Chapter 7: Happy Moments:
Harry trudged into the Great Hall followed by Ron. Hermione had arrived before them and was holding her porridge spoon stationary in mid air, her eyes glued to the copy of Daily Prophet an owl had just delivered. "Hi," Ron spoke, sliding into a seat beside her. "Hi," she replied shortly, still not moving her eyes from the paper. "Anyone we know dead?" Harry asked loading his plate with scrambled eggs and toast. "No, but look at this," she replied and shoved the paper on top of Harry's plate. In big bold letters, it had been printed:
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
Ten of the He Who Must Not Be Named's followers escaped from Azkaban last night. This is the second escape from the prison in three years after the escape of the notorious murder Sirius Black who is expected to be the main-
"They're blaming Sirius for this?" Ron exclaimed loudly. "Shut up, Ron!" Hermione shushed.
-mind behind this escape. The Ministry of Magic has sent out its best Aurors to capture the ten escaped prisoners. Then ten escapees include Bellatrix Lestrange, her husband Rodolphus, her brother in-law Rabastan Lestrange, Dolhov, Mulciber, Rookwood, Travers and three other Death Eater's who had been imprisoned for less heinous crimes. Lestrange, his wife and his brother were sentenced to life imprisonment for the torture and incapacitation of accomplished Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom. Until the capture of these dangerous criminals, the wizarding community is advised to remain alert and safe.
Harry raised his head up after finishing reading the article to look at Neville. He was sitting there, calm as ever, spreading marmalade on his toast while listening to Dean and Seamus talk animatedly about the current leading teams in the Quidditch League. "What do you think this means?" Ron asked in a hushed whisper. "Well, isn't it obvious?" Hermione replied, folding up the paper and carefully stowing it into her bag. "He's rallying forces, these Death Eater's were his most loyal servants. He needs them." Harry did not finish his now cold cup of tea. "By the way, Harry," Hermione began again. "When are you keeping the next DA class? Lots of people have been asking me about it." Harry replied, "I changed set the time just this morning, it's for tonight." Nodding her head she got up and left for the Ancient Runes classroom.
"What are we doing today, Harry?" Colin Creevey asked excitedly in the Room of Requirement. "You'll learn in a minute, Colin." he replied. "Alright! Alright! Settle down everyone!" No body seemed to be listening to him. Cho Chang was busy talking to her friend about the Tornado's. Hannah Abbott seemed to be telling the other Hufflepuffs some new piece of gossip. Luna was speaking dreamily about the healing powers of Gurdyroots to anyone who would listen. Fred and George were displaying a new trick of theirs, voice changing puffs when Ginny came to Harry's rescue "You're just like Flitwick, Harry. Fighting a losing battle," she said patting him on the back. His heart gave a flutter when she touched him. "Listen up!" she yelled at the crowd. Her voice sounded twice as loud as his. "Thanks," he said. She walked off saying a brief, "Welcome!" he turned back to the crowd, trying to forget about the nice fragrance of her hair... "Right, so, I'm sure that all you have heard of the mass breakout from Azkaban." There was a murmur of talk at this. Continuing impatiently, he said, "So, today, we'll be practicing something really advanced, alright? We'll be practicing the Reductor Curse." The crowd gasped. "The Reductor Curse is usually performed on huge structures, but since we're in one room, we'll have to practice on each other," Another, louder gasp was emitted from the crowd. "But since we're using it on a human, you'll need to make sure that you keep the power to a minimum." Mostly, everyone was excited. "First, I'll show you a demonstration, come on, Neville!" Harry called out. Neville came out of the crowd looking utterly bewildered at being chosen to perform the curse on Harry. "So when I say, go, you say 'Reducto' alright?" Harry explained. Neville gave a shaky nod.
"GO!" Harry yelled. "Reducto!" Neville shouted, pointing his wand at Harry's chest.
On the other end of the room, Ron and Hermione were standing. As soon as Neville yelled the curse, as a reflex action, Hermione gripped Ron's hand tightly. Ron felt it, but seemed to find it relaxing rather than awkward. Hermione on realizing her movement, blushed, but no one except Ron noticed, who just smiled at her.
Neville's curse hit Harry square in the chest and he flew a few feet backwards and landed on his back. Neville, surprised at his own efficiency, was immediately surrounded by a group of admirers who were marveling at his curse. "Great job, Neville!" Harry said, grinning and he got up, dusting his clothes.
"So, now that you know what it's like, pair up and start. There was a great scurry as people partnered up with friends. Within a minute, curses were flying here and there hitting people who had not been aimed for. Nobody seemed to care whether they were hit or not, and continued practicing. Harry swelled with pride as he saw everyone learning quickly and determined at succeeding, all in only the fourth session.
Ron and Hermione had paired up and were both doing extremely well until Hermione went a bit overboard with her curse and sent Ron flying ten feet back and slamming into the floor. Filled with horror she hurried to where he lay on the ground rubbing his head. "Oh, Ron, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Harry said that we have to control our power but I-" she began.
"It's alright Hermione!"
"No, it isn't, Ron!
"Yes it is!"
She offered him her hand and he took it, pulling himself up clumsily. "I'm really, very sorry, Ron! Are you sure you're okay?" she asked again, concernedly. "Yeah, yeah, Hermione, I'm alright!" Ron replied kindly, looking into her eyes. They stopped talking and just looked at each other for a minute until Hermione, rather pink in the face, broke the silence by saying that they should continue.
On the other end of the room, Ginny was practicing with Luna. Harry seemed to be looking for excuses to stand around them. "Reducto!" Ginny cried. Her spell accidentally hit Terry Boot who was standing in a corner, digging his nose. The spell hit him in the stomach and he flew about five feet backwards, landing on the ground with a long slide. "That was excellent!" Harry said approvingly. "Well, my aim was not good," Ginny replied, although she did look pleased at her work. Harry looked at her face, trying to make out her thoughts. She looked back into his green eyes. He observed that she was very pretty. They stared at each other until they both turned away, she to help Luna practice and he to help Alicia who's wand seemed to have been replaced by one of Fred and George's fake wands with a rat head poking out of the top.
Edited by twila - 11 years ago
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