BODY FOUND IN HOGWARTS
ARE OUR CHILDREN SAFE?
Yesterday two innocent children made a discovery that will haunt them forever, writes Rita Skeeta, Daily Prophet reporter. The body of forty-three-year-old Darren Brown was found, partly hidden amongst the thorns. According to reports Darren worked in level nine as an unspeakable, and was seen racing through the Ministry just two days ago. Rumours suggest that he needed to speak to Harry Potter, who, despite currently living at Hogwarts, was unable to save this ministry worker, who appears to have been mauled by some unknown dark creature.
Scattered reports even suggest that Harry Potter was not there at the time. Can we trust him with our children if he will not even stay one night?
Security has been tightened at the school, in fact, it is almost as tight as it was during You-Know-Who’s reign. Is the war returning? Mrs Wilson believes that her fourteen-year-old son is in danger.
“Harry-ruddy-Potter didn’t help that poor Ministry chap, did he? Now my baby is in danger because Harry Potter and the rest of those so called ‘guardians’ wouldn’t bother to go and investigate the screams heard from the village-
Harry threw the paper in the flames of the fire with disgust. “Screams heard from the village”. Trust Rita Skeeter. He slipped his hands under his glasses and rubbed his eyes wearily. He was sitting on the edge of his four poster, double bed, in his room; it was just like the Gryffindor boys dorms, except for the fact that he had is own kitchen, bathroom and living room.
He felt two hands on his shoulders, and Ginny’s voice saying,
“You look stressed.”
“I am.”
“Why? They’ll catch whoever did it.”
“‘They’? Who are ‘they’? I have to catch whoever did it; It’s my responsibility.” He sighed, opened his eyes and turned to face Ginny. He gazed up into her almond-shaped eyes and said softly, “This was meant to stop when I killed Voldemort.”
“I know. But some fires can’t be put out.”
***
“We have to tell Dad it was us in the village,” stated Jamie, stubbornly.
“No way! He’ll ground us for the rest of our lives, then, when we die, he’ll bring us back as ghosts and ground us some more,” said Lillian, her eyes blazing. “Plus,” she continued, “Uncle George will get into trouble and we’ll have to forfeit the bet-”
“THE BET?!?! WHO CARES ABOUT A BLOODY BET?!” Jamie suddenly realised that everybody in the common room was watching them curiously, he lowed his voice, slightly embarrassed. “A man has been killed!” He hissed, “We could be next! We can’t risk sneaking into Hogsmead. It’s too dangerous. I’m telling Dad.”
“No! You can’t! Please, we have enough tricks to last us a while “ Dad doesn’t need to know. I won’t go into Hogsmead again, I promise.” She gave him puppy dog eyes and he gave her a calculating look before standing up.
“Sod it all, I won’t tell anyone but I’m not having anything more to do with this stupid bet, okay?” And with that, he turned and marched up to the dormitories, slamming the door behind him.
***
The next morning brought a crisp, chilly air as autumn slowly started to turn into what was looking to be a very cold winter. The frost crunched under Harry’s feet as he made his way to the Forbidden Forest, where around thirty Ministry workers were just visible through the towering trees.
“Hey, Harry! Over here “ you should come and look at this.” A familiar redhead was waving over at Harry.
“Hello, Ron “ What have you found?” Ron led Harry into the forest, where a small section had been taped off. They both ducked under the tape and made their way to were several Aurors were crouching.
“It’s some rope that exactly fits the cuts found on Darren’s wrists. This was found on it.” Ron held up a clear plastic bag were Harry could just see a thin, black hair. Harry took it and looked closely.
“Can you get DNA from it?” Ron gave him a blank stare.
“DN what? Oh, you mean that thing that muggles use. Probably, but it wouldn’t help; wizards don’t keep records of peoples blood types.” Harry handed back the bag and looked around at the Aurors examining the area; he was starting to think he’d been cast into some sort of Muggle murder mystery drama, the sort his Aunt used to watch.
He bent down and studied the rope; it wasn’t very enlightening “ just average rope. He stood up and turned to Ron.
“Have Tonks and Kingsley been down here?” Ron nodded; his face unusually serious.
“Yeah, they have, but they’ve both gone and taken the body to that dungeon that was never used “ remember the one? Anyway, that’s where they’re keeping the body until they know where to bury it “ apparently he only has a very old, forgetful mother and a squib sister so it was pretty damn hard to find a next of kin.”
“What about Krum?”
“Nah, he hasn’t been down yet. Apparently, the Slytherins weren’t happy about the curfews and rules and stuff, he’s been up all night trying to stop rule breakers and is now getting some well earned sleep!” Harry chuckled before making his way back up to the castle with Ron. The conversation soon strayed off Darren.
“So how’s my youngest?” Ron rolled his eyes in a very Hermione-ish way.
“Oh, he’s fine; Hermione’s spoiling him rotten, she says that she likes having a kid around all day again. Poor kid must’ve eaten about six tubs of chocolate spread. Mind you he’s not complaining about it.” Harry laughed again, before realising something.
“What does Hermione do with him when she’s at work?” Ron grinned at Harry’s worried expression.
“Sometimes he goes to my mums and sometimes when I have a day off I look after him. I think he’s a bit lonely though “ he misses his Mum, Dad, brother and sister, I think.” Harry sighed, he hated to leave Sirius alone like this; he’d make it up to him at Christmas.
“I need to speak to the Minister later,” said Harry after a few moments of silence, “If I’m honest, I’m dreading it “ it’s going to mean keeping my temper, which you know I can’t do very easily.”
“Why are you going to lose your temper with him?”
“I found out last night that this is the seventh death in the past four months, and nearly all were unspeakables. The Minister’s hushed it all up. He should have told me before I came here “ then I would’ve been more alert and not gone running off t-” Harry stopped abruptly, not looking at Ron.
“You were away that night! Where were you?” Harry hesitated but decided to tell him. Ron had been his friend for years and had always been on his side.
“Ah, and have the nightmares stopped?” Ron asked, after Harry explained.
“Well, I dunno,” said Harry, feeling a slight twinge of annoyance, “It’s only been one night, although I didn’t have one last night so I hope so. Still though, I’ve got to explain that to the Minister now haven’t I? I don’t think he’ll be as understanding,” he ended, grimly.
The Third War by dumbledorefluertwins
Chapter Notes: Please review! It means so much to me and I'd really love some feedback!