Twilight

Twilight

L.S. Song

Chapter Eight - Down in the Marauder's Room

It was three weeks after the Halloween Ball, and the morning of the second Quidditch game of the season, Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff, after Slytherin had crushed Ravenclaw 250 to 10.

"I can't do it," said Neville at breakfast, his face white as a ghost. "You'll have to go without me... use Colin or someone..."

No one listened to him; they were all dealing with their own nerves, besides for Harry, Ron, and Ginny, who were perfectly nonchalant.

"Nev, come on, snap out of it... it's Hufflepuff, come on!" said Harry.

"Harry, take Hufflepuff seriously... Finch-Fletchley will keep you on your toes... and Abbot, Bones, and Macmillan are the best chasers Hufflepuff has seen for a long time..."

That comment made Neville even more nervous, and he flat out refused to eat anything.

When it was time to start, the Gryffindor team all felt at least a bit nervous. Grasping their new brooms, the Chasers mounted. Neville and Seamus had gotten a Nimbus 2001 each, but Ginny was still using Fred's Cleansweep, so Harry had ordered her a Nimbus X-Shock, the new broom that was especially designed for chasers.

Madame Hooch's whistle blew, and the teams flew out onto the pitch.

The crowd roared, as Dean Thomas began the commentary.

"AND HERE COMES THE RETURNING CHAMPIONS, THE GRYFFINDORS! HERE THEY COME! CAPTAIN POTTER, CO-CAPTAIN WEASLEY, CHASERS WEASLEY, FINNIGAN, LONGBOTTOM, AND BEATERS KIRKE, AND SLOPER!"

The Gryffindor crowd roared, whilst the Ravenclaw crowd applauded politely. The Hufflepuff and Slytherin crowds booed, and hissed.

"AND HERE COMES THE NEWLY ASSEMBLED HUFFLEPUFF TEAM, CAPTAIN FINCH-FLETCHLEY, KEEPER BLAKE, CHASERS ABBOT, BONES, MACMILLAN, BEATERS JOHNSON AND JOHNSON!"

Both teams circled around the field once, and then took their positions.

"CAPTAINS SHAKE HANDS!" yelled Madame Hooch.

Harry and Ron approached Justin, and shook his hand briefly, before returning to their positions.

Hooch let out the bludgers and the snitch, and picked up the Quaffle. As she threw the Bludger into the air, Ginny quickly grabbed the Quaffle, and zoomed off towards the Hufflepuff end of the field.

Harry quickly started to fly around the pitch, looking for the snitch, while listening to Dean's commentary.

"Weasley passes to Longbottom, who zooms along the side... OUCH THAT'S GOTTA HURT!"

Neville had been smashed in the shoulder with a bludger.

"Nev, are you okay?" hollered Harry, as he zoomed closer to Neville.

Neville nodded, and returned to the Gryffindor end to help with the defence.

Harry returned to his spot high above the game, looking for a sign of the snitch.

"EXCELLENT SAVE THERE BY WEASLEY... and he throws it to Ginny Weasley, who spikes it... and... SCORES!"

The Gryffindor crowd roared in delight.

After half an hour, when Gryffindor was leading 140 to 40, Harry decided it was time to give Justin a scare.

"There goes Potter! He's seen the snitch!" A collective gasp was heard around the stands.

Harry, with a small glance backwards saw that Justin was tailing him. He sped down towards the ground as fast as he could, until he was just a few meters away from being crushed, then pulled out of the dive with all of his strength and sped away. His Firebolt was the only reason that he managed to survive the dive. Harry heard a crunching sound, and two loud snaps that meant Justin was not as lucky. Justin screamed bloody murder. A roar of anger arose from the Hufflepuffs in the stand.

Harry sped away, looking for the snitch, whilst Hooch sped down to examine Colin. It turned out that he had broken his neck.

"And captain Finch-Fletchley goes off the pitch with a neck injury... looks nasty. Good Wrongski Feint there by captain Potter, as the Hufflepuff team is now down a seeker."

Harry decided to call a time out.

"What's the matter?" asked Ron.

"Justin's out, so we have time to burn if we want to catch the snitch. What I'm suggesting is I act as a surrogate chaser... I break their formations and I break through their gaps in their defence so its like we get one more chaser. The rules say that neither the Seeker nor the Beaters are allowed to score, but that's the only limitation. I can pass to any of you, as long as the goal doesn't come directly from me. If we win by more than 240 points, we'll be in first place for the Quidditch Cup. We can afford to push our lead, Hufflepuff are out of the running unless they actually have more than 150 points advantage - which they definitely won't get, with our splendid keeper Ron, and our superb chasers. So, agreed?"

"Agreed," echoed all the members.

"Okay, let's show Hufflepuff why Gryffindor is the best!"

At Hooch's whistle, the Gryffindor team and the shorthanded Hufflepuff team rose to the air again. Harry flew side by side with Neville and Seamus, with Ginny behind them carrying the Quaffle. They flew forwards, breaking apart the defence formation with Kirke and Sloper protecting them from bludgers. Harry shot towards the keeper like a javelin, managing to intimidate him into moving out of the way, which left the goals open for Ginny to score in. On defence, Harry's Firebolt tore apart almost all the attempts that Hufflepuff had to score.

Half an hour later, Gryffindor was leading, 310 to 50.

"Never mind Harry, show them some mercy! Just catch the snitch!" hollered Ron.

Harry nodded and started zooming around the pitch looking for the snitch. Within ten minutes, he had caught the snitch, Seamus and Ginny had scored twice apiece, and Gryffindor had won, 500 to 50, in one of Hogwarts biggest blowouts ever. The crowd had exploded with roars of approval.

Ernie Macmillan was muttering about cheap seeker tactics, but Harry hadn't broken any rules, Gryffindor won fair and square.

The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were still cheering loudly, but the Hufflepuffs and the Slytherins shot Harry looks that plainly said that they weren't happy with his tactics. Harry couldn't care less, as he celebrated with his teammates with a bunch of candy he and Ron had sneaked off to Hogsmeade and bought back to the Gryffindor common room.

Even Professor McGonagall joined in with the festivities, she was so glad that Gryffindor crushed Hufflepuff.

All in all, it felt like they had already won the Quidditch Cup. Arm in arm with Ginny, Harry was in bliss, unaware of a small, timid looking sixth year who had stood far away from the celebrations, with his nose buried in a book.

"Okay, today we split up into two different groups for the rest of the year. Some of you have been identified as stronger in magic than in body, some of you stronger in body than magic. You will be grouped accordingly, so six of you will be doing wand dueling for the rest of the year, six of you will do sword dueling," said Moody one class.

"Wand duelers are Granger, Lovegood, Potter, Weasley, Weasley, and Zabini. You'll stay with me for the rest of the year. Everyone else, please stand with Professor Hagrid."

Michael Corner, who had taken Colin's place let out a groan.

"If you don't want to take this opportunity, then by all means, get out of here!" growled Moody, who had overheard him.

Harry walked with Hermione, Luna, Ron, Ginny, and Blaise over to Moody.

"Now, you six will be dueling extra intensive curses, counter-curses, and shield charms. Potter, partner Weasley, no the other one, Granger go with the other Weasley, Lovegood go with Zabini."

"This is what I think is the best pairings. You will need to learn to fight as a team. Now, I want to see Granger and Weasley take on Lovegood and Zabini with what we've learnt so far now."

Hermione and Ron grimly stepped up onto the stage, followed by Blaise and Luna.

"Start in three seconds... one... two... THREE!"

"INTELTRANSVERTO!" yelled Hermione, quickest of all of them.

Blaise and Luna hurled two stunning spells, which were blocked by Ron yelling, "PROTEGO!" just in the nick of time.

"CONFUNDO!" roared Hermione and Ron.

Blaise and Luna ducked, rolled forwards, and shouted, "IMPEDIMENTA!" and "Torrentoria Arachnid!"

Luna's strange spell caused a big rain cloud to appear over Hermione and Ron, and start raining spiders.

Ron, with a deadly fear of spiders, jumped off the stage, yelling out in fright.

"Not smart, Weasley. Now your partner has to fight two of them..." growled Moody softly.

Hermione looked up to the challenge. "Vanquisho Arachnid Totalus," she said calmly.

All the spiders in the room disappeared at once.

"TORRENTORIA FLAMARE!" she yelled.

A big cloud formed above Blaise and Luna, hurling fireballs down at them. Within a few seconds, they lost.

Hermione stepped down off the stage calmly, gave Ron a look of disgust, and awaited Moody's comment.

"That was brilliant, Granger, Lovegood, very good modifications of the raining charm... Zabini, Weasley, you've pulled down your partners a bit... next time you two go together..." muttered Moody, unaware of Ron's very audible moan.

"Now Potter, Weasley, give Lovegood and Granger a challenge, won't you?"

Harry walked up to the stage with Ginny, as they faced Luna and Hermione. Everyone in the room, including Hagrid had turned to watch. Standing up on the stage were Hogwarts' best student duelers, facing off.

Harry flashed a grin at Hermione. Finally, they had a chance to determine who was Dumbledore's best student, as they never dueled against each other since Dumbledore's lessons.

"Start in three... ONE!"

The crowd bent closer to the stage.

"TWO!"

Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Luna moved into battle position.

"THREE!"

"INTELTRANSVERTO!" yelled four voices.

Ginny, careful with Hermione, she's got a lot of tricks up her sleeve...

Yeah, I noticed, was the sarcastic reply he received.

"Altare Incendio!" yelled Harry. The stage was now bordered in a ring of green fire, cutting off any escape.

"FLIPENDO!" yelled Luna.

Harry and Ginny easily sidestepped the curse.

Cover me.

"MULTIPLICUS SERPENSORTIA!" roared Harry, as seven massive cobras flew out of his wand and directly at Luna.

"Stupefy!" yelled Luna, stunning a snake.

"Transfiguro apple!" yelled Hermione.

Ginny disappeared, and turned into a red apple. People in the stands were laughing uproariously. Hermione had a satisfied expression on her face.

"ARGH!" yelled Harry. "FINITE INCANTATEM!"

The fire went out, but Ginny stayed the same. He held the apple in one hand, his wand in another. Hermione must've added a trick.

Harry quickly dived for the floor, as two stunning hexes thrown remarkably quickly had reached him.

"Expelliarmus!" yelled Harry.

No one had been expecting that, yet it worked, as Luna's wand flew out of her hand, and into Harry's.

"Serpensortia prisone!" yelled Harry; using the spell that Dumbledore had taught him just that morning. Luna shrieked, as five snakes bound around her tightly.

"I GIVE UP!" she yelled, and ran off the stage to get the spell removed. Apparently Luna was afraid of snakes, Harry thought with a smirk.

Harry and Hermione remained, each surveying the other, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"Stellartica Lumare!" roared Hermione, as a beam of silver stars flashed towards Harry, and blinded his vision for a few seconds.

"STUPEFY!"

"PROTEGO!"

Hermione's spell flew back at her, but she dodged it with ease.

"TELEPORTO HARRY!" she yelled, and Harry appeared suddenly right in front of her. Harry was mystified. He thought that apparition was impossible in Hogwarts... but apparently, teleportation put by someone else on him would work.

"Expelliarmus!" "STUPEFY!" yelled both of them at the same time.

Hermione slumped and fell over, but Harry was sent flying across the stage, and his wand landed next to Hermione.

"Sweet Merlin, a tie! Potter get your wand, take these curses off Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood please."

"Ennervate, Vanquisho Serpent," said Harry calmly, after grabbing his wand.

"Mione, take the thing off Gin."

Hermione muttered something, and Ginny reappeared in Harry's arms.

A loud 'ooooooooh' went through the class.

"Harry, what happened? Why are you carrying me? When did the duel end?"

Hermione giggled. "I turned you into an apple, and Harry held you around the whole time, he wouldn't even put you down when we sent stunners flying at him."

Ginny giggled too, "My hero..." she whispered softly, and pulled Harry into a kiss. Harry felt awkward as he still held her in his arms, his face turning red.

An even louder 'ooooooooh' went through the class.

Moody laughed a bark like laugh, "All right Potter, Weasley, Granger, Lovegood, you four are dismissed for tonight. Good show. Weasley and Zabini, stay here, you two need some more training..."

Harry, still carrying Ginny, walked up to the Head Boy common room with Hermione after saying goodbye to Luna.

"Hermione, what the hell was that? How come I couldn't transform Ginny back?"

"You're not the only one that learnt things from Dumbledore, Harry."

Harry raised his eyebrow. "I'm taking it you're not about to tell me how to do that?"

"Nope."

Harry had placed Ginny down on the sofa, and sat down by her with his arm around her. "Figures," he said.

"Gin, you feeling adventurous?"

Harry had opened the envelope from his parents a day before, finding a letter from both of them, a separate letter from James and Sirius, and a wizarding photo of him with his parents taken by Sirius during his one month visit.

Dear Harry,

It has been a wonderful month with you, and I must say we are proud beyond proud to see what our son grows up to be. It really was a shock to one day come home, sit down for dinner, and find our future son, the greatest wizard of our time, and our son's best friend... We really near had a heart attack once it really sank in.

Remember what Albus Dumbledore had said. If you ever need to talk to us, we will remember you in this separate plane of existence. Should you need to talk to us, know that we will always be here for you, and in your own timeline we will always watch over you.

Love Mum and Dad

Dear Harry,

We found a secret room in Hogwarts back in our day. It was the school's best make-out place ever. Naturally, we claimed this room for ourselves. We used it for planning pranks and adventures, and of course for snog sessions.

Harry had laughed at that point; he couldn't imagine Remus Lupin sneaking off to have a snog with some girl. His dad and Sirius, he'd rather not think about it.

Anyway, it's a small hole with a MWPP scratched around it. It's just enough to fit a wand in. You can find it on the wall opposite to the staircase to the Divination tower. Stick your wand inside and say I solemnly swear I am up to no good. Make sure no one is around. The hole will open up, and you can walk into the room. Once you're in, make sure you close the hole, by saying any Marauder nickname. You reopen and close using the same words. Take only people you trust. Take the Marauder legacy to the next generation.

Padfoot and Prongs

Harry had decided to take Ginny there first.

"What do you have in mind, Harry?" said Ginny with a giggle.

Hermione groaned. "Oh man, I don't want to see this, night Gin, night Harry."

Ginny had a twinkle in her eye, as she asked again, "What do you have in mind?"

"Something I want to share with you... the Marauder Room... Accio invisibility cloak!"

"Do we really need an invisibility cloak? I mean the Head Boy and a prefect walking around at night isn't that suspicious..."

"We might need it later, better safe than sorry. C'mon Gin."

They walked up to the floor where the staircase to the divination tower was.

"Look for a small hole which has MWPP engraved around it."

It took them fifteen minutes, but eventually Ginny found it.

"Over here..." she whispered.

Harry walked over, stuck his first and best holly and phoenix feather wand into the hole, and said softly, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good..."

The hole started to magically expand, until it was big enough to admit a relatively average sized person.

Harry took a deep breath and climbed in. As he crawled out, he gasped.

Ginny followed right after him.

Harry saw a sign on the wall, like a Hogwarts seal, only replacing the Lion, Snake, Eagle, and Badger with a Stag, a Rat, a Dog, and a Wolf. In the center was a golden M instead of the Hogwarts H.

There were magically lit candles burning dimly, a comfortable looking sofa, a table with four chairs, and a big drawer. As Ginny walked on in, Harry turned around, waved his wand, and said, "Prongs."

The hole shrunk again, and the drawer magically opened, and food popped out. Harry assumed that the house elves sent it up.

"Wow, this place is amazing," said Harry. He walked over to the seal and pressed the stag with his wand.

Music played softly. Harry knew that it was his dad's song. He almost laughed at the thought of his dad bringing his mother up here.

Ginny squealed with delight. "I love this song! Come on, let's dance!"

Before he knew it, he held her in his arms, revolving slowly with her, absorbed in the music. They shared a dance, and a long kiss, deep into the night, lost in each other's embrace. For the first time in his life, the Boy-who-Lived felt the true power of love.

In Dumbledore's office, the Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Moody were gathered with the Headmaster.

Dumbledore handed Snape a potion, and waved his wand, healing the minor bruises, and said "What have you to report, Severus?"

"Voldemort is plotting to take Potter or at least one of his friends to use as bait..."

"When, where, and how?"

"When the students go to Hogsmeade this weekend, he has a wizard strike force of one hundred. I heard from Avery and Nott that Voldemort was going to go himself."

"This isn't good. They have enough force to even strike here at Hogwarts... Call Fudge at the Ministry, Minerva; get him to send some Aurors for that day... I'll summon the Order of the Phoenix and alert them of the situation. Severus, alert the members of the staff, and the Head Boy and Head Girl. Alastor, I want you to check the defence wards of the school, and add any extra wards you can think of."

"But Headmaster, if the Hogsmeade weekend is cancelled, my cover will be blown..."

"It will be blown if we somehow stop the attack anyway. You have done a good job, Severus, but I cannot allow Voldemort to take Harry before he is ready to fight. This will be the first of many sacrifices we must take to buy him more time."

"But surely we could..."

"Severus, I cannot allow any of my students to be harmed by Voldemort. The Hogsmeade weekend shall be canceled, and you shall not return to Voldemort. That is final, Severus."

Snape sighed. "Yes headmaster."

"Now go, our time to prepare is short. Everyone meet back in my office in two hours."

The four teachers swept out of the Headmaster's office.