Harry and Hermione -- Their Sixth Year II

Chapter I

Saturday, October 26, 1996

Harry and Hermione entered the Common room together, having taken their post-run showers. They found Colin alone. "Where's Dean?" Harry asked.

"I sort of ran him off," Colin confessed. "He might as well have a good time in Hogsmeade."

"Is there anything we can bring you back?" Hermione asked.

"No, nothing I can think of," Colin nearly snapped. "I wish people would stop asking!"

"Poor Colin," Ron teased, coming into the Room. "That time of month, and all that."

Colin growled, which startled Ron a bit. Harry put a hand on his brother's shoulder. Colin's anger faded. "Sorry, Ron. But why did the full moon have to be tonight?" Colin complained. "No Hogsmeade, no candy, no Halloween dance tonight."

Ron looked a bit abashed. "Sorry, Colin. I promise, we'll get you a load of sweets."

"Actually. . . ." Colin looked around and made certain no one was nearby. "Could you bring back about six of the blood-flavored lollys? We'll put them in separate rooms, so we aren't tempted to fight over them."

"No problem," Harry said, with no obvious reaction. "I'll buy a case, so you'll have some each month."

"Thanks, Harry."

"Do you need any photography things?" Hermione asked.

"Dean has the list," Colin responded. "I'll be ready for the first Quidditch match!"

So far, the truces had held at Hogwarts. Zach Smith had been rather ostracized, but nothing had gone past the verbal. Draco and his cronies held themselves fairly aloof, although a number of Slytherins, led by replacement Sixth year prefects Blaise Zabini and Tracy Davis, were helping to plan the cultural courses for the next years' Second years and some informal classes for the spring.

All the eligible Gryffindors were in the DA, as were more than half of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. A few Slytherin Fifth years had even joined, to make certain they were prepared for the O.W.L.s, and some of the Sixth years were trying to rally the entire House for the cause. It was by far the most normal start to a school year for at least three years.

Outside of Hogwarts, things were not as bad as people had feared they might become. There had been no large-scale attacks on civilians since late July. There had been no further attacks on Azkaban since early August. Six Ministry officials and their families had been attacked, however, with a number of casualties.

The wizarding Press had raised an uproar about the treatment of both The Quibbler and of Arthur Weasley (whose suspension had been lifted in early September). Minister Fudge was still in power, but hanging on only because he claimed everything was under control.

The Order had picked up rumors of giants and known rogue werewolves, but couldn't pin anything down. Except for six Muggles found Kissed, there were no signs of the dementors.

In the struggle between those who opposed Fudge and Fudge's supporters within the Ministry itself, most of Fudge's luke-warm supporters had adjusted by going over to a general opposition to the Minister. When Arthur Weasley returned, he had arranged a junta between himself, Diggory, and Bones; they were working together to overthrow Fudge, and then they would decide who would take his place.

To Arthur's surprise, one of the first to approach him with unconditional support was Percy. Unfortunately, the only sure way to dislodge Fudge would be a major victory on the part of Voldemort. Voldemort, realizing this, was keeping his plans close and his remaining, loyal Death Eaters under a fairly tight reign. Snape was unable to bring back any information; Voldemort was merely using him to observe the behavior of those at Hogwarts.

Hermione and Harry walked into Honeydukes with such purpose that it drew the proprietor himself to serve them. "Are you being served?"

"We have written permission from the Headmaster, allowing us to order quantities of goods from Hogsmeade merchants," Harry said, handing a copy to the owner. While students could order from Hogsmeade, the orders were limited to what a post owl could carry. "As you can see, a house elf will be calling at Four to pick up most of the order."

"So I see. And you will be paying. . . ?"

"Gringotts cheque."

"And what are you ordering, Mister Potter?"

Harry merely handed him the list Hermione had written.

"An entire case of the blood lollys?"

"And a case Toothflossing Stringmints, a case of chocolate frogs, and we'd like you to select two hundred pounds of mixed chocolates, from milk to dark. A house elf will pick that, the frogs, and Stringmints up next Thursday, if it can be ready. We'll take the lollipops with us."

The owner stared at Harry, and then smiled. "Yes, sir!" Harry was determined that each House have a chocolate reserve, under preservation spells, in case of dementor attack. The DA House Captains would make certain it would stay well-preserved, instead of nibbled away, as the students themselves had all contributed some pocket money towards the idea.

Harry went around the village, spreading largesse, to make up for the short visit the students would pay that day. Everyone was interested in visiting, but since most students would be attending the second dance that evening after dinner, the visit was to end at 3:30.

Harry and Hermione had spent most of the day together, but they had separated at 2:00 to shop. Harry was at the coach stop first, waiting for the carriages.

The carriages showed up at 3:10. Harry moved from thestral to thestral, patting them.

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

"They are," Harry agreed. "Where's Ginny?"

"She still with Hermione," Luna answered.

"Are you coming to the dance tonight?"

Luna shrugged. "There's little reason to. Ginny and I aren't accepted as more than friends, even though everyone knows we're more."

"It seems to be acceptable for girls to dance everything except the slow dances together," Harry reminded her. "And, if you'd like, I would still like to dance with you."

Luna smiled. "Perhaps, or perhaps next month. Dean, Ginny, and I are going to be with Colin and Professor Lupin until after dinner. Dance with Ginny, though, if I don't make it."

A crowd of students then came out of the village, being herded by the prefects. The Head Boy and Girl were making a final round to get everyone else moving. It was time to get ready to dance.

One student, almost the last to board, looked at where the moon would soon rise, and mouthed a phrase heard from a Mudblood: "Time to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight."

The autumnal dances were much more informal than the Yule Ball had been. Like the first, this one started right after dinner. The tables were moved off to the side, the lights dimmed, and a local combo played. The first half of the dance was rather decorous, and included waltzes, polkas, and other such dances. The second half featured covers of more current songs from magical groups. Ginny, who had been teaching Harry the older dances over the previous month, showed up about half way through the first set, dragging a reluctant Luna. Harry, in turn, was teaching Hermione. Harry even managed to coax Luna into dancing the one slowish polka with him.

As usual, Professor Snape seemed to be carrying on the most extensive campaign to prevent any students from getting 'too close' or from straying outside. Snape had caught Ron and Henrietta trying to sneak into the Rose Garden three times. All in all, it was a successful dance, after a good day in Hogsmeade.

Sunday, October 27, 1996

"Master Harry," came an insistent whisper. "Master Harry!" A finger gently poked Harry's upper arm. "Master Harry!"

"Wha iz 't?"

"Master Harry, Headmaster Dumbledore asks that you wake up and come to his office. Very important to hurry."

Harry managed to open one eye. "What's happened, Dobby?"

"Dobby does not know. But something is happening. Probably something very bad."

"Like what?"

"Dobby does not know. Only a feeling, which Dobby would not ignore."

"Is Colin alright?"

"Mister Colin and Professor Lupin have returned in good health a short time ago."

Harry heard Dean lay back down, and by the time Harry was dressed Dean had joined the other boys in soft snores.

Harry rushed to the Headmaster's office. "Mocha Monkey," Harry declared before rushing up the stairs. Harry knocked on the door, which swung open.

"Ah, Harry . . . thank you for hurrying." Dumbledore was alone, except for the portraits. Few pretended to be asleep. "I have just received information of a trio of werewolf attacks. One was on the Diggorys. They and their guards were all killed, I regret to say, overwhelmed by the werewolves, although most of them were killed as well. A second was on the Bones', who were able to drive off the attackers without casualties. The other attack was a two-pronged attack on a large group of Muggles. One prong was the third werewolf attack, and was on a group of school boys camping out as part of some school project. The second was a Death Eater attack on a neighboring camp of school girls, who were raped, then mutilated and killed. Some of the werewolves might have been involved with that as well."

Harry paled, and then frowned. "And?" Harry prompted. While thankful to be let in on what was happening, Harry was wondering why he had to be told at dawn.

"Minister Fudge is likely to try to meet the problem by imprisoning all werewolves, or at least imprisoning all werewolves which are not totally under control."

"Well, we can at least prove Colin and Professor Lupin are 'under control'," Harry answered.

"For now. Remember, we can not allow them to stay here over the summer. We must take steps to provide a safe haven for the pair next summer. If you will allow me to make the arrangements to make the cellar of Grimmauld Place secure?"

Harry nodded his agreement. Dumbledore looked up. "I believe the Minister has arrived even earlier than I predicted."

Fudge, followed by Percy Weasley, one of the men from the Werewolf Registry who had come on September 1st, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, marched into the room. Fudge stared at Dumbledore and Harry for a moment, then collected his thoughts. "I see your information services have already informed you of the attacks last night?"

"The basics, although none of the details," Dumbledore replied. "I can assure you Colin Potter and Remus Lupin did not take part in the attacks. They were in secure quarters and under the full Wolfsbane Potion. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape were actually quite pleased with the results of Mister Potter's first transformation under its influence."

"Good," Fudge said simply. "One less problem to worry about. You'll send the results to the Registry?"

Dumbledore nodded.

"I presume you have already informed this Mister Potter that, if he wants his . . . brother and friend to remain free he must make similar arrangements for the summer months?"

Dumbledore and Harry both nodded. Both regarded Fudge with suspicion.

"Good. Then on to the real reason I'm here. The attacks on the Muggles, you know about that?" Dumbledore Nodded, "were on two camps of school children, aged fourteen to seventeen, from three different Public schools. Thirty boys and thirty-three girls. Twenty-four of the girls were raped and killed, three were raped and survived, six seem to have been taken, and are presumed bitten, although we are still trying to ascertain that for certain from the four witnesses. Six of the boys were killed, twenty-three believed bitten and taken. One was mauled, but his injuries were not severe." Fudge sighed. "It seems he was partially protected by an ancient charm."

"Dudley?" Harry asked, surprised.

"Yes; your cousin. Without that protection, he would have been either killed outright or bitten and taken. My question is, do we erase his memory of the event like we are the girls? They are being told they survived a double bus accident just before their arrival. We will have to provide false remains for the missing."

"My first inclination would be to tell the Dursleys the truth," Dumbledore mused. "What do you think, Harry?"

"Is there any reason to think these students were targeted because of Dudley?" Harry asked.

"Certainly not," Fudge and Dumbledore both said.

"Your cousin would certainly have been taken had they realized who he was," Dumbledore explained.

"Why ask that, Harry?" Fudge asked, honestly puzzled.

"Because it would just be one more thing to hold against me," Harry said. "Did you actually meet them back when, well, when Aunt Marge was. . . ."

"I did," Fudge said slowly. "You mean that was not an . . . aberration on their part?"

"The Dursleys have unfortunately shown themselves to be the most unsympathic of Muggles," Dumbledore said.

Fudge thought a moment. "We will not release that information to the press. Weasley, you talk with Mister Potter, here, and then deal with the Dursleys as you think best. Try and make 'em see reason. If they won't, tell the squad to obliviate them and the boy, no matter what they claim to want, and plant the cover story." Fudge turned to Dumbledore. "I've no doubt that I'll be out of office by the New Year, maybe sooner than that. So, let me warn you, you might think Bones is more capable than I am, and more reasonable, at least according to your lights. That may even be mostly true. But she did the actual drafting of Delores' anti-werewolf legislation. You three, stay here. Weasley has his assignment, you two doublecheck on the two werewolves so we can cross them off. Good morning." Fudge marched out.

"Thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said, dismissing Harry. "I will seem you are informed of what happens with your cousin."

"Should I tell Colin and Professor Lupin, or will you?" Harry asked.

"You may inform them," Dumbledore said. "I'm certain Professor Lupin will wish to come and see me. Tell him he may do so after lunch." He looked at Percy. "You two may use the conference room off the Great Hall."

Harry nodded, and he and Percy left together. They didn't speak as they made their way to the Great Hall. Hermione, Ginny, and Luna were already waiting for him. "You may of course brief them later," Percy said as he walked Harry past them. Harry shrugged, and the pair went into the small room where the Tri-Wizard Champions had been briefed after their selection.

"I take it your relations with your relatives haven't improved any?" Percy said after a few moments of silence.

"Not much," Harry admitted, deciding not to mention Percy's 'relations' with his own family. "They still hate our world. They will be terrified by obliviation, but if you remind them it was done to Aunt Marge, they may be more willing."

"So do you think it best I explain what happened, mentioning what WOULD have happened if they had known who Dudley was, and then give them the choice of remembering or not?"

"Exactly," Harry agreed. "Just expect them to bluster a lot, and maybe threaten. Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Keep in mind they have met Fred and George."

"Ah . . . yes. That tongue incident. That might make things . . . sticky."

"Percy . . . this means that the other Muggle families will be told their children, the ones missing and presumed killed, will be told their children were . . . killed and not enough left to really be recognized except with a medical exam?"

Percy acknowledged that was the case.

"Then what happens to the children if they're recovered? Do you remodify their families' memories?"

Percy sighed. "If the student is returned . . . unbitten, yes. Muggles who are bitten go insane after two or three years. Nothing is known to stop the process. Therefore, Muggles who are discovered to be werewolves are . . . destroyed."

Harry just stared at Percy.

"In fact, considering your cousin's wounds, he's going to suffer very painfully at the next two full moons, although it should decrease after that. It's well within the law to have him . . . put down as well, to prevent Muggles from wondering why. The main reason that wasn't even considered is because he's your cousin and therefore he and your family already know about us. I'll be certain to let your aunt and uncle know that, too."

"Thank you. Is there any . . . possibility of saving those Muggle werewolves, to see if they can be helped in any way?"

Percy sighed. "I'll look into it, Harry, but I can't promise anything."

"I understand. Thank you."

Percy turned towards the door, and hesitated. He knew this meeting had been mostly unnecessary, and he knew why Dumbledore had brought them together. "Harry, could you please see if Ron's out there?"

"Sure," Harry answered neutrally. Harry peeked out. "No Ron yet, but Ginny's still there."

"Ginny's not quite as angry and unforgiving as Ron still is."

"Yes, I can't understand why Ron would be upset," Harry said with some sarcasm.

Percy winced."Yes, well, we go with the information we have available, Harry."

"You chose the sources you preferred to believe, Percy," Harry pointed out, gently for once. "Even if you had good reason to think I was crazy, which I don't think you did, you chose wrong. You could just admit that to Ron and move on. You did with your parents, after all. But you're both equally proud and stubborn."

Percy smiled a little. "I'm working on it, Harry. I know there's no reason to believe I'm on your side now, but I am." Percy walked out and over to the Gryffindor table. Harry followed a few steps behind. Percy spoke to Ginny, who stood up and walked Percy out of the castle.

"What's happened?" Hermione asked.

"Get the group together," Harry said. "I have to talk with Colin and Remus."

"Bad?"

"Bad enough to bring Fudge here at dawn," Harry answered.

"You should eat something," Luna said.

Harry smiled at them and picked up a pear before heading off to the Infirmary. Luna and Hermione smiled back.

A small group had gathered around Harry in the previous weeks. They led the DA, and were some of the more influential students in their Houses. The core of the group were all Sixth years: Harry, Hermione, and Ron from Gryffindor; Millicent, Blaise, and Tracy from Slytherin; Susan, Ernie, and Justin from Hufflepuff; and Padma, Lisa, and Terry from Ravenclaw. Ginny and Luna also usually attended.

Harry carefully explained what had happened, leaving out the information that Dudley had been one of the mauling victims. The next full moon would be November 25. "Obviously," Harry concluded, "we don't have much to fear from werewolves here. However, there's a good chance there might be a number of other attacks. Riddle might not have many Death Eaters left, so far as I know, but he still controls hundreds of dementors and may have dozens of giants. Either could be used on an attack on us."

"So that gives us some things to think about for the DA," Hermione pointed out.

"Do you really think the Headmaster would allow us to fight?" Terry asked.

"If there is sufficient warning to clear us all out without giving away the evacuation, probably not," Harry answered. "However, Sixth and Seventh year students should be well-able to defend themselves, and Fourth and Fifth years able to contribute to defending the younger students. Remember, if we're dispersed, unexpectedly or for vacation, the individual students are going to be more vulnerable to attack, like Dean and Colin's families were last summer. It's possible we're safer defending the castle against an attack than we would be at home."

"What about the winter holidays, and next summer?" Justin asked.

"The Headmaster is trying to see if a summer term would be possible," Hermione answered, "but the finances are still very much up in the air."

"So the initiative is still in . . . Riddle's hands," Ernie said, frowning.

"Unfortunately, yes," Harry agreed.