There are some AU elements so please don't expect everything to match cannon.
A/N: The Characters and the universe all belong to J.K Rowling. Nothing is mine.
I decided to go to the infirmary and take a sleeping potion from Madam Pomfrey after the bloodbath I had been through. It was only a bit after 12 when I took the potion and it was possible that the bodies had just been discovered.
I did not stay awake long enough to see what happened when the bodies were discovered as my head hit the pillow as soon as the potion was in my system. I slept through the entire day and I slept through the night.
I opened my eyes to see light filtering through the windows. It was morning and time for breakfast. The great hall must already be filled with students eating breakfast.
I got up from my bed and asked Madam Pomfrey if I could leave.
She looked me over once, and gave a nod of approval. I used the toilets and the washroom of the infirmary to freshen up and made my way down to the great hall.
I pushed open the doors for the great hall and what I saw was pandemonium.
Students were huddled over copies of The Daily Prophet and talking in loud voices. There were some children who seemed immensely scared and were crying while being comforted by others. No single student seemed to be on his seat.
If the students were crazy the teachers were on another level. The Minister of Magic had arrived, with Amelia Bones, Lucius Malfoy and Kingsley Shacklebolt. All of them were having a heated argument with Dumbledore and the Staff about something.
Wha-! Even Mum and Dad were here seemingly in conversation with Daniel and Rosaline, while Ron, Sophia, Ginny and Hermione stood on the sidelines and talked amongst themselves.
As I had opened the door it had drawn everyone's attention to me, and the whole hall went silent. As everyone was staring at me I decided to address these poor masses in need of guidance.
"Thou evils shall be forgotten man, who cometh under my guidance. Rise you poor souls and bring me glory…" then as if remembering something, "Oh and my breakfast too, please."
The hall just kept staring at me in incredulity, while Hermione and Mum seemed to be leaking fire from their eyes. Only Rosaline and Dad seemed amused as they were laughing hard.
Dumbledore cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, "All right back to business everyone." and like that he went back to arguing with Fudge while the rest of the hall switched back to pandemonium mode. It was comical, in a sense.
Hermione though came rushing forward with Mom in tow.
"Harry, was it necessary to do that?" Hermione.
"Young Man, we'll be having a long talk after this." Mum.
"Where were you yesterday?" Hermione.
"Do you have any idea what's been happening?" Mum.
"Rosy said you were in the infirmary." Hermione. Also, if she knew I was in the infirmary why did she ask me where I was yest-
"Infirmary. Oh my god Honey, are you all right?" Mum. She immediately starts coddling me too; how embarrassing.
"Oh he's all right Mrs. Potter, I checked on him in the evening." Hermione. And more importantly, "Then why did you say Rosy told you I was in the infi-"
"Be quiet Harry." Hermione and Mum double-combo, it's almost lethal.
"Oh and Hermione, there's no need to call me Mrs. Potter." Mum who are you kidding? You're totally at the age of being called a Mrs. Potter now. Heh-heh, Mum and her delusions. "You can already start calling me Mom." WHA-
Hermione went freakishly red when Mom said that. Out of embarrassment I'm sure. As for me I was sure even my toes were blushing.
"Moooommmmm" It was the same tone and same stretch of 'mom' that teenagers have been using for centuries to address their mothers with when embarrassed.
Rosaline, Daniel and Dad were doubled over with laughter while Sophia had a 'never going to happen' look on her face. Ginny was slightly amused by this while Ron was staring towards the breakfast table.
"James, over here." It was Amelia Bones' call that broke the situation, which otherwise seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. As Madam Bones summoned Dad, Professor McGonagall loudly ordered everyone to take a seat.
I headed to the Gryffindor table with a clearly awkward group of people. Mom went to join Dad at the front of the Great hall.
As everyone was getting seated I glanced at the Daily Prophet. The title of the front page was 'A Dirty Joke?'
Did you get my pun? Heh-heh.
I meant to signify the actual title and my thoughts on the title in a single line.
No?
Moving on…
As the title suggests Daily prophet is trying to portray this as some kind of sick of sick joke where innocents were killed and framed as death eaters. What ridiculousness.
The note that I left with the bodies is discussed in detail, and the reference to Voldemort is portrayed as a diversionary tactic. The Shadow Phoenix has been declared a terrorist organization by the government, go figure that, and proclaimed as a group of lunatics.
The usage of the phrase 'strike one' is explained to the ignorant magical population, as a warning by the SP regarding more attacks.
The photograph in the middle shows an auror holding the note over the 10 dead bodies, when suddenly the note transforms into smoke and rises to the sky in the silhouette of a Shadow Phoenix. It was really difficult charming, believe me, but the Shadow Phoenix looming in the sky looks way too cool for any regrets.
The Daily Prophet may have dismissed this as a sick joke, but the ones who need to get the message should get the message. The public is also not entirely convinced by the prophet, as the hotly debating students around me are the proof of that.
Even Hermione is in debate with some 6th year student as to how this is clear proof of a war brewing underneath us. The entire gang for that matter, is united on this point as Sophia, Ginny, Ron, Rosy and even Daniel are getting in debates over how they have been saying this since the previous year.
I see Dumbledore taking the dais. Fudge looks white as a sheet next to him while Lucius Malfoy, unsurprisingly, seems to be in a lot of pain. His master sure did a number on him yesterday. Kingsley looks troubled and deep in thought.
Dumbledore charms his voice and issues a loud silence to get everyone's attention. Once the attention in the hall is turned to him, he starts speaking in a grave voice.
"My fellow guest, teachers and dear students; yesterday no matter the circumstances was a grave day for all of us. All of you may choose to believe your own set of opinions, on the affiliations and the consequences of those killed. Even so, a death is still a loss of human life and a reprehensible act."
Some of the students were even crying at this point, while I just tried to keep the guilt down. I noticed Rosy looking at me with a weird look, but then Dumbledore continued, "We at Hogwarts have assured our cherished Minister, that we will give our utmost support to any help required by the ministry because help will always be given at Hogwarts to those…" who seek it, yeah we know already. He's said this line so many times that even My and Her-, I mean even my unborn children know it by now.
"The staff at Hogwarts has also decided, after a long discussion, to dismiss the term a week early due to the incident taking place in such close proximity to the school." Students would have cheered at this usually but the mood was too pensive for that.
"The Hogwarts express will be leaving tomorrow, as messages have already been sent to your homes regarding your early arrival. Be careful and make sure to enjoy your Holidays."
The students immediately began whispering in excited voices over everything that had happened and what it all meant.
"Harry?" Rosy whispered to me from my side.
"Hmm?"
"Why were you feeling guilty during Dumbledore's speech?"
Shit. I totally forgot about Rosy.
All right don't panic she'll sense it. I just have to tell her a part of the truth, just try and not lie.
"I just felt as if… as if I am a bad person for not feeling as sad as the others you know." That is true. I have been having questions about my morality since yesterday. "I mean we know that they are death eaters, at least the order does, but then knowing that they are who they are my sympathy is not as much as the other students here, which is bothering me."
Hermione, who seemed to have been listening, grabbed my hand over the table from my other side.
"It's all right Harry, if you feel something like this it only makes you more human. You'll always be the best to me Harry."
"Awww, let his elder sister comfort him a few times too 'Mione." Rosy giggled.
Hermione just blushed and looked away, but did not let go of my hand. I looked at our hands and smiled at her, while she gave a shy smile back.
God, that shy smile is killing me. I feel like I could transfigure Dark Lords into rubber ducks for a mere hobby if she keeps smiling at me like that. I'm pretty sure my mouth will break from the smile I must be wearing. God, I must look like a lunatic with my teeth on display.
"You've got something stuck in your teeh Harry!" The twins call out from their position.
"Huh-Wha? Whas 'stuck?" My tongue seems to find nothing. " Why a lovestruck smile 'fcorse, what else!"
The whole table erupts in laughter as I try to disappear somewhere. Anywhere. Please God, just open the damn Earth.
I settle with digging my head inside my arm.
As the students and staff begin finishing with their respective meals, Mom and Dad approach us at the table with Fred and George in tow, while Mom begins speaking hurriedly, "All of you; Daniel, Rosy, Harry, Hermione, Sophia, Ron and Ginny are going to come with us today itself. You only have an hour to pack before the portkey leaves from here, the main hall itself. Don't take long with your breakfast and you all must hurry and come back fast. Understood Harry?"
"Understood Harry?" I mimicked her back like a child. I know it's immature but was it necessary to single me out? I mean I know I was late for the world cup, but hey "I'm not that late for things."
Hermione just pinched her nose, "Harry you were late by an entire 5 hours. Mrs. Potter had to stay back and use a second portkey because of you."
"That too which he just caught" Mum voiced her agreement.
"Let's not forget…" Rosaline began, which I'm sure would have turned into another analysis of my tardiness by the Devil's trio, but I cut her off.
"I'm going to pack, see ya!" With that I dashed out of the hall leaving three angry females behind.
Also, before packing I had to give some last minute instructions to The Shadow Phoenix for the Christmas breaks.
It will be an interesting few weeks of Holidays for sure.
A/N: Please Review and let me know your thoughts.
P.S: The story will be continuing. Thank you for your patience.
