Alex Ratzinger sat upon the silky blue bed on top of an ornate bronze pillow, staring out of the open window at the ever-darkening clouds. He wondered if the Death Eaters really were back after the thirteen long years since the Dark Lord had been killed by Harry Potter.
"Hogwarts is no longer safe," Headmistress McGonagall had said at the magical feast on September 1st. "The Dark Lord's followers are once again rising."
Alex hadn't believed the elderly witch at first, however. That's bogus, he remembered thinking. Why would they come back to Hogwarts, of all places, even if they are back?
Sure enough, five minutes later, the dark skull with a snake protruding from between its teeth emerged from the clouds. Alex's stomach lurched and he bolted straight from the comfortable bed, grabbing his wand from the dresser. Maybe the old woman deserved some credit, and Alex decided it was about time for him to repay her.
"Expecto Patronum."
The horse Patronus sprang from the wand and galloped from the room, heading down the spiral staircase of Ravenclaw Tower and out of sight.
Within minutes, the school was bustling with students and house elves fleeing from the castle and faculty members taking their defensive posts. Almost instantly, a familiar girl tripped over Alex's feet.
"Hello, Sapphire," Alex greeted the oddly dressed girl.
"Where is everyone going?!" Sapphire demanded, her vibrant blue eyes glowing with surprise. She tied her long, flaxen hair into a ponytail with a single wave of her wand.
"The forest," Alex stated plainly. Without a complaint, Sapphire followed Alex out of the castle through a door in the immense kitchens. Alex and Sapphire ran toward the forest, but stopped when they recognized a girl's voice.
"Who's there?" the familiar, feminine voice called out. Out from the shadows stepped a beautiful girl. She wore jeans and a plain T-shirt, contrasting greatly with Alex's black cloak and Sapphire's strange, almost distasteful attire. The girl's blue eyes, though different from Sapphire's, had a similar appealing glow. Her waist-length jet black hair blew freely in the chilling wind.
"Alex Ratzinger and Sapphire Green. Hello, my lovely friend, Jazzlene Smith," Alex said with ecstasy in his calm voice. Alex pulled Jazz into a tight embrace. "I'm glad to see you again."
"I'm glad to see you too!" Jazz joyously cried, hugging them both. Her smile lowered into a frown as if a heavy weight had been placed on it. "Where are we going?"
"The Forbidden Forest. That's why Sapphire and I have tents in our bags. We're going to stay there as long as we need."
"Aren't there w-werewolves and v-vampires in th-there?"
"Yes, but I'd rather be torn to shreds by a werewolf than murdered by a Death Eater."
Jazz shuddered and grabbed Alex's warm hand. "Are you sure it's safe in there?"
A strange smile weaved its way across Alex's face. "Let's go find out."
YOU ARE READING
"These Are Dark Times, Indeed."
FanfictionAlex Ratzinger, a 3rd year Ravenclaw boy, is trying to save Hogwarts from returning Death Eaters. Along the way he reunites with his long time crush, also called his Gryffindor Princess, Jazz, and his ex-friend Solis. He meets Tyde, a Nyaa wolf, and...
