Harry Potter and the Death Eater Drumhead Trail
Chapter Two
Just the Beginnning

When Harry woke up the next morning, he found that he was the last to get up. Quickly, he dressed and left his dorm. He was greeted by several Gryffindors as he entered the common room. When he asked if anyone has seen Ron or Hermione or Ginny, he was told they had gone down to breakfast already.

He could tell by the noise coming from the Great Hall that there were already a large number of people enjoying breakfast. When he appeared in the doorway, silence fell. Then thunderous applause exploded as friends and fellow students and several teachers greeted their hero. Slightly embarrassed, he found Hermione sitting with Ron and the Weasley family. As he looked around he began to notice a lot of the people who came to Hogwarts to fight were still here. Ginny slided over making room for him to sit next to her. She looked at him and smiled and all he could do was return a smile. But as he reached for the scrambled eggs and toast he saw Mrs. Weasley watching them with a knowing look. Her soft smile told Harry that she approved of the match. She had leaned over to whisper something to Arthur, who immediately looked at them. He smiled at both of them. The whole scene made Harry's face grow hot and he shot a sideways glance at Ginny. Harry briefly wondered if Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew about Ron and Hermione yet. It wasn't until he was almost done that he noticed George was not at breakfast.

"Where's George?" Harry asked Ginny quietly.

She sighed heavily. "He hasn't left his dorm and no one can get him to come out. Mum and Dad, even Lee, tried everything they could think of but he refused. All he said was he didn't feel up to it yet."

Harry didn't know how to tell Ginny how deeply sorry he was that Fred was gone. There didn't seem to be enough words to really express his grief none that went deep enough. Every casualty from Hedwig to Dobby to Ted Tonks stabbed at him. And he repeatedly found himself wondering, if only… But he found the only words he frustratingly could come up with. And they seemed so pitifully inappropriate and weak. "I'm sorry about Fred."

"Thank you." Ginny said, her head bowed staring into her lap. "Harry, I want you to know that none of us blame you. We knew what we were getting into when we showed up here to fight." She lifted her head to look at him straight in the eye. "We all knew the risks. Everybody here, knew the risks, and came anyway."

"I know. But I just feel so..." He stopped struggling for words. He couldn't articulate his feelings into words.

"I know, Harry. We all know"

Just then Professor McGonagall rose from her seat and made her way to the podium. The room hushed. "Good morning." She began. "I trust everyone's gotten a good night's rest and are ready for the days to come. What we have before us is a monumentous and unprecedented task indeed. Hogwarts has suffered a serious blow. We are looking at repairs at just about every area of the castle and grounds." Harry squirmed uneasily in his seat. He didn't need to be reminded how badly the castle was damaged, again. "There are witches and wizards coming to Hogwarts from every corner of the world. Each one with specialized skills they have graciously volunteered to lend. We have to clean up before they arrive. I want to thank every one who has volunteered to help." Thunderous applause filled the Great Hall. "There's a lot work ahead of us," she said looking directly at Harry, telling him this was for his benefit. "But nothing has been done that can't be fixed." She seemed to know Harry's secret fears and he suspected she had been talking with Hagrid. Nonetheless they were the words Harry needed to hear most. It was bad enough to be "the boy who lived" or "the chosen one". He certainly did not want to be "the boy who destroyed Hogwarts". Again applause fill the room and loud cheers from several students. Relief flooded his whole body as he took in McGonagall's speech.

" Now," McGonagall began hushing the noise. "I have a few announcements to make before I get to the clean up assignments. For those who are not staying and wish to leave, " this pertained to Hermione and Harry noticed her listening more intently. "you must be cleared by Madam Pomfrey. A signed clearance slip must be handed to me before leaving. Every student must be accounted for. Carriages will be outside the main entrance today at 3pm for anyone cleared to leave" Harry knew that Hermione would want to leave today and he hoped he would be able to say goodbye to her before she left. Professor McGongall went on about other things and Harry only half listened. Instead he thought about the Dursley's. It was Hermione that made him wonder how his own relatives were doing. He imagined them the same as always wherever they were. But what if they weren't?, Harry wondered. He made up his mind right then to send an owl. It would be what his mother would have wanted, he supposed. And although his feelings for his mother's sister and her family didn't come with happy memories or even good feelings, he didn't want to see them hurt either. Their departure from Privet Drive almost a year ago was still fresh in his head. His Uncle's indecision, His Aunt's hesitation and his Cousin's change of heart. It was almost worth going to find out if Dudley's change of heart was real or temporary. Harry played around with the idea in his head, but he concluded it would mean leaving Hogwarts for a few days. And he just couldn't do that, not now anyway. Hogwarts was his priority now. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave it until he was sure it was restored and exactly the way it was. Maybe then...

Ginny nudged him and then Harry realized everyone was getting up, ready to get with their assigned teams. Suspecting he wasn't paying attention, "You're with us Harry, come on." Ginny said hurriedly following her family out of the Great Hall. They gathered momentarily at the Entrance Doors. "Weasley's, Harry, Hermione, Neville, Luna! This way!" Shouted Mr Weasley waving at them to follow him.

"Where we going?" Harry whispered to Ron as they folllowed along. "We're apart of the team that going to help Hagrid clear the grounds." Ron said. Although glad to just be doing something, it was inside of the castle where Harry wanted to help the most. When they reached to where they were supposed to be Mr Weasley stopped and waited for the rest of them to catch up. Mr Weasley looked tired like everyone else and seemed to have aged some since last night. He seemed a bit slower than usual, a little greyer, a little older. Harry was sure that the loss of Fred was the reason.

"Alright. Hagrid has us assigned to the southwest grounds, west side of the lake to the Quiditch pitch. We will be clearing fallen trees. You may come across injured creatures from the Dark Forest, do not approach them by yourself. They are most dangerous when they are hurt, come get Mrs. Weasley or myself." Mr Weasley deliberately looked over at Harry, Ron, and Hermione and reiterated "I mean it."

The day moved easily enough. The clean up was relatively easy. Hermione left after lunch to get cleared to go home. And at 2:30pm there was a small crowd waiting for her outside the castle wanting to wish her goodbye and good luck. Harry stood in back with Ron watching her hug everyone present. One by one until all that was left was Harry and Ron. Eagerly she hugged Harry. "Good bye Harry." She said.

"Why does that sound like we're never going to see each other again?" Harry asked half teasing, half serious.

Hermione pulled away from Harry and laughed nervously. "I didn't mean it that way. But I'm not sure when I'll be back, it may be awhile. I want to spend some time with my parents. What about you?"

"I'm going to send out an owl tonight, I promise."

"Ok, good. I hope they're ok."

"I'm sure they're fine. Good Luck finding your parents. Let us know when you know something."

"I will." She turned away from Harry to face Ron who waited patiently for her. They smiled at each other and Ron pulled her into an embrace. He walked her over the awaiting carriages away from the others. Harry forced himself not to intrude on their privacy and began to talk to Neville who was close by. A few minutes later Ron was at his side and Harry turned to see Hermione sitting atop the carriage. They smiled at each other and waved good bye as the carriage, that only carried a few students, pulled away. The lively crowd moved back inside the castle. But Harry and Ron walked quietly behind them.

"I hope she finds her parents alright." Harry said to break the silence.

"Yeah, I'm sure she will." Ron answered.

"She'll be back before we know it" Harry said hoping he sounded optimistic.

"I know. I'm just going to miss her, Harry"

They returned to work near the quidditch pitch which was in need of repair, ruined by the Giants. But it was nothing compared to what was done to the Whomping Willow. It looked as though it took a beating as almost every branch was broken or damaged in some way. It was almost completely uprooted and was heavily leaning to one side. Harry took an immediate pity for it even though a few years ago it did it's best to try to kill him. It looked how he felt on the inside. If it had a voice Harry knew it would be moaning. There was no more fight in it was they were freely allowed to pick up the debrie around it. Neville examined the tree carefully and from his face Harry could tell that the out come was not good. "I'm not sure what we could do." Neville said shaking his head sadly. "Maybe Professor Sprout could.." But Neville's voice trailed off. Another casualty. There was nothing they could do for the tree. It was left to Professor Sprout to care for and try to mend.

After dinner Mr and Mrs Weasley went to see George. Professor McGonagall had been in to see him and got him to come down for lunch. Mr and Mrs Weasley took this as a good sign and left immediately. Ron and Ginny and the rest returned to the dormitory as they were not yet free to roam the castle. Harry went to the Owlery with his letter.

Dear Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley, it began

I am writing you to inform you of our victory defeating Lord Voldemort which occurred almost two days ago. I am not sure if you have been contacted by either the Ministry or the Order of the Phoenix regarding your return home. Please let me know if anything has been arranged. This owl will wait for your reply.

Harry

He finished off his note and looked around to choose an owl. It was now that he missed Hedwig. Hedwig would know where to find the Dursley's wherever they were, Harry wasn't so sure about these owls. He was about to ask the other students in the owlery with him which one to pick when he noticed a young barn owl who was watching him intently. When he approached her immediately the owl reached for the letter. Harry smiled and petted her softly under her beak.

"Your not going to be very welcome when you get there" he said. "Best to stay out of reach. Wait for a reply anyway. It's number 4 Privet Dr in Little Whinging. Do you know where that is?" The owl squawked noisily and took off as if insulted and determined to show Harry she could do it. He watched her as she flew out of sight and briefly wondered how long it would be before she returned. He had no clue where the owl would find the Dursleys if she could find them at all. There lingered a small hope in Harry that where ever they are they were alright.