“Why me?”
“You saw a body when you were fourteen! You know what it’s like!”
“But why me?!”
“Just do it, Harry!” Tonks hissed as she pushed him towards the boys. They were in the Headmistress’ office, a two shaking boys sat on chairs on the other side of the desk, one staring out the window with a blank expression, the other glancing nervously around the circular room, biting his nails. Harry approached them, fully aware of Tonks, Krum, Kingsley, Scrimgeour, McGonagall, Cho and a solemn looking Auror all closely watching them. He knelt down, so his face was level with theirs, even though it made no difference; they wouldn’t look him in the eye.
“Harvey? Jake? I need you tell me what happened.” The boys remained silent, Harvey breathing heavily, Jake whimpering slightly. Harry sighed quietly.
“Please, we need to know what happened.”
“Can’t we just tell you in the morning? Can’t you let us sleep first?” asked Harvey, still staring out the window. Harry shook his head.
“You’d best get it over with and you won’t have to worry about it anymore.” They still kept quiet. Harvey gave the large group watching an uneasy glance.
“Can I talk to the boys alone for a while?” Harry asked the others. Everyone nodded and began to make their way out of the room, apart from Scrimgeour.
“Mr. Potter, this is a murder-”
Jake gave a small shuddering gasp.
“Minister, please!” Harry interrupted, struggling to keep his voice steady.
The minister looked indignant for a moment before turning sharply and marching out the room. The room was silent except for Harvey’s deep breaths.
“We’re alone now. Please tell me exactly what happened down there.”
“Where do we start?” asked Jake, his voice shaky.
“How about this. Why don’t you tell me what you were doing in the forest? I promise you won’t get in trouble.” Still, the boys refused to speak.
“Did you hear, or see something strange down there?”
“It was just a game,” answered Harvey, his voice barely more than a whisper.
“A game?” Harvey nodded, still looking out the window, towards the forest.
“To see who dared go the furthest in. We’d heard rumours that there were dragons in there.” Harry nodded.
“And then you found him? How did you know he was there?”
“I saw the colour of his robes through the thorns… and I looked closer and… his eyes… Merlin, his eyes…”
Cedric’s grey eyes, blank staring… Dumbledore’s bright blue eyes, dull and dead… Neville’s warm, brown eyes, cold… Luna’s closed… Charlie’s…
“You’ve both shown unbelievable bravery tonight. I don’t want you to go to your dorms; you will both sleep in the hospital wing. I don’t want you to talk to people about it until you’re ready, but when you are ready, you will find that talking about it helps immensely.” Harry squeezed their shoulders and helped them both to their feet. Harvey swayed a little. Harry led them out of the door where everyone he had sent out was waiting.
“Cho, could you take these two boys down the hospital wing, they need a warm meal and a good sleep.”
“Sure,” she replied, “C’mon you two.” Harry turned to his colleagues.
“Come in and I’ll explain.”
***
“What’s going on?”
“What do you think happened?”
“I bet it’s Death Eaters “ they always ruin everything.”
The Gryffindor common room was buzzing with questions and theories. There were several rumours of a fierce battle, of dragons and giants, Dementors and vampires and, bizarrely, fanged cabbages.
Everyone fell silent as the portrait door swung open and Harry Potter stepped into the common room, looking unusually stressed out. He addressed them in such a formal tone of voice, that Jamie couldn’t help but grip the arm of his chair with panic.
“I regret to inform you that a body was found in the Dark Forest earlier this afternoon. Post- mortal examinations have taken place and the cause of death has been confirmed as Avada Kedavra. The estimated time of death was late last night.
"The villagers of Hogsmead have claimed to have seen two young Hogwarts students last night in the village. I urge them to come forward; especially if they have any information regarding the death of the man found in the forest.
“The Headmistress has put into effect these new rules for your own safety; there shall be no Quidditch practices without a defender or teacher supervising. There shall be no more trips to Hogsmead. No one is to go near the school gates, lake, forest or the perimeter of Hogwarts. If anyone is seen to be acting suspiciously contact a member of staff. If Death Eaters are seen a siren will sound. When the siren is heard please proceed immediately to the Great Hall. No exceptions. There may be practice runs. All students must be in their common rooms or dormitory’s by seven o’clock. This time may go down as it gets darker. Anyone found breaking these rules will be punished severely.” And he left, leaving the room in a stunned silence. As the buzz of conversation steadily grew so loud that there was no chance of being overheard, Lillian looked at Jamie, Lottie and Matt.
“Merlin… we’re those two students, Jamie!”
***
Ginny fetched two bottles of dreamless sleep potion from the store cupboard. She felt uttermost sympathy for those two boys. And for the ministry worker, of course.
But, really, those rules, while important, weren’t going to reassure the children! She remembered being told the same rules in her sixth year; she remembered how it had struck fear into everyone’s hearts. She brushed a tear away impatiently and sighed. She remembered McGonagall coming into her charms class as well.
“I’m sorry, Professor Flitwick, may I speak to Ginerva Weasley please?” Flitwick nodded and whispers followed Ginny out of the classroom and she walked out, confused. McGonagall looked… hesitant; as if she didn’t want to be here.
“Why don’t we go up to my office, Ginny? There are something’s you ought to know.” Ginny started, she couldn’t remember McGonagall ever calling her by her first name before.
“I’m fine here, Professor.” McGonagall nodded, and Ginny could have sworn that there were tears in her eyes.
“I’m afraid, Ginny, that this morning your brother woke to find a note on Harry’s pillow… it seems that he’s gone to-”
“He’s gone to kill Voldemort, hasn’t he?” Ginny’s eyes were blazing, and she could feel a lump rising in her throat. McGonagall nodded and this time there was no mistaking it, she was crying. Ginny gave one slow nod and walked away.
“Ginny!”
“I’m going to see Ron and Hermione!” She shouted over her shoulder, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Ginny sighed again “ that was over now. Harry was fine and she should stop dwelling on the past. But all the while a horrible voice muttered in her head, sniggering as she shivered at her mind’s words.
It’s happening again! People are dying “ and you’re powerless to stop it!
The Third War by dumbledorefluertwins
Chapter Notes: I'm soooooo sorry for the long wait - please don't yell at me!! But, it seems that updates my take longer now as I say a few words that makes English Year nines tremble with fear - Mock SATS and GCSE preperation. Dun dun duuuuuun!
Also coming to my attention is Ginny - I have great difficulty writing her character so I would really appriciate some reviews (wink wink, nudge nudge)...