Curse"

Amycus looked delighted "Correct, 50 points to Slytherin."

The Gryffindors thought better than to speak their mind.

"Now today our main focus will be the Cruciatus Curse. The incantation is simple enough, crucio, and it causes unbearable pain."

The majority of the Slytherins looked almost hungry for the next part of the day's lesson.

"So," Amycus continued, "We need a volunteer, and as it appears, one presented itself just last night."

He flicked his wand, and a large cloth flew upward, revealing a metal cage beneath, in which a young red-haired boy sat, crying silently.

"DENNIS," Colin yelled, rushing over to his little brother's cage.

Amycus flicked his wand once more, and Colin's yells were silenced, as were the movement of his hands.

"This boy was caught in the corridors after hours, waiting by a portrait of an extremely fat lady. And so very kindly, he agreed to be our volunteer today. Allow me to demonstrate."

He pointed his wand at Dennis and yelled, "Crucio"

The air was torn apart by the tortured screams of the boy. Writhing and shrieking on the cage floor, he screamed again and again for his brother to help him, but no aid came.

Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindors sat at their desks, horrified at what was going on, contrary to most Slytherins, who were giggling with delight. For a while the 6th years heard nothing but the shrieks of pain coming from Dennis.

Finally, Amycus lowered his wand, satisfied that the punishment had been dealt to one offender. He released Colin from his previous spell, and the slight 6th year rushed to his brother, touching his fingers through the wire-frame.

Amycus spoke once more, "Now that punishment has been given for one student, more is necessary for the boy who did not follow directions in my class. Boy, its your turn now. Go ahead, whenever you're ready."

Colin was still unsure of what he was supposed to do, and Amycus was not pleased with that.

"BOY, WHAT DID I JUST SAY? DO IT!"

Colin was trembling, "s-sir, w-what exactly am I s-supposed to do?"

Amycus growled, "Playing dumb are we? Well let me explain it down at your level. You…practice…curse…on…volunteer."

Realization dawned on Colin and his face screwed up in utter hatred.

"NO," he screamed at the top of his lungs.

"No?"

"CRUCIO" Dennis's screams were nothing compare to his brother's, and his brother started screaming things as well, swearing at Amycus, screaming at his brother.

Ginny couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop it," she yelled, running over to Amycus. She grabbed onto his arm and pulled, ending the curse.

The Death Eater turned to face Ginny, mouth twisting into a smile. "Oh, and who might this be?"

"Crucio"

Pain rippled through Ginny's body as her screams joined the ones Colin and Dennis gave just seconds ago. She thought of the people she loved, hoping with all her heart that they weren't put through this treatment. She thought of death. She thought of memories. She thought of Hermione, Ron, and. Harry.

As quick as the pain came, it vanished. Her screams died away. She slowly stood up to face the twisted Professor.

"Learn your place, girl"

He drew back his hand, and delivered a stinging slap to Ginny's face. She reeled backward, pain clouding her vision, blackness threatening to take her. But Ginny Weasley did not live with 6 brothers without learning a few things. Slowly, her vision cleared up, and the pain died away once more.

"Class dismissed"