Chapter Ten: Endless Arguments
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was coated in a warm and inviting shade of orange, it's ceiling filled with floating candles all burning in unison. The four grand tables that represented the four houses of the school were filled with students. Their enthusiastic chattering and tales of their summer adventures filled the air. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat near the front of the Gryffindor table, beside them sat Neville and Seamus who were lost in the regaling of their summer holidays.
The Staff table at the head of the room was headed by Professor Albus Dumbledore, the old and wise headmaster of Hogwarts, to his right was the empty space of which Professor McGonagall filled, Professor Snape, Professor Sprout and Rubeus Hagrid the large and loveable Care of Magical Creatures Professor. To his left sat the new Defence against the Dark Arts Teacher Professor Tobias, Madam Hooch, Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney.
Professor McGonagall was missing because it was her duty to meet the new first year students and escort them into the Great Hall for the traditional Sorting ceremony. Of course the Great Hall was ready for the ceremony, in the large space between the Staff Table which sat atop its smallish perch and the Student tables was a single stool with the worn and dusty old Sorting Hat. Its age clearly showing with it's torn edges and worn fabric.
"Hurry up, I'm starving," exclaimed Ron, his hand grasping at his stomach implying that if he doesn't eat soon he'll collapse from starvation.
"You were sorted once," said Hermione in response, "How would you like it if everyone wanted the food first."
"It would've been a whole lot better than sitting on that stool in front of the whole school," replied Ron, "Anyway they're not even here yet, they're probably still being led from the main entrance by Professor McGonagall."
"Oh Ron, you really should learn to grow-up," said Hermione shaking her head as Harry just sat chuckling, "and you too Harry, your no better than Ron."
"What did I do?" said Harry defensively.
"You didn't grow-up Harry," said Ron mockingly with his finger wagging at Harry and a huge grin etched across Ron's face.
"Oh be quiet both of you, Professor McGonagall is here with the first years," said Hermione her attention now on the front of the hall.
Sure enough as Hermione had stated Professor McGonagall had arrived with a large bunch of shell-shocked first years. Their faces white with fright, they slowly walked into the hall and stopped in front of the 4 main tables and faced the Staff table. The Stool and Sorting Hat sat directly in front of them, set in an intimidating blue light.
Suddenly the motionless Sorting Hat sprang to life and the rip near the brim of the hat opened wide and the Hat burst into song:
When it grew grim
In days of old
Where the darkest hour seemed at hand
It'd fall to the noble and bold,
To the clever and smart,
To the apt and cunning,
To the quiet and loyal,
All four Houses were involved,
All four Houses were entwined,
Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff,
Together they stood,
Divided they would fall
For we could take heed from their advice
It seems we face another crisis,
A war which consumes us all,
Our only hope,
Is to fight together,
Together we stand,
Together we succeed,
Divided we shall surely fall
In the hearts of us all,
Is the key
Listen to my words,
For I have seen it all,
Times of light,
Times of dark,
Times of hope,
Stand together Hogwarts,
As it once was
And let the sorting begin.
The hat fell silent as the students watched on for a moment before erupting with tumultuous applause. Rows upon rows of children stood and applauded the song from the sorting Hat, its words barely having echoed throughout the Great Hall. After several minutes the ovation finally died down as Professor McGonagall stood in front of everyone clutching a parchment of names.
The crowd watched on with bated breath as one by one the new first years were sorted into their houses. With every student came a loud roar of approval from the house of which he or she had been sorted into. It didn't take long for every single student to be sorted, their young innocent souls being overwhelmed by the support and cheers that rained down on them.
At last there remained just one more First year, a young small boy with short brown hair, a gawkish expression of wonderment and worry and a strange pair of spectacles that seemed to stick to his brow. He looked around at the students waiting patiently for him to be sorted and for the feast to begin.
"Wood, Richard E," said Professor McGonagall loudly.
The whole of Gryffindor seemed to buzz as his name was called out; no one knew that Oliver Wood the former Keeper and Team Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team had a brother. But they all were expectantly waiting for the Sorting Hat to shout Gryffindor through the room as being a Wood he couldn't be placed anywhere else.
Little Richard Wood walked forward from his place and sat upon the stool nervously, his head was quickly hidden from view as Professor McGonagall lowered the sorting hat onto his head. The Sorting Hat moved and writhed on Richard's head, seemingly taking forever to decide upon Richard's House before finally pausing and then shouting 'SLYTHERIN!' The Gryffindor house groaned in sheer shock as the Slytherin House table erupted in a chorus of cheers. Richard Wood climbed back off the stool and almost arrogantly walked over to the Slytherin table and sat himself down as he was mobbed from all sides.
"How did they get Oliver Wood's brother?" exclaimed Ron bitterly, "he should be a Gryffindor like his Brother."
"How do we even know that he's Oliver's Brother?" responded Hermione in her typical smart manner, "Wood is a very popular surname."
Harry didn't involve himself in the conversation and instead hushed the two of them as Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat at the head of the staff table. Professor Dumbledore surveyed the students before him and let slip a minute smile, "Let the feast begin!"
In a blink of an eye the tables filled with food, bowls, of mashed potatoes, peas, chicken, carrots, roast potatoes and a lot more appeared before the hungry students. Before you could even say 'what a feast' everyone was tucking into the food with unrestricted glee.
"It's about time," proclaimed Ron as he shovelled Potato onto his plate and then piled on loads of bacon and sausages.
No one replied to Ron, instead Harry and Hermione began filling their plates with food albeit not as enthusiastically as Ron but they did still have quite large helpings of everything. The whole room was awash with sounds of cutlery and plates clashing, goblets being slammed on the table and food generally being eaten. After about half an hour, when all the food had been ruthlessly swallowed up, the tables were magically cleared and Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat once more.
"Ahhh now that you have all enjoyed the magnificent feast I have a few notices to read out," said Professor Dumbledore with an inviting smile, "For the New Students and some of the more reckless ones, the Forest in the grounds is out-of-bounds to all students. As much as your curiosities may be overwhelming, there are creatures in the Forest that would not hesitate in having you for dinner."
Harry, Ron and Hermione let out guffaws as they knew exactly what would greet any wayward students who decided to enter the forest, of course that didn't stop them entering, but what would?
"Argus Filch our caretaker has reminded me that Magic is not to be performed outside of classes, he also has a list of outlawed items which is inside his office," Dumbledore turned towards Argus who was stood in the Great Hall doorway looking as miserable as ever. "We also have some good news for all those students that were unduly punished by the former Headmistress Mrs Umbridge, all of her former laws and regulations, punishments and such have been deemed null and void."
A huge smile gripped Harry the letter he'd received from Professor Dumbledore had cheered him up but hearing it in person was the icing on the cake. Of course professor Dumbledore didn't say it directly, but Harry knew exactly what he meant.
"I am also very pleased to announce that we have a brand new Defence against the Dark Arts Teacher in Professor Tobias, who has taken time out of his busy schedule to be here this year," said professor Dumbledore as he pointed over at professor Tobias who stood up and took the gentle applause that greeted him humbly and with the wave of his right hand. "I have no further notices to be said, so you may all now leave to your common rooms."
The students all applauded Professor Dumbledore generously before the room began to empty swiftly. "Do we have to escort the midgets again this year?" said Ron getting up from his seat.
"No, not this year, that's been left to Colin Creevey and your sister Ginny," said Hermione already stood up and motioning towards the Entrance to the great staircases that led up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Good, so we can just go straight to the Common Room then?" replied Ron looking anxious.
"Of course we can Ron, not unless you have some late night shopping to do?" said Harry with a smirk.
Ron glared at Harry for a moment before turning and following Hermione out of the Great hall. Hermione was walking at the head of the trio as they turned around a corner and onto the main stairs that led up to their Common Room.
"So Harry, when will be the first Quidditch practice?" asked Ron exuberantly, his want to get started shining through.
"Oh Ron, Harry's probably not even thought about it yet," said Hermione interrupting Harry who was about to respond.
Hermione of course was right, whilst Harry had thought about being Quidditch captain, he hadn't yet thought about practices or even filling in the empty spaces in the team. His thoughts were still dominated by Sirius' death, but it wasn't as bad as it had been. His mind was still a dangerous minefield, with all that had happened this summer with Mad-Eye's kidnapping, the stranger he'd met in the Leaky Cauldron and the knowledge of the Prophecy his mind was not exactly rosy.
"Oh, well you better get one sorted fast Harry, Slytherin will likely have one sorted for tomorrow," said Ron obviously hoping to be Harry's right hand man.
"Yeah, I'll give it a think later," replied Harry clearly not paying attention.
As they turned another set of stairs, the trio were greeted by a grinning Dean Thomas who was stood waiting for them. The trio slowed up as they came within a few feet of him.
"Hey Harry, how was your summer?" asked Dean as Ron stared at him disapprovingly, his dislike clearly being because Dean was still going out with his sister Ginny.
"It was alright," said Harry trying to make his summer a non-issue.
"That's great," replied Dean obviously using the Holiday question as a means of starting the conversation, "Anyway I was wondering if you were going to continue the Defence Association this year?"
Immediately both Ron and Hermione lit up in anticipation as whilst during the summer it was a non issue, it was now the school year and they both want it to continue. Harry looked at them both and then turned to dean who was bouncing up and down on his feet with excitement.
"Well, I haven't thought about it, but I don't see why not," he said also wanting to continue it on, he'd enjoyed teaching everyone last year and would love to do it again this year.
"That's great," said Dean before shooting off. Dean was gone far too quickly for Harry or the other two to say goodbye.
"We'll have to organise a meeting this week and find out who is still interested in the Defence Association and when the next session will be," said Hermione.
"You can sort that out Hermione, Harry and I have a Quidditch meeting to organise," replied Ron obviously not wanting the D.A to take precedence over the Quidditch team.
"You better not think I'm doing it alone, you two are just as responsible for this group as I am," retorted Hermione bitterly.
The trio ascended the final staircase and stood in front of the Fat Lady portrait that allowed access to the Gryffindor Common Room for all those that said the correct password. 'Chocolate Sundae' said Hermione quickly. The portrait nodded in approval and opened to reveal the doorway to the Gryffindor Common Room. All three of them climbed through and into the Common Room.
The Common Room was filled with students, chatting and talking amongst themselves they ignored the presence of Harry, Hermione and Ron. The seats surrounding the burning fireplace were naturally taken, so the three of them were resigned to seating themselves in a quiet corner, which seemed cold and poorly lit. Although none of them could really care, they just wanted to sit down and continue their conversation.
"So Harry when do you want to have the first Quidditch meeting?" asked Ron clearly trying to get Harry setting a date for the Quidditch before setting a date for the D.A.
"You can organise that at any time this week Ron," said Hermione trying to prevent Ron from ousting the D.A from the conversation, "the Defence Association is clearly more important."
"Really?" said Ron sardonically.
"Yes, really, Quidditch is just a pointless game, the D.A could save our lives," said Hermione strongly.
"A pointless game!?" retorted Ron vehemently, "Quidditch isn't pointless, it entertains people, the world needs entertaining you know."
Harry didn't want to get involved in the conversation, it was bad enough as it is that his two friends were arguing, but the fact they were arguing over two things that were his responsibility and not theirs was even worse. It didn't help that he one responsibility that was even more important than the both of them combined; vanquishing The Dark lord Voldemort. Whilst both Hermione and Ron realised that Harry was under a great amount of pressure and was dealing with things that they couldn't even comprehend, they didn't know that he knew something that would scare the life out of both of them.
"Well, entertain them then, but unless we start the D.A back up quickly, we could lose time in preparing for the war with Voldemort," replied Hermione.
"What good is Harry teaching everyone to defend himself when they're no match for the Deatheaters," said Ron trying so hard to make Quidditch seem more important, though deep down he knew otherwise, he was just too stubborn to show it.
"Don't be so stupid Ron," said Hermione bitingly, "It doesn't just help everyone else when Harry teaches them, it helps him too."
"But Quidditch doesn't get the aid of Defence against the Dark arts lessons, now does it?" responded Ron a certain smugness falling over him.
"But what about those who aren't doing Defence against the Dark Arts this year?" responded Hermione clearly not about to lose to Ron in a battle of wits.
"What the two people that didn't take the Defence Association last year?" said Ron quickly, "everyone that were in the Defence Association passed Defence against the Dark Arts last year, even with stupid Umbridge trying to unteach us."
"But Ron, you don't have to prepare for wars in Quidditch, it's only a game," said Hermione almost pleading with Ron, "anyway you haven't even got a full team."
"Which is exactly why we need to sort this out..."
"BE QUIET, BOTH OF YOU!!" roared Harry suddenly, cutting out Ron who looked at him confused, Hermione was taken aback with shock as Harry sat his head pounding. "Why are you arguing? What does it matter? It's only a couple of meetings, it's not a matter of life or death... it doesn't matter."
"But Harry, we're only trying to..."
"Help? Is that it Hermione, your only trying to help? Well your not helping are you?" said Harry calmer than his outburst but still seething inside. "I don't need you two arguing over what meeting should come first, I have too much to deal with... like the Prophecy." Immediately Harry fell silent, he knew he'd just opened a whole can or worms he hadn't hoped he would for a while yet.
"What prophecy?" asked Ron inquisitively.
Harry leaned back in his seat and knew that he'd have to tell them now, it wouldn't work if he tried to ward them off with excuses, he'd let the cat out of the bag. "Oh I might as well tell you," said Harry lowering his volume so that no-one else in the common Room would hear him. His outburst had caused a few people to pause momentarily to look in his direction and the dormitories weren't safe as anyone could walk in there and listen in.
"Take your time Harry," said Hermione softly.
Harry slowly but surely began to tell them about his meeting with Professor Dumbledore last June, about the Prophecy and everything that Professor Dumbledore had told them. Neither Hermione nor Ron said a word; they just sat patiently listening to every single word that Harry said. It took almost an hour for Harry to get through it all, this wasn't due to the sheer amount of information but due the hardship he had in physically talking about the Prophecy.
Neither Hermione or Ron were quick to say anything as soon as Harry had finished telling them everything, they just sat aghast as it dawned on them that Harry was the one that would have to kill the Dark Lord.
"But it could be Neville though?" said Ron first, "Dumbledore said he could've been the 'One'."
"But Neville wasn't marked the Dark Lord's equal," responded Hermione.
"But the Prophecy might be slightly wrong, no-one has ever said Prophecies are always correct," responded Ron trying to alleviate some of Harry's burden.
"That is true, but if that was so then Harry would've die when You-Know-Who fired the Avada Kadavra curse at him," responded Hermione clearly not trying to ruin Ron's attempts but merely acting as a cool head.
Harry turned away from Ron and Hermione as he noticed Neville getting up from his seat rather quickly and almost sprinting up the stairs to the dormitories. However before Neville had exited, Harry caught a glimpse of a strange stare that Neville was giving him, one that seemed to signify fear, worry and vindication in one expression.
Harry couldn't explain why he turned to look at Neville, he knew that it wasn't because he was eavesdropping; he was far too far away to hear anything and if he could lip-read, he wouldn't have got much as all three of them were covered by shadows. Harry didn't feel the need to say anything to the other two who were busy dissecting the Prophecy and trying to figure out what it all meant.
"But why did Dumbledore take so long to tell you Harry," said Hermione, "It doesn't make any sense, holding onto to it for so long would only hurt you."
"He told Harry why, he didn't think he was ready for it yet," responded Ron.
"No," said Harry butting in, "there is something else, I can't put my finger on it but there is something else, something that is worrying him."
"What do you think it is?" said Ron.
"I don't know, I really don't know," said Harry now looking around the Common Room which was emptying quickly.
The three of them talked for another hour before finally departing for bed. Harry and Ron trudged up the short stair case to the 6th year Boy's dormitory and entered the eerily quiet dormitory and went off to each others beds. They said the typical good nights and both disappeared behind the curtains of theirs beds and lay their heads to sleep.
Harry could hear Ron fall off to sleep quickly, he was quiet and then every so often a random phrase would rupture the air around his bed. It didn't bother Harry; he'd known Ron for so long that it became a nice novelty that seemed to help Harry fall asleep. However tonight Harry would need all the help he could muster. It was tough trying to close yours eyes when thoughts of facing Voldemort permeated your head, it became increasingly worse as Voldemort seemed to taunt Harry, taunting him about his parents, Sirius and everything else that Harry had caused directly or indirectly.
Of course this wasn't a nightmare of Voldemort invading his dreams, this was Harry's mind dealing with all the pain and anguish Harry had felt, this was his mind's way of reminding him about everything. It wasn't pretty and Harry would never wish for anyone else to ever be subjected to these thoughts of unimaginable pain and darkness... This was the downside to all of his 'fame' this was his life, this was Harry Potter 'the Boy who lived'. A boy borne through a life of never-ending peril and danger, a boy borne through the hopes of the world and yet he felt neither hopeful or remotely special, he felt cursed. If it wasn't for his friends and everyone that helped him, Harry wondered if he would even be living today.
***
A cold deathly mist gripped the lifeless Countryside of North Hertfordshire, it's once idyllic surroundings now encapsulated in a dark abyss of which seemed no escape. A forceful wind blew the mist through the small Village of Hinxworth it's ever increasing size sifted through the gardens of the Tudor style Houses, their white and black décor quickly becoming almost indecipherable as the black night pulled them into it's grasp.
Footsteps could be heard from the distance, the steps were methodical and well spaced, coming from a figure that seemed to enjoy savouring every step as if he hadn't walked for years. Louder and louder they grew as the figure seemed to appear from out of the dark void of the world around them. The figure was adorned in a long swaying black silky cloak, which wavered with every step and was engulfed by the stern wind.
The over-sized hood hid the figure's head, leaving just a black hole that would show the pearly whites of the figure's eyes whenever the weak light there was managed to break the shadows that consumed him. The figure finally stopped outside of a small cottage that had long since been abandoned, its windows were boarded up with old rotten pieces of wood that had spent far too many years at the mercy of the elements.
The figure turned to the doorway to the house and with the flick of his wrist the door slammed open violently, its hinges almost buckling under the sheer force. Without a single moment's hesitation the figure walked slowly through the doorway and into the dilapidated house.
The inside of the house was even worse than the outside, it's wall were stripped of all wallpaper or paint leaving a beige coloured rough surface that was cracked and in some places had holes which went all the way through. The floors were just as bare with the rotting floorboards either wet or broken from neglect or most likely termites.
The figure walked through to what would once had been the lounge, it was like the rest of the house; ruined from neglect and abuse. A large fireplace sat at the other end of the room, it's metal framework rusted through, the walls that held it cracked immeasurably .Surprisingly it housed a burning fire, the orange flames flickering quickly as it let of a shallow orange glow that lit the room enough so that a 2nd person could be seen tied up in the corner adjacent to the fire.
That person was Harry Potter; his body was laced with cuts and bruises, his face covered in dirt and the smears of dried tears. His glasses bent and cracked. It was evident that he'd been here for quite a while; his arms had dried crusted blood that had seeped from the wounds of the ropes that tightly tied him. He was a far cry from the exuberant young boy that uses to frolic and play with his friends at Hogwarts, the enthusiastic student that would joke and laugh during lessons and the boy that had held all hope for the Wizarding World.
The cloaked figure walked towards Harry and lowered his hood to reveal himself as the malevolent Dark Lord Voldemort; his cold heartless eyes stared at Harry's prone body as a wry grin escaped from his mouth. He lowered his body so that his head was at the same height as Harry's.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen," he said smirking, "the great Saviour of the Wizarding World is tied up and at my mercy, oh I couldn't have wished for a better present."
Harry looked into Voldemort's emotionless eyes and spat at him, "You better kill me now," he said courageously.
"Oh my dear boy, I wouldn't dream of killing you yet," replied Voldemort unaffected by Harry's valiant effort to defy him, "You have much to tell me."
Harry turned his gaze away from Voldemort who had moved to within inches of Harry, his cold and unrelenting breath causing the hairs on Harry's arms to stand on end. Harry felt his stomach wrench as Voldemort smelt Harry's pain and then laughed loudly.
"Tell me Harry, what was it like to be my eyes, what was it like to betray Albus Dumbledore without even knowing?" asked Voldemort with a sadistic tone.
Harry just closed his eyes and tried to ignore Voldemort's piercing words, "Oh you can try and hide from the fact that it was you that ended their plight, you can try and escape it, but you can't, it will live with you for the last remaining moments of your pointless existence."
"It was through you that I learnt about everything, the Prophecy, Dumbledore's plans, your pathetic Army," said Voldemort his hand reaching towards Harry's face, "LOOK AT ME!!" roared Voldemort, his hand now grasped upon Harry's chin, squeezing it tightly before turning Harry's face towards Voldemort's.
Harry struggled to turn away again but he was too weak for Voldemort, who was enjoying watching Harry squirming, "I've always wondered why when the whole world fears me that you do not, I've spent hours in your head trying to find an answer but with no success, enlighten me Harry, enlighten me on why you do not fear the great Lord Voldemort."
Harry looked Voldemort straight in the eyes and then without struggling calmed himself down, "What is there to fear from a Wizard who tries to destroy all muggle-born and half-bloods when he himself is a half-blood, you're just like the rest of them… A…"
"ENOUGH!!" shouted Voldemort, his hand squeezing Harry's jaw so tightly that Harry's mouth seemed to shut almost immediately. "I have had enough of your pestilence, your lies and of your devotion to the true enemy on Wizard-kind Albus Dumbledore. You shall suffer for an eternity."
Voldemort released Harry and then stepped back into the far-end of the room, into the shadows as the fire suddenly stopped burning as the room seemed to get excruciatingly cold. Harry's breath turned into a white vapour as it suddenly dawned on Harry that his worst nightmare was going to take him. Stood floating in the doorway were three large Dementors, their black cloaks swaying slowly as they approached Harry. Their spindly hands outreached, thoughts of Albus Dumbledore being killed in cold blood, his mother's death rushed through Harry's head. He felt like he was being consumed by his worst nightmares, each one becoming more vivid and unrelenting.
Then it happened, the central Dementor swooped and before Harry could move, cold skeleton like lips clasped onto his and Harry felt his life rush from out of him. Every memory seemed to leave him as the Dementor continued to kiss him and then black.
Harry awoke sharply, he was drenched in sweat and the images of his nightmare, hallucination or whatever seemed to stay with him. It was so vivid, so realistic that Harry was sure it was happening and then it hit him, "He knows."