A/N: Lazy and shameful me. Consider Fugitive discontinued until further notice. If I do anything to Watchman, it will be a drastic re-writing- in the future, and as for this- I make no promises on updates- however, they will come, sooner or later. . .
HARRY POTTER AND THE HIGH LORD OF HELL
Harry and Ginny sat by the lake idly watching the giant squid as they enjoyed a small picnic that had been graciously supplied by the house-elves in the Hogwarts kitchen. The skirmish with the wraith had now been mostly forgotten by everyone at Hogwarts. The subject plagued Harry and Ginny's minds however.
After they had calmed the students at Hogwarts, it seemed as if time had passed in a blur. The winter snow eventually melted away and gave way to rain. The rain eventually abated and gave way to the flowers and green of spring. Few could enjoy it because of the approach of NEWTS and OWLS. Harry and Ginny had chosen to take a small break from their studies and exercises. Being independent, they had a choice in the matters of when to study.
"Did Dumbledore have anything new to report?" Harry asked cheerfully as he helped himself to a second bottle of butter beer. He removed the lid and began to drink.
Ginny sighed and looked at Harry. "Snape hasn't found anything. All of Voldemort's channels are quiet. He appears to be entirely inactive." She grabbed the picnic basket and took a small sandwich from it and began to eat.
"The silence before the storm," Harry responded eerily. "How well is the Order of the Griffin prepared?"
Ginny took a bite of the sandwich before answering. "Extremely well. Dumbledore reports that the Order of the Phoenix is full of those willing to fight and keeping their ears open. Ron and Hermione have been quietly preparing the older and more experienced students for the possibility of battle, and Neville and Elizabeth are ready to help with any wounds or need of supplies."
"That's good," Harry said sadly. "I've been thinking a lot lately, trying to study out the situation. I've come to the conclusion that Hogwarts is the only possible target for Voldemort when he tries to connect to Tesmethlin."
"What makes you say that?"
"After the attack from that wraith, I realized that there is a 'thinness' between the realms here at Hogwarts." Harry announced quietly. "I should have realized that long before. The wraith wasn't something that Voldemort sent, it was Tesmethlin. Somehow he was able to pull it off."
Ginny smiled cheekily, "Don't worry about it. I didn't realize it either, and everyone knows how much smarter I am than you."
"You think so eh?" Harry said as he finished off his drink.
"Of course," Ginny replied airily.
Harry grinned mischievously, "If you're so clever, how are you going to stop me from tickling you silly?" He leaned over towards her and began to tickle her, despite her attempts to stop him.
She began to giggle un-controllably. "Stop it Harry!" He kept tickling her. "If that's the way you want it then." Ginny said through her laughter.
Soon they were in an all-out tickle war, all thoughts and concerns forgotten.
Lord Voldemort carefully examined the sketchy map of Hogwarts that lay before him for the umpteenth time and scowled. There was no other way; the portal would have to be opened in the Great Hall. He didn't like admitting it, but he wasn't strong enough to do it in any other place but there. He began to perform the spells again, just to ensure that there was no other place that was 'thinner.'
Just then, Wormtail entered the dark room. "You sent for me, my lord?"
"Yes I did," Voldemort scowled angrily. "and it certainly took you long enough to respond. Apparate to where the Dementors have gathered. Inform them that my plan is ready to commence."
"Is that all?" Wormtail said, dreading the meeting with the Dementors.
Voldemort glanced lethally at Wormtail before returning his attention to the map. "Yes, that is all. They'll know what to do."
"What of the others?"
Voldemort angrily ripped his attention away from his map, "What others?"
"The Death Eaters," Wormtail said slowly. "Won't they be involved?"
Voldemort pounded his fist on the table, "They're worse than useless! You will all only get in my way for this battle."
Wormtail fled the room and left Voldemort to perform his spells once again. Alas, the Great Hall was the only place. Despite this difficulty, Voldemort felt closer to the power on the other side than he had ever felt. He would reign supreme.
Harry carefully positioned himself in the middle of the empty classroom he had found and began to perform careful drills and practice spells to exercise his magic. They were useless spells, but nevertheless, they took strength, skill and practice. They also helped develop dexterity in performing magic.
After a little over an hour, Harry completed the last spell in his drill session and sank to the floor to rest. It had taken him several months before he could successfully complete every drill and do it in a respectable amount of time. It had taken a little longer to perform it in the standard hour without falling over with exhaustion. Perhaps this meant that he was ready to wield the power of Miledy Faisia without putting his life at risk.
After resting for a few moments, Harry stood up and exited the room. He then turned down the hall and headed down for breakfast. Classes would be beginning in a half hour. He entered the Great Hall, spotted Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sitting at the Gryffindor table and headed for them.
"You got up mighty early," Ginny commented as she finished off a piece of toast.
Harry smiled, "Just wanted to get my drills out of the way."
Ginny nodded approvingly as Hermione began to speak. "I've been thinking Harry, and I've come up with an idea to fi-
BOOM.
The ear-splitting sound echoed through the castle and Harry actually felt Hogwarts shake. It was repeated almost instantly. Harry quickly reached out with his senses and sensed what was happening. He stood up and yelled- "Barricade all the entrances to the castle!"
A/N: Yes I know- terribly short. . .