Harry Potter and the Rise of Hope

Chapter Ten

Strange circumstances

Blaise stepped out of the fire and made his way to the door. Once on the street and carrying his little sister, he began to walk the mile to the school. His own tears mingling with the rain. It was thus Snape found him. Taking the girl Blaise's head of house led the way to Dubledor's office.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Harry wake up!"

"Hermione what . . ."

"Shush listen to Binns!" Harry rolled his eyes and put his head back on the desk only to be jabbed again by Hermione's elbow. Looking up he could see Ron blinking sleepily on Hermione's other side.

"What's this all about?"

"Binns is about to explain about the Orb of Santouri. Possibly related to Ginny's prophecy!"

"But you said Trelawney . . ."

"Never mind what I said Ron, listen." Harry sighed and turned his attention to the ghost at the front of the room.

"The Orb of Santouri was created approximately 1129A.D. by the Centurion Council. Such was the need at this time of crises, what with the uprising of Uric The Bald, that the leaders of the council thought such a weapon was necessary. The council was made up entirely of centaurs. Among them were the great! Aloren The Brave, Senilia The Just, and Roland The Noble were just a few.

"The Orb has great power. With the correct words and setting it can be used to see vast distances of land. The Orb can seek and find a person, a place, or an object. At the time this tool was used to seek out moving parties of goblins, possible threats to the Centurion race.

"The centaurs guarded the Orb of Santouri well. They believed if it fell into the wrong hands the Orb could bring about the destruction of the world. The light would fall and a reign of Terror would begin.

"In 1390 the sorceress Attica rose to power. She sought the Orb for her own purposes and sent armies after it. Here we have the war of many races. It is then the orb passes out of all knowledge." Harry looked around. Most of the class was waking up, and they had barley a minute left of class.

"I would like an essay on one of the battle between 1129 and 1390. Preferable with a reference to the orb included. Nine to fifteen inches due next Tuesday. Class dismissed."

"So Ron what did you think?" Hermione asked as they filed out of the classroom.

"I . . . um . . ."

"You fell asleep!"

~*~*~*~*~*~

'Remus wake up!" His eyes fluttered open and he looked up to see Evelyn standing over him. They were alone in the Staff room and he was stretched out on a couch where he had fallen asleep.

"I know you have Lockhart subbing, but is it wise to let him teach the sixth years?" she asked, "He's started talking about werewolves." Remus sat up. He's been hoping to take the day after the full moon off, but it looked like things had changed.

"What's he telling them?"

"All sorts of stuff most of it wrong. I actually heard him say in wolf form they're allergic to garlic, even first years know better then that."

"Thanks for letting me know!" With out thinking he kissed her cheek as he got up. Half way to the door he turned around realizing what he had done. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to offend . . ."

"Forget it. You better get going before that ego driven idiot does some serious damage!" Remus smiled at her description of the dueling teacher. (Well actually Lockhart let Snape hex him and then took the credit.) Heading down the hall he opened the door to his classroom.

"Now werewolves . . .Hello Remus."

"Gilderoy." He nodded curtly and noted that half of the class was asleep. They did however look up when they heard his voice.

"Now," Lockhart said turning back to the class, "slitting the throat with a,"

"Gilderoy."

"Silver dagger's quit effective."

"You may leave now!"

"But I personally prefer the silver bullet method. Muggles invented . . ."

"Gilderoy Lockhart it is not wise to discuss the killing of Ware wolves when one is present in the room!" Lockhart positively fled.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Harry, Harry, Professor McGonagall gave me the job! I can commentate for the games!"

"That's great Raven." He smiled as he pinned the announcement for Quidditch positions on the Gryffindor bulletin board.

"She said I'd have to practice. Can I practice announcing while I watch you guys? Or would that be too much of a distraction?"

"No that's fine."

"Harry Potter you can't do this to me!" Harry whirled around to be faced by a taller and furious Arora, "you can't do this! I'm no beater! I don't even like to fly!"

'What's going on?" Ginny asked coming down from her dorm.

"He," Arora pointed at Harry who flinched (the fourth year was right, she was terrifying), "wants me to play Quidditch!"

"What's wrong with . . .'

" I can't fly, and I don't understand the bloody game!"

"Listen Arora," Ginny said grinning, "either you give it a try or I tell the entire common room what you said about a certain Slytherin this morning in Divination." The room grew quiet as every one turned to stare. Arora paled then blushed.

"All right I'll give a try," she muttered looking at her feet.

"Don't worry," Ginny reassured, "we'll explain everything."

Harry opened his mouth to ask what in the world was confusing about Quidditch, when a very out of breath Neville crashed through the portrait hole.

"Harry . . . Harry the eggs . . . they're hatching!"