November 1994
Hogsmeade Village
Harry's sudden and abrupt reaction about Alastor Moody left Flitwick in a mild state of shock.
Still not over his adrenaline rush and fatigue of the battle, he stammered an incoherent reply.
"After… you along with Minerva left the Hogwarts in morning, he paid me a visit. He talked about some kind of urgent work in the muggle world. And with how paranoid he is, you know, he mostly talked in puzzles and did not come clean with his purpose. At the end, he stated that he would be away from Hogwarts for few hours and would return by afternoon at most."
Flitwick took a deep breath and continued, "Now… even if I am informally in charge of Hogwarts in Minerva's absence, I have no real authority… more so on people like professor Moody, who have a bit of special status."
"Considering that I did not think much about his absence as it was a Hogsmeade day and the classes were off, I did not think it was something strange for him to absent for few hours."
Harry stared impassively at Filius for few moments, but ultimately gave a nonchalant 'hum' in response.
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At this moment, Septima Vector and Bathsheda Babbling arrived and were pleasantly surprised to find so many dead bodies of the death eaters.
"Headmistress McGonagall," said Septima Vector. "We have moved all the students to Hogwarts castle. Professor Sprout and madam Pomfrey had volunteered to accompany them."
"They would be keeping all the students in the great hall and wait for further instructions."
Professor Babbling took over, "We have been fortunate as no student have been reported dead."
Minerva, Filius and Narcissa took a breath of relief at this while Harry also felt some tension leaving his body.
Babbling continued, "8 students have been injured though while 1 among them is heavily injured as a roof had fell upon him. He would take few weeks to completely recover."
She sighed deeply in sorrow, "But unfortunately… 3 normal civilians have been killed as many more injured."
"We fear… that… we may have more casualties as more of the rubbles are removed," she added with a ting of sorrow.
Minerva's expression turned downcast at this while Harry clenched his fist in anger. Every time the innocents had to pay the price of Voldemort's misadventures.
"If we could have made a bit earlier, maybe we could have saved those lives," said Filius from the side and Harry's mind would not help but wander towards the absence of Alastor Moody.
"Madam McGonagall," said Harry. "Contact the DMLE and the aurors and report them of the situations"
"Although, I doubt they would be responding for few hours but we should do our part," he muttered.
Narcissa and the other professors who were at Hogwarts gazed at him questioningly.
Harry cleared their doubts, "Azkaban has also been attacked."
Their eyes widened in shock, while Bathsheda muttered, "They are death eaters… is it…"
She wanted to voice what everyone had in their mind but did not because of the fear of that slightest of its possibility of being true. No one dared to imagine about Voldemort coming back to life.
Harry shook his head, "We are not one who ought to think about all this."
He cut across whatever Septima was about to speak, "Madam McGonagall, please look after and organise the rescue efforts. If be possible, madam Pomfrey can take a look at the injured civilians."
"Also, few words from you to calm the students would be a good option," finished Harry.
He continued and said with a finality in his tone, "In no case, any outsider would be admitted inside Hogwarts without my explicit permission."
Minerva nodded in agreement and then along with the other professors walked away while Narcissa remained behind.
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After the professor were out of the hearing range, Narcissa gazed inquisitively at Harry, "So, he is finally back?"
Harry did not answer. He himself was left wondering? He was not sure if Voldemort have been able to get himself a body and if yes then how? Was this attack, his declaration of war? Or simply a diversion to for some another purpose?
Seeing Harry not speaking, Narcissa shook her head, "Lord Potter, alone you are too powerful… very powerful."
"But you would need to allies. You cannot possibly fight an army of death eaters on your own. And if you could and possibly even kill the dark lord, by the time you accomplish all this, the dark lord would turn half the wizarding Britain in ruins."
With her last piece of advice, Narcissa walked away leaving Harry alone.
Meanwhile, Harry lost in his thoughts vanished from the Hogsmeade village.
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November 1994
Chamber of Secrets, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Inside the chamber of secrets, all of 5 of the Harry's house elves were huddled together in a circle with a grave expression on their face. They were certainly aware of the attack on Hogsmeade and subsequent arrival of Harry and his participation in the war.
Only the magic connection, they had with Harry which told them that Harry was alive was keeping them calm but even so their worry did not ease a bit.
Their despairing face lit up with a joy, when the space inside the chamber twisted and Harry appeared. Seeing him free from any kind of injury, their worried heart eased and their emotions calmed down.
Dobby the over enthusiastic elf was the first to jump in joy, "Harry Potter sir, you are fine."
A smile bloomed on Harry's face seeing all his 5 elves.
"Yes, Dobby. I am absolutely fine," said Harry.
"Now, I want to rest a bit and spend some time alone," said Harry before the elves could say anything more.
"Also, could you be on a look out if some kind of urgent situation arises. No one will be able to find me out here," added Harry further.
The elves satisfied that their 'Harry Potter sir' was fine nodded with joy and then popped away from the chamber.
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