Unwelcome Message

The great hall was buzzing with excitement as students and teachers alike were glad for the end of another challenging year at Hogwarts. Added to this was the presence of a few visitors and the anticipation of tomorrow’s wedding between the two most popular ‘teachers’ in the school: Remus Lupin and Mika the time traveller. The aforementioned entered quietly from the back, along with the time lord Runcible, so as to avoid too many delays in the serving of the banquet.

Once everyone had had their fill of a very resplendent feast, Professor Dumbledore rose and addressed a quickly quietening crowd.

“Just a few end of year announcements to make before you all set off to enjoy yet another glorious summer holiday devoid of homework and exams…” he began. The students all cheered at the thought of no schoolwork for the next two months.

The Headmaster held up his hands to hush the room once more. “This year’s winner of the House Cup, is… Gryffindor!”

A huge cheer went up from the Gryffindor tables, accompanied by a cacophony of moans and ‘not again!’s from the other houses. It took Dumbledore quite some time to calm them down again and finish the rest of his announcements. He began to end the evening with a toast to Mika and Remus for their upcoming wedding when a large, unknown screech owl came crashing through a window and swooping into the great hall, dropping an envelope onto his hands. The bird then left the same way, crashing through another window as if oblivious of the glass.

“That wasn’t Errol was it?” Dumbledore quipped as Ron blushed and tried to hide.

“Probably a note of well wishing from someone who couldn’t make it,” Harry whispered his friends as they watched the proceedings from the Cup Champion Gryffindor tables.

But Hermione suddenly had a feeling of dread. Something just did not seem right. Mika seemed to share her feeling as the time lady suddenly rose and reached for the envelope. But she did not make it in time, partly because Remus tried to pull her back and partly because Dumbledore had already opened it.

As soon as the wizard broke the seal, the envelope came to life and opened up, unfolding into an impossibly large and frightening shape. Gasps and screams could be heard amongst those who recognised the green pulsating Dark Mark that appeared and floated over to where Mika and Lupin were seated.

“What is that thing?” Harry whispered, now sharing the same feeling of dread.

“It’s the Dark Mark of the Death Eaters,” Hermione hissed. “It can’t be anything good.”

“But how did it manage to get past Hogwart’s defenses?” Ginny wondered.

Hermione watched intently, her heart pounding. “Good question.”

The luminescent green, grinning skull, a snake wriggling from its mouth, hung over Mika and Lupin like a cloud of acrid smoke. Dumbledore was about to issue orders when it began to speak. A hush fell over the room. The voice was loud and deep; rough and gravelly. It was more of a growl than a proper voice, but the ancient words were very clear.

Werwulf pay yer master heed

And carry out this morbid deed

With deadly fang and claw extended

Curs’ed be the one intended

For when the lunar light is pure

Safe ye shall be never more

And ne’er can ye rest yer head

‘Til one or t’other of ye’s dead.

Then the apparition laughed a deep, low evil laugh and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The room fell silent, even Dumbledore was speechless.

“What does it mean?” Mika finally broke the silence. Frightened murmurs and soft, fearful weeping soon followed from the far corners of the room.

“It means, I am cursed to seek you out and kill you, until one of us is dead,” said Lupin, his voice weak and hollow.