Spells and Visions; A Harry Potter story

Chapter 3: Can't Get Any Worse

Not only the Ministry had been infiltrated by Voldemort and his followers, but also the Daily Prophet. They made everyone think Scrimgeour resigned, and he had been replaced by Pius Thickness, but we were sure he was under the Imperius Curse. Harry was now being wanted, and the reason given was that he was questioned about Dumbledore's death. Of course, they only said that to hide the fact that it wasn't an actual Ministry anymore.
Muggle-borns were now also being hunted, and we knew no one of them was safe anymore.
There was also an article in the Prophet about the future of Hogwarts. Attendance was now compulsory for every witch and wizard, but I was sure the school would be more empty since the Muggle-borns would be in hiding. It would be just pure-bloods and half-bloods now.

We tried to enjoy the time we had left at the Burrow, but we spent it mostly inside the house, since there were still people watching us every day. We played games, and though we tried to act like nothing was wrong, everything didn't sit right with me.

Mr Weasley brought Ginny, Neville and me to the platform on September first, after mrs Weasley had cried again the entire day and almost didn't want to let us go. Originally, they both didn't want to let us go back to Hogwarts, but we had to. If we didn't go, we would in in much more trouble, and not only us. But they had an extra reason to be scared for us now. The Daily Prophet had arrived, stating that Snape was appointed the new Headmaster. The Muggle Studies teacher had resigned, and someone named Alecto Carrow had taken her place. Her brother, Amycus had taken over Defence Against the Dark Arts, since Snape had now more important things to do, which probably meant that Slughorn stayed in Potions. But surely the teachers wouldn't accept all this? Couldn't they just fight back and send Snape off?

"Be careful, alright?" he said, looking actually worried. "Look out for each other, don't trust anyone. Don't try to cause any trouble, because I know you kids are good at that."
"We'll be fine, mr Weasley, thank you," Neville smiled.
Ginny gave her father a hug, and we went onto the train. Neville's camera was safely in his trunk, I had vials in mine, because I was planning to make more potions, and like always, we wore our wolf necklaces.
I had let Sam out, since he didn't like to be locked up too long, but I held him in my hand so he wouldn't get lost.
Our compartment door opened, and Luna came in.

"Hey, Luna," I said, glad to see her.
"Hello all," she said.
"Did you get out safely after the invasion at the Burrow?" I asked her.
She nodded.
"Dad got to me, and Disapparated back to our house. I found it strange, since I thought there were protection spells over the house."
"There were," Ginny said. "But the Death Eaters broke them."
"That's unfortunate," Luna said. "Did anybody get hurt?"
We shook our heads, then Luna ducked behind the Quibbler again.

We didn't do much the rest of the ride, but when we were getting close to Hogwarts, the train suddenly stopped.
"What's happening?" Ginny asked.
I stood up to look, but Neville stood up as well.
"Let me," he said, and opened the door. After a while, he looked back to us.
"Don't see anything."
"Then why did it stop?" I asked.
Neville suddenly stepped out of the compartment.
"Hey losers, he isn't here."
I raised my eyebrows. Wow, when did he get so cool all of a sudden? Not that he wasn't ever cool, but now he was more... brave.
Neville sat down. "Death Eaters. Probably looking for Harry."
"Ohh," I said. "But seriously? Stop the train?"
Neville shrugged. After a few more minutes, the train went on again, and I suddenly got a bit nervous. Death Eaters already, and with many students probably gone, and Snape as Headmaster, what would happen now?

"Listen, guys," Neville said, as we were approaching the station. "We've got to round up the DA again. Something tells me Snape and those new teachers will not handle things the same way as we expected them to. We can use the fake Galleons, has everybody still got them?"
"I do," I said.
"Me too," Ginny said. "Somewhere in my trunk, I'm sure."
"I think I've still got mine," Luna said, listening, and lowering the Quibbler.
"Good. Look, we're here."