***Chapter 4: "Mounting Problems" ***
Dinner was now almost over at the Great Hall that night and Harry saw Fudge had indeed traveled to Hogwarts as expected. Harry and Ron had promised to Hermione back at the hospital wing to turn on the other end of the Extendable Ears in the Great Hall in order for her to hear Cornelius Fudge's speech after dinner.
The Minister of Magic sat beside Dumbledore at the teachers' table and they seemed to talk at each other in a businesslike manner from afar. Harry remembered that the last time he had seen Fudge and Dumbledore together in the exact state was in the hospital wing just after his brief but terrible encounter with Voldemort. They weren't talking so friendly during that time. On the other hand, they both had been cordial when he, Ron, and Hermione was presented with an award earlier in the term when they destroyed the Oarling, but for tonight it was totally different because Harry had not seen them smile at each other the whole night. Fudge might have just felt obliged to come over to Hogwarts because of something important to him.
"Dumbledore and Fudge don't look friendly at each other much," said Ron, who was also observing them. "I wonder why?"
"I guess we'll find out real soon," said Harry darkly. "Everyone's finishing up dessert."
Sure enough, the moment they have anxiously awaited all afternoon came at last. Harry took out his piece of Fred and George's Extended Ears from his pocket - the other half was back in the hospital wing where Hermione was definitely holding it up over her real ears at the very moment.
Dumbledore stood up on his chair and everybody stopped talking.
"Now that we have finished our wondrous feast for tonight," he said, "I'm sure you are all anxious to hear what the current Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, will be saying." (Fudge had suddenly stopped smiling and threw a look at Dumbledore)
"So I won't keep you hanging on to suspense much longer - ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome Minister Fudge…" he extended a courteous hand to Fudge, giving him the floor. Fudge, however, still looked affronted about something, which the students would've mistaken him as just being grim, but not Harry. Notwithstanding, the whole school greeted the Minister of Magic with a big round of applause.
"Good evening, young witches and wizards of Hogwarts," said Fudge, again switching to a festive smile. "My, oh, my, it's been a while since I last stepped on the grounds of this very, very prestigious institution and it is always a pleasure to be here. I never tire of reminiscing my time here as a student like you sitting there in one of those stools, listening in to the Minister of Magic making his speech. Ah, yes, I would have never dreamed I'd be addressing the whole faculty and student body as the Minister of Magic, yes, and I'm quite sure one of you young lads and lasses will become one just like me in the future, in the same situation, and you will understand how it is to feel this grand, significant moment."
There was scattered applause from the students and it died down fairly quickly. Ron hissed to Harry, "What I now understand is what Madam Pomfrey meant about his speeches."
"I know you are all befuddled by my sudden visit here," Fudge continued his speech, "and I offer you my sincerest apologies for not telling you sooner why I had to be here, but there's something that I believe I need to do personally. It is crucial in order to maintain unity among ourselves, and the peace and order of the wizarding world in these seemingly difficult times.
"You'll be soon going home for an enjoyable Christmas in a couple of days and I must ask you to listen closely and then make it a point tell your relatives - I urge you - friends, and anyone you know within the wizarding world what I will say tonight - because this is very, very important and you need to do your part to help the Ministry with its noble work. I have been very busy going around meeting authorities, the press, and flooing around to various capitals in the wizarding world to disseminate information about the current events including the recently reported unfortunate deaths of some wizards and witches this morning…"
"Get on to the point," muttered Ron impatiently, and Harry nodded.
"…and it is now become very popular belief that the deaths have been caused by murderous Death Eaters in the service to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It has been reported that at the places of the untimely death of these people, the Dark Mark, which has not been seen for 15 years (except the one made by a misguided house elf last year at the Quidditch World Cup), has been spotted. I am quite aware that this information was released by no less by official messages from the Ministry of Magic to their next of kin. It is now believed that these letters have become the basis - a sign that He-Who-Must-Be-Named has returned.
"Nevertheless, I feel obligated to personally inform you, and this is why I am here, to tell you that the information fed to you was a lie."
The whole of the Great Hall then reverberated with mixed talk mostly with expressions of relief, and others with added bewilderment. Harry and Ron looked at each other knowingly, because they both believed that it was Cornelius Fudge himself who was lying. Dumbledore's face was expressionless as he sat calmly on his chair. Hagrid, McGonagall, and all faculty members on the other hand looked at Fudge darkly except Russelpunk, who was wiping his sweaty face, obviously relieved.
Fudge raised his hands to ask everyone in the Hall to return their attention to him. As the talk died down again, he went on with his address.
"Yes, I know it is confusing, to say the least, because the so-called 'official letters' were sent by Ramius Palkov, one of the disgruntled employees in the Ministry of Magic who have had wild fantasies that You-Know-Who is truly back, which is very deceiving as I can attest to you the wizard world is as peaceful and safe as it was after You-Know-Who disappeared forever, thanks to one of your classmates, Harry Potter, who is with us right now."
Fudge clapped with a few students at Harry's direction, and even though Harry heard him mention his name, he wasn't at all delighted about it. In fact, it even made him much angrier with Fudge for using him in his lies.
"These disgruntled employees, including Palkov, have since been sacked, and I promise you, they will never again sow confusion and tell falsehoods under the flag of the Ministry. They have escaped and gone into hiding and they are now wanted by the Ministry of Magic. Furthermore, his accomplices have been identified as the suspects who conjured the Dark Mark to confuse the public, which is instantly punishable by our laws. They will also be investigated in connection to the recent murders. Tomorrow, in the Daily Prophet, their faces will appear to help track down their whereabouts and they will be slapped with appropriate charges. We need your cooperation with this matter and any information leading to their arrest will be rewarded handsomely.
"I know today's events have brought untold stress to everybody here, and I apologize in behalf of the Ministry of Magic for the actions of our employees. I hope you will have a very wonderful vacation ahead knowing that there is nothing to be afraid of. Live on normally as if nothing has happened, and a happy Christmas to all of you."
All of the students who were convinced of Fudge's speech broke into wild applause and didn't hide their relief by going into hugs and handshakes. Those, however, who were still confused at least and weren't still certain about everything just didn't make any show of emotion. Dumbledore, for one, just clapped his hands together slowly out of courtesy, but looked enraged. Harry felt the same way as he did; the Weasleys didn't buy it at all, especially Ron and Ginny who had seen Voldemort for real.
Harry caught a glimpse of Zacharias Smith, who wore a face that was drawn with vindication, strutting past his house mates who opposed his views earlier in the day. Hannah Abbot looked darkly at Zach from behind and had to be restrained by Justin Fletchly because she looked determined to hurt him real bad. Next he saw Fudge go over to Dumbledore and they both walked together out of the Great Hall at the teacher's access way, apparently towards the Headmaster's office for a possible conference.
"I can't believe this is happening," said Ron. "I don't believe this is happening! I can't wait to hear what Hermione has to say about this…"
"Hermione…hear…" Harry thought, and looked at the Extended Ear he was holding.
Then it struck him. He bent over to Ron and hissed, "Ron, I just had an idea. You're scheduled for detention with Dumbledore after this, aren't you?"
"Yeah, that's right," said Ron, listening attentively. "Why?"
"Suddenly I found it real interesting to know what they might be talking about in Dumbledore's office tonight... You could plant this ear inside his office so that we could listen in to their conversation…"
"That one's easy, but what if it'll be discovered?" said Ron anxiously. "We can't just budge in Dumbledore's office to get it back any day."
"You still have until tomorrow's detention to retrieve it, right?" Harry said impatiently. "Just hide it behind a stack of books or something. This is our perfect chance."
"Oh, that's right. I agree it's getting really intriguing," said Ron mischievously. "We're now acting like Aurors, cool! Give the ear to me, I'm reporting in…gimme…"
"Okay," said Harry, handing Ron the ear. Ron pocketed it at once looking excited. "I'm sure Dumbledore will excuse you for tonight because of the meeting, and we'll meet back at the hospital wing and we'll eavesdrop from there. Be careful, will you?"
-o0o-
Harry and Ron had separated at the exit to the Great Hall; Harry went straight to the hospital wing to visit Hermione where they found time to discuss Fudge's speech while they waited for Ron.
"I'm appalled with Fudge's denial about the murders being Voldemort's handiwork, I could've missed the rest of the speech," said Hermione, looking incensed. "I almost dropped the ear to the floor with rage!"
"I'm sure it's caused more confusion than ever," said Harry as he sat down on a chair beside Hermione's bed. "Wait till the Daily Prophet tomorrow. One thing I expect, if Voldemort really owns up to the killings and does go into a complete rampage, Fudge will surely have a hard time regaining his credibility, if ever! Can't say I'd worry about it; everybody won't give a damn about him anymore, then."
"Serves him right," Hermione huffed. "I wonder how Fudge looked like when Dumbledore said he was the current Minister of Magic, I bet he was furious!" she said next with glee.
"Now, that's the understatement of the century," said Harry after getting Hermione's idea, and they both laughed. Just then Ron came in the hospital wing, looking satisfied.
Ron had come back from Dumbledore's office.
"You were right, Harry," he said proudly, "Dumbledore and Fudge are in there for a meeting - McGonagall's there, too, and Fudge's, er…small party. Dumbledore told me I was excused for detention tonight, so I quickly planted the bug behind a shelf on the way out. I'm sure the thing was in a good spot."
"Way to be, Ron," said Harry happily, but he noticed Ron still looked sweaty and uneasy. He turned to Hermione, who on her bed was holding Extended Ear near her right ear, listening in. Harry and Ron went over to her to have their own ears closer to the gadget, too, but the surprised look on Hermione's face halted them midway.
"Hermione, what is it?" said Harry interestedly.
Hermione looked back at him and said, "You won't believe this, but Dumbledore and Fudge are yelling, Harry!"
Harry and Ron moved closer eagerly to Hermione to listen in to the ensuing conversation in Dumbledore's office using Fred and George's Extended Ears. The reception was crystal clear; they could even hear everybody's breathing, though that didn't distort the sound at all in any way.
"…what I don't like very much, Minister," said Dumbledore forcefully, "is how you've caused my students to think that those cold-blooded murders were the work of others for in fact real Death Eaters had committed them at the first place?"
"They were killed by copycats, Dumbledore," yelled Fudge. "Imitators!!! There aren't Death Eaters left walking around anymore - the Ministry of Magic had rounded them all up 15 years ago - with the exception of Sirius Black who's still at large, that is, but we're hot on his trail, I promise you."
"These are the work of Death Eaters under the orders of Lord Voldemort!" Dumbledore retorted. "Telling the aggrieved families of these victims otherwise will be an insult to the recently deceased. Please, Minister, please do not keep on denying the fact that he has returned and will again cause untold discord and mayhem among us very, very soon. It won't help us in any way. The students will be going home for Christmas and will tell their friends and relatives what you have fed them. This will create undue complacency, which is a very dangerous thing considering that everyone who does not know the truth about Lord Voldemort will not be so vigilant. You know how Lord Voldemort succeeded in acquiring wizards and witches who were completely unaware they were being used for his terrible plans…"
"Yes, I am quite aware of their old modus operandi, Albus," interrupted Fudge, with impatience in his voice, "But I don't want to create paranoia within the wizarding world with something that's just made out of someone's wild imagination. The people will never buy that at all; I will lose my job if I spread mere theories without hard facts. It seems the only basis you have are the testimonies of four students who have claimed to have been in a so-called fortress of You-Know-Who, much like the outrageous story of Harry Potter last year. I do not find that very convincing at all, and I'm sure it's the same for the public. The recent deaths with the Dark Mark hovering over the scene of the murders do not specifically confirm You-Know-Who is back!"
"And three of those students you refer to are secret recipients of the Order of the Unicorn award," said Dumbledore, "which may I remind you that you have personally bestowed them this term. And in case you preferred to forget, that also one of them is an honorary member for Underage Wizards of the Ministry of Magic. I do hope those recognitions would hold weight to their testimony…"
"No difference at all," interrupted Fudge again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other in disappointment, especially Hermione who was the honorary member mentioned. Fudge did not appear to believe anything that would contradict him and they felt that whatever Dumbledore told him tonight he would have none of everything. Still, they hoped the Minister could still listen to reason.
Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, it does. I have seen even more evidence to confirm Lord Voldemort is indeed alive besides my students' solid testimony, Cornelius. Xanthius truly exists and will be a force in itself to reckon with. Take a look at the fresh murders, for instance. Death Eaters don't murder their victims and then conjure the Dark Mark without the explicit knowledge of Lord Voldemort…"
Harry and Hermione heard a clanking noise, and they bet it was Fudge losing balance upon hearing Voldemort's name too much too many. At least they found that pretty amusing in a potentially explosive exchange, if one didn't consider their meeting volatile already.
"He disappeared in Godric's Hollow 15 years ago," said Fudge after regaining his voice, "Never to return! If there are indeed Death Eaters on the loose, and I bet my gavel there aren't any, they would probably feel free to conjure the Dark Mark anytime they want because they don't have to answer to You-Know-Who, because he does-not-exist anymore!"
"There are still Death Eaters walking dangerously among us, Cornelius," confuted Dumbledore, this time calmly, "Even the Ministry of Magic has been infiltrated already by Death Eaters, the extent of which is unknown…"
"That's total lunacy and absolutely far from the truth! I'd like to know how you are sure of that, Albus. Are you telling me you know more about my work and the people under me?"
"No, I perhaps I do not, Cornelius, but I do have my own sources, and they are to be believed. Just last week, if you choose to remember, Hogwarts was almost taken over by Death Eaters, and that is not supposed to happen. I'm quite certain for a very open ministry like you have back there in London it isn't much of a challenge."
Fudge roared in anger. "How dare you, you bloody old…"
"Mugwump, Cornelius," cut Dumbledore in evenly, but menacingly. "I'd strongly suggest you finish your sentence with that term."
There was a moment of silence before Fudge started talking again, suggesting he might have been stunned with Dumbledore's words; Harry and Ron looked at each other again with grim satisfaction, hoping that reminded Fudge he was no match with Dumbledore if he opted to threaten him with magic.
"Albus, I am fully in control with my staff and my Ministry and I promise you it is very spotless and well managed!" Fudge said next, his voice slightly quivering. "The so-called Death Eaters you're saying were Ministry wizards with police powers mistaken as such, and I personally sent them here to provide security to the school due to your and the Deputy Headmistress' incapacity. You don't seem to appreciate the good job they had done. I'm quite sure once those fine men would have heard your remarks they will not feel very happy at all being called Death Eaters. I, for one, am insulted by your insinuations, Albus."
"I am unwavering in my knowledge that the Ministry Wizards you sent the week before last were mostly Death Eaters, Cornelius. On the other hand, about those Ministry Aurors you fired; you must recall them…"
"Recall them?" exclaimed Fudge. "Galloping gargoyles! After they have been marked as the culprits and now wanted by the law?!? You're thinking like a lunatic, now you are, Albus! Demented! It's out of the question! The people now want their heads! I'll look entirely ridiculous in front of the public of being indecisive!!!"
"All I can say is that you been utterly misguided," said Dumbledore, as if Fudge hadn't said any word of insult. "It's still not too late to do something to rectify that slight oversight. They have been one of the most ardent of all Aurors I have ever known, ever since the time of two of your predecessors. I am fully aware that they have identified many Death Eaters who have infiltrated the Ministry a long time ago and doing so they have risked their lives and of their families to unmask the real traitors from within your organization. Is that how you repay them - framing them of the crime made by the very people who they have vowed to protect us from? Please don't tell me who not to call your people Death Eaters and Aurors, Cornelius, for I know them more than you do. Isn't that true, Horace?"
Harry didn't know who Horace was, but he surmised Dumbledore had talked to one of Fudge's party in his office. Only that he had heard that name before somewhere recently. He wasn't sure how this Horace reacted to Dumbledore's query.
Fudge spoke again. "What is that supposed to mean, Albus? Are you insinuating Horace Whipple is a secret Death Eater, too? Ha, then I know you have really lost your marbles and making things up, old man, because Horace has been one of my most trusted since I stepped in as Minister of Magic. His record speaks for himself and it's spotless."
There was another moment of silence; it wasn't clear to Harry, Ron, and Hermione why Dumbledore decided not to pursue it.
Dumbledore then breathed for a moment and said "Then may I at least know, Cornelius, who had tipped you about the fired Ministry wizards as being the offenders of the recent murders?"
"It is for me and my staff to know and for you to find out, Albus," Fudge said tersely.
"Lucius Malfoy, perhaps?" suggested Dumbledore.
"Preposterous!" shouted Fudge. "Lucius Malfoy is one of, if not the most credible and the most honorable man the Ministry has ever known! His contributions to the Ministry are innumerable and priceless. He is not a Death Eater and what he says has weight to everything and…"
"Equal to the weight in gold he has given to date I presume…"
There was another roaring sound, apparently made by the now incensed Minister of Magic. "You're getting out of hand, Albus!"
"Oh, you misunderstand me, Cornelius," said Dumbledore serenely. "I certainly did not suggest Lucius Malfoy was a Death Eater, did I? I was just hoping you'd say the information he gave was one excellent addition to his greatest contributions in the history of your term, aside from all the monetary donations he had unselfishly provided you. Just imagine, he single-handedly unmasked all the Ministry Wizards who murdered those people and conjured the Dark Mark to confuse the wizard world? That, to me, is very brave and dignified of him and nothing to be angry about, of course."
There was another pause in the conversation, this time the longest of all. It seemed that Fudge had thought deeply on Dumbledore's words, which appeared to him as ambiguous.
"Yes, he was," he admitted shortly, opting for the most obvious message. "He gave very credible testimony and that was basis the ministry wizards were identified as the guilty ones - one of his most noble contributions, indeed. That is no secret, after all."
"Thank you, Cornelius. I regret this meeting of ours has brought more strain to our relations, which I have no wish to complicate further. If you still have some concerns that you want us to talk about tonight, you may do so before we part."
Fudge cleared his throat. "Yes, Albus, I still have a few. Now that you recognize there is really a strain in our professional relationship, as Minister of Magic I require you not to contradict any more of the statements I make in public, even among the students of this school."
"Noted. I find it no problem with that with regards to the public in general. However, I would like to remind you that as Headmaster it is my responsibility and prerogative to teach the students what I deem fit, Cornelius. If in any case that you, the undisputable Minister of Magic that is, is proven to have meddled with my operational autonomy in Hogwarts, it will be grounds for your impeachment, as provided by law."
"Way to go, Dumbledore!" cheered Ron at the hospital wing.
"We shall see about that, Albus," said Fudge breathlessly. "I will be meeting with the school Governors to discuss the running of this school. I remember quite well I have mentioned that in our other meeting last year, but you leave me no choice but to push sweeping measures in order to bring Hogwarts into line with the Ministry's full mandate. I'm sure we will meet again soon, hopefully with a decision." Fudge walked off and stopped midway enroute the door.
"Next term I shall also dispatch wizards coming from the Ministry to Hogwarts and open an enforcement division to police the school," he said. "I know what you have in mind, Albus. Rumor mongering shall be stopped, and I will not stand for any attempts from anyone, that includes you, to form any radical opposition groups out of the students and their relatives. Violators will be dealt with swiftly. I will soon send you some additional names for your acceptance, as it is my prerogative as Minister of Magic to send as many as I want for purposes you have no power to object to."
"Very well, as long as they keep the peace and they don't physically and/or verbally abuse my students, Cornelius," replied Dumbledore. "You know the other rules by law."
"Goodbye, Albus, and Minerva."
"My pleasure, Cornelius," replied Dumbledore curtly.
"Minister.," said McGonagall. It was the first time she talked during the entire meeting.
"Whipple, Weaselby!" called Fudge, and there was sound of more feet walking and the door closing.
"Come, Minerva," said Dumbledore warmly to McGonagall, "I've had enough formalities for today; there is a very sumptuous scone I'd like you to sample with me at the kitchen…" Harry, Ron, and Hermione heard them walk out to the door shortly.
But before the door was shut again, they heard Dumbledore say, "Good night!"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly exchanged puzzled looks. They didn't know who Dumbledore talked to, but Harry supposed it was meant for Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix. However, that was the least of their current concerns.
They did learn something out of the conversation tonight, thanks to Fred and George's excellent (and weird-looking) invention - that during the next term not only they will have to deal with the threat of Voldemort from the outside, but also they would deal with the unknown brought about by the arrival of the "ministry wizards" at the inside. The bad thing about it was, like they had thought earlier, that Fudge's mind was so closed to any suggestions that he had Death Eaters among the ranks of the Ministry. They bet he won't lift a helping finger if the time comes the students and staff of Hogwarts will be threatened by them for real.
Hermione took off the Extended Ear from her ear and looked at Harry and Ron. The two boys wore worried expressions on their faces. "I can't believe Fudge's so determined to distort the facts," she said.
"That's not what's worrying me," said Harry, frowning. "It's Fudge's word about sending in wizards to Hogwarts from the Ministry next term after how it's been infiltrated by Death Eaters." He turned to Hermione, who was thinking deeply about something. He remembered about Hermione's scuffle with Death Eaters at Diagon Alley when she bravely defended the only object that single-handedly cleared Ron for a crime. "You've been in the Ministry once, haven't you, Hermione? What was it like then?"
"Yes, I was, in one of their detachment offices," she replied, "and some wizards conned me by pretending to be Aurors - they turned out to be Death Eaters! If I'll ever go in there again, I won't be sure who's working for whom anymore. It's just like what Sirius told us in Hogsmeade last year, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"How do you thing Olga is doing right now?" wondered Ron, recalling the Auror that they had made friends with during this term. "I remember she was bent on unmasking Death Eaters the last time we saw her."
Hermione's eyes went round with anxiety after realizing that. "D'you think she was also sacked?" she said coarsely, "That would be bad, at least for us and Dumbledore, isn't it, Harry?"
"I hope not! We'll try to ask her soon, but I expect some kind of a shuffle within the Ministry coming. Fudge is really too favorable with Lucius Malfoy, isn't he? See how he believes everything that prat's telling him? I'm sure Lucius Malfoy ordered Death Eaters to kill the victims and then framing the Aurors to the crime. I wonder what else is going on in his mind right now…"
Hermione murmured while she brainstormed. "He's in a vindictive mood, I think, because of his recent trial. I bet it's payback to the Aurors who involved him to Jack Chadron's recent escapades - but he truly was involved and we can't really prove it. I'm willing to bet Fudge's plan to open an office here in Hogwarts was his sick idea, too!"
"And probably naming all the people who'd be sent here," thought Harry loudly, "that's a real big possibility. What for, do you think?"
"To infiltrate Hogwarts again after their last attempt, I guess," sighed Hermione, leaning back her head on her pillow and closing her eyes. She had felt another wave of headaches, but that didn't stop her from thinking further theories. "That's the most obvious thing. Could be part of a grand scheme for Voldemort, or just to make our lives more difficult - we won't know until the next few days or weeks if we discover something."
She then snapped her eyes open, as if a bright bulb flashed above her head.
"Remember what I said about Voldemort's secret servants? Fudge's reason for setting up an office here is curiously the same - that's to stop anyone from ever forming a group! That could be one of Lucius' motives, too. But, get this: I think Fudge's motive is personal, at least. He might think Dumbledore is out to form an army of his own against him to take over his job."
Harry rolled his eyes and whistled. "Then if that's true it's him who's paranoid, and he's allowing himself to be used by others. If Lucius is behind that, seems to me what he really wants is to put a plug on any resistance against Voldemort - you're right. Hogwarts is such a good place to start!"
Hermione felt glad Harry got the idea, showing that he has grown aware of the dangers posed during this time. Perhaps this would convince him not to be very reckless about his decisions from now on. "That's right, Fudge can't see that because he doesn't know what he's doing and he's too busy worrying about himself."
"Dumbledore doesn't seem to object to have some outsiders here, though," said Ron angrily, squeezing Hermione's pillow real hard, which caused her to pull it back under her head with extreme annoyance. "It's just like he's allowing Death Eaters to walk in to gain a foothold!"
"I admit that's strange, but that about sums up the plan in just a few words," said Harry, "but I want to believe Dumbledore might have a few tricks behind his beard."
Ron and Hermione nodded in agreement. They all hoped Dumbledore was not getting short sighted to give the enemy the chance to slip right past and attack them from behind. Since they refused to believe that at all, perhaps it wasn't true. After all, he was their real leader.
"Harry, we got to be careful," said Hermione very seriously. She sat upright on her bed to really take a good look on Harry. "We got to watch out especially next term. Having these wizards who're likely Death Eaters will pose a lot of problems for everything we do. They really might have a more sinister reason why they'll be coming, but I still can't make it out." She pounded her already aching head back softly against her pillow, looking frustrated of not being able to come up with at least something close.
"It'd be arrogant to think they're here and do all this trouble just to kill me," Harry said with a quick tight smile, seeing her think hard. He then sat down on Hermione's bed side, facing her, and she looked back at him in a way as if she had just realized something terrible.
"But that can't be ruled out, Harry," said Hermione, looking scared now. She grabbed Harry's hand gently. "We'll consider that possibility, though Voldemort might want to commit that himself with his own hands, but let's not be caught off guard. There's something else and we need to know what. One way we could protect ourselves is to stay one step ahead of them."
Harry was startled a bit when he felt Hermione's squeeze his hand even more tightly. Her palm became slightly sweaty. She wasn't talking about the three of them, he suddenly thought. She was talking about him - the look on her face indicated her fear for losing Harry again. He looked straight on her brown eyes, which was now staring back his own determinedly. There was a tinge of sadness on the look of Hermione's eyes that he could not explain and it made him feel equally sad.
"Harry…Hermione?" Ron interrupted slowly. "You two look real funny when you're staring at each other for a minute."
They broke their eye contact. Harry fumbled with his glasses as it fell downward because of his sweaty nose; Hermione, however, did not take her gaze off Harry and her eyes determinedly followed Harry's every head movement as she tried to regain their eye contact again.
Trying to recover himself, Harry said, "We'll be okay, Hermione. As long as we're…one for all and all for one, yes, that's it." Hermione smiled slightly as she nodded and looked apprehensive again.
"Sounds like the mantra of the three Mouse Eaters," said Ron, "but that's good enough!"
"Musketeers, Ron!" corrected Harry and Hermione at the same time.
Then they all shook hands together. Harry and Ron had exceeded visiting hours for fifteen minutes and Madam Pomfrey shooed them both out, leaving Hermione alone in the hospital wing again for the night.
-o0o-
Harry woke pretty early the next day feeling less refreshed. The day before was mostly filled with anxiety (and the stress that came with it) he was practically drained of strength just as he slumped on his bed to sleep. He opened his eyes the widest he could muster, feeling eight hours wasn't enough, but he had to be up for the last day of classes this term.
As he reached for his glasses, he heard some grunting at the end of his four-poster. He looked around to see who it was. It was Ron, still in his pajamas, and he was taking out his suitcase from under his bed.
When Ron noticed Harry was awake he said, "Oh, good morning, Harry, I'm just starting to sort out my things - I'm so excited - I haven't gone home for Christmas at all for four years!"
Harry then was reminded he hadn't talked to Dumbledore yet to ask permission to go home for the holidays. He breathed deeply and plopped back on his bed, hid his head under the pillow, and pounded the mattress with his right fist.
"Harry, what's wrong?" said Ron, bewildered. "Did I say something?"
"Irmverd hdstiltak tehdumdore," said Harry's voice from under the pillow.
"What?" Ron said. He shook his head, walked to Harry's bedside, and yanked away the pillow covering his head.
"I remembered I had to talk to Dumbledore today…" Harry said miserably.
"Oh, but there's no problem, is there?"
"I hope not, Ron, but I don't why I'm so anxious about it…"
Ron laughed. "Like I said, mate, you're just making your own problems! Get it on with and talk to him! He'll let you go! Let's dress up and eat breakfast…" He pounded Harry with his pillow.
As Ron gathered up his clothes and started off toward the bathroom, whistling out of tune. Harry turned his gaze to the white sky outside the window. He noticed it snowed heavier than usual last night and he wondered if he'll ever see the same window every morning for the next three weeks in case Dumbledore forbid him to leave Hogwarts.
The thought was again like torture, and he could not understand it. Four years ago he had told himself that nothing would make him leave Hogwarts for years if he were given the freedom to choose - Christmas, Summer, or whatever. He had always believed there is no place like Hogwarts, but Hogwarts without his friends was another matter.
What's life without my best friends?, he rephrased in his mind. Next it hit him, though softly: he was scared of not enjoying Ron or Hermione's company this Christmas. He'd be alone, talking to none but himself (except with the ghosts but that wasn't very exciting). No, no, no, Harry!, then said his mind's voice. There's more to that done just their company. You're too afraid to lose them forever. Harry kept staring at the window, not aware he was nodding to himself.
- Yes, yes.
He deduced his fear may have grown on him subconsciously in Number Four Privet Drive each summer when he was virtually imprisoned for months at a time in Dudley's second bedroom. He was too busy lamenting with himself each time he withered with boredom in the bedroom back at Little Whinging, but in truth he had been longing to be reunited with Ron and Hermione, and rightly so of meeting them after his yearly ordeal, everything seemed to fall back into place at once.
Then Dumbledore's voice replayed in his mind. Harry remembered what he told him early this term about his friendship with Ron and Hermione. "Every time I see you and Hermione together, I am always convinced that I have never seen such an aura much more brilliant than you possess around yourselves than any other group of people I know in my whole life. Neither with your parents nor Lord Voldemort and all of his minions put together…"
(Harry still missed the gap between his name and Hermione, unfortunately.)
Harry managed to smile to himself as he kept on staring still. He laughed softly as he thought that if he had to face a new boggart, he knew what it'd turn into.
But there were other things that kept crossing his mind. Most prominent was a pair of nice big brown eyes - real caring eyes, like the ones he had stared on last night. He loved the look of them; it made him feel whole. He then closed his eyes lovingly. His thoughts expanded to a vivid face that he seemed to love looking at more each day…and what'll it be like running my fingers through those nice long brown hair - would it feel nice to the touch…
Harry's eyes snapped open. He felt suddenly scared. This was not supposed to be. His mind had drifted to some unknown territory, not until now had he explored it. Why am I thinking like that?, he told himself angrily. He thought it just wasn't right thinking of Hermione like that!
Why, was that Hermione I've been thinking of? It only looked like her…
- It's nothing, kiddo, you had just woken up and you still felt sleepy, replied his own voice in his head.
Yes, yes.
- Your friendship with them is more important than a silly little romantic fantasy, right?
Right.
- But didn't it feel breathtaking embracing her so closely down at the hall yesterday?
Er…
- Kidding! Christmas?
"Dumbledore!" he groaned, when his most immediate concerns had crossed his mind. Harry smashed his head several times on his battered pillow - he had to go through meeting him today, otherwise he wouldn't be with Ron and Hermione this Christmas. He had to know.
He became furious with himself for being so negative about it but he could not help it. He realized he had to see him whether he liked it or not, and he hoped the answer would come very quickly. He closed his eyes tightly and said to himself under his breath, "Get it on with, Harry, you cynical bastard!"
He dressed up unenthusiastically. Before he would go to the Great Hall for breakfast, he decided he needed to drop Hermione a visit at the hospital wing to see how she was doing. However, when he got there, Hermione's bed was empty.
"She's been released this morning, Harry," said Madam Pomfrey after seeing Harry's surprised face at the doorway.
"Oh, so that means she's now really okay, isn't she?" said Harry expectantly.
"She's still not fully out of the dark, I'm afraid." Madam Pomfrey walked over to Harry, whose face dropped.
"Nothing to fret about, Harry; she's virtually healed, I can tell you that now without any doubt. She's very lucky to be recovering quite rapidly, though she needs to drink some potion I prescribed for her everyday for the next couple months and it will be like nothing had happened."
"Why? What'll it be like for her for the next couple of months?"
"She will suffer some slight confusion sometimes, just minor - the potion will do the work. It'll wash off the effects of the magic still lingering in her brain." Upon seeing Harry's eyes going round, she said, "Don't worry, it's just natural, she won't go over the other end, I guarantee you that."
"Okay…I suppose. But Madam Pomfrey, what do you really mean about 'slight confusion'"?
"In rare occasions she won't be able to recall some things during the last hour. It's not constant - it would just come so suddenly. I didn't dare tell her it might affect her studies when that happens because she might have freaked out. So be warned, don't be mad at her for missing a date."
Harry forced a laugh, but he blushed profusely. He thanked Madam Pomfrey for taking care of Hermione and walked back towards the Great Hall, where he met Professor Russelpunk just about to enter the big oak doors.
"I'm sorry for what happened in class, yesterday, Mr. Potter," said Russelpunk in a manner opposite to his usual flair. He was now walking normally; Madam Pomfrey had clearly mended his broken shin. "Is Miss Granger all right now?"
"Oh, yeah, she's fine, Professor, thanks." Harry felt happy with Russelpunk for being thoughtful and very modest as to say sorry for something he had not clearly done. "But, sir, it was not your fault. Hermione's wand just isn't working right, possibly."
"Well, that's…true, I guess" he said with uncertainty in his voice. "Miss Granger really rescued me from looking like a fool yesterday - I just learned Professor Snape had wanted my job for many years now - thus, the lesson plan he gave me."
Harry failed to control himself and laughed. He could not help but think of Snape sneering as he was writing the lesson plan in his office for Russelpunk. Russelpunk, however, knew what he was thinking about and laughed along with Harry.
"Sneaky, isn't he, Snape?" sniggered Russelpunk. "Harry, I hope you won't say anything about this to anyone, but I'm not really good in thinking of what to teach next. Perhaps if it would not be so tactless after what happened to Miss Granger, I would like to ask her - and you if it's okay - to assist me in planning my lessons for the next term?"
Harry looked at Russelpunk with mounting respect. Teachers wouldn't dare ask from their students to help them think of what lessons to teach - it would be a sign of great weakness and incompetence on their part. And to think before Russelpunk would ask the person first he looked for help, he had asked Harry first what his opinion was before he'd done so. Instead of seeing Russelpunk as lacking of ability, Harry felt he really deserved all the help he could get to become successful with his teaching job. What the other students saw with Russelpunk was a lumbering bloke just trying to fit in with them - Harry saw sincerity and humility in him.
"I'd be delighted, sir, and I think Hermione will be, too," said Harry. "But please don't take that as a yes from her now yet, of course."
Russelpunk beamed.
"Thanks, Harry," he said, "I'll ask her later. Have a nice breakfast." They both walked together inside the Great Hall. Harry stopped at his usual place where Ron and Hermione were already eating their breakfast together.
"Oh, that's so nice of him to ask help from his students," Hermione said after Harry told her about Russelpunk. Harry felt another rush of joy seeing her gradually going back to normal, though she seemed slightly frail.
Another emotion, however, came over to him: shame. He could not help feel guilty of thinking about running his fingers through her hair. They've been real good friends for years and thinking of such things might affect that negatively in the long run. He liked his relationship the way it was now…maybe. He thought if he worried about other things he'll probably just forget about it eventually.
"And it's a curious coincidence last night in the hospital wing," Hermione added, "I decided to have a little fun thinking up suggestions of future lessons for Russelpunk."
"You call that fun?" scowled Ron, as he munched his bacon loudly. "I feel lucky he hadn't mentioned my name."
Harry's chance to worry about other things other than his outlandish feelings with Hermione came when he saw Dumbledore was now eating his breakfast at the Headmaster's chair. At first he had already decided to approach Dumbledore and ask his permission to go to the Burrow with Ron for the holidays, but as he lifted himself off slightly from his chair, he became suddenly indecisive and sat back down.
Hermione had noticed Harry was fighting with himself.
"There he is, Harry, it's your chance to ask him now…it's perfectly okay. Go on."
Harry nodded nervously at Hermione but hesitated. He thought Dumbledore was enjoying his breakfast that asking him abruptly might cause him to deny Harry what he wanted. He then decided it was not the perfect time.
"It's not the right time," he said airily to Hermione. "I'll do it later."
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing…I still have all day…"
Harry's next chance with Dumbledore came in after lunch when he saw the Headmaster walking back to his office in the corridors. Harry went forward and back on the same spot he'd been standing on, trying to decide to go for it or not. He could not understand why he was so afraid to ask him, but perhaps it was the fear of not getting what he wanted, he thought.
Recognizing that, he breathed deeply, got hold of himself, and walked towards Dumbledore for real, determined to get this over with and now. He had gone within at least a few yards of him when Professor Snape stopped to talk with the Headmaster. Harry thought asking Dumbledore then would prove to be unfavorable to him because Snape might mischievously influence his decision, and he'll be told to stay. Harry rounded up the opposite corner away from their sight, leaned back angrily on a wall, and scratched his head in disgust.
Don't worry, Harry, you still have half the day to do it, he told himself.
He, however, had the afternoon full of classes and did something terribly wrong in Potions he was forced by Snape to scrub his table of spilled goo well after dismissal. The whole chore cost him the whole free time running up to dinner. Hermione was furious with Harry. She still could not believe it was already after dinner and he hadn't talked to him at all.
"What's the matter, Harry? There he is!" she prodded impatiently while they walked together in the middle of the hall leading to the Gryffindor Tower. "Get!"
"I'm not sure, Hermione, I-I smell like goo…" Harry replied quickly as he felt a rush of panic. "I'll ask him after cleaning up…"
After doing a very swift bath, Harry really believed the time was just right to talk to Dumbledore - he felt refreshed, calmer than ever, believing the hour just after dinner usually took out the day's stress out of people. He walked confidently along the corridors by himself leading to Dumbledore's office and…
"There you are," said Angelina Johnson scathingly from behind Harry.
Harry stopped abruptly and winced, suddenly remembering it was Friday night, and turned around slowly to face her. He completely forgot Angelina had scheduled Quidditch practice tonight for the whole team, and she looked like she'd absolutely refuse to take "no" for an answer. The rest of the entire team stood a few steps behind Angelina, their faces looking angry, but not to Harry, but to her. Fred and the new Chaser Thomas Milton had to restrain George, who looked deranged, from knocking Angelina out from behind with his Beater. Harry actually prayed George could slip off their grasp, but it didn't come.
Angelina was completely unaware of the struggle behind her. "What is it with you, Harry? You're not even in your Quidditch uniform! Where's your Firebolt?"
"Angelina, I'm really sorry, but I got to ask for an hour off practice today - I really need to talk to Dumbledore," pleaded Harry.
"Oh, that's a new one! I don't want to hear any more alibis from you, you hear?" she said, and dragged Harry off all the way to the Quidditch stadium by the ears despite the danger of ripping them off for real because of the freezing weather.
-o0o-
Harry had for several times been tempted to flee during practice when Angelina wasn't looking, (he did so at least thrice) but the school brooms were no match for Angelina's Cleansweep Eight. She always overtook him and threw him back inside the pitch each time. Worse, because he wasn't wearing his Quidditch garb (which had insulating magic in them) the temperature had dropped so low that he felt extremely stiff.
Looking for the Snitch that had probably hidden somewhere to keep itself warm was next to impossible. Angelina was bent on not dismissing the whole team for the night if Harry didn't find it at all. Only Fred and George had thought of a desperate idea near midnight by bewitching a tiny snowball to make it look like a frozen Snitch and gave it to Harry. Angelina was probably too sleepy then to notice that it was fake when Harry presented it to her (the whole team looked on nervously as he did). It was already good for her and that was only when she called it a "day", much to everyone's relief.
Harry knew what returning to Gryffindor Tower in the middle of the night meant for him - his vacation was still left hanging. He thought perhaps he could still stumble upon Dumbledore at the Great Hall for breakfast the next day before the 9:00 departure of the Hogwarts Express, but he knew that was expecting too much.
Ron and Hermione were still awake playing chess waiting for Harry when the Quidditch team came back to the Gryffindor tower. They were startled to see what looked like seven frosty snowmen invading the Common Room.
"What the…" breathed Ron, aghast at the sight in front of him.
"H-Harry, you look cold!" cried Hermione. She rushed to him, and took out her wand. She pointed it to Harry and muttered, "Tempera!" Hot air gushed out the end of her wand and thawed the ice off Harry, drying him on the spot at the same time. Taking Hermione's idea, everyone in the team did the same spells and looked warmer soon after.
"T-Thanks, Hermione," Harry said gratefully. "But for a moment I was afraid your wand might've done a different effect…"
"Oh, sorry," she said, feeling a little embarrassed. "I couldn't stand seeing you in that state I couldn't get hold of myself - but it's working perfectly fine lately."
Harry slumped down on the couch, feeling drained. He looked up at Hermione with tired eyes. "McGonagall still thinks you need to have that looked at, though."
"I think she's right. It does get annoying to keep thinking it's not a hundred percent reliable…"
"And that means not getting potential full marks in schoolwork, too…"
That effectively hit Hermione like a gong.
"I think I got to ask Mum and Dad for a new wand…" Hermione sat beside Harry shortly, fixed his hair with her hand soothingly, and said, "Harry, I've given it a lot of thought - in spite of the danger, you know, I've really given it a lot of thought and I guess it's much better if you have fun as much as you can than sulking about in Hogwarts, well, as long as you're perfectly secure. So, what'd Dumbledore say? Did he say yes to you already?"
Instead of feeling very happy about Hermione's thoughtfulness, Harry felt extreme disappointment coursing through him again for his failure to meet Dumbledore after having so many chances today. There was no point in making them feel sorry for him before bed by telling he probably won't be able to get out this Christmas, he pretended not to hear Hermione's question.
"I'm sooo tired. I'm going to bed - see you tomorrow…" he yawned, dragging his whole weight up to the spiral stairs as Ron followed his lead. He hoped he didn't act impolite with Hermione, who was left sitting alone on the couch in the middle of the Common Room watching him sadly as he went.
"Good night, my dear Harry…" she said under her breath.
-o0o-
Next Chapter: "Kill the Mudblood!"
I will be back as soon as I can! Thanks!