Lily Black

Chapter 79: The New Hogwarts

Lupin and George both tried to talk me out of going back and doing this mission but I have to. George and Lupin came to show me off. Lupin gave me a mirror and said this was how I was to contact them

I sat with Blaise and Pansy on the train.

"How was your summer?" I asked.

"Great. My mother said that the Malfoys were in trouble with the dark lord because Draco could not fulfill his mission." Blaise said.

"Really?" I asked probing for more answers.

"Yeah, They also broke Lucius Malfoy out of azkaban. Draco won't be attending this year to serve the dark lord." Pansy said.

"Wow, I did not know any of this. I..." I did not know if I should tell them about the Order. "I did not pay attention to the prophet." I lied.

"Yeah." Blaise said.

I recited everything they said to Lupin in the mirror he gave me.

"Anything else?" He asked.

"No." I said. "A death eater did get on the train looking for Harry." I said.

"How is Hogwarts?" Lupin asked.

"Horrible, It's dark and it's almost crumbling. Its not good. Snape and the death eaters have turned it into something Dark. We were sent to our rooms when we got here, no great feast. It's strange. I don't like it. I have a horrible felling." I said.

"I know. If you want to get out, say the word and I will get you out." Lupin said.

"I know. I will message you if I hear anything else." I said.

"Great." He smiled. "Love you, bye Lily." He said and disappeared. I slipped the mirror into my trunk under the sweater I had.

"Students, it is time for your meal. Report to the great hall right away." Said a voice through the speakers. I straightened my robe and walked out. I feel in line with some other Gryffindors. We marched down the hall into the great hall in a line.

The great hall was dark, and dreary. It was horrible. The tables at the front were gone and Snape and 2 people were standing there. A girl and a boy.

"Welcome students." Snape said as we sat. "I am the new headmaster. This school will run differently. There will be no more free wandering, you will walk in a line everywhere. If you fail to complete the simple step you will be punished." He said. "These are the Carrows, they will be my eyes and ears. If you fall out of line they will tell me and you will not be happy with the consequences." Snape said. He waved his wand and food appeared. It was nothing like what was at the great feast. This food was stale and grey and flavorless.

"Do I have to eat this?" A young Gryffindor asked me.

"No. Come to my room later, I will give you some food." I whispered. She nodded eagerly. I got an idea. "Spread the word. Only to Gryffindors though ok? Tell them to come down to the common room at 9 pm. I will have food." I said.

"Should I still come to your room?" She asked.

"No, meet me in the common room with the others, ok?" I said. She nodded then spread the word.

"Lily, what are you going to do?" Ginny asked me.

"I am gonna talk to the house elves." I said.

After we were dismissed it was 8pm. They sent us to bed early just as I thought they would. I grabbed the Marauders map Harry gave me as a guide. I snuck down stairs and out into the halls I opened the map and saw Snapes food prints by the great hall. I saw where the kitchen was and followed the map until I got there.

"Hello." I said to the house elves. They looked sad.

"Missis should not be down here." One squeaked.

"I am looking for Kretcher." I said.

"Is Missis a friend of Kretcher?" The elf asked.

"Yes. Please get him for me." I said. The elf nodded and came back with Krecher. His eyes lit up when he saw me.

"Mistress Black!" He said happily.

"Hello Kretcher." I smiled.

"What does mistress need for Krecher?" He asked.

""I need your guys help." I said. He nodded.

"Come Mistress." He said pulling my hand towards a fireplace.

"Attention! My mistress has something to say!" Krecher called. All the elfs came and formed a circle.

"Hello. My name is Lily Black. I need your guys help gravely." I said. They nodded. "I have been here for a few years and I know how you guys cook. What you sent up tonight was not the usual why?" I asked. A little elf raised her hand. "Yes?" I said.

"Headmaster Snape told us to make the food bad. He said make it flavorless. To make the students suffer." The elf said.

"Wez hated doing it." Another elf said.

"I know. I have some hungry Gryffindors. Do you guys think you could make us some food?" I said. They nodded eagerly. "Anything. Cook as you used to." I said. They all got to work.

"Make this a recurring thing. Send the food you did tonight to the great hall. Keep up that. But later around 8:30 send up food to the common rooms." I said.

"Common rooms as in?" One started but stopped.

"Yes. As in all of them. Leave it anonymous though. No one must know who started this. If anyone finds out...' I was about to make a hard choice. "No gryffindor will tell you. I will talk to Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. If someone finds out...keep giving the food to Gryffindors." I said. It was hard but if a Sythering turned in what was happening the Gryffindors still needed food. They nodded. "Thank you all so much." I said.