Harry Potter and the Eye of Isis

Chapter 9 - Freedom Erased

October 19, 1996

"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." Harry glanced back at Hermione. "I don't know what it is though."

To Harry, it seemed like the air was filled with static, and his sense of danger became more heightened. Without considering how foolish he would look, he stood on his stool with his wand drawn. This drew the attention of everyone in the Three Broomsticks.

Ignoring the whispering, and certain that danger was approaching them, Harry fixed his eyes on the windows as he shouted, "Everyone get out of here! Into the cellar!"

Seconds later, the floor began to vibrate. The tentative looks on the patrons' faces were replaced with fear as an explosion rocked through Hogsmeade. Glass shattered from windows, tables toppled and bodies collided.

"Get out now!" Harry yelled as he jumped from his stool. "Everyone, into the cellar!" The crowd began crawling for the cellar as Harry walked to the window with Ron and Hermione at his side. "You two as well. You have to get them to safety."

"Sure, mate," Ron answered as the three looked at the smoke pouring from the other end of High Street. The Dark Mark hovering in the air seemed to tell Ron that he needed to stay with his best friend. "Ginny and Colin can handle that. We stay with you."

"Ron, I'm serious. You have no idea what's out there. If I can't fight it, I can Apparate. You and Hermione can't yet. Please, take Hermione and go."

"He's right, Ron. He can Apparate, and we'll only slow him down." She tugged on Ron's arm while giving Harry a meaningful look. "Be careful, Harry."

Harry only nodded as he stepped through the broken window and into High Street with his wand gripped tightly in his hand as he walked towards Hogs Head. He walked carefully, trying not to step on the bodies that littered the ground. This attack on Hogsmeade clearly would have casualties, and among the injured, and dying, were Hogwarts students.

As much as Harry wanted to stop and help those who were injured, the appearance of three cloaked figures diverted his attention. They wasted no time in approaching him.

"The Dark Lord wishes your audience," a male voice spoke as two approached him.

Harry's wand trained to the nearest man. "Stupefy!"

As the man fell to the ground, Harry turned to the others, but he only had time for the one spell as he realised another was already pointing his wand at Harry. Ropes shot from the end of his wand, tightly wrapping around Harry. His wand was strapped to his side; leaving him completely helpless as the first Death Eater was brought back to consciousness.

The three began pushing Harry towards the forest, obviously wanting to get out of Hogsmeade before any adults reached them, and tried to save Harry. There would be hell to pay if they did not return with Harry.

Harry was not making their task of dragging him into the forest an easy one. He struggled and fought until they were behind the dark curtain of trees. When he could no longer see Hogsmeade, he let his body go limp, falling to the ground as if he'd fainted.

"Look at that, he fainted," one of the men pointed down at him. "I guess knowing that you're nearing death can make a man pass out."

Harry waited until all three were leaned over him, peering down, before pooling his energy and emitting the largest current of electricity he could muster. The current hit his three would-be captors with such force that it knocked each of them down. Harry concentrated on the ropes that bound him as he bounced up to his feet. With in seconds, the ropes were flying out in all different directions.

Quickly, he pointed his wand at the Death Eaters, rendering each unable to move. They were all lying stiffly on the ground as Harry looked around at the forest. He really had lost his bearings, so he pointed his wand up into the air and fired off bright red sparks.

He heard galloping in the distance, and his heart sank. If the centaurs found him in the forest again, they were not likely to be so forgiving after his exploits last year. He started to run away from the approaching animal, but stopped at the familiar voice. "Harry Potter, it is not safe in the forest for you. There are others waiting."

Harry ran towards Firenze, taking the extended hand that was offered as Firenze helped swing Harry onto his back. "What about them?" Harry asked, pointing at the Death Eaters.

"You're safety is a priority," Firenze stated as he gazed upwards. "You are not yet ready to face the Dark Lord." He took off at a sprint. "Soon, you will have no choice, but today is not the day."

They didn't emerge immediately from the forest. Firenze took what Harry assumed was a faster route back to the castle through the woods. Harry held on tightly as they took a bounding leap out of the greenery, finally bringing the welcoming sight of the castle. Lines of students were pouring back from Hogsmeade, protected by Hogwarts Professors and Aurors, but Harry knew the threat was gone. The Death Eaters wouldn't try to come for Harry while he was on Hogwarts grounds. He doubted that Voldemort himself would dare do that.

Firenze galloped right up to the Headmaster. "I found him. He stunned three. You must come with me, Headmaster, there are others in the forest."

Harry jumped down. "Professor, they're still in the forest--" Harry didn't have time to say anymore. Dumbledore climbed onto Firenze's back, and within moments, Harry was watching the headmaster ride off.

"Harry!" Hermione screeched as she and Ron ran at him. They wrapped their arms around him and squeezed. "You're all right. I knew you would be."

"Hogsmeade is fine now," he sighed, "they were after me." Harry knew that it meant there would be no more Hogsmeade trips, at least for him.

*

Tension filled the Great Hall at dinner that evening. Harry felt as if he were back in the previous year, when everyone thought he was a crazed teenager looking for attention. Whispers and glances surrounded him. All anyone seemed able to talk about was the attack on Hogsmeade, and how Harry had sensed it, and his riding out of the Forbidden Forest on Firenze. All Harry could do was stare at his plate and pray that dinner would end soon.

Every Professor was present for dinner, with one noticeable exception of Professor Snape. Harry found himself staring at the head table, wondering where the Potions master had gone off to, and what he could be doing.

As everyone seemed to be finishing his or her meal, Dumbledore stood. He looked fatigued this evening. Harry wasn't sure that he'd ever seen Dumbledore looking quite so exhausted as the old wizard tapped his spoon against his goblet to get the attention of everyone in the Great Hall.

"I regret to inform you that due to the Death Eater attack on Hogsmeade this afternoon, all further visits there this year have been cancelled." A collective groan expressed every student's displeasure with this decision. "I know this is disappointing, but your safety is my top priority.

"In addition to the cancellation of Hogsmeade visits, a curfew is now in effect at seven o'clock each evening. Anyone caught roaming the corridors without permission will lose house points and be assigned detention with Mr. Filch."

Filch, despite looking especially pleased about having the opportunity to torture students, managed to retain his usual aura of loathing of the student body.

"Now, if you will all return to your common rooms, your Head of House will be there shortly to address you."

Dumbledore stepped away from the head table, but instead of retreating through a side corridor, he strode down the middle of the hall. He slowed as he approached the area of the Gryffindor table that Harry was sitting in. His eyes focused on Harry as he paused for just a fraction of a second.

Harry noticed this, and made the assumption that Dumbledore wanted to speak to him about the day's events. Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice filled his head.

Harry, I would like to speak with you in my office in five minutes. The password is 'flying lions'.

After the shock of having Dumbledore's voice in his head, Harry nodded quickly, though Dumbledore was no longer standing near him to see this acknowledgement. Harry didn't stand up from the table until most of the Great Hall was void of students. He told Ron and Hermione that he was going to talk to Dumbledore and quickly left before Hermione could remind him of the curfew.

"You wanted to talk to me, Professor?" Harry asked as he entered the Headmaster's office.

"Yes, Harry, sit down please." Harry did as requested. "I wanted to let you know that one of the three Death Eaters that attempted to abduct you was found in the forest where you stunned him. He is going to be tried for murder, destruction of property, attempted abduction, and obviously, being a Death Eater."

"What happened to the other two?"

"They got away. Firenze told me others were waiting in the forest to take you, so I assumed that they helped the two Death Eaters escape." Dumbledore looked over his half moon spectacles at Harry. "I don't believe this will be the last you see of the Death Eaters. Our intelligence has led us to believe that Voldemort is planning something that requires you to execute. Professor Snape has not been privy to what it is that Voldemort intends for you--"

"You mean other than killing me?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, he wants you alive. He's even told Professor Snape to make sure that you are safe at Hogwarts."

"So, it won't be Professor Snape that kidnaps me."

"No, Voldemort believes that he has Professor Snape's loyalty again. He will not jeopardize losing his only spy by having him reveal that he is a Death Eater."

"So, Professor Snape has been giving him information?"

Again, just a nod. "It is necessary, Harry, to keep up with the pretenses. Professor Snape has an immunity to veritaserum, luckily for us." Dumbledore finally sat down behind his desk. "I asked you up here, Harry, because I am concerned about your well-being, and the amount of power you are displaying. How is your training going?"

"Professor Flitwick says that I'm doing as well as can be expected for my age, and that he thinks I'm beginning to learn how to control the electricity thing." Harry had to agree with that. "It still happens when I'm really angry but I can make it happen too.

"Professor Snape says I'm doing well with the Occlumency lessons, which must mean I'm getting pretty good at it for him to admit I'm doing okay."

Dumbledore smiled at that but saw there was something Harry was concerned about. "What is it Harry? Your Occlumency lessons?"

Harry shook his head. "No, it's comments that Professor Trelawney has been making, and Firenze seems to be hinting at something too." He scooted to the edge of his chair so he could lean across Dumbledore's desk. "Professor Trelawney has been giving me good marks, and telling me that my sight is clearing...isn't foggy any longer...stuff like that. In Firenze's class, I see things when I look up at the stars, almost as if they're telling me a story. Firenze makes cryptic comments, but basically, I think he's telling me that I have the ability to read the stars now. And I'm not sure what that means."

"I think that Firenze concurs with Professor Trelawney, and that you are indeed learning to use your sixth sense. I, too, have noticed this, particularly in your flying--"

"You've watched me fly? When?"

"I've seen you during Quidditch practice. Your flying is becoming very instinctive. You're getting quite good at it and I believe that is because you are now flying with your senses, not your eyes. I think your senses will serve you very well Harry, and you're going to have to learn to trust them at all times."

"I knew something was going to happen today." Harry slouched back in the chair, admitting what he felt in the Three Broomsticks before the explosion. "On the way to Hogsmeade, I couldn't concentrate, but once we were at the Three Broomsticks, I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen."

"Yes, I have been told that you stood on your seat and shouted for everyone to leave seconds before the explosion."

"Not to leave, to go to the cellar," Harry recalled. "I knew the street wasn't safe, and it was because of me. People died today because of me. I didn't kill them, but Voldemort did just to try and get to me. No one is safe near me."

This comment concerned Dumbledore. "Harry, you can't continue to abuse yourself over the things that Voldemort does. You have no control over what actions he chooses to take. You didn't cause anyone's death today. We now know that Voldemort wants something of you, so you must be on your guard, continue to practice Occlumency daily, and come to me with anything."

"Yes, sir." Harry stood assuming their conversation was over.

"Harry, before you go, I want to tell you what Professor McGonagall is letting your fellow Gryffindors know." Dumbledore took a deep breath as he continued. "I'm sure you are aware that some students were injured in the attack, and some have died." Harry nodded slowly, bracing himself for what was coming. Surely someone he knew had died the way that Dumbledore was delicately approaching the words.

"Katie Bell died this evening. She sustained heavy burns and several broken bones. By the time the Healers got her back to the castle it was simply too late to help her with anything but the pain."

Harry's head sagged as if he had been defeated. He had probably walked right passed Katie as he was going to confront the Death Eaters. If he had only stopped, she might have survived. Obviously, Katie hadn't been the only one who had died, and he couldn't help but wondered who else lost their life do to his neglect.

"Who else?" Harry's voice cracked as he asked.

"Thomas Hicks of Ravenclaw, and Erich Kühnhackl of Hufflepuff."

*

November 2, 1996

"Today's match is Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw!" The new Quidditch announcer, Dean Thomas, shouted. "And it looks to be a dandy with Harry Potter back as Seeker for the Gryffindors, and I hear an angered Cho Chang, looking to smite him...I mean, them!"

Even standing just behind the doors to the pitch, the Gryffindor team could hear everything that Dean was saying. Harry rolled his eyes at Dean's comments, and as he did this he caught sight of Ron, who looked as though he was going to cover himself in sick at any moment as Dean announced the Ravenclaw team.

Ron was clearly dreading the moment when it was their turn to fly out onto the pitch. He had been reluctant to take over as captain after Katie's death, and the nervousness of performing, and letting Katie down, was beginning to take hold of him. Harry was going to say something soothing when Dean's voice boomed out again.

"And here they are, the Gryffindor Team!" The doors opened, and one by one the Gryffindors flew out onto the pitch. "Chasers, Ginny Weasley, Seamus Finnigan and Jack Sloper! Beaters, Colin and Dennis Creevey. Seeker, Harry Potter. And the Captain, and Keeper, Ron Weasley!"

As they took their places, Cho gave Harry a particularly nasty look, then pretended to shake hands with Ron. The snitch was released, Madam Hooch gave the whistle a blow, and the first Quidditch game of the year was underway.

Harry took a position hovering above the Ravenclaw defended goal, watching the game and keeping an eye out for the snitch. It was obvious very quickly that Cho's strategy, once again, was to cover him as much as possible. It was a bit irritating for him, but he figured it wasn't anything new, and at least he didn't feel nervous about playing against her anymore.

His thoughts were pulled away from Cho at the excited voice of Dean. "Ginny Weasley breaks away, and races for the hoops...and oh, that was close, she narrowly rolls away from the bludger. And she shoots-- Gryffindor scores! Gryffindor ten, Ravenclaw zero!"

Harry clapped with joy at watching Ginny score the first goal of the game. He flew over the field as the game continued. Ravenclaw was leading fifty to forty before Harry caught a glimpse of gold fluttering near the Gryffindor goal. He raced off in the opposite direction, knowing that Cho would follow him, and he was right.

He steered his broom downward and just meters from the ground, he pulled up and banked hard. Cho couldn't handle the maneuver on her comet, and continued flying towards the ground while Harry was completely turned around, and in hot pursuit of the snitch. As he was racing after it, he heard Ginny score another goal, bringing the game to a tie, and all he could think was that he was going to win it for Gryffindor in a moment.

Harry's hand reached out. He could almost feel the wings fluttering in his hand as he closed in on the snitch. Just as his fingers reached around it, the sky blackened, and an uneasy hush fell over the crowd. They should have been screaming about Harry's catch but instead, it seemed as though no one was there. Harry looked up to see that the pitch was indeed still filled with spectators, but they were all looking to the sky...where the Dark Mark was hovering.

Screaming erupted in the crowd as the magnitude of what they were all looking at dawned. Someone in the Quidditch Pitch had done it, and that meant there was a Death Eater at Hogwarts.

Scores of people poured from the Quidditch Pitch, running towards the castle as the professors spilled onto the field, wands out, ready to fight anything that came along. Harry landed next to Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Potter, get back inside the castle at once," she demanded.

"Professor, it was a student."

"Did you see who did this?"

Harry only shook his head. "No, but I don't sense any danger." He looked around at the empty stadium and the students running into the castle. "There is a Death Eater among us."