Harry Potter and the Eye of Isis

Chapter 8 - Aftermath

Azkaban Fortress Attacked

Yesterday, in an unprecedented attack, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named emptied Azkaban prison. Those who were not freed were killed. Among the escaped prisoners are self-admitted Death Eaters Argus Drier, Margaret Reynolds, Henry Grant, Marcus Giles, Vivian Noble, Linc May, Donald Duce, and Michael Bolland. Mass Murderer Jonathan Hilas was also among those freed. When Aurors later arrived on the scene, the bodies of several individuals who had received the Dementor's kiss were removed from the prison.

Since the flight of the Dementors, Azkaban has been guarded by Aurors. Only one Auror survived, all others were lost during the battle.

Azkaban itself has sustained heavy damage and will not be suitable to house any inmates for some time. All prisoners in route to Azkaban will be returned to the Ministry detention cells until another location can be found. It is rumoured that Minister Cornelius Fudge has contacted the Muggle authorities about the possibilities of housing convicts in Muggle prisons until Azkaban can be rebuilt.

"We are seeing to all possibilities," Minister Fudge reported but refused to elaborate on these possibilities any further. "But until we resume control over those who have left the prison, I must warn everyone to be on their most vigilant behaviour, and for those in specific danger from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named extreme caution must be used. I would even venture to say that Muggle-borns are not safe in the wizarding world at this time and urge them to take shelter back in the Muggle world."

Hermione slammed her paper down in shock. "The nerve of him."

"Who?" Ron asked with his mouth half-stuffed. She held up the

Daily Prophet for him to see. "We knew there was a break-out yesterday, Hermione, Harry saw it."

"I'm not talking about the break out Ron, I'm talking about Fudge! Telling all of the Muggle-borns to leave the wizarding world..."

"What?" Harry sat down just in time to hear Hermione's last comment. He took the paper from her hands and began reading quickly. "Why would he do that?"

Ron was reading over Harry's shoulder with wide eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if he isn't a Death Eater himself. Honestly, telling the Muggle-borns to leave because it isn't safe for them. It isn't safe for any of us right now, is it?"

Hermione's face was red with anger. "Like I'm going to high tail it out of here because some stupid, ass-backwards Minister tells me too. What's next--?"

"Half bloods and blood traitors--" said a cool voice came from behind Hermione. Malfoy looked meaningfully at Harry and Ron. "Fudge has got the right idea, Mudblood." His eyes shifted to Hermione, who pivoted around in her seat so she could stare coldly at Malfoy. "Leave now, before you get hurt. The wizarding world has no use for your kind."

Harry and Ron both stood up with such force that the bench along the entire length of the Gryffindor table, pushed back when they did so. Two wands were trained right on Malfoy's face, and all eyes turned to the three boys.

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Ron spat.

Before Ron could get a curse or another word out Malfoy was sending a curse in their direction. "Concisus!"

A soft pink light emitted from the end of Malfoy's wand but it never got to Ron or Harry. Harry held out his free hand, seemingly catching the light within his palm and holding it there. He opened his hand in Malfoy's direction and watched the curse fly back towards Malfoy.

Professor Flitwick arrived in time to watch the pink light hit Malfoy directly in the chest. He immediately hit the ground, blood oozing from his chest. Flitwick pointed his wand at Draco's chest. "Medicor." The bleeding stopped and he sat up with Professor Flitwick's help. No one said anything to each other but Flitwick looked around the Great Hall. "All of you back to your business!" His squeaky voice commanded and everyone obeyed.

"Misters Potter, Weasley and Malfoy, you will follow me immediately." The boys said nothing as they followed their normally cheerful Charms professor out of the Great Hall.

When they got to the office Malfoy was the first to speak. "Potter should be expelled. Wait until my father hears about this!"

"Your father just escaped from Azkaban, Malfoy!" Harry shouted back.

"Quiet boys!" their tiny professor insisted. "I saw what happened," Flitwick looked directly at Malfoy. "You meant to curse one of these two will that. Unfortunately for you, you didn't know that Harry can reverse spells now." He shook his head at them all, focusing on Ron. "Mr. Weasley, you are a prefect, and the last person who should be standing up to duel another student."

Malfoy smirked at him. "You're no better, Mr. Malfoy. You're suspended from your prefect position this year, and at this rate you will not regain it next year. What kind of example are you setting for your fellow Slytherins and classmates? This behaviour certainly doesn't tell me that you wish to regain your position.

"Fifty points a piece."

"What?" Harry almost screamed. "I only stopped him from cursing Ron, I wouldn't have let him..."

"Keep bleeding?" Professor Flitwick's face went stern as he looked at his pupil. "You will all serve detention as well. Now Mr. Malfoy, go to the infirmary to insure that I have healed that properly. Mr. Weasley, you may return to the Great Hall and Mr. Potter, you will remain with me."

Ron gave Harry a sympathetic look as he left the room wondering what Professor Flitwick had in store for him. Harry already had a feeling he was going to be lectured about displaying his abilities as he was supposed to keep the fact that he'd been through magus subolesco to himself.

"I'm very disappointed, Mr. Potter. I know that we've only had one lesson, but I thought I made myself perfectly clear that you weren't to demonstrate any of your budding abilities..."

"I'm sorry, Professor, I couldn't let him curse Ron."

"Harry--" the sternness finally dissipated from Professor Flitwick's face. "You don't even know what your new abilities do exactly, let alone control them fully. You could have seriously injured Mr. Malfoy. I know he is no friend of yours, but that doesn't mean you should be any less cautious around him."

"I know, Professor, I'm sorry."

"Please keep your wits about you," he pleaded, "you aren't in a position to be showing off any of your knowledge, especially to those you may not trust." Harry only nodded. "You may go now, but I expect you tonight at seven o'clock to serve your detention."

"Yes, sir."

Harry returned to the common room and found that Ron had saved him some breakfast. They spent a few minutes railing at Malfoy and complaining about the injustice of fifty house points apiece and detention. Hermione actually agreed, something they hadn't expected of her. They thought she was going to tell them how they had overreacted.

Professor McGonagall entered the common room a few hours later and walked immediately over to them. "Professor Flitwick has informed me of the incident this morning in the Great Hall," she said. Her face showed her extreme displeasure. "I know that you have already been given detention this evening, Mr. Potter with Professor Flitwick. You are to report to him at seven promptly."

"Yes, Professor."

"And Mr. Weasley, you are to report to Mr. Filch tonight at eight for your detention." Her lips were pressed very tightly together. "I don't think I need to say that I am very disappointed in the two of you, but I hold you to your own accord not to let something like this happen again. With the current state of affairs you would all do well to learn to hold your tongue and curb your anger."

"Yes, Professor." Both Harry and Ron nodded at her. When she was gone Harry turned to Ron. "I wonder if we've gotten detention in record time?"

"No," Hermione answered. "Some first years got detention last week for melting a cauldron and setting fire to the dungeons last week."

"Where are they?" Ron smiled. "I'd like to congratulate them." Hermione pointed at two small boys near one of the windows. "Oi, you two," he called over to them, "come here."

The two boys tentatively walked over to the sixth years and sat down. "Yes?" one finally asked.

"What are your names?"

"I'm Reed Nelson, and this is Devin McGregor."

"Hermione told us what you did in Potions. Well done lads," Ron assured them. "Got to make sure we put those Slytherins in their place. You can set fire to the dungeons any time you like."

"Cheers," Harry added.

"We're so outnumbered," Devin told them. "There are only five Gryffindors and nine Slytherins. We've got potions and Herbology with them."

"Slytherins travel in packs, so you guys should too," Harry advised them. "And wait until they've left the classes first. We'll spread it around to watch out for you guys in the corridors."

"Maybe they should come to the D.A. meetings, Harry," Ron stated. "I know we are doing some advanced stuff, but I think they should be learning to defend themselves."

"I think that's a good idea," Hermione agreed. "They're right, we've got a small class this year and we all need to be looking out for each other, especially with yesterday and all. With Vol...Voldemort on the loose again, he's a danger to all of us."

*

Harry stood looking over the crowd that had shown up for the first D.A. meeting. It was only slightly larger than last year, and only because he, Ron and Hermione had agreed that the first year Gryffindors should be present. With only five of them, they needed all of the additional help they could get.

"I'd like to start off practicing our patronus charms. I know we worked on them last year, but no one produced one large enough to fight off a Dementor, and with the Dementors on Voldemort's side, I think it would be wise to perfect that technique."

The collective cringe in the Room of Requirement made Harry roll his eyes. "For God's sake, how can you fight someone if you aren't even brave enough to say his name?" He almost shouted. "We'll start off by saying it together.... Voldemort."

"Voldemort." The students said softly.

"Come on now.... Voldemort!"

"Voldemort!"

Over and over Harry made them say the name, until most were laughing over how ridiculous it sounded. Once he had restored calm to the room, they all paired off and began working on their patronus charms while Harry slowly walked around surveying the progress. One person in particular caught his attention. Hermione's patronus was taking form quite well. He recalled that it had resembled an otter last year, but now Harry was questioning if that was truly the case.

"Hermione, your patronus seems to have changed a bit."

"I know; it's lost definition," Hermione said grumpily as she pointed at the bottom of it. "That doesn't look like a otter's tail, it looks more like a mermaid's tail now. I don't know what happened."

Harry studied the shape carefully for as long as he could before it faded away. "Do it again," he requested, wanting to see the image again. Again, Hermione produced a similar looking patronus. The head and body of an otter, and a tail that looked like it would belong to a mermaid.

He was about to say something again when Hermione's face lit up. "Oh, I've got to go to the library."

Harry didn't even get a chance to ask her why. She left immediately, leaving Harry with his mouth agape. He didn't have much time to think about it though because he was immediately be flagged down by a fellow Gryffindor.

"Harry! Harry!" Parvati called out. "Could you give me a few pointers? I can't even get a wisp of smoke tonight."

Harry's face lit up as he approached Parvati. He tucked himself behind her, aligning his body with hers, then ran his right arm down her right arm and grasped her wand with her. His entire body began to tingle as he whispered instruction in her ear and then guided her movement as she produced a very faint bird. Harry couldn't tell what kind of bird it was, but to be honest with himself, he had to admit he hadn't really paid attention to it's shape as much as he was noticing his own changing shape.

Quickly, he backed away from her, smiling awkwardly. "There you go. Just try again."

She smiled coyly, having also noticed his sudden distance. "Okay, thanks."

He distanced himself further by crossing the room pretending to check up on others. His eyes were not pulled away until he walked directly into Cho. She looked at him with hurt in her eyes, and Harry suddenly feared that she would begin to cry again. Not wanting that to happen in front of everyone, he announced that the meeting was over, and when a new one was set Hermione would inform them through the usual method.

He tried to walk away from Cho, but she stopped that by grabbing his forearm. "Harry, I think we need to talk."

"About what?" Harry stared at her hand attached to his arm.

"About us."

"Cho, I thought you made it perfectly clear last year that there was no us." Harry slowly pulled his arm away from her, hoping that would get her to let go...it didn't. "I really liked you, Cho, but..."

"But," she sniffled. "Famous last words before breaking up."

"I'm not breaking up with you." Harry almost laughed. "You started dating Michael Corner..."

"I just did that to make you jealous."

"That seems pretty childish."

"I just wanted you to tell me what happened to Cedric--"

"I didn't want to talk about it with you. To be honest with you, I don't think you ever really liked me for me, you just wanted to know if Cedric said anything to me about you before he died."

"Well?"

Harry just shook his head in disappointment and confusion. "I don't pretend to be some great relationship expert. I couldn't even make a go of it with you, but I don't think using me to find out if your last boyfriend loved you is a good way to begin." Tears flooded her eyes and she finally released his arm. "Cho, there was no time for Cedric to say anything to me before he was killed. Avada Kedavra is so quick, he didn't have a chance."

"But he talked to you as a ghost..."

"A shadow, an afterthought. He only requested that I bring his body back to his parents. If he said more, I didn't hear it-- I was duelling Voldemort."

She nodded slowly as she composed herself. "Would you like to go to Hogsmeade together? On the first weekend?"

Harry took in a deep breath. This excited him so much last year, but now, all he wanted to do was get out of the room. "To be honest, no."

Cho's eyes widened in complete shock. "How can you say no to the Head Girl?"

Harry just shrugged. "Because I don't feel the same way about you anymore," he explained. "Look, I don't want to fight with you. Let's just stay friends..."

Rage brewed in her eyes. "I'll never be friends with you Harry Potter!"

Harry could do nothing but stare as she stormed out of the room. He wasn't sure what to make of their conversation or her dramatic exit but he was sure she was just angry, and she'd calm down by the next D.A. meeting.

"That sounded intense," a pleasant voice greeted him as he stepped out into the corridor.

"Ginny." Harry was startled to see her. "Why haven't you gone back to the tower?"

"I was waiting for you, just in case you needed to talk. It didn't look as though Cho was going to go easy on you tonight."

"I don't think I'll ever understand girls." He began walking as Ginny into step beside him. "She actually seemed to think I was telling her to sod off."

"I thought she did that to you last year?"

"So I'm not mad." He smiled at her. "What did you think of tonight's meeting? How did your patronus go?"

Casually, the subject changed and Harry was grateful for the easy conversation as they returned to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry felt as though he had earned a good lie-in, but knew he wouldn't get it as they were having Quidditch practice early the following morning. He could only hope that his mind would quiet and he could stop thinking of Cho, Parvati and Ginny soon enough to get some sleep. He welcomed the thought of the first Hogsmeade visit, just a week away.

*

October 19, 1996

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked together to Hogsmeade in a companionable silence. Harry was grateful for the break of his hectic schedule. It had only been a month and a half since returning to Hogwarts, but his body and mind were exhausted from the school year already. He was certain he hadn't had more than four hours of sleep yet, Katie had seen to that. She was proving that she was an intense captain, almost to the extremes of Oliver Wood, with her game plans, practices and pep talks in the Common Room. He was beginning to wonder if he'd survive the entire year at this pace, not to mention an additional tutelage course as soon as Neville was ready.

It boggled his mind and reminded him again that he was doing all of this in order to face Voldemort. Oddly enough, Voldemort had become the least of his worries at the moment. His head was filled with everything else, which was probably a good thing because the thought of facing Voldemort again did not appeal to Harry at all. He could only hope he would work it all out. If not, the world he knew would spiral into oblivion.

"Harry," Hermione was gripping his shoulder, "are you listening to me?"

His eyes shifted to meet hers. "I'm sorry Hermione, I was thinking. What were you saying?"

"Are you all right, mate?" Ron looked concerned.

"Yeah, just preoccupied." He smiled at him. "My Quidditch captain has been putting me through the ringers."

Ron could only nod. "She reminds me of Wood."

Hermione looked sternly at them. "She certainly has been occupying a lot of your time lately. It isn't as if your first match is tomorrow. Goodness, you'd think she'd leave some time to study. She does have to take her N.E.W.T.s this year after all."

"Not everyone thinks studying is so important, Hermione--"

Before Ron could say anymore, or Hermione could tare into him about his lack of enthusiasm over his scholastic activities, Harry quickly got Hermione's attention. "What were you saying to me earlier, Hermione?"

Hermione glared at Ron for a moment longer than cleared her throat before answering Harry. "I was just asking what you two would like to do first. Ron said he could go for lunch. Are you ready to eat?"

"Sure, let's get something to eat." He nodded. "Don't worry about me today guys if I'm a bit spacey. Last night's detention was draining."

"S'all right Harry," Ron gave a toothy grin, "we'll just pull you around by your robes."

They all shared a laugh as they entered the Three Broomsticks and got a table. The three talked off and on as they had lunch. Halfway through their meal Ginny and Colin joined them at the table to gripe about Katie and their intense Quidditch practices. They were all griping (minus Hermione) about Quidditch practices when Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He turned his head slowly in the direction of the entrance to the pub, but everything was as it should be. People entering and exiting: laughter and talking filled the place, but Harry's gut feeling that something was wrong intensified.

"Harry?" Hermione was the only one of the group that seemed to take notice of Harry's change in demeanor. "What is it?"

"Something...something is not right."