`Perhaps if I was to say, "the hunt is on", you might be more the wiser?'
Stormy Weather Ahead
As Care of Magical Creatures finished, the sky became grey and dreary, succeeded by lightening and a sudden downfall of rain. The fifth-years packed together and charged for Hogwarts, shielding themselves under their books.
`Great!' said Dean, annoyed, coming into the Entrance Hall saturated. `I bet Hogsmeade will be called off now.'
`Yeah!' said Seamus, twisting water from his robes. `There goes Harry's date with Hermione!'
`Don't you mean Malfoy's date with Hermione?'
Close by, Lavender and Parvati were having a similar discussion.
`Hermione's obviously addicted to making love potions. She probably won't stop until all the boys in Slytherin are in love with her.'
`Ew!' said Parvati, whose mind had gone to Crabbe and Goyle. `You really think so?'
`Just you wait!' said Lavender knowingly. `Next will be Ravenclaw, then Hufflepuff, the remainder of Gryffindor...it's so selfish! If Hermione's going out with every boy in school, who are we supposed to date? Centaurs?'
This very intellectual conversation was suddenly cut short by the presence of Professor McGonagall.
`Attention! May I have - Lavender and Parvati, would you two stop talking please!'
Everyone in the Hall fell silent, particularly Lavender and Parvati.
`Professor Dumbledore has requested that all students attend the Great Hall for a surprise meeting. I suggest you dry yourselves off as best you can and move along.'
`What's the meeting for Professor?' asked Parvati.
`I'm afraid that would be going against the element of surprise I just mentioned, Miss Patil.'
`Oh, right...' said Parvati, embarrassed.
It wasn't long before word got round about Dumbledore's meeting. The Great Hall was soon abuzz with teachers and students. Everyone was in attendance - well, almost everyone.
Professor McGonagall, noticing a number of absences from her House, approached Seamus and Dean at the Gryffindor table. `Do either of you know where Ronald Weasley is?'
Seamus sniggered, until Dean nudged him in the ribs.
`Ron's in the hospital wing, Professor. He got into a fight during our Care of Magical Creatures class.'
`With whom?' Though she could already guess.
`Draco Malfoy, Professor.'
`Yeah, Ron hammered him! CAPOW!' said Seamus, throwing a fist in the air.
Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed - she was clearly less amused then Seamus was.
`I mean,' said Seamus quickly, deflating under her gaze, `what Dean said Professor McGonagall, mam'.'
`And what of Hermione Granger and Harry Potter?'
`Hermione's in the hospital wing too, with Pansy Parkinson,' Dean explained. `They got into a fight as well.'
This news troubled Professor McGonagall very much. What on earth happened in Hagrid's class to cause two physical fights?
`And Harry Potter? Is he in the hospital wing too?'
`He…' Dean quickly glanced a Seamus, `…well, we don't know where Harry is, Professor.'
Dean and Seamus knew Harry had disappeared after class, to where they didn't know, after Hermione had openly rejected him for Malfoy.
`Very well then. Thank you, boys.'
Professor McGonagall headed swiftly to the teachers table, making a mental note to chat with Hagrid later. Once she was gone, Dean gawked at Seamus stupidly.
`Capow?'
`What?' said Seamus, shrugging. `I was in the moment.'
And then, rising from his chair at the front of the Hall, `may I have your attention!' Professor Dumbledore commanded, eliciting silence.
The Hogwarts Hunters
Harry slipped in quietly through the oak front doors, soaked to the bone. His hair hung over his face like a black, wet mop, and his hands were cemented in fists. He could hear Dumbledore's voice echoing out from the Great Hall. He peered in through main door, staying unnoticed…
`Due to the unexpected change in weather, I'm afraid today's trip to Hogsmeade will be cancelled until further notice.'
There was an immediate reponse of disappointed moans and groans.
`However!' said Professor Dumbledore, gesturing for silence. `However, due to the circumstances, I have decided to hold this meeting ahead of schedule. I'm sure you are all curious to know why you have to listen to me prattle on so early in the day.'
A murmur of laughter followed this, as Dumbledore continued.
`Perhaps if I was to say "the hunt is on", you might be more the wiser?' He winked.
The effect of this announcement was instant. The Hall was suddenly clamorous with excited voices, Fred and George being notable among them.
`As of tomorrow, the Annual Drakon Hunt will be under way. After much consideration, I have decided on the members for this year's team.' Dumbledore consulted a roll of parchment. `This year's Hogwarts Hunters will include: Professor Severus Snape.'
Only the Slytherins cheered at the sound of Snape's name. Everyone else made a half effort to clap at the most.
`Accompanying Professor Snape will be Professor Filius Flipwick and Madame Pomona Sprout, as well as our very own Head Boy and Head Girl, Thomas Maverick of Ravenclaw and Holly Addison of Hufflepuff. I wish you all the best of luck. I'm sure you will make Hogwarts proud.'
Dumbledore spent the remainder of the meeting talking about the Hunt and how the school would be regularly updated on the team's progress. Harry began to tune out. There was something far more pressing on his mind. He headed up the grand staircase to the Gryffindor common room, passing the hospital wing on his way.
A/N: This is a short, `limbo' chapter, so I'll I put the next one up shortly. Thanks to those who are still reading and reviewing! I know things are nasty right now, but it'll be all right in the end - considering you stay around that long.
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