Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Harry Potter and the Burden of Becoming

Chapter 38 - And Then There Were Two

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"Come on, Hermione!" Ron yelled, adjusting his jacket and heading through the portrait of the Fat Lady with Harry. "We'll miss the opening toss!"

The day of Hufflepuff's match with Slytherin had arrived and Gryffindor Tower was already emptied; everyone had left to watch the two houses face-off. A day of Quidditch always offered a welcome diversion from day-to-day studies, but this afternoon's match was imbued with added excitement: Harry's two-hundred galleon challenge with the Ravenclaws that Slytherin would win. Harry had sent post to Remus asking if he would bring the gold and Remus, who had been looking for a reason to visit, agreed. He found Harry in the Great Hall just after breakfast and, as others watched, dropped the heavy purple pouch into Harry's hand.

"A pretty hefty price just to stop a food fight," Remus said sternly. Harry simply shrugged his shoulders. Remus mustered a grin, but there was worry on his brow. "I must see the Headmaster, Harry. I'll meet you after the match; maybe we can get a bite to eat in Hogsmeade. I don't think he'll mind." For a moment, a flash of sadness seeped into Remus' eyes, but it evaporated into a hopeful smile.

"I'd like that," said Harry, smiling back. He watched as Remus left the Great Hall and he wondered what his father's friend would find after he ascended the circular staircase.

Now, following Ron through the portrait of the Fat Lady, a purple pouch hanging from his side, Harry's mind was consumed with the fact that they were late for the match.

"Come on, Hermione!" Harry called out, echoing Ron's summons.

Since breakfast, she had been very quiet, even more disinterested in conversations of Quidditch than normal. Now she stood in the center of the common room, looking almost embarrassed.

"Hermione!" Ron pleaded.

"She's not coming," Harry said in a soft voice to Ron. Then turning to Hermione, he asked, "Why?" For a moment she could not look their way, and bit at her nail.

"I've got some extra homework to do and..."

"Homework!" Ron erupted. "Harry's about to lose two-hundred galleons and you have homework to do?" He started to step forward, but Harry held him back. He'd seen the look in her face too many times not to recognize it... she was hiding something again. Ron was just too polite to read her mind.

"Come on, Ron," he said. "She's up to something and we're not in on it." For a moment Ron looked back, then shrugged his shoulders and turned to walk away.

"I'm not saving you a seat!" he called back and then softer, "Not that we'll be able to find any ourselves."

The game was underway by the time Harry and Ron arrived on the pitch. Hufflepuff was up sixty-to-twenty, and Ron yelped with a cheer as he saw the score, but quickly checked his enthusiasm.

"I mean, hoorah, good to see Slytherin's not down too far, eh mate?"

"I know you want Hufflepuff to win, Ron," said Harry. "It doesn't matter to me." But inside, it did matter. He searched the sky for Malfoy and found him far over on the south end of the pitch. Malfoy was flying much higher than the Hufflepuff Seeker, Summerby, too high Harry thought, should the Snitch appear near the field. The thought of a low flying Snitch caused Harry to search himself near the frozen turf, but he saw nothing. What did catch his eye was a large, unwieldy green serpent in the Ravenclaw stands on the other side of the pitch. Luna and Marietta seemed to be trying to get it to breathe fire, but it was only able to manage a few feeble sparks. Once again, Luna had brought a smile to Harry's face.

"Come on, Harry," Ron called out. "There are two spots over here." For a second, Harry hesitated. The open seats were next to Dean and Ginny who were both looking to the sky above. But there were no other openings, so, reluctantly, Harry followed Ron and made sure the redhead sat between he and Dean. Ron pointed to Sykes, the Slytherin Captain. "Look at that idiot! He's flying way too..." The crowd cut him off with a groan. Crabbe had just bashed a Bludger straight into Zacharias Smith, who plummeted to the ground. "Hufflepuff doesn't have another Chaser!" Ron yelled with worried excitement.

Indeed, Smith had been carrying the Quaffle, which was scooped up by Slytherin's Pucey who scored an instant later. Still, even a Chaser down, Hufflepuff continued to pull away as the afternoon wore on. Both Harry and Ron had expected Slytherin to start their more underhanded tactics as the score started to slip away, but instead they seemed to play with more speed than brawn. Ron turned to Goyle who was seated only a few feet away. "They're trying to fly faster. Where, I wonder, did they get that idea?" Goyle just looked at Ron with a smile and shrugged his shoulders innocently.

The tactic seemed to work. Hufflepuff had been playing mostly a defensive flying strategy all day, anticipating Slytherin's attacks. When they didn't happen, the team started to become confused. Instead of crashing at the Hufflepuff Chasers, Slytherin was picking at the Chasers with the Quaffle and by mid-afternoon the tide began to turn. It was the longest game Harry had ever seen at Hogwarts. Malfoy and Summerby continued to scour the field for the Snitch and when they passed by the Gryffindor seats, the frustration on their faces was evident. Harry, however, began to notice that Summerby was growing tired. The last few times he flew by he would glance at the crowd, almost looking for something to do other than hunt for the Snitch. Malfoy, to the contrary, remained steely-eyed, searching for the Snitch and oblivious to everything around him. So much so, in fact, that a Bludger nearly took him off his broom from behind, only Malfoy, at the last instant, ducked as the Bludger glanced over his head. "Curious," Harry thought.

The air grew cool, as the sun began to set. Floating torches blazed around the pitch so that the players and the fans could all see. "I'm hungry," Ron growled. "A man needs more to survive than hopping hot dogs. You'd think one of them would catch the bloody thing by now." Slytherin had pulled close and were down only 360 to 400, but the players were clearly all exhausted.

Sykes was near the Gryffindor stands when he yelled at Crabbe. "I'm gonna call time-out!" A second later he started to fly toward Madame Hootch, positioned at the south-center of the field. No sooner had he started than there was a collective gasp, a shudder, and then a cheer.

"There it is!" someone yelled. Harry looked up to see everyone pointing to the other side of the field. The flash of gold instantly caught his eye. Low to the ground, only inches above the turf, the Snitch was hovering, almost daring the Seekers to catch it. Both Seekers darted for their target, but as they did so, the Snitch, zipped toward the south.

"It's gone!" Ron cried out, almost in despair. But it hadn't gone. Harry could see it flying faster than he'd ever seen it fly, only a few inches above the ground. Based on the wind, Malfoy had the better position, if only he saw. Summerby, who arrived at where the Snitch had been hovering just an instant before, turned to the crowd hoping to get a vector on where it had gone. Harry glanced at Summerby, and then back to Malfoy.

"Come on Draco," he whispered under his breath. "See." Malfoy was flying fast from the south end and, as the Snitch passed under his broom, he lowered his hand uncurling his fingers from the wrist. The movement was hardly noticeable and most eyes were on Summerby at the middle of the field. Madame Hooch blew the whistle.

"What?" Ron asked shooting his head back and forth. "What happened?"

"He caught it," Harry shot out emphatically, pumping his fist. "Draco, caught the Snitch!"

"Draco?" Ron asked, looking at Harry. "But..." Ron looked up only to see Malfoy flying to the center of the field, holding the golden ball in his hands. "Merlin's beard." Malfoy was surrounded in a swirl of green, as cheers rang out all around the pitch. And then a chant began to start from the Slytherin stands.

"The Eagle bets against the snake;

The Lion now, their gold will take!"

The two verses started quietly, but then were picked up by all of Slytherin, and then Gryffindor. Soon Hufflepuff was chanting too. Harry tried to raise his arms to quiet the Gryffindor side, but it was hopeless, as the chant continued while the stands emptied.

"Let's eat," said Ron grinning, slapping Harry on the shoulder. "I knew it all the time, Slytherin was a shoe-in; let's collect our money."

"Our money?" Harry asked, but Ron simply smiled and started down the steps toward the castle. Harry began to follow when a hand grabbed his shoulder. Reaching for his wand, he spun only to find Remus Lupin looking back at him.

"Whoa!" said Remus, staring down the end of Harry's wand. "Looks like someone's gotten a bit jumpy since he left for school." The green-eyed Gryffindor dropped his wand immediately and slipped it back into his cloak.

"Sorry, Remus," he said looking around and hoping nobody had seen his silliness. "Things have been a little crazy around here." They began to descend the steps together.

"Yes," replied Remus, "I suspect it has." His tone was soft and melancholy and Harry wondered what had caused the sadness that seemed to surround him. Harry deliberately slowed his pace to ensure the stands emptied before them and soon they found themselves alone, at the end of a long line heading back toward the castle.

"Sir, can we talk?" Harry asked, motioning toward a small alcove behind one of the stands.

"Sir?" Remus chided. "I thought we'd gotten past that, Harry, and I would hope by now you'd know we could always talk." They moved toward the alcove and away from the crowd. "In fact," Remus continued, "I've been rather disappointed... only two owls all term." The tone in Remus' voice reminded Harry a bit of Sirius' and a pang of guilt tugged at Harry's insides.

"I know," Harry said in a small voice. "I just..." Harry slumped back against the stone wall draped with the crimson and gold tapestry of the Gryffindor stands. He couldn't seem to find the words. For weeks he'd been trying to fight, or lead, or love, or... something. He had just won two-hundred galleons, but there was a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and whether it was because Dumbledore was ill, or because he'd made a pact with Draco, or because the voices had been entering his head again, he didn't know. "I just..." but he lost the words, again.

Remus leaned against the wall with Harry, but said nothing. With their feet, they scraped at a frozen patch of snow as the evening's darkness grew around them. The night was still and silent save for the crackle from the torches encircling the emptied pitch. Finally, Harry began to speak. At first it was a trickle, but soon everything gushed out in a fury. He told of the accident in Little Whinging, the stunning of the policeman, and the scar on his arm. He described how the house elves could see a mark or aura around him, but no one else could. He told him of his dreams, and his fears about Neville. The only thing he held hidden which he felt no one would understand was his pact with Malfoy. Throughout, Remus said nothing, he simply listened, and nodded. Harry finished and waited for the judgments or the exclamations. He was nervous of what Remus would think and he suddenly felt very cold. Remus stood and looked at Harry, putting his arm around his shoulder.

"I hated my sixth year," he said in a whimsical voice. "Your father and Sirius seemed to be discovering new abilities each and every week. Some they liked and some they didn't." He smiled thinking back to his days at Hogwarts. "Just after Christmas holiday, Sirius developed a nasty flu and every time he sneezed, his nose would grow whiskers," Remus laughed and so did Harry. "Your father developed a knack for enchanting objects. We all came up with the idea behind the Marauder's Map, but it was your father who made it work. Sirius and I worked out some of the more comical bits." Remus held his head high and sighed as the stars began to fleck the darkening sky. "I miss them."

"They'd all still be here, if it weren't for me," Harry whispered to the darkness.

"Don't say that!" snapped Remus. "Don't ever say that! You meant more to your father and mother than you can possibly imagine." He walked over behind the stands and looked back at the Forbidden Forest. "Before you, Harry, they..." he took a deep breath. "You completed them. Through you, they found love... true love." He came over and held Harry by the shoulders. "The night you saved Peter, both Sirius and I saw the same compassion you brought to your mother and father at birth. It was as if you'd given the gift anew to two old men who had found nothing but hate in the world."

Harry wasn't quite sure what to say. He'd never spoken much about his parents with Remus. But now, it seemed that the time was right to ask the questions that had gnawed at him for so long and hear the answers that Remus had been waiting patiently to give. The moment the thought entered his mind, however, his forehead erupted in pain doubling him over to the ground.

"Your scar?" Remus asked coolly reaching down to help him up. Harry nodded when a large siren blared across the castle grounds -- three short bursts that nearly pierced the eardrums and then a voice that told Harry instantly trouble was at hand.

"All students are to return to their dormitories at once!" Professor McGonagall's words rang out in every direction. Prefects are to ensure that all students are in their dormitories immediately." Alone, and in the dark, both Harry and Remus pulled their wands to the ready.

"Come on, Harry," Remus said, looking in every direction. "I'll walk you back." Cautiously, the two made their way to the castle without incident. Once inside, they found no professors and only a handful of students in the corridors, and those were running toward their dormitories. They made their way up the stone staircases, and as Remus was about to walk Harry into Gryffindor through the Fat Lady, Professor McGonagall emerged headed the other way. Her face was ashen, but when she saw Harry some of her burden was lifted.

"Bless Merlin," she sighed, seeing the two wizards approach.

"What is it Minerva?" Remus asked. "How can I help?" Professor McGonagall cast a look over at Harry, and then spoke to Remus.

"Another student has been taken," she sighed. "All the professors are out searching, but I fear we are too late. I thought, perhaps, you too, Harry," her voice cracked and for the briefest moment Harry thought she was about to cry. But, in the next instant, the expression passed and her face was stern, her eyes determined. "Professor Tonks and Sinistra have gone to Hogsmeade in an effort to detect any unusual apparations and I'm sure they could use your help, Remus."

"What about Albus? Surely..." started Remus. Harry caught the look Professor McGonagall had given to stop him short. "Of course. I'll help anyway I can, Minerva. Harry, we'll talk more soon. Please, stay in the castle." The two professors began to hurry down the corridor, while Harry started for the portrait. Before he entered, however, he called back.

"Professor! Which student?"

"Luna Lovegood, I'm afraid. She was last seen with Marietta, trying to get that contraption of theirs to work behind the stands. Marietta's lost her mind and Luna... well, Luna's gone." Professor McGonagall held her hand to her face, turned, and quickly paced down the corridor with Remus at her side.

When Harry entered the common room, he was stunned by its silence. Everyone seemed to be staring blankly at the walls. Hermione saw him and shrieked.

"HARRY! YOU'RE OKAY!" She squeezed him so hard he couldn't breathe. "Luna's gone missing and when they called everyone back and you weren't here, we all thought..."

"I told her you were okay, mate," Ron called out from across the room, but when Harry looked over, he could tell that some of the colour was still missing from his friend's face. With Harry's appearance, however, the conversation in the common room began to pick up. Soon, everyone was talking about Luna, but in the far corner of the room Hermione, Ron, and Harry huddled.

"Anthony found Marietta in one of the classrooms," Hermione began. "She was just like Helen. Whoever took Luna is the same witch that took Neville."

"Or wizard," added Ron. Hermione looked at Ron to say something, but then stopped. "And he must be getting in during the Quidditch matches," Ron asserted. "That'll be it for open matches; that's for sure."

"Forget about open matches, Ron," Harry said grimly. "With two students taken from Hogwarts, parents are going to start taking their kids back home." Hermione's face fell.

"Harry's right, Ron. If we don't find out who's doing this, they might close the school. With the talk about Dumbledore dying, parents are going to lose trust that he can keep us safe."

"He can't," Harry added. "I've killed him." He stood to walk away from his friends, when Hermione took his hand.

"You haven't killed anybody, Harry," she scolded. "If he told you he was getting better, he is. You have to believe."

"I have to find Neville and Luna," Harry shot back. He held her hand in both of his and his features grew stern. "He wants me to find them, Hermione. I'm going to let him tell me where they are." Harry let go and started towards the staircase to the boys' dormitory.

"Harry, wait!" Hermione yelled, and with her words the common room fell silent.

"Wait?" Harry yelled back. "That's all I've done since they killed Sirius! Wait at home, Harry! Wait in hiding, Harry! Wait at Hogwarts, Harry!" He started to climb the stairs. "He's taken two students because of me... two of my friends. I'm through waiting!"

By the time Harry entered his dormitory, his blood was boiling. "Wait!" he hissed under his breath. "I'll show them, wait." He went to lay down on his bed with the full intention of calling out to the Dark Lord with his mind, but there was a hoot and Harry looked up to find Hedwig in her cage. On his bed, she had left a letter, a letter that could only be from Gabriella. He reached down, picked it up, and was about to toss it on his desk, when he caught the faint aroma of her perfume. It was as if an ocean wave crashed onto the fire burning in his blood extinguishing the flame and leaving only embers. He pulled the letter close and examined the writing as he sat down on his bed.

"Harry," Ron panted as he climbed the stairs, "Harry, you can't." He entered their dormitory, only to find Harry reading a letter by candlelight. "You, er... you've got to stay, erm..." Harry looked up at him and smiled.

"Yes?" Harry asked. Ron's eyes narrowed and he glanced to the open window. He walked over and shut it tight.

"You... You're not flying out." Ron said with determination. For an instant, Harry honestly didn't know what Ron was talking about. Gabriella's letter had taken him back to Little Whinging. It was filled with talk of his return for Christmas and mixed with a subtle sadness that Soseh was still not well. He set the letter down, took off his trainers, lay down on his bed, and began to read the letter again. He cast a glance at Ron who was still standing defiantly at the window.

"We're always getting in the way of the Order's business, Ron. I'm staying put, so you can sit back down." He turned the paper over in his hand and then whispered to himself, "At least through Christmas," he said and took in a deep whiff of air.

He lay there with the letter in his hands the rest of the night. He held it as Goyle stomped up declaring that he'd find the Death Eater sneaking onto the grounds. He held it as Dean slipped in, cast Harry a steely glance, and went to sleep in silence. He held it as Ron wearily swore he'd stay awake to watch him, only to begin snoring seconds later. He held it knowing his other dorm-mate would not be sleeping in his bed at Hogwarts this night. He held it as he thought of Luna and wondered if now, before Voldemort himself, she felt fear. He pulled the comforter up close, rolled over on his side, and with Gabriella's letter in his hands, whispered, "I'm sorry," and fell asleep.

All was dark as the smell of wet paint filled his nostrils. He heard the sound of steps ascending the stairs, the squeaking of floorboards outside the door, and whispers. They were arguing again. "Who would be brave enough to wake him?" he thought with satisfaction. There was a pause, the doorknob rattled, and slowly the door opened.

"Damn, Wythe, he's sleeping," someone whispered.

"I know that, Pendleton, you fool," a voice hissed back. "He wanted the package to come directly to him. Wake him up."

"YOU wake him up," was the response, and Harry had to smile thinking of the cowards who would both be punished shortly. He had expressly forbidden his Death Eaters to use their names in front of others, even each other. That privilege was reserved for the Dark Lord alone. And then came an unexpected voice.

"So that's Voldemort," she said flatly. "He doesn't look like much. Somehow I figured him much... bigger. My father always said that..."

Instantly, Harry rose to his feet, wand at the ready. There, in the doorway, was Luna Lovegood bookended by two Death Eaters in dark brown cloaks. "Luna!" he called out. The two Death Eaters looked up at him frightened and bewildered. Clearly, this was a side of their Dark Lord they had never seen before. Luna stared at his eyes with a quizzical expression. Rage began to fill him from within and his scar exploded in pain.

"Leave me!" Voldemort screamed in a high, cold voice. "I'll summon you later." The three stepped backward out the door, shutting it as they departed. "They will pay!" he hissed, holding his hand to his forehead. His heart was pounding in his chest, and his breath shallow. Slowly, he began to regain his composure. "So you've come to join me, Harry," Voldemort's voice said, but his lips did not move. "It's not polite to eavesdrop, although it was I who left open the invitation." At once, Harry realized who he was... who he was with. His mind began to push back, but he hesitated in his desire to learn about his friends. He felt Voldemort smiling at the decision.

"Welcome, Harry, to my world. Perhaps, a bit more light. Incandessa forte!" The room grew bright, as the candles seemed to burn like torches. It was the same room Harry had seen Neville in, small and cramped with chains hanging from the walls. Only now, instead of peeling paint, the room was a freshly painted, dark green. I thought perhaps your friend might enjoy the work." Voldemort turned and with him so did Harry. Huddled in the corner, covered in green paint, and holding a small paintbrush tightly in his right hand was Neville Longbottom. His eyes were open, but vacant, staring blankly into nothingness. Harry tried to reach out for him, but was held fast.

"He's waiting for you, Harry," the voice hissed in his mind. "We're all waiting for you." Voldemort began to laugh cruelly. "And now we have another of your co-conspirators. Tell me my young Gryffindor, how many will it take before you act." The laughter stopped abruptly and the voice in his mind turned to pure ice. "Coward," it hissed slowly. In that instant, Harry was consumed with a rage he'd never felt before.

"I'll have your heart!" Harry's mind screamed out and his forehead, Voldemort's forehead, split open in searing pain and suddenly he found himself, found Voldemort, falling to his knees. It was unexpected and Harry could see that for an instant Voldemort was confused and angry. But then, the Dark Lord began to laugh as he stood again.

"I have no heart, Potter," Voldemort hissed. He felt something slide across his ankle, and looked down to see Nagini coil in a great arc about the dusty floor. "Join me, Potter," Voldemort beckoned, and Harry could feel himself being pulled in deeper. Instinctively, he pushed back, as if slapping Voldemort in the face. Instantly the scene changed. He was at the water's edge, only this time for no reason he was fearful. Was it acid? He stepped away, only to slip and fall into the clear liquid, and screamed until the burning sensation reached his throat.

When Harry woke, he was shaking and nauseous. The dormitory was still dark and he stubbed his toe as he hurried to the bathroom and emptied what little there was in his stomach. When he finally went to wash his face, he ran into Dean coming to take an early shower.

"Dean," greeted Harry weakly with a nod of his head.

"Harry," Dean returned, as Harry went to wash his face. As Harry bent low he heard Dean whisper from behind, "Viswa Vajra."

"What?" Harry asked turning. Dean's eyes were wide, fixed on Harry's arm.

"Viswa Vajra," he whispered again, stepping closer to Harry. Without asking, he took Harry's arm holding it close and examining it as if it were a fine painting. Over the past weeks, his scar, much as Malfoy's, had been fading. But now, it was as vivid as it had ever been, red and raised on his forearm. Dean, still holding Harry's arm, looked up into his eyes. "This bit here, it's the mark on Malfoy." Harry nodded. "Except this." Dean traced his finger around the two lightening bolts that crossed at the base of the sword. "Viswa Vajra," he whispered again, letting go of Harry's arm. "I knew it was Tibetan," he smiled with satisfaction.

"You know this mark?" Harry asked.

"It's a pretty good brand, Potter," Dean complimented. "But why hide it? Did you do it this summer?" Harry was speechless. "I like that you left off the symbol of protection when you hexed Malfoy. Certainly, he'll never have a hand in destroying evil."

"It's a charm," Harry whispered looking at his own arm, and then it dawned on him. "Viswa Vajra -- a protection charm." No sooner had the words left his mouth than the mark began to disappear. He sighed, placing both hands on the sink before him, his head hung low. "Dean," he began, "you need to know that I would never..."

"Look, Harry," Dean interrupted, "I've got to get ready. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." And before Harry could say another word, Dean had left for the shower. Harry watched and wondered as his dorm-mate left.

At breakfast in the Great Hall, the mood was grim with only a handful of professors at the head table, the others having joined the various search parties. Still feeling a bit nauseous, Harry only poked at his food. He decided not to speak of his dream, which was fine since everyone had already jumped to the simple, and correct, conclusion that Voldemort had taken Luna. He was mad at himself for not staying long enough to discover where they were.

"Padma was going to help them with that stupid snake," cried Parvati in tears, she could have been taken too."

Ginny held Parvati's hand and asked the group, "What will happen to Hogwarts?"

"It's tough to have school if none of the professors are around," answered Ron as he looked up at the head table from which McGonagall, Tonks and Hagrid were absent.

"Tonks is searching for Luna, tracking whoever took her," said Hermione knowingly.

"She's not strong enough yet," Harry whispered back with concern. "She doesn't have the power to..." The door off the side of the Great Hall opened and everyone's head turned. There, with a large text in one arm was Remus Lupin. Professor Flitwick stood to greet him and escorted him to where Tonks normally sat for breakfast.

Remus looked out across the Great Hall and found Harry. He didn't wave, but just held his gaze for an instant, then sat down for breakfast. The murmurs of confusion and foreboding continued to rumble around the room. Harry wasn't sure what he felt. His face had smiled back at Remus, but part of Harry was distinctly irritated by the new professor's presence. Where was Dumbledore?

"Blimey," whispered Ron, "they decided to accept a werewolf as substitute teacher?"

"I'm sure they'll take anyone they can trust, Ron," said Hermione as she slumped back on the bench and looked around the Great Hall. "But I don't think it matters any more. The word's out -- nobody's safe, not even here. Don't you see? Hogwarts is no longer under Dumbledore's protection. If something doesn't change, they'll close the school."

Harry briskly pushed his plate forward and it disappeared to the kitchens below. Then he stood and began to walk away. Hermione grabbed his hand.

"Harry, it's not your fault," she said looking up at Harry's eyes as they burned with fire. Then she took in a deep breath. "Any more than it is mine." There was guilt in her words as she looked away, but then she stood at his side. "Leave it to the Ministry, to the Order. They'll find Neville and Luna; I'm sure they will." Harry took a step closer to Hermione so that only she could hear.

"I could have found out last night where they are, Hermione. It was at my fingertips. I just had to... to ask." His words were soft, but trembling with rage. "Last night I blinked. It won't happen next time. It won't happen ever again." He let go of Hermione's hand, and walked out through a sea of low murmurs that filled the Great Hall with despair.

"NEVER AGAIN!" he cried out with his hands clenched at his sides as he passed through the entrance to the Great Hall. The torches that floated to either side of the huge wooden doors burst bright with flame. A few students shrieked as Harry's words echoed about the room.

"Never again! Never again!"