Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Harry Potter And The Dawn Of War ❯ Chapter 5

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 5: The Truth

Hermione and Harry are heading to their first class of the year, Defense Against the Dark Arts. “What do you think we'll learn? After Dumbledore I don't think we'll ever have a teacher as good as Dumbledore.”

“Well he did pick the new teacher so she should be good right? Ms. Night is an Order member so Dumbledore probably let her take his spot so he could get another Order member in the school.” Hermione wondered what they would learn also but was sure there was another reason for Ms. Night being made the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. “Whoa.” Hermione opens the door and sees a monster in a cage. It is a little over a meter and a half tall.

“Oh hello my first students! Harry Potter and his friend, um, let me think.” Ms. Night taps her wand to her temple. “Hermione Granger. The Head Girl right?” Hermione nods. “Wonderful and do you know what I have for class today?”

“It looks like a Gnoll.”

“Very good Hermione. This is a common River Gnoll to be exact. The hide is very tough and a normal stunning spell is useless.” Three more students come into the class and see the monster. “Find a seat where you want. I won't be assigning seats.” The three sit down next to each other as Harry and Hermione sit down at another table. “As I was saying, normal spells won't penetrate the hide of a River Gnoll. This one is about as large as they get but is very dangerous.”

“River Gnoll? How are they different from a regular Gnoll or a Desert Gnoll?” One of the other students asks this question.

“Let's wait for the others to get here.” Ms. Night points her wand at the cage when the River Gnoll slams against the door. “Be nice or you gets the water.” Ms. Night laughs. “That movie is probably too old for you kids to get the reference.” She waits for the rest of the students, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, to enter the classroom. “Hello class I am Ms. Night your new Defense of the Dark Arts teacher. I know you are probably disappointed that Mr. Dumbledore is no longer teaching but as I understand this position has never been held by anyone for more then a year for as long as anyone can remember.” Ms. Night smiles then flinches when the River Gnoll slams against a wall of the cage. “Be calm or I'll punish you!” The Gnoll stops beating against the cage. “Sorry about that class but you have to be firm with Gnolls or they won't listen.” Ms. Night stands up. “Listen class we'll start right off with what to do incase of a Gnoll attack. Gnoll's are not the most dangerous of the troll family but they can be fierce and dangerous in large numbers. Also I was advised not to bring a troll into the school since the last time one got in it took three first year students to defeat it.” Ms. Night looks at Harry and Hermione. “Although one of them is not here right now. Hermione, Harry, how did you take on a mountain troll? What spells did you use?”

“I, well, I got lucky.”

“Harry and Ron attacked it and distracted it long enough to use a levitation spell to raise the club the Mountain Troll brought and knock it out with its own club.” Hermione smiles as she remembers that moment. It had been the starting point of her friendship with Harry and Ron.

“I see so no real spell was used on the monster. It was a good idea to use a levitation spell on the club since as first years you hadn't really learned any spell capable to hurt it. But that was very dangerous and should not be done again.”

“We won't try that again. By now we've learned enough spells to take one down with magic and not a club.” Hermione smiles as she thinks of at least a dozen spells that would have worked.

“Yes but let's see how you work now. Hermione Granger to the front of the class.” Hermione gets out of her seat and goes to the front of the class. Suddenly a magical barrier cuts her off from the rest of the class. The cage holding the Gnoll opens and it steps out.

“Wait, um, uh, help!” Hermione freezes up as she panics. “Help, uh, I can't think of anything!” Hermione backs into the magical barrier and falls through it.

“That's what I thought.” Ms. Night has humiliated Hermione. “Who wants to try it now?”

“I will.” Harry knows he can do it. He beat a Mountain Troll when he was eleven he could beat this Gnoll.

“Really? If you get yourself hurt on the first day I'm sure Mr. Dumbledore wouldn't like that.”

“I can do it.” Harry has a plan. He was in Hogwarts, the safest place on Earth. Not only that but Voldemort knew Harry was at Hogwarts so if Harry were to open the link a little nothing bad would happen.

“Very well step through. This won't be fair since you know what to expect now.”

“You're right it won't be fair but that's not my fault.” Harry steps through the barrier. He opens the connection to Voldemort and feels the power and the arrogance of Voldemort move into him. “Pyros Biabolis!” Harry sends out a jet of flame from his wand at the River Gnoll. Its hide protects it and the Gnoll gets ready to attack. Harry closes his eyes and concentrates his energy. “I can use any spell right?”

“Yes Harry but please don't kill it.” Ms. Night was getting worried. The spell Harry used was advanced and powerful what else would he use?

“Good. Reduffindo Aquios!” A blade of water comes out and hits the River Gnoll. The water blade cuts through the River Gnoll's hide easily. The River Gnoll howls in pain and backs away from Harry. “Drakenios Hyrada!” More water comes out and forms into a water serpent. Harry controls it and it wraps around the River Gnoll and starts to squeeze it. Harry didn't realize it but his connection to Voldemort was letting in Voldermort's evil into him. “See? I'm nothing like Hermione.” The sea Serpent squeezes the River Gnoll as it continues to howl in pain.

“Harry stop it!” Ms. Night goes through the magical barrier to keep Harry from killing the River Gnoll. “I said stop it this instant!” This time the order gets to Harry and he drops the River Gnoll. He closes his eyes and closes the connection to Voldemort.

“Hermione, get to him.” Devin and Monica had been watching Harry and both saw something was wrong with Harry. Devin saw the evil in Harry's aura and Monica saw the outline of something that wasn't Harry. Hermione runs over to Harry and hugs him from behind.

“Harry calm down you did it. You avenged me.” Hermione laughs hoping Harry wouldn't get in trouble.

“He avenged you but he may have hurt the River Gnoll.”

“Take it to Hagrid I'm sure he wouldn't mind taking care of it.” Hermione watches as Ms. Night creates a magical stretcher for the River Gnoll. “Um, he does stuff like that. Takes care of magical creatures since that is his job kind of.”

“Harry, you pass. I never want you to volunteer for another assignment again.” Ms. Night worried that when she went over dueling with other wizards that Harry would hurt a student just as badly as the River Gnoll was or worse.

“But, I, I wasn't sure what it would take to beat the River Gnoll. I'm sorry I went a little too far.” Harry felt the evil and knew where it came from. “Can I sit down now?”

“Yes, sit down. I have to take this to Hagrid. He is probably holding a class right now.”

“The River Gnoll will probably become part of his next class.” A Hufflepuff who liked Care of Magical Creatures says this.

“Maybe but I was supposed to return this creature back into the wild after this week.” Ms. Night looks at the class. “You're all adults so you are old enough to have me leave the classroom without worrying about what you kids will do.” Ms. Night leaves the class with the River Gnoll.

“Harry what were you doing?” Hermione was concerned for Harry. What he did reminded her of what happened during the attack at the Ministry.

“I was beating the River Gnoll. I, I remembered the Mountain Troll and I guess I went too far.” Harry lies. He knows what happened was because of him opening the connection to Voldemort.

“The Mountain Troll, memories, Ron?” Hermione thinks she figured it out. Harry thought of Ron and that made him angry and lose control. “Good job Harry it looks like you've passed for the year.” Hermione and Harry go back to their seats. “Where did you learn that last spell?”

“I don't know.” Harry didn't know it but when he opened the connection to Voldemort he gained access to Voldemort's knowledge. But it was a two way street.

“So, Dumbledore has quit teaching? Curious. His old age may finally be getting to him.” Voldemort thinks about why Dumbledore would stop teaching after only one year. Voldemort did not believe the position was cursed. He did not believe that a teacher would only last a year because of some supernatural force would force them out.

Ms Night gets back to the class. “Well then class the River Gnoll was supposed to be the main focus of the class for the week but since someone was overenthusiastic,” Ms. Night looks at Harry. “We will have to do something else. A twelve scroll essay on the difference between Gnolls and Trolls sounds like fun.” The entire class groans. “Don't blame me blame Harry Potter.” Ms. Night goes to her desk and sits down.

“But, I, you said to beat the River Gnoll so I did.” Harry didn't like being blamed by Ms. Night for what was going on.

“I said not to kill it also but you almost did. If I were you I'd stop arguing and start writing.” The students get out parchment and open their books to start to essay.

After Defense of the Dark Arts Harry and the other Gryffindor students had Potions with Slytherin. “I don't get her. I, I thought Ms. Night would be ok but she seems to have it out for me.” Harry's hand hurt from writing the essay.

“You screwed up her first class I'd be mad at you to.” Hermione rubs her hand. “She probably had some great class ready for everyone but then you messed it up for her. What would you do in her shoes?”

“I guess it is kind of my fault. At least the essay isn't due until Friday.” Harry had two scrolls done already. “I wonder what Snape has planned for us.”

“Well in our seventh year we should be advanced enough that he won't waste any time and pull out something really hard.” Harry and Hermione get to the Potions classroom and walk in to see a large cauldron with a greenish white liquid in it. Hermione holds her nose. “Smells awful.”

“That would be the smell of what potion?” Professor Snape is adding something to the cauldron. “Answer?”

“Uh, I can't tell by the smell.” Harry holds his nose as he sits down in a seat as far away from the cauldron as he could get.

“Ten points from Gryffindor. The scent of this potion should be clue enough.” Hermione was right Professor Snape was pulling out the advanced potions on the first day. “Ah you, what is this potion?” Harry and Hermione turn around to see a seventh year Slytherin.

“I don't know.” The student holds his nose.

“Ten points from Slytherin and put your hand down. The smell is not that bad.” Harry, Hermione, and the Slytherin student stop holding their noses and start breathing through their mouths.

“Look at that I think Snape is cheating.” Hermione sees the steam coming from the potion wrapping around Snape's head. “He's using a spell to keep from smelling the potion.”

“What spell?” Harry tries to think of a spell that would work. “Maybe the Bubblehead charm?”

“No we'd see it.” Hermione and Harry watch Professor Snape and soon don't even notice the smell of the potion. More students come in and sit down.

“Class don't hold your noses!” Professor Snape yells this and everyone listens. “Now, what is this potion's name, what does it do, and why does it have this odor?” No one raises their hand. “One hundred points from both houses. You are in your seventh year you should know this! I won't be babying you anymore!” Professor Snape grabs a vial and fills it with the potion. “This is a potion that allows you to disguise yourself. Now can anyone tell me why it smells?” Hermione raises her hand. “Yes Miss Granger?”

“It changes how you smell so Werewolves or magical creatures with a strong sense of smell won't detect you.”

“Finally one of you students have an answer. After seven years I shouldn't be surprised by your lack of knowledge.” Professor Snape sets the vial down. “Does anyone know why I shouldn't be teaching you this potion?” Hermione's hand comes up but Professor Snape ignores her. “Anyone?”

“Just pick Hermione.” Harry leans back in his chair when he hears something. “Made illegal in 1638, Made illegal in 1638.” Harry looks over and sees Hermione is rubbing the ring on her finger. Harry raises his hand.

“Yes Mr. Potter?”

“Because it was made illegal in 1638?”

“Very good, five points to Gryffindor. Now, what is the name?” Hermione raises her hand again but Professor Snape ignores her. Hermione rubs her ring again and Harry gets the answer so he raises his hand but Professor Snape ignores him. “No one? Very well, one hundred points from both houses.” Professor Snape hears groans coming from the students. “Before any Gryffindor students say it is unfair since two of your fellow housemates knew the answer remember you will be taking the tests alone. You will have to know the answers without help from Miss Granger or Mr. Potter. If you do not know the answers you will only have yourself to blame.” Professor Snape was just as harsh to the students for the rest of the class.

When the class ends Harry and Hermione head for the Great Hall to eat lunch. “That was horrible. We lost over one hundred points in one class.”

“So did Slytherin so it isn't like he is picking on us Harry. Professor Snape did have a point. We all need to know the answers and we are all adults now. We can't expect him to be teaching us fluff potions or salves for minor wounds anymore.” Hermione was mad about the points and being ignored but understood where Professor Snape was coming from.

“Still bad. You don't think all of our teachers will be like this do you?” Hermione shrugs her shoulders. “At least I have a break coming up. Divination, I can't believe I chose to take that class this year.”

“Harry if you don't like it you could always take Ancient Runes with me.” Harry stares at Hermione. “Which is the class I have next. NEWT level Ancient Runes is going to make Professor Snape's class look easy.”

“Why I am taking Divination. I don't care what grade I get in there. Oh, and thanks for the answers.”

“What?” Hermione didn't realize she gave the answers to Professor Snape's questions to him.

“When he wouldn't pick you to answer you rubbed your ring and gave me the answers.”

“Oh I didn't know I was doing that. We can't be cheating Harry.”

“It wasn't cheating it was just one classmate helping another.” Harry smiles and kisses Hermione lightly on the lips. “Don't feel bad about it Mione.”

“I'm too worried about Ancient Runes to feel bad about giving you the answers.” Hermione and Harry eat lunch then go separate ways for classes.

Harry is about to fall asleep in Divination when he hears a message from Hermione through the ring. “Harry, the Ancient Runes teacher is sending a package to the Divination class. I bet if you predicted a package being delivered it would impress everyone.” Harry hears Hermione laugh through the ring. Harry decides it would be more fun then sleeping so raises his hand.

“Yes Harry?”

“Hermione Granger is about to deliver a package from the Ancient Runes teacher.” Harry smiles and has to keep from laughing when Hermione arrives with the package. Ah a good joke Harry but what if you surprised Hermione by telling her what is in the package? “Voice?” Who else? It's an old rune the other teacher wants to have your teacher to study and see if she can get any visions. “It must be the rare rune she wants you to study and see if you get any visions.” Harry stops himself from laughing when Hermione nearly drops the box the rune was in. Hermione saw it but didn't tell Harry about it. Hermione hands the box over and the Divination teacher opens it and is stunned. Harry had predicted the package being delivered and what was in it.

“Yes, yes it is. Fifty points to Gryffindor for such great advancement in Divination.” Hermione leaves the class wondering how Harry knew what was in the package.

After afternoon classes Hermione and Harry go to the Gryffindor Common Room to relax before tackling homework. Harry sinks into a chair wondering which class's homework to start on first when he is interrupted.

“Mister Harry Potter Sir!” Dobby had appeared. “Mister Dumbledore wants to see you and Miss Hermione Granger Ma'am.”

“Ok Dobby we'll be right there.” Dobby disappears. “Mione you don't think he wants us to start training again do you?” Hermione shrugs her shoulders. “We have so much homework to do already and classes will only get harder we can't spend time training can we?”

“We have to Harry. If Voldemort attacks the school again we'll need to be ready. Or, or if you meet Voldemort again…” Hermione didn't want to think about it. She was scared he'd be killed last time and didn't want to worry about that again. “It will give us a break kind of. Instead of reading books and writing we will be doing what Dumbledore wants us to do.” Hermione and Harry leave the Gryffindor Common Room for Dumbledore's office when Hermione realizes something. “Harry, do you know where his new office is?” Dumbledore wasn't the Headmaster and he wasn't the teacher for Defense of the Dark Arts.

“I don't know we could ask a teacher.” Harry and Hermione walk down the hall until they see a teacher, Ms. Night.

“What are you two doing? You should be working on your essay.”

“Uh we were told to go to Dumbledore's office but we don't know where it is anymore.” Harry doesn't know why but he feels uncomfortable with Ms. Night staring at him.

“Mr. Dumbledore is back at the Headmaster office. Hurry so you can work on your homework.” Ms. Night walks away from the two.

“I don't think she likes me.”

“Harry you ruined her first week of classes what do you expect?” Hermione smiles at him. “Don't worry about it we have to see Dumbledore.” They run for the Headmaster office.

“I don't know the password.” The two stand in front of the guarded door. “I really should have asked Dobby a couple things.” Harry tries to think of what the password would be when the doors open for him and Hermione.

“Come in please do come in.” Dumbledore had been waiting for the two. “Glad you made it here with no problem. I did forget to tell you where my new office was but you found it.” Dumbledore let's the two in then the door closes. “Headmaster McGonagall was kind enough to give me a place in her office.”

“Dumbledore it was the least I could do.” Headmaster McGonagall was at her desk. “Head Girl Hermione Granger and Head Boy Harry Potter. Not that I am surprised but congratulations.”

“Thank you Headmaster.” Hermione looks around the office noticing it had changed, become larger. “Are we here for more training Dumbledore?”

“No, not for now. You two are our best students and I feel a kind of closeness to Harry of course. You two need to know some things that have been going on but kept from the public.” Dumbledore sits down at a desk cluttered with different magical items. “Sit down please.” Hermione and Harry do. “How was the attack at the train station? I hope it looked real enough to fool Voldemort.”

“About that Dumbledore Mr. Weasly, Arthur, isn't in danger is he? Voldemort can't really believe Arthur would join him. Arthur is a Muggle lover isn't he?”

“Yes but our plan after news of Ron's death has fooled the Death Eaters. I will not go into details now as there are more important things to discuss.” Dumbledore looks over at Headmaster McGonagall. “I am sorry to be rude but could you please leave as I discuss these things?”

“Yes Dumbledore.” Headmaster McGonagall leaves her office so Dumbledore could talk to Harry and Hermione in private.

“How were your classes today?”

“Hard but good. Ms. Night is angry at me though.”

“I heard about that incident. Harry that was powerful, advanced, magic. Where did you learn it?” Dumbledore's question led right where he wanted it to.

“I, uh, I've been reading a lot of books. The Necronomicon had magic that maybe you don't even know. At least magic I never heard of.”

“Harry I know when you lie and I know the truth already. You connected to Voldemort did you not?” Harry looks away knowing he was caught. “Do not feel the need to lie to me Harry. You wanted to show how powerful you were to the others but the way you did it was wrong.”

“I, that's not true. I wanted to beat the Gnoll and I did.” Harry defends his actions. “I did it quickly and in a way that no one would expect. If it had been a real attack I would have been praised for defeating it.”

“But it was not a real attack and you knew that. Connecting to Voldemort for a class demonstration could get you stripped of your Head Boy status.” Dumbledore wanted to make sure Harry knew how dangerous what he did actually was. “He could get into this school if you do that again. His evil could contaminate you and make you his pawn. During a real attack if you have to use your connection to Voldemort then use it but for class I never want to hear of another miraculous display by Harry Potter. Speaking of this, what was it in your Divination class that allowed you to predict Hermione delivering the package?”

“That wasn't Voldemort that was me.” Hermione raises the hand with her ring on it. “I told Harry I was coming with a package. It was a joke.”

“I see so no Voldemort was involved in that.” Harry and Hermione nod. “Alright. Now onto the reason I called you here.” Dumbledore sighs as he gets his wand out. “As you know Voldemort has one equal.” Dumbledore waves his wand and an image of a younger Dumbledore appears. “Of course he is no longer around.” The image disappears.”

“What do you mean Dumbledore? You're still here.” Hermione didn't get what Dumbledore was saying.

“I am here but Voldemort's equal is not.” Harry understands what Dumbledore is saying.

“Dumbledore you are getting old but that doesn't mean you're getting weaker.” Hermione looks at Harry now getting what Dumbledore was talking about.

“But I am. If Voldemort discovers this he will attack. Imagine if you opened your connection to Voldemort and he was able to discover the truth? You must not use your connection to Voldemort unless it is absolutely necessary.” Dumbledore puts his wand away. “This is why I have stepped down from my teaching position. I am no longer able to perform as well as I used to.”

“Does Headmaster McGonagall know about this?”

“Headmaster McGonagall knows this but she did not know of your connection to Voldemort. You can go back to your Common Room and work on your homework. Ms. Night has told me she was rather harsh after her class was ruined.” Dumbledore smiles to try and ease tension. “Be off and don't work to hard. This is your final year it will be your hardest but you will find it will be your greatest year.” Harry and Hermione leave the Headmaster office and go back to the Gryffindor Common Room.