Harry Potter and the Scar of Fate

Chapter 9

Five Little Pigs

Harry woke up feeling fresh. He was still in the Hospital Wing, and Hermione was sleeping in a chair next to him. He sat up slowly, not wanting to wake her with his shuffling.

Madam Pomfrey was onto him in an instant.

"You!" she said disdainfully, "you will be the death of me, Harry Potter! Never have I seen a student land up here so often!"

"Can't help it, Madam Pomfrey," said Harry quietly. The nurse was mollified immediately.

"Not that I don't like to see you, but I'd appreciate if you appeared to me in a healthier condition."

Hermione had woken up. "How's his fever?" she asked.

Madam Pomfrey took his temperature. "It's lower, but still there. Maybe you should go to St. Mungo's, Potter, I don't know what's causing this."

"I'll be ok in a few days, don't worry," Harry said with a sweet smile. He stood up and got dressed, then left with Hermione.

"How long was I out this time?"

"Two hours."

"I'm improving." Hermione punched him, but he ducked.

"Well, at least you woke up in time for classes," she said wickedly. Harry stared at her and groaned.

Hermione made him attend all the classes that day. After classes, the four friends assembled in the room of requirements. The day had come for their final transformation.

Hermione transformed first. She was a pretty brown cat, with a really bushy tail, and big brown eyes. Next was Ron, a tall stallion with a fiery red coat. Last was Draco, a little white ferret, what Moody had made him in their fourth year. They all laughed when they'd returned to their human forms, then ran off to inform Dumbledore.

Dumbledore was looking very serious and angry when they entered his office. Snape was sitting there with him, looking very pale. Professor McGonagall was standing with tears in her eyes and Lupin was trying to console a sobbing Mr. Ollivander.

"What happened?" Harry asked.

"Harley has been killed, Harry. He left a message for you. It is time for you to use what he's taught you," said Dumbledore, his voice heavy.

Harry stared at him in shock. He had never told anyone what Quinn had taught him. If the time to put that knowledge to use had come, it could mean only one thing. The final battle was nearer than anyone thought.

"Very well, sir. May I know what happened?"

"Harley was a very powerful wizard, Harry. They attacked him from all sides...took him to Voldemort...he was a fighter till the end...Voldemort killed him himself..." Dumbledore choked, and a tear slid down his face.

A seething rage engulfed Harry.

"Lord Voldemort has done enough damage already. He shall pay for this. Now." Harry started to turn around, but Hermione caught his wrist.

"Something's wrong. In the Forbidden Forest..." Hermione's eyes unfocussed for a second. Then she cried, "There are Death Eaters in the Forest!"

Harry ran out, followed by Hermione, Snape and Lupin. Dumbledore stayed back to tell McGonagall to safeguard the students and then went out himself.

There were five Death Eaters in the Forest, and a heap of injured Centaurs. Harry frowned. Centaurs were very powerful, and an entire herd being defeated by only five Death Eaters...

The Death Eaters turned to them and lowered their hoods. Their eyes were flashing red, like Voldemort. Harry realised that they'd all undergone some kind of a process to enhance their power. He noted that Bellatrix was not there. He was disappointed. He smiled at the Death Eaters.

"Quite a change, isn't it? So Voldemort finally gave you all bits of his power?" he asked, his voice quiet but powerful.

They attacked. There was no denying it. They had grown extremely powerful. They were flicking of curses from Ron, Hermione, Draco, Snape and Lupin easily, as if they were nothing but flies. All five of them were walking straight at Harry. Harry smiled grimly. So they wanted him? He thought about Quinn's lessons. Practical use of magic. He waved his wand.

Five little pigs were squealing on the ground before him, a bit of Transfiguration which would have made McGonagall proud.

"Dedicated to you, Professor Quinn," Harry muttered under his breath. Dumbledore had come up to them.

"Excellent, Harry. Harley would have been proud, and so are we."