A/N: Awfully sorry that it took this long to update, but I've been deadly sick lately, plus exams, and Christmas, and remodeling the house...so, it's pretty much as hectic as it gets. But I still got the chapter done, so at least that got accomplished. Lol. Enjoy!
Chapter 16
A Glimmer of Hope
Harry stared blankly from one to the next, not knowing what to say, his mouth hanging slightly loose, and nodded numbly. Mr. Thompson smiled and said, "Follow me."
As the group slowly wheeled around, Mr. Thompson in the lead, his grey cloak swaying wildly behind him, Harry left Ron behind at the table and suddenly came to his senses as he chassed after them.
Harry focused his attention on Matt, who seemed to be barely holding his balance and showed very glassy eyes, and blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Matt are - are you okay? Why are you - ? Mr. Thompson?"
"Mr. Potter, I assure you that Matthew is in no condition to be interrogated at the moment. However, it is in the wish of his father that he be in your company at the time. Is that clear?" said Professor McGonagall, rather seriously.
Harry nodded, still not aware of what he was agreeing to. Trying his best to keep up, still slightly unsure from having received a bit of a shock, Harry stumbled now and then as he tailed the group. So many questions were in his mind at the time that he felt that he had to start with where they were going and why they were taking Professor McGonagall, Lupin, and Matt of all people.
Watching Matt, Harry saw that the boy seemed mildly dreamy, as if still in the trance of a sleep-walk and reminded him slightly of how Luna Lovegood would look whenever she would walk into a room. He couldn't help but wonder if Matt had been asleep all along or if he had just lain there...unable to move yet aware of everything that was happening around him. Harry knew what that felt like...it was the worst feeling in the world...being unable to do anything about something that was right under his grasp, as it often had been. For one, he could have broken the rules of Time Travel and captured Peter Petigrew. Another, he could have spared Sirius's life. And now, he can't even do anything about Dumbledore's death or the war. It was the worst feeling of helplessness and, just then, Harry had wondered what it would have been like if it was him that had been hit with the curse. What would happen if Voldemort did kill him? What if he didn't succeed in the war? What would happen to the sacrifices of Sirius and Dumbledore? Would they have all been for nothing? Would all of the deaths, including those of his parents, have been worthless? But of course! Was there another alternative? And yet he couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if their wands hadn't performed Priori Incantatem...if Harry had died in a previous encounter with Voldemort, how would that have changed things? Was he, Harry, really the only hope for standing against Voldemort? Did it all really lie in his hands?...
"Harry?" said Lupin. "Mr. Thompson was addressing you, didn't you hear?"
"Oh, sorry," Harry mumbled, escaping his thoughts.
"As I was saying, Harry, I suppose that you would like to share that plan of your with us, would you not? Currently, we are going out onto the grounds to discuss this and then we shall return to the castle."
"Yeah but - isn't the castle gated for now?"
"Of course, but this is a bit more important at the moment," he said.
Once they came outside, Mr. Thompson and the others faced Harry.
"So what is it going to be, Harry?" he asked intensely.
Harry looked from Mr. Thompson, who was staring meaningfully at him, to Matt, who had crossed his arms and was looking about, to Lupin, who was smiling slightly, and then Professor McGonagall, who's eyebrows were furrowed and said, "I was thinking of - I know this is going to sound stupid - but I was thinking of Quidditch."
"Quidditch?" said Lupin interestingly.
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows, Matt's attention had suddenly come to Harry and Mr. Thompson seemed deep in thought.
"Go on..." he said.
Harry sighed with relief and decided to take a plunge at it.
"See, I was thinking that, if anything, Voldemort would come after the castle, but, I mean, I just don't see how it's going to help if we don't do anything about it. If Voldemort comes after the castle, then I'll know because my scar will most likely begin to hurt. It's happened before. Whenever danger would come, my scar would begin to hurt, or whenever Voldemort was feeling murderous - "
Professor McGonagall snorted. "I do not think that you realize that the only thing that Voldemort can be feeling at this time is murderous, Potter - "
"I wasn't finished," said Harry rudely and Professor McGonagall opened her mouth slightly, but then closed it again and Harry went on. "Although, since Voldemort has decided to block me out by Occlumency, I no longer knew what he was feeling until he had just grown weak recently. Has he regained power yet, I do not know, but I know that I would be aware if he was about to come after the school. I'll just know, I know it! And if we could all be pretending casually as if we're playing Quidditch, then we could easily Disillusion a majority of the students and make sure that they get to safety by giving them the right directions. The rest will stay behind and try to hold back as much as they can, including the professors. I mean, it's just that this is the only way that I figured we could have a casual battle plan." Harry waited to see if Mr. Thompson would say something critical, but it was Professor McGonagall that spoke first.
"That's all very nice, Potter, but I am afraid that you are forgetting one thing: you are a student! Which means that you know nothing or very little, in the least, about war. And may I remind you that, as a student, you tend to make very foolish mistakes - "
"Professor, would you mind if I interrupted for a second?" asked Mr. Thompson. Professor McGonagall looked slightly taken a back for a moment, but then said, "No, of course," though rather hesitantly.
"Harry, what you have thought out is very wise, but the problem with your plan is that so many things could go wrong that it would simply take months thinking of ways to counteract them - "
"Not to mention the fact that Voldemort is working on something new that we know not of," said Lupin.
"How did you know about that?" said Harry. "Did Dumbledore tell you about the dream that I had?"
"Of course, Harry," said Lupin, "but we also have outside information linking us to - "
"What kind of outside information?" said Harry furiously. "If it's Snape, I'll bet you anything that's he's a spy for - "
"Harry, Severus Snape is on our side," said Lupin patiently.
"Then who betrayed us?!" Harry yelled. "Who was it then? Who's the bloody traitor who told Voldemort where - "
"Harry, we really cannot say anything at this point - "
"So do you know who it is then?"
Lupin sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid that your guess is nearly as good as ours, Harry, unfortunately, and that all of the predictions that we have made have been disproved countless times. I just doesn't seem possible - "
"Then it must be Snape! Or Narcissa! I'm sure that it's - "
"Potter, how dare you!" said Professor McGonagall suddenly, her eyes wide with rage. "You are accusing the very last people who would do such a thing, though you do not know the reasons why. I assure you that it would be the same as accusing Cilia of such a crime! Severus and Narcissa are loyal members of the Order who - "
"But Lucious Malfoy - "
"Was a Death Eater, unlike his wife," said Lupin.
Harry breathed heavily. "So she wasn't - she never served - "
"No," snapped Professor McGonagall. "She has not."
Harry let out a gasp of air. "So what do we do?"
"Well, Harry, it's rather simple, actually," said Mr. Thompson. "We combine your plans with ours."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "What plans?"
"That's what we'll have to work on," said Mr. Thompson. "That's why I brought Matt along, because I want you to work with him on the organization of the Hogwarts Quidditch team. The team...that will bring us victory, I'm sure."
"How can you be - ?"
"Harry, I told you to think of using what you do and do not have. What you have, Harry, is an incredible use of your own abilities, although you do not often realize it, as I have been told, but what you do not have are the proper...materials."
"Materials, sir?"
"Yes, Harry. You will see what I mean soon enough. Next time, I would like you to meet us in the Great Hall once more and we shall be out here once again. Do you see that Golden Snitch, Harry?" said Mr. Thompson, pointing over to the forbidden forest.
Harry looked over the treetops and saw a glimmer of gold flicker in the air, skimming above the forest. "Yeah," he said.
"That, Harry, is where the Hogwarts graveyard is located."
"The graveyard? What do we want to do with a graveyard?"
"I will explain that more thoroughly during our next meeting," Mr. Thompson said and rounded to return to the castle. Harry looked back at where the Snitch had been moments ago, but noticed that it was gone from sight. He frowned slightly and followed the rest of them back to the school as Lupin and Professor McGonagall beckoned him forward, walking on either side of him as if he couldn't take care of himself.
Days passed, and Harry found himself consumed in his work now more than ever. He wasn't even sure how he was supposed to find time to work on his plans with Matt if the professors kept assigning so much homework, especially since reading Fauna Anomalousness wasn't as easy as he had hoped; the language that the author used was worded very complexly and Harry had to double back after reading each paragraph to get it to sink in, despite the fact that some of the ideas that the book was describing were a bit disturbing. He was now more than positive that the thought of becoming an Animagus would never cross his mind again.
Hermione had isolated herself from both Harry and Ron, still not saying what she was up to and pouring over heavy books that Harry had never seen before. To add the cherry on top, Ginny Weasley would occasionally come to Harry for guidance, still seeing Tom in her dreams, though she did not seem to see as much of him in Harry since he had tried to focus his mind on other things. But other than that, in Harry's opinion, everything was just fine.
"You don't think there really is a weapon that Dumbledore has, do you, Harry?" asked Ron after Harry had discussed the meeting with him time after time.
Harry was in deep thought for a while and then said, "No. D'you know what, I really don't think he does."
"Who has what?" said Hermione as she just came to join them over at the table with Ginny.
"Would you mind telling us what you've been doing for the past couple of days?" said Harry irritable.
"No," said Hermione coolly. "But I will say this: I sent another letter to Rita Skeeter and I should be hearing from her in the next couple of days."
"Why?" said Ron suspiciously. Harry raised his eyebrows and Ginny stared.
"Because I want her to write an article on Ron and me - "
"On what?!" yelled Ron.
"On you and me, Ron. Trust me, you're the Minister's brother. The topic's just as good: Hermione Granger Has Moved On, But is She Playing a Heart to Get At What's Left of the Ministry?" she announced proudly.
There was a moment of silence.
"Are you mad?" said Ron.
"No, Ron, I'm actually quite sane because the only way that we can take Lavender's and everyone else's attention from Harry and I would be to focus it on us, which would mean making up a few white lies, but it really shouldn't be that difficult. Especially for Rita - "
"Hermione, I'm not so sure that this is going to work - " Harry began.
"Oh, it better work!" said Hermione defiantly. "Because if it doesn't then I'll have no other choice than to - "
"Attention students," sounded Professor McGonagall's booming voice through the school. "There will be an assembly this evening precisely at seven o'clock that everyone is required to attend. All students are to report to the Great Hall and seat themselves in time for the meeting to take place. No excuses."
"Wonder what that's all about," said Ginny curiously.
"I think," said Hermione, looking around, "that it might have something to do...with the war..."
"Do you really?" said Harry.
"Yeah," Hermione said slowly, furrowing her eyebrows. "I don't see any other reason for us to get together. Unless its an emergency - "
"Voldemort can't be coming after Hogwarts already!" said Harry more loudly than he had meant to and several students turned to stare.
"I never said that, Harry," Hermione replied calmly. "Don't worry so much, it's not a good thing, but I just hope that everything - or should I say everyone - is all right in the Order..."
"Why do you say that?" said Ron, raising his eyebrows.
Hermione looked at him meaningfully. "Because...something really weird has been going on with Narcissa, according to Dobby, and from what I've researched, it might not be a very good symptom..."
"Hermione, what are you talking about? What's wrong with Professor Malfoy? What did Dobby say?" Harry said urgently.
Hermione took a breath and answered, "It's not so much as what he's said, as the way that he acted when I asked him what had been happening to her. Harry, I think that Narcissa might have been tortured by her husband for information. But I'm not so sure that she gave it to him."
Harry's eyes widened, as had Ron's and Ginny's, who had gone pail.
"But then what would - "
"I think someone saved her from him...someone from the Order..." she mumbled
"But who?" said Ginny, looking from one to the next.
Hermione shook her head. "One of the people that are missing from the Order right now...Moody, Tonks, Kingsley...or Snape..."
"Snape?" said Harry. "Where's he gone to?"
Hermione turned her head toward him. "I think...one of them might be in trouble, Harry. I think one of them might be the spy for our side...And they're not coming back..." she whispered.
"How did you figure this?" he asked quietly, still processing the information.
"Narcissa Malfoy was absent after you had your dream, Harry. After Voldemort revealed his scheme to plan something..."
"So you reckon she knows something?" he said.
Hermione sighed and said, "I don't reckon, I know."
As Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville made their way down to the school assembly, they kept discussing what had happened that would cause Professor McGonagall to call the entire student body together. This was the first time that all of them had to get together without a feast or celebration in mind, and they all had a feeling that it definitely was not going to be anything of the sort this time.
However, as they walked into the Great Hall, they received an even bigger shock as they saw that the House tables were gone and only a sea of chairs stood within the Great Hall, all pointing toward the front.
"What kind of a sick joke is this?" he heard Malfoy spit as he walked into the hall. "No House divisions? What are they trying to do, make us sit together? Ha! As if I'm going anywhere near those wimpy Hufflepuffs or those stuck-up Gryffindors."
"Funny," said Ron loudly, "I was just about to say the same about you, Malfoy!"
Malfoy's blonde head snapped toward them and said, "Better keep your comments to yourself, weasel. I heard there might be a war and I'm not so sure that hamsters like yourself may be brave enough to - "
"SHUT UP, MALFOY! JUST SHUT UP! I'VE PUT UP WITH MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER HANDLE SO JUST SHUT UP!" Ron yelled at him as Harry and Neville held him back from Malfoy who had raised one eyebrow and was the least bit mortified. He yawned and said, "You should learn to handle your temper better, Ronnie. Granger just might leave you for Potter. Meanwhile, you'll excuse us but we have got to go have our seat."
Ron was breathing heavily and jerked himself from Harry and Neville's grasps.
"Git!" he said, rounding at them. "The hell is his problem?" he asked.
Ginny shrugged. Neville raised his eyebrows and Hermione scowled.
"You shouldn't do that Ron!" Hermione said furiously.
He turned to her. "Oh, yeah? So I'm just supposed to take it all, am I?"
"Yes you are!" said Hermione defiantly.
"You try it then, Hermione!"
"Ron, if you think that you're the only one that has problems to deal with, then you are sadly mistaken, but, like it or not, we need Malfoy on our side!"
There was a moment when Ron's jaw dropped and he looked at her as if she was insane, no one saying a word.
"You've gone mental!"
Hermione shook her head, "No Ron....You just don't get it...None of you get it..." Hermione looked extremely disgusted and left with Ginny to proceed to the chairs.
"What's her problem?" said Ron, frowning.
Neville shrugged and Harry looked after Hermione, who had seated herself somewhere along the middle behind - wait was that Cho and Marietta? It was! And she - was she talking to them? Calmly? Harry blinked and shook his head to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
He watched as they smiled at each other and eventually turned their attention from one another to someone else. Harry rubbed his eyes. Cho and Hermione? Conversing? And smiling at the same time? Something had to be wrong!
Harry suddenly snapped out of his haze as he noticed that Ron and Neville had already gone to sit down (as far away from Malfoy and the Slytherins as possible) and went to catch up with them just as he saw Dumbledore come up to the front of the Hall and assume his usual place.
"Attention! Please have a seat somewhere within the Hall and the assembly will be taking place shortly. Thank you!" he said kindly.
A round of murmuring and whispers aroused within the Great Hall as Dumbledore finished speaking, students finding their ways to a chair that they pleased, eventually conversing about one thing or the other and being called to attention by Professor McGonagall, who stuck two of her fingers in her mouth and let out a rather loud whistle, after which the noise in the Hall immediately ceased.
Professor Dumbledore assumed his place at the front once more, his arms folded within his robes, and said,"I know that this time hasn't been the easiest on any of us, especially for those of us who have been secluded within this school during current events, but the only way that we can cope through what we will discuss tonight, through what is happening at this very moment in time, is to find each other for support. Hope is all that we can give one another, but with hope there is the burden of trust. My children, you must understand that your parents and even your grandparents have been through a great deal of suffering because of the cause that haunts us all, but that is why we must stand strong. I, for one, would be nothing if it wasn't for the Hogwarts staff and it's students. You are my all and if we look to one another, then we may find so much more than we are looking for. One cannot progress if one's seed is not at first planted by another. And so, remember these words, and remember them well as you go through all hardship, joy, and sorrow, and find the loyalty to stand together. Remember...for every two, there is one, but for every one, there is always each other."
Everyone clapped as Dumbledore finished speaking and stepped away from the podium. Instead, Professor McGonagall, Flitwick, Spout, and Malfoy came up and stood at the front as everyone wondered what they were about to say that had to complement Dumbeldore's speech.
"Good evening, students," began Professor McGonagall. "It has come to our attention that times have gotten to some of their worst and it is feared that the outcome of all of this is quite unpredictable..." she said gloomily.
"And therefore we have gathered you here today to listen in wisdom," said Professor Flitwick, "and concentrate clearly on what we are about to advise you."
"With all of our hearts, we ask you today to not look upon yourselves as individuals, but as one school that can think, plan, and act as one," said Professor Spout.
"And so doing it is important to accept one another despite our differences, problems, and experiences." spoke Professor Malfoy.
"The irony!" whispered Ron.
"Shush Ron!" said Harry.
He looked over to the other side of the Hall where he saw Malfoy sitting amongst his crones, his arms crossed and clearly scowling. Why would he? After all, this was his mother. Harry didn't know if she clearly was referring to prejudice against blood as well, but was this not the same woman that had sat with them in the top box as if she had stink under her nose? It simply did not make sense. Would she have changed her mind, or was she simply speaking for Dumbedore?
A Malfoy. She was a Malfoy! Stinking pure-bloods who had their noses up and about things and hated anything crawling that was not pure magic. Her husband was a Death Eater. Her son was just as bad. And yet...Narcissa was different. Yes, she was strict. She definitely did not go soft on any student that Harry's ever met; he'd say even worse than Professor McGonagall, and that was saying something, yet how could she be so...not cruel...it just didn't make sense! She didn't even seem like a Slytherin. Had she been? She'd have to have been. It was practically in her blood. Still, Sirius didn't talk much about her. Harry knew that Narcissa had been related to him, but what more? All his impressions had been centered on Kreacher running off to her house and betraying them because she was Sirius's cousin, yet why had Harry never seen her as one of Voldemort's Death Eaters? Why had he witnessed Bellatrix murder Sirius yet Narcissa had never seemed to have done anything...He knew nothing, absolutely nothing about her past. Should he? Always assuming - that's what it was. Harry had been making too many assumptions in his life, but it was not too late to change.
"You have all been through a lot together," came Professor McGonagall's voice once more, "and have learned to trust each other through thick and thin. The one thing that divided you, however, was your own pride, pride in spite of anything and anyone."
"We ask you today to focus on the revelation that Hogwarts is most definitely a clear target for the Dark Lord as is every person sitting in this room...though some more than others," said Narcissa, richly.
"We understand that it is most difficult for all of you; some of you coming here for the first time, while some of you having been here for years, but you must understand that this was in no way planned by anyone except those who wish to defy us, and so, this day, we ask you to stay strong as we announce that one of our staff members may no longer be with us considering thus so far as we have been informed," said Professor Flitwick.
"Professor Severus Snape...did not seem to report when required while serving in our name, but you must understand that he was serving each and every one of you in this room with all of his heart..." Professor McGonagall said darkly as sudden breaths were taken in the room. "He was serving Albus Dumbledore, a man that has by no doubt been fighting for each and every one of your lives equally, and yet there is one person in this hall at the moment that also needs your support. One person who has suffered many trials and yet has wished to be your friend all the same. One person who would go through any length to make sure that every one of you were safe in his name. Harry Potter (Harry immediately felt the color rise in his face.) has been more than a student to many of you, but a loyal friend that has by no doubt faced You-Know-Who a countless number of times and relives them everyday...because he is still out there and he still haunts every single one of us. And so, Harry Potter, Albus Dumbeledore, and a countless number of people that include your parents and grandparents, relatives, and friends, have stood up for you, this school, what is right over what is wrong, and attempted to save us from danger, evil, and even ourselves. Yet do we express the same gratitude to them? To us? I want you all to think right now, for a moment, and consider what you have ever done that would have aided in the downfall of the evil that haunt our dreams, our lives, our past, and even our future - if we could even consider discussing one - and believe...that it is possible to overcome even the horrors of the present-day if we work together and stand as one school that wants nothing more than to succeed - succeed in the name of righteousness. And so, hearing this speech, I want you to look backward and forward, and all around you and wonder if this is all worth it or not. Your friends? Your family? Your loved ones? And think...do they deserve this torment? Because we can stop it, but only with your help and cooperation. Months ago, many of you were still sharing the summer break with your family, and today, here you are, siting before us, and representing the future witches and wizards of tomorrow and the day after - " Professor McGonagall stopped and seemed to be fighting back the urge of spilling tears. Professor Spout patter her on the back and she shook her head.
Professor Flitwick continued for her, "All we're saying is consider unity and consider bravery and consider innocent blood that lies in all of our hands, and accept each other as the true brothers and sisters that you are. Your parents grew up together and went through similar experiences in bonds and friendship, so, now, look upon the people that are sitting next to you and those across the room and those surrounding and apart from you, and put aside all that might have gone wrong, because nothing compares to what we are about to face together as a school. We love you all dearly and all we can hope is that you express that love amongst yourselves and for every person in this room."
Professor Dumbledore suddenly came up and joined the other four just as Professor Flitwick finished his speech. "Remember these words, and remember them wisely. Look upon yourselves and consider the truth. Thank you for being here today and thank you for being together. You are dismissed."
For a moment, no one seemed to move. The silence was absolutely still as the professors at the top table got up from their chairs and left. Slowly, students began to get up as well, one by one, still in near silence.
As Harry watched Hermione get up, he saw Cho turn around from her seat and get up as well. They whispered something to each other and hugged. Harry had a feeling that his glasses were failing him. As they drew apart, he saw them both smile and apparently possess tears in their eyes. Ginny and Luna accompanied Hermione as they made their way toward the other three boys and toward the exit.
"What was - what was that?" Harry asked urgently. "What was up with Cho?"
"Harry, you see, unlike you, some people can get over a grudge. I just want to be her friend, all right! You would think - after that speech!" She sounded rather stiff and hurt at Harry'a tactlessness, but, just then, Draco Malfoy had passed them just as everyone else was exiting the Great Hall and commented, "What a bunch of rubbish. That had to be the cheesiest show I've ever seen - "
"Your mother was part of it, Malfoy!" Harry said. "How can you even say that when your own mother -"
"My mother had no choice, Potter. She works for this damned school now so - "
"Shut up! She's not like that! She meant it! I could tell!" yelled Harry and several people turned around to gather their attention toward them.
Malfoy shook his head, a smirk across his face and said, "You know nothing about me and you know nothing about my mother, Potter, so stick to your own family. Oh, wait...I forgot, you don't have one - "
Before Harry was ready to plunge at Malfoy, Hermione calmly came before him, restraining him gently with one hand and said, "Of all of the snakes that I've ever met in my life, Malfoy, I didn't think it was possible, but did you prove me wrong! Don't you get it? Voldemort's going to come after the school and he's coming after you all the same. I would at least think you'd be scared for your own skin, but you really stand by it, don't you? Well let me tell you something, you bastard! ("Hermione!" moaned Ron.) Harry has fought him time and time again and all you can think about is how this will benefit you in your sick little way. Do you not understand that you're turning everything to hell even for yourself? So what if you and Harry have your differences? Your mother is fighting against Voldemort! Snape fought against Voldemort - "
Malfoy began to laugh. "You really don't get it, do you, Granger? This isn't about that! This is about power! It's about vengeance! It's about - "
"Being a complete and total idiot!" snapped Ron.
"Stay out of this, weasel!" said Malfoy. "As I was saying, this is about control and order, just as it should be - "
"Oh yeah? You ever met Voldemort, Malfoy?" spat Harry. "He's not exactly very orderly. In fact, if he wanted to, he could put you on his Death Wish list in a matter of seconds!"
"But he won't," whispered Malfoy.
"Oh yeah? And why's that?"
"Because I know how to get him the one thing that he's been craving to get at in order to keep his own life..."
"And what would that be?" said Harry angrily.
"You, Potter," said Malfoy and began to laugh, leaving the hall by himself, eventually calling Crabbe and Goyle along with him.
Harry was so tense and breathing so heavily that he could feel himself shaking out of rage. Had it not been for Hermione stroking him gently on the back, he would have chased after Malfoy and torn him limb from limb.
"He can't - he wouldn't - "
" - dare. I know, Harry," said Hermione softly. "He doesn't know what he's talking about. He just wants to get you upset."
"What if he's not joking, though," spoke Harry as he noticed that most of the Hall had already cleared itself out.
"I'll never let anyone try to hurt you, Harry," said Hermione, engulfing him in a hug while Harry could still very well see tears shining in her eyes as she tried to hide them from him.
"I know...I know..." Harry whispered in her ear as he closed his eyes and brought his hand up and down her back. However, the only thing he could really think at the moment was: I wish I could say the same...
Hermione had been right about Snape's disappearance, but, during the next several days, no one seemed willing enough to bring anything up yet on the topic and Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all avoided doing so altogether. Whenever anyone mentioned Potions, a bunch of people jumped, stricken, and then continued timidly with their activities.
His disappearance was so subtle, and yet, somehow expected. Now, however, he most likely was not coming back. And yet Harry wondered if it was still possible for him to have been a spy for both sides.
As they all sat quietly at dinner, no one speaking much, Harry watched Hermione and wondered what was on her mind, her face screwed up in concentration.
However, before he could ask her what was the matter, the daily owl post had been released within the castle and a greyish owl swooped over next to Hermione, who had been looking up toward the ceiling for mail, and dropped an envelope in her hand.
She ripped it open as Harry exchanged a curious look with Ron, and scanned her eyes through the paper that she unfolded.
Harry watched as her eyes filled with what seemed to him like despise and absolute fury. Hermione bit her lip harshly and looked up at them, swallowing unpleasantly, and began to read the letter:
"You foolish girl. Do you honestly believe and have the nerve to think that I would consider writing such a useless piece for no particular interest or profit? Do you not understand that it's over? The Ministry of Magic is gone, you idiot girl! Which means that no one is nearly as concerned in who is an Animagus as they ever were! Oh I can't wait until this is over and I can properly start writing again. I have oh so much to comment on! And, this time, you're not going to stop me. Why is that, you ask? Well, you have no idea, Miss Perfect, just how much freedom I have now. You see, I am now a Registered Animagus. Illegally, of course, but that'll be our little secret. You see, Miss Know-It-All, since everyone is running around too busy to pay attention to any of the unimportant details, it had been oh so easy for me to forge my registration.
So what are you going to do about it? Send me to Azkaban, perhaps? Well, the news is no you, Prissy, Azkaban's been destroyed, and if you think you can use this letter as evidence, you've got another thing coming. Oh, I know your sick little mind, girl! That's why I've put a Vanishing Spell on this letter so it should be long gone just moments after you finish reading it. And don't even try to duplicate it, it'll get nasty! I won't be in contact with you anytime soon so hesitate to write on my newly privileged honor.
Rita Skeeter,
Registered Animagus and Successful Reporter." Hermione stopped reading the letter and seemed to be shaking slightly.
Surely enough, as soon as Hermione had finished reading the letter aloud, it ripped itself out of her hands, folded itself several times and disappeared with a `pop.'
Hermione was breathing very heavily and her eyes were shining with tears of rage.
Harry watched as her hands formed themselves into fists and she got up from the table, furiously, storming out of the Great Hall.
"Hermione, wait!" Harry yelled after her. "Hermione!" But it was too late and he had no choice other than to chase after her because she was walking very rapidly, her cloak violently swishing behind her, with no intentions of turning back.
"Hermione - " he called once more, but she still seemed too determined to pay attention.
Finally, he heard her yell, as she was still speed walking, "I don't believe it! I don't believe it! She's lying. She can't have done! It's against the law..."
"Hermione, this is Rita Skeeter, she's not exactly a lawful - Where are you going?"
"I need to know..."
Harry had no idea what she was talking about, but panted as he ran after her up a flight of stairs, down several corridors, and over to the hall where he knew perfectly well that the Room of Requirements appeared.
As Hermione found her way toward a newly-appeared door at the side of the hall, she swung open the door and walked inside.
"I need the official list of legal Animagi!" she snapped to the room, looking about.
No sooner had she said so than she had picked up the sheet from a table found in the room just as Harry had managed to walk in after her. Her eyes scanned the paper very rapidly and she sniffed, shaking her head. "Yep. She's here," said Hermione furiously, still looking down at the parchment. "Her name is written - " Suddenly, Hermione's eyes seem to focus on one spot on the paper and they widened, her mouth slightly opening in horror.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows and asked "What is it?" curiously.
"Oh my goodness..." she whispered, lifting her hand to her mouth, still gazing at the paper.
"What? What's wrong?" Harry said urgently.
Hermione looked at him, biting her lip nervously. "Oh...Harry...It's...N-Narcissa Black's name is on the list."
A/N: Really not sure when I'll update next, but I hope that it'll be sooner than later. Oh, and just so you know, Snape did not disappear straight away after Narcissa returned. He disappeared after that. I'll explain a bunch of this...um...very interesting information later. Sorry to keep you in suspense, but life's cruel like that and so am I. Until next chapter. Please review!
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