Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 16 -- The Sword and the Snake

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Hermione bent low to help Malfoy with the blisters that were growing worse on his face, but Crabbe and Goyle pushed her aside. They grabbed Malfoy and trundled the unconscious blonde back to the Slytherin carriages. Ron repaired the window with his wand while Anthony tried to clean the splattered blood as best he could. Padma held her head in her hands, sobbing. Harry had his arm around Cho's brother. Jim held his eyes unblinking at the spot he'd last seen his sister. Harry looked to Hermione.

"Where'd they go?" he asked. "And who was that with Cho?"

"St. Mungo's. And that was a new healer, Mrs. Everett. Professor Dumbledore thought it wise to bring in a few healers to help Madame Pomfrey this year." She looked at Anthony who was shaking so violently his spells were ineffective. Blood still soaked the carriage floor and his shirt. "I guess he was right to think things might be more dangerous. Let me see your hand." He held it out to reveal the blisters that sprang from his wrist to his fingertips, oozing clear liquid. "I really need a potion for this," she said. Then holding out her wand she whispered a spell Harry couldn't hear. The wand emitted a blue-green glow just as had happened on the hospital ward. His hand went cold, the swelling went down and most all the blisters disappeared. She held it in her own. They could hear screaming down the corridor.

"I'll get it," Ron sighed as he left the compartment. Anthony stood up with Padma. He was still shaking, blood dripping from his hands.

"I've... I've got to tell the others what's happened," he said. His jaw became rigid as he clenched his fist. His eyes burned with fury. "Whatever you did to Malfoy, Harry, he deserved it! We'll have every Slytherin's head on a plate before tomorrow morning." And as he stormed out of the compartment, Harry saw the fire begin to rise in Padma's eyes. A moment later she plunged after Anthony.

"Harry, what happened?" Hermione asked. He looked to her eyes and then darted his own to Jim and slowly shook his head. But it was Jim who spoke.

"He... he killed her," he whispered. "That's what's happened."

"No... Jim, she'll be fine," Hermione comforted. "I know she will." But the quiver in her voice revealed her uncertainty.

"I've seen plenty of snakes like him," Jim spat. "They're all the same. Blonde hair, blue eyes and as creative as slugs. 'Hey slant-eyes!' or 'yellow skin, you yellow?' or... or..." his lungs heaved. "Well, he's the snake now isn't he, Harry? You gave him the mark to prove it!" He shuddered and began to cry. Harry held him close.

"The mark?" Hermione whispered.

The train was slowing as it entered Hogsmeade. The shouts down the corridor were growing louder. Through the window, Harry could see in the darkness there was already a commotion starting among students leaving the train. Ron slid open the compartment door. He looked as though he'd been running. At his side was Professor Flitwick.

"This is her brother," Ron panted. Professor Flitwick kneeled down, looked Jim over, and then turned to Harry.

"Is he okay?" he asked.

"He's afraid," Harry answered. Professor Flitwick lifted Jim to his feet.

"Come with me, James," he said kindly. "We don't have much time." He escorted him out of the carriage. Harry looked at Hermione.

"What did that mean? 'Not much time'?" he asked. Hermione was pale.

"She wasn't well, Harry. She... she lost a lot of blood." Hermione's voice began to quake. "Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry. If she dies..." Hermione began to tremble and Ron put his arms around her holding her close.

"She's not going to die!" Harry snapped getting to his feet.

"A head injury like that is dangerous, mate." Ron whispered looking pale himself. "We almost lost you this summer, and you were wearing a helmet." He continued to hold Hermione in his arms.

As students gathered their gear to depart, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the train. One told how Draco, flanked by half a dozen Slytherins, had tried to kill Cho because she was Asian, and before Malfoy could finish her off Harry came to her rescue. Another version had Cho already dead. At the Slytherin end, word came from Crabbe and Goyle. Draco had simply complimented Cho and Harry flew into a fit of jealous rage. He pushed her nearly through the window, and attacked Draco without provocation.

Ron, Hermione and Harry remained in the compartment as the students filed off the train. Hagrid's voice was heard calling for the first years to follow him. A number of students were walking toward the horseless carriages. Harry could see the Threstrals waiting to take them to Hogwarts. They seemed nervous. One stretched its wings when Harry noticed another surge in the crowd. Somebody yelled and suddenly the darkened streets erupted in a blaze of coloured light. Students began firing jinxes and stunning spells into a group of Slytherins, who returned the fire. He could see Anthony Goldstein leading the charge. His shots weren't very effective, Harry thought, but what he lacked in precision he made up for in quantity. He was firing like a man possessed.

"They tried to kill her, I tell you!" he screamed, and plunged into a sea of green followed by a dozen more Ravenclaws.

"I've got to do something," Harry said standing to leave, but Ron grabbed his arm.

"Do what, Harry?" he asked shaking his head. "It's madness out there." But Harry left Hermione and Ron in the compartment and entered into Hogsmeade.

Assisted by the lead engineer, Hagrid was still calling for the first years, and they were now running for him, trying to duck the wild spells. A few hit Hagrid on the back bouncing off with the thud of a winter snowball. But they did raise his temper. To their credit, he and the engineer concentrated on the safety of the younger students. Harry ran over to help them get the first years in the boats and on their way. A beam of red light shot from the crowd toward them. Harry flicked his wand and deflected it.

"Go on Hagrid, get them to the school!" he called. "I'll try to do something." He looked back over his shoulder at the crowd with no clue as to what that something might be. As soon as Hagrid and the students were on their way, the engineer ran to help a fifth year who had been stunned at the front of the train. Harry turned back to the onslaught.

Screams rang out, up and down the streets. The regular townspeople of Hogsmeade were ducking into the various shops just for cover. Other parents had brought their children to meet the train and take the carriages to Hogwarts. Unaware of what had happened on the train, they were completely dumfounded. But when some students saw their own classmates being attacked, they too joined the fray.

Soon it was no longer just Ravenclaw against Slytherin. Others, out to settle scores from years gone by, began to try and get even. Before long, students were firing at others they didn't even know just because they didn't like the way they looked. Harry saw Ron and Hermione emerge from the train. They were yelling at the students to stop, but few would listen. Hermione was knocking the wands out of student's hands right and left, but there were just too many. Ron seemed able to block the occasional spell that flew their way. "Brilliant," Harry thought, "but not enough."

Harry looked over at the Threstrals. They were becoming irritated by all the commotion. "Threstrals," he whispered. Quickly he ran to the front of the waiting carriages. He raised his wand and cast a stunning spell into the ground before the lead carriage. The creature reared and turned toward the fighting. Harry cast another, and another. One by one each creature turned toward the melee. There was certainly the smell of blood in the air. The Threstrals were intrigued and now even more agitated. Finally, Harry conjured a Patronus and charged it into the crowd, firing on the Threstrals at the same time.

The plan worked. The horseless carriages plunged into the crowd following the stag. The students, intent at firing on one another, realized that a hundred carriages were careening their way. Some were bowled over by the invisible creatures causing even more panic in the crowd. The firing stopped and they scattered like mice. In a matter of minutes, professors from the school began to appear. Professor McGonagall had her wand raised and was yelling at the Gryffindors to gather to her. Professors Snape and Sprout did the same.

"Professor McGonagall!" Harry called. "Professor Flitwick, he's gone to St. Mungo's with Cho's brother Jim!" But a flash and a snap later revealed Professor Flitwick apparating among the Ravenclaws.

"This way!" he squeaked, raising his wand. No one dared disobey.

There were many students unable to answer the call to gather to their Heads of House. Some lay on the ground unable to move; others unable to see which way to go. Anthony Goldstein ran to Professor Flitwick. "They tried to kill her!" he screamed. The words echoed down the streets of Hogsmeade. Covered in blood and inflicted with a jinx that had made one leg stiff as a board, he pleaded his case again. "They tried to kill her." Harry could hear something more behind the words, something much deeper.

"Anthony," yelled Professor Flitwick, "stop this instant!" Undaunted, he turned and limped toward the group of Slytherins.

He kept repeating, "They tried to kill her. They tried to kill her." He raised his wand.

"Petrificus Totalus!" rang out. It was Professor Flitwick. Immediately Anthony went stiff and fell to the ground. Two other Ravenclaw students ran to his side.

"That is enough!" cried Professor McGonagall. "Each house will walk back to Hogwarts. Take the time to think about how foolish you've all been!"

And so, what would later be called the Hogsmeade March began. The sky was dark and it began to rain. Large ruts of mud splattered students as they splashed through the puddles. Each house kept a wide berth between the other. Slytherins were at the head of the line, Ravenclaws at the rear.

Malfoy was walking toward the end of the group of Slytherins with Crabbe and Goyle; at least it looked like Malfoy. His face was covered in gauze. Hermione and Ron had joined Harry at the head of the Gryffindors. Harry's eyes trained on Malfoy as the rain splattered his glasses.

"You were brilliant, Harry," said Hermione, holding his arm, Ron at her side. "They'd still be fighting if it weren't for you."

"I don't know," replied Harry. "You and Ron were getting on pretty good." He smiled back at them. "It looked like the Slytherins were getting whipped pretty bad. Maybe we should have let them finish it." The smile left his face. He knew what it was Anthony felt, holding Cho in his arms. "I hope she's okay," he whispered. Hermione squeezed tighter.

The glow of lit wands made for an eerie procession. The trip, which during happier times, seemed to take ten minutes, now was taking ten times longer. Students tried, as best they could, to help their hurt classmates walk toward the school. Ron stepped to the aid of Katie Bell who had been hit with a curse from a Ravenclaw while they were arguing over Quidditch. Heavy drops of rain splashed whitecaps on the lake as they passed by. The air was silent, save for the splatter of rain on the wet ground. No one spoke as the rain seemed to drain their last bit of energy as they passed the Whomping Willow swaying innocently in the evening breeze.

When they arrived at the front doors, the groups began to compress. There was a fuss and a bit of shoving when Professor Flitwick levitated above the crowd. His flaming wand lit the grounds below. "If I see so much as one false move," he squeaked, "you'll find yourself hanging from the seventh story by your ears!" Everyone looked up to the top of the castle and the commotion instantly died down.

Madame Pomfrey and two other healers were waiting as they arrived. "If you're hurt come with me!" she yelled. About three-dozen students filed forward. Many more were injured, but unwilling to go. The sheer number of injuries stunned her. "Absolute foolishness!" she quipped. "In all my years... Harper," she cast a levitation spell on Anthony, "guide Goldstein to the hospital wing. You there! Crabbe, who is that?" Crabbe looked up.

"Draco ma'am," he said dully.

"Well, bring him here. So Mr. Malfoy, what's happened to you?" But there was no reply. "Very well. Crabbe, help him on his way." The healers swept the injured students into the castle. Professor McGonagall stood before the crowd.

"If you think this is finished...it is not!" she called. "Professor Dumbledore and the first years are waiting for you inside. File in quietly or you'll have him to deal with!" Slowly, everyone made their way into the Great Hall. The familiar house banners hung over the ends of each house table. With so many in the hospital wing, the hall seemed empty, echoing the sound of every movement. As students sat, one could hear the sound of water dripping to the stone floor from their soaked robes.

Professor McGonagall walked over to the first years who, though dry, seemed absolutely petrified. Hagrid nodded to her as he took his seat at the head table. Harry caught Dumbledore's eyes for the first time. They were grim. Were they blaming Harry? As the last students sat, Dumbledore rose to his feet.

"Today we mark only the second time in Hogwarts' history where house has turned on house in so violent a way. At a time when it is more vital than ever that we should join together, I fear Voldemort may have already won." There was a shudder in the crowd. "You must ask, each of you, if it is worth the price. You have saved Voldemort the effort by turning brother on brother, and sister on sister. How much easier it will be for him to take you, to take your families. Your house name will mean nothing if he should gain control of this school. And yet, you seem eager enough to be done with it." As he stood, Dumbledore's shoulders slumped.

"This year we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, an Auror, Professor Nymphadora Tonks." Subdued applause greeted her warmly. Harry's eyes darted to Tonks. He hadn't noticed earlier. He was expecting to see a pink-haired girl. Instead she wore black hair and looked every bit a woman. Her face was stern and cold. He'd never seen her look like that. Dumbledore continued, "Tell me, is it pointless that you should learn Defense Against the Dark Arts? Shall I send Professor Tonks home this year?"

"No!" Harry called out. Professor Dumbledore glanced his way.

"Shall we invite Voldemort in for tea?" he pressed. This time Ron, Hermione and a few other students scattered throughout the hall joined in.

"No!"

"Shall we close the doors of Hogwarts and be done with it?" Now most of the students were standing.

"No!" they yelled.

"Please," Dumbledore said, holding his hands high, "take your seats." He paused, and then leaned toward the students below. "I shall ask this question only once," said Dumbledore as his voice lowered. The only other sound was the rhythmic drip of water on the castle floor. "To raise your wand in anger, to turn on your own, to hate those who would be your allies... IS IT WORTH THE PRICE?" he commanded an answer. But, now the entire school stood. Even Crabbe and Goyle were caught up in the energy.

"NO!" they all cheered. Harry wondered if Malfoy would have risen to his feet.

Dumbledore straightened and a smile appeared upon his face. He held his hands out and everyone sat. "This year," he said, "we will face many challenges. We will be stronger, only if we can face them together." He turned toward the large group of first years huddling behind Professor McGonagall. "This year, the new class is one of the largest ever. I fear that their future mentors have left them with a rather poor first impression. I hope they will learn, as I already know, the great warmth and love you have for each other." He sat down with a slight smile on his face.

Professor McGonagall placed a stool at the front of the hall. The Sorting Hat sat motionless as if scanning the students before him. Then the tear in the rim opened and he began his song. It was a melancholy tune.

Long, long ago four strangers met

on a voyage from the sea.

Of face and mind, of heart and soul,

they were different as can be.

Discovered they, a common thread

that would bind them to each other.

They'd share their gifts with sorcerers;

guide as sister and as brother.

"A wondrous thought," said Ravenclaw.

"We will build a school to teach."

"But where on earth," asked Hufflepuff,

"is from Muggles, out of reach?"

Twas Gryffindor who felled the land

from the mountain to the falls.

And Slytherin who found the gold

used to build these very walls.

Said he, "Pureblood lines set the mark

of the greatest whom shall enter."

But Gryffindor was Muggle born;

Thus was sewn the seed of winter.

Four strangers, all became best friends;

merged talent in unity.

Yet split the one school into four

so that one might best the three.

In one was placed the diligent.

One took the brightest minds.

Another took the brave at heart.

The last sought pureblood lines.

Each one searched for the perfect path

so to make their students best.

Yet, the greatest trait had sunk too low

like a red sun in the west.

Lost inside was love and friendship,

which bound them on ship at sea.

Together they held then power--

bringing life, and energy.

Too soon, the seed had grown it seemed

of enmity and despair.

When stunning spells and curses too

began flying through the air.

Each, alone, without the other

fought to stop the inner war.

But each, alone, had lost the trait,

which would bring us peace once more.

The greatest fight the age has seen

saw the closest of them all,

turn wand on wand before the school.

Twas then we began the fall.

Slytherin fought his finest friend

to prove that he was right.

Though, both his heart and hapless soul

were screaming for the light.

Gryffindor dropped his wand and turned,

but the serpent struck his back.

And thus was drawn the golden sword

so to fend off the attack.

He raised the blade high in the air

and there its head did hew.

And ignorance and enmity

laid bare for all to view.

The friendship of the sword and snake

was severed that dark day,

until it is renewed again

to save us from the fray.

The battle rages on you see,

and reaps a bitter cost.

In you the challenge lies within

to find the trait once lost.

If soon you don't find unity

within this grand estate,

the enemy will win unchecked,

and doom you to his fate.

There, now you know all that's been said.

For I've warned you once before.

Perhaps too late I truly feared

as I saw you breech the door.

New Students! Come and gird yourselves

for the challenge deep within.

I'll send you to the proper house.

Let the sorting now begin!

For the first time, in Harry's memory, the Great Hall was silent after the Sorting Hat's song. Scanning the tables, many were looking down at their plates or sheepishly at the house tables that stood to either side. Some looked to those they'd considered friends just three months before, but who they'd blasted just hours earlier. The Hall was filled with a tremendous sense of shame and regret. Even Harry's mind turned to the hospital wing and Draco Malfoy. With his thumb he rubbed his forearm.

Dumbledore held out his hand toward the first years still standing to the side of the great hall. Their wide eyes were unblinking. "These students represent some of the brightest, and bravest, most cunning and diligent students ever to cross the gates of Hogwarts. They will be sorted as has been the custom, but I hope that each of your houses will welcome them as part of the Hogwarts family."

Professor McGonagall walked over to the Sorting Hat, her steps reverberating against the walls. In front of the school she held a very long parchment in front of her. Her glasses hung low on her nose as she read the list and called the first name.

The Sorting Hat placed Spencer Allistar in Hufflepuff, Ron Atwood in Hufflepuff, Peter Black in Ravenclaw, and Rebecca Brandt in Gryffindor. Each one received cheers from their house and general applause from the rest of the school. Professor McGonagall continued down the list without thinking.

"Chang, James!" she called. There was an uncomfortable silence in the room as the name echoed off the stone walls of the Great Hall. Immediately she realized her mistake and the blood drained from her face. "Yes, well...." There were murmurs in the hall. "Let's see then...."

"Ravenclaw!" yelled Padma Patil from the Ravenclaw table. The Ravenclaws burst into cheers. And just as the clapping began to subside, Harry stood.

"Gryffindor!" he yelled, and the Gryffindor table howled and cheered.

"Hufflepuff!" called Ernie Macmillan and they too cheered. There was the slightest pause when Daphne Greengrass stood up.

"Slytherin!" she called. And the whole school erupted in an explosion of cheers.

Somewhere, in St. Mungo's, James Chang sat by the hospital bed of his sister, not knowing that he had just been the first Hogwarts student accepted into all four houses. A small seed of spring planted on the 1st of September that would grow into the ultimate defeat of the Dark Lord.