The One Who You Fear

Chapter 9: Hunter Hunted

All night the sibyl's words echoed in Jack's mind. The way home is here? Where could it be? He first appeared in the common room. Maybe the time portal didn't disappear. Or was it in Dumbledore's office? Dumbledore did say he was responsible, and he is a very powerful wizard. Maybe it's in the Great Hall, or the antechamber of the Great Hall. Maybe it's in a classroom. Or it's in the forest. Maybe that is what Hagrid was hiding. Wait, the forest isn't in the castle.

Finally, he couldn't take it any longer. He got out of bed and felt all around the walls of the common room for some kind of anomaly. His search proved completely fruitless. In a few hours, he drifted off into a restless sleep.

"Wakey, wakey, Strong Man," a voice said.

Jack sleepily opened his eyes. George helped him up. "Fancy seeing you here this early."

"Nice pajamas," Fred said.

Jack pressed his hand against the wall. "Is it here?"

"Yeah, something's there alright," George replied. "It's called a wall."

"Listen," Fred said. "Ron told us how you've been interested in our Headless Hats."

"I am interested no longer," Jack replied.

"Yeah, he told us that too," George said. "We're very sorry that you're not satisfied with our product."

"But since we're business men, and you're our friend, we want to give you a sample of another one of our fine merchandise." Fred handed Jack a flesh colored string.

"Extendable Ears," George explained. "Perfect for eavesdropping."

"Except in places with an Imperturbable Charm. Just put one end in your ear, and the other end goes under the door of wherever the conversation is."

"No, I cannot take this," Jack said, trying to hand the string back to them.

"Go on, Strong Man," George said. "You wanted the Headless Hat to sneak around. This can help you sneak around as well."

"It can be quite useful," Fred added.

"Perhaps it can," Jack thought aloud. "Very well. How much would you like for it?"

"Did you not hear us?" George answered. "We're giving it to you. It's free."

"Let's not be to hasty, brother. What would you like to pay?"

Jack produced a small bag of coins from his robe and held it out.

"That much?" Fred said.

"We'll take one coin."

"Are you sure?" Jack asked.

The twins nodded. Jack handed them a coin, and they took turns shaking his hand. "Pleasure doing business," the twins said together. Jack bowed and went to the Great Hall.

"Well, our first refund went pretty well," George said.

"Yeah," Fred nodded. "Hey, who is this on the coin? 'In Ack-you we trust.' What in the world it that?"

"I don't know. Maybe this is Muggle money."

"Never seen Muggle money like this. Well, it is gold, so maybe we can pass it as a galleon."

Meanwhile, Jack closely inspected the walls everywhere. People were staring at him, but he wouldn't talk. He tried to put his anxiety out of his head as he ate.

"I'll bet you wish you hadn't given up Divination now, don't you, Hermione?" Parvati smirked.

"Oh yes," Jack said. "What sibyl has replaced the sibyl?"

"Oh yeah, you weren't here!" Ron said. "His name's Firenze."

"His?"

"Yeah. Is there a problem?"

"No. That just means he is not a sibyl." Jack's voice trailed off as he wondered aloud, "Perhaps he is a prophet."

"Well, you'll see him soon. We're going to have him first this morning."

"I don't feel like I'm missing anything," Hermione replied without looking up from her Daily Prophet. "I've never really liked horses."

"He's not a horse, he's a centaur!" Lavender replied in a shocked voice.

Jack nearly choked on his pumpkin juice. "A centaur? What is Dumbledore thinking?"

"What's the problem?" Hermione muttered.

"I thought you would know. Centaurs are notoriously belligerent."

"Bell-what?" Ron said.

"He's saying they're well-known for being violent," Hermione replied.

"Exactly," Jack nodded. "They caused a war in Rome."

"You mean like in Ovid? That's just a poem. And even if it were true, it happened thousands of years ago."

"There is more truth to it than you think."

"Firenze is different, though," Ron answered. "We met him our first year. He saved Harry's life."

"No centaur is different. He'll be looking for trouble, and the innocent will be harmed."

Hermione looked anxious to change the subject. "So, Harry, how did your lesson go last night?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Snape says I don't have to take lessons anymore."

"What?" Ron and Hermione said.

"Yeah." Harry lowered his voice. "Snape says I can do Occlumency better than he can."

"That's a lie, and you know it!" Hermione replied angrily.

"It is not," Harry replied. "You can ask Snape himself. He'll tell you what he said."

"So, no more funny dreams, right?" Hermione said.

"Right. I felt the need to buckle down on all the techniques after that last one." He took a hard look at Jack. "Now I can have the D.A. all to myself again." Harry snorted and left.

"That had to be a lie," Ron answered. "Praise like that just isn't in Snape's vocabulary, especially when it comes to Gryffindor."

"Actually, I meant Snape lied," Hermione whispered. "You weren't there the other afternoon, but remember when Harry made that mess in Potions a few days ago? I was helping Harry clean it up after class. Snape went into his office, and we heard him say, 'How did you get in my office?' Undertaker had snuck in somehow. I didn't hear all of the conversation, but evidently the High Inquisitor threatened Snape's job. I heard them mention Occlumency a couple of times. I thought I was imagining it. I must have forgotten that Harry told him. After he walked out, I could have sworn Undertaker gave Harry a wink. I'm guess that Undertaker made Snape quit Occlumency."

Jack glared. This could not be good.

****************

Firenze didn't look belligerent. He was quite the stoic actually. He looked at Jack with intrigue several times, though it was a mystery why. There were a few comments Firenze spoke that secretly made Jack angry, but Jack thought it would be wiser not to answer to these comments. When the stars appeared on the ceiling, Jack looked closely for the Big Dipper. Part of him wondered if it would show him the direction home. But when Firenze slandered the sibyl, Jack could not take it anymore. He stopped his stargazing and stood.

"So, you are saying that human wisdom is inferior to yours? You are saying that we are fools? You are saying that centaurs are superior, and that we--"

"I am saying nothing of the sort," Firenze curtly replied. "Some centaurs may argue this, but I do not agree."

"Liar," Jack whispered as he sat back down.

"Not another word out of you. We will speak after class."

Jack did not like the lesson at all. He still felt inferior at the end. Firenze first spoke to Harry and Ron about something, then he called Jack over. Firenze pointed to the star-filled ceiling. "What is that constellation there?"

"Orion," Jack replied.

"Yes. That is the constellation of the Hunter. He has been known by many other names, such as Nimrod, Gilgamesh, and Beowulf. Since November, these stars that are usually so brilliant have dimmed. This means that the hunter lives on the earth. I do believe you are the Hunter."

"Why do you tell me this?"

"To warn you to hold your tongue. The Hunter is noble, but he is notoriously belligerent. Such a temper is always his downfall."

"What about you? What about the history of your kind? I will never forget what the centaurs did to Rome, and now you say these things about humans?"

"It is you humans after such a fiasco that binds me to say those things, you who think we are mere animals and treat us with contempt."

"I see. Still, I also suggest you should refrain from such slander, and if I see one violent act against the innocent, I will make sure you pay."

Jack turned to leave, but Firenze called after him, "I have no trouble to your terms. I am not like my herd. You try to change the color of their coat."

Jack still didn't trust Firenze. He did not ask for any extra advice outside of class and seriously considered dropping out. Meanwhile, he was absorbed in searching for the way back home. He touched every wall he saw and inspected everywhere. Somehow, he still believed that it was just under his nose but he couldn't see it.

He was so absorbed in his search he forgot some things.

"Hey Jack," Lavender and Parvati said together.

"So, when are you teaching D. A. again?" Parvati asked.

"D.A.? Oh, I completely forgot. Uh, Harry has ceased learning extra lessons with Professor Snape, so my role as sensei is no longer needed."

"Well, are you still coming?" Lavender asked.

"I mean you're still part of D.A.," Parvati pointed out.

"That is true," Jack nodded. "Still, Harry would not like to see me there."

"Well, we would," Lavender shrugged. "And we're going to do some cool stuff."

"We'd love to see what your Patronus looks like," Parvati giggled.

"Very well. I shall watch," Jack nodded.

"Wonderful! See you later."

So Jack talked to Hermione who told him when the next meeting would be. He came early and hid in the back corner behind the saying of Confucius. Luna sat beside him and read over his shoulder. At the moment, she seemed like the only person who noticed he was there, and that's the way he wanted it to be.

"All right," Harry said. "You guys have come far enough, I think it's time you learned how to conjure a Patronus." Many people in the crowd oohed and ahhed.

"This is a big task," Susan Bones spoke up. "Do you have some kind of warm up exercise for us?"

"What would you need that for?"

"Well, they help when Jack teaches us."

"He's not teaching you now, though, is he? Anyhow, as I was saying, all you need to do is concentrate on something happy and say 'Expecto Patronum!'" He waved his wand and a silver stag appeared and galloped around the room. "Everyone give it a try."

Many tried, and many were successful. Jack watched Cho's swan fly along the ceiling. "Now, understand that it's much more difficult to conjure a Patronus when facing something like a dementor than in a brightly lit room where there's no threat," Harry warned.

"Oh, don't be such a killjoy," Cho said. "They're so pretty."

"They're not supposed to be pretty. They're supposed to protect you."

He ranted on, but Jack didn't hear him because Luna asked him a question. "Why aren't you doing anything, Jack?"

"I am only here to watch," he answered.

"Oh, can you already make a Patronus? I can too. It's a penguin. I just wish it were a Crumpled-Horn Snorkack or a pididdle or anything in Dad's magazine."

"What does yours look like?" Lavender asked. "Show us. I could use some inspiration." Luna smiled, nodded, and stood, but Lavender muttered, "Not you, Loony, Jack."

"Lavender, do not speak so dishonorably!" Jack scolded. "As for me, I do not need a Patronus to protect me. I have all that I need."

"Are you sure?" Luna said quietly. "You don't even need a Patronus to face--"

"No, I do not." Everyone had stopped practicing. All eyes were on Jack. Jack took a deep breath. He didn't want to do this with everyone watching, but this would take off a lot of stress. "I have a pure heart, the will to do justice, a lifetime of training, and my father's swor--source of wisdom and power. There is only one thing I need, the only thing I cannot find." He stood and threw his hands into the air. "I need a way home! I know it is here! Where?"

Cho touched his arm and looked at him with large eyes. "Jack, look." She pointed behind him.

A new door had appeared.

Jack couldn't believe it. Of all the rooms in the castle he had completely forgotten this one. He had underestimated its power. He knew the room would appear when one needed it. He did not realize that it would continue to supply one's needs.

"The Room of Requirement is always equipped with the seeker's needs," Ron whispered.

"This just might work," Hermione gasped.

"Everyone," Harry said annoyed. "We've all seen the door. Now let's get back to practicing."

"In a minute, Harry," Ginny said. "Let's see Jack off real quick."

Everybody crowded around Jack and said goodbye. "Don't be a stranger, Strong Man," Fred said.

"Yeah, and when you get home, tell them about our joke shop," George added.

"No!" Angelina screamed. She pushed through the crowd and grabbed Jack's arm. "You can't leave! What about Quidditch? You'll be our fourth player we lost in a year!"

"Angelina, there are more important things!" Ginny growled. "This could be his only chance."

Jack bowed to all of them and turned to the door. He nearly touched the knob when, for the first time since he spoke to the sibyl, he remembered her warning. "Something is wrong. Hermione, can we know if this is real?"

"It's Her--oh, forget it. I don't know, but I can try. I'm not sure if it goes where you want it to go." She whispered something and sent a jet of magic through the keyhole.

No one noticed Dobby coming into the room and warning Harry. "Everyone, get out!" Harry commanded. "Quickly! She knows!"

Jack was so entranced that he did not hear. Harry pulled Hermione away. "Take your chances, Jack!" she yelled. "Good luck!"

Jack stepped forward and opened the door. Behind it was a spiraling portal. Jack could just barely hear all the sounds of his childhood. "My quest has finally come to an end," Jack said to himself. Jack took a deep breath and jumped forward.

He fell to the ground, feeling as though someone had grabbed his ankles. "Got him," someone said. Jack looked up and saw a big girl he recognized as from Slytherin. He tried to kick free, but she had too firm a grip. He couldn't fight against her. He watched in sorrow as she dragged him out of the room, away from the portal and the way home.

"I got one, Professor Umbridge!" the girl said gleefully. "I found the room, and he was still in it. I got this list too."

The professor smiled ear to ear. "Excellent, Miss Parkinson. Slytherin takes another fifty points." She gripped Jack's arm with her left hand; Harry was in her other. "You're coming with us to see the headmaster, Mr. Samson."

Jack did not reply but shot her one, hard glare. As she dragged him down to the office, Jack could hear someone crying.

Upon entering the office, Jack pulled out of Umbridge's grip and sat in lotus position. The room was crowded. An old, plump man stood in the center of the room. He was smiling, but it was in no way kind. A young man with curly, red hair stood with a parchment in his hand. Jack recognized this man. He saw his picture at the Weasleys' house. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were there too.

"Well," the old stranger said, looking only at Harry. "Well, well, well . . ."

"They were heading to Gryffindor tower," Professor Umbridge said. "The Malfoy boy cornered Potter, and the Parkinson girl discovered the other."

Jack's ears perked up for a second. He had been told something about a magus named Potter. His heart was so filled with rage that he could not think about it, though.

"Did he, did he? I must remember to tell Lucius." It was evident that the man did not even care about Jack being there. Harry was the only one that mattered. "Well, Potter . . . I expect you know why you are here?"

"Yeh--no," Harry replied.

"I beg your pardon?"

"No."

"You don't know why you are here?"

"No, I don't."

"So you have no idea why Professor Umbridge has brought you to this office? You are not aware that you have broken any school rules?"

"School rules? No."

"Or Ministry decrees?"

"Not that I know of."

"So it's news to you that an illegal student organization has been discovered within this school?"

"Yes, it is."

"Minister," Umbridge spoke up, "perhaps we should question the other guilty party."

"Who?" Then for the first time, the old man looked down at Jack sitting on the ground. "Oh. I didn't see him there. Very well, do you know why you are here?"

Jack decided to take a different approach. He stared straight ahead and said nothing.

"Is he hard of hearing?" the minister asked.

"No sir," Professor Umbridge answered.

"Does he speak another language?"

"Evidently he does, but he knows English well enough to clearly communicate."

"Does he have some sort of silence jinx on him?"

"No sir."

"Then I ask you again," the minister said to Jack, "do you know why you are here?"

Jack still refused to speak.

"Why do you not speak to me?" the minister screamed in Jack's ear. "Do you not know who I am? Do you not know that I now have the power to expel you?"

Jack looked him in the eye. "I only know that I had finally found what I have sought for ages." Then he shot another glare at Professor Umbridge. "And YOU tore it away from me!"

"But were you part of an illegal organization meeting?"

"You have said," Jack replied darkly.

The minister was practically beside himself. "Who is this man?" he asked Professor Umbridge. "What is he doing here?"

"Why do you think? If he weren't guilty, I wouldn't have brought him here," she replied. The minister gave her a look pressing her for more answers, so she continued, "His name is Jack Samson. He came out of nowhere last November. It is a mystery to me why. I am not surprised that he was involved in this. He has been this arrogant since day one."

"Has he?"

"He had the audacity to come to my class without a book. He said he was here merely to observe. Of course, that's ridiculous. He mocked me when I wanted to see what he had learned. In detention, he did not write the lines that I told him to."

"What do you think he was looking for, as he says?"

"I do not know, but I have seen him feeling around on walls for something. Apparently he was searching for some secret thing perhaps to steal."

"No," Jack answered.

Umbridge stared at him.

"Then what were you looking for, Mr. Samson?"

Jack looked at her, still angry but with just a little sympathy. "A way to save you from the One Who You Fear."

The minister looked at him in disbelief. "He's mad."

"Is that not obvious?" Jack asked vindictively. "How would you feel?"

The minister shook his head. "Perhaps you should bring our informant, Dolores." Professor Umbridge nodded and left the room. The minister smiled and looked at Dumbledore. "There's nothing like a good witness, is there, Dumbledore?"

"Nothing at all, Cornelius," Dumbledore answered gravely. There must have been some story behind that, but Jack didn't care.

Some minutes later, Professor Umbridge brought in a girl that Jack recognized as one of Cho's friends. She never spoke to Jack, and he did not know her. Seeing her there, though, made Jack feel so jilted. Professor Umbridge and the minister urged the girl, who Umbridge called Marietta, to look at them and tell them the truth. For one second, the girl looked up and everyone saw purple blisters all over her face spelling the word "SNEAK." Jack remembered that before Hermione told him directly about the D.A. she said a spell that sprinkled sparkles all over her face. He remembered when she told him that he must promise to not speak about D. A. to anyone. She mentioned something about a jinx. This must be what happened. Marietta was obviously ashamed. "She should feel blessed that the word Hermione chose was not 'TRAITOR!'" Jack thought. He refrained from saying it aloud, though.

Marietta was so ashamed she would not speak and hid her face under her robes. "Oh very well, I'll tell him," Professor Umbridge said. "You see, Minister, tonight High Inquisitor Undertaker told me that he had on a reliable source that I would find something to our advantage on the seventh floor, a secret room sometimes called the Room of Requirement. I pressed him further, but he would not reveal his source. He then mentioned that Miss Edgecombe was involved and she would gladly give me the information. Marietta told me that she had indeed wanted to tell me about the room, though she had not intended to do so until she felt more confident. She told me that a meeting would occur at this room tonight. Unfortunately, at this point this hex came into operation, and upon catching sight of her face in my mirror the girl became too distressed to tell me any more."

"Well, that's all well and good," the minister said, "but where is Undertaker?"

"That is a good question, Minister," Professor Umbridge answered. "Once I asked him to come with me to this office, he very nervously told me that he had other business tonight. I strongly believe that is a lie. I do not know why he would not aid me further."

Just hearing about Undertaker's role in this made Jack even angrier. He only half listened afterward when Umbridge spoke of the history that she knew of the group. Dumbledore argued with her that it was not illegal since they started before the decree was passed. Believe it or not, the traitor went back to the good side for a moment when she did not acknowledge how many meetings were held since then. Finally, Umbridge produced to the minister the list.

"Excellent, excellent Dolores," the minister grinned. "Wait a minute, what did you say this man's name was?" he said gesturing to Jack.

"Jack Samson, Minister."

"There is no Jack Samson on the list. Are you sure he's guilty?"

"He was found in the room itself! Question Miss Parkinson; she found him there."

"Perhaps he has nothing to do with the group, though," Professor McGonagall offered. "Perhaps the only reason he was there was to find what he was searching for. He could care less about the group."

"That sounds possible to me," the minister nodded. "By thunder . . . look at what they named themselves. Dumbledore's Army."

Dumbledore looked at the parchment and smiled. "Well, the game is up. Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius--or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"

"Statement?" the minister said. "What--I don't--?"

"Dumbledore's Army, Cornelius. Not Potter's Army, not Samson's Army, Dumbledore's Army."

"But--but--you?"

"That's right."

"You organized this?"

"I did."

"You recruited these students for--for your army?"

"Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting. Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. We also wanted to help Jack here find what he had sought so earnestly for so long. It was purely out of the goodness of my heart. He had no idea what was really happening. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Miss Edgecombe, of course."

Marietta nodded, and the minister still looked at Dumbledore in shock. "Then you have been plotting against me!"

"That's right."

Jack's rage began to spill out. He briskly stood. "No Dumbledore! Don't!" Harry also stood and screamed.

"Both of you must be quiet, or I am afraid you will have to leave my office. Jack, don't you even think about it!"

Jack's hand was already on the hilt of his sword. He quickly removed his hand before anyone could see. "Yes sir."

From there, the minister tried to arrest Dumbledore, but the headmaster casually told him that he refused to come quietly.

"So, you intend to take on Dawlish, Dolores, and myself single-handed, do you, Dumbledore?" the minister growled.

"Merlin's beard, no. Not unless you are foolish enough to force me to."

"He will not be single-handed!" Professor McGonagall yelled.

"Oh yes he will, Minerva! Hogwarts needs you! Jack, sit down and don't--"

"You cannot stop me!" Jack replied, but as he attempted to draw his sword, he found it stuck in the sheath.

"Can't I?" Dumbledore grinned. His was holding his wand in his hand.

Almost immediately, the fight began. Jack pulled Harry and Marietta down out of harm's way. When it all stopped, everyone on the Ministry's side was knocked out.

"Thank you for modifying Miss Edgecombe's memory when everyone was looking the other way, Minerva," Dumbledore said.

"Yes sir," Professor McGonagall answered.

"Now, they will all awake very soon and it will be best if they do not know that we had time to communicate--you must act as thought no time has passed, as though they were merely knocked to the ground, they will not remember--"

"Where will you go, Dumbledore? Grimmauld Place?"

"Oh no. I am not leaving to go into hiding. Fudge will soon wish he'd never dislodged me from Hogwarts, I promise you--"

"NO!" Jack yelled. He stood and looked Dumbledore in the eye. "You know what will happen to you once you go out there. I cannot allow that."

"Yes, I am aware of the risk," Dumbledore nodded. "Understand, though, that it will not happen unless I allow it."

Jack did not agree in Dumbledore's confidence, but as he opened his mouth to argue, Dumbledore fixed him in another piercing, examining stare. He whispered, "Don't dwell on me. Don't dwell on my fate. Don't think about going home now. Don't even dwell on You-Know-Who. Concentrate only on destroying Undertaker. Stop him before it is too late. And continue to be friends with Harry. Remain kind to him, no matter how much he repels you. Stay close to his friends. Bring him around, or we'll lose him forever."

"Yes sir," Jack bowed. Dumbledore whispered something to Harry then flew away by the aid of a phoenix. Amazingly, after the ministry's officials awoke they were so caught up in finding Dumbledore that they let Harry and Jack go.

Jack lay awake in bed until the first rays of the sun filtered through the curtains. The events of that night weighed heavily on his mind. What was going to happen now that Dumbledore is gone? Will Undertaker take over? That will hand Hogwarts directly to its doom.

There was only one thing to do.