Chapter 18
The fifth years were officially in panic mode, as June got into full swing. OWL exams were just over a week away, and Ginny was trying very hard not to break down. Though she didn't appear it, they all knew that Luna was just as nervous.
It wasn't that either of them thought they weren't prepared, both were at the top of the fifth year class. But these exams would determine which classes they would take next year, and quite likely, what jobs they could get after they graduated.
Ginny thought she was pretty lucky, having so many friends a year older than her, because she remembered a lot of what they had studied the year before, and she had seen them go through it, so she was somewhat ready for the year before it even started.
But mostly, she just wanted it to be over.
The weekend before the OWL exams, and final exams were set to start, Harry and his friends all had one more meeting in the Room of Requirement, deciding that it would be best to leave this off until summer, after today.
Hermione pursed her lips as Harry asked her if she had anything new, and shook her head slightly. "I think Hogwarts and Gringotts are our only real tangible leads right now," she admitted. "Honestly, I can't think of anywhere else. I agree with you that he would use places of importance, but how do we know what was important to him?"
Harry sighed and nodded. "I know it's difficult, and we won't really know anything until we actually check it out." He looked over at Neville and Susan. "Do you guys have anything more?"
Neville shrugged. "We managed to get our hands on the reports from the 1920's and '30's from the orphanage the Voldemort grew up in. Tom Riddle was a really nasty kid."
Harry furrowed his brow. "How so?"
The couple shared a glance, but it was Luna who spoke, her voice sounding reprimanding, as if she wished for nothing more than to stand in front of Voldemort and wag her finger at him. "He terrorized the other children. One boy teased him and then a few days later his pet rabbit was found strangled. There were also two children who went to visit a cave on a seaside during an outing, and were never the same when they returned, though they didn't say what Tom had done."
Harry tilted his head to the side, thinking.
Ginny looked at him knowingly. "What is it, Harry?"
Harry looked up. "A cave."
Ginny gasped. "You think…"
Harry nodded, and Ron cleared his throat. "For those of us who aren't in the know, can you clear it up?"
Harry smiled slightly. "Remember what we told you about Kreacher's story? He went with Voldemort to a cave to hide the locket horcrux. What if it's the same cave?"
They all made sounds of astonishment.
Hermione leaned forward, her gaze approving as she looked at Harry. "I can see, now, why you wanted us to study his past, Harry. At first, I'll admit I thought it was just busy work, but you really thought it out, didn't you?"
Harry nodded, his smile widening. "Clearly, that cave had some sort of significance to Voldemort. He chose it for a reason." He glanced at Neville and Susan. "Do you have any more ideas on where his mother lived? You said it was outside of Little Hangleton."
Neville sighed. "We have the general area, but we'd have to go there to actually be certain."
Harry nodded again. "We'll definitely do that this summer. Not alone," he hurried on when it looked like Hermione and Susan were going to object. "I'm thinking me and Ginny, with Sirius and maybe Aunt Minerva or Remus. Neville, you should probably come too."
Neville frowned. "Why?"
Harry looked at him. "You have the general idea of where the place is. Besides, if anyone deserves to go on this hunt, it's you and me. The two marked by that damn prophecy." Neville opened his mouth, probably to mention that he hadn't been marked in any way, but Harry rushed on. "Voldemort chose me, but you were singled out as well. And anyway, we stand together, don't we?"
Neville blinked, remembering the conversation they had before their fourth year, when Harry had extended the hand of friendship, reaffirming the Potter-Longbottom allegiance. He nodded resolutely. "Together," he said, steel in his voice.
The others felt like they were watching something important, but weren't exactly invited to join in.
Ron cleared his throat. "I don't see why just the three of you have to go," he commented. "What if you need more help?"
Harry looked at his oldest friend. "I'd love to have all of you along to help, I'm sure you'd all be great, but too many people will attract attention."
Hermione huffed softly. "I don't like it," she admitted, "But you are right. Too many people will draw attention, and we don't need that. You'll be careful, and tell us what you find?"
Harry smiled gently. "Of course," he replied.
Hermione nodded, and the others looked slightly appeased.
Blaise shifted in his seat. "Harry, I know we're friends, and you don't need any declarations to trust that I'll stand beside you…" Harry frowned, looking at his friend. Blaise coughed, and stood up. Harry did so as well, and the two teenagers faced each other, serious looks on their faces, while the rest of the group watched silently. "As heir apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Zabini, I wish to offer my allegiance and backing to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter." He extended his hand, and Harry grasped it tightly.
"As heir apparent to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter, I accept the offer," Harry stated firmly, hiding the bubble of nervousness that fizzled up from his stomach. He remembered the procedures from Sirius' teachings on the duties and responsibilities of Heads of Houses. "May the flags of the Potter and Zabini families always fly together."
Everything he said was the standard response for acceptance. The last line referred to a time when battles were fought on horseback, and a standard-bearer would carry the flag for the House or country the soldiers fought for.
Blaise smiled and nodded, taking a seat once more. Harry was about to do so as well, when Daphne stood up. "Can't let you two have all the fun," she smirked. She then held out her hand. "As a Lady of the Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass, on behalf of my father Lord Greengrass, I offer my allegiance and backing to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
Harry smiled and grasped her hand, replying the same way he had to Blaise.
When they finished, Susan smirked. "I would, but we're already allied."
Harry nodded as he and Daphne sat down. "I know. The Noble House of Bones has been a longtime ally with the Ancient and Noble House of Potter." He looked at Ron. "So has the Noble house of Weasley."
Hermione looked intrigued by all the formality, so Harry had to explain a little of the pomp and circumstance. "It's really just formalizing our friendship," he explained to the muggleborn girl. "We know we'll fight together, but Houses ally with each other for protection, for support, and several other reasons. Basically, if Blaise or Daphne were to have an issue, as an ally of theirs, I would be obligated to offer my assistance."
Blaise nodded. "Technically, Harry is the highest ranking of all of us. I'm heir apparent to an Ancient and Noble House, but the Zabini family isn't as old as the Potter family. Add to that the fact that currently, Harry is the heir to two Ancient and Noble families, as well as a Noble one. And Daphne isn't the heir to her family, since the Greengrasses are a patriarchal family, but she's authorized by her father to make family decisions."
Harry grimaced. "I have to say, I'm kind of hoping Sirius and Amelia have a kid, because I'm not sure I want to be the head of two such distinguished and high profile Houses."
Susan chuckled. "I don't blame you. I'm squirming at the idea of being the heir to just one family, and it's not even an Ancient and Noble one."
Ron shook his head. "I'm glad it's Bill that will have to deal with all that Head of House stuff," he commented. A few years ago, he might have been jealous that he wouldn't have any sort of prestige that came with being the Head of House, but he had grown up a lot since then, and he was content with who he was. He would be happy if he came home to a loving wife and kids every day, had a good job that made him happy, and kept the friendships he had now. He would be even more ecstatic if that wife was Hermione. As long as he had family, he knew he would be content.
Hermione was intrigued with all the formality. "I didn't realize there was so much involved with all this," she admitted. "I knew you were all the heirs to your respective Houses, but it just seems so… medieval."
Harry nodded. "I guess it is, a little. A lot of the customs and phrasing has been around since then. Haven't you learned by now how behind the wizarding world is, Hermione? How many pureblood witches and wizards have actually heard of a computer? Or mobile phones? What about regular telephones, movies and televisions?"
Hermione shook her head. "I guess you're right. It would be wonderful if we could introduce the wizarding world to all the advancements muggles have made. And Muggle Studies really needs a shake up. I checked the publishing date for the textbook when I was taking it, and it was printed in the 1950's! There are so many inventions muggles have developed since then that I don't think Professor Burbage was even aware of! I tried asking her about mobile phones, and she just looked at me like I had grown a second head!"
They all chuckled.
"Perhaps once Voldemort is taken care of, I'll work on the Hogwarts curriculum," Harry commented. "As Gryffindor's heir, I do have some say in what gets taught here. No matter what else, though, Binns needs to go."
They all agreed completely, and with a glance at his watch, Harry realized that they were about to be late for a DA meeting. Just like the year before, he had planned a relaxing day to step away from studying and just have some fun, before they jumped into several weeks of constant tests.
XXX
On Sunday, Harry spent a good deal of time writing a letter to Sharptooth, trying to bring up several things he knew he would need the goblin's help with, without giving too much away or offending his account manager. He finally finished in the early afternoon, and thought that he had a pretty good final draft that he sent off with Hedwig, before spending the rest of the day with his fellow sixth years, studying for their exams set to begin the next day.
Monday morning found Ginny cramming for her Transfiguration exam that day, taking sporadic bites of her eggs as she attempted to read through the entire fifth year textbook before breakfast ended.
Harry tried to tell her to calm down, but that just resulted in her snapping at him to stay out of it. She guiltily apologized a moment later, but Harry shrugged it off.
They all left the Great Hall five minutes later, and Harry and Blaise both kissed their girlfriends, wishing them luck, before they headed off to take the first of their end of year exams – Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry saw Daphne give Colin a peck on the cheek, and smiled slightly as she joined them in heading to the Defense classroom.
All in all, Harry thought they did rather well on their first exam. Snape had them sit a written exam first, before pairing them up in duels, with winners fighting each other until only one person was left. He graded them on how effective their nonverbal spells were, and deducted points for saying any spells out loud. They were also given points for their dueling tactics, both defense and offense. Those who made it to the final four were given extra points, and the winner got an additional few points.
No one was too surprised when Harry won, beating Neville out in the final match. Blaise and Susan had put up quite a fight against those two, but in the end, it was the two roommates battling for the winning spot.
They were all talking about the exam as they headed up for lunch. Daphne, Hermione, and Ron congratulated their friends on making it further than they had, and complimented some of the more impressive moves they had made. Hermione had been disappointed to be beaten out by Daphne in the third round, and Ron had lost to Theo Nott in the same round. Daphne had been taken out by Susan in the next round.
They met up with Ginny and Luna at lunch, and were relieved to hear that the two fifth years were feeling good about their test.
After a hearty meal, Harry and the sixth years left for their Charms exam, while the fifth years mingled in a side room off the Entrance Hall to wait for their name to be called to take the practical exam.
XXX
Harry received a reply from Sharptooth the next morning, and folded the letter up quickly, stuffing it in his pocket.
Ginny picked herself up from her Charms textbook, and raised an eyebrow. Is he willing to meet with us? she asked.
Harry nodded minutely. We've got an appointment for a few days after term ends.
Ginny smiled slightly. Let's hope he's willing to help.
Harry thought about the letter he had just read, and agreed. It was carefully devoid of any emotion, and sounded stilted, even just as words on parchment, but Sharptooth was a good ally, and Harry knew the goblin would hear them out before making a decision.
The rest of the week passed both quickly and slowly for the students. Ginny and Luna sat their Transfiguration exam on Monday, Charms on Tuesday, Defense on Wednesday, Herbology on Thursday, and Care of Magical Creatures on Friday.
They then had the weekend off before sitting their exams for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, - for those taking it – then Potions, Divination – for those who took the elective – and Astronomy, and finally, Muggle Studies – again for those taking it – and History of Magic.
Harry and the other sixth years had had a trying week as well, sitting most of their exams in that week. They would finish up by the next Tuesday, and have the rest of the week to relax, or in some cases, finish up private projects. Harry and Daphne were planning on spending most of the latter part of the week completing their batch of Veritaserum. They considered the idea of bringing the finished product to Snape, to make sure they had done it right, but weren't sure how he'd react, especially since they weren't planning on doing anything legal with the potion.
By the end of the second week, Ginny was ready to collapse. She didn't think her brain had ever gotten such a workout before in her life.
Harry just chuckled and gave her a kiss, congratulating her on her completion of fifth year in one piece.
Ginny glared. "I don't remember you being this exhausted last year," she commented.
Harry shrugged. "Believe me, I was. I think I was just so relieved it was over."
Ron nodded eagerly. "Just think about it, now you've got an entire month before you find out how horribly you did."
Hermione elbowed him in the stomach, and he winced. "Well, that's what I was thinking when we finished our OWLs," he grumbled.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You did great, Ron, and Ginny, you will as well. You're brilliant, so don't worry about it. You won't have any issues getting into any of the classes you want to take next year."
Ginny smiled and kissed him, before digging into her dinner with gusto. She felt like she hadn't eaten in weeks. All those exams were really exhausting, but she was really glad it was over with.
Between bites, Harry told Ginny what he had been doing with his free time. Since exams had ended for the sixth years several days earlier, he had had some time to catch up on things. The Veritaserum was finished, and both Harry and Daphne thought it was as good as a licensed Potions Master could have made it.
Harry also mentioned a package the Weasley twins had sent him that afternoon, but didn't want to tell anyone what it was out here in the open, so he would wait until later that night before he showed them.
When they were finished eating, Harry and Ginny left their friends to take a walk around the castle, to unwind and spend some time together. They really hadn't spent much time together lately, just the two of them, and they wanted to have a little time to themselves.
I can't believe how tired I am, Ginny commented.
Harry smiled mentally. You just spent two weeks taking exams, Gin. You have every right to be tired.
Ginny shook her head. It's not like it was really difficult, she admitted. You were right that starting the revision early would help. I've been studying since the beginning of the year, really. I think that gave me a little boost, because I wasn't trying to cram the week before the exams.
Harry leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips. You're just naturally brilliant, Gin. Studying probably helped a bit, but you're much smarter than you give yourself credit for.
Ginny glared slightly. So are you. Harry raised an eyebrow, and Ginny huffed. Harry, you're one of the smartest people I know. You're brilliant, your mind works in ways even I can't fully understand, and I've got a direct link to it. You've improved the Wolfsbane potion, you've successfully brewed Veritaserum and Polyjuice, you managed to cast a Patronus Charm at thirteen… your only issue is that damn inferiority complex, and believe me, if Vernon Dursley wasn't already in prison, I would have a few choice words with him over his role in making that happen. And none of those words would be 'bless you'.
Harry chuckled. I love you. Ginny raised an eyebrow, and Harry shrugged. Really, Gin, you make me a better person. I love the way you always try to get me to see the positives. And you're right, Vernon is responsible for a lot of my inability to see the good things about me. I spent the first eleven years responding to 'freak', because I'm not sure he actually knew my name. Ginny growled. Even after I learned of the wizarding world, I still didn't think I was anything special, because that's how I was raised. But I'm really trying to change that, and I think I've come a long way in the last few years.
Ginny nodded emphatically. You have, Harry. All of your professors have seen it, after you started really applying yourself to your studies. You and Hermione are constantly vying for the top spot in your year! She squeezed his hand tightly. And even more than that, you've got an intuition about magic that goes beyond the classroom.
Harry blushed, but didn't try to deny anything. He could see, now that he was out from under the oppression of the Dursleys, that he was a talented wizard, and not the worthless waste of space that his aunt and uncle had always made him out to be.
It was as they were headed back to the common room that Snape found them, his expression worried, something that set both Harry and Ginny's hackles rising.
"What's wrong, Professor?" Harry asked immediately, knowing that it must be serious.
Snape looked relieved to have come across them, and wasted no time in getting to the point. "Narcissa just contacted me. An attack on the school is planned for tonight."
Harry and Ginny immediately tensed. They had known that this was a possibility, but weren't sure how, when, or where the attack would come from, so it was difficult to put any preventive measures in place.
"We need to tell Aunt Minerva," Harry said quickly, and they hurried towards the nearby office.
Unfortunately, the Transfiguration professor wasn't there. Snape frowned. Unless there was an Order meeting that evening, she should be in her office. He hadn't been told of a meeting, but he had also informed Albus earlier that he had to attend a Death Eater meeting that afternoon, so it was possible the headmaster hadn't told him, knowing that he would already be busy.
"Should we tell Dumbledore?" Ginny asked hesitantly. "I know he's not our first choice, but he should know if there's going to be an attack."
Snape nodded, knowing that the chances of the headmaster being in residence were slim, if there was a meeting that evening.
Sure enough, the gargoyle refused to open when Snape barked the password. He turned to the two students. "Albus isn't here," he said brusquely. "The gargoyle only refuses to open when he's gone."
Harry frowned and stepped forward slightly. "Guardian, as Gryffindor's heir, I command you to open. Hogwarts is in danger."
The gargoyle nodded and stepped aside, showing the revolving staircase. Snape followed Harry and Ginny up to the office, raising an eyebrow as he followed the two teenagers. Being a Founder's heir apparently had a few perks.
Harry looked at him sideways as they waited for the staircase to take them up to the office, and shrugged. "It worked."
Snape nodded as they reached the door, and Harry wasted no time in pushing it open and walking inside.
As expected, no one was there. A cursory glance showed the fireplace to be extinguished, the many objects that cluttered the space puffing away, but not a single person was there.
Harry immediately turned to the corner, where he saw Fawkes sitting on his perch, watching them with intelligent eyes.
He bit his lip, considering for half a moment. Theoretically, could he speak with Fawkes, since his second animagus form was a phoenix?
Deciding that there was nothing to lose, he concentrated on his mental voice. Fawkes?
Ginny looked at him, startled, but didn't say anything so that he could concentrate better.
Fawkes' gaze snapped to him, and his head bobbed down slightly. Greetings, wing-brother. I see you have finally grown your feathers. I could sense we were brethren all those years ago, though you did not yet know it.
Harry tilted his head to the side. It was strange, having a conversation with a phoenix. Fawkes was intelligent, he could sense the vastness of the bird's mind, and knew that he couldn't treat him like any other animal. Phoenixes had a will of their own, and wouldn't bow to anyone.
Forgive me, I am not used to this, he started, but stopped when he heard something like a trilling laugh sound in his mind.
I beg to differ, wing-brother, the bird interrupted. You have much practice at speaking through the mind. Your bond to wing-sister is quite strong, and still in the process of being completed. I can sense that it will happen soon.
Ginny gasped lightly, drawing Snape's attention to the two of them, and he frowned. What was going on?
Ginny leaned forward slightly. Fawkes? she asked hesitantly.
Fawkes let out a trilling laugh again. Greetings, wing-sister.
Harry managed not to blush at the phoenix's insight to their bond. He had said it would be complete soon. But Sharptooth had said that wouldn't happen until they became physically intimate. They had made a deal with each other that it wouldn't happen before Ginny's sixteenth birthday. This coming summer.
Harry shook his head to clear it of errant thoughts and focused on the task at hand. Fawkes, Hogwarts is in danger. We need to get in touch with Dumbledore, or Professor McGonagall. Do you know where they are?
Fawkes trilled an affirmative. There was an attack in Diagon Alley, he replied. Albus and the Order responded. They will most likely be kept busy for quite some time. It is upon you, Master Gryffindor, to defend your home.
Harry frowned, but nodded and turned to the others. "There was an attack at Diagon Alley," he informed Snape. "We're on our own."
To his credit, Snape didn't ask how they knew or how they had managed to actually have a conversation with a phoenix. He just nodded and led them back downstairs. "What's your plan?" he asked instead.
Harry immediately took out his DA coin, while Ginny pulled out her medallion that linked her to the rest of their group of friends.
While Harry called the DA to the Great Hall, Ginny told the others what was going on, as well as where to meet them.
As they walked, Harry quickly explained what his plan was. "We'll get all the younger students in their dorms, and anyone fifth year and up who wants to fight, will defend the castle."
Snape left them as they entered the Great Hall, telling them that he would inform the other professors of the situation.
Harry and Ginny watched as the majority of the school trickled into the Hall over the next ten minutes. Their friends all joined them at the head of the room, while the rest of the DA congregated in front of them.
When it seemed like everyone was there, Harry took a deep breath, and told them what was going on.
When he was finished, there was a shocked silence for a moment, before Katie asked in a steely voice, "What are we going to do?"
Harry looked at the group in front of him, and nodded determinedly. "We fight."