Chapter: Inside the Fire
A sea of black descended on Hogsmeade station as students flooded the platform. A light drizzle fell through the day, wrapping the station in a heavy fog.
"Firs' years!" Hagrid's familiar carried from through the clouds. "All firs' years righ' this way!"
"Hagrid!" Harry greeted the half-giant jovially once they found him. "I wasn't sure if we'd see you. Heard you were given a mission."
"I was gonna go hiking in the mountains," Hagrid said cautiously, his eyes flicking among the crowd. "But Dumbledore thought better of it. He decided to go himself."
"Oh really?" Hermione said, nervous about the story.
"He didn' have much luck but he's hopeful for a brighter outcome," Hagrid said. "Won' be seein' 'em anytime soon, I know that."
"Yeah the ICW- France in particular- is really cracking down, I heard," Harry said.
"Well, I have ter guide the little ones up ter the castle," Hagrid beamed at them. "Come by me cabin when yer get the chance. I don't get ter see enough of yer anymore."
"That sounds lovely," Hermione said. "We will try to have tea with you more often, Hagrid."
"Look forward ter it," Hagrid then stood to his full height. "Everyone here?"
Hermione hung back to watch for stragglers.
A little further up the path, the students slipped and slogged their way up to the carriages. Dean clung to Fay as they both tried to stay upright. Dean stumbled for what felt like the thousandth time and a shoulder slammed into him. He slipped down the path. Dean threw his hands in front of him to brace his fall but it only kept him from serious injury. Mud caked his hands, face and robe.
"Watch where you're going,," a seventh-year Ravenclaw said with a chortle. Dean stood up quickly only to be held back by Fay. "Oh come on. It's not like you look any different, eh muddy?"
Dean advanced again and it took all of Fay's strength to hold him back. The boy drew his wand to be safe.
"Leave him alone!" Seamus shouted as he stepped between Dean and the boy.
"Or what?" the boy raised his wand just as Seamus did the same.
"You know who I am, right?" Seamus asked and the boy nodded. "And you know what happens when I cast spells, right?"
When the boy paled, Seamus twitched his wand.
"Then piss off before I set something on fire," Seamus twitched his wand again and the boy scurried away only for Fay to hit him with a tripping jinx.
"Guess you should clean up, muddy," she snarled as the three of them moved past.
"Thanks for that," Dean said as soon as they settled into a carriage.
"I figured I had a lot to make up for after last year," Seamus said. "I've been an outright arse- and not just to you. I can never apologize enough for what I said but maybe I can earn your forgiveness over time?"
"I think I'd like that," Dean said. "I don't… I don't have anyone else."
"You have us," Fay said as she laid her hand on his.
"I'm not goin' anywhere," Seamus said. "You're much more fun than Weasley, I regret to say. Saw you were working on something on the train."
"Oh that?" Dean cleaned the mud from his hands and pulled the parchment from his pocket. "I think it's something you'll like."
A few carriages behind, Harry settled into a carriage with Hermione next to him. Hoping for a moment of quiet together, they begged their friends to take a separate carriage.
"Another year, huh?" Hermione said as she snuggled in close.
"Yup," Harry said. "This time we'll be doing our OWLs, except Charms, of course. Continuing our masteries…"
"And Quidditch," Hermione said. "Quidditch will be back."
"Yeah," Harry said without any real energy. "But without Cedric…"
"It won't be the same," Hermione nodded. "Play for him, then. Remember the battles you would have. I know you loved to fly and loved flying with him. Don't let Voldemort take that from you."
Before Harry could respond, a head popped into the carriage.
"There you are," Ernie MacMillan said. "Can we join you up to the castle?"
"Sure," Harry said with a sigh as Hermione pulled away from him a little as Ernie stepped into the carriage followed by Justin Finch-Fletchley, Anthony Goldstein, Mandy Brocklehurst and Megan Jones.
"Potter," Megan said, her short hair bobbed as she nodded.
"Miss Jones," Harry nodded back having barely talked with her the previous four years but he knew of her family. Her aunt, Gwenog, was a Quidditch star and her older sister was an Auror making the way up the ranks. He knew Megan was formidable in Defense and Transfiguration but her charmwork held her back.
"Alright we can cut straight to it," Megan said. "I'm not an idiot; I know what's happening outside of the castle and that it will soon make its way inside."
"Despite everything Fudge has done," Mandy picked up. "We know that he's back. We also know he's building again. Everyone in this carriage, save for Ernie, is a half-blood or first-gen."
"Even with us purebloods," Ernie said. "He was more ruthless to those of us who didn't 'fall in line. My granddad was one of them. He came to my granddad asking for loyalty and money, mostly money. He knew the MacMillans were loaded, being the first investor of Nimbus back in 1900 would do that. You know what Gramps did? Flipped old Voldy the bird and portkeyed away before the tosser could raise his wand."
"Point is," Anthony stopped Ernie from sidetracking. "We know you fought him. We know you survived."
"He hates a survivor more than he hates muggleborns," Megan said. "He's coming for you and he won't care who gets in the way. They'll just be meat for the grinder. Now you mentioned to Susan that you're changing the D.A."
"We are," Harry said inclining his head toward Hermione. "Voldemort killed Cedric. I don't care that Malfoy cast the curse that killed him, he did it because Voldemort wanted it. He's coming and he's not coming quietly."
Harry hesitated.
"I don't want anyone else to…Cedric," Harry raised his hands and let them flop back down into his lap.
"We get it," Ernie said. "it's why we're here. Cedric was the best of us- you included- and if he can't stand against these guys, none of us have a shot."
"My sister spent a lot of time away this summer," Megan leaned forward. "One day she came home and she was wiped. Could barely talk as she limped through the kitchen. All I caught was one word: Granger."
"You've been training," Justin spoke for the first time. "Don't bother denying it, you look more fit than ever before. Not just the two of you. Neville, Greengrass, Susan, Ginny, Crabbe, Goyle, Luna and Tracey even."
"Hoped people wouldn't notice," Harry said as he folded his arms. It was true. After the summer of Moody's training, all of the group had grown in skill, speed and power- both physically and magically. He smirked inwardly at the last time Hestia joined them for training. Hermione locked up her right leg and made her left go limp. "Listen, I'd like to help but I'm not sure…"
"Sure about what?" Justin asked heatedly. "That we're serious? That we're committed? Do you really think we don't know what's happening? My parents have been hearing rumors. They feel the unrest. I also heard on the train what happened to Dean's parents. Now my parents are very well off. They have very good security but you and I both know there's not a whole lot our security will do to protect them from a magical band of terrorists who don't want my kind to exist."
As Justin finished his speech, he clenched his fingers into his palms so tight his fingernails cut into his palms. As the carriage shuddered to a stop, Hermione soothingly got Harry's attention by rubbing his arm.
"Alright you convinced us; we'll train you. As for your parents, give them my parent's number," Hermione said, as Winky popped in with her parent's contact information. "They worked all summer to try and protect first-generation witches and wizards from the Eaters and they'll go harder on that after what happened to Dean. They think we're vermin but they don't know what muggles could do to us."
Before they exited the carriage, Ernie spoke seriously.
"I don't want anyone I care about to die," he said. "Whatever I can do to protect them, I will. If you don't train me, I was prepared to train myself if I have to."
"Don't do that," Harry said. "You're just as likely to hurt yourself or someone else if you do that. We'll talk with the others and figure out how to do it safely; we don't want you to hurt yourselves."
"I'm sure you'll figure it out," Megan said. "Draw up a contract or something. We'll see you around."
Harry stepped down from the carriage and turned to offer Hermione his hand to help her down. Together they moved through the courtyard. At the front doors, they noticed a team of workers moving around the front of the castle, a particular head of red hair directing them.
"I'm sure we'll find out more about that," Hermione said. "But let's get inside; I'm hungry."
As one, the students filed in. Harry plopped down next to Neville and scanned the head table. Eyes roaming over the teachers, he spotted Hagrid chatting with Flitwick, McGonagall deep in conversation with Madam Sprout. Beyond them, Slughorn seemed to scan the crowd with an appraising eye while Snape had a smirk that Harry had never seen before and, if he was being honest with himself, wished to never see again.
Movement drew his eyes away from Snape as Dumbledore walked up to the lectern. Everyone gasped as his sleeve fell back and his wand arm came into view. The arm was withered and black, emaciated with bright purple lines running down his arm.
"That wasn't that way when he talked to us last," Hermione whispered.
"That can't be good," Harry said.
"You think he was cursed?" Neville asked.
Chatter picked up around the hall as every student leaned in to whisper to their neighbor. McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.
"Thank you, Minerva," Dumbledore said. "Welcome back to all of you. It's been a while and I am so glad to see all of your faces again. As Professor McGonagall brings in our newest members to be sorted, I wish to speak will all those returning. As many of you may or may not know, dark forces are once again active outside of these halls. As such, it has been unfortunately necessary to improve the security of the castle. Gringotts was kind enough to dispatch some of their best warders and curse breakers to examine the castle from stem to stern. They will be with us the rest of the year, working to make sure every single student inside this castle is safe. Their first act was to place a ward at the Grand Entrance to detect any dark artifacts that may enter the castle. I implore all of you to be vigilant and careful; Gringotts does not take these things lightly, nor do any of the staff.
"All prefects will be counted upon to keep a count of the students in their house and be sure that everyone is accounted for. After nine o'clock every night, the doors to the castle will be sealed and will not open again until six in the morning. Do make sure to be back inside before that. Anyone caught out will be given detention and 50 points will be automatically docked.
"That's enough of the dour business. These precautions are designed so you won't notice them in your daily activities. Now, let's meet our newest students, shall we?"
He flourished his wand and the doors swung open. McGonagall's green robes stood above the sea of black as 30 terrified first-years followed her into the Great Hall. As the hat sang its song, Harry tuned it out and gazed at the first years. He spotted Abigail looking up at the ceiling with an intense look of concentration. As if feeling his gaze, she dropped her eyes and sought his out. Harry smiled and waved. Abigail blushed and shyly waved back.
"Abercrombie, Euan," McGonagall called out and a boy with brown hair sped toward the stool.
McGonagall lowered that hat over his eyes and, after a moment of thought, sorted the boy into Gryffindor. Harry clapped with the rest of his housemates as the boy sat down at the table.
"Alter, Amelia," McGonagall called out and a blonde girl sauntered up to the stool. As the hat lowered over her head, Harry could see her ice-blue eyes scanning the hall. Harry looked on reflex over at Daphne. Her eyes studied the girl with intrigue as the hat pondered.
"Well, it has to be SLYTHERIN!" The hat called out.
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers as McGonagall removed the hat. Only then did the girl slide off the stool and walk down toward the table under the green and silver banner.
"Backlund, Thomas," McGonagall called and one by one the throng of students whittled down to the last one.
"Winters, Abigail," she called out and Abigail sped forward, almost sprinting toward the stool.
"Oh I know where you belong," the hat said. "No doubt about it, this one is a HUFFLEPUFF!"
The house of the Badgers stood and cheered as Abigail sped over to talk with her new housemates. Harry clapped hard for the girl until he noticed Neville scanning the tables.
"Something wrong?" Harry asked.
"Bollocks!" Neville said. "Hufflepuff got more than us."
"Is that a problem?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised. "Thought you liked Hufflepuff."
"I do," Neville said as his ears reddened. "I just owe Daphne 10 Galleons. I bet her Gryffindor would have more first years. She said Hufflepuff would get the most."
"And you went against her?" Dean asked. "Everyone knows not to bet with a Greengrass."
"I thought I could win," Neville whispered.
"Said everyone who bets with Greengrass," Ginny said with a laugh.
"Just don't tell Hannah," Neville mumbled. "She'll be angry I bet with Daphne and smug that she picked the Puffs."
"They are a lovely bunch," Luna said. "Oh, Dumbledore's speaking again. Hopefully, he doesn't say much; I'm hungry."
"Me too," Ron grumbled. "I'm so hungry I could eat a Hippogriff."
"As if that's unusual," Seamus said while Harry considered for what felt like the hundredth time if Hippogriff would taste like a horse or a bird.
While Harry mused, Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome to all of our first years but before we go through announcements, tuck in."
At his words, the goblets filled and food appeared on the platters. Not much was said over the next half hour as all the students dug n greedily. Neville especially filled his plate two times. Even though he was still a head taller than everyone else, he obviously had some growing yet to do. When the desserts came, Fay thanked Hermione for remembering her birthday with a Knickerbocker Glory like she did last year.
"Now that we're all fed and watered," Dumbledore said.
"Some more than others," Harry joked as he bumped Neville.
"We do have a few announcements," Dumbledore said. "To our first years, I will repeat what I said to the others before you were sorted: this castle is undergoing some renovations and upgrades where security is concerned. Curfew will be strict and the front doors will not open until curfew has lifted. Do not be caught outside after curfew.
"Second, I would like you all to welcome a new professor to our staff. Some of your parents might remember him from their time at this school. Please welcome back Professor Slughorn as our new Potions Professor."
"Potions?" Lavender was the first to ask the question on everyone's mind.
"Dumbledore wouldn't…" Harry said, knowing the answer before anyone said it. It appeared Snape's long-rumored desire was coming to fruition at last.
"To make room for Professor Slughorn, our own Professor Snape has graciously accepted a new position as your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Dumbledore led a very tepid round of applause.
"He really put the man who can't teach to the class that is more important now than ever?" Hermione whispered.
"Well I guess we'll have to get started on the lessons with those we trust," Harry said.
"Maybe he'll be better," Parvati said, sounding more pleading than hopeful.
"And maybe a florting snortbat won't attack a snorgling floofer," Luna said. "Creatures don't change their behavior and Snape is more creature than man."
"Well that's all for now," Dumbledore said. "Off to bed with you all."
"Ready to show the first years?" Harry asked Hermione who was positively vibrating in her seat.
"First years," Hermione stood and waved the eight first years toward her. As they assembled around her, she spoke up. "My name is Hermione Granger. I'm one of the prefects. If you'll follow me, I'll lead you up to the Gryffindor Common Room."
Hermione turned and headed out of the Great Hall with Harry bringing up the rear to watch for any stragglers.
As they passed the fourth floor, he spotted one boy falling behind.
"Are you doing okay?" Harry asked.
"I'm okay," the dark-skinned boy said. "It's just a lot of steps and the altitude is getting to me."
"Do you need to stop?" Harry asked to which the boy nodded.
"The hat didn't tell me there would be this many steps," the boy said as he pulled out a small cartridge and brought it to his mouth.
"I think you're the first student I've seen with an inhaler," Harry said. "What's your name?"
"Wilson Spooner," the boy introduced himself. "Diagnosed with asthma four years ago."
"Harry Potter," Harry said as he conjured a pewter goblet and filled it with water. "You ready to continue? I'll show you a shortcut."
"Just as long as we go a little slow," Wilson said after finishing the water in the goblet. Harry pulled back a tapestry to reveal a hidden stairwell that took them up the final levels. They arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady just behind the other first years.
"This is the Fat Lady," Hermione said. "She guards the Gryffindor common room and dormitory. Once you give the password, she will swing forward and admit you inside. The password will change at different times of the year. The first one you need to remember is 'O, Fortuna.'"
"Welcome, all of you, to Gryiffndor," the Fat Lady smiling genially and then swung forward.
Hermione led the first years inside and Harry watched with a smile as the first years took in their new common room, just as he had done five years previous.
"In your common room, you will be able to relax with your housemates as well as a place to do your homework. On the board, you will see notices, including password changes, information about the different clubs and anything else that you might need to know throughout the year. If you need anything, please let Harry, myself or any of the other prefects know. We are here to help you. On either side, you will see two stairwells. To my right is the girl's dormitory and to my left the boys. Boys should know that if you try to enter the girl's stairwell, the stairs will turn into a slide and a notification will be sent to Professor McGonagall and to the prefects on duty that day."
"It's embarrassing," Harry said, remembering the time Seamus tried to sneak up the stairs. "Curfew is at nine every night and with all the excitement of today, I'm sure you're probably tired. Breakfast is tomorrow from 7-9. Hermione and I will be down here at 7 to show you all how to get to the Great Hall just in case you're like me when I was a first year and you forgot all the stairs you took to get up here."
The youngsters tiredly traipsed up to their dorms and Harry sat down heavily on the sofa.
"Thank you for picking up the straggler," Hermione said as she slid in next to him.
"We need to keep an eye on him," Harry said. "An asthmatic on these stairs? That's asking for trouble."
"I'm sure he'll be fine but maybe Madam Pomfrey can do something for him," Hermione said as she looked around the common room. The Weasley twins were writing a bunch of letters, probably to fulfill orders. Next to them, Lavender and Parvati were huddled over a table working on a parchment with Luna watching closely. Ginny was chatting with Demelza Robbins and, from her gestures, she was talking about Quidditch. Everyone seemed to be settling down, even Ron settled down in front of a chess board across from Kenneth Towler. Suddenly, an eagle owl flew in the window.
The owl dropped a single photo into the hands of the Weasley twins, Ginny and Ron before dropping a black envelope in the middle of the room. Everyone except the Weasleys stared at the envelope. Harry scanned the room. Fred and George looked shocked, Ginny was in tears and Ron looked furious. After what felt like an eternity, Dean finally stood up and walked toward the envelope. As soon as he touched the envelope, it animated itself like a Howler and its voice echoed through the common room.
"Pay heed," the booming voice said. "A battle approaches and you will have to pick sides. Chose the traitorous Potter and his band of sycophants who want nothing but to tear our society asunder or stay on the path; the true path that Merlin and the Founders walked many years ago. The choice is yours, but so are the consequences. Choosing Potter means a path of pain, fear and loss. Think about your families and what your choice would mean for them."
The letter turned itself into a photo and expanded, showing a rather odd house in a field. The house looked like it had been built by magic with every addition a different design, set at a different angle from the other. The structure was ablaze with flames licking the wood all the way around the base of the house. As the photo played out, the structure collapsed and fell in on itself as the flames swallowed the rest of the house.
(A/N: I am back, finally. After a busy summer, things are starting to calm down a little insomuch as I actually have some time to write. So this cliffhanger won't hang for too long.)