Harry Potter and the Fortress of Darkness

Ch. 6 The Dinner and the Uproar at breakfast

"Wow," breathed Seamus as he caught a glimpse of Jessica coming out in her purple dress robes, her hair braided in cornrows. Hermione was following Jess. Harry breathed and grinned. She was dressed exactly like she was their fourth year when Hogwarts played host to the Yule Ball.

"Hermione, you look amazing," said Harry as he kissed her. Seamus grinned and kissed Jess.

"You look beautiful love," he said. Jess blushed.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." Seamus and Harry took their respective dates' arms and joined everyone else in the Great Hall.

"Thank you everyone for coming," said Dumbledore as everyone took their seats. "I'd like to welcome the members from the Ministry, and from the Daily prophet, Rita Skeeter."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry, who just laughed. Jess stared at Lucius Malfoy and gave him the most evil look around.

"And now, before we begin the feast, I would like to ask Miss Jessica Black to come up and perform a song for us. Miss Black?"

A few people whispered and everyone at the Gryffindor table gawked at her. Seamus grinned.

"Surprise," said Jessica and she made her way up to the head table and sat at the piano in front of it.

"This is a Muggle song and it's very popular in the states right now," said Jess as she spoke. "I hope the members of the Ministry the faculty and my fellow students enjoy it."

The sound of a piano began as Jess started playing the familiar tune of "You Gotta Be" and few people applauded and cheered when they recognized it.

Jess: Listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try and keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears

Stand up and be counted

Don't be ashamed to cry

You gotta be

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold

You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard

You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm

You gotta stay together

All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Herald what your mother said

Reading' the books your father read

Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time

Some may have more cash than you

Others take a different view my oh my hey, hey, hey

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold

You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard

You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm

You gotta stay together

All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Don't ask no questions, it goes on without you

Leaving you behind if you can't stand the pace

The world keeps on spinning

You can't stop it, if you try to

This time it's danger staring you in the face oh, oh, oh

Remember

Listen as your day unfolds

Challenge what the future holds

Try and keep your head up to the sky

Lovers, they may cause you tears

Go ahead release your fears

My oh my hey, hey, hey

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold

You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard

You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger

You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm

You gotta stay together

All I know, all I know, love will save the day

As Jess ended the song, the hall burst in cheers and applause and a few cat-call whistles were heard. Jess blushed and grinned at her mother, who along with Professor McGonagall and Tonks, wiped away a few tears. Jess thought she even saw Hagrid crying and let out a chuckle as she thanked everyone and headed back to her seat.

"And now, let the feast begin!"

After the dinner portion was over, the floor was cleared for dancing. Most of the students tried to stay away from the people out on the dance floor trying to learn the Electric Slide from Jess.

"Dumbledore," spoke up Amelia Bones as the song changed to a slow dance, "this certainly is the most fun I have ever had. I actually think everyone is enjoying it."

"Everyone except Malfoy," muttered Jess as she strolled past them with Seamus, pointing over to Lucius Malfoy, who was in a corner, not in a happy mood.

"I think Hogwarts will stay open no matter what, for Susie's and everyone else's sake," said Amelia as she started to dance with Dumbledore.

"I most certainly agree, Amelia."

* * *

The next day, everyone was gathered around all copies of The Daily Prophet, reading the Ministry's decision on the current status of the Muggleborn Act.

"In a surprise move by the Ministry, they are still keeping the Act in place, but allowing Hogwarts to remain open to all students of all blood. All other rules in this act are still in tact. FUCK!" cried Jess as she read this aloud.

"Bullshit!" said Harry.

"I say we mutiny and kidnap Malfoy and give him the old heave ho!" said Seamus.

"I'll kill that bastard if he thinks I'm going to raise my future family like that!" said Ron, who was solely comforting his girlfriend, Lavender Brown.

"Over OUR DEAD BODIES!" said Dean Thomas.

"THIS MEANS WAR!" cried a Hufflepuff. The hall cheered and Jess stood up.

"Draco! Tell your father that if he's going to decide our futures, then we'll fight him for it! He's a bloody coward!"

Draco stood up and spoke.

"My father is a bastard and he thinks we're all no good. I'm willing to reward you all if I get him here. I will send an owl first thing tonight asking him to come here! First one to kill him before I do gets 5000 galleons!"

The hall burst into cheers and Harry raised his eyebrow at Dumbledore who simply nodded. Suddenly, a loud bang came from the outside and shook the castle. Harry grabbed his scar.

"Harry! What's wrong?" asked Hermione. Harry moaned as his scar grew whiter.

'HARRY!" cried Hermione as he fell to the ground.

"He's here, Voledemort. He's on the grounds."