OLD MAGIC, CH 16

Chapter 16: Christmas Shopping Gone Wrong

November swept in with blustering winds and billows of snow. Between classes children could be heard squealing from well thrown snowballs and seen building snowmen in the courtyard. Elsewhere in the castle, not everyone was as happy as the children.

"Those fools!" Quirrell's voice hissed. His eyes flamed with fury as he paced angrily back and forth in his empty classroom at the end of yet another interminable day.

While Voldemort ranted, the real Quirrell was laughing with glee. Word had reached their shared ears that Dolohov and McNair had been arrested by the aurors. It warmed his heart that not all the ministry had been corrupted. Despite Fudge's interference or lack there of, Voldemort's minions were being caught and the reign of terror he'd worked so hard to build, was crumbling.

"Without my physical guidance they are making stupid decisions!" The stuttering that Quirrell was known for was completely absent as the malevolent spirit continued to rant. "I must have a body of my own and soon or all my efforts to cow these sheep will be ruined." He degenerated into angry muttering which was fine with Quirrell as he was hardily tired of hearing his voice spewing such vileness about.

His good mood evaporated minutes later when Voldemort halted in his tracks and said, "Yes! That's it! I'll lure the boy into the forest with tales of an injured unicorn. That will get the brat where I want him and away from his hidden protectors. But first I'll need a unicorn."

Quirrell shuddered within his mind with fear and disgust. He'd already been involved with the deaths of two unicorns already and it sickened him. He desperately wanted to warn someone, especially Harry about what the fiend planned but, as always, he was completely helpless.

As the dark spirit made his plans, Quirrell could only stare around his classroom in misery. Suddenly, a movement under the huge cabinet in the corner caught his eye. He stared there for as long as Voldemort allowed his head to be in that direction. Just before his body began to move off, he saw what it was he'd spotted. The little kneazle that had been spying on them for months carefully eased itself from under the cabinet, vanishing from view before it was fully in sight. A sigh of utter relief filled the possessed man.

"Thank Merlin! Potter will be warned." With that worry dealt with, he allowed himself to recede within that part that was still his own and rest. He might be of help later when the boy's guardians tried to put an end to the wizarding world's most deadly enemy. He prayed they succeeded and set him free.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"HARRY!" A voice shouted behind the black-haired youth. He turned and received a snowball in his face.

Laughter filled the air as he removed his glasses, shook them off and brushed the wet stuff off his forehead and cheeks. A softly muttered cleansing spell cleaned his glasses which he put back on.

"You asked for it Harry," Ron laughed. "We'd been yelling at you forever it seemed. Where your mind get to?"

"Very funny, Ron," Harry snorted, giving his mate a friendly shove. "I was just thinking about what I need to get for Christmas presents when we go to Hogsmeade this weekend."

"Bugger it! I hadn't even thought about shopping. Me mum will be furious with my thoughtlessness so I'd better be thinking of something to get them all. Thanks for reminding me, mate." Ron's face scrunched up in concentration as the two of them headed inside to warm up and get ready for dinner.

"You're welcome," Harry said, smiling.

They reached the portal leading to the Gryffindor Common Room a few minutes later, Ron giving the password so they both could step through. There were many others there before them so the room was noisy with all the chatter. The pair pushed their way through the mob and went up to the boy's dorm.

As they stripped off their clothes to change, Ron asked, "Harry, you going home then?"

"Uh huh." Harry's voice was muffled by the jumper he was pulling on.

"Will we get to meet your friend or friends at the station?"

Harry was pulling on his robe when he turned to eye Ron for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry that wouldn't be a good idea, Ron. Their anonymity keeps them safe, remember?"

"Oh aye, that's true. Sorry, I did forget but still it's sad we can't meet them," Ron said, unhappily.

"When it's safe in the world again, I'll be happy to introduce you to them all, Ron...promise," Harry comforted his school friend. Ron's smile returned.

"I'll look forward to that. Now, let's eat. I'm starving!" The redhead lead the way as they hurried to follow their fellow Gryffindors down to the great hall for dinner.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Saturday came with sunlit skies though it was very cold and snowy. The children allowed to go into town were already up and eating breakfast. Their happy chatter filled the air making most of the teachers smile indulgently down at them from their high table.

Dumbledore, though smiling at one and all, wasn't as happy. He didn't want Harry to go into town but had no legitimate reason, beyond concern for his safety, to keep him from joining his classmates. If he forced the boy to stay behind it would only foster hurt feelings and make him even more wary around the headmaster than he already was. No amount of kind treatment and attempts to befriend the boy had worked and Dumbledore had no idea why.

Most all the children trusted him except for the Slytherins, for obvious reasons. Even Harry's friends trusted him but not Harry himself. He blamed the forest dwellings for that. He was certain they had warned the boy away from him. But that didn't stop him from trying to establish some kind of relationship with Harry. It was imperative the boy learn to trust him if he was to be molded into the weapon they desperately needed against the Dark Lord, which was why he couldn't keep the boy at the castle when it was obvious he so wanted to go.

To salve his conscious and concerns for the boy's safety, he recruited Snape to be Harry's shadow. That worthy was very unhappy with his orders and made no bones about just how upset he was about it.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"Why should I be the one to trail after a gaggle of teens. Send one of the others who actually like being amongst the noisy brats," Snape snarled in his most haughtiest tone, only pretending to be angry as he stood rigidly at attention before Dumbledore's desk the night before.

"Now Severus, we can't very well let the boy go into such a dangerous situation without some kind of guard and we can't keep him here or he'll become resentful," Dumbledore soothed the potion's master.

"You still can't get him to trust you, eh?" Snape asked, shrewdly.

Dumbledore lost the twinkle in his eyes as he stared at the sallow man with undisguised annoyance. "That has no bearing here. You are the most skilled in defensive spells and are a member of the Order of the Phoenix which makes you the best person for the task."

Snape rolled his eyes but said, "As you wish, Headmaster." He turned about and stormed out of the office.

Once back in his own quarters in the dungeon, he relaxed and got ready for bed. Being sent as Harry's bodyguard was exactly what he'd wanted. Both he and Hagrid were very concerned about what the malevolent spirit inside Quirrell might do when the boy was away from the safety of the castle. Hagrid had already assured him that he too would be in town but couldn't be seen shadowing Harry so it was up to Snape to take that role.

However, he couldn't make it seem as if he willingly agreed with Dumbledore when ordered to do the job. Like Harry, he didn't trust the old wizard either. Let the fool think he was reluctant and angry. It didn't matter what he thought as long as Harry was protected. He hoped the day would be just an ordinary day but planned on it being just the opposite.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

With breakfast out of the way, the handful of teachers going on this outing led the way into town, the children stretched out behind them like so many beads on a string with a sour looking and unhappy Snape bringing up the rear. Hagrid had left a few hours earlier so it would appear his errands were unrelated to those of the children.

Somewhere in the middle were Harry, Hermione, and Ron chattering excitedly about all the different places they intended to go.

"I've got to check out the new stuff at Zonko's Joke Shop," Ron said, gleefully.

"Well, I need some new quills and writing paper so I'm going to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop then to Honeydukes for some chocolates. What about you Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I'd love to see Zonko's and, over course, Honeydukes but I also need to stop at the quill shop, Dervis and Bangs, Gladrags, and finally, the Three Broomsticks for some butter beer and hot buttered scones."

"Blimey Harry, that's nearly the whole village," Ron exclaimed.

"Well, I did say I needed to do my Christmas shopping, Ron," Harry snorted.

"Then I suggest we go together since I do need to stop in those places too," Hermione said with finality.

Ron rolled his eyes but Harry just laughed and nodded.

The morning went very well and was successful to Harry's mind. He'd had good fortune finding great gifts for family and friends, all were safely shrunk and tucked within a pocket in his robe. They were waiting on Hermione to make her purchases at Gladrags before moving on to Honeydukes then a nice hot lunch at the Three Broomsticks.

As they'd moved from shop to shop, Harry wasn't oblivious to his surroundings as his two friends were. His senses were on high alert. He knew very well how vulnerable he was here and knew exactly why Professor Snape could be seen hovering not far away anytime he looked up. Hagrid he saw only once. For someone so large, it was amazing how the half-giant could be practically invisible if he chose. But thankfully, nothing suspicious seemed to be going on, no odd people taking too great an interest in him, nor sign of death eaters about. However, he didn't let his guard down.

As they finally left Gladrags and made for Honeydukes, Harry felt the fine hairs on his body rise with apprehension and though he didn't know what the danger might be he simply reacted by grabbing Hermione's arms and yelling at Ron to follow then ducked into the Owl Post Office they were just walking past. Confused, Ron was about to demand what was wrong the moment they were behind the door when a blast shook the ground and sent up a cloud of snow to obscure the area, blinding everyone. Peering out the window next to the door, Harry saw a group of five Death Eaters appear near enough to make them out clearly.

Screams of fear and anger peppered the air. The Postmaster behind them dropped down behind his counter while the mail owls shrieked in anger and fear at the loud commotion.

"What the hell was that?" Ron cried, trying to see out the window too.

"Death Eaters!" Harry hissed, tugging Ron out of view of the window. Hermione huddled between them. All three peeked carefully out the window and watched as the dark cloaked and skeletoned-masked group began searching for something with wands out and pointed. People continued to run and scream, trying their best to find places to hide.

Two of the menacing Death Eaters turned to approach the Owl Post Office but before they'd taken more than a few steps, a bright light spat out and sent the pair flying backward to hit the wall of a nearby building. Appearing like dark ghosts against the settling snow mist were Professors Snape, Sinistra, Flitwick, and Vector with their wands held out. They spread out and took after the Death Eaters.

"Looks like they have things well in hand..." Ron began to say when the back door of the Owl Post Office exploded inward revealing yet another Death Eater. The man ran in and snatched Harry's wrist in a powerful grip. However, before the man could use his wand to disapparate them, Harry swiftly chanted a anti-disapparation jinx silently in his mind preventing the thug from taking them away.

"What tha...?" growled the Death Eater in shocked confusion, trying to repeat the spell never sensing the person coming up behind him until he fell unconscious to the floor from a well placed blow to the head. A triumphant Draco Malfoy stood there with a huge rock in his hands that he must have brought in from outside.

"Great work, Draco but you'd better get out of here before you're seen by your mates. I don't want you getting hassled," Harry warned, giving the Slytherin a quick smile. Turning to look out the window he noted Snape was heading their way. "And before Professor Snape sees you too."

Draco nodded his understanding, dropped the rock, then turned about, leaving the way he'd come, vanishing before the front door swung open to reveal a very worried potion's master.

"Is everyone alright," Snape demanded, going over to the fallen enemy to insure the man wouldn't be getting up and taking off the man's mask. He snorted as he recognized the fool but said nothing.

"Yes sir. We're fine now," Harry answered for all of them. "Is it safe?"

Casting a binding spell on the prisoner, Snape answered, "It seems so. It wasn't a large group as they most likely figured they could get in and out fairly quickly. Since the danger seems over, everyone is being sent back to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, you and several others will have to wait here until the aurors finish questioning you."

An auror suddenly stepped through the open door with wand at the ready. Seeing the body on the floor he addressed Snape. "Only one here?"

"Apparently. One of the children seems to have managed to hit him on the head when he wasn't looking," Snape said, carefully. The lump on the head and the rock on the floor had told him that but not who had done it.

"Excellent. We'll collect him now." The auror glanced at the children a moment. "We will have to question the children though."

"I understand. I was taking them to the Three Broomsticks to wait on your pleasure," Snape said smoothly.

"Good idea. One of us will be round as quick as we can so you may escort them back to Hogwarts," the auror looked satisfied with that arrangement and allowed Snape and the threesome to leave.

The street had returned more or less to normal except for the absence of most of the students. A few were still around, being questioned outside Honeydukes and not far from Zonkos. They continued on until they reached the small bar and went inside.

Since this was where they'd intended to go in the first place, the three ordered a butter beer and the day's menu item...hot turkey sandwiches. They settled with their food in a far corner. The room was filled with excited and angry patrons but no other students. Many of the adults eyed them curiously but none approached. Snape sat near them and questioned them on what happened. His eyes widened when he heard what Draco had done but otherwise made no comment.

"Hmm, it seems luck still follows you, Mr. Potter," he sneered, staying in character.

"Yes sir," Harry, playing along, said in a tight voice.

Snape stared at the three a long moment then said, "I would not mention Mr. Potter's skills with a jinx spell nor Mr. Malfoy's appearance. I care not what kind of story you concoct to explain how that man got the knot on his head but be consistent when you tell it. Only the headmaster should hear the truth of the matter, understood?"

Hermione looked like she wanted to object but then thought better of it. Ron had no such problem and just mutely nodded his head. "We understand, sir," Harry muttered.

Nodding his head, Snape rose and went to take a seat at the bar where he could watch both exits and the children where they sat. He ordered a butter beer and relaxed only a little. He really didn't expect another attack but he wouldn't discount it. He was very relieved nothing had happened to Harry and grateful the boy knew how to cast an anti-disapparation jinx though none his age should even know that spell. Obviously, the attack was planned to coincide with the children's normally scheduled visit to Hogsmeade. But the attack was poorly planned and executed to his mind.

Most likely due to the fact their leader was still a disembodied spirit and the two next in command were in Azkaban, Snape mused. He secretly smiled. We're winning. If we can keep chipping away at his command structure, the Dark Lord won't have anyone but idiots running things. Now if only we can do away with that spirit inhabiting Quirrell this madness will finally be over.

He sighed and drank his beer. All in all not a really bad day after all.

In the corner where the three sat nursing their butter beers and finishing their sandwiches, the three reflected on the attack.

"How did you know how to stop that guy from disapparating with you, Harry," Hermione asked, frowning. None of them had been taught this and though she'd read about it, she'd never attempted it knowing she didn't have the magical skill or strength to do it yet. No one their age really did.

"I had very good instructors, Hermione," Harry demurred.

"But no one our age is really able to do that..." Hermione began to object.

Harry leaned forward and hissed, "Hermione, I'm not like you, okay? I just happen to have been trained at an early age and have a much stronger magical core than most or so I was told."

"Oh.." She blinked at him but subsided and focused on her food.

"Oy! What I want to know is why that git, Malfoy bothered to save us in the first place," Ron growled, taking a sip of his beer and slamming the glass back on the table, his expression glowering.

Harry couldn't help rolling his eyes. "He's not a git and I'll thank you to hold your tongue about him if you can't say anything nice. I've put up with your animosity, Ron but it's beginning to get very tiresome besides being very immature."

Ron gaped at Harry, shocked his friend would stand up for a Syltherin. "He's a Slytherin, Harry. We don't consort with them because their parents are pure bloods who believe in that rot He-who-must-not-be-named spouts off about. They can't be trusted."

Harry shook his head, anger rising in him. "Not all of them are in collusion with the enemy, Ron. Just because they are in a house name for a snake, does not automatically make them evil. If I could, I'd find a way to do away with the separate houses." Ron gasped. "Dividing a school up like this is a recipe for just what you're displaying; distrust, foolish jealousies and unreasoning and unsubstantiated hatred. How stupid is that?" He ranted then shook his head. "Enough of this. I don't want to talk about it anymore."

They were silent a moment before Harry spoke again, a bit more quietly. "We have to come up with a story to tell the aurors. I say, tell them Ron managed to hide near the back door and snuck up behind the guy and clocked him one...no more no less and that should take care of it. Sound good to you?"

Ron was still shocked and angry but nodded his head in understanding and agreement and Hermione did the same, though she too was surprised by Harry's rant about how wrong it was to have separate houses. She'd never heard anyone say anything like that before and it set her to thinking...was he right?