The Aftermath

Title: The Aftermath

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CHAPTER 11: A Sun-shaped Scar

"Harry, I've been meaning to ask you," Hermione started. "Have you by any chance had a hand on what happened to Draco."

"Did you see me do anything to him. You saw what happened. I never did anything to him. And he went naked while in a meeting with all of you. I wasn't there," Harry replied. He surely hated lying to Hermione but he has a job to accomplish. He was after all the new Marauder. But he had to admit to himself that it would have been a lot more fun if he had Ron to join in.

"Hermione, give him a break. Draco deserves what happened to him and we all saw what happened. Harry wasn't anywhere near him," Ron reasoned.

"And I suppose you were there and you could have caused that incident on Malfoy," Snape's cold voice came from behind them.

"Err... I didn't do anything professor. I was as shocked as everyone who saw what happened," Ron stammered.

"We have nothing to do with it professor. Ron was right none of us expected something like that to happen," Hermione reasoned.

"Very well, if anything of that sort happens again I will make sure that the culprit be given ample punishment," Snape walked off to the teacher's table.

"I doubt if something like that happens again," Harry commented. "That Nosy Snapie should learn a lesson or two."

Ron laughed a long with Neville and Seamus. Hermione was a bit disappointed though. Ginny and Dean came in with other students mostly from Ginny's year.

"Oh Harry, tonight the Headmaster would like to talk to us. He said we should meet him in his office after the feast," Hermione whispered to Harry.

"Alright, I'll wait for you outside the portrait hole after your prefect duties," Harry said.

Harry, Hermione and Ron were busy chattering away when Hermione noticed Cho staring at them.

"Err... Harry, I think Cho is staring at you. Have you spoken to her lately?" Hermione whispered to him.

Harry cast a short glance at the Ravenclaw girl then looked away to the direction of the high table. "I don't think it's wise to talk to her," he replied.

Hermione just smiled to him weakly. Cho was still staring at them but Ron didn't have any idea because his back was turned against the Ravenclaw table. Hermione felt a little uncomfortable because Cho was now staring at her.

Harry suddenly took her hand and patted it then he gave her a warm smile. Hermione felt a lot better. She saw Cho roll her eyes and moved to talk to Marieta whose face had already been treated. Ron and Seamus were starting a little chat about Quidditch.

"Harry, members of the DA have been asking me if we'll still have meetings like last year?" Hermione started.

"Well, like what we've talked about before we'll only do it if it's necessary," Harry replied. He looked up to the high table and found a number of Order Members seated there.

"Look Harry, Tonks, Moody and Lupin are up there. Do you reckon maybe they'll be teaching us? But why didn't they tell us when we were back at Grimmauld?" Hermione said.

"No kidding it is Tonks and Remus," Ron exclaimed.

"I guess we wouldn't need the DA anymore since they're here," Harry said. Tonks and Remus smiled at their direction.

"I don't think so. We still need the DA. I mean it's fun learning from you Harry," Seamus said. He in fact was the last member who entered the DA. He had a hard time believing Harry last year because his mum told him to stay away from him.

"We'll talk it over with Dumbledore and see what he has to say. What do you think, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I think that's a good idea. You guys still have your galleons, don't you? You'll just see a new date if indeed we'll have a new meeting," Harry explained.

"What do you reckon is taking the first years too long?" Ron said impatiently.

"I don't know," Harry replied.

The Great Hall entrance burst open with Professor McGonagall leading the first years inside. The sorting hat was already positioned on top of an old stool.

Everyone awaited the sorting hat's song and it went:

For many years I have sorted

Put students into their rightful house

And now I shall continue

To place each rightful part

For whether you're in Gryffindor,

In Slytherin or Hufflepuff

Or even if you're in Ravenclaw

You still are part of a whole big lot

For Hogwarts will be your home

And will be for years to come

So think it wise to keep your loyalty

To our school that is your home

For if you look beyond the differences

There are no enemies or foes

For once Gryffindor taught his house

Of courage that is pure

To never give up without a fight

If what you're fighting for is true

For wise old Ravenclaw

Would have told her house

That her knowledge be imparted

So truth be known and people be enlightened

Hufflepuff with her kindest heart

Will teach her house of virtue

That nothing can surpass the test

If you know your friends are of good graces

Noble house of Slytherin

Forget not what it's worth

To have the people you can call friends

Have them as your own

For your heart and mind will place you right

In the house which you belong

But keep in mind it is still your task

To know what's right from wrong

My task will just be to sort you

But your actions will speak of your worth

And now I will end my sorting song

So put me on and don't be scared

I will place you where you belong

Everyone applauded after the sorting song. Harry, Ron and Hermione were keen on what the sorting hat has to say but this time it seemed to focus more on the different houses.

"I guess there are no warnings this year," Ron commented.

"But it did remind us to be stay firm to our good virtues," Hermione said.

"I don't think we'll have any problems with that," Harry said.

The sorting Ceremony took place and the first years went to their respective tables after.

"Okay, just Dumbledore's speech then we can eat," Ron said excitedly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry gave out a small laugh.

"What? Can't a guy be hungry and not be laughed at?" Ron blurted and even Seamus, Neville and Dean joined it the laugh.

Finally Dumbledore stood up for his usual start of term speech. "Welcome to our new students and glad to have all our old ones back. This year all of you will have extensive Defense Against the Dark arts training along with your regular classes because of the development of recent events. Starting tomorrow you will see a number of Aurors roaming the school grounds and the castle corridors. The Ministry of Magic thought it best that the students here at Hogwarts be given full security against any possible outside intrusion. Remus Lupin will be teaching Defense against the Dark Arts from first year to third year and Nymphadora Tonks will teach from fourth year to seventh year. My dear friend Alastor Moody shall be supervising the Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class with me. You will see in your timetables if you are part of the Advance class. As usual the dark forest is forbidden. No unnecessary magic in the corridors and for everyone's delight we will hold the first ever International Quidditch Exhibition Games and we have three visiting teams: Bulgarian National Team, Irish National Team and Puddlemere United. Hogwarts will have it's own Quidditch team that will be composed of the best players from each house. Quidditch tryouts for each house will be held next week under Madam Hooch's supervision. I think I do not have anymore announcements so let the feast begin."

"Can you believe it Harry? We'll be playing against real Quidditch players," Ron exclaimed.

Harry liked the idea of playing Quidditch but he had too many things in mind like Voldemort and his minions. He was also worrying about Viktor Krum. He is after all a member of the Bulgarian Quidditch team. He will be at Hogwarts. He would surely want some time with Hermione. But it would not be until before end of terms.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked as she placed a hand over his forehead.

Harry went to slight hue of red and said he was okay.

The opening feast was wonderful and the trio had as many of all the dishes they could eat.

Ron started teasing Hermione about S.P.E.W, and told her that she must have eaten a whole meal that four or five house elves have prepared and asked if she felt a tinge of guilt in her.

Harry didn't even bother stopping them this time because he felt his scar burning. It had not experienced such attacks in quite a while. He clenched his left fist while his other hand was on his searing scar.

Ron and Hermione suddenly stopped arguing.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione said panicking.

"Harry, what's happening to you mate?" Ron said.

"I...my scar it's aching again," Harry said. His vision was blurry but he could make out Ron and Hermione staring at him.

Harry suddenly saw flashes of a dungeon. People were being tortured inside it. Men in hoods were then instructed by a familiar dark and evil voice.

"Kill those who will get in the way. We must find who she is and kill her..." Voldemort's cruel words trailed in his mind. "I will kill her with my own hands if I must..."

'Stop!' he tried using Occlumency.

Harry suddenly felt the pain on his forehead disappear.

"Harry, please answer me?" Hermione said almost in tears. Professor McGonagall and members of the Order including Dumbledore himself was around him.

"I... I fainted," he said. "I didn't mean to get all of you worried," he added.

"I think it best that you bring him to the hospital wing immediately," Professor McGonagall said.

"I'm alright, really," Harry protested.

Hermione, Ron, Neville and almost everyone gave him a worried look.

"Come on Harry," Ron and Hermione helped him not that he needed any assistance and they went out of the Great hall.

"Oh, Harry what happened did he use Legilimency on you again?" Hermione asked him as they walked together towards the hospital wing.

"You better ask Snape to teach you again no matter how you hate that git. You can't let last years events repeat itself," Ron said.

Harry remembered that he and Hermione haven't told Ron about his Occlumency training. He and Hermione had in fact been keeping a lot form Ron. They were both made members of the Order and was ordered not to say anything to their friend.

"Err... maybe professor Dumbledore will teach him first hand," Hermione said as she gave Harry a conniving look.

"Yes, the professor would probably teach me this time," Harry said.

"Well, I guess that will be okay," Ron said with a grin. "I'm really excited about this year. Quidditch will be in a whole new different level. Think about it Harry, we'll go against Bulgaria, Puddlemere and Ireland," Ron exclaimed.

"That is if we make it to the Hogwarts team. We still need to win the Quidditch cup before we can qualify at least I think that's how it works," Harry said.

"We will win the Quidditch cup. We'll have a new captain after all," Ron said meaningfully.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I don't suppose you'll be captain. You already have a lot of prefect duties," Hermione retorted.

"I can manage both, can't I Harry?" Ron said.

"I guess," Harry said uncertainly. He had a feeling that Ron wanted to be team captain but he couldn't help but think of the fact that he also wanted to be captain.

Madam instantly greeted them. She even thought it was Hermione who was suffering from some kind of attack.

"It's Harry who needs looking after," Hermione corrected.

"I see but I will have you to stay here dear. I still need to check on you," Madam Pomfrey said.

Hermione nodded. "Harry, fainted and Professor McGonagall ordered us to bring him here. He says he is okay but do check on him," Hermione reported like a nurse to a doctor.

"Stay on that bed Potter," Madam Pomfrey instructed.

"Look, Malfoy is here. I wonder what he said his problem is? Embarrassment syndrome," Ron sniggered.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. The vanishing cream had no side effects what so ever. It would only make things disappear for a couple of hours and Draco was over reacting as he often did.

"Mr. Weasley, do you also need healing?" Madam Pomfrey asked Ron.

"No...Madam Pomfrey I was just helping Harry to get here," Ron admitted.

"Well, you have done your job. I think you can leave them here and join your housemates. You're disturbing my other patients," Madam Pomfrey said. Draco stirred as if on cue.

"I'll leave you two here," Ron said disappointedly. "I'll wait for the two of you in the common room."

"Bye Ron," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

Ron left the hospital wing.

Madam Pomfrey started checking on Harry. Hermione sat on a side chair watching. She smiled warmly at Harry every time he looked her way.

"Now drink this potion. This will relax you a bit while I check on miss Granger here," Madam Pomfrey instructed as she gave him a goblet filled with blue liquid.

She led Hermione on the other bed next to him. Madam Pomfrey closed the curtains around them.

"Have you been taking all the potions I gave you?" he heard Madam Pomfrey's voice.

Harry knew that she used to drink potions but he thought he was done drinking them because he never saw Hermione drink any potions in Grimmauld.

"I drink them every night before I sleep. I still have a few chest pains sometimes but their very faint. I can do just about anything and not feel a thing," he heard Hermione say.

'How can I be so stupid? She had been hurt in the Department of mysteries and she acted as if everything is all right with her. I can't believe I looked passed her injury,' he scolded himself.

"I don't want anyone to worry about me. I'm doing just fine. I take my potions on time. I was wondering though will this scar on my chest fade in the long run," Hermione said softly that Harry had a hard time listening to what she was saying.

"Actually, I find that scar of yours quite curious. I have never seen a scar the shape of the sun symbol of a rune," Madam Pomfrey admitted. "I still want you to take precaution. Your lot is quite frequent here."

"We promise to be good this year, I hope," Hermione said.

Harry noticed that the curtains were being opened and he took a gulp of the potion he almost forgot to drink. It tasted awful but it quickly made him feel relaxed. He laid on the bed as Madam Pomfrey went to check on him. Hermione followed behind her.

"Well, you've finished your potion?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Harry nodded and handed her the goblet. Madam Pomfrey left the two of them to check on Malfoy.

"Why didn't you tell me about your condition. There you are worrying about me but you have your own health to think about. Why did you tell me about your problem Hermione?" Harry asked.

"I didn't think it was important and besides helping you fend of Voldemort from your head is more important than worrying about an injury that happened long ago. I'm fine Harry really," Hermione reasoned.

Harry motioned Hermione to sit beside him as if ready to tell her a big secret.

She went and sat beside him.

"I don't want you to get hurt ever again. Do you here me. I told you before I'd rather die than lose you... and Ron," Harry said as he suddenly held Hermione in an embrace.

Hermione was taken a back but sank into his gentle arms.

"What a sight. Scar head and his mudblood," Draco said as he walked right in front of them. "Does madam Pomfrey know what you two are doing here?" Malfoy sniggered.

"Shut up or you'll get it," Harry retorted as he broke his embrace with Hermione.

"Oh look even Chang is watching," Draco smirked.

Both Harry and Hermione looked out the doorway and were able to see a glimpse of Cho Chang running off.

"Honestly Potter, you probably think you're so good looking," Draco said as he walked off.

Harry wanted to strangle him but Hermione held him back.

"Let him go Harry. He isn't worth it. You have better things to do than fight with Malfoy," Hermione reasoned.

"It's the second time he had done that today. Next time he calls you names, he'll pay dearly," Harry swore.

"Now... now, we aren't suppose to get in trouble remember," Hermione reminded him.

Harry knew Hermione was right and he didn't want to worsen whatever her condition maybe.

"What will you do with her?" Hermione started which broke Harry's quiet thinking. "Should you go after her and explain?"

"For what? Hugging my best friend? She's not even my girlfriend," Harry said irritably.

"Your right. What's wrong with hugging your best friend," Hermione muttered.

"I didn't mean..." Harry tried to reason but stopped because the consequence of what he would say dawned on him.

"You didn't mean what Harry?" Hermione looked at him with a questioning gaze.

"Nothing... we need to see Professor Dumbledore, don't we?" Harry said. He held out his hand and helped Hermione off the bed they were sitting on.

On their way to the Gargoyle, Harry was in deep thought. He had almost told her something that he felt he shouldn't tell her at that moment but somehow it felt right to tell her just how she meant to him.

To be continued...