It's finally here. Sorry for the very late update. I've been on holiday since Christmas. I am back now. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. All rights belong to J.K Rowling.
Harry opened his eyes to find himself in the middle of a thunderstorm. Around him, there was nothing, but a plain desert. Forcing himself up, he looked around to find shelter to get out of the storm. Noticing a dim light towards the distance, he tried to make his way towards the light. However, his feet refused to move from where they were planted. Looking down, he saw himself sinking into the sand. Without a moment's hesitation, Harry apparated towards the light. Solidifying, he found himself up to thighs in sand and sinking even deeper. The light seemed to be even further away from him than before. He apparated again, but found himself even deeper in sand when he materialized and the light even further away from him. Gritting his teeth, he tried to cast a spell wandlessly. To his frustration, the sand started to swallow him up even deeper. Harry clawed at the sand, but it was to no avail. The sand reached his neck despite his best efforts. Harry screamed out for help, scrambling against the sand dragging him down. His eyes gazed upon the dim light towards the distance. Then, the ground finally swallowed him up. Sand clogged up Harry's mouth, filling up his lungs. He scratched and scrambled against the sand that held him prisoner, but he just continued to sink deeper into darkness. His mind started to go blank as oxygen stopped being pumped into his brain. All of a sudden, Harry felt himself falling. His eyes, clear of sand, could see a dim light above them, rising further and further away. Harry could only watch as the dim light became a speck in the distance. Then, he was left with nothing, but the empty space he was falling through. With the wind whistling in his ears, Harry just waited for the impact to arrive. It never came.
Blinking his eyes open, Harry was confused where he was. He could honeslty swear that he was falling into an endless abyss. Propping himself up, he saw the sheets of his bed. To his side, there were Helga and Tom sleeping rather snugly together. Rubbing his head, Harry tried to remember how he ended up in his bed: the Yuleball, the myserious figure, and the gun.
"/ Tom, he's finally awake! /" Harry heard Helga's voice. He turned around to see the worried gazes of both of his familiars.
"(Harry, are you ok?)" Tom asked first. Harry scratched his head before nodding his head.
"(Tom, what happened after I fell unconscious?)" Harry questioned, looking around his room. His eyes scanned the desk, doors, bed, and carpet, but found nothing out of place.
"(I don't know. One moment you were in the middle of the hallway and next, you were in your bed. Helga and I were worried that your magic may have started to act up)" Tom informed Harry. Harry nodded his head in response before getting out of bed.
"/ Where are you going? /" Helga inquired, jumping off the bed while Tom slithered down.
"/ I'm going out. /" Harry answered before checking he had everything he needed. His eyes widened when he felt empty space against his ribs. His hands patted against himself multiple times before he spun around to inspect his surroundings.
"(What's wrong, Harry?)" Tom inquired, confused by Harry's frantic search.
"(My wands, they're missing!)" Harry exclaimed, checking under the blankets for them. Helga and Tom immediately started to search the nearby area to locate the missing items. After turning the room inside-out, Harry marched out with Helga and Tom following right after him. They barely managed to attach themselves to his body just as he turned the corner. He scanned the empty walls of Hogwarts to investigate where he last collapsed. His footsteps echoed within the archaic infastructure of the school. He then reached the hallway where he chased after the shadoawed figure. Suddenly, his eyes blinked to see the light from his dream towards the distance. Then, it disappeared in a flash.
"/ Harry, are you ok? You're shaking. /" Helga asked, concern evident in her voice. Harry looked towards the distance for a moment before rubbing his eyes.
"/ Yeah, I'm fine. /" Harry answered before walking forward. Reaching the area where he fainted, he inspected it to find anything of value. The only thing he could discover was the pungent scent of alcohol.
"Nothing," Harry grumbled before looking around even more. He used the five senses to study the floor and neighbouring walls.
"What are you doing?" Harry heard a voice behind him. Turning around and lifting his head up, he saw Luna staring at him with her head cocked to the side.
"Nothing, just stumbled," Harry answered, standing back up. He saw Luna look at him with a blank expression on her face before she smiled at him.
"I heard you made quite a scene last night," Luna commented, making Harry look at her with a passive expression on his face.
"I'm guessing your friend, Ginny, told you?" Harry replied, still searching the area around him.
"She may have, but I believe she was worried more for Neville's sake than yours," Luna stated. Harry chuckled in response before noticing something out of the corner of his eye.
"Where are you going, Luna?" Harry inquired in a gentle voice.
"Professor Dumbledore stated that there was fluctuation in the wards around Hogwarts. All of the students were to be evacuated while the teachers investiagted the cause," Luna told Harry lifting a finger.
"Then, what are you doing here?" Harry pointed out.
"I saw a Blundering Humdinger and followed it, but it seems to hidden itself in the cracks of the walls. I am making my way to Hogsmeade where the remaining students are," Luna explained before putting a finger on her chin. "Let's go to Hogsmeade together." Harry blinked for a moment before Luna grabbed his hand. She started to drag him away much to his annoyance. However, his words of refusal and attempts of freedom were easily foiled by the junior.
"/ Helga, I need you to get that thing hidden there. /" Harry whispered to the creature on top of his head. Without making a noise, she pounced off his head and dashed to the area Harry was talking about. After a moment, Harry felt Luna's grip on him lossen. With a smirk, Harry made another attempt to wrest his hand free.
"That's not very nice," Luna commented as Harry massaged his hand to get the blood flowing back into it.
"It's not very nice to grab onto people without their permission," Harry snapped back in a slightly agitated voice. Luna blinked at him before walking off. With a sigh, Harry turned around to head back to Helga. Then, his eyes widened. The hairs on his body stood up on end as an abnormal chill enveloped Harry in its grasp. He whipped left and right to find the source of the chill, but couldn't see anything.
"(It's in the center of the school.)" Tom told Harry, who nodded his head. He grabbed Luna's hand and went the quickest way to Hogsmeade he could think of. Turning around the corner, the two came face to face with a horrifying creature.
"Dementor!" Luna exclaimed in horror before fumbling to draw out her wand.
"Expecto Patronum," Harry pointed a finger at the dementor. A field of milky-white light light exploded out of the tip of his finger, pushing the dementor slightly back. Without a moment's hesitation, Harry grabbed Luna's hand and apparated. Landing on top of a building in Hogsmeade, Luna stumbled for a bit before collapsing onto the snowy rooftop.
"What was that?" Luna blinked her eyes.
"Apparation," Harry curtly answered, turning his head towards Hogwarts. His vision turned dark as he saw the silhouettes of dementors surrounding the school. "This is not good at all."
"What do you think happened?" Luna asked, carefully picking herself up.
"I'm not sure, but it is definitely not related to the disturbance with the wards," Harry answered, watching the dementors swarm the castle.
"How can you be sure?" Luna inquired.
"If I was to release dementors, I would have them come during the school hours to cause a massive panic. During that time, the staff would have trouble evacuating the students while dementors are able to deal some serious damage to the young students. Even if all of the dementors were qucikly pushed back, they will still lose at least one person. This will cause havoc in the Wizarding World especially with the publicity from the Triwizard Tournament bringing all the reporters here," Harry explained before motioning for Luna to follow him. Harry opened the rooftop door before descending down the stairs. The building was dusty and completely barren. Exiting the building, they were met with the sight of a completely white town.
"Luna, didn't you say everyone is evacuated to Hogsmeade?" Harry looked around the snowy area.
"Yes, but I might have been mistaken," Luna responded, pushing open a random door. Then, Harry heard a loud scream. He whipped around to see Luna fall onto her butt as the door swung open to reveal a pinned human body. Blood dripped onto the snow as Luna just shivered at the sight of the body.
"Luna, are you ok?" Harry asked, running over to her side. Her pale face was ten shades whiter almost blending in with the snow underneath her. Harry looked at the door before closing it shut. His eyes scanned the area for any other threats as he gently helped Luna onto her feet. He let Luna use him as crutch to stablize herself. Then, a bright light caught the corner of his eyes. Turning his head, he froze in shock to see a large silver filed repel the dementors away from the castle.
"That must be Dumbledore's doing," Harry thought to himself.
"H-H-Harry, what do we do?" Luna managed to speak out, gaining the boy's attention. Before he could say anything, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. All of sudden, Luna went limp and Harry was barely able to catch her.
"What the hell?" Harry responded before turning around to see the Hat walking over to him. "I thought you were done with me."
"I was, but it seems things have progressed faster than I expected," the Hat replied. "It seems I have need of you after all."
"Why should I do anything you ask?" Harry glared at the Hat as he carefully laid Luna down on the snow. The Hat just shrugged before gazing at the castle.
"If you don't help, you will be sending hundreds to their deaths especially your friends," the Hat solemnly spoke, still staring at the castle. Harry blinked for a moment.
"I'm guessing you know where they are or else you wouldn't even be able to talk to me," Harry responded, standing up straight.
"Of course, I will have her guide you," the Hat replied, looking back at Harry. It then snapped its hand before the hair on Harry's neck straightened up in an instant. His instincts cried to him to move and he followed them flawlessly to see a streak pass by him. He just groaned as the streak landed itself right on top of the Hat.
"{ It has to be you, doesn't it? }" Harry grumbled, glaring at the eagle on top of the Hat.
"{ Under any other circumstances, I would protest being paired with you, but for the sake of the school, I shall set aside my pride to aid you. }" Helena stated before lowering her head to whisper something to the Hat. The Hat then just nodded his head before Helena flew off towards the castle.
"Where is she going?" Harry asked.
"Oh, she's just going to make sure the entire area is secure," the Hat answered. "Are you ready?"
"Does it look like I'm ready?" Harry responded, presenting himself in his scruffy suit. "I need my gear from inside my room. Just make sure to get Luna back to Hogwarts safe and sound."
"Of course, she is a student of the school after all. Once you're ready, meet Helena at the top of the astronomy tower," the Hat agreed. Then, Harry vanished in a puff of black smoke. He reappeared in his room to see a gun right on top of the bed.
"/ Helga? /" Harry called out, looking around for the badger.
"/ About time you got here. /" Helga emerged from underneath the bed. "/There were some dangerous beasts outside, so I had to hide down here while I waited. That gun was such a pain in the ass to drag. /"
"/ Thanks for the help, Helga. However, we have other priorities to worry about. /" Harry replied, walking over to the corner of the room. He then ripped open the carpet to reveal a hole with a large chest in it.
"/ What's going on, Harry? /" Helga inquired, crawling over to him.
"/ For some reason, every student in Hogwarts have disappeared. I'm supposed to meet up with the eagle to save them. Since you joined Tom and I just before we went to Hogwarts, I think this is the opportune time to see how I work. /" Harry answered before opening the chest to reveal a set of black clothing, a white mask, black boots, a knife in its holster, and a belt with a holstered pistol. "(Tom, there's probably going to be a lot of fighting, so be ready.)"
"(Honestly, I thought you would easy here, but I'm pretty sure god hates you.)" Tom hissed before shuffling around underneath Harry's sleeve. Harry grabbed the set of clothing and picked it up. He unfolded it to reveal a long-sleeved turtleneck, soldier pants, and fingerless gloves. He quickly changed and dumped his robes onto the bed. He then put on the boots, tied the knife holster at the bottom of his leg, and wrapped the belt around his waist. He then grabbed the mask, which was completely white except for two eyeholes. He attched it to his face as Helga jumped onto his head. He then looked at the gun on top of his bed.
"I will deal with that later," Harry stated before apparating. He appeared at the rooftop to see the eagle surveying the skyline.
"{ Are you ready? }" Helena sensed Harry's presence.
"{ Where are they? }" Harry asked.
"{ All of the students and personnel were escorted to an abandoned castle near Hogsmeade. It used to be an old dungeon for some lord. }" Helena answered before flapping her wings.
"{ Umm, how am I supposed to follow you? I can't exactly fly. }" Harry pointed out, indicating his lack of wings.
"{ There's a broom right there for you. }" Helena responded, tilting her head in a direction. Harry turned his head to see a broom lying on top of the rooftop. He just sighed before walking over to it. He picked it up before looking at Rowena.
"{ Do I just sit on the broom and jump off the ground? }" Harry asked.
"{ That's the basic action, but it should be natural for you. }" Helena answered. "{ After all, your father is an expert on the broom. }" Harry glared at the eagle as he put the broom between his legs.
"/ Harry, are you sure about this? /" Helga asked, fear evident in her voice. Harry didn't say anything as he jumped off the roof. To everyone's relief, the broom floated in the air. It was a bit shaky at first, but Harry was able to stay on the broom.
"{ Lean to direct the broom where you want to go. }" Helena instructed Harry before flying off. Harry did as she said and followed her. The two flew towards the horizon for a while. All of a sudden, Helena dive-bombed towards the ground.
"{ What are you doing?! }" Harry shouted at the bird.
"/ In front of you! /" Helga exclaimed. Harry looked forward to see a dementor flying straight towards him. Instictively, Harry apparated to the forest floor and looked up to see the broom phase through the dementor and plummet towards the ground. Then, the dementor stopped for a moment, turning around mid-air.
"{ That was rather reckless of you. }" Harry heard a voice behind him. He turned around to see the eagle perched on a branch.
"{ If you didn't dive-bomb suddenly, I would have been fine. }" Harry glared at Helena.
"{ No matter, we're near the castle. }" Helena stated before pointing a wing in a direction. "{ We just need to go that way. }" Harry nodded his head before walking in the direction Rowena showed. After a while, he stopped walking and peered down to see a damaged castle with dementors floating around the area. Kneeling down to get a closer look, he saw a person fiddling around with their wand. Behind this person, there was a staircase down a large hole.
"{ What are you going to do? }" Helena inquired, landing on a branch near Harry.
"{ I need to do some recon before we do anything. }" Harry stated before he stood back up. He apparated just behind the person before kneeling down. He kept an eye on the dementors, who were starting to notice his presence. Tom slid out of his sleeve before slithering down the stairs. Then, Harry apparated back to his original spot and just sat down.
"{ That was rather clever of you. }" Helena commented.
"{ Once Tom is done scouting the area, he will send some form of signal for me to pick him up. }" Harry stated. "[ Now, we just wait for him to finish. ]" As Harry stared at the broken castle, he noticed multiple lights like one in his dream. Then, they were gone. Harry just mentally groaned, but waited patiently for Tom to finish.