A Tragic Second Year

When one individual panics in the spring of 1992, he triggers a cascade of changes to the events of Harry Potter's second year. The results are tragic for Magical Britain.

DISCLAIMER! This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy.

~~~*** Author's Note: Children are dying in the Middle East. The world has moments of great pain. I think that's where the darkness in this story originated.

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Colin Creevey's Photographs

There was a knock on the door of a modest home in Colchester in eastern England. There were thunderous, pounding feet from inside the house and the couple on the outside of the house both understood that to mean multiple children were running toward the door.

"Ron and Ginny always ran down the stairs to beat Fred and George to the answer the door whenever anyone called at the Burrow," Percy told Penny.

"My older brothers were the same way," the young woman agreed. "But I always walked down the stairs like a gentlewoman. I never pounded down the steps."

Percy rolled his eyes as the lovely young witch grinned. The door opened to reveal a young Colin Creevey with a younger brother and two even younger sisters with interested looks on their faces. A smiling woman appeared at the back of the hallway, wiping her hands on a towel. The scene reminded Percy of his family on so many days in the past.

"Percy! Penny! Welcome to Colchester!" Colin greeted the visitors. "Come inside! Come in!"

The enthusiastic boy stepped back to allow the visitors to walk through the door while Mrs Creevey removed the apron and greeted the guests.

"Mrs Creevey, thank you for allowing us to visit," Percy said. He turned to Penny and introduced her, "This is Penelope Clearwater who attends Hogwarts with Colin and I."

"Yeah, Penny was petrified too," Colin said. "Are you okay Penny? I have to take lots of potions and the healers and doctors are going to watch my liver for a year to make certain there's no problems."

"You must do everything the healers and doctors tell you, Colin," Penny said. "But I'm glad to hear you're well. I think Justin Finch-Fletchley needs several potions for a few more months but the healer from Marrakesh said we'd all recover in time."

"Let's go into the lounge," Mrs Creevey said, motioning into a small room at the front of the house. There were comfortable if worn coaches in the room that the guests and children filled immediately.

"Your letter said your mum wanted pictures of Ron and Ginny from before…from early in the year," Colin said as he passed over a cardboard box. The lid came off and Percy saw pictures of his youngest brother and their sister beginning on the train ride on the first of September through November.

Penny complimented Colin's photography skills while Percy was lost in memories for a moment. He pulled out a small bag of coins and said, "I have to pay you for these pictures, Colin."

"But they're for your mum," Colin replied. "She needs the memories – happy memories of Ron and Ginny."

"I know but let me pay you for the film and paper at least," Percy insisted and forced Colin to take the five galleons.

Penny asked, "Did you ever get any magical film yet, Mr Creevey?"

"Not yet," Colin admitted. "I can't use my wand here and home. so I have to wait until we go back to…"

Mrs Creevey frowned slightly, and Percy anticipated her objections by saying, "We don't have any idea about going back to the castle, Colin. Don't worry about it just yet."

Colin sighed and explained, "I'm working on missed schoolwork for both worlds this summer. Dennis is working with me on the theory in our magic classes and with mundane history. Mum and Dad want me to be prepared to go back to regular school this autumn."

Percy smiled at Mrs Creevey and said, "I think that's a great idea, Colin! Penny and I are taking mundane classes this summer too."

"You are? Why?" questioned the first year wizard.

"Well, Penny thinks the 'real world' is much better to live in," Percy said. "We don't have all the stores or food or televisions on the other side of the looking glass.

"What does Harry say about it?" asked Colin.

Penny replied, "Mr Creevey – Colin – you can ask Harry for his opinion about the future next time you see him, but you must make up your mind for yourself. You have responsibilities to help Dennis and your sisters with their decisions about the future."

"Are all of you magical?" Percy asked.

Frowning, Penny smacked her boyfriend's head and fussed, "Percival Weasley! That's rude!"

Blushing, Percival apologised to Mrs Creevey and her children. Colin glanced at his mum for a second and then whispered, "All four of us have accidental magic. Mum and Dad keep trying to figure out where it came from but no luck so far."

Mrs Creevey admitted, "If there weren't scholarships, we'd never have sent Colin. Now, we don't want to see him or Dennis next year."

Percy nodded and Penny confessed, "Mum and Da say I will never set foot in that place every again."

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Mrs Weasley sat with the box of photos for many hours for the next week. She selected her favourites of Ginny – on the Hogwarts Express and at the Gryffindor table, and of Ron – cheering for Gryffindor at the Quidditch matches, and fighting some animated, grasping plant in the greenhouse.

She learned about duplicating the photos and sent a letter to Colin Creevey with a few galleons to make larger duplicates of her favourite photos.

And when Luna Lovegood came to visit, she sat patiently with Mrs Weasley, drank tea and asked many questions about the photo of Ron seated across from Harry Potter playing chess in the Gryffindor common room, and the lovely jumpers that Ginny wore every day at school.

Percy, Fred and George noticed their mother seemed more animated that evening. She hugged and kissed her husband when he returned home that evening and Arthur was very pleased that his wife showed signs of her old self.

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The Lovegood Printing Initiative

Luna and her father, Xenophilius, were odd people by anyone's standards with their nonsense about mythical creatures. A few people understood that father and daughter both still mourned the death of Pandora Lovegood three years earlier. The previous September, Xeno hated to see his daughter leave for Hogwarts because he would miss her presence and he knew she would have a less than pleasant experience with the children around her.

Now, she was home and safe. He'd never allow her to go back into that type of environment again. While he pondered a way forward – something to help Magical Britain move forward – he forgot that his daughter was a genius in her own way.

"Daddy, I know what we should do to help everyone accept the loss of their flowers," Luna announced at breakfast. It was the morning after her visit with Mrs Molly Weasley to view the muggle photographs of Ron and Ginny.

They were seated at the table and Xeno asked, "Should we gift each family with Bowtruckles for their gardens?"

Giggling, Luna replied, "No, silly. Bowtruckles don't like living in apartments. Too many magical families live in apartments."

"What shall we do to help people?"

"We print memorials for each person who departed life that day at Hogwarts. There are many parents who will appreciate everyone in Magical Britain seeing the face and name of their child to be reminded that a flower in our garden is gone. And the professors too…people need to remember how they fought to save the few who survived."

"Who do we start with Moonflower?" asked Xeno, used to the insight of his young daughter.

"Professor Severus Snape, Professor Sybill Trelawny, and Gatekeeper Rubeus Hagrid are the three we should start with," Luna said. "I know that Colin has photographs of them available. And we can get photos from Alastor Moody to show them fighting the basilisk."

"Why those three persons?" asked Lovegood, already thinking about the extra editions of his magazine that he'd print.

"Because everyone hated and feared Snape, but they have to honour the man because he fought unselfishly to save us."

"We include Sybill because people thought she was crazy – like me – but she saw what was coming and gave her life to help injure the basilisk."

"And Hagrid was teased all his life about his giant size by thoughtless children but then he was there to handle the giant spear and thrust it into the head of the monster at the cost of his own life."

Xeno stared at his daughter for a moment before he rose to walk around the table and embrace her. "My Moonflower, you are as brilliant as your sweet mother. Will you write the articles to be printed underneath each person's picture? Only you will know what to say…what's best to say."

Then he asked, "How do we visit this genius with the muggle camera?"

"Mr Percy Weasley can help us – he'll take us to their door. And Colin can use the money we pay him for the photos. We just have to go by Gringotts and get the paper money the mundane folk use. Their stores don't accept the gold coins from Gringotts."

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Hedwig Owl

Bored because her wizard didn't have any letters to send to anyone, Hedwig listened to magic and flew out of the owl roosts at Longbottom Hall and winged her way to Ottery Saint Catchpole early in the afternoon.

At the unique home of the Lovegood family, Hedwig found an owl window open and waiting for her arrival. The young witch had a piece of bacon waiting to reward the magical owl for her initiative in visiting.

"Miss Hedwig, you are perfectly on time. I have three proof copies of the Quibbler ready to send to Mr Creevey. Will you deliver them for me, please?"

Hedwig hooted her agreement. Luna smiled and asked, "And will you take this first official copy to Harry? I want him to share it with Lady Longbottom before the next assembly in the Wizengamot."

Hedwig hooted a question and Luna giggled, "Yes, I'll get you a mouse for the extra energy you need to carry another magazine."

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Lord Ogden, Minister for Magic

The minister for magic stared at the latest edition of the Quibbler – the nonsensical magazine was the most popular item in practically every magical home in July 1993. Appearing every third day, the magazine published photos from Hogwarts before that terrible day as well as a few photos provided by families of the victims.

The first magazine in the series presented three of the heroes from Hogwarts – Severus Snape, Sybill Trelawny, and Rubeus Hagrid. The other professors who died were profiled along with all the dead students from all four houses without regard to their blood status. The photos of the professors were magical, but all the photos of the students were stationary – mundane. Even the ones of his grandchildren had been photos taken by the first year Gryffindor to portray Ernie and Phyllis like their classmates.

'Should I do it?' he debated internally. 'The Quibbler is popular, and everyone wants the next copy. I've seen pages stuck on the walls of offices and cubicles all over the ministry.'

'Should I ask Lovegood to print a series of the villains?' Ogden wondered for a moment. He signalled for his security team to assemble and ordered them to send one member to the home of Xeno and see if the publisher would allow him to visit this afternoon.

Quicker than he could have imagined, Auror Proudfoot returned and explained, "Xeno Lovegood said to tell you to come by apparition or floo. His home is open for you this afternoon."

Ogden grabbed his cloak and made is way to the apparition point in the Atrium. There his security team used a portkey to move the minister and the entire team to Ottery Saint Catchpole in one moment.

Standing at the edge of his wards was the oddly dressed Xeno Lovegood who welcomed Lord Ogden. The Aurors and minister were welcomed through the wards and the party moved toward the house. At the door, Arthur Weasley waited and greeted the minister.

Inside the Rookery, Lord Ogden's surprises continued – Mrs Molly Weasley sat at the kitchen table with Miss Luna Lovegood, Xeno's daughter. And on the table was a scrumptious looking tea that included all of Ogden's favourites – shortbreads, cucumber sandwiches, and cubed cheese with grapes and crackers.

"Come in Minister Ogden," Luna called. "Mrs Weasley was kind enough to help with the treats for your tea today."

In the conversation that followed, Lord Ogden was entertained and enjoyed the company, conversation, and wonderful finger foods with plenty of tea. Mrs Weasley was a pleasant witch guiding young Luna as hostess patiently and gently.

When Ogden praised the Quibbler for printing the portraits and profiles of the professors and students who died at Hogwarts, there were a few tears but no wailing and mournful screams.

"They are wonderful portraits," Molly interjected. "Several mothers I have spoken to have cried but appreciated the remembrance of our lost children."

"And that brings me to my purpose today," Ogden said. He hardened his resolve and continued, "I want the Quibbler to print an edition with the villains."

Xeno glanced at Luna who remained calm. Arthur slid his hand into his wife's and asked, "Who are the villains to be included, Minister Ogden?"

The minister immediately named, "Peter Pettigrew and Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

Luna Lovegood tilted her head to one side and asked, "And?"

"And Albus Dumbledore."

It was Xeno who asked, "What are Dumbledore's crimes, minister?"

"The man ran away and didn't even pretend to fight," Ogden began. "I know that's not a crime that he ran, but it brands him a coward who didn't care about the children. By Merlin's beard, Severus Snape who made no secret of his disdain for the students fought to save them."

"True," Xeno agreed. "Dumbledore was charged with maintaining the wards around Hogwarts. The vaulted protection should have told him there was a dark object in the castle and a wizard in Animagus form present."

"What do you mean?" Molly asked Xeno. "Did he know that 'thing' was loose in the castle?"

Ogden nodded and explained, "The petrified students prove the basilisk was moving around the castle before that day…the students were petrified when the castle was largely deserted or at night when everyone was in their dorm. It is impossible that Dumbledore didn't know."

Arthur sighed and asked, "Minister, has Madam Pomphrey confirmed that the wards are working properly?"

"She has. Albus had turned off the ward that would have notified him about dark objects coming into the castle – we believe that was because Snape bore the Dark Lord's tattoo. But the ward that identified any Animagus works perfectly. Albus Dumbledore knew that Peter Pettigrew was there the entire year."

Molly turned to the minister and asked, "Sir, if Albus is found…released by Hogwarts in the future, what crimes will he be charged with? Will he get the Dementor's kiss?"

"There aren't any crimes we can charge him with that imprisonment or the kiss. He neglected his duties so we can fire him and forbid him every working around children again, but…"

Molly rose, begged forgiveness for her rude behaviour and left the Rookery. Arthur thanked Xeno and Luna for their hospitality and hurried after his wife who was walking home rather than apparating the distance of just over a mile.

"Mrs Weasley's reaction is like every other parent…every thinking person in Magical Britain," Ogden said. "My daughter-in-law intends to challenge him to a duel if he ever gets released by Hogwarts."

Luna offered the minister more tea and then said, "But you are correct that the Quibbler must remind everyone about the villains in our story."

"There's Peter Pettigrew who released the monster, and Tom Riddle who created the diary that allowed Pettigrew to access the Chamber of Secrets and summon the basilisk," she said. Then Luna Lovegood frowned and added, "And Albus Dumbledore who allowed them to roam freely in 'his' castle with so many children from Magical Britain to be the victims."

Looking closely at the young witch, Ogden asked, "Chamber of Secrets? What's that?"

"Oops…I was distraught because of Mrs Weasley's pain and forgot the Unspeakables haven't found it yet."

Xeno explained, "My daughter has some gift of foresight, Minister. Her mother consulted with the Unspeakables regularly and I imagine they will come back around now that my Moonflower has begun to see things."

Ogden closed his eyes for a moment before he said, "And I'll order them to make this a secret that no one knows. Not even me after I get back to the ministry."

He finished his tea and asked, "Do you have the photos you want of the villains?"

"Not yet," Luna said. "We have to visit with Professor Flitwick and Auror Moody to collect their memories."

"Does Moody know Tom Riddle?" asked Ogden.

"Alastor Moody met the wizard while Riddle was a student at Hogwarts. Dumbledore knew what Riddle was even then and did nothing," Luna explained.

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