Harry Potter and the Hand of Gryffindor by Alice I

[Alice I]

Chapter Seven
The Dream

Harry was playing quidditch, flying high above the stadium when his broom suddenly disappeared beneath him. As he fell a white hot fear engulfed him and his scar exploded in pain and he felt his head splitting in two wishing he would hit the ground. At least the pain would end when he died but when he met the earth the pain did not die with him. He had landed on his feet as though he had jumped from a height of no more than five feet.

Harry suddenly felt different there was a seething hatred filling him and coursing through his veins. He looked down at his hands expecting to see long white fingers, but saw his own hands. He noticed a puddle on the ground and looked into it. His reflection was that of Harry Potter age sixteen but his reflection did not have his mother’s green eyes; rather he now had the red cat like eyes of Lord Voldemort.

Harry felt his mind splitting in two and watched himself horrified as he pulled out his wand and pointed it at Ron. “Avada Kedavra” he heard himself shout and a green flash erupted from his wand. There was a loud rushing sound and Ron dropped to the ground, eyes staring, unseeing. “Ron! NOOO! Ron!” Harry felt a panic seize the back of his mind but outwardly he moved very calmly and deliberately turning his wand now on Hermione. “Stop, Hermione run!!” Harry was screaming as loud as he could but no sound escaped his lips, his conscience was no more than a shade in this dream state and Hermione could not hear him. She was staring unbelieving at Harry and the recumbent form of Ron. “Avada Kedavra” Harry heard himself yell and again green light shot from his wand with a loud rushing sound and Hermione dropped to the ground.

“NOOO!! Stop! Stop!” It was nearly one in the morning when Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus were a wakened by Harry’s screams. He was rolling around in bed holding his head. Ron was shaking Harry trying to wake him when Harry rolled over away from Ron and got sick. “Harry wake up, Harry its Ron!” Harry rolled back facing Ron and the others. He was shaking violently and was drenched in sweat. He bolted out of bed and ran for the door.

“Harry wait! Harry!” Ron was calling after him as Harry yanked open the door and left the dormitory at a run. He leapt down the stairs to the common room and out through the portrait hole. He was shaking badly now and sweat was running down his face making it hard for him to see.

Ron ran down after Harry who had already gone through the portrait hole. Harry was running blindly through the fourth floor corridor when he ran right into Mr. Filtch and bounced backward into the stone wall of the corridor. “Potter! Out of bed! Out of bounds! You are in for it now boy!” Filtch grabbed Harry’s arm and tried to drag him along but Harry fought back wildly clutching his head and yelling “I did it! I killed them!”

Filtch let go of Harry at these words just as Professor Dumbledore came around the corner. Filtch caught sight of Dumbledore and pointed to Harry and said “He’s done murder sir, he confessed it just now!” Ron came pelting around the corner “Harry! Professor he isn’t awake!” Ron ran over to Harry and took him by the shoulders and shook him hard “Harry wake up!” Harry fell to his knees holding his head “I killed them! Ron and Hermione they’re dead and I killed them!” Dumbledore knelt down next to Harry and spoke in a strong sharp voice. “Harry; clear your mind now! Picture the snowflake.”

Harry held his breath and screwed up his face in concentration but then he threw his hands up to his head screaming for a moment before he slumped to the floor unconscious. Ron looked up at Professor Dumbledore white faced. “This was bad sir, worse than over the summer. Why wouldn’t he wake up?” Ron sounded frightened. Professor Dumbledore looked at Filtch and said “Go and fetch Madam Pomfrey right now!”

Filtch threw a nervous look at Harry crumpled on the floor and turned to go. Professor McGonagall had been aroused by Neville and followed the sounds coming from the fourth floor corridor. She came around the corner and looked aghast at the scene before her. “What has happened?”
“I believe that Harry has been attacked by Lord Voldemort.” Seeing the confused look on her face he continued “Through their shared connection Mr. Potter was running down the corridor convinced that he had killed his best friends.”

The shock that registered on Professor McGonagall’s face was clearly evident for only a split second before her attention was drawn to the floor as Harry had started to stir and his eyes flickered open. He sat up looking around totally confused. “What am I doing here?” He looked down at himself and saw that his pajamas were drenched and his hands were still shaking. He could not remember dreaming anything but he must have been. He looked up at Professor Dumbledore who was out of focus. He didn’t have his glasses on and he wasn’t sure where in the castle he was. “I must have been having a nightmare, but I don’t remember it.”

Ron still looked scared and said “Harry you were saying that you killed me and Hermione.”
“What? I don’t… why would I say that?” Harry had started to shake partly because of the fact that he was cold in this drafty corridor clothed in wet pajamas but mostly because what Ron had just said frightened him.

Madam Pomfrey followed by a rather confused Mr. Filtch rounded the corner and came directly over to Harry. “What is the meaning of all of this?” She bent down to look at him and said “This boy is soaking wet and chilled. Come on boy up you get.” Harry stood up still feeling a little shaky but pushed Madam Pomfrey’s hands away saying “I’m ok, I can do it.” Madam Pomfrey tutted at the state of him and said “Let’s get you down to the hospital wing.” but Harry stood his ground saying “No, please I feel fine now; I don’t want to go to the hospital wing. I just want to go back to bed.”

Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry closely then said “You may return to your dormitory but I would like you to take a sleeping draught just for tonight Harry. I will meet with you tomorrow after breakfast in my office. I will speak with Professor Snape so that you are not penalized for going to your Potions lesson late. Madam Pomfrey, would you be so kind as to fix a sleeping draught for young Mr. Potter? Professor McGonagall will be happy to go with you and give Mr. Potter the draught in his dormitory.” Ron and Harry went back to Gryffindor tower while Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore accompanied Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing.

On the way back to the tower Harry made Ron tell him everything that had happened. “I don’t get it. I haven’t had a nightmare in a month so why now? And why would I dream that I killed you?” Ron stopped before the Fat Lady and said “Bubotuber” The portrait hole swung open and Ron turned to Harry “It’s HIM Harry. You didn’t dream that on your own.” He said as they stepped inside. “But Ron every time Voldemort sent me a dream I remembered it. That was the point; He wanted me to act on the dreams. This doesn’t make any sense.”
Harry was feeling frustrated and he was cold from his wet bed clothes. They headed up to the dormitory and luckily everyone else had gone back to sleep.

Harry changed into dry pajamas leaving his wet ones in a pile on the floor at the end of his bed. He sat down on his bed and tried to make sense of these nightmares. “I just don’t understand why I can’t shake these dreams. I know that they are coming from me. All the dreams I had at Privet Drive I remembered, though I wish I could forget them. This ‘not remembering things’ started when I left there.”

Ron crossed over to Harry’s bed and sat down too. “How do you know that you can remember all of the dreams you had while you with the Dursley’s? You said yourself that the Dursley’s wouldn’t talk to you about your nightmares. Maybe you just found out that you couldn’t remember when you came home to us.”

Harry thought about everything for a minute then he asked “You said that when Professor Dumbledore told me to clear my mind I felt pain in my scar then passed out.” Ron thought back and said “Yeah but not right away. You were trying clear your mind; I could see that in your face. After a minute though you felt the pain and then passed out.” Harry shook his head. “All of this is giving me a headache… the normal kind” he added after seeing worry flit across Ron’s features. Just then there was a soft knock at the door. Ron got up and let Professor McGonagall in. She came over to Harry’s bed and handed him the sleeping draught. “It is nearly two in the morning so Madam Pomfrey made this draught slightly weak. You won’t dream but you should also be able to wake up on time for breakfast.”

She handed the goblet to him and was clearly waiting for him to drink. Harry downed the goblet in two gulps then handed it back to Professor McGonagall “Thanks Professor, I’m sorry you were disturbed.” Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes “Don’t be ridiculous Potter. I am your head of house; it is my job to be ‘disturbed’ when something goes amiss with one of my students.” She continued in a softer tone “Now you need to go to sleep, so in you go. Mr. Weasley will make sure you are up and ready for breakfast.” Harry lay down obediently and was asleep within five minutes.

Even though the sleeping draught was weak Harry had trouble waking up the next morning. He felt thick and groggy; and this feeling slowly dissipated on the way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione and Ginny were both very concerned when Ron retold them of the events of the previous night.
“You know Harry; maybe when you tried to clear your mind You Know Who got really angry and that is why your scar hurt. I think he is behind these dreams, but I can’t figure out why you can’t remember them.” Hermione said. “Who would want to remember a dream where you kill your best friends? Couldn’t Harry be forgetting the dreams because he doesn’t want to remember them?” Ginny countered. Hermione looked thoughtfully at Ginny and said “I suppose that could be true but what is making these dreams happen in the first place?”

Harry shook his head “I don’t know Hermione. I have a feeling that the dreams are coming from me not Voldemort. I have thought that all along no matter what Professor Dumbledore says. I know that Voldemort is sensing my strong emotions and is trying to use them against me, but the dreams don’t make any sense. The ones that I can remember are completely different from the dreams he was sending me last year, and they all had a purpose. The corridor and the room where the prophecy was, then Sirius being tortured, he was trying to make me act on those dreams. This is different, but why would I dream about killing you or Ron. I don’t think even Voldemort could try and make me do something like that.” Harry was staring down at his plate of sausages and eggs then pushed it away. “I wish I knew what Professor Dumbledore was going to do. I think he is going to try and make me remember the dream I had last night and I really don’t want to.”

“Harry; if it helps to figure out what has been going on it is worth remembering it.” Hermione reasoned, but this didn’t help ease Harry’s fears or the queasiness he was feeling. Professor McGonagall walked down the aisle next to Gryffindor table handing out the start of term schedules. Harry, Ron and Hermione all had Potions first thing followed by Transfiguration with Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon. “Mr. Potter I would like a word with you please.” Harry looked up at Professor McGonagall and grabbed his bag. “Well I’ll see you in Potions.”

Harry got up without touching any food and left the Great Hall behind Professor McGonagall who led him up to her office. Once inside she closed the door and turned to him then stated rather matter-of-factly “Gryffindor needs a team captain and you are the most experienced player on the team. I would like to appoint you to that position.” Harry just stared at her for a moment with his mouth open. Of all of the things he had expected to hear from her this was definitely one of the very last. Harry had not even thought about Quidditch until that moment. “Well? Do you accept the post?” Harry nodded for his mouth had become very dry “Then close your mouth and start thinking about tryouts. You will need to replace all of your chasers. I recommend tryouts next week with the remaining team. “Professor, I er… well er… I’m banned from playing Quidditch.” Harry said weakly.

Professor McGonagall said nothing to this but instead opened one of her desk drawers and pulled out a large and very official looking document; banning Harry, George and Fred from playing Quidditch for life; signed by Delores Umbridge and The Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. Harry’s eyes popped when he saw what she was holding. “This was sent to me by the Minister of Magic over the summer.” She laid the parchment down on her desk on top of an old copy of the Daily Prophet then she raised her wand and pointed at the parchment and said “Proctpungens!” and the parchment transformed into a pile of manure. With a very satisfied look on her face Professor McGonagall folded up the Daily Prophet and its rather smelly contents and threw them in the waist bin. “Now that that is settled we had better get you to the headmaster’s office.”

When they reached the stone gargoyle outside Professor Dumbledore’s office Professor McGonagall said “Ton-Tongue Toffee” and the stone gargoyle jumped aside reveling the staircase that led up to the Professor Dumbledore’s office. Harry stepped onto the staircase and waited nervously as the staircase spiraled it’s way up to the headmaster’s office. At the top he stepped from the moving staircase and grabbed hold of the griffin knocker, then entered when Professor Dumbledore called out to him.

Harry took a seat in a chair right in front of Dumbledore’s desk. “I didn’t know that you had heard of Ton-Tongue Toffee’s” Harry said with a smirk. Dumbledore smiled “I thought that might amuse you.” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Then he continued in a more serious tone, “Harry I need to know what you dreamed last night. I am going to try and see that memory.” Harry said “But sir, if I have no memory of it then how can you see it?” Dumbledore nodded, it was a fair question. “Harry just because your conscious mind won’t remember the dream doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Accessing this particular memory will be difficult but it can be done. There is a catch however; once I have brought the memory forward you will remember it even if you do not want to.” Harry sighed for this is exactly what he was afraid of. If he dreamed that he had murdered his two best friends, he didn’t want to remember it. “Let’s just do it then.” Harry said in a monotone voice.

Professor Dumbledore took out his wand and looked at Harry. “This time I don’t want you to try to stop the memories from emerging. Are you ready?” Harry nodded. “Legilimens” The office swam in front of his eyes then vanished as he saw an image of Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express. Ginny and Neville were with them when Malfoy opened the compartment door and threatened Hermione’s parents. Then as he was leaving he told Harry to watch his back. The next memory that surfaced was the feast in the Great Hall… then he was sitting in the play park reading when Dudley snatched his book away from him… He was sitting in the common room soaking his bleeding hand from a detention with Delores Umbridge… Harry wasn’t trying to block Professor Dumbledore’s efforts but the memory of his dream didn’t seem to want to surface. Dumbledore pulled several more memories to the surface before hitting on the one he was looking for. Harry was flying high above the quidditch stadium. Something clicked in Harry’s mind and he forced Dumbledore out without trying to.

The office suddenly came back into focus and Harry was sweating and a little shaky. Dumbledore lowered his wand and regarded Harry carefully. He had seen several disturbing things in Harry’s memories but he needed to focus on the dream. “Harry; take a deep breath…” Harry did as he was told “Now try to relax and remember the dream.” Harry obeyed and tried to relax. “We shall try again.” and Dumbledore pointed his wand at Harry again.

Finally the memory of the dream surfaced and played before them like some surreal movie. Harry’s scar started to burn and he raised his hands to his head, but Dumbledore persisted until the dream had played out fully including Harry’s frantic running through the corridors and Dumbledore’s own voice telling Harry to clear his mind. Harry felt very strong pain and a flash of anger at Dumbledore’s words but the anger wasn’t coming from him, it was Voldemort. The voice of Voldemort shouted “Obliviate” and the dream was over.

Finally the headmaster released Harry from the spell. Harry had his head down in his hands. The anguish he felt watching himself murder the people he loved burned inside of him even though he knew it was only a dream and he had killed no one. Professor Dumbledore had come around the desk and touched Harry lightly on the shoulder. Harry raised his head and looked at his headmaster with troubled eyes. “Why?”

Professor Dumbledore looked at Harry searching his eyes and saw confusion and fear in them. “Harry I do believe that this dream was fashioned by Voldemort; just like the dreams he sent you last year. What his purpose is I can not tell, nor why he tried to erase these images from your memory. You will have to work hard at your occlumency training to keep this from happening.” Harry nodded and said he would but there was another fear creeping inside of him now. Was he safe to be around? Could Voldemort make him murder his friends?

Harry left Professor Dumbledore’s office feeling worse for knowing what has been happening because he wasn’t sure he could do anything to stop it. ‘No’ he told himself. ‘Dumbledore is right, I just have to work harder; after all Voldemort has loads more experience at this than I do.’
Harry entered Potions twenty minutes late and took a seat next to Ron and Hermione still pale and a little shaky.

Professor Snape spoke in a silky voice “I don’t think so Potter.” He said to Harry once he had taken a seat. “You will sit here.” he said indicating the seat directly in front of his desk. Harry glared at Snape but picked up his cauldron and moved to the front of the classroom. “Let’s see Potter; you are twenty minutes late for this class so...”

“Professor you can’t” Harry said before he could stop himself. Snape looked down at Harry and smiled wickedly “You may not presume to tell me what I can and can not do Potter.”
“But Professor Dumbledore said...” Harry stammered. He knew that Professor Dumbledore had spoken to Snape about this. “Enough!” Snape leaned close to Harry so that their faces were only inches apart and spoke in a voice that only Harry could hear “It’s a pity really.” Harry was angry and asked “What’s that, SIR!” Snape leaned even closer to Harry and whispered “It is a pity that your cousin didn’t beat the arrogance out of you.” Snape’s lip curled into an evil smile.
Harry was stunned by the venom of this statement and a rage such as he had never felt boiled inside of him. His scar began to burn but he kept his hands down on the desk staring into Snape’s cold eyes. “The pity is that Dumbledore trusts a black hearted Death Eater scumbag like you!” Harry said in a voice that only Snape could hear.

The smile vanished from Snape’s face and he stood up glaring down at Harry “Twenty points from Gryffindor. Now get to work Potter.” He said pointing at the blackboard where a list of ingredients had been written along with instructions for brewing a sleeping draught. “Your little excursions during my time won’t do. I want thirteen inches on the uses of drydade root as an anti-venom to be turned in by next Monday.”

When Harry, Ron and Hermione walked into Transfiguration, Harry was still so angry with Snape he was shaking. Professor McGonagall saw Harry and was immediately concerned. She knew that Harry would shake after one of Voldemort’s attacks and called him to her desk. “Follow me Potter.” she said and led him to a small room off the right side of the classroom. She closed the door behind them and turned to Harry.

“What has happened? You are shaking and your face is red and sweaty. Have you had another contact with the Dark Lord?” Harry realized why she was worried and said “No professor; It’s Snape. I just wish there was someone else who could teach me Potions. I can’t understand why Professor Dumbledore trusts him, that man is pure evil if you ask me!” Harry didn’t realize it, but he had raised his voice as he vented his frustration about Snape. Professor McGonagall looked relieved but she regarded Harry scornfully.

“It’s no use complaining about Professor Snape. As it is; you must study Potions. Professor Snape is an excellent Potions Master and there is no other Potions teacher at Hogwarts. You must put your personal feelings aside! You are not learning Potions to get good marks at school Potter; you are learning Potions for your future. This is information you must have, and know well, to succeed in all you must do.” Harry was still angry and almost shouted “What about him!” Professor McGonagall shushed him and looked back at the door to make sure it was closed. She leaned closer to Harry and spoke quietly “Potter you must put your personal grievances with your Potions teacher aside.” With another glance at the door she continued in an even lower voice “If Severus Snape is not man enough to do this then you must be!”

She stood up and regarded him sternly then her features softened “You have shown enormous strength, determination and resolve over the last five years. You need to rise above the petty differences in your life and focus on what is important. I am certain that you have the maturity to do this.” She finished on a note that was so final that Harry nodded and sighed. “Good, now I will give you precisely three minutes to go back into the classroom and make up any story you like as to why I called you in here.” She gave him a slight smile and said “Well, off you go.” Harry stepped out of the small room and back into the classroom. Ron and Hermione were looking anxious and asked him what that was all about. “Well so far today has been just great! Now I have an extra twelve inches to give Professor McGonagall!” he said as he slammed his book bag down. Harry made sure that Seamus and Dean had overheard him. Hermione knew that Harry had just lied but she didn’t think anyone else had realized that.
Ron leaned over to Harry and whispered “What did she really want?” Harry whispered back “Later”

After Transfiguration they all went down to lunch. Ron kept asking Harry what Snape had said to him but Harry didn’t want to talk about it. He had said something as harsh as Snape’s comment had been and a small part of Harry’s mind thought of them as even in that particular exchange. Harry kept looking around not even realizing it as he kept glancing at the door. Ron and Hermione noticed Harry’s preoccupation and Hermione said “You looking for someone Harry?” Harry wasn’t paying much attention and said “Hum? What was that Hermione?” as he slowly turned his head from the doors. “Are you…” but she didn’t finish as Harry had just spotted Ginny and waved her over to their seat.

“Wow, fifth year is something. So far both Professor Sprout and Professor Binns have lectured us on our O.W.L.s. Was it really that bad last year?” Ginny asked with some trepidation on her face. Ron and Harry smiled “You’ll do ok Ginny.” Ron said and Harry added “Yeah if we could get passes out of it you should do brilliantly!” Ginny blushed furiously and started piling chicken on her plate.
Hermione was looking at Harry with a bit of a frown when Harry noticed. “What up Hermione?” She shook her head slightly “Oh nothing. So Harry what did McGonagall want anyway?” Harry leaned in closely to them and said quietly, “She was telling me not to let Snape get to me. She was worried that I had come over a bit funny when we got to class because I was so mad and my face a bit red.” The others nodded knowingly then Harry said almost as an after thought. “Oh yeah, McGonagall has made me the Gryffindor Team Captain.” Ron, Ginny and Hermione looked up sharply at this statement.

Ron thumped Harry on the back “Way to go mate!” Ginny said “This is wonderful Harry.”
“Well we need to hold tryouts. As it stands we have no chasers and I know that you want to do that Ginny. We’ll have to see how everyone else looks.” Harry was pleased to be named the quidditch captain but he had an unsettling feeling that it might not work out too well if he didn’t get over this flying fear very quickly. “Ron you’ll help won’t you? I’ve never been… well you have been following the sport longer… I mean to say…” Ron was smiling at Harry “Don’t worry mate; you’ll be a great captain, and of course I’ll help.”

Further discussion suddenly became impossible as the youngest of the Creevey brothers had caused quite a racket at the other end of the Gryffindor table. He was setting off Filibuster Fireworks under the table with a delighted grin on his face. Unfortunately one of the fireworks had flown up under the robes of another first year setting them to smoldering while the girl shrieked. Colin ran over to her quickly and opened her robes to let the firework out and calm her down while Dennis was pulling the remaining fireworks from his brother’s large hands. “Aw come on I was just having a bit of fun.” He bawled down at his older brother.

Stewart had been causing a bit of a ruckus all day, ever where he went.
He was so enthralled with all of the wonderful magical things he could do at school that he was getting quite carried away. “You scared the knickers off of Sally; Stewart!” Colin yelled at him. Stewart looked over at Sally Dingle a fellow first year student who was in tears and holding her robes so tightly around her that the seams looked as though they might split. Hermione rushed over to Sally to see if she was alright while Ron advanced on the Creevey brothers. Stewart’s face fell. “Oh Sally, I’m sorry. Are you alright?” Stewart sounded genuinely concerned but Sally just ran from the hall crying.

“Give me all of the Fireworks!” said Ron. Dennis handed over the fireworks he had taken from Stewart and Ron asked “Do you have anymore Stewart?” Stewart hung his head and said “no” then he got up and left looking thoroughly dejected.
Herbology went by slowly and they were given a list of plants to look up and write about before the next class. Harry was looking forward to Care of Magical Creatures and seeing Hagrid again. As they walked down to Hagrid’s cabin there was a drawling voice behind them “I can’t believe that that big buffoon is still teaching here.”

Harry felt a hot flush of anger at Malfoy’s words and he noticed that Ron’s ears had gone red too. “Just ignore him.” Hermione intoned to both of them. Hagrid came out from around the back of his cabin carrying a large box and said “Come one you lot. Gather round.” The class tentatively came forward to Hagrid and peeked into the box. Inside was a cat like creature with very large ears and a tail that looked just like a lion’s tail with at least seven tiny versions of itself. “She had em this mornin’. So who can tell me what we have here?”

Hermione, to no ones surprise, spoke up first. “These are Kneazles. They were originally bread in Britain but you can get them anywhere now. They are extremely useful because they can tell if someone is acting suspiciously and can lead you to safety if you are lost.”

“That’s right Hermione, Gryffindor takes ten points. An’ if they take a likin’ ter yea they will make perfect pets, but only if they choose yea. Yea see Kneazles are very independent and intelligent. They choose their owners not the other way round. Now this lot here can’t nurse see, cause their mum rolled in a Streeler trail burnin’ her belly. We’ll have ter feed these little ones fer her.”
As all of the students gathered close to pick up the Kneazle kittens Harry helped Hagrid to put together bottles so that the kittens could be fed.

“Hagrid, I wanted to thank you for the saxulmens. I didn’t know it was so valuable at first.” Hagrid blushed under his grizzled beard. “Well Harry, I ken make me own happiness and with all that yer been dealin’ with I thought maybe yer could use a little help in that department. I’m glad yer like it.” Harry handed the bottles out and the boys ended up watching as the girls in the class fed the kittens.

Harry had spoken with the only two other Gryffindor players, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper in the common room that evening. They were quite happy that Harry was back to playing quidditch and were more than happy to take his lead as team captain. Harry posted try outs for the team for next Monday after dinner on the common room board. Harry was feeling quite nervous about being the captain of the house team and Ron sensing this in Harry said one evening in the common room “Harry you will be a great captain, look what a good teacher you turned out to be with the DA. We all got our O.W.L.s in Defense Against the Dark Arts because of you.”

The DA was a group that Harry, Hermione and Ron started last year to teach themselves and others Defense Against the Dark Arts because Delores Umbridge would only let them read theory and not actually practice any of the spells. When Hermione had come up with the idea of Harry teaching them defensive spells and the DA was formed they decided to call themselves Dumbledore’s Army because that is what the Ministry feared the most.

Harry frowned for a minute. “I’m not worried about that bit Ron.” Harry leaned in close so that only Ron could hear him “I’m still a bit well… dodgy in the air.” Ron looked straight at Harry and said “Look Harry, I know that you will be fine once you get playing. At the tryouts all you really have to do is watch the others and decide who you want to play so let’s not worry about that yet.” Harry smiled and said “Yeah you’re right, I’ve got until October to worry about flying hard.”

Thursday brought their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson with Tonks. Harry, Ron and Hermione were all looking forward to it and wondered how they were going to manage switching teachers through out the year. That question was answered immediately at least for the sixth and seventh year students. Tonks was waiting for her class when they arrived right after breakfast on Thursday. She was wearing long black and very plain robes which contrasted dramatically with her hair which for the moment was styled in short spikes all over her head that were a mixture of bubblegum pink, and a vivid kelly green.

Several of the girls had to suppress grins and giggles at the look of their new Defense teacher. Tonks was young, really only a few years older than they were. She had only finished Auror training and was accepted as a full fledged Auror two years ago. She had a bright and flashy personality and decided to get the most curious questions answered first. As every eye was upon her she screwed up her face in concentration and her face changed to that of a much older witch with fine lines all around her eyes. Her hair had turned itself into a tight bun on top of her head and she looked, for all the world, like she could pass for Professor McGonagall’s sister. There were gasps from the entire class.

Even Ron, Hermione and Harry were amply impressed although they had seen her change aspects of her appearance before. Professor Tonks concentrated again and she returned to her appearance with the pink and green spikes. Several people were whispering and talking. “How do you do that?” Parvati asked in an awed voice then Neville looked up and said in a loud clear voice “You are a Metamorphmagus!” Tonks smiled broadly at him and looked down at her seating chart. “Ten points to Gryffindor Mr. Longbottom! That is correct I am a Metamorphmagus which means…” and she looked up at Neville who said in a slightly nervous voice “You can change your appearance at will, and Metamorphmagni are very very rare.”

Tonks smiled again and turned toward the blackboard that she had pulled out from the back of the room and brought up to the front but in the process set all of the papers and her satchel on the desk flying to the ground. She bent quickly to pick up the papers and things that had fallen off the desk and her backside hit bottom of the blackboard which pivoted on it’s hinge half way down the board and came forward smacking her on the back of the head. “Ouch!” she said and stood so quickly that the blackboard flew upright pivoting again and then the bottom came up smacking her in the behind making her drop all of the papers that she had just bent over and picked up. Tonks looked down at the papers all over the floor and then out at the faces of the class some of whom were completely unable to stop from laughing at the comical display that they had just witnessed. Tonks was a natural born klutz, something she knew and accepted about herself. She squared her shoulders and smiled brightly at her class some of whom were still snickering and said “Now are there any questions before I fill you in on your lessons for the year.”

Tonks answered several question about her talent before everyone was ready to settle back down, which she allowed to happen naturally. She had a very loose style as a teacher and Harry suspected that she might be a bit nervous teaching for the first time. He knew that he was very glad that his robes covered his shaking knees the first time he had taught a class full of people for DA meetings last year.

“With the return of the Dark Lord…” Tonks began and a sharp silence fell over the room as every eye turned to her. “…Professor Dumbledore felt that most if not all of the sixth and seventh year students still taking Defense Against the Dark Arts were considering Auror Training.” She let this statement sink in before continuing. “We wish to not only prepare you for your N.E.W.T.S. (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests) next year but to also give you an insight as to what you will face in Auror Training. Along with the necessary spell syllabus I will show you some of the things you will need to learn in Concealment and Disguise. Professor Moody will work with you on observation skills and Dark Detection and Professor Lupin will cover the required Dark Creatures but will also instruct you in some Stealth and Tracking skills. I will work with you until Christmas break, then Professor Moody will have you to Easter and Professor Lupin will take you through June. There will be times when all of us will be here so don’t hesitate to seek us out with questions.”

The rest of the first lesson Tonks discussed the spells that they already knew as a class and the students that were not original members of the DA were somewhat behind in their knowledge. Neville ended up performing several spells successfully that quite a few of his peers could not do. He had purchased a new wand over the summer and it worked very well for him. Harry wasn’t sure whether the quality of the spell work Neville was doing was because of the new wand or the new Neville. Neville seemed to have really changed since last year and Harry noticed that he spoke much more forcefully and with genuine confidence more frequently. Harry found himself feeling proud of Neville for he was the one person who had improved in his spell work and overall proficiency in almost everything since the DA meetings started last year. What Neville had always lacked was confidence and the DA had helped him to find it.

Harry and the others spent most of the weekend out on the grounds because it was unusually warm and sunny. They all knew that it wouldn’t be long before the long cold months of winter settled on the castle keeping most people inside. Harry continued his occlumency training and pushed himself very hard.

Professor Dumbledore was finding it much more difficult to pry memories out of him and Harry had actually managed to see into Dumbledore’s memories once. He saw a younger version of Dumbledore giving occlumency lessons to another student, but Harry could not see the student’s face. When he tried to concentrate on that face he felt a sharp pain in his head and dropped to his knees on the floor of the headmaster’s office. “Well, Harry you have been practicing.” Professor Dumbledore said with raised eyebrows. Harry got to his feet and was about to ask about the student he had seen in Dumbledore’s memory when Dumbledore spoke “I think that will be enough for today Harry.” Professor Dumbledore said this in a very final tone of voice so that Harry did not ask about the memory.

He was pleased with himself and at the progress he was making in occlumency and he had not had another nightmare. Harry hoped that the dream about killing his friends would be the last and on Sunday afternoon he told Ron and Hermione all about the dream and what Dumbledore had discovered when he brought the memory of this dream to the surface of Harry’s mind. Harry did not however, confide in them his private fear that someday Voldemort might try to make him do something like that.

Hermione knew that Harry feared this and said “Harry, I will never be afraid of you even if You Know Who were to possess you.” Harry looked at her as though she had suddenly grown antlers out of her head or something. “Hermione that’s nuts. Voldemort has been able to make loads of people do what he wants against their own will. Look at Ginny and her opening the Chamber of Secrets.” Hermione wouldn’t back down though. “I understand that, but first of all Ginny was only eleven when Riddle possessed her and she had that diary remember. You can completely throw off the Imperious Curse and did so even when You Know Who tried to control you with it, and you are a great wizard. Harry I told you that back in our first year and I was right. You would never hurt me or Ron; I am absolutely sure of that.” Hermione’s confidence in him and his strength of character did buoy his spirits even though he still had misgivings about these dreams and Voldemort’s attempted control over him.

[Ferrus]

Keep up the good work!

[Plep]

I still haven't forgotten you

Problem is that i have very little time now (i'm doing a temporary job, but it's taking up a lot of time...) but as soon as i have some spare time i'm gonna read the rest! (i think was somewhere near chapter 3)

[Alice I]

Thanks guys
We writers need external gradification

Comming soon after a forum buddie checks for stuff
Chapter Nine
Voldemorts Orders

This chapter is long and I will have to post it in three parts.

[Alice I]

We writers need external gradification

Thats supposed to be external validation

Good Grief that first thing sounds positively Freudian

[Nobby]

Its really good Alice!

Keep up the good work!

[Amon Rê]

Don't forget CHAPTER 8...GREAT JOB...I have to make myself do my homework before I read the chapters

[Alice I]

Don't forget CHAPTER 8...GREAT JOB...I have to make myself do my homework before I read the chapters

Whoops
Actually Voldemorts Orders is Chapter eight.
Good grief I have been doing back story for the new plot I figured out and got myself confused.
I will go through Voldie's Orders this afternoon and post part one OK?
Hope you all like it.

PS: When it is completely finished if there is enough interest I'll see about a total post. I have Road Runner and my Husband tells me that we actually have server space somewhere.

[Alice I]

Chapter Eight - Part 1
Voldemort’s Orders

At dinner that evening Harry suddenly realized that he still needed to finish his thirteen inches for Snape tomorrow; and Potions was his first lesson. They headed up to the common room but ended up working in the library as the common room smelled strongly from the dung bomb that the youngest Creevey brother had set off.

Ron was still fuming about having to report him and having his house loose twenty points from Professor McGonagall. Stuart Creevey was becoming a giant prat. Both Colin and Dennis were as upset as anyone else, but they had said that Stewart had been a problem since childhood. His parents were quite disappointed to come to the realization that Stewart’s pranks got much worse after his magical abilities started showing. Colin and Denis were also both hoping that Stewart would turn out to be a muggle like his parents. Hermione was extremely proud of Ron for turning Stewart in even though it had cost them points. Ever since the Ministry of Magic announced that Voldemort had returned and several of his Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy, and Mr. Crabbe among them, were captured and sent to Azkaban the tension between Slytherin and the rest of the school was intense but no more so than with Gryffindor. With Malfoy’s escape from prison over the summer every single Gryffindor was determined from the first day to flatten Slytherin in points and show the sons and daughters of known and suspected Death Eaters most of whom were from Slytherin themselves that they are no match for the rest of the world united.

“Ron” she said and patted his hand from across the table “You did the right thing. Stewart is becoming a real problem. We’ll make up the points when you play Slytherin in a couple of months.” Ron blushed furiously but his bad mood evaporated with her comments. She had made it sound like he was the one who would defeat Slytherin when he was only the keeper on the house team. Harry suppressed a smile. He knew Hermione and Ron well enough by now to realize that Hermione had chosen her words quite carefully and had gotten the desired result. He also could clearly see that both of them fancied each other but were too stubborn to admit it to themselves let alone each other.

Hermione finished first and closed up her books. “How about it, you have much left to do?” she asked Ron and Harry. “I’ll be done in a bit I still have to finish my essay for Snape.” Ron said sourly. “I’ll be here for at least another forty minutes” said Harry. Hermione said “Well I should go back to the common room and make sure Stewart hasn’t gotten into any more mischief.” What Hermione really wanted to do was get back to the common room to talk with Ginny and this gave her a perfect excuse to scoot out. “Yeah, alright but don’t go reporting him if he does something stupid, just come and get me. I’ll deal with the great git myself!” Hermione and Harry laughed. “Ok I’ll see you back in the common room then.” she said and headed off. Harry noticed Ron following Hermione with his eyes until she turned the corner out of sight. Then he let out a big sigh and bent back to his essay again.

Hermione was quite pleased that the scent of the dung bomb was completely gone and that Stewart had gone up to bed earlier quite abashed. The competition between Slytherin and Gryffindor was much tenser this year and Stewart had become a very unpopular person when they slipped below Slytherin in points because of him. The common room was not very crowded as most people had left or gone up to their dormitories after the scene with McGonagall. Ginny was curled up in the big chintz chair beside the fire reading when Hermione came over and dropped her bag. She pulled up a pouf and sat known next to Ginny. “Where are Harry and Ron?” Ginny asked.

“They weren’t done yet. Listen I wanted to talk with you about something.” Ginny put down her book and looked at Hermione. “Is this about Ron?” Hermione looked startled. “How did you know?” Hermione was struck again by how perceptive Ginny was. She always seemed to know what was going on with the people around her. Ginny smiled and said "You shared my room for a month, and you're one of my best friends, and I have eyes, so I was bound to notice something. Besides, I can sort of relate, I've got a little boy problem myself." Hermione gasped "Who!?" Ginny flushed and quickly changed the subject. "Wait, you wanted to talk about Ron, remember?"

Hermione blushed slightly. “You’re right. This is so stupid. Look I fancy him and he fancies me but if I leave it up to him to make the first move then I might as well just forget it altogether. What do you suggest?” Ginny thought about it for a minute. She would never suggest that Hermione ask Ron outright to go on a date; that’s Ron’s job. Ginny held to old fashioned beliefs about love and romance. Hermione needed to do something that would make Ron act on his feelings. “Share something with him that no one else knows about. Make sure he knows that he’s the only person in the world you have ever shared what ever it is with. Does that make sense?”

Hermione was smiling broadly because it made perfect sense to her and she knew exactly what she was going to do. “Thanks Ginny, I know what I’m going to do. It’s perfect actually. So your turn, who do you fancy?” Just then Ron stepped through the portrait hole and headed straight for the girls. Dropping his bag heavily on the floor and slumping down into the couch he said “That essay was a nightmare. Harry is still working on it but I gave up. I’ll finish it over breakfast. Well the stink is gone at least.” Hermione and Ginny were smiling at each other.

Harry finally finished his Potions essay and closed up his books and packed his bag. He felt better now that it was done but he was sure all the extra work wouldn’t change the marks Snape gave him. Harry heard Professor McGonagall’s voice in his head saying “You are not learning Potions to get good marks at school Potter; you are learning Potions for your future. This is information you must have, and know well, to succeed in all you must do.” She was right and as much as Harry hated to admit it; Snape did know Potions better than any wizard he had ever met or even heard about really. So he decided to take McGonagall’s advice and learn everything he could about this field of study.

The knowledge that one of these days he would have to face and defeat Voldemort pushed him harder in his studies than anything else ever had. Harry looked at his watch and realized he had better get back. It was eight forty five and he should be in his common room by nine. He threw his bag over his shoulder and set out for Gryffindor Tower.

As Harry passed the one eyed witch on the third floor corridor suddenly someone grabbed him from behind pinning his arms to his side. Some one else threw a sack over his head then roughly shoved a rag in his mouth under the sack. He felt himself being dragged into a classroom to one side of the statue. The long strong arms holding and dragging him threw him to the ground hard. His book bag fell to the floor as he tried to get up quickly, but before Harry could get to his feet a smaller person grabbed both of his arms and held them behind his back.

Harry was trying to yell for help through the gag in his mouth but only muffled noises came out from under the sack. The smaller person holding his arms hauled Harry to his feet and a moment later Harry felt a terrific pain in his head as the larger person punched the side of his face. Another pair of hands gripped his neck and began choking him. There were three people attacking him, he couldn’t move his arms, he couldn’t get to his wand and he couldn’t call for help. A blinding panic seized Harry as he struggled madly to get free of the person holding him. He felt himself being punched and kicked from all directions then his scar exploded in pain.

He let out a muffled scream and tried to bring his hands up to his forehead but they were still pinned behind his back. Harry heard high pitched laughter and the cold deadly voice of Voldemort saying “You can not escape me Potter… Not at home… Not at school... In the end you will die slowly and painfully.” then more high pitched laughter. Harry struggled so fiercely to free himself from the grip of the person holding him that he began to slip his arms out from his capture’s grasp. With an almighty jerk Harry’s arms were pulled backward again dislocating his right shoulder. He was only dimly aware of the pain in his shoulder over the pummeling he was receiving from his other two attackers. One of them kicked Harry’s leg shattering his right knee but he didn’t fall because the person holding him from behind kept him upright while the others continued to beat him.
The scar on Harry’s forehead was searing with pain and the rag in Harry’s mouth muffled his screams but they were becoming loud enough to attract attention in the quiet corridors. Goyle looked at Harry took aim and punched him so hard on the left side of his face that both he and Malfoy, who had been pinning Harry’s arms behind his back, collapsed backward on the floor. Harry had stopped screaming and lay unconscious on top of Malfoy who pushed him off roughly.

“Crabbe, check to corridor.” Malfoy ordered. He reached down and took the sack off Harry’s head and took out the gag. He looked smug and pleased with himself. “The coast is clear” Crabbe reported from the door. “Let’s go.” Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle sneaked out of the classroom closing the door and quickly headed off for their common room before they were caught out of bounds by Filtch.

By nine thirty Hermione was nervously pacing the common room. “He should be back by now. What is taking him so long?” Ginny was also looking a little worried. Ron said “Maybe he just lost track of time. Let’s go look for him” Hermione looked at her watch and said “All right. Let’s go” Ron and Hermione headed out the portrait hole and walked down to the library. The library was dark and Harry was no where to be seen. They exchanged nervous looks then retraced the steps Harry would have taken to come back to Gryffindor Tower. As they passed by the fourth floor corridor windows Hermione glanced out at the direction of Hagrid’s cabin. Maybe Harry had gone there, but the cabin was dark. It was now almost ten o’clock and both Ron and Hermione were getting worried. “Let’s head back to the common room, maybe we missed him somehow.” said Ron. Hermione nodded and they headed back to the tower.

When Harry hadn’t returned Hermione and Ron became very worried indeed. Ginny stood up and said “Go get Professor McGonagall Hermione. We need to search the castle. Harry is in trouble I just know it.” Ron and Hermione set off for Professor McGonagall’s room immediately. When Professor McGonagall opened the door she sighed, “What has Stewart done now?”
“Nothing professor” said Hermione. Ron said “We need help, Harry has gone missing.”
“Gone missing? What do you mean?”
Hermione spoke quickly “We can’t find him. He was working in the library and never came back so we went to the library but he isn’t there. We don’t know where he is.”

“Follow me” Professor McGonagall said curtly and led them away to Professor Dumbledore’s office. As they turned onto the corridor leading to the stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster’s office Professor Snape emerged from the spiraling staircase. “What has happened?” Snape asked alertly when he saw Ron and Hermione following Professor McGonagall who looked stony faced. “Professor, please accompany us to the headmaster’s office.” she said sharply and swept past him saying “Ton-Tongue Toffee” and the gargoyle jumped aside. Ron and Hermione jumped onto the spiraling staircase after her followed by Snape. When she reached the top Professor McGonagall rapt sharply on the office door then opened it and proceeded in with out waiting for a reply. Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk with his hands in front of him the tips of his fingers touching. “Good evening Professors. What has happened?”
“Harry Potter is missing.” Professor McGonagall said. Snape gave a derisive snort “No doubt he is off somewhere bending a few more school rules.”

“No he is not! He is missing.” Ron shouted as Dumbledore was standing up and coming around the desk. He looked directly at Ron and Hermione and said “I think you had better tell me everything that you know.” Hermione said “We were all working in the library together. I finished first about eight o’clock and headed back to the common room” Then Ron said “I gave up working on my essay and left Harry about fifteen minutes later. He said he wanted to finish and would be back in about half and hour. That means he should have been back by about quarter to nine.”

“Ron and I went looking for him at nine thirty. We went to the library but he wasn’t there. We went back to the common room thinking we had missed him but he hadn’t gone back there either. So we went and got Professor McGonagall.”
Professor Dumbledore looked as concerned as Ron and Hermione felt. “We must start searching every open room between Gryffindor tower and the library. Severus please begin at the tower, Minerva begin at the library. Miss Granger you go with Professor Snape and Mr. Weasley will come with Professor McGonagall and me.” Once the group emerged from the spiraling staircase they separated; Snape and Hermione heading upstairs and Dumbledore, McGonagall and Ron down to the library.

Hermione checked all of the class rooms on the right side of the corridor as Snape checked the ones on the left. Snape was able to move more quickly than Hermione because he was able to light the lamps in the classrooms before he entered while Hermione had to peer around with her wand light. When Snape came to the classroom next to the one eyed witch he stopped and stared for a moment before reacting. In a loud clear voice he yelled “He is here! I have found him!” Harry was lying face down on the floor in the middle of the room. Snape walked over to him and turned him over. Hermione came flying into the room at that moment and saw Harry and screamed “Harry, My God!” Snape turned to her “Get the others!” She stood frozen to the spot looking at Harry whose face was swollen and bleeding with huge black bruises all over it. “GO NOW GIRL!” Snape yelled at her. Hermione jumped as if coming out of a trance then ran out of the room toward the library.

Harry muttered and opened his eyes. When Snape had yelled at Hermione he had raised his hand pointing to the door and his sleeve slid back on his arm. Harry was looking at the Darkmark on Snape's arm and his heart froze in fear. Snape looked down at Harry when he moaned and saw the terror in his eyes. Then Harry screamed and grabbed his head with his left hand rolling over in pain. Just as this happened the mark on Snape’s arm burned black and painful.

Harry tried to get up but he couldn’t see; his head was splitting in two and all he could hear was the high pitched laughter of Lord Voldemort. Snape tried to help him up but Harry struck out wildly at the hands he thought were trying to restrain him again. He couldn’t see anything through the haze of fear and pain. Harry scrambled backward away from Snape awkwardly with his broken knee and his right arm hanging uselessly at his side, backing into a desk making a heavy text volume fell from the desk. It hit him on the head, knocking him out and he slumped down unconscious under the desk.

Snape was pulling Harry out from under the desk when Dumbledore and the others came rushing in. Professor McGonagall raised her hands to her mouth when she saw Harry “Oh my, this is...” though she never finished her sentence but stopped and just stared horror stricken as Dumbledore proceeded straight to Harry and Snape. Harry was almost unrecognizable, his left eye was swollen closed; he was bleeding from his mouth and nose, which was clearly broken, and had large black and purple bruises all around his neck where he had been throttled.
Snape looked up at Dumbledore and showed him the Darkmark burned black on his arm. The headmaster looked gravely at him and nodded, then Snape got to his feet and, much paler than he usually appeared, swept out of the room.

Ron was mutely staring at his best friend unable to say anything as Professor McGonagall turned to him “Mr. Weasley” she said sharply. Ron looked over at her slowly barely able to tear his eyes away from the inconceivable sight before him. “Go fetch Madam Pomfrey and hurry!” Ron looked back at Harry for a moment then took off at a dead run out the door and down the corridor to the stairs. Hermione crossed over to Harry and sank to her knees. She picked up his hand “Oh Harry who did this to you?” She looked up at Professor McGonagall with an almost pleading expression in her eyes. Professor McGonagall bent down to more closely examine Harry and except for his hands every part of him that was visible had been injured badly. “Albus this is horrible. Who could have done such a thing?” her voice quavered as if on the verge of tears. “Voldemort” he replied softly.

Professor McGonagall stood quickly and looked around as if she expected the Dark Lord to step out from behind a door. Hermione sat there next to Harry looking shocked “That’s not possible!” she shrieked “He can’t get into the castle can he?” She sounded frantic. “No Miss Granger he can not enter the castle but he can feel Harry’s pain and fear. This was no random act which means that Voldemort has allies within this school.” The shock on Hermione’s face lasted only a moment longer then her face turned dark and angry “Malfoy! Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They did this to Harry. It all makes sense. Mr. Malfoy escaped from Azkaban and went back to You Know Who, who then ordered this and they carried it out! On the train Malfoy warned Harry to watch his back, he knew then, this was planned, they must be expelled!”

Professor Dumbledore took Hermione’s hands and she stood up to face him. “Miss Granger in an exercise of strategy against a powerful enemy would you release his servants to join him or would you allow your enemy’s servants to feel undiscovered and watch them for an opportunity to use their allegiance against your enemy?” Hermione lowered her eyes. She knew that Professor Dumbledore was right.

“But they can’t just get away with this! They must pay!” She looked up defiantly at Professor Dumbledore “They will pay for this, I will make them pay!” Hermione used a tone so deadly and so unlike anything either Professor McGonagall or the headmaster had ever heard from her they both looked a bit startled.
Professor McGonagall looked directly at Hermione understanding the anger in her face and said “Miss Granger, in the struggle of good and evil on this scale you must put your personal feelings aside. Harry is going to need you and all of his friends now. You must be available to him, not out seeking revenge.”

They all looked up at the sounds from the corridor of Ron shouting “Right down here hurry!” Ron was practically dragging Madam Pomfrey along. She entered the classroom somewhat bedraggled but stopped and stared for a moment when she saw Harry lying on the floor in the middle of the classroom. “Merlin’s Beard! What happened to this boy?” She bustled over to him and bent down to Harry. “I must examine him before he can be moved. Everybody Out!” Professor Dumbledore led them out into the corridor and closed the door.
Hermione turned to Ron “I’m going to go get Ginny.”
“I’ll go with you.” Ron replied then he turned to Professor McGonagall “Professor may we have permission to go to the hospital wing?” Ron sounded so forcefully determined that Professor McGonagall raised and eyebrow. “Yes Mr. Weasley you may go to the hospital wing.”
Ron and Hermione left at such a fast walk they were almost running. As they approached the Fat Lady Ron hollered out “Bubotuber” The Fat Lady looked concerned as they approached “Did you find him?” she asked which made Ron and Hermione stop abruptly. The Fat Lady looked annoyed “Harry Potter, did you find him?” Hermione said “Yes we have, he is being taken to the hospital wing we’ve just come to get Ginny.”

The Fat Lady opened the portrait hole for them to step in. Ginny was pacing in front of the fire and looked up anxiously when the portrait hole opened. Ron called over to his sister “Ginny come on let’s go!” His face was white and both he and Hermione looked frightened. Ginny hurried over to the still open portrait hole and stepped out. “What happened? Where is he?” The portrait hole closed behind her but not before three first years had heard Hermione say something about Harry being beaten up. “Harry was beat up badly by Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle; well at least we think it was them.”

Ron turned to her “What? When did you all decide it was them? What did I miss?” Ginny interrupted and said “Well, let’s figure that out later. Harry is being taken to the hospital wing right? So let’s go.” She did not wait for a reply from either of them and set off down the corridor to the stairs. “You had better go with her.” said the Fat Lady and Ron and Hermione stopped staring at each other and followed Ginny who had gotten a bit ahead of them.

When they arrived at the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey was stepping out of the ward. “Mr. Weasley” she said to Ron as soon as she saw him “Take this note to Mr. Potter’s owl and have her take it to Madam Tosh” She handed Ron the rolled up parchment but Ron was reluctant to leave. He wanted to stay and find out how Harry was. “Well what are you waiting for, Christmas? Off you go; and quickly now.” And he took off at a run for the Owlery.

Madam Pomfrey turned to the rest of them and said “Mr. Potter will not be recovering from this anytime soon. He has several broken bones, many of his organs have been damaged, it will be difficult for him to speak until his throat heals and he is bleeding internally. I have never seen the like in all my years as a healer. He is dosing now but it will take most of the night to repair his injuries and I want Madam Tosh to help me. You may go in and see him very briefly.”

Professor Dumbledore followed by Professor McGonagall, Hermione and Ginny went into the ward and over to Harry’s bed. He looked even worse now that he had been cleaned up. The entire left side of his face was so bruised and swollen that he truly was unrecognizable from that side. Ginny stepped in front of Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hermione to Harry’s bed and gently took his hand. She felt tears stinging the back of her eyes, threatening to fall as she leaned over and kissed Harry on the cheek then she spoke softly in his ear “Harry, I am with you, I won’t leave you.” She straightened up and moved past the stunned group of people watching her. She got a chair from the other side of the ward and set it down on the opposite side of Harry’s bed. She sat down and folded her arms as if to say “I’m not going anywhere”

Madam Pomfrey came back with a steaming towel that had a strong smell and placed it on Harry’s forehead then monitored his breathing for a couple of minutes with her hand to his chest. She seemed satisfied and turned the towel over. The fumes were bringing Harry around and he began to stir.

Ginny who was sitting on the left side of Harry’s bed took his hand and said softly “Harry, you are safe now.” Harry’s right eye opened and he turned his head toward the voice and saw an angel looking at him; she had fiery red hair and deep blue eyes. She smiled at him and he realized the angel looked like Ginny Weasley. “Harry?” Professor Dumbledore said. Harry slowly turned his head to the right. Every inch of his body hurt and movement was extremely difficult. When he was able to focus on the new voice he saw Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hermione and Ron who had just come running back from the Owlery panting.

Harry’s mind was numb. He didn’t really know where he was and didn’t want to know, all he wanted to do was to go back to sleep and the pain and fear he had humming in his heart to go away.

The angle that looked like Ginny said he was safe so he closed his eyes and started to drift back to sleep. Professor Dumbledore knelt down beside Harry’s bed and positioned himself so that Harry would not have to move to see him. Again he said “Harry?” Harry opened his eyes and found himself looking at his headmaster. Dumbledore’s eyes were full of concern and all he said was “Who?” Harry tried to focus on what his headmaster was asking him. What had happened tonight? A flash of memory came to him; he saw the Darkmark and Snape’s face then blinding pain and Voldemort’s high pitched laugh. Harry whispered “Snape” and he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

Madam Pomfrey stepped up to the bed and said “That’s enough. What this boys needs now is rest. You may speak to him in the morning.” Ron turned to Hermione and said “Do you believe me now that Snape isn’t on the right side?” Professor Dumbledore got up and addressed those gathered “Mr. Weasley, Professor Snape was in my office speaking with me at the time Harry was being attacked but he was the person who found him. Harry must have awakened briefly before we arrived. Miss Granger there is nothing else we can do here this evening and you and Mr. Weasley will need to go back to Gryffindor tower to explain tonight’s events to your house mates. As you both are Gryffindor prefects your house is depending on you to lead them through this. Professor McGonagall please contact Molly and Arthur Weasley and tell them what has happened, but I will contact the Dursley’s myself.”

He turned to leave when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. “And Miss Weasley?” she asked inclining her head toward Ginny who was still sitting next to Harry’s bed holding his hand. Professor Dumbledore turned to face Ginny and said “I rather got the impression that Miss Weasley had no intention of leaving the hospital ward; as long as it is alright with Madam Pomfrey of course.”

Ginny looked up at Madam Pomfrey knowing that her decision would be final. “I will not disturb him and I can come and get you if he wakes up.” she said hopefully. Madam Pomfrey considered Ginny for a moment then said “I could use an assistant to watch over him until Madam Tosh arrives. You be sure to come and get me if he wakes up.” She turned to face Professor Dumbledore “No Interviews until I or Madam Tosh say it is ok.” she said with a stern voice looking directly and stubbornly at Professor Dumbledore. With a twinkle in his eyes and said “As you say Poppy.” and bowed to her before he left the ward followed by Ron and Hermione who started back up to Gryffindor tower while Professor McGonagall left for her office to contact the Weasleys.

On the way back to Gryffindor tower Hermione told Ron what Professor Dumbledore had said about Voldemort and his suspicion that he had allies here at the school. “It must be Malfoy. I would bet anything that he is in contact with his father and that You Know Who ordered this attack so he could get at Harry. Remember what Malfoy said on the train?” Ron thought about this for a minute then said “But why have him beat up? He could just get to him in his dreams like last year, like he has been doing all summer couldn’t he?”

“Think about it Ron, Harry could tell when You Know Who was happy or angry. Well the connection works both ways. If Harry is in pain or scared he can feel it and can make it worse. The connection is strongest when one of them is feeling a strong emotion and fear is a pretty strong emotion.”

When Ron and Hermione approached the Fat Lady she was not alone. Her friend Violet had joined her in her frame. They were speaking in fast whisperings when they noticed Ron and Hermione. “How is Mr. Potter?” the Fat Lady asked. “He’s in bad shape and will be in the hospital wing for a while.” replied Hermione. They stood looking at the Fat Lady and Violet for a moment when Ron said “Oh; Bubotuber” The Fat Lady smiled at him and opened the portrait hole. Most of the house was up in the common room as the people who were up at the time Ron and Hermione got Ginny had overheard what was said and waked the others. As soon as Ron and Hermione stepped through the portrait hole they were accosted with questions from everyone. “What Happened?” “Was Harry beat up?” “Where is Ginny?” “Who did it?” “Have they been caught?”

Ron whistled loudly and long until everyone quieted down. “Harry was attacked tonight but we don’t know who did it and he can’t tell us anything yet. He’ll be in the hospital wing for a while and there is really nothing else we can do until Harry wakes up and can tell us what really happened.” Ron walked over to the sofa in front of the fire and sat down heavily. Hermione looked at the gathered faces around the common room and most of them looked frightened. “There is no need to worry now. There isn’t some mad hatter running around the school beating up students.” Colin Creevey spoke up “How do you know that. What if one of us is next?” Hermione sighed “Colin, no one else is going to be attacked. Professor Dumbledore is taking care of this and we can all trust him. It’s late and everyone needs to go to bed.” No one moved for a minute then slowly people started making their way up to their dormitories. Ron was still sitting there staring at the fire when the last of the Gryffindors left the common room. Hermione came over and sat down next to him. Ron was staring at the fire, his expression dark and brooding. Hermione realized that Ron was wearing the same expression that Victor Krum usually wore and she took his hand as he looked at her with troubled eyes. “They tried to kill him Hermione. He is my best friend and I couldn’t do anything to help him.” Ron stood up quickly and paced the floor. “I should have waited for him. I’m useless!”

“No you’re not Ron! You went to look for him didn’t you? That’s what a friend would do. It’s not your fault that this happened.” Ron knew it wasn’t his fault but he was sick about what had happened to Harry. “This is so much worse than what Dudley did.” Ron punched his fist into his hand “They will pay for this Hermione, I’ll make them pay!” Hermione had a smile on her face which Ron couldn’t understand at all “What!?”
“I said the exact same thing to Professor Dumbledore, word for word.” Ron’s jaw dropped and he said “You did not! What did he say?”

“He didn’t say anything but Professor McGonagall did. She said that Harry needs us to help him now; not off plotting revenge. She is right you know. We have to help Harry find a way to protect himself from these attacks through his scar.” Ron was pacing the room in front of the fire thinking hard about what Hermione said. He knew that she and McGonagall were right, but how do you stop magical or mental attacks through a curse scar? “Hermione, how are we going to do that? This connection between them has never happened before. How do we prevent it? I mean that’s why he is learning occlumency isn’t it?”

“How do we know that this has never happened before? There could be something in the archives concerning a connection between people whether it is through a failed curse like with Harry or some other way and we should start by looking for anything like that. Occlumency is a very good defense but You Know Who has a distinct advantage through their connection. We need to go to the library. I’m sure Professor Dumbledore will sign a note for us to look in the restricted section for clues that might help Harry fight these attacks.” Ron was smiling at her and it was her turn to say “What?”

“Well it’s just that your first instinct when trying to solve a problem is to start in the library. Actually I agree with you this time. You’re right, we need to help Harry and getting revenge isn’t going to help him now. Why don’t you start in the library and I’ll see if I can find out anything from Trelawney.” Ron raised his hands at the look on Hermione’s face to this suggestion “I know that she is just an old fraud but she might be able to give us a lead on what books to search through.”

Hermione sighed “Ok, talk to her but don’t mention Harry, she is ridiculously inaccurate when it concerns him, and who knows her great grandmother really was a renowned seer, plus she did make the two real predictions about Harry and the Dark Lord. Look it’s almost midnight, I’m going to try and get some sleep.” Ron hung his head for a moment then looked up at her and said “Yeah, I’m tired too. I want to be up early to see Harry before breakfast.”

“Let’s meet down here at 6:30 then.” she said standing up. Ron stood up too and looked down at Hermione. He had grown another inch or two over the summer and was almost six feet tall now. He placed his hand on her shoulder and said “He’s going to be ok Hermione.” She smiled up at Ron. She wasn’t sure if he had said that for her benefit or his own and put her hand on his and said “I know. Goodnight Ron.” Ron watched her go up the girls’ staircase until she turned the corner out of sight. He looked at the portrait hole considering going back to the hospital wing, but there wasn’t anything he could do there and Madam Pomfrey probably wouldn’t allow it, so instead he turned and climbed the stair case to the boy’s dormitory.

When he entered the dorm everyone was asleep except Neville, who was sitting on the edge of his bed waiting for Ron.
“What’s up Neville?” asked Ron as he sat down on his bed directly opposite to Neville.
“Ron please tell me the truth. How badly was Harry beat up and who did it? I know that you know.” Neville spoke very determinedly which was unusual for him. Ron looked around at Dean and Seamus to make sure they were asleep before speaking.

[Alice I]

Chapter Eight - Part 2
Voldemort’s Orders

“Neville it’s bad, Harry will be in hospital for a long time. We think Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle did it on You Know Who’s orders. When Harry is scared or in pain he can attack Harry through his scar. I saw it happen after…” and Ron stopped. He realized that Neville didn’t know about the incident on Harry’s birthday. Neville took Ron’s abrupt halt as a sign of overwhelming emotion because of what had happened to his best friend tonight and got up and came over to sit next to Ron.

Neville looked right at Ron and said “Harry is counting on us all to help. You and Hermione have to start up the DA meetings again. We all have to get ready, because the only way that Harry will ever be safe, or any of us for that matter, is to defeat V… Voldemort once and for all.” Ron was staring at Neville astounded. He had never heard Neville speak like this, with confidence and determination or for that matter he had never heard Neville speak Voldemort’s name. Neville continued “I learned something last June in the Department of Mysteries. We came back alive because we worked together. That prophecy says that Harry will be the one to defeat the Dark Lord but it doesn’t say he does it alone.”
Ron was looking at Neville with new respect, and made a decision.

“Neville, something happened over the summer with Harry.” Ron told Neville about Harry’s depression over the loss of Sirius and the attack on his birthday. “Look Neville, I told you all of this because you have always stuck by Harry and you are right he can’t do it alone. He needs all of his friends.” Neville felt more confident and pleased to have Ron include him in Harry’s close circle of friends because he had always been very fond of Harry and looked up to him since their first year at Hogwarts. He felt very strongly the need to protect Harry because whether magical or not; torture was torture and he didn’t want Harry to end up like his parents who had been tortured into insanity by Voldemort’s Death Eaters. “Thank you for trusting me. I won’t tell anyone else but please agree to start up the DA meetings again ok?”

“Hermione and I are meeting in the common room at six thirty to go to the hospital wing. Come with us and we’ll talk about it on the way. I have got to get some sleep, my mum is coming tomorrow and she is going to feint when she sees Harry.” Neville got up and went to his own bed while Ron got undressed. Once Ron and Neville had settled into bed Neville turned and asked “Is he really as bad as that?”
“He’s worse than that Neville.” Ron replied and Neville rolled over with a heavy heart and sleep didn’t come to either of them until much later.

Snape looked around High street in the village of Hogsmead to be certain that he was alone. He stood still and quiet for a long moment clearing his mind of all thought. He glanced down at his forearm staring at the Dark Mark burned black into his skin then drew a deep breath and with a loud crack he was gone. When he reappeared his arm was burning but he had successfully apparated to an old condemned castle on the edge of a dark and foggy Moore. He glanced around and felt rather than heard the presence of someone standing in the shadows by an ancient and dead Willow tree. Snape slowly moved forward to the hooded figure then bent to the ground and kissed the hem of its robes.

“Rise up Severus.” Snape smoothly came to a standing position but remained slightly bowed. “Master” Lord Voldemort glided out from the shadow of the Willow and circled Snape who did not move. “I had forsaken you my friend, I thought that you had turned allegiance to that mudblood loving fool Dumbledore. You did not come when I summoned the night of my return, and your communications hence were suspect, but now I see with the eyes of my enemy, feel the fear in his heart; your true faithfulness.”

Snape bowed low but remained silent. Voldemort came around to the front of Snape and looked into his face. He had drawn his wand and pointed it at Snape and whispered “Ligilimens.” The face of Voldemort remained clear in Snape’s vision but all else whirled away in a swirling vortex until the only thing Snape could see was the face of the Dark Lord. An image of Harry Potter as a first year student flashed before Snape. He saw himself slipping aconite into Harry’s cauldron while he was looking away. Then he saw an image of himself pointing his wand, hidden under his robes, at a bludger that tried to kill Harry during a quidditch match. The image of him preventing Harry from alerting Dumbledore of Barty Crouch’s appearance on the grounds floated to the surface next accompanied by a feeling that was unclear, possibly regret. Snape mastered this feeling quickly but Voldemort picked it up and stared piercingly into Snape’s eyes. Snape stared back unblinking as the image of Harry sitting in Potions class came forward. Snape leaned close and said “It is a pity that your cousin didn’t beat the arrogance out of you.” and Harry responding “The pity is that Dumbledore trusts a black hearted Death Eater scumbag like you!” Voldemort smiled at this memory then the image of Harry beaten and battered came to the surface. A clear feeling of triumph flooded through Snape as he saw the image of Harry lying on the floor then Harry opened his eyes and terror filled them.

Voldemort lowered his wand and the night came back into focus. Snape still remained silent as Voldemort surveyed him critically and once again began to circle around his servant. “You have tormented Potter from the beginning. You hate him my friend, as much as you hated his father I dare say. It seems that you have attempted to kill him on a few occasions. Why then, I wonder have you failed to succeed?” Voldemort had stopped circling Snape and stood silently waiting for an answer.
“Potter is more carefully watched than even he will ever realize. Achieving his death has been no small task. Dumbledore trusts me and I dare not risk his suspicion.”

“That is true. I have new plans for Potter, I do not want him killed at this time Severus. I want him alive but tormented.” Snape turned to Voldemort and bowed slightly before speaking. “That may be difficult Master, Potter was injured badly enough that he may not recover.” Voldemort, who had begun to pace in front of Snape turned abruptly with fury etched into every line of his face. “That was not supposed to happen.” He fell silent and concentrated hard.

Slowly Voldemort became aware of pain all over his body though he was feeling it from far away. He opened his eyes and saw Dumbledore standing over him. Dumbledore leaned close to his face and said “Who?” The image of Snape and the Dark Mark flashed before his eyes then he heard himself whisper “Snape” The image faded and when Voldemort opened his eyes he was staring at Snape with a twisted smile. “Potter yet lives and believes that you did this to him. How very interesting, what will Dumbledore think?” Snape showed no sign of surprise at this revelation though indeed he was. “Professor Dumbledore knows that I did not beat Potter for I was speaking with him at the time it happened. I am simply the one who found him so as yet I remain undiscovered. Dumbledore will be too occupied with the situation to worry about me not being present for a while but that will not keep for long. I will need to return to the castle soon so as not to arouse suspicion.”

Voldemort nodded and said “You will return to the castle Severus but you will not go empty handed.” Voldemort pulled out a long silver quill with a sharp point. You will report to me the actions and plans of that fool Dumbledore using this quill. When you finish writing you will burn the parchment in this.” Voldemort pulled out a small metal snuff box and handed both the box and quill to Snape. “Keep this quill and box safely hidden. You will receive instructions in the same manner. Now go and report to me on his progress. I want to know when he begins playing quidditch. It is time to put into motion my plans for young Potter, and Severus…” Voldemort paused and looked closely at Snape before continuing “Do not fail me.” Snape pocketed the items and bowed low. “As you command, so shall I serve, Master.” When he straightened up Voldemort was no where to be seen. Snape looked around quickly then with a loud crack he disapparated.

Ginny had fallen asleep sitting next to Harry on his right side holding his hand. Her head was on the bed next to his right arm which was bound to his chest with a bandage to keep his shoulder in place. Harry opened his eyes for a minute. When he was able to focus he saw Ginny lying there and could feel her hand holding his. He thought she was the angel he had seen earlier. She said she wouldn’t leave him and she didn’t. He closed his eyes, ‘she will watch over me’ his mind told him as he slipped down into a dark place where nothing could be felt. The pain all over his body faded away as did the fear in his mind and heart. He felt as though he were drifting in a void. One thought drifted through Harry’s mind ‘She said she wouldn’t leave me. Now I can sleep.’

Harry’s breathing became less ragged and slowed down considerably. His heart also slowed to an extremely low rate and he started to get cold. Ginny opened her eyes suddenly and she sat up looking down at Harry. The features on the right side of his face that she could make out clearly through his injuries looked peaceful and he was still breathing, but very slowly. She had a strong urge to wake him but she remembered her promise to Madam Pomfrey. Something about his breathing was bothering her but she didn’t know why. She got up and went to fetch Madam Pomfrey.

When Ginny knocked and opened the door of Madam Pomfrey’s office, Madam Tosh was standing there speaking in low tones with her colleague. She was still wearing a traveling cloak and had obviously just arrived. They both looked up when Ginny stepped into the office.

“Excuse me Madam Tosh, Madam Pomfrey; please come and look at Harry right now. I don’t know what it is, but something has changed. I’m worried.”
Madam Tosh immediately left the office to the ward. As she approached Harry’s bed her eyes were like fire. Madam Pomfrey had sent a list of Harry’s injuries but to actually see him was another matter. He looked like he was asleep but Ginny was right something was wrong here. His eyes were still behind his lids; his breathing was very slow but regular. She checked his pulse which was also very slow but steady, then it hit her. She could sense nothing from him, no emotion, no dreams, nothing. She should be able to pick up something even if Harry were unconscious. Madam Tosh turned to Ginny and looked at her critically. “Ginny you are extremely perceptive. Madam Pomfrey and I have a lot of work to do with Harry so I am going to ask you to go back to your dormitory for now. I thank you for staying with Harry and please come back in the morning. I am sure that Ron and Hermione will want to visit also.”

“But what is it? Why is he breathing so slowly and why is he so cold?” Ginny’s eyes looked worried but stubborn. She wasn’t going to leave without some answers and this was apparent to both Madam Tosh and Madam Pomfrey.

“Harry has shut down somehow. His mind and body have been so traumatized that he has put himself into a sleep so deep that I can sense nothing from him. His body temperature has lowered, his heart has slowed down and he is breathing very slowly but evenly. It is almost like he has gone into hibernation like a bear in winter. I am very surprised that you picked up on this change. Do you have any medical training?”

“No Ma'am. I was dosing and suddenly I woke up and looked at him. Something seemed wrong or missing. I don’t know how to explain it.” Madam Tosh raised an eyebrow. She made a mental note to herself to spend more time with Ginny if possible for she had just described an empathic sense. Most people are empathic to a very small degree, allowing human compassion but to be able to sense someone leaving the way Harry had done was far above the natural empathic sense that ordinary people possessed. “Well Ginny you are very tired and we need to get to work. Try and get some sleep.” Ginny turned reluctantly and left for Gryffindor tower.

Snape sat quietly in his office pondering the remarkable events of the night. He pulled the silver snuff box and quill out of his pocket and examined them. The box was just an ordinary silver snuff box without adornment on the sides, however the top of the box had a serpent circling the edges of the lid and at the center of the top the serpent was eating its own tail. Suddenly the box became warm in Snape’s hand and he set it down on the desk quickly. There was a slight glow to the edges of the lid then the serpent’s eyes glowed red like hot coals. Snape opened the box and placed inside of it was a folded piece of parchment that was still warm and had singed edges. He removed the parchment and unfolded it. There was one sentence written there which read:
Potter is gone, Report!
Snape looked curiously at the parchment for a moment then got up and left for the hospital ward.

True to Madam Pomfrey’s word it took the two healers until five thirty in the morning to repair the damage to Harry’s bones and internal organs. The fact that Harry was now in a hibernative state would slow down the natural healing process and the bruises and cuts would take some time to disappear. Much of the swelling especially around the left side of his face was drastically reduced. You could now recognize him even through the heavy black and blue covering his face.

Madam Pomfrey was very concerned by Harry’s unresponsiveness however. She knew that no spells had been used on him and that while he had a severe concussion he had not suffered a major brain injury. She could not give a medical reason for his comatose state. “Madam Tosh, how long do you think he will be like this?”
“I honestly do not know. This is a protective sleep he is in while his body and mind heal. I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore. You have been up all night, why don’t you get some rest. There is nothing more we can do right now.” Madam Pomfrey nodded wearily and headed off to her office.

Madam Tosh started for the end of the ward when Professor McGonagall came in with Bill, Charlie, Molly and Arthur Weasley. Charlie had spent the whole night flying to Hogwarts as soon as Dumbledore sent him word of what had happened to Harry. He was now in danger of loosing his position with the Dragon Keepers Guild but when he saw Harry he didn’t care. He was going to stay in Brittan and help his family. When Molly saw Harry she rushed over to his bed. “Dear Lord, how could this happen here at school?” Arthur, Bill and Charlie were staring horrified at Harry.

Molly started crying and Arthur came over to her and held her around the shoulders. “We need some answers Madam Tosh, we need to know how this could happen and who did it.” said Arthur with steely anger in his voice. “Please come with me to Professor Dumbledore’s office. I will tell you everything I can about the attack on Harry and I want a couple of questions answered myself. Professor McGonagall would you mind coming along, I do not know the password and I imagine you would like to have all of the details yourself.” Molly bent down and kissed Harry on the forehead. He was so still and cold so she pulled the blankets up a little higher then they all followed Professor McGonagall to the headmaster’s office in silence. Bill and Charlie exchanged dark looks and each silently vowed to never let this happen to Harry again.

When everyone had entered Dumbledore’s office Professor McGonagall pulled out her wand and conjured six straight backed chairs. Professor Dumbledore was standing over by Fawkes’ perch stroking him and speaking quietly to the phoenix giving no sign that he had seen or heard the group enter his office. “Madam Tosh what news of Harry do have to share with us?” he asked as he turned and walked over to his desk and sat down. Madam Tosh spoke directly to Professor Dumbledore.

“I must first ask you; do you believe that this attack was an attempt on Harry’s life?” Molly Weasley gasped and turned white as a ghost. Dumbledore looked sharply at Madam Tosh and said “I do not believe that this was an attempt to kill Harry, however this was not a random act. It was planned and carried out by someone in the castle.” Madam Tosh nodded and said “I agree, however…” and she turned to the others seated with her “Harry’s attackers very nearly did kill him.” She stopped to let that fact register on the shocked faces of the Weasley’s. She turned to face the headmaster who had gone very pale and he said “How is Harry now?” Madam Tosh got up and crossed the room to Fawkes. She lifted her finger to his face and stroked his feathers before turning to face everyone.

“Harry is stable now, though he was very seriously injured. He had fourteen broken bones, sever damage to many of his internal organs, and his throat was partially crushed when he was throttled. Madam Pomfrey and I have repaired his organs and mended his bones. He is no longer in danger of dieing due to the beating.” Bill spoke first “There is a ‘But’ coming isn’t there?”
“Yes; Harry will not wake up. His body temperature has lowered as has his heart rate and breathing. He has entered a hibernative state and there is something else. I sense nothing from him; it is as though he were an empty shell, a void.” She directed this last comment to Professor Dumbledore as he was the only person in the room who knew that she was an empath.

Madam Tosh saw the confused looks on the faces of those gathered and turned to them. “My mother is a muggle who is also a very powerful empath. I have inherited some of her abilities.” She turned back to Professor Dumbledore “My mother moved back to Dublin after my father died. Can you arrange for her to be brought here? She is far more powerful than I am and I need to know how far away Harry has gone.” Professor Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall who was staring open mouthed at Madam Tosh. She closed her mouth and sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Minerva, would you please go and ask Hagrid to come up to my office?”

“At once Headmaster!” she said crisply as if trying to cover for her open display of shock a moment ago. She got up and silently left the office. Charlie and Bill were exchanging confused looks and Charlie said “Madam Tosh I’m not sure I understand what you are saying about Harry. What do you mean you need to know how far away he has gone?”

“Well a true empath like my mother can sense every emotion from the people she is near, even if they are asleep or even unconscious. I can sense nothing from Harry at all; it is as though he wasn’t there. Some would say that his spirit has left his body; but I would not say that. I do believe that he has buried himself so deeply in his own mind that he can no longer feel pain or fear. I believe that this is a form of self protection and unless I can find out how deeply he has withdrawn into his mind I wont know when or even if he can come back.”

Molly started weeping “You mean he may never wake up!” She looked terrified and Madam Tosh came over to her and knelt down to face her. “Molly, I truly do not believe that Harry will never wake up. He is one of the most resilient souls I have ever treated. He will come back to us, and my mother will guide him.” Molly looked worried and confused. Arthur had his arm around her shoulders and looked at Madam Tosh. Bill turned to Professor Dumbledore “Do you have any idea who did this to Harry?” Madam Tosh got to her feet and looked at the Headmaster expectantly.

“Professor Snape and Hermione Granger found him. Miss Granger came to get the rest of us who were looking for him. While Severus was alone with Harry, he woke up and panicked and it was then that Voldemort attacked him through the connection that they share. By the time we arrived Harry was unconscious again. Voldemort can feel Harry’s pain and fear and use them to attack him. Harry did wake up briefly in the hospital wing. When I asked him who had done this he said ‘Snape’. He has not awakened again since then so I have no more clue to the identity of his attacker than you do.”
“Wait a minute” said Bill “Madam Tosh referred to more than one attacker.” Dumbledore raised his eyebrow “Indeed you did Madam Tosh”

“I believe that Harry was attacked by three people.” Just as Madam Tosh said this, Hagrid and Professor McGonagall entered the office. “What’s this? Harry’s been attacked?” Professor Dumbledore raised a hand “A moment if you please Hagrid. I will explain everything when Madam Tosh is finished.” Madam Tosh was staring at Hagrid. He was the largest person she had ever seen and she was a bit startled by his size and appearance. She shook her head slightly and continued “I believe that Harry was attacked from behind. A burlap sack was thrown over his head, he was gagged and his arms were pinned behind his back by one person while two others attacked him.”

Hagrid’s beetle black eyes opened wide in shock. “Harry has no defensive wounds. As a matter of fact he has no injuries on his forearms or hands and this clearly indicates that his arms were held behind him. The deep bruising on his neck show the finger imprints of a large hand and the texture of the burlap can be seen through the bruises. Also Madam Pomfrey found some burlap fibers on the collar of Harry’s robes. The left side of his face was hit by someone wearing a ring cutting his cheek under his left eye. We found a string wedged between his teeth from the gag. Having his arms pinned behind him, unable to see or call for help, this attack was designed to terrify Harry, but not to kill him.” Dumbledore got up and came around his desk. He placed a hand on Molly shoulder and said “Go back to the hospital wing; Hermione and your two will be there shortly I expect. Hagrid please stay I have a job for you.” and the Weasley’s got up and left for the hospital wing.

Even though none of them had slept much last night Ron, Hermione and Neville met at six thirty in the common room. Ginny was asleep in her usual spot. Hermione shook her gently. “Ginny, wake up.” Ginny opened her eyes quickly and focused on Hermione. “What time is it?” she said a bit startled. “It’s six thirty in the morning. When did you get back, how is Harry?” Ron asked her. Ginny stood up stiffly “He won’t wake up.” Ron and Neville looked ashen “What do you mean he won’t wake up? He was awake last night. What happened?” Ron’s voice raised an octave and sounded panicky. Ginny explained what Madam Tosh told her last night about Harry going into a kind of hibernation because of the trauma of the attack. “Blimey, you mean he is in a coma or something?” asked Ron who had gotten himself under control. “Well sort of, Madam Tosh thinks it is a way for him to protect himself while he heals.”

“Well lets go to the hospital wing, I want to see him” said Hermione heading for the portrait hole. Ginny looked over at Neville and said “Good morning Neville, are you coming too?” Ron told Hermione and Ginny about the conversation he and Neville had the night before. Both Ginny and Hermione were a little surprised when Ron told them that he had let Neville know about the attack on Harry on his birthday.

As they made their way down to the hospital ward they were talking about the DA meetings and upon entering the ward Hermione was saying “The point is Professor Lupin, Madeye, or Tonks won’t be able to do it and without Harry what are we supposed to do?” The Weasley’s looked up at Hermione’s words. “What are you talking about?” asked Bill. Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Neville stopped when they saw Harry. Neville’s face drained of all color and he turned to Bill “We need to start the DA meetings again but he is our teacher!” he said pointing a shaking finger at Harry. Neville was looking like he was going to feint and Ginny took him by the hand and led him to the chair next to Harry’s bed. Charlie turned to Hermione and Ron “What are DA meetings?” Ron and Hermione told them about the secret meetings they held last year because of Professor Umbridge and Neville’s point of preparing to face Lord Voldemort.
“That is ridiculous. You are not going to fight the Dark Lord, you are children!” Mrs. Weasley shrieked.

“No mum, we are not! We have already fought the Death Eaters, and this IS our fight” Ginny was standing resolute facing her mother. She had never openly defied her mother before and Mrs. Weasley was a bit taken aback. “Neville is right. Nothing in that prophecy says Harry will defeat Voldemort alone.” Mrs. Weasley flinched at the name of the Dark Lord that Ginny voiced openly. “We are his allies, his friends, his family! Our place is beside him fighting, but we can’t do that if we don’t know how!” Ginny was red faced and panting slightly with the emotions coursing through her at the moment. She had never spoken to her mother like that before and was torn between a feeling of defiance and shame. “Well spoken Miss Weasley. Gryffindor takes five points.” said Professor Dumbledore from the other end of the ward. He and Madam Tosh had returned after sending Hagrid to collect her mother from Dublin.
“Hang on, what about Bill?” said Ron looking at his oldest brother. “What about me Ron?”

“Bill you were a curse breaker for Gringotts. You’ve dealt with loads of dark magic, why can’t you teach us.” Bill looked a little startled and Charlie clapped a hand on his shoulder “What about it Professor Weasley?” Tearing her eyes away from her daughter Mrs. Weasley snapped “Now just a minute, what about your job Bill, you have been with Gringotts since you graduated.” Bill thought about it for a minute. “Mum, look I happen to agree with Neville; these students need to prepare. They will be leaving school soon and they need fighting skills. The Dark Lord has returned and if our world or the muggle world, for that matter, are to have hope he must be defeated. The students of today will be the protectors of our world tomorrow. I took the desk job when the Dark Lord returned to be active in the Order, and I don’t see how working for Gringotts is more important than what we are doing to stop his return to power. But this is not up to you or me, the decision rests with the Headmaster.”

Professor Dumbledore approached the group but before speaking he bent to examine Harry closely. He looked at the cut in his cheek under his left eye, examined the patterned bruises on his neck then lifted Harry’s hand and looked at both sides before laying it gently back down. He stood up and looked directly at Molly “The DA will continue.” Then he turned to Bill “Bill if you are willing to take the post I will match what ever salary Gringotts is paying you.” Bill smiled and said “Done” He held out his hand to shake Dumbledore’s. “Welcome to Hogwarts Professor Weasley. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley as Gryffindor prefects please go to your house and make sure all students attend a breakfast meeting in the Great Hall at eight o’clock. Molly, Arthur and Charlie please join the Gryffindor table and Bill you would please join me in my office before breakfast?”

Professor Dumbledore turned to leave the ward followed by Bill. Mrs. Weasley kissed Harry again and wiped new tears out of her eyes. “Well, I guess it’s off to Gryffindor Tower. I haven’t seen the common room in years” said Charlie as he turned to follow Ron and Hermione out of the hospital wing.

[Ferrus]

The plot thickens...

Doing a great job, I´ve caught myself thinking twice that Book 6 has already been released got to keep myself centred...

[Alice I]

The plot thickens...

Doing a great job, I´ve caught myself thinking twice that Book 6 has already been released got to keep myself centred...

Thanks.

OK here is part one of Chapter Nine.

Chapter Nine - Part 1
Ron and Hermione


The walk up to Gryffindor tower was short but seemed to take forever for Molly Weasley.
When they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Molly looked around surprised for she had been so lost in her own thoughts that she had no recollection of walking there from the hospital wing. Arthur was red eyed as well but stood straight and looked at his wife. “The students of Gryffindor will be looking to Ron and Hermione for comfort and support. We must help them to set an example of calm.” Molly dried her eyes and stood straight. “You are absolutely right dear.” Once they entered the common room memories of her own days there flooded through her mind. “Oh my, the common room has hardly changed at all. It’s like we were here only yesterday Arthur.” It was just past 7 a.m. and a few students had wandered down to the common room getting ready for breakfast and were looking curiously at the group who had just entered.

Hermione addressed everyone “Please may I have your attention? There will be a meeting in the Great Hall at eight o’clock. Professor Dumbledore wants every student to attend.” There was a murmuring of the students gathered but no one needed to ask what the meeting was going to be about. Most of the students in Gryffindor tower had gotten very little sleep after the news of last night’s attack on Harry. Hermione headed up the girls staircase to rouse the rest of the Gryffindor girls while Ron did the same with the boys. In surprisingly little time the common room was packed with every student from the tower. At seven forty no one could stand the suspense any longer and the entire house began to make its way down to the Great Hall.

Professor Dumbledore had led Bill up to his office to discuss setting up the DA classes. Bill took a seat in one of the chairs that Professor McGonagall had conjured earlier and asked “So what exactly is a DA meeting?” Professor Dumbledore smiled and explained what Hermione, Ron and Harry had done last year in lieu of having no real Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Bill was quite impressed and listened intently especially as the headmaster described the Room of Requirement that they had used to hold their secret meetings. “As far as the name goes Defensive Arts may be more suitable than Dumbledore’s Army” Bill wasn’t sure he agreed with that but didn’t voice his opinion. “This will need to be offered to every student regardless of what year they are in. The fight against Lord Voldemort is happening now and every student deserves the knowledge required to defend themselves.”
“I agree with you sir but, we will need to tailor the training to the skill level of each class. I wouldn’t begin to try and teach the patronus charm to a group of first years but anyone in fourth year or higher needs to be trained in these more complicated defenses. The other concern I have is when to fit a course like this into your student’s already busy schedules.”

Dumbledore smiled. Bill was already thinking like a teacher. “I recommend that you structure these classes along the same lines that Harry did last year. The lessons would be conducted in the evening after the dinner hour. Different evenings dedicated to different years.”

“That should work, but I’ll need to know how many students I’ll be dealing with, and of course where are we going to hold these lessons?” Professor Dumbledore sat back for a moment thinking then he leaned forward and said “Some secrets need to be revealed in the fullness of time. I suggest opening the Room of Requirement to the general knowledge of the school. This room should be used as your classroom. It is the only room that would satisfy your needs adequately and support the number of students I think you will end up with.” Bill smiled at the thought of this rather challenging task that he had allowed himself to be appointed to. Bill had always loved a challenge, the harder the better. He was quite looking forward to being a teacher and worrying about whether or not he would be a good one never entered his mind.

At eight o’clock the Great Hall started to fill with buzzing students. Word of the attack on Harry had spread unbelievably fast. Bill Weasley still dressed in dragon hide, a long ponytail and an earring sporting a long fang and stood out in sharp contrast to Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers at the staff table. The headmaster watched patiently as the hall filled amongst whisperings and pointing.

After everyone had sat down he waited for moment then stood silently. An immediate hush fell over the room and every eye was looking at Professor Dumbledore. “I have grave news for all of you. A student was attacked last night in a classroom on the third floor corridor.” A short buzz of whispering followed this statement. “The student was Harry Potter. We do not believe that the school was broken into and it is therefore most probable that this attack was perpetrated by someone within the castle.”

The hall broke out in murmurs following this statement as well as many fearful looks around at the other people in the room. Dumbledore paid close attention to Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle and waited for the room to quiet down before continuing. “I do not believe that any other student is at risk as this attack had a specific purpose. As I said two years ago I believe that the truth is far better than lies so I will tell you that we have good reason to believe that this attack on Mr. Potter was ordered by Lord Voldemort.” The room exploded in voices this time and Dumbledore noticed the mild surprise on the faces of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. He scanned the room seeing the shock register on every face in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore raised a hand and silence fell. “Mr. Potter is in very serious condition and nearly died in this attack.” The blood drained from Malfoy pale face and he looked shocked and frightened by this. Dumbledore knew at that moment that they had indeed been the ones responsible for what happened last night. The fact that they almost killed him would not please Voldemort and Malfoy knew it.

“In light of this I am introducing a new course open to any student who wishes to take it. This will be a Defensive Arts course and I would like to introduce the instructor Professor William Weasley. DA lessons will begin on Monday of next week. The object of this course is to teach you how to defend yourselves against Dark Wizards; specifically Death Eaters. There will be no grades for this course as it is completely optional and will take place in the evenings after dinner. If we do not wish to surrender our world to Lord Voldemort again then we must unite and prepare to fight. Any student wishing to sign up for the course please see your head of house.”

Bill was also watching the Slytherin table and noticed the fear register on Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle’s faces when Professor Dumbledore said that Harry had nearly died. He didn’t know how he would prevent them from signing up for the course but he would refuse to teach Malfoy and his friends anything.

Professor Dumbledore sat down and began to speak in quiet tones to Bill. The tension in the Great Hall was palpable as people began to pick at their food, then the whispering began again. Many of the students were looking up at Bill sitting next to Professor Dumbledore talking quietly.
The members of the original DA all ended up at the Gryffindor table to talk about the new Defensive Arts class.

Hermione said “We shouldn’t let them change the name. We are, in a sense, still Dumbledore’s Army, not against the Ministry but against You Know Who.” There were several nods of agreement. “We’ll tell Professor Weasley” said Cho Chang. She looked shaken by the news of Harry and Hermione privately wondered how she would react if she went to see him. Cho and Harry briefly dated last year but it was disastrous. They ended up going separate ways but Cho was quite emotional and she would probably cry for a week when she saw him even though admittedly Harry did look terrible.

Hermione looked up and saw Marietta Edgecombe approach the table very tentatively. “I… I would like to come to the class.” There were many severe looks directed at her as she had ratted the DA out to Professor Umbridge last year causing Professor Dumbledore to leave the school because he took full responsibility for the gathering of the group. Hermione looked at her thoughtfully then said “Professor Dumbledore was right when he said we all have to work together.” Relief washed over Marietta’s face and she muttered “I’m so sorry.”
“Forget it Marietta” said Hermione “The important thing is to prepare. The Dark Lord wants to take over; we aren’t going to let him!” Hermione said this with such conviction that she actually got a “Here here” from the DA members.

Harry had a steady stream of visitors during the course of the day. Most of the students who saw him had brought cards or gifts and left the hospital wing in a state of utter shock. None of them had ever seen a beating so sever and simply didn’t know what to think. Cho did stop by to see Harry and burst into tears the moment she saw him. Madam Pomfrey sat sentry at the ward entrance with specific instructions not to let Malfoy, Crabbe or Goyle near Harry. Neville, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had kept quiet about their suspicions as to the identity of Harry’s attackers but almost half of the sixth years were casting glances at Malfoy and his cronies.

Malfoy was looking as smug as ever having quickly gotten over his shock at breakfast. Crabbe and Goyle however were looking very nervous and didn’t go anywhere with out Malfoy to speak for them. Justin Finch-Fletchley approached Malfoy at lunch and loudly asked him if he had been up to see Harry yet. “Why would I want to visit him? Too bad who ever attacked him didn’t finish the job.” Several people from nearby tables rose up to face Malfoy and his smug smile faltered slightly. Malfoy got up throwing his fork down to his barely touched lunch “I was finished anyway.” and he left the hall quickly followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

Hagrid arrived in Madam Pomfrey’s office with Abigail Tosh at seven in the evening. Madam Tosh greeted her mother very formally but with genuine affection then she looked up at Hagrid and smiled at him warmly. “Thank you Professor Hagrid, I am sure you made the trip pleasant for my mother.” Hagrid blushed under his grizzled beard. “I’ll go off ter see Professor Dumbledore and get yer bags settled ma’am.” Abigail Tosh touched one of Hagrid’s enormous hands gently and said “You are a good soul Hagrid. I enjoyed our talk. If it is alright with you I’d like to come down to your cabin for tea sometime.” Hagrid’s beetle black eyes crinkled with a big smile “Tha’ll be just fine ma’am. I’ll look forward ter it. If yer don’t mind I would like to see Harry before I go.” Madam Tosh looked up at him “Of course Hagrid, you haven’t seen him yet have you?”

Abigail turned to Madam Tosh and said “Please tell me about your patient daughter.” The healer and the old woman sat down at Madam Pomfrey’s desk and began speaking in low tones as Hagrid went into the hospital ward to see Harry. He knelt down next to Harry’s bed but still towered over him and gently touched Harry’s hand. “You’ll come back to us Harry when yer ready. I know yer will.” With a loud sniffle Hagrid got to his feet and left the ward as tears slid down his face leaving large droplets on the floor as he left.

Madam Tosh and her mother were speaking quietly when Madam Pomfrey came into the office looking tired. She had been up and watching over Harry’s visitors all day and had only gotten a couple hours of sleep in the last forty eight hours. She had a drawn look to her face and large dark circles under her eyes. When she saw Madam Tosh and her mother she stepped over to Abigail Tosh and shook her hand “You must be Madam Tosh’s mother. It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope your trip here was a good one.” Abigail had a very strong grip for a ninety three year old woman. “The pleasure is mine Madam Pomfrey. You look exhausted dear. Why don’t you get some rest? My daughter was about to tell me about your patient and I will try and discover the depth of his absence. There is nothing more that you can do this night. It is obvious that you are a truly dedicated healer and you will need your strength to care for young Mr. Potter in the coming days.” Madam Pomfrey instantly liked Mrs. Tosh and knew that the old woman was quite right. The care of Harry in this state was going to require all of her attention and it seemed likely that he would be her patient for some time unless of course he is transferred to St. Mungos. Madam Pomfrey said good night and left through the rear of the office to her apartment.

Madam Tosh gave her mother a brief history of Harry’s last five years going into greater detail of the two recent beatings he had received as well the mental attacks on Harry by Voldemort through their connection. Abigail stood up and paced the floor. “You can sense nothing from this boy?”
“Nothing at all mother. It is as if he were gone. I need you to tell me how deeply he has buried himself. I believe that this has happened as a means of protecting himself from further attacks.” Abigail took a deep breath and said “I will see him now.”

Madam Tosh led her mother out into the hospital ward to Harry’s bed. Abigail was shocked and saddened by Harry’s condition which her daughter felt clearly. “This boy has suffered too much.” Abigail said sadly. She sat down next to Harry and placed her had on his chest. She closed her eyes and became very still. She felt him breathing very slowly. His heart was beating strong but also very slowly. She listened to him closely and slowly felt her self drifting away into a vacuum. She lost all sense of time and direction. No sound or sight, no sense of smell or touch existed here. She became vaguely aware of something, a presence. It was very far away. She willed herself toward that presence and slowly became more aware of it. A feeling came to her, the feeling that she should be an angel. Then a thought formed in her mind ‘She said I was safe, she said she wouldn’t leave me. I can rest now.’ Abigail had found Harry but he was indeed far away. She tried to call to him; to follow her, but Harry lashed back ‘No you are not my angel. Go away.’ The lash back was powerful and stunned her. She drifted away from Harry through the void of his mind.

When Abigail finally opened her eyes again her daughter and Professor Dumbledore were looking at her with concern on their faces. Madam Tosh had placed a blanket around her mother’s shoulders for her body temperature had dropped almost as low as Harry’s. Abigail took a deep breath and removed her hand from Harry’s chest. She was very tired for it had been a long journey. She looked up and asked “How long was I away daughter?”

“Nearly thirty minutes mother. Did you find him?” Abigail bowed her head for a moment, gathering herself, then she looked up and said “He is very far away. He has seen or believes he has seen an angel who told him he is safe and that she would not leave him.” Professor Dumbledore smiled “When Harry woke up here last night he saw Ginny Weasley. She said that he was safe and that she wouldn’t leave him. He was only barely conscious and must have thought that she was an angel.”
“Does she have red hair and blue eyes?”
“Indeed she does.” replied Professor Dumbledore. Abigail looked thoughtful for a minute “I tried to get him to follow me back but he resisted with a strength that was stunning. This boy has an enormously strong will. He will not follow anyone but his angel. He pushed me out with great force. He needs time to rest. He has retreated deep into himself for protection and will only come back when he is ready. I can try and guide him if he will follow me. Daughter I must rest now, I am very tired.”

Professor Dumbledore took Mrs. Tosh’s hand and helped her to stand. “I will accompany you to your rooms; Hagrid has already settled your luggage.” Abigail gratefully took hold of the headmaster’s strong arm. “Were you able to speak to Harry?” he asked “No it does not work that way. I had a sense of him. I got images from his mind. That is how I knew about his angel’s hair and eye color. I feel emotion and get flashes of thought or images with some feeling associated with them. I believe that without Miss Weasley we will not be able to bring this boy back. I should like to meet this young woman; but not tonight.” She fell silent as Professor Dumbledore led her out of the hospital ward.

Madam Tosh was also very tired but she wanted to speak with Ginny Weasley so she left for Gryffindor tower. As she walked along the quiet corridors she smiled to herself. It had been a long time since she had wandered the passages of the castle but as she passed portraits and statues it seemed to her that it had been only yesterday that she was a student herself at Hogwarts. Madam Tosh had been in Gryffindor house so she knew the way to the tower well. When she approached the Fat Lady she smiled warmly. “I remember you like it was yesterday. How have you been?” The Fat Lady opened her eyes wide in surprise “Is that Maggie Tosh?”
“You remember me.”

“I remember all of the students who pass through my portrait. Why have you returned to Hogwarts?” Madam Tosh smiled “I am Harry Potter’s healer. I would like to speak with Ginny Weasley but I am afraid I do not know the pass word.”
Just then the portrait hole opened from the inside and Ron, Hermione and Ginny stepped out. “Madam Tosh.” said Ginny surprised to see her standing there “We were just going to see Harry.” “I see, well we can all go down together. I was actually coming to see you Ginny”
“Why were you looking for me? Has something happened with Harry?” Ron stepped forward “Is he awake now?” he asked hopefully. Madam Tosh shook her head. “I am sorry, he has not yet awakened. I was coming to ask Ginny a few questions about last night.” Ginny looked up at her and said “How did you find the entrance to the common room?”
“I was in Gryffindor when I was a student here. I have very fond memories of this castle as well as a few frightening ones.”

As they turned on to the third floor corridor Madam Tosh looked at Hermione and Ron. They were both feeling anger and sorrow and she stopped in front of the statue of the one eyed witch. She was looking around the corridor and then looked at Ron and Hermione as they had stopped and were looking curiously at the healer. “You found him here. I can sense it in both of you.” Ron and Hermione looked at the class room next to the statue and Madam Tosh stepped over to the door and opened it. “My mother must come to this place.” she said to herself. “How did you know?” Ron asked her. “What do you mean you sensed it?” Madam Tosh resumed the course to the hospital wing saying “I am partially empathic. I can sense strong emotion and in this case I sensed anger in both of you mixed with sorrow.” My mother is a true empath and clairvoyant. She may be able to tell us something of what happened last night.” Ron spun around “You mean she can tell us who beat up Harry!?” Madam Tosh raised and eyebrow at him and said “I do not know Mr. Weasley, but if anyone can, it would be my mother.”

When they entered the hospital wing Madam Tosh said to Ron and Hermione “You two go and visit with Harry for a few minutes. Ginny would you come with me to Madam Pomfrey’s office?” Ginny followed her in and sat down in front of Madam Pomfrey’s desk. Madam Tosh closed the door and pulled up a chair to sit in front of her. “Ginny, my mother was able to find Harry.” she said. Ginny’s heart filled with hope and relief. “He has buried himself so deeply that nothing can touch him now and he is not ready to emerge yet. There was a strong thought that came through clearly to my mother however. Harry believes that an angel with red hair and blue eyes came to him and is watching over him. This angel told him that he was safe and that she would not leave him.” Ginny was staring open mouthed at Madam Tosh “I said that to Harry last night when he woke up.”

“Yes Ginny, I believe that he woke up one more time, while you slept beside him. He saw you and knew that the angel he had seen was real. You said that you would not leave him and you didn’t. I believe it is then that he drifted away safe in the knowledge that his angel would be there watching over him and still be there when he was ready to return. You felt him leave and came and got Madam Pomfrey and me. Ginny I think you may have some empathic abilities. I was going to have Harry moved to St. Mungos but he must stay here now.” Ginny felt overwhelmed by what Madam Tosh had just told her. “Why does Harry have to stay in the castle? Wouldn’t he be better off at St. Mungos?”

“Ginny; Harry would not follow my mother back; he will only come to his guardian angel. When Harry is ready to return you must be here; he needs you to be here.” Ginny was feeling a mixture of emotions. She was relieved that Harry had been reached, pleased that he thought of her as his guardian angel but she also felt guilt and frustration. She knew that Harry did not have romantic feelings for her and she was battling with her own emotions. She did not want to fall in love with Harry and have her heart broken but how could she leave him. She would take a broken heart if it brought Harry back. She looked up at Madam Tosh and said “I will be here for Harry. I will do anything I can to help him just tell me what to do and I will do it.” She spoke with resignation in her voice. Madam Tosh could sense the struggle in Ginny and knew that she was trying as hard as she could not to fall in love with him but it was far too late for that. She took Ginny’s hands. “Let your heart guide you child, it is a good heart and will not lead you astray.”

[Alice I]

Chapter Nine - Part 2
Ron and Hermione

Abigail Tosh had gone out for a walk early the next morning. She headed straight down to the lake and started to walk around its perimeter and by the time she had rounded the back end of the lake near the village and was working her way back toward the castle she stopped to greet the enormous Boarhound that came bounding over the grounds toward her. Abigail had never seen this animal before but felt no fear upon his approach for even before she could see him emerge from the cover of the forbidden forest she sensed Hagrid’s presence. She therefore decided that the rather large dog running at her must be his pet, Fang.

Fang stopped just short of Mrs. Tosh seeming to understand that she would not be able to support his weight if he jumped on her. He was wagging his tail furiously and barking as Hagrid trotted up beside her. “Al’ right there Ma’am? Fang get down and behave yerself!” Abigail smiled “He is excited. This beast is very friendly and I knew at once that he must be yours. How are you this morning Professor?” Hagrid blushed under his wiry beard at being called Professor. “It’s a beaut of a day ma’am but no day’ll be too good till Harry comes back ter us; see.” She could feel Hagrid’s sorrow at the plight of one of his students and it seemed to her that this boy must be very special outside of being ‘The Boy Who Lived’ as he had endeared himself so strongly to so many people.

“Yer out o bit early in all aint’ya?” Hagrid asked her as they walked along. Abigail said “I rise early every day. It seems to me that the day is not so complete if I miss the sunrise. I was heading back to the castle for a cup of coffee, would you be able to join me Professor?” Hagrid really liked the way this woman spoke to him and said “It'd be me pleasure ma’am.” When they came in view of the castle Hagrid told Fang to head off to the cabin and the huge boarhound bounded off toward Hagrid’s place on the edge of the forest.

When they entered the Great Hall it was still fairly early and there were only twenty or so students up and scattered around the hall. Professor Dumbledore was speaking quietly to Professor McGonagall at the staff table. Madam Tosh was also at the staff table and looked up when her mother and Hagrid enter the hall. Hagrid and Mrs. Tosh walked between the house tables up to the staff table and took there seats. Mrs. Tosh sat next to her daughter while Hagrid took his customary seat near the end of the table. After eating a small bowl of fruit, some porridge and a large cup of coffee Mrs. Tosh turned to her daughter and asked how Harry was doing. “There has been no change mother. I would like you to visit the place where Harry was attacked.” Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stopped talking and turned in their direction to listen.

Abigail closed her eyes for a moment and sighed. “I will go with you daughter.” she said with a sigh. Madam Tosh looked concerned and said “Mother I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it would help to solve what happened.” Abigail looked into her daughter’s eyes. “Do not feel guilty asking me to do this. You are his healer and you would be remiss in your duties not to use all of the resources available to you and to him.” Madam Tosh bowed her head “It will not be pleasant mother. I worry for you.”

“I am still strong enough to help the charges set to me. Do not worry daughter, you are with me and as long as that holds true I have nothing to fear.”
Professor Dumbledore said “Would it be alright if I accompanied you to the third floor corridor?” Abigail turned to him “It will not hinder me in any way. You may come if you so choose Headmaster.” The four of them headed up to the third floor corridor and the statue of the one eyed witch. As they drew near the statue and the classroom where the attack happened Abigail stopped in the middle of the corridor and her eyes took on an unfocused look. She swayed slightly but held out her hand which Professor McGonagall took hold of.

Professor Dumbledore and Madam Tosh watched as Abigail’s unfocused eyes moved back and forth as if watching a movie playing before her eyes that only she could see. Professor McGonagall still held her hand and followed her as she walked slightly unsteadily toward the classroom to the right of the statue. When she entered the threshold of the room she whimpered and tears streaked down her face but her eyes still held their unfocused look and she obviously continued to see her vision.

Her grip on Professor McGonagall’s hand was tightening to the point of being rather painful as the features on Abigail’s face became strained and taught. Suddenly she let out a scream and brought both of her hands to her face covering it. Abigail dropped to her knees and sat back on her feet shaking with her hands still covering her face. Professor Dumbledore made to touch her shoulders but was stopped by Madam Tosh. “Please do not touch her yet. Not until she has come out of the trance.”

Abigail looked up after a moment and took Professor Dumbledore’s out stretched hand to get to her feet. “This attack was carefully planned. Harry Potter knows his attackers, I am sure of it. Even though his face was covered, he knows in his heart who did this to him. I can not see their faces but I do know that they are students.” Abigail looked white as a ghost and was still shaking slightly. She was too tired to continue standing and sank down in a nearby chair. “Mother are you well?” Madam Tosh spoke in a very even tone but her eyes looked scared. “I will be fine. This experience was stronger and more violent than I had expected. I am not surprised that this boy has put himself into a protective sleep. He has been badly injured twice in a very short period of time as well as suffering from depression for the loss of a close loved one. He has a very strong psyche to have endured all of this.” Madam Tosh still looked at her mother with a concerned frown and Abigail smiled and said “I am fine daughter.” Madam Tosh knew that her mother was alright for she would sense a lie. Abigail said “I would like to see young Mr. Potter now.” and she got up and headed for the hospital ward with out another word.

When Abigail entered the ward Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all with Harry. They all looked at this stranger puzzled. She was extremely old, they could see that but she seemed vaguely familiar when Madam Tosh entered and said “Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger” she said indicating each in turn “Please say hello to my mother Abigail Tosh.” They all said hello and shook her hand. Suddenly Ron remembered what Madam Tosh had said about her mother possibly being able to identify Harry’s attackers and asked “Er ma’am… Er were you able to see, Er I mean do you know who did this?”
“I do not know who hurt your friend. I am sorry.” she said sadly.

Mrs. Tosh turned to Ginny and looked intently at her for a minute. Ginny started to blush slightly under the old woman’s stare. “Is er anything wrong ma’am?” Abigail smiled “No my child, nothing is wrong. I can see why the young man has found in you, his guardian.” Ginny blushed scarlet for she had not told Ron or Hermione what Madam Tosh had told her last night about Harry’s impression that she was his guardian angel. Ron and Hermione looked puzzled at Mrs. Tosh and Ginny but did not ask about the rather cryptic communication between them. Mrs. Tosh asked Ron and Hermione to tell her everything that had happened Friday night and to leave out no detail. “Where did the Creevey boy get the dung bomb?” she asked after they had finished their tale.

Hermione and Ron were so startled by the question that they just stared at her for a moment then Hermione gasped and said “No! They didn’t, this was planned Ron!” She jumped to her feet and started pacing. “If we prove where Stewart got the dung bomb then… but it would still be circumstantial.” Hermione was muttering almost to herself when Ron got to his feet and said “Hermione what are you on about? What do you mean it’s circumstantial?” Hermione stopped at looked at Ron “Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle got the dung bomb for Stewart knowing he would set it off then they bided there time waiting for the opportunity to strike. Sooner or later we were going to end up working in the library and they got lucky that Harry was alone. If you had been with him they may not have attacked but they may have. All they would have to do is curse you from behind and continue their plan with Harry. We need to talk to Stewart!”

As it turned out Stewart did get the dung bomb from a fellow student but it was not Malfoy, Crabbe or Goyle. It was a Hufflepuff called Angela Abernathy and she got them from Millicent Bulstrode who was very chummy with Malfoy but this simply didn’t constitute proof. Hermione was very frustrated because it seems that Malfoy had carefully covered his tracks and she desperately wanted to prove his culpability.

After the Quidditch try outs on Monday evening Ron and Ginny were very tired and feeling somewhat desperate. Ron was named acting captain by Professor McGonagall and kept Andrew Kirke on as a beater along with Jack Sloper. Neither of them were brilliant but they were much better than Dean Thomas who seemed afraid of the bludger or Stewart Creevey who hit the bludger with so much force that, had it connected with Ginny she would have ended up in the hospital ward right next to Harry, but he also had a tendency to hit players as often. Ginny turned out to be a decent chaser and Dean flew well enough to be an adequate chaser too but they still needed one more and no one else seemed to have any real talent at all. After going over the performances by everyone Ron threw up his hands and said “Look lets see if any of the first years have any talent. Stewart is the only one who showed up for try outs. I’ll ask Madam Hooch if any of the first years look like they can even play quidditch.” He shrugged his shoulders and said “That’s how Harry got on the team.”

Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and shrugged as well. What ever they did would have to wait for another day. They were all tired and they still wanted to go up to the hospital wing and see Harry before they turned in for the night. Ginny was in the hospital wing during breaks, at meals and after the end of lessons each day. Ron and Hermione spent a lot of time in the hospital wing as well but they were also spending large amounts of time in the library researching any mental or magical connections between people that they could find.

Hermione had approached Professor Dumbledore about being allowed to research magical connections between wizards in the restricted section and instead of a note; Professor Dumbledore himself accompanied Hermione down to the library and into the restricted section. By the time the two of them had gone through the shelves there was a pile of books stacked three feet high and Madam Pince nearly had a heart attack when she saw all the books that were to be removed from her precious library.

“But Headmaster where are all of these books going?” she asked balefully. Professor Dumbledore smiled and said “My, there are rather a few, perhaps we should set up a classroom for you Miss Granger?” he said looking to Hermione. She looked to be considering this then said “Actually would it be alright if we got these up to the hospital ward? I’ll need Ron and Ginny’s help looking through all of these.” Dumbledore smiled brightly and said “A splendid idea I will have these taken up for you.” He bowed to Madam Pince and took his leave. Hermione held two of the old dusty volumes in her hands and stared at the stack of books then to Madam Pince. With an apologetic look as the old librarian was white and faint she said “Well I guess I’ll be seeing you.” and left in a hurry before Madam Pince could recover enough to start shouting.

Ron had sought out Professor Trelawney to ask her about mystical or magical connections between wizards. She proved to be of very little assistance as Ron had feared but most likely for the reason that Hermione feared. Professor Trelawney may have been nothing more than an old fraud but she was not unintelligent and it was not difficult for her to deduce that Ron’s sudden interest in her knowledge on the subject had to do with Harry Potter. After enduring nearly fifteen minutes of her dire predictions for Harry and his connection to the Dark Lord he jumped up and said “Oh my gosh, I forgot about Professor Binns! I’m terribly sorry Professor Trelawney I am very late for a meeting with Professor Binns!” and he got up and left the room rather quicker than decorum would have called for.

Professor Dumbledore had actually had a small study area set up in the hospital ward near Harry’s bed. Ron and Hermione went through the reference books or worked on their homework up in the hospital ward many nights but had to keep taking turns returning to the tower. As they were both prefects they needed to fulfill those duties as well. Hermione had taken to reading all of the day’s lesson notes aloud to Harry. One the third evening of doing this Ron turned to Hermione and asked “Why are you reading your notes to Harry, Hermione. He can’t hear you ya’ know.”

“That may not be true. I have read that people in comas often times can repeat conversations that were held in their presence word for word.” Ron turned and looked at her “But Harry isn’t in a coma is he?” Hermione shrugged “I don’t know if this actually works but it might and it won’t hurt anyway.” Ron shrugged as well and went back to the large volume he was searching called ‘The Ancient Art of Legilimency’. He would never admit it aloud, but Hermione’s reading of their class notes was helpful to him. He was finding that his essays were easier to write and found himself spending less time looking up facts than he usually did. Ginny had been instructed by Madam Pomfrey how to keep Harry’s joints from freezing up by moving his arms and legs around. She, Ron and Hermione all took turns doing Harry’s exercises with him while the others did research or homework.

One week after the attack on Harry; Ron and Hermione were finishing up their homework in the hospital ward and were going to head up to the tower together. Ginny wanted to finish some reading and do exercises with Harry once more before retiring herself. Hermione had pulled an old and large piece of parchment from her bag and looked at it for a moment before seeming to decide something. “Ron we’d better get going” she said as Ron was putting the book he had been looking through in the box for books that need to be returned.

As they reached the stairs leading up to the seventh floor and the tower Hermione stopped at the landing and said “Ron I want to show you something. Let’s go into that room down the hall.” She said pointing to a door halfway down the corridor from the stairs. She led the way and they entered an unused classroom that was quite small and very dusty. Hermione pointed her wand at the torch and lit it.

She handed the parchment to Ron and said “When I went to Drumstrung I was allowed into their restricted section. They do not have a replacement headmaster yet and well the rules were somewhat lacking. I found a charm and copied it down. Here read this Ron.” She said and pushed the parchment into his hands and in Hermione’s neat little handwriting he read:

Convolvo Charm
This charm can only be entered into freely by the participants. The effects of this charm are permanent and irreversible. The charm; when preformed properly will strip the magic from all participants and blend it before returning to the participants. This will allow the participants the ability to sense the presence of the others, feel the use of magic by the others as well as very strong stimulus to a lesser degree than the individual experiencing the stimulus.
When completed this ritual will bind the participants together magically and they will then share the fate of the others.
This ritual was outlawed for two reasons:
When spouses with children are bound and one dies the children are usually orphaned
In the 1869 event of binding between the governing leaders of two factions in Scotland the charm was never finished due to the sudden death of the conductor leaving both participants completely powerless. It was viewed that this may have been used as a trick to strip the waring factions of power allowing a third less powerful faction to take over.

Ron looked at the parchment and then up at Hermione with a quizzical look “There is nothing written down about how to perform the charm.” Hermione was obviously not expecting that answer and said “Well no, I couldn’t write the actual charm down when I was in Drumstrung. Whether or not the staff was interested in maintaining the rules all of the books in any restricted section have charms on them that will not allow the material to leave the section without permission. I could have copied down the entire book and as soon as I left the section my parchment would be blank. I found the charm in our restricted section when I was in there picking books out with Professor Dumbledore, but that is really beside the point. What do you think about this charm?” Ron took a deep breath. “I think it sounds illegal and dangerous. Hermione if two people or even more are bound and one of them snuffs it then it’s over for the lot!” Hermione sighed

“Well it is dangerous and that is the main reason I haven’t shown anyone this yet but it said that the children were usually orphaned not always. Harry feels alone in the world Ron; no matter how much we all tell him that he is family to us it is simply not the same as real flesh and blood. Ron this charm could give Harry that connection with us, a connection that he could feel.”

Ron knew exactly why Hermione was interested in this charm. He thought back to Harry’s first night at the Burrow and his stomach tightened at the memory of Harry telling him that he was still “just a guest”. That comment had hit Ron very hard because he had never realized until then what it must feel like to have no real brothers. “Hermione this would never work. Harry would never agree to it and all the participants have to do it willingly.” He said handing the parchment back to her. She put it back into her bag and opened the door. Ron felt badly and said “Hermione wait, I think it is an idea to think about. I want to help Harry too, but I just don’t know if this is the way. Look at what happened to Harry the other night. What would happen to you; to us, if we were bound to him?” Hermione turned back to Ron “You’re right, I know, but when I least expect it I think about the Convolvo charm again and I guess I just wanted to hear someone else’s opinion.” She sounded defeated and Ron moved over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. She looked up into his eyes and he said “He’ll be alright Hermione, we all will; I promise.” She stood on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek She smiled up at him but her eyes looked very sad “Go on up to the common room, I will be along in a while.” She turned and walked down the corridor toward the stairs at the other end.

While Ron was stunned that she had kissed him he was more concerned about her melancholy mood. He watched her climb the stairs at the other end of the corridor and decided to go after her and get her to come back to the common room with him. He jogged down to the end of the corridor and saw her disappearing through a door at the top of the short flight of stairs. Ron took the stairs two at a time and yanked open the door when he got to the top. Hermione was no where in sight but there was only one way to go as this door has opened to another narrow set of stairs leading up.

At the top of this winding flight of stairs stood another door which Ron pulled open to find himself on the roof of the castle between Gryffindor Tower and the Owlery. The wind was blowing in every direction at once up here. Ron was very worried now. Why had Hermione come up here? Where was she now? He looked around but did not see her right away. There were clouds of steam rising from vents in the roof that blew in every direction before dissipating making visibility in the deepening twilight difficult. What if she fell in the dark? Ron was about to holler out for her when he looked to his left and saw her standing in the center of a ring of vents staring out over the vista. Ron walked up to her and seemed to see her in a completely different light.

The wind was blowing her hair around her face which was shinning with tears. The sun had set and the lights from Gryffindor tower were making her hair shine while her face was intermittently cast in shadow. She was very pretty and Ron felt his stomach drop as she turned her head and saw him standing there looking at her.

Ron felt like he had just interrupted something very private and said “I… I’m sorry Hermione; I didn’t mean to pry… I was worried about you… and I’m… I’m sorry. I’ll go now.” Ron hung his head and turned to go when she said “Wait; please don’t leave.” Ron looked back at her and saw her shivering in the brisk evening air. Without even thinking about it he moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She was shivering slightly when she looked up at him and said “I come here when I want to think. I read about this spot in Hogwarts a History. There is a constant swirling wind here. It’s wild, but in a way soothing. I have never told anyone about this place.”

“I didn’t mean to be nosy when I followed you…” Ron was blushing but he didn’t think Hermione could see that in this dim light. “I know” she said softly “I was worried; you seemed so sad.” Now was the time to say something and Hermione gathered her courage and said “Actually I have been wanting to show this place to you for a while now, but then Harry was attacked and I…”

The subject of Harry seemed to really upset her again and Ron held her more tightly. She turned in his arms so that she was facing him and looked up “I wanted to show this place to you Ron. I wanted to share something with you that I never have with anyone else.” Ron felt her shiver had pulled her closer to him; his heart was pounding as he looked at her with her hair flying around her face. Ron knew at that moment that Hermione was the girl for him and he needed to tell her that, or risk losing her.

“Would you… I mean I want to…” Ron took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Would you be my girlfriend Hermione?” The words sounded almost silly as they came tumbling out of his mouth. They were so simple but he couldn’t think of any other way to ask her. Hermione smiled up at him and said “I am.” then she blushed and said “I mean, I do… no that’s not right… I mean yes I want to be your girlfriend.” she finished in a hurry.

Seeing Hermione so flustered was a delightfully amusing sight to Ron and he leaned down and kissed her tentatively, almost as if he still wasn’t sure it was ok to do so. His heart thumping madly in his chest Ron couldn’t imagine what he had been waiting for. Why hadn’t he done this ages ago? Hermione closed her eyes when Ron kissed her and when they parted she laid her head on his chest for a moment feeling his heart pound.

A tension that she hadn’t realized was there lifted from her making her feel light. Just then a strong up draft blew her hard into Ron who had to grip her tightly while keeping his own balance. Hermione looked up at him and laughed “I did say it was a little wild. I’m cold lets get back to the common room.” Ron nodded vigorously and they headed straight for the door. Almost as though it was something they had always done they walked back to Gryffindor Tower hand in hand.

[Amon Rê]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....you have to post again...Now I'm gonna dream about it tonight...it's so sweet...I just...wow...I can't...so good...I think I'm going to have to re-read 1-9 AGAIN....

YAY.....STANDING OVATION FOR ALICE....

[Amon Rê]

You have nailed it... "Superb" with the french accent (haahaahaa) Somehow I'd missed the first half of Ch. 5, and it just made it sooo much better, and Ch. 9 OMG what else can I say