Chapter 11: A Tragedy Revealed
In the near distance, Hogwarts loomed above its students like a huge, medieval castle, cold and intimidating from the outside, but warm and inviting within.
Most of the students, with faces peering expectantly out of the windows or calling out in fun to one another, were thrilled to be returning, and only a few had the beginning of the school year humdrums. Fewer still cared not one way or the other, as did Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley, who was too busy sulking to notice. And only one pair had no thoughts about it one way or the other. They were too busy noticing each other to be bothered by anything else.
Hermione, in a daze at the moment, barely felt a small jolt as the carriages rolled to a stop, and once again heard the voices of her fellow students slamming open doors and moving in groups toward the castle.
"H…Harry…"
Potter, at the moment, was too busy tasting the skin between her neck and shoulder to notice any change and murmured against her.
"Mmm…?"
Even the vibration of his husky voice against her shoulder was erotic. Hermione shivered.
"Harry…we're here."
"Mmm, what…"
"We're at Hogwarts…" she breathed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Harry fell back from Hermione in surprise and caught her "deer in the headlights" look.
"Are there students in here?" called McGonnagol's distinct voice, "In case you've missed it, we have reached our destination."
"Oh Merlin…" breathed Harry.
Immediately they shot up from the floor of the carriage and began tidying themselves. Harry's button up white shirt was open and his hair was even more untidy than usual. As for Hermione, her hair was in complete disarray, and her clothes were rumpled and turned oddly.
"Hello…" called the impatient voice.
Harry unlocked the door and threw it open. "Sorry professor, we…fell asleep…"
McGonnagol frowned sternly at them as they stepped sheepishly down the steps and followed their retreating forms with narrowed eyes. Flushed faces and swollen lips were a little harder to conceal…
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The Great Hall was full once again, the ceiling bewitched to resemble the starry sky outside at dusk, floating candles cheerily flickering, and every students plate set before them, waiting for the feast to begin.
"Oh glory!" beamed Nearly Headless Nick as he floated above the Gryffindor's table and mentally took head count, "Students and cheer again! The castle is just to quiet without you!"
"Thanks Sir Nicholas!" grinned Dean Thomas, giving him a cheeky wink.
"Less students though," said Seamus, giving Neville an elbow in the ribs, "We're well low this year…"
As Neville gazed about him, he realized how evident it was that the student population had shrunken. Each table, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff seemed to have at least a fourth less students, and as it became evident from the conversations around him, not everyone understood why.
Harry and Hermione found Ron seated with Lavender on one side, and a quiet sad-faced Colin Creevey on the other and decided to join them in the seats closer to the front.
"Where've you two been then?" said Ron, "The first years are almost here…"
"Nevermind that," said Harry quickly.
Ron frowned suspiciously.
The sorting ceremony went quicker than ever before, the hat only having fifteen students to sort this year.
As soon as it was over, a graver than usual Dumbledore stood to give his beginning of the term speech. As the Great Hall hushed, he favored them with a wan smile.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts students. Although I'm sure most of you can tell that attendance is a bit lower than usual, I'm sure we will have a just as exciting, happy, and academically fulfilling school term. Prefects were notified in your school letters. Head boy and Girl this year are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."
Applause, mostly from Gryffindor followed. Hermione beamed accordingly and Harry slumped down in his seat a bit. He knew he hadn't received the honor based on marks, and worried a little at how the school might take it.
"We will be having a Yule Ball this year, so you may want to plan accordingly for the holidays as it will fall close to Christmas. And now a few start of the term notices…As always, and let me make this absolutely crystal clear, the Forbidden Forest and beyond is strictly prohibited. As I am sure by now you've heard about the animal disappearances, I trust this will not be a problem…"
A small amount of distressed murmuring began, but Dumbledore held up a hand. "Please, if I may continue…There is no need for panic. The school grounds, as always, have been safeguarded; even more so owing to last years…mishap…"
Hermione was eternally grateful for the professor's discretion. He continued.
"A small change in our usual class routine…This year we will be offering an Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class…"
Immediately, there was louder and more excited murmuring.
"Please…please…" Dumbledore patted the air with both hands, "Of course Monsieur DeVoncrey of Beaubaxtons will continue to teach our regular class, but we have the return of another professor to thank for our new class that I'm sure many of you will enjoy…Remus, please."
Out of the doorway to the left side of the teacher's table, Remus Lupin stepped out with a look of slight unease about him. He looked noticeably more healthy than when they had last seen him, but was still dressed in shabby robes.
There were three duly noted reactions. Most students began cheering wildly, some gasped in fear, having never gotten over the fact that he was a werewolf, and some merely scowled or chose not to react at all. These were mostly Slytherins, and many of the more severe scowls came from Draco Malfoy and those seated near him.
Lupin nodded humbly and seated himself next to Snape, who immediately shot him a look of loathing.
"Lupin!" stated Ron slack-jawed, "I can't believe it!"
"Oh I'm so excited!" squealed Hermione.
"He's the best we've had," said Harry with a grin, "Maybe the parents are finally realizing we need someone like him."
Dumbledore continued. "The advanced class will be open only to those for whom it is chosen, and the heads of your houses will make that decision. It will be a small class, and intensely difficult, but I'm sure there are those here who will excel."
Harry could've sworn at that moment that Dumbledore had given him a glance over his half-moon glasses. Ron noticed as well and gave him an odd look, but Hermione, across from Colin, was too preoccupied to notice. She had never seen eyes so sad.
"Colin?" She reached across the table and laid a hand on the younger boy's arm.
Creevey jumped, startled, and looked up from the table to see Hermione giving him a caring, searching look.
"Sorry," she smiled, "I didn't mean to startle you. Are you…are you all right? You seem so down…"
"I'm fine," said Colin in a small voice. He seemed then to sink down into himself, shifting his thin shoulders upward as if to hide more of his frame.
"Are you sure?" said Hermione gently, "You know…we've known each other for a long while now. If you need to talk…"
"I don't," cut off Colin, though not harshly. "Thanks Hermione, but I'll be fine."
At that moment, Hermione suddenly tuned back in to Dumbledore's speech, because he began speaking about something she hadn't thought or imagined to hear…
"…and I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Creevey family. Dennis's absence will be felt by all, especially his housemates. But the search will continue. Not all hope is lost."
Hermione's hand jumped from Colin's arm as if it were hot to the touch. Harry and Ron, along with other Gryffindors seated nearby immediately shifted shocked gazes his way.
Colin lowered his head, eyes closing briefly against the words spoken, and suddenly got up and approached the professor's table. With a few words to McGonnagol, she was up in an instant, and with an arm across his shoulders, began steering the boy towards a side exit.
Hermione swallowed a thick lump in her throat and turned towards Harry and Ron. "Oh Colin…"
The mood in the Great Hall was a bit more somber as Dumbledore closed his speech with the perfunctory do's and don'ts. At the end, he clapped his hands and hundreds of dishes were filled with the most delicious, aromatic foods the house elves could conjure.
Hermione and Harry, along with those closer to Colin, selected very few things. Even Ron, known as the "Hoover" among Gryffindors ate very little.
After dinner, prefects began leading the students to their dorms, and Ron surprised Harry and Hermione with the news that he had been selected as one.
"Ron that's great!" gushed Hermione, but Harry frowned at him.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier!?"
"Well I was going to surprise you and tell you at King's Cross but McGonnagol tossed you and 'Mione your Head badges. Sort of took the wind from my sails you know…"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh don't be ridiculous! Being made prefect is a great honor!"
"So you say," said Ron as he began to move away from them towards the younger students.
"It is you mong," said Harry.
"Whatever," called out Ron from a small distance down the halls. "First years follow me! Hurry up now!" The children began jogging to catch up with him.
Harry swung around suddenly with a fake surprised look on his face. " 'Mione, I just heard Percy! Is he back!?"
Ron stopped in his tracks and turned, causing two first years to bump into one another to stop from crashing into him.
"Oh you great sodding prick. You're dead for that one…"
Harry barked out a laugh and Ron whirled back around suddenly, jerking a hand for the kids to follow him.
Hermione covered her smile expertly and spoke to Harry after Ron had gone around the corner. "Harry, how could you? You know how Ron despises anything Percyish…"
"Oh he'll get over it. C'mon, let's go see our rooms. I've always wondered how the other half lives."
He grabbed Hermione's hand and she smiled at him as he led her down the hallway.
At the portrait door, where a sign hung above clearly said "Head Boy and Girl", they faced the portrait in confusion.
"Where's the figure?" said Hermione, "I don't see anyone, do you?"
They both began peering at the scene of rolling green hills and distant castles.
Harry replied quietly. "This looks oddly familiar…"
Suddenly a tiny figure, clad in armor and riding into the picture backwards on a poorly shod pony, yelled in a tiny besotted voice that startled both of them. He yanked out a small sword and brandished it wobbily at Harry.
"What ho! *hic* Shtop there you knave! What bithness have you on my private lands!? *hic* Take up thy sword!"
"Oh no…" Hermione groaned.
Harry frowned. "What the…"
"What shayest thou villian!? Shpeak or I shall have the orcs slaughter thee!" The tiny knight then fell ungracefully from his pony to land with a loud clang on the ground. "Methinks it hash become quite dark…" *hic* He frowned beneath his helmet and gazed darkly around him. "How hast the darkness sho shuddenly fallen?"
Harry sighed. "Lift your visor, Sir Cadogen…"
Cadogen picked himself up from the ground and stumbled a bit trying to regain his composure. He lifted his visor slowly at first, and then threw it up in amazement, throwing his tiny arms wide.
"By Merlin…I shee!" He stumbled and fell in a heap of armor, but stood quickly once again. "Who is the brave knight that hath lighted my path once again!?"
"Harry Potter…"
"Parry Hotter! A brave and noble lad *hic* shtout of heart and pure in deed…"
Hermione looked incensed. "Sir Cadogen, are you drunk!?"
"Of course he is…he's completely aled up…"
"Drunk!?" squealed the tiny knight. He was hopping mad and brandished his sword once again. "Have at thee!" He waved the tiny sword in front of him and managed to clang himself on top of his helmet with it. "A lady not withshtanding! *hic* And you! Cad! Cur! Shcurvy rogue! I am a knight of King Arthur! Shecond in command of the round table, p…pershonal friend to Lancelot…"
"Ok, ok," said Harry with a sigh, "These are our rooms good sir…Prithy, wilt thou open for us?"
Cadogen's red eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Pashword?"
"Oh Merlin," said Harry, slapping his forehead in frustration, "I forgot…"
"Dragon's lair," said Hermione with a knowing look, "Harry, you're hopeless."
"I know…"
"A dragon to shlay you say! A noble quest! I must off to defend the kingdom. I bid you good day young ones! *hic* We shall meet again shome fine hour…" Cadogen mounted his pony backwards and galloped lopsidedly out of the picture with his visor clanging up and down. The portrait swung open.
"Completely mental…" said Harry.
They stepped inside and Hermione gasped at the sight. The common room was very small, but comfortably homey. Two completely full bookshelves hugged the dark wood walls, with large intricate red and gold cloth banners bearing the Gryffindor crest on either side. A warm roaring fire was already set in the hearth, and one couch, surrounded on either side by plush easy chairs sat invitingly near. A large desk was placed near the back of the room nearer Hermione's door and held an antique looking candelabra, quills, and extra rolls of parchment.
Harry stood near Hermione with a grin and squeezed her shoulders.
"Walls of books, love…Your own personal heaven."
"It's wonderful," said Hermione breathlessly.
She moved towards a bedroom and opened the door, guessing correctly that it was hers. Her trunk sat at the edge of the canopy bed that was covered in a deep lush red quilt. Crookshanks leapt off of it and ran out into the common room. Hermione could have sworn he gave her a scowl for having kept him waiting. Portraits of previous head girls hung on the wall, along with her own at the end. She smiled, but was relieved to find that the pictures were taken in the ordinary Muggle way. Having twenty or so pairs of eyes watching you at night would be a bit disconcerting…
Harry opened his door and scanned his room as well. It was a lush deep golden color, with a large bed to match; fancy, but not unmasculine. The walls held portraits of head boys past, and his picture, obviously taken by Colin, as he was in his Quidditch uniform, was at the end. Colin, thought Harry. He made a mental note to check on him as soon as possible. How could Dennis have gone missing? It had obviously happened over the summer, though Harry couldn't imagine why there hadn't been an article in the Daily Prophet about it. And where and how had it happened? He didn't want to press Colin when he was so distraught, but what if Voldemort was involved? Still, Harry couldn't imagine what the dark lord would want with Dennis. Well, he thought to himself, I'll find out soon enough.
He clicked the door to his room shut and turned to see Hermione through her bedroom door happily unpacking her trunk. He smiled then, a genuinely happy grin. It was like a small home; cozy and warm, and even more so because he got to share it with her. Heaven indeed…
(A/N): I just want to thank all of the reviewers who took the time to review! Thanks so much! It means a lot. :0) I promise the thick plot is coming, with a few unexpected surprises. Also I totally forgot the disclaimer at the beginning of my story. I own nothing of the HP world but my storyline. I'm just taking the characters out to play, and I'll put 'em back when I'm through! *cheesy grin*