Chapter 18 – Out of Sorts

The stars showed bright in the ceiling where the sky would be. Hovering candles were the only other light and they gave the Great Hall a feeling of serenity. Of course, every twenty seconds or so cheers would erupt from one of four tables but Harry barely heard it. Instead, Harry's concentration was on his friends near and far. Seamus and Dean were standing and cheering for each new Gryffindor. Neville and Susan were quietly watching. Hermione and Ron were at the opposite end of the table, at the front of the Hall, with Ginny happily welcoming First Years. Luna sat at the Ravenclaw table nearby admiring the stars and, like Harry, the moment.

Harry felt he'd never see the Great Hall the same again. Voldemort had fallen just in front of the Ravenclaw table. Lupin and Fred and Tonks and Colin had all been placed between the Slytherin Table and the Wall. This very Hall had been covered in rubble and debris.

Now the Hall had been restored to its normal grandeur. This Hall, perhaps at this very table, sat Dumbledore and McGonagall when they were mere students. He wondered how they felt their final years. He wondered what his mother and father had thought when they had sat here for the last Feast. Did they have plans? Did they know what they wanted to do with their lives or did they feel as confused as he did? What Harry did know was this would be his last Beginning of Term Feast as a student. Harry had always enjoyed the feasts with food piled high and the hope that filled the air.

Harry watched Ron jump up and take yet another young boy by the shoulder – congratulating him as he guided him to a seat at the Gryffindor table. Harry was quietly happy for Ron. He was the most unlikely of Head Boys but once he'd received the honour he'd taken to it. Harry knew Ron would always be his happy-go-lucky self but he'd made strides already to revise with Hermione before term began so he didn't disappoint the nameless person who'd trusted him with the honour. The affection given by Hermione when he spent the extra time revising didn't hurt as additional incentive. Lastly, Auror Duncan provided what Ron had always quietly sought after as the sixth child of seven – attention.

Hermione liked this more focused Ron. She had learned from the past as well. She decided she'd no longer force revision schedules on Ron. Instead she made revision a more intimate affair that they did together. She'd rub his shoulder with her free hand or nuzzle up to his shoulder while they read. This took nothing away from her focus. She seemed determined to read every book she could in the library now that she had access to the Restricted Section – she'd already made a list. And a Hermione with a list was a dangerous Hermione indeed.

Then there was Ginny. They had fallen into a routine of hours of time away taking care of friends or work followed by small intense bursts of time alone. Harry wondered if this would change now that they were at Hogwarts. He was thankful that she acted nothing like Lavender toward Ron. She was not easily jealous - though Gabrielle had made an enemy of her with the blatant flirting at the Burrow. Ginny did not like cutesy phrases any more than he did. She enjoyed affection but did not require constant attention. They actually spent very little time together. The time they did spend thundered with a passionate intensity he'd never experienced before in his life. If he had any complaint at all it was that she had a final destination in mind and he was not quite ready to make the trip.

Harry thoughts returned to the front as he recognised a young girl named Madeline Mason step up to the chair to be sorted. He'd met her up at the Auror's Office at the Ministry a month before and she was a very intelligent young witch. Her mum was an Auror and her father was a professor at a Muggle university. He remembered meeting Madeline with her texts already in hand and her nearly dropping them when she met his gaze. She recovered quickly though, "My Mum has told me all about you. At night before bed she'd tell me stories about your adventures. I want to be in Gryffindor like you but she says that I should try for Ravenclaw..." Mrs. Mason blushed and cut in, "...only because most of our family is Ravenclaw, Harry." Harry smiled at the memory. He'd enjoyed that afternoon – they'd all gone to the Leaky Cauldron for lunch and he'd been impressed with the girl.

"Gryffindor!" announced the Sorting Hat. Harry smiled that the bright young witch had gotten her wish. He'd try to remember to send an owl to the Masons describing the Sorting later that evening. His stomach growled fiercely and he cursed to himself when he remembered they were still only at the letter "M." It was another half hour of daydreaming before he finally heard the words, "Let the feast begin!"

"So, are you going to tell us who caught the snitch?" Ron finally asked as he filled his mouth with steak and kidney pie. He'd also missed news of the Quidditch World Cup while on Holiday in Australia.

"Seamus laughed, "Right. Where was I? Oh yes, Carrevales was closer and had position but Krum somehow caught up to him. The snitch made a dive and they followed. They were pushing each other and openly fighting for position. Somehow they both pulled up at just the right time and as they did they were within inches of the snitch. Both had their hands out. At that moment the most amazing thing happened." Seamus paused for effect and got a resounding "What?" from the group. The Headmistress gave the back of the Gryffindor table a fierce look over her pudding.

Seamus continued, "Many in the crowd swear that both of them grabbed a wing each. I saw the replay and I don't think either of them did. But just as their hands extended for the snitch, a bludger flew straight in at them and hit the snitch making it ricochet out of sight. The bludger was barely affected by the snitch and it followed through to hit both of the seekers shoulder to shoulder. It knocked both of them apart and off of their brooms. They went rolling onto the ground. When he stood up, one of Krum's arms hung limp. The crowd gasped because both of their brooms had been laid to waste. The couple next to us asked how they'd continue the match. But then Victor opened his left hand and there was the snitch. He had somehow caught the snitch mid-air travelling at what had to have been amazing speed after having ricocheted off the bludger."

An assortment of responses erupted from the table including "Amazing!" "Brilliant!" and "Blimey!" The rest of the Hall wondered what the Seventh Years were cheering about. Only a few understood when they saw Dean raise his glass of pumpkin juice and announce a little too loudly than proper for the Hall, "To Victor!" followed by a chorus of "To Victor!"

Too soon the last of the food was eaten and the last of the drink was drunk. This was noticed by Professor McGonagall and she stood to deliver the Final Announcements."

"Welcome all of you on this fine evening. I have a few things to say before we retire to our Houses. As some of you know, I will continue to teach the Transfiguration lessons this year and serve as head of Gryffindor until a replacement is found. I would like to introduce Professor Sprout as our Interim Assistant Headmaster. As well, Mr. Ewan Duncan, an Auror with the Ministry, has agreed to serve this year as Defence Against Dark Arts Professor. Lastly, we are returning Muggle Studies to a more Muggle friendly format..." this brought chuckles from many students "...and I am proud to introduce Wisteria Snodgrass as the new Professor."

"Students should stay out of the Forbidden Forest as it is very dangerous. The Centaurs are particularly anxious at this time so please heed my warning. Curfew is once again based on Year so check with the Prefects in your House if you are unsure. The Astronomy Tower is still under construction so please avoid it at all costs. Astronomy lessons will be held on the Northern Battlements until further notice. Lastly, visits to Hogsmeade will once again begin the first weekend of October. I should not have to tell you that Weasley Wheezes..."

Suddenly a loud "Crack!" and several small explosions were heard throughout the Great Hall. The professors and students ducked instinctively but when they looked up they found the "sky" above them filled with fireworks. Whistles and cracks continued all around as Flying Wizzbangers and Thunderclap Pendants zipped by. Rockets zipped around emitting all sorts of coloured flares. The display lasted nearly twenty seconds and was marvellous by any standard but it wasn't until the end that the witches and wizards gave an involuntary "Whoa!" The entire ceiling erupted in colour and the words "Professor McGonagall and Weasley's Wheezes would like to inform you..." With a "POP!" the display changed to "That while it is a brilliant idea to purchase Wheezes while in Hogsmeade..." POP, "But Wheezes are hereby banned from Hogwarts!" POP "Not Allowed!" POP "Banned!" POP "Don't you dare smuggle them in!" POP "Or at least Don't Get Caught!"

Thousands of small blasts and a great big red mushroom of a blast signified the display was complete. The students cheered. Even Harry was impressed.

"Hep Hum!" Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "As I was saying, Wheezes are not allowed on Hogwarts grounds. You are dismissed," she announced sharply. Harry watched her closely as she stepped away. Those that did not know her well saw a scowl. Harry knew, though, that behind that scowl hid an impressed smirk. Harry had seen many of her looks and he wasn't fooled in the least.

Harry had almost slipped out unnoticed when he heard Ron, "Where you off to, Mate?"

"Just a walk to clear my head," offered Harry. "I've been curious how the Fiend Fyre affected the Room of Requirements. I'm also curious how the castle looks with the repairs."

"Right. Hermione wanted to chat with you. I'll let her know. We need to make sure the Prefects get all the First Years rounded up and I'll send her that way." Harry nodded and headed out.

It wasn't long before Harry came up on older students making poor attempts at hiding in alcoves in order to catch a quick snog with an "old acquaintance." He shook his head as he recognised students from years past...especially younger students that now looked much more mature. He wasn't the only one to grow up while he was away, he could see.

As he passed the outer doors he noticed the portrait now hanging at the top of the first landing. He admired the painting as he climbed the stairs. The subjects were shooting all manner of fireworks into the air and cheering – except Snape who was cursing at the noise. Lupin was kissing Tonks passionately and when he finished he saluted Harry. Harry shook his head smiling as he reached the landing and he continued up the steps to the next floor. After six more flights and after what seemed like a gruelling climb he reached the Seventh Floor.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. There on the Marauder's Map was George just a hallway away standing next to … well, could it be? The two of them?" He rushed around the corner and took the two by surprise. "That was some prank, George. You are going to have the Professors checking the students so thoroughly nothing will get in."

"Blimey Harry!" shouted George as he jumped back. George and his partner had been talking quietly close together...thinking they were alone...and shot apart when Harry surprised them." George grinned once he had recovered, "That is the students' problem. Good pranks require resourcefulness. How long have you known about us?" asked the now red headed, red handed and red faced Weasley.

"Not until just now. Not until I saw the two of you on the map. How long have the two of you been meeting like this?"

"Hasn't been too long. We get together when we can," George smirked. "Harry, you can't let on about this to anyone. No-one knows and we'd like to keep it that way for as long as we can."

"All right but you lot need to tell me how it happened when you get the opportunity. I can't believe it. I'm happy for you George...and I'm happy to see you two together," said Harry over George's shoulder. Harry looked from George to the map, "If you are going to keep meeting secretly then you might want this back," Harry handed the map to George. "I don't think I'll need it so much as you." Harry looked appraisingly at the figure just behind George, "You look good. But you'll get George in a lot of trouble if he is caught skulking around school grounds with you. Both of you be careful."

"And keep a low profile. I don't want to explain to Mrs. Weasley why George didn't let on about you two," cheeked Harry as he walked away. "And one more thing," he called out as he rounded the corner, "You lot may want to head out. The crowd might not be too far behind me."

It wasn't seconds before Harry was in front of the Room of Requirement. He thought to himself, "I'd like to go where I can hide something." After walking back and forth three times where he expected the door to appear he was not disappointed. There opposite the tapestry of David the Barmey was a large door.

Harry quickly stepped inside. What he found left him awestruck. The room seemed even larger without the stacks of items that had been left inside over the centuries. Gone were the books and shelves and lost treasures of yesterday. All that was left was a room that looked as if it went on forever and heaps of rubble here and there. The walls were scorched and there was still the smell of brimstone. It was as if the fire had occurred the evening before. He began to walk the room to search for any remaining artefacts. Other than piles of stone there was nothing. It took him two minutes but he finally found the opposite wall. He turned back and walked disappointed. He didn't know what he was searching for but he'd hoped there'd be something.

When he finally stepped out of the empty room he heard a familiar drawl, "Do you feel guilty? Do you feel anything?"

Harry looked to his left and found the source of the voice. "When you let him fall to his death did you feel anything? Did you care at all? I'll bet it felt good to you. It's no secret how you felt about him."

"I tried to save him. You on the other hand, struck down Dumbledore in cold blood. Because of you he is dead."

"I had to! My family would have died!" Malfoy shouted. "You, though. You let my father drown. He was your responsibility and you just let him fall to his death!"

"No...No, that's not how it was at all. He was on Zacharias's broom. When the Death Eaters attacked Zacharias turned and ran. I tried to catch up to him and when I did I tried to get him off Zach's broom. It was too late though. One of the Death Eaters killed Zach with a killing curse and both your father and Zach fell to the water. I tried to pull your Dad out but a wave crashed down on him and I couldn't find him. I looked and looked..."

"Liar!" Draco shouted. "I heard the stories. It's even in your report with the Aurors." Draco's eyes flashed when Harry's face went white. "Oh, yes. Our family can still get access to some of the Ministry when it is important enough. I was shown the report. You sat on your broom and you even admitted you felt you could have done more. Certainly, the Head Auror made excuses for you but you and I both know that was him covering his Department's mistakes. You sat on your broom and watched him die! And he was your responsibility. All you had to do was keep him alive. He was going to help the Ministry!" Draco had now wound himself up into a frenzy. He pointed his wand at Harry, "Crucio!"

Bellatrix had said once that you had to mean it for the curse to truly work. Draco had the tutelage of the Carrows the previous year but his heart wasn't truly in it. Part of him knew that Harry wasn't guilty but the pain of losing one you love doesn't make you act rationally. Harry'd felt the curse before and he tried to fight it off like he'd been taught. The pain was excruciating but Harry focused best he could and he shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

The spell instantly threw Draco to the ground and his wand spun into Harry's hand, "You accuse me of killing your father? I swear on my magic I didn't kill your father." A swirl of magic lifted from Harry's wand and the hallway seemed to brighten briefly as Draco watched, "But you did kill Dumbledore. Whether you uttered the curse or merely disarmed him for Snape. Whether your family's life counted on it or not, you spent the year plotting to kill the man. And I hoped you'd feel remorse by now...but you are too much a coward to look into yourself and see what you have done for what it is."

"Then kill me! If I'm so contemptible then do as you did with Voldemort and KILL ME!" dared Draco. He was on his knees, never having gotten up from when he was disarmed. "Go ahead! Do it! Or are you weak? Like your MudbloodMum?"

Harry's eyes burned and words burst out of his mouth before he could even think what he was uttering, "Avada Kedav.." Harry never finished the spell. Before he knew what had happened he too was a heap on the floor and his wand was in Hermione's hands. Without a second thought she took the Phoenix feather wand and snapped it in two.

"Hermione! What in Bloody Hell did you do?" shouted Harry.

"Saved you Harry. You nearly killed him. I heard you. I saw you. Aside from that? I'm doing what should have been done the night of Voldemort's death. Don't you think this wand has been through enough? Now give Draco back his wand."

Harry didn't even bother to look at Hermione again. "I'm sorry, Draco. For your Dad. For this. For everything." He tossed the wand back to the still kneeling Draco and he walked toward the stairs.

Hermione tried to follow him, "Harry! Harry!" He kept walking. "Harry?" she pleaded.

Harry stopped and glared at her, "You broke my wand. That was my first wand. It..."

"...Nearly killed someone. Since Voldemort's death you have twice tried to use the Cruciatus Curse and just now you nearly killed a disarmed wizard. YOU NEARLY KILLED SOMEONE!" she shouted. "I saved his life and yours just now. He'd be dead and you'd have spent your life in Azkaban."

Harry knew she was right, "But that gave you no right to destroy my wand."

"I don't care."

"But I have lessons tomorrow," he looked exasperated.

"This is what has you worried? Lessons? You nearly KILLED someone!"

"And besides," continued Hermione after thinking a moment, "You kept his old wand as a backup since you took it from him months ago. I imagine it's in your robes now, knowing you." Harry fumbled around and pulled it out. "I'm sure Professor McGonagall will let you off school grounds to get a new wand. She didn't care for you keeping the old wand either. Harry, we need to talk about this..."

"Bugger off."

"I'm sorry Harry."

"I don't want to talk about it," and he was gone.