The Hogwarts Hunger Games

Chapter 3

"Avada Kedavra," Screamed Professor Createman. "And that kids, is how you perform the killing curse. This is one of the most valuable life lessons you will learn, remember it well. Forget all the muggle studies and Divination rubbish. You will start practising them tomorrow" 

With that, the first lesson of dark arts was over. We had learnt all 3 unforgivable curses today, and Professor Createman had been demonstrating them on various animals. 3 bats now lay motionless on the floor. 

I felt exhausted. I had been one of the last to arrive too class and had witnessed Dean Thomas's owl on the receiving end of the cruciatus curse with the rest of the classes pets lined up on a table. Dean had voiced his opinions about this new regime and how the students of Hogwarts would never give in. Createman had immediately used the crucio curse on the owl and threatened the class. If anyone were to speak again, a student, not a pet, would be on the receiving end.

Hermione and Ron were waiting for me in the potions corridor. They had had similar experiences in their classes and around us, the younger students were silently crying whilst older students were comforted them. Looks of horror and terror etched upon their faces. 

"Blimey, it's a nightmare here, we need to start on a plan before someone gets hurt or worse. These teachers are physco." Whispered Ron. 

"We'll get started on one tonight in the room of requirements. The slytherins are everywhere and apparently they've put listening charms in the main areas. Eh Ron, where's Hermione gone?" 

We looked around and found Hermione in a little alcove comforting a 2nd year girl who looked mortified. Her toad lying dead in her arms. She caught our eyes and mouthed that she'd meet us back in the common room. 

"I can't believe this. What kind of sick person would want to hurt children for fun? I wish Dumbledore were here, he'd know what to do. Where’s McGonagall and the rest of the normal teachers anyway? Surely they're doing something to stop this." Ron mutters quietly.

"I overheard a couple of 4th year slytherins talking earlier about a rotor on guarding the teachers. Apparently they've all been locked up in the dungeons, we'll try and check it out tonight. Lets go check on Ginny."

We walked into the common room to see 2 slytherins stood by the stairs chatting idly to each other. On the opposite side, a small group of bodies were huddling close together beside the fireplace; a mass of red hair was visible from the middle. As we approached them, we heard Ginny's voice whispering determinedly. 

"We will get through this. We will think of a plan and defeat this pathetic Dumbledore imposter. We just need to form another 'Dumbledore's army' and overthrow them, like we did too Umbridge. We have done it before, we will do it again. There will always be light at the end of a tunnel." 

For the first time, I didn’t see her as the quite sister of my best friend, but a determined fighter who has the respect of everyone around her. As she stood there, silhouetted by the light of the fire, I truly appreciated what an amazing woman she had become. 

"Hey Ginny, are you alright? How was your class?" Ron asked her. She looked over, spoke a few last words to her audience and walked towards us. 

"It was awful, but judging by the looks on your faces, I’m sure both of yours were similar. So, have you guys got a plan? Everyone's been waiting around for you guys to return. The Slytherins have been here all day, Seamus and Neville created a distraction before to try and get rid of them, but as soon as they were forced to leave, more came to fill in their positions. We had about 5 minutes to ourselves. We were all hoping that Harry had an idea." Ginny replied.

I stared at her, her red hair aflame in the light of the fire, before I realised that she was waiting for an answer. "I've had a few ideas, but we're going to try and form a plan tonight in the Room. Tell Neville and Luna too. No one else. We can't afford to have lots of people roaming the corridors. We don't want to risk it so soon. We need to find out who these people are first." 

"Let her go Malfoy! What the hell do you think you're doing." Ron shouted furiously. 

I spun around to see Malfoy pointing his wand at Hermione's neck. I rushed towards her, a flood of anger washing over me, but Draco let go of her with a shove.

"If this filthy mudblood touches me again, I’m going to hex her into oblivion." Draco angrily retorted. His face twisted into one of utter cruelty. 

"Oh shut up Draco, I nudged into you by accident when I opened the door. Move away from the door if you don't want to be hit by it." Hermione yelled back whilst storming up the stairs towards the boy’s dorm, her hair trailing behind her like a cape. Ron was close behind her.

I took one last look at Ginny, her back was now staring me in the face, before following Ron up the stairs.

It was time to start planning.