Chapter VI
Blood of Hogwarts
Days turned into weeks for the term as Harry found teaching to become more easy as the time flew by. His class had become the class to be in, though he was still unsure whether it was for his teachings as it was for his name. James, Albus, and Lily had all been in to attend his class twice a week and were learning very well. The rest of the students were doing just as well, to the point that many teachers began to notice the students enthusiasm when attending his class and were beginning to ask him for advise.
Draco Malfoy's history class had also been attracting attention. Malfoy was proving to be a formidable teacher and many of the students loved what he was teaching. While he was a very stict teacher, as many were expecting, his teachings made his class another that the students were loving.
However, as things were looking better as far as his teachings were concerned, his sleep schedule was gradually getting worse as his unwillingness to deal his nightmares was beginning to take its toll. Harry would go days, sometimes weeks without sleeping more than a few hours, trying his best to avoid any sort of night that may hit him. He felt as though he had been transported back to his fifth year and was facing his fears in front Snape in his Occlumency lessons.
Students were beginning to notice Harry's exhaustion, including his children. Exactly two weeks out from the Christmas break, he hoped that he could survive until than and be wrapped in Ginny's arms. After his class had ended that day, he had rushed back to his room, wanting to just relax when a knock came at his door. Much to his surprise, all three of children stood on the other side.
"Hey," he said. "Why aren't you all at supper?"
"We wanted to see you," James replied. Being the older of the three, he looked the more concerned. "We're worried about you."
"You all don't need to worry about me," Harry replied as he invited them in.
"But we are," Albus interjected. "You've been drowsy in each class we've attended, and Olivia from your first class said that you nearly fell asleep during their lesson."
Harry could see their concern and could even feel it, especially from his youngest, Lily, who looked nearly brought to tears to see her father like this.
"I can't tell you everything that's going on," he started. "But I will tell you that there is something that I have to do. It's going to benefit not only you three but everyone in the school, and let's just say it's taking up a lot of my time." He tried to laugh at this in hopes that it would bring smiles on their faces, it partially worked with Albus and Lily, not so much with James, who merely stared curiously. "You can't tell anybody this, I need your word."
They all nodded in agreement and Harry opened his arms for hug, which all three accepted, including James. This alone told Harry how concerned he truly was. All three appeared to walk out but James stopped short, shutting the door behind his brother and sister and leaving him alone with his father.
"You okay son?" Harry asked.
"This concerns Voldemort, doesn't it?" James asked.
"I can't say," Harry replied.
"Oh come of it dad," James shouted, shocking Harry. "I can understand why you want to keep this from Albus and Lily, but I think I'm old enough to take the truth."
Harry nodded, sitting down on the couch. "You're right, but the truth is James is that I don't know the truth as yet."
James looked skeptical and ready to retort when Harry cut him off.
"I'm telling you the truth," Harry said. "Which is why I wanted your word not to tell anybody, because until I know the truth on this, there's no point on starting a panic. And you have my word that I will tell you when I know."
This calmed James down, but he still looked worried as he sat next to Harry. "I can't say that I'm not worried."
"Neither can I," Harry responded. "But I need you to be strong James, for both your brother and your sister. You're a talented wizard, and I know if danger were to come, they would both be in good hands with you."
"I'm nowhere near as talented as you," he said with a smile.
"You underestimate yourself," Harry laughed. "Because I know you wouldn't have to rely on luck like I did when I was your age. Believe me, that speaks volumes." Harry pulled James into one more hug.
As they broke the hug, another knock came at Harry's door but wasn't even able to get up as it flew open with Neville and Draco bursting through the door.
"Harry, I'm sorry to interrupt," Neville said desparately, looking distressed. "But you need to come downstairs, it's urgent."
"What happened?" Harry said, worried.
"You'll find out when we get there," Draco said, looking just as worried.
"James, can you make sure that Lily and Albus make it back to supper okay?" He asked his eldest son, who nodded.
He ran with Neville and Draco who took him all the way to the bowels of the campus, where Snapes old potions class use to take place, and where the entrance to Slytherin stood. While the entrance to Slytherin was still there, the potions class no longer resumed in this area, being moved upstairs. The class was now used as storage. Neville and Draco led him passed the classroom and just before the Slytherin entrance, which featured two serpent snake statues on either side of its portrait.
Several students were filed outside of the Slytherin house looking very concerned as they stared at him intently. They stood in front of the Slytherin entrance and Harry stood back in shock blood written words appeared over the two serpents, each letter dripping down to the floor reading, "THE BLOOD OF HOGWART SHALL BE SPREAD BY THE DARK LORD".
Harry stood almost dumbfounded, almost disbelieving what he was seeing. He blinked several times, hoping that he was reading each word and letter incorrectly, but it all appeared before him too real to be untrue.
"Is it possible this is a prank by one of the student?" Draco asked reasonably.
"It's not unheard of," Neville replied. "But it's hard to tell. I can't imagine any of the students pulling a prank like this off, at least without anyone seeing. We need to inform the headmaster."
This statement appeared to had come late as a crowd rushed down, followed quickly by Lungdren. He ran to where they were standing and stared wide-eyed at the message.
"All students, please return to the great hall," he shouted. "Draco, Neville, could you make sure they all go to the great hall please, and call every other student to there as well."
Both Draco and Neville looked back at Harry with concern, but did as they were told.
Lungdren looked at the writing, and proceeded to pace. He paced patiently but was clearly taking the words in. "I'll inform Albus and Severus of these events, surely they'll want to know," he told Harry.
"You don't think this was a student?" Harry asked.
"Do you?" Lungdren asked back, giving Harry a curious look, knowing that Harry knew it wasn't. "Unfortunately, it's going to be tough to keep this away from the students at this point. Guaranteed, word has already spread abroad."
"With all due respect Professor, this is one of the main reasons why I didn't accept this job at first," Harry said rather irritably.
"Unfortunately, it's also the reason why we need you here," he replied, giving Harry a stare that reminded him so much of Snapes. It nearly made him curl in fear. "We don't know where this came from or where it may lead. It may lead nowhere, but we'll have to wait and see."
All Harry could do was nod. What else was there to do? However, seeing a bloodstained message on the wall wasn't exactly the best omen for Harry. The last time this had happened, his very own wife had been brainwashed and manipulated by Tom Riddle's diary, which was a horcrux that tried to bring him back to power, opening the Chamber of Secrets in the process. Harry stared at the message again, knowing that the meaning behind the message didn't bode a promising future. He could only hope that it was indeed a prank.
Harry and Lungdren went back up to the Great Hall. When they entered, all heads turned towards Harry. Instead of a look of amazement, there was a look of curiosity. The message appeared to have already spread around the school, undoubtedly.
Harry sat down at the head table, while Lungdren went to the podium.
"I'm sorry to have pulled all of you out of either your classes or from your free periods," he started. "As most of you appear to know, an incident occured today near the Slytherin House entrance. A cruel message was left on the wall. Pranks and theivery will not be tolerated here at Hogwarts. To avoid possible punishment, I ask that if there is any student responsible for this incident, please step forward."
Harry looked around the room, which remained at a stunned silence. He stared as nobody stepped up to Lungdren's request.
"Very well," Lungdren said. "I do believe that we at Hogwarts are beyond lying, so I will take this as no one in this room is responsible. However, in light of the current events, I asked this of all of you. Please step wisely, if you should see anything unusual or anything that could mean potential danger to you or anyone around you, please find a prefect or member of the staff. You may all go back to your day now."
While Lungdren's message was short, each student was hit hard by it, as they all walked out in a somber manner. Chatter could be heard amongst them as a few occasionally stared back at Harry. Harry could feel the eyes of the rest of the staff on him, but he avoided there stares as he walked out of the room.
